USA > New York > Westchester County > Tarrytown > Souvenir of the revolutionary soldiers' monument dedication, at Tarrytown, N.Y. October 19th, 1894; > Part 11
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Mediterranean ploughed by hostile prows; and would occasionally throw up a mud breast-work on a point or promontory, mount an old iron field-picce, and fire away at the cnemy, though the greatest harm was apt to happen to themselves, from the bursting of their ordnance, nay, there was scarce a Dutchman along the river that would hesitate to fire with his long duck gun at any British cruiser that came within his reach, as he had been accustomed to fire at water fowl.
I have been thus particular in my account of the times and neighborhood, that the reader might the more readily comprehend the surrounding dangers in this, the heroic age of the Roost. It was com- manded at the time, as I have already observed, by thic stout Jacob Van Tassel. As I wish to be extremely accurate in this part of my chiron- icle, I beg that this Jacob Van Tassel, of the Roost, may not be con- founded with another Jacob Van Tassel, commonly known in border story by the name of 'elump-footed Jack,' a noted tory, and one of the refugee band of Spiting Devil. On the contrary, he of the Roost was a patriot of the first water; and, if we may take his own word for granted, a thorn in the side of the enemy. As the Roost, from its lonely situa- tion on the water's edge, might be liable to attack, he took measures for defence. On a row of hooks, above his fire-placc, reposed his great picce of ordnance, ready charged and primed for action. This was a duck, or, rather, goose-gun of unparalleled longitude --- with which it was said he could kill a wild goose, though half way across the Tappan Sca. Indeed, there are as many wonders told of this renowned gun as of the cnchanted weapons of the heroes of classic story. In different parts of the stone walls of liis mansion he had made loop-holes, through which he might fire upon an assailant. His wife was stout-hearted as himself, and could load as fast as he could fire ; and then he had an ancient and redoubtable sister, Nochie van Wurmer, a match, as he said, for the stoutest man in the country. Thus garrisoned, the little Roost was fit to stand a siege, and Jacob van Tassel was the man to defend it to the last charge of powder.
"He was, as I have already hinted, of pugnacious propensities ; and, not content with being a patriot at home, and fighting for the security of his own fireside, he extended his thoughts abroad, and entered into a confederacy with certain of the bold, hard-riding lads of Tarrytown, Petticoat Lane and Sleepy Hollow-who formed a kind of holy brotherhood, scouring the country to clear it of skinners and cow- boys, and all other border vermin. The Roost was one of their rallying points. Did a band of marauders from Manhattan island come sweep-
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ing through the neighborhood, and driving off cattle, the stout Jacob and his eompeers were soon clattering at their heels, and fortunate did the rogues esteem themselves if they could but get a part of their booty across the lines, or eseape themselves, without a rough handling. Should the moss troopers succeed in passing with their cavalgada, with thundering tramp and dusty whirlwind, aeross King's Bridge, the holy brotherhood of the Roost would reign up at that perilous pass, and, wheeling about, would indemnify themselves by foraging the refugee region of Morrisania.
"When at home at.roost, the stout Jacob was not idle ; he was prone to carry on a petty warfare of his own, for his private recreation and refreshment. Did heever chance to espy, from his look-out place, a hostile ship or galley anchored or becalmed near shore, he would take down his long goose-gun from the hooks over the fire-place, sally out alone, and lurk along shore, dodging behind roeks and trees, and wateli- ing for hours together, like a veteran mouser intent on a rat hole. So sure as a boat put off for shore, and came within shot, bang went the great goose-gun ; a shower of slugs and buck-shot whistled about the ears of the enemy, and, before the boat eould reach the shore, Jacob had scuttled up some woody ravine, and left no trace behind.
