Home / Macdonald, John. Interview with Oakley, Samuel, b.c.1766; (1844-10-12). John M. McDonald Interviews, 1844-1851, WCHS item 1790. Westchester County Historical Society. Transcribed by history.croton.news April 2026. / Passage

Interview with Oakley, Samuel

Macdonald, John. Interview with Oakley, Samuel, b.c.1766; (1844-10-12). John M. McDonald Interviews, 1844-1851, WCHS item 1790. Westchester County Historical Society. Transcribed by history.croton.news April 2026. 252 words

Ogden's sentinel was pacing the long piazza in front of the house, and when he turned was pinioned, and threatened with immediate death if he made a noise. They then went to the stable and saddled and bridled his horse -- then to his chamber and woke him. He had retired fatigued and slept through all the noise. When he awoke the first thing he saw was the glittering of three dragoons swords over his head. He was mounted, and taken in upon his own horse.

Samuel Oakley contd

My grandfather, and the father of Cornelius Oakley of White Plains were brothers. James Oakley, of the Revolution, who belonged to the same company with the Odell's and Dyckman's, and was their friend &c, was my uncle.

When the French advanced to Haerlem river in 1781, a troop of DeLancey's horse was on Throgs Neck and swam their horses across to Whitestone, Long Island. -- Willett Carpenter was among them. All went over safe, though one or two of the horses came near going down by the head. The troops were directed to sit back upon the haunches, and the horses then kept their heads more easily above water. Their number was about forty, and they crossed from the Point. [I think this was when the American and the French engineers measured the distance &c.]

Captain Honeywell of the [American] West Chester Refugees was the brother of Philip Honeywell, and lived where Isaac Odell afterwards resided. His, and his father's

Saml. Oakley contd.