More on Revolutionary War Patriot Philip Pell, Jr. of the Manor of Pelham

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

Philip Pell is one of the most illustrious citizens ever to have lived in Pelham. Born July 7, 1753, he was the eldest son of Philip and Gloriana (Treadwell / aka Tredwell) Pell.  He served as Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Continental Army (and, some have claimed, for a time, as Acting Judge Advocate General) during the Revolutionary War. He rode triumphantly with George Washington into Manhattan on Evacuation Day at the close of the War.  He served as a Delegate to the Continental Congress, a member of the New York State Assembly, a Regent of the University of the State of New York, and Surrogate of Westchester County. 

Philip Pell, Jr. lived in a home that he built near today's Colonial Avenue (the old Boston Post Road) and today's Cliff Avenue. The 1750 date stone from his home that no longer stands is embedded in the side of a monument to him standing next to today's Pelham Memorial High School.

The Homestead of Colonel Philip Pell, Jr. that Once Stood

Near Today's Colonial Avenue (the old Boston Post Road)

and Today's Cliff Avenue.  Source:  Montgomery, William R.

& Montgomery, Frances E., Colonel Philip Pell (1753-1811)

Abridged from "The Pells of Pelham," The Pelham Sun, Oct.

21, 1938, pg. 11, col. 3.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Granite and Bronze Memorial to Col. Philip Pell, Jr. on

Grounds of the Pelham Memorial High School.  Source:

Photograph by the Author, 2004.  NOTE:  Click on Image

to Enlarge.

There is an important summary of Philip Pell Jr.'s life prepared by David Osborn, Site Manager of St. Paul's Church National Historic Site where Philip Pell is buried with family members.  Released in July 2013, the summary concluded as follows:

"He died May 1, 1811, at age 57, followed by interment in the St. Paul's cemetery, near his brother and father, who had also served the cause of independenc.  In a fitting postscript to his Revolutionary odyssey, Pell's wartime friend the Marquis de Lafayette paid his respects at the marble stone behind St. Paul's as part of an 1824 commemorative tour of American Revolution sites."  

Source:  Osborn, David, Philip Pell:  Revolutionary War Leader, Last Member of the Continental Congress, National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior St. Paul's Church National Historic Site (visited Feb. 14, 2016).  

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog attempts to add to the body of research regarding Philip Pell, Jr. by providing images of a variety of Revolutionary War documents written in his hand.  In each instance I have provided a citation and link to the source, followed by a transcription of the handwritten text of the page.  Where necessary, I have added some commentary to provide context for the documents.

Page 1 of Two-Page Letter Dated May 17, 1777 from

Philip Pell, Jr., Deputy Judge Advocate, to John Laurence,

Judge Advocate, Confirming His Appointment as Deputy

Judge Advocate.  Source:  Fold3.com Digital Record Scanned

from Original in The National Archives (Paid Subscription

Required to Access Via This Link).  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Colonel John Laurence, to whom Philip Pell wrote this letter dated May 17, 1777, served as Judge Advocate General and may be best known for his examination on September 23, 1780 of British Major John André as an exposed spy.  The Continental Army hanged André as a spy on October 2, 1780 for assisting Benedict Arnold's attempted surrender of the fort at West Point to the British.   

"Peekskill 17th May 1777

Sir

The Honorable Brigadier General McDougall has been pleased to appoint me a Deputy Judge Advocate in this department; and he is himself dubious of the pay I am entitled to, and also of the Band I am to sustain, beg you'll be kind enough to inform me as soon as may be convenient, and you'll oblige 

your very Humble Servant

Philip Pell Junr.

N.B. please to direct your
letter to be left with Major Platt
at this place -- "

Page 2 of Two-Page Letter Dated May 17, 1777 from

Philip Pell, Jr., Deputy Judge Advocate, to John Laurence,

Judge Advocate, Confirming His Appointment as Deputy

Judge Advocate.  Source:  Fold3.com Digital Record Scanned

from Original in the National Archives (Paid Subscription Required

to Access Via this Link).  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

The single-page letter from Philip Pell, Jr. to Col. John Laurence, Judge Advocate General, dated May 17, 1777 was folded and apparently sealed with a wax impression.  On the outside of the folded letter (i.e., the back of the page) is written the address:

"To
John Lawrence Esq.
Judge Advocate General
at
Morris Town --"

Oath of Allegiance Executed by Phlip Pell, Jr., "Deputy

Judge Advocate in the Service of the United States" on

May 9, 1778.  Source:  Fold3.com Digital Record Scanned

from Original in The National Archives (Paid Subscription
Required to Access Via this Link).  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

On February 3, 1778 the Continental Congress enacted a congressional resolve that read:  "Resolved, That all officers of the army shall take and subscribe the foregoing oath or affirmation before the commander in chief, or any major general or brigadier general".  Journal of the Continental Congress, Vol. X, p. 115.  