" About this time the Roost experienced a vast aceession of war- . like importance, in being made one of the stations of the water guard. This was a kind of aquatie corps of observation, composed of long, sharp canoe-shaped boats, teclinically ealled whale-boats, that lay lightly on the water, and could be rowed with great rapidity. They were manned by resolute fellows, skilled at pulling an oar or handling a musket. These lurked about in 100ks and bays, and behind those long promontories which run out into the Tappan Sea, keeping a look- out, to give notice of the approach or movements of hostile ships. They roved about in pairs, sometimes at night, with muffled oars, gliding like speetres about frigates and guard-ships riding at anehor ; cutting off any boat that made for shore, and keeping the enemy in constant uneasiness. These mosquito cruisers generally kept aloof by day, so that their har- boring places might not be discovered, but would pull quietly along, under shadow of the shore, at night, to take up their quarters at the Roost. Hither, at such time, would also repair the hard-riding lads of the hills, to hold seeret councils of war with the "ocean chivalry ;" and in these nocturnal meetings, were concerted many of those daring forays, by land and water, that resounded throughout the border."
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The chronicler here goes on to recount divers wonderful storie of the wars of the Roost, from which it would seem that this little war- rior nest carried the terror of its arms into every sca from Spiting Dev' Creek to St. Anthony's Nose; that it even bearded the stont island c: Manhattan, invading it at night, penetrating to its centre, and burning down the famous DeLanccy house, the couflagration of which makes such a blaze in revolutionary history. Nay, more ; in their extravagant daring, these cocks of the Roost meditated a nocturnal descent upon New York itself, to swoop upon the British commanders, Howe and Clinton, by surprise, bear them off captive, and, perhaps, put a trium- phant close to the war.
"This doughty Dutchman (continues thesage Diedrichi Knicker- bocker) was not content with taking a share in all the magnanimous enterprises concocted at the Roost, but still continned his petty warfar along shorc. A series of exploits at length raised his confidence in his prowess to such a height, that he began to think himself and his goose- gun a match for anything. Unluckily, in the course of one of his prow- lings, he descried a British transport aground, not far from shore, with her stern swung towards the land within point-blank shot. The temp- tation was too great to be resisted ; bang ! as usual went the great goose- gun, shivering the cabin windows, and driving all hands forward. Bang ! bang ! the shots were repeated. The reports brought several sharp-shooters of the neighborhood to the spot; before the transport could bring a gun to bear, or land a boat, to take revenge, she was soundly peppered, and the coast evacuated. She was the last of Jacob's triumphis. He fared, like some heroic spider, that had unwittingly snared a hornet -- to his immortal glory, perhaps, but to the utter ruin of his web.
"It was not long after this, during the absence of Jacob Van Tas- sel on one of his forays, and when no one was in garrison but his stout- hearted spouse, his redoubtable sister, Nochie Van Wurmer, and a strapping negro wench called Dinah, that an armed vessel came to anchor off the Roost and a boat full of men pulled to shore. The gar- rison flew to arms-that is to say, to mops, broomsticks, shovels, tongs, and all kinds of domestic weapons-for unluckily, the great piece of ordnance, the goose-gun, was absent with its owner. Above all, a vigorous defence was made with that most potent of female weapons the tongue. Never did invaded hen-roost make a more vociferous outery. It was all in vain. The house was sacked and plundered, fire was set to each corner, and, in a few moments, its blaze shed a baleful light far
سكر
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over the Tappan Sea. The invaders then pounced upon the blooming Laney Van Tassel, the beauty of the Roost, and endeavored to bear hier off to the boat. But here was the real tng of war. The mother, the aunt, and the strapping negro wench, all flew to the rescue. The strug- gle continued down to the very water's edge, when a voice from the armed vessel at anchor ordered the spoilers to let go their hold. They relinquished the prize, jumped into their boats, and pulled off, and the heroine of the Roost escaped with a mere rumpling of the feathers. Shortly after the catastrophe of the Roost, Jacob VanTassel, in the course of one of his forays, fell into the hands of the British, was sent prisoner to New York, and was detained in captivity for the greater part of the war."
