Belt
PeriodCirca 1770 - 1780
Place MadePossibly Marlboro, New Jersey, U.S.A.
MediumTanned leather, brass buckle
Dimensions3 × 40 in. (7.6 × 101.6 cm)
ClassificationsAccessories, Men's
Credit LineGift of Luther, Sara, and Leila Schenck, 1938
Object number2022.532
DescriptionA man's sturdy tanned brown leather belt, with hand stitched borders and rounded end tabs. The belt fastens with a large plain rectangular brass buckle, with a thick prong and four prong holes.Curatorial RemarksDuring the American Revolution, militia units provided necessary and sometimes pivotal support in conjunction with the regular Continental Army. Prior to the Revolutionary War, most towns and cities had militia units. These were groups of able-bodied townsmen who were required provide some level of defense. The men met and trained in town, usually on the day the regional or local court met, to train, march, and parade. Many militia training days had the appearance of entertainment, with family members and other residents gathering to observe and even picnic. Militia units were non-standard, most without uniforms and carrying personal weapons and supplies. At the beginning of the American Revolution, many militia units, particularly those in Massachusetts, began ramping up their training. Although George Washington focused his energies on developing a formal Continental Army, trained and outfitted, he acknowledged and appreciated the militia units who served crucial roles in many battles. In June of 1775, the New Jersey Provincial Congress passed a militia act, noting that they "think it highly necessary that the inhabitants of this Province be forthwith properly armed and disciplined for defense of the cause of American freedom." The act described the need for men from 15 to 50 "who are capable of bearing arms," formed into companies. The companies usually had 80 men, each of whom were to "assemble and choose, by plurality of voices, four persons among themselves, of sufficient substance and capacity for its officers, one captain, two lieutenants, and an ensign." Monmouth, based upon resident numbers, was expected to provide three full regiments. At full strenth, a typical militia regiment consisted of ten companies of between 60 to 80 men. During the Battle of Monmouth, local militia units were instrumental in harrassing and delaying the British regular forces. After the American Revolution, many militia officers kept their wartime rank in everyday life. John Schenck was one such resident, using his wartime militia title of "Captain," with fellow residents referring to him as "Captain" in correspondence, documents, and reminiscences.NotesCaptain John Schenck is one of Monmouth's most colorful characters of the American Revolution. Born in Pleasant Valley (now Holmdel) in Monmouth County on 28 August 1745, John was the second son of Garret Schenck (1712-1757). On 31 July 1767 John married Maria Denise. The couple had a large family, consisting of sons Garret, John, William, De Lafayette, Daniel, Tunis, Denise, Hendrick, and David and daughters Jane, Polly, and Katy. Schenck was a successful farmer as well as working as a fuller (a process to treat woven wool fabric) and a saw mill. At the outbreak of the American Revolution, Schenck did not hesitate to embrace the Patriot cause, and was an outspoken supporter of independence. He quickly became Captain of the 1st Regiment of the Monmouth Militia under Colonel Asher Holmes. He was known for his boldness and quick thinking as well as his bravery and steadfastness. His sister Anna, then living on Long Island which was under the control of the British Army for most of the Revolution, discovered that there was a reward of fifty guineas for the capture of her brother. Historic tradition has it that Anna sent a pair of pistols to John, with the note urging him "John, don't you be taken alive." Regular detachments of British soldiers visited the Schenck farm in hopes of capturing Schenck. Instead, Schenck slept in barns, haystacks, and elsewhere to avoid discovery. At one point, a small contingent of British soldiers surrounded the home and during a brief but heated skirmish, Maria Schenck gathered her children - including three-week-old DeLafayette - and herded them down to the cellar to avoid injury. After his neighbor Garret Hendrickson was kidnapped in February of 1781 by a group of British raiders, Schenck got his men together and rode off after the party, eventually rescuing Hendrickson and taking 21 Tory raiders prisoner. John Schenck had named his son after the Marquis De Lafayette, apparently one of the first Americans to do so. Years later, during De Lafayette's return tour to the United States, Schenck had occasion to meet the Marquis and introduced his son. Schenck died at the age of 89 and was buried in the family graveyard. Captain John Schenck most likely used his sturdy leather belt to carry his sword and other armament items during the Revolution. The Association also has Schenck's wartime musket.
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