At the Vought House, we can tell a story of three generations of the Vought family, European refugees swept up in major
religious and political conflicts of the 17th and 18th centuries. They strove to make a new life and became community
leaders along the Raritan. In the crisis of 1776, they took a stand against the rebellion and volunteered to join British
troops. After the war the Voughts were among 30,000 loyalists exiled to Nova Scotia.
religious and political conflicts of the 17th and 18th centuries. They strove to make a new life and became community
leaders along the Raritan. In the crisis of 1776, they took a stand against the rebellion and volunteered to join British
troops. After the war the Voughts were among 30,000 loyalists exiled to Nova Scotia.
Historical Backround
The German Palatine Exodus: 1709
In the late 1600's and early 1700's, the British government wanted to
increase the population of the American colonies in order to boost
American growth and, thereby, British wealth. However, draining the
mother country of Englishmen was considered unwise, so England
looked outside its borders for likely settlers.
German Lutherans were seen as highly desirable by Protestant Queen
Anne, who promised them free passage, land and money. Advertising
pamphlets were distributed in the Palatinate, a formerly prosperous
rural area of Germany that had been ravaged by devastating religious
wars and left in ruins. In 1709, after a severe winter, more than 10,000
desperate Palatines packed up and left for England; 3,000 of them
were sent by the British government to New York's Hudson Valley.
Among them were Christoffel Vought’s parents, Simon and Christina
Vogt.*
increase the population of the American colonies in order to boost
American growth and, thereby, British wealth. However, draining the
mother country of Englishmen was considered unwise, so England
looked outside its borders for likely settlers.
German Lutherans were seen as highly desirable by Protestant Queen
Anne, who promised them free passage, land and money. Advertising
pamphlets were distributed in the Palatinate, a formerly prosperous
rural area of Germany that had been ravaged by devastating religious
wars and left in ruins. In 1709, after a severe winter, more than 10,000
desperate Palatines packed up and left for England; 3,000 of them
were sent by the British government to New York's Hudson Valley.
Among them were Christoffel Vought’s parents, Simon and Christina
Vogt.*
The Refugees Arrive in North America: 1709-1710
The immigrant refugees were, effectively, indentured servants. Many were sent to work in Britain’s naval supply industry,
making masts, ship’s timbers, tar and pitch north of New York City until they repaid the government for their passage, land
and upkeep. The Vought family managed to stay in New York City instead. After subsistence payments ended in 1712,
semi-destitute, they followed about 45 other German families to the Lower Raritan Valley of central New Jersey, joining the
Dutch who had already settled the area.
Simon was anxious to farm, but the best land in the Lower Raritan Valley was already taken so the family joined clusters of
German settlers heading inland to the relative wilderness along the North and South Branches of the Raritan River, in the
nearly 100,000 acres of the West Jersey Society’s Great Tract. On August 1, 1714, Simon and Christina’s infant son,
Johannes Christoffel Vought (known as Stoffel) was baptized at the first recorded German Lutheran service in New
Jersey, at the home of a free black, Aree van Guinea.
making masts, ship’s timbers, tar and pitch north of New York City until they repaid the government for their passage, land
and upkeep. The Vought family managed to stay in New York City instead. After subsistence payments ended in 1712,
semi-destitute, they followed about 45 other German families to the Lower Raritan Valley of central New Jersey, joining the
Dutch who had already settled the area.
Simon was anxious to farm, but the best land in the Lower Raritan Valley was already taken so the family joined clusters of
German settlers heading inland to the relative wilderness along the North and South Branches of the Raritan River, in the
nearly 100,000 acres of the West Jersey Society’s Great Tract. On August 1, 1714, Simon and Christina’s infant son,
Johannes Christoffel Vought (known as Stoffel) was baptized at the first recorded German Lutheran service in New
Jersey, at the home of a free black, Aree van Guinea.
Simon and Christina Vogt Settle in Hunterdon County: 1720-1759
The Palatine Germans were especially attracted to the fertile farmland of Hunterdon County and its limestone
outcroppings, so like the land of the Rhine Valley and the Palatinate. The familiar limestone soil lured Simon, who was
anxious to feed and clothe his growing family.
