DOBBS FERRY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Fostering an awareness and appreciation for the history of Dobbs Ferry and all the people, noted and humble, who transmitted the good things of the past The to the present and the future. Ferryman The fascinating First Would you please be Brava! Treasures Rhode Island Regimen: our “Friend”? We are so William Henry Dobbs ... from the On August 19, 1781, Have you seen our thrilled to Meet William Henry attic... the First Rhode Island, Facebook page yet? announce Dobbs. He served Peek into along with other Dobbs Ferry’s own that the George Washington as a the past American units, broke Denise Wilson has done President of pilot and spy during the archives of camp and converged a fabulous job of posting the Dobbs American Revolution a famous near the present-day interesting and Ferry and was a first cousin of Dobbs intersection of Ashford entertaining tidbits Historical the William Dobbs who Ferry Avenue and Broadway, about the history of Society - Dr. lived in this village and family! where they assembled Dobbs Ferry for all to Mary Sudman Donovan has been until about 1759 The Judsons. This wealthy for Washington’s march enjoy. Check it out! showered with accolades for her operated the ferry for family donated the land where to Virginia. Read more decades of work promoting the which this village was the first hospital was built. ! about these elite troops.! history of the Hudson Valley.! named.! Pages 4 & 5 Page 6 Page 7 Pages 1, 2 & 3
Volume XXVI, Issue No. 1! !!!!!!!!!!Spring 2014
CAPTAIN WILLIAM HENRY DOBBS: PILOT FOR THE CONTINENTAL ARMY! BY CHARLES E. DOBBS
Captain William Henry Dobbs lived a colorful life as a mariner in colonial New York City. He was a privateer and possibly a smuggler, sailing from New York to the West Indies. He was also a New York harbor pilot and served George Washington as a pilot and spy during the American Revolution. He was a first cousin of William Dobbs who lived in this village and, until !about 1759, operated the ferry for which this village was named.! When the American Revolution began, William Henry Dobbs was serving as a harbor pilot for the colonial New York government, a position that enabled him to provide intelligence to the rebels. On the day after the Continental Congress in Philadelphia appointed George Washington Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, Captain Dobbs sent detailed intelligence of a British troop transport fleet seen off of New York and headed for Boston. 1!
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and its cargo that was destined to be used by the British army. Whether Dobbs was acting under orders when he brought the mate to New York is not evident. However, shortly thereafter Dobbs’s job as a lookout for the Committee was reassigned to another pilot, though the explicit reason given was to share the Committee's employment among the several New York pilots so as not to 5 !arouse jealousy among them. ! Captain William Henry Dobbs: Pilot for ! George Washington! On January 3, 1776, the Minutes York, and Captain Dobbs was In July 1778, a French fleet of the New York Committee of dispatched to the Sandy Hook under Admiral Comte d'Estaing Safety record the purchase of a lighthouse to keep watch for arrived off of Sandy Hook to whaleboat with oars and the any arriving fleet. Significantly, join the Americans. The large engagement of Capt. William he was also directed to “tarry French ships required Dobbs and four other men to go one week if no fleet appears, experienced pilots to navigate down to Sandy Hook, New and to be very frugal in his them into the unfamiliar harbor. Jersey, and watch for a vessel disbursements.” 4! Upon recommendations from attempting to smuggle ! both Alexander McDougall and gunpowder from Hispaniola to Captain Dobbs’s service as a General Clinton, General the rebels. 2 (Sandy Hook lookout ended shortly Washington sent for Captain occupies a strategic position on thereafter in the wake of an Dobbs. Dobbs was "on his the outer edge of New York incident in which Dobbs sickbed" when sent for and harbor. Ships stopping off the brought Joseph Woolcombe, a recommended a couple of other Hook would be out of sight of mate from the British ship Blue pilots in his stead. However, the New York. The aid of an Mountain Valley, to New York size of the French ships of line experienced pilot would be City and turned the man over was beyond the experience of required to help ships navigate directly to the rebel guards. It is most pilots, and the French into the inner harbor to New not clear why the guards were insisted on having the most York City.)3 ! so alarmed by this action, but experienced pilots to guide ! both Dobbs and Woolcombe them. On July 18, Captain Two weeks later, the Committee were locked up, at least for a Dobbs presented himself to the received word that a large short time. After questioning French Admiral's service with a British transport fleet was Woolcombe, local authorities letter of introduction from sailing from Boston for New boarded and seized the ship General Washington. The plan
2 THE MEAD HOUSE 12 ELM STREET DOBBS FERRY, NEW YORK 10522 THE FERRYMAN
