The Sacketts of America

155.  Hannah Sackett, 1751-1836, youngest daughter of (32) Rev. Samuel and Hannah Hazard Sackett, was married in year 1768, to Stephen De Lancey, from whom she secured a legal separation during the early part of the Revolutionary period.  On Oct. 16, 1779 she was married, by her father, Rev. Samuel Sackett, to Maj. Isaac Baldwin, Jr. of Litchfield, Conn.  Hannah Sackett, at the date of her marriage to Stephen De Lancy, was not yet seventeen years of age, was possessed of an attractive presence and unusual force of character.  She soon won the confidence and respect of her husband's aristocratic kinsfolk, with whom she became and bid fair long to remain a special favorite.  But the Revolution came with civil war and its attending woes.

The following incident in the life of Hannah Sackett De Lancey is given in the McDonald Manuscripts, and has been printed in "History of Westchester County," and other works, but will bear repeating in this connection:

This lady mounted on a fine bay horse was endeavoring to escape from the burning of the meeting house by the British in July (should be June), 1779, when she was overtaken about a mile north of Crompond by some of the enemy's cavalry, who robbed her of her shoe buckles and ear rings and requested her to dismount.  She refused, exclaiming, "Is this the way you treat unprotected females?  I will inform your superiors.  Where is your commander?"  On his appearing she informed him she was the wife of Stephen De Lancey, and,  added, "Is this the proper treatment for her?  I demand an escort to a place of safety."  The British officer on hearing the De Lancey's name granted her request.  She carefully abstained from telling him she was the daughter of Mr. Sackett, the Whig Presbyterian minister at Crompond.

Stephen De Lancey, at the date of his marriage to Hannah Sackett, was about forty years of age, and the proprietor of upward of ten thousand acres of land of what had been known as Cortland Manor, and is now the town of North Salem, Westchester County, N. Y.  He was the second son of Lieut. Governor James De Lancey and his wife Anne Heathcote, daughter of Hon. Caleb Heathcote,

and was the grandson of Stephen De Lancey and his wife Anne Van Cortland, who was the daughter of Hon. Stephanas Van Cortlandt.  The extensive estate referred to was deeded to Stephen De Lancey, on his coming of age, by his father, who was at the time Chief Justice of the Province of New York.

At the outbreak of the Revolution the Sacketts, with but few exceptions, promptly espoused the Patriot cause, and the brothers of Mrs. Stephen De Lancey were among the very first young men of Westchester County to take up arms in defence of what they believed to be their inalienable rights and outraged liberties.  The De Lanceys, with equal unanimity, remained loyal to King George, who had conferred upon their family numerous Royal favors, and to whom nearly every male member of nature age had repeatedly sworn allegiance.  From the commencement of hostilities the Sacketts of Westchester took an active part in the recruiting, arming and organizing of Patriot volunteers.  Several of the De Lanceys held commissions in the Royal army and played conspicuous parts in the forming and commanding of Loyalist legions.

The home of Rev. Samuel Sackett, the Whig Presbyterian minister of Crompond, was but a few miles distant from the Manor House of this Tory son-in-law, Stephen De Lancey, of North Salem.  The outposts of the British were established but a few miles to the southward.  The advance lines of the Americans were but a few miles to the northward.  And the intervening country, miscalled neutral ground, was speedily overrun by marauding bands; first from one side and then from the other.  The Royalists destroying or carrying off the property of the Whigs, and the Patriots destroying or carrying off the property of the Tories.  On all sides respect and confidence gave place to hatred and distrust.  The warmest of friends became the bitterest of enemies.  Families were scattered, homes were broken up, and the days that tried the souls of men were at hand.

Word reached the De Lanceys at the Manor that Capt. Samuel Sackett, the favorite brother of Mrs. Stephen De Lancey, who had accompanied Montgomery in his campaign into Canada, had, after being promoted for gallantry in action, been severely wounded.  And again that Nathaniel Sackett, another brother, who was a delegate to the Provisional Congress and an active member of its "Committee for Defeating Conspiracies Against the Liberty of America,"

was causing the arrest and imprisonment of outspoken Tories of high social standing.  Meantime word reached the family of Rev. Samuel Sackett at the Manse, that his son-in-law, Stephen De Lancey, was in close and secret communication with the British commander, and that bands of Tories, led by members of the De Lancey family, were arresting and dragging off to prison outspoken Patriots.  As a direct result of this deplorable state of affairs there came about an estrangement between Hannah Sackett and her husband which soon led to a legal separation.

