Basing his operation in his British-occupied hometown of Setauket, New York, Woodhull enlists the aid of local tavern keeper Anna Strong to ferry crucial intelligence to their friends in the Continental Army, Caleb Brewster and Benjamin Tallmadge, who in turn bring the intelligence to General George Washington himself. His father, Richard, was unharmed, but Simcoe had plundered the house in the most shocking manner in order to obtain compensation for his troubles. Washington and his rebel army are fighting back and Ben is a part of that resistance, battling the Royal Army alongside thousands of other brave men. However, his rowboat was pulled in by a ship at night while he was headed for New York, and he was told that he was being arrested by the Continental Congress for smuggling. 9. Abraham Woodhull was a main spy in the Culper Spy Ring. You put your tiny little hand on my leg and tried to take your first shaky steps. ), Spy Chat in Fairfield: Revolutionary Spies in CT (Featuring Caleb Brewster and the WhaleboatWars), New Scholarly Roundtable on Historical Accuracy vs. Truth inTURN. He began providing information to the British in 1779, and started a correspondence with Major John Andre, the head of British intelligence. Abraham Woodhull followed his fathers footsteps and became a magistrate, and was appointed First Judge of Suffolk County in 1799. http://www.britishbattles.com/battle-monmouth.htm, https://spycurious.wordpress.com/2015/04/27/lieutenant-colonel-richard-hewlett-the-loyal-est-loyalist/, http://www.longislandsurnames.com/getperson.php?personID=I0519&tree=Woodhull, https://allthingsliberty.com/2014/05/abraham-woodhull-the-spy-named-samuel-culper/. Abraham Woodhull (October 7, 1750 - January 23, 1826) was a leading member of the Culper Spy Ring in New York City and Setauket, New York, during the American Revolutionary War. Abraham Woodhull - Abraham was a key member of the Culper Spy Ring. He will inform me what new works are erected on Long Island besides those at Brooklyn, and where, and of what nature. Bantam, 2014. Woodhull told Brewster about the plans, and Brewster passed the information on to Tallmadge, leading to Tallmadge, Brewster, and other Continental troops ambushing and killing 19 of the 20 British troops, capturing a wounded Simcoe. Before he left Connecticut, Woodhull was probably stunned when he received a visit from Benjamin Tallmadge, who he knew as a fellow Setauket native. Throughout history once the conflict is over, the perceived value of infantrymen and intelligence agents are always called into question. He returned to Setauket to care for his parents and sister. the lines of a cruel and mistrustful enemy.[11] Tallmadge had Brewster sail him to Setauket an exceptionally dangerous move itself so he could meet with Woodhull and allay his spys concerns. 10 Significant Things About The Culper Ring, George Washington's Most Under the system that Tallmadge designed, Woodhull travelled to New York every few weeks on business, mixed with Crown soldiers, listened for news, and observed activities. For the first few years of the Revolution, Continental Army leaders preferred to sneak operatives into British territory where they skulked around for a few days, acquired information, and then slipped back out through the lines to report to American commanders. This trend lasted way beyond that period, too. For boys, this was often a celebrated childhood milestone. Son: Thomas 'Sprout' Woodhull: General Information. Still dedicated to his mission, in June Woodhull expanded the operation by recruiting 25 year-old Robert Townsend, a former lodger at the Underhill boarding house, as an additional agent. Washingtons Spies: The Story of Americas First Spy Ring. (His very appearance is a bit of a chronological anomaly, but we'll discuss that later.) Richard Woodhull Thanks for pointing this out!! Abraham Woodhull: The Spy Named Samuel Culper. Journal of the American Revolution, 19 May 2014. [7] Tallmadge added two couriers to the operation to speed the reports from New York City to Setauket. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! [19], But on the heels of this victory came a threat to their security. Startled, Woodhull sprang to his feet and snatched up his writing paper, breaking the vial of special ink on the floor. Woodhull had a problem to face, however, as he had to give Major Hewlett a final report on New York. I had to help win this fight. AMC. Background. These negotiations made Woodhull proud of his son, but Abraham was disappointed when his father and Colonel Cook began to discuss dividing Selah Strong's lands while he was in prison, with Colonel Cook being promised some cauliflower by Woodhull. Gen. Charles Scott, added their own comments and couriers then sped the messages to Washington at Continental Army headquarters in New Jersey. Now that York City is dark to the rebel army, they need a man who can get inside and gather information. Abraham Woodhull, spy for General George Washington, nearly got himself hanged on one of his first missions. Selah and Anna Strong lived out the rest of their lives quietly in Setauket. A French fleet was sailing into Rhode Island to attack British forces there, and Washington wanted information that could make the job of the French easier. In late July the agents reported that the British knew about the expected fleet and were moving naval forces to counter a planned French attack on Rhode Island. In this case, I could understand the rationale behind breeching little Thomas several years early in TURN. Woodhull was beaten, and Cyrus offered to let Woodhull leave if he fought him. They did, however, take plenty of liberties with the historical facts, but on the whole, the show presents the major activities and accomplishments of the Culper Ring in a reasonably accurate manner. Upon hearing of Woodhulls rumored espionage, Simcoe marched his Rangers into Setauket and proceeded to raid the Woodhull household. Abraham Woodhull was born on October 7th 1750 in Setauket, New York, on Long Island. Letter Dear Thomas , As I write this letter you are upstairs in your mother 's arms, sleeping peacefully. More on the way soon! Eventually, Rogers lured out the killer by playing the retreat signal on the drums, which is what the killer used to signal Joyce to have a tryst with them, as revealed in a letter that Anna Strong had found in Joyce's belongings in his room in her house. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . War History Online welcomes many guest authors who share their knowledge of the history on our pages. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Old Abraham Woodhull Home, Seatuket - Queens Public Library The British knew the exact strength of the French fleet, and were going to wait for them to make harbor and ambush them. He was killed while putting down a riot at King's College. Local orchard owner Lucas Brewster was blamed for the poisoning, and he was arrested. Woodhull began spying in October 1778 and sent his first "Samuel Culper" letter on October 29, 1778, after he had sworn an oath of loyalty to the Crown as cover. Breeches and a linen shirt, like the little colonial man he is! Early on, Woodhull had urged General Scott to destroy every letter after reading for fear of some unforeseen accident that may befall you and the letter get into the enemies hands and probably find me out and take me before I have any warning.[9] A month later Tallmadge told Washington that Woodhull used extreme caution and even timidity.[10] Woodhull particularly hated traveling the 50 miles to New York City because every trip put him at risk of questioning and discovery at military checkpoints. With Jamie Bell, Seth Numrich, Daniel Henshall, Meegan Warner. He discovered that anyone traveling into the city was at exceptional risk of being detained and searched by British authorities, but that married couples almost always were not. Even if they decide to spare my life and send me to a prison ship, I would still leave you, your mother, my father, and our entire family disgraced. Abraham Woodhull (7 October 1750 23 January 1826) was the leader of the Culper Ringnetwork under the aliasSamuel Culper, Sr. during theAmerican Revolutionary War. Poor quality print. However, the British quickly suspected him of spying; they even went to Setauket to arrest him in June 1779, although he avoided trouble since he wasn't at home. And the different writing styles of the Culper agents becomes apparant after reading a lot of the correspondence. Woodhull planted a false letter from John Andre on him, saying that Andre had no interest in a farmer's services, but he was garroted by Robert Rogers, who told him that he was going to work for him. (His very appearance is a bit of a chronological anomaly, but well discuss that later.) Fifth generation from Richard Woodhull, the original grantee of a large portion of Brookhaven Town. By that time Washington and Tallmadge had developed other agents in New York City and the Culper Rings role diminished. Colonel John Graves Simcoe, commander of the Loyalist Queens American Rangers, promptly launched a raid to grab the spy. [4] In November he reported how Loyalist units were scouring local farms for wood and livestock. (LogOut/ Woodhull, the son of the loyalist magistrate Richard Woodhull, decided to volunteer his services to the Continental Army as the leader of a spy ring in New York City after 1777, assisting George Washington in collecting information on the British Army's activities. Documents answer this question positively without doubt. Benjamin Tallmadge became a wealthy investor, and in 1801 was elected to Congress. Woodhull held several important local positions in his later years, including magistrate of Setauket, judge of the Court of Common Pleas and first judge of Suffolk County. Woodhull was a descendant of Richard Lawrence Woodhull, a wealthy settler of Setauket, and was also related to New York militia Brigadier General Nathaniel Woodhull. Continental Army Major Benjamin Tallmadge began working with Abraham Woodhull in the summer of 1778 at the height of the Revolutionary War to provide Washington information on British Army operations in their headquarters in New York City. Except what he should be wearing at that tender age is a gown. From Brewster, the intelligence would be passed on to Major Tallmadge, then to General Washingtons desk. In 1778, he was . John Graves Simcoe, (born February 25, 1752, Cotterstock, Northamptonshire, Englanddied October 26, 1806, Exeter, Devonshire), British soldier and statesman who became the first lieutenant governor of Upper Canada (present-day Ontario). Rogers followed Woodhull to his secret hideout in the basement of his burnt-down farm, and Woodhull was told that he had to work with Rogers to get revenge on Andre before Rogers would kill him. Abraham Woodhull was born in 1750 in Setauket, a town on Long Island, New York. [5] According to some reports, he had been deprived of medical care and food and suffered an agonizing death on September 20, 1776,[2] and Abraham Woodhull was inflamed against the British by that event. His cousin, General Nathaniel Woodhull, These agents reported on British activity from their homes in New York City, on Long Island, New York, and in Connecticut. Though, they must have been pre-made, as by the time they would have been finished, Sprout would have sprouted some more. The Culper Ring was a successful operation that provided Washington with valuable information on the British Army headquartered in New York from October 1778 to the end of the war. It was an extraordinary and risky offer both men knew that spying could be a short path to a hanging. Watching you fall and get up over and over again swelled my heart with pride and joy. He also never had a son named Thomas; Mary would give birth to two daughters, Elizabeth and Mary, and a son named Jesse. I