USA > New York > Queens County > History of Queens County, New York : with illustrations, portraits, and sketches of prominent families and individuals. > Part 87
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478
HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.
OYSTER BAY DURING THE REVOLUTION.
As the war for independence approached, the question whether the town should espouse the cause of the col- onies or remain loyal to the crown became a subject of controversy among the people, even to the rending asunder of families, whose members in many cases ranged themselves on opposing sides. To chronicle all the acts of the people of this town during the Revolution would furnish to their descendants some pleasant history, and much not as pleasant. Most that follows in this article is gleaned from the notes of Henry Onderdonk jr.
Oyster Bay was among the first towns in the county to protest against the Stamp Act. The following is taken from Holt's Journal under date of March 6th 1766:
" To the Committee of the Sons of Liberty in New York.
"GENTLEMEN: By order of a committee of the Sons of Liberty in Oyster Bay we are to acquaint you that at a meeting of the inhabitants, on Saturday February 22nd 1766, it was unanimously agreed and resolved:
"I. That the person, crown, and dignity of our right- ful sovereign King George III., with all his just and legal rights of government, we will to the utmost of our power support, maintain, and defend.
"II. That the liberties and privileges which we as Englishmen have still enjoyed, particularly those of being taxed by representatives of our own choosing and being tried by our own juries, we will also support, maintain, and defend.
"III. That the late Stamp Act is destructive of these our liberties, and is by us deemed to be arbitrary and unconstitutional; that as such we will to the utmost of our power endeavor to oppose and suppress the same.
"IV. That the measures which you have taken and the several noble efforts you have made in vindication of the general cause of liberty we do heartily approve of, and that with our lives and fortunes we stand ready to assist you in the same.
"V. That the committee now chosen do signify these our resolutions to the Sons of Liberty at New York, and elsewhere as they may think proper; that the said com- mittee do for the future keep up appointed meetings, as may be thought necessary, at the house of George Weeks. in Oyster Bay, and maintain a correspondence with your committee, in which we expect your concurrence."
The Stamp Act being repealed, no more meetings were held at the time. The town records as set forth by Mr. Onderdonk furnish the next mention of them, as follows:
"In December 1774 there was a notification signed by several of the principal freeholders, and set up in differ- ent parts of Oyster Bay, requesting the freeholders to meet at George Weeks's on the 30th, to take into con- sideration the resolves of the Continental Congress. On that day, a number of freeholders appearing, they made choice of Samuel Townsend, town clerk, for moderator. A motion was then made for taking into consideration the resolves of the Continental Congress; and, there be- ing present but a small part of the freeholders, the meet- ing was adjourned to the annual town meeting."
A person signing himself SPECTATOR gives a report of the same meeting, from his standpoint:
happy, regular-established government, under the crown and Parliament of Great Britain, as to deem that meet- ing illegal and void, and that no business could with propriety be done; and the meeting was adjourned till a future time, when it is hoped it will be so conducted as to convince the world that his Majesty is not without friends here who will support his government. The res- olutions of the Congress were publicly read; after which Justice exerted himself with that prudence and firmness becoming a magistrate, by arguing the impro- priety and illegality of such meetings in so masterly a manner as to have the desired effect of preventing any business being done till the legal day of calling town meeting, on the first Tuesday in April."
March 27th 1775 Samuel Townsend, town clerk, pub- lished the following advertisement :
"I have received a letter from the chairman of the committee of New York, recommending it to the free- holders of Oyster Bay to choose their deputies so soon as that they may be at New York by April 20th, the day proposed for the meeting of the convention; and as our annual town meeting is so near at hand I thought it best, previous to said meeting, to acquaint the freehold- ers that I should lay said letter before the meeting, that in the interim they might have an opportunity of think- ing whether it will be proper or not to choose a deputy on that day."
At the annual town meeting Thomas Smith was chosen moderator; and, after going through the business of the town, Samuel Townsend read the above-cited letter, and offered it to the consideration of the freeholders and in- habitants. Many objected to having anything to do with deputies or congresses, and some insisted on choosing a deputy. The moderator proposed to go out and sepa- rate, but it was objected to, and a poll demanded. The town clerk wrote down the votes, and at the close of the poll there appeared on the list-for deputy, 42; against, 205. The minority of this meeting did not give up their intention, but voted the following address:
To the Provincial Convention.
