In the year 1777 on a small rural farm in New York, my great, g, g, g, g, g, g, grandfather, Captain Samuel Crawford, lost his life in a skirmish with British soldiers. In the same year, his son, John Crawford, was wounded, taken prisoner and served time on a British prison boat. He survived and went on to become a Methodist minister, built a church and ministered to his congregation until he passed away at age 90.
When I learned this story, history came alive for me. These men, whose DNA I share, lived during a period of history when our country was struggling to gain its independence. My ancestors were a part of that history. They were Patriots.
With technology and the labors of others, I am able to trace the long line of my ancestors over 200 years beginning with the patriot, Samuel Crawford, in New York and his son, John Crawford. The purpose of this blog is to collect information and share stories with my extended family.
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Story of Samuel Crawford
Samuel Crawford the Patriot
Towering evergreens stand as if in benediction about the Crawford-Morris House. Doleful their murmurs that seemingly turn to whispers which evoke memories of the past.
Over the Samuel Crawford homestead fell a pall of deep purple in early wartime years.
Never forgotten the tragedy whence the name of Samuel Crawford places first on the Scarsdale Roll of Honor.
Many a year afterward opposite the site of Ward’s House in Eastchester a marker was set in tribute. The plaque inscribed as an historic reminder is attached to an imposing boulder standing beside the Post Road at Winterhill Road crossing.
The recount calls for bowed head and that accompanying moment of silence.
THIS TABLET MARKS THE SPOT WHERE
CAPTAIN SAMUEL CRAWFORD
WAS KILLED
IN A SKIRMISH WITH THE BRITISH TROOPS
NOVEMBER 18, 1777
HE WAS A SOLDIER AND STATESMAN
DEPUTY FROM WESTCHESTER COUNTY TO THE
PROVINCIAL CONGRESS
COMMITTEEMAN FROM SCARSDALE
SECONDED THE RESOLUTION TO MAKE NEW YORK
A STATE
ERECTED BY BRONX CHAPTER
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
NOVEMBER 22, 1913
One hundred fifty years later Dr. Thomas J. Harris of Scarsdale portrayed the incident in reality of its setting.
“On November 18, 1777, Colonel Drake ordered Captain Crawford to proceed with his company to Ward’s Tavern in Eastchester, there to bring away a family of a mother and little children who were continually harassed by the DeLancey marauders, sending with
Crawford two army wagons to transport the household goods to Crawford’s residence in Scarsdale. Crawford, obedient to orders, proceeded there on the night of the 18th, and, as has been graphically described by an eyewitness long after, he was killed in the skirmish that followed. He states that the body and that of the other soldiers killed at that time was buried in the field next to this famous tavern.”
The Quarterly Bulletin of the Westchester County Historical Society
P.93 Vol. 5 No. 4
Caleb Tompkins relates that Samuel Crawford was thrown into a wagon to be taken to Kings bridge and died on the way.
The story as told by the enemy appeared under the date 24 March 1777 in “The New York Gazette and the Weekly Mercury” the newspaper published by Hugh Gaines in the City of New York.
The excerpt tells
“On the night of Sunday the 16th Instants, a Detachment of the Queen’s Rangers, 2nd New York Companies, with Twenty of the Hessian Troops, and a Subaltern, under the Command of Captain John Branden, and Archibald Campbell, were ordered out to attack a Party of the rebels at DeLancey’s Mills, but they having intelligence of the Movement of our Detachment, fled to the House of Stephen Ward, about nine miles North from King’s Bridge, where the Party attacked them about nine o’clock, at night, killed between Forty and Fifty, and took Twenty-seven Prisoners, amongst whom were a Major, a Captain, (wounded) and a forage Master. They brought off at the same time, twenty-four head of Cattle, and four Horses, Part of which they robbed the friends of Government of that Day. Our Loss would have been very inconsiderable, had it not been for the Death of Captain Campbell, who, after the Villains had begged for Quarter, went into the House, and was immediately shot through the Heart. We had five privates killed on the Spot, and six wounded, one of whom is since dead.
At the same Time the Piquet, under the Command of Lieut. Dunlap, and Ensign Juel, marched from Fort Independence to the Bridge at the Brunx River, where they attacked another party of the rebels, and drove them off, proceeded to East-Chester: where they
took 8 prisoners, amongst whom was Commissary Crawford, who died of his wounds on the Road to the City, 6 Teams, and 12 pair of Oxen. Not one of our Party was hurt.”
Whichever way the story the long count begins.
