Keeler, Jeremiah, 1760-1853
John M. McDonald interview — 1846
During the Revolutionary War, Jeremiah Keeler (1760-1853) first served in the Connecticut Militia and later joined the 5th Connecticut Regiment. His interview begins with a description of the Battle of Ridgefield. The interview then switches to the aftermath of the capture of British Major John André in 1780. Keeler indicates that while André was being escorted through Salem (now the present towns of Lewisboro and North Salem), he was lent clothing by Lieutenant Joshua King. Keeler concludes his interview with a discussion of encampments near his neighborhood, which was called Keeler’s Hill.
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 473 -
Jeremiah Keeler, of Lewisboro: Was 16 in May 1776, and was at D when the British entered – Retreated that night to P in the western part of it, and the next morning came into Ridgefield There are two roads about eighty yards east and west from Ridgefield Street parallel with it, and the American flank was extended as far as the roads. The American flank about parallel with the main body, and we retreated about the same time that Arnold’s force fled. This was about 1 or 2 P.M. The British encamped about half a mile from the [Congregational] Meetinghouse [and crossed the ford at Poplar Plains (?)]. Genl King (a lieutenant?) commanded the party that escorted Andre from Salem, but was surprised superseded by a captain who followed. He lent Andre various articles of clothing, and he would have been hung in
<left margin> see origl p. 124 <left margin>
- Hufeland Index Page 474 -
them if his servant had not arrived from New York with some clothes. This is Keeler’s hill. General Robert Howe quartered three quarters of a mile west of this. General Poor quartered at my father’s in 1778 or 1779. General Heath in 1779 quartered in sight of the British, and showed us [X] several times to them in N. Canaan magnifying their (his?) numbers. This is Salem, south, or Lewisboro. (?)
[X] i.e. marching us over the hill in their sight – then out of their sight, and over the hill again &c.