" Whereas the unhappy disputes between the mother country and the American colonies, we humbly conceive, has arisen from assumed power claimed by the British Parliament to pass laws binding on us in all cases whatso- ever, hath given us great uneasiness; and, as we conceive, unanimity among the inhabitants of the colonies is the only means under Providence to secure the essential rights and liberties of Englishmen; and, in order that the inhabitants of the different colonies should know each others' sentiments, and form general plans for the union and regulation of the whole, it is necessary there should be delegates appointed to meet in general Congress. And whereas the committee of correspondence of New York did request the people of Queens county to choose deputies, in consequence thereof there was a town meet- ing at Oyster Bay on April 4th, for the appointing of one deputy; but there appearing at said meeting a majority against it, yet nevertheless we the subscribers, freeholders of Oyster Bay, being determined to do all in our power to keep in unity with you and the colonies on the conti- nent, and desirous of being in some measure represented at the general Congress, do hereby appoint Zebulon Williams as our deputy, giving unto him full power to act in our behalf in the premises aforesaid. In confirmation whereof we have hereunto set our hands respectively:
" At a meeting for choosing a committee for Oyster Bay, December 30th 1774, about ninety freeholders as- sembled to take into consideration the present unhappy dispute between the mother country and her colonies; " George Townsend, Micajah Townsend, William Sea- when there appeared such a number of friends to our [ man, David Layton, George Bennet, Joseph Carpenter,
479
REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS IN OYSTER BAY.
John Schenck, Peter Hegeman, James Townsend jr., John Wright, Gilbert Wright, Richard Weeks, James Townsend, Wm. Townsend, Prior Townsend, Wm. Latting, B. Latting, Joseph Thorney Craft, William Hopkins, Joseph Coles, Albert Albertson, John Luister, Rem Hegeman, Samson Crooker, Jacobus Luister, Albert Van Nostrand, Jotham Townsend, William Laton jr., William Laton, Peter Mutty (x mark), Benjamin Rushmore, William Wright, John Carpenter, James Farley (captain), Samuel Hare jr., Benjamin Birdsall, Joseph Doty, Isaac Bogart, Samuel Townsend, Gideon Wright, Gilbert Hare, Benjamin Townsend, Josiah Lattin."
The justices of Oyster Bay-Thomas Smith, John Hewlett and John Townsend-who were appointed by the crown, were leaders against carrying out the resolves of the Continental Congress, and entered their protest on the town records, under date May 19th 1775, and they, with Captain George Weeks and Dr. David Brooks, were among the 26 principal disaffected persons from Queens county who were summoned to appear before the Provincial Congress at New York, December 19th 1775, and give satisfaction in the premises. June 5th 1776 these same men, substituting Thomas Jones for George Weeks, all of them office-holders, were among the 38 men ordered to be brought before a committee of the Pro- vincial Congress to show cause why they should be considered friends to the American cause. A letter dated Oyster Bay South, July 27th 1776, directed by Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Birdsall to Colonel John Sands, states that there are 30 or 40 tories in Massapequa (Marsapeague) swamp, and proposes to ferret them out with 400 men. He did not succeed in arresting all, for it is said that after the defeat at Brooklyn these loyalists came out and huzzaed for King George. August 12th it is stated that Dr. David Brooks and Thomas Jones, with 20 others, were arrested in the county by order of Gen- eral Washington, and taken to Connecticut, where they were paroled December 9th following. July 29th 1776 Jotham Townsend, first lieutenant of Richard Manee's company, received rules and orders as follows:
"I. 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 communica- tion to the ships of war. Should you discover any persons attempting it, you are to put them under guard.
"2. You are to build 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 theni 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 re- turn Saturday next by Io o'clock, at my house.
"JNO. SANDS, Col.
"Westbury, July 29th 1776."
Additional orders, August 3d:
"Should you discover the enemy in sight you are to immediately 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 ne- groes on board. Should you discover any you are to take them up. If, upon examination, you find them clear, discharge them; if guilty, put them under guard till dis- charged 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.'
