Edwards, Amelia
John M. McDonald interview — 1844
Amelia Edwards (b.c.1770) was the widow of Daniel Edwards. She begins her interview by discussing Loyalist Major Mansfield Bearmore, although she misremembers the location of the skirmish in which he was mortally wounded. She then recounts the capture of several Loyalists on December 24, 1778 by an American force led by Daniel Williams at the home of Theophilus Hunt in West Farms in present-day Bronx County. The following day, Bearmore visited the Hunt house, where he found Hunt’s daughters, both of whom were married to captured Loyalists, very upset. His promise to bring their husbands back was fulfilled that night through a raid on Youngs’ House in Mount Pleasant, although this expedition led to the accidental death of John Champenois, another Loyalist who was taken prisoner by Williams. Mrs. Edwards concludes with a story regarding an attempted robbery of a boy carrying tar from Eastchester to Westchester.
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Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 117 -
Mrs. Edwards, [widow] of Daniel: Major Bearmore was mortally wounded in a skirmish in East Chester – Was taken to East Chester church which was occupied as a Post Hospital – He was wounded in the neck. Bearmore was born on Throgs Neck - Wore a green (Hussars?) dress trimmed with silver lace – A very handsome, tall genteel man – humane – kind to the inhabitants – military – Bearmore’s quarters were at Cornelius Leggett’s where he was taken and died. Justus Miller and James Brundage were taken by D. Williams at West Farms on the 24th of December. – Williams behaved outrageously breaking looking glasses, china, &c, taking several horses – John Champenois and several others were taken at the same time. The place where they were captured was Theophilus Hunts now owned by Thomas Walker. Barmore
- Hufeland Index Page 118 -
Mrs. D. Edwards contd.
Barmore [X] called in the next day and found Theophilus Hunt’s two daughters (who had married Miller and Brundage) crying. “Don’t cry, girls,” said Barmore “I’ll have your husbands back before tomorrow night” – and they were brought back. Champenois was killed. A boy had gone for tar from East Chester to West Chester – Met a party – “Get off your horse, and let’s see what it is.” – Made him pour the tar from the jug on his hat – then placed the hat upon his head. They suspected that the tar concealed something valuable.
[X] Written both ways – Bearmore and Barmore.