It happened while he was the guest of his host that he met Miss Mary Vlypse, or, as we spell it now, Philipse -- the daughter of Vrederyck Vlypse, who was born and reared here -- and was deeply impressed by her rare accomplishments and beauty. " My father," said the narrator, "used to tell it as a fact, well established in his day, that the Colonel once rode up here to pay his respects to the object of his regard. However that may be, it is certain that he did stop at the castle very frequently in after years, when the country was in the throes of the Revolution."

A very singular story illustrates well the bravery of the matrons of the times which tried men's souls. The subject of it was the before mentioned Mrs. Cornelia Beeckman :

" Some time before the capture of Andre, John Webb, an aide-decamp of the Commander-in-chief, while on his way from New York to Peekskill, stopped at the castle and asked Mrs. Beeckman to take charge of his valise, which contained his new uniform and a sum of gold. ' I will send for it,' he added, ' in a few days ; but do not deliver it to anyone without a written order from me.' A fortnight after his departure, Mrs. Beeckman saw an acquaintance, Joshua Smith, (whose loyalty to the national cause was doubtful.) ride up to the house, and heard him ask her husband for Lieutenant Webb's valise. Mr. Beeckman was about to comply with his request, when his wife advanced and demanded a writ-