125. Some young Tories, one night, shortly after the British got possession of Newtown, sawed off the steeple of the Presbyterian church-a trick they tried at Jamaica, also. Some years after the peace, when a tall steeple in New-York was to be cut off and lowered, there was inquiry made for a skilful mechanic to perform so critical an operation. "Oh,” said Capt. Rutgers, "I know a person that will suit your purpose." "Who is it ?" 66 Why, Dr. M." "Oh, he is only a Doctor." "No matter for that, only give him a hand-saw and a well-rope, and he'll have it off while you are asleep." The Presbyterian church was first used as a prison and guard-house, and the pews taken out. At length the building was taken down and used for making huts on Renny's place. The pulpit pillar stood beside the town house as a horse post. "To such base uses may we come at last!" The Presbyterians had no preaching here, but attended Mr. Burnet's church at Jamaica. After the peace they used the Dutch church once a fortnight, which does not appear to have been molested. 126. Soldiers lay in various parts of Newtown beside the town spot. Those at Dutch Kills lay in three tiers on the rising ground, east of A. Paynter's. They came in the summer, before the evacuation. Their lines included a store, (now T. Paynter's,) from which they drank a hogshead of rum every three days. They would be fetching water nearly all day long from the spring below, an excellent one, being called St. George. Hessians were also billeted in houses at the Kills. Grenadiers, called Macaronis, from their neatness, also lay there. There was an encampment at Train's meadow, in front of Wm. Leverich's, on Wm. Palmer's land, (since Shaw's.) Near by, in the woods of Alburtis, (now Penfold's,) were barrels sunk in the ground for the reception of stolen articles. There was a large encampment on land of Andries Bragaw, (since Morrison's,) south of the road to Dutch Kills. The huts on Bragaw's and J. Morrell's land were 50 feet long, and made rectangular, thus: ], and open to the south, so as to admit the sun's rays and keep off the north-west wind. The outside was sodded up to the roof, (which was thatched,) the inner wall was of square hewn logs; in the centre was the parade. Some Hessians were hutted at D. S. Mills'. They had 40 or 50 huts dug in the side hill, sodded and covered with straw. They were the leavings of previous recruitings, and were puny little fellows, and died off in great numbers. In summer, the soldiers lay encamped in tents; in winter, in huts, or else billeted in farmers' kitchens. Each family was allowed one fire-place, and the officers fixed the number of soldiers to be billeted in each house, which was usually from 10 to 20. They had three tiers of hammocks, one above the other, ranged round the room, and made of boards stripped from some fence or outbuilding. 127. Sept. 29, '77, Gaine. $5 reward. Strayed or stolen from Samuel Nottingham, near the landing at the Kills, a grey horse. 128. Jan. 24, '78, Riv. 20s. sterling reward. Deserted from Capt. Galbreath's company, [Delancy's 3d battalion,] at Newtown, Jan. 13, Enos Blakely, born in Conn. 129. Jan. 26, 78, Gaine. An officer's sash taken from a straggler by an officer of Gen. Delancy's corps, now stationed at Newtown. 130. Sept. 30, '78, Riv. The petition of the Loyal Refugees on Long Island to the King's Commissioners, is left for signature with Col. Kirkland, who will attend at Mr. Rapalje's, [Inn, since Howard's,] Newtown.* * Gen. Warren was quartered at the house (now D. S. Jones') at English Kills; Major Humphreys, at the Town House; Col. Richmandt, a German, at W. Leverich's; Capt. Raymond, at D. V. Dyne's, (now D. S. Mills';) Major Tho's Barclay, at R. Berrian's, (now B. Denton's.) 131. Wanted, a Purser's Steward. Apply on Board the Grand Duke, off the Bowery, on L. I. Riv., Oct. 7, "78. 132. Oct. 19, 78, Gaine. The house of Joseph Hallet, near Newtown, was broken open on the night of Thursday last, by six persons, who took 10 guineas in a green purse, a gold and a silver watch. 