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This is one of the series of caches placed throughout Camden County to bring awareness to historical locations. Please be respectful of the area around the cache as nothing needs to be disturbed to find it.
Jeremiah Chew is the founder of Chew’s Landing, NJ. A nephew of Thomas Chew of Upton, Jeremiah moved to the north branch of Timber Creek in 1745. Jeremiah built a wharf landing for timber flats, a tavern, and a store, making the place at once a colonial commercial center. Farmers and mill owners from the lower county around Longacoming used Chew’s to ship goods downstream to the Delaware River, Camden, and Philadelphia markets.
Born December 19, 1751 in Chews Landing, Aaron Chew was one of four children of Jeremiah and Hannah (nee ASHBROOK). The only son, Aaron eventually became the owner of the tavern/inn. (Some records show that he took over the tavern from his father, and some records show that he bought it from Abraham Roe).
Aaron married Elizabeth Wood on February 14, 1775 in Gloucester County, NJ. Their only child, Henry, was born on March 18, 1777.
A loyal patriot, Aaron joined the Gloucester County Militia and fought as a Second Lieutenant in the Second Battalion during the Revolutionary War from 1778-1780. While home on leave Aaron and a number of his neighbors had espoused the patriot cause, and being in the neighborhood of their homes made a visit to their friends. Their presence was reports to the British who dispatched a party of dragoons (mounted cavalry) to capture them. The British surrounded the tavern where Aaron and some of his companions were, firing a number of bullets in the building. Aaron and his friends hid in the cellar of the house, and, thinking that they had a favorable opportunity to escape, Aaron Chew and Josiah Albertson attempted to run across a small field into the woods, but were seized as they were passing over the fence. Josiah was able to elude his captors, but Aaron was taken to New York and was confined as a prisoner-of-war on Long Island. In 1780 he was at New Lott, on parole, but being a high-spirited man and chafing under the restraint those in charge placed upon him, resented some of the indignities to which he was subjected. This caused him to be reports to the commandant, who wrote him the following letter:
"NEW YORK, August 15, 1780.
"Sir:
"Complaint is brought against you from your Landlord, that you have abused him and his wife. I hope you will be careful to conduct yourself in such a manner as becomes a prisoner, and that you will not give your Landlord any further cause of calling at this office to remonstrate against you, which will prevent any further trouble.
"I am, sir, your humble servant,
John Winslow, D. Comp. Prisoners."
Not long after, Chew was allowed to return home, in good health.
Upon his arrival home, Aaron divorced Elizabeth on the grounds of wartime infidelity. As quoted from ‘Runaway Women, Elopements and Other Miscreant Deeds, As Advertised in the Pennsylvania Gazette’:
“April 25, 1781: Gloucester County, April 23, 1781. To all whom it may concern, whereas my wife Elizabeth Chew, regardless of the Solemn obligation of matrimony, hath, during my captivity with the enemy, been guilty of the acto of incontinency…”
Aaron married Hannah Clark on October 4, 1783. Then had two children – Hannah and Aaron.
Aaron spent his remaining years in Chew’s Landing. He was always outspoken in his hostility towards the British and rejoiced that he could live to see his country independent and prosperous. Aaron died on September 3, 1805 from yellow fever at the age of 54 years. He is interred in St. John’s burial-ground.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Bss gur genvy, haqre n ybt.