MEMOIRS

OF

HIS OWN TIME.

WITH

REMINISCENCES

OF THE

MEN AND EVENTS

OF THE

REVOLUTION.

BY

ALEXANDER GRAYDON.

EDITED BY

JOHN STOCKTON LITTEL L,

MEMBER OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

PHILADELPHIA:

LINDSAY & BLAKISTON.

1846.

190.

Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1846,

BY JOHN S. LITTELL,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court, for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Bristol. The Author's account of his family, and early education.-So-

ciety of Philadelphia.-Accident.-Family history.-Quakers.-School

at Bristol.-School discipline.-Mr. Dove.-Philadelphia Academy.-

Mr. Kinnersley.—Anecdote.—Early Adventure.-Author's early Cha-

racter.-Ballad.-Death of the Author's father.-Latin School.-Mr.

Beveridge. Anecdotes of Mr. Beveridge.-School anecdote.-Singular

petition.-Beveridge's poems.-Philadelphia.-Academy.-Author's ear-

ly class-mates.

16

CHAPTER II.

Retrospective events in the Author's history.-Philadelphia.-Yellow fever.

-Lodging-house.-Foot races.-Paxton boys.-They threaten the city.

-Ogle and Friend.-Author's early amusements.-School anecdotes.—

Sailing excursion.-Swimming and Skating.-Abbé Raynal.-Lodging.

house guests-Baron De Kalb.-Lady Moore.-Lady Susan O'Brien.—

Woodward.-Sir William Draper.-Frank Richardson.-Anecdote.-

Major Etherington.-Anecdote.-Majors Small and Fell.-General

Reid.-Captain Wallace.-Anecdote of Joseph Church.-Rivington the

printer.

42

The Author mixes in new Society.-Is destined for the Law.-His charac-

teristic Indolence.-American players.-Anecdotes.-Dramatic Poetry.

-Author's pursuits.-Debating Society.-Metaphysical subtleties.—

Causes of youthful follies.-Letters of Junius.-Tamoc Caspipina.-

Mr. Duché.

Page

79

CHAPTER IV.

The Author removes to York.-Society there.-A Maryland Parson.-

Odd character.-Judge Stedman.-Mr. James Smith.-Family circle.-

Author returns to Philadelphia.-Prosecutes the study of the Law.-

Fencing -Mr. Pike.-City Tavern.-Singular case of mental derange-

ment.-Retrospective reflections.-Causes of the American War.-State

of Parties.-Volunteer Companies.-Political consistency.-Preparations

for War.-Anecdote.—Early attachment.-Dr. Kearsley.—Mr. Hunt.—

Major Skene.

100

CHAPTER V.

Congress Assembles.-Continental Battalions.-State of Parties.-Mr.

Richard Penn.-His Character.-Levy of Troops.-Officers.-Ad.

venture.-Patriotism.-Recruiting.-Ill Success.-Discipline.-Author

sent on a Mission.-Baron Woedtke.-Military Preparations.-Road to

Albany. Saratoga.-Fort Edward.-Lake George.-General Schuyler.

-His Character.-Author returns to his Regiment.-Judge Livingston.

129

CHAPTER VI.

The Author leaves Philadelphia.-Appearance of the Army.-Character

of the Soldiers.-Erection of Fort Washington.-Fort Lec.-Character

of General Mifflin.-An odd Character.-Connecticut Light Horse.-

Character of the Army.-Declaration of Independence.-Statue of George

III.- British land on Long Island.-Action with the Enemy.-New

York. Privations of Soldiers.-Long Island.-Entrenchments.-Skir

mishing.-Midnight Scene in Camp.-Retreat to New York.-Reflec-

tions.-Washington vindicated.-General Howe.-Conduct of the British.

145