Hendrick "Henry" Wendell

Wendell was one of many American Provincial Troops who fought for the British before the Revolution.

National Park Service

Quick Facts

Significance:

Hendrick Wendell was an officer in the British Provincial forces during the French & Indian War. He served in many of the actions that took place throughout the New York frontier.

Place of Birth:

Schoharie Valley, British Colony of New York

Date of Birth:

March 12, 1729

Place of Death:

Albany, British Colony of New York

Date of Death:

January 10, 1762

Hendrick Isaac Wendell was born in March 1729 in the Schoharie Valley to Isaac and Catharine Wendel. He was baptized on March 16, 1729 at the Albany Reformed Dutch Church. He was one of at least 9 children.

His military career began in 1755, when he became an ensign (modern 2^nd Lieutenant) in the British 51^st (Pepperall’s) Regiment. Though technically a British regiment, it was raised in New England specifically for service in North America during the French and Indian War. When part of the regiment was sent to garrison the British forts at Oswego, Wendell was stationed at the Oneida Carry because he had friends amongst the Oneidas and spoke their language. After the French took the British forts at Oswego in August of 1756, the remnants of the 51^st Regiment were disbanded. Wendell then volunteered to serve in the Batteau service but instead received a lieutenant’s commission in Roger’s Rangers from British General James Abercrombie.

When Wendell learned that a new company of rangers was being raised to help garrison Fort Stanwix, he actively sought command of the group. In March of 1758, Wendell was appointed captain of the new company of Roger’s Rangers, and recruited men from New York City and the Mohawk Valley to fill the company. Part of Wendell’s company made up Colonel John Bradstreet’s force that attacked and destroyed the French Fort Frontenac in August. In November of 1758, Wendell’s company went into winter quarters in wooden huts built just outside Fort Stanwix. The Rangers spent the winter of 1758-1759 on various scouting missions looking for French raiding parties, or potential French attacks against Fort Stanwix. Captain Wendell’s company suffered repeatedly from mutinous behavior and desertion throughout the winter and by spring Wendell had had enough. He asked to be relieved of command and on May 11, 1759, handed over command of his company to Captain Joseph Waite.

Wendell died in Albany on January 10, 1762, at the age of 41.

Duration:

1 minute, 24 seconds

A typical day at the British Fort Stanwix during the French & Indian War. All excerpts have been taken from the accounts of the soldiers who lived there.