Revolutionary War

April 10, 2016

Traitors in Kingston

 

18th century gallows

“Old Ulster Tories”

Excerpted from Olde Ulster: An Historical and Genealogical Magazine, October 1906

 The Clinton papers contain many accounts of courts-martial to to try Tories.  A number were convicted and sentenced to confinement and a less number to the gallows but only two suffered capital punishment for their offenses.  These were Jacob Middagh and Jacobus Roosa, who were hung on May 12, 1777.  They had been scouring the county for recruits for the British army and promising all manner of pecuniary reward to those whom they could delude into stealing through the American lines to take service in the ranks of the king.  When captured they were piloting quite a company over mountain and through woodland paths to the same service.  They received three dollars in gold therefor and were to have an allotment of the lands of the patriots when the latter were subdued.

Years ago a question arose as to the spot upon which Roosa and Middagh had pad the extreme penalty of the law.  The late Charles McEntee some eighty years ago interviewed Abraham Slecht regarding his recollections of the burning of Kingston.  Slecht was a young man of twenty-two on that October day of 1777 and had watched the landing of the troops of Vaughan from his father’s house on the south side of Rondout creek and had followed in their rear up the hill of Rondout.  His description was that he first caught sight of the burned town from the two big pines upon which the Tories had been hanged.  The stone houses seemed still standing until after he had crossed the intervening plain, when he found that what he had seen were but the naked walls of the burned buildings.  When asked where those pines stood he replied that they were where the wooded knolls ended and the sandy, open plain began along the road from the Strand to Kingston, and located them on the knoll in the O’Reilly grove opposite the Kingston entrance to the present City Hall.

It is probable that Roosa and Middagh, leaders though they were in deluding the rabble and selling them to the British service, might have had their punishment commuted to imprisonment as was done to the others, had public sentiment not been so strong.  Had none suffered the extreme punishment lynch laws would have assaulted the jail and Fleet Prison for victims.  Official documents give evidence of this.

Barber and Howe’s “Historical Collections of the State of New York” published many years ago, in speaking of this execution says:

“Judge Hasbrouck, of Kingston, who was at this time a lad, says that two of them were hung on the first hill from the landing.  It appears that these unfortunate men expected to be reprieved; when they drew near the gallows and saw the preparations for their execution they became overwhelmed with a sense of their awful situation and exclaimed: ‘Oh, Heer!  vergeeveen onze sonde!’ (Oh, Lord! forgive our sin!)  The father of Judge Hasbrouck, one of the principal men of the place, although a firm friend of the American cause, was opposed to the execution, and suffered much anguish of mind on account of these harsh and bloody measures.  These men, although Tories, were persons of respectability, who had families.  Between twenty and thirty royalists who were taken up, enlisted in the American army and thus saved their lives.”

The cost of the execution was paid by the Council of Safety.  The bill rendered for the services is a curiosity:

1777 May 13th – The State of New York

To Collo. Jacob Hoornbeek for executing

Jacobus Rosa and Jacob Medeagh

To Disguising the Hangman and other Necessaries……………                     £4.0.0

To 2 Coffins……………………………………………………                     3.0.0

To paid to persons to Bury the above Criminals………………                     1.0.0

To John McKneel for Erecting the Gallows &c……………….                    1.0.0

To Jacobus Louw for Disguising the Hangman and other Necessaries            0.10.0

To money Expended for Collo. Hoornbeck for

himself & Egbert Dumond (the Sheriff) in

attending said Execution……………………                                2.0.6

 

The above account is just and true

By me, Jacob Hoornbeck

In Council of Safety &c. Sept’r 3d, 1777 – ordered that the above Acct. be referred to the Auditor Gen’l that the audit the same for payment –

Rob’t Benson, Secr’y

Audited and paid Sept. 3, 177

 

The following is from the Revolutionary Papers, State of New York, Vol. II

 To the Honorable the Convention of the State of New York

            The Humble Petition of Jacobus Rose and Jacob Midah, two unhappy Prisoners, was by order of your House under sentence to be Hanged this Day Most Humbly Showeth,

That altho their Consciences doth not in the least accuse them of being Guilty of any sin against God or their Country, by doing what they are condemned to suffer Death for, yet your Petitioners are heartily sorry for having incurr’d the Displeasure of your House in so sensible a manner.  That as sinfull men it is an awfull and Dreadfull thought to be so suddenly sent to Eternity without any time to Repent of the Sins of our past Lives, and to make our peace with that God who must finally judge us all for the Deeds done in the flesh, that therefore to prepare for this great and awfull trial your Petitioners most Humbly beg they may have a Repsite of a few Days, and your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall in the mean while earnestly pray.

