177. November 26th Jackson Odell "I have lately seen Michael Dyck man of Kingsbridge and Mr. Thison now or late a deputy sheriff or office holder under the New York Corporation. Mr. Thison says that during the war, Captain Daniel Williams was taken prisoner several times - that once the British refused to parole or exchange him, considering him a dangerous man and keeping him a close prisoner. After a while his friend Brom Dyckman formed a plan to cross Harlem River at night and capture some British officers who quartered at Morris's house (now Madame Jumel's) in order to exchange them for Williams. Accordingly with his brothers Michael and Jacobus and some others, mostly guides, and eight or nine in number, they made the attempt, but found the ice too weak to bear them. That at least was the

[page break]

opinion of all but Brom Dyckman who was desirous, notwithstanding, of making the attempt. While deliberating what to do, they fell in with Andrew Corsa who informed them there was a British officer quartered at Deveau's, the last house in Fordham, near where Ma= =combs Dam now is. They thereupon instantly marched there, surrounded the house and took Captain Maccaboy pri= =soner. Dyckman immediately paroled Maccaboy, saying to him: "We are willing to trust you, though you will not trust us. Send Captain Williams back to us immediately." Williams, a few days after this, was sent home.

November 28th Mr. Jackson Odell informs me that Mr. Isaac Vermilye says: Captain Vermille whom I Mr. Macdonald enquired about must have been my brother Jacob Vermille