| Notes |
- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH XII.
EBENEZER WOODHULL, (Captain), fourth generation from Richard Wodhull I., Patentee of Brookhaven, Long Island, was the fourth son of Nathaniel Wodhull and Sarah Smith. He was born at Mastic, Long Island, February 2, 1742.
In January, 1776, he was commissioned Adjutant of a Regiment of Minute Men, and in May of the same year, was made Captain of Light Horse Troop, Cornwall Precinct Regiment.
He was an influential citizen of Orange County, New York, having lived many years in Blooming Grove, in that County.
He was a brave and capable officer and, above all else, a truehearted patriot, as were his brothers, General Nathaniel and Colonel Jesse Woodhull.
"Being one of the early settlers of Blooming Grove, he took so active a part during the Revolutionary War, that he incurred the hatred of the notorious British spy, Claudius Smith, who threatened his life and even went so far as to visit Captain Woodhull's house with the intent to kill him.
"Upon this occasion, the redoubtable Captain was fortunately away at Clarkston. To vent his spite, the disappointed spy took the occasion to carry off all the valuables he could lay hands upon, swearing he would 'kill him yet.'
"Mrs. Woodhull (who was Abigail, daughter of Hezekiah Howell), had fortunately been warned by a faithful slave of the approach of the marauder and his men, and managed to hide a silver tankard under the sleeping baby in its cradle, as well as to slip some silver spoons into a convenient pocket.
"When Claudius Smith and his comrades broke into the house they discovered a spoon that had been overlooked, and demanding the rest of the silver, ordered the lady of the house to 'take up that child.'
"Mrs. Woodhull acquiesced, exclaiming in true woman fashion, 'my tankard is gone!' The robbers also took everything in the way of jewelry that the house contained, excepting a little carnelian ring, which was overlooked.
"When the men began ransacking the clothing she pleaded that her scarlet cloak be left her. The spy cavalierly remarked, 'Put a
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bed blanket round you.' When Captain Woodhull's little daughter Fanny asked if he was going to take her 'new calico frock' the spy replied that he would not, if she would show him which it was.
"The Captain's uniform was next demanded, this his wife tried to save by stratagem, but a slave, fearing for the life of her mistress, said, 'You know missy you put it between the feather beds.'
"Just before the men left the house, Mrs. Woodhull was ordered not to look out the window, a command which of course she did not obey, and by the clear moonlight easily saw them ride off in the direction of Major Strong's house, and before long, heard the fatal gun shots which ended that brave man's career.
"Claudius was afterward captured, and when on trial in the town of Goshen did his utmost to keep Mrs. Woodhull from testifying against him; not succeeding in this he glared at her fiercely, exclaiming with bravado, 'You never saw me before.' Remembering the Tory spy's handsome attire, especially the rich lace ruffles at his wrists, the lady pointed to his hand-cuffs and quietly remarked, 'Oh, yes I have, but you wore different ruffles at your wrists.'
"The spy was captured on Long Island, from which place he was taken to Fishkill Landing, and from thence to Goshen Jail, by Sheriff Isaac Nicoll, escorted by some of Captain Woodhull's Light Horse Troop.
"Mrs. Woodhull's testimony, it seems, convicted the British spy, and it is rather odd to reflect that he was hung, not for the murder of Major Strong, but for the robbery of Captain Woodhull's house and other robberies."
It is supposed that Captain Ebenezer Woodhull was a Presbyterian, at any rate was find the names of two of his sons, Thomas and Fletcher, among the contributors to the Presbyterian parsonage at Blooming Grove, and in those days most vigorous Whigs were staunch Presbyterians.
Captain Woodhull died October 4th, 1803, leaving a widow and nine children.
(See Genealogy, No. 30.)
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1742 - 1803 (61 years)
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