In 1846 and in 1854 special efforts were made to accomplish the erection of a monument to commemorate the Battle of Monmouth. The first step taken was the publication of an advertisement in the Monmouth Inquirer of June 18, 1846, and was as follows:

THE citizens of Monmouth county, who are in favor of taking measures to erect a monument to commemorate the Battle of Monmouth, are requested to meet in the Court House, in the village of Freehold, on SATURDAY, the 27th inst., at 3 o'clock, P. M.

JOHN HULL,                    
WILLIAM H. BENNETT,
ENOCH COWARD,          
D. V. McLEAN,                 
A. C. McLEAN,                 
J. B. THROCKMORTON,
H. D. POLHEMUS,           
B. F. RANDOLPH.           

        Freehold, June 18, 1846.

Next, a copy of the Democrat of July 2, 1846, contained a report of the proceedings of the meeting as follows:

A call for a meeting of the inhabitants of the county of Monmouth, to take measures to erect a monument in commemoration of the Battle of Monmouth, having been published in the Freehold papers, a number of persons met at the time appointed.

Enoch Coward, Sen., was called to the chair, and A. C. McLean appointed Secretary.

The object of the meeting was stated by Rev. D. V. McLean, and remarks made by J. B. Throckmorton, B. Connolly, Rev. A. Marcellus and others.

The following resolutions were offered by D. B. McLean, and adopted:

1. Resolved, That it is the duty of a grateful posterity to commemorate not only in their hearts, but by suitable monuments, the noble deeds of their fathers, and the important events in their history.

2. Resolved, That among the important events of our Revolutionary struggle, the Battle of Monmouth should never be forgotten.

3. Resolved, That we believe the time has fully come when the citizens of Monmouth county should unite and erect a suitable monument to commemorate that important event.

4. Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be published in the Freehold papers.

The meeting then adjourned to meet in the Court House on the 4th day of August, at 2 o'clock, P. M.

The adjourned meeting, called to take into further consideration the propriety and importance of erecting a monumeut to designate the ground and to commemorate the Battle of Monmouth, convened in the court room, during the recess of court, on Tuesday. A considerable number were present, among whom we noticed some of our most estimable and influential citizens. The meeting was temporarily organized by the appointment of THOMAS G. HAIGHT, President, and AMZI C. McLEAN, Esq,, Secretary. It was, therefore, determined to organize a permanent association to be called "The Monmouth Monument Association" for the accomplishment of this purpose. A constitution was then offered by Rev. D. V. McLean, which was taken up, section by section, and, with a few immaterial alterations, adopted. The officers of the association are a President, one Vice-President from each township, a Treasurer and Secretary, and a committee for the circulation of subscriptions and the collection of funds, consisting of three from each township. The contribution of fifty cents will constitute an individual a member of this association. When the monument is erected, the organization and the proceedings of the association, with the subscription books containing the names of those who shall contribute towards the erection, will be placed securely in the base of the Monument, there to remain until some convulsion of nature or the destroying hand of man shall prostrate it with the earth. Thus by contributing fifty cents the name of each individual will be transmitted to posterity down to the latest ages. The following are the names of the permanent officers and committees of the association:

President - THOMAS G. HAIGHT.
Vice-Presidents - James S. Lawrence. Esq.. of Upper Freehold; Thomas M. Perrine, of Millstone; James W. Andrews, of Freehold; William Little, of Middletown; Lyttleton White, of Shrewsbury; Halsted Wainright, of Howell; Samuel C. Dunham, of Dover; Edward Allen, of Jackson; John Meirs, of Plumsted; Samuel Birdsall, of Union; David W. Moore, of Stafford.
Treasurer - Thomas H. Arrowsmith.
Secretary - A. C. McLean.

