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 19
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432. HOWE orders magazines of Forage to be established on Long Island, and notice given to farmers who may be able to supply them with hay, straw, oats and Indian corn, at the following rates, hay 5s. per cwt., straw 2s., oats and corn accord- ing to quality. And for the better encouragement of such persons, an allowance of 1s. per mile for every 1000 lbs. will be paid for carriage to the magazines at Brooklyn Ferry, Great Neck, Hempstead Harbor or Oyster Bay. Proper persons are appointed to receive the same and ascertain the weight. On presenting a certificate of the delivery, the forage will be paid for immediately. All who raise forage will be expected to fur- nish their proportion. June 12, '77.
433. Wanted, persons who understand the business of stacking and thatching hay. Apply to the forage magazine, New-York. June 3, '77.
434. That the inhabitants of Long Island and Staten Island may be supplied with necessaries, and at the same time to pre- vent supplies being conveyed to the rebels through these chan- nels, Howe directs that no vessel shall at any one time, without permission from the Superintendent, carry from New-York to Long Island or Staten Island, more than one barrel of rum, spirits, sugar, molasses, or four bushels of salt ; or more of any other merchandise than sufficient for one family. No fees
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to be offered. Penalty, forfeiture of goods and vessel and im- prisonment of the master. Informers to have one moiety .* July 17, '77.
* Capt. S. once run 200 bushels of salt covered with oyster shells, to Patchogue, a great place for running goods. It cost 6s a bushel and sold for 18s. It was carried over land to the Sound, and destined for S. Jack- son, who kept a commissary's store for the American army, at Red Hook. -Ed.
435. A quantity of straw wanted immediately for His Ma- jesty's use : it is requested that farmers will thrash out their grain directly, and deliver the straw without delay at the differ- ent magazines .- Aug. 4. '77.
436. By order of Lt. General Sir Henry Clinton, K. B., farmers are directed immediately to deliver into His Majesty's magazines all the straw they have already thrashed, and get the remainder ready without delay. Due attention, it is expected. will be paid to this order, as any further delay must occasion disagreeable methods. Sept. 1, '77.
437. Persons in want of salt to cure necessary provisions for their family use the ensuing winter, must produce a certifi- cate of a Justice of the Peace* next their place of residence, that they are proper persons to be trusted. Three bushels al- lowed each family. Nov. 15, '77.
* This being found inadequate, a certificate was required from the commanding officer of the King's troops on Long Island, or a field offi- cer of the militia of the county. Seized salt, property of the seizer -Ed.
438. To prevent extortion by boatmen, the price of walnut is fixed at £5 per cord, and £4 for all other wood. Boatmen who desist bringing wood at the above prices, will be deprived of their boats. The wood of proprietors refusing to sell to boat- men at moderate prices, will be seized and confiscated. Nov. 7, '77.
439. Whereas the farmers of Long Island are possessed of great quantities of wheat, rye, and Indian corn : and it is highly unreasonable that those who stand in need of the same should be left to the mercy of the farmer ; the price of wheat is fixed at 12s. per bushel of 58 lbs, rye and corn at 7s. ; wheat flour 35s. per cwt., rye 20s., Indian corn 17s. Farmers are ordered to make a return to the commanding officer of the militia of the
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ARMED OCCUPATION,
county of the quantity they have, and how much they want for family use. Dec. 27, '77.
440. Robertson appoints John Thompson, Esq., of Brook- lyn, to have wood cut and supplied the poor of New-York at cost of cutting and carting : and 4s. per load to said T. for his trouble. Dec. 22, '77.
441. Farmers are ordered to thrash out immediately one third of their present crop of wheat and rye ; and one third by February next : the residue by May 1. Whoever disobeys will be imprisoned and his crop confiscated. Dec. 20, '77.
H. CLINTON, Lieut. Gen.
442. In consequence of the large quantities of wood brought into New-York, walnut is reduced to £4 per cord, and 55s. for any other. Dec. 27, '77.
ROBERTSON.
