Separation It isn’t an affair of church and state, but rather a nice cooperative effort and preservation of local history between the Highlands Historical Society and Our Lady of Perpetual Help School.
Historical Society president Sheila Weinstock was looking for a safe and secure place to keep all the memorabilia and records the Society has been collecting for several years. While the artifacts have always been under careful care during the years, the number of items collected has created the need for more space.
A society member who is also a member of the OLPH St Agnes parish noted the parochial school has been closed to regular classes for several years, but is maintained and used for several other reasons. At the suggestion there might be a classroom available for storage, Weinstein approached the parish with the idea.
The pastor, the Rev. Jarlath Quinn, was happy to be able to accommodate the local historical society and the two discussed the needs of the Society.
Weinstein said the result is the Society can now house all its memorabilia in a “Historical Society Room” at the school, keeping it secure let easy to access whenever it is needed.. The Society can also house items it needs for special events.
In gratitude for the parish supplying the secure room, the Society is making a monthly donation to the parish church.
“This has been a wonderful opportunity for us,” the Society president said, ,” we are sure our photos, papers, and everything we have saved are safe, convenient for when we need them, and gives us the opportu9nity to ensure all our items are preserved.”
Anyone having any memorabilia or photographs from Highlands they wish to donate to the Highlands Historical Society can contact Weinstein at HistoricalHighlands@gmail.com
St Pat’s Day The good nature, smiles, music and camaraderie of the Irish was loud and clear at this week’s meeting of the Atlantic Highlands Mayor and Council, falling on St. Patrick’s Day.
In addition to Council president Brian Dougherty proclaiming March Irish American celebration month, and the mayor and members of council leading a rousing 16 stanza version of “The Rattlin’ Bog,” with Borough attorney Peg Schaeffer wearing green, borough administrator Rob Ferragina also wanted the mayor to know it was also the 164th anniversary of Italian Unification day.
Each year, Italy celebrates March 17 as the day Victor Emmanuel II of Savoy, Kind of Sardinia and Piedmont, became the first King of Italy.
However, it was a time when the unification was not yet completed: Veneto, Trento and Trieste were still under the Hapsburg Empire, and Lazio was governed by the Pope, who did recognize the Italian state.
There were 23 million inhabitants on the Italian peninsula at the time, but fewer than two million spoke Italian and a Sicilian and a Piedmontese could not understand each other’s language. Approximately 75 per cent of the residents could neither read nor write.
National identity continued into the 20th century primarily when the Italian sense of belonging was consolidated even further after World War II, and the news media kept the public informed of the excellence Italians brought to the worlds of sports, culinary pride, music, the arts, education, science, technology and so much more.
Even the Irish proclaim the excellence of the Italians on a daily basis!
St Pat’s St Pat’s St Pat’s St Pat’s St Pat’s St Pat’s St Pat’s St Pat’s
When you have a teacher as talented, enthused, dedicated and proud as Jessica Merrigan, you can begin to understand how talented, educated, dedicated and passionate students at Henry Hudson Regional can achieve so much and reach goals they never realized they could reach.
That is the case this year as freshman student Evelynn Knox of Atlantic Highlands competed and represented the school and the region in the state competition of the nation-wide Poetry out Loud contest.
Evelynn Knox
The English teacher, Jessica Merrigan is proud of Evelynn’s accomplishments and knows what it means to a teenager to advance to the state level. After all, this isn’t the first time it has happened under her tutelage at Henry Hudson. In 2012 and 2013, student Lydia Smith also won the regional competition and moved on to the state level. In 2013, she became State Champion and then represented Henry Hudson and the Garden State at the 2014 national competition in Washington DC.
Knox competed at the State Level as the regional winner when the competition was held at the Count Basie theater in Red Bank earlier this month. Although not placing first in the competition, the freshman drew praise and congratulations for Henry Hudson students and faculty alike for competing against students through 12th year of high school.
Merrigan, who is also the SEL facilitator, Yoga teacher, advisor to the Student Council and Journalism Club as well as the Poetry Out Loud advisor, has been at Henry Hudson since first being interviewed in 2013.
