Lawrence, Samuel, c.1759-1848
John M. McDonald interview — 1847-10-22
Samuel Lawrence (c.1759-1848) served in the Westchester County Militia. He participated in a raid led by Major Nicholas Fish that captured cattle in Morrisania and Westchester in present-day Bronx County and drove them to Horseneck in Greenwich, Connecticut. Lawrence praises Major Fish as well as John Shaw, an American soldier who had immigrated from Scotland and served in Captain Samuel Delavan’s company of rangers. Shaw was killed during a British raid on Crompond in June 1779.
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 562 -
Octr. 22d. Samuel Lawrence of Cross River: “Major Fish was a very fine looking active soldier and commanded the scout of between 100 and 200 men, nine months and militia men which went down towards Williams Bridge where we encountered the British and Refugees across the river. I didn’t then know the object of the scout. It was for the party of our folks to sweep off from West Chester and Morrisania the cattle fatting there for the British in New York. This we accomplished, and the cattle taken to Horseneck for safety, while we diverted the enemy and drew their attention towards Williams Bridge. We went down in the morning and remained all day skirmishing with
- Hufeland Index Page 563 -
the British. Major Fish would take a soldier’s gun and fire across, then go into a house where we were and keep a young girl there and court her. Towards night the British increased in numbers, and showed an intention of cutting us off. – Fish then determined to retreat. He had two Captains under him, and led us back with great adroitness, taking us at first through the woods and fields and concealing our route from the enemy. John Shaw, a Scotchman, was a private in Captain Samuel Delavan’s Rangers who were mounted. He was a good soldier, an expert swordsman, and lived with Captain Delavan attending his mill. Shaw refused to surrender and defended himself with resolution and bravery, but was cut to pieces by six or seven troopers who boaster afterwards that they had killed Captain Delavan – for him they supposed Shaw to be.”