Dawson, Henry B. Westchester County, New York, During the American Revolution. Morrisania, NY: (privately printed by the author), 1886.

5 Letter from Gilbert Drake, Chairman, to John Having, Chairman of the Committee of Safety, at New York, " White-Plains, Sept. 11th, 1775." 6 Journal of the Committee of Safety, "Die Lunse, 9 ho., A.M., September 18, 1775." The Petition thus presented has been preserved ; and the following ■ has been copied from it -- Historical Manuscripts, etc., Petitions, xxxi., 101. " To …

"And whereas the Inhabitants of this Precinct Did meet agreeable to " your said Resolve On the Twenty-fourth Day of August Last, under " the Inspection of the Commitee for that District Did by a very great '■ Majority as by the List will appear, Did Nominate and appoint Mr. " John Cock of the said Precinct for his known Skill and ability in the " Military Discipline and for …

The result was probably foreseen by the Petitioners and their successful candidate -- why should the carefully expressed will of fifty-nine respectable men, declared in conformity with the published terms of the Congress itself, be permitted to stand in the way of a Van Cortlandt, the latter with nothing else than two ex-parte Affidavits to sustain the evidently ridiculous …

"Charles Tylor, "Martin Post, "James Munro, "Anthy Allaire, " Edward Ryer, "Benjamin Farrington, " William Rose, "Henry presher, " Thomas Farington, " Tsac Postt, " James Rich, "Gilbert Brown, his "Thomas X Tippit, mark, "Samuel Laurence, " thomas Merrell, " Samuel Williams, " Fredrick Brown, "Israel Underbill, " David Oakley, Jun*, " Joseph Oakley, Jun r , "George Crawford …

own enactments Had been duly observed: it was also true, however, that they were obnoxious to "a few " of the Inhabitants," and, therefore, without an accusation, without a hearing, without a shadow of authority, even in the elastic law of the Congress, the expressed will of the Company was disregarded and the pretended principles of the Revolution were thrown aside, by the …

In a community, such as that which constituted Colonial Westchester-county, which was already known and distinguished because of its consistent conservatism and, therefore, because of its backwardness in promoting the cause of the Rebellion, such a tyrannical exercise of political authority as had been seen in connection with the Election of Militia Officers, at Yonkers, by …

We have determined * him to be disqualified for a Commission, not only because at the time " of his signing the Association he declared it to be an involuntary act, but "also because he has spoke most contemptuously of the Provincial Con- " gress. And in order that the other Officers in the Company may have "a chance of promotion, which cannot be done according to the letter …

The first to respond to the call of the Provincial Congress, by the election of its Militia Officers, was the Borough Town of Westchester, where, on the twenty-fourth of August, John Oakley was elected to the command of the local Company, l with Nicholas Berrian, for its First Lieutenant; 2 Isaac Leggett, for its Second Lieutenant; and Frederic Philipse Stevenson, for its …

* Historical Manuscripts relating to the War of the Revolution : Military Returns, xxvi., 234. The following list of the names of those, from West Farms and the Manor of Fordham, who were summoned to meet at Westchester ; who petitioned for the organization of the new Company ; and who were its members, when it was organized, may properly find a place in this narrative. It was …

In the Manor of Cortlandt, there were eight Districts or Beats, which appear to have been the same, in their several territorial limits, as those under the former arrangement; and these elected the following Officers for the respective Companies : The District formerly commanded by Francis Lent elected James Kronkhyte, for its Captain ; Abraham Lamb, for its First Lieutenant …

The District formerly commanded by Ebenezer Theall elected Andrew Brown, for its Captain ; Samuel Haight, for its First Lieutenant; » John Chrissey Miller, for its Second Lieutenant ; and Solomon Purdy, for its Ensign. The northern division of the District formerly commanded by Levi Baily elected Nathaniel Delevan, for its Captain ; 10 Thomas Nicholls, Junior, for its First …

He was subsequently made an Ensign in the Continental Service - but soon became tired and resigned, and brought influences to bear in order to secure a Lieutenancy in the same service, in which latter operation, however, he does not seem to have been successful. 8 Peter Carman, also, did not sign the Association until the day of the Election. » Samuel Haight represented …

The District formerly commanded by Joseph Strang 3 elected John Hyatt, for its Captain ; * John Drake, for its First Lieutenant ; 5 Obediah Purdy, for its Second Lieutenant; and Joseph Horton, for its Ensign. 6 The eight Companies, in the Manor of Cortlandt, which were thus reorganized and re-officered, were known as the North Battalion of Westchester-county, of which, soon …

2 In April, 1776, Caleb Hobby, who was said to have been a " Gentle- " man," received a Commission from the Continental Congress, as First Lieutenant in "the First Regiment of New York Forces," (Historical Manuscripts, etc. : Military Returns, xxvii., 104) ; and he appears to have joined the Seventh, or Captain Halt's, Company, (Historical Manuscripts, etc. : Military …

' Pierre Van Cortlandt was subsequently a member of the Second Provincial Congress, 1775-6, and Chairman of its Committee of Safety, January and February, 1776 ; a member of the ^hird Provincial Congress, 1776 ; of the Fourth Provincial Congress, 1776 ; of the Convention of the State of New York, 1776-7 ; of the First Council of Safety, 1777, of which he was the President ; a …

ii Isaac Norton was a member of the County Committee, from the Manor of Cortlandt, 1776-'7. 12 Stephen Sneden represented the Town of Eastchester, in the County Committee, 1776-'7. tenant ; ia Daniel Sebring, for its Second Lieutenant; " and William Pinkney, for its Ensign. 15 For some reason which is not now known, a new Election was held in the following March, when Thomas …

The East Company elected David Davids, for its Captain : Benjamin Vermilyea, for its First Lieutenant; Gilbert Dean, for its Second Lieutenant; and Gabriel Reguaw, \Reqvaf\ for its Ensign. 21 Captain-elect Davids appears to have declined the proffered office ; and, at a subsequent Election, the Company elected Benjamin Vermilyea, for its Captain ; Gilbert Dean, for its First …

