Babcock having stationed herself in one of the dormant windows of the Parsonage, aided their escape whenever they appeared, by the waving of a white handkerchief.

During the winter of 1780 a gang of six or eight "cow boys" broke open the Parsonage and robbed the defenceless ladies of everything valuable. To escape detection they had blackened their faces and disguised their persons. Upon the departure of this gang their leader, after making a profound bow, thus addressed Mrs. Babcock : . . . -^ , ..'

" Fare you well and fare you better, ^ And when 1 die, Fll send you a letter."

Fortunately, Mrs. Babcock, through the intervention of Col. James van Cortlandt, obtained restitution of every thing. Within a few years trees have been cut down near the site of Gist's camp and found to contain balls buried six inches in the wood.

» Simcoe's Mil. Journal, p. 86.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 489

North of the Parsonage, on the Saw Mill river road, is situated the residence and property of the late Mr. Robert Reed. This patriotic individual having obtained certain information from Kingsbridge, that the enemy were fitting out an expedition against Col. Thompson, then stationed at the Four Corners ; and were on the eve of marching, he instantly mounted his horse and rode up to the American quarters, a distance of thirteen or fourteen miles, thus giving Thompson timely warning of the enemy's approach. The horse upon which he rode died a few minutes after his arrival. This property is now owned by his son, Mr. Oliver Reed.