Mohawk on the Delaware
Bill, you have just come out with a new book, is that right?
Yes, I have. The name of the book is Mohawk on the Delaware.
Great. Now, this is yet another book? Haven’t you published recently?
Yes. You might say that I have been, what shall we say, prolific? Just to clear the air, in June of 2025 was the book with Michael Ferrara called Franklin High School: Two Basketball Dynasties. Next in September was a book with Carrie Papa called Voices of ’76: Americans Speak of their Freedom. Shortly before that, I had come out with the book Honest Ogden. Now I am publishing Mohawk on the Delaware.
Why so many in such a short time? This is quite unusual.
Good question. Timing is the one-word answer. With Mike Ferrara’s book, it was a goal in his life to have this memoir written; as we worked forward on it he became mortally ill and we moved quickly and published 5 days before his death. The book with Carrie was also a legacy that she wanted to leave; she asked me shortly before her death to collaborate with her on it and I agreed and her notes got to me only recently and the timing, again, was important. The timing with Carrie is that we are now in the midst of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. I wanted to get the book out there because of its value in comparing today with the 200th celebration 50 years ago, a Jubilee of sorts, a milestone event back then that those my age will remember. Finally, we get to my book, Honest Ogden, which speaks of our local hero and leader Robert Ogden II and his role in New Jersey in our fight for our freedom.
Well, that is quite an undertaking. Kudos for having finished these.
Thank you. It was the culmination of years of thought, research, and writing; and the confluence of several separate projects.
Tell us about your new release, Mohawk on the Delaware.
Sure. Here we follow the Seward family. Colonel John Seward came to Hardyston Township from his parents’ homestead by Black River and created a self-sufficient farm. He was in several battles, including the pivotal and large Battle of Long Island and was part of a heroic holding action led by Lord Sterling. He became a well-respected leader and military man and was in charge of the 2nd Regiment of the Sussex County Militia. In the summer of 1779, an attack took place in the area of today’s Port Jervis, NY. Sgt Talmadge spread the alarm (similar to Paul Revere) and the troops mustered at the barracks at today’s Hamburg. Some eager militiamen went ahead, as Seward gathered and supplied the main contingent. The book describes in detail the battle and makes sense of the confusing conditions.
Very interesting. Can you further explain the title?
Oh, yes. As the succinct title states, there is the Mohawk, who was Mohawk Chief Joseph Brant, leader of the enemy British, Indian, and Loyalist group. All this took place along the Delaware River, a river that was very important in the economy of the region, a boundary of civilization, and a major influence on several famous battles and maneuvers.
And about the Seward family.
Right. We follow John’s adventures and his family on Snufftown Mountain, the testing of his respected position, his struggles with leadership on the way to battle, and the soul searching that all felt after the great loss of local men. We see his relationship with his son Samuel, and then Samuel’s emulation of his father while becoming a compassionate medical doctor and friend of the poor. Finally, we see all this make an impact Samuel’s own son, William Henry Seward, who develops into a strong abolitionist, and who becomes New York legislative leader, governor, presidential candidate, and Abraham Lincoln’s right hand man as Secretary of State as a visionary and influencing leader of the Union.
This is a “series” you say?
Correct. This is part of The American Decision Series, a trilogy of books that I have on the Revolutionary War and our Sussex County’s valuable contributions to the world-shaping event. In January, I will announce the publication of my third book in the trilogy, Lewis Morris III and the Declaration of Independence: Last Signer who fled for his life after signing the world-famous document. All this, timing, is due to the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Bill Truran, Sussex County’s historian, may be contacted at billt1425@gmail.com He is the author of “Mohawk on the Delaware”
