Revolutionary War papers restored

UPI ^ | Jan. 20, 2009 | Anon UPI Stringer

[Pharmboy]

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- After painstaking restoration, 5,400 Revolutionary War documents are ready to leave a Philadelphia conservation center for their home in New Jersey.

The $700,000 project begun in 2005 has restored documents belonging to the New Jersey State Archives, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Tuesday.

The 18th century papers, discolored, brittle and frayed, tell stories of patriots killed in battle, of spies for the British and of armies from both sides that destroyed property and stripped farms of crops and livestock.

Using chemical baths and tissue-thin paper for repairs,

snip...

New Jersey saw more military engagements than any other state during the Revolutionary War, with major battles fought at Trenton, Princeton, Monmouth and Assunpink.

[Pharmboy]

$700,000.00 well-spent.

[pikachu]

Assunpink?

Must have missed that one and would have guess that was fought out in San Francisco by just sounding out the name.

[Pharmboy]

A Revolutionary Chaplain James Caldwell (1734-1781), a Presbyterian minister at Elizabeth, New Jersey, was
one of the many clergymen who served as chaplains during the Revolutionary War. At
the battle of Springfield, New Jersey, on June 23, 1780, when his company ran out of
wadding, Caldwell was said to have dashed into a nearby Presbyterian Church, scooped up
as many Watts hymnals as he could carry, and distributed them to the troops, shouting
"put Watts into them, boys." Caldwell and his wife were both killed before the war ended.

The RevWar/Colonial History/General Washington ping list

[Pharmboy]

Ha!

A little river in Trenton.

[DieHard the Hunter]

> $700,000.00 well-spent.

For 5,400 irreplaceable historical documents of National significance, and each document restoration a work of art from a skilled conservator. It equates to the princely sum of $1,296.30 per document, or the equivalent of two hours billable time with a junior Philadelphia Lawyer to write up, say, a will...

You’re right: that was an amazing bargain. They probably spent that much cleaning up the Mall after yesterday’s inauguration.

[Pharmboy]

They probably spent that much cleaning up the Mall after yesterday’s inauguration.

Undoubtedly

[08bil98z24]

They probably spent that much cleaning up the Mall after yesterday’s inauguration.

You gotta love how much trash and pollution the pro earth "green" friendly liberals left behind ...

F'ing hypocrites

[Pharmboy]

I had the exact same thought.

[hedgetrimmer]

I couldn’t agree more! Even better to get them online so we all can appreciate and use them.

[aculeus]

... when his company ran out of wadding, Caldwell was said to have dashed into a nearby Presbyterian Church, scooped up as many Watts hymnals as he could carry, and distributed them to the troops, shouting "put Watts into them, boys."

An early day "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!"

[Pharmboy]

Great point...or perhaps even: “Praise the Lord, His word IS the ammunition!”

[SoCalPol]

Thanks always Pharmboy for your early American history posts, especially having 17th & 18th Cen. ancestors in New Jersey, New York, & New England

[andyandval]

What a refreshing post, Pharmboy, especially given all the utter nonsense going on.

Die Hard the Hunter, that was the best response I have read in a long time.

Thanks, you guys.

[DieHard the Hunter]

(big grin!) It was nice to be able to respond to a fascinating, non-Obama thread today. What an amazing find, that treasure-trove of old documents!

[wagglebee]

Great thread!

[Pharmboy]

Aha...the North Country is heard from!! Excellent.

I was delighted that this story popped up today since I really wanted to post something to the group from RevWar times just for the reason you gave.

While there are always reenactor stories on the wires, I have avoided posting them since the increased number would likely become an annoyance to many on the list. My criteria are thus news items that have significance for a national audience.

And thanks for your kind words.

[Pharmboy]

You are quite welcome, friend. And, I completely agree with your tagline!

If any of your Patriot ancestors were members of the NJ Militia, the uniforms they would have worn would have been as pictured in the painting above. The buff facings of the NJ Regiments provided the color for the state flag.

[the OlLine Rebel]

“New Jersey saw more military engagements than any other state during the Revolutionary War, with major battles fought at Trenton, Princeton, Monmouth and Assunpink.”

This is probably true as far as “major” (when is “Assunpink” major?). But is it true overall over someplace like...South Carolina? With all the skirmishing?

[the OlLine Rebel]

River on which Trenton resides.

[the OlLine Rebel]

Good....

Lord....