Certain of the opening words of his will had become outdated and historic. He had helped make them so. The date stirs surmise, queries whether the making was prompted by warnings of the forthcoming struggle.
“In the name of God, Amen, I, Samuel Crawford of the Manner of Scarsdale County of Westchester and province of New York, Cooper, being in health and of sound mind and memory blessed be God, do this thirteenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy six make and publish this my last Will and testament.........’The first part discusses parcels of land he owned. Further bequests combine to picture the Crawford farm and household.
.”Also to sell all my movable Estate except two horses- four cows- six hogs- ten sheep- necessary farming utensils- meat, grain and hay needed- three feather beds- one cubboard- linen and woolen furniture- six chairs- two tables-..”.............
Samuel Crawford gives L.25 to his wife, Jane and the use of the farm and buildings and movable estate “so long as my Wife shall live or remain my widow or untill my youngest son Samuel shall arrive at the age of fourteen wither of which shall first happen”
With the sale of all Real and Personal Estate his Widow, if living, is to have one of the best beds and furniture and L.300 kept at interest
“as long as she remains my Widow and no longer”.
He gives L.50 apiece to his three sons- Elijah, John and Samuel and includes a child then unborn is a son. Joseph is that son.
All his children “Elijah, John, Samuel, Easter, Mary, Rachel, Pheby and the one yet unborn” share equally in the estate.
Thereafter he adds
“I make constitute and ordain my good friends Miles Oakley and Jonathan Griffen Tompkins, Jane Crawford to be my Executors.”
The signing was witnessed by Samuel Lyons, Benjamin Lyon and Sarah Oakley- his Mother-in-Law.
The above information is quoted from Helen Hultz’ book Scarsdale Story, a Heritage History
The following is from the book Of Colonists and Commuters:
In Scarsdale, only a handful of people stood up for a break with England. One was Samuel Crawford, a cooper (barrel maker) and a militia captain. Crawford also represented Scarsdale on the local Committee of Safety. Too, the Varians, who had bought Wayside farm were also outspoken rebels. So was Jonathan Tompkins, father of a future U.S. Vice President.
The New York Provincial Congress met in White Plains in July, 1776, because New York City had become too dangerous. The British had just landed 120 ships and 10,000 soldiers there. Jonathan Tompkins and Jonathan Platt represented Scarsdale in the Congress. The main order of business on July 9 was to vote on the
new Declaration of Independence, approved by the Continental Congress in Philadelphia only five days earlier.
When the Declaration was read from the White Plains Court House steps on July 11, Sam Crawford and Michael Varian seconded the motion. It was carried and the
vote was unanimous. Officially, Westchester was solidly for independence. In fact, at least half the residents were flatly opposed.
The battle of White Plains was fought in October of that year, and Sam Crawford and his fifteen year old son fought in the battle.
Scarsdale’s First Casualty
There were many an “authorized raid” to take part in, as both armies scoured the countryside for food. In one such raid, Samuel Crawford was put in charge of five or six wagon teams that went down near British lines to Morrisania. The raid must have been a success, for as the wagons headed back north, British Queens Rangers rode after them. Crawford unfortunately stopped to visit his sister, and the Rangers caught up with him. The Scarsdale cooper was recognized as a member of the Committee For Safety, which had called before it anyone suspected of being loyal to the Crown. As such, Crawford was hated by Westchester Tories- so hated that one of the Tories ran his bayonet though Crawford. The Scarsdale patriot died on the way to a British prison in new York City.
A month after Crawford’s death, his widow moved north (Bedford) to escape the constant raids. There is a story that before she left, a lone Hessian soldier tried to invade her house. Mrs. Crawford is said to have heaved him out the door.
Now that you have two different accounts of his death....I give you the interview of Caleb Tompkins, as spoken to Dr. John M McDonald, who interviewed many veterans and residents years after the Revolution.
Caleb Tompkins
“Late in the fall and first part of winter of 1776 Col. William Duer, Egbert Benson and Jonathan G. Tompkins (all members of the Committee of Safety) were appointed to superintend the bringing off of all the stock forage and grain from
the lower part of Westchester County, to prevent it falling into the hands of the enemy. Four Continental four horse waggons with a number of ox-teams were procured for that purpose. All the cattle and horse kind of all ages and sizes, also forage were brought to my father’s farm. Samuel Crawford (the father of Elijah Crawford) a stout, and spirited man was conductor of the teams. Being down on a Sunday there was a good deal of skirmishing between Delevan’s Rangers and the Tory refugees (Capt. Samuel Delevan who commanded a company of rangers was stationed at Judge Ward’s house and went down every day to protect the teams) Mr. Crawford called to see his sister and fell in the rear of the teams. The refugees came into the house and he surrendered himself as a prisoner. One of them asked his name as soon as he told it run through with his bayonet. He was taken to Kings bridge thrown into a waggon to be taken to New York and died on the way.”
