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. This evening wiis married, at the White Plains, Westchester County, Mr. Gabriel Purdy, youngest son of Mr. Samuel Purdy, to the agreeable Miss Charity Purdy, daughter of Mr. Joseph Purdy, both of that loyal town. What particularly is remarkable in the affair is this, the guests consisted of tbrty-seveu persons, thirty-seven of whom were Purdys, and not a single Whig among them."
This day (March 28, 1775) was a memorable one in the history not only of White Plains, but of Westchester County. Public notice had been given of a meeting of persons from different districts of the county to consider the most proper method of taking the sense of the freeholders of the county upon the expediency of choosing deputies to meet the deputies from other counties for the purpose of electing delegates to represent this colony in the General C'lnjrress to be held in Philadelphia on the 10th day of May then next. At this meeting it was recom-
1 5 Bancroft, "7.