County Regiment, Colonel Theunis Dey commanding, New Jersey Militia, subsequently becoming a Lieutenant in Captain Peter Ward's company, same regiment; also Lieutenatn in Captain Peter Ward's Troop of Light Horse Bergen County New Jersey Militia. He was soon thereafter taken prisoner of war and died in the Sugar House, New York, on the 23rd of October, 1777, then in the 30th year of his age.
At this time Sir Henry Clinton occupied the city, and Tory Foraging parties were continually scouring the country and plundering the inhabitants. Those who were not away in the regular army formed themselves into bands for mutual protection against marauders. At last this partisan warfare became so bitter that the patriots no longer dared to remain about their homes, but were compelled to conceal themselves in ambush. During one of these incursions Daniel Westervelt, with Cornelius and Benjamin Westervelt, Daniel Vervalen and others, who had concealed themselves in the swamp at Lower Closter (now Cresskill), having been betrayed by one Samuel Cole, a Tory, were surprised and captured by the British. They were carried to New York and confined in the Sugar House, formerly situated on Liberty street.
This building, erected in 1689, leveled in 1840, and used by the English as a prison during the Revolution, was constructed of grey stone, with deep, small windows and heavy walls. The sufferings of those confined in this place were of the most frightful character, occasioned by cruel treatment, famine and disease.
This structure was five stories in height, each story being very low and divided in two apartments; the prisoners were literally packed together without regard to their condition as to health or cleanliness. The only exercise they received was during the summer of 1777, when the jail fever of a most malignant character broke out, and then they were permitted, in companies of twenties, to walk each day about the prison yard for half an hour at a time.
Daniel Westervelt, with hundreds of others, succumbed to this direful disease. His death occurred on the 23rd of October, 1777. Where he lies buried only the last day will unfold.
His widow, Margrietje, married Aary (Aaron), son of Johannes Westervelt and Efie de Groot, Feb. 19, 1802. He died in 1808.
Children of Daniel Westervelt (128):
+285 Jacobus, b. Nov. 12, 1767.
+286 Willem, b. Sept. 19, 1771.
287 Jannitje, b. May 31; bap at Schraalenburgh, June 5,
1773. She d. in 1781.
288 Catlyntje, b. April 16; bap. at Schraalenburgh, April