Moseman, Elizabeth
John M. McDonald interview — 1847-11-18
Elizabeth Moseman (c.1774-1848) was the wife of Elisha Moseman and a daughter-in-law of Marcus Moseman, who served as a captain in the Westchester County Militia during the Revolutionary War. She notes the site of Marcus Moseman’s capture as well as the length of time that he spent as a prisoner. Mrs. Moseman may have been from a Loyalist family, as she notes that they resided on the west side of the Bronx River in Morrisania in present-day Bronx County during the Revolutionary War. She witnessed the hanging of Tim Knapp by the orders of Loyalist Colonel James DeLancey, whom she describes as “severe and cross.”
Original findings from this interview
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Transcription
retaken. Irving was a hatter and an Irishman, and lived east of North Castle Church on the road to Bedford.
[ Mem. This was James Irving, not Andrew Irving, who was a weaver. J. M. M. ]
Nov. 18. Mrs. Elizabeth Moseman of Bedford, New Purchase, aged 73: "Capt. Moseman, my father in law was taken about half a mile south west of North Castle Church in the Tarrytown road. Rivington's note is nearly correct. I saw Tim. Knapp hanged at an old barn near Colonel De-lancey's Headquarters. Colonel Captain Moseman was kept prisoner in the Sugar House six months. Col. DeLancey was severe and cross, and slept at night at a house near the East river. The French army encamped on Robert Knowlton's ridge half a mile from here and two miles
from North Castle Church. We lived at Morrisani'a on the west shore, and Capt. Knapp on the east side of the Bronx.— There were a great many huts in the Refugee settlement. Capt. Gilbert Totten was popular.
Novr. 18th James Wood, aged 86, of Bedford, New Purchase: "I lived during the Revolutionary war in North now New Castle. When Colonel Green was killed part of the Refugees advanced to the Bridge, after waiting till the planks were laid which were taken up every night and replaced in the morning They then attacked the widow Griffen's about a quarter of a mile off. Here the negroes were cut up unmercifully— Refugees very bitter against them on account of Captain Totten. [Samuel] In the Fall of 1780, Captain Knapp