Documents and letters intended to illustrate the revolutionary incidents of Queens county; with connecting narratives, explantory notes, and additions, Part 5

Author: Onderdonk, Henry, 1804-1886
Publication date: 1846
Publisher: New York, Leavitt, Trow
Number of Pages: 280


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 5


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Congress, considering the fidelity and poverty of Charles Friend, paid all his expenses, and gave him a reward of $20.


54. May 10. Ordered, That Mr. Tredwell, of Suffolk, draft a letter to Queens county committee, recommending them to form and regulate the militia without delay.


Memorandum of the Militia Companies in Queens County, 1776.


Col. John Sands, Commission dated June 10, 1776. «


Lt. Col Benj. Birdsall, do. do.


Major Richard Thorne, do. do.


Major John Hendrickson, do. do.


South Hempstead.


Foster's Meadow Company, 93 men ; officers, none.


Far Rockaway Company, 90 men ; Peter Smith, Captain ; Benjamin Cornell, Lieutenant.


South Hempstead Company, 110 men ; officers, none.


Jerusalem Company, 85 men; Richard Jackson, Captain ; Zebn. Seeman, Lieutenant.


Oyster Bay.


Moscheto Cove Company, 90 men ; Daniel Cock, Captain ; - Lattin, Lieutenant.


Wolver Hollow Company, 80 men; David Laton, Captain ; Rem Hegeman, Lieutenant ; John Schenck, 2d Lieutenant.


Oyster Bay Company, 140 men ; John W. Seaman, Captain ; Peter Hegeman, Lieutenant ; John Townsend, 2d Lieutenant.


East Wood's Company, 85 men ; Person Brush, Lieutenant ; Gabriel Duryea, Ensign.


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THE REVOLUTIONARY SPIRIT.


North Hempstead.


North Side Company, 120 men ; Philip Valentine, Captain ; Coe Searing, 2d Licutenant.


Cow and Great Neck Company, 130 men ; Andrew Onderdonk, Ensign.


Total, 1028 men.


A Return of the number of men in Queens County, subject to bear arms in the different Companies.


Capt. John Skidmore's Company of Minute men, 53


Ephraim Bayles,


98


Abraham Remsen,


86


Jonathan Lawrence,


107


Abraham Ditmis,


78


Richard Lawrence, (Light Horse,)


44


Nathaniel Tom,


160- 626


Robert Coles,


99


Col. John Sands' Company,


142


Capt. John Williams Seaman,


130


David Laton,


88


Daniel V. Nostrand,


108


Peter Nostrand,


470


Philip Valentine,


107-1144


1770


Eastern parish, 112 men.


We are to appear at the house of Samuel Nichols on Wednesday, 19th June, at 10 o'clock, forenoon, 1776.


An imperfect List of Officers of Militia Companies in Queens County, besides those elsewhere noticed. Flushing.


June 19, '76.


May 20, '75.


Ist Lieut. John Roberts.


Capt. Nathaniel Tom.


2d Lieut. Oliver Thorne .*


Ist Lieut. Matthias Van Dyck.


Ensign Isaac Hicks.


2d Lieut. Jeffrey IIicks. Ensign Nich. Van Dyck.


* In room of Jef. Hicks, entered Continental service.


Newtown .- South Beat.


April 17, 1776.


June, '76.


Capt. Abm. Remsen.


Capt. Benj. Coe.


1st Lieut. Benj. Coe.


1st Lieut. Robt. Furman.


2d Lieut. Robt. Furman.


Ensign Benj. North.


2d Lieut. Benj. North. Ensign Jonah Hallet.


4


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North Beat.


Capt. Jona. Lawrence .* Ist Lieut. Wm. Sackett.


2d Lieut. Wm. Lawrence.t Ensign Jesse Warner.


Capt. Rich. Lawrence. Ist Lieut. Daniel Lawrence.


2d Lieut. Samuel Riker. Cornet Jona. Coe.