for a French attack on New fleet landed instead in Rhode any one place too long until York was abandoned, however, Island. Washington asked they learned of the fleet’s and the Comte d'Estaing's fleet Dobbs to wait in Basking Ridge! approach. They waited in sailed for Rhode Island to wait through August, as further Basking Ridge through August for a better opportunity. 6! French reinforcements were when they received word from ! expected. In September,! Washington that the locus of In October 1779, Captain another message from action had shifted to the south, Dobbs again received an Washington to Dobbs asked where Cornwallis was trapped urgent summons from General! him to be prepared to go to! in Virginia. The Comte de Washington, giving no details Rhode Island at a moment's Grasse’s fleet would enter the but asking him to come to notice. Ultimately, word was Chesapeake and the forces of Headquarters on a matter! received that the British! Washington and Rochambeau of "great importance,” had received large would march south to meet "prepared for a journey of reinforcements of their own, him in Yorktown, Virginia.10 some length,” and requesting and an attack on New York! Washington’s subsequent "all possible dispatch ought to was once again postponed.9! victory there essentially ended be made and the greatest ! the American Revolution with secrecy observed." 7! Captain Dobbs' final mission Cornwallis’s surrender on ! came in August 1781, when the October 19, 1781.! The French fleet was once Continental Army and the ! again expected, this time in the French troops were encamped Documents cited here are from Delaware River, and Dobbs! around Dobbs Ferry. General the Naval Documents of the and another pilot were Washington asked Dobbs to American Revolution dispatched to Philadelphia. gather other pilots and proceed (www.ibiblio.org/anrs/ However, d'Estaing once again! to meet Captain Dennis at ndar.html) NDAR, or George abandoned the attack of New Basking Ridge. Washington Washington Papers at the York, and sailed back to France hoped that the French fleet Library of Congress (http:// instead. 8! coming from the Caribbean !memory.loc.gov/cgi-) GWP.! ! under the Comte de Grasse ! The following summer, would arrive at Sandy Hook 1 John McKesson to George Clinton, 17 June 1775, in NDAR 1: 708.! Washington called on Captain presently, to finally make the 2 Minutes of the New York Committee of Safety, 3 January Dobbs to meet! attack on New York. 1776, NDAR III: 587.! 3 Minutes of the New York Committee of Safety, 15 an expected French fleet, this Washington wrote that he had January 1776, NDAR III: 801.! time under Comte de entrusted Captain Dobbs, “one 4 Ibid., 15 January 1776, NDAR III:801. ! 5 Ibid., 21 January 1776, 25 January 1776,NDAR III: Rochambeau. Dobbs and a! of our most experienced 902, 977.! 6 George Washington to Capt. William Dobbs, 15 July fellow pilot, Captain Patrick pilots,” with the responsibility 1778; George Washington to Comte d’Estaing, 18 July Dennis, provided detailed of escorting the French fleet 1778, GWP. ! 7 Ibid., 5 October 1779, GWP.! navigational and tactical! into New York harbor. 8 Ibid., 31 July 1781, GWP.! advice to General Washington Concerned that Captain Dobbs 9George Washington to Patrick Dennis and William Dobbs, 15 July 1780; George Washington to William about New York Harbor. Dobbs and the pilots he had gathered Dobbs, 13 September 1780, GWP.! 10Ibid., 31 July, 1781, 3 August 1781, 28 August 1781; and Dennis were! were in danger, Washington William Dobbs to George Washington, 1 August 1781; sent to Basking Ridge, New directed them to not go near George Washington to Comte de Barras, 3 August 1781. GWP. Jersey , to await the French the coast and to shift their fleet at Sandy Hook, but the lodgings often, not staying in
ON THE WEB AT WWW.DOBBSFERRYHISTORY.ORG 3 THE FERRYMAN THE JUDSON FAMILY PHOTO ALBUM
Dr. Judson was graduated from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1871 and came to Dobbs Ferry to establish a medical practice. By 1882, Mrs. Judson had bought the land and buildings where the little white church stood. Ten years later, the Judsons donated that property to become the site for the first hospital in Dobbs Ferry. It opened in a house on the property in 1893 with Dr. Judson as the chief physician. By 1900, the Jennie Mabie Judson Dr. Champion Hiram Hospital Association was (c. 1850-1924) Judson (1843-1924) planning for a new hospital to be built across Ashford Avenue. That hospital was dedicated in 1903 with Dr. Judson as president of the Shown here is four generations Hospital Association. For of Judson women. Grandmother almost forty years, he Sarah Colwell Mabie, Mother provided medical care for Jennie Mabie Judson, Daughter the people of Dobbs Ferry. Edna Judson Wilde and baby.
The Judson House c.1875 (Now Cochran Cottage of the Masters School)
4 THE MEAD HOUSE 12 ELM STREET DOBBS FERRY, NEW YORK 10522 THE FERRYMAN THE JUDSON FAMILY PHOTO ALBUM
Photos we’ve discovered at the Historical Society offer brief glimpse into the life of the Judson family at the turn of the Nineteenth Century. Dr. Champion Hiram Judson and Jennie Mabie married in 1871 and moved to Dobbs Ferry, to a large home on Clinton Avenue where they raised their family—eventually four daughters and two sons. We remember the Judsons chiefly today because of their association with the Dobbs Ferry Hospital.
Jean Barbour Judson as a child Edna May Judson who married Norman Jean Judson in the fall of Wilde on August 9. 1954 at South 1923 before her marriage to Presbyterian Church. Harry Wilder Hawley of Newark, NJ!
