Edward's aunt lived near West Chester village where Honeywell Watson now lives, and she had 450 pounds in specie in the house. - Four or five of Emmerick's soldiers with blackened faces and disguised robbed her; but unob- -served, she cut the skirts of their coats with a scissors and identified them to Colonel Emmerick who caused them to be flogged &c. and recovered for 300 pounds &c. The soldiers vowed revenge. Soon after of a Christmas evening when all were absent but an old negro woman, the house was robbed and Mrs. found dead cut to pieces by sword cuts. Her arms hacked as if fending off sabre clips and the old black woman dead in her chair but [?] unwounded having expired apparently from fear - Murderers never found out but supposed to have been Emmerick's men. Thos. Leggett's the old horse north of Mr. Edwards'. The barn above and near
- Hufeland Index Page 109 -
Mrs. Edwards contd.
the house. General Oliver Delancey during the war occupied Willetts place on the neck who was absent in the British service. Delancey's corps got no pay or compensation except the plunder they procured. Delancey was very stern and savage - Knocked a country man down (before me) who asked for a permit to take some (a bushel?) some salt up in the country because he wore his hat in Delancey's presence. Turned black, as he always did in a passion. When Delancey's horse was taken, he offered one hundred guineas to any one who would bring in the thief. Tim Knapp was captured by Robert Emery and Nathanial Taylor and Charles Merritt who brought him in. At 9 a.m. Delancey came to Head Quarters according to custom - walked two or three times across the floor, looked very black and exclaimed: "Tim Knapp, prepare to die (meet death?)!