156. Joseph Lawrence-136 (Patience Sackett , Joseph , Simon , Jr. , Simon , Thomas , Thomas ) was born in 1723. He died in 1793.
Joseph married Patience Moore-105 daughter of Benjamin Moore-24sp and Anne Sackett-24. Patience was born on 18 Oct 1727.
They had the following children:
389 M i Richard Lawrence M. D.-409 is printed as #343. 390 F ii Anne Lawrence-410 is printed as #344.
159. William Lawrence-140 (Patience Sackett , Joseph , Simon , Jr. , Simon , Thomas , Thomas ) was born in 1729. He died in 1794.
of Newtown, L. I.
"He was," says Riker, "for many years a magistrate and filled the station with usefulness." On the capture of Long Island, in 1776, part of his house in Newtown was made the headquarters of British and Hessian Generals, and himself and family were subjected to many of the exactions and vexations which those who had rebel predelictions experienced from the invaders.
(six children died in infancy.)
William married (1) Ann Brinkherhoff-140sp daughter of Isaac Brinkerhoff and Diana Brinkerhoff on 14 May 1752. Ann was born in 1733. She died in 1770.
They had the following children:
William married (2) Mary Palmer daughter of Charles Palmer and Jane Fish on 14 Apr 1771.
They had the following children:
397 F vii Jane Lawrence-417 was born on 3 Aug 1783. Jane married Hendrick Suydam-417sp.
160. Anne Lawrence-141 (Patience Sackett , Joseph , Simon , Jr. , Simon , Thomas , Thomas ) was born in 1731. She died in 1798.
Anne married William Sackett-122 son of John Sackett-27 and Elizabeth Field-27sp1 on 14 Feb 1748/1749. William was born on 29 Dec 1727. He died on 28 Apr 1802.
of Newtown, L. I.
Mr. Sackett was by occupation a farmer and lived and died on the farm at Newtown on which he was born. (This William Sackett seems to have been a pronounced Loyalist, and if so, is unquestionably the William Sackett of Queens County, who acknowledged allegiance to King George in 1776, and is mentioned by Sabine as an addresser of Lt. Col. Sterling in 1779.)
William and Anne had the following children:
+ 398 M i Capt. John Sackett-388 is printed as #381. 399 M ii Lt. Daniel Sackett-389 is printed as #382. + 400 M iii Jonathan Sackett-390 is printed as #383. 401 M iv Nathaniel Sackett-391 is printed as #384.
161. Capt. Thomas Lawrence-142 (Patience Sackett , Joseph , Simon , Jr. , Simon , Thomas , Thomas ) was born in 1733. He died in 1817.
of Flushing, Long Island, N. Y.
Capt. Lawrence, at the age of about 25, was appointed to the command of the ship Tarter, of 18 guns, and during the old French War made several cruises from New York with her. Possessing considerable wealth he settled on a farm on Flushing Bay, formerly owned by his father-in-law. In 1784 he was appointed a Judge and was noted for decision of character and by punctilious observances which characterized gentlemen of the old school.
Thomas married Elisabeth Fish-142sp daughter of Nathaniel Fish and Jane Berien on 31 Aug 1760.
They had the following children:
163. Jonathan Lawrence-144 (Patience Sackett , Joseph , Simon , Jr. , Simon , Thomas , Thomas ) was born in 1737. He died in 1812.
of Newtown, Long Island, and New York City
He was bred a merchant and on reaching his majority engaged in business in New York City. At the age of 34 he retired with a competence and purchased a residence at Hellgate, which had belonged to his great-grandfather, Maj. Thomas Lawrence. On the opening of the Revolution he espoused with much zeal the cause of his oppressed country. In 1775 he was appointed a member of the Provisional Convention which met at New York, and the next year he was again deputed to that body, and was afterwards elected to the convention which formed the first constitution of the State of New York. On the adoption of the constitution and organization of the State government in 1777, Mr. Lawrence was appointed one of the senators of the southern district, in which capacity he served during the remainder of the war, when not absent on special service. The various appointments and commissions executed by him during his connection with the Legislature were of the most valuable character. When peace was declared he returned to his native town much impoverished by the casualties of war. He again commenced business in New York and in a degree repaired his fortunes, and enjoyed the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens till the day of his death.
