"Capt. Dobbs, One of Our Most Experienced Pilots" Margaret T. Lane

The Rapaljes -Fishkill Village 181

bridge moving road west on his property about 200 yards and building a new bridge eliminating the lowlands near original bridge that flooded in the spring making road almost impassable. 34 Dutchess County Clerk's Office, Deed, Liber 65, p. 517, June 1, 1838. Herman Dean's Newspaper Articles, 1926-1927, Fishkill ·standard, p. 5, Blodgett Memorial Library, Fishkill. ·Pdtighksspsie ·Teleg~aph, June 2, 1841, school advertisement. ·Pdtighkespsie • Eagle, June 19, 1841, school advertisement.

Store house with addition built by Abraham Rapalje ca. 1790, Fishkill, N.Y. Photo courtesy of the author.

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Ships on the Hudson River in New York Harbor ca. 1767. From Faden, North American Atlas.

"CAPT. DOBB8, ONE OF OUR MOST EXPERIENCED PILOTS'! Margaret T. Lane

The role Capt. Dobbs, resident of Fishkill, played during the Revolutionary War is discussed following an introductory background. He is referred to as one of Gen. George Washington's agents. His contacts with other notables are carefully docwnented. The author, a long time resident of Dutchess County, now residing in Troy, N.Y., is a descendant of w'illiam Dobbs.

WILLIAM HENRY DOBBS (son of William, and grandson of Walter) was a mariner -probably as early as September 23, 1744 when he married first Catharina Van Sise at the New Amsterdam Dutch Church. On April 26, 1750 he rented one-half a lot in Montgomery Ward, New York City, adjoining Benjamin Beck's land, at eight pounds per year from the Common Council, and on May 4, 1753 they approved a ten year lease to William Dobbs for the same property. Three weeks later William Dobbs was given permission to repair the wharf opposite his lot by the corporation, under the direction of the alderman and assistant of Montgomery Ward.

During the Seven Year War which officially began in May 1756, Captain William Henry Dobbs proved to the British government that it had made a prudent decision in pardoning him when he had been brought into Boston in 1756 on charges of piracy and privateering on the high seas and sentenced to be hung. Jack Coggins wrote that a good privateersman was a mixture of gall and guts, of bluff, bravery and good seamanship, with a fair slice of luck thrown in.1 Capt. Dobbs certainly appears to have been a "good privateersman"~ Instead of swinging on the gallows, he had been pardoned and given a letter of Marque.

With a British license to pursue his pleasure and livelihood, Captain Dobbs, at the age of forty, sailed the ocean seas as far south as the West Caucases.2 On or about August 23, 1757 he captured the French brigantine, "LeMentor", with his little sloop "Goldfinch". Privateer Dobbs appeared before the Admiralty Court, held for the Province of New York -Hon. Lewis Morris, Esq. commissioner of said court - on October 7, 1757. Reciting His Majesty's commission to the "Goldfinch" he told of his capture of "LeMentor" north of Haiti and asked to receive prize money on behalf of the owners and Thomas Greg of Belfast. According to Jack 183

184 Margaret T. Lane

Coggins, privateers received full value without having to share with the government, with the biggest share going to the owners. The captain received the next largest share, and so on down through the officers, petty officers and seamen to the lowliest Ship's boy. Commerce raiders earned big money and the life was .a thrill.

In 1756 it is unlikely that Capt. Dobbs had ever heard of George Washington of Virginia, although in 1756, G. Washington had visited both New York and Boston, trying to do business with the British government.3

After the close of the Seven Year War, Capt. Dobbs gave up his waterfront property. His ten year lease was up, and the Common Council at their meeting July 8, 1763 granted 3 pounds to Joshua Bloomer "to allow John Earle for some improvements made on lot formerly leased to William Dobbs and by him assigned to said John Earle, fronting Peck Slip". Captain Dobbs then became a Branch Pilot for the City of New York and was residing back of the English Church 4 with his second wife, Dorcas Harding whom he'd married at Trinity Church on January 9, 1757. In 1767, a son, Henry Munro Dobbs, was born to them.5 There were three sons of record by his first marriage to Catharina Van Sise: Joseph (b. Jan. 16, 1751); William Jr. (b. circa 1755); Jarvis (b. June 11, 1755).

Bridewell, a new institution operated by the British Colonial Govt. for vagrants and needy persons, located in New York at Belleview, was about to open its doors and on November 20, 1767, William Dobbs offered himsel-f as its first "keeper". He received the appointment and served in that position until Aug. 1, 1773.

The New York Gazette contained a notice that James Johnson, servant, born at Holyhead, Wales, had run awa~ on January 15th from William Dobbs and James Taylor. On March 2, 1769, the Will of Charles Dobbs of New York confirmed that he had two brothers, Adam and William, as well as a son, Adam.

Despite his employment as. "keeper',' of Bridewell, Capt. William Dobbs and his wife, Dorcas Harding, sailed to Curacao, Dutch West Indies, where their daughter, Mary, was born on August 20, 1771 and baptized there on September 12th.7 No mention of Wil-

"Capt. Dobbs " 185

liam Dobbs' absence was made in the Minutes of the Common Council of the City and County of New York, which met in June and again in October to conduct business of Bridewell and to pay William Dobbs his quarterly salary.

