USA > New York > Dutchess County > The history of Dutchess County, New York > Part 7
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Evert Van Wagen, x Capt
-
Do 49
2 Jacob Kipp, Lut Gerrit Van Wagen, Ins'n Henry Heermans, Capt
3 Larance Knickerbacker, x Lut John Van Benthuyse, Ins Frances De Lang, Capt
Do. 100
4 John Montross, Lut Frances Brit, Ins'n Lowrens Oosterhout, x Capt
Do. . .. 62
5 James Van Etten, Lut Wouter Westfaal, remov'd x Ins'n Frances La Roy, Capt
Do .... 70
1 - .
6 Micheel Van Cleek, Lut Abraham Swartwout, Ins'n James Hussey Dece'd x Capt
Do 64
7 Hendrick Ter Bos, Lut Lowrans Lossey, Ins'n Jacob Van Campen, Capt
8 Jacob De Witt, Lut John Oosterhout, Ins'n
Do 51
Do 62
82
THE COUNTY OF DUTCHESS.
These with this x marke will not sairve any longer and are dead or removed-By the best information I could get this being a true State Witness.
HENRY BEEKMAN.
LIST OF THE MILITARY OFFICERS OF DUTCHESS COUNTY, 1739.
Gilb't Livingston, Lut Coll, In the room of Lu't Coll, Bar't: Van Cleck, who declins
Elias Van Buntschote, Maj'r, In the Room of Gilb't Livingston.
Ist Compa' of the Regiment of Beekman Precinct
Johannes Dolsen, Lut. In the Room of John Montross under Capt Frans De Lange. In Beekman Precinct George Elsworth Ensign.
Rynebeek 2d Compa' of the Regiment.
Gisbert Westfale Ens. In the Room of Wouter Westfale who is moeved under Capt Lowrens Osterhowt. In Rhynbeek Preceinct.
All Remain as they are in Rhynbeek Preceinct.
Abraham Swartwout, Lieut't in the Roome of Meigle Van Cleck Dece'd, under Capt Frans La Roy. In Poghkeepsie Preceinct Symon Frere, Insign under Do. All Remaine as they are-In Beekman Preceinct
6th Compa' of Regiment
Lowern's Van Cleek, Captain, in the Room of Elias Buntschote prei'd to be Maj'r. In Poghkeepsie Preceinct
Baltes Van Cleck, Lut Barent Luis, Ensign.
7th (Co) of Regiment
Jacob kip Captain In the Rome of Evert Van Wagen who declins by Reason of his adge.
In Rynbeck Preceinct
Gerit Van Wagen Lu't't Aart Van Wagen Ens'n
8th & 9th Companys, by this distinguished
Hendrick Terbos In the Roome of James Hussey Dece'd In Rombout Preceinct
Lowerens Loosey, Lut't John Brinckerhof Ens'n
Frances Brit, Capt. Robert Brit, Lut Tunis Buntschote, Ens In Crom Elbow Preceinct. A New Company
Isaac Tietsoort, Capt Henry ffilkins, Lut, Astyn Creed, Ens'n
Martinu's Hoofman Adjutant for the Reg't of Dutchess County.
This last Dat'd Ist Nov'r the rest the 24th 1739.
MUSTER ROLL CAPTAIN PETER VAN DENBURGH'S COMPANY.
July 11th, 1755.
A List of a Company of Foot Raised in Dutchess County under the Command of
Peter Van Denburgh Captain Joshua Champlin first Lieuten't Zebulon Mead Second Lieu't
COLONIAL MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.
83
Jacob Weaver Simeon Bowlen Eliphalet Stevens Johan Hendrick Specer Stephen Hull
PRIVATE MEN
Edward Hall
John Ryan
Ebenesar Merreck, Jun'r Ezra Kenny
Richard Nicholson
Daniel Davison
Peter Caswell
Lewis Bennet Amos Bennet
Ebenezer Owen Samuel Reed
John Heffy, Jun'r Fletcher Smith
Joseph Parish
Joseph Reed.
