Part 10

“_Sir_--Yours of yesterday is just come to hand in answer to which we would inform you that Robert Townsend, the son of Samuel Townsend, Esqr. is appointed commissary for the troops under your command, of which we beg you will give him the earliest notice, and that we have made application to Genl. Washington for the regiments under the command of Cols. Smith and Remsen to join you; he assured our committee that he would issue out orders immediately for that purpose, and we expect that they are upon the spot by this time....”

General Woodhull replied to this in a letter addressed to the Honourable the Convention of the State of New York, at Harlem, which is as follows:

“JAMAICA, August, 27, 1776.

“_Gentlemen_, I am now at Jamaica with less than one hundred men; having brought all the cattle from the westward southward of the hills, and have sent them off with the troops of horse, with orders to take all the rest eastward of this place to and eastward of Hempstead plains, and to put them into the fields, and set a guard over them. The enemy I am informed are intrenching from the heights near Howard’s, southward. I have now received yours, with several resolutions, which I wish was in my power to put in execution; but, unless Cols. Smith and Remsen, mentioned in yours, join me with their regiments, or some other assistance, immediately, I shall not be able; for the people are all moving east, and I cannot get any assistance from them. I shall continue here as long as I can, in hopes of a reinforcement; but if none comes soon, I shall retreat, and drive the stock before me, into the woods. Cols. Smith and Remsen I think can not join me. Unless you can send me some other assistance, I fear I shall soon be obliged to quit this place. I hope soon to hear from you. I am, gentlemen, Your most obedient humble servt.

“NATHL. WOODHULL.”

The next mention of Samuel Townsend will be found in the minutes of the Committee of Safety, dated

HARLEM, Augt. 29, 1776.

The Committee of Safety met.

Colo. Phenehas Fanning waited on the Committee with a letter from Colo. Josiah Smith, colonel of the drafts of the militia of Suffolk, Queens and Kings counties, stationed at Brookland, in Kings county, informing the Committee that his regiment is ordered by Genl. Washington to withdraw from Long Island, and wait the further orders of the Convention of this State. Thereupon it was

Ordered, That Colo. Josiah Smith do, with all possible despatch, march his regiment to Horn’s Hook, there to receive further orders from Mr. Samuel Townsend and Major Lawrence and that he apply to the Commissary-General for five day’s provisions, and to the Quarter-Master-General for baggage wagons, it being of the utmost consequence that his regiment should march without delay. And

Resolved, That Mr. Samuel Townsend and Major Lawrence be requested and authorized to attend the regiment commanded by Colo. Smith, in order to supply the said regiment with provisions, and to devise the most safe and expeditious means of transporting the said regiment from Long island; and that they be authorized and impowered to impress horses, wagons, boats, vessels, &c. for that purpose, for the payment of which, and every other necessary expense, this Committee pledge the public faith.

Ordered, That the Treasurer of this State pay to Mr. Samuel Townsend and Major Lawrence the sum of one hundred pounds, to be by them accounted for to the Convention of this State. [p. 601]

James Townsend, uncle of Robert Townsend, who with John Sloss Hobart attempted to make a stand at Huntington, addressed a letter from there to the Provincial Congress on August 30th, which in part reads:

“_Gentlemen_--To our unspeakable mortification, we found when we arrived in Queens county, that the militia had dispersed, and General Woodhull had fallen into the hands of the enemy. We then proceeded with all despatch to this town as the only place where we could have any prospect of making an effectual stand, as the enemy were in full possession of the western parts of that county as far as Jamaica, and the disaffected from the east were gone in to them. Though we were not authorized for the purpose by Convention, we have taken upon ourselves to order out the militia of the county to rendezvous here, and have wrote to Col. Mulford at East Hampton, to come up and take the command, as he is now the senior officer in the brigade.... We shall direct the commissary to furnish the militia with provisions....”

Only a few more days on Long Island remained for the faithful followers of Washington and the army. On September 16th, a lone individual passed the spot where Townsend and Hobart had attempted to make a stand only seventeen days before. It was Nathan Hale on his way to a glorified martyrdom.

FOOTNOTES to “TOWNSEND’S PERSONALITY”:

[25] There is but a single recorded instance when Samuel was treated roughly by the British. It was written for posterity in 1876 by Solomon Townsend, his grandson, who was a nephew of Robert Townsend, and is as follows:

“I am induced to pen these lines that the record of the arrest of Saml. Townsend may be transmitted to another centennial as faithfully as is possible under the light of the testimony of those who were eye witnesses of the scene--and from whose lips the narrator heard it.

“On a bright September afternoon in the year 1776, a troop of horse whose helmets were just before seen reflected in the sun’s rays as they galloped down South Street wheeled up in front of the house of Jacob Townsend--whose daughter Thomas Buchanan had wedded--and enquired for Saml. Townsend. They were directed to the next house, upon the piazza of which that gentleman was seated.

