One of the few Revolutionary War battles
against the British fought in this area in 1776, was known as the
Battle of Peck's Hill (at the present day corner of Maple
Avenue and Main Street). It was during this battle that John
Wright was seriously injured and had to be taken by sled to his
home on Cranetown Road (Present day Springdale Avenue)
A flock of geese owned by Wright wandered
off when his family fled from the redcoats. The British soldiers
seized the geese and killed all but the gander. After feasting on
their plunder, they tied a pouch inscribed with the words
“Georgius Rex” (after the English king of the time)
around the gander's neck. 18 pennies were placed in the pouch,
along with a note which read:
“Dear Mr. Wright, we must bid you good
night. It is time for us to wander;
“We have paid for your geese, a penny apiece, and left the
change with the gander.”
That story, told more simply
for children by Sally Walker, a former East Orange
resident herself, can be found in the book, "The 18
Penny Goose". The book is currently out of print,
but is still available through Amazon.com.
