Left < map> · Spot where Col. Greene died · Narrow pass bet. rocks · Widow Griffen · Pines Bridge · *Glovnis’s* Ford Skitch by McDonald of *Davenport House* Oct. 2. The corn hay &c. on Haerlem Plains bet. 3 two armies brot. Lay. & amn. – N.B. 2, 2.

Right ‘76 Aug * 27th Battle of Long Island. ? Mem? P 56 “ 29th The Am^ evacuate L. Island in ? night. Sept. 5th – a chain of Videllas & Sentinals formed at Morrisania* – Hunts & Frog’s Point & “ 6th The Post Office removed from N.Y. to Dobb’s Ferry pre-viously to this time sparks? “ 7th The British erected a work opposite Harris Hook “ 8 + 9 A brisk cannonade between * opposite Forts “ 10th The British landed on Montresors* Island “ 11th, 12th + 13th The cannonade by + against Harris Hook continued. “ 15th The British landed at Kips Bay (Am^ behaved ill) - Fort at Harris Hook abandoned “ fr*/16th Skirmish on Heights W. of Haerlem Plain between a party of H. Yagers, Br. Light Infantry + Highlanders; + x Am^ Rifleman & some other troops in favour of * Am^ns & “ 22d An attack on * Br. at Montressor I. by Col. Jackson of the Mas. Line with 240 men failed – Major Henley killed – 14 men killed + wounded + missing Octr 3d –A Redoubt command on * Hill where Williams Bridge * (Tuesday) 8th 3 Br. Frigates + several Tenders passed Forts Wash^n + Const.. + the chevaux de frise & 2 Am. Ships ran* on shore at Philips Mills & 2 Galleys near Dobbs Ferry 68 n.b 2+4 “ 9th Col. Saycant* detached to Dobb’s Ferry against the Br. with 500 infantry, 40 Light Horse, 2 p.s of cannon & one How-itzer &c. W. 69. “ 12th The Br. from Montresor’s I., Long I. & N.Y. (and on Frog’s Neck & push for the Bridge – Planks taken up by Hands riflemen. - Pass at head of the Creek guarded by the Am^ns. Br. encamp on Neck Yagers & Rifleman fire across marsh. “ 18th The British cross to Pells Neck & move briskly upwards. Shepard, Baldwin, Read & Glover’s Regiments advanced & took a posn behind a stone fence – the Br. at first checked - Am^ns retire bef. sup force with a loss of about 40 killed + wounded. 73 “ 18th British Camp near N. Rochelle Village on the Borders of Pelham till 21st Oct. ?

Notes on the American Revolution in the Handwriting of John M. MacDonald. from the Originals in the Library of The New York Historical Society Copied in 1927

Vol. 1. Containing the Journals of the Provincial Congress; Provincial Convention: Committee of Safety & Council of Safety. Vol.1. In Provincial Convention, April 20. 1775 On the 28th day of March 1775, a No. of Gentl from difft districts in the county of Westchester met at the White Plains &c & recommended a general meeting of the Freeholders of the said County, to be held at the Court House at that place, on Tuesday the 11th day of April the next, at 10 o’clock A.M., for the purpose of taking the sense of the Freeholders of the said County upon the expediency of choosing Deputies, to meet the Deputies of the other Counties, in order to elect Delegates to represent this Colony in the Continental Congress, to be held at Philadelphia, on the 10th day of May next. – In pursuance whereof, a very numerous body of the Freeholders of the County assembled at the Court House at White Plains, on the 11th day of April 1775, & chose [illegible] Lewis Morris for their Chairman &c. – An inconsiderable no. of persons (among whom were many Tenants not entittled to a vote.) with Isaac Wilkins Esq. & Col. Philipse at their head then appeared; & Mr. Wilkins in their behalf as he said, declared that they would not join in the business of the day, or have any thing to do with Deputies or Congresses. But that they came there for the sole purpose of protesting against such illegal & unconstitutional proceedings. – After which, they departed.” – These were afterwards called “Protestors.” – “Whereupon the Freeholders then there met. appointed the said Col. Lewis Morris, III*, Stephen Ward, Samuel Drake Esq., John Thomas junior Esq. – Robert Graham Esq., & Major Philip Van Cortlandt, together with Col. James Holmes, & Jonathan Platt Esq. or the majority of them, to be the Deputies of the said County of Westchester, to meet the Deputies of the other Counties, at the City of New York, on the 20th day of April then instant, for the purpose of electing Delegates to represent this Colony in the General Congress to be held at Philadelphia on the 10th day of May next” ..e. 1775, pp. 2&3

“A general association, agreed to, & subscribed by the Freeholders, Freemen, & Inhabitants of the City and County of New York.” Viz. “Persuaded that the salvation of the rights & liberties of America depends, under God, on the firm union of its inhabitants, in a vigorous prosecu -tion of the measures necessary for its safety &c. &c….We the Freeman, Free -holders, & Inhabitants of the City & County of New York &c…do, in the most solemn manner resolve never to become slaves” and do associate under all the ties of religion, honour, & [love] to our country, to adopt &c. whatever measures may be recommended by the Continental Congress, or resolved upon by our Provincial Convention, for the purpose of preserving our constitution &c. &c….And that we will * follow the advice of our General Committee &c.” … … “Dated in New York, April & May. 1775.” P.5 note.

Vol. 1. “In Provincial Congress, May 29 1775. Resolved, *that* it be recommen ded *that* to all the Counties in this Colony & to appoint County Committees, & also sub committees for their respective Townships, Precincts, & Districts, &c. in order to carry into execution the resolutions of the Continental & this Provincial Congress.” – – – “And *that* it is also recommended to every Inhabitant of this Colony, who has hitherto neglected to subscribe *to the* General Association, to do it with all convenient speed. And * that committee &c. [do tender] the said association to every Inhabitant &c. in each County &c.. – and that said committees & persons do return the said association, & the names of those who shall neglect or refuse to sign the same, to this Congress, by the 15th day of July next, or sooner if possible.” ex? / “May 30 1775 – Capt Montgomerie, McGlen, III. Robert Yates, Col. Van Cortlandt, & Col. Holmes, were appointed a Committee to view the ground at or near Kingsbridge & report the parties* spot best adapted for a fortification &c. – “Col. Clinton & Mr Tappen were appointed to a committee to go to the Highlands & view the banks of Hudson’s river there, & report the most proper place for fortifications &c.” p. 20. ex? / June 7 1775 – James Rivington, the printer, in consequence of some ill judged publications, had given offence, &c. but having afterwards signed the general association & asked pardon of the public &c. &c. “Resolved therefore that the said James Rivington be permitted to return to his house & family & that this Congress doth recommend it to the Inhabitants of this colony not to molest him in his person or property.” &c. p. 34. ex? / June 10th 1775 – Col. Clinton & Mr Tappen reported on the most proper place for erecting fortifications in the Highlands, &c.” June 15th ’75 – “Ordered by the Provl Congress, that Genl. Wooster, now comman -ding a body of troops at Greenwich, in the southern part of Connecticut; be requested to march his said troops, with their tents &c. to the distance of 5 miles from this City &c. p. 44 / The ground 5 miles from New York selected for Genl. Wooster’s encampment, proving damp & unfit for the purpose; an orchard, part of the estate late of Elbert Herring decd. was chosen for the encampment &c. – 1500 of Wooster’s troops arri ved on the 27th of June ’75, & were quartered for the time in barns & other out houses near the ground &c.” pp. 55, 59 ex. / <manicule> next page * <manicule> “July 8, 1775. Resolved that this Congress will adjourn until next Tuesday fortnight & that a Committee of Safety be appointed during the recess of this Congress in manner follow -ing vizt. – that New York appoint 3 members to give 2 votes, & every other County each one to give one vote.” – This Committee of Safety was authorized to act for the Provincial Congress under certain specified powers delegated to them &c. pp. 69, 70. ex. /

Vol. 1. 3 “July 13th, 1775. – a boat belonging to his Majestys Ship Asia was drawn on shore, & the boats crew detained as prisoners at Genl. Wooster’s Camp. Also, his Majesty’s Store House near Hudson’s river, was, during last night, broken open, & divers effects carried away from there by violence. &*” p. 77 / “July 17th ’75. Genl. Wooster removed his troops to Haerlem, where they are camped in a field belonging to Arent Bussions*.” p. 82 / “July 27th 1775 – A return from Capt. Ambrose Horton, dated at the White Plains on the 26th inst., informing that he had enlisted 56 able bodied men &c.” pg. 91 / <manicule> preceding page &c. “June 30 1775 – Ordered &c. that the New York regiment be considered as the First Regiment and have rank accordingly. Al: exander McDougal was then unanimously approved of for Colonel: Ru: dolphus Ritzma for Lieut Colonel; and John Brogden for adjutant of the 1st Regt. For the 2nd Regiment, Myndert Rooseboom was unanimously approved of for Col.; Goosie Van Schaack, Lieut. Col.; - Barent I. Ten Eyck adjutant, and John W. Wendal, Quarter master. For the 3rd Regiment, Col. James Clinton was unanimously appro :ved of for Col.; - Edward Flemming, for Lieut. Col.; - & Cornelius D. Wyn: coop for Major And for the 4th Regiment, Congress unanimously approved of James Holmes for Colonel; Philip Van Cortlandt for Lieut Colonel, and *Tuthill* for Major. p. 62 / “August 11th 1775 – Ordered that the Colonels McDougall, Clinton, & Holmes, do respectively march to Albany with all conven ient speed, with the men now raised & under their respective commands. &c.” p. 105 / “August 22d 1775. – Ordd * Capt. Samuel Bayard & Capt. William Bedlow* be appointed commissioners to manage, erect & finish the fortifications in the Highlands on the banks of the Hudson river & instead of Col. Edward Flemming & Capt. Anthony Rutgers &c. who decline &c. p. 113. / “August 23-24 – The cannon on the Battery at N.Y. were removed as *witness*, by order of the P. Congress – see Capt. *Vandeput’s* Letter. pp. 113, 118. / Capt. Horton of Holmes’s regiment at Albany, Augst. 28th 1775. Ambrose? p. 137. / “John Cock signed and Genl. association of this Province with great reluctance & - He was chosen a Captain by the Inhabitants of the Yonkers but is an improper person to be commissioned &c.” Col. Drake. p. 145. /

