He had three children with his wife Mary, lived prosperously as a Suffolk County judge, and died in 1826. Townsend, in fact, had somewhat foolishly recruited his cousin James into the ring, who ended up being arrested by the Continental Army for allegedly being a British spy! Now, he knew that 1,500 Hessian troops were going to be sent to Trenton, and he decided to pass this on to Caleb. The exact circumstances of Nathaniels death remain elusive but stories popular at the time held that he was wounded in action, captured, maltreated, and died miserably. But Im a bit surprised by the []. The intelligence provided by the Culper Ring prevented what might have been a terrible disaster, and was one of its most important triumphs. Nevertheless, he continued to send letters to Washington, informing of anything of importance he came across. Senaste mnen. What a fun anecdote thanks for sharing! How did the Culper Spy Ring work? While there, he had a conversation with two Hessians making sauerkraut at their campfire, and they let him try their food. the lines of a cruel and mistrustful enemy.[11] Tallmadge had Brewster sail him to Setauket an exceptionally dangerous move itself so he could meet with Woodhull and allay his spys concerns. For the first few years of a childs life in the late 18th century, regardless of gender, he or she would wear a gown, a loose-fitting garment that could be tied, pinned, or buttoned shut. Among the attendees were the Woodhull, Tallmadge and Strong families, along with Caleb Brewster and Austin Roes family. In the summer of 1778, the need arose for a Rebel spy network in New York City, the site of the British Armys continental headquarters. Woodhull was probably preparing to make careful mental notes of Tryons camp when he unluckily stumbled upon a group of soldiers who immediately detained him and demanded to know why he was wandering around. [5] Culper to Maj. Benjamin Tallmadge, November 23, 1778, GW Papers, accessed January 26, 2014, via http://memory.loc.gov. War History Online welcomes many guest authors who share their knowledge of the history on our pages. The Culper Ring was a successful operation that provided Washington with valuable information on the British Army headquartered in New York from October 1778 to the end of the war. Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. To protect their identities Tallmadge assigned aliases for their correspondence; Tallmadge went by John Bolton and Woodhull used the name Samuel Culper. It was the beginning of what became known as the Culper Ring., Woodhull was good at the espionage business. Colonel John Graves Simcoe, commander of the Loyalist Queens American Rangers, promptly launched a raid to grab the spy. To overcome these problems Washington and Tallmadge envisioned a permanent network of spies that lived behind British lines and communicated their information through coded messages. Continental Army Major Benjamin Tallmadge was Woodhull's neighbor in Setauket and approached Woodhull in August 1778 about gathering intelligence for the Patriot cause during the American Revolutionary War. If I am caught, I could be hanged as a traitor and a spy. The ink was a solution developed by John Jays brother, Sir James Jay. Does Dragoncrest ring work on miracles? Woodhull immediately set to work attempting to collect the money due him for his services. Posted on April 8, 2014 Updated on April 9, 2014. Little Sprout Woodhulls curiousclothing, Linda Baumgartens primer on colonial childrens clothing, the 18th Century Material Culture Resource Center, Vexatious Vexillology TURN to a historian, TURN Historical Timeline updated for Season 4 (PartOne), TURN Historical Timeline updated for Season3. In 1781, Woodhull married Mary Smith. [11], He died in Setauket on January 23, 1826, and is buried in the Setauket Presbyterian Church and Burial Ground. Local orchard owner Lucas Brewster was blamed for the poisoning, and he was arrested. In return, Tallmadge proposed to Woodhull that he start spying for the Continental Army; Woodhull agreed, and Tallmadge received approval from Washington. I believe it should be http://www.spycurious.tumblr.com, Many thanks for bringing that to my attention, Shea! Astrological Sign: Libra, Death Year: 1826, Death date: January 23, 1826, Death State: New York, Death City: Setauket, Death Country: United States, Article Title: Abraham Woodhull Biography, Author: Biography.com Editors, Website Name: The Biography.com website, Url: https://www.biography.com/political-figure/abraham-woodhull, Publisher: A&E Television Networks, Last Updated: July 7, 2020, Original Published Date: May 18, 2015. Husband of Anna Maria Brewster; Hannah Skidmore and Charity A. Smith. The war is raging now, and General Washington has been driven out of York City and the Royal Army has taken over there. In AMCs drama TURN: Washingtons Spies, we follow Abraham Woodhull and company as they play a cunning game of deceit and trickery to gather intelligence for the Continental Army in the American War for Independence. While Hewlett acknowledged Woodhull's excuse that he was in prison, he told Woodhull that he would send the report to Major John Andre in Philadelphia. Under the system that Tallmadge designed, Woodhull travelled to New York every few weeks on business, mixed with Crown soldiers, listened for news, and observed activities. Woodhull, the son of the loyalist magistrate Richard Woodhull, decided to volunteer his services to the Continental Army as the leader of a spy ring in New York City after 1777, assisting George Washington in collecting information on the British Army's activities. He had recently married Mary Smith, and was afraid of putting his family at undue risk. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); "TURN to a Historian" is an independent blog for people searching for historically-accurate information and analysis about "TURN: Washington's Spies", AMC's fictionalized television drama about Revolutionary War spies. However, because his friend Selah Strong was imprisoned after getting into a fight with British officer Charles Joyce with Woodhull in attendance, Woodhull was one of the suspects in Joyce's murder when he turned up dead with his throat slit in Lewis Field, as was Anna Strong, Selah's wife and Woodhull's former fiancee. Anna decided to cover up the whole event by burning down the house, saying that Baker had been killed by retreating patriots while defending the house as they looted it, and that the family would move into Whitehall with Judge Woodhull like they should have long before. On 28 June, his Continental Army engaged Clintons army at Monmouth, but thanks to incompetence on the part of his second-in-command, General Charles Lee, Clinton was able to make it to New York with little more than a bloody nose. What better way to get back at the enemy, Tallmadge might have said, than by spying on the British under their own noses and helping the American cause? All Rights Reserved. In addition, Abrahams cousin, Nathaniel Woodhull, a general in the Continental Army, had perished in the Battle of Long Island in 1776. He discovered that anyone traveling into the city was at exceptional risk of being detained and searched by British authorities, but that married couples almost always were not. Throughout history once the conflict is over, the perceived value of infantrymen and intelligence agents are always called into question. [7] Culper to Tallmadge, March 17, 1779, GW Papers, accessed January 26, 2014, via http://memory.loc.gov. The Culper intelligence allowed Washington to arrange countermoves, and the episode was one of the Rings greatest successes. The British knew the exact strength of the French fleet, and were going to wait for them to make harbor and ambush them. . From Brewster, the intelligence would be passed on to Major Tallmadge, then to General Washingtons desk. Introducing the Topic Index page (Just in time for the Season 3Premiere! Washington was annoyed; Woodhull had always made a fuss about payment during the war, but Washington saw fit to reward him for his invaluable service. We feature smart, groundbreaking research and well-written narratives from expert writers. A young man who I have known since I was only a few years older than you are now. But the 27 year-old, unmarried Woodhull was also something of a risk-taker. This entry was posted in clothing, material culture and tagged 18th century clothing, 18th century gowns, Abraham Woodhull, amc turn, historical costuming, Linda Baumgarten, material culture, sprout, Thomas Woodhull, TURN, turn amc, TURN premiere. Abraham Woodhull was a noted hero of the American Revolution. Wikipedia. [15] Tallmadge assigned Townsend the alias Samuel Culper Junior.. After her death in 1806, Woodhull remarried in 1824. Townsend may have dabbled in journalism himself, which gave him a perfect excuse to spend long hours picking up information. I am wondering, however, about the timing of Mr. [12] Tallmadge to Washington, April 21, 1779, GW Papers, accessed March 29, 2014 via http://memory.loc.gov; Rose, Washingtons Spies, 128. type. Woodhull and Strong must accomplish this right underneath the noses of the British soldiers occupying their hometown, as well as Woodhulls Loyalist father. [1] Samuel Culper to Brig. When I came home after seeing Ben, I sat down and watched you playing on the floor near the fireplace. However, Woodhull sent him to persuade Townsend to join the rebel cause, as Woodhull had previously met with his father Samuel Townsend in attempts to persuade Robert to join the patriots. His parents were Judge Richard Woodhull and Mary Woodhull (ne Smith). The Culper Ring was probably Washingtons most successful spy operation. The British responded to this by disarming all of the citizens, and when Benjamin Tallmadge's father Benjamin Tallmadge, Sr. greeted the British as a hostile person when turning in his gun, he was suspected. . It is a choice that comes at a heavy price. Was Abraham Woodhulls father a loyalist? [16] Washington to Tallmadge, October 6 1779, Writings of George Washington, Vol. Did Abraham Woodhull have a son named Thomas? JMS you are correct as with any untranscribed 18th century documents, reading and understading the Culper letters is a tough task. Fixed the link. 2022-07-02. Lydia Darragh - Lydia spied on British officers who met in her home to discuss battle plans. Though, they must have been pre-made, as by the time they would have been finished, Sprout would have sprouted some more. Another of Tallmadges operatives was Caleb Brewster, a Continental artillery lieutenant and skilled mariner stationed on the Connecticut coast