THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION & CAPE MAY COUNTY, NJ
AS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA celebrates her semiquincentennial (or quarter millennium, or even easier, 250th birthday), it’s important to note that the nearby cities of Philadelphia and Trenton aren’t the only places with ties to the birth of a nation. As a northern colony, New Jerseyans were predominantly patriots and many of the local residents volunteered to take up arms against the controlling Great Britain.
Cape May County played a significant role during the Revolutionary War. Although Turtle Gut no longer exists, it was a natural water feature in the southern end of Wildwood Crest (filled in by the borough in 1922). On June 29, 1776, an American ship named the Brigantine Nancy managed to slip past a British naval blockade to deliver supplies and ammunition. Multiple British ships espied Nancy and pursued her. A dense fog rolled in, allowing the Nancy to run aground in Turtle Gut Inlet to unload the supplies. As the weather cleared up, the British regained a view of the American ship. In time, the British ships inched close enough to board, and in an act of improvisation and surprise, discovered that the American had left the ship and set a make-shift fuse that was lit as they were leaving. The Nancy exploded, killing many British soldiers, and making the incident a key event in the war. The Americans suffered just one casualty, Lt. Richard Wickes, who is interred in Cold Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery, just a few miles away. Today, a marker stands in a park near Miami and New Jersey avenues noting the event, and the Brigantine Nancy is depicted on the seal of the Borough of Wildwood Crest. It is remembered as an early naval success for the Continental Navy and Capt. John Barry, who would later become known as the Father of the American Navy. The Battle of Turtle Gut Inlet demonstrated the effectiveness of American forces and led the British Navy to move its blockade of Philadelphia farther from Cape May.
Cape May County’s colonial story is preserved not only through military history but also through everyday people and traditions. Items such as Cape May Mitts, textiles, and other household goods offer insight into how families lived and persevered during a time of uncertainty. These traditions help reveal the personal stories behind historic events.
Historic Cold Spring Village will play a central role in sharing this legacy. In 2026, the Village will host its Semiquincentennial Celebration with a full week of special programming, demonstrations, and family activities that bring everyday life of Early America to your vacation. Cold Spring Brewery will also release a Semiquincentennial historic beer using a traditional recipe while celebrating ten years of operation. Mark your calendars this summer and beyond for history, education, and family fun at Historic Cold Spring Village. Stay tuned for 2026 by following Historic Cold Spring Village on Facebook, @hcsvillage on Instagram, or by visiting www.hcsv.org. Historic Cold Spring Village is at 735 Seashore Road in Lower Township. For more information, call 609-898-2300.
In the northern part of Cape May County, at Beesley’s Point in Upper Township, a Women’s Heritage Trail sign marks the area where two sisters, Sarah and Rebecca Stillwell – daughters of Capt. Nicholas Stillwell – thwarted British efforts. According to legend, there are two separate stories involving the sisters. Rebecca prevented a British raiding party from landing at Beesley’s Point by firing a cannon filled with grapeshot at an approaching British sloop. Sarah was successful in enlisting General Washington’s aid in an exchange of prisoners.
At the time of the Revolutionary War, Rebecca Stillwell Willets, the wife of James Willets, lived at her father’s Ferry House at Beesley’s Point. Privateers had captured British supplies which they had stored near the Ferry House for the Continental Soldiers. All men and boys of 15 years or older had been ordered into the Army and the women were alone. The Tories had learned about the supplies, where they were stored, and that the Ferry House was unguarded, so they notified the British. The British decided to raid this storehouse. One day, looking across the bay through her spy glass toward Somers Point, Rebecca saw a British ship approaching. It anchored not far away and lowered a boat filled with sailors who began to row toward the Ferry House. Rebecca decided she must act. A cannon was standing in the front yard, loaded and ready for action. As the loaded boat came closer and closer, she fired the cannon and the load of grapeshot went its way just above the heads of the Redcoats and the British stopped rowing. They turned around, rowed back to their ship and sailed away, leaving the storehouse unscathed.
Sarah Stillwell was married to Capt. Moses Griffing, who had been captured by the British and kept on board the prison ship Jersey, anchored on the East River in New York. When Sally heard of his imprisonment, she reportedly journeyed alone from Cape May County to Sir Henry Clinton’s headquarters in New York to win the release of her husband. On the way to New York, Sally visited General Washington’s encampment and obtained from him the control of a British officer of equal rank with her husband and proceeding in person to New York, she exchanged him for her husband. Today, the Upper Township Stillwell Sisters Organization works to preserve local history and promote the Revolutionary War legend of the Stillwell Sisters.
