Tallmadge, Henry Floyd, 1787-1854
John M. McDonald interview — 1848-09-27
Henry Floyd Tallmadge (1787-1854) was a son of Benjamin Tallmadge (1754-1835), who served as a major in the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons. Commanded by Colonel Elisha Sheldon, this unit was often known as Sheldon’s Horse. Henry Tallmadge provides John Macdonald with information regarding officers in Sheldon’s Horse that he gleaned from viewing his father’s papers and journal. Among the officers he mentions is Lieutenant James Dole, who was seriously wounded by Loyalist Shubael “Shube” Merritt on August 17, 1780.
Manuscript page facsimiles
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Transcription
122 680 13. not refunded. He was intimate with Colonel James DeLancey and considered the British government right as respected the civil contest. He received compensation from Great Britain for the loss of his property at Bedford, but I am now urging a claim upon the British government for lands to which he was entitled from the Crown, &c.
Sept. 27th Henry F. Tallmadge, of 13 St. Marks Place and 1 Hanover St. “I will send you for examination and copy my fathers list of the officers and privates of Colonel Sheldon’s regiment of Dragoons, with memorandum of the services &c and also my copy of my fathers journal, kept in the war of the Revolution. I looked over the Journal which contains interesting particulars of the battle of White Plains – of Colonel [page break] 681 14. Sheldon’s surprise at Poundridge – of Genl. Tallmadge’s services in the lines – of Lieut. Dole – of the capture of Andre, &c. & his trial and death, &c.
From the Regimental list and record it appears that Lieut. Colonel Jamison was transferred to Sheldon’s regiment from the First Regiment of Light Dragoons, and that he was a Virginian from Fairfax County
That Dole was wounded and taken prisoner on the 17th day of August, 1780, in King Street, &c and made a Lieutenant afterwards &c.
That there was a Lieutenant named Dole, who is not mentioned as having been wounded or taken prisoner, but who was an older officer than James.
That Lieutenant Elijah James was wounded and taken in the latter part of October 1780.
That Major Tallmadge narrowly escaped an ambuscade on the day Dole was wounded – James Dole. [page break] 126 682 15. That Joshua King was a Lieutenant in Sheldons, &c.
That Rhea and Newley were Lieutenants, &c. &c.
I am to have these papers with me at Flushing on my return from West Chester.
October 7th Mr Buckout of Morrisania: “I have always heard that the Refugee Settlement burnt in 1781, stood in what is called the “Nat Woods”, a little east of Morrisania Church and a little north of the eminence or knoll which is north east of the house I live in. There are at the present time some remains of the huts. An old Frenchman