Tryon County militia

The creation of the Tryon County, New York militia was authorized on March 8, 1772, when the Province of New York passed a bill for the establishment of organized militia in each county in the colony. By 1776 (at the start of the American War of Independence), the Tryon County militia had in effect become an army of rebellion under the control of the Tryon County Committee of Safety. The Tryon County militia would go on to fight at the important battles of Oriskany and Johnstown (among others) during the war.

Not to be confused with Tryon County Regiment (North Carolina).
Tryon County Militia
Active1775 to 1783
AllegianceState of New York
Typemilitia
Part ofNew York Militia
EngagementsBattle of Oriskany (August 6, 1777)
Attack on German Flatts (1778)
Battle of Cherry Valley (November 11, 1778)
Battle of Klock's Field (October 19, 1780)
Battle of Johnstown (October 25, 1781)
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Nicholas Herkimer
Abraham Ten Broeck
Robert Van Rensselaer
Marinus Willett
Joseph House

Militia regiments

Early in 1772, the Colony of New York passed a bill for the establishment of organized militia in each county. In 1775, the Tryon County militia comprised four regiments, organized according to geographical location:

Expansion

A 5th regiment from the Harpersfield area was created under the command of a local resident, Colonel John Harper on March 3, 1780. Three companies were designated, falling under the commands of: Captain Alexander Harper, Captain Daniel McGillevrey, and Captain Lodwick Breakman.[1] Before they fled to the Canadian Provinces in 1775, Daniel Claus, Sir John Johnson and Guy Johnson were each colonels in command of these regiments.

On August 22, 1775, by order of the New York Provincial Congress, the militias of Tryon County and Albany County were joined to form a brigade. One fourth of each company were selected as minutemen.[2]

Wartime

On October 5, 1776, a resolution of the New York State congress appointed Nicholas Herkimer as brigadier general of the "Brigade of Militia of Tryon County, New York."

On August 6, 1777, the militia, under the command of Herkimer, fought in the Battle of Oriskany with British forces (under the command of Barry St. Leger, Sir John Johnson, Colonel John Butler, and Captain Joseph Brant). While British casualties were high, the Tryon County militia suffered a casualty rate of almost 70%[3]

In 1779, the Tryon County militia was combined with the Albany County militia. On March 20, 1780, Brigadier General Robert Van Rensselaer was given command of a brigade of militia which included the Tryon County militia. In 1781, Marinus Willett was given over-all command of the Tryon County, New York militia.

Organization

1st Regiment

The first regiment, or battalion, of the Tryon County Militia was first commanded by Colonel Nicholas Herkimer, later promoted to Brigadier General then was replaced by Colonel Ebenezer Cox (who was wounded and taken prisoner of war in the first volleys of the Battle of Oriskany on August 6, 1777).and Captain Samuel Campbell was promoted to Colonel to fill the vacancy. Companies included those of Captain Abraham Coapman who was later promoted to Major and replaced Johan Joseph House; Captain Henry Diefendorf, who was killed on the Oriskany Battlefield on August 6, 1777 and replaced by his brother, Jacob Dievendorf (died 11/23/1816); Captain Michael Grass who later deserted; and Jost Dygert.

2nd Regiment

The second regiment, or battalion, of the Tryon County Militia was commanded by Colonel Jacob Klock. Officers of the second regiment under the command of Colonel Klock included Captain William W. Fox,[4] his son Captain Christopher W. Fox, Captain Christian House, and Captain Nicholas Richtor.

3rd Regiment

The third regiment, or battalion, of the Tryon County Militia was commanded by Colonel Frederick Fisher, or Visscher. Lieutenant Colonels were Adam Fonda and Volkert Veeder. Majors were John Bliven and John Nukerk. Adjutants were Robert Yates, Peter Conyn, John G. Lansingh, Jr., and Gideon Marlett. Quarter Masters were Theodorus F. Romine, Abraham Van Horn, and Simon Veeder. Surgeons were John George Folke and Surgeon William Petry, and Philip Cromwell Jr. (aka Jan Philipse Cromwell).

Eight companies constituted the third regiment. As of 26 Aug 1775 these were led by the following:

  • 1st Company - Captain Jacob Gardinier, 1st Lieutenant Abraham D. Quackenbus, 2nd Lieutenant William Hall, Ensign Gideon Marlat.
  • 2nd Company - Captain John Davis, 1st Lieutenant Abraham Vedder, 2nd Lieutenant Jacob Simon.
  • 3rd Company - Captain Robert Yates, 1st Lieutenant Cobus Cromwell, 2nd Lieutenant Peter Yates, Ensign Hendrick Lewis.
  • 4th Company - Captain John Fisher, 1st Lieutenant John Wemple, 2nd Lieutenant Mindert W. Quackenbush, Ensign Gerrit Gysbertse VanBrocklin.
  • 5th Company - Captain Samuel Pettingell,[5] Lieutenant Thomas Caine, Ensign Samuel Barnhard, Jr.
  • 6th Company - Captain Abner French, Lieutenant David McMaster, Ensign Peter VanderLenden.
  • 7th Company - Captain Lewis Crout, 1st Lieutenant Jeremiah Swarts, 2nd Lieutenant Christian Carnest, Ensign Emanuel DeGraff.
  • 8th Company - Captain Abraham Hodges, 1st Lieutenant Joseph Yeamans, 2nd Lieutenant Abel Hunt, Ensign Amos Bennet.

4th Regiment

The fourth regiment, or battalion, of the Tryon County Militia was commanded initially by Col. Hansyoot Herkimer, and after his death in 1775, by Colonel Peter Bellinger, formerly lieutenant colonel of the regiment.

Minutemen

Sixty men served as minutemen under Colonel Samuel Campbell and Captain Francis Utt.

Associated Exempts

A company of exempted soldiers acted as a home guard under the command of Captain Jellis Fonda.

Rangers

Rangers were raised for service in their home counties: "unless called forth for the defence of a neighboring County or State by the Mutual Consent of the bordering County Committees of the respective Counties or States".

On July 23, 1776, by order of the Provincial Congress of New York, three ranger companies were established under the commands of:[6]

  • Mark Demuth
  • Christian Getman
  • John Winn

These ranger companies were disbanded on March 27, 1777

On July 17, 1777, by order of the Provincial Congress of New York, two ranger companies were established under the commands of:

  • John Harper
  • James Clyde

Footnotes
  1. Fernow, pg.297
  2. Fernow; p. 30.
  3. Fort Plank Historian
  4. "Capt William W. Fox (1732-1795) - Find A Grave Memorial". Find A Grave Memorial. Find A Grave.
  5. Pettingell (1906), p. 506
  6. Fernow, pg. 117

References
  • Berry, A.J., A Time of Terror, 2005, ISBN 1-4120-6527-5
  • Fernow, Berthold (1887). New York in the Revolution. OL 25266301M.
  • DRCHSNY, Vol.1 Fernow, Bethold, Documents Relating to the Colonial History of the State of New York: Volume XV: State Archives Series, Volume 1., 1887 [DRCHSNY]. Weed, Parsons, & Company: Albany, New York, 1887"
  • Fonte, Allan, Liberty March, The Battle of Oriskany, 1998, ISBN 0-925168-72-6
  • Fort Plank Historian, Ken D. Johnson, The Bloodied Mohawk, Picton Press, Rockport, Maine, 2000, ISBN 0-89725-399-X.
  • Pettingell, James Mason, "A Pettingell Genealogy", The Fort Mill Press, Boston, Mass., 1906, ISBN 1-4370-1551-4
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