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Towns of Bloominggrove, Cornwall and Monroe

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Thus died a man whose abilities, if rightly directed, would have raised him to eminence and greatness. Notwithstanding his life of infamy, Claudius had some generous qualities, and it is said, that the poor man found in him a friend ready to share both his meal and his purse, and it is believed that much of what he abstracted from the wealthy he bestowed upon the indigent. The late worthy Judge Bodle of Tompkins county, then resident in Orange, used to relate a circumstance that occurred with himself. Upon the morning following the investment and capture of Fort Montgomery by the British, he was pursuing his way homeward from the neighborhood of the disaster, when he suddenly met Claudius Smith in the road. They knew each other. Judge B. was perplexed: to escape was impossible, and putting on a bold front he approached Claudius, who addressed him with, a friendly good morning, calling Judge B. by name and extending his hand. After inquiring the news from the river, Smith continued, “Mr. Bodle, you are weary with walking, go to my dwelling yonder, (directing to a place off the road,) and ask my wife to give you a breakfast, and tell her that I sent you.” Judge B. thanked him, seeming to accept his offer., and bade him good morning, but when he was out of sight, he changed his course toward home, nor felt himself safe until he was a far way on his Journey.” A. B. C.

“Capture of Claudius Smith.-After the murder of Major Strong of Bloominggrove, Governor Clinton issued a proclamation declaring him an outlaw, and offering a reward, of five hundred dollars for apprehending him and delivering him to the jail of Orange county. Claudius hearing of this, immediately fled to New York-then in possession of the British-but, probably, not thinking himself safe there, he chose a more secret place, and went on Long Island, and took up his lodgings with a widowed woman near Smithtown. After the British took possession of Long Island, a number of the inhabitants who were called the Whigs in those days, moved with their families across the Sound or East River into Connecticut. Amongst those was a Major John Brush, who was a wealthy farmer and left his property in the care of tenants. In a secret manner he would occasionally cross on to Long Island, to see his concerns. In one of these excursions be accidentally found that Claudius Smith was in the neighborhood and where be put up. He had a short time before seen the proclamation respecting him, and immediately concluded that he might be taken. He returned to Connecticut and informed an acquaintance of his-a Mr. Titus, who was also a Long Islander-a very stout and resolute man, respecting the business, and asked him if he would join him in the undertaking. He readily assented. They concluded they would require more assistance, and accordingly engaged three other men to accompany them. They prepared a whale boat and armed themselves with muskets and pistols. Taking the advantage of a dark night they crossed the Sound, landed at about 11 o'clock, and run their boat up a small bay that puts in from the Sound. They left one of their company in charge of the boat, while the other four proceeded immediately to the house-a distance of nearly a mile. They saw a light and entered the door without knocking: the landlady was setting by the fire. Maj. Brush (who knew her) asked her if Claudius Smith was not in her house. She paused a few moments and then said, “He is in bed, I will go and call him.” Brush replied, “No; tell me where he lodges!” “Upstairs, in the bedroom.”

He told her to hold her peace, and immediately took the candle, and three of them proceeded above, leaving the other below. They entered the room without any noise; they seized him, he being asleep; he awoke and made violent resistance, and endeavored to get his pistols which were under his pillow. They bound his arms with a cord and led him to the boat, immediately crossed the Sound and landed early next morning. They then had him ironed and put under guard. Major Brush sent an express to Governor Clinton, then at Poughkeepsie, informing him of his capture. He returned in answer, that he should be brought through the South part of Connecticut, and so on to Fishkill Landing, where he should be met by the Sheriff of Orange County, Colonel Isaac Nicoll, who would receive him, which was accordingly done. He was brought to Goshen by the Sheriff, accompanied by several of the leading men of the county, and apart of Capt. Woodhull's troop of Light Horse. He was safely lodged in jail; immediately ironed hand and foot, chained to the floor, and a strong guard put over the jail.”

I saw him put in jail, heard him tried, and saw him condemned and executed with two others, and am acquainted with all the particulars respecting him, from the time he was brought to jail until his execution, which was about ten or twelve weeks. I am well acquainted with many of his robberies and horse stealing adventures previous to the murder of Major Strong. I wrote the whole *he knew respecting him for Doctor Arnell many years ago; but what has become of it I cannot say-it is, perhaps, among his papers.

Yours respectfully, J. TUSTEN.

Mr. Victor M. Watkins, Goshen, 6th Nov. 1833.

At a Court of Oyer and Terminer and general gaol delivery held at the Court House in Goshen, in and for the county of Orange, on Monday; the eleventh day of January, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine.

Present--The Honorable Robert Yates and the Honorable John Sloss Hobart, Esquires, Justices of the Supreme Court and Elihu Marvin, Esquire.	Commissioners.

The People of the State of New York vs. Amy Augor, late Amy Jones,	The Court gave judgment against the Prisoner to be taken from hence to the place from whence she came and from thence to the place of execution, and there to be hanged by the neck until she is dead.

*Errata--read I