He was cautioned anxiously not to make the attempt. [There was a pass above back of Honeywell's (or Watsons?) where there was a bridge which was guarded in 1776 by the Americans.] A party of the guides and others under Odell (Queré, John?) had been to Morrisania and were returning by the Sprain road. - They were hungry and weary, and had five or six prisoners, and some of Delancey's horses, cattle and arms. [The main body with the prisoners went on, but one of the Odells, Post, McChain, and another stopped, and were taken by a party of Delancey's that pursued.]
[X] See next page - 14a
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Saml. Oakley contd.
[X] The tide rose so high that the causeway was impassible. After it was at a certain height they never ventured to cross it. Fowler relied upon his know ledge of the way. Fowler had been out once, before he was killed, and some sneered at his prudence and even doubted his courage. He ventured almost alone, among the American's determined to establish a reputation for courage which should last.
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Samuel Oakley cont'd.
Some one proposed to stop and get supper at Uncle Isaac Vemille's (father of Isaac Vermille of Dobb's Ferry). They stopped and were surprised, and taken by a party that followed them, (?) June 1781 (?) Dyckman's or the Farmers' Bridge, was taken up by the British during the war. It was built because they paid toll at King's Bridge. When an American party went down to Throg's Neck they were fired upon from the British fort at Whitestone (in 1781) and covered all over with sand but none were killed. The party immediately retreated singly up the neck. [They were engineers. My uncle, James Oakley, was with them as a guide.] The British in 1779? (when? in 1778.) took a great quantity of [wheat grain and] flour which had been sent (that is, the grain) to Thomas's Mill to be ground.