Ferris, Samuel
John M. McDonald interview — 1848-11-29
Samuel Ferris (1773-1858) relocated with his family from Middle Patent in North Castle to Stanwich in Greenwich, Connecticut, because of the depredations that his father suffered at the hands of both Skinners and Cowboys. Although he suffered black rate for refusing to reveal the names of his friends and relatives who were Loyalists, Ferris’ father turned out with the American militia when called upon. Samuel Ferris recalls Brom Barrett, who was hanged by American whaleboat man Fade Donaldson in retaliation for the execution of Tim Knapp. He recounts a skirmish that took place in Stanwich between a group of Loyalist cavalry from Morrisania and a force of American militia. Ferris also describes Fort Nonsense, which was built on the orders of American General David Waterbury. He recalls Loyalist Major Mansfield Bearmore, whom his father knew well, and recounts the story of Thomas June, who carried his arms to work in case he encountered British troops but who was eventually killed by a Refugee scout. Ferris notes that the party that burned Bedford in 1779 was made up of regular British cavalry as well as Loyalist Refugees, and recounts the rumor that the force was commanded by Colonel James Holmes. He also recalls the killing of Solomon Mead by a party of Loyalist cavalry commanded by Major Mansfield Bearmore. He then describes the popularity of cock fighting, horse racing, and gambling during and after the Revolutionary War, and concludes with his recollections of American double agent Luther Kennicutt and Daniel and Silas Chapman.
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 839 -
Novr 29th. Samuel Ferris of Stanwich, Conn, aged 76 on the 10th of last August: “I think Brom. Barrett was an old countryman, and had no friends or relatives in these parts, and was no connection of the Barretts of West Chester County. If he had been I should have known it. It was in 1782, I think, that he was hanged. It might have been
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in 1781. F. Donaldson must have been hanged shortly afterwards. My father lived at Middle Patent, and was so harassed by blackrate and by Skinners and Cowboys that he came to Stanwich where he had some property, and staid two years till after peace. I think, upon reflection, he must have moved from Middle Patent to Stanwich in the spring of 1782, and returned in the spring of 1784. Brom Barrett was hanged while we lived in Stanwich. Towards the close of the war (in 1782 probably) the Refugees of Morrisania consisting of about ^20 30 or ^30 40 foot came up to Stanwich where they were met by a force of 20 American militia from the neighbourhood, and a skirmish ensued in which a private of the Refugees named Silas Chapman (an uncle of mine) was killed (or rather mortally wounded – dying two days after). The Refugees fearing an
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increase of the American force, from the alarm, soon after retreated. I think that Lieut. Benjamin Brush commanded the Americans this time. He was cousin to Benjamin Brush of Stanwich who died more than a year ago. Charles Smith (father of Charles Smith of North Street) was Lieut. Benjamin Brush’s captain. Chapman’s father was in the old French war and a strong whig in the revolution. Mud Fort or Fort Nonsense was about three miles north west of Stamford and about the same distance in a straight line east from North Street. It was designed and constructed by General Waterbury as a place of refuge for the people on the lines to fly to for safety with their cattle when the Refugees came up, but was so much out of the way the people laughed thinking no one would ever go to so remote a place. A guard was kept up there
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which was for a long time commanded by Captain Charles Smith. Bearmore, I think, was up several times at Middle Patent. My father knew him well and spoke highly of him. Towards the end of the war one Thomas Zune (June?) [X] who lived about three quarters of a mile north east ^two miles and a half east of Stanwich Meeting House, and who always carried his arms whilst at work in the fields gave out that he would have a good shot at the British wherever he met them. The Refugees heard of this and he was waylaid by them and shot dead at a place about three quarters of a mile northeast of Stanwhich Meeting House. His wife was with him, and he met a Refugee scout as he was going home from work. He brought his gun down from his shoulder to fire, but was shot dead before he could discharge his piece.
[X] (Zune or June?) See original (?)
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The party that burnt Bedford consisted of regular troops as well as Refugees. I have heard that Colonel Holmes commanded them. Old Colonel Holby was a captain in the Revolutionary war, and must have left several papers which if saved are in the hands of his grandson Jonathan Hobby of Middle Patent. Samuel Smith [was his] brother in law. Obadiah Mead’s only son (that is, Solomon Mead) was killed by Bearmore or his party, a little south of Quaker Ridge Meeting House. He was a fine young man and there was great mourning for him. Cock fighting and horse racing were both common in and after the revolutionary war in Connecticut as well as in West Chester, as I have witnessed both myself. In Connecticut they had to be a little shy about betting. Col. Holmes and the
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Knapps and Bushes of Horseneck kept fine horses and cocks and practiced both. Luther Kinnicutt at the close of the war was a skinner and his reputation bad. He lived in North Castle. Daniel Chapman, was father to Silas Chapman shot at Stanwich close by the Meeting House. The father always said he would shoot his son if he ever met him in the army. My father suffered the blackrate because he had friends and relatives who had gone below and whom he would not expose. These sometimes called at his house though he attempted to keep them away. He turned out in the American militia when called upon.”