Jeremiah Olney
Encyclopedia
Jeremiah Olney formed a company of infantry from Rhode Island
at the start of the American Revolutionary War
. He rose in rank from captain to colonel
in command of a regiment by the war's end. In 1780 he married the governor's daughter, Sarah Cooke. He was the older brother of Stephen Olney
who also served as a volunteer soldier from Rhode Island. After the war he held various civil offices. He also invested in farms, turnpikes, shipping, and other business ventures.
. He recruited a company of infantry at the beginning of the American Revolutionary War
and served in Dan Hitchcock's Regiment. He became a captain on 3 May 1775. He remained a captain during the entire year of 1776 when the unit was called the 11th Continental Regiment. The regiment, renamed the 2nd Rhode Island Regiment
, fought at the Battle of the Assunpink Creek on 2 January 1777 where they held the left flank. The unit numbered only 120 men. They participated in the Battle of Princeton
the following day.
On 22 October 1777 Olney fought at the Battle of Red Bank
where 500 Americans successfully defended Fort Mercer
against the attack of Carl von Donop
's 2,000 Hessian soldiers. Donop sent British Major Charles Stuart under a flag of truce to demand the fort's surrender. The American commander, Colonel Christopher Greene
of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment
sent Lieutenant Colonel Olney of the 2nd Rhode Island Regiment
to receive the message. Stuart addressed Olney in a tone loud enough for the fort's garrison to hear. He said, "The King of England orders his rebellious subjects to lay down their arms, and they are warned that if they stand battle, no quarter will be given". When Stuart insisted on seeing the fort's commander, Olney replied that they would, "defend the fort unto the last". The British officer pressed further and Olney remarked that, "seeing Colonel Greene was altogether needless," because he would defend the fort "as long as he had a man and as to mercy it was neither sought nor expected". Hessian officer Johann von Ewald recalled Olney shouting, "By God no!" in reply to the demand for surrender. Later that afternoon, the Hessians tried to rush the fort but were slaughtered by American gunfire. An eyewitness reported that during the fight, Olney used the flat of his sword on soldiers who fired over the parapet without aiming their muskets. American losses in the engagement were 14 killed, 21 wounded, and one captured while the Hessians suffered 90 killed, 227 wounded, and 69 missing. Donop was mortally wounded.
At the Battle of Monmouth
on 28 June 1778, Olney led the two consolidated Rhode Island regiments as part of Colonel John Durkee's detachment. Durkee was wounded early in the action and Olney succeeded to command the 300-man detachment. His orders were to support the artillery of Eleazer Oswald. Later his unit successfully covered the withdrawal of Oswald's guns. When the enlisted men of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment
were transferred to the 2nd Rhode Island Regiment
in 1778, Olney was tapped to form a new 1st Regiment by enrolling Negro
slaves. The state purchased the slaves who were promised freedom after their terms of enlistment expired. The 1st Regiment retained its former officers and non-coms while the African-American personnel became privates. No other state followed this course of action. Olney led the 1st Regiment at the Battle of Springfield
in 1780. After the 1st and 2nd Regiments were merged, he commanded the Rhode Island Regiment at the Siege of Yorktown
in 1781. When the regiment began its march south to Virginia, Olney is listed as the commander of 360 officers and men. At Yorktown, his regiment belonged to Colonel Elias Dayton
's Brigade of Benjamin Lincoln
's Division.
Olney resigned his command in 1783. He was a founding member of the Rhode Island chapter of the Society of the Cincinnati
and became its treasurer and later its president. He served as Distributor of Pensions for Rhode Island Invalid Soldiers. After the war he had difficulty getting reimbursed for expenses incurred by his regiment that he paid out of pocket. A staunch member of the Federalist Party, he argued for adoption of the United States Constitution
. For his political support, he was rewarded by being appointed to the lucrative position of Customs Collector by President George Washington
.
. The couple had only one child, Mary T. Olney (1799–1878) who in turn married Samuel Carr (1795–1832) and had three sons. Olney descended from Thomas Olney
, a minister of the First Baptist Church in America
and one of the founders of the Rhode Island colony. Stephen Olney
who served in the same regiment during the war was Jeremiah Olney's younger brother.
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
at the start of the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. He rose in rank from captain to colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
in command of a regiment by the war's end. In 1780 he married the governor's daughter, Sarah Cooke. He was the older brother of Stephen Olney
Stephen Olney
Stephen Olney was a soldier in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War and later a Rhode Island legislator.-Biography:...
who also served as a volunteer soldier from Rhode Island. After the war he held various civil offices. He also invested in farms, turnpikes, shipping, and other business ventures.
