HUNTING FOR EDWARDS HICKS Who Died 1779
Atempting to document the following:
FACT OR FICTION?
FACT
BEEKMAN PATENT DUTCHESS COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE MAP #24
letter from Frank J. Doherty: Edward Hicks did lease a farm in lot 9 in the Beekman Patent on 28 January 1760. This area is in present day Town of Union Vale. The farm was 117 acres and was occupied by Pardon Bently after Hicks left.
BEEKMAN TAX LISTS DUTCHESS CO NY by Clifford M Buck:36 [NYS Library]
EDWARD HICKS Jun 1760 Jun 1763
VERNONT 1771 CENSUS bY Jay Mack Holbrook [1982]:42
HICKS EDWARD 1766 NEW HAMPSHIRE PN OCA851:1030
HICKS EDWARD 1766 POWNAL PN19 BAT895:605
HICKS GEORGE 1766 POWNAL PN19 BAT895:605
HICKS GEORGE 1766 NEW HAMPSHIRE PN OCA851:1030
PN=PETITION NUMBER
OCA851:1030 OCALLAGHAN E. B. [1851] DOC HISTORY OF NEW YORK VOL #4
BAT895: 605 BATCHELLOR A. S. [1895] THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS NHSP VOL 26
NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE PAPERS By A. S. Batchellor [1895] 26:605
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF NEW YORK by E B O'Callaghan[1851]:4:361-2, 619-22 NYSL
The following is a list of the Inhabitants of Pownall who are all on the Spot.. EDWARD HICKS, GEORGE HICKS
REPORT OF PRECEDING PETITIONS... persons Living... township of Pownal... Hix...
New York 18th Day of December 1765 PETITION OF SAM'L ROBINSON & OTHERS TO THE KING... 11TH APRIL 1767 That We obtained at considerable Expense of Your Majesty's Governor of the Province of New Hampshire Grants and Patents for more than One Hundred Townships George Hicks, Edward Hicks...- (others)
POWER OF ATTORNEY Witness our hands in New-England November 1766... George Hicks, Edward Hicks (others) of Bennington... Thomas Hicks...- of New York
POWNAL BENNINGTON CO VERMONT DEEDS Town Clerk's Office
EDWARD & LEVINAH HICKS SELL LAND IN POWNAL VERMONT 2:66
Know all men by these presents that I Edward Hicks of Pownal in the province of New York for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred pounds money of New York currency to me in hand paid by Caleb Morgin of Pownall and Province of New York afore said to my full satisfaction the Receipt whereof I do have acknowledg have giving Granted bargained and Sold and Conveyed and by these presents do give grant bargain sell convey and confirm to him the sd Calib Morgin his Heirs and Assigns forever a certain tract parsel of Land Lying and being Cituate lying and being in the Town of pownall afore said buted and bounded as follows beginning at a black oake tree at the south west corner of Lot No 39 thence Running North ten Degrees East one hundred and eighty Rods to a stake and stones about it thence running East ten degrees South one hundred and Sixty Rods to a hemlock Tree marked thence Running South ten Degrees west one hundred and eighty Rods to a maple Saplin marked thence running one hundred and sixty rods west ten Degrees North to the first mentioned bounds
To have and to hold all the above mentioned Land and all the Apurtenances thereunto belonging to him the said Calib Morgin His heirs and assigns forever to their own proper use and behoof and of the sd Edward Hicks do bind my Self my heirs and Assigns forever to warrant and defend all the above granted and bargained Land and premises to him the Said Calib Morgin and his forever free and Clear from all claims and Demands of any other person or persons whatsoever by these presents Sealed with my Seal this thirteenth Day of December A D 1769 and in the ninth year of his Majesties Reign
EDWARD HICKS LS her LEVINAH x HICKS mark Signed sealed and delivered In presents of Obedial Dunham Assa Moon
County of Bennington ss Bennington 22 March 1780 Personally appeared before me Obadiah Dunham and made Solem Oath that he was personally present on the thirteenth Day of December 1769 and did see Edward Hicks & Levina Hicks Execute this above deed and that he entered his own name and see Asa Moon enter his name as evidence to the execution of sd deed
Jonas Fay Atst
Received the above deed to record March the 27th 1780 Jos Williams Regr
Edward Hicks sold to George Gardner Nov 10 1768 for 8 pounds containing 45 acres 4TH DIVISION #34 Witnesses were Samuel Thornton & James Barber
Book 2 page 66 was lot #39 in 2nd Div & there is no recorded record of Edward receiving the 180 acres but Derrick Webb sold it to Noah Pratt Nov 19 1760 & they were both of West Hoosick (Williamstown MA) at the time
Book 2 page 67 Edward Hicks sold to Calib Morgin 45 acres in 2nd Div lot #39 being land not laid out yet belonging to right of Derrick Webb signed Sept 10 1772 in presence of William Whelen & Obediah Dunham Edward of Pownal County of Albany province of New York yeoman for consideration me thereunto moving recorded 27 1780
Book 2 page 161 the 45 acres in the 4th Div lot #34 was also the right of Derrick Webb recorded on page 161
HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY PA pub by L H Everts [1878]:52 NYS Library
EDWARD HICKS FROM DUTCHESS CO NY MADE A POSSESSION AT THE MOUTH OF
SUGAR RUN AS EARLY AS 1775... taken by the Westmoreland Militia Dec 1777
[ NOTE: ordered index of deeds for Northumberland Co at LDS Library did not find
Edward Hicks. I believe evidence shows Edward was in Susquehanna not Philadelphia & that he was from Dutchess Co New York.]
