USA > New York > Ulster County > Kingston > The history of Kingston, New York : from its early settlement to the year 1820 > Part 26
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Captain, John Williams; First Lieutenant, Philip Staats ; Second Lieutenant, Peter Van Berrigan. Adjutant, David Bevier.
Quartermaster, Coenraedt J. Elmendorf.
The following copy of a letter, the original of which is in the possession of the author, refers to the adverse progress of events in the lower part of the Hudson, in the month of September :
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" HACKENSACK 23d Sepr 1776 " DEAR BROTHER PETER :
" This is the first opportunity I had, since my return from your quarters, to send you a line ; the conveniency of a post and almost every other we are now deprived of. I cannot doubt but you must have heard of the alarming changes hereabouts within the last four weeks past, we have lost Long Island, New York as high up as Harlem and Powles Hook. The event of the two former you must have heard the particulars of. The latter, Powles Hook, was taken in possession by the regulars yesterday four o'clock in the afternoon. Our troops brought off everything but a few pieces of heavy artillery, which the regulars took without heavy loss. They are now in possession of every place above New York that could annoy their shipping, and have a free range up the North River as high as the forts Constitution and Washington, which I hope may effectually prevent their farther progress up, for the safety of my friends in your quarter, but have reason to doubt it. We are now left the open frontier, only a few troops along the banks of the meadows. The enemy have free access to all the ferries on this shore. This, together with the many disaffected persons about this place, occasions many citizens to leave it. Mrs Elting has pressed me hard this day to move her and child with some of my most valuable effects to Kingston. This request, although perhaps very necessary, I am loath to comply with, as it must be attended with so many difficulties. First, we have no communication by water, and almost all the wagons are in the Continental Service.
" Last Friday night about one quarter of the town [New York] was burnt to ashes. It broke out at sundry places near White Hall, followed Broad Street up to Beaver Street on the west side. So up to Bowling green, and for some distance consumed both sides of Broadway. Trinity and the southern churches, with almost every house between Broadway and the North river to near St. Paul's are down. We hear from head quarters that a flag had been sent who informed that it had been done designedly, but not by General orders, and that six men had been shot with torches in their hands and others had been hung.
%
* *
" Your brother
" PETER ELTING.
"PETER VAN GAASBEEK."
While the country was thus not only alarmed but endangered by the adverse progress of events about the city of New York, on the 2d of October news came from the inhabitants of Papakonk, one of the border settlements, that they were threatened with an
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attack by the Indians. Their information or notice was derived from an old squaw, who, being on friendly terms with the settlers, had promised to notify them when any raid might be threatened. The inhabitants at once sent by express to Kingston for assistance, and information was immediately forwarded from Kingston to the convention.
There were nine families in danger, amounting in number, including children, to about sixty or seventy. They were repre- sented, also, to have a large amount of grain and stock on hand, which, unless assistance arrived, they would be compelled to abandon and seek for themselves a place of safety. The conven- tion at once directed the committee of Ulster County to order the rangers raised in the county to proceed immediately to the fron- tiers, and protect the inhabitants, and further ordered that they expedite the enlistments to fill their ranks.
Besides the preceding specific alarm, the inhabitants of the border towns of Ulster County were kept in continual apprehension of Indian raids upon them, and those who could were moving away from their homes as rapidly as they were able. Johannis Sleght, Chairman of the Kingston Committee, by letter to the representa- tive. Colonel De Witt, called the attention of the convention to that fact in the early part of October. The convention thereupon directed that the committees of Orange and Ulster provide for the defence of their frontier country by detachments from their militia, and the expense would be defrayed by the convention.
But the troubles were not confined to threatened raids by Ind- ians upon the border settlements, the disaffected, and those of Tory proclivities, were taking advantage of the general alarm, and began to move uneasily in their constrained positions. On the 17th day of September information was given to the convention by the resi- dent members, that there were a great many dangerous persons in the counties of Ulster and Orange, and that from testimony taken by the different town committees, it was evident that efforts had been made in that section of the country to enlist men in the Brit- ish Army. The matter was at once referred to the members of those counties as a committee, "to examine into the matter, and report what steps were necessary to be taken to prevent the dis- affected persons from joining or aiding the enemy."