English teacher, Jessica Merrigan with Freshman student Evelynn Knox
Among the talents she brought with her when becoming the Poetry Out Loud representative for Henry Hudson was the idea for developing the program and integrating it through the English Department. Admittedly she said it was trial and error in the beginning, and the program took a difficult hit during the Covid years.
But still, the teacher said, “Poetry Out Loud is a magical representation of how writing and speaking words mirror the human experience.” There is so much to the entire program, she eagerly points out, explaining that teaching students to select and analyze poetry helps them “not only to understand themes and poetic techniques, but it also allows young minds to explore the unknown, find themselves, and feel heard.”
The program works by teaching students how to speak publicly through the art of recitation. It begins in the English classroom, where students select and analyze a poem of their choice from the Poetry Out Loud Anthology, then advances to a school-wide school competition, when students compete with their peers for the title of first place.
Every aspect of the program is exciting for both her students and herself, Merrigan explained. But achieving success beyond the regional level has already resulted in a deeper appreciation she has for the program itself and all it has to offer.
“It is incredibly life changing,” she explains with enthusiasm, especially when competing beyond the school, “for both our student poet and myself. We celebrate a shared love for the arts with teachers, students, and families from around the country. Poetry Out Loud is a program that I adore.”
For the teacher, working with students like Evelynn as they make their final preparation for the next rated competition, is a particularly exciting and happy time.
So what is it about the Poetry Out Loud program that keeps a very busy teacher so enthusiastic and eager to work individually with each of her students? “The magic of the program stems from all the storytelling and interpretations that take place,” she said.
Then, my way of example she explained that after rehearsing several weeks with Evelynn this year, “we came to a newfound interpretation of one of her poems for the State Competition. The evolution of thoughts and the connections that we all make with poems is really quite blissful.”
Coaching is personal to each student, Merrigan continued, “as I genuinely value my students and their opinions. I also LOVE watching and interpreting the recitations, looking for all the things we all hope for, the purpose of life!”
Nor are they the only benefits of teaching this program. The educator noted that, in spite of the competition it requires, the program also “unites students. These students want to understand the meaning of their selected poems, they want to know what the poet was thinking, and they want to bring the poem to life for others to acknowledge, interpret, and fall in love with. It’s never the same experience.”
Looking back in response to a question on whether her own enthusiasm for the Poetry out Loud program is because she was shy or reluctant to speak publicly as teenager herself, Ms. Merrigan explained “ I would say everyone at some point has a fear of speaking in public.
Stepping more into that role did begin back in high school for herself. She attended Jackson Memorial High School, at a time when it was a student body of more than 3,000 teens. “In my experience, it was the theater that helped me to find myself and my voice.”
Which is also why the theater is another very sacred space to this teacher. “ From various theatrical performances and leading the Drama Club, I started stepping into a voice of my own. That voice grew with leadership roles I have had over the years through college experience and part-time jobs.”
There are even more positive results of all of that experience, she continued, because as a teacher, “ I learned very quickly that my voice had to be bold, confident and established; therefore, I tried to limit any hesitations I felt and just roll with it.”
Before coming on staff at Henry Hudson, Merrigan was employed in Somerset at Central Jersey College Prep, and believes that is where the love of sharing poetry with her students began.
“I realized how much students needed an outlet for themselves, she said, “ and poetry naturally spoke to them, both reading the works of others and writing the poems themselves.” She also believes that it was her work with poetry which inspired the invitation for her to be full-time at Hudson. “So the journey through this facet, like the POL Program, is constantly evolving. English was always her favorite subject in high school especially in the upper grades because that is where she found the significance of immersing herself in literature. “Furthermore, “ she concluded, “ my love for the theater was also present in every ELA class I took and continues to be present in the ELA classes I currently teach.”
Her teaching obligations are massive at Henry Hudson. This year she is teaching English III, AP Language & Composition, AP Literature & Composition, Public Speaking and Creative Writing.”
She accomplishes it all with an educational and experienced background that includes both an undergraduate degree in English and a master’s from Quinnipiac University); an MDEd in Social Emotional Learning, Mindfulness and Yoga she learned at Woolf University, and she is currently working on a second master’s when she anticipates receiving in June. She is also certified as a Teacher of Students with Disabilities from Rutgers and holds Certifications in AP Lit, AP Lang, ESL, Yoga, and Social Emotional Learning.
