1780
During the “Hard Winter” of 1779–1780, the record-breaking cold froze the waters around New York, creating a temporary ice bridge between New Jersey and British-occupied Staten Island. On the night of January 14, 1780, roughly 2,500 to 3,000 Continental troops and New Jersey militia under Lord Stirling set out from the Jersey shore across the frozen Kill Van Kull to Staten island. Because of the deep snow (four feet in some areas), the troops traveled on roughly 500 sleighs. Unfortunately, the British had received early warning and retreated into their fortifications. After spending 24 hours in the freezing cold without cover, the Americans withdrew on January 16 with only a few prisoners and supplies.
1784
The Confederation Congress, meeting in Annapolis, Maryland, ratified the Treaty of Paris, officially ending the American Revolutionary War. For weeks, the Congress had not had the required quorum of nine states present. Finally, a quorum ratified the treaty that recognized the United States as a free and sovereign nation and established borders from the Great Lakes to Florida.
The official end of the war was of immense significance to New Jersey. The state had endured nearly eight years of constant raids and was the site of more military engagements than any other colony.