In a few days, however, it became apparent to the convention that something more general and effectual was necessary, and that those two counties were not the only sections of the country thus embarrassed. The matter was thus brought up for consideration .by the convention as applicable to the entire State. After some discussion it was determined to appoint a very important commit- tee, with full and plenary powers "to inquire into detect and
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defeat all conspiracies which might be formed in the State against the liberties of America, with power to send for persons and papers, call out detachments of troops as they may deem necessary to suppress insurrections, and to draw on the Treasurer to an amount not exceeding £500."
The appointment of this important committee was taken by the convention into its own hands and selected by ballot. The mem- bers constituting that committee, thus selected, were as follows : William Duer, Charles De Witt, Leonard Gansevoort, John Jay, Zephaniah Platt, and Nathaniel Sackett. They were fortunately all men who could be safely and confidently intrusted in that deli- cate and very responsible position.
On the 12th of September, 1776, the Committee of Safety were startled with the information that General Schuyler asked for re- enforcements for the Northern Army. In a few days, however, for- tunately, General Schuyler countermanded his request, as the con- tingency upon which it was supposed they might be required did not occur. In the mean time, however, the call had been referred to a select committee, by whom a report was made the next day which contains some data in an official form which may be inter- esting to the reader, and therefore the important portion thereof is inserted :
" The following drafts have already been made from the Militia of Ulster and Dutchess. Under a resolution of the seventh of June from Dutchess and embodied in Gen Scott's brigade and posted near the city of New York 335 men, and from Ulster 300. A further draft was made on the 19th July of one quarter of the remaining militia of both counties, to form a part of Brig. Gen Clinton's Brigade, and stationed at or near King's bridge. That when in addition the draft of the 7th instant of 175 men from Dutchess, and 200 from Ulster shall be completed to re-enforce forts Constitution and Montgomery, there would not be more than 700 armed and well affected men in the county of Dutchess, and 1000 in Ulster, and that the forts in the Highlands with those re-enforce- ments would still be far from a state of security."
After the capture of Long Island, it was evident that the pos- session of the city of New York by the British, and also of the county of Westchester, was only a question of time ; the convention, therefore, had their attention directed to the safety of the public records, and for that purpose, on the 9th day of October, they ap- pointed a committee of their number with directions to remove, with all possible haste, the records of the city and county of New York, and of the county of Westchester, to Kingston, there to be placed in charge of Dirck Wynkoop, Abraham Hasbrouck, and Christopher Tappen.
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HISTORY OF KINGSTON.
On the 10th day of October, 1776, it was ordered that the com- manding officer of the militia of Ulster County send three hundred men of his command, well armed, and with three days' provisions. to Peekskill, to continue in service for three weeks. At a meeting of the field officers of Ulster County, on the 13th day of October, Major Andrew Wynkoop was designated to take command of the detachment thus ordered to Peekskill.
As anticipated, the Americans found it impossible to hold the city of New York, and therefore as soon as it was perceived that General Howe was preparing and locating his troops for its cap- ture, General Washington wisely evacuated it. After the occu- pancy of New York by the British a number of skirmishes were had and some battles fought between the contending forces, with- out severe loss on either side, except when Fort Washington was captured, then the English took about two thousand prisoners and a large quantity of artillery and army supplies. In one of the battles referred to, which occurred on the 28th of October, Colonel Ritzemas's Ulster County regiment and Colonel Smallwood's Mary- land regiment greatly distinguished themselves, and received special honorable mention.
