April 19, 1775, is considered by most historians to mark the start of the Revolutionary War period. (See prior blog). Few would have guessed at the time that it would last eight years. Even fewer today have the patience to endure a 250th commemorative period lasting that long. This my second month. Will I have the patience to commemorate for 8 years.... 96 months?
The shots fired at Lexington and Concord changed the tone of the rebellion from peaceful protests to military confrontation. The "Articles of Association" signed by the rebels in New York City on April 29th, 1775, had been quickly reproduced in Ulster County and signed by Joel Campbell's brother, Reuben, in New Paltz. The "Articles" were as much a declaration of independence as the document that was to publish July 4, 1776. It stated that the signers would recognize the extra-legal congresses set up by the rebels. Signing was a treasonous act.
On May 5, 1775, residents of the Precinct of Hanover, Ulster County, appeared at the home of Captain Peter Hill (known as the Brick House on 17K) to sign the "Articles."
On about the same date, the Newburgh Committee of Safety and Observation posted the "Articles" at Weigand's Tavern for all to sign. Joel Campbell's signature (namesake of this blog) does not appear on any of the surviving "Articles."
On May 11, 1775, Ulster residents met again in New Paltz to select representatives to the First Provincial Congress (the April 1775 meeting had been called a "Provincial Convention"). They selected Col. Johannes Hardenbergh, Col. James Clinton, Egbert Dumond, Charles Clinton, Christopher Tappen, John Nicholson and Jacob Hoornbeek. Note that the participants were eager to include their military credentials in what was quickly becoming more than a battle of words.
Indeed, some residents had marched to Boston to support the standoff at the besieged city.
The 1st Provincial Congress convened in New York City on May 23. For the next month it would conduct business in parallel with the ongoing Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Post riders galloped daily between the two cities, sharing and requesting information.
The settling of grievances with Britain was quickly turning into a military conflict.
