Richard Jersey was born in Dutchess County New York October 5, 1759. He grew up less than 80 miles from New York City, one of the largest cities in the Colonies.  At the end of the French and Indian War in 1763, tensions continued to build between the American Colonies and the British.  Dutchess County was a “hotbed” for Spies, Patriots, Tories, Indians and conflicts.  The Battle of Long Island in August 1776 took place shortly after America declared independence, July 4, 1776. This was the largest battle of the Revolution and a major loss for our Patriots.

       Richard, 16 years old in 1776, was living with his parents, Henry Jersey and Elizabeth Osborn Jersey, on a farm in Dutchess, County, New York.  Farmers were being attacked by Indians and Tories.  Local militias were formed to protect the area from these assaults that included killing and scalping men, women and children and burning their farms.  Each family had at least one musket and took many precautions in their daily lives.  They relied on their neighbors for support against the invading British and their supporters.

When Richard was 21, he served 4 months as a part of Weissenfel’s Regiment of New York Levies.  He was a part of the Continental Army under the command of Captain Henry Dodge for a period of time and then continued his service with the fourth Regiment.  This Regiment was under the command of General George Washington.  Richard Jersey’s time was spent driving hostile Indians, Tories and British Troops out of New York.  In October 1781, Washington defeated Cornwallis at Yorktown and Richard was discharged December 1, 1781.

       Richard, age 26, married Isabelle Mable Palmer at Bangall, Dutchess County, New York, April 1786. They had 6 children: John, 1787; Henry, 1791; Elizabeth, 1793; Richard Jr., 1797; Leah, 1800 and Sarah, 1805. The first two children, John and Henry, were born at Dutchess County; Elizabeth and Richard Jr. were born at Windham, Greene County; and Leah and Sarah were born at Monroe County, New York. 

        The family journey to Michigan started in Dutchess County and moved to Windham, Greene County, New York in 1790.  They spent about ten years in Windham where Richard was elected to the Committee on Schools and appointed a Constable.

         John Haines, grandfather of Benjamin Haines is recognized as being the first child born in this area in 1713. John’s son Shager Haines died fighting in the Revolution.  Henry Haines, Richard Jersey’s grandson, became the first teacher in Dryden, Michigan.  Benjamin Haines married Elizabeth (she was also called Betsy) Jersey at Windham in 1808.  In 1800, Richard Jersey and most of his family moved to Monroe County, New York about 240 miles from Windham.  Benjamin Haines and Elizabeth followed Richard to Monroe County a few years later.  They had twelve children: Alson and Rachel born at Windham; Henry, Miles, Ira, Ruanna, Levi, Mary, Adellia, Harlow and Sarah born at Monroe County. Their last child Isabelle was born in 1833 after they came to Michigan.

        Henry Jersey, the second son of Richard, and his family, settled on land in Washington Township, Macomb County, Michigan in 1823 that was allocated to him by the government.  Henry Jersey’s family was the third family to settle in Washington Township. At that time few white men were present among many Indians and a total wilderness.

        Richard Jersey, his wife and other family members followed Henry to Washington Township in 1824. It is believed Richard Jr., John Jersey and Alson Haines removed to Michigan in 1831. Other Jersey family members travelled with the Haines family to Michigan in 1832. Both families acquired or were granted land and ended up living about two miles from each other.  Richard Jersey’s family followed in his footsteps in military service:  The Haines and Jersey families have patriots that served in the War of 1812 and the Civil War.  Richard’s son Henry and son-in-law Benjamin Haines both served in the War of 1812, a continuation of the American Revolution.  Through the actions of these ancestors in the American Revolution and the War of 1812 for the cause of liberty we inherited the title of "American Citizen."

      Also buried at Washington Center Cemetery are Richard Jersey and wife Isabelle along with their son Henry and his wife Sofia and their children William, Mary Jane and E.M.  Benjamin Haines and his wife Elizabeth “Betsy” Jersey Haines and their children and grandchildren including Miles (son) and his wife Betsy with their children Benjamin, Joshua and Mira. Son Levi and his wife Elizabeth and their son Frank and his wife Retta.  Sylvester Haines, son of Alson, and Sylvester’s wife Mary.

Service References:

New York in the Revolution --- page 47, pages 70, 71

Alphabetical Rooster of State troops --- page 404

U.S., Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783 --- 23 August 1781, also August-November 1781

Michigan State Society Sons of the American Revolution

Daughters of the American Revolution Application John Crawford Chapter, Michigan

Burial Information:

Washington Center Cemetery   29 Mile Road, West of Campground Rd

Washington Township, Macomb County, MI   48094

42 DEG 45 MIN 24.21 North                          83 DEG 2 MIN 31.06 West

Northeast quarter section about in the center