On May 9, 1778, Deputy Judge Advocate General Col. Philip Pell, Jr. discharged his obligation to execute such an "oath or affirmation."  It reads as follows:

"I do hereby certify that Philip Pell Esq. Deputy Judge Advocate in the Service of the United States, in the  Northern Department.  -----

did take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America, as prescribed by a Resolve of Congress, bearing the date the 3d of February, 1778.

In Witness whereof, I have signed and delivered the present Certificate.  

Fish Kill May 9th 1778

Alex. McDougall
MGeneral"

As Deputy Judge Advocate General, of course, Philip Pell Jr.'s routine included responsibilities for dealing with General Court Martials -- of which there were many.  There were important matters, but some were routine, though interesting.  One such General Court Martial involved Amos Rose who had an altercation with an officer and raised his musket to fire just as a witness knocked it aside and saved the officer's life.  Philip Pell, Jr.'s official record of the proceeding details what happened, how the proceedings were conducted, and the results of the proceeding.  The following three pages constitute the record of those proceedings.  

Page 1 of Three-Page Record of the Army General

Court Martial of Amos Rose.  Document in the

Handwriting of Philip Pell, Jr., Who Was In Attendance

as Deputy Judge Advocate During Proceeding on July

17, 1777.  Source:  Fold3.com Digital Record Scanned

from Original in The National Archives (Paid Subscription

Required to Access Via This Link).  NOTE:

Click on Image to Enlarge.

Proceedings of a General Court Martial held at Peekskill by order of the Honorable Major General Putnam the 17^th day of July 1777

Present

Colonel Shepherd -------- President

Major Grosvner

Major Gray

Captain Brown

Captain Champion

Captain Richards

Captain Allen

Lieutenant Chapman

Lieutenant Angel

Lieut nt Cleaveland

Lieutenant Taylor

Lt. Carpenter

Ensign Hubbard

Philip Pell Jun r:  Deputy Judge Advocate

Amos Rose a private in Colonel Samuel B. Webb’s Regiment arraigned and upon tryal for firing off his gun at Lieutenant Brewster loaded with a ball

Prisoner pleads not guilty –

John Comey being sworn – was at the house in Jersey, heard a noise within, then saw the prisoner coming out and as he came out he carried his piece, also saw Lt. Brewster came out of the house after the prisoner, who told the prisoner to go to his Company – the prisoner turned about with his piece still cocked and said 'he would not' and that he had good a warrant as the Lieutenant – the Lieutenant turn turn’d towards Lt. Brewster again & pointed his gun to about the height of the Lieutenant’s thigh and was getting his finger into the guard when the witness stept up behind the prisoner and ask’d him what he was about and struck the breach of the gun up by which means the Muzsell [sic] was pointed to the ground that the gun instantly went off– witness saw the bullet which was pick’d out of the ground, -- that from the motions of the prisoner in pointing the gun and putting his finger into the guard the witness expected he meant to fire – that Lt. Brewster struck the Prisoner after the gun was discharged –

Lieutenant Avery being sworn – happened to be present when the above affair happened began – was at dinner with Lieutenant"

[Page 1 / Page 2 Immediately Below]

Page 2 of Three-Page Record of the Army General

Court Martial of Amos Rose.  Document in the

Handwriting of Philip Pell, Jr., Who Was In Attendance

as Deputy Judge Advocate During Proceeding on July

17, 1777.  Source:  Fold3.com Digital Record Scanned

from Original in The National Archives (Paid Subscription

Required to Access Via This Link).  NOTE:

Click on Image to Enlarge.

