On one occasion, a party of the former forced their entrance into the Valentine House; seizing the proprietor, Thomas Valentine, they demanded his life or money; whereupon, disbelieving, or affecting to disbelieve him, they threatened, on his again refusing, to hang him instantly. Obtaining no satisfactory answer, they carried him to the foot of a cherry tree, still standing, near the comer of the old garden, and had placed the cord around his neck, when he suddenly threw it off, exclaiming, "Don't be

such d d fools as to hang a man when he hasn't any money." The

coolness and apparent sincerity of his language, served effectually to disarm the robbers; for they not only desisted from their purpose, but released him. Instances had occurred in the neighborhood, in which they had actually carried their threats into execution.

One or two instances of heroic courage in a female of this family (Susan Valentine, aftenvards INIrs. Vredenburgh) is deserving of record. These marauders, like all other villians, frequently proved themselves great cowards. Aliss Susan Valentine, when a young woman, prevented a large party from entering the house by threatening them, single handed, with a large oven shovel -- solemnly protesting she would split the head of the first man that dared to cross the threshhold. Pier courage and determination alone ser^-ed to protect the house from plunder. On another occasion, an intimate friend, Mr. Sneden, had entrusted her with the

a Simcoe's >ni. Jourcal. b Heath's Mem. 353.

6o6 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.