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 16
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G. J. says, in the marshing season, a galley and whale boat from New Brunswick, under Capt. Barent Altrecht, came up Parsonage Creek and robbed Joseph Smith and Thomas Dorlon of two wagon loads of goods. The whale boats on the south side of Long Island were partly from Jersey and partly from New England. Their chief object was to capture oyster, clam, and wood boats, and vessels trading to and from New- York, which entered the inlets and so sailed in the south Bay. As the trading craft went armed, obstinate figlits sometimes occurred. The eastern whale boats were carried on men's shoulders over the Island at Canoe Place, and launched in the South Bay.
354. On the night of January 10, '81, the family of Parme- nas Jackson at Jerusalem were aroused by the entrance of John Degraw and 6 other soldiers, who shutting up the rest of the fam- ily, demanded of Mr. J. his money, and on his refusing to disco- ver it, they hacked him so terribly on his head and arm (as it was uplifted to ward off the blows) that the wall overhead was spotted with blood, but he continuing resolute and hoping each blow would be the last, held out too long. They left him for dead, and attacked his father-in-law, Thomas Birdsall, an aged man, when his wife, to save her husband's life, disclosed the hid treasure in a bottle under the hearth. The robbers car- ried off $3000 in gold and silver, with divers articles of dress and furniture. The only words the wounded man ever spoke were " Lloyd's Neck ! Lloyd's Neck !" Judging from this that they were soldiers from Col. Ludlow's garrison, the neighbors forth- with posted off to Lloyd's Neck. One Voorhies rode a fleet horse* to Capt. Van Wyck's at E. Woods, who instantly ordered his servant to saddle his swiftest horse, and guided them to Lloyd's Neck, where they arrived before daylight. The roll was called, and a guard set on the narrow passage to the
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Neck, when the robbers soon came up and were secured, with their booty on them.
Mr. J. had a good deal of stock which he fattened on the Plains. From the sale of this he had amassed a large sum of money, which coming to the knowledge of the servant girl, she revealed the secret to Degraw, her brother, a soldier in Delan- cy's 3d battalion. The robbers were put on shipboard and sent to New-York for trial. Elgar, the worst one, jumped overboard, and was drowned. Degraw died in Provost. The fate of the rest is unknown, though it is said they were sent to the mines on the Spanish Main or to Honduras.
Drs. Searing and Seabury attended Jackson and took off pieces of the skull to relieve the pressure on the brain, which was so exposed that its motions were visible. He survived nine days, when he died very hard, gasping for breath a long time,-aged 37.
* This was Jacob Seaman's horse, Sloven, which was so broke down by this ride that he never recovered his former speed.
To Thomas Van Wyck, Esq., Captain in the Loyal Queens County Militia :
CITY HALL, New-York, Feb. 23, '81.
SIR : It is with pleasure Isit down to inform you that I am desired by the Court to assure you that your humane, generous and manly exertion, in bringing to light the perpetration of so horrid a crime as the robbery and murder of Parmenas Jackson, of Jerusalem, now before us, not only demands the thanks of this Court, but merits also the love and esteem of every neighbor and fellow-citizen.
I am, sir, with the highest respect, Your most obedient humble servant, - JOHN BREESE,
Major 54th Regiment, President.
· 355. Mar. 14,'81, Riv. Fifty Joes to be run for by Eclipse and Sturdy Beggar, at Capt. Tim. Cornell's Poles, Hempstead Plains, a single two mile heat.
356. Chatham, N. J., Apr. 18, '81. We hear the whale boats from Brunswick are making a very successful cruise to Long Island this week.
357. May 14, '81, Gaine. Last Thursday was brought into New-York, by a party of Long Island militia, a partisan rebel,
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Capt. Diekie, of New Brunswick, with thirteen of his gang of plunderers. This doughty hero has rendered himself notorious by his expeditions on Long Island.