Jacobus Rose

Jacob (his mark) Midagh

Kingston, May 13, 1777

Petition Rejected

 

 

October 7, 2013 Image

Revolutionary War letter: June 29, 1777

Revolutionary War letter: June 29, 1777

Letter to Peter Van Gaasbeek in Kingston from Col. Jacobus Bruyn at Fort Montgomery, June 29, 1777. Bruyn was also a Kingston native, but was defending Ft. Montgomery in the Hudson Highlands in June of 1777. Just 4 months after this letter was written, on October 6, 1777, Bruyn was captured at the Battle of Fort Montgomery and held prisoner on board a British prison ship almost until the end of the War.

Dear Sir
As I was enumerating the many Circumstances, that seem to conspire against my Peace in this Life, it struck my mind that in some of my Observations for this While past I had Reason to suspect an Indifference in your Behaviour to me, which I must confess (tho’ I scorn an Intimacy without mutual Attraction) gave me no little concern when I considered that the same might have arose either from a wrong Construction of Appearances or some Artifice of treacherous and deluding Persons; but having carefully perused your favour of the 29th Ul.t wherein you have fully testifyed the Sincerity of your Regard, I think I should be unworthy a place in your Esteem, did I not in some manner retaliate the good Offices you have lately done me and which I cannot avoid assuring you have in a great Measure contributed to any comfortable Satisfaction ~ I should enlarge a good deal upon this Subject with an Addition of my own Sentiments respecting some matters Matters in which you have been lately entrusted as a Confident and which tell then I could not be justifiable in communicating, but here I must beg your Pardon and break of 10th it, as I am just now furnished with a Letter directed to me by Capt. Jansen, upon Perusal of which I am much surprized to find that that Gentlemen disregarding all his Protestations of sincere Friendship (not to mention his blackguard Language) has so far forgot himself as to deviate from those Principles of Truth Honor and Equity which I ever expected would have marked his conduct as a gentleman if not that of a Friend But to say no more till I have further Satisfaction respecting the Matter I shall conclude with my Respects to Miss Blandma if that will not be too much of a trouble and accept of the same yourself
From your Friend
and humble Sv’t
Ja’s Bruyn

