USA > New York > Westchester County > Tarrytown > Souvenir of the revolutionary soldiers' monument dedication, at Tarrytown, N.Y. October 19th, 1894; > Part 8
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And your inemorialist further shows, that in the autumn of the year 1776, whilst your memorialist was doing duty on the lines, his father was made a prisoner by the enemy and confined in the Duteh Church, in the City of New York, and that whilst the father of your memorialist was thus confined, the enemy encamped on his farin, and destroyed and earried off property to a great amount, leaving his wife with a large family almost destitute of the means of subsistence.
And your memorialist further shows, that in the summer of the year 1778, he again entered the service, having been appointed Horse Guard to that part of the Army of the United States which oceupied the lines in Westehester County and the vieinity ; that he continued in such serviee until the spring of the year 17So, and whilst in such serviee lie received the pay and subsistenee of a Captain in the Line, and was under the immediate orders of the commanding officers on the line.
And your memorialist further shows, that in the Spring of the year 1780, your memorialist left the service as a Horse Guide, having been appointed a Lieutenant in a Regiment raised under the authority of the government of this State, and commanded by Morris Graham,
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Esq., now deceased ; that your memoralist continued to do duty in that Regt. for six months, the period of time for which it was raised; that during such time the Regt. was engaged in the campaign of that year on the Mohawk river.
And your memorialist further shows, that at the end of that campaign he again entered the service as a Horse Guard, and continued to do duty in that capacity until the close of the war, with the exception of about two months of the last part of the war, when he was absent on furlough, by permission of the officer of the lines.
And your memorialist further shows, that his commission as Licutenant, and also the certificates showing his having entered the service as a Horse Guard, and stating the nature of such service, have been lost or destroyed; and your memorialist therefore respectfully refers to the accompanying document, which he trusts will satisfac- torily show that the statements inade by him in relation to the periods and nature of the service performed by him, for his eountry are correct : and he also trusts that it will appear from these documents, that at times when the country needed the serviees of all of its citizens, he embarked with zeal in the cause of his country.
And your memorialist respectfully shows, and states, &c. JOHN ODELL."
In this connection it may well be stated that when Orderly Sergt. Sybert Acker called for volunteers on the Parade Ground at Tarrytown, John Odell was the first one to step out to the front and right in the presence of the Tory Colonel Delancey.
The following is an account of an exciting adventure in which "Col." John Odell once came near being captured :
During the winter of 1782, Capt. Daniel Williams, of the New York levies (stationed on the lines), having justreturned from an excur- sion to Morrisania, was surprised by a party of the cnemy's horse, in a barn near the King's Ferry House. George McChain, who behaved with the utmost gallantry on this occasion, was killed ; the rest of the party effected their escape on the ice. David Merritt of Cortlandtown, Oct. 12th, 1845, says : "When the Refugees surprised Williams' post, at Orser's, a part of them went north and cut off ye retreat, driving Col. John Post, the guide and others upon ye ice, when Odell (Col. John Odell of the Westchester Guides) fought with two and escaped." It is said that he severely wounded one of his pursuers on the right by a heavy back stroke of his good sword, and also wounded the other on the left. A reward of {roo had been offered for his capture, so obnoxious had he become to the enemy.
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John Odell when appointed a Guide, was presented by Col. Van Cortlandt with asplendid gray steed and pair of pistols. The horse lie rode all through the war while in service. In the surprise at Orser's the horse escaped from him, but was afterwards found. It was the Courtlandt gray that Licut. Odell rode at the time he conducted thie daughter of Joseph Youngs to a place of safety at the time hier father's house was burnt on the 25th of December, 1778. Jackson Odell says, "My father (Lieut. John Odell, ) assisted in capturing Capt. Ogden twiee. He was with the party that took him at Vermilyea's, at Kings Bridge, and with Cushing's party." John Odell was also with Armand when he took Bearmore and Frederic Underhill, and is referred to by Gen. Timothy Pickering as the principal Guide in the advance of the Continental army through the Saw Mill River Valley on July 2d and 3d, 1781.
