Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1859-06-02
Historical Shtttbfs,
For the Monmouth Weekly Herald.
LIVES OF
Distinguished Jerseymen.
New Series.
BY HENRY WARD,
lcmber Of the LtchfeM Co. Historical Soeiets
XII.
Hou. Thomas Hutchins.

Men, who by their persevering labors,
have contributed greatly to enlarge the
boundaries of human knowledge, deserve
to be ranked high among the benefactors
of mankind. Their works have not been
in vain, neither hath their memorial
persisted with them"
Thomas Hutchins was a Jerseyman by
birth aud parentage. At an early age,
he gave promise of future -emincnce.-
His mind was naturally acute and intelli-
gent and he cherished an ardent and
irrepressible desire for information on all
subjects connected with Geography,
Travels and History. Having acquired
an extensive stock Of knowledge in those
departments, he determined to travel
abroad in search of new acquisitions Of
intelligence.
At the opening of the Revolutionary
War in 1775, he embarked for London,
and arrived there in safety. Knowing
his great talents and abilities, the British
Ministry offered him great brides, as an
inducement for him to abandon the cause
of his country, and acknowledge his al.
legiance to the King. He rejected their
p~roffers with scorn and Indignation
Though you should offer me-" said he,
all the wealth of the Indies and a ducal
%coronct, | would trample them under
foot; l would reject the glittering bride
with adherence, and rather die the death
Of a martyr, than live the life of a trail
tor" Noble reply! Worthy Of a true
hearted and patriotic Jerseymani
While. in London, Mr.. Hutchins was
narrowly watched and his ardent zeal
for his country's freedom, drew upon him
the d~istrust and enmity of all the digni
taries in that great metropolis. He was
not only suspected, but accused Of holding
a secret correspondence with DR.. Frank
lin, then American Minister to Paris, rel
alive to the best plans to be devised for
carrying on the war against England
There was no proof to substantiate the
acquisition; Notwithstanding which, he
was arrested. thrown into a filthy dun
geon, and deprived of all the pecuniary
means Of subsistence which he possessed
amounting to 100000. He underwent a
rigid examination, and no evidence hav-
ing been found against him, he was dis
charged, on condition of his leaving the
realm. This event occurred in 1873:
and his imprisonment. which was very
severe, lasted six weeks. On being lib
Grated, he went to France, where be re
manned some time, and finally returned
to America. He landed at Charleston
in South Carolina, and Immediately at.
tached himself to the army of Gen. Green.
He was very active and efficient in the
Engieeer Department. He was also ap-
pointed Geographer-G General of the Uni
ted States; an Office which be filled with
remarkall3 use1u.Le5s aad success. His
works were ~yoluminous, and exceedingly
interesting. Among them, perhaps, the
following are the most worthy of note
History and Geography of Louisiana
and West Florida; Boquet's Expeditions
into Ohio, with Map aud Plates; and a
Description Of Virginia, Pennsylvania,
Maryland and North Carolina, with ele
CANT Maps; the best Edition of which,
was published in London, in 1778-all oil
them, works Of great merit, and remark.
able for their clearness and accuracv.-
The Great American Geographer, DR..
Morse, acknowledged his Indebtedness to
Gen. Hutchins, for some Of the choicest
and most valuable materials for his Ga
retter.
Gen. Hutchins continued to labor with
unwearied assiduity in his useful avoca
ton, until near the close of his we'll spent
life. His fondest a%nticipations in regard
to his country's prosperity, had been fully
realized; the new Constitution had been
formed, and the Government was wisely
administered by its Immortal Founder,
General Washington. So that he might
well have exclaimed with an aged saint
of.old, Now, Lord, let thy servant de.
part in peace for mine eyes have seen
thy salvation" He died, A. D., 1889.