The sun., 1898-01-09
BEFORE THE REVOLUTION.
SOME THINGS AhRON LEARNING
RECORDED IN mrs DIARF.

re was One of the settlers or Capo MAY ave
Three OF Hls lduie Record Books Have
Ju-t Turned Up-OrEn nizinE ana Pa,tnr
Raiitia-Oue or wn.h,nEtenNs BATTLES.
CAPE MAY, N. j., Jan. s-while looking over
some old papors In long unused bureau drawer
the other day, Mr.. Aaron Learning, an aged resi-
dent of this place. found three diaries OF the
years 1851, 1878 and 1777, which were the rec
ords kept by HE great-Rrea at-grandfather, Aaron
Learning, I'd, Of this ounty. In these little
books arc recorded the happenings Of the COM
munlty of this peninsula county Of the State at
that timc, as we'll as somo events which were
occurring in the colony OF Now Jersey. The
books arc now yellow md crumbllns with ago.
They are the sizo OF an ordinary pass book used
by country storckecper and neatly kept
Aaron Learning. I'd, the maker, was grand.
son OF one Of the flrst settlers Of Cape May. who
emiErated from Long Island in 1890. and who
possessed nearly all the land in the county. Ho
with his father. Aaron the hrst represented
Cape May in tho Colonial Assembly from l74o
to l743. and again from 1745 to 1873, n greater
part of this latter time with Jacob spicer. Cd.
son Of q settler from Long Island. In 1742 he
was appointed Loan Commissioner and served
until 1765. He was born July O. 17l5, q. s..
and was we'll educated for his time. He kept
yearly diaries. several of which had been found
before these last thrce were brought to light,
He acquired much land, and was a surveyor for
many Others It was he with Jacob Spicer. Cd,
also OF this county. who in 1850 compiled tho
first laws OF the State. and ono Of his manu-
scripts reads:
Upon Saturday, tho second day of February.
1850. Robert Lawrence of Monmouth. William
Corks Of Burlington. William Hancock OF Salem.
Jacob Spicer Of Capo May. Hendrick Fisher OF
Somerset, John Wctherill OF Middlesex, and
Aaron Learning OF Cape May, gentlemen. being
Of the House OF Assembly" were selected COM
mittee to inspect the " Laws, Records and other
Fundamental Constitutions relating to the first
Settlement of Now Jersey in Each Division"
Tho Pennsylvania journal Of Nov. 8. $780,
contained the advertisement that the laws
would be published and that Aaron Learning,
Jr.. would receive subscriptions for the same.
In 1888 Learning says in his diary: "Feby I'd.
Spicer & began compiling the New Jersey
Constitution" and on Nov. 60 1855. he records:
"Spicer & / hegan the Table OF the Jersey Con-
stitution." On March 81, 1858. 1913 volumes
had been printed, and on the 18th of April fol-
lowing the final settlement was made by tho
Legislature by ordering that Learning and
Spicer be paid latter Three months trial of the
Sale,' at the rate Of Ell 1ss. 3d. per volume.
During the French and Indian war Learning
was Commissary-General Of the colony. and his
brother Cape Mayman. Spicer, supplied the
and kettles. for which he received nearly $4,000.
In the diary for 1851, found the other day, were
these curious entries about how Learning
reached the sittings Of the Assembly. and some
Of its acts:
Burlington. January 1. 1891. The Assembly
having provided the pay Of the New Jersey Reg
iment for November last and appointed me to
make the months pay see Memoirs for Decem-
ber, 1900. We are now proceeding to mako pay
ment.
january 1, 1851. Rid to Mount Holly. this
being pay day there.
Jan. 2. Last night we lodged at Mr.. Reads
ICharles Reads. afterward famous patriot.
who was prominent In both New Jersey and
Pennsylvania Rid to Burlington"
On Jan. 3 he was in Burlington and the next
day at Moorestown, and on the 5th he says:
rid to Gloucester. Spent in making pay.
ment.
Jan. z. Rid to Salem.
Jan. 8. Spent making payment.
january 8. 1851, rid to Cohansie bridge.
January 10. 1851. Spent at Cohansie Bridge
msy,%s sy"n: Fl FIFTH. qldt to rarkln.
6ctoSsr Ss Se'n gone
HE then gives Sd two pages to the
"FsS: isSa' = ii;7ei.upon M viewing Mr.. Msrr's
March ae 1871 set out for ImSoy ycstor-
.sMarch 2s-Rid to Burlington.
"29-Sct out in company with several Lodged
"3O..Got to Amboy and was qualified in 70
house."
Phii'deiphia; after the conclusion Of the Iegis.
lature. and there buys negro for gao. andt hen
comes Is home 1e, ,e Cape May Again he records:
18th got to Burlington
''s Broke up after passing a law to take 81
ment, their service to commence the first OF No
yember 1891 & last a year; to have R3 bounty
sroasd eTy nn
commonly harsh against allowing levy money
az d t shSy Sisd n
have the command OF the "a men-& they say is
unworthy. the reason for 1t is that let who will
tho Kings health. that being so ancient &
established q custom that no soldier ever per-
ter In very uncommon mahner-whsn we
Gang to vote PROPOSED Dollar. being the ex.
leading voters placed it at los and was forced
to vote for the los or tho voters for nothing
ss at hs
no ne Of July i7el Ii! set out hopeward."
existence OF the Cape May Committee Of Safety. |
2 sR a nS Rph
"commitee:" Joseph Corson. John Mckay. |
Jose BadcOck. John Baker. Syvanus Townsend,
yunr.; James Willetts, Junr, Jos Lidlam, Hugh
Hartshon. Elijah Townsend. Joseph Edwards,
Christopher Learning. Zebulon Swain. Jesse |
Hand, Thomas Learning Jr.; Aaron Learning.
jeremiah Ludlam: Jonathan Jenkins. Joseph !
Savage. joseph Hiidre,h. Jonathan Learning.
mu ads, Aaron Eldredge, Abram Bennett. John
Ham,. Ha Jr; ~, Nos & &Whill,diinl r,il Esar; Memucan
Lerrning was the Chairman OF this committee. |
In the 1777 diary he says:
"By requsition issi,od from Governor Liyis- |
ton (Livingstonl all the militia are called from |
this county & tho neighboring ones to rende. |
vous at Woodberry without delay.
THE ] of Sept. there was n battle between |
General How tHowel & General Washington |
Mt Chad's ford and Jones ford in Brandewine |
the american account is that Washington lost |
about 500 as some say.
THE english lost Is computed by some to be |
1900 kid by somc 5000 s. by some near 1000 |
all uncertain believe & General Washington |
says our loss Is much less than the Enemy ne Is |
perswaded he says he lost Tor pices OF can on.
All this acct esteem vaug & uncertain. |