In 1773 Captain Dobbs resigned his position as "Keeper" of Bridewell. George Washington accompanied his step-son to Kings College in New York that year but a meeting between these men even by chance was unlikely; Perhaps Washington had read in the previous year a newspaper item concerning Bridewell and Mr. Dobbs:

"New York, May ?, 1??2 - On Saturday last Mr. Montanny's negro man who had misbehaved, and was a remarkable drunkard, was sent to Bridewell, and underwent the usual discipline of the house for such offenses viz a plentiful dose of warm water and salt to operate as an emetic, and of lamp oyl as a purge, in proportion to the constitution of the patient. Of these he took about 3 quarts of the one, and 2~ spoonsfuls of the other, also a gill of New England Rum, which operated very powerfully, attended with a viole~t sickness which obliged him to lye down, and between 8 and 9 at night he was discovered to be dead. He had been drunk three times that day before he was brought to Bridewell, and was not sober when the discipline began. Several physicians and surgeons attended, the body of the negro was opened and no marks of violence external or internal appeared: the coroner's inquest brought in the verdict that he died of excessive drinking, co-operating with the effects of the medicine he had taken. But that Mr. Dobbs (the operator) was innocent of his death." 8

When the second session of the Continental Congress convened at Philadelphia George Washington was elected Commander in Chief of the American forces on June 16, 1775. The Battle of Breed's Hill took place on the following day, and on that same day, John McKesson, secretary to the New York Provincial Congress, meeting in New York City, wrote a letter to George Clinton Esq., a delegate to the Continental Congress at Philadelphia, mentioning the name of Captain Dobbs.9

D'r Sir: "Sunday past 2 o'cZock P.M. June 17th 1775

Since the Dispatches from our Congress were closed & delivered to the Bearer hereof, Capt. Dobbs who now acts as one of our City Pilots is come up from Sandy Hook with a vessel & give me the foUowing information to wit:

That a Transport, a very large ship, and full of soldiers, is at the Hook, that she waits for a wind to proceed to Boston, & ex-pected to sail from the Hook this afternoon; that she is part of the second fleet of Transports from Ireland, and left Cork five weeks yesterday, destined for New York, but is now proceeding to Boston in pursuance of orders delivered by the "Mercury" men of war at the Hook. That this vessel has on Board a person who is sent out as agent for the said Troops and a stewart or Deputy Agent. That this ship is a prime sailer & parted with the other ships who sailed in company four weeks ago. Capt. Dobbs says he does not know the name of the Vessel, but that it is not the "Oldspray" mentioned in the Dispatches from our Congress. Capt. Dobbs says that the Chief mate of this ship & the Deputy Agent informed him that the first fleet of Transports from Ireland destined for Boston sailed nine or ten days before this ship, that the light horse were in that fleet; that the fleet which had been destined for New York, of which this ship was apart, had about 26 or 2700 men on Board, besides officers, as he understood.

When these Troops all arrive at Boston Gen'l Gage will have 12,000 men. I wish the Massachusetts men may not he so forward as to risque too much. A Defeat in any short time will ruin us - by Delay we gather Strength everywhere, particularly here. And Delay there, will not help General Gage hut give time to Harrass him.

The Ex-press mounting at the Tavern where I write I can't add But that

I am yours affectionately,

John McKesson 3 O'Clock P.M. June 17th

George Clinton., Esquire"

"Capt. Dobbs ·" 187

General Washington set out from Philadelphia on June 21st, enroute to Boston by carriage, accompanied by Gen. Schuyler and Gen. Lee, his aide-de-camp, Thomas Mifflin, and his secretary, Joseph Reed. It is more than likely that John McKesson's letter to George Clinton had arrived before the General started on his journey and that he would have been apprised of its contents. Therefore, Gen. Washington was probably aware of the name, Capt. Dobbs, and without a doubt, Capt. Dobbs had learned of the General's appointment as Commander in Chief.

For twenty years, Capt. Dobbs had served the British government well, in a number of capacities, and it would seem that he had paid his debt for having had his life spared. Although Capt. Dobbs was still referred to as "a Pilot belonging to the City of New York" in January 1776, he had been giving information to the Rebels for at least six months. In the Minutes of the N.Y. Committee of Safety for the Colony of New York which sat during the recess of the Provincial Congress, it is shown that there was a working relationship between Col. Alexander McDougall and Capt. William Dobbs. Both men had been privateersmen although McDougall was presently a merchant in New York.10

"Ja:nuary 3d, 1776

CoZ. McDougaZZ inforrrned the Corronittee that some days ago he received a Zetter from Mr. Lewis Pintard inforrrning him that a vesseZ from HispanioZa with gunpowder on board, was on this coast; that he apprehended DeZaware river was so obstructed with ice that the vesseZ wouZd not be abZe to enter there, and that therefore there is reason to expect her to attempt coming into this port; and that Mr. Pintard had farther inforrrned him, that if this vesseZ succeeded in her voyage, an arrrned vesseZ was ready at HispanioZa to foZZow her with a Zike cargo.

CoZ. McDougaZZ farther informed the Corronittee that no proper piZot boat couZd be obtained to go to SandyHook to Zook out for the said vesseZ, to navigate her to a pZace of safety; and that by the advice of the other members of the Committee then present he had purchased a whaZe boat, with oars, for$ 27, a:nd had errrpZoyed Capt. WiZZiam Dobbs at 10s. per day, and four other men at 5s. per day each, besicles their necessary provisions a:nd expenses, a:nd given them proper directions and sent them to Sandy-Hook to watch and Zook out for the said vesseZ there to remain 8 days, if the

said vesseZ did not arrive sooner.

The Committee of Safety fuZZy approved of and ratified the said agreement made by CoZ. McDougaZZ, and direct him to return an account of the expense to this Committee, as soon as he can ascertain the same.1 1 • Ordered> That Mr. Wm. L(JIJ)ther be permitted to suppZy one hhd. of rum or spirits, to the purser or officers of His Majesty's ship "Phoenix" and to have the same conveyed on board of the said ship."

