Odell, Jackson, 1792-1849
John M. McDonald interview — 1845-09-15
Jackson Odell (1792-1849) was a son of John Odell, one of the Westchester Guides. He describes the route taken by the British force commanded by Colonel Chapple Norton that attacked American troops at the Battle of Youngs’ House. Although news of the advance reached the American commander, Colonel Joseph Thompson, he disregarded it. Odell then describes Loyalist Thomas Merritt, a brother of Shubael Merritt, and notes that he was protected by John Odell when he was in Westchester County after the war. Odell comments on the “excellent discipline” of the French soldiers during their time in Westchester County, and indicates that Colonel Joseph Thompson placed an outpost at Ikendahl Allaire’s near Youngs’ House prior to the Battle of Youngs’ House. He concludes by describing a skirmish that took place in April 1780 as the American force led by Captain Nathaniel Cushing moved northward through Greenburgh after conducting a raid into present-day Bronx County.
Manuscript page facsimiles
High-resolution images served from the Westchester County Historical Society's IIIF endpoint. Click any page to view full size.
Transcription
140 13 5. 1845
which Mr. Dyckman said he momently expected.
Colonel Hammond told me that Emmerick was surprised upon some occasion at the corner of a wood which stands on the north side of the (Sprain) Saw Mill (?) road, about one mile south west of Young's house. (?)
Infantry attack upon Donop and Mertz in Edgars Lane. The principal guide was Isaac Odell (a cousin of Colonel John Odell [Nick] who charged along with Major Lee. – It was the same Odell, generally called Nick Odell, who was taken at Versailles. He was a Guide).
September 15th Jackson Odell: On enquiring, I find a Norton advanced by the Tuckeyhoe road to Harts Corner and took the Sprain (or Meeting House) road (formerly called Allaire's road) to Young's. At Harts Corner, Mr. Reed went express with the news. Mr Campbell
[page break]
141 14 6. 1845. B
[margin: W. Colonel Thomas Merritt a brother of Shubael Merritt. Who first told Mr. Macdonald, when to go warred? Next, with Simms. After the war, when Simms was appointed Gov. of Upper Canada, he made Merritt a Sheriff of a county name not given. See Note Book 1844.] and Colonel William Hammond, then a boy, thereupon advanced on horseback to reconnoitre. Thompson said "they are only a few cowboys." Colonel Merritt & Simms – at dinner pr Sec. Balon – ordered to follow to Newyork. Col. Odell protected Colonel Merritt – who kept a small store at Chappaqua after the war. Cornl. Odell and others going to and from him – Odell said: "He has also behaved like an Officer and Gentleman – kind to prisoners – though an enemy – [margin: (Gill?)] Captain Abraham and (I) lived at James Tompkins – Excellent discipline of French troops. Colonel Thompson's outpost at Ikendahl Allaire's about a quarter [margin: the [illegible] [illegible] [illegible]] or half mile from Young's. Captain Acker joined Cushing's party with a company of militia in the fields with Col. Odell's south of the road near N. Chains. Here Cushing left the rear and put it under Lieutenant Blake and he himself took Command of the van. At this place De Lancey attempted a charge. He (or the Officer who commanded) had a body
[page break]
142 17 7. 1845
of refugees as well as Yager Cavalry.
Sept. 15th Captain John Romer Captain Pray was in ambuscade with a party a little above Mr. Beekman's when Ogden surprised Reguas. At Tarry town they killed Israel Martling. John Van Tassel was posted as Sentinel near the house and challenged the enemy who charged. He fired, defended himself with his bayo -net, but was surrounded and cut to pieces by the dragoons. The men then jumped out of the windows &c.
[ At Norton's attack he left his cannon at or near James Sniffen's two miles from Young's. The man named Falconer executed at White Plains – Jackson, Odell and John Romer.]
Capt. John Romer: "I married the daughter of Cornelius Van Tassel and I and my family are his sole representatives.