Jonathan Polley
Nathaniel Chapwell
John Crooke John Herrick Elkanah Cook
Stephen Mead
Jacob Brill
William Mills
Simeon Terbos-Clerk
Jeffery Nees
James Carrel
James Green-Serjeant
Philip Whelply
Thomas Ingerson John Clemens
William Johnston
Jeremiah Binckham
John Wieler
James Weeks
Francis Sawwood
John Wood
Daniel Aldrich
James Finly
John Franklin,, Jun'r
Timothy Larkin
Samuel Johnson
Simeon Oosterhout
Michael Brown
Thomas Champlin
Increase Win /
Ichabod Stockwell
John Mass
James Morey
Elijah Harvey
Jeames Dowle
John Lewis
William Moore Michel McDannel
Johannes Coenraetkerl
Michael Walter
Edward Dunfy
Benjamin Utter
William Steenbergh
John Roberts
Patrick Quin
Joseph Steel
Daniel Lane
Jedediah Wells
George Bondy
Henry Lewis
Nathaniel Rennie
Att a Muster of a Company at Poghkeepsie in Dutchess County on Friday the Eleventh day of July One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Five, Raised by Capt. Peter Vanderburgh in Dutchess County Wee Mathew Dubois and Louwerins Van Kleek Two of his Majesties Judges of the Court of Comon Pleas for said County and Nicholas De Lavergne and Bartholomew Noxon Two of his Majesties Justices of the peace for said County Doe Certifie that the Men whose names are above written amounting to Seventy Eight Affective men, appeared at said Muster in our presence, who are all Inlisted in the Company to be the said Vanderburgh as Captain thereof, as by the Certificates taken before and produced by severall Justices of the peace for County may appear In Testimony whereof we have hereunto set our Hands the day & year above written.
MATTHEW DUBOYS LOUWERENS VAN KLEECK NICHOLAS DE LAVERGNE BARTHO. NOXON
Silas Bobbet Elijah Curry John Gellit
Roelif Sherrer
Nathaniel Dunham, Jun'r
Jacob Sutton
Robert Cook
84
THE COUNTY OF DUTCHESS.
LIST OF EACH OFFICER AND SOULDTER INLISTED IN CAP'T PETER VAN- DENBURGH COMPANY FROM JULY 11 TO JULY 31 INCLUSEF-1755.
Capt. Peter Vanderburgh1
Jacob Brill
Lieuts. Joshua Champlin
Zebulon Mead
Jonathan Polley
Peter Casley
John Lewis
Corprils S. Ebenezer Merrick
Daniel Lane
James Tinley
John herrick
Ichabod Stockwell
timothy Larkin
John Ryne
John Hendrick (spicer)
James Weaks
John Gillit
Joseph Parrish
James Dowdel
Eliga Currey
William Mills
William Gonson
James Carrel
James mory
Jeremiah bringham
Stephen Hull
Henry Lewis
John moss
Patrick Quin
Nathaniel Dunham
Jeremiah Wells
John Wheeler
Jacob Weauour
Daniel holdredg
John Wood
Simeon broughling
Jeffry Nase
Wait Weeks
Elifelet Stephens
Joseph Reed
John Franklin
Amos Bennett
Ebanezar owin
Simon Ousterhouse
John maburey
Mikel Walter
Increse Winn
Nathaniel Tinney
Halimass . Stealbark
Philip Welsee
Chisher Wandle
Elisha Haruey
Thomas Ingerson
John Haffey
William Moore
John Clemmans
Roulf Sherred
Stephen meed
Joseph Steal
Johanis Coonrot Karel
Kain Mckinney
George Bunday
John Thompson
Mikel Brown
Thomas Champlin
Jonathan Linsey
Flitcher Smith
Simon Terbush
Richard Nichoson
Hazakiah Kinney
Samuel Read
Robert Cook Benjamine Tidd
Nathaniel Rappel
John Andrews (carpenter)
Nathaniel Lane
Deserded July 25 Day
Edward Dunfee
Daniel Dauison John Smith
1755 and Carried of all his Cloaths
Mike McDaniel
John Roberts
Silas Bobbet
Elkany Cook
Thomas Green
1. Captain Vanderburgh died August 21, 1755.
Sargants
James Green
Drummor, Silas Mather
Richard Balis
Fransis Sawwood
85
COLONIAL MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.
