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 Rebecca and Sarah Stillwell-Women’s Heritage Trail - Beesley's Point, NJ Posted by:  Don.Morfe
N 39° 17.249 W 074° 37.625
18S E 532160 N 4348745
According to local legend, during the Revolutionary War, Rebecca Stillwell Willetts looked out into the Great Egg Harbor Bay from Golden’s Point (now called Beesley’s Point).
Waymark Code: WM12AKJ
Location: New Jersey, United States
Date Posted: 04/14/2020
Views: 0
Marker is in Beesley's Point, New Jersey, in Cape May County. Memorial is on Harbor Road and it is located at the local boat launch. Marker is in this post office area: Marmora NJ 08223.
Marker Name: Women’s Heritage Trail
Marker Type: Official NJ State
Marker text:
Rebecca and Sarah Stillwell-Women’s Heritage Trail--
According to local legend, during the Revolutionary War, Rebecca Stillwell Willetts looked out into the Great Egg Harbor Bay from Golden’s Point (now called Beesley’s Point). Looking through her father’s spyglass, she saw that a British sloop had entered the bay and set out a long boat filled with redcoats heading for the point. Fearing that the British were intent on pillaging stored supplies (consisting of food and clothing) she and her sister Sarah set off to the cannon, located along the water’s edge. The women were alone since their father was away buying supplies and Rebecca’s husband Captain James Willetts had marched with 50 recruits to answer the call of Governor Livingston’s plea to help defend Philadelphia. The cannon had been supplied by the Legislature at the request of the settlers to protect their stores. Rebecca fired a round of cannon grapeshot towards the long boat and the British returned to their sloop and left the bay, its settlers, and their homes unscathed.
The earliest written account of this legend is from the mid-19th century Journal of New Jersey Senator Dr. Reuben Willets, who was the nephew of James and Rebecca Willets.
“The Revolutionary War worked severe hardships on woman as well as men in New Jersey. New Jersey’s location between New York and Philadelphia made it the “cockpit” of the Revolution as the military struggled to occupy the two cities. General George Washington moved his army across New Jersey four times during the war years. The encampment of British and Hessian forces, and of the Continental army, brought fear and misery to Jersey residents. During the numerous military engagements, family life and businesses were disrupted, consumer goods were scarce and expensive, and disease took its toll among the civilian as well as military populations. “
Carmela Ascolese Karnoutsos in Past and Promise, Lives of New Jersey Women.
(Inscription below the image in the bottom left)
Artist Bill Cassedy; the painting is displayed at the Cape May County Historical & Genealogical Society in Cape May Court House, NJ.
(Inscription in the two boxes on the right) (Top box)
Beesley’s Point known as Golden’s Point in the 18th century, is on the New Jersey Women’s Heritage Trail because of the resourcefulness of Revolutionary War Heroines Rebecca and Sarah Stillwell.
(Bottom box)
The New Jersey Women’s Heritage Trail highlights a collection of historic sites located around the state that represent the significant contributions women made to the history of our state. The Heritage Trail brings to life vital role of women in New Jersey’s past and present.
Dedication Date: 01/01/1999
City: Marmora
County: Cape May County
Group responsible for placement: Department of Community Affairs New Jersey Historic Trust-New Jersey Women’s Heritage Trail.
Web Link: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:
A photo of the 'Marker' or 'Plaque' is required to identify the location, plus a picture of the 'Historic Site', please ALSO provide a detailed description of your visit so we can form a 'mental image'
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