Pierre Van Cortlandt died on the morning of the first day of May instant, at his seat at Croton River, in this town, in the 94th year of his age, leaving issue by his wife Joanna Livingston, Philip, Gilbert, Stephen, Pierre, Catharine, Cornelia, Anne and Gertrude.

Philip, the eldest son, was born in the city of New York on the first day of September, 1749. This individual was brought up at the Manor House on the Croton, and subsequently received a liberal education in the vicinity of Coldingham, N". Y. He was admitted to Kings College (now Columbia) in 1754, graduated B. D. 1758, and received two A'. M. degrees in 1761.

At the early age of nineteen he commenced business as a land surveyor; he had also the management of an extensive flouring mill and ■country store. Soon after the destruction of Lexington and Concord (by the British troops) he threw up business, and agreeing with his patriotic father in sentiment, determined by an appeal to arms, to obtain

THE TOWN OK CORTLANDT.

I I I

either liberty or death. In this intention he was strongly opposed by his tor}' relations, who used every effort to induce him to join their standard. Governor Tryon at the same time forwarded him a major's commission in the Cortlandt militia. This document he subsequently destroyed, and received in lieu thereof a lieutenant colonel's commission in the Continental service, bearing date June, 1775, signed John Hancock, President of Congress. He continued to hold the above command in the 4th New York regiment until November the 28th, 1776, when he received from General Washington a colonel's commission in the 2d New York regiment. In this capacity he served at the battles of Stillwater and Saratoga. In both of these actions the New York regiment suffered severely.