The Oyster Bay committeemen were in session at Daniel Cock's, Matinecock, when news was brought of the defeat at Brooklyn. They at once broke up and hastened home, there to await their fate; except Joost Monfort and Isaac Bogart, who took leave of their fami- lies, mounted horses, and rode off to Huntington ferry, where they crossed, the same night, in company with Major Thorne and others, and proceeded to Fishkill. Joost Monfort, after a few months' absence, returned home in the night, and before day hurried off to General Robertson, New York, to give up, before his loyal neigh- bors should molest him. Esquire A. V. W -- , hearing of his return, hastened to New York to prevent his get- ting a pardon. He was so abusive when he found he could not succeed that Robertson ordered him out of his office, and gave Monfort a certificate.
When the Kings county light horse were driving the cattle from Hog Island they, hearing of the defeat at Brooklyn, left the cattle at Matinecock and crossed the sound at Huntington, August 29th, leaving their horses.
A British sergeant and three light horse came to Cedar Swamp in September, and continued there some time, hunting Whigs, and impressing wagons. On the 7th of the nionth one Harrison, from Long Island, reported to Congress " that the ministerial troops have been to Oys- ter Bay and Hempstead; that the disaffected have joined the enemy, and proceeded as far as Setauket; that Wil- liam Smith of - - administers oaths of allegiance, and Thomas Smith, of Hog Island, receives submis- sions.'
A week after the Kings county light horse had driven the cattle off Hog Island to Matinecock a detachment of the 17th light dragoons appeared at Norwich, and appre- hended George Townsend, chairman of the Queens county committee, and John Kirk, also a committeeman. They conducted them to the house of Samuel Town- send, member of the Provincial Congress, who was also apprehended, but was allowed to remain at home on one. Buchanan's promising that he should be forthcoming at New York whenever summoned. Far different was the fate of the other two. George Townsend, having been chairman of the committee, and a bold, blunt, talented man, had exasperated his loyal neighbors past endurance, and could find no intercessor in his hour of peril. He and Kirk were taken to the provost and thrown among the offscouring of the earth. After nine weeks of im- prisonment they were allowed to return home. Kirk had contracted the smallpox; his wife and infant daughter took it and died. Samuel Townsend was a prisoner in the provost in the summer of 1782.
480
HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.
Brigadier General Oliver de Lancey took up his head- quarters at Oyster Bay in the latter part of 1776, and in a notice dated November 14th announced that many drivers of wagons, from different counties of Long Island, who had been impressed from time to time into his Majesty's service, had deserted their teams and wagons, which occasioned the loss and neglect of many of the horses. He also informed the masters and drivers of such teams that if they did not immediately return and take care of them, and attend to their duties as drivers, the quarter- master general would not be answerable for their loss.
"Tunis Bogart and Andrew Hegeman were impressed to cart ammunition for the British army, and were present at White Plains and Fort Washington. They also saw the execution of Captain Hale (September 26th) on an apple tree near Colonel Rutgers's."
The impressing of teams was very annoying. No matter how urgent their business, whether plowing, going to mill, on a visit, at church, or at a funeral, the team must go. A body of British troops were moving from the south side with cavalry in advance impressing teams. On their approach Charles Collyer, a boy of 12 years, took his mother's two horses and fled. He was fired at, but succeeded in evading his pursuers and hid the horses in a hollow east of Manetto Hill, just over the Huntington line, where he kept them a week, carrying hay to them at night.
When forage was carried off a certificate was generally given, on presenting which at the forage office, New York, the holder received his pay at proclamation prices. Doubtless a great deal was taken (especially from Whigs) which was never paid for.