17 Joseph Drake was a member of the First and Second Provincial Congresses, by the former of whom he was made Colonel of the First Westchester-county Regiment, (Historical Manuscripts, etc. : Military Returns xxvi., 13 ) is A very interesting Affidavit, made by Lieutenant Willis, on the sixth of August* 1776, illustrative of the unpopularity of Colonel John Thomas, Junior, may …

The Beat or District of Yonkers made its election of Officers, agreeably to the provisions of the Congress's enactments ; but the result was not satisfactory to Frederic Van Cortlandt and others, who had been rejected by the Company ; and, through their influence in the Provincial Committee of Safety and Provincial Congress, the Commissions were withheld from the …

The Tarrytown Company originally elected Abraham Storm, for its Captain ; 4 George Combs, for its First Lieutenant ; 5 Joseph Appleby, for its Second Lieutenant; and Nathaniel Underhill, for its Ensign ; but all of these, except Lieutenant Combs, having declined the honors and responsibilities of offices, a new Election was held, and Gload Requa 6 was chosen in the place of …

Israel Honeywell, Junior, was said to have been a member of the County Committee, representing the Manor of Philipsborough, 1776-'7 ; and, in 1777-8 and 1778-'9, he was said to have represented Westchestercounty in the Assembly of the State. It is not impossible that, in Borne instances, these references have become mixed, See pages 102, 103 ante. 3 Historical Manuscript* …

Gershom Sherwood, for its Second Lieutenant ; 9 and George Monson, for its Third Lieutenant. 10 The six Companies on the Manor of Philipsborough, and those at Westchester, previously referred to, at Eastchester, and at New Rochelle and the Manor of Pelham, all of them reorganized and re-officered as thus described, were known as the South Battalion of Westchester-county, of …

9 Gershom Sherwood represented the Manor of Philipsborough in the County Committee, 1776- 1 7. 10 George Morrison was the name of this officer, (Historical Manuscripts, etc. : Miscellaneous Papers, xxxv., 63.) 11 Joseph Drake was elected to the command of the Company of New Rochelle and Pelham Manor, (page 105, ante ;) but, as he was, also, a member of the Provincial Congress …

15 Abraham Emmons, of Yonkers, was one of those, in the Yonkers Company, who had voted for Frederic Van Cortlandt for its Captain, and who had united with that gentleman, who was the defeated candidate, in disregarding the Election and securing the degradation of John Cock, from the office to which he had been elected, -- (Seepages 102, 103, aide.) lfl Thus printed in the …

21 John Thomas, evidently avoryyoung man, but one of the officeholding Thomas family. He was probably the second son of John Thomas, Junior, who was, at that time, a member of the Provincial Congress and, generally, a leader of tho revolutionary party, and a continual office-holder. This Captain John Thomas died January 6, 1835.-- (Bolton's History of Westchester-county …

The District which included the northern portion of Northcastle was so entirely opposed to the Rebellion that " there were not persons sufficient in num- " bers who had signed the Association to make Offi- " cers of, so that nothing was done," in the form of an Election, during the Summer and Autumn of 1775 ; but an attempt was made to organize the Company, in the following …

The District which included the eastern portion of Bedford elected Lewis McDonald, for its Captain; James Miller, for its First Lieutenant ; 7 Henry Lord, for its Second Lieutenant ; and Jesse Miller, for its Ensign. The District which included the western portion of Bedford elected Eli Seelgy, for its Captain ; Heze- 1 Beooni Piatt was a member of the first County Committee …

' James Miller appears to have held offices, subsequently, in the New York Regiments, commanded by Colonels Ritzema, Gansevoort, and Van Cortlandt ; but, inasmuch as there were several persons bearing that name-- two, at the same time, in the same Regiment, bearing exactly opposite characters -- it is not, now, known which, if either, was the particular James Miller who is …

, The District which included, the northern portion 'of Salem elected Thaddeus Crane, for its Captain ; " Jesse Truesdale, for its First Lieutenant; Ezekiel ■ Halley, for its Second Lieutenant ; 12 and Ebenezer 1 Brown, for its Ensign. For some reason, the Captainelect and the Ensign-elect. " did not take their Com- , " missions ;'' and on the eighteenth of December, 1775, i a …

8 Hezekiah Gray was chosen Captain of the Bedford Company of Minute-men, in February, 1776, (Historical Manuscripts, etc. : Military Returns, xxvii., 196 ; ) a Report on the military Btatus of which Company, may be seen in Historical Manuscripts, etc. : Miscellaneous Papers, xxxix., 323. He and his Company, although not regularly enlisted, were ordered to join the Continental …

n Thomas Thomas was a son of Hon. John Thomas and a brother of John Thomas, Junior, who was a member of the Provincial Congress. He was a member of the first County Committee, appointed in May, 1775 ; and he represented Harrison's Precinct in the County Committee, 1776-'7. Ho was unpopular as a Military Officer ; and several Officers refused to serve under him, in August …

The Company of Poundridge and Lower Salem -- which was called, also, " the First Company of Min- " ute-men of the County " -- elected, originally, Ebenezer Slason, to be its Captain ; Henry Slason, to be its First Lieutenant ; Ebenezer Scofield, to be its Second Lieutenant; and Daniel Waterberry, to be its Ensign ; but, subsequently, when Captain Slason was promoted, Henry …

Tompkins was a member of the first County Committee, elected in May, 1775 ; a member of the Third and Fourth Provincial Congresses, of the Committee of Safety, and of the Council of Safety. He was a member of the Assembly of the State, 1780-'l, 1781-% 178G, 1787, 1788, 1791, 1792 ; of the Board of Regents of the University, 1787- 1808 ; and of the Constitutional Convention of …

Quarter' master of this Regiment, it appears incredible that he was the person, and can be accounted for only by the profits which attended such an office and the well known proclivities of that family, in that direction, whereveran opportunity was presented. "We prefer to believe that this Quartermaster's place was given to that " John Thomas Minor," the second son of John …

4 Letter from Samuel brake and Lewis Graham to the Provincial Congress, " 1st March, 1770 ; " Journal af the Provincial Congress, "4 ho., P.M., "March 1,1870." The Company of Bedford elected Eli Seeley, to be its Captain ; 5 Zephaniah Mills, to be its First Lieutenant; Cornelius Clarke, to be its Second Lieutenant; and Philip Leek, to be its Ensign ; and their Commissions were …