358. July 30, '81, Gaine. Nine Jersey plunderers in a rebel whale boat were taken by the Queens county militia yesterday, and brought to town.
359. Aug. 1, '81, Riv. Last Saturday night, Capt. Hieks, of Queens county, heard of a whale boat being in Jamaica Bay, that had taken a sloop of Mr. [John] Mott, of Rockaway. He mustered twenty-five of his neighbors, and proceeded in three boats in search of the rebels. After rowing all night, he discovered the whale boat and her prize at anchor, under Bar- ren Island, which they determined to attack immediately. The rebels then manned their boats in the greatest confusion, and being cut off from the sea, made for the Flatlands, in Kings county. Hicks landed most of his men at Barren Island, to cut off' their retreat, and pursued them with only five white and three black men, in two small skiffs. The rebels, after a long chase, abandoned their boat, with most of their arms, and fled into the woods ; but as Capt. Hicks las alarmed all the shore, he does not doubt the rebels will be secured. The whale boat is quite new, and had a heavy gun in her bow.
A new whale boat to be sold at auction at Hicks's Tavern, Far Rockaway, Aug. 6. She is upwards of thirty-five feet long, rows eight oars, has two good sails and a large swivel.
[Col. Hamilton forbids the above sale, because not reported to him by the captors in a proper and official manner.
Ja's Abrams saw the above capture. The boatinen tried Plum Inlet, but as there was a fresh wind from the south, she was cut off. They then made for the Old Mill, (Schenck's.) The prize had a good store of meat and biscuit on board. The captors named her " Lady Washington," to enhance her value. The militia were not obliged to go off land to attack boats, but often volunteered to do so in hopes of prize money.
A privateer was manned under Barren Island to escape the press gangs. She gave $2 a bushel for potatoes. Market boats were licensed to have a certain number of hands ; all over it were liable to be impressed. There were several hot presses in New-York ; many were taken off un- known to their friends, and never heard of after .- ED.]
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360. Sep. 25, '81. The sloop Restoration, Capt. Hart, of Saybrook, was driven ashore on a point of sand at Hempstead, south side of Long Island, one and a half miles from land. 6th inst., in the night, by a frigate, where his vessel lay till next day, when he was attacked by two militia companies, com- manded by Capts. David Jones and Seaman. Capt. Hart took Jones and eight men prisoners ;* but next morning he was at- tacked by five captain's companies, (three of foot and two of horse,) who sent off a flag demanding the surrender of his vessel, and his men to be given up as prisoners of war. Capt. Hart would not consent to these terms, but sent for answer that himself should be exchanged for Capt. Jones, and the men he had taken should be exchanged for an equal number of Jones's men, and all his other people should be permitted to return home unmolested, on parole ; which terms were finally agreed on ; and Capt. Hart with his people returned Wednesday after.
* The militia went down in a hay boat, landed Capt. Jones and a part of the men, when the Privateer fired a cannon, and the boat hauled off and left those on the bar to their fate.
361. May 8, '82. An account was yesterday brought to town that an enterprising rebel partisan, said to be Hyler, had landed a number of men on Hog Island, in the Sound (?) There were with him three whale boats and a small privateer.
362. June 10, '82, Gaine. Hyler's boats are now ranging on the south side of Long Island.
People would sometimes take a spy-glass and climb on the roof of their houscs, and if they saw any whale boats in the bay, they would re- move their valuables to a hiding place, leaving only a few articles in the house. The robbers would then ransack the house, curse them for their poverty, and depart. Stores were often nearly emptied in this way of an afternoon, and the goods replaced next morning. But if the owners were once caught, they were likely to be tortured till the goods were forth- coming. The alarm was spread by guns or horn-blowing.
363. For sale at the dwelling house of Capt. Stephen Hew- lett, at Great Merrock, some articles saved from the wreck of the brigantine Hussar, stranded on Merrock Shoals, night of January 24 .- Riv. Feb. 12, '83.
