USA > New York > Suffolk County > Bridgehampton > Sketches from local history > Part 12
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SKETCHES FROM LOCAL HISTORY
Capt. Hulburt carried out MeDougall's order. and in the latter part of October, 1775. was detailed with his company to take these prisoners and march them to Philadelphia, and present them to the Con- tinental Congress then in session there.
Betsy Ross made her flag six or seven months later than this event. Hulburt's flag had six pointed while Betsy Ross's flag had five pointed stars.
The Hulburt flag was found in the attic of the late Dr. John L. Gardiner house in Bridgehampton. where a lot of Hulburt papers had been stored and probably forgotten for years.
This flag has 13 stripes and 13 stars. The ar- rangement is as follows: The red and white stripes alternate as in our present flag, with this difference : In the Hulburt flag the field extends down to the fourth red stripe, while in our present flag it extends down to the fourth white stripe. The arrangement of the stars in the field follows out the design of the crosses in the British flag. There we have the St. George's Cross, the St. Andrew's, and the St. Patrick's. We have also these three crosses in the Hulburt flag. only instead of stripes we have six pointed stars.
Soon after the presentation of these prisoners to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, history tells us that Francis Hopkinson, one of the Signers of the Declaration from New Jersey. employed Bet- sy Ross to "copy a flag." Now; what flag did he wish to have copied ? He evidently had seen and his attention had been drawn to some flag; that caused him to take this action. There is little doubt but that it was the Hulburt flag. Later at her sug- gestion or request the stars were changed from six to five-pointed.
Again did Betsy Ross ever claim to have designed our flag? I think not, and there is nothing to prove that she did so clain. That being the case. who is to receive the credit ? I believe it should be Cap- tain John Hulburt, of Bridgehampton, L. I., New York.
Hulburt's company enlisted in June and July of 1775, and were mustered out of service or honor- ably discharged Jan. 18th. 1776. (Herewith is a copy which shows the actual signatures of Minute Men who formed Capt. Hulburt's company, with the amount of money each received as pay).
These men. however, were not long out of service. for on Feb. 20th. 1776. the records show that Hul-
First Stars and Stripes known as the John Hulburt Flag
burt had been appointed colonel as second in com- mand of the Minute Men under Josiah Smith, and the majority of his men re-enlisted in other compan- ies of Washington's army.
Hulburt became a Long Island Refugee in Con- necticut. He lived in Bridgehampton before as well as after the Revolution, and later was in bus- iness in Sag Harbor, where he owned at one time four different pieces of property, and was engaged in the leather and saddlery trade. carrying this trade as far as South America. Later he met with reverses in business, for on April 10th, 1807, owing to ill health and failing eyesight, he offers his prop- erty for sale.
Dr. Silas Halsey of Southampton had formed a very dear and as it proved lasting friendship for Captain Hulburt; the former with quite a company of men and women from this section migrated up- State to Herkimer County (later Onondaga). Silas in his new home practiced medicine, but owing to his ability he was almost forced to enter public life. He became County Judge, as well as assemblyman and held other offices. When Hulburt was in real need, it is thought Dr. Halsey invited him to his own home, and that he died there. In an old grave- yard overlooking Seneca Lake, presented to the town by Dr. Halsey, there stands an unmarked na- tive stone monument, that is thought may mark the last resting place of Capt. John Hulburt, Hero and Patriot.
The First Flagstaff in Bridgehampton
The following facts were found in documents dis- covered by Mr. Morton Pennypacker, to whom I give credit.
SKETCHES FROM LOCAL HISTORY
Probably one of the most noted celebrations ever held in Bridgehampton was in the latter part of the year 1799. in the campaign that elected Jefferson and Burr. In 1796 Adams defeated Jefferson for President. In 1800, if possible, the political strife was even more strenuous. Jefferson and Burr were candidates on the same ticket, the one receiving the most votes became President, the other Vice Presi- dent. David Frothingham had sold the "Long Is- land Herald" in Sag Harbor and taken up his work in New York City, and was influential in this can- paign.
This celebration began on Dec. 19th. and took place on the "Triangular Commons," where all such parades were always held. The first feature of this affair was the planting or raising of a Liberty Tree. This tree was 76 feet high, bearing on the top a vane with Liberty inscribed upon one side. upon the other side a spread eagle with the flag of the United States and a Liberty Cap.