' A Company of nineteen men assembled at the White Plains and constituted themselves a Company of Minute-men, electing James Varian, to be their Captain ; w Samuel Crawford, to be their First Lieutenant ; 11 Isaac Oakley, to be their Second Lieutenant ; and Joseph Todd, to be their Ensign. 12 Besides these four Companies, such as they were, there does not appear to have been …

8 James Miller was originally the First Lieutenant in the Company in the eastern part of the Town of Bedford, of which Lewis McDonald, Junior, was the Captain, (Page 107, ante.) 9 Isaac Titus had served in Captain Mills's Company, under Colonel Holmes, in the Campaign of 1775, (Page 101, ante.) The authority for the statement concerning the second Company may be seen in a …

» Lieutenant Samuel Crawford was a member of the first Connty Committee, appointed in May, 1775, (Page 83, ante ;) and the only representative of the Manor of Scarsdale, in the County Committee, 1776-'7. M The authority for this statemont is a Letter from Jonathan G. Tompkins and Nicolm Fisher to the Provincial Congress, " White Plaims, Febru- "ery 14th, 1776"-- (Historical …

expected from a community in which the revolutionary party had scarcely "' a Corporal's Guard," except of those who were office-holders or office-seekers? -- but as soon as two Companies had been organized, the County Committee "took the liberty, with all •' submission, to recommend Samuel Drake, to be " Colonel ; * Lewis Graham, to be Lieutenant-Colonel ; 2 " Abraham Storm …

Heavy penalties were imposed on those who should fail to discharge all these requirements ; with levies on the properties of the delinquents, if they possessed property, or, in the absence of property, they were to be imprisoned " until such fine, together " with the charges, should be paid," which meant, at that time, an imprisonment in a cold Jail, without any other food …

He lived at Tarrytown. * Elijah Miller was a resident and one of the Sub-committee of Northcastle. 6 This statement is made on the authority of a Letter from Gilbert Drake, Chairman of the County Committee, to the Provincial Congress, "White Plains, October 24th, 1775." The Journal of the Provincial Congress, ("Die Mercurii, 10 ho., A.M., October, 1775,") shows the receipt of …

Indeed, the required equipment, in specified form, of themselves, and their boys, and their hired help^-- their well-tried fowling-pieces having been unavailable for that purpose -- and the stated withdrawal of all of them from their farms, for drill, on frequent, specified days, no matter how necessary their presence, at home, might have been, were unduly burdensome on all …

"To bare Arms In Defence of ours Liberty and Rites Not our Rite but 11 such gentlemen as has got lands and Estates But some of us Now has ■'Skarsely got Victuals from one Day to another Neytherfire Nor Can- " <lles our Wifes and poor Children Suffering for Bread and your honners " have pleased To lay on us or some of us such things as .we Cant supply " ourselves with gun …

"September 9, 17751" With this menacing paper before one, it is not difficult to make one's self believe that the " poor reptiles " had really some thoughts of "biting,' 1 as Gouveraeur Morris had foreseen .a few months previously. WESTCHESTER COUNTY. sometimes with. warrants of "impressment," nominally for the equipment of Regiments, in garrison or elsewhere; sometimes with …

It waited for no verified complaint : it made no pretence that a breach of any written Law or of any other enactment was necessary, to warrant an arrest : it received secret, ex parte " information " as all which was needed to authorize the arrest, the confinement, and the infliction of punishment on its victims, not unfrequently without a hearing or an examination : and it …

1 See, in tho Journals and Correspondence of the Congress and in the Historical Manuscripts relating to tlie War of the Revolution, preserved in the office of the Secretary of State, at Albany, the records and papers in the several cases, among others, of Angus McDonald, Captain Patrick Sinclair, Captain Johan Christian Drewidz, John Mon-ell, Adam Patrick, Isaiah Purdy …

and unfounded persecution of an innocent man, to the contempt of the country' and of the world. 4 It sat in secret judgment over those whom it had arrested, in instances wherein it was, also, the only accuser ; 5 - and it recognized the existence, in merely local selfconstituted " Committees," in the several Counties, of th,e same authority to arrest and to imprison those who …

4 Reference is here made to the case of Timothy Doughty, of Duchesscounty, in which the victim, because he declined to sign the General Association -- there was no evidence which the Congress considered respectable, showing any other offence -- was seized by Egbert Benson, whose methods at an Election have been noticed ; and sent to New York, without any evidence of …

Fifteen worthless affidavits were subsequently sent to tho Congress, and beau to II, c victim, wlien lie was gwen a hearing ; but their worthlessness was so evident that the Congress discharged Doughty, although, as stated, it would not permit him to have copies of the papers, nor even to read them, (Journals of the Committee of Safety, September 4th ; the same, September …

"Letter from tlie Provincial Congress to die Delegates for die Colony of New York, in the Continental Congress, " In Provincial Conoress, New- " York, June 28th, 1775." See, also, the Plan of Accommodation, adopted in advance and kept in constant readiness for immediate use, by tho same Provincial Congress, " 4 ho., P.M., Die Martis, June 27th, 1775," (see pages 97, 98, ante …

On the eleventh of August, a letter was received by the Provincial Congress, from the local Committee at Brookhaven, on Long Island, stating that certain persons, named therein, were " counteracting every " measure recommended for redress and grievances, ' " and opposing the measures of Congresses and Com- " mittees ; and that they declared they would furnish, '' and that it …

" Whereas attempts may be made, to promote dis- " cord among the Inhabitants of this Colony, and to " assist and aid the Ministerial Army and Navy, in " their endeavours to carry into execution the cruel and " oppressive Acts of Parliament, against the Rights " and Liberties of the Inhabitants of this Continent : " And as the immutable laws of self-defence and 1 Thus printed …

" Resolved, That if any person or persons shall be " found guilty, before the Committee of any City " or County, of attempting, (after the date of this "Resolution,) to furnish the Ministerial Army or " Navy with Provisions or other necessaries, contrary " to the Resolutions of the Continental or of this " Congress ; 5 or of holding a correspondence, by letter " or otherwise …

