Shippen Manor

05/27/2026

James Moody, Loyalist

Born in Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, James Moody (1744-1809) lived on a 500-acre family farm. It is also written that he lived on a farm in Knowlton, Twp. (now Warren Co.), not far from the Delware River. He was neutral at the start of the war and intended to stay that way, but a party of American rebels attacked him on his farm in early 1777. At the time, Joseph Barton was raising the 5th Battalion of NJ Vols (Loyalists), which contained 250-275 soldiers, mostly from "Sussex Co." (Sussex and Warren).

On 28 March 1777, the Patriot militia arrested him for remaining loyal to the British Crown. Moody was able to escape when shots were fired and shortly thereafter, he joined the NJ Volunteers (Loyalists) under the command of Gen. Cortlandt Skinner (1727-1799).
* "Skinner's Greens" (Skinner's Brigade) were named for their green uniforms and the largest Loyalist unit raised during the Revolution. It consisted of 6 battalions (at the most, 2,000 men) and were involved in major campaigns such as the Southern theatre, CT and Yorktown, VA.
* Skinner was the last Royal Attorney General of New Jersey.
* In August 1777, the battalion fought in the Battle of Staten Island and lost 30 men.
* 22 Aug 1777, Major General John Sullivan lost the battle. Staten Island remained a major British outpost for the duration of the War.

Moody was captured by Gen. Anthony "Mad Anthony" Wayne (1745-1796) and imprisoned at West Point in 1780. He escaped a month later and resumed his actions before leaving for London. His brother John was captured and hanged as a spy in Philadelphia in 1781. Afterwards, Moody migrated to Nova Scotia.
* Wayne was born in Easttown Twp., Chester, PA and served as a an officer in the Continental Army during the Revolution. Because of his exploits, his nickname was "Mad Anthony." He played a significant role in the Philadelphia Campaign (1777), the Battle of Monmouth (1778), and the Southern Campaign (1778-1781). His most significant role was his campaign against the tribes in the Northwest Territory in the 1790s (Battle of Fallen Timbers, 1794 and resulting Treaty of Greenville secured the future state of Ohio for white settlement). While returning to his home in Chester Co., PA, he became ill with gout. He stopped at Erie, PA at a small army post and died in the chair. He was buried on 15 Dec 1796 at Old Saint David's Church Cemetery in Wayne, Delaware Co., PA.

James Moody left London for Weymouth in Nova Scotia and helped to sesttle Sissaboo (Mi'kmaq word for "river") in June 1786 with compensation from the British government for his actions during the War. He was one of the founding fathers of this community and built a shipyard, donated land for an Anglican Church (St. Peter's Church and cemetery), and helped local Acadians to receive clear title of their land. Moody was considered one of the best Loyalist leaders of the War and possessed outstanding leadership qualities.
* Weymouth Falls, Nova Scotia was settled by about 3,000 Black Loyalists, freed enslaved peoples, free African Americans-- with the British's promise of land for their service to the Crown, along with white Loyalists escaping the United States in 1783, following the end of the War.
* LTC James Moody (Find a Grave): https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/143387182/james-moody.

Loyalists have different reasons for retaining their support of the Crown after hostilities broke out. In an American population of about 1.2 million people, it is estimated that 15-20% of Americans were Patriotic (with that number climbing to about 40% near the end of the War), 15-20% Loyalists and the rest were undecided or neutral at the start of the war. The American military consisted of full-time soldiers, part-time militia men and foreign allies (i.e. French).

During the War, there were 230,000 Americans serving in the Continental Army and around 145,000 in state militias, including those who served in naval forces or as privateers. In total, there were 375,000-400,000 Americans fighting in the war, with about 6,800 killed in action. The majority of the men who died had succumbed to disease or perished in British prison ships. France committed abou 44,000 troops and naval personnel while the Spanish and Dutch Republic provided financial, logistical, and military support.

On the other side, the British Regulars numbered to about 48,000 (along with naval presence), about 29,875 Hessian (Germanic) troops were paid by the British to fight, 25,000 Loyalists, and an estimated 13,000 tribal members (mostly to prevent westward expansion). The British lost 43,600 men-- over 27,000 died from disease and an estimated 9,700 killed in combat.