The family settled in Hunterdon, first on land between today’s Oldwick and Potterstown. They became active members of
the New Germantown (Oldwick) Lutheran church. In the 1740s, Simon Voght took a leading role in a bitter dispute within
the Lutheran Church in America over whether congregations were bound to a minister for life; was his calling a contract
with the congregation or an obligation to God? This issue pitted the congregation against the authority of the central
church. The congregation wished to expel their minister, Johann Wolf, who had married Simon Voght’s eldest daughter.
Simon went to great lengths to defend his son-in-law until an incident forced Simon to choose his daughter’s honor over
his defense of Johann Wolff and allegiance to the authority of the central church.
outcroppings, so like the land of the Rhine Valley and the Palatinate. The familiar limestone soil lured Simon, who was
anxious to feed and clothe his growing family.
The family settled in Hunterdon, first on land between today’s Oldwick and Potterstown. They became active members of
the New Germantown (Oldwick) Lutheran church. In the 1740s, Simon Voght took a leading role in a bitter dispute within
the Lutheran Church in America over whether congregations were bound to a minister for life; was his calling a contract
with the congregation or an obligation to God? This issue pitted the congregation against the authority of the central
church. The congregation wished to expel their minister, Johann Wolf, who had married Simon Voght’s eldest daughter.
Simon went to great lengths to defend his son-in-law until an incident forced Simon to choose his daughter’s honor over
his defense of Johann Wolff and allegiance to the authority of the central church.
In 1749, at age 35, their son Stoffel became head of the
Vought household, marrying Cornelia Portman Traphagen and
soon fathering two children, John and Christina. Ten years
later, he bought 285 acres of prime, limestone-rich land that
straddled the South Branch of the Raritan River and fronted
Spruce Run in what was then Lebanon Township and is now
Clinton Township and Clinton Town.
Vought household, marrying Cornelia Portman Traphagen and
soon fathering two children, John and Christina. Ten years
later, he bought 285 acres of prime, limestone-rich land that
straddled the South Branch of the Raritan River and fronted
Spruce Run in what was then Lebanon Township and is now
Clinton Township and Clinton Town.
Stoffel and Cornelia Vought Prosper: 1759-1774
In 1759, 45-year-old Stoffel Vought began improving his new
land holdings and built the large stone house that still stands on
it. Impressive for its time, the house was built partly into an
earthen bank, with sturdy stone walls reminiscent of rural
homes in the Palatinate, where Stoffel’s parents had grown
up. The second floor is remarkable for its wattle and daub
decorative plaster ceilings.
land holdings and built the large stone house that still stands on
it. Impressive for its time, the house was built partly into an
earthen bank, with sturdy stone walls reminiscent of rural
homes in the Palatinate, where Stoffel’s parents had grown
up. The second floor is remarkable for its wattle and daub
decorative plaster ceilings.
Stoffel Vought rose to take a respected place in the community and within the German Lutheran congregation. He was
elected to the council of his church and became an elder. In 1768 he was named one of Hunterdon County’s Road
Commissioners. He also bought 2,000 acres of land in New York State, as an additional legacy for his children and
grandchildren.
In 1774, when he was 60, Stoffel turned over the day-to-day operation of the farm to his son, John, because he was “old
and unable to cultivate it.” He also bought an additional 203 adjoining acres—which he gave to John. Stoffel planned to
enjoy his retirement.
elected to the council of his church and became an elder. In 1768 he was named one of Hunterdon County’s Road
Commissioners. He also bought 2,000 acres of land in New York State, as an additional legacy for his children and
grandchildren.
In 1774, when he was 60, Stoffel turned over the day-to-day operation of the farm to his son, John, because he was “old
and unable to cultivate it.” He also bought an additional 203 adjoining acres—which he gave to John. Stoffel planned to
enjoy his retirement.