Upper Freehold. - Thomas Miller, John Cox and Augustus Ivins.
Millstone. - William P. Forman, Rev. Charles F. Worrell and Joseph J. Ely.
Freehold. - Robert E. Craig, Enoch L. Coward and Samuel Conover.
Middletown. - Dr. Edward Taylor, Asbury Fountain and Daniel Holmes.
Shrewsury. - Thomas E. Combs, Dr. John R. Conover and James Green.
Howell. - Dr. Robert Laird, John S. Forman and Andrew Simpson.
Jackson. - William Allen, William Francis and ----- Horner.
Dover. - Dr. Lewis Lane, Anthony Ivins. Jr. and David Jeffrey.
Union. - John Tilton, William Birdsall and Joseph Holmes.
Stafford. - Samuel M. Oliphant, John Willits and Dr. A. G. Hankinson.

The movement of 1854, referred to, took no definite shape. It originated with Major S. S. Forman, of Syracuse, New York, a native of Monmouth, and who went over the battle-field the day after the battle, being at that time only thirteen years of age. Happening to fall in with a stray copy of the Democrat it revived old recollections, and he wrote the editor a letter, which was published, in which he referred to the movement of 1846, and urged that a monument ought to be erected on some spot in or adjacent to the village, where it would be of easy access to visitors.

The letter excited some interest, and was the subject of a good deal of discussion throughout the county, and one gentleman, Mr. William T. Sutphin, who then owned the parsonage farm, went so far as to offer to give four acres of ground on the highest part of the farm, and one thousand dollars in money towards the erection of the monument, but as no steps were taken towards organizing the movement, the whole matter gradually faded out.

The final movement toward the erection of the monument was made in response to an address delivered by ex-Governor Joel Parker, at Freehold, on the ninety-ninth anniversary of the battle, June 28, 1877. A preliminary meeting for the purpose was held September 17, and the Monmouth Battle Monument Association was organized October 2, 1877. At this meeting Governor Parker was elected president, Major James S. Yard, secretary, and a general committee of three gentlemen from each township in Monmouth county selected to procure the funds necessary for the erection of the monument. The people of the State, and especially of Monmouth county, during the years 1878, 1879 and 1880, contributed nearly $10,000 to this object. On February 2, 1878, the association accepted the offer of a plot of land, to be called "Monument Park," in Freehold, as a gift from the heirs of Daniel S. Schanck. On May 7, 1878, the association was incorporated under the provisions of an "Act to incorporate associations for the erection and maintenance of monuments and statues," approved March 19, 1878. The same president and secretary were re-elected, and Mr. John B. Conover made treasurer, Major James S. Yard, Theodore W. Morris, James T. Burtis, John H. Laird and Hal Allaire, the executive and finance committee. The corner-stone of the monument was laid with Masonic ceremonies, June 28, 1878, in the presence of Governor George B. McClellan and a large number of distinguished guests. The deed to the park was presented by Mr. Theodore W. Morris, representing the estate of D. S. Schanck. Addresses were delivered by ex-Governors Newell and Parker, by the Hon. S. S. Cox, Mr. B. W. Throckmorton and General Henry B. Carrington. The State of New Jersey, by an act of March 14, 1881, appropriated $10,000, and placed the work under the charge of a commission instructed to select a design, contract for, erect and finish a monument in the park at Freehold, where the battle commenced, June 28, 1778. Under this act the Monument Association selected five trustees- Mr. Theodore W. Morris, Major James S. Yard, Mr. James T. Burtis, Mr. Hal Allaire and Mr. John B. Conover - to represent them in the newly-created State commission. The State officials to represent the State on this commission were the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Assembly; Hon. Edward J. Anderson, Comptroller of the Treasury; General Lewis Perrine, Quartermaster-General, and General William S. Stryker, Adjutant-General. On April 9, 1881, the commission was organized by electing Hon. Garret A. Hobart, President of the Senate, to be president of the commission; Hon. Harrison VanDuyne, Speaker of the House of Assembly, and Mr. Theodore W. Morris, vice presidents; Colonel Edwin F. Applegate, secretary, and Mr. John B. Conover, Treasurer. Governor Parker, President of the association, was invited to be present at each meeting of the commission, and assist them by his advice and counsel. The commission, at this meeting, also ordered a deed to be executed to the State of New Jersey for Monument Park. The Congress of the United States passed a law, approved July 6, 1882, granting an appropriation of $20,000 for the purpose of completing a monument. A committee on design, consisting of Mr. Theodore W. Morris, Hon. Edward J. Anderson, General Louis Perrine, General William S. Stryker and Mr. Hal Allaire, on October 16. 1882, invited the submission of designs and specifications for the battle monument, and on March 2, 1883, the design executed by Emelin T. Littell and Douglass Smythe, architects, and J. E. Kelly, sculptor, and exhibited by Maurice J. Power, of New York City, was accepted, and a contract was awarded Mr. Power, of the "National Fine Art Foundry," for its erection, for the sum of $36,000. On May 9, 1883, the services of Mr. Edward E. Raht, architect, were secured to superintend the construction of the monument, Hon. Garret A. Hobart, President of the Senate, was elected president of the commission, and Hon. John T. Dunn, Speaker of the House of Assembly, and Mr. Theodore W. Morris, vice presidents, for the year 1882. The officers of the commission for 1883 were Mr. Theodore W. Morris, president, and Hon. John J. Gardner, President of the Senate, and Hon. Thomas O'Connor, Speaker of the House of Assembly, vice-presidents. In 1884, Mr. Morris was re-elected president of the commission, with Hon. Benjamin A. Vail, President of the Senate, and Hon. Alfred B. Stoney, Speaker of the House of Assembly, vice-presidents. The other officers of the commission continue at this date the same as first elected in 1881.

