(left) Button from a Loyalist soldier's uniform of the The Kings American Regiment

The American Revolutionary War on Long Island made for extremely turbulent times, probably more than any other place in the Colonies because of the great number of Loyalists there.  Boston was lost to the British early in the War and their attention was now turned to New York and it's harbor and resources. Loyalists from Connecticut and Massachusetts were fleeing to Long Island.  The Continental Congress knew of this and the Continental Congress took steps to identify and confiscate the guns of loyalists; block exports  from Long Island except as approved by the Continental Congress;  forced military service, or even "deportation" from Long Island and jail in neighboring Colonies; and confiscation of personal property and estate.  After the disastrous "Battle of Long Island" the Continental Army troops under George Washington were forced into retreat from the Island for the remainder of the War and many Long Island units simply ceased to be - and now retribution was on the "Whigs" by the British and Loyalists for their earlier indignities and persecutions.  New York City became the British headquarters for all the British Armies, and it was Long Island's fate to house, feed and maintain the army for the remainder of the war.  To the Carman family, as all the families of the Island, it meant families would divide against themselves, much as it would happen 85 years later in the American Civil War.

For those who may not realize it, the American Revolution did come and end in 1776 or even a year or even two. The British did not depart Long Island until 1783, marking seven years of occupation. Long Island began a period of change it would never never go back to the times past. Not only families but entire communities were split. During the British occupation of Long Island virtually all churches except the 'official' Church of England were closed by the British order. Several cemeteries found their grave markers being pulled up and used for cooking fire hearths for occupying the British troops.

04/15/2006