USA > New York > Queens County > Newtown > The annals of Newtown, in Queens County, New York; containing its history from its first settlement, together with many interesting facts concerning the adjacent towns; > Part 21
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 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42
212
ANNALS OF NEWTOWN.
Forresters, Lt. Col. John Conolly, commandant, were stationed near Hellgate, where they passed the winter. One of their offi- cers, Lieut. Barry, died of a violent fever, in October, and was interred at Hallett's Cove, with the honors of war. A part of the British Legion lay at Hellgate this fall, and a division of the Queen's Rangers wintered on the farm of George Brincker- hoff, now William Bragaw's.
Of the loyal refugees who took shelter in Newtown, it is but justice to say that some were most worthy men. Of this number was Dr. Samuel Cutler, a physician from New Eng- land, who had travelled extensively in Europe, in pursuit of knowledge, and had been a member of the faculty at Edin- burgh · Hospital. His learning, combined with great benevo- lence, acquired for him a considerable practice in Newtown during the war, at the close of which he returned to New England. Zacheus Cutler, a cousin of the former, was also a refugee in Newtown. His estate in New Hampshire had been confiscated to the cause of freedom. Being a merchant, he went to London before the peace, to purchase a stock of goods, with a view to establish himself in trade in the city of New-York, but he perished at sea on his returning voyage. Dr. Josiah Pomeroy, a proscribed refugee from Hatfield, Mass. also came to Newtown, and followed his profession of medi- cine. Another refugee of character boarding here, was Capt. James Cox, an Englishman, who had lived in Virginia. At the peace he went to Nova Scotia, and was the proprietor of a line of schooners which ran between Shelburn and New- York. He afterwards returned to the latter city, and died of yellow fever. Another refugee was Peter Fitzsimmons, a merchant, who, after the war, retired to St. John, New Bruns- wick. In the spring of 1782 he opened a tavern at the house of widow Betts, at Hallett's Cove, (now Grant Thorburn's,) which was announced in an advertisement in Rivington's Ga- zette. He informed the public that "he also has the ferry on the opposite side of Horn's Hook, and keeps horse-boats and small boats for passengers. Ferriage for man and horse, 2s. horse and chair 4s. cattle 2s. passengers 1s." This tavern, and another at the English Kills landing, called the Queen's Head, and "the corner house," at Newtown village, were much resorted to by the soldiery, refugees, and other loyalists.
A striking instance of the manner in which the perpetrator
-
213
ANNALS 0 F NEWTOWN.
of crime is often "suddenly destroyed, and that without reme- dy," occurred a little before the peace. Thomas Cumberson1 was awakened by a knocking at his door, by some persons who asked the way to Hallett's Cove. They then wanted to come in and get something to eat, but this he refused, as the hour was unseasonable. They left the door, uttering threats. Suspecting they might return again, Cumberson dressed him- self, and stood his loaded gun by the bed. In a short time, without notice, the door was forced open by a stone as large as a man could well manage. The robbers then rushed in upon him, and one cried out, "Now, you rascal, we've got you." He fired instantly, and lodged the load in the fellow's abdomen, and sung out as to a friend present, "Hand the other gun, or fire yourself." Thereupon all three decamped. The wounded man essayed to mount his horse, but failed. He however snapped his pistol at Cumberson, who had followed him out of doors and was looking on. Finally, he begged to be led into the house. Cumberson told him he had been in once. "Yes, to my sorrow," said the wounded man, throwing down his pistol, and falling on the ground. He at first refused to give the names of his associates; but on being told by a British surgeon who had been sent for, that he had but a short time to live, he confessed all. His name was Michael Hagan, and he was about eighteen years of age. Three of them had deserted from the British camp at Flatbush, and come over to the English Kills, where they broke open the king's stables, (on the premises late of Judge Jones,) and stole three wagon- er's horses. His two accomplices, Docharty and Lyons, rode off to Hallett's Cove, where, stealing a boat, they crossed the river, and were never heard of afterwards. The next morn- ing the wagoners came in pursuit of their horses, and found
1 Thomas Cumberson (whose father emigrated from England) occupied the place owned of late by his son Thomas, though the house has been re- built since the Revolution. He married, in 1759, Elizabeth, the daughter of Ben- jamin Cornish, and died in 1784, aged 48. His children were Philetus, Jemima, Nathaniel, Elizabeth, Cornelius, Thomas, Benjamin, Catharine, and Jonah. Philetus entered the American naval service in the Revolution, was taken by the enemy, and carried to the West Indies. His fate remains a mystery. His brother Thomas, whose accurate memory supplied more than one page in these annals, was a rare example of good sense, integrity, and respectability in an humble sphere. He died March 31st, 1849, in his 74th year.