Many mottoes adorned the tree, such as, "Liberty of Press, Speech and Sentiment." "Col. Matthew Lyon, the martyr to the cause of Liberty." "Vox Populi, Vox Dei." Seventeen addresses were made, one of which I think was by David Frothingham. There was a tremendous rally, and enthusiasm ran riot.
This was probably the first flag-pole ever erected in this community. I have searched for that old vane, but in vain.
WAR OF 1812
There still existed between England and her for- mer colonies a feeling of enmity and bitterness, even after the former admitted defeat and the articles of agreement were signed at the Treaty of Paris on September 3rd. 1783. England and France were at war and each blockaded the other's seaports, without notifying neutral powers. Many American vessels approaching these ports were seized as prizes and condemned. The English theory of citizenship was, one born in England, always an Englishman, and under this claim American vessels were searched. and all sailors taken and impressed into the English navy who were suspected of being British subjects. and this without inquiry or investigation. This went from bad to worse until the general sentiment was that war was preferable to humiliation and dis-
grace. Then followed the war of 1812. This was in main a naval warfare, and was not felt in this locality as was the Revolution, but Sag Harbor be- ing the only port, and at that time was of consider- able importance as a seaport, was represented in its business life by many families from this commun- ity, such as the Gardiners, Hands, Howells, Hedges. Gelstons. Piersons, Halseys, Squires, Hildreths, Strongs, Toppings, Mitchels, which made it almost a local affair, and then the garrison stationed there was made up largely of Bridgehampton men. David Hedges and Levi Howell were both Colonels in this war : David Haines of Hay Ground was also active in this war and became a Colonel. Abraham: Rose in 1807 was a Colonel, in 1808, a Lieut. Colonel, and in 1812 a Brigadier General, and in command of all of the troops on Eastern Long Island. When the news came that the British fleet was in Gardin- er's Bay, it was on Sunday, and the General request- ed those assembled for worship to remain after ser- vice, when from the church door he addressed them. urging them to volunteer in defense of their coun- try, to which the patriotic response was unanimous.
When the British troops landed at Sag Harbor for the purpose of capturing and destroying the town, he was the officer that commanded the ::: ilitia that successfully resisted the attack. Dr. Rufus Rose, a brother of Gen. Abraham, was a surgeon in this war.
"When the attack on Sag Harbor began ke was teaching in the old Hay Ground school house ( see 1800 map). When the guns at Sag Harbor began to boom, one a minute for 3 minutes, then sience for 3 minutes, then one a minute again and so on at these intervals, the doctor dismissed his school. and. as an eyewitness told me, took the longe-t steps he ever saw taken up the Hay Ground hill. going east toward Sag Harbor. Soon the minute gros at Bridgehampton and Southampton and westward also began to thunder their call for troops, and all the roads were soon filled with hurrying soldiers all converging toward one point, Sag Harbor. Some on foot, some on horse back, some in farm wagons, and some in ox carts, but all in great haste, anj un- der intense excitement. some getting into their uni- forms as they went. The booming of minute guns. the masses of soldiers rushing through the streets, the weeping women bidding adieu to their husbands. the squeaking of fifes and rattle of the drums com-
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bined to create a scene never to be forgotten by those who were witnesses." The former account is a quotation from Mr. A. M. Cook, as printed in the Bridgehampton News of 1910.
Mr. Cook further writes: "Elisha Halsey, (of Hay Ground, see 1800 map) was drummer of his company. When he reached Sag Harbor, he was ordered out into the street. near the head of the wharf, to call his company to form in line of battle. The enemy had already landed and held possession of the wharf, and were firing cannon up the street. Limbs were falling from the trees, solid shot were screaming overhead, houses were being shattered and pandemonium reigned generally. The old man who played for me on the very drum he then carried. told me that 'when in obedience to the orders of his superior, he stepped out into the street every hair seemed to stand up straight on his head and his hat on top of them.' ( This Elisha Halsey was brother of Sylvanus, who fought in the Revolution). (Do not confound him with Elisha Halsey the Tory).
