- Hufeland Index Page 993 -
Decr. 1st Phoebe Lyon, born Merritt in King Street: "I am sister to Thomas and Shubal Merritt, and was born July 22d 1768. Thomas was about nine or ten years older than me, and Shubal, about six or seven years my senior. Thomas, when he called at St. Catherine's took off the Family Bible which contained our ages. I think I have heard that Thomas belonged to Emmerick's before he joined the Queen's Rangers. I was at Bedford, Long Island, when the news was received of Shubal's death. I think it was cold weather - probably February, March or April of 1783. We were forced to go below, because our friends had joined the lower party - We remained until peace - Shubal was surprised at New Rochelle in a house, and fled to an upper room for safety. Shubal said, "I will shoot the first man that comes up!" and
- Hufeland Index Page 994 -
holding at the time a pistol in his hand. They then said, "We'll fire the house," and proceeded to do so. Shube then commenced parlying and coming down stairs. The whaleboat men then promis- -ed quarter, but while he was descending they fired, he fell, and they dispatched him with their bayonets. They then proceeded to strip him when the women of the house exclaimed: "For God's sake don't leave the dead man naked here!" They then desisted, and the next day a party came up from below and took him to West Chester where they buried him. This party was of Delancey's Refugees. Shubal lost his hand in conse- -quence of his carbine going off while he was using the ram rod. We always considered that he was deliberately murdered. The man who killed him was named Reynolds.