Barker, William
John M. McDonald interview — 1847-12
William Barker (1764-1859) begins his interview by stating that the home of Captain Ambrose Horton, as well as “several barns and outhouses” that contained supplies that could not be removed, were burned when the American army changed its position following the Battle of White Plains in October 1776. He also notes his belief that it might have been some of Captain Horton’s men who had troubles with Nathaniel Adams, a White Plains Loyalist, in August 1775. He concludes his interview by discussing Micah Townsend and Micajah Townsend.
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 660 -
1847. Decr. 1847. William Barker of White Plains: “Captain Ambrose Horton lived at the commencement of the Revolutionary war in a house which stood opposite Captain Bostwick’s old place, in one of your ? fathers fields. This house was burnt along with several barns and outhouses containing forage and provisions which could not be removed when General Washington took up his second position on the 31st of October 1776. I think it most likely that the soldiers who had the difficulty with Nathaniel Adams in August 1775, were some of Captain Ambrose Horton’s provincial recruits
<left margin> see origl p.111 <left margin>
- Hufeland Index Page 661 -
Captain Micah Townsend was, I believe, from somewhere in the upper part of the county. Micajah Townsend was a different person altogether. He was a lawyer, and before and at the commencement of the war practiced at White Plains. He was a royalist, and after the Revolutionary war settled in Canada.