President, JOEL PARKER.
Vice-Presidents, CHILION ROBBINS, DR. ROBERT LAIRD, JOHN S. APPLEGATE.
Secretary, JAMES S. YARD.
Treasurer, JOHN B. CONOVER.
Trustees, Theodore W. Morris, Edwin F. Applegate, James T. Burtis, John H. Laird, Levi G. Irwin, Hal Allaire, Jacob Stults, Thomas Field, Daniel P. VanDoren, William H. Hendrickson, Dr. S. H. Hunt, Thomas Burrowes, James A. Bradley, William L. Terhune.

President. THEODORE W. MORRIS.
Vice-President, HON. B. A. VAIL. HON. A. B STONEY.
Secretary, EDWIN F. APPLEGATE.
Treasurer, JOHN B. CONOVER.
Trustees, Gen. Lewis Perrine. Gen. William S. Stryker. Hon. E. J. Anderson, Maj. James S. Yard, Hal Allaire, James T. Burtis.

The park comprises three and a quarter acres, eligibly located on a commanding knoll, a short distance from the main street of the town, and the title for the same is vested in the State.

MRS. MARY A. SCHANCK,                        MR. ANDREW H. SCHANCK, 
MRS. THEO. W. MORRIS,                        MR. DANIEL S. SCHANCK. 
MRS. ALICE C. SCHANCK,                       MR. GEORGE E. SCHANCK, 
Heirs of Daniel S. Schanck, deceased. 

The number of tickets issued to invited guests was six hundred and twenty-four (624), which were distributed as follows:

The President of the United States and his Cabinet.
The Governor of the State of New Jersey.
The surviving ex-Governors of New Jersey.
The Governors of the several States of the Union.
The Judiciary and State Officers of New Jersey.
The United States Senators from New Jersey.
The Congressional Representatives from New Jersey.
Minister from Great Britain.
Minister from France.
Minister from Germany.
The Senate of the State of New Jersey.
The General Assembly of the State of New Jersey.
The Governor's Staff.
General Officers of the General Society of the Cincinnati.
The New Jersey Society of the Cincinnati.
Officers of the Grand Lodge of Free Masons.
The New Jersey Historical Society.
The Monmouth Battle Monument Association.
The Monmouth Battle Monument Commission.
Ex-Officers of the Monmouth Battle Monument Commission.
The Trenton Monument Association.
Descendants of Colonel Ramsey.
The Board of Chosen Freeholders and other Officers of the County of Monmouth.
The Board of Commissioners of the Town of Freehold.
The Donors of Monument Park.
The Contractors and Architects of the Monument.
The Police Commissioners of the Cities of New York and Philadelphia.
The Orators at the Laying of the Corner-stone of the Monument in 1878.
The Clergy of the Town of Freehold.

