Merritt, Lott
John M. McDonald interview — 1844-10-19
Lott Merritt provides a number of details regarding events and people in Rye and Harrison. Among the episodes is a rare instance of mercy on the part of Shubael Merritt, who was impressed by the courage of Lieutenant James Dole, an American cavalryman with whom he had engaged in combat. He then mentions Shubael Merritt’s killing of a French commissary in Rye, and his death in New Rochelle. Lott Merritt also describes Shubael Merritt’s brother Thomas, and indicates the location of the death of Jotham Purdy, who was killed in a skirmish in Rye in 1777. Merritt then claims that the successful American defense at the skirmish known as Mosier’s Fight in present-day Rye Brook on December 2, 1781, was not the result of Lieutenant William Mosier, the American commander, but rather a subordinate named either Slater or Slaughter. He also notes that Thomas Huggeford, a Loyalist officer who served in DeLancey’s Refugees, met Westchester County militia officer Thomas Thomas while the latter was imprisoned in Manhattan. Thomas later protected Huggeford when he lived in Westchester County after the end of the war.
Original findings from this interview
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
Portchester, Oct. 19th Roger Purdy: In 1776, I belonged to Capt. Samuel Treadwell's Company of Light Horse and was at Tarrytown when the British frigates attacked the American row-galleys. Tredwell lived in the Purchase. The foragers, I think, did not pay.
October 19th Lott Merritt: Shube Merritt was a native of Rye. His hand and part of his fore arm were shot off. Shube had a single combat with a Captain Dole (?), a Scotch-man in the American service.x [marg: x Dole was but a Sergeant in Sheldon's troop, at this time - Was afterwards pro-moted to a Lieutenancy. J.E.] Dole discharged his carbine and pistols, and Shube discharged his pistols without effect except that Shube was slightly wounded. Shube then reloaded, and
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wounded Dole in the side who thereupon retreated and wounded until faint from loss of blood he fell from his horse and was carried, at his request, to Mr. Brown's, where he lay until he recovered. While there, Shube called and demanded his money. —
Dole refused to give it up. Shube then declared he would put him to death. Dole said he might but he should never surrender his property. Shube prepared to execute his threats and Dole bid him defiance. Shube then said he admired his courage, and should henceforth be his friend, and, saying that sick and among strangers he must want money, put his hand in his pocket and gave him a guinea. —
Shube was killed, at New Rochelle, a few days before the peace was declared. He killed the French commissary in or near King Street, and took 150 Louis d'ors from him, in 1781. Cornet Thomas Merritt [marg: * This must have been the Cornet (alluded to — and whose name is left blank, in the first Note Book I copied) who was with Simcoe. J.B.)] after the Revolution went to Upper
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Canada, and there held the office of Sheriff [probably under Simcoe]. The foragers of both parties when they took from their friends gave certificates which were afterwards paid. Jotham Purdy was from North Castle or thereabouts and was killed on the road from Rye to the Purchase about a mile from Rye. A rock indicates the spot.
- Hosier is not entitled to the credit of the famous defence against Kipp's horse. It is chiefly due to Slater or Slaughter, an officer (or Sergeant) under him who addressed the men telling them what to do, and exhorting them to be firm and they would make a successful defence &c. Kipp made successive discharges upon them for an hour and an half. The negro who served [with] in the party was a slave (or servant) of Captain Sackett.
Major Huggeford was born just over the line in Connecticut, and was a cousin of the Greens. He lived after peace
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in King Street and died there. He befriended Thomas in New York when he was a prisoner there, and Thomas, after peace, protected him.
It was Jotham Purdy's first excursion after receiving his commision of Captain, and his long white feather made him conspicuous in the middle of the moonless night.
Shube Merritt, with a very few followers, was once surprised in a barn which was surrounded by a large number and summoned to surrender but he refused. They then set fire to the barn. Shube sprung from the barn, and rushing through the flames, cut his way through, ran some distance till out of breath, and then threw himself down by the side of a fence where he supposed him- =self safe, but he was followed and taken.