Loyalist Conspiracy in Orange County (April 1777): John W. Lawson’s “300 Tories in the Mountains”

Plot Summary and Discovery

In April 1777, a Loyalist plot unfolded in Orange County, New York, led by John W. Lawson. Lawson, a known Loyalist in the area, gathered a small band at his home on Sunday, April 13, 1777. Present were two men named Purdy (visitors “from over the River”), Obadiah Miller, and James Burtis (alias “Jee”)[1]. Lawson confided to his nephew, William Manring (who arrived that day), that the group “intended to go off…to the Enemy, in order to get out of the present troubles”[2]. In other words, they planned to flee American-controlled territory and join the British forces. Persuading Manring to accompany them, the Loyalists set off that evening toward the nearby mountains[3].

According to Manring’s sworn deposition, Lawson’s band believed their escape was just one part of a larger Loyalist exodus. They expected to rendezvous with “other Companies in the Mountains…to the amount of Three hundred men” from different parts of the region[4]. This vision of “300 Tories in the mountains” hinted at a widespread conspiracy: multiple Loyalist groups from the Hudson Valley and perhaps beyond would unite and make their way to British lines. Manring initially traveled some distance with Lawson’s party into the highlands. However, by 9 o’clock that night, he lost his nerve and slipped away from the group, returning home and later alerting Patriot authorities to the scheme[5]. Thanks to Manring’s testimony and likely other Patriot informants, the plot was soon uncovered before the bulk of the Loyalists could assemble.

It’s worth noting that Lawson’s plan was not an isolated incident. The spring of 1777 saw multiple Loyalist attempts to defect from upstate New York. Patriot agents (such as the spy Enoch Crosby) were simultaneously infiltrating similar conspiracies in neighboring counties. For example, around that same April, Crosby reported on another Loyalist company being formed in Dutchess/Connecticut, guided by a Tory “pilot” and led by one Zebulon Ross, Jr.[6][7]. Lawson’s conspiracy was part of this larger pattern of Loyalist unrest, which Patriot committees were working aggressively to detect and disrupt.

Key Conspirators and Their Backgrounds

Several individuals played central roles in the Lawson band and its associated plots. Below is a brief background on John W. Lawson and his co-conspirators identified in this affair:

• John W. Lawson: The ringleader, John William Lawson was an Orange County resident of probable Dutch origin (his surname also appears as “Lawsing” or “Lassing” in some records). He was openly disaffected from the Patriot cause by 1777. Lawson leveraged family and regional Loyalist networks to organize the escape. Notably, he was the uncle of witness William Manring[8], suggesting the Lawson family itself was divided. Lawson’s leadership in this plot made him a prime target for Patriot authorities. (After the plot’s failure, Lawson himself would evade capture and eventually flee behind British lines, as discussed below.)
• The Purdy Brothers: Two men named Purdy (first names not recorded in Manring’s deposition) came “from over the River” (likely from Westchester County on the east side of the Hudson) to join Lawson[9]. The Purdy family was well-known in southern New York, with branches on both sides of the conflict. Many Purdys in Westchester were Loyalists or had Loyalist sympathies, even as other relatives were Patriots. These two Purdy associates brought word of broader Loyalist coordination. They told Manring that after splitting from Lawson’s group, they intended to go to “Barrington” (possibly a mis-heard place name or a temporary safe location)[10]. Their role indicates communication between Loyalists in Orange County and those in adjacent counties. (Their ultimate fate in this episode is unclear from the records, but they were integral in boosting Lawson’s expected numbers and likely attempted to reach British lines on their own.)
• Obadiah Miller: Miller was another New York Loyalist who linked up with Lawson. He is identified in records as Obadiah (or “Obijah”) Miller, and he actually hailed from Westchester County (Bedford precinct). Miller’s involvement shows how Loyalist discontent extended into that area. He was later captured by the local committee in Bedford along with other conspirators, being described as “charged with notorious and avowed disaffection”[11]. However, Miller dramatically escaped custody – the officer escorting prisoners reported that all were delivered “except Obijah Miller who had escap’d” on the way[12]. In essence, Miller slipped through Patriot hands and likely continued his flight to British-held territory after the plot was exposed.
• James “Jee” Burtis: James Burtis was another member of Lawson’s core group. The minutes note that Burtis “sometimes goes by the name of Jee”[13]. This alias suggests he was known in the community by a nickname. Burtis may have been from a Loyalist family on Long Island or the Hudson Valley; (the surname Burtis appears in Queens County records). Within Lawson’s band, Burtis was one of the men ready to risk the mountain journey to reach the Redcoats. Like others in the group, his goal was to “get out of the present troubles” by placing himself under British protection[2]. After Manring’s departure, Burtis continued on with Lawson. There is no direct record of Burtis’s capture in the immediate aftermath, so it is quite possible he succeeded in escaping to British lines or remained underground.

