Macdonald, John. Interview with McGowan, Margaret Benson, 1766-1851; (1845-12-16). John M. McDonald Interviews, 1844-1851, WCHS item 1280. Westchester County Historical Society. Transcribed by history.croton.news April 2026.
1846.
204,
December 16th Mrs. Benson
McGowan: "Randalls Island
now owned by the New York Corporation
was the property of Captain Montressor
before the Revolutionary war. It was
confiscated, and after peace passed into
the hands of Captain Randall,
a native of Harlem, father of David
Randall Esq, Captain Randall was
a tory, raised a company of Provincials
and received a commission which he
afterw…
The Skirmish at Haerlem in
which Colonel Knowlton fell, took place
near where the De Peysters lived, and
so north of there, that is, in the vicinity
of the Bloomingdale Asylum.
The Blue Bell was a taver on the
Post road near Fort Washington; and
which before and during the Revolutionary
war, was kept by Blazius Moore, father
of Blazey Moore who lives now in the
Bowery.
Colonel Roger Morris's hou…