Nash, James
John M. McDonald interview — 1848
James Nash recounts the burning of his family’s house in Greenwich, Connecticut, by British forces returning from the burning of Bedford on July 11, 1779. According to Nash, his mother, Dorcas Clapp Nash, prepared breakfast for Colonel John Graves Simcoe, a British officer, who then informed her that her house was to be burned in 45 minutes. Nash, who was three years old at the time, believes that Colonel Simcoe commanded the force that burned Bedford. Nash concludes the interview by describing the actions of an American force under Colonel White (presumably Anthony Walton White of the 4th Continental Light Dragoons) during a skirmish near the Nash house.
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 890 -
James Nash, of Byram river on the Plank road to Bedford, Connt. – “My father’s name was Francis Nash and he owned the farm where I now reside. He was an Englishman and a hatter, and married the sister of Tommy Clapp. His house was burnt on the 11th of July, 1779, by order of Colonel Simcoe who commanded the detachment that destroyed Bedford. On his return from Bedford, Colonel Simcoe called at our house with some of his officers and asked my mother for breakfast saying they were very hungry. My mother prepared the best breakfast in her power, and after Simcoe and his followers had partaken of it he said to her: “Madame, your house will be burnt down in three quarters of an hour. Get your things out as soon as you can.” Notwithstanding the time allowed us, we lost most of our moveable
- Hufeland Index Page 891 -
property. This loss so deranged my father’s affairs that he would have had to part with his farm had it not been for the assistance he received from his brother in law Tommy Clapp. Our house that was destroyed stood close to Byram river on the north side of the road and between the road and a small ridge or rising ground, and was situated on the flat where the Locust grove now is. It was burnt down in consequence of my father’s strong attachment to and exertions for the Whig cause. Benjamin Clapp’s house and store in King Street was burnt on the same day. I cannot be mistaken in the fact that Colonel Simcoe commanded the party that burnt Bedford and that our house was consumed on his return and by his orders. I was about three years old and remember to have seem him up on this occasion when he breakfasted at our house, and I have heard my parents a hundred times say
- Hufeland Index Page 892 -
that he commanded the expedition that destroyed Bedford and burnt our house. I could almost swear to it. Col. White’s horse was once pursued past our house by the enemy’s cavalry. At the spot where the School House now stands the horse of one of White’s men stumbled and fell and the rider was taken. Colonel White then rallied, charged and drove them back. He was a very brave man.