Britannia Look for several stories in the next couple of weeks on the Middletown Chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution and their ribbon cutting ceremony held Sunday in front of the Seabrook-Wilson house, in Port Monmouth. But first it is important to see why it was such a wonderful ceremony and what an eclectic group of talented people brought together from so many different areas besides history.
It also showed how well the Monmouth County Parks System, which co-sponsored the event with the DAR , and many of the historic organizations and commissions in Monmouth County came together to learn more about this British ship from Revolutionary times that broke loose from its moorings and subsequently was captured by the Patriots, its huge supply of foods and other necessities apparently intended for the British on Sandy Hook or the many British defenders living in Monmouth County or the New York area then taken over by the Patriots.
Sponsored by the Middletown Chapter of the DAR, the official uncovering and dedication of a sign in front of the Seabrook-Wilson House…..those of us who have been around here a few years know it as the Spy House, now a wonderful museum run by the county Parks System…..looks out over the bay adjacent to Shoal Harbor where the ship was captured.
The Britannia was then towed by Captain Asher Holmes and his militia to Cheesequake Creek where the militia then unloaded it, guarded their prize, and received a portion of the sale of the cargo and ultimately the ship’s infrastructure.
But the DAR event itself was historic. Present and speaking at it, in addition to a welcome from DAR chapter Regent Michele Donnelly and a great explanation of the county’s resources on the Britannia, by Monmouth County’s Kristen Hohn, artist Steve Schreiber of Toms River was on hand to not only display this oil painting of the Britannia but tell the story of every detail within the incredible history in oils.
Also on hand to give great explanations of how 18th century ships were built was Tom Ruggiero of the Ship model Society of New Jersey whose model of a brigantine let the audience of approximately 50 guests see the detail and intricacy that went into building the wooden vessels.
Bill Brown from the Model Ship Society was also there to answer questions and entice more interest in shipbuilding. There was even a great talk by Maureen Foster, a DAR member who wrote the story for the Monmouth Timeline and is the descendant of one of the militia men that started the research and was captivated by the Britannia story.
There was so much interest and so many questions for more information that even after the beautiful but brief ribbon cutting ceremony outside, the crowd went back in to enjoy light refreshments and learn more from each of the experts present.
It was a terrific group of people who not only love American history, Monmouth County’s role in it and the importance of preserving it and keeping others informed.
Check out the Britannia story article at https://monmouthtimeline.org/timeline/capture-of-britannia.