443. To prevent supplies to the enemy .* all wet or dry goods in trading vessels or carrying by land on Long Island without a permit,t are to be seized. Half the proceeds to the seizer. June '78. D. JONES, Commanding His Majesty's
Forces, on New- York, Long Island, and Staten Island.
* Immense quantities of British goods were run from Long Island into the American lines. Storekeepers would allow themselves to be robbed and then get a permit for more goods, or secretly meet at night and trade with Connecticut whale boats. Capt. S. once carried 17 hhds. of rum and molasses to Patchogue, and received 17 half joes for freight. He was armed with 13 swivels, and had 17 boys and men to beat off any assailant. This trade was often winked at by British underlings, who shared the profits. Rum sold for 18s. per gallon .- Ed.
t I have contrary to the former practice of this office, received fees for writing passes for vessels, and it has given offence ; all who have paid shall have restitution made. June 3, '78.
JOHN LE CHEVALIER ROOME.
411. Farmers are required immediately to thrash out their grain, as the straw is wanted for His Majesty's Troops; for which they will be paid at the usual rates, on producing cer- tificates of delivery from the Deputy Commissary at the differ- ent Posts of Brooklyn and Flushing. Same allowance for transportation as last year. Sept. 10, '78, Ric.
445. Upland hay Ss., salt hay 4s., straw 3s. per cwt. ; corn 10s., oats 7s. per bushel ; 2s. 6d. per ton for carting or water
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carriage. Forage of delinquents taken and no pay. These prices are fixed that there may be no excuse for delay. Dec. 9, '78.
446. Gov. Tryon to Lord Germaine. Dec. 16. '78: "I have been obliged from the frequent duties the militia of Kings and Queens counties have been called on to perform, to appoint Archibald Hamilton aid-de-camp and commandant of the Mi- litia of Queens County, with the pay of the army, and Mr. Long as Adjutant for ditto; and Mr. Depeyster as an assistant. at 3s. per day, to Col. Axtel of Kings County Militia, to execute my orders, and summon and regulate the Militia in the two counties." Brod. Doc.
447. The Proclamation of December 20, '78, is altered so as to encourage an ample supply : wheat 26s. currency per bushel, rye 10s., corn 10s., buckwheat 7s., wheat flour SOs. per cwt., Indian meal 28s., rye meal 30s., buckwheat 26s. If more is demanded, the grain forfeited ; one half to the informer. The Colonels of the Militia on Long Island will take account of the grain in their districts. Jan. 22. '79.
448. Permits granted to farmers and gardeners to cut rail- ing for their fences on lands of persons not under the protec- tion of government. Woodcutters, who have broken down fences, and done other damage on cultivated lands, will be se- verely punished. Feb. 8, '79. D. JONES.
449. Permits granted loyal subjects to enclose and cultivate for their own benefit, portions of the cleared woodlands, and other uncultivated land of persons not under protection of go- vernment, on Long Island, and to creet temporary habitations thereon. Certificates of character to be produced at the Po- lice. Mar. 6, '79. D. JONES, M. G., Commandant.
450. Farmers who have supplied the horse department of the Royal Artillery with forage and grain, may present their accounts. June 19, '79.
451. A number of haymakers wanted immediately for his Majesty's service, who will receive the best wages. Apply to the Forage Office, Burling Slip. June 26, '79.
452. Small craft with marketing. &c., to New-York, must have a pass from the commanding officer on Long Island, or 11*
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military colonel of the county. All vessels departing after dark, or before gun-fire, are to be seized by the guard-boats. July 22, '79.
453. To prevent gunpowder getting into improper hands, none is to be sold at vendue without license from the Police, nor be delivered to any purchaser till he produce a certificate from the Police that he has made oath that it is intended for retailing to the inhabitants. Nov. 23, 79.
454. Persons having permits to cut wood off certain lands on Long Island, will bring what they have cut to market. The colonels of the militia of the district will employ the neighboring farmers, and settle the rates for carting. The wood of those unwilling to cut, is to be cut by others, who will pay the owners the customary price for standing wood. Nov. 24, '79. H. CLINTON.
