Grave marker gone.
It is not known whether he was buried at New Rochelle with his parents and maternal grandparents, 14 miles south of the First Presbyterian Church of White Plains where his elder brother Eli and a number of other relatives are buried, but perhaps he died after 1773 in Dutchess County or present-day Putnam County.
TWO PETER ANGEVINES
A list of settlers of the Philipse Patent, Dutchess County (now Putnam Co.) in 1777 includes "Peter Angevine estate" located near the middle of Philipse Patent. This could be the same Peter Angevine Jr. whose son Joseph Angevine later lived in Philipse Patent near Carmel, perhaps having succeeded to his father's estate. But it is generally thought to be his nephew (son of Eli) who died in 1778 leaving the land to his two sons who were Tories and divested of their property after the Revolutionary War. If his death date of 1778 is firm, then the Peter Angevine who died before 1777 would likely be his uncle Peter Jr.
Pierre ("Peter") Angevine Sr., immigrant from France, and his first wife had a son Pierre Jr. born in 1687, according to FULL-BLOODED YANKEE (1946) by Sidney Graves Koon. Angevine Genealogy by Clyde Angevine states that this son died before the 1710 census, since he was not included. Pierre and his second wife Marguerite then had a son Pierre "Peter" born in 1714 (ref., The Families of the Colonial Town of Philipsburgh, Westchester County, N.Y., by Grenville C. Mackenzie, [IV vols, c1930-66, Westport, Conn.], vol. 1 pp.28-30; also discussed in Angevine Genealogy by Clyde V. Angevine.)
Sidney Graves Koon states that Peter Jr. (son of Deborah Guion) married Margaret Secord whose sister Esther/Hester Secord married his brother Lewis Angevine and had Mr. Koon's ancestor Eli Angevine. But Clyde Angevine (pp. 14, 21-22, 353) showed Eli Angevine was the son of Pierre/Peter Angevine Sr. and his second wife Marguerite de Bonrepos.
This Pierre/Peter Angevine (Jr.) was perhaps the Pierre Angevine who was god father of his nephew Peter Angevine, baptised at Trinity Church Sept. 24, 1734, the son of Lewis and Esther Sicard Angevine, unless it was the infant's grandfather Pierre Sr. Godmother was Marie Angevine. Marie may have been Peter Angevine Jr.'s elder sister but could also be a first wife, although there is a 13-year gap until his first children (by first or second wife unknown) were born beginning in 1747: Lewis, Peter, Phebe, and James.
This Peter Jr. had a younger sister Esther born 1729, baptized here 4 Dec 1729 with godfather Pierre Secord and two Marrains (godmothers), Esther Angevine and Marie Angevine.
Peter Angevine Jr. and his second or third wife Abigail Williams married about 1759 and had two sons, Joseph and Benjamin, and four daughters. Peter Angevine Jr. died after 1773.
ANGEVINE BIBLE
The New Rochelle,NY Evening Standard, 3 October 1921: There is in the possession of the New Rochelle Huguenot Society a bible concerning the Angevine family. It has recently been acquired and is being announced in the paper to the public.
A researcher states: "It may reside now in the Archives at Elmsford, NY." (Whereabouts today not verified.)
New York Genealogical & Biographical Record, vol. 88 (1957), page 34: (citation: NYG&BR 1957 v. 88, p.34:)
ANGEVINE BIBLE RECORD.
Owned by Ernest L. Palmer, 3620 Parsons Blvd., Flushing, N.Y.
Peter Angevine born May 15 day 1714
(The following four entries are probably his children by an unknown first wife):
Lewes Angevine born December 30 day 1747**
Peter Angevine Was born September 14 day 1752
Phebee Angevine born August 31 day 1754
James Angevine born March 4 day 1758
Abigail Williams his wife born May 3rd 1733
Joseph Angevine born March 3 day 1760
Rachel Angevine born July 10, 1762
Mary Angevine was born January 10th day 1765
Susanna Angevine born Six Day of September 1768*
Benjamin Angevine born September 13th 1771
Elizabeth Angevine born June 7th 1774
*(Susanna Angevine above married 1st Thomas FIELD & married 2nd Robert BLOOMER, NYG&BR v. 69, p.330, no. 41).
** TAX LIST OF PHILIPSE PATENT, 1777:
Peter Angevine (later forfeited) (described in an online source as the son of Lewis above was actually the son of this Lewes or Lewis' uncle Louis/Lewis, brother of Peter Jr.)
Peleg Bailey
Richard Williams (Lot 109 forfeited in Lot 9 in 1788)
Thomas Williams
The death dates of Peter and Margaret Angevine have not been proven. He may have died sometime between 1773-77 and Margaret sometime 1774-90, since they are not shown on the 1790 census. It could be that they lived in Scarsdale Manor on or near the Angevine farm where his brother Lewis resided, in which case they could be buried in the family cemetery there.
Eli Angevine, another brother of Louis and Peter, removed with many of his family to the First Presbyterian Church of White Plains.
A French Huguenot Legacy by Debra Guion Stufflebean, p.97, says: “Other members of the Guion family that moved to Canada were…Pierre Angevine Jr., son of Pierre and Deborah Guion Angevine, and his family.” But the author seems to have confused Peter Angevine Jr., grandson of Lewis, and great-grandson of Pierre Angevine Sr. and Deborah Guion, with his half grand-uncle Pierre/Peter Angevine Jr., son of Pierre and Marguerite. Pierre Sr. and Deborah's son Pierre Jr. died young. It was Lewis' grandson Peter Angevine Jr. who was a Tory and known to have removed to Canada and his farm at Carmel confiscated.
It is possible that this Peter Angevine settled in the part of Dutchess County that later became Putnam County. In
History of Putnam County, New York by William S. Pelletreau,
(Chapter IX: Settlement and Population) page 122 is:
TAX LIST OF PHILIP PHILIPSE PATENT, 1777
(List of the taxable inhabitants of Philips Patent in the year 1777.) listing "Peter Angevine's estate."
This is evidently the same property or near what is now Putnam Valley, Putnam County, where his son Joseph Angevine lived later.
“Fredericksburg Precinct: Elijah Tompkins, 2; David Paddock, 2; James Dickenson, estate, 3; Daniel Townsend, 1; John Newbury, 6; Josiah Baker, 4; David Crosby, 3; Joshua Crosby, 3; Theophilus Jones, 1; Tho. Kelley, 1; James Covan, 1; Jonathan Kelley, 2; Silas Paddock, 2; Charles Townsend, 2; Robert Townsend, 1; Tho. Paddock, 3; Peter Angevine’s estate, 4; Jonathan Paddock, 4; Jonathan Paddock’s widow, 1; Isaac Pearce, 2; John Yeoman’s estate, 3; Jonathan Bryant, 2; Michael Shaw, Jr., 1; David Aikins, 4; Heman King, 8; Reuben Kelly, 2; Ebenezer Robinson, 3; John Rhoads, 1; Jacob Philipse, Jr., 1; Nathan Crosby, 4; Hezekiah Mead, 1; Tho. Fowler, 2; Daniel Brundage, 5; Jeremiah Whitney, 2; Ebenezer Brown, 1; Reuben Crosby, 2; Peter Bunker, 1; Joseph Northrop, 2; Hezekiah Mead, 2; Robert Hughson, 3; James Covey, 2; Peter Maybee, 3; Joseph Ganung, 2; Ebenezer Jone’s widow, 2; Cornelius Fuller, 2; John Dickenson, 7; Wm. Palmer, 2; Robert Mooney, 1; Tho. Smith, 4; Wm. Penny, 3; Isaac Chapman, 1; Edmund Batner, 2; Moody Howse, 4; Elisha Cole, 5; etc."
Historical and Genealogical Record Dutchess and Putnam Counties New York, Press of the A. V. Haight Co., Poughkeepsie, New York, 1912; pp. 80-94; p.94 includes TAX LIST OF PHILIPSE PATENT, 1777 which lists Peter Angevine (not "Peter Angevine's estate").
Philipse-Gouverneur Family Papers, in Special Collections at Columbia University (Pocket No. XII, “Papers relating to dispute with Indians about lands in Philipse Patent.”) page 49 mentions Peter Angevine.
The land of Peter Angevin was located "about middle of Philipse Patent" (History of Putnam County, New York [1886] by William S. Pelletreau, page 77).
"At a Council held at Fort George in the City of New York on Wednesday the sixth day of March, 1765.
Present:
"The Hon'ble Cadwallader Colden, Esqr. Lieut. Governor, &c.
Mr. Hormanden, Mr. Delancey, Mr. Smith, Earl of Stirling, Mr. Watts, Mr. Reade, Mr. Walton,
"His Honour the Lieutenant Governor laid before the Board a petition of Daniel Nimham, Jacobus Nimham, One Pound Poctone, Stephen Cowenham, and other Native Indians of the Tribe of Wappinger, Setting forth, that they and their Tribe for Time immemorial by their Native Right, have been in possession of certain Tracts of Land in the Southernmost part of Dutchess County, adjoining the Northernmost part of Westchester County. * * * *
"On reading whereof the four Indians named in the Petition were called in, together with Samuel Munroe their Guardian who attended with them. And Roger Morris and Beverly Robinson, who hold lands under the said Patent, being also present the said Indians were asked what they had to say or to produce in Support of their Claim. Whereupon Daniel Nimham who spoke for himself, and interpreted what the rest said, informed the Council they claimed the Lands under their Ancestors who had never sold them. The said Beverly Robinson then produced an Original Deed, signed by Tachquararos, Cowenhahum, Siengham, Shawiss, Sipowerak, Cramatacht, Wassawawogh, and Mecopap Native Indians and proprietors of sundry tracts of Land in Dutchess County, bearing Date the 13th August 1702, sealed and delivered in the presence of J.V. Cortlandt, William Sharpas, Philip Van Cort-
[p. 76]
landt, Blandiena Bayard, and of three Indians subscribing Witnesses thereto, whereby the said Indian Grantees convey all their Right and Title to the Lands therein mentioned (being the same Lands, and described in the save Words as those Granted by the Patent aforesaid) to the said Adolph Philipse and to his heirs and Assigns for Ever. And the Names of the said Indian Grantees being repeated to the Petitioners present, the petitioner One Pound poctone, who declared himself to be eighty Years of Age said he knew them all-And the Board knowing the four Witnesses first named to have been principal People at the time of the Transaction, and the Hand Writing of William Sharpas one of the Witnesses, and who appears to have wrote the Deed, being well known, His Honour the Lieutenant Governor informed the Petitioners, that himself and the Gentlemen of the Council were of Opinion, that their Ancestors had fairly sold their Right to the Lands in Question. That as their Descendants had no Claim to the Lands, and that they should give the Proprietors or their Tenants no farther Trouble, but suffer them to remain quiet and unmolested in the Possession of what so clearly appeared to be their Property."
Beaten, but no discourage, the Indians attempted to secure the assistance of Sir William Johnson who had so successfully intermediated in controversies between the Indian tribes and the English. But he declined to interfere. Nimham then went to England and presented his claims to the Lords of Trade Governor Moore wrote that the proceedings lately had in regard to the Wappinger Indians had been "thoroughly examined in the presence of a great concourse of people." In this examination they had been given every opportunity and no advantage was taken of technical points or their ignorance of legal matters. He also reports that in 1766, riots had occurred in Dutchess County, and great disturbance, the Indians being at the bottom of it. It was reported, and he believed with truth, that the Indians were in the habit of selling their lands over and over again, to any who were willing to purchase. The Lords of Trade also reported in regard to the petition of the Indians. The substance of the report was a relation of the claims as narrated in preceding pages. It also stated that the Indians had previously chosen a guardian, and brought their case before the courts, and were defeated in the trial; that they had then appealed to the Governor and Council, who reported that the claim was groundless and that
[p. 77]
the lands were fairly sold. It seems that at the time of this report, 1766, there were "four Indian men and three women" in England and that others had been there the previous year.
On the 22d of December, 1766, Governor Moore reported that the Indians had be "forcibly putting some poor people out of possession of their houses," and had a second time been committing disorders. This probably refers to some difficulties with tenants who held land under the title of the Philipse family. When he inquired of the Indians why they had gone to England, they replied that "they were persuaded by some people to take the voyage, it was no project of their own." The governor also reported that "Munroe, their guardian had been guilty of man misdemeanors, and had broke out of Gaol, and is, by all accounts I can obtain, as infamous a person as can be found in this Colony." It is evident that in his opinion it was time a check was put upon affairs of this kind, "to which the Indians were incited by white people living near."
There are still extant the briefs of both parties to these proceedings and many miscellaneous papers incidentally furnishing data upon the settlement of the county. For example, among the witness whom Nimham stated could testify in regards to his claims were John Van Tassel "of Philipse Upper Patent;" Elijah Tompkins, "East end and opposite of Philipse Patent;" Samuel Field, "on the Oblong"; John Tomkins, "on Philipse Patent;" David Paddock, "ditto;" Henry Gernander, "upper part of gore joining Fishkill;" Peter Angevin, "about middle of Philipse Patent;" Richard Curry, William Hill, Jacobus Terbush, "commonly styled Judge Bush, at the Fishkill;" James Dickenson, Esq., "East end of Patent;" James Philipse, "living about the middle of Cortlandts Manor." On the Philipse side there was filed the affidavit, which we quote:
"City of New York, ss."
"Timothy Shaw of Dutchess County being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he formerly was a Tenant under Adolph Philipse, deceased within the Patent commonly called the Upper Patent in the County aforesaid being the Lands now claimed by Roger Morris Philip Philipse and Beverly Robinson Under the said Adolph Philipse and Beverly Robinson Under the said Adolph Philipse as this Deponent has understood. That he this Deponent has now no Interest in any Lands in the said Upper Patent having disposed of all his Interest therein upwards of seven Years ago. That he this Deponent is very
[p. 78]
well acquainted with all the Settlements that have been made within the Bounds of the said Upper Patent and has been acquainted with all the Settlements within the Same about or near twenty-five Years last past. That at the Time this Deponent first became acquainted with the said Upper Patent the following Persons were either settled thereon or held as he understood from them as Tenants under Adolph Philipse to wit: Philip Minthorne Elisha Tomkins John Tomkins William Hunt Daniel Townsend John Dickenson James Dickenson John Sprague William Sturdivant One Hill Moses Northrop Senior Thomas Philipse George Hughson James McCready Samuel Fields Amos Dickenson Hezekiah Wright, Jeremiah Calkins John Calkins Joseph Porter Ichabod Vickerey Ebenezer King Samuel Jones James Paddock Peter Paddock David Paddock John Barley Caleb Brundige William Brandekey John Eagleston Two Brothers of the name of Bircham One Kire William Kabelay Thomas Kirkam Nathaniel Robinson One Cole William Smith John Smith Nathaniel Underhill Edward Stevens One Bartwo John Reynolds and as this Deponent verily believes several others whose names he does not now recollect. That since the time of his Settlement on the said Upper Patent a great Number of other Persons many of whose names this Deponent could repeat were it necessary have also settled themselves as Tenants of the Philipse Family within the said Upper Patent and this Deponent verily believes that of such Tenants there were upwards of three hundred settled on the said Patent beyond the distance of three miles from Hudson's River before the Year one thousand seven hundred and fifty six. That either two or three years ago in the Winter Season the said Philip Philipse was at the House of Uriah Lawrance one of the Tenants of the said Upper Patent where Daniel Nimham the Indian together with at least three hundred Persons chiefly Tenants of the said Patent under the Philipse Family were assembled. That the said Philip Philpse then and there in the Hearing of this Deponent and as many of the said Persons there assembled as could conveniently crowd near enough to hear what passed asked the said Nimham where the Lands were which He claimed whereupon the said Nimham said that he had no lands upon which the said Philip Philipse asked the said Nimham why he made such a Rout among the Tenants to which the said Nimham answered that he was told to do so by Stephen Cowenham and one Pound two other Indians. That the said Nimham never to this Deponent's Knowledge lived within the Bounds of the said Patent and that all the Indians who formerly lived in the said Patent had abandoned it long before the Year one thousand seven hundred and fifty six and went and settled themselves as this Deponent has been informed beyond Minisink near Delaware and further this Deponent saith not.
[p. 79]
"Sworn this 6th day his
of March, 1767, "TIMOTHY X SHAW
"Before me mark
"DANL HORSMANDEN."
