Zephaniah Piatt and others, aided by six hundred Connecticut troops, disarmed the Loyalists of Cortlandt's manor, during the winter of 1776. Here, also, a convention of Congress assembled for the purpose of distributing commissions to the officer^, who were empowered to raise the mihtia.

For the destruction of this obnoxious post, Col. Robertson obtained of the English governor, a special order and -the command of an entire regiment. From New York, he appears to have proceeded by water to Peekskill, where he landed, swearing he would b'.nii the d d Committee

a His sou i-j th'j present Mr. BicliuiU Wyiikoop of ><\'\v York city.

THE TOWN OF VORKTOWN. 67 1

House; and guided by a spy, named Caleb ^Morgan, marched to Cromj;i)nd, where he burnt the parsonage, then used as a store house and arsenal. Upon the departure of the British troops, the Continental guard took possession of the meeting-house.

The Congregational Society of Crompond, which was organized, under the ministry of the Rev. Silas Constant, has ceased to exist -- the members having been absorbed into the Presbyterian Church.

In 17S7, Dr. Elias Cornelius and JNIr. Benjamin Plaight, were chosen deacons. In 1790, a part of the members withdrew by mutual consent, and fonned a new church at Red Mills. About the year iSo6, a division occurred in the church, when more than two-thirds of her members adhered to Mr. Constant, and maintained the Congregational mode of worship, the remainder resumed the Presbyterian form.

In 18 1 6, a number of members harmoniously left the society and fonned a church at Peekskill.