The opposition of the Church of England, instead of crushing out the Presbyterians, stimulated them to increased efforts, and developed a force that eventually drove English sway from the country. Much that is entertaining and instructive in regard to these men and their followers may be found in the " The Sons of Liberty in New York," by Henry B. Dawson, Esq., a book that should be in every district school library, instead of being a rare volume found only in our best libraries. These Presbyterian Sons of Liberty were William Smith, Sr., William Smith, Jr., William Livingston, John Morin Scott and others. Of this conflict there was an interested witness in White Plains, for the Rev. John Smith, of that town, was a brother to the one and an uncle to the other of the Smiths. It is of these Presbyterians that a learned historian has said : " The first voice publicly raised in America to dissolve all connection with Great Britain came, not from the Puritans of New England, or the Dutch of New York, or the planters of Virginia, but from the JScotch-Irish Presbyterians." '

The central location of White Plains, with its courthouse, made it a convenient place for public assemblages of the peo|)le ; and the Revolutionary events connected with this town will ever retain a prominent place in American history. The conflict seemed rapidly approaching in 1774, and soon entered into and divided the family circle. A marked instance ot this is found in the family of Jonathan P. Horton, who was himself a determined Loyalist, while some of his sons were among the most active Whigs who fought in the vicinity of the " Neutral Ground." - In striking contrast to this is the following notice, taken from Bivim/ion's Gazette of April 20, 177-"), of a marriage in a more united family : " March 28.