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The History of Outwater's Company of Militia
Captain John Outwater's Company of the Bergen County Militia Regiment was one of twenty-five companies ordered to be raised by Act of the New Jersey Assembly in 1776, and placed under the command of Colonel Theunis Dey. However, due to the demoralizing retreat of the Continental Army across New Jersey after the fall of New York and the surrounding American positions, the Company did not form until early 1777.
When not repelling raiders or invasions, the company concentrated on interdicting Loyalist trade with the British in New York. Goods meant for the British were sent down the Hackensack River for payment in "hard money"-silver and gold. Outwater's men would track these boats and seize the goods and the loyalists farmers transporting them. The Justice of the Peace at Hackensack would then award the goods to the captors. In addition, the Company served a law enforcement function executing writs, as well as guarding prisoners at the county courthouse and carrying out executions. Outwater, himself, was a former Bergen County Sheriff. The unit's own Adam Boyd was Sheriff during the war.
When the Company assembled in Hackensack in early 1777, the men elected officers: John Outwater, Captain; Adam Boyd, Lieutenant; and Abraham Allen, Ensign. The Company was composed of Jersey Dutch farmers and tradesmen who attempted to protect their farms from British foraging parties. Because of its known agricultural productivity, and the large British Army in need for provisions in nearby New York City, these raids were common. This need, and the county's large Tory or Loyalist population, made Bergen County dangerous for those in rebellion. Unlike militia in other areas, it was often unsafe for "rebels" to return to their homes. Because of this, the men of the Outwater's Company were on constant alert, much different from the men of New England. Raids into the area from New York City and British held Paulus Hook (now Jersey City) were frequent and often directed towards capturing militia men at home. The militia attempted to cover the roads and rivers , and repel these incursions as best they could.
When not repelling raiders or invasions, the company concentrated on interdicting Loyalist trade with the British in New York. Goods meant for the British were sent down the Hackensack River for payment in "hard money"-silver and gold. Outwater's men would track these boats and seize the goods and the loyalists farmers transporting them. The Justice of the Peace at Hackensack would then award the goods to the captors. In addition, the Company served a law enforcement function executing writs, as well as guarding prisoners at the county courthouse and carrying out executions. Outwater, himself, was a former Bergen County Sheriff. The unit's own Adam Boyd was Sheriff during the war.
In December 1780, the State legislature commissioned the company, "Outwater's Company, First Company, Bergen County State Troops". State Troops were considered a cut above militia; the comparative stability of their long-term enlistment allowed them to be assigned more important and intensive duties. They served as State Troops through 1781. After the war, many of Outwater's men reported in their pension applications that they were unable to work their farms during the war, due to the constant danger of Loyalist raiders searching for them personally.
About
Today's Outwater's Company was formed in 1979 during the BiCentennial. We are members of both the Continental Line and the Brigade Of The American Revolution, umbrella groups that organize events, and maintain standards and safety. As citizens serving a part-time, partisan style military force, we train to do many things on the field: fight in the line, act as flankers in the woods and in the streets, doing all the jobs for which the regular Continental Army infantry had special units. Unlike the uniformed regular army, Outwater's men have many options on clothing and equipment- we wear civilian clothing, which is much more comfortable than wearing wool coats in the summer. However, we do have high standards for clothing and equipment. We are family oriented, and often do events where various trades and skills can be showcased along with military activities.