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HISTORY
or
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
FROM
ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT
TO THB
PRESENT TIME.
Br ROBERT BOLTON, Jr.
AUTHOR or TBI " QUIDS TO NRW ROCBBLLB,'* AND A MBMBKR OF THR N. T. BUTORIOAL SOOUnT.
TOIiUME II.
*« It Mthe pri?nege of History to impart the experience of tige, without its infirmitiee ; to bring back thingt long obeeared by time, or mnkiDg into cMiTion ; and enaUe w to form aome reasonable conjectures of what may happen to posterity.** — P&ulmm't Hitt. of Holdemem,
NEW TOKK:
PRINTED BY ALEXANDER S. GOULD,
144 NASSAU STREET.
1848.
Entered according to the Act of CongreMin the year eighteen hundred and forty -eight
BY ROBERT BOLTON, JR. In the Clerk'e Office of the Dirtrict Court for the Southern Diitrict of New Yoik.
HISTORY
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
POUNDRlDGt;.
POUNDEIDOE is sitU-
__-^^ ated fifteen miles north- /a^-4 east of the village of 'i White Plains, and dts- raiit one hundred and [hirty-niiic miles from Albany ; bounded iiorih and cast by Lewis- borough, soiilh east by the stale of Con- necticut, and west by Bedford and North Custle.' The name of this town is undoubtedly derived from the ancient Indian pound, which formerly stood at the foot of a liigh ridge, a. little
u OTHanned an lbs Tthof Hucb, 1T6B. I
2 HISTORY OF THE
south of the present village of tha^ name. On account of its na- tural boundaries this section of country was peculiarly adapted for the favorite Indian practice of entrapping wild game. Upon the north the Stony mountains formed an impassable rampart, whilst the long chain of ponds and streams on the east line of the town closed up all avenues of escape in that direction. The Indians therefore availing themselves of these natural barriers, constructed a palisaded pound at the southern extremity of the ponds, into which they drove the wild game from the west. Van der Donck the historian informs us, " that the Indians fre- quently united in companies of from one to two hundred, when they have rare sport. On these occasions they drive over a large district of land and kill much game. They also make ex- tensive fikes with palisadoes, which are narrow at the termina- ting angles, wherein they drive multitudes of animals and take great numbers. At a word they are expert hunters for every kind of game, and know how to practice the best methods to insure success."* The shouts and yells of these savage hunts- men must have reverberated in frightful echoes from the neigh- boring woods and hills, serving no doubt much to bewilder their prey.
Poundridge was originally included in the Indian grant made to Jphffi Turner of New Haven, on the 1st of July, 1640. The sale is thus recorded in the town books of Stamford.
" Bought of Ponus, sagamore of Toquams/' (Stamford,) " and Wascoasae, sagamore of 8hippan, by me Nathaniel Tarner of Qiiinnipiacke,"^ (New Ha- Ten,) ** all the ground that belongs to both the above named sagamores, ex- cept a piece of ground which the aforesaid sagamore of Toquams reserved for his and the rest of the said Indians to plant on ; all which ground being ex- pressed by meadows, uplands, grass, with the rivers and trees ; and in consi- deration hereof, I the said Nathaniel Turner am to give and bring or send to the above said sagamores within the space of one month, twelve coats, twelve hoes, tweWe hatchets, twelve glasses, twelve knives, four kettles, and four fathom of white wampum ; all which land both we the said sagamores do pro- mise faithfully to perform both for ourselves, our heirs, executors or assigns
> Van der DoDck*8 Hist, of N. N. New York Hist. See. Coll. New Series, toI. i. k Capt. Nathaniel Turner purchased in behalf of the people of New Haven.
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 3
to the aboire 8aid Nathaniel Tarner of Qainoipiacke, his heirs, exeeoton or anigns, and hereunto we haye set oar marks in the presence of many of the ■aid Indians, they fully consenting thereto.^
Witnessed by us, Ye marke of \\ Poous, sagamore.
William Wilkes, Ye marke of O Wascussue, sagamore.
James, &c. The marke of co Owenoke, the son of Ponus,
RecM in part payment, 12 glasses, 12 knives, 6 coals.
Besides Poiindridge the above sale also embraced the present townships of Darien, Stamford, New Canaan, and the greater part of Bedford and Greenwich.
The planting grounds reserved by tlie sachem Ponus, were situated four miles south of Poundridge, in the vicinity of the street still bearing his name. In 1644, " the western Indians be- ing at war with the Dutch, had communicated their hostile feel- ings to those around Stamford, who at this period numbered one thousand warriors ; but the firmness and courage of Capt. Joha Underbill compelled the whole of them to sue for peace. Upon occasion of its ratification the Wappings of Stamford presented themselves with others at Fort Amsterdam, April 6th, 1644.^ lu 1655 occurs the following agreement between the inhabitants of Stamford and the Indian Sachem, Ponus, &c.
C(
Our agreement made with Ponus, Sagamore of Toquams, and with Onox his eldest son. Although there was an agreement made before with the said Indians and Captain Turner, and the purchases paid for, yet the things not being clear, and being Tery unsatisfied, we come to another agreement with Onox and Ponus for their land from the town plot of Stamford north about sixteen miles, and then to a marked white oak tree with ST, and from that tree we went towards the Mill river side, we marked another white oak tree with ST, and from that tree west we were to run four miles eastward, and from this east and west line we were to have further to the north, for our cattle to feed,
» See Bedford.
b The Wappiogs were probably engaged " in the great battle fought between the Dutch and Indians in that part of HoraeDeck called Strickland's plain, now inolu* dad in the town of Greenwich, Connecticut" O'CaUaghan's Hist. N. N. SOd.
4 HISTORY OF THE
fall two miles further, the full breadth only, the said Indians reserre for them- seWes liberty for their planting ground, and the above said Indians, Ponus and Onox, with all other Indians that be concerned in it, have surrendered all the said land &c., for and in consideration hereof, the said town of Stamford is to give the said Indians four coats which the Indians accept of as full satisfac- tion for the aforesaid lands although it waspaid before. Hereby all Ponus^s posterity is cut olf from making any claim or having any right to any part of the aforesaid land &c., the said Ponus and Onox his son, having this day re- ceived of Richard Lane, four coats, acknowledging themselves fully satisfied for the aforesiad land.
Witness the said Indians hands this fifteenth day of August, A. D. 1655.
Witness William Newman, Ponus /^ his mark,
Richard Lewis. Onox Q his mark.
Upon the 7th of January, 1667, Taphance son of Ponus and Powhag or Pinaghag son of Onox, confirmed to the people of Stamford the agreement of 1655. By these sales Poundridge be- came a part of Stamford township, within Fairfield County.
On the 26th of May, 1686, the general court of Connecti- cut issued the following patent to the inhabitants of Stamford, embracing all those lands
'* Bounded on the south jvest by ye five mile brook, between Stamford aforesaid and Norwalk, from the mouth of the said brook, till it meet with the cross path, that is, where the county road crosses the said river, and from thence to run up into ye country till twelve miles be run out upon the same line, that is between Stamford and Fairfield, and upon the west, to Totomak brook, where the lowermost path or road that now is to Greenwich, east by ye said brook, and from thence to run in a straight line to the west end of a line drawn from the falls of Stamford mill river, which line is to run a due west point towards Greenwich bounds, a short mile, and from the west end at the said line, to run due north, to the north of ye present country road to Rye, and from thence to run up into the country, the same line that is between Nor- walk and Stamford, to the end of the bounds, the said land having been by purchase or otherwise, lawfully obtained of the Indians, native proprietors. And whereas, the proprietors the aforesaid inhabitants of Stamford, in the colony of Connecticut, have made application to the Gov. and company of the said colony of Connecticut, assembled in court, 25th May, lf>85, that they may have a patent for confirmation of the aforesaid land, so purchased and granted to them as aforesaid, and which they have stood seized and quietly possessed of for many years late past, without interruption. Now, for a more full confirmation of the aforesaid lands, as it is butted and bounded aforesaid,
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. $
ttnto ye present proprietors of the said town of Stamford, &o. &3. Know ye, that the said Gov. and company aforesaid, in general court, according to the conditions granted to them by his majesty in his charter, have given and granted, and by these presents, do give, grant, ratify and confirm, onto Mr. John Bishop, Mr. Richard Lowe, Capt. Johnathan Silleck, Capt. John Sil* leek, Lt. Francis Bill, Lt. Jonathan Ball, Ensign John Bales, Mr. Abraham Ambler, Mr. Peter Ferris and Mr. Joshua Hoy t, and the rest of the said pre- sent, proprietors of the township of Stamford, their heirs, successors and as- signees forever, the aforesaid parcel of land as it is butted and bounded to- gether, with, &c. &c., that the aforesaid tract of land, shall be forever here- after deemed, reputed, and be an entire township of itself, to have and to hold the said tract of land, premises, &c. &c., yielding rendering and paying there- fore to our sovereign Lord the king, his heirs and successors, his dues ac- cording to charter. In witness whereof, we have caused the seal of the colony to be hereunto affixed, this 26th of May, 1685, in ye first year of the reign of our Lord King James the second, &c. &c.
Robert Treat, Gov.
This patent included the southern portion of Poundridge; for, until the final arrangement of the boundary lines in 1731, Stamford extended four miles into the present town. . Upon the temporary settlement of the colonial lines, A. D. 1701, we find the Indian sachem Catonah, confirming Robert Walters and others in these lands.
"This indenture, made the 25th of Feb. 1701, betwixt Robert Walters John Chollwell, Leigh Atwood, Cornelius Depeyster, Richard Slater, Barne Cosens, Lancaster Syroes, Matthew Ciarkson, Robert Lurting, Peter Matthews and Caleb Heathcote of the one part, and Sagamore, Katonah, Wakemane and Weewanessege , Indians, of the other, for the consideration of a certain sum in hand paid by the said Robert Walters, &c., at and before the ensealing and delivering of these presents. The receipt whereof they do hereby acknowl- edge, &c. &c., have given, granted, bargained and sold, aliened, enfeoffed, released and confirmed, and do by these presents, clearly and absolutely give, grant, bargain and sell, alien, enfeoff, release and confirm, unto the said Rob- ert Walters, &c., a certain parcel or tract of land, lying and being in the county of W^estchester, in the province of New York, butted and bounded as foUoweth, viz., westward by Bedford and by the patent granted to Caleb Heathcote and others, northerly by Col. Cortlandt's purchase and Croton^s ran, southerly and easterly by colony lines j to have and to hold. Sic. &c.'
The mark of ^ Catonah.
•• Indian deeds, Alb. Rec. warrant for Survey, I ib. i. 1(K).
6 HISTORY OF THE
On the 2d day of March, 1701, William the third, by his royal letters patent, under the great seal of the colony of New York, did s;rant and confirm unto Robert Walters, John Choi well, Leigh Atwood, Cornelius Depeyster, Richard Slater, Barne Cosens, Lancaster Symes, Matthew Clarkson, Robert Lurting, Peter Matthews and Caleb Heathcote, u certain tract of land in the county of Westchester.
" Bounded to the sooth by the east division line between the province of New York and the colony of Connecticat, and on the east by the other divi- sion line, and so along the said line, until it meet with the patent of Adolph Philips, and so along his southern boundaries, till it meet the patent of the manor of Cortlandt, and from thence by a line that shall run upon a direct course, until it meet with the end of the first easterly line of twenty miles of the said manor of Cortlandt, and from thence, along the said line westerly, until it meet with the patent granted, to Robert Walters and others : then, southerly, along the said patent, until it meet with the bounds of the township of Bedford, and thence along the said bounds, till it meet with the patent granted to Col. Caleb Heathcote and others ; and, along the bounds of the said patent, unto the colony line, which said tract of land, on the 25th day of February, was by the said Robert Walters, in his aforesaid company purchased of the native Indian proprietors, &c. &c.
This grant was subsequently known by the name of the East PcUeni.
The same year occurs the following confirmation from the In- dian sagamore Catonah to the <* inhabitants of Stamford, in their former sales under ye hands of Taphance, son of Ponus, and Penaghag, son of Onox."
" We the said Catonah and other Indians do by these presents sell and fix bounds as followeth, that is to say westward as far as ye west bounds of Bed- ford purchase, bounded north by ye south side of Bedford purchase and by ye Stone hills, upon a straight line eastward nnto ye upper end of ye Long Pond, and from thence an east line nntil it meets with a line drawn north from ye
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 7
upper end of Five Mile river, which is ye east line of our several purchases, and we, ye said Catonah and other Indians, give, grant, and quit-claim all ye meadows, trees, feeding grounds, rivers, pools, and other privileges that doth belong to ye said lands and meadows within to ye southwards of ye north bounds above mentioned unto ye said inhabitants of Stamford, &c., &c. Also, we do acknowledge by these presents to have received of ye said in* habitants a considerable and valuable sum of money for all ye said lands, &c. It is to be understood that ye above said Catonah and other Indians doth by these presents confirm all ye said old deeds of Taphance, Ponus and Penag- hag, and old Onoz, also young Onox, also that deed made to Captain Turner in behalf of ye town of Stamford, also that deed of Nonatomonoa, that is to say, a quit-claim to any parte or parcel of lands and meadows within ye said bounds above mentioned. In witness of truth, we whose names are under- written have hereunto set our marks and seals, at Stamford, this eighth day of July, 1701.
Signed, sealed and The marke of Catonah j^ sagamore,
delivered in the presence The marke of Maninos q
of John O. The marke of Wequacumoke X
The marke of Kenhoctam '^ The marke of Pepiamah >>
The marke of Hamhorne tr* The marke of Wokea A
The marke of Syngo ^ The marke of Papaumema OQ
The marke of Arutar O The marke of Temon <
The marke of Pohorus O The marke of Mockea >^
By the final settlement of the boundary lines on May 14th, 1731, Poundridge was transferred to the Province of ^ew York.
In 1744. John Crawford was appointed assessor for the East Patent."^
The following items are from the town records.
Old Poundridge, April ye first day, 1760.
At a town meeting held at the house of Ebenezer Lockwood, in said Old Pound in Westchester county, under ye Province of New York, we the freeholders, inhabitants and residents pro- ceeded as follows ; first, by major vole, Joseph liockwood to be town clerk, and by major vote William Forster to be constable, &c., &c.
January 14th, 1762. It was voted that Joseph Lockwood be
* North Castle Rec. In 1746, Joseph Lockwood was assessor for the East Fa- tent
8 HISTORY OF THE
clerk of said meeting and Lieutenant John Gauspur be modera* tor.
April 20th, 1776. Voted Ebenezer Lockwood as moderator, Joseph Lockwood as clerk, Lieut. William Jones, constable.
Upon the 7th day of August, 1766, the East Patent formerly granted to Robert Walters and others, was sold, in pursuance of a certain act of the Lieutenant Governor, the Council, and Gen- eral Assembly of this colony, entitled " An act for the more ef- fectual collecting of his Majesties quit rents in the colony of New York, and for partition of lands in order thereto," (fee. The principal purchasers under the act, appear to have been the Lock- woods, Amblers, Forshers, Bishops, Ferrises, Hoyts, Hollys, Browns, Sil licks and Scofields, (fee, (fec.*^ In 1826, the Legis- lature of this state claimed as successor of the Crown the sum of $243 71, due as quit rent on the East Patent > To satisfy this claim nine hundred acres of land were sold in the southern part of the Putent.c
The village of Poundridge occupies an elevated situation near the centre of the town, and contains two churches, two stores, a school house, a post office and 15 or 20 dwellings. As early as the year 1744, a settlement was commenced on this spot by Captain Joseph Lockwood, and a few associates^ from Stamford, Con- necticut. At this early period the surrounding country was one vast wilderness heavily covered with timber. Upon a com- manding eminence which rises above the rest of the village stands the Presbyterian church. This building, which was
•■ The Wetmores aUo appear to have been amoDg the early proprietors, for at a late period James Wetmore, attorney at law, (then residing in Nova ScotiaJ served a writ of ejectment upon the Lockwood family to recover certain lands in Pound- ridge.
b See Revised Statutes for 1813.
e « Soccage lands were not deemed discharged of any rents, certain or other services, incident or belonging to tenure in soccage, due to the people of the state, (who were considered to stand in the place of the Crown.) Therefore on the first day of April, 1786, the Legislature of this state passed an act, entitled an act for the collection and commutation of quit rents."
d The descendants of the original settlers are numerous, and some of them still reside in the village.
COUNTY #f WEiSTCHESTER. 9
erected in 1786, occupies ihe site of the old church destroyed by the British troops, A. D. 1779. The Presbyterian Society of Poundridge was first organized in 1760.* The first chnrch edi- fice however was not erected until 1770. Its incorporation oc- curs on ihe 28th of April, 17S8. Nathaniel Bonion, William Fancher, John Hoyt, Benaiah Brown, Thaddeus Seymour and Ebenozer Seymour, trustees. ^' The said church to be governed according to the Directory of the now established Chnrch of Scotland."^ From this date to 1822, it remained in connection with the Westchester presbytery. Upon the 8ih of May, 1822, it was received into commnnion with the General Assembly.
At a meelirig of the cotigregafion held the 2:^d of April, IS2S, it was resolved, that whereas *' some doubt existed with regard to the due legal organization of the Presbyterian church and congregation in Poundridge, they hereby declare themselves to be a Presbyterian congregation under the style of the •* Presby- terian Congregation of Poundridge, belonging to the Presbytery of the North River, under the care of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States." On this occa- sion Horatio Lockwood, Joseph St. John and Samuel Weed, were elected trustees.®
This church and congregation are now in connection with the Bedford presbytery.
List of Ministers of the Presbyterian Church at
|
PoVNDRIDaS. |
||||
|
Instal or call. |
Ministert. |
Vacalec |
by. |
|
|
1770, |
. Rev. Mr. Strong, |
resig. |
||
|
1774, |
Rev. Blackleach Burritt, |
do. |
||
|
1791, |
Rev. Benjamin Judd, |
do. |
||
|
1795, |
Rev. Samuel Blatchford, |
D. |
D.d |
do. |
* At the first meeting of the congres^tioo, Captain Joseph Lockwood was un* aniiQoosly chosen chairman, and Mr. Jarvis, secretary.
k Co. Rec. Religions Soc. Lib. A. 21.
« Ca Rec. Religions Soc. Lib A. 197.
'The Rev. Samael Blatchford, an Englishman, sacceeded Dr. Dwighl* ai Gnenfield, Conn., when the latter was called to the presidency of Ymie Cellege.
ToL. II. 8
\
10 HISTORY OF THE
Instal or call. Ministers. Vacated by.
1800, Rw. Richard Andrews, do.
1819, Rer. John Lowe, do.
1823, Rev. Mr. Crocker, do.
1824, Rev. Mr. Bronson, do. 1830, Rev. ^hn White,* do. 1832, Rev. (Carles G. Thompson, do. 1834, Rev. William Patterson, present minister.
Church Memoranda,
1826 members 46; baptisms 0
1836, ditto 62; ditto 1
1846, ditto 90; ditto 3.
A considerable eminence rises a little to the east of the Pres- byterian church, from the summit of which is an extensive pros- pect of the beautiful country bordering the Sound and the dis- tant shores of Long Island, &c.
Prior to 1775, Poundridge constituted one of the precincts of Rye parish. In 1816 Episcopal services were peiiormed here by the Rev. George Weller.
The Methodist Episcopal church of this place was first in- corporated in 1822, James Brown, John Haws and Samuel K. Olmstead, trustees.^ The present church edifice was erected in 1833.
The village grave-yard is pleasantly situated about a quarter of a mile south of Poundridge upon a gentle acclivity. The head stones record the names of Thaddeus H. Lockwood who died in 1774: Ebenczer Lockwood, Esq., who died July 29th, 1821, aet. 84 : John Ferris who died A. D. 1788, and Captain John Grinell, born in Nantucket, Mass., December 7th, 1795, and died in Cron- stad, Russia, June 3d, 1831, set. 34, &c., &c. Others are simply
• This indiTidual wm a natiTe of Scotland and a claMmate of Robert Pollock, author of the Coune of Time.
» Co. Rec. Religioas Soc. Lib. A. 170. A second incorporation ocean on the Slst of December, 1832. The Methodist Protestant Chnrch and Society in Poandridfo, were incorporated on the 16tb of March, 1833. Selby Fancher, William Brown and Joseph Waterbniy, troittei. Co. Rsc Religioas Soc. Lib. B. 12.
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 1 1
inscribed with the initials of the deceased, iu B. 1771. I. M. L, 1787, &c.
On the south side of the village, being" a part of the old estate of the Lockwoods, are the residences of Horatio and Ezra Lock- wood, Esqrs. These gentlemen are the sons of Major Ebenezer Lockwood of the Continental army, (me of the most active and efficient members of the committee oi public safety.^^ He was the son of Capt. Joseph Lockwood, one of the first sellers of Pound- ridge.
The Lockwood family originally derived from a place of the name in Staffordshire, England, and are probably descended from Edmund Lockwood, a freeman of Massachusetts in 1631, who subsequently removed to Connecticut with Messrs. Hooker and Stone.
Ezra Lockwood, Esq., of Poundridge, was for many years a judge of the late court of common pleas, in this county. Of this family is the Hon. Albert Lockwood, present judge of the county, and General Munson I. Lockwood, county clerk.
During the contest between England and the colonies, the in*- habitants of Poundridge, generally, appear to have taken a decided stand in favor of liberty. The following letter from the commit- tee of public safety, to the Hon. Provincial Congress, is found ia the acts of the latter body.
Poundridge^ loth of Oct, 1776.
Honored Sirs:
" We the sub-committee of Poundridge, in Westchester County, beg leave to inform your Honors, that we are apprehensive that there is danger of our prisoners leaving us and joining the minis- terial army, as we are not above nine or ten miles from the water where the sound is full of the ministerial ships and tenders. One of our number is already gone to Long Island, and numbers are gone from other places, who are no doubt now with the ministe- rial army. There aie disaffected persons daily going over to
■ — — ^-
* Major Lockwood wu also a member of the convention that framed the &rat ' conatHation of the itate, and a jad^ of the coantj in 1778«
12 HiSTORt OF THS!
them which gives ns much trouble* Therefore, we humbly beg your Honors would give us some directions concerning them, that they may be speedily removed at some fftrlher dislanCe. We would also inform you that for the misdemeanors of one of ihem and oUr own safety, we have been obliged to commit him to jail at the White Plains. These with all proper respects, from yours to serve.
Joseph Ambler.*^
Chairman of Committee.
In July, 1779, a skirmish took place in this village between the Americans and a slrong force of the enemy, under Lieutenant Colonel Tarleton.
*' About three haodred artd sixty of the enemy's li^ht horse, andlight-infan* try, (says General Heath,) came out from Mile-Square, and attacked Colonel Sheldon's light-horse, who were posted at Puundridge, about ninety in number* The superi'ir force of the enemy obliged our horse at first, to reireat ; but be- ing reinforced by the militia, they in turn, pursued the enemy. Our loss was one corporal, one trumpeter and eight privates, wounded ; three sergeants, one corporal and four privates missing ; and twelve horses missing. The stand* ard of the regiment being left in the house when the dragoons suddenly turned out, was lost. Of the enemy, one was killed, four taken prisoners, four horses taken, and one horse killed. The enemy set fire to and burnt the meeting bouse, and Maj. Lockwood^s house \^ they also burnt Mr. Hay^s house, at Bed- ford.''*
It appears that one of the principal objects in this sudden foray of the enemy, was the surprisal of Major Ebenezer Lock- wood, before mentioned, for whose head forty guineas had been offered. The day previous, however, Luther Kinnicut, a spy in the employ of the coiumiitee of public safety, gave notice of the intended attack, and advised the major to be on his guard. The night being very dark and stormy, Colonel Sheldon did not expect the enemy ; he nevertheless ordered the horses to be tied up in readiness.
•■ The descendants of this individual still reside ia the vicinity. . f ^ The British *' would not suffer the family to take any thing away.** See New Yotk Journal, for Holts account of the action.
« Heath's Mem. 208.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 13
To General Heath's account of the action, we append the re- port of Lt. Col. Tarleton to Sir Henry Clinton.
Dated, Camp on the Bronx, July 2, 1779, cle? en P. M.
Sir: —
I have the honor to inform your excellency, that I moved with the detach- ment jon were pleased to entrust me with, consisting of seventy of the 17ih light dragoons, part of the legion infantry and cavalry, Qucen*8 rangers, Hussars and some mounted yagers, in all about two hundred, at half past 11 o^clock last night. The weather being remarkably bad, prevented my making North Castle church before 4 o^clock next morning, where I received con- firmation of my intelligence relative to the numbers and situation of SheKion^s regiment and one hundred Continental foot, but no tidings of MoylaruTs regiment of dragoons. I pursued my route through Bedford to Poundridffef without any material ocourreoce, in the district of the ridge, and within ihree hundred yards of the enemy, who were not alarmed. My guide in front, mis- took the road ; another guide informed me of the error, and it was rectified as soon as possible.^' The enemy^s vidette had noticed our passing their front. The whole regiment was mounted and formed behind the meeting house. An attack was instantly made by the advanced guard, consisting of the ITth light dragoons, the ground not allowing more than seven or eight in front. The enemy did not stand the charge ; a general route ensued. The difficulties of the country, und their being no possibility of obtaining their rear, enabled the great- est part of the regiment to escape. The pursuit continued for four miles on the Stamford and Salem roads. The loss of men in Sheldon^s dragoons, upon en- quiry and comparison of accounts, I estimate at twenty-six or twenty-seven killed, wounded and prisoners. But their disgrace in the loss of the stand- ard of the regiment and of helmets, arms and accoutrements, was great. A part of the officers and regimental baggage fell into our hands. I have hitherto omitted mentioning the militia to the amount of one hundred and twenty, who, together with the Continental foot, broke and dispersed at the appearance of the klng*s troops. The militia* assembled again on eminences and in swamps, and before we quitted the ground on which the first charge was made, they fired at great distances. We were successful in killing, wounding and taking fifteen of them, the rest hovered almost out of our sight. The inveteracy of the inhabitants of Poundridgeand near Bedford, in firing from houses and out houses, obliged (us) to burn some of their meeting and some of their dwelling houses, with stores. I proposed to the militia, terms, that if iliey would nut fire shots from buildings, I would not burn. They interpreted my mild pro- posal wrong, imputing it to fear. They persisted in firing till the torch slopped their progress, after which not a shot was fired."
