History / Archive / Macdonald, John. Interview with Brown, Merritt, 1768-1851; (1844-10-23). Experiencing the Neutral Ground of the American Revolution: The McDonald Interviews, WCHS item 302. Transcription courtesy of the Westchester County Historical Society (No copyright - United States).

Interview with Brown, Merritt

Macdonald, John. Interview with Brown, Merritt, 1768-1851; (1844-10-23). Experiencing the Neutral Ground of the American Revolution: The McDonald Interviews, WCHS item 302. Transcription courtesy of the Westchester County Historical Society (No copyright - United States). Passage 1 of 1 371 words

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Oct 23rd. Merritt Brown of King Street near Portchester. Brown, a Jersey man and a lieutenant in Sheldon's, was a brave man, and obtained great credit by a retreat he made when

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Merritt Brown cont'd.

pursued by the Refugee horse superior in numbers. He selected a few of his bravest men and best horses, and telling the others to retreat but to keep a tight rein and use the spur freely, he repeatedly changed his pursuers, checked their advance and brought his men off safely. Ogden (Capt. Ben.) was a man of great strength and courage. He had his hand badly wounded by a musket ball near Byram Bridge. Retreating from Horseneck, they were pursued and hand pressed. Ogden faced about and changed, and received the wounded. Lieut. Gill, of Moylan's, tried to decoy Bearmore into an ambush in or near King Street (where Hogpen ridge

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Merritt Brown cont'd.

road joins King street). He selected three good men mounted upon the three best horses in the regiment - himself riding Lt. Col White's. He then advanced close to Bearmore, and, when pursued, retreated with ease, being better mounted - challenged Bearmore to single combat - offered to meet him three against three &c &c, or singly, &c, but Bearmore was on his guard, and would not advance beyond a single certain point. White's (Moylan's) regiment lay in the upper part of King Street, about half a mile from the head of King Street near Clapp's. Capt. Robert Simmons assisted out of friendship in building Mr. Thomas Ferris a stone wall at Throg's neck.

He then advanced close to Bearmore, and, when pursued, retreated with ease, being better mounted - challenged Bearmore to single combat - offered to meet him three against three &c &c, or singly, &c, but Bearmore was on his guard, and would not advance beyond a single certain point. White's (Moylan's) regiment lay in the upper part of King Street, about half a mile from the head of King Street near Clapp's. Capt. Robert Simmons assisted out of friendship in building Mr. Thomas Ferris a stone wall at Throg's neck.