October 4, 2013 Image

Kingston in the Revolution

Kingston in the Revolution 1777

May 3, 1777
George Clinton, Brigadier General in the Continental Army and soon-to-be first Governor of New York, drafted a letter to the Provincial Convention of New York which, unbeknownst to him, helped seal the fate of Kingston during te t tumultuous year of 1777 in the American Revolution. The letter, in part, read, “The conduct of many of these traitors was so daring and insolent that a sudden and severe example seems to me absolutely necessary to deter others from the commission of like crimes.” The “conduct” mentioned was rallying New Yorkers to join the British in the fight against rebellious citizens who dared to take up arms against the King. The “sudden and severe example” that the Convention agreed upon was hanging the guilty parties from a gallows erected near where the current City Hall stands on Broadway in Kingston. The unfortunate men: Jacobus Rose, Jacob Middagh and seven other men Rose and Middagh enlisted to serve the King. Rose and Middagh were just two of many convicted of treason that May, 1777 at Fort Montgomery, in the Hudson Highlands, and sent to Kingston There they were sentenced to swing from the gallows by the neck until dead. Records indicate Rose and Middagh swung alone on May 13, 1777. Some of their counterparts were “recommended for mercy” and others were sent to prison instead. (A receipt dated May 13, 1777 of expenses paid for the execution names only Rose and Middagh as actually being hanged and shows the execution cost the state 11 pounds, 16 shillings). This little-known event took place five months before British General John Vaughan and his navy troops reached the mouth of the Esopus Creek, disembarked, then proceeded to burn the town to the ground.
Did the public executions of Rose and Middagh in Kingston have something to do with the total conflagration of this city by the British on October 16, 1777? Seems likely. Justifying his actions after the burning, General Vaughan is quoted in a letter to British Lieutenant- General Sir Henry Clinton describing Kinston as “a Town notorious for harbouring the most rebellious People in that Part of the Country.” It was no secret that at the time Kingston did not tolerate loyalty to the King and in fact, treated it harshly. Documents miraculously preserved from the time tell us so. It was also no secret that a radical new governing idea, a government for the PEOPLE, was being shaped in the back room of Abraham Van Gaasbeek’s house here in Kingston. And likewise, it was no secret that the
rebels were attempting to put into operation “one of the best constitutions and State governments that has ever been framed.” Talk about defiance. It is no wonder that in Vaughan’s opinion, the rebels in Kingston were provoking him.
Throughout the summer, all along the Hudson River towns were preparing for the worst. Provisions were being stored, government meetings were being held in secrecy, batteries of artillery were being erected and there was an overall feeling of great anxiety. At this time, George Clinton was elected Governor of the State of New York which brought about new responsibilities for the General. He was now responsible for raising troops to assist wherever needed in the state. There were not enough soldiers to cover areas most threatened, and to make matters worse, on August 1st , Albany appealed to New Englanders: “Is our Country to be laid waste, the Friends of America to be banished from their Homes, their all to be sacrificed at a Time when it is in our power (if we will Unite) to Crush the Invaders in such a manner that perhaps will prevent their making any future attempts?” On August 2nd, Clinton writes to General Ten Broeck, “Indeed every Man that can bear arms must on this Occasion be brought to the Field…” He clearly recognized the dangerous situation surrounding him and continually exerted every effort to ensure the safety of every corner of the state. But the British were on a roll, destroying towns, attacking forts and creating widespread panic all over New England, especially New York and the Hudson Valley.
The Hudson Valley had every reason to panic. A major force under British General John Vaughan was sweeping through the valley, claiming lives and victories at Fort Ticonderoga, Fort Schuyler, Fort Defiance and Oriskany. Skirmishes ensued around every corner. These American defeats prompted General Schuyler in Albany to write to Clinton in Kingston, “If Burgoyne gets to Albany, our State is gone in all its extent; for the people who would not turn out to prevent the enemy from penetrating will not be able to do it when they are got in.” This was obviously a difficult thing for the Governor of the state to digest. Clinton reacted by calling out more reinforcements from all over, including Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut. But the Council of Safety in New York remained panic-stricken and sent Clinton a less-than-uplifting letter stating that “In
this situation, Sir, nothing but our own exertions and the divine favor can extricate us…and if our Neighbors, if the Grand Army, if the whole Continent determine that our little mutilated state shall bear the weight of the American War…let us brave the Danger which they will not enable us to repel.” And brave the danger they did. The American forces held fast at every point, took their blows and after a few victories of their own, began to believe that this enemy was not invincible. In fact, after a major victory at Saratoga for the Americans in October, it was now time to consider calling in some assistance to strengthen the army, which came by way of France. With renewed vigor and help on the way, the Americans continued to fight and plot movements of troops to attempt to counter every attack the British tried to make.
So, what was Kingston the Capitol of New York doing during this chaotic time? As mentioned before, secret, defiant meetings to define and shape a new government were still being held in Van Gaasbeek’s house; Tories were still being tried, convicted and executed; men and women were busy gathering their belongings and preparing to flee an attack they feared was imminent. Forts Montgomery and Clinton, further down the river in the Hudson Highlands, were also bracing for an attack which came late in the day on October 6. Both forts were taken by the British, but not without a fight. According the British Commodore Hotham, “The loss on the Enemy’s side is not yet exactly known, but they are supposed to have had about 100 killed and 250 taken prisoners. The greatest Loss on the Side of the King’s Troops are about 40 killed, among whom are some valuable Officers…” According to Nathaniel Webb, and Officer of the Second New York Regiment, “There were not more than 600 men to defend ye two forts against near 3,000. The Americans were grossly outnumbered. Gouverneur Morris, defending the Americans who defended the forts wrote, “The Militia behaved as well as men could do. We shall beat them.” After the defeat in the Highlands, General Vaughan, who led the attacks, was confident he could continue on to assist General Burgoyne at Saratoga, who badly needed him at this point. But first Vaughan had a visit to pay.
Over a week later, on the morning of October 16, Vaughan’s fleet of British ships anchored just north of the mouth of the Esopus Creek. Claiming he was cannonaded by a breastworks just thrown up on shore in Ponckhockie, Vaughan ordered his troops to storm the town and lay it in ashes, which they did. Finally, the rebellious, defiant Captiol of New York would be silenced. Vaughan left Kingston the victor. Or was he? While proceeding up the Hudson with the lingering smell of smoke still in the air, Vaughan received word that Burgoyne was forced to surrender at Saratoga. This single victory was enough for the Americans to believe that suddenly this was a war they could win. It took 5 more long years and thousands of lives before the Americans could claim ultimate victory in the war and the states could become truly united. The radical idea of freedom and justice for all prevailed. And that defiant Captiol city that burned for its rebellious intentions was immediately rebuilt and today continues to be a reminder that the freedom we enjoy came at a tremendous price