And, keeping in mind the object and naturally one-sided character of the documents, the briefs are scarcely less valuable. From that filed on behalf of Nimham the following extracts are taken:
"A Brief Statement of a Controversy subsisting between Daniel Nimham a native Indian and an acknowledged Sachem or King of a Certain Tribe of Indians known and called by the name of the Wappinger Tribe of Indians and others of the same Tribe Petitioners in behalf of themselves and the rest of the said Tribe and the heirs and legal Representatives of Mr. Adoph Philipse, late of the City and Province of New York, deceased, * * *
"This Tribe formerly were numerous, at present consists of about Two Hundred and Twenty seven Persons; they have always had a Sachem or Indian King, whom they have acknowledged to be the head of said Tribe and to whose Government they have submitted; and by a Line of Succession the said Government descended to the said present Sachem, they have for more than a Century been distinguished for their steady friendship and firm alliance with the English, and their subjection to the Crown of Great Britain; * * *
"Their Claim to that part of the above described premises hath been uninterrupted and a Considerable part thereof for many Years been under actual improvement and occupation by them and their Tenants; and they the said Tribe actually did inhabit and improve said Land by leases on rents and for their hunting Ground &ca agreeable to their manner of Life until the Commencement of the late War; at which time they entered in the Service of the British Crown, were conducted forth into the wars by their present Sachem, who then being in the Prime and Vigor of Life went in Capacity of Captain in defence of the British Crown taking under his Command all the Males of said Tribe, that were then able and any suitable for said service they first having removed their Wives, Children and aged Persons to a Place
[p. 80]
called Stockbridge, that they might the more easily be provided for & better accommodated during their absence, and the said Captain with his Company aforesaid, continued in the service aforesaid during the whole Term of the late War and behaved valiantly and was eminently serviceable in the Reduction of Canady to the British Crown. * * *
"The late war being Ended the said Tribe returned home, when to their great surprise they found such Encroachments on their Improvements, and such destruction on their hunting Grounds, that they were obliged to seek Refuge elsewhere. The said Sachem sometime afterwards having received some Intelligence of his Majesty's proclamation respecting Indian Claims again however took Courage and having first upon advice and by and with the approbation of the Chief Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and one other Justice of the Peace for said County of Dutchess Chosen Mr. Samuel Munroe for his Guardian; he with said Guardian again Leased out sundry farms on said Land in Controversy, not in the least doubting his right to do so. Whereupon (the said Frederick Philipse being dead) Mr. Beverly Robinson of sd. New York having married one of the Daughters of Frederick Philipse deceased & pretending to be interested in the Lands in Controversy after having in a forcible manner attempted to oust the said Tenants who held under said Tribe and after much of his disrespectful Conduct both toward his King and Country, as appears by the exhibits M. N. O. brought cases of Ejectment against fifteen of the said Indian Tenants and they being chiefly poor people, unitedly agreed to stand Trial in only one of them, and having raised a sum of Money for that purpose, the Defendant in that particular suit made application for Council to assist him therein but upon Enquiry (to his great surprise) found that every Attorney at Law in that whole Province was previously retained on the other side; whereupon (being destitute of assistance) at the time of trial he motioned the Court for Liberty to speak for himself; which being Granted he began to offer something in Vindication of his Cause but had scarcely uttered one single sentence, when one of the lawyers rose up and (interrupting him) with an air of Confidence declared he was liable to be committed for pretending to offer a word in Vindication of a claim to those Lands in opposition to a Grant of the Crown, which struck such a sudden Damp upon the spirits of the poor Man that he was unable further to Conduct his Cause with any manner of propriety, or so much as to tell his plain honest story, which might have shew perhaps the Justice of his cause and prevented a Recovery. But without further delay or any further Enquiry into the Matter, Judgment was forthwith rendered in said Cause and in the rest of said cases against all the said fifteen Defendants without any opportunity of a fair Trial, and thereupon writs of possession Granted out against them all, and the whole
[p. 81]
number of fifteen Tenants aforesaid, some of which had been on said Lands Thirty and some Forty Years, holding under said Tribe turned off therefrom and their Buildings and other Improvements together with the Crops of Grain &c they had been growing on said Lands and all the fruits of their Labour & Industry taken from them without any manner of allowance therefore. Whereupon the said now Sachem together with some other principle men of said Tribe finding, that said Robinson and the rest of the heirs and legal representatives of the said Mr. Frederick Philipse deceased were determined to continue their molestations and to use all possible endeavors surreptitiously to defraud them of their native right to said Lands preferred their petition to the Honorable Cadwallader Colden Esquire Lieutenant Governour and the Commander in Chief of said Province of New York and his Council dated the first day of March Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and sixty-five, as per Exhibit No. F. and on the sixth of the same March aforesaid, the Petitioners aforesaid together with said Guardian, were permitted to appear and did personally appear before aid Lieut. Governour & Council, in order to be heard in the Matters prayed for in their said Petition respecting said Lands and the Encroachments thereon made as aforesaid and (not able to get any assistance of any attorney at Law in the whole province aforesaid) then and there laid in their Claim to said Land in Controversy themselves and then and there stood ready to offer sufficient Evidence in support of their said Claim and then and there expected to have had opportunity therefore: But instead thereof no more was then and there done in the premises, than as follows, viz.:
"The Petitioners being asked by one of the Gentlemen of the Council then and there present, what they had to offer in support of the Claim aforesaid? The said now Sachem who spoke for himself and Interpreted what the rest said, informed the said Lieut. Governour & Council, that they the said petitioners in behalf of themselves and the rest of the said Wappinger Tribe claimed the Lands in Controversy under their ancestors, in whom was the native right and that neither they nor their ancestors nor any of said Tribe had ever sold, nor made any legal Conveyance of said Land in Controversy. The said Mr. Robinson then produced an Instrument said to be an Indian Deed, bearing date the thirteenth day of August one thousand seven hundred and two, which (if authentic) covered all the Lands in Controversy. But as this was the first Time that such Instrument was ever heard of the Petitioners and said Guardian desired to look at said Instrument and having got the same into his hand was about to point out some marks of fraud attending it, but before he had time to make one single remark about it, it was by a Gentleman of the Council taken out of his hands. And thereupon the said Gentleman of the Council told the Petitioners
[p. 82]
they had better go home about their business and quiet themselves and the rest of said Tribe and give them no further Trouble for (said he) Mr. Robinson has a Deed of all the Lands in Controversy, to which the said Sachem replyed, that he chose to hear those words from the Lieutenant Governours's own mouth first: whereupon the said Lieut. Governour after a short Pause said that the said Mr. Robinson had a Deed of the Land in Controversy and that the Petitioners must therefore go home and make themselves and the rest of their Tribe easy and quiet and not give the said Governour and Council any further Trouble in the premises, (having first asked an old Indian, one of the Petitioners, whether he ever knew any of those Indians whose names were subscribed to said pretended Deed, who replyed that he did, but that he never knew nor heard of their selling or making any Conveyance of said Lands, neither did he believe that they or either of them ever signed or executed said Instrument whereupon the Petitioners (tho' very much dissatisfied on account of the rough Treatment they met with, as well as on account of their not being permitted a fair Chance or opportunity to Vindicate their Cause) returned home. * * * *
"Finally it seems that such a notable Transaction could not have been performed in the Dark nor have been so soon forgotten by the Indians, especially considering that they depend wholly upon Tradition for the Record (if it may be so called) of all their proceedings, and are therein so extremely careful, as that they do thereby retain among them for many Centuries together, the knowledge or remembrance of matters of much less Importance. From all of which Circumstances the said Tribe of Wappingers do firmly believe the said Instrument of one thousand seven hundred & two to be spurious and not by any means Genuine and humbly imagine said Lands (if at all included in said Patent) were Granted to said Mr. Adolph Philipse by the letters patent aforesaid thro' mistake or by means of some misrepresentation; and therefore hope with great Humility, that their Honest Cause will gain the Royal Attention and powerful Interposition and Protection; and that they may be again restored to their said Lands, whereupon they are unjustly expelled.
"The foregoing Brief or State of the Case of the Wappinger Tribe of Indians was made on the 30th day of October Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and sixty five."
From the brief submitted by the Philipse representatives is taken the following:
"A Summary of the Reasons humbly offered to his Excellency Sir Henry Moore Baronet Captain General & Governour in Chief in & over the province of New York & the Territories thereon depending in America, &c., &c., &c., and to the Honourable his Majesty's Council for the said province by Roger Morris Beverly Robinson & Philip Philipse * * * in answer
[p. 83]
to a certain Memorial or complaint of Daniel Nimham, and Indian, * * *
"The said Roger Morris, Beverly Robinson and Philip Philipse, tho' they firmly rely on their indisputable title to the sd. Lands as derived by them Under the said Letters Patent Think it nevertheless their Duty however repeatedly called upon to satisfy the Governm't of the Integrity not only of their own Conduct but also of the Conduct of those under whom they Claim, as well as in obtaining the said Letters Patent for the said Tract of Land as in possessing the same by Virtue of such Letters patent. * * *
"The patent appears to be grounded on a petition of Adolph Philipse wherein the Fraud (if any had been perpetrated in obtaining the patent) would naturally be found. But this petition which is still lodged in the Secretary's office speaks in plain Terms and sets forth a purchase made by him of Jan Seabringh and Lambert Dorlandt of part of the Lands within the Bounds of the afsd Patent (a part of which the said Memorial & Complaint admits to have been granted by the Indians to the said Seabringh & Dorlandt) to wit for an Extant from the River Eastward as far as the Land of Coll Cortlandt Patent) which was known to the Govt. to extend only sixteen Miles from the River And the Colony Line was also known to the Governm't to be at the Distance of 20 Miles from the River. So that the petitioner having set forth nothing more than the purchase aforesaid and so framed his petition as clearly to Shew a Vacancy between that purchase & the Colony Line for which he did not pretend to have made an Indian purchase the Crown could not be deceived in the Grant of the said Letters Patent & therefore no Reason can be assigned why they should be at this late day impeached or Questioned: And that the more especially because:
"2dly. The Letters Patent themselves contain no recitals or suggestions of matters of fact as urged on the part of the petitioner to the Govt. to induce the Crown to grant them; But appear to have issued simply on the petition of Patentee praying a Grant of the Lands without any matters of fact urged by him to induce such Grant. Wherefore * * * the Letters Patent above mentioned issued in favor of the said Adolph Philipse without the least Colour or Ground for supposing a Deceit on the Crown in the obtaining the same* the title in the sd Roger Morris Beverly Robinson and Philip Philipse must be conclusive. * * * and if anything in Equity is now due the Indians the Crown stands bound to satisfy them*
"3dly. The said Adolph Philipse tho he might have relied on his patent,* made a purchase of all the Lands included within the Bounds of this patent of them on the 13th Augt. 1702
[p. 84]
and to prevent Every suspicion that Fraud, or Art was used to obtain this Deed, It will be sufficient to observe that Besides three Indians who were Witnesses to it this Transaction was attested by Jacobus Van Cortlandt a Man of Rank and Character, William Sharpas the Then Town Clerk of the City of New York-a person of known probity, Philip Van Cortlandt then one of his Majesty's Council of this Province & Blandina Bayard an Indian Interpretress. Some of these witnesses are personally known & the handwriting of one of them subscribed to this Deed was familiar to several Members of this Board * * * the Rank & Characters of the witnesses are sufficient to remove all suspicion that it was illegally Fraudulently & surreptitiously obtained. * * * *
"4thly. * * Those who were acquainted with the Indians their practices know that tho' they will very rarely suffer themselves to be defrauded of their Lands; yet in most instances they compel bona fide purchasers by Repetition of their Claims to make repeated payments to them; beyond the original Consideration Money.
"5thly. (Here follows references to papers, including the affidavit of Timothy Shaw.)
"From All which Considerations * * * it must clearly appear That the patent to Adolph Philipse was not unfairly obtained nor the Said Deeds executed to him by the Indians, procured illegally, fraudulently & surreptitiously, nor the Lands possessed by the Indians until 1756. Nor the possession of them then wrongfully gained by the said Beverly Robinson Philip Philipse and Roger Morris while the Indians were gone into his Majesty's Service * * * But on the contrary the said Patent was fairly obtained without any Imposition on the Govt. That the Indian Deed was procured by the said Adolph Philipse lawfully, honestly * openly before Witnesses of the first Character * * * & that the said Adolph Philipse & his family so far from suffering their Title to Lands in Question to become Stale and suspicious by Non occupancy proceeded in due time to the settlement & Cultivation of these Lands, which were populously inhabited by Tenants under them many Years since & and which were long ago abandoned by the Indians who were conscious that they had not the least Right or Title to them"
In the Revolution Nimham and his warriors took an active part. Some sixty of them, expert marksmen and skilled in war, joined the American forces and fought with a bravery and valor worthy of their ancient race, in the days of their glory. Active in the campaigns of 1777, they joined Washington again in the spring of the following year, and were detached with the forces under La Fayette, to check the depredations of the British army on its retreat from Philadelphia, and they were afterward trans-
[p. 85]
ferred to Westchester county, the scene of some of the most hotly contested struggles of the war.
It was on the 30th of August, 1778, that Nimham and his warrior band went forth to the "field of their last battle. On that day they met with a scouting party of British under Colonel Emerick, and after a fierce engagement compelled them to retreat. On the following morning the whole of the British force at Kings Bridge was ordered out and the larger part was placed in ambuscade, while Emerick was sent forward to decoy his assailants of the previous day. In the extreme northern part of the annexed portion of the city of New York, is a high elevation of land, known as Cortlandt's Ridge. Winding through the valleys and emptying into the Harlem River, near Kings Bridge, is a stream that has borne from the earliest times the name of Tippets Brook. The wooded heights and the banks of the stream were the scenes of a most sanguinary conflict. The attempt to draw the Indians into the ambuscade failed, and upon their advance the British trops had scarcely time to fall into rank. The Indians lined the fences and commenced firing upon the forces under Colonel Emerick. The Queen's Rangers moved rapidly to gain the heights, and Tarleton advanced with the Hussars and his famous Legion of Cavalry. This being reported to Lieutenant-Colonel Simcoe, he directed Major Ross to conduct his Corps on the heights, and advancing to the road arrived within ten yards of Nimham and his men. Up to this time they had been intent on the attack upon Colonel Emerick. They now gave a yell and fired on the advancing enemy and wounded five including Colonel Simcoe.
They were driven from the fence, and Tarleton rushed upon them with his cavalry and pursued them down Cortlandt's Ridge. Here Tarleton himself had a narrow escape. Striking at one of the fugitives, he lost his balance and fell from his horse. Fortunately for him the Indian had no bayonet and his musket was discharged. A captain of a company of American soldiers was taken prisoner with some of his men, and a company under Major Stewart, who afterwards distinguished himself at the storming of Stony Point, left the Indians and fled. The engagement was renewed with the fiercest vigor. The cavalry charged the ridge with overwhelming numbers, but were bravely resisted. As the cavalry rode them down, the Indians seizing their foes, dragged them from their horses, to join them in death.
[p. 86]
In a swamp, not far from the brook, Nimham made his last stand. When he saw the Grenadiers closing upon him and all hope of successful resistance gone, he called out to his people to flee, but as for himself, "I am an aged tree, I will die here."
Being attacked by Simcoe he wounded that officer, but was shot and killed by Wright, his orderly Hussar. In this fearful fray the power of the tribe was forever broken. More than forty of the Indians were killed or desperately wounded in the fight, and when the next morning dawned, there, still and cold in death, on the field he had defended so bravely, lay the last sachem of the Wappingers.
The place where they crossed Tippets Brook is still known as Indian Bridge, and an opening in the Cortlandt woods yet bears the name of Indian Field, and there the dead were buried. It is said that the spirit of the sachem still haunts the field of his last battle, and that the sound of his war cry still rises on the midnight air, and greets the ear of the belated traveler as he treads on his lonely way.
From that time the Wappingers ceased to have a name in history. A few scattered remnants still remained, and as late as 1811, a small band had their dwelling place on a low tract of land by the side of a brook, under a high hill, in the northern part of the town of Kent1, but all that remained of them have long since passed away, and the place that knew them once will know them no more forever.
A person who stands on the high land in Carmel, south of Lake Gleneida, sees far to the northwest, three lofty mountains that tower above all the country round. To the middle peak, which is the highest, we have given the name of the last Sachem of the tribe that once ruled all the lands that can be seen from its highest summit: and we trust that in honor of his valor, and of the faith sealed with his blood on the field where he fought for the liberty of America, it will bear to all future time the name of Mount Nimham.
The site of this village is on the farm of Isaiah Booth, about half a mile south of the Putnam county road, near the west line of Lot 5.