214
ANNALS OF NEWTOWN.
the one still tied to the door-yard fence. They proceeded to Hallett's Cove, where they recovered the others, and returned to their quarters. The wounded man having survived about eight hours, died in great agony, and was sewed up in a blanket of Mrs. Cumberson's, and buried north of the house, in the woods, by several soldiers who were sent for the purpose from a neighboring encampment.
Other instances occurred where a similar retribution over- took the guilty. The barn of Thomas Woodward, a worthy inhabitant, who lived where Mr. Vietor now does, in Newtown village, was used by the enemy as a hospital for the sick sol- diery. On a winter's night Mr. Woodward was aroused by a noise among his ducks, at the rear of the house. Opening the back door, he could see no one, for the night was foggy. He however discharged his gun at a venture, expecting only to frighten the intruder, but the next morning a soldier was found dead a short distance from the house, with a duck under his coat. The soldiers were so exasperated at Woodward, that he continued to be in great fear for his life. It has been said that he was not called to account for this deed, but from the nature of the act, and the wrath excited, such an omission would have been extraordinary. Besides, I find him arraigned " a prisoner" before a court-martial, April 26th, 1782, though unfortunately the offence is not stated. He was favored in this case by the intercession of Serj. Major B. Rathbone, of the grenadiers, who had quartered at his house.
The boldness of robbers rendered travelling by night par- ticularly dangerous. On the evening of Christmas, in 1782, a couple of young men, John Rapelye and William Garden, returning homeward with ladies in a sleigh, were stopped near Newtown village, somewhere between the residences of John Penfold and William Leverich, by two men supposed to be soldiers, and the gentlemen robbed of their money and a silver watch. Alarm was given, and a party went out in pursuit of the robbers, but they were not found. Capt. George Rapelye, father of one of the young men, offered a reward for their de- tection, but without success. Another robbery equally daring occurred on April 2d of the following year. As Jacob Bennet, who lived on the hill at Dominie's Hook, was rowing home- ward from market, his negro observed a strange boat on the
215
ANNALS OF NEWTOWN.
shore, a little way from the house, and said to his master, " There must be robbers at our house, let's scuttle the boat." It was no sooner said than done. As they drew near the house, the robbers (who had already tied up the aged father, and forced him to show his money,) came out, and ordered them to land, or they would be fired on. Disregarding the threat, Bennet put about for the Bushwick shore, and gave the alarm. The robbers now fled to their boat, to escape, but as they put off she filled. They then made for the meadows, and hid in the sedge £1000 they had taken, being the property of Mr. Bennet and his son-in-law, Capt. Geo. Hunter. The robbers were refugees, and one of them was taken up a day or two after, and lodged in the main guard. Capt. Hunter offered fifty guineas for the arrest of the others.
Instances of petty theft, such as the following, were almost innumerable. Howard Furman had a heifer stolen and found her fifty yards off, with her hind quarters cut out, the rest being left. Aaron, his son, lost some dueks, but on complain- ing and pointing out the thief, he was punished! which was the extent of the satisfaction obtained in such cases. J. Rem- sen, who lived a mile and a half south of Newtown village, hearing some soldiers in his cow-yard, fired, and put shot into three of them. William Howard had his cows penned up be- fore his house, bars wedged, the front door open, and a person sitting up all night to watch, and yet they were stolen! Sam- uel Waldron one night discovered some soldiers digging his potatoes. He went out with his gun, but no one was to be seen. Thereupon, to assure them that he was armed, he dis- charged his piece in the air, when up jumped the potatoe thieves from among the bushes, and seampered off at a speed that defied pursuit. When soldiers lay near, corn and pota- toes were often watched at night. In the woods of John Alburtis, near Newtown village, (now J. Penfold's,) the sol- diers had barrels sunk in the ground, for the reception of stolen artieles, as has been supposed, though others are of opinion that they were water casks. Their dexterity in stealing eluded detection in most cases. Farmers were even foreed to take in their rail-fences in winter, to save them from being stolen for fuel.
