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
473 131. [margin: PARIS] height beyond and close to a ledge of rocks. Mr. Edwards was wounded when about 20 rods east of Stebbins' house. There was no house then where mine now is. The British completely outflanked and encircled Arnold's left wing, crowded them closely together and compelled them to retreat in confusion. Arnold was the last man to go.
Jeremiah Keeler, of Lewisboro: Was 16 in May 1775, 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 Street, paralled. 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 these 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 A. M. The British encamped about half a mile from the [margin: See orig. p. 124.] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [margin: (Conversation)] [