I never knew how close I came to not existing until I heard the family story of Archibald Crawford Jr., who nearly died at the hands of the British when he was just a young boy.
Support For the Revolution
Young Archibald’s father Archibald Sr., who had been born on a ship while his parents crossed the Atlantic, was a strong supporter of the American Revolution. However, he was unable to join the men fighting for independence due to a deformity of his hand. Yet, his support for America did not go unnoticed by the British Army.
The Fire
In the fall of 1779 the war was being fought near Archibald Sr.’s property in Pound Ridge, New York. It was then that the British soldiers brought the war to Archibald’s home. Early one morning, they came and lit his home on fire as a penalty for his support for America. The story as passed down through the family is that they spread fire throughout the house even putting burning sticks in amongst the families’ clothes.
The event happened quickly and the family fled the house. In the confusion, his young son Archibald was accidentally left inside. Fortunately, a British soldier saw the young boy through a window in the upper level and exclaimed, “For God’s sake, don’t burn the man’s children.”
Archibald Sr. rushed into the house going through smoke and flames to reach his young son. Wrapping Archibald Jr. in a quilt, he ran back outside, saving his son.. The family lost nearly all their belonging, but they all survived the attack.
After The Fire
The family moved into their barn to live through the cold winter. Archibald Sr.’s wife was pregnant during this time and life must have been very challenging. When it was time for the baby to come, she went to the nearby home of John Wood to have the baby. It is said the John joked that the baby boy (Robert) was his son. That later became true as Robert, along with Archibald Jr., would later marry daughters of John Wood.
Archibald Jr. and his wife Mary are my 4th great grandparents in my Pellett line as their granddaughter Aseneth Crawford married Seth Pellett. Had he not been noticed and the soldier not cared enough to call out, many lives would have been erased. His survival is just one reason his many descendants should feel lucky!