Career
Olney was born in 1749 and grew up in colonial Rhode IslandRhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
. He recruited a company of infantry at the beginning of the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
and served in Dan Hitchcock's Regiment. He became a captain on 3 May 1775. He remained a captain during the entire year of 1776 when the unit was called the 11th Continental Regiment. The regiment, renamed the 2nd Rhode Island Regiment
2nd Rhode Island Regiment
The 2nd Rhode Island Regiment also known as Hitchcock's Regiment was authorized on 6 May 1775 under Colonel Daniel Hitchcock in the Rhode Island Army of Observation and was organized on 8 May 1775 as eight companies of volunteers from Providence County of the colony of Rhode Island...
, fought at the Battle of the Assunpink Creek on 2 January 1777 where they held the left flank. The unit numbered only 120 men. They participated in the Battle of Princeton
Battle of Princeton
The Battle of Princeton was a battle in which General George Washington's revolutionary forces defeated British forces near Princeton, New Jersey....
the following day.
On 22 October 1777 Olney fought at the Battle of Red Bank
Battle of Red Bank
The Battle of Red Bank was a battle of the American Revolutionary War in which a Hessian force was sent to take Fort Mercer on the left bank of the Delaware River just south of Philadelphia, but was decisively defeated by a far inferior force of Colonial defenders...
where 500 Americans successfully defended Fort Mercer
Fort Mercer
Fort Mercer was one of two forts constructed in 1777 on the Delaware River during the American Revolutionary War, by the Continental Army, under the command of George Washington, to block the approach to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Fort Mifflin, on the Pennsylvania side, and Fort Mercer, on the New...
against the attack of Carl von Donop
Carl von Donop
Count Carl Emilius von Donop was a Hessian colonel who fought in the American Revolutionary War.-Origins and ambitions:...
's 2,000 Hessian soldiers. Donop sent British Major Charles Stuart under a flag of truce to demand the fort's surrender. The American commander, Colonel Christopher Greene
Christopher Greene
Christopher Greene was a US legislator and soldier.-Home life:Christopher Greene was born 12 May 1737 at Occupessatuxet, a village of the town of Warwick, Rhode Island, to Judge Phillip Greene and Elizabeth Greene...
of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment
1st Rhode Island Regiment
The 1st Rhode Island Regiment was a Continental Army regiment from Rhode Island during the American Revolutionary War . Like most regiments of the Continental Army, the unit went through several incarnations and name changes. It became well-known as the "Black Regiment" because, for a time, it had...
sent Lieutenant Colonel Olney of the 2nd Rhode Island Regiment
2nd Rhode Island Regiment
The 2nd Rhode Island Regiment also known as Hitchcock's Regiment was authorized on 6 May 1775 under Colonel Daniel Hitchcock in the Rhode Island Army of Observation and was organized on 8 May 1775 as eight companies of volunteers from Providence County of the colony of Rhode Island...
to receive the message. Stuart addressed Olney in a tone loud enough for the fort's garrison to hear. He said, "The King of England orders his rebellious subjects to lay down their arms, and they are warned that if they stand battle, no quarter will be given". When Stuart insisted on seeing the fort's commander, Olney replied that they would, "defend the fort unto the last". The British officer pressed further and Olney remarked that, "seeing Colonel Greene was altogether needless," because he would defend the fort "as long as he had a man and as to mercy it was neither sought nor expected". Hessian officer Johann von Ewald recalled Olney shouting, "By God no!" in reply to the demand for surrender. Later that afternoon, the Hessians tried to rush the fort but were slaughtered by American gunfire. An eyewitness reported that during the fight, Olney used the flat of his sword on soldiers who fired over the parapet without aiming their muskets. American losses in the engagement were 14 killed, 21 wounded, and one captured while the Hessians suffered 90 killed, 227 wounded, and 69 missing. Donop was mortally wounded.
