Valentine, Dennis
John M. McDonald interview — 1844
Dennis Valentine describes the British fortifications in present-day Bronx County that served as part of the outer defenses of New York City, as well as some other buildings that were used by the British forces. Interspersed in this description are comments about the Stockbridge-Munsee Native American soldiers who fought in the Battle of Cortlandt’s Woods and the activities of the Loyalist Cowboys and the American Skinners.
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
Dennis Valentine:
A chain of British forts to protect the lines several of which ran along the Ridge north of Dennis Valentine's, Fort Independence about a mile north of DeLancey's and Valentine's. Tetards Hill three quarters of a mile north. This was one of the British forts. Then came No. 5. between Valentine's and Fort Independence, being about a quarter of a mile north of Valentine's. No 6. about 300 yards South of Dennis Valentine's on the Ridge_ No 7. on Nicholas Berrian's father's land about half a mile South of D. Valentine's. A British fort near Valentine's house in a South Westerly direction called the King's battery_ the site surrounded by cedars. Below (East) of No. 8. the Refugees in the woods_ protected the British lines. Negro fort about a mile and a half from Dennis Valentine's, (No. ?) on John Corsa's land (that is, a son of Andrew
Dennis Valentine contd
three quarters of a mile south of Dennis Valentine's - just over the Ridge where No. 8. stood. From Fort Independence or Negro Fort (?) the chain of forts (1. 2. 3. &c ?) ran to the North River.
Daniel Edwards of West Farms: Knapp deserted from DeLancey and came down afterwards - staid in Burnet Jackett's swamp on Willetts Neck now belonging to Dr Beach. DeLancey's horse, Goliah, was kept for safety in a stable (formed in a haystack ?). [marg: x So in origl. p. 83.] Knapp very good looking. The horse was kept on Willett's Neck where Dominick Lynch and Clason afterwards lived. He was taken to Thomas Leggetts Barn on the hill below the village of