RESOURCES:

"A History of the 1st Battalion, New Jersey." The On-Line Institute for Advanced Loyalist Studies. https://www.royalprovincial.com/military/rhist/njv/1njvhist.htm.

"Anthony Wayne." NPS. https://www.nps.gov/people/anthony-wayne.htm.

"History." Weymouth, Nova Scotia. https://www.weymouthnovascotia.ca/weymouth-history.

"The Battle of Staten Island." California Society, Sons of the American Revolution. 22 Aug 2024. https://www.californiasar.org/2024/08/the-battle-of-staten-island-3/.

"The Battle of Staten Island." Revolutionary War. https://revolutionarywar.us/year-1777/battle-staten-island/.

05/21/2026

Church seating is important in the 18th and 19th c.

In doing research on the Shippen family, we happened upon the Pew Rent records in 1781 for the 2nd Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. That's when we happened upon Dr. William Shippen Sr.'s pew-- #50 (page 17). Where a family sat in church demonstrated their position in society. This was a common practice in the 18th and 19th centuries and members paid for the right to occupy a particular pew every week. (His rent was just over 100 pounds Sterling in 1781, which is about $29,819 USD in 2026.)

2nd Presbyterian Church Pew Rent Book (1779, 1781): https://philadelphiacongregations.org/records/Second%20Presbyterian%20Church%2C%20Philadelphia%2C%20PA

The 2nd Presbyterian Church was organized in 1743 during the First Great Awakening. It was considered a "New Side" congregation, which means the congregation split from the colonial "Old Side" in the 1740s. The "New Side" embraced "emotional revivalism, evangelical preaching, and newly founded theological seminaries" (https://www.derrypres.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Roan.pdf).
* The 2nd Presbyterian Church organized as a result of Gilbert Tennent's "New Light" preaching. At the time, there were 140 members. Six years later, they purchased a lot on the northwest corner of 3rd and Arch Streets (church was completed in 1850). It was enlarged to handle the growing congregation in 1809, but sold and torn down in 1837-1838. A new church was built on East 7th Street, just below Arch Street (opening in July 1837). That building was sold in 1872 (used as a theatre) and the congregation worshipped in a hall on Broad Street (above Spruce Street). The new church (which still stands) was built on the SE corner of Walnut and 21st Streets.
* The 2nd Presbyterian Burying Grounds (1743-1750)
* 2nd burying grounds at 3rd and Arch St. (sold in 1835)
* 3rd burying ground was Arch to Cherry Streets, west of 5th (purchased in 1750; sold in 1869; remains removed in 1867 to Mt. Vernon Cemetery)
* 4th burying ground purchased in 1804 (Noble & 5th St.); part sold in 1867 and graves moved to Mt. Vernon Cemetery (the plot contains over 2,000 graves and there is no records of the names of those removed to this location). Dr. William Shippen, Jr. and his wife, Alice Lee Shippen are both buried in the Mount Vernon Cemetery (originally buried in the Shippen plot at the 2nd Presbyterian and later reinterred at this cemetery). His father, Dr. William Shippen, Sr. is proportedly buried in the Old Pine Street Presbyterian Churchard, but records have not confirmed this.

On the other hand, the "Old Side" Presbyterians, centered mostly in Philadelphia, emphazied formal education and a strict adherence to church law-- and the preaching was less emotional (probably more stoic).

In 1758, the two sides officially reunited and following the merger, the united congregation adopted the name of the 1st Presbyterian Church and relocated and occupied the 2nd Presbyterian's church on 21st and Walnut Streets and still functions as a church today.

According to informal records, Dr. Shippen, Sr. was a vestryman who contributed to the founding of the Second Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia in 1742.

The structure was damaged during the British occupation of Philadelphia in 1778. Pews were removed, fencing of the graveyard was replaced, and the cost of a replacement chandelier. The total cost, in British currency, was 202 pounds, 9 shillings, and 7 pence (which is roughly equivalent of $56,269.83 in USD, 2026).

05/19/2026

Benjamin Chew & Gov. Robert Penn arrested and held at the Solitude House in High Bridge, NJ.

