The road leading north from the county house, passes near the celebrated Raven Rock, around which cluster a thousand strange stories and superstitions The rock is said to have derived its name from the fact, that it was once the favorite haunt of that ominous bird, whose hoarse croakings were believed to prognosticate approaching ill. The ferocious wife of Macbeth, on being advised of the approach of Duncan, whose death she had conspired, is made to say in the language of the poet :

" The raven himself is hoarse That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan Under my battlements." -- Macbeth, Act I. Scene 5.

This ill-omened bird -- once very numerous on our coasts -- has long since retired with the wild game into the interior.

But the dark glen of Raven Rock is now haunted by a far different object, viz., the lady in white ; whose shrill shrieks are said to be often heard during the long, weary winter nights, as if presaging a storm. Tradition asserts she perished here in a deep snow.

552 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. ' ■

" The hungry worm my sister is, This winding sheet I wear, And cold and weary lasts my might, Till the last morn appear." -- Margaret's Gfiost.

The wild and romantic scenery of the glen, seems to favor these

superstitions.

In this vicinity, Jacob Acker and Isaac Van Wart, two well known patriots, made a bold attack upon a small party of British cavalry. For the purpose of annoying the enemy they concealed themselves in a neighboring wood, from whence they could obtain a view of the road; and, as the British passed in full gallop, Acker fired at the commanding officer. The sudden report of the musket frightened the horse, which immediately commenced plunging ; the rider in his efforts to restrain the restive animal, lost his hat, which Acker determined to possess himself of; he was again reloading his piece, when the enemy, not knowing the number of assailants, deemed it proper to retire, which they effected with much haste and confusion.