USA > New York > Warren County > Queensbury > A history of the town of Queensbury, in the state of New York : with biographical sketches of many of its distinguished men, and some account of the aborigines of northern New York > Part 42
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* His name appears in the Army List of 1774, for the last time."- Col. Documents, etc., vol. VIII, p. 579.
401
CAPTAIN NORDBERG'S PETITON.
could not enjoy a commission in England or Ereland. His Majesty was graciously pleased to give me the allowance for Fort George, 7 shillings sterling per day, with liberty to live where I pleased in America, because the Fort has been abandoned this 8 year and only 2 men remain there for to assist any express going between New York and Canada. I arrived here in New York last year in September, with intention to live in New York, as I heard nothing els than disharmony amongst Gentlemen which was not agreeable to my age, I resolved to go to Fort George, and live there in a little cottage as a Hermit where I was very happy for 6 months.
The 12th of May last Mr. Romans 1 came and took possession of Fort George, Mr. Romans behaved very genteel and civil to me, I told that I did not belong to the army, and I may be con- sidered as half pay officer or invalid, and convinced him that I was plagued with Gravell, Mr. Romans gave me his passport to go to New Lebanon for to recover my health, and he told me that in regard to my age I may go where I pleased.
As I can't sell any bill for my subsistence, and I can't live upon wind and weather, I therefore beg and implore the most respectable Congress permission to go to England, and I entend to go to my native country. I could have gone away secret so well as some others have done, but I will not upon any account do such thing.
I hope the most respectable will not do partially to refuse me, because Major Etherington, Captain Brown, Captain Kelly, which is in the army have been permitted to go to England, and it may happen they return here again on actual service, which old age and infirmities render me incapable off.
As it is the custom amongst the Christian Nations and the · Turks, that they give subsistence to every Prisoner according to their rank, should the most respectable Congress have claim upon me to be a prisoner here, I hope they will give me my
1 Col. Arnold, writing to the Massachusetts committee of safety from Crown Point, May 19th, 1775, states that his last of the 14th inst., was by Mr. Romans, via. New Haven. He sends a return of cannon and ordnance stores, captured at Ticonderoga and Crown Point. He adds that it is impossible to repair the old fort at Ticonderoga, in which opinion he is joined by Mr. Romans, who is esteemed an able engineer .- Force's American Archives, fourth series, vol. II, p. 645.
Comparing this date with that of the seizure of Fort George it would appear that Romans made no long tarry at the latter place, but pushed forward to meet the party at Ticonderoga.
51
402
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSBURY.
subsistence from the 12 May last, according to my rank as captain. I implore the favour of the most respectable Congress, answer. I have the honor to remain with great respect, Gentlemen, Your most obedt. servant,
JOHN NORDBERG.
New-York, december, 1775."
Tradition does not identify any of the residents of the Queens- bury patent as connected with the seizure of the post at the head of Lake George, but a legend in the Parke family, on the south side of the river, associates the name of their ancestor with this event.1 It is supposed that Col. Romans was despatched by the authorities of Connecticut to accompany the northern ex- pedition in the capacity of an engineer. Whether concerted or otherwise, it is presumed that reaching Fort Edward, he learned the condition of the fort at the head of Lake George, and em- ploying Parke as an assistant or volunteer, in the enterprise, with probably some other kindred spirits as the tradition states at Fort Edward, they went forward and took possession of the post as herein related.
It has been stated that although the early settlers of this town, with trifling exceptions, were non-combatants, and that, not- withstanding their religious belief forbade their espousing sides in the struggle for independence, yet their sympathies were mostly with the rebels. Small cause had they for any enthu- siastic regard either way, for they were unscrupulously plundered and robbed by both sides, though most frequently by the illy disciplined, irresponsible squads of soldiers belonging to the armies of congress, in transit between the military posts of the frontier.
1 Across the river and nearly opposite the village of Sandy Hill, but quite a little distance from the bank of the stream in a sequestered nook, is a small burying ground where many members of the Parke family are gathered. On one of the modest marble slabs here marking the resting place of the dead is one containing the following inscription, viz :
In memory of DANIEL PARKS, who departed this life March the 3, 1818, aged 78, one of the veterans of the revolutionary war, he was the man that took the key from the British officer at Lake George in 1775.
403
REVOLUTIONARY EXCITEMENT.
