Davis, Abraham
John M. McDonald interview — 1845-11-06
Abraham Davis (c.1765-1854) was at Hatfield’s Tavern in White Plains on December 2, 1781, when a force of Refugees commanded by Captain Samuel Kipp passed through en route to attack a force of Westchester County Militia. He notes that Captain Gilbert Totten, who led an infantry force that accompanied Kipp to White Plains, had hoped to bring his men along, but Kipp declined, thus reducing the number of men available to attack the militia. Davis also recounts an instance when Totten killed or captured an entire party of Skinners in Yonkers, and notes that American General Benjamin Lincoln once had his headquarters at the home of his father. Davis then recounts an engagement between a British force led by Banastre Tarleton, which was encamped at his family’s house, and a group of the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons (Sheldon’s Horse) that resulted in the capture of an American cavalryman’s hat. He also describes the Hessian Jager unit led by Colonel Ludwig von Wurmb. Davis explains that his father, David Davis, was “persecuted and robbed” by the Skinners because he attempted to stay neutral during the war, and ended up going behind the British lines in present-day Bronx County. There, he died at the headquarters of Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Hatfield of DeLancey’s Refugees. Before he died, David told Abraham where his money was buried, which was uncovered “with difficulty.” Colonel James DeLancey gave David Davis the opportunity to decide the punishment for a group of Skinners who had whipped him, but the latter decided to let them go without injury. Abraham Davis concludes by mentioning the robbery of Azariah Horton by a party of Skinners.
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Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 258 -
November 6th. Abraham Davis: “When Kipp passed through White Plains and pushed for Purchase Street to attack Mosier, I was at Hatfield’s Tavern. Totten accompanied Kipp to White Plains with an infantry force about equal in number to Kipp’s horse, and proposed to him to mount a foot soldier behind each horseman so as to be supported by infantry, but this Kipp declined. Had Totten’s proposition been accepted Mosier must have been taken as was always thought. Kipp was harsh and Totten kind in his treatment of prisoners. Kipp advanced up on Mosier, I think, by the Joseph Anderson road, and Totten with his force went above northerly. Totten was up, once up, and on his return by the Tuckahoe road tracked
- Hufeland Index Page 259 -
a party of Skinners who were going below to plunder, through a light snow which had just fallen, to the widow Sherwood’s house near Tuckahoe Church where he surprised and killed or took the whole party. General Lincoln’s Head Quarters were at my fathers – (Was this in 1778 or ‘82?) Tarleton with the Legion Cavalry were once taking their dinner at a house near my father’s where now lives – their horses standing ready saddled and bridled, and the men taking their repast from their nice tin dishes, when it was announced that a party of Sheldon’s was at hand. The troopers were in the saddle in an instant and pursued the American party, which was small, almost at Bedford, but succeeded only in taking one horseman’s cap.
- Hufeland Index Page 260 -
was composed of riflemen, extremely good shots, and very expert at firing from behind trees, rocks, &c, so as not to expose themselves. The Colonel (Wormb) always avoided a general action with the Continental troops contenting himself with small surprises and skirmishes. The Hessians generally dressed in blue with red facings and cuffs. My father was much persecuted and robbed by the Skinners because he was neutral, and in consequence went below where, however, he did not take up arms. He died at Col. Hatfield quarters opposite Colonel DeLancey’s at West Farms. I was with him when he died, and he described to me where he had buried three hundred pounds in gold in an
- Hufeland Index Page 261 -
old tea pot under a tree, and where another considerable sum in Spanish dollars, at a different place, was concealed under an oak tree, This money we found after the Revolutionary war and it assisted us very much, tho’ from its being buried extremely deep, it was obtained with difficulty. Colonel Hatfield was related to the Hatfields of White Plains. From my recollection of Major Bearmore, I am under the impression that he was a severe man. While below Colonel Delancey sent to my father informing him that the men who had been concerned in whipping him to extort his money were prisoners, and wishing to know what punishment he should inflict &c. My father immediately went to the Colonel and said: ‘As far as I am concerned, Colonel, let the men go, uninjured.’
- Hufeland Index Page 262 -
Azariah Horton, brother of John, was whipped and hung by the Skinners until he told where his money was buried. They got of him upwards of ninety guineas. Thomas Ferris was one of them. Azariah Horton did not belong to any of the Refugee corps. It was always said that Timothy Purdy drove cattle low for General Thomas.
- Hufeland Index Page 266 -
November 6th. Abraham Davis: “I saw Kipp’s party when they passed through White Plains after attacking Mosier. They stopped at Hatfield’s Tavern and procured a carriage to take a man badly wounded. I don’t know this man’s name, but it was not Strang, I think. It was a buckshot wound. Their horses were much wounded, and they were out of humor. When the British after the battle of White Plains advanced to Travis’s (afterwards Hatfields) Hill, it is said that nine Hessians were killed by one cannon shot. I think that on this occasion they must have advanced on the west side of the Bronx – but am not certain.