A musical interlude provided by Judson daughters and friends. Thanks to William Newman, in 2012 for his research into the Judson ON THE WEB AT WWW.DOBBSFERRYHISTORY.ORG7 ! family. THE FERRYMAN THE FIRST RHODE ISLAND REGIMENT By Richard Borkow
While the American army was an integrated force from the repeatedly stabbed the commander. William Cooper Nell, early years of the Revolutionary War, Rhode Island stood out writing in 1855, reported: from the other states in actively seeking black troops. In Colonel Greene, the commander of the regiment, was cut February, 1778, the Rhode Island state legislature promised down and mortally wounded: but the sabres of the enemy freedom to enslaved blacks who enlisted, and many African- only reached him through the bodies of his faithful guard of American Rhode Islanders, both free and enslaved, rallied to blacks, who hovered over him, and every one of whom was the banner. All enlistees in the Rhode Island regiments, black killed.2! and white alike, received the same bounty and pay. A Many other members of the regiment were taken captive majority black regiment, the First Rhode Island regiment, on that grim day and taken to New York, some to be sold as was formed in the summer of 1778 under the command of slaves. Christopher Greene, cousin of General Nathanael Greene. After the massacre at Pines Bridge, white and black Rhode The First Rhode Island had had little opportunity to learn Islanders once more answered the call to rebuild the unit. military skills or even to drill when it faced a severe test. On The command passed to Jeremiah Olney, and the unit August 29, 1778, American forces under General John became familiarly known as Olney’s Rhode Island regiment. Sullivan were compelled to withdraw quickly from ! Newport, R.I. Hessian troops rushed the Americans, trying HETHERDELL ROAD ENCAMPMENT, JULY 1781 to prevent the withdrawal, and the Americans established a Just three months later, in early July, 1781, Olney’s defensive line on high ground known as Butts Hill. The regiment became part of the Washington-Rochambeau black regiment occupied the right of the line. The Hessians encampment. With other American units, Olney’s regiment attacked three times but were repelled each time. was deployed near present-day Heatherdell Road on the Had the American line not held at Butts Hill, Sullivan’s high ground near today’s Ardsley High School. When entire American army might have been enveloped and General Rochambeau reviewed the American line in early destroyed. There were many casualties on both sides, but the July, his officers were surprised to find so much diversity Hessians had had enough. They made no more attempts to among the troops. Here is an excerpt from Baron Ludwig attack and the withdrawal of Sullivan’s army could proceed von Closen’s journal: in an orderly manner. It is unbelievable that troops composed of men of all ages, An elderly veteran of the First Rhode Island, a Dr. Harris, even children of fifteen, of blacks and whites, nearly all recalled the action of that day: naked, without money, poorly fed, should walk so well and They attacked us with great fury but were repulsed. They stand the enemy’s fire with such firmness.”3 ! reinforced and attacked us again, with more vigor and His colleague, Clermont-Crevecoeur, wrote: determination, and again were repulsed. Again they They were of all sizes, down to children who could not reinforced, and attacked us the third time, with the most have been over fourteen. There were many negroes, mulattos, desperate courage and resolution, but a third time were etc. Only the artillerymen were wearing uniforms. These are repulsed. The contest was fearful. The position was hotly the very elite of the country and are actually very good disputed and hotly maintained.1! troops, well schooled in their profession. We had nothing but ! praise for them later.”4 ! ATTACK AT PINES BRIDGE: MAY 1781 On Sunday, August 19, 1781, the First Rhode Island, with By the spring of 1781 the Rhode Island regiment was other Americans units, broke camp and converged near the posted in Westchester County on the shore of the Croton present-day intersection of Ashford Avenue and Broadway, River near Pines Bridge. Still under the command of where they assembled for Washington’s march to Christopher Greene, their mission was to defend the Chesapeake region of Virginia. It was a pivotal moment in northern part of the county. The unit consisted of about 33% our nation’s history. The march to the Chesapeake led to the white and 66% black troops. trapping of Lord Cornwallis’s 7,500 British and Hessian On May 14, 1781, Loyalist troops, penetrating 20 miles into troops at Yorktown, to Cornwallis’s surrender on October 19, the county from their base, attacked the Rhode Island 1781, and to victory in the Revolutionary War. regiment. The Loyalists had managed to ford the Croton 1 Buckley, Gail Lumet. American Patriots. The Story of Blacks in the Military River some distance west of Pines Bridge, out of sight of the from the Revolution to Desert Storm NewYork: 2001, Random House 2 Rhode Islanders. Since the route of attack was completely Nell, William C. The Colored Patriots of the American Revolution. Google ebook, Boston: 1855, Robert F. Wallcut, 127. unexpected, the attackers surprised the regiment and broke 3 Quoted in: Donovan, Mary S. George Washington at Head Quarters, Dobbs into Greene’s headquarters. With bayonet and sword they Ferry, 29. 4 ibid.