16, accessed April 19 2014 via http://etext.virginia.edu. Where you can stand on your own two feet. [20] Tallmadge to Washington, October 11, 1780, GW Papers, accessed April 24, 2014 via. A little boy wearing a feminine gown would be confusing and strange to the average 21st-century viewer, and distracting enough to detract from the main storyline. The task fell to his intelligence aide, Major Benjamin Tallmadge, to begin recruiting spies. Did Abraham Woodhull have a son named Thomas? I knew I had to do this for you. He married Mary Smith on 24 November 1781, in New York County, New York, United States. When Woodhull and Anna were finally able to go to New York, Woodhull and Anna shared a room together, and Woodhull and Anna had an argument about the cancellation of their engagement, with Abraham refusing to tell her about his brother's death. AMC. [U.S.]died May 18, 1795, London, Eng. Was Abraham Woodhulls father a loyalist? Woodhull offered to send some cabbage to them, but they said that their brigade was being shipped out for Trenton, New Jersey soon. But while their passion is thick, their numbers are overshadowed by the fastest and largest navy in the world. He married Mary Townsend on December 6th, 1753 at St. Georges Church. Immediate Family: Son of Capt. Normally Woodhull was a farmer in the town of Setauket on Long Islands north shore where he cared for his elderly parents. Description: The old Abraham Woodhull House at Setauket. Look at the above painting and take a guess as to how much airtime would be needed to explain that boys outfit to a modern-day viewer.) The court case fell apart, leading to uproar. Background. Woodhull decided to attend Andre's ball for his officers, and Anna told him that she would go there as well to help him, although Abraham told Anna that she should not go in her sad condition, as she would reveal her purpose. And the different writing styles of the Culper agents becomes apparant after reading a lot of the correspondence. Abraham's wife Mary convinced him that he had to shoot the courier, Corporal Eastin (the man who had been sent to escort Woodhull to New York previously), and not kill Hewlett as he had planned to do. The Culper Ring had not seen the last of Benedict Arnold, though. Woodhull was probably preparing to make careful mental notes of Tryons camp when he unluckily stumbled upon a group of soldiers who immediately detained him and demanded to know why he was wandering around. But the event convinced the spy of his constant danger and he curtailed operations. [22] In the same letter he finally bowed out of the spy business. His parents were Judge Richard Woodhull and Mary Woodhull (ne Smith). Yet he still completed his mission and submitted a valuable intelligence report to Washington. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. General Washington had often been frustrated by the exaggerated figures that he had received from spies in the past, and expected more of the same from Woodhull. He used the alias "Samuel Culper" (later "Samuel Culper Sr."), which was a play on Culpeper County, Virginia, and was suggested by George Washington . Rogers followed Woodhull to his secret hideout in the basement of his burnt-down farm, and Woodhull was told that he had to work with Rogers to get revenge on Andre before Rogers would kill him. They did, however, take plenty of liberties with the historical facts, but on the whole, the show presents the major activities and accomplishments of the Culper Ring in a reasonably accurate manner. Biography Richard Woodhull was born in 1712 in Setauket, New York. JMS you are correct as with any untranscribed 18th century documents, reading and understading the Culper letters is a tough task. your tumblr account link is wrong. Captain Simcoe, a gruff and raucous character, had taken over the same outfit of Rangers once commanded by legendary tracker Robert Rogers. Woodhull's father helped him in getting his way out of the case, and Woodhull and ranger captain Robert Rogers both investigated the murder. He discovered that anyone traveling into the city was at exceptional risk of being detained and searched by British authorities, but that married couples almost always were not. From Brewster, the intelligence would be passed on to Major Tallmadge, then to General Washingtons desk. Anna left with him, ostensibly to petition for Selah Strong's release from the HMS Jersey; Abraham would supposedly sell some cauliflower to the British. Great article. Woodhull began spying for the. Woodhull was a descendant of Richard Lawrence Woodhull, a wealthy settler of Setauket, and was also related to New York militia Brigadier General Nathaniel Woodhull. However, Woodhull sent him to persuade Townsend to join the rebel cause, as Woodhull had previously met with his father Samuel Townsend in attempts to persuade Robert to join the patriots. Little Sprout Woodhulls curiousclothing, Linda Baumgartens primer on colonial childrens clothing, the 18th Century Material Culture Resource Center, Vexatious Vexillology TURN to a historian, TURN Historical Timeline updated for Season 4 (PartOne), TURN Historical Timeline updated for Season3. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. This is a dangerous endeavor. At times, Rivington was also an American agent. His efforts as a spy were some of the most successful efforts in American History. Abraham Woodhull was born on 7 October 1750 in Setauket, New York, the son of Judge Richard Woodhull and Mary Smith. The house was burned to the ground, and the family moved into Whitehall. Before he left Connecticut, Woodhull was probably stunned when he received a visit from Benjamin Tallmadge, who he knew as a fellow Setauket native. TURN Season 3: All Quiet on the HistoryFront? March 30, 1844 (48) Setauket, Suffolk, New York. The exact circumstances of Nathaniels death remain elusive but stories popular at the time held that he was wounded in action, captured, maltreated, and died miserably. [11] Culper to Tallmadge, April 101779, GW Papers, accessed January 26, 2014, via http://memory.loc.gov. Abraham and Anna spending time together in Anna's barn. He had recently married Mary Smith, and was afraid of putting his family at undue risk. Bantam, 2014. He had an older brother, Thomas.In his youth, Abe made friends with Caleb Brewster and Benjamin Tallmadge. Local orchard owner Lucas Brewster was blamed for the poisoning, and he was arrested. Your email address will not be published. Even after resigning he sent seven more letters about British activities. Building a Cloud Computing Career with Amazon AWS Certified Developer Azure Cognitive Services and Containers: 5 Amazing Benefits for Businesses, Running Your Own Electronics Accessories Ecommerce Store. [] and visually busy spectacle. Startled, Woodhull sprang to his feet and snatched up his writing paper, breaking the vial of special ink on the floor. Over time, he began to fear for his safety, and Benjamin Tallmadges reports to Washington reflect Woodhulls growing timidity. The couple had three children. Simcoe arrested him after he gave a pro-patriot sermon to people at a tavern, and he was accused of being the shooter. Adding to these problems was the threat of an attack on New York City by the Rebels and their new allies, the French. Woodhull and the Culper Ring continued spying until the war's official end in 1783, although it appears they did not gather much useful intelligence during their final years. Vad beror finnar p olika stllen? The Culper Ring was probably Washingtons most successful spy operation. Abraham decided to help Caleb in escaping New York after their meeting, and Caleb was able to escape on a rowboat as Abraham and Anna distracted British guards by offering them some beer from the Strong tavern. List of American Revolutionary War battles, Turn: Washington's Spies official site entries. It was Brewsters job to sail across the Sound, retrieve Woodhulls communications from their hiding spot, and return the missives to Tallmadge in Rebel-held Connecticut. In late July the agents reported that the British knew about the expected fleet and were moving naval forces to counter a planned French attack on Rhode Island. Does beard oil expire? Historica Wiki is a FANDOM Games Community. He is most notable for leading the British side in the Battle of Setauket. Continental Army Major Benjamin Tallmadge was Woodhull's neighbor in Setauket and approached Woodhull in August 1778 about gathering intelligence for the Patriot cause during the American Revolutionary War. Gen. Charles Scott, added their own comments and couriers then sped the messages to Washington at Continental Army headquarters in New Jersey. He died in 1835. A Long Island farmer bands together a group of childhood friends to form an unlikely group of spies who turn the tide in America's fight for independence. I hope that one day, the Lord willing, you will grow up to be a man. Abraham Woodhull is the American's lone productive spy in 1777 New York, but did we see a glimpse of his bloody fate? Suddenly the door to his room flung open and two people burst into his room. Their reports are believed to have uncovered Benedict Arnolds treason, and led to the capture of British Major John Andre, who was working with Arnold to undermine the Continental Army. The formed an unlikely alliance, and Rogers helped Abraham in covering up Eastin's murder. [12] Tallmadge to Washington, April 21, 1779, GW Papers, accessed March 29, 2014 via http://memory.loc.gov; Rose, Washingtons Spies, 128. Introducing the Topic Index page (Just in time for the Season 3Premiere! [19] Culper to John Bolton, July 20, 1780, GW Papers, accessed April 20 2014 via http://memory.loc.gov; Rose, Washingtons Spies, 189-192. In mid-1778 he began sailing across Long Island Sound to British-held New York to sell his farms produce for hard currency. Abraham Woodhull was born in 1750 in