- Hufeland Index Page 650 -

Novr. 19th. Lydia Vail, aged 74: “I am grand-daughter of Richardson Davenport, and niece of Fanny Totten, but only two years

<left margin> Tarleton’s circuitous route – Greene’s domestic feelings – “Next spring I hope to be with my family.” – Two negroes wounded – one in the arm, the other in the shoulder – “You have ruined us!” said Flagg. <left margin>

- Hufeland Index Page 651 -

her junior. The reason DeLancey’s party were so cruel at Davenport House in May 1781 was this: They, the Refugees, came on suddenly and called upon the soldiers to surrender, but a young Captain or Lieutenant opened the window and discharged two pistols at the enemy, first one and then the other. Then the Refugees were much excited, and cried out aloud: “Kill all the d—d Rebels!” “You have undone us!” said Flagg to the young Captain, “and we must now sell our lives as dearly as we can.” And as they stood in the window a volley was fired which killed them both. The bedroom contained three beds being large; and Greene, Flagg and the young Captain all slept there. The three were afterwards interred together in the same grave at Crompond. Two Negro servants of my father were wounded, one in the arm and the other in the shoulder. The very night before this surprise Greene said to my grandfather: “Mr. Davenport you are a happy man, surrounded by a fine wife and a

- Hufeland Index Page 652 -

dutiful family of children. I envy you much. But I hope this unnatural war is drawing to a close, and that by this time next spring, I also shall enjoy domestic happiness as you do with my wife and children.” Twelve hours had not elapsed after this before he was a dead man. – Davenport’s House was Greene’s head quarters Greene was much beloved by my grandfathers family, as well as Flagg and the other officers, and the death of those who fell, particularly that of Greene was much and long lamented. This disaster happened a little before sunrise. I lived at my fathers half a mile off northerly on the Crompond road. Word came to us that they were all cut off and killed at Headquarters and we all ran through the field’s to Davenport’s house. The Refugees were at this moment retreating through the woods towards Pinesbridge, and when we saw them the glittering of their arms we stopped and hid till they had passed on. We arrived at Davenport

- Hufeland Index Page 654 -

house about sunrise, or a little after and found the floors and walls covered with the blood of the dead, wounded and dying. Flagg and the Captain were killed outright. The Refugees forced Greene to mount a horse and retreated upon Pinesbridge by a lane which then led to the Main or Crompond road thro’ a piece of woods which at that time extended to the main road. This lane was considerably south of the present lane which leads from Davenport House to Crompond road, and was a much nearer route to Pines Bridge. Greene held on the horse till they were just coming out of the wood into the main road. He then fell off, and they found he had fainted, and was dying from loss of blood. They then laid him on a bank by the side of a wood and passed on. Major Morrell escaped the disaster of Davenport house by accident. He happened to pass that eventful night at a Mrs. Remsen’s who lived somewhere near Pinesbridge (courting ‘twas said). Returning to Headquarters (where

- Hufeland Index Page 655 -

he staid) next morning he heard a noise which seemed to approach. He reined up his horse, listened, and looking in the direction from which the sound came saw the glittering of the soldiers caps and swords. Spurring his horse he leaped him over the fence and concealed himself in a thicket until the detachment had passed by. The widow Griffen’s house stood above the Croton on the north side of the Crompond road. She was born Brundage. The widow Budd’s house stood below the Croton, and at Pinesbridge on the left side of the road leading to White Plains, and on the right of the road leading to the North Castle Church – She was born Griffen. The only Dutch families, I remember that lived at Pinesbridge during the Revolutionary war were the Juhels who lived near a mile from the bridge on the left, near where the White Plains road now leaves the turnpike, and the Buckout’s who lived on the right side

- Hufeland Index Page 656 -

of the Sing Sing road, but further on. The Buckout family lived on the Courtland farm in a long, low house on the right. The British party that burnt Crompond advanced circuitiously, crossing the Croton at Vail’s or some other ford, and coming from an unexpected quarter into the Crompond road at Halleck’s then called Delavan’s Mills. I saw T[otten] (or who ever commanded) and his troops (which were all horse) as they retired across the Croton by Pinesbridge. I think there were no negroes at Davenport house, but my grandfathers, when Greene was surprised.”