Lyon, Abraham, 1764-1849
John M. McDonald interview — 1844-10-22
The family of Abraham Lyon (1764-1849) lived near Byram Bridge in Greenwich, Connecticut during the Revolutionary War. Lyon recalls the February 1779 raid on Horseneck in Greenwich by British forces under General William Tryon, and notes that the planks on Byram Bridge were taken up to try to slow the British advance from Westchester County. Lyon notes the rumor that American General Israel Putnam was able to escape capture because British ammunition was dampened after fording the Byram River, and describes an encounter he personally had with a British dragoon. He also mentions a few notable soldiers from the Greenwich area.
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
41 87 Nehemiah Brown contd. 40 PARTS He told them not to venture quite so far as he went. He retook Sherman and horse, and told the man not to ride with so slack a bridle, but to keep a tight rein and use his spurs. This occurred pretty well up King Street. Brown charged several times with a few of his fresh men and horses, and brought his party off safely.
Abraham Lyon. October 22d Abraham Lyon, of Byram Bridge, Connecticut. "The American picket guard was kept at my father's house where I live by Byram Bridge. Another was on the hill above above on the south west of the road. When Tryon advanced to Horseneck the planks were taken up; but the British crossed 40 [page break] 88 41. Abraham Lyon contd. PARTS easily not withstanding – that is, on the timber, and by fording. It was said that Putnam owed his safety to the Refugees horses having forded the river which was deep, and dampened the priming of their pistols so that they missed fire. The picket guard at Sherwood's Bridge was kept in Mr. Sherwood's old house now standing there. The house where Shube Merritt and Thomas D. were born and lived stands on the south west side of King Street. Their father was a farmer. Tim Knapp and Brown Ballott were both from Greenwich. I saw Donaldson hung Ballott (Barrett?) at Horseneck, I believe. [margin: * This room is very poorly written. Brown Ballott in the original but it is not clear what writer must have meant Brom Barrett. 23] When Tryon crossed the Byram, a British dragoon rode up to our door with a drawn sword in his hand, and said to me: "Where's your damned rebel guard?" I pointed to the hill – being a boy much frightened. The road that runs north and a little east from Sherwood's Bridge (or Glenville) leads to Round Hill which is distant about five or six miles.