On May 9, 1776, Stephen De Lancey, in obedience to a summons he dare not ignore, appeared before the Patriot's "Committee of Safety," in session at Albany, and on his refusal to sign the "Association tendered him, or even to hear it read, was ordered disarmed."  On the 13th day of June following, he was, by same Committee, declared to be "Notoriously disaffected to the measures pursued by the friends of American Liberty," and sent under guard to Hartford, Conn., where he was held a prisoner for nearly a year, when, by some undiscovered means, he escaped and succeeded in getting within the British lines and into New York City.  From there, a short time after his arrival, he wrote and dispatched two letters, which fell into the hands of the Patriot Committee of Safety, and led to the immediate confiscation of his estate and his subsequent departure for England, where he remained until after the termination of the war, when he returned to New York, and seems to have recovered a portion of his estate, including the Manor House.

These letters, which led also to the degradation and imprisonment of Capt. Cornelius Steenrod, the "Rebel" to whom they were addressed, read as follows:

Ungrateful Cornelius

Why don't I hear from you?  Why did you not send me a letter, or a message at least by Mr. Townsend?  Where is Mother?  What made her move?  I hear you live there and mother Bostwick.  Where is old Agnes, is she alive?  Why aren't you as good as your word?  Why don't you send to Tilfords?  I  have sent letters twice but no answers.  I hope you have my letters.  I would not that any body else should see them.  I left seven shirts and three stocks and you must bring them to that house where we were, and my trimmed jacket and leather breeches.  Take care, don't take arms.  You must send me a mortgage on the mills and land adjoining belonging to you soon.  Do for Gods sake come down to Tilfords and consult with him.  Let me have a letter, and tell me in it that you are sorry you

took a commission and was over persuaded, and repent and ask pardon of God and the King, and I will do my best and  Governor Tryon will assist me.  That is absolutely necessary.  I wonder you are so careless.  Will you never learn wit?  I could beat you, you careless toad.  I have gold and silver you rebel.  Don't you want some.  Read my letter to mother Bosworth and tell her I hope that she and little James are well, and tell Agnes I will come to see them before next fall, but never to live in that hateful place again.  Remember me to poor David and Esther.  I will send him a line.  Poor David, I hope he repents.  I am going to live in Maronack as soon as it will be safe.  Our army is going to take hold soon.  Wo! wo!! wo!!! to the rebels.  Send me a long letter to my sister and see if my Mother will consent to come down and let me know it.  Do it for Gods sake.

Stephen De Lancey

To Corn. Steenrod, formerly a rebel
Captain but I hope repents.

May 7, 1777

Mrs. Bonton

I hope David repents.  Dont let him take arms for Gods sake.  I do not write to him as he is sworn but you are not . . . If he is taken in arms against the King, hanged he will be, nothing on earth can save him.  Let him mind his business and keep at home and be sick or any thing, but dont let him go fight.  You see property dont make me forget friends.  Let him write me and let him send it to Steinrod.  I hope Steinrod is true.  I want to know why my mother went to Crompond?  Where is Stephen and my poor boy Abraham, is he alive?  O God! when will he be pleased to return.  Our Armies and Fleets are preparing for war.  What ruin and devastation has our poor country to see.  What a bloody summer is coming.  I wish it was over.  God bless you.

I am yours
Stephen De Lancey

Ann Collins, wife of Capt. Isaac Baldwin, was the granddaughter of Rev. Timothy Collins, the pastor of the church at Litchfield, who graduated from Yale in 1718.  She was also a lineal descendant of William Leete, of Guilford, who was the  last Governor of New Haven Colony previous to its absorption by Con-

necticut, and the Governor of enlarged Connecticut from 1767 to 1783.