The Committee of Safety are informed by a member, that a fZeet of eighteen saiZ of transports, two men of war and two bomb ships, are saiZed from Boston; that they saiZed from Boston on Zast Saturday week, and that a Zetter from Gen. Washington, advising this Committee thereof, is on the way, and may be hourZy expected.

Thereupon the Corrorzittee thought it necessary to have a proper person sent to the Narr(JIJ)s, with a gZass, to Zook out for any fZeet that may be approaching this port; and Capt. Austin Lawrence being sent for, attended the Committee; he agreed to proceed to the Narr(JIJ)s immediateZy for that purpose, and proper directions were given to him and signaZs agreed upon which shaZZ be made at the ferry to give notice to the city.

Captain WiZZiam Dobbs was aZso sent for and attended; he was directed to take the whaZe boat ZateZy purchased by this Committee, with a proper number of men to r(JIJ) her, and proce~d to the Zighthouse, and there observe carefuZZy the approach of any fZeet, and to give immediate notice thereof to this Committee. Mr. Dobbs was directed to tarry one week if no fZeet appears sooner, and to be very frugaZ in his disbursements, which were particuZarZy enumerated. Ordered> that none of the piZots at this port shaZZ go to Sandy Hook or to any other pZace t(JIJ)ards the Hook without the permission of this Committee, untiZ further orders of this Committee."

"Capt. Dobbs "

''Die Solis, 3ho.P.M. Jany. 21st, 1776

Mr. William Leary the town major came and informed this Committee of Safety that part of the city guard under his direction had apprehended a certain Joseph Woolcorribe, who was come·from on board of a transport ship off Sandy Hook to go on board of the ships of war in port; and that he also apprehended Capt .. WiUiam Dobbs, the pilot, who had brought him on shore for that purpose, and that he had sent them to the guard-house. That he caused the said Joseph.Woolcorribe to be searched, and had found in his custody five letters which he had brought to the Cormrzittee of Safety for their inspection or direction ... Capt. William Dobbs, by order of the Cormrzittee, was brought before them aY?d examined; He described the ship "Blue Mountain VaUey", says she is a transport from England with porter and coal for the ministerial army; that Joseph Woolcorribe is mate of the said ship; that he did not promise to put said Woolcorribe on board of the ships of war, but only promised to bring him to the city; that Woolcorribe did not mention anything about going on board the ships of war, or either of them, until he was near the city, and that he 'the said William Dobbs, refused to put him on board.

Capt. William Dobbs returned with a guard to the guardhouse, at the upper barracks."

"City of New York as:

Personally appeared before me David Mathews Esqr one of his Majesties

Justices of the Peace ... Joseph Woolcorribe ... Chief Mate of the Ship caUed the "Blue Mountain VaUey" under the cormrzand of John Hamilton Derrrpster ... the wind came on so violent ... the twentieth instant the wind coming favorable they made Land again towards evening, and the next morning being in sight of the light house on Sandy Hook, they fired three guns for a Pilot ....... That about one of the Clock of the same day one Dobbs a Pilot belonging to the Port of New York with four other persons whose names the Deponent understands are Robert Hogg, George Stewart, one Lewis and one Carr, all of the City of New York ... came on board and asked the said Captain

Dempster whether he had fired for a Pilot, to which the said Captain answered that he had not. That he only wanted to put a passenger on Shore, and asked the said Dobbs what he would have for doing it who demanded a half Johannes which was agreed to ... That the said Dobbs asked from whence the said Ship came and where she was bound and was answered by the said Captain, That she came from London and was bound to the northward without mentioning any Port in particular. That the said Captain asked the said Dobbs whether there were any men of War in the Port of New York and was informed by the said Dobbs that there were two ... And the Deponent further saith, That it had been arranged between the said Captain and this Deponent before the said Dobbs came on board: That the said Deponent should be sent up to New York ... That in case the Deponent should not return in twentyfour hours from the time of his leaving the said Ship, That the Captain in such case was to put to Sea again concluding that the Deponent was taken prisoner ... "

Jany, 25th, 1??6

Francis Lewis Esqr. came into the Committee of Safety and informed them that the schooner "Success", Jonathan Bowne, master, was laded by his order on Continental account, and requested a permit for her to sail.

Thereupon, a certificate, given to Col. Alexander McDougall in the words following, to wit:

'The schooner "success", whereof Jonathan Bowne is master, being laded on Continental account, by order and under the direction of some of the Continental Delegates, is hereby permitted to sail to sea.

Die Javis, 4 ho. P.M. Jany, 25th,1??6'

"The Committee being of opinion that prudence and care of this Colony and of the capital and inhabitants thereof requires that a proper person be kept at the Hook, to keep a Zook out if any fleet, or any transports or ships of war should be approaching this Colony, and having, on considering that matter yesterday, thought it best, to prevent jealousy among the pilots, and to give different persons among them a chance of earning a subsistence in the present times of difficulty, agreed to errrpZoy Samuel Isleton (who was recommended for that purpose,

"Capt. Dobbs 11

in the place of Wm. Dobbs) Samuel Isleton 3 attending 3 by request 3 received his ...... " 15

Just when Captain Dobbs "got out of the slammer" is unknown. However, a Billeting Roll and a Company Pay Roll dated February 24 to March 31, 1776 shows that 3Sgt. William Dobbs was in Capt. Richard Varick's Co. "of the Reg't whereof Alexander McDougall is Colonel." William Dobbs and Alexander McDougall were old friends, probably from their privateering days. Capt. Dobbs' involvement with secret service for Gen. Washington as the war developed, came about through his connection with Gen. McDougall. (Three years later, Genl. McDougall is documented in Washington's Expense Account -"1779-February 15. #50. The 50 Guineas sent Geril. McDougall at West Point by Mr. Lawrence Esqr. for Secret Service ......... $1,820.")

