During the Revolutionary War, British forces anchored ships in the Hudson River near here and sent soldiers ashore to harass local citizens by taking livestock and other provisions. The Continental Army protected the western shore of the Hudson with the Third Regiment of Orange County Militia, also known as the Shore Guard, under the command of Col. Hawkes Hay. On several occasions in 1776 and 1777, these local patriots repelled British landing parties, and near this spot in Sarvent’s Quarry, the Shore Guard successfully defended the community.