Major Hewlett was, in fact, an American. His family had lived in America for generations but he was also a loyalist. The makers of the programme wished to have a character that was imbued with all the qualities that typifies their idea of an English officer of the war, so they invented the terribly British, upper class snob as seen in the programme. The real Major Hewlett was in command of the loyalist, (not British regulars but local soldiers), when the town of Setauket was raided by the Colonials under Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons. He successfully reinforced the garrison situated in the church and mounted four swivel guns on the breastworks. He refused to surrender and a three hour exchange of gunfire ensued. The Colonial forces retired as they were afraid the gunfire would bring down British warships upon them. They retreated and took some horses and blankets that they had looted. There is no mention of using the headstones on the breastworks or of stabling horses in the church, which was actually used as a barracks.