Long
Island Patriots and Their Stories
Off Site links to Long Island
patriots
Biographies
Colonel
Josiah Smith Long Island Hero
Colonel Josiah Smith,
a prominent Long Islander during the revolutionary period, was born at
east Moriches November 28, 1723, the son of nathaniel Smith and
grandson
of richard (Bull) Smith, the founder of Smithtown.
He married
Susannah,
daughter of Judge Hugh Gelston of Southampton, in 1742. he was a
man of considerable property as he inherited a large estate from his
father,
and occupied a high position in the county.
Before the
revolution,
josiah Smith was a conel of the militia, and at a meeting of the
residents
of the parish of South Haven on June 13, 1774, it was voted that
Captain
Josiah Smith, William Smith, Colonel Nathaniel Woodhull, Colonel
William
Floyd, Thomas Fanning, Captain David Mulford and Captain Jonathan
baker,
"be a standing committee for this place to correspond with the
Committee
of Correspondence in the city of New York."
At a meeting of
the
inhabitants of Brookhaven town held on June 8, 1775, 16 persons were
elected
to represent the town as a Committee of Observation and "to deliberate
on other matters relative to our political welfare." Among these
was Captain Josiah Smith.
When the
revolution
broke out, he was appointed a Colonel of the regiment of Minute
Men.
Early in 1776 the Continental Congress proceeded to organize four
battalions
for defensive purposes in the Colony of New York, and Josiah Smith,
chairman,
and the members of the Suffolk County committee were authorized by
letters
to raise three companies, "to prevent depredations on Long Island."
On July 20,
general
Woodhull wrote to Colonel Smith, notifying him that Congress had called
out one quarter of the militia in Suffolk, Queens and Kings counties
for
the defense of the stock and inhabitants of Long Island. This
letter
further stated that "one regiment has been made of the whole
detachment,
and you have been appointed to take the command of it."
Under this
authority,
Colonel Smith organized the Suffolk County Regiment. The
following
quotation is from a historian of the battle of Long Island.
"Suffolk
County had early given evidence of its hearty zeal for republican
doctrines.
Out of its whole population of freeholders and adult male inhabitants,
numbering 2,384 between the ages of 16 and 60, only 236 were reckoned
as
being of loyalist sympathy.
The enrolled
militia
of the county exceeded 2,000, of whom 393 officers and privates were in
the ranks of Colonel Smith's regiment, the best disciplined and armed
on
the island. It was the only one that could be considered in any
form
to have survived the shock of the 27th of August, (Battle of Long
Island),
and only a small part of this body ever did service after that fatal
day."
On August 12,
1776,
Colonel Smith returned to his home in east moriches, and according to
"Mather's
Refugees to Connecticut," went to Connecticut in November, 1776, to
escape
the British who were in possession of Long Island at that time.
he
must have returned to his home sometime later as an item copied by Town
Historian osborn Shaw from an old notebook of Colonel Smith (formerly
in
the possession of the late Riley P. Howell), states that he was seized
at his home by two British soldiers on July 1, 1779, and taken to the
Provost
in New York, where he was kept until September 24 of that year, when he
was liberated and he returned to his home.
He was treasurer
of
Suffolk county from 1746 until his death in 1786. He left one son
and three daughters, and was buried in a corner of a field near his
homestead.
A Tombstone in a neighboring cemetery bears the record of his
memory.
This cemetery has been taken over by Brookhaven town, and will be
maintained
as a historical landmark.
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Long
Island's Spy Chain
One of the best kept
secrets of the American Revolution was the spy system that operated on
long island, from the village of Setauket, and kept General Washington
supplied with important information about the movements of the British
troops in New York and on long Island.
All but one of
the
members of this spy ring were Setauket people. The details of the
origin of the spy system are not clear, but about 1778 major Benjamin
Tallmadge
was head ot this organization, and reported to General
Washington.
Mr. Tallmadge was born in Setauket in 1754, the son of the local
Presbyterian
minister, and it was natural hr turned to his Setauket neighbors for
help.
For five years or more he and the men picked out by him operated this
spy
ring under the noses of the British in New York and on Long Island,
without
any of them ever being caught. So successful were they in
concealing
their idenity that General Washington never knew who the members of the
spy chain were.
News of the
British
plans and monements were gathered in New York city by Robert Townsend,
who operated a coffee shop near Wall street. he was known to
General
Washington only as "Culper, Jr." Information gathered by him was
taken to Setauket by messenger on horseback, who was Austin Roe of
Setauket..
He in turn left it in a secret hiding place for Abraham Woodhull, who
was
the middleman in the spy system and went under the name of "Culper,
Sr."
He turned it over to Caleb Brewster, who took it across the sound in
one
of his boats and delivered it to Major Tallmadge's headquarters in
Connecticut.
From there it was delivered to General Washington, wherever he might
be.
Robert Townsend
was
the chief figure on the New York city end. he posed as a young
Tory
merchant in partnership with james Rivington, and they operated a
general
merchandise store and coffee shop. mr Townsend was a well
educated
man, and soon became widely acquainted in british circles.
The man who
carried
the messages from New York to Setauket was Austin Roe. who operated a
store
and tavern in Setauket. Disguised as a country merchant, hr
traveled
back and forth without detection. it is almost impossible to
realize
what Austin Roe had to contend with as he rode the 55 miles from
Setauket
to New York through the enemy's country, often several times a week.
If it had been
possible
to follow a message from New York to Setauket and across the sound to
major
tallmadge's headquarters we might have seen Austin Roe enter Mr.
Townsend's
coffee shop in new York. he was tired and hungry, for he had just
finished a long ride from Setauket. When Mr. Townsend saw Mr. Roe
come in he knew General Washington was expecting a message from him, so
he soon left and went to his quarters nearby. he was soon
followed
by Austin Roe, who handed him a letter from John Bolton (Major
Tallmadge)
which read, "I wish you to send by bearer 1/2 ream of letter
paper."
Mr Townsend paid little attention to this message but went to a secret
closet and brought out a bottlr of liquid which he brushed over the
letter.
Soon another message sprang to light on the paper. It was from
General
Washington, requesting certain information. In the meantime Mr.
Roe
had started down the street to the printing office of James Rivington,
where he purchased a half ream of paper and went back to Mr. Townsend's
rooms. carefully it was unwrapped, so that it could be sealed
again
without showing without showing it had been opened. Mr. Townsend
began counting the sheets until he arrived at a number previously
agreed
on. That sheet was taken out, and mr. Townsend, reaching for
another
bottle of a different liquid, began to write his message to
Washington.
As soon as the stain was dry it disappeared giving no hint it was there
waiting to be developed by another liquid. The sheet was replaced
in its proper place in the package of paper and resealed. Austin
Roe packed his saddle bags with a variety of articles needed by those
in
the Setauket area, and set out for home, crossing the Brooklyn ferry
and
arriving at Setauket in time to give attention to his cattle which were
kept pastured in a field belonging to Abraham Woodhull. He was a
young farmer from Setauket and the middleman in the spy ring, who used
his farm on Conscience bay as a base for operations. because his
house was full of British Troops, he arranged for Austin Roe to pasture
his cattle on his land, which gave Mr. Roe a place to hide the messages
he brought from New York. mr Woodhull then picked up the messages
from a secret box behimd a fence, and latter turned them over to an
exwhaler
by the name of Caleb Brewster, with carried them across the sound with
his boat to Major Tallmadge's headquarters in Connecticut. In
addition
to this, Mr. brewster, with his lightly armed whaleboats, captured
several
supply ships headed for the British army at New York, and also led his
men on raids across the island, burning and wrecking whatever they
could
find belonging to the British. He led the attack on the British
Fort
St. George at Mastic in November 1780, which proved a complete success.
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Long
Island Women In Spy Chain
There were several
Women
in the setauket spy chain that operated during the revolution and kept
General Washington supplied with information regarding the movements of
the British troops in new York and on Long Island.
One of the most
interesting
stories concerns Ann Smith Strong (she was called Nancy in the spy
records),
wife of Judge Selah Strong, who lived in Setauket. The British
army
was having a great deal of trouble with American saboteurs and anyone
who
rode about very much out of uniform was suspected of unfriendly
intentions. Nancy gave Austin Roe excuses for his trips to New
York by giving him
large
orders for goods so he could ride safely to new York to fill them.
Since Caleb
Brewster
was a well know figure in Setauket, it was not safe for him to always
land
his boat in the same spot, so he had six landing places. Abraham
Woodhull could not always know whether Brewster was in the village or
at
which landing place his boat was hid, so Nancy made it her business to
keep track of him and passed this information on to Woodhull through
her
clothesline. Most of the petticoats worn by the women in those
days
were red, so if Mr. Woodhull saw a black petticoat waving on Nancy's
clothesline
he knew Brewster was in town. each of the landing places had a
number,
and by counting the handkerchiefs hanging on Nancy's clothesline he
knew
at which landing place Mr. Brewster's boat was hidden.
Nancy was not
discovered
by the British, but her husband Judge Strong, was arrested and thrown
into
prison on one of the worst British prison ships. Nancy got
permission
to visit him and took a boat load of food, which probably saved his
life
and the lives of other prisoners. Later on she secured his
release,
although he had to flee to Connecticut for safety. Nancy's place
in
the spy ring was an important one, and she occupies a front place in
the
line of Colonial America's great women.
Later on in the
war,
General Benedict Arnold, who was dissatisfied with the treatment he had
received from Congress, planned to turn over the key fort at West
Point,
of which he was in charge, to the British.