As the nation boasts its 250 years of independence this summer, remember that Cape May County played no small part in the American Revolution.
Cape May County played a significant role during the Revolutionary War. Although Turtle Gut no longer exists, it was a natural water feature in the southern end of Wildwood Crest (filled in by the borough in 1922). On June 29, 1776, an American ship named the Brigantine Nancy managed to slip past a British naval blockade to deliver supplies and ammunition. Multiple British ships espied Nancy and pursued her. A dense fog rolled in, allowing the Nancy to run aground in Turtle Gut Inlet to unload the supplies. As the weather cleared up, the British regained a view of the American ship. In time, the British ships inched close enough to board, and in an act of improvisation and surprise, discovered that the American had left the ship and set a make-shift fuse that was lit as they were leaving. The Nancy exploded, killing many British soldiers, and making the incident a key event in the war. The Americans suffered just one casualty, Lt. Richard Wickes, who is interred in Cold Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery, just a few miles away. Today, a marker stands in a park near Miami and New Jersey avenues noting the event, and the Brigantine Nancy is depicted on the seal of the Borough of Wildwood Crest. It is remembered as an early naval success for the Continental Navy and Capt. John Barry, who would later become known as the Father of the American Navy. The Battle of Turtle Gut Inlet demonstrated the effectiveness of American forces and led the British Navy to move its blockade of Philadelphia farther from Cape May.
Cape May County’s colonial story is preserved not only through military history but also through everyday people and traditions. Items such as Cape May Mitts, textiles, and other household goods offer insight into how families lived and persevered during a time of uncertainty. These traditions help reveal the personal stories behind historic events.
Historic Cold Spring Village will play a central role in sharing this legacy. In 2026, the Village will host its Semiquincentennial Celebration with a full week of special programming, demonstrations, and family activities that bring everyday life of Early America to your vacation. Cold Spring Brewery will also release a Semiquincentennial historic beer using a traditional recipe while celebrating ten years of operation. Mark your calendars this summer and beyond for history, education, and family fun at Historic Cold Spring Village. Stay tuned for 2026 by following Historic Cold Spring Village on Facebook, @hcsvillage on Instagram, or by visiting www.hcsv.org. Historic Cold Spring Village is at 735 Seashore Road in Lower Township. For more information, call 609-898-2300.
In the northern part of Cape May County, at Beesley’s Point in Upper Township, a Women’s Heritage Trail sign marks the area where two sisters, Sarah and Rebecca Stillwell – daughters of Capt. Nicholas Stillwell – thwarted British efforts. According to legend, there are two separate stories involving the sisters. Rebecca prevented a British raiding party from landing at Beesley’s Point by firing a cannon filled with grapeshot at an approaching British sloop. Sarah was successful in enlisting General Washington’s aid in an exchange of prisoners.
At the time of the Revolutionary War, Rebecca Stillwell Willets, the wife of James Willets, lived at her father’s Ferry House at Beesley’s Point. Privateers had captured British supplies which they had stored near the Ferry House for the Continental Soldiers. All men and boys of 15 years or older had been ordered into the Army and the women were alone. The Tories had learned about the supplies, where they were stored, and that the Ferry House was unguarded, so they notified the British. The British decided to raid this storehouse. One day, looking across the bay through her spy glass toward Somers Point, Rebecca saw a British ship approaching. It anchored not far away and lowered a boat filled with sailors who began to row toward the Ferry House. Rebecca decided she must act. A cannon was standing in the front yard, loaded and ready for action. As the loaded boat came closer and closer, she fired the cannon and the load of grapeshot went its way just above the heads of the Redcoats and the British stopped rowing. They turned around, rowed back to their ship and sailed away, leaving the storehouse unscathed.
Sarah Stillwell was married to Capt. Moses Griffing, who had been captured by the British and kept on board the prison ship Jersey, anchored on the East River in New York. When Sally heard of his imprisonment, she reportedly journeyed alone from Cape May County to Sir Henry Clinton’s headquarters in New York to win the release of her husband. On the way to New York, Sally visited General Washington’s encampment and obtained from him the control of a British officer of equal rank with her husband and proceeding in person to New York, she exchanged him for her husband. Today, the Upper Township Stillwell Sisters Organization works to preserve local history and promote the Revolutionary War legend of the Stillwell Sisters.
As the nation boasts its 250 years of independence this summer, remember that Cape May County played no small part in the American Revolution.
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800-227-2297
Interested in advertising with us?
Find out why advertising in the Vacationer is so different from your other choices.
Rate Card here
Contact our sales staff here