Davis, Abraham
John M. McDonald interview — 1846-11-24; 1846-11-21
It appears that scribe John English mistakenly recorded the second day of this two-day interview first. On November 24, 1846, Abraham Davis (c.1765-1854) recalls a raid conducted by Captain Gilbert Totten of DeLancey’s Refugees into northern Westchester County above the Croton River. He remarks that there were never many supplies at White Plains except for 1776 and 1778 (presumably when the American army was encamped there), and believes that the flour taken by the Refugees in 1777 might have been at Wright’s Mills. He also recalls an encampment of British cavalry under Banastre Tarleton at his father’s property, and recalls a skirmish between that force and the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons (Sheldon’s Horse). He concludes the day’s interview by describing the fate of Anthony Miller, who went to New York City after leading the party that killed William Lounsbury while the latter was recruiting Loyalist soldiers in Mamaroneck in August 1776, and notes that black rate was enforced around White Plains. On November 21, 1846, Davis recounts how Abraham Hatfield used his strength to thwart three Skinners who attempted to rob him. He comments on John McFadden (misspelled as McFadion), Nathaniel Purdy and Joseph Purdy, and notes that individuals who were known to have money were often violently robbed. His father, David, went below British lines after suffering mistreatment. Davis states that Lieutenant James Kipp of DeLancey’s Refugees led a party to North Castle from White Plains the day after the American victory at Mosier’s Fight on December 2, 1781. He comments on Lieutenant Kipp and captains Samuel Kipp and Gilbert Totten of DeLancey’s Refugees, and concludes by noting that Colonel James DeLancey frequently changed his quarters.
Manuscript page facsimiles
High-resolution images served from the Westchester County Historical Society's IIIF endpoint. Click any page to view full size.
Transcription
Lockwood and Fade Donaldson hung Brom Valet [Barrett?], and also where Captain Knapp attacked and took part of Waterbury's guard.
1846. – November 24th Abraham Davis: –
“Totten once went above the Croton, and took some cattle from the active Whigs which he entrusted to a small party, returning himself by another direction. John Mc.Fadian was of the party, and they asked for more men, being afraid of an attack from superior numbers, but Totten refused more saying they were enough. Below and near Tarrytown they were attacked by superior numbers and the cattle were recaptured. Mc.Fadian made for the woods and was followed and attacked by a militia man, but he pointed his gun and
said: "One step further and you are a dead man! [Was this Samuel Lyons's and Garrison's party?]
There were never much amount of cattle or stores at [White Plains] except in 1776 and 1778. The small number of cattle and the few barrels of flour &c. &c. taken in 1777 by the Refugees may have been either at [White Plains] or Wright's Mills.
Tarleton lay at my father's once in the summer for, I think, the most part of two days - his men cutting grass for their horses from our meadow on the Bronx. Some of them were Yager horse, and some, probably, belonged to the 17th Light Dragoons. The horses of most of the company were alike in color. They were the finest horses I ever saw. A party of Sheldon's (a reconnoitring party probably) came down from Salem by the Robbins's Mills road by Nathaniel (?) Purdy's within sight of our house. Tarleton's men were at dinner. They immediately turned out and pursued as far as Bedford, but though
well mounted, their horses were heavy, and Sheldon's party being mounted on light and fleet steeds escaped with the loss of one helmet.
Anthony Miller went below to make his peace with General Howe where he got the small pox and died in the provost. Black rate which was (where the Americans levied upon those of their neighbors who were neutrals) often enforced about the White Plains.
1846. November 21st Abraham Davis continued:— I am 80 years of age. Gilbert Hatfield of White Plains was a remarka-bly powerful man & the Skinners stood in great awe of him. A party of them once attempted to rob him. One of them told him an officer wanted to speak with him, and was waiting near
Daniel Horton's barn. He answered: "I don't believe it; but I'll go as far as that but no further." When they got there they were joined by two others Skinners, and began to ask whether he had'nt some money hid and asked where it was. He immediately, without waiting further, attacked and knocked or threw [them] all down and piling them upon each other returned home!
John M. Fadian was a private in DeLancey's.
The Purdy's, Nathaniel and Joseph, were whipped below.
Persons, known to possess money, were whipped and tortured for it. My father was whipped and maltreated so often that he went below.
Captain [Kipp] was large. St. James Kipp small, active and loquacious. On the day of Mosier's defence after Captain Kipp's return, James Kipp with a party went towards North Castle from White Plains breathing vengeance
against all rebels and threatening ex= termination.
Captain Totten was a fine looking man, remarkably kind to prisoners. Colonel DeLancey never slept at home, but lodged with one of the Hunt's below West Farms, or at Madam Morris's or elsewhere in the lower part of Fordham or Morrisania, frequently changing his quarters.
[marg: 1846. November 21.] Rachel Cypher: — "The American stores and cattle taken by the Refugees (Major Grant and Colonel DeLancey) must have been at Wright's mills. Mr Brewer lived where Elias Capron lives.