Choosing Sides in the Revolution: 1775
Unfortunately, the outbreak of the American Revolution brought an end to the family’s good fortune. Everyone in the
colonies was forced to choose sides, and the Voughts became well-known supporters of the King’s Armies. What
motivated them to back the British Crown?
colonies was forced to choose sides, and the Voughts became well-known supporters of the King’s Armies. What
motivated them to back the British Crown?
The Turmoil of War: 1776
New Jersey was also close to New York City, which had a huge, solidly
loyalist population. Stoffel and John Vought, along with perhaps over a
third of all New Jersey provincials, and in Hunterdon County a much
higher percentage, decided ultimately to remain loyal British subjects.
Unlike many loyalists and more than a few patriots, the Voughts did not
avoid military service; they fought for their beliefs. It was a principled
but costly decision.
loyalist population. Stoffel and John Vought, along with perhaps over a
third of all New Jersey provincials, and in Hunterdon County a much
higher percentage, decided ultimately to remain loyal British subjects.
Unlike many loyalists and more than a few patriots, the Voughts did not
avoid military service; they fought for their beliefs. It was a principled
but costly decision.
It is likely that, comfortably established in the colony, the Voughts felt
they had a lot to lose in a war and wanted to maintain the status quo.
And like many other immigrant families, they may still have felt indebted
to Britain for the opportunity it had given their family through its
generous immigration policy of the early 1700s. The Vought family had
been transformed from desperate, impoverished refugees to
well-established, financially secure landowners in two generations.
they had a lot to lose in a war and wanted to maintain the status quo.
And like many other immigrant families, they may still have felt indebted
to Britain for the opportunity it had given their family through its
generous immigration policy of the early 1700s. The Vought family had
been transformed from desperate, impoverished refugees to
well-established, financially secure landowners in two generations.
At first, loyalists worked through legal channels to support the Crown. But anti-British sentiment grew and tempers rose in
1776. The colonists raised militias. John was drafted, but when his militia unit refused to serve, he and Joseph Lee, a
supervisor at the Union Iron Woks, were held responsible. Rumors of a coming British invasion emboldened the loyalists,
who began raiding colonial militias throughout north and central New Jersey.
After midnight on June 24, 1776, John Vought, Joseph Lee and a group of about 25 loyalists armed with clubs raided a
local militia-recruiting center, the tavern and house of Thomas Jones, a longtime Vought friend and close neighbor. The
group sought to intimidate Captain Jones. They beat him with clubs, ransacked and stole money from the tavern bar and
chased his family out of doors as he hid in the house.
1776. The colonists raised militias. John was drafted, but when his militia unit refused to serve, he and Joseph Lee, a
supervisor at the Union Iron Woks, were held responsible. Rumors of a coming British invasion emboldened the loyalists,
who began raiding colonial militias throughout north and central New Jersey.
After midnight on June 24, 1776, John Vought, Joseph Lee and a group of about 25 loyalists armed with clubs raided a
local militia-recruiting center, the tavern and house of Thomas Jones, a longtime Vought friend and close neighbor. The
group sought to intimidate Captain Jones. They beat him with clubs, ransacked and stole money from the tavern bar and
chased his family out of doors as he hid in the house.
John Voaght, Swindle and others Struck this Deponent
with Clubs, who then took his gun & told them that if they
did not leave the House and cease striking him he would
blow their brains out—They answered Gd Dam him he
presents his Gun at us, & fell on this Deponent & beat him
with their Clubs & hurt and wounded him much—This
Deponent then flashed his gun at them, upon which the(y)
immediately Ceazed the Gun & twisted it out of his hands
& beat him on the head and sundry parts of his body w’
their Clubs & said Dam by whig kill him out of the way.”
(from Jones’ deposition)
with Clubs, who then took his gun & told them that if they
did not leave the House and cease striking him he would
blow their brains out—They answered Gd Dam him he
presents his Gun at us, & fell on this Deponent & beat him
with their Clubs & hurt and wounded him much—This
Deponent then flashed his gun at them, upon which the(y)
immediately Ceazed the Gun & twisted it out of his hands
& beat him on the head and sundry parts of his body w’
their Clubs & said Dam by whig kill him out of the way.”
