For 35 years Friends Remember Massacre at Hancock’s Bridge
The Friends of the Hancock House have worked hard reminding those of the fallen Militia who died in a massacre fighting for our freedom. This year being the 35th year brings back some new and some old for the commemoration on March 23, 2013. The New Jersey Regiment will open the activities by having a memorial service for those militiamen who died that day when bayonetted by the Queen’s Rangers, and will end the day ,along with several living history troops showing off their skills in military tacticals and cannon firing
Anthony Melita of Revolution Tours Inc., and the Salem County Militia will give a presentation at 10:30 a.m. entitled; Salem County During the Revolution and interesting period in the American revolution detailing events leading up the massacre at Hancock’s Bridge including the Battle at Quinton’s Bridge.
At 12:30 Dr. Joseph Wroblewski will give a presentation entitled; Queen’s Rangers; Britain’s First American Regiment. During the American War of Independence 1775-83 the British Army authorized the raising of a number of regiments from the colonial population who remained loyal to the Crown. Colonel Robert Rogers, a celebrated officer in the earlier French-Indian War, formed the Queen’s Rangers in New York in August 1776. It was named in honor of Queen Charlotte the wife of King George the Third. Rogers, due to personal problems, resigned and eventually the Regiment came under the command of an Englishman, Major John Simcoe. The Queen’s Rangers fought in the pitched battles of Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth and continued to be engaged in patrols, skirmishes and raids throughout the Delaware Valley from Philadelphia and Bucks County to across the river from Salem in southern New Jersey on to Perth Amboy and Springfield in Northern New Jersey.
In 1780 the Rangers were transferred to the Southern Theater of Operations and were present at the British surrender at Yorktown. Following the surrender at Yorktown, the Regiment eventually took up land grants in New Brunswick (Canada) and were later reconstituted to help build what is now Toronto. The Regiment survives today as part of the Canadian military as the Queen’s York Rangers, and still practicing their original function as a reconnaissance unit. Learning about this unique group of Americans, who remained loyal to the King during the War of Independence, should prove to be both thoughtful and interesting.
Dr. Wroblewski, a retired Social Studies teacher from Trenton, NJ, earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Social Studies from Trenton State College and his Doctorate degree In Education from Temple University in 1987.After graduation from Trenton State, Dr. Wroblewski joined the Peace Corps and was sent to West Samoa to Teach Social Studies at Chanel College. Upon returning to New Jersey Dr. Wroblewski taught for many years at his high School alma mater Notre Dame High School and later taught in the Philadelphia School district until retiring in 2002. In retirement Dr. Wroblewski continues to research history especially Colonial and Revolutionary New Jersey. Dr. Wroblewski currently serves as an educational consultant for the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area and is a member of the New Jersey Historical Commission’s NJ350 Committee. He currently resides in Hamilton County New Jersey
Other activities for the day include colonial cooking demonstrations and a child’s chance to “Join the Militia” and participate in musket drills. Seek your cures for ailments from our house doctor who requires no co-pay. See Ben Franklin and learn about his battery and his battery powered rotisserie, his motor jack. Tours of the house and cabin, spinning demonstrations, visits to the militia encampments, food and fun for everyone
The day’s events will begin at 10:00am and end at 4:00. This program is brought to you with support from the State of New Jersey’s Department of Parks and Forestry and public donations For more Jim Schulte at 856-217-0420 or by email at [log in to unmask]