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THE OLD BILLOP HOUSE,

At Bentley, the west end of Staten Island New-York

upon c

served by some Americans, who had stationed themselves with a spy-glass in the

No. III.-7.

bold soldier, a celebrated patriot, and gallantly fell, it one of the New Jersey battles.

* Fitz Randolph was the correct name. He was a

THE OLD BILLOP HOUSE.

THE OLD BILLOP HOUSE,

AT BENTLEY, STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK.
BY G. P. DISOSWAY.

N approaching New York from Philadelphia by the Amboy route, few objects are more striking to the traveller's eye, than a high, ancient-looking stone edifice, situated near the water, on the extreme west end of Staten Island. This is the "Old Billop House" at Bentley, of which we present a very correct sketch in our present number. Amid the general search for new designs, is it not strange that this beautiful spot has escaped the notice of the artist and historian until now? The place too has some interesting associations worthy of a record.

More than a century ago, a Capt. Billop of the British Navy, took out a patent for the land, embracing 921 acres, which was increased by a second to 1600. At the period of the American revolution, Bentley was owned by Christopher Billop, a gentleman of property, and a member of the house of assembly, who had always opposed the measures which led to a rupture with Great Britain. As soon as the war broke out, he became a partisan leader, and accepted the commission of colonel of the Staten Island militia. Lord Howe, with a large force, took pos

session of Staten Island on the 4th of Ju

ly, 1776, and it was held by the British during the whole war; and hence it became the theatre of frequent predatory incursions from the Americans, many of whom had taken up their abode on the opposite shores of New Jersey. By most of these parties violence was committed, and in some instances blood was shed, and lives were lost. Col. Billop, at the time a warm party man and military leader, was closely watched, and it is said was twice taken from his own house, by armed bands from "the Jerseys," and thus made a prisoner. Amboy is in sight, and upon one of these occasions, he was observed by some Americans, who had stationed themselves with a spy-glass in the

No. III.-7.

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church steeple of that town. As soon as they saw him enter his abode, they ran to their boats, rapidly crossed the river, and he was soon their captive.

The British now in possession of New York, had confined in irons several Americans who had been made prisoners; and to retaliate for this measure, Col. Billop was taken to Burlington jail. We have copied the mittimus, as a matter of curiosity, and the method of doing such things at that eventful period. Elisha Boudinot was then commissary of prisoners for New Jersey.

"To the keeper of the common jail for the county of Burlington, greeting:

"You are hereby commanded to receive into your custody, the body of Col. Christopher Billop, prisoner-of-war, herewith delivered to you, and having put irons on his hands and feet, you are to chain him down to the floor in a close room, in the said jail, and there to retain him, giving him bread and water only for his food, until you receive further orders from me, or the commissary of prisoners for the state of New Jersey, for the time being. Given under my hand, at Elizabethtown, this 6th day of Nov., 1779.

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ELISHA BOUDINOT,

"Com. Pris., New Jersey." The commissary at the same time retreatment necessary, "but retaliation is digretted to Billop that necessity made such rected, and it will I most sincerely hope, the situation, by writing to New York to be in your power to relieve yourself from procure the relaxation of the sufferings of John Leshier, and Capt. Nathaniel Randal."*

At this period, Col. Simcoe of the faof a post in Richmond, whence he made mous "queen's rangers," had command Jersey with his dragoons, and during a sudden and rapid incursion into New the fight, his horse was killed, and he himself stunned by the fall was captured by the American militia.

He also was taken to Burlington, and unexpectedly became the fellow-prisoner of Col. Billop. Simcoe severely complained to Governor Livingston of New

bold soldier, a celebrated patriot, and gallantly fell, in *Fitz Randolph was the correct name. He was a one of the New Jersey battles.

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