USA > New York > Westchester County > Tarrytown > Souvenir of the revolutionary soldiers' monument dedication, at Tarrytown, N.Y. October 19th, 1894; > Part 17
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Personal Reminiscences.
The following sketch of Ensign Stephen Sherwood of Capt. Israel Honeywell's Company, is furnished by his great-grandson, Mr. James H. Sherwood of Rock City Falls, Saratoga Co. :
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"My great-great-grandfather was Thomas Shearwood (or Sher- wood.) His son Stephen, (Ensign Stephen Sherwood) was my great- grandfather. He was born 1740, and died 1833: I don't know just where iny ancestors lived at the time of the Revolution, but near Tarry- town. They moved from there about the same time as Lt. Isaac Van Wart andsettled in same neighborhood, at Pittstown, Rensselaer County, N. Y. When the Revolutionary war broke out my great-grandfather and his family fled from their home on a farm and saw the British burn the buildings and wheat-stacks for which he had worked so hard. He was an intimate friend of one Acker, a noted Rifleman. This Acker was so expert that for the sport of it, would shoot the caps from a Brit- ishi officer's head, or a button front his coat. He became a terror to the enemy, and a reward was offered for his capture. My great-grandfather camne near losing his life by wearing Acker's overcoat, which for some reason he exchanged his own for. He was mounted, and in company with one Van Wart, when the enemy pursued them. He and Van Wart went across fields, their horses leaping the fences, until they came to a ledge of rocks. They dismounted and for their lives ran up the ledge, but were surrounded. Van Wart was first taken and horribly cut to pieces by the enemy. Sherwood witnessed this butchery, and demanded promise of mercy at their hands, or he would fight till death. Their thirst for blood was satisfied, or else the disappointment in not
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capturing Acker caused them to promise him quarter if he would come down and surrender. He was imprisoned in New York City, but only for three weeks ; was then cxchanged."
Mrs. M. K. Couzens, of Yonkers, is the granddaughter of a Stephen Sherwood who was a soldier of the Revolution on this Manor, though not the Ensign Stephen Sherwood of whom a sketch appears above. Job Sherwood was once taken a prisoner below Sing Sing.
Ensign Thomas Boyce, who lived in the Saw Mill River Valley, near present Elinsford, was wounded in the Morrisania expedition in March, 1782. He was for a long time Justice of the Peace, and was a respected citizen. Abram Boyce died of wounds Dec. 10, 1780 ; and Jacob Boyce was wounded July 22, 1780. All of Col. Hammond's Regi- ment.
Wm. Holiday, who died in Colchester, Delaware Co., N. Y., on 23d day of Feb., 1855, aged 104 years, was born in Rye, Westchester Co. Was a blacksmith, and worked one year, as stated by him, at Tarrytown (probably at the Abram Revierc blacksmith shop near where the Savings Bank is now located), for the Continental Congress, in making bayoncts and repairing muskets. He served three months in a scouting party and afterwards enlisted under Capt. Wmn. Dutcher. Served two campaigns under Capt. Haight. Was in the skirmish at King's Bridge, also in the battle of Long Island, where he was taken prisoner, but escaped. Was in the storming of Stoncy Point where he was severely wounded. Was one of the Guards when Major Andre was executed, and was well acquainted with his Captors. Was in several other skirmishes with the British. In 1761 removed to Harpersfield, N. Y., and in 1765 to Colchester, where he lived 60 years. Was a member of the Baptist Church 76 years, and a Deacon 56 years. Thrice married, and had 13 children, 80 grandchildren, 151 great grand- children, and 17 great-great grandchildren, making the sum total of his posterity 261.
Joseph Paine of Tarrytown-he lived under the hill and near the Martling Landing-was a member of Capt. Honeywell's Company; received two gunshot wounds in the right side, near Philipsburgh, Jan. II, 1781.
بن حمدهندي
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PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.
John Danvers Osborn, son of Danvers Osborn, was a private int Col. Hammond's Regiment, and slain on the field Dec. 17, 1779.