Towering evergreens stand as if in benediction about the Crawford-Morris House. Doleful their murmurs that seemingly turn to whispers which evoke memories of the past.
Over the Samuel Crawford homestead fell a pall of deep purple in early wartime years.
Never forgotten the tragedy whence the name of Samuel Crawford places first on the Scarsdale Roll of Honor.
Many a year afterward opposite the site of Ward’s House in Eastchester a marker was set in tribute. The plaque inscribed as an historic reminder is attached to an imposing boulder standing beside the Post Road at Winterhill Road crossing.
The recount calls for bowed head and that accompanying moment of silence.
THIS TABLET MARKS THE SPOT WHERE
CAPTAIN SAMUEL CRAWFORD
WAS KILLED
IN A SKIRMISH WITH THE BRITISH TROOPS
NOVEMBER 18, 1777
HE WAS A SOLDIER AND STATESMAN
DEPUTY FROM WESTCHESTER COUNTY TO THE
PROVINCIAL CONGRESS
COMMITTEEMAN FROM SCARSDALE
SECONDED THE RESOLUTION TO MAKE NEW YORK
A STATE
ERECTED BY BRONX CHAPTER
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
NOVEMBER 22, 1913
One hundred fifty years later Dr. Thomas J. Harris of Scarsdale portrayed the incident in reality of its setting.
“On November 18, 1777, Colonel Drake ordered Captain Crawford to proceed with his company to Ward’s Tavern in Eastchester, there to bring away a family of a mother and little children who were continually harassed by the DeLancey marauders, sending with
Crawford two army wagons to transport the household goods to Crawford’s residence in Scarsdale. Crawford, obedient to orders, proceeded there on the night of the 18th, and, as has been graphically described by an eyewitness long after, he was killed in the skirmish that followed. He states that the body and that of the other soldiers killed at that time was buried in the field next to this famous tavern.”
The Quarterly Bulletin of the Westchester County Historical Society
P.93 Vol. 5 No. 4
Caleb Tompkins relates that Samuel Crawford was thrown into a wagon to be taken to Kings bridge and died on the way.
The story as told by the enemy appeared under the date 24 March 1777 in “The New York Gazette and the Weekly Mercury” the newspaper published by Hugh Gaines in the City of New York.
The excerpt tells
“On the night of Sunday the 16th Instants, a Detachment of the Queen’s Rangers, 2nd New York Companies, with Twenty of the Hessian Troops, and a Subaltern, under the Command of Captain John Branden, and Archibald Campbell, were ordered out to attack a Party of the rebels at DeLancey’s Mills, but they having intelligence of the Movement of our Detachment, fled to the House of Stephen Ward, about nine miles North from King’s Bridge, where the Party attacked them about nine o’clock, at night, killed between Forty and Fifty, and took Twenty-seven Prisoners, amongst whom were a Major, a Captain, (wounded) and a forage Master. They brought off at the same time, twenty-four head of Cattle, and four Horses, Part of which they robbed the friends of Government of that Day. Our Loss would have been very inconsiderable, had it not been for the Death of Captain Campbell, who, after the Villains had begged for Quarter, went into the House, and was immediately shot through the Heart. We had five privates killed on the Spot, and six wounded, one of whom is since dead.
At the same Time the Piquet, under the Command of Lieut. Dunlap, and Ensign Juel, marched from Fort Independence to the Bridge at the Brunx River, where they attacked another party of the rebels, and drove them off, proceeded to East-Chester: where they
took 8 prisoners, amongst whom was Commissary Crawford, who died of his wounds on the Road to the City, 6 Teams, and 12 pair of Oxen. Not one of our Party was hurt.”
Whichever way the story the long count begins.
Certain of the opening words of his will had become outdated and historic. He had helped make them so. The date stirs surmise, queries whether the making was prompted by warnings of the forthcoming struggle.
“In the name of God, Amen, I, Samuel Crawford of the Manner of Scarsdale County of Westchester and province of New York, Cooper, being in health and of sound mind and memory blessed be God, do this thirteenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy six make and publish this my last Will and testament.........’The first part discusses parcels of land he owned. Further bequests combine to picture the Crawford farm and household.
