This Day in History: August 13

"To William Livingston Esq. Governor of the State of New Jersey & to the Council of Safety… August 13, 1778
Richard Waln's petition to return to his home in Upper Freehold (the largest house in Monmouth County at the time), now Historic Walnford, a county park. Waln was a Quaker, which precluded active involvement on either side of the war. But as a mill owner and successful trader, Waln wanted to continue trading with the British if possible. The Council on Safety ordered his arrest on July 21, 1777. On October 11, he appeared and refused to affirm his allegiance to the government. The Council then let him go to Staten Island with his family "into the Enemy's lines." On August 20, 1778, he returned via Philadelphia and was arrested again, resulting in this successful petition, in which he promises to be a "good Subject." [More]