Journal of Captain John Montresor, July 9, 1777

The British and Hessian Grenadiers embarked, as also the 16th Light Dragoons, leaving for the defence of Staaten Island the 52nd and 2 of Hessians encamped in the rear of the Redoubt, round the watering place and the Provincials on the West side of the Island under the Command of Major-General Skinner. In the redoubts 6 Iron 6 pounders and a detachment of Artillery, each field piece taken with us on the Expedition has with it 300 rounds.

SOURCE: G. D. Scull, Editor, The Montresor Journals, p. 427

Journal of Captain John Montresor, June 18, 1777

Escort returned to Brunswick. Weather cool, Now 9 days provision with the Army. A courier returned from Northward. Northern army had not crossed the lakes the 28th May but had been seen to South Westward, had driven then to Otter creek. In a patrol had 2 Killed, 2 Hessian Serjeants Grenadiers &— 1 Jager & 3 wounded.

SOURCE: G. D. Scull, Editor, The Montresor Journals, p. 423

Journal of Captain John Montresor, June 28, 1777

At 4 this morning the whole marched and reached Amboy in 5 hours and mostly encamped. Weather exceptionally hot—no firing at all. This country richer and better watered. Part of the Army Continued their march, crossed the Ferry to Staaten Island and encamped there, and one Brigade of Hessians embarked on board their respective vessels lying near Amboy. Much baggage, Waggons, Horses & ferried across likewise. Some deserters from the Rebels and one Light dragoon. The Vigilant armed with 18 and 24 pounders & made up the Rariton, so as to flank our Camp. Flat bottomed boats and such cratt arrived this afternoon at Amboy from Princes Bay.

SOURCE: G. D. Scull, Editor, The Montresor Journals, pp. 425-6

Journal of Sally Wister, September 25, 1777*

This day, till twelve o'clock, the road was mighty quiet, when Hobson Jones came riding along. About that time he made a stop at our door, and said the British were at Skippack road; that we should soon see their light horse, and [that] a party of Hessians had actually turn'd into our lane. My Dadda and Mamma gave it the credit it deserv'd, for he does not keep strictly to the truth in all respects; but the delicate, chicken-hearted Liddy¹ and I were wretchedly scar'd. We cou'd say nothing but "Oh! what shall we do? What will become of us?" These questions only augmented the terror we were in.

Well, the fright went off. We saw no light horse or Hessians. O. Foulke² came here in the evening, and told us that Gen'l Washington had come down as far as the Trappe, and that Gen'l McDougle's brigade was stationed at Montgomery, consisting of about 16 hundred men. This he had from Dr. Edwards,³ aid-de-camp; so we expected to be in the midst of one army or t'other.

Fourth Day Night.

We were not alarm'd.

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* This date, presuming the day of the week to be accurately given, should be the 24th, and it may be here observed that the dates of the month are not for some time correctly given in the Journal, being a while one day ahead, and then two days, until December 5th, when they become correct. — H. M. J.

1 LYDIA FOULKE, daughter of William and Hannah, born April 9, 1756. She afterward married John Spencer, born 1756, died 1799, son of Jacob and Hannah, of Moreland. — Н. М. Ј.

2 OWEN FOULKE, son of Caleb and Jane (Jones) Foulke, was born in Philadelphia, June 27th, 1763, died at Gwynedd, August 30, 1808. He was afterwards a partner with his father in business in Philadelphia, and in 1798 was a member of the First City Troop. In the late years of his life he practiced law at Sunbury, Pa. He was Sally's first cousin, their mothers being sisters. — H. M. J.

3 DR. ENOCH EDWARDS, brother of Major Evan Edwards, was born in Byberry, Philadelphia County, in 1750. He became an Ensign of the Pennsylvania Flying Camp, in 1776. He was a Justice of the Peace and a practicing physician in Byberry until 1792, when he sold his property there and moved to Frankford. In 1791 he was commissioned an Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia. He died April 25, 1802. "Penna. in Rev.," III., 558; Phila. Amer. Daily Ad., Apr. 27, 1802; "Hist. Moreland"; Martin's "Bench and Bar."

SOURCE: Albert Cook Myers, Editor, Sally Wister's Journal A True Narrative Being A Quaker Maiden's Account Of Her Experiences With Officers Of The Continental Army, 1777-1778, pp. 67-70