Holmes, Patty
John M. McDonald interview — 1848-11-02
Patty Holmes, 94, gives her recollections of the Revolutionary War in Bedford. She recalls that Andrew Mills was taken prisoner by DeLancey’s Refugees during the Battle of Pound Ridge on July 2, 1779, for having a gun, and was confined at the Sugar House prison in Manhattan. His daughter secured his release. That same day, the British burned the home of Benjamin Hays, which was owned by Colonel James Holmes. Patty Holmes believes that this fire was set by Loyalists commanded by Gilbert Totten, and states that the Bedford Meeting House was burned the same day. Nine days later, the British returned and burned a number of structures in Bedford. Patty Holmes notes that the French army under General Rochambeau spent one night in Bedford, and concludes by giving her recollections of Colonel James Holmes.
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Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 785 -
Novr. 2nd. Mrs. Patty Holmes aged 94: “We were kept in a constant state of alarm during the Revolutionary war – constant reports were abroad that the Refugees were at the village of Bedford. When Poundridge was burnt, news came that the enemy were coming. An old man named Andrew Mills took his gun to hide it and was found with it by the Refugees. They took him off and he was confined for sometime in the Sugar House in New York. His daughter went down and
- Hufeland Index Page 786 -
procured his discharge. When they returned from Poundridge, Totten’s (?) force burnt the house occupied by Benjamin Hays and owned by Colonel Holmes who had gone below before this I believe. I think that the Meeting House also was burnt on the same day – viz: Sunday July 2nd. When they burnt Bedford nine days afterwards a widow woman, begged them to spare her house. They consented, but finding a pair of pistols upstairs they fired it. The French army lay in Bedford one night but the cavalry went on without halting. We were much pleased to see them as they came for our protection. Colonel Holmes was a clever man – pretty spirited and spunky.
- Hufeland Index Page 787 -
He could not forget his treatment when he advanced money to pay his men which was not repaid or not paid without great difficulty.