Brown, Major
John M. McDonald interview — 1845-11-14
Major Brown (1758-1847) resided in the Round Hill neighborhood in Greenwich, Connecticut, during the Revolutionary War. He notes that his brother was involved in driving cattle from Greenwich down to the British lines in present-day Bronx County, and that the poverty and distress caused by the war caused some area residents to do the same. Brown also describes the ambush set up by American militia that resulted in the death of Loyalist Captain Ebenezer Theall. He concludes by telling a story regarding Jabez Huested, “a bold and successful cattle drover.”
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 288 -
1845
November 14th. Major Brown of Round Hill: “I lived at this place during the war of the Revolution. Many persons were engaged or concerned in driving cattle below. I had a brother who was, but as to myself, I was never concerned in it. The people were poor and distressed, and the profits being great the temptation to engage in it was sometimes irresistible. Theall one of DeLancey’s Captains came up with a party to Stanwich, and drove off all the cattle &c. of the neighborhood, but was waylaid west of Round Hill on the road to White Plains by an inconsiderable body of militia, himself killed and the cattle all re-taken. (night?) Not knowing the strength of the opponents they, the Refugees, abandoned the battle after Theall’s death, and changing their route retreated by the
- Hufeland Index Page 289 -
1845
northern road through north castle. Jabez Huested was a bold and successful cattle drover. A party of men who didn’t know him once came here to capture him. His friends advised him of the plot and he mounted a horse to effect his escape, but fell in with the party in quest of him who enquired for Jabez Huested saying they meant to have him. Huested told them to be on their guard for the man they were after was a desperate fellow and armed to the teeth. They then all went on their way but one who held in his hand a very elegant musket and continued the conversation with Huested who professing to admire the piece asked leave to examine it, but the instant the owner handed it to him put spurs to his horse and galloped off. The unlucky soldier never again beheld either
- Hufeland Index Page 290 -
1845
Huested or the firelock.