722 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



handed the General a draught of good cheer, with these words, " Gen- 

 eral ! the ladies say you are a very handsome man, but I cannot see." 

 " Tell the ladies," rejoined Washington, " I am afraid they are as blind 

 as yourself."* Samuel Lyon, his eldest son, received from Governor 

 Tryon a commission in the Westchester militia, which he afterwards re- 

 signed for a Major's commission in the Continental army, whereof Samuel 

 Drake was Captain. During the war, Major Lyon was unfortunately 

 surprised in the night, by a party of Totten's refugee corps. The marau- 

 ders, after the most inhuman treatment, plundered the house and farm, 

 and carried off their prisoner to New York. His brother, Captain Gil- 

 bert Lyon, also held a commission in the Continental service/ The 

 son of Major Lyon, is the present Samuel Lyon, Esq., of North Castle. 

 Opposite the site of the old residence on Lyon Hill lies the family 

 cemetery, which contains, among other memorials, the following : 



In In 



Memory of Memory of 



MAJOR SAMUEL LYON, MARY, 



who departed wife of 



this life Samuel Lyon, 



January 23, 1819, who departed this life 



M. 71 years, 8 mo. aDd 9 days. January 10,* 1792. M. 84. 



About a mile east from Byram Lake is situated the Cohamong Pond, 

 so denominated from the adjoining hills. This pond has no observable 

 inlet, and is said to be of great depth. There is a delightful eminence 

 in the vicinity, from which the spectator has a noble prospect — com- 

 prehending a horizon to the north, east, and south, of forty miles at 

 least. 



The name of the Middle Patent is still applied to all that beautiful 

 district of country lying in the north-east corner of the township. Within 

 this part of North Castle rises the Mehanas river • which, after running 

 some distance north into Bedford, turns and takes a southerly course, 

 forming the boundary between North Castle and Poundridge on the 

 east. In the Mahanas valley is a small settlement, consisting of a 

 Methodist church and several scattered dwellings. The Methodist so- 

 ciety appears to have been the first organized here, in 1825. Anew 

 church edifice has been recently erected on a beautiful site, command- 

 ing a good view of the valley. Upon an eminence near the meeting- 



a Thb silver cup used upon this occasion is still preserved in the family. 

 b This individual was likewise captured by the enemy and confined with his brother in the 

 New York sugar-house. Captain Gilbert Lyon is the father of Mr. Jesse Lyon of Eastchester. 