The following amusing incident is copied from the Centennial address delivered at Tarrytown, by Rev. J. Selden Spencer, July 4, 1876: " The old MeCormick house, still standing on the White Plains Road, about one mile this side of Hall's Corners, (Elinsford), was the scene of a ludicrous incident during the Revolution, which has ever since been commemorated by the name applied to this road, one of the famous Westchester Guides being the chief actor in it. Col. John Odell, uncle of our respected citizen, Captain Jonathan Odell, hearing that some tory refugees or Cow Boys had possession of the MeCormiek house, determined to drive them out, and succeeded in doing so. While occupying the house, there was some alarm in the night, which was soon quicted ; but in the morning, when Col. Odell arose to dress, his brecchies could not be found, and there were no others at hand to supply their loss. He heard that his commanding officer, Col. Sheldon, was approaching, and he must go to meet him. The good woman of the house offered as her best substitute, one of her petticoats, which lie immediately donned, mounted his horse, and so rode forth to meet Col. Sheldon ; and from that circumstanee it is said, that road lias ever since been known as Petticoat Lane !"
Dyckman Odell, a grandson of Col. John Odell, who still lives on the old homestead, called the Roelambeau headquarters since thic allied eampaign of 1781, gives the following additional data, being remini- iscenees from his grandfather, whom he well remembers. He says that Abraham Dyckman, who was a cousin of his grandfather, Col. John Odell, was shot in the town of Eastclicster on the rise of ground in the northerly part of the village of Mt. Vernon, and not two miles cast of
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that place as stated by Bolton .. That after he was so wounded he w. held up on one side by John Pine, and on the other by Col. John Ode. and so escaped falling into the hands of the enemy. Abraham Dyc ... man was to have been married to a sister of Cornelius Oakley, anothr : of the Westchester Guides, but for his tragic deatlı.
Dyckman Odell also relates an amusing adventure of his grand.
, father in which he came near being captured while on a visit to hi. sweetheart, Hannah McChain, in the fall of 1782, she being a sister .: his associate guide, John McChain, and the daughter of James MeChain. wholived to the south east and not far from what afterwards came to Ix known as the Col. Jolin Odell place, and where Dyckinan Odell at present
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ROCHAMBEAU HEADQUARTERS.
resides. It appears that his presence there had come to the knowledge of some of the Tories of that neighborhood, who accordingly planned his capture. But Hannah was on the alert, and suspecting the purpose of a party that she saw approaching, she quickly secreted her lover in the garret, he climbing up and lying prone upon a plank under the roof. The Tories soon made their appearance, and searched the house, though fortunately did not succeed in finding him. The following year, peaec having been declared, they were married and there resided until 1785.
John Odell received his title of Colonel from a commission bear- ing the signature of Gov. Jolin Jay, dated March 15, 1797, naming him as Lieut .- Col. Commandant of a Regiment of Westchester County
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Militia, having previously, in 1786, been commissioned as Captain by Gov. George Clinton. He was over six feet in stature and every way a stalwart man, of splendid physique. He was twice married. By his first wife, Hannah McChain, he had a daughter who married Bishop Underhill and was so the grandmother of Edgar Underhill, Esq., of New York.
His second marriage was with Abigail, daughter of Haccalialı Brown, by whom he had John Jackson Odell, born Aug. 10, 1792, who graduated from Columbia College elass of 1814. During the War of 1812 he served on the staff of Gen. Pierre Van Cortlandt, having the rank of Colonel. He married Anna, daughter of Bartholomew Ward and granddaughter of Hon. Stephen Ward. He lived at the Tompkins- Odell farın, distinguished for having been the headquarters of Rochami- bean during the summer of 1781, and which was purchased of the Com- missioners of Forfeiture in 1785, he having previously purchased the interest of the widow Bates in the improvements on the property. Her husband, Gilbert Bates, was taken prisoner by two British scouts who came along and took him from the orchard just opposite the house, in the fall of 1779, and putting him on a horse, tying his feet together, so carried him away, and that was the last that was ever seen of him. Mr. Bates had bought the place of John Tompkins who built the now old and historic house about 1733.
Pierre Odell, who died at Hastings in 1885, and Dyekinan Odell, who still continues to live on the old place, were both sons of Col. Jackson Odell. Dyekman Odell is married and has a family of seven children. Col. John Odell, who died in 1835, aged 79 years, was buried in the old Dutch Churchyard.
Lieutenant Abraham Odell, another son of Jonathan, born 1760, served in the early part of the Revolution as one of the Westchester Guides. He also, for some time, acted as Adjutant and Secretary to Governor-General George Clinton. Was a Lieutenant in 17SI. After the war he was Member of Assembly for seven termis, and for nearly twenty years Supervisor of the town of Greenburgh. He married Anne Mandeville of Peekskill. Died 1820, and was buried in the old Dutch Churchyard, Tarrytown. Phebe Odell, a daughter of Abraham, married Rufus S. King of New York, and was so the mother of Rufus King, Esq., of Yonkers, the historian of the Odell family.
