Description: Montressor's Island: 1776, New York. Now known as Randall's Island, it was first used as a quarantine area for American troops with smallpox. British forces occupied and fortified it September 1776 and used it as a base for operations against northern Manhattan. Attacked once by Americans, British held it until the evacuation in 1782. Reverted to private ownership and farming until 1835 when purchased by the city. Used as potters field and hospital site, now becoming park and recreation facilities.