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Jacob Flanders: Enlists in 1778

In April of 1778, Jacob enlisted as a private in Captain William Peterson's Company of Boatmen while living in Palatine. Jacob was employed in taking supplies up the Hudson River to the various forts along the river. Jacob was discharged on January 1, 1779

In April of 1779, Jacob enlisted as a private in Captain John Hess' Company in Colonel Jacob Klock's Regiment of Tryon County Militia (Second Regiment). Jacob was stationed at different forts along the Mohawk River.

In April of 1780, Jacob enlisted as a private in Captain Peter Waggoner'sCompany in Colonel Klock's Regiment. Jacob was again stationed at various forts along the Mohawk River.

On April of 1781, Jacob enlisted In Captain Lawrence Gros' Company in Colonel Marinus Willett's Regiment of New York Levies. Jacob was then stationed at Fort Rensselaer.

On July 9th, Captain John Dockstader with 500 Indians and Loyalists raided and burned Currytown. Colonel Marinus Willett at Fort Rensselaer on seeing smoke in the direction of Currytown sent Robert McKean to investigate the cause of the fires and he sent Captain Lawrence Gros to scout about Bowman's Creek to search for signs of the enemy. Colonel Willett waited at Fort Rensselaer for word from Captain Gros of the enemy's whereabouts.

Later that afternoon a messenger from Captain Gros arrived at Fort Rensselaer and informed Colonel Willett that the enemy had encamped at Sharon Springs. Jacob under Colonel Willett left Fort Rensselaer and headed for Bowman's Creek where they were joined by Captain Gros and Captain McKean.

Willett and his men now proceeded to Sharon Springs where the enemy had encamped and they arrived in the morning of July 10th. A detachment under Lieutenant Jacob Sammons was sent to fire a volley into the sleeping enemy's detachment. After firing into the enemy's encampment they retreated back to where Willett was waiting to ambush the Indians now closely pursuing Lieutenant Sammons and his men.

Willett and his men now fired into the Indians although they were not completely in the trap but if they had waited Lieutenant Sammons and his men would all have been killed. The battle lasted for an hour and a half when the enemy retreated from the battlefield after sustaining severe losses. Jacob under Colonel Willett returned to Fort Rensselaer where he was stationed.

On October 24th, Major John Ross and Captain Walter Butler with 607 men were in the Mohawk Valley burning and killing. Colonel Willett at Fort Rensselaer on learning of this invasion sent messengers to Forts Clyde, Paris and Plank for additional troops while he would gather what troops that could be spared from Fort Rensselaer.

In the morning of October 25th, Jacob under Colonel Willett marched out of Fort Rensselaer and shortly afterwards they crossed over the Mohawk River to Caughnawaga. Willett now headed for the Village of Johnstown.

On arriving at Fort Johnstown, Willett was informed by the garrison that the enemy had encamped near Johnson's Hall. Willett and his men now left Fort Johnstown and headed for Johnson's Hall.

On arriving where the enemy was encamped, Willett and his men charged Ross and a fierce battle now raged. The battle lasted until darkness fell over the battlefield and with the enemy retreating. Jacob now returned to Fort Rensselaer where he was stationed until he was discharged January 1, 1782.

In April of 1782, Jacob again enlisted in Captain Waggoner's Company and he was stationed at various forts along the Mohawk River.

Jacob was born on January 1, 1762 and he died on April 7, 1816. He married Catherine Fox on October 7, 1791, Catherine was born January 1, 1769 and she died on June 30, 1839. They are buried in Finch Cemetery, one mile south of the Youker's Bush Church in the town of Oppenheim.

Source: Published by the Mohawk Valley Democrat, March 17, 1977, on page 8.

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