Nathaniel Woodhull
BIRTH
Dec 30, 1722
Mastic, New York
DEATH
September 20, 1776
Jamaica, New York
FAMILY
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Woodhull, Nathaniel
(1722-1776)
General Nathaniel Woodhull was a leader of the New York Provincial Congress and a brigadier general of the New York Militia during the American Revolution.
GRAVE:
MARKER
Grave of General Nathaniel Woodhull Marker
72 Neighborhood Rd, Mastic Beach, NY 11951
2
Elizabeth Woodhull
(1785-1856)
Places | Image | Address | GPS | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Grave of General Nathaniel Woodhull Marker | 72 Neighborhood Rd, Mastic Beach, NY 11951 | MARKER | ||
De Sille House Nathaniel Woodhull Marker | 1624 84th St, Brooklyn, NY 11214 | MARKER |
DIED:
Jamaica, New York
Sep 20, 1776
In 1758 the thirty-six year old Woodhull joined the New York provincial forces, where he held the rank of major. He fought in numerous battles during the French and Indian War. He was at the Battle of Carillon under General Abercromby, and at the Battle of Fort Frontenac under General Bradstreet. In 1760, as colonel of the 3rd Regiment of New York Provincials took part in the invasion of Canada under General Amherst. After the end of hostilities, he returned to farming and community affairs.
In October 1775 he was made brigadier general of the Suffolk and Queen's County militia. In August 1776, on the eve of the Battle of Long Island, Woodhull's militia was detailed to drive livestock east to prevent its falling into British hands. Woodhull's troops had driven 1,400 cattle out onto the Hempstead Plains and with 300 more ready to go. A severe thunderstorm drove the general to take refuge in a tavern run by Increase Carpenter, about two miles east of Jamaica in what is now Hollis. Relief was not forthcoming, and his situation deteriorated.
Woodhull was captured near Jamaica by a detachment of Fraser's Highlanders led by Captain Sir James Baird. He was struck with a sword multiple times, injuring his arm and head by a British officer purportedly for not saying, "God save the King", as ordered, saying instead "God save us all". He was taken in a cattle transport to the Old Stone Church in Jamaica, which the British had converted into a prison.
He was later moved to a brig serving as a prison ship in Wallabout Bay. While in captivity, Woodhull's wounds became infected and his health rapidly deteriorated. A sympathetic British officer had him transferred to the century-old house built by Nicasius di Sille in New Utrecht (now part of Brooklyn). Woodhull's arm was amputated in an effort to save his life, he managed to call for his wife who was at his side when he died on September 20, 1776. He was buried at his family home.