With pleasure I relate to your excellency, that the loss sustained bf^his
• Major Leavenworth cooimanded the militia.
14 HISTORY OF THE
majesties troops is trifling, one hussar of the legion killed, one wounded, one horse of the 17th dragoons killed. The whole of the detachment, except the above, being returned to camp. The infantry of the legion mounted on horses, were extremely fatigued by a march of sixty-four miles, in twenty-three hours.
I have the honor to be, &c.
Signed, Banastre Tarleton,
Lt. Col. British legion.
The following additional particulars respecting this engage- ment, are contained in a letter from an officer (of Sheldon's regi- ment as supposed) dated at Salem, July 3rd, 1779.
** Yesterday morning about sunrise, a detachment of the second regiment of light dragoons, consisting of ninety men, commanded by Col. Sheldon, posted near Poundridge meeting house, was notified of the advance of the enemy by our videttes. Our horses being previously saddled and bridled, the men were ordered immediately to mount. As soon as we were paraded, the enemy^s horse were discovered rapidly advancing, about three or four hundred in number.
The enemy having driven in our advanced parties, they began the charge on the detachment, which from the great superiority of the enemy, was obliged to move off. The enemy pushed hard on our rear for more than two miles, in (he course of which, a scattering fire was kept up between their advance and our rear, and a constant charge with the sword, the country through which we passed being very mountainous and rocky, caused many of our horses to blonder and fall, which occasioned some to fall into the hands of the enemy. We immediately collected some of the militia, and began to pursue the enemy, following them below North Castle church. They moved off with such great precipitation, that we could not come up with them. Before the enemy moved off, they burnt the meeting house at Poundridge, and thedwelling house of Benjamin Hays, at Bedford. They (as usual) plundered most of the houses they came to and set fire to several houses which were fortunately extin- guished. Our loss on this occasion, was ten wounded, eight missing and twelve horses missing. The enemy^s loss, one killed, wounded uncertain, four prisoners, four horses taken and one ditto killed."
The general surface of Poundridge, is uneven, and much of it stony, but havinga due admixture of arable, with pastureand mea- dow lands ; it forms a tolerable productive agricultural township. The soil consists principally of a gravelly loam, and is well adapted io grass and pasturage. It is also excellent for orchards and fruit trees of all kinds. The growth of wood consists of white, red and black oak, hickory and chesnut, ice. The northern portion of the
COUNTY or WESTCHESTER. 16
town is occupied by a steep and lofty ridge of mountains, called the Stony Hillsy which run principally in a northeast direction; for the space of three or four miles. The sides of these craggy mountains, intermixed with small trees and bushes, exhibit a variety of fantastic forms, presenting one of the wildest scenes in Westchester county. At their base, are luxuriant valleys watered with numerous streams. Upon the northeast side of the town is a singular chain of ponds, the largest of which is called Cross pond ; it is supplied by several springs, and has its outlet in Cross river. The other ponds in succession, are the Round pond^ the Middle pond and the Lower pondj all communicating with one another. From the Lower pond^ is an outlet into Tatomuck river, which empties into the sound at Stamford in Connecticut. The south western part of the town is richly interspersed with hills and valleys, and much running water.
16 mSTORY OF THE
RYE.
This township is situated directly in ihe south east angle of Westchester county, l)ordering the sound, bounded on the east by the state of Connecticut and the Byrnni river, on the south by (he sound, and on the west and north by the townships of Harrison nnd Norihcnstle.
In the year 1G()0, the lands of Rye were in the possession of ShanasockwellorShanorockc (as hesuhsequently signed his name) an independent chiofiain of the Siwanoys, whose clan formed a portion, if not one of the Mohegan tribes itself, of the " sea coast." This chief with his followers, was residing on the banks of the Hudson River, in 1661.
Poningoc, the Indian name of Rye, is apparently derived from Ponus, the title of the aboriginal proprietor of this territory, A. D. 1640. The final termination oe or oug, denoting locality.
Thus the whole word may emphatically express the place or
locality of that Sachem's residence. Nothing however remains
at this late period, to establish the connection with any degree of
certainty. Ponus himself, was one of the ruling Sagamores of
Rippowams, (Stamford) in 1640. This individual left issue, three
sons, Owenoke, Taphance and Onox ; the latter had one son,
Powhag.
The ruling Sagamore of Poningoe in 1681, appears to have
been Maramaking, commonly known as Lame Will, His suc- cessor was Patthunck, who with his son Wappetoe Patthunck, granted to Joseph Horton in 1694, lands bordering the Mamar* neck river.
For the various localities within Poningoe, the Tndians had other names. The meadows bordering the Armonck, (Byrani) were called Haseco and Miosehassaky. The high ridge ea^t of the Mockquams (Blind brook) Euketaupucuson and the territory west of the Mockquams, (embracing Rye neck) Apawquammis or Epawainos.<^
* Apwonnah it tlM Indian tenn for an oyiter.— Cotton's Indian Tocabolaiy.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 17
The Beaver Dam or Stony brook was styled in the Indian tongue Pockeotessen. The former existence of Indian babita* tions on the great neck of Poningoe is amply proved by the Dumber of hunting and warlike weapons fonnd in that neighbor- hood. The site of the principal Mohegan village was on or near Parsonage Point. In the same vicinity is situated "Burying mil^^ their place of sepulture. The remains of six Indians were discovered on excavating the present foundations for Newberry Halstead's residence, which stands near the entrance of the great neck. The first grantees under the Indians of Poningoe, were the Dutch West India Conipany, who obtained a grant of the lands extending from Westchester to Greenwich, A. D. 1640.
By the provisional treaty of Hartford, in 1650, the boundary line between New En^yJand and New Netherlands was to com- mence upon Long Island, from the westernmost part of the Oyster Bay, so, and in a straight and direct line to the sea; and upon the main land, a line to begin upon the west side of Greenwich bay, being about four miles from Stamford, and so to run a northerly line twenty miles up into the country, and after as it shall be agreed by the two governments, of the Dutch and of New Haven, provided the said line come not within ten miles of Hudson's river.*^
The successors of the Dutch W^est India Company in 1660, were John Goe, Peter Disbrow, and Thomas Studwell, who pur- chased of the Indians the island called Manussingy or Menne- toies.^ The deed of sale bears date June 29, 1660.
" Be it known unto all men whom it may concerne, both Indians and £n- gliah, that we, Shanasockwell, sagamore Maowhoue and Cokcnsikoe, hare sold unto Peter Disbrow, John Coe, Thomas Studwell, all living at this present at Grenege (Greenwich) to say a sartain parcell of land which these Indians above mentioned have sold, is called in the Indian name Menussing Island, and is near unto the main land, which is called in the Indian name Feoingoe, this said island we above mentioned do here, by virtue of this bill, do sell all our right and title unto John Coe, Peter Disbrow, Thomas Studwell, quietly to enjoy from any molestation of us or any other Indians, to them and theiii heires, assignees, and executors for ever, and further we have given
» Hazard's State Papers, vol. ii. 218.
b Minnis denotes an island, iu the Algoncpiin.
Vol. II. 3
18 mSTORY OP THE
unto Peter Disbrow, John Coe, and Thomas Stndwell food for their cattle upon the main, called by the Indians Poningoe, and what timbers or trees thai is for their use, and not to be molested by us or other Indians ; and we do hereby acknowledge to have recei? ed full satisfaction for this purchase of land abore mentioned to-day. We have received eight coats and seven shirts, fiAeen fathom of wampone, which is the full satisfaction for the parcel of land above mentioned ; and for the witness we have hereto put our hands. Witness Joshua Knapp, The marke of V Shanasockwek.
Henry Disbrow, " ^ Aranaque.
Feb. 23, 1678. ♦* Q Cokow.
** Z Wawatauman.
•* X Cokinseco.
'* 3 Maswbort.
*' Z Quauaike.
" L Aramapow.
'* S Wonanas.
" Y Topogone.
" W Malishes.
" T Richard.
By another deed bearing date the 22d May, 1661, the Indians sold lands on the main to Peter Disbrow.
" Be it known to all men whom it may concerne, bothe English and Indians, that I, Cokoe, and Marrmeokhung, and Assawarwone, and Naktinneman, and Shocote, and Waowhowarnt, doe acknowledge to have sold to Peter Disbrow, his heirs and assignees, a certain tract of land lying between Byram River and the Blind brook, which tract of land is bounded as fulloweth : viz., with the river called in English Byram River, beginning at the mouth of the above said river on the east, and the bounds of Hastings on the south and south- west, to the marked trees, and northward up to the marked trees, which may contain six or seven miles, from the sea along the said Biram River side northward, and so from the said river cross the neck northwest and west to the river called Blind brook, bounded northward with marked trees which leads down to Little brook, which runs into the Blind brook ; which tract of land I, Cokoe, and the above said Indians, ourselves, heirs, and assignees, do here promise and make good to the said Peter Disbrow, his heirs or assignees, peaceable and quiet possession for ever, without any molestation either from Dutch, Indians, or English. We the above said Indians have sold also this tract of land above mentioned, with all the trees, grass, springs, and minerals, with feed range and timber northward twenty English miles above the said purchase of lands, and do acknowledge to have received full satisfaction for the said land. In witness hereof we
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 19
the above said Indians have set oar hands this present day and date abore written.
Witness John Coe, Marmeukhung Z his marke.
John H. Jayson. Assawaawane ^^ his marke.
Nantinneman S his marke.
Cokoe P
The following year the Indians Shawaunorocot and Rumkque made a further grant of territory.
** Know all men whom this may concerne that we, Peter Disbrow, John Coe, Thomas Studwell, and John Budd, have bargained, bought, and payd for, to the satisfaction of Showannowocot, Roksohtohkow and Pewahaham and other Indians, whose hands are underwritten, a certain tract of land aboTO Westchester path, to the marked trees, bounded with the above said river, Blind brook, which tracts of land, with %11 the privileges, as woods, trees, grass, springs, mines and minerals, to the said Peter Disbrow, John Coe, Thomas Studwell, to them and their heirs forever, with a warrantie against all persons, English or Indians. To this bargain and sale we the above said Indians do bind ourselves, our heirs and assignees, to the above said Peter Disbrow, John Coe, and the rest abovesaid, to them, their heirs and assigneesi ioi ever, as witness our hands this present day and date, June 2, 1662.
Shuwannorocot 3 his marke.
Rumkque Q his marke.
April the 28ih, 1663, Peter Disbrow, John Coe, Thomas Studwell and John Budd, by a deed of sale conveyed the island and main land to the following planters, Samuel Allen, Richard Lowe, Philip Galpin, Thomas Applebe, William Odell, John Brondig and John Coe, for which the latter were to pay forty shillings a lot in cattle or corn, between the above date and Jan- uary next ensuing.^
Peter Disbrow by a declaration of trust, dated June 16, 1676, assigned all his right, title and interest in the Indian purchase to the rest of the proprietors of Rye then living between the two rivers, viz. the By ram river to .the east and a river called the Blind brook to the west in equal proportions. The original di- vision of Rye consisted of ten acres to each individual planter, besides a privilege in the undivided lands.
• R}.e Rec. Lib. A.
20 HISTORY OP THE .^V
From a note appended to this deed of trust it appears that John Horton had selected a spot of land not within the bounds of Rye purchase.
" fiat lyeth considerably to the northward of the head of the Blind Brook, and consequently to the north of the north-west bounds, except they do claim it as comprehended within the twenty English miles range, whereof waa granted to them, viz. the proprietors.
In 1662, the thirteen proprietors of the salt meadows within Hastings were,
Thomas Studwell, William Odell,
John Brondig, Peter Disbrow,
WiUiam Odell, John Coe,
Thomas Applebe, Samuel Allen,
Philip Galpio, John Coe,
Richard Fowler, Thomas Studwell,
John Budd.
At this period Connecticut, regardless of the Hartford treaty made in 1650, obtained from the native Indians a further grant of territory extending from the east line of that colony to the present village of Westchester. Under this purchase she claim- ed the lands of Rye and required the submission of the inhabi- tants to her authority.
Against this aggression Governor Stuyvesant calmly remon- strated, and dispatched two officers to stop further proceedings.
This appears from the following letter addressed by the inha- bitants to the General Court, dated
Hastings, 6 May, 1664.
"To the honored Governor and Councill and magistrates of Connecticut, we the inhabitants of Hastine, formerly Midlebo- rough upon Long Island, having had by the Duche Governor tow of his oGcers sent unto us with tow or three papers, the con- tents we supose doe in parte belouge unto yourselves as well as us, and therefore make bould to trouble your honnours there- with, intreatinge your aide. Wee know not wither evil intents may be, for wee understand that they'will not keep ther promise, for they have not delivered James Christed's bond and Mr. Willyam Leveriches, but they grant this instead of delivering the bond have this day demanded the moneys of James Christed,
,^^' COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER 21
this is therefore to intreate your honnours to tak our condission into your consideration and tak some spedy cours for our futter peace and comforte. We are unwillinge to loose our planting by ihem. This hoping you will now stand by us, we rest your loving neighbours and friends the inhabitance of Hastine."
By me,
James Bradish,
Clarke for Hasting. To the honored Court Mr. John Winthrop and his Honorable Counsill of the Court of Connecticut, assembled at Hartford, this present with speed. (^
During the year 1663, King Charles the Second, by letters patent under the great seal, conveyed the Province of New Netherlands, and that part of Connecticut lying westward of Connecticut river, to his brother James, Duke of York and Al- bany. Thus by a wholesale usurpation excluding for ever the rightful proprietors, utterly regardless of their just rights as dis- coverers, and in the face too of all existing treaties.
Whilst the King was disposing of the New Netherlands in this unlawful manner, we find Governor Stiiyvesant thus com- plaining to Governor Winthrop and the General Assembly of Connecticut, **That John Coe, Jun., and Anthony Waters with eighty horse and foot have put down the old magistrates in some towns, and setting up others." He trusts the English will sup- press such things, and prevent bloodshed. Dat. Amsterdam, N. N. Nov. 15, 1663.b
As early as 1641 it appears to have been the British policy as one means of counteracting the' Dutch in America, " that the English put forward their plantations, and crowd on, crowd- ing the Dutch out of those places where they have settled ;"c this continued to be the principle upon which the former acted until the subjugation of the latter, which happened 5th Septem-
• Town and Lands, Hartford State Rec. Vol. i. No 36. k CoL Boundariei, Hart. Rec. fol. ii. letter vii.
* Col. Boundaries, Hart. Rec. fo!. ii. letter i.
22 HISTORY OP THE
ber, 1664, when the Province of the New Netherlands surren- dered to Colonel Richard Nicolls, the Duke's governor.
The same year the commissioners appointed for settling the bounds of his Royal Highness the Duke of York's patent and the colony of Connecticut, did order and declare *• that the creek or river, called Mamaroneck, which is reputed to be about twelve miles to the east of Westchester, and a line drawn from ye east point or side, where the fresh waters fall into the salt at high water mark, north north-west to the line of Massachusetts, shall be the western bounds of ye said colony of Connecticut."*
Richard Nicolls, George Cartwright, Sam'l Mawricke.
By this division Rye became annexed to the colony of Con- necticut, and constituted a portion of Fairfield county.
The following bill of sale occurs December 8, 1666, from John Coe one of the original proprietors of Rye to Hachaliah Brown.
Know all men to whom it may concern that I John Coe parchaaer of the town of Rye, being one of the four men that bought this place in the colony of Connecticut, in New England, do sell and bind over unto Hachaliah Brown in the same town, one half of a 12th lot with all the privileges thereunto belong- ing ; namely, one half of the upland and one half of the meadow, both fresh and salt, both divided and undivided, with four acres of upland lying in the neck called the Opasfar neck, or otherwise called Scotch cap neck, of which two of the aforesaid four acres belong to the half lot. This four acres is bounded thus, with George Kniffen on the N. E. and front ; with the Blind Brook towards the N. W. and Thomas Brower toward the S. W., and the waste land is the bounds to the S. E. This seven acres of land more or less is thus bounded as is above mentioned. The aforesaid land I have purchased 4>f the Indians, as doth appear by deed under the Indians hands, I say I have sold with all privileges thereunto belonging, namely, trees, grass, rocks, min- «raU, and springs, with the fence or fencing which are or shall be belonging thereunto, and I do here bind myself, by promise, to make good the sale here- of from me, my heirs, assignees, or administrators to the said Hachaliah Brown, him, his heirs, assignees or administrators, quietly and peaceably to possess as his own for ever, without any molestation either by or under me,
• Col. BoundaricF, fol ii. letter xzil
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 23
Ac.f &c. And I do acknowledge to have received full satisfaction of the above- said Hachaliah Brown for this aforesaid land, as witness my hand this day and date, Dec. 8, 1666.«
John Coe. Witness,
Thomas Brown, George Lane.
May 11, 1671, the general court of Connecticut granted that the town of Rye bounds should extend up into ye country north- ward twelve miles>
At first the pretences of Connecticut to the westward were un- limited, till the year 1683, and consequently so to the northward of Rye, hence the grant to extend twelve miles to (he north, as being less exposed to be opposed by New York, leaving their bounds unlimited to the westward of Byram river, thus giving . them an opportunity of extending their bounds twelve miles in that direction, so as to form a tract of twelve miles square; as they had already granted one of six miles square to Bedford. This grant, had it been allowed by New York, would have cov- ered Harrison's purchase, the White Plains, Mamaroneck, the Mile Square, Tuckahoe, New Rochelle, and Eastchester, besides other places.
The twelve proprietors of the salt meadows in this town, A.D. 1672, were as follows :
William Odell, 1 Thomas Applebe, 6 Richard Fowler, 10 John Brondij, 2 Thomas Allen, 7 Thomas Stedwell, 11
Peter Disbrow, 3 Philip Galpen, 8 John Budd, 12 William Odelle, 4 John Coe, 5 John Coe, 9
"At a town meeting held March, 1672, it was agreed that the first of April following should be taxed of all persons and young cattle and horses, unless it be such as are wrought, and that they henceforward should goe out on the first of April, and whatsoever person hath not bis fence up by that time shall forfeit five shil- lings a rod."
"28th January, 1673, the general court ordered that the bounds between Greenwich and Rye is to be from the mouth of Byram
* Rye Rec. ^ Ilort. Rec. vol. viii. p. 13.
24 HISTORY OF THE
river, to run up the river one quarter of a mile above the great stone lying on the cross path by the said river, and from thence the sayd commons upwards, between Stamford bounds and the colony line, is to be equally divided between them by a parallel line with Stamford, and to Norwalk to the end of their bounds up in the country, ikc."»
Robert Treat, Jonathan Sellicke, Peter Diss row.
This settlement was confirmed June, 21st, 1696, by the gene- ral court sitting in Hartford, May Sih, 1693.
" Upon the 28th November, 1680, the town made choice of Peter Disbrow, Hachuliah Brown, Robert Blomer, and Thomas Merritt, for to go with the Indians to view some land lying be- tween the Blind brook and Biram river, and to make a thorow bargain with them if they shall see it best."
The result of this interview was a sale of land under the In- dian sachem Marunaking, ''of all that certain tract of land lying by a brook, commonly called Blind brook, which tract of land is called by the Indians Eauketauperctison" bounded as fol- loweth :
** Beginning at the southennost end, which ia between the above said brook and a branch thereof, and from thence to the great swamp at the ould marked tree, which is now marked with these letters, R. B. H. T. M., and from thence by marked trees to a small ran which runs into the above said brook, and there is marked with a mark, the which tract of land is called by the English name of Hogg Pond ridge, to have and to hold, &c., &c.
In witness hereof I have set to my hand this 4th day of September, in the year A.D. 1680.
Witness the mark of d Coako. The mark of
Owrowwoaha O Maremakang
aUas 6 WUI.
The next year occurs another sale from the same chief, Mara- making, "For a valuable consideration, by the inhabitants of the
* Hart. Rec. vol. iii. p. 36.
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 26
town of Rye, already received, namely, three coates iu hand of the said inhabitants.
"For^Khichhe alienates, covenants, and sells to the same a certain tract of land lying between Byram river and the Blind brook or Honge" In witness whereof I have set to my hand this 8th of October, 1681.
Witness the mark of Maramaking,
Wissacanow t5 or else Lame Will.
Cowwows
Pammetum Z
Joshua Knapp,
Jacob Paiiio,
•
The above sales were long known and distinguished as Lame WiWs two purchases.
A.D. 1681, Peter Disbrow sells his Indian purchase on Ponin- goe neck to the rest of the proprietors. In 1683, Colonel Dongan arrived at New York as governor of the province. Soon after- wards the governor and council of Connecticut, in a letter to Dongan, dated October 6th, 1683, complain of a warrant having been issued to the constables of Rye, Greenwich and Stamford, which towns they claim are in Connecticut, by charter and agreement of 1664.» Dongan, in reply, October 9, 1683,^ as- serts that the Duke's patent extends to Connecticut river, and refers to the former agreement, twenty miles east of Hudson's river, which he is by no means compelled to confirm, only re- fers to the old claim for the purpose of extending as far as he can eastward of Hudson's river.
In return the governor and general court of Connecticut, Oc- tober 16, 1684, refer Governor Dongan to the agreement of the King's Commissioners, A. D. 1664, as settling the boundary.^
Governor Dongan in reply, November 5, 1683, states, " that he must not be unmindful of his master's interest, thinks it not wrong to claim twenty miles from Hudson's river, eastward.
» CoL Bound. Hftrt Rec. lib. iu I^llBr 42. % Col. B. Hart Rec. lib. ii. Letter 43. e CoL B. Hart Rec. Lib. ii. Letter 44.
YoL. n. 4
26 , HISTORY OF THE
and also mentions that the commissioners were assured by Con- necticut people^ that Mammaroneck river was txoenty miles from Hudson^s river, and concludes by assuring them he will hnve all twenty miles eastward of that river, or he will claim to Connecticut River, and further wishes the matter settled.^
On the 2yih of November of the same year the agents (appoint- ed by the two governments,) came to an agreement that the line of partition should begin at Byram River at a point called Lyon's Point, where that river falls into the Sound, and run northerly at not less than twenty miles distance from the Hudson to the south line of Massachusetts.^
Upon the occasion of this change in 1683, we find the follow- ing letter addressed to Lieutenant Horton and the select men of the town of Rye.
Fairfield, Dec, 3, 1683.
LOTINO FRIENDg :
We had purposed in our passage to York to have called upon you, bat the badness of the weather, and taking our passage by water we mist the op- portunity of seeing you in our going thither, and in our return. And therefore we take this first opportunity ^o acquaint you that although we were loath to have parted with you, and would have been glad to have continued you in this government, yet the providence of God hath so disposed that by our agreement with Governor Dongan, we are forced to part with you, and could not help it, and the go vernoi^ promised us that he would not by this change alter any man^s property or propriety, and therefore we thought it necessary to acquaint yoa of this change, and also to advise you speedily to apply him to grant yoa confirmation of your bounds and proprieties, which we doubt not but he will do also. We must acquaint you that you must by our agreement, pay to this colony this years rates, which the treasurer will appoint you, to whom yoa shall pay it speedily, it is one penny half penny upon the pound, according to the list presented to the general court, in October last, by the agreement with the governor, Dongan. The west bounds of our colony is now Byram River, and it runs as the river till it comes to the road, and from thence it runs north oorth west, till it hath run eight miles from the east point tif said Byram River.
Gentlemen, we do request you to be satisfied and content with this change,
« Col. B. Hart Rec. Lib. ii. Letter 45. k Webster's Letters, p. 207.
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER- 27
and to carry it aoitablj to tho gOTernment ander which yoa are now seated^ and apply yourselvoa to the Honorable Governor, who is a noble gentlemaa and will do what you shall desire in a regular manner to promote your welfaie, which with best respects is all the needful from your assured friends.
Robert Treat, Governor.
Endorsed. These for Lieut. Joseph Horton, the select men of the town of Rye. These in Rye.
Notwithstanding this agreement, the towns of Rye and Bed- ford were again received into the colony of Connecticut, June 21, 1696-7.a
Governor Fletcher of New York, justly complained of this treatment, and issued his proclamation, requiring Rye and Bed- ford to return to their allegiance, April 15, 1697.^
The whole matter was now referred to the king, who in coun- cil, March 28th, 1700, confirmed the former agreement made 1683, and ordered " that the high sheriff of the county of West- chester, accompanied with two justices of the said county, do repair to the said towns of Rye and Bedford, and publish the said proclamation, requiring the inhabitants of the said towns, to give obedience to this government, pursuant to his majesties royal will and pleasure, at their peril.
Per order of council,
B. CosiNs, L. Coven try. "c
Oct. 10, 1700, the general assembly of Hartford ordered the signification of the settlement to be sent to the inhabitants of Rye and Bedford.
The matter was not completed until May 14, 1731, when the lines were established as they now exist. The inhal)itants of Rye in 1683, were the following :
• Col. Boond. Hart. Rec. yoL ii. latter 138.
b CoL Bound. Hart Reo. yol. ii. lattan 140, 141,
< Webster*! Letters, p. 207.