NOTE of historical correction: It has been stated that Robert
Townsend discovered the Benedict Arnold plot and passed the information
on to Maj. Tallmadge. There appears to be some doubt as to the accuracy
of the story as commonly conveyed. Mr Worley Thorne, through a
letter to LIG stated - Though it's possible that Tallmadge knew
something, it is doubtful he knew much about the plot or that Arnold
was involved. If Tallmadge had known it seem logical he would have
notified Gen. Washington immediately; resulting in Arnold's immediate
arrest. Furthermore, why would Tallmadge not have told Col. Jameson of
the situation, after Jameson had control of Maj. Andre and the six
incriminating papers, and thus prevented Jameson from alerting Arnold,
the alert which allowed Arnold to escape?
The greatest accomplishment of the Culper Ring
was the warning given in 1780 that the British planned to attack the
French at Newport. That could have spelled disaster for our
alliance with the French, and thus for the war. I think it is
clear that we would not have triumphed at Yorktown without the French
fleet or the French army. Whether that would have loss of the war, or
many more years of fighting and suffering for our troops, would, of
course, be highly speculative. (Thank you Mr Worley Thorne for your
input.)
On September 10,
Major
Tallmadge had received a letter from General Arnold saying he expected
a "John Anderson" from New York, and if he should come to Major
Tallmadge's
headquarters would he give him an escort and send him to General
Arnold's
headquarters below West point. On September 23, james Anderson
(who
was Major Andre) was captured while crossing the American lines near
Tarrytown.
the following morning when General Arnold received word that Major
Andre
was being held as a British spy, he hurriedly called for a horse and
rode
to the river, where he ordered his bargemen to row him, not up the
river
to West Point but down the river to the British Sloop of War "Vulture,"
and
so he escaped to the British.
Major Andre was
convicted
and hanged as a spy October 2, 1780. the surrender of west point
was prevented by the fast work of the Setauket spy ring, and again the
course of history was changed through their activities.
After the war,
Benedict
Arnold went to live in London, where he was despised even by the
country
he had sold out to, and died in June 1801. the only tribute to
his
memory in American hearts was a contempt and hatred more enduring than
granite.
A few additional links for added information:
http://www.history.com/topics/culper-spy-ring
http://arose.squarespace.com/ws/
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General
Woodhull - Long Island Martyr
No town in the Province
of New York furnished more prominent men to the cause of American
independence
than did Brookhaven town. Among these was General nathaniel
Woodhull,
who was one of the first notable martyrs in the Revolution.
General Woodhull
was
born at Mastic December 30, 1722. His wife was a sister of
general
William Floyd. In 1769 he was elected to the assembly and during
the continuance of the colonial government was a faithful advocate of
the
wishes of his constituents of Suffolk county for the preservation of
"their
freedom and the command over their own purses." Col. Woodhull was
at the head of the deligation from Suffolk County in the first
provincial
congress which met in New York May 22, 1775, and on the 28th of August
following was elected president of that body. he was re-elected
to
the same position in 1776. The congress of 1775 reorganized
the militia of the colony and appointed Col. Woodhull brigadier general
of the brigade which was formed of the militia of Suffolk and Queens
counties.
On the 16th of
August
1776, General Woodhull left his seat in the Provincial Congress, then
in
session at White Plains, to take an active part in the military
operations
then being commenced upon Long Island. While waiting at Jamaica
for
reinforcements to assist in collecting and drivingg eastward the cattle
on the western part of the island, so as to secure them from the reach
of the enemy, he was over taken by a party of British troops and made
prisoner.
The officer who first approached him ordered him to say "God save the
King"
and the General replied, "God save us all," after which the officer
attacked
him with his broad sword and would have killed him on the spot but for
the interference of another officer of more humanity and honor.
The
General was badly wounded in the head and one of his arms was mangled
from
the shoulder to the wrist. he was taken to the old stone church
in
Jamaica where his wounds were dressed, and the next day was confined in
a vessel at Gravesend with about 80 other prisoners. The General
was released from the vessel which had no provisions for medical
attention
and was transfered to a house near the church in New Utrecht where he
was
permitted to receive some medical attention.
He sent for his
wife
with the request that she bring with her all the money that she had,
which
she did, and the General had it distributed among the American
prisoners
to relieve their sufferings, thus furnishing a lesson of humanity to
his
captors and closing a useful life by an act of charity. It was
found
necessary to amputate his arm, and after this was done infection set
in,
resulting in his death on the 20th of September, 1776.
The
talents of
General Woodhull were adapted to military operation. With
personal
courage, he possessed judgement, decision, and firmness of character
which
commanded the respect and obedience of his troops. He had more military
experience than most of the early officers of the Revolutionary army,
and
no one in this state, at that time, promised to make a better officer.
The Nature of
the work
assigned to him at the time of his capture, and the force placed under
his command were both unworthy of his military abilities.
The following
quotations
are from Silas Wood's History of Long Island (1828):
"The capture of
General
Woodhull was one of the most calamitous events of that disastrous
period.
It deprived the country of the talents, the experience and counsels of
one of the ablest and most patriotic of her citizens. The cruel
and
dastardly treatment of a prisoner, especially of his rank and
character,
after a peaceable surrender, raised a spirit of indignation in the
breast
of every honest man."
"General
Woodhull was
as much distinguished for his private and domestic virtues, as for his
zeal for the rights of his country, and was held in the highest
estimation
by all those who enjoyed his society. His death spread a gloom
over
Long Island, and was universally lamented by the friends of freedom;
and
while the American Revolution continues to be a subject of gratitude
with
the people of Long Island, his memory will be cherished among their
fondest
recollections."
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Mastic,
Scene of 1780 Battle
In November, 1780, one
of the most daring expeditions of the Revolution in Brookhaven town was
planned and carried out by Major Benjamin Tallmadge. This was the
capture of the British Fort, St. George, located on the south side of
the
Island at Smith's Point, Mastic. At this point a triangular
enclosure
of several acres had been constructed, at two angles of which were
strongly
barricaded houses, and at the third a fort, 96 feet square, well
protected
by sharpened pickets projecting from the earthen mound at an angle of
45
degrees.
The
fortification had
just been completed and two guns were mounted. It was intended as
a safe depository for merchandise and munitions of war. The
garrison
numbered about 50 men. About 4 o'clock in the afternoon of
November
21, Major tallmadge with two companies of dismounted dragoons,
numbering
in all 80 men, left Fairfield, Conn. in eight open boats and crossed
the
Sound, landing at Mt. Sinai about 9 o'clock in the evening. After
securing their boats in the bushes and stationing a guard over them,
the
troops were set in motion to cross the island. They had proceeded
but a few miles when a severe rainstorm came on, which compelled them
to
return and take shelter under the boats. Here they remained all
night
and the next day.
About 7 o'clock
in
the evening of the 22nd, the rain stopped and the men again started on
their march arriving within two miles of the fort by 3 o'clock the
following
morning. Here the troops were divided into three detachments,
each
of which proceeded by a different route for the purpose of making an
attack
upon the fort at different points. Major Tallmadge himself led
the
main colimn, whose approach was not discovered by the enemy until they
were within 20 yards of the stockade. A breach was quickly made
and
the troops rushed through to the main fort, which they carried with the
bayonet without firing of a single shot. At the same instant the
leaders of the other two detachments mounted the ramparts and from the
three sides of the triangle a chorus of "Washington and Glory" was
shouted
by the elated victors. Just then a volly of musketry was
discharged
upon them from one of the barricaded houses in which a considerable
number
of the garrison were hidden. The attention of Tallmadge's men was
immediately directed to that point, and for a few minutes a sharp
contest
ensued, during which the latter forced an entrance to the house and
hurled
a number of the enemy from the second story windows head long to the
ground.
During the
encounter
seven of the enemy were killed or wounded. the fort was
destroyed,
54 prisoners were taken, and a quantity of merchandise brought
away.
A vessel lying near the fort was also burned.
Having
accomplished
the object of their visit, the Americans returned to Mt. Sinai with
their
prisoners. Major Tallmadge took 12 men and went by the way of
Coram
where they set fire to a magazine of hay, estimated at about 300 tons,
which had been collected there by the British. Arriving at their
landing place they all returned to Fairfield the same night, reaching
there
about midnight. None of Tallmadge's men were killed and only a
few
injured. A letter of commendation was addressed to him by General
Washington for the successful capture of Fort St. George and the
burning
of the hay at Coram.
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Rev.
David Rose Patriot Pastor
The Rev. david Rose,
who was pastor of the South Haven Presbyterian Church from 1765 until
his
death in 1799, and also pastor of the Middle Island Presbyterian Church
from the time of its organization in 1766, was an interesting and
important
man in those early days. He rode over his large parishes on the
south
side and in the Middle Island area on horseback, his saddle bags filled
with drugs, medicines and a bible, and combined the three most prized
functions
of that day, preacher, doctor, and teacher.
He lived on and
worked
a farm near the church, and in 1767 the ear marks for his cattle were
recorded
in the town records as being that "formerly of Justice Nath. Woodhull
at
South."
It was this
intensely
busy man who wielded a great influence over the people in the southern
and central part of brookhaven Town in the years leading up to the
Revolution.
He feared encroachment on personal liberties by the British government
like all the Presbyterians who were so devoted to the ideal od freedom
for the individual and were the descendants of those Puritans and
Independents
of whom King James, I, once remarked, "A Scottish Presbyter agrees as
well
with an amsolute monarchy as God with the devil."
He was also
aquainted
with the despute in 1740 between the Presbyterian Church and the
struggling
young Angelican Church in which the latter demanded some of the town
lands
and patronage. In this didpute the Presbyterian Church was
referred
to as the "Descenting party" and the rev. Mr. Rose feared the loss of
the
freedom for which the settlers had come to this land.
