Cook, Lyman
John M. McDonald interview — 1848-10-28
Dr. Lyman Cook (c.1772-1859) was described by Ossining historian Dr. George Jackson Fisher as “an eminent and successful physician” who resided in Cortlandt and represented Westchester County at the first meeting of the New York State Medical Society in 1807. That same year he was an aide to Major General Thomas Thomas of the New York State Militia, who had served as a colonel during the Revolutionary War. Dr. Cook had moved to Ohio by the time he was interviewed by John Macdonald. He had hoped to obtain the papers of General Thomas, but was not able to get them from either the general himself or his wife, Catharine Floyd Thomas. Dr. Cook had hoped to give copies of the papers to James Fenimore Cooper. He suggests that Macdonald attempt to access the papers of Brigadier General Philip Van Cortlandt, noting that the papers include a story of how New York Governor William Tryon visited the Van Cortlandt Manor House to persuade Philip’s father, Pierre Van Cortlandt, to remain loyal to the British crown. Dr. Cook concludes by telling Macdonald that he will attempt to contact Benjamin Odell of Cortlandt, but the McDonald Papers contain no further material regarding either man.
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
October 28th. Doctor Lyman Cook, of Ohio, formerly of Westchesta "I have not seen Jackson Odell for fifteen or twenty years, and have no recollection of the particular papers you mention, (formerly in General Thomas's possession) and relating to Colonel Greene, Major Flagg, and the attack on Davenports house, and the destruction of the black part of the Rhode Island regiment at Pines Bridge. General Thomas, however, had some valuable papers relative to the American Revolution, which, after his death, I endeavoured to procure from his widow, but she refused to part with them, saying that she meant to give them to some of the Floyd's, her relatives. Previous ly to this I had endeavoured to get them from the General. He refused to part with them, however, or to allow me to take copies, observing that they would
probably be published after his death My intention was to give them to James Fenimore Cooper to aid him in his historical novels.
General Philip Van Cortlandt's papers are interesting and would be of great service to you. They include the papers and letters of his father Lieut Governor Van Cortlandt. I have seen these as well as General Thomas's papers. By all means obtain access to the papers left by General Philip Van Courtland. Among them is an attempt account of the attempt made by Governor Tryon in the early part of the troubles to bring over Governor Van Cortlandt and his family to the Crown. Failing in the attempt he left the Manor house in great disappointment, and went on board a vessel in the river refusing to stay to dinner which he had agreed to do.
Benjamin Odell of Ramsay's Mills
between Colberg and Peekskill has much knowledge of events in the Revolutionary War that transpired near the North river. I will see him and write to you.
October 28th Samuel Lyon, of Chesnut ridge; "When my father was captured the guards and patrols that were posted and sent to secure the roads were absent at Colonel Hobby's in Middle Patent, and Major Lyon was, in consequence, surprised at his own house. He attempted to conceal himself under a bed, but finding his military coat upon a chair they searched carefully concluding that he was in the house as his regimentals