28
.«
HISTORY OP THE
Haehaliah Brown, Timothy Knapp, Jonathan Yowles, Jonas Stevens, John Brondi^, Isaac Sherwood, Thomas Lyon, John Sillick, Caleb Hiatt, George Knison, John Purdy, Thomas Merritt, Francis Purdy, Joseph Ogden, Isaac Sherwood, John Boyd, Bobert Bloomer, JamesTravis, Robert Blener, Jacob Paree, Deli? erance Brown, Peter Disbrow, Thomas Lyon, George Knison, John Boyd, Thomas Slatham, William Odell, Thoma^s Slatham, Richard Beatte, John Boyd, Samuel Jenkins, James Wright, John Horton, Richard Waters, John Stockham, John Horton, Thomas Merritt, Joseph Sherwood, John Merritt, Hachaliah Brown, Caleb Hiatt,
John Sellickes, James Wright, Stephen Sherwood, Stephen Sherwood, jnn. Hamet Galpen, Samnel Odell, John Merritt, Samuel Jenkins, Joost Paldin, Timothy Knapp, William Odell, John Disbrow, Arnold Bassett, Robert Bloomer, Simon Robard, Joseph Horton, Joseph Sherwood, John Disbrow, Robert Bloomer, John Horton, Francis Purdy, Daniel Brondige, John Church, Stephen Sherwood, Joseph Gurney, Jonathan Knifiin, Ciniamon Horton, Stephen Sherwood, Francis Purdy, Peter Brown, The draft of the swamp, James Tra? is, Joseph Sherwood, The draught of lots by
Biram River, David Ogden, Robert Bloomer, The draught ot Biram^s
neck, Thomas Merritt, Mary Ogden,
Isaac Denham,
The town grants from Hartford,
Isaac Denham,
Abraham Brush,
Abraham Smith,
John Ogden,
Samuel Banks,
Joseph Studwell,
Philip Travis,
John Merritt,
Stephen Sherwood,
Joseph Merritt,
John Feast,
Jonathan Kniflfen,
Humphrey Underbill,
John Turner,
Robert Bloomer,
Hachaliah Brown,
Jonathan Hart,
Ebenezer Knifien,
John Boyd,
Roger Park,
Joost Pauldinck,
Thomas Merritt,
Joseph Banks,
Ruhamah Bishop,
Francis Purdy,
John Vail,
John Vail,
Isaac Anderson,
John Merritt,
A draught of Will's pur- chase,
Joseph Purdy,
Richard Ogden,
Henry Hiatt,
Pond field draught,
The three draughts in Will's purchase,
Joseph Robinson,
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTlaE. 29
John Boddegaret, John Brondig, David Horton,
JohnBrondig, Jonathan Knifien, John IliatC,
David Ilorton.*
Upon the *« 23d of November, 1686, the town empowered Ben- jamin Colyer and John Brondige, to treat with the governor for a genercU patent for the township of Rye." The proprietors of Poningoe neck also authorized the same individuals to obtain a partictdar patent for said neck> The general patent appears to have been granted, for on the 28th of Feb. 1686-7, occurs certain "charges, arising from the business between Richard Patrick and the town of Rye, and all the expcnsps of procuring a patent, for the bounds and privileges of the said town." A patent for Ponino^oe neck, must also have been obtained, for we invariably find the meetings of its proprietors held distinct from those of the town. At a meeting of the proprietors of Poningoe neck, Dec. 11th, 1699, a grant was made to Richard Ogden, of an island commonly called Fox island.
In 1691, we find the Indian Sachem Patthunck, with the full consent of his son and heir Wappetoe Patthunck, conveying to Joseph Horton, a parcel of land beginning at certain marked trees, &c., with turf and twigg taken off the said ground and de- livered to the said grantee, in peaceable and quiet possession by the said Pattliunck, sen., and Patthunck. jr.c. The above tract of land w\is situated
On ths east side of Mamaroneck river, and ran with a line of mark trees until it came to the said rivpr, and again to a red oak tree, close by the river marked IK, together with all the woods, &c. &c., to the said Joseph Hor* ton, his heirs &c. Dated this 29th day of Dec. A. D. 1691.
Signed, sealed and delivered, in presence of us. The mark of
The mark of Patthunck, sen. o
• Rye Rec. Lib. B.
k April 3d, 1688, Timothy Kuap was chosen coUector for the govemor*8 rate of three half pence per pound.
• Thb feudal custom was always transacted with the greatest formality. A twig and a piece of turf having been brought to the Sagamore, he placed the end of the branch on the clod, and then handed them both to the purchaser, as a token that he thereby surrendered to him the soil, with all the trees and its appurtenances.
30 .'- HISTORY OP THE
•a.
Captain Robin, ^f'wian, The mark of
William Coales, Wappetoe Palthanck,x
The mark of q R. P. Miller. The mark of Betty Patthunck.
The mark of Ackanum Patthunck, X daughter to the above named Patthunck, sen.
13 April, 1705. The Indian chiefs Wapeto, Rarequash, and Mekeran, granted to Capt. Joseph Theall, Capt. John Clapp and Capt. John Horton all of ye town of Rye,
" A certain parcel of land lying and being within ye towdship of Rye, bound- ed by a certain beach tree standing upon the brink of Byram river, marked with J. G. J. and J. H. and J. C, running up ye said river northerly to a great swamp, where standeth an ash tree marked with the above said letters, and from thence in a direct course to an oak tree with stones laid at ye root, and from thence with a range of marked trees of the northermost corner of ye great pond, so running down by ye said pond till it meeteth with a white oak sapling marked with ye above said letters, and from thence by certain marked trees to the above said marked beach tree by ye brink of Byram river.* Sig. sealed and delivered The true mark of o Wapetoe,
in the presence of The true mark of X Raresquasb.
Daniel Strang. The true mark of O^ Mekeran.
Joseph Purdy. The marke of <^ Pare.
A further gram and confirmation was obtained of the Indian proprietors, Seringoe, Raresquash and Wopeto Patthunck, by John Clnpp and others, 20 July, 1705.
"Of all that said tract of land which is butted and bounded as follows, viz. beginning at a beach tree standing by Byram river near a great rock, marked with letters J. H. J. P. J. C, then running up the said river north-west to a certain ash tree in the upper end of a place commonly called Pond Pound neck, marked with the letters aforesaid, &c., &c., to the Colony line and thence by the said Colony line westerdly to the eight mile stake standing be- tween three white oak trees, marked, viz. one of said trees is marked with the letters C. C. R. on the north side, and on ye south side J. D. and from said tree in a direct line runs to ye northmost corner of Rye Pond and thence south 10 degrees westerdly to a white oak sapling, marked by the Pond side with the letters J. P., thence by a range of marked trees south 64 degrees
• See Warrant for Survey. Alb. Rec. Lib. i. 127, 8.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 31
east to ao ash tree standing by Blind brook on the 6Mt*yMo thereof, and thence by another range of marked trees to a certain chesnnt tree marked with the letters J. J. on ye north side, on the west side with the letters J. P., on the south-west side with letters J. II., and thence by a range of marked trees to ye place where it began.*
The mark of Serringoe. Signed, sealed and delivered Serringoe^s mark in behalf Wapeto,
in presence of Pathanck, and of his brother Raresquash.
James Mott.
Henry Disbrow.
Joost Paldinck.
The above sales were again confirmed by the Indians, 13 Sep- tember, 1705.»>
At a Court of General Assembly holden at New Haven, 12th October, 1710, " Captain John Clapp of the town of Rye, in the province of New York, presented a petition to this assembly on the behalf of himself and partners, praying for a patent to be granted to them of a certain piece or parcel of land lying in this Colony and within the bounds of the said town of Rye, which they had purchased (with lycense) of the native Indians."
Upon consideration whereof, this assembly do resolve that no patent shall be granted to them, forasmuch as the said land hath been formerly granted by this governnent to the inhabitants of the said town of Rye, and also a patent given them for the same."*
Queen Anne the same year issued her royal letters patent " to Anne Bridges, John Clapp, Augustine Graham, John Horton, and Thomas Hyatt for lands in Rye,
Beginning at a beach tree standing by Byram river, near a great rock marked with ye letters J. H. J. P. J. C, thence running op by ye said river north north-west to a certain ash tree in ye upper end of a place commonly called ye Pond Pound neck, marked with ye letters aforesaid, and to ye Col- ony line, and from thence by ye said Colony line westerdly to ye eight mile stake standing between three white oak trees, marked, viz. one of ye said trees is marked with the letters C. C. R. on ye north side, and on ye south
• Warrant for Survey, Ind. deeds. Alb. Rec. Lib. i. 129. b Co. Rec. Lib. E. 46.
• Hart Rec toI. it. 12L
32 HISTORY OF THE
■ aide J. D., and Arom ye said tree on a direct line it runs to ye northermost cor-
oer of Rye Pond, and thence 80 to the westerdly to a white oak sapling mark- ed by ye pond side with the letters J. J. P., i hence by a range of marked trees so by ye east to an ash tree standing by Blind brook on ye east side thereof, and thence by another range of marked trees to a certain chesnot tree marked with ye letters I. T. on ye north side, on ye west side with ye letters I. P., on ye north-west side with ye letters I. H., and thence by a range of marked trees to ye place where it began, &c.y &o. To the above •aid patentees, &c., &c.«
The proprietors of Poningoe neck were in 1715,
Hachaliah Brown, Joseph Sherwood,
Deliverance Brown, Isaac Anderson,
John Stoakham, John Merritt, Sen.
Robert Bloomer, John Brondige,
George Lane, George S. Kniflfen,
Timothy Knapp, John Disbrow,
Richard Ogden, Thomas Merritt,
Daniel Psprdy, Ebeuezer Kniflfen,
Peter Brown.
Upon the 1st of July, 1715, Robert Hunter, Captain General and Commander-in-chief, set out for patent to Christopher Bridges, clerk, rector of the parish of Rye, and his heirs and as- signs, twenty small parcels of land situate, &c., in the precinct and parish of Rye, &c., not heretofore granted under the seal of the Province ; all which certain tracts of land, purchased by Cbistopher Bridges, contained two hundred and ciglity-one acres.**
On the 12th of August, 1720, the following letters patent were issued under the great seal of the Province.
CHARTER OF RYE.
" George the First, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ire- land King, Defender of the Faith, &c., To all to whom these presents shall come, sendeth greeting. Whereas oar loving subjects Daniel Purdy, son of John Purdy, jdeceased, Samuel Brown, and Benjamin Brown, in behalf of themselves and others, freeholders and inhabitants of the township of Rye, in the county of Westchester, in the province of New York, by their humble
» Co. Rcc. Lib. E. 2.
^ Alb. Roc. Book of Patent*, Lib. viii. 185. llie patent appears to have been granted in 1718.
tam^^'^^i^'mm^fm^^^mt
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 33
petition presented to oar trusty and well beloved Col. Philip Schuyler, presi - dent of our council for our province of New York aforesaid, have set forth that they and their ancestors and predecessors, under whom they hold, have beld, and improved at their great charges with their labour and industry, a certain tract of land bordering upon the line of diyision between this province and Connecticut colony, for which they and their ancestors and predecessors^ have hitherto had no patent under the seals of the province of New York, which said tract of land is situated, lying, and beipg between Byram river and Blind brook, and beginning at a certain rock, being the ending of a part of land commonly known by the name of Town neck point, and is the souther- roost point of the said tract of land, thence running easterly by the Sound to a point near the mouth of Byram river, called Byram's point, including a certain island called Manusses Island ; and from the said Byram point northerly up Byram river on the east side of the said river, as the colony line is at present supposed to be run by the inhabitants of the neighborhood, to a rock standing on the east side of the said river by the wading place, and the high road lead- ing to Connecticut, the north twenty-four degrees thirty minutes, west three hundred and forty-eight chains, as the line which divides this province from Connecticut is supposed to run by the said inhabitants, to a walnut tree marked with three notches on the three sides, being twelve chains on a straight line to an ash tree marked with three notches on three sides, standing near Blind brook, then down the said brook until it empties into a creek called Mill creek, and then by the said creek to the place where it began, containing four thou- sand five hnndred acres of land or thereabout, aAer eighteen small tracts of land which lie within the said bounds, and are part of twenty small tracts formerly granted to the Rev. Christopher Bridges in his lifetime, are deducted and allowance being made for the king's highway ; and prayed to have our grant and letters patent for the same under the great seal of the province of New York, in the manner following, that is to say, to hold to them, their heirs, and assigns forever, but to and for the use and uses following, and to no other use whatsoever ; (that is to say) as for and concerning such tracts of land and hereditaments, parts of the before recited four thousand five hundred acres of land and island whereof they the said Daniel Purdy, Samuel Brown, and Ben* jamin Brown, stand lawfully and rightfully seized and possessed in their own several and respective rights, interest, and estate, to and for the sole and only proper use, benefit and behoof of the aforesaid Daniel Purdy, Samuel Brown, and Benjamin Brown, severally and respectively, and of their several and re- spective heirs and assigns forever; and as for and concerning such other tracts of land and hereditaments parts of the before recited four thousand five hundred acres of land and island which are belonging and appertaining to seve- ral other persons, freeholders and inhabitants within the bounds and limits of the same four thousand five hundred acres of land and island, some of more, some of less, according to the several, separate, and particular interest, in trust to and for the sole and only proper use, benefit and behoof of each par*
Vol. II. 6
34 ' HISTORY OF THE
ticular freehold and inhabitant, particularly and respectively^ and of each of their particular and respective heirs and assigns forever, in as full and ample manner as if the particular names and their particular and several freeholds and inheritances were particularly and severally mentioned and described, under the usual quit rent, with the usual clauses, provisions* conditions, limi- tations and restrictions as are limited and appointed by our royal instructioofi for the granting of lands in our province of New York for that purpose. Which request we being willing to grant, Know ye, that of our especial grace, cer- tain knowledge, and mere motion, we have given, granted, ratified and con- firmed, and do by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, give, grant, ratify and confirm unto the said Daniel Purdy, Samuel Brown and Benjamin Brown, and to their heirs and assigns forever, all that the aforesaid tract of land and island containing in the whole four thousand five hundred acres in manner and form as last mentioned and described, together with all and singu- lar the woods, underwoods, houses, edifices, buildings, barns, fences, orchards, fields, feedings, pastures, meadows, marshes, swamps, ponds, pools, waters, water courses, runs, rivulets, rivers and streams of water, fishing, fowlingt hunting and hawking, quarries, mines, minerals, standing, growing, lying and being, or to be had or used and enjoyed within the limits and bounds aforesaid, and all other profits, &c., &c. To have and to hold all that the aforesaid tract of land and island, containing in the whole four thousand five hundred acres, and all other the above recited premises, &c., &c." " Witness our said trusty and well beloved Colonel Peter Schuyler, president of our council for our province of New York, in council at Fort George in New York, the eleventh day of August, in the sixth year of our reign, A.l). 1720.*
In 1786 the people of the State, (as successors of the Crown,) claimed the arrears of quit rent due upon the tract of four thousand five hundred acres, granted to Daniel Purdy, Samuel Brown and Benjamin Brown, on the 11th of August, 1720.
The lands west of the Blind brook, called by the Indians Apawquammis, are to be distinguished from the rest of the township of Rye, as constituting a distinct patent. This territory was purchased of the native sachem Shanarocke and other Indians, by John Budd of Southhold, Long Island.
To all Christian people, Ingains and others whom it may concern, that wa whose names are hereunto subscribed, living upon Hudson^s river, in Ameri- ca, That we Shanarocke, sagamore, and Rackeate, Napuckheast, Tawka* heare, Nanderwhere, Tamepawcan, Rawmaquare, Puwaytahem, Mawmawy- tam, Howhoranes, Cockkeneca, Tawwayens, Altoemacke, Heathomees, all
« Alb. Rec. Book of Patents, lib. viii. 407.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 36
Ingiam, for diTers good eaoses and considerations us hereunto moving, have fully and ^hsolately bargained and doe for ever sell onto John Budd, senior, of South hole, his heires, executors, &c., all our real right, tittell and interest we or other of us have in one neack of land lying on the mayn, called Apaw- ammeis, bated and bounded on the east with Mockqnams river, and on the south with the sea against Long Island, and on the west with Fockeotess- make river, and at the north up to the marke trees nyeer Westchester, both all the lands, trees to fell at his pleasure, with all the grounds and meadow grounds and planting grounds, moynes and minerals, springs and rivers or what else lying or being within the sayd neck track of land, and also range, feeding and grasse for cattell, twenty English miles northward into the country, and trees to fell at his or their pleasure, and to their proper use and improvements of the said John Budd, his heirs, executors, &c. for ever to en- joy, possess and keepe as their real right, as also peaceably to inherite the sayd track of land with all thereone, and we the before named Ingians doe acknowledge and confesse to have received in hand of the said John Budd, the juste sum of eightie pounds sterling in full satisfaction for the aforesaid land with all the limits, bounds and privileges without lett or molestation of any one. Now for the more true and reall enjoyment and possession of the said John Budd his heirs, &c., we doe jointly and severally, us and either of us, or any by or under us, for ever assign and make over by virtue of this our deed and bill of sale, disclayme any further right in the sayd tract of land from the day of the date hereof, and all and each of us do promise to put the said John Budd or his into quiet, peaceable possession, and him to keep and defend and mayotaine against all person or persons whatsoever that shall di- rectly or indirectly lay any clayme or former grant, or shall trouble or molest the said John Budd or his, be they English, or Dutch, or Ingains, or whatso- ever. We the aforenamed Ingains doe engage ourselves, heirs, executors, &c., to make good this our obligations as aforesaid, I Shanarocke, Rackeate, Napockheast, Tawkaheare, Nanderwhere, Tamepawcan, Rawmaquare, Puw- waytahem, Mawmawytam, Howhoranes, Cockkenecs, Tawwayen, Altoe- macke, Heathomees, have hereunto set our hands at time and times, and we doe approve of each of our hands to this deed to be good and firm. Witness this our hands this day, being the 8th of November, 1661. Signed, sealed and delivered.
Thomas Revell,* The mark of P Shanarocke.
John Coe, O Nanderwhere,
Thomas Clowes. O^ Napockheast.
Humphrey Hughes. •— Howhoranes.
Pi Kawmaquaie. > Rackeat. CO Paw way taken. V< Cockensseco.
• Probably Thomas Pell ; see vol. I 286.
36 HISTORY OF THE
Know all men, English and Ingaios, that whereas Shanarocke sold John Badd all the land from the sea to Westchester path, I Shanarocke marked trees by Penning path do hereby give and grant and acknowledge that I have received fall satisfaction of him, and according to the true intent of these bounds, he the sayd John Budd is to have and enjoy all the land by the Blind brook to Westchester path, in witness my hand. Witness the The mark of Shanarocke, ^.
mark of 04 Cokeo. The mark of Remaquie.
Peter Disbrow.
11 month, 5 day, 1661. Know all men whom this may concern, that I Shanarocke, sachem, have bargained, sold and delivered unto John Budd, the islands lying south, from the neck of land the sayd John Budd bought of me and other Ingains, and have received full satisfaction of Thomas Close for the said John Budd^s use and due warrant the sale above wxitten in the presence of Thomas Close and William Jones.
The mark of O Shanarocke, sachem. To John Budd.
Another bill of sale occurs a few days later for the lands east of the Mamaroneck river.
11 month, twelfth day, 1661. Know all men whom this may concern, that I Shanarocke, Rawmaqua, Rackeath, Pawwaytaham, Mawmatoe, Hawing, have bargained sold and de- livered unto John Budd a neck of land, bounded by a neck of land he bought of me and other Ingains on the south, and with Merremack river on the west, and with marked trees to the north, with twenty miles for feeding ground for cattle with all the woods, trees, marshes, meadows and rivers, and have re- ceived full satisfaction in coats and three score faddom of wampum of Thomas Close for the said John's use, and to engage myself to warrant the sale there- of against all men, English, Dutch and Ingans, and for the faithful perfor- mance hereof, I have set my hand in the presence of Thomas Close and Wil- liam Jones, the day and year above written.*
The mark of Shanarocke.
Rawmaqua.
Hawnois.
Peam, his mark.
Raze, his mark.
* Col. Rec. Hartford, vol. i. p. 333, 4.
jmmmmmm&m
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 37
A. D. 1665. John Budd, sen., grants to John Morgan and John Concklin of Flushing, lands situate in Rye upon the south- eastern neck, '* bounded west by Mamaroneck river, east by a great rock in a bottom, south with the creek, and north by marked trees."*
The next year, John Budd obtains a confirmation of his Apaw- quammis lands from the Indians, together with an additional grant of territory extending sixteen miles north of Westchester path.
To all Christian people, Indians and others living on Hudson*s river in America, Shanarocke, sagamore, and Rawackqua and Pathang, as we have formerly sold a tract of land unto John Budd, bounded by the sea on the sooth, on the north by Westchester path, and the name of the tract of land is com- monly called Apawamis, and whereas we have sold unto said John Budd twenty English miles norihward from the above said tract of land which is called by Apawamis, the above said twenty English miles we do acknowledge that we have sold unto Mr. John Budd for range, for feed, for timber, for graseing, to him and his heirs for ever, and now we doe acknowledge that we have bargained, sold and delivered, we and every one of us, for our heirs, ex- ecutors or assignees jointly and severally unto John Budd, his heirs, execu^ tors or assignees a tract of land lying within the compass of the above said twenty English miles, bounded on the south by Westchester paih, and on the east by the Blind brook, and on the west by Mamaroneck river, and the north bounds is sixteen miles English from Westchester path up into the country, for which land we received already in hand a certain sum, to the value of jE^20 sterling, for the abovesaid tract of land ; for which land we are fully satisfied by the said John Budd, for the above said tract of land, for the which we doe aeknowledge we have bargained, sold and delivered onto John Budd and his heirs for ever, with warrantee against all men, English, Dutch and Indians, and doe give him full possession, and promise so to keep him, to the which bargain and agreement, we have hereunto set our hands this day, being the 29th of April, 1666.
Witness, Joseph Horton, Shanarocke,
Witness, John Rawls, Romackqua,
The mark of Coco, Indian. Pathung,
Sachems.
The proprietors of Rye appear to have viewed these extensive purchases of John Budd, with no little degree of anxiety, for we
• Col. R^c. Hartford, vol i p. 333, 4.
38 HISTORY OP THE
find the following petition dispatched to the ^[eneral court by the inhabitants of Rye, on the 2d of October, 1 668.
The humble petition of the inhabitants of the town of Rye, to the Right Honorable the Governor and the rest of the gentlemen of the general court at Hartford.
May it please your Honor, with the gentlemen of the general courte, to understand that about four years since, that John Budd did present a paper with several names to it, of inhabitants on his neck or island, so called and patented. It was for the settling of himself and children; on which we conceived had it been per- formed it had done noe great injury to the towiie ; but he noe ways pretended it, as doth agree, but hath and doth dayley let it and settle people upon it, extreamely prejuditiall to the towne, without the towne's approbation, which wee humbly conceave may be our injury if not speedily prevented ; Doe humbly request that neck of land may be delivered up to the town, we paying him by Indian purchases with interest, he abating for what land he hath sold, if not prejuditiall to the towne. And them that are prejuditiall, may be removed, and that you would be pleased to depute two or three persones whom you shall think meet, to come and settell amongst us with what speed may be. Soe we rest your humble petitioners.
Peter Disbrow, William Woodhull, Robert Bloomer, Richard Coules, John Brondig, Stephen Sherwood,
Timothy Knapp, Thomas Browne, George Lane.
" On the 15ih of October, 1672, the general courte assembled at Hartford, ordered that Mr. Budd and those of Rye, that have ap- propriated the lands of Rye to themselves shall appear at general court in May next, to make appear their right. For the general court intends to settle those lands according to righteousness, that no plantation may be discouraged, and plantation work may goe forward to better satisfaction than formerly."*
The court must subsequently have confirmed John Budd, in his rights as proprietor, for we find him in 1681-2, granting a piece of meadow land lying westward of John Ogden, to John Horton.^
• Hart. Rec. vol. iii. 29. b Co. Rec. Lib. B. 84.
VMfl
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 39
In 1685, John Budd, of Southhold, in New England, sold to Joseph Purdy a certain tract of land iu Rye, lying and being upon the neck called Epawainos, bounded on the east by Blind Brook, &c., ice. Also a parcel of land upon the same to Judith Brown and Joseph Ogden, 29 April, 1685. «
The following orders were issued to the surveyor general, by his Excellency the governor in council, the 20th of February, 1695-6 : " you are hereby required to survey and lay out for Joseph Budd in order to a patent, all the land contained in an Indian purchase in Westchester Co., made A. D. 1661 ; from the Sound to the marked trees near Westchester path, bounded on the west by the Mamaroneck River, on the east side by parte of Blind Brook," and this shall be to you a sufficient warrant.^
Benjamin Fletcher to Anthony Graham, Surveyor General, by order of council :
In consequence of the unsettled state of the boundary lines be< tween the two colonies of New York and Connecticut, Joseph Budd failed in obtaining his patent at this time.
The general court also refused him a patent for his paternal lands in 1710, upon the ground that the former patent granted was sufficient.^ It was not until the year 1720 that the Crown confirmed the Budd purchase by letters patent under the great seal of the province of New York, to Joseph Budd, John Hought and Daniel Purdy, the patentees yielding and rendering therefor yearly, to the governor, on the feast duy of the blessed Virgin Mary, commonly called I^dy day, the annual rent of one pound nineteen shillings.
CHARTER OF RYE NECK.
George, by the grace of God King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. All to whom these presents shall come, sendeth greeting ; whereas oor loving subjects Joseph Budd, John Hought, and Dan- iel Purdy, inhabitants of the town of Rye, in the county of Westchester, by their petition presented to our trusty and well beloved Colonel Peter Sohuylert
* Co. Ree. Lib. A. p. 14.
V Indian Deeds, Alb. Rec. warrant forsnrvey. UK I 39.
c Hart Rec toL iv. 131.
