Washington’s Spy Letters
We’ve been tracking the history of the Culper Spy Ring for a while on the Project but today we go to the source – two primary sources to be exact. Kristen Nyitray, Director of Special Collections and University Archives at Stony Brook, and Chris Filstrup, former Dean of SBU Libraries, discuss their pursuit and acquisition of two letters by George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge about the operations of the spy ring.
You’ll hear about Washington’s hands-on approach to spycraft and the dangers the Ring faced operating out of enemy territory. Kristen also describes the Culper Alliance that formed betwen Stony Brook, NYS Assemblyman Steve Englebright, and local cultural heritage organizations from the Three Village Historical Society to Raynham Hall in Oyster Bay.
From the shores of Setauket to the auction room at Christie’s, this story reveals the continuing evolution of the Culper Spy Ring’s historical significance.
Further Research
- George Washington and the Culper Spy Ring (SBU Libraries)
- Spies in the Archives: Acquiring Revolutionary War Spy Letters Through Community Engagement by Kristen Nyitray and Sally Stieglitz
- Raynham Hall Museum
- Three Village Historical Society
- Music: Fife and Drums by Kevin MacLeod licensed under:
- Washington’s Spies by Alexander Rose (find in a library)
- TURN: Washington’s Spies on AMC
- Past Culper Spy Ring/TURN episodes on the Long Island History Project
One thought on “Washington’s Spy Letters”
Chris and Connie: Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the Long Island History Project. It is an important contribution for documenting our region’s history. One clarification with regard to the family relationship between Abraham Woodhull (1750-1826) and General Nathaniel Woodhull (1722-1776). They were first cousins, once removed. Nathaniel Woodhull and Richard Woodhull IV (1712-1788; Abraham’s father) were first cousins. Their common ancestor was Richard Woodhull II (1649-1699).
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