Winter was now approaching, and an ice embargo would, in the ordinary course of events, before long prevent the use of the naval force in the upper Hudson, so that Howe made no attempt to force a passage through the Highlands, but turned his attention to New Jersey and Pennsylvania with the main strength of his army. In order to prevent New England from rushing to the assistance of those States and re-enforcing the patriot army, he despatched Sir Henry Clinton through Long Island Sound to Rhode Island to take possession there, and another detachment to create a like diversion in the South. The size of the army and navy at his com- mand enabled him to do so without danger.
Washington with his army was in a very embarrassing situa- tion ; while the opposing forces were flushed with recent triumphs and successes, and exceeded the Americans in numbers and dis- cipline, the patriot army was fast melting away by the termination of enlistment and other causes, and the men, discouraged by recent reverses, could not be induced to re-enlist. The expected re- enforcements from other States were not sent, but were retained for the defence of their own borders. This greatly increased the burden upon the State of New York, and especially that portion above and about the Highlands. But little rest was allowed that winter for the usual so-called period of " winter quarters."
On the 3d day of November the Committee of Safety ordered that the militia of Orange and Ulster counties hold themselves in readiness to march at a moment's warning to oppose the invasion
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of the enemy on the west side of the Hudson River, and that Brig- adier-General Clinton give orders accordingly, and march for that purpose on receipt of orders from Major-General Heath.
Congress having on the 16th day of September yielded to the urgent solicitations of Washington to enlist an army to serve dur- ing the war, to be under the commander-in-chief, four battalions had been allotted to the State of New York as its proportion. Ulster County furnished three companies under that call, and they were placed in the regiment commanded by Colonel Gansevoort. The committee on that subject appointed by the State Convention reported on the 23d day of December the progress made, and at the same time recommended that the State Convention request of Con- gress the privilege to raise a fifth battalion, to be under the com- mand of Colonel Lewis Du Bois, of Ulster County. That sugges- tion was acted upon favorably by both the State Convention and the National Congress, and the enlistment of the battalion was duly authorized. The officers were Lewis Du Bois, Colonel; Jacobus S. Bruyn, Lieutenant-Colonel ; Samuel Logan, Major ; and Henry Du Bois, Adjutant. The captains were : Jacobus Rosecrans, James Stewart, Amos Hutchins, Philip D. Bevier, Thomas Lee, Henry Goodwin, John F. Hamtrack, and John Johnston. That regiment was stationed in the Highlands in the spring of 1777, and remained there until the forts were taken.
On the 6th day of November, at a meeting of the Committee of Safety, some resolutions and an address were reported and adopted, to be published at the head of every regiment in General Scott's brigade, and of every company of the detachment commanded by Colonel Snyder. The resolutions and address represented to them the necessities of the service, the situation in which the country was placed, and urged them in the strongest terms to continue in service until the last day of December.
On the 30th day of November a letter was received from Gen- eral Scott, wherein he stated that from the returns he found that the number in his brigade who were willing to continue in service for another month were too inconsiderable to be retained.
Colonel Snyder's regiment all left for home as soon as their term expired, and of General Scott's brigade only one hundred remained.
At a meeting of the Committee of Safety for the State of New York, held at Fishkill, December 8th, 1776, it was resolved that a committee of three gentlemen be requested to go immediately to George Clinton at New Windsor, vested with full power, in con- junction with General Clinton, to call out the militia of Ulster and Orange counties, and to station them at such places as they may think will contribute most to the safety of this State and the gen-
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eral interest of America. Resolved, That Mr. Robert R. Livings- ton, General Scott, and Mr. Duer be the said committee. Subse- quently, on the same day, at a meeting of Brigadier-General George Clinton, R. R. Livingston, Brigadier-General Scott, and William Duer, it was
" Resolved, that all the Militia of Orange and Ulster not at present in the Continental service, and which compose the Brigade commanded by Brigadier Gen George Clinton, be forthwith ordered to march, properly armed and accoutred and with four days' pro- visions to Chester in Orange County, there to receive further orders from Brig Gen Clinton. That the said Militia be allowed Conti- nental pay, and rations and one penny per mile in lieu of rations 'till they come to the place of rendezvous.