"Lieutenant Brewster -- that the prisoner was in the house & seem'd to be a little insulting then -- that afterwards he behaved very rudely to Capt. Johnson the Landlord of the house by attempting to sit down to table before Capt. Johnson himself, upon which Capt. Johnson turn'd him out doors, the prisoner try'd to break in again, Lt. Brewster went out to him -- The Witness did not go out, but soon heard the Report of a gun at the door, then went out, & the prisoner seem'd to be in a violent rage and attempting to resist Lt. Brewster -- that the prisoner continued to behave exceedingly bad till he was bound -- that he appeared to be but a little in drink -- that the stick of Lt. Brewster defended himself with, was a small piece of pine -- 

Charles Clarke being sworn -- was behind the house when he heard the gun fired, immediately came up & that Lt. Brewster had hold of the Prisoner and struck him with a small pine stick -- the Lt. ordered the Witness to go for a file of men which he did -- as the guard was taking the prisoner along the Prisoner said 'it was pretty well for a Rhode Island man and that he shot at him to kill him, that he was a little man and that he wou'd not be imposed upon by a little man -- that the prisoner did not appear to be in drink -- 

Samuel Halley being sworn -- was at the guard house while the prisoner was under guard, that he heard the prisoner say 'that he meant to kill him' -- that he appeared rational & as if he knew what he said --

Prisoner in his Defence says he was struck twice in the house by which he was stunn'd and did not know what he did after and that he was also in drink at the time -- that he remembred [sic] nothing of what he had done -- that he has been in the service a good while and always behaved well and"

Page 3 of Three-Page Record of the Army General

Court Martial of Amos Rose.  Document in the

Handwriting of Philip Pell, Jr., Who Was In Attendance

as Deputy Judge Advocate During Proceeding on July

17, 1777.  Source:  Fold3.com Digital Record Scanned

from Original in The National Archives (Paid Subscription

Required to Access Via This Link).  NOTE:

Click on Image to Enlarge.

"And never was confined or struck by an officer before --

The Court adjudges the Prisoner guilty; and upon considering the heinous and aggravated nature of his Crime sentences him to suffer the pain of Death -- 

A true Copy from the original copied by me Philip Pell Junr. Dpty. Judge Adv.

Head Quar Peeks Skill July 22n 1777

the Judgement of the Court Martial against Amos Rose is Approved by & said Amos Rose is  Resolved to be Shot to death [struck out and thus illegible]

Israel Putnam M G --"
*          *          *          *          *

I have written extensively about Colonel Philip Pell, Jr. in the past.  For a few of the many examples of such postings, see:

Fri., Jan. 30, 2015:  Stained Glass Window Honoring Philip Pell of the Manor of Pelham in St. Paul's Chapel of Columbia University.

Mon., Jan. 27, 2014:  What is that Memorial Tablet Next to Pelham Memorial High School and Who Was Col. Philip Pell?

Tue. Feb. 9, 2010:  1755 Census of Slaves Older than Fourteen in the "Mannour of Pelham."  

Fri., Jan. 9, 2009:  Another Brief Biography of Philip Pell of the Manor of Pelham.  

Tue., Dec. 4, 2007:  Philip Pell of Pelham Elected to Chair Meeting of Supporters of the New York Gubernatorial Candidacy of George Clinton in 1789.  

Mon., Nov. 5, 2007:  References to Philip Pell in the Minutes of the Commissioners for Detecting and Defeating Conspiracies in the State of New York.  

Fri., Mar. 30, 2007:  Biographical Information for Philip Pell Published in 1895.  

Fri., Mar. 9, 2007:  Abstract of Will of Philip Pell, Sr. of the Manor of Pelham Prepared in 1751 and Proved in 1752.  [This is an abstract of the will of the father of Col. Philip Pell.] 

Wed., Oct. 18, 2006:  18th Century Statutes Appointing Philip Pell, Sr. of Pelham To Collect Taxes on "Strong Liquors Retailed in This Colony."  [This is the father of Col. Philip Pell.]

Thu., Aug. 24, 2006:  Philip Pell of the Manor of Pelham: An Early Victim of the "Spoils System" in New York at the Turn of the 19th Century.  

Mon., Jul. 17, 2006:  1780 Letter to George Clinton from American Patriot Philip Pell of Pelham Manor, Commissary of Prisoners of the State of New York.   

Thu., Apr. 20, 2006:  1788 Campaign Broadside Urging Support for Candidate Opposing Philip Pell of Pelham Manor.  

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."   

