The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-08
A Half Breed Revolutionary Patriot.

The Albany Express aludes tho sad case OF an old
revolutionary warrior, Indian half breed who az
present residing the southeast corner of Knox and
l1Hher streets, in Albany. The mans name y John
oBrien skenau dogh, and hs age log years The fol-
lowing facts which We find In the Eprsss assured
are reliable
With him lives grand. daughter aud her child ske-
nan doCh Is man OF superior intelligence, having been
educated IN Paris lie came TO this country with Lafayette
and fought in the revolution under General Washington
Although far advanced in years his Is strong
powerful, and when conyersing about Washington he
seems Inspired with new life He is 10 all appearance
hale and hearty, save that he is considerably weakened
by the deprivation of food and the loss Of sleep Now
this old revolutionary hero is in great want, and had
not been for the Fortunate visit OF neighbors might
have died from starvation. Me he occupies II
Hbci save by few remnants OF what fur
nture. He has nothing but a small furnace 10 keep
fire in, and until within day has had nothing to
make fire with. lie has bed bedding and in TACT
Is almost destitute OF clothing last week daughter OF
his grand child actually died from starvation and cold
neighbor furnished n coffin and Sunday last, tho
mother having placed the child in IT, took herself in
lumber wagon TO buryipg ground, and deposited its
remains IN mother sartb. The grand daughter has
aged 10 beg Just sufficient keep life the family while
The Old man has become eneebled from the lack OF
says he only bad sufficient 10 eat, and could sleep
nights he ees confident h. would last several years yet
We lind in the delaware Democrat; where this old vete
ran formerly resided, the following notioe of his
SEenan dogb, It appears, is half breed Indian, his
falher beng an Ishnan named frien and bis mother
Indan ske- -dogb the Oneida tribe
His father. as he says, being man IN good
sent him IN his twelfth year TO Paris, where FOR period
in Paris be became acquainted tn lafayette through
whose persuasion and with VIII I'm ne returned America
Some time after his arrival here he again met Lafayette
Washington, through whose influence be the ap
pontmont OF surgeon mate 10 Dr. Comstocks staff which
position he held during the Revolutionary war.
AZ the time Of his appointment, he was abort twenty.
four years Of age Tie says he was In The battles Of Bran
DIVINE, Yorktown aud Trenton. Several wounds which
lafayette received in the field be assisted In dreng and
speaks 81 the Of these times Il they had
happened but yesterday Before the close Of the war
Still netting assistant srrgeoa he with General
Suvans army into the state Of New York p1nsh the
Indians, who bad been committing the most fnurdcrous
ouTage- upon the peaceful inhabitants Of the Wyoming
valley The force, however arrived late fer the sc
complainant OF their ends, the Indians, having
been informed OF Their approach had retired from tho
scencs OF their atrocities. AT the CONCLUSION Of peace
between the bcllgerent countries, he sailed from
New YORK for Liverpool, thence 70 Morocco, where
be selected q wife from Of the FIRST families
In the paona young lady, he represents her OF sur
passing loveness, whom he had previously met N Paris
whittier she sent for education. Returning with
hs wife, IN short time, ~ the United Siae he lived in
schenectady, y. where unfortunately his was
destroyed by fire, and all HE credentials consurned
Living with his Moorish wife thirtyx years and having
by her four and four daughters she died and he
corDpsncd by bis children all Of whom nc says are vet
LIVING N the Bartary States Dor the lat twenty I've
ported himself by the rrac,ce cf medicine. he has
twin brother. whom be lac, about year and
who during the Revolution espouscd the " Britain
and participated in several battles against the Americans
Thai he Is an educated man there ~ MOI Inc ioaei shaov
u doubt though his arc Of course very greatly
olouded by reason u his extreme old More than
year be says he struck suddenly blind bu, thai
his sight has since 20 far returned enable him 70 see
with toerabe satisfaction.
In the absence Of documentary confirmation of be tale
ments. several well known gentlemen. 10 whom he re-
10 hs honor integrity and high soca standing where
he Is best known The old yet among Us 10 great
poverty and Independent of his other claims our char
y, his great age alone certainly entities him tho Kind
consideration Of our citizens.