USA > New York > Queens County > Documents and letters intended to illustrate the revolutionary incidents of Queens county; with connecting narratives, explantory notes, and additions > Part 15
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New- York, June 22.
[It was towards evening that a number of men were seen to land at Thos. Thorne's, (now R. Cornell's,) east side of
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Manhasset. They secreted themselves till the family were at supper, when, leaving a watch outside, they entered, put the fa- mily in one room under guard, and searched the house. After securing their booty, they fitted themselves to new hats from the house, making a bonfire of their old ones. One of the women had a purse of gold, and in her fright threw it down, she knew not where. It fell in a wool-basket and escaped notice. James Gowdy had just returned from Nova Scotia, and left a bag of specie at the house for the night, it being too heavy to carry with him.
Some time after, a silversmith in New-York was reading the advertisement of the robbery, when a person brought in the tankard to sell. He agreed to buy it, but not having weights enough, he stepped out and brought back, not weights, but a police officer, and had the man arrested. On his infor- mation three others were seized on Long Island, ironed at Embury Hewlett's, a blacksmith, (now the yellow house of -Williams, North Side.) Here they were kept under militia guard some time, there being no jail, and then taken to New- York for safe keeping, and thence brought up for trial before John Sloss Hobart, in the old stone Presbyterian church at Ja- maica. They were ironed together and guarded in the second story of Betts's tavern, since Creed's. They were convicted of robbery and burglary on the evidence of Patty Lawrence, a girl in the family, (afterwards wife of Israel Baxter,) who identified the stolen articles as they were placed on the com- munion table ; and of old Ramage, the ringleader, who turned state's evidence with hopes of pardon. After sentence of death, they were taken to New-York in a covered wagon, es- corted by six mounted Jamaica militia, and Uriah Mitchell, sheriff. Tuesday morning, Nov. 22, '84, they were brought up in irons to Jamaica, for execution. A gallows with three hooks was erected on the east side of Beaver Pond. Immense crowds assembled ; a large old oak near the gallows, was alive with spectators.
While the three criminals stood under the gallows with ropes around their necks ready to swing, a messenger galloped up with a pardon for Brown. Wm. Guthry shook his head at this partiality. Joseph Alexander, a fine-looking young man,
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ARMED OCCUPATION.
said he supposed there would be confessions hawked about, (as was the ease, ) but that he had made none except to his Maker. He bid all profit by his example .* This was his first offenee. The two bodies were buried by the Pond, but were probably disinterred by the surgeons.
Brown was a young man decoyed into the scrape (as per- haps were the rest) by Ramage, and had a wealthy and respeet- able father in Massachusetts, who prevailed on Gov. Hancock to write a letter in his behalf. He also made good all losses occasioned by the robbery.
James Ramage, an Irishman, said it was the third time he had stood on his coffin. He took leave of his two victims with the utmost unconcern ; while Brown trembled so much that he could hardly go through the ceremony. Ramage, 'tis said, had hardly reached New-York before he fell to stealing, and was chained to a wheelbarrow. He ended his days on the gallows in New Jersey or Pennsylvania.
Soon after the above robbery, a trunk of Thorne's papers was brought to Adam Mott's, and a reward claimed-the rob- bers at the same time holding the trunk over the fire and threat- ening to burn it if the money was not forthcoming. But if Adam went for the money, the robbers would know where he kept it hid. He went to a neighbor's, the robbers followed, and the same predicament. It was at last agreed that both parties should stay in the house, while a messenger was sent alone to another neighbor's. The money was obtained, and the robbers departed .- Ed.]
* It is said one of the criminals became very serious, and had a Bible and Psalm Book with him. A minister preached to them from a wagon before the gallows.
HEMPSTEAD.
338. Hempstead was a small village in the war, only nine houses between the brooks, three taverns, viz. : Sammis's, Si- monson's (now Anderson's, ) and opposite, Jacobus Lawrence's, who could boast of nine good feather-beds, and entertained all the gentry.
Hempstead was selected as one of their outposts by the
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HEMPSTEAD.
British, and as convenient quarters for their light-horse, who would be near the city in case of attack, and could also make excursions to gather forage, &c .. for the city, and scour the country when the rebels landed from the Main. The streets were garnished with sentry boxes, and the horse patroled for miles around. Col. Birch was quartered at Capt. Pintard's, (now Mrs. Thorne's.)
When the troops first came here in '78, they used the Pres- byterian church as a barrack for soldiers. J. A. was impressed to cart brick from Brower's kiln, Rockaway, to build a chimney therein. The church was used as a guard house, and prison also. J. J. has seen culprits flogged at the whipping-post in it. At last the floor was ripped up, the sills taken out, and the building turned into a riding school for drilling the light-horse.
