Cook, Lyman
John M. McDonald interview — 1848-10-28
Dr. Lyman Cook (c.1772-1859) was described by Ossining historian Dr. George Jackson Fisher as “an eminent and successful physician” who resided in Cortlandt and represented Westchester County at the first meeting of the New York State Medical Society in 1807. That same year he was an aide to Major General Thomas Thomas of the New York State Militia, who had served as a colonel during the Revolutionary War. Dr. Cook had moved to Ohio by the time he was interviewed by John Macdonald. He had hoped to obtain the papers of General Thomas, but was not able to get them from either the general himself or his wife, Catharine Floyd Thomas. Dr. Cook had hoped to give copies of the papers to James Fenimore Cooper. He suggests that Macdonald attempt to access the papers of Brigadier General Philip Van Cortlandt, noting that the papers include a story of how New York Governor William Tryon visited the Van Cortlandt Manor House to persuade Philip’s father, Pierre Van Cortlandt, to remain loyal to the British crown. Dr. Cook concludes by telling Macdonald that he will attempt to contact Benjamin Odell of Cortlandt, but the McDonald Papers contain no further material regarding either man.
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 760 -
October 28th. Doctor Lyman Cook, of Ohio, formerly of West Chester “I have not seen Jackson Odell for fifteen or twenty years, and have no recollection of the particular papers you mention, (formerly in General Thomas’s possession) and relating to Colonel Greene, Major Flagg, and the attack on Davenports house, and the destruction of the black part of the Rhode Island regiment at Pines Bridge. General Thomas, however, had some valuable papers relative to the American Revolution which, after his death, I endeavoured to procure from his widow, but she refused to part with them, saying that she meant to give them to some of the Floyd’s, her relatives. Previously to this I had endeavoured to get them from the General. He refused to part with them, however, or to allow me to take copies, observing that they would
- Hufeland Index Page 761 -
probably be published after his death. My intention was to give them to James Fenimore Cooper to aid him in his historical novels. General Philip Van Courtland’s papers are interesting and would be of great service to you. They include the papers and letters of his father Lieut Governor Van Courtland. I have seen these as well as General Thomas’s papers. By all means obtain access to the papers left by General Philip Van Courtland. Among them is an account of the attempt made by Governor Tryon in the early part of the troubles to bring over Governor Van Courtland and his family to the Crown. Failing in the attempt he left the Manor house in great disappointment, and went on board a vessel in the river refusing to stay to dinner which he had agreed to do. Benjamin Odell of Ramsay’s Mills
- Hufeland Index Page 762 -
between Colberg and Peekskill has much knowledge of events in the Revolutionary War that transpired near the North river. I will see him and write to you.