The Kingston Roses

I Historical Note: The stories that are extant of Aldert Roosa and his adventures are begging to be made into action movies--or at least a comic book. That's what I've done in this chronicle, based on a true event involving Aldert and his son Arien. Though the historic events called the Esopus Wars primarily involved the Dutch and the Lenape Indians, that was only part of the powder keg in Wiltwyk (Kingston). In this story, I've focused on the British connection. This story

Historical Note: The details of the Esopus Revolt of Wildwyk and the important role of Aldert Roosa in the dramatic events is a matter of historical record. There is ample evidence also of the kidnapping of his 12 year old daughter, Eyke, though, many details of the events themselves are lost, it takes little speculation to iamgination the impact her abduction and rescue would have on the entire community, shaping their colonial mistrust of the Indians who still inhabited the

I have sent three sons off to war. Though watching them depart and worrying about their safety was a daily challenge, I never had to deal with what my eighth generation great grandfather, Samuel Rose did: watching two sons on opposite sides of the battle. In 1775, the colonies were straining at the seams of unity. War drums were beating forcing everyone to choose a side. As in so many towns, sensibilities lined up on various sides. Not everyone chose the same allegiance. Sam

Historical Note: Aldert Roosa had eight children and the story of his son Arien is part of the Rose Chronicles. Arien would eventually have a son named Samuel. At some point he left Kingston in the new territory of Vermont. While there he had a son named Cornelius (1757). Cornelius and Jacob lived far apart and even though they were cousins would not have known each other. Even so, their fates were intertwined because, like so many others in this period, they had different a