The grave stones were used for fire-backs, hearths and oven-bottoms, so that the impress of the letters was left on the loaves.
On the outside of the church were rings to which soldiers were suspended by one hand with their foot resting on a sharp stake or picket set in the ground, the remaining hand and foot being tied together. These pickets were occasionlly of iron, and, by the writhings of the sufferer, would sometimes pierce through the foot. The culprit was then sent to the hospital, and would often be lame for weeks. There were also pickets in the rear of Simonson's barn, the rope running over the roof. This torture couid be endured only for a short time. Some- times by the connivance of the guard a chip or dollar might be slipped under the stocking. This was the punishment of the light-horse. The Hessians ran the gauntlet ; that is, the cul- prit walked between two files of soldiers, each of whom gave him a blow with a birch rod, an officer walking before the cri- minal so that he should not go too fast, and another seeing that each soldier gave a good hearty blow.
An apple-tree east of the Presbyterian burying ground. was also used as a whipping-post. Here J. B. saw two deserters of the 60th receive, as was said, 1000 lashes save one. The blue facing of their red coats was torn off, and they were then turned out of the regiment.
9%
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ARMED OCCUPATION.
There were huts for the soldiers built of sods, with ridge poles, east of the village, along the brook.
Boards were in great demand for barracks and stables, and they were taken wherever found.
A. O. had some excellent Albany boards selected for repair- ing his house, which were carried off to Hempstead. The Presbyterian church, at Foster's Meadow, was taken to pieces, and I. D. assisted in removing it to Hempstead. A chimney was built in each end .- W. Hart was at school in the Presby- terian church at Islip, when a company of light-horse rode up and bid the teacher dismiss school, and the boys take their books home. In a few hours, the church, boards, timbers and all, were carted in six-horse wagons to Hempstead. The poor- house, a long building, was also used as a barrack. Probably many other outbuildings were taken to pieces.
Soldiers were at times billeted for three or four miles around Hempstead. The school-house at Christian Hook was occu- pied by some of the 60th regiment. A half-pay officer hung himself by a strip of linen at the Parsonage Bars. There were Hessians at L. Cornell's mill, and at Patrick Mott's, (now Si- monson's.)
The light-horse (16th and 17th united) lay at Hempstead every winter, from '78 till the peace, and occasionally in the summer, when they also lay about the county in tents. Their horses were turned out to pasture on the salt meadows, and sometimes in clover fields just ready to be cut, or into oats as it was heading out, and continued there till the crop was ruined. A fixed price, though very inadequate, was usually allowed for the damage.
The horsemen wore a brass cap, sword proof, (shape of a jockey cap,) surmounted by a cone, from which chesnut colored hair dangled down upon their shoulders, a red coat, spurs, black boots, buckskin breeches, (kept of a bright yellow with a buff-ball,) and had a long sword, with a carbine supported by the muzzle in a socket at the stirrup.
These horsemen were called the " Queen's Own," and were a model of discipline and beauty, and when mounted on their noble chargers, 16 hands high, they were indeed formidable.
They would lash on behind them hay for a week's expedi-
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tion, twisted and trussed up like a bundle of cord. Their oats (large black and white) and peas came from England, and with other foreign articles, were landed at White Stone, and con- veyed over land to Hempstead .* So wearied were the farm- ers with this vexatious labor, that they became desperate, and would let a hogshead of rum roll full tilt against something to set it a leaking, and then fall to and drink.
* Hence, Black Stump got its name. A lane was opened in carting, by a black stump.
One night before the troops were to set out on an expedi- tion, a stable with all its horses was burnt, supposed to be the work of some one impressed, who did not wish to go with them.
The horses stood on poles laid lengthwise, or on sand daily renewed.
The wood-yard and hay magazine were north of Sammis's Inn, enclosed and guarded. There were to be seen numerous long stacks of hay, containing 100 or 200 loads. The wood or hay was inspected as the farmers brought it in, and certifi- cates given, payable at the Forage Office, N. Y.
Once G. H. was carting wood, and the inspector, (who was also sutler,) wanted some cider, ($8 a barrel.) But Mr. H. had to bring his cord a day, and so had no time to bring the ci- der. "Bring the cider," said the sutler, emphatically. H. took the hint, corded in a barrel of cider with the wood, and all passed inspection ; and so he kept on till all the cider was de- livered, and saved as much wood in each cord as the space occupied by the barrel.
The Rev. L. Cutting taught school, and preached here, at Huntington, and Oyster Bay. From the disorder of the times, religion was at a low ebb. G. J. has attended church here, (when the Chaplain of the light-horse preached,) and there was but one citizen present.