“Reced March 20th 1773 of B. Chew Fifty nine Pounds & six pence the Balance due to me on an Account deliver’d him ye 14th of Novr last past—Allen & Turner… Part of my Share of Andover Debts see the Account filed.” – Benjamin Chew’s Receipt Book (1770-1809), page 30 ( Records)

William Allen (1704-1780) and Joseph Turner (1701-1783) were one of the most successful mercantile partnerships in pre-Revolutionary Philadelphia. They were involved in overseas trade, real estate investments (including the Union Iron Works in Hunterdon Co., NJ) and brokering. Allen & Turner were also involved in politics—Allen as mayor of Philadelphia (1735-1736), recorder (1741-1750), and chief justice (1751-1774). Additionally, Turner served as a member of the common council (1729), alderman (1741), and provincial councilor (1747). Benjamin Chew (1722-1810) purchased his Third Street townhouse from Allen’s daughter, Ann and her husband Gov. John Penn (1746-1840). Turner was also the uncle of Benjamin Chew’s second wife, Elizabeth Oswald (1734-1819).

Benjamin Chew’s primary residence was the Cliveden House (or Chew House), located at 6401 Germantown Avenue in Germantown, Philadelphia, PA. This was the location of some of the most violent fighting of the Battle of Germantown (1777), which was during the Philadelphia Campaign.

Not far from Cliveden, on Germantown Road, was the estate of Dr. William Shippen, Sr. where his only daughter, Susan “Sukey” Shippen Blair (1743-1821) lived with her husband, Rev. Samuel Blair, Jr. (1741-1818).

The Shippens and Chews were both a part of the Philadelphia elite. While Shippen was a physician, Chew was the Attorney General of PA (1754-1769) and later Chief Justice of the Province of Pennsylvania. He was friends with George Washington and John Adams. As a lifelong pacifist, he believed that protest and reform were needed to resolve the conflict between the American colonies and the British Parliament.

Initially a colonial advocate, Chew opposed the Declaration of Independence and was arrested and held prisoner as a Loyalist after Gen. Howe and the British Army neared Philadelphia. The Executive Council of the new government issued an arrest warrant for Chew (4 Aug 1777) in order to protect the public safety. The Executive Council opted to remove him from Cliveden at the last minute, and they sent Chew and his son-in-law Gov. John Penn to be paroled at this wife, Elizabeth Chew’s family house (“Solitude”) at the Union Forge Ironworks in High Bridge, New Jersey. Within six months, following British removal, both men were returned to their homes in Philadelphia.



RESOURCES
“Benjamin Chew.” University Archives & Records Center. Penn Libraries. University of Pennsylvania. https://archives.upenn.edu/exhibits/penn-people/biography/benjamin-chew/.

“Benjamin Chew (1722-1810) Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.” American Aristocracy. https://americanaristocracy.com/people/benjamin-chew.

“Chew Family Papers.” The Revolutionary City. https://therevolutionarycity.org/islandora/chew-family-papers.

“History of the Battle of Germantown.” Cliveden. https://cliveden.org/1777-battle-germantown/.

Schenawolf, Harry. “Cliveden (Chew) House & Its Role in Battle of Germantown.” Revolutionary War Journal. 15 June 2013. https://revolutionarywarjournal.com/cliveden/.

“Solitude House.” Crossroads of the American Revolution. https://revolutionarynj.org/sites/solitude-house/.

“Solitude House.” Revolutionary War New Jersey. https://revolutionarynj.org/sites/solitude-house/.

05/14/2026

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Sharing for the , one of our LAP 26 regrantees regarding their program and art show on Sat., June 13 and Sun., June 14.

05/07/2026

Warren Co. Arts Programming

The Arts at St. Luke's, one of Cultural & Heritage's arts regrantees, is presenting musician Sam Edelston on Sat., May 30 at 7pm. (See image for more information.)

The Arts at St. Luke's receives NJSCA grant funding for arts programming.

05/07/2026

Looking for something to do with your mother or grandmother this Sunday (May 10th)? Shippen Manor is open and we will discuss the roles of women during the 18th-20th centuries.

This is a free event and family-friendly.

For more information regarding accessibility and parking, or to see our 2026 programming, please visit: https://www.warrencountynjheritage.com/history/shippen-manor-programming

In June, we begin our Rev250 programming with two speakers: Dr. Ray Frey, professor emeritus, Centenary University ("Loyalists & Spies") and Asher Lurie, Hopewell Museum ("Continental Soldiers"). See our website for more information.

If you are interested in volunteering at Shippen for our 2026 season (1st and 2nd Sundays, May to December), we have the following positions open.