6 The Provincial Congress not only had passed no Resolutions prohibiting the supply of " the Ministerial Army and Navy with provisions or other " necessaries," thereby,' oven from the revolutionary' standpoint, leaving that business open to whomsoever might embark in it ; but, on the morning of the day on which this enactment was made, it gave its official sanction to the …

While the Provincial Congress was thus monopolizing the supplying of the men-of-war, it " was filled with the utmost anxiety " when, during the Autumn of 1775, " small boats from Queens and Westchester-coun- " ties " undertook to enter into the same business ; and"to prevent so " great a mischief," a small armed vessel was purchased, " to watch thoso " and other dangerous …

There were those, in the Provincial Congress, who were always ready to enjoy an advantage, in trado or elsewhere j thero was a commercial advantage, iu victualing the ships, which those "patriots" preferred to retain. Had the boatmon of Westchester and Queenscounties, while "bringing their surplus products to market, been wise enough to have consigned their cargoes to some of …

" Resolved, That if any person or persons shall " be found guilty, before the Committee of any City or " County in this Colony, of having furnished the " Ministerial Army or Navy (after the date of this "Resolution,) with Provisions or other necessaries, " contrary to any Resolution of the Continental or of " this Congress, such person or persons, so found " guilty thereof …

And that every " such person or persons, who shall be found guilty " of a second offence of the same kind, shall be ban- " ished from this Colony, for the term of seven years " from the time of such second conviction. " Although this Congress have a tender regard to " the freedom of Speech, the rights of Conscience, " and personal Liberty, as far as an indulgence in " these …

1 Charles Loe, the second ill command in the Continental Army, had not, then, laid his vvell-devisod "Plan" before General Howe; General Samuel H. Parsons had not yet commoncod tho supply of information concerning projected military movements, etc., through '"Squire " Heron," to Sir Henry Clinton ; Israel Putnam had not yet led Kobort B. Livingston to "question" "his very …

"they shall be committed to close confinement, at " their respective expense. 3 And, in case any of the " said Committees are unable to carry this or any "Resolution into execution, they are hereby directed " to apply to the next County Committee or command- " ing Officer of the Militia, or to the Congress or the " Committee of Safety of this Colony, for necessary "assistance …

And the Committee nearest to any per- "son who shall be so enlisted or have taken up " arms against the Liberties of America are hereby " directed to appoint some discreet person to take "the charge of the Estate, both real and personal, of " any such person or persons ; which person so ap- " pointed shall be invested with such Estate, and "render, on oath, a just and true …

> That particular feature of this enactment was intended to impoverish the victim, if he possessed property , or to leave him to be starved, if he had none ; and the barbarism of the provision and of thoBe who framed it, was seen, subsequently, in the physical sufferings of John O'Connor and David Purdy ; and in those of the BcrghB, the Dobbscs, and Timothy Doughty …

" Precinct, or District where the offender shall have " been taken up ; and if, upon examination, the suspicion shall appear to the said Committee to be "groundless, that he be discharged: Provided, "also, that no person charged to be an offender " shall be tried upon any of the foregoing Eesolves, " until the persons to be Judges of the offence be " first severally sworn to …

It will be seen that, by this remarkable enactment, every person in the Colony was placed at the mercy of the local Committee of the County in which he lived ; that no one was permitted to disregard or to treat with disrespect either the " recommendations " or the " Resolutions " of Congresses or Committees, of either high or low degree, no matter with what disclaimers of …

1 Journal of the Provincial Congress, " 4 ho., P.M., September 1st, "1775." 2 Compare the disclaimers which accompanied the Associations which were sent out, for signatures, {gages 94, 95, ante ;) with the penalties which were subsequently imposed ou those who had declined to sign those Associations, in the orders issued for their disarmament, {gage 112, ante;) in this …

they possessed a conceded interest; that no appeal from the judgment of such a local revolutionary tribunal, too often controlled by personal or family quarrels 4 or by ecclesiastical or neighborhood feuds or by foreign interferences, was provided for or allowed ; and that the dictates of his conscience and the oath of his office, if he held an office, as far as these should …

History has failed to record, in the annals of any other community, another such instance of solemn mockery and of refined hypocrisy and of relentless personal and partisan bitterness as is seen in this enactment, framed and ordained and promulgated by men who pretended to so much of honor and intelligence, to so much of loyalty to the King and of regard for the Constitution …

* "The information you have received, in respect to Captain Cuthbert, "is, I believe, in part true, but has originated from a private pique, and " is much exaggerated. You will observe 1 have bought his wheat from " him, which he readily sold me, at the same time complained, most " bitterly, of being threatened with the loss of his life, by the same Don "you mentioned, who, I …

Who, among historical students, does not know that one of the most virulent of those who persecuted the loyal and law abiding Colonists, in Colonial New York -- a very thinly disguised monarchist who was thus figuring as a most zealous republican -- had been largely prompted to play a part in the politics of the period which was radically distasteful to himself, in order that …

merely incidental allusions, left among the well-concealed records of those times, to say nothing of those more startling evidences which went, unrecorded, into the graves of those who had been thus plundered and outraged, when the latter were carried to their last earthly homes, to show that the Drakes and the Thomases, the Odells and the Martlings, the Lockwoods and the …

" Elijah Purdy, "Gilbert Horton, 9 " Edmond Ward, 10 " Caleb Morgain, 11 " James Hortan, Esq. 12 " William Barker, Esq. 13 " Person Seabury," "Godfrey Haines, added "on Saturday evening, u " Jeremiah Travess, Junr,, " Joshua " Col. Phillips, 2 " Joseph Harris, " James Harris, " Major Brown's two sons " Isaac and Josiah that " lives at home, 3 " Lyon Miller, 4 Bartholomew …

in Connecticut, as in well known, were too nearly akin in Bentiraent to the Towns in Westchester-county to have supplied respectable men, for such a questionable service ; and specimens of those of Connecticut who were so zealous in the support of the Rebellion, in New York, when there was no armed forces before them-- those, from that.Colony were not so zealous, on the …

