RECOLLECTIONS OF THE REVOLUTION BY JUDGE CALEB TOMPKINS 1 (Found among the McDonald papers in the Library of the New York Historical Society and probably written for Mr. McDonald's use.) All that I know about the ancestry of my Father, is what I have heard from him; that in the early settlement of West-chester County, three Brothers emigrated to this County, from England, and purchased the whol…

When he was about four years old, Capt. Jonathan Griffen who lived near by, took a fancy to him, and he was bound to him by Indenture until he was 21 years old, to learn the farming business, which Indenture I have seen and read. After he was 21 Capt. Griffen having no children of his own, adopted him as his son and had him baptized by the name of Jonathan Griffen. From that time and for several y…

Griffen conveyed to him one hundred acres of land without either buildings or orchard. He rented a house of Thomas Vail for one year, on the farm adjoining his own, where Daniel D. Tompkins was born June 21st 1774, and which after Vail's death he purchased, whereon I have resided for the last 50 years. The house and barn on this one hundred acres (conveyed by Capt. Griffen) was built during the ye…

THE FIRST BLOOD SHED IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY In the latter part of September 1775 some British vessels of war came up to the east river and lay off Suttons (now called Delancy's Neck) at Mamaroneck, it was suspected with a view to land and plunder. The militia of the lower part of the County, who were called out to rendezvous at Mamaroneck under the command of Major Gen'l Lewis Morris. While there,…

When the party came near, Lounsberry fired upon them but did no injury; some of the party returned the fire and wounded one Bloomer Nelson in the knee. Lounsberry ran off, Floods singled him out, pursued, came up with him, and ordered him to surrender, he refused and fought Floods with his gun. Floods run him through with his bayonet, and in his breeches pocket were found his enlisting Orders-- S…

Williams informed me he could always command the militia horse very well, going down to West Chester & Morrisania (where Delancy's regiment of refugees were stationed) & while there, but in returning, one wanted to stop to see one friend, another, another friend, some would stop to get a drink of cider, others a drink of buttermilk &c that it was very difficult to get them along-- Some time in th…

George McChain a young man about 19 years of age, was overtaken soon after he got on the ice and cut to pieces while on his knees begging for quarter. Williams (who did not get off his horse) after running about 1/4 mile on the ice, his horse gave out, finding he should be taken, dismounted. Col. Holmes & Capt. Totten came up with him; Williams told them he was their prisoner & gave them his sword…

The rest of the party were coming on crying out "Kill the d--d rebel &c," when Williams, (having given up his sword, had nothing to defend himself with, & was sure of being cut to pieces) mounted his horse & ran off another quarter as fast as the first; finding it impossible to escape he turned his horse's head toward the channel of the river, determined to run in & drown himself, rather than be c…

Totten came near enough to strike at him with his sword or cut the end of his nose so as to draw blood, when Odell gave a back handed stroke & cut Totten on the shoulder or cheek, when they ceased further pursuit. After they left him, Odell attempted to take up his horse when his feet slipped from under him, & he went several rods on the ice, he hung to him, as the horse ran, sprung on his back & …

They went to West Chester & found that Delancy with his horse had gone to New York. They secreted themselves until his return. When Delancy returned, his horse with another indifferent one & a sprightly mare, (that had been taken from the upper part of the County) were turned into a meadow in part of which there was corn, & two black boys set to watch the horses & keep them from getting into the c…

Jonathan Pawling Horton, Thomas Ferris & Jedediah Owens went down with a view of bringing them off. Owens who had charge of the ropes, lost them, & the Refugees on the neck found them. They then sent scouts in every direction to search the neck, & they searched so thoroughly for them, that they got up into the top of a large tree, to spend the night. They had been there but a short time, when 5 or…

Horton & Owens made their escape. One of the Refugees pursued Ferris & he ran through a field of his Mothers, where before he left home, large stones had been dug up & left holes in the ground; he crooked about among these holes until the refugees plunged into one, then Ferris made his escape. Luther Kinnicut who was acting as spy for the Americans was on the neck at that time, & he, with one Robe…

Green (a stout athletic Southerner) was stationed with his regiment a little below Pinesbridge. Col. Delancy with his regiment of Tory refugees, accompanied by British troops marched up with a view of surprising Green which they did, he not being sufficiently on his guard. Major Flagg of Green's regiment, had retired; hearing the noise he got up & sitting on the bedside discharged a pistol through…

60 THE McDONALD PAPERS THE ATTACK ON COL. THOMPSON Col. Thompson was stationed at Young's house, with his regiment, in the winter of 1780 which was near the line of what now are the towns Greenburgh & Mount Pleasant. Col. Thompson had sent one company of his men to the west near Saw Mill river & another to the east where Abraham Davis resided. They found the Enemy were approaching near them with…

Paulding, Williams & Van Wart were all natives of the town of Greenburg & resided (as also their parents) neighbors to each other, near Saw Mill river. They with 5 or 6 others went near Tarrytown, to capture, whatever might be going to the enemy. Paulding & Van Wart & Williams secreted themselves near the road, while the rest of the party went down near the river to keep a lookout. Paulding & Van …

Mosier said he would consider on it--knowing (as he told me) that they would frequently promise quarters & when they surrendered cut them to pieces. Holmes parleyed with him some minutes, then drew a pistol & discharged it at Mosier, the ball passing near his temple, Holmes was in the act of drawing another, when Mosier leveled his piece at him & ordered him to return his pistol, or he would blow …

Mosier not knowing but they might have Infantry (as they frequently had) marched off without having a man hurt, & wounding 9 of the enemy. After Mosier went off, the enemy returned, procurred a carriage & carried Kipp off who it was said recovered of his wound. This affair was published in the papers at the time & great credit bestowed on Mosier for his bravery & skill. Shortly after the war Mosie…

Althouse not returning as soon as expected, Barnes with his company was sent out to reinforce him. He was met by a Capt. Levens-worth of the American army (a young officer, of about 19 years of age) a native of New England with his company, at the point of a hill. Barns retreated round the hill, to the other side, where he was again met by Levensworth & sur-rendered with his whole company. Without…

Samuel Delevan who commanded a company of rangers was stationed at Judge Ward's house & went down every day to protect these teams). Mr. Crawford called to see his sister & fell in the rear of the teams. The refugees came into the house, & he surrendered himself a prisoner. One of them asked him his name & as soon as he told it run him through with his bayonet. He was taken to King's bridge, throw…

After entering the lower part of the house & finding no one there, (the rangers, some of them secreting themselves in different parts of the house & some made their escape out the back door) Campbell's men made a pricipitate retreat, there being a large company of militia, at a house about 1/4 mile distant who, on hearing the firing, instead of coming to aid the rangers all ran off. The Enemy com…

He was then a member of the provincial congress; then chosen on a committee of safety which committee met at Esopus (now Kingston) & administered the government until the constitution was framed, he was a member at the framing of the first constitution of this state. After the constitution was framed he was appointed one of the Judges, which office he held until appointed first judge. Of the offic…