MUSTER ROLL OF A COMPANY OF PROVINCIALS IN YE PAY OF YE PROV- INCE OF NEW YORK FOR DUTCHESS COUNTY COMMANDED BY JOSEPH CRANE EsQ'R (1758)1
Captain Joseph Crane, Esq'r Lientenants Richard Ray
Philip Paddock
Non Commission'd Officers Benjamen Higgins John Cannon Simon Calkins Jonathan Vickry
Corporals
John House Joseph Parish Nathaniel Green Drum Nathaniel Wescoat
PRIVATES
John McCrerey
William Allen
Bethual Baker
Eleazer Baker
William Earl*
John Gray
Stephen Fenton
Rossel Frankland
William Calkins*
Eliphalet Wheeler
Mathew Standish*
Stephen March
John Bennett Phineas Woodward John Frankland Samuel Cogswell
Abner Edie Zachariah Huntington
Edward Popple
Azariah Parish
James Pingry Thomas Inckly James Lovelace Charles Barsleys Andrew Cowley
John Martin Samuel Blackman Simon Scouten
John Willm Loudenburgh
Samuel Brewster*
Cornielus Fuller
Joseph Barlow*
Noah Jelett
Jacob Leonard Henry Gray Thomas Evans*
Joseph Hollester
Joseph Philips
Benjamen Harrington
Eneos Nicholson
Daniel Allen Jeddiah Carley
John Barber John D. Pew
Asa Cummins Joshua Barnum
Samuel Boynton
Conrad Sarenbergh*
Jacob Ellis
John Ashton
Philip Pear
Bennoraia Gray
Daniel Atwood
Andrew Silvernail*
Daniel Townsend
Matthew fuller
Reuben Crosby*
David Sturdyvent*
Ruben Rapeljea
Ebenezer Gage Enoch Seers Rowland Rosall
Stephen Hull
Daniel Cash
Abel Sherwood Thomas Cole Jezediah Frost John Perry John Franklin
Michal Tenry George Clasen David Hodges George Dickenson Caleb Hill Gilbert Clap David Vickry
Amos Allen
Benjamen Shaw
Moses Allen
Isaac Harrington*
In the above Company of Provincials the birthplace given in the records is Great Britain or Ireland, excepting the names followed by an asterisk (*) which Indicates native of Dutchess County.
1. Colonial Archives Vol. LXXXV. p. 132.
86
THE COUNTY OF DUTCHESS.
MUSTER ROLL OF THE MEN RAIS'D IN YE COUNTY OF DUTCHESS AND PASS'D FOR CAPT PETER HARRIS'S COMPANY MAY YE 1: 1760 Captain Peter Harris
Joseph Power Isaac Conclin
Lieut'ts
PRIVATES
Bartho'lo Hoogeboom
William Pangborn
Timity Harris
Marcus Snyder
Jacob Ladew
Samuel Hoges
Thimoty Hewmans
Nucomb Smith
Abraham Van Amborgh
Tobias Steenbergh
Abraham Vredinborgh
Darmon Bartley
Capt Peter Harris
John Murry
John Benndigen
Peter Cole
Leonard Hunold
George Nease
John Buys
Jacob Shever
Joseph Hegman
John Tompkins
Robert Cane
John' Hickey
Samuel Matthews
Martin Simon
Tunis Cole
Asa Perkins
Major Pawling
Peter Simson
Natha'll Washburn
Stephen Crons
Jacob Jones
Myndert V. D. Bogert
Garritt Van Ness
Isaac Wanson
Isaac Parmetier
Jacob Mare
John Graham
Richard Memyon
Peter Freden Burgh
John Lake William Conaly
Danniel Moore
Benj: Freden Burgh
John Lake Jur
Isaac German
Daniel Welts
Peter Wasfall
Elisah Ballard
George Elliout
Comb Wood
Moses Prindle
John Ferguson
Andrew Myers
John House
William Tompkins
John Vredingbourgh
Samuel Benedict
Willhelmus Steenbergh
Cyrenivs Newcomb
Amos Turner
Israel Chilson
Fransis Mathitt
Jeremiah Steanburgh
Henry Rundel Indian
Peter Van Nallen
Jeremiah Wood
Zacharias Snyder
Peack DeWitt
Benjamin Phillips
John Lassen
Peter Cammell
William Buys
Martin bush
Al'abartis Sickner James Hobs
Peter Ostrander
Gedion Turner
Peter Lowdiwick
Joseph Lott
Abra'm Swartwout
John Ostrander
John Wording
Isaac Burnet
Jacob Boice
John Stone
William Corkeren
William Shilly
Isaac Beazel
John Dandey James Webb
Peter Weaver
Christopher Smith
Abraham Burrows
Jacobus Keep
Solomon Seaman
James Allsworth
Fielx Layster
Elisiah Powel
The above Contains one Captain two Lieutts: & one hundred & four privates Musterd by me Barthow : Le Roux Muster Mastr of Dutchess County.