But for now, Educator Jessica Merrigan is continuing to enjoy every aspect of teaching her students at Henry Hudson Regional,, especially her very successful Poetry Out Loud Program and each of her students who works so hard and achieves so much.
Her husband has admirably gone down in history as the first signer of the Declaration of Independence as a representative of the New Jersey delegation, but his wife, Annis Boudinot Stockton, can well claim a seat in American and Literary history as well. The daughter of the owner of a copper company, she was one of the first female poets in the 13 colonies and published her first poem when she was only 16 years old.
She also was a staunch patriot, secreting important papers about the Whig Society when the British ransacked Morven, the family home, and later raising money for the Continental Army
Born in what is now Darby, Pennsylvania in 1736, Annis was able to secure an excellent education because of her father’s social position due to being a company owner as well as postmaster in Princeton.
Annis was 21 years old when she married Richard Stockton, the son of the founder of the College of New Jersey, now known as Princeton.
Throughout her life, she authored poems, including several to and about George Washington, a patriot she admired greatly. However, very few of her poems were published during her lifetime, since she was a woman, and little attention was paid to publishing women’s writings at the time.
The Stockton children, four daughters and two sons. were between 3 and 17 years of age when the British took over Morven, the Stockton home in Princeton, and General Cornwallis used it as his headquarters when the British launched their assault on New Jersey.
Before they arrested and imprisoned Stockton, he was able to have Annis and the children leave the house for safety. She, however, returned and managed to bury family documents and family silver, including important papers relating to the American Whig Society. Annis and Richard’s son, Richard, though only 12, and attending college across the road from Morven, remained behind with a servant and guarded the house.
After her husband died of cancer and debilitating health brought on by the torture he endured from the British during his five weeks in prison, Annis remained at Morven and continued to raise money for the Continental Army.
She became a frequent correspondent with Washington and drafted several poems which described the bravery of the revolutionary army. She continued her correspondence with Washington after he became President and he and his wife Matha were frequent visitors to Morven and the Princeton area.
After Stockton died in 1780, his wife remained at Morven until 1795 when she handed the property over to Richard, her oldest son. Morven continued in the Stockton family until 1945 when it was sold to Governor Walter Edge with the provision it be transferred to the state, which he did two years later. Morven became the first executive mansion for the Governor and is now a museum with historic gardens and recognized as the most historic home in New Jersey.
Annis Boudinot Stockton is the only woman ever admitted to the American Whig Society thanks to her safekeeping of the Whig Society documents during the Revolution which protected the identities of the Society members from the British.
The poetess, patriot and widow died February 6, 1801, in Fieldsboro in Burlington County. She is believed to be buried at White Hill Mansion there, a mansion listed on the New Jersey Register of historic places.
A pom Annis Boudinot Stockon wrote to George Washington, with a reference to his wife and friend, Martha, known to her friends as Amanda
Jesus thy Servant is resign’d
To thy unering will;
Oh; may my heart be more inclin’d
Thy precepts to fulfill.
Do with me what thou thinkest best,
Conform my soul to thee,
Stamp thy dear image on my breast
And ne’er depart from me
For in thy blissful smiles I live —
More sweet than lifes thy love,
And in thy favour is Contain’d
The heaven I hope above.
Thou art my souls honour and wealth
Her bliss and friendship too,
The source of all her peace and health
And every joy in view.
Then lead me thro the giddy path
Of youths deceitful road,
Nor leave me to the tempters wrath
My Saviour and my God
And at the last and gloomy hour
When death my flesh invades,
Oh! let thy staff thy crook thy power
Support me through the shades.
Then with thy presence gild the gloom
Of that tremendous vale
O! guide the wandering exile home
Nor let my foes prevail.
But let thy spirit whisper peace,
And shew my sins forgiven;
Make ev’ry doubt and sorrow cease,
And antedate my heaven
Annis Boudinot Stockton Annis Boudinot Stockton Annis Boudinot Stockton Annis Boudinot Stockton Annis Boudinot Stockton Annis Boudinot Stockton Annis Boudinot Stockton
Just heard of something pretty wonderful and offered at no cost to someone who is infirm or in need of a hospital bed. There’s one available in Atlantic Highlands that is a single bed, has side guards, and raises both foot and head from sitting straight up to lying flat comfortable positions. Happy to help someone pick this up if it could help someone in need.