Thus was Newtown a prey to depredation, alarm, and eru-
216
ANNALS OF NEWTOWN.
elty, for the space of seven long years. The civil courts were suspended, and martial law prevailed, as crime emanated to a great extent from the soldiery. In other cases complaints of a civil or criminal nature were entered to the British authori- ties, at New-York. But as this was found to occasion the in- habitants serious inconvenience and delays, Gov. Robertson, in 1780, established a police on Long Island, having an office at Jamaica, open weekly, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, for the administration of justice "on principles of equity." It was seldom, however, that justice, in its true sense, could be obtain- ed by the down-trodden and oppressed inhabitants. It is true, that for the encouragement of farmers to raise plentiful sup- plies of produce for his Majesty's service, the British generals Howe and Clinton had both, by proclamation, forbid all per- sons damaging or destroying fences, or taking away cattle, stock, or other produce, from their owners, under penalty of severe punishment, on complaint being made to the nearest commanding officer. Yet when complaints were entered against the soldiery, how seldom was the guilt of the offender esta- blished, in the estimation of the officer. Ever ready to screen their men, they winked at their crimes, insomuch that it became a by-word among them, "You are not punished for stealing, but for being found out." Still rarely was the loss of the farmer repaired.
As a security against midnight marauding, the farmers were glad to have the British officers quarter in their houses, for they were usually attended by one or more soldiers as a safeguard, one of whom, during the day, constantly paraded with his loaded musket to and fro before the door. At night they slept in the kitchen, barn, or other parts of the premises, and protected them from robbers. And though an officer was entitled to one or more of the best rooms in the house, he usually paid well for his board, the customary price being 20s. per week, and his rations, which latter helped to supply the table. And payment was in gold and silver. These conside- rations served to make their presence tolerable.1 The billeting
1 In addition to those already noticed, Gen. Warren was quartered in the house at the English Kills recently occupied by Hon. D. S. Jones; Maj. Humphreys at the town-house; Capt. Raymond at D. Van Duyn's; (now D. S. Mills,) Maj. Thomas Barclay, of the Loyal Americans, at Rich. Berrien's,
217
ANNALS OF NEWTOWN.
of privates in the whig families was a great nuisance. The troops were accustomed, on the approach of winter, to strike their tents, and take shelter in huts, or else in neighboring farm-houses. The mode of billeting was as follows. The com- manding officer having obtained from the magistrates or other intelligent sourees, a list of the inhabitants, together with in; formation as to how many persons each family eould accom- modate, the soldiers, in squads of the proper number, usually from ten to twenty, were furnished with tickets directing them to the quarters assigned them. The first notice you had that your house would be wanted, was, " Well, madam, I've come to put a billet on your house." And it was of no use to ob- ject. The family was allowed one fireplace. The soldiers generally selected the kitchen as their apartment. Then some fenee or out-building was stript of its boards, and hammocks constructed around the room, commonly in three tiers, one above the other. And from this beginning the family became subject to a series of losses and annoyances which were hard to be borne and yet unsafe to murmur at. The effect was most pernicious upon the slaves, who either ran away or be- eame less respectful to their owners, when they saw them lorded over by British officers. And it is pitiable to think, how, under the domination of these petty tyrants, the spirit of the man was erushed, and a feeling of inferiority, and a demeanor nearly allied to a erawling servility, substituted. For these officers expected the utmost condescension. In ad- dressing one, your head must be uncovered and your hat held under the arm. And if a farmer in passing should negleet to doff his beaver, he might depend on a caning, though the Britain would searcely deign to notice him, much less return the civility. Oppressed, sometimes, beyond the power of en- duranee, collisions would happen between the inhabitants and the officers. Onee an altereation took place between Howard Furman and a Hessian officer. The latter called Furman a d-d rebel, and he retorted, when the Hessian drew his sword.
(now Mrs. Denton's,) and at W. Leverich's, (now Wilcox's,) Trains Meadow. At the latter place, Col. Richmandt, a German, was also quartered. Lieut. Thompson, of one of the new-raised corps, was at J. Riker's ; Dr. Harper, sur- geon of the Garrison Battalion, at Joseph Burroughs', (now Jona. Randel's,) in 1780.
