Randell, John, 1772-1850
John M. McDonald interview — 1849-10-27
Mr. Randall is likely John Randell (1772-1850), the son of Jonathan Randel for whom Randall’s Island is named. He recalls Day’s Tavern, which was located in northern Manhattan, and discusses Mrs. Day and her family. Randell recounts what he saw during the Franco-American reconnaissance-in-force into the southwest Bronx on July 22, 1781. He is unable to answer several questions, including the location of Van de Water’s Heights, where American Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Knowlton and Major Thomas Henly were buried, and where the Loyalist Refugee settlement was located in Morrisania.
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
919 269 10 York State Prison.
The Refugee troops, I believe, in general did not receive pay or clothing, but they all drew provisions.
[margin: Post] Mrs. Day's Tavern stood the first house below Peter Myers on the left hand going to New York. that is, on the east side of the old Post road. I don't know whether she ever kept Morris's house for Genl. Knyphausen when it was his head quarters. Her name is Cintje Day, and she gave name to the Cintje apple which first grew in her gar -den or in her place.
October 27th. Mr. Randall of 115th St. East river – opposite Randall's and Wards Island: "I remember Mrs Day who kept a tavern on the old Post road under Harlem Heights. She had a daughter who
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270 920 11 married one Abraham (?) King, a shipping merchant of New York. A few years since one of King's sons built a house upon his grandmother Day's place which, I believe, he has since sold. I think there are several grandsons of Mrs. Day named King, now living in New York.
On the 22d of July 1781, I saw a Refugee who was taking horses across Haerlem river, chased by the Americans and French, but he escaped with the horses. At this time there was a British battery where Judge Graham's house now is, and a fort and cannon upon Snake Hill.
The old road at Morrisania, I think, passed along the Hill down.
During the hard winter a British vessel was frozen up opposite my Brother's near the old Ferry.
I don't know where Vande Water's Heights were, or where Col. Knowlton and Major Henly were buried, or where the Refugee settlement stood that was burnt in 1781.