{"id":1234,"date":"2017-11-07T16:14:20","date_gmt":"2017-11-07T21:14:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/nyc-history\/?p=1234"},"modified":"2017-12-05T22:56:17","modified_gmt":"2017-12-06T03:56:17","slug":"governors-island","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/nyc-history\/2017\/11\/07\/governors-island\/","title":{"rendered":"Governors Island"},"content":{"rendered":"

Governor\u2019s Island is a large island situated directly in New York Harbor south of the tip of Manhattan. In recent years, Governor\u2019s Island has been converted and used as a New York City park; but for a majority of its history Governor\u2019s Island served as a key military installation for the city. \u00a0Under Dutch and British rule, Governor\u2019s Island was known as Nutten Island until 1784 when the name was changed under American rule. [1]<\/a> Based upon newspaper sources from the time it appears Governor\u2019s Island continued to be referred to as Nutten Island into the 1790\u2019s. [2]<\/a>\u00a0 References to Governor\u2019s Island as Nutten Island can be seen as late as the 1850\u2019s.[3]<\/a>\u00a0 While there is reference to the name change itself in the historiography, the continued use of the name Nutten Island to refer to Governor\u2019s Island seems to be unmentioned in the historiography on Governor\u2019s Island.<\/p>\n

Though Governor\u2019s Island was largely isolated from the rest of the city by the harbor, throughout its history the island played a part in shaping the political and social atmosphere of the city.\u00a0 In a city that was somewhat insulated from the larger whole of the nation, Governor\u2019s Island helped to connect the city to its larger national identity. \u00a0A newspaper article originating from New York City in 1757 demonstrates this well.[4]<\/a> The article is contemporaneous with the French and Indian War, and speculates what a French attack on New York would look like. The article demonstrates that in the mindset of 18th<\/sup> century New Yorkers an attack on their city by the French was a real possibility.<\/p>\n

Interestingly the author says that Nutten Island would employ what he calls a modern invention of fighting in an entrenched position. The author then states it would be impossible for the French to attack the garrison on Nutten Island, insinuating then that the French would be unable to gain a victory in the harbor.\u00a0 In the author\u2019s imagining of this attack, the French force would encompass the main part of the French navy. Governor\u2019s Island had a significant garrison at the time. [5]<\/a> However, this garrison was by no means large enough to withhold a large-scale attack by the French unless such an attack was expected and the British navy and army had ample time to respond. The author\u2019s unrealistic prediction in the outcome of a French attack may have served a larger purpose. \u00a0The odes to British military prowess would serve to increase patriotism and support for the war effort, and ease tensions in the city stemming from the possibility of attack, or the possibility of losing the war.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 View of Fort Jay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It is not only in the French and Indianan War that New York saw itself as an obvious strategic target, but also in the American Revolution, and War of 1812. \u00a0New York City only served as a battleground in one war, in the Battle of Brooklyn, during the American Revolution. [6]<\/a> In all three wars, New Yorkers and the nation speculated that New York was a target.\u00a0 The Battle of Brooklyn was a major loss for the fledgling continental army that could have easily cost the Americans the war. \u00a0Governor\u2019s Island contained some fortifications that were utilized by the Continental army; attacks on the approaching British fleet by fortifications on Governor\u2019s Island may have helped to slow the speed in which the fleet took the city.\u00a0 Without the rudimentary earthworks assembled on Governor\u2019s Island and the use of cannon it is possible the British fleet would have been able to reach the main force of Washington\u2019s army before it escaped.<\/p>\n

It is likely that the loss of the continental army during the American Revolution made it clear that New York was in need of greater defensive fortifications. There is evidence that moves to increase the defense of Governor\u2019s Island occurred within the next decade after the end of the American Revolution in 1784. \u00a0The defensive structures on the island existing from prior to the American Revolution went largely unrepaired after the war.[7]<\/a>\u00a0 The move to create defense did not go into full swing until 1794 when it seemed another war with Britain or France might be a possibility. [8]<\/a> The move to build defenses on Governor\u2019s island in 1794 appears to have been common knowledge at the time for Americans based on newspaper sources. [9]<\/a> The newspaper source is from Vermont in 1794, and outlines effort to pick the optimal place to lay groundwork for new fortifications on the island.<\/p>\n

It is interesting that the source originates from a newspaper source outside of the immediate New York area. The origin of the source suggests that the defense of New York City was considered a matter of national interest and security at the time. The interest in Governor\u2019s Island outside of New York suggests that America as a whole was aware of the city\u2019s importance as an area of commerce, and its importance as a control point for the Hudson river. \u00a0Governor\u2019s Island and the city were not attacked during the War of 1812 but the building of defenses on the island prior to the war indicate\u00a0 New Yorkers and Americans as a whole were well aware of a possibility of war in the future.<\/p>\n