Also there is an upholstered living room chair that is also designed for someone who likes the luxury of being able to sit up straight in the chair or lying pretty well prone.
Let me know by leaving a comment at VeniVidiScripto.com and I can help you out.
Colts Neck resident Michele Battista is active and hardworking in promoting everything the Friends of the Colts Neck Library do. She’s also a hard worker and keeper of all records, telephone receptionist and general all-around perfectionist at her job as office administrator for Colts Neck Realty where she now works part-time. And she has a loving family and a second grandchild on the way to keep her happy and busy in her spare time.
But if there is any one thing this hard working, very organized and very charming lady is really dedicated to, it is promoting early screening for colon cancer, something she is certain will prevent so many people from undergoing what she has undergone and continues to live with.
The good news is Michele Battista is a cancer survivor, and this year she is proud to say it is 13 years she can boast of being a cancer survivor.
The active lady was recently honored and recognized by a variety of groups this year, most recently the Colts Neck Township Committee who commended her at their recent meeting for her advocacy for cancer screening.
The Township Committee applauded Battista for not only for her bravery in going through years of worry, concern and pain but also her determination to overcome the disease herself and dedicate so much of her time to helping others avoid it.
Battista was also presented with a resolution from the New Jersey State Legislature for all her efforts by Assemblyman Margie Donlon as part of the recognitions for March being Colorectal Cancer Awareness month. Colts Neck Living recently featured Battista on the front page of the magazine along with an in\depth story about her life and fight with cancer.
A native of Middletown, Michele grew up in the River Plaza section, then lived in Freehold after she married in 1988. In 1993, the family moved to Colts Neck where they she and her husband now live.
It was Valentine’s Day in the year she turned 50, 2012, that Michele made an appointment for a colonoscopy. It was not because she wanted one, had any signs of anything wrong, or had any symptoms. It was simply because she was 50 and in 2012, doctors were advocating colonoscopies at age 50 to determine if cancer was present in the colon.
Her appointment for the procedure happened to be Valentine’s Day. Michele woke up from the procedure, to hear the words no one ever wants to hear : “you have cancer.”
Two weeks later, she was back in the hospital, this time for cancer surgery. The surgery determined her cancer was stage 3b, meaning it had spread through the muscle layer of the colon wall to the outermost layer or to the other organs of the abdomen.
That hospital visit was for five days. The next month, April 6, Michele was back in for a chemo port placement and four days later, she got her first chemo treatment.
There were three drugs, along with a three-page list of all possible side effects. Somehow, Michele managed, unfortunately, to “log every side effect.” So her oncologist tweaked her chemical cocktail down to six from the original 12. But Michele took all the treatments for the next several months, finishing the last treatment on September 13, 2012….there are some dates you just never forget, the brave and determined lady said.
One of the results of all this treatment, however, resulted in Michele being hit with CIPN, a nerve damaging side effect that can affect all parts of the body, from the toes to the fingers and affects four out of every 10 chemo patients.
The disease can make it difficult to get around, to bend down, to move, and always causes severe pain. While it can sometimes last only a few months, in Michele’s case, it still remains with her today, changing many things in her lifestyle. Still she meets, accepts, and overcomes the challenge.
Ever the optimist and forward thinker, Michele considered herself free of cancer as soon as she had completed her 12 rounds of chemo, necessary procedures in order to catch any stray cancer cells in her body.
She praises her oncologist, Dr. Ursiina Teitelbaum at U Penn in Philadelphia for helping her through every procedure. Dr. Teitelbaum was on vacation when Michele had the CT scan and MRI on September 14, 2012, but called to give the strong Colts Neck woman another three-letter message, this one NED…no evidence of disease.
Chances of recurring colon cancer within five years were about 70 per cent, but Battista beat those odds. Now 13 years later, she continues to brag, cheer, spread the word for early detection testing and thanks God she is still cancer free.
There are still times and pains this happy grandma has to deal with, but she does it with confidence and the energy to promote early detection for everyone else..
