The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
photos courtesy of NJ State Police
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hamilton T0wnship NJ, Rowan University Anthropology students visited the NJ State Police Forensic Anthropology laboratory in Hamilton Township as part of an ongoing project involving the Hessian remains found at Red Bank National Park in Gloucester County in June 2022.
Dear Neighbor,
You may have heard recently about some hubbub relating to the Schedler Property, but you probably don’t know much about it. Well, here’s a little background and why you should be concerned.
Continue reading 5 Reasons Why The Plight of Schedler Residents in Ridgewood Should Matter To You
Trenton, NJ – Visitors and New Jerseyans alike can now use their smartphones to enjoy narrated travels in George Washington’s footsteps as the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area introduces its Ten Crucial Days audio tour. Travelers will follow the route of key events that turned the tide of the Revolutionary War in the very spots where they happened, starting with the launch point of Washington’s Christmas night Delaware River crossing in 1776 through the Continental Army victories at Trenton and Princeton. You will hear these events unfold through the experiences of the people who were there, in their own words.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
New bridge Landing NJ, join the Bergen County Historical Society for Retreat to Victory: Learn about events of Nov 20-21, 1776 in Bergen County. Reenactors from 4 groups to demonstrate. Exhibit of Antique Political Cartoons of American Rev War. Out kitchen Cooking, Barn & Blacksmith.
Hackensack NJ, from the Bergen County Historical Society :
Hackensack NJ, The Revolutionary history of Bergen County and New Bridge does not end at the Retreat in 1776. In fact at least 11 engagements occur at the New Bridge and was a constant scene of activity during the war.
Continue reading War once again comes to #BergenCounty! March 23, 1780!
photo and post from the Bergen County Historical Society
River Edge NJ, from the Bergen County Historical Society ,While it has been nearly a month since Washington and his army left Bergen County, with Crown forces in hot pursuit, war continues to be brought to Bergen County and New Bridge..
To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 15 December 1776
From Major General William Heath
Hackensack [N.J.] Decr 15th 1776
Dear General
On the 12th Instant I reached Tapan, and Yesterday made a Forced march to this Place, with so much Secrecy and Dispatch that the Inhabitants had no Knowledge of my Coming, The Enemy had left the Town Some Days Since Except five whom we took, Two of them sick, we have taken about 50 of the Disaffected, and about 50 or 60 Muskets the greater part of which had been taken from the Whigs as is Supposed and Stored—at the Dock we found One Sloop Loaded with Hay, House Furniture, Some Spirits &c. which we have this Day unloaded, A Brig Loaded Run Down the River about 7 miles and got a Ground, I am afraid that we shall not be able to Secure the Effects[.] a Schooner loaded with Hay, Furniture &c. which had Sailed from the Dock ran on the Bank of the River the wind being very Fresh, and in the night over Set by which the Goods were Damaged if not lost—Two or three Companies have been raising Here and in the vicinity, and Field officers appointed, one Buskark Colo., at his House we found 50 bbls of Flour a number of Hogsheds of Rum &c. and at one Browns who is Lieut. Colo. about 1000 lb. of Cheese &c., one Ten Penny is Major, they are all gone Down to York to have matters Properly Settled, get ammunition arms &c. and were to have returnd on yesterday, I Beleive we have Luckily Disconcerted them,1 Such of the Inhabitants as are Friendly receive us with Joy, but are almost afraid to Speak their Sentiments, and Indeed Little or no Intelligence can be got from the Inhabitants—The Disaffected have Sent Down a Petition for Troops to protect them, and Expect them every moment (as they say) and by Some reports from New york Several regiments are in motion, and there Destination Said to be up by the north River—This report is So much Credited that I think it will be rather Hazardous to move the Troops which I have in this neighbourhood much more to the westward, as I shall thereby leave the Passage on the Back of Fort montgomery too much Exposed[.] I think therefore after having Secured every thing Here to move to Paramus, at least for a few Days as I can from that place Protect this Part of the Country, and Should they attempt the Pass in the mountains be beforehand of them.
Colo. Vose, with the Three Regiments from Ticonderoga have marched to the Neighbourhood of Chatham, where they will arrive I suppose this night or to morrow, I shall move in Such manner as best to Protect the Country and Harrass the Enemy—your Excellency is Sensible That General Wadsworth Brigade goes Home in a few Days, and I cannot learn that any militia are Coming from Connecticut—I should be glad to Know if your Excellency has wrote to the State of Massachusetts Bay for any number of their militia and whether they are Expected, I regret the loss of the Brave General Lee; and much more the manner in which He was Taken.
If the Enemy Should not be able to pass the Delaware, I think they will take a Turn this way—Several Thousands Landed at Elizabeth Town on Yesterday or the Day before, and General How has lately Gone after the army to your Quarter. I have the Honor to be with great respect your Excellencys most Humble Servt
W. Heath
August 2,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
River Edge NJ, Bergen County Historical Society will Celebrate Revolutionary War hero Major-General Baron von Steuben’s birthday and greet the Baron in person! Enjoy the finest that regional craft breweries Brix City and Alementary have to offer together with delicious food in a historic village. Relax to music by Long Hill String Band and thrill to Mott’s Artillery demonstrations in The Meadow. Tour three 18th century houses, barn and outkitchen, and stroll the grounds of Historic New Bridge Landing in River Edge where Washington, Lafayette, and, of course, the Baron once walked.
