USA > New York > Suffolk County > Bridgehampton > Sketches from local history > Part 11
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29
Nathan Cook was a fifer in the war, but a tailor by trade. I will relate a story of him in a later chapter. Lieut. Daniel Topping was at Valley Forge
with Washington that memorable winter. Benjamin Woodruff of Bridgehampton was on the Privateers "Oliver Cromwell" and "Putnam", and also served with the land forces in Connecticut. Col. John Hui- burt not only served as an officer in the army, but kept a store and tavern, and was a prominent man in this community, but met reverses in later life. His mother, Elizabeth, died August 16th, 1788. and is buried in the Old Cemetery in Bridgehampton. He lived on the north side of the Main Street in Bridge- hampton, across from the Bull's Head Tavern (see map for 1750).
For the location of the houses where some of the interesting events of the war took place. I will name the map where they may be found. Where Capt. Edward Topping shot the British soldier, see Bridge- hampton Main Street 1750 map. John White, who took part in the successful expedition of Col. Meigs. when he captured the British outpost and fort at Sag Harbor, in May of 1777, see lower end of Sagg (1800). Dr. Stephen Halsey, surgeon in the Revo- lution. see north side of Mecox Road ( 1750 map). Abraham and Thomas Halsey served all through this war, were both at Ticonderoga in 1775. The musket carried by one of these men is still preserved. They were brothers of Ethan Halsey, see north side of Main Road, Bridgehampton ( 1750 map). David Hand, see north side of road in Poxabogue, ( 1750 map). Timothy Halsey and Abraham Rose, see 1750 map. Capt. Sylvanus Halsey, see Hay Ground Road, map for 1750. David Cook, same map. Dan- iel Halsey, (my great grandfather ) see Butter Lane. 1800 map. Josiah Hand of Brick Kilns, worthy of mention, and formerly of Poxabogue, and brother of David, does not appear on any map, but was in Col. Josiah Smith's Regiment. AAbraham Rogers. of Scuttle Hole, was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill.
Nathaniel Rogers of Hay Ground, was in the battle of Long Island and in the famous retreat. he swam in a soldier's blanket across the river. carry- ing his gun and ammunition above his head.
I omitted to mention that Capt. Sylvanus Haisey was paid $600 in Continental money, when he was discharged, some of which is still preserved. I procured $52 of these bills of Orlando Rogers, his grandson.
Nathan Halsey of the Fifth generation from the
{ 73 }
SKETCHES FROM LOCAL HISTORY
First Thomas had three sons, Timothy, Nathaniel and Theophilus.
Sylvanus was of the sixth generation and the old- est son of Timothy Halsey and Phebe Topping. Daniel Halsey was the oldest son of Nathaniel Halsey.
In the library of the Suffolk County Historical Society are the original muster rolls of Col. Josiah Smith's Regiment. These are also to be found in Mather's "Refugees."
Two of the companies were from Southampton Town, one of which was under the command of Capt. David Pierson, and was called "The Minute Men of Bridgehampton."
In this list appears the names of Sylvanus Hal- sey and Daniel Halsey (my great grandfather ).
Sylvanus Halsey lived in the old homestead in Hay Ground, later owned and occupied by his grandson, Orlando Rogers.
Attached to this page is a short liistorical sketchi of this old "Soldier," written by Mr. Addison M. Cook and published in the New York Herald. Janu- ary 12, 1923. .
The flintlock musket that Sylvanus carried through the Revolutionary War, came into posses- sion of Orlando Rogers. He sold it to John L. Cook. 'It is now owned and in the possession of Lawrence C. Halsey, of Mecox. Long Island, New York.
Two Lives Span 168 Years
. A Long Islander Who Played With a Revolution- ary Soldier.
To The New York Herald: I am the only man. so far as I know, in my locality who can truthfully claim the distinction of having seen a soldier of the Revolution.
Captain Sylvanus Halsey was born December 5. 1755. served all through the war under General Washington as a private soldier in the ranks, and at the conclusion of hostilities was honorably dis- charged. He afterward became Captain of a militia company. He died May 27, 1851.
I was born June 28, 1847. and was therefore nearly four years old at the time of his death. He often played with me in his lifetime, offering one of the "yellow boys," as he called them-one of the
gold coins that the Government had given him as pension money.
I attended his funeral with my parents, as was the old time custom, amid the most terrific thunder- storm of my experience; the crashing thunder, the vivid lightning, accompanied by floods of water from the skies, with darkness almost like night, re- lieved by the flashes of the lightning that only served to display more distinctly to my frightened eyes the black casket on the opposite side of the room, fixed in my mind and memory a scene never to be forgot- ten.