"Theophilus Cook, born Oct. 27th, 1751. died June 16th, 1842. was a sailor. one of a company that manned the sloop-of-war 'Beaver,' a privateer that carried a force of So men. While in the service II prizes were taken, in all of which he shared." (see 1800 map). Rodney Parker, son of Jeremiah, of Hay Ground, also was a soldier in the war of 1812. His nephew, Henry Squires, who remember- ed him, wrote of him in the 'News' as follows: "He enlisted on one of the privateers. (I think it was the Wasp) and followed her fortunes on the high seas through many adventures and encounters with the enemy. I can now recall the particulars of but one of these exploits. This was in mid ocean, with a strongly-armed British ship, and was a stubborn and thrilling fight. They exchanged many broad- sides with the enemy, and after a long time got into position to rake her decks, but could not compel her to surrender, until their commander laid his ship alongside, and gave an order for the boarders to rush the enemy's decks. In this encounter, as Mr. Parker went over the rail, he received a blow on the head from a cutlass, which laid him prostrate and senseless. He was fortunate to have parried this vicious blow, or it would have killed him on the spot-as it was he carried the scar to the end of his days. He told with pride and glee how his com-
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Ellis Squires House, built 1730
rades were finally successful in the struggle, and took the enemy into Philadelphia as a prize.
"John Edwards, who lived on the south side of Huntington Path and east of Lumber Lane, served in this war. (For location of his house see maps for 1800 and 1850). also William L. Jones, musician : Jared Hedges, Ellis Squires and David Topping."
The British sloop-of-war Sylph, which was wrecked off Shinnecock Point, Jan. 16th-17th, 1815. was the most noted warship ever wrecked on this coast. This was a vessel with 22 cannon. command- ed by Capt. Henry Dickens, a crew of 12 officers and 121 men. All were lost but one officer and five men. At the time it was a severe snow storm and extremely cold. One cannon, one bar shot, portion of her shroud chain, one flint-lock gun, and a sword are preserved as relics from this ship.
I here quote from a letter found by Mr. H. D. Sleight. It was written by Dr. Ebenezer Sage, then representative in Congress for Suffolk County. The good doctor was at his Sag Harbor home. He ad- dresses a friend living in Pennsylvania. It was war time and he says: "I almost covet your retreat among the glens of Adams County, secure in place and plenty, while I am doomed to this sand bank in continual alarm; not a week passes but the guard boat or some of the sentinels see, or think they see. an enemies' barge, and fire : this alarms the garrison and the drum beats to arms, and the whole town.
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men, women and children are in motion. The peo- ple are not very rich, except a few, mostly mechanics and laborers with large families. The Orders in Council put an end to all our prosperity and war is fast making them poor and wretched.
"It is distressing to see the changes that a few years have produced among us, perhaps near 20 of my neighbors who were formerly captains, mates, or sailors of vessels, carpenters, sail makers, boat builders, and in good circumstances, are now reduc- ed to the necessity of doing garrison duty to get ra- tions to feed, and a little money with which to cloath their families.
"We formerly had 20 or 25 coasting vessels em- ployed in southern trade, and in carrying wood, etc .. to market. 3 or 4 of them only remain. Some of them have been taken and sent to Halifax, others burnt, and others so often taken and ransomed that the owners are unable to keep them in repair, and sail them, and they are either sunk at the wharf, or laid up to rot in creeks and inlets.
"Our young men have generally gone into the
Army of Flotilla service at New York, or emigrated in search of business; nothing to be seen but houses stripped of their furniture. and, as we expect to be burnt, sent out of the reach of the conflagration.
"Women who have seen better days are obliged to wash for and billet soldiers. to share with them their rations ; no happy contenances among us, but children for want of reflection and soldiers made happy by whiskey; but for our clam beds and fish many would go supperless to bed."
This letter was written July 14th, 1814. right in the midst of that war. The Editor adds a note as follows: "The women and children never undressed at night but lay down with their clothes on, through fear of the foe in the bay. The alarm would be given "The British are coming,' and the wagons would be brought to take the women and children off in the oak timber, to stay until the cannon balls from the fort and whari beat off the foe. This place, consisting of about 200 houses, has been built up since the Revolution, by honest industry in catching whale and codfish."
THE CIVIL WAR
It is an admitted fact that Civil War is of all, the worst that can befall any country. Slavery existed throughout the entire country from the earliest date. including this immediate locality. Sentiment against the slave trade also developed at an equally early date. It seems strange to us, who think of Virginia as a leading slave State, to read that this State protested and attempted to stop the slave trade as early as 1772. Connecticut did likewise by stat- ute in 1774. Delaware followed by constitution in 1776. Nine other States joined these between 1783 and 1789. While Virginia in 1778 went still fur- ther and prohibited this trade. Pennsylvania and Massachusetts abolished slavery in 1780.