"Priest Rose,"
as he
was called, led an active campaign to resist these encroachments on
their
liberties, and one of the most outstanding examples of the way the
members
of the South haven Church declared allegiance to the cause of liberty
is
found on the first page of "Onderdonk's Revolutionary Incidents," which
is as follows:
"At a meeting of
the
inhabitants of the parish of South haven, June 13, 1774, William Smith
moderator:
"1. It was voted and agreed
that
the Act of Parliament for blocking up the port of Boston is
unconstitutional
and has a direct tendency to enslave the inhabitants of America, and
put
an end to all property.
2. And it is also the opinion
of
this meeting, that if the Colonies all unite and strictly adhere to a
non-importation
agreement from Great Britian and the West Indies, and should have
reason
to expect in a short time, a repeal of that oppresive act, and for that
purpose we heartily desire that such an agreement may be entered into.
3. And it is voted that
William
Smith, Esq., Col. Nath'l Woodhull, Col. Wm. Floyd, Mr. Thos. Fanning,
Capt.
Josiah Smith, Capt. David Mulford, and Capt. Jona. Baker, be a standing
Committee of Correspondence of the city of New York, and others, and
that
they immediately communicate the above statements to them."
Priest Rose was
very
active in the cause of American Independance, and served in the army
after
taking his family to Connecticut for safty, where his wife died from
the
hardship of exile.
During the seven
long
years that the British were in possession of Long Island, the farms and
homes of the members of the South Haven Church were seized, and the
church
used as a horse stable by the British soldiers. After the war,
the
Rev. Mr. Rose returned to Connecticut with his family and began the
difficult
task of restoring the two churches of his parish and carried on this
work
until his death in 1799.
Remarkable was
the
influence of this small country church for it sent out into the
political
world of that colonial day, distinguished men who have been recognized
and remembered as leaders in the early life of our country. Among
these were General William Floyd, one of the signers of the Declaration
of Independance; General Nathaniel Woodhull, who became one of the
first
notable martyrs to the American cause; Col. Josiah Smith, who led a
regiment
in the battle of Long Island, and Judge William Smith, lord of the
Manor
of St. George.
Let no one
forget that
behind the developement of this church, and its power and influencxe
during
those most important years in the history of the American republic,
stood
its pastor, the Rev. David Rose, that capable and courageous leader who
gave over half of his life to the service of the church.
Another
promonent man
in the early history of the church was the Rev. Ezra King, who was
pastor
from 1810 to 1839 of the combined churches of South Haven and Middle
Island.
He also covered his large parishes on horseback, and was a teacher,
serving
for many years as inspector of the town schools. He lived on his
farm in Middle Island, and it was during his pastorate that the present
South Haven church was built in 1828, and the one in Middle Island in
1837.
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Caleb
Brewster of Setauket
Caleb Brewster of
Setauket
was an important member of the American spy ring that operated out of
Setauket
during the Revolutionary War under the direction of Major Benjamin
Tallmadge.
Austin Roe of
Setauket,
brought the secret messages from the chief spy in New York, Robert
Townsend
(alias Culper, Jr.). These were turned over to Abraham Woodhull,
who in turn gave thenm to Caleb Brewster, who carried them across the
sound
in one of his boats and delivered them to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, who
delivered them to General washington, wherever he might be located.
Caleb Brewster
was
born in Setauket in 1747. He was the son of Benjamin
Brewster,
grandson of Daniel Brewster, great-grandson of the Rev. Nathaniel
Brewster
(the first minister of the old town church in Setauket) who is supposed
to have been a nephew of Elder William Brewster, who arrived with the
pilgrims
. His father was a farmer and, as was too often the case in that
day, gave his son only a limited education. Caleb was an active
boy
and was anxious to explore the world beyond his native village, so at
the
age of 19 went on a whaling ship bound for the coast of Greenland under
command of Capt. Jonathan Worth.
His next voyage
was
to London in a merchant ship, and upon his return found his country
engaged
in the Revolutionary War. He immediately volunteered his service
and within a short time was made a lieutenant of artillery. he
was
help in such high esteem by his officers and the commander in chief for
his integrity, courage and patriotism, that in 1778 he was employed as
a secret agent by Congress. Through the rest of the war he
devoted
himself in procuring and transmitting important information relative to
the movements of the British Army in New York and on Long Island.
Brewster was
among
those who under Col. parsons crossed the sound in 1777 for the purpose
of capturing a company of British soldiers who had taken possession and
made a fort of the Presbyterian Church at Setauket. This
expedition
was not successful, as, while they were making their attack on the
British
in the old church word came that reinforcements were coming down the
sound
to the aid of the British, so the attack was abandoned.
For several
years,
Brewster was the trusted messenger of the secret messages from Setauket
to the headquarters of major Tallmadge, across the sound, and in his
lightly
armed whaleboats, with good men, traveled this route as often as was
necessary.
he sailed under his own name and made no attempt to keep secret which
side
he served on. In addition to this he captured several supply
ships
headed for the British Army in New York, and also led his men on raids
across Long Island, burning and wrecking whatever they could find
belonging
to the British. He had many encounters with the enemy and was
sometimes
wounded, but always came off victorious and was never caught.
He was with
Major Tallmadge
in November 1780 in the expedition that came across the sound from
Fairfield,
Conn., and landed at Mt. Sinai; then marched across the Island and made
a successful attack on the British Fort St. George at Mastic.
They
returned the same way with their prisoners and part of the force went
back
by the way of Coram, where they burned a hay stack of 300 tons
collected
by the British.
On December 7,
1782,
Capt. Brewster, with the whaleboats under his command, gave chase to
several
armed boats of the enemy in the sound, and after a desperate fight
succeeded
in capturing two of them. During this encounter his shoulder was
pierced with a rifle ball and he was hospitalized for some time, after
which he was placed on the pension roll of the army for the rest of his
life. He was engaged in several other important encounters with
the
enemy on the water after this, and in 1783 captured the Fox, an armed
British
vessel in the sound during a short but fierce encounter.
In 1784 he
married
Anne. daughter of Jonathan Lewis of Fairfield, Conn., where he
continued
to live when not in public service. he was long remembered for
his
great size, his fine proportions, vigorous constitution, unrivaled wit
and his devil-may-care bearing. He died on his farm at Black
Rock,
Conn., at the age of 79.
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Captain
Nathaniel Norton
The following was
taken from DAR records
pg 285 ( first sentence missing) Provided by Carol
(thank you)
--------- their
services;
it is to be lamented that many worthy individuals have passed into
oblivion,
while scarcely any thing is remembered of their particular services;
however
much their efforts may have contributed to success in that dark and
trying
period of American history. In the rank of this class of patriots may
be
reckoned the subject of this notice, yet it is evident tat he performed
much in the sacred cause of liberty and his country. Mr. Norton
was
born in Brookhaven in the year 1742. What were the particular
circumstances
and employment of his juvenile days are not exactly known? At an early
age he volunteered as a private in the provincial corps in the French
war
, ( which commenced in 1756) in the force commanded by Major General
Bradstreet;
and in the year 1760 was stationed at Oswego. Mr. Norton displayed on
all
occasions the characteristics of a brave and prudent soldier. In the
beginning
of 1776 he was appointed and commissioned as lieutenant in the fourth
New-
York Continental Regiment, commanded by Col. Henry B. Livingston; and
continued
attached to that body till toward the end of the year 1781, when five
New
York regiments, were consolidated; and although he was not appointed to
a command in those regiments, yet such was the estimate of his services
and usefulness, that his pay and appointments were continued to him
during
the remainder of the war; and by a resolution of Congress became
entitled
to his due succession of rank. In the same year he was secretly
commissioned
by Governor Clinton to obtain loans of money from the wealthy Whig
inhabitants
of Long Island for the use of the government; and thereupon the better
to conceal this object and fulfill its duties, he was appointed to the
command of a small national vessel called the "Suffolk" in which he
cruised
in the Sound, between Sands Point and Newhaven. In this business he was
very successful, and obtained large sums on the faith of the
government,
which he regularly delivered to the governor. Captain Norton had
previously
done duty in the corps de reserve and at the battle of Monmouth, on the
28th day of June 1778, and was engaged with the artillery in that
action.
He afterwards accompanied General Sullivan in the expedition against;
the
six Nations, the occupying the western part of this state but was
prevented
by sickness from taking an active
part inn the cations of Bemus
Heights
and Stillwater, which led to the British army under Burgoyne. After the
war, Captain Norton retired to his farm in this town, and remained
there
till 1790 when he became and elder and subsequently a minister in there
Baptist church. He was settled for some time in Connecticut, and
afterward
at Herkimer in this state. In 1805 , age and bodily infirmity made it
necessary
to relinquish hiss pastoral duties, and he spent; the remainder of his
days in retirement, which a pension from the government enabled him to
do in a comfortable manner. His mental powers were active and vigorous,
his memory retained, And his conversation at all times interesting and
agreeable. He died suddenly, while on a visit to New York, the 7th of
October
1837 ; and his funeral solemnities were attended by his surviving
brethren
of the Cincinnati of which he at the time of his death; the oldest
member.
By his own previous desire his body was conveyed to Brookhaven and
conveyed
to Brookhaven, and interned in the burial-ground of the Baptist; church
at Corum on the 10th of October 1837.
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The
Van Tassel Family of Colonial America
For an excellent Van
Tassel
resource visit The Van
Tassel Family History Homepage
Jan Cornelius Van
Tassel
was the first of that name, known to have come to New Netherlands.
