Treason In Westchester County Could Have Turned The War

Only four years following the vote to ratify the Declaration of Independence all could have been lost as a plot to destroy the cause unraveled in Westchester County.

The war had come to Pelham along the Split Rock Road as British and Hessian troops moved to capture General George Washington's Army. A delaying action along the Split Rock Road during October 1776 by Colonel John Glover and his men from Marblehead, Massachusetts, allowed the army to survive and escape to White Plains. But, almost four years to the day, information about the Patriot garrison at West Point was discovered in the boot of British spy Major John André. He received the plans from American General Benedict Arnold.

Revolutionary Westchester 250 (RW250), under the leadership of President Constance Kehoe of Irvington, is Westchester County’s commitment to remembering the local events and people associated with the American Revolution in accordance with the United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016. With the upcoming observation of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America during 1776, many local events preceding, during and after the Revolutionary War will be recognized by RW250.

“RW250 is collaborating with local and regional groups to promote heritage tourism and to enhance the experience of the war for independence for Westchester residents,” said Kehoe, a resident of Irvington. “We are working with heritage and historic, art and cultural, and educational organizations along with libraries, veterans’ organizations, municipalities, private businesses and others to commemorate Westchester County’s contribution to the 250th anniversary of the founding of this great country. Treason and a spy – and, thankfully,quick-thinking Patriots – in our midst are part of our story"

This Man’s A Spy

To recognize the people, events and sites related to Arnold’s plot, RW250 is launching an aptly named initiative – This Man’s A Spy. The effort will create community awareness, understanding and enthusiasm for the historical significance of this critical event in U.S. history through a variety of public outreach programs such as colonial era demonstrations, mobile applications, art, music, presentations, re-enactments, theatrical plays, driving, walking and biking tours, and videos.

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See the This Man's A Spy announcement here. See the RW250 video about the plot here.

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This Man’s A Spy will feature the stories about the Patriots of Westchester County who primarily were responsible for the capture of British Major John André and foiled Arnold’s treasonous plot. If Arnold’s plan had been successful, the loss of West Point could have led to an American defeat.

Historic Sites Throughout Westchester

In Westchester, the plot involved critical actions by soldiers, their officers, members of the local militia and civilians who were Patriots, Loyalists, Native Americans, African-Americans, women and children. Among the more than 15 Westchester communities that witnessed events related to the plot are Armonk, Croton Point Park (Teller’s Point), Dobbs Ferry, South Salem, Ossining, Peekskill, Pleasantville, Tarrytown, Verplanck’s Point (King’s Ferry) and Yorktown. The treasonous plot has connections to more than 30 locations across Westchester, Rockland, Putnam and Orange counties.

RW250 programs will continue during the 250th nationally planned commemorative year of 2026 and then through 2033 to mark the full eight years of the American Revolution (1775-1783) that includes the anniversary of the betrayal.

This Man’s A Spy welcomes the involvement of all Westchester County organizations and individuals interested in the county’s history to assist in the planning and oversight of programs, and to share local and family stories related to the people, places and events associated with this significant historical event. Anyone who wishes to contribute to the preservation and interpretation of this critical period of local history should email ThisMansASpy@yahoo.com .