Sarles, Nancy
John M. McDonald interview — 1846-10-12
Nancy Lyon Sarles was the daughter of Israel Lyon, a resident of Bedford and an active supporter of American independence. She indicates that the British force that passed through Bedford en route to Pound Ridge on July 2, 1779, attempted to burn a church, but the fire was extinguished. The church was destroyed nine days later during the burning of Bedford, which Mrs. Sarles describes in detail. She believes that either Banastre Tarleton or John Graves Simcoe commanded the British force, and notes the disappointment of area residents that Colonel Elisha Sheldon did not lead his 2nd Continental Light Dragoons to assist the residents of Bedford. She concludes with a discussion of the execution of Tim Knapp for the theft of Loyalist Colonel James DeLancey’s horse.
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Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 437 -
Octr. 12. Mrs. Nancy Sarles, of Middle Patent: “In the Revolutionary war my father lived in Bedford a mile and a half from the village on the road to White Plains. His name was Israel Lyon, an active whig and a committee man. When Tarleton took Poundridge, he set fire to Bedford Church, but it was extinguished and the church was not burnt until Bedford was set fire to. When they burnt Bedford, they advanced by the upper or west road and entered about daylight. The party consisted of several hundred composed of leather Caps and Refugees and all mounted. The Refugees did all the mischief, plundering and burning whilst the Leather Caps sat on horseback and kept their ranks. They retreated by the White Plains road. The militia were all out in the direction of Stamford except a picket guard which they attacked and dispersed, killing one man.
- Hufeland Index Page 438 -
They were hungry when at our house asking constantly for bread, and we gave all we had. They then set fire to our house and retreated. [X] I endeavored to put the fire out, and succeeded down stairs, but they had fired a bed upstairs which I knew not of until it was too late. Just then a party of our militia came to our assistance, and helped to save some things in the house. I don’t know who commanded the British – whether it was Simcoe or Tarleton or who. The Leather Caps were regulars, and appeared to have come in order to support the Refugees The Leather Caps, I think, were Hessians. Colonel Holmes’s house at Bedford was burnt. It was, I think, occupied by Benjamin Hayes. Tim Knapp was from near Horseneck, and a very handsome young man. He stole Delancey’s horse and took him to a place where he met Tom
[X] The word with them was: Fire the houses, boys! and be off!”
- Hufeland Index Page 439 -
Ferris and some others concerned in the enterprise. They got off safely but were pursued. Tom Ferris was a very enterprising man. Sheldon’s reputation was not high as a soldier. They called the road where Tarleton pursued him “Sheldon’s Race Course.” [They called the rough road between where Sheldon then was and Bedford “Sheldon’s Race Course,” because he didn’t come to our assistance in time.] When the British burnt Bedford they intended to destroy some houses in Middle Patent, and advanced for that purpose to Mahanus river, but the bridge was taken up, and they could not cross. They thought if Sheldon had been active he might have attacked the enemy before he got away from Bedford and N[orth] Castle – and at least have hung upon his rear and picked up the stragglers as the Refugees were disorderly in their retreat. I think Tim Knapp was not
- Hufeland Index Page 440 -
taken till the spring after he captured Delancey’s horse. Brom Barrett I have always heard was afterwards hanged to retaliate for Tim Knapp’s death. (?) The Refugees at this time [X] were not in uniform. The word with them was “Fire the houses, boys! and be off!” It was early in the morning when the came to our house. We had not been up long.
[X} (when Bedford was burnt.)