While 3Sgt. William Dobbs was listed in Col. McDougall's Regiment, and after the British had evacuated Boston, Washington's army was sent on a march to New York City on March 18, 1776. Half of his army travelled the Old Post Rd. through Hartford. The other half (five foot regiments and two artillery companys under Gen. Heath's command) was ordered to walk from Cambridge, Mass. to New London, Conn. where arrangements had been made with Commodore EsekHopkins to take them to New York in a fleet of small boats. General Washington, with his aide-de-camp, Lt. Col. William Palfrey, left Boston on April 4, 1776 and headed for Providence, Rhode·Island. According to the Providence Gazette, they arrived on April 6th where Gen. Washington was lavishly entertained by Gov. Nicholas Cooke.

General Washington caught up with his army at Norwich, Conn. on the Thames River on April 8th, where Congress had arranged a meeting between a delegation of Oneida Indians, Gov. Trumbull of Conn. and Gen. Washington. The Indians were wined and dined and wooed, and given presents by the General. Congress hoped to persuade the Oneidas to join forces with the colonists, and Washington, with his army on display, was hoped to impress the Indians. The Oneidas stuck to their original resolution of remaining neutral.

It was probably at Norwich that Capt. Dobbs and General Washington first met, face-to-face. NSDAR records of the Patriot, William Dobbs, states: "He conducted Gen. Washington up the sound to New London

192 Margaret T. Lane

on his visit to Jonathan Trumbull." In assembling his "fleet of small boats" Esek Hopkins surely would have found Capt. Dobbs aboard -probably sent by Col. McDougall.

Washington was at New London on the 9th; at New Haven on the 11th; and arrived in New York on April 13, 1776 and it is likely that Capt. Dobbs' little boat had carried him all the way. (Washington would write of Capt. Dobbs to the Count de Grasse on Aug. 8, 1781, referring to him as "one of our most experienced Pilots".)

If not before, the next time that Capt. Dobbs and Gen. Washington met face-to-facei was upon orders of the New York Committee of Safety: 6

"Die Veneris., 10 HO.,A.M. April 26th 1776

A copy of a letter from Governor Tryon., to the Mayor of this city dated the 19th instant., was read. He thereby informs that the commanders of the King's ships., on this station., had thought it necessary to burn the pilot house near the light house. That proper care has been taken of Adam Dobbs and his family and effects., and that if a sloop is sent down to receive Dobbs., his servants and effects., she will be permitted to return safe. Ordered. That Captain William Dobbs wait on His Excellency General Washington with the said copy of a letter. 11

There is no question that Adam Dobbs and Captain Dobbs were brothers.

The inhabitants of New York City were evenly divided in their political views. The officials were loyalists. During the period from May 18 to June 30, 1776, while the N.Y. Provincial Congress was in session at Fraunces Tavern, a plot to assassinate Gen. Washington, who often dined at Sam Fraunces' table, was uncovered. The Mayor and Gov. Tryon were behind the scheme which involved Thomas Hickey, one of Washington's guards, who planned to poison the General at the Tavern. Mayor Matthews was arrested, Hickey was hung, and Gov. Tryon escaped to take up quarters aboard the British fleet.17

"Capt. Dobbs" 193

What part Capt. Dobbs played in the Battles of Long Island and Brooklyn has not been preserved. His son, Jarvis Dobbs, was 21 years old then, and was in Col. Josiah Smith's Regiment, Lt. Jno. Robert's 8th Co. Militia, when the British launched their attack. On October 21, 1776, Jarvis Dobbs was in Gen. Heath's Division with Col. Lasher at Kings Bridge who had' been left in charge of barracks and the stores, left behind at the e_vacuated camp. Later, Jarvis Dobbs participated in the Battle of White Plains on October 28, 1776.18

After the retirement of the retreating American forces from White Plains to the hills of North Castle, Gen. Heath was assigned command of an army at Peekskill -The Army of the Highlands -on Nov. 11, 1776. (Gen. Greene's divisi6n was sent to New Jersey, and Gen. Lee's division remained at North Castle for another few weeks.) On Nov. 11th before leaving Peekskill to join Gen. Greene's troops in New Jersey, Washington ordered the construction of barracks for 2,000 men at Fishkill which was to become a large supply depot.

The Provincial Convention had fled to Fishkill, Dutchess County, N.Y., in Sept. 1776 to draft a Constitution for the State of New York, holding its meetings in the old Dutch Church -thus making Fishkill the capital of New York State until it adjoined to Kingston, N.Y. in February 1777.

On Dec. 2, 1776, General Heath had received a request from General George Clinton, Commander of the State Militia:19

"Peks KiZZ Dec 'r 2nd 1776

D'r Sir,

I have Just Received your favor of this Day's Date, and have ordered Capt. Dobbs to send you such Craft as He can procure which wiZZ be but few at Present, as aZZ the Craft are now at Kings Ferry waiting to take over General Lee's troops which will Probably have Passed in a Day or Two after which you shall have an ample supply if I can obtain them.

Your Officers who were left at this Post are ordered to Joyn their Regiments.

Mr. Quackenboss thinks that some of the steel

Margaret T. Lane

must have been lost as He is Confident that it was Properly weighed.

I, the last evening, Received a Letter from His Excellency General Washington, with His approbation of my offers of aid to the Convention of the State of New York to obstruct the River.