Jonathan married (1) Judith Fish-144sp1 on 16 Mar 1766. Judith was born in 1749. She died in 1767.
They had the following children:
+ 410 M i Jonathan Lawrence-437
Jonathan married (2) Ruth Riker-144sp2 daughter of Andrew Riker and Jane Berien on 7 May 1768.
They had the following children:
+ 411 F ii Judith Lawrence-438 412 F iii Margaret Lawrence-439 was born on 13 Jun 1771. 413 M iv Samuel Lawrence-440 was born on 23 May 1773. He died on 20 Oct 1837. Samuel married Elizabeth Ireland-440sp. 414 M v Andrew B. Lawrence-441 was born on 17 Jul 1775. He died on 18 Apr 1806.
became a sea captain.415 M vi Richard M. Lawrence-442 was born on 12 Jan 1778. He died on 4 Jul 1856.
President Union Insurance Co.416 M vii Abraham R. Lawrence-443 was born on 18 Dec 1780.
Member of Congress.+ 417 M viii Joseph Lawrence-444 418 M ix John L. Lawrence-445 was born on 2 Oct 1785. John married Sara Augusta Smith-445sp. 419 M x William T. Lawrence-446 was born on 7 May 1788. William married Margaret Sophia Muller-446.
164. Col. Daniel Lawrence-145 (Patience Sackett , Joseph , Simon , Jr. , Simon , Thomas , Thomas ) was born in 1739. He died in 1807.
of Lawrence Point, Long Island
Col. Lawrence was an exile from his home from 1776 to 1783, and served as a member of Assembly from Queens County by appointment of the Convention of 1777, from that year to the close of the war.
Daniel married Eva Van Horne-145sp.
of New York City.
Daniel and Eva had the following children:
166. Joseph Sackett-147 (Samuel , Joseph , Simon , Jr. , Simon , Thomas , Thomas ) was born on 18 Apr 1735. He died on 1 Dec 1757.
Joseph Sackett, 1735-1757, of Hanover, New Haven County, Conn., was married in 1756 to Eliza Strang, daughter of Daniel Strang, of Westchester County, N. Y. Mr. Sackett, several months previous to marriage to Miss Strang, engaged in business, opening a general store at Hanover. A business letter written by him to his brother Nathaniel in New York City, contains so much of interest to the student of American History who would compare the business methods of that period with those of to-day, that it is given herewith intact.
Hanover June 7, 1757.
To Nathaniel Sackett at New York.Dear Brother:- The boat not going off as soon as I expected, I have taken some more butter, which I send with the other to you with a staff I have made for you. I believe if I had a dozen pair of spectacles they would sell pretty soon. The rum goes off briskly. The two pieces of forest cloth, the shallows, and especially the two dozen worsted caps seem to stick a hand slowly. I shall be glad if you will inform me what the skins I sent you fetch apiece, and also how much I may allow for mink skins, if you can inform yourself handily, and also whether I may take sewing thread and at what price, and you will oblige.
Your affectionate brother
Joseph SackettP. S. - The butter I send was all in one large butter tub, two small tubs and a pail, all good fresh butter excepting that in the great tub, which is middling. I must get you to keep a memorandum of what the butter fetches or comes to. I must beg one more favor of you and that is that you will send a pair of mens glasses to me by the bearer that will about suit yourself, which a certain person desires me to send for.
I am in haste your affectionate brother
Joseph Sackett.In less than a year after date of this well preserved old letter, the young merchant was called hence. In 1893, (5009) C. H. Clark, Esq., while wandering among the graves of his kinsmen in the old burial ground adjacent to the Presbyterian Church at Crompond, Westchester County, N. Y., tarried long enough in front of one of the ancient tombstones to decipher this almost obliterated inscription:
Here lies the body of Joseph Sackett,
Born Apr. 18, 1735,
and departed this life Dec. __, 1757.
Joseph married Eliza Strang-147sp daughter of Daniel Strang in 1756.
They had the following children:
167. Nathaniel Sackett-148 (Samuel , Joseph , Simon , Jr. , Simon , Thomas , Thomas ) was born on 10 Apr 1737. He died on 28 Jul 1805 in Sackett's Lake, Sullivan Co., NY.
