(SLAVERY AND ABOLITION) Abraham Duryea is directed to tak

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(SLAVERY AND ABOLITION.) "Abraham Duryea . . . is directed to take into his custody the Blacksmith's tools late the property of James Luyster, now gone to the Enemy.' Single sheet of laid paper, 4 1/4 x 8 1/2 inches; creased where folded, some scattered foxing, written on one side only. Dutchess County, NY, 15 April 1777

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an rare and unusual warrant for the seizure of the tools of a black smith who joined the british. James Luyster was more than likely a slave or an ex-slave of the Luyster family of Dutchess County, New York. Luyster, it seems decided to accept the British offer of not just freedom, but a promise of land as well, in return for military service to the Crown. The Dutchess County (Rombout precinct) tax records for the Luyster family mention every male, Mathias, Cornelius, Dirck, Garrett and John; but no mention of James. So it is likely that he, like Sojourner Truth (Isabella Baumfre) was born a slave to the Luyster family and bore their surname. Thousands of New York State's slaves (and freemen as well) fled to New York City, a British stronghold. As it worked out, most blacks who fought with the Loyalists got a rough deal from the Crown. Not only did the war go badly for them, but they were not treated very well either. Slaves that retreated with the British to England and her colonies were treated much as they had been before.