Macdonald, John. Interview with Odell, Jackson, 1792-1849; (1845-09-30). Experiencing the Neutral Ground of the American Revolution: The McDonald Interviews, WCHS item 1469. Transcription courtesy of the Westchester County Historical Society (No copyright - United States).

- Hufeland Index Page 182 - Sept.30 Jackson Odell: Captain Pray, as I have always understood was a Rhode Islander. Col. John Odell's famous gray horse presented to him by Governor Van Courtland broke loose and escaped on the surprise of Captain Williams at Orsers house, but running northerly for Colbergh was recovered. Gen. Vaughan was encamped at Odells hill for Six (?) …

Odell advised him to place them in the barn and to throw the double doors open when the enemy came up, but he persisted in putting them behind the building. When the enemy approached with their vanguard of horse, the Yank- -kees could not be prevented from peeping and the ambuscade being thus discovered the horsemen all pulled up but one and receiving the fire at a distance …

a pocket book, some money, other papers and letters, &c, was a letter from General Washington to Colonel Greene, in which this expression was used, "Take DeLancey at all events." DeLancey said he was informed of this by his spies and determined to strike the first blow. My father used to say he considered this one of the boldest and best conducted enterprises that occurred …

My father being down with a flag in 1778, Colonel DeLancey took him aside and told him he had better withdraw from the lines for a while, as some of his men whose - Hufeland Index Page 186 - relatives had had their houses and barns destroyed were deter- -mined to retaliate upon the Odell and Dyckman families and he would not be able to prevent them from destroying the houses …