Mattaves Freden Burgh
Benjamin North
Peter Johnson
Henry Buys
John Van Denbogert
Anthoney Turtr
Gol Jedinston Livingston de Peyster
COLONIAL MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.
CAPT JOHN VAN NESS HIS MUSTER ROLL, MAY 1760 Capt John Van Ness
Samuel Whelpley Simeon Barber
Lieuts.
PRIVATES
Simeon Barber Lieut
Oliver Ecker
John Sharp
Moses Barber
Samuel Wheeler
Isaack Betherton
Roswell Nettleton
Philip Johnson
Jacob Miller
Leonard Farguson
Teznis Cover
Benjamin Streater
John Daly
Peter Buckle
Abraham Johnson
John Sharp Junr
Elisha Blin
Nicholas Luyk Junr
John Joshling
Samuel Richards
Nicholas Cramer
Daniel Fenny
William Willeby
Jacob Cline
Mikell Burk
James Hurd
Henry Kiefer
John Gray
Caleb Reynolds
Isaac Cole Jun'r
Eli Runnels
Charles McCarty
Nichola's Huygh
John Richardson
Michael Stilwel
Michael Lush
David Sturdiwint
Jacob Miller
Jacobus Ostrander
Isaack Betherton Jun
Benjamin Brownel
Adam Ostrander
John Paddock
Enos Ferguson
Philip Tuff
Jacob Spaner Bergh
Henny Joshling
Benedick Frits
Johannes Lones
William Ferris
Elija Buttles
Jseph Cooe
Solomon Kinery
William Powell
Robert Willess
Ebenezer Allwater
Domeny Digers
John Williams
John Wilman
Miles Grissil
Adam Wolferron
Silvanus Willibus
Hendrick Ostrander
John Morris
Samuel Moore
Adam Slouter
The above Contains one Captain two Lieut'ts and sixty five privates Mustered by me Bartho'w Le Roux Muster Mast'r of Dutchess County.
A MUSTER ROLL OF THE MEN RAIS'D IN THE COUNTY OF DUTCHESS AND PASS'D MUSTER FOR CAPT RICH'D REA'S COMPANY MAY YE 1: 1760
Captain Richard (Rea)
John Cannon Samuel Terry
Lieutenants
PAIVATES
Oliver Fox
Samuel Terry Lieut't
George Bundy
Jeramiah Parmer
Solomon Cole
Joseph Odel
Tilton Eastman
Joseph Flee
Benjamin Beamus
James Richards
Natha'll Earl
Daniel Allen
Joshua Hill
Thimoty Pierce
Thomas Wilcoks
Capt. Rich'd Rea
Benjamin Franklen
Joshua Loveless
87
88
THE COUNTY OF DUTCHESS.
Stephen Hull Ebenezar Balie David Cash Asa Cummings Jesse Fairchild Austin Wright Benjam'n Higgens Natha'll Green Lamuel Hopkins
Plagley Sprague
Richard Murch
Mahn Daggett .
John Roberts
John Barber Junr
Abner Doughty
Ebenezer Robertson
Thomas Merrick
Benjamin Hopkins
William Day John Cannon Lieut't
William Eastman
Samuel Dalie
James Cowen Asa Loudinton Isaac Craw
David Vickrey
Joseph Beavans
Abner Goodspeed
Joseph Robins
Josiah Hall
John House
Cumfort Loudinton
James Covee
John Bennet
Obadiah Chace
Benjamin Bennett
Jacob Burges Samuel Fox
Ephariam Jones Isaac Wilcocks
Ephraim Darling
Zephaniah Little
Caleb Worden
Ichabud Parmiter
Jeradiah Davis
John Sunderling
Zeth Covel
Jonathan Lawrence
Simon Covel
William Stephens
John Hiames James Ravelje
Samuel Spalding
Phineas Woodward
Elamuel Fuller
James McNeal
Lazures Ellis
John Dean
Joseph Ashcraft
Andrew Atwood
James Shaw
Abr'm Hartwell
Samuel Nelson
Elijah Hamlen
Theodoras Crosbie
John Nelson
Stephen Fenton
George Guage
Samuel Dimmuck
Natha'll Hollester
John Frost
William Roe
The above Contains one Captain two Lieut'ts and Ninety three pri- vates mustered by me Bartho'w LeRoux Muster Master for Dutchess.
