Kip's Bay Marker

Kips Bay, once known as Kepp’s Bay, was the site of the British Army’s invasion of Manhattan (September 15, 1776) early in the revolution.

A mixed force of about 4,000 British regulars and Hessian mercenaries landed at what is now the 34th Street in pursuit of General George Washington’s Continental Army. Kips Bay then extended from about 32nd to about 38th streets and west to nearly Second Avenue.

Using 75 flatboats, and other small craft, which had been hidden at the mouth of Newton Creek (Queens), and under the furious, if ineffective, bombardment from the guns of four warships, the Americans abandoned their position. Washington’s army withdrew in disorder but was saved from destruction by a rear guard of the Continental Army’s Maryland Regiments.

The invaders seized Inclenberg, home of Robert Murray (about 37th Street and Park Avenue), giving rise to the apocryphal tale of Colonial sympathizers entertaining English generals to delay the British while the American Army escaped.