Mandeville, James
John M. McDonald interview — 1847-10-20
James Mandeville (1760-1848) recalls his participation in an American raid that was conducted into present-day Bronx County in January 1783 to capture Loyalist Colonel James DeLancey. He details the route of the expedition to and from the Bronx, and names the guides who directed the force. According to Mandeville, DeLancey avoided capture by hiding in a hog pen. He then notes that Brom Dyckman, a Westchester Guide, was interred at Crompond Burying Ground, and mentions the captivity of John Paulding, one of the three captors of British Major John André. Mandeville also refers to John Odell’s escape from captains Samuel Kipp and Gilbert Totten of DeLancey’s Refugees across the ice of the frozen Hudson River from Ossining to Croton Point. This incident took place while the soldiers who took part in the expedition that Mandeville previously discussed were stopped in Ossining on their way north toward Peekskill. He concludes by noting that many houses were built in Peekskill during the Revolutionary War.
Original findings from this interview
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 550 -
Octr. 20th James Mandeville: “We crossed Hunt’s Bridge, went through East Chester, crossed William Bridge, and advanced easterly upon DeLancey’s house in our excursion in January 1783. – Williams ordered all horses to be left west of the Bronx in a village. Delancey was out when
<left margin> James Mandeville was for many years a hotel keeper at Peekskill. <left margin>
- Hufeland Index Page 551 -
we arrived, but returned before we left, and concealed himself in a hog-pen, as the family afterwards told us. In retreating we passed Courtland’s house and returned, through Yonkers village, being guided by John Odell, Abraham Odell, Isaac Odell (who was nicknamed Armand) John McChain, and Wm. N. Dyckman. I have always understood that Brom [X] Dyckman was buried at Crompond burying ground, but where in particular I don’t know. Mr. Thomas Strang will tell I think. Paulding was while detained prisoner among the American ^English? Officers, fared well and was a great lion. Kipp and Totten were the two who pursued Colonel Odell on the ice, one at each side, cutting at him until Totten lost his fore finger and let his sword fall. I saw this wound afterwards at Morrisania. I remember when there were only
[X] Abraham
<left margin> see pa 55 origl. <left margin>
- Hufeland Index Page 552 -
five dwelling houses in the village of Peekskill. This was before the Revolutionary war. In the course of the war they built a good many more houses.
<left margin> Col. Saml. Drake not Joseph – Hyatt – Merritt – riflemen Tories – 600 men fr. Delancey to disarm the Tories – Dr. Seiz – Hewson – Thomas Currie, Jr. – Peekskill. <left margin>