‘Unless they show a dutiful submission in all respects’

What does it take to pack up and leave one’s home and all that is familiar, to live and survive as a refugee? Once news of their militia’s defeat reached them, in September 1776, nearly half of Suffolk County’s population was about to find out.

In August, overwhelmed by a more experienced and better outfitted army, Brig. Gen. Woodhull’s troops suffered a crushing defeat at The Battle of Brooklyn. Long Island was soon occupied by British troops, who imposed martial law on its citizens.

On Sept. 2, the New York Provincial Congress passed a resolution, advising Long Island’s inhabitants to flee, and leave behind all that could not be carried, and await the war’s end in Connecticut. In communities where Col. Josiah Smith had raised his regiment, nearly 2,000 citizens took an “oath of allegiance” to King George, hoping to stave off further consequences.

Many Long Islanders were farmers. Now, with harvests disrupted and winter approaching, families were facing dire prospects and possible destitution. The leaders of their militia were dead or absent. Many felt their chances of survival were better under occupation.

His Majesty’s Gen. Erskine ordered seizure of cattle, wagons and horses. In the true spirit of domination, while his decree promised compensation from The Crown, the subtext was clear. “His Majesty’s army had been deployed to protect, not oppress, them… but unless they show a dutiful submission in all respects, and an immediate compliance with these orders, I shall be forced without delay to lay waste the property of the disobedient, as persons unworthy of His Majesty’s clemency.”

For those who remained, and those who fled as refugees, life was grim, indeed.

On Sept. 18, 1776, Connecticut Gov. Jonathan Trumbull reported that “great numbers of our distressed friends, inhabitants of Long Island… have fled and escaped from the enemy, and more are still expected… including those in destitute and helpless condition.” In an effort to support these new arrivals, he and the Connecticut Council of Safety went on to ask towns to offer financial support to Long Island’s refugees.

But these towns were being asked to shoulder an enormous burden.  In 1771, Long Island’s population was 25,000 to 30,000 people, 13,128 of them in Suffolk. For a sense of proportion, that census included 100,000 cattle.

Demand for transport across the Long Island Sound was high. Four ships captains brought 121 heads of households—approximately 676 individuals, plus 58 single persons—as well as whatever livestock and possessions they could carry.  In all, approximately 5,000, roughly half the population, relocated—a number that probably included slaves.

For the duration of their exile, they endured many hardships, disenfranchised because they were non-residents of both states. Taxation was levied upon them for poll and military obligations, as well as for purchase of bread in New York.  While compensation for expenses incurred for relocating had been promised, these claims had to be filed in the town where they currently resided, adjudicated by a judge and often settled for 50 percent of the amount incurred.

Among these were claims for refugees’ medical needs, “supporting, nursing and doctoring some Refugees from Long island, in great distress, sickness and want.” To support themselves and their families, many were forced to sell what few possessions they still had. As the provincial currency market fluctuated, both the possessions and the money were devalued. Many were impoverished, relying on charity, when it could be had, to survive.

Finally, as the war’s focus shifted South, in 1780, many refugees petitioned to return to the East End of Long Island, where they might improve their circumstances. But where returning NYC residents celebrated with fireworks, Long Island refugees who returned faced a tragedy.

“Nearly all of the refugees were men of small means. They returned, one by one; they found their properties wasted, and often destroyed altogether. Their average age was older… and in discouragement and poverty, they must begin anew… Long Island suffered more than any other district, save perhaps the Valley of the Mohawk.”

Many well-established, wealthy families—Gardiner, Hallock, Howell, Corwin—were forced to borrow against their lands, most of them losing everything to mortgages in the process.

Receipts issued by British forces for land and property seizures were not paid. Losses to residents exceeded $500,000, equivalent to $19,190,689.66 today.

People went to extremes to survive. In 1781, Obediah Wright was arrested for returning to Long Island illegally and engaging in “illicit trade with the enemy” as his family was sick, his wife pregnant and about to give birth. A fine of 208. pounds was more than he could pay, now “an old man and infirm with a very  numerous family which Depend on him for Support that his means of Subsistence are but small And his heart ready to fail him, and  unless Relieved by your honors, must be Reduced to beggary and want…”

Those who remained fared no better. Occupying troops desecrated churches and cemeteries, seized property, and subjugated residents.

This led to a double bind at war’s end. By decree, those who had lived under British control, and been forced to participate in their abuse, were accountable for damages. Many were viewed as traitors by neighbors.

Returning refugees faced taxes levied against them for not being present to support the upper regions of New York as it fought the enemy.  A penalty of 37,000 pounds, roughly equivalent to $7,870,910 in today’s currency, was due.

The war would continue for three more years as Long Island’s residents were left picking up the pieces of their lives.