Espionage and Enslavement in the Revolution: The True Story of Robert Townsend and Elizabeth

by Claire Bellerjeau, Tiffany Yecke Brooks, Vanessa Williams (Foreword)

In January 1785, a young African American woman named Elizabeth (Liss) was put on board the Lucretia in New York Harbor, bound for Charleston, where she would be sold to her fifth enslaver in just twenty-two years. Leaving behind a small child she had little hope of ever seeing again, Elizabeth was faced with the stark reality of being sold south to a life quite different from any she had known before. She had no idea that Robert Townsend, a son of the first family she was enslaved by, would locate her, safeguard her child, and return her to New York—nor that Robert, one of George Washington's most trusted spies, had joined an anti-slavery movement. As Robert and Elizabeth’s story unfolds, prominent Revolutionary figures cross their path, including Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Jupiter Hammon, John André, and John Adams, as well as participants in the Boston Massacre, the Sons of Liberty, the Battle of Long Island, Franklin’s Paris negotiations, and the Benedict Arnold treason plot. Elizabeth's journey brings a new perspective to America's founding—that of an enslaved Black woman seeking personal liberty in a country fighting for its own. The 2023 paperback edition includes a new chapter highlighting recent discoveries about Elizabeth's freedom and later life.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American Revolution, American History, African American

232 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2021

Reviews

[Lissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting, approachable history about Robert Townsend (a member of the Culper spy ring during the American Revolution) and a slave that was born into his family, Elizabeth (who went by the nickname "Liss" until her adulthood).

There is some fascinating information contained in these pages. Claire Bellerjeau, one of the authors of this book, is the historian for Raynham Hall Museum in Oyster Bay, New York. (The house itself is the original Townsend home; it was renamed in the mid-19th century, as well as numerous rooms being added to the structure.) I suppose the most surprising thing for me was that there was no evidence that Samuel Townsend (and, subsequently, Robert Townsend) was a Quaker at all. I've always, always heard that Robert was the product of a "mixed marriage" (Quaker on his father's side and Anglican on his mother's side). Instead, although there were Quaker cousins in the family tree (Robert's cousin, Abraham Franklin, for example), it may very well be that the Townsends just stood up for Quakers because it was the right thing to do, not because they were affiliated with the religion (this seemed to be a very Townsend-like thing to do, as Samuel ran into trouble standing up for French Acadians, to whom he had no real ties, either).

There is so much about this time period, not to mention the dynamics between Liss and the Townsend family, that is simply unknowable at the times. Robert Townsend was nearly lost to history; it wasn't until Morton Pennypacker came along in the 20th century that people even became aware of who Robert Townsend was and how he served the patriot cause in the Revolution. Similarly, Elizabeth's fate is undetermined, at least at this time. She was freed, either formally or informally, and then disappears from history. This is no fault of the book or the authors, of course, but there is just SO MUCH MORE I'd like to know about this situation that has been lost. Why, exactly, was Liss sent to South Carolina with such a premium? What was the relationship - acquaintances, friends, lovers, some hybrid of the above - between Liss and Robert? How did Liss escape with Simcoe originally - he was certainly complicit, it seems, but were the Townsends? Interesting questions, and yet they will likely never be able to be answered.

This kept my interest throughout. I'd recommend this book.

[Justin Mullen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book! Robert Townsend and Elizabeth are two figures whose everyday lives and impact on our history are engaging and important. If you’re interested in New York State history, slavery in New York State, the Abolitionist movement, Revolutionary America, and espionage… pick this book up!!!(especially if you enjoy history books!) As a history teacher using 2024 to get really into reading, this is the first history book I’ve picked up. Outside of high school and college, I’ve never read a history book, and have certainly never read one for pleasure. Therefore, this book was a bit of a challenge for me. Moreover, I saw Clare Bellerjeau speak at a social studies teacher conference in Albany earlier in 2024, and her presentation was excellent! However, I felt that having heard her lecture about Townsend and Liss, I understood a lot of things in the book that I may have found confusing had I not seen her presentation. Furthermore, I felt like because the book is only 180 pages before the sources and index, a lot of history, events, and names are mentioned and referenced, but not explained in a lot of detail, leading for the reader to get lost trying to interpret things and activate their own background knowledge.

Because (1)the book wasn’t THAT engaging to someone who doesn’t read history books often, (2) without her presentation, I may have misunderstood part of the history or been confused more often when reading, and (3) a lot of history unrelated to Townsend and Liss is treated like common knowledge… I couldn’t rate this book higher than 3 stars.

However, I quite like Bellerjeau and I think her work as a historian is really fascinating! Thank you for bringing Robert Townsend and Liss to life through this book, your research, and your speaking engagements around the country!

[Scarlet Ingstad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book absolutely blew me away. I thought I knew a lot about the Culper Ring and the various known members of said-ring. This--this opened a door to so much more. Elizabeth's story is incredible. The courage, the resilience, the victory. And Robert Townsend's slow but steady journey into becoming part of the abolition movement is a story previously untold. This book is everything. I'm inspired on new levels for my own upcoming historical works. Read. This. Book.

