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C3
THE CITIZEN, AUBURN, NEW YORK
OMMUNITY
ROE
William Kings pardon, from The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799, edited by John C. Fitzpatrick. Transcription: On the entreaty of his Friends and the intercessions of a number of gentlemen the Commander in Chief is pleased to pardon William King of the first New York regiment now under sentence of Death for Desertion.
these attendance cards with Williams pension testimony, we begin to see a pattern of a soldier with many years of service struggling with his health. William states that in October 1780, he was discharged and sent home to Ballston, to recover. He did not join his regiment until April of 1781. This was deemed much longer than officers expected, so when he crossed the picket to rejoin the troops, he was apprehended as a deserter and taken to West Point for trial. The court ruled he was guilty of desertion and issued a sentence of death. However, a full pardon soon followed. William was then assigned to Capt. Leonard Bleeckers company, where he continued to serve until February 1782. This discredits the story that Philip was offered in exchange to spare poor Williams life. It is not known if his mother was even present for the trial and verdict at West Point. Therefore, how did Philip enter the picture? That detail comes from Williams pension application, where he states he was advised that he was needed at home; his mother, now a widow, needed him to handle the family affairs. His younger brother being unable to do so, Philip was procured to take his place. The family had since moved to Lee, Mass., where Philip enlisted into Bleeckers regiment as his substitute. I discovered another fact that is not widely known. Philip himself was brought before the court at West Point. He and two other soldiers left the compound and killed an ox belonging to a civilian; they were found guilty and sentenced to receive 100 lashes on their naked backs. Why they killed the animal is not provided. I was unaware that
Philip Kings sentence, transcribed: John Abel, John Cogdon and Philip King, soldiers belonging to the 1st. New York regiment charged with being out of camp at an unseasonable hour and killing an ox belonging to an inhabitant, on the night of the 11th. instant, were tried and found guilty in breach of article 1st. section 13th. and Article 5th. section 18th. of the rules and Articles of war and sentenced each to receive one hundred lashes on his naked back.
soldiers of the American Revolution could receive such barbaric punishment. Philip served until June 8, 1783, when discharged by Gen. George Washington. His descendants describe Philip as being of small stature but hard as nails in temperament, a quality advantageous to a future pioneer tavern owner. He received bounty land at Mentz, having been credited with Williams time served, due to being his substitute. William was ineligible for the military bounty because he did not serve until the end of the war. However, each soldiers family received a pension, both brothers serving honorably in the American Revolution.
Dawn Roe is historian for the village of Port Byron and town of Mentz. She can be reached at 776-8446. She maintains a blog at www.portbyronhistory.com
ZONTA CLUB
WRISTEN
The Community Soup Kitchen of First Love Ministries in Auburn needs volunteers to help prepare, serve and Literacy Volunteers of Cayuga County is seeking volunteers cleanup lunches. Volunteers are asked to commit to working once a week. For more information, call Betty at to be trained as basic literacy and English as a second lan252-1984 or Lorraine at 252-4164. guage tutors. Participants do not need any teaching experience or fluency in another language. There is an18-hour tutor Mercy Health and Rehabilitation Center is seeking voluntraining workshop, and an annual commitment of 60 to 75 hours. Participants are asked to meet with their student for at teers to pick up residents from their rooms and transport least two hours a week. For more information, call 253-5241. them to: occupational therapy from 8:30 a.m. to noon or 1 to 3 p.m.; physical therapy from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4 p.m.; and beauty shop appointments beginning at 9 a.m. Volunteers are sought to prepare free basic tax returns Mondays through Fridays. The center also seeks friendly through the United Way of Cayuga Countys CA$H program. Volunteers will work three hours per week from Jan. 17 visitors to work with residents at any time during the week; volunteers to assist with recreational activities; and people through April 15. Training is provided for IRS certification. to work in the gift shop from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 12:30 There is no personal liability. For more information, call 253-9741 or email kkrasniak@unitedwayofcayugacounty.org. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 253-0351 ext. 310.