218
ANNALS OF NEWTOWN.
Furman, who had done service in the French war, was not to be frightened, and picking up a stick of wood, at it they went. But the affray was happily checked, yet not till Furman had lost a forefinger by a stroke of the sword. In general, how- ever, the Hessians, officers as well as soldiers, were much better disposed towards the inhabitants than the British, or new-raised corps, who were insolent, domineering, and blood- thirsty.
Farmers were also subject to many severe regulations and burdens, imposed by the higher authorities. They were re- quired to furnish from year to year, for the use of the army, the greater portion of their hay, straw, rye, corn, oats, vege- tables, and fresh provisions, ander pain of being imprisoned, and having their crops confiscated. And the haste with which they were sometimes obliged to thrash out and deliver their grain or straw at the forage magazine, was peculiarly embar- rassing. But it was for his Majesty's service; and to this every consideration of individual comfort or economy must yield unhesitatingly. In like manner, those who owned wood- land, were obliged to cut and deliver their share of fuel, and if they were unwilling, others were authorized to do it, and the owner was fortunate if he got paid for it. Such as de- clined to sell their wood were in danger of having it seized and confiscated.1 And the farmer being thus forced to a delivery and sale of his produce, the commissary or bar- rack-master weighed or measured it, and then rendered pay- ment according to the prices fixed by the king's commissioners. If he demanded more, it was at the risk of losing the whole. Owing to the great and constant demand of the army, the necessaries of life often became exceedingly scarce and high. In the hard winter, when the magazines became nearly ex- hausted, wheat brought 26s. a bushel, rye and corn 10s. and buckwheat 8s. Potatoes ran up to 18s. and half a guinea per bushel, butter to 8s. and 10s. per pound. Turkeys sold for half a guinea. Wheat flour, 80s. or $10 per hundred weight. Other eatables in proportion. But high prices were of but
1 Capt. Geo. Rapelye served as commissary of fuel from the earlier part of the war till its elosc, under whose directions immense quantities of timber was cut to supply the wood-yard at Newtown, whence it was carted to the encampments as required.
219
ANNALS OF NEWTOWN.
little avail to the farmer, whose supplies had already perhaps been reduced by pilferers or foraging parties of the enemy to less than enough to meet the wants of his own family. Fur- thermore, the inhabitants were obliged, when called upon, to furnish teams to cart wood, or perform other public service, sometimes under pay, but often without receiving any compen - sation. And then it became necessary to obtain written per- mission to do this and do that. The small craft in which the farmers were accustomed to send their produce to market, were required to have a pass from the commanding officer on Long Island, or the military colonel of the county. Neither were they permitted to sail after dark or before sunrise in the morn- ing, as the guard boats were directed to seize all such as did so. Neither could they purchase and carry home for family use any goods, wares, or provisions, without first obtaining a permit at the superintendent's office, New-York. It is not to be wondered at, that smarting under such indignities as have been enumerated, and oppressed with the conviction that the authors of them were subverting their liberties and spreading devastation and death over their beloved land, feelings of fixed and bitter enmity should have been engendered, which were only stifled from conscious impotence and want of power to resent them. But the period of their deliverance was now at hand.
It is not within my province to detail the military opera- tions of the glorious Revolution, which resulted in the inde- pendence of the United States. The anguish, the sacrifices, the self-devotion, the brilliant achievements, are fresh in our memories, and engraven on the heart as with a pen of iron. Newtown had some faithful representatives in the council-hall, and in camp, and battle-field, who eagerly looked forward to the joyful termination of their toils and sufferings. One of these, a surgeon in the army, in reviewing the untoward oe- currences which had expelled him and his companion from their native town, thus consoles her by a letter. "The great Disposer of all events has wisely excluded our aspiring natures from sifting the designs of His providence, but has given us sufficient encouragement while in the line of duty, to rest our humble dependence thereon, assuring us that all things work together for good to them that believe. Let us therefore be
220
ANNALS OF NEWTOWN.
zealous in our endeavors to answer the great objects of our creation, and be resigned to the will of Heaven in all things ; and I make no doubt, when He has answered His divine pur- poses for which these trials have been sent, that we shall be again restored, and our property secured to us." Again, under brighter prospects, he writes-"I now begin to anticipate the pleasure of revisiting our native place in triumph, with credit and applause. Independence, gloriously obtained, will make ample restitution for all the toil and labor, the blood and trea- sure, that have been expended in the purchase."