(Other figures associated with the broader conspiracy included Gideon Byce of Orange County – who coordinated between Lawson and other Loyalist cells – and Captain William Jeecocks, a local militia captain secretly aiding the Tories. These men were not at Lawson’s April 13 meeting but were uncovered by the investigation soon after. Byce helped recruit additional men (the Burnetts, etc.), and Jeecocks supplied material support like lead and even had a son among the defectors[14][15]. Their involvement came to light through separate depositions and will be discussed in the response below.)

Patriot Response: The Commission for Conspiracies

The revelation of Lawson’s plot set off a swift and forceful response from Patriot authorities. New York’s Commission for Detecting and Defeating Conspiracies – a special committee established to handle internal treason – took charge of the investigation. Led by Chairman Egbert Benson and others, the Commission met in Fishkill and began gathering evidence on the Loyalist scheme almost immediately.

William Manring’s testimony was formally taken, providing a detailed account of the conspirators’ plans and movements[16][4]. Within days, additional witnesses were examined. On April 22, 1777, Ferdinand Van Sicklen testified about related Loyalist recruiting efforts: how Lawson (styled “John Wm. Lawsing”) and his associates had been spreading the plan and setting a meeting time at Lawson’s house for a larger group[17][18]. Another defector-turned-informant, Thomas Brush, confirmed that he and Van Sicklen had also set out to join the enemy but then turned back, mirroring Manring’s change of heart[19]. These depositions exposed the wider network of the conspiracy, implicating several local figures and would-be recruits across Orange and Dutchess Counties.

Armed with this evidence, the Commission moved decisively to apprehend the ringleaders and participants. On April 21, 1777, the Board resolved to issue arrest orders for at least five key suspects. Captain Bernardus Swartwout was directed “to apprehend Capt. William Jeecocks, Simeon Laroy, William Yates, Henry Lawsing, & Isaac Lawsing,” with authority to use as much force as needed[20]. (Henry and Isaac “Lawsing” were relatives of John W. Lawson – likely his son Hendrick and another family member – who had been drawn into the plot. Jeecocks, Laroy, and Yates were other known Loyalist activists in the area uncovered by the investigation.) The Commission promised to defray expenses for this operation, underscoring its importance[21].

Patriot militia and committee members sprang into action. Within a couple of days, Captain Swartwout had succeeded in capturing several conspirators. He brought in Captain Jeecocks, William Yates, and Henry (Hendrick) Lawson as prisoners, reporting their apprehension to the Commission on April 23[22]. These arrests neutralized the most prominent local collaborators. Around the same time, the Orange County Committee, acting on the Commission’s directives, rounded up additional suspects in the county. Lieutenant James Butler delivered a group of Loyalist prisoners to the Commission on April 24, 1777 – men who had either refused the oath of allegiance or were caught trying to go to the enemy (names included Thomas Beach, John Alyea, Aaron Duckworth, David Jones, Simon Ray, Moses Clemens, and Jeremiah Mullock)[23][24]. This indicates that multiple small bands of Tories in Orange County were intercepted as a result of the crackdown. Likewise, in neighboring Westchester, committees captured figures like Obadiah Miller and others; as noted, Miller escaped custody during transfer[25], but many of his companions were secured.

