KINGSTON AND HURLEY IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION TIME LINE

1777

Oct 14

British fleet sailed from Peekskill, under the command of Major-General John Vaughan, and headed north up the Hudson River towards Kingston.

Oct 15

In the evening, the expedition of 30 sailing ships with an estimated force of 1600 men, anchored off Esopus Island.

Kingston residents began fleeing southward with as much of their worldly possessions and valuables as they could cart away. All who were able billeted themselves with their friends, principally in Hurley, Marbletown, Rochester and Warwasing.

Oct 16 (Early Morning)

The British fleet anchored south of the mouth of the Rondout Creek, boarded and set fire to several American vessels.  The cannonade set up the the Americans bought some time, but did not stop the invasion

Oct 16 (Early Afternoon)

General Vaughan and his men started their march through Kingston, encountered only a few stragglers and a militia force of only 150 men. 

The British troops (about 600 men) divided into small parties, going through different streets, firing the houses and outbuildings as they proceeded.

Oct 16 (Afternoon)

British regulars started down Hurley Avenue burning their way.  The last house to be set ablaze was the Schemes House, approximately one miles from Main Street Hurley.

Hurley, along with its crops, was saved from destruction when the British soldiers were called back to the Strand to board their ships and set sail north up the Hudson River. 

General George Clinton and his Continental Army reached the outskirts of Kingston during the British withdrawal.

Oct 17

General Clinton made Hurley’s Main Street a military outpost because of its proximity to Kingston and its command of important roads.

Oct 18

The General made his headquarters at the old Wynkoop Inn (which burned down in 1909).  His staff and officers of various regiments were quartered at the Wynkoop Inn and the Half-Moon Tavern (located in the Elmendorf House)

The Dumond Home was converted into a guardhouse.  The room at the front was used as a guard room and the basement provided confinement for the many prisoners the Americans held, including the convicted spy Lieut. Daniel Taylor.

Lieut. Daniel Taylor was hung from an apple tree on the side of Schoolhouse Lane.

Oct 24

Once the British threat had passed, General George Clinton left Hurley and moved his troops to their original base at New Britain (near Newburgh).

Nov 18

When the British invaded Kingston, the Council of Safety moved to Marbletown until November 18, when it was relocated to Hurley.  They held their sessions at the Van Deusen House, and probably boarded at the Wynkoop Inn.

The Council of Safety represented the combined legislative an executive functions of the state government.

Dec 18

At the request of General Clinton, the Council of Safety was relocated to Poughkeepsie.  The General wanted the Council to be closer to Newburgh.