Vol. 1. 4 “Sept. 14 1775 . – Guns carted to Kingsbridge – For safe keeping prob: ably. – cannon for the battery? p. 147. / “Sept. 27. ’75. Major Robert Rodgers on his parole &c. p. 157. / Sept. 29 ’75 – Godfrey Haines, opposed to Congress* Committees & *the* threatening *the* lives of several persons &c. is arrested. – Bernard Ro: :man’s in his plan for fortifying the Highlands &c. p. 159. / For *fear* of a rescue if sent back ^to West Chester County^ Godfrey Haines was committed to jail in New York. &. p. 160. / “Octr. 4th 1775 – Col. Holmes’s Regt is now at the out:posts. &…the last company proceeded down Lake George the 28 of September.” p. 166. / “White Plains. Novr. 1st 1775 – The Committee of WestChester County or some of them, e.g. Judge Thomas, Col. Thomas & *al* ^whigs in great danger of being carried off by Wm. Lounsberry, Isaac Gedney junr, Isaac Williams of WestChester, Godfrey Haines & others ^*Tories ** - Elijah Weeks was rescued from the Committee by Isaac Gedney junr & William Nelson, Joshua *Boyea*, Joshua Ferris, Bartholamew Haines, Elijah Haines, Wm Haines & John Haines & who took up arms ^&c. p. 192. / The Tories in Mamaroneck, Rye, & the vicinity, equipped & constant ly in arms, walking about at night., - 6. 8, + 10, at a time – “Novr. 3/75. pp. 193.4.- / “The Provl. Congress – to – Govr. Trumbull of Connt. – New York 12th Decr. 1775.” “Sir . . . . a body of troops from the Colony lately made a public entry into this City at noonday, & seized & carried off the types belonging to one of the public prin: ters, without any authority from the Continental, or this Congress, or their committee. – While we consider this conduct as an insult offered to this Colony, we are disposed to attribute it to an imprudent, tho’ well intended zeal for the publ cause, & cannot en: tertain the most distant thought that the Colony will approve of the measure……… …We cannot but consider such intrusions as an invasion of our essential rights as a distinct Colony; & common justice obliges us to request that you would give orders that all the types be returned to Chairman of the Genl. Committee of the C. & C. of New York. We beg you will not consider this requisition as an attempt to justify the man for whom the types w. taken. We are fully sensible of this demer its &… The same body of troops seized the Major of the Borough of West Chester, * the Rector of that Parish, & one of the Justices of the County, & carried them to your Colony. Mr. Seabury we are informed is still detained. &c. &c. pp. 213.14 / “The Provincial Congress to the New York Delegates at the Contl. Congress “New York, Dec. 20, 1775” “We beg leave to suggest to you that the report of the Committee respecting the *expedi: :eney* of erecting a fortification on the eminence of *Puplope’s* Kill, demands the most serious attention. &c. p.227.

Vol. 1. 5 “Dec. 22nd 1775 – Resolved that it be recommended to the Inhabitants of this Colony to refrain from going on board of any of the King’s ships or ves: sels of war, without leave of the Committee of a County in this Colony, or the Committee of safety, or their respective chairman” &c. pp. 231, ’32. / “In Congress” [Continental] January 5th 1776.” – “Resolved. &c. That no further fortifications ought to be erected at Martler’s rock, on the Hud: son river; - and that a point of land at Pooplopan’s kill, on the said river, ought, without delay, to be effectually fortified. &c. p. 243. / “The N.Y. Delegates to the Continental Congress to the Provincial Congress of N.Y.” “Phila. =delphia, 5 January. 1776.” – Gent.” ……We highly applaud the spirit & at the same time, respectful manner in which you have supported the dignity & in: dependence of our Colony, & demanded reparations on the subject of the Connect= ticut inroad. An interposition so rash, officious, & violent, gave us great anxiety, as it was not only a high insult to the authority, but had a direct tendency to confirm that fatal spirit of jealousy & distrust of our Eastern brethren, *which* has done so much injury to our cause, & *which* every wise & virtuous pat: triot shd. [should] study to surpress. &c.” p. 243. / Thomas Henderson, a Major of Minute men in Monmouth County, New Jersey, attended the Committee of safety, & informed that he was sent by the Committee of Safety of New Jersey, with a guard, to conduct several prisoners taken in New Jersey, being inhabt. of this colony, who had been proceding in the Sloop “Polly & Ann, from this port to Boston. Major H. delivered the affidavit of one *James* Webb, who undr oath, says that in December last, he entered on board a small Sloop, in New York harbour, called the Polly & Ann, where of one Haines was captain, bound &c. to Boston, *which* vessel was laden with provisions. &c…That *said* vessel sailed from N.Y. on the 20th of Decr. last &c….That on the 23d of Decr. *that* said vessel was stranded on the Jersey shore. That the Capt. of said sloop, one Isaac Gedney, Master, Bartholomew Haines a passenger, one Palmer who owned part of the cargo, all from Mamaroneck, in WestChester county, Moses Marden, one Graham, this Deponent & his wife, with one Sanford & 2 more, were on board said vessel when she stranded.” Proceedings in New Jersey of the Committee of safety, Prince-town, January 11th, 1776… … “A small sloop, called the Polly & Ann, one Haines Captain, was on the 23d of Decr last, stranded on Squam beach, on board of *which* w. a quantity of beef, pork, & other provisions; &…& one James Webb a passenger &c. …appeared before this Committee, by whose deposition it appears, that said vessel w. bound from New York to Boston, &…the provisions on board w. designed for the ministerial army. &c….It appears that said Capt., Master & passengers of the said sloop, Polly & Ann, stranded on Squam Beach, are Inhabitants of the colony of New York &c., p. 257.

Vol. 1. 6 Major Henderson says, that ^Godfrey Haines, ^see p. 52 the Captain of the said Sloop, broke jail in New York a few weeks ago, *&* stole a boat, & got on board the man of war, & was there protected until the vessel sailed, *& the said Haines confessed this to one of the Guard on the way to New York. &…The casks & boxes ^on board the sloop had labels nailed to them &c…one directed to Genl Howe, *Boston turnips*; - another to Genl. Ruggles, Boston. – 3 quarter casks of Madeira wine, & other things on board were shipped by Govr. Tryon for Genl. Howe. &” David Rhea says that Capt. Haines told him he was put in jail because he refused to deliver up his arms, & that his punisht. had been determined, “that he shd. not eat nor drink until he had delivered them up.” That he broke jail by breaking 6 grates out of a window, & stole a boat about midnight, & got on board of the man of war. That the Sloop Polly & Ann was purchased for him abt. 3 days or less before the time of her sailing, & that she was purchased of Isaac Gedney. pp. 257-258 / The New York Committee of Safety -to- Genl Charles Lee.” – New York, 21st Jany. 1776.” “*Sir* The Inhabt. of this City are much alarmed at various confident advices of the desti: nation with a considble. [considerable] body of forces, for active service here. “Confident, however, as these advices may appear to people ^without out of doors, we cannot readily credit them, as we conceive it most probable, that were you preparing to execute any plan of that kind, it wd. [would] be preceded by some intimations to us on the subject from the Continent. Congress, Genl. Washington, or yourself. &c…Enable us to allay the fears of the inhabs [inhabitants] … For these reasons we conceive yt [yet] a just regard for the public cause, & our duty to take a prudent care of the City, dictate the impropriety of provoking hostilities at present &…We therefore ardently wish to remain at peace for a little time, & doubt not we have assigned sufficient reasons for avoiding at present, a dilemma in wh [which] the present entrance of a large body of troops into this City, will al: =most certainly involve us. Should you have such an entrance in design, we beg, at least, that the troops may halt on the Western confines of Connecticut, till we shall have our explanation &c.” p. 259. / Genl. Char. Lee – to – The N.Y. Committee of Safety “in answer.” Stamford 23d. January. 1776.” …With respect to the alarm of the inhabitants, on the suspicion that my business was to commence active hostilities against the men of war in yr [your] harbour, I can assure you that they may be perfectly easy. Such never was the intentions of the General. [Washington] or….the motive of the Genl. for detaching *, was solely to prevent the enemy from taking part in the City, in lodging themselves in Long Island. & c. . . . If the ships of war are quiet. I shall be quiet. &…In compliance with yr [your] request, I shall only carry with me into Town, a force just strong enough to secure it against any designs of the enemy, until it shall please the Continental Congress to take measures, for its permanent security. The main body I shall leave on the Western frontiers of Connecticut, according to your directions. &c.” p. 266.

Vol. 1.

7 “January 23d 1776.” – John Fowler was taken & brought before the Committee of Safety & changed with having purchased a parcel of old files &c. for spiking up the cannon in W.C. County – He readily declared that he purchased 30 old files by request of Wm. Lounsbury of Mamaroneck. &c.” “Ordered that Lieut. *Jacomiah* Allen of the light horse of the City of N.Y., take with him a guard of 12 of the * light horse, & proceed immediately to Mamaroneck, + take Wm. Lounsbury & his accomplices * & bring tm [them] before this Committee &c.” p. 262. / “23d Jany. 1776.” – “Godfrey Haines lately apprehended & sent here to the New York Committee of Safety by the Committee of Safety of New Jersey. The *sd [said]* God: =frey Haines lately broke *the* Jail of this City & escaped – He is so dangerous that he ought to be kept in safe custody & close jail. – After escaping from the New York Jail, he set off to navigate a vessel loaded with provisions to supply the Ministerial army & Navy at Boston &c. – Ordered that the said Godfrey Haines be sent manacled or fettered to Ulster County Jail, under guard, to be there confined in safe & secure custody, in close Jail. &c. p. 263. / Jany 24th – Lieut Allan returned with Wm Lounsberry in custody &c. p. 264 / “January 26, 1776. – John Gedney of New Rochelle yeoman being sworn & *examd* before a Sub-Committee of the Committee of West Chester, says “that on Wednes. =day, last week, William Lounsberry was at his house about 9 or 10 o’clock at night in company with one Joshua Gedney, son of Isaac Gedney at Rye & 4 others unknown to him the deponent & yt [yet] they went from his house he knew not where, but returned a little before daylight the next morning.” p. 271 / On the 27th of Jany ’76, Joshua Gedney was sent in custody to the Committee of Safety of New York. p. 271. / “January 29th 1776.” – “William Lounsberry, examd [examined] before the Committee of safety for New York, says that he, Joshua Gedney, Josiah Burrell, William Haines, James Haines junior + Thomas Haines, went to disarm the cannon with sledges. That they had 2 sledges with them that they got one sledge out of *Flandereau’s* shop without the consent of the owner & the other out of Guion’s shop at New Rochelle: - Then he dropped the design of spiking the guns bec. he found it wd [would] be troublesome & thought that other wd [would] do as well. That the spiking took place last Wednesday night a week, a very cold night so cold that men could not stand [still?] longer than half or three quarters of an hour, in his opinion – That he intended to disarm the guns * *the communication between the City & Country might be kept open. That abt 1 or 2 o’clock in the morning, when they came to a house near the cannon. They heard people at work at them - When he & his party went to the guns they found them spiked, & the men at the same time went off – That pp.272-273.

