Macdonald, John. Interview with Lyon, Martha Banks, 1764-1849; (1848-11-04). Experiencing the Neutral Ground of the American Revolution: The McDonald Interviews, WCHS item 962. Transcription courtesy of the Westchester County Historical Society (No copyright - United States).

- Hufeland Index Page 804 - Novr. 4th. Martha, wife of James Lyon before mentioned, and daughter of John Banks of Middle Patent: "I am 88, one year only older than my husband. Once towards the close of the war, early about daylight of a Sunday morning in the Fall, I think, Colonel Holmes at the head of a party of Refugees came to my father's house in the Middle Patent. Father …

My father then reasoned with and shamed Colonel Holmes for allowing an old acquaintance to be robbed. He replied "That is the usage of war." Just before this I heard them say, "Give up your money, or you are a dead man!" I ran into the room in my night dress, and knocked up the muzzle of a gun pointed at my father's breast They took off all our bed clothes and most of our …

They spared the tories when the Refugees came up, but plundered the whigs." [Does not the foregoing account of the plundering excursion to Middle Patent towards the close of the war relate to Colonel Hatfield's foray of July 1st 1780? J. M. M.] "Colonel Holmes insisted upon taking my father prisoner notwith- -standing all he could say, and sat down and wrote and gave him a …