“When I was first diagnosed, I didn’t want to even talk about it, let alone advocate for colon cancer screenings,” Battista said. “Then I discovered one in 20 Americans were diagnosed with colorectal cancer back in 2012. Those odds were the motivation I needed to get the word out about the importance of being screened. It saved my life and I wanted to do the same thing for everyone else.”
Battista’s urging and explanations motivated eight family members and friends to get their first or follow up colonoscopy. “I’d like to think that number has grown over the years with the awareness events I have been at, “she adds.
In the past 13 years, Michele has learned to live with her CIPN, has had a hysterectomy, and been diagnosed with osteoporosis and atherosclerosis. Still she continues an active lifestyle.
Today, one in 24 Americans is diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer in their lifetime. It is the leading cause of cancer deaths for young men and the second leading cause of cancer deaths for young women.
For Michele Battista, wife, mother of one son, grandma of one grandson and soon to be grandma for a second, that’s enough reason to continue to tell her story and promote medical tests and procedures to catch a killing disease in its early stages.
L to R: Colts Neck Mayor Tara Torchia Buss, Michele Battista and NJ Assemblywoman Margie Donlon
Marine orator Rik van Hemmen will present A Shipboard Museum to highlight American Commercial Maritime at Bahrs Restaurant, 2 Bay Avenue, Highlands on Wednesday, March 19 at 7 p.m.
The program will be offered both in person and via zoom.
Coffee, cakes and a cash bar will be open at Bahrs from 6:30 the night of the event which is being sponsored by the Navesink Maritime Heritage Association.
All are invited to attend the presentation live, Association members can attend the Zoom session at no charge, and a slight charge is required for all others attending Zoom.
While the DAR, the Daughters of the American Revolution has as its primary missions the promotion of historic preservation, education and patriotism across the country, each of its chapters accomplishes these goals in a variety of different, innovative ways that meet the needs and suggestions of local residents as well as recognize local men, women and children who all contribute towards citizenship patriotism and higher education.
For the Middletown chapter, which has only been in existence for just over two years, there have been some amazing accomplishments and support for all three aims.
The chapter’s primary support is for the active-duty military and veterans in the area. The Middletown chapter supports the food pantry at Earle Weapons Naval Station thru multiple collections per year, either among its own members, the DAR state conferences or drop boxes at local libraries to encourage more community involvement.
The Middletown chapter, as a Friend of the Commissioning Committee for the submarine New Jersey (SSN796) provided New Jersey themed welcome bags to the boat’s 200 crew members at the commissioning of the nuclear sub at NWS Earle earlier this year.
Crew members of the nuclear attack submarine USS New Jersey SSN-796 celebrate her commissioning at Earle Naval Weapons Station Photo courtesy Gary Lehman
On a regular basis, the Middletown DAR provides “Welcome to the World” baby baskets to the new parents for all babies born at both Earle and the Coast Guard station at Sandy Hook.
It set up a lending library at Earle and continues to keep it filled with a broad selection of books, and also supplies military at the base with numerous others items including blankets or pet food whenever a need arises.
At Sandy Hook, the Middletown chapter also donates gift baskets to aid the Coast Guard in raising funds for a holiday party. And on the birthday of the Coast Guard’s August 4, the Middletown DAR threw an ice cream party to celebrate the anniversary of the nation’s oldest continuous seagoing service. Their current plans include a major celebration for the Navy’s 250th birthday this coming October. 13.
To ensure the success of each of these support programs and events, the Middletown chapter raised and spent more than $12,000 during 2024.
Still in support of the military, the Middletown chapter holds an annual veterans appreciation lunch, honoring numerous persons and events that promote support for US military and are active in the Wreaths Across America program annually.
That includes ceremonies and presentations of wreaths at the grave sites of American military, including and in particular the six Revolutionary War veterans buried in the Middletown area as well as the seven Vietnam KIA soldiers who also are buried in the township.
Support of the military, as far reaching as it is, is only one phase of the projects the approximate 42 members of the Middletown chapter successfully accomplish.
Education is another major area of support. In that area, the women expanded the program they started in 2023, and last year collected more than 4,000 books for the Bridges of Books program, the organization that promotes literature and book reading for children. Additionally, the chapter donated hundreds more books promoting literacy to various adult sources for books, including libraries.