Nathaniel Sackett developed at an early age an aptitude of trade, and declared his determination to become a merchant. His decision in that respect evidently met the approval of his father, who, in his efforts to give the lad a practical education along lines bearing on the life work he had chosen, was greatly aided by his brother-in-law, Nathaniel Hazard, then a successful merchant of New York City. There now lies before the writer an original letter, yellowed by over a century and a half of time, which reads as follows:
New York July 27, 1747.
Dear NephewInclosed you have Bill of Parcels of sundry goods which I charge to your account, amounting to £12, 5s, 9d, which you had best to sell cheap and as soon as you can for cash. I also send you a Parcel of Books to sell, which I had come from England, which is charged at the cost of them, sterling, and the rule we go by in such things is that which costs 1s, sterling to sell for 2s 6d, New York money. But I would have you sell them off quick if possible, if you get only as much money as they cost sterling. I also send you a book for you to learn to write by, and hope you will take pains to improve in it.
I am your affectionate uncle
Nathaniel Hazard.For Nathaniel Sackett
at Bedford.At the time of above transaction Nathaniel Sackett was but a little over 12 years of age. When he was about 17 years of age he went to New York and served an apprenticeship in his uncle's store. On reaching his majority he located at Fishkill, in Dutchess County, N. Y., and there engaged in business on his own account. According to early records of Fishkill, he was the proprietor of the first general store opened in that town.
The part taken by Nathaniel Sackett in the long and desperate struggle of the colonies for independence shows him to have been a purely unselfish patriot and should not be forgotten by his descendants. He was in New York City on business in the latter part of the memorable year 1775, when its patriotic citizens were electrified by startling news of the battle of Lexington. Returning in haste to Fishkill, he called together several prominent citizens in whose patriotism and judgment he relied, and they together prepared and issued the following call:
To the Inhabitants of Rombout Precinct:
Whereas, alarming accounts have been received of the massacre in Boston, and a resolution taken to Parliament declaring the whole continent rebels, a number of inhabitants of this Precinct, having this day assembled at the house of John and Hendrick Wyekoff, taking the alarming situation of this continent into consideration, agreeable to the printed handbills sent up from the county of New York, requesting to fall on such measures as may be thought most necessary by the majority of the freeholders and inhabitants for their future safety and preservation. And as it has become absolutely necessary for the future preservation of our families in this Precinct, that a firm union may subsist between us and the other precincts, it is sincerely hoped that all former prejudices and party disputes be entirely laid aside and all ranks and denominations appear and their names be taken at this crisis.
It is therefore requested that none on any account or excuse whatever will keep back, but appear at the house of Messrs. John and Hendirck Wyekoff on Friday, the 5th instant, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, there to determine on such matters as are necessary to the present occasion.
********
The original draft of this call, as well as the following memoranda, prepared as a guide to the presiding officers in the organization and conduct of this most important gathering, together with notes of vital matters to be considered, are in the handwriting of Nathaniel Sackett, and were found folded together in a package of his papers relating to the Revolutionary period.
Fishkill, May 5th, 1775.
The orders of this general meeting, held at this place to consult on most interesting and important matters, are as follows:
1. That a chairman be chosen.
2. That a clerk be chosen to enter all matters concluded upon.
3. That no person speak only in his turn.
4. That no person call any other person in private.
5. That all matter be debated with candor, without constraint, and with the greatest freedom.
6. That all persons shall be heard, and proper weight given to their reasons, without any distinction to either rank, quality, or fortune.
7. That after every matter is properly debated, and the question being put, every person present is to answer only yes or no, as his judgment may direct, without giving reasons.
8, That no business, diversions, stories, histories, or any other matter or thing that may divert or delay the business of the day, be mentioned or encouraged until the whole business is gone through and completed.
9. That every question put shall be carried for or against by a majority of the voices of the people present.1. Choose a committee of thirty, to be a Committee of Observation.
2. Their power to be fixed.
3. Some of that number to wait on Co., Brinkerhoff, at Paughkeepsie, they to make a report on their return to
the other members of the committee to establish their sense.
