Middletown Township near Highlands in Monmouth County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Last Tragic Episode of the American Revolution
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2009
1. A Last Tragic Episode of the American Revolution Marker
The British warship H.M.S. Assistance was anchored in Sandy Hook Bay when 11 seamen deserted the ship. 1st Lieutenant Hamilton Douglas-Halyburton led a party of 13 seamen to apprehend them.
While searching Sandy Hook, a blizzard overcame the Halyburton detachment. They were discovered frozen to death in a salt marsh meadow along the bay, and buried in a common grave.
By 1808, the monument that commemorated the incident and the gravesite were lost. A century later, workmen grading an army railroad bed discovered the crypt. The remains were re-interred at Cypress Hills National Cemetery in Brooklyn.
The present monument and memorial grounds were erected by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1937.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Revolutionary • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1783.
Location. 40° 26.88′ N, 73° 59.759′ W. Marker is near Highlands, New Jersey, in Monmouth County. It is in Middletown Township. It is on Sandy Hook Multi-Use Path (MUP), on the
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in New Jersey’s Central Jersey, specifically on the Jersey Shore, and in the New York City Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: H.M.S. Assistance Tragedy Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); British Embarkation (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Nike Missile Radar Site (about 600 feet away); Nike Missile Site (about 600 feet away); Nike-Hercules (approx. 0.7 miles away); Nike Ajax Explosion Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); Nike-Ajax (approx. 0.7 miles away); Guardian Park Picnic Area (approx. 0.7 miles away).
More about this marker. The right side of the marker contains a picture of the original monument, and another showing CCC workers constructing the monument we see today.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2009
2. Marker on Sandy Hook
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2009
3. Marker and Monument
The Halyburton Monument mentioned on the marker can be seen in the background of the photo.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2009
4. Halyburton Monument
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2009
5. Closeup of the Halyburton Monument
Together with twelve members of the crew of the H.M.S. Assistance who died here at Sandy Hook in line of duty on December 31, 1783.
Erected and dedicated in 1939.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 4, 2009
6. Marker in Trinity Church in New York City
This memorial to Hamilton Douglas Halyburton and his men is located in the South Monument Room of Trinity Church in Manhattan.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 4, 2009
7. Hallyburton Memorial
The Remains
of the Honourable Hamilton Douglas Hallyburton, Son of Sholto Charles Earl of Morton and Heir of the Ancient Family of Hallyburton of Pitcure in Scotland, who perished on this coast with twelve more young gentlemen and one common Seaman, in the spirited Discharge of Duty
on the 30th or 31st of December 1783
Born on the 10 of October 1763.
A youth who in contempt of hardship or Danger, though possessed of an ample Fortune served seven years in the British Navy with a manly Courage and seemed to deserve a better fate.
This plain Monumental stone is erected by his unhappy Mother Katherine Countess Dowager of Morton to his dear memory and that of his unfortunate companions.
James Champion Lieutenant of Marines
Alexander Johnstone, George Paddy, Robert Haywood
Midshipmen
Charles Gascoigne William Tomlinson
Andrew Hamilton William Spry
William Scott John McChain
David Reddie Robert Wood
Young Gentlemen
George Towers common seaman
Cast away, all found dead and frozen, and buried in one Grave.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,983 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 20, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 6, 7. submitted on November 10, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
