The History of the Several Towns, Manors, and Patents of the County of Westchester, Vol. II (1881 revised ed.)
The first entry occurs, New York, den 19th Jan., 1723-4.
During the early period of the Revolutionary war, this house was garrisoned by a piquet guard of the Green Yagers, whose officers held their head-quarters here.
His Excellency, General Washington, and aids, dined in one of the apartments on' the memorable July of lySr, when the British piquets were driven wthin the lines upon New York Island. In another room, the unfortunate Captain Rowe expired in the arms of his bride-elect.
To the north of the mansion, is seen rising Vault Hill, so called from the family sepulchre, which is seated upon its summit. From this spo; hallowed by the remains of the illustrious dead, the view is exceedingly beautiful; Tippett's vale, the mill-pond, orchards, and neighboring hills. The vault itself is a small square edifice of stone, surmounted with a pointed roof, the whole enclosed by a solid stone wall. Within an adjoining vault, in the same yard, repose the remains of
CHARLOTTE AMELIA BAYLEY,'^
relic of Doctor Rich.vrd B.vyley,
who died the 1st day of Sept.,
1S05.
It was upon this hill that General Washington stationed his troops and lighted camp-fires for the purpose of deceiving the enemy, whilst he secretly withdrew to join La Fayette before Yorktown, in Virginia, A.D. 17S1.
a This UJy waa a sister-iri-Iaw of Au^itua Vau Cortljatlt, Sen.
THE TO\V'N OF YONKERS. 621
There are still the remains of a considerable fort on the north end of the ridge. During the Revolutionary struggle, the valley south from Vault Hill to Kings Bridge, appears to have been the constant scene of skirmishing between the two armies. ,