4. To choose one deputy to the New York Provisional Congress.
5. The affairs of the negroes to be considered.
6. What to be done with them in case of a battle.
7. What precautions should be taken now.
8. Enter into some resolution to be published.Endorsed on the paper containing the above memoranda are the names of the forty patriots who responded to the call, including Col. Brinkerhoff, who came from adjoining precinct to arrange for a county meeting to be held at Paughkeepsie, to which the proposed election of a delegate to represent Rombout precinct in the Provisional Congress was on motion referred.
The meeting held at Fishkill, May 5, 1775, resulted in a permanent organization, since known to history as the Fishkill (or Rombout Precinct) Committee of Safety: and from the day of its inception to the end of the long but finally triumphant struggle for national independence, the course pursued by Nathaniel Sackett was that of a fearless patriot who unhesitatingly risked his all for the sacred cause he had espoused and was ever ready and willing to undertake any duty, no matter how laborious or hazardous, in response to his country's call. Elected a delegate to the First New York Provisional Congress, we find him present at its initial gathering and never absent from a recorded roll call; and scanning the records we learn of his activity in preparations being made for the inevitable conflict. On the 21st of September, 1776, by act of Provisional Congress, he was appointed, together with William Duer, John Jay and several others, a committee for detecting and defeating conspiracies against the liberties of America. On this committee almost unlimited powers were conferred, including the raising and arming of troops at the State's expense, and the arbitrary arrest, examination and imprisonment of any and all persons suspected of disloyality [sic].
For several months after the creation of this committee its arduous duties were shared to some extent by all of its members, but gradually its labors and responsibilities were delegated to Nathaniel Sackett, who by authority of the governing powers of the State exercised them with discretion and success until the close of the war.
To attempt to designate the position of greatest responsibility or to name the act of most marked importance, held or performed by Nathaniel Sackett, of Fishkill, N. Y., during the Revolutionary War, is to undertake a difficult task. For a portion of the period mentioned he would seem to have been the active quartermaster of commissary of a considerable portion of the patriot army, operating on the banks of the Hudson River; at another the recognized chief of Washington's secret service corps; to-day attending a session of the Provisional Congress, and to-morrow present at a session of the General Committee of Safety. At one time consulting with his associates of the committee for detecting and defeating conspiracies, ant another issuing orders to armed bodies of troops; and again consulting with the Commander in Chief, or hastening off on some specially hazardous duty needing his personal direction. Space will not admit of following his eventful career from the beginning to the end of his patriotic struggle for the independence of his country.
A few extracts from official colonial records and the copies of a few original documents given in chronological order, and covering a comparatively short period of time, will have to suffice:
October 1, 1776 - An account of Lead and Ball, &c., shipped off by Peter T. Curlenius, agreeable to the order of Congress and delivered to the following persons: Nathaniel Sackett, Dutchess Co., 6,000 lbs of lead.
From Journal of Committee for Defeating Conspiracies, etc.
November 19, 1776 - Committee for Defeating Conspiracies, meet at Conners' Tavern, Fishkill.
Present - William Duer, Chairman, John Jay, Esq., Nathaniel Sackett, Esq., Zepheniah Platt, Esq.November 25, 1776 - Committee meet at Conners' Tavern, Fishkill.
Present - William Duer, Chairman, John Jay Esq., Nathaniel Sackett, Esq., Zepheniah Platt, Esq.December 30, 1776 - Committee meet at Fishkill.
Resolved, that Mr. Sackett, taking with him Captain Van Gasbeck's company, do forthwith endeavor to apprehend the persons
mentioned in John Hain's last examination
By order committee
John Jay, Chairman.January 3, 1777 - Committee meet at Fishkill.
In Council - Resolved, that Nathaniel Sackett, Esq., have power to employ such detachments if militia of Dutchess County as are not in active service, as he may deem expedient for the execution of the business committed to his charge, and all officers of the said militia are requested to comply with his requisition and obey his orders accordingly.
John Jay, ChairmanJanuary 6, 1777 - Committee meet at Fishkill.
Present - John Jay, Chairman; Zepheniah Platt, Esq., Nathaniel Sackett, Esq., Egbert Benson, Esq., General Morris.January 7., 1777 - At a meeting of Deputies from Dutchess County.
