USA > New York > Dutchess County > General history of Duchess County from 1609 to 1876, inclusive > Part 4
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HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.
meeting they formed a general association, adopted a pledge, and transmitted a copy thereof to every county in the State for signatures.
The object of this pledge was to secure unanimity and har- mony of action in the ranks of the lovers of liberty, and also to ascertain who could be relied on in the expected struggle : in a word, to commit the people to one side or the other. To sign the pledge was to sign their own death-warrant if they failed ; and to refuse to sign was to draw upon themselves the hatred and distrust of the patriots. The most zealous Whig could but regard the issue as doubtful, with but one chance in many in his favor. But the men of that age were schooled to danger and difficulty, and they had made up their minds to die rather than submit.
It may be expected the zeal of the patriots could ill brook the sentiments of their Tory neighbors. Thus were the feel- ings of enmity engendered between members of the same community, and often of the same family ; which frequently culminated in the shedding of blood. *
THE PLEDGE.
"" Persuaded that the salvation of the rights and liberties of America depend, under God, on the firm union of its inhabi- tants in a vigorous prosecution of the measures necessary for its safety, and convinced of the necessity of preventing anarchy and confusion which attend a dissolution of the powers of gov- ernment, WE, the Freemen, Freeholders, and Inhabitants of DUCHESS, being greatly alarmed at the avowed design of the Ministry to raise a revenue in America, and shocked by the bloody scene now acting in Massachusetts Bay, do in the most solemn manner resolve never to become slaves, and do associ- ate, under all the ties of religion, honor, and love to our country, to adopt and endeavor to carry into execution whatsoever measures may be recommended by the Continen-
* For an account of these local feuds the reader is referred to the chapters relating to the several towns in the body of this work.
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tal Congress, or resolved upon by our Provincial Convention, for the purpose of preserving our constitution and of opposing the several arbitrary acts of the British Parliament, until a reconciliation between Great Britain and America, on consti- tutional principles (which we most ardently desire) can be obtained ; and that we will in all things follow the advice of our General Committee respecting the purposes aforesaid, the preservation of peace and good order and the safety of individuals and property."
As before stated, a copy was sent to every county in the State. Committees were appointed, who were to thoroughly work up the territory, and report to the Association the names of those who subscribed to the pledge, together with a list (called the black list) of those who refused.
On the 15th day of August, 1775, a return was made, at the house of Jacob Griffin, in DUCHESS County, of the names of 502 persons who signed, and soon after of 261 who did not.
On the 23d of the same month, a return was made in Fish- kill, by the Committee, Dirck G. Brinkerhoff, Chairman, of the names of 252 persons who signed in Beekmans Precinct, and of 134 who refused.
Of signers in Poughkeepsie, during June and July of that year, a list of 213 names appears ; also a list of 82 who refused.
Returns were also sent in from Northeast Precinct, Amenia, Rhinebeck and Charlotte Precincts. The whole number of "Associators" within the county was 1820 ; whole number refus- ing to sign was 964. (See appendix.)
A few subscribed with certain limitations.
.
I do agree to the above Association so far that it doth not interfere with the oath of my office, nor my allegiance to the King. ISAAC SMITH.
Not to infringe on my oaths.
ABRAHAM BOCKEE.
This may certify to all people whom it may concern that I,
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the subscriber, am willing to do what is just and right to secure the privileges of America, both civil and sacred, and to follow the advice of our reverend Congress, so far as they do the word of God and the example of Jesus Christ, and I hope, in the grace of God, no more will be required.
June 8th, 1775.
JOHN GARNSEY.
The following serve to show the continual alarms and dan- gers that harassed the people of that day, when neither property nor life was for a moment safe.
Resolutions calling out the Militia of Westchester, Duchess and Albany. In Convention of Representatives of State of New York. Fishkill, Dec. 21, 1776.
Whereas, It appears highly probable that the enemy's army meditate an attack upon the passes of the Highland on the east side of the Hudson River, and the term of enlistment of the Militia under the command of Gen. Clinton expires on the first of this month, and
Whereas, His Excellency, Gen. Washington, has warmly recommended to this State to exert themselves in procuring temporary supplies of Militia
Resolved, That the whole Militia of Westchester, Duchess. and part of Albany be forthwith marched to North Castle, in Westchester county, well equipped with arms and ammunition, and furnished with six days' provisions, and blankets, and a pot or camp kettle to every six men, except such persons as the field officers shall judge cannot be called into service without greatly distressing their families, or who may be actually en- gaged in the manufacture of saltpetre, or of shoes and clothing for the army.
