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Unless stated otherwise, the Chester Historical Society Program Meetings, which are open to the public, are held at the Chester Public Library, 250 W. Main St., Chester on the second Thursday
of each month at 7pm.
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"New Jersey in the French and Indian War" April 9th
The Chester Historical Society will host a presentation of "New Jersey in the French and Indian War" on Thursday, April 9th at 7 o'clock p.m. at the Chester Library, 250 West Main Street, Chester.
Speakers Douglas Pitchell and Andy Drysdale of the New Jersey Frontier Guard will present an overview of the war told through the reconstructed accounts of the Jerseymen and the lives of New Jersey settlers during the war. The New Jersey Frontier Guard concentrates on studying New Jersey in the 1750s and 1760s, and shares its learning through living history portrayals of life in the Royal Province of New Jersey.
In role, Captain Pitchell commands the Forces on the Frontier, and is a wily woodsman and accomplished craftsman. Recruit Drysdale, known as "One Eyed Jack", is the chief Scout for the Frontier Guard. In real life, Mr. Drysdale is a former member of the Chester Historical Society and an historical associate at the Cooper Mill in Chester, known as "Andy".
A majority of the records of New Jersey's contribution to the French and Indian War were lost or destroyed, and although no major battles of the war were fought in New Jersey, it is known that the Province of New Jersey contributed its best soldiers, provisions, and supplies for King and country.
The stories related by Captain Pitchell and Recruit Drysdale highlight actions in the French and Indian war which effectively ended French political and cultural influence in North America, greatly expanded England's hold on the continent, and badly eroded the relationships between England and Native Americans, and England and the colonies, that eventually led into the Revolutionary War.
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"New Jersey and the Civil War" to be Presented May 14th"
The Chester Historical Society will sponsor a presentation "New Jersey and the Civil War" on Thursday, May 14th at 7 o'clock p.m. at the Chester Library, 250 West Main Street, Chester.
Members of The 33rd Regiment, New Jersey Volunteer Infantry Civil War re-enactors, portray an actual New Jersey regiment which recruited most of its men from Morris, Sussex, and Warren counties in the mid-1800s. The 33rd Regiment was mustered into service in 1863, attached to the Army of the Cumberland, and served with valor and distinction under General Sherman on his famous "March to the Sea".
The local re-enacting group will speak about the Civil War and the role New Jersey troops played in the Union victory. A bugling presentation and demonstration and a display of interesting and unique Civil War artifacts will be featured as well.
The artifacts are part of a collection belonging to Robert Jones, who is President of the 33rd New Jersey. His collection has strong emphasis on the personal side of the Civil War soldier, with an assortment of items a soldier would have taken with him when he went off to war.
One rare item on display will be the original shaving mirror which belonged to Colonel Robert Gould Shaw of the famous 54th Massachusetts Infantry. Colonel Shaw was killed at the Battle of Fort Wagner, South Carolina. The movie "Glory" told the story of Colonel Shaw with his all black regiment.
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