Shortly after the British took control of New York from the Dutch, the Colonies organized local Colonial Militias for the mutual defense of the Colonies.  These would be similar to what we have today as the National Guard, except they weren't voluntary - every able body male was expected to enroll and participate.

On the 1761 roster of the Militia of the Company of Captain John Birdsall there is listed in the ranks a Private Benjamin Birdsall.  Enrollment in the militia was mandatory in colonial times for all males of age.  Service required 8 days of active duty per man per year. 

In 1776, fifteen years later,  Lt. Colonel Benjamin Birdsall of the Continental Army was placed in charge of subduing the Tory population of Long Island.  He did this by enforcing some of the more distasteful policies the Loyalists were inflicted with.

After the American defeat at the Battle of Long Island and the American evacuation of Long Island when the tide turned in favor of the British, Benjamin Birdsall was a Colonel without a command and a refugee from his own home on Long Island.  He was permitted to visit his home only under humanitarian permission from the British Army and under an armed escort.

Loyalist Captain John Birdsall was the father of Continental Army Lt. Colonel Benjamin Birdsall. 

"Lieut. Col. Benj. Birdsall was of an old Queens Co. family, and of a branch that intermarried with the Seamans and Jacksons of the north side of L. I. He was called a "drover farmer," one who raised cattle on the Hempstead Plains, and fed them in winter on the wild meadow grass. He lived on the south side of L. I. a short distance west of his father-in-law, Wm. Jones. He took an active part in the Rev. War. His colonel was John Sands, an active supporter of Congress. In 1777-1783 was Member of Assembly. In 1776 he mustered 60 volunteers and aided Gen. Putnam in erecting entrenchments on Brooklyn Heights. He was captured by the British and imprisoned in the "Provost," at which time Genl. Washington had his wife and children conveyed to Dover, in Dutchess Co., where they remained during the war. In 1794 he disposed of his property and settled in Jerusalem, where he died." (MSS. C. B. Moore.) - 'The Jones Family of Long Island'

"Capt. John Birdsall is the father of Lt. Col Benjamin Birdsall and the brother of my ancestor Joseph Birdsall. There was quite a feud between Benjamin and Joseph during and after the war. Benjamin accused Joseph of giving instead of selling his cattle to the British. It is interesting to read the letters between them... However, Joseph was an executor of Benjamin's will when he died in 1798." - personal correspondence with William G. Carman.