[Brianna Melick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is your chance for anyone who is a fan of Turn: Washington's Spies and has always wanted to learn more about the mysterious Robert Townsend. I picked this up at Mount Vernon last year, and I have been chugging along, reading a very pages at once. This was incredibly interesting regarding all of the information it gives on the politics and laws of the time. The cast is similar to the show: Abraham Woodhull, Ben Tallmadge, Caleb Brewster, and John Graves Simcoe; however, it takes a step away from the show's women, who were not nearly like their real-life counterparts. It dives into the fascinating story of the Spy '355' that was critical to their success, but history does not know who it was. This book discusses an enslaved woman named 'Liss' or Elizabeth, who labored at the Townsend home. This book benefited me as a guide at Monticello who discusses enslaved history daily. The depth of detail the authors go into on the laws regarding slavery and how complicated and different they are depending on what colony is in question.

[Taury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fabulous. Well researched and informative!! Loved it. Will read again if ever on audio!! Way to go Claire on your debut novel!!!

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is Black History Month in America, and I picked this fairly new book up at our library in a display of books about African-American history. This is a very carefully researched and pieced together story about something difficult to research -- the inherently secret life of spies. This story surrounds and is embedded in the history of slavery in America, particularly in New York City, as those who own the slaves gradually come to see the immorality of owning other humans. Even when slaves are treated "kindly," their futures are at the mercy of this system and they can be suddenly and irretrievably harmed if a master dies or the slave is kidnapped (as happens in this story).

If you think your children will be harmed if they learn about the enslavement of humans by your ancestors, may I encourage you to let them feel that shame to motivate them to make sure the ongoing systemic racism in our society is corrected. A news show yesterday showed the fates of four white men who committed deliberate fraud when voting on behalf of dead relatives for Donald Trump. They were all given probation, except one that was given three days in jail. A woman in Tennessee, who has served her time for a felony, finished her probation, and was told by her probation officer (who gave her a certificate) that she was now legal to vote, tried to register to vote. She was given a sentence of six years in prison for attempting to register when she was ineligible (despite her probation officer's assurances). She didn't try to vote -- she just tried to register, as she had been assured this was legal. And if that doesn't illustrate our 400 years of immorality in regards to race, I don't know what does.

[Arielle Friedlander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant. I picked this book up on kindle as part of my rabbit hole into the Culver spy ring. Most books end with the war and focus idealistically on the people, making them into myths. Instead Bellerjeau's book focuses on the role of slavery in the Townsend family, with a focus post 1783. It shows the societal norms, the moral inclinations of Robert and the independent spirit of Elizabeth. Particularly moving, when we see Elizabeth having signed her name as "Free Elizabeth." She remains sensitive to the conditions of Elizabeth, not compromising the horrors to the good nature of Robert Townsend. Not compromising on the failures afterwards including the lack of freedom documents. It also notes the personal, psychological impacts too including discussion on Robert's depression in later life.

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

You'd expect a Civil War history to use the lens of slavery but a Revolutionary War history? Yes, that's right. Bellerjeau's deeply researched look at the culture surrounding the Culper Spy ring and Liss, a black woman who may have been a participant, constantly reminds us how omnipresent slavery was when the States broke away from Britain, a time when every New York town was required to have a slave-whipper, and a Long Island abolitionist might sell off his slaves -- instead of freeing them. In Bellerjeau's book, you're reminded that, when it comes to Civil Rights, the U.S.A. has been dragging its heels since its founding.

[Joan Kani · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book. I naively didn't realize there were slaves in new york, long island to be exact. I assume didn't know it because education in my day focused on slavery in the south. That being said, this story is about Robert Townsend, who it was later found out that he was a spy for Washington in the Culper Spy ring.

Townsends had slaves. Granted they were treated better than others but they were still slaves, bought and sold. Robert went to great lengths to get his back from people who mistreated them.

There is much more to the story and if you like history, you will enjoy this book.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book at the Hancock-Clark House in Lexington, MA. I had hoped to learn more about Elizabeth, but the historical record leaves little, and the authors have done their best, and at least made her name known. I learned a lot, especially about the complex laws for manumission and freedom. The hope is dangled but legally and financially impossible to achieve. Robert Townsend as abolitionist makes the same mistake twice, in spite of all of his good intentions, which is heartbreaking to read— less for him, but for the enslaved people impacted. This is a good book to understand what history has hidden and why it is so complex and continuing to impact America today.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this book was incredible. I liked how the authors explored the complexities and at times hypocrisy of the main figures, rather than lionizing or censuring them. I liked how this book interwove the major battles and political incidents with the mundane lives of the people involved. The authors did not shy in discussing the inhumanity of slavery, and what Liss likely may have experienced during her enslavement. I do relate to Robert in not prioritizing the traditional path of marriage and children, and instead devote myself to a cause larger than myself.

[A. Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. If you're looking for a historical novel, chose something else. This is more history than novel. However, if you know little or nothing about the situation of slaves in the US prior to 1800, then this is quite informative.

[Ken Adell · Rating 1 out of 5]

More about enslavement than espionage.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding read -- couldn't put it down!

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about a courageous woman. All Long Islanders should read!