MUSTER ROLL OF MEN RAIS'D IN THE COUNTY OF DUTCHESS AND PASS'D FOR CAPT. JACOBUS SWARTWOUT'S COMPANY MAY YE IST 1760
Capt. Jacobus Swartwout
Nicho's Emanuel Gabriel Isaac T'r Bush
Lieut'ts
PAIVATES
Shadrack Baker
Samuel Clark
Philip Smith
John Schouten
Benjamin Cummins
Thomas Frost
Henry Wright
Hans Jere Weatman
Zebulon Mosier
Joshua Barker
Oliver Cromwell Ezekel Gee
Anthony Coffin
Solomon Schouten
John Conet
Henry Gray
William Green
Benjamin Hedger
Daniel Nettleton
Wm. Woodford
Nath'll Brock
William Prichett Amos Allen William Clark
Robt. Shearer
Edward Rose
James Pickket
Henry V. Heynen
Stephen Bedford
Gedion Fitshoudt
James Lovelace
Daniel Parks
Samuel Coxwell
Gideon Hollester
Isaac Ter Busch Lieut't
Jacob Pepper
COLONIAL MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.
89
Ruben Mentor Junr Ebenezar Burliegh John Jordan Adam Miller William Ingram Joseph Mesner William Branderkin
George Hicks
James Doudle
Joseph Hornett
Danel Calagohun
James Bennit
John Bradshaw
Thos. Coffin
Herculus Stanley
Joseph McIntoch
James Draper
Ebeneazer Cummins
William Lent
John Adam Wert
Thomas Carskaden
Capt. Jacobus Swart- wout
James brooks Ephariam Bartley Haramanus House
Lieut't Gabriel Eman- uel &
Cornelus Willsie
Henry Wiltsie
William MeMunnser
Evert Valker
Nicholas Myer
Jacob Penner
Mingo Lango
David Carlie
Esekiah Brown
Thomas Meridet
Ezecial Spicer
John Holms
Peter Storm
Barnabus Chapman
Jerediah Grare
William Camble
Mathew Strait
Benjamin Dailey
Patrick Mitchel
John Lougy Gashem Jones
John Smawling
Daniel Mead
Jefferey Nearce
John Johnson
Lewis Mead
Timity Barke
Simeon Schouten
David Richards
Elkenney Cooke
Jacob Schouten
William More
James Grees
The above Contains one Captain two Lieut'ts and Ninety Eight privates Mustered by me
Bartho'w Le Roux Muster Mast'r for Dutchess County
A MUSTER ROLL OF THE MEN RAISED AND PASS'D IN THE COUNTY OF DUTCHESS FOR CAPTAIN ISAAC TER BUSH COMPANY, 21ST JUNE 1761
Isaac Ter Bush Captain
Tunis Corsa Samuel Whelpley
Lieutenants
Nehemiah Smith
Christopher Stevens
Joseph Sutten
Edward Coffin
Phenias Woodard
David Young
Abraham Eynman
Joseph Langdon
Francis Miller
Andries Schouten
Isaac Craw
Robert Cain
Robert Shearer
Matthew Wineter
Nicholas Wager
Henry Wright
William Fergison
James Mansfield
Jonas Parks
Benjamin Hedger
James Louden
Benjamin Darling Jun
Dennis Christie Hans Jere Hoftgood
Benjamin Post
John Ames
John Weys Indian
John Thurston
Azariah Parish
Joseph Tucker
PAIVATES
90
THE COUNTY OF DUTCHESS.