Kristan Sussman, the DAR member who heads the chapter’s book collections, also pointed out their support and donations to the Red Cross books at Earle and added the chapter is currently reaching out to Fort Dix to ascertain and provide, if necessary, any books for their location.
Urging and supporting good citizenship among teenagers, the chapter presents Good Citizen awards to seniors at six different high schools in the area, honoring that student selected by each school’s administration and faculty for service, dependability, patriotism and leadership, presenting a $300 scholarship at graduation ceremonies.
Their high school essay contest, Patriots of the American Revolution, is a popular annual event, and grants for numerous causes are part of the Middletown chapter’s annual program.
The chapter sponsored a teacher grant from Neptune school district last year, and another for the Middletown Historic Society for painting their historic train station. Members will be present this year at the ceremonies surrounding the Historical Society’s opening of the historic original train station. The chapter also sponsored, through the national society and members’ dues, a grant in the 2023/2024 cycle for Friends of Bridgewater History assisting that organization in receiving $2900 to restore a historic cemetery.
The chapter reaches outside the school area as well to encourage good citizenship and recognize youth who practice it through a variety of means. They present Youth Citizen medals to police cadets selected by their leaders in several area towns, and we work with Middletown, Holmdel and Marlboro in these efforts, with a goal of including Highlands youth this year. “We think it’s important to recognize the time these students invest to learn about civic service,” said Chapter regent Michele Donnelly.
Two veterans who the chapter officers recognized as Distinguished Citizens received medals this year, when Michael Downs and Paul Roman were honored at ceremonies. An Americanism medal was also presented to Thy Cavagnaro, a naturalized citizen and Vietnam refugee who has dedicated her life to thanking Vietnam veterans.
Currently, the chapter is working on two new signs to honor local historical people and events. Working with Highlands Council president Joann Olszewski, the DAR is planning a sign to honor where Joshua Huddy was hung in Highlands during the Revolution, as well as a second sign highlighting the Battle of Navesink; they anticipate both signs will be in place and dedicated during the 250th anniversary of the nation next year.
The Middletown DAR has been recognized since its inception for its dedication towards locating, researching, and improving burial locations for Revolutionary war soldiers in the area and has already cleaned several cemeteries. Their cleaning included scrubbing and restoring visibility to 189 headstones and repairing another seven headstones that had been fractured; they also reset another eight stones that had fallen and were lying in disarray.
To accomplish all their work in local cemeteries, the women have both encouraged and received the support of friends and neighbors, happy for the opportunity to enable more citizens to learn the impact of the Revolution on the immediate area and the role Monmouth County and its residents played in the revolution.
Sussman pointed out the cemetery restoration has proven to be an easy and educational way of instilling a greater knowledge of the revolution among young residents especially. “The community who help us accomplish this work make it possible for us not only to benefit from additional labor but also help teach others how to preserve these sacred places and hopefully pass on to the next generation the importance of protecting and maintaining them. We’re not getting any younger,” the active woman laughed.
Our goal, Sussman continued, is “to identify all Patriots buried in Monmouth County. We already know it is a big goal, and we realize we are not going as fast as we would like. But you have to start somewhere. We want to make sure their cemeteries are accessible, and their graves are marked.”
Towards that end, the chapter has already ordered and installed 26 markers for Patriots whose grave markers were missing or illegible in Middletown, Holmdel, Matawan and Marlboro.
Another eight are planned for 2025.
Chapter members have completed documentation for Holmdel and Marlboro and donated those publications back to the Monmouth County libraries and local historic societies. “We spend so much time doing research to find these American heroes and prove their service, we want to make sure we give that back, “ Sussman continued, speaking for all members of the Middletown chapter. They are grateful to the Monmouth County Historic Commission regrant program for the support they receive from their program as well as the endorsement and support they receive from local government, the Monmouth County commissioners, as well as state legislators who support their efforts on a regular basis.
All you folks in the Highlands area looking for a great place for breakfast, you’ll find it next week when Donna opens Gem’s Bagels in the former Katz Confectionary on Bay Ave.
Everybody in Keansburg already knows about Donna’s great personality, her hard working attitude and her belief that enjoying a great cup of coffee and a bagel with friends is the perfect way to start the day.