William Champenois, who was wounded with a ball while on the march, by a party of the enemy who lay in ambush, was a pensioner front Sept. 4, 1793-
Solomon Brewer, whose name appears on the monument, is said to have been of the Boston Tea Party. Removed here after the Revo- lution. Was Census Enumerator in 1801. Lived on the White Plains Road beyond Glenville.
. A letter from Gen. Heath dated at Crompond, Feb. 16, 1781, states that "the enemy eame up to Bedford last night, and this morning took S prisoners, including Lieut. Peaeoek, and burnt several houses." That was Lieut. Richard Peacock, of Tarrytown. But it appears that the valiant Lieutenant did not stay "takeni," for a reliable account states that, "After they got to Harlem, Lieut. Peacock escaped by knoeking down the sentry, and going upon an island; the next night he got aeross the main." He lived under the hill at Tarrytown Landing, adjoining Widow Martling.
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Simon Sharpenat, "a private in the late Capt. Gabriel Requa's Company, received two wounds from swords while on a seout to Mor- risania, Dee. 17, 1779 ; one on the back part of his head and neek, and the other on his left hand. Was taken prisoner. Application for State Pension granted July 5, 1786.
Levina Drake, widow of Sergt. Samuel Drake, of Tarrytown, was allowed seven years' half pay on account of the death of her husband who was "slain on the field," as the record states, Dec. 17, 1779.
Cornelius Jones, wlio was a member of Capt. Gabriel Requa's Company, was an aneestor of Dr. R. B Contant of Tarrytown.
Hendrick Banker, a soldier of the Revolution in Capt. Requa's Company, died in October, 1804, aged 78 years, and was buried in the old Dutch Churchyard. He was the son of Frederick, and his stoek mark is recorded in the old Manor Book date of Feb. 18, 1750.
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Nicholas Banker, Corporal ; enlisted in Capt. Gabriel Ro qua's Co. Dee. 15, 1777. On Jan'y 2d, 1778, the Company attacked Company or Corps of British Troops and Refugees in the town of Green .- burgh neat a place called Storins Bridge in which engagement the de- ponent received a wound from a musket ball in his right thigh which confined him to the house until after his term of service had expired. Samuel Youngs states that during the month of Nov., 1776, Nielol .:- Banker was a member of Capt. Sybert Aeker's Co., and stationed a: Peter Van Tassel's ; was wounded in the encounter with Lieut. Alt. house, and he was near to him at that time.
Peter Van Woermer, in his application for a pension says that he entered the service as a private in the Company commanded by Capt. Glode Requa, in Aug., 1777 ; was stationed at Tarrytown at the time the British ships were there; in Aug., 1777, was in Capt. Sybert Acker's Company ; in October of that year enlisted in Capt. Benjamin Dyck- man's Company, Col. Sam'l Drake's Regiment; in May, 1779, was again in Capt. Glode Requa's Company. Was born at Philipse Manor Dee. 25, 1761.
Benjamin Brown says that he enlisted in May, 1779, and so con- tinted until April, 17So, at which time, being quartered at Philipse Manor, now town of Mt. Pleasant, he was taken prisoner by a detach- 111ent of the enemy's troops, and carried to the southern part of the county ; was discharged on parole, and so continued for two years unti: exchanged, Was Ensign of the Company. In the years 1776, 1777. and in the first part of the year 1778, until he obtained his Ensign's Commission, which was in the month of June of that year, he was an Orderly Sergt. in Capt. Ladieu's Co. of Militia, Col. Hammond's Regt. Mr. J. O. Brown of Tarrytown is his grandson.
Isaae Brown, in his application for pension dated Nov. 8, 1831, being then of Mt. Pleasant, states that he enlisted Aug. 31, 1776, in Capt. Ladieu's Co. In 1778 enlisted under Capt. How, I year, and attached to the command of Col. Hugh and was at Verplanek's Point; detailed as a Ferryman ; in 1779 enlisted under Capt. Jonas Orser aud served until April, 1780, when he was wounded and taken prisoner while stationed at Philipse Manor ; was confined in the old Sugar House until exelianged. Was born at Fordham, 1758.