133. Oct. 21, '78, Riv. Run away, a negro boy, &c. Any person who will bring him to the 17th regiment of dragoons, at Newtown, will receive 5 guineas reward. 134. Dec. 9, '78, Riv. Whereas, the safety of the city and the preservation of the shipping, require the wharves to be kept clear; all vessels intending to winter at New-York (not in service of government) are ordered to be removed to Newtown Creek. 135. Jan. 13, '79, Riv. $5 reward. Deserted from the 42d regiment at Newtown, James Docharty, wagoner: had on a grey duffil coat, white waistcoat and red breeches; also, John Steele, a negro, had on a short jacket, (private's uniform of 42d,) red waistcoat and brown trowsers. Owners of privateers and vessels are forewarned, &c. 136. Feb. 6, 79, Riv. Two guineas reward. Lost, between the guard house of the 42d regiment [now D. S. Mills'] and Newtown, a Pinchbeck watch, to which was fixed a seal, two keys, and two padlock keys, with a green silk string. 137. Feb. 17, 279, Riv. $5 reward. Run away from Bernardus Bloom, a negro Jeff, &c. All masters of vessels and others are desired not to harbor him, but at their peril. 138. $10 reward. Run away from Caspar Springsteen, April 23, '79, Charles, a negro of yellowish cast, and plays on the fiddle. Masters of vessels are cautioned not to carry him off, on pain of prosecution. 139. Riv., May 1, "79. Address presented by the principal inhabitants of Newtown, to Lieut. Col. Sterling, on the morning before he left his winter quarters : The inhabitants of Newtown beg leave to make their hearty and grateful acknowledgments to Col. Sterling, and the officers of the 42d regiment,* for their very equitable, polite and friendly conduct during their winter stay among them: they will ever entertain an affectionate esteem and regard for them, and will never forget that they have been treated with all the justice and cordiality due to fellow subjects and citizens. They, at the same time, request the favor of Col. Sterling to return their sincere thanks to the regiment in general, for their regular, orderly and honorable behavior, so conformable to the true character of gentlemen and soldiers. They part with the 42d regiment with regret, and wish them glory and success. April 28, '79. John Suydam, Wm. Van Dyne, Ja's Marr, Dow Van Dyne, Joseph Ford, Joseph Burroughs, Jona. W. Furman, Jacobus Ricker, Nath'l Moore, Col. S. replies, May 1, from on board the Nestor, transport. * Holt, March 1, '79. Thursday last, Elizabethtown was attacked by 1000 men from Long Island, part of the 42d and 33d regiments, com manded by Lt. Col. Sterling. [They marched through Newark Meadows to their middle in the mud.-Ed.] 140. Riv., July 16, "79. Desérted, from the horse department of the Royal artillery, from his command at Newtown, Richard Van Hausen, believed to have gone on board some privateer, or concealed for that purpose. 141. July 3, 79, Riv. On Tuesday last, a party of refugees from Long Island crossed to West Chester, and brought off, with the assistance of the guard ship below City Island, 50 milch cows, 12 or 14 horses, and 150 sheep, which they drove to Jamaica Plains. None of the party received any injury.* [* One morning, as the owner of a fine meadow arose, she found 15 horses turned in it to graze, which had been stolen from the Main. The British also crossed to the Main in the hard winter of 1780, and made the farmers bring over their hay on the ice to Long Island.-Ed.] 142. Aug. 23, '79, Gaine. Grammar school at Newtown. Thomas Lambert Moore is willing to perfect a few young gentlemen (in addition to those already with him) in English, Greek and Latin. They can board in good families on easy terms. References: Isaac Wilkins, Esq., Newtown, and Rev. Mr. Moore, New-York. 143. Sept. 5, 79, Gaine. $8 reward and no questions asked. Stolen or strayed, Aug. 12, out of Gen. [?] Grant's pasture, Fresh Ponds, a beaver colored horse, the property of Captain Grey, of the King's American regiment, [or Fanning's corps.] AB'M RAPALJE, Bushwick, AB'M RAPALJE, Newtown. Two guineas reward. Stolen or 144. May 20, '80, Riv. strayed from the light infantry camp, Hellgate, a brown mare, nag tail, &c. Capt. COOTE, 37th Light Company. |