From Diary of the American Revolution, Vol II. Compiled by Frank Moore and published in 1859.
June 29.—Last night a party of rebels, supposed from Horse Neck, headed by one Ben Kirby, whose father lives on Long Island, and is known to be an atrocious rebel, about twelve o’clock attacked the house of Abraham Walton, Esq., at Musqueto Cove, forced open the door with the butt ends of their muskets, seized upon the person of Mr. Walton, who was much indisposed in bed, used him very coarsely, obliged him to walk four miles, plundered the house, took away all the silver plate they could find, and demanded Mrs. Walton’s money, which she delivered. From Mr. Walton’s they proceeded to several of the neighbors, as Dr. Brooks, Mr. Albert Coles, &c., and carried them all off together to Connecticut, where they are to be interrogated by our old acquaintance General Lewis Moms, of Morrisania. These vermin, during this predatory business, appeared to be in great perturbation. Kirby is a native of Long Island, had taken the oath of allegiance, but on Count D’Estaing’s arrival at Sandy Hook, revolted to Jonathan.1
1 Rivington’s Gazette, July 3.