(from Jones’ deposition)
On July 9, the Provincial Congress responded to these "acts of open and daring violence" which "abused the friends of
freedom" and ordered the militia to "apprehend such insurgents and disaffected persons." Within days, Col. Frederick
Frelinghuysen marched with a squad of militiamen from White House to the Vought farm, where at midnight they
surrounded the house. As Stoffel slipped out a back window in his nightshirt, he was apprehended by a rebel who threw
him to the ground. John had escaped, but he soon gave himself up in solidarity with his father. In July 1776, Stoffel and
John were imprisoned for five days in the Hunterdon County Courthouse in Trenton until they posted bail of 2,000 pounds.
Each was fined 100 pounds—a surprisingly lenient penalty. They now both became well known loyalists.
freedom" and ordered the militia to "apprehend such insurgents and disaffected persons." Within days, Col. Frederick
Frelinghuysen marched with a squad of militiamen from White House to the Vought farm, where at midnight they
surrounded the house. As Stoffel slipped out a back window in his nightshirt, he was apprehended by a rebel who threw
him to the ground. John had escaped, but he soon gave himself up in solidarity with his father. In July 1776, Stoffel and
John were imprisoned for five days in the Hunterdon County Courthouse in Trenton until they posted bail of 2,000 pounds.
Each was fined 100 pounds—a surprisingly lenient penalty. They now both became well known loyalists.
A militia man's account of the arrest: They started about sundown . . . from White House and marched quietly
and noiselessly to Lebanon arriving there about midnight. Having surrounded the house with his men, [Colonel
Fredrick] Frelinghuysen went to the door and rapped with the hilt of his sword. In a moment a back window was
thrown open and the man they sought jumped out in his night shirt but ran into the arms of one of the men who at once
threw him down and had him bound. They then went into the house to search for something to eat. In the cellar they
found a boiled ham and some bread and butter and a barrel of Methiglen which was soon tapped and some of the
men had the bees buzzing in their heads all day and even at night fall.
and noiselessly to Lebanon arriving there about midnight. Having surrounded the house with his men, [Colonel
Fredrick] Frelinghuysen went to the door and rapped with the hilt of his sword. In a moment a back window was
thrown open and the man they sought jumped out in his night shirt but ran into the arms of one of the men who at once
threw him down and had him bound. They then went into the house to search for something to eat. In the cellar they
found a boiled ham and some bread and butter and a barrel of Methiglen which was soon tapped and some of the
men had the bees buzzing in their heads all day and even at night fall.
Leaders of Loyalist Resistance: 1776-1778
In the fall of 1776, with George Washington’s troops in retreat from New York across New Jersey, the loyalist cause
gained strength. In December, Washington, probably with the help of Captain Jones collecting river boats, ferried his
retreating troops across the Delaware into Pennsylvania. The Voughts assembled a force of 50 to 60 loyalists which
moved south along the Raritan River, to link up with the British Army. They were intercepted by patriot militia, but Stoffel,
John, and the majority of the party escaped and reached the British lines, where John joined the New Jersey Volunteers,
the largest American loyalist military organization.
gained strength. In December, Washington, probably with the help of Captain Jones collecting river boats, ferried his
retreating troops across the Delaware into Pennsylvania. The Voughts assembled a force of 50 to 60 loyalists which
moved south along the Raritan River, to link up with the British Army. They were intercepted by patriot militia, but Stoffel,
John, and the majority of the party escaped and reached the British lines, where John joined the New Jersey Volunteers,
the largest American loyalist military organization.
General Howe commissioned John Vought as a lieutenant, second in
command under his friend, now Captain Joseph Lee, in the Sixth Battalion,
New Jersey Volunteers. The New Jersey Volunteers were issued green
uniforms and fought with the British redcoats. They had little military training
and were looked down upon by British regulars. But they provided
important local knowledge, protected supply routes and base camps and
would forage the countryside for food and supplies. In the next year and a
half, John’s battalion saw action in Bergen County and helped repulse
Sullivan's raid, an attempt to dislodge the British and loyalist forces on
Staten Island.
command under his friend, now Captain Joseph Lee, in the Sixth Battalion,
New Jersey Volunteers. The New Jersey Volunteers were issued green
uniforms and fought with the British redcoats. They had little military training
and were looked down upon by British regulars. But they provided
important local knowledge, protected supply routes and base camps and
would forage the countryside for food and supplies. In the next year and a
half, John’s battalion saw action in Bergen County and helped repulse
Sullivan's raid, an attempt to dislodge the British and loyalist forces on
Staten Island.
