The Long Island Sunday Press reprinted some of the findings their sister paper, the Long Island Times, dug up some fifty years previously about Quakers in Flushing during the American Revolution:
Quakers Paid
British Troops Levied Heavily on Flushing in Revolution
The Friends of Flushing suffered heavy property losses during the Revolution, when that community was occupied by British troops, it would appear from the following notes, prepared by Henry Onderdonk, Jr., of Jamaica, and which appeared in the Long Island Times of . The Friends were for the most part conscientious objectors and persecuted as such.
. Taken from Daniel Bowne for refusing military by Capt. Hoogland’s warrant, a silver watch worth 27 pounds and a looking glass worth 3 pounds.
. Taken from John Bowne by the Major of the Light Horse for the use of the army, 21 old sheep at 13 shillings each, and 15 lambs at 11 shillings each; and on , taken by Capt. Moxsome, 21 bushels of oats at 3 shillings per bushels.
. Distresses made upon the goods of Ebenezer Beaman by order of the militia officers. A dictionary worth 12 shillings; 2 large pewter basins, 16 shillings; diaper, tablecloth, and pewter tunnel, 28 shillings, looking glass 3 pounds, iron shod cask and tackling, 14 pounds; a horse 18 pounds 14 shillings. , Jacob Lawrence with three others, took a riding saddle worth 5 pounds.
And a Warming Pan
. Taken from John Lawrence by the militia sergeant, for not appearing under arms, a warming pan to the value of 1 pound.
. Taken from John Farrington, a gun worth 2 pounds; a table 3 pounds; 2 hogs 9 pounds 10 shillings. Taken by Jacob Lawrence by Capt. Hoogland’s order, linen worth 3 pounds 12 shillings. . Goods taken worth 3 pounds 11 shillings 4 pence.
. Taken from Ann Field by order of Capt. Hoogland, being to serve military purposes, a watch worth 8 pounds, 2 1‒2 bushels of wheat, 1 pound 10 shillings; a horse 25 pounds. , three turkeys worth 5 shillings, on a demand of 24 shillings for guarding the fort at Whitestone.
. Taken from John Bowne for not appearing with the militia, a fat hog 5 pounds.
Taken by Capt. Hoogland, for not appearing under arms when required by the militia officers, household goods, worth 2 pounds 3 shillings 6 pence.
. On a demand of 39 shillings to defray the charge of guarding the forts at Whitestone. a pair of boots, worth 2 pounds 8 shillings.
. Isaac Underhill and Thomas Willett, being desired by the British commanding officers at Flushing to view the damages or quantities of timber cut off a certain tract of timber land consisting of about 25 acres, belonging to John Bowne, concluded there had been taken 500 cords for the use of His Majesty’s troops. David Colden certifies the above appraisers to be men of fair character, and well qualified to make the estimate.
Corn and Linen
. There came to John Farrington’s house, David Rowland, a sergeant under Capt. Hoogland, for a demand of 3 pounds 8 shillings, took away a piece of linen worth 3 pounds 3 shillings, being levied by way of tax, as was said, to defray the expense of guarding the fort at Whitestone.
. Jacob Lawrence, sergeant, with others, came to Isaac Underhill’s and demanded 4 pounds for money advanced for a horse to go in the King’s service, and for expense in guarding the fort, etc., and upon his refusing to pay it, went into his stables and took 8 bushels of Indian corn worth 4 pounds.
. Abel Thomas, traveling preacher, says: “After the meeting at Westchester, we went down to the waterside to go over to Long Island. There was no boat there. We made a smoke for a signal to the ferryman on the other side to come for us. which he did; but informed us he was under obligation to send all strangers that he brought over to Colonel Hamilton’s at Flushing. When we were over, he sent a guard with us to the colonel. We informed him that we intended to hold meetings on the Island. His answer to us was that ‘if that was our business it was a pity to hinder us.[’] He readily gave us a permit to travel through the island. We visited meetings, one a day, and then crossed the Sound.”
. Taken at sundry times from John Burling, Jr. for fines, by order of Capt. Hoogland, to answer for military purposes; A pewter dish worth 8 shillings; 6 pewter plates, 12 shillings: a pair of tongs, 12 shillings; a table cloth, 1 pound 10 shillings; 7 pewter plates, 14 shillings; a copper sauce pan, 8 shillings; a pair of andirons, 2 pounds; 6 silver teaspoons, 1 pound, 10 shillings. . taken by Philip Husted. 2 1-2 bushels of corn and bag, to defray the cost of guarding the fort at Whitestone. 1 pound 10 shillings. . Jacob Lawrence took on demand of 27 shillings, an overcoat and a dunghill fowl worth 50 shillings.
Geography is Fine
. Taken from Willet Bowne, at sundry times, by order of Capt. Hoogland, (being fines for military purposes) a geography worth 14 shillings; 6 pewter plates, 13 shillings; 2 bushels of wheat and the hay, 2 pounds; 9 bushels of corn, 3 pounds 12 shillings; a watch, 8 pounds. . 2 bushels of corn and the bag, 1 pound 4 shillings.
