Research

The Islip Militia

Before the British occupation, the people of Islip Precinct organized their own militia company rather than remain split between the Smithtown and Huntington companies. Judge Isaac Thompson and Captain Benajah Strong led the effort. The 1775 census counted the men eligible for service, and in February 1776 Islip asked the Provincial Congress to commission its own officers.

By the numbers

1775 population: 375 residents of Islip Precinct
Eligible for service: 64 men aged 16 to 50 (June 26, 1775 census)
The company: About 36 to 38 men, First Suffolk County Militia Regiment
Organized by: Judge Isaac Thompson and Captain Benajah Strong

Primary sources

Founding documentMay 10, 1775Verified

The Islip Precinct Articles of Association

On May 10, 1775, weeks after Lexington and Concord, Islip Precinct held a special meeting where residents could sign a local document supporting the Continental Congress's Articles of Association. Signing was not symbolic. The Town Historian explains that a signature on this paper was an act of treason against the Crown.

›Read the source text

The Islip Precinct Articles of Association

Persuaded that the salvation of the rights and liberties of America depends, under God, on the firm union of its inhabitants… We, the Freemen, Freeholders, and inhabitants of Islip Precinct, being greatly alarmed at the avowed design of the ministry to raise an revenue in America, and shocked by the bloody scene now acting the Massachusetts Bay, do, in the most solemn manner, resolve never to become slaves; and do associate under the ties of religion, honor, and love to our country to adopt and endeavor to carry into execution, whatever measure may be recommended by the Continental Congress, or resolved upon by our Provincial Convention… until a reconciliation between Great Britian and America on constructional principles (which we most ardently desire) can be obtained.

Context from the Town Historian

In 1776 the population of Islip Precinct was 375 and it appears that 35 of those eligible signed the Islip document, not counting those who signed elsewhere. This was a large number of supporters considering slaves, free blacks, native Americans, women and children could not sign. Also, the Quakers who lived in Islip could not sign due to their religious beliefs. Only five residents were listed as refusing to sign. A signature on this paper was an act of treason and so the first steps were taken.

Why this matters

This is one of the clearest documents showing that Islip residents made political choices before the British occupation. It also supports the exhibit's larger theme: independence was a promise, but participation was limited. Women, enslaved people, free Black people, Native Americans, children, and Quakers were excluded or unable to sign.

“The Islip Precinct Articles of Association,” May 10, 1775, in George J. Munkenbeck, Town of Islip Revolutionary War Resource Guide, Part Six, Office of the Town Historian, Town of Islip. Full signer list under review.

LetterFebruary 9, 1776Verified

Isaac Thompson Requests Commissions for an Islip Militia Company

Writing as chairman of the Committee of Islip, Isaac Thompson asked the Provincial Congress to grant commissions for officers of a militia company chosen by the people of the precinct. The letter names Benajah Strong as captain and shows Islip residents wanted a company of their own rather than being split between the Smithtown and Huntington companies.

›Read the source text

Islip in Suffolk County, February 9th, A.D. 1776. SIR – There never has been a militia company formed in this precinct. But they that bore arms in the east part of this precinct have been in the Smithtown company; and those in the west part of this precinct have been under a Huntington captain, which has been disagreeable to the greatest part of the people of this precinct, and it has been the cause of uneasiness amongst us.

The people of this precinct proceeded to the choice of their officers. They unanimously chose Benajah Strong, for their Captain; Jeremiah Terry, for their first lieutenant; Samuel Oakley, for their second lieutenant; and Annen Mobray, for their ensign… We desire that commissions may be granted to the above named persons. Signed by order of the committee of Islip, ISAAC THOMPSON, Chairman. P.S. there is about thirty-six or thirty-seven that would belong to this company.

Why this matters

This shows Islip was not passive before occupation. Local residents organized politically and militarily, selected their own officers, and sought recognition from the Provincial Congress. It connects Isaac Thompson, Benajah Strong, Jeremiah Terry, Samuel Oakley, and Annen Mobray to the local patriot movement.

Isaac Thompson, Committee of Islip, to the President of the Provincial Congress, February 9, 1776, excerpted in George J. Munkenbeck, “Isaac Thompson: A Man on a Tightrope,” in Town of Islip Revolutionary War Resource Guide.

Government recordFebruary 9, 1776Verified

Provincial Congress Entry on the Islip Militia Company

This entry summarizes Isaac Thompson's February 1776 letter to the Provincial Congress and condenses the militia story into a single paragraph.

›Read the source text

Entry 565. Isaac Thompson, Chairman of Committee of Islip, writes to Congress, Feb. 9, 76, that there never has been a militia company in that precinct, but that the east part bore arms in the Smithtown company, and the west were under a Huntington Captain, which has caused uneasiness. The people, with the consent of Col. Potter, assembled and chose Benajah Strong, Captain; Jerem'h Terry, 1st Lt.; Sam'l Oakley, 2d Lt.; and Annen Mowbray, En., who signed the association. The company numbers 36 or 37.

