Nathaniel Woodhull

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

General Nathaniel Woodhull (1722-1776) was a leader of the New York Provincial Congress and a brigadier-general of the New York Militia during the American Revolution. He was born on December 30, 1722 in Mastic,Long Island,Province of New York, the son of Nathaniel Woodhull and Sarah Smith. His family had been prominent in New York affairs since the mid seventeenth century.

Woodhull entered the military and in 1758 held the rank of major. He was at the battles of Crown Point and Ticonderoga under General Abercromby, and at the Battle of Fort Frontenac under General Bradstreet. In 1760, as colonel of the 3rd Regiment of New York Provincials took part in the invasion of Canada during the French and Indian War under General Amherst. After the end of hostilities, he returned to farming and community affairs.

In 1761 he married Ruth Floyd, the sister of William Floyd a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Sentiment against England's taxation of the colonies led to Suffock County electing Woodhull to Province of New York assembly. From 1769 to 1775 he served as a member of the Province of New York assembly for Suffolk County. As such, he spoke against the Crown's colonial policies. He represented Suffolk also in the convention which chose delegates to the First Continental Congress, and in the New York Provincial Congress. In May 1775, the Provincial Congress assumed control of the colony and reorganized the militia.

In October 1775 he was made brigadier general of the Suffolk and Queen's County militia. In 1776 took part in the Battle of Long Island. Leading up to the battle, his militia began removing livestock and materiél to prevent its use by the British. The Battle of Long Island resulted in his being cut off and he retired to Jamaica. Relief was not forthcoming, and his situation deteriorated. He was captured near Jamaica. Some accounts have it that he fought his captors and that his subsequent ill treatment resulted in his death on September 20, 1776. He was buried at his family home.

[edit] References

• Jacobsen, Edna L. "Nathaniel Woodhull." Dictionary of American Biography Base Set. American Council of Learned Societies, 1928-1936. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Gale, 2008. Online April 1, 2008.

__________________________________________________________________