THE TOWN OF OSSIN-IXG. 



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bay are decked with numerous country seats. The first property south 

 of the Croton in this town is that of the late Col. Joseph Hunt, whose 

 family purchased cf the commissioners in 1784. The next place in 

 succession is the old McChain estate lately owned by Thomas Oliver, 

 Esq., now owned by O. B. Potter. The house is prettily situated on a 

 finely wooded point, at the extremity of which lies a great rock, com- 

 monly called Frank's rock, near a gigantic tree where a white or bald 

 headed eagle has for a long series of years built her nest. 



Adjoining the above on the south is the Albert Orser property, now 

 Thos. Hand's. It was in the old Orser residence that a body of Con- 

 tinental troops, under the command of Capt. Daniel Williams, were sur- 

 prised by a superior force of British cavalry, led by Capt. Bearmore ; 

 the circumstances attending the event are thus related by an eye-witness. 

 During the winter of 1782, Capt. Daniel Williams (who had been for 

 some time stationed at Croton in command of the American guard upon 

 the lines,) undertook, with a small party of dragoons, a foraging expedi- 

 tion into the neighborhood of Morrisania. Success had attended the 

 enterprise, and they were thus fxr on their way homeward when they 

 halted to refresh themselves. Not apprehending pursuit, they neglected 

 to post guards, and the road leading from the highway being hidden by 

 a small knoll which rose directly in front of the windows, they were not 

 aware of an enemy's approach until nearly surrounded by Capt. Bear- 

 more and his dragoons. 



The confusion that ensued, may be imagined. Some of the Americans 

 were cut down within and about the house ; others rushed along the steep 

 bank to the river, which was frozen, their enemies following in hot pur- 

 suit. Several were slain upon the ice ; among the latter, was George 

 McChain. Capt. Williams himself fled down the adjoining bank, closely 

 followed by a British dragoon, who was gaining fast upon him, when he 

 suddenly checked his horse, and, as his pursuer (unable to stop) dashed 

 by him, rose in his stirrups and dealt a back handed blow with his 

 sword, which brought the dragoon to the ground. He also succeeded 

 in capturing his adversary's horse, with which he arrived safe at head- 

 quarters. 



In the same neighborhood are the estates of the late John Strang and 

 General Sandford. 



Nearer the village are situated the residences of Benjamin Brandreth 

 and Philip van Wyck, both delightfully embosomed in trees, and com- 

 manding extensive views of the river. The latter contains some fine 

 portraits of the Van Cortlandt family, viz., Philip Van Cortlandt, son of 

 Stephanus van Cortlandt, first lord of the manor of Cortlandt, artist un- 



