Corsa, Andrew, 1762-1852
John M. McDonald interview — 1844
John Macdonald interviews Andrew Corsa (1762-1852) and Dennis Valentine regarding several incidents that took place in Yonkers and present-day Bronx County. Corsa begins this interview by indicating the location of Loyalist Colonel James DeLancey’s headquarters, but states that he does not know the location of the headquarters of British Colonel John Graves Simcoe. Dennis Valentine then recalls an incident when a party of Refugees ambushed a group of Skinners who planned to steal cattle from Morrisania. Corsa and Valentine then refer to the skirmish of July 3, 1781, between an American force commanded by Benjamin Lincoln and a force of Hessian soldiers. They also give their recollections of Simcoe, John Pine, Peter Pine, General Oliver DeLancey, and Oliver DeLancey, Jr. The two men conclude by commenting on the difficulty with which the Refugees escaped from Morrisania in present-day Bronx County to Manhattan during an American advance. A note at the end of the interview questions whether this last paragraph refers to the raid led by William Hull in January 1781 or the reconnaissance made by the American and French forces on July 22, 1781.
Manuscript page facsimiles
High-resolution images served from the Westchester County Historical Society's IIIF endpoint. Click any page to view full size.
Transcription
244 120 Andrew Corsa cont. 119. of the Americans under Hull and Parsons near No 8. This brook runs through Andrew Corsa's farm. It passes through the middle of the Refugee's settlement. It is apt to be swelled in the winter. It commences about a mile above Mr Andrew Corsa's. Robert Hunt's about three quarters of a mile below West Farms. Mr Leggett's nearly two miles below.
Andrew Corsa & Dennis Valentine: Delancey's quarters almost at or near West Farms. Simcoe's don't know. (Andw Corsa!)
(Dennis Valentine:) The Skinners formed a plan to take the Refugee cattle at Morrisania. A woman overheard the plot and informed a party of Refugees who waylaid them about half a mile south east of Dennis Valentine's among the cedars and bushes by the 119
[page break]
247 121 D. Valentine, contd 120 road side near Gilbert's orchard (where several British soldiers were executed for a murder. They posted a sentry and went to sleep. The sentinel half asleep when the Skinners came along. He (Den. Noble?) hailed them and fired. They cut him to pieces and retreated. The Refugees fired and retreated too. This was about the middle of the war. (D. Valentine)
The battle between Lincoln and Trueschenck (?) began near Phillips's. The Hessians retreated gradually to Tatard's Hill. The Refugees then drove Washington's troops and took Courtland's Mill, and then the Yagers retreated across the Creek, by way of the Lower shore. Colonel Simcoe was a little (slightly) round shouldered, and was a very strong man and good horseman. John Pine and Peter Pine, guides – originally from Staten Island. Oliver Delancey the Adjutant Genl. must have been a son of General Oliver. 120
[page break]
248 122 121. When Americans advanced first to Harlem river the British Refugees escaped with difficulty – Some swam across – some concealed themselves in the woods – some went down on the points in the swamps. (?) [margin: * So in original.] Qu.? Was this Hull and Parsons attack or Washington's ?
Genl Jacob Odell: Brown, D. and Michael guided Capt. Cushman to Delancey's. Brown crawled up to the sentry and took him prisoner. They surprised the out post playing cards – money on the table. Spears and swords and bayonets in the barn – They took in the house and barn seventeen prisoners – Pursued by the Yagers and retreated up the Sprain road to Van [margin: * Brown Dyckman? Written Brown Dyckman (see p. 97) But the name must have been Brown. Dyckman. J.E.]