Exiled to New York

After refusing to take an oath of allegiance on July 6, Roelof signed the following statement:

I do hereby engage on my parol of Honor and the word of a
Gentleman that I will not depart beyond the Limits from time
to time to be assigned me by the person administring [sic] the
Government of this state for the time being or any three of the
Commissioners for Conspiracies & and that in the meantime
I will not directly or Indirectly do or say anything Injurious to
the Independence of the United States [signed at] Poghkeepsie 6th July 1778
Roeloff Josias Eltinge[1]

Roelof was allowed to return home to New Paltz but was soon sent an order to appear at Fishkill on August 3 and to prepare for removal to New York, now under British control and “within the Enemy’s lines.” [2] Roelof was permitted to take with him “his family (males capable of bearing arms Excepted), one week's provision, and as much his effects as together with his family and provisions as can be transported in two wagons.” Maria and the children stayed home in New Paltz, however. Another document records that in August one of the Eltinge brothers (simply referred to as “Mr. Elting Esqr”) traveled along with Cadwallader Colden Jr. on the Flag Sloop Liberty and was then transferred to the Frigate Thames “Man of War” by Lieut. Colonel Burr (assumed to be future Vice President Aaron Burr).[3]

Having also been banished to New York, Solomon wrote in English to his father on August 29, revealing again the deep faith and commitment to prayer that sustained him and his family:

Honor’d Father this is to acquaint you that I am
in Good health thanks to God for the Same. Wishing
to hear you & all the friends. Brother
Roelof is in Good health also, & we expect to move
over to long Iland [sic] in the beginning of next week.
I will write nothing Concerning the war, but I
hope that the Lord will at the appointed time Show
that he is a helper of them that Call upon him,
therefore let us although we are parted from one
another Join our hearts in prayers to the Lord that
we may be Protected by the powerfull hand of the
Lord. So that when this Dark Cloud is past, we shall
Praise the Lord for his Goodness towards us …[4] 

On September 6, Roelof wrote in his diary, “I took my Boarding at Mr. Anthony van Noorstrandt in the Wolve hollow on Long-Island in Queens County,”[5] where he seems to have remained through most of the war, with some trips into the city on occasion. Brother Solomon was residing in Oyster Bay, where he wrote two letters to their father, family, and friends, again in Dutch, in December 1778 and January of the following year.[6]

While in exile in New York and on Long Island, the brothers would have been responsible for their own upkeep (this was also true while they were imprisoned in New Hampshire and elsewhere). While on Long Island, Roelof appears to have been supporting himself and paying board by performing tasks like repairing shoes and making a “slay.” He also seems to have either made or left on consignment with other merchants various items such as pails, piggins (small buckets), “koolers,” sugar boxes, and canteens, as well as some type of stove.[7] This work seems to have sustained him financially, if not also serving to occupy his time.

[1] Engagement of Parole, July 6, 1778. Elting Papers, HHS Archives, https://nyheritage.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/hhs/id/3001/rec/14.

[2]] Order of Removal, July 22, 1778. Elting Papers, HHS Archives, https://nyheritage.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/hhs/id/2999/rec/12    

[3] Receipt, transfer of people and property from the Flag Sloop Liberty to the Frigate Thames, August 18, 1778. Elting Papers, HHS Archives, https://nyheritage.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16694coll153/id/29776/rec/66. The transfer receipt also mentions a Mr. Smith and his family, who had four enslaved people with them.

[4] Letter, Solomon Eltinge to Josiah Eltinge, August 29, 1778. Josiah Elting Family Papers, HHHC.  https://nyheritage.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16694coll153/id/16558/rec/68

[5] Roelof Josiah Elting’s Diary and Account Book (page 10), https://nyheritage.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16694coll153/id/6375/rec/76. 

[6] Letters (in Dutch), Solomon Eltinge to Josiah Eltinge, December 12, 1778 and January 26, 1779, https://nyheritage.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16694coll153/id/16574/rec/8 and https://nyheritage.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16694coll153/id/16561/rec/71.

[7] Roelof Josiah Eltinge’s Diary and Account Book (page 18), https://nyheritage.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16694coll153/id/37862/rec/76.