Artifact New York: Family Correspondence from the American Revolution

Abstract

Artifact New YorkFamily Correspondence from the American Revolution John L. Scherer (bio) Click for larger view View full resolution Image 1. Letter to Richard Betts, Beekman Precinct, Dutchess County, from his sister Millicent and her husband, Nathaniel Selleck, of Huntington, Long Island, dated September 9, 1783. courtesy of manuscripts and special collections, new york state library. [End Page 389] Robert (1750–1836) and Richard (1756–1840) Betts were brothers, sons of Augustine Betts (c. 1728–1813), a hat maker, and Kiziah Wiggins (c. 1732–1811) of Flushing, Jamaica, Huntington, and later North Hempstead, Long Island. Robert was born at Rocky Hill, Flushing, New York, in 1750, and Richard was born at Jamaica on July 16, 1756. These brothers, although in later life separated by distance, were always very close. Both served in the American Revolution and fought the British in battles around Manhattan, Long Island, and Westchester County. Later they shared correspondence that gave an insight into their lives and personalities. Robert's son, Oliver, would marry Richard's daughter, Abigail. The Revolutionary War pension records for Robert and Richard reveal a considerable amount of information concerning their service in the war, and a packet of letters and papers spanning the years 1779 through 1834 supplement the information on their personal lives. These papers descended to James Hill Betts (1899–1991) of Kingston, New York, from his great-grandparents, Oliver Betts (1801–73), son of Robert Betts, and Abigail Betts (1810–92), daughter of Richard Betts. This first-cousin marriage connected the two families. Unfortunately, James Betts transcribed the papers as best as he could and destroyed most of the originals because of their poor condition. However, two of the original letters managed to make it in to the New York State Library Special Collections. Robert served as one of George Washington's spies in the Secret Service, and his brother Richard served much of his time as a clerk in the supply depot at Fishkill. Richard was also involved in the attack on the fort at Setauket, Long Island, in 1777, and in 1778 in helping build the fort at West Point. After he was discharged, Richard made his home at Beekman Precinct in Dutchess County, New York, and Robert returned to Long Island making his home at Huntington. Huntington was a patriot stronghold at a time when much of Long Island, including Hempstead, had Loyalist tendencies. Richard soon became a Quaker. A letter to him from an important leader in the Quaker faith, Peter Lossing Jr. of Ponquogue, Long Island, dated September 12, 1783, [End Page 390] discusses various principles of the Quaker religion. Only three days before this letter was written to Richard, his sister Millicent and her husband, Nathaniel Selleck, of Huntington had written in a letter dated September 9, 1783, that their son, Richard, had died on August 27 and that she was just getting over the "Bloody flu." After giving news of relatives, Millicent indicated that the British troops were now lying nearby to help and protect Loyalists who would be leaving the Island. The Treaty of Paris had been signed only six days before on September 3, 1783, and the war was officially over. The British were preparing to leave New York and Long Island. November 25, 1783, was evacuation day in New York City, the headquarters for the British army since September 1776. The harbor was filled with British sailing ships jammed with 7,500 troops. They were going home, leaving America to its destiny. On December 4, the British were evacuated from Long Island, the same day that George Washington bid farewell to his troops at Fraunce's Tavern in New York City. Robert Betts wrote from his home at Huntington, Long Island, to his brother Richard at Beekman Precinct. The letter is dated December 13, 1783, only days after the British troops left. Dear Brother, I now with pleasure take pen in hand to inform you that through the mercies of god I enjoy perfect health hoping to find you in the same. Now dear brother I sincerely congratulate you on the happy event that has taken place since I last saw you, namely peace to our injured opprest...