Major Isaac Baldwin, 1753-1818, of Litchfield, Conn., son of Capt. Isaac and Ann Collins Baldwin, and the husband of Hannah Sackett (De Lancey) Baldwin, was graduated at Yale College in 1774.  He had studied law and at the outbreak of the War of the Revolution was practicing his profession with his father at Litchfield, Conn.  But the news of the first clash of arms at Lexington sent him into the Patriot army, and during the early part of the war he served on the staff of General Zebulon Butler, and was one of the few survivors of the massacre at Wyoming in July 1778.  Later he was made an Assistant Quartermaster General, and was serving in that capacity when he was married to Hannah Sackett De Lancey.  The following letters will unquestionably be of interest to his descendants:

Dear Sir: - Mr. Baldwin, who lives in the State of Connecticut, married my sister and has had a regular education on the profession of the law, has an inclination to settle in this State and  set up the practice of the  law, lately applied to me to recommend a proper stand for the business.  Considering the broken situation of the State at present, could think of no place in State so convenient as your house at New Windsor, proposed it to him.  On giving my opinion he requested me to make application for it.  If it should not be engaged to any other person he would wish to rent it and be glad to know your terms and the time he could enter.  His family is small and he tells me that he is well acquainted with Judge Hubbard who can give you his character.

If you will be pleased to recollect, some time in the spring I requested a permission for Mr. Sylvanus Pine to go to Long Island, in order to sell an Estate that his Uncle left him since the enemy has taken possession of the Island and is suffering great loss by the destruction of the timber and improvements . . . . you gave your answer that as soon as our Army took the field that you would give a permission for him to go on and sell it and bring off the proceeds in specia, in consequence of which I would beg leave to suggest that the Army is now in the field and that Mr. Pine would wish to go on immediately fearing that if an attack should take place the convultion that would naturally take place from that circumstance may occasion the loss of the will, and he in the end lose the whole, which is an object of great importance to him.

You will be pleased to answer the different parts of this letter by the bearer, who is in waiting, and enclose your permission for Mr. Pine in yours and oblige, Dear Sir your most obedient and most humble servant

Nathl Sackett
Fishkill July 1, 1781.

Page 95

P. S.: - I should not have troubled you this day but am obliged to go to Connecticut to-morrow when I shall see Mr. Baldwin, who is waiting your answer.  I am Sr. Yrs.

N. S.

His Excellency Governor Clinton

I should be happy to serve your brother-in-law, but my house at New Windsor is at present occupied by Capt. Bedlow, a gentleman from New York, who has been much injured by the times.  I fear it would add to his distress if he was obliged to remove from the present situation.  If Capt. Bedlow should have the good fortune to be otherwise provided for before Mr. Baldwin can suit himself he shall have the preference.

Children.

467. Samuel Sackett Baldwin, b. Oct. 22, 1781; m. Julia Ann Yates, 2d wife.
468. Isaac Baldwin, b. Feb. 4, 1784, d. Jan. 27, 1844, unmarried.
469. Ann Baldwin, b. Dec. 19, 1786, d. Oct. 22, 1872; m. 1st Stephen Sedgwick.
470. James Henry Baldwin, b. June 25, 1788, d. in 1811, unmarried.
471. Charles Augustus Baldwin, b. May 23, 1790, d in March, 1818, unmarried.

157.  James Sackett, M. D., 1756-1791, youngest child of (32) Rev. Samuel and Hannah Hazard Sackett, served both as a regimental and hospital surgeon during the War of the Revolution; after which he became a successful practitioner in Dutchess County.  He died very suddenly from some mysterious and unascertained cause at a time when to all appearances he was in the enjoyment of vigorous health.  He is reputed to have been "a close student, a ripe scholar, unmarried, and greatly respected by a large circle of friends."  At the time of his death he was the Surgeon of Dutchess County Regiment commanded by Colonel John Drake.

158.  John Sacket, 1723-___?, of Westfield, Mass., son of (33) John and Sarah Mackerany Sacket, was married, May 16, 1751, to Rachel Church.

Children.

472. Sarah Sacket, b. Jan. 20, 1752.
473. Aaron Sacket, m. (sic) Jan. 25, 1753, d. July 1758.
474. Russell Sacket, b. in 1754, d. July 16, 1758.

159.  Seth Sacket, 1725-___?,  son of (33) John and Sarah Mackerany Sacket, was married, Feb. 6, 1753, to Elisabeth Winchell.

Children.

