JOhn Kane House

(National Register of Historic Places)

• John Kane
  • 1771-1773-John Kane became the second precinct supervisor
  • 1754-He came to Pawling and got listed on the tax roll
  • 1756-He married Sybil Kent and settled in a home before having 12 out of 13 children at the same house
  • This is still the current day “John Kane House”
  • Kane got credited with raising a regiment of American militia and was known as “Colonel Kane”
  • 1776-Kane was charged by David Akins with having “Protection” from General Howe
  • He got jailed in Poughkeepsie for 7 weeks before being freed by taking an oath
  • This oath stated: Not to hold any “Traitorous” correspondence with the British Army and to appear when called upon
  • He returned home and never signed the oath before escaping with 2 of his sons and 13 other loyalists
  • August 1, 1777-He entered the British lines
  • Sybil Kent stayed in Pawling with their children
  • 1780-Then she entered the British lines
• George Washington
  • 1778-George Washington came to the John Kane House to use as his headquarters
  • He established this as his headquarters for 3 months
  • Summer, 1778-He decided to move his troops to an area where they could either move East towards New England or West towards the Hudson River
• John Kane House is still here today and is preserved as a museum with most original belongings still held there
• October 17, 1778-The Revolutionary army defeated General Burgoyne through a surrender and Washington called for a celebration
  • This was the first anniversary of the defeat
  • This was called the “Great Barbeque” or “Great Ox Roast”
  • There was a parade and long tables for feasting
  • People came from miles away to join in on the celebration
• 1982-The Historical Society acquired the John Kane house and it is now used as a museum
• May 1983-The John Kane House is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and opened to the public