Schureman, John, b.1766
John M. McDonald interview — 1848-12-09
The 1850 United States Census indicates that John Schureman was born in 1766, not 1796 as is written in this interview. He recalls that on October 27, 1776, the night before the battle of White Plains, all or part of the British army passed his father’s house on present-day Quaker Ridge Road while going from North Avenue to Weaver Street. He also notes that the road that ran from DeLancey’s house in Mamaroneck toward the Quaker Meeting House in Scarsdale was a private road at the time of the Revolutionary War, but has since become a public street. Schureman then recounts the murder of his father, Jeremiah, by a group of Loyalists who came to his house to steal his cows. He concludes by describing the death of Loyalist Shubael Merritt, and notes that he saw Merritt’s body after he was killed.
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
[margin: VARIES] [margin: 1796? 1766?] Dec. of John Schureman of New Rochelle: I was born at New Rochelle in 1796. The night before the battle of White Plains (I think) the British army or part of it, passed my father's house on the cross road from North River to Scarsdale by the Quakers Meeting House. It was a bright, moonlight night and we had not gone to bed.
In the Revolutionary war the road that now runs west from DeLancey's house (and near where the School house was) towards the Quaker Meeting House was a private road or lane leading to several farm houses. It is now a public highway.
Sometime towards the end of the war Elijah Vincent, John Anderson, Josh. Ferris, Peter Ferris, and James Ferris came in the night to my fathers house to steal his cows. He had for Safety in a pen by the house. My.
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[margin: VARIES] father went out and remonstrated &c saying that he knew them, upon which they beat him severely. He then went in, leant upon the half door and looked out. John Anderson (related to Major Anderson) then shot him dead by my side; and never spoke afterwards. He had the name of being a Whig, but did not take an active part. He was attacked, probably, in consequence of being a Whig. He was a Presbyterian.
The widow Toulon's family told me that Shubael Merritt asked for quarters and the whole boat men said "Give up! Give up!" He parleyed and dodged towards the door. Reynolds said, "Do you the quarters you gave me," &c. The stairs were circular. As he approached the last steps, Reynolds fired and killed him. I saw him half an hour afterwards. I think some others must have fired, as there was buck shot in his food, and a ball through his body.