For Donna, this is her second breakfast and lunch eatery, having started the popular place in Keansburg 20 years ago. But she’s been hard at work with her brother in the seven he owns, including the bagel shop at Campbell’s Junction in Middletown. All of which gives you a great idea of how delicious the food will be, how happy the customers will be and how Donna loves her job and loves meeting new people.
She finished up with all the necessary work at Highlands Borough Hall this week and just has to arrange her furniture, get in all her supplies and open the doors.
Look for a Tuesday or Wednesday opening and know from then on, she’ll be open seven days a week from 6 a.m. on. “Or maybe, earlier,” she laughs, “if there’s a need, I’ll be here anyway and the door will be open.”
For Donna, Gems is a Happy Place and from all indications, that’s what it’s going to be to all her customers as well.
Between his education and his friendship with influential and intellectual people, Richard Stockton brought an extraordinary amount of energy to the New Jersey delegation that signed the Declaration of Independence. He was also the first of the 56 delegates who signed the Declaration, and the only Signer to be imprisoned for his actions.
Stockton, the son of John Stockton who was the founder of the College of New Jersey, now known as Princeton University, was a longtime friend of George Washington.
It was through Washington that the New Jersey native met Benjamin Rush. And it was through Rush that Stockton met John Witherspoon and secured his position as President of the College of New Jersey.
Like Stockton, Witherspoon was one of the five New Jerseyans who signed the Declaration of Independence as members of the Second Continental Congress.
Stockton was born in Princeton in 1730 and attended West Nottingham Academy, a private school in Maryland started by a Presbyterian minister who also later became a President of the College of New Jersey. Stockton studied law and was admitted to the bar at age 24, rapidly gaining a reputation for his prudence and wisdom.
For several years, he traveled extensively in England, was welcomed by royalty, and highly respected for his values and intelligence.
Stockton was married to Annis Boudinot, one of the most renowned female poets of the era and the couple had two sons and four daughters.
Returning to the colonies from England, Stockton remained respected and the most acclaimed attorney in the colony.
While he had no use for politics and displayed an open distrust of the public, Stockton was a member of Congress where he preferred to take the middle road, opposing both extreme points of view in most areas, including freedom from England through revolution.
It was the Stamp Act of 1765 under which George III imposed a stiff tariff on all the colonies in the New World that convinced Stockton of the importance and need for independence; still, he worried about how to pay for the war, raise and support an army and start a new government.
In the hopes of a peaceful agreement between England and the colonies, he drafted a plan giving independence for the colonies without renouncing the British Crown. When that plan was rejected by the King in 1774, Stockton than favored independence by whatever means necessary.
In the early years of the Revolution Stockton turned down his election as Chief Justice of the state Supreme Court, preferring to stay a member of Congress to further the fight for liberty.
After signing the Declaration, Stockton was appointed to committees supporting the war effort. He was sent on a fact-finding tour throughout the colony, and returned to Morven at the same time as the British were ravaging New Jersey.
Although he managed to get his family to safety, the Signer was captured and imprisoned by the British, first in Perth Amboy later in Provost Prison in New York. At that prison, he was intentionally starved, subjected to freezing weather, and beaten and abused for five weeks because of his signature on the Declaration.
After nearly five weeks of abusive treatment, Stockton was released on parole, his health battered. His release was secured through the efforts of his old friend George Washington but required him to sign an agreement with England he would not contribute any efforts towards the War.
Morven Museum And Gardens
Stockton returned to his estate, Morven, in Princeton, regaining the property though all his household belongings, including a massive library, crops and livestock were taken or destroyed by the British.
The estate remained in the Stockton family until the 1944 when it was sold to New Jersey Governor Walter Edge with the provision it be turned over to the state within two years of his death. Edge turned the estate over to New Jersey in 1954 two years before he died.
Stockton retired from Congress. took months to regain a modicum of health, then reopened his law practice and taught new students. However, he developed a cancer on his lip which then spread to his throat, and Stockton died Feb. 28, 1781, at 50 years old.
The New Jersey Signer of the Declaration of Independence is buried at Stony Brook Meeting House, a historic Quaker site located at 470 Quaker Road, Princeton.
Richard Stockton Richard Stockton Richard Stockton Richard Stockton Richard Stockton Richard Stockton Richard Stockton Richard Stockton
