This Week in History

October 16, 1686 - Isaac Platt
Isaac Platt and Thomas Powell were designated to reply to Governor Thomas Dogan's "desire to know just what lands Huntington, Long Island, New York, had already purchased from the Indians and what remained still un-purchased". (Isaac is Howie’s 8g-grandfather)

October 17, 1777 - John Bonner
British General John Burgoyne surrenders at Saratoga, to General Horatio Gates, the new commander of the northern army. The "Convention of Saratoga," negotiated by Gates, allows Burgoyne's army of 5,871 British regulars and German mercenaries to return to England and Europe on the promise that they will not fight in North America again. Congress finds various reasons for not allowing Burgoyne's army to leave, for fear that its return to England or the Continent will free an equal number of other troops to come to North America to fight. Burgoyne's army will be detained in various locations in Massachusetts and then settled on a tract of land in Virginia near Charlottesville. In September 1781, the "Convention Army" is removed to Maryland because of Cornwallis's invasion of Virginia. At the close of the War, Burgoyne's army has dwindled to a mere 1,500 due to escapes, desertions, but most significantly to the number of the troops deciding to stay and settle in America. John Bonner was among those that stayed in America. (John is Howie’s 5g-grandfather.)

October 22, 1808: - John C. Haynes
Reported in the Portsmouth Oracle that "At the late session of the Superior Court of Judicature in the county of Grafton, John Haynes, Esq. late a member of the New Hampshire Legislature, was convicted of dealing in counterfeit money, and sentenced to pay three hundred dollars fine, and suffer one year's imprisonment." ( John is Myra’s 3g-grandfather.)

October 22, 1847 – David R. Hyer
During a special session of the legislature for the Territory of Wisconsin, Governor Henry Dodge appoints officers for the newly formed Wisconsin militia. David R. Hyer is appointed captain of Company 7, Third Division, Second Brigade. The militia was expected to be ready for whatever they were called upon to do within 24 hours of being notified. (David is Howie’s 2g-grandfather)

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