John Haviland (1734 - 1804)

Born 1 Aug 1734 in Purchase, Westchester County, New York

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 29 Feb 1804 at age 69 in Purchase, Westchester County, New York, USA

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John was a Friend (Quaker)

Biography

John Haviland, son of John and Sarah (Sneathing) Haviland, was born on 1 Aug. 1734 in Purchase, Westchester County, New York. He was christened 23 Sep 1734 at the Reformed Dutch Church there. ^[1]

He married Phebe Carpenter, daughter of Thomas Carpenter and Martha (Clement) Carpenter, circa 1765. Their license was dated Dec. 13, 1764.^[1]

"During the Revolution the Skinners came to the home of John Haviland in the middle of the night and demanded something to eat of his wife Phebe. She set out what she had with the usual steel knives and forks, but the Skinners produced sterling silverware and proceeded to set the table with the proceeds of their raids elsewhere.

"They afterwards visited a neighbor on Hogpen Ridge and demanded to eat, but were told they had nothing, but that John Haviland had a fine lot of turkeys. The Skinners pretended to go to John Haviland's, but only went out to a tree where they had seem some turkeys, and caught and plucked one and brought it in to be cooked, and the family joined, thinking they were eating the turkey of their neighbor. Next day the Skinners informed John Haviland what kind of neighbors he had and about the joke they played on them."

The British marauders were called "Cowboys," and the American marauders "Skinners." Three of the latter were playing cards in the woods when Major John Anre, the spy, rode by. They rushed out to 'skin' him, and in searching him found papers proving they had captured a man of importance, so took him to headquarters and were lauded as patriots. Thirty years afterwards, when one of them came to New York City and was awarded the freedom of the city, John Haviland met him and invited him home to dinner; but when they arrived at the house his mother met them at the door and said: "No, that man does not enter my house. He is nothing but a common thief."

A cherry highboy, made by John Haviland, came to the possession of Mrs. Aaron Field of Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, NY. It was made for his daughter Jane when she lived in Pine Cottage, where all her children were born.

"After the battle of White Plains, Oct. 28, 1776, Gen. George Washington sent for John Haviland, who was a man of wealth and importance in those parts, and said his soldiers had not been paid for some time and were getting discouraged, and asked if it was not possible to raise some cash among the rich Quakers to help the cause along. He replied he would see what he could do, and by active canvassing he succeeded in raising twenty-five hundred dollars, which he took to Gen. Washington at North Castle, NY."

"Gen. Schuyler was quartered at John Haviland's at one time, and sent an orderly for Phebe's teakettle, and she sent back word that when she was through with it he could have it and not before. He moved his quarters before long." ^[1]

John died on 29 Feb. 1804, at Purchase, at age 69.^[1] He is buried at the Friends Cemetery, Purchase, Westchester County, NY.

Children of John and Phebe

1. Jane.^[1]
2. Sarah.^[1]
3. William.^[1]
4. John.^[1]
5. Mary died young.^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8} Space:Frost_1914 Frost, Josephine C. The Haviland Genealogy : Ancestors and Descendants of William Haviland of Newport, Rhode Island, and Flushing, Long Island, 1653-1688 : with special records of the allied families of Field, Hull, Torrey, Willett-Willis. New York, NY: The Lyons Genealogical Co., 1914. p.53, 72-76, 111-113. Available at Family Search.org.