40 HISTORY OF THE
president of the eouDcil for our province of New York, have set forth that in Tirtue of a purchase made by John Budd in his lifetime, the father of the afore- said Joseph Budd, by licence from the governor of Connecticul colony, bear- ing date the eighth day of November, one thousand six hundred and sixty, of a certain tract or part of land in the bounds of the township of Rye, in the county of Westchester, then called Apawquammis, bounded east by a river then called Matquams river, southerly by the sea or sound against Long Island, now called the Island of Nassau, westerly by a river then called Poilhstoroak river, and northerly by marked trees near Westchester path, they the said petitioners, with divers others of our loving subjects, inhabitants of the same township of Rye, who have and do hold and enjoy the same tract of land by, from, or under the same John Budd and his heirs and assignees, have culti- vated and improved the same at their great charge and great labour and in- dustry, and have been and are now hitherto peaceably and quietly possessed thereof, praying to have the same confirmed to them by letters patent under the great seal of the province of New York, in the manner as is hereafter de- scribed, (that is to say) all that tract or neck of land in the township of Rye, in the county of Westchester, in the province of New York, now called Budd^s purchase, beginning at a certain grist mill called Joseph Lyon^s mill, standing on a brook called Blind brook, thence up the stream of said brook including the said mill, until it meets with a small brook called or known by the name of Bound brook, then on a north-west course until it meets with Westchester old road, thence south-westerly along the said road as it runs to a white oak tree marked on two sides, standing on the west side of a certain brook known by the name of Stoney brook, which white oak tree is the south-west corner of a certain patent called Harrison^s patent, then from said white oak in a north- west course to an ash tree marked on two sides, standing on the east side of Maraneck river, close by the edge of said river as it runs to the place where said Maraneck river emptys itself into Maraneck harbour or neck, then south- erly to where said Maraneck harbour or creek falls into the Sound, then easterly all along the Sound untill it meets with a certain creek called Mill creek, on the head whereof the aforesaid grist mill of Joseph Lyon is standing, thence up the channel of said creek as it runs until it meets the aforesaid grist mill where it first begun, bounded easterly by Blind brook and Mill creek, northerly by Westchester road and Harrison^s patent, westerly by Mara- neck river and harbor, and southerly by the Sound, together with a small island called Hen Island, lying in the Sound over against the said lands, about a quarter of a mile from the main, containing in the whole, main land and island, 1560 acres, to hold to them and their heirs and assignees forever, but to and for the use and uses following, and to no other use whatsoever ; (that is to say) as for and concerning such tracts of land hereditaments, part of the before recited tracts of land and island whereof the said Joseph Budd, John Hought and Daniel Purdy are and stand lawfully and rightfully seized and possessed in their own several and respective rights, interest and estate, to
CO JN TY OF WESTCHESTER. 4 1
and for tlie sole and only proper use, benefit and belioof of the aforesaid Joseph Bttdd, John Hought and Daniel Purdy, severally and respectively, and of their several and respective heirs and assignees forever, and as for and concerning SQch other tracts of land, parts of the before recited tract of land and island which are belonging and appertaining to several other persons, freeholders and inhabitants within the bounds of the same tract of land and island, some more and some less, allowing to their several, separate, and particular interest, in tmst to and for the sole and only proper use, benefit and behoof of each par- ticular freeholder and inhabitant, particularly and respectively, and of each of their particular and respective heirs and assignees forever, in as full and ample manner as if their names were particularly and severally mentioned and ex- pressed, and their particular and several freeholds were particularly and seve- rally mentioned and described under the usual quit rent, with the usual clauses, provisions, conditions, limitations and restrictions as are limited and appointed by our royal instructions for granting of land in our said province. Which request we being willing to grant. Know ye, that of our especial grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, we have given, granted, ratifyed and confirmed and do by these presents, for us, our heirs, and successors, give, grant, ratify, and confirm unto the said Joseph Budd, John Hought and Daniel Purdy, and to their heirs and assignees forever, all that the aforesaid tract of land and island before it, containing in the whole 1560 acres, in manner and form as last mentioned and described, together with all and singular, woods, under- woods, houses, edifices, buildings, barns, fences, orchards, fields, feedings, pastures, meadows, marshes, swamps, ponds, pools, waters, water courses, rivers, rivulets, runs, and streams of water, fishing, fowling, hunting and hawk- ing, quarries, mines, minerals, standing, growing, lying and being, or to be had, used and enjoyed, within the limits and bounds aforesaid, and all other profits, benefits, liberties, privileges, hereditaments, and appurtenances to tlie same belonging or in any ways appertaining ; and all that other estate right, title, interest, benefit, claim, and demand whatsoever, of, in, or to the same, and the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders, and the yearly rents and profits of the same, excepting and always reserving out of this our own pre- sent grant, unto our heirs and successors forever, all such fir trees and pine trees of the diameter of twenty- four inches, at twelve inches from the ground or root, as are or shall be fit to make masts for our royal navy, as also such other trees as are or shall be fit to make plank or knees for the use of our royal navy only, which now are standing, growing or being, or which for ever hereafter shall be standing, growing or being, in or upon any of the said tract of land and island, with free license and liberty for any person and persons whomsoever, by us, oar heirs and successors, or any of them, to be thereunto authorized and appointed under our or their sign manuel, with workmen, horses, waggons, carts and carriages, and without, to enter upon and come in- to the same tract of land and island, and there to fell and cut down, root up, hew, saw, rive, split, have, take, cart and carry away the same, trees, planks,
Vol. IL 6
42 HISTORY OF THE
ihasts and knees for the use aforesaid, and also, except all gold and silver mines* to have and to hold all that, the aforesaid tract of land, and island before it, containing in the whole, 1560 acres, and all other the above granted prerai- aes, with the hereditaments and appoitenances, (excepting only as before is excepted and reserved) unto the aforesaid Joseph Budd, John Hoaght and Daniel Purdy, their heirs and assignees forever, hot to and for the uses fol- lowing, and to and for no other use whatsoever, (that is to say) and for and concerning such tract of land and hereditaments, part or parts of the before recited tract of land and island herein and hereby granted, whereof them the said Joseph Budd, John Hought and Daniel Purdy, are, and stand lawfully and rightfully seized and possessed, in their own several and respective rights, in- terest and estate, to and for the sole and only piroper use and benefit and be- hoof of the said Joseph Budd, John Hought and Daniel Purdy, severally and respectively, and their several and respective heirs and assignees for ever, and as for and containing such other tracts of land and hereditaments, part or parcel of the before recited tracts of land and island herein and hereby granted, which are or shall be belonging and appertaining to several other persons, freeholders and inhabitants, within the bounds of the same tract of land and island, some more and some less, allowing to their several separate and par- ticular estates and interests in trust, to and for the sole and only proper use, benefit and behoof of each particular freeholder and inhabitant,, particularly and respectively, and of each of their particular and respective heirs and as- signs forever, in as full and ample manner, as if their several names and their several respective freeholds and inhabitants, were particularly and severally described and expressed in these presents, to be holden of us, our heirs and successors, in free and common socage, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in the county of Kent, within this realm, yielding, rendering and paying there- for unto us, our heirs and successors, unto our and their receiver general for the province of New York, for the time being at our custom house in the city of New York, yearly and every year for ever, on the feast day of the Annun- ciation of the blessed Virgin Mary, commonly called Lady day, the annual rent of two shillings and sixpence for every hundred acres of the said tract of land and island, and so proportionable, for a smaller quantity (that is to say) the sum of one pound nineteen shillings, for the whole tract of land and island, io lieu and stead of all other rents, services and duties and demands whatso- ever, for the same tract of land, island and premises so granted as aforesaid, provided always, and these presents are upon this condition, that the same Joseph Budd, John Hought and Daniel Purdy, and the other freeholders and inhabitants of the same tract of land and island so granted as aforesaid, and thfeir heirs and assigns, some or one of them have, or shall within the term and space of three years next ensuing the date hereof, settle, clear and make improvement of five acres of land at least, for every fifty acres of the said tract of land and island, and so proportionably for a larger or smaller tract or
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 43
p«rt thereof, and in faoh thereof, or if the said Joseph Budd, John Hough t and Daniel Purdy, and the other inhabitants and freeholders of any part or parts of the said tract of lind and island, or their heirs and assigns or any of, them, or any other person or persons, by their or any of their privity, consent or procurement, shall set on fire and burn the woods in the same tract of land and island, or any part thereof, to clear the same, that then and in either of these cases, this onr present grant, and every article and clause thereof, shall become Toid^ cease and determine any thing in these presents to the contrary thereof, in any way notwithstanding we do hereby will and grant, that these our letters shall be made patent, and that they and the record of them, in our surrogates office, of our province of New York, shall be good and effectual in the law, notwithstanding the neat, true and well reciting of the premises, or of the bounds thereof, or of any forever, or other letters patent or grant, for the same made or granted to any other person or persons, body corporate or politic whatsoever, by as or any of our royal ancestors or predecessors, any law or other restraint, uncertainty or imperfection whatsoever, to the contrary hereof in any ways notwithstanding. In testimony whereof we have caused the great seal of our province of New York, to be affixed to these presents, and the same to be entered of record in one of the books of patent in our said secretary's office remaining. Witness our said trusty and well beloved Colonel Peter Schuyler, President of our Council for our province of New York in council, at Fort George in New York, the 28th day of July, in the sixth year of our reign, A. D. 1730.«
The Budd or Rye neck patent was subsequently divided among the following proprietors, viz. James Gedney, 102 acres. Daniel Purdy, drummer of Rye, 40 acres. John Carpenter, a portion joining Mamaroneck river. Mr. William Bowuess of Rye, 2 acres. That portion called the Gusset to Joseph Ogden. A second of 30 acres to Joseph Lyon. Daniel Purdy, 3 acres. Monmouth Hart, 15 acres. James Wood, 6 acres. Archibald Titford, 18 acres. The residue to John Budd.
23 March, 1743. Peter Jay leased of John Budd 250 acres, and obtained a release for the same the succeeding day.^
The name of John Roome occurs as lessee for ihe whole pa- tent, of 1560 acres^ the same year.
4 September, 1746. Peter Jay purchased four acres of mea- dow on Hen Island of Monmouth Hart.c
• Alb. Rec. Book of Patenti, Lib. viii. 387, 461. b Co. Rec Lib. R. 13S, 133, 128. « Co. Rec. Lib. R. 138.
44 HISTORY OF THE
The partition deed between Sir James Jay, Peter Jay, John Jay and Frederick Jay, sons of Peter deceased, recites " that Peter Jay deceased devised all his real estate to his four sons, and conveyed in severalty tb Peter Jay the Rye farm, as convey- ed by John Budd to Peter Jay deceased by lease and release of 25th and 26th of jMarch, 1745.*
The Jays have since added to their original grant by other purchases from the families of the Harts, Gedtieys, Galons, and Haines, iJbc.
Peter Jay by will bearing dale, 1st September, 1797, devised all his real estate to his brother John Jay, who thereupon be- came seized of the whole premises in severalty. The Hon. John Jay by a deed, dated 16lh September, 1822, conveyed them in fee to the late Peter Augustus, Esq., father of the present pro- prietor, making the fourth generation that has occupied this spot.
The Guions are also owners of a large portion of the Budd or Rye neck patent.
The village of Rye is pleasantly situated upon the New York and Boston turnpike road one mile and a half north of Long Island Sound. The Mockquamsy (Blind brook,) a beautiful perennial stream flows through the place, and adds much to the beauty of the surrounding scenery. It derives its source from the romantic hills north of the village. The principal spring is located on the lands of Edwin Keeler. In its progress south this stream, fed by numerous tributaries, aflbrds excellent mill seats.^
The first settlements in the town, (as shown by the Indian deed of 1660,) were made on the island Minnewies or Minussing,
* Extracts from deduction of title.
b lu Uie town records occurs the following entry. ** March 3d, 1696. Samuel Lane and Joseph Lyon are, or either of them, permitted to build a fulling or grist mill vpon Blind brook, above the town, provided they choose their location in three weeks, and build the fulling mill in three years. This mill is supposed to have occupied the site of the present grist and saw mill of Mr. James E. Beers, so that a mill has stood upon this stream for one hundred and forty years at least. The ancient Budd milU were located near the present stone bridge at the entrance of the village.
■<w'> 111 ■■^^PiwwaW
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 45
near the Rye Port harbour. To the Island village its proprietors gave the name of Hastings. From this place the early settlers issued their famous declaration, dated
Hastings, July 26, 1662. " Know all men whom this may concern, that we the inhabitants of Minussing island, whose names are underwritten do declare unto all men, we came not hither to live without government as some suppose, an 1 therefore do proclaime Charles the Second our true Lord and King, and doe voluntary submit ourselves and all our lands that we have bought of the English and Indians under his gracious protection, and do expect according to his gracious de- claration unto all his subjects which we are, and desire to be subject to a!l his wholesome laws that are just and righteous, ac- cording to God and our consciences, to receive, whereunto we do subscribe. The mark of Taylor Johnson. Peter Disbrow.
The mark of Moses. John Coe.
Samuel Allin. The mark of Thomas Stedwell.
The mark of Robert Hudsone. William OJell.
John Brondish.
The mark of Frederick Hermanson. The mark of Thomas Applebe."
To this declaration is appended the following agreement and orders, (showing the botinds of the future township of Hastings,)
"We do agree that for our land bought on themnyn land, call- ed in the Indian Poningoe^ and in English the Biaram land, lying between the aforesaid Biaram river and the Blind brook, bounded east and west with these two rivers, and on the north with Westchester path, and on the south with the sea, for a plan- tation, and the name of the town to be called Hastings.
And now lastly we have jointly agreed that he that will sub- scribe to these orders, here is land for him, and he that doth re- fuse to subscribe hereunto we have no land for him."<^
* Rye Rec. Lib. A.
46 raSTORY OP THE
Hastings, July 26, 1662. The planters hands lo these or- ders.
Benjamin Woypen. Robert Hutson.
John May. John Brondish.
Samuel Allin. Frederick Harminson.
Thomas Aj)plebe.
August 11, 1662. These orders made by the purchasers of the land with our names.
Peter Disbrow, John Coe, Thomas Stedwell, William Odell.
It was ordered by the General Court of Assembly, holden at Hartford, May 1 1, 1665,
" That the villages of Hastings and Rye shall be for the future conjoined and made one plantation, and that it shall be called by the appellation of Rye^ and Mr. Gold, Mr. Lawes, and John Banks are appointed to go and settle the differences between the inhabitants of Hastings and Rye, and also see the line be- tween Stamford and Greenwich run."*
"A. D. 1666. John Budd, Sen., of Rye, for and in consider- ation of thirty-seven pounds, ten shillings, sells his land, divided by agreement of the men of Hastings now called Rye^ to George Kniffen of Stratford, the house being situated in the town /or- merly called Hastings, in presence of us, Francis Brown and Daniel Simkins.*>
In the main street of the village stands an ancient stone tavern, at present occupied by Mr. Silvanus van Sicklin. This build- ing was erected in the early days of the settlement, when it served the double purpose of a residence and fortification. The remains of embrasures can yet be traced in its walls. The fol- lowing order is presumed to relate to this edifice.
March 5lh, 1676. Thomas Lyon and Thomas Brown are ap- pointed to choose a house or place to be fortified for the safety of the town. Also the young men who come into the fortification, and remain during the troubles^ are to have an equal proportion
•■ Hartford Rec. vol. ii. 208.
b Probate Rec. Fairfield Co. from 1665 to 1675.
< King Philip's war with New England. On the 13th of March, 1676, (eight days
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 47
of the undivided lands, providedthey be such as the town approve.^ Upon the 13th of July, 1681, the town authorized John Ogden and George Knilfen to purchase a barrel of powder, and three hundred weight of lead of Mr. Budd of Fairfield, or wherever it can be obtained the cheapest. These are to be kept for the use of the town."
At this early period, the Indians were very numerous, and the surrounding country was infested by wolves. On the 15th of December, 1689, a bounty of fifteen siiillings was ordered to be raised by a town rate, for the killing of wolves. Whilst under the jurisdiction of Connecticut, the villages of Rye and Hastings sent a deputy to the general court of that colony. The first in- dividual who held this honorable ofilce, was Mr. John Budd, as appears from the following letter addressed to the members of the court then assembled at Hartford.
Hastings, the Ist month 26, 1663. Mach Honored Sirs : —
We heer underwritten, heing seted upon a small tract of land lying betwixt Greenwich and Westchester, which land wee have bought with our money the which wee understand doth lye within your patent, and whereas, yoa have already required our subjection as his majesties subjects, the which we did willingly and readily embrace, and according to your desiour, we sent a man to Fairfield, who have there taken the oath of a consta- ble, we have now made choys of our nayghbar John Budd for a depute, and sent him up to your Corte to act for us, as hee shall see good, it is our desiour to have some settled way of government amongst us, and therefore, we do crave so much favor at the hands of the Honble Cort, that they do make us a constable or any other officer, that they would give him power to grant a warrant in case of need, because we be somewhat remote from other places, thus leaving it to your well and judicious consideration, we remain yours to command,
Peter Disbrow, William Odell,
Richard Fowler, John Brondig,
George Clere, John Jackson,
Philip Caspine, Thomas Stedwell,
John Coe, Walter Lancaster,
in the name of the rest.b
after the date of the above order,) the entire town of Groton* consistiog of forty houses, was bomed by the Indians. See Drake's American Indians.
' Rye Rcc. vol I. 73.
^ Hart Rec. vol. i. no. 66, on towns and lands.
48 mSTORY OF THE
June 26, 1676, Mr. John Banks occurs as deputy to the gene- ral court from Rye.
jjifp^ its annexation to the province of New York, Rye was ei^ted into a market town, and enjoyed the^extraordinary privi- lege of holding and keeping a yearly fair, orfthe 2d Tuesday in October, to end on ihe Friday next following, being in all four days.
Courts of special sessions were also held in Rye during the colonial dynasty.
Many handsome villas and country residences adorn tl)e vil- lage. The mansion of the lale David Brooks, is a beautiful specimen of the old English style, only requiring the proper ac- cessories of trees and shrubbery. The gables are enriched with elaborately carved scroll work, and surmounted by finials. The oriel windows present a light and airy eflfect. The whole struc- ture is elegantly finished, internally as well as externally. The residences of the late Ebenezer Clark and Mr. Halstead, are beautifully situated upon the margin of Blind brook. Embosomed amid luxuriant trees, south of the former, is the residence of Hachaliah Brown, Esq., whose family has for five generations occupied the estate. The present building was erected, A. D. 1774, upon the site of the old homestead. The Browns were originally from the town of Rye, county of Sussex, England. Hachaliah Brown the more immediate ances- tor of the family, having been one of the first planters of this town. In 1756, Hachaliah Brown of Rye, commanded the Westchester levies, under General Lord Amherst. The ad- joining estate belongs to Henry Barker, Esq.
North east of t}:c village bordering Purchase street, is the pro- perty of the late Josiah Purdy, Esq., now occupied by his son Josiah Purdy. The Purdy family were among the early set- tlers of Fairfield,. Connecticut. Francis Purdy,*^ the first of the family of whom we have any accoimt, died in 1658, at Fairfield.
» An iDventory of the estate of Francis Purdy, was taken Oct. 14lh, 1586. See Probate Records, Fairfield Co.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 49
Ris aonSf Francis, John^ and Samuel, subsequently removed to Rye.
The old parsonage land is now occupied by Henry Strang son of the late Daniel. Strang, grandson of the worthy Huguenot, Daniel L'Estrange JMd Mary Hubert his wife, who removed firom New Rochelle to this place, in 1697.
The most prominent object upon entering Rye from the west, is the Presbyterian church with its spire, a neat wooden edifice, erected at the private cost of the late Ebenezer Clark, Esq., and dedicated June the 28th, 1842.^ It occupies the site of the old church erected A. D. ITOS.^^ The latter was dedicated by the Rev. Isaac Lewis, D. D., of Greenwich, Connecticut, who offi- ciated here for some time, in connection with his own charge. To the Presbyterian church at Rye, is attached the chapel at Port Chester. Service is now regularly held every Sunday morning at Port Chester, and in the afternoon at Rye.
The first Presbyterian church in this town, is said to have been erected upon Pulpit plains the property of Mr. Billah Theale.
In 1729, the proprietors of the undivided land lying in Rye, between Byram and Blind brook streams, within a certain pat- ent that was granted unto Daniel Purdy, son of John Purdy de- ceased, Samuel Brown, Benjamin Brown and others, grant unto the Presbyterian Society for ever, one-half acre of land lying on the Plains near unto the house that was the late deceased Thomas Merritt's jun., &c. In witness whereof, we have here- unto set our hands, the 15th day of May, in the second year of the reign of King George the second, A. D. 1729.^ Robert Bloomer, Charles Leish, Thomas Brown,
Daniel Purdy, sen., James Roosevelt, Jonathan Brown, Joseph Eniffen, Hachaliah Brown, Thomas Purdy,
a John Purdy wai residing at Fairfield, in 1658.
b The cost of this -edifice, including certain improvements around the church, wasfCOOO. • The land was the gift of Mr. Jesse Park, d Rye Rec. Lib. C.
YoL. 11. 7
V
60 raSTORY OF THE .^
Abram van Wyck, Joseph Purdy, John Garhart,
Nathan Kniffen, Andrew Merritt, ^ Timothy Knapp,
Samuel Lane, sen., Nathaniel Sherwood, Jonathan Haight,
John Disbrow, Thomas Howell, Justus Bush,
Benjamin Brown, Ebenezer Eniffen, j^ohn Coe,
John Roosevelt, Daniel Purdy, Joseph Lyon,
Joseph Sherwood, John Lyon, jun., Joseph StedwelK
George Kniffen, James Brown,
The first ordained pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Rye, was the Rev. John Smith, who appears to have commenced his labors here cir. 1753. He is said to have been an able and useful minister ; he died February 26th, 1771, aged 68 years. In 1793, the Rev. Isaac Lewis, D. D., officiated here statedly for three month's. His son and successor in the church at Greenwich, continued for a short time after. Subsequently at irregular inter- vals clergymen visited the church of whom no record remains. On the 4tb of March, 1829, this church was regularly organized by a commission of the New York presbytery. Upon the forma- tion of the Bedford presbytery in October, 1829, the relations of this church was transferred to that body, in which connection it has ever since remained. The Rev. Mr. Saxton officiated as stated supply until May 17th, 1827, when the Rev. W. H. Whit- temore took charge and continued until April, 1832. In July, 1829, the second church edifice was thoroughly repaired, at a cost of $800. For the successors of the Rev. Mr. Whittemore, see list of pastors.
The Presbyterian Church of Rye was first incorporated on the 6th of June 1796; Robert Merritt,EzekieIHaIstead, jun., Nathan Brown, John Doughly, James Hunt and David Rogers, trus- tees.*
List of Ministers of the Presbyterian Church, at Rye, Install, or call Ministers, vacated by
A. D. 1763, Rev. John Smith, death,
• Co. Roe. Religiottf Soc. Lib. A. 50.
COUNTS OP WESTCHESTER. 61
lust, or call. Ministers, Vacated by
A. D. 1793, Rev. Isaac Lewis, resig.
1794, Rev. Isaac Lewis, jr., do.
1826, Rev. Mr. SaxtoD, do.
1827, Rev. W. H. Whittemore, do. April, 1833, Rev. David Remington, death, April, 1834, Rev. Thomas Payne, resig.
October, 1836, Rev. James R. Davenport, do.
Oct. 9 1838, Rev. Edward D. Bryan, present minister*
Church Memoranda.
1836, communicants 20, baptisms 6, 1846, do 88, do 7.
The first religious society of Rye was Congregational, at that time the established religion of the colony of Connecticut.
<' By authority it had been enacted that no person within the colony should embody themselves in church estate without the consent of the general court. The law also prohibited any min- istry being attended by the inhabitants, in any plantation distinct and separate from that which was established in the place, except by the approbation of the general court and the neighboring churches.
" One object of these laws was doubtless to prevent Baptists, Episcopalians and others from gaining a foothold.*'^
As early as 1660, says the historian Trumbull, Rye paid taxes for the support of religion, although no church was formed nor pastors ordained.
Greenwich and Rye, continues the same authority, were but ~ just come under the jurisdiction of Connecticut, and not in cir- cumstances for the support of ministers; they had occasional preaching only for a considerable time.*>
At a town meeting held in Rye, November, 1670, the town made choice of Joseph Horton, Thomas Brown, and John Bron- dig, who are to do their endeavor to procure a minister.
It was also agreed for to allow two pence in the pound for the
• Lambtrt's Hist. N. HaTsn, p. 189. b TmubQU'd Hist Conn. p. 300.
62 HISTORY OP THE
maintenance of a minister amongst us, that is to say an orthodox minister.
From the following document it appears that the town had not succeeded in procuring a minister, for May the llth, 1671, at a court of assembly held at Hartford, Capt. Nathan Gold, Thomas Fitch, Mr. Holly, Lt. Richard Olmstead, and Mr. John Burr, they, or any three of them, are desired to repair to the said Rye, as soon as may be, and to endeavor a comfortable composure and issue of such differences as are among the people there, and to use their endeavors in the procuring of an able and orthodox minister to settle in that place, and if the people of Rye shall not concur with their endeavors in procuring a minister and comfort- ably settling of him in the plantation of Rye, then the court doth empower the aforesaid committe to agree with a suitable man for that work in that place, and to agree with him for maynte- nance to the value of £40 per annum, which the treasurer, by warrant to the constable of said Rye, shall order for the gather- ing and payment thereof with the county rate.*
October 8th, 1674. The general court again empowers Cap- tain John Allyn, Mr. James Bishop, Major Robert Treat with Mr. Gold, " to endeavor also the obliging and settling of a minis- ter at Rye."b
At a court hoi den at Hartford, May 17th, 1675, Major Nathan Gold, Major Robert Treat, and Mr. Jehu Burr were nominated and appointed a committee to treat with the inhabitants of Rye and those concerned in lands there, and labor to accommodate matters, as that there may be suitable encouragement for Mr. Prudden to settle in the ministry, and such other suitable inhabi- tants with him as may promote the settlement of said town of Rye and the ministry therein ; and if they shall find any averse- ness or difficulty with the inhabitants or proprietors in so just and necessary publique good of the town, they are empowered to doe what they see meet for the end aforesaid, and make reports to the court in October next, for approbation ; and for the en- couragement of the ministry at Rye, this court, for this year.
• Hart Col. Rec toI. iii. 18. b Hart. Col. Rec. vol iii. 53.
