Covenhoven, John N.

Nicholas Covenhoven (circa 1744-1793) of New Utrecht was a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Kings County (N.Y.) militia in 1776. During the Battle of Brooklyn he left his troops and was later seen with British officers in Flatbush. Upon his return to his unit, Covenhoven was arrested but then released. During the occupation of Brooklyn he worked with the British commissary and assisted American prisoners. After being acquitted for treason in 1783, Covenhoven served as the Chief Judge of the Kings County Court of Common Pleas and as a commissioner investigating claims against the American army for seizing cattle and horses.

From the guide to the Nicholas Covenhoven papers, circa 1775-circa 1805, (Brooklyn Historical Society)