Those who halted at Vermille's (Vermilles) were surprised at, or soon after supper, by a pursuing party of De Lancey's and all taken except Col. John Odell, Isaac Lent and a boy named Van Nostrand. These made their escape by jumping from the windows of the house. This house of Jacob Vermille is now owned and occupied (?) by Isaac Lent. They always believed that the information which led to their capture was given by William Underhill. The first they knew they were fired upon." (Rivington says Odell and three others, guides, were taken - June 1781.)

[page break]

150 215 80. "Colonel John Odell was with Armand when he took Bearmore and Frederick Underhill. One of Emmerich's captains was named Vanderburg. Emmerich himself was a stout, fierce looking man of not more than forty years of age, and a great favourite of the women whom he courted. He was a great smoker and used a crooked pipe. A detachment of French cavalry stopped at Vincent's Smithy in East Chester and requested him to shoe some horses which he refused, saying he had iron in the fire for other work upon which he was engaged. Some alteration ensued which ended in a quarrel. A French officer (?) drew his sword and cut Vincent down, leaving him for dead, but he at length recovered. His brother

[page break]

216 153 Elijah Vincent on being informed of it vowed revenge and waylaid the French horse. The Vincents were born and brought up on the place (at East Chester) of their father which was afterwards owned by Colonel William Smith, son in law of President John Adams.