When this man was discharged and came home he brought $600 in Continental currency; it was evidence of service. if not of pay, for the whole of it would not purchase one square meal. Such men should be honored. On Memorial Day we place up- on the grave of this soldier of the Revolution the flag for which he so gallantly fought and in the quaint rural cemetery again we read the lettering upon the little gray moss grown slab of marble that for so many years has marked the last earthly rest- ing place of a true patriot, a soldier of 1776.
A. M. COOK.
Water Mill, January 12.
In Mather's "Refugees" there appears the name of Samuel Brown, of Southampton. He was from Bridgehampton, (see Butter Lane 1750 map) .. Tradition says he was a fearless soldier, and became one of Washington's body guards, wintering with the army at Valley Forge, crossing the Delaware Christmas night of 1776, assisted in the capture of the Hessians, wintered with the army at Newburgh. N. Y., and received an honorable discharge when the army disbanded in the fall of 1783. The army had been stationed at Newburgh since March of 1782. It was at this time that Washington received the famous "Nicola" letter, proposing that he be- come king.
This section of the Hudson valley was settled by the Germans from the Rhine valley, and the Dutch. During the greater portion of this period the army was not actively engaged in warfare, but were sim- ply doing camp duty. The soldiers not doing sentry duty, were at liberty to stroll about the country. One day this man Brown in company with a num- ber of comrades, went to the home of a Dutch farmer, a very old man, whose eyesight was very
{ 74 }
SKETCHES FROM LOCAL HISTORY
poor ; this old man took great pleasure in taking thein about his farm, and showing them his live- stock, among which was a large flock of fine geese.
The entire company highly appreciated the kind attention and cordial reception given them by the old settler, and endeavored to show in every possible way their appreciation by strictest attention to his interesting remarks while taking them about the farm. Brown wandered away from the company for a little; secreted in his pocket was a small line to which was attached a fish hook. He had gotten a sample of corn from the goodly supply stored in the corn crib which they had just been shown. He very deftly placed a good fat kernel on the hook. dropped the bait and walked away. letting a goodly length of line pay out, at the same time scattering enough corn about the bait and line to conceal it : this was of course soon seen by the geese, when there was a grand rush and strife. It was picked up by a fine specimen of the flock, which after swallow- ing it found it was in trouble, seeking relief by flap- ping its wings and running. Brown, on the other end of the line, began a retreat, crying. "call him back, call him back." The old man hearing the com- motion, inquired as to the cause, when the company told him, "One of the geese is chasing that man." The old man shouted. "Don't be afraid, come on back, he won't hurt you." The answer came back as the man and his goose disappeared over the hill. "The Devil trust him." During the same winter that the army was encamped at Newburgh. N. Y .. another story is told in which this same soklier figured. At this early period, wild animals had not as yet been driven very far back from the frontier of civilization. The settlers were obliged to wage a perpetual warfare against these pests, for the pro- tection of their farm stock. The meat of bears was edible, and closely resembled pork, especially if the hog was skinned instead of being scalded. One morning after a dark stormy night, a farmer came to the officer's headquarters, and entered a com- plaint that during the night he had lost one of his hogs, and it was his belief that some of his sokliers were guilty of having stolen the hog, and that they had it concealed somewhere about the camp at that very time. To satisfy the farmer, and also to clear his own men of all suspicion of guilt, he declared he would at once order a search, and if proof were found, the guilty party should be punished. For
some reason an extremely light and superficial search was made of Brown's tent, though to appear- ance the search was most thorough. The man do- ing sentry duty on the outpost of the camp that night may have been asleep, or he may have sought the shelter of some primeval oak, with gnarled branches that defied the raging storm; at any rate, a little company of men trekking back to camp, pass- ed unnoticed, and all was well. Somewhat later, the correct countersign was given, and the guard by the officer's tent was passed, a rap on his cot awoke the officer, and he heard this question, "Officer, would- n't you like some bear meat?" It is needless to say what was cooked for breakfast that morning. More bear meat was offered the next night. There is an- other Samuel Browne, in the list of 'Refugees' from Southampton, who like the other Samuel Brown, was from Bridgehampton. I do not agree with Mather in this matter. The first Samuel Brown I mention in this connection, lived on Butter Lane. just south of the Gelston homestead ( see 1750 map). The other was a descendant of James Browne, the second minister of the church in Bridgehampton, and lived in Scuttle Hole (see 1800 map), and was the great-grandfather of Samuel B. Squires of Head-of-the-Pond (see 1850 map), from whom he was named.