31 he called to them, but they went off down a hill towards the Blacksmith’s & then into the road & towards Kingsbridge. That there were 5 or 6 persons who went off *from the guns. - & * it was daylight by the time they returned to John Gedney’s at New Rochelle all the cannon at Williams’s were spiked by Gedney & Haines – That the last time he saw Govr. Tryon was after New Year: That the first time he saw Govr Tryon was on board of Sutton’s Sloop – That he went to see Sutton & the Govr came there – That in January when he came down with cattle, he went on board the Governor’s ship to see how things were. & saw the Attorney General there: &c.” / Jany 29 1776. Joshua Gedney examd. before the Committee &c. says . . That he lives at the hither end of Rye Neck – That the first person he ever heard speak of rendering the cannon useless was William Lounsberry. & afterwards, Josiah Burrell who lives at Rye Neck, + Wm Sutton, + other people also: - That Burrell went on board a ship, & spoke to the Govr who said it must be done to render those cannon useless: - Lounsberry afterwards told him the same, & he believed spoke to the Govr also: - That Isaac Gedney as well as Lounsberry & Wm Sutton spoke to him about having the cannon destroyed: That Esqr Sutton seemed to be fond of it: - That it was soon after Godfrey Haines came home from on board of the man of war, that Lounsberry first proposed disabling the cannon with sledges: - That Burrell told him he had conversed with the Govr & yt he advised disabling the cannon: - That he heard Lounsberry had been on board the Governer’s Ship abt a week before this affair happened: - That Isaac Gedney informed him of this, & yet the Govr advised him to destroy the cannon, &said it wd save the City and prevent its being burnt down - That Burrell & Lounsberry told him if it was done, they wd be well paid for it. – That Wm Lounsberry had the direction & management of the cannon spiking party & was called their General – That the party consisted of 6 persons, vizt. Wm Lounsberry, himself, Josiah Burrell, Wm Haines, James Haines, jun. - & Thomas Haines: - That one sledge was taken out of a shop at Flande: reau’s, - & John Gedney borrowed the other sledge of Guion a blacksmith: -That he went with the said party towards the cannon near Valentine’s for the purpose of rendering them useless, & started from John Gedney’s on a violent cold night. - That when they came to a little house near Valentine’s, they heard people at work – That when they came to a parcel of guns on the hill near Valentine’s, they found 5 or 6 men at work there. & the guns spiked up: - That when 2 or 3 of his party went up towards the cannon, the party at work at the guns left them, & went off Westward towards Kingsbridge, & walking, as they passed by him, very fast & close together – That they were in dark coloured clothes & as he thinks, belonged to West Chester County – That finding the cannon near Valentine’s spiked, they retur -ned & spiked those at Williams’s – That Wm Haines & James Haines jun spiked them: - That there were upwards of 50 spiked there – That they concluded it wd make too much noise if they struck on the arms, to disarm them. & break off the *trunnions*, & therefore spiked them.” Or “That before he came to Valentine’s, he did not know that any party but his own were engaged to spike up the cannon: - That he supposes they live in that neighbourhood. &.” pp. 271, 272, 273. /

35 Vol. 1. 9 “January 30th 1776.” –“Isaac Valentine being brot. [brought] before the Committee to be examd says, – that the guns lie about 400 or 500 yards from this house in W.C. County in a field. & …… That on Sunday his brother who lives near the guns, informed him that if he had been at his house last night he wd [would] have heard music; & informed him *that* he heard the guns every now & then ring, sometimes at one end of the parcel of guns & some times at the other. &c…… That John Williams came down to his house, & informed him *yt the* guns at Williams’s were spiked up – That at his request they went to the guns in his field & found them spiked.” & …… Isaac Valentine junior. “That he has not signed the Association, but is *hearty?* in the cause of his country &c… … was at home last Wednesday night a week …… That the guns are 250 yards from his father’s house &c……. … that John Williams next morning, came down & informed his father that the guns near his house were spiked –That they went & found them spiked.” - &c. p. 274 / “January 31t 1776 – Ordered, that Jaramiah Allen get the cannon near the house of John Williams, & also those near Kingsbridge, removed to the larger parcel of Valentine’s, so as to have them all brought together, for the greater convenience of guarding them & drilling out the spikes.” – “The Committee agrees with Mr. Allan to allow him 20 s. a. piece for clearing * unspiking the cannon ^beyond Kingsbridge, & removing the cannon from John Williams’s to the larger parcel; & Mr. Allen agrees to remove those guns, & clear & unspike the whole at 20 s. each.. Mr. Allen is also request: :ed to remove the guns at or near Kingsbridge to the larger parcel at as little expense as possible, for which he is to be paid the expense. And Mr. Allen is further directed, not to clear or unspike any gun, but such and when clear :ed will be fit for use.” 3 parcels of guns w. *. P.275 / Qu> - Were the guns at or near Kings Bridge spiked? – / “February 2d 1776 – Josiah Burrell examd, says “He lives on Rye Neck - … On Wednesday, the 17th * in the night, William Lounsberry, Joshua Gedney, Thomas Haines, James Haines junior, William Haines, & himself, were at John Gedneys, &c.” “Isaac Gedney says he in a smith & lives on “Rye Neck” …& “Thomas Haines – That he lives at Rye Neck, & is a son of James Haines.” &. “Josiah Burrell again examd. says he did meet the 5 persons above na: med at John Gedneys – that they came as far as Valentine’s & in return, some of this party went to the guns – That *yt* party did set out with a design to spike the guns – That he went on board a vessel in the north river at N.Y. – That a person there spoke to him abt. spiking the guns. &c.” “Thomas Haines – again examd acknowledged he was at Joshua Gedneys in the evening abt [about] a month ago, when he & the 5 above named walked 12 miles from where they set out, & far back, &c. p. 280

Vol. 1. 10 “Feby 11th1776 – The cannon & military stores on & near the battery are now under removal to other parts of the City &…. the removal may bring on a firing upon the City from the ships of war in this Port &c.” p. 291. / In Provincial Congress :Feby 16th, 1776 – Ordered yt *M* Abm Livingston be appointed Commissary to supple the troops from Westchester and Dutchess Counties, now arrived, & daily coming into this City, &c. / “Feby. 18th 1776” “One regiment is on their march fr. The City of Philadelphia & may be expected immediately – said regt is to be posted on Nassau Island, from Wallabout to Gowanus.” &c. p. 308. / “Feby. 18 ’76 – All communication between the Inhabitants of this colony: & the ships of war now in this port, & the ship on board of wh his Excy. Gov. Tryon resides, prohibited &c. Except &c. by special permits & from the Provincial Congress or Committee of Safety &c.” p. 309. / “Feby. 28 1776 – Col. Samuel Drake of the minute regiment from *the* County of Westchester attending at the door &c.” p. 327. / “Feby. 28th 1776 – Gentlemen nominated out of wh to elect field officers for the 4 regiments to be to be raised for the defense of the Colony &c. Col. James Holmes not in the list. – Qu? Was this the cause of his leaving the Amr. service? <manicule> “Capt Horton” [Ambrose]?> “of the 4 regt. is willing to continue in the service” p. 328. / “March 1st 1776 – About this time the Commissioners for building the fortifications in the Highlands commenced the Forts at *Porplonens kill*. p. 331, 332. / Cannon=Spikers. “March 6, 1776. Ordered yt Col. Waterberry be requested to send down Wm. Loundsberry & the other persons confined in the upper barracks for making spikes & spiking up the cannon beyond Kingsbridge in West Chester County, to this Congress at the City Hall, at 5 P.M. &c.” “William Lounsberry examd says – That the first movers of spiking the cannon were Joshua Gidney & Burrell – That they had 70 or 80 spikes made, & went down, & found so many cannon that it was not worth while.” [From this it wd. seem yt [that] an attempt to spike &c was made previously to the 17th of January] -” That he does not know who spiked up the large parcel of guns. &…He went to Col. Philipse’s the day before the cannon were spiked to know whether he wd. [would] set up again as a representative – That he set off from home with an intention to spike the guns or disarm them. That the following persons were with him vizt. – Joshua Gidney, Josiah Burrell, William Haines, Thomas Haines, ^& James Haines, junr ** -- That his reason for disabling the cannon was that as the New England people had done several acts wh he thought harsh he wanted p. 341. /

Vol. 1. 11 to prevent the guns to be used on any fortifications that might be built near Kingsbridge, as they wd then be between two fires. &…That he was in bed when the other persons escaped. – That one of the company took one sledge out of Benjn. *Flandereau’s* Shop, & another was got when they were at John Gidney’s &c. &c. Isac Gidney says That Lounsberry came to him & asked him to make 100 & add hatched teeth out of old files & he made 104 accordingly: - That Joshua Gidney lives within 40 rods of him & Lounsberry, ½ a mile out of the country road. &c.” - Cornelius McCartney says, he lives in Philipse’s Manor, in Yonkers Township – That he usually keeps school – That he does not know who spiked up the cannon at Valentines. - That he had a dispute about Whig & Tory & some persons out of spite informed against him, that he had been concerned in spiking the cannon, but that it was not true. - That he was the person called a Tory. &c.” McCartney was discharged * Lounsberry & the others remanded to prison. pp. 341. 342. “Stephen Ward to the P.C.” March 5 1776” – “If Mr. Barclay shd be appointed to guard the guns, he expects the 50 wh are at Williams’ to be moved to the others near Valentines, &c.” p. 342. / “March 16, ’76 – A Long letter from *Jacamiah* Allen, who says that 82 of the guns beyond Kings Bridge are cleared & unspiked, & * on the 16th * p. 371. / “It wd [would] seem that the no. of guns spiked at or near Kingsbridge was about 200.* p.374

“On the 1st of May 1776, Wm Lounsberry was on board the Asia man of war. – He had escaped from confinement, as had Joshua Gedney also. The N.Y. Com. of Safety on the 2d of May ’76, allowed Joshua Gedney to return to his family, &c., and Isaac Gidney, a prisoner confined in W.C. County Jail by order of this Committee to be discharged & each giving security, &c. p. 429. /

Vol. 1. 12 “March 12th 1776 – Col Drake’s regt with other troops stationed at Horn’s Hook, near Hell Gate, &c.” The Light Horse at Sandy Hook dismantled by Major Malcom &c.” p. 355. / Col. Samuel Drake as it seems. “March 14, 1776…Col. *Shea* & Col. Magaw, with their battalions, ordered by Contl. Congress to march to New York. p. 375, / “March * 1776” “The following battalions are assigned for the defense of New York besides the 4 you [i.e. the N.Y. P.C.] are raising* vizt. Pennsylvanians – Wayne’s, *[Irwins], Shea’s, Magaw’s. – New Jersey, Lord Stirling’s, & Dayton’s.” p. 379. / “March 28th ‘ 76 – Capt Ambrose Horton’s Company” & [p. 393, 421, 455. p. 389. / “April 11th ’76 – The island with the buildings thereon, commonly called Little Barn island belonging to Mr. Montressor, is the most suitable place for a small pox Hospital.” p. 401. / “Apl 25th ’76 – Capt Ezekiel Hyatt of the 1st N.Y. Regt. in the Contl. service &c.” p. 421. / “In the beginning or middle of April 1776, Wm. Lounsberry & 2 of the Gedney’s (one na -med Soloman), - some men of the name of Haynes, and one Barnes, said to be a Lieut. were on board the Lady Gage at or in the narrows in N.Y. harbour. Qu? Had Wm. Lounsberry made his escape? since the 6th of March? [Examd* of one Henry *Smith* of North Castle who had enlisted with the British & deserted.”] &. p. 423. / “May 21st 1776 – Ordered that Capt Ambrose Horton with his company, join Col. McDougall’s regt. as part thereof, until farther order &c.” p. 455. / “June 5th 1776 – Frederick Philipse of West Chester County & others inimical to the cause of America &”. – Resolved ty such of them as may be men of influence } p. 476, be removed to such place in this or a neighbouring colony &c. 477. / “June 7th ’76 – Lewis Morris Esq. appointed Brigadier General of the militia of the county of West Chester: & Lewis Morris junr, Major of Brigade of the miltia, &c.” p.482. / “June 9, ‘76” – “Detachments of militia to reinforce the army of New York ordered &c. – The levies of West Chester & Queens to march for New York on the 17th instant – The detachments to reinforce the army at New York formed into 4 battalions of militia, & John Marian Scott appointed Brigadier General thereof by the Provin -cial Congress. – The detachments from West Chester, Suffolk, & Orange constituted one of the Battalions* or regt, whereof Samuel Drake ^of W.C., was Col; - John Hurlbert of Suffolk Lieut Col; - & Moses Hetfield of Orange Major p. 486., ‘7, ‘8, & ‘9. / “June 22d ’76 – Disaffected & dangerous persons, in the Counties of Dutchess & West Chester, disturb the public peace & will probably take up arms whenever the enemy shall make a descent upon this colony: Therefore * order to keep

