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From: "Dane Coefer" <>
Subject: [NJHUNTER] Captain David Schomp of the Secret Service
Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2001 18:26:03 -0700


>From Lequear's "Traditions of Hunterdon" (1869-70)
David Schomp, whose father and grandfather bore the same given name, and were
noted for their military exploits and their love of good as well as fast horses, now
owns and lives on the old Schomp homestead; a part of the old house is now standing.
“The old Colonel,” still remembered by many now living, as often seen erect and
brave on horseback at the age of 80 years, was a captain in the secret service of
Washington, and before his death received a pension of $640 per year. He was for
some time denied this, however, on allegation that he was only a lieutenant, and
entitled to no higher pension than belonged to that grade. But this old veteran
indignantly refused, saying: “ I tell you I was a Captain in Washington’s Secret
Service, and I’ll have a captain’s pension or none; if you search the papers at
Washington you’ll find it so.” They made the search, and found the “Old Colonel”
was right.

It was no mercenary motive that prompted Captain David Schomp to insist upon
his demands. His rank was as dear to him as a Baronet’s title and coat of arms;
to win it, he had been faithful when others were false, brave when others were
cowardly; given his last crust when others hoarded and hid their abundance from
starving soldiers.

Captain Schomp had crept alone through swamps and thickets, when the breaking
of a twig would have brought an Indian hireling’s scalping knife upon his head; he
had stolen into forts when garrisons were asleep, or marched in , in disguise, in
the light of day, to learn the secrets of the enemy. He had gone on foot from the
Delaware to the Hudson and back again many times, to carry dispatches from
Washington at Valley Forge, to his officers at Ticonderoga and other points to the
north; and now he wished to leave his true title to his descendants, to inspire
them with the same steadfast patriotism that animated him—and it was no
useless legacy.

Captain David Schomp’s nephew, Maj. Henry G. Schomp, was among the
volunteers to put down the Whiskey Insurrection. When the Rebellion broke out
the “Old Colonel’s” blood fired up in his descendants’ veins. His grandson, one
of Robert’s boys—and a noble boy he was—Simon Peter Schomp, was in Illinois
when news came of the firing on Fort Sumter. He volunteered at once, served
faithfully, and after the battle of Fort Donelson was found among the slain. A
letter from the Surgeon of the Regiment to a friend in New Jersey says:
“Simon P. Schomp is among the fallen; he was a brave boy, and was in the
hottest of the fight. Peace to his ashes.”

pp. 193-94

Dane Coefer
Ashland, Oregon
http://www.geocities.com/dane97520/DaneHome.html

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