They knew by instinct at least, that governments derive " their just powers from the "consent of the governed," and that there is no such thing as "the "divine right of kings to rule. " The Declaration of Independence, with its grand statement of the right of self-government, its awful arraignment of the tyrant king, and its solemn appeal to "The Supreme "Judge of the world" fell upon their eager ears and went to their responsive hearts as a benediction of heaven-born truth. Much as they respected and loved their great landlord, Frederick Philipse, knowing well, as they did, his pure personal character and upright life, yet even his vast personal influence was impotent to change their views or swerve them from what they deemed to be their duty.

Some of them, many doubtless, served for considerable periods in the regular Continental line and participated in most of the noted battles of the war. Most of them, however, rendered their service as members of that famous first regiment of Westchester Militia, which was composed solely of men of this manor, and mainly from this part of it. Although the members of that regiment were not always on active duty, they were ever subject to call. The warning officer was likely to be at their doors at any hour of day or night to summon them to battle. Often er, however, that call came to them from no human lips, but borne on the very breeze, in the faintly heard sound of distant musketry fire, telling that the invader was up the county again. Let us recall such a scene. It is a morning in early spring, with the wind fresh, from the northeast, presage of coming storm, though still the skies are bright. The militia-man has just returned to his home from long service with his regiment.