More perfect arrangements seem to have been made after a time, and residents were appointed to collect the forage, leaving only so much with the farmers as was needed for their stock. The persons appointed in this town were: Justice Hewlett and Captain Thomas Van Wyck, at East Woods, now Syosset; Captain Abraham. Van Wyck, at Wolver Hollow: Thomas Cock, at Buck- ram; John Underhill, at Musketo Cove; Thomas Jack- son, at Jericho; Judge Jones, at Fort Neck; and Cap- tain Israel Youngs, at Cold Spring. Lieutenant-Colonel Emerick, wishing to raise six companies of foot and two troops of light dragoons, states that his soldiers live like gentlemen, and .all who behave themselves are treated like brothers. As an inducement to enlist he offers $5 above the regular bounty, together with clothing and provisions regularly, agreeable to the king's allowance, without clipping or deduction. Refugees are promised pay for their horses. All who wish to enlist are to apply to Captain Henry Seton, at Huntington, Oyster Bay, and Jericho. This proposal was issued in March 1778. In June " all gentlemen volunteers" were invited to enlist in the regiment called the Prince of Wales's Royal Ameri- can Volunteers, commanded by Brigadier General Brown. By applying to Lieutenant-Colonel Pattinson, at his camp on Lloyd's Neck, they were to receive complete suits of new clothes, arms, and accoutrements, and one guinea more than the king's greatest bounty. In December "all
gentlemen volunteers" and others emulous of serving the king and willing to share the laurels of the Queen's Rangers were desired to repair to the headquarters of the regiment at Oyster Bay, where many advantages were offered. Any person bringing an approved recruit was to receive one dollar. The following, taken from Sim- coe's Journal, pages 93.99, is furnished by Onderdonk :
" Lieut. Col. Simcoe arrived at Oyster Bay Nov. 19th 1778. As it was understood the village was to be the winter cantonment of the corps no time was lost in the fortifying of it. The very next day the whole corps was employed in cutting fascines. There was a centrical hill which totally commanded the village and seemed well adapted for a place of arms. The outer circuit of this hill, in the most accessible places, was to be fortified by sunken fleches, joined by abattis, and would have con- tained the whole corps; the summit was covered by a square redoubt, and was capable of holding 70 men; plat- forms were erected in each angle for the field pieces, and the guard-house in the center, cased and filled with sand, was rendered musket-proof, and looped so as to command the platforms and surface of the parapets; the ordinary guard of 20 was sufficient for its defense. Some of the militia assisted in working one day when Sır Wm. Erskine came to Oyster Bay intentionally to remove the corps to Jericho, a quarter the legion was to quit in order to accompany him to the east end of the island. Lieut. Col. Simcoe represented to him that in case of the enemy's passing the sound both Oyster Bay and Jericho were at too great a distance for any post to expect succour, but that Jericho was equally liable to surprise as Oyster Bay; that its being farther from the coast was no advantage, as the enemy, acquainted with the country and in league with the disaffected inhabitants of it, could have full time to penetrate undiscovered through the woods, and that the vicinity of Oyster Bay to the seacoast would enable him to have a more watch- ful eye over the landing places, and to acquire a knowl- edge of the principles of the inhabitants in these inport- ant situations; and that provisions from New York might be received by water. Sir. W. Erskine was pleased to agree with Lieutenant Colonel Simcoe; and expressed himself highly satisfied with the means that had been taken to ensure the post; and on his representation the corps was permitted to remain in its present canton- ments. There was a small garrison at Lloyd's Neck, within twelve miles of Oyster Bay; a feint in case of at- tack would serve to have kept this post within its re- doubts. The nearest cantonment was at Jamaica, where the British grenadiers lay; this was almost thirty miles from Oyster Bay. The New England shore was not more than twelve, and in many places but seven or eight miles over; and there were many favorable landing places within a mile or two of Oyster Bay. The enemy could raise any number of men for such an expedition. General Parsons lay with some regular troops in the vicinity, and there were whaleboats sufficient to carry 2,000 men, who in three hours might attack the canton- ment. The situation was an anxious one, and required all the vigilance and system of discipline to prevent an active enemy from taking advantage of it. Every sepa- rate quarter was loop-holed and surrounded with abattis in such a manner that it could not be forced. A house (the 'New Light' meeting-house) was moved bodily to the rear, near to the beach, where the highland and grenadier companies were quartered. A general plan of defense was calculated for the whole; and proper orders were given in case of attack. * * The situation of * Oyster Bay was extremely well calculated to secure the
481
THE BRITISH IN OYSTER BAY.
