Revolutionary Soldiers & Incidents

by James F. Morrison

Henry Flanders:  Serves as Boatman
Jacob Flanders:  Enlists in 1778



  

Henry Flanders:  Serves as Boatman

In August of 1776, Henry enlisted as a Private in Captain Christian Getman's Company of Tryon County Rangers while living in Palatine. Henry went on a scout to West Canada Creek, then to Sacandaga, then to Johnstown and from there back to Palatine where he was stationed until January of 1777.

In January of 1777, Henry under Captain Getman and Colonel Ebenezer Cox marched to Fort Ticonderoga where they were stationed.  On March 24th, Henry under Captain Getman marched out of Fort Ticonderoga and started on their journey to Johnstown.  On March 27th, Henry with the rest of the company arrived at Johnstown where they were discharged.

In April, Henry enlisted as a private in Captain Nicholas Rechtor's Company (Sixth Company) in Colonel Jacob Klock's Regiment of Tryon County Militia (Second Regiment).

On August 3rd, the garrison at Fort Schuyler (Fort Stanwix) was completely surrounded and besieged by the troops of Lieutenant-Colonel Barry St. Leger. Brigadier General Nicholas Herkimer on learning of this invasion ordered the Tryon County Militia to muster at Fort Dayton.

Henry under Captain Rechtor and Colonel Klock marched to Fort Dayton where they joined the gathering militia.  On August 4th, the relief column started on their march for Fort Schuyler but Henry took sick and remained at Fort Dayton.

On August 9th, remnants of the relief column arrived at Fort Dayton and Henry then learned of the Oriskany Battle that took place on August 6th.  Henry under Colonel Klock with the rest of the regiment left the fort and marched home where they were discharged.

On April 10, 1778, Henry enlisted as a private in Captain John Leffler's Company of Boatmen. Henry went to Albany where he was stationed for a month. Henry then went to North River, then to King's Ferry and then to Tarrytown where he was stationed.  Henry was discharged on January 2, 1779.

In April of 1779, Henry enlisted in Captain Rechtor's Company.  Henry was stationed at various forts along the Mohawk River.

In May, Henry enlisted as a private in Captain John Hess' Company in Colonel Klock's Regiment. Henry was stationed at Fort Ox in the Royal Grant and he was stationed there for two weeks. Henry was then stationed at different forts along the Mohawk River.

In April of 1780, Henry enlisted as a private in Captain Peter Waggoner's Company in Colonel Klock's Regiment. He was stationed at Fort Ox and at different forts along the Mohawk River.

On April 1, 1781, Henry enlisted as a private In Captain Lawrence Gros' Company in Colonel Marinus Willett's Regiment of New York Levies. He was stationed at Fort Rensselaer (Fort Plain).

On July 9th, Captain John Dockstader with 500 Indians and Loyalists raided and burned Currytown and encamped for the night in a swamp at Sharon Springs. Colonel Willett at Fort Rensselaer on learning of this invasion gathered the troops and Henry under Colonel Willett went in pursuit of the enemy.

Willett and his men discovered the enemy's encampment at Sharon Springs in the morning of July 10th, and a fierce battle now raged. After an hour and a half of fighting the enemy retreated having many of their number killed. Henry returned to Fort Rensselaer where he was stationed.

On October 24th, Major John Ross and Captain Walter Butler with 607 men were in the Mohawk Valley burning and killing. Colonel Willett at Fort Rensselaer on learning of this invasion sent messengers to Forts Clyde, Paris and Plank for additional troops while he would gather what troops that could be spared at Fort Rensselaer.

In the morning of October 25th, Henry under Captain Gros and Colonel Willett marched out of Fort Rensselaer and crossed the Mohawk River to Caughnawaga. Willett and his men now marched to the Village of Johnstown and on arriving at the enemy's encampment Willett and his men charged the enemy and a fierce battle ensued. The battle lasted until darkness fell upon the battlefield and with the enemy retreating.

Henry under Colonel Willett, marched to Fort Hunter then to Fort Rensselaer and then to Fort Dayton. On October 28th, Henry under Colonel Willett marched out of Fort Dayton again in pursuit of Major Ross.

On October 30th, Colonel Willett and his men fell in with the rear guard under Captain Walter Butler at the West Canada Creek. After several minutes of fighting the enemy retreated leaving Captain Butler and several other behind dead.

Henry returned to Fort Rensselaer where he was stationed until he was discharged on December 31, 1781.