Emancipation of slaves was accomplished or in progress in all of the Northern States early in the 19th century. In March of 1820. the ‘Missouri Compromise' was enacted, and that State admitted into the Union as a Slave State, and at the same time Maine was admitted as a free State. Later. Alabama was admitted as a Slave State, which made the number of free and slave States equal.
The sentiment either for or against slavery throughout the Union was becoming more and more aroused. The Federal Government sought to enact laws governing this question, especially in regard to the admission of new states. This brought up the question of "States' Rights." It was Henry Clay. who sought to get legislation whereby the United States Government would order the liberation of all slaves, by purchase, the owners to be paid out of the Government Treasury, for all slaves in their posses- sion.
About this time anti-slavery organizations sprang up all over the Northern States. This resulted final- ly in a situation decidedly political. Then followed the election of Lincoln, which made actual war in- evitable. The foregoing is a short synopsis of the growth of that sentiment. that eventually led to the greatest war ever waged on .American soil. This great problem had been looming up before the peo- ple throughout the entire country for many years prior to the actual outbreak. All dreaded to think of what might come to pass some time in the future.
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but few thought "The American Conflict" was so near at hand, until Fort Sumter was fired upon on April 12th, 1861. Even then it was generally con- sidered, at the North, to be only the outbreak of a few radicals, who would be subdued with but little trouble. How lightly they considered this whole affair at first, is told in history, and the awful calam- ity that befell the whole country, of which this was the feeble beginning, made this war the most impor- tant feature of this period. There were some peo- ple in this community who sympathized with the South, but the great majority were loyal to the Un- ion, though there were family divisions caused by this war that separated relatives forever. When the call came for volunteers, this community responded loyally, with few exceptions, which may be noted in the list of soldiers who went from the various lo- calities. These lists previously printed, I find to be incorrect. They include men, "buried, born in, or enlisted from Bridgehampton." This I do not con- sider fair to the other communities. I will seek to correct this, and include only those who lived here at that time.
The following is a list of the officers and privates who went from the different localities in this com- munity.
Those from school Dist. No. 9, Bridgehampton :
Charles Brown Corp. David Pierson Private
Roger A. Francis Capt. William Rylands
Charles E. Halsey William H. Stanley
Surgeon Sergt.
Samuel H. Howell Edwin Worthington
Ensign Navy
Wm. Owen Topping Lieut. Private
James B. Terry Corp. William Corey
Nathan H. Wright Sydney E. Halsey ..
Assist. Surgeon Oliver Halsey ..
John F. Youngs Lieut. Orlando J. Howell ..
Albert Topping Navy Theodore F. Haines " Fred Brudgeworth Navy George Brewin ..
George Benj. Rugg Navy James M. Strong ..
Denis Gregory
Private E. Erastus Halsey
..
.. Henry Halsey Duryea's Richard Overton Zouaves George .A. Bell
William Jewett Private John Elliston
Patrick Kennedy Joseph Elliston ..
Benjamin Loper .. Joshua Elliston ..
Michael McDonald Thomas Payne Private Private Walter Tully
Henry Loper
Edwin C. Hand. Capt. from Poxabogue, was the only native from school Dist. No. 10, Sagg.
Henry J. Corey, Private. A boy who worked for Mrs. Thos. Halsey.
M. Howell Topping, Capt., born in Sagg, but left home when young and never resided there after boyhood.
From school Dist. No. S. Hay Ground :
Edwin Rose Colonel Nathan H. Dimond, Jr. Nathan H. Dimond, Sr. Private
Musician Lyman Hedges
A. AAsbury Halsey Sergt. Benj. F. Rogers ..
Jeremiah Payne Corp. Thomas Marran Those from school Dist. No. 18, North District :
John Byron Private Orlando B. Edwards
John Dix Private
James L. Edwards ..
Charles Nichol Edwards ..
Edmond B. Edwards
William M. Halsey "
Charles N. Edwards
Orlando Hand Capt. Andrew Humphrey
Flora Hunker Navy James Mullen
John McGuirk
. ,
William Polley
..
Frank McGuirk Edward Pounder ..
Duryea's Zouaves Henry H. Sandford ..
Elbert Edwards Private Silas C. Edwards .
William H. Edwards " Edward C. Taylor
Edward O'Neil Edward Roberts
Henry Brudgeworth
The above list went from 16 homes in this school Dist. No. 18. Those from Water Mill, School Dist. :
Henry Squires Capt. Denis Haley Private
Isaac N. Hildreth Corp. Frederick Rose
Robert Benedict Private Silas E. Halsey
Charles Halsey " Timothy Warren Sergt.
