On the nth April, 1775, Colonel Frederick Philipse appeared at the head of a large body of his tenantry, when the deputies from the several towns of Westchester met at Wliite Plains, for the purpose of electing delegates to represent this colony in the general Congress to be held in Philadelphia.''

At a meeting of the Committee for this County held at "White Plains, on Thursday and Friday, the 17th and i8th days of August, inst., the committee divided the County into districts or beats, agreeable to tiie directions of the Provincial Congress, for forming militia and minute companies.

Yonkers formed one of the districts of the southern battalion. The

a TI1I3 n-a-l i^;s. b See page 350.

THE TO^VN OF YONKERS.

officers chosen were John Cock, Captain; William Betts, first lieutenant; Joiin Warntr, second lieutenant; and Jacob Post, ensign. °

The following petition from the inhabitants of Lower Yonkers, occurs

in 1775:--

Loicer Tonlccrs, Sept. 15, 1775.

To the Hon. the Provincial Congress for the Province of New York, convened in their recess, to the lion. Conimittee of safety. The humble petition of the inhabitants of the precincts of Lower Yonkers, in the county of Westchester, humbly showeth, that your Hon. Ilouse had made a resolve, and published the fame, recommending to the inhabitarts of every town, manor, precinct and district within the province aforesaid, to meet, nominate and appoint a captain and other officers, to form themselves as companies of militia; and, whereas the inhabitants of this precinct did meet agreeable to your said resolve, on the 24th Aiy of Au^uust last, under the inspection of the committee of that district, and by a very great majority, as by the list will appear, did nominate and appoint Mr. John Cock of the said precinct, for his known skill and ability in military discipline, and for o'iicr good causes, captain of tlie company for the district aforesaid ; and, whereas, we are informed that a complaint hath been made to the committee by a fev,- of the inhabitants against the said Mr John Cock, out of spite and rualice, and as we conceive what has been alleged against him was before signing the association, we are well assured that since his signing the association, no person can accuse him of breaking the same by any ways or means whatsoever i therefore, we the petitioners and subscribers, do humbly beg the indulgence of this Hon.