Resolved, That the Militia be allowed Continental pay ra- tions, and that such men as cannot furnish themselves with arms shall be supplied from the public stores.
The commanders of regiments were empowered to hire or impress as many teams as were necessary for transportation of baggage.
Commissary-Gen. Trumbull was notified to make timely provision for the subsistence of said Militia.
Col. Cheevers, Commissary of Ordnance, was applied to for a loan of small arms for those destitute.
In 1777, while Burgoyne was threatening the northern part of the State, a considerable body of the Tories of DUCHESS
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County were collected at Washington Hollow, and made a for- midable demonstration of their hostility. An expedition was set on foot to break up the gang. A company of fifty or sixty started from Sharon, Conn., and was joined on the way by others, until the party numbered two hundred. They halted for the night a little north of the Hollow, and in the morning made an attack on the Tories. Some escaped, but thirty or forty of them were made prisoners, and were sent to Exeter, New Hampshire, where they were kept in close confinement for two years .*
ARMY MOVEMENTS, REMINISCENCES, ETC.
It will be remembered that DUCHESS, previous to 1812, em- braced the territory now included in Putnam county. The his- tory of this whole section, therefore, up to that date, properly belongs to the county which forms the subject of this volume, and will be so treated in these pages.
During the troublous times of our early history, DUCHESS County was frequently the theatre of the movements of armed forces, but no battle is recorded as having taken place within her limits.
A short time previous to the French and Indian War, Lord Louden passed through the County with troops and baggage on his way north to attack the French outposts. The old post road leading through the Highlands was built by his direction. Previous to this there was only a path used by Indians, leading from Westchester to Fishkill.
It is recorded that, about this time, a detachment of soldiers from the Colony of Connecticut, passed through Dover and Amenia, likewise to reinforce the troops designed to operate against the French.
.A considerable detachment of the American army lay en- camped in Fishkill during the campaign of 1777, and after- ward at different times. Gen. Putnam was in command a part of the time, and was succeeded by Gen. Parsons.
* Ilistory of Sharon.
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HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.
During the year [1777] that Burgoyne was trying to force his way down the Hudson, Gen. Washington moved three brigades into the limits of Patterson (now in Putnam Co.), where they were encamped in order to reinforce Gates had he been forced to retreat, and check the enemy.
About the year 1778 a portion of the American forces were stationed in the present town of Pawling. Gen. Washing- ton had his headquarters there a short time.
In 1780, a detachment of troops occupied a line of barracks, called the "Hempstead Huts," located in what is now Philipstown ; they were capable of accommodating 2000 men, and as late as 1850 the chimneys were yet standing, the huts having been burned.
After the battle of Monmouth, in the summer of 1778, that portion of the American army that crossed the Hudson, not long after that memorable battle, was distributed in winter encampments along the Highlands, from West Point to Danbury. Putnam was given the command at Danbury (burned about this time by Lord Tryon), and Gates was sent farther east. By forming this line, which communicated with another line west of the Hudson, it was hoped to pervert any movement of the British troops to rescue the prisoners captured by Gates at Saratoga. These were about taking up their line of march for Virginia, and their route was north of the Ameri- can cantonments. Entering our county at Amenia, they passed through Verbank, Arthursburg and Hopewell, reaching the Hudson River at Fishkill Landing, and crossed over to Newburgh. From the 23d of September to the close of November, after the prisoners had passed, Gen. Washington had his head-quarters in Fredricksburgh Precinct, now included in the present towns of Patterson, Carmel and Kent.
About a mile north of the Westchester line, at the main entrance to the Highlands in Philipstown, is situated Conti- nental Village. During the Revolution this place was guarded by American troops, and two small forts erected for its defense, the remains of which are yet to be seen. It was burned,
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during the month of October, 1777, by a detachment of British troops on their way to co-operate with Burgoyne, after Forts Clinton and Mongomery had been captured by the enemy. During the same month, after burning Kingston, the British soldiery landed and set fire to several buildings at Rhinebeck Flats.
During this period, a number of fortifications were constructed at different points, and obstructions placed in the river, to guard against British invasion.