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 53
grants them a penny of the pound upon all the ratable estate of their town, to be payd out of their country rate, and shall be ready as need requires to continue such necessary encourage* ment as they shall judge suitable.*
Upon the 27th May, 1675, the town orders that the home lot of Peter Disbrow, adjoining Timothy Knapp, be taken by the town in exchange for the land by the Blind brook, south of Jacob Bridge's. The above lot to be for Mr. Peter Prudden for a par- sonage lot ; if not thus disposed of, this agreement to be void.
February 26, 1676. The town released Peter Disbrow's lot, and cancels the above agreement.
February 26lh, 1677. John Brundige and John Purdy are empowered to sell the frame intended for a parsonage house.
The same year the Rev. Thomas Denham appears to have been minister here, for, June 15, a bouse lot is ordered for Mr. Thomas Denham, and on November the 22d, we find the same individual admitted an inhabitant of the town of Rye. June 21 167S, Mr. Thomas Denham is to have all the grass on the high- way at the old town, besides an equal share with the proprietors of Poningoe neck,
March 5th, 1679. 60 poles of land lying before his door, to- ward the brook, are granted to Mr. Thomas Denham, and the ensuing year he is to have all the grass in the highway at the first of the old town lots ; also £30 allowed for his maintenance. The general court of Connecticut, October 14ih, 16S0, ordered that thirty pounds per annum agreed by Rye to be paid to the minister, Mr. Denham, shall be gathered by the constable with the country rate, in the same specie and prices as the country rate, and by him to be paid to the said minister. ^ A.D. 1682, the town confirms the sura of £30 as salary to Mr. Denham, and orders the same to be paid in provisions.
The historian Trumbull informs us that about the year 1688,
the Rev. John Bowers removed from Derby and settled at Rye.®
April 22d, 1690, Captain Horton, Joseph Theall, and John
« Hart Col. Rec vol. m. 59. b Hart Col. Rec. yol. iii. 59.
« Tmmlrairs Hist. Conn. p. 523.
64 HISTORY OF THE
Brondig are chosen by the town to procure a minister^ and, if possible, a schoolmaster.
27ih June, 1693. Hacaliah Brown, George Lane, and Timothy Knapp were added to the above committee to procure a minister as soon as possible.
February 26th, 1694, it is ordered that the townsman make a rate to defray the expense of repairing the parsonage house. 22d July, 1697 ; Captain Theal, Hachaliah Brown, George LanCi and Thomas Merritt are chosen by vote for the procuring of a minister for the town of Rye.
Colonel Caleb Heathcote writing to the secretary of the Pro- pagation Society in 1705, observes, ** that there is no parish in the government but what is able to pay twice as much as they do. For Rye parish^ which is not by one-half so large as the least parish established by law in the government here, since my liv- ing here, maintained two dissenting ministers, viz. one at Rye and Mamaroneck, and one B^Bed/ordf and gave tM former £50, and the latter £40, a year."»
A LIST OF MINISTERS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH,
RYE.
In8tal or call. Ministers.
1681. Rev. Peter Prudden.
1677. Rev. Thomas Denham.
cir. 1684. Rev. John Woodbridge.
1688. Rev. John Bowers.
Christ Church, Rye, is agreeably situated upon rising ground, overlooking the village and vale of Blind brook.
The building itself is a plain edifice of wood, surmounted with an embattled tower, and a small vestry-room attached to the rear.
» See Scandale, for Heathcote*s letter.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
Its interior consists of the nave, two aisles, gallery and cbai>- cel. On the korlh side of the laltar there is a neat monQtnental tablet, erected
Id memorj of W>LLI*M Thompbok,
ofChnM Church «t Rje,
A natire of EnnHkiHen,
Trdand.
Odlaiaed April, 18S0,
* Appointed to the charge of thia Pariahi
September, 1833,
Died AugDst Sg, 1830.
"Mark the perfect man, and behold the aprighl,
for the end of that man ia peace." — Paaltn xxxtiii. v. 37.
Erected by hie affeclionate
Widow.
His remains are interred in the village cemeleir. Beneath the floor of the church lie pillovred in the darkness of the grave se- veral of the early rectois.
66
HISTORY OP THE
The present building was erected at a cost of $5500, in the year 1788, upon the site of the old stone edifice called Grace church.
It was designed at first to have erected a steeple in place of the present tower, as appears by an act of the vestry, dated Sept. 17, 1791.
" Wherein it was ordered to remove the work projected for a steeple on the top of the roof, at the west end.''
Belonging to this church is a silver paten and chalice presented by her Ma- jesty Queen Anne, A. D. 1706.
These articles have been used in the administration of the holy sacrament nearly one century and a half. The royal donation originally consisted, (to- gether with the above,) of a large church bible, common ^prayer book, book of homilies, cloth for the pulpit, and a communion table.
Upon two copper alms bowls are in- scribed, "Presented to Christ Church at Rye, by James Meadows, 1769."
Besides a fine toned bell the church contains a neat organ.
The first notice of this parish occurs in the two acts passed by the Assembly of New York in 1693 and 1697.
The first entitled '' An act for settling a ministry and raising a maintenance for them in the city of New York, and counties of Richmond, Westchester^ and dueens."
The second ordered, " That there shall be called, inducted and established a good sufficient Protestant minister to officiate and have the cure of souls within one year next ensuing, and after the publication hereof. In the county of Westchester two ; one to have the cure of souls within Westchester, &c. ; the other to have the cure of Rye, Mamaroneck and Bedford."*
The Qaeen*0 paten and cbalice.
• AcU of AflBemUy» Pro. of N. Y. 1691 to 1725, p. 23.
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 57
Pursuant to these acts of Assembly a town meeting was held, February 28, 1695, by virtue of a warrant granted by Justice Theal, when George Lane and John Brondig were elected churchwardens, and Jonathan Hart, Joseph Horton, Josepii Pur- dy, Timothy Enapp, Hachaliah Brown, Thomas Merritt, Deliv- erance Brown and Isaac Denham, vestrymen, the two last being chosen for Bedford.
The whole number of the appropriated precincts, belonging to the parish of Rye in 1725, were as folbw ; Bedford, Scarsdale, Mamaroneck and North Castle, to which were subsequently add- ed White Plains and Harrison.
For collecting the minister's maintenance, writs, of. mandamus were issued to the justices and vestries, empowenug them to make a rate for raising the rector's tax.
The following are specimens of the original taxation rolls of this benefice in 1725.
Bedford, £16 2 0. Mamaroneck, £ IS 0 0. Scarsdale, £5 3 0. North Castle, £2 9 0. Total with Rye, £67 18 0.
The first inducted rector of the parish was the Rev. Thomas Pritchard. In a summary account of the state of the church in the Province of New York, as it was laid before the clergy, con- vened October 6th, 1704, at New York, d&c., it was stated, that " at Rye, of which the Rev. Thomas Pritchard is rector, there is no church, but the minister preaches in the town house ; the parish is divided into three districts, viz. Rye, Bedford and Ma- maroneck.
" There is a salary of £50 per annum, established by act of Assembly; the number of communicants are considerably in- creased, since the first celebration of the sacraments, &c."^
In a letter addressed to the Propagation Society, dated Rye, November 1st, 1704, Mr. Pritchard proposes to that body the Rev. Mr. Stewart then missionary at Bedford^ as a most suitable person to fill the vacant parish of Hempstead, Long Island.
The Rev. Thomas Pritchard married Anna Stuyvesant, daughter of Nicholas William, and grand-daughter of the illus-
* Church Rec. Vol. i. No. 16. Francis L. Hawks* D. D.> editor.
YoL. II. 8
58 HISTORY OF THK
trious Peter Stnyvesant.^ Mr. Pritchard appears to have been inducted in 1703. He died A. D. 1706.
His successor was the Rev. George Muirson. Of this gentle- man the Rev. Mr. Evans thus writes in a letter to the Bishop of London, under date of October 17th, 1704. " This comes by the hands of the ingenious Mr. George Muirson to receive holy orders from your Lordship, by the approbation of his Excellency my Lord Cornbury. I find that he is very well beloved and es- teemed by all sorts of people, a man of a very sober and blame- less conversation. He seems to be indued with great humility of mind, and has the character of being very prudent in his con* duct. I give him this recommendation not to gratify himself, nor any body else, but because 1 sincerely believe he may be very instrumental of doing much good in the church.''^
Mr. Muirson having been ordained, was appointed to the mission of Rye. In his first report to the Society he states *^ that he had a very great congregation every Sunday and that those were his hear- ers who never were in a Church of England congregation before. Though the people were of almost all persuasions, he had ad- mitted into the church, by baptism, eighty persons young and old ; hundreds however in the parish remain unbaptized.<^
He further remarks to the Society, << I have lately been in the Government of Connecticut, where I observe some people well affected to the church, for those that are near come to my parish on Sabbath days ; so that I am assured an itinerant missionary might do great service in that province. Some of their ministers have privately told me that had we a bishop among us, they would conform and receive holy orders, from which as well as on all the continent, the necessity of a bishop will plainly ap« pear."<i
'<In these visits and in every effort for the good of the church, Mr. Muirson was heartily supported by Colonel Caleb Heathcote,
» Rep. of Propagation Soe.
b N. Y. Hist Collections, New Series, vol. i. 455.
« Hawkins* Hist. Not. of Col. Church, vol. ii. MS. letters. No. 34.
* HawkiM' Hi«t. Not of CoL Church, p. 277.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 09
who t\$o wrote to the Societjr on (he subject, confirming the ac- count of the opposition which the missionary had encounteredi and stating thai the justices had forbidden him to preachy and even threatened to put him and all his hearers in jail.
Of his own parish, Mr. Muirson reports, '' 1 have baptized about two hundred young and old, but most adult persons, and am in hopes of initialing many more into the church, after I have examined, taught, and find ihem qualified. This is a large par* ish ; the towns are far distant; the people were some Quakers, some Anabaptists, but chiefly Presbyterians and Independents; they were violently set against our church, but now (blessed be God !) they comply heartily, for I have now above forty com- municants, and had only six when I first administered that holy sacrament. I find that catechising on the wjek days in the remore towns, and frequent visiting is of great service, and I am sure that I have made twice more proselytes by proceeding after that method than by public preaching.^
Mr. Muirson, besides his salary of £50 from the Society, was entitled to £50 currency, as settled by act of Assembly on Rye parish ; but as his people were poor and for the most part recent converts, he considerately forbore to press his legal claim, and during the first two years of his ministry, had only received about ten or twelve pounds currency ; thus plainly showing ha sought not theirs but them«
'' The following account of the Indians, written in the year 170S, will be thought interesting. As to the Indians, the natives of "the country, they are a decaying people. We have not now in all the parish twenty families, whereas not many years ago there were several hundreds. I have frequently conversed with some of them, and been at their great meetings of '' pawawing,'' as they call it. i have taken some pains to teach some of them, but to no purpose, for they seem regardless of instruction, and when I have told them of the evil consequences of their hard drinking, &c., they replied that Englishmen do the same, and
HawkiriB' Hiit. Not. of Col. Churob, p. 279.
60 HISTORY OF THE
that it is not so great a sin in an Indian as in an Englishman, because the Englisliman's religion forbids it, but an Indian's does not. They further say they will not be Christians, nor do they see the necessity for so being, because we do not live ac- cording to the precepts of our holy religion. In such ways do most of the Indians that I have conversed with, either here or elsewhere, express themselves. I am heartily sorry that we should give them such a.bad example, and fill their mouths with such objections to our blessed religion."
"He mentions in this letter that they had completed the house of God at Rye, by the subscription of the inhabitants ; a stately structure indeed."
'* Mr. Muirson, after a short but a most useful service in the ministry of the church, died in October, 1708, much lamented by his friends, and missed by his parish ioners."*
The last will of George Muirson, clerk, bears date September, 1708. By his wife Gloriana, daughter of the Hon. Colonel Wil- liam Smith,b he left one son, George Muirson, M. D.,<^ of Setau- kett, L. I., the father of Heathcote Muirson. The latter was a graduate of Yale College in 1776, and died from wounds received in the attack upon Lloyd's neck, Long Island, July, 1781.
Mr. Muirson was succeeded in January, 1709, by the Rev. Christopher Bridges.
" Upon the 9th of January, 1710, at a meeting of the par- ishioners, at the parish church in Rye, the following church- wardens and vestrymen were elected for the year ensuing.
Churchwardens. Capt. Joseph Theale, Capt. Jonathan Hart,
Cornelius Seely.
• HiiO. Not of the Ch. of Enf^la^d in the N. A. Colonies, 281.
k The Hon. William Smith was chief justice and president of the Council of the Province of New Yort.
• Anna, the eldest daughter of Dr. George Muirson, married Cyrus Punderson, D. D. Their descendants are still residing upon Long Island. Mary the youngest married William Wiekham Wills.
^
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 61
Vestrymen. Andrew Coe, George Lane, Jun. -
John Merritt, Sen. Joseph Lyon,
Daniel Purdy, George Kniffen,
Thomas Purdy, John Disbrow, Mannaroneck.
Thomas Merritt, Jun. John Miller, Bedford.
At a meeting of the vestry, held on the 29th of July, 1712, the Rev. Mr. Bridges presented the following communication from his Excellency Robert Hunter :
" You are to give order forthwith, (if the same be not already done) that every orthodox minister within your government be one of the vestry in his respective parish, and that no vestry be held without him, except in case of sickness, or that after notice of vestry summoned he omit to come."
Rev. Sir, the above copy of Uer Majesty's instructions to me, I have thought fit to direct to the several ministers within this Province, that their respective vestries may regulate themselves accordingly, and if there be any practice contrary thereunto, I desire you may duly inform me, that effectual care may be taken therein.
I remain Reverend Sir,
Your assured Friend and Servant,
Robert Hunter.*
In 1712, <' one hundred nnd fifiy prayer books and five pounds worth of tracts, were voted to Mr. Bridges of Rye. He was also allowed for the services of two school-masters in the parish, £5 per annum each, on a certificate, that they have taught thirty children the bible, the catechism and the use of the liturgy ."^
In 1715, '<Mr. Bridges at Rye had reduced many who were brought up in a very dissolute way of living and total neglect of public worship, to a more sober conversation and a constant at* tendance on the worship of God, using his utmost endeavors to put a stop to many disorderly practices.''^'
• Church Roc. k Reporti of Propagation Soc
* Reports of Propagation Soc. ^
62 HISTORY OF THE
The same year the Propagation Society "presented to Mr. Huddlestone, schoolmaster in Rye, £f6 additional salary and to Mr. Bridges some common prayer books and devotional tracts, of which the people were very desirous before he wrote, and heartily thankful for them since. To these donations the Society added two dozep prayer books, wiih the old version of the singing, and as many of Lewis's church catechism for exercise in his school, or in mornings of the Lord's d«ys, (when not only his own scholars, but several of the young people of the town of both sexes come willingly to be informed,) one dozen bibles with the common prayer, and the new version of psalms, twenty- five psalters and fifty-one primers, all which he requested as contri- buting mightily to the spreading the good work he has in hand, having taught besides British children, six hundred Dutch and French to read and write English."*
The Rev. Christopher Bridges died on the 22d of May, 1719, having been ten years minister of this church.
A. D. 1720. "The Rev. Mr. Barclay formerly missionary to Albany was missionary of Rye with a salary of £30." The same year the Society "gave Mr. Barclay £L0 in consideration of the hard circumstances he lies under."**
In 1721, the Rev. Thomas Poyer officiated here.®
Upon the 4th of June, 1722, the churchwardens and vestrymen addressed the following letter to the venerable Propagation Society :
'* We the charchwardeos and Testrymen of ye parish of Rye, in ye province of New York, io America, having taken ye liberty soon after ye death of onr late incumbent, the Rev. Mr. Christopher Bridges, humbly to pray that your honours would continue your usual bounty to our poor church, and supply us in oar destitute condition with a Church of England minister in ye room of our late incumbent, do take this opportunity to return your honours oar hearty thanks, as well for the constant supply which by your honours' favorable re- commendation we had from the clergy of this province, as for your resolution,
• Reports of Propagation Soc. b Reports of Propagation Soc.
« The Propagation Society voted X50 to the clergy of New York for supplying the church at Rye, vacant by the death of the Rev. Mr. Bridges.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 63
'appearing in print, to sapply ua with a miniater to reaide among ut, aa aeon aa one whom your hononra can approve of ahali offer. We have been, to our great detriment, destitute about three yeara, and now haviog the opportunity of one whom we are universally pleased wi^i, ye Rev. Mr. Robert Jenney, chaplain of the forces of this province, who is willing to relinquish his place in the forces to settle amongst iia and become our miniater, provided he can have your honoura^ favor and bounty for his encouragement. We have takea ye liberty to give him a call, aa ye act of assembly of this province empowera us, (which is enclosed to your honours,) humbly praying for your approbation^ of what we have done, and that you will please to grant unto him aa our min- iater, ye favour and bounty, being a person whose conversation, preaching, and diligence in his holy function we are well acquainted and satisfied with. We are confident that his residence amongst us will efilectually reconcile all oar difilerences, and heal all our breaches, occaaioned by our being so long la want of a faithful and prudent pastor to guide and instruct na. That God Almighty will prosper your honours* pious and charitable endeavoura for the acrvice of his church in this wilderness, and that he will grant unto every one of you the choisest of bis blessings, temporal and eternal, la the hearty prayer of
May it please yonr honours, your honours* moat dutiful and moat obedient humble aervanta. Signed by order,
John Carhart, Clerk.^
The Rev. Robert Jenney, minister of Rye, writing to the Pro- pagation Society in 1723, observes, ''that he has several other townships under his charge, and that since his admission in 1722, he has baptized ten adults and fifty children ; number of communicants twenty-six."b In 1724 Mr. Jenney reported "the baptism of two adults and several children ; communicants twenly-eight.c A.D. 1725,d the quotas of the various districts stood thus :
Rye, £34 4 0 Bedford £16 2 0
Mamaroneck 18 0 0 Scarsdale 6 3 0
North Castle £2 9 0 Mr. Jenhey was removed by the Society to Hempstead, Long
« Church Rec. b Rep. of Propagation Soc. «Ibid.
4 At a yettry meeting held in Rye, Janaary 18th, 1735, « it was voted that roo« ney be raieed to purchase a dmm for the church."
64 HISTORY OF THE
/
Island in 1726. The vacancy created by the removal, the So- ciety proceeded immediately to fill by appointing the Rev. Mr. Colgan. Upon which we find the vestry addressing the secre- tary of the society as follows :
" Ret. Sir : We, the charchwardens and Testry of the parish of Rye, re- tarn oar humble thanks to ye honorable Society for their pious and charitable care of this parish in providing so speedily to fiU this yacancy by appointing ye Rev. Mr. Colgan for us. We conclude they have before this time been acquainted by our letters how far we had proceeded to obtain a minister, fear- ing the ill consequences of being lef^ destitate ; and we hope ye honorable Society will put a favorable construction upon our proceedings, though we haye given our call to the Rev. Mr. Wetmore, and he received induction im- mediately upon it, yet he always declared that he should submit to ye resolu- tions of the honorable Society, and not in any degree interfere with their de- termination, and though we find ye inclinations of ye people yery much to have Mr. Wetmore appointed for us ; on which account we can't but desire that ye honorable Society would be pleased to favor it ; yet We shall always pay ye greatest defierence to their pleasure, and if they finally determine that Mr. Colgan shall be for us, against whom we have no exceptions, as, being a stran- ger to us, we shall give him the best welcome we are capable of, but inasmuch as ye Rev. Mr. Colgan is willing, by exchange with Mr. Wetmore, to continue at New York, and that vestry has signified their approbation, we heartily join with them in requesting of ye honorable Society that they would confirm that agreement, and give liberty for Mr. Wetmore to come to this parish, who, by being born in the county and acquainted with the dispositions and customs of ye people here, will be acceptable to us, and we hope do much service for re- ligion. But all this with submission to that venerable body, whose pleasure we' shall most cheerfully submit to ; and we pray ye continuance of their favour and charity to us, and that God would prosper their pious designs.
We are, reverend sir, the Hon'ble Society's, and your most humble and obedient servants. Signed by order.^
John Carhart, Clerk.
To the Rev. Mr. David Humphreys, Secretary to ye Hon'ble Society for Propagating ye Gospel, &c., at ye Archbishop's Library at St. Martins in ye Fields, London."
In accordance with this request the society were pleased to confirm the appointment of Mr. Wetmore.
• Church Rec
COUNTTOF WESTCHESTER. 65
We take the subjoined extract from a letter sent to the secretary of the society, in 1726-7.
" And now, we are once more peaceably settled, we hope by the blessing of God to see religion revive among us, which by con- tentions and divisions is sunk to a very low ebb. As the Rev. Mr. Wetmore has been born in the county, and long known among us, who has had bis conversation becoming his sacred character and profession, we doubt not but ye people of this parish will continue their aflfection to him, and hope to see this good fruit of it, viz: that they be brought to a proper sense of religion, and more general and constant attendance, in ye public worship and sacraments which for a long time have been very much neglect* ed among us ; we earnestly pray for the blessing of almighty God upon that venerable society whose extensive charity (under God,) finds food for so many souls famishing in ignorance and error, and shall always look upon ourselves strictly bound to pay it, the greatest honor and most cheerful obedience to all their commands and directions, and beg leave to subscribe with all du- tiful respects.
Rev'd. Sir, your and ye Honorable Society's most
humble and obedient servants. Signed by order of the vestry,* John Carhart, clerk.
The Rev. James Wetmore, writes A. D. 1728, that his congre- gation is considerably increased, he has added nine new communi- cants and baptized nineteen. In 1729 he acquaints the society ^' that he meets with good success in his mission, that his num- bers increase, and that several of the independents have quitted that persuasion and very regularly attend divine service at his church.^b July 1st, 1738, he says "I have baptized the last half year five adults besides several children. About fifty families in the adjoining parish have requested assistance. Mr. Purdy,"© (schoolmaster at Rye,) ^' teaches twenty-one children of church
« Church Rec ^ Propagation Soe. Rep.
* Mr. Fordy died in 1753, and wai boned on Ash Wednesday. Rep. of Propaga- tion Soc
Vol. IL 9
66 HISTORY OF THE
parents and fourteen dissenters, as likewise two Dutch, two Jew- ish and one colored child, in all forty-one. Mr. Dwight of White Plains^ six miles from Rye, teaches twenty -seven children, in all forty-six."
*< And adds, July 15, 1740, that besides his regular duty at Rye, he officiates once a month at Stamford and Greenwich. He had also spent some days last winter in visiting sundry families in the woods. Since the 3d day of May, 1739, he had baptized one hundred and eleven children, and twenty-seven adults; his com- municants number fifty."^
Under date of September 28lh, 1741 , he observes " that by God's help the church maintains her ground notwithstanding the efforts of the sectaries in new melhodism. He had baptized within a year sixty-nine children and six adults, &c."^
In 1745 Mr. Wetmore writes " that he is fully occupied in per- forming duty at Rye, Scarsdale and the White Plains, and begs for an assistant to officiate under him. At Bedford and North Castle there are four hundred families, icc^^
The same year Mr. Joseph Lamson was appointed assistant to Mr. Wetmore with a salary of £20 ; a gratuity of £20 was also made by the society, ''out of compassion to Mr. Ijamson's suffer- ings and necessities, who was taken prisoner, shipped and carried into France on his voyage towards England, and afterwards on his way from Port Louis in France, to London, was detained seven months by a fever at Salisbury. Mr. Lamson undertook the voyage to England for the purpose of obtaining Episcopal ordination.^ In his first reports dated May 12th, 1746, Mr. Lamson writes '- that he officiates by turns at Bedford and North
* Reports of Propagatiou Soc.
b Reports of Propa|ration Soc.
» Reports of Propagration Soc.
< Some idea (says the Rev. M. H. Henderson,) of the great disadvantages under wbjch the church labored during our colonial existence, may be formed from the fftct, that beside the great expense of the voyage, (XI 00,) an expense which candi- dates for holy orders could ill affurd to bear, nearly one-fiAh of all that went to England for ordination died, either from small- pox, or the dangers of the deep. *< The number who had gone to England for ordination from the northern colonies^ tip to 1767| was 52 ; of these 42 only returned safely. Henderson's Centennial Dis« course.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 67
Castle to full congregations and had then baptized eleven children and three adults.''^ At a vestry meeting of this parish held at Mr. Benjamin Brown's, sen., in Rye, January 16th 1749, the Rev. James Wetmore delivered the following letter, from the Rev. Phihp Bearcroft, D. D., secretary to the Honorable Proper gation Society.
London^ Charier House^ June 27, 1749. Gents : —
It is with much concern that the Society for the Propa- gation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts are informed that your churc/i add the parsonage house are very much out of repair, and that even the possession of the glebe is disputed against your very worthy pastor Mr. Wetmore, whose great pains and abilities in the cause of God's church, cannot but recommend him to every worthy member of it. Therefore the Society hope and expect tliat upon due consideration you wi)l give orders for the full repair of the church and the parsonage house, and defend Mr. Wetmore in the maintenance of all his jasi rights, as you desire his longer continuance among you.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your very humble servant,
Philip Bearcroft, Secretary, To the Churchwardens and Vestry of the Church of Rye, New York.
Mr. Wetmore, in his report of 1751, mentions '*lhat the church had lately been repaired and is made neat and beautiful."
In a letter of April 7th, 1769, Mr. Wetmore acquaints the Sob- riety " that a very worthy person, a native of Englauji,^ but now being in New York had put into his hands £600 currency, of which he reserves to himself the interest during life, and hath left by his will £400 more to be added after his death, to pur- chase a convenient glebe, and oiher liberal legacies."^^
^ Rep. of Propagation Sqq,
b St. Goorge Talbot, Esq., see vol. i. 25.
• Reports of Propagation Soc
68 HISTORY OF THB
The Rev. James Wetmore died on the 16th of May, 1760, <^ having been nearly thirty- four years minister of this church. His remains repose in the old parish burial ground, on the north-west side of Blind brook. A plain monumental tablet marks the spot and bears the following inscription.