RECORDS OF STATE OF CONNECTICUT 1778:1:539 Pittsfield MA Atheneaum [Public Library]
EDWARD HICKS Edward Hix Junr taken prisoner by the WestmoreIand Militia
WAR OUT OF NIAGARA by Howard Swiggett [1933]:170 Troy NY Public Library
"There is a thrilling story in the Pennsylvania Gazette of April 21,3 telling how, early in March
Four armed men were discovered passing privately through the mountains in the eastern part of Sussex County. The inhabitants pursued them and having excellent dogs for tracking followed by different routes upwards of 30 miles, when they were discovered. Two of them made their escape, the other two were lodged in the provost of the Continental troops at Ninisink. They proved to be spies sent from New York with dispatches to those infamous butchers Butler and Brant. One of the prisoners is named Robert Sand, formerly a Magistrate. No doubt but the Court Martial which is now trying them will honor them with a share of Continental hemp."
:176 [P R O London W 0 28/4] Letter from Walter Butler to Captain La Matre dated 28 Apr
1779 from La Chene ": "Colonel Butler writes me the Rangers made prisoners on the Suskanna in January
1778 are now in New York, where by exchange or by consequence of the Capitulation made with Colonel Dennison at Wyoming he does not mention."
[NOTE: Edward Hicks Jr was the other man with Sands. See Washington papers. War Out of Niagara by Howard Swiggett was part of the New York Historical Association Series #2 publisher Columbia University Press.]
CORRESPONDENCE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON
29 Mar 1779 MINISINK NY COURT MARTIAL OF EDWARD HICKS ALS 1 p #31,213
5 Apr 1779 THE ESCAPE OF EDWARD HICKS MINISINK NY 4 pp #31,120
p 959, 966 Vol 3 Williamstown MA College
3 Apr 1779 Intelligence brought from Chemung by (Edward?) Hicks 3pp #31,194
WASHINGTON PAPERS SERIES #4, March 17 -19 Reel #56
"Prisoner ROBERT SAND brought before the Court charged with being a spy and carrying Intelligence to the Enemy"
"Prisoner EDWARD HICKS Brought before the Court charged with being a Spy and carrying Intelligence to the Enemy PLEADS NOT GUILTY (March 19th) Evidence Lieut Bennit? being sworn saith that about two years ago he heard the prisoner say that he would as willingly kill a Man that fought against the British Troops as kill a Dog Captain Spalding being sworn saith at the Commencement of the present War he was acquainted with the prisoner and that he had a chance? to engage in the Service of the United States which he thinks he would have done that he not been persauded to the Reverse by his father and some other evil minded People. DEFENSE The prisoner says in his Defence that he was formerly an Inhabitant of Susquhannah that in April 1777 he left his Father's House and went to Niagara in Company with about Sixty? Tories where he continued about two months, then entered into the Batteaun Service to carry Provisions from Niagara to Oswego where he continued about Six Weeks. On upon hearing that General Washington had Issued a Proclamation Offering pardon to all those who had joined the Indians if they would Return to their Homes, he imediately sit of to return home, but coming in to late to receive the Benefit of the Proclamation was taken by some of the Militia and carried to Hartford in the State of Connecticut and there kept confined till Septm 1778 from thence sent to New York as a prisoner of War and Exchanged, entered into the service of the Enemy in the Commessaries Department till the last day of February 79, when he made his Escape from New York and that on his way to Niagara he was taken by a party of Militia near Cochithton the 14th Inst. THE SENTENCE The Court on rendering? the case of the Prisoner, the Evidence for and against him, and his Defence, are unanimously of Opinion that he is guilty of being a Spy and do Sentence him TO BE KEPT IN CLOSE CONFINEMENT DURING THE WAR"
(Received photocopies consisting of 6 pages from Library of Congress including Robert Sands defense Sep 1984 JD)
ST ANDREWS CHURCH Williamstown (film reel MS 107 #1?"Ontario Archives 14 Jul 1983)
