This portion of Westchester county appears to have suffered severely during tlie war of the Revolution, and was constantly

" This individualis a lineal descendant of the first Episcopal Rector of the parish, his mother being a daughter of the late Augustus Bartow, great grandson of the Rev. John Bartow.

b Church Rec. ^ Religious Soc. Co. Rec, Lib. A. 54.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 153

the scene of marches, points of defence, and skirn:ii5hes. Here, also, the lawless "skinner" and " cow boy" practised their black deeds of rapine unmolested.

In October, 1776, a skirmish took place in this town between the patriots, on their route from King's Bridge to Westchester, and the enemy under Lord Howe.

For some time the Connecticut troops were billeted in the village.

On the 3d of October, 1779, " Lieut. Gill, of the American dragoons, patrolling in Eastchester, found a superior force in his rear, and no alternative but to surrender or cut his way through them ; he chose the latter, and forced his way, when he found a body of infantry still behind the horse. These he also charged, and, on his passing them, his horse was wounded, and threw him, when he fell into the enemy's hands. Two of the lieutenant's party, which consisted of twenty four, were killed, and one taken prisoner ; the rest escaped safe to their regiments.^

In the vicinity of the village a detachment under the command ' of General Parsons, fitted out in sleighs, (returning from an enterprise against the enemy at Morrisania,) were overtaken and almost entirely cut to pieces by a party of British light horse.^