Who was Major Tallmadge?
Patriot, Soldier, Spymaster
If you have ever driven down Major Tallmadge Lane and wondered who Tallmadge was, here is a summary of his story and his special connection to Pound Ridge.
Often overlooked by history, Benjamin Tallmadge was an important figure during the American Revolution and a key ingredient to George Washington’s success. Tallmadge worked overtly — and covertly — to help Washington fight, and ultimately defeat, British forces.
Tallmadge is best known for overseeing America’s first intelligence service, the famous Culper Spy Ring. The Culper Spy Ring provided accurate and frequent intelligence about the position and activity of British troops in and around New York City. Historians agree that this service proved fundamental to Washington’s battlefield success. The British never discovered any of the Ring’s members. The group’s methods and results set the standard for future clandestine intelligence operations. If you ever watched AMC’s popular TV series “Turn,” you’ll recall that the Culper Spy Ring and Benjamin Tallmadge were prominently featured.
While best known for his covert efforts, Tallmadge never ceased his overt duties as a calvary officer. He fought in several major battles including Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth and was eventually promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. However, it was a small engagement in 1779 that earned him a street sign in Pound Ridge. At that time, he was dispatched to Pound Ridge to help defend local communities from British and loyalist attacks. As temporary commander of Colonel Elisha Sheldon’s Dragoons, Tallmadge engaged British forces during their July 1st raid on Pound Ridge. British forces, led by the infamous Lt. Colonel Banastre Tarlton, burned several homes and buildings in the Hamlet before being chased out of town by Tallmadge and local forces. Despite the British retreat, Tarlton succeeded in terrorizing the area and capturing Col. Sheldon’s regimental colors.
After the war, Tallmadge operated a dry-goods store in Litchfield, Connecticut, speculated in land in Ohio, and served as a member of the US House of Representatives. Benjamin Tallmadge was a patriot, soldier, and innovator. His legacy lives on in modern intelligence gathering, American history, and on a quiet lane just off Salem Road.