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Odell, Jacob and Vermillya, Isaac

John M. McDonald interview — 1844

From the Westchester County Historical Society catalog:
Jacob Odell (1756-1845) served in the Westchester County Militia during the Revolutionary War, and later held the rank of brigadier general in the New York State Militia. “Vermille” is likely interviewee Isaac Vermillya (1769-1854), who was married to Jacob Odell’s cousin Jane Odell. Both men volunteered in June 1776 in a company commanded by Captain Stephen Oakley. They discuss the British raid against Yonkers on September 16, 1778, during which Westchester Guide John Odell led Colonel Mordecai Gist to escape the British advance. They also note that Grace Isaacs Babcock, who resided in the Yonkers parsonage, waved her handkerchief from a window to direct the Americans in their escape. The men then mention the Battle of Edgar’s Lane, during which a Hessian force under Lieutenant Balthasar Mertz was ambushed in present-day Hastings-on-Hudson. Odell and Vermille conclude with a discussion regarding Captain Samuel Kipp and Lieutenant James Kipp of DeLancey’s Refugees.

Original findings from this interview

Grace Isaacs Babcock signaled American escape with her handkerchief

Jacob Odell and Isaac Vermillya document a named civilian woman in an active combat role. During the British raid on Yonkers, September 16, 1778, 'Grace Isaacs Babcock, who resided in the Yonkers parsonage, waved her handkerchief from a window to direct the Americans in their escape.' Grace Babcock — widow of Rev. Luke Babcock (1738-1777), the rector of St. John's Church in Yonkers — signaled Col. Mordecai Gist's Continentals out of the British advance by waving a handkerchief from her parsonage window. A rare documented act of female combat-signals assistance on the American side.

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Manuscript page facsimiles

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Transcription

[marg: x Coutant's? St John Constant. S. of Rev Silas Edgar Lane] opposite Judge Constant's. One Hessian, Yager, a dragoon, escaped by dashing down a ravine and retreating along the bank of the river to the camp which was on Hog hill. The Kipp's (Capt. and Lieut.) were from New Castle (North Castle?) or West Point? At the turn of the road by Abraham Odell's the Kipp's attacked and Killed Barton and Lawrence Smith and left Vincent for dead — refused quarter. These three had been down to plunder Odell — they fired and then ran into (across) the Saw Mill river, where horses could not follow — Some of Kipps' horse made a circuit and crossed the bridge — Vincent was under a brush heap and was discovered by a horse treading on him. — (Vermille)

[marg: H] [marg: x Morrisania Point?] [marg: Isaac Vermille.] Col. Phillipse suffered to remain — Col. Meigs with his regiment came down the Saw Mill river road. One Vincent,

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