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364. July 21,'83. Five Dollars Reward. Strayed or stolen from Robert T. Bloomer, at Hempstead, a young brown mare. JOS. WEEKS, Huntington Ferry.
365. Samuel Doughty's store at Foster's Meadow was robbed. The neighbors went in pursuit and followed the wag- on track to the north side of the island, where they found the wagon and heard the rowing; the robbers having just shoved off for Connecticut.
John Skidmore and wife, an aged couple, lived near Amber- man's Mill, Foster's Meadow, on the Rockaway Road, (now Shaw's.) He had recently sold a farm and mill, and was sup- posed to be in possession of a large suni of money. His door was forced open in the night, and his money demanded. He handed the robbers (whose faces were blacked and muffled) a purse, saying it was all he had, for luckily he had a few days before invested $1000. Not satisfied with this, they beat him and his wife, at three or four heats, so dreadfully, on their heads, with the butt ends of their pistols, to extort further dis- closures, that they both died of their wounds a few days after. Their negro, Jack, a stout fellow, when he heard the noise, mounted the kitchen loft, and drew the steps after him. Then seizing a scythe from the rafters, when they bid him come down he flatly refused, and bid them do their best. They then went off, and were never discovered.
Capt. Samuel Seaman, at Jerusalem, had his store well barred, but it was robbed in the daytime by a party under John Cott, who came from Norwalk, and lurked about Bread and Cheese Hollow one night. They set a guard over the family and rummaged the house. His wife had taken a hand- kerchief of gold and silver from its hiding place, to get out some change, and placed it on the tester of the bed. They took that, some clothing, and goods from the store. They threatened to stave his liquors unless he would ransom them ; but on his refusal, they went off.
On one occasion Capt. Seaman and Luke Fleet, who had been robbed, went over to Norwalk and had the robbers ar- rested, but they were rescued by a mob from New Canaan.
One foggy morning as Hallet Jones was going to the Bay
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he saw a gun-boat at anchor by the Shell Bank, and no person on board. He rowed up and took possession, first taking her long-boat from her fastening on shore. Directly the crew (who had gone ashore in quest of wood) returned and begged to be restored to the possession of their boat, promising money and what not. But Mr. Jones was deaf to their entreaties, and fired a lee gun, which drew a company of militia to the spot, who secured the crew. They were examined, when the Captain plead a wife and children who would be distressed at his de- tention, and promising better for the future, all were discharged. The prize was sold and the money divided among the militia, leaving Mr. Jones nothing but a good conscience for his pains.
366. Whereas, Martha, wife of Thos. Coffield, lieutenant in the North Carolina Regiment, is concealed from him, (sup- posed by her mother, Melissa Carman, of Hempstead,) to keep her from going with her loving husband to Nova Scotia or St. Augustine, the public are cautioned, &c .- Rir., Sep. 10, '83.
367. A Miss H., near Hempstead, had formed an intimacy with a Highlander, against the wishes of her friends. But when the British forces were about to evacuate the Island, she was missing. The distressed father expressed his apprehen- sions to the commanding officer that his daughter had eloped, and was now in the company of her lover. Forthwith the men were drawn up, and the father walked along the ranks, when he discovered his daughter in the guise of a soldier, by the whiteness of the skin where the garter is usually tied.
A soldier of a regiment of foot that lay at Foster's Meadow fell in love with a Miss B. Her friends removed her to Solo- mon Foster's, at the Alley. The soldier discovering where she was, attempted one night to carry her off, but was shot by Sol- omon, for which he was put in Provost.
OYSTER BAY.
368. Whereas many of the drivers of wagons of the differ- ent counties on Long Island, who were impressed from time to time into his Majesty's service, are deserted and run away, which occasions many of the horses being lost and neglected :
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this is therefore to inform all masters of such wagons and teams, and their drivers, that if they do not immediately return to take care of their wagons and teams, and do their duty as drivers, that the Quarter Master General will not be answera- ble for the loss of any of the wagons or teams. Dated at Gen. Delancy's head quarters, at Oyster Bay, Nov. 14, '76.
