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:
Jan. 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 2nd Lieutenant) in the British 51st (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 51st 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 Jan. 10, 1762, at the age of 41.
Fort Stanwix National Monument
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* fort stanwix national monument
* fostppl
* french and indian war
* colonial history
* colonial wars
* fort ontario
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
