It is related by his grand son that during the entertainment, Captain Lyon being blind, handed the General a draught of good cheer, with these words, " General ! the ladies say you are a very handsome man, but I cannot see." " Tell the ladies," rejoined Washington, "I am afraid they are as blind as yourself."'! Samuel Lyon, his eldest son, received from Governor Tryon a comtuission in the Westchester militia, which he afterwards resigned for a major's commission in the continental army, whereof Samuel Drake was captain. During the war, Major Lyon was unfortunately surprised in the night, by a party of Totten's refugee corps. The marauders after the most inhuman treatment, plundered the house and farm, and carried off

a It is said that clowder fish were very abundant in this pond prior to the introduction of pickerel. See page 372.

*> A fine 8pe:;imen of the white-headed or bald eagle (Falco Leucocephalus) was allot on the shores of the lake in 1840.

c Mes.-rs. Hunt, Lyon, Carpenter and Tripp.

d The silver cup used upon this occasion is still preserved in the family.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 467

their prisoner to New York. His brother Capt. Gilbert L^^on also held a commission in the continental service.^ The son of Major Lyon, is the present Samuel Lyon, Esq. of North Castle. Opposite the site of the old residence on Lyon hill, lies the family cemetery, which contains, among other memorials, the following.

In In

Memory of Memory of