Claudius Smith facts for kids
Claudius Smith (born 1736 – died January 22, 1779) was a leader during the American Revolution. He was a Loyalist, meaning he supported the British side during the war. Claudius led a group of fighters who were sometimes called 'cowboys'.
Claudius was the oldest son of David Smith. His father was a respected person who worked as a tailor, cattleman, and even a judge in Brookhaven, New York. His mother was Meriam Williams.
Claudius Smith: A Wartime Leader
During the American Revolution, Claudius Smith and some of his family members, including three of his sons (William, Richard, and James), were active in Orange County, New York. This area was once known as Smith's Clove, where his family had moved around 1741.
People had different ideas about how tall Claudius Smith was. One record from 1762 said he was 5 feet 9 inches tall. However, a "wanted" poster from 1778 claimed he was almost seven feet tall!
Everyone agreed that Claudius was a Loyalist. He took part in raids with Mohawk Chief Joseph Brant. Claudius also got help from Fletcher Mathews, whose brother was the Loyalist Mayor of New York during the war.
His Reputation and Capture
Claudius Smith became well-known among the Patriots (those who supported American independence). Some even saw him as a bit like Robin Hood, helping Loyalists in the area. It's important to note that Claudius himself is not known to have killed anyone.
However, in October 1778, one of his men was accused of robbing and killing a Patriot leader named Major Nathaniel Strong. After this, New York Governor George Clinton offered a large reward for Claudius Smith's capture.
Claudius was soon caught. He was executed on January 22, 1779, in Goshen, New York. Two of his sons, William and James, also faced the same fate later. His son Richard Smith managed to stay free for a longer time.
Claudius Smith in Stories
Claudius Smith and his family have appeared in several books.
- Richard Smith is a character in a novel from 1867 called Bald Eagle; or, The Last of the Ramapaughs by Elizabeth Oakes Smith. In this story, Richard tries to get revenge on the people of Orange County because of what happened to his father.
- Claudius Smith is also a character in E.P. Roe's 1876 novel, Near to Nature's Heart.
- Author Pam Jackson wrote about the legend of Claudius Smith in her 2014 novel, Wood, Fire, and Gold.
