To his widow was left the care of the family of small children and the devoted mother ably discharged her obligations; she was a zealous church-worker as the records of her parish bear witness and she carried on the farm and capably directed its management. It was in her household that John M. Macdonald lived for many years and she not only ministered unto his frail physique but she found time to arrange and transcribe many of his crude notes and papers. It is proper that the people of Westchester County should know this record and pay proper tribute to the memory of this gifted and noble woman. In September, 1844, John M. Macdonald began the excur-sions into Westchester County that finally resulted in 407 recorded interviews with 241 different persons. The last excursion was in 1851, beginning Oct. 16 and ending Oct. 20. The companion and guide was Andrew Corsa. As one visualizes this aged man, accompanied by an invalid of frail physique and his servant, going about among the hills of

1 Sanford Hall remained in possession of the Macdonald family until 1925. JOHN MACLEAN MACDONALD 89

Westchester County, telling the story of the Revolution and the "Neutral Ground" and the Refugees it is little wonder that so many were willing to entertain them and tell them of what they had seen and heard. These interviews constitute a remarkable record. As one reads them the enthusiasm of the student and interviewer is commingled with the pride of the witness in having personally been a part of the tale related. No one can read the inter-views without due recognition of some unusual circumstances in their collection. A guide who had served under Washington and Rochambeau was talking with them; a legally trained mind was asking questions in turn. Having aroused interest and enthusiasm could any more effective means of collecting and preserving the stories be conceived?