Sacred to the memory
of the
Rev. James Wetmore,
The late, worthy, learned and faithful
Minister of the Parish of Rye,
for above thirty years, who having
strenuously defended the Church
with his pen, and adorned it by his life
and doctrine, at length being seized
of the small pox, departed this
life, May 15, 1760. iBtatis, 65.
Cujus memoriae sit in
Benedictione sempiterna.
Mr. Wetmore left issue two sons, Timothy, afterwards attorney general of the province of New Brunswick, and James, of Rye; descendants of the latter are still living in the town. Also four daughters, Alethea, wife of the Rev. Jo- seph Lamson, Anna, wife of Gilbert Brundage, Charity, wife of Josiab f^urdy, from whom descend the Purdys of Rye, and Esther who married first David Brown, and secondly Jesse Hunt, Esq. high sheriff of this county in 1780.
In a letter of May 6th, 1761, Mr. Timothy Wetmore com- plains to the Society, <' that since the death of his father they had not been favored with a sermon, or either of the sacraments, for six or eight months.''^*
• The last will of James Wetmore, clerk, bean date Not. 1759. Surrogate's office, N. Y. Lib. xxu. 133. » Reports of Propagation Soc
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 09
After a vacancy of nearly tvo years the mission was again fill- ed by the appointment of the Rev. Ebenezer Punderson.* In 1763 this gentleman informs the Society ^' that since writing his last letter, besides two-thirds of the Sundays at Rye, and the other third at White Plains, North Castle and Bedford, he had been twice to Crumpond and once to Croton, he had also bap- tized nineteen adults and ninety-two children."
Mr. Punderson died in 1764. The following inscription is taken from his monument in the grave yard.
Sacred to the Memory
of the
Rev. Ebenezer Punderson,
late Missionary to the Rev. Society for
Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts,
who died 22d Sept., A. D. 1764,
being 60 years of age.
" With pure religion was his spirit fraught,
Practiced himself what he to others taught."
Upon the 19th day of December, 1764, Grace Church, Rye, re- ceived the following charter from King George the Third.
CHARTER OF GRACE CHURCH, RYE.
George the Third, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ire- land, King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth. To all to whom these presents shall come, greeting : Whereas our loving subjects, Peter Jay, Elisha Budd, Christopher Isinghart, Timothy Wetmore, Caleb Purdy, Joshua Purdy, John Gaion, Joseph Purdy, Gilbert Willet, John Carhart, Thomas Sawyer, Gilbert Bmndige, John Thomas, William Sutton, Anthony Miller and John Adee^ inhabitants of the parish of Rye, in the county of Westchester, in our Province of New York, in communion of the Church of England as by law establishedi by their humble petition presented on the sixteenth day of November last past, to our trusty and well beloved Cadwallader Colden, Esquire, our Liea-
• Tot the induction of Mr. Fundf rK>o, see Surrogate's office, N. Y. Book of Com* missiohs, Fol. t.
70 mSTORY OF THE
tenant Governor and Commander-in-chief of our Province of New York and tiie territories depending thereon in America, in Conncil did set forth that the inhabitants of the said parish of Rye, in communion of the Church of England as by law established, have by voluntary contributions erected and finished a decent and convenient church in the town of Rye, in the said par- ish, for the celebration of divine service according to the rites and cere- monies of the Church of England, but that from a want of some persons le- gally authorized to superintend the same and manage the affairs and interests thereof, the said church is greatly decayed, and the petitioners discouraged from contributing to the repair thereof, least the moneys given for that pur- pose may be misapplied, and that on that account also charitable and well dis- posed people are discouraged in their design of establishing proper funds for the future support of the said church and the better maintenance of the min- istry, and therefore humbly prayed in behalf of themselves and the rest of the inhabitants of the said parish in communion of the church of England as by law established, our letters patent incorporating them and the rector and in- habitants of the said parish in communion of the Church of England as by law established, for the time being a body corporate and politick, with such rights, privileges, and immunities, as should appear proper and expedient to answer the purposes aforesaid. Now We being willing to encourage the pious intentions of our said loving subjects and to grant this their reasonable re- quest, Know Ye that of our especial grace, certain knowledge and mere mo- tion, we have ordained, given, granted and declared, and by these presents for us, our heirs, and successors, do ordain, give, grant and declare, that they the said petitioners and the rest of the inhabitants of the said parish of Rye in communion of the Church of England as by law established, and their succes- sors the inhabitants of the said parish of Rye in communion of the Church of England as by law established, with the rector of the said parish of Rye for the time being> for ever, shall for ever hereafter be one body corporate and politick in deed, fact and name, by the name, stile and title of the rector and inhabitants of the parish of Rye, in communion of the Church of England as by law established, and them and their successors by the same name, we do by these presents for us our heirs and successors really and fully make, erect, create and constitute one body politick and corporate in deed, fact and name for ever, and will, give, grant, and ordain, that they and their successors the rector and inhabitants of the parish of Rye in communion of the Church of England as by law established, by the same name shall and may have perpe- tual successioui and shall and may be capable in law to sue and be sued, im- plead and be impleaded, answer and be answered onto, defend and be defend- ed in all courts and elsewhere, in all manner of actions, suits, complaints, pleas, causes, matters and demands whatsoever, as fully and amply as any other oar liege subjects of our said Province of New York may or can sue or be sued, implead or be impleaded, defend or be defended, by any lawful ways or means whatsoever, and that they and their successors by the same name
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 71
shall be for erer hereaAer capable and able in the law to purchase, take, hold, receive, and enjoy any messua^s, tenennents, houses, and real estate whatso- erer, in fee simple for term.of life or lives, or in any other manner howsoever, for the use of the said church, and also any goods, chattels, or personal estate whatsoever, Provided always that the clear yearly value of the said real estate (exclusive of the said church and the ground whereon the same is built and the cemetery belonging to the same) doth not at any time exceed the sum of ^YQ hundred pounds current money of our said province, and that they and their successors by the same name shall have full power and authority to give, grant, sell, lease and dispose of the same real estate for life or lives, or years, or for ever, under certain yearly rents and all goods, chattels and personal es- tate whatsoever at their will and pleasure, and that it shall and may be law- ful for them and their successors to have and, use a common seal, and our will and pleasure further is, and we do hereby for us, our heirs and successors, ordain and appoint that there shall be for ever hereaAer belonging to the said church one rector of the Church of England as by law established, duly qualified for the cure of souls, two churchwardens and eight vestrymen, who shall conduct and manage the affairs and business of the said church and corporation in manner as hereafter is declared and appointed, and for the more immediate carrying into execution our royal will and pleasure herein, we do hereby as- sign, constitute and appoint Peter Jay and Elisha Budd to be the present churchwardens, and John Thomas, Joshua Purdy, Christopher Isinghart, William Sutton, John Adee, Caleb Purdy, Anthony Miller and Timothy Wet- more to be the present vestrymen of the said church, who shall hold, possess, and enjoy their said respective offices until Tuesday in Easter week, which shall come and be in the year of our Lord one thooaand, seven hundred and sixty-six, and for the keeping op the succession in the said offices, our royal will and pleasure is, and we do hereby establish, direct and require that on the said Tuesday in Easter week in the said year of our Lord one thousand, seven hundred and sixty-six, and yearly and every year thereafter for ever, on Tuesday in Easter week in every year, the rector and inhabitants of the par- ish of Rye in communion of the Church of England as by law established, shall meet at the said church, and there by the majority of voices of such of them as shall so meet, elect and choose two of their members to be church- wardens and eight others of their members to be vestrymen of the said church for the ensuing year, which said churchwardens and vestrymen so elected and chosen shall immediately enter upon their respective offices, and hold, exer- cise and enjoy the same respectively from the time of such elections for and during the space of one year, and until other fit persons shall be elected and chosen in their respective places, and in case the churchwardens or vestry- men, or either of them, by these presents named and appointed or which shall be hereafter elected and chosen by virtue of these presents, shall die or re- mo?e from the said parish of Rye before the time of their respective appoint- ed services shall be expired, or refuse or neglect to act in the office for which
72 ' HISTORY OF THE
he or they is or are herein nominated and appointed, or whereanto he or they shall or may be so elected and chosen, then oar royal will and pleasure is and we do hereby direct, ordain and require the rector and inhabitants of the par- ish of Rye in communion as aforesaid for the time being to meet at the said church, and choose other or others of their members in the place and stead of him or them so dying, removing or refusing to act within thirty days next aAer such contingency, and in this case for the more due and orderly con- ducting the said elections and to prevent any undue proceedings therein, we do hereby give full power and authority to, and ordain and require that the rector and the said churchwardens of the said church for the time being, or any two of them, shall appoint the time for such election and elections, and that the rector of the said church, or in his absence one of the said churchwardens for the time being, shall give public notice thereof by publishing the same at the said church, immediately after divine service on the Sunday next preceding the day appointed for such election, hereby giving and granting that such per- son or persons as shall be so chosen from time to time by the rector and in- habitants of the said pariah of Rye in communion as aforesaid, or the majority of such of them as shall in such case meet in manner hereby directed, shall have, hold, exercise and enjoy such the office or offices to which he or they shall be so elected and chosen from the time of such election until the Tues- day in Easter week thence next ensuing, and until other or others be legally chosen in his or their place or stead, as fully and amply as the person or per- sons in whose place he or they shall be chosen might or could have done by virtue of these presents, and we do hereby will and direct that this method shall for ever hereafter be used for the filling up all vacancies that shall hap- pen in either the said offices between the annual elections above directed ; and our royal will and pleasure further is, and we do hereby for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant that as well the churchwardens and vestrymen in these presents nominated and appointed, as such as shall from time to time be hereafter elected and chosen as is herein directed, shall have and they are hereby invested with full power and authority to execute their several and respective offices in as full and ample manner as any churchwardens or ves- trymen in that part of our kingdom of Great Britain called England, or in this our province of New Tork, can or lawfully may execute their said respective offices ; and further our royal will and pleasure is, and we do by these pre- sents, for us, our heirs and successors, give, grant, ordain and appoint that the rector and the said churchwardens of the said church for the time being, or any two of them, shall and may from time to time as occasion shall require, summon and call together, at such day and place as they shall think proper, the said rector, churchwardens and vestrymen for the time being, to meet in vestry, giving them at the least one day'^s notice thereof, and we hereby re- quire them to meet accordingly ; and we do hereby give, grant and ordain, that the said rector and one of the said churchwardens for the time being at least, together with the majority of the said vestrymen of the said church for
COUNT Vr OF WESTCHESTER. 73
the time being, being met in veetry as above directed, shall for ever hereafter have, and they are hereby invested with full power and aathority by majority of their Toices, to do and execute in the name of the rector and inhabitants of the parish of Rye in communion of the Church of England as by law estab- lished, all and singular the powers and authorities hereinbefore given and granted to the said rector and inhabitants of the parish of Rye in communion of the Church of England as by law established, any wise touching or relate ing to such lands, messuages and tenements, real and personal estate whatso* over, as they the said rector and inhabitants of the parish of Rye in commti- nion as aforesaid, shall or may acquire for the use of the said church, and also in like manner to order, direct, manage and transact the general interest^ business and affairs of our said corporation, and also shall ha? e full power and authority in like manner to make and ordain Such rules, orders and or* •iinances as they shall judge convenient for the good government and discip- lijoe of the members of the said church, provided «uch rules, orders and ordi- nances be not repugnant to the laws of that part of our kingdom of Great - Britain called England, or of this our province of New York, but as n^ar as may be agreeable thereto, and that the same be faiirly entered in a book or books to be kept for that purpose. And also in like manner to appoint the ibrra of the common seal hereinbefore granted and the same^ to alter, break and new make at their discretion ; and also in like manner to appoint such of* ficer or officers as they shall stand in need of; always provided that the rector of the said church for the time being shall have th^ sola power of nominating and appointing the clerk to assist him in performing divine service, as also the sexton, any thing hereinbefore contained to the contrary in any wise not- withstanding, which clerk and sexton shall hold and enjoy their respective offices during the will and pleasure of the rector of the said church for iho time being. And whereas by the death of the late minister of the said church the same is now in avoidance, our royal will and pleasure is that in this case, and also in case of every future avoidance of the said church, either by the death of the rector thereof or otherwise, that the powers and authorities here- by vested in the rector, churchwardens and vestrymen in vestry met as above mentioned, shall until the said church be legally supplied with another incumbent vest in and be executed by the said churchwardens of the said ohorch for the time being : provided always they have the concurrence and eonsept of the major number of the whole vestrymen of the said church ap- pointed by these presents, or chosen by virtue hereof, for the time being, ii| every thing they shall in such case do by virtue hereof. And further we do by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant unto the tector and inhabitants of the parish of Rye in communion of the Church of England as by law established, and their successors for ever, that this our present grant shall be deemed, adjudged and construed in all cases most fa- Torably and for the best benefit and advantage of the said rector and inhabi- lants of the parish of Rye ip communion of the C)»nreh of Engl^pd as by \%yf
Vol. II. 10
H HISTORY OF THE
established, and that this our present grant being entered on record as is here* inafter particularly expressed, shall be good and efiectaal in the law to all in- tents, constractione and purposes whatsoever, against us, our heirs and suc- cessors, according to our true intent and meaning herein before declared, not- withstanding the not reciting or misreciting, not naming or misnaming of anj of the aforesaid franchises, privileges, immunities, offices or other the pre- mises, or any of them, and although no writ of ad quod damnum, or other writs, inquisitions or precepts hath or have been upon this account had, made, issued or prosecuted, to have and to hold all and singular the privileges, lib- erties, advantages and immunities hereby granted or meant, mentioned or in- tended so to be, unto them the said rector and inhabitants of the parish of Rye in communion of the Church of England as by law established, and to their successors for ever. In testimony whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent and the great seal of our said province to be hereunto affixed, and the same to be entered on record in our secretary's office in our city of New York, in one of the books of patents there remaining. Witness our trusty and well beloved Cadwallader Golden, Esquire, our Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-chief of our Province of New York, and terri- tories thereon in America, at our Fort in our city of New York, by and with the advice and consent of our Council for our said province, the nineteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand, seven hundred and sixty four, and of our reign the fiflh. First skin, line the fortieth, the words or with ijid second skin, line the twenty ^seventh, the word is are interlined.
Clarke.
August 27, 1766. The Rev. Ephraim Avery was appointed to the mission of Rye.
In 1773, Mr. Avery's notitia parockialis stood thns: baptized 90 infants, adults G, colored infants 5 ; marriages 5; burials 10.
On the 5th of June, 1776, he informs the Socie(y/4hat he has lost the use of his right hand, and therefore is incapable of writing and sending an account of his parish.
" The persecutions and privations to which the clergy were exposed (says/^Dr. Hawkins,) in the war, whether from the Royalist or American armies proved fatal to several of them. At Rye, Mr. Avery was a principal sufferer ; his horses were seized, his cattle driven off, and his property plundered. His death, by some supposed to have been occasioned by these losses, happened soon afterwards."*
. « Hawkins' Hist. Not. Col. Church, 281. Mr. Avery was a step-son of the cele-. hriMJOtfatnX Patnam. — Editor.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 76
The Rev. Isaac Hunt succeeded Mr. Avery in the rectorship, havin|r been appointed by the Propagation Society in 1777, with a salary of £40.
During the subsequent years the parish of Rye suffered con- siderably from the confusion that attended the Revolutionary war. The church was burned, the glebe lands hired out oq terms which produced but a small income, and the parishioners scattered.
After the close of the war, the congregation received a letter from the Rev. Samuel Provoost, rector of Trinity Church, New York, Abraham Beach and Benjamin Moore, dated April 17, 1786, ipclosiog the journals of the convention of the Protestant Epis- copal Church, held in Philadelphia, September, 1785. Upon the reception of this letter, a meeting of the congregation was called, which assembled at the house of Mrs. Haviland, in Rye, on the 6lh of May, 1786.
Mr. Joshua Purdy was unanimously elected president of the meeting. On motion it was resolved to take the sense of the congregation, whether they v^ould comply with the request of the letter, and send delegates to meet in convention at St. Paul's Church in New York, upon the third Tuesday In May next.
The sense being taken, it was unanimously agreed to send delegates. William Miller and Alexander Hunt, Esqs., were chosen delegates to the general convention.
September, 1787. The Rev. Richard Channing Moore (after- wards Bishop of Virginia) was elected to the rectorship, the first since the close of the war.
At a vestry meeting held 5th March, 1788, it was determined by that body to erect a new church on or near the place where the old ruins stood.
Upon the resignation of Mr. Moore in 1788, the Rev. David Foote accepted an invitation to the rectorship. This individual was called away whilst in the morning of life from the field of bis earthly labors to reap an eternal reward, A. D. 1793.
His tombstone bears the following simple inscription.
76 HISTORY OF THE
In Iktemory
of th6
Rev. Mr. David Poote,
late Pastor of Rye and White Plains,
who departed this life the first of August,
1793,
aged 32 years.
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.
The Rev. John J. Sands was called to and accepted the rec- torship in 1793. For«the successors of Mr. Sands, see the list of rectors.
At a meeting of the rector, wardens and«iirestrymen, held in 1794, it was resolved to substitute the title Christ instead of Grace, by which the church had heretofore been distinguished.
The principal benefactors to this parish have been the Hon. Caleb Heathcote, St. George Talbot, Esq , Ann Jay,* sister of the Hon. John Jay, and the wardens and vestry of Trinity Church, New York.^
Christ Church, Rye, was incorporated on the 12th of March, 1796. Peter Jay and John Barker, churchwardens, Joshua Pur- dy, Sen., Roger Purdy, John Haight, Thomas Carhart, Gilbert Hatfield, Roger Purdy, Jonathan Horton and Jonathan Purdy, vestrymen.<^ A second incorporation occurs on the 18th of June following.
The present glebe was purchased by the vestry in 1794. Up- on it a neat parsonage has been erected. To Christ Church, Rye, is attached St. Peter's chapel at Portchester.
The first delegates from this parish to the diocesan conven- tion in 17U5, were Mr. William Miller and Mr. Alexander Hunt.
» Thii lady left a legacy of (250 to the church*
b In 1600 Trinity Church contributed (750 for a parsonage at Rye, to which was added in 1813, the sum of (500. • Ca Rec. Religions Soc. Lib. A.
COUNT? OP WESTCHESTER,
77
LIST OP RECTORS.
Instituted or called, Rectors,
A. D. 1702, Rev. Thomas Pritchard, Clericus, A. D. 1704, Rev. George Muirson, Clericus, January, 1709, Rev. Christopher Bridge, M. A. Cler.»
1719, Rev. Mr. Barclay, Clericus,
1720, Rev. Thomas Poyer, Clericus, 4 June, 1722, Rev. Robert Jenney, Clericus,^
1726, Rev. James Wetmore, Clericus, 1746, Rev. Joseph Lamson, Clericus, 1 July, 1763, Rev. Ebenezer Punderson, Clericus,^' 27 Aug. 1765, Rev. Ephraim Avery, Clericus, 1777, Rev. Isaac Hunt, Clericus, Sept 1787, Re^i^ Richard C. Moore, Presb., Nov. 1790, Rev. David Poote, Presb.,
1793, Rev. John J. Sands, Presb., Nov. 1796, Rev. George Ogilvie, Presb.,
vacated by
death, the same, the same.
resig. the same, the same, death.
resig.
death, the same.
resig. the same.
death.
resig.
death.
* The following obitaary notice of Mr. Bridge, is from the Boston newspaper of Jane 1st to 8tb, 1719 : '* we -have an acooont from Rye, in the government of New York, of the death of the Rev. Mr. Bridge, M. A., a presbyter of the church of En- gland, and minister of the gospel at that place, who died on Saturday, the 23d of May^ last He was formerly, for many years together, one of the ministers of the Church of England, in Boston, a religious and worthy man, a very good scholar, and a fine gfave preachet. His performances in the pulpit were solid, judicious and profitable, Us conversation was agreeable and improving, and though a strict churchman in his principles, yetof great respect and charity to dissenters, and much esteemed by Ihem. He was bred at the University of Cambridge, in England, and was about forty-eight years of age when he died, very much lamented.** Extracted from Greenwood's History of King's Chapel.
^ This gentleman was the son of Archdeacon Jenny of Wanney town, in the north of Ireland. See Hist, of Narragansett church by Wilkins Updike.
« Mr. Punderson graduated at Yale College in 1726, and was afterwards ordained a Congregational minister over the second church in Groton. In 1 732, he came into the Episcqml church, and crossed the Atlantic to be ordained. On his return, he re* organized a church at the village of Poquetannnc, in North Graton, in 1738, which has ever since existed,** 6lc Mr. Punderson was for some years an itinerant mission- ary of the •< Society for the Propagation of the Gospel,*' from 1740 to 1750. In 1753-4 he was settled missionary in the towns of Guilford, New Haven and Branford." Ibid.
78 HIST0R7 OF THE
Aug. 1797, Rev. Samuel Haskell, Presb., resig.
April, 1801, Rev. Evan Rogers, Presb., death.
1809, Rev. Samuel Haskell, Presb., resig.
1822, Rev. William Thompson, Presb., death.
1830, Rev. John M. Forbes, Presb., resig.
1832, Rev. William M. Carmichal, Presb., the same.
Aug., 1834, Rev. Peter S. Chauncey, Presb., the same.
NOTITU PAROCHIALIS.
A. D. 1722, Communicants 25 Baptisms
1739, ditto 50 ditto 138
1816, ditto 60 ditto 25
1847, ditto 112 ditto 22
The Methodist Episcopal church of Rye, was erected A. D. 1831. The whole structure is valued at $2150.
In the immediate neighborhood of the village, is the Chres- tomathic Institute, a select English, commercial and classical boarding school for young gentlemen. Samuel U. Berrian, A. M., principal, and proprietor. <' This establishment is situated on the Boston post road, twenty six and a half miles from the city of New York, and is of easy access therefrom, by land or water. It possesses many attractions to render it a favorite place of re- sort for the young. The buildings are spacious and con- veniently planned, and the internal arrangements perfect and complete. Ample play grounds furnish every opportunity for healthful exorcise and recreation. The situation of the premi- ses is such^ that the pupils are entirely free from any vicious or foreign contact from without," and is well suited to encourage them in studious and domestic habits.
South of the village lies Poningoe neck^ commonly called Brown^s Pointy one mile and a half in extent. The extremity of the point in the neighborhood of the Scotch caps, has been con- siderably undermined by the constant action of the waves. The eastern shore of the neck, has also receded before the same destruc- tive element. The beach on Rt/e flats is a well known and fa- vorite bathing place. It also commands an extensive view of the
COUNTY QF WESTCHESTER. 79
Sound. The name of Parsonage Point, has been conferred on the south east projection. At present, the principal proprietors are Gideon Reynolds and Hachaliah Brown Esq. The latter in- dividual holds 250 acres of the lower portion.
Upon the western shore of Poningoe neck or Brown's Point stands, the small hamlet of Milton, overlooking the mouth of the Blind brook, (Mockquams) the beautiful scenery of the Mill creek and the wooded shores of Budd*s neck. Here are seve- ral stores and the tide mill of Henry Sandford and company ; J^t the latter is situated at the bead of the navigable waters of Mill creek. In the immediate vicinity of Milton, is the residence of Newberry Halstead, Esq., which from its elevated position, commands splendid prospects of the river and surrounding coun- try. The Halsteads have been long residents of Rye, and de- scend from a common ancestor of that name, who originally came from Huntingdon, Long Island. The adjoining proprie- tors are Underbill Halstead, Joseph Parker and Gideon Rey- nolds.
Near the entrance of the Neck Proper, is located the ancient village burying ground. Here the frail memorials
With uncoatb rhymes and Bhapeless scalptare decked, Implore the passing tribute of a sigh. — Gray*t Elegy, ]
The following inscription is taken from one of the oldest tomb- stones : Mary, daughter to Samuel and Mary Kniffen, deceased January ye 12, 1707. Upon another richly carved stone sur- mounted by a winged cherub, are these words : In memory of Mr. Joseph Lyon, who deceased February the 2Ist, A. D. 1761| in the 84th year of his age. Here are also interred the bodies of the Rev. William Thompson* and the Rev. Evan Rogers. The tombstone of the latter is inscribed as follows :
The
Masonic Society
in the town of Rye,
• The iimcription on the tombstone of Mr Thompson, is an exact copy of that upon his tablet in the church.
80 HISTORY OF THE
have erected this monument
sacred to the memory
of their beloved brother,
the
Rev. Evan Rogers,
Pastor of Christ Church
in this town,
who departed this life
January 25th, 1809,
in the 42d year,
of his life,
extremely lamented.
My flesh shall slumber in the ground. Till the last trumpet's joyful sound, Then burst these chains with sweet surprise, And in my Saviour's image rise.
Also memorials to Stephen Roe, M. D., and Dr. Charles Mc Donald a soldier of the Revolution. The Unionville Ceme- tery belonging to the Episcopal church, is situated in North street. It contains monuments to the families of Budd, Nelson, Knifien, Osborne, Bulkley, Brook?, Merritt, Yeoman, Halstead, Barker, Brown, Prevoost, Andrews, Berrian, Haviland, Russel, Mount, Fisher and Ferguson, 6cc.
On the west shore of the Mill creek, extends the ancient terri- tory of Apawquammis, afterwards named Budd's neck,» from John Budd, the first grantee of these lands under the Indians, A. D. 1661. In 1639, the name of John Budd occurs in the New Haven records, as one of the first planters of that pluce.i> He subsequently removed to Southhold, Long Island, from whence he came to Rye in 1661. In 1663, John Budd was deputy from Rye to the general court of Connecticut.^^
A Sometimes called Rye neck, k New Hayen Col. Reo. toL I 7. • New Haren CoL Rac. toI. i. 495.
