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Patriots of Trinity Church Cemetery Founding Fathers
Alexander Hamilton (1757-1804).
SAR #P-173693-Attroney, Hearts of Oak Company of
Militia, Captain of NY Provisional Artillery, Lt. Colonel Continental Army, Aide-de-Camp to
Gen. Washington, Congress of Confederation, Delegate to Constitutional Convention, Co-
author Federalist Papers and Signer of the U.S. Constitution, 1st Sect. of the Treasury and
Maj. Gen. U.S. Army (Quasi War with France). Killed in a duel with V.P Aaron Burr
Francis Lewis (1713-1802)
Section 1A, Northside SAR# P-235908, DAR # A069941
Founding Father and Signer of the Declaration of Independence
Frances Lewis was born on 21 Mar 1713 in Cardiff, Wales and lost his
parents at a young age. As a young man he was apprenticed in a London
merchant’s counting house. In 1738 at about age 25 he emigrated to New
York and engaged in the mercantile trade and became quite wealthy.
At the outbreak of French & Indian War in 1756 Lewis was a commissary
to Lt. Col. John Mercer and was taken as a POW to France after the British
defeat at Fort Oswego, he was released in 1763 and granted a tract of
4,4000 acres for his service in what is now Whitestone and Flushing.
Queens. He reestablished himself as a merchant
In 1765 with the implantation of the Stamp Act. Lewis became active in
revolutionary Whig politics in New York. American Revolution civil and
patriotic service; Provincial Congress and Continental Congress delegate,
Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Commissioner of the
Continental Board of Admiralty, supplied the Army at his own expense.
After the Battle of Brooklyn, his land at Whitestone and Flushing was
seized, his farm burned by the British. His wife Elizabeth nee Annesley
(17151778), m. 1745 was callously taken prisoner and held in deplorable
conditions, after her release she joined her husband in Philadelphia but
soon died afterwards of complications of disease acquired while in prison.
Of his two sons Morgan served in John Jay’s militia regiment as 2 nd Major
and as the Deputy Quartermaster General of the Northern Dept, at the rank
of Colonel, later he was Governor of New York and Maj. General during the
War of 1812 and was a long serving President of the Society of Cincinnati
in New York. Francis Jr. was a prominent merchant who rendered patriotic
service. Francis Lewis died in New York City on 31 Mar 1802, where he
resided with is sons
Dr. Hugh Williamson (1735-1819)
Founding Father, Surgeon General of North Carolina Militia, Continental Congress, Signer of the U.S. Constitution and U.S. Representative from North Carolina, SAR#P-321269
Sect. South 3, Apthorp Family Vault, White Marble Flat Stone in Walkway
Hugh Willamson the son of John (1704-1757) and Mary (1714-1804) Davison Williamson, was born in Chester Co., Pa and was of Scots Irish ancestry. He was a member of the American Philosophical Society and a Renaissance man of sorts who was learned in many fields, a licensed Presbyterian preacher (never ordained), physician, professor of mathematics, politician, educator, scholar, scientist, merchant, author, humanitarian and historian. While travelling to London in 1773 at a stop over in Boston he witnessed the Boston Tea Party and testified about it before Parliament. At the outbreak of the war in 1776 Williamson offered his services as a Surgeon but moved to North Carolina and became involved with his brother John in blockade running and the smuggling medicine and medical supplies for the army. Williamson was appointed Surgeon General of the North Carolina Militia. At the Battle of Camden, he averted a smallpox epidemic among American POWs, through inoculations and quarantine, he served in the primarily in the Edenton District of Northeastern North Carolina under Brig. Gen. Isaac Gregory, who
operated partisan raids on the British out “the Great Dismal Swamp”, not unlike Francis “the Swamp Fox” Marion and other Carolinian militia commanders. Dr. Hugh Williamson was an early advocate of proper nutrition, personal hygiene and sanitary conditions among the soldiers.