Among
the first settlers to locate upon Philipse Manor, were John, Jacob and
Cornelius Van Tassel, sons of the first mentioned. They were the 38th,
52nd and 73rd persons whose names appear upon the roll of members of
the
old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow. Dirck, the son of Cornelius, was the
25th person baptised previous to 1699. In 1723 he married at the church
in Hackensack, N.J., Christina Buise, daughter of Aaron Buise, who was
an officer of the old Dutch Church, from 1743 to 1767. His five
daughters,
and Cornelius, the subject of this sketch, were all baptised at that
church,
the latter in 1734. A receipt given by Dirck Van Tassel to Frederick
Philipse
dated Dec. 22, 1767, for 6 pounds, 2s. 6d, for rent of the farm, is
still
preserved. Lieut. Cornelius married Elizabeth Storms, daughter of
Nicholas,
and sister of Capt. Abraham Storms, the first Captain elected for the
company
that was known as the
Tarrytown Company, this Sept. 2, 1775,
being the first and earliest mention of the name Tarrytown yet
discovered.
Lieut. Cornelius Van
Tassel, was elected an officer of one of the four companies organized
in
the upper Manor of Philipsburg. The Provincial Congress in session in
New
York city, gave them their commissions during the month of Sept., 1775.
His farm of two hundred and odd acres, was the same formerly occupied
by
his father and grandfather, and was situated upon the Saw Mill river
road,
one mile south of the present Elmsford.
The British scouting
parties having met with many humiliating defeats at the hands of these
defenders, Governor Tryon determined to adopt harsh measures to
exterminate
them. James Delancey, the Tory Sheriff of the County, was the Colonel
of
the Westchester Co. Militia, a regiment that had been organized for a
number
of years previous to the Revolution. Many of the members of the South
Battalion
were also enrolled as members of that regiment, but were looked upon as
deserters by the British. Governor Tryon directed Col.
Delancey
to recruit a company out of his regiment which were called
Rangers.
They were mounted, and the Governor, to stimulate enlistments in that
branch
of the service, gave them a reward of twenty-five dollars for the
capture
of every committeeman, and five dollars each for every deserter. This
command
soon grew to be a very effective regiment. They were given the name of
Cow Boys, as their thorough knowledge of the roads and country was a
great
help to them in that particular line of cattle capture. On the night of
Nov. 17, 1777, Peter and Cornelius Van Tassel were taken prisoners at
their
homes by Capt. Emmerick's command from
King's Bridge, a part of which also proceeded to the house of Maj.
Abraham
Storms, which they partially burned. The enemy having collected the Van
Tassel's stock of cattle, made sure their prisoners should not escape
as
they tied their hands to their horses' tails, in which position they
compelled
them to drive their cattle to their camp. While they were preparing to
burn the dwelling, Lt. Van Tassel's son, Cornelius, Jr., having
secreted
himself in the attic, was driven out by the smoke. Throwing a blanket
over
his head he came down stairs and sprang over the lower half of the hall
door and ran rapidly to the Saw Mill River, pursued by the enemy, who
gave
up the chase when they found that he had broken his way through the
ice,
in order to escape to the Farcus Hott, the picket station on Beaver
Mountain.
Cornelius, Jr., died Jan. 3, 1780, as the result
of his exposure at the time of his
father's
capture. While the dwelling was burning one of the soldiers actuated
with
praiseworthy feelings of humanity obtained a feather bed and threw it
over
the mother and child, who were then left to care for themselves as best
they could. They afterward found temporary shelter in a dirt cellar,
the
only habitation left upon the farm.
Capt. John Romer gives
the following account of the affair, date of 1845: "The night on which
the houses were surprised and burnt was one of the coldest of the
season.
Cornelius Van Tassel on the first alarm sprang from the windows and
tried
to escape, being almost naked. He was taken, but never recovered from
the
exposure of that night. The Tory Captain, Joshua Barnes, acted as
guide for Emerick that night, and his voice was heard above the
tumult.:
'The houses are both owned by d____d Rebels--burn them!' My wife, Leah
Van Tassel, was the only daughter of Cornelius, and she was the infant
taken out of the house in a blanket by a soldier, laid carefully in the
snow and the mother, distracted, was seeking her babe when he told her
where the child was. The only son, Cornelius, Jr., fled for safety half
naked to the roof of the house and held on by the chimney, from which
when
the
fire began to reach him he jumped to the
ground. He escaped that night, but caught cold from which he never
recovered."
It was about this time
that Gov. Tryon issued his infamous order to "Burn Tarrytown," which
provoked
swift reprisal in the destruction of Gen. Oliver Delancey's house down
the river in the night from this place. And so Lieut. Cornelius and
Peter
Van Tassel were cruelly and ignominiously carried away to New York as
prisoners.
A petition signed by Lieut. Cornelius and Peter Van Tassel, as
Committeemen,
and others, drawn up at the Provost Goal, date of Feb. 6, 1778, is on
file
among the Clinton papers, in which they set forth that they are there
as
Committeemen, and hence unable to get exchanged, and they ask the
Governor
to help them out of their dilemma so that they may be returned to their
families, which it appears he was not very soon able to do. The
official
records show that their release from prison took place on the 17th of
Oct.
1778, making just 11 months of captivity. The following is copied from
the book of Audited Accounts pertaining to the Revolution in the State
Archives at Albany.
When peace was at last
proclaimed, Lt. Van Tassel purchased his old farm from the
Commissioners
of Forfeiture, but on account of the losses incurred, was unable to
rebuild
his dwelling. His only son having died from exposure received in
fighting
for his country, he postponed the affair until the marriage of his
daughter
Leah, to John Romer, son of Jacob Romer, Sr., who with his three
brothers
had been active participants in the cause of Independence; and in 1793,
they erected the dwelling still standing, of which a photo
representation
appears herewith, and where for upward of fifty years the annual town
meetings
of the township of Greensburgh were held. Here Lt. Van Tassel and wife,
Jacob Romer, Sr., and wife, and their son John Romer and wife spent
their
remaining days. John Romer became Captain in the war of 1812, and took
an active part in those proceedings that were
productive in the advancement of the best
interests of the community. He was not only a well known man among men,
bit it is said, was decided by vote at a general election to be the
best
looking man in the town! He died at the age of 90, beloved by every
one.
Lieut. Cornelius Van
Tassel died Mar. 6, 1820, in the 86th year of his age, and Elizabeth
Storms
his wife, died Mar. 25, 1825, in the 87th year of her age. J. C. L.
Hamilton,
of Elmsford, is the grandson of John Romer and great-grandson of Lieut.
Cornelius Van Tassel.
Peter Van
Tassel's
name appears as a member of Capt. Daniel Martling's Company as early as
1776, and as already stated he was a member of the Committee of Public
Safety for this County when taken prisoner and carried away to the
Provost
Gaol in New York in Nov., 1777. His tombstone in the old Dutch
Churchyard
shows that he was born in May, 1728, and that he died in Sept., 1784,
just
after the close of the Revolutionary war, and probably as a result of
the
hardships endured during that period. His birth, and consequently
parentage,
do not appear in the records of the old Dutch Church, and the latter
for
some evaded all research, but it was finally discovered in the will of
Johannis Van Tassel (son of Jacob) of Philipsburg, recorded in the
Surrogate's
office in the city of New York. The will is dated Dec. 23, 1771. By it
the testator gives to his wife Trintje, (Buys), his son Jacob, daughter
Anna, widow of Jacob Wormer, daughter Rachel wife of John Van Tassel,
daughter
Catrina wife of Abram Ecker, "son of Abm," and grand child of Catrina
daughter
of his son John Van Tassell, dec'd, and appoints his well beloved sons
Peter and Jacob his executors.
So Peter was the son
of Johannis who had married Trintje, and the brother of famous Major
Jacob
Van Tassel of Wolfert's Roost, also brother of Catrina who married
Abraham
Acker of Ecker, 2d, and John, took title to his farm of 150 acres in
the
Saw Mill River Valley just south of and adjoining the farm of Lieut.
Cornelus
Van Tassel, who was his kinsman.
The will of Hendrick
Van Tassel, who had married Balith Buys, also appears in the
Surrogate's
office at New York City, date of 1771. He gave his wife Balith, sons
John
and Hendrick, daughters Mary and Balithy Slymets.
Jacob Van Tassel,
the son of Johannis Van Tassel and Catharine his wife, was baptised
Nov.
10, 1744. Hester Van Tassel his wife, was the daughter of a Johannis
Van
Tassel and Helena Hammen his wife. They were married Sept. 23, 1764.
Their
home was at the Wolfert Acker place, long known as "Wolfert's Roost."
The
following fancy sketch of the Roost and its brave defender, Lieut.
Jacob
Van Tassell, from the gifted pen of Washington Irving is well
introduced
here:
"The situation of the
Roost is in the very heart of what was the debateable ground between
the
American and British lines, during the war. The British held possession
of the city of New York, and the island of Manhattan, on which it
stands.
The Americans drew up towards the highlands, holding their headquarters
at Peekskill. The intervening country, from Croton River to Spiting
Devil
Creek, was the debateable land, subject to be harried by friend and
foe,
like the Scottish borders of yore. It is rugged country, with a line of
rocky hills extending through it like a backbone, sending ribs on
either
side; but among these rude hills are beautiful winding valleys, like
those
watered by the Pocantico and the Neperan. In the fastnesses of these
hills,
and along these valleys, exists a race of hard-headed, stout-hearted
Dutchmen,
descended of the primitive Netherlanders. Most of these were strong
whigs
throughout the war, and have ever remained obstinately attached to the
soil, and neither to be fought nor bought
out of their paternal acres. Others were
tories, and adherents to the old kingly rule; some of whom took refuge
within the British lines, joined the royal bands of refugees, (a name
odious
to the American ear), and occasionally returned to harass their ancient
neighbors. In a little while this debateable land was overrun by
predatory
bands from either side; sacking hen-roosts, plundering farm-houses, and
driving off cattle. Hence arose those two great orders of border
chivalry,
the Skinners and the Cow Boys, famous in the heroic annals of
Westchester
County. The former fought, or rather, marauded under the American, the
latter under the British banner; but both, in the hurry of their
military
ardor, were apt to err on the safe side, and rob friend as well as foe.