. But to turn from the realm of fancy and tradition to the realism of personal experience, the following copied from the original in the archives of the Pension Office at Washington, is herewith presented :
Lieut. Jacob Van Tassel's statement made in his application for pension, April 30, 1836, in his 92d year : 'Was then a resident of Greenwich St., New York. He states that he was then upwards of 91 years of age. That on the breaking out of the Revolutionary War he was a farmer living on Philipse Manor, present town of Greenburgh, County of Westchester, N. Y. That he first entered the service in the year 1776 in a company of Militia commanded by Capt. Glode Requa ; that as a private and Sergeant in his company he served for different periods until the resignation of Capt. Requa in 1778 ; that in June, 1778, lic received the commission of Lieutenant in same company under Capt. Geo. Comb, Col. Hammond's Regt. ; that by order of said Col. Ham- mond he received directions to take as many men from his company as scemed advisable, and go as far down the Hudson as he could with safety, and gather all the information he could relative to the movements and designs of the enemy, and that he selected six privates and went down, and on their return put up for the night at a private dwelling in the vicinity of Croton River ; that in the morning, as they were about in readiness to march they were surprised by a party of British soldiers of 72 foot and 9 horse, and he further learned that they had been betrayed. Two of his men escaped, but himself and four others were taken pris- oners and went to Verplanck's Point, and there put on board of a ves- sel and transported down the river to Yonkers ; that he was kept at this place but for a short time, when he was put on a vessel and sent to New York City and confined there in the building called the "Old Jail." That after being there four or five weeks he was put on his parole,
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which was executed at the old Sugar House in Liberty St., was the :: sent to Flatbush where he remained until he was exchanged in the fat: of 1781, and on liis arrival liome he first heard of the surrender of Com- wallis.
Relates being one of the Company that made a raid to Morris- ania when the guide Dyckinan was killed. Upon one occasion he reco !- leeted to have shot a deserter from our troops who had been with the British at Fishkill, and that he frequently shot at the British Galleys going up and down the river. 'That on one oeeasion the Britishi (under Lieut. Althouse) having taken a number of cattle, he and a party among whom was Capt. Jolin Buelianan, recaptured them and killed 4 or 5 of the British.
That when they went down the river on a scout as aforesaid they went nearly to King's Bridge and lay over night in the bushes ; that they obtained muel information relative to the intended movements of the British, and that on their return they took two prisoners from the British guardships and had them in custody when they themselves were taken prisoners at Croton River. That during the whole adventure they were in iminent danger, particularly when they lay in the bushes at King's Bridge, as the British were constantly passing in immediate view ; and he further deelares that Abraliam Van Tassel, David Van Tassel, and Win. Reton, his relatives, and Isaac Delameter, were the persons who were taken prisoners with him. That at Flatbush where he was on parole, were inany American officers, ineluding Col. Ham- mond, the latter part of the time, lie having been taken out of his bed when he was taken prisoner. That when they were exchanged Han :- mond aecompanied them up throughi New Jersey to Greenburg ; that they were advised to return that way as the British lay in New York. And he further states that during his imprisonment his dwelling houses and out houses were burned by the enemy and his personal property wholly wasted and destroyed.
Isaae Dalameter swears to the date of the capture (was taken prisoner on the Ist day of July, 1779, withi Lieut. Jacob Van Tassel, and was a prisoner until Nov. 5, 1781,) by reason of its being his 21st birthday ; that they were betrayed by the person with whom they stopped that night at Croton, and lie corroborated Lient. Van Tassel's statement.
The old reeord at Albany shows the following in the book of Audited Aeeounts :
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To Lieut. Jacob Van Tassel, Isaac Van Tassel and four privates of Col Hammond's Regt .. Westchester Co. Militia, for pay from the time they entered service and during the time they were taken prisoners to the day they returned from their captivity.
To Isaac Van Tassel, Sergt. from 27th May, 1779, to Ist July, 1779, 35 days, £4.13.4.