OLIVER DELANCY, Brig. Gen. WM. SHERIFF, Dep. Quarter Master Gen .*
* He returned to New-York with wagons, Nov. 24.
[Tunis Bogart and Andrew Hegeman were impressed to cart ammu- nition for the British army, and were present at White Plains and Fort Washington. They also saw the execution of Capt. Hale (Sept. 26) on an apple-tree near Col. Rutgers'. Hale was surrounded by a circle of spectators, men and women, who were much disgusted at the brutality of Cunningham. Hale said Washington had requested him to get informa - tion about the British army, and that he must submit to death, if such was the rule of war. The women sobbed aloud .- ED.]
369. In November, '76, the mind of N. Dayton, of Conn., was filled with gloomy apprehensions for the fate of his coun- try, and by the strongest assurances of the safety and peace he might enjoy under the refugees on Long Island, he was deluded to abscond and place himself under their protection. But on his arrival at Delancy's head quarters, he was tyran- nically compelled to bear arms, under pain of military execu- tion ; whereupon, he escaped from his military bondage the same month .- Hin. Conn., p. 305.
[Howe sent British emissaries (who were often caught and hung) to enlist and decoy over from New England all timid and secretly disaffected persons .- ED.]
370. N. Haren, Dec. 14, '77. Peggy and cargo, Darby Doyle, master, navigated with 40 men, under a commission of Val. Jones, to supply New-York with fuel, forage and provisions, was taken by Peter Griffing, captain of a company of Rangers.
371. Dec. 15, '77. The sloop Dove and cargo was taken in Cold Spring harbor, by Thomas Sellew, in the armed sloop Lucy.
372. Dec. 22, '77, Gaine. Sunday night, 14th, the rebels
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landed at Cold Spring, and carried off two market boats loaded with flaxseed, wood, cider, &c., &c.
373. The Industry, Capt. Ab'm Selleck, from Oyster Bay to New-York, loaded with 15 cords wood, 17 half-barrels of cider and vinegar, 7 or 8 bags of meal, and rigging and sails for another vessel, was taken, Feb. '77, by the Flying Fish, of Rye.
374. Riv., March 7, '78. About 12 o'clock, March 3d, seven men, with arms, were discovered crossing Lloyd's Neck, bending their course for the narrow beach that leads off the Neck. They were pursued and taken by David Lion, Wm. Pack, John, Jonathan, Jabez and Jared Cable, and eight more loyal refugees. They appeared to be the noted Wm. S. Scud- der and his gang, as appears from the following confession.
" Sept., '76, I quitted Long Island, and after several differ- ent routes, &c., soon after Capt. Samuel Richards was taken from Connecticut, came over to Hog Island, as a pilot to one John Bessie, to take Squire Smith ; but missed of him, and took a Quaker, and plundered the house of considerable value. I was one in all the expeditions to Long Island, at Setauket and elsewhere; and had the command of the boat, and was the person who took Mr. Ireland, at Mr. Haviland's house. A while after this, I was sent over by Gen. Parsons, to lie in wait to prevent driving off the stock, taking off the forage, &c., from the east end of the island, provided the Gen. landed with force to maintain his ground, &c. Upon his being disappoint- ed, I made my escape from the island.
"Some time after, I was of the party that came over and took two sloops out of Cold Spring Harbor. I was also one of the party that took Mr. Tobias and his goods, from Fresh Pond. I also was one of the party that lately came over and burnt three vessels that were cast away on Long Island, when coming from R. I., and my design now in coming over was to collect what we could from the wrecks then burnt. We got some things out of Samuel Skidmore's cider-mill house, and made his negro get up his team and cart them down to the shore. We then attempted to go over to the other shore, but the wind coming ahead and it setting in extreme cold and
10
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freezing our fingers, feet, &c., we were obliged to make for the first land before the wind, which proved to be Lloyd's Neck.