Resolved, that the deputies from this county be divided into two classes. That the honorable Robert Livingston, Esq., Conelius Humphrey, John Schenck, and Nathaniel Sackett, Esquires, be one class, and Zepheniah Platt, Gilbert Livingston, Henry Schenck, James Livingston, and Jonathan Landon, Esquires, be the other class to attend convention alternately.The following letter discovered not long since in the family of one Captain Van Gasbeck's descendants, living near the City of Kingston, Ulster Co., N. Y. effectually sets at rest the long disputed question as to the identity of Harvey Birch, the hero of Cooper's famous historical novel. "The Spy":
Dear Sir:- I had almost forgotten to give directions to give our friend an opportunity to escape. Upon our plan you will take him prisoner with the parties you are now watching for. His name is Enoch Crosby, alias John Brown. I could wish that he may escape before you bring him two miles on your way to the committee. You will be pleased to advise with Messrs. Cornwall and Captain Clark on the subject and form such plan of conduct as your wisdom may direct, but by no means neglect this friend of ours.
I am your humble servant,
Nathaniel Sackett.Fishkill, January 7, 1777.
To Capt. Goosbeck. From Nathaniel Sackett, member of committee.From journal of Committee of Safety.
January 13, 1777.
Ordered, that Nathaniel Sackett, Esq., deliver to Col. Lasher, as commissary appointed by the convention of this State to take charge of the military stores which were in his custody, and take a receipt for the same. That Mr. Sackett exhibit and deliver all his accounts and vouchers relative to said stores to the Auditor General to be audited, that they may be filed in the Treasurer's office.Commission in hand writing of General Washington.
To Mr. Nathaniel Sackett:
Sir:- The advantage of obtaining the earliest and best intelligence of the designs of the enemy, the good character given you by Conl. Duer, added to your capacity for an undertaking of this kind, have induced me to entrust the management of this business to your care till further orders on this head.
For your care and trouble in this business, I agree, on behalf of the public, to allow you fifty dollars per calendar month, and herewith give you a warrant on the Paymaster Genl. for the sum of five hundred dollars to pay those whom you may find necessary to employ in the transaction of this business, an account of the disbursement of which you are to send to me.Given under my hand at Morristown this 4th day of February, 1777.
From journal of Committee of Safety.
February 12, 1777.
General Scott (in behalf of Mr. Sackett) informed the committee that Mr. Sackett in employed by his excellency, General
Washington, to execute some public business, for defraying the expense whereof Mr. Sackett introduced an order from his
excellency General Washington of Paymaster General of the Army of the United States of America, which is in the words
following to wit:
500 dollars - Pay to Nathaniel Sackett five hundred dollars to be accounted for with me, and this shall be your sufficient warrant.
Given under my hand and seal at Morristown, this fourth day of February, 1777.
George Washington.By his Excellency's Command
Tinch Tilghman.To William Palfrey, Esq., Paymaster General of the Army of the United States of America:
General Scott further informed the committee that the Paymaster General being absent when Mr. Sackett left headquarters, payment on the said order could not be procured and that this business to which Mr. Sackett is appointed as aforesaid is of a very urgent nature, and therefore moved that the money be advanced Mr. Sackett on the credit of said order out of the Treasury.
Ordered, that the Treasurer of this State advance to Nathaniel Sackett, Esq., on the credit and account of his Excellency, General Washington's order for five hundred dollars on the Paymaster General of the Army of the United States of America, in favor of Mr. Sackett, dated the 4th day of February, 1777.
Go. Washington.To understand the full purport of the foregoing documents and extracts, as to their bearing on the services rendered his country by Nathaniel Sackett, it is well to remember that when the New York Provisional Congress was not in session, as such, the State Government was administered by less than a quorum of its specially designated under the title of "General Committee of Safety" and this latter body was frequently made up solely of the members of the yet smaller and more active sub-committee appointed for "Detecting and Defeating Conspiracies," and that Nathaniel Sackett, an active member of all these bodies, was not unfrequently the only member remaining on duty with authority to act as emergency might require.
With these facts before us the following document, which with several of the foregoing I copy verbatim from the original, is more readily understood:
Fishkill Landing, 4th Aug., 1779.
Dear Sir:- You will please order a detachment of 150 men, with ten days' provision, under command of Colonel Butler, on particular duty. I wish you to order Major Hull, with him.
N. B. -- The detachment will move to-morrow morning early.
interim believe me yours.