Setauket, a town on Long Island, New York. Robert Townsend went into business with his brother Solomon, but the business failed, and Townsend never got back on his feet. The two proceeded to strip down and have sex in Baker's bed, with Abraham telling Anna that he could do so because it was his house, and Anna responded by telling him to prove it. While he was a staunch loyalist, his son Abraham Woodhull would become the leader of the pro-patriot Culper Ring . Did Abraham Woodhull have a son named Thomas? Brother of Mary (Woodhull) Arthur and . Now, he knew that 1,500 Hessian troops were going to be sent to Trenton, and he decided to pass this on to Caleb. If so, how did this myth get created? Once they were several years old, boys and girls would then make the transition to outfits that were miniature versions of mens and womens adult clothing. Since Woodhull was ill at the time, another spy named Austin Roe was sent to New York to get information from Robert Townsend, who sent a report back to Woodhull for forwarding to Washington. memorial page for Abraham Woodhull (7 Oct 1750-23 Jan 1826), Find a Grave . However, his rowboat was pulled in by a ship at night while he was headed for New York, and he was told that he was being arrested by the Continental Congress for smuggling. And if you werent sure what I was talking about when I mentioned stays earlier, dont forget to check out Baumgartners very helpful glossary of clothing terms, too. However, the British quickly suspected him of spying; they even went to Setauket to arrest him in June 1779, although he avoided trouble since he wasn't at home. A French fleet was sailing into Rhode Island to attack British forces there, and Washington wanted information that could make the job of the French easier. Washington was annoyed; Woodhull had always made a fuss about payment during the war, but Washington saw fit to reward him for his invaluable service. While I am caught in the middle of a war I hope will be over soon, I can only hope we are on the side of right and good. Eventually, Rogers lured out the killer by playing the retreat signal on the drums, which is what the killer used to signal Joyce to have a tryst with them, as revealed in a letter that Anna Strong had found in Joyce's belongings in his room in her house. Woodhull was beaten, and Cyrus offered to let Woodhull leave if he fought him. Tallmadge and his commander, Brig. His cousin, General Nathaniel Woodhull, Soon after Benedict Arnold defected to the British, he directed the arrest of people in New York and Long Island that he suspected as American spies, based on his knowledge of Continental Army intelligence. Yes, a gown, as in a dress. Sometimes boys even wore stays, too. [11][13], Warren Walker suggested in 1956 that James Fenimore Cooper's character Harvey Birch had been based upon the work of "Samuel Culper" as a spy. Watching you fall and get up over and over again swelled my heart with pride and joy. Interesting notes. It was in October 1778, when Woodhull toured British-held New York City and its environs, observing Crown military activities. War History Online welcomes many guest authors who share their knowledge of the history on our pages. Continental Army Major Benjamin Tallmadge began working with Abraham Woodhull in the summer of 1778 at the height of the Revolutionary War to provide Washington information on British Army operations in their headquarters in New York City. . [14] Like Woodhull, Townsend played the part of a devoted Loyalist but he was a secret Patriot who had served briefly as a commissary to General Nathaniel Woodhull, Abrahams cousin. Washington and his rebel army are fighting back and Ben is a part of that resistance, battling the Royal Army alongside thousands of other brave men. Richard Woodhull Benedict Arnold. Breeches and a linen shirt, like the little colonial man he is! Place of Burial: Setauket, Suffolk, New York. Woodhull was essentially the leader of the Culper Spy Ring, deciding what information was transmitted throughout the group, which would eventually make its way to George Washington. Abe married Mary, and soon had a son named Thomas. In the encounter, Woodhull won a coin toss and was allowed to draw first blood, but his shot missed Simcoe. Richard Woodhull (died 1780) was the father of Culper Ring spy and farmer Abraham Woodhull. In the ensuing encounter, Woodhull was rescued by the redcoats, who killed Cyrus. Woodhull was one of Washington's spies during the revolutionary war. and Mary Anna (Smith) Woodhull. Woodhull and Tallmadge deserve to be honored and taught. [11], He died in Setauket on January 23, 1826, and is buried in the Setauket Presbyterian Church and Burial Ground. Theyre both economical and practical, especially for a large middle or working-class family. The patriots withdrew from Setauket, but Anna decided to leave Selah's side and stay in Setauket to help Abraham. Whatever tactic the major used, Woodhull