[Robert Bolton, Jr. (1848)] onsly in the writings of Died rich Knickerbocker. During the stormy period of the revolution, it belonged to "Jacob Van Tassel, or Van Texel, as the name was originally spell, after the place in Holland, which gave birth to this heroic line." The following graphic sketch of the exploits of this re-doubtable hero, is taken from the chronicle of the Roost :. " The situation of the Roost is in the very heart of what M-as the debatea-ble ground between the American and British lines, during the war. The British held possession of the city of New York, and the island of Manhattan, on which it stands. The Americans drew up towards the highlands, holding their head-quarters at Peekskill. The intervening country, from Croton River to Spiting Devil Creek, was the debateable land, subject to be harried by friend and foe, like the Scottish borders of yore. It is a rugged country, with a line of rocky hills extending through it like a back bone, sending ribs on either side; but among these rude hills are beautiful winding valleys, like those watered by the Pocantico and the Neperan. In the fastnesses of these hills, and along these valleys, exist a race of hard-headed, hard-handed, s^.out-heart-ed Dutchmen, descended of the primitive Nederlanders. Most of these were strong whigs throughout the war, and have ever remained obstinately attach-ed to the soil, and neither to be fought nor bought out of their paternal acres.