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 6
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J. C .- Gun-stealer or informer, from Newport.
H. D .- Said Gen. Washington was more concerned in the conspiracy than any one.
List referred to the determination of Congress June 30. July 10 the prisoners petitioned for release, or to be brought before Congress to know whereof they are accused, and what is expected of them to do. Say they have given no aid or information to the army or navy of the king of Great Britain. They are tradesmen and farmers, and in this sea- son of the year their business must greatly suffer .- Jour., Vol. XXXIII, 224.
70. At an election held in Queens county, June 24, as ap- pears by the certificate of the county committee,
Col. Jacob Blackwell, N. Cornelius Van Wyck, F.
Capt. Jona. Lawrence, N. Jas. Townsend, O.
Waters Smith, J. Rev. Abm. Keteltas, J.
Samuel Townsend, O. Benj. Sands, C. N.
were elected to represent Queens county in the Provincial Congress till the 2d Tuesday in May next, with power to de- termine on the subject of creating and constituting a new form of government, to the exclusion of all foreign jurisdic- tion.
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71. In Committee, District of Great Neck, Cow Neck, &c. June 25, 1776 :
GENTLEMEN :- Whereas, a vacancy has happened in the offi- cers of the militia company of this district, by the promotion of Capt. John Sands to the rank of Colonel ; this is to certify, that the following gentlemen having signed the general Association,* and being duly elected as officers of the militia company in this district in room of those promoted, agreeable to the recommenda- tion of the Hon. Provincial Congress of this colony, we do hereby return and recommend them accordingly for their com- missions, viz. :
Thomas Mitchell, Captain ; Aspinwall Cornwell, First Lieu- tenant ; Oliver Lawrence, Second Lieutenant.
Signed by order of the Committee.
ADRIAEN ONDERDONCK, Dep. Ch'n. Attested, JOHN FARMER, t Clerk.
To the Hon. Pro. Cong.
* Form of Association recommended March 27, 1776:
" We, the subscribers, inhabitants of Cow Neck, Great Neck, &c., in the county of Queens, and colony of New-York, do voluntarily and solemnly engage and associate, under all the ties held sacred among man- kind, at the risk of our lives and fortunes, to defend by arms the United American Colonies against the hostile attempts of the British fleets and armies, until the present unhappy controversy between the two countr es shall be settled."
+ He was a diminutive, hot-headed whig, who came from Boston and taught school on the lower part of Cow Neck.
72. July 1. Amos Denton and John Thurston, of the Ja- maica committee, inform Congress that Thomas Denton is chosen Second Lieutenant in Captain Abm. Ditmars' com- pany, in the 1st regiment, in Queens county, and request a commission.
New- York, July 3, 1776.
73. To Col. JOHN SANDS, Esq. :
SIR :- I have this day waited upon his Excellency, Gen. Washington, relating to removing the cattle, horses and sheep on the south side of Queens county, according to the resolve of
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Congress and the general officers of the army. His opinion is that the commanding officers and committees of the county, order it immediately done. He farther declared that in case the Tories made any resistance, he would send a number of his men with orders to shoot all the creatures, and also those who hindered the execution of said resolve, within the limits therein prescribed. The Commissary of the army engaged to me that he would pay the full value for the fat cattle and sheep to the owners, provided they would drive them within Gen. Greene's lines, in Brookland. Proper care will be taken as to valuing said creatures. Time will not permit us to make any delay.
I am, sir, your very humble servant, JEROMUS REMSEN, JR.
74. In Committee, Queens county, July 6, 1776 :
Whereas, the Provincial Congress, in a resolve of 30th June, hath recommended that all persons who have left their places of abode with a design to secrete themselves, should be apprehended and brought before the committee of the town or county :
Therefore, the committee recommend it to the commanding officer of the 2d battalion of the county militia, to see said re- solve carried into execution throughout your district.
By order of the committee. JOS. ROBINSON, Dep. Ch'n.