It is not known whether he was buried at New Rochelle with his parents and maternal grandparents, 14 miles south of the First Presbyterian Church of White Plains where his elder brother Eli and a number of other relatives are buried, but perhaps he died after 1773 in Dutchess County or present-day Putnam County.
TWO PETER ANGEVINES
A list of settlers of the Philipse Patent, Dutchess County (now Putnam Co.) in 1777 includes "Peter Angevine estate" located near the middle of Philipse Patent. This could be the same Peter Angevine Jr. whose son Joseph Angevine later lived in Philipse Patent near Carmel, perhaps having succeeded to his father's estate. But it is generally thought to be his nephew (son of Eli) who died in 1778 leaving the land to his two sons who were Tories and divested of their property after the Revolutionary War. If his death date of 1778 is firm, then the Peter Angevine who died before 1777 would likely be his uncle Peter Jr.
Pierre ("Peter") Angevine Sr., immigrant from France, and his first wife had a son Pierre Jr. born in 1687, according to FULL-BLOODED YANKEE (1946) by Sidney Graves Koon. Angevine Genealogy by Clyde Angevine states that this son died before the 1710 census, since he was not included. Pierre and his second wife Marguerite then had a son Pierre "Peter" born in 1714 (ref., The Families of the Colonial Town of Philipsburgh, Westchester County, N.Y., by Grenville C. Mackenzie, [IV vols, c1930-66, Westport, Conn.], vol. 1 pp.28-30; also discussed in Angevine Genealogy by Clyde V. Angevine.)
Sidney Graves Koon states that Peter Jr. (son of Deborah Guion) married Margaret Secord whose sister Esther/Hester Secord married his brother Lewis Angevine and had Mr. Koon's ancestor Eli Angevine. But Clyde Angevine (pp. 14, 21-22, 353) showed Eli Angevine was the son of Pierre/Peter Angevine Sr. and his second wife Marguerite de Bonrepos.
This Pierre/Peter Angevine (Jr.) was perhaps the Pierre Angevine who was god father of his nephew Peter Angevine, baptised at Trinity Church Sept. 24, 1734, the son of Lewis and Esther Sicard Angevine, unless it was the infant's grandfather Pierre Sr. Godmother was Marie Angevine. Marie may have been Peter Angevine Jr.'s elder sister but could also be a first wife, although there is a 13-year gap until his first children (by first or second wife unknown) were born beginning in 1747: Lewis, Peter, Phebe, and James.
This Peter Jr. had a younger sister Esther born 1729, baptized here 4 Dec 1729 with godfather Pierre Secord and two Marrains (godmothers), Esther Angevine and Marie Angevine.
Peter Angevine Jr. and his second or third wife Abigail Williams married about 1759 and had two sons, Joseph and Benjamin, and four daughters. Peter Angevine Jr. died after 1773.
ANGEVINE BIBLE
The New Rochelle,NY Evening Standard, 3 October 1921: There is in the possession of the New Rochelle Huguenot Society a bible concerning the Angevine family. It has recently been acquired and is being announced in the paper to the public.
A researcher states: "It may reside now in the Archives at Elmsford, NY." (Whereabouts today not verified.)
New York Genealogical & Biographical Record, vol. 88 (1957), page 34: (citation: NYG&BR 1957 v. 88, p.34:)
ANGEVINE BIBLE RECORD.
Owned by Ernest L. Palmer, 3620 Parsons Blvd., Flushing, N.Y.
Peter Angevine born May 15 day 1714
(The following four entries are probably his children by an unknown first wife):
Lewes Angevine born December 30 day 1747**
Peter Angevine Was born September 14 day 1752
Phebee Angevine born August 31 day 1754
James Angevine born March 4 day 1758
Abigail Williams his wife born May 3rd 1733
Joseph Angevine born March 3 day 1760
Rachel Angevine born July 10, 1762
Mary Angevine was born January 10th day 1765
Susanna Angevine born Six Day of September 1768*
Benjamin Angevine born September 13th 1771
Elizabeth Angevine born June 7th 1774
*(Susanna Angevine above married 1st Thomas FIELD & married 2nd Robert BLOOMER, NYG&BR v. 69, p.330, no. 41).
** TAX LIST OF PHILIPSE PATENT, 1777:
Peter Angevine (later forfeited) (described in an online source as the son of Lewis above was actually the son of this Lewes or Lewis' uncle Louis/Lewis, brother of Peter Jr.)
Peleg Bailey
Richard Williams (Lot 109 forfeited in Lot 9 in 1788)
Thomas Williams
The death dates of Peter and Margaret Angevine have not been proven. He may have died sometime between 1773-77 and Margaret sometime 1774-90, since they are not shown on the 1790 census. It could be that they lived in Scarsdale Manor on or near the Angevine farm where his brother Lewis resided, in which case they could be buried in the family cemetery there.
Eli Angevine, another brother of Louis and Peter, removed with many of his family to the First Presbyterian Church of White Plains.
A French Huguenot Legacy by Debra Guion Stufflebean, p.97, says: “Other members of the Guion family that moved to Canada were…Pierre Angevine Jr., son of Pierre and Deborah Guion Angevine, and his family.” But the author seems to have confused Peter Angevine Jr., grandson of Lewis, and great-grandson of Pierre Angevine Sr. and Deborah Guion, with his half grand-uncle Pierre/Peter Angevine Jr., son of Pierre and Marguerite. Pierre Sr. and Deborah's son Pierre Jr. died young. It was Lewis' grandson Peter Angevine Jr. who was a Tory and known to have removed to Canada and his farm at Carmel confiscated.
It is possible that this Peter Angevine settled in the part of Dutchess County that later became Putnam County. In
History of Putnam County, New York by William S. Pelletreau,
(Chapter IX: Settlement and Population) page 122 is:
TAX LIST OF PHILIP PHILIPSE PATENT, 1777
(List of the taxable inhabitants of Philips Patent in the year 1777.) listing "Peter Angevine's estate."
This is evidently the same property or near what is now Putnam Valley, Putnam County, where his son Joseph Angevine lived later.
“Fredericksburg Precinct: Elijah Tompkins, 2; David Paddock, 2; James Dickenson, estate, 3; Daniel Townsend, 1; John Newbury, 6; Josiah Baker, 4; David Crosby, 3; Joshua Crosby, 3; Theophilus Jones, 1; Tho. Kelley, 1; James Covan, 1; Jonathan Kelley, 2; Silas Paddock, 2; Charles Townsend, 2; Robert Townsend, 1; Tho. Paddock, 3; Peter Angevine’s estate, 4; Jonathan Paddock, 4; Jonathan Paddock’s widow, 1; Isaac Pearce, 2; John Yeoman’s estate, 3; Jonathan Bryant, 2; Michael Shaw, Jr., 1; David Aikins, 4; Heman King, 8; Reuben Kelly, 2; Ebenezer Robinson, 3; John Rhoads, 1; Jacob Philipse, Jr., 1; Nathan Crosby, 4; Hezekiah Mead, 1; Tho. Fowler, 2; Daniel Brundage, 5; Jeremiah Whitney, 2; Ebenezer Brown, 1; Reuben Crosby, 2; Peter Bunker, 1; Joseph Northrop, 2; Hezekiah Mead, 2; Robert Hughson, 3; James Covey, 2; Peter Maybee, 3; Joseph Ganung, 2; Ebenezer Jone’s widow, 2; Cornelius Fuller, 2; John Dickenson, 7; Wm. Palmer, 2; Robert Mooney, 1; Tho. Smith, 4; Wm. Penny, 3; Isaac Chapman, 1; Edmund Batner, 2; Moody Howse, 4; Elisha Cole, 5; etc."
Historical and Genealogical Record Dutchess and Putnam Counties New York, Press of the A. V. Haight Co., Poughkeepsie, New York, 1912; pp. 80-94; p.94 includes TAX LIST OF PHILIPSE PATENT, 1777 which lists Peter Angevine (not "Peter Angevine's estate").
Philipse-Gouverneur Family Papers, in Special Collections at Columbia University (Pocket No. XII, “Papers relating to dispute with Indians about lands in Philipse Patent.”) page 49 mentions Peter Angevine.
The land of Peter Angevin was located "about middle of Philipse Patent" (History of Putnam County, New York [1886] by William S. Pelletreau, page 77).
"At a Council held at Fort George in the City of New York on Wednesday the sixth day of March, 1765.
Present:
"The Hon'ble Cadwallader Colden, Esqr. Lieut. Governor, &c.
Mr. Hormanden, Mr. Delancey, Mr. Smith, Earl of Stirling, Mr. Watts, Mr. Reade, Mr. Walton,
"His Honour the Lieutenant Governor laid before the Board a petition of Daniel Nimham, Jacobus Nimham, One Pound Poctone, Stephen Cowenham, and other Native Indians of the Tribe of Wappinger, Setting forth, that they and their Tribe for Time immemorial by their Native Right, have been in possession of certain Tracts of Land in the Southernmost part of Dutchess County, adjoining the Northernmost part of Westchester County. * * * *
"On reading whereof the four Indians named in the Petition were called in, together with Samuel Munroe their Guardian who attended with them. And Roger Morris and Beverly Robinson, who hold lands under the said Patent, being also present the said Indians were asked what they had to say or to produce in Support of their Claim. Whereupon Daniel Nimham who spoke for himself, and interpreted what the rest said, informed the Council they claimed the Lands under their Ancestors who had never sold them. The said Beverly Robinson then produced an Original Deed, signed by Tachquararos, Cowenhahum, Siengham, Shawiss, Sipowerak, Cramatacht, Wassawawogh, and Mecopap Native Indians and proprietors of sundry tracts of Land in Dutchess County, bearing Date the 13th August 1702, sealed and delivered in the presence of J.V. Cortlandt, William Sharpas, Philip Van Cort-
[p. 76]
landt, Blandiena Bayard, and of three Indians subscribing Witnesses thereto, whereby the said Indian Grantees convey all their Right and Title to the Lands therein mentioned (being the same Lands, and described in the save Words as those Granted by the Patent aforesaid) to the said Adolph Philipse and to his heirs and Assigns for Ever. And the Names of the said Indian Grantees being repeated to the Petitioners present, the petitioner One Pound poctone, who declared himself to be eighty Years of Age said he knew them all-And the Board knowing the four Witnesses first named to have been principal People at the time of the Transaction, and the Hand Writing of William Sharpas one of the Witnesses, and who appears to have wrote the Deed, being well known, His Honour the Lieutenant Governor informed the Petitioners, that himself and the Gentlemen of the Council were of Opinion, that their Ancestors had fairly sold their Right to the Lands in Question. That as their Descendants had no Claim to the Lands, and that they should give the Proprietors or their Tenants no farther Trouble, but suffer them to remain quiet and unmolested in the Possession of what so clearly appeared to be their Property."
Beaten, but no discourage, the Indians attempted to secure the assistance of Sir William Johnson who had so successfully intermediated in controversies between the Indian tribes and the English. But he declined to interfere. Nimham then went to England and presented his claims to the Lords of Trade Governor Moore wrote that the proceedings lately had in regard to the Wappinger Indians had been "thoroughly examined in the presence of a great concourse of people." In this examination they had been given every opportunity and no advantage was taken of technical points or their ignorance of legal matters. He also reports that in 1766, riots had occurred in Dutchess County, and great disturbance, the Indians being at the bottom of it. It was reported, and he believed with truth, that the Indians were in the habit of selling their lands over and over again, to any who were willing to purchase. The Lords of Trade also reported in regard to the petition of the Indians. The substance of the report was a relation of the claims as narrated in preceding pages. It also stated that the Indians had previously chosen a guardian, and brought their case before the courts, and were defeated in the trial; that they had then appealed to the Governor and Council, who reported that the claim was groundless and that
[p. 77]
the lands were fairly sold. It seems that at the time of this report, 1766, there were "four Indian men and three women" in England and that others had been there the previous year.
On the 22d of December, 1766, Governor Moore reported that the Indians had be "forcibly putting some poor people out of possession of their houses," and had a second time been committing disorders. This probably refers to some difficulties with tenants who held land under the title of the Philipse family. When he inquired of the Indians why they had gone to England, they replied that "they were persuaded by some people to take the voyage, it was no project of their own." The governor also reported that "Munroe, their guardian had been guilty of man misdemeanors, and had broke out of Gaol, and is, by all accounts I can obtain, as infamous a person as can be found in this Colony." It is evident that in his opinion it was time a check was put upon affairs of this kind, "to which the Indians were incited by white people living near."
There are still extant the briefs of both parties to these proceedings and many miscellaneous papers incidentally furnishing data upon the settlement of the county. For example, among the witness whom Nimham stated could testify in regards to his claims were John Van Tassel "of Philipse Upper Patent;" Elijah Tompkins, "East end and opposite of Philipse Patent;" Samuel Field, "on the Oblong"; John Tomkins, "on Philipse Patent;" David Paddock, "ditto;" Henry Gernander, "upper part of gore joining Fishkill;" Peter Angevin, "about middle of Philipse Patent;" Richard Curry, William Hill, Jacobus Terbush, "commonly styled Judge Bush, at the Fishkill;" James Dickenson, Esq., "East end of Patent;" James Philipse, "living about the middle of Cortlandts Manor." On the Philipse side there was filed the affidavit, which we quote:
"City of New York, ss."
"Timothy Shaw of Dutchess County being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he formerly was a Tenant under Adolph Philipse, deceased within the Patent commonly called the Upper Patent in the County aforesaid being the Lands now claimed by Roger Morris Philip Philipse and Beverly Robinson Under the said Adolph Philipse and Beverly Robinson Under the said Adolph Philipse as this Deponent has understood. That he this Deponent has now no Interest in any Lands in the said Upper Patent having disposed of all his Interest therein upwards of seven Years ago. That he this Deponent is very
[p. 78]
well acquainted with all the Settlements that have been made within the Bounds of the said Upper Patent and has been acquainted with all the Settlements within the Same about or near twenty-five Years last past. That at the Time this Deponent first became acquainted with the said Upper Patent the following Persons were either settled thereon or held as he understood from them as Tenants under Adolph Philipse to wit: Philip Minthorne Elisha Tomkins John Tomkins William Hunt Daniel Townsend John Dickenson James Dickenson John Sprague William Sturdivant One Hill Moses Northrop Senior Thomas Philipse George Hughson James McCready Samuel Fields Amos Dickenson Hezekiah Wright, Jeremiah Calkins John Calkins Joseph Porter Ichabod Vickerey Ebenezer King Samuel Jones James Paddock Peter Paddock David Paddock John Barley Caleb Brundige William Brandekey John Eagleston Two Brothers of the name of Bircham One Kire William Kabelay Thomas Kirkam Nathaniel Robinson One Cole William Smith John Smith Nathaniel Underhill Edward Stevens One Bartwo John Reynolds and as this Deponent verily believes several others whose names he does not now recollect. That since the time of his Settlement on the said Upper Patent a great Number of other Persons many of whose names this Deponent could repeat were it necessary have also settled themselves as Tenants of the Philipse Family within the said Upper Patent and this Deponent verily believes that of such Tenants there were upwards of three hundred settled on the said Patent beyond the distance of three miles from Hudson's River before the Year one thousand seven hundred and fifty six. That either two or three years ago in the Winter Season the said Philip Philipse was at the House of Uriah Lawrance one of the Tenants of the said Upper Patent where Daniel Nimham the Indian together with at least three hundred Persons chiefly Tenants of the said Patent under the Philipse Family were assembled. That the said Philip Philpse then and there in the Hearing of this Deponent and as many of the said Persons there assembled as could conveniently crowd near enough to hear what passed asked the said Nimham where the Lands were which He claimed whereupon the said Nimham said that he had no lands upon which the said Philip Philipse asked the said Nimham why he made such a Rout among the Tenants to which the said Nimham answered that he was told to do so by Stephen Cowenham and one Pound two other Indians. That the said Nimham never to this Deponent's Knowledge lived within the Bounds of the said Patent and that all the Indians who formerly lived in the said Patent had abandoned it long before the Year one thousand seven hundred and fifty six and went and settled themselves as this Deponent has been informed beyond Minisink near Delaware and further this Deponent saith not.
[p. 79]
"Sworn this 6th day his
of March, 1767, "TIMOTHY X SHAW
"Before me mark
"DANL HORSMANDEN."