Horse. Aug. 21,'76. Capt. Dan. Lawrence.# 1st Lieut. Sanıl. Riker. 2d Lieut. Jona. Lawrence. Cornet Tlios. Detts.


Quarter Master Peter Rapelye. Capt. Abm. Riker, July, 1776.


* Chosen Major, August 10, '76.


t Chosen Captain, August 10, '76.


# In place of Richard Lawrence, resigned from infirmity.


Jamaica .- July 26, '76.


Capt. Wm. Ludlum .* 2d Lieut. Nich. Everitt.


Ist. Lieut. Jacob Wright. Ensign Ephraim Marston.t


* In place of John J. Skidmore, promoted to a Majority.


t Killed by Indians at Minisinka-See monument at Goshen.


Musquito Core .- June 15, 76.


Capt. Daniel Cock. 2d Lient. Wm. Frost.


Ist Lieut. Robert Cole .* Ensign Wright Craft.


* " Stout, handsome young fellow." -- Scott.


Oyster Bay .- July 22, '76.


Capt. Daniel Nostrand. Ist Lieut. Jacob Totten.


July 29, '76.


Capt. Samuel Green .* 2d Lieut. Peter Thomas.


Ist Lieut. Thos. Ellison. Ensign Solomon Seaman. July 13, '76.


Capt. Richard Jackson.t 2d Lieut. John Lewis.


Ist Lieut. Zebulon Seaman. Ensign Smith Brush.


* Late Capt. Carman's company.


+ Late Capt. Jolin Birdsall's company.


55. Congress ordered that all able bodied men, between sixteen and fifty, who had left the city, return with arms and accoutrements, as by their absence its strength and power of defence was weakened.


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THE REVOLUTIONARY SPIRIT.


56. In Committee, Jamaica, Mya 15, '76 :


Resolved, That no person be permitted to move into this township from the date hereof, unless he produces a certificate from the committee where he resided, that he has in all things behaved as a friend to the cause of American freedom. And whereas, sundry persons, in passing and repassing through this town, have given just cause of suspicion that they are employed in aiding and assisting the unnatural enemies of America : Therefore,


Resolved and Ordered, That all such persons passing through this township, be taken up for examination.


By order of the Committee,


ELIAS BAYLES, Chairman.


[The Flushing committee was not idle either : for after Washington reached New-York, there was talk of leaving out the prayers for the King, when the Rev. C. Inglis, of Trinity Church, found it necessary to retire to Flushing ; but he had no sooner reached there, than the committee met and entered into a debate about seizing him. This obliged him to shift his quarters and keep himself as private as possible till Aug. 27 -Ed.]


57. John Livingston, Jr., had a furlough for eight days' absence, but on being questioned by the Jamaica committee, he refused either to show his furlough or return to New- York. He, with his barber, was seized by Capt. Baylis, of the minute men, who delivered him with the following letter, to Lieut. Col. Cornwell,* who was returning to New-York from an excursion to Hempstead, by order of Gen. Putnam.


In Committee for the District of Jamaica, May 31, 1776. S


GENTLEMEN : In consequence of a resolve of the Provincial Congress respecting the returning of the inhabitants of the city of New-York, who left the same since the first of June last, this committee gave personal notice to all such persons as had moved into this district, requesting them to comply with the said resolve, limiting them to what this committee thought a reasonable time; and as many of them, at the expiration of the time limited, had not satisfied this committee in their leave of absence from the said city, therefore we send such of those


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persons down to the city as we can get, the others keeping themselves concealed. But before this method was taken, public notice was again given, by advertisement, requesting them to satisfy this committee of the reasons of their non-com- pliance-which they have not done.


By order of the Committee,


ELIAS BAYLES, Chairman.


P. S. The committee are of opinion that John Livingston, Jr., ought to be kept in custody till he produce one Smith, his hostler, who is kept secreted by Livingston's family.


[The Congress did not tamely pass over this insult to the Jamaica committee, but resolved that John Livingston, jr. had treated the Jamaica committee with contempt, and that they did right in sending him down, and that he ought humbly to ask pardon. On his declining, he was sent to jail .- Ed.]


