a party up once, who cut off the guard at Sherwood's Bridge. The Refugees for the most part came up in the night. It was night when they attacked Sherwood's Bridge generally.

[margin: Mansfield Bearmore and Brother, of Stone Street, in Greenwich, fired the Byram Bridge. See 987 page 51 of original.] Decr 1st Samuel Lyon, of Weaver Street: "I am about 62 or 63 years old and was born here. I knew Major Huggeford well. He was a bold; enterprising soldier. He told me that when he took off Colonel Wells, his party forded the Byram about three fourths of a mile or more above Sherwood's Bridge and then stopped at the house of one Ebenezer Knapp which they surrounded, and called for Knapp, who made his appearance [page break] very at the door very cautiously musket in hand. He cried aloud, "Come out Knapp! I wont hurt you. You are a great rascal I know, but I only want you to guide me to Colonel Wells's quarters." Knapp then came out, and he and the other guides were directed to make a circuit so as to advance upon Wells's Headquarters from the north. The party then moved on; passing across Pecks Land and Clabard Ridge (?) near which last place they came out into North Street (?) and attacked the three farm houses simultaneously. [margin: Clabard Ridge Both between Horton Reynolds & Pecks Land. (?) - Saml Lyon.] When Sherwood's barn was burnt, Bearmore was up with his corps. A party of British horse made a circuit, forded the Byram, and getting upon the Horseneck road, came to the attack from the east, charging at full speed with loud cries of "Surrender ye d-d Rebels! Surrender!" At the very same moment the rest of the British party advanced to Sherwood's bridge from the west and [page break] attacked the guard in front. One of the guard was killed, one mortally wounded, and several slightly wounded. Some of the guard were taken prisoners. Sherwood's house and barn were then fired. The fire at the house was put out but the barn was burnt down. This happened on a Sunday morning (?) The house was set on fire probably because the American guard was always quartered there. Bearmore at the head of his corps then galloped down Weaver Street to Byram, near which place his party separated in squads to collect prisoners, which appears to have been the principal object of their attack. Bearmore himself accompanied by his chief Trumpeter and two or three horsemen rode about, stopped in front of every house, and when a flourish had been sounded exclaimed at the top of his voice, "Turn out ye d-d rebels! Turn out and surrender!" When he came to the house of my grandfather, (?) Mr Lyon, [page break] he answered, "There are no such persons here." After a short time Bearmore ordered his Trumpeters to sound the recall, and his horsemen having scoured the whole neighborhood assembled with their prisoners whom having secured they retreated rapidly towards Morrisania. I believe they did not plunder this time. Their main object was to destroy the guards at Sherwoods and Byram Bridge and to take prisoners.

General Thomas told me that during the Revolutionary war, he was compelled to leave his house and farm in Harrison's purchase, which were for the most part of the time between the lines. Late in the Fall of 1778, having been informed that the British force at Kingsbridge and the Farms had gone into winter quarters, he ventured home, where he was surprised by the enemy about daylight. He sprang from the window of his bed room, half dressed, and in his drawers ran for the woods [page break] would have escaped, but was overtaken and surrounded by the light horse, and forced to surrender himself. He was allowed after this to procure some clothes but having lost his hat in attempting to escape was for some time without one. At last he was furnished with an old hat, and a very old and sorry horse which he was compelled to mount, and so was conducted to Kingsbridge. During his march to Kingsbridge, he was often left alone among the enemy's soldiers, and at these times was much exposed to the insults of the privates who guarded him. This petty persecution proceeded chiefly from one Robert Croker, a man with whom he had previously been well acquainted. At length, one of the enemy's soldiers, an Irishman, interfered in his behalf, and swore with great warmth that he would not stand by and witness such treatment to a prisoner any longer. After this he was no long- [page break] -insulted during his journey. Having arrived at New York City early in the morning he was conducted to the old Stone gaol [Wall of Records?], and delivered to the custody of the notorious Cunningham, the Provost Marshal, an Irishman. Cunningham, rubbing his hands with joy, exclaimed: "ah! Colonel Thomas! I'm glad to see you. I've expected this pleasure for a long time past. I never saw you before, but have heard much of you. You are safe now. I shall have the hanging of you, and you may depend upon being well hanged!" To Colonel Thomas, weary, faint, hungry, and dispirited, answered: "Sir, I am a prisoner of war, and claim the treatment due to an officer." Soon afterwards two British officers called to see him, and to them he complained of Cunningham's manners. From them he received assurance of kind usage. They staid until

991 103 a comfortable use room had been assigned for his use, and when they left told him he would soon be enlarged on parole. An excellent breakfast of coffee and chickens was then brought in, after partaking of which his spirits were restored, and he felt ready and anxious to be again confronted with his keeper. As if acquainted with his wishes, Cunningham, in a very short time came to his room: "Colonel Thomas," said he, "I've been thinking that perhaps you'd prefer being shot. If so you had better apply to Sir Henry Clinton who perhaps may grant your request, although it will interfere with my perquisites and deprive me of a very great pleasure. Colonel Thomas answered thus: "Cunningham, you're an old villain, and if you ever fall into my hands, I will probably do myself the pleasure of hanging you!" He then ordered the Provost Marshal to leave the room at his peril. He was soon after this, taken [margin: 82] 82

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104 992 to Long Island and paroled.

Some time during the war (early part, probably), a party from below came up, and took off all Colonel Thomas's cattle, together with a large quantity of flour from his mill which stood on Blind Creek Brook, where the Saw mill now is.

After the death of Brom Barrett Colonel Delancey gave orders that if ever taken, Fude Donaldson should not be brought in alive. When taken, however, he was conducted to West Farms. At first he carried his head high and bid his captors defiance, saying they dare not execute him without trial, but when about to be hanged) relented and was humble." [margin: 83] 83