Witness my hand, WM. SMITH SCUDDER. March 3, '78.
FYLER DIBBLE, { Witnesses. WM. QUARME, S
The prisoners, on Saturday afternoon, March 7, were brought to New-York, in the boat of the Halifax, Capt. Quarme,* and secured in the Provost guard.t
* The first guard ship in the mouth of Oyster Bay was the Halifax, Capt. Quarme ; after two years she was condemned. Then Capt. Riley, who became superannuated, next was Capt. Townsend, who was ashore sick at Wm. Ludlam's, when a fleet of American vessels run along side in open day and took his vessel. (See 403.) The British had been expecting their own fleet of privateers, and so did not suspect the trick. Capt. Peebles also commanded here ; who was surprised in Hempstead Harbor. The Grana frigate, Capt. Negle, K. B., was also a guard ship here.
t New Haven, March 18,'78. About a fortnight ago twelve or fourteen persons, in two boats, crossed the Sound from Norwalk to Long Island. One returned with her company, who were severely frost-bitten: the other was taken and carried to New-York with her company, (six in number,) who were also much frost-bitten.
375. March 9, '78. Lieut. Col. Emerick wishes to raise six companies of foot, to consist of 360 men; and two troops of light dragoons, to consist of 100, who will immediately receive their bounty, before attested; pay, clothing and provision regular, agreeable to the King's allowance, without clipping or deduction. Refugees paid the price of their horses. His soldiers live like gentlemen, and he treats all who behave well as brothers. Apply to Capt. Henry Seton, at Huntington, Oyster Bay and Jericho, who gives $5 over and above the King's bounty.
GOD save the KING.
376. March 25, '78. John Ireland, an inhabitant of Long Island, taken a prisoner in arms against the United States, (at Lloyd's Neck, Nov. 26, '77,) was permitted to return to procure necessary clothing, &c., by giving his parol, and to return and deliver himself up in 30 days .- Hinman's Con't.
377. April 27, '78, Riv. Last Monday evening two row
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gallies and an armed vessel crossed from Connecticut to Lloyd's Neck, where a party of loyal refugees were cutting wood; who, upon being attacked, retreated to a house, in which they defended themselves with great bravery and reso- lution upwards of six hours : but their ammunition being all expended, they were obliged to submit to superior force. Next morning the rebels carried their prisoners, 18 in number, over to Connecticut. The house in which the refugees fought and surrendered is perforated in many places by the shot of the rebels.
378. May 2, '78, Rir. Fyler Dibble,* with sixteen wood- cutters, was taken off Lloyd's Neck, April 26, by a galley car- rying a 12 pounder, four whale boats, and 50 or 60 men. The alarm reaching the men-of-war on that station, the ship's boats pursued, but to no purpose, although they persevered so long as to talk to each other, and did not retire till they had received two heavy fires from their 12 pounder, graped, and all their musquetry.
* Dibble was a refugee, whose estate at Stamford was confiscated. He committed suicide at Nova Scotia, goaded, as is said, by a guilty conscience.
379. May 22, '78. Con. Gaz. " Last week [May 5] a small boat commanded by Capt. Adamson, from eastward, with six men and ten swivels, went into Oyster Bay and fell in with the tender of the British ship Raven. The tender mounted eight swivels, and had nine men with wall-pieces. The boat, after discharging her swivels and small arms, boarded and carried her, and next morning brought her into Stamford. She had on board three hogsheads of rum, several casks of bread, beef and other articles for the ship, with some dry goods. The Raven is hovering around the harbor continually, and seems quite disconsolate at the loss of her young."
