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1845

Monday, October 6th . Thomas Strang, of Yorktown, about two miles from Crum Pond: “My father and his three brothers were born at Crum Pond in Courtland’s Manor. In the Revolution two of them, vizt. my uncle, Major Joseph and my father Henry Strang, were whigs, being officers in Colonel Samuel Drake’s militia regiment, and the other two were tories, viz, Daniel and

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Francis. Daniel had a son in the enemy’s service, who was found with a British commission in his pocket within the American lines, recruiting men, and was hanged as a spy. The name of this son was Daniel. Francis had a son named Sylvanus who belonged to DeLancey’s, and was killed in the attack made upon by Kip upon Mosier in 1781. Major Strang lived in a house belonging to the Presbyterian Church at Crum Pond, which house was burnt because occupied as a guard house. About two or three weeks afterwards the American picket guard and patrol were surprised and Captain Honeywel taken and the Presbyterian Church burnt. About six or seven years since this church applied to Congress through

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Aaron Ward, Esq, for compensation for the loss of the Meeting House and buildings during the Revolutionary war, and the Committee of Reference reported in their favor, but the report was never acted upon. One of the principal affidavits upon which the claim was founded was that of Caleb Morgan which was drawn by himself. The affidavit was now on file at Washington states that some Royalists who were advised of what was going on at Crum Pond applied to Colonel Robinson who was on board a vessel of war in the north river for a force to destroy the American guard house and stores &c, and that Robinson sent Major Abercrombie with a detachment of Infantry from Peekskill or Verplanks Point. This detachment was guided by the said Caleb Morgan, surprised the American Post and burnt Strang’s house. (?)

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Robinson’s orders were: “Burn up the Rebel Guard House and Sackett too.” Sackett was a son of the Presbyterian minister, and kept a store near by. (?) The church was destroyed by a body of cavalry who surprised the guard just after the roll had been called and they had gone to breakfast being billeted in the adjoining houses. The church was occupied by the militia as a place of deposit for their stores and arms &c. I think the party that destroyed the house of Major Strang had no cavalry, and the party that burnt the Church no infantry. Colonel Greene was surprized at Davenports house, situated in the fields between Croton River and the road leading from Pine’s Bridge to Crumpond, said houses being about three fourths of a mile from Blaine’s ford, about

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three quarters of a mile from Pine’s Bridge, and about half a mile from the road leading from Pine’s Bridge to Crumpond. Both Greene and Flagg attempted to defend themselves. DeLancey’s Refugees attempted to carry him, Greene, off, but finding him dying, they left him in the woods, by the side of the private road or farm path leading from Danforth’s house to the Crumpond road where he was soon afterwards found by a patrol commanded by my father, Captain Henry Strang being then quite dead, and lying about halfway from the said house to said road. Greene and Flagg were both interred if the Crumpond burying ground and I believe in one grave, without a monument or tombstone having any inscription. Plain rough stones designate their resting place.

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which I can point out. Their remains were never removed or I should have heard of it. DeLancey’s troops on their return crossed the Croton at a ford above Pine’s Bridge Joshua Hett Smith and Major André were stopped at or near Crumpond by a Sergeant’s guard under Crawford, a one eyed man. The guard was a militia company from the vicinity under Captain Boyd one of our neighbours. The Sergeant conducted them to the Guard House where they were kept all night, Boyd refusing to let them go till morning, notwithstanding Arnold’s pass, because they could not give the countersign. I saw them next morning as they passed my father’s house traveling briskly on the road towards Pines Bridge about sunrise.

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When Mosier was surprised he was shaving, and very coolly laid the razor down and went out. He arrayed his men back to back telling them not to fire. I have heard him tell the story, and he said my cousin Sylvanus was killed then. On occasion of the last military parade of the militia of Courtland’s manor under the Royal authority, the commander wishing to bring out his men for the Crown addressed them thus: “All you who are loyal to your King follow the colours and music.” The drums and fifes then played a march and all who were under arms followed, except about seventy who immediately separated, organized as a meeting, chose for themselves a set of regimental officers whom they recommended to the Congress then in session at Poughkeepsie, and who shortly

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afterwards received commissions from the proper authority. Two thirds of the population of Courtland’s manor were, I think, then Tories, notwithstanding, the officers proceeded forthwith to enrol themselves their companies, &c, and to act as though the men were all Whigs. In this way, and at that time, my father was nominated and received his commission. The old Episcopal Church where the monument to Paulding is erected stands near Gen (?) Van Courtland’s.