Neither of them stopped to ask the politics of horse or cow, which they
drove into captivity; nor, when they wrung the neck of a rooster, did
they
trouble their heads to ascertain whether he was crowing for Congress or
King George. While this marauding
system pervailed on shore, the Great
Tappan
Sea, which washes this belligerent region, was domineered over by
British
frigates and other vessels of war, anchored here and there, to keep an
eye upon the river, and maintain a communication between the various
military
posts. Stout galleys, also armed with eighteen pounders, and navigated
with sails and oars, cruised about like hawks, ready to pounce upon
their
prey. All these were eyed with bitter hostility by the Dutch
yeomanry
along shore, who were indignant at seeing their great Mediterranean
ploughed
by hostile prows; and would occasionally throw up a mud breast-work on
a point of promontory, mount an old iron field-piece, and fire away at
the enemy, though the greatest harm was apt to happen to themselves,
from
the bursting of their ordnance, nay, there was scarce a Dutchman along
the river that would hesitate to fire with
his long duck gun at any British cruiser
that came within his reach, as he had been accustomed to fire at water
fowl.
I have been thus
particular
in my account of the times and neighborhood, that the reader might the
more readily comprehend the surrounding dangers in this, the heroic age
of the Roost. It was commanded at the time, as I have already observed,
by the stout Jacob Van Tassel. As I wish to be extremely accurate in
this
part of my chronicle, I an Tassel, commonly known in border story by
the
name of 'clump-footed Jack,' a noted tory, and one of the refugee band
of Spiting Devil. On the contrary, he of the Roost was a patriot of the
first water; and, if we may take his own word for granted, a thorn in
the
side of the enemy. As the Roost, from its lonely situation on the
water's
edge, might be liable to attack, he took measures for defence. On a row
of hooks, above his fire-place, reposed his great piece of ordnance,
ready
charged and primed for action. This was a duck, or, rather, goose-gun
of
unparalleled longitude--with which it was said he could kill a wild
goose,
though half way across the Tappan Sea. Indeed, there
are as many wonders told of this renowned
gun as of the stone walls of his mansion he had made loop-holes,
through
which he might fire upon an assailant. His wife was stout-hearted as
himself,
and could load as fast as he could fire; and then he had an ancient and
redoubtable sister, Nochie van Wurmer, a match, as he said, for the
stoutest
man in the country. Thus garrisoned, the little Roost was fit to stand
a siege, and Jacob van Tassel was the man to defend it to the last
charge
of powder.
"He was, as I have
already hinted, of pugnacious propensities; and, not content with being
a patriot at home, and fighting for the security of his own fireside,
he
extended his thoughts abroad, and entered into a confederacy with
certain
of the bold, hard-riding lads of Tarrytown, Petticoat Lane and Sleepy
Hollow--who
formed a kind of holy brotherhood, scouring the country to clear it of
skinners and cowboys, and all other border vermin. The Roost was one of
their rallying points. Did a band of marauders from Manhattan island
come
sweeping through the neighborhood, and driving off cattle, the stout
Jacob
and his compeers were soon clattering at their heels, and fortunate did
the rogues esteem themselves, without a rough handling. Should the moss
troopers succeed in passing with their cavalgada, with thundering tramp
and dusty whirlwind, across King's Bridge, the holy brotherhood of
the Roost would reign up at that perilous
pass, and, wheeling about, would indemnify themselves by foraging the
refugee
region of Morrisania.
"When at home at roost,
the stout Jacob was not idle; he was prone to carry on a petty warfare
of his own, for his private recreation and refreshment. Did he ever
chance
to espy, from his look-out place, a hostile ship or galley anchored or
becalmed near shore, he would take down his long goose-gun from the
hooks
over the fire-place, sally out alone, and lurk along shore, dodging
behind
rocks and trees, and watching for hours together, like a veteran mouser
intent on a rat hole. So sure as a boat put off for shore, and came
within
shot, bang went the great goose-gun; a shower of slugs and buck-shot
whistled
about the ears of the enemy, and, before the boat could reach the
shore,
Jacob had scuttled up some woody ravine, and left no trace behind.
"About this time the
Roost experienced a vast accession of war-like importance, in being
made
one of the stations of the water guard. This was a kind of aquatic
corps
of observation, composed of long, sharp canoe-shaped boats, technically
called whale-boats, that lay lightly on the water, and could be rowed
with
great rapidity. They were manned by resolute fellows, skilled at
pulling
an oar or handling a musket. These lurked about in nooks and bays, and
behind those long promontories which run out into the Tappan Sea,
keeping
a look-out, to give notice of the approach or movements of hostile
ships.
They roved about in pairs, sometimes at night, with muffled oars,
gliding
like spectres about frigates and guard-ships riding at anchor; cutting
off any boat that made for shore, and keeping the enemy in constant
uneasiness.
These mosquito cruisers generally kept aloof by day, so that their
harboring places might not be discovered,
but would pull quietly along, under shadow of the shore, at night, to
take
up their quarters at the Roost. Hither, at such time, would also repair
the hard-riding lads of the hills, to hold secret councils of war with
the "ocean chivalry;" and in these nocturnal meetings, were concerted
many
of those daring forays, by land and water, that resounded throughout
the
border."
The chronicler here
goes on to recount divers wonderful stories of the wars of the Roost,
from
which it would seem that this little warrior nest carried the terror of
its arms into every sea from Spiting Devil Creek to St. Anthony's Nose;
that it even bearded the stout island of Manhattan, invading it at
night,
penetrating to its centre, and burning down the famous DeLancey house,
the conflagration of which makes such a blaze in revolutionary history.
Nay, more; in their extravagant daring, these cocks of the Roost
meditated
a nocturnal descent upon New York itself, to swoop upon the British
commanders,
Howe and Clinton, by surprise, bear them off captive, and, perhaps, put
a triumphant close to the war.
"This doughty Dutchman
(continues the sage Diedrich Knickerbocker) was not content with taking
a share in all the magnanimous enterprises concocted at the Roost, but
still continued his petty warfare along shore. A series of exploits at
length raised his confidence in his prowess to such a height, that he
began
to think himself and his goose-gun a match for anything. Unluckily, in
the course of one of his prowlings, he descried a British transport
aground,
not far from shore, with her stern swung towards the land within
point-blank
shot. The temptation was too great to be resisted; bang! as usual went
the great goose-gun, shivering the cabin windows, and driving all hands
forward. Bang! bang! the shots were repeated. The reports brought
several
sharp-shooters of the neighborhood to the spot; before the transport
could
bring a gun to bear, or land a boat, to take revenge, she was soundly
peppered,
and the coast evacuated. She was the last of Jacob's triumphs. He
fared,
like some heroic spider,
that had unwittingly snared a hornet--to
his immortal glory, perhaps, but to the utter ruin of his web.
"It was not long
after this, during the absence of Jacob Van Tassel on one of his
forays,
and when no one was in garrison but his stout-hearted spouse, his
redoubtable
sister, Nochie Van Wurmer, and a strapping negro wench called Dinah,
that
an armed vessel came to anchor off the Roost and a boat full of men
pulled
to shore. The garrison flew to arms--that is to say, to mops,
broomsticks,
shovels, tongs, and all kinds of domestic weapons--for unluckily, the
great
piece of ordnance, the goose-gun was absent with its owner. Above all,
a vigorous defence was made with that most potent of female weapons the
tongue. Never did invaded hen-roost make a more vociferous outcry. It
was
all in vain. The house was sacked and plundered, fire was set to each
corner,
and, in a few moments, its blaze shed a baleful light far over the
Tappan
Sea. The invaders then pounced upon the blooming Laney Van Tassel, the
beauty of the Roost, and endeavored to bear her off to the boat. But
here
was the real tug of war. The mother, the aunt, the strapping negro
wench,
all flew to the rescue. The struggle continued down to the very water's
edge, when a voice from the armed vessel at anchor ordered the spoilers
to let go their hold. They relinquished the prize, jumped into their
boats,
and pulled off, and the heroine of the Roost escaped with a mere
rumpling
of the feathers. Shortly after the catastrophe of the Roost, Jacob Van
Tassel, in the course of one of his forays, fell into the hands of the
British, was sent prisoner to New York, and was detained in captivity
for
the greater part of the war."