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Richard Garrison, who was for a time Quarter-Master in Col. Hammond's Regiment, was shot in the right breast in an action near Pine's Bridge, July 7, 1779. He had been elected an Assessor of Phil- ipse Manor in April of that same year. In 1786 he received £2.8s. "for numbering the inhabitants of Philipsburgh." Was one of the Deaeons chosen at the organization of the Baptist Church at Sing Sing, Nov. 12, 1790. Was State Pensioner from July 22d, 1788.
Jacob Sypher, in his application for a pension, says that he enlisted in July, 1776, in.Capt. Jesse Baker's Company. Was in Capt. Acker's Company from Dec. 6, 1776, till May, 1777. After that for one year in Captain Jonathan Palding Horton's Company. In May, 1781, he, with his father and his brother John, joined a party of about 60 Continental troops under Capt. Fay. They pursued a party of Brit- ish and Refugees who had been on a scout near the American lines, and that when near Yonkers, and they had not been able to overtake them, they were there met by Col. Delancey with a party of Refugees of about 100 horse and 200 foot, who immediately made an attack on Capt. Fay ; that during the action his brother John was killed, and his father wounded, and he and his father and others captured. The said Jacob Sypher and his father were taken to New York and confined in the old Sugar House Prison about 8 months, and then cxehanged. Was born on Philipse Manor, 1761 ; was living with his father about 2 miles east of Joseph Youngs when he first enlisted. He died Oct. 13, 1835. His widow, Rachel, applied for pension the 29th of April, 1843. Win. Sypher stated that he was the brother of the deccased Jacob ; was then 77 years of age ; was in Capt. Horton's Co. I year, 1777-8, and in Capt. Jesse Baker's Co., 1778-9. The above Jacob Sypher was a grandson of Johannis Sypher (said to have been from Germany) and Leah Buys his wife, they having been married, accord- ing to the old Dutch Church records, Oct. 15, 1731. Had sons Petrus, Williamand Johannis besides Jacob. Johannis, Sr., was an Assessor on Philipse Manor and was an Elder of the old Dutch Church.
Edward Couenhoven was a private in Captain Daniel Martling's company ; was taken prisoner Sept. 27, 1778, and held until Feb. 14, 1779. He was spoken of by his eaptors as being "a gentleman of influence." The records show that Edward Couenhoven was the son of Samuel and Sara Drinkwater Couenhoven, and bapt. in the old
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Reformed Dutch Church of New York, Oct. 9, 1728. He married Annatie Roomc, and had Jacob and other children before removing to Tarrytown, which was probably about 1771-2, as the records show that he and his wife united with the old Dutch Church here by letters from New York, date of Oct. 1, 1772. He died Feb. 26, 1786, and his widow died Nov. 6, 1797. He was the proprietor of the historic Couen- hoven Inn of the Revolution, where Washington was often a guest, and which was recently removed to make room for the new Washing- ton Building at the corner of Broadway and Upper Main Street. It is said that in the part of the house near the chimney was what inight be called an auditory pipe, or square box, built up like the passage-way of a dumb-waiter, from the side of the fire-place to the upper floor, where a person could stand, and, having removed a piece of board that seemed on a cursory view but a part of the inclosure, could apply his ear to the opening and hear everything that was spoken around the fire-place below. In the uncertain days of the Revolution it is said to have been used for the purpose of obtaining information of military movements from persons who stopped at the tavern, and in the talk around the hearth chanced to drop some unguarded word. It was at the Couenhoven Inn, afterwards owned and occupied by the late Martin Smith, that General Washington and Governor George Clinton and their staffs met and sojourned on the night of Nov. 19, 1783, on their way to take formal possession of the city of New York. The sales of the confiscated lands on Philipse Manor also took place at Edward Couenhoven's.