Benjamin Palmer's 1789 Petition to President George Washington Seeking Redress for Damages Sustained During the American Revolution

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

The Manor of Pelham, including today's City Island, suffered grievously as part of the Neutral Ground during the American Revolution.  The Neutral Ground was an extensive area that included southern Westchester County.  It sat between the warring armies and was prowled by American Patriots and British Loyalists throughout the War. 

The plight of Benjamin Palmer of City Island perhaps best illustrates the sufferings of the local population during the American Revolution. Records indicate that on August 27, 1776, British troops raided City Island, killing some of Palmer's livestock and plundering Palmer's farm on the island.  Within months, Palmer bravely (though perhaps injudiciously) sent to the Commander-in-Chief of the invading British forces, General William Howe, a letter in which Palmer set forth “the just Case of the people of this Country had to oppose the King’s orders."

Palmer subsequently claimed that Howe vengefully retailiated for the cheekish letter.  Palmer and his entire family were taken prisoner by the British.  According to Palmer, after he and his family were captured and imprisoned, they were released, but were ordered to abandon their "plantation" on City Island and to move to New York, which they did.  After the War, Palmer submitted a petition addressed to George Washington in September, 1789.  Washingtonwas then serving the first months of his first term as first President of the United States.   Palmer claimed in the petition that he and his family had been unduly persecuted and imprisoned by the British at the outset of the War in retaliation for the letter that he wrote to Howe.  One author has described the events of that time as follows:

"On August 27, 1776, as British ground forces swarmed across Brooklyn, three Royal Navy vessels with one hundred armed men raided City Island.  The British troops killed Palmer's livestock and 'plundered many things, all of which they carried off and never paid for,' Palmer later wrote.  Two months later, Palmer sent a letter to British general William Howe, justifying the Revolution.  This letter, Palmer would later claim, prompted Howe to seek revenge:  In 1779, the British warship Scorpion captured Palmer, taking him and his family to New York against their will.  Although he found a neighbor to farm his land, Palmer never again lived on City Island."

Source:  Seitz, Sharon & Miller, Stuart, The Other Islands of New York City:  A History and Guide, p. 108 (3rd Edition, Woodstock, VT:  The Countryman Press, 2011).

Palmer's petition to President Washington seeking redress for the injuries he suffered at the hands of the British was part of a larger effort by Palmer during which he also later wrote to New York Governor John Jay seeking reimbursement for his losses during the War.  After losing his land in a "war-related lawsuit," Palmer was left destitute.  Aaron Burr, who had many family and real estate connections to the Manor of Pelham, eventually "raised enough money to support Palmer through his old age."  See id.

Benjamin Palmer’s brief petition to President Washington seeking unspecified redress for the damages he suffered at the hands of the British during the American Revolution is worthy of being reproduced here in its entirety because it sheds important light on the sufferings of local residents during the War:

“[29 September 1789] 

The Petition of Benjamin Palmer Most humbly Sheweth. 

That your Petitioner lived on Minefords Island commonly called City Island in the State of new York in the beginning of the War between Great Brotain and those States and your Petitioner with all his Family were taken Prisoners by the British who used us very Ill. And then ordered us off my plantation which I then had on said Island down to New York where I have continued with my Family ever since – The case of their using me so ill was on Account of sending a Letter to General How the Commander of the British Army in Vindication of and setting forth the just Case of the people of this Country had to oppose the King’s orders – A copy of said Letter I wish to lay before your Excellency with the proceedings our people made to take away my Lands from me after they had got quiet possession of those States with several other copies of Letters of consequence, which your Petitioner has a great desire that your Excellency will take some suitable time to peruse them. And your Petitioner as in duty Bound will ever pray &c. 

Benjn Palmer” 

Source:  Letter from Benjamin Palmer to George Washington, Sep. 29, 1789 in Benjamin Palmer Papers, 1669-1817, New-York Historical Society Library, 170 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024.  Neither the original letter to British Commander-In-Chief Howe from Palmer, nor the copy of the letter submitted by Palmer to President Washington in 1789 has ever been located.  The text of Palmer's petition to President Washington is also available online.  See National Archives and Records Administration and University of Virginia Press, Founders Online:  To George Washington From Benjamin Palmer, 29 September 1789 (visited Oct. 12, 2014).

Map of Town of Pelham with Inset of City Island, 1868.

