Xll INTRODUCTION. 



Witch Elm, (Ulmus Montana ;) the Plane or Buttonwood, (Platanus ;) 

 the Ash, (Traxinus) ; Basswood, Lime or Linden, (Zelia) ; Beach, 

 (Tagus) ; Birch, (Betula) • Maple, (Acer) ; Locust, (Robinia ); Chestnut, 

 ( Castanea) ; Walnut, (Juglans) ; Hickory, (Carya) ; the Whitewood or 

 Tulip, (Liriodendron) ; Dogwood, (Cornus) ; Hemlock or Spruce, and 

 the Red Cedar, (Juniperus.) 



"This County suffered severely during the Revolution. The whole 

 southern part was marked by the marches, works of defence, or skirmishes 

 and battles of hostile armies ; and, indeed, the active operations of the 

 war in 1776 were principally confined to this region, and in the Autumn 

 to this County — and the two armies were in full force, constantly on the 

 alert, and under the eyes of their respective Commanders-in-Chief. And 

 this, too, was probably the most interesting period of the war, though 

 attended with no exploits of very brilliant fame. The British with a 

 numerous army, and a powerful marine, were in possession of New York, 

 while Washington, with an inferior and badly supplied army, dispirited 

 by the affair of Long Island, was merely manoeuvring to keep them in 

 check. The battle of White Plains, October 28th, will long be remem- 

 bered, as will the dismal prospect of that year, when the Patriot Fathers 

 of America had still the courage to declare Independence, and assert the 

 rights of nature and of nations. But though the morning sun of 

 Declared Independence arose thus in a cloud, — while yet it was morning, 

 Princeton, Trenton and the plains of Saratoga enjoyed a broad reful- 

 gence, diffusing new spirits over the nation. And it were well worthy 

 the attention of every American youth to study the history of that war, 

 and thus learn the price paid for Independence; the better to know 

 how to appreciate its value. Nor ought we to forget that the privileges 

 so dearly purchased, can only be preserved to our posterity, by that zeal 

 for our country which governed the conduct of our fathers, now descended 

 to the grave." 5 



"The County of Westchester," says Mr. N. P. Willis, "has been 

 made the scene of, perhaps, the best historical novel of our country, and, 

 more than any other part of the United States, suffered from the evils 

 of war. The character and depredations of the "Cow-boys" and 

 " -Skinners" whose fields of action were on the skirts of this " Neutral 

 Ground," are familiar to all who have read " the Essay" of Mr. Cooper. 

 A distinguished clergyman" gives the following very graphic picture of 

 Westchester County in those days : — 



a July 41 a, 1776. 



b Spafford's Gazetteer of N. T. Upon the evacuation of New York by the British forces, 

 Nov. 25, 17S3, the Governor of the State and Commander-in-chief were escorted by a body of 

 Westchester Light horse, commanded by Captain Delavan," — Editor. 



e Dr. Timothy Dwight's Travels, 3d vol. 



