Horton, Frances Coutant
John M. McDonald interview — 1846-11-11
Frances Coutant Horton notes that French was her family’s first language. In October 1776 the British encamped on her family’s property in New Rochelle en route to the Battle of White Plains. She recalls a skirmish that took place during this time involving Hessian troops, and notes that doors and shutters were taken from the Coutant house to serve as stretchers for the wounded. Mrs. Horton concludes by stating that Bonfon’s Point is located on Davenport Neck.
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 384 -
November 11. Mrs. Frances Horton, aged about 79 (nee Coutant): French was our family language. My parents were taught nothing else at school. In 1776 the British army moved gradually by our house – the British first, and then the Hessians took their place. The British when they left moved south towards Wards house. [Qu? Sunday 27th] They stripped us of everything. The skirmish with the Hessians was near our house. They had been plundering, and had pumpkins on their heads which they dropped. They took off the doors and shutters from our house to transport their wounded on. Bonfon’s Point
- Hufeland Index Page 385 -
is [on] Davenport’s Neck. There was ^[is] a small island within gunshot of Davenport’s Neck.