I am D'r Sir yours respectfully, W. Heath"

(To Gen. George Clinton)

In March 1777, Gen. Heath took over the command of General Ward in New England and General McDougall assumed command at Peekskill. In the Minutes of the Committee for Detecting Conspiracies (1776-1778) is the following entry:20

"Friday, March 21, 1777. Board met. President Melancton Smith Esq., Joseph Strang Esq., Col. Bwarthout ..... The affidavit of Lieut. Col. Hammond, Joseph Youngs & William Dobbs, taken before Brigdr. Genl. McDougall respecting Mr. Nathan Underhill, were produced to the Board and also a Letter from Thos. Tucker directed to General· McDougall."

The place of the cantonment at Fishkill was about a mile below the Dutch Church on a flat section of land. When completed, it consisted of barracks, a blacksmith shop, a brass factory, storehouse, and an artillery field and parade ground .. Gen. McDougall had his headquarters in the house of Col. Derick Brinckerhoff which stands today at the junction of Routes 52 and 82, and at times, he stayed at the Van Wyck house within the compound - now known as the Van Wyck Homestead Museum, located at the junction .of Interstate Route 84 and Route 9. By June of 1777 or earlier, the encampment at Fishkill was in operation. Nathaniel Sackett had his store on the road between the encampment and Fishkill Landing on the river (now Beacon, N.Y.). He was one of Washington's undercover agents and he arranged for Enoch Crosby to escape from the Dutch Church prison.21

There is evidence in the following letter that one of Capt. Dobbs' sons was attached to the Fishkill cantonment: 22

Dear General (Clinto"n)

I have the Honour to inclose you a Packet from Gen. Scott. Capt. Dobbs has promis'd that he or his son, will deliver it into your own Hands, as the General is pretty anxious that it should go safe & quick ...... .

Col. Hughes"

Dear Charl. ''Fishkill Oct. 19th, 1777 6 oClock Morn'g

The Inclosed Letters came to hand Yisterday Even'g & this Morng - Capt. (William) Banker's son is here & will ride to the Landg - Staats to Poughkeepsie - & Griegier (who I expect every moment from Springfield) to Rhinebeck -

I have always made it a point to forward the Coll. letters, however am obliged to you for the hint -

The night before last, we were much alarmed with an acct of the Enemy's Landg near Depeyster's Point - (Fishkill Landing) .

This induced me to send off the Waggon you refer to with our Books & Papers in care of Wm. Dobbs who I have directed to W. Wrights there to continue till further Orders - When the Gov. sends for the Waggon it shall be fetch 'd down.

Let the Col. know that I have wrote to Jesse Willson to procure grain and send Flour to Col. Roots Family.

I wrote to Gen. Parsons respecting the Intrenching tools. He at the (Continental) Village, but have not been hon'd with an answer - However Mr. Edi.vards is going there this morning, and I shall take liberty to troubling the Genl. again.

I wish you to conti.nue giving me Intilligence The people here doubt the Validity of the northern n~ws (Burgoyne's surrender) as there had been nothing heard since you left us - I cannot bring

Margaret T. Lane

myself to dispute the truth of it, but I shall be glad to hear particulars -

Our conjectures about the Destruction of Esopus runs considerable to your acct I sincerely hope with you that your cousin, Cap. Wiley Escap'd the Wretches -

Kitty informs me that the Black Horse is almost rid of the sore on his back.

I have never seen Capt. Addams since you went from here -

Capt. Brinckerhoff & all the Inhabitants are under the greatest apprehension of Danger, and you may rest assured that if the Enemy approach near this place there will not, One Hundred Men, be found Possessed of Sufficient virtue to oppose them.

I shall urge nothing further -

You may blame me, if I am catched -

My best regards to the Col. and Love to you and Tyson

(Mr. Chas. Tillinghast)

Tyson has got up Engaged with Girls, as to neglect writing. Col. Wad,sworth's letter is going with Mr. Ed»Jards." • JN KEISE

After the burning of Kingston (Esopus) on October 16, 1777, Poughkeepsie became the capital of New York State. Gen. Washington visited Gov. Clinton in Poughkeepsie on Nov. 10th where he wrote a letter to Count Pulaski. As a result of the breakthrough of the Highland defenses by the British fleet, General Washington ordered General Putnam, on Dec. 2,·1777, to erect defenses to secure the Hudson River against any further attempts by the enemy. West Point was decided upon. Due to General Putnam's retirement on March 18, 1778, the construction of the fortifications was, for a time, under Gen. McDougall, assisted by the Polish engineer, Kosciusko. The American line of defense ran from Danbury, Conn. through Westchester County and across the Hudson to Elizabeth, N.J. with supply depots at Danbury, Fishkill and New Windsor.

In a letter to Doctor Van Wyck at Fishkill, N.Y., Gov. George Clinton made mention of Capt. Dobbs:24

"Capt. Dobbs 11

Dear Sir: Capt. Dobbs informs me that there are now at Fishkill Landing between 40 & 50 Hoggsheads of Sugar 6 of which have passed the River, the whole he has great Reason to believe are the property of Th's Martin & Lewis King Inhabitants of this State now with the Common Enemy. They are in possession of one James Beales & was brought down from Livingston's Manor under the Idea of there being public Stores. I doubt not you will make the proper inquiries into this Matter & do what you shall judge Right therein.

I am your most Obed't Serv't

G C

To Doct 'r Van Wyck."

