Sentiment against England's taxation of the colonies led to Suffolk County electing Woodhull to Province of New York assembly.

In August 1776, on the eve of the Battle of Long Island, Woodhull's militia was detailed to drive livestock east to prevent its falling into British hands.

A severe thunderstorm drove the general to take refuge in a tavern run by Increase Carpenter, about two miles east of Jamaica in what is now Hollis.

Woodhull was captured near Jamaica by a detachment of Fraser's Highlanders led by Captain Sir James Baird.

A sympathetic British officer had him transferred to the century-old house built by Nicasius di Sille in New Utrecht (now part of Brooklyn).

[a] Woodhull's arm was amputated in an effort to save his life, he managed to call for his wife who was at his side when he died on September 20, 1776.