Tripp, Abigail
John M. McDonald interview
Abigail Platt Tripp (1760-1856) was a daughter of Benoni Platt, who served as a captain in the Westchester County Militia. She recalls a story told to her by her late husband, Benjamin Tripp (c.1758-1827), who was driving cattle with a man named Miller when they were attacked by Loyalists from DeLancey’s Refugees and Tarleton’s British Legion in present-day Armonk. Both Miller as well as a man named Gilchrist were killed. She notes that black rate was sometimes enforced in the North Castle area, and briefly describes Benjamin Hopkins and Lieutenant William Mosier.
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
- Hufeland Index Page 740 -
October 27th. Mrs. Abigail Tripp of North Castle, aged 88: “My father, Benoni Platt, lived in this neighborhood and was a captain in Colonel Thomas’s regiment, during the Revolutionary war. – He was often out in service during the war. My husband, Benjamin Tripp was present when one Miller was killed a short distance east of Smith’s Tavern. I think the party consisted of Refugees and some of the Legion horse. My husband, I think, spoke of their firing then upon the Legion horse. I think the Legion horse were at the burning of Bedford Village. As nearly as I can recollect my husband, Miller, and others were driving off the cattle to secure them when a party of Refugees overtook them and killed Miller. These Refugees were horsemen, and came
- Hufeland Index Page 741 -
up for the purpose of driving off cattle. One Gilchrist was killed for firing some time previously on the Legion horse. Black rate was sometimes enforced here. In the Revolutionary war Benjamin Hopkins owned the house where Smith’s Tavern now is. He took care of the poor that came out of New York in 1776. Lieutenant William Mosier was by trade a mason, and afterwards moved above where he died.”