Here the British appear to have been kept in a constant state of alarm by their vigilant enemies. Upon the 5th of August, 1779, (says Heath) about 100 horse of Sheldon's, Moyland's, and of the militia, and about forty infantry of Glover's brigade, passed by De Lancey's mills to the neighborhood of Morrisania, where they took twelve or fourteen prisoners, some stock, &c. The enemy collected, a skirmish ensued, in which the enemy had a

Heath's Mem. p. 62. b Ibid. 68.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 319

number of men killed and wounded; our loss, two killed and two wounded.''^ The frequency of these attacks compelled De Lancey to shift his quarters under the British guns of Fort No. 8, in Fordham. The dwellings at Morrisania were burnt on the same day with the Westchester court house.

The property of William H. Morris is situated on the high ridge west of the mill brook vale. The house built by James Morris, Esq., occupies the site of one much older, erected in 1795. It is handsome, and well placed, and the neighborhood is rendered extremely beautiful by the inequality of the ground, and the fine mixture of wood and pasture, which diversifies the appearance of the vales and eminences. Within are some good paintings, viz., Jcimes Morris, Benjamin Peale ; Hon. Daniel Webster, Frothingham ; and General Staats Long Morris, artist unknown. A broad and fine carriage road, lined on either side with elms,b is terminated by a picturesque view of the small hamlet of Morrisania. At no great distance stands the residence of the late Commodore Valentine Morris, now occupied by Mr. John Ray.