Mullinex, Jesse, 1764-1853
John M. McDonald interview — 1846-11-18
Jesse Mullineux (1764-1853), whose name is usually spelled Mullinex, resided on City Island in present-day Bronx County during the Revolutionary War. He recounts an unsuccessful attempt made by a force of Westchester County Militia commanded by Colonel Thomas Thomas to capture City Island. Regarding the leanings of the residents of City Island, Mullinex indicates that a number of Loyalists came from upper Westchester County and stayed there during the conflict. In a note at the end of the interview, John Macdonald contradicts Mullinex, noting his belief that the residents of City Island were “royalists undoubtedly to a man.”
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
139 370 28. PARTS an American, as did many (some) others Samuel Fairweathers and Alexander Hunt were two of Hazletts guides. – Hazlett's party advanced in profound silence and managed so as to kill the Sentry (a Long Island Indian) who was posted near the road side before he could give alarm the British (by bayoneting him). [margin: attack on Rogers &c]
November 18 Jesse Mullineaux :- Captain Baxter may have been in the long boat, but I think he did not command us who were on the shore on the 2d of August 1778. Thomas's attempt was made just at day break. We had heard of his intention of coming and were in our guard, and commenced firing before he left the main land (with 26. [page break] 140 371 29. PARTS our long pieces). [Duck guns probably.] (The boat then commenced firing her swivels &c) You can fire across the water to the main in many places. The two flat boats held each about thirty, and the whale boats (which was very long) about 25 men. Most of the inhabitants of [City] Island were old residents, but some Refugees came from above and staid there. – The Barnes's lived there, but not the Lynches. After the agreement between the Refugees and the guard ship men we were seldom disturbed. [The inhabitants of [City] Island were royalists undoubtedly to a man. – J. M. M. ]