But to turn from the
realm of fancy and tradition to the realism of personal experience, the
following copied from the original in the archives of the Pension
Office
at Washington, is herewith presented: Lieut. Jacob Van Tassel's
statement
made in his application for pension, April 30, 1836, in his 92d year:
"Was then a resident
of Greenwich St., New York. He states that he was then upwards of 91
years
of age. That on the breaking out of the Revolutionary War he was a
farmer
living on Philipse Manor, present town of Greenburgh, County of
Westchester,
N.Y. That he first entered the service in the year 1776 in a company of
Militia commanded by Capt. Glode Requa; that as a private and Sergeant
in his company he served for different periods until the resignation of
Capt. Requa in 1778; that in June, 1778, he received the commission of
Lieutenant in same company under Capt. Geo. Comb, Col. Hammond's Regt.;
that by order of said Col. Hammond he received directions to take as
many
men from his company as seemed advisable, and go as far down the Hudson
as he could with safety, and gather all the information he could
relative
to the movements and designs of the enemy, and that he selected six
privates
and went down, and on their return put up for the night at a private
dwelling
in the vicinity of Croton River; that in the morning, as they were
about
in readiness to march they were surprised by a party of British
soldiers of 72 foot and 9 horse, and he
further learned that they had been betrayed. Two of his men escaped,
but
himself and four others were taken prisoners and went to Verplanck's
Point,
and there put on board a vessel and transported down the river to
Yonkers;
that he was kept at this place but for a short time, when he was put on
a vessel and sent to New York City and confined there in the building
called
the "Old Jail." That after being there four or five weeks he was
put on his parole, which was executed at the old Sugar House in Liberty
St., was then sent to Flatbush where he remained until he was exchanged
in the fall of 1781, and on his arrival home he first heard of the
surrender
of Cornwallis.
Relates being one of
the Company that made a raid to Morrisania when the guide Dyckman was
killed.
Upon one occasion he recollected to have shot a deserter from our
troops
who had been with the British at Fishkill, and that he frequently shot
at the British Galleys going up and down the river. That on one
occasion
the British (under Lieut. Althouse) having taken a number of cattle, he
and a party among whom was Capt John Buchanan, recaptured them and
killed
4 or 5 of the British.
That when they went
down the river on a scout as aforesaid they went nearly to King's
Bridge
and lay over night in the bushes; that they obtained much information
relative
to the intended movements of the British, and that on their return they
took two prisoners from the British guardships and had them in custody
when they themselves were taken prisoners at Croton River. That during
the whole adventure they were in iminent danger, particularly when they
lay in the bushes at King's Bridge, as the British were constantly
passing
in immediate view; and he further declares that Abraham Van Tassel,
David
Van Tassel, and Wm. Reton, his relatives, and Isaac Delameter, were the
persons who were taken prisoners with him. That at Flatbush where he
was
on parole, were many American officers, including Col. Hammond, the
latter
part of the time, he having been taken out of his bed when he was taken
prisoner. That when they were exchanged Hammond accompanied them up
through
New Jersey to Greenburg; that they were advised to return that way as
the
British lay in New York. And he further states that during his
imprisonment
his dwelling houses and out houses were burned by the enemy and his
personal
property wholly wasted and destroyed.
Isaac Dalameter swears
to the date of the capture (was taken prisoner on the 1st day of July,
1779, with Lieut. Jacob Van Tassel, and was a prisoner until Nov. 5,
1781,)
by reason of its being his 21st birthday; that they were betrayed by
the
person with whom they stopped that night at Croton, and he corroborated
Lieut. Van Tassel's statement.
Jacob Van Tassel took
title from the Commissioners of Forfeiture to 185 acres, the place
which
he had occupied as a tenant under Frederick Philpse, and for which he
paid
500. Jacob Van Tassel and Hester his wife had "Lena" who married
Caleb Brush and had Jacob born Aug. 28, 1790, and also sons Caleb and
Joshua.
She died Oct. 27, 1861, in her 95th year, and he died Nov. 59, 1856, in
his 93d year. Jacob also had sons Isaac, Jacob, and William. Charles
Denison
Belden, of New York, is a great-grandson of Lieut. Jacob Van Tassel.
The following
inscription
appears on his tombstone in the old Dutch Churchyard, he being there
designated
"Major" Jacob Van Tassel, to which honor he was entitled by reason of a
commission he had held in the Militia after the Revolution: Hester,
wife
of Lieut. Jacob Van Tassel, died Dec. 10, 1811, aged 77 years, 8 months
and 10 days. Jacob was afterwards twice married. His latter years were
spent in the family of his son-in-law, Caleb Brush, in New York.
Altogether
Jacob Van Tassel was a great character and well deserves posthumous
fame.
Stephen Van
Tassel's
application for a pension, dated Dec. 11, 1832, states that he entered
the service as a Volunteer about the first of May, 1776, at Tarrytown,
for 9 months in the Co. of Capt. Abram Ladieu; resided in or near
Tarrytown
at that time; was at the battle of White Plains in the right wing of
the
American Army near Chatterton Hill. In the spring of 1777
re-enlisted
in Capt. Sybert Acker's Co., Lieut. Col. Hammond's Regt.; was in Capt.
Daniel Williams' Co., at the Youngs' House fight; afterwards in the Co.
of Capt. Gilbert Dean. In 1780 enlisted in the Continental line under
Col.
Hughes; was taken prisoner in April, 1780, and taken to New York and
confined
in the old Sugar House Prison 11 months and 5 days. Was born in the
year
1758. Endorsed by John Israel, who says that he was himself taken
prisoner
in Dec., 1779, and confined in the old Sugar House Prison, and saw
Stephen Van Tassel there. This Stephen
was a son of Johannis Van Tassel, who was a soldier in the French war
as
well as in the Revolution, and grandson of Jan Van Tassel and Annatie
Acker
his wife. He married Mary, the daughter of Stephen Bertine, and lived
at
"Haventje," know as the Fremont place. This Johannis Van Tassel was the
great-grandfather of Mr. Daniel Van Tassel of Tarrytown.
A John Van Tassel,
born 1737, and who died 1807, was one of the John Van Tassels who
served
in the French war; was also a soldier of the Revolution. He kept the
Van
Tassel Inn, present Jacob Mott house, which was a rallying place in the
early part of the Revolution, a photo representation of which is
herewith
produced. It was there that Washington once visited a sick officer, as
was well remembered by the late Mrs. Romer. It was there that a
party
of British Refugees (Tories) was surprised and captured by Major Hunt,
in 1781. The door is said to have been pierced by a cannon ball during
one of the bombardments of Tarrytown by British frigates. It is one of
the oldest buildings remaining in this vicinity, and it is said was
erected
by one of the Martlings as early as 1712.
Another John Van Tassel
who was a Revolutionary soldier was killed in the attack on the Glode
Requa
house on May 26, 1779. John Romer says of the affair, "John Van Tassel
was posted as sentinel near the house, and challenged the enemy who
charged.
He fired, defended himself with his bayonet, but was surrounded and cut
to pieces by the dragoons. The men then jumped out of the window and
escaped."
The State afterwards gave a pension to "Catharine Ann and John Van
Tassel,
orphan children of John Van Tassel, late private in Col. Hammond's
Regt.,
who was slain on the field, May 26, 1779."
The David Van Tassel
who was a prisoner at the same time with Lieut. Jacob, was a brother of
Hester Van Tassel, Jacob's wife. Abraham and Isaac who were also
prisoners
at the same time, were brothers, the sons of Abraham Van Tassel and
Cornelia
La Mettie his wife. The aforementioned Isaac was the grandfather of the
venerable John C. Van Tassel, of Mt. Pleasant and of Wm. H. Van Tassel,
of the Architectural Iron Works of New York, their fathers being
brothers.
Among the early if
not original members of the old Dutch Church were Jacob Van Texel and
Aletje
his wife, Jan Van Texel and Cathrina his wife, and Cornelius Van Texel
and Antje his wife. Among the officers of that Church appear the names
of Cornelius Van Texel, Deacon, 1709; Jan Van Texel, Deacon, 1716;
Cornelius,
Elder, 1717; Jan, Elder, 1727; Jan, Elder, 1736; Hendrick, Deacon,
1738;
Dirk, Deacon, 1743; Hendirck, Elder, 1745, 1749, 1750, and 1754;
Johnannis,
Deacon, 1757-60. Hendrick, Elder, 1762; Dirck, Elder, 1767; Jacob,
Deacon,
1770; Jan, Deacon, 1790.
Old Manor records show
that Johannis Van Tassel was Collector 1722-3-5. 1742-- Overseer for
the
King's Road from Charl Davids, Evert Bruyn and Johannis Van Texel the
son
of Jacob. 1743--Hannis Van Texel one of the Fence Viewers. Same year,
Hannis
Van Texel was one of the Overseers of the Highway. 1750, Feb. 20, ear
mark
of Wm. Van Tassel; 1756, Dec. 29, ear mark of Johannis Van Tassel;
1757,
March 20, ear mark of Johannis Van Tassel, son of Hendrick. 1760, Mar.
4, licensed Inn Keeper, Peter Van Tassel; 1778, John Van Tassel, a
Pound
Master; 1779, John Van Tassel Assessor.
The following, copied
from the original on file in the State Archives at Albany, well
deserves
a place here as a picture of heroic endurance by the Van Tassels in the
great struggle for American Liberty and American Independence:
To his Excellency, Gov. Clinton, &
c. This Petition Respectfully Showeth:
That your petitioners have endeavored to
defend and protect the Freedom and Liberty of the United States. After
the many disappointments and reverses of fortune which we have had to
struggle
with, the expectations of rising again to prosperity are brought low
enough
by long imprisonment; but it would be a satisfaction to us that our
real
character were known to your Excellency and the Senate and Assembly,
which
if it were we flatter ourselves that we should have your indulgence,
nay,
your esteem. Refuse not most gracious gentlemen, the means for gaining
this end to men who are ready and willing to shed their blood in proof
of their loyalty and affection for our country's cause.
Notwithstanding
the enemy has not left us one single head of our cattle, furniture,
&c.,
but has plundered us of all, we beseech that you will look with an eye
of pity on us and have some consideration for our past services, and
that
a year's imprisonment and five years' exile, the ruin of our fortunes,
and the submission with which we have born these punishments and the
zeal
which we are still ready to show for our country's cause, if your
Excellency
and the Senate and Assembly do not make some provision for us we and
our
families must inevitably perish. Therefore we hope you will take
Christian
pity and assist us from this labyrinth of misery. By so doing, your
petitioners
and the widows and fatherless will be forever bound to pray for your
Excellency,
and the honorable Senate and Assembly.
