During the Revolution, this part of the county was greatly annoyed by the enemy, who frequently made sudden inroads, plundering and capturing the defenceless inhabitants. February 7lh, 17S2, (says General Heath,) about fifty of De Lancey'rf horse came out within four miles of Chappequa, where they halted. On the 8th ihey moved toward North Castle, but turned off by \Yright's Mills ; from thence to King street, Rye.''^ For a long time St. George's church was occupied as a guard-house and hospital by the Continental troops.

In the vicinity of Abraham Weeks's mill dam, in this town, a party of British refugees waylaid and murdered a French doctor of some distinction. It appears that the unfortunate man was on his route to the American hospital at New Castle, when arrested by his murderers, who dragged him from his horse, and conveyed him into an adjoining swamp. Here, having secured their victim, they proceeded to play a game at cards, as to which of them should be his executioner. In vain their victim plead in broken English for his life, numbering his children upon his fingers. The lot fell upon one Totten, who, approaching the doctor, instantly shot him dead as he knelt on the ground. He was now stripped of his clothing, watch and money, and dragged a few rods further into the bushes- The skeleton was afterwards found and interred upon the spot.^

Near the centre of the town is situated the small hamlet of Sarlesville. Here the town business is principally transacted.