" Resolved, that George Clinton be empowered to make use of the arms and accoutrements belonging to this State, and now at New Windsor, for the purpose of equipping such of said militia as are not armed.
" Resolved that it is the opinion of this committee, that Gen Clinton march, with the militia, the companies of Rangers raised in the County of Ulster, under the command of Captain Jacob De Witt and Captain Jacob Hasbrouck.
" And whereas in the opinion of the honourable general Con- gress and from the measures pursued by the enemy, it is evident that the security of the United States depends principally upon the preservation of the State of New York, which can only be effected by preventing the passes of the Highlands on Hudson River from falling into the hands of the enemy ; yet it is the firm intention, and earnest desire of the Convention of this State, to give every assistance possible to any of their sister States or to the United States in general consistent with that grand object.
" Resolved therefore, that it is the opinion of this Committee, that Gen George Clinton be ordered either to join the army under the command of Major General Lee, or Major General Gates, pro- vided it be the intention of either of these.officers to form a sepa- rate army for the purpose of falling upon the enemy's rear, or cutting off their supplies, and that he vigilantly attend to the motions of the enemy in such a manner, that he may be able to retain the passes of the Highlands on Hudson River.
" Resolved that if it shall be the orders or intentions of Major General Lee or Major General Gates to join the main body of the Continental army, that nevertheless Gen Clinton do forthwith march into the State of New Jersey so far as he thinks consistent with the preservation of the passes of the Highlands, and that he exert himself to the utmost in collecting and rousing the spirits of the militia of the said State, and overawing and curbing its dis-
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affected or revolted subjects, whenever he shall be called upon by a proper civil or military authority of said State."
Thus terminated the campaign of 1776 in New York, leaving the Highlands and the river through and above them in the posses- sion of the patriots, and the English invaders at the north retired to winter quarters on Canadian soil.
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CHAPTER XV.
INTERNAL TROUBLES AND TORY OPERATIONS.
B EFORE proceeding to any further detail of the movement of armies or the progress of war on the battlefield, there are other matters which properly claim our attention. The matrons of 1776 were exceedingly fond of the good old Hyson, and were very sensitive at being deprived of its use. When patriotism demanded their abstention, to repudiate the right of Great Britain to tax, they could submit, but when that question was no longer involved, and it was the merchant withholding for the purpose of speculation and demanding exorbitant prices, they considered that a very different principle was involved, and resolved that tea they must and would have. The matrons in the old town of Kingston were specially determined in that matter.
In order fully to understand the true state of the question, it will be necessary to refer back to the history of the tea, or, rather, the manner and time in which it came into this country, and the legislation in regard to it.
Before the English duty attached, and before the importation and sale of teas were prohibited, some capitalists had imported and held a large amount thereof in store on speculation in anticipa- tion of a scarcity. Congress, however, prohibited its sale as well as its importation. After the country became involved in war and independence was declared, the holders made application to Con- gress to remove the prohibition against the sale, and procured the assistance of the New York Convention in memorializing Congress for that purpose. Congress removed the prohibition against the sale, but prohibited its sale at a greater price than six shillings a pound. The holders of the tea refused to sell at such a price, and exhibited a desire to prey upon the wants of the community, or, as expressed by the Committee of Safety, " have refused to dispose of their stock of tea on hand, until such time as an artificial scar- city shall induce the good women of this State, to tempt them to vend it by offering exorbitant prices."
It appears by the following that the tea-loving matrons were taking another tack than offering exorbitant prices, and were de- termined to see what influence threats might have upon the action
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of the authorities. On the 26th of April, 1776, a communication was presented to the New York Provincial Convention from Johannis Sleght, chairman of the Kingston committee, in which he stated that "the women surround the committee chamber, and say if they cannot have tea their husbands and sons shall fight no more."