health of the soldiery: the water was excellent: there geon, with a complete medical chest, to reside at Lloyd's was plenty of vegetables and oysters to join with their | Neck, and accompany the associators in their excur- sions. 5. " It will be their care to stop those distinguished cruelties with which colonial loyalists are treated, when in the hands of rebels, under the distinction of prisoners of war and prisoners of state The directors will omit nothing to make the rebels feel the just vengeance due such enormities."
salt provisions; and bathing did not a little contribute, with the attentions of the officers to cleanliness, to render them in high order for the field. Nor were they without sufficient exercise; the garrison in New York being in great want of forage, Oyster Bay became a central and safe deposit for it, and frequent expeditions towards the eastern and interior parts of the island were made to enforce the orders of the commander-in-chief in this respect.
A report from American sources, dated February 16th 1779, states that Simcoe's Rangers numbered 250, and Ludlow's battalion at Lloyd's Neck 150. A report from British sources says, "The Queen's Rangers, numbering 360, left their cantonments May 18th 1779, for King's Bridge."
Simcoe's Journal, page 110, tells us that Captain San- ford's company of Bucks county dragoons, Captain Die- mar's hussars, and the Queen's Rangers, all under com- mand of Lieutenant-Colonel Simcoe, marched from King's Bridge for Oyster Bay August 13th 1779-the cavalry and cannon by the route of Hell Gate, and the infantry by Throg's Neck-and arrived in Oyster Bay the 17th. Simcoe left Oyster Bay October 19th. His cavalry marched to Jericho, where they remained under Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton; and the infantry to Jamaica, thence to Yellow Hook, and embarked on the 24th. Shortly afterward the hussars of the Queen's Rangers and Captain Sandford's troop went from Jericho to Staten Island. Page 150 of the same journal states that Sim- coe returned from the east end of the island to Oyster Bay, where he saw Major Andre; and remained there and in its vicinity till September 22nd, when he marched to Jamaica, and crossed to Staten Island October 8th. This entry is dated August 23d '80. Simcoe had his headquarters at the residence of the late Solomon Town- send. The colonel was of a large frame, heavy built, and fine looking, but of feeble health. The forage mas- ter here was Captain Wickham, of the Queen's Rangers. He had a long stack of hay north of Townsend's. During the holidays the British forage fleet was frozen in.
As there were many loyalists and refugees unwilling to
enlist as soldiers, to organize and employ these the | guide of the assailants, Heathcoat Muirson, of Setauket, " Honorable Board of Associated Loyalists " was estab- lished December 28th 1780, with William Franklin, son of Dr. Franklin, and a former governor of New Jersey, as president, and commissioned by Sir Henry Clinton with a view to annoy the seacoast of the revolted prov- inces and distress their trade. The post of Lloyd's Neck was put under their direction, and they were furnished with suitable armed vessels, provisions, arms and ammu- nition to defend the post and carry on enterprises against the rebels. The conditions on which the association was formed were as follows: 1. Each associator was to re-
ceive 200 acres of land in North America. 2. All cap- tures made by them to be their own property. 3. Pris- oners taken by them to be exchanged for such loyalists as the board might name. 4. The sick and wounded to have the benefit of the king's hospital. A skillful sur-
In April 1781 there were 800 men, chiefly refugees and deserters from the American army, at Lloyd's Neck; about 500 of whom were properly armed. Their naval guard consisted of one vessel of sixteen guns, two small privateers and one galley.
Just before the war the Lloyds had cut off the timber on 100 acres of land around where Fort Franklin was built in 1778, so that half a mile east of the fort was clear. Here was the parade. South were the huts and gardens, on a declivity. The vegetables were left in good condition when the place was evacuated. The wood had mostly been cut off. The fort had a well, 130 feet deep, which Huntington was assessed £176 to pay for digging.
Henry and James Lloyd's farms were protected by Howe, but the rest, owned by John, who lived at Stam- ford, and Joseph, of Hartford, were confiscated, and the wood was cut off for fuel for the king's troops. The wood was exceedingly large, some trees growing to a height of forty or fifty feet before putting out a branch. All this was cut down in a most wasteful manner. The amount was estimated at 2,000 cords.
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