, 1840-08-22
From the Staten Islander.
AN INCIDENT OF THE REVOLT
TInN


In the summer of 1879, during one of the
darkest periods Of our revolutionary struggle,
in the small village of s., Though it
now bears a more dignifed title) in this
state lived Judge v, one Of the finest
and truest patriots within the limits of the
"Old Thirteen" and deep in the confidence
of Washington. Like most men of his times
and substance, he had furnished himself with
arms and ammunition, sufficient to arm the
males of his household. These consisted of
himself, three sons and about twenty-five ne
groes. The female part of his family con-
sisted Of his wife, and daughter, Catharine,
about Is years Of age, the heroine of our
tale, and several slaves. In the second sto-
ry OF his d~welling-house, Immediately over
the front door, was a small room called the
i" armory," in which the arms were deposi-
ted, and always kept ready for immediate
use. About the time at which we introduce
our story, the neighborhood Of the village
was much annoyed by the nocturnal Prov
ling and depradations of numerous tories.
1t was on a calm, bright Sabbath after
noon OF the said summer, when Judge v.
and his family, with the exception of his
daughter Catharine, and an old indisposed
female slave, were attending service in the
village church. Not a breath disturbed the
serenity Of the atmosphere-not a sound pro-
famed the sacred stiffness of the day; the
times were dangerous, and Catharine had
locked herself and the old slave in the house.
until the return of the family from church..
A rap was heard at the front door. aSure-
~" said Catharine to the slave, " the family
have not YET come from church; church cannot
be dismissed The rap was repeated. 81
will see what it is" said Catharine, as she ran
up stairs into the armory. On o%penininp the
window and looking down, she saw six men
standing at the front door and on the oppo-
site side ofthe street, three of whom she knew
were tories, who formerly resided in the vii
lage. Their names were Van Zandt, Finley
and Sheldon; the other three were strangers.
but she had reason TO believe them to be of
the same political stamp, from the company
in which she found them.
Van Zandt was a notorious character. and
the number and e%nornmity of his crimes had
rendered his name Infamous in that vicinity.
Nota murder or robbery was committed
within miles OF SHAT he did not get the
credit either Of planning or executing. The
characters Of Finley and Sheldon were also
deeply stained with crime, but Van Zandt
was a master spirit in i%niquity.
The appearance of such characters, under
such circumstances, must have been truly
alarming to a young lady Of Catharine's age, If
not to any lady young or old. But Catharine
possessed her fathers spirit: stbe shirt of
the tunes" Van Zandt was staining on the
steps rapping at the door, while his compan-
ions were talking in a whisper on the op-
posite side of the street.
"ls Judge V-at homer asked Van
Zandt, when he saw Catharine at the win
dow above.
ale is not" said she.
sWe have business of pressing Importance
with him, and ifyou will open the door, said
Van Zandt. 1--WE will walk in and remain
till he returns'
"No," said Catharine, "when he went to
church, he left particular directions not to