“He had been 30 years a Magistrate, and then a Member of the Colonial Assembly and was then one of the Provincial Congress, Committee of Safety, and of the Convention that was deliberating upon the first Constitution of this State--that of 1777--wherein the mind of John Jay, and other distinguished Statesmen, was said to have outlined the Constitution of the United States as inaugurated at Philadelphia a dozen years later.

“The subaltern in command--asked whether ‘Sam’ Townsend was home and the reply being ‘I am the man,’ with great discourtesy--accompanied with an oath, directed him to get himself ready to accompany them to the Provost (the Prison Ships, &c.) at New York. Mr. T. hoped they would wait till he had time to send a servant to an outlot for a saddle horse, a request that was rudely yielded with another blasphemous expression.

“During this brief delay--the young upstart strutted over the Hall, taking from one of the mantels a fowling piece and shattering it, denying the right of a rebel to have in possession even such a weapon. In the parlor the Portrait of Capt. Solomon Townsend--taken in Portugal in 1772--when in command of one of Mr. Buchanan’s ships--the Glasgow--attracted the young martinet’s attention, and he expressed his regret that it was not in his power to wreak the vengeance of his superiors upon him also.

“Whilst these scenes were enacting within doors, and Mr. Townsend’s wife and his young daughters--Sarah and Phebe, were almost frantic at the rudeness exhibited towards the venerated husband and parent--the neighbors collected in front and when the agony of the family was witnessed, their sympathy even to tears was excited, Tories as most of them were in their political affiliations. My authority--outside the family for this incident (Miss Elizabeth Wooden, deceased some 20 years), and whose family took the Tory side--said that altho’ among the crowd of neighbors were some of the instigators of the arrest--they claimed that Mr. Townsend was not regarding his pledged word to remain neutral--when they witnessed their really loved and respected neighbor torn from his family under such painful circumstances, openly regretted that their political animosity had contributed to produce so sad a scene.

“Provided with only a change of clothing, Mr. T. was soon taken by the Troop on their way to the superior officer whose quarters were then in the vicinity of Jericho. On ascending the hill at the southern terminus of ‘Pine-hollow’--then and long afterwards known as the ‘Great Hill,’ Mr. and Mrs. Buchanan in their Phaeton and Miss Audrey, Mr. Townsend’s eldest daughter met them--Mr. Buchanan at once enquired into the surprising circumstances, and taking the saddle horse of Miss Townsend--sent the ladies home, whilst he accompanied the cavalcade on the route. Arrived at the quarters of the superior officer he became responsible to the extent of several thousand pounds, that the prisoners should be produced upon a notice of six hours.

“The two gentlemen then returned to their homes reaching the village at a late hour of the evening and thus allaying the alarm and distress of their families.

“To illustrate how even the gentler members of the family were made to feel the rudeness, or as Colonel Simcoe afterwards wrote in his Valentine to one of them, ‘the Iron Spear of War,’ when the Troopers noticed that Miss Townsend rode a fine animal--they insultingly enquired of her how she dared to appear thus, without the Tory badge or escutcheon upon its ear--she replied, she preferred riding her own petted filly as it was.

“The kindness of Mr. Buchanan was returned to him by the continuance of business prosperity, and finally when a boat lay at the foot of Wall St. with all his moveable worldly goods ready to take his family to Nova Scotia--and the property of those of his own political associates was being daily confiscated or attached by the New York Legislature, then in session at the head of Wall St., none rose to move the seizure of that of the noble hearted merchant, Thomas Buchanan, Tory, as he might be called.”

[26] After the date below Samuel Townsend carried an Oath of Allegiance, in form as follows:

_Certificate from Judge Hicks_

This is to certify that Samuel Townsend hath submitted to government and taken the oath of allegiance to his Majesty King George this 10th Sept. 1776 before me.

WHITEHEAD HICKS, One of the Judges of the Supr. Court.

[27]

NEW YORK, July 12, 1776.

_Gentlemen_:--We have conferred with the General concerning the removal of stock back again to the pastures from whence they were driven; he was much chagrinned at the proposal and absolutely refused to consent, mentioning the unhappy consequences of not seasonably removing the stock from Staten Island. He is of opinion that all means should be used with the utmost expedition to remove the stock from Long Island, for which he promises to give all necessary assistance. We are of the same opinion, and hope your House will not lose a moment in giving peremptory orders concerning a matter of such vast importance. We are just informed by General Putnam, that one of Lord Howe’s fleet arrived yesterday: the utmost dispatch is necessary. We need use no arguments: the affairs at Staten Island being fresh in your minds. We are gentlemen, your humble servants,

ABRM. KETALTAS, SAML. TOWNSEND, JOHN BROOM.

