Yerks served for several years in the capacity of a water guard, and remembered to have seen on one occasion as many as fifty British vessels and galleys stationed on the Hudson River. Near his place of residence, himself with nine others engaged in a deadly conflict with a party of twenty Cow Boys. In this skirmish they brought off three prisoners and four horses, besides leaving six of the enemy dead on the field.

The road from Twitchings' descends gradually to the valley of the saw mill, on the east bank of which stands the church and hamlet of Unionville, delightfully sheltered by high hills. The most prominent a The above was related to the author by Jacob Ronier, an eye-witness of the engagement.

THE TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT.

5^3

object in the immediate vicinity is the Buttermilk mountain, which towers, like a giant, far above the neighboring scenery. A small perennial spring rises on its eastern edge, which has conferred this fanciful name on the hill. The summit of the mountain commands an extensive view of the Hudson River and surrounding country.

During the progress of the United States coast survey, the Buttermilk formed one of its stations.

The Dutch Reformed church of Unionville, was first organized in iS^o," under the pastoral charge of the Rev. Thomas Smith, and incorporated on the 8th of August, 1842, by the title of the " Minister, Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Unionville." First elders, John Newman, Abraham Onderdonck, and Isaac G. Graham, Jun.; first deacons, Abraham Yerks, Thomas Angevine and Ebenezer Newman.* This church is in connection with the New York Classis.