And, keeping in mind the object and naturally one-sided character of the documents, the briefs are scarcely less valuable. From that filed on behalf of Nimham the following extracts are taken:
"A Brief Statement of a Controversy subsisting between Daniel Nimham a native Indian and an acknowledged Sachem or King of a Certain Tribe of Indians known and called by the name of the Wappinger Tribe of Indians and others of the same Tribe Petitioners in behalf of themselves and the rest of the said Tribe and the heirs and legal Representatives of Mr. Adoph Philipse, late of the City and Province of New York, deceased, * * *
"This Tribe formerly were numerous, at present consists of about Two Hundred and Twenty seven Persons; they have always had a Sachem or Indian King, whom they have acknowledged to be the head of said Tribe and to whose Government they have submitted; and by a Line of Succession the said Government descended to the said present Sachem, they have for more than a Century been distinguished for their steady friendship and firm alliance with the English, and their subjection to the Crown of Great Britain; * * *
"Their Claim to that part of the above described premises hath been uninterrupted and a Considerable part thereof for many Years been under actual improvement and occupation by them and their Tenants; and they the said Tribe actually did inhabit and improve said Land by leases on rents and for their hunting Ground &ca agreeable to their manner of Life until the Commencement of the late War; at which time they entered in the Service of the British Crown, were conducted forth into the wars by their present Sachem, who then being in the Prime and Vigor of Life went in Capacity of Captain in defence of the British Crown taking under his Command all the Males of said Tribe, that were then able and any suitable for said service they first having removed their Wives, Children and aged Persons to a Place
[p. 80]
called Stockbridge, that they might the more easily be provided for & better accommodated during their absence, and the said Captain with his Company aforesaid, continued in the service aforesaid during the whole Term of the late War and behaved valiantly and was eminently serviceable in the Reduction of Canady to the British Crown. * * *
"The late war being Ended the said Tribe returned home, when to their great surprise they found such Encroachments on their Improvements, and such destruction on their hunting Grounds, that they were obliged to seek Refuge elsewhere. The said Sachem sometime afterwards having received some Intelligence of his Majesty's proclamation respecting Indian Claims again however took Courage and having first upon advice and by and with the approbation of the Chief Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and one other Justice of the Peace for said County of Dutchess Chosen Mr. Samuel Munroe for his Guardian; he with said Guardian again Leased out sundry farms on said Land in Controversy, not in the least doubting his right to do so. Whereupon (the said Frederick Philipse being dead) Mr. Beverly Robinson of sd. New York having married one of the Daughters of Frederick Philipse deceased & pretending to be interested in the Lands in Controversy after having in a forcible manner attempted to oust the said Tenants who held under said Tribe and after much of his disrespectful Conduct both toward his King and Country, as appears by the exhibits M. N. O. brought cases of Ejectment against fifteen of the said Indian Tenants and they being chiefly poor people, unitedly agreed to stand Trial in only one of them, and having raised a sum of Money for that purpose, the Defendant in that particular suit made application for Council to assist him therein but upon Enquiry (to his great surprise) found that every Attorney at Law in that whole Province was previously retained on the other side; whereupon (being destitute of assistance) at the time of trial he motioned the Court for Liberty to speak for himself; which being Granted he began to offer something in Vindication of his Cause but had scarcely uttered one single sentence, when one of the lawyers rose up and (interrupting him) with an air of Confidence declared he was liable to be committed for pretending to offer a word in Vindication of a claim to those Lands in opposition to a Grant of the Crown, which struck such a sudden Damp upon the spirits of the poor Man that he was unable further to Conduct his Cause with any manner of propriety, or so much as to tell his plain honest story, which might have shew perhaps the Justice of his cause and prevented a Recovery. But without further delay or any further Enquiry into the Matter, Judgment was forthwith rendered in said Cause and in the rest of said cases against all the said fifteen Defendants without any opportunity of a fair Trial, and thereupon writs of possession Granted out against them all, and the whole
[p. 81]
number of fifteen Tenants aforesaid, some of which had been on said Lands Thirty and some Forty Years, holding under said Tribe turned off therefrom and their Buildings and other Improvements together with the Crops of Grain &c they had been growing on said Lands and all the fruits of their Labour & Industry taken from them without any manner of allowance therefore. Whereupon the said now Sachem together with some other principle men of said Tribe finding, that said Robinson and the rest of the heirs and legal representatives of the said Mr. Frederick Philipse deceased were determined to continue their molestations and to use all possible endeavors surreptitiously to defraud them of their native right to said Lands preferred their petition to the Honorable Cadwallader Colden Esquire Lieutenant Governour and the Commander in Chief of said Province of New York and his Council dated the first day of March Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and sixty-five, as per Exhibit No. F. and on the sixth of the same March aforesaid, the Petitioners aforesaid together with said Guardian, were permitted to appear and did personally appear before aid Lieut. Governour & Council, in order to be heard in the Matters prayed for in their said Petition respecting said Lands and the Encroachments thereon made as aforesaid and (not able to get any assistance of any attorney at Law in the whole province aforesaid) then and there laid in their Claim to said Land in Controversy themselves and then and there stood ready to offer sufficient Evidence in support of their said Claim and then and there expected to have had opportunity therefore: But instead thereof no more was then and there done in the premises, than as follows, viz.:
"The Petitioners being asked by one of the Gentlemen of the Council then and there present, what they had to offer in support of the Claim aforesaid? The said now Sachem who spoke for himself and Interpreted what the rest said, informed the said Lieut. Governour & Council, that they the said petitioners in behalf of themselves and the rest of the said Wappinger Tribe claimed the Lands in Controversy under their ancestors, in whom was the native right and that neither they nor their ancestors nor any of said Tribe had ever sold, nor made any legal Conveyance of said Land in Controversy. The said Mr. Robinson then produced an Instrument said to be an Indian Deed, bearing date the thirteenth day of August one thousand seven hundred and two, which (if authentic) covered all the Lands in Controversy. But as this was the first Time that such Instrument was ever heard of the Petitioners and said Guardian desired to look at said Instrument and having got the same into his hand was about to point out some marks of fraud attending it, but before he had time to make one single remark about it, it was by a Gentleman of the Council taken out of his hands. And thereupon the said Gentleman of the Council told the Petitioners
[p. 82]
they had better go home about their business and quiet themselves and the rest of said Tribe and give them no further Trouble for (said he) Mr. Robinson has a Deed of all the Lands in Controversy, to which the said Sachem replyed, that he chose to hear those words from the Lieutenant Governours's own mouth first: whereupon the said Lieut. Governour after a short Pause said that the said Mr. Robinson had a Deed of the Land in Controversy and that the Petitioners must therefore go home and make themselves and the rest of their Tribe easy and quiet and not give the said Governour and Council any further Trouble in the premises, (having first asked an old Indian, one of the Petitioners, whether he ever knew any of those Indians whose names were subscribed to said pretended Deed, who replyed that he did, but that he never knew nor heard of their selling or making any Conveyance of said Lands, neither did he believe that they or either of them ever signed or executed said Instrument whereupon the Petitioners (tho' very much dissatisfied on account of the rough Treatment they met with, as well as on account of their not being permitted a fair Chance or opportunity to Vindicate their Cause) returned home. * * * *
"Finally it seems that such a notable Transaction could not have been performed in the Dark nor have been so soon forgotten by the Indians, especially considering that they depend wholly upon Tradition for the Record (if it may be so called) of all their proceedings, and are therein so extremely careful, as that they do thereby retain among them for many Centuries together, the knowledge or remembrance of matters of much less Importance. From all of which Circumstances the said Tribe of Wappingers do firmly believe the said Instrument of one thousand seven hundred & two to be spurious and not by any means Genuine and humbly imagine said Lands (if at all included in said Patent) were Granted to said Mr. Adolph Philipse by the letters patent aforesaid thro' mistake or by means of some misrepresentation; and therefore hope with great Humility, that their Honest Cause will gain the Royal Attention and powerful Interposition and Protection; and that they may be again restored to their said Lands, whereupon they are unjustly expelled.
"The foregoing Brief or State of the Case of the Wappinger Tribe of Indians was made on the 30th day of October Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and sixty five."
From the brief submitted by the Philipse representatives is taken the following:
"A Summary of the Reasons humbly offered to his Excellency Sir Henry Moore Baronet Captain General & Governour in Chief in & over the province of New York & the Territories thereon depending in America, &c., &c., &c., and to the Honourable his Majesty's Council for the said province by Roger Morris Beverly Robinson & Philip Philipse * * * in answer
[p. 83]
to a certain Memorial or complaint of Daniel Nimham, and Indian, * * *
"The said Roger Morris, Beverly Robinson and Philip Philipse, tho' they firmly rely on their indisputable title to the sd. Lands as derived by them Under the said Letters Patent Think it nevertheless their Duty however repeatedly called upon to satisfy the Governm't of the Integrity not only of their own Conduct but also of the Conduct of those under whom they Claim, as well as in obtaining the said Letters Patent for the said Tract of Land as in possessing the same by Virtue of such Letters patent. * * *
"The patent appears to be grounded on a petition of Adolph Philipse wherein the Fraud (if any had been perpetrated in obtaining the patent) would naturally be found. But this petition which is still lodged in the Secretary's office speaks in plain Terms and sets forth a purchase made by him of Jan Seabringh and Lambert Dorlandt of part of the Lands within the Bounds of the afsd Patent (a part of which the said Memorial & Complaint admits to have been granted by the Indians to the said Seabringh & Dorlandt) to wit for an Extant from the River Eastward as far as the Land of Coll Cortlandt Patent) which was known to the Govt. to extend only sixteen Miles from the River And the Colony Line was also known to the Governm't to be at the Distance of 20 Miles from the River. So that the petitioner having set forth nothing more than the purchase aforesaid and so framed his petition as clearly to Shew a Vacancy between that purchase & the Colony Line for which he did not pretend to have made an Indian purchase the Crown could not be deceived in the Grant of the said Letters Patent & therefore no Reason can be assigned why they should be at this late day impeached or Questioned: And that the more especially because:
"2dly. The Letters Patent themselves contain no recitals or suggestions of matters of fact as urged on the part of the petitioner to the Govt. to induce the Crown to grant them; But appear to have issued simply on the petition of Patentee praying a Grant of the Lands without any matters of fact urged by him to induce such Grant. Wherefore * * * the Letters Patent above mentioned issued in favor of the said Adolph Philipse without the least Colour or Ground for supposing a Deceit on the Crown in the obtaining the same* the title in the sd Roger Morris Beverly Robinson and Philip Philipse must be conclusive. * * * and if anything in Equity is now due the Indians the Crown stands bound to satisfy them*
"3dly. The said Adolph Philipse tho he might have relied on his patent,* made a purchase of all the Lands included within the Bounds of this patent of them on the 13th Augt. 1702
[p. 84]
and to prevent Every suspicion that Fraud, or Art was used to obtain this Deed, It will be sufficient to observe that Besides three Indians who were Witnesses to it this Transaction was attested by Jacobus Van Cortlandt a Man of Rank and Character, William Sharpas the Then Town Clerk of the City of New York-a person of known probity, Philip Van Cortlandt then one of his Majesty's Council of this Province & Blandina Bayard an Indian Interpretress. Some of these witnesses are personally known & the handwriting of one of them subscribed to this Deed was familiar to several Members of this Board * * * the Rank & Characters of the witnesses are sufficient to remove all suspicion that it was illegally Fraudulently & surreptitiously obtained. * * * *
"4thly. * * Those who were acquainted with the Indians their practices know that tho' they will very rarely suffer themselves to be defrauded of their Lands; yet in most instances they compel bona fide purchasers by Repetition of their Claims to make repeated payments to them; beyond the original Consideration Money.
"5thly. (Here follows references to papers, including the affidavit of Timothy Shaw.)
"From All which Considerations * * * it must clearly appear That the patent to Adolph Philipse was not unfairly obtained nor the Said Deeds executed to him by the Indians, procured illegally, fraudulently & surreptitiously, nor the Lands possessed by the Indians until 1756. Nor the possession of them then wrongfully gained by the said Beverly Robinson Philip Philipse and Roger Morris while the Indians were gone into his Majesty's Service * * * But on the contrary the said Patent was fairly obtained without any Imposition on the Govt. That the Indian Deed was procured by the said Adolph Philipse lawfully, honestly * openly before Witnesses of the first Character * * * & that the said Adolph Philipse & his family so far from suffering their Title to Lands in Question to become Stale and suspicious by Non occupancy proceeded in due time to the settlement & Cultivation of these Lands, which were populously inhabited by Tenants under them many Years since & and which were long ago abandoned by the Indians who were conscious that they had not the least Right or Title to them"
In the Revolution Nimham and his warriors took an active part. Some sixty of them, expert marksmen and skilled in war, joined the American forces and fought with a bravery and valor worthy of their ancient race, in the days of their glory. Active in the campaigns of 1777, they joined Washington again in the spring of the following year, and were detached with the forces under La Fayette, to check the depredations of the British army on its retreat from Philadelphia, and they were afterward trans-
[p. 85]
ferred to Westchester county, the scene of some of the most hotly contested struggles of the war.
It was on the 30th of August, 1778, that Nimham and his warrior band went forth to the "field of their last battle. On that day they met with a scouting party of British under Colonel Emerick, and after a fierce engagement compelled them to retreat. On the following morning the whole of the British force at Kings Bridge was ordered out and the larger part was placed in ambuscade, while Emerick was sent forward to decoy his assailants of the previous day. In the extreme northern part of the annexed portion of the city of New York, is a high elevation of land, known as Cortlandt's Ridge. Winding through the valleys and emptying into the Harlem River, near Kings Bridge, is a stream that has borne from the earliest times the name of Tippets Brook. The wooded heights and the banks of the stream were the scenes of a most sanguinary conflict. The attempt to draw the Indians into the ambuscade failed, and upon their advance the British trops had scarcely time to fall into rank. The Indians lined the fences and commenced firing upon the forces under Colonel Emerick. The Queen's Rangers moved rapidly to gain the heights, and Tarleton advanced with the Hussars and his famous Legion of Cavalry. This being reported to Lieutenant-Colonel Simcoe, he directed Major Ross to conduct his Corps on the heights, and advancing to the road arrived within ten yards of Nimham and his men. Up to this time they had been intent on the attack upon Colonel Emerick. They now gave a yell and fired on the advancing enemy and wounded five including Colonel Simcoe.
They were driven from the fence, and Tarleton rushed upon them with his cavalry and pursued them down Cortlandt's Ridge. Here Tarleton himself had a narrow escape. Striking at one of the fugitives, he lost his balance and fell from his horse. Fortunately for him the Indian had no bayonet and his musket was discharged. A captain of a company of American soldiers was taken prisoner with some of his men, and a company under Major Stewart, who afterwards distinguished himself at the storming of Stony Point, left the Indians and fled. The engagement was renewed with the fiercest vigor. The cavalry charged the ridge with overwhelming numbers, but were bravely resisted. As the cavalry rode them down, the Indians seizing their foes, dragged them from their horses, to join them in death.
[p. 86]
In a swamp, not far from the brook, Nimham made his last stand. When he saw the Grenadiers closing upon him and all hope of successful resistance gone, he called out to his people to flee, but as for himself, "I am an aged tree, I will die here."
Being attacked by Simcoe he wounded that officer, but was shot and killed by Wright, his orderly Hussar. In this fearful fray the power of the tribe was forever broken. More than forty of the Indians were killed or desperately wounded in the fight, and when the next morning dawned, there, still and cold in death, on the field he had defended so bravely, lay the last sachem of the Wappingers.
The place where they crossed Tippets Brook is still known as Indian Bridge, and an opening in the Cortlandt woods yet bears the name of Indian Field, and there the dead were buried. It is said that the spirit of the sachem still haunts the field of his last battle, and that the sound of his war cry still rises on the midnight air, and greets the ear of the belated traveler as he treads on his lonely way.
From that time the Wappingers ceased to have a name in history. A few scattered remnants still remained, and as late as 1811, a small band had their dwelling place on a low tract of land by the side of a brook, under a high hill, in the northern part of the town of Kent1, but all that remained of them have long since passed away, and the place that knew them once will know them no more forever.
A person who stands on the high land in Carmel, south of Lake Gleneida, sees far to the northwest, three lofty mountains that tower above all the country round. To the middle peak, which is the highest, we have given the name of the last Sachem of the tribe that once ruled all the lands that can be seen from its highest summit: and we trust that in honor of his valor, and of the faith sealed with his blood on the field where he fought for the liberty of America, it will bear to all future time the name of Mount Nimham.
The site of this village is on the farm of Isaiah Booth, about half a mile south of the Putnam county road, near the west line of Lot 5.