* There was a Lieut. Col. Cornwell in the Rhode Island Regiment at Brooklyn.


58. May 28. Congress are informed that Capt. Baylis' company of militia and some of the minute men in Jamaica, stand in great need of gunpowder. Ordered, That 100 pounds be delivered to Capt. Baylis and his receipt taken : and that the committee distribute the powder to those well affected to the American cause.


59. Capt. Abm. Remsen brought before the Congress J. M., Jr., charged by the committee of Newtown (on complaint of Waters Smith and Capt. Nathaniel Woodward), with offer- ing a fresh insult to the United Colonies, in allowing a large flag, in imitation of a King's standard, to be hoisted on his ground. Moore's excuse was that the school boys had done it, and that as children put up the colors, he did not think men would notice it. Being asked if he would defend the colonies by force of arms, he said he did not choose to fight if he could avoid it, and would avoid it as long as he could.


Ordered, That J. M., Jr., be kept a prisoner on parole, and attend the City Hall from day to day.


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60. June 5. " Whereas a hostile armament is expected here,


" Resolved, That the following persons in Queens county, (9 names omitted,) whose conduct is inimical to the cause and rights of America, and who if summoned, would not appear, be arrested ; and that the following persons (3 names omitted) be summoned, and in default of their appearance, be also ar- rested.


" Whereas the following persons (26 names ommitted) in Queens county, holding offices from the King of Great Bri- tain, and refusing to associate with their fellow-citizens in defence of their common rights, have been considered in a suspicious light.


" Resolved, That they be required to appear before a com- mittee, by arrest or summons, to show cause why they should be considered friends to the American cause."


[Some of the above not being able to give a satisfactory account of their conduct, were sent to the jails of Connecti- cut, others gave bonds and were paroled .*- Ed.]


" * Capt. A. Hamilton, attending on the summons returnable here this day, was called in. The Chairman informed him of the resolutions of Congress relative to persons of equivocal character, and that it is highly necessary in these times of trouble to know who are our friends, and who foes.


" Mr. Hamilton says, ' He has fought and bled and been in irons for America, that it is the country of his choice and affection, that he wishes America to be happy and free, that no promise or reward would tempt him to oppose America, that he has refused offers of preferment, and holds no office, half-pay or place of honor or profit under the King of Great Britain, and desires none. But that he cannot unsheath his sword against his King, his brother and other near relations, who fight in his armies.'


" Capt. H. being asked whether it his opinion that the people of Great Britain have a right to bind, at their discretion, the people of the United Colonies, in all cases whatever ? Answered, That he is not sufficiently acquainted with the merits of the case to answer that question ; that if he had one hundred hearts he would lose them all rather than lose his lib- erty ; that he wishes America to be happy and free, and is ready to bind


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RISE AND PROGRESS OF


himself by his parole not to take any part against America, or any mea - sure of the colonies for her defence, either by thought. word or deed.'


" Capt. Hamilton withdrew. First question then put by the Chairman was, Whether Capt. H. is such a friend as described by the representa- tives of the Congress of this colony ? Agreed unanimously in the nega- tive. Second question was then put, Whether it is necessary to remove Capt. H from his present place of residence ? Agreed unanimously in the negative. Third question was then put, Whether Capt. Il.'s parole is sufficient security ? Agreed unanimously in the affirmative.


" Capt. H. was then called in, and signed the following parole of honor :


" New- York, June 24, 1776.


" I, Archibald Hamilton, Esq., do deelare upon my honor, that I will not, directly or indirectly, oppose or contravene the measures of the Con- tinental Congress, or of the Congress of this eolony.


" ARCHIBALD HAMILTON."


Protection of Stephen Martin, June 26, '76. In special committee of Congress :


Whereas Stephen Martin, of Far Rockaway, physician, has given (Feb. 17, last) a bond to behave himself peaceably and make no opposi- tion to the measures of the Continental Congress, or the Congress of this colony, or to instigate others so to do ; and hath this day given his parole that he will not directly or indirectly oppose or contravene the measures of the Continental Congress, or of the Congress of this colony ; it is there- fore hereby recommended to all friends of the United Colonies and all others, not to molest said Stephen Martin, while he continues to fulfil the conditions of his said bond, and observe and keep his parole of honor.