380. June 8, '78. Wednesday last the rebel schooner Wild Cat, of 14 swivels and 40 men, came from Connecticut to Oyster Bay, and landed 14 of her crew, who shot several sheep [at Oak Neck ?], but a number of the inhabitants ap- pearing in arms, they made off. This vessel, by having a
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great number of oars, takes advantage of every calm to cross over and pillage the loyalists on Long Island .- Riv.
381. June 27, '78. Three or four whale boats attempted to land at Lloyd's Neck and attack the wood-cutters. They were cut off by the activity of a detachment of Delancy's brigade, who suddenly manned some boats. It is said they also cut off and secured two armed brigs, which were to cover the whale boats .- Riv.
382. June 29, '78, Gaine. Last Wednesday, a number of whale boats, well manned, from Connecticut, convoyed by the Wild Cat galley and a little sloop, formerly the Raven's tender, made their appearance at Lloyd's Neck, in order to harass his Majesty's wood-cutters, and soon took a boat then going out of the harbor, which they endeavored to carry off, but were im- mediately pursued and attacked by a number of boats from the ships, when the Wild Cat, Raven's tender, and the wood boat, were taken, as also some of the whale boats. Thirty men were made prisoners and two killed, without any loss on our side.
383. All gentlemen volunteers, able and willing to serve his Majesty King George III., in that respectable regiment called the Prince of Wales' Royal American Volunteers, commanded by his Excellency Brig. Gen. Brown, will hear of the particu- lar advantages of that corps by repairing to Lieut. Col. Pattin- son, at his camp, on Lloyd's Neck, where they will receive a complete suit of new clothes, arms, accoutrements, &c., and one guinea more than his Majesty's most gracious bounty. 'Tis more than probable those who enlist will for some months be able to earn 15s. to 20s. per day. Gaine, June 29, '78.
384. Hartford, Sept. 3, '78. Maj. Grey, of Col. Meig's regiment, brought off from Lloyd's Neck 15 tories, and killed three-all from Connecticut.
385. Sept. 7, '78, Gaine. A sloop with some provisions, and a boat loaded with wood, were taken at Lloyd's Neck last Wednesday, by a privateer sloop from Connecticut. A great abundance of armed whale boats are cruising in many parts of the Sound, and 'tis feared will much interrupt our market boats.
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386. Sept. 12, '78, Riv. A party of rebels came over from Connecticut to Oyster Bay Thursday evening last, plundered the house of Wm. [now Joshua] Cock of goods to the amount of £140. They made Mr. C. and his family carry the goods near two miles, to their whale boat, and got off unmolested. And on Saturday a number of freebooters, in two boats, came over to Red Spring, and robbed the houses of Jacob Carpenter and John Weekes of a quantity of valuable effects, and then made off; but returned Saturday evening to Oak Neck, and robbed two unfortunate weavers. The principal of these vil- lains is named Carehart, who some time ago came over from Connecticut and pretended to be a friend to government, and was treated with the greatest hospitality and kindness by the very persons whose property he has carried off.
Nov. 30, '78, Poughkeepsie. 'Tis reported that the last fleet of the enemy that sailed from New-York, has returned and landed on Long Island, where they are building huts.
387. Dec. 10, '78, Holt. Reports from Long Island say the British troops are building huts or barracks at Jericho,* not far from Hempstead.
[The Hessians lay about Norwich, Jericho, Westbury and Cedar Swamp. They lay in Wolver Hollow two or three summers and one winter, and had tents under the hill by Andris Bogart's, and took the sacrament in the Dutch church.
When they wanted boards for barracks, they took them wherever they could find them. They stripped the boards off I. R.'s blacksmith shop. He then gave them a couple of bushels of potatoes, if they would not steal any thing. No sooner had they gone, than he missed his axe. On overtaking the soldiers, the axe and some geese they had elsewhere pick- ed up, were found hid under the boards. On his remonstrating. the officer said, "They are such a pack of thieves, you can keep nothing from them."
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