At the Wiccopee Pass, about four miles south from Fish- kill Village, two small forts were built and garrisoned by American troops, to guard the pass, and protect the military stores at Fishkill. The locations of these forts are yet plainly marked.
From Anthony's Nose, a peak 1500 feet high, near the West- chester line, a large boom and chain extended, in 1776, to Fort Montgomery, on the opposite side of the Hudson. This was the second obstruction attempted in the Hudson, the first being at Fort Washington, in Westchester County. The great length of this chain ; the bulk of logs which were necessary to support it ; the immense amount of water which it accumulated and the rapidity of the tide; all these were difficulties which for a time baffled all efforts of the engineers to perfect it. Its own weight parted it twice ; and when the English ship struck it, the chain broke with the facility of a piece of twine. It was built at the Ringwood (N. J.) Iron Works, and its con- struction exhausted the public treasury, costing £50,000, Continental money. Its links were made of iron bars two inches thick, and was over 1800 feet in length.
A third chain was stretched across from Fort Constitution to West Point. The links weighed from 100 to 150 pounds each, and the entire chain weighed 186 tons. Its length was 1500 feet, and was buoyed up by large spars placed a few feet apart, secured by strong timbers framed into them, and firmly attached to the rocks on both shores. In the fall it was drawn on shore by a windlass, and replaced in the spring. It was
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HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.
never broken by the enemy. Two of the spars with their connecting links are preserved at Washington's Headquarters at Newburgh, and several links of the great chain may be seen at the laboratory at West Point .*
A fourth obstruction consisting of spars, pointed, and their ends connected by iron links, extended across from Pollepel's Island to the west shore.
Fort Constitution t was erected on Constitution Island [Martlaer's Rock] in 1775, the west side of which is formed of steep precipices, and which is situated in a sharp bend of the river opposite West Point. Other fortifications were built on the east shore of the Hudson : two redoubts on Redoubt Hill, called North and South Redoubt; two on Sugar Loaf Moun- tain, and one on Anthony's Nose Mountain.
In 1777, this county was for a time in possession of the enemy. During the autumn of that year a British force of 3000 men, under Gen. Vaughan, was sent up the river to co-operate with Burgoyne. The presence of this force terrified
* In the Artillery Laboratory at West Point are deposited several interesting trophies and relies of the Revolution. In the center of one group is a large brass mortar, mounted, taken from the British when Wayne captured Stony Point, two small brass mortars captured from Burgoyne at Saratoga, and a portion of the great chain at Constitution Island.
The iron of which this chain was constructed was mainly wrought from ore of equal parts, from the Sterling and Long Mines, in Orange County. It was manufactured by Peter Townshend, of Chester, at the Stirling Iron Works, in the same county, situated about 25 miles back from West Point. The engineer of this work was Capt. Thomas Mackin, and was completed about the middle of April, 1778, and on the 1st day of May stretched across the river and secured. Col Timothy Pickering, accompanied by Capt. Mackin, arrived at the house of Mr. Townshend late on Saturday night in March of that year, to engage him to construct it. Townshend readily agreed to perform the work, and the party set out, in the midst of a violent snow storm, for the Stirling Works. At day- light on Sunday morning the forges were in operation. New England teamsters carried the links, as fast as manufactured, to West Point, and in the space of six weeks the chain was completed. Its weight was one hundred and eighty tons.
When Benedict Arnold was arranging plans for the surrender of West Point this chain became an object of his special attention. A few days before the discovery of his treason he wrote a letter in a disguised hand and manner to Andre, informing him that he had weakened it by ordering a link to be taken out and carried to the smith, under pretense that it needed repairs, and assured his employer that the links would not be replaced before the forts would be in possession of the enemy.
t Fort Constitution and its outworks were quite extensive, and cost about $25,000. Remains of the fort and batteries are still to be seen on the Island.
Plan of Fort Constitution
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the inhabitants. For ten days after passing the barriers of the Highlands, they amused themselves by burning and plundering the houses of the Whigs along the river. The Livingston Mansion, on the banks of the Hudson one-fourth mile south of the city of Poughkeepsie, still bears the marks of a cannon- shot fired into it during that expedition .* After the surrender of Burgoyne, this hostile fleet set out on its return, and this section of the country was freed from their presence.