John Jewell, in his application for a pension, date of Feb. 4, 1833, states that he was at Tarrytown when the Rose and Phoenix appeared on the river there in July, 1776. Was in Capt. Glode Requa's Company. In the summer of 1776 employed for a time in sinking the chevaux de frise to pre- vent the British from sailing up the Hudson ; was then stationed at Fort Independence until the retreat of Gen. Washington and the American Army from New York to White Plains, when he was also ordered to that place ; that he was sent with a detachment to Dobbs Ferry, the object being to fire upon and drive off the British vessels lying in the river at that place, and having driven them away the detachment then marched north to Sing Sing, and was stationed there for some time. He then returned to his home ncar Dobbs Ferry ; was soon after driven from the same, and his family during the remainder of the Revolution had a temporary residence in the northern part of Westchester County.
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Being thus exiled from his home, he volunteered and served on the lines in said County. In the Fall of 1780 he was taken prisoner near Pine's Bridge and carried to the city of New York and confined in the Sugar House Prison seven weeks, after which he was exchanged. Was born on the Manor of Cortlandt, in the present town of Yorktown, the 17th day of January 1746, but was a resident of Philipse Manor at the time of the Revolution and still resides there. That John Jewell was the son of Win. Jewell who removed from Cortlandt's Manor in 1760, to the farin just south of present Main St., Irvington, which was in the pos- session of his maternal grandfather, Capt. Jolin Buckhout, Win. Jewell having married his daughter Elizabeth, date of Sept. 30, 1738. William Jewell, the father of John, died 1789, aged 77 years. John Jewell married Elizabeth Lawrence, cousin of Capt. Lawrence, the gal- lant Commander of the " Chesapeake," and had John Jewell, Jr., Martha, and other children. John Jewell, Sr., died Dec. 21, 1838, in his 93d year. Jolin Jewell, J1., married Martha Ferris, daughter of Capt. Oliver Ferris, and had eleven children. ' Of these, Martha married Lemuel Lawrence of Dobbs Ferry. Abigail L. married Joseph Mel- lows, and had Geo. Mellows who married a daughter of the late Seth Bird, and had Sarah E., the wife [of Malcolm Connell of Tarrytown ; also Theodore F. Mellows of Kensico; Win. Mellows of Sing Sing ; Saralı Mellows the wife of E. H. Birdsall of Tarrytown, and Martha Ann Mellows who married Chas Reynolds of Kensico. A son George who lived at Stratford, Connecticut, left a daughter, now Mrs. Minnie Cary, of Des Moines, Iowa. Elizabeth, only daughter of John Jewell of the Revolution, married Jolin Storm and so became the mother of the late Capt. Jacob Storin of this place.
Isaac Delameter states in his application, dated Dec. 5, 1832, that he was in the Expedition to St. Johns and Canada, in Capt. Walker's Co .; returned with the troops so sent ; reached Newburgh where he was dis- charged. That some time in May, 1777, he re-enlisted in the Company commanded by Capt. William Dutcher. In the winter, 1777-8, served for three months in Capt. Gabriel Requa's Co. ; was then for a time in Capt. Orser's Co ; was taken prisoner on the first day of July, 1779; (with Lieut. Jacob Van Tassel ;) was a prisoner until Nov. 5, 1781. Was born in the year 1757, on Philipse Manor. Tunis Garretson states that when a boy and a young man he lived in the same neighborhood with Isaac Delameter, and served in Capt. Sybert Acker's Company
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with him in 1777. On July 24, 1838, his widow, Abigail Delameter, applied for pension. Her linsband died July 8, 1837. Her mnaiden name was Abigail Haiglit.
David Devoe, of Mt. Pleasant, says he entered the service on or about the ist of April, 1776, as a private in a Company commanded by Capt. Win. Dutcher. That he served during that year at Ft. Inde- pendence, Dobbs Ferry, at Tarrytown, at Sing Sing, and Peekskill. That he entered the service again in June, 1777, in Capt. Win. Dutch- er's Company. Again entered service in May, 1779, in Capt. Orser's Company. That in July, 1780, while he was in an expedition as a vol- unteer with some Continental troops from Peekskill to the southern part of the County he was taken prisoner and carried to New York, and there confined in the old Sugar House Prison until the first day of January, 1781, when he was exchanged. Was born on Philipse Manor, the 27th of December, 1744. His application for pension is dated Feb. 19th, 1833.