58 13 peace & prevent dissentions, &c.) Resolved, that 2 companies consisting (together) of 400 men be raised in Dutchess &: & one of 50 men in West Chester &c. in the pay and service of this Congress, to be confined to the service of those counties & subject *to* the order & directions of the Genl. Committes thereof respectively &c. – Melancton Smith, & John Durlin ^appointed by Provincial Congress^ Captain of Dutchess Companies & Micah Towns: end Captain of the Westchester Company &c. p. 503. / “June 26, 1776 – Applications frequently made to the N.Y. Provl. Congress by many of the Inhabitants of this City, being proprietors of 5 cannon at Kingsbridge & elsewhere & for *permission* to dispose of the same. & [It wd seem yt part of the cannon at Kingsbridge w. private property & yt the Congress had sent * to that place only for safekeeping] p. 507. / “June 30th.’76 – Capt Avery *Blauvelt’s* company of militia (in Haverstraw precinct, Orange County) are notoriously disaffected.” “Many disaffected & dangerous persons in this Colony have left their usual places of residence & secreted themselves in woods, swamps, & other places &c. with a design to join the enemy &c.” p. 512. / “June 30 1776, the N.Y. Provincial Congress adjourned to the court House at White Plains; - there to meet on Tuesday the 2nd day of July next &c.: & that the next Congress of this Colony to meet at the same place. Monday the 8th day of July aforesaid &c.” – “The Treasurer & Secretaries of this Congress directed to repair forthwith to White Plains &c. with all the public paers & money &c. p. 512 / “On Tuesday the 9th of July 1776, the N.Y. Provl. Congress met at the CourtHouse at White Plains where having recd. from the N.Y. delegates at the Contl. Congress the declaration of Independence, the same was then read & unanimously adop ted &c.” “On the 30th of June last when about to adjourn to this place, this Congress gave Genl. Washington the trouble of apprehending & securing such dangerous & disaffected persons as he shd. think necessary for the security of this colony & the liberties of America &c. pp. 515-518. / “On the 10th of July ’76,…ordered yt * style of this house be changed from that of the Provincial Congress of the Colony of New York.” to that of “the Conven tion of the Representatives of the State of New York.” / “On the 27th of July ’76, the N.Y. Provl. Convention adjoined from White Plains, *to meet* in the church at Haerlem on the 29th of July ’76 & where they met accordingly & pp. 547, ‘8. / “On the 29th of August ’76, the Provincl. Convention adjourned to meet in the English Church at Fishkill on Monday next (Sept. 2nd) at 9 o’clock &c. – A committee of safety appointed to act in the meantime &c. / “The Committee of safety met at Haerlem on the 29th of Augst – At Kingsbridge on the 30th; - at the House of M. Odell on Philipse’s Manor on the 31st of Augst; - & at Fishkill on the 2nd of September; at wh place the P. Convention ^also assembled on the 5th of September. / [X]Next* to *Croton river* at the house of John *Blagge* p.601-609.

14 “July 11 1776. The Troop of horse of the County of West Chester (as is said?) have refused to furnish their quota of men lately directed to be raised to reinforce the Contintental army at New York &c.” p. 521. / Enemy’s ships sail to the Highlands – Continental ships in danger. – Camp at Byram river proposed to prevent enemy landing above Kingsbridge. &c. 523: 7: / Genl Washington letter of July 13/76 &c.

August 8th ’76 – The new levies from Ulster, Dutchess, Orange, & West Chester directed to march immediately down to the Fort now erected on the North side of Kings Bridge &c. to prevent the enemy from cutting off the communication between the army in Town & the country. &c. P .563 / “Col. Joseph Drake to the Provincial Convention.” “New Rochelle, August 28, 1776.” ….I have ordered a party to guard from Rye neck to Rodman’s Neck, of the militia of this country. – Col. Graham’s regiment is stationed, at present, at Frog’s Neck. The enemy *being* yesterday & all last night by Hart Island. This morning they re moved a little to the *southward* of Miniford’s island, where they at present lie. They have not been able to plunder much. They got from Miniford’s island 4 horned cattle & some poultry *wh [which]* is all we have been able to learn they have plundered. I immediately sent Capt. Hunt with about 50 men from New Rochelle who with the help of a part of Col. Graham’s regiment, drove off all the cattle from the island, to the amount of 30 odd head. I shd be glad to be informed if Col. Graham’s regiment is to remain on Frog’s Neck… ..I *conceive* it will take nigh half of my regiment to guard from *Rodman’s Point to the *Snuff* Mills. Col. Budd in the send 100 men, & to guard from there to Rye Neck. &c…” p. 597. / “August 29 1776 “Thursday morning, Augst 29” 1776” – “Mr. Tomp kins came into Convention & informed that Mr. Lounsberry was *come* into West Chester County with a commission from Genl Howe to raise rangers - that a party in the militia went in pursuit of him & were under the necessity of killing him, as he wd not surrender; - another was wounded & 4 were taken prisoners, all his recruits.” [From this it ^would seem ^* that Lounsberry was killed the day before, i.e. August 28 1776.] p. 599. / “August 29 1776” “Papers &c. found upon Lounsberry referred to a committee.” … “Ordered, that Bloomer Nelson, Samuel Haines, Josiah Disberry, & Jacob Schurman, be committed to the Jail at Kingston & there kept. &” Ordered that the Treasurer of this convention pay to Jonathan Tompkins Esq. the sum of 20 dollars to be by him delivered to Mr. ^John Flood [X], as a reward for his spirited conduct in apprehending Wm. Lounsberry a notorious enemy ot the cause of America in West Chester County. &c.” “Ordrd yt the Treasurer of the State & *Secretaries* of the Convention do immediately remove with the treasury & records of this State to Fishkills in Dutchess County to join the Convention ^there at 9 o’clock on Monday next, &c.” / [X] [“John Flood the boatman” p. 250.] p. 600

60 15 “August 31, ’76 – The inhabitants of N.Y. island & the southern part of West Chester county (wh are exposed to the depredations of the enemy &c.) ordered to drive, forth with their horned cattle, horses, hogs, & sheep, into the interior of this State, &c.” p. 603. / “Sept. 3d 76 – Genl Clinton’s encampment at Kingsbridge &c. p.6[illegible] / “Sept. 7h ’76 – That to render Fort Constitution tenable the West point that com mands it ought to be fortified: - That considerable progress is made in fortifying an advantageous eminence on the Western shore, a little to the south of Fort Montgomery. “within the reach of cannon &.” [Is this Fort Clinton?] “Troops are employed in erecting works on the East side of the river, about 3 miles below Fort Montgomery, at a place called Redhook, near Peekskill,… [Fort Independence?] & “Brigadier General James Clinton commands the sd. Fortresses &c.” p. 613. / “Sept 11th ’76 Col. Joseph Drake is directed forthwith to remove the Revd Samuel Seabury from the Borough of West Chester to the house of Col. John *Brinck erhoff* of this place (Fishkill). *Sibury* notoriously disaffected to the Amr. cause &c.” p. 621. / September 21, 1776 – Resolved that 30 men be raised in West Chester county by Capt. Samuel Delavan, & put on the same establishment as those under the com -mand of Capt Micha Townsend: - That they ^ [i.e. the 30 men]? compose one company under the command of sd Capt. Saml. Delavan &c.” p. 638. / September 25, ’76 – a letter from Genl. Washington &c….contain ing an acct. of the skirmish when the enemy attacked the Heights at the North end of the Haarlem Lane, & of the loss on both sides.” A letter from Genl. Scott giving an acct. of a little expedition to Mon tressor’s island in wh our troops failed of success, & were obliged to retreat, with the loss of the brave Major Henley killed, & several others wounded & missing.” &c. p. 647. / “Oct 1, 76 Gilbert Deane appointed Capt. of a company of militia in Col. Samuel Drake’s regiment, of Genl. Scott’s Brigade (in addition to his command in the militia of his county) &c. “Samuel Drake Col. of a minute regiment in Westchester County &c.” p. 655. / “*Tench Tilghman* – to the N.Y. Committee of correspondence Head Quarters, Haerlem Heights, 9th Octr. 1776.” “Gent\ About 8 o’clock this morning the Roebuck & Phoenix, of 44 guns each & a frigate of about 20 guns, got under way from about Bloomingdale, where they have been laying some time, & steered on with an easy southerly breeze towards our Chevaux de frise, wh we hoped wd have given them some inter ruption, while our batteries played upon them; but to our surprise & mortification, they all ran thro’ without the least difficulty & without / 669

Vol. 1. 16 receiving the least apparent damage from our Forts, wh [which] kept playing on them from both sides of the river. How far they intend to go up I don’t know, but his Excellency thought fit to give you the earliest intimation, that you may put Genl Clinton on his guard at the Highlands; for they may have troops conceal :ed on board with intent to surprise those Forts. p. 669. / P.S. Be pleased to forward this intelligence up the river, & to Albany. The 2 new ships are put in near Col. Philipse’s. A party of artillery with 2 twelve pounders, & 100 riflemen, are sent up to endeavor to secure them.” / Insurrections of disaffected persons apprehended in *(the river ^i.e. Dutchess p.669 & West Chester counties)* assistance sought from *the* commanding officers of Fairfield & Litchfield in Connecticut &c. p. 670. / “November 6th 1776 - *Tench Tilghman to the Convention* Letter dated at Head Quarters, Valentine’s Hill, the 22d inst. (i.e. Octb.) “mentioning that early on the morning of the 21st, - 150 men, detached from the 1st & 3d Virginia regiments, & commanded by Major Green, supported by Col. Haslets of Delaware, with 600 men, attacked & put to flight Rogers’ rangers, taking many blankets, 60 stand of arms, & 36 prisoners.” p. 700. / *-- - -* to p. 700. J.M.M. W.P. Decr. 1847

“July 25th 1776. – The Committee appointed to *take into consideration & report the most proper mode for employing in the service of this State, Mr. James Stewart, late Lieutenant in Col. Livingston’s regiment, delivd. in their Report &c”…“Resolved, that the sd. James Stewart is deserving of a Captains Commission in the service of this State, & yt* a warrant be given him to raise a company with all possible dispatch, that the sd company ought to consist of Scotch Highlanders¸ or as many of them as possible, & yt they serve during the war &c… “The sd. Company shall either be employed as an independ -dent company, or incorporated into some battalion as * N.Y. State authority may deem proper. &c.” p. 542 – August 17th 1776 Capt. James Stewart with his said company, w. ordered to join Col. Malcom’s regiment, as part thereof, until further order ^c. pp. 542-577 / The *Br. Ministry* & Genl. bent upon becoming masters of Hudson river, wh wd. [which would] give them the entire command of the water communications with the Indian Nations, prevent all intercourse between the Eastern & Southern Confederates, divides the strength & capable* the efforts of the *Amrn*. for common preservations & security. –” &c p. 726 / Decr. 11th ’76. Col. Malcom, with the Militia under his command, annexed to Genl. George Clinton’s Brigade.” p. 748. /

