TOMS RIVER – As visitors stepped into Ocean County’s Third Annual History Day, they were instantly transported back in time by the captivating melodies of Revolutionary-era music.
The enchanting sounds woven together by three members of the “Ministers of Apollo” featured instruments such as the harpsichord and delivered mesmerizing vocal renditions, all complemented by the distinctive cadence of the fife and drum.
Dressed in period-appropriate attire, Eliza Vincz-Lichack, Erik Linchack, and Matthew Skic showcased their undeniable musical talent and shared their deep passion for history.
As a researcher of Revolutionary War military music, Erik played a pivotal role as the primary contributor and co-author of “Military Music of the American Revolution.” Eliza’s expertise in art history helped bring together the whole sensory experience of history, connecting the past with the present beyond musical remembrances.
Visitors to Ocean County’s Third Annual History Day were greeted by music provided by the Ministers of Apollo. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
The Curator of Exhibitions for the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, Skic contributed his own wealth of knowledge and expertise, further enhancing the group’s collective commitment to preserving and highlighting history through music.
“I’ve been playing the fife since age ten,” added Skic. “I really got interested in American history and specifically the Revolutionary War as a boy. I bought the fife at Valley Forge National Park and later joined the Fife and Drum Corps based out of Trenton when I was eleven.”
Eliza’s commanding mezzo-soprano voice reverberated on one side of the event, with Erik and Skic skillfully accompanying her. Meanwhile, on the opposite end, attendees settled into their seats, immersing themselves in the wisdom shared by lecturers who had also embraced the attire of bygone eras.
Among the presenters was Tim Hart, the Division Director of the Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission. He made a striking impression by dressing in the attire of Revolutionary War patriot Reuben Randolph and offered a localized perspective on Randolph’s historical significance within the region.
War reenactors were side by side with other historical groups. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
According to Hart, Randolph and his brother came down from New Brunswick to Manahawkin and set up a grist mill and a store. Randolph also owned a tavern situated at the crossroads of Beach Avenue and Route 9, alongside his farmstead, which coincides with the present location of the Thos. L. Shinn Funeral Home.
“Randolph was also the captain of the fifth company of the 2nd Monmouth militia based in Manahawkin,” shared Hart. (Ocean County split off from Monmouth in 1850.) “There were about 20-25 men that were part of the organization. Some of them were quite interesting.”
Hart went on to recognize the Coffee brothers, whose surname hinted at a West African origin; the word ‘coffee’ derived from a West African language, signifying “being born on Thursday.”
At the time, Monmouth County housed a significant enslaved population, primarily of Dutch origin and concentrated in the northern part. Yet, the Quakers, although averse to slavery in principle, paradoxically engaged in the slave trade, owning ships involved in the infamous triangular trade of slaves, molasses, and rum.
The Quaker influence and values played a significant role in towns like Barnegat and Tuckerton, formerly known as the “Middle of the Shore.”
The Ocean County Historical Society was one of many who attended the event. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
The clashes between Reuben Randolph’s company and loyalist John Bacon’s forces exemplified the harsh realities of the Revolutionary era. Notably, the Patriots faced an astonishing statistic – zero victories against the Loyalists. These encounters were marked by bitterness and hostility, mirroring the broader conflict.
One incident saw Randolph himself bound to a tree in the dense and unforgiving terrain known as Hawkins Swamp. Another memorable confrontation occurred during a fishing expedition, where the Patriots, armed with rudimentary weapons, faced off against Loyalists and emerged victorious, claiming fish and firearms.
Hart engaged the audience with numerous tales from the Revolutionary era, including a pivotal moment when the Manahawkin militia convened at a local tavern, determined to no longer endure mistreatment.
As dawn broke, it became painfully evident that Bacon and his men, bearing arms and military discipline, posed a more formidable adversary than initially perceived.
These gripping narratives, woven into the fabric of Ocean County’s history, offered a captivating glimpse into the turbulent times of the American Revolution. They served as testaments to how personal grievances intertwined with the broader struggle for independence left an indelible mark on the region’s past.
Ocean County History Day attendees also had the opportunity to meet the country’s first president as George Washington exchanged pleasantries. War of 1812 reenactor Jeff Brown offered insight into another time in American history.
Daughters of the American Revolution members Rose Trafton, Pat Moore, Irene Merlin, Commissioner Virginia Haines, and Janis Gibson. (Photo courtesy DAR)
Historical societies representing various communities across Ocean County displayed information regarding significant historical events within their respective towns. The Captain Joshua Huddy chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) also took the opportunity to inform visitors about their meaningful contributions to the community.
The DAR’s exhibition featured proclamations from fifteen Ocean County municipalities, collectively designating the week of September 17-23, 2023, as Constitution Week. The proclamations also recognized both the Captain Joshua Huddy chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Ocean County Historical Society for their pivotal roles in commemorating Constitution Week throughout Ocean County.
The Ocean County Historical Society provided museum tours at the event held on their premises located at 26 Hadley Ave, Toms River.
Well orchestrated by the Ocean County Historical Society in partnership with the Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission and the Captain Joshua Huddy chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Ocean County’s Third Annual History Day delivered a captivating journey through time.
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