Anthony Wayne, B. G.
To Nathaniel Sackett.The public career of Nathaniel Sackett is worthy of more attention than any historian has yet given it. Without title, and, so far as known, without hope of personal reward, he served his country for his country's sake. In close touch with the Legislature of his State, of which he was long a member, and with Washington the commander in chief and his leading generals; ever at the post of duty and frequently assuming responsibilities the very thought of which would have made a coward tremble; a soldier without rank whose orders were obeyed without question by the duly commissioned leaders of organized bodies of troops; feared by the secret emissaries of Great Britain; hated alike by Tories on the banks of the Hudson and England's Secretary of State, whose secret schemes for England's advantage he was continually thwarting; loved and honored by his loyal countrymen - respected and implicitly trusted to the last by the glorious band of associate patriots by whose valor and united efforts the United States of America gained her independence, surely Nathaniel Sackett is deserving of a prominent place in the annals of his country as well as of his kinsmen.
After the close of the war he served one term in the State Legislature and then retired from public life; and with his fortune greatly reduced by reason of service in the cause of independence, he returned to his store and his farm. He died at the home of one of his sons near Sackett's Lake in Sullivan County, N. Y. No monument marks his last resting place, and even the locality of his burial is unknown. - [Weygant, p. 79-86]
Nathaniel married Mary Rogers-148sp daughter of Ananias Rogers and Prudence Carle on 3 Jan 1759.
They had the following children:
+ 428 M i Ananias R. Sackett-461 + 429 M ii Samuel Sackett-462 + 430 M iii Nathaniel Sackett-463 + 431 F iv Hannah Sackett-464 + 432 F v Elizabeth Sackett-465
172. Deborah Sackett 2nd-153 (Samuel , Joseph , Simon , Jr. , Simon , Thomas , Thomas ) was born on 25 Oct 1746. She died on 14 Jul 1769.
Sources:
1. Weygant, p. 86-87
2. Genealogical Account of the Descendants in the Male Line of William Peck..., p. 23
Deborah married Benjamin Peck-153sp son of Theophilus Peck and Elisabeth Mead on 11 Nov 1766 in Greenwich, Fairfield Co, CT. Benjamin was born on 10 Oct 1740 in Greenwich, Fairfield Co, CT. He died on 12 Mar 1806 in Greenwich, Fairfield Co, CT.
of Greenwich, Conn.
William Peck, about 1600-1694, the colonist ancestor of Benjamin Peck, the husband of Deborah Sackett, was bred a merchant in England. He came from London to Boston in 1637, and settled at New Haven in 1638. he was chosen deacon of the church there in 1659, and was long known as Deacon William Peck, of New Haven.
Rev. Jeremiah Peck, 1623-1699, son of above, was born in England and died at Waterbury, Conn. He was married, Nov. 12, 1656, to Johannah Kitchell, of Guilford, Conn., where he was at the time teaching school. He subsequently taught in the grammar and Colony school at New Haven, after which he became a minister of the Congregational Church. He preached at Saybrook, Conn., from 1761 (sic) to 1765 (sic), and then for about a year at Guilford, after which he removed to Newark, New Jersey, and became interested in a large tract of land in Elizabeth, N. J. In 1672 he became one of the twenty-seven proprietors of the common lands in Greenwich, Conn. He subsequently preached for about a year at Greenwich and then located at Waterbury.
Samuel Peck, 1659-1696, son of Rev. Jeremiah and Johannah Kitchell Peck, was married to Rachel Ferris. They resided at Greenwich and were the parents of Theophilus Peck, of Greenwich, born in 1701, who was the father of Benjamin Peck who married Deborah Sackett. - [Weygant, p. 86-87]
---------
Genealogical Account of the Descendants in the Male Line of William Peck..., p. 23
---------
Mentioned in his brother-in-law, James Sackett's will as an Executor of the will and living in Horseneck.
Residence: 1789, Horseneck, NY
Benjamin and Deborah had the following children:
+ 433 F i Deborah Peck-466
174. Hannah Sackett-155 (Samuel , Joseph , Simon , Jr. , Simon , Thomas , Thomas ) was born in 1751. She died on 22 Jun 1836 in Pompey, Onondaga Co., NY. She was buried in Hill Top (Pompey Hill) Cemetery, Pompey, NY.
