Revolutionary War
In colonial times Nathaniel Underhill lived in Philipsburg Manor, Westchester County, New York. During the American Revolution he served in Delancey’s Brigade then in Tarleton’s Legion in New York. Following the war he lived in Maugerville, Sunbury County, New Brunswick. The following is his Claim for Revolutionary War Losses heard by the Commissioners of Claims at St. John on 24 Feb 1788. Related to Elnathan Underhill who settled in Norfolk County, Upper Canada. (AO 13 Vol. 16 P. 127-130)
A State of the Losses sustained by Nathaniel Underhill late of the Manor of Philipsburgh in the County of West Chester, but now of the Township of Maugerville in the County of Sunbury & Province of New Brunswick in consequence of his Loyalty to His Majesty and attachment ot the British Government during the late war in America.
Respectfully Submitted to the Consideration of the Commissioners appointed by Govt for enquiring into & investigating the same.
Two Farms, one bought from Nehemiah Tomkins}
For £600, the other from James Hill for £100} york Curry
Containing together 204 Acres in the manor}
of Philipsburgh with one House a Barn and} £700
Outhouses thereon…………………………}
Six Horses …………………………………….. 80
Five Cows …………………………………….. 25
Eight Calves …………………………………... 10
One yoke of Oxen & a Bull …………………... 22
Twenty six Sheep……………………………... 13
One Iron bound Cart ………………………….. 4
105 Bushels of Buck wheat …………………... 10.10
40 Bushels of Corn at 3/ ……………………… 6
160 Bushels of Wheat at 6/ …………………... 48
Sundry Farming utensils ……………value….. 15
Household Furniture………………… do ..….. 20
One Plush side Sadle ………………………… 9
£962.10
Note – The two last articles were chiefly destroyed by the Hessian & British Soldiers at Mr Underhill living but just without the Lines at the time New York was taken. —
(Sign’d) Nathaniel Underhill
St John 24th January 1788
Evidence on the Claim of Nathaniel Underhill late of New York. —
Claimant Sworn,
Saith he came from New York in the Summer 1783, staid here about four days, went up the River to Magerville, settled there, staid their [sic] all the winter, sent his Claim by Captain Vanderburgh, had no opportunity before. —
Is a native of America, lived in West Chester County, joined the British in 1777, went into New York, joined Colonel De Lancey, served with him one year, then was in Tarletons Legion three or four years. —
Produces his discharge Signed George Hanger New York 20th October 1781. Continued in Long Island till he came to this Province, now settled in Magerville. —
Produces Copy of Recommendation from George Hanger, certifying that he had behaved with Spirit, and also had been of Service to Governor Tryon as a Guide July 1782. —
Property. Was possessed of two Farms in Philipsburg. He withdraws his Claim for these Farms having sold the Improvements. – He reckons only Buildings, does not reckon what is laid out on Lands. —
Lost Six Horses, General Stirling had two, four taken by the Rebels, two were sold. —
Five Cows, Eight Calves, one yoke of Oxen 26 Sheep, wheat 160 Bushels, Corn 40 Bushels Buck wheat 105 Bushels, utensils Furniture. —
Those things were on his Farm and were taken by the American Troops a little before the Battle of White Plains.
Moses Miller Sworn,
Says Claimant had a large Stock, thinks his Stock was lost about the Time of the Battle at the White Plains.
Name of claimant Underhill Nathaniel; Province N York; Claim for Loss of Property £541.8; Sum Originally Allowed £99; Total Sum payable under Act of Parliament £99; Sum Already Received £39.12; Balance After Such Receipt £39.8; Final Balance £39.18
Transcribed from Library of Congress MSS 18,662 Vol. XIV MSS. 11-12 in Second Report P. 811
Proceedings of Loyalist Commissioners
St. Johns, 1787
Before Commissioner Pemberton
New Claim, 14 January 1788
Case of Nathaniel Underhill, of New York.
