Colonel Henry Ludington: A Memoir

by Willis Fletcher Johnson

The quoted tribute to the English Ludingtons of former centuries, with which this volume was begun, might well, mutatis mutandis, be recalled at its close for application to the Ludingtons of America. The boast of being of “great estate” is worthily matched with the record of having contributed something of substantial value to the common wealth of the Great Republic, and travels in Eastern lands are rivalled with travels and labors in the greater regions of the West; while even wars against the Paynim and loyalty to the King did not surpass in merit the war for liberty and independence and loyalty to the intrinsic rights of man. In this view of the case, it is confidently hoped that not only for the sake of family affection, but also for its historical interest, it will be deemed worth the while to have told thus briefly and simply the story of Henry Ludington.

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INDEX

• Aikins, David, affidavit of, [137]
• Angell, Col. Israel, quoted, [168]
• Arnold, Seymour, petition of, [183]
• Beatty, Col. W., [166]
• “Birch, Harvey,” [114]
• Border Warfare in Revolution, [133]
• Branford, Conn., [24]
• Brinckerhoff, Col. Dirck, replies to Clinton, [99]
• Burgoyne’s surrender, [106]
• Burke’s Heraldry, quoted, [4]
• Byington, John, affidavit of, [34]
• Chatterton Hill, see [White Plains]
• Clinton, Fort, capture of, [105]
• Clinton, George, commander of militia, [178];
• order to Colonel Graham, [86];
• troubled by disaffection of militia, [92];
• difficulties in raising levies, [94];
• orders to Colonel Ludington, [96];
• orders countermanded, [97];
• meets disaster at Fort Montgomery, [105];
• urges defense of Hudson, [106];
• letters to Colonel Ludington, [160], [170], [179], [185];
• to Colonel Hopkins, [173];
• to Colonel Van Bunschoten, [181];
• to General Swartwout, [181]
• Clinton, Sir Henry, [105]
• Clinton, James, [105]
• Colony Record of Deeds, of Connecticut, quoted, [20]
• Comfort, Mrs. Julia L., letter to Mr. Patrick, [213]
• Cooper, James Fenimore, quoted, [114]
• Cowing, Daniel, petition of, [183]
• Crabb, John, arrest of, [143]
• Crosby, Enoch, original of “Harvey Birch,” [115];
• narrative of his services as American spy, [118]
• Dana, Francis, at Colonel Ludington’s, [167]
• Danbury, Conn., raiding of, [88]
• Dates, uncertainties of, [10]
• De Kalb, Baron, [166]
• De Peyster, General, quoted, [105]
• Dieskau, Baron, [27], [28], [29]
• Dimon, Lieutenant Colonel, arrests traitors, [143]
• Dodd’s “East Haven Register,” quoted, [19], [22], [26]
• Domesday Book, Ludington mentioned in, [6]
• Duer, William, [55], [56], [57], [75], [134]
• Dutchess County, N. Y., divisions of, [36], [58];
• population of, [40];
• officers of and their oaths, [41];
• revolutionary passions in, [49];
• Committee of Safety of, [49];
• text of patriotic compact in, [52];
• militia organizations of, [61], [70];
• services of militia of, [72];
• militia urged to service in, [87];
• scene of border warfare and raids, [133];
• a danger spot, [139];
• freeholders’ address to the Legislature, [153]
• East Haven, Conn., [13]
• Ellery, William, whimsical account of a night at Colonel Ludington’s, [166]
• Farmer’s List of Ancient Names, quoted, [7]
• Foote’s company, 2nd Connecticut Regiment, [26]
• Fredericksburgh, town of, [37];
• much visited by troops, [165]
• Frederickstown, [36], [58], [59]
• Goodrich, Col. Elizur, [26]
• Gray’s genealogical work, quoted, [3]
• Hamilton, Alexander, on burning of Danbury, [91];