455. Dec. 22, '79. Woodcutters will meet with the best encouragement by applying to Mr. Betts, innkeeper, Jamaica. Proper persons will attend to show the wood to be cut. Ac- commodations for persons employed in the above business, pro- vided contiguous to the place of cutting.
456. To prevent waste and devastation of woodland, all persons are forbid to cut wood on land not belonging to them, without leave, or on the estates of persons supposed to be in rebellion, but to lay the title and authority before the govern- ment, that order and method may be introduced. Ap. 1, '80.
ROBERTSON.
457. Proprietors of lands from which firewood has been cut by the troops while in winter quarters, will send their certifi- cates to the barrack master general. Ap. 10, '80.
458. The scarcity of forage last spring, and the demands of the army having filled the farmer with apprehensions, to pre- vent the inconveniences of foraging by small detachments, I give this public assurance that all who bring in two-thirds of their first grass, may keep the other third. Commissaries will attend to weighing, assisted by the civil and military officers of the county. Thus the upright will be satisfied, and the artful
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BRITISH PROCLAMATIONS.
detected in their attempts to conceal. Certificates of hay and cartage paid, on presentation at New-York. July 1, '80. ROBERTSON.
459. The necessity of a seasonable and ample supply of fuel for his Majesty's troops, obliges me, however reluctant, to call on the inhabitants of Long Island to furnish a proportion of wood for the barrack yard in New-York, to guard against the severities of a long winter. Kings county is required to get 1,500 cords, Queens 4,500, and the west part of Suffolk (in- cluding Huntington, Islip, Smithtown, and Brook Haven) 3,000 cords, cut and corded by August 15. The civil and military officers of each county will meet, 25th inst., at Flatbush, Ja- maica, and Smithtown, and assess on each district its propor- tion. The officer of the district will then direct each farmer to cut his part, regulating it by the woodland he owns; and on notice given, he will muster the teams of the neighborhood and cart it to the appointed landing. The wood ready corded, is then to be surveyed in presence of the barrack master, who will give a certificate on the spot to the owner, at the rate of thirty shillings per cord for walnut, twenty shillings for oak, and four shillings per mile for cartage. The foregoing are not adapted to the east part of Suffolk. The inhabitants of South- old, East Hampton, and South Hampton, are required to cut in the woodland late of Wm. Smith and Wm. Floyd, (now out in rebellion,) in the parts nearest the Mastic Neck Landing, 3,000 cords, by September 1. When it is surveyed at the waterside, they will receive ten shillings per cord for cutting and carting. June 16, '80. ROBERTSON.
460. The situation of Long Island rendering it necessary to establish the means of administering justice, without sub- jecting the inhabitants to the interruptions and delays attend- ing their application in the city. Robertson appoints Geo. Dun- can Ludlow, Master of the Rolls and Superintendent of Police on Long Island, with powers on principles of equity to hear and determine controversies till civil government can take place. July 15, '80. [David Colden, Assistant, James Creigh- ton, Secretary. Office days, Tuesday and Wednesday, at the house, now J. D. P. Ogden's, Jamaica .- Ed.]
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ARMED OCCUPATION.
461. Queens County Address presented to Gov. Robert- son,* by
Col. Hamilton,t Sam'l Clowes, Esq. Capt. Benj. IJewlett,
Major Kissam, Tho's Smith, Esq. Capt. R. Betts,
V. H. Peters, Esq. John Hewlett, Esq.
Capt. Cha's Cornell,
Dan'I Kissam, Esq. Jos. French, Esq.
Capt. Tho's Van Wyck,
Tho's Willet, Esq.
Dr Seabury,
Capt. G. Rapalje,
Rich. Alsop, Esq. Capt. Cha's Hicks,
Capt. B. Hoogland,
in behalf of the county :
- "The principles which inspired a large majority of the people of Queens county to oppose the beginning and progress of those dangerous measures that have led this county to the most fatal convulsions, do still animate us to promote his Majesty's service by our utmost exertions to accelerate that happy day when relations, friends, and fellow-citizens shall re- embrace each other, and return to the offices, pleasures and employments of peace, when we shall enjoy our ancient privi- leges, participate in an extensive commerce, be exempt from all taxation not imposed by ourselves, and included in one com- prehensive system of felicity with the parent country. Queens County, Aug. 5, '80."
