So Peter was the sou of Johannis who had married Trintje, and the brother of famous Major Jacob Van Tassel of Wolfert's Roost, also brother of Catrina who married Abraham Acker or Ecker, 2d, the great-grandfather of Mr. Benson Ferris. As Peter died in 1784, his widow, Catrina or Catharine, and her sons Peter, 2d, and John, took title to his farm of 150 acres in the Saw Mill River Valley just south of and adjoining the farm of Lieut. Cornelius Van Tassel, who was his kinsman.

The will of Hendrick Van Tassel, who had married Balith Buys, also appears in the Surrogate's office at New York City, date of 1-7 7 1 . He gave his wife Balith, sons John and Hendrick, daughters Mary and Balithy Slvmets.

Jacob Van Tassel, the son of Johannis Van Tassel and Catharine his wife, was baptised Nov. 10, 1744. Hester Van Tassel his wife, was the daughter of a Johannis Van Tassel and Helena Hammeu his wife. They were married Sept. 23, 1764. Their home was at the Wolfert Acker place, long known as "Wolfert's Roost." The following fancy sketch of the Roost and its brave defender, Lieut. Jacob Van

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HISTORICAL SKETCHES.

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Tassell, from the gifted pen of Washington Irving is well introduced here :

"The situation of the Roost is in the very heart of what was the debateable ground between the American and British lines, during the war. The British held possession of the city of New York, and the island of Manhattan, on which it stands. The Americans drew up towards the highlands, holding their headquarters at Peekskill. The intervening country, from Croton River to Spiting Devil Creek, was the debateable laud, subject to be harried .by friend and foe, like the Scottish borders of yore.