The History of the Several Towns, Manors, and Patents of the County of Westchester (1881 revised edition, Vol. I)
The elevated situation of the dwelling house and the number of out-buildings, rendered it a convenient post for the American troops; that from- August, 1776, until February, 17S0, the said dwelling-house was occupied as headquarters for the several commanders in those lines, and the out-houses were occupied as barracks for the soldiers, and places of deposit for their provisions and military stores ; that on the night of the 24th of December, 1778, Captain Williams of the American army, who, with about forty soldiers, was quartered in the dwelling-house and barns, was attacked by the British refugees, under the command of Major Barrymore; that said Captain Williams and a party of soldiers, and said Joseph Young, were taken prisoners ; that the said Young was himself confined in the provost of
THE TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT.
the City of New York about one year; that the bam of the said Joseph Young was burned by the British refugees, who also took from the said Joseph Young a large and valuable stock of cattle; that in the winter of 1779, said dwelling-house and other buildings were occupied by the said continental troops, under the command of Colonel Burr, and in the spring of that year by Major Hull, (afterwards General and Governor of Michigan) ; that in the winter of 1780 they were occupied by Colonel Thompson of the American army, who then commanded the American troops stationed on the lines ; that the prisoners and military stores belonging to said detachment were deposited in said buildings ; that on the third of February, 17S0, an attack was made on that post by about 1000 British troops and refugees, under the command of Colonel Norton ; the action commenced in the dwelling-house, and continued in and about it until Colonel Thompson had lost, either in killed" or wounded, about 50 of his men, when he surrendered ; that immediately thereupon the buildings of the said Joseph Young were burnt, by order of the British commander ; that all the clothing, bedding and furniture of the said Joseph Young were destroyed at that inclement season of the year."