Zebedee Osborne was one of the Wainscott Os- bornes, and lived near Poxabogne Pond. He was . 47 years of age, and his wife, Mercy Osborne, was 45 when the war of the Revolution broke out. They were loyal and true to the cause of the Colonies, and were willing that all should know it. Their rela- tives for the most part lived in Wainscott, this led them to make frequent visits to that locality. One day during the war, Mercy walked to Wainscott, to spend the day with her friends. On the way she met and was stopped by an English officer, who de- manded who she was, where she was going and what hier business was. She replied as follows :
"First; I am the mother of Zebedee's children.
"Secondly; I am going on an errand of Mercy.
"Thirdly ; I am attending to my own business, and you would do well to attend to yours." Her reply so impressed the officer that he bade her God-speed. and went on his way.
When the John Wicks property in Bridgehamp- ton was sold at public auction, it was bought by Capt. Edward Topping, who owned it during the period
{ 75 }
SKETCHES FROM LOCAL HISTORY
of the Revolutionary war: He was living at the time of the following story, in what was afterwards the Henry Corwithe house, on the north side of the street, (see maps 1750 and 1800).
He was awakened by a British soldier breaking into his house. This man with blackened face was coming through a window. His coat was turned inside out. Capt. Topping ordered him to retreat and go away, and finally threatened to shoot him if he did not obey. He disregarded the Captain's warning, whereupon the Captain shot and killed him instantly. This was reported at once to General Er- skine, who came to Bridgehampton to investigate. The British claimed him to be one of their best men. but when the General found out the real facts of the case, he exclaimed : "If that is one of your best men.
it is a pity that there is not more of them where fie is : D-n him, take him down to the ocean, and bury him below highwater mark, for he is not fit to even be buried with decent men." And this was done. The above account is as I have heard it told by the old men, and of course they heard it from their .In- cestors.
Judge Henry P. Hedges once said, "When peace was proclaimed, and the last British soldier stepped off this soil; when the defeated army embarked from New York harbor; when the British feet passed through Long Island Sound and vanished from our shores; when the last memento of hostile power fled and faded away before the light of fres- dom; no heavier burden was lifted from any part of these United Colonies than from this. From none ascended more triumphant cheers."
ABIGAIL HOWELL IN THE REVOLUTION
There are a few cases, and comparatively few. where eve-witnesses of facts and incidents of the early history of a town, told these facts accurately to the younger generation, and they either put the story in print or told it to the next generation. so that the story, though perhaps of only local interest. was passed down to the present time.
The James Howell house stood about where the American Hotel now stands on the easterly side of Main Street in Sag Harbor. It was in this house that the British officers made their headquarters while in Sag Harbor during the Revolution, and while the British were in possession of eastern Long Island.
"Abigail Howell's little brother who died in in- fancy was the first person whose remains were bur- ied in the old Cemetery. This child died June 4. 1767."
Miss Abigail Howell, daughter of James, married Benjamin Price and lived in the house on the north side of Union Street in Sag Harbor, two doors west of Madison St. and the one recently bought and ren- ovated by Mr. John Ripley, and she. when a very old lady related these facts to Judge Hedges, he be- ing at that time, a young man, and he told me.
The expedition under the command of Lieut.
Meigs, was made in May of 1777. (See history of Sag Harbor). AAbigail Howell at that time was a little girl, but remembered the incident very distinct- ly. She saw the soldiers and heard the guns, and was frightened, and ran down cellar and hid until the affair was over and all was quiet.
ABIGAIL HOWELL PRICE who remembered the Meigs Expedition
Miss Anna Babcock died the 3rd of March, 1934, in the goth year of her age. It may be ten years ago she gave the photograph of Mrs. Abigail Howell Price which she had among her papers since a young woman. I think it very fortunate that this had been preserved. (This cut is from the original photograph ).
May 16, 1922. Mr. John H. Hunt told me that when he was a boy, the house on Union Street above referred to, was known as the ".Abigail Price House" and that one day when passing, (Mrs. Price was then a very old lady) she saw him and said, "Bub.
{ ,6}
SKETCHES FROM LOCAL HISTORY
British Outpost at the Brick .Kilns, captured May 23, 1777
would you like to have a rose?" He said he told her he would like to very much, whereupon, she cut a bunch and gave him, and he took them home to his mother. The incidents above related are perhaps of no real historical value, yet they are in a way a tie that binds that noted event of Revolutionary fame with the present time, in a way that to me is most interesting.