Lieut. Abraham Odell was often ealled Armand, because he resembled the Frenel Legionary Commander. Col. Armand was above the middle size, of dark complexion, with black hair, and wore large
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mustaches and whiskers, but was not quite so large as Abraham Ode.
Isaac Odell, son of Jonathan, marricd Poebe Dean. Was pro; ably a soldier of the Revolution. Died 1811. Had Jonathan, Danici and Margaret.
William Odell, son of Jonathan, married Hannah Wiltsea, a :: . lived at the old homestead near Abbotsford. Had Jonathan who ma ?. ried Susan McChain, Daniel who married Charlotte Dean, Margar: wlio married Col. Lester W. Barker of Oneida Co., also Isaac, Abraham, William, Jr., Altien, Johanna who married Garret Dyckman, and Win. Dyckman. Odell.
Jacob, son of Jonathan Odell, born 1752, married Hannah Stymus and had Jonathan, Jasper, and Jacob, Jr., born soon after his death, Sept. 28, 1798. Jacob, Jr., married a Miss Smith and lived and dicd at Peekskill. Jasper S. married Sarah Wildey, and lived at Tarr ;. tow11. Wasin thelumber and coal business at Point Dock, and Captain of a steamboat for many years. Mr. Jolin J. Odell, of Tarrytown, is his SO11.
Capt. Jonathan S. Odell, son of Jacob and grandson of Jonathan. Sr., was born at the old Stone House, Abbotsford, Nov. 14, 1793. On Dec. 28, 1813, he married Jane Tompkins, daughter of Thomas and Hannah Ward Tompkins who was born Dec. 1, 1796, on a farmi about two miles west of White Plains. Capt. Odell's business life comprised being merchant and Postmaster at the old Mott store on the corner of Broadway and Main St., afterwards engaged in the freighting business from the old Requa Dock, then removed to Point Dock ; was a farmer for a time in the Saw Mill river valley, then engaged in steamboating, and in the grocery business. Was Town Clerk, Supervisor in 1827. and in 1828 was one of the Superintendents of the Poor of the County. Was Colonel of a Westchester Militia Regt. Died Sept. 12, 1887.
Capt. Jonathan S. Odell and Jane Tompkins his wife had sons Jacob, Jasper, James, William H. and N. Holmes Odell, and daughters Hannah, Martha, and Angeline.
Jacob Odell was Postmaster two terms, Member of Assembly. and held other offices, besides being extensively engaged in business. Married Eliza H. Barker of Adams, Mass. Died in 1886, and left two sons, George and C. Fred Odell, both of Tarrytown.
Win. H. Odell resides at Wilmington, Will Co., Ill. James lived and died at Peekskill ; Hon. N. Holmes Odell was County Treasurer . for several terins, Member of the Legislature of this State, Member of Congress, and Postmaster.
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CAPT. JONATHAN S. ODELL.
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An Abraham Odell, who married Christina Van Wart and lived on what was afterwards ealled the Underhill place, at East View (East Tarrytown), was known as handsome " Brom." His ancestry has not been clearly traeed, but he was claimed as kindred by the late Capt. Jonathan Odell of Tarrytown. That he was a soldier of the Revolution is abundantly evidenced by the following from the records in the Pension Department at Washington :
Christina Van Wart Odell, widow of Abraham Odell, states in her application for a pension, date of Oct. 8, 1846, that they were married in the year 1783, and that he died 1810. Peter Van Woermer testified that he was well acquainted with Abraham Odell, and knew that he was a soldier in the Revolution ; that he so served in Capt. Honeywell's Company. Christina Romer deposed and said that she was well acquainted with said Abraham Odell ; knew him from her earliest recollection till the time of his death; that he was a soldier of the Revo- lution and served in Capt. Honeywell's Company. The records show that he was so in the service from June 30, 1779, till Nov. 11, 1782.
Abraham and Christina Van Wart Odell had the following child- ren : John, lsaae, Jacob, Benjamin, who married Mary, the daughter of Jacob Buckhout and Jane Hammond his wife, and had Capt. Jacob B. Odell, who was at one time Postmaster of Tarrytown and has long been connected with the Albany Day Boat Line ; Hannah, twin sister of Benjamin, married Jacob Buckhout, Jr. ; Rachel, another sister, mar- ried David Buekhout ; Ann, born 1800, married the late Martin Smith, so long the proprietor of the noted Conenhoven-Smith Inn at Broadway and Main St., Tarrytown ; Rosetta, married William Dutcher, 3d, a grandson of Capt. Win. Duteher ; Jane, daughter of Abraliam Odell and Christina his wife, married Abraham Buckhout ; Elizabeth, another daughter, married Nicholas Storms ; a son Clinton, married Susannah Ackerman. Christina, widow of Abraham Odell, died March 16, 1851, aged 86 years, and was buried in the old Dutch Churchyard.