Such were the bright expectations that the Newtown whigs, both at home and in exile, began to cherish at the prospect of American Independence. On the other hand, that portion of the inhabitants who from honest motives but false views had been led to take a decided and active part in sup- port of royal authority, were sunk in the depths of despond- ency at the utter prostration of their hopes. And when, about the first of August, 1782, news arrived that Great Britain had virtually acknowledged our independence, it fell upon their ears like the knell of death. They were seized with conster- nation at an event which pronounced upon them the sentence of banishment. In their espousal of the British cause, some, with indiscreet zeal, had pursued an uncalled for severity to- ward their rebel neighbors, directly calculated to imbitter their feelings ; all had made themselves too conspicuous to hope to escape the retributive vengeance of the exasperated whigs, into whose hands the preponderance of power was now thrown by the reverse of fortune. Where would be their safety when the king's troops should have gone? In this dilemma, num- bers of these individuals in Newtown set about the arrange- ment of their affairs, and prepared to leave the land of their birth and take up a residence in the British dominions, the province of Nova Scotia having been especially designated by the English government as a home for their loyal Ameri- can subjects. A brig, schooner, and other vessels received their effects, and bidding adieu to kindred and home, they embarked at New-York, passed down the Sound, and bent their course for the barren and inhospitable shores of Nova Scotia, whither thousands of loyalists from this and other states retired the same year. The departure of the foreign
221
ANNALS OF NEWTOWN.
troops had been delayed that the embarkation of the loyalists might be first effected, and late in 1783 the king's army pre- pared to take its final leave. The troops in Newtown gradu- ally drew off towards Bushwick, making their last eneamp- ment in the Cedar Lots on the road to the Penny Bridge, or Waterville, where the ground was left strewed with rubbish. The Hessian regiment de Knoblauch, Col. De Porbeck, had recently removed from Herrick's, in North Hempstead, and was eneamped at the Fly, where they held a court-martial, in the month of August, to wind up the affairs of the regiment. They now took up their line of march, and proceeded through Newtown, their blue uniform, with white facings, and unique equipments, attracting the gaze of the inhabitants for the last time; a people more deserving of pity than resentment, be- cause they had been basely sold into a service, of the demerits of which they were quite ignorant. On the evacuation of New-York, Nov. 25th, Jonathan Lawrence, Jun. and other young men of Newtown, rode down to that city, and joined the escort of Gen. Washington, on his taking possession of the town with the American army.
It was a proud day for Newtown when her patriotic sons were permitted to return to her embrace from a tedious exile ; what inexpressible emotions were enkindled at that first re- cognition of long-separated friends. The warm grasp of the hand given in silence, the tear on the careworn cheek, alone told their mutual joy and gratitude. They met on freedom's soil; this gave it zest. Heartfelt were the rejoicings at the consummation of our liberty. On Monday, Dec. 8th, the whigs of Newtown joined with others from all parts of the county in celebrating the event at Jamaica. The day was observed with appropriate ceremonies; it was pleasing to view the different expressions of joy and gratitude visible in every countenance. The residents of the Dutch Kills also celebrated the peace at the stone-house, then a tavern, late Abraham Rapelye's. Thirteen lamps, corresponding in num- ber to the states, illumined the room, and other preparations, in keeping with the occasion, testified to the universal joy that the event had inspired. It was indeed a season for mu- tual congratulation and thanks to the God of battles, who had crowned the American arms with ultimate success, and con-
15
222
ANNALS OF NEWTOWN.
ferred upon these States the blessings of civil and religious liberty. But observe and see, some of Newtown's most wor- thy citizens are not present to participate in these rejoieings. They occupy no place at the festive board, nor lend their voices to swell the loud huzza. In the pride of manhood, and with a devoted patriotism, they entered the conflict with the hostile legions of Britain. Where are they ? Hark! from siekly dungeon, the camp, and the field of deadly strife, the answer comes back with a solemn cadence, "Here they per- ished." Noble hearts, sacrificed on freedom's altar, and yet no monumental stone testifies the exalted estimation and the undying gratitude which attaches to their memory !
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.