Macdonald, John. Interview with Oakley, Sarah; (1851-10-20). Experiencing the Neutral Ground of the American Revolution: The McDonald Interviews, WCHS item 1078. Transcription courtesy of the Westchester County Historical Society (No copyright - United States).

- Hufeland Index Page 1071 - October 20th Miss Sarah Oakley, at Mr. Nathaniel Valentine's, Tuckey- -hoe, &c.: "I don't know whether the guides had commissions. There is none among my father's papers. It was at General Washington's Head- -quarters that my father dined when they urged him to go below as a spy. - Hufeland Index Page 1072 - Several other officers besides …

It was, I believe, in the Sugar House in Liberty Street where he was confined. In jail he went by the name of the Quaker, in consequence, probably, of his father belonging to the Friends. He had many friends in New York who furnished him with provisions. These were always left 'for the Quaker.' By good address he made the jailer his warm friend. When he determined upon an …

It was almost the hour of noon, upon a very warm August day, when he gained the public street, and he forth with commenced walking as fast as he could in the direction of Haerlem, holding his handkerchief to his face constantly, under pretence of wiping off the perspiration. It was about the middle of the afternoon when he reached the widow Day's Tavern at the head of Haerlem …

Finding that he should not able to procure a boat he asked for a cord in order that he might construct a raft for the purpose of crossing Haerlem river with dry clothes. She supplied him with one of her bed-cords, and also, at his request, with a bottle of brandy and some crackers. A signal was agreed upon between them, upon hearing which he was to escape from the house where …

Weary and discouraged he now began to despair, and, for a while, relaxed all further efforts to get across. At length, a large bird - Hufeland Index Page 1077 - alighted upon his clothes, and, after remaining awhile, again took wing and flew to the West chester shore. Regarding this as a good omen, he summoned up all his remaining powers, and, after struggling for a long time …

Concealing himself during daylight, he travelled carefully and circuitously at night, and, at length after suffering much from hunger and fatigue, he reached an American outpost." Immediately on receiving them you shall be furnished with the copies which my brothers have sent to Washington of my father's papers, and the affidavits accompanying them, &c. John and Isaac were …