To Col. JOIN SANDS.
75. The Congress met at the Court House, Westchester county, Tuesday, July 9th, 1776 ; Gen. Nathaniel Woodhull, President.
Mr. Jay moved that, whereas, the Rev. Abm. Keteltas, one of the deputies from Queens county, has been solemnly devoted to the service of God and the cure of souls, he has good right to claim an exemption from all such employments as would divert his attention from the affairs of that Kingdom which is not of this world :
Resolved, That he be at liberty to attend this house only at such times as he may think proper,-carried, 23 to 18.
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A letter was received from the Hon. John Hancock en- closing a copy of the Declaration of Independence ; both of which were referred to a committee, who reported the same day that, the reasons assigned by the Continental Congress for declaring the United Colonies free and independent States, were cogent and conclusive ; and that, " while we lament the cruel necessity, we approve the same ; and will, at the risk of our lives and fortunes, join with the other colo- nies in supporting it."
Resolred, That the said Declaration be published by beat of drum at this place, on Thursday next, and that 500 copies, printed in handbills, be sent to the different counties of this State. [It was read at the head of each company in Queens county, and at the head of each brigade of the army stationed at New-York .* ]-Ed.
* Many officers and leading men now quit the American cause.
76. July 11. Lieut. W. Toogood was ordered to have all boats hauled up at Hog Island.
77. July 13. The deputies from Queens say the militia are destitute of ammunition. Congress order 10,000 eart- ridges of different sizes, filled with powder and ball, and 1000 flints, to be delivered to Capt. Jona. Lawrence, and to be charged to the county.
78. July 19. Congress voted $10 bounty to non-commis- sioned officers and privates of the militia, to be drafted in Queens county.
79. Report to the President to Congress on driving of Stock :
SIR :- I have been some days, and am still, in the execution of the order of Congress for removing the cattle, horses and sheep in this county, and expect to finish it in a day or two more. From the best computation that can be made, there are not less than 7000 horned cattle, 7000 sheep and 1000 horses in this county, comprehended in the above order, and to be re- moved in pursuance of it. A number so large, it is conceived, cannot possibly live long where they are to be driven. On the
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Brushy Plains they will be entirely destitute of water, besides having other very scanty means of subsistence.
By attending myself on this business, I have had an oppor- tunity of knowing the extreme distress to which the rigid exe- cution of this order must expose many people with their fami- lies ; so that some among the poorer sort, for aught I know, must be left to starve. The cattle which many people have turned off to fat for the use of their families, will be lost as to all the purposes of such provision, and their families be desti- tute of that necessary supply for winter. In several parts of the county there was last year a distemper among the horses, which swept off such numbers of them that many people have been obliged since to depend entirely upon oxen. These being now taken away, they are deprived of the only means they had of carrying on any labor upon their farms, that requires a team of horses or oxen. The consequence of which must be, that they can neither secure their present harvest, nor till the earthi for a future one.
I find the people in general are willing to enter into obliga- tions, that (in case of immediate danger) they will drive their stock to any place of greater safety on the island, pursuant to the direction of the Congress or county committee. And con- sidering the danger there is under the present regulation of losing a great part of the stock for want of sustenance, and the hardships to which people are reduced, I thought it might not be amiss to mention this circumstance, supposing that the Congress, in concurrence with the General, might perhaps, fall on some method, in this way, for securing the stock on an emergency,
The difficulty of keeping the stock within the limits pre- scribed, will be so great that I doubt it will be out of my power to effect it. A considerable number of men will be necessary for the purpose-more than I can possibly keep on that duty, when harvest is so near at hand. In short I do not see but that for the present at least,* I shall be obliged to leave them to take their chance.
I am, sir, your very humble servant,
Cow Neck, July, 1776.
BENJ. KISSAM.İ
* Aug. 16. Congress received the petition of the inhabitants of Hemp- stead relative to cattle. (MS. Jour. XLI. 323.)