Source: Beers, F.W., Atlas of New York and Vicinity,

p. 35 (NY, NY: Beers, Ellis & Soule, 1868).

*          *           *           *          *

Below are examples of many prior postings that touch on Benjamin Palmer, Members of the Palmer Family and the early history of City Island.

Tue., Oct. 07, 2014:  Legislative History of the 1775 Statute Authorizing Construction of City Island Bridge.

Fri., Oct. 03, 2014:  1775 Statute Authorizing Construction of City Island Bridge.

Tue., Dec. 01, 2009:  Brief History of City Island Published in 1901.

Tue., Dec. 26, 2006:  1775 Statute Authorizing Samuel Rodman and Benjamin Palmer to Build City Island Drawbridge.  

Tue., May 02, 2006:  Benjamin Palmer's Advertisement in 1756 To Raise Subscriptions To Fund a Free Bridge From Manhattan.

Wed., May 17, 2006:  More About Benjamin Palmer's Involvement With Raising Funds for a Free Bridge from Manhattan. 

Fri., May 05, 2006:  1763 Announcement That City Island in the Manor of Pelham Has Been Laid Out in Lots for Sale.

Mon., May 15, 2006:  Resales of Lots in the 1760s on the Island Known Today as City Island.

Thu., Apr. 19, 2007:  An Account of How Soldiers Were "Recruited" in Pelham in 1758 for the French and Indian War.  

Wed., Mar. 21, 2007:  Abstract of Will of Rebecca Palmer, Owner of Land on City Island in Pelham, Prepared in 1771 and Proved April 10, 1773.

Mon., Jan. 29, 2007:  Palmer Family Offers One Thirtieth of City Island for Sale in 1785.

Thu., Jan. 25, 2007:  A Brief Account of the Early History of City Island, Published in 1909.

Thu., May 11, 2006:  Thomas Pell Offers City Island, Then Known as Minneford Island, for Sale in the Mid-18th Century.

Thu., Sep. 01, 2005:  Probate Court Decision Involving the Estate of Pelham Resident Joseph Palmer in 1797.

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

Amorous Exploits of Captain Samuel Tredwell Pell of the Manor of Pelham in 1778

Please Visit the Historic Pelham Web Site
Located at http://www.historicpelham.com/.
Please Click Here for Index to All Blog Postings.

A book published in 1850 that detailed the lives of New York trappers Nicholas Stoner and Nathaniel Foster included a coy narrative about the amorous exploits of Samuel Tredwell Pell of the Manor of Pelham in 1778. Stoner served under Pell who was Captain of a company of which Stoner was a member during the Revolutionary War. I previously have written about Samuel Tredwell Pell of the Manor of Pelham. See, e.g., Thursday, October 12, 2006: Biographical and Genealogical Information Regarding Revolutionary War Office Samuel Tredwell Pell of the Manor of Pelham.

The account details an incident in which Stoner and Pell slipped away from the American garrison and picked their way through Tory country simply to visit two teenage girls who lived with their mother in a small cottage near the home of Jeremiah Mason near Johnstown. The account appears immediately below, followed by a citation to its source.

"In the fall of 1778, the several regiments of New York state troops having become much reduced, a new organization took place, their number being lessened, at which time Nicholas Stoner joined the company of Capt. Samuel T. Pell, attached to Col. Cortlandt's regiment, which marched to Schenectada. The state troops were sent, during the winter months, to different frontier stations, and Capt. Pell proceeded to Johnstown for winter quarters. [Page 67 / Page 68]

Small parties of the enemy kept the inhabitants along the frontier of New York, in a state of almost constant alarm. While stationed at Johnstown Nicholas Stoner often went hunting and fishing with other lads, to provide a dainty morsel for some officer, who thought more of his palate than of his purse; and consequently paid liberally for their success. . . . .

[Page 72] I have remarked elsewhere, that young Stoner, when on duty at Johnstown, went hunting in the proper season. His pigeon hunting often gave him an interview with the young ladies named, and not infrequently did Anna, as the hunter was about to proceed farther from the garrison, with some anxiety and a reproving look, cast a caution in his path from her father's door, such as 'Nicholas, you'll be surprised yet at that tory house and taken off to Canada: you had better not got there.' . . . He was also quite partial to Anna, as he admits, and we think he must have promised her to limit his future excursions to a nearer range, else why the caution observed in another visit.

