James B. Hathorn's Letters to Lyman Draper:
Memories of His Grandfather Col. John Hathorn



First Letter: Click on the link to access images of the pages:



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This document is part of the Draper Manuscript Collection owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society [Volume 8F Item 43]. Images published with permission.


Second Letter:
Transcript


Brooklyn Oct. 29, 1877
Mr. Lyman Draper

Dear Sir,
I read your letter of the 13th inst.[?] and am able to add very little to what I have already told you. I do not know anything of any of the parties you mention, such facts as I have given you were my own personal reccollections of what I have heard my Grandfather say. He was born at Elkton on the Elkton River in Delaware. I do not know the name of the Institute in Philadelphia at which he was educated. He was a superior Penman and considered an able man. In apprearance he was about 5 feet 7 [?] inches, of medium size, rather slender, fair complexion, brown hair & very bright keen Gray eyes, of an easy amiable disposition, genial, impulsive, and very energetic. There is no likeness of him. The Indians pursued them to the river, not across it. He told me, as I remember it, that the water where they crossed it was up to his waist, so that the men had to hold their guns above their heads. The survivors of the Battle remained together during the night, but separated int he morning and each made their own way to Goshen, regardless of order. I never heard him say that Brandt harrangued the American forces before the Battle, and do not consider it probable from my Knowledge of his disposition or what he has told me of the men engaged with him. The name of the Tory, at Sugar Loaf who aided the Indians in their efforts to secure the reward offered by Gen Howe, I am not able to give you, but during a visit one night at Warwick after the War an oppurtunity offered which my Grandmother embraced and she gave him a severe horsewhipping which none of his friends present offered to prevent she told him what she did it for, she had herself seen him when, one night he with some Indians tried to force an entrance into the house. The locality known as Sugar Loaf is about 6 miles from Warwick and takes its name from a mountain there so named from its resemblance to a conical loaf in which Sugar used to be prepared. I was a little boy when Gen. Hathorn laid the corner stone of the monument in Goshen & was with him on that occasion, much that I have heard him say has escaped my memory and I have given you, only such items as I am positive about none of my family can recall anything further as they are all younger than myself.
Respectfully Yours
James B. Hathorn


Source: Draper Manuscript Vol.85 Item 46. Wisconsin Historical Society.



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