" February 1, 1777. Foraging being now the object, a large number of teams were

a Co. Rec. Lib. R. 21. b Co. Rec. Lib. R. 65.

c The old family Rihlo, edited by Rasket of London, A. D. 1756, contains the Rook of Common Prayer, and numerous family entries. There is also preserved a silver-headed walkinjrstick Inscribed " Henry Disbrow, 1697." The above heir-looms are in the possession of William Disbrow of New York.

d Heath's Mem. 74. Holt's Gazette. The dead who fell upon this occasion were buried on the south-east side of Nelson's hill.

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTCR

sent out towards Mamaroneck, and upwards of eighty loads of forage were brought off."*1

The following letter of Gen. Samuel Parsons, dated at Mamaroneck, Nov. 2 1 st, 1777, to Governor Tryon, with his answer, is copied from a newspaper printed at the time :

" Sir : -- Adding to the natural horrors of war the most wanton destruction of property, is an act of cruelty unknown to civilized nations, and unaccustomed in war, until the servants of the King of Great Britian have convinced the impartial world, no act of humanity, no stretch of despotism, are too great to exercise toward those they term rebels.

"Had any apparent advantage been derived from burning the house on Philip's manor, last Monday, there would have been some reason to justify the measure ; but when no benefit whatever can be proposed, by burning those buildings and stripping the women and children of necessary apparel, to cover them from the severity of a cold night, and captivating and leading in triumph to your lines, in the most ignominious manner, the heads of those families, I know not what justifiable cause to assign for those acts of cruelty ; nor can 1 conceive a necessity for your further order to destroy Tarrytown.