dont have any little ones of my own, but it seems to me that infant gowns would make life as a busy parent a whole lot easier. Tuskegee Airman Clarence D. Lester Broke Barriers, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, Name: Abraham Woodhull, Birth Year: 1750, Birth date: October 7, 1750, Birth State: New York, Birth City: Setauket, Birth Country: United States. Robert Townsend went into business with his brother Solomon, but the business failed, and Townsend never got back on his feet. Any thoughts about this kids blank, emotionless stare and the fact that he never makes a sound? Granted, this particular anachronism is a small detail that is (like little Thomas baby couture) not hugely integral to the larger storyline of TURN. He also never had a son named Thomas; Mary would give birth to two daughters, Elizabeth and Mary, and a son named Jesse. Woodhull told Hewlett that Tallmadge would withdraw if the 8 prisoners were exchanged for the captured redcoats, and he eventually negotiated the release of all of the prisoners unconditionally after a rebellious Simcoe killed one of the hostages in an attempt to provoke an attack on the church. [11][12] Mary died in 1806,[11] and he married Lydia Terry in 1824. Anna Strong (Heather Lind) We know she lived in Setauket until her death at age 72 on Aug. 12, 1812 (coincidentally exactly 205 years before the Turn series finale). Woodhull was forced to work by himself, and he attempted to plant evidence for Major Hewlett so that it would appear as if he had made a discovery of some of the Sons of Liberty's activities. Abraham enlisted in a Suffolk County militia in the fall of 1775, but he resigned after a few months; his cousin Brigadier-General Nathaniel Woodhull was killed by the British while in their prison on 20 September 1776, when he was killed with bayonets. (LogOut/ Schellhammer, Michael. TURN in Real Life: Abraham Woodhull, Setauket, and - Warhistoryonline Tallmadges recruitment of Woodhull enabled them to put their plans into action. Abraham Woodhull | Historica Wiki | Fandom PDF In Real Life: Abraham Woodhull - Woodhull Genealogy He found out of a petition to the provincial congress, and he intended to hunt down the people responsible. Anna decided to cover up the whole event by burning down the house, saying that Baker had been killed by retreating patriots while defending the house as they looted it, and that the family would move into Whitehall with Judge Woodhull like they should have long before. I understand why they didnt opt for historical accuracy on this one, but boys wearing gowns as children is one of my favorite Colonial oddities and I wished they had included it. Now, he knew that 1,500 Hessian troops were going to be sent to Trenton, and he decided to pass this on to Caleb. He delivered messages via dead drop, burying them in a box in a pasture that he rented on Woodhull's property. He did not immediately take up arms or begin spying, however, and was more placid than some of his friends, who joined the Continental Army at the outset of the war. Later that day, Abraham decided to head to King's College to visit the spot where his brother had been killed in a 1773 riot after Woodhull put a Phrygian cap on top of the Liberty Pole there. I fight this fight for you. Shortly after, Richard Woodhull was shot in the chest as he boarded his wagon with Simcoe and Woodhull, with the man using a verse from the Book of Judges as wadding for his musketball. The Battle of Monmouth 1778. Britishbattles.com, accessed 15 May 2016. http://www.britishbattles.com/battle-monmouth.htm, Braisted, Todd W. Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hewlett: The Loyal-est Loyalist. TURN to a Historian, 27 April 2015. [9] Culper to Scott, October 31, 1778, GW Papers, accessed January 26, 2014, via http://memory.loc.gov. [14] Like Woodhull, Townsend played the part of a devoted Loyalist but he was a secret Patriot who had served briefly as a commissary to General Nathaniel Woodhull, Abrahams cousin. . Woodhull headed to meet with Colonel Cook afterwards and made a good deal to sell Selah Strong's cauliflower to him, and Cook invited him to Major John Andre's dinner party in order to sell some more of his goods. The war is raging now, and General Washington has been driven out of York City and the Royal Army has taken over there. This is a dangerous endeavor. Woodhull offered to send some cabbage to them, but they said that their brigade was being shipped out for Trenton, New Jersey soon. Brewster told Woodhull that his encounter with him in Connecticut was the first part of the test to see if Woodhull was fit to join the patriots, and Tallmadge's interrogation was the second part of the test. So yes, if you were to time-travel back to the era of the American Revolution, you might very well see a young six-year-old boy wearing stays and a gown. Neither man recorded the details of their meeting but we can make some inferences by the result. She then passed on the information to American soldiers. His role in the ambush led to him being involved in the revolutioanry cause, although he only did it because Simcoe had been harassing Anna Strong while was quartered at her house. He had an older brother, Thomas.In his youth, Abe made friends with Caleb Brewster and Benjamin Tallmadge. If Woodhull and Townsend were exhausted they remained dedicated and efficient. [22] Culper to Tallmadge, June 4, 1781, GW Papers, accessed January 26, 2014 via http://memory.loc.gov. The near-miss left him shaken, but he was compelled to find another way to continue spying. Im no expert on deciphering such documents, but have found that understanding the language of the time and subject matter is helpful. The Culper spy ring proved to be a vital part of General Washingtons intelligence network, keeping him informed of the British Armys intentions and operations throughout the Colonies.
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