Sarah Haight Ward
John M. McDonald interview — 1848-10-25
Sarah Haight Ward (1772-1860) notes that a Loyalist officer who belonged to the Kipp family (likely Lieutenant James Kipp of DeLancey’s Refugees) and left for Canada after the end of the Revolutionary War twice made secret visits to Westchester County. Captain Gilbert Totten of DeLancey’s Refugees also left for Canada after the war, but later returned to New Castle permanently. Mrs. Ward references Sand’s Mill in present-day Armonk and Robbins’ Mills (also known as Wright’s Mills) in North Castle, and notes that the French army was encamped briefly in North Castle Corner (now Mount Kisco) in 1781. She suggests that John Macdonald contact Cornelius Westervelt of Pleasantville, but there is no interview with Westervelt.
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
739 231 72 October 25th Sarah Ward of New Castle: "I was born in 1772, and remember the battle of White Plains. One of the Kipps (Lieut. James, I think) was here twice after the war, but not openly, secreted by his friends. I knew Captain Totten who was a very handsome man. He came back from Nova Scotia and died just west of here. Sands's Mills were owned in the Revolutionary war by Thomas Wright and Robbing's Mills by Reuben Wright. I don't know whether they were related or not. What is now Sands's Mills was where the Americans had great quantities of provisions and stores. The French army didn't remain long at or near Nosh Castle corner. Mr. Cornelius Westervelt, a relative or cousin of ours lives at Pleasantville, is aged and of good memory.