5-3 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



those who had entered the house ; it appeared difficult, if possible, to 

 dislodge them ; the house was instantly set on fire, by puttii g a straw 

 bed into a closet, which compelled the enemy to jump out at the cham- 

 ber windows, to avoid the flames. Colonel Hatfield, one captain, one 



lieutenant, one quarter-master, and eleven privates were taken prisoners 

 and brought off. This was a pretty affair, but was a little tarnished on 

 the return by some of the militia, who were fatigued, loitering on the 

 road, where they supposed there was no danger ; but a party of horse 

 pursuing, overtook, killed and captured several of them.' a 



Many other occurrences of the same kind might be related to show 

 that this vicinity was constantly harassed by small parties of American 

 volunteers, who made every effort to dislodge their wary antagonists. 



Upon a lofty eminence to the north-west of the Archer house, stand 

 the remains of Fort No. 8. " The enemy (observes Heath) had a re- 

 doubt called No. 8, on the east side of Haarlem creek, nearly opposite to 

 the fort on Laurel Hill, and under the fire of its cannon, for the security, 

 of their advanced troops on the Morrisania side." 6 When the British 

 made the bold and successful attack upon Fort Washington in 1776, the 

 guns of No. 8, which lay directly opposite, covered the advance of the 

 Hessians and Lord Percy. " On the 20th of October, 1782, the enemy 

 were demolishing their works at No. 8, Morrisania."^ 



Fort Independence, the ruins of which are still visible on Tetard's hill, 

 was not dismantled until 1833. Prince Charles' redoubt, and the Negro 

 Fort — both well known fortifications, in the annals of the Revolution — 

 lie on the south side of / "alen tine's hill. From the former, which com- 

 mands a splendid view of the surrounding country, the morning and 

 evening gun of the British was fired. 



On this high ridge formerly the scene of so many bloody conflicts, are 

 located the country seats of H. B. Claflin, the late Charles L. Anthony, 

 Nathaniel P. Bailey, and the estates of S. L. M. Barlow, Oswald Cam- 

 mann, Loring Andrews, Albert N. Christie, Franklin Edson, F. L. 

 Johnson, Emma Dashwood, "Fair Lawn" the residence of Hugh M. 

 Camp, "High Cottage" the residence of Mrs. Montgomery, "Hasle- 

 wood" the residence of Mrs. Lees, and "Villa Boscobel" the residence of 

 William B.Ogden, and "Number Eight" the residence of Gustav Schwab 



Williams Bridge in the north-east corner of West Farms, bordering 

 on Fordham is situated on the Haarlem and New Haven railroad where 

 is a depot, thirteen and a half miles north of the City Hall. 



Tremont, the next station south of Fordham and in close contiguity 



a Ibid, 228. 



b Heath's Memoirs, p. 223. 

 Beam 3 Mem. p. 



