Brown, Nehemiah
John M. McDonald interview — 1844-10-24
Nehemiah Brown (1766-1847) and his family resided on Hogpenridge in Rye. He recounts an episode where four members of the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons (Sheldon’s Horse) trapped Loyalists Benoni Newman and Shubael Merritt at the house of a member of the Brown family in Hogpenridge. Although Newman was killed, Merritt successfully demanded to be treated as a prisoner of war.
Manuscript page facsimiles
High-resolution images served from the Westchester County Historical Society's IIIF endpoint. Click any page to view full size.
Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 054 -
Octr. 24th. Nehemiah Brown, of Hogpenridge: Shube Merritt was at Sherwood’s Bridge with Benoni Newman carousing. They entered Mr. Sherwood’s house. One Merritt, suspecting they came to plunder &c, went out of Sherwood’s, mounted a horse tied at the door and pushed for Horseneck where Sheldon’s regiment was quartered. Three dragoons with a sergeant were sent. Shube and Benoni meanwhile retired to Hogpenridge and were at Judge Brown’s father’s, when they, the dragoons, suddenly surrounded the house while Shube and his friend were threatening and carousing. Benoni met them at the door. They inquired his name. [Qu? He gave Newman his surname. “What Newman?” “Benoni,” was the answer.] He gave it and they killed him. Shube, in bedroom, tried to disguise himself, scattering his long hair about his face and then holding his cocked hat upon his stump. They asked him his name. He answered Merritt. “What Merritt?”
- Hufeland Index Page 055 -
Nehemiah Brown contd.
“Shube—” adding, “Chance has thrown me into your power. I’m a prisoner, and expect to be treated as such.” They answered, “You are a bad fellow, and ought to be hanged,” but gave him a quarter. Mr. Brown’s was at Hogpenridge, one and a half miles from Sherwood’s Bridge. They said, “let us see your hand,” and made him take it from his hat.