Prior to Colonel De Lance/s taking possession of his father's house, a party of British refugees took, with other property, his favorite animal, whilst he, being unarmed, could only bluster and threaten. He refused, however, to leave them, and actually accompanied tlie robbers two miles on their route to head-quarters. As the party were passing tlie soot which now makes the southern entrance to West P'arms, two Continen-, tal soldiers rose up from behind a stone wall and fired. The man leading the mare was shot, and fell ; the mare turned round and ran homewards, to the great delight of the owner, who immediately followed. Soon after this event the family, driven from home, were compelled to seek shelter elsewhere. Mr. Leggett and his two brothers went to Saratoga; here they cleared a small piece of land, erected a log house, and prepared to spend the winter. But on the aj^proach of Burgoyne, they were taken prisoners by the Indian allies. His two brothers were cari-ied to Fort Edward by the Indians, whilst he himself v.as conveyed to Burgoyne's camp. Here he fell in with a neighbor named Concklin, who, after a fortnight's detention, forged a pass for both. By this m.eans

a Sum. gate's uiil'-?, .S, Y. Lib. ii. 24.

448 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF W-ESTCHESTER.

the sentinels were deceived. Our heroes swam the north river, (it was the early part of October,) and ran all that night. The next day thry concealed themselves in the woods, and the following night kept on their way, avoiding all habitations of note. Not kno',nng the state of parties in the country', they skulked from one place to another until thcv reached Dutchess county, where ConckHn was known. Here, they rested themselves and obtained food. Soon after the treaty of peace, Mr.