The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
State of Service: NY
Qualifying Service: Patriotic Service
Birth: abt 1716 / / DE Death: 1801 bur New York / NY / NY
Qualifying Service Description:
Fed, clothed and nursed American POW's
Donated Window Counter-weights for Bullets
Additional References:
NY in the Revolution as Colony and State, 1904, Vol II, pg 65 & 66
Author: Robert John Gang, III
Sarah Cox was born in Delaware in 1716. The name of her father is not known for sure, he was perhaps Richard Coxe who was born in 1688 in New Castle Delaware and died in 1762 in Pennsylvania. Sarah’s mother was Mrs. Ann Cox, perhaps Ann Haldron who was born in Wilmington, Delaware in March 1677 and died September 7, 1785. Sarah married Adam Todd who was born in the highlands of Scotland. The date of Adams arrival is not known, but he died in 1765/69. Adam and Sarah were married on August 8, 1744 in the Dutch Church in New York City and they lived at 91 Queen Street. This property was later known as 362 Pearl Street. They were the parents of four children: Margaret born 1736 (Margaret was perhaps a step daughter born to an earlier wife of Adam’s); Adam born June 2, 1746; James born 1747 (died young); and Sarah who married John Jacob Astor about 1785. In 1776 in the early months of the Revolutionary War, Sarah donated the lead from her windows to help the patriot cause. In all, 100 tons of lead which was crucial for the army was secured by this fashion. When the British occupied New York City Sarah left town and left her house in the care of a servant. Upon hearing that the servant was passing herself off as the mistress of the house and taking boarders, Sarah returned and remained for the duration of the war. Her house was known to the British officers who boarded there as “Rebel Headquarters” because of the fervent patriotism of the family. One officer spoke of Sarah and her daughters that “they are the damnedest rebels in New York”. A favorite saying of Sarah’s was “The sword of Washington will prevail” and she frequently verbally jousted with her unwelcomed guests by subtly avoiding toasting the king when asked to by ruses such pretending that she was ignorant of the meaning of the word and stating that “we eat toast”. Relations were at times apparently civil or at least respectful however as there is a report that the British officers, longing for home and family enjoyed caring for Sarah’s toddler grandson and that the officers prevent the Hessians and other soldiers from plundering the Todd household. Sarah along with her daughters were some of the women drawn into active service in the patriot cause because of the deplorable condition of the American prisoners held in New York City and on the prison ships. The Quaker Meeting House next door to her house was used as a prison hospital. Sarah often went in to cook for and nurse the sick. They also acted as ministering angels for the sick and wounded prisoners throughout the city. Following the war Sarah received a letter from General Washington expressing his thanks and gratitude in behalf of the country. Later, Sarah, her daughter Margaret Todd Whetten and Sarah Whaley were formally commended by General Washington at a breakfast held in their honor. During the meal he rose twice to thank her for her devoted loyalty At some point after the war Sarah become destitute and had to rely upon borders to make ends meet. When the former POWs who Sarah provided for heard of her plight, they raise a pension to ease her final years. Sarah died in New York City in 1801, aged 85 years. She was buried in the cemetery at St. Paul’s Church
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