The History of the Several Towns, Manors, and Patents of the County of Westchester (1881 revised edition, Vol. I)
Major Burr was stationed at Peekskill on the 21st July, 1777, when he received a lieutenant colonel's commission in the continental army, and from this place the traitor Arnold likewise received his appointment to West Point, dated August the 3d, 1780.
In the village of Peekskill was born John Paulding, one of the American farmers who intercepted Andre the British spy, at Tarrytown, some fifteen miles below this place. For his services on this occasion the State presented him with a farm situated within the town of Cortlandt. The property now belongs to Jacob Strang.
The following abstract is taken from a deed given by Samuel Dodge, Daniel Graham, and John Hotham, commissioners of foreitures for the middle district of New York, to John Paulding, of Cortlandt Manor :
" For and in consideration of the services John Paulding, of Cortlandt Manor, in the County of Westchester, hath rendered his country, in apprehending and securing the British deputy adjutant Gen. Major Andre, who was returning to New York after having in the character of a spy concerted measures with the infamous Benedict Arnold, then commanding at the posts in the Highlands, for betraying the said posts into the hands of the enemy, and for his virtue in refusing a large sum of money offered by the said Major Andre as a bribe to permit, him to escape ; and for and in consideration of the sum of five shillings lawful money of the State of New York, and for the further sum of twenty-five pounds ten shillings like lawful money of the said State, by the said John Paulding paid into the treasury of the said State, the said commissioners by virtue of the powers and authorities in and by the several acts to them given, hath by their deed bearing date on the 16th day of June, 1783, granted and sold unto the said John Paulding all that certain tract or parcel of land, situated in the manor of Cortlandt, in said county of Westchester, and State aforesaid, now in possession of said John Paulding, and is commonly known by lot No. 14 in great lot No. 1, containing 100 acres.