In the Spring of 1782, Henry enlisted in Captain Waggoner's Company and he was stationed at different forts along the Mohawk River.

Source: Published by the Mohawk Valley Democrat, November 25, 1976, on page 8.



Jacob Flanders: Enlists in 1778

In April of 1778, Jacob enlisted as a private in Captain William Peterson's Company of Boatmen while living in Palatine. Jacob was employed in taking supplies up the Hudson River to the various forts along the river. Jacob was discharged on January 1, 1779

In April of 1779, Jacob enlisted as a private in Captain John Hess' Company in Colonel Jacob Klock's Regiment of Tryon County Militia (Second Regiment). Jacob was stationed at different forts along the Mohawk River.

In April of 1780, Jacob enlisted as a private in Captain Peter Waggoner'sCompany in Colonel Klock's Regiment. Jacob was again stationed at various forts along the Mohawk River.

On April of 1781, Jacob enlisted In Captain Lawrence Gros' Company in Colonel Marinus Willett's Regiment of New York Levies. Jacob was then stationed at Fort Rensselaer.

On July 9th, Captain John Dockstader with 500 Indians and Loyalists raided and burned Currytown. Colonel Marinus Willett at Fort Rensselaer on seeing smoke in the direction of Currytown sent Robert McKean to investigate the cause of the fires and he sent Captain Lawrence Gros to scout about Bowman's Creek to search for signs of the enemy. Colonel Willett waited at Fort Rensselaer for word from Captain Gros of the enemy's whereabouts.

Later that afternoon a messenger from Captain Gros arrived at Fort Rensselaer and informed Colonel Willett that the enemy had encamped at Sharon Springs. Jacob under Colonel Willett left Fort Rensselaer and headed for Bowman's Creek where they were joined by Captain Gros and Captain McKean.

Willett and his men now proceeded to Sharon Springs where the enemy had encamped and they arrived in the morning of July 10th. A detachment under Lieutenant Jacob Sammons was sent to fire a volley into the sleeping enemy's detachment. After firing into the enemy's encampment they retreated back to where Willett was waiting to ambush the Indians now closely pursuing Lieutenant Sammons and his men.

Willett and his men now fired into the Indians although they were not completely in the trap but if they had waited Lieutenant Sammons and his men would all have been killed. The battle lasted for an hour and a half when the enemy retreated from the battlefield after sustaining severe losses. Jacob under Colonel Willett returned to Fort Rensselaer where he was stationed.

On October 24th, Major John Ross and Captain Walter Butler with 607 men were in the Mohawk Valley burning and killing. Colonel Willett at Fort Rensselaer on learning of this invasion sent messengers to Forts Clyde, Paris and Plank for additional troops while he would gather what troops that could be spared from Fort Rensselaer.

In the morning of October 25th, Jacob under Colonel Willett marched out of Fort Rensselaer and shortly afterwards they crossed over the Mohawk River to Caughnawaga. Willett now headed for the Village of Johnstown.

On arriving at Fort Johnstown, Willett was informed by the garrison that the enemy had encamped near Johnson's Hall. Willett and his men now left Fort Johnstown and headed for Johnson's Hall.

On arriving where the enemy was encamped, Willett and his men charged Ross and a fierce battle now raged. The battle lasted until darkness fell over the battlefield and with the enemy retreating. Jacob now returned to Fort Rensselaer where he was stationed until he was discharged January 1, 1782.

In April of 1782, Jacob again enlisted in Captain Waggoner's Company and he was stationed at various forts along the Mohawk River.

Jacob was born on January 1, 1762 and he died on April 7, 1816. He married Catherine Fox on October 7, 1791, Catherine was born January 1, 1769 and she died on June 30, 1839. They are buried in Finch Cemetery, one mile south of the Youker's Bush Church in the town of Oppenheim.

Source: Published by the Mohawk Valley Democrat, March 17, 1977, on page 8.


Thank you to Jeanette Shiel, Fulton County NYGenWeb Coordinator, and Historian James Morrison. The title "Revolutionary Soldiers & Incidents" was a column that James Morrison used to write several years ago. These were two different articles about two brothers who served alongside each other.

This is a joint effort between Fulton, Herkimer & Montgomery County GenWebs for Memorial Day 2002. The above extract was kindly donated by the author of both articles, James F. Morrison.

Return to Memorial Day Tribute, 2002

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Created 5/23/02
Copyright © 1976,1977 James F. Morrison
Copyright © 2002 Jeanette Shiel/M. Magill
All Rights Reserved.