Macdonald, John. Interview with Barker, William, 1764-1859; (1850-10-23). Experiencing the Neutral Ground of the American Revolution: The McDonald Interviews, WCHS item 1065. Transcription courtesy of the Westchester County Historical Society (No copyright - United States).
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- Hufeland Index Page 1056 - October 23 [and 20th] William Barker, of Eastchester, aged : "John and Isaac as well as their brother Cornelius [Bar- -ker] were guides for the American and French armies. Isaac was the father of Mr. Stephen Barker. Gilbert, brother of Elijah Vincent, went above and joined the Whigs. He was taken soon after at Croton by a party of Refugees from …
Gilbert Vincent, Junr, was the only smith in the shop at the time, and he declined shoeing the horse on the ground that they were out of coal, or for some reason of that kind. This was considered an insuffi- -cient excuse, and some of the West Chester guides were along with the horsemen and knew that the father and Elijah were strong tories. The whole of the American and …
Elijah Vincent was rather small, but a well made man and of uncommon courage. He returned from Nova Scotia soon after the war, and lived in West Chester County for several years. His daring character was well known, and secured him from insult, and he finally settled in Canada where he died. He had a quarrel once after the war with Cornelius Oakley at White Plains and offered …
He kept a handsome pleasure boat with which he sometimes attended the New York markets. I once went down with him in company with some other boys, and we all took our turns at the oar. In the afternoon, when about to return, he said to us, "Now boys, we've got a good boat, let's buckle to and get back soon." I was saucy and answered, "Yes, Sir, we'll give her the spurs!" My …
In the afternoon, when about to return, he said to us, "Now boys, we've got a good boat, let's buckle to and get back soon." I was saucy and answered, "Yes, Sir, we'll give her the spurs!" My answer was much laughed at at the time and considered a good one. Captain Fowler - Hufeland Index Page 1060 - upon this occasion wore a large pair of silver spurs. Capt. Fowler had been …