Vol. 1. 17 “Decr. 12th 1776 – To ^Brigadier Genlr. George Clinton * The Convention, on the applications of the inhabitants of Westchester County, who complain of inroads made upon them by a party of rangers under the command of Major Rodgers, have come to the resolution to dispatch Colonels Malcolm & Thomas with their regiments, who will be joined by some of the militia of Westchester County & 3 companies of rangers, in order to fall upon the troops of the enemy & remove the stock & grain from the sd. County. – You will be pleased therefore to give the *confirming* Orders.” p. 749. / “January 1st, 1777. – The Convention to Genl. Washington.” **… ..” We lately applied to Genl. Schuyler for some of the northern troops, to defend the passes in the Highlands & protect the inhabitants of Westchester, who were, notwithstanding Genl. Spencer’s & Wooster’s troops, cruelly harassed by 700 rangers under command of Col. Rodgers. He then informed us yt. no troops * be spared, &c. p. 753 / “Genl Alexr McDougall – to – the N.Y. Comm. of Safety.” “Peekskill, 21st of Jany. 1777 … … nothing material was cast up in our army under Genl Heath, by advice from him yesterday. Fort Independence was to be invested today. The garrison with a *reinforcement* it has received since our army advanced, consists of 350 men, mostly of Rodgers Corps. &c. &c. p. 781. / “Feb. 6th 1777 – The Committee “[of safety for N.Y.]” were informed that Samuel Lyon, of Rye Manor, & Col. Thomas Thomas, with 6 men, on board of a private small boat of war, Flying Fish, took a sloop, Indus -try loaded with 15 cords of wood, 17 ½ barrels of cider & vinegar, one suit of sails & rigging for another vessel, 7 or 8 small bags of meal, navigated with 7 men and women, lately the property of & commanded by Abraham Selleck & bound from Oyster Bay on Nassau island, to the City of New York.” p. 798. / “The Committee of Safety – to – Genl. Washington.” “Fishkill. Feby 13th 1777.” *\ The Com. Of Safety beg leave to request vr attention to the exchange of certain prisoners of war belonging to this State, viz. – Major Hatfield, Capt. Van Dyck, Lieut Dunscomb, & Adjutant Hoogland, who all belonged to Genl. Scott’s brigade. The Major was taken at the unfortunate attempt on Montressor’s island.” &.&. / “March 12th 1777. Genl. George Clinton’s appointment in the army, ardently wished for by the N.Y. Convention, by Genl. Washington, Genl. Greene ** . . . . .”Genl. James Clinton in command of Fort Montgomery ^& the Highlands fort^ at this time. . . . . “.Genl. McDougall’s ^paper no. 2^ for the N.Y. Committee”. – “Col. Debois’s regt is ordd to garrison Fort Montgomery & c. – Col. Livingston is under marching orders to reinforce the troops at Westchester, if it shd. be absolutely necessary. Col. Van Cortlandt & Col. Gansefort, will be ordd. to hold themselves in readiness to march on the shortest notice to relieve the militia at this post ^[Peekskill?]^ & Fort Constitution, when their time of service expires. The troops who were in the lower part of West Chester County & now in that

Vol. 1. 18

neighbourhood, consists of 600 Connecticut militia, who are now at Rye, & 160 of the York militia, at Mr. Stephen Ward’s house. The no. of men necessary for the defence of the passes of the Highlands, depend. on the force which may come to attack them &c.” (signed) “Alex McDougall, Br. Genl.” pp. 831, 832. / “March 24th 1777. – A letter from Egbert Benson & Melancton Smith, *Esquire.* Dated at Fishkill, Sunday March 23 6 o’clock (?), informing *yt [that] a frigate, 4 transports, (filled with men), 2 tenders, & 2 row - galleys, of the enemy, were coming up Hudson’s river: – informing of the landing of about 300 of the enemy at Verplank’s Point; – that they had embarked in boats & were preparing to land about the same number higher up.” “Mr. Lyon” [an express rider]? “says yt [that] a Capt. of artillery (as he thinks) from Peekskill, informed him yt [that] the enemy had landed at Peekskill Landing about 1,500 men, that Genl. McDougall burnt the stores & retired to the barracks No.2, on a hill, at Peekskill: yt [that] the sd [said] Capt said he saw the enemy fire a field piece from about Peemort’s, wh [which] killed one & wounded 1 or 2; – that Genl McDougall has some troops, but not enough to stand them.” p. 847. / “Thursday, May 22d, 1777.” “Levi Quimby brought before the council of Safety & examind, says, – he left New York on last Wednesday week, came into thro’ Westchester, & crossed Croton: – that there are about 800 men at the Bridge & Fort Washington, &c.” … “That most of the soldiers about the Bridge are Hessians &c.” … “That there are rangers about the Bridge called Rogers’ rangers dressed in green coats, white waistcoats & breeches; that they are 400 or 500 in number.” &c. &c. p. 940. / “June 2nd 1777 – a letter from Col. Cornelius Humphrey, informing the Council of Safety, that Major Brinton Payne, whom he appointed to that rank by authority of the Committee of Safety, in January last, & was taken prisoner at the house of Stephen Ward in West-Chester County, is confined in New York & treated as a private, for want of a commission. The letter conclude by asking for a Commission &c.” p. 952. / <manicule> “On the 11th of Feby. 1777 it *w. resolved* yt. [that] the Convention will adjourn from this place [Fishkill] to Kingston in Ulster County, to meet on the 19th inst. &c.” See preceding p. p.803 / “May 3d 1777.” “The House” [Provincial Convention] “proceeded to the consideration of the temporary form of Government. &c?” – “A Council of Safety consisting of 15 members was thereupon elected &c.” pp. 910. 911. / “Octr. 7, 1777.” “The members of the Senate & Assembly, for the State of New York convened this day, by unanimous consent, to form a Convention for the sd. State & thereby to provide for the safety of the same *&*” – They organized & appointed a Council of Safety consisting of 13 members &c. to sit & in the recess of P. convention & with the like powers given to the late Council of Safety appointed by the last Convention.” pp. 1061, 1063. /

Vol. 1. 19 “Govr. Clinton to the Council of Safety.” – “* Britian, 1st December 1777” “**” … “A small party from our *aboard water sound*, a few nights ago, slipped down in dark night, passed the enemy, shipping & burnt General Delancey’s house of Bloomingdale, took 2 prisoners, & returned safe. &.” signed “Geo. Clinton” p. 1093. / “The Council of Safety to His Excl. Govr. Clinton” – “In Council of Safety. *, Decr. 16th, 1779.” “Sir\ ……The information wh [which] we recd, as well as the Excellency’s last letter, as by other * of the burning of Genl De Lancey’s house, gave this Council great uneasiness. We think this a *most unequal* method of waging war with the enemy, because neither we nor they can possibly destroy any but what are properly our own houses; & we fear that * conspicous* an example of the destruction of Mr. DeLanceys Mansion house will be industiously followed by the enemy, to *the ruin* of many of the good subjects of this State. For those reasons, *sir*, we most earnestly intreat yr [your] utmost * to put a stop to practices, on our part, the* maybe attended with the most destructive retaliations by the enemy.” - p.1101. / Letters from Govr. George Clinton to the Council of Safety, on the British expedition * the Hudson in Octr 1777. &c. &c. pp. 1063, ‘4, ‘5, ‘6, ‘7, ‘8, ‘9. 1074. Letters on the same subject to Gov. Trumbull – Co & New York Delegates in Congress to & Congress of the U.S. of America; to Gov. Clinton &c. pp. 1063, - ’72, ‘5, ’82, ’92. /

20 Extracts from the Journals of the Provincial Congress, Provincial Convention, Committee of Safety, & Council of Safety. Volume 2, containing the correspondence of those bodies. Vol. 2. Officers appointed by the Congress George Washington Esq. General & Command* Chief of all the forces raised or to be raised for the defense of American liberty. Artemas Ward Esq. first Major General Charles Lee Esq. 2nd Major General Philip Schuyler Esq. 3d. Major General Israel Putnam Esq. 4th. Major General Seth Pomeroy Esq. 1st Brigadier General Richard Montgomery Esq. 2nd Brigadier General David Wooster Esq. 3d do. William Heath Esq. 4th do. Joseph Spencer Esq. 5th do. John Thomas “ 6th do. John Sullivan “ 7th do. Nathanial Greene “ 8th do. Horotio Gates Esq. Adjutant General & with the rank of Brigadier General” p.1 / “Capt. Abraham Nimham a Stockbridge Indian, & Mr. Winthrop Hoit &c…have both been gone ten days, to treat with the Indians as our Embassadors of peace & friendship, &c. i.e. the Northern Indians in Crown Point & the 6 Nations. June 2nd, 1775” p.22 /

Vol. 2. 21 John Jay to Col. Nathanl. Woodhull at New York “Philadelphia, 28h Novr [1775] ….. “The New England exploit is much talked of, & conjectures are numerous as to the part the Convention will take relative to it; some consider it as an ill compliment to the Government of the Province, & *profess* yt [that] you have too much Christian meekness to take any notice of it. – For my own part, I don’t approve of the feat, & think it neither ar: gues much wisdom or bravery: at any rate, if it was to have been done, I wish our own people, & not strangers, had taken the liberty of doing it..I confess I am not a little jealous of the honour of the province, & am persuaded yt [that] its reputation cannot be maintained without some little spirit being mingled with its prudence*.” p. 25 / Lieut. Col. Philip Cortlandt of the 4th Battn in a letter to……. says: “Albany, Augt 28, 1775.” “Dear Sir\ Agreeable to verbal orders received from Colo. Holmes. when last in New York, I made *all the dispatch in my power to this place* &c.” - Is this Col. Holmes of Bedford? – p. 37. / Goose Van Schaick in a letter dated Albany, 29 August 1775, says “Col. Van Cortlandt is also arrived here with 5 companies of Holmes’s battalion &c.” ? p. 37 / Ambrose Horton appointed in the beginning of 1775, Captain of a Company (Levies?) to be raised ^by living &c.* lived in the village of White Plains in a house which stood in the upper field of the old Macdonald place *& w. w.* burnt in Novr 1776. Wm Barker* W.B. / Extract of a letter said before the Contl. Congress dated London, July 31, 1775. “The secret plan of operations of the British Ministry is:- * with the assistance of Govr Tryon, who is much relied on for the purpose, to get immediate possession of New York & Albany; to fill both of these cities with very strong Garrisons; to declare all rebels who do not join the King’s forces; to command the Hudson & East rivers with a number of small men of war & cutters, stationed in different parts of them, so as wholly to cut off all communication by water between New York & the Provinces to the Northward of it, &. bet. N.Y. & Albany, except for the King’s service; - & to prevent also, all communication bet. the City of New York & the Provinces of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, & those to the Southward of there. &c.” p. 87. / The first Fortress erected in the Highlands seems to have been Fort Constitution on Constitution Island (?) – It was built in the summer & Fall of ’75 by B. Romans, an engineer who appears to have been previously in the English service – Speaking of the sites where *the* Forts, Independence?

