JUSTUS
OVERTON
Coram
Justus Overton
Justus Overton was born August 20, 1757 in Coram, New
York. He was the son of David Overton and Susannah
Palmer. (David Overton's second wife.) Justus was one of
many children. He had four half brothers, two half
sisters, six brothers, and one sister.
His father,
David Overton, built the house that Justus spent his
boyhood in. This house was located on what is now called
David Overton Road. The road is on the west side of Mill
Road and had a small pond behind it.
David Overton
House on David Overton Road, note pond at rear of house.
Photo from the collection of Davis Erhardt.
Justus entered
the army in late April or early May of 1776 as a
volunteer. He was commanded by Lieutenant Nathaniel
Norton of Coram. The entire company was led by Captain
Daniel Griffin. This regiment was commanded by Colonel
Henry B. Livingston in the Brigade of General James
Clinton, in the third Regiment of the New York Line of
the American Revolution.
His company was
marched over to the East End of Long Island and stationed
at Shelter Island. In August of 1776 General Washington
was defeated at The Battle of Long Island. After the
surrender of Long Island to the British, the company
assisted patriots to transport their cattle and sheep to
Connecticut, which was still under American control.
Then after
helping the citizens in moving their livestock to
Connecticut their company was encamped at Saybrook,
Connecticut. While at Saybrook the company continued to
go to Long Island to bring Patriots and their belongings
to Connecticut.
The Connecticut
Courant Reported on September 30, 1776 that in September
a detachment of the company was sent to Brookhaven to
escort Captain Daniel Roe's family and other patriots
back to Connecticut. As they were returning to their boat
to leave they encountered a Tory, named Richard Miller,
who they believed had weapons stored at his home.
Miller fired a
shot at the patriots, whereupon five patriots returned
fire, mortally wounding Miller. The patriots were forced
to leave when they learned that another Tory, Jacob
Smith, was coming with reinforcements.
Miller and
Smith had received commissions under the King of Great
Britain. They were raising men, taking from patriot
farms, horses and wagons, taking cattle, which they were
supplying, to the occupying British Forces in New York
City.
In October of
1776, Overton's company participated in an expedition to
Colonel Floyd's estate, where they were supposed to bring
back the personal effects of Colonel Floyd and other
patriots. Instead, they ran into and captured two sloop
ships called Princess Mary and Lily filled with firewood.
These ships were loaded under the command of Captain
Smith for General Howe's men in New York City.
Now Justus
Overton and his company were sent to New Haven,
Connecticut for quite some time. In November, the same
year teamed up with troops from Rhode Island they were
then sent to Setauket on Long Island. At Setauket the
American troops engaged troops under the Tory leader,
Captain Jacob Smith. At this battle, the Americans only
lost one man, a sergeant. They killed several of the
enemy and captured Captain Smith and 23 Tories. Out of
this battle the Americans also took seventy-five muskets
much-needed muskets. They brought these Tories back to
Connecticut.
Then, Justus
and his company were sent over to Fishkill on the North
River in up state New York. After staying at Fishkill he
was then marched to Fort Montgomery, where they were to
support American troops in Canada. While at Fort
Montgomery Overton's enlistment ran out. General James
Clinton then asked all of the men in this company to
remain at the fort for one more month, until the regular
forces could come to Fort Montgomery to relieve them.
After his enlsitment ended, Justus Overton first returned
to Connecticut and eventually back to Coram.
On August 9,
1798 he married Nancy (Ann) Bunce of Huntington. Overton
would live in Coram until his death on May 4, 1842 at the
age of 85. He was buried in Baptist cemetery at Coram.
Written by,
Stephen Lohmann
December 2000
Longwood Middle School