Chichester, Henry
John M. McDonald interview — 1846-09-11
Henry Chichester (c.1762-1849) describes the escape of John Paulding, one of the three captors of British Major John André, from the Sugar House prison in Manhattan. Chichester assisted Paulding in his escape, and notes that he himself was taken prisoner twice. He mentions the burning of the Refugee settlements at Morrisania, and describes an engagement at New Rochelle between American whaleboat men and a Loyalist force led by Captain Nathan Frink that was returning from a raid against Horseneck in Greenwich, Connecticut. Chichester then repeats a story that he heard from an American soldier regarding the Battle of Stony Point, and concludes by describing the differences of being imprisoned by Hessian soldiers as opposed to British soldiers in Manhattan.
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Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 455 -
Septr. 11. Capt. Harry Chichester: “John Paulding was a prisoner in the Sugar House in 1780, and made his escape in the middle of the day by jumping first on a pile of boards from the window. I drew the attention of the sentinel by pointing with my finger, and the first I knew I heard the noise made by his jumping on the boards. We had the use of the yard. Sentinel walked on the west side of the sugar house in the open yard near the
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Dutch Church. I was twice imprisoned – once, when we took Judge Jones, and once when taken afterwards in the following year. The whaleboats generally carried eight oars and ten men – one at the helm, and one ahead. The man in the bow managed the swivel if there was one. Fade Donaldson never commanded a boat – only a private and a Skinner – not a very rough man. Mr. Quintard, deceased, was at the burning of the Refugee settlements. He belonged to the OutGuard at Horseneck. We heard of the foraging party being at Horseneck – that is, a company of horse and about 250 infantry. We had four boats, and heard of the foraging party and were on the lookout. Jones was there and I believe commanded the whole squadron as he was the oldest captain. We advised Donaldson not to go up to New Rochelle, but he would go. After Frink left us on Myers Neck, the infantry came down to take us, and we went on a small island at the end of Myers Neck, separated from the Point, where we concealed ourselves and fired on them when they approached us, killing two. – There was a man named Lockwood who went with Donaldson to the village, but being active he ran, and though pursued by the horse, escaped. Frink offered quarter if we would surrender and lay down our arms. Jones answered: “If you will wheel your horse about in five minutes
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very well, otherwise I will instantly order my men to fire. He immediately left us.
Stoney Point. – When pioneers were cutting away the abbatis, the British said: “Come on, ye d-d rebels!” &c. Our men answered: “Don’t be in a hurry! We’ll be with you presently!” I had this from one of the men engaged. Hessians were very kind to us while imprisoned – allowed us to go out with them and buy our provisions. When it was the Hessians turn to guard us, I used to go to market with a Hessian sergeant. When entrusted to buy bread &c by such as had money, the Hessian soldiers were found very honest and faithful, but the British soldiers generally helped themselves to a glass of spirits from out of the money entrusted to them.