On behalf of the residents of Kingston, Tom Hoffay, the local representative to the Common Council, informs the invading British troops that we don’t recognize the authority of the King, but rather our duly elected governor, George Clinton. On this day in 1777, the British troops burned the capital to the ground, except for one structure. At the time, Kingston had a reputation for being home to the most troublesome rabblerousers, and one of the British generals had it in for the city. The walls of the many stone houses remained standing, and the homes and businesses were rebuilt.
For his part, Clinton was a Leo who served as clerk of Ulster County for some 52 years, as a Revolutionary general, as the first governor of the state and finally as vice president under Jefferson and Madison. Considered one of the nation’s founding fathers, he is buried in the cemetery of the Dutch Reformed Church about one block from where this scene (at the Kingston Farmer’s Market) is taking place. [When I first attended SUNY Buffalo, I lived for two years in Clinton Hall; now I finally know who he is.]
Revolutionary War re-enactors from all over the country have been arriving here to dramatize the battle for the city, which included a marine invasion earlier today and musket battles in the streets happening about now. Many of the city’s historic structures are open to the public for tours.