David M. Griffin is an independent researcher and author whose interest has been in studying colonial era built works and histories of the Revolutionary war period in the New York City region. He has always held a fascination for the eighteenth century historical period and especially early fortifications of North America. He grew up intrigued by geometries of British fortifications in his native province of Ontario, Canada. His recently published book Lost British Forts of Long Island, by The History Press, 2017 continues to elaborate on this interest and his intrigue for researching local history. He holds a professional Degree in Architecture from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada and presently consults and practices in the fields of architecture and interior design within the New York Area.
Substantial numbers of British and Hessian troops needed to be housed in New York City and across Long Island during the years of the British occupation from 1776 to 1783. An American report to General Washington in January 1779 estimated the number of British and allied troops stationed on Long Island at approximately 3,380 exclusive […]
The planned capture of New York City in 1776 by British forces set the stage for what was to become the largest battle of the Revolutionary War period. British and Hessian forces were able to defeat their American opponents easily in open conflict in the early stages of the Battle of Long Island in 1776. […]
Queens County of Long Island, New York, had an overwhelming Loyalist population throughout the Revolutionary War period. After the war many Loyalists remained on the island and assimilated into the local population. It is estimated that a large majority of Long Islanders who were loyal and stayed in the United States after the war lost […]
The British Occupation of the New York City region during the Revolutionary War was the longest continuous occupation of any area of the entire war. After the fall of New York in 1776 and the British retreat from Philadelphia in 1778 the British and American armies surrounding the New York region were at a stalemate. […]
After the fall of New York in 1776 Long Island became occupied territory for combined British and Loyalist forces during the remaining years of the Revolutionary War. The island became an important supply resource for the British army in New York City and a defensive front line to the American forces in New England. The […]