05/07/2026

Warren Garden Club honored Shippen Manor & the Oxford Furnace for "outstanding civic beautification" for the month of May (2026).

Members of the WGC, the president of the Friends of Shippen, and Gina Rosseland, Cultural & Heritage met at the Manor this week to accept the award.

The larger sign is outside of our museum entrances for the Month of May.

We appreciate the Warren Garden Club's acknowledgement of this beautiful historic site.

05/06/2026

On the 6th of May 1777, Gen. John "Gentleman Johnny" Burgoyne, a British officer and member of the Parliament, arrived in Quebec with a plan that could end the American Revolution.
* In June 1777, Burgoyne, the senior British commander in Quebec, along with 9,000 British, Hessian, Loyalist and indigenous forces ("Canadian Army") assembled at Crown Point (NY, Lake Champlain's western shore). They boarded over 200 warships and wooden bateaux (light, flatbottom riverboats) and started their path towards Albany, NY (the rear base and HQ of Maj. Gen. Phillip Schuyler's Northern Dept. Army).

The strategy, approved by Lord George Germain, called for a sweeping British advance along the Hudson River which intended to divide the colonies from New England. The plan was to have British forces move south from Canada. Barry St. Leger would lead a second column and push through the Mohawk Valley (NY). During that time, Gen. William Howe would move towards Philadelphia.

This was a lot of distance for the British to cover-- and unfortunately, a lack of coordination caused this plan to fail.

By June, his army advanced along Lake Champlain (NY) and easily captured Fort Ticonderoga (NY) in July.

After that, the campaign unraveled- a devastating defeat at Bennington (VT) resulted in a loss of men, horses and vital supplies. The army became isolated while they moved into hostile territory.
* The British suffered major setbacks during the siege of Fort Stanwix (NY) and the battle of Bennington (VT).

By September 1777, Gen. Burgoyne faced immense resistance. The American forces, led by Horatio Gates, Benedict Arnold and Daniel Morgan met the British at Freeman's Farm and Bemus Heights (Saratoga, NY). At Bemus Heights, Americans controlled the high ground while Burgoyne's forces advanced slowly, stalled and ultimately broke. At this point, a confident invasion resulted in the British surrender.
* The first engagement at Saratoga was fought on 19 Sept 1777 (Battle of Freeman's Farm).
* The Battle of Bemis Heights was fought on 7 Oct 1777 and was a decisive engagement of Saratoga. This was also the last battle in which Benedict Arnold commanded American forces on the battlefield.

The route from Quebec to Saratoga was not only a long distance (about 340 or so miles), but the geography shaped the battle. Troops moved by rivers (there are no roads at this time). The thick forests hampered advancement of the armies. And, most importantly, the Hudson River Valley was a pathway, but also a trap.

Burgoyne's army was cut off from supplies and were surrounded by the American forces.

The American victory at Saratoga permitted the Americans to secure an alliance with France and transformed this war from a colonial uprising to a global war.



Resources:

"10 Facts: The Battle of Saratoga." American Battlefield Trust. 7 July 2021, updated 15 Oct 2024. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/10-facts-battle-saratoga.

"British Invasion: His Majesty's Fort at Crown Point." National Museum of the US Army. https://www.thenmusa.org/army-trail/founding-the-nation/the-saratoga-campaign-june-october-1777/british-invasion-his-majestys-fort-at-crown-point/.

Kelleher, Sean. "The Campaign that saved the Revolution began as a British masterstroke. Past's Paths Substack. 6 May 2026. https://seanpatrickkelleher.substack.com/p/this-day-in-history-may-6-1777.

Maloy, Mark. "The Battle of Freeman's Farm." 24 Aug 2021, updated 16 Oct 2025. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/battle-freemans-farm-september-19-1777.

Schnitzer, Eric. "A Stand Up Fight: Battle of Freeman's Farm (First Saratoga)." National Museum US Army. https://www.thenmusa.org/army-trail/founding-the-nation/the-saratoga-campaign-june-october-1777/a-stand-up-fight-battle-of-freemans-farm-first-saratoga/.

"The Saratoga Campaign: June-Oct 1777." National Museum of the US Army. https://www.thenmusa.org/army-trail/founding-the-nation/the-saratoga-campaign-june-october-1777/.