On the 30th of September, 1776, a committee was appointed by the State Convention, on motion of Mr. De Witt, to take into con- sideration " the abuses committed in the withholding of tea by the owners or agents thereof, within this State, and also in the sale thereof at higher prices than that limited by Congress," with direc- tions to report without delay. The committee made a report promptly to the convention on the 1st of October. The report was read, and after some time spent thereon its further consideration was postponed until the next day. But the convention does not appear to have taken any further action upon the report.
On the 8th day of October, 1776, Johannis Sleght, as chairman of the Kingston Committee of Safety, reported to the convention that a man had been at Kingston to remove some tea which Grodus Beekman had stored in the house of John Elmendorf, and the committee had refused to permit its removal. He further reported that the committee had resolved that no tea stored in Kingston should be removed until the convention took some action on the subject, and in the mean time they would use their utmost endeavors to keep peace and good order.
No action was taken and the people became impatient. Some of the matrons and spinsters in Kingston determined that they would have some of " the creature comfort ;" accordingly, a number of them collected together and proceeded in a body to the storehouse of Mary Elmendorf, where they knew it was kept ; they forced their way in, and each one, after weighing out what tea she wanted, de- posited the price, as regulated by Congress, on the counter, and left rejoicing. This, perhaps, was not the only case of an involuntary sale. But whether it was or not, some complaints which follow will show that there was more or less involuntary disposal of tea to some of the sterner sex without the formality of considering the price.
On the 17th of October the Committee of Safety, sitting during the recess of the convention, had the tea question under consider- ation, and then ordered "that the Committees of the several Counties take the tea in store within their respective counties, in their possession, and sell it by retail at six shillings a pound, and account for the proceeds to the owners ;" at the same time they expressly prohibited the sale of any more than twelve pounds to any one person, for the use of one family. But four days afterward the publication of the resolve was postponed until further orders, so the question remained in statu quo.
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On the 18th of November Johannis Sleght, as chairman of the Kingston committee, again addressed the convention by letter, stating that " the Inhabitants of this (Ulster) county till within a few days have been distinguished for their firmness and attach- ment to the resolves of Congress and committees ; in short, have been as peaceable, we flatter ourselves, as any people in this State ; but it is with regret, that we are under the disagreeable necessity to inform you, that we are daily alarmed, and our streets filled with mobs from different parts of the county, breaking of doors and committing of outrages to the disturbance of the peace and of the good People of this town, owing as we have reason to believe, to the misfortune of having that detestable article, called tea, stowed here, which is taken by them and divided or distributed in such manner as they think fit. We have heretofore assured the good People, that your Congress would pass a resolve for the dis- posal of that article lodged here; and it is asserted (by what authority we know not) that your Congress had passed a resolve to that purpose, but that before the publication thereof repealed or made void the same, which the People, whom we have had before us, assign in justification of their conduct in the premises. We now entreat you to advise us how and in what manner we shall suppress these disturbances. We will not presume to dictate to your honourable House, but are well assured that if a resolve was to be passed, establishing a price and ordering a disposal thereof, it would tend to the interest of the proprietors, and the peace of the good People of this State.
"By order of the Committee."
It looks very much as if the monopolists in tea had a pretty strong hold upon the convention ; for some reason they appear to have been very loath to take action on the tea question. As late as December 3d the fact of the disturbances was again brought to the notice of the convention in a letter written by John Elmendorf, with whom a portion of the troublesome article had been stored. In that communication he declined to accept a trust Congress had by resolution conferred upon him, " for reason of such daily depre- dations and plunder of private property at my house. You are sensible when such outrages are committed, in having your doors splintered, forced, etc., it is requisite for an honest man, and a lover of his country's rights, to alleviate the distress of my good family with my presence. Nothing grieves me more than daily to observe, and be an eye-witness to such confusion and turbulent dispositions of the people."
The convention does not appear to have made any final disposi- tion of the matter, and a party from Connecticut having three large
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