Haverstraw & The AmERICAN REVOLUTION
Background
Although no critical battles were fought in Haverstraw, the small town was strategically located on the path between New England and the Southern colonies and played a significant communication and intelligence role in the Revolutionary war. Shortly after the commencement of hostilities between the British and the Revolutionaries, Haverstraw residents formed the shore guard to protect themselves from British boats and raids. The residents effectively prevented these raids by communicating with the Friends of Liberty in the neighboring district by lighting signal fires atop High Tor.
The highlighted areas of this map drawn by Rae Smith, NY for Lord Stirling from a Manuscript Map 1779, show the strategic importance of Towns of Stony Point, Haverstraw and the De Noyelles property to the American Army under Washington.
Timeline
1775—Haverstraw residents join forces with the Orange County Militia and form the Shore Guard
1776—July 15th, The Shore Guard was put to the test when the British attempted to land in Haverstraw. Led by James Coe the British were repelled— saving a key munitions store which was kept in Haverstraw.
1777—British landed at Peekskill and Shore Guard are again enlisted to protect the munitions on the western shore by Colonel Ann Hawkes Hay.
1778—From July 15 to July 18, Colonel Ann Hawkes Hay’s temporary residence, that of his brother-in-law William Smith in what is now West Haverstraw, served as headquarters for George Washington.
1780—General Benedict Arnold is given command of WestPoint and meets with Joshua Hett Smith, son of William Smith in what is now West Haverstraw. Benedict Arnold often stayed in Haverstraw and cultivated Smith’s friendship. It was at Smith’s residence where Benedict Arnold plotted to transfer the plans of West Point to Major Andre. Later, Major Andre was caught and apprehended across the Hudson River in Tarrytown.
Treason House
COLONEL ANN HAWKES HAY
Born in 1745, Colonel Ann Hawkes Hay, was born of a wealthy West Indies family in Jamaica and came to New York City to be educated. Shortly thereafter, he and his wife took up residence in Haverstraw. Hay was a colonel in the 2nd regiment of the Orange County, New York militia and observed enemy operations in the Haverstraw Bay of the Hudson River . On July 25, 1776, he reported to George Washington about the actions of HMS Phoenix and HMS Rose in the bay.
The colonel was one of the delegates to the provincial convention in New York held for the purpose of electing delegates to the Continental Congress. At the time, Colonel Hay’s brother in law, William Smith, was a prominent member of the Haverstraw community and played a key role in the story of Benedict Arnold and Major John Andre.