* Tryon was Governor of New-York till March, 1780, when he was succeeded by Robertson. Sir Guy Carlton was the last British Go- vernor of New-York .- Ed.
t There were seventeen militia companies in Queens county under Col. Hamilton.
462. The freeholders of Long Island will choose commis- sioners to lay out highways, and overseers, who will clear, level, and amend them six days in the year. If neglected, the Police will do it. Aug. 19, '80.
463. For the relief of loyal subjects driven from their pos- sessions, the houses and lands of rebels will be divided among them ; and small lots in proportion to the number of claimants, will be assigned to destitute refugee families. Those who have petitioned for houses and lands of persons in rebellion, will call on Philip J. Livingston, Hell-Gate, and receive answers to their petitions. Sept. 18, '80.
461. All persons are forbid going on land of others and
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BRITISH PROCLAMATIONS.
cutting wood growing thereon, as has been practised ; but it is hoped the owners who have wood, will cheerfully exert themselves in furnishing seasonable supplies for the different posts, as a generous price is given. Oct. 9, 'S0.
465. All persons permitted to keep taverns, shops, or act as traders on Long Island, must obtain from the Police there, a recommendation for such quantities of goods as they may judge proper to allow such persons from time to time to bring on Long Island, before they can obtain a permit. To prevent the improper conveying of goods, wares, stores, provisions, and merchandise from New-York city, all persons are forbid carrying them out by land or water without permit. The in- habitants of Long Island will obtain at the superintendent's office a permit for carrying to their respective homes proper quantities of the above articles for family use. Oct. 28, '80.
ROBERTSON.
466. All persons who have petitioned for houses and lands in Suffolk county, belonging to persons in rebellion, and all others not provided for in a former distribution in Kings and Queens, who are desirous of locations in Suffolk, will apply to P. J. Livingston, Hell-Gate. Long Island. Refugees are noti- fied that the residue of lands in Suffolk. not wanted for the ac- commodation of' petitioners, will be leased to others by Dec. 10. Nor. 18, '80. ROBERTSON.
467. All persons unprovided for in the distribution of rebel property within the lines, will receive a final answer to their petitions by March 1. Sufficient lots of land will be granted refugees, who have not petitioned, on York Island, with per- mission to cut wood for houses and fences on rebel lands in Westchester and Suffolk counties. Feb. 24. '81.
468. Samuel Clowes appointed clerk of Queens county, in place of Thomas Jones, resigned ; also appointed surrogate. Mar. 21, '81.
469. Owners of woodland on Long Island, in the neighbor- hood of landings, are enjoined without delay to cut and cart their cord wood to the waterside, and sell it at Flushing, and east- ward as far as Cow Neck, at £3 per cord for oak, and £4 10s. for hickory. From Cow Neck to Huntington Harbor inclusive,
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ARMED OCCUPATION.
at 45s. for oak, and 70s. for hickory. From Huntington to Se- tauket, 35s. for oak, and 45s. for hickory. And on south side of Long Island, 40s. for oak, and 65s. for hickory. The teams employed in carting this wood, will be protected from other public duty. This wood shall be sold in New-York, to private citizens, at £4 per cord for oak, and £6 for hickory.
The Police on Long Island will enforce the above order, and direct such particular tracts to be cut as shall be pointed out. Nov. 17, '81. ROBERTSON.
470. All boatmen plying between New-York and places on the Sound, may renew their licenses by bringing a certificate that they have brought a freight of wood from some place east of Flushing. Jan., '82.
471. Wood! Wood ! Wood! The citizens and boatmen are hereby informed that the inhabitants on the north side of Long Island have engaged to deliver, four weeks from date, 1000 cords of wood at the landings, at Little, Great, and Cow Neeks, 250 cords each week-to be paid for at the landing, at proclamation prices. Boats going for said wood, will meet with every protection .- Nor. 27, '81, Gaine.
