Claudius Smith

Claudius Smith (1736 – January 22, 1779), the notorious Cowboy Terrorist of the American Revolution was the oldest son of David Smith (1701–1787) – a tailor, cattleman, constable, and finally judge – from Brookhaven, New York and Meriam (Williams) Carle from Hempstead, New York the daughter of Samuel Williams.

He, along with several members of his family – including three of his four sons: William, Richard, and James – allegedly terrorized the New York countryside during the American Revolution around an area formerly known as Smith's Clove (presently Monroe), Orange County, New York where David Smith and his family moved to in and around 1741 from Brookhaven.

Several accounts differ on his size and stature including his 1762 French and Indian War muster roll, which had him at 5'9" and his 1778 wanted poster, which had him at close to 7' tall.

It is obvious from all accounts, though, that Claudius was a Loyalist and fought in raids alongside the Mohawk Indian Chief, Joseph Brandt, which more often than not got him labeled a terrorist, as opposed to a legitimate enemy combatant.

He, surprisingly killed no-one, and was often thought of as being a Robin Hood; but when one of his party did kill a one Maj Nathaniel Strong October 6, 1778, the Governor George Clinton became perturbed and put out a "serious" wanted poster for his arrest, which eventually did occur and resulted in his hanging on January 22, 1779 in the town of Goshen, Orange County, New York, and in the deaths of at least two of his sons: William and James – the latter being captured in February of 1779 by a one Abner Thorpe, according to: Knight's New York in the Revolution (1901, Supp.), p. 165 [the Accounts of Governor Clinton].

Richard remained at large at least through 1781, when we see him on a letter addressed to Governor Clinton from Gen George Washington warning him of his eminent kidnapping by the remaining members of the Claudius Smith Gang.

He is the subject of Elizabeth Oakes Smith's article, concerning the oldest surviving son who sought vengence upon the people of Orange County after the hanging death of his father, Claudius.

References

• George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress, 1741–1799, Series 3c Varick Transcripts George Washington to George Clinton, August 10, 1781 (search for "Claudius Smith").
• Samuel W. Eager An Outline History of Orange County (1846–7) pp. 525–528, and 550–565.
• Daniel Allen Hearn Legal Executions in New York State: A Comprehensive Reference, 1639-1963 (1997) [concerning the execution of Claudius Smith]
• The 1778 Wanted Poster for Claudius Smith
• Elizabeth Oakes (Prince) Smith Beadle's Dime Novels, No. 127 (7/02/1867) pp. 9–14 ["Bald Eagle; or, The Last of the Ramapaughs"]
• Benjamin F. Thompson History of Long Island (1839, 1918 Edition) vol. II, pp. 344–345
• 3rd Annual Report of the State Historian of New York (1897, Appendix "M") p. 712 [Capt Clinton's Muster Roll, Ulster County, 1762]
• Edward Manning Ruttenber and L. H. Clark "History of Orange County, New York" (1881) pp. 69 [Persons Refusing to Sign the Alliance], 71–73 [The Story of Claudius Smith]