Lockwood, Daniel
John M. McDonald interview — 1849-11-15
Daniel Lockwood (1769-1857) recalls Fort Nonsense, which was built in Stamford on the orders of American General David Waterbury of the Connecticut Militia. He then describes a Refugee raid into Greenwich in June 1781 and the subsequent pursuit of the raiders by a party of Americans toward Rye. Lockwood also discusses General Waterbury, and recounts an engagement that he believes took place at Hogpen Ridge in Rye between an American scouting party returning from present-day Bronx County and a force of pursuing Refugees. He notes that his brother-in-law owned the horse that was shot from under Colonel David Humphreys at Greenwich Point, and explains how a cannon at Horseneck was concealed to prevent its capture during a Refugee raid. Lockwood also notes that Moses Schofield from Stamford served under Lieutenant William Mosier of the Westchester County Militia, and states that Seth Palmer of Palmer’s Hill in Stamford served as a militia captain. Lockwood’s father, Daniel, was part of the militia force that pursued the Loyalist force under Captain William Frost that had taken prisoners at Middlesex Parish Church (now the First Congregational Church of Darien). According to Daniel Lockwood, the militia were “raving to attack” Frost’s force, but their commander was cautious. He also explains that Refugee raids came close to Fort Nonsense, and describes the location and layout of that fort. (A note inserted by John Macdonald indicates that he visited the site of the fort with Daniel Lockwood and David Miller.) Lockwood concludes by discussing the officers who served at Fort Nonsense, and explains the changes that have taken place in the Stamford area since the end of the Revolutionary War.
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Transcription
November 15th Daniel Lockwood, of Stamford, aged 81, born January 1769: "General Waterbury was not enterprising. He built Fort Nonsense about the middle of the war (1780 or '81). It was square with bastions at the angles, and enclosed rather more than an acre. The barracks which were of wood formed the sides. Two of the bastions were of stone, and two of the fascines filled with earth. It formed a good residence for the soldiers, and was never attacked. It also relieved the inhabitants very much, who previously had had the soldiers quartered upon them.
When the Refugees came up in June 1781 (185) they did not attack the guard at Titus's Bridge who retreated to Fort Nonsense without loss. The inhabitants and militia turned out under Captain Ebenezer Jones and Capt. Lockwood, and pursued, I think, as far as Rye, recovering most of the cattle and horses taken. Lieut Wilson, of Waterbury went down to Titus's Bridge, reconnoitred
on horseback and returned to General Waterbury for troops who would not suffer any to go. Wilson then pushed on and joined the volunteers and militia and then persevered in their pursuit. General Waterbury was blamed. Many thought he might have overtaken the enemy. He said the key of the ammunition magazine was lost and he couldn't get powder &c. A song in ridicule was written. These are two lines:
“Do ye See”* [marg: * A favorite phrase with Gen. Waterbury.] has lost his key, And sav'd both stores and men!” &c.
General Waterbury didn't come (command) in the line till towards the end of the war. His Head Quarters were here at my fathers house. Once he was informed that the Refugees were coming up to surprise him when he retreated to an island in a swamp near here. This was while they were building Fort Nonsense.
Toward the end of the war a scout of Waterbury's went down to Morrisania and took some cattle and prisoners. (?) They were pursued to Hogpenridge and forced
to abandon the cattle. They then took to the woods. Refugees surrounded the wood which was a small one, and then offered quarters which were accepted. Lieut Smith, I believe, commanded the American party. The Refugees were double manned a footman behind a horseman. After surrender, many of the Americans were wounded [with] by their own weapons. Serjeant Whiting of Waterbury's was killed. He was a brave soldier and putting up a fence which had been let down to drive the cattle through when he was killed by a musket ball shot. Lieut. Josiah Smith was wounded on the hand, A Refugee presented his gun at his breast which he put aside with his hand at the muzzle. It was discharged and shot his thumb off.
Ensign Joseph Cutler (afterwards of Tarrytown) was wounded in the leg, and Quarter master Campbell was wounded in the knee. The scout consisted of about twenty, and every one was wounded except Whiting who was
Killed. The scout were all taken and the officers paroled. This (I think) took place at Hog-penridge, near Rye.
Capt. Ebenezer Jones was born about the year 1750, and died about 15 or 20 years ago at Troy to which place he removed some years (ten years or so) after the war. Troy at that time was just founded.
My brother in law Samuel Hutton of Stamford owned the horse which was shot from under Colonel Humphreys at Greenwich Point in the year . This was a very fine mare, and Col. Humphreys trained her to leap over walls, &c
Once when the Refugees came up to Horseneck, the cannon was drawn into a field of grain, concealed and saved. I think Major Fitch commanded at Horseneck at this time.
One of Mosier's men was from the town of Stamford. His name was Moses Schofield. Capt. Fowler's affair?
Seth Palmer of Palmer's Hill was a militia Captain during the Revolutionary war My father Daniel Lockwood was under Major Davenport when they pursued Capt Frost's party at Darien. If the men had had their own way, Frost would have been taken by Major Davenport who thought that there was danger. The men were raving to attack. The tide was down on the British vessels aground so that they could n't bring their guns to bear.*
— The Refugees frequently came up as high as this within half a mile of the fort. Once they took two horses and a pair of oxen from my father who got one of the horses back at the end of several years.
* Major Davenport would not consent to attack the enemy on their retreat to their shipping. He said it would be too hazardous, and he would not expose his men. He was too prudent, or too timorous for an officer. (Daniel Lockwood)
There were several able officers at different times under General Waterbury at Fort Nonsense. One, I think, was Colonel Meigs.
In the times of the Revolutionary war there was a greater number of Farm houses than there are now, and the open country was more thickly populated, although at present the villages are larger and much more numerous.
Nov. 17th Abraham Reynolds of North Street Connecticut: "I was born in 1772, and remember when Col. Wells and some of his officers and men were surprised and taken off by Major Huggeford in 1780. I think there were not more than one or two Americans Killed