THE REVOLUTIONARY RECORD
 
                        

    At the beginning of the Revolutionary period the inhabitants were divided 
into two parties.  It is difficult to say which one was the loudest in 
protestation of loyalty to George III, whom all acknowledged as their 
rightful sovereign, but few if any were found to deny the existence of grave 
grievance.  The widest difference of opinion prevailed, however, as to the 
proper means of obtaining redress.  The weaker party urged the most pacific 
measures, and condemned the formation of congress and committees.But  a 
majority scouted such moderation, and no sooner had  the resolutions of 
Congress been received at Newtown than these hastened, at the call of their 
supervisor, Jeromus Remsen jr., to adopt their recommendations.  A large 
number assembled at the town-house, and seventeen persons were appointed to 
act as a committee of correspondence, and to see that the association formed 
by Congress be strictly adhered to within the limits of the town.  
The said persons were:

Philip Edsall, 
Thomas Lawrence, 
Daniel Lawrence, 
Jacob Blackwell, 
Richard Alsop, 
Daniel Rapelje, 
Jonathan Lawrence, 
Samuel Moore, 
William Furman,
William Howard, 
Jeromus Remsen, 
Samuel Riker, 
John Alburtis, 
Abraham Brinkerhoff, 
James Way, 
Samuel Morell and 
Jonathan Coe.  

	Although meeting with much opposition the friends of liberty in Newtown responded 
to a call of the New York committee, inviting them to send a representative to a 
convention to be held in that city for the purpose of choosing delegates to a 
second general Congress.  The loyalists exerted themselves to defeat the election 
of deputies, and circulated a paper entitled the QUEENS COUNTY FREEHOLDER, which 
"leveled its whole force at the very essence of a Continental Congress."  in order 
to counteract the pernicious influence publication, and incite the people to action, 
the issued, on the day of election, an eloquent appeal freeholder of Newton.  It is a 
remarkable  {?} while the body of the Newtown people were in {?} deputies, every other 
town in Queens County {?} voice against deputies.  In the Prosecution of {?} measures 
the convention advised the immediate {?ation} of the militia.   

	Newtown consisted of two the north and the south.   In the former  a company 
armed under Captain Jonathan Lawrence, an in another under Captain Abraham Remsen, 
The containing 107 and the other 86 men. 
The Newtown Loop of light horse, consisting of 44 men, 
was commissioned by Captain Richard Lawrence, and afterward by  another, 
Captain Daniel Lawrence.  Samuel  Riker second Lieutenant, Jonathan Coe Cornet.

	Excitement was heightened by the news  that the general convention at 
Philadelphia had dissolved colonies with the mother country.  Copies of the 
situation were received at Newtown and read at the meeting of each company. 
That blood must soon flow was evident, for the British troops had made a 
landing on Staten Island, and their nearer approach was expected.  The 
convention ordered the militia of Queens  with the troop of horse, to be 
called out, and vengence to be used to prevent the stock from falling in the 
hands of the enemy.  General Woodhull, with Queens county Militia hastened to 
forward the situation of these orders. While the Party were scurried to 
Newtown and vinicity for cattle the British troops lost communications with 
the camp, and several of the citizens of Newtown were taken prisoners. 
Richard Bragaw, George Brinkerhoff, Abraham Brinkerhoff and Ludlam Haire 
being of the number.
Newtown was now open to the enemy, and many of the Whig parties alarmed 
at their defenseless condition, fled in utmost confusion.  Early the nest 
morning the  light dragons entered the town.  The tories, in excess of their 
triumph, informed against their Whig labors.  The leading Whigs were 
imprisoned or sent in exile, and their property was seized by the enemy.  
under these circumstances the remainder were conjured to join in a petition 
that Queens county might be restored to royal favor, which met with a very 
grave reception.  Now that the British had possession it deemed necessary to 
guard against the incursions of the Americans.  In Newtown the following new 
officers were opened in the northern beat; Jeromus Rapelye,captain; Daniel 
Rapalye, lieutenant; Jeromus Rapelje,ensign.  southbeat was commanded by 
Captain Dow Van Duzen.  The officers to the light horse were: Cornelius 
Rapelye, Captain; Daniel Rapelye,lieutenant; Daniel {?} Cornet.

    Newtown in the winter of 1778 presented an usually daunted appearance.  
General Washington was expected to make a attack upon New York, and for the 
better preservation and safety of the shipping Sir Henry Clinton ordered all 
vessels not in the service of the government to be removed to Newtown Creek.  
A large number of British troops were also barracked here.  There were the 
Seventeenth regiment of light dragons, the Maryland loyalist, the royal 
highlanders, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Sterling. who has seen 
long and arduous service in America during the French and Indian car; the 
royal artillery, with their cannon and horses; and the thirty-third regiment, 
Lord Cornwallis.  During this period the farmers were subjected to many 
severe burdens.  They were required to furnish from year to year, for the use 
of the army, the greater portion of their hay,straw, rye, corn, oats, and 
provisions, under pain of being imprisoned and having their crops 
confiscated.  The commissary weighed or measured the produce, and then 
rendered payment according to the prices fixed by the King’s commissioners.  
If the seller demanded more it was at the risk of losing the whole.  The 
private soldiers were billeted in the houses of the Whig families.  The 
family was generally allowed one fireplace. Robberies were frequent, and 
Newtown became a prey to depredation,alarm and cruelty.  The civil courts 
were suspended, and martial law prevails through seven long years.  It was a 
happy day for Newtown when news arrived that Great Britain had virtually 
acknowledged our independence, and when her patriotic son’s were permitted to 
return from a tedious exile.


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