From Sara Robbins Hoffman <july37@cox.net> March 26, 2007:

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eNews
Vol. 7, No. 27
Whole #226
July 6, 2005
Edited by Michael J. Leclerc and Valerie Beaudrault
enews@nehgs.org

My Favorite Black Sheep Ancestor by Sara Robbins Hoffman, Phoenix, Arizona

My great-great-great-great-grandfather Gabriel Glann was arrested and jailed
for trading goods and livestock with the British during the Revolutionary
War. The charges against him were recorded at the Bridgeton Court House in
Cumberland County, New Jersey in the following statement: "Gabriel Glann,
Late of the County aforesaid, Yeoman, did Since the fourth day of Oct 1776,
Secretly Aid, Abet and Assist, the Army of the King of Britain, By Furnishing
them with intelligence against the form of his Allegiance to this State
and against the peace of this State, the Government and Dignity of the State."

Gabriel resided along the shore of the Delaware Bay in New Jersey, not far
from the mouth of the Delaware River. This was a favorite place for British
warships to anchor before proceeding on to Philadelphia. Gabriel owned a
sloop called "Thisel." He used this craft to sail out to the British war
ships in order to trade livestock for goods and gold. On one occasion, he
delivered some rather skinny sheep and scrawny chickens for trade. After the
livestock was taken aboard, the captain requested that Gabriel go alone to
his cabin and take what he considered to be fair payment from the captain's
table. This was unusual because in all previous transactions Gabriel had
bargained with the captain and received direct payment.

As ordered, he went to the captain's cabin where he found a large heap of
gold coins on the table. At first he was excited and wanted to fill his
pockets with as many coins as possible. Fortunately, he took a few minutes
to reflect upon the situation. Upon arrival that day, he recalled a sense
of foreboding in the air. Was the captain displeased with the quality of the
livestock? Gabriel decided to resist temptation, put a few coins in his hand,
bid the captain a speedy farewell and quickly left the ship. In November,
1779, Gabriel was jailed for treason and later released after paying a fine.

This story was written by the use of documented history & the oral history
passed down from the descendants of Richard Robins of Cohansey, NJ. Gabriel
Glann III was the great-great-grandson of Daniel & Hope Potter Robins
through Ruth Robbins daughter of Richard Robbins, Jr.(1697-1755)

Documented Sources:
1. NJ Archives 2nd Series Vol. IV, 1. Gabriel Glann is charged with joining
the British Army.
2. A document dated & signed the 19th Day of December Anno Domini 1750 at
Prince Morrises River for the purchase of the sloop "Thisel" by Gabriel
Glann, Jr. This document & other unrecorded Glann family deeds are located
in the archives of the Mauricetown Historical Society at Mauricetown,
N.J. One Glann document was witnessed & signed by Richard Robbins, Jr. who
is referred to in his will as being of the "Morrises River."
3. The Bible record of John Robbins (1719-1780) records the names of Gabriel
& Ruth Robbins Glan/Glann & their son Gabriel.

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