DUCHESS has furnished some of the most brilliant and use- ful actors in the early history of our country. Such were Montgomery, the hero of Quebec, the Schencks, and others of imperishable renown.
Among the old buildings closely associated with the most stirring events of our country's history, may be mentioned the Wharton House, the Dutch Stone Church, the English Church and the Verplank House, in the town of Fishkill; the Livings- ton Mansion and the Van Kleek House, in Poughkeepsie ; the Beekman House in Rhinebeck ; the Quaker Church in Paw- ling ; and St. Philip's Chapel and the Robinson House in Philipstown.
St. Philip's Chapel, so-called in the Revolution, says Blake in his History of Putnam Co., is the Episcopal Church near Garrisons, which was built in 1770 by Col. Beverly Robinson, and was used as a barrack during the Revolution.
The Robinson House was built by Beverly Robinson f about 1750, who was an officer in the British army, and son-in-law of Adolph Philipse, proprietor of Philipse Patent.
In the center building is the large dining-room where the traitor, with his wife, and two of Washington's aids-de-camp were at breakfast, when a messenger dashed up to the door and handed him a letter, which the stupid Jamieson had for- warded by express to Arnold, informing him of the capture of
* See chapter devoted to the town and eity of Poughkeepsie.
t Beverly Robinson took sides with the mother country, and his property was confis- cated and sold by the Commissioners of Forfeiture. He moved his family to New York, and accepted a Brigadier-General 's Commission in the British army. His family never returned ; but it is said that when the enemy moved up the Hudson after the fall of Fort Montgomery, he visited his home to which he was destined never more to return.
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Andre and the discovery of the papers. This house has been kept from dilapidation and decay by repairs when needed, but in no way has it been changed from its original appearance. " The same low ceiling, large and uncovered joists, the same polished tiles around the fire-places, and the absence of all ornament which marks the progress of modern architecture, preserve complete the interest which the stirring incidents of that period have hung around the Robinson House."
Enoch Crosby, the original of Harvey Birch, in Cooper's Spy, was a resident of the town of Carmel, and was elected a deacon of the Gilead Church * of that town. He died about the year 1830, in the town of Southeast.
" The Spy Unmasked," a small thin volume by Capt. H. L. Barnum, contains memoirs of Enoch Crosby, taken in short-hand from Crosby's own lips. Some discredit the work ; but Lossing asserts on the assurance of Doctor White, whose father was well acquainted with Crosby, that the narrative of Barnum is substantially correct. It contained the veritable incidents which were the foundation of the most thrilling inci- dents of that powerful romance, "The Spy," and was intended mostly for private distribution among the numerous relatives of the hero.
During his infancy his parents resided in Southeast, and his childhood was passed in the midst of that picturesque region. In the romance the "Spy" is represented as being nearly fifty years of age, collecting his information under the guise of a pedlar, and making his reports personally to General Washington, with whom he had secret interviews in the caves and recesses of the mountains in the neighborhood; but at that period Crosby was only about 25 years of age, and had served an apprenticeship as a shoemaker before the breaking out of the War of Independence. He served occasionally as an enlisted soldier in the regular service; was one of the one hundred men who in 1775 marched to Lake Champlain, and engaged in the battles in that quarter until Quebec was stormed. After his return he remained quiet for a while, and was then employed in the "secret service" to obtain informa- tion of the movements of small expeditions sent out by Sir Henry Clinton to collect forage, and gather recruits from the
* This society was organized in the vicinity of Carmel village about the commence- ment of the Revolution. They worshiped in a log building until 1792, when a more commodious building was erected.
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HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.
Tories of the Neutral Ground. Emissaries holding commissions from British sources, whose doings were cloaked under a pretended neutrality, were actively and successfully engaged in organizing the Loyalists into bands to join the Royal army in New York. He was several times taken prisoner, and as often escaped from custody ; which at last excited the suspicions of the Tories. Deeming it unsafe to mingle with them longer, he joined the detachment of the American army under Heath, then stationed in the Highlands.
Crosby was a witness at court in New York City in 1827, and was recognized by an old gentleman who introduced him to the audience as the original of Harvey Birch. The fact become noised abroad. The Spy, dramatized, was then in course of performance at one of the theatres; Crosby was invited to attend ; his acceptance was announced ; and that evening a crowded house greeted the old soldier.