Capt. Dobbs and his son, Joseph, are found listed on records of the Department Quartermaster General at

Wm. Dobbs Superintendant of the Smiths. Joseph Dobbs Do. of all the Boats plying up and down the River John Keese, Dept. Quartermaster G. at Fishkill -50 Dollars pr.Month -40 Dollars pr.Month

- going out

In June 1778, Gen. Washington marched his army from Valley Forge to the White Plains, New York where it encamped from July 20 until Sept. 16, 1778. On July 8, 1778 while Gen. Washington was in the vicinity of New Brunswick, N.J. enroute to White Plains with his army, the Count D'Estaing arrived at the mouth of the Delaware with his fleet and sent off a letter announcing his arrival and offer of assistance. (The Treaty of Alliance between France and the United States had been signed a few months earlier, and the French fleet and what it symbolized was heartening to our war-torn country.)

Gen. Washington dispatched his aides-de-camp, Col. Laurens & Col. Hamilton to D'Estaing's flagship off Sandy Hook to consult with the Count on his behalf, and Washington, himself, continued to White Plains. Two plans of action were discussed -either an attack on the British fleet lined up in the Channel from Sandy Hook to N.Y. Harbor, -or, the recapture of

198 Margaret T. Lane

Rhode Island. The latter option was taken after "experts" concluded that the Channel was not deep enough for the French ships.26

While Washington was at his White Plains headquarters in the Jacob Purdy house during July, August and September 1778, he often used the dateline Phillipsburgh. 27

Head Quarters, PhiZZipsbux>gh JuZy 1??8

Sir:

On the receipt of this, I wish you to procux>e a nwnber of those piZots you foY'!TlerZy ... (obZiterated) ... and who so intimateZy acquainted with the navigation of the Hook~ North River and with them repair as soon as possibZe to Capt. Dennises at Baskingridge, where you wiZZ continue, tiZZ you receive further orders from Genz. Foreman of Monmouth County ... (obZiterated) ..... then forward to Baskingridge. I shouZd think it best for you to come by way of Head Quarters, where you may receive any further instructions you may think necessary. As you wiZZ naturaZZy conjectux>e the reasons for this appZication I insist upon you not to divuZge youx> thoughts to anybody, and as much as possibZe, to prevent the piZots you engage making known their business. I am your most hbZe. servt. G WASHINGTON

Capt. Dobbs

A notarized copy of this letter was submitted to D.A.R. by descendants of Capt. Dobbs-with applications for membership into the Society in 1893. This order appears to be the first of many secret missions. In a preliminary letter to Capt. Dobbs, General Washington revealed that both Governor George Clinton and General Alexander McDougall had highly recommended him as "a skilful pilot, well acquainted with the Coast and Harbors and of firm attachment to the cause. 1128

From another quarter, there is mention of Major William Dobbs and the Count D'Estaing in a letter from Jacobus Van Zant to Gov. George Clinton:29

"His ExceZZency George CZinton, Esq. Sir, His ExceZZency WiZliam Livingston, by Order of Congress was Pleased to desire me and Capt'n Patrick

"Capt. Dobbs 11 199

Dennis to Collect as many Branch Pilots as Could be had in this State for the use of his Excellency Count D'Estaing's Fleet now Laying within 4 miles of Sandy Hook. I have the pleasure to Inform your Excellency, that we have Collected Eight and Delivered them to the Count in persons, four of which are the first Branch Pilots we had at New York before these Troubles, the other four are Men Capable of Carrying any Ship which d,r(JJJ)s less water than those under the Command of the Count. However they are Sufficiently acquainted to Follow the largest Ships in the Channe Z: I have prevailed on Capt. Patt Denis to Remain on Board in Order to Encourage the Pilots there on board who is allso well acquainted with the Channel.

As it was hinted to me by the Count, as well as the rest of the Commanders to have Several Coasting Pilots Sent on Board, I beg your Excellency will forward Major Will'm Dobbs Down to Black Point or any other Coasting or Channel Pilots you may have in our State. Dobbs I well know is a Proper Coasting and Channel Pilot; They signify allso, to have at least one Pilot for Each Ship for the Channel if they are to be had. From appearances I find the Count will get a Long side of the English fleet if he can, which lay Zast Fryday Morning in Zine of Battie, from Sandy Hook up the Channel ............ "

Gen. Washington made his first visit to Fishkill, N.Y. on Sept. 18, 1778 to inspect the cantonment which he'd ordered constructed in November of 1776 before taking his army into New Jersey and Pennsyivania. For the next two months, his army was encamped at his "Grand Camp" at White Plains and at Fredericksburg (now known as Carmel, N.Y.) and the General spent time at Danbury, Fredericksburg and Fishkill. When he stayed at Fishkill, he made his headquarters in the house of Col. Derick Brinckerhoff where Gen. McDougall often stayed. (The house is still standing.)

The sober pages of history occasionally give one something to chuckle over. John Kiese of the D.Q.G. was transferred from Fishkill in May of 1778 but, at the time of the Battle of Saratoga, and the burning of Kingston, and of the enemy's landing at DePeyster's Point, John Kiese had written to his friend Chas. Tillinghast of his own and Col. Brinckerhoff's fears that the Enemy might approach the Fishkill encampment. In late November 1778, a year later, the "enemy" did

200 Margaret T. Lane

descend upon Fishkill, numbering 4,000 men. The six divisions were not a fighting force. They were prisoners captured at the Battle of Saratoga when General Burgoyne surrendered, who were being transferred from Boston to Charlottesville, Va. The British soldiers entered Dutchess County at Amenia, marched through Dover, westward to Fishkill and thence to the shores of the Hudson River in the vicinity of Fishkill Landing where they were "taken over" to Newburgh. Capt. Dobbs was experienced in that type of operation, having transported Gen. Greene's and Gen. Lee's troops from Verplanck's Point to Stony Point in November 1776.