61. June 5. The Queens county committee solicited from Congress a loan of £100-granted. Information also re- ceived that Capt. John Sands has 150 men in his district, but that they are in general destitute of powder. Ordered, that the commissary deliver 100 pounds to Oliver Thorne, to be conveyed to Queens county committee.


62. June 9, 1776. The levies from Queens county were ordered to march, June 19, to reinforce the army in New- York. The detachment of Queens formed part of the 2nd battalion for the city and county of New-York, consisting of two captains, three 1st lieutenants, two 2nd lieutenants,


·


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appointed from Queens county, and 175 privates, including sergeants and corporals, at the rate of three of each to every 75 men.


John Morin Scott* appointed brigadier general of the forces to reinforce the Continental army at New-York.


* Sept. 16, 1784. Died-Hon. J. M. SCOTT, Secretary of State, mem- ber of the Continental Congress, and member of the State Senate. During the war, brigadier general of the militia, and very eminent as a lawyer. He was a king's justice in 1766, and had a country seat at Greenwich.


New- York, June 11, 1776.


SIR: From the inclosed you will see that you, in con- junction with the committee of your county, are to select volun- teers or drafted men of the militia, to make a part of the 3000 militia of this colony destined to reinforce the Continental army at New-York, the command of which I am honored with. * As it would tend much to our disgrace, should our brethren of the neighboring colonies be more expeditious in their levies and marches than ourselves, and that when the object is the defence of our own colony, I need assign no other argument to urge you to the utmost dispatch. The enemy is hourly expected. The occasion is pressing, and will admit of no delay. Your detachment must come well armed and accoutred, with their cartouch boxes filled with loaded cart- ridges. Their pay will commence from the day of their march : and for their subsistence on the march they are to be allowed one penny, lawful money, per mile, at twenty miles per day, coming to and returning from New-York. Their pay is 5s. 4d. per month. Your detachment is to begin its march on the 17th inst. at latest, and as much sooner as possible.


Be pleased to take care that the commanding officer of your detachment comes provided with a proper roll or return, to be delivered to me. I am your humble servant,


JNO. MORIN SCOTT. To Col. SANDS.


[All stragglers were apprehended. Hence the bearer of these letters had a pass, endorsed on them as follows :


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" On the service of the United Colonies.


" 1 Please let the bearer hereof, who is an express sent by me on Continental service, pass without interruption.


"JNO. MORIN SCOTT, Brig. Gen'l."-Ed.]


To the Commanding Oficer of the Militia and to the Committee


of the County of Queens.


Per Express.


New- York, June 13, 1776.


GENTLEMEN : If there was reason to urge your brigade to a dispatchful discharge of the duty imposed on them, and described in the letter I lately sent by express, there will appear from a perusal of the inclosed papers most abundant reason to increase that dispatch. I therefore carnestly beseech you, by the honor of the colony and by that zealous attach- ment which the brave and free ought ever to demonstrate for the defence of the capital of an insulted colony, that your militia detachments, regardless of the day to which the last dispatches permitted them to retard their march, may hasten to New-York with that alacrity which will convince their American brethren, that they scorn to take advantage of any indulgence which former circumstances induced the equity of the Congress to grant them.


Let them fly, for God's sake, to enable us to make that defence which every friend to liberty ought to think himself happy in contributing to at the expense of the last drop of his blood.


I am, gentlemen, with respect,


Your very humble servant, JNO. MORIN SCOTT, Brig. Gen.


63. Such of the militia of Queens county as were loy- alists, or from prudential considerations wished to remain neutral, refused to train, and secreted themselves. Many repaired to the reeesses of swamps. Several expeditions were set on foot to drive them thence, as appears by the following orders.


