Close, Gilbert
John M. McDonald interview — 1845-11-14
Gilbert Close notes that he knew Loyalist Major Thomas Huggeford, and tells a story regarding the latter’s capture and subsequent escape during an American raid behind the British lines in present-day Bronx County. While pursuing the retreating Americans, the Loyalists captured Richard Mead, but had hoped to capture whaleboat man Andrew Mead of Horseneck in Greenwich, Connecticut. Close notes that he was acquainted with David Williams, one of the three captors of British Major John André, and gives his opinion of Andrew Mead.
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Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 290 -
1845
November 14th. Gilbert Close of North Greenwich: “I knew Major Huggeford well. He told me when he was taken at Morris’s house at Fordham his guard was surprised and the house surrendered. He then retreated upstairs where there was a great quantity of salt &c in barrels, some of which he rolled down upon his pursuers. This stopped any further attempt to get into the upper storey, and he then barricaded the doors with the barrels and fired out of the window. The Americans then set the house on fire and Huggeford effected his escape by jumping out of the window but was taken prisoner. – When the American party retired they
- Hufeland Index Page 291 -
1845
mounted him on horseback behind Richard Mead of Horseneck, but after riding a short distance in that way he threw Mead off, then jumped off himself and escaped through the fields with which he was much better acquainted than those who pursued. The Refugees soon rallied and pursued the retreating party and Richard Mead who had stopped at one of the Halsteds in Rye to take tea (or breakfast?) was taken prisoner. He was intimate with the Halsted family and some tory informed where he was. The refugees however were much disappointed in his capture for they supposed him to be Andrew Mead of Horseneck, a man extremely obnoxious to them. My father during the war moved by Salem, near Cross River to which place also the family of the father of David Williams, one of
- Hufeland Index Page 292 -
1845
André’s captors had also removed from Tarrytown. At Cross River I became well acquainted with Williams. Andrew Mead was a very brave man but selfish and avaricious, seldom engaging in enterprizes excep such as promised plunder.