After the close of the war he took up his abode at or near the place where he spent his childhood. A recent writer in the Fishkill Standard thus speaks of him :
" What knowledge I personally have of the prototype of the 'Spy' is limited to a very short period in the first decade of my life ; and the venerable man himself was upon the very precincts of that unknown country from which no tidings are ever transmitted. He was residing with his son upon his farm about two miles southeast of Carmel village, in Putnam County. A portion of the farm borders upon the east branch of the Croton, and it has lately been taken by the Croton Water Board, of New York, to be submerged by the waters of the new reservoir now in process of construction in that vicinity."
From Salem, Andre was brought to the Red Mills, in the town of Carmel and was lodged at night in the house of James Cox. While here, two soldiers were stationed at each door and two at each window of the apartment. The follow- ing is said to have occurred while at this house: "A little child lay asleep in its cradle. Andre stepped near, and the child, which had just awoke, looked up to him and smiled. His feelings were touched ; and in tones of melancholy and tenderness he said : 'Oh, happy childhood ! we know your peace but once. I wish I were as innocent as you.'"* From the Red Mills he was brought by way of Continental village to
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the Robinson House under guard of a hundred horse, and from thence to West Point.
A grist mill was filled with grain at the Red Mills, for the supply of the army, and soldiers were stationed there to guard it.
The notorious Joshua Hett Smith, to whose house Arnold conducted Andre after their midnight interview at the foot of Long Clove Mountain, was arrested at Fishkill and brought to the Robinson House a short time previous to the arrival there of Andre. He secreted the latter all day, furnished him with a coat, saddle and bridle, accompanied him to Pine's Bridge, and giving him some Continental money, left him .- Six miles below here Andre was arrested. Smith was tried before a court-martial, and imprisoned in the jail at Goshen, Orange County, from which he escaped into British lines.
During the years 1779 and 80, Washington frequently crossed the Hudson from West Point, inspecting the outposts, and visiting the Eastern States. Daniel Haight kept tavern on the cross-road leading to the Peekskill and Coldspring Turnpike, in Philipstown. The Commander-in-Chief was in the habit of stopping at "Haight's Tavern" to rest himself and suite in passing to and from Continental Village and the east. Mr. Haight said he never knew Washington to commence a conversation unless first spoken to, or he desired something to be brought to him. Calling at the tavern one day, as he entered, the servant girl ran up stairs, and when half way up, fell .- Washington broke into a hearty laugh, and turning around, he said to his host, "It is the first time I ever saw a person fall up stairs." Mr. Haight used to remark that was the first and only time he saw the Commander-in-Chief laugh.
The Robinson House, around which the stirring incidents of the Revolution have woven such an interesting and melan- choly interest, is situated in the southwest corner of Philips- town, about 400 yards from the Hudson. It is about two
* While here, and looking in a mirror in his room, he saw a hole in the arm-pit of his coat, and perceiving that the officer in command observed it also, he smiled, and said he presumed Gen. Washington would give him a new coat.
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miles southeast of West Point, and four miles south from the village of Cold Spring. Its halls have been hallowed by the tread of Wash- ington, Knox, Greene Put-, nam, Steuben, Kosiusko, Par- sons, Heath, McDougal and Lafayette; The Beverly Robinson House. and it also held the traitor Benedict Arnold. It was here, in the upper back room of the main building, that Arnold completed the drawings and specifications that were designed to aid the enemy in obtaining possession of West Point.
In 1756, Colonel George Washington visited his firm friend Beverly Robinson, and announced an intention of remaining his guest for a time. A negro attendant was ordered to bring in his portmanteau, additional fuel was cast into the broad and cheerful fireplace, an extra bottle of wine was placed upon the table, and Col. Washington was duly installed as a choice claimant of unrestrained hospitality. Seated with Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, and overwhelmed with attention, the visitor exhibited signs of disquiet and dissatisfaction. His uneasiness became so apparent that his entertainers endeavored to rally him, or at least, to ascertain its cause. At length, an idea shot into the mind of the hostess. Hastily leaving the apart- ment, she soon returned, accompanied by a beautiful young lady, whom Washington, with countenance beaming joyfully arose to greet with becoming respect. The young lady was Mary Philipse, sister of Mrs. Robinson, and daughter of the owner of the Philipse estate.
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