The country was now fairly ablaze with the beacon fires of the Revolution. The eastern border towns of Charlotte county ' were the homes of the rebels who had taken forts Ticonderoga and Crown Point. Boston was environed by a rebel army. Com- mittees of safety were established in every district. Military companies suddenly sprung into being, minute men, and rangers were enrolled, old arms furbished up, new ones sought and pro- vided. A representative colonial assemblage convened at Albany, and on the 22d day of May was organized under the name of the provincial congress. From the minutes of its journal we learn that on the 24th of May, John Williams and William Marsh from Charlotte county, appeared with certificates that they had been duly appointed and were received as delegates thereto.
As a curious fact attending the deliberations of this body, the form of oath administered to its members is appended herewith : " I do solemnly swear on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, that I will at all times keep secret all such matters and things, as shall at any time be given in charge from the chair by order of this congress to be kept secret until leave shall be given from the chair, by order of this congress to reveal the same."
To show the unsettled condition of affairs in the county, in the month of June of this year William Duer,(a) a gentleman
(a) WILLIAM DUER was the son of John Duer one of the king's council for Antigua in the West Indies. He was born in England, 18th of March, 1747. He entered the British service in his 18th year asaid de camp to Lord Clive, governor general of India. On the death of his father he left the army and went to the West Indies to take possession of the estate left to him. In 1768 he came to New York where he became acquainted with Lord Stirling, and Philip Schuyler, and on the recommendation of the latter purchased a tract of land including the falls at Fort Miller (Washington co.), where he erected saw, grist and snuff mills and ultimately a powder mill. He also erected there a spacious mansion. He was soon after appointed colonel of militia, judge of the county court and held these offices until the Revolution. He was a member of the New York provincial congress, provincial convention, and was member of the committee of safety. Under the first constitution he was elected to the state senate, but before taking his seat was chosen by the legislature a delegate to the continental congress. 27 July, 1779, he married Catherine eldest daughter of Ld. Stirling. He resided afterwards at Albany with his father-in-law, who was appointed commissary general of the north- ern department, but afterwards removed to Fishkill, where he remained with his family until 1783, when he returned to New York city. He was secretary of the board of commissioners of the treasury, which office he held until the board was superseded by the treasury department. He was afterwards meniber of the N. Y. legislature and after the adoption of the constitution, assistant secretary of the
.
Inet- I at it
404
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSBURY.
of considerable prominence residing in the vicinity, wrote to the committee of safety, that certain lawless persons, mostly debtors, were assembling at Fort Edward to break up the courts of justice. Captain Edward Motte then en route with his company from Ticonderoga to Albany, fortunately happened along, and by his presence during the session of the court, prevented any further disturbance. The disaffected persons were mostly from the New Hampshire Grants.
A month later (July 15th), the same record states that Fort Edward was razed to the ground. By whom, or for what pur- pose, does not appear.
By a letter addressed to the provincial congress, bearing date July 3d, respecting the defenses at the head of Lake George, it appears that Benjamin Hinman was then colonel and com- mandant of that post, and probably continued so for the re- mainder of the year, for so late as November 16th, mention is made of Capt. Eleazer Curtis, an old captain in Col. Hin- man's regiment, being stationed with his company at Fort George.
treasury under Hamilton, in which office he continued until the government re- moved to Philadelphia. He became, next, president of a company for the manu- facture of woolen goods, which erected the first mill at Passaic falls, whence arose the present flourishing town of Patterson. At a later period he erected a cotton mill on the Bronx, Westchester co., which is believed to have been the first in this country. Having entered largely into speculations in public securities and the military tracts, he suffered heavy losses ; his property was sacrificed and he remained sometime without resources to support his family. He died 7 May, 1799, aged 52 years .- Knickerbocker Magazine, vol. XX, p. 95.
Daniel Danke
405
DISTRIBUTION OF TROOPS,
CHAPTER X.
CAMPAIGNS OF 1775-6-DISTRIBUTION OF TROOPS IN THIS VICINITY - EXPEDITION TO CANADA - APPOINTMENT OF MILITARY AND CIVIL OFFICERS IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY - APPOINTMENT OF A COMMISSION TO VISIT CANADA- TOWN RECORDS -THE JONES FAMILY -FLIGHT OF SIR JOHN JOHNSON AND HIS RETAINERS -SMALL POX IN THE ARMY - ERECTION OF HOSPITAL AT LAKE GEORGE-DEATH OF THE BARON DE WOEDTKE - RESULTS OF THE CAMPAIGN -THREATENED INVASION OF TORIES - MEASURES FOR RELIEF, AND DISPOSITION OF TROOPS FOR THE WINTER.
