Mini Lesson: New Jersey's Own Joseph Bloomfield

Joseph Bloomfield was the governor of New Jersey from 1801-1812. Originally from Woodbridge, New Jersey; he became a prominent lawyer and abolitionist. He also served in the Revolutionary War as a Major from 1776-1778 and in the War of 1812 as a Brigadier General from 1812-1815. Today, the town of Bloomfield, New Jersey, is named for him.

The following document confirms Joseph Bloomfield as a New Jersey delegate of the Society of the Cincinnati. The Society of the Cincinnati was formed at the end of the Revolutionary War by French and American army officers because they wanted to preserve the friendship they formed while fighting for liberty.

The document reads as follows:

"At a meeting of the New Jersey State Society of Cincinnati at Elizabeth town on the fourth day of July in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventeen, General Joseph Bloomfield, General John Beatty, and Colonel Aaron Ogden were July elected delegates to represent the New Jersey State Society in the General Society of the Cincinnati until the next anniversary of the Independence of the United States. "

{Click the picture to view an enlarged image of the document.}

Questions for discussion
1.)How long will General Joseph Bloomfield, General John Beatty, and Colonel Aaron Ogden serve as elected delegates to represent the Society of Cincinnati?
2.) Why is it important that General Bloomfield, General Beatty, and Colonel Ogden were elected and not appointed?

If you viewed the document, you probably noticed how detailed the seal is! {Click the picture to view an enlarged image of the seal.}

Questions for discussion:

1.) What do you first notice about it?

2.) What details do you notice when you examine it more closely?

3.) Can you read what it says?

Joseph Bloomfield was also a noted abolitionist. He was recognized as a member of the Maryland Society for his abolitionist efforts.

The document reads:

" These may certify, that Joseph Bloomfield of New jersey is a member of the 'Maryland Society, for promoting the Abolition of Slavery, and the relief of the Negroes, and Others, unlawfully held in Bondage.'" Joseph Townsend, Secretary
Baltimore April 27, 1794.

{Click the picture to view a larger image of the document.}

Question for discussion

1.) How did Joseph Bloomfield's actions affect the state of New Jersey?

New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards

6.2.4. A.3 Recognize that government exits at the community, county, state, and federal levels.

6.4.4. B.3 Discuss the value of the American national heritage including: historical preservation of primary documents, buildings, places of memory, and significant artifacts.

National Standards

NSS-USH.K-4.2 the history of student’s own state or region.

Understands the people, events, problems, and ideas that were significant in creating the history of their state.
NSS-USH.K-4.3 the history of the United States: Democratic principles and values and the people from many cultures who contributed to its cultural, economic, and political heritage. Understands how democratic values came to be, and how they have been exemplified by people, events, and symbols.

Sources

New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards
http://www.state.nj.us/education/cccs/index.html

National Standards
http://www.educationworld.com/standards/national/soc_sci/index.shtml

Historical Society of Bloomfield
http://www.bloomfieldhistorical.org/history.htm


The Society of the Cincinnati
http://www.societyofthecincinnati.org/

Bloomfield, Joseph. Memo, Cincinnati. Lloyd W. Smith Collection. Morristown National Historical Park. 30 Washington Place, Morristown NJ 07960. LWS 64.

ML6:New Jersey's Own Joseph Bloomfield

Mini Lesson by Karyn Pereny