Old priest Ferris was a whig, but his family were all tories. Black rate (as I think) was an act of the Legislature, so arbitrary and unjust that it was seldom or ever enforced, by which Tory property was taken to make good Whig losses. The value of horses and cattle stolen or taken from Whigs was appraised and assessed upon their Tory neighbours." "Major Thomas Menzies was an honorable man of great agricultural taste and talents. He was a prisoner of war on parole, as was also a Major Grant. He did not go off till 1780, and went then with leave of the public authorities. His withdraw was considered a great loss to the cause of agri- -culture in Dutchess County."
The value of horses and cattle stolen or taken from Whigs was appraised and assessed upon their Tory neighbours." "Major Thomas Menzies was an honorable man of great agricultural taste and talents. He was a prisoner of war on parole, as was also a Major Grant. He did not go off till 1780, and went then with leave of the public authorities. His withdraw was considered a great loss to the cause of agri- -culture in Dutchess County."