He was frequently appointed to execute difficult and responsible duties ; and on an occasion of this kind the Marquis presented him with a sword and his thanks, as a testimonial of his regard for a faithful and courageous soldier. At the memorable siege of Yorktown, when La Fayette's Brigade was employed to storm one of the British forts, Sergeant Keeler was one of the first who, in the midst of a murderous fire, scaled the breastworks, and compelled the enemy to yield. He witnessed the surrender of Cornwallis, which virtually terminated the war ; but he remained faithfully at his post, until the disbanding of the forces in 1783, having participated in the reverses and successes of the Continental Army, without interruption since his enlistment. As a vivid illustration of the sufferings which the brave soldiers endured, Mr. Keeler relates that he was sometimes so tormented by hunger as to be tempted to gnaw the flesh from his own shoulders ! "*

a Copied from original doenments In possession of the late Thaddens Keller's family. No Hen was Uled In those days ; usually the Trustees mortgaged the church building and lot.

i A Discourse occasioned by the death of Jeremiah Keeler, a soldier of the Revolution, delivered in the Presbyterian Church of South Salem, Westchester County, N Y., Feb. 27

424 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

In the possession of this family is a curious copy of the Baskett Bible containing the Prayer Book of the Church of England and the Psalms in metre, entitled the New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ newly transcribed out of the original Greek and with the former translations diligently compared and revised by His Majesty's special command appointed to be read in churches j Oxford, printed by Thomas Baskett, printer to the University, MDCCXLIX.