339. Charles Doughty, of Hempstead, lost a purse contain- ing 3 half joes, 4 guineas, 1 pistole, 1 quarter joe, and $15. April 21, '77, Gaine.
340. Aug. 25, '77, Gaine. When Parsons attacked Setauket, the militia of Queens turned out to support the Royal cause ;
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ARMED OCCUPATION.
but the rebels went off with such precipitation, that the militia returned before reaching Setauket.
341. Sept. 1, '77, Gaine. The report we had last Friday that 2000 rebels had again landed, was false; yet, two re- giments from New-York got as far as Newtown. The militia of Queens turned out also in great numbers, but were soon or- dered to return.
342. Dec, 20, '77, Rir. 200 rebels having landed near Se- tauket,* Maj. Greene, of Delancy's 1st battalion, marched on Thursday with 100 men; and 200 Hempstead militia have likewise gone down to augment the advanced body of horse and foot under Col. Hewlett, at Huntington. [Gaine adds, that " Colonel Hewlett, with a party of Gen. Delancy's brigade, Col. Hamilton, with a troop of horse from Newtown, and Capt. Hewlett, with his troop of horse from Hempstead, are gone in pursuit of the rebels to the east, and it is hoped will give a good account of them." Dec. 15. '77, Gaine .- Ed.]
[* When the Americans landed on the east parts of Long Island, the alarm was transmitted west by beacons from Norwich Hill to Beacon Hill, and thence to the Fort at Whitestone, and thence to New-York by a discharge of cannon. The alarm-pole at Flushing conveyed the news across to Jamaica, where usually most soldiers lay. The night beacon (composed of wood standing endwise about 20 feet high) made a bright blaze ; the day beacon, composed of brushwood, &c., made a thick smoke only. These were guarded by the militia to prevent their being fired maliciously .- Ed ]
343. Wanted, a proper person to open a school at Hemp- stead, for teaching writing, arithmetic, and the elements of ge- ometry. Apply to the Rev. Mr. Cutting or Judge Ludlow, at the Plains. June 8, '78.
344. July 27, '78, Gaine. Last Sunday week, a large flat schooner, [from D'Estaing's fleet that lay off the Hook,] with about 200 men in her, made an attempt to land a party of 30 or 40 at Rockaway beach, with an intention, as is conjectured, to take some cattle .- A party of seven of Gov. Wentworth's volunteers observed their approach and advanced directly towards them. Keen as the appetites of the Frenchmen generally are for the beef of England, they did not incline to risk a contest, but with
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HEMPSTEAD.
the sprightliness and activity peculiar to that polite nation, on such occasions, they turned tail to and run away.
345. Oct. 12, '78, Gaine. A small sloop and two pettyau- gers were taken last Monday, near Rockaway.
346. Nov. 23, '78, Gaine. Died, Saturday last, at his seat at Rockaway, the Hon. Josiah Martin, late Governor of North Carolina, aged 79.
347. Hempstead, June 29, '79, Rir. On Saturday, we were alarmed with an account that six whale boats, manned with 8, 9, and 10 men each, had entered our bay, seized two negroes belonging to Capt. St. Hewlett, burnt a schooner and a large hay boat, and taken a loaded sloop at Hog Island, intended for the New-York market. Three of the Hempstead militia Capts., viz. : Hicks, Benj. Hewlett, and Seaman, instantly mustered their companies, (and the men, to do them justice, turned out with alacrity, and behaved with a spirit becoming the subjects of King George.) Early on Sunday morning they retook the sloop, the two negroes, and captured two of the whale boats, completely armed with swivels as well as small arms, and man- ned with 17 hands.
It was supposed the other four boats had returned to the eastward, but at 2 P. M., the alarm was again given, that the four whale boats, joined by two others, had returned in the bay, and it was supposed, intended retaking the sloop and the two prize whale boats. The same three companies again mus- tered, repaired to the place appointed, and with the assistance of the two taken whale boats, which they manned, and some old crazy hay boats, boldly attacked the six remaining rebel boats, took three of them completely armed, with 23 prisoners, and pursued the others for several miles, till they were fairly driven out of the country.
Another account of the same affair.
Last Sunday, two rebel whale boats, on board of which were 17 men, made their appearance at Hog Island, near Rocka- way. The militia were soon alarmed, and a party was dis- patched in two boats, whilst the others marched along shore and secreted themselves among the brush at the entrance
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ARMED OCCUPATION.
of and along the creek, at which they entered. The rebels had scarcely landed, when they observed the two boats coming into the inlet, on which, they endeavored to escape, but finding they were surrounded and fired on from all quarters, they sur- rendered.