who previously supplied Washington with naval intelligence. The court case fell apart, leading to uproar. However, the British quickly suspected him of spying; they even went to Setauket to arrest him in June 1779, although he avoided trouble since he wasn't at home. In Manhattan, he collected information from various sources, including British officers staying at the Underhill boarding house and then return to Setauket, where he passed the information to the Continental Army lieutenant and whaleboat operator Caleb Brewster to take across Long Island Sound to Tallmadge. As depicted in the show, Abraham Woodhull was a cabbage farmer. [4] Culper to Scott, October 31, 1778, GW Papers, accessed January 26, 2014 via http://memory.loc.gov. Historians believe that he and his co-conspirators probably uncovered Benedict Arnolds treason, and the information that led to arrest of British Major John Andre. Townsend then decided he was through with espionage. So interesting. While Anna objected to either plot, Abraham stole his father's pistol and ambushed Eastin as he rode down a road, shooting him off of his horse. His name is Benjamin Tallmadge, and he has asked me to do something dangerous. I hope that one day, the Lord willing, you will grow up to be a man. A Letter From Abraham Woodhull to His Son Thomas is an entry from the Turn: Washington's Spies official site. [U.S.]died May 18, 1795, London, Eng. These agents reported on British activity from their homes in New York City, on Long Island, New York, and in Connecticut. Startled, Woodhull sprang to his feet and snatched up his writing paper, breaking the vial of special ink on the floor. That he has gone so far beyond his promise makes me rather uneasy on his account.[17] And the ever-frugal general often testily reminded his spies not to waste the expensive disappearing ink and to find ways to communicate their intelligence faster. He will inform me what new works are erected on Long Island besides those at Brooklyn, and where, and of what nature. Look at the above painting and take a guess as to how much airtime would be needed to explain that boys outfit to a modern-day viewer.) Eventually operating from Underhills boarding house, Woodhull so successfully played the part of a loyal but inquisitive farmer that he gained all of the information he needed, and more. Woodhull passed on information that he had learned from his father's meeting with Major Edmund Hewlett to discuss the exoneration of Abraham from his role as a murder suspect; he had found a letter with a coded message that stated that the British under John Graves Simcoe would raid a patriot safehouse in Meigs Harbor, Connecticut. (LogOut/ Abraham Woodhull - Abraham was a key member of the Culper Spy Ring. October 7, 1750Abraham Woodhull / Date of birth. What General Washington, the ultimate consumer of Culper Ring intelligence, thought of the operation is unclear. The three would look out for each other and do many things together, including escorting Abe to secretly gain a kiss from Anna Strong. And the different writing styles of the Culper agents becomes apparant after reading a lot of the correspondence. I was quietly longing for the days when there was no fighting when something unexpected happened. Woodhull privately conferred with Major Hewlett and told him that he wanted to enter King's College and spy on the Sons of Liberty for him, as his prior connection to them might allow him to bust suspected patriot sympathizers in the college. Granted, this particular anachronism is a small detail that is (like little Thomas baby couture) not hugely integral to the larger storyline of TURN. Tallmadges recruitment of Woodhull enabled them to put their plans into action. Those knickers were adorable, I want the sewing pattern for them anyone have any ideas where / how I can get one? The Rebels considered the practice trading with the enemy and those caught in the act faced a jail sentence. In mid-1778 he began sailing across Long Island Sound to British-held New York to sell his farms produce for hard currency. The two proceeded to strip down and have sex in Baker's bed, with Abraham telling Anna that he could do so because it was his house, and Anna responded by telling him to prove it. Woodhull prefaced the information with the admonishment that the intelligence contained news of the greatest consequence perhaps that ever happened to your country.. The officer was angered by this, and he told Abraham that he should leave. Little Thomas Woodhull, whom Abraham fondly calls Sprout, steals the spotlight at the beginning and end of the TURN pilot episode. Washington sent another vial of ink.[12]. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. As depicted in the show, Abraham Woodhull was a cabbage farmer. Selah and Anna Strong lived out the rest of their lives quietly in Setauket. The tactic was sometimes effective but the information often lacked the detail, accuracy and timeliness that Washington needed. The British had been aware of the planned French attack for over a month, thanks to the treason of the infamous General Benedict Arnold himself. After collecting the messages, Woodhull waited for signals from his neighbor and fellow conspirator, Anna Strong, who communicated by hanging specific laundry out on her line. Abraham Woodhull/Parents Other writers and researchers associated with the JAR no doubt have other, and better, techniques. . Under the alias "Samuel Culper Jr.," Townsend sent information by courier to Woodhulls farm in Setauket. (His very appearance is a bit of a chronological anomaly, but we'll discuss that later.) Rose, Alexander. Their reports are believed to have uncovered Benedict Arnolds treason, and led to the capture of British Major John Andre, who was working with Arnold to undermine the Continental Army. Abraham Woodhull, spy for General George Washington, nearly got himself hanged on one of his first missions. He was the only surviving son of aging parents, and he stayed on the family farm to attend to his family and their property.[4]. Woodhull adopts the alias Samuel Culper, and begins his espionage, making trips to New York to scope out British military strength and eavesdrop on important conversations. A recovering Judge Woodhull accepted Abraham's offer to prosecute the accused in his stead, as Abraham wanted to lose on purpose; this would show the townspeople that Simcoe was the man responible. Washingtons Spies: The Story of Americas First Spy Ring. Adorable outfit hes wearing, right? Abraham Woodhull performed Patriotic Service in New York in the American Revolution. Suddenly the door to his room flung open and two people burst into his room. An ancillary benefit of reading the non-transcribed document, at least with some writers, is the unbelievable penmanship of some. Brewster told Woodhull that his encounter with him in Connecticut was the first part of the test to see if Woodhull was fit to join the patriots, and Tallmadge's interrogation was the second part of the test. In 1778, he was caught making his way into New York to sell some of his farms yield, and was jailed by the Rebels for selling goods to the enemy.. Woodhull was in New York City when the Loyalist troops came to his house, but he later reported how his 66 year-old father was home, and that Simcoe plundered him in a most shocking manner. Woodhull escaped Simcoes wrath by arranging for a prominent local Loyalist to vouch for his character. Theyre both economical and practical, especially for a large middle or working-class family. It was later decided by Tallmadge and Washington that Woodhull would be given the alias Samuel Culper, and the Culper spy ring was born. Woodhull became one of Washingtons best spies, knowing all the while that he was one step away from a noose. Failure was not an option. They were immigrants from the Ukraine. The job was not without its risks, though, and Woodhull cut it close on many occasions. A number of close calls with British authorities had made both Woodhull and Robert Townsend jumpy. I concur great article. I know not exactly a hugely significant issue in the greater storyline of TURN (and definitely not as big of a sartorial gaffe as, say, the bizarre garb that the Queens Rangers are wearing), but I thought readers might enjoy a small and pleasant domestic diversion while I finish making sense of the premiere episodes Swiss-cheese timeline. Certainly they had an emotional reunion and talked about the rebellion. . [4] In November he reported how Loyalist units were scouring local farms for wood and livestock. Woodhull decided to attend Andre's ball for his officers, and Anna told him that she would go there as well to help him, although Abraham told Anna that she should not go in her sad condition, as she would reveal her purpose. Woodhull was portrayed from 2014 to 2017 by Jamie Bell in AMC's spy thriller and historical drama series Turn: Washington's Spies, which was based on Washington's Spies: The Story of America's First Spy Ring (2007) by Alexander Rose. Abraham Woodhull Courier route to and from General Washington's Headquarters Courier route across Long Island Sound Courier route from New York City to Setauket Route used by Culper Ring members to send intelligence from New York City to General Washington's headquarters in downstate New York and New Jersey. Abraham enlisted in a Suffolk County militia in the fall of 1775, but he resigned after a few months; his cousin Brigadier-General Nathaniel Woodhull was killed by the British while in their prison on 20 September 1776, when he was killed with bayonets. Woodhull was a descendant of Richard Lawrence Woodhull, a wealthy settler of Setauket, and was also related to New York militia Brigadier General Nathaniel Woodhull. Even after resigning he sent seven more letters about British activities. He married Mary Townsend on December 6th, 1753 at St. Georges Church. [2], Woodhull was to be a new type of American spy. Bantam, 2014. It's possible it was incorrectly annotated. Lucy was the daughter of Abraham Somes, one of the. Washington was impressed: His account has the appearance of a very distinct and good one and makes me desirous of a continuance of his correspondence, he wrote. Yes, a gown, as in a dress. Sometimes boys even wore stays, too. memorial page for Abraham Woodhull (7 Oct 1750-23 Jan 1826), Find a Grave . 2022-07-02. [5] In February 1779 he sent information on troop movements, supply problems, naval matters, the total strength of enemy forces around New York, the possibility of reinforcements, and other military plans; the report was seven pages long.
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