19 144 [margin: 1845.] 9. Sept. 15th. John Yerks of Mount Pleasant near Twitching's corner: “We were at Upper Salem in September 1780 when I proposed to John Paulding to make up a small party and lay in wait for the cow-boys and horse thieves that plunder'd the whigs alone and retreated to New York by way of Tarrytown. I engaged several to join me and Paulding engaged several until our party amounted to seven in all – viz. John Paulding, Isaac Van Wart, David Williams, James Romers, Isaac See, Abraham Williams and John Yerks. Some of the party thought our number too small, but I answered that the Cow-boy parties were scarcely ever more than twelve, and that six of us were a match for twelve cow-boys any time. We accordingly left Upper Salem on the morning of September 1780, and passing through Cross River, Bedford, arrived that afternoon, in Philip's manor, where we went to see Mrs. Anderson, hearing that she had just returned from Morrisania, [page break] 20 145 [margin: 1845] 10. where she had been to make some small purchase of household articles. We enquired; What news below? She answered there was nothing new, but that there appeared to be a great movement among the British troops. We slept that night in a hay-barrack near Unionville. Next morning early we proceeded to the vicinity of Tarrytown and separating in parties of three and four took our stations and lay in wait. Paulding, Van Wart and Williams stationed themselves in an impervious thicket of bushes on the top of a hill close to the Post — road which commanded a view of the road (an extensive view) for a considerable distance, above and below, while the other four of us concealed ourselves in woods and bushes about three hundred yards above; the one party designing to intercept robbers or traders with the enemy who came by the North River or Post — road, the other intending to the same kind class of folks who came [page break] 23 146 [margin: 1845] 11. from above and who often took cattle horses and plunder below by a path or private road near which we lay. The place where Paulding's party was concealed was a small hill situated close to and on the north side of a small rivulet Clark's Kill which crosses the Post — road. We had agreed to assist each other in case of an attack and to signalize each other by firing in case assistance should be wanted. We also agreed to share equally between the seven all the plunder and gain we made. About 10 or 11 A.M. the three came to us with Major André whom they had taken and examined a short time before, and his horse. So We then all went to Jacob Romer's (Tavern) where we took breakfast (some refreshments) and then proceeded immediately to Mile Square in North Castle where we delivered André and his papers &c. to Lieut. Colonel Jamison (or Major Tallmadge ?) I don't know which [page break] 24 147 [margin: 1845] 12. André's horse was sold at auction, and he redeemed the watch. The (these) proceeds together with the money found upon him &c. were divided equally among the seven.”

Mem. a Jacob Romer (father of Captain John) lived on the White Plains and Tarrytown road about a quarter of a mile from that road and one and a half miles from the Post — road. The Post — road at Tarrytown then ran a little West of the present road. André was stopped and taken at the little rivulet above mentioned. His captors then conducted him to the great white-wood-tree where (under which) they searched him and discovered the papers. The tree stood a hundred or a hundred and fifty yards South of the said rivulet called Clark's Kill.