accepted the offer. TURN: Washington's Spies: Created by Craig Silverstein. Under the alias "Samuel Culper Jr.," Townsend sent information by courier to Woodhulls farm in Setauket. Woodhull was a descendant of Richard Lawrence Woodhull, a wealthy settler of Setauket, and was also related to New York militia Brigadier General Nathaniel Woodhull. Woodhull was mildly supportive of the American cause but before 1778 the closest he came to the rebellion was an uneventful two-month stint in his county militia. Abraham had in fact joined the county militia in 1775 with no apparent objection from his father, but became disenchanted and quit after two months. The British responded to this by disarming all of the citizens, and when Benjamin Tallmadge's father Benjamin Tallmadge, Sr. greeted the British as a hostile person when turning in his gun, he was suspected. [23] Culper to Tallmadge, February 21, 1783, GW Papers, accessed April 27 2014 via http://memory.loc.gov. Abraham Woodhull (October 7, 1750 - January 23, 1826) was a leading member of the Culper Spy Ring in New York City and Setauket, New York, during the American Revolutionary War. Anna found out about the duel from Simcoe and warned Richard Woodhull, and the two headed to stop the duel. The show also portrays Richard Woodhull as a devoted Tory, who grows ever suspicious of his sons behavior, but in reality, he was more supportive of the Patriots, and circumstantial evidence supports this. Does Baylor Scott and White random drug test? The two often went to New York together masquerading as husband and wife, and the trick was effective, despite Strong being ten years older than Woodhull. Townsend then decided he was through with espionage. Click on the title of a post to view the comments and join the conversation! A recovering Judge Woodhull accepted Abraham's offer to prosecute the accused in his stead, as Abraham wanted to lose on purpose; this would show the townspeople that Simcoe was the man responible. Though, they must have been pre-made, as by the time they would have been finished, Sprout would have sprouted some more. Abraham negotiated that his father could sell his hogs for 7 pounds each, saying that Cook could make an extra profit by giving the quartermaster the required 20 hogs and some more hogs to other merchants, which would benefit Cook. Perhaps Sprouts wealthy grandfather has servants churning out breeches for his grandchildren! Colonel John Graves Simcoe, commander of the Loyalist Queens American Rangers, promptly launched a raid to grab the spy. Brewster told Woodhull that his encounter with him in Connecticut was the first part of the test to see if Woodhull was fit to join the patriots, and Tallmadge's interrogation was the second part of the test. Townsend may have dabbled in journalism himself, which gave him a perfect excuse to spend long hours picking up information. In late August, Woodhull received an unexpectedly early release from jail by order of Connecticut Governor Jonathan Trumbull. Eventually operating from Underhills boarding house, Woodhull so successfully played the part of a loyal but inquisitive farmer that he gained all of the information he needed, and more. Highwaymen on the road near the town of Huntington robbed him of all of his money in early April 1779, and Woodhull told Tallmadge that he felt a life of anxiety to be within . Craft's comments since in the first sentence, he refers to the "peace, security and national, JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 2018. He found out of a petition to the provincial congress, and he intended to hunt down the people responsible. Woodhull, the son of the loyalist magistrate Richard Woodhull, decided to volunteer his services to the Continental Army as the leader of a spy ring in New York City after 1777, assisting George Washington in collecting information on the British Army's activities. Contents 1 Biography 1.1 Death 2 Behind the Scenes 2.1 Appearances Biography Death Thomas Woodhull died in the Battle of Bladensburg during the War of 1812 on August 24, 1814, felled by an British musket. Woodhull became involved in the revolution around the same time, with Anna convincing him that he should side with the patriots against the British. However, Judge Woodhull decided to inform Major Hewlett that Woodhull had been spying for the patriots, as Woodhull's suspicions had increasingly grown over time. Townsend stole and cooked the two brown eggs, serving them to Woodhull when he returned to the inn after nearly leaving the city. Possibly after testing his old friends allegiance, Tallmadge probably dropped his bomb; it was he who secured his early release from Governor Trumbull, and would Woodhull be willing to spy for the American cause? [15][16] Other people from Woodhull's life are portrayed in the show as well. [4] In November he reported how Loyalist units were scouring local farms for wood and livestock. Is this just presumed to be legend