22 Montgomery, & Clinton were afterwards established, Romans says: The point on the West side, above Verplanck’s point, is too easy of access. & in the vicinity of many ill disposed people; besides this, it can be of but little use. – But at Poop loops Kill, oppose to Anthony’s Nose, is a very important pass; the river narrow, commanded a great way up & down, full of counter currents & subject to almost constant gale winds: nor is there any anchorage at all, except close under the works to be erected. &c.” pp. 88, 89, 101-106 &c. / The above mentioned & other Forts seem to have been constructed in conformity with certain resolutions passed May 25th, 1775, in the Continental Congress; - direc ting.1 “That a post be immediately taken & fortified at as near Kingsbridge in the Colony of New York; that the ground be chosen with a particular view to prevent the com munication between New York City & the Country from being interrupted by land. – 2. That a Post be also taken in the Highlands, on each side of Hudson’s river, & batteries erected in such manner as will most effectually prevent any vessels passing that may be sent to harass the inhabitants on the border of said river; - & that experienced persons be immediately sent to examine sd [said] river in order to discover when it will be most advisable & proper to obstruct the navigation.” p. 48 / “William Miller, chairman pro tem to the Presidt [President] of the Provincial Congress. “White Plains, November 22d, 1775.” “Sir, Jeremiah Travis junr. & Jeremiah Travis, have been brought before the Committee of West Chester County. The former was charged with warning a No. [number] of people to appear at Peekskill, & with appearing & embodying in arms to oppose the Congress & Committee. - The latter was charged with insti gating a no. [number] of people to oppose the measures of the Congress & Committee, & being the means of embodying a No. [number] of men in arms at Peekskill, (himself with them) on the 6th instant, to rescue some persons who were taken before the sub Committee of Cortlandt’s manor. - Thirteen of the Committee being sworn to try each of the above charges, the committee found the Travises *severally* guilty. - But few of the people who collected at Peekskill had fire arms the most being armed with clubs, (wh [which] the Committee suppose to be a method taken by Jeremiah Travis to evade the resolutions of the Congress.) – This occasions a doubt in some of the Committee whether the Travises come with in the meaning of the 4th clause of the resolves of the Provincial Congress of the 1st of Septr. last, passed respecting taking up arms. &c. &c.” …p. 95. / Fairfield & Reading Tories. p. 114. Letter fr. Isaac Gedney (dated “White Plains Jail, 20th April 1776”) to the Chairman of the Provincial Congress New York. “I have been in confinement near 3 months &c.” – p. 115. / Col. Holmes name? James? p. 121 –

23 Col. Saml. Drake – to - the President of the Provincial Congress, stating that Col. Waterbury had taken a No. [number] of guns from the Tories in West Chester County & that Col. Drake’s whig minute minute men being, many of these desti tute of arms, wish to have the muskets – Letter dated “New York, Feby 16, 1776.” signed/ “Samuel Drake, col. of the Minute Regiment in West Chester County.” pp.128, 189 / On the night of January 30th, 1775, Col. Joseph Drake apprehended Josiah* Burrell*, Thomas Haines & Isaac Gedney & sent *tm [them]* to the Chairman of the Committee of safety for New York. p. 136. – Joshua Purdy, taken by * Col. Drake Jany. 31 76, also sent to the New York Com. of safety. – Mr. Valentine, his son, & Journeyman were taken by Jonathan Blake & on the 29th of Feby 1776 sent to the Chairman of the Committee of Safety at New York, under a guard of 7 men. – on the 27th of January ’76, Joshua Gedney also, was sent to said Committee to answer for spiking up the canon &c by a sub committee of the Committee of West Chester county. – Examn of Gedney & Haines & pp. 138, 9 / It appears that William Lounsbury the gun spiker was arrested, confined, & made his escape, some time previous to May 20, 175. p. 144 / Letter from Govr Trumbull of Connt. (dated Hartford 10th June 1776) to Nathanl. Woodhull Prest [President] of Provincl C. of New York, stating that Isaac Sears, one of the members of the N. York Congress for the City of N. Y. was the head or leader of the whole transaction &c. when Rivington was plundered of his types -* & “who we consider as the proper person to whom the whole transaction is impt.* able & who belongs & is amenable to your jurisdiction alone &c.” …… “Care was taken that the person of Mr. Seabury, who was brought into this Colony, was released & set at liberty.” & pp. 202,203. / Genl. Washington – to – the Committee of New York. “Genl. Greene * Nov. 16, 1776” …. “I am sorry to inform you that this day about 12 o‘clock, the enemy made a general attack upon our lines about Fort Washington, which having carried, the Garrison retired within the Fort. – Col. Morgan finding there was no prospect of retreating across the North river, surrendered the post, &c.” 208. / “Genl. Washington to the Prest of the Conventions of the State of N.Y.”. “Dated Head Quarters, at the Heights of Haerlem, Sept. 23, 1776.” “On Monday morning last (Sept. ) several parties of the enemy appeared on the high grounds opposite to our heights, & some skirmishing had happened between our troops & those of the enemy. On reconnoitering their situation, I formed *16* design of cutting off each of them as had or might advance to the extremity of the wood. I accordingly ordered 3 companies of Virginia rifleman, under the command of Major Leitch & Col. Knowlton, with his rangers, to endeavor to get in their rear, while an apparent disposition was making as if to at*:

24 :tack them in front. The enemy ran down the hill with great eagerness to attack the party in front; but, unluckily, from some mistake or mis: :apprehension, the parties under Major Leitch & Col. Knowlton began to fire on their flank instead of their rear. - The Major was soon brought off the field wounded, & Col. Knowlton soon received a wound, of wh [which] he is since dead. Their men, however, behaved with the greatest resolution. Finding that they wanted assistance, I advanced part of Col. Griffith’s & Col. Richard: :son’s Maryland regiments, with some detachments of Eastern Troops, who charged the enemy & drove them from the wood to the plain, & were still pur :suing, when I judged it prudent to withdraw them, fearing the enemy might be sending a large reinforcement to their troops which were enga: :ged, which was the case, as I have since understood. A sergeant who deserted from the enemy has informed me their party was greater than I imagined; as it consisted of the 2nd battalion of light infantry, a battalion of Royal Highlanders, & 3 companies of Hessian riflemen, under the command of Genl. Leslie. Their loss, by his report, amounted to 89 wounded & missing, & 8 killed; in the latter his account in altogether imperfect, as our people discovered & buried double that number. I am in hopes this little suc: :cess will be productive of salutary consequences, as our army seems to be greatly inspirited by it. &c.” p. 217. /

“John Thomas junr. Chairman of the W.C.C. General Committee – To – The Provl. Congress.” “13th Septr 1776” – “Examination of the prisoners apprehended with Lounsberry.” “I *caused* the sd. prisoners, to wit, Jacob Shureman, Bloomer Neilson, Joseph Tur: :ner & Samuel Haines to be brought before me. Josiah Disbrow, the other priso: :ner, being unable to be removed, on acct. of his being wounded at the time of his apprehension.” – “Shureman says as he was going to Rye fr. New Rochelle; - came across 3 or 4 men with Lounsberry in the woods – …. They had 3 or 4 guns in company; – …Says he was on board the Pheonix in the North river; was persuaded by Godfrey Haines to go, but he went with Joshua Ferris &. . . “Neilson says” – ….. “that Lounsberry came fr. Staten Island last” &. “Turner (taken up on Sutton’s Neck – his name was in Lounsberry’s list) says – Lounsberry asked him to sign the enlistment; – ….. was to have £ 3. sterling bounty, promised him by Lounsberry.” “Haines says: - He promised Lounsberry to enlist with him last spring; - enlis: ted a few days before taken. The night after Lounsberry w. taken he was to go to Sta -ten Island.” [X] ……. Johnathan Purdy junr., a young fellow who went with Barnes to Staten Island, in March last & Gilbert Horton of the White Plains, have, before our Committee, called themselves subjects of King George, & claim the privileges of prisoners of war. These persons are in confinement &c. &c.” [X] “The above 4 persons taken with Lounsberry are sent up to Kingston jail.” p. 221 /

99 36

“Isaac Nicoll – To - John McKesson Secr. &c.” “Kingsbridge, Sept. 29, 1776.” “Dear Sir \ I returned last night from Morris *cony*, wh [which] place I have been at for 3 days past on command. I had a good deal of conversation with some of the Highland regu: lars, one in particular, who told me it was disagreeable to him to take up arms a gainst us, as he had a no.* of friends among us, & wished heartily for a reconciliation. I asked him how many of the Highlanders were killed in skirmish the other night?; - he told me there was 4 killed, & one missing, wh [which] he expected we had taken prisoner.- His account of Major Hatfield, was that he was wounded just above the eye &, he thought, was in danger of losing his eye. I don’t think there is above 50 regulars kept on Montressor’s island. They mount but 12 sentinals in the day, & double them in the night. There is kept, I suppose, about 500 on the island next to Montrossors, - according to their tents & movements.” “Capt. Lamb, & about 400 of our prisoners taken at Quebec, have got to Elizabeth Town, - they were sent away on their parole of honour.” &c. &c. p. 222. / “Col. W. Malcom: (the Col.?) “To – John McKesson Esq.” – “New York. Sept. 6th. 1776.” “Sir\ I am apprehensive that the State hath a bad bargain of my country men. I believe that Capt. Stewart is a very good man, but he has made a horrid collec: tion of soldiers….. I *sd [should]* be happy to see a good company or regiment of my countrymen in our army, but mortified to see it disgraced by such a set as I have got with Capt. Stewart &c.” p.228 see also p. 252. / Col Lewis *Duboys* recommends James Stewart of 1st Captain in his regt. authorized, to be named for New York State by the Continental Congress – p.255 / The W.C.C. Committee &c. – To the Convention of N.Y. State. – “West Chestr County 23d Dec. 1776. “The inhabits of W.C. County are in continued danger of being made prisoners & tr [the] farms & habitations plundered by Robert Rogers’s party (consisting of abt. 700 men) who daily make excursions in *divers* parts of the County, taking many of the inhabts, the stock, grain” &c.” laying waste and destroying &c.” 259 / <manicule> On the 7th day of October 1776, Lord Sterling came on shore, having been on board ship, the whole time of his captivity. – He was exchanged on the “7th”* of Oct. ’76 for Govr. Brown.” / Col. Joseph Drake resigns his commission, Augst. 6th, 1776, because the command of the new levies taken fr. his regt. & other regt. was to be given to Thomas, the 2nd Colonel, he (Drake) being the first Colonel. &c. 296. 297. /