5 Sep 1779 Joseph Wright private soldier married ELVINA HICKS widow of Edward late of Butler's Rangers.
SECOND REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF ARCHIVES FOR THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO printed 1904:489
Claim of Edward Hicks LATE OF SUSQUEHANA dated 6 Mar 1788. He states he LIVED IN SUSQUEHANA WITH HIS FATHER 1775. He & his father served in Butler's Rangers. Claim for father's property consisting of 600 acres he bought of PA & Ct before the war. His mother now married to Joseph Wright. Five boys & two girls alive living in Canada. Bros Danl & Joseph signed papers to this fact for the younger children William Franks & G Kentner made sworn statements
THE OLD UNITED EMPIRE LOYALIST LIST reprint Genealogical Pub Co Baltimore [1969]:192
HICKS, Benjamin Marysburgh Soldier Butler's Rangers
Daniel " His father died in New York son of the late Edward who served in Butler's Rangers
David " " "
Joseph " " "
Joshua " " "
EDWARD DIED IN NEW YORK 1779 affidavit of Paskel Terry 7 Mar 1807 Mary Cryderman his dau (Edward Sr) [NOTE: wrote to Archives. Parskel Terry's statement could not be found]
ONTARIO ARCHIVES EDWARD JR, BENJAMIN & SISTER ELIZABETH HICKS PETITIONS dated 31 Mar 1830 [film reel C-2051#H16 #24 & 25] Edward Hicks states that he was born in New York State, joined Butlers's Rangers 1777 & while employed in secret service work was captured & condemned to die but escaped a few hours before the appointed time. Settled in the province 1783 & drew joint ticket with brother Benjamin. Also served in late war. Benjamin Hicks states that he shared joint certificate in 1784 with his brother Edward as part of his allowance as soldier in Butler's Rangers. Certificate lost in fire.
[film reel C-1648 C3/1O6 25] Elizabeth Knapp wife of the late Peter Collier deceased daughter of the late Edward Hicks sister of Edward & Benjamin Hicks. She states she was born Albany Co NY (copy difficult to read so may be more important info in it) Sworn statements did not mention he was hung but died.
H78 EDWARD HICKS 9th April 1831 Setting forth that his Brother Benjamin Hicks now living in Marysburgh Served as a Soldier in Butler's Rangers during the American Rebellion and was wounded at the Action of Johnstown that his said Brother was one of the first Settlers in this Province And has received some lands, And praying in his behalf that he maybe granted a Lot of 200 Acres in Addition in consideration of his wound by which he Remains disabled. And further Stating that his Father Edward Hicks also served in Butlers Rangers and died in the Service at New York in the year 1788 and praying that his Father's Name maybe allowed to be inserted on the U E List - And Also Representing that his Brothers Daniel, David and Joshua also Served in the aforesaid Regiment and were many Years ago put on the U E List but afterwards Struck off or Suspended. And praying on their behalf that they maybe restored to the Said List, having always resided in this Province after the Peace of 1783, and being born in the Colonies, now the United States. Surveyor Generals Report The Petitioner has been (described?) for 300 Acres of Land for his Services during the Revolutionary War, and on the 22nd March last, Your Excellency in Council was pleased to grant 100 Acres in Addition in full of all claims, his Services being of a Special nature
S G 0 24 Feby 1831 Agent (W Chewett?) Actg Surveyor Gen As the Petitioners Father does not come within the Proclamtion his Name cannot be Recommended for the U E List. The Petitioner himself having (Received?) an extra Grant in full of all Services cannot be considered as having any further claim upon His Majestys Goverment (call number R G 1 L 1 Vol "0" Reel C-lOS May 9 1985 Public Archives of Canada Ottawa Ontario) [NOTE: There maybe errors on my part. Not sure this was Order in Council from my notes. It was Land Book "0" This document proves Edward, Benjamin, Daniel, David & Joshua were sons of Edward Hicks Sr. The 1788 must have been an error in writing. There is a battle at Johnstown New York 25 Oct 1781 noted in History of the American Revolution by Joseph P Cullen 1972 Major John Ross British Commander & 700 men engaged in battle with Colonel Marinus Willett who had 400 men. Forty British killed & wounded. Thirty captured. Forty Americans Killed & wounded. This may or may not be the action Benjamin saw.]