Despite this flurry of arrests, John W. Lawson himself eluded immediate capture. It appears Lawson and a few close accomplices managed to slip through the Patriot dragnet in April. There is evidence that Lawson fled the area entirely after the failed rendezvous. By later that summer, Patriot reports state that Lawson had “gone off” – presumably reaching British-held New York City or another safe haven. A letter from Colonel Welch of New Hampshire (where some Loyalist prisoners were kept) informed the Commission that “Benjamin Morrell, John Lawson & Abraham Boyce are gone off” (i.e. escaped), while another Loyalist, Peter Mott, was caught in the attempt[26]. This suggests Lawson eventually fell into Patriot custody (since his escape was noteworthy enough to report), but if so, he did not remain long – he broke free and fled. In the same report, several lesser prisoners were noted as behaving well in captivity[27], implying that Lawson was considered an unrepentant case who chose to abscond rather than submit.

Other conspirators faced varying fates. Gideon Byce, who had been instrumental in recruiting men for Lawson’s cause, was initially at large but was later captured – only to escape soon after, according to Commission minutes (a note on May 1777 states that “the Board were informed that Gideon Byce had made his Escape”)[28]. The two Purdy men from “over the river” likely merged into other Loyalist refugee groups; they do not reappear by name in the minutes, and may have successfully joined the British or gone into hiding. James “Jee” Burtis also vanishes from the record at this stage, which could indicate he too found refuge behind British lines. Thus, while the Patriots captured many conspirators, a few principal figures slipped away, including Lawson, Miller, Byce, and perhaps Burtis and the Purdys.

Aftermath and Revolutionary Impact

The swift suppression of John W. Lawson’s Loyalist conspiracy had significant consequences both for the individuals involved and for the Patriot war effort in the Hudson Valley. In the immediate aftermath, the New York authorities sought to render justice or clemency as appropriate to each case: - Many of the rank-and-file conspirators who had been caught were given a chance to avoid harsh punishment by demonstrating renewed loyalty. Following New York’s policy set by the Provincial Convention on March 7, 1777, those who were deemed redeemable and swore an oath of allegiance to the State were spared imprisonment. For example, prisoners like Thomas Beach, John Alyea, Aaron Duckworth, David Jones, Simon Ray, Moses Clements, and Jeremiah Mullux – all implicated from Orange County – “having voluntarily taken the Oath of Allegiance…were dismissed” under bond[29]. Releasing these minor players on parole helped clear the jails and also encouraged wavering citizens to come back into the Patriot fold. Indeed, the Commission explicitly had discretionary power to pardon such persons it believed could “safely be admitted to go at large”[30].

• In contrast, the leaders and more serious offenders faced sterner measures. They were held for potential trial or other punishment as traitors. Captain William Jeecocks, for instance, was not quickly let off with an oath – given his deeper involvement (providing material aid to the Loyalists and condoning his son’s defection), he remained in custody. The Commission even sequestered Jeecocks’s property to prevent further mischief: in early May 1777 it ordered that all flour in Jeecocks’s mill be detained for public use, unless sold to the Continental forces, pending further instructions[31]. This effectively deprived him of resources that might support the enemy. Jeecocks eventually gave testimony (through his family) that revealed more details of the plot’s night-of departure, indicating he was cooperating to some extent[15][32]. It’s unclear if Jeecocks was ever formally tried, but he was certainly neutralized as a Loyalist asset in the community after 1777.
• Hendrick (“Henry”) Lawson, John W. Lawson’s son, presents an interesting case. He had been arrested even before the April plot (earlier in January 1777) for suspected disloyalty, but was released on parole to his father Andries Lawson due to illness[33]. When the April conspiracy came about, Hendrick did not go along – reportedly because he didn’t want to violate his father’s bond[34]. Nonetheless, he was re-apprehended during the crackdown (by Captain Swartwout’s raid). Given his prior parole status and family’s Patriot sympathies (his father had posted a £200 bond for him[35]), Hendrick Lawson’s life was spared and he likely remained under a form of house arrest or supervision. The Commission’s handling of him – like allowing his ailing release in January – shows a degree of leniency for young or reluctant participants who had influential patriot relatives.
• As for John W. Lawson himself, he essentially banished himself by fleeing. Having escaped to British-held New York City or territory, Lawson was beyond the reach of Patriot courts. He was almost certainly attainted as a traitor in absentia; if he owned property in New York, it would have been subject to confiscation by the state. (In fact, many Loyalists who stayed with the British had their lands seized by Patriot commissioners of forfeiture in the years following.) Lawson never returned to Orange County under Patriot rule. It appears he remained with the Loyalist side for the rest of the war. There are indications that after the war he (or at least his immediate family) emigrated to Canada – a common fate for unrepentant Loyalists. Thus, Lawson paid the price of exile, losing his home and status, but avoiding the gallows by staying under British protection.

