The latest from the Sussex County Historical Society Facebook page…
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Sussex County Historical Society - NJ
Sussex County County Historical Society, Hill Museum
82 Main Street
Newton, NJ 07860
973-383-6010
http://www.sussexhistory.org/
Today in #NJhistory: #OTD, June 8, 1753 Sussex County was formed from a portion of Morris County. Sussex County at this time encompassed present-day Sussex and Warren Counties and was composed of Walpack Township, Greenwich Township, Hardwick Township, and Newtown Township. It was named after County Sussex, England. Map published by Carlos Allen, M.D., Publisher, 1860. Source: Library of Congress. #spreadthehistory ![]()
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Museum Monday ![]()
Continental Currency![]()
Have you ever heard the expression “not worth a Continental”? To raise money for the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress issued paper money from 1775 to 1779 equal to Spanish milled dollars. The bills quickly lost value because they were not backed by physical assets like gold or silver. The depreciation was also made worse by the proliferation of British counterfeits. They were first issued in denominations of $1, $2, $3, $4, $5, $6, $7, $8 and $20. Later fractions of a dollar such as $1/3, $1/2 and others were added. By 1779 higher denominations were added including $40, $60, $80 and others.![]()
From the Hill Museum collection are two examples of Continental Currency: a $3 bill issued in 1776 and a $7 bill issued in 1777. They were both printed by Sellers and Hall in Philadelphia. Note that they were issued by the United Colonies and called Continental Currency. Attempts to foil British counterfeiters by adding impressions from leaves was attempted. Continental Currency collapsed in 1781 when its value had dropped to 75 to 1 in most states.
Thank you to everyone who came out last Saturday to the Frankford Plains Cemetery to honor the 13 Revolutionary War Veterans and Patriots resting there. This was the 3rd America 250 program that was co-sponsored by the Chinkchewunska Chapter NSDAR. This program was co-sponsored by the Frankford Plains Cemetery Association.
Tomorrow is the 3rd America 250 Memorial Program....stop by the Frankford Plains Cemetery and help to honor our local Revolutionary War Veterans and Patriots....12 noon.Looking ahead.....please mark your calendars and join us to honor Sussex County Revolutionary War Veterans and Patriots.