Townsend, Sylvanus
John M. McDonald interview — 1847-10-22
Sylvanus Townsend’s age was recorded as 95 in the 1850 census, which means he was about 21 years old when he worked as a nurse at the North Castle Church for more than two months after the Battle of White Plains in 1776. Townsend states that Brigadier General William Smallwood of Maryland was cared for in a house near the church. He also explains that a Captain Keeler had several fingers cut off at Crompond in June 1779 because he extended his sword while intending to surrender. Other officers whom Townsend mentions are Benoni Platt and Gilbert Dean. Dean’s wife took a Loyalist soldier prisoner during the burning of Bedford in 1779. Townsend concludes by mentioning Timothy Delavan, who brought provisions to his nine sons who fought at the Battle of Ridgefield in 1777.
Original findings from this interview
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 561 -
October 22d. Sylvanus Townsend “Immediately after the battle of White Plains the N.C.[X] Church was a hospital where I officiated as nurse for two months or more. Smallwood, a wounded officer of the Maryland troop was in a house near the church at the same time. Captain Keeler taken at Crompond in June 1779, intended to surrender, but presenting his sword point foremost received a cut which cut off several of his fingers. He was from North Salem. Shaw was a good soldier. Benoni Platt and Gilbert Dean were both volunteer Captains. Platt from New Castle and Dean from Bedford. Gilbert Dean’s wife took a drunken Refugee prisoner, first conveying him into the house, and then getting his arms and shutting him up. Old Timothy Delavan had nine sons of who were Ridgefield on occasion of
[X] (New Castle Church?)
- Hufeland Index Page 562 -
the Danby. expedition, and he himself went on horseback to carry provisions for them.”
<left margin> Hyatt (Carpenter store, 333 Broadway) will tell where Gen. Montross lives. <left margin>