Allen, Samuel, b.c.1794
John M. McDonald interview — 1849-11-06
Samuel Allen (b.c.1794) recounts three stories that he heard from two Peekskill residents. The first two stories were told to Allen by Captain Isaac Conkling (1753-1840), who was the master of a Hudson River sloop during the Revolutionary War. In the first story, Conkling was carrying a load of flour and a guard of soldiers up the Hudson River to West Point when his ship was approached by British vessels. The officer commanding the guard demanded that Conkling bring his sloop toward the shore so that the soldiers could not be captured. Conkling did so reluctantly. He eventually reached West Point successfully, and the officer was later court martialed and dismissed from the army. In the second story, Conkling was accused of not transporting a shipment of gunpowder up the Hudson River to Albany, and was forced to show receipts to prove that he was able to make the delivery in a very short time. The third story was told to Allen by Joseph Travis, whom Allen refers to as “old Mr. Travers.” One morning, Travis found a strange ironbound cask on his wharf on the Hudson River. Unable to find the owner, Travis had it taken to his storehouse. Several days later, a contingent of American soldiers came to find and retrieve the cask. It was only then that Travis learned that the cask contained specie belong the French army.
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Transcription
November 6th. Samuel Allen, of Chappaqua. "Captain Isaac Conkling, formerly of Peekskill, now deceased, has told me many of his Revolutionary adventures. He was master of a North River Sloop at the time. Once, his Sloop was loaded, somewhere near Tappan Zee, with flour in barrels brought from Pennsylvania across New Jersey. The flour was intended for the garrison at West Point, and a guard of about sixty men, under a Colonel or some other officer, was put on board for the protection of sloop and cargo. There was a head wind, and several British vessels endeavouring to come up with them. The officer in command exclaimed: "I don't mean that this paltry flour shall be the cause of my being taken prisoner. Captain Conkling put me and my men ashore immediately." Conkling answered: "I command this vessel and mean to take her and the cargo to West Point. – You shall not go ashore." "We're stronger than you," replied the officer. "Put us instantly ashore, or I'll take command [page break] by force." Finding it in vain to contend any longer, Conkling put the officer and his men ashore and prosecuted his voyage. He was fortunate enough to arrive in safety at West Point where he landed his cargo. He could not, however, conceal his opinion of the officer who commanded the guard intended for his protection, and openly called him a coward. Those who heard him say this at West Point cautioned him about using such language, but he still persevered. At length it came to the ears of the superior officer at West Point who sent for him and reduced his account of the transaction to writing. The offending Colonel or officer was then tried by Court martial and dismissed the service. This offender belonged to one of the Eastern regiments.
At another time he was ordered to take a large quantity of powder to Albany for the use of the northern army. This was, I believe, while Gates had commanded there. [page break] There was a strong head wind when he took the powder on board, but a sudden change and a strong south wind enabled him to reach Albany in a few hours. He instantly landed the cargo. Another sudden change and a north wind and favorable tide enabled him to return again to that part of the Highlands from which he had departed; and thus the whole trip up and back was accomplished in a very short space of time. The next day after the powder was placed under his charge while at anchor at the same spot from which he had started, he was boarded by the public authorities who enquired in great displeasure why he had delayed the performance of his duty by not taking the powder to Albany. He answered that he had done all he promised. An explanation ensued. His accusers would not believe his story, he told, until he produced receipts for the powder from the proper officers in command at Albany. [page break] [margin: Joseph] Old Mr. Travers of Peekskill, who owned the upper part of the land where the present village of Peekskill stands, and who owned what was then called the upper dock, used to tell a story of his having, for several days, had possession of a barrel of specie, part of the French military chest. The story was this: Going out early one morning upon his wharf, he found lying there a strong iron bound cask containing something apparently very heavy. After enquiry in vain for the owner he directed it to be taken for safe keeping to his store house. Nearly a week had elapsed when an American officer at the head of a guard of men came to Peekskill describing the cask in question and making anxious enquiry respecting it. On surrendering it Mr. Travers was informed that it contained specie belonging to the French army which had been forwarded from some place above by [page break] water and forwarded landed by some mistake in the night time, at the wrong spot, by persons ignorant alike of the owners and contents.
Novr 12th. Mrs Anna, widow of Colonel Hobby, of Middle Patent, deceased, and daughter in law of Major Hobby who served in the Revolutionary war: "I am in my 13th year. I remember when Colonel Wells was surprised and taken at Horton Reynolds's (my father). A young man named John Garmore came several times and told my father of the intended attack, but he disregarded it. One American soldier was killed and several wounded. None of the Refugees were either killed or wounded, I believe. My sister Mrs. Belcher called upon Major Huggeford to stop