John Hancock Chapter Member - Kenneth Dilmore
Joshua Clark served as a private in Captain Cornelius Nieukirk’s Company, Holmes Battalion Afoot, Salem County, NJ, Militia. Private Clark was in service at Fort Billingsport, NJ (now Paulsboro, New Jersey).
In October 1777, Fort Billingsport, which is southeast of Philadelphia, was one of three forts charged with protecting Philadelphia from both land and sea. Private Clark was stationed there during its constructions from August to October. George Washington visited the fort in August 1777 to review construction and the troops.
The fort was overrun in October 1777 by the British land forces. Before the invasion, Captain Nieukirk’s company spiked the guns, burned the buildings, and blew up the ammunition magazine before fading away. The company was later reformed in Mt. Holly, NJ. Private Clark was discharged between October 1777 and March 1778.
Joshua Clark is my 5 times great grandfather. He was born circa 1757 and died 28 Nov 1815 in Pittsgrove, Salem Co., NJ. He was a farmer and lived in that area all of his life. He married Hannah C. and they had seven children.
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