Paulding, George
John M. McDonald interview — 1849
George W. Paulding (1791-1855) was a son of John Paulding (1758-1818), one of the three American militiamen who captured British Major John André on September 23, 1780. He notes that he does not have much information regarding his father’s wartime service, but that his son, also named John Paulding, has gathered some material. George W. Paulding does, however, relate a story of how his father escaped from imprisonment at the North Dutch Church in Manhattan a few weeks before the capture of Major André.
Manuscript page facsimiles
High-resolution images served from the Westchester County Historical Society's IIIF endpoint. Click any page to view full size.
Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 910 -
George W. Paulding, of 24 Charleton Street: “I left home at a very early age, and so did my brother Hiram who is now a Captain in the navy on the Mediterranean Station. Neither of us have many Revolutionary facts received from our father. Most of my knowledge in relation to my father’s services I procured from a man named Boyce, formerly of New York, now dead. My son, John Paulding, attorney at law, of Chambers next to corner of Church Street has a taste for such subjects – has collected a number of facts in relation to my father and our family, &c. and will be pleased to communicate with you. By all
- Hufeland Index Page 911 -
means call upon him. My father was imprisoned along with Boyce, first, in the old Sugar House in Liberty Street and then in the North Dutch Church at corner of Fulton and William Streets. Shortly after his removal to the North Dutch Church, he effected his escape. The British were building a picket fence around the church. My father climbed up the fence several times and was ordered back, a certain number of prisoners being then allowed to walk in the yard by turns. At length when he perceived the sentinels all off their guard, he suddenly sprang over the fence, escaped, crossed to New Jersey where he was arrested as a spy, but was soon released through the intervention of Colonel Van Courtland who knew him. He then crossed the river somewhere at or below Tarrytown and returned home, making his first appearance at Read’s Tavern above Tarrytown. This happened a few weeks before Andre’s capture.