SPIES AND SPIES

As Culper Junior, the spy, the most trying period in the career of Robert Townsend was now approaching. British officers had been quartered at his parents’ home at Oyster Bay for the past four years. His sisters made life agreeable for all,[28] and saved their none too complacent parent from the wrath of many a would-be enemy. Hannah, his first cousin and neighbor, had already married Major Joseph Green, of the British Army. His sister Sarah had received from Colonel Simcoe a Valentine and other tokens of esteem.[29] Sir William Erskine had been entertained at Simcoe’s headquarters in their home, and Major André had upon several occasions visited Colonel Simcoe there and was treated almost as one of the family. Sarah had frequently furnished her brother with important information, but now she must have sensed that something unusual was about to happen. Inquiries were being made about the shores of the Hudson in the vicinity of West Point, and, thinking himself unobserved, a supposed Whig from that section had entered the house and concealed in a little-used cupboard a letter. Sarah examined it as soon as he had slipped out. It seemed to be only a business letter addressed to James Anderson, but she determined to watch its fate. Later Major André entered the room. He searched through the closets and when he came to the letter hastily concealed it upon his person without examining it, and, taking a dish of doughnuts that were still hot from the fire, he hid them as an excuse for entering the forbidden precincts of the kitchen. Later, Sarah, by listening to a whispered conversation in Colonel Simcoe’s room,[30] could distinguish the words West Point, repeated several times.

[Illustration]

A note to her brother Robert was hastily written. Captain Daniel Youngs, of the British Army, a lifelong friend, was sent for. He was told they were out of a certain kind of tea she would need for her party the following evening. It was to be had at her brother’s store in New York and a messenger must be sent for it at once. Always accommodating, even though he had to wait nearly three years before he received on April 1, 1783, £200, and July 16, £200, in all over $1000 in hard money for his services, a horse and rider was furnished and before night closed, Robert Townsend was in possession of his sister’s information. It was on its way to Setauket the next morning,[31] crossed the Sound between midnight and daylight, and soon Benjamin Tallmadge had the puzzling message. He had been impatiently waiting for it, having returned from special service for the purpose of keeping an engagement with Brewster.

In the absence of Major Tallmadge others had opened a letter addressed to him from Benedict Arnold. It accompanied supplies they were sadly in need of, the receipt of which made them feel under particular obligation to him. Tallmadge’s anxiety for the messengers who were crossing the Sound gave him little opportunity to examine Arnold’s letter and he had almost forgotten about it when Brewster and his companions arrived. It seemed so probable that the stain letters contained vital information that Tallmadge fortunately decided to translate them as he had the preceding ones. In them he read that British officers at Oyster Bay were talking about West Point, and had received under suspicious circumstances a letter from there addressed to Mr. John Anderson.

Major Tallmadge was still working on a mysterious series of letters that was passing between Rhode Island and DeLancey in New York. General Washington had written saying “I applaud your zeal and attention” and added “I am sufficiently apprized of the circumstances to prevent his doing any injury.... Keep the matter to yourself as far as practicable.”

* * * * *

Until Major Tallmadge found an opportunity to read General Arnold’s letter there was little significance in the intelligence from Culper Junior that British officers were talking about West Point and receiving letters addressed to a Mr. Anderson, but when he read the paragraph in the letter from our General at West Point

“If Mr. James Anderson,[32] a person I expect from New York should come to your quarters, I have to request that you will give him an escort of two Horse to bring him on his way to this place, and send an express to me that I may meet him. If your business will permit I wish you to come with him. B. ARNOLD.”[33]

the suspicious circumstances at once impressed him. However, perhaps because of General Washington’s advice he betrayed no hint of this in his reply to Arnold. In fact he agreed to conduct Mr. Anderson to West Point. Had he later insisted upon Jameson permitting him to do so Arnold might have been captured as well as André. Extracts from Major Tallmadge’s letter to Arnold read:

LOWER SALEM, Septr. 21, 1780.

_Sir._ I had the Honor last evening to receive your favor of the 13th inst. It arrived here in due season, and as I was absent on Command by special Directions of His Excellency Genl. Washington, the letter was opened and the instructions therein contained I trust have been duly attended to.... I expect to join Col. Jameson immediately, and should Mr. Anderson come to my Qrs. I will do the needful, and shall be very happy to wait on him to Hd.Qrs.... I have also just received an accurate return of the Enemy, so far as respects their Corps and the Posts they occupy. If you have not the present distribution of the Enemies forces, I can give it to you from the best authority, and taken on the spot. The Express is now waiting. I have no time to add, save that I am, with Every Sentiment of Esteem, Sir, your most Obedt. Servt.

BENJ. TALLMADGE.

