Asher Holmes

Asher Holmes (February 16, 1740 – June 20, 1808)[1] was an American politician and veteran of the American Revolution.

Early life and family

He was born to Samuel and Hulda Holmes (nee. Mott). His birthplace was a plantation called the Scotchester in Pleasant Valley, Marlboro Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey. He was married to his wife Sarah (nee. Watson) on February 21, 1771 and had four children.[2][3][4] They lived in the Pleasant Valley section of Marlboro Township in a house he called "Old Kentuck". He is buried at the Holmdel Baptist Church cemetery.[5] He was a land surveyor by trade.[6]

Military service

Overview

He served primarily in the 1st Regiment, Monmouth County Militia during the American Revolutionary War. General Lafayette, in a letter to General Washington described the Militia commanded by Asher Holmes:

I found the rifleman even above their reputation, and the militia above all expectation I could have formed of them [7]

List of commands

His list of commands was as follows:[6][7]

  • Captain, First Regiment, Monmouth County Militia
  • First Major, First Regiment, Monmouth County Militia - November 28, 1776
  • Colonel, First Regiment, Monmouth County Militia - March 27, 1778
  • Colonel, Regiment of New Jersey State Troops - October 9, 1779
  • Colonel, Battalion of NJ State Troops - June 7, 1780

Battle involvement

He was noted in the Battle of Germantown and the Battle of Monmouth, Navesink, Conushonk and Pleasant Valley engagements. He captured a frigate in Deal Lake[8] and commanded a militia to responded to the Pine Robbers attack in Pleasant Valley in 1778.[9] He was known to have made a failed attack on a British baggage train with a loss of one man on his side and four British soldiers.[10] In 1779, a raiding party 800 people strong, Commanded by a Colonel Hide raided multiple areas of Monmouth County. They created skirmishes in Middletown, Red Bank, Tinton Falls and Shrewsbury. They were met by a Militia commanded by Col. Asher Holmes and Captain Burrowes and pushed back to Staten Island.[11] In 1779, he captured a British Ship, the Brigantine Britannia[12] in the Sandy Hook bay. It had just arrived from England with supplies.[13] He was also noted to have been involved with militia officer exchanges when an officer was captured.[14]

Political activities

He was one of 436 signers of the document which suggested that "For every article of personal property so taken from good subjects, reprisals shall be made of loyalists."[15] In 1774, he was appointed to the Committee of Correspondence and then the Committee of Observation and inspection (a forerunner to the Continental Congress).[16] Following the Revolutionary War, he was a Justice of the Peace and then High Sheriff of Monmouth County.[15][17] He was a member of the New Jersey Legislative Council from 1786 to 1787.[18]

Buildings named after Asher Holmes

Asher Holmes Elementary School, located in Marlboro Township, New Jersey

References

  1. ↑ Genealogical Service, Asbury Park Press, October 27, 1938, p. 11.
  2. ↑ Encyclopedia of New Jersey edited by Maxine N. Lurie, Marc Mappen, Rutgers University Press, 2004, p. 383.
  3. ↑ "Colonial Air Clings to Pleasant Valley", Asbury Park Press, July 11, 1943, p. 3
  4. ↑ George Crawford Beekman, Early Dutch Settlers of Monmouth County, New Jersey, 1901, Moreau Brothers, Freehold N.J., p. 79.
  5. ↑ "The WPA and the Ancient Graveyards", Asbury Park Press, June 8, 1937, p. 8.
  6. 1 2 Hiram Edmund Deats, The Jerseyman, Volumes 9-11, 1903, H.E. Deats, Publisher, p. 29.
  7. 1 2 New York Times, May 3, 1896, p. 32.
  8. ↑ "Old Kentuck", Asbury Park Press, September 13, 1954, p. 9.
  9. ↑ "Waterborn Minute Men of Revolution harassed British along County Creeks", Asbury Park Press, July 10, 1949, p. 3.
  10. ↑ George Crawford Beekman, Early Dutch Settlers of Monmouth County, New Jersey, 1901, Moreau Brothers, Freehold NJ, p. 80.
  11. ↑ "County Inhabitants Suffered At the Hands of Tories During Revolution", Asbury Park Press, January 2, 1949, p. 4.
  12. ↑ William Nelson, Documents Relating to the Revolutionary History of the State of New Jersey, Volume IV, 1914, page 214
  13. ↑ "Ill Wind Blew in a Storm", Asbury Park Press, October 1, 1967, p. 15.
  14. ↑ Michael S. Adelberg, The American Revolution in Monmouth County: The Theatre of Spoil and Destruction, History Press, 2010.
  15. 1 2 James Taylor Holmes, The American Family of Rev. Obadiah Holmes, 1915, Columbus Ohio, p. 110.
  16. ↑ "Schools Openings Recall Patriot Feats", Asbury Park Press, September 8, 1974, p. 9.
  17. ↑ Matawan Journal, Monmouth Former Sheriffs, Page 9, July 28 1898
  18. ↑ George C. Beekman, Early Dutch Settlers of Monmouth County, 1915, reprinted in 1974.
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