Robert Ogden II: Inspiring History

Honest Leader, Churchman, Lawyer

Robert Ogden II (October 16, 1716 to January 1, 1787) was a leading Patriot in colonial New Jersey and was a strong advocate during the Revolutionary War.

He was born in Elizabethtown and died in Sparta, New Jersey.

Note that he died and was buried in Sparta, NJ. This is within a handful of miles from my home and a major reason why I am reviewing him. He is also the focus of a recent book that I had done called Honest Ogden. The study of him is also an impetus for beginning Inspiring History.

While not much historical record exists for him, I have construed the probable nature of his life.

Robert Ogden II came from a large and well-endowed family with many years in the city of Elizabethtown, NJ. His forebears were leaders of the community, and his family had a good reputation over the lengthy time in the area. Included among his ancestors was John, reverently known as “The Pilgrim,” since he as “good old John” was “justly entitled to rank with the Pilgrim Fathers.” He was considered of “manly courage” and who “possessed better moral fiber” and “was a true patriot and genuine Christian.” The family’s presence offered “that rich strain of blood that gave New Jersey three of her governors.” There were other Ogdens who preceded Robert II and had a foundation in the community of being a solid family and were contributors to society.

Into this most esteemed lineage came Robert Ogden II. The Ogden line now included Robert, who was referred to as “a pillar of church and state” and spoken of as “Robert Ogden, Gentleman” and as “the honest lawyer.”

Delving, as we can, into his personality we see a person of honesty and integrity. He was commissioned Justice and Judge, appointed Justice of the “Quorum” and Clerk of the Court, and also Surrogate.

At his heart, he was a deeply religious man. In the church he was a Ruling Elder and attended to the Synod of NJ & NY.

In the legislature of the colony of New Jersey he was the Speaker of the Assembly.

Trouble for him first arose with the British imposition of the Stamp Act in 1765. He attended the Colonial Assemblies as a representative of New Jersey and rendered his decision for the colony. He was “unhappy to find” that his conduct, which was formed “on the most deliberate, impartial, and disinterested reasoning has been put in an unfavorable light.” Under great public resentment, he resigned his position. Later, with the wrath of the British, who had encamped on his land, he left Elizabethtown for the wilderness northwest of New Jersey, to a farming plot near where I have grown up.

He thus lived in a home of squared logs built in 1777, in contrast to his city large dwelling in Elizabethtown. As a Patriot, he was Chairman of the Elizabethtown Committee of Safety and was also for the Sussex County Committee of Safety after his move to the northwest region.

Robert Ogden was robbed in his Sussex County homestead and valuables taken. He was forced to make an oath not to reveal the robbers’ names, while at knife point, with his family in jeopardy. This act of hiding important justice and juxtapositioned to being honest was a difficult one. Not telling the truth as he was guarding family from harm must have been a formidable moral dilemma. This is a major part of the context of my book.

Robert Ogden II regained his desired respect through his continued benevolent actions and earnest life work. He also continued his religious vigor through providing a local meeting house and, shortly before his death, being a main benefactor to the Sparta Presbyterian Church; a testament to him which still stands today.

As written upon his tombstone, his life is summarily depicted. It is fitting and worthy of a Profile in Character. “In public life, both in Church and State, he filled many important offices with ability and integrity. In his private business he was upright, eminently useful, active, and diligent. He was temperate and humane. A friend to the poor hospitable and generous. A most faithful, tender and indulgent husband and parent, and above all, his life and conversation from his youth was becoming a professor of religion and a follower of the blessed Jesus.”

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Read my new book Honest Ogden

Available on Amazon and at Sparta Book Store

Episode 18 5/4/2024