Birth of (Captain) Abraham Cooper Woodhull, Esq. Journal of the American Revolution also produces annual hardcover volumes, a branded book series, and the podcast, Dispatches. The Three Village Historical Society presents a virtual lecture via Zoom titled SPIES! Historian Beverly C. Tyler and Donna Smith, Education Director of the Three Village Historical Society, stand next to the grave of Abraham Woodhull at the Setauket Presbyterian Church. Capt. Woodhull agreed to serve, and he sent his first dispatch as “Samuel Culper” on October 29, 1778 after he had sworn an oath of loyalty to the British King, which helped maintain his cover as an agent. Lambertville, NJ. Credits. Before 1776, Woodhull may have briefly served with a militia company, but there is little to tie him to either side of the war until his spying. Or, take the Society’s 90 minute walking tour of the Setauket Village Green on Sunday, June 22 nd to visit the grave of Abraham Woodhull in the Setauket Presbyterian Churchyard – yes, the place where the British ripped up some gravestones to fortify the church during the Battle of Setauket in 1777. This eastern section of Fairfield, called Black Rock, became part of Bridgeport in 1836. Inscription: IMO Margaret Smith wife of Richard Woodhull, Esq. Meet on the steps of the Setauket Neighborhood House, 95 Main Street, at 1:55 PM. His dispatches would arrive in Tallmadge’s hands, often in Fairfield, Connecticut, via his couriers Caleb Brewster and, later, Austin Roe. He appears to be a sensible man capable of rendering important service, if he is sincerely disposed to do it. Historian Alexander Rose claimed Woodhull began working as a spy as part of the conditions of his early release from prison in Connecticut for engaging in trading. Just several blocks south of his house is the Townsend Family Cemetery, well marked behind a house with a large “Fort Hill” sign. Abraham Woodhull, spy for General George Washington, nearly got himself hanged on one of his first missions. Woodhull then recruited his friend Townsend to share in the duties of primary agent. Moreover, in a letter to General Mc Dougall he states: Caleb Brewster (1747-1827) was born in Setauket and was a friend of the Woodhull and Strong families. He did have very close calls while living mostly in what is now South Street Seaport in southeastern Manhattan. He would return to Setauket to send the new intelligence by letters using his alias and later included some numerical codes based on Tallmadge’s code system. The Abraham Woodhull marker is located in the cemetery near this church which was built in 1812 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Abraham Woodhull October 7, 1750 to January 23, 1826. No Archive Warnings Apply; John Graves Simcoe/Mary Woodhull; John Graves Simcoe; Mary Woodhull; Abraham Woodhull; Thomas Woodhull; Summary. His cousin, Israel Bissell, was the courier who rode several horses all the way from eastern Massachusetts down to Philadelphia to alert locals and then Congress that British troops had confronted residents and regional militia at Lexington and Concord. Hercules Mulligan (1740-1825) was a native of Ireland who immigrated to New York, eventually opening a tailoring and haberdashery shop. This is a terrific tour! I always think it necessary to be very circumspect with double spies.” Unfortunately, that “Purple Heart” was lost in his house fire in upstate New York in 1813. Site of home. Nicholas, William and Nick film at the old Setauket Presbyterian Church in East Setauket, NY. According to Daigler, that was a rare combination. 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