FICTION?
THE SETTLEMENT OF UPPER CANADA by Wm Canniff originally pub 1869 reprint Mika Publishing [1971]:104-5
"Edward Hicks who settled in Marysburgh was placed in prison with his father. His father was taken out and hanged before his window upon an apple tree..... Joseph, Joshua and Edward belonged to Butler's Rangers and saw no little service. They were from Philadelphia and left considerable property. They had granted them a large tract of land west of Niagara where sprung up Hick's settlement. .. (Ashley)" [NOTE: Pioneer Life continued the story that Joseph & Joshua were in Butler's Rangers. Have no evidence of large tract of land west of Niagara. Ashley who gave the above info lived in Marysburgh 1830-1842. Benjamin Edward & Joshua were living in 1830 (petition) so the story should have some credibility. CONFLICTS WITH PRIMARY SOURCES!]
PIONEER LIFE ON THE BAY OF QUINTE originally published 1904 by Rolph & Clark Limited reprint Mika Pub. Belleville Ontario [1972]:420-1 "The Hicks family is of Welsh descent. John Hicks the pioneer of the family in America came from Wales and settled near Long Island. We next find Edward the son of John Hicks in Philadelphia with his four sons Edward, Benjamin, Joseph and Joshua. In 1776 they had become possessed of considerable property in the Quaker City which they seem to have left in charge of Benjamin who does not appear to have taken any active part on the outbreak of the Revolution. The father however and his three sons Edward, Joseph and Joshua were well to the front. They belonged to Butler's Rangers a corps composed of loyal Americans which together with the Queen's Rangers carried themselves bravely throughtout the war. Details are lacking in the case of the father and his two sons Joseph and Joshua but the lack of information concerning them is strikingly set off by the notable part which Edward the eldest son was destined to perform... In 1778 he was sent to Boston by the British as a spy. He was suspected by the Americans and taken prisoner. He first told a story to the authorities about being in search of his mother and getting lost, but this tale was not accepted. Edward was of rather remarkable appearance.. standing six feet high.. He was tried.. sentenced to be hanged." NOTE: John Hicks came to Long Island ca 1641 so he could hardly be the father of Edward. It is hard to believe that the son Joseph saw much action as he was 16 years of age at the close of the war & brother Joshua born 12 Feb 1777 was age 5 in 1783. Brother Benjamin is in the listing of Butler's Rangers, so not likely to stay behind to watch the family wealth.] According to his defense Edward Jr stated he was arrested & taken to Hartford Ct (Walter Butler's letter states Rangers made prisoners Jan 1778. Records of state of Ct also show 1778 History of Bradford Co states they were arrested Dec 1777) & that he was confined, as prob Edward Sr until Sept 1778. Then sent to NY made his escape Feb 1779 the last day of the month. He said he was exchanged & was working for the British in the Commissary dept. Why would he say he escaped? When did he have time to be in Boston? Did he lie that he worked in Commissary Dept? In his Minisink trial March 19th 1779 he was sentenced to be kept in close confinement. This took place MINISINK Orange Co NY NOT BOSTON Massachusetts.! HE ESCAPED FROM MINISINK! This a recorded fact! (Washington Papers) Could Edward Sr been one of the four men mentioned in above article from PA paper? Could he have died from being so long in prison in Ct & the winter elements of 1779? Parshell Terry's affidavit states HE DIED IN YORK 1779. So Minisink, would, it seems to me, have been the place IF EDWARD SR WAS HUNG. Writings of Washington vol 14 p 357 mentions only 2 spies, Sand to be sent back to PA & HICKS WHO ESCAPED dated 9 Apr 1779 their court martial being held in March (draft in writing of Alexander Hamilton)
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