• voted for by Colonel Ludington, [199];
• report in behalf of Colonel Ludington, [200]
• Hendrick, Mohawk chieftain, [27], [28]
• Hoadly’s New Haven Colonial Records, quoted, [15]
• Holmes, Col. John, Tory agent, [147];
• Colonel Ludington’s letter about, [148];
• captured by Colonel Ludington, [150]
• Hopewell, ship, [7]
• Hopkins, Col. Roswell, letter to Clinton, [171];
• experience with a press master, [174];
• resigns commission, [176]
• Iron works at East Haven, Conn., [13]
• Irving, Washington, quoted, [169]
• Jay, John, [51], [55], [75], [125], [141], [208]
• Johnson, Major General Sir William, [27]
• Kane, Kain, or Keane, John, treated as a Tory, [169]
• “Kansas Herald,” quoted, [222]
• Kent, N. Y., town of, [37]
• Kingston, N. Y., state capital, menaced by the British, [105];
• burned, [106], [161]
• Lake George, Battle of, [27]
• Lossing, Benson J., quoted, [169]
• Loyalists, or Tories, [47], [73]
• Luddington, Wisconsin, [228]
• Ludington, Louisiana, [228]
• Ludington, Michigan, [228]
• Ludingtonville, N. Y., origin of, [38];
• name of, [228]
• Ludington family, [3], [4], [5]
• Ludington Hospital, [6]
• Ludington, various forms of the name, [5]
• Ludington, Abigail, [22], [35], [209]
• Ludington, Archibald, [45], [204]
• Ludington, Charles Henry, MS. collections quoted, [192], [204];
• career of, [226]
• Ludington, Christian, [7]
• Ludington, Christopher, [8]
• Ludington, Comfort, Revolutionary soldier, [72], [82], [215]
• Ludington, Elisha, Revolutionary soldier, [71]
• Ludington, Col. Elisha H., [216]
• Ludington, Ellen, [8];
• remarriage, [17]
• Ludington, Frederick, birth, [45];
• career, [217]
• Ludington, George, [218]
• Ludington, Harrison, Governor, [218]
• Ludington, Henry 1st, son of William 2nd, [20], [21];
• his children—
• Daniel, [21];
• Ezra, [21];
• Collins, [21];
• William, [21];
• Sarah, [21];
• Dinah, [21];
• Lydia, [21];
• Nathaniel, [22];
• Moses, [22];
• Aaron, [22];
• Elisha, [22];
• Sarah, [22];
• Thomas, [22]
• Ludington, Col. Henry, birth of, [22];
• at Branford, Conn., [24];
• boyhood and schooling, [25];
• enlists in French and Indian War, [25];
• at Battle of Lake George, [27];
• dates of reënlistments, [30];
• at Quebec, [30];
• winter march to Boston, [30];
• commissioned lieutenant, [31];
• captain in Beverly Robinson’s regiment, [31];
• recorded as “Deserted,” [31];
• affidavits concerning his service, [33];
• marriage and settlement in New York, [35];
• house and mills, [39];
• important location of his home, [40];
• oaths as sub-sheriff, [41];
• service as sub-sheriff, [44];
• his children, [45];
• enters revolutionary movement, [52];
• under orders of Committee of Safety, [56];
• territorial command as militia colonel, [59];
• work in organizing militia, [66];
• various commissions in army, [67];
• succeeds Colonel Morrison, [68];
• formation of his regiment, [70];
• organization, [73];
• letter to Provincial Congress of New York [74];
• enters Revolutionary War, [77];
• at Battle of White Plains, [81];
• intercourse with Washington, [82];
• stationed at North Castle, [85];
• avenges burning of Danbury, [89];
• summoned to defend the Highlands of the Hudson, [91];
• sent to Westchester County, [96];
• recalled to Peekskill, [98];
• difficulty in complying with orders, [100];
• foils British at Tarrytown, [101];
• plans defense of Highlands, [106];
• letter to Clinton about difficulty of raising troops, [107];
• returns of his regiment, [109];
• action at Crom Pond, [109];
• temporary disbandment of regiment, [110];
• secret service, [114];
