Published in 1887 the book New Jersey volunteers (loyalists) in the Revolutionary War by William Stryker has insight into activities of the loyalists. We have indexed the 585 names in the book in the dataset below.
“As soon as General William Howe arrived at Staten Island, on the 7th of July, 1776, so pleased was he with his reception in the harbor of New York that he wrote these words to the British government: I have great reason to expect an enormous body of the inhabitants to join the army from the provinces of York, the Jerseys and Connecticut, who, in this time of universal oppression, only wait for opportunities to give proofs of their loyalty and zeal for government. Sixty men came over two days ago with a few arms from the neighborhood of Shrewsbury, in Jersey, who were desirous to serve, and I understand there are five hundred more in that quarter ready to follow their example.
General Howe soon after this began to appoint recruiting officers in different parts of New Jersey and to organize detachments of Provincials as fast as they presented themselves for service in the army. Mr. Cortlandt Skinner, whose devotion to the interests of the British king before the war had made him a prominent man in New Jersey, was selected as the proper officer to organize and to command the men who were anxious to enroll themselves tinder the standard of Great Britain, He was commissioned at first a Colonel, and afterwards a Brigadier-General, with authority to raise five battalions to consist of two thousand and five hundred soldiers” [Source: page 3]
“All of these soldiers immediately on enlistment were placed in active service, and they began to distinguish themselves at an early day in their great zeal to annoy, intimidate and injure their former patriot friends and neighbors.
In a letter written by General Howe to Lord George Germain, dated New York, December 20th, 1776, this remark is made : ” I cannot close this letter without making mention of the good service rendered in the course of the campaign by Cortlandt Skinner, Esq., Attorney-General in the Jerseys, who has been indefatigable and of infinite service since the army entered those provinces. I therefore humbly recommend him as a gentleman meriting royal favor.” Thus early was General Skinner showing his devotion to the King. This was just after the retreat ofWashington’s army through New Jersey, and General Skinner was urging his own friends to take protection from the British. It was also just prior to what was called “the unfortunate affair ” at Trenton.” [Source: page 5]
How to search: Enter a Surname, or partial Surname in the box below and press enter. If any matches are found a list will be presented. Simply click on the name to bring up the page in the old digital book which is hosted by Archive.org. Some names will have multiple listings in the book and each unique page will be shown by the small square boxes to the right of the name. If you hover over each square you can see the details such as page number. Select, or click, on the square box to bring up the page at Archive.org
Alternatively, if you would like to browse the book on Archive.org follow this link to the cover page.