Provincial Congress entry concerning the Islip militia company, February 9, 1776, excerpted in George J. Munkenbeck, “Isaac Thompson: A Man on a Tightrope,” in Town of Islip Revolutionary War Resource Guide.

Census recordJune 26, 1775Under review

1775 Census and Militia Eligibility in Islip

The 1775 census gives a concrete population figure for Islip Precinct and the number of men subject to militia service. The full census table has not yet been separately extracted; for now the figures come through Robert Finnegan's summary.

›Read the source text

The June 26, 1775 census conducted by John Mowbrey, and witnessed by Judge Isaac Thompson, identified 64 men of Islip's 375 residents that would be subject to military service. This census was completed days after the Battle of Bunker Hill (June 17, 1775).

Why this matters

This gives a sense of scale. Islip Precinct was small, but the Revolution still required political and military decisions from its residents.

Robert Finnegan, “Islip Militia: 250th Anniversary, 1776–2026,” The Quahog, Winter 2026, excerpted in Town of Islip Revolutionary War Resource Guide. Full census table pending.

Essays & articles

A Time of Defiance and Uncertainty: Islip Precinct, 1775

George J. Munkenbeck

Explains the local meaning of the Islip Precinct Articles of Association. It places the May 10, 1775 meeting after Lexington and Concord and before the British occupation, and explains the political risk of signing.

›Key excerpts

“On May 10, 1775, a special meeting was held by Islip Precinct where those who wished could sign the supporting document. At the time of the signing… the war was on as the Battles at Lexington and Concord had occurred on April 19, 1775.”

“A signature on this paper was an act of treason and so the first steps were taken. This document was the first real division of the population into sides with those supporting the patriot cause called “Associators” and those who did not called “non-Associators.””

Why this matters

This essay pairs directly with the Articles of Association primary source. The document gives the words; the essay explains the danger, the timing, and the fact that neutrality would soon become impossible.

George J. Munkenbeck, “It Was a Time of Defiance and Uncertainty: Islip Precinct 1775,” in Town of Islip Revolutionary War Resource Guide, Part Six.

The Colonial Flags of Islip Precinct, Part Two: The Revolution

George J. Munkenbeck

Follows the flag story into the Revolution, from the British Red Ensign to the Huntington Liberty Flag and back to the Red Ensign during occupation. It is careful to say Islip militiamen “likely” marched under Huntington's flag.

›Key excerpts

“So, what flag flew over today's Town of Islip and was carried by its militia into battle? That is not an easy question. With the militia of Islip closely tied to Huntington it is likely that the flag that Huntington used was the one the members of the militia marched under.”

“At a reading of the Decoration of Independence in July 1776, a flag was raised in Huntington that had the Union Flag removed from the canton and the words “George III” removed, leaving a red flag emblazed with the word “Liberty.” … With the defeat at Brooklyn the flag over Islip would once again be the Red Ensign for six more years until 1783.”

Why this matters

A strong candidate for the visual side of the site. It connects political change to something visitors can see, while keeping the flag claim appropriately cautious.

George J. Munkenbeck, “The Colonial Flags of Islip Precinct: Part Two, The American Revolution,” in Town of Islip Revolutionary War Resource Guide, Part Six.

Captain Benajah Strong: “For Washington and Liberty!”

George J. Munkenbeck

Introduces Benajah Strong, an Islip official and patriot connected to the militia, local government, the Thompson family, and refugee experience during the Revolution.

›Key excerpts

“In April 1787, 39-year-old Benajah Strong was the last person to be elected to the office of Supervisor of the Precinct of Islip as for in a year the State of New York would recognize Islip as a Town by law.”

“As a well-known supporter of the patriot cause. He was one of those who fled to Connecticut when the British occupied Suffolk County, but he was involved in several raids and missions and was considered a “notorious rebel.””

Why this matters

Benajah Strong connects Islip's patriot militia, refugee experience, local government, and family networks, and expands the People page beyond Isaac Thompson and Washington.

George J. Munkenbeck, “Islip Town Supervisor Captain Benajah Strong: ‘For Washington and Liberty!’,” in Town of Islip Revolutionary War Resource Guide, Part Six.

Islip Militia: 250th Anniversary, 1776–2026

Robert Finnegan

A concise account of the Islip Militia Company that connects the 1775 census, Isaac Thompson, Benajah Strong, and local military organization, with concrete numbers.

›Key excerpts

“The June 26, 1775 census conducted by John Mowbrey, and witnessed by Judge Isaac Thompson, identified 64 men of Islip's 375 residents that would be subject to military service.”

“The Islip Militia Company consisted of 38 men who were assigned to the 1 Suffolk County Militia Regiment under Brigadier General Nathaniel Woodhull. Judge Isaac Thompson also served in this Regiment.”

Why this matters

It connects population, military service, Isaac Thompson, and Benajah Strong to the local effort to organize Islip separately from surrounding towns.

Robert Finnegan, “Islip Militia: 250th Anniversary, 1776–2026,” The Quahog, Winter 2026.