Pierre Van Cortlandt as it it more commonly spelled built a house in Peekskill in 1773 and it was at this house that this staunch patriot entertained General Washington and other notable figures. He also later built a manor house in Croton which can be seen today as Van Cortlandt Manor. Pierre had a "river guard" and they were said to have "peppered the British boats when they ventured near the shore" (Bacon p 232). His son Philip also fought in the Continental Army.