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William
Vredenburgh and the Revolutionary War
This information was donated by Larry
Vredenburgh.
Larry has a wonderful Vredenburgh
site
at http://www.cybersurfers.net/vredenb
According to Army
records,
William Vredenburgh enlisted in the Continental Army on December 1,
1776,
for a period of three
years. However in his pension file William
states that he enlisted "...about 1776 in the month of April...in the
town
of Johnstown." His service was summarized years later by Amy Chase, the
wife of his grandson Charles Vredenburgh. In a document she penned, Amy
stated, "He enlisted in answer to the first call of his country and
served
until the close." Amy's document also provides us with
William's
link to his grandparents William and Catharina Schott.
William began serving
in the Army about age 20. He enlisted in the 3rd New York Regiment,
commanded
by Colonel Peter Gansevoort of Albany, and served in Captain Leonard
Bleeker's
Company his entire eight year career. Bleeker's service with the 1st
New
York Regiment began on 28 June 1775 until he was dismissed as unfit for
command. Bleecker's November 1776 evaluation stated that he was "not so
careful or attentive as might be wished." On 21 November 1776 he began
service in the 3rd New York Regiment. During the duration of the war
Bleeker's
Company, also known as the Light Infantry Company, was involved in many
daring attacks against both the British and their Indian allies. Their
accomplishments reminded me of the heroic and daring actions of elite
forces
in recent wars.
William probably began
service with the 3rd New York at Fort Anne that was located eleven
miles
south of Whitehall, New York, and thirty-six miles south of Fort
Ticonderoga.
General Schuyler, on March 4, 1777, ordered Gansevoort to leave Fort
Anne
for Fort Stanwix on March 15, 1777.
Fort Stanwix, which
the British constructed during the French and Indian War, had been
abandoned
years earlier. By mid 1776 the Americans began to refurbish it. The
fort
was situated at the head of the Mohawk Valley at what eventually became
Rome, New York. The fort guarded an important foot-trail and a nearly
continuous
waterway, both that linked the Hudson River Valley with the Great
Lakes.
This natural waterway was interrupted by a mile long portage. Fort
Stanwix
was at the eastern end of the portage. Eventually the Erie Canal was to
follow this natural waterway.
Fort Stanwix was a
frontier post and was never a desirable post to be stationed at from
the
viewpoint of the men defending it. Gansevoort's 750 men crowded into
the
fort intended for half that number. The men continued reconstruction of
the fort, which had been renamed Fort Schuyler in honor of General
Schuyler.
The abandonment of Fort Ticonderoga barely a month earlier to British
General
John Burgoyne's 8,000-man army weighed heavily in Gansevoort's mind.
British Colonel Barry
St. Leger, left Lachine, near Montreal, on June 23, 1777, with some
1,800
men, consisting of more half Indians. Their goal was to cut off the
strategic
Mohawk Valley, and join General Burgoyne at Albany. Learning of the
British
advance toward the fort, on July 31, General Nicholas Herkimer mustered
900 men at Fort Dayton 50 miles to the east of Fort Schuyler in order
to
reinforce Gansevoort. Two days later, a detachment from St. Leger's
army
ambushed Herkimer's force at Oriskany and in a desperate, bloody
battle,
forced them to retreat after inflicting heavy casualties. Herkimer was
wounded and died several days later.
On August 3, 1777,
while the battle raged six miles away at Oriskany an advance party,
consisting
largely of Indians and Tories surrounded the fort. Three days later,
while
most of St. Leger's men were still at Oriskany, 250 men under Lt. Col.
Marinus Willett charged out of the front gate of Fort Schuyler and
overwhelmed
the weak force that surrounded it. Willett's men came upon British and
Indian encampments, took some prisoners, and carried away kettles,
clothing,
muskets, spears, tomahawks, regimental colors, and important papers
some
of which belonged to St. Leger. After Willetts return to the fort, five
flags taken from the enemy were hoisted on the flagstaff under the
Continental
flag to the cheers of the men.
The next day St. Leger
sent Colonel Butler into the fort with an offer for terms of surrender.
Gansevoort gave him a searing reply. Apparently St. Leger had expected
the fort to be abandoned like Ticonderoga. This was not to be the case.
Captain Bleeker and
his men were assigned to the defense of the northeast bastion of the
fort,
which faced the main enemy artillery battery. Fortunately for the
defenders,
the British artillery lacked sufficient power to seriously threaten the
fort. In fact, the Americans gathered up shot and unexploded shells and
fired them back to their owners.
The siege ended when
the British learned that a large Patriot army, led by General Benedict
Arnold, was headed to Fort Schuyler to rescue the Americans. This news
coupled with the death of several Indian chiefs at Oriskany, and loss
of
possessions during Willett's raid, prompted the Indians to desert. St.
Leger lifted the siege on August 22 and withdrew to Canada. Arnold's
force,
accompanied by the 1st New York Regiment arrived on the evening of
August
24, 1777. A total of thirteen American soldiers and civilians had been
killed, and twenty-three wounded during the siege and the days leading
up to it.
William
continued to serve with the 3rd New York Regiment at Fort Schuyler - on
March 1, 1778, he is listed as "lame" in a list of the "return of the
sick
in the Garrison."
In response to Indian
raids on settlers in the Mohawk and Cherry Valleys, New York, Colonel
Van
Schaik, commander of the 1st New York Regiment in April 1779 led five
hundred
soldiers and a few Indians from Fort Schuyler west into the country of
the Onondagas. This expedition included Captain Bleeker's Company from
the 3rd New York regiment as well as four companies from other
regiments.
The expeditionary force sneaked into Indian territory during a
bitter-cold
April snow storm, and in a 180 mile march in five and a half days,
destroyed
the Onondaga Castle of about 50 houses, captured thirty-seven
prisoners,
killed more than twenty warriors, and seized a hundred British muskets.
They returned without loosing a man.
In the planning stages
even before Van Schaik's successful raid, and in reaction to Indian
massacres
in the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania and Cherry Valley, General John
Sullivan
in July 1779 began a punishing raid against the Indian strongholds of
western
New York with General James Clinton and Colonel Daniel Brodhead.
Brigadier General James
Clinton formed the northern wing of the Sullivan expedition. His force
included the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th New York Regiments, and others from
other states, and was to rendezvous with Sullivan's force later at
Tioga.
Immediately Clinton began collecting artillery, supplies and boats, and
directing them to be taken to Fort Schuyler and kept there under heavy
guard. By the third week of May, over two hundred bateaux (boats) had
been
acquired for transportation, and sufficient food had been stockpiled to
last his force for three months.
By June 17, Clinton's
force of fifteen hundred men with some two hundred and twenty bateaux
assembled
at Canajoharie on the Mohawk River, and began the twenty mile portage
southwest
to the headwaters of the Susquehanna River at Otsego Lake. The heavy
bateaux
were each pulled by four horses in a long line. The portage was
completed
in thirteen days.
Finding the Susquehanna
River too low to be navigated, Clinton had the lake's outlet dammed,
and
arranged the boats on the shores of the nearly dry river below Otsego
Lake.
At six o'clock in the evening of August 6th, after the level of the
lake
had risen three feet, charges of gunpowder set in the dam were
exploded.
By eight o'clock the next morning the flow had subsided to the point
where
it resembled a strong spring flood, and General James Clinton raised
his
right arm, and the firing of a heavy gun signaled to each boat to take
to the river. Each boat was manned by three people and the remaining
600
men began the march down either side of the river. As this force came
upon
Indian or Tory houses or settlements, they burned the structures and
destroyed
all crops and fruit trees. On August 22 Clinton's force joined
Sullivan's
at Tioga on the Susquehanna River, a distance of one hundred fifty four
miles in two weeks.
Just a few days later,
on August 29, a force of British, Indians and Tories attempted to
ambush
the Americans at Newtown, but were detected. An intense battle followed
with the opposition fleeing before the Americans. After Sullivan
reached the Indian town of Genesee on September 14, he turned eastward
to the north end of Seneca Lake, there he turned south.
Here Sullivan detached Lieutenant Colonel
Henry Dearborn, Lieutenant Colonel William Butler and Lieutenant
Colonel
Peter Gansevoort, commander of the 3rd New York Regiment to
systematically
destroy the Cayuga towns. William Vredenburgh, serving under Gansevoort
would have become familiar with the area - where he settled some twenty
years later. Finally, Sullivan directed Gansevoort eastward to the
Mohawk
River at Fort Shuyler, where he was to descend the river, pausing at
the
Lower Mohawk Castle, Teantontalago, and arrest every male Mohawk and
take
them prisoner to Albany.
With his three years
up, in December 1779, William reenlisted in the 3rd New York
Regiment.
The 7,000 man Continental Army, including the New York Brigade,
consisting
of all the troops of the New York Line, excepting the 1st New York
Regiment, encamped during the winter of
1779-1780 with George Washington at Morristown, New Jersey. The
soldiers
built log cabins, but these were not completed until the middle of
February.
Prior to that the soldiers were quartered in tents. These conditions
occurred
during a winter colder than any living person could recall. Baron von
Steuben,
said that in the winter of 1779, the New York Brigade at Morristown,
New
Jersey "exhibited the most shocking picture of misery I have ever seen,
scarce a man having wherewithal to cover his nakedness, and a great
number
very bad with the itch." The men often went days without any food
whatever.
