[marg: 1845 (See pp. 5 & 6 of orgl. and pp 9-13. of Copy.)]

143.

November 12th. Mr. John Yerks: " I am eighty seven years old. The enter= prize, which resulted in André's capture was planned by us in North Salem, where, or near which place the families of some of our parents had removed to for safety, and where we or most of us were then in the public service. Six of us started from North Salem being at the time either volun= teers in the service or eight months men. I was an eight months man, serving under Captain Jesse Baker. We set off at about 9 oclock, A.M. September 1780 on our memorable expedition, and at Cross River were joined by David Williams. We then passed Rundell's Mills on Cross River and so through Bedford to that part of Philipse's manor, where Union Village now stands, or near there, and stopping at the Widow Anterse's (Dutch) or An= derson's (the mother of the late Dr. Powell)

enquired for news, telling her we had heard of her returning from below. She informed us she had just come up from Morris'ania where there appeared to be great commotion among the British troops for some reason which she could not explain. We then proceeded about three fourths of a mile further towards Tarrytown, and after resting a while in a hay barrack, resumed our march, and arrived in the night at [Romer's] Jacob Powers situated a quarter of a mile from the White Plains and Tarrytown road, and about a mile and an half from the Post Road where we took supper. At Romer's we took advice and held a council of war. We enquired about and ascertained the Refugees paths and places of deposit for stolen goods & for greater chance of success agreed to go in two parties, one to watch the Post Road

[marg: 1845] and the other to lie in ambush three hundred or four hundred yards off among the bushes, along a path or war -road which the Refugees frequently travelled with cattle and stolen goods. We agreed to signalize and assist each other in case of need, and to share among us (that is among the seven) all the gain we should make. We were at Salem, every other week off duty, and it was on one of these alternate weeks that we applied to Captain Baker and our other commanding officers for leave to go down near Tarrytown in order to take from the Refugees and Cow Boys cattle and plunder they might be conducting below, and to work for pocket money. Our officers had full knowledge and approved of our enterprize and we proceeded with the entire consent. The residue of the night in question we passed at Jacob

Romer's and having matured all our plans rose early in the morning, taking with us in a basket or Kettle, some breakfast which at our request Mrs Romer had prepared for us. We then near Tarrytown and took our stations, Paulding, Van Wert, and Williams watching the Post Road, and the other four ambushing the Refugee's path. In coming down from Pines Bridge, André must have turned to the right at John Kipp's, corners, and so came out on the Post road below Sparta, for I always understood he came down the Post road by the old Dutch Church, and was very near the church when the three first [marg: ?] perceived him from the hillock, (north of Clarks Kill and east of the road) where they lay concealed among trees and bushes. It was about ten or eleven A.M. when he was taken, and his captors very soon

[marg: 1845] afterwards joined us four at our station when we all immediately proceeded with the prisoner and his horse to Jacob Romer's where we partook of some refreshment, Andre refusing to eat or drink anything, and seeming unwilling to talk and desirous of being alone. We staid here but a short time and then hurried forwards to Milesquare where we delivered our prisoner his papers &c. to the commanding officer there, Lieut. Colonel Jameson. The pro-ceeds of André's horse and watch and the moneys found upon him we shared equally between the seven; but when the medals and pensions were given by Congress it caused many heart burnings and com-plaints, the four thinking they deserved as much reward as the three, and always believing that Paulding and the two others misrepresented the affair to congress and the public authority.

I and all the descendants of the four think to this day that they were ill-treated and feel bitterly about it. The four and their friends always thought that they were entitled equally with the three to farms, medals and pensions, which they believed also they would have obtained had the case been fairly put before the Congress. We (the four) never forgave this. All seven of us were serving as either as volunteers or as eight month's men, or in the militia.?

Colonel Luddington was reputed a good soldier. Colonel Hammond who served who served under him had not much character in that respect

In the battle of Young's house Col, Thompson at length determined to retreat, but his horse was killed, by a brook, about a quarter of a mile from the house on or near the road leading

[marg: 1845] 149.

to the upper Four Corners. Isaac Martling killed at Tarrytown was not a captain.

In 1776, I served under Captain Dutcher in a Company of Volunteers who chose him Captain. I afterwards served under Captain Gilbert Dean in a similar Company, and on a scout at Tuckeyhoe where we were surprised by a party of Refugees horse, I was wound -ed in several places by a broad sword while in the act of escaping by getting over a fence. Another time in a Company under Captain Jacob Acker about a quarter of a mile from Twitch -ings Corner on the road to Youngs House, we were attacked by some Refugees and defended ourselves successfully, wound -ing several of our opponents, and taking six horses and a colt.

The Skinners and Cow Boys

[marg: 1845] sometimes had a good understanding with each other, and sometimes they accidentally in parties and fought for the plunder they had the stronger taking all. John Paine and Joseph Paine were from New England, both Skinners, John was hanged at North Salem, for stealing a Continental Officers horse.