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| The Happenings Feature - October 2006 |
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Fort Defiance returns to Red Hook
by Mark D Phillips
John J. Burkard and Fort Defiance
view larger
©Mark D Phillips |
Is Red Hook getting a raw deal in the history of America?
Each year, the Battle of Brooklyn is commemorated in Brooklyn Heights and Prospect Park. Red Hook is never mentioned.
In 1953, an attempt was made to spell out the areas role in the Battle of Brooklyn. Two historical markers were placed, one on the Manufacturers
Trust Company in downtown Brooklyn at the start of Red Hook Lane, and the second on a Todd Shipyards building in Red Hook.
The downtown sign told the story of General George Washington's withdrawal down Red Hook Lane to Red Hook. The sign on Todd Shipyard told the tale of
Fort Defiance, one of several forts built by Washington in the months before the British attack. The sign vanished shortly after in the mid 50's.
John J. Burkard never forgot that sign.
"I have lived in the same house in Red Hook for 45 years," he said. "When I retired, I made it my goal to find that sign."
That goal led to many discoveries and investigations into neighborhood lore by the historian. With nothing more than tenacity, Burkard has
unearthed long forgotten maps and references to a rich history in Red Hook.
"The neighborhood has a lot of streets named for Revolutionary War generals who served under Washington," says Burkard.
Neighbors talked about a Revolutionary War burial ground on Columbia Street. Even with the sign gone from Todd Shipyard, everyone knew
about Fort Defiance. But what was the truth?
Burkard discovered several maps, including the oldest from 1766 which shows the remnants of a fort in Red Hook. No reference was made to the
builder, only the fact that it existed.
The Red Hook of the Revolution was completely different from today's paved and developed region. Mostly swampland, Red Hook consisted of one
large landmass named Cypress Tree Island. Described as a "mountain," the 40 to 50 feet in elevation provided a strategic location to control
entry into the East River. Red Hook Lane, an Indian trail, provided the only access from the heights of Brooklyn to Red Hook.
On April 10, 1776, General George Washington ordered the construction of a fort on the island in what he called "an exceedingly strong defensive
position." Outfitted with four cannon, Fort Defiance was the westernmost in a series of forts constructed on the heights of Brooklyn.
Admiral Lord Richard Howe assembled a fleet of 400 ships in New York Harbor in mid-August 1776 in preparation for battle. A frigate, HMS Roebuck,
was sent up the East River to complete the encirclement of Washington's positions. As the ship battled the wind, it came under a constant barrage from Fort
Defiance. The whithering attack forced it to return to anchor in Gravesend Bay with the rest of the British fleet.
The British launched a three-pronged attack on August 27, 1776, the first and largest battle of the American Revolution. Severely outnumbered,
General Washington led the Continental Army in a nighttime retreat across the East River on August 29th. Fort Defiance was credited with keeping
the ferry route clear.
"Most people think that Washington led his troops from Red Hook, on Red Hook Lane, to evacuate from Fulton Ferry to Manhattan. Moving 10,000 men
to the ferry and rowing across in one night? Can't be done," said Burkard. "I think they left all along the shore from Red Hook to Fulton Ferry.
Some of them probably met up with another garrison on Governors Island."
Is this where Major Grant is buried?
©Mark D Phillips |
The length of the trail, nearly seven miles through rough country, with skirmishes taking place with the British, led Burkard to his second discovery.
As the army retreated along Red Hook Lane, ambushes were conceived to slow the British Army's advance.
On a trip to London, Burkard discovered an 1835 book by Gabriel Furman that told the story of British Major Grant. As Grant was leading his troops along
Red Hook Lane, an American soldier shot and killed Grant and another soldier from his perch in a nearby tree. When the American was killed, the British
troops buried Grant and his comrade along Red Hook Lane, leaving the American where he lay. Later, after the British troops left, sympathizers buried
the colonial soldier in the same spot.
Burkard is convinced that the burial ground is located at the corner of Nelson and Columbia Streets. The building that stands on the lot was built with
a cutoff corner, leaving a triangle of undeveloped land. His research shows the building was constructed in 1932, but was unable to find any records for
the property prior to that time.
"There is rumor and folklore that the location was the burial ground," said Burkard. With the owner's permission, he placed a sign on the site stating
the site "is undergoing research to confirm it's existence as a Revolutionary War Burial Ground. Please respect it as such."
Burkard would like to see the story of Red Hook's role in the Revolution given its due, by teaching in the schools and his ultimate goal, a Heritage Trail
running from the Burial Ground to Fort Defiance. He convinced the NYC Parks Department to recreate the Todd Shipyard sign and place it in Louis Valentino
Park, where many believe Fort Defiance was located.
"It's more than just a sign in the park," said Burkard. "It's our history."
1766 Red Hook Map |
How did Cypress Tree Island become the Red Hook of today?
A mill was mentioned as early as 1689 at the present Dikeman and Van Brunt Streets. A Farm Plan Map from this period shows at least five
ponds in the area, and an estimated 47 acres of marsh land.
In 1835, Messers. Dikeman, Waring and Underhill cut down the hill on Cypress Tree Island for "the purpose of filling up the neighboring mill ponds, lower ground
and drowned marshes." |
1854 Red Hook Map, 12th Ward |
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Previous Happenings Features
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Fort Defiance returns to Red Hook
Is Red Hook getting a raw deal in the history of America?
Each year, the Battle of Brooklyn is commemorated in Brooklyn Heights and Prospect Park. Red Hook is never mentioned. In 1953, an attempt was made to spell out the areas role in the Battle of Brooklyn. Two historical markers were placed, one on the Manufacturers Trust Company in downtown Brooklyn at the start of Red Hook Lane, and the second on a Todd Shipyards building in Red Hook.
Fort Defiance .... Continued |
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Brooklyn Eats: A borough of fine dining
Has Brooklyn eclipsed Manhattan in the restaurant buzz? Talk to Borough President Marty Markowitz and
you may think that way.
With a shout of "Brooklyn is the epicenter of the restaurant scene in New York. Tonight is calorie free!"
Markowitz sent a hungry crowd loose at the 10th Annual Brooklyn Eats™ event at Brooklyn's Marriott hotel on Oct. 3.
Brooklyn Eats .... Continued |
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The Happenings Feature - Story Archive
Want to read more of our stories about special people, groups and events in South Brooklyn?
Happenings Story Archive |
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| Visit our HAPPENINGS page to see more events taking place in South Brooklyn. |
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Produced by
SouthBrooklynInternet. All material ©2006. No reuse without permission.
All photographs ©Mark D Phillips - southbrooklyninternet.com |
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