Capt Michael Vincent 1719-1808

As mentioned, our Vincent family is a complicated blend of Patriots and Loyalists.  

Before the Revolutionary War, our Michael Vincent was Captain of a Militia and was loyal to the Crown for part of the war. 

In the book, "Riot and Revelry in Early America", pg 48, Jeremiah Hunt, Michael Vincent and Ambrose Vincent were all named for contempt, riot and disturbing the peace for being involved in a skimmington in 1751. Jeremiah was Michael's father-in-law, and Ambrose his brother.

A Skimmington is an English tradition of dressing up and making rough music (banging pots and pans etc) to publicly humiliate or embarrass persons or businesses.

When time came that Capt Michael Vincent was forced to act, he would not lead his Company against the British; he was replaced and then arrested.  

Michael was not the only Vincent thwarting the efforts during the war resulting in the Committee for Detecting Conspiracies, naming them 'Notorious Loyalists' ("46 Acres..", pg 25).  

Michael eventually broke out of the jail at Exeter and returned home knowing the risk he faced; however, he was one of the lucky ones who continued to prosper.

GR Vincent surmises that Michael was a practical man who was loyal to the 'establishment' - the order it represented - so near the end of the war, taking an oath was more about recognizing the changes that were coming rather than a matter of the heart.  

This decision enabled him to retain his wealth and property.  

Michael and his wife Ruth Hunt had no children and as many Vincent researchers know, without his generosity, we would be without a will that is a treasure trove of family information!

He died the 5th of August in 1808 and was buried at the Methodist Ground with his wife.

courtsey of Robert Smith - Cenotaph at Verbank Cemetery
Buried at Methodist Ground, LaGrangeville

For the tombstone seekers, many of the Vincent family were moved to the Verbank Cemetery, Union Vale where a large stone was erected.

Front---"Michael Vincent and other of the Vincent family.  He being the first in this County, to which he came from Westchester County, this State, about 1750. He died near Verbank in the 103d year of his age."

Back---"In 1907, the bodies which had been buried in the ancient burial plot on the Vincent farm near Verbank were disinterred &, for greater care, were removed to this ground. Those from the unmarked graves were placed beneath this stone."

It is interesting to note the age listed of 103.  Based on the information from the "Old Gravestones of Dutchess County, New York" by JW Poucher, 1924, the marker at the Methodist Ground indicates that he died 5 Aug 1808, 88-7-23. Using a Birth Calculator, that puts his date of birth at 13 Dec 1719; otherwise, he would need to have been born in 1705.

"Riot and Revelry in Early America" 2002

Will of Capt Michael Vincent

"Old Gravestones of Dutchess County New York"