Fort Jay was completely built by 1801 and had a stationed garrison. [10]<\/a> Construction on Castle Williams began in 1807 and was complete in 1811. [11]<\/a> Both forts served as a part of the larger part of a series of defensive fortifications of New York Harbor. [12]<\/a> It is fair to speculate that if the city did not invest in the fortifications that New York would likely be a target during the war of 1812, since the nation\u2019s capital was burned. Fortifications on Governor\u2019s island likely helped to deter decisions to attack New York City.<\/p>\n

Sources from the time show that there was an influx of soldiers into Governor\u2019s island shortly before and during the War of 1812. [13]<\/a> The amount of newspaper articles available during the War of 1812 appears greater than the times immediately preceding and following it. \u00a0The increased publication on the troop movements concerning Governor\u2019s Island would have likely served to reinforce New Yorkers sense of security during the war, as publications did during the French and Indian War.\u00a0 Knowing information about new troops arriving at Governor\u2019s Island would seem to be arbitrary information for most New Yorkers, but the volume of articles still available from the time suggest that it was of importance to New Yorkers.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Castle Williams in the 1910’s<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Governor\u2019s Island serves as an indicator for the anticipations and expectations of the nation. During the American Revolution and the time shortly before it cannon were repositioned and removed from Governor\u2019s Island. An interesting occurrence of this is in 1774 where a newspaper claims that Governor\u2019s Island had cannons pointed at the battery, located in the southern tip of Manhattan. [14]<\/a> The article seems to be the only one the mentions these cannons pointed at New York during this time which may indicate that the article is a fabrication. If it is a fabrication then Governor\u2019s Island was used as a way of furthering tensions between colonists and the British and igniting a war. If the cannons were pointed at Manhattan, it indicates that that the garrison saw the possibility of insurrection in the city and wished to quell it. In either case, Governor\u2019s island would have served a one indicator that war was coming in America during the time. \u00a0Another article from 1781 mentions the removal of all cannon from Governor\u2019s Island. [15]<\/a>\u00a0 During this time the city was being used as a central point for British war effort, this either indicates that the British thought either that New York would not be attacked or retaken, or that if the Continental army was able to attack the city that the war would already be lost. \u00a0The evacuation of the British in 1783 indicates the latter option.\u00a0 The removal of cannon from Governor\u2019s island in 1781 helps to show how the British viewed their position in New York City. The fact that the newspaper article appears to be an excerpt from an intercepted British letter also indicates that Americans may have had some interest in this time in attempting to liberate New York.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Present Day Castle Williams<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Governor\u2019s Island continued to play a significant role in the defense and identity of the city throughout the 19th century. After the War of 1812 Governor\u2019s Island did not play a particularly significant role in defending the city, but it did continue to provide benefit to the army and America as a whole. During the Civil War Governor\u2019s Island was used to hold Confederate prisoners of war. [16]<\/a> Governor\u2019s Island was used as a base of the U.S army until 1966, when control of Governor\u2019s Island was relinquished to the U.S coast guard.\u00a0 In 1996 all coast guard instillations on Governor\u2019s Island were closed and the military history of the island came to an end. Control of Governor\u2019s Island was given to New York City in 2003 and since then Governor\u2019s Island has been used as a national park.<\/p>\n

Sources<\/p>\n

Advertisement. Daily Advertiser<\/em>. New York, New York. \u00a005-06-1790. Newspaper<\/p>\n

\u201cApril; Thursday; Commissioners; Fortifications; Governor’s; Island\u201d. The Farmer’s Library<\/em>. Rutland, Vermont. 04-23-1794. Newspaper<\/p>\n

As in Case of an Attack by the French on This Place, Much Mischief May be Expected. The New-York Gazette<\/em>. 06-27-1757. Newspaper<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Extract of Another Letter, Dated Dan River, February 18th and 19th, 1781 The General Advertiser<\/em>.\u00a0 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 03-10-1781<\/p>\n

OUR QUARANTINE LAWS.: Legal Decision of Judge Birdseye. Powers and Duties of the Health Officer of the Port of New-York. New York Daily Times. <\/em>\u00a008-23-1856 Newspaper<\/p>\n

Smith, Edmund Banks. Governor’s Island: Its Military History Under Three Flags, 1637-1913<\/em>.\u00a0 New York, New York. 1913<\/p>\n

Sunday; Governor’s Island; Hudson; Backus; M’ Clelland. The Columbian.<\/em> New York, New York. 06-23-1812. Newspaper<\/p>\n

\u201cWednesday Night; Cannon; North-Battery; Men; Boats; Day; Difficulty; Governor’s Island\u201d. Boston Post-Boy<\/em>. Boston, Massachusetts. \u00a009-12-1774. Newspaper<\/p>\n