In 1782 he was elected to the Continental Congress from North Carolina. In 1787 he was sent to the Constitutional Convention where he boarded with Alexander Hamilton and James Madison and was a signer of the Constitution, he then served two terms in the first sessions of the Federal Congress and retired from active political life in New York City, he was a Federalist and abolitionist. Williamson married Maria Apthorp (1750-
1790) in 1789, who died in 1790 after childbirth. In his later years Williamson served with various charitable organizations and continued to research, write and publish on a variety of scholarly topics, including a book on the history of North Carolina. He was well-liked and respected among his peers for his erudition and humorous quick wit.
Hugh Williamson died suddenly at age 83 while driving his carriage on 22 May 1819 and was buried in Trinity near Alexander Hamilton.
Patriots of Trinity Church Cemetery
SARAH VAN BRUGH LIVINGSTON ALEXANDER (1725-1805)
Wife of Maj. Gen. William “Lord Stirling” Alexander (1725-1783) and sister of Founding Fathers, William and Phillip Livingston Sect. South 5,
Alexander Family Vault (rear walkway behind the church, cracked stone
Sarah Livingston was born 7 Nov 1725 in Albany, N.Y. to Col. Phillip (1686-1749) and Catharina Van Brugh (1668-1756) Livingston, she a member of the prominent and politically powerful Livingston family. Most of the men of the extended Livingston served the patriot cause through civil, patriotic or military service. Two of Sarah’s brothers were Phillip, Jr. (1716-1778) a Signer of the Declaration of Independence and William (1723-
1790) Livingston, the 1st Governor of New Jersey and signer of the U.S. Constitution. In 1748 she married William “Lord Stirling” Alexander in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Lord Stirling, as he was known, was among the best battlefield commanders of the Continental Army. Unfortunately, there is no record of the General being buried at Trinity
according to the Trinity archivist, although he is believed to be buried in the Alexander family vault. This union produced two daughters, Maria (1749-1820) and Catherine (1755-1826) Alexander. Maria married Robert Watts (1743-1814), a New York merchant who managed his Loyalist father’s New York estate after he fled to England. Catherine married Col. Willian Duer (1743-1799), a former British officer who served as a Colonel
of N.Y. Militia and as a delegate to the Continental Congress. Robert and Maria Watts are buried in the Trinity churchyard (S.1D). Sarah Alexander died 5 April 1805 in Hunterdon Co., New Jersey. Her husband William Alexander passed away in January of 1783 in Albany and probably would not have been interred in Trinity at that time because of the British occupation and the Loyalist sentiments of the Trinity Rector Rev.
Charles Inglis at the time, if he is interred at Trinity it possibly would have been under the tenure of his nephew Rev. Samuel Provost the first Rector after the British
occupation.
ANTHONY LISPENARD BLEECKER (1741-1816)
1st Major, 1st New York Militia Regiment, Patriotic Service
SAR # P-116384, DAR # A011231
S3, Southside, Bleecker Family Vault
Anthony Lispenard was born 18 Jun 1741, New Rochelle, Westchester Co. N.Y. to Jacobus Rutger and Abigail Lispenard Bleecker and was of French Huguenot and Dutch ancestry Bleecker served early in war as 1 st Major of Col. Henry Remsen’s 1st New York City Militia Regiment, after the British occupation of 1776, New York City militiamen either swore an ‘Oath of Loyalty’ to King George and remained in New York or enlisted in other
