Miller, Margaret
John M. McDonald interview — 1845-12-09
Margaret Miller notes that her father, Caleb Paulding (Horton), and uncle, Jonathan H. Paulding (Horton), were both ardent supporters of independence, and as such her family suffered greatly during the Revolutionary War. Her mother was so traumatized by the frequent robberies that took place at their house that she was terrified by the barking of dogs at night even after the end of the war. During one raid, Loyalist Major Mansfield Bearmore set fire to the family’s cider mill, but Margaret’s mother successfully pleaded with him not to burn their house. Mrs. Miller concludes by recalling a French officer who had his headquarters at her family’s house in 1781.
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
60 325 1845 [margin: daughter of Caleb Paulding see page 315 Robert Miller] [margin: see also 294] 190. [margin: Miller] Dec. 9th. Mrs Margaret Miller wife of the aforesaid Robert Fisher, and a daughter of Caleb Paulding: "My father Caleb, and my uncle Major Jonathan H. Paulding, were both strong and resolute not to say violent whigs. I don't know whose regiment my uncle belonged to. Father and uncle were, in consequence of their decided characters and principles repeatedly plundered by Refugees and Cowboys. Our house was robbed so often that to the last moment of her life my mother was terrified when she heard the barking of a watch dog at night. It was on a Saturday in the summer season that Major Barmore burnt our Cider Mill and carriage shed, compelling my mother to bring out a burning brand and firing the Cider mill roof with her own hand. He wanted to burn our dwelling house at the same time, but my mother
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63 326 1845 191. cried and begged that he would not, & one of his men moved by her distress, interceded in her behalf and persuaded his commander to do no more injury. When the French army lay at White Plains, a French major had his quarters at my fathers house. This major was extremely kind to us children, making pictures for us, and amusing us in various ways."