Another story told me by Mr. Hunt that same day, is as follows : I think it must have been in the
attack of the British on Sag Harbor during the war of 1812. At that time there stood a house on the corner of Main and Washington Streets, where .\r- thur Brown's drug store now stands, the lower story of which was used as a store or market. and the second story as a dwelling.
The land to the east of this house was not built up at this time, but was open, though there was on this lot an apple orchard, yet there was no buildings to obstruct the view to the water, or the wharf, and when the British were about to attack. a barricade was thrown up in this orchard, back of which were mounted several small cannon.
The British made the attack by night, by water. intending to use one of their small vessels to shell the town before landing. I think they did succeed in burning one vessel, and in landing a portion of their troops, but the fire from this little battery was too hot for them, and they retreated without doing much damage, but during this battle or skirmish, the fire to ignite the charge in these guns had to be brought from this house, in the shape of live coals or fire brands.
Oliver Slate. father of Shamgar Slate, while run- ning from this house to the fort with a fire brand that night. in his excitement, failed to conceal the burning brand, which at once drew the fire of the enemy. The bullets flew about Slate, but fortu- . nately none hit him. The attack was of short dura- tion. and was a failure.
JOHN HULBURT AND THE FIRST STARS AND STRIPES
The "Woolworth Agreement" was entered into July 2nd, 1787. and with but few exceptions was signed by almost every resident of this community. The committee chosen to take charge and consum- mate this "Agreement." consisted of 12 men, un- questionably appointed because of their marked. ability and character. The list is as follows :
"John Hulburt
Ebenezer White David Hedges
William Rogers Daniel Halsey
Timothy Pierson
Samuel Howell David Hains Timothy Halsey
Elias Halsey
David Pierson
John Gelston"
The first name on this committee is that of John Hulburt (some spell this name with an 'r' making it Hurlburt : this is wrong, unless you prefer to adopt a modern method: in the old documents it is spelled as given above). This man is the subject of our sketch. The fifth name is that of Daniel Halsey. who was my great-grandfather.
In the Old Cemetery in Bridgehampton is a monu- ment marked "In memory of Mrs. Elizabeth, wife of It. John Hulburt, who died Aug. 16th, 1788, in the 83rd Year of her Age." Her maiden nante was Elizabeth Sage. She was a niece of Russell Sage's (Continued on Page 80)
{77 }
-
SKETCHES FROM LOCAL HISTORY
Newyouth Jeger 28 15 775
your man are to Im barn at Greenwich, when your bagage is on board, and your to proceed in the the Inst wind and Fire that offer's to Haverstraw landing And there , enquese whether there be any doc to belong- ing to Captain Johnstory Company of your regiments If there are, you are to take them with you to their Company: But if you have a fair wind, you are not to stay there longer than these or Four mor at any rate · Hours.
above luxe upon your anival at Albany, apply to the Commanding officer there for orders what rout you are to take to Ticonderoga; in order to join your Iregiment. But if there should not be any there take the advice of the Committee on this matter, o observe it as the mule of your conduct. If your Company is not compleat; you should thought as many of Caf & Green wel's as have ansus to fill your's. guess ho you a pleasant Nappage and March and am dir
your very Humble Llevank Alexim Dougall polonel.
Captam John Hubert:
{ 78}
SKETCHES FROM LOCAL HISTORY
We where named are himun ts anca? ). detininsledge that we have This the clown twenty feed & over sima in full for Palace of theges av vi chains of bant idi thatbest Gaming. fy us Tigt fy"New York Forces Commented by bottines Clinton before the Continentall'avviso-
Duma
Namco
Dario
Namo
William Gelerntk
7-
105
.8.
8/2/11
. George Stars ....
,9 /
a
·Benjamin Chappel
. Debulon Cooper ju
3 ·2
3. 6.2 . Jejich Ofborn "
497. 3 7 62
· that their
2 . 2.
15. 64 Sarmich Bower 6 /10-3
William Lagen Hely 8
5 ١٠٠
3
Snithan Pam fer 2.86
Philip Gilderflere /2
Henry Hoping Juin 2. V36
wi fini Arization fin John Kerry. .
12
: Sebulon Jefrys- 8 c/3
-
12
12%
.8 7. Diephen Howell
4. 4
8
Daniel doping for
6 10
William Brenoster / 13
8\ Daniel Stand. 2 14.10
Fliphon dudlam., 13.
19 2. George Judam 7 2 21 Fewer Chatfeito
8
Samuell .Brown 3 83
Mircham Fagper
115 2
9 362
Matthew Halsvijf 8139. Haranam Turret 10 759
Iam "Thinger )
E. Gilla Talmage4
.10.8
Edward Howell David Smith
8. V4 ch Thomas Farther × 2 6- 8 34: and Licks
10 9 2 Daniel Havewithy
4.9
2 1817 Damit Prater .St-
7.5
Hig Nathan istillet
· Franc Maison .. . XI
1.16 4 2
Burnet Cook.
