Palmer, Denham
John M. McDonald interview — 1849-11-23
Denham Palmer, 84, of Horseneck in Greenwich, Connecticut, gives his memories of Americans William Mosier and Samuel Reynolds and Loyalist Nathan Frink. He recalls that DeLancey’s Refugees occasionally made raids into Fairfield County, Connecticut, as far as Stamford. He also comments on Fort Nonsense in Stamford, the closing of schools during the Revolutionary War, the condemnation of the execution of Brom Barrett, and the death of Tom Knapp.
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
We were reaping wheat that day, and the Refugees crossed right through the field of standing grain. Peck's Land, is east of Byram river, and about two miles west of North Street, and about one and a half or two miles north of Horseneck Meeting House. I remember when Colonel Wells was taken at Horton Reynold's's in North St. nobody was killed, and I know that Colonel Wells went off with one boot on and the other in his hand."
Nov. 23d Denham Palmer, aged 84 of Horseneck, Connecticut: "Lieut. William Mosier was from some place west of Horseneck Church. I have often heard of Captain Frink. He used to come up to King Street and
Stanwich.
I knew Samuel Reynolds who was not a whale boat captain, but only a private.
The Refugees went up to Palmers Hill and crossed over to Stamford more than once — I think a number of times. Once two Refugees had been across Stamford river and wishing to return over Stamford Bridge, one of them killed the American sentry posted on the Bridge and so crossed to the west side of the river.
Fort Nonsense was so called in ridicule because built out of the way where it was of no use!
Schools were discontinued mostly about here in the Revolution).
Towards the close of the war the Refugees came up here frequently and took off our cattle and horses. This for the most part was done at night.
Everybody condemned the execution of Brom Barrett.
Tom Knapp opened the upper part of the door, and stooping opened the under part — Titus Mead shot him dead.