Dyckman, Michael
John M. McDonald interview — 1846-10-08
Michael Dyckman (1796-1854) was a son of Jacobus Dyckman and a nephew of Westchester Guide Abraham “Brom” Dyckman. When John Macdonald was conducting his interviews, Michael and his brother Isaac were residing at the house that is presently the Dyckman Farmhouse Museum in Manhattan. Michael discusses the Battle of Fort Washington, as well as a skirmish before the Battle of Harlem Heights on September 16, 1776, during which American Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Knowlton, commander of Knowlton’s Rangers, was killed. John Macdonald must have been skeptical of some of Michael’s information, as he inserted the word “doubtful” in each of the last two paragraphs. He concludes by noting that the two bastions on the west side of Fort Washington are still visible.
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 454 -
October 8th Michael Dyckman: The old road ran east of our house before the war along the margin of the creek, and was altered after the war. The Barrier Gate stood about a mile south of our house. Remains of it are yet to be seen. Hessians repulsed October [November?] 16th 1776, as they advanced to Fort Washington, by the small American batteries on the high ground east of the road? [Doubtful.] Knyphausen advanced through a narrow valley, a little north of Fort Washington and near the west of the road. I am convinced that the fight where Knowlton was killed must have been the heights between the Bloomingdale Asylum and Manhattanville. – (Doubtful.) – Point of Rocks is near Jacob Lorillard’s house. – The two bastions on the west side of Fort Washington are visible yet.