• {
To (hce pnge 81, vol. it
Anns borne by the Ha^enot. D*BZur, au chevron (Tor, en chef depii sole
Fianclf Jay, died ^ from France to I
Peter Jut, orRye,=^ary, da. of Jacobt
|
nat. 3d Nov. |
▼an Cortlandt, of |
|
1701, Ob 17th |
the old yunkers, o |
|
April, 178S ; |
17th April, 1777. |
|
miir. 30th Jan. |
|
|
17S8. Buned |
|
|
at Rye |
Auffuatttt. nat. 15ih Aarll, ITM, uh. 23d Dec. 18ul, a. p.
James, nat. 97th April, Sir James, Knight, 1731, tih. 16th Oct. nat 87th OcL
1751, s. p. ITdEI, Ob. 90ih
Oct. 1815. Bu- lled at Bye
Peter, natsMarj^ ]!»Ui Oct. incf-. 1734, oh. riecf 8th July, 1813
Peter Aofustus Jay_Mary Rutherrurd,
of Rye Neck, nat. S4th Jan. 1777, ob. 90th Feb. 184J
da. or Gen. Mat- thew Clarkeon
John ClarksoB—. Laura
I
Jay, M D of Bye Neck
Prime, da. of Nath'l Prime
Peter AugustnB= Josephine Pear- son
I I I
MarysPrederick Sarah— Wm Daw- Catf Prima son Eletf
i
iohti,o%. 1840.
Augus. reter tus, ob Augustus
John Clarkson
Laura
Mary Cornell
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 81
John Budd, proprietor of Budd's neck, by his last will dated the 13th of October, 1669, bequeathed to his son John, all his part of the Mill on Blind brook, and to his son Joseph, the Epawqnammis lands. Joseph Budd was the first patentee of Budd's or Rye neck, under the crown, in 1720.& From the Budds, the neck went by purchase, into the families of the Purdys, Gedneys, Gui- ons and Jays, &c. The property of the latter family, covers a large proportion of the old patent.
We have previously shown, that John Budd released this por- tion of his patrimonial estate, including Pine Island^ Marees neck and Hen Island, to Peter Jay, A. D. 1745.
The Jay family who have been seated here for four genera- tions, are of French origin, and descendants of Pierre Jay, Ecuyer, a wealthy merchant of La Rochelle, in 1684. Pierre Jay is presumed to have been of the house of I/C Jay, of Poitou. There was also an ancient French family in Paris of the name of Le Jay, which formerly distinguished itself in the civil department of the state, many of whom bore the same christian name, as many of the Jays have since done, amongst whom is found, a John le Jay in the early part of the sixteenth century; a Nicolas le Jay, Baron de Tilley de la Maison Rouge, et de St. Fargeau, Seigneur de Villiers, was first Presi- dent to the Parliament of Paris, in 1636. This individual was the son of Nicolas le Jay, styled ** correcteur des Comptes a Paris."b
Of Pierre Jay, Mr. Renwick in his life of John Jay, remarks :
> In the town records of Westchester, occurs the following entry : ** Baptised by Mr. John Bartow, rector of Westchester parish, in the parish church in the town aforesaid, the eighth of August, 1703, Sarah Budd, the wife of Joseph Budd of Rye, in the county of Westchester, and their son Joseph Budd, aged eleven months, also.
k Hist. Genealogique et Chronologique par le P. Anselme, 1731, vol. iz. 304. The arms borne by Nicolas le Jay, were " D'azur an chevron d*or, accompagne en chef de deux ^toiles de m^me en point, d'un mouton passant d'argent. The anna of Pierre le Jay the Hugnenot, closely resemble the former, viz. : " d*azur au chev- nn d*or, en chef demi soleil splendant, eutre deux ^toiles de mdme en point, a roo propre snrmonte par oiseaux. Crest deux ccpurs unts.
Vol. II. U
82 HISTORY OF THE
'' he was a native of France, and resided in the city of La Ro- chelle, his business was that of a merchant, and from collateral facts, we have reason to believe that he was both wealthy and enterprising. Like many of the most industrious. and most re- spectable inhabitants in that part of the country, he was a Pro- testant, and doomed as we shall see, to undergo much trouble and persecution on account of his religion. He seems to have had a sort of presentiment, probably derived from the grow- ing disfavor of the Protestants in the sight of the government, that it would at some time or other, be necessary for him to sac- rifice both country and property, on account of his religion. On this account, he determined to send one of his sons to England to acquire a knowledge of that language, and tc educated there. His eldest son was the one chosen for this purpose, but he unfortu- nately died on the voyage. With great promptness, the father sent his second soU; Augustus, who was then barely twelve years old, to take his place. This happened A. D. 1677. The troub- les and persecutions which Mr. Jay seemed to have foreseen, and which preceded the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, now com- menced, and in January, 1685, the Protestant church at Ro- chelle was pulled down, pursuant to a decree passed at that time. Finding that the Protestants still continued the exercise of their religion, and were i:ot to be forced to change it by any ordinary means, a regiment of dragoons was despatched to that portion of the country, and quartered upon the Protestant inhabitants. We have full evidence that these armed missionaries had free license to make their hosts as uncomfortable as possible, and were encouraged to practice upon them those insults so easily perpe- trated by unrestrained and licentious soldiery^
We can easily imagine what must have been the situation of a pious family, and what the feelings of a husband and a father under such circumstances. Mr. Jay determined that those near- est and dearest to him should no longer be exposed to insult and contamination ; and, finding a safe opportunity, he secretly sent his family, together with several articles of value, on board a vessel bound for England. This vessel arrived in safety. The departure of his family did not long remain undiscovered ; and
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 83
causing suspicion of his own intention, he was arrested and thrown into prison. From thence by the intervention of some worthy Catholic friends he was rescued ; when foreseeing that France was no longer a residence for him, he determined to leave it for ever. But first it was necessary to raise funds for the sup- port of himself and family in a strange land ; this he dared not do by turning any of his French property into money lest his motives should be surmised, and a second arrest should follow. At this time, several of his ships were expected to arrive. He gave secret orders to one of the pilots of the port, to bring the first of his ships that should arrive, to anchor at some dis- tance, and not come up to the town. The first of his vessels that made its appearance was from a Spanish port, laded chiefly with iron ; and fortunately, both for his honor and his future means of living, both ship and cargo belonged entirely to him- self. The pilot faithful to his instructions, anchored the vessel in the place determined on. With his assistance, Mr. Jay em- barked and sailed immediately for England. He arrived in safety, and happy must have been the meeting between him and his family. They were now out of danger, free from persecu- tion, and in the enjoyment of their chosen religion ; and, although their means were not so great as formerly, yet they still had a sufficiency.
On his escape from France being made public, all his pro- perty was confiscated, and never was returned so as to be of any use either to him or to his children. But one thing marred their happiness, this was their uncertainty as to what would be the fate of their second, now their eldest son, who was at that time probably in Africa, on commercial business of his father's. This son, Augustus, the grandfather of John Jay, returned (not knowing of his parent's escape) (b Rochelle. Thence, facilitated by the kindness of his friends, he managed to procure a passage to Charleston, S. C. ; for he also, like his parents, was resolute in sacrificing everything for his religion. From Charleston, driven by a climate unhealthy even to natives, and doubly so to for- eigners, he travelled to Philadelphia ; but, finding in that city, then an infant state, no field for the exercise of commerce, to which business he had been brought up, he made his way to
84 HISTORY OF THE
New York. Here he not only found occupation, but friends, driven like himself, by persecution, to carry the arts and industry of France to other shores. Here also he found churches built and attended by French refugees, and a service performed in his own language. Finding that his success in life must wholly depend upon his own exertions, he applied himself with diligence and skill to business, and followed for many years the calling of a supercargo. Daring this time he both heard from his parents and made them acquainted with his welfare.^
Leaving his fortunes for a while, we turn to those of his young- er brother, fsaac. At this time the war between William of Orange, and James U, of England was in progress, and a regi- ment of French refugees was enrolled by the former to assist in driving from Ireland his catholic competitor for the throne. Into this regiment Isaac entered, impelled by the ardor of youth, and no doubt not a little by the recollection of the many insults and in- juries he and his family had received at the hands of those who professed the Romish religion. He sealed his conviction of the justice of his own cause with his blood, and died not long after the battle of the Boyne, from the effects of wounds received in that engagement.
In the year 1692, Augustus, while pursuing his commercial avocations, started on a voyage from New York to Hamburg ; on the passage the vessel was captured by a French privateer, and carried into St. Maloes. He, with other prisoners was confined, not very closely as it appears by subsequent events, in a fortress about 15 miles from that place. While there, news arrived of the battle of La Hogue, and the prisoners were ordered into closer confinement. They in some way received news of this order, and determined before it was put in force to effect their escape. Accordingly, on the evening that was to precede their imprison- ment, Augustus and some of his companions succeeded in scaling
» On the 4lh of March, 1686, letters of denizbtioa were granted to Augastaa Jay. Upon the 29th of Sept. 1698, King William the third by hb royal letteni patent, granted to Augustua Jay, " all the rights and privileges of a native bom English subject." Augustus Jay was admitted to the freedom of the city of New York, by the mayor and Aldermen, on the 27th Janoary, 17C0. From the ori- ginal docamenti in poesession of the Hon. William Jay.
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 86
the wall and dropping into the ditch. Whether his friends were stunned by the fall, or recaptuned, he had no means of ascertain ing. He himself, however, got out of the ditch, took the road and arrived at Rochelle. Here ho was secreted and protected by his aunt, until she found means to send him to the isle of Aux Rhe, whence he got passage to Denmark. On his way home he passed through Holland, performed his business there, and then crossed over to England, where he saw his father and sister for the first time since their separation so many years before. There was one drawback to their joy, one cause of grief; the mother who had gone through so many trials with them, was no more. The calls of business soon separated this happy party, and Au- gustus took a last farewell, and returned to his business in Ame- rica.
A few years after his return he married Anna Maria, daughter of Mr. Balthazar Bayard. She like himself, was descended from a family who had suflfered from religious persecution. Her great grandfather was a Frenchman, a Protestant professor of theology, in one of the colleges at Paris, who was forced either to give up his religion or leave his country, during the reign of Louis XHI. He chose the latter alternative, and fled to Holland, whence his grandson emigrated to this country.
By this marriage, Augustus Jay found himself surrounded by a numerous and influential Dutch connection. In the colony of New York, the descendants of the Dutch were the most numer- ous class of the population, and they were remarkable for the lib- eral manner in which they befriended and assisted their country- men, or those connected with them.
Sooa after his marriage, finding himself in comfortable and re- spectable circumstances, Mr. Jay sent out for his father and sis- ter ; but the father felt that his declining years would not per- mit such a voyage, and the sister would on no account leave him. Augustus Jay went on for many years increasing his wealth and influence ; and, after having had three children, all of whom were daughters, he was at last made happy by the birth of a son in the year 1704. This son, the father of John Jay, he named Peter. No other children were born, and Peter therefore, at his father's death, which did not take place until he had reached the nge of 84, found himself sole bearer of the name of Jay.
86 HISTORY OP THE
Peter Jay, like his father and gra^d -father, was a merchant and followed his business with such success, that at the age of forty he was able to retire and live on the proceeds of his in- dustry. At the age of twenty-four he married Mary van Cort- landt. This lady was the daughter of Jacobus van Cortlandt of the Lower Yonkers, by his wife Eva Philipse, daughter of the Hon. Frederick Philipse, lord of the manor of Pliilipsburgh. Through this lady the Jays subsequently became possessed of the Bedford estates.
Peter Jay, Esq., by his wife Mary van Cortlandt had ten chil- dren.
Their eighth child John Jay was born on the 12th of Decem- ber, 1745, the same year that his father purchased the Rye es- tate. <^ At the age of eight years, John Jay was sent to a gram- mar school at New Rochelle; his instructor being the Rev. Pierre Stouppe, minister of the French Episcopal Church. " Here he continued for three years, and was then placed by his father under the care of a private tutor, who prepared him for college. The one selected was King's, now Columbia College, an insti- tution that boasts of many celebrated men among its alumni."
" In his fourth collegiate year he decided upon the law as his future profession.^ At the commencement held at St. George's Chapel, May, 1764, General Gage and his Majesty's council, &c., being present, Richard Harrison seventeen years of age deliver- ed the salutatory4)ration ; John Jay, a dissertation on the bless- ings of peace." Upon this occasion he received his degree of bachelor of arts.
The annexed sketch of Mr. Jay's subsequent life is. from Blake's Biographical Dictionary.
'' John Jay, L. L. D., first chief justice of the United States un- der the constitution of 1789, graduated at King's (now Colum- bia) College, A. D. 1764, and in 1768 was admitted to the bar. He was appointed to the first American Congress in 1774. Be- ing on the committee with Lee and Livingston to draft an ad-
• Here John Jay spent his boyhood.
k Compiled and abridged from the life of John Jay by Henry B. Renwick.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 87
dress to the people of Great Britain, he was the writer of that eloquent production. In the congress of 1775, he was on vari- ous important committees, performing more service perhaps than any other member except Franklin and John Adams. In May, 1776, he was recalled to assist in framing the government of New York, and in consequence his name is not attached to the Declaration of Independence ; but July 9th, he reported resolu- tions in the provincial convention in favor of the declaration. After the fall of New York, and the removal of the Provincial Assembly to Poughkeepsie, Mr. Jay retained his resolute patrio- tism. The very eloquent address of the convention to the peo- ple of New York, dated Fishkill, December 23, 1776, and sign- ed by A. Ten Broeck, as president, was written by him. MarcB 12, 1777, he reported to the convention of New York the draft of a form of government, which was adopted, and many of the provisions of which were introduced into the constitution of other states. From May 3, 1777, to August 18, 1779, he was chief justice of the state, but resigned that office in consequence of his duties as president of congress. The glowing address of that body to their constituents, dated September 8, 1779, was prepared by him. On the 29th of September, he was appointed minister plenipotentiary to the court of Spain. He was one of the commissioners to negotiate peace with Great Britain, and signed the definitive treaty of peace at Paris, September 3, 1783« He returned to America in 1784. Congress had previously ap- pointed him secretary of state for fcreign afiairs. In the difii- cull circumstances of the country, the secretary was in efifect the head of the government. Mr. JayVservices were of great impor- tance. He drew up, October 13, 1776, an elaborate report on the relations between the United States and Great Britain. Though not a member of the convention which formed the con- stitution of the United States, he was present at Annapolis, and aided by his advice. He also assisted Madison and Hamilton in writing the Federalist. In the convention of New York, he con- tributed to the adoption of the constitution. He was appointed chief justice by Washington, September 26, 1789. In 1794 he was appointed minister plenipotentiary to Great Britain and suc- ceeded in negotiating the treaty which still goes by his name.
88 HISTORY OF THE
He was governor of the state of New York from 1795 to 1801. The remainder of his life he passed in retirement at Bedford, in this county. He died 17th May, 1829. His remains are de- posited in the family burying ground.
By his wife, Sarah Yanburgh, daughter of the Hon. William Livingston, Governor of New Jersey, he left issue two sons, viz. the late Hon. Peter Augustus Jay, member of the State Assembly in 1813, recorder of New York in 1819, and delegate to the con- vention which framed the late constitution of the state of New York ; and the Hon. William Jay of Bedford, for several years a judge of the late court of common pleas in this county ; be- sides four daughters.
* The family residence is situated near the post road leading to Rye at no great distance from the river. The building is a hand- some structure of wood, presenting a lofty portico on the north. The south front commands a beautiful lawn, and charming views of the Sound and Long Island. Some highly interesting family portraits adorn the walls of the hall and dining room; amongst them are the following : Hon. John Jay, first chief jus- tice of the United States, and governor of the state of New York. Hend by Stewart, figure by Trumbull. The Hon. John Jay sat to Colonel Trumbull (his secretary) for this picture, whilst resi- dent ambassador at the court of St. James, London. The artist subsequently presented it to Mr. Jay.» Augustus Jay, who emi- grated to this country in 1686, a copy from the original, by Wal- do ; Anna Maria Bayard, wife of Augustus Jay, by ditto ; Peter Augustus Jay, as a boy. artist unknown ; an old painting upon oak panel, supposed to represent Catharine, wife of the Hon. Stephen van Cortlandt of Cortlandt, South Holland. This lady appears habited in a plain black dress, wearing a high neck ruffle and in her right hand holds a clasped book. In one corner of the pic- ture is inscribed " eetat. 64, 1630."^
The library contains a large and valuable collection of shells
> This picture baa been engrayed for Herring'a National Portrait Gallery. In the poaaession of Henry Munro, Esq., is another portrait of the Hon. John Jay by Stew- art, in his robes as chief justice of the United States.
k This picture was found in one of the old city residence! of the Van Cortlandts.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 89
amounting to between three or four thousand specia.ens. John C. Jay, M. D., has published several catalogues of the new and rare shells contained in his cabinet.^
Among other family relics we noticed the gold snuff box pre- sented by the corporation of New York, with the freedom of the city, to his Excellency John Jay, on the 4tli of October, 1784. Also a French bible,^ containing the following memoranda. Auguste Jay esc ne a la Rochelle dans le Royaume de France le f f Mars, 1665. Laus Deo. N. York, July ye lOih, 1733, this day at 4 o'clock in ye morning dyed Eva van Cortlandt, was buried ye next day ye 12 en ye voute at Mr. Stuyvesant's about six and seven o'clock."
The situation of the Jay property is very fine, embracing some of the most graceful undulations of a hilly district, highly diver- sified with rocks, woods and river scenery. Contiguous to the southern portion of the estate, and bordering the Sound, is Ma- ree's neck, and the neighboring islands of Pine and Hen-hawk, the latter consisting of seventy-seven acres. A curious pheno- menon, called Mirage, is frequently seen from these shores, when the land on the opposite coast of Long Island appears to rise above the waters of the Sound, while the intermediate portions seem to be sunk beneath the waves. This illusion is caused by a certain state of the atmosphere, depending chiefly upon its hu- midity and warmth which changes considerably its ordinary re- fractive power. In days of ignorance and superstition such appearances occasionally excited a strange interest.
In an opening of the woods on the south east side of the man- sion, is the family cemetery.
« See " Catalogue of recent thelk in (he cabiuet of John C. Jay,'* 8vo. New York, 1835. pp. 56. " Detcription of new and rare shells with fonr plates," Svo. N. Y. 1836. 2d ed. pp. 78. " A catalogue of the shells arranged according to the Lamarckian sy|teiD, together with descriptions of new and rare species contained in the collection of John C.Jay, M. D." 3d ed. 4to. New York, pp. 125, with ten plates.
b The title runs thus, " La Sainte Bible qui contient le Vieux et le Nonveaa Tes* lament, par David Martin, pasteor de Tfiglise Walione d'Utrecht, AmsterdaxDj
MDccm."
Vol. 11. 12
90
HISTORY OF THE
Here
are interred
the remains of the
Jay family,
which were removed from the family vault
New York,
the 28th of October^
.1807.
In memory of
John Jay,
Eminent among those who asserted the liberty
and established the Independence
of his Country,
which he long served in the most
important offices,
Legislative, executive, judicial and diplomatic,
and distinguished in them all, by his .^
ability, firmness, patriotism and integrity,
he was in his )ife and in his death,
an example of the virtues,
the faith and the hopes
of a Christian.
Born Dec. 12ih, 1745,
Died May 17th, 1829.
In memory
of
Sir James Jay, Kn't.
born 27 October, 1732,
died 20 October, 1816.
Peter Jay Munro,
who died
22 Sept. 1833,
aged 66 years,
8 months and 12 days.
In
memory of
Judith
relict of John W. Watkins, Esq..
and last surviving daughter of
William Livingston,
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 9i
Governor of New Jersey,
who departed this life
July 7ih, 1843,
in the 83d year of her age.
Anchored safe, the weary soul
Shall find eternal rest.
Nor storms shall beat nor billows roll '
Across my peaceful breast.
Besides other appropriate memorials to Peter Jay, Peter Augus- tus Jay, Esq., Mary Rutherford Jay, Margaret Munro, Golds- borough Banyar, Eva MunrO; Harriet van Corllandt and Mary Jay, wife of Frederick Prime, Esq.
The adjoining territory upon the west, constitutes what it commonly called Guioti's neck, a portion of which is still vested in William Henry Guion, son of the late Abraham Guion. This branch of the Guion family descend from Isaac Guion of New Ro- chelle, the son of Louis Guion who emigrated from England about 1(I67.» The beautiful beaver stream^ called by the In- dians, Pockeotessen, rises north of Guion neck, and forms its western boundary.
The Purdy estate is situated upon the eastern shore of Rye neck bordering the Blind brook, (Mockquams). A short distance from the house is the burial place of the Purdy family. Among other memorials is the following :
Joshua Purdy,
't ob, ^larch 4, 1600,
iEtat, 79.
On the west bank of the Byram river, which here forms the boundary between New York and Connecticut, is situated the village of Port Chester^ This place has grown rapidly within a few years, and bids fair to rival any on the Sound ; among other causes, its manufactories have contributed greatly to pro- mote this prosperity. These consist at present, of the iron foun« dry of William Abendroth and company, carriage factory of
•■ See vol. i. page 424.
b Sometimee styled Stony brook.
• Formerly called Sawpits.
92 HISTORY OP THE
Henry Webb, leather manufactory of Edward Field, plane fac- tory of Edward Baldwin, piano factory of Mr Holder, lock fac- tory of John Drumgoold, tin factory of Agnr Pixley, hat factory- of H. D. Hinman and the dyewood mill of Henry Sandford, be- sides the manufactories, there are twenty stores doing an exten- sive business, and a large hotel termed the Pavilion, kept by Mr. George W. Smith. The Byram or Armonck river, which wa- ters this beautiful section of Westchester county, takes its rise from the Byram lake, an extensive sheet of water fed by the springs of the Comonck or Armonck hills in Bedford. During its downward course, it winds .between lofty hills, fringed with copse wood, and abounding with bold projections which here and there break the course of its rapid current. In other pla- ces it forms romantic glens, shaded with the wild hemlock and fir. The wooded shores of Byram point, rise directly oppo- site the village^ forming a fine contrast to the western side of the river. The Byram is navigable nearly two miles from its mouth, affording an easy transit from this place for the marketable pro- ductions of the interior. The sloops at present engaged in this trade, are the William Marston and the Sarah Odee, Messrs. Peck owners, and the New York and Washingtonian.
The site of the ancient /err^ across the sound to Matinecock, upon Long Island, was the Horse rock in the vicinity otRye Port.
Upon ihc 18ih of July, 1739, King George the second, by his royal letters patent, regulated and established a ferry at this place, to be kept and attended for the couveniency of passing and repassing to and from the land in the two patents called BiidcPs neck and Poningoe neck, lying and being in Rye, to the island of Nassau, over against the township of Oyster Bay, in the said island.
Which ferry oar loving subjects John Budd, Hachaliah Drown and Jona- than Brown, Esqs, propose to undertake and to provide and keep at their own charge and expense, a sufficient number of good and able boats and servants for the due attendance on such ferry, &c., &c., and have free liberty to ask, demand and take for ferriage at and for such ferry, &c., the several and re- spective fees hereinafter mentioned, &c., viz. for every person one shilling and sixpence, for every man and horse three shillings, for all horned cattle from two years old and upwards each two shillings, for all colts and horned
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 93
cattle tinder two years old each one shilling, for every score of sheep, Iambs, hogs and sows five shillings, and so in proportion for any greater or lesser number, for every full barrel one shilling, for every empty barrel four pence, for every full pipe or hogshead six shillings, for every empty pipe or hogs- head two shillings, for every firkin or tub of butter four pence, fur every bushel of wheat, salt, grain, seeds or any other thing fully measured and sold by the bushel one penny, for every waggon, cart or carriage seven shillings and six- pence, for every pair of wheels two shillings, for every cupboard, press for clothes or writing desk four shillings and sixpence, for every full trunk or chest two shillings and sixpence, for every empty trunk or chest one shilling, for every full half barrel sixpence, for every gammon, flitch of bacon, or piece of smoked beef one penny, fer every hundred weight of gunpowder, iron, steel, sheet pewter or lead and iron or iron, copper or brass kettles or pots one shilling and sixpence, and so in proportion for any greater or less quan- tity, for every such one penny, for every corn fan five pence, for every hun- dred of shingles one shilling, for every bed, bedstead and bedding together three shillings, for everjr chair two pence, for every tab]% eight pence, for every saddle without horse three pence, for every gun two pence, for every case with buttles nine pence, for every frying pan or warming pan two pence, for every looking glass of one foot sixpence, and so in proportion for all other goods for which no provision is hereby made, and also all manner of privi- leges, &c., &c. For which the patentees and their heirs are to pay to the collector general^of the town being, on the 25th day of March, commonly call- ed Lady-day, the yearly rent of -two shillings and sixpence, &c., &c.
Frederick Morris, Secretary,
The ancient ferry now exists only in name, the present rapid communications with the island having superseded this danger- ous mode of navigation. The property is vested in the Pro- voost family. Directly opposite the port lies Minnewies or Manursing Island, separated from the main by a narrow creek on the south-west side. It consists of one hundred acres, divided between the three proprietors, Joseph Bartam, Mr. Beale and Thomas Theall. Upon the main is situated the tide mill of Mr. Kirby.
A dock appears to have been commenced at or near Rye port as early as 1679, for in this year we find a grant made by the town to "John Ogden of forty eight or fifty acres of land by the water side at the Fishing rocky for the purpose of building a house and wharf. The inhabitants of Poningoe neck to have wharfage free," From Rye port a steam-boat runs daily to and
94 HISTORY OP THE
from the city of New York. These is also a neat boarding house established here for the accommodation of summer visitors to this delightful spot.
The islands ealled the Greats Middle and Little Captains east of Manursing belong to this toVen.
In the village of Portchester is located the Portchester semi- nary, a large and flourishing institution for the education of both sexes. Mr. Edward D. Dow, principal and proprietor. There tire also four district and two neighborhood schools.
