Benjamin Kipp
John M. McDonald interview — 1847-11-20
Benjamin Kipp (1763-1849) discusses raids conducted by Loyalist Refugees (often referred to as Cowboys) and American Skinners. His interview includes a humorous story regarding Andrew Irving, who embellished a tale of how he successfully retrieved his cow from a Refugee raiding party.
Original findings from this interview
Manuscript page facsimiles
High-resolution images served from the Westchester County Historical Society's IIIF endpoint. Click any page to view full size.
Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 656 -
November 20th Benjamin Kipp: “Andrew Irving of North Castle was a weaver and an Irishman. When he saw the Refugees were about to lose their cattle, with great presence of mind he got his cow out of the drove and cutting through the fields with her returned home happy huzzaing for Congress and General
- Hufeland Index Page 657 -
Washington! He had his gun in hand and boasting to his Whig neighbors how he had rescued his cow from the Refugees. The Whigs fully believed his story, but the facts were known to his Quaker neighbours to whom he communicated the circumstances and they all enjoyed the joke. Irving soon after went below, and was never after heard of by us. He had much of the characteristics wit and learning of his country and was very popular. The Refugees horse on this occasion behaved with great artifice. They recaptured part of the cattle they had lost and retired on the Tarrytown road so as to entice the American’s below that place (Tarrytown) where a fresh part of Delanceys were waiting for them in ambuscade. The pursuers fell into this trap, and lost some prisoners. The Skinners from above were very cruel, whipping and torturing the peaceable inhabitants to esctort their money from them. At one time a party of 100 or 200 skinners went down to Tarrytown and
- Hufeland Index Page 658 -
took all the farmers cattle – they then proceeded northerly sweeping off all the cattle and sheep, &c they could find from the North River and other roads east of this place. Near this place on the Hard scrabble road they were fired upon by a party of five Refugees who were lurking at the time in the woods for the purpose of attacking any Skinners that might be out. After firing the five Refugees made their escape.”