472. For encouragement to farmers and gardeners to raise plentiful supplies of fresh provisions, vegetables, grain and forage : all persons are forbid taking away or destroying their cattle, stock, or other produce, or do damage, or break down fences. All offences punished with the utmost severity. Com- plaints to be made to the nearest commanding officer. Ap. 9, '82.
CLINTON.
473. The price of good well cured English hay is 6s. cur- reney per ewt., salt hay 3s., good clean straw, 2s. 3d., with for- mer allowance for freight and cartage. June 29, '82.
474. The reduction of horses and wagons belonging to the quarter master general, will occasion a call on the country to supply the magazines, and to assist in other extraordinary duty. A return has been made of those on Long Island, that each district may perform its proportion of this service, and be regularly paid. The captains of militia are to furnish teams weekly in rotation from their companies. Certificates given, and pay allowed, at 14s. per day for a wagon, two horses, and
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BRITISH PROCLAMATIONS.
a driver. The farmers of Kings, Queens, and Huntington, are requested to bring in half their fresh hay to the nearest maga- zine before the end of August, at £6 per ton, and the usual cartage; and they will be protected in keeping the other half, and be considered as having employed their teams for the time on public duty. Aug. 3, '82. ROBERTSON.
475. All persons within the lines, whose houses and lands have been withheld from them on account of offences against the Crown, and all without the lines, who have abandoned es- tates within, are desired to send their claims to the officers of Police. Persons occupying such estates, will be answerable for all waste hereafter committed. Feb. 18, '83.
476. Riv., Jan. 16, '83. The proprietors of houses and lands lately evacuated, will apply to Lieut. Gov. Campbell for the possession of those on Long Island.
0. DELANCY, Adj. Gen.
477. A Board was established, June 16, '83, to settle in a summary way all debts of £10 and upwards, contracted by citizens of New-York and its dependencies, since Nov. 1, '76.
478. Commandant's Office, Sept. 13, '83. If any fees or gratuities have been paid the clerks, in this office, for passes, certificates, &c., since August 20, they will be returned on ap- plication, as it was contrary to express orders.
479. Prices in Public Market, Oct. 22, '83. Butter, 2s. 6d. per pound; veal, 10d. to 1s. 6d .; beef, 6d. to 1s .; lamb, 10d ; mutton, 7d. to 13d .; Indian meal, 16s. per cwt .; potatoes, 3s. 6d. per bushel ; fowls, 4s. a piece ; turkeys, 6s. for eight pounds.
480. May 9, '83. Free pardon to all non-commissioned of- ficers and privates, deserters* from the Hessian Corps.
LOSSBERGH, Commander-in- Chief of the Auxiliary Troops of Hesse.
* Many Hessians deserted and settled in this country, and became valuable citizens .- Ed.
Sept. 6, '83. All persons having claims on government for supplies to the British army between April 19, '75, and August 19, '83, are notified that the Board for investigating them will not sit after Sept. 1. G. TOWNSEND, Pres't.
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ARMED OCCUPATION.
LIST OF REGIMENTS THAT LAY IN QUEENS COUNTY.
481. In April, 1777, Sir Wm. Howe issued his proclama- tion for levying troops to suppress the unnatural rebellion in North America, and affording his Majesty's faithful subjects an opportunity to co-operate in relieving themselves from the miseries attendant on anarchy and tyranny, and restoring the blessings of peace and order with lawful government. Every non-commissioned officer* shall receive 200 acres of land in the province where his corps was raised ; privates, 50 acres, and serve two years, or during the war.
* Most of the officers were outlawed at the peace, and died in exile .- Ed.
482. The Ministry had sent out equipments for 8,000 Provincials, but met with poor success. Delancy was au- thorized to raise 1,500, but in the spring of '77, he had only 597, and in May, '78, only 707. Howe complained that thou- sands fled to the British, while but few enlisted. In May, '78, all the provincial corps amounted to only 3,609, although the officers added from their own purses to the King's bounty, (see 375 ;) and as the troops usually after their summer expeditions returned to Long Island for winter quarters, and as many new corps were raised from the floods of refugees who inundated it, we annex an imperfect list of the Provincial, Hessian, and British troops that lay in Queens county during the war.
