John Stout Esq. was born in 1761. He was the son of
Richard Stout and
Penelope Parke. John Stout Esq. married
Eunice Evans. John Stout Esq. married
Susanna Covenhoven, daughter of
David Conover and
Sarah (Unknown). John Stout Esq. held the position of justice bt 1810 - 1825. He held the position of Judge of the Court of Common Pleas bt 1820 - 1825. He died on 7. Mar. 1833. He was buried at Stout-Shepherd Burial Ground, Somerset County, New Jersey. He died on 26. Sep. 1838.
John, the eldest son, was a very prominent citizen of the adjoining County of Somerset, living near Skillman Station. He was known as "Esq. John," and was a justice from 1810-25, and one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas, 1820-25.
"Pioneers of Old Hopewell", Ralph Ege, 1908, Page 204
The incident of which Esq. Stout was an eye witness, happened near the close of the fight at Monmouth, when he saw Sergeant Swaim pursuing a Tory refugee, who in the retreat of the enemy was considerably in the rear of the column. Sergeant Swaim called to him several times to halt and surrender, warning him that unless the order was obeyed he would shoot. The order was not heeded, the refugee doing his best to get out of range, when the Sergeant put his threat into execution, brought down his man, and carried his gun and knapsack back to his company.
This exploit of Sergeant Swaim was in retaliation for the treatment he had received at the hands of the enemy earlier in the day, when his company was compelled to retreat or submit to capture. A very high five rail post fence stood in the way of their retreat, and Sergeant Swaim thought that he could easily slip through between the top rails, forgetting in his great haste and excitement that he carried a knapsack on his back, and a cartridge box in front. Consequently, to his utter dismay, he found himself wedged fast between the rails, unable to move in either direction. To add to his discomfiture, he could not reach the ground with either hands or feet, and it seemed to be a vain struggle.
Meanwhile he could hear the musket balls striking against the rails, and realized that the British were making a target of his coat tails. Not being aware of their Sergeant's difficulty, his company had gone far to the rear, leaving him to fight his battle with the fence alone, but he finally succeeded in extricating himself, and lost no time in rejoining his company.
In his case discretion was the better part of valor, and the maxim was verified that "He who fights and runs away, will live to fight another day," as he continued in the service until the close of the war and was promoted to Lieutenant before its close.
He served in Capt. Simon Duryee's Company, First Battalion, State Troops, Somerset County, and was in the battles of Brandywine, Trenton, Princeton, Monmouth, and doubtless many others. He was entitled to a pension as a Lieutenant, and would not accept it, under any other conditions. It was not until 1831, that Esq. John Stout found proof of his promotion, and through his efforts the pension was granted. It is said that, including back pay, it amounted to several thousand dollars, and while it was very fortunate that he received it at all, it seemed like very tardy justice to a deserving old veteran, who was then almost four score.
He died September 26, 1838, aged 85 years, and his grave may be found in the rear of the old Baptist Church in the Borough. When we meet on Memorial Day to strew the fresh and fragrant flowers of springtime on the green mounds, which mark the last resting places of the departed heroes of old Hopewell, let us not forget to honor the grave of Lieutenant John Swaim of revolutionary fame.
"Pioneers of Old Hopewell", by Ralph Ege, 1908, Page 206.