Some time after, three others of the same gentry came row- ing along shore, and observing their two boats, made into the inlet, and fell also into the hands of the militia. These boats were fitted out at Saybrook, in Connecticut, with a brass two pounder in the bow of each, and had a commission from Gov. Trumbull to plunder the inhabitants of Long Island. The pris- oners, 41 in number, were brought to town yesterday.
348. July 4, '79, Riv. The Queens Co. militia made some prisoners about this time.
349. $5 Reward. Ran away, Charles, a negro man, speaks good English, &c. N. B. Masters of vessels are desired not to carry him off .- July 13, '79.
JOHN LEFFERTS, Hempstead.
350. Aug. 10, '79. Last Tuesday Dickie was exchanged .* * John Jackson's store, west of the mill-dam, at Merrick, was robbed by some whale boats under Capt. Dickie, who came up Jackson's Creek. Jackson was carried off with them, but the weather being unfavorable for going out, they hauled up at Crow Island House. The alarm was spread east and west,* and the militia went in pursuit. The western division consisted of a hay boat full of men, well armed, under Joseph Raynor. The eastern division, of a boat likewise filled, in which was my relator, G. Hewlett. When the boat from the east was seen coming down, Dickie determined to launch his boat and secure his plunder from the house, and try to escape. All hands were set to work. Shortly after the western boat hove in sight, when Dickie finding hinself cut off, resolved to give battle, and formed his men, but on the nearer approach of the boats, finding himself so inferior in numbers, he concluded to surrender, and stacked his arms before the landing of the militia. The prisoners were sent to New-York. Dickie had previously plundercd a craft of goods belonging to John Brotherton, storekeeper. Jackson ransomed liis goods and the prize was sold and divided among the captors.
* Braddock Seaman, who was riding west to spread the alarm, was shot in the thigh by two sentinels posted in a hedge south of the road, west of the dam, but galloped on to Capt. Stephen Hewlett's before he discovered his wound.
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HEMPSTEAD.
Not long after this, G. H. with two friends, was gunning on the marsh, when a whale boat rowed up, took his gun, silver sleeve buttons and some money ; and consulted among themselves whether they should take their hats and coats, but finally left them.
Capt. David Jones had a swivel near his house, which he used more than once, but with what success is not now known .- Ed.
351. Aug. 13, '79, Riv. HUNTING .- A number of excellent Fox hounds having with great difficulty been collected, there will be hunting every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, on Hempstead Plains. One guinea subscription to those who wish to partake of this amusement. Half a guinea given for a bag fox delivered to Cornet Stapleton, at Hempstead. Highest price for dead horses.
[Some of the new raised corps lying at Herricks, came over one winter to hunt foxes at Near Rockaway. They were very rude, and finally killed and took off a great quantity of poultry. Capt. Hicks bid the owners make out their bills and send them to Herricks. They were instantly paid to prevent unpleasant consequences .- Ed.]
352. Gaine, July 11, '80. Last Tuesday morning his Ma- jesty's ship Galatea run ashore near Hog Island, the sloop Revenue, privateer, of New London, W. Jagger, commander, fitted out by Joseph Woolridge, carrying 12 guns and 52 men. The vessel bilged, the men jumped overboard and swam ashore with their arms : on which 13 of the militia of Hempstead South, viz :
Richard Green, Ezekiel Raynor, Isaac Smith,
John Mott, Reuben Pine, Joseph Smith,
Joseph Mott, Benjamin Palmer, Abel Southard,
Joseph Rainer,
W. R. Smith,
[who was wounded,]
Elijah Rainer, Amos Shaw,
commanded by Ensign Elijah Wood, assembled, and after a skirmish of 6 hours, took 10 of the rebels prisoners, together with their boat. Mr. Wood was then reinforced by 26* more of the Hempstead South militia, when the remainder of the rebels were secured, and on Thursday all brought to the Main Guard in this city.
*Lt. McKain, an officer W. Pearsall, Barnabas Smith,
on half pay, Jas. Denton, David Pine,
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ARMED OCCUPATION.
Israel Smith,
Jas. Southard,
Stephen Powell,
Elijah Cornwall,
W. Johnson,
Reuben Jackson,
Sam'l Johnson,
Benjamin Cornwall,
Joseph Dorlon,
Abm. Simonson,
Elijah Handley,
Joshua Pettet,
Wm. Pettet,
James Pettet;
Morris Green, Alex. Dunlap, who
commanded a boat with this party in it, is a North Briton, and a loyal Refugee, who bravely joined the militia of Loyal Queens, with whom the rebel crew capitulated.