(Photo: Vandenburgh-Hasbrouck House, Green Street, Kingston, New York)

October 2, 2013

The Burning of Kingston

I will begin posting primary source documents pertaining to Kingston during the Revolutionary War starting tomorrow!  Stay tuned through the month of October, where you will read first-hand accounts of the British invasion of the Hudson River Valley, ending with the burning of Kingston on October 16th!  You won’t want to miss this 🙂

October 2, 2013 Image

Transcript from Harry Rigby’s WGHQ radio show, “What’s the Answer,” April 18, 1960

Harry Rigby, Jr.’s, “What’s the Answer” April 18, 1960

It had been a momentous Spring in that year of 1782, even more pregnant with promise than the blessed Spring usually is!
Nature, as usual, had awakened from her long Winter dormancy and had breathed new life into all the green things that promised warmth and a full belly in the few short months to come. New entities were being launched for the first time in this world in the form of the seedlings and saplings whose lives were truly new and not just renewed.
Nature, however, took second billing to men and freedom’s work in America…and particularly in the Hudson Valley…on a notable 19th of April of 1782. The eight thousand ragged, hungry and disillusioned men encamped along the low line of hills back of Newburgh were ordered to pass in review on the parade ground before the Temple of Virtue that morning. It was the eighth anniversary of the Battle of Lexington and Concord, the battle that had proved to be the powder-train leading to rebellion, a rebellion that a few of these same miserable soldiers had embarked upon with zest, enthusiasm and chivalrous high ideals. Eight long years of hunger, defeat after defeat, bone-chilling cold without clothing or shoes enough to keep the cold out, and now sullen muttering about the ingratitude of a people for their privations and a threat to mutiny and seize the government to enforce pay arrearages and a future proper regard for the military as the saviours of their country, had taken much of the bloom off the high ideals. Consequently, the demeanor of the men was cynical and slovenly. The old solider quenched the enthusiasm of the recruit with a curl of his lip and, with a splat of tobacco juice planted neatly two paces before ranks, the remark that in all probability the Commander-in-Chief was merely using the anniversary to make another appeal to their flagging spirits.
“B’God, ‘taint goin’ to work forever, not even for ol’ George Washington, ‘taint”, said the old veteran. Then, as General Washington appeared with his staff, the oldtimer nudged the recruit by his side and hissed out of the side of his mouth, “Straighten up,
sonny, and leastways try and look like a soldier! If ‘ol George is goin’ to take more of their guff, leastways you an’ I are goin’ to stick it out with him!”

General Washington gravely unrolled a parchment roll, reached for the spectacles he had been forced to assume for reading within the last month, and started to read to a patently disinterested army.
Before he was half-way through, an electric thrill passed through the massed ranks of men before him. Within a moment, figuratively, the rags and marks of privation had dropped from them, and the esprit de corps of a crack military unit had been restored to the steadfast ranks. Within another moment, huzza upon huzza resounded from the encircling hills and the order of dismissal was shouted, and order already disregarded as hardened men, tears of joy streaming from their eyes, pounded each other upon the back.
It was over! The army that had never really won a battle had won a war! A few days before, the French ship, “Triomphe” docking at Philadelphia had brought the news that on the 20th of January, the Treaty of Paris had been signed, recognizing the independence of America by the British Crown and the sovereignty of the new nation over all lands from the Canadian border to the Floridas and west to the fortst in the Ohio country.
Now, at long last, the swards could be beat into plowshares and the Spring had new meaning to the countryman poorly masquerading under each ragged uniform.