26 “Letter from Genl. George Clinton,” – “Camp, at the old place near White Plains, November 2d 1776 } “My dear Sir \ ….Since my last to you, dated the day before yesterday, the centre & right wing of our army, having possessed themselves of the heights in their rear, North East of the road leading to Youngs’s; yesterday morning evacuated that part of our lines which passed thro’ the Town, & South East of it, & fell back on those heights firing all the barns, hay, & corn: stacked in front. – This induced the enemy to believe twe had again retreated, - & determined to take the advantage of our supposed flight, Their army instantly moved forward into the part of our lines which were evacuated. This brought on a pretty brisk cannonade, tho’ at too great a distance to do much *excutions*. I lost one man, & had 2 wounded. I have heard of no other injury done us. We are by the late movements now far advanced in front, - of course, most expo: sed. The enemy retired to their former encampment in the evening, leaving strong advanced pickets, & working parties, who are busily employed in erecting works on the heights in & near the town. Deserter’s (especially from the Queen’s light dragoons.) come daily over to us & now & then our rangers send in a straggling prisoner. – Capt. Van Wick, of my brigade, who at his earnest desire, appointed to a company of rangers, was day before yesterday (Oct 31) unfortunately killed. - He went out in the morning with about 30 men: - fell in with about 100 of the enemy in a house not far distant from their *lines*: - charged them with spirit; - gave them a brisk fire; but unfortunately when loading his piece the second time, was shot in the head & fell dead; - his Lieu: tenant shot down the man who killed his Captain. The enemy fled. Our party brought off their Captain, & yesterday evening I had him interred with the hon: ours of war. He was a good man & valiant officer. Pray communicate this sad news to his widow. &c.” ………. “Some Brigades to the North East of us, in my humble opinions, are where they can do no good; perhaps I am mistaken; - I am not well acquainted with the country. &c. &c.” pp. 317-318. / “Letter from Genl. George Clinton.” : “Kings Bridge, 10th October, 1776.” “Dear Sir \.....Yesterday morning (Oct. 9th) three of the enemy’s shipping, to wit, a 40, 44, & 20 gun ship, & 3 tenders, passed by, in shore, East [?] of our obstructions in the river opposite Fort Washington, receiving but little damage; & are now up the river as far as Dobbs’s Ferry. – They took 2 or 3 of our small river sloops of little value, & I am informed now lay opposite two of our galleys, which run aground, & I suppose are in their power. The two ships to be sunk, ran a shore near Col. Philipse’s: We sent a party to bring them down last night so that I hope they are safe. “ &c. &c. p. 319 / “*Tench* Tilghman – To Wm. Duer.” – Head Quarters – Kingsbridge, 20th October, 1776.” …. “We have been much upon the move for some days past.” …… “To be obliged to follow an enemy whose route is a secret to us, is not a little distressing, especially as we have not waggons sufficient to transport our baggage & provisions….all our magazines are or: dered to be removed fr. The *Sound*….The enemy, *van* is at New Rochelle. We continue to outflank them, & I hope will succeed. We have had one little skirmish in which our troops behaved amazingly well. &c. &c.” 324

27 38

“DeWitt, H. & Graham – To “The Convention.” “White Plains. 24 “Octr. ’76” …… “Yester: day (Octr 23d) there were several skirmishes between the out parties of both armies in all which we have been successful. In one we killed 10 & took 3 prisoners. – 36 of Rogers’s band fell into our hands also, & had the order of Lord Stirling been strictly obeyed, we shd have had the whole party with their infamous leader.” &c. &c. p325. / “Benjn. Ledyard, Major of the 4th N.Y. regt., his “recommendation of Lieut. Theodosius Fowler for an appointment in the new arrangement.” – “I know his merit as a good active officer, & a sincere friend to his country, standing firm against all the persuasions of his fa: ther & unfriendly relations.” &c. &c. p. 332. / Novr. 29 1776. – The enemy, from a brig & Tender, this day, landed at Greenwich Point & took of 4 calves &c. / “Genl. George Clinton – to – John McKesson Esq.” – “Camp near White Plains, Octr. 31, 1776.” “Dear Sir \ We are exactly in the same situation in wh [which] we were when I wrote you yesterday. The enemy seem still to be endeavouring to outflank us, espe: cially our right wing. - Our advanced guards, I hear, are a little South of Youngs’ Tavern, on the road leading to White Plains. Where the main body is, I cannot say, as I am so closely confined to my post on the left of the whole, as not to have been a quarter of a mile West from this for 4 days past. Near 3000 of the enemy, yesterday & the evening before, filed off to the left & were seen advancing towards King Street, & the Purchase road, from which it appears, they intent to outflank our left as well as right wing. - We had reason to apprehend an attack last night, or by day:break this morning (as was said, what they were I know not)? – Our lines were manned all night in consequence of this, & a most horrid night it was to lie in cold trenches. Uncovered as we are, *drawn* on fatigue, making redoubts, flashes (fleche’s?), abbatis, & lines, & retreatting from them & the little temporary huts made for our comfort, before they were well finished, I fear will, ultimately destroy our army without fighting. This I am sure of, that I am likely to lose more in my brigade by sickness occa sioned by extra fatigue, & want of covering, than in the course of an active campaign is ordinarily lost in the most severe actions. &c.” …… “The enemy are daily increasing their army by new recruits in those parts of the country wh they have already acquired, whilst ours are daily decreasing by sickness, deaths, & desertions. &c.” …. “When I wrote you a few days ago, I mention: ed the situation in wh Fort Washington was, & that 3 of the enemy’s shipping had come up with design to obstruct *Beaudeth’s* Ferry (?) & were, after a heavy cannon ade, driven back. This *w* the truth, but not the whole truth. I happened to be out of the way of news that day. - Those ships came up, it seems, to enfi: lade our lines below that Fort, whilst Lord Piercy attacked them, wh he did 3 dif: ferent times, but was, as often repulsed by the Garrison of Fort Washington, who manned & defended them like heroes. &c.” … “Last night Capt. Townsond, with a detachment of my Brigade, consistd of abt 30 brought in prisoner. Mr. Wetworth a Commissary in the regular service, (i.e. Br) whom they took prisoner near Rye. &c.” p. 337. /

28 “Tench Tilghman – to – Wm Duer.” “Head Quarters, White Plains, 29th October, 1776.” “Dear Sir \, The cannonade you heard was at Mount Washington” … “2 frigates came up & anchored a little below the Fort, to stop the passage at *Burdett’s* Ferry; but one of them soon got such a dose from a battery of two 18 pounders, that she was obliged to cut & run, having received 26 shot thro’ her hull. She was towed off by her own boats, & those of her consort, with pumps constantly going…They at the same time attacked our lines at Haerlem Heights, but were repulsed.” “Yesterday morning (Oct. 28) we recd information that the main body of the enemy were moving towards us. We made every disposition to give them a suitable reception. They at first bent their course towards our centre, in the little village at the Plains, but finding our works stronger than they expected, they filed off towards our right & made their attack upon a hill which overlooks the vil: lage, & on wh we had posted a few regiments. As our men were without cover, they cd not withstand a very heavy fire of artillery followed by a large body of infantry; - they however made as good a defence as cd be expected & came off without much loss. The enemy, after this, remained quiet, only extending themselves about a mile over towards the North river. It is a little extraordinary that this move shd be made in our rear. Lord Sterling is detached ahead of them to get possession of the passes among the hills, & Genl Parsons has taken post near the head of Rye Pond, wh secures the pass in our front.” (?) …:Except we can get a vast superiority of ground, our raw troops are not a match for their disciplined soldiers, especially when backed by constant fire of artillery. &c.” p. 338 . [Information relative to the enemy] – “October 21st, 1776.” On Friday last, the main body of the enemy’s army decamped form Frog’s Point & landed on Pells or Rod: man’s Neck, East of the East Chester Creek (commonly called the manor of Pelham.) Soon after their landing, 3 regiments of my brother’s brigade, commanded at present by Col. Glover, attacked their advanced party & repulsd them, kil: ling, it is supposed, about 100; but they being sustained by their main body, our detachment was ordered off, & they accordingly retreated with the utmost good order, losing in the whole action only 23 killed & wounded. The enemy have since moved slowly Eastward, & now lay from where they first landed, extended about one mile East of N. Rochelle. Our army lies in their front, about 2 ½ miles distant; the left wing at White Plains, the right at this place where my brigade now is &c. p. 341. /

29 40 “Peter Schuyler – to – the Presd of the Provincial Congress. Fishkills.” Fort Constitution, Octr. 10th 1776.”

“Sir \ …… Yesterday morning 3 men of war, one of them a large one, & 3 or 4 tenders passed our chevaux de frise, wh reports is confirmed in a more particular manner, by Capt. Grindle, who says that one Man of War & 2 frigates passed the works close under the East Shore, drove the 2 new ships ashore just below Philipse’s & chased 2 of our row Galley’s until they were forced ashore between Dobb’s Ferry & Tarrytown, at or near which Town, the ships of war came to, & kept a constant fire for about one hour at our row galleys, & suppose them destroyed.” &c. &c. p. 350. / Parol of Fredk Philipse & others. “Whereas we, Hugh Wallace, Fred. Philips, James * Jauncey *, & James *Jauncey* junr. Esq. & Generl Walton, William *Jauncey* & John Miller, all of the City & Province of New York, have for some time past resided at Middletown, in the State of Connecticut, being apprehended & sent there by his Exel. Genl. Washington as suspected of disaffection to the U.S. of America; - and whereas &c. Jona. Townhalll Govr. of the St. of Count. hath permitted us to return to our families in New York &c. &c. - We do hereby pledge our faith & words of honour & not to bear arms or encourage others to bear arms against any of the U.S. of Am.”’ * that we will give no intelligence to the enemies of the sd. States, &c. &c… & that we will return to this state (Connt.) when required by Gov. Trumbull, &c. or by Genl. Washington &c. &c. In witness whereof we have *herewith* set our hands, this 23d day of Decr A. D. 1776.” signed by Hugh Wallace, Fred. Philips” & the other five. A certified copy of the above Parol, dated “Lebanon, 1st April, 1777,” was transmitted to the Provincial Congress or Convention of New York on that same day. p. 356 / “Col. W. Duer – to – the Prest of the Convention of the St. of N.Y.” “Cromwells, 17 Febry 1777.” Sir \ I am directed by the Committee of Convention, now in this County” &c. – “After Genl. Heath’s precipital retreat from Kings Bridge &c.” – “There exists a communication with the enemy betwixt Ward’s House & the North river.” * “The *chasm* betwixt Ward’s house & the North river is left open by the removal of Genl. Lincoln’s division. We have directed a company of rangers under Capt. Delavan, an active officer, to scout in the interval last * I have ordered another company to be raised under the command of Capt. Saml Townsend. He is an officer who has distinguished himself as a partisan &c.” …. “On Wednesday night last (i.e. Feb.? ) “a party of rangers, with 2 regular Officers, penetrated as far as Amawalk - a place about 13 miles from Peekskill, from wh many recruits have joined the enemy, & wh is infected with Tories &c. We are apprehensive yt some design is forming among them to destroy our

30

*magazines* of forage at Wright’s Mills &c.” – “Thro’ this district an open communication is kept up betwixt the enemy & the disaffected in Dutchess County.” & - - “Three of the enemy’s armed vessels have come up as high as Tarrytown. there they have dropped anchor. They are either sent up to make a feint on the right, whilst an attempt is made to surprise our advanced post at Wards; or they are come up in order to carry down stock & grain. &c. &c. pp. 366-‘7 [X] / Extract of a letter from Genl. Wooster to the Committee of Conventions dated “HeadQuarters, New Rochelle, 23d Feby 1777.” - “On Thursday night last enemy landed 300 men on New City Island to attack us fr. the water, when a party of Rangers from the Fort (Independence) came up, attacked one of our advanced posts, fired a house but by the vigilance of my troops were detected &c. & retreated without executing their design.” p. 375. / Letters of Col. Duer, Col. Van Renesselaer. Jon G. Tompkins, Israel Honeywell & others – “The whole of the New York troops now stationed at Wards, (including Capt. Delavan’s Company of Rangers) does not exceed 160 men, officers included; - a force scarcely sufficient to keep out proper guards & patrolling parties, in order to prevent a surprise, & totally inadequate to the purpose of foraging, or cutting off supplies of men & provisions from the enemy’s army. (Cromwells, Febr. 25th 1777).” – “Wm. Duer & J.G.T. to Col. V. R. dated Feby 24th 1777.” “We are of opinion that the men under yr [your] command with Capt. Delavan’s Company of Rangers, whom we have ordered to join you, should post yourselves at Wards, & maintain that station till obliged to retreat before a superior force. – We are sensible that this situation since the retreat of Genl. Wooster, is rather exposed, &c. &c. pp. 375-377. / Rogers’s rangers at Courtland Farm, Croton river &c. p. 387. / “Letter from Brig. Genl. John Marin Scott” “North Castle, January 11th, 1777.” Sir \….Rogers with about 900 of the enemy, are now plundering at & about New Rochelle. & I supposed, carrying off the forage which will be so necessary to us in the next campaign. &c. p. 396. / Letter from Israel Honeywell junr. } To the Convention of the State of New York } Philips’s Manor, 28th March, 1777. … “Last night a number of our guard went down below to Peter Van Tassal, consisting of Capt. Dean (?Gil) & 19 privates. & abt. 4 o’clock this morning were alarmed : a number of regulars & Tories had come to *Mr.* Acker’s, & were driving off all his stock; upon wh a small skirmish ensued on their march to Mr. Van Tassalls in wh our men beat them” off & saved the cattle.” Tories driving & stealing cattle & going below in droves – 31 went down at 396 / [X] “The committee with request Major Fish to stay here, as he is an officer whose abilities & alertness render him extremely useful.” Duer to the Convention. 17 Febr. ’77. p. 367.

