Edward Vaughan Dongan was born January 3, 1749. After his father’s death, he went with his mother to live in Elizabeth. He was brought up a lawyer and lived at New Brunswick, N. J., where he married a daughter of Squire La Grange, a lawyer of that place. On the outbreak of the revolution, he made himself obnoxious on account of his adherence to royalty and was driven from his home before the British landed in New York. His father-in-law and family were in sympathy with him, and their estate was afterward forfeited.
Lt. Col. Edward Vaughan Dongan, along with Major Robert Drummond of the 3rd Battalion New Jersey Volunteers, had participated in Loyalist Foraging Raids into the New Jersey countryside from the Winter and early Spring of 1777. They successfully captured prisoners and livestock in one Foraging Raid into New Jersey from Staten Island on August 19, 1777.
Dongan was in command of a body of loyal troops and was posted at the Morning Star at the time of Sullivan’s raid on Staten Island, August 22, 1777. In this engagement, he received a wound from the effects of which he died in the hospital in New York city on the first of September.
August 23.—Yesterday morning, before daybreak, a body of rebels, under the command of Messrs Sullivan, Smallwood, Sullivan's decent and^e Bourg, landed in two divisions upon the west end on Staton Island. By the acknowledgment of some of their officers, now prisoners here, their number was at least two thousand. One division of them soon fell in with a part of the New Jersey volunteers, which brigade was posted, in small detachments, along the side of the island, from Decker's ferry to the point opposite Perth Amboy, a distance of fifteen miles. The rebels, greatly superior in numbers, had the fortune with success to engage the detachments that were commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Laurence, and LieutenantColonel Barton, who were both made prisoners, with several other officers, and a considerable number of men. They then marched down to Decker's ferry, where they burned about thirty-five tons of hay and set fire to a barn. As soon as the alarm had reached head-quarters, Brigadier-General Campbell marched with the 52d British and 3d battalions of Waldeck, leaving a regiment of Anspach to guard the camp and redoubts. Upon the approach of the regular troops, the rebels instantly marched off with all speed. In the mean time Brigadier-General Skinner had collected those of his corps which had been dislodged from their stations, and detached Major Tympany, with twenty-five men, to gain information of the route which the enemy had taken. The major came up with a number of them at the house of Doctor Parker, which they were plundering. He attacked them immediately, killed several, and took the rest prisoners; among the killed was Mr. Small wood's brigadier-major.
It was now known that the rebels on this side had gone off towards Richmond; they were eagerly pursued, and on the road beyond that village an account was received from Lieutenant-Colonel Dongan, that his post had been attacked by the second division of the enemy, and obliged to retire, (which they did with very little loss,) towards Lieutenant-Colonel Allen, who had himself very seasonably retired, and taken post on a height near Prince's Bay, where Lieutenant-Colonel Dongan had joined him. A large body of the rebels had twice made a show of attacking them, but finally declined it, and marched off towards the Old Blazing Star. Those two gallant officers soon determined to pursue them, and now gave information to Brigadier-General Skinner that they were on the way and requested orders which were immediately despatched to them, to proceed, and at all events to attack the enemy as soon as possible, informing them at the same time, that their brother volunteers from the right were coming up with all speed to join them, and that the regular troops, with General Campbell, were at hand to support them. These orders were executed with equal spirit and success. Notwithstanding a great disparity of numbers, these new troops attacked the rear of the enemy, consisting of Smallwood's and other corps that are foremost in reputation among the rebels, with an intrepidity and perseverance that would have done honor to veterans. A considerable number of the enemy were killed, and about three hundred taken prisoners, including twenty-one officers, viz., one lieutenant colonel, three majors, two captains, ten lieutenants, three ensigns, one surgeon, and one officer wounded. By this time, General Campbell had got up one piece of cannon with a detachment of the artillery. That piece was soon followed by two or three more, and a well-directed fire of round and grape shot had a great effect on the rebel boats, and on those of their people who had got over to the Jersey shore. Our loss, in the whole affair, is five killed, seven wounded, and eighty-four missing. Among the wounded were Lieutenant-Colonel Dongan1 and Major Barnes, both officers of distinguished bravery.
