John Dean, whose name has been rescued from forgetfulness by a respectful notice in that excellent work, " Tossing's Field Kook of the Revolution," was reared, laboring with his father, and imbibing those principles of American virtue and heroism which afterwards characterized his life. It will be unnecessary for us to promise that John Dean was a man of stout, vigorous frame, an iron will, indomitable courage, and great impulse, for these traits were exhibited in every act of his life.

At tire time when the American Colonies began to distrust and resist the measures and legislation of the English Parliament concerning them, Mr. Dean and his sons manifested a deep interest in tire progress of events ; and when hostilities on the part of the Colonies had been resolved upon, John Dean, with the full approbation of the conscript father, was among the first to join the patriot cause, and early in the struggle, at the age of nineteen years, enlisted as a private soldier in Capt. Horton's Company, organized in this county, which marched to Canada, and was connected with the 4th battalion, under Col. Van Cortlandt. His elder brother William also enlisted with him, with like zeal, and proceeded with that company to Canada, but the fatigue and hardships of the journey proved too much for their health, and both were taken sick, as is well known many others w^ere in that service. William diedand was buried on the far-famed plains of Abraham ; John, however, continued with his company to St. John's D. C. , where he, too, was arrested by sickness, caused by rowing in an open boat with provisions in such inclement weather that nearly all perished.