236 742 75. October 27th James Hopkins of Round hill aged 83: "The first time that the British regulars came up to North Castle was in the month of May or June. We were hoeing corn the first time. Their force was four or five hundred horse, and about the same number of foot commanded by a general officer who remained at Clapp's in King Street to support the horses. They were Hessians, British an…

When the attack was about to commence Carpenter told Aaron: "Now when we begin to run do you mount my horse and secure him." Accordingly very soon the militia began to retreat, and Aaron ran for the horse which had escaped from his fastening but he secured, mounted him, and escaped by riding down a precipice among rocks where his pursuers (some British dragoons) were not able to follow him. James …

A party of Refugees came up (Kipp's) at the latter end of the war, and towards the break of day they overtook Lieutenant Bouton's company of militia [on Lewis's ground?] Poundridge. Bouton's men were scattered along the road weary with the march - and the main part with Bouton by the Widow B. Dayton's, and the rest near Smith's Tavern where Benjamin Hopkins house had stood. Bouton and the men with…

Fancher got up and wandered about deranged with his head cut so that his brains could be seen to work. He was taken to Gilbert [page break] 244 746 79. Palmer's house. Doctors Belcher and Adams were sent for who dressed his wounds, and soon after he recovered. I saw him afterwards in the service. He was wounded in the right wrist. James Miller was at Colonel Tho- -mas's house at the time that …

They were watched with great care as it had been given out that they would be taken off by persons from above to retaliate for some predatory excursions of the DeLancey's Refugees. It was some time before they could discover where they were kept. At length they found the place and soon after the horses were turned loose, in a large meadow that was surrounded with briers and hazel bushes among whic…

It had been previously [page break] 749 251 been determined that their safest route would be to cross Williams' Bridge notwithstanding the guard constantly kept there. Ferris and Knapp well acquainted with the neighbouring grounds crossed the country towards Williams Bridge with the utmost expedition passing most of the way through open fields and meeting with no obstruction, but taking care to ap…

Two Refugees who belonged to the party they had just passed but who had lagged behind [page break] 253 751 were now approaching in the middle of the road. When our three adventurers had come within hearing distance they cried out as loudly as possible: "Clear the road! -- a race -- a race!" The dragoons they approached wheeled right and left and allowed them to pass, but having recognized the hors…

Ferris now mounted upon a fresh steed, pushed forward to overtake his comrades but in vain. He soon found that the his friend's horse could not run with sufficient speed to save the rider, and on passing a small hollow in the road, when he was secure from observation, he dismounted, threw the reins upon his horses neck, [page break] 257 753 and urging him onward with the whip as fast as he could b…

Here then they gave up the race and returned. Ferris at first thought of going to his mothers at Throgs Neck, but a moments consideration convinced him that this was too hazardous, and he then made his way back on foot to Wright Carpenter's residence at North Castle, in the Kitchen of [page break] whose house which stood opposite the blacksmith's shop near Sam Smiths Tavern, he found Goliah and th…

Ferris at first thought of going to his mothers at Throgs Neck, but a moments consideration convinced him that this was too hazardous, and he then made his way back on foot to Wright Carpenter's residence at North Castle, in the Kitchen of [page break] whose house which stood opposite the blacksmith's shop near Sam Smiths Tavern, he found Goliah and the mare, like himself, safe but weary. Ferris l…