182 EARLY HISTORY OF CAPE MAY COUNTY. 



purchased, in 1748, of Joseph Golden, the plantation at Beesley's 

 Point, now owned by Capt. John S. Chattin. After his death, in 

 1772, the place fell to his son, Capt. Nicholas Stillwell, who after- 

 wards sold to Thomas Borden, who sold, in 1803, to Thomas Bees- 

 ley, who resided on the premises until 1816, and on an adjoining 

 property until his death in 1849. 



Capt. Nicholas Stillwell, son of the above, was an eflScient oflScer 

 of the Revolution. Capt. Moses Griffing, who married Sarah, a 

 sister of Capt. Stillwell, was taken prisoner by the British towards 

 the close of the war, and placed in the famous, or rather infamous 

 New Jersey prison ship ; that undying stigma upon the name and 

 fame of Britain, where the dying, the dead, the famished and famish- 

 ing, were promiscuously huddled together. A truthful, yet romantic 

 story could be told of his young wife, who, upon hearing of his un- 

 fortunate imprisonment, true to her plighted vows, and actuated by 

 a heroism which woman's love only can inspire, resolved to visit 

 him and solicit his release, though one hundred miles distant 

 through woods and wilds, marauders and tories, or die in the attempt. 

 She made the camp of Washington in her route, who put under her 

 charge a British officer of equal rank with her husband. She 

 reached New York in safety, and after a long and painful suspense 

 Sir Henry Clinton yielded to her importunities; her husband was 

 exchanged, and both made happy.* 



John Willets was the son of Hope Willets, and was born here in 

 1688, married Martha Corson in 1716, left three sons, Isaac, James, 

 and Jacob. He was Judge of the Court many years, a member of 

 the Legislature in 1743, and was living in 1763. 



Among those who deserve a passing notice as one of Cape May's 

 favorite sons, was Nicholas Willets, a grandson of John. In 1802 

 he took up the profession of surveying, which he practiced with 

 great success, and obtained tho confidence and respect of all who 

 knew him, by the sprightly and urbane deportment which he ever 



* Letter from Jarod Griffing to Dr. R. Willets, 1834 



