From George Washington to Isaac Schultz, Moses Gale, and Leonard D. Nicoll, 31 July 1779
To Isaac Schultz, Moses Gale, and Leonard D. Nicoll
Wt Pt July 31st 1779
Gentlen
I was favord with your letter by Esquire Nicoll1—It gives me pain at all times, to put the inhabitants of any part of the Country to an inconvenience—nor is it ever done but from necessity & a regard to the Public good—In the present instance—I can only say that if you can point out proper places for the accommodation of the sick—that may be approved by Genl Greene & the director Genl of the Hospital—I shall be happy, to find the Church at New Windsor, appropriated to the use for which it was originally intended—if not—I make no doubt you will readily acquiesce, in a matter so essential to the public good. I am Gentn Yr Mo. Obet servt
G. Washington
Df, in Richard Kidder Meade’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. The names of the addressees are found on the docket of the draft manuscript, which is in Meade’s writing and reads: “To Isaac Schults Moses gale & L. D. Nicholl Esqr. trustees of the Church at New Windsor.”
The congregation upset with the use of its building as a hospital probably was St. David’s, an Anglican church that had enclosed an edifice in 1771, but complaints also may have come from representatives of the New Windsor Presbyterian Church (see 84–87, 94; see also 638–39).
Isaac Schultz (1740–1802) operated several businesses in New Windsor, including a tavern and a gristmill. He apparently had subscribed one pound to build St. David’s Church.
Moses Gale, apparently part of a prominent New Windsor family, served as an overseer of the poor in 1781.
Leonard D. Nicoll (1739–1815), a company officer in the 2d Regiment of Ulster County, N.Y., militia, also served on the New Windsor committee of safety from 1778 to 1780. He apparently had subscribed two pounds to build St. David’s Church.
1. This letter has not been found.