Sussman-Laabs

This Cephrenus ( Cephaneus, Cerferenus, Suphrenius, Severinus, Suffrenes, etc.) Casselman is most likely the infamous "Suffrenes Casselman", a Loyalist and Villain of the novel DRUMS ALONG THE MOHAWK. Early in the Revolutionary War, he was noted as a Loyalist leader for his raids in the Mohawk Valley of New York during the war, leading raids with Indians and other Loyalist soldiers. Their mission was to destroy crops, barns and gristmills as the Mohawk Valley was considered to be one of the granaries of the revolutionists and without food they would not be able to carry on the Revolution. He was captured and was imprisoned by the rebels and sent to the notorious Newgate Prisonn near Harford, Connecticut, from which he escaped. When England lost the war he and his Loyalist compatriots escaped to Canada. At tribunals conducted after the war, Cephrenus and many other Loyalists were tried in absentia for treason by the state of New York. Found Guilty they were attainted and all of their property seized. In Canada where they were considered Patriots, they were granted land by Queen Anne, Cephrenus's along the St. Lawrence River just east of Morrisburg, Williamsburg Township, Dundas County, Ontario. This and many other homesteads were all inundated by the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1957. (Dave Ladley, Ancestor.com, 2010) On Thursday, 14 June, 1781, 3 PM, during Tryon and Montgomery Counties Court of General Session, the Grand Jury presented Bills of Indictment against Warner Casselman and brothers Cephrenus and William Jr. among others, for adhering to the enemies of the state of New York. Cephrenus Cassleman, a U. E. Loyalist, held a captains commission during the early part of the Revolutionary War. On account of his loyalty to the British he was put in jail and after his escape came to Canada, and settled in Williamsburg, Twp. Source The Story of Dundas, J. Smyth. Carter. pg. 423. "The Ingleside Hickeys" by A.E. Hickey. "Interesting tales are handed down concerning my grandfather, William Empey Sr., a younger son of Philip Empey and Laney Moreland. He was only in the American Revolutionary War about a year with the King's Royal Regiment of New York under Captain Daly when he was captured with three other British soldiers and sentenced to be shot or hanged by the rebels. While in prison his young wife visited him, and their son,Lt. Philip Empey (War 1812-1814), was born there. Her distress over the impending fate of her husband was great, but he assured her by saying,"The Lord never made soil to grow hemp to hang an Empey". He was quite right about this as he and the three other British soldiers, one of whom was Sephrenus Casselman, whose daughter Margaret married John Hickey Sr., escaped on the night they were to be shot or hanged, leaving behind them a miniature gallows on which they had hung four dead mice. The means of escape were furnished by friends outside the prison, and the men used yarn ravelled out of a woollen stocking to dip in the acid to cut the iron bars. After their escape they hid in the water,breathing through hollow reeds or rushes, while the rebels were searching for them. They escaped during the night. This was in the last year of the war and he,William, his wife Eve and son Philip eventually came to Canada and settled on Lot No.28,in the Second Concession of Osnabruck. He was discharged in 1786" -in a letter from Florence Mary Hickey Gormley 1943. Old United Empire Loyalist List, preserved in the Crown Lands Department at Toronto, Canada. This contains to names of nine Casselman's. Casselman, Conradt, E. District, Williamsburg, Soldier in Royal Regt. N. York - 300 Muster Roll (single)P.l. 2D, 1786. Son Suffrenus. Casselman, Henry, do. Williamsburg. Drummer R.R.N.Y.M. Roll - single, P. L. 2d. 1786. Casselman, John H. District, M. C. Soldier B. R. - P.O.C., 18TH Nov., 1797, Niagara Stamped Book - wife and one child - P. L. N. 1786 Casselman, Richard, Williamsburg. R.R.N.Y.M. Muster Roll, wife and child P.L. 2nd. 1786 Casselman, Suffrenus, E. District, Matilda R.R.N.Y.M. Muster Roll one child- P.L. 2nd. 1786 Casselman, Suffrenus, Jr. do, Son of Suffrenus, Senior. 200. Casselman, Thomas, do Williamsburg, Drummer R.R.N.Y.M. Muster Roll.Single. Source: http://www.andyshell.net/shell.htm web page On August 5, 1781, John Christian and his sons noticed the Tories and Indians waiting for a favorable time to attack. They quit work and went to Fort Dayton where his wife and small children were harbored during these perilous times. The next day they returned from the fort and were delayed in going to work by the killing of a large bear that had been disturbed by the large number of enemy solders in the area. Early in the afternoon, John Christian4 and his sons were just outside the barnyard on the other side of the fence when the Tories and Indians began running toward the corn-crib on the farm. The twins, Henry5 and Mark5, accompanied by the family dog had gone to the corn-crib to bring a corn fan home. The Indians headed them off when they returned. One of the boys was captured at the crib, the other holding the enemy somewhat at bay through the dog, ran for home and succeed in reaching the barnyard fence, but the large dog who had kept between the boy and the Indians during the pursuit jumped the fence first and the Indians captured the second twin as he tried to climb the fence. The twins, only eleven years old, were prisoners of war. The next day at two oclock, Donald McDonald, one of the Scotch refugees who fled from Johnstown, suddenly made his appearance at the head of a band of sixty-six Tories and Indians. The celebrated traitors EMPIE,KASSELMANwere with the Tories. John Christian4 and his sons were at work in the fields but reach the blockhouse unscathed. They barricaded the strong door and were ready for desperate resistance. The ensuing battled lasted until nightfall. The Schell by their galling fire, kept the raiders at a distance. Elisabeth Schell, as brave as the men, loaded the weapons for their continual use. McDonald attempted several times to set fire to the building, but each time he was repulsed. The stubborn Scotsman procured himself a crowbar and alone attempted to force the door. But, John Christian4 directed his blunderbuss upon him and shot him in the leg. He opened the door and quickly jerked the Scotsman inside. The attackers being so numerous and the siege so protracted that the Schells ammunition began to run low. However, McDonald was amply provided and had to surrender his cartridges to have them fired upon his comrades. Residence: Place: Canada during the Rev. War Jun 15, 17771763 Place: Lt. Van Alstein's Company of militia. Kings Royal Regiment of New YorkUnited Empire Loyalist