For Immediate
Release:
September 29, 2026
County Surrogate announces transfer of
historic documents to Archives Division for preservation
Some documents predate founding of United
States
FREEHOLD, NJ – Monmouth County Surrogate Maureen T.
Raisch announced that a collection of more than 50 historic documents was
transferred from the Monmouth County Surrogate’s Office to the Monmouth County
Clerk’s Office’s Archives Division for proper storage on Tuesday, Sept. 29.
“I’m thrilled that, as part of our nation’s 250th
anniversary celebration, we can share these remarkable discoveries with the
public and ensure these historic documents are preserved at the Monmouth County
Archives,” said Surrogate Raisch. “Monmouth County has played an important role
in our nation’s history and these documents offer another glimpse into that
story. This collaboration is a wonderful example of how we can preserve our
past today while making sure it remains accessible for generations to come.”
“These historic documents will be treasured additions to Monmouth County
Archives collections at the Manalapan Records Center,” said Monmouth County
Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon. “As the Keeper of the Records, I want to thank
Surrogate Raisch for this valuable contribution to the Monmouth County
Archives, where these documents can be preserved and shared with the public for
generations to come.”
Among the
historic documents being transferred to the Archives are:
·
Richard Crawford
Jr. – A 1786 document
concerning the famous and fiery Middletown preacher Abel Morgan. The document
was Richard Crawford Jr.’s renunciation of his obligation as one of the Rev.
Morgan’s executors.
·
Anne Osborn will of
1764 which is
inscribed on sheepskin and predates the
founding of the country; her deceased husband James
Osborn (1705-1759) was part of the family which owned a large estate in
Manasquan (today’s Osborn Avenue commemorates them).
·
Zilpha Sproul
McChesney
Renunciation/26 April 1792 includes many historic and important Monmouth County
and New Jersey people: her husband James
Sproul was killed at the Battle of Short Hills during the Revolution; the
Tilton and Laird families; and William Franklin, son of Benjamin Franklin and
one-time governor of New Jersey.
·
Benjamin Hall - intestate document of 1763 which predates the
founding of the country and mentions Gov. William Franklin.
·
The Mernetta Revey Petition of 1889 which involves her
deceased husband Richard’s estate. The Revey family and other Black families
lived along Shafto Road in Tinton Falls.
Following the transfer of the historic documents to
the Archives, replica copies of the documents will be given back to the
Surrogate’s Office for its records and display.
Located at 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan, the Monmouth County Archives
operates as a division of the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office and is open to the
public. More information about hours, contact information and abstract
information on collections is available at MonmouthCountyArchives.com.
For news
and alerts from Monmouth County, go to www.visitmonmouth.com or follow @MonmouthGovNJ on Facebook, X and Instagram.
# # #
FREEHOLD,
NJ – Monmouth County Surrogate Maureen T. Raisch announced that a collection of
more than 50 historic documents was transferred from the Monmouth County
Surrogate’s Office to the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office’s Archives Division
for proper storage on Tuesday, Sept. 29. (Monmouth County Surrogate Maureen T.
Raisch (center left), Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon (center
right) and two Archives Division staff members) Photo by Monmouth County
Government.
FREEHOLD, NJ – Monmouth County Surrogate Maureen T.
Raisch announced that a collection of more than 50 historic documents was
transferred from the Monmouth County Surrogate’s Office to the Monmouth County
Clerk’s Office’s Archives Division for proper storage on Tuesday, Sept. 29.
Photo by Monmouth County Government.
FREEHOLD, NJ – A document related to the famous
Middletown preacher Abel Morgan. The document was Richard Crawford Jr.’s
renunciation of his obligation as one of the Rev. Morgan’s executors. The
transcription reads: I,
Richard Crawford, appointed to execute the last will and testament of the Rev’nd.
Abel Morgan, dec’d, do hereby renounce all rights I might by law claim in the
execution thereof and refuse to take on myself any trouble relative to the
same, in witness my hand the 28th day of July 1786. Richard Crawford
Jr. Photos provided by the Monmouth County Surrogate’s Office.
FREEHOLD, NJ – Anne Osborn Will 1764, of Shrewsbury, wife of James
Osborn (1705-1759) whose family owned a plantation in Manasquan. Photos
provided by the Monmouth County Surrogate’s Office.