475. Hannah Sacket, b. Mar. 4, 1755.
476. Nathan Sacket, b. Mar. 7, 1757.
477. Sarah Sacket, b. Feb. 13, 1759.
478. Grace Sacket, b. Mar. 23, 1761.

162.  Lucy Sacket, 1736-___?,  daughter of (33) John and Sarah Mackerany Sacket, was married in the year 1757 to Gad Kellogg.

165.  Capt. Daniel Sacket, 1734-1824, of Westfield and Pittsfield, in State of Massachusetts, son of (35) Daniel and Mary Weller Sacket, was married, in 1755, to his first wife, whose name has not been ascertained.  In 1768, he was married to his second wife, Mrs Mahitable Cadwell Dewey, daughter of Abel Cadwell and his wife Ann Dwight, and widow of Ashbel Dewey.  He was an active participant in the Colonial wars of his time, and in the war of the Revolution.  The history of "Massachusetts as Colony and State," records the fact that he served in Captain Horton's Company of Colonel Worthington's Regiment in 1756, and that he was with Captain Benjamin Day when he marched his company to reinforce the army at Crown Point in same year.  On Apr. 26, 1776, he was commissioned Captain of 7th Company of Col. John Moseley's Hampshire County Regiment, and on Oct. 21, 1776, he marched with his company under Lieut. Colonel Timothy Robinson for Ti-

conderoga.  On Nov. 29, 1777, he was mustered out, but soon reentered the service and continued therein until Nov., 1779, when he resigned, giving as a reason that he was unable to give proper time and attention to the duties of his office.  He is also credited with commanding a company in Shay's Rebellion.

Children.

482. Daniel Sacket, b. in 1756; m. Sarah ________.
483. Lemuel Sacket, b. in 1758, d. in 1834; m. Annie Francis.
484. Alanson Sacket, d. in 1798..
485. Elijah Sacket.
486. Noadiah Sacket.
487. _______ Sacket.
488. Lydia Sacket, b. Aug. 7, 1775, d. Dec. 3, 1822; m. Oren Goodrich.

166.  Ozem Sacket, 1736-1801, of Westfield, Mass., son of (35) Daniel and Mary Weller Sacket, was married, in 1763, to Mercy Weller.  He participated in the war of the Revolution as a Sergeant in Capt. Daniel Sacket's Company of Col. John Moseley's Hampshire County Regiment, and in October, 1776, marched with regiment under command of Lieut. Colonel Timothy Robinson to reinforce the Northern Army.

Will of Ozem Sacket

In the name of God Amen.  I Ozem Sacket of Westfield, in the County of Hampshire, yoeman, Being at present in sound and perfect mind and memory (Blessed be God) therefor, do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner following.  viz:  My soul and immortal part I commit and resign to God . . . as to worldly goods and estate I give and bequeath it in manner following, viz:  Firstly I give unto my beloved wife Mercy Sacket the use & improvement of one third of my real estate during her natural life, & my lands I give and bequeath  to my four sons, Jonathan Sacket, Aaron Sacket, Ozem Sacket, & Charles Sacket as follows:  To Jonathan Sacket I give my Plumb Lot so called which lies on south side of road below my house and is bounded Northwardly in part on sd road and south on the river and Eastwardly on Israel Moseleys & Mr. Aaron Kings land and contains Six Acres more or less.  Likewise I give to my sd son Jonathan one fourth part in quantity and quality of a certain piece of land that I own near Old Mill Pond so called which I bot principally of Moses Weller, but a small part was bot of Warham Parks and John Weller, ye whole contains about forty acres more or less, I also give to my sd son Jonathan the Westerly half of a  lot of land I bot of Lt. Silas Bush & Widow Hannah Noble & lies on the mill pond Plain ye whole lot contains fourteen

acres more or less, I likewise give sd Jonathan one long lot so called bounded on two sides by land of Gent. Wm. Shepherd & on the road at the east end & is four feet in width & the length not known.

