He was educated at Yale, where he formed a personal and literary friendship with Dwight and Trumbull. He entered the Revolutionary army, and became a member of Washington's military family, with the rank of colonel. He wrote alife of General Putnam, and a number of poems and plays. After the war he resided with Washington at Mount Vernon, and when he became President, traveled with him to New York. Among his poetical productions is "Washington's Farewell to the Army," in verse. He held the diplomatic post of ambassador to Lisbon, 1794-1797, and minister to Spain, 1797-1802. He died at New Haven, February 21, 1818.

Robert Rogers, the noted ranger and writer, narrowly escaped being captured by Lord Stirling's troops at Mamaroneck, so that his associations connected with Westchester County were not, perhaps, of the pleasantest character. He was then a colonel in the British service, commanding the Queen's Rangers. Alter the incident at Mamaroneck he went to England, and was succeeded in his command by Colonel Simcoe. He was a native of Dunbarton, New Hampshire, and early achieved reputation as commander of a company of Rangers during the French War. His name is perpetuated by "Rogers' Slide " on Lake George, so-called from the daring act of Rogers in escaping from the Indians by sliding down the steep face of the mountain to the shore of the lake. After many romantic adventures in this country and in Europe, he figured in 1775 as an ardent patriot. Washington, however, suspected him, and in June 1776, ordered his arrest. He professed to l)e on his way to off'er his services to Congress, which body ordered his return to New Hampshire. He soon after openly espoused the cause of the King. He was proscribed and banished by his native State, and his subsequent history is unknown.