Page:The part taken by women in American history.djvu/220

Rh life she was so ardently devoted. On her marriage at about the age of seventeen, with Gerard G. Beekman, she removed to the city of New York, where her residence was in the street which still bears her name. Her husband was in mind, education and character worthy of her choice. Not many years of her married life had passed when the storm of war burst upon the land and taught her to share in aspirations for liberty. She entered into the feelings of the people with all the warmth of her generous nature. She even spoke with enthusiasm of an impressive ceremonial procession she witnessed, when the mechanics of the city brought their tools and deposited them in a large coffin made for the purpose and then marched to the solemn music of a funeral dirge and buried the coffin in Potter's Field. They returned to present themselves each with a musket in readiness for military service. Finding a residence in New York impossible in the state of popular excitement she withdrew to the Peekskill Manor House, a large brick building situated two miles north of Peekskill. Here she resided during the war marked as an object of insult by the Royalists, on account of the part taken by her relatives and friends as well as her own ardent attachment to the American cause. At times in the struggle, when portions of the British army were ranging through Westchester she was exposed to their injuries, but her high spirit, and strong will contributed to her safety, and supported her through many scenes and trials. One day, when the troops were in the neighborhood a soldier entered the house and walked unceremoniously toward the closet. Mrs. Beekman asked him what he wanted. "Some brandy," was the reply. When she reproved him for the intrusion he presented his bayonet at her breast and with many harsh epithets swore he would kill her on the spot. Although alone in the house except for an old black servant, she showed no alarm at the threats of the cowardly