Pierre Van Cortlandt
John M. McDonald interview
Pierre Van Cortlandt Jr. (1762-1848) gave this interview from his home, the Van Cortlandt Upper Manor House in Van Cortlandtville. He notes that George Washington stayed at that house two days before the treason of Benedict Arnold in September 1780, and briefly describes the skirmish that took place west of his home on March 24, 1777. He also references the switch of allegiance of Colonel James Holmes from the Americans to the British, and recalls that in 1775 a force led by Colonel James Hammond was sent to Cortlandt Manor to disarm Loyalists. Van Cortlandt also mentions Captain Samuel Delavan of the Westchester County Militia. He references a set of clothes belonging to Captain John Webb that Van Cortlandt’s sister, Cornelia Van Cortlandt Beekman, refused to give to Joshua Hett Smith. Smith had hoped to secure the uniform for British Major John André to wear as a disguise during his trip southward through Westchester County. Van Cortlandt also explains how John Paulding was able to escape imprisonment in Manhattan only a few days before participating in the capture of British Major John André, and recounts the journey of the New York Provincial Congress from Harlem to White Plains. Van Cortlandt then explains how Frederick Philipse III, Lord of Philipsburg Manor, was arrested in 1776 and taken by the Americans to Connecticut, where he was paroled by Governor Trumbull. The following year, Philipse and his family went to Manhattan after warning the British commander at Kingsbridge about an American raid. Van Cortlandt notes that five men from William Mosier’s company of Westchester County Militia were at his farm at one time, and explains the wounding, capture, and death of Pierre Teller, who participated in the skirmish along the Hudson River in northern Ossining in January 1783. He also recounts the emotional farewell that he had with Frederick Philipse in 1783 before the latter left for England. Van Cortlandt also recounts the skirmish that took place near his home on March 24, 1777, during which an American force led by Lieutenant Colonel Marinus Willett turned back a British force that was advancing from Peekskill. He concludes with a description of how New York Governor George Clinton secured funding for the American war effort from Long Island farmers.
Original findings from this interview
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
Octr. 19th Genl. Pierre Van Cortlandt: "General Washington was in this house two days before Arnold's treason was concocted, and slept here all night with Hamilton and others of his suite.
Willett's Hill is the most easterly of the two round hills by the road. Colonel Willett made his attack from the east upon the British picket in Cortlandt's valley in 1777. There could have been no feint on the British left in consequence of the Peak's Kill being so near the hill."
Holmes was Colonel of the fifth of the first five regiments raised in New York in the beginning of the war, and Philip Van Cortlandt, my brother, was Lieut. Colonel of the same. The next year Holmes went over to the British. In 1775, by order of the Provincial Congress Colonel Hammond by order of the Pro=vincial Congress went over to Cortlandt's ~~house~~ Manor and disarmed the tories who were numerous.
Captain Samuel Delavan command=ed the West Chester Company of horse.
Capt. Webb's suit of clothes very elegant. Joshua Smith attempted to get them but ~~William~~ [marg: Mrs.] Beekman who had charge of them refused. Mrs. Beekman lived here at that time — (i, e, in this house) Pauld=ing three days before André was taken was confined in the old North Dutch Church. He got a gallon of brandy — treated the soldiers — climbed picket fence — "Come down, you rebel rascal!" — At last, watching his opportunity, he got over and made his escape to Nathan Lavinus who kept a livery stable in Chatterton Street where Lorillard's manufactory afterwards was. Paulding said to him: "You must furnish me with a disguise." — Got a Hessian's coat green turned up with red, got a boat at the North river and escaped to the Jerseys — met a British guard boat and got [marg: see origl. p. 52. (Note Book - 1847.)] to Weehawk, where he was ~~brought~~ taken up and brought before Marquis La Fayette as a spy. Colonel Courtland there knew him and procured his release. As he was going to the North river a Hes=sian sentinel challenged him. He was prepared and answered in German — then asked (again) a question in that language, and then hurried on fearing that the Hessian might discover his ignorance of High Dutch. When the Provincial Congress removed [returned] from Haerlem to White Plains, they rode on horseback, and on receiving letters from General Washington and others on the way, they stopped, organized on horseback the [Council] — [marg: some] McKesson found the stump of a tree — and they passed several resolutions &c in that state.
Colonel Philipse was taken up early in the Revolutionary war and carried to Connecticut, and paroled by Govr. Trumbull to his Manor. In the early part of 1777, or thereabouts Philips's wife and daughter (great tories) persuaded him to sign a letter informing the British Commander at Kingsbridge that an American party was down at Morrisania. The letter was sent by a servant to the British and found out by one of the Dyckmans, &c Col. Philipse after this was afraid to stay any longer.
There were five of Mosier's men on my farm at one time — vizt: James Croft, Henry and Peter [Christian] [marg: or Godfrey], Peter Meeks and
Pierre Teller taken at the ice fight in 1783 was wounded badly and died in the New York Hospital soon after.
I saw Colonel Philipse in New York in 1783, just before he went to England. I was pointed out to him as Governor Van Cortlandt's son, and he was glad to see me, but cried bitterly when he said, "I must leave my country!" — I cried, too.
In March 1777, the British advanced guard occupied two conical hills, about one mile north of Peekskill which was situated on the East side of, and near the public road, and about 200 or 300 feet apart. Colonel Willett attacked the most easterly of these where most of the British were posted. He advanced upon them through a valley formed by a small branch of the Peekskill which runs towards these hills and through fields covered with underwood and brush and got near them unperceived, when his men shouted out and charged with the bayonets. The British were ~~much~~ alarmed and retreated instantly.
[marg: Gen. Washn. & Govr. Clinton — "You must get £200,000, or we are ruined" — C. employed Aspenwall & one Williams. — gold — L. I. farmers.] General Washington once came to Governor Clinton, and told him he wanted a favor from him. Governor Clinton re=quested him to specify the favor, saying, there was scarcely any one which he would not grant cheerfully. General Washington replied that without the assistance he alluded to the American cause was lost, and added: "Governor Clinton, you are the only man that can prevent the army from disbanding. You must raise me 200,000 pounds immediately." At first Governor Clinton thought the proposal impracticable; but, on reflection, he sent two agents, Aspenwall and Williams, to Long Island who obtained the requisite loan on his bonds from the Long Island farmers, which was entrusted for the purpose to these agents. The money brought over was nearly all gold. The loan was made entirely upon Governor Clinton's personal responsibility, for which [marg: he] was never made any charge by commission or otherwise. He was compelled, moreover, to sign the bonds in blank, trusting Aspenwall's and Williams' honesty, as the loan was of many persons and in various amounts."