Grave marker gone.
It is not known whether he was buried at New Rochelle with his parents and maternal grandparents, 14 miles south of the First Presbyterian Church of White Plains where his elder brother Eli and a number of other relatives are buried, but perhaps he died after 1773 in Dutchess County or present-day Putnam County.
TWO PETER ANGEVINES
A list of settlers of the Philipse Patent, Dutchess County (now Putnam Co.) in 1777 includes "Peter Angevine estate" located near the middle of Philipse Patent. This could be the same Peter Angevine Jr. whose son Joseph Angevine later lived in Philipse Patent near Carmel, perhaps having succeeded to his father's estate. But it is generally thought to be his nephew (son of Eli) who died in 1778 leaving the land to his two sons who were Tories and divested of their property after the Revolutionary War. If his death date of 1778 is firm, then the Peter Angevine who died before 1777 would likely be his uncle Peter Jr.
Pierre ("Peter") Angevine Sr., immigrant from France, and his first wife had a son Pierre Jr. born in 1687, according to FULL-BLOODED YANKEE (1946) by Sidney Graves Koon. Angevine Genealogy by Clyde Angevine states that this son died before the 1710 census, since he was not included. Pierre and his second wife Marguerite then had a son Pierre "Peter" born in 1714 (ref., The Families of the Colonial Town of Philipsburgh, Westchester County, N.Y., by Grenville C. Mackenzie, [IV vols, c1930-66, Westport, Conn.], vol. 1 pp.28-30; also discussed in Angevine Genealogy by Clyde V. Angevine.)
Sidney Graves Koon states that Peter Jr. (son of Deborah Guion) married Margaret Secord whose sister Esther/Hester Secord married his brother Lewis Angevine and had Mr. Koon's ancestor Eli Angevine. But Clyde Angevine (pp. 14, 21-22, 353) showed Eli Angevine was the son of Pierre/Peter Angevine Sr. and his second wife Marguerite de Bonrepos.
This Pierre/Peter Angevine (Jr.) was perhaps the Pierre Angevine who was god father of his nephew Peter Angevine, baptised at Trinity Church Sept. 24, 1734, the son of Lewis and Esther Sicard Angevine, unless it was the infant's grandfather Pierre Sr. Godmother was Marie Angevine. Marie may have been Peter Angevine Jr.'s elder sister but could also be a first wife, although there is a 13-year gap until his first children (by first or second wife unknown) were born beginning in 1747: Lewis, Peter, Phebe, and James.
This Peter Jr. had a younger sister Esther born 1729, baptized here 4 Dec 1729 with godfather Pierre Secord and two Marrains (godmothers), Esther Angevine and Marie Angevine.
Peter Angevine Jr. and his second or third wife Abigail Williams married about 1759 and had two sons, Joseph and Benjamin, and four daughters. Peter Angevine Jr. died after 1773.
ANGEVINE BIBLE
The New Rochelle,NY Evening Standard, 3 October 1921: There is in the possession of the New Rochelle Huguenot Society a bible concerning the Angevine family. It has recently been acquired and is being announced in the paper to the public.
A researcher states: "It may reside now in the Archives at Elmsford, NY." (Whereabouts today not verified.)
New York Genealogical & Biographical Record, vol. 88 (1957), page 34: (citation: NYG&BR 1957 v. 88, p.34:)
ANGEVINE BIBLE RECORD.
Owned by Ernest L. Palmer, 3620 Parsons Blvd., Flushing, N.Y.
Peter Angevine born May 15 day 1714
(The following four entries are probably his children by an unknown first wife):
Lewes Angevine born December 30 day 1747**
Peter Angevine Was born September 14 day 1752
Phebee Angevine born August 31 day 1754
James Angevine born March 4 day 1758
Abigail Williams his wife born May 3rd 1733
Joseph Angevine born March 3 day 1760
Rachel Angevine born July 10, 1762
Mary Angevine was born January 10th day 1765
Susanna Angevine born Six Day of September 1768*
Benjamin Angevine born September 13th 1771
Elizabeth Angevine born June 7th 1774
*(Susanna Angevine above married 1st Thomas FIELD & married 2nd Robert BLOOMER, NYG&BR v. 69, p.330, no. 41).
** TAX LIST OF PHILIPSE PATENT, 1777:
Peter Angevine (later forfeited) (described in an online source as the son of Lewis above was actually the son of this Lewes or Lewis' uncle Louis/Lewis, brother of Peter Jr.)
Peleg Bailey
Richard Williams (Lot 109 forfeited in Lot 9 in 1788)
Thomas Williams
The death dates of Peter and Margaret Angevine have not been proven. He may have died sometime between 1773-77 and Margaret sometime 1774-90, since they are not shown on the 1790 census. It could be that they lived in Scarsdale Manor on or near the Angevine farm where his brother Lewis resided, in which case they could be buried in the family cemetery there.
Eli Angevine, another brother of Louis and Peter, removed with many of his family to the First Presbyterian Church of White Plains.
A French Huguenot Legacy by Debra Guion Stufflebean, p.97, says: “Other members of the Guion family that moved to Canada were…Pierre Angevine Jr., son of Pierre and Deborah Guion Angevine, and his family.” But the author seems to have confused Peter Angevine Jr., grandson of Lewis, and great-grandson of Pierre Angevine Sr. and Deborah Guion, with his half grand-uncle Pierre/Peter Angevine Jr., son of Pierre and Marguerite. Pierre Sr. and Deborah's son Pierre Jr. died young. It was Lewis' grandson Peter Angevine Jr. who was a Tory and known to have removed to Canada and his farm at Carmel confiscated.
It is possible that this Peter Angevine settled in the part of Dutchess County that later became Putnam County. In
History of Putnam County, New York by William S. Pelletreau,
(Chapter IX: Settlement and Population) page 122 is:
TAX LIST OF PHILIP PHILIPSE PATENT, 1777
(List of the taxable inhabitants of Philips Patent in the year 1777.) listing "Peter Angevine's estate."
This is evidently the same property or near what is now Putnam Valley, Putnam County, where his son Joseph Angevine lived later.
“Fredericksburg Precinct: Elijah Tompkins, 2; David Paddock, 2; James Dickenson, estate, 3; Daniel Townsend, 1; John Newbury, 6; Josiah Baker, 4; David Crosby, 3; Joshua Crosby, 3; Theophilus Jones, 1; Tho. Kelley, 1; James Covan, 1; Jonathan Kelley, 2; Silas Paddock, 2; Charles Townsend, 2; Robert Townsend, 1; Tho. Paddock, 3; Peter Angevine’s estate, 4; Jonathan Paddock, 4; Jonathan Paddock’s widow, 1; Isaac Pearce, 2; John Yeoman’s estate, 3; Jonathan Bryant, 2; Michael Shaw, Jr., 1; David Aikins, 4; Heman King, 8; Reuben Kelly, 2; Ebenezer Robinson, 3; John Rhoads, 1; Jacob Philipse, Jr., 1; Nathan Crosby, 4; Hezekiah Mead, 1; Tho. Fowler, 2; Daniel Brundage, 5; Jeremiah Whitney, 2; Ebenezer Brown, 1; Reuben Crosby, 2; Peter Bunker, 1; Joseph Northrop, 2; Hezekiah Mead, 2; Robert Hughson, 3; James Covey, 2; Peter Maybee, 3; Joseph Ganung, 2; Ebenezer Jone’s widow, 2; Cornelius Fuller, 2; John Dickenson, 7; Wm. Palmer, 2; Robert Mooney, 1; Tho. Smith, 4; Wm. Penny, 3; Isaac Chapman, 1; Edmund Batner, 2; Moody Howse, 4; Elisha Cole, 5; etc."
Historical and Genealogical Record Dutchess and Putnam Counties New York, Press of the A. V. Haight Co., Poughkeepsie, New York, 1912; pp. 80-94; p.94 includes TAX LIST OF PHILIPSE PATENT, 1777 which lists Peter Angevine (not "Peter Angevine's estate").
Philipse-Gouverneur Family Papers, in Special Collections at Columbia University (Pocket No. XII, “Papers relating to dispute with Indians about lands in Philipse Patent.”) page 49 mentions Peter Angevine.
The land of Peter Angevin was located "about middle of Philipse Patent" (History of Putnam County, New York [1886] by William S. Pelletreau, page 77).
"At a Council held at Fort George in the City of New York on Wednesday the sixth day of March, 1765.
Present:
"The Hon'ble Cadwallader Colden, Esqr. Lieut. Governor, &c.
Mr. Hormanden, Mr. Delancey, Mr. Smith, Earl of Stirling, Mr. Watts, Mr. Reade, Mr. Walton,
"His Honour the Lieutenant Governor laid before the Board a petition of Daniel Nimham, Jacobus Nimham, One Pound Poctone, Stephen Cowenham, and other Native Indians of the Tribe of Wappinger, Setting forth, that they and their Tribe for Time immemorial by their Native Right, have been in possession of certain Tracts of Land in the Southernmost part of Dutchess County, adjoining the Northernmost part of Westchester County. * * * *
"On reading whereof the four Indians named in the Petition were called in, together with Samuel Munroe their Guardian who attended with them. And Roger Morris and Beverly Robinson, who hold lands under the said Patent, being also present the said Indians were asked what they had to say or to produce in Support of their Claim. Whereupon Daniel Nimham who spoke for himself, and interpreted what the rest said, informed the Council they claimed the Lands under their Ancestors who had never sold them. The said Beverly Robinson then produced an Original Deed, signed by Tachquararos, Cowenhahum, Siengham, Shawiss, Sipowerak, Cramatacht, Wassawawogh, and Mecopap Native Indians and proprietors of sundry tracts of Land in Dutchess County, bearing Date the 13th August 1702, sealed and delivered in the presence of J.V. Cortlandt, William Sharpas, Philip Van Cort-
[p. 76]
landt, Blandiena Bayard, and of three Indians subscribing Witnesses thereto, whereby the said Indian Grantees convey all their Right and Title to the Lands therein mentioned (being the same Lands, and described in the save Words as those Granted by the Patent aforesaid) to the said Adolph Philipse and to his heirs and Assigns for Ever. And the Names of the said Indian Grantees being repeated to the Petitioners present, the petitioner One Pound poctone, who declared himself to be eighty Years of Age said he knew them all-And the Board knowing the four Witnesses first named to have been principal People at the time of the Transaction, and the Hand Writing of William Sharpas one of the Witnesses, and who appears to have wrote the Deed, being well known, His Honour the Lieutenant Governor informed the Petitioners, that himself and the Gentlemen of the Council were of Opinion, that their Ancestors had fairly sold their Right to the Lands in Question. That as their Descendants had no Claim to the Lands, and that they should give the Proprietors or their Tenants no farther Trouble, but suffer them to remain quiet and unmolested in the Possession of what so clearly appeared to be their Property."
Beaten, but no discourage, the Indians attempted to secure the assistance of Sir William Johnson who had so successfully intermediated in controversies between the Indian tribes and the English. But he declined to interfere. Nimham then went to England and presented his claims to the Lords of Trade Governor Moore wrote that the proceedings lately had in regard to the Wappinger Indians had been "thoroughly examined in the presence of a great concourse of people." In this examination they had been given every opportunity and no advantage was taken of technical points or their ignorance of legal matters. He also reports that in 1766, riots had occurred in Dutchess County, and great disturbance, the Indians being at the bottom of it. It was reported, and he believed with truth, that the Indians were in the habit of selling their lands over and over again, to any who were willing to purchase. The Lords of Trade also reported in regard to the petition of the Indians. The substance of the report was a relation of the claims as narrated in preceding pages. It also stated that the Indians had previously chosen a guardian, and brought their case before the courts, and were defeated in the trial; that they had then appealed to the Governor and Council, who reported that the claim was groundless and that
[p. 77]
the lands were fairly sold. It seems that at the time of this report, 1766, there were "four Indian men and three women" in England and that others had been there the previous year.
On the 22d of December, 1766, Governor Moore reported that the Indians had be "forcibly putting some poor people out of possession of their houses," and had a second time been committing disorders. This probably refers to some difficulties with tenants who held land under the title of the Philipse family. When he inquired of the Indians why they had gone to England, they replied that "they were persuaded by some people to take the voyage, it was no project of their own." The governor also reported that "Munroe, their guardian had been guilty of man misdemeanors, and had broke out of Gaol, and is, by all accounts I can obtain, as infamous a person as can be found in this Colony." It is evident that in his opinion it was time a check was put upon affairs of this kind, "to which the Indians were incited by white people living near."
There are still extant the briefs of both parties to these proceedings and many miscellaneous papers incidentally furnishing data upon the settlement of the county. For example, among the witness whom Nimham stated could testify in regards to his claims were John Van Tassel "of Philipse Upper Patent;" Elijah Tompkins, "East end and opposite of Philipse Patent;" Samuel Field, "on the Oblong"; John Tomkins, "on Philipse Patent;" David Paddock, "ditto;" Henry Gernander, "upper part of gore joining Fishkill;" Peter Angevin, "about middle of Philipse Patent;" Richard Curry, William Hill, Jacobus Terbush, "commonly styled Judge Bush, at the Fishkill;" James Dickenson, Esq., "East end of Patent;" James Philipse, "living about the middle of Cortlandts Manor." On the Philipse side there was filed the affidavit, which we quote:
"City of New York, ss."
"Timothy Shaw of Dutchess County being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he formerly was a Tenant under Adolph Philipse, deceased within the Patent commonly called the Upper Patent in the County aforesaid being the Lands now claimed by Roger Morris Philip Philipse and Beverly Robinson Under the said Adolph Philipse and Beverly Robinson Under the said Adolph Philipse as this Deponent has understood. That he this Deponent has now no Interest in any Lands in the said Upper Patent having disposed of all his Interest therein upwards of seven Years ago. That he this Deponent is very
[p. 78]
well acquainted with all the Settlements that have been made within the Bounds of the said Upper Patent and has been acquainted with all the Settlements within the Same about or near twenty-five Years last past. That at the Time this Deponent first became acquainted with the said Upper Patent the following Persons were either settled thereon or held as he understood from them as Tenants under Adolph Philipse to wit: Philip Minthorne Elisha Tomkins John Tomkins William Hunt Daniel Townsend John Dickenson James Dickenson John Sprague William Sturdivant One Hill Moses Northrop Senior Thomas Philipse George Hughson James McCready Samuel Fields Amos Dickenson Hezekiah Wright, Jeremiah Calkins John Calkins Joseph Porter Ichabod Vickerey Ebenezer King Samuel Jones James Paddock Peter Paddock David Paddock John Barley Caleb Brundige William Brandekey John Eagleston Two Brothers of the name of Bircham One Kire William Kabelay Thomas Kirkam Nathaniel Robinson One Cole William Smith John Smith Nathaniel Underhill Edward Stevens One Bartwo John Reynolds and as this Deponent verily believes several others whose names he does not now recollect. That since the time of his Settlement on the said Upper Patent a great Number of other Persons many of whose names this Deponent could repeat were it necessary have also settled themselves as Tenants of the Philipse Family within the said Upper Patent and this Deponent verily believes that of such Tenants there were upwards of three hundred settled on the said Patent beyond the distance of three miles from Hudson's River before the Year one thousand seven hundred and fifty six. That either two or three years ago in the Winter Season the said Philip Philipse was at the House of Uriah Lawrance one of the Tenants of the said Upper Patent where Daniel Nimham the Indian together with at least three hundred Persons chiefly Tenants of the said Patent under the Philipse Family were assembled. That the said Philip Philpse then and there in the Hearing of this Deponent and as many of the said Persons there assembled as could conveniently crowd near enough to hear what passed asked the said Nimham where the Lands were which He claimed whereupon the said Nimham said that he had no lands upon which the said Philip Philipse asked the said Nimham why he made such a Rout among the Tenants to which the said Nimham answered that he was told to do so by Stephen Cowenham and one Pound two other Indians. That the said Nimham never to this Deponent's Knowledge lived within the Bounds of the said Patent and that all the Indians who formerly lived in the said Patent had abandoned it long before the Year one thousand seven hundred and fifty six and went and settled themselves as this Deponent has been informed beyond Minisink near Delaware and further this Deponent saith not.
[p. 79]
"Sworn this 6th day his
of March, 1767, "TIMOTHY X SHAW
"Before me mark
"DANL HORSMANDEN."