3 Isaac and Josiah Brown were arrested ; thrown into the Prison at the White Plains ; and subsequently released on condition that they should board with William Miller, Deputy Chairman of the County Committee, at their own expense, instead of at their own homes. « Lyon Miller was First Lieutenant in the Harrison Precinct Company of Militia, reorganized under the enactment of …

Although the records do not mention the distinguishing title, if he had one, of the victim whose arrest and imprisonment and conditional release are mentioned in the note referred to, and, therefore, the untitled "Joshua Purdy" has been connected with those records, there are circumBtanceB which favor the impression that Captain Joshua was the person to whom they really …

There need be no surprise that that remarkable enactment and the activity in enforcing its provisions which was seen among those who favored the Rebellion and among those who desired the advantages which a general breaking down of those who opposed that Rebellion would probably ensure to them, in the expected and intended sequestrations and confiscations and sales of …

11 Caleb Morgan was reported to the Provincial Congress, a second time ; arrested ; and thrown into the Prison at the White Plains. 12 James Horton, Esq., was summoned before the "Committee of " Safety," as the County Committee called itself, in August, 1777 ; was unusually independent in his answers to that body ; and appears to have remained without further trouble. 13 …

Samuel Merrit was reported to the Provincial Congress, a second time ; arrested ; and thrown into the Prison at the White Plains. 13 Edward Palmer was a resident of Cortlandt's Manor; and was subsequently accuBed of enlisting men for the Royal Army. There are some reasonB for supposing that he was the yonng man who was so ostentatiously hung, as a spy, by the order of General …

farmers of Westchester-county -- they would have been less than men, and unworthy of either respect or sympathy, had they remained passive spectators of what was then in progress, far the seizure of their persons, for the sequestration of their homes and of their estates, and for the impoverishment of their aged parents, of their wives, and of their dependent children, without …

A lawless assault on the persons or the properties of the conservatives and the loyal, by the promptings of i-mbittered human nature and the unwritten law of retaliation, was followed, sooner or later, by equally lawless assaults on the persons or on the families or on the properties of those, of the opposite party, who had been the original aggressors ; and, very seldom, on …

peculiarly noted for their unfaltering loyalty. 2 Early in September, 1775, before the passage of the enactment by' the Provincial Congress, to which reference has been made, could have become generally known throughout that " border Town,'' Godfrey Haines, an unmarried man, was at the house of Daniel Purdy, in Rye ; and, in conversation, he condemned the reorganization of the …

He undoubtedly knew that he was among those who enter' tained opinions and preferences which were similar in their character to those which he had declared ; but the latter may have been less willing to declare what they preferred and what their opinions were, concerning the doings of those who were, then, aspiring to the Government of the Colony -- he was, however, lesB …

Of Delilah, not an Israelite, we know that she betrayed her lover to his enemies, to the oppressors of his kindred and his people : of Eunice, an ignorant, unmarried woman ; unable to write her own name and, probably, unable to read what others had writ' ten -- just such a tool, indeed, as suited the purposes of such men as, then, manipulated her spitefully told information …

Whatever incited her, however, the story of Godfrey's outspoken utterances was told by her, within three or four weeks from the day of his visit to Purdy's ; and, because he had evidently thus made himself obnoxious to the controlling faction, although he had not been previously regarded with suspicion, 1 the County Committee, with intemperate zeal, promptly proceeded to …

" Eunice Purdy, of Eye, in the said County, " Spinster, being duly sworn upon the Holy Evange- " lists of Almighty God, deposeth and saith that, on or "about the second of September instant, Godfrey " Hains was at Daniel Purdy's, at Bye, and in conversation, at that time, said he understood that the " Committee or Congress had made a law to oblige all " to train under them …

1 It will be seen, by reference to the list of those who were proscribed, (page 114, (mte,) that Godfrey Haines's name was not on it, as it was originally written -- it was "added" to that list "on Saturday " evening." 2 This remark very clearly indicated that, when Godfrey made these violent remarks, he was smarting from wrongs already inflicted on himself or on those who …

He was ordered to be disarmed ; but the judgment was returned unsatisfied, since he had concealed his arms and ammunition ; and the Committee stated that it was highly improbable that they could be found. It was determined, however, that he was "a very dangerous man;" and, for its own peace sake as well as for its own safety, that very zealous Committee determined to send him …

Daniel Winter, Godfrey " Hains, a person who was accused and convicted, be- " fore us, of denying the authority and speaking con- " temptuously of the Congresses and the Committee '• of this County. He was ordered to be disarmed ; and, " upon examining him respecting his arms and am- " munition, he confessed that he has a gun, pistol, " sword, powder, and ball, but refused …

Winter and his prisoner and the guard who accompanied them left the White Plains early enough to reach the City before nine o'clock on the morning of the twentyninth of September, the day on which the letter was written; 1 and the first subject which was brought before the Committee of Safety, there, at its morning session, in the City of New York, was the letter from • tbe …

Paulding, a " Deputy for the said County, be requested to write a "letter to the said Committee, informing them that " it is the opinion of this Committee, that, agreeable "to the Resolutions of the Provincial Congress of this "Colony, tbe County Committees are altogether com- " petent for punishing and confining persons guilty " of a breach of the said Resolutions or of …

1 It is uot impossible that this arrest had been made after it had become dark, on the twenty-eighth of September : it is quite clear that the Committee waB in session, that the letter of transmission was written, and that Godfrey was hurried through the County, after midnight, on the following morning. Secrecy was probably necessary to ensure success, where the revolutionary …

The Jail, in the City of New York, when Godfrey Haines was cast into it, was confining other victims of arbitrary and unwarranted arrests who, also, had been sent to the Congress, by the country Counties ; and it may be reasonably supposed that his animosities against the Congresses and the County Committees and those who favored them, were not, in the slightest degree …

" Gentlemen : As there is Six of us Confined in " Goal by your order Charg'd with misdemeanors, we " should take it kind of you if you'd bring us to Im- " ediate tryal or provide for us in our Confinement as " we have not wherewithal to suport our ourselves. " And you will oblige yours "City Hall, October y e 4 th , 1775. " Godfrey Hains, Adam Bergh, "Timothy Doughty …