Repeats the evidences in AO 12
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In colonial times William Underhill lived in Phillipsburg Manor, Westchester County, New York. During the American Revolution he served as a Captain in the Queen’s Rangers. Following the war he settled in Spoon Island, New Brunswick. Related to Elnathan Underhill who settled in Norfolk County, Upper Canada. The following is his Claim for Revolutionary War Losses heard by the Commissioners of Claims at St. John on 1 Mar 1787. (AO 13 Vol. 16 P. 7-11)
To the Commissioners appointed by Act of Parliament for enquiring into the Losses & Services of the American Loyalists
The Memorial of Wm Underhill,
Most Humbly Sheweth,
That in the year 1775 your Memorialist on account of his Loyalty was Advertized and was obliged to make his secret Retreats to the neighbouring Loyalists and as soon as he heard of the arrival of the British Army under the Command of Sir Wm Howe, your Memorialist repaired to the said Army and Recruited in the Queens Rangers 162 Men.
The Schedule and Estimate will further inform your Honors concerning the Premises. —
Your Memorialist therefore Prays that his Case may be taken into Consideration in order that he may receive such Claims and Losses as he may be found to deserve and as in Duty bound he will ever Pray. —
Province of New Brunswick} (Signed) William Underhill
10th March 1786. —}
The Schedule and Estimate of the Losses and Services of William Underhill during the late unhappy Dissentions in North America. – vizt
200 Acres of Land in the Manor of}
Philipsburgh in the County of West}
Chester in the Province of New York}
valued as will appear by Evidence at} £500
4 Cows £28 – 10 Sheep £10 ………………… 38
4 Cows £40 – 2 Horses £24 ………………… 64
1 Horse £25 – 1 Horse £36 …………………. 61
52 Sheep ……………………………………. 26
Household Furniture one pair of Oxen}
and Farming utensils ………………..} 300
£989
St John 1st March 1787
Evidence on the Claim of William Underhill, late of New York. —
Claimant Sworn,
Says he delivered his Claim to Colonel Robert Rogers at New York about the last September 1783 who promised to carry it to England. —
He lived in Philipsburgh West Chester County. — Joined the British as soon as they landed on Long Island. — Served nine Months as Captain in Queen’s Rangers, raised 162 Men, afterwards had a Warrant to raise men from Colonel James Rogers, he was going after some of Burgoyne’s Men when he was taken Prisoner, kept Prisoner 2 years and 9 months, he was on Parole, when Andre came from General Arnold. Claimant advised him to go to Capt. Kipp’s Company in the wood, and they would get him within the Lines, he was taken soon after. —
Claimant was known to have some Confidence with Andre, on which he was so ill used that he was left for Dead on the Ground and was carried off by some of Delancey’s Corps. —
From that time staid within the Lines all the War. — Now lives at Spoon Island. —
I had a Tenant Farm of 200 Acres in Philipsburgh. — His Father had it from the uncle or Grandfather of Colonel Philips. 40 years ago, on his Father’s Death it came to Claimant, he paid one of his Brothers something for his Interest. —
His Father died 30 years ago. — Claimant was in Possession till he left Home.
60 Acres tillable, 25 Acres Meadow. Rent was £3.4.6 p annum – values it at £500.
Isaac Waldron was in possession, hired it of the Commissioners. —
One pair Oxen, one pair Steers, had 8 Cows, 2 Horses, very valuable, 62 Sheep Furniture, farming utensils. —
Most of these things [lost] after his Conversation with Andre, by which he was said to have broke Parole. —
He lost wheat – 150 Bushels, Corn, Buck Wheat – 300 Bushels – Oats 50 Bushels
Says Colonel Simcoe offered him £56 for one of his Horses. —
Produces Certificate to his having brought in a Number of Recruits for the Provincial Corps &c and to his Loyalty – from Colonel Winslow. —
Stephen Baxter Sworn,
Knew Claimant, speaks very favorably of him, he entered very early in the British Service, raised a Company, was very active. Served 8 or 9 Months, he was taken prisoner, Witness saw him in Close Confinement, he was afterwards on Parole. —
Knew his Farm, it was called 200 Acres, Supposes it was more, about 70 Acres Clear, Values Improvements at £400. He had a good Stock, many Sheep.
Name of claimant Underhill William; Province N York; Claim for Loss of Property £989; Sum Originally Allowed £146; Total Sum payable under Act of Parliament £146; Sum Already Received £58.8; Balance After Such Receipt £87.12; Final Balance £87.12
Proceedings of Loyalist Commissioners
St. Johns, 1787
Before Commissioner Pemberton
New Claim, 1 March 1787
Case of William Underhill, late of New York.
Repeats the evidences in AO 12
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