483. PROVINCIAL FORCES OF NORTH AMERICA.
Oliver Delancy,* Cortland Skinner,t Montfort Brown,} Benedict Arnold,§ Brigadier Generals.
* Died, at Beverly, England, Oct. 27, 1785, aged 68, Oliver Delan- cy, late of New-York, who lost a large estate by his loyalty .- Gent. Mag. [There were two Delancys, father and son ; the latter was Ma- jor of 17th Dragoons, and succeeded Maj. Andre as Adjutant, and died within a few years with the rank of Barrack Master General of the British Empire, (see 214,368.)-Ed.
t He was from New Jersey, (see 243, 251.)
# Formerly Governor of New Providence, carried off by Com. Hop- kins, and exchanged for Lord Stirling. (See 169.)
§ His Legion lay near Black Stump.
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LIST OF REGIMENTS.
481. DELANCY'S BATTALIONS .- 1st Battalion. Col., O. Delancy; Lieut. Col., John Harris Cruger ;* Major, Joseph Greene ;t Captains Jacob Smith, Thomas and James French ; Galbreath. Roorback, Kerr ; Lieutenant, T. Cunningham : N. Rogers. Quarter Master; N. Smith. Surgeon ; Cha's Bowden, Chaplain. (See 128, 129, 174, 227 )
* Married Delancy's daughter, and removed to England at the peace. t Married John Townsend's daughter, of Oyster Bay, and removed to Ireland.
485. 2d Battalion. Col., George Brewerton, (see 245;) Lieut. Col., Steph. Delancy ; Major, Tho's Bowden ;* Cap- tains. Geo. Dunbar, Tho's W. Moore, Sam'l Hallet, Walter Campbell, H. Hatch, E. Potts; Lieutenants, A. McMillan, B. Lister, Dan'l Hallet, B. P. Griffiths, Colin Campbell, J. McCart- ney, D. Cameron; Ensigns, T. Shrieve, H. Ferguson. Geo. Brewerton, Jas. Delancy ; Chaplain, M. Badger; Surgeon, J. Johnston.
* Sailed for England, Nov. 22, '83. (See 238 )
486. 3d Battalion. Col., Gab. G. Ludlow ;* Lieut. Col. Richard Hewlett;t Major, Alex. Menzies ;# Captains, Edward Allison,§ Gilbert Colden Willet, Cha's Hewlett. Elijah Miles, | Tho's Lister. Barth'w Doughty, Gerardus Clowes, Ichabod Smith ; Lieut's, John Clowes. Sam'l Clowes, Edmund Evans, Henry Jackson, Gab. De Veber, Jr., Michael Laffen, Wm. McFarland, Zach. Brown; Ensigns, Nath. Barnum, Wm. Montgomery, Francis De Veber. Tho's Carpenter, Noah Se- lick, Shadrach Chase ; Chaplain, Wm. Walter ; " Adj., Tho's Carpenter ; Quarter Master, Richard Floyd; Surgeon, Cha's Doughty. (See 206.)
[The 3d Battalion, consisting of about three hundred pri- vates, lay in almost every part of Queens county, but chiefly at Lloyd's Neck. There were separate companies at Herricks, Hempstead, Oyster Bay, Flushing, and Jamaica. They went on excursions for forage, and in pursuit of rebels, to most parts of Suffolk county ; and sometimes they crossed the Sound on plundering expeditions, or to bring off refugees and recruits from the Main. At the peace, they had lands granted them in - Nova Scotia, whither most of them went .- Ed.]
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ARMED OCCUPATION.
* Outlawed, with other brother officers, by the State of New-York, " for not only giving aid and assistance to the enemies of their country, but putting themselves in arms to enslave the same."-Elected Mayor of St. John's, 1785.
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