Eight days after the Provincial Congress had received and read the Petition of Godfrey Haines and his fellow-prisoners, that body received the following Resolution from the Continental Congress, which probably served to intensify rather than to ameliorate the prevailing partisan animosities ; and it was certainly not well-constituted for the relief of those who were already …

Appended to the copy of this Resolution which was laid before the Provincial Congress of New York, was a memorandum, not included in the official transcript of the Resolution, and without a signature, which was in these words : " To be kept as secret as " its nature will admit ;" and it was accompanied by extracts from letters which the Continental Congress had received from …

3 Compare the correspondence of Joseph Galloway and James Duane with the venerable Lieutenant governor of New York, and the knowledge of the latter, concerning the secret doings of the Congress of 1774, which the former, members of the Congress and pledged to secrecy, had communicated to hint, (pages 27, 33, 34, ante,) with this later instance of secret information and copies …

But, on the tenth of October, two days before the Provincial Congress received it, Governor Tryon had received the information, "from undoubted authority from the City of Philadelphia," (Governor Tryon to the Mayor of the City of New York, " New York, 10 th Oct. 1775 ; ") and his subsequent statement, that he was in correspondence with "the Fountain-head" (Governor Tryon to …

As the Delegates from New York, in Philadelphia, were well-informed, not only concerning the Resolution but concerning the secret correspondence of the Continental Congress, which evidently formed a portion of the information which was communicated to the Governor, there is reason for believing that the correspondent of the Governor was a member of that Delegation ; and the …

There is no record of the discharge of Godfrey Haines from the Jail, in the City of New York ; but, on the contrary, when the record of the proceedings of the Committee of Safety, on the morning of the twenty-ninth of September, when he was taken before that body by Daniel " Winter and the guard who had brought him from the White Plains, 4 was laid before the Provincial …

Hastening to the wharf, on the East River, the starved fugitive, from whom all food and drink had been withheld for more than a week, 9 he " impressed," if he did not steal, a boat ; and found refuge and food on board of official and personal leanings were toward the Livingstons rather than toward the rivals of the latter, the De Lanceys, who had previously occupied the …

Rec d from N York: "the best authority Nov 2 1775 W T."-- and it may have been sent to him by Egbert Duuiont, as stated by Judge Jones and his commentator ; but, when it was said to have been received, the Governor had surely been on the Halifax or on the Duchess of Gordon, more than a fortnight. The name of the real author of that Memorandum, on which Governor Tryon is …

• Haines was tried and sentenced, at the White Plains, on the twentyeighth or twenty-ninth of September, when his sentence of starvation probably commenced to run. Six, if not seven, days afterwards, he petitioned for food, saying " he had not wherewithal to snport hinlBelf," his jailers, in the City of New York, doing nothing more than to read his Petition, and to place it on …

Duriug the succeeding December [1775], in company with " one Palmer " -- said to have been of Mamaroneck -- he loaded the Sloop Polly and Ann, which he had recently purchased from Isaac Gedney, with Beef, Pork, and other Provisions ; and, taking on board three quarter-casks of Madeira Wine, a package of Turnips, and other articles, all. of them for General Howe, and other …

The savory reputation of the " wreckers " of that treacherous coast, sometimes made more treacherous by reason of the false lights displayed by'those who lived there, will prepare the reader for the remainder of that sad story of adventure and of disaster -- the vessel does not appear to have gone to pieces ; and that and what remained of her cargo, after the " wreckers " had …

2 Examination of Gilbert Budd before the Provincial Congress-- Journal of the Provincial Congress, "Die Veneris, 5 ho., P.M., November 3, " 1775." • Affidavit of Philip Pinckney, November 1, 1775-- page 125, post. the Sloop, were ordered to be sent, duly guarded, to the City of New York, and delivered to the Committee of Safety of that Colony. As may be foreseen, Godfrey …

Three days after Major Henderson and his prisoners reached New York, [January 23, 1776,] "The Com- " mittee of Safety took into consideration the case of " Godfrey Haines, lately apprehended and sent here " by the Committee of Safety of New Jersey ; are of " opinion that his many and mischievous machina- " tions are so dangerous that he ought to be kept in " safe custody and …

"Ordered, That the said Godfrey Haines be sent, " manacled or fettered, under guard, to Ulster-county "Jail; and that Colonel McDougal be requested to " procure an Officer, with a proper Guard of the " Militia or Minute-men of this City, to guard the " said prisoner and the other prisoners heretofore " ordered to jail, to Kingston, in Ulster-county." 8 At the same time, a …

6 The reader will not fail to obperve that the Committee carefully concealed the notable enactment of the Provincial Congress, of the first of the preceding September, (vvle pages 111-113, ante.) » The Committee made no mention of the fact that he had, then, been k-jpt without food or water, a full week ; and that, since his prayer for food had been disregarded by the …

" as he formerly broke the Jail, in this City, and made " his escape ; " and, at the same time, directing that Committee to " appoint some person whom you shall " think proper, to supply them with the necessaries of " life, at their own expense, if they can pay for them ; " and if they cannot, at the public expense." 1 Agreeably to that prayer, a special Guard of Grenadiers …

There were other arrests in Westchester-county similar to that of Godfrey Haines, one of which, that of Elijah Weeks, was followed by an attempt to rescue him, by an armed force, among the latter of whom were Isaac Gedney, Junior,* William Nelson, 5 Joshua Boyea, Joshua Ferris, 6 Bartholomew Haines, 7 Elijah Haines, William Haines, and John Haines, the person^ who made the …

Joshua Ferris, a son of Caleb Ferris, was one of those who went on bpard the Phcenix, when that ship went up the Hudson, in July, 1776, (Examination of Joshua Ferris : Historical Manuscripts, etc. : Miscellaneous Papers, xxxv., 69, 85.) He, or another person bearing the same name, was a prisoner, in the Jail at the White Plains, in September, 1776,at which time he petitioned …

Among those who were, also, arrested and thrown into prison, by the Committee of Westchester-county, under the provisions of the enactment of the Provincial Congress which is now under consideration, were Joshua Purdy, Caleb Morgan, John McCord, Gilbert Horton, Josiah Brown, Edmund Ward, Samuel Merrit, Philip Fowler, Gabriel Purdy, William Barker, Junior, John Besley, Isaac …