The rebels, by this attempt, have, indeed, got a good deal of plunder, chiefly from the inhabitants, of which they may possibly be ready to boast, for they have often boasted of exploits which honest men would deem a disgrace; and they have reason on this occasion to blush for their conduct.
Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Vaughan Dongan died of his wounds soon after the action. He was the commandant of the third battalion of New Jersey Volunteers; the youngest son of Walter Dongan, Esq., late of Staten Island; was bred to the law, and supported a most amiable character. He was in his twenty-ninth year and left a young distressed widow to lament the death of an affectionate husband. Their only child died a few hours before him.
It was now known that the rebels on this side had gone off towards Richmond; they were eagerly pursued, and on the road beyond that village an account was received from Lieutenant-Colonel Dongan, that his post had been attacked by the second division of the enemy, and obliged to retire, (which they did with very little loss,) towards Lieutenant-Colonel Allen, who had himself very seasonably retired, and taken post on a height near Prince's Bay, where Lieutenant-Colonel Dongan had joined him. A large body of the rebels had twice made a show of attacking them, but finally declined it, and marched off towards the Old Blazing Star. Those two gallant officers soon determined to pursue them, and now gave information to Brigadier-General Skinner that they were on the way and requested orders which were immediately despatched to them, to proceed, and at all events to attack the enemy as soon as possible, informing them at the same time, that their brother volunteers from the right were coming up with all speed to join them, and that the regular troops, with General Campbell, were at hand to support them. These orders were executed with equal spirit and success. Notwithstanding a great disparity of numbers, these new troops attacked the rear of the enemy, consisting of Smallwood's and other corps that are foremost in reputation among the rebels, with an intrepidity and perseverance that would have done honor to veterans. A considerable number of the enemy were killed, and about three hundred taken prisoners, including twenty-one officers, viz., one lieutenant colonel, three majors, two captains, ten lieutenants, three ensigns, one surgeon, and one officer wounded. By this time, General Campbell had got up one piece of cannon with a detachment of the artillery. That piece was soon followed by two or three more, and a well-directed fire of round and grape shot had a great effect on the rebel boats, and on those of their people who had got over to the Jersey shore. Our loss, in the whole affair, is five killed, seven wounded, and eighty-four missing. Among the wounded were Lieutenant-Colonel Dongan1 and Major Barnes, both officers of distinguished bravery.
The rebels, by this attempt, have, indeed, got a good deal of plunder, chiefly from the inhabitants, of which they may possibly be ready to boast, for they have often boasted of exploits which honest men would deem a disgrace; and they have reason on this occasion to blush for their conduct.
Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Vaughan Dongan died of his wounds soon after the action. He was the commandant of the third battalion of New Jersey Volunteers; the youngest son of Walter Dongan, Esq., late of Staten Island; was bred to the law, and supported a most amiable character. He was in his twenty-ninth year and left a young distressed widow to lament the death of an affectionate husband. Their only child died a few hours before him.
—Gaine's Mercury.
'Gaine's Mercury, September 1. * In New Jersey.
'Gaine's Mercury, September 1. * In New Jersey.
His only child, which with its mother had suffered great exposure on the day referred to, died on the same day, and was buried in the same grave with him. His widow afterward went with her family to reside at Farmington, Hackney, England.
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Excerpts from: Frank Moore, Diary of the American Revolution: From Newspapers and Original Documents, Volume 1, C. Scribner, 1860.