regiments or fled New York City. Bleecker removed to New Jersey for the duration of the war and rendered patriotic service. His younger brother Leonard (1755-1844) served as a company grade officer in the New York Continental Line and was promoted to Brigade Major under Gen. Lafayette and was at Cornwallis’ surrender at Yorktown. Anthony Bleecker was a member of the committee to welcome Gen. Washington to New York after the evacuation of the British in 1783 After the war he was a prominent banker, auctioneer and merchant, among the richest men in New York and a founding member of the New York Stock Exchange, he also owned substantial farmlands in Greenwich Village, both Bleecker and Lispenard Streets are named for him and was a vestryman and warden at Trinity Church for many years. Anthony L. Bleecker married Mary Noel (1743-1828) in 1763, this union produced eleven children born between 1764 and 1786, he died 26 Apr 1816 and was buried a few days later in the Trinity Churchyard
McKNIGHT FAMILY PATRIOTS
McKnight-Scott Family Plot N- 1A
Six large horizonal stones near the north entrance
“Here lies the body of Charles McKnight M. D. Senior Surgeon in the American Army of the Revolution and late professor in the Medical Department of Columbia College. A most eminent surgeon, a skillful Physician and a zealous Patriot. He died November 16th 1791 aged 41 years.” -Inscription on Dr. Charles
McKnight Grave Marker
Dr. Charles McKnight, Jr. (10 Oct 1750-16 Nov 1791)
SAR # P-246693, DAR # A077815
The second son of the Rev. Charles and Elizabeth Stevens McKnight like
his brother Richard was born in New Jersey. After completing his medical
studies, he served as a Continental Line Surgeon, first to Pennsylvania
Flying Camp Hospital, then Surgeon General of the Middle District, Acting-
Surgeon General and Chief Hospital Physician. Dr. Charles McKnight was a well-regarded physician who opened a medical practice in New York City after the war, he was also professor of anatomy at Columbia Univ. He was a classmate of James Madison at the College of New Jersey (Princeton). McKnight died prematurely at age 41 in 1791, due to pneumonia caused by old war injuries. He married Mary Morin Scott (1753-1796) the daughter of Brig. Gen. John Morin Scott, she was the widow of Lt. John Litchfield a British officer who died prior to the war
Rev. Charles McKnight, Sr (C.1717- 1 Jan 1778)
SAR # 244964
Reverend McKnight was born in Antrim, Northern Ireland and emigrated to
New Jersey sometime prior to 1742 when he was ordained into
Presbyterian Ministry, he served several congregations in New Jersey and
was trustee at the College of New Jersey (Princeton) initially under the
tenure Rev. Aaron Burr, Sr. (the father of Aaron Burr) until his death in 1778 Like many of his fellow Presbyterian ministers he was a strong advocate of independence. At the Battle of Princeton while serving as Chaplain, he was severely wounded by slashes from a British saber, it is believed these slashes were meant for Gen. Hugh Mercer, whom Rev. McKnight was in proximity too. In 1777 his church at Middletown Point, N.J. was burned by a Loyalist Militia, and he was sent to the prison ships in Wallabout Bay, Brooklyn and died of diminished heath due to his imprisonment soon after his release in1778 at age 61
Charles McKnight, Sr. married Elizabeth Stevens (1730-1752) in 1746.