It was a short-sighted policy, also, even among those who were in rebellion, which inflicted penalties, especially such penalties as these, on those persons who continued, peacefully, on their respective farms, quietly pursuing their daily labors, honestly respecting the Laws of the country, and consistently recognizing and honoring the Sovereignty of the King, whom even those …

It was a reasonable consequence, under existing circumstances, we repeat, that quiet men should become excited and excitable men angry, and that all should become alarmed and indignant, when a mere handful of their neighbors, without their " consent" and without the slightest warrant of Law and without the slightest necessity, usurped and maintained such unheard-of authority …

It was a mistake, as well as a crime, therefore, to assume authority for the arrest and imprisonment of men and for the sequestration of their properties and the impoverishment of the aged and of the dependent and helpless, without a shadow of legal authority and in audacious defiance of it ; without a shadow of existing necessity, even from the standpoint of the Rebellion …

There might have been fewer transformations of moral and intellectual pigmies into potent political giants -- there might have been a smaller number of fortunes rapidly and largely increased from the plunder of neighboring better - provided-for households and farmyards-- but there would have been, also, fewer outrages against the Laws of both man and of God ; less occasion for …

While the excitement occasioned by the enactments of the Provincial Congress, authorieing local Committees to seize and imprison and disarm and deprive of their estates those who should become obnoxious to those local demagogues and against whom, by fair means or by foul, an accusation of unfriendly thoughts or words against the Rebellion could possibly be trumped up, was at …

" Whereas, a great number of the men enlisted in " the Continental Service, in this Colony, are desti- " tute of Arms, and in order to carry into execution "the Resolutions of the Continental Congress, it is " absolutely necessary to have those troops armed : " And whereas, every method to hire or purchase "Arms, hitherto attempted, has failed to procure a " sufficient number …

" Ordered, That the person or persons who shall " have the charge of the carrying this Resolution into " execution, in each County, shall direct all the Arms "that shall be so impressed, to be collected at some " place in the County where they are impressed, and " there valued and appraised by three indifferent men " of reputation of the County, any two of whom " agreeing …

" Ordered, That a Certificate, specifying the value " and the mark of the Musket, Gun, or Firelock so "impressed, appraised, and marked, shall be signed " by the Appraisers and Impressers, which shall enti- " tie the owner thereof to receive the appraised value "from the Treasurer of the Provincial Congress of "this Colony : Provided the same be not returned at " or before the …

" Ordered, That the Captains of the respective "Companies of the Third Regiment of the troops of "this Colony, who are now in Suffolk-county, be " authorized to carry these Resolutions into exeeu- " tion in Queens-county. That Colonel Lasher 2 be "requested to send two or more Companies of his " Battalion, to give such assistance in Queens-county " as may be necessary, at such …

And that these Resolutions "be carried into execution, in every other County, by " the Chairman of the County Committee, with the " assistance of the Militia Officers, who are hereby " ordered to be aiding therein with such parts of the " Militia as each such Chairman shall think necessary. "And " Ordered, That the several persons who shall be " disarmed by virtue of the above …

The real purpose of the Committee of Safety, in the adoption and publication of this Resolution and of these several Orders, was the entire disarmament of every one who, for any reason, had neglected or declined to sign the General Association ; and, for that reason, every class of fire-arms, whether adapted to the uses of the Army or not, was included, in every instance, in …

It must have been peculiarly galling, among those who had been accustomed to hear of the " Rights of " Man " and of the " Constitutional Rights of Engiish- "men " and all the other catchwords and maxims in the science of government -- generally true, in theory, although, practically, they had been seized and employed by demagogues, in those instances, only for the advancement …

Not an exception was made, no matter what reason there might have been for such an exception ; and everything which had a gun-lock on it, whether useful or useless for military purposes -- whether a young man's fowling-piece, with which he was wont to have a few hours' sport, when squirrels and robins abounded, or to have more serious work, when foxes and more formidable …

It is said that, in Queens-county, " the people " conceal all their Arms that are of any value ; many "declare they know nothing about the Congress, " nor do they care anything for the Orders of the "" Congress, and say that they would sooner lose their " lives than give up their Arms ; and that they would " blow any man's brains out, who should attempt to " take them from …

' Doctor Sparks noticed this outrage, in these words : " The Committee "reasoned but imperfectly from the facts of history and the principles of "human nature, when they supposed that people, with arms in their " hands, would be tempted to resign them, by such motives as were held "out. They must either be treated as friends or enemies. If friends, "their safety and interest …

■The Doctor reasoned, above, on the ground that the Order of the Committee was an isolated act, disconnected with any other of the class ; and he reasoned well, on that premise ; but the fact was, another Order had just been made, in- secret, to seize the persons and properties of those who were obnoxious to the Committee and its subordinates ; and it was considered necessary …

in other connections, that the men of that County, like those of Queens-county, armed themselves, and patroled the County, in large parties, to guard against surprises ; declaring their determination to defend themselves, and saying "that if any body came to " their houses to take away their Arms, they would " Are upon them." 3 It appears, also, that the declaration was fully …

3 Testimony of Cohnel Gilbert Budd of Mamaroneck, before (he Provincial Congress, -- Journal of tlte Provincial Congress, "Die Veneris, 10 ho. A.M., " November 3, 1775," (vide page 126, post.) * This conflict between those who were executing the Orders of the Committee of Safety, for the disarmament of those who had not signed the Association, and those, in Westchester-county …

General Wooster and his command were encamped on property belonging to Arent Bussing, near Harlem, from the eighteenth of July, preceding, (Journal of Provincial Congress, " Die Martis, 9 ho., A.M., "July 18th, 1775.") t "General Wooster is at Harlem, with about 400 men, which appear "to ns to be unemployed," (Letter from the Committee of Safety to the Continental Congress …

It is proper that notice shall be taken, in this connection, of the fact that the Provincial Congress, on the twenty-fourth of October, twenty days after that body had returned to its place and to its work and thirty-eight days after its Committee of Safety had adopted and published the Resolution and Orders, "relating to the impressment of Arms," which have been thus …