\u201cYesterday; Fourth of July; Anniversary; Independence; United States; Governor’s Island\u201d. The Daily Advertiser; Political, Historical, and Commercial<\/em>. New York, New York. 07-05-1786. Newspaper<\/p>\n

Yocum, Barbara A. Castle Williams : historic structure report : Governors Island National Monument, National Parks of New York Harbor, New York, New York<\/em>. n.p.: Lowell, MA : National Park Service, U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Historic Architecture Program, Northeast Region, 2005., 2005.<\/p>\n

Yocum, Barbara A. 2006. Fort Jay : historic structure report : Governors Island National Monument, National Parks of New York Harbor, New York, New York<\/em>. n.p.: Lowell, Mass. : National Park Service, U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Historic Architecture Program, Northeast Region, 2006., 2006.<\/p>\n

[1]<\/a> Smith, Edmund Banks. Governor’s Island: Its Military History Under Three Flags, 1637-1913<\/em>.\u00a0 New York, New York. 1913.<\/p>\n

[2]<\/a> Advertisement. Daily Advertiser<\/em>. New York, New York. \u00a005-06-1790. Newspaper<\/p>\n

[3]<\/a> OUR QUARANTINE LAWS.: Legal Decision of Judge Birdseye. Powers and Duties of the Health Officer of the Port of New-York. New York Daily Times. <\/em>\u00a008-23-1856 Newspaper<\/p>\n

[4]<\/a> As in Case of an Attack by the French on This Place, Much Mischief May be Expected. The New-York Gazette<\/em>. 06-27-1757. Newspaper<\/p>\n

[5]<\/a> Smith, Edmund Banks. Governor’s Island: Its Military History Under Three Flags, 1637-1913<\/em>.\u00a0 New York, New York. 1913.<\/p>\n

[6]<\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n

[7]<\/a> Yocum, Barbara A. 2006. Fort Jay : historic structure report : Governors Island National Monument, National Parks of New York Harbor, New York, New York<\/em>. n.p.: Lowell, Mass. : National Park Service, U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Historic Architecture Program, Northeast Region, 2006., 2006.<\/p>\n

[8]<\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n

[9]<\/a> \u201cApril; Thursday; Commissioners; Fortifications; Governor’s; Island\u201d. The Farmer’s Library<\/em>. Rutland, Vermont. 04-23-1794. Newspaper<\/p>\n

[10]<\/a> Yocum, Barbara A. 2006. Fort Jay : historic structure report : Governors Island National Monument, National Parks of New York Harbor, New York, New York<\/em>. n.p.: Lowell, Mass. : National Park Service, U.S. Dept. of the Interior<\/p>\n

[11]<\/a> Yocum, Barbara A. Castle Williams : historic structure report : Governors Island National Monument, National Parks of New York Harbor, New York, New York<\/em>. n.p.: Lowell, MA : National Park Service, U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Historic Architecture Program, Northeast Region, 2005., 2005.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[12]<\/a> Smith, Edmund Banks. Governor’s Island: Its Military History Under Three Flags, 1637-1913<\/em>.\u00a0 New York, New York. 1913.<\/p>\n

[13]<\/a> Sunday; Governor’s Island; Hudson; Backus; M’ Clelland. The Columbian.<\/em> New York, New York. 06-23-1812. Newspaper<\/p>\n

[14]<\/a> Wednesday Night; Cannon; North-Battery; Men; Boats; Day; Difficulty; Governor’s Island. THE Boston Post-Boy And Advertiser<\/em>.\u00a0 Boston, Massachusetts. 09-12-1774. Newspaper<\/p>\n

[15]<\/a>\u00a0 Extract of Another Letter, Dated Dan River, February 18th and 19th, 1781 The General Advertiser<\/em>.\u00a0 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 03-10-1781<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[16]<\/a> Smith, Edmund Banks. Governor’s Island: Its Military History Under Three Flags, 1637-1913<\/em>.\u00a0 New York, New York. 1913<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Governor\u2019s Island is a large island situated directly in New York Harbor south of the tip of Manhattan. In recent years, Governor\u2019s Island has been converted and used as a New York City park; but for a majority of its history Governor\u2019s Island served as a key military installation for the city. \u00a0Under Dutch and …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4067,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[186,112,60,187,182,184,28,185,183],"class_list":["post-1234","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-neighborhoods","tag-18th-century","tag-19th-century","tag-american-revolution","tag-fortifications","tag-french-and-indian-war","tag-military","tag-new-york-daily-times","tag-new-york-harbor","tag-war-of-1812"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/nyc-history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1234","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/nyc-history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/nyc-history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/nyc-history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4067"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/nyc-history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1234"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/nyc-history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1234\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1475,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/nyc-history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1234\/revisions\/1475"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/nyc-history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1234"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/nyc-history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1234"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/nyc-history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1234"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}