Clark, Moses
John M. McDonald interview — 1848-12-09
Moses Clark (1763-1850) recalls seeing British army pass his father’s farm in New Rochelle en route to the Battle of White Plains. He then describes an incident where Loyalist Shubael Merritt came to New Rochelle intimidated a group of Skinners so that he could meet his wife and bring her back behind British lines. Clark also states that the British expedition that destroyed Ward’s House in Eastchester on November 13, 1778, dismantled the structure and took some of its contents before burning the remainder of the building.
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 897 -
Decr 9th Moses Clark, of New Rochelle: I was born in 1763, and saw the British army pass my father’s shortly before the battle of White Plains. My father’s place was north of the Tom Paine farm. I knew Shube Merritt who married a S[ecor] of this town. His wife lived upon the North Street? and White Plains road north of my father’s. Once he came up to see her, and passed my fathers where there were five skinners eating dinner. A sixth was posted as a sentinel in the road. When Shube saw the sentinel he shouted: “Here they are! Come on, boys!” The five at dinner and the sentinel all ran for their lives and Shube went on, got his wife, and returned with her behind him on horseback. He was killed at the Widow Toulon’s at the landing. They dismantled Ward’s house, taking boards, doors, windows, &c. away and then burnt what remained.