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Macdonald, John. Interview with Hobby, Enos, 1761-1857; (1849-11-05). John M. McDonald Interviews, 1844-1851, WCHS item 1363. Westchester County Historical Society. Transcribed by history.croton.news April 2026.

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November 3d Went, accompanied by John Nugent to White Plains -- In the evening at Mr Washington Tompkins. Nov. 4. At the Episcopal Church, Jr. Novr 5th Enos Hobby, of Middle Patent, aged 89: "Bearmore, I [that] think when I knew him was about 25 or 30, and a very good and bold officer, but severe towards prisoners. In November (?) 1780, we started from Headquarters at Morris's house (afterwards …
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The American scouts was posted at the time they fired on the south east cor -ner of the roads which cross at Twitchings and kept up their fire with great spirit for a quarter of an hour. The night was pitch dark and we couldn't see their number.-- Bearmore ordered his men to charge, but the bank was high with a fence on the top which the horses couldn't surmount and with trees and bushes. At this …
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John Glisson, an Irishman of my acquaintance said to me: "Let's exchange accoutrements, and you push into Mor -risania, and don't take anybody behind you." I did so, and took care of the horse. There were several troop of horse along with us. The sun was about an hour high when we started, but the night that ensued was uncommonly dark. Bearmore died a few weeks after- -wards. He was a fine looking…
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Jesse Mills proposed that we should escape, and most of us agreed to make the attempt; but one prisoner was weak-hearted, and said he would inform against us if we persevered. We had as many men (including the sailors) as the guard numbered, and the sailors were anxious to second us. Next day, however, the sailors were taken to another prison at Fairfield. I went up to Stanwich on this occasion w…
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The officer in command came in to look at us on the same night, and said to the officer of the guard: "If any one of the prisoners attempts to escape, dispatch and run him instantly through!" About midnight, or a little after, I rose, according to our plan, and cried out: "Surrender!" &c, and then ran for the door and knocked down the sentry posted immediately at the outside of the door. My three …
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A third sentinel was posted on the road in advance about eight or ten rods off, and he fired as we supposed at the second sentinel's flash and killed him dead. When we formed our plan of escape there was a report current that the Refugees were coming up to liberate us, and this report materially aided our escape, as it intimidated the guard when we shouted out and made them think they were surpris…
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I think it was in 1781, that the fever was so fatal at Morrisania. I had it in 1781. The second time I was taken at North Street, a little south west of where Abraham Reynolds lives. There were three of us, and we were taken by Lieut. Charles Smith, father of Charles Smith of North Street (Stanwich). Charles Smith said to me: "Cousin Enos, we must secure you and take you in, and then we'll parole…
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