Brooklyn Pops Up


History of Flatbush, continued




Aid Afforded
To The
American Cause During The War Of The
Revolution.


We now open an interesting chapter in the History of Flatbush. It relates to the pecuniary aid afforded by this, in common with some of the other towns in Kings County, to the advancement of the American cause, during the struggle which eventuated in our independence. While from the circumstances in which the inhabitants of this part of the country were placed, they could not personally enlist in the army without sacrificing their all; many of them furnished money, appropriately called the sinews of war, with which to carry on the contest. This, in view of the situation of the country at various times during the revolutionary conflict, was exceedingly important. The currency of the country consisted chiefly in continental paper. This had become so much depreciated, that it was of little value, and it was absolutely essential to the success of the American cause, that specie should be obtained. It was therefore contrived to borrow money for the use of the army, from the whigs, on the west end of Long-Island, who had in their possession large sums of gold and silver. The agent in effecting these loans, was Major Hendrick Wyckoff. He was the only son of Mr. Cornelius Wyckoff, of New-Lots, in this town. His father was a staunch whig, and his son the Major, early enlisted with all his heart, in the cause of his country. He left Long-Island with the American army, in September, 1776, and remained in the service, and virtually an exile from his home, till the British left the country, in 1783. He was a confidential friend of Governor George Clinton, and a brave, discreet and enterprising officer, a man of sterling integrity and honesty. His country's enemies were his enemies, and her friends his friends. Being well acquainted with the inhabitants of the west end of Long-Island, and who among them were true friends of American Independence, after the plan of obtaining money from them was suggested, the execution of it was committed to him.

The loaning of money appears to have originated with Lieutenant Samuel Dodge, who was taken prisoner Fort Montgomery, in October, 1777. The officers who were captured in the Fort at that time, wee brought to New-York, and distributed on parole in Kings County. Lieutenant Dodge and Captain Gilleland, were quartered at the house of Mr. Barent Johnson, the father of the present General Jeremiah Johnson, of Brooklyn. He was exchanged in the early part of the following November. On his return, Mr. Johnson, who was a firm and devoted whig, loaned him a small sum of money, and probably suggested the idea of obtaining specie in Kings County. Colonel Ellison, who was a prisoner in New-Utrecht, on parole, was advised on the subject, and when he was exchanged in December, 1777, he obtained a loan of £700, to the State from Mr. Barest Johnson, which be carried with him. This was the first loan, for which a simple



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