Philip Pinkney, 2 " (who had given- very full information, to some of the " Committee, of the plot, and had offered to swear to " it, provided he was brought by the Committee by " an appearance of force, and had engaged not to be " out of the way,) upon being sent for, by some of the " guard attending the Committee, was not to be " found ; whereupon some of the Committee, by …

2 There is not the slightest mention of thin evidently tricky Philip, in any of the contemporary records with which we have any acquaintance, except in this instance ; and we suspect he was that loyalist, Philip, who fled to Nova Scotia, at the close of the War, of whom Bolton made mention. He was evidently well-fitted for a "Cow-boy ;" aud, very probably, he was one. Bolton …

" We also request that Mr. William Lounsberry, 6 " Isaac Gedney, Junior, and three hired men who " work at Justice Sutton's, 7 may be sent for, on account " of what Mr. Pinckney has related, though not sworn " to, that they, among others, were Minute-men, as he' " called them ; that they were to be ready, at a " moment's warning, to take off some persons who " were the most …

Bolton, in his History of }Vestchester-cwmty, (original edition, ii., 80, 81, 509 ; the same, second edition, 197, 715, 716,) gave an account of his family. *Gil. Budd Horton, of Mamaroneck, was the only representative of that Town, in the County Committee of 1776-'7, (Historical Manuscripts, etc.: Miscellaneous Papers, xxxviii., 309.) He was captured and carried away, by the …

7 "Justice Sutton" was the "William Sutton, Esq." who was one of the signers of the call for the Meeting at the White PlainB, in April, 1775, as well as one who signed the declaration and Protest, at the same place, against the proceedings of that Meeting, (vide pages 70, 72, ante.) He was one of the King's Justices of the Peace ; and one of those who were reported to the …

" We would not have troubled the Congress about " apprehending the above-named persons, but that " we look upon ourselves, at present, too weak to do " it, without great danger ; 1 and we beg leave to sub- " mit it, whether it be not necessary, for the security " of many amongst us, as well as to prevent Provisions " being conveyed to the Ministerial Army, that a " Guard be …

" Personally appeared before me, James Horton, "Junior, one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace " in and for said County, ' Philip Pinkney, of full age, "who deposeth and saith, that on Wednesday, the "twenty-fifth day instant, 8 being in company, he "heard one say that Godfrey Haines was determined " to have satisfaction on some particular persons, 9 and "that there was a …

5 M kali Townsend was a member of the County Committee of 1775-'6, and its Secretary ; he was one of the Minute-men, at White Plains, in February, 1776 ; and he was in command of a Company, in the following Summer. He evidently left Westchester-connty, soon afterwards, as he was in the Assembly of the State, in 1779-80, representing Cumberland-county. 6 Anthony Miller was …

John Thomas, County Judge of Westchester-county, 1755-1777, and Member of the General Assembly of the Colony, representing the county of Westchester, 1743-'75, in which latter capacity the reader has already been made acquainted with him. 11 Although the project of carrying Judge Thomas away from his home, in 1775, if such a project was really entertained, was not carried out …

Budd Horton, who had evidently taken those papers to the Congress, should attend that body, at five o'clock, on the same afternoon. 13 At the appointed hour, those gentlemen made their appearance before the door of the Assembly Chamber, in the City Hall, in which the Congress was assembled in secret Session ; and when they were admitted into the Chamber, they were duly …

" Gilbert Budd, of Mamaroneck, says that the tories " are getting the upper hand of and threaten them, "daily, and have injured their private property, by " throwing down stone fences and cropping his horses' "tails and manes; that Philip Pinckney told him, " last Sunday, that he was in company, on the twenty - " fifth of October last, with a man who told him that "there would …

12 The entire prostration of the Colonial Government, in New York, and its entire helplessness to protect the Colonists from the outrages to which they were subjected by the promoters of the Rebellion, is nowhere more clearly seen than in this appearance of one of those who were in rebellion, before one of the King's Justices of the Peace, to make an official affidavit …

Budd that "there was a number of his, Budd's, neighbours, who " stood ready to assist the tender, in order to take "them; that Mr Budd asked Pinckney if he knew " who those neighbours were ; he atiswered that one "of them was William Lounsberry ' l and one, Isaac "Gedney, Junr., and all Sutton's men, alluding to "some hired servants of Sutton's; 3 that Pinckney " said he came …

Budd further says that it is reported that "those tories say they a-re determined to defend them- " selves ; and that if any body came to their houses to "take away their Arms, they would fire upon them." The Congress appears to have been in one of its temperate moods when that delegation from the chivalry of Oolonial Westchester-county, bearing the missive from the Committee …

2 On the twenty-ninth of August, 1776, "one Lounsherry of Westchester " County who had headed a party of about 14 Tories was killed by a Per- " son named Flood on his refusal to surrender himself Prisoner • That in "his Pocket book was found a Commission signed by Gonl. How to " Major Rogers empowering him to raise a Battalion of Rangers with the " Bank of Lieut Col …

" We received a letter of the 1st inst., from the "Sub-committee of your County, relative to the " conduct of the people of Bye ; and the Congress "have directed me to recommend to your Com- " mittee to make an immediate and strict inquiry "into the matters to which the letter refers, and " to take the examinations on oath of the witnesses; and if you find satisfactory reasons …

The suggestion which was made in this letter, that those of the revolutionary faction, in Westchestercounty, whose safety was imperiled by the threats of their conservative and law-abiding neighbors, should go before the King's Magistrates and ask that the latter should be put under bonds to keep the peace towards the former, was received with disfavor by Isaac Sears, of New …

* This remarkable suggestion, that those, in Westchester-county, who were in rebellion, and who were threatened with arrest by those of their neighbors who were not in rebsllion, should go before the King's Justices of the Peace, and ask that those loyal inhabitants who were inclined to support the Home and Colonial Governments and the Laws and to arrest those who were in …

The Provincial Congress had continued in session, closely withdrawn from the sight of its constituents, until the eighth of July, 1 when it had taken a fortnight's rest, during which period a "Committee of "Safety " was left on duty, with large authority, to administer the affairs of the new organization. 2 On the twenty-sixth of July, it had resumed its work, continuing it …