Il8 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



Therefore, -we humbly beg your Honors would give us some directions concerning 

 them, that they may be speedily removed at some further distance. We would 

 also inform you that for the misdemeanors of one of them and our own safely, 

 we have been obliged to commit him to jail at the White Plains. These with all 

 proper respects, from yours to serve. JOSEPH AMBLER," 



Chairman of Committee. 



In July, 1779, a skirmish took place in this village between the 

 Americans and a strong force of the enemy, under Lieutenant Colonel 

 Tarleton. 



" About three hundred and sixty of the enemy's light-horse, and light-infantry 

 (says General Heath,) came out from Mile-Square, and attacked Colonel Shel- 

 don's light-horse, who were posted at Poundridge, about ninety iu number. 

 The superior force of the enemy obliged our horse at first, to retreat ; but being 

 reinforced by the militia, they in turn, pursued the enemy. Our loss was one 

 corporal, one trumpeter and eight privates, wounded; three sergeants, one cor- 

 poral, and four privates missing ; and twelve horses missing. The standard of 

 the regiment being left in the house when the dragoons suddenly turned out, was 

 lost. Of the enemy, one was killed, four taken prisoners, four horses taken, 

 and one horse killed. The enemy set fire to and burned the meeting house, and 

 Maj. Lockwood's house ; b They also burnt Mr. Hay's house, at Bedford." c 



It appears that one of the principal objects in this sudden foray of the 

 enemy, was the surprisal of Major Ebenezer Lockwood, before men- 

 tioned, for whose head forty guineas had been offered. The day 

 previous, however Luther Kinnicut, a spy in the employ of the commit- 

 tee of public safety, gave notice of the intended attack, and advised the 

 major to be on his guard. The night being very dark and stormy, 

 Colonel Sheldon did not expect the enemy ; he nevertheless ordered the 

 horses to be tied up in readiness. 



Major Lockwood, thus being destitute of a house or home, and appre- 

 hending further visits from the enemy, found an asylum for his family in 

 the house of a friend in Ridgefield, while he continued in active service 

 to his country in various stations of civil and military duty to the close 

 of the war. Nothing disheartened by this reverse of fortune, he soon 

 returned to his farm, converted a barn into a dwelling, was honored with 

 the appointment of first Judge of the County Court, frequently elected 

 to the Legislature from Westchester County, and was intrusted with 

 loaning the moneys of the State in the county, and appointed to other 

 responsible offices. 



a The descendants of this Individual still reside in the vicinity. 



b The British would not '• suffer the family to take anything away." See New York 

 Journal, for Holts account of the action. 

 c Heath's Mem. 208. 



