After entering the lower part of the house & finding no one there, (the rangers, some of them secreting themselves in different parts of the house & some made their escape out the back door) Campbell's men made a pricipitate retreat, there being a large company of militia, at a house about 1/4 mile distant who, on hearing the firing, instead of coming to aid the rangers all ran off.

The Enemy commanded by Lord How advanced within about 4 miles of White Plains on Friday 25th Oct. 1776 & encamped a little north of where John Barker then lived. On Monday 28th they advanced to White Plains, when the battle took place. Genl. How during the time had his headquarters at the house now owned by Mrs. Osbury. They remained here 8 days, then decamped & marched down & captured fort Washington below Kings Bridge.

64 THE McDONALD PAPERS

The British having thrown us out of protection, we had no government but by county committees. In 1775 my Father was chosen a committee man & afterwards chairman of that committee. He was then a member of the provincial congress; then chosen on a committee of safety which committee met at Esopus (now Kingston) & administered the government until the constitution was framed, he was a member at the framing of the first constitution of this state. After the constitution was framed he was appointed one of the Judges, which office he held until appointed first judge. Of the offices he held & services he rendered the remainder of his life you are already informed.