Ezekiel Cornell Arrests the Mayor of New York
Ezekiel Cornell was a Rhode Island Patriot who was asked to arrest a very powerful person...the Mayor of New York.
Published 7/1/28 - Updated 12/6/21
Ezekiel Cornell
Ezekiel Cornell began his career as a mechanic, which during his day simply meant he was a skill worker. Despite this not being a ‘gentleman’s’ occupation, Ezekiel became popular and trusted in his community.
In the 1760’s, Cornell was elected to attend town meetings, sitting as moderator (AKA chairman) several times. In his late 30’s, he began attending the Rhode Island General Assembly.
Just as things began to turn towards Revolution, Ezekiel was commissioned as a Colonel in the Rhode Island Militia.
Long Island
After the Battle of Lexington and Concord, Cornell left to assist in the Siege of Boston. When George Washington arrived, he was absorbed into the Continental Army.
Next, Ezekiel was sent to Long Island. While most of the Continentals went to New York City and Brooklyn, Cornell was stationed in Hempstead. This part of Queens County (modern day Nassau County) was full of Loyalists and Cornell was tasked with finding and arresting them.
Ezekiel took over St. George’s Episcopal Church for his headquarters. He famously forbit the members to pray for the King and Britain and used the sacrament table for his troops to dine at.
Arresting the Mayor
Shortly after Cornell’s arrival in Hempstead, a plot was discovered to assassinate Washington.
Thomas Hickey, a member of Washington’s Life Guards, was the main perpetrator. He was taken as a prisoner and soon revealed his comrades.
One of these people was David Mathews, the Mayor of New York City.
Cornell was ordered by Major General Nathaniel Greene to arrest Mathews.
On June 22, 1776, less than two weeks before the United States declared independence, Ezekiel Cornell arrested the Mayor of New York.
Mathews was tried and convicted of treason. He was sent to Connecticut to await execution. Unfortunately, his parole was lenient, and he escaped, returning to New York and continuing as Mayor in the (now British controlled) city until the end of the war.
Brigadier General
Ezekiel Cornel would soon thereafter be promoted to Deputy Adjutant General of the Continental Army, a position in which he assisted in the administration duties necessary to run a military force.
The following year, Cornell received the title of Brigadier General. He was now one of the primary leaders of all Rhode Island troops.
This gave him a large role in the important, if not successful, Battle of Rhode Island.
Continental Congress
Completing five years of warfare, Ezekiel Cornell resigned from the Continental Army.
His time serving his country was not done, however, and Cornell was elected by his State to represent them as a Delegate to the Continental Congress.
Cornell spent two years in Congress, which included the ratification of the Articles of Confederation and beginning of the Confederation Congress.
Want to read about more RHODE ISLAND FOUNDERS?
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