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Griffin, Martha, 1771-1851

John M. McDonald interview — 1847-11-18

From the Westchester County Historical Society catalog:
Martha Griffin (1771-1851), whose name John Macdonald spells here as Griffen, recounts a few stories regarding people and events in the Bedford area. She states her belief that Colonel James Holmes led the British expedition that burned Bedford in 1779. She then describes American militia officers Yaup Vermille and Abijah Harris, as well as the activities of the 2nd (Sheldon’s) and 4th (Moylan’s) Continental Light Dragoons and the Loyalist Refugee cavalry.

Manuscript page facsimiles

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Transcription

641 51 162 158 negroes, and they were attacked by the Refugees at the same time in the morning that Davenports house was surprised and taken. This negro guard was entirely cut to pieces, but by a different party from that which surprised Greene and Flagg.

Nov. 18th Mrs. Martha Griffen of Bedford (aged 77) New Purchase: "Col. Holmes, I believe, commanded the party that burnt Bedford, and folks said that he would never return, but he did."

Capt. Yaup Vermille lived in Cherry Street, and was very good at plundering. Lieut. Harris (Abijah) was a smart good soldier. Sheldon's and Moylan's horse lay near here in the vicinity of Stephen Moseman's, at different times was staying long in one place. Sheldon's men were great plunderers. The Refugees often drove cattle off and were sometimes pursued and the cattle [page break] 52 642 163 158 retaken. Irving was a hatter and an Irishman, and lived east of North Castle Church on the road to Bedford. [Here. This was James Irving, not Andrew Irving, who was a weaver. J. M. M.]

Nov. 18. Mrs. Elizabeth Moseman of Bedford, New Purchase, aged 73: "Capt. Moseman, my father in law was taken about half a mile south west of North Castle Church in the Tanytown road. Rivington's note is nearly correct. Isaac Tim Knapp hanged at an old barn near Colonel DeLancey's Head quarters. Colonel Captain Moseman was kept prisoner in the Sugar House six months. Col. DeLancey was severe and cross, and slept at night at a house near the East river. The French army encamped on Robert Knowlton's ridge half a mile from here and two miles