To Isaac Van Tassel, from 2d July, 1779, to 5th Nov., 1780, (during the time he was prisoner), 16 months and 5 days, 64.10.8. 46. 2.7. 46. 2.7.
To Abraham Van Tassel,
To David Van Tassel,
To Jacob Van Tassel, Lieut., £307.18.2.
To Retained Rations, 36. I.S. -343.19.10.
Jacob Van Tassel took title from the Commissioners of Forfeiture to 185 acres, the place which he had occupied as a tenant under Fred- eriek Philipse, and for which he paid $500. Jacob Van Tassel and Hester his wife had "Lena " who married Caleb Brush and had Jacob born Aug. 28, 1790, and also sons Caleb and Joshua. She died Oct. 27, 1861, in her 95th year, and he dicd Nov. 59, 1856, in his . 93d year. Jacob also had sons Isaac, Jacob, and William. Charles Denison Belden, of New York, is a great-grandson of Lient. Jacob Van Tassel. 0
The following inscription appears on his tombstone in the old Dutch Churchyard, he being there designated "Major" Jacob Van 'Tassel, to which honor he was entitled by reason of a commission he had held in the Militia after the Revolution:
In Memory of Major
JACOB VAN TASSEL, a Soldier of the Revolution, died Aug. 24, ISjo, aged 95 years, II months and 23 days.
This simple stone points the Honorable Grave, Where sleeps the Patriot pure, the Soldier brave- Reader, if to thy heart thy country's cause be dear, His service call to mind, this grave revere.
Hester, wife of Lieut. Jacob Van Tassel, died Dec. 10, 18I], aged| 77 years, 8 months and ro days. Jacob was afterwards twice married. His latter years were spent in the family of his son-in-law, Caleb Brush, in New York. Altogether Jacob Van Tassel was a great character and well deserves posthumous famc.
Stephen Van Tassel's application for a pension, dated Dec. II, 1832, states that he entered the service as a Volunteer about the first of May, 1776, at Tarrytown, for 9 months in the Co. of Capt. Abram Ladieu ; resided in or near Tarrytown at that time; was at the battle of White Plains in the right wing of the American Army near Chatter- ton Hill. In the spring of 1777 re-cnlisted in Capt. Sybert Aeker's Co., Lieut. Col. Hammond's Regt. ; was in Capt. Daniel Williams' Co., at the Youngs' House fight ; afterwards in the Co. of Capt. Gilbert Dean. In
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1780 enlisted in the Continental line under Col. Hughes ; was tako: prisoner in April, 1780, and taken to New York and confined in the old Sugar House Prison 11 months and 5 days. Was born in the year 1758. Endorsed by John Israel, who says that he was himself taken prisoner in Dec., 1779, and confined in the old Sugar House Prison, and saw Stephen Van Tassel there. This Stephen was a son of Johan- nis Van Tassel, who was a soldier in the French war as well as in the Revolution, and grandson of Jan Van Tassel and Annatie Acker his wife. He married Mary, the daughter of Stephen Bertine, and
THE VAN TASSEL, MOTT HOUSE.
lived at "Haventje, " known as the Fremont place. This Johannis Van Tassel was the great-grandfather of Mr. Daniel Van Tassel of Tarrytown. A Jolin Van Tassel, born 1737, and who died 1807, was one of the Jolin Van Tassels who served in the French war; was also a soldier of the Revolution. He kept the Van Tassel Ium, present Jacob Mott house, which was a rallying place in the early part of the Revolution, a photo representation of which is herewith produced. It was there that Washington once visited a sick officer, as was well remembered by the late Mrs. Romer. It was there that a party of British Refugees (Tories) was surprised and captured by Major Hunt, in 1781. The
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door is said to have been pierced by a cannon ball during one of the bombardments of Tarrytown by British frigates. It is one of the oldest buildings remaining in this vicinity, and it is said was erected by one of the Martlings as early as 1712.