As one past festival visitor remarked, “I feel like I’m on a farm in upstate New York!” but we’re only 7 miles from the George Washington Bridge!
Friedrich Wilhelm August Heinrich Ferdinand Steuben, also referred to as Baron von Steuben, was a Prussian and later an American military officer. He served as Inspector General and a Major General of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He is credited with being one of the fathers of the Continental Army in teaching them the essentials of military drills, tactics, and disciplines. He wrote Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States, the book that served as the standard United States drill manual until the War of 1812. He served as General George Washington’s chief of staff in the final years of the war.
Help us raise funds for a Hall of History Museum celebrating Bergen County’s storied past. Family-friendly event, games for kids. Book sale. No rain date. Free parking.
Baronfest, a day of music, beer, and food at Historic New Bridge Landing
Sept 29, 2018, Saturday, 1-5 pm
April 8,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
River Edge NJ, The Bergen County Historical Society was founded by the men and women of Bergen County in 1902 to tell the County’s story as a whole. Since 1939, the Society’s HQ has been located at Historic New Bridge Landing, in River Edge, NJ. We are not a government agency and receive no public funding. As an organization, we rely entirely on the support of our members and supporters to bring the history of Bergen County to life. Thank you for your continued support and make sure to stop by and explore YOUR LOCAL history.
Over a year-long effort for Jim Smith, culminating in the unveiling of a detailed painting by Jeff Trexler on events at New Bridge, March 23, 1780. Todd Braisted gave the Battleground Tour at Historic New Bridge Landing.
BCHS volunteers make the events happen at the Jersey-Dutch Museum Village on a American Revolution Battleground.
CONTACT INFO
Call (201) 343-9492
Bergen County Historical Society
contactbchs@bergencountyhistory.org
https://www.bergencountyhistory.org
March 23,2018
first posted by the Bergen County Historical Society
Ridgewood NJ, form the Bergen County Historical Society on March 22nd, 1780…a letter is drafted and sent to the Continental Outpost at Paramus Church being delivered by Lt. Colonel Richard Varick …
To the Officer as Paramus,
We, the subscribers, magistrates, sheriff and officers of militia…residing in Hackensack and its vicinity…make application to you for a detachment or party from your command to assist in protecting us and our neighbors, the well-affected inhabitants to the American cause against the incursions and depredations of small parties of the enemy and their vile abettors, the Refugees..
We are credibly informed that the enemy have in contemplation to make an attack and incursion on the inhabitants of Hackensack within five days..
The well-affected inhabitants, though willing to risk their persons in defense of their property, are too few in number….for the purpose of repelling the enemies’ parties or keeping up continued guards and scouts for their security…
Hendrick Kuyper and Peter Haring, Justices; Jacob Terhune and Isaac Vanderbeek, freeholders; Adam Boyd sheriff, Cornelius Haring, adjutant; and John Outwater, Samuel Demarest, Elias Romeyn, and David Demarest, militia captains (Photo of the Paramus Church, in modern day Ridgewood, where the Continental army had a string of outposts connecting back to Morristown)
February 9,2018
by John Paquin
Ridgewood NJ, “Fort Paramus”? believe it or not, there almost was. here’s the design submitted to Washington after the British raided the American outpost there repeatedly in 1780. Paramus church is at the center of the main fortifications with outerworks extending to the north and east above the banks of the Saddle River; cross the ravine that Rt 17 now passes through, and coming back in front of the house in front of the church, all to control the approach and bridge in the low ground in front of the church. It could just as well be called “Fort Ridgewood” since that’s where it would have been.
Ridgewood NJ, On April 19, 1775, at 5am, 700 British regulars marched into Lexington, MA and were met by 77 American militiamen. The Americans initially began to disperse, and then from an undetermined gun, “the shot heard round the world” was fired. Ten Americans and 1 British soldier died there. Two hours later the British marched into Concord only to be met by hundreds of American Patriots. The British commander ordered his troops to hastily begin their 16 mile trek to Boston. Throughout the return, the Americans fired upon the troops – Indian style, from behind trees, rocks and bushes. By the time the British reached Boston, nearly 300 British soldiers had been killed, wounded, or were missing in action. The fight for Independence had begun!
With more battles being fought here than anywhere else, New Jersey played a key role in the Revolutionary War, While no major battles were fought in Bergen County there were a number of skirmishes between local Patriots and British troops or sympathizers. The Ridgewood area was constantly visited by Washington and his officers.
The Schoolhouse Museum’s new exhibit “From the Revolutionary War to the 1960’s Revolution”commemorates our war for Independence with actual artifacts, weapons and equipment; as well as examples of flags and uniforms from this period.
To see this display as well as other displays highlighting other significant events during this time, from wars, to the roaring twenties to the rocking 60’s; as well as histories of prominent Ridgewood area residents, visit the Ridgewood Historical Society’s Schoolhouse Museum, at 650 East Glen Avenue. The museum is open Thursdays and Saturday 1-3pm and Sundays 2-4pm. Please visit www.ridgewoodhistoricalsociety.org for more information.