To my sons Aaron, Ozem and Charles I give and bequeath my house barn and home lot whereon I now live to be divided in equal quantities between them and subject to the incumbrances and reservations that shall be made in this Will.  Aaron to take his third on the east side of said lot and Charles his third part in the middle of sd lot and Ozem his third part on the West side, ye whole bounds east on Gad Sackets home lot & west on Moses Sackets home lot and North on the Great Brook & and South on the road and Gad Kelloggs home lot; the buildings altho on the ground that I give to Aaron and Charles are to be considered during the life of said buildings to be the joint property of sd Aaron, Ozem and Charles and likewise subject to the widows dower, and likewise I give to my two daughters Sophia Sacket and Harriet Sacket the right and privilege of living in the dwelling house during the time they shall continue single and unmarried and no longer, and likewise it is my will that my sd sons Aaron Ozem and Charles shall have a joint rite to occupancy and improvement of garden and barnyard during the life of the house and barn and no longer.  To my sd son Aaron I give my Handshet lot so called lying South of my house and contains two acres & one quarter & bounds south on the river North on the road West on Saml Mather Esqrs. land & East on my Plumb lot so called.  I likewise give my sd son Aaron the fourth part in quantity and quality of a lot near the Old Mill Bond bot of Moses Weller & others.  Likewise I give to sd Aaron the easterly half of a lot of land I bot of Lt. Silas Bush & Widow Hannah Noble which lies in the mill pond plain.  Likewise I give and bequeath to my son Ozem Sacket one fourth part in quantity and quality of my land near the Old Mill Pond which I bot of Moses Weller & others.  Likewise I give to my sd son Ozem about six acres of land more or less that lies North of my house & north of the great brook & runs up the hill to Hampton plain field so called at the North end & is bounded westerly on Asher Sackets land.  Likewise I give to sd Ozem four acres of land in the New Field so called, bounded Southwardly on Moses Sackets land & Northwardly on John Lees land & I likewise give sd Ozem about six acres of land at the Mill Pond being a piece that I bot of Warham Parks Esqr. & is bounded south on Sackets Brook so called and East on Arm Brook & Northwardly on my own land.

To my son Charles Sacket I give and bequeath in addition to his  gift of part of the home lot and buildings & as above described I give him one fourth part of the mill pond lot bot of Moses Weller, John Miller and Warham Parks, the whole of which land I consider at forty acres more or less.

To my son Warham Sacket I give and bequeath in addition to what I have heretofor given him the sum of One Hundred and sixty eight dollars to be paid to him in one year from the time of my decease in manner as I shall provide in this Instrument.  To my daughter Sophia I give the sum of One Hundred and thirty three dollars and thirty three cents to be paid in one year after my decease, on half of it to be paid in furniture and utensils

out of the house at a price to be agreed upon by my Executors and her or in case they can not agree then the sd articles shall be appraised by two men one to be chosen by each of the parties, and the other half to be paid in money.  To my daughter Harriet I give the sum of One Hundred dollars to be paid in the same proportion time and manner as Sophia is to be paid.  To my daughter Mercy the wife of Henry Brass I give the sum of Fifty Dollars in addition to what she has already received, to be paid in articles out of the house the whole in the same manner that ye other two daughters are to receive their parts of sd articles and if they can not agree either respecting the price or the articles to be received then each of the parties are to choose one man & they jointly shall determine as to the articles each one shall receive and the price.  Furthermore I give unto my son Aaron Sacket all the residue of my property either in stock or cattle or debts due to me or of any other description whatever on condition that he shall pay and settle the legacies which I have given to my son Warham and my daughters Mary, Sophia and Harriet in the manner and within the time prescribed by me in this my last Will and Testament & do hereby declare it to be my will and intention that if my wife Mercy Sacket shall choose to have her thirds set out in severality then & in that case that they shall be set out to her in equal and in due proportion from each and every piece of land that I have given to my sons that equal justice may be done to all & furthermore it is my will and order that my son Aaron shall out of the stock and debts due & other personal property bequeathed to him  pay and settle all my just debts & charges & I do constitute and appoint my son Aaron Sole executor of this my Last Will and Testament.  I give my lot in New Field so called containing sixteen acres more or less the one half to my son Charles and the other half to be equally divided between Aaron and Ozem.  In Testimony and Confirmation of all the above matter I hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty sixth day of June in the year of out Lord Seventeen Hundred & Ninety Nine hereby publishing & declaring this to be my last Will and Testament.

Ozem Sacket
Signed, Sealed Published and Declared in
presence of us. Frederick Fowler, King  Parks,
Warham Parks.