Tuttle, Elizabeth Archer
John M. McDonald interview — 1846-10-09
Elizabeth Archer Tuttle notes that after the Refugee settlements in present-day Bronx County were destroyed, the inhabitants removed to Manhattan. The Refugees only returned to the Bronx for daytime duty. She expresses a low opinion of Maccaboy, an officer in British service; however, John Macdonald notes that he must have held a commission, as after he was taken prisoner he was exchanged for American Captain Daniel Williams. Mrs. Tuttle also recalls that after “M’s house” was burned, three sleds with American wounded were taken to her father’s house. She concludes with a remark about Westchester Guide Brom Dyckman, who came to her father’s house during the raid led by Captain Nathaniel Cushing.
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Transcription
450 279 108 so that he could grape his way in the dark, having been previously engaged as Cushing's guide. He guided Cushing's party in the dark, feeling his way. [They must have advanced within 200 yards of Post No 8, passing between it and the road to avoid the patrols. J. M. M.] Cushing's party when they approached Archer's house, took to the fields and crossed the road north and west of No 8.
October 9th Mrs. Elizabeth Tuttle: After the Refugee Settlements were destroyed they all cleared out to York Island, and came back for duty only in the day time, returning to York Island at night. Maccaboy, I think, bore no commission, and was a bad man. It was said he was a broken officer. (This can't be so, for he was exchanged for Capt Williams) *When M's. house was burnt, they [margin: (Mead's house ?)] 106
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280 451 109 brought three sled loads of wounded American to my father's house who were overtaken at New Rochelle. One, a negro whose hand was cut off. They were cut and hacked to pieces, and there was snow on the ground then. When Brom. Dyckman came to my father's So (Cushing ?) it was not very cold. (See page 108.)
October 9th William Archer. - Went with him & examined remains of Fort No. 8. on his land which is a higher elevation than Morris's - that is, where Lewis Morris's house stands. [The site of No. 8. is the highest ground on the east margin of Harlem creek.] Fort George, on Laurel hill, stood nearly but not exactly opposite to No. 8, being a little south and east of No. 8. Both my father's and my grand father's name was Benjamin Archer. Samuel Archer: "I believe my house which is the same my father occupied during the Revolutionary war was the headquarters of Col. Delancey for a while. My sister Eliza Tuttle living under the hill east of Madame St. Jean's knows how this is."