Keeler, Jonathan, 1765-1847
John M. McDonald interview — 1845-09-29
Jonathan Keeler (1765-1847) recounts the 1777 expedition led by British General William Tryon against Danbury, Connecticut. According to Keeler, American militia had assembled to attack Tryon’s force, but a lack of recognized leadership prevented this from happening. John Macdonald then accompanies Keeler to view a boundary monument on the line between New York and Connecticut in North Castle. Keeler notes that his brother Jeremiah, a veteran of the Revolutionary War, was residing in South Salem.
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Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 173 -
1845
Monday, Sept. 29th Jonathan Keeler of Harrison’s Purchase, Clapp’s corner. “I am a native of Ridgefield, Connecticut, and remember very well Tryon’s expedition to Danbury. I had a brother in that affair. I was of the age of twelve when the war began. On their retreat the British encamped for the night a little south of the Congregational Church in Ridgefield. The soldiers were so exhausted by the long march and by two successive nights of watchfulness that the sentries divided sleep soon after being posted. The next day there was militia enough to have taken Tryon’s force, but these were in a state of insubordination, there being no
- Hufeland Index Page 174 -
1845
general officers whose command they recognized.” Mr. Keeler accompanied me to see the monument at the boundary angle formed by the King Street Line and the line which runs north-east towards Ridgefield. The Monument is a stone or rock in the road West of and adjacent to the carriage path with the letters G.R. cut in it. The farm house opposite (Mr. Wash’s) is in the state of New York, the north east boundary line passing close the south of the house and passing thro the contiguous barns and out buildings Mr. Keeler informs me that his brother Jeremiah Keeler now living in South Salem on the P[ost] road in the last house but two from Connecticut was in the service during the Revolutionary war in West Chester county, his memory and mind good, although extremely infirm in body.