The French army when they retired from White Plains (in 1781 probably) left some sick soldiers in North Castle Church and a surgeon of one of the French regiments went down daily to see them, returning at night to his quarters in Yorktown some where north of the Croton and near Pines Bridge. On his return from one of these visits he was waylaid by James Totten, James Tillott and two others at a place not more than a mile from Pines Bridge in a straight line to the south. They took him to a retired spot in a wood, robbed him of his money, gold watch and clothes, and then sat down under a tree and played a game of "all fours" to determine who should kill him. The poor Frenchman could not talk English but appeared to comprehend what was going on, and resigned himself to his destiny. When the game was over he advanced of his own accord to a tree and clasping the tree in his arms motioned to them to come forward and tie him, which they did, and straightway the appointed man put him to death. One of them (Totten ?) soon after appeared below at Morrisania, dressed in the Frenchman's clothes, and openly boasted of the deed, but received a sharp reproof from Colonel DeLancey. "Totten", he said, "you think you have accomplished an honorable and brave exploit in taking the life of a poor French doctor who made no resistance. You are a disgrace to the Refugees, and I want to see you no more. Take my advice, and withdraw from this place, for rely upon it if you don't the rebels will spare no effort or expense to hang you." He thereupon wisely took the proffered advice and withdrew. The Tottens, (James and G ) went to Nova Scotia, but returned and died here.