Deveau, Daniel, 1787-1857
John M. McDonald interview — 1844-08-26
Although John Macdonald indicates that this interview was conducted with John Deveau and Andrew Corsa, the latter does not speak. Deveau discusses the Battle of Van Cortlandt Woods, which took place on August 31, 1778. He describes the ambush of the Native American Stockbridge-Munsee soldiers during the battle, and the killing of one soldier for his refusal to recognize King George. Deveau describes the personalities of British officers Andreas Emmerich and John Graves Simcoe, both of whom visited his family’s home. The final paragraph of the interview details three hills in the Bronx that were called Valentine’s Hill.
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
204 100 (99 crossed out) [margin: The Corsa's name appears here, he says nothing. – Deveau does all the talking. J.E.] Daniel Deveau (and Andrew Corsa). 1844. Augt. 26th. The road which passes from the Mile Square road west by my house was made after the Revolutionary war, before which it (my house) stood in the fields. My father and grandfather (John and Frederick Deveau) lived in it. John Deveau was my father. – (F. or G. F.?) (Father or grandfather) – Daniel Deveau (?) (my grandfather) lived in the other house by the road where Mr. Brown the lame man lives, who is also a grandson of Daniel Deveau. When the Indians were ambuscaded in '78, by Simcoe, they were chased by the Light Horse down the Ridge and across the fields covered with yellow weed (Johnswort) from the road near Browns into the woods below my house (Courtland's woods). They passed in their flight between the two houses into the woods, and many threw away their muskets which were French guns, for convenience of running. One Indian was offered his life if he would 99
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101 100 (faint) 207 Danl. Deveau (& Andrew Corsa) cont.d say "Long live King George!" but he shook his head and was killed. (Kinham (?) Father or son?) Our house was struck by bullets often during the fight. Emmerick was a very talkative, agreeable man – often visited my father – and was fond of being with the women to whom he made himself agreeable. He was more social than Simcoe who also visited my father often. Courtland's house is One and a half miles from my house. Courtland's woods extend to the road which connects the Deveau houses. Hunt's Bridge east of Yonkers. [margin: Description!] There are three places called Valentine's Hill, vizt: 1st. Dennis Valentine's; 2d. a hill on the west side of the Bronx where .... Valentine lives; and 3d. the real Valentine's Hill on the east of the Bronx. [?] Seems to have been that one from which General Washington advanced in 1781. — Daniel Deveau's Recollections. 100