WILLIAM
STILL
Patriot
Coram
Drawing
by Gabriel Hunter.
William Still
was born in 1753 and came to Coram sometime before the
Revolutionary War.
The family farm
was located on the east side of what is now called Route
112, about a half mile north of the Middle Country Road.
On April 23rd
news of the Battle at Lexington reached New York.
Hostilities between England and her colonies had now
commenced.
On May 16, 1775
William Still signed the Association in the Fourth
Company Limits, under Captain David Mulford. By signing
this document, Still pledged to support the Continental
Congress and the Provincial Convention. Captain Mulford
was a Muster Master in charge of raising troops to fight
in the rebellion.
On June 8, 1775
he again signed the Association in Brookhaven, Fourth
Company Limits. This company was incorporated into the
First regiment of minutemen in Suffolk County, commanded
by Captain Josiah Smith. It was intended that this
company would join the Continental Army.
The Battle of
Long Island took place on August 27, 1776. Some elements
of Josiah Smith's Regiment took part in the battle, but
it is not clear if William Still was present.
On August 29,
four companies of Brookhaven Militia were ordered to
March to Huntington, but only reached as far as the
Epenetus Smith tavern in Smithtown. It was decided that
the militia force was too small to fight and was
disbanded. Some of the men fled to Connecticut while
others went home.
Long Island was
now under British control, and the Patriots who remained
would suffer under their control.
The Still farm
would be visited by the Queen's Rangers a number of
times. The Hussars, took hay, oats and rye from the
Still's leaving an acknowledgement without paying. This
was the Price of being a Patriot on Long Island.
The Queen's Rangers Hussars wore a short
coat with a double
row of pewter buttons,green breeches, short boots and
were
armed with pistols and sabers only.
Copy of the
bill, of items taken by the Hussars from William Still.
The hay would be destroyed in the raid at Coram. Bill
from the Still Collection, provided by, Merv Still and
Robert Wolcott.
William Still
and his wife Martha would have six sons, Leonard,
William, Stephen, Andrew, Jonathan and Jonah. They would
also have one or two daughters, name(s) unknown.
William Still
died in 1838 and was buried in the "Old
Catholic" Cemetery on Old Middle Country Road in
Coram. This cemetery is behind where the Friendly's
Restaurant is.
Transcription of Bill
Coram 24th July 1780
Received of William Still one
hundred & fifty pounds Hay for the use
of the Queens Rangers Hussars
John McSile Q R
Q R H
Took from William Still July in the
year 1780
By Leutennt McNab __ hundred_____ fresh
Hay & gave not pay for it 4=0=0
So taken by a Captn of the Light Infantre command
by genrl askine December 1779 for shock
of oats In the shefe 1=8=0
Taken at the same time Rye & Corn fore bushels 2=0=0
Supplied a party at another time of troops command
by genrl askine ____ me ____ _____ _____ 0=15=0
Commanded by Conl Hewlett to work on a fort (Fort George)
& work six days in Brookhaven 1=16=0
Supplied the Infantre with fore bushels put taters
(potatoes) 1=4=0