9-7%. 3
Jonathan COM
3 18 Darice Fortin
2 1
Manjamini forfond
14
180/40
10. 126
· James el agua. 72
1% Levi Millio ~
Cornelous Bafett 10 2149
. Wiliam Gelston 9-129. matthewe Jam
06
693-0-7
89 C. Jane Smith- 6. 4
Elias Hegés ...
568
9
JAn Oliven ×
5 6 8 Comelives Of boire 12 10.6
{79 }
SKETCHES FROM LOCAL HISTORY
great-great-grandfather. Her husband, John Hul- burt. Sr., died March 24th, 1775. As he also was Captain some confusion has occurred. Where docu- ments are dated before 1775, they refer to the fath- er. The son was not a captain until after the father died. She was the mother of Captain John. Her husband, the Lieut., kept a store in Bridgehampton on the corner now owned by Mr. Henry N. Cor- with, formerly the Judge A. T. Rose property. His old Ledger is preserved and may be seen in the Hampton Library. It is not positively known where he was buried, but it is very probable it was in the same graveyard with Elizabeth, his wife, but there is no marker or monument to prove this.
It is thought that John Hulburt, Jr., assisted his father in the store and tavern, until he was of age.
In June of 1775. Gen. Washington assigned Gen. Phillip Schuyler to the command of the Northern Department. He at once arranged the expedition against Canada, by the way of Lake Champlain. He also in the same month of 1775. sent orders to John Hulburt, then living in Bridgehampton, Long Is- land, N. Y., to raise a company of volunteer militia. Hulburt carried out these orders and organized his company July 2nd. 1775. on the steps of the little church in Bridgehampton. (This was the second church in this place, built in 1737, and stood on the northerly side of the road to Sagg, east of the Ester- brook property, now marked by a monument ).
These men were among the first to respond to the Nation's call. This company was made up of men from Southampton, Bridgehampton, East Hampton and probably Sag Harbor, and as near as I can as- certain this is the first time that Hulburt was given the Commission as "Captain."
"On July 27th. 1775. Gen. Washington wrote to the Continental Congress advising them that three men-of-war and nine transports had left Boston with six hundred men, probably bound for Long Is- land and also notified Gen. Wooster in order that precaution might be taken for removing the cattle. etc." "Meanwhile the Provincial Congress notified Capt. Hulburt." When the fleet got near enough to Montauk to take observation with their glasses, they decided there were more men than sheep. Hulburt had at this time marched a large body of men to the place of landing. This led them to change their plans, and they then went to Fisher's and Gardiner's Islands. This took place early in August of 1775.
Later Hulburt sent his lieutenant, John Davis, with a company of men to guard Montauk.
Ticonderoga had fallen, or rather surrendered May 10th, 1775. The prisoners taken at that time had been guarded all the intervening months, and at last became an embarrassment and burden to the army stationed there, in whose charge they were. To relieve this situation, on Sept. 20th, 1775, Colonel Alexander McDougall issued the following order to Capt. John Hulburt.
Long Island Troops Sail for Albany
Here is the text of Col. McDougall's letter :
New York, Sept. 20th, 1775
Sir.
Your men are to embark at Greenwich, when your bagage is on board, and you are to proceed with the first wind and tide that offers to Harverstraw landing, and there, enquire whether there be any diserters belonging to Captain Johnston's Company. of your regiment. If there are, you are to take them with you to their Company; But if you have a fair wind ; you are not to stay there longer than three or four nor at any rate above six Hours. Upon your arrival at Albany, apply to the Commanding Of- ficer there, for orders what rout you are to take to Ticonderoga; in order to join your regiment. But if there should not be any there, take the advice of the Committee on this matter, & observe it as the rule of your conduct. If your Company is not com- pleat : you should draught as many of Capt. Green- wel's men as have arms to fill your's. I wish you a pleasant voyage, and March and am Sir
"Your very Humble Servant "Alex. McDougall "Colonel
"Captain John Hulbert."
'Tradition claims that at or prior to this time Hul- burt's company had asked for a flag. When this request was granted we do not know, but we have every reason to believe that it was granted, and fur- ther, we believe that the papers and documents that would have proven this to be true were lost by the late Samuel L'Homedieu Gardiner of Sag Harbor. through carelessness or neglect, and we believe that Ilulburt's men carried that flag from Ticonderoga.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.