From A Brief history of Chatham Morris County, New Jersey by Charles A. Philhower - pg. 21.
After the battle of Springfield, General Washington on his return to Morristown sent word ahead to Mrs. Stephen Day (2nd wife of Captain Stephen DAY) that he would stop off to see her on his way through Chatham. Accordingly, Mrs. Day dressed herself in a fine black silk gown with a large white scarf about her neck and awaited the coming of her distinguished visitor. A small mahogany table
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| (Not the Caldwell attack.) Battle of Long Island, an 1858 painting by Alonzo Chappel |
was placed on the lawn in front of the house, and a pleasing repast was prepared for the General. The call was made and heartfelt words of sympathy were extended to Mrs. Day in behalf of the horrible murder of her sister Hannah (Ogden) Caldwell at Connecticut Farms. Much appreciation was shown by the General for her hospitality and often afterword's it is said the Washington called at the Day Mansion. Captain Stephen Day, the husband of Mrs. Jeremiah Ogden Day was on of the staunchest patriots. He was justice of the peace under both the British and Continental rule, served in the army, and was on of the first to aid the Continentals when requisitions for supplies were made. It is said the he gave a whole beef when the first call was issued.
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| Historic Stephen Day House c. 1936 |
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Captain Stephen Day was my 5th Great-uncle. -Jan
Born about in Newark, Essex, New Jersey
Son of Joseph Day and Hannah Sargeant Day. Stephen Day commanded a company under Colonel Ford, Eastern Battalion, Morris County, New Jersey Militia, at the Battle of Springfield, Union Co., New Jersey, June 23, 1780. This was one of the last major engagement of the Revolutionary War in the North and it effectively put an end to the British "ambitions" in New Jersey. General Washington praised the New Jersey Militia in this battle, writing later, "They flew to arms universally and acted with a spirit equal to anything I have seen in the course of the war."
Hannah (Ogden) Caldwell. Hannah, wife of Rev. James CALDWELL & daughter of John OGDEN of Newark, was killed at Connecticut Farms by a shot from a British soldier, 25 Jun 1780.
Recognized by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) as a female patriot.
htps://www.americanrevolution.org/hannah-caldwell-biography/
Grave Inscription
"was killed at Connecticut Farms by a shot from a British Soldier. Cruelly sacrificed by the enemies of her husband and her country"
Historic Stephen Day House image:This image or media file contains material based on a work of a National Park Service employee, created as part of that person's official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, such work is in the public domain in the United States. See the NPS website and NPS copyright policy for more information.