• relations with “the spy, Harvey Birch,” otherwise Enoch Crosby, [115];
• instructions from Colonel Sackett, [115];
• engagement of Benajah Tubbs, [116];
• gives letter to Enoch Crosby, [132];
• services in border warfare, [134];
• road-building for forage parties, [135];
• captures Nickerson’s party, [138];
• in Westchester County, [142];
• gives “character” to a Tory, [144];
• arrests Elijah Taylor, [145];
• address to Council of Safety, [147];
• letter to Clinton about Col. John Holmes, [148];
• captures Holmes, [150];
• hated by the Tories, [156];
• prize offered for his capture, [157];
• feud with Dr. Prosser, [158];
• letter to Clinton, [159];
• humanity toward Tories, [162];
• embarrassed with depreciated currency, [166];
• William Ellery and Francis Dana at his house, [166];
• letter to Clinton about militia, [177];
• challenged to fight a duel, [179];
• retained on duty in Westchester County, [180];
• letter to Clinton with petition of deserters, [183];
• letters to Clinton on burdens of militia, [185], [186];
• abstract of pay-roll, [187];
• affidavit on accounts, [188];
• purchase of bounty lands, [189];
• end of military service, [190];
• deputy sheriff and justice of the peace, [191];
• text of commission as justice of the peace, [194];
• service in New York Legislature, [198];
• Federalist and friend of Hamilton, [199];
• petition for relief in case of missing certificates, [199];
• votes against independence of Vermont, [202];
• builder of improved road, [202];
• retires from colonelcy, [203];
• buys and sells land at Frederickstown, [206];
• interest in church and school, [208];
• personal traits, [208];
• death and burial, [208];
• simple epitaph, [209];
• Blake’s tribute, [209];
• text of his will, [209]
• Ludington, Henry, Jr., [45], [204]
• Ludington, Horace, M.D., [216]
• Ludington, James, [227]
• Ludington, Lewis, [45], [217], [218];
• his career, [224];
• death, [226]
• Ludington, Gen. Marshall I., [216]
• Ludington, Nelson, [218], [225]
• Ludington, Rebecca, birth, [45];
• marriage, [45];
• service as sentry, [157]
• Ludington, Robert, [3];
• Sir John, [5];
• Thomas, [5];
• Stephen, [5];
• Elizabeth, [5]
• Ludington, Sibyl, birth, [45];
• marriage, [45];
• ride to summon troops to avenge burning of Danbury, [90];
• aids Enoch Crosby the spy, [132];
• service as sentry, [157];
• her children, [219]
• Ludington, Stephen, Revolutionary soldier, [71]
• Ludington, Tertullus, [45], [213]
• Ludington, Thomas, of Newark, N. J., [18];
• John, [19];
• James, [19];
• John, of Vermont, [19];
• Mary, [19];
• Henry, [19];
• Hannah, [19];
• Matthew, [20]
• Ludington, William 1st, at Charlestown and Malden, [8];
• deed of land from Ralph Hall, [11];
• creditor of Henry Sandyes, [12];
• removal to East Haven, [12];
• death, [13];
• inventory of estate, [15];
• children, [18]
• Ludington, William 2nd, [19];
• Henry, [20];
• Eleanor, [20];
• William 3rd, [20];
• Samuel, [20];
• Timothy, [21];
• Mercy, [21];
• Mary, [21];
• Hannah, [21];
• John, [21];
• Jude, [21];
• Eliphalet, [21];
• Amos, [21];
• Elizabeth, [21];
• Dorothy, [21];
• Dorcas, [21]
• Ludington, William, son of Henry, [21], [22];
• Submit, [22];
• Mary, [22];
• Henry, [22];
• Lydia, [22];
• Samuel, [22];
• Rebecca, [22];
• Anne, [22];
• Stephen, [22]
• Ludington, William, Revolutionary soldier, [72]
• Ludington, Zalmon, [215]
• Ludington, Zalmon, Jr., [216]
• Lyman, General, [28]
• Militia, organization of, in New York, [60];
• in Dutchess and Westchester counties, [61];
• pay of, [62];
• a sample muster-roll, [63];
• Colonel Ludington’s regiment formed, [70];