The Isaac Odell who is said to have been one of the Westehester Guides, was a son of Isaae, Sr., one of the brothers of Jonathan Odell, Sr., of Philipse Manor. He married his eousin Hannah Odell, daugh- ter of Abraham Odell.
General Jacob Odell of Yonkers, born 1756, was the son of Abra- ham, brother of Jonathan, Sr. An interesting faet in regard to this Patriot officer of the Revolution, is the following statement said to have been anade by him in after years. He used to recount the time and the place whicre himself and three other cousins of the name (Odell) volim-
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teered their services to the Patriot cause. "It was beneath the old white- wood tree where the three Westchester farmers stopped Major Andre and so diselosed the treason of Arnold." It was there that Jacob Odell (Gen. Jacob)-in June, 1776, volunteered in a company commanded by Stephen Oakley, Gilbert Dean being Lieutenant, James Oakley Orderly- Sergeant,-" Brom " Dyckman, and three Odell's-John, Isaae and Abraham.
A Moses Odell who lived near Kensico, had sister Elizabeth who married Elnathan Taylor, who suffered death at the hands of the British by being taken from his bed and thrown into a snow drift when sick with the small-pox; they were the great-grandparents of Supervisor Moses W. Taylor of Mt. Pleasant, and C. K. Buchanan of Tarrytown. Lieut. Gilbert Taylor of the Revolution was brother of Elnathan. Moses had son Moses, Jr., and he had sons Gilbert, Harry, Evander, Isaac, and William Odell, who formerly resided on Washington St., and was the father of Mrs. Joseph H. Davis of Tarrytown. The late Hon. Moses Odell, Member of Congress from Brooklyn, was of this family.
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Captain William Dutcher and the Dutcher Family.
Among the early if not original settlers on this Manor, and prominent among them, was the family of Barent Duytser, or Duyster, or Duyseher, as it is variously spelled in the Church records, while on the first page of the old Manor book it is plainly written Barrant Duy- ser, on which oeeasion, the first Tuesday in April, 1742, it is noted that he was chosen as one of the Fenee Viewers. Barent Duytser's ear mark for his stock is recorded in Liber E, in the county records at · White Plains, date of April 2, 1717. The old records there also show that lie was Collector for this Manor for the year 1719. An old tax roll for 1732, shows him to have been assessed at £31, which was a larger amount than the most of his neighbors. His name there appears as follows : Barent Duijser. In the deseription of the laying out of the old Post Road, present Broadway, in 1723, his name appears as Barrent Duytehers, so various seems to have been the orthography of the name as interpreted by those who had occasion to put it in writing. The old deseription here referred to is of interest as loeating his residence at that time on what is still known as the old Duteher place. The names of two of luis sons, Johannis and David Duijser, also appear on the old tax roll referred to.
Extensive researel has failed to disclose the place of his resi- dence before appearance on this Manor. He was unquestionably of Duteh deseent, as his name strongly signifies. Barent stands for Bernard, or Bornt, while Duytser refers to Dutchland. Before or after coming he married Maritje Concklie, (Conekling) probably as early or earlier than 1700, as the record of the baptism of their first child,
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"بالم الخدود أي - الرب
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apparently first, is recorded in the old Duteh Church as of 1701. In regard to where he may have come from is the unexplainable state- ment made opposite his name in connection with his second marriage. that he was "of Stuyvesant, and residing at Philipsburgh." No such plaèe appears in all the New Netherlands, and the old records of Long Island do not disclose it. But it evidently icans something, and is significant of his former place of residenee.
Barent Duytser and Maritje his wife united with old Dutch Church here prior to 1701, but the exact date is not recorded. In 1706-8 he filled the office of Deacon, and in 1718, 1722, and 1737, was eliosen one of the Elders of the old Dutch Chureli. A Barent Duytser was also Deaeon in 1748, but it is probable that was Barent, Jr., and that Barent, Sr., had died prior to that time, althoughi the exact date of his death is not known.
Barent Duytser, Sr., was twice married. His second marriage was with Derktje Smith, widow of Hendrick Lammerse, date of Dec. 29, 1717, his first wife having died sometlring less than a year previous. By this marriage was Jannike, born 1718, Isaae, bapt. 1720, and Jacob bapt. Ang. 28tl1, 1722. He lived on what was long known as the old Duteher fanın near present Irvington, and which, at his death, eame into the possession of liis eldest son, Johannis.