They had three known children, a daughter Rachel b.1748 and the two
sons Richard and Charles, Jr. Captain Richard McKnight (May 1749-April 1781) Richard McKnight, eldest son of Charles, Sr. and Elizabeth McKnight. He is honored with a cenotaph in the McKnight-Scott Plot. Richard McKnight was commissioned Captain in the Monmouth County Militia, in a skirmish with Loyalist Militia in 1779 at Tinton Falls he was taken as a POW with his father in-law Col. Daniel Hendrickson. McKnight was sent the “Jersey” where he died in 1781 of disease and malnutrition, leaving a widow Elizabeth the daughter of the afore mentioned Colonel and the maternal niece of Col. Rutgert and Capt. Adrian Van Brunt of New Utrecht and two young sons Charles and Daniel named respectively for their grandfathers. There are some indications he was also a Chaplain
Brigadier General John Morin Scott (1730- 1784)
Brigadier General of N.Y. Militia, Civic and Patriotic Service
McKnight-Scott Family Plot N- 1A
Six large horizonal stones near the north entrance
“Here lies the body of ye Honorable John Morin Scott Esq. son of John and Marion Scott who departed this life Sept 14th 1784 aged 54 years” Inscription on John Morin Scott’s Grave
Stone John Morin Scott was born in Manhattan and educated at Yale, admitted to the New York bar in 1752. At an early date he became involved in Whig pro-independence politics. With the Stamp Act enacted in 1765 he was a founding member of the New York ‘Sons of Liberty’ and in 1775 he was a member of the New York General Committee and the New York Provincial Congress On 9 June 1776 Scott was appointed Brigadier General of New York Militia. His brigade was attached to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam’s Division and send to Brooklyn prior to the battle, he commanded troops at Harlem Heights, White Plains where he was wounded and the early Philadelphia and New Jersey campaign. Scott resigned in March of 1777 due to ill health. He was among the proponents of defending New York City against British occupation, primarily because of his substantial land holdings in the current area of current Times Sq. area this land was confiscated but he was able to reacquire it after the occupation. Additionally, he was an early handler of Robert Townsend of the Culper spy ring prior to Maj. Benjamin Talmadge After his resignation from the army from 1777 through 1782 he held several political positions, Committee of Safety, Committee of Appointments, State Senate and was the first New York Secretary of State, this position was held by his only son Lewis Allaire Scott (1759-1798) after his death in 1784, he also ran unsuccessfully for Governor against Gen. George Clinton. His only daughter Mary married Dr. Charles McKnight(see
Dr. McKnight’s bio)
HERCULES MULLIGAN (1740-1825)
Founding Member of the New York Sons of Liberty and Spy
SAR# 249804, 253889, DAR # A0826683.
Section 4, South, Whaley Family Vault
(Small historic marker, near Hamilton)
Hercules Mulligan was born 25 Sep 1740 in Londonderry, Northern Ireland and migrated to New York in1746 as a boy with his family and later opened a tailor’s shop at on Queen St. (now Pearl St.) not far from Fraunce’s Tavern, his shop catered to a wealthy British military officer and gentlemen clientele. His wife Elizabeth was the niece of British Admiral Sir Charles Saunders (1715-1775) When a young Alexander Hamilton arrived from New York in 1772 to attend King’s College, Mulligan’s alma mater, he rented a room from Mulligan, it here that Hamilton
first became familiar with the growing cause of American independence from Great Britian. Hercules was a leader among the Sons of Liberty and was involved in the Golden Hill Riot of 1770, the seizure of the City Armory and with Alexander Hamilton and the “Hearts of Oak Militia” the capture of cannons at the Battery in 1775 and the razing of the statue of King George at Bowling Green on 9 Jul 1776 after the reading of the Declaration of Independence. Mulligan was a rabble rousing street Captain other
members the Sons of Liberty included Marinus Willett, Isaac Sears, Alexander McDougal, William “Lord Stirling” Alexander, John Lamb and John Morin Scott After the occupation of New York in 1776, Alexander Hamilton suggested to Gen. Washington that his friend Hercules Mulligan would be an asset and a reliable source of British intelligence, because of his connection to the British officer class. Hercules Mulligan continued to provide military intelligence throughout the war to Hamilton and is
credited with at least twice with providing intelligence that led to Gen. Washington avoidance of capture. Mulligan’s enslaved man Cato Howe was believed to be his prime courier, after Howe gained his freedom he removed to the Parting Ways community in Plymouth, Massachusetts, made up African freedmen veterans of the Revolutionary War, Howe may have also served in the militia. The Mulligan spy operation ran
simultaneously with Robert Townsend’s Culper spy ring operating out of Townsend’s dry goods store which was near Mulligan’s tailor shop on Queen St. After Bendict Arnold turned he indicated to British authorities that Mulligan was spy, he was imprisoned for six months, until he convinced the British of his innocence. After the war, Mulligan
continued in his tailoring business until his death on 4 March 1825, he was also involved in early abolitionist movement with John Jay and Alexander Hamilton in the New York Manumission Society.