• called out by Congress, [72];
• commanded by George Clinton, [78];
• ordered to Highlands of Hudson, [79];
• at White Plains, [81];
• defending the Hudson, [84];
• restless when waiting, [92];
• difficulties in raising levies, [95];
• reluctance to serve, [98];
• radical reorganization, [111];
• abolition of office of colonel, [203]
• Montgomery, Fort, capture of, [105]
• Morrison, Malcolm, resigns commission, [68];
• arrested on suspicion of treason, [138]
• New Haven Probate Records, quoted, [19]
• New York, counties of, [36];
• boundary dispute with Connecticut, [37];
• sentiment at beginning of Revolution, [47];
• patriotic organizations, [51];
• action of Provincial Congress, [54];
• vigilance committees against Tories, [55];
• organization of militia, [60];
• changes of government, [70];
• militia called out, [72]
• Nickerson, “Josh,” [138]
• Oblong, The, [37]
• “Observer, The New York,” quoted, [219]
• Ogden, Major Edmund A., [219]
• Ogden, Edward, Edmund, or Henry, [45]
• Ogden, Richard Ludington, [223]
• Patrick, Lewis S., MS. collections and researches, quoted, [8], [13], [19], [30], [52], [168], [189], [194], [207], [213];
• ancestry and genealogical work, [219]
• Patrick, Mrs. M. L., [216]
• Pawling, N. Y., town of, [36]
• Pope’s Pioneers of Massachusetts, quoted, [14]
• Prosser, Dr., Tory conspirator, [126], [132];
• tries to capture Colonel Ludington, [157];
• their feud, [158]
• Putnam County, N. Y., origin of, [36]
• Putnam, Gen. Israel, order to militia, [93];
• abandons Peekskill, [105];
• orders to Colonel Ludington, [142]
• Quaker Hill, [37], [50]
• Quakers, attitude of, in Revolution, [50]
• Read, Jacob, arrest of, [146]
• Records of the Proprietors of New Haven, quoted, [17], [18]
• Revolution, The, beginning of, [47];
• Henry Ludington’s services in, [77]
• Robinson, Beverly, [31], [45], [169]
• Rochambeau, Count, guest at Colonel Ludington’s, [166]
• Rose, John, [18]
• Sackett, Col. Nathaniel, commissioned to suppress conspiracies, [85], [87];
• secret service instructions to Colonel Ludington, [115]
• Savage’s Genealogical Register, quoted, [8]
• Scribner, Col. Nathaniel, muster-roll, [63]
• Secret service in the Revolution, [114];
• Benajah Tubbs, [116];
• Enoch Crosby’s narrative, [117]
• Sequestration of lands, [150];
• commissioners of, [151]
• Shrawley, Ludingtons of, [3]
• “Spy, The,” [114]
• Stirling, Lord, [45]
• Sutherland, David, [173]
• Swartwout, Jacobus, General, [67]
• Tarrytown, British landing at, [101]
• Taylor, Elijah, arrest of, [145]
• Tories, definition of, [48];
• their hatred of Colonel Ludington, [156];
• his humanity toward them, [162];
• severe decree against them, [164]
• Tryon, William, last British governor of New York, [31];
• raids Danbury, [88];
• lands at Tarrytown, [103]
• Tubbs, Benajah, employed as a spy, [116]
• Van Bunschoten, Col. E., letter to Clinton, [180]
• Vaughan, General, burns Kingston, [106]
• Washington, George, has Colonel Ludington for aide at White Plains, [82];
• marches across New Jersey, [83];
• urges defense of Highlands, [92];
• gives warning of Howe’s designs, [94];
• guest at Colonel Ludington’s, [165];
• headquarters at Colonel Ludington’s, [169]
• Westchester County, N. Y., militia in, [76];
• Colonel Ludington’s services in, [96], [142]
• Wheaton, Jehoidah, affidavit of, [33]
• White Plains, Battle of, [76], [80];
• Colonel Ludington at, [81]
• Whiting, Col. Nathan, [26], [28]
• Williams, Daniel, letter to Clinton, [182]
• Williams, Col. Ephraim, [28]
• Worcester, Ludington memorial at, [3]
• Wyman’s Records of Charlestown and Malden, [14]