CELEBRATION in honor of the capture of Ticonde- roga held by the whigs of the neighborhood, near the tavern in Kingsbury street, in the summer of 1775, resulted in a wrangle, a quarrel, and fight. A bonfire that had been built for the occasion, was scattered and extinguished by the infuriated tories, and the whigs in that part of the town were driven from their houses, whither few of them returned, until the defeat and surrender of Burgoyne's army made this region an insecure abiding place for hot headed loyalists, the few of whom still remaining, escaped with such effects as they could carry, to Canada.
General Philip Schuyler assumed charge of the northern de- partment in the month of June.1 On the first of July his first returns announce the following distribution of forces in this vicinity. Of Colonel Benj. Hinman's regiment at Ticonderoga, 495; at Crown Point, 302; at the landing foot of Lake George, 102; and at Fort George at the head of that lake, 104; of the Massachusetts bay troops, at Ticonderoga, 40; at Crown Point, 109; and at Fort George, 25; of the New York forces at the latter post, 205.2 In regard to the discipline maintained here, an idea may be gathered from the following extract of a letter from Schuyler to Gen. Washington dated July 18th, 1775. " About
.1 Col. Hinman who was at Ticonderoga with four hundred Connecticut troops in June, 1775, assumed the general command, but was shortly after superseded by Gen. Schuyler, who by arrangement with Gen. Washington and direction of congress took the command of the northern department.
2 Lossing's Life of Schuyler, vol. I, p. 343.
406
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSBURY.
ten last night, I arrived at the landing place, the north end of Lake George, a post occupied by a captain and one hundred men. A sentinel, on being informed that I was in the boat, quitted his post to go and wake the guard consisting of three men, in which he had no success. I walked up and came to another, a sergeant's guard. Here the sentinel challenged, but suffered me to come up to him, the whole guard, like the first, being sound asleep." 1
It is quite probable that a considerable force was stationed here and at the head of the lake during the entire season. As late as the 13th of October there is record of a court martial held at Fort George at which Brig. Gen. Wooster presided.2
The American congress, partly it is presumed, with a hope to detach Canada from its allegiance to the mother country, and possibly in part retaliation for an attempt made by the governor of that province to raise a force of Indians and Canadians to harass our exposed frontiers, resolved to raise a body of two thousand men for the invasion of that province, which expedi- tion was to have been placed under the joint command of Schuyler and Montgomery. A second expedition was organized in New England, a hardy body of one thousand men, composed mostly of borderers, already inured to the hardships and dan- gers of the wilderness. This was entrusted to the command of Arnold, who forced his way through the unbroken forests, up the Kennebec, threading the wild passes and climbing the steep acclivities of the White mountain range ; and after surmounting these terrible obstacles with incredible suffering, finally effected a junction with Montgomery before Quebec. One after the other, the posts at Chambly, St. Johns, and Montreal had fallen, a large number of British officers including one general, also several hundred private soldiers had been made prisoners of war, and sent to New England, by the way of Lake Champlain. The first trophy received by the continental congress was the flag of the 7th regiment captured at Chambly.
But for the disaster at Quebec, the repulse of our troops, the death of Montgomery, and the final abandonment of the under- taking, it is just among the possibilities, that Canada might to- day have been a free and sovereign state of the Union.
Notwithstanding the entire country was now embroiled in
1 Lossing's Life of Schuyler, vol. I, p. 398.
Id., p. 400. See also Washington Correspondence, vol. I, p. 59.
407
ARNOLD BEFORE QUEBEC.
all the evil consequences and bitter asperities of a civil war, a Jeaning was still strongly manifested even among the partizans of the patriot cause, for a reconciliation with England. A cu- rious commentary on the political condition of the country, is furnished by the action of the provincial congress at the close of the year, during which such active exertions had been made, and such pronounced hostility had been exhibited to British rule.
In provincial congress, December 13th, 1775, " Resolved, that it is the opinion of this congress, that none of the people of this colony have withdrawn their allegiance from his majesty, or desire to become independent of the crown of Great Britain, or to change the ancient form of government, under which this colony hath grown up from its infancy to its present state."
