Morrison's Pensions
WILLIAM SCARBOROUGH
In the spring of 1780, William while
living at Johnstown enlisted as a private in Captain John Littel's Company
in Colonel Frederick Visscher's Regiment of Tryon county Militia (Third Regiment).
William was stationed at Fort Johnstown.
In April of 1781, William enlisted in Captain Garret
Putman's Company in Colonel Marinus Willett's Regiment of New York State Levies
for nine months. William was again stationed at Fort Johnstown.
On October 24th, Major John Ross and Captain Walter
Butler with 607 men were in the Mohawk Valley burning and killing. Colonel
Willett who was in command at Fort Rensselaer on learning of this invasion
sent messengers to Forts Clyde, Paris and Plank. Colonel Willett gathered what
troops that could be spared from the fort and in the morning of October 25th,
Colonel Willett with his men left the fort in pursuit of the enemy.
Colonel Willett and his men pursued the enemy to Johnstown
and on arriving at Fort Johnstown they were informed that the enemy had encamped
near Johnson's Hall. Colonel Willett and his men left the fort and headed
for Johnson's Hall. On arriving on the field where the enemy was encamped a
battle soon raged.
William, with James Crosset, upon learning the enemy
was encamped near Johnson's Hall went to Fort Johnstown to join Colonel Willett
in the pursuit of the enemy. On arriving at the fort they learned that Colonel
Willett had proceeded on to Johnson's Hall and they left the fort and headed
for Johnson's Hall to join Willett.
On the way to Johnson Hall, William and Crosset were
attacked by a party of the enemy. After firing several shots Crosset was killed
and Scarborough was taken prisoner. After Scarborough was captured a Captain
McDonald arrived and he immediately recognized Scarborough.
At the beginning of trouble Scarborough, a Patriot
and McDonald, a Loyalist, had an argument over politics and a fight resulted.
As a result of the fight McDonald was severely beaten and now having Scarborough
as a prisoner he had a chance for revenge.
McDonald ordered the soldiers to shoot Scarborough
but they refused to kill an unarmed man. McDonald now became enraged and he
drew his sword and killed the helpless Scarborough.
The battle lasted until the coming of darkness and
with the enemy retreating. Scarborough, with the bodies of the rest of the
Americans that were killed in the battle were gathered and a mass burial was
performed.
Johnes
town June 1, 1785
Sir Please to pay the Baer William Lard all the wages
that is due me for my service as a solder in the Milisha in Colo Frederick
Fisher Regt and you will much oblege your hum Bel sarvent
Colo
Volkert Vatter
Anna
Scarbury
Witness Present
Nicholas Stoner
SOURCE: Tryon County Militia, Doc. No. 9 Box 14, Archives & Manuscript Department, New York State Library, Albany