Nathaniel Woodhull

File:Coat of Arms of Richard Woodhull.svg

Woodhull was born on December 30, 1722, in Mastic, Province of New York to Nathaniel Woodhull and Sarah Smith Woodhull. His family had been prominent in New York affairs since the mid seventeenth century.

In 1758, the thirty-six year old Woodhull joined the New York provincial forces, where he held the rank of major. He fought in numerous battles during the 7 Years War. He was at the Battle of Carillon under General Abercromby, and at the Battle of Fort Frontenac under General Bradstreet. In 1760, as colonel of the 3rd Regiment of New York Provincials took part in the invasion of Canada under General Amherst. After the end of hostilities, he returned to farming and community affairs.

In 1761, he married Ruth Floyd, the sister of William Floyd, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Sentiment against England's taxation of the colonies led to Suffolk County electing Woodhull to Province of New York assembly. From 1769 to 1775, he served as a member of the Province of New York assembly for Suffolk County. As such, he spoke against the Crown's colonial policies. He represented Suffolk also in the convention which chose delegates to the First Continental Congress, and in the New York Provincial Congress. In May 1775, the Provincial Congress assumed control of the colony and reorganized the militia. In August 1775, Woodhull was elected president of the New York Provincial Congress.

In October 1775, he was made brigadier general of the Suffolk and Queen's County militia. In August 1776, on the eve of the Battle of Long Island, Woodhull's militia was detailed to drive livestock east to prevent its falling into British hands. Woodhull's troops had driven 1,400 cattle out onto the Hempstead Plains and with 300 more ready to go. A severe thunderstorm drove the general to take refuge in a tavern run by Increase Carpenter, about two miles east of Jamaica in what is now Hollis. Relief was not forthcoming, and his situation deteriorated.

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Woodhull was captured near Jamaica by a detachment of Fraser's Highlanders led by Captain Sir James Baird. He was struck with a sword multiple times, injuring his arm and head by a British officer purportedly for not saying, "God save the King", as ordered, saying instead "God save us all". He was taken in a cattle transport to the Old Stone Church in Jamaica, which the British had converted into a prison.{{cite book |last=Lossing |first=Benson J. |title=The Pictorial Field-book of the Revolution Vol II|url=https://archive.org/details/fieldbookeleven02lossrich/page/n9/mode/2up|publisher=Harper & Brothers |year=1860 |location=Franklin Square, New York |pages=605 |isbn= }} He was later moved to a brig serving as a prison ship in Wallabout Bay. While in captivity, Woodhull's wounds became infected and his health rapidly deteriorated. A sympathetic British officer had him transferred to the century-old house built by Nicasius di Sille in New Utrecht (now part of Brooklyn). {{efn| The house was demolished in 1850 by the owner Baret Wyckoff. It was located in the current vicinity of 84th St. and New Utrecht Ave.}} Woodhull's arm was amputated in an effort to save his life, he managed to call for his wife who was at his side when he died on September 20, 1776. He was buried at his family home.[http://longislandgenealogy.com/Surname_Pages/woodhull.htm Woodhull Family]

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The following schools are named after Nathaniel Woodhull:

• PS 35 Nathaniel Woodhull School, Hollis, Queens[http://www.ps35q.org/home.aspx Nathaniel Woodhull School, Hollis]
• Nathaniel Woodhull Elementary School, Shirley, New York[http://www.wfsd.k12.ny.us/index.php/woodhull-elementary-school/ Nathaniel Woodhull Elementary School, Shirley, New York]
• Nathaniel Woodhull Intermediate School, Huntington, New York{{Cite web|url=http://www.hufsd.edu/schools/woodhull_index.html|title=Woodhull Intermediate School|last=|first=|date=|website=www.hufsd.edu|publisher=|access-date=2016-10-03}}

The post office in Mastic Beach, New York is also named after Nathaniel Woodhull.{{Cite web|title=Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11 - BRIGADIER GENERAL NATHANIEL WOODHULL POST OFFICE BUILDING|url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CRECB-2012-pt11/html/CRECB-2012-pt11-Pg15587.htm|access-date=2021-12-11|website=www.govinfo.gov}}

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• Jacobsen, Edna L. "Nathaniel Woodhull." Dictionary of American Biography Base Set. American Council of Learned Societies, 1928-1936. [http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/BioRC Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Gale, 2008. Online April 1, 2008.]

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Category:1722 births

Category:1776 deaths

Category:Members of the New York General Assembly

Category:Members of the New York Provincial Assembly

Category:Members of the New York Provincial Congress

Category:United States military personnel killed in the American Revolutionary War

Category:Militia generals in the American Revolution

Category:New York (state) militiamen in the American Revolution

Category:People from Mastic, New York

Category:People from colonial New York

Category:Woodhull family

Category:18th-century American politicians