Thus the first attempt on the American position about the Highlands, although made at a moment when our forces were ill prepared for it, and having in view only the destruction of stores, was a failure. In this same month of March, 1777, occurred the capture of the eminent Judge John Thomas, at his home in the " Rye Woods," by a British expeditionary force sent for that special purpose. Judge Thomas, one of the ablest, most zealous, and most influential patriots in Westchester County, had always been peculiarly obnoxious to the British, and a price had been placed upon his head. He was taken ou Sunday morning, March 22, conveyed to New York, and cast into prison, where he died on the 2d of May following. His remains were interred in Trinity Churchyard. A year and a half later his equally distinguished son, Colonel (afterward Major-General) Thomas Thomas, was secured, also at the Thomas home, by a similar party. This happened November 13, 1778.2 He was subsequently exchanged. The two events illustrate how well served the British were in our county by spies. Both Judge Thomas and his son were exceptionally Upon the occasion of the son's capcautious in their movements. ture it was the first time he had slept at his home in many months. The affair of March at Peekskill greatly agitated the State convention, which caused a portion of the militia of Orange, Dutchess, aud Westchester Counties to be called out, sent to the Highlands, and iThe Van Cortlandt mansion, near Peekskill, of the was built about 1770. In consequence Van Cortlandt. the of Pierre firm adhesion head of the family, to the patriot cause, the Manor House at Croton became an unsafe nabitation. and the Van Cortlandts were obliged to take up their residence in the Peekskill house.