The following children were by the first marriage: Helena, Johannes, Margrietje, David, Helena (2d), Barent, r., Abram.
The following children, born of the second marriage, were baptised at Tappan Church, except Jacob : Jennike, Isaac, Jacob.
Johannis, son of Barent Duytser by his first marriage, was mar- ried to Meyno Buys, May 27, 1727, and had Jacob, Johannis, Jr., William, Lena. And perhaps others whose baptisms are not recorded in the old Church book.
Meyno Buys Duytser, died on the 17th of August, 1770, and the next year Johannis married again, his second wife being "Rachel Van Wart, widow of Jacom." Johannis Dutcher died Sept. 16, 1776, in his 73d year. His second wife, Rachel Van Wart, outlived both her husband and his son Capt. William, and dying in 1795 left a will in favor of his widow, Catrina Concklie Dutcher. Johannis was an Elder of the old Dutch Church date of 1760.
CAPT. WILLIAM DUTCHER
The third son of Johannis Dutehier, was one of the leading and repre- sentative mien of this Manor at the time of the Revolution. He was a
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man of ability, character, and substance. His patriotism was of the kind which needed no incitement to action, and his wife Catrina, was herself equal, as appears, to any emergency. He carly offered his services in the cause of the Colonies, and was commissioned as Captain, 1775, with Daniel Martling and Geo. Monson as his First and Second Lieutenants. At first it was a surprise not to find the names of any of his Company on the pay rolls as published in Berthold Fernow's "New York in the Revolution," but the following letter from Capt. Dutcher, copied from the original in the State Archives at Albany gives a good reason for their not so appearing :- for they stood upon high vantage ground as Patriots, serving their country without pay and at their own charges, the only suggestion made being that lead and powder would be welcome ! What a high example that was and what an inspiring one to look upon. But licre is the letter, again offering their services :
Philips Borough, July 30, 1776.
GENTLEMEN :- Having understood that there is a number of men to be raised in Westchester County for to do County duty ; and whereas there is a number of men under my command that are well equipt as any Company in the County, and I think I can say with safety, the Best ; and the men in general are all willing to enter in their Country's service : If the gentlemen of the Provincial Congress think fit to employ them, as we have heretofore done a great deal of County duty when other Companies have been left at home, and have never had any satisfaction for it, and which also we never intended to make any demand of. However, we have notwithstanding, been very ill used, for all the other Companies have had powder and ball delivered to them when we are left with- out any. So gentlemen, if you should be in want of us, you might let me know by the earliest opportunity; and you may depend upon it these men will be ready almost on the shortest notice. Therefore you must send up recruiting orders immediately.
Your Humble Servant,
william Deethan
Col. Hammond in a letter to the N. Y. Convention date of July 14, 1776, states that Capt. Wm. Dutcher, was willing to raise a Cont- pany of 40 inen to protect the inhabitants from the "Mischievous attempts of the Ministerial ships now lying in the river near Tarry- town," and he recommended to the Convention that he be so authorized.
Capt. Dutcher's letter was read at a session of the Convention held July 31, 1776. The following is copied from the original proceed- ings date, of Aug. 5, 1776:
."A letter from Wm. Dutcher, Captain, Daniel Marling, First Lieutenant, and George Munson, 2d Lieutenant, dated the 30th day of July last, and rec'd on the 31st, was read and filed. They therein set forth their willingness to raise a Company and serve under Col. Thomas, and that they are of opinion they can raise a Company without difficulty.
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"Resolved, That Capt. William Dutcher, Lieut. Dan'l Marling and George Mu- son be, and they are hereby authorized to raise one Company of Volunteers to serve .: the Regiment of Militia of Westchester County commanded by Col. Thomas ; and the! so many of the said Company as do now belong to the Militia of Westchester County te considered as a part of the number ordered to be raised by draft from the respective Regiments of the said Militia to which they do belong.
"Ordered, that Gen. Morris write a letter to Capt. Dutcher, directing him to call on Col. Thomas for a proportion of the Bounty Money for his men."
HE IS SENT TO GEN. WASHINGTON.
Col. Jas. Hammond in a communication to Gen. Washington, dated at 'Tarrytown, July 15, 1776, giving him account of the presence of the enemies' war ships on the Tappan Zec, and asking for aid to repel them, says : "As to further particulars must beg leave to refer your Excelleney to the bearer, Capt. William Dutcher." So Capt. Dutcher was sent on an important errand to see Gen. Washington and to com. inunicate to him personally the situation here at that critical juncture.
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