And, keeping in mind the object and naturally one-sided character of the documents, the briefs are scarcely less valuable. From that filed on behalf of Nimham the following extracts are taken:
"A Brief Statement of a Controversy subsisting between Daniel Nimham a native Indian and an acknowledged Sachem or King of a Certain Tribe of Indians known and called by the name of the Wappinger Tribe of Indians and others of the same Tribe Petitioners in behalf of themselves and the rest of the said Tribe and the heirs and legal Representatives of Mr. Adoph Philipse, late of the City and Province of New York, deceased, * * *
"This Tribe formerly were numerous, at present consists of about Two Hundred and Twenty seven Persons; they have always had a Sachem or Indian King, whom they have acknowledged to be the head of said Tribe and to whose Government they have submitted; and by a Line of Succession the said Government descended to the said present Sachem, they have for more than a Century been distinguished for their steady friendship and firm alliance with the English, and their subjection to the Crown of Great Britain; * * *
"Their Claim to that part of the above described premises hath been uninterrupted and a Considerable part thereof for many Years been under actual improvement and occupation by them and their Tenants; and they the said Tribe actually did inhabit and improve said Land by leases on rents and for their hunting Ground &ca agreeable to their manner of Life until the Commencement of the late War; at which time they entered in the Service of the British Crown, were conducted forth into the wars by their present Sachem, who then being in the Prime and Vigor of Life went in Capacity of Captain in defence of the British Crown taking under his Command all the Males of said Tribe, that were then able and any suitable for said service they first having removed their Wives, Children and aged Persons to a Place
[p. 80]
called Stockbridge, that they might the more easily be provided for & better accommodated during their absence, and the said Captain with his Company aforesaid, continued in the service aforesaid during the whole Term of the late War and behaved valiantly and was eminently serviceable in the Reduction of Canady to the British Crown. * * *
"The late war being Ended the said Tribe returned home, when to their great surprise they found such Encroachments on their Improvements, and such destruction on their hunting Grounds, that they were obliged to seek Refuge elsewhere. The said Sachem sometime afterwards having received some Intelligence of his Majesty's proclamation respecting Indian Claims again however took Courage and having first upon advice and by and with the approbation of the Chief Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and one other Justice of the Peace for said County of Dutchess Chosen Mr. Samuel Munroe for his Guardian; he with said Guardian again Leased out sundry farms on said Land in Controversy, not in the least doubting his right to do so. Whereupon (the said Frederick Philipse being dead) Mr. Beverly Robinson of sd. New York having married one of the Daughters of Frederick Philipse deceased & pretending to be interested in the Lands in Controversy after having in a forcible manner attempted to oust the said Tenants who held under said Tribe and after much of his disrespectful Conduct both toward his King and Country, as appears by the exhibits M. N. O. brought cases of Ejectment against fifteen of the said Indian Tenants and they being chiefly poor people, unitedly agreed to stand Trial in only one of them, and having raised a sum of Money for that purpose, the Defendant in that particular suit made application for Council to assist him therein but upon Enquiry (to his great surprise) found that every Attorney at Law in that whole Province was previously retained on the other side; whereupon (being destitute of assistance) at the time of trial he motioned the Court for Liberty to speak for himself; which being Granted he began to offer something in Vindication of his Cause but had scarcely uttered one single sentence, when one of the lawyers rose up and (interrupting him) with an air of Confidence declared he was liable to be committed for pretending to offer a word in Vindication of a claim to those Lands in opposition to a Grant of the Crown, which struck such a sudden Damp upon the spirits of the poor Man that he was unable further to Conduct his Cause with any manner of propriety, or so much as to tell his plain honest story, which might have shew perhaps the Justice of his cause and prevented a Recovery. But without further delay or any further Enquiry into the Matter, Judgment was forthwith rendered in said Cause and in the rest of said cases against all the said fifteen Defendants without any opportunity of a fair Trial, and thereupon writs of possession Granted out against them all, and the whole
[p. 81]
number of fifteen Tenants aforesaid, some of which had been on said Lands Thirty and some Forty Years, holding under said Tribe turned off therefrom and their Buildings and other Improvements together with the Crops of Grain &c they had been growing on said Lands and all the fruits of their Labour & Industry taken from them without any manner of allowance therefore. Whereupon the said now Sachem together with some other principle men of said Tribe finding, that said Robinson and the rest of the heirs and legal representatives of the said Mr. Frederick Philipse deceased were determined to continue their molestations and to use all possible endeavors surreptitiously to defraud them of their native right to said Lands preferred their petition to the Honorable Cadwallader Colden Esquire Lieutenant Governour and the Commander in Chief of said Province of New York and his Council dated the first day of March Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and sixty-five, as per Exhibit No. F. and on the sixth of the same March aforesaid, the Petitioners aforesaid together with said Guardian, were permitted to appear and did personally appear before aid Lieut. Governour & Council, in order to be heard in the Matters prayed for in their said Petition respecting said Lands and the Encroachments thereon made as aforesaid and (not able to get any assistance of any attorney at Law in the whole province aforesaid) then and there laid in their Claim to said Land in Controversy themselves and then and there stood ready to offer sufficient Evidence in support of their said Claim and then and there expected to have had opportunity therefore: But instead thereof no more was then and there done in the premises, than as follows, viz.:
"The Petitioners being asked by one of the Gentlemen of the Council then and there present, what they had to offer in support of the Claim aforesaid? The said now Sachem who spoke for himself and Interpreted what the rest said, informed the said Lieut. Governour & Council, that they the said petitioners in behalf of themselves and the rest of the said Wappinger Tribe claimed the Lands in Controversy under their ancestors, in whom was the native right and that neither they nor their ancestors nor any of said Tribe had ever sold, nor made any legal Conveyance of said Land in Controversy. The said Mr. Robinson then produced an Instrument said to be an Indian Deed, bearing date the thirteenth day of August one thousand seven hundred and two, which (if authentic) covered all the Lands in Controversy. But as this was the first Time that such Instrument was ever heard of the Petitioners and said Guardian desired to look at said Instrument and having got the same into his hand was about to point out some marks of fraud attending it, but before he had time to make one single remark about it, it was by a Gentleman of the Council taken out of his hands. And thereupon the said Gentleman of the Council told the Petitioners
[p. 82]
they had better go home about their business and quiet themselves and the rest of said Tribe and give them no further Trouble for (said he) Mr. Robinson has a Deed of all the Lands in Controversy, to which the said Sachem replyed, that he chose to hear those words from the Lieutenant Governours's own mouth first: whereupon the said Lieut. Governour after a short Pause said that the said Mr. Robinson had a Deed of the Land in Controversy and that the Petitioners must therefore go home and make themselves and the rest of their Tribe easy and quiet and not give the said Governour and Council any further Trouble in the premises, (having first asked an old Indian, one of the Petitioners, whether he ever knew any of those Indians whose names were subscribed to said pretended Deed, who replyed that he did, but that he never knew nor heard of their selling or making any Conveyance of said Lands, neither did he believe that they or either of them ever signed or executed said Instrument whereupon the Petitioners (tho' very much dissatisfied on account of the rough Treatment they met with, as well as on account of their not being permitted a fair Chance or opportunity to Vindicate their Cause) returned home. * * * *
"Finally it seems that such a notable Transaction could not have been performed in the Dark nor have been so soon forgotten by the Indians, especially considering that they depend wholly upon Tradition for the Record (if it may be so called) of all their proceedings, and are therein so extremely careful, as that they do thereby retain among them for many Centuries together, the knowledge or remembrance of matters of much less Importance. From all of which Circumstances the said Tribe of Wappingers do firmly believe the said Instrument of one thousand seven hundred & two to be spurious and not by any means Genuine and humbly imagine said Lands (if at all included in said Patent) were Granted to said Mr. Adolph Philipse by the letters patent aforesaid thro' mistake or by means of some misrepresentation; and therefore hope with great Humility, that their Honest Cause will gain the Royal Attention and powerful Interposition and Protection; and that they may be again restored to their said Lands, whereupon they are unjustly expelled.
"The foregoing Brief or State of the Case of the Wappinger Tribe of Indians was made on the 30th day of October Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and sixty five."
From the brief submitted by the Philipse representatives is taken the following:
"A Summary of the Reasons humbly offered to his Excellency Sir Henry Moore Baronet Captain General & Governour in Chief in & over the province of New York & the Territories thereon depending in America, &c., &c., &c., and to the Honourable his Majesty's Council for the said province by Roger Morris Beverly Robinson & Philip Philipse * * * in answer
[p. 83]
to a certain Memorial or complaint of Daniel Nimham, and Indian, * * *
"The said Roger Morris, Beverly Robinson and Philip Philipse, tho' they firmly rely on their indisputable title to the sd. Lands as derived by them Under the said Letters Patent Think it nevertheless their Duty however repeatedly called upon to satisfy the Governm't of the Integrity not only of their own Conduct but also of the Conduct of those under whom they Claim, as well as in obtaining the said Letters Patent for the said Tract of Land as in possessing the same by Virtue of such Letters patent. * * *
"The patent appears to be grounded on a petition of Adolph Philipse wherein the Fraud (if any had been perpetrated in obtaining the patent) would naturally be found. But this petition which is still lodged in the Secretary's office speaks in plain Terms and sets forth a purchase made by him of Jan Seabringh and Lambert Dorlandt of part of the Lands within the Bounds of the afsd Patent (a part of which the said Memorial & Complaint admits to have been granted by the Indians to the said Seabringh & Dorlandt) to wit for an Extant from the River Eastward as far as the Land of Coll Cortlandt Patent) which was known to the Govt. to extend only sixteen Miles from the River And the Colony Line was also known to the Governm't to be at the Distance of 20 Miles from the River. So that the petitioner having set forth nothing more than the purchase aforesaid and so framed his petition as clearly to Shew a Vacancy between that purchase & the Colony Line for which he did not pretend to have made an Indian purchase the Crown could not be deceived in the Grant of the said Letters Patent & therefore no Reason can be assigned why they should be at this late day impeached or Questioned: And that the more especially because:
"2dly. The Letters Patent themselves contain no recitals or suggestions of matters of fact as urged on the part of the petitioner to the Govt. to induce the Crown to grant them; But appear to have issued simply on the petition of Patentee praying a Grant of the Lands without any matters of fact urged by him to induce such Grant. Wherefore * * * the Letters Patent above mentioned issued in favor of the said Adolph Philipse without the least Colour or Ground for supposing a Deceit on the Crown in the obtaining the same* the title in the sd Roger Morris Beverly Robinson and Philip Philipse must be conclusive. * * * and if anything in Equity is now due the Indians the Crown stands bound to satisfy them*
"3dly. The said Adolph Philipse tho he might have relied on his patent,* made a purchase of all the Lands included within the Bounds of this patent of them on the 13th Augt. 1702
[p. 84]
and to prevent Every suspicion that Fraud, or Art was used to obtain this Deed, It will be sufficient to observe that Besides three Indians who were Witnesses to it this Transaction was attested by Jacobus Van Cortlandt a Man of Rank and Character, William Sharpas the Then Town Clerk of the City of New York-a person of known probity, Philip Van Cortlandt then one of his Majesty's Council of this Province & Blandina Bayard an Indian Interpretress. Some of these witnesses are personally known & the handwriting of one of them subscribed to this Deed was familiar to several Members of this Board * * * the Rank & Characters of the witnesses are sufficient to remove all suspicion that it was illegally Fraudulently & surreptitiously obtained. * * * *
"4thly. * * Those who were acquainted with the Indians their practices know that tho' they will very rarely suffer themselves to be defrauded of their Lands; yet in most instances they compel bona fide purchasers by Repetition of their Claims to make repeated payments to them; beyond the original Consideration Money.
"5thly. (Here follows references to papers, including the affidavit of Timothy Shaw.)
"From All which Considerations * * * it must clearly appear That the patent to Adolph Philipse was not unfairly obtained nor the Said Deeds executed to him by the Indians, procured illegally, fraudulently & surreptitiously, nor the Lands possessed by the Indians until 1756. Nor the possession of them then wrongfully gained by the said Beverly Robinson Philip Philipse and Roger Morris while the Indians were gone into his Majesty's Service * * * But on the contrary the said Patent was fairly obtained without any Imposition on the Govt. That the Indian Deed was procured by the said Adolph Philipse lawfully, honestly * openly before Witnesses of the first Character * * * & that the said Adolph Philipse & his family so far from suffering their Title to Lands in Question to become Stale and suspicious by Non occupancy proceeded in due time to the settlement & Cultivation of these Lands, which were populously inhabited by Tenants under them many Years since & and which were long ago abandoned by the Indians who were conscious that they had not the least Right or Title to them"
In the Revolution Nimham and his warriors took an active part. Some sixty of them, expert marksmen and skilled in war, joined the American forces and fought with a bravery and valor worthy of their ancient race, in the days of their glory. Active in the campaigns of 1777, they joined Washington again in the spring of the following year, and were detached with the forces under La Fayette, to check the depredations of the British army on its retreat from Philadelphia, and they were afterward trans-
[p. 85]
ferred to Westchester county, the scene of some of the most hotly contested struggles of the war.
It was on the 30th of August, 1778, that Nimham and his warrior band went forth to the "field of their last battle. On that day they met with a scouting party of British under Colonel Emerick, and after a fierce engagement compelled them to retreat. On the following morning the whole of the British force at Kings Bridge was ordered out and the larger part was placed in ambuscade, while Emerick was sent forward to decoy his assailants of the previous day. In the extreme northern part of the annexed portion of the city of New York, is a high elevation of land, known as Cortlandt's Ridge. Winding through the valleys and emptying into the Harlem River, near Kings Bridge, is a stream that has borne from the earliest times the name of Tippets Brook. The wooded heights and the banks of the stream were the scenes of a most sanguinary conflict. The attempt to draw the Indians into the ambuscade failed, and upon their advance the British trops had scarcely time to fall into rank. The Indians lined the fences and commenced firing upon the forces under Colonel Emerick. The Queen's Rangers moved rapidly to gain the heights, and Tarleton advanced with the Hussars and his famous Legion of Cavalry. This being reported to Lieutenant-Colonel Simcoe, he directed Major Ross to conduct his Corps on the heights, and advancing to the road arrived within ten yards of Nimham and his men. Up to this time they had been intent on the attack upon Colonel Emerick. They now gave a yell and fired on the advancing enemy and wounded five including Colonel Simcoe.
They were driven from the fence, and Tarleton rushed upon them with his cavalry and pursued them down Cortlandt's Ridge. Here Tarleton himself had a narrow escape. Striking at one of the fugitives, he lost his balance and fell from his horse. Fortunately for him the Indian had no bayonet and his musket was discharged. A captain of a company of American soldiers was taken prisoner with some of his men, and a company under Major Stewart, who afterwards distinguished himself at the storming of Stony Point, left the Indians and fled. The engagement was renewed with the fiercest vigor. The cavalry charged the ridge with overwhelming numbers, but were bravely resisted. As the cavalry rode them down, the Indians seizing their foes, dragged them from their horses, to join them in death.
[p. 86]
In a swamp, not far from the brook, Nimham made his last stand. When he saw the Grenadiers closing upon him and all hope of successful resistance gone, he called out to his people to flee, but as for himself, "I am an aged tree, I will die here."
Being attacked by Simcoe he wounded that officer, but was shot and killed by Wright, his orderly Hussar. In this fearful fray the power of the tribe was forever broken. More than forty of the Indians were killed or desperately wounded in the fight, and when the next morning dawned, there, still and cold in death, on the field he had defended so bravely, lay the last sachem of the Wappingers.
The place where they crossed Tippets Brook is still known as Indian Bridge, and an opening in the Cortlandt woods yet bears the name of Indian Field, and there the dead were buried. It is said that the spirit of the sachem still haunts the field of his last battle, and that the sound of his war cry still rises on the midnight air, and greets the ear of the belated traveler as he treads on his lonely way.
From that time the Wappingers ceased to have a name in history. A few scattered remnants still remained, and as late as 1811, a small band had their dwelling place on a low tract of land by the side of a brook, under a high hill, in the northern part of the town of Kent1, but all that remained of them have long since passed away, and the place that knew them once will know them no more forever.
A person who stands on the high land in Carmel, south of Lake Gleneida, sees far to the northwest, three lofty mountains that tower above all the country round. To the middle peak, which is the highest, we have given the name of the last Sachem of the tribe that once ruled all the lands that can be seen from its highest summit: and we trust that in honor of his valor, and of the faith sealed with his blood on the field where he fought for the liberty of America, it will bear to all future time the name of Mount Nimham.