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t Died Oct. 26, 1782, an eminent lawyer. John Jay was his stu- dent.
80. July 20. Congress resolved that the live stock be collected into convenient places so as to be driven when ne- cessary from the coast into the interior of the Island, and there guarded, leaving with each farmer one pair of horses, and with each large family three milch cows, two to a mid- dling, and one to a small family ; or even kill them, if ne- cessary, to prevent their falling into the enemies' hands ; that the one-fourth part of the minute-men and militia of Long Island, be drafted immediately to carry these resolves into execution .*
* The Troop of Horse of Queens county think it hard that one- fourth of their number was drafted with the foot, as they have been at the expense of equipping themselves as troopers. Referred to Gen. Wood- hull.
A list of one-fourth part of Cupt. Philip Valentine's Company drafted July 25.
Benj. Cornwell, Serg't.t Richard Valentine, John Carl,
Peter, serv't to Griswold,Samuel Davenport,
Peter Titus,*
WVm. Crooker,
Daniel Willis,
Charles Titus,*
James Tobine,*
Austin Williams,
Rich'd Townsend,
Epenetus Platt,*
John Searing,*
Lott Carman,
Uriah Platt,*
Carr Hubbs,
Samuel Place,
Richard Seaman,t · Derick Albertson,* Joseph Smith
John Newbury,t
Epenetus and Uriah Platt have each hired a man in their room, who are to be at Brookland at your quarters, Saturday, 24th. Aug. 23, 1776. PH. VALENTINE, Capt.
To Col. SANDS, Brookland
+ Answered to their names, * hired substitutes.
81. Resolved, That Josiah Smith, of Suffolk, be 1st Colonel of the troops drafted on Long Island ; Col. John Sands, 2d Col. ; Ab'm Remsen, Major ; and Lt. Col. B. Birdsall. be Captain.
White Plains, July 20, 1776.
82. SIR :- I have received orders from Congress to give orders to all the commanding officers of my brigade, to hold
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themselves in readiness. Sir, you are therefore directed to keep the regiment under your command in readiness to march at the shortest notice, with five days' provisions, to any part of Long Island where you shall be directed for the defence of the same.
I am, sir, your humble servant,
NATH'L WOODHULL, Brig. Gen.
To Col. SANDS.
White Plains, July 20, 1776.
SIR :- I am directed by the Convention to enclose to you their resolves for drafting one-quarter part of the militia of Suf- folk, Queens and Kings counties, for the purpose of defending and protecting the inhabitants and stock of the same.
I doubt not but your zeal and patriotism will prompt you to exert every nerve on this arduous and important occasion,
And am, sir, your most obedient servant, NATH'L WOODHULL, Pres't. To Col. JOHN SANDS.
83. Recruiting commmenced July 23, (see pay rolls 103.) Col. Sands had his quarters at Nath'l Seaman's, Westbury. The recruits were ordered out to guard the coast, and were exercised four hours per day. $10 bounty to volunteers .*
* John Sands received from the Convention £617 14s. 8d., for payment of one-half bounty of the men [309 ?] who passed muster and were drafted in Queens county, July 23, 1776.
Ab'm Remsen received of John Sands £238 to pay half bounty due 129 recruits, raised out of 1st battalion in Queens county, Aug, 10, '76.
Lieut Col. Birdsall received £34 for half bounty of 17 men, drafts.
Lieut. Manee do. £40 do. 20 do.
Wm. Hicks do. £20 do. 10 do.
Lieut. Th. Williams, iu behalf of Capt. Peter Nostrand, received $200 in part bounty of 40 drafts, Aug. 10, 1776.
RECRUITS. Lieut. Rob't Coles' Company.
Wm. Baker, Willet Latting,
Ab'm Morrill, Jolın Weeks,
Rob't Justice, Avery Lewis,
Jesse Williams,
Samuel Doxy, Lewis Jones.
Capt. Laton's Company.
Benj. Southward,
Job Halstead, Peter Luyster,
Tunis Van Cott,
John Covert, Isaac Bogart.