Queens County, June 19, 1776.


To Mr. THO's MITCHELL, Lt .-


You are hereby required to march your company into Capt. Peter Nostrand's district, and divide them into as many parts as


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you may think proper, for the purpose of aiding and assisting him to bring forthwith 283 defaulting persons belonging to that company, or such of them as you can find, and forthwith send or bring them to Samuel Nicolls', and there safely secure them until further orders .* Given under my hand and seal. JOHN SANDS, Col.


* Capt. Daniel Nostrand received like orders to march into Lt. Robt. Coles' district, and apprehend 63 defaulters ; Capt. Philip Valentine to march into Capt. Seaman's district, and apprehend 70 defaulters ; Lieut. Robt. Coles to march into Capt. D. Laton's district, and apprehend 16 defaulters.


64. June 21, 1776. Information respecting Charles Arden, &c., at Jamaica .- (Witnesses indicated by a *. )


Doct. Cha's Arden was the person who instigated the tories to sign against having a Congress or a Committee.


*Benj .. Smith, (son of Sam'l Smith, Esq.) .


*Robt. Hinchman.


*Thomas Smith, (son of Thomas,) whom he threatened to hang if he would not sign a paper.


*Isaac Lefferts-bought widow Betts' farm. He wrote the affidavit of Rælof Duryea about Parson Keteltas, and carried Justice French to Duryca's for that purpose.


Capt. Benj. Whithead, late supervisor, repeatedly refused to communicate to the town of Jamaica certain letters from the general committee of New-York, requesting the town to be called together to elect members of a committee or Congress.


*Waters Smith, or either of the persons above named, or Capt. Jacob Wright.


Alexander Wallace-resides at Jamaica, in Waters Smith's house.


- Bethune .- He maintains an intimacy with Benjamin Whithead and Dr. Arden. ( See 30.)


- Martin, from Antigua, dwells in Ob. Mills' House, opposite the meeting house, at a high rent. He associates chiefly with J- D ----. (See 60.)


Charles McEvers-resides in John Troup's house.


4*


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Thomas and Fleming Colgun frequently go to Creed's Hill to look out. That two Dunbars, John Livingston, Jr., and one of the Colgans, were there lately looking out for a fleet. That the Dunbars, John and William, shut themselves up and refused to train or pay their fines.


Geo. Folliot-lives with Jaques Johnson, at Fresh Meadows, about one and a half miles from Jamaica.


Theophilact Bache, of Flatbush-comes to Jamaica to Alex- ander Wallace's.


J- D- lives next to Wm. Betts. ( His son has been , pursued several times, but can't be taken.) He is said to be a dangerous Tory.


65. Stephen Rider, with some Jamaica minute-men, went to Hempstead to hunt defaulters. A party of nine were in two sedge-boats concealed in the swamp at the head of De- mott's (now Dorlon's) mill pond. (On the approach of these hunting parties, it was usual for the miller to hang out a white cloth as a signal, when the defaulters would retire to their huts on the little islands in the swamp. Their pur- suers would sometimes fire a few random shot in the bushes to scare them out, and then go off.) On this occasion Rider climbed an oak to reconnoitre, when a ball whistled by his head. He saw by the smoke whence it came. A loaded gun was handed him, which he fired. The ball passed through the body of George Smith, just below the shoulder- blade, as he was leaning over the side of his boat to get out. Drs. Searing and Seabury dressed the wound, sucked out the blood with a tube, and inserted a tent before and behind, the blood oozing out at every breath; but as Smith was vigorous and only eighteen years old, he soon recovered .*


After the British got possession of Long Island, Rider was arrested and thrown in the provost, where he suffered great hardships, and after a confinement of a year, a month and a day, and the payment of a heavy fine, was set free.


*June 22, 1776. Examinations relative to the wounding of George Smith.


Joseph Smith says-" Last night he and brother Daniel Smith, Rich-


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ard Smith and Benjamin Pettit, went to the head of the mill pond and remained there in a house till this morning, when the fray happened. They went there to prevent their being taken. There was one more boat in company with them, which belongs to Anthony Demott, with three persons in it. The persons in the other boat had more than one gun to his knowledge. The first gun fired, he believes, was to bring them to. He was along with one of the men in the other boat, and see him fire at the persons [minute men] in pursuit. Last night the persons in the other boat declared that they would not be taken ; and some of them said they would shoot the first man who would take them. Anthony Demott was in the other boat."


Benj. Pettit says-" The night before last he went to the head of the mill pond with some strangers, and was there all day yesterday. Last night he staid there in a house with nine persons, viz., Anthony, Michael and David Demott, Daniel, Joseph, George and Richard Smith, and one stranger. They had five guns with them in the house. One belonged to Demott, or one of his sons; the stranger claimed three. They all quit the house and went out in the pond this morning, some in one boat and some in the other. One stranger in the boat he was in. He did not see the person who fired first. If there was a gun fired from the pond first, he believes it must have been the stranger that fired it, for when the-"


66. In Committee, Queens County, June 24, 1776.


1. It was resolved that all persons under recognizance to Congress, taken by Col. Heard, be sent for by Congress, and be more safely secured.


2. That application be made to Congress to send 500 of the continental or provincial troops immediately into Hempstead, to put the resolves of Congress and of this committee inte execution, and to be billeted on the disaffected and deserting persons, at the discretion of the officers of the 2nd regiment of Queens county.


3. That application be made to Congress to prescribe some mode to secure all persons disaffected and dangerous, as well above fifty as under, in Queens county.


JOSEPH ROBINSON, Dep. Ch'n.


Lt. Birdsall, of 2d regiment, of Queens county, appears in Congress and says the committee of Queens have resolved to make up their drafts out of the tories in Hempstead, and want Congress to confirm it. The committee want assistance to hunt them out of the swamp. He thinks


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500 men will do it in a week, but a greater number will make greater dispatch. The committee want an order to Suffolk to send back all such as flee out of Queens; and that some officer be empowered to secure every disaffected person above fifty years of age .- June 24.


WARRANT. 67. To Capt. Abeel, of Col. Lasher's battalion :


SIR: Whereas, - S- , of the township of Hemp- stead, inn-keeper, stands charged with dangerous designs and treasonable conspiracies against the rights and liberties of America ; and that for the perpetration of such wicked designs and conspiracies he hath divers cannon and other implements of war now concealed :


We therefore, by virtue of the power and authority unto us given, by a resolve of the Congress of this colony, of the 20th of June inst., do authorize and require you to cause to be apprehended and secured the said - S --- , with all his papers, and to make search for and take all cannon and other implements of war whatsoever, in his house, barn and out- houses ; and that return be made to us of the manner in which this warrant shall be executed, in order that the same may be made known to the said Congress.


Given under our hand, this 24th June, 1776.


68. June 28. Washington says : "I have sent a party after the disaffected, who have taken up arms on Long Island, but have not as yet been able to apprehend them, having concealed themselves in different woods and morasses."- Sparks, III. 441.


69. List of prisoners sent from Hempstead by Lt. Col. Caary, of [New Haven, ] to Brig. Gen. Greene, at head quarters, Long Island, June 29, 1776.


J. D., J. H .- From Jamaica jail.


J. C .- Received powder and absconded in the woods.


A. A .- Disaffected person, taken in the woods.


J. L .- Found with his gun charged.


B. P .- In the swamp in the fight, and had powder from the man-of-war.


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E. R .- In the woods, hid.


R. S .- In the swamp-battle, and had powder from the Asia.


J. B .- A disaffected person.


D. S .- In the swamp battle.


E. R .- Hid in the swamp.


J. B .- Same, disaffected person.


N. S .- Received powder from the Asia, absconded in the woods, and appears to know much of the scheme.


T. IV .- A d-d rascal, and the greatest Tory.


W. McC., T. F., J. F., P. W., S. T.,-Declared they would sooner fight for the King than the Congress, and totally deny the authority of that body.




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