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Laacej^l&a EltziterU: Ricii,

THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 653.

During the winter of 17S0 a gang of six or eight " cow boys" broke open the Parsonage and robbed the defenceless ladies of everything valuable. To escape detection, they had blackened their faces and disguised their persons. Upon the departure of this gang their leader, after making a profound bow, thus addressed Mrs. Babcock : --

"Fare you well and fare you better, And when I die, I'll send you a letter."

Fortunately, Mrs. Babcock, through the inter\-ention of Col. James van Cortlandt, obtained restitution of everything. Within a few years, trees have been cut down near the site of Gist's camp and found to contain balls buried six inches in the wood.

North of the Parsonage, on the Saw Mill river road, is situated the residence and property of the late Mr. Robert Reed. This patriotic indi\idual ha\-ing obtaiiied certain information from King's Bridge, that the enemy were fitting out an expedition against Col. Thompson -- then stationed at the Four Corners-- and were on the eve of marching, he instantly mounted his horse and rode up to the American quarters, a distance of thirteen or fourteen miles, thus giving Thompson timely warning of the enemy's approach. The horse upon which he rode died a few minutes after his arrival.

In the Saw Mill valley is also situated the residence of the late General Jacob Odell, a descendant of the ancient and honorable family of the Odils. "'The river Ouse," says Camden, "runs under Odil or Woodhill, formerly Waylmll, which also had its Barons of Wayhull, eminent for their ancient nobility, where v,as a castle." The first ancestor of the family in this country, was William Odell, of Concord, who removed to Fairfield, Connecticut, in 1644.