or myth now? He died a lonely man in 1838. He attempted to stay out of the war, and he smuggled cabbage for his family after their harvest in the autumn of 1776 proved to be insufficient due to maggots eating up his crops. The evacuating British were forced to make the trip to New York by land due to the threat of French naval attack, giving General Washington an opportunity to strike a crippling blow. What better way to get back at the enemy, Tallmadge might have said, than by spying on the British under their own noses and helping the American cause? Abraham Woodhull followed his fathers footsteps and became a magistrate, and was appointed First Judge of Suffolk County in 1799. Woodhull decided to do so, as his father was in the church as well. Woodhull returned to Anna and told him of this, and Anna told him that Selah had died of dysentery on the Jersey two months earlier; however, Robert Rogers had bribed the captain of the ship to say that Selah had died and that Samuel Tallmadge, Benjamin Tallmadge's deceased brother, was the one who survived. [2] His parents were Judge Richard Woodhull and Mary Woodhull (ne Smith).[3]. Also, if you havent seen the preview for next Sundays episode yet, you can view it here. As depicted in the show, Abraham Woodhull was a cabbage farmer. Woodhull told Anna to raise a black petticoat on her clothing line to signal Tallmadge's courier, and it turned out to be Caleb Brewster. [22] Culper to Tallmadge, June 4, 1781, GW Papers, accessed January 26, 2014 via http://memory.loc.gov. Lucy was the daughter of Abraham Somes, one of the. The three would look out for each other and do many things together, including escorting Abe to secretly gain a kiss from Anna Strong. While Anna objected to either plot, Abraham stole his father's pistol and ambushed Eastin as he rode down a road, shooting him off of his horse. These heroes get no mention whatsoever in our history books or lessons. In early May 1779 Woodhulls worst fears almost came true. In early 1779 it took about a week for Woodhulls letters to reach Washington, which was a substantial improvement to the pre-Culper Ring espionage efforts in New York City. ), American frontier soldier who raised and commanded a militia force, known as Rogerss Rangers, which won wide repute during the French and Indian War (175463). Woodhull wrote, I received their threats for coming there that made me almost tremble knowing my situation and business.[1] His statement only hinted at what he inwardly knew; that if the soldiers discovered his espionage mission, they would have hanged him without compunction. Fueled by a strong desire to avenge his cousins allegedly brutal murder, Woodhull threw himself into his new job with a passion. ae 53 years and 1 day Abraham Thomas was the son of Nicholas Thomas (1753-1838) and his first wife, Lucy Somes (1759-1792). He was killed while putting down a riot at King's College. Son of Richard W. & Margaret Smith. [3], Woodhull returned to Setauket and began his spying in October. They were immigrants from the Ukraine. He did not immediately take up arms or begin spying, however, and was more placid than some of his friends, who joined the Continental Army at the outset of the war. Ben says this fight is for freedom. Abraham told Anna that he was fighting for freedom and confronted her about their true beliefs, and she told him that she wanted her husband. His father was a judge, and he was a cousin of Nathaniel Woodhull, leader of a New York Patriot . Washington sent another vial of ink.[12]. [5] Culper to Maj. Benjamin Tallmadge, November 23, 1778, GW Papers, accessed January 26, 2014, via http://memory.loc.gov. I fight this fight for you. 2022-07-02. Washington was impressed: His account has the appearance of a very distinct and good one and makes me desirous of a continuance of his correspondence, he wrote. At the inn, he helped a Spanish man win at a game of checkers, and the man told him that some sailors were building ships at the west wharf, making life hard for merchants; Woodhull decided to investigate. Abraham Woodhull was a noted hero of the American Revolution. Abraham pretended to have had sex with Anna, telling the officer that her "roll is already buttered." Woodhull and Cyrus fought, but Cyrus later heard British troops approaching him after they found out that Woodhull had been ambushed. Fall River Press, 2014. The intelligence provided by the Culper Ring prevented what might have been a terrible disaster, and was one of its most important triumphs. Woodhull began spying for the Continental Army in late 1778, as part of the Culper Spy Ring. Later in their encounter, Simcoe challenged him to a duel, and Woodhull decided to accept before Ensign Baker arrived and rescued him from Simcoe and his men. I have a family photo of my grandmother and her siblings in the early 20th century, and her youngest brother is in a gown. Shortly after, Richard Woodhull was shot in the chest as