The Occupation Summary and Analysis

Richard Stockton as well as members of other notable New Jersey families played both sides in the Revolution. The British pegged Stockton as a signer of the Declaration of Independence. After they captured him, he pledged allegiance to the king and abandoned the American cause. Other families did so as well, such as the Van Hornes. Although Washington knew about their involvement of both sides, he did nothing other than look down on it. Another group of individuals able to play both sides well was merchants. Some chose their sides, but many just followed their fortunes.

The British pacification policy ran into problems that rose from a problem of supply. It was common practice for the troops to forage for supplies as needed. It became a much bigger issue as forage turned into plunder. Even worse, plunder turned into...