Randell, John
John M. McDonald interview — 1848
Mr. Randall is likely John Randell (1772-1850), who was a son of the Jonathan Randel for whom Randall’s Island is named. The interview focuses on topics pertaining to northern Manhattan and the islands in the East River. Randell begins by recounting the reconnaissance made by the American and French armies against British defenses in the Bronx and northern Manhattan on July 22-23, 1781. He then describes Randall’s Island and Wards Island as well as the channel that separates the islands from Manhattan. Randell also describes the location of Morris’s Mill in the Bronx, and notes that there are no remains of fortifications on Randall’s Island.
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 676 -
Mr. Randall of 116th Street East River opposite Randall’s Island: “I am now seventy six years old, having been born in 1772, and remember well when Washington and Rochambeau came down to Morrisania in 1781, and how the British fired upon them the moment they came in sight and while they so continued from the forts at Haerlem, Snake Hill (now Mount Morris) and from the vessels of war lying about at anchor. Randall’s Island, was formerly called Montressor’s or Little Barn Island, and belonged to Captain (John) Montressor who sold it to Colonel Ogden of New York from whom my father purchased it. Captain Montressor would not fight against this country, in consequence of which the Island was not forfeited. Ward’s Island was formerly called
- Hufeland Index Page 677 -
Bohanna’s or Great Barn Island, and is now owned by many different persons. Randall’s island contains about 150, and Wards about 250 acres. The channel between these islands and the New York shore is from twenty to thirty feet deep, or more, but I have waded at low tide from Randall’s Island to Morrisania. There was a British vessel of war frozen up (1779-’80?) opposite my brother’s above (121st Str. Opposite north end of the Island). I remember Morris’s Old Mill on the Mill Brook very well. It must have stood, I think, about a quarter of a mile south east of the spot where the Boston Post road crosses Mill Brook near James Morris’s gate. There are no remains of forts or prisons on Randall’s Island, and never heard of there having been any.
- Hufeland Index Page 678 -
When Colonel Jackson made his attack La Briene [X] must have lain opposite Ward’s Island or opposite the Channel which separates it from Randall’s Island. There is no stream of water between Mill Brook and the Bronx river. I don’t know whether or not Mrs. Mary Ward of Wards Island be living at the present time.
[X] Brune
<left margin> 1848 (?) (1838 in origl. – an error.) see p. 7. <left margin>