John Yerks, Jr., makes the following statement in his endorsement of the application of Mary Dean, widow of Sergt. John Dean, for a pension, date of April 24, 1837:

"John Yerks, of the town of Mt. Pleasant, County of Westchester, being duly sworn saith that he was 77 years of age on the nth day of November last. That he lived with his father at the beginning of the Revolutionary war, about one mile north of the house of Joseph

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HISTORICAL SKETCHES.

Youngs, where the Americans generally kept their headquarters. That some time about the 23d of September, 1780, John Dean, together with the deponent, and John Paulding, Isaac Van Wart, David Williams, Ybraham Williams, James Romer and Isaac See, being on a scouting party between the American and British out-posts, proceeded near to the old Post Road, or what was then called the North River Road, near Tarrytowu. That their object was to intercept droves of cattle that were frequently stolen and drove to the British troops. That the party there halted, and the better to effect their object, mutually agreed to separate. The said John Dean, James Romer, Abraham Williams and Isaac See, and the deponent, undertook to watch the private road about one-quarter of a mile east of the said Post Road, and Isaac Van Wart, John Paulding and David Williams were to remain on or near the old Post Road. That a short time after the said party had so separated, Isaac Van Wart, John Paulding and David Williams joined the others of the party 011 the top of the hill with a prisoner who called himself John Anderson. The prisoner when taken had a horse, saddle and bridle, a gold watch and some money. That the whole of said party immediately proceeded with said prisoner to Col.