Another John Van Tassel who was a Revolutionary soldier was killed in the attack: on the Glode (one accounts says James) Reqna house on May 26, 1779. John Romer says of the affair, "John Van Tassel was posted as sentinel near the house, and challenged the enemy who charged. He fired, defended himself with his bayonet, but was surrounded and eut to pieces by the dragoons. The men then jumped out of the windows and escaped." The State afterwards gave a pension to "Catharine Ann and John Van Tassel, orphan children of Jolin Van Tassel, late private in Col. Hammond's Regt., who was slain on the field, May 26, 1779."
The David Van Tassel who was a prisoner at the same time with Lient. Jacob, was a brother of Hester Van Tassel, Jacob's wife. Abraham and Isaac who were also prisoners'at the same time, were brothers, the sons of Abraham Van Tassel and Cornelia La Mettie his wife. The aforementioned Isaac was the grandfather of the venerable Jolin C. Van Tassel, of Mt. Pleasant and of Win. II. Van Tassel, of the Areliitectural Iron Works of New York, their fathers being brothers.
Among the early if not original members of the old Dutel Church were Jacob Van Texel and Aletje his wife, Jan Van Texel and Cathrina his wife, and Cornelius Van Texel and Antje his wife. Among the officers of that Church appear the names of Cornelius Van Texel, Deacon, 1709; Jan Van Texel, Deacon, 1716; Cornelius, Elder, 1717; Jan, Elder, 1727 ; Jan, Elder, 1736; Hendrick, Deacon, 173S; Dirk, Deacon, 1743; Hendrick, Elder, 1745, 17449, 1750, and 1754; Johannis, Deacon, 1757-60. Hendrick, Elder, 1762; Dirck, Elder, 1767; Jacob, Deacon, 1770; Jan, Deacon, 1790.
Old Manor records show that Johannis Van Tassel was Collector 1722-3-5. 1742-Overseer for the King's Road from Charl Davids, Evert Bruyn and Johannis Van Texel the son of Jacob. 1743-Hannis Van Texel one of the Fence Viewers. Same year, Hannis Van Texel was one of the Overseers of Highway. 1750, Feb. 20, car mark of Win. Van Tassel ; 1756, Dee. 29, ear mark of Johannis Van Tassel ; 1757, March 20, car mark of Johannis Van Tassel, son of Hendrick. 1760, Mar. 4, licensed Inn Keeper, Peter Van Tassel ; 1778, John Van Tassel, a Pound Master ; 1779, Jolin Van Tassel Assessor.
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The following, copied from the original on file in the St. Archives at Albany, well deserves a place here as a picture of her endurance by the Van Tassels in the great struggle for American I .. erty and American Independence :
To his Excellency, Gov. Clinton, &c. This Petition Respectfully Showeth:
That your petitioners have endeavored to defend and protect the Freedom an Liberty of the United States. After the many disappointments and reverses of fort. . which we have had to struggle with, the expectations of rising again to prosperity a. brought low enough by long imprisonment ; but it would be a satisfaction to us that o .: real character were known to your Excellency and the Senate and Assembly, which !!. were we flatter ourselves that we should have your indulgence, nay, your estee: Refuse not most gracious gentlemen, the means for gaining this end to men who a? ready and willing to shed their blood in proof of their loyalty and affection for u ... country's cause.
Notwithstanding the enemy has not left us one single head of our cattle, furniture &c., but has plundered us of all, we bescech that you will look with an eye of pity of ... and have some consideration for our past services, and that a year's imprisonnient a .: : five years' exile, the ruin of our fortunes, and the submission with which we have boro these punishments and the zeal which we are still ready to show for out country's cause. if your Excellency and the Senate and Assembly do not make some provision for us i and our families must inevitably perish. Therefore we hope you will take Christi4. pity and assist us from this labyrinth of misery. By so doing, your petitioners and !!! widows and fatherless will be forever bound to pray for your Excellency, and the hon. orable Senate and Assembly.