The unveiling of the Monmouth Battle Monument took place at Freehold, N.J., Thursday, November 13, 1884.

Three hundred and fifty (350) seats were occupied at the banquet provided by the committee for the invited guests.

The procession formed on Broad street and marched through the principal streets. It was reviewed by Governor Abbett. who, with his staff and a number of dignitaries and distinguished visitors, occupied the reviewing stand erected by the county in front of the court house. After the review, Governor Abbett and staff, and all the officials on the stand, joined the procession as it marched up Court street to Monument Park. The complete procession was composed as follows:

Grand Marshal, Major James S. Yard, and Marshal's aids.

Provisional Brigade, N. G. N. J., Bt. Major-General William J. Sewell, commanding, and Brigade Staff.

Fourth Regiment, N. G. N. J., Colonel Dudley S. Steele, commanding, Field and Staff.

First Regiment, N. G. N. J., Colonel Edward A. Campbell, commanding, Field and Staff.

Seventh Regiment, N. G. N. J., Colonel Richard A. Donnelly, commanding, Field and Staff.

Gatling Gun Company B, Captain Robert R. Eckendorf commanding. Two guns drawn by horses.

Third Regiment, N. G. N. J., Colonel Elihu H. Ropes, commanding, Field and Staff.

The Monument Association, The Monument Commission, The Senators and Representatives and Representatives-elect of the Congress of the United States, The Society of the Cincinnati, The Grand Lodge of Free Masons.

Hon. Leon Abbett, Governor of New Jersey, and Governor's staff.

Major-General Gershom Mott, Commandant of the National Guard of New Jersey, and Staff, and Division Staff.

Bt. Major-General Joseph W. Plume, Commandant Second Brigade, N. G. N. J., and Brigade Staff.

Ex-Governors of New Jersey and Governors of other States, The Judiciary of New Jersey, The State Officers, Members and Member-elect of the New Jersey Legislature, The Reverend Clergy, Other Distinguished Guests, The Board of Chosen Freeholders, The Sheriff and County Officials, The Board of Commissioners of the Town of Freehold, The Township Officials of other Townships, Knickerbocker Lodge, I. O. of O. F., Matawan, Washington Engine Company, Matawan, Other Civic Societies, Citizens and Strangers.

As soon as the procession reached Monument Park, the ceremonies of unveiling were proceeded with, and an invocation of the Divine blessing was offered by Right Reverend Bishop Scarborough.

Bishop Scarborough first read a portion of the fourth chapter of Joshua, showing God's sanction of the setting up of memorial stones.

At the close of the prayer, President Morris formally presented the monument to the State of New Jersey.

At the conclusion of this address the cord was drawn by the President, releasing the drapery of the bronze bas-reliefs, the military presented arms and a cannon on an adjoining hill fired a Continental salute of thirteen guns.

Governor Abbett, on behalf of the State of New Jersey, accepted the monument in an appropriate speech.

Upon the conclusion of his speech, Governor Abbett introduced Judge Joel Parker, ex-Governor of the State of New Jersey, as the orator of the day, who made an eloquent and patriotic address.

When the oration of Judge Parker was finished, Rev. Mr. Maddock pronounced the benediction.

At the close of the ceremonies at the monument, a national salute of thirty-eight guns was fired.

Twenty-five to thirty thousand people were present.