The Captain's son, William Dobbs Junior, delivered a load of "Articles of Horse" to the Department Quartermaster General on June 8, 1780.30 The receipt was signed by Capt. Gamliel Painter, Capt. of Baldwin's Artillery Artificer Regt. Included in the list of items were "2 couples for Dogs and 1 brest Collar for a Dog." Other items of interest were articles for oxen, branding iron C.A., collars, harnesses, old saddles to be repaired, buckles, blinders, stirrup irons, girth webb, squares for shay tops, calf skins, bits, large iron kittle and small iron pots. Col. Udny Hay was D.Q.Gen. at the time of Mr. Dobbs' interesting delivery.

Six months later, a record for the "Return of Horses kept by the Officers of the Line & Staff at & in the Vicinity of the several Posts & Cantonments of the Army," dated Jan. 6th 1781, included the names of William Dobbs, Superintendant of Blacksmiths, and also the name of his son, Joseph Dobbs, Superintendant of Salting Beef. Father and son had each used and returned a public horse.31

Two years after Count D'Estaing's visit to Sandy Hook, July 12, 1780 saw a sizeable French force land on our shores. For one reason and another, the French army laid inactive at Newport, Rhode Island, for eleven months. A few excerpts from the Memoirs of the Marshall Count de Rochambeau, will set the stage for Capt. William Henry Dobbs' final secret mission for Gen. Washington:32

"On the 12th July., we entered the port of Rhode Island., after a passage of seventy days ... The French corps disembarked at Newport., the capital., and irronedfately encamped across the island ... The

"Capt. Dobbs 11

Northern States afforded us four or five thousand good and willing soldiers, Zed by the American General Heats ... I kept only two thousand of these men, giving the command of them to General Lafayette, whom General Washington had also sent to me ... with full powers from him ... I obtained the long-requested interview of Gen. Washington, to decide upon the operations which the superior number of our naval forces might enable us to undertake. We met at Hartford on the 20th,September." (1?80)

When Gen. Washington returned from this trip on September 25th, he learned that Major Andre had been captured, and of Gen. Arnold's perfidy.~ 3

"My son arrived at Boston on the 8th May (1781) on boaPd the frigate the "Concorde", in company with M. de Barras, who had been appointed to the command of the squadron ... they had sail from Brest a numerous fleet, commanded by M. de Grasse ... (the French Gov't) to send money in lieu of troops, and that for that purpose a sum of six million had been voted, with which General Washington might provide for the wants of the American arrrry ... that the Comte de Grasse had received orders to proceed with his division, in July or August, to relieve the squadron under M. de BaPras .... My first step was to request an interview of General Washington; and he accordingly appointed to meet me at Wethersfield, near Hartford, on the 20th May ...... It was settled .. . the French corps should proceed to unite itself to the American.army opposite the island of New York .... and there wait until we should hear from M. de Grasse, to whom a frigate was to be immediately dispatched ....... "

At about the same time that Commodore de Barras was sent to the West Indies by Gen. Rochambeau, General Washington dispatched one of his secret agents, Allan MacLane to Cap Francois in Haiti with an identical request to the Count de Grasse. MacLane attended the Council of War aboard the flagship of de Grasse "Ville de Paris" -in July 1781.34

"The French corps marched on June 18th ...... the two a:t'mies were united in camp at PhiZZippsburgh, three leagues from Kingsbridge ... On the 5th of August (1781) I received his (M. de Grasse) reply,

Margaret T. Lane

whereby he informed me that he would be in Chesapeake Bay at the end of August ... I concerted with M. de Barras, the most expeditious means of effecting his junction with M. de Grasse .... They commenced moving on the 19th of August ... General Washington left three thousand men on the left shore, in command of General Heats, to cover Westpoint and the Northern States ..... " 35

The combined armies of Americans and French were united and encamped "on the White Plains" (the hills of Dobbs Ferry) in Westchester County, N.Y. from July 6th until Aug. 19th, 1781. Gen. Washington's headquarters was made in the Appleby House which once stood near the present Radio Station WFAS in Ardsley, N.Y. Gen. Rochambeau was quartered in the Odell House, still standing at 425 Ridge Road in present Hartsdale, N.Y. Their armies were encamped in the area from the Sawmill River to the Bronx River, with outposts beyond. Over in Dobbs Ferry (where Capt. Dobbs·' cousin -also a William Dobbs -was living) a redoubt and two batteries were hastily built overlooking the Hudson River, under the direction of M. Duportail. 36

During the Revolutionary War, the general term, Dobbs Ferry, referred to the area on BOTH SIDES of the Hudson River. Most dispatches and correspondence datelined Dobbs Ferry and signed by G. Washington were actually written at his headquarters in the DeWindt House at Tappan (Orangetown) in Orange County (now Rockland County). But hear this! -Between July 4th and Aug. 19th, 1781 all communications and dispatches, datelined Head Quarters, Dobbs Ferry clearly indicate Westchester County.37

While Gen. Rochambeau was seeing to arrangements for a joint effort -land and sea -against Cornwallis in Virginia, Gen. Washington was reinforcing his role in this pageant by dispatching his secret agent, Capt.

Sir: "Head Quarters, Dobbs Ferry 8th August, 1781

I expect this will be delivered to your Excellency by Capt. Dobbs, one of our most experienced Pilots, you may have full confi-

"Capt. Dobbs "

dence in him or in any of those persons whom he will recommend. I have the Honor to be, with the greatest respect Your Excellency's most obedt. and hble. servt.

