Lyon, Samuel, 1760-1849
John M. McDonald interview — 1845-11-20
Samuel Lyon (c.1760-1849) notes that the British cavalry made a show of force at the Westchester County Courthouse at the beginning of the Battle of White Plains. He briefly recounts the capture of American Colonel Levi Wells at the home of Horton Reynolds in Greenwich, Connecticut, by Loyalist cavalry commanded by Major Thomas Huggeford, and describes American Lieutenant William Mosier and his skirmish in present-day Rye Brook in 1781. Lyon explains the commissions that were granted to American whaleboat men by the governors of New York and Connecticut, and recounts some of their actions. He also recalls an incident where the horse of Major David Humphreys was killed by a shot from a British vessel lying off Greenwich Point. Lyon saw British Colonel Banastre Tarleton when he stayed at his family’s home, and recalls that Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Walton White of the 4th Continental Light Dragoons frequently moved his quarters to avoid capture by British and Loyalist raiders. He concludes by discussing a raid conducted by Tarleton and Loyalist Major Mansfield Bearmore.
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
24 303 [margin: 1845] 168 November 20th. Samuel Lyon of Rye: "Just before the battle of White Plains commenced the British light horse advanced to the Court house, brandished their swords and riding around the Court House huzzard repeatedly, making a great display [A shot fired at them by an artillery officer from the works in the road above without authority and contrary to orders excused. Abraham Miller.] When Major Huggeford took Colonel Wells in North Street he was piloted by Reuben Merritt of Horse -neck or its vicinity. Few or no lives were lost at that surprise. The celebrated Lieut. Mosier was a native of Weaver Street, between Horse neck and Round hill. Weaver Street is a road running parallel to King Street and to North Street in Connecticut, and midway between these two streets. The place where
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25 304 [margin: 1845] 169. the combat between Kipp and Mosier took place is an open plain field on the South side of the road leading from Purchase Street to King Street east of General Thomas's place, and of Blindbrook and on the farm now owned & occupied by Jonah Brundage. Mosier was a hard drinker and of a loose moral deportment. Whale boats from West Chester were commissioned by Governor Clinton which gave them the right to privateer against the enemy in the Sound. Frederick Donaldson cruised under such a commission for Governor Clinton, but he transcended his powers, and not content with his rights to privateer in the East river, oftentimes landed on Long Island and in West Chester County and plundered the inhabitants. Captain Lockwood and Captain Reynolds were famous whaleboat
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26 305 [margin: 1845] 170 whale boat commanders, both from Connecticut and commanded by the Governor of that state. Captain Ryder originally from Mamaroneck was also a celebrated whale boat commander, commissioned also by the Governor of Connecticut. These three men all served under Brewster in the whale boat engagement between himself and Captain Hoyt in the Sound. In this fight the associated Refugees lost two or three boats, one of which was commanded by Hoyt who was taken prisoner. Captain Samuel Lockwood lived down on Greenwich Point. Major Humphrey's, went down on the flats at Greenwich Point to reconnoitre the enemy's vessels cruising near the shore. He was warned of the danger to which he exposed himself and advised not to go, but would not listen to the advice. A three pounder, aimed if
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27 306 [margin: 1845] 171 was said by Captain Hoyt, was fired from the vessel commanded by him, and the ball striking the belly of Humphreys horse killed him on the spot without injury to the Major. The occurrence created much comment among the Major's friends at his expense. Major Fitch was a very enterprising honorable man, always held in high estimation. He lived close by Putnam's Hill. Colonel Tarleton staid one night at my father's, when the British were encamped at Sniffon's Hill. He was a tall, strong built, black eyed, fine looking man, and rode a superb charger. Lieut. Colonel White of Moylan's never quartered long at any one place. When Bearmore in conjunction with Tarleton endeavoured to decoy him to Byram Bridge, he might have had his quarters either somewhere in Weaver Street, or on the
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28 307 [margin: 1845] 172 road leading to Horse neck. Bearmore and Tarleton often advanced upon Byram and King Street by the Hoppenridge road."
November 20th. William Theall of Rye: "Captain Ebenezer Theall of De Lancey's was a brother of my father and a native of Rye. He was killed a short distance west of Roundhill on his return from a foraging excursion at Stanwich and that neighbourhood. The spot where he fell is marked by a cliff of rocks a little south of the dwelling house of Mr. Phineas Reynolds