From Diary of the American Revolution, Vol II. Compiled by Frank Moore and published in 1859.
Among the rebel prisoners lately taken in New Jersey, and brought to New York, is a Major Van Buren, from Albany, who is well known by many respectable refugees in the city for his activity in apprehending and imprisoning the loyalists. He was master of the ceremony at the declaration of independence in Albany; at the close of that day, he conducted, with great pomp, the burning of the king’s arms, formerly deposited as an ornament in the Court Hall, and expressed monstrous indignity on that occasion, against the king and his friends; in short, he has been instrumental to many acts of tyranny and oppression to the king’s friends. As a reward for his meritorious deeds, to encourage the spirit of rebellion, and to discourage that of loyalty, and on the principle to return good for evil, perhaps some pretended friend to government may intercede for his release.1
1 New York Gazette, October 3.
Could this be the same as Abraham Van Buren, father of Martin Van Burn, 8th President of the United States? He lived in Kinderhook, New York, just a few miles south of Albany, and was a strong supporter of Thomas Jefferson.