The War With The Jerseymen
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Subsequently, a number armed men from East New Jersey came to the residence of De Key, who, seeing them approach, shut himself up in the house. They drew up in battle array, cocked their guns, and presenting them towards the window where De Key stood, assured him they would shoot him through the heart; that they would starve him out, and burn the house over his head; that if a man, woman, or child, attempted to escape, he would be shot down; that they had the strength to take all Goshen, and would do it in time. They thereupon withdrew without further violence, one of them saying-' `Take care of yourself, for we will have you yet!”
De Key, who, seeing them approach, shut himself up in the house. They drew up in battle array, cocked their guns, and presenting them towards the window where De Key stood, assured him they would shoot him through the heart; that they would starve him out, and burn the house over his head; that if a man, woman, or child, attempted to escape, he would be shot down; that they had the strength to take all Goshen, and would do it in time. They thereupon withdrew without further violence, one of them saying-' `Take care of yourself, for we will have you yet!”Some of the patentees becoming disheartened, sold out to others at great sacrifice and removed, which served to weaken the party in possession.
Among the pioneers of Orange county was one Harmanus Van Inwegen, a bold, strong and resolute man, who had married into the Swartwout family, who were among the patentees of the disputed territory. Van Inwegen was by nature and habit well fitted for the times in which he lived, and was admirably qualified for a leader in enterprises that required daring and resolution. The better to identify his interests with the cause of the New York patentees, he was given some of the lands under controversy; the result was he soon assumed the character of a fearless and able partisan.
Harmanus Van Inwegen, a bold, strong and resolute man, who had married into the Swartwout family, who were among the patentees of the disputed territory. Van Inwegen was by nature and habit well fitted for the times in which he lived, and was admirably qualified for a leader in enterprises that required daring and resolution. The better to identify his interests with the cause of the New York patentees, he was given some of the lands under controversy; the result was he soon assumed the character of a fearless and able partisan. One day while Van Inwegen was absent from home, some Indians came and commenced abusing his family. He was immediately sent for. When the Indians saw him coming they cocked their guns, and aimed them at his breast. He rushed in among them, tumbled one redskin in one direction, and sent another flying heels over head in another direction; in short, he handled his unwelcome guests so roughly that they fled from the house.
At another time, while Van Inwegen was raking grain in his field, a New Jersey constable and three or four assistants came to arrest him, and to take possession of his grain. Not submitting quietly to the process of arrest and the confiscation of his property, the constable wounded him with his sword. Van Inwegen thereupon broke the rake in pieces over the officer's head with such effect that all attempts at arrest were abandoned.
One Major Swartwout resided on the disputed lands. The New Jersey claimants were for a long time watching for an opportunity to enter his house and get possession before he could get help from his neighbors. The Major kept several loaded guns in the house, and employed an additional number of men about the premises, all of whom were proficient in the use of fire-arms. The Major's house thus became a fortified post, with an armament not to be despised.
Major Swartwout resided on the disputed lands. The New Jersey claimants were for a long time watching for an opportunity to enter his house and get possession before he could get help from his neighbors. The Major kept several loaded guns in the house, and employed an additional number of men about the premises, all of whom were proficient in the use of fire-arms. The Major's house thus became a fortified post, with an armament not to be despised.Table of Contents