Cornelius Lambert, in his application, dated Aug. 22d, 1832, says he enlisted the first of May, 1776, in Capt. Steplien Oakley's Co ; was on Long Island, and in the retreat from there to New York, and White Plains, and in the battle at that place; that he again entered the service in the Spring of 1777, in Capt. Sybert Acker's Co., for 3 months ; again culisted in Capt. Acker's Co. in July, 1777, and was attached to Col. Ludington's Regiment. Again, in April, 1778, in Capt. John Drake's Company, Col. Graham's Regiment. In May, 1779, enlisted in Capt. Orser's Co. In May, 1780, enlisted for one year in the Continental army under Col. Hughes. Cornelius and William Lambert are said to have been two of the Ferrymen who all unwittingly brought over Major Andre and his Tory Confederate, Joshua Hett Smith, on Sept 22d, the day before his capture. Henry Lambert was a Lieuten- ant in Capt. Orser's Company, Abram Lambert was also in same com- pany ; a private ; and Lambert Lamberts was a member of Capt. Comb's Company.
Win. Lambert states in his application, dated Dec. 3, 1832, that he culisted in May, 1779, as Orderly Sergt. in Capt Jonas Orser's Co ; was taken prisoner in April, 1780, while doing duty on Philipse Manor, and carried to the southern part of the county ; there kept until the close of the Revolutionary war.
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Dennis Garrison, states in his application, that he enlisted in Capt. Sybert Aeker's Co., in Nov., 1776 ; was afterwards a Sergt. in Capt. Stevens' Co. Was a Volunteer Guide in the Spring of 1780, when a party of Continental troops and some Militia Horsemen stormed Col. Delancey's quarters at Morrisania and took Capt: Totten and 14 Refugees prisoners. Born in the town of Westchester, Mar. 13, 1755.
The Oakley family were active Patriots during the Revolution. Stephen Oakley was a Captain, John a Lieutenant, James a Guide as well as Lieutenant, Isaae a Guide, and Cornelius, who was at one time a prisoner. James, John, Isaac, Joseph, Gilbert and Thomas, all took title to lands on this Manor from the Commissioners of Forfeiture.
Isaac and Benjamin Vermilyea were both Captains in the early part of the Revolution. Isaac and Jacob took title to lands on this Manor.
Bernardus Swartwout, Jr., was an Ensign in Col. Cortlandt's Regiment, and came here to live after the Revolution. Was subse- quently a Colonel of Militia; owned the present Geo. Lewis place on Broadway. Had a son Steuben Swartwout who, in 1826, became the purchaser of a large portion of the estate of Judge Isaac Requa, and had his residence for many years at the west corner of Washington and Franklin Sts., still known as the Swartwout place. He was Justice of the Peace and Town Clerk. Ensign Bernardus Swartwout was born Sept. 26, 1761, and on the occasion of his death, Oet. 8, 1824, was honored with a military funeral.
