Smith, Caleb
John M. McDonald interview — 1845-10-03
Caleb Smith (1773-1858) was the husband of Hannah Dyckman, who was the sister of several men who served in the Revolutionary War, including Westchester Guide Abraham “Brom” Dyckman. Smith recalls a skirmish when a force of Refugees surprised an American force at Lent’s Hill in Yonkers, as well as an engagement in which a party of Americans were pursued by Refugee cavalry and overtaken south of Lent’s Hill. (A note added by John Macdonald refers to the latter engagement as “Colonel Hatfield’s affair of December 16, 1781.”) Smith concludes with a reference to “Post’s house,” which was located between Philipse Manor Hall and Hunt’s Bridge, and was occupied by a Major Ross during “Gist’s surprise,” the attack on the American force commanded by Colonel Mordecai Gist at Yonkers on September 16, 1778.
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 188 -
1845
October 3rd. Caleb Smith of Yonkers on the Tuckeyhoe road brother in law of the Dyckmans of Kingsbridge. “I remember there was a party from above, surprized by the British Refugees at Lent’s hill on the Tuckeyhoe road when several of the Americans were killed or taken. Also at another time a party of Americans had been below and were pursued and overtaken about day break at William Underhill’s about one and a half miles south of Lents hill [ at or on the commencement of the mile square road – Next day a dog came to our house who could never be induced to go with William Underhill – We supposed his master was killed there] by a party of Refugees who killed or took most of the Americans. [Colonel Hatfield’s affair of December 16th 1781.] Post’s house between Philips’ manor house and Hunts Bridge
- Hufeland Index Page 189 -
1845
occupied by Major Ross &c on Gist’s surprise is now owned by Mr.