At the Battle of Monmouth
Battle of Monmouth
The Battle of Monmouth was an American Revolutionary War battle fought on June 28, 1778 in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The Continental Army under General George Washington attacked the rear of the British Army column commanded by Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton as they left Monmouth Court...
on 28 June 1778, Olney led the two consolidated Rhode Island regiments as part of Colonel John Durkee's detachment. Durkee was wounded early in the action and Olney succeeded to command the 300-man detachment. His orders were to support the artillery of Eleazer Oswald. Later his unit successfully covered the withdrawal of Oswald's guns. When the enlisted men of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment
1st Rhode Island Regiment
The 1st Rhode Island Regiment was a Continental Army regiment from Rhode Island during the American Revolutionary War . Like most regiments of the Continental Army, the unit went through several incarnations and name changes. It became well-known as the "Black Regiment" because, for a time, it had...
were transferred to the 2nd Rhode Island Regiment
2nd Rhode Island Regiment
The 2nd Rhode Island Regiment also known as Hitchcock's Regiment was authorized on 6 May 1775 under Colonel Daniel Hitchcock in the Rhode Island Army of Observation and was organized on 8 May 1775 as eight companies of volunteers from Providence County of the colony of Rhode Island...
in 1778, Olney was tapped to form a new 1st Regiment by enrolling Negro
Negro
The word Negro is used in the English-speaking world to refer to a person of black ancestry or appearance, whether of African descent or not...
slaves. The state purchased the slaves who were promised freedom after their terms of enlistment expired. The 1st Regiment retained its former officers and non-coms while the African-American personnel became privates. No other state followed this course of action. Olney led the 1st Regiment at the Battle of Springfield
Battle of Springfield (1780)
The Battle of Springfield was fought during the American Revolutionary War on June 23, 1780. After the Battle of Connecticut Farms, on June 7, 1780, had foiled Lieutenant General Wilhelm, Baron von Knyphausen’s expedition to attack General George Washington’s army at Morristown, New Jersey,...
in 1780. After the 1st and 2nd Regiments were merged, he commanded the Rhode Island Regiment at the Siege of Yorktown
Siege of Yorktown
The Siege of Yorktown, Battle of Yorktown, or Surrender of Yorktown in 1781 was a decisive victory by a combined assault of American forces led by General George Washington and French forces led by the Comte de Rochambeau over a British Army commanded by Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis...
in 1781. When the regiment began its march south to Virginia, Olney is listed as the commander of 360 officers and men. At Yorktown, his regiment belonged to Colonel Elias Dayton
Elias Dayton
Elias Dayton was the Mayor of Elizabethtown, New Jersey-Biography:He was born in Elizabeth, Union County, New Jersey....
's Brigade of Benjamin Lincoln
Benjamin Lincoln
Benjamin Lincoln was an American army officer. He served as a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War...
's Division.
Olney resigned his command in 1783. He was a founding member of the Rhode Island chapter of the Society of the Cincinnati
Society of the Cincinnati
The Society of the Cincinnati is a historical organization with branches in the United States and France founded in 1783 to preserve the ideals and fellowship of the American Revolutionary War officers and to pressure the government to honor pledges it had made to officers who fought for American...
and became its treasurer and later its president. He served as Distributor of Pensions for Rhode Island Invalid Soldiers. After the war he had difficulty getting reimbursed for expenses incurred by his regiment that he paid out of pocket. A staunch member of the Federalist Party, he argued for adoption of the United States Constitution
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
. For his political support, he was rewarded by being appointed to the lucrative position of Customs Collector by President George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
.
Family
Olney was one of twelve children of Joseph Olney (1706–1777). On 26 April 1780 he wed Sarah Cooke, daughter of Governor Nicholas CookeNicholas Cooke
Nicholas Cooke was a governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations during the American Revolutionary War, and after Rhode Island became a state, he continued in this position to become the first Governor of the State of Rhode Island. Born in the maritime town of Providence, he...
. The couple had only one child, Mary T. Olney (1799–1878) who in turn married Samuel Carr (1795–1832) and had three sons. Olney descended from Thomas Olney
Thomas Olney
Thomas Olney was an early minister at the First Baptist Church in America and a co-founder of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.-Immigration to New England:...
, a minister of the First Baptist Church in America
First Baptist Church in America
The First Baptist Church in America is the First Baptist Church of Providence, Rhode Island, also known as First Baptist Meetinghouse. The oldest Baptist church congregation in the United States, it was founded by Roger Williams in Providence, Rhode Island in 1638...
and one of the founders of the Rhode Island colony. Stephen Olney
Stephen Olney
Stephen Olney was a soldier in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War and later a Rhode Island legislator.-Biography:...
who served in the same regiment during the war was Jeremiah Olney's younger brother.