On the 3d October, 1779, "Lieutenant Gill of the American Dragoons, patrolling in Eastchester, found a superior force in his rear, and had no alternative but to surrender or cut his way through them ; he chose the latter, and forced his way, when he found a body of infantry still behind the horse. These he also charged, and on his passing them his horse was wounded, and threw him, when he fell into the enemy's hands. Two of the lieutenant's party -- which consisted of twenty-four -- were killed, and one taken prisoner; the rest escaped safe to their regiments.""

In the vicinity of the village a detachment under the command of Gen. Parsons, fitted out in sleighs, (returning from an enterprise against the enemy at Morrisania), were overtaken and almost entirely cut to pieces by a party of British light horse.6

The small stream which waters the western part of the village of Eastchester was formerly known as Rattlesnake Brook. An early town order requires the inhabitants to meet together one day in the Spring for the destruction of this dangerous reptile. As late as 1775 one of them was killed near the brook, measuring some six feet. Feb. 1st, 1696-7, John Pell, Sen., had the privilege of erecting a mill on this brook. In 1721 Nathaniel Tompkins was permitted by the town to erect a fish-weir on Rattlesnake Creek, " to ye advantage of himself to catch ye fish that swimmeth therein, for ye space of ten years from this date, providing he put it up at once.""