Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-01-26


they saw before them, like bent and
venerable oak alone upon the plain, and
rejoicing with them at the success Of
principles inherent in his mature, one Of
those men who nobly preferred their
country to wealth-thcir honest poverty
to ignobly obtained riches. They could
say there is an INcORRUPTIBLE PATRIOT
there is the NogLRsT WORK OF COP, an
HONEST MAN." They could show
him to their children and tell them his his
tory. Need it be said what benign ef-
feet the lesson would have on the young
mind.
Williams is now travelling to that land to
which his two associates and most others
Of the times of the revolution have gone
before him. His downward path is one
of calmness, for virtue is his companion
1t is one of happiness, for the prayers of
the good and the blessings Of the patriot
accompany him on the way. And when
he shall have arrived at the last goal,
pGans of JOY will arise and shouts Of con-
graduation be poured forth from his fell
lows at the coming among them OF one
whose purity could receive no just reward
till he entered into the rest and partook
Of the bliss of heaven.
The following brief history Of the life
Of Williams, previous to the capture Of
Andre, and detailed statement of that G.
vent, were written down as dictated by
him, and give more full account OF HIM
self and of the capture, than has ever
been published. 1t was read to him after
il was written, and he certified to its cor
rectness. His own language is pre-
served throughout, as near AS might be.
| was born in Tarrytown, then called
Philips Manor, Westchester, CO. n. Y.
1854. entered the army l775, at the age
of 81 land was under General Montgome-
ry at the taking of Fort ST. Johns and
afterwards on board of flat bottomed
boats to carry provisions, Sc; served out
my time, which was six months; l then
went home, listed again in the spring of
l776, and continued in the service by
different enlistments, as New York
Militiaman until 1873.
In l778, when in Captain Acker's
company Of New York militia at Tarry-
town, asked permission to take walk
in company, with William Van Wart, a
boy about sixteen or seventeen years Old
l proceeded to the cross roads 'Tomp-
kins' ridge, stood looking few minutes,
and saw five men coming, they had arms;
we jumped over a stone fence and con-
cealed ourselves in corner of it; OBJ
served that they were armed with two
olafo 10,
so nigh that we recognized two of them,
viz. William Underhill and William
Mosher, who were known to be of DE
Lancy's corps who were tories. When
they came within proper distance, l said
to my companion, Chilly, neck or no
jointn l then said aloud, as if speaking
to u number, with the view of intimidat-
ing them, "men, make ready"-They
STOPPED. Immediately; | told them to
ground their arms, which they did; then
said; "march away" they did so, l then
jumped over the fence, secured their
arms, and made them march before us to
our quarters. | continued in the service
until week or ten days before the year
1880.
In December, 1879, Captain Daniel
Williams, who was the commander Of our
company, mounted us on horses, and we
went to Morrisiana, Westchester county
We swept all Morrisiana clear, took prob.
ably $4,000 worth property, returned to
Tarrytown, and quartered at Young's
house. My feet being frozen, my uncle
Martinus Van Wart took me to his
house. | told Capt. Williams that the
enemy would soon be at yOung's, and
that if he remained there he would be on
his way to Morrisiana before morning =
lie paid no attention to my remarks; he
did not believe me; but in the course of
the night a woman came to my uncle's,
crying, "Uncle Martinus! Uncle Mar
tinus! the enemy are at Young's house
which was the truth, as the British had
surrounded it, made prisoners of all the
company excepting two, and burnt the
barn.
Having got well Of my frozen feet, on
from Tarrytown to the upper part of
Westchcster county, in the town of Sa-
lem. We belonged to no organized com
pany at all; were under no command,
and worked for our board or johnny Cake.
Isaac Van Wart, who was cousin of
mine, Nicholas Storms, and myself, went
to Tarrytown on a visit; we carried our
muskets with us, and on our way took
Quaker, who said he was going to New
York after salt and other things. The
Quaker was taken before the American
authority and acquitted.
In July or August, a number Of per-
sons, Of whom | was one, went to visit