June 1775 in the Precinct of Hanover, Ulster County, New York

This is the third installment of a monthly recollection of events of 250 years ago in Hanover, Ulster, New York.  The precinct of Hanover was the approximate location of Joel Campbell at the time. This area is now part of the Town of Montgomery, Orange, New York.

The Provincial and Continental Congresses that began in May continued into June.  Of most lasting consequence was their formation of a military force. On June 15, one day after voting to create a continental army, George Washington was named General of all continental forces. (250th Birthday of the Army) 

On June 30th, the New York Provincial Congress named officers in the New York Regiments. One of the colonels hailed from the adjacent Precinct of New Windsor. Colonel James Clinton was well known to the inhabitants of Hanover. 

One of the companies in Clinton's regiment was led by Captain John Nicholson. He was also from New Windsor, but would be a Hanover resident before the war ended. Many of his men were from Hanover.

Nicholson's two lieutenants were also from New Windsor, David (James?) DuBois and James Gregg.

Gregg's service in the continental army would not end for another EIGHT years! His legendary hardships were described by his wife, Mary, in her application for a widow's pension: “James Greg was shot through the body, was tomahawked and scalped in the Revolutionary War and I believe said wounds was the means of shortening his days.”

May 1775 in the Precinct of Hanover, Ulster County, New York

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.