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Colonel Chistopher Billopp, the eldest son of Major Thomas Billopp, was born in 1737, in the " Old Billopp House " on Bcntley Manor, Staten Island. There was at that time a famous school at Perth Amboy, which opportunity he improved by acquiring, for that period, an excellent education.He took great interest in the political questions of the day,and soon after he attained his majority he represented his county in the New York Assembly, and took part in all the debates relating to the trouble with the Mother Country. From the very first he was a pronounced Loyalist, and did all in his power to prevent an open rupture between the Colonies and Great Britain, but when it came, there was not a moment’s hesitation on his part. His duty, as he saw it, was to support, defend, and aid, with all his power, with his mind, body, and estate, that Crown which had been so liberal and generous to his family for generations. As soon as the war had really begun, he accepted a lieutenant-ant colonel's commission and commanded a corps of Loyalists raised on Staten Island, and was from that time until the end of the war employed in military duties. The Continentals were never in force on Staten Island, but they held that section of New Jersey for several years, and as they could watch his house from Perth Amboy, they were constantly on the alert to catch the " Tory Colonel," and twice succeeded. On one of these occasions he was confined in the jail at Burlington. The patriot Commissary of Prisoners, Mr. Boudinot, in the war-rant of commitment, directed that irons should be put on his hands and feet, that he should be chained to the floor of a close room, and that he should be fed on bread and water, which was done, it is said, in retaliation for the cruel treatment of two Whig officers who had fallen into the hands of the Royal troops.
In 1782, Colonel Billopp was Superintendent of Police of Staten Island. His estate, Bentley Manor, and also the estate of his father-in-law, Benjamin Seaman, were confiscated by an act of the New York Legislature in the year 1776. At the " Old Billopp House " Lord Howe, as Commissioner of the King, met Franklin, John Adams and Edward Rutledge, a committee of the Continental Congress, in the hope of adjusting difficulties and of inducing the Colonies to return to their allegiance. Lord Howe, General Kniphausen, Colonel Simcoe and other officers of rank were frequent guests of Colonel Billopp at this old house. After the war, Colonel Billopp, with all his family, except his two sons, settled at St. John, New Brunswick, and for many years bore a part in the administration of affairs. He was a member of the House of Assembly, and of the Council, and on the death of Governor Smith, in 1823, he claimed the vacant position ; but as he was then nearly ninety years old, a younger man was chosen, and his competitor, the Honorable Ward Chapman, was sworn into office. He died at St. John, March 28, 1827, aged ninety years.
From Mr. Morris' " History of Staten Island," page 147, is quoted:
" The St. John Daily Telegraph, March 29, 1827 (some-thing of a prophetic name for a paper then), contained the following notice:
* Died, last evening, in the ninetieth year of his age, the Hon. C. Billopp, a member of His Majesty's Council in this Province. He was formerly of Staten Island, New York, where he owned a very valuable property, but from which he was driven by his firm and inflexible loyalty ; for his intrepid zeal and indefatigable exertions in the Royal cause during the American Rebellion, brought upon him the vengeance of the Revolutionary government and placed him and his possessions in the proscribed list. Since then he has resided in this Province, and was an active and useful representative in its first House of Assembly; and during a long life he has ever been distinguished for the strictest honor and integrity and an undeviating independence of mind. His funeral will take place from his late residence in King Street next Monday at two o’clock when the friends of the family are respectfully requested to attend.'
" From the same work is the following description of Colonel Billopp:
"He was a very tall, rather slender, soldierly looking man when in his prime. He was exceedingly proud, and his pride at times led him to the verge of hauteur, yet he was kind-hearted, not only to those whom he considered his equals, but to In- Blavee and to the poor people of the Island. No one went from his door at the old Manor hungry. It was his custom to gather the people of the Island once a year on the lawn in front of his house and hold a harvest-home. He delighted to talk to them and give advice for their welfare. He was very popular. He was fond of dress and scrupulously neaten his attire. He Kept his coach and liveried driver and foot-man. Passionately fond of horses, his stable was filled with the finest bred animals in the land. He was a magnificent rider and was very fond of the saddle. He was an expert shot with the pistol, which once saved his life when attacked by robbers. Colonel Billopp was not a man to take advice unless it instantly met his favor. He generally regarded his own opinion superior to that of others, especially if theirs did not accord with his. " Life-long friends pleaded with him to join the cause of independence at the commencement of the Revolution, but he chose to follow the fortunes of Royalty. He was a good citizen, a nobleman. his misfortune being that he was on the losing side of a cause in which he had everything at stake."