.”Also to sell all my movable Estate except two horses- four cows- six hogs- ten sheep- necessary farming utensils- meat, grain and hay needed- three feather beds- one cubboard- linen and woolen furniture- six chairs- two tables-..”.............
Samuel Crawford gives L.25 to his wife, Jane and the use of the farm and buildings and movable estate “so long as my Wife shall live or remain my widow or untill my youngest son Samuel shall arrive at the age of fourteen wither of which shall first happen”
With the sale of all Real and Personal Estate his Widow, if living, is to have one of the best beds and furniture and L.300 kept at interest
“as long as she remains my Widow and no longer”.
He gives L.50 apiece to his three sons- Elijah, John and Samuel and includes a child then unborn is a son. Joseph is that son.
All his children “Elijah, John, Samuel, Easter, Mary, Rachel, Pheby and the one yet unborn” share equally in the estate.
Thereafter he adds
“I make constitute and ordain my good friends Miles Oakley and Jonathan Griffen Tompkins, Jane Crawford to be my Executors.”
The signing was witnessed by Samuel Lyons, Benjamin Lyon and Sarah Oakley- his Mother-in-Law.
The above information is quoted from Helen Hultz’ book Scarsdale Story, a Heritage History
The following is from the book Of Colonists and Commuters:
In Scarsdale, only a handful of people stood up for a break with England. One was Samuel Crawford, a cooper (barrel maker) and a militia captain. Crawford also represented Scarsdale on the local Committee of Safety. Too, the Varians, who had bought Wayside farm were also outspoken rebels. So was Jonathan Tompkins, father of a future U.S. Vice President.
The New York Provincial Congress met in White Plains in July, 1776, because New York City had become too dangerous. The British had just landed 120 ships and 10,000 soldiers there. Jonathan Tompkins and Jonathan Platt represented Scarsdale in the Congress. The main order of business on July 9 was to vote on the
new Declaration of Independence, approved by the Continental Congress in Philadelphia only five days earlier.
When the Declaration was read from the White Plains Court House steps on July 11, Sam Crawford and Michael Varian seconded the motion. It was carried and the
vote was unanimous. Officially, Westchester was solidly for independence. In fact, at least half the residents were flatly opposed.
The battle of White Plains was fought in October of that year, and Sam Crawford and his fifteen year old son fought in the battle.
Scarsdale’s First Casualty
There were many an “authorized raid” to take part in, as both armies scoured the countryside for food. In one such raid, Samuel Crawford was put in charge of five or six wagon teams that went down near British lines to Morrisania. The raid must have been a success, for as the wagons headed back north, British Queens Rangers rode after them. Crawford unfortunately stopped to visit his sister, and the Rangers caught up with him. The Scarsdale cooper was recognized as a member of the Committee For Safety, which had called before it anyone suspected of being loyal to the Crown. As such, Crawford was hated by Westchester Tories- so hated that one of the Tories ran his bayonet though Crawford. The Scarsdale patriot died on the way to a British prison in new York City.
A month after Crawford’s death, his widow moved north (Bedford) to escape the constant raids. There is a story that before she left, a lone Hessian soldier tried to invade her house. Mrs. Crawford is said to have heaved him out the door.
Now that you have two different accounts of his death....I give you the interview of Caleb Tompkins, as spoken to Dr. John M McDonald, who interviewed many veterans and residents years after the Revolution.
Caleb Tompkins
“Late in the fall and first part of winter of 1776 Col. William Duer, Egbert Benson and Jonathan G. Tompkins (all members of the Committee of Safety) were appointed to superintend the bringing off of all the stock forage and grain from
the lower part of Westchester County, to prevent it falling into the hands of the enemy. Four Continental four horse waggons with a number of ox-teams were procured for that purpose. All the cattle and horse kind of all ages and sizes, also forage were brought to my father’s farm. Samuel Crawford (the father of Elijah Crawford) a stout, and spirited man was conductor of the teams. Being down on a Sunday there was a good deal of skirmishing between Delevan’s Rangers and the Tory refugees (Capt. Samuel Delevan who commanded a company of rangers was stationed at Judge Ward’s house and went down every day to protect the teams) Mr. Crawford called to see his sister and fell in the rear of the teams. The refugees came into the house and he surrendered himself as a prisoner. One of them asked his name as soon as he told it run through with his bayonet. He was taken to Kings bridge thrown into a waggon to be taken to New York and died on the way.”
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