Strang, Thomas
John M. McDonald interview — 1845-10-06
The family of Thomas Strang (1763-1851) was divided during the Revolutionary War. Thomas’s father, Henry, was one of four brothers. Henry and Joseph supported the American cause and were officers in the Westchester County Militia. Daniel and Francis were Loyalists, and Daniel’s son, also named Daniel, was hanged as a spy. Francis’s son Sylvanus was killed in Mosier’s Fight in 1781. Thomas describes some of the activity that took place in Crompond during the war, including the burning of the Presbyterian Church at Crompond (now the First Presbyterian Church of Yorktown) and the raids that took place in June 1779. He also discusses the Battle of Pines Bridge and the death of American Colonel Christopher Greene, notes that he saw Major John André traveling towards Pines Bridge on the morning of his capture, and tells of the surprise of Lieutenant William Mosier prior to his fight in present-day Rye Brook on the morning of December 2, 1781. Strang concludes his interview with a description of the last parade of the militia of Van Cortlandt Manor under British rule, which coincided with the formation of a Patriot militia.
Original findings from this interview
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Transcription
1845.
or below, there being a cross road within a mile of Ward's house, both north and South (?) It was in 1776, and General Vaughan encamped at Odell's Hill.
Monday, October 6th Thomas Strang, of Yorktown, about two miles from Crompond: "My father and his three brothers were born at Crompond in Cortlandt's Manor. In the Revolution two of them, viz, my uncle, Major Joseph and my Father Henry Strang, were whigs, being officers in Colonel Samuel Drake's militia regiment, and the other two were tories, viz, Daniel &
Aaron Ward, Esq, for compensation for the loss of the Meeting House and buildings during the Revolutionary war, and the Committee of Reference reported in their favor, but the report was never acted upon. One of the principal Affidavits upon which the claim was founded was that of Caleb Morgan which was drawn by himself. The Affidavit was [inter: now] on file at Washington, states that some Royalists who were advised of what was going on at Crompond applied to Colonel Robinson who was on board a vessel of war in the North river for a force to destroy the American guard house and stores &c, and that Robinson sent Major Abercrombie with a detachment of Infantry from Peekskill or Verplanks Point. This detachment was guided by the said Caleb Morgan, surprised the American Post and burnt Strang's house. (?)
three quarters of a mile from Pine's Bridge, and about half a mile from the road leading from Pines Bridge to Crompond. Both Greene and Flagg attempted to defend themselves. DeLancey's Refugees attempted to carry him, Greene, off, but finding him dying, they left him in the woods, by the side of the private road or farm path leading from Danforth's house to the Crompond road where he was soon afterwards found, by a patrol command -ed by my father, Captain Henry Strang being then quite dead, and lying about half way from the said house to said road. Greene and Flagg were both interred in the Crompond burying ground, and I believe in one grave, without a monument or tombstone having any inscription. Plain rough stones designate their resting place
1845.
which I can point out. Their remains were never removed or I should have heard of it. DeLancey's troops on their return crossed the Groton at a ford above Pines Bridge
Joshua Hett Smith and Major André were stopped at or [marg: +] near Crompond by a Sergeant's guard under Crawford, a one eyed man. The guard was a militia Company from the vicinity under Captain Boyd one of our neighbours. The Sergeant conducted them to the Guard House where they were kept all night, Boyd refusing to let them go till morning, notwithstanding Arnold's pass, because they could not give the Countersign. I saw them next morning as they passed my father's house travelling briskly on the road towards Pines Bridge about sunrise.
1845.
afterwards received Commissions. from the proper authority. Two thirds of the population of Cortlandt's Manor were, I think, then Tories, notwith=standing, the officers proceeded forth=with to enrol their compa=nies, &c. and to act as though the men were all Whigs. In this way, and at that time, my father was nominated and received his commission
The old Episcopal Church where the monument to Paulding is erected stands, near Gen(?) Van Cortlandt's,