Jas. Blanchfield, Peter Monfort,
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Capt. Seaman's Company.
Joseph Cheshire, Henry Colley,
Wm. Seaman, Geo. Townsend,
Geo. Baker, Jeremiah Cheshire,
Alex. Smith,
Isaac Carpenter, Timothy Williams.
Capt. Peter Nostrand's Company.
John Key,
Jas. Lockran, Duncan Campbell,
Edward Berry,
Gilbert Angevine, Joshua Ketcham,
John Langdon,
Nich. Lawrence,
Rob't Mackaroy.
Jas. Bentley,
Mulatto John,
Capt. Philip Valentine's Company.
Zophar Nichols,
Ephraim Seamans, Maurice Hearen,
Tho's Seaman,
Caleb Seamans, Jas. Linchan.
James Shero, James Ward,
In Committee, Queens County, July 24, 1776.
84. GENTLEMEN :- This county being under a necessity of an immediate sum of money for defraying the necessary ex- penses of the county, we desire that you will make application to Congress for the sum of £400, and transmit the same to Jo- seph Robinson, Esq., who is chosen our treasurer.
Signed by order of the Committee. GEO. TOWNSEND, Ch'n.
Attested, JEROMUS REMSEN, JR., Clerk.
To Col. BLACKWELL, &c.
[Granted .- Ed.]
July 22. $2,000 was paid Mr. Townsend for Queens county.
85. July 26. A letter from Joseph Robinson and Noah Smith of the Jamaica committee, informs Congress that Wm. Ludlum, Jr., has been chosen Captain of the Minute Com- pany, in place of John J. Skidmore promoted to a majority.
86. When Howe arrived at the Hook, the disaffected from Kings and Queens took refuge on board the fleet, and supplied him with all the information he desired.
July 26. Thomas Willets, Sheriff of Queens, was ap- prehended by the county committee and sent to Congress for
-
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posting, in each town of Queens county, the Declaration of Lord and Sir William Howe .*
* It granted " a free and general pardon to all those who, in the tu- mult and disorder of the times, may have deviated from their just allegi- ance, and are willing, by a speedy return to their duty, to reap the bene- fits of the royal favor."
87. Rules and Orders to Col. Birdsall.
1. You are to take command of the recruits and march to Far Rockaway, where you are to place sentinels in the most advantageous place to discover the enemy ; likewise to be very careful there is no communication by small craft from the peo- ple of that place on board of the ships of war. Should you dis- cover any persons attempting the same, you are to put them under guard.
2. You are to build you a shelter, if there is none conven- ient where you are stationed. Charge your men that they insult nor abuse any of the inhabitants or destroy their effects.
3. Should you discover the enemy attempting to land, you are to send off an express to me immediately, and order the owners of the stock to have them driven off with all dispatch upon the Plains.
4. Should any of your men disobey orders, steal, or abuse any of the inhabitants, you are to put them under guard.
5. You are to minute down daily what happens, and make a return, once in every three days, at Head Quarters, Westbury. JOHN SANDS, Colonel.
July 25, 1776.
Oyster Bay South, July 27, 1776.
88. SIR :- By direct information from Joshua Ketchum, one of the committee of Huntington, there are thirty or forty Tories in Massapequa Swamp .* I have agreed to meet Huntington Tuesday morning next, at 8 o'clock. They are to join us with 200 men. Accordingly, I have given orders to the several of- ficers to meet and join with Huntington with 200 men, which will be 400 men to drive the swamp, and take these deserting armed Tories. I have meant not to interfere with your orders. If I have any ways, be so kind as to right.it. I am obliged to attend at Hempstead Monday next, for those two companies to
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choose their officers. Pray, stay until I come, as I will hurry and come over to Nathaniel Seaman's, Westbury, to see you. I hope you will on Tuesday go with us.
From your humble servant,
BENJ. BIRDSALL, Lt. Col. To Col. JOHN SANDS.
* After the defeat at Brooklyn, it is said, these loyalists came out, and pulling off their hats, huzzaed for King George.
89. Rules and orders for Lieut. Jotham Townsend, July 29 :
1. You are to take command of the recruits and march them down to Matinecock Point, where you are to place sentinels in the most advantageous places to discover the enemy, likewise to be very careful there is no communication to the ships of war. Should you discover any persons attempting it, you are to put them under guard.
2. You are to build you a shelter, if there be none con- venient. Should you want any materials, take such as will answer your purpose best.
3. Charge your men that they insult nor abuse any of the inhabitants, or destroy their effects.
4. Should you discover the enemy attempting to land, you are to send off express to me, and order the owners of stock to drive them off with all expedition on the Great Plains.
5. Should any of your men disobey orders, steal, or abuse the inhabitants, you are to put them under guard.
6. Minute down daily what happens, and make a return Saturday next by 10 o'clock, at my house.
JNO. SANDS, Col.
Westbury, July 29, 1776.
Additional Orders, August 3.
Should you discover the enemy in sight, you are to imme- diately hoist your signal, then send off your express.
You are not to suffer your men to play at cards, dice, or any unlawful game, nor intoxicate themselves with strong drink. You are to observe that no small craft passes and repasses, having any transient persons or negroes on board. Should you discover any, you are to take them up. If upon examina-
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tion you find them clear, discharge them; if guilty, put them under guard till discharged by the town committee.
You are not to let your men waste their cartridges by firing wantonly at game. You are to exercise your men four hours every day.
90. Richard Manee, you are ordered to take your re- cruits to the bottom of Cow Neck, and then apply to Simon Sands, who is to reconnoitre, and choose a place for you to be stationed at, where you are to build a shelter, and place one sentinel where he will have most prospect of the Sound-the sentry to be relieved once every two hours ; should he spy any vessels appearing to be ships of war, transports, or tenders, send express to Simon Sands, Wm. and John Cornwell; on their reviewing the same, and thinking them to belong to the King of Great Britain, you are immediately to send me express.
Likewise notify the inhabitants, who will drive off the stock, which you are to see done with all dispatch possible, to the Plains. You are to make report to me on Friday next, by 10 o'clock, what has transpired.
You are not to allow any man to do any damage to the owner of the soil you are stationed on, by destroying his tim- ber, fence, or grain-only what is wanted for building you a shelter.
Additional Orders, July 26.
You are to ask liberty of Simon Sands for a long pole, to be set in the most convenient place to hoist a flag for a signal. You are to exercise your men four hours a day, as soon as time will permit, and make return to me by Sunday, 10 o'clock.
91. Wm. Hicks, Sergeant: You are to take your recruits to the bottom of Great Neck, to a point of land formerly called Haviland's Point, now Joseph Hewlett's, and there place one sentinel in the most convenient place to have a prospect of the Sound. Should you discover any ships of war, transports, or tenders, you are immediately to acquaint Major Rich'd Thorne and John Thorne. On their receiving the same, and it ap- pearing to be the enemy, you are to send express to me, and
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drive, or order the owners of the stock to drive them to the Plains. July 23.
92. Copy of a warrant to the Captain in the 2d Battalion : Cow Neck, July 26, 1776.
You are hereby directed to take notes of all the inhabitants in your district, to the value of double their stock, as soon as possible, and make return unto me-fail not.
JNO. SANDS, Col.
93. Congress order Col. Smithi to march with all his new levies to the west part of Nassau Island, within two miles of Gen. Greene's encampment .*
Cump at Brookland, Aug. 9, 1776.
SIR : Enclosed are the resolutions of the Provincial Con- gress, ordering you to join my brigade immediately. On the receipt of this, you will march the troops under your command immediately to this camp. You will make all possible expe- dition, as the enemy has embarked part, if not all, the troops on Staten island, and are making dispositions as if they in- tended to land here. You will send out scouts and parties to get intelligence. If the enemy should make their landing good on any part of the island and hear of your coming, they may send out a party to intercept your march. Keep good front, flank, and rear guards, to prevent being surprised.
I am, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
NATHANIEL GREENE. Col. JOSIAH SMITH.
* Two hundred men, by express orders from Gen. Sullivan, marched down to Brooklyn from Jerusalem, when the British landed, to the tune of Yankee Doodle .- Ed.
94. Aug. 10. One-half the militia of Kings and Queens counties was ordered to march immediately to Brooklyn ; the levies from Kings and Queens to be formed into one regiment under command of Col. Jeromus Remsen, Lieut. Col. Nich. Covenhoven, Major Richard Thorne, and continue in service till September 1 .*
* Capt. And'w Onderdonk's company lay at Bedford, in the barn of Lambert Suydam, and marched daily to Brooklyn to throw up the forti- fications.
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95. Aug. 19. Washington recommends that the women, children, and infirm, be removed from the city, as their shrieks and cries, as they run about the streets, dishearten the young and inexperienced soldiers.
£200 voted to Flushing for the support of the poor sent there from New-York. The committees throughout the State were enjoined to show hospitality to the fugitives.
96. Aug. 12. Capt. P. Nostrand was stationed at Far Rockaway with forty-six men, to guard the coast. There was a guard at David Mott's, and at Hog Island inlet was a guard boat. A guard was often put on board fishing boats, to prevent their giving information to the British fleet, to which the disaffected used to carry water, eggs, gammons, butter, and fresh provisions.
A true and exact list of the men in actual service in Capt. Peter Nos- trand's Company, stationed at Far Rockaway,* this day reviewed, and all found to be able and effective men.
Benj. Cornwell, Ist Sergeant.
Rogers Hamilton, Drummer.
Martin Ryerson, 2d do.
Tunis Van Cott, Fifer.
Abm. Probasco, 3d do.
Privates.
Samuel Searing, Richard Cornwell,
John Bennet,
Richard Seaman,
John Gibson,
Daniel Luyster,
William Johnson,
Jacob Williams, Benj. Kirby,
John Davis,
John Townsend,
George Monfort,
Wm. Beedle,
Samuel Valentine,
John Probasco,
John Newbury,
John Wright,
George Bogart,
John Doxy,
John Brickle,
Samuel Mott,
Wm. Demott,
Wm. Birdsall,
James Pine,
Jacob Hendrickson,
Cornelius Hoogland,
Andris Cashow,
Simon Voorhies,
Wm. Bennet,
Rich'd Weeks, sick.
Thomas Akerly,
John Baker,
Rem Hortenburgh,
Isaac Hendrickson, George Downing,
Isaac Remsen-40.
Aug. 10, 1776. Received of Col. Sands, $200, part bounty of forty of Capt. Peter Nostrand's company, returned as drafts.
THOS. WILLIAMS, Lieutenant.
* Isaiah Doxey says the Americans had a force stationed with pitched tents, at Far Rockaway. Nelly Cornell, looking out of an upper win-
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dow, called to the American officer, and told him she saw " trees rising from the ocean." He looked, called another officer, and said, " that's the British fleet ; down with the tents, and let's be off to the ferry." Wagons were then impressed to convey the baggage, and all the cattle were driven off.
Camp, Long Island, Aug. 19, 1776.
97. I, the subscriber, went down to Rockaway just at day- break, with my company of Light Horse, pursuant to an order from Brig. Gen. Heard, to take care of some boats. At the house of - - Van Brockle, I discovered a number of men issue out of the door and run, some of them partly dressed, and some in their shirts only. Immediately I ordered my men to pursue them, and presently overtook three of their number, and took them prisoners. Two of them got to the woods and hid under the bushes ; on finding them, I ordered them to sur- render. One of them did; the other absolutely refused, al- though one of my men had his gun presented to his breast ; on which my men alighted and took him.
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