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December 18th Lott Merritt, of Rye, &c.: "Once during the Revolu- -tionary war, Shube Merritt and one Benoni (?) Newman, a brother of Platt Newman, were at the house of Nathaniel Brown the father of Judge Nehemiah Brown. Na- -thaniel Brown was a shoemaker and they were bargaining with him for shoes. An American patrol from Sherwood's on Byram Bridge passed by, upon which Shube and
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Newman hid themselves. The officer in command halted his men and entered the house and enquired if there were any Refugees there. Nathaniel Brown wished to tell the truth, but didn't dare to answer "Yes," for fear of being overheard by Shube and Newman. He, therefore, said that there were not any Refugees in his house. The officer replied he had been informed that there were, but seemed satisfied with the answer and went out. - Brown followed him out of doors and there made signs for him to search the house. The American officer then entered at the head of his men. Newman was killed in endeavouring to cut his way through them, but Shube had the address to obtain quarters by disguising himself so as not to be recognized. For this purpose, he took his hair out of tie, combing it over his face, and put his cocked hat
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upon the stump of his left arm so as to conceal the loss of his hand, then asked and obtained quarter. When the officer discovered who his prisoner was he regretted that his life had been spared, but directed his men to treat him well notwith- -standing his uncommon wickedness. Shube was younger than Thomas Merritt. [X] Tim Knapp was a handsome fellow who was master of numerous accomplishments for those days.