More broadly, foiling this “300 Tories” conspiracy was a strategic victory for the Revolutionary cause in New York. Had hundreds of Loyalist recruits successfully slipped away to the British in mid-1777, it could have bolstered enemy regiments or irregular units (e.g. adding manpower to Tory raiding companies like those led by Robert Rogers or to provincial corps under British generals). Preventing that outcome helped deny the British much-needed local support. Patriot Governor (and General) George Clinton was kept informed; the Commission forwarded evidence to him to pursue formal trials of the worst offenders[36]. Clinton’s tough stance on Loyalist collaborators, combined with the Commission’s proactive work, sent a clear message that treason would be swiftly detected and punished in New York.

Equally important was the deterrent effect on would-be Loyalists. The rapid unraveling of Lawson’s plan likely discouraged other clandestine Loyalist gatherings in the Hudson Highlands. Those inclined to join the King’s side saw that large defections could not be pulled off easily under the Continental Army’s nose. In Orange and adjacent counties, Patriot militia and committees increased their vigilance. The Commission for Conspiracies continued to operate into 1778, rooting out plots and administering loyalty oaths to secure the region’s internal security. Lawson’s conspiracy thus contributed to the justification for maintaining these extraordinary security measures. As one historian noted, “Orange County [NY] remained a hotbed of loyalist activity early in the war, but the firm action of the Committee of Safety and Commission of Conspiracies curtailed organized attempts like Lawson’s”[37][20].

In summary, the April 1777 Loyalist flight scheme led by John W. Lawson and his confederates was thwarted just in time. Several plotters were caught and reintegrated after pledging loyalty, while the chief instigators either fled to the British or were held accountable. The incident shines a light on the “enemy within” during the Revolutionary War – the sizable minority ready to assist the Crown – and on the Patriots’ effective counter-conspiracy apparatus. By preventing a mass Loyalist exodus of “300 Tories in the mountains,” the New York authorities not only kept manpower out of British hands but also bolstered Patriot morale. The quick collapse of Lawson’s plot reassured local Patriots that treachery in their midst could be contained, and it undoubtedly made fence-sitters think twice about aligning with the British cause. Overall, this episode had a consolidating impact on the Revolution in New York: it neutralized a dangerous conspiracy and reinforced Patriot control at a critical moment in 1777.

Sources: Contemporary minutes of New York’s Committee/Commission for Conspiracies (1777) documenting the depositions of William Manring and others, and the orders and resolutions against Lawson’s band[38][4][21][22][25][26], as well as collateral correspondence and proceedings of Patriot authorities in the Hudson Valley during the period.

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] Full text of "Minutes of the Committee and of the first Commission for detecting and defeating conspiracies in the state of New York, December 11, 1776-September 23, 1778, with collateral documents : to which is added Minutes of the Council of appointment, state of New York, April 2, 1778-May 3, 1779 .."

https://archive.org/stream/minutesofcommitt571newy/minutesofcommitt571newy_djvu.txt