Claudius Smith; or the Orange County Tories
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An old resident of Orange county, still referred to as Judge Bodle, on one occasion met Claudius in the road in a lonely locality. Each knew the other, as they were neighbors; the Judge saw that escape was impossible, so he approached the noted bandit with a bold front. The meeting was seemingly a friendly one, Claudius evidently enjoying the discomfiture of the Judge. He inquired of the latter the news from the river, and continued:
Judge Bodle, on one occasion met Claudius in the road in a lonely locality. Each knew the other, as they were neighbors; the Judge saw that escape was impossible, so he approached the noted bandit with a bold front. The meeting was seemingly a friendly one, Claudius evidently enjoying the discomfiture of the Judge. He inquired of the latter the news from the river, and continued: “Mr. Bodle, you seem weary with walking; go to my dwelling-house yonder and ask my wife to get you a breakfast, and tell her I sent you.” It is not related whether the Judge accepted the invitation or not; probably he made the speediest time possible to a place of safety as soon as he was out of sight of his would-be entertainer.
The atrocities of the Tory gang at last became so daring and formidable that, after the assassination of Major Strong, Gov. Clinton, October 31, 1778, offered a large reward for the apprehension of Smith and his two sons, Richard and James. On being apprised of the Governor's proclamation, he fled to Long Island for safety. What is worthy of remark, both Gov. Clinton and Claudius Smith-the executive and the outlaw-were residents of southern Orange county, and may have been personally known to each other.
Smith and his two sons, Richard and James. On being apprised of the Governor's proclamation, he fled to Long Island for safety. What is worthy of remark, both Gov. Clinton and Claudius Smith-the executive and the outlaw-were residents of southern Orange county, and may have been personally known to each other. The determination of Claudius to go to Long Island for greater security was most unfortunate for himself. One Major John Brush made up a party, and during a dark night visited the house in which the Tory chief was stopping, seized him while he was in bed and carried him across the sound into Connecticut. He was next conveyed under a strong escort to Fishkill Landing, where he was met by Col. Isaac Nicoll, sheriff of Orange county; and from thence, under guard of Col. Woodhull's troop of light-horse, was taken to Goshen. Here he was heavily ironed and placed in jail to await his trial. He was tried on the 13th of January, 1779, on three indictments for burglary and robbery, and found guilty on each of them, and nine days thereafter was publicly executed in Goshen.
Col. Isaac Nicoll, sheriff of Orange county; and from thence, under guard of Col. Woodhull's troop of light-horse, was taken to Goshen. Here he was heavily ironed and placed in jail to await his trial. He was tried on the 13th of January, 1779, on three indictments for burglary and robbery, and found guilty on each of them, and nine days thereafter was publicly executed in Goshen.Table of Contents