George Washington's retreating army poured into Newark, NJ on November 22, 1776. The day before, many residents (including all women and children) had fled the town. That night, Thomas Paine, in a pouring rain, sat in one of the town's parks by a smoky fire and began to write Crisis Papers, which began with the famous lines, "These are the times that try men's souls..."
On November 28, the Americans left Newark for Pennsylvania where they waited for the right moment to strike the British in Trenton. That moment came on Christmas Day 1776 when Washington and his troops famously crossed the icy Delaware River and led a surprise attack on celebrating Hessian soldiers. The battle then moved on to Princeton for another decisive victory for the Americans. Many in New Jersey rejoiced, but Tories in Newark fled for the safety of Manhattan. Isaac Browne, rector of Trinity Church, Newark, was among the refugees.
Some Tories sought exile in Nova Scotia. Among them was John Edison whose grandson Thomas Alva Edison would return to Essex County after having been born in Ohio. (Thomas Edison's father had to leave Nova Scotia after having taken part in the unsuccessful Mackenzie Rebellion.)
Sources:
Remembering Essex, A Pictorial History of Essex County, New Jersey by John T. Cunningham and Charles F. Cummings
Wikipedia. Thomas Edison entry.
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