The site of this village is on the farm of Isaiah Booth, about half a mile south of the Putnam county road, near the west line of Lot 5.
It is not known whether he was buried at New Rochelle with his parents and maternal grandparents, 14 miles south of the First Presbyterian Church of White Plains where his elder brother Eli and a number of other relatives are buried, but perhaps he died after 1773 in Dutchess County or present-day Putnam County.
TWO PETER ANGEVINES
A list of settlers of the Philipse Patent, Dutchess County (now Putnam Co.) in 1777 includes "Peter Angevine estate" located near the middle of Philipse Patent. This could be the same Peter Angevine Jr. whose son Joseph Angevine later lived in Philipse Patent near Carmel, perhaps having succeeded to his father's estate. But it is generally thought to be his nephew (son of Eli) who died in 1778 leaving the land to his two sons who were Tories and divested of their property after the Revolutionary War. If his death date of 1778 is firm, then the Peter Angevine who died before 1777 would likely be his uncle Peter Jr.
Pierre ("Peter") Angevine Sr., immigrant from France, and his first wife had a son Pierre Jr. born in 1687, according to FULL-BLOODED YANKEE (1946) by Sidney Graves Koon. Angevine Genealogy by Clyde Angevine states that this son died before the 1710 census, since he was not included. Pierre and his second wife Marguerite then had a son Pierre "Peter" born in 1714 (ref., The Families of the Colonial Town of Philipsburgh, Westchester County, N.Y., by Grenville C. Mackenzie, [IV vols, c1930-66, Westport, Conn.], vol. 1 pp.28-30; also discussed in Angevine Genealogy by Clyde V. Angevine.)
Sidney Graves Koon states that Peter Jr. (son of Deborah Guion) married Margaret Secord whose sister Esther/Hester Secord married his brother Lewis Angevine and had Mr. Koon's ancestor Eli Angevine. But Clyde Angevine (pp. 14, 21-22, 353) showed Eli Angevine was the son of Pierre/Peter Angevine Sr. and his second wife Marguerite de Bonrepos.
This Pierre/Peter Angevine (Jr.) was perhaps the Pierre Angevine who was god father of his nephew Peter Angevine, baptised at Trinity Church Sept. 24, 1734, the son of Lewis and Esther Sicard Angevine, unless it was the infant's grandfather Pierre Sr. Godmother was Marie Angevine. Marie may have been Peter Angevine Jr.'s elder sister but could also be a first wife, although there is a 13-year gap until his first children (by first or second wife unknown) were born beginning in 1747: Lewis, Peter, Phebe, and James.
This Peter Jr. had a younger sister Esther born 1729, baptized here 4 Dec 1729 with godfather Pierre Secord and two Marrains (godmothers), Esther Angevine and Marie Angevine.
Peter Angevine Jr. and his second or third wife Abigail Williams married about 1759 and had two sons, Joseph and Benjamin, and four daughters. Peter Angevine Jr. died after 1773.
ANGEVINE BIBLE
The New Rochelle,NY Evening Standard, 3 October 1921: There is in the possession of the New Rochelle Huguenot Society a bible concerning the Angevine family. It has recently been acquired and is being announced in the paper to the public.
A researcher states: "It may reside now in the Archives at Elmsford, NY." (Whereabouts today not verified.)
New York Genealogical & Biographical Record, vol. 88 (1957), page 34: (citation: NYG&BR 1957 v. 88, p.34:)
ANGEVINE BIBLE RECORD.
Owned by Ernest L. Palmer, 3620 Parsons Blvd., Flushing, N.Y.
Peter Angevine born May 15 day 1714
(The following four entries are probably his children by an unknown first wife):
Lewes Angevine born December 30 day 1747**
Peter Angevine Was born September 14 day 1752
Phebee Angevine born August 31 day 1754
James Angevine born March 4 day 1758
Abigail Williams his wife born May 3rd 1733
Joseph Angevine born March 3 day 1760
Rachel Angevine born July 10, 1762
Mary Angevine was born January 10th day 1765
Susanna Angevine born Six Day of September 1768*
Benjamin Angevine born September 13th 1771
Elizabeth Angevine born June 7th 1774
*(Susanna Angevine above married 1st Thomas FIELD & married 2nd Robert BLOOMER, NYG&BR v. 69, p.330, no. 41).
** TAX LIST OF PHILIPSE PATENT, 1777:
Peter Angevine (later forfeited) (described in an online source as the son of Lewis above was actually the son of this Lewes or Lewis' uncle Louis/Lewis, brother of Peter Jr.)
Peleg Bailey
Richard Williams (Lot 109 forfeited in Lot 9 in 1788)
Thomas Williams
The death dates of Peter and Margaret Angevine have not been proven. He may have died sometime between 1773-77 and Margaret sometime 1774-90, since they are not shown on the 1790 census. It could be that they lived in Scarsdale Manor on or near the Angevine farm where his brother Lewis resided, in which case they could be buried in the family cemetery there.
Eli Angevine, another brother of Louis and Peter, removed with many of his family to the First Presbyterian Church of White Plains.
A French Huguenot Legacy by Debra Guion Stufflebean, p.97, says: “Other members of the Guion family that moved to Canada were…Pierre Angevine Jr., son of Pierre and Deborah Guion Angevine, and his family.” But the author seems to have confused Peter Angevine Jr., grandson of Lewis, and great-grandson of Pierre Angevine Sr. and Deborah Guion, with his half grand-uncle Pierre/Peter Angevine Jr., son of Pierre and Marguerite. Pierre Sr. and Deborah's son Pierre Jr. died young. It was Lewis' grandson Peter Angevine Jr. who was a Tory and known to have removed to Canada and his farm at Carmel confiscated.
It is possible that this Peter Angevine settled in the part of Dutchess County that later became Putnam County. In
History of Putnam County, New York by William S. Pelletreau,
(Chapter IX: Settlement and Population) page 122 is:
TAX LIST OF PHILIP PHILIPSE PATENT, 1777
(List of the taxable inhabitants of Philips Patent in the year 1777.) listing "Peter Angevine's estate."
This is evidently the same property or near what is now Putnam Valley, Putnam County, where his son Joseph Angevine lived later.
“Fredericksburg Precinct: Elijah Tompkins, 2; David Paddock, 2; James Dickenson, estate, 3; Daniel Townsend, 1; John Newbury, 6; Josiah Baker, 4; David Crosby, 3; Joshua Crosby, 3; Theophilus Jones, 1; Tho. Kelley, 1; James Covan, 1; Jonathan Kelley, 2; Silas Paddock, 2; Charles Townsend, 2; Robert Townsend, 1; Tho. Paddock, 3; Peter Angevine’s estate, 4; Jonathan Paddock, 4; Jonathan Paddock’s widow, 1; Isaac Pearce, 2; John Yeoman’s estate, 3; Jonathan Bryant, 2; Michael Shaw, Jr., 1; David Aikins, 4; Heman King, 8; Reuben Kelly, 2; Ebenezer Robinson, 3; John Rhoads, 1; Jacob Philipse, Jr., 1; Nathan Crosby, 4; Hezekiah Mead, 1; Tho. Fowler, 2; Daniel Brundage, 5; Jeremiah Whitney, 2; Ebenezer Brown, 1; Reuben Crosby, 2; Peter Bunker, 1; Joseph Northrop, 2; Hezekiah Mead, 2; Robert Hughson, 3; James Covey, 2; Peter Maybee, 3; Joseph Ganung, 2; Ebenezer Jone’s widow, 2; Cornelius Fuller, 2; John Dickenson, 7; Wm. Palmer, 2; Robert Mooney, 1; Tho. Smith, 4; Wm. Penny, 3; Isaac Chapman, 1; Edmund Batner, 2; Moody Howse, 4; Elisha Cole, 5; etc."
Historical and Genealogical Record Dutchess and Putnam Counties New York, Press of the A. V. Haight Co., Poughkeepsie, New York, 1912; pp. 80-94; p.94 includes TAX LIST OF PHILIPSE PATENT, 1777 which lists Peter Angevine (not "Peter Angevine's estate").
Philipse-Gouverneur Family Papers, in Special Collections at Columbia University (Pocket No. XII, “Papers relating to dispute with Indians about lands in Philipse Patent.”) page 49 mentions Peter Angevine.
The land of Peter Angevin was located "about middle of Philipse Patent" (History of Putnam County, New York [1886] by William S. Pelletreau, page 77).
"At a Council held at Fort George in the City of New York on Wednesday the sixth day of March, 1765.
Present:
"The Hon'ble Cadwallader Colden, Esqr. Lieut. Governor, &c.
Mr. Hormanden, Mr. Delancey, Mr. Smith, Earl of Stirling, Mr. Watts, Mr. Reade, Mr. Walton,
"His Honour the Lieutenant Governor laid before the Board a petition of Daniel Nimham, Jacobus Nimham, One Pound Poctone, Stephen Cowenham, and other Native Indians of the Tribe of Wappinger, Setting forth, that they and their Tribe for Time immemorial by their Native Right, have been in possession of certain Tracts of Land in the Southernmost part of Dutchess County, adjoining the Northernmost part of Westchester County. * * * *
"On reading whereof the four Indians named in the Petition were called in, together with Samuel Munroe their Guardian who attended with them. And Roger Morris and Beverly Robinson, who hold lands under the said Patent, being also present the said Indians were asked what they had to say or to produce in Support of their Claim. Whereupon Daniel Nimham who spoke for himself, and interpreted what the rest said, informed the Council they claimed the Lands under their Ancestors who had never sold them. The said Beverly Robinson then produced an Original Deed, signed by Tachquararos, Cowenhahum, Siengham, Shawiss, Sipowerak, Cramatacht, Wassawawogh, and Mecopap Native Indians and proprietors of sundry tracts of Land in Dutchess County, bearing Date the 13th August 1702, sealed and delivered in the presence of J.V. Cortlandt, William Sharpas, Philip Van Cort-
[p. 76]
landt, Blandiena Bayard, and of three Indians subscribing Witnesses thereto, whereby the said Indian Grantees convey all their Right and Title to the Lands therein mentioned (being the same Lands, and described in the save Words as those Granted by the Patent aforesaid) to the said Adolph Philipse and to his heirs and Assigns for Ever. And the Names of the said Indian Grantees being repeated to the Petitioners present, the petitioner One Pound poctone, who declared himself to be eighty Years of Age said he knew them all-And the Board knowing the four Witnesses first named to have been principal People at the time of the Transaction, and the Hand Writing of William Sharpas one of the Witnesses, and who appears to have wrote the Deed, being well known, His Honour the Lieutenant Governor informed the Petitioners, that himself and the Gentlemen of the Council were of Opinion, that their Ancestors had fairly sold their Right to the Lands in Question. That as their Descendants had no Claim to the Lands, and that they should give the Proprietors or their Tenants no farther Trouble, but suffer them to remain quiet and unmolested in the Possession of what so clearly appeared to be their Property."
Beaten, but no discourage, the Indians attempted to secure the assistance of Sir William Johnson who had so successfully intermediated in controversies between the Indian tribes and the English. But he declined to interfere. Nimham then went to England and presented his claims to the Lords of Trade Governor Moore wrote that the proceedings lately had in regard to the Wappinger Indians had been "thoroughly examined in the presence of a great concourse of people." In this examination they had been given every opportunity and no advantage was taken of technical points or their ignorance of legal matters. He also reports that in 1766, riots had occurred in Dutchess County, and great disturbance, the Indians being at the bottom of it. It was reported, and he believed with truth, that the Indians were in the habit of selling their lands over and over again, to any who were willing to purchase. The Lords of Trade also reported in regard to the petition of the Indians. The substance of the report was a relation of the claims as narrated in preceding pages. It also stated that the Indians had previously chosen a guardian, and brought their case before the courts, and were defeated in the trial; that they had then appealed to the Governor and Council, who reported that the claim was groundless and that
[p. 77]
the lands were fairly sold. It seems that at the time of this report, 1766, there were "four Indian men and three women" in England and that others had been there the previous year.
On the 22d of December, 1766, Governor Moore reported that the Indians had be "forcibly putting some poor people out of possession of their houses," and had a second time been committing disorders. This probably refers to some difficulties with tenants who held land under the title of the Philipse family. When he inquired of the Indians why they had gone to England, they replied that "they were persuaded by some people to take the voyage, it was no project of their own." The governor also reported that "Munroe, their guardian had been guilty of man misdemeanors, and had broke out of Gaol, and is, by all accounts I can obtain, as infamous a person as can be found in this Colony." It is evident that in his opinion it was time a check was put upon affairs of this kind, "to which the Indians were incited by white people living near."
There are still extant the briefs of both parties to these proceedings and many miscellaneous papers incidentally furnishing data upon the settlement of the county. For example, among the witness whom Nimham stated could testify in regards to his claims were John Van Tassel "of Philipse Upper Patent;" Elijah Tompkins, "East end and opposite of Philipse Patent;" Samuel Field, "on the Oblong"; John Tomkins, "on Philipse Patent;" David Paddock, "ditto;" Henry Gernander, "upper part of gore joining Fishkill;" Peter Angevin, "about middle of Philipse Patent;" Richard Curry, William Hill, Jacobus Terbush, "commonly styled Judge Bush, at the Fishkill;" James Dickenson, Esq., "East end of Patent;" James Philipse, "living about the middle of Cortlandts Manor." On the Philipse side there was filed the affidavit, which we quote:
"City of New York, ss."
"Timothy Shaw of Dutchess County being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he formerly was a Tenant under Adolph Philipse, deceased within the Patent commonly called the Upper Patent in the County aforesaid being the Lands now claimed by Roger Morris Philip Philipse and Beverly Robinson Under the said Adolph Philipse and Beverly Robinson Under the said Adolph Philipse as this Deponent has understood. That he this Deponent has now no Interest in any Lands in the said Upper Patent having disposed of all his Interest therein upwards of seven Years ago. That he this Deponent is very
[p. 78]
well acquainted with all the Settlements that have been made within the Bounds of the said Upper Patent and has been acquainted with all the Settlements within the Same about or near twenty-five Years last past. That at the Time this Deponent first became acquainted with the said Upper Patent the following Persons were either settled thereon or held as he understood from them as Tenants under Adolph Philipse to wit: Philip Minthorne Elisha Tomkins John Tomkins William Hunt Daniel Townsend John Dickenson James Dickenson John Sprague William Sturdivant One Hill Moses Northrop Senior Thomas Philipse George Hughson James McCready Samuel Fields Amos Dickenson Hezekiah Wright, Jeremiah Calkins John Calkins Joseph Porter Ichabod Vickerey Ebenezer King Samuel Jones James Paddock Peter Paddock David Paddock John Barley Caleb Brundige William Brandekey John Eagleston Two Brothers of the name of Bircham One Kire William Kabelay Thomas Kirkam Nathaniel Robinson One Cole William Smith John Smith Nathaniel Underhill Edward Stevens One Bartwo John Reynolds and as this Deponent verily believes several others whose names he does not now recollect. That since the time of his Settlement on the said Upper Patent a great Number of other Persons many of whose names this Deponent could repeat were it necessary have also settled themselves as Tenants of the Philipse Family within the said Upper Patent and this Deponent verily believes that of such Tenants there were upwards of three hundred settled on the said Patent beyond the distance of three miles from Hudson's River before the Year one thousand seven hundred and fifty six. That either two or three years ago in the Winter Season the said Philip Philipse was at the House of Uriah Lawrance one of the Tenants of the said Upper Patent where Daniel Nimham the Indian together with at least three hundred Persons chiefly Tenants of the said Patent under the Philipse Family were assembled. That the said Philip Philpse then and there in the Hearing of this Deponent and as many of the said Persons there assembled as could conveniently crowd near enough to hear what passed asked the said Nimham where the Lands were which He claimed whereupon the said Nimham said that he had no lands upon which the said Philip Philipse asked the said Nimham why he made such a Rout among the Tenants to which the said Nimham answered that he was told to do so by Stephen Cowenham and one Pound two other Indians. That the said Nimham never to this Deponent's Knowledge lived within the Bounds of the said Patent and that all the Indians who formerly lived in the said Patent had abandoned it long before the Year one thousand seven hundred and fifty six and went and settled themselves as this Deponent has been informed beyond Minisink near Delaware and further this Deponent saith not.
[p. 79]
"Sworn this 6th day his
of March, 1767, "TIMOTHY X SHAW
"Before me mark
"DANL HORSMANDEN."