William Lant
George Scutt
Ellis Vinson
Elijah Dowee
Moses Gee
Daniel Willcocks
Thomas Knap
Robert Wier
Martin Dowee
Samuel Richards
William Delaway
Elisha Pain
James Dowdle Daniel Hogan
John Schouten
George Anderson
John Langdon
John Jackson
Ebebneizer Allion
William Cummings
Anthony Sheniew
Andrew Ross
William Barken
Loudawick Creeles
William Watson
David Hammans
Myer Earn
Adam Miller
David Smith
Jonathan Woodard
Hugh Gamble
Elijah Crosby
Andrew Myers
Benjamin Cahoon
Henry Webber
Daniel Callahon
Thom's Green
Abraham Walker
Abraham Johnson
Peter Osterout
Jacob Van Tassel
Peter Miller
John Kennedy
Christopher Stevens
Joseph Worden
Jeremiah Ness
De Owen Le Flower
John Burke
John McKenney
Matthew Felix
Laurance Schael
Peter Avery
Peter Ostrander
Gabriel Menter
Volentine Earnest
David Cash
Robert Menter
Daniel Sheepherd
The above being one Captain two Lieutenants and Seventy nine men where Mustered and approved off for Capt Isaac Ter Bush's Company in the County of Dutchess
Geo'e: Brewerton jun'r Coll.
While the militia of Dutchess were called on to render services dur- ing the Colonial Period, the county was not the scene of active military operations. During the French and English war (1744 to 1748) the colonists of these respective nations were involved in these hostilities. A letter from Col. Beekman to Colonial Governor George Clinton was laid before the Council May 30, 1746, relative to the raising of men in Dutchess. The Governor was advised by that body to engage two hundred men from this county and to recommend the Assembly to pro- vide ammunition pay and subsistence for them. Nothing more than a petty warfare, however, followed the arrangements for the reduction of Canada. The war was terminated by the treaty of Aix la Chapelle in 1748, and the disbandment of the provincial forces followed in Sep- tember of that year.
But peace was of short continuance, a final struggle between France and England for colonial supremacy in America was inevitable. In this conflict, begun in 1755, and known as the French and Indian war,
91
COLONIAL MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.
the military forces of Dutchess were again called into requisition, and continued in the service until the final overthrow of the power of France in Canada in 1760.
The forts at Oswego were surrendered to a French force under Gen. Montcalm, August 14, 1756, and September 6th of the same year, Gov. Hardy directed the Colonels of the militia of Dutchess and Ulster counties to repair immediately with their regiments to Albany, and thence to co-operate with Lord Loudon at Lake George. This cam- paign served as a training school for many who were destined to take a prominent part in the struggle then impending for colonial inde- pendence.
The so-called "Anti-Rent War," of 1766 which distressed the in- habitants of Dutchess and other counties in the Hudson Valley, and necessitated the presence of the British troops (28th Regiment) at Poughkeepsie and Pawling in July of that year, may be appropriately introduced in this chapter.
The source of this insurrection was the granting of large tracts of land at the beginning of the century to favored persons, so that actual settlers could not become owners but only tenants. Popular discon- tent was emphasized in the armed refusal of settlers to pay the rents exacted.
William Pendergast, who lived about a mile south of the village of Pawling, on the farm now occupied by William H. Arnold, was the leader of the insurgents in this county. The assemblying of his fol- lowers on Quaker Hill was so formidable that the grenadiers at Pough- keepsie waited for reinforcements of two hundred troopers and two field pieces from New York before proceeding against him. After a skirmish Prendergast surrendered, and with several others, was brought a prisoner to Poughkeepsie to be tried for high treason. So great was local excitement that to forestall an attempt to rescue, he was speedily removed to New York. Two companies of the regiment re- mained in Poughkeepsie "to guard the prison and prevent further commotions until the prisoners are tried."
Prendergast was returned to Poughkeepsie for trial which occurred the first fortnight in August. Although ably assisted in his defense by his wife (nee Mehitabel Wing) treason was proved, and the prisoner was convicted and sentenced to be hanged in six weeks. Then the ef- forts of his valiant wife became more determined. She obtained an
'92
THE COUNTY OF DUTCHESS.
audience with Gov. Moore, and returned about the first of September with a reprieve. Her arrival was timely, for a company of fifty mounted men had ridden across the county to rescue her husband from jail. She convinced them of the folly of their contemplated act, and turned to the task of procuring a pardon from the King. In a letter dated October 11, 1766, from Governor Moore to the Earl of Shel- burne, the pardon of Prendergast is recommended, and George III granted it in December of the same year.
