New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-11

bers OF the old Dutch Church in Sleepy Hollow.
Jacob settled in Sleepy Hollow. John In Sing sing.
and Cornelius built the predecessor OF the house OF
which this article treats.
In those days Of large farms the adjoining prop
erty the was that Of Wolferts Roost in
later days known as Sunnysde the nome Of Wash
nStcn Irving and IN the Revolution occupied by
Captain Jacob Van Tassel and the headquarters OF
the organization known the Water Guard, Q
body OF patriots who did effective service through.
out that struggle. and concerning whose deeds
many tales have been written or still exist Ia the
folklore and traditions OF the county.
The house built by Cornelius Van Tassell lasted
for nearly century, Until near tho close of the
year III, when British scouting parties In the
lower part Of the county, having met many hunlis
atng defeats Governor Tryon determined to adopt
harsh measures to exterm!nate the patriots o: the
district Accordingly James DO I>ancey. the Tory
Sheriff and Colonel Of the militia OF the county.
directed to recruit company Of rangers. They
mounted and wel!-eQuippcd. and reward o.
SIS offered for the capture OF every Gm'i'rao
member OF the Committee OF Safety. and s. for
every deserter from the British ranks The COM
pany soon gained tie name OF Cow Boys and on the
night of November II, III. they raided he neigh
borhood of what is known lmsforl. Cor
nelius Van Tassell. suspected 20 nmit' and
a descendant of the original builder Ct the house.
was seized. his wife and infant laughter taken
from their beds and placed upon the frozen ground.
and the building was fired and totally destroyed.
Other buildings in the neighborhood were also de-
stroyed and a number of other .atriots were ar
rested and carried off to captivity in he dungeons
ard prison ships Of NewYork. The raiders did not
forget 10 collect all the cattle and drive them on
with their prisoners
In revenge for this outrageous proc.ediog. Abra-
ham Martling, whose house was short distance
west OF the Van Tassell house, led an expedition
few nights afterward through the British lines at
Snu1ten Duvyil IN Rloomin gdale. where tie hCcoo
OF Colonel De Lancey destroyed In q manner
that was most satisfactory to the daring patriots
OF the expedition.
THE BUILDING OF THE PRESENT HOUSE.
II was not until the year 1923 that the present
house erected upon the site OF the old Van
Tassell homestead 1t was built by John Romer.
who had married Leah. daughter OF Lieutenant
Cornelius Van Tasse and probably the one VINO
as an infant had been TUNED out with her mother
into the frosty November night when the older
structure was burned. John Romer became cap
tain in the War Of 1872 and died when he was
ninety years old. beloved by every one
After his time the house became the town house
OF Greenburg. where the annual elections were
held and matters OF public Importance transacted
for nearly fifty years. In the great meadow just
north OF the house was held. In olden times, the
general muster and review OF the county muua,
which occasion termed by the irreverent OF
those days as the training day OF the barefooted
brigade" Military companies from all portions OK
the county attended and sham battles. horse-rao-
ing and horse trading made the day q memorable
one for months to come The racetrack was one
mile straightaway. the John Romer house mark
ing the southern limit. while the Elmsford or Halls
Corners Bridge the boundary on the north.
Near the old house the eastery slope q
Beaver Mountain, overlooking a, wide expanse OF
the Nepperhan Valley and adjacent country. are
the remains OF the dwelling Of Abraham Martlins.
,bo Eap slate -
Captain John Romer. Fifty or more years ago II
was the favorite picnic grounds. where Washington
Irving with few OF his friends. frequently spent
widow. interesting historical details that the
author Of Knickerbocker" has 50 delightfully."- inter-
woven in his tales Of the neutral ground
About a sixth Of mile north Of the old hou ,Se
| once stood the house OF Aaron Van Wormer. buus
In 1904 Aarons son. Peter. soldier in the Rev.
| dictionary War. as seems to have been tho case
with every male resident OF the valley for that mat
!or and TssslSsd tradition
handsome horse fully equipped HIS sister, Na Ir
w waoe ns that IN yaor she match for
| in the county" Peter Van Wormers daughtsI,
one Hendrick Romei. She is the heroine Of many
| tale. At time she was compelled to bake oreaS
h ST ihs but she seoa
+, time to time. which she carried under her snors
Wing in conceament during the presence Of 20 large
| a force OF the enemy In the neighborhood
WHERE THE PATRIOTS HID.
| This place Of conceament was sort OF cave neo0
the top OF one OF the Beaver Hills, known a. ~
'Farcus Hott." used as a picket station by ~
Americans and is still pointed out. Chrtstenah ltvoo
| 20 be 1O4 years old and had full possession of Ass
faculties to the end life. In telling her stories
of the days tried mems souls II Is stated tha<
she would begin her story In excellent English. bue
as she became excited would relapse into tho
tongue Of her childhood and finish her tale In broad
Dutch.
Tho Valley of the Nepperhan Is filled with traA.
t,ons OF the past concerning people able to nlahe
history. Up and down through the valley for tonq
wears traniped the troops Of the King or the hardy
bands Of the Colonies Every prominent hilltop wAe
once picket post and many OF as fertile mssoows
ana now the hand Of progress has entered the
valley The railroad engine ana the s9. cts n
many instances have taken the place OF broad pa:
ture lands and fertile fields while modern villas ano