By them he was entered at Princeton College, from which he graduated just as the Revolution was breaking out. Joining the Continental army, he almost immediately rendered himself famous by the cai)ture of the notorious Captain Rugg and eighteen others at the battle of Long Island. As a reward for his bravery, he received a captaincy, which was subse-

TOMPKINS.

HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

quently supplemented by a major's commission, in recognition of distinguished services rendered at the battles of White Plains and Brandywine.

At the close of the war Major Popham resided for a few years at Albany, New York, where he studied law. While there he met and became enamored of Miss Mary Morris, daughter of Chief Justice Richard Morris, with whom, being forced by her father's hostility, he eloped.

In 1804, having meanwhile effected a reconciliation with his father-in-law, he established a legal practice in New York City and became in time clerk of the Court of Exchequer. He retired in 1811 to his farm in Scarsdale, where he resided till the death of his wife, in 1836. His own death occurred in New York eleven years later, in 1847.

While Major Popham was yet a young man his father, journeying a second time to this country, was taken sick upon the voyage and died. He was buried by his son at Perth Amboy, N. J.

The major at the time of his death was president of the New York State Society of the Cincinnati. He was also its president-general by virtue of his right as oldest member. Upon the occasion of his decease his name received honorable mention in general orders and his loss was lamented by many who had been his warm friends and acquaintances.