At this signal, every man sprang up in his place with a shout that made the welkin ring ; making at the same time such a rustling in the bushes, that the British, thinking themselves surrounded by a superior force, surrendered without resistance.

On the next day iney were marched to Fishkill, and confined in the old Dutch church."6

On 1 6th of October, 1799, (remarks Gen. Heath,) fourteen seamen were taken prisoners by Capt. Hallet's company of New York militia, two days before on the North River, near Teller's Point."

The surface of this town is hilly, and on the north-west mountainous. The soil consists principally of sand and gravelly loam; it is abundantly supplied with rivulets and springs of water.

The general growth of wood, is oak of all kinds, chestnut, hickory, elm, black and white ash, birch and pine.

a Sparks' Life of Arnold, 20«.

6 Barman's Spy Vmuaskeu, pp. 143, 150.

c Heath's Mem". 2'2.

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OK WESTCHESTER.

The first independent election for officers of the town of Cortlandt, took place April ist, 1788, when the following individuals were chosen officers for the year ensuing: --

Philip Van Cortlandt, Supervisor.

Joseph Travis, Towu Clerk.

Daniel Birdscll )

Nathaniel Brown, - Poor Masters.

Pierre Van Cortlandt,)

David Ferris, Constable.

John Paulding, Collector.

John Jones, Nathaniel Brown, John Paulding, Bariah Richardson, Abraham Merritt,

Hercules Lent, Jonathan Ferris, Pierre Van Cortlandt,)

Abraham Lent, Henry Lent, son of

Hercules, Jarvis Dusenberry, Caleb Barton, John Haight,

John Jones, Henry Griffen, Abraham Merritt, John Paulding,