Senate Resolution No. 2122

BY: Senator FLANAGAN

HONORING the members of the Setauket Spy Ring for
their bravery during the American Revolutionary War
to be celebrated with the dedication of Route 25A as
Washington's Spy Trail on May 18, 2017

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commemorate
those unsung patriots of historical significance who add strength, vigor
and inspiration to the cultural diversity and quality of life in the
communities of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
the members of the Setauket Spy Ring for their bravery during the
American Revolutionary War to be celebrated with the dedication of Route
25A in Setauket, New York, as Washington's Spy Trail on Thursday, May
18, 2017, at the Brewster House; and

WHEREAS, Built in 1665 and considered the oldest house in the Town
of Brookhaven, the Brewster House was home to six generations of
Brewsters; and

WHEREAS, In the summer of 1778, the Setauket Spy Ring was organized
by American Major (later Colonel) Benjamin Tallmadge under orders from
General George Washington during British occupation of New York City at
the height of the American Revolutionary War; and

WHEREAS, Benjamin Tallmadge was tasked with recruiting people who
could be trusted to conduct vital undercover operations in occupied New
York City, so he sought out his Setauket boyhood friend, Abraham
Woodhull; the two men chose other trusted friends and neighbors from
Setauket including Caleb Brewster, Austin Roe, Jonas Hawkins, and Anna
Smith Strong; and

WHEREAS, In June of 1779, Abraham Woodhull engaged Robert Townsend
to gather intelligence in New York City, using the alias "Samuel Culper,
Jr."; the intelligence gathered in New York City was carried to
Setauket, then ferried by Caleb Brewster in his whaleboat across the
Long Island Sound to Connecticut; from there, it was delivered to
General George Washington at his West Point Headquarters; and

WHEREAS, In 1780, intelligence transmitted by the Culper Spy Ring
enabled General George Washington to prevent the British from capturing
Newport, Rhode Island, and destroying the newly arrived French army and
naval fleet; and

WHEREAS, Secrecy was so strict during the Revolutionary War that
even General George Washington did not know the identity of all the
operatives; however, after the war, President George Washington visited
Setauket and stayed at the Roe Tavern owned by Setauket spy, Austin Roe;
following that monumental visit, the Spy Ring story and members all but
disappeared into unwritten history; and

WHEREAS, The general public was unaware of the Culper Spy Ring's
existence until the 1930s when Robert Townsend's identity as "Culper,
Jr." was discovered in 1929, by historian, Morton Pennypacker; Morton
reviewed Robert's letters and noticed that the handwriting was similar
to handwriting in letters written by "Samuel Culper, Jr." in George
Washington's collection; other evidence later corroborated Robert
Townsend's identity; and

WHEREAS, The secrecy surrounding the Setauket Culper Spy Ring and
its members precluded recognition of its vital contributions to the
favorable outcome of the Revolutionary War and creation of the nation;
these meritorious men and women risked their lives and families to serve
their young country at its most precarious moments to ensure that
liberty and freedom would shine in the years ahead; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the
efforts of those institutions which seek to bring recognition to
historical events within the State of New York, and in doing so, help to
ensure that the complete history of our State and Nation is preserved
and shared with present generations of citizens; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity
to express its highest admiration for the Setauket Spy Ring, and for all
of the individuals who have worked to bring proper attention to a place
and time which merits recognition in the grand panorama of the history
of our State and Nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the members of the Setauket Spy Ring for their bravery during the
American Revolutionary War to be celebrated with the dedication of Route
25A as Washington's Spy Trail on Thursday, May 18, 2017, at the Brewster
House.