Deed of Joel Coleman given to his son Phineas R Coleman "This is the deed of Joel Coleman given to son Phineas R. Coleman.
Entry/Object ID
100252
Tags
Joel Coleman, Phineas R Coleman
Scope and Content
The Newspaper Clipping: A Revolutionary War Hero
The clipping at the top is an obituary notice from the Independent Republican for Joel Coleman (referred to in the note as "The first"). It outlines a remarkable life story:
A True Founding Father: It notes that Joel Coleman was a "soldier of the Revolution, and a native of this town" (Hamptonburgh/Orange County area). He enlisted at the early age of 17 into a company of volunteers under Captain John Wood and was stationed at White Plains when George Washington's army retreated from New York.
The Prison Ship Connection: The text states he "acted a conspicuous part in capturing the Tories of this country who were confined on board a vessel in Kingston Bay."
Surviving Indian Massacres: After the British marched up the Hudson River and burned Esopus (Kingston), he eventually settled in Wyoming, Pennsylvania, and narrowly escaped death by leaving the valley just three days before the infamous Wyoming Valley Massacre perpetrated by British-aligned Native American forces.
The Battle of Minisink: He also served in the expeditions following the bloody Battle of Minisink (July 1779), one of the few Revolutionary War battles fought right in the Orange/Sullivan County region.