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."
According to family tradition the shoe buckles above referred to were a present from her sister-in-law, Miss Sookey De Lancey, and there are recorded facts which indicate very strongly that Miss Sookey, and her mother as well, sympathized in the great struggle then pending, with the Patriots rather than with the Royalists.
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. - [Weygant, pages 90-92]
-----------------
Hill Top (Pompey Hill) Cemetery, Pompey, NY
Baldwin, Hannah Sackett d. June 22, 1836, ae. 84, w/o Isaac
Hannah married (1) Stephen De Lancey-155sp1 son of Lt. Gov. James De Lancey and Anne Heathcote in 1768.
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, NY. 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.
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.
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May 7, 1777Mrs. 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
[Weygant, pages 90-93]
Hannah married (2) Maj. Isaac Baldwin Jr.-155sp2 son of Capt. Isaac Baldwin and Ann Collins on 16 Oct 1779. Isaac was born in 1752. He died on 22 Dec 1818 in Pompey Hill, Onondaga Co., N Y. He was buried in Hill Top (Pompey Hill) Cemetery, Pompey, NY.
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.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
Governor Clinton's reply to above has been preserved and handed down to the present generation of Mr. Sackett's descendants. In it he says:
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.
Mr. Baldwin did not settle in Orange County. After the war he practiced his profession with success in Litchfield, Conn., until 1810, when he removed with his family to Pompey Hill, NY., where he lived in retirement to the close of his life. - [Weygant, pages 92-95]
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Hill Top (Pompey Hill) Cemetery, Pompey, Onondaga Co., NY
Baldwin, Isaac d. Dec. 22, 1818 in 66" yr.
Isaac and Hannah had the following children:
+ 434 M i Samuel Sackett Baldwin-467 435 M ii Isaac Baldwin 3rd-468 was born on 4 Feb 1784. He died on 27 Jan 1844 in Pompey Hill, Onondaga Co., N Y. He was buried in Hill Top (Pompey Hill) Cemetery, Pompey, NY.
Isaac Baldwin, 1784-1844, entered Yale College at the age of 13 and graduated with honors at the age of 17. He then studied theology with the view of taking orders in the Episcopal Church. In the meantime he went as a tutor to New Orleans, where he suffered an attack of yellow fever, which completely dethroned his reason. He recovered his physical strength and lived on for 40 years, but remained a mental wreck to the end of his days. Unmarried. - [Weygant, p. 95, 142]
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Hill Top (Pompey Hill) Cemetery, Pompey, NY
Baldwin, Isaac, Jr. d. Jan. 27, 1846, ae. 59+ 436 F iii Ann Baldwin-469 437 M iv James Henry Baldwin-470 was born on 25 Jun 1788. He died in 1811 in Unmarried.
He entered Yale College, but was prevented by loss of health from completing his course, and died in 1811, aged 23.438 M v Charles Augustus Baldwin-471 was born on 23 May 1790. He died on 14 Mar 1818 in Pompey Hill, Onondaga Co., N Y. He was buried in Hill Top (Pompey Hill) Cemetery, Pompey, NY.
He graduated from Williams College in class of 1810; began the practice of law and died aged 28. Unmarried. - [Weygant, p. 95, 143]
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Hill Top (Pompey Hill) Cemetery, Pompey, NY
Baldwin, Charles B. d. Mar. 14, 1818, ae. 27-9-9
178. John Sacket-158 (John Sacket , John Sacket , John , Simon , Thomas , Thomas ) was born on 2 Aug 1723.
John married Rachel Church-158sp on 16 May 1751 in Westfield, Hampshire, Mass..
They had the following children:
439 F i Sarah Sacket-472 was born on 20 Jan 1752. 440 M ii Aaron Sacket-473 was born on 25 Jan 1753. He died in Jul 1758. 441 M iii Russell Sacket-474 was born in 1754. He died on 16 Jul 1758.
179. Seth Sacket-159 (John Sacket , John Sacket , John , Simon , Thomas , Thomas ) was born on 17 Feb 1724/1725.
Seth married Elisabeth Winchell-159sp daughter of Davie Winchell and Elizabeth Hamblin on 6 Feb 1753.
They had the following children: