Home / Macdonald, John. Interview with Wood, James; (1847-11-18). John M. McDonald Interviews, 1844-1851, WCHS item 1372. Westchester County Historical Society. Transcribed by history.croton.news April 2026. / Passage

Interview with Wood, James

Macdonald, John. Interview with Wood, James; (1847-11-18). John M. McDonald Interviews, 1844-1851, WCHS item 1372. Westchester County Historical Society. Transcribed by history.croton.news April 2026. 282 words

from North Castle Church. We lived at Morrisani'a on the west shore, and Capt. Knapp on the east side of the Bronx.-- There were a great many huts in the Refugee settlement. Capt. Gilbert Totten was popular.

Nov. 18th James Wood, aged 86, of Bedford, New Purchase: "I lived during the Revolutionary war in North now New Castle. When Colonel Green was killed part of the Refugees advanced to the Bridge, after waiting 'till the planks were laid which were taken up every night and replaced in the morning They then attacked the widow Griffen's about a quarter of a mile off. Here the negroes were cut up unmercifully-- Refu- -gees very bitter against them on account of Captain Totten. [Samuel]

In the Fall of 1780, Captain Knapp

came up to Clark's Corner with about sixty horse, where he halted and sent Captain or Lieut. Kipp on to Bedford with about twenty cavalry. Near Bedford village Kipp found a drove of about 120 fat cattle destined for the American army with the Continental mark or brand upon them. These he took, and attempted to drive off, but was soon followed by a detachment of Sheldon's horse under Lieut. Pool, and a body of militia that pressed him hard on his retreat.

Captain Knapp meanwhile having heard that a Continental force from New Jersey had landed at Tarrytown went in that direction to reconnoitre. During his absence a horseman came in at speed out of breath and his horse blown with intelligence that Kipp had seized a valuable drove of cattle which were in danger of being retaken by the enemy, and that unless immediate assistance was given the whole Refugee party would