Chadeayne, Samuel
John M. McDonald interview — 1844-11-01
Samuel Chadeayne describes the death of Loyalist Shubael Merritt. Merritt was part of a group who robbed a Mr. Holcroft of New Rochelle, and was ordered by Colonel James DeLancey to return the money to Holcroft’s home after the latter complained. Although Merritt was told that American whaleboat men were in New Rochelle looking for him, he nevertheless continued on his mission, which led to his death at their hands. Chadeayne saw Merritt’s body after he was killed. He then recalls Gilbert Totten, a Loyalist officer, and describes his capture of Benjamin Green and his postwar activities. Chadeayne concludes by giving an account of the Battle of Pines Bridge.
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 078 -
Saml. Chadeayne. Nov. 1st Mr. Samuel Chadeayne, of Rye, Shube Merritt was the party who robbed a Mr. Holcraft living on Davenport’s (then called Myers’s) Neck of money &c. Holcraft lived below and complained to Delancey who sent for Shube, and ordered restitution instantly. Shube proposed to give up the money, but Holcraft said “No, for then I shall be robbed before I get back. Let him restore it to me at my house.” Delancey ordered it so. Shube, in company with Isaac Ackerly accordingly proceeded next day to carry back the money. At the edge of Pelham they stopped at Mr. Chadeayne’s, and when there one of Shube’s friends sent a boy to inform him that there whale boat men were in New Rochelle landing looking out for him. Nothing daunted he started for the Neck again to execute his purpose which, for once, was honest. They restored the money and returned to New Rochelle
<left margin> Agrees with story in *Mote* Genealogy OH <left margin>
- Hufeland Index Page 079 -
Saml. Chadeayne contd.
landing which when the Refugees (?) [X] surrounded he house where he was (the widow Teton’s?) and took and shot him. Holcraft informed the whale boat men, as was said. I saw his corpse. A musket shot had passed through his eye. A party of Refugees, came up next day and took his body below for interment. Totten was a remarkably well built active and soldierly looking man, honorable and high principled. He took Colonel Green of Somers prisoner after pursuing and wounding him in the head with his sword. He went to Nova Scotia and staid some time, but returned and settled at New Castle where he died. Colonel Green and Mayor Flagg had their Head quarters at the house of Richardson Davenport about a mile (?) from Blenis’s ford on the road which is north of the Croton towards the Hudson. When they came to the Ferry, a party went to Pinesbridge, probably to secure that pass. The main body then surprised Green at his
[X] Whale boat men?
- Hufeland Index Page 080 -
Saml. Chadeayne contd.
quarters. &c. and then advanced (in whole or in part) to the widow Griffen’s where a party was posted and summoned them to surrender, offering quarter if no resistance &c was made, but threatened extermination &c if otherwise &c. The officer commanding agreed to surrender and most of the men surrendered but two black men refused and fired into the troops. They were pursued through the fields and killed. Mrs Green lived on the same road near where it joins the Somers road a little east of Pinesbridge. The planks at Pinesbridge were taken up every night and replaced in the morning The troops under Green were probably from Rhode Island.