And, keeping in mind the object and naturally one-sided character of the documents, the briefs are scarcely less valuable. From that filed on behalf of Nimham the following extracts are taken:
"A Brief Statement of a Controversy subsisting between Daniel Nimham a native Indian and an acknowledged Sachem or King of a Certain Tribe of Indians known and called by the name of the Wappinger Tribe of Indians and others of the same Tribe Petitioners in behalf of themselves and the rest of the said Tribe and the heirs and legal Representatives of Mr. Adoph Philipse, late of the City and Province of New York, deceased, * * *
"This Tribe formerly were numerous, at present consists of about Two Hundred and Twenty seven Persons; they have always had a Sachem or Indian King, whom they have acknowledged to be the head of said Tribe and to whose Government they have submitted; and by a Line of Succession the said Government descended to the said present Sachem, they have for more than a Century been distinguished for their steady friendship and firm alliance with the English, and their subjection to the Crown of Great Britain; * * *
"Their Claim to that part of the above described premises hath been uninterrupted and a Considerable part thereof for many Years been under actual improvement and occupation by them and their Tenants; and they the said Tribe actually did inhabit and improve said Land by leases on rents and for their hunting Ground &ca agreeable to their manner of Life until the Commencement of the late War; at which time they entered in the Service of the British Crown, were conducted forth into the wars by their present Sachem, who then being in the Prime and Vigor of Life went in Capacity of Captain in defence of the British Crown taking under his Command all the Males of said Tribe, that were then able and any suitable for said service they first having removed their Wives, Children and aged Persons to a Place
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called Stockbridge, that they might the more easily be provided for & better accommodated during their absence, and the said Captain with his Company aforesaid, continued in the service aforesaid during the whole Term of the late War and behaved valiantly and was eminently serviceable in the Reduction of Canady to the British Crown. * * *
"The late war being Ended the said Tribe returned home, when to their great surprise they found such Encroachments on their Improvements, and such destruction on their hunting Grounds, that they were obliged to seek Refuge elsewhere. The said Sachem sometime afterwards having received some Intelligence of his Majesty's proclamation respecting Indian Claims again however took Courage and having first upon advice and by and with the approbation of the Chief Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and one other Justice of the Peace for said County of Dutchess Chosen Mr. Samuel Munroe for his Guardian; he with said Guardian again Leased out sundry farms on said Land in Controversy, not in the least doubting his right to do so. Whereupon (the said Frederick Philipse being dead) Mr. Beverly Robinson of sd. New York having married one of the Daughters of Frederick Philipse deceased & pretending to be interested in the Lands in Controversy after having in a forcible manner attempted to oust the said Tenants who held under said Tribe and after much of his disrespectful Conduct both toward his King and Country, as appears by the exhibits M. N. O. brought cases of Ejectment against fifteen of the said Indian Tenants and they being chiefly poor people, unitedly agreed to stand Trial in only one of them, and having raised a sum of Money for that purpose, the Defendant in that particular suit made application for Council to assist him therein but upon Enquiry (to his great surprise) found that every Attorney at Law in that whole Province was previously retained on the other side; whereupon (being destitute of assistance) at the time of trial he motioned the Court for Liberty to speak for himself; which being Granted he began to offer something in Vindication of his Cause but had scarcely uttered one single sentence, when one of the lawyers rose up and (interrupting him) with an air of Confidence declared he was liable to be committed for pretending to offer a word in Vindication of a claim to those Lands in opposition to a Grant of the Crown, which struck such a sudden Damp upon the spirits of the poor Man that he was unable further to Conduct his Cause with any manner of propriety, or so much as to tell his plain honest story, which might have shew perhaps the Justice of his cause and prevented a Recovery. But without further delay or any further Enquiry into the Matter, Judgment was forthwith rendered in said Cause and in the rest of said cases against all the said fifteen Defendants without any opportunity of a fair Trial, and thereupon writs of possession Granted out against them all, and the whole
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number of fifteen Tenants aforesaid, some of which had been on said Lands Thirty and some Forty Years, holding under said Tribe turned off therefrom and their Buildings and other Improvements together with the Crops of Grain &c they had been growing on said Lands and all the fruits of their Labour & Industry taken from them without any manner of allowance therefore. Whereupon the said now Sachem together with some other principle men of said Tribe finding, that said Robinson and the rest of the heirs and legal representatives of the said Mr. Frederick Philipse deceased were determined to continue their molestations and to use all possible endeavors surreptitiously to defraud them of their native right to said Lands preferred their petition to the Honorable Cadwallader Colden Esquire Lieutenant Governour and the Commander in Chief of said Province of New York and his Council dated the first day of March Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and sixty-five, as per Exhibit No. F. and on the sixth of the same March aforesaid, the Petitioners aforesaid together with said Guardian, were permitted to appear and did personally appear before aid Lieut. Governour & Council, in order to be heard in the Matters prayed for in their said Petition respecting said Lands and the Encroachments thereon made as aforesaid and (not able to get any assistance of any attorney at Law in the whole province aforesaid) then and there laid in their Claim to said Land in Controversy themselves and then and there stood ready to offer sufficient Evidence in support of their said Claim and then and there expected to have had opportunity therefore: But instead thereof no more was then and there done in the premises, than as follows, viz.:
"The Petitioners being asked by one of the Gentlemen of the Council then and there present, what they had to offer in support of the Claim aforesaid? The said now Sachem who spoke for himself and Interpreted what the rest said, informed the said Lieut. Governour & Council, that they the said petitioners in behalf of themselves and the rest of the said Wappinger Tribe claimed the Lands in Controversy under their ancestors, in whom was the native right and that neither they nor their ancestors nor any of said Tribe had ever sold, nor made any legal Conveyance of said Land in Controversy. The said Mr. Robinson then produced an Instrument said to be an Indian Deed, bearing date the thirteenth day of August one thousand seven hundred and two, which (if authentic) covered all the Lands in Controversy. But as this was the first Time that such Instrument was ever heard of the Petitioners and said Guardian desired to look at said Instrument and having got the same into his hand was about to point out some marks of fraud attending it, but before he had time to make one single remark about it, it was by a Gentleman of the Council taken out of his hands. And thereupon the said Gentleman of the Council told the Petitioners
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they had better go home about their business and quiet themselves and the rest of said Tribe and give them no further Trouble for (said he) Mr. Robinson has a Deed of all the Lands in Controversy, to which the said Sachem replyed, that he chose to hear those words from the Lieutenant Governours's own mouth first: whereupon the said Lieut. Governour after a short Pause said that the said Mr. Robinson had a Deed of the Land in Controversy and that the Petitioners must therefore go home and make themselves and the rest of their Tribe easy and quiet and not give the said Governour and Council any further Trouble in the premises, (having first asked an old Indian, one of the Petitioners, whether he ever knew any of those Indians whose names were subscribed to said pretended Deed, who replyed that he did, but that he never knew nor heard of their selling or making any Conveyance of said Lands, neither did he believe that they or either of them ever signed or executed said Instrument whereupon the Petitioners (tho' very much dissatisfied on account of the rough Treatment they met with, as well as on account of their not being permitted a fair Chance or opportunity to Vindicate their Cause) returned home. * * * *
"Finally it seems that such a notable Transaction could not have been performed in the Dark nor have been so soon forgotten by the Indians, especially considering that they depend wholly upon Tradition for the Record (if it may be so called) of all their proceedings, and are therein so extremely careful, as that they do thereby retain among them for many Centuries together, the knowledge or remembrance of matters of much less Importance. From all of which Circumstances the said Tribe of Wappingers do firmly believe the said Instrument of one thousand seven hundred & two to be spurious and not by any means Genuine and humbly imagine said Lands (if at all included in said Patent) were Granted to said Mr. Adolph Philipse by the letters patent aforesaid thro' mistake or by means of some misrepresentation; and therefore hope with great Humility, that their Honest Cause will gain the Royal Attention and powerful Interposition and Protection; and that they may be again restored to their said Lands, whereupon they are unjustly expelled.
"The foregoing Brief or State of the Case of the Wappinger Tribe of Indians was made on the 30th day of October Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and sixty five."
From the brief submitted by the Philipse representatives is taken the following:
"A Summary of the Reasons humbly offered to his Excellency Sir Henry Moore Baronet Captain General & Governour in Chief in & over the province of New York & the Territories thereon depending in America, &c., &c., &c., and to the Honourable his Majesty's Council for the said province by Roger Morris Beverly Robinson & Philip Philipse * * * in answer
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to a certain Memorial or complaint of Daniel Nimham, and Indian, * * *
"The said Roger Morris, Beverly Robinson and Philip Philipse, tho' they firmly rely on their indisputable title to the sd. Lands as derived by them Under the said Letters Patent Think it nevertheless their Duty however repeatedly called upon to satisfy the Governm't of the Integrity not only of their own Conduct but also of the Conduct of those under whom they Claim, as well as in obtaining the said Letters Patent for the said Tract of Land as in possessing the same by Virtue of such Letters patent. * * *
"The patent appears to be grounded on a petition of Adolph Philipse wherein the Fraud (if any had been perpetrated in obtaining the patent) would naturally be found. But this petition which is still lodged in the Secretary's office speaks in plain Terms and sets forth a purchase made by him of Jan Seabringh and Lambert Dorlandt of part of the Lands within the Bounds of the afsd Patent (a part of which the said Memorial & Complaint admits to have been granted by the Indians to the said Seabringh & Dorlandt) to wit for an Extant from the River Eastward as far as the Land of Coll Cortlandt Patent) which was known to the Govt. to extend only sixteen Miles from the River And the Colony Line was also known to the Governm't to be at the Distance of 20 Miles from the River. So that the petitioner having set forth nothing more than the purchase aforesaid and so framed his petition as clearly to Shew a Vacancy between that purchase & the Colony Line for which he did not pretend to have made an Indian purchase the Crown could not be deceived in the Grant of the said Letters Patent & therefore no Reason can be assigned why they should be at this late day impeached or Questioned: And that the more especially because:
"2dly. The Letters Patent themselves contain no recitals or suggestions of matters of fact as urged on the part of the petitioner to the Govt. to induce the Crown to grant them; But appear to have issued simply on the petition of Patentee praying a Grant of the Lands without any matters of fact urged by him to induce such Grant. Wherefore * * * the Letters Patent above mentioned issued in favor of the said Adolph Philipse without the least Colour or Ground for supposing a Deceit on the Crown in the obtaining the same* the title in the sd Roger Morris Beverly Robinson and Philip Philipse must be conclusive. * * * and if anything in Equity is now due the Indians the Crown stands bound to satisfy them*
"3dly. The said Adolph Philipse tho he might have relied on his patent,* made a purchase of all the Lands included within the Bounds of this patent of them on the 13th Augt. 1702
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and to prevent Every suspicion that Fraud, or Art was used to obtain this Deed, It will be sufficient to observe that Besides three Indians who were Witnesses to it this Transaction was attested by Jacobus Van Cortlandt a Man of Rank and Character, William Sharpas the Then Town Clerk of the City of New York-a person of known probity, Philip Van Cortlandt then one of his Majesty's Council of this Province & Blandina Bayard an Indian Interpretress. Some of these witnesses are personally known & the handwriting of one of them subscribed to this Deed was familiar to several Members of this Board * * * the Rank & Characters of the witnesses are sufficient to remove all suspicion that it was illegally Fraudulently & surreptitiously obtained. * * * *
"4thly. * * Those who were acquainted with the Indians their practices know that tho' they will very rarely suffer themselves to be defrauded of their Lands; yet in most instances they compel bona fide purchasers by Repetition of their Claims to make repeated payments to them; beyond the original Consideration Money.
"5thly. (Here follows references to papers, including the affidavit of Timothy Shaw.)
"From All which Considerations * * * it must clearly appear That the patent to Adolph Philipse was not unfairly obtained nor the Said Deeds executed to him by the Indians, procured illegally, fraudulently & surreptitiously, nor the Lands possessed by the Indians until 1756. Nor the possession of them then wrongfully gained by the said Beverly Robinson Philip Philipse and Roger Morris while the Indians were gone into his Majesty's Service * * * But on the contrary the said Patent was fairly obtained without any Imposition on the Govt. That the Indian Deed was procured by the said Adolph Philipse lawfully, honestly * openly before Witnesses of the first Character * * * & that the said Adolph Philipse & his family so far from suffering their Title to Lands in Question to become Stale and suspicious by Non occupancy proceeded in due time to the settlement & Cultivation of these Lands, which were populously inhabited by Tenants under them many Years since & and which were long ago abandoned by the Indians who were conscious that they had not the least Right or Title to them"
In the Revolution Nimham and his warriors took an active part. Some sixty of them, expert marksmen and skilled in war, joined the American forces and fought with a bravery and valor worthy of their ancient race, in the days of their glory. Active in the campaigns of 1777, they joined Washington again in the spring of the following year, and were detached with the forces under La Fayette, to check the depredations of the British army on its retreat from Philadelphia, and they were afterward trans-
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ferred to Westchester county, the scene of some of the most hotly contested struggles of the war.
It was on the 30th of August, 1778, that Nimham and his warrior band went forth to the "field of their last battle. On that day they met with a scouting party of British under Colonel Emerick, and after a fierce engagement compelled them to retreat. On the following morning the whole of the British force at Kings Bridge was ordered out and the larger part was placed in ambuscade, while Emerick was sent forward to decoy his assailants of the previous day. In the extreme northern part of the annexed portion of the city of New York, is a high elevation of land, known as Cortlandt's Ridge. Winding through the valleys and emptying into the Harlem River, near Kings Bridge, is a stream that has borne from the earliest times the name of Tippets Brook. The wooded heights and the banks of the stream were the scenes of a most sanguinary conflict. The attempt to draw the Indians into the ambuscade failed, and upon their advance the British trops had scarcely time to fall into rank. The Indians lined the fences and commenced firing upon the forces under Colonel Emerick. The Queen's Rangers moved rapidly to gain the heights, and Tarleton advanced with the Hussars and his famous Legion of Cavalry. This being reported to Lieutenant-Colonel Simcoe, he directed Major Ross to conduct his Corps on the heights, and advancing to the road arrived within ten yards of Nimham and his men. Up to this time they had been intent on the attack upon Colonel Emerick. They now gave a yell and fired on the advancing enemy and wounded five including Colonel Simcoe.
They were driven from the fence, and Tarleton rushed upon them with his cavalry and pursued them down Cortlandt's Ridge. Here Tarleton himself had a narrow escape. Striking at one of the fugitives, he lost his balance and fell from his horse. Fortunately for him the Indian had no bayonet and his musket was discharged. A captain of a company of American soldiers was taken prisoner with some of his men, and a company under Major Stewart, who afterwards distinguished himself at the storming of Stony Point, left the Indians and fled. The engagement was renewed with the fiercest vigor. The cavalry charged the ridge with overwhelming numbers, but were bravely resisted. As the cavalry rode them down, the Indians seizing their foes, dragged them from their horses, to join them in death.
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In a swamp, not far from the brook, Nimham made his last stand. When he saw the Grenadiers closing upon him and all hope of successful resistance gone, he called out to his people to flee, but as for himself, "I am an aged tree, I will die here."
Being attacked by Simcoe he wounded that officer, but was shot and killed by Wright, his orderly Hussar. In this fearful fray the power of the tribe was forever broken. More than forty of the Indians were killed or desperately wounded in the fight, and when the next morning dawned, there, still and cold in death, on the field he had defended so bravely, lay the last sachem of the Wappingers.
The place where they crossed Tippets Brook is still known as Indian Bridge, and an opening in the Cortlandt woods yet bears the name of Indian Field, and there the dead were buried. It is said that the spirit of the sachem still haunts the field of his last battle, and that the sound of his war cry still rises on the midnight air, and greets the ear of the belated traveler as he treads on his lonely way.
From that time the Wappingers ceased to have a name in history. A few scattered remnants still remained, and as late as 1811, a small band had their dwelling place on a low tract of land by the side of a brook, under a high hill, in the northern part of the town of Kent1, but all that remained of them have long since passed away, and the place that knew them once will know them no more forever.
A person who stands on the high land in Carmel, south of Lake Gleneida, sees far to the northwest, three lofty mountains that tower above all the country round. To the middle peak, which is the highest, we have given the name of the last Sachem of the tribe that once ruled all the lands that can be seen from its highest summit: and we trust that in honor of his valor, and of the faith sealed with his blood on the field where he fought for the liberty of America, it will bear to all future time the name of Mount Nimham.
The site of this village is on the farm of Isaiah Booth, about half a mile south of the Putnam county road, near the west line of Lot 5.
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