DRAFT: RevWarwick
PETER DEMEREST'S FATAL CHOICE
Peter Demarest, son of Jacobus, resided near his family in the mid Sugar Loaf Valley, likely along Four Corners Rd. Several members of the Demarest family were Loyalists. Peter chose not to appear when Capt. Bertholf's company of Hathorn's Regiment to which he belonged, was called out. He tried to join the enemy, but was caught and given a court martial in February 1777. A huge fine of £20 was assessed, and he to be jailed until it was paid. He did not survive the confinement, dying in jail on April 29, 1777. His body was brought home to Locust Hill cemetery for burial. His tombstone says he died in jail.
LAND FORFEITURES
The New York Legislature appointed Commissioners of Forfeitures to handle the property confiscated from Loyalists. Lands might be leased and rents were to be collected. All property was appraised before being sold.. On March 10, 1780, the commissioners were instructed to begin sales at once. The Commissioners for the Middle District of New York were John Hathorn, Samuel Dodge, and Daniel Graham. By 1782 the state had confiscated loyalist property in land valued at £500,000. [Source: Flick, Alexander Clarence. Loyalism in New York during the American revolution.]
FORFEITURES IN WARWICK
The 1788 ledger of the Commissioners of Forfeitures for the Middle District has been scanned and transcribed. Two seized parcels within the area of the Town of Warwick have been identified:
- Isaac Alyea - along Upper Wisner Rd.
- NIcholas Dean - Sugar Loaf area.
ASSOCIATORS, LOYALISTS AND NEUTRALS: NO "FENCE-SITTERS "PERMITTED
The people of Warwick did not all agree about Independence.
Many did not want to rebel against the British system of government. Most estimates of the Orange County are that early in the conflict perhaps only a third of the population actively supported the idea. The other seventy percent would have been split between those hoping to avoid disturbance of their daily lives and livelihoods, and those who were strongly in support of remaining a British colony. But the bare fact of the matter is that the rebels did not tolerate Loyalists (Tories) or Neutrals in the community beyond the initial stages of the war. By 1775, if a man did not sign the Association Pledge, he came under suspicion. Most who tried to sit on the fence were either were coerced into signing, or, if it was adjudged they were Tories, were forced from the area. Those who were caught trying to help the British were imprisoned.
In the spring of 1775, these names are noted as refusing to sign the Association Pledge in Orange County. Several lived or had property in the area that later became the Town of Warwick. Those we have identified have an asterisk. Some likely signed later. Some were driven out and lost their property.
- Daniel Wood, Abner Wood, Isaac Alyea*, Jacobus Demerest, Jun*., Jacobus Demerest*, Eliphalet Wood, George Wood, David Jones, William Wickham*, Colvill Shepherd*, Charles Brannon, Jun., Charles Brannon, Matthew Dillon, Nehemiah Baily, David Howell, John Newberry*, Ede Newberry*, Christopher Springsteed. (American Archives, edited by Peter Force . Fourth Series, Volume 3, p. 591.)
Suspicion could fall on a person for the simplest of reasons. Several Warwick men were "reported" to the Conspiracies Commission just because they were not adhering to dressing in very simple clothing, or had cash money at hand:
1775 ASSOCIATION PLEDGE & LOYALTY PLEDGES
If a person was suspected of Loyalism, they would be required to make a public signing of an oath of allegiance. A few months after being arrested as he travelled from his home in New Jersey through the mountains (likely to work at Sterling, since he was an iron worker), Sly signed his oath, and was given a "pass" to show if he was questioned again.