The situation of the belligerents in this quarter at the begin- ·ning of the year 1776, was as follows :
Arnold lay encamped before Quebec with a numerical, if not effective force of two thousand men, all of the intermediate posts having fallen into the possession of the American troops. In addition to the garrisons stationed at Crown Point, Ticon- deroga, and Fort George, a small earthwork was constructed at Summer-house point, on the Sacandaga river, where part of a regiment of continental troops were stationed until late in the summer following, when the post was abandoned. The object of this force was to prevent Indian aggression, and hold in check the tory influence then dominant in Johnstown. Steps were also taken early in the season to organize the militia of the county.1
At a general meeting of the county committe of Charlotte county held January 25th, 1776, it was unanimously agreed that Dr. John Williams be recommended to the provincial congress of New York for the command of the first battalion of the militia for this county; Mr. Alexander Campbell of Argyle township for lieutenant colonel, Messrs. Timothy Bewell of
1 To the Honorl Members of the Provincial Congress :
GENTLEMEN : Having received the Resolves relating to the Rules and Orders for Regulating the Militia in this Colony, we thought proper to carry it into Execution with all 'Convenient Speed, and ordered a meeting of the County Committee Im- mediately.
. There being a Contention of part of this County in regard to Title of Land, (the New Hampshire Grants) And it was thought proper by the Committees on the Grants to divide the County into two Parts, as they Do not Choose to joyn the other part of the County ; which was agreed to by the other Committees : And Each part of the County to form One Regiment, and Recommend their Field Officers, to you
408
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSBURY.
Fort Miller, and Mr. Alexander Webster of Black Creek for adjutant, and Mr. Samuel Fuller of Skeensborough, quarter- master. At the same time and place, it was unanimously agreed that Dr. John Williams, and Mr. Alexander Campbell should represent the county of Charlotte in provincial congress till the 2d Tuesday in May next.
It appears by the following memoranda found among the Wing papers, that the infant settlement this year began to feel
desiring you will remit their commissions with all Convenient Speed, so that the Regiment may be formed as soon as Possible, In Case any Incursions may be made from Canada, as we are much Exposed to that Country.
The following Gentlemen we reccommend for Commissions, they being Friends to the present Cause and have signed the General Association :
Dr. John Williams, Colonel, Platt Smith, Esq., Lieut. Co].,
· Messrs Nathan Hawly and Mr. John Jones, Adjutant,
Hamilton McColister, Majors, Mr. Seth Sherwood, Quarter Master.
Likewise the names of the inferior Officers in each district.
District of White Creek.
Ebenezer Clark, Esq., Captain,
Charles Hutchinson, 1st Lieut.,
Edward Savage, 2d Lieut., Daniel McClary, Ensign.
Alexr Campbell, Capt., Saml Paine, 1st Lieut.,
Argyle : Peter Gilchrist, 2d Lieut., John McDougall, Ensign.
Scheensburgh District :
Jeremh Burroughs, Capt., Levi Stockwell, 1st Lieut.,
Elisha Tousea, 2d Lieut., Silas Granger, Ensign.
Alexr Webster, Capt., John Hamilton, 1st Lieut.,
Black Creek District : George McKnight, 2d Lieut., Samuel Crosett, Ensign.
Asa Richardson, Capt., Adiel Sherwood, 1st Lieut.,
Kingsbury District : Nehemh Sealey, 2d Lieut., Samuel Harris, Ensign.1
Signed by order of Committee, SETH SHERWOOD, Chairman.
COUNTY CHARLOTTE, DORSETT, 21st Sept., 1775.
Commissions issued Sept. 29th, 1775.
In addition to the foregoing, warrants were issued on the 29th of June to 2 Joseph McCracken, Capt., John Barnes, 2d Lieut.
Moses Martin, 1st Lieut.,
1 Calendar of N. Y. Hist. MSS. Rev. Papers, vol. I, p. 148.
2 Idem., p. 106.
Sealy and Harris are supposed to have been residents of Queensbury.
-
409
THE BURDENS OF WAR.
the burdens of war, in the way of depredations and unsatisfied requisitions, from wandering and irresponsible parties of soldiery.
Paper No. 1.
Endorsed, " Capt. Lammar's' Account,
and account of things his company stole."
" 1776. Stolen, taken and carried out of my house, March 11th, by Capt. Lammar's company.
£. s.
d.
One blue Broadcloath Jactcoat, .at
2. -. -
One blue quilted petticoat,
@
14.
One woolen checked shirt,.
.
-. 17₺.
One silk handkerchief,
. @
-. 5.
-.
One pewter basin,
4. -
13 Dunghill fowls,
- 18. -.
One short stag goad
4.
-
£. 5. 2. 6.
Capt. Lammar, Dr
To one pleasure slay steel shod, painted green outside, red inside, which he carried away with him and never returned. -
£ 7.
Abraham Wing.
Paper No. 2.
