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The suggestion of a monument to commemorate both
Peterson and Sherwood's attack on the British was raised as early as 1859. Noted Westchester historians Bolton and Scharf also credited the two men "for causing the departure of the Vulture and the change in Andre’s route to British headquarters in New
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Despite his contributions to this pivotal chapter in
American history, Peterson did not receive a pension until age 90 for his bravery. He died in 1850 and was buried at Bethel Cemetery in Croton. The story of his feat of valor was repeated many times and equated to be a vital part of winning the
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sending a rowboat of men towards land. A skilled marksman and seasoned member of the 3rd
Westchester militia, Peterson fired on the rowboat, forcing its occupants to return to the ship. The two patriots then sped to Fort Lafayette to alert their commander about the vessel. Acting upon this
140:(DAR). The inscription says "Commemorating the defense of Teller's Point by George Sherwood and Jack Peterson who repulsed the landing of British troops from the "Vulture" September 21, 1780, aiding in the capture of Major Andre." The monument is located in today's
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based on research conducted by Dr. Larry
Spruill. According to then Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano, a former history teacher, the selection of the site as one of 13 educational tour stops was made with the input of the African-American Advisory Board.
101:. This heroism inspired the erection of a memorial plaque at Teller's Point, now Croton Point, in Croton New York. The plaque also commemorates the actions of George (aka Moses) Sherwood but the marker has been more popularly known as the Jack Peterson Memorial.
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information, troops set up a cannon at
Tellers Point to attack the sloop in a fiery battle that lasted two hours. These actions contributed to the later capture of Major Andre, who would have been rescued by the British but was instead stranded on shore.
250:"Ten Miles Around Peekskill Address Delivered by Stephen D. Horton, Thursday Afternoon, October 28, 1909, at his Home, Before the Van Cortlandt Chapter, Daughters of the Revolution and Their Guests". The Highland Democrat. October 30, 1909.
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war. Even the log of the
British sloop cited the event and “complained of a violation of the military rule in that a boat the day before had been decoyed and fired upon by armed men concealed in the bushes.”
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York City, necessitating his attempt to deliver the plans of West Point by land through
Westchester County which resulted in his capture at Tarrytown."
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In
September 1780, Peterson, and a fellow private class soldier named Moses Sherwood who were then living near Croton Point spied the English vessel
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era patriot of
African and Kitchewan descent whose quick thinking helped repel British forces in Croton, New York. His actions threw
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G.P. Wygant (October 19, 1936). "Peterson and
Sherwood, Local Men Real Heroes of "Vulture" Episode". Peekskill Evening Star.
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Thomas I. Ford (October 4, 2001). "Times that try men's souls'". Bronxville Review Press and Reporter.
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289:"Croton Ceremony to Relive History". Ossining, New York: The Citizen Register. May 5, 1967.
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300:"Revolutionary Incidents". Skaneatles, New York: Skaneateles Democrat. October 13, 1859.
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264:"Jack Peterson". Manitowoc, Wis.: The Manitowoc Pilot. January 13, 1860. p. 1.
311:"The Shrine of the Memorial Museum". The Putnam County Courier. November 28, 1963.
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In 1963, one writer said the two belonged "to the Valhalla of America's great."
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Peekskill's African American History: A Hudson Valley Community's Untold Story
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Today the memorial is one of 14 sites on the African American Heritage Trail.
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A plaque was finally unveiled in 1967 by the Mohegan Chapter of the
239:"Tappan Tavern". Peekskill Evening Star. June 18, 1938. p. 20.
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Peterson was given land in Cortlandt and later moved to Peekskill.
97:’s treasonous plans into disarray and led to the capture of
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African-American history of Westchester County, New York
373:"County Historical Society names Schulman Award Winners"
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In 2004 the site of Peterson's heroism was added to the
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1 Croton Point Park Avenue, Croton-on-Hudson, New York
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African American Heritage Trail of Westchester County
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436:American Revolutionary War monuments and memorials
431:African-American military monuments and memorials
323:"Commemorating the Defense of Teller's Point"
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215:"The Hamilton Musical And History's Unsung"
348:"African American Heritage Trail brochure"
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400:"History: A Trail That Traces a Heritage"
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27:Revolutionary war era patriot Memorial
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138:Daughters of the American Revolution
441:Patriots in the American Revolution
398:Whitaker, Barbara (March 7, 2004).
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87:John Jacob “Rifle Jack” Peterson
34:John Jacob "Rifle Jack" Memorial
213:Suzanne Clary (July 8, 2020).
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352:Westchester County, New York
325:. Historical Marker Database
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198:John J. Curran (2008).
61:41.183967°N 73.900850°W
18:Jack Peterson Memorial
66:41.183967; -73.900850
202:. The History Press.
377:The Harrison Review
217:. New York Almanack
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91:Revolutionary war
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99:Major Andre
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52:73°54.051′W
49:41°11.038′N
425:Categories
171:References
159:See also
125:Memorial
77:Location
329:July 2,
111:Vulture
105:History
89:was a
411:2021
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331:2020
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