As the young musician [Stoner] usually hunted in the same [Page 72 / Page 73] direction, it was suspected by more than one at the station that he went sky-larking, and James Dunn, who was possibly in the secret of his destination, one day told Capt. Pell that 'if he did not look out he would lose his fifer, as he not only went upon dangerous grounds, but hunted two kinds of pigeons.' The captain, whose inclinations led him to follow all the fortunes of war, took occasion secretly to catechise the young hunter; and the latter, with his usual candor, owned up. The consequence was, the commander of the garrison concluded the hunting of pigeons must be rare sport, especially if they were not too lean, and soon obtained a promise from young Nimrod to take him where he could find one nestled.

Arrangements having been made for a hunt, secretly of course, a garment was thrown over the back of an old white mare belonging to the widow Shutting, which sought its living around the fort; and selecting a propitious evening, the hunter and his pupil -- under cover of a cluster of trees a little distance from the garrison, mounted their Rozinante and set off. The reader may be surprised that they started on a pigeon hunt in the evening, and . . . that they left their shooting [equipment behind]; since this is all owing to his ignorance of the policy of war, for he should know that game is easier taken on the roost than on the wing.

It was the wish of the master hunter to avoid passing on their way the house of Jeremiah Mason, and [Page 73 / Page 74] why, possibly the reader may infer; he says himself, however, it was from fear a watch-dog might betray the nature of their errand and thus startle the best game: consequently a blind and circuitous route was chosen, some distance from the public highway.

Whether the animal was too heavily loaded or not, we can not judge any better than the reader (sin is said to be weighty), but sure it is that in threading an intricate footpath carpeted by a web of briars and underbrush along a ravine, the mare stumbled and went heels over head, sending her riders far from her, if not pell-mell, certainly Pell and Nich. Bestowing some harsh epithets upon the poor beast, which probably had the worst of the bargain, they did not attempt to remount; but leaving the old mare to her fate, they proceeded on foot.

On arriving near the hunting-grounds, Stoner went forward to reconnoitre, and finding the coast clear, returned and conducted his captain into a neat little cottage, with two rooms below, and possibly as many above. The ceremony of an introduction once passed, the captain soon found himself quite at home. The time for retiring to rest at length arrived, and as the old hen roosted in the room they were in, it became necessary for the hunters to leave it: consequently the hunter most familiar with the premises followed the pullet in its flight to a chamber. The other bird soon after fluttered past the captain into an adjoining room, whither he pursued possibly to capture it. [Page 74 / Page 75]

I do not consider it important to the present narrative to stop and inquire of an ornithologist,

'If birds confabulate or no;
'This clear that they were always able
To hold discourse, at least in fable;'

and that the genus columba,

Soon are cooing when together
If they meet in coolish weather,

is a fact so well established, it must be obvious to the reader that pigeon hunting may be rare sport. Some time after the beautiful birds under consideration had flown to separate rooms, into which we can not think of introducing the reader, as the cooing was done agreeably to the most approved style then in vogue in western New York, the loud barking of Mason's dog fell upon the ears of the hunter closeted above. His apprehension was in a moment on tiptoe; for to be surprised by a party of the enemy and either slain or captured with his captain in such a place and at such an hour, without their having the least means of defence, he readily saw must bring scandal if not dishonor upon the American arms; and he descended (although his bird attempted with a delicate little claw to prevent) to take a midnight observation.

It turned out that Mason's sentinel was barking at the old mare the hunters had abandoned. Having collected her scattered limbs, she too had concluded to go browsing, and was, as the reader will perceive, on the right track. On the return of his pioneer, the [Page 75 / Page 76] captain was gratified to learn that there was no real cause of alarm, and pigeon hunting soon prospered again. Towards the dawn of day the sportsmen returned to the garrison; Capt. Pell exacting from his musician the most solemn assurances of secresy respecting his successful and only attempt at fowling among the Browse, until he should meet with me."

Source: Simms, Jeptha R., Trappers of New York, Or a Biography of Nicholas Stoner & Nathaniel Foster; Together with Anecdotes of Other Celebrated Hunters, and Some Account of Sir William Johnson, and His Style of Living, pp. 67-76 (Albany, NY: J. Munsell 1850).

Please Visit the Historic Pelham Web Site
Located at http://www.historicpelham.com/.
Please Click Here for Index to All Blog Postings.