INTERVIEWEE: Pierre Van Cortlandt DATE: Octr. 19th LOCATION:

Octr. 19th Genl. Pierre Van Cortlandt: "General Washington was in this house two days before Arnold's treason was concocted, and slept here all night with Hamilton and others of his suite.

Willett's Hill is the most easterly of the two round hills by the road. Colonel Willett made his attack from the east upon the British picket in Cortlandt's valley in 1777. There could have been no feint on the British left in consequence of the Peak's Kill being so near the hill."

Holmes was Colonel of the fifth of the first five regiments raised in New York in the beginning of the war, and Philip Van Cortlandt, my brother, was Lieut. Colonel of the same. The next year Holmes went over to the British. In 1775, by order of the Provincial Congress Colonel Hammond by order of the Pro=vincial Congress went over to Cortlandt's ~~house~~ Manor and disarmed the tories who were numerous.

Captain Samuel Delavan command=ed the West Chester Company of horse.

Capt. Webb's suit of clothes very elegant. Joshua Smith attempted to get them but ~~William~~ [marg: Mrs.] Beekman who had charge of them refused. Mrs. Beekman lived here at that time -- (i, e, in this house) Pauld=ing three days before André was taken was confined in the old North Dutch Church. He got a gallon of brandy -- treated the soldiers -- climbed picket fence -- "Come down, you rebel rascal!" -- At last, watching his opportunity, he got over and made his escape to Nathan Lavinus who kept a livery stable in Chatterton Street where Lorillard's manufactory afterwards was. Paulding said to him: "You must furnish me with a disguise." -- Got a Hessian's coat green turned up with red, got a boat at the North river and escaped to the Jerseys -- met a British guard boat and got [marg: see origl. p. 52. (Note Book - 1847.)] to Weehawk, where he was ~~brought~~ taken up and brought before Marquis La Fayette as a spy.