Higgins, David
John M. McDonald interview — 1848-11-03
David Higgins (1770-1857) recalls a skirmish that took place near Buttermilk Hill in the Town of Mount Pleasant. A group of the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons (Sheldon’s Horse) and Westchester County Militia pursued a force of Refugees that had captured livestock in northern Westchester County. The Americans recaptured the livestock near Clark’s Corner, but were counterattacked after they attempted to pursue the Refugees south along Bedford Road in present-day Pocantico Hills. Higgins also recounts the murder of a French waiter who was killed by Loyalists while the French army was encamped in present-day Mount Kisco. (A note by John Macdonald indicates his belief that Higgins is actually referring to the French doctor who was killed by Loyalists.) He also notes that black rate was enforced in Bedford, and comments on a man named Wardell who was killed in a skirmish at Chappaqua. Higgins praises American Captain Thomas Pritchard, and states that his lieutenant was killed during Hull’s raid against Morrisania. He concludes by noting that his uncle John Chatterton, a Loyalist from Bedford, was wounded at Mosier’s Fight on December 2, 1781, lost one of his arms, and never returned to Bedford.
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Transcription
parole, and was afraid of difficulty if taken. I crossed Harlem river in a boat and witnessed Montross's affair from York Island. The horse refused to swim across to the end, and was finally brought across in a boat.
Novr 3d David Higgins of Bedford, aged 80: "When Thad. Seely was wounded, the Refugees were pursued by fifteen or twenty of Sheldon's and by the militia, as far as Buttermilk hill, and David Holmes who was much wounded and many others were taken. All Sheldon's except Stephen Lounsberry were taken and he escaped with much difficulty by running his force. A number of the militia were taken at
this time. After they retook the cattle the militia foot returned and Sheldon's and the mounted volunteers pursued. Seely recovered and drew a pension immediately after the war. The cattle were retaken near Clark's corner, and the mounted men pursued to Buttermilk Hill, three miles from Tarrytown.
When the French army was at North Castle Church, a waiter, a Frenchman, went to the north towards Kisco to buy vegetables, &c, when the Refugees waylaid and killed him. The French were very angry and wanted to shoot Obadiah Akerley who concealed the Refugees at his house. The body was found a few days day or two afterwards. It may be the same case as the French Surgeon— Three were said to have been concerned in this. Totten was one of them. (The story of the French
Surgeon probably. (J. M. M.) Black rate was [enforced] imposed here. Wardell, killed at Chappequa, was from Bedford. I think he was only a private.
Captain Pritchard was a very good officer.* His Lieut. Tompkins was killed in Hull's expedition against Morrisania.
John Chatterton from Bedford was wounded by Mosiers men in the affair with Captain Kipp, and lost one of his arms. Chatterton was my uncle, being married to my aunt. He never came back to Bedford.
* Thompson, See Note Book 1. p. 70.