David Williams, another of the captors of Andre, was born near Tarrytown, and was own cousin to Isaae Van Wart. Was a volunteer in Capt. Daniel Martling's Company. In September, 1780, he was in the employ of Joseph Benediet in the town of South Salem. When not in military service he made the house of his employer his home. It happened that he was that day, Sept. 22d, enjoying a pleasant chat with Nancy Benedict, the daughter of his host, whom he afterwards married, when she pointed out to him a small company of armed men approaching. Williams recognized among them Isaae Van Wart, Jolin Paulding, and others. He shortly set out with them in the direction of Tarrytown, his special object being to reclaim the property of a neiglibor, the widow Pelham, or to avenge the death of her hus-
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band killed the night before by a party of Cow Boys. After the Revolution, and on his marriage, he lived for a time on a part of that farm purchased by him from his father-in-law. Later he removed to Schoharie Co., where he died Aug. 2, 1831, and in 1876 a Monument was there erected to his memory. In a statement made by him published in IS31, he said that he was born near Tarry- town, then ealled Philipse Manor, Oct. 21, 1754; that he was in the Expedition to Canada under Montgomery in 1775. Again enlisted in 1776, and served in different Companies until 1780. "In1 1778, when
in Capt. Acker's Co., I asked his permission to take a walk with William Van Wart, a boy of sixteen or seventeen. We proceeded to the Cross Road on Tompkins' Ridge; stood looking a few minutes ; saw five men coming; they had arms. We jumped over a stone fenee and concealed ourselves in a corner of it. They came so near that we recognized two of them, viz : William Underhill and Will. Mosier, who were Tories and known to be of De Lancey's Corps. When within proper distance I said to my companion, 'Billy neck or no joint !' I then said aloud as if speaking to a number, with the view of intimidating them, 'Men, make ready !' They stopped immediately. I told them to ground their arms, which they did. I then said, 'March away.' They did so. I then jumped over the fence, secured their arins, and made thein march before us to our quarters. " Dee. 24, 1779, was with Capt. Daniel Williams in his excursion to Morrisania, on which occasion his feet were frozen, and so stopped on his return with his uncle Martinus Van Wart, thus escaping capture at the Youngs House on the following night. Capt. Daniel Williams was born on this Manor, on the Sprain road, and was a prominent officer in the Militia during the Revolution. Was in the service as early as 1776. Was stationed for a time at the Youngs house, and was captured there on the night of Dec. 25th, 1778, having raided Morrisania with his forces the night previous. In faet, he was taken prisoner several times. Once the enemy refused to exchange him, considering him a danger- ous man. After a while his friend " Brom" Dyckman and his broth- ers planned the capture of a British officer, which they successfully carried out, by surrounding the house where Capt. Maccaboy was quartered near Fordham, and so took him prisoner, paroling him on the spot with the distinet pledge that Capt. Williams be sent back immedi- ately. A few days after this he was sent home. After the war he was a Colonel of Militia, and kept an Inn at New Rochelle. ,
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An Abraham Williams died in prison at New York, in Dec., 1780, as appears by a petition of his wife, Mary Williams, date of June, 1781, who says she then had six children. Perhaps this was the father of the Abraham Williams who was of the party of four on the hill at the time of the capture of Andre, an Abraham, Sr., as well as an Abraham, Jr., being in the patriot ranks on this Manor.
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The Surprise at Orser's.
James Mandeville, date of Sept. 23d, 1845, then of Peekskill, gives the following graphie account of an attempt to capture Col. De- lancey: "On Friday morning, Jan'y 24th, 1783, we started from Peekskill, being upwards of fifty in number. It was an enterprise planned by Col. Samuel Drake and Mr. Peter Van Tassel to carry off Col. Delancey, because he had been a public disturber and his men plunderers ; and to guard against treachery, the point of attack was to be kept secret from us till we reached West Farms. Went down the North River road to Dobbs Ferry, theu turned east to the Tuckahoe road and crossing Hunt's bridge entered West Farms by way of East- chester about midnight. Notwithstanding every precaution, and although we pushed rapidly forward, there seemed to be a general aların the moment we appeared, bells ringing and bugles blowing. We crossed the bridge and surrounded the house, but the Colonel was nowhere to be found. It was afterwards said that he was seereted in the pig pen and so escaped. We however took two prisoners, fifteen horses and a variety of plunder, and then retreated with as meh expe- dition as was possible with our jaded horses. We feared pursuit, and before we reached Yonkers a party overlook ns. It being night, how- ever, and their number at first probably small, we kept them at bay until we came nearly to Dobbs Ferry, when daylight appeared and they seemed preparing for a charge. We halted and prepared to resist, but they contented themselves with discharging their carbines and rifles at us and we returned the fire. The enemy then halted, and we passed through Tarrytown and Sing Sing without molestation, being
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