G. WASHINGTON

His Excellency The Count de Grasse"

This letter of introduction of Capt. Dobbs bears the following address:

NSDAR records of the Patriot Ancestor, William Dobbs, contain the following information, submitted Feb. 18, 1893:

"He served as Commander of vessels, as Captain of the Pilots and was sent to Monmouth to await the arrival of the French Fleet. He conducted General Washington up the sound to New London on his visit to Jonathan Trumbull, and performed much secret service under direct orders from General Washington. He died 'after a short illness which he was supposed to have contracted on an expedition of Secrecy in the service of the United States, from Fishkill to Rhode Island~ having returned from there three days previous'."

That is the sworn statement of Miss Helen Meeker of Danbury, Conn. -a great, great gr~nddaughter of Capt. Dobbs through his son, William Dobbs Jr. Soldiers who died at Fishkill are said to have•been interred in a mass burial site, somewhere near the encampment, at the base of a mountain.3 9

There are no extant records at the First Reformed Church of Fishkill which contain the names of either Capt. Dobbs or his son, Joseph Dobbs. Yet, two stately gravestones, standing side by side in the little graveyard on the north side of this old Dutch Church, announce to all that these two Revolutionary Patriots are resting there, in peace. Each tombstone has a Masonic emblem attached.

204

Margaret T. Lane

Capt. William Henry Dobbs was not a native of Fishkill, nor of Dutchess County, but his outstanding service for his country, his warm friendship with Gen. Alexander McDougall, the respect of his abilities and performances by Gov. George Clinton of New York, and his personal relationship with Gen. George Washington -had probably earned him a special piece of ground in the ancient churchyard while the War continued.

In memory of WILLIAM DOBBS

Who departed this life Sept. 13, 1781 Aged 65 years In memory of JOSEPH DOBBS Son of Wi ZZiam DobbsWho departed this life May 19, 1790 Aged 39 years, 4 months & 3 days

Masonic records of St. Simon & St. Jude Lodge #12, Fishkill, N.Y. which was in existence from June 7, 1786 to April 4, 1819 show that Joseph Dobbs was a member of that Lodge in 1786 when it was organized. 40

EPILOGUE

Joseph Dobbs died intestate on May 19, 1790. ·Letters of Testimony & Administration, Dutchess County Court House, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Book A.p.50. reveal a little information concerning Joseph Dobbs' postwar activity:

"To Adam Mount of the city of New York, baker, brother-in-law to Joseph Dobbs, late of Fishkill toum, Boatman, deceased ........ Adam Mount, Administrator of all goods etc. of which the said Joseph Dobbs..... •

Surrogate Witness, Gilbert Livingston of Poughkeepsie, N.Y. ninth day June 1790"

Three months after the death of William Dobbs at Fishkill, N.Y., a document from the Department Quartermaster General, dated Dec. 1781, relative to pay and rations, mentioned his family:

"The Family of the Zate Wi l Ziam Dobbs Supt. of Blacksmiths & a public Pilot

"Capt. Dobbs" 205

2 extra rations d,r(J)J)n per a· general order for which they are to pay

and 4 candles for month." 1 aZZowance of wood for month

The "Family of the late William Dobbs" consisted of his widow, Dorcas Dobbs and their two young children, Henry Munro Dobbs, age about 14 years, and Mary Dobbs, age 10 years.

Two newspaper items reveal that Dorcas Harding Dobbs died at Hudson, N.Y. at the home ~f her married daughter, Mary, wife of Charles Holt, newspaperman:

"20 'November 1804 - Died in this city., Widow Dorcas Dobbs., aged 73." From "The Hudson Balance"., Hudson, N. Y.

"Dorcas Dobbs., widow of Capt. WiUiam Dobbs of this city., died Nov. 20., 1804 at Hudson., New York." From "Republican Watch Tower" issue of December 12, • 1804.

NOTES 1Jack Coggins, Ships and Seaman of the American Revolution (1969). 2New York Gazette, October 3, 1757 3R. M. ~etchum, The World of George Washington. (New York: 1974), 53, 55. 4New York Mercury, May 19, 1760 5Douglas Moore, The Melting Pot. (Hartford, Ky.:

1978).

lands. 6New York Gazette, January 16, 1769. 7central Bureau Voor Genealogie of the Nether-

8New York Gazette, May 7, 1772. 9Hugh Hastings, ed., Public Papers of George Clinton. (New York: 1899), 204, 205; William B. Clark, ed., Naval Documents of the American Revolu-

206 Margaret T. Lane

tion. (Dept. of Navy: 1968), I, 708. 10william B. Clark, ed., Naval Documents of the American Revolution. (Dept. of Navy: 1968), Vol. III,

11. Ibid., 801.

17Marvin Kitman, George Washington's Expense Account. (New York: 1970), 195, 196. 18No extant records show participation of the Captain's two other sons, Joseph and William Jr., during the above battles but they both appear in military records later on. Capt. William Dobbs continued his connection with Gen. Alexander McDougall's First New York Regiment throughout his contributions to the cause of liberty, until his death in September

19Public Papers of George Clinton, Vol. 1, 331. 20 Minutes of the Committee for Detecting Conspiracies 1776-1778. Collections of the New York Historical Society, (New York: 1924), 209. 21Willa Skinner, A History of Fishkill, N.Y. 1683-1873. (Wappingers Falls: 1978). 22Public Papers of George Clinton, Vol. II, 29. 23war Dept. Collection of Revolutionary War Records, File #M859. 24 b. Pu lie f G C Papers o eorge linton, Vol. II, 774. 25National Archives, Record Groups, War Dept. Collections #34120. 26washington Irving, Life of George Washington.