William Oldrin, Sr.
Quick Facts
Biography
Captain William Oldrin (1773-1858) emigrated from England to the United States in 1794. He worked as a ship's captain at sea. (b. August 12, 1773; England - d. April 24, 1858; Rye, Westchester County, New York, USA) He married Almy Kinner (1780-1853) around 1800. "He lived in Crane Neck during the troublesome times in 1812 on an eminence overlooking the pleasant spot where Hon. Frank Spinola now makes his home. One day a British sloop-of-war anchored off the Neck and flaunted her flag before the eyes of the Captain. He dragged a clumsy old cannon from his home to the bluff, and, after loading it with solid shot, turned it carefully on the menacing craft and fired. When the smoke cleared away the sailors were harrying to get up anchor and away. The shot hail disturbed their fancied security, and had severed the shrouds and brought the mainsail down about the heads of those on deck."