Smith, Joshua, c.1767-1856
John M. McDonald interview — 1846-10-29
Joshua Smith (c.1767-1856) begins his interview by explaining why the eastern portion of North Castle is called Middle Patent. According to Smith, the Refugees raided Middle Patent twice. Joshua’s father, David Smith, slept away from his home for fear of being taken prisoner. Despite his efforts, David was taken prisoner twice. Although he was paroled the first time, he was taken to Manhattan after his second capture and died of smallpox. Smith then states that Shubal Brush guided the British to Danbury, Connecticut, during Tryon’s raid there in 1777. He also notes that Benjamin Clapp stored money and goods at the home of Francis Nash in Greenwich, Connecticut, which is why that structure was burned by the British.
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Transcription
418 225 76 Giles Sutherland cont. (3) Dr. Palmer and wife – When Mosier killed Theall, his Company lay in a wood near Round Hill and he ambuscaded him in the afternoon at a narrow and rocky pass.
October 29th Joshua Smith of Middle Patent: * The Stamford and Greenwich [margin: See orig. p. 37.] Party (?) obtained a grant from the Six Nashes (?) for land eight miles from the Sound northerly, which left an oblong tract between Bedford, Stanwich and Greenwich, four miles wide. This was discovered by the * They first bought the Indian title, and intended to buy 12 miles north from the Sound; but [considering?] the [Counties?] County (?) had enough determined to buy only eight miles north. – [page break] 226 419 77 New York Speculators who bought the Indians out and obtained a grant from the Crown. Hence the name of Middle Patent.
Refugees were here twice. First time probably, July 1st 1780, when Colonel [Holmes?] [Holmes?] took off cattle. Captain Trinkle was along. They came along before sun rise.
My father, David Smith, slept away at night for fear of being taken, and came home that morning to take care of the bees which were swarming. Father and several neighbors were taken and paroled by Delancey, when taken the first time.
The second visit of the Refugees, I think, – (a more guess) was when Major H. made an excursion to North Castle in February 1781. – Father was taken this second time, carried to New York, caught small pox, and died in 1782.
Shubal Brush of Middle [page break] 420 227 78 Patent, about a quarter of a mile from here guided the British to Danbury. He was one of the Danbury guides beyond a doubt. Benjamin Clapp had money and goods in Nash's house which was the reason they burnt it. It was situated on the Post road by the bridge over Byram river.
October 24. Frederick Post, of Yonkers: The British army encamped three summers successively about the middle of the war at Mile Square, from Yonkers to Valentine's Hill and so to East Chester. St. Indians cut off at Devoes. – [margin: * Stockbridge Indians.] Many of them were found dead afterwards in the woods.