Name/Title
Letter from Cornelia Van Cortlandt Beekman to Pierre Van CortlandtEntry/Object ID
HHV 004.205Description
In this letter to her father, Pierre Van Cortlandt, Cornelia Van Cortlandt Beekman described her discovery that several people enslaved by the Van Cortlandts had made plans to self-emancipate to English raiders, who offered them freedom. Members of the enslaved community had also taken advantage of the Van Cortlandts' absence from Westchester to conceal a woman who had fled another property with the same goal. Subsequent records do not indicate that any of the individuals were successful in their efforts to gain their liberty during the war.
Letter from Cornelia Van Cortlandt Beekman to Pierre Van CortlandtSubject
Evacuation plans, self-emancipated woman, potential plot to burn down the house, raiding parties, plans of the enslaved individuals at the manor house to flee to British lines.Subject Person/Organization
Pierre Van Cortlandt (1721-1814), Cornelia Van Cortlandt Beekman, Gerard G. Beekman Jr., Philip Van Cortlandt (1749-1831), Jin (enslaved), Libe (enslaved), Margery (enslaved), Gilbert Van Cortlandt, Sair (enslaved), Bridget, DineSubject Place
* Untyped Subject Place
Van Cortlandt ManorCollection
Beekman Manuscript CollectionTranscription
April Monday 12th 1777
My Dear Papa,
Your of 5th by Mr Farison have received and Consultd my brothers. Phills advise as I have nothing of Great value but what may be movd Soon, and as it is very unsertain where the Enemy may move, he don’t think it necessary for me to Leave this till we hear farther. Your Goodness my Dear papa both Gerard and myself have always Experiencd how shall I ever have it in my power to recompence or Even Express my Gratitude to so good and kind a father, happy would I be to See my Dear mama and be with her Should there be Dainger hear brother Phill thinks that I will have time ennought to make my Escape to your protection.
Yesterday went to Croten, the first person I sw there was Jin I askd her where she came from, She told me from Singsing. I taxd her very Strickt about her going to town. She sais She Never went farther than the Dock at Grahams, her heart faild to go alone with Edward Turhune, by Crying and beging he sat her a Shore. She went up the river till above our mill there fordd the river then went to our house again and was Conseald by Brigit for four weeks in the kitchen Garrit which was till papa sent for the Servants to rhynebeeck, Jin sais that Libe Never knew anything of her being their (Now Libe was almost all of the time that Jin was conseald at our house at Tellers point) Brigit left Jin when She went away in the Garrit, bur she went away that night for fear that I should See her. She Says She was four days at the Stoore house. Margery was up hear in that time and I told her I had heard that Jin had been conceald at our house (which I had heard of old Morten that she had been seen in the Garrit) Margery went home and told Jin that I ha heard of her and that She should Stay no longer their, this was a Tuesday. She Stayd in the woods and fed on what she got at the Stoore house until fryday and in that Storm of rain She came to our house and ask for Gilbert. Thay told her he would be home a Sunday. So She Stayd, I askd her what was the meaning of her being Conceald So long. She Said that when when the row Gally Came up thay where all to go off with [torn] and She had heard that the row Gally men weare to set our hous a fire, when thay where gone She also Said that if Sair was not willing to go with them, and Brigit Maid it her business to Come up hear and tell Sair and Dine (a negro girl I have hird) that if I retreat again that they should not go with me but come to her as soon as they heard that the regulars where come again. ---------Dine was the person that made the first discovery to me of the intention of our people [torn] to go off so soon for thay wantd her to go too. She told brother Phill word for word as She told me when he Examind her about it, but we have booth promisd her that She Shall not be hurt for bringing the plot out of their wickd intentions, thus far their Skeames have provd abortive, and I trust the Lord will protects us farther and not Suffer our Enemey with their wicked plots to over Come us, is the Sincear prayer [torn] Dear papa your
Ever Affectionate Dutifull Daughter
Cornelia Beekman
PS I hear General Green and General Knox are arrivd here to reconitre
[Endorsed]
Pierre Cortland Esqr
Rhinebeck
1777
Mrs Beekmans Letter
Relative the affairs at
Peeks Kill and CrotonOther Names and Numbers
Other Numbers
Number Type
Former NumberOther Number
B 244 a-b
