Lewis Forman. Petition for Patriot Relief & Equal Military Burden

Lewis Forman, my 6th great-grandfather, petitioned for relief for Patriots left destitute by the British, and for the burden of military service to be shared equally by all citizens.

James Brintzinghoffer ← Theodore C. Brintzinghoffer ← Catherine Forman ← William Spencer Forman ← Robert Forman ← William Forman ← Lewis Forman

Lewis Forman. 1730 was my 6th great-grandfather. He was born in Freehold and worked as a merchant in Middletown, Manhattan, and New Brunswick. He signed 4 petitions during the Revolutionary War. In this petition, signed 31 MAY 1779, he asked for relief for Patriots left destitute by the British, and for the burden of military service to be shared equally by all citizens. The original can be found at the Monmouth County Historical Association, J. Armory Haskell Collection, Folder 22.

A petition requesting relief for Patriots left destitute by the British, who were targeted for acting in the service of the United States. It also complains that those who fail to serve are only fined, and do not share an equal burden in support of the war. It asks for equal sharing of the burden.

To his Excellency the Governor, The Honorable, the Legislative Council’s General Assembly of the State of New Jersey.

This Petition of the Subscribers Inhabitants of the County of Monmouth humbly sheweth –

That a number of good People of this County, true + faithful Subjects of the United States have by the Enemy’s passing thro the County been much distressed, not only by being olundered if almost all their moveable Estates but many by gaving their Buildings burnt + destroyed by which Lesser Some are reduced from Affluence to a State of Distress – that these Losses have been occassioned to some by their having distinguished themselves in their country’s cause by a Heady + zealous Attachment thereto + thereby become particularly obnoxious to the Enemy + their Property for that Reason devoted to the Flames, to others, by their being out with the Militia doing that Duty their Country calls from them + thereby were deprived of an opportunity either of taking care of their Families or securing their Effects  – Your Petitioners would beg Leave further to shew that many of the Inhabitants capable of bearing Arms (who to say no men were never very zealous in their country’s name) who refuse to turnout with their Neighbors + oppose the common Enemy have by staying at Home feared both their Persons + Estates + now are only subject to the Payment of a trifling fine as Punishment, whilst those that obeyed their Country’s Call not only hazard their Lives but have lost  (many of them) almost their whole Estates – Your Petitioners being deeply impressed  with ??? the Distress + Suffering of their Friends as described above being of the Opinion that the Burden of the War ought to be as equal as possible amongst the Inhabitants of the Independent States, and that your Honourable Houses will ever be ready to attend to the Situation of the distressed, are induced humbly to request that such relief may be granted to the unfortunate Sufferers by your Honourable Houses as to them shall appear consistent with Justice + Equity –

Signed by David Forman, Lewis Forman, and 3 other members of the Forman Family