The following inscription is on his tomb:
"Sacred to the memory of the Honorable Christopher Billopp, a member of His Majesty's Council in this Province, whose uncompromising Loyalty and distinguished exertions as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Cause during the American rebellion obliged him at the termination of that contest to abandon without com-sensation, his hereditary property on Staten Island and retire with his family to this colony, wherein he since resided at St. John, universally respected. " He died on the 28th day of March, 1827, in the ninetieth year of his age."
------------In 1782, Colonel Billopp was Superintendent of Police of Staten Island. His estate, Bentley Manor, and also the estate of his father-in-law, Benjamin Seaman, were confiscated by an act of the New York Legislature in the year 1776. At the " Old Billopp House " Lord Howe, as Commissioner of the King, met Franklin, John Adams and Edward Rutledge, a committee of the Continental Congress, in the hope of adjusting difficulties and of inducing the Colonies to return to their allegiance. Lord Howe, General Kniphausen, Colonel Simcoe and other officers of rank were frequent guests of Colonel Billopp at this old house. After the war, Colonel Billopp, with all his family, except his two sons, settled at St. John, New Brunswick, and for many years bore a part in the administration of affairs. He was a member of the House of Assembly, and of the Council, and on the death of Governor Smith, in 1823, he claimed the vacant position ; but as he was then nearly ninety years old, a younger man was chosen, and his competitor, the Honorable Ward Chapman, was sworn into office. He died at St. John, March 28, 1827, aged ninety years.
From Mr. Morris' " History of Staten Island," page 147, is quoted:
" The St. John Daily Telegraph, March 29, 1827 (some-thing of a prophetic name for a paper then), contained the following notice:
* Died, last evening, in the ninetieth year of his age, the Hon. C. Billopp, a member of His Majesty's Council in this Province. He was formerly of Staten Island, New York, where he owned a very valuable property, but from which he was driven by his firm and inflexible loyalty ; for his intrepid zeal and indefatigable exertions in the Royal cause during the American Rebellion, brought upon him the vengeance of the Revolutionary government and placed him and his possessions in the proscribed list. Since then he has resided in this Province, and was an active and useful representative in its first House of Assembly; and during a long life he has ever been distinguished for the strictest honor and integrity and an undeviating independence of mind. His funeral will take place from his late residence in King Street next Monday at two o’clock when the friends of the family are respectfully requested to attend.'
" From the same work is the following description of Colonel Billopp:
"He was a very tall, rather slender, soldierly looking man when in his prime. He was exceedingly proud, and his pride at times led him to the verge of hauteur, yet he was kind-hearted, not only to those whom he considered his equals, but to In- Blavee and to the poor people of the Island. No one went from his door at the old Manor hungry. It was his custom to gather the people of the Island once a year on the lawn in front of his house and hold a harvest-home. He delighted to talk to them and give advice for their welfare. He was very popular. He was fond of dress and scrupulously neaten his attire. He Kept his coach and liveried driver and foot-man. Passionately fond of horses, his stable was filled with the finest bred animals in the land. He was a magnificent rider and was very fond of the saddle. He was an expert shot with the pistol, which once saved his life when attacked by robbers. Colonel Billopp was not a man to take advice unless it instantly met his favor. He generally regarded his own opinion superior to that of others, especially if theirs did not accord with his. " Life-long friends pleaded with him to join the cause of independence at the commencement of the Revolution, but he chose to follow the fortunes of Royalty. He was a good citizen, a nobleman. his misfortune being that he was on the losing side of a cause in which he had everything at stake."
The following inscription is on his tomb:
"Sacred to the memory of the Honorable Christopher Billopp, a member of His Majesty's Council in this Province, whose uncompromising Loyalty and distinguished exertions as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Cause during the American rebellion obliged him at the termination of that contest to abandon without com-sensation, his hereditary property on Staten Island and retire with his family to this colony, wherein he since resided at St. John, universally respected. " He died on the 28th day of March, 1827, in the ninetieth year of his age."
From: A history of Thomas and Anne Billopp Farmar, and some of their descendants in America by Billopp, Charles Farmar New York, The Grafton Press (1907)