ISAAC VAN TASSEL., Six in family, released from Imprisonment. DANIEL VAN TASSEL, Five in family, .. ABRAHAM VAN TASSEL, Seven in family. .. ..
JACOB VAN TASSEL, Seven in family, and still a Prisoner. Petition presented Feb. 9, 1781.
And now this all too brief review of the stalwart Van Tassel family is brought to a close.
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The Van Wart Family.
The Van Warts are found in the old Dutch Church records as early as 1700, Gerret Van Wart having been a Deacon there 1705-7, and 1710-12 ; an Elder 1719, and a Gerret Van Wart, perhaps Gerret, Jr., an Elder 1731-2, Joeghem Van Wart was a Deacon 1734, and per- haps another Joegliem Deacon in 1751. A Jacob Van Wart was Deacon 1739, and a Jacob, Elder 1766 and 1771, and Deacon in 1776. Mar- tinus was an Elder in 1774, and William Van Wart was a Deacon in . 1790. On an old Church subscription list at the time of the settlement of Dominie Smith over the two churches, the old Dutch and the new Church at Greenburgh, or Hall's Corners, date of October, 1807, are found the names of Mary, Isaac, Isaac, (2) William, Rachel, Jolm and Henry Van Wart.
The earliest baptisms of Van Warts on the old Church records are those of Jacob, son of Herrick or Hendrick Van Wart and Cornelia his wife, and Joachim, son of Gerridt Van Werdt and Catalyntie his wife, both of the date of 1701. Doubtless the fathers were both sons of Marten, the original emigrant, who sailed from Utrecht, Holland, on the ship Beaver, April 25, 1659.
In the old records of the officers of this Manor Garret Van Wart appears as Constable date of 1715; was Collector 1723. Jacob Van Wart was Collector 1718. A Gerret Van Wart was Constable 1742, and Joegliem was Collector same year. In 1744 Joeghem Van Wart was Constabie and Collector, and again Collector in 1745. The follow- ing is copied from the ancient records verbatim : "Ve first Tuesday in April, chosen overzeers for the King high way from Jacob Van Wert to
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Sawmill River by Nicklaas Storm, Abraham Van Wert the son Jacob," &c .; 1746, Constable and Collector, Joeghem Van Wert ; do. 1747; "Ditto (1747) overzeers for the King high waie, William Vas Wert for the road from the uper Mills to Gerret Van Wert, Jr." 1750. chosen Deputy Constable, Abraham Van Wart the son of Gerret. Joeghem Van Wart's ear mark was entered Apr. 8, 1743; Gerret, do. : Jacob, do .; Gerret, Jr., Sept. 8, 1743. Catrina the widow Van Want advertised an estray Dec. 1, 1775. Jacob Van Wart, Sr., was an Over. seer of the Poor, 1778, and Jolin Van Wart an Assessor, 1778 and 1779. Martinus Van Wart, an Overseer of the Poor, 1779. William Van Wart, an Overscer of the Tarrytown Road, 1779.
In the Tax List of 1732, for this Manor, the following Van Warts appear: Abraham, Gerret, Sr., Gerret, Jr., Jan, Joeghem, Jacob, and William Van Wart.
William Van Wart, by will, proved Ang. 4, 1772, gave to his wife Cathrina, and sons Win., Jacobus, Jacob, and daughters, Belitic, wife of David Davids, Susanna, wife of Wolfert Cropper, and Cathrina. wife of Jacobus Davids, Johannis Van Wert, by will, proved January 26, 1776, gave to his wife, Rachel, sons John and Daniel, and daugh- ters Cathrina, wife of Joli Van Wart, Christiana, Mary and Susannah. Joakum Van Wart, by will, proved Sept. 18, 1770, gave to his wife, Ragel, sons Gerret, John and Jacob, daughter Catrina, wife of Deliver- ance Conckling and children of his son Abraham Van Wart dec'd. This was the widow Ragel Van Wart who afterwards married Johannis Dutchier.
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