Generous Enemies: Patriots and Loyalists in Revolutionary New York (Early American Studies)

In July 1776, the final group of more than 130 ships of the Royal Navy sailed into the waters surrounding New York City, marking the start of seven years of British occupation that spanned the American Revolution. What military and political leaders characterized as an impenetrable "Fortress Britannia"—a bastion of solid opposition to the American cause—was actually very different.As Judith L. Van Buskirk reveals, the military standoff produced civilian communities that were forced to operate in close, sustained proximity, each testing the limits of political and military authority. Conflicting loyalties blurred relationships between the two sides: John Jay, a delegate to the Continental Congresses, had a brother whose political loyalties leaned toward the Crown, while one of the daughters of Continental Army general William Alexander lived in occupied New York City with her husband, a prominent Loyalist. Indeed, the texture of everyday life during the Revolution was much more complex than historians have recognized.Generous Enemies challenges many long-held assumptions about wartime experience during the American Revolution by demonstrating that communities conventionally depicted as hostile opponents were, in fact, in frequent contact. Living in two clearly delineated zones of military occupation—the British occupying the islands of New York Bay and the Americans in the surrounding countryside—the people of the New York City region often reached across military lines to help friends and family members, pay social calls, conduct business, or pursue a better life. Examining the movement of Loyalist and rebel families, British and American soldiers, free blacks, slaves, and businessmen, Van Buskirk shows how personal concerns often triumphed over political ideology.Making use of family letters, diaries, memoirs, soldier pensions, Loyalist claims, committee and church records, and newspapers, this compelling social history tells the story of the American Revolution with a richness of human detail. In July 1776, The Final Group Of More Than 130 Ships Of The Royal Navy Sailed Into The Waters Surrounding New York City, Marking The Start Of Seven Years Of British Occupation That Spanned The American Revolution. What Military And Political Leaders Characterized As An Impenetrable Fortress Britannia--a Bastion Of Solid Opposition To The American Cause - Was Actually Very Different. As Judith Van Buskirk Reveals, The Military Standoff Produced Civilian Communities That Were Forced To Operate In Close, Sustained Proximity, Each Testing The Limits Of Political And Military Authority. Conflicting Loyalties Blurred Relationships Between The Two Sides: John Jay, A Delegate To The Continental Congresses, Had A Brother Whose Political Loyalties Leaned Toward The Crown, While One Of The Daughters Of Continental Army General William Alexander Lived In Occupied New York City With Her Husband, A Prominent Loyalist. Indeed, The Texture Of Everyday Life During The Revolution Was Much More Complex Than Historians Have Admitted.--jacket. The Seat Of War -- The Web Of Family -- Gentlemen At War -- The Eagle Eye Of Profit -- Crossing Freedom's Line -- The Late Unhappy Commotions. Judith L. Van Buskirk. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [237]-245) And Index. "In July 1776, the final group of more than 130 ships of the Royal Navy sailed into the waters surrounding New York City, marking the start of seven years of British occupation that spanned the American Revolution. What military and political leaders characterized as an impenetrable "Fortress Britannia" - a bastion of solid opposition to the American cause - was actually very different. As Judith Van Buskirk reveals, the military standoff produced civilian communities that were forced to operate in close, sustained proximity, each testing the limits of political and military authority. Conflicting loyalties blurred relationships between the two sides: John Jay, a delegate to the Continental Congresses, had a brother whose political loyalties leaned toward the crown, while one of the daughters of Continental Army general William Alexander lived in occupied New York City with her husband, a prominent Loyalist. Indeed, the texture of everyday life during the Revolution was much more complex than historians have admitted."--BOOK JACKET. Machine generated contents note: INTRODUCTION I I. THE SEAT OF WAR 8 2. THE WEB OF FAMILY 44 3. GENTLEMEN AT WAR 73 4. THE EAGLE EYE OF PROFIT 106 5. CROSSING FREEDOM'S LINE 129 6. THE LATE UNHAPPY COMMOTIONS 155.