[23] The Spies of Washington did not record the names of the British vessels in Gardiner’s Bay but the heir to the island, John Lyon Gardiner, who was a boy ten years old when the fleet arrived, made record on February 9, 1796, in which he says: “There were eleven ships of the line and perhaps some frigates. They came in August, 1780, and went out in March, 1781. There was the ‘Royal Oak,’ 74 guns, Vice Admiral Arbuthnot, ‘London,’ 90 guns, Rear Admiral Graves, ‘Colloden,’ 74 guns, Capt Sweeny, ‘Bedford,’ 74 guns, Capt Affleck, ‘Prudent,’ 74 guns, Capt. Charles Ogle, ‘Robuste,’ ‘America,’ ‘Shrewsbury,’ ‘Europe,’ ‘Rising Sun’ and ‘Swan.’”
[24] Note. Before these accounts are finally closed, justice and propriety call upon me to signify that there are Persons within the British Lines—if they are not dead or removed, who have a claim upon the Public under the strongest assurances of compensation from me for their services in conveying me private intelligence; and which when exhibited I shall think myself in honor bound to pay. Why these claims have not made their appearance ere this, unless from either of the causes above mentioned—or from a disinclination in them to come forth till the B. force is entirely removed from the United States, I know not—But I have thought it an incumbent duty on me to bring the matter to view that it may be held in remembrance in case such claims should hereafter appear. Go: Washington. [The private account book of Culper Senior, in the Library at East Hampton, L. I., shows that he received the balance due him on August 2, 1790. There is nothing to show that Robert Townsend ever asked for or received his. Before the capture of Major André he was anxious for assurances that if he used his own money to promote the service he would be compensated at the close of the war. Later it is probable that he preferred not to risk discovery by preparing an itemized bill, as Woodhull was obliged to do.]
TOWNSEND’S PERSONALITY
There is no good reason to question those who say in the veins of Robert Townsend flowed the blood of Norman Conquerors. Upon his own immediate ancestors he could look with pardonable pride. The first on Long Island was John Townsend, one of the patentees of Flushing in 1645 and of Rustdorp as Jamaica, Long Island, was then called, in 1656.
Among John’s children was John, usually called John 2d. He had, among others, a son James, whose son Jacob, born in 1692, was the father of Samuel Townsend and grandfather of Robert Townsend, whose alias was Culper Junior. Robert’s father, Samuel, was born in 1717. He married Sarah, the daughter of William and Mary (Hicks) Stoddard. Mary’s parents were John and Deborah (Almy) Hicks.
When Robert’s father, Samuel Townsend, was in his twenty-fourth year, he was appointed by George Clarke, then Lieutenant-Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of New York, Ensign in the Company of Militia Foot in Queens County, Joseph Weeks then being Captain. His commission is dated December 15, 1741, and bears the signature of George Clarke, and also of the Deputy Secretary, George Moore.
HOUSES ONCE OCCUPIED BY WASHINGTON’S SPIES.
See [page xi].