The above list is as nearly correct as I can ascer- tain from the records, from talking with the old vet- erans, and the old residents now living, but who were here at the time of enlistment. I find there are many errors in the records, and these I have tried to correct. Edward Roberts is assigned to Sag Har- bor in the records .. but he was living at the Toll House on the Bridgehampton and Sag Harbor Turnpike at that time, and attended school in Dist.
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Wm. H. H. Brown
SKETCHES FROM LOCAL HISTORY
No. 18. The Toll House being in this District. I would like to know if another school district in this County can show a record equal to that of District No. 18, of this Town, 24 going from 16 homes. This is truly a wonderful record. This entire com- munity answered the call royally with the exception of one district, that one was Sagg. Only one native resident went from that district. The boy that went from Mrs. Thomas Cook's. (Henry J. Corey) was not a native of Sagg, was just an employee. MI. Howell Topping was not a resident of Sagg at that time, nor ever after, but was born there. It is truly a remarkable fact that in a community like Sagg, no one responded to the call of their country, and one is led to ask the reason why. In the first place, a goodly number of the leading citizens of that ham- let sympathized with the South. They were really Secessionists at heart, and openly admitted and pro- claimed their belief in "States' Rights," which alone was enough to create a spirit of enmity and bitter- ness between them and the adjoining localities. These, had they lived in the days of the Revolution. would have been called 'Tories.' This spirit was carried so far that at one time during the Civil War a Confederate flag was flown from a flag staff at the lower end of Sagg Street. This, to us of this day. seems preposterous, but such was the case without question for there are those living at this time who saw it. The feeling was so strong between the two factions that even when attending church they would not speak to one another, and the epithet that carried and expressed the most extreme contempt was often passed upon or applied when one called the other "Copperheads," and it was said with the intention of conveying extreme contempt, which it clid. Perhaps the most rabid and pernicious of all was David Pierson, a man well educated, and bless- ed with a good mind, but who should have moved south of the Mason and Dixon Line to have been at home politically, or dwelt among men who favored the same cause that he sought to champion while living among men both loyal and true to the Union. He and his followers went just about as far as it was prudent to go, with their disloyal utterances and expressions, even as did some of the pro-Germans during the late World's War. It was only discre- tion that held them back from saying and doing worse. I herewith give a copy of a letter written to Henry A. Reeves :
"Bridgehampton, Jan. 24th. 1863. "Henry .A. Reeves, Esq.
"Dear Sir: I am one of the original subscribers for the Republican Watchman, & have been a con- stant reader of that paper from its first establish- ment, (which is now numbering its thirty-seventh Vol.) up to the present time. A period embracing a chapter in our history up to the advent of 1861, of such prosperity, Happiness & growth in greatness as a nation unparalled in the Annals of the World; & it is painful & bitter in the extreme in reviewing the Watchman of today, & contrasting our present distracted & deplorable condition with that period when it started on its first career under the able man- agement & control of your worthy & lamented pre- decessor, Mr. Phillips, for the purpose of inculcat- ing & disseminating sound Democratic principles. & contributing to the elevation to that august & digni- fied Station. The Chief Magistrate of this Great Re- public, that great & good patriot & hero, Andrew Jackson; A man who by his statesmanship, impar- tial firmness & strict unswerving adherence & regard for the Constitution for Eight years, gave grace and dignity to that high position, now so belittled by the maladministration & radical partisan folly & mad- ness of a Chief Magistrate, immeasurably disquali- fied for the station he occupies, both mentally & miorally. As witness his numerous arbitrary edicts & proclamations & other Acts of Violence; And . waving for the present all criticism of his numerous other violent. Unconstitutional & inexpedient mea- sures, his late utterance of his incendiary Emancipa- tion proclamation, in view of the recent declaration by the people & to him, the well known fact, that their voice was opposed to it fully bear out the as- sertion & is made plain to the most common intelli- gence & cannot fail to convince the most skeptical. that Abraham Lincoln is more of a partisan than a patriot, or a Statesman ; for under the specious pre- tense of a vindicator of the Constitution. the restora- tion & perpetuity of the Union; wha: single act has he done, looking like a desire for the accomplish- ment of either, or rather, what has he not done since the madness of South Carolina prompted the firing on Fort Sumter, but to fan the name of dis- cord, & to make that violation of the Constitution a pretext & to persistently use the power of his high position for the purpose of either ab .. Eshing Slavery or destroying our Government. I say the contrast
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