Six of the inhabitants of Hempstead South, who were made prisoners by this rebel crew, were happily retaken.
353. Aug. 9, '80, Riv. About 5 o'clock last Friday evening, an account was brought to Rockaway that two whale boats were at Hog Island, and had taken a schooner in the bay. Capt. Chas. Hicks, of the militia, mustered his company, and with a few volunteers in two boats, went in quest of them. Butstormy weather prevented their attacking them that evening. At 4 o'clock next morning, Capt. Hicks, to avoid the effusion of blood, sent a flag to inform the rebels that if they would sur- render prisoners, they should have good quarters; this they would not comply with, when a smart action commenced ; but the enemy seeing that they could not escape, agreed to accept the first terms, and accordingly surrendered themselves pris- oners of war, 28 in number, among them a clergyman. (?)
These two boats were 14 days from Brunswick, and had met with no success. One was commanded by W. Marriner, for- merly a cordwainer and oyster dealer of New-York, but of late a great rebel partisan. Mr. Dickie, the rebel Commissary, was also taken, who has ever proved a violent persecutor of the Royal officers and Loyalists who have fallen into his power. The boats were well filled and provided with all sorts of ammunition. None killed or wounded on either side. Sev- eral grapeshot went through Capt. Hicks's jacket.
A more perfect account from an eye-witness.
Last Friday evening about 6 o'clock, information was brought to Lt. Williams of Gov. Wentworth's Volunteers, the commanding officer of this post, that a party of rebels had
M. Demott, a trooper, Th. Burtis, a trooper, Wm. Burtis,
-Venson, a refugee, Uriah Seaman.
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landed on Hog Island beach, and had taken a schooner in the bay. He immediately marched with 14 of his company and 14 of the 17th light dragoons to Pine's Landing ; from whence they proceeded in boats with Capt. Hewlett of the militia, and part of his company, to Hog Island, where they arrived at 9 that evening, and joined Capt. Hicks, who was there with part of his company : remained there till 2 next morning (by which time the militia had collected to the number of about 40,) then re-embarked and proceeded to the beach, where they all landed at daybreak without any other opposition than one musket fired by a rebel sentry, which was returned by two from us. The rebels then sent a flag and submitted themselves prisoners of war ; and were, with two remarkable fine boats taken from them, safely conducted to Rockaway by 6 the same morning, and left in care of Capt. Hicks .- Gaine, Aug. 2, '80.
[Capt. Story says word was brought that a whale boat had taken Capt. Jo. Stout's schooner at Hog Island. James Pine rode to Hempstead for the light-horse, when 28 galloped down in 17 minutes. Pine's horse gave out and he mounted behind a trooper. These were taken aboard a hay-boat, and staid at Hog Island that night. At dawn they went in search of the whale boat. They saw a person swimming and then running on the mea- dows. It was Capt. Stout. They took him on board, and then rowed on till they reached the bar running north and south. As they were landing, a per- son rushed past. It was Capt. Marriner. He fired, but only hit the boat. The schooner and whale boat lay high and dry, the wind being southerly, and the whale boat ignorant of the channel. The militia had two carriage guns on a hill on the beach east of the schooner, ready to fire on her, if she should float and attempt to get off, but did not use it. As they neared the vessels a man whom the whale boats had made prisoner, Thomas Hutch- ings, came from them, waving a handkerchief on a stick for parley. Mar- riner proposed to surrender if he could be billeted at Hempstead. This was refused, when they surrendered at discretion, and were marched off to New-York. Only 28 persons, the real captors, shared the prize, though there were 200 militia collected around.
Uriah Pearsall was one of this party. As they neared the shore, a sentry who lay in a hole he had dug in the sand to hide himself, fired and run. The ball entered the bow of the boat under the seats and so out of the stern, but hurt no one. The militia gave him " whistle tail" but did not touch him. The militia were not obliged to leave terra firma to attack whale boats, but many did so from patriotic motives or hopes of prize money.
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Capt. Story, who owned a vessel in the oyster business at Blue Point, was captured three times. First, his schooner was taken while graving at Babylon, by Capt. Spooner, in a New London whale boat. He ran- somed her for 20 half joes and 9 guineas, and got a ransom bill for 25 days. The time had hardly elapsed when he was again taken by Spooner, but got off by giving $25 and 5 gallons of rum, (worth 18s. per gallon) as an acknowledgment to the Yankee erew. The captors off with their hats and gave three cheers for Capt. Story and his liberality. The third time, his boat was taken at Hog Island, by a Jersey whale boat, and as they could not get her out, Capt. Story was allowed to ransom her for .£63.
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