Rev. Benjamin HOYT

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact: A chaplain in Washington's army at Morristown.

Notes:

Name:
E-Mail dtd 07-10-2011 from John Simon states:

Description: Pastor of Connecticut Farms Church Benjamin Hoit and his son (not identified which one) are topic of a letter sent to George Washington in 1778 by the Presbyterian Rev. James Caldwell of Elizabethtown. Caldwell actually replaced B. Hoit as pastor of Connecticut Farms Church. he writes about possibility of Benjamin Hoit's son being a Loyalist.

Letter of George Washington to James Caldwell, June 13, 1778

The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799. john C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.
(Note 9: Chaplain of the Third New Jersey Regiment; Deputy Quartermaster General. He was killed by a sentry at Elizabethport, N.J. in November, 1781.)
June 13, 1778
Sir: Having received information to day, that a Letter had been found by you in an Office in the Commissary of forage's department, written by a Mr. Hoit who acted in that line, implying if not expressing in a direct and positive manner, that Colo. Biddle, 10 the Head of the department and the writer were both in the service of the Enemy or were disposed to favour their interest, I am urgently to request that you will repair, as soon as possible, to Head Quarters and use every means in your power to bring with you the said Holt and Mr. Benjamin Hoit.
(Note 10: Col. Clement Biddle, Commissary General of Forage of the Continental Army. He was quartermaster general of Pennsylvania from September, 1781, to the chose of the war.) his Father with any other persons and papers which can give information on the subject. With this request I trust you will readily comply, as both public and private justice demand that an inquiry be made. The reluctance of the Hoits to appear in the matter, cannot or should not excuse their attendance; For if the suggestion was rue it should be known, and if without foundation it also should, to prevent injuery to Colo. Biddles character, which as far as it has come to my knowledge stands fair and unsullied. I am, etc. 11
(Note 11: The draft is in the writing of Robert Hanson Harrison.)

Benjamin married Ann SMITH on 08 Apr 1756 in Dutch Church, New York City. Ann was born about 1739; died in 1806. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]