Containing Capt. Lamar's receipt, and Abraham Wing's affidavit in re- lation thereto.
" I hereby certify that Mr. Abraham Wing's slay was hired for the use of my company from the 13th of March to the first of April, 1776, when the ice-breaking up, I was obliged to leave her in the care of Mr. Belton at Willsborough on Lake Champlain.
" Marien Lamar Capt. 1, P. B."
" I do most solemnly affirm that I never received the slay mentioned within, which was taken from me by Capt. Lamar for the use of the army, nor have I ever received any compensation for the same, or any other person whatever on my account, and that the slay was worth at that time in hard cash, seven pounds.
" Washington County
" Abraham Wing, "6th March, 1786.
" This day the above signed Abraham Wing appeared before me and affirmed to the truth of the same.
" Adiel Sherwood, Jus Pe."
52
410
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSBURY.
Paper No. 3.
Being a military order and receipt for the delivery of certain property, on a requisition.
" To Mr. Wyng :
" Sir, Plese deliver that gang of saws to the bearer, to be forwarded to Chesyers,1 and take his receipt therefor, on the back of this order.
"Fort George, July ye 18th, 1776.
Nath'l Buell, Ast. D. Qr. Mr. Gen'l.
Endorsement.
July the 8th. Received the full contents of the within order, being 15 saws, with their stearups on.
Receive pr. me.
1776.
Eben'r Ashmun.
At the suggestion of Gen. Schuyler, congress had appointed three commissioners, invested with power equivalent to ministers plenipotentiary, instructed to proceed to Canada and negotiate with the authorities and people of that province. These commissioners were of commanding eminence and con- sideration in the councils of the new republic, and much was expected from their influence and efforts, hopes speedily doomed to frustration and disappointment. Those commissioners were Dr. Benjamin Franklin, of Pennsylvania, Samuel Chase and Charles Carroll, of Maryland. They were accompanied by John Carroll (brother of the commissioner), an eminent priest of the Roman Catholic church, afterwards first archbishop of Baltimore. Besides acting as interpreter to the commission, it was expected that the influence of this prelate would be potent and controlling with the large body of French Catholics in Canada to induce them to espouse the cause of the colonists.
1 Chesire's mill to which these saws were removed, it is supposed was situated on Fort Edward creek in Kingsbury. In a communication from General Gates to Gen. Waterbury dated Ticonderoga July 15th, 1776, he says, "if we make our stand at the place proposed, it is essential that the road from Chehsire's to Fort Edward be immediately repaired and rendered easy for carriages. * *- Force's American Archives, fifth series, vol. I, p. 358.
" You will likewise post three companies of a regiment, with a field officer at Cheshire's mill."
" Agreeably to your directions, I have ordered Captain Veeder and his company to the saw mill at Cheshire's."
Richard Varick to Gen. Gates, Albany, Oct. 14, 1776.
Idem, vol. II, p. 1037.
411
COMMISSIONERS TO CANADA.
The delegation left Philadelphia late in March, 1776. At Brunswick, N. J., they were joined by the Baron de Woedtke, a Prussian officer of distinction, formerly a major on the per- sonal staff of Frederic the great, and now seeking service in the American armies. At New York they were entertained by Brigadier General Stirling, who furnished a sloop for their con- veyance up the river. On their route they examined the various defenses along the Hudson, which were found to be quite in- adequate for safety and protection. On the 7th of April they landed at Albany, where they were met and entertained by Gen. Schuyler. Here Gen. Thomas was added to the party, and accompanied by their host and hostess they proceeded on the 9th to Fish Creek,1 where General Schuyler's country seat and residence was situated.
Here, by reason of inclement weather the party made quite a halt. On the 16th, snow being still on the ground, the priest and commissioners departed for Fort Edward, which it is presumed they reached the same day. The two generals had already gone forward a day or two before. One of the party kept a journal from which, the following extract is made :
" 18th. We set off for Wing's tavern about twelve o'clock this day, and reached Fort George about two o'clock; the dis- tance is about eight miles and a half; you cannot discover the lake until you come to the heights surrounding it, the descent from which to the lake is nearly a mile; from these heights you have a beautiful view of the lake for fifteen miles down it." 2
The roads are spoken of as being in a most wretched con- dition, which considering the season of the year is not sur- prising. On the 19th, the ice still floating in the lake, they embarked in a strong batteau which had been prepared for them by the orders of General Schuyler, and in 36 hours they reached the lower end of the lake.
The town record for 1776 exhibits but little change from the preceding year. The following is a transcript of the proceed- ings :
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