he boarded his wagon with Simcoe and Woodhull, with the man using a verse from the Book of Judges as wadding for his musketball. For five days Tallmadge hid in the woods while Woodhull sneaked him food. Abraham Woodhull (October 7, 1750 January 23, 1826) was a leading member of the Culper Spy Ring in New York City and Setauket, New York, during the American Revolutionary War. Granted, this particular anachronism is a small detail that is (like little Thomas baby couture) not hugely integral to the larger storyline of TURN. And dont worry well be discussing plenty of military details here on the blog soon enough. There is much more to the story of the Culper Ring and intelligence activities in and around New York City. Abraham Woodhull was born on October 7th 1750 in Setauket, New York, on Long Island. During the American Revolution, Abraham Woodhull became a member of the Culper Spy Ring, which provided intelligence to .css-47aoac{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#A00000;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-47aoac:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}George Washington to assist the Patriots war effort. Posted on April 8, 2014 Updated on April 9, 2014. One day, Woodhull was kidnapped by a desperate patriot named Cyrus who wanted to return to Washington's army in Morristown, as Cyrus believed that Woodhull was a Tory like his father and knew where Washington was; he did not listen to Woodhull's revelation that he was a spy. I believe it should be http://www.spycurious.tumblr.com, Many thanks for bringing that to my attention, Shea! The two of them spent a moment together before Abraham found out that Major Hewlett's horse Bucephalus had been poisoned through his apples, and Captain Simcoe blamed the poisoning on rebel sympathizers. Woodhull had a problem to face, however, as he had to give Major Hewlett a final report on New York. I wish also to know where their shipping lies, and if they appear to be taking measures and what measures for their security in case of a French fleets entering the harbor.[16] However as a commander who needed timely and accurate intelligence, Washington sometimes found Woodhulls skittishness irritating, as he wrote to Tallmadge in September 1779, I have been expecting for some time past a communication from Culper. Washington planned a naval attack on New York City and pressed Tallmadge for Woodhull to at all times keep his attention on changes of situation, or the new positions which may be taken by the enemy. I was just wondering. Contents 1 Biography 1.1 Early life 1.2 Death 2 Characters met Woodhull told Brewster about the plans, and Brewster passed the information on to Tallmadge, leading to Tallmadge, Brewster, and other Continental troops ambushing and killing 19 of the 20 British troops, capturing a wounded Simcoe. Journal of the American Revolution also produces annual hardcover volumes, a branded book series, and the podcast, Dispatches. We live in daily fear of death and destruction, this added to my usual anxiety hath almost unmanned me, Woodhull wrote to Tallmadge in June. [6] Woodhull had been caught smuggling contraband across Long Island Sound, and Tallmadge spoke with Connecticut Governor Jonathan Trumbull and got him released. Even if they decide to spare my life and send me to a prison ship, I would still leave you, your mother, my father, and our entire family disgraced. I am wondering, however, about the timing of Mr. In Manhattan, he collected information from various sources, including British officers staying at the Underhill boarding house and then return to Setauket, where he passed the information to the Continental Army lieutenant and whaleboat operator Caleb Brewster to take across Long Island Sound to Tallmadge. Abraham socialized with Andre and the British officers before he snuck into an officer's room where Anna was about to lay with the officer and steal his book (which contained coded messages). The near-miss left him shaken, but he was compelled to find another way to continue spying. To overcome these problems Washington and Tallmadge envisioned a permanent network of spies that lived behind British lines and communicated their information through coded messages. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Poster: Abraham Lincoln, With His Son Tad (Thomas) Leaning On A Table, 1865 at the best online prices at eBay! The job was not without its risks, though, and Woodhull cut it close on many occasions. [5] According to some reports, he had been deprived of medical care and food and suffered an agonizing death on September 20, 1776,[2] and Abraham Woodhull was inflamed against the British by that event. Makes me feel resentful, though, at our Long Island schools. He filed his last intelligence report, not written in code but still signed with the alias Samuel Culper, on February 21, 1783, while the British planned the wars closing act, the evacuation of New York City.