Major Tallmadge was on tour, endeavoring to discover the intentions of the enemy when Paulding and his companions brought a man to Headquarters they declared to be a spy. John Jameson, of the Second Regiment, Light Dragoons, was commanding officer at that time, and promptly dispatched the prisoner under guard to Benedict Arnold at West Point. He was well on his way when Major Tallmadge returned that evening, but, learning that the prisoner’s name was Anderson and that he had information from West Point, he insisted upon Jameson ordering his return. Reluctantly he consented, but would not recall the messenger that was carrying the information to Arnold.[34] That “John Anderson” acknowledged his real name to be Major André, Adjutant-General to the British Army, and that on the 2d of October, 1780, he was hanged as a spy, are facts well known to all. Major Tallmadge’s comment in his “Memoirs” is:

“I might enlarge greatly in anecdotes relating to this momentous event in our revolutionary war. Some things relating to the detention of André, after he had been sent to General Arnold, are purposely omitted.... I have deliberately concluded never to disclose the circumstances which relate to that interesting event.”

General Greene, in announcing the discovery of Arnold’s treason[35] on September 24, 1780, stated:

“The Providential Train of Circumstances which led to it affords the most convincing Proofs that the Liberties of America are the Object of Divine Protection.”

FOOTNOTES to “SPIES AND SPIES”:

[28] About ninety years ago a remarkable letter was written by a prominent member of the Townsend family, then residing in Albany. It was addressed to another member of the family and was not to be made public. The writer had journeyed to Oyster Bay to interview Mrs. Elizabeth Titus, who had seen Washington three times and knew every member of the Townsend family. There had been two attempts made to destroy this letter, before it reached the Long Island Collection, by

## parties who did not know its value. Once it had actually been thrown

into the fire, but other letters surrounded it so compactly that it would not burn. A rag-picker put the package in his bag and later disposed of those letters that were not scorched. It overthrows some family traditions, but helps to confirm the Culper documents. Extracts from it follow:

“Our conversation opened by reference to your resemblance to our ancestor Samuel, and by an easy transition fell upon the loves of our excellent aunts of Oyster Bay. Sarah Thorne has stated that Aunt Sarah was the magnet which attracted Winzingeroda. Mrs. Titus thinks this cannot be. Aunt Sarah she says, was beloved by every one, a polite way, you know, of insinuating that no one took her in the full meaning of the word. She thinks too that not Winzingeroda but a brother lieutenant, Ocksie, was the great admirer of Aunt Phebe; he wrote a piece of verse, it appears, on the loss of a bow of ribbon from her shoe.

“These gentlemen belonged to the corps of Yagers, which esteemed itself above the Hessians. Lewis deWurmb was the Colonel and commanded the Island. Mrs. Titus remembers seeing him frequently at her father-in-law’s at Westbury--She recollects a couple of officers besides lieutenants like the pair above--one of the name of Schoeffer, the other’s name was pronounced like our Shaker. Wurmb and all his officers were men popular with the islanders for their unassuming and courteous demeanour towards them. On the contrary, Simcoe and his Rangers, a corps composed of recreant Americans, were universally detested, especially the chief. The British troops were of course in great part withdrawn from the Island in summer to enter into active field operations. In winter Flushing used to overflow with troops--It was customary to detail daily a number to Bayside and the neighborhood, generally rejoining their respective corps at night in the village from fear of the whalers. Mrs. Titus remembers the 17th Light Horse, thirty or forty of whom would often come down to her father’s, turn their horses into his meadows, and invade and occupy the kitchen without saying a word. Once Joseph Lawrence presumed to remonstrate against their digging potatoes, and was peremptorily arrested and sent to learn better manners towards British Troops in Judge Hicks bars. Commonly the officers were polite, and it was by no means unusual for them to be invited to partake of the family dinner.

“The ‘Friends to the country’ were few--Joseph Lawrence and others of his name and family on the neck--the Townsends of Oyster Bay--Samuel and Dr. James particularly--and the Onderdonks at Hempstead or the Harbour. Whenever they used to hear of the escapes of their country men on the main they contrived to gather in each other’s houses, and find in their joy and mutual congratulations at such auspicious news some consolation for the hardships and the suspense they had to endure on account of their insulated position.

“Mrs. Titus remembers seeing Washington at three distinct periods. When he came through New York on his way to take command of the army. He landed at the Battery, and stepping into a sulky drove through ‘the fields,’ escorted by a few horse. Mrs. T. went with her father to the top of Beekman street to see him. He was dressed in a plain suit of drab. Her next sight of him was obtained in the same city a few days after the British troops evacuated the place. Her third and last she enjoyed at the time of the inauguration.”

[29] Before the first local history was printed J. Fenimore Cooper helped to immortalize in fiction, Sarah and her Valentine, in the closing chapter of _The Spy_.(142)