During the winter at
Morristown, the 1st New York Regiment guarded Fort Schuyler. By late
spring
1780 supplies at the fort had become dangerously low. Renewed Indian
attacks
on supply shipments were the cause. In June, General James Clinton
ordered
Col. Gansevoort and the 3rd New York Regiment to guard supplies headed
to the fort. It appears that Gansevoort's regiment was stationed at
Albany
in June. But by July it was at West Point, for on July 6, 1780 William
Vredenburgh, a private the New York Line - Third Regiment, Captain
Bleeker's
Company was stationed at West Point. In October Washington ordered the
1st New York to West Point. Soon the Continental Army began
constructing
log houses for winter quarters. However, the 1st New York Regiment
remained
at West Point only a few weeks. On November seventh, the regiment was
ordered
back to Albany.
On January 1, 1781,
the 3rd New York Regiment was consolidated with the 1st New York
Regiment.
With this reorganization, the 3rd ceased to exist. With his rank
eliminated,
Peter Gansevoort accepted rank of brigadier general in the militia.
Under
their new commanders, the men of the 3rd New York carried their "old"
regimental
flag for the remainder of the war. Lieutenant Leonard Bleeker was to
lead
the Light Infantry Company in the 1st New York Regiment.
On February 16, six
companies of Col. Van Schaicks regiment, including the Light Infantry
Company
was ordered back to West Point. The 1st New York settled into quarters
in the barracks at Fort Clinton, at West Point. General Washington,
from
his headquarters at Dobbs Ferry, on July twenty-seventh, called for the
Light Infantry Company of the First New York to leave West Point and
"Join
the Army."
The remainder of the
1st New York men remained at West Point until the end of August, when
with
the rest of the Continental Army, they assembled at Kings Ferry. On
August
20, they crossed west across the Hudson River, on a secret mission,
which
within two months, was to determine the outcome of the war at Yorktown.
The crossing was complete on the twenty-sixth, and the army separated
into
two columns. The First New York and the Light Infantry marched from
Kakiate
by way of Pramus, New Jersey and Second River, and camped at
Springfield
on
the 27th.
The 1st New York, and
the rest of the Continental Army, had begun on a gruelling 450-mile
march;
they arrived in Trenton, New Jersey on August 31, crossed the Delaware
River the next day and on September second, marched through
Philadelphia.
They marched on to Baltimore and Annapolis and on September 26th
arrived at Williamsburgh, and finally on September 27 to Yorktown. As
Egly
relates it, at
Yorktown:
The Light
Infantry
Company of the First New York was one of the four companies under the
command
of Lieutenant Colonel
Alexander Hamilton
and formed part of the Second Brigade of Light Infantry commanded by
Brigadier
General Moses Hazen.
Brigade major
was Captain Leonard Bleeker of the First New York.
The siege of Yorktown
had begun. On Saturday night October sixth, work began on two trenches,
which were parallel to the defenses at Yorktown. Captain Duncan,
whose Pennsylvania company accompanied the Light Infantry Company of
William
Vredenburgh, recorded in his diary the reckless daring of Colonel
Alexander
Hamilton. Smith described what happened next:
By the seventh,
batteries were ready to have artillery emplaced in them and the
trenches
to be occupied with soldiers. A
ceremony was
made of the occasion, with drum beating and colors flying. The light
infantry
division was given the honor of
occupying the
trenches, and the flag was planted on the parapet with the motto, Manus
haec inimica tyrannis. Then with a
show of
bravado that startled the British, the light infantry mounted the
parapet
above the trenches and there, within easy
range of
the British guns, went through the manual of arms: shouldering arms,
presenting
arms, aiming, and then grounding
their pieces. To
the British who watched this bold maneuver, it must have seemed a
portent
of things to come [or perhaps they
couldn't believe
their eyes]. The order for this bit of showmanship had been given by
Colonel
Alexander Hamilton. At least one
officer (and doubtless
many men) thought it a reckless and ill considered gesture. James
Duncan
of the Pennsylvania Line
noted, "Although I
esteem him [Hamilton] one of the first officers in the American army,
must
beg leave in this instance to think
he wantonly exposed
the lives of his men..."
On October 10
Washington
touched off the first cannon shot toward the enemy. Over the next
several
days there was continuous firing from the American and French
batteries,
with the British fire having little effect. Two British redoubts stood
in the way of continued progress of the trenches, so Washington decided
to storm the redoubts. The French were to capture redoubt number nine.
Alexander Hamilton's Battalion of Light Infantry was assigned redoubt
number
ten, closest to the river. Hamilton's Battalion included Captain
Leonard
Bleeker's Light Infantry Company. Each column consisted of about two
hundred
men. About seventy British manned redoubt 10. On October 14, under
Hamilton's
direction Chevalier de Gimat and Major Nicholas Fish of New York would
lead battalions, supported by a detachment of the explosive experts,
trenchers
and miners who were to cut paths through the sharp branches protecting
the British works like barbed wire. The detachment moved into the open
field at dusk and lay down to wait. The Americans were told to empty
their
muskets. They were to take the redoubt with the bayonet. At seven
o'clock
at the firing of six mortar shells the two assault columns moved out.
Halfway to the
redoubt the column was halted and twenty men, one man from each company
was chosen to form the "forlorn hope," which would climb the enemy
wall.
The men followed their commander John Mansfield and circled toward the
rear of the redoubt to cut off the enemy's retreat.
The remainder of the
of the company reached the redoubt and began chopping the sharp
branches
placed at its base. A British sentry called a challenge, and when there
was no reply, the British began firing. The exposed Americans
impulsively
shouted back. Then the British called out and signalled to their army,
which began firing at the entire line. Lieutenant Mansfield and his
squad
overran the men hacking at the branches, squirmed through the thicket,
crossed the ditch and climbed the parapet. There was a furious scramble
to reach the wall. Men were falling on every side, but not from being
shot,
they were tumbling into shell holes, climbing out and rushing forward,
only to fall again.
Davis (1970, p. 228 - 229) describes the
rest of the short but furious battle:
Old Captain Olney
led the way though the palisade and called to his men, "Olney's company
form here!" Half a dozen bayonets
lunged down at
him, and Olney tried to beat them off with his long spear. The bayonets
slashed his fingers and stabbed into his
thigh and abdomen,
but Olney felled one of the enemy with a blow to the forehead. The
captain's
life was saved by two of his
men who had loaded
their muskets in defiance of orders and now drove off the redcoat party
with their fire.
Some one in the
front shouted, "Rush on boys! The fort's ours!"
The British threw
small hand grenades, which crackled in the trench-so many of them that
the Americans thought they were
fire crackers.
Men in the trench below
stood on the shoulders of their companions to climb up, but the tiny
Hamilton,
too short to reach the top, commanded a nearby soldier to kneel,
stepped
on his back, and vaulted into the redoubt. A brief bayonet fight soon
cleared
the redoubt, and the British began to leap away into the darkness.The
capture
took ten minutes. Everything had gone as planned. Hamilton reported
casualties
in his battalion of four rank and file wounded. One of these was
Corporal
Adam Coopernal of the First New York. Total American losses in storming
of redoubt number ten were put at nine killed and thirty-one wounded.
One
of the wounded was Sergeant William Brown of the Fifth Connecticut.
Brown
was the first soldier to be decorated with the Purple Heart, the first
U.S. military award for valor without regard for rank.
The next morning, the
New York Brigade, advanced with drums and colors flying and carried
arms
to the redoubt taken by the French. This display drew an incessant
shower
of shells which did no harm.
On October 17, General
Cornwallis, requested a cessation of hostilities, and a commission was
drawn up for terms of surrender. Surrender was completed on the
nineteenth.
After the surrender at Yorktown the 1st New York Regiment marched back
through Philadelphia and Trenton to Pompton, New York where they
constructed
log houses for winter quarters. In March 1782 William took 20 days
furlough.
The 1st New York eventually remained at Pompton until August 1782. On
August
21 Captain Bleeker's Light Infantry Company was ordered to join with
the
other light companies of the New York and New Jersey regiments to form
a battalion under the command of Major Forman. Within days the 1st New
York broke camp and moved to Verplank's Point on the east side of the
Hudson.
The purpose of this move was to receive the French army and extend a
welcome
as they marched from Yorktown to the Eastern Seaboard prior to leaving
on the voyage home, as well protect against British surprise attack.By
September first, the regiment had arrived at Verplank's Point -
altogether
about 6,000 men of the Continental Army were encamped there.
About the first of
November, the New York Brigade decamped from Verplank's Point, crossed
the Hudson to West Point. At New Windsor the army began construction of
log houses for the winter of 1782-1783. All together there were seven
to
eight thousand men encamped in the 1,600-acre site. Each house
accommodated
16 men, and measured 20 by 36 feet with a fireplace at each end with a
partition down the middle. Bleeker's Light Infantry Company was
assigned
duty guarding a line stretching from Stony Point to the Westchester
Country.
The other companies grudgingly completed quarters for Bleeker's
Company.
In February, the Light Infantry Company was stationed guarding the
ordinance
storage at Stony Point.
On April 19 1783, eight
years to the day from Lexington and Concord a cease fire agreement was
signed. During the morning of Friday June sixth, Captain
Bleeker's
Light Infantry Company formed up and received custody of the flags and
colors of
the Regiment. The officers had agreed
to present the flags of the First New York to Governor Clinton at his
residence
in Dutchess County. Shortly after receiving the flags, they departed.
Colonel
Van Cortlandt accompanied the escort to Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County.
Two days later
discharges,
signed by General Washington were distributed. The men were free to go.
William Vredenburgh was honorably discharged as a private, at Newbergh,
New York on June 8, 1783.
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