Prendergast finally acquired title to his farm, as is shown by a deed now in possession of Thomas J. Arnold, bearing date of 1771, by which the land was conveyed to him by the heirs of Frederick Philipse. He later sold this property to Humphrey Slocum and removed to the western part of the State. His son James settled, with other Prender- gasts, near Chautauqua Lake, and became the founder of Jamestown, where his family, now extinct there, presented a library to the city.
DANIEL VAN DE BOGART.
93
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
CHAPTER IX.
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
T HE War of American Independence was an event of vast mo- ment, affecting the destines of all nations. The question de- cided by the conflict was this: Whether the English colonies in America, becoming sovereign, should govern themselves or be ruled as dependencies of a European Monarchy. The decision was rendered in favor of separation and independence.
The immediate cause of the Revolution was the passage by Parlia- ment of a number of acts destructive of colonial liberty. England de- manded that the people of the Colonies should be taxed to defray, in part at least, the expenses of the French and Indian War, which had been concluded by the signing of the Treaty of Paris February 16, 1763. To this end a tariff was imposed on teas imported by the Col- onists. This was followed in March of 1765 by the odious Stamp Act, which required, after the first day of November of the same year, that every note, bond, deed, mortgage, lease, license and legal document of whatever sort used in the colonies, be executed on paper bearing an English stamp. This paper, furnished by the British government, cost from three pence to six pounds according to the nature of the doc- ument. Every colonial pamphlet, almanac and newspaper was required to be printed on paper of the same sort for which the value of the stamps ranged from a half-penny to four pence. The news of this act was received in America with indignation, and the day it went into effect ten boxes of the stamped paper were seized by the people of New York and openly destroyed. The act was repealed March 18, 1766, and in June 1767 an act was passed imposing a duty on glass, paper, painters colors and teas, imported into the colonies. Various other acts of Parliament affecting more particularly the people of Massachus- setts, aggravated the antagonism toward the Mother country, and in the Colonial Congress assembled at Philadelphia September 1774, it was unanimously agreed to sustain Massachusetts in her conflict with
94
THE COUNTY OF DUTCHESS.
a wicked ministry. The people of New York, however, were eminently conservative and hopeful of a peaceful solution of the pending con- troversy, though not less earnest in their convictions. That the in- habitants of Dutchess inclined toward a peaceful adjustment of colonial grievances is shown by the following extracts from resolutions adopted at a meeting, held in Poughkeepsie August 10th, 1774: "That letters of instruction be directed to the Members of the General Assembly for the County of Dutchess, desiring that at the next meeting of the Gen- eral Assembly for the Province of New York, they will lay before that honourable House the dangerous consequences flowing from several late Acts of the British Parliament imposing duties and taxes on the British Colonies in America, for the sole purpose of raising a revenue, and that they use their influence in the said House, and with the several branches of the Legislature, to lay before his Majesty an humble Petition and Remonstrance, setting forth the state of our several griev- ances, and praying his Royal interposition for a repeal of the said Acts."
"That they ought, and are willing to bear and pay such part and proportion of the national expenses as their circumstances will admit of."
"That like sentiments, adopted by the Legislature of other Colonies, will have a tendency to conciliate the affections of the Mother country and the colonies, upon which their mutual happiness, we conceive, principally depends."
In March 1775, the "Committee of Sixty," composed of the inhabi- tants of the city and county of New York invited a meeting 'of dele- gates from the counties of the Province, to serve in Provincial Conven- tion to be held in New York City, April 20, 1775, for the purpose of choosing delegates to represent the colony in the Continental Congress.
Dutchess County was represented in its deliberations by Egbert Benson, Morris Graham and Robert R. Livingston. The following delegates were appointed to represent the Province of New York in the Congress at Philadelphia May 10th, 1775: John Alsop, Simon Boe- rum, George Clinton, James Duane, William Floyd, John Jay, Francis Lewis, Philip Livingston, Robert R. Livingston, Col. Lewis Morris, Col. Philip Schuyler, and Henry Wisner .
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