Macdonald, John. Interview with Bates, Jonathan, c.1772-1854; (1846). Experiencing the Neutral Ground of the American Revolution: The McDonald Interviews, WCHS item 1241. Transcription courtesy of the Westchester County Historical Society (No copyright - United States).

- Hufeland Index Page 344 - Mr. Jonathan Bates, of Darian, who said: "I am 74, and remember well the taking of the Middlesex congregation. Capt. - Hufeland Index Page 345 - William Frost and his party landed at night - marched 4 or 5 ^2 or 3 miles and secreted them- -selves in a wood a short distance from the church. When the hour of service approached they sent forward a man …

I want to use you." Four or five of the congregation escaped by leaping from the window and running. Among these were two sons of Mr. Mather; and others escaped by hiding behind the women's clothes. One man was wounded in the leg in crossing the fence. They tied the congregation two and two, together and marched them to the islands at the mouth of the Five Mile River - (the …

As the large vessel could not approach them, the Refugees swam their horses off to her when they were taken on board. I have always heard that they took thirty six horses and thirty six pillions . It was as late as 10 at night when they all re-embarked. I have seen he Rev. Moses Mather walking in the road armed with a musket, and I have always heard it said and believe that he …

He halted in a thick wood of very high trees where he remained till the afternoon - having landed at night and gained the wood before daylight. A swamp thickly co- -vered with high brushwood and alders intervened in the direction of the church between the Refugees and some higher ground with young timber and brushwood, so that they gained the road unperceived. They were in …

Here the Refugees took shelter from the fire of Davenport's men. The tree, next day, was found perforated with bullets. The armed vessel not being able to reach the island in con- -sequence of a calm, a galley, armed with swivels, rode into the channel which separates the Fish Islands, and maintain- -ed a constant fire upon the Americans pre- -venting them from crossing the …

(?) See account at 2/50 and 3/67. - On the 7th of June, 1779, a party from Long Island landed near Gorham's harbor and surprised a small guard of ten or twelve men at Gorham's mills, in Stam- -ford, which was at the time engaged in playing cards by moonlight in the farm yard of one Pennoyer, sitting on some logs by the mill dam. The Refugees who landed advanced on the east …