31 one time” – Isaac Oakley at the Plains, has been robbed of 36 head of cattle the night before last – a member of continental oxen, ox chains &c. have been taken off. &c.” p. 396. [X] / Melancton Smith & Egbt. Benson to the Prest. of the Conventions.” “Fishkill, Tuesday, 4 o’clock P.M. March 25 1777.” Sir… “Yesterday about sunset, 80 of our troops under the command of Lieut. Col. Willett, attacked the advanced post of the enemy on a height beyond Col. Courtland’s house, who immediately retired with precipitation. &c whole body about 9 o’clock began to embark. Our people are again in possession of yr former quarters. We cannot learn * the enemy have been able to carry off stores to any amount. & have taken with them only abt 40 sheep, & 8 – 10 head of cattle, & have penetrated a very little way in the country. The stores at Cortlandt’s Corner’s & Drake’s Mills (?) are saved. There are only 4 houses burnt by the enemy. When Capt. Mitchell came away they were loosing their top sails & making ready to sail. They gave out yt they intended to stop at Tarrytown & endeavored to destroy the stores at Wright’s Mills. We have no intelligence fr. Major Fish, but have reason to believe the stores there are saved, as some companies of the Cortlandt Manor militia have marched there. We have lost no men, tho’ 2 wounded, one it is feared, mortally. The enemy left 3 men dead on the field, & one taken prisoner. The Tories furnished the enemy with what cattle & sheep they got, but we cannot learn yt they flocked in to them in any great numbers. Lieut. Gans, with abt. 20 men, maintained his post at Fort Independence during the whole of the time. By a deserter, Genl. McDougall learned that the Enemy’s force was about 600 all British, consisting of 4 regiments of about 150 each. &c…. “P.S. No militia has marched from this county except Col. Brinckerhoffs.” p. 400. / “Robert Harper – to – Robert Yates Esq. Chariman of the Committee of * regiment at Espopus.” “Fishkill, March 6, 1777.” “Sir\…” By a letter from a worthy member at King Street, I am informed, that on the 1st inst (March 1) a party of our militia had taken off Frogg’s Neck, about 150 horned cattle, with a large number of horses.” That in executing this, they had passed by a vessel of war, within musket shot of her, without receiving the least interruption, and that our people there were in high spirits.” p. 414. / [X] “You have undoubtly heard of Judge Thomas & Wm. Miller being taken prisoners & carried down. We have various accts of the enemy’s design of coming up to ** a number * of our most active men. &c. “ /

32 “The New York Convention – to – the Continental Congress.” Kingston April 23d, 177* “Major Edminston a British officer & a prisoner of war was permitted to go on his parole to Genl. Washington &c. for the purpose of negotiating an ex: change for some Continental Officer of equal rank. – Genl Washington fur nished him with a passport upon parol to return, or send out an officer of equal rank. &c. Edminston remained in New York till the first week in March last, when he set out for Albany by land with a letter from Genl. Howe to Genl. Schuyler. &c. On his arri val at Peekskill on his way to Albany, Edminston obtained a passport from Genl. McDougall, dated 11th March 1777, & after spending about 20 days on his journey he arrived at Albany.” - “The Convention hearing of his re turn to Albany, ordered him to this place &c.” …. “His journey besides this delay, was attended with these (suspicious) circumstances: - The first night he lodged at Col. Philipse’s, a person notoriously disaffected” - conversed & staid with the enemies of the U.S. on his journey &c. &.p. 422. / “Col. Willett to the New York Convention.” “Fort Constitution, March 29, 1777.” “Honbl Gentm. / On the landing of the enemy at Peek’s last Sunday, I recd. orders from Genl. McDougall, to leave a subaltern’s guard at this post, & march with the rest of our regiment, that were stationed here, to Peeks Kill, from which place I did not return till last night. &c.” - “There is no doubt Mr.* Robinson has gone to enemy.” &c. “When the enemy landed at Peekskill, altho’ by far the greatest part of the 2nd & 4th regiments of the state were there, so small a number did they consist of that not withstanding the enemy did not appear to be more than 800 or 900 strong, the Genl. was under a necessity of retiring from that important post.” &c. … and this was not all, but by reason of a want of waggons when they were obliged to retire, the principal part of the regiment’s baggage, as I understand, was lost.” &c. p. 433. / :Egbt. Benson & Melancton Smith – to – the N.Y. Convention.” “Po’keepsie, April 28, 1777.” ….Col. Field, who saw the enemy as they marched from Danbury, &… informed Dr. Furman that Genl. Silliman was collecting a considerable force between the enemy & the sound.” “By a letter this instant from Mr. McKesson, at Fishkill, we are informed that Col. Huntington, with about 500 men, is retreating before the enemy, skirmishing with them, & retarding their progress, & that Genl. McDougall, with 2000 men, marched from Peekskill last night about midnight, determined to attack them. p. 433. / “Letter from Alex: Hamilton, aid to Genl. W.” “Head Quarters, Morristown, April 5th, 1777.” “The enemy’s attempt upon Peekskill is a demonstration of the folly of having any quantity of stores at places so near the water & so much exposed to a sudden inroad. There shd never be more than sufficient to answer present demands. &c.” p. 436. /

44 33 “Joseph Crane to Egbert Benson Esq.” “South East Precinct, May 22d 1777.” Dear Sir, Yesterday I saw one Alleby, a Sergeant of Capt. Dellman, taken prisoner at Wards, with Major Dain; he made his escape from the guard house in Newon the evening of the 15th instant; - gives a favourable account of the state of the prisoners taken with him, our worthy friend Major Dain excepted, who he says, has been in close confinement during the whole of his captive state: that the only reason assigned therefore is his having no commission with him; &c…. he has had the small pox by inoculation pretty severely; - is now in a good state of health.” &c. …. “I have the pleasure to hear my son is well; has for some time has admitted to his parol, either to remain in New York or go on to Long Island; has chosen the former; &c…. “Alleby says the enemy lost 14 men in the action at Wards; 6 of those they carried off wounded died between Wards & Williams; the 7th dead as soon as they had got to Valentines; that every commissioned Officer, save one Ensign, was killed; (?) – that on their arrival at Kingsbridge the commanding officer of that post came out of the door of his lodgings, when the prisoners were paraded, & says, “Well, you have got a parcel of the d-d rebels, have you?” “Yes,” replied the surviving Ensign, “but we have paid d-d dear for them; - I am the only Officer left alive.:” - To which there was no reply made.” &c. &c. pg. 445 / “May 9th 1777.” “We have reason to believe that the Tories to & Northward headed by Capt. McAlpin will be quelled in a short time &c.” p. 454. / “Eben Hazard – to – John McKesson.” “North Castle. Novr. 15th. 1776.” “Dr. Sir \ The enemy has got below Dobb’s Ferry; to …. a few days ago a few regulars landed a little to the Eastward of Stanford & stole 2 cows; a Tory conducted them to his house. &c. &c. p. 458. / “Genl. Israel Putnam to the Prest of the N. Y. Convention.” “Head Quarters, Peekskill, June 21st, 1777.” Sir \ You cannot be unacquainted that there are in the neighbourhood of the enemy a large number of horses, cattle, sheep, hogs, &c. The militia of Stamford & Horseneck, sensible of the exposed situation of the live stock within reach of the enemy, drove off from New Rochelle & Each Chester, upwards of 100 head of cattle, with sheep, &c.” …. “I have written to the committee, under whose direction I suppose they will fall, to detain all the creatures brought off as above, till I shd. receive the advice of the convention of this State respecting them.” &c. p.461. / Answer to the abov. “The Council of Safety are desirous yt the horses, cattle, &c. driven off from West Chester, shd, be brought to the Com missioners now sitting in that County, & appointed to secure the property of such persons as are now with the enemy &c.” p.461. /

34 Vol 2. “Jonathan G. Tompkins – to – the hon. Pierre Van Courtlandt, Prest. of the Council of Safety for the State of New York.” “Bedford, June 10th, 1777.” Gentn \ …stock are driven off not only by night thieves, but also by persons who have taken the oath of allegiance to this State, & still *convey* stock down near our line, from whence persons from below steal them off, as it is pretended, when in reality, it is by their consent. The Inhabitants in the lower parts of West Chester County are full of stock, excepting the well affected, who are stripped of all their stock of all kinds, &c…. “The Commissioners shd be invested with power to get off all the stock south of where the Court House stood in White Plains, & South of the road leading from the Plains to Rye, & South of Tarry Town.” &c. &c. p. 465. / “Letter from Genl. McDougall.” – “Peekskill, 14th June, 1777.” “Gent.” \ …You remember the enemy stole Judge Thomas & a Mr. Miller, Chairman of the Committee at the Plains. The latter is a man of great merit, now confined. The former was returned to the provost guard after he was inoculated. &c.” p. 470. / Col. David D. Sutherland – to – the N. Y. Convention.” Charlotea [Charlotte?] Precinct, May 3, 1777.” “Gentn….I am of the opinion that if the men of war troops land at Peekskill, our troops will rise to join them. There are 2 companies in my regiment, by whom no resolution can be carried into execution, being influenced by some evil minded persons. &c. &c.” p. 477. / “Letter from Joseph Bull, taken a prisoner. – at New Rochelle – to – Genl. Woodhull at Haerlem.” Sir \ I was last Friday evening taken in custody by order of Genl. Scott, since wh time I have been kept a prisoner, (tho’ humanely treated) at New Rochel, & by letter from Genl. Scott, I am acquanted I must go on board a sloop for Norwich in Connecticut.” &c. &c. … “P.S. If Collo. Philips Colo. Corsa, & myself, must proceed, we should be glad to give security & proceed by land. – a boat will be exceedingly disagreeable at this hot season, & most of us subject to be sea sick. We are the only prisoners here, except Mr. Jauncey. p. 478. / “Letter from James H. Kipp, relation to tea.” “New Windsor, July 14th, 1777.” Belonging to John Maley, & James Caldwell. – Sir \ … I am sorry to inform you that the women in this place have risen in a mob, & are now *selling* a *box* of tea of yours at 6s. shillings per pound. * The women about 30 in number, came & broke open the boxes &c. (Mr. Caldwell princl. owner). p. 506. 508. /