James Moody

Background

James Moody was born in New Jersey.

Career

Moody was living quietly with his wife and three children on his large farm in its northernmost county, Sussex, during the first two years of the war. Like some of his neighbors, he rejected the oaths of abjuration and allegiance prescribed by state law, which were tendered by the Council of Safety in 1777. Hence the Whigs molested and even shot at him. In April of that year, he fled with seventy-four neighbors and friends to Bergen County and shortly enlisted in the brigade organized by Gen. Cortlandt Skinner, former attorney-general of New Jersey, and soon known as "Skinner's Greens. "

He served a year as a volunteer without pay, being soon sent back with a hundred men to annoy his former neighborhood. Later, he penetrated the country and obtained intelligence about a Whig corps. Early in August 1777, the Council learned that Moody and two others were recruiting in New Jersey and ordered their apprehension. One was caught. In 1778, his property, like that of other Loyalists, was confiscated by the state and, after being cleared of obligations and claims, was sold. In 1779, Moody was commissioned ensign in the first battalion of Skinner's brigade, and in June in the course of a raid to Tinton falls, seized four Whig officers and several privates, and drove off three hundred head of live stock.

Moody's party plundered a military magazine, and with the prisoners and booty reached their boats at Sandy Hook after repulsing thirty Whigs. He spied on the troops of Washington, Sullivan, and Gates, and in May 1780 undertook to execute the order of the Hessian officer, Lieut. -Gen. Wilhelm von Knyphausen, to bring to New York with their public papers Gov. William Livingston, other officials, and those persons in New Jersey concerned in the execution of three spies. A reward of 2, 000 guineas had been offered by General Skinner for the achievement of this feat. The expedition failed, however, because one of Moody's men was apprehended and vaguely revealed its object. In a more successful exploit in July Moody with seven men captured eighteen committeemen and militia officers. For this, he was hunted far and wide and taken near Englishtown by Captain Lawrence of the New York state levies. Falling into the hands of Gen. Anthony Wayne, he was transferred from one prison to another. He was finally lodged in a filthy dungeon at West point and otherwise mistreated until Washington ordered the situation remedied. At length, fearing execution, Moody effected his escape on a stormy night.

In 1781, he started for Philadelphia to get the books and papers of the Continental Congress but learned by chance at Delaware that the plot had been revealed. His health was now impaired, and he was urged by Sir Henry Clinton to visit England. There he memorialized several government officials and at mid-June, 1782, was granted £100 a year by the Treasury. In 1783, he published in pamphlet form the Narrative of his exertions and sufferings, and in June of the following year testified before the commissioners on Loyalist claims who were so impressed by the nature of his service and the grave risks he had run that they broke their rules by allowing his claim in full for £1, 330. They also promised to recommend him to Gov. John Parr of Nova Scotia on his departure for that province, where he expected to obtain a grant of six hundred acres. After a sojourn in Halifax Moody settled at Weymouth, Nova Scotia, in 1786. There he served as colonel of militia. He died in 1809. His younger brother John took part in some of his adventures and was executed in November 1781, at Philadelphia, for attempting to break into the state house there.

Achievements

• James Moody was the most noted spy in British service during the American Revolution. He received two rewards for waylaying "rebel" mails, and was promoted lieutenant, August 14, 1781.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Narrative of the exertions and sufferings of Lieut. James Moody, in cause of government since the year 1776

    (This book was originally published prior to 1923, and rep...)

Connections

Moody was married to Jane Robinson.

Wife:

Jane Robinson Moody

7 June 1752 - 9 March 1837

References

• The Royal Commission on the Losses and Services of American Loyalists, 1783 to 1785