Odell, Jackson
John M. McDonald interview — 1845-11-26; 1845-11-28
Jackson Odell (1782-1849) was the son of John Odell, one of the Westchester Guides. On the first day of this two-day interview, Odell retells a story that he heard from a Mr. Thison. Abraham “Brom” Dyckman, another Westchester Guide, plotted a nighttime raid into Manhattan to capture British officers quartered at the home of Roger and Mary Philipse Morris (now the Morris-Jumel Mansion) with the intention of exchanging them for the imprisoned Captain Daniel Williams. Unable to cross the Harlem River, the men met Andrew Corsa, who informed them that a British officer was quartered at a house in present-day Bronx County. They captured and promptly paroled a British officer with the understanding that Captain Williams would then be freed. Williams was sent home several days later. On the second day of the interview, Jackson Odell informs John Macdonald that he spoke with Isaac Vermilye, who informed him that “Captain Vermille” must have been his brother Jacob. (Captain Vermille is referred to as Yaup Vermille in other interviews). Isaac notes that Jacob left for Canada after separating from his wife.
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Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 312 -
1845
November 26th. Jackson Odell, “I have lately seen Michael Dyckman of Kingsbridge and Mr. Thison now or late a deputy Sheriff or Office holder under the New York Corporation. Mr. Thison says that during the war, Captain Daniel Williams was taken prisoner several times - that once the British refused to parole or exchange him, considering him a dangerous man and keeping him a close prisoner. After a while his friend Brom Dyckman formed a plan to cross Haerlem river at night and capture some British officers who quartered at Morris’s house (now Madame Jumel’s) in order to exchange them for Williams. Accordingly with his brothers Michael and Jacobus and some others mostly guides, and eight or nine in number, they made the attempt, but found the ice too weak to bear them. That at least was the
- Hufeland Index Page 313 -
1845
opinion of all but Brom Dyckman who was desirous, notwithstanding, of making the attempt. While deliberating what to do, they fell in with Andrew Corsa who informed them there was a British officer quartered at Deveau’s, the last house in Fordham, near where Macomb’s Dam now is. They thereupon instantly marched there, surrounded the house and took Captain Maccaboy prisoner. Dyckman immediately paroled Maccaboy, saying to him: “We are willing to trust you, though you will not trust us. Send Captain Williams back to us immediately.” Williams, a few days after this was sent home.
November 28th Mr. Jackson Odell informs me that Mr. Isaac Vermilye says: Captain Vermille whom J M M[cDonald] enquires about must have been my brother Jacob Vermille
- Hufeland Index Page 314 -
1845
who, in the Revolutionary War commanded a company of West Chester militia or volunteers. He made an unhappy marriage, separated from his wife and settled in Canada from whence he never returned. He was patronized by Simcoe under whom he accepted a commission and resided near Niagara.