552 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



" The hungry worm rny sister is, 

 This winding sheet I wear, 

 And cold and weary lasts my might, 

 Till the last morn appear." — Margaret's OJiost. 



The wild and romantic scenery of the glen, seems to favor these 

 superstitions. 



In this vicinity, Jacob Acker and Isaac Van Wart, two well known 

 patriots, made a bold attack upon a small party of British cavalry. For 

 the purpose of annoying the enemy they concealed themselves in a 

 neighboring wood, from whence they could obtain a view of the road ; 

 and, as the British passed in full gallop, Acker fired at the commanding 

 officer. The sudden report of the musket frightened the horse, which 

 immediately commenced plunging ; the rider in his efforts to restrain the 

 restive animal, lost his hat, which Acker determined to possess himself 

 of; he was again reloading his piece, when the enemy, not knowing the 

 number of assailants, deemed it proper to retire, which they effected 

 with much haste and confusion. 



Jacob Acker, commonly called Rifle Jake, is reported to have killed 

 with his own hands, on different occasions, five or six of the enemy. 



Two miles north-east of the county house are situated the "four 

 corners" (so called in contradistinction to the upper,) better known as 

 Young's hurt house. 



We learn from the petition of Martha Young, Samuel Young, and 

 Thomas Young, (former proprietors of this place,) and the report of the 

 committee made thereon, that at the commencement of the revolution- 

 ary war Joseph Young, father of said Samuel Young, resided about four 

 miles east of Hudson river, on the road leading from Tarrytown to the 

 White Plains ; that after the British took possession of the city of New 

 York and part of the county of Westchester, that road was denominated 

 the American lines. The elevated situation of the dwelling house and 

 the number of out-buildings, rendered it a convenient post for the 

 American troops; that from August, 1776, until February, 1780, the 

 said dwelling-house was occupied as headquarters for the several com- 

 manders in those lines, and the out-houses were occupied as barracks 

 for the soldiers, and places of deposit for their provisions and military 

 stores; that on the night of the 24th of December, 1778, Captain Wil- 

 liams of the American army, who, with about forty soldiers, was quar- 

 tered in the dwelling-house and barns, was attacked by the British 

 refugees, under the command of Major Barrymore; that said Captain 

 Williams and a party of soldiers, and said Joseph Young, were taken 

 prisoners ; that the said Young was himself confined in the provost of 



