- Hufeland Index Page 493 -
Septr. 7th John Tompkins, of Greenburg: "My father Isaac Tompkins was a young married man in July and August 1781, when the French army en- -camped on our farm, and lived then in
- Hufeland Index Page 494 -
a log house, a little north of my grandfather's John Tompkins. In that same month of July my mother had her first child. A French general (or officer) was about taking possession of our house for his quarters, but hearing of my mother's situation relinquished his intention and erected his marquée near the rocks north of the house and very close to it. This officer was very kind to my mother during her confinement, frequently sending her presents of wines and other delicacies (Dumas? Lamothe? &c.?). A French general (I don't remember his name) - it might have been de Beville - took my grandfathers house, which was a little southwest of my father's, for his quarters and occupied it during the time they remained encamped at Greenburg. The French cannon were placed in the smooth field west of my house and of the old house, and where a ridge commences which runs towards Colonel Odell's. The
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main body of the French was also en- -camped west of our houses. Some of them were encamped (advanced guard?) on Underhill's ridge four or five hundred yards south or southwest of our house The springs about our place supplied the whole French army with pure water, and they watered their horses at the Bronx. The strictest discipline was kept up among the French soldiery. Squads were posted on all sides for the protection of property so that the soldiers could not steal or destroy had they been so disposed. The French camp formed a good market where everything was paid for in hard money at the highest rate.