Loyalist Ruin: 1778-1783
Back in Hunterdon County, Cornelia Vought and her son’s wife, Mary Grandin Vought, led difficult lives as wives of
renowned loyalists. They had to fight eviction to remain in the home. In June 1778, the Hunterdon County
Commissioners held a “Jury of Inquisition” on the matter of Stoffel and John Vought. At the tavern house of Thomas
Jones, seven jurors declared them guilty and over the next nine months, their livestock and personal possessions,
including the house, barns and land were sold at auction. The main part of the farm was sold for 8,550 pounds, a
large sum that reflected the desirability of the holdings.
renowned loyalists. They had to fight eviction to remain in the home. In June 1778, the Hunterdon County
Commissioners held a “Jury of Inquisition” on the matter of Stoffel and John Vought. At the tavern house of Thomas
Jones, seven jurors declared them guilty and over the next nine months, their livestock and personal possessions,
including the house, barns and land were sold at auction. The main part of the farm was sold for 8,550 pounds, a
large sum that reflected the desirability of the holdings.
Back in Hunterdon County, Cornelia Vought and her son’s wife, Mary Grandin
Vought, led difficult lives as wives of renowned loyalists. They had to fight
eviction to remain in the home. In June 1778, the Hunterdon County
Commissioners held a “Jury of Inquisition” on the matter of Stoffel and John
Vought. At the tavern house of Thomas Jones, seven jurors declared them guilty
and over the next nine months, their livestock and personal possessions,
including the house, barns and land were sold at auction. The main part of the
farm was sold for 8,550 pounds, a large sum that reflected the desirability of the
holdings.
Vought, led difficult lives as wives of renowned loyalists. They had to fight
eviction to remain in the home. In June 1778, the Hunterdon County
Commissioners held a “Jury of Inquisition” on the matter of Stoffel and John
Vought. At the tavern house of Thomas Jones, seven jurors declared them guilty
and over the next nine months, their livestock and personal possessions,
including the house, barns and land were sold at auction. The main part of the
farm was sold for 8,550 pounds, a large sum that reflected the desirability of the
holdings.
But life in exile in Nova Scotia was bleak, with poor farming land and rugged weather—and it was filled with English
and Anglo-Americans. The Voughts still felt German; they had been comfortable in the German ethnic enclave of
Hunterdon County. It turned out that the property in New York State was still available, and the family returned to the
farm in Duanesburg, NY, to live out their lives. Cornelia died first, at age 93, in 1800. John passed next in 1803, then
his father Stoffel, in 1809. John’s wife, Mary, died in 1831.
and Anglo-Americans. The Voughts still felt German; they had been comfortable in the German ethnic enclave of
Hunterdon County. It turned out that the property in New York State was still available, and the family returned to the
farm in Duanesburg, NY, to live out their lives. Cornelia died first, at age 93, in 1800. John passed next in 1803, then
his father Stoffel, in 1809. John’s wife, Mary, died in 1831.
*Spelling was fluid in the 18th century, and the family name was spelled differently at different times in different
documents, including Vogt, Vecht, Voght, Voke and Vought.
documents, including Vogt, Vecht, Voght, Voke and Vought.
These pages draw extensively on a cultural resource investigation by Hunter Research for the Clinton Township
School District which was prepared by Damon Tvaryanas, Douglas Scott, George Cress, Nadine Sergejeff, and Ian
Burrow, Principal Investigator, in April 2005.
School District which was prepared by Damon Tvaryanas, Douglas Scott, George Cress, Nadine Sergejeff, and Ian
Burrow, Principal Investigator, in April 2005.
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