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Mrs. Daniel Edwards –

Augt. 13. 1844. Delancey lingered about West Farms till April 1783, when he took leave of Theophilus Hunt who was much older than he, but having been brought up with him, a near neighbor, was on very intimate terms. Hunt said “nothing now remains of all my property but naked fields”, &c. –104 head of cattle in 76 – The negroes who were set to guard them ran away and joined the British. Delancey made a great deal of money by fatting cattle for the New Market. When the Cowboys and Refugees brought in cattle and other plunder it was sold at auction for the captors. Delancey, therefore, bought almost at his own price such animals as he wanted to fat for the market and such horses as were fit for cavalry service – Beef at New York two or three shillings a pound. Permits were obtained from governor Tryon to cut wood from the Morris’s estates who were Whigs. The Refugee settlements were in or near Madam and Colonel L. Morris’s woods, on both sides of Mill Brook – but mostly

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in Madam Morris’s words or such contiguous spots as were mostly convenient. The Morris woods were original forests of which the Refugees made their log huts extending from near the Post road along distance toward Kingsbridge. Here the Refugees lived with their families, some of which (women and children) had been expelled from the Upper Counties by the Whigs, and here joined their relations and families. Richard Morris’s house which was burnt when Col. Hatfield was taken stood a quarter of a mile or more from Robert Morris’s new house. (?) The Kipps were humane and gentlemanly, but Captain Knapp cruel and severe. Knapp married a sister of Col. Hatfield. Sir Wm. Erskine’s division after the battle of White Plains encamped on the high ground west of Theophilus Hunt’s from where it marched at 2. a.m. to ascend the Haerlem river and assist in taking Fort Washington. They had six sworn guides. Emery one of them, confused and frightened at

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the responsibility of the army following him and the threats &c. – Erskines Headquarters at Hunts. – Mrs. Edward’s aunt lived near West Chester village where Honeywell Watson now lives, and she had 450 pounds in specie in the house. – Four or five of Emmerick’s soldiers with blackened faces and disguised robbed her; but unobserved, she cut the skirts of their coats with a scissors and identified them to Colonel Emmerick who caused them to be flogged &c. and recovered for 300 pounds &c. The soldiers vowed revenge. Soon after of a Christmas evening when all were absent but an old negro woman, the house was robbed and Mrs. found dead cut to pieces by sword cuts. Her arms hacked as if fending off sabre clips and the old black woman dead in her chair but [?] unwounded having expired apparently from fear - Murderers never found out but supposed to have been Emmerick’s men. Thos. Leggett’s the old horse north of Mr. Edwards’. The barn above and near

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the house. General Oliver Delancey during the war occupied Willetts place on the neck who was absent in the British service. Delancey’s corps got no pay or compensation except the plunder they procured. Delancey was very stern and savage – Knocked a country man down (before me) who asked for a permit to take some (a bushel?) some salt up in the country because he wore his hat in Delancey’s presence. Turned black, as he always did in a passion. When Delancey’s horse was taken, he offered one hundred guineas to any one who would bring in the thief. Tim Knapp was captured by Robert Emery and Nathanial Taylor and Charles Merritt who brought him in. At 9 a.m. Delancey came to Head Quarters according to custom – walked two or three times across the floor, looked very black and exclaimed: “Tim Knapp, prepare to die (meet death?)!

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Mrs Edwards cont’d. You shall be hung before 12 oclock. By the living God!” Knapp was young and good looking from Horseneck. He was first taken to Theop. Hunts barn, but that (the frame of that) was double girted and consequently unfit. They then took him to Thomas Leggett’s, on the Gore Lot farm, north of the village of West Farms. Theophilus Hunt pitying so young and handsome a man &c, intended to intercede &c., but when the hour of executions came Delancey drew his sword, and swore by &c, he would cut off the first dammed rascal’s head that dared to interceded. A black man (Lunnon), a fidler, was the executioner, and received Knapps suit of clothes which was very fine as compensation. Tim Knapp had deserted from him as well as stolen his horse. Captain Totten was a handsome officer middle sized and a humane man. Major Huggeford was a large fleshy middle aged man, active and

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Mrs. Edwards continued.

humane. Thinks he was from Horseneck Sam Knapp was large and fleshy – James small. Emmerick was fat and short, thick set, fierce and war like in appearance – face powder stained. Refugee settlements on both sides of Mill Brook mostly in Madame Morris’s woods. Madame Morris lived at Morrisania all the war. Delancey had distressed Theophilus Hunt his old acquaintance (his school mate) – took his house. &c. – When peace came Delancey came to take leave. Hunt observed: “I am a poor old man – fences destroyed, farm barns and houses in ruins – cattle and stock gone. I don’t know how I shall get along.” “Peace Hunt! You are better off than I am, for you can stay while I must leave my native country forever!” He then bid God bless (prosper) him while the tears rolled

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down his cheeks. Countrymen came down in homespun, but after enlisting, appeared dressed like officers in buckskin breeches, elegant uniforms and feathers, &c. Col. Hatfield when not on duty attended to Delancey’s Mills.

Mrs. Edwards and Andrew Corsa: The Refugee Cavalry were drilled with care by Regular officers from New York – Several squadrons of Regular horse also came out and lay in the neighborhood to show them how to manoeuvre.