The pork and bread, for they had no other sustenance, and even water allowed them were of the worst possible quality, and totally unfit for human beings. A minute detail of their dreadful sufferings, would only serve to harrow up the feelings of surviving friends. As a gross outrage against the principles of humanity, suffice it to say, that in consequence of the most barbarous treatment, not less than fifteen hundred American soldiers, died within a few weeks, brave young men, the pride and shield of our country. After death had released the sufferers, their bodies were dragged out of the prisons and piled up without doors, till enough were collected for a cart load, when they were carted out and tumbled into a ditch, and slightly covered with earth."a

By his wife Abigail, the Hon. John Thomas left issue, (beside four daughters,) John Thomas, High Sheriff of Westchester county, in 1778,* William Thomas and Major General Thomas Thomas, of Harrison. The latter individual was one of the most prominent whigs of the north, a distinguished military officer," Sheriff of the county, (in 177S) and one of the first members of the State Legislature. The following notice of his capture by the Queen's rangers in 1777, is thus related by Lieutenant Col. Simcoe.

" Before the troops went into winter quarters, it was necessary that sufficient boards should be procured to hut those who were to remain in the vicinity of King's Bridge, and the light troops were of the parties who collected them. Lieut. Colonel Simcoe proposed to General Tryon, who commanded the British, to take down Ward's house,"* and the build ings in its vicinity ; and that, while a covering party should halt there, he would attempt to surprise Col. Thomas, (a very active partizan of the enemy,) and a post of dragoons, nearly twenty miles beyond it.