Near the eastern end of the village stands the Episcopal cha- pel of St. Peters, a neat and plain structure of wood ornamented with a tower of the same material. The corner stone of this edi- fice was laid on the 25th of July, 1843, by the Right Rev. Ben- jamin T. Onderdonk, bishop of the diocese, on which occasion the rector of the parish delivered an appropriate address. There were also present of the clergy the Rev. Messrs. Coit, Harris, Partridge and Todd. It was consecrated to ihe service of Al- mighty God, Monday, July the 15th, 1844, by the bishop of the diocese. Present and assisting the Rev. Messrs. Coit, Carmichael, Schrocder and Meade, Doctors of Divinity, also the Rev. Messrs. Chauncey, Powell, Haskell, Harris, Ward, Haight. Coit, Bull, Yarriiigton, Partridge, Meade, Todd, Cushing, Cox, Meade, Hal- sey and Guion. St. Peters is at present a chapel of ease* to the parisli church of Rye.
On the same side of the main street is situated the Presbyterian chapel. The erection of this building was commenced May 26, 1830, and completed September, 1333, at a cost of $2100; to \, which a tower and bell were added in the spring of 1840, at an
» Chapels of ease, according to the original meaning of the term, are not known in this country since the Revolution. In England, there is a distinction between a chapel of ease and a parochial chapel of ease. Chapels of ease are founded for the convenience of the people in large parishes in attending public worship, where they live at a dixtance from the parish church ; to which however the saci-aments and burials are restricted. Parochial chapeU of ease possess the rights of baptizing mnd burying, but have neither rectory nor endowment. The curate or vicar of both is dependent on the parochial minister. To preserve this dependence, a reservation it made of repairing to the parish church on the great festival days. Such chapels vere built in South Carolina before the Revolution. — Dalcho*s History, p. 267.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 96
additional expense of 8900. It was dedicated to the worship of God, September, 1833, and has ever since been attached to the Presbyterian church of Rye.
At the foot of King street is located the Methodist Episcopal church. This society was incorporated on the 16th of December, 1829. Horace B. Smith, R. Meade, Elisha Halstead, John Sey- mour and William Fowler, trustees.*
Near the western entrance of the village stands the residence of the Merritt family. Mr. Merritt ihe present occupant, is a lineal descendant of John Merritt, one of the original proprie- tors of Rye. Of this family was " Thomas Merritt, a cornet of cavalry in the Queen's Rangers, A. D. 1780. This gentleman subsequently settled in Upper Canada, and held the offices of ■< *^ ' sheriff of the District of Niagara, and surveyor of the King's forests. He died at St. Catharine's, May, 1842, aged eighty-two.*'
King street extends nearly seven miles north of Portches* ter, and finally terminates in the northwest corner of Green* wich township, Connecticut. The surrounding country is a fine agricultural district, embracing some of the finest farms in the county. Among the principal farmers in the vicinity of Port* Chester are William Bush and James Biackstock, Esqrs.
The border hamlet of Glenville is situated on the west bank of the By ram, east of King street. Here are the grist mill and lead manufactory of Samuel G. Cornell, Esq.
During the Revolutionary war the continental forces appear to have been frequently quartered in this town. On the 8ih of Jan- uary, General Parson's bris:ade were posted in King street. ■ The same year, General Wooster's division retreated as far as Rye neck. Lieutenant Colonel Van Rensselaer also received or- ders from congress to maintain his station until obliged to retreat upon Rye neck. Subsequently the enemy occupied this portion of Westchester county, where the soldiers did much wanton mis- chief and plundered most of the houses. Their principal en- campment seems to have been on the high ground between the villages of Rye and Portchester.
' Co. Rec. Religious Soc. Lib. B. 1.
% HISTORY OF THE
•v'
Tffe earliest record of (own officers occurs on the 25th of April, 1671. Upon this occasion, "George Kniffen and Francis Purdy were appointed pounders."
" Upon the 3d of October, Joseph Horton, Thomas Brown and John Brondig were chosen town and selectman for the year en- suing." ** 2Slh of September, George Lane was elected constable.^^ *• 13lh of June, 1691. Mr. Joseph Theall, supervisor.^^ "June 26th, 1696, Deliverance Brown was chosen constable for the town of Rye, and Mr. John Hoil, recorder J^
Sig. John Lyon.
Hachaliah Brown. Samuel Kniffen.
The general surface of the town is uneven and stoney.^ The land, however, is under good cultivation. The soil consists of a clay loam. The natural growth of wood is oak, chestnut, walnut, hickory, &c., on the higher lands, and in the low lands, ash, birch, and maple. We have already shown that it is drained on the east by Byram river, and on the west by Blind brook, both flowing into Long Island Sound. Upon these streams are numerous mill seats. Among the principal mineral productions of the town may be noticed Chlorite, *» "a soft greenish substance, composed of minute scales, closely compacted together, it differs very little from soapstone," also Tourmaline, in long slender crystals.®
• Diaturneirs Gazetteer of N. Y.
b Rocks containing it are said to be Chloritic.
• See geological survey of the state, 1840.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTEK. 97
SCARSDALE.
This town is bounded on the norlh by White Plains and Greenburgh, east by Mamaroneck, west by Greenburgli, and south by Eastchester and Rochelle. Under the colonial govern- ment it constituted a portion of Scarsdale manor, which also, embraced the greater part of White Plains and the townships of Norlh and New Castle.*
The place acquired its name from the Heathcote family, who originally came from Scarsdale, Derbyshire, England. '' More onward, says the learned Camden, (describing that part of Der- byshire,) we see Chesterfield in Scarsdale^ that is, i?i a dale en- closed with rocks : For crags were call'd scarrs by the Saxons." Under the Mohegan Indians Scarsdale is believed to have formed a portion of the Indian territory of Qnaroppas^ which was ceded to John Richbell by the Indian proprietors in 1660.
A. D. 1696. Col. Caleb Heathcote obtained of Anne Richbell, relic of John Richbell, deceased, a full patent right to purchase lands, "which are already included in her husband^s sale of 166Q.'^b
Upon the 30th of March, 1701, occurs the following indenture " between Col. Caleb Heathcote on the one part, of Mamaroneck, gentleman, and the Indian proprietors, Patthunck, Beaupo, Ko- hawney, and Wapetuck, on the other part,
" Witnesseth that the said Patthunck, Beaapo, Kohawney, and Wapetuck, &c., for and in consideration of a certain sum of good and lawful money to them in hand paid, and secured to be paid, at or before the ensealing and de- livery of these presents, by the said Caleb Heathcote, the receipt whereof the said Patthunck, Beaupo, Kohawney, Wapetuck, &c., doth hereby ac- knowledge themselves therewith to be fully satisfied and contented and paid and thereof and therefrom do acquit, exonerate and discharge the said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs, executors, and administrators have given, granted, sold.
• The prewnt township was organized on the 7th of March, 1788. k* See Mamaroneck, New CasUe, &c.
Vol. II. 13
98 HISTORY OP Tto* : -^''
bargained, alienated, efi^ofll^^nd co^Npiidf-tDd 4te 1^ Hkese presents give, grant, bargain, seU, alJM|Bte, enfeofle a^, evniirin oato the said Caleb Heath* cote, his heirs and assignee* Avever, all our rights, title, and interest in a certain tract of land lying mMbiing in the county of Westchester, bounded as follows: To begin on the xre^t side at southermost end of a ridge known by the name of Richbeirs or Horse ridge, at a gres) rock, and so to run a north- north-west line to Broncks*s river, and on tlie eastermost side with Bfamaroneck river, and from the head thereof to Broncks's river, to have and to hold the said bargained premises, with every of the appurtenances thereunto belonging, to the said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs and assignees, forever ; and that the said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs, executors, administrators, and as- signees, shall and may at all times hereafter, and from time to time, peaceably and quietly have, hold, use, occupy, and enjoy, all and singular the herein before mentioned bargained premises, with their and every of their appurte- nances, without the let, hindrance or molestation of them the said proprietors, their heirs or assignees. In witness whereof they have hereunto set their bands and seals, the day above written.*
Signed sealed and delivered in presence of us,
Ann Mullington, Patthanck,
Benj. Collier, Beaupo,
John Cooke, Cohawney,
The mark of Wapetock,
Kaokquerin Womatera.
Upon the 2Ist of March, 1701, the extensive purchases of Colonel Caleb Heathcote in Westchester county were erected into the lordship and manor of Scarsdale, to be holden of the king in free and common soccage, its lord yielding and rendering therefor annually, upon the festival of the Nativity, five pounds current money of New York, &c.
THE ROYAL CHARTER.
William the Third, by the grace of God, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c, to all to whom these presents shall come, sendeth greeting : Whereas our loving subject Caleb Heathcote, Es- quire, hath petitioned the Honorable John Nanfan, oar Lieutenant-Governor and Commander-in-chief of the Province of ^ew York in America, and our Council of the said Province, for a confirmation of a tract of land in the county of Westchester, beginning at a marked tree by Mamaroneck river, which is the eastermost side of the northern bounds of Mamaroneck township, being about two miles from the county road, and to run along the said river to the
» From the original, in posseaiton of the Rt Rev. W. Heathcote de Lancey.
. ^Uirfr OF WESTCHESTER. 99
head thereof, and theoM-'ftl a norlk Bie nntil e(|BtoeB Miles from eaid nhrked tree is completed, westerly at the maiked treeor a gAlt rock, being the wee- termost part of the said northern bounds of ifeif aforesaid township being aboot two miles from the county road, and thenoe to ma northerly eighteen miles as ye line on ye eastermost side of the said laod runneth, including in ye said manor his eighth part \ii the two miles laid out for ye town of Mamaronec1r« with ye lott he now liveth on, and ye lott bought of Alice Hatfield, with the lands and meadows below, westerly to a path to him belonging by virtue of his deeds and conveyances, part of which' land within the bounds aforesaid was purchased by John Richbell from ye native Indian proprietors, which said John Richbell had a arrant and confirmation for ye same from Fraacis Love- lace, late Governor of oar said Province, and ye right of ye said John Rich- bell therein is legally vested in ye said Caleb Heathcote, and other parts hava been purchased by ye said Caleb Heathcote of ye native Indian proprietors^ and whereas the said Caleb Heathcote hath farther petitioned our said Lieu*- tenant Governor and Council that the said tract of land may be crested into a manor by ye name of ye manor of Scarsdale, whereupon our said Lieutisnant Governor, by and with the advice of our Council, directed a writ to the high sheriff of the said county of Westchester to inquire to what damage such pa- tent would be, which writ issued accordingly with a proviso that it should not give the said Caleb Heathcote any further title than which he already hath to ye land caUed White Plains, which is in dispute between ye said Caleb Heath- cote and some of ye inhabitants of ye town of Rye, whereupon ye said sheriff returned that ye jurors found that there is no damage to ye King or his sub- jects in erecting the manor aforesaid, except ye said White Plains which are in dispute and contest between ye said Caleb Heathcote and ye town of Rye, and excepting James Mott and ye rest of ye purchasers of Mamaroneck which have deed within ye patent of Richbell, Know ye that of our special grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, we have given, granted, ratified and con- firmed, and by these presents do for us, our heirs and successors, give, grant, ratify and confirm unto ye said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs and assignees, all and every ye aforesaid tracts and parcels of land and meadow within ye re- spective limits and bounds before mentioned and expressed, together with all and every the messuages, tenements, buildings, barns, houses, out -houses, fences, orchards, gardens, pastures, meadows, marshes, swamps, pools, ponds, waters, water-courses, woods, under-woods, trees, timbers, quarries, runs, rivers, rivulets, brooks, lakes, streams, creeks, harbours, beaches, bays, isl^ ands, ferries, fishing, fowling, hunting and hawking, mines, minerals, (royal mines only excepted,) and all the rights, members, liberties, privileges, juris- dictions, royalties, hereditaments, profits, benefits, advantages and appurten- ances whatsoever to aforesaid several and respective tracts and parcels of lands and meadow belonging or in any ways appertaining or accepted, reputed, taken, known or occupied as part, parcel, or member thereof to have and to hold all the aforesaid several and respective tracts, parcels of land and mea*
100 mSTORYOFTHE
dow and premises within the Respective limits and bounds aforesaid, with all and every of the appurtenances unto him the siyd Caleb Heathcote^^is heirs and assigns, to the only proper use and behoof of him the said Caleb Heath- cote, his heirs and assigns fur ever, provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed, deemed or taken to give the dfld Caleb Heathcote any fur- ther title than what he now by virtue of these our letters patent lawfully hath to ye said White Plains in dispute as aforesaid, nor any jurisdiction within the said White Plains until the same shall happen to belong to the said Caleb Heathcote ; and moreover Know ye that of our further special grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, we have thought fit to erect all the afore recited tracts and parcels of land and meadow within the limits and bounds aforesaid into a lordship and manor except as before excepted, and therefore by these presents we do for us, our heirs and successors, erect, make and constitute all the afore-recited tracts and parcels of land and meadow within the limits and bounds before mentioned (except as before excepted) together with all and every the above granted premises, with all and every of their appurten- ances into one lordship or manor, to all intents and purposes, and it is our royal will and pleasure, that the said lordship and manor shall from henceforth be called the lordship and manor of Scarsdale ; and Know ye that we repos- ing especial trust and confidence in the loyalty, wisdom, justice, prudence and circumspection of our said loving subject, do for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant unto the said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs and assigns, full power and authority at all times forever hereafler within the said lordship or manor one court leet and one court baron, to hold and keep at such time and times, and so often yearly as he or they shall think meet, and we do further give and grant to the said Caleb HeathcotOt his heirs and assigns, all fines and issues and amercements at the said court leet and court baron to be hoi- den within our said lordship or manor, to be sett, forfeited, or imposed, or payable or happening at any time to be payable by any of the inhabitants of or within the said lordship or manor of Scarsdale, or the limits and bounds there- of, and also all and every power and powers, authority and authorities for holding and keeping the said court leet and court baron from time to time, and to award to and issue out the accustomed writs to be issued and awarded out of courts leet and courts baron, and also that the said court leet and court baron be kept by the said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs and assigns for ever, his or their or any of their stewards and deputies, and appointed with full and ample power and authority to distrain for the rents, services and other sums of money payable by virtue of the premises, and all other lawful remedies and means for the having, possessing, levying and enjoying the premises and every part and parcel of the same, and all waifs and estrays, deodands and goods of felons happening or to be happening, being or to be forfeited within the said lordship or manor of Scarsdale, and we do further give and grant unto the said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs and assigns, that all and singular ye tenants of him ye said Caleb Heathcote within ye said manor shall and may at all
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 101
time* hereafter meet together and choose assessors within ye manor aforesaid, accordin^jibaach rules, wm jtod methods as are prescribed for cities, towns, and counties, within our saia Province by ye acts of General Assembly for de- fraying the public charge of each respective city, town and county aforesaid, and all such sums of moneyio assessed and levied to collect and dispose of for such use as any act or acts as the said General Assembly shall establish and appoint, to have, hold, possess and enjoy all and singular the said lordship or manor of Scarsdale and premises, with all and every of their appurtenances unto the said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs and assigns for ever, and that the said lordship or manor aforesaid shall be and for ever continue free and ex- empt from the jurisdiction of every town, township or manor whatsoever, to be holden of us, our heirs and successors in free and common soccage accor- ding to the tenure of our manor of East Greenwich, in the county of Kent within our kingdom of England, yielding, rendering and paying therefor yearly and every year for ever at our city of New York unto us, our heirs and suc- cessors, or to such officer or oflScers as shall from time to time be impowered to receive ye same, five pounds current money of New York, upon the Nati- vity of our Lord, in lieu and stead of all services, dues, duties or demands whatsoever. In testimony whereof we have caused the great seal of our province of New York to be hereunto aflSxed. Witness John Nanfan , Esquire, our Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-chief of our Province of New York and territories depending thereon in America. Given at Fort William Henry in our city of New York, this twenty-first day of March, in the four- teenth year of our reign. Anno Domini, 1701.^
John Nanfan.
Col. Caleb Heathcote, first lord of the manor of Scarsdale, was the son of Gilbert Heathcote, Esq., of Chesterfield, (Scarsdale) Derbyshire, England, a representative of the ancient family of the Hetbecotes of that place.
Aatofraph and Seal of Col. Caleb Htatbcote.
Book of Pat Alh. Rec. No. rii. S36.
102 HISTORY OP THE >
Concerning this individua1| Dunlap the historian thus spedo ' '' I will pause to give some notice of the Caleb Heathcote who became at this time one of (he governour's or his majesty's ooun- cil. He was judge, and a colonel of militia. The name of George Heathcote, appears among the inhabitants of New York, in 1676, and his property is rated at £2036, which placed him as one of the rich of the time. George died unmarried, and his property devolved to Caleb. Tradition says, that the father of Caleb was a man of fortune, and mayor of Chester, in England ; but Caleb had two brothers born before him, who, probably, one or both, inherited the father's estate ; both procured titles, and founded families well known in England. The oldest brother was Sir Gilbert Heathcote, the founder and first president of the Bank of England, and Lord Mayor of London. Caleb, the youngest, had formed a matrimonial engagement with a lady of great beauty, but unfortunately took his elder brother, Gilbert, to see his intended wife. Gilbert was struck with the lady's beauty, and supplanted his brother, who sought refuge with his uncle in New York, married a daughter of " Tangier Smith,"* of Long Island, and became a distinguished man in our history He was a sincere Episcopalian, and probably seconded from principle, the views which Fletcher advocated from interest, and in obedience to his orders. Heathcote, in his military capa- city, had command of the West Riding,^on Long Island, and in one of his letters, gives this account of his method of '* con- verting," as my friend Doctor De Kay, from whom I have the extract, says, "military into religious exercises."
The colonel came to America in 1692, as I gather from tliis letter, which is dated in 1704. and he must have had both influ- ence and fortune to have attained a seat in the council, the first year of his arrival.
He writes thus :— " I shall begin the history of the church from the time I first came among them, which was about twelve
• fimilh was so caUed. from hftving been goYernor of Tangier, and to diatingaiah brn from « BuU Smith/' and aU other SmiUia.
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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 103
years ago. I found it the most rude and heathenish country I ever saw in my whole life, which called themselves Christians, there not being so much as the least marks or footsteps of reli- gion of any sort. Sundays were the only times set apart by them for all manner of vain sports and lewd diversion, and they were grown to such a degree of rudeness, that it was intolerable. I having then command of the militia, sent an order to all the captains, requiring them to call their men imder arms, and to acquaint theiOi that in case they would not in every town agree among themselves to appoint readers, and to pass the Sab- bath in the best manner they could, till such times as they should be better provided, that the captains should, every Sunday, call their companies under arm^. and spend the day in exercise. Whereupon, it was unanimously agreed on throughout the coun- try, to make choice of readers, which they accordingly did, and continued in those methods for some time."
The following letter is extracted from the MSS. of the Vene- rable Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts.
COLONEL HEATHCOTE TO THE SECRETARY.
Manor of Scarsdale, Nov, 9, 1705. Sir: I am indebted to you for yours ofihe 11th Jan. and 0th of April, and am wonderfully surprised that the Society should make choice of me for one of their members. It was a very great satisfaction to me, that any thing I could offer was acceptable to them, and should very joyfully embrace any opportunity of doing service to the Church, and I bless God for it, I am not conscious to myself of ever having slipt one fair occasion therein, when government would give me leave. I beg of you, sir, to present my most humble duty to that honorable body, and thank them for the honor they have been pleased to do me, and may assure them that I shall not only endeavor to give them satisfac- tion as to any thing they shall desire of me ; but if any new matter occurs, which I believe may be of service to the Church, I will not fail laying it be- fore them for their consideration. If I mistake not, the several heads you desire satisfaction of in both your letters now before me, are, first, an exact and impartial account of all your Ministers. Secondly, what fruit may be ex- pected from Mr. Moor's mission. Thirdly, what my thoughts are of sending Mr. Dellius into those parts again. Fourthly, my opinion of the Society's having appointed that good man, Mr. Elias Neau, as Catechist to the
104 HISTORY OP THE
Negroes and Indians, and the cause of misunderstanding betwixt him and Mr. ^ Vesey.
As to the first, I must do all the gentlemen which you have sent to this Province that justice as to declare that a better clergy were never in aay** place, there being not one amongst them that has the least stain or blemish a9^ to his life or conversation, and though I am not an eye witness to the actions of any, save those in this county, yet I omit no opportunity of inquiring into their behavior, both of the friends and enemies of the Church, and they all agree as to the character of the gentlemen : and that they use their bfest endeavors to gain over the people. And as to their diligence in the iaithful discharge of their tiust, the Society, I hope, will, in their instructions, have laid down such rules as they wonU fail coming at it without being imposed on. Mr. Urquhart, minister of Jamaica, has the most diflScuIt task of any missionary in this gov- ernment, for although he has not only the character of a very good man, but of being extraordinary industrious in the discharge of his duty, yet he having a Presbyterian meeting house on the one hand, and the Quakers on the other, and very little assistance in his Parish, except from those who have no interest with the people, that his work canH but go on very heavily, as I understand it does : but Mr. Thomas, of Hempstead, having better assistance, the leading men in his parish not being disgusted, are helpful in the work ; and having no other sectaries to oppose him by their meetings but the Quakers, makes very considerable progress, as I have been told by some of the most sensible of his paris^h. As for Mr. Mackenzie, he has a very good report from the people of Staten Island, and I shall not fail making further inquiry concerning him, and let you know it in my next.
But when all is done, what I can tell you concerning any minister, except in this county, is only by information from others, which is oflen very uncer- tain ; for some gentlemen may many titpes, and very deservingly, have a fair and good character by the generality of their neighbors, and yet at the same time, by one misfortune or other, not perform much of the service of the Church, in which I will give you this plain instance.
There is not any gentleman whom the Society have sent over, that is clothed with a fairer character than Mr. Bartow, of Westchester, and truly he is a very good and sober man, and is extremely well liked and spoken of by his parishioners in general ; yet although he has been three years in that par- iah, not many are added to the communion, nor baptized, and few catechised ; and if he is directed to send an account how he has advanced on each of these heads, annually since his coming there, it will be found accordingly. For this and many other reasons, I can^t help still to be pressing that the Society should lay the gentlemen which are sent over under exact rules, and methinks it is no difficult matter to have it ordered so as to know almost as well what is done as if they were present in every parish.
The people of Westchester were very angry with me because I was for
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 106
■ ba?ing this county diYided into three parishes, and every minister to have 70/. : instead of 50/., and I had brought the county, except that place, to a willing- . ness to have it so, as I formerly acquainted you, and had they permitted that -; Rejection to have taken place, it would have been a great ease to the Society : for first, what Mr. Bartow had more than the 50/. he now hath, might reason- ably have been.deducted at home. Secondly, Mr. Bondet would have been provided for. And thirdly, one Mr. Morgan, who was minister of Eastches- ter, promised me to conform ; that there would not have been occasion of an- other being sent to us, and by that means have saved 50/. a year more at home, and wholly out of all hopes of any dissenting minister getting footing amongst us, and it will never be well until we are in three parishes ; and I shall not fail, when I have a fair opportunity, to push for it again. And to satisfy you of the reasonableness in what I offer, I believe there has not six publio taxes been laid on this county by the Assembly this fiileen years past, but I have been at the proportioning of, and when the places in Rye parish pay 601. the towns in Westchester parish were allotted 120/. ; and there are two places more, which, both together, are one third part as big as Rye parish, which are now in neither of them. And now I am on this subject, it comes in course to make out what I told you in my former letters, viz : that there is no parish in the government but what is able to pay twice as much as they do. For Rye parish which is not by one half so large as the least parish established by law in the government here, since my living here, maintained two dissenting minis- ters, ^iz : one at Rye and Mamaroneck, and one at Bedford, and gave the for- mer 50/. and the latter 40/. a year, which I think makes it out very plain what I have offered on that head ; and you may be assured I shall omit no op- portunity of serving the Society therein. But ihe work must be done, in a great measure by the minister*s taking pains, and bringing the people into a good opinion of the Church, for though the reason hereof is very plain, it must be a business of time to efiect it. We have had it reported that the Queen would be at the charge of maintaining a Suffragan Bishop in these parts. If that was granted, I question not but a great many who have had their education in Boston College would conform, and would be content with the benefices as settled by Assembly, without being very burthensome to the Society.
I have been so long wandering from one subject to another, that I had al- most forgot to give yon my thoughts of Mr. Muirson whom my Lord of Lon- don has sent for this parish. He has been here about three months, in which time he hath by much outdone my expectation ; having very fully retrieved all that unfortunate gentleman, Mr. Pritchard lost; and if he continues to faithful in the discharge of his trust, of which I have not the least doubt but he will, he^l be able. to give as large account of his services as any that has been sent over to this Province. And I must do him the justice to own that he is as deserving of the Society's favors. For as some of his parishioners told me, and which I know in a great measure to be true, that although thej
Vol. II. 14
106 HISTORY OF THE
have had a great many ministers amongst them since the settlement of their town, yet Mr. Muirson did more good amongst them the first six weeks after his coming than all they e?er had before. And I question not bat when yon have the particolars of his proceedings transmitted, }ou will find what I have said of him to be troe. As for Mr. Brooks, whom the Society have sent to the Jerseys he has an uncommon good character given him from those parts ; and it is report- ed of him that he makes wonderful advances for the service of the Church* and I question not but Col. Morris will be very particular concerning him — that being properly his watch. For though that Province is not above SO miles from my house, and Stalen Island about forty, yet by reason of the diffi- euhy of water passages, I have never been at either of them above twice doce my coming to America. And I am now more tied at home with a fami- ly, and my private affairs than formerly, for which I humbly crave an allow- ance. My principles and natural temper lead me to do the Church all the ser- vice I can every where, but I dare not promise for more than this county at present, and my best endeavors in the westernmost towns in Connecticut colo- ny, when the Church is well rooted here. And it has always been ny opin- ion, and is so still, that there is no part of this Province, or even America, that would be of greater use or service to have the Church tboroaghly settled in ; for it is not only large in extent, and the land very good, and near the city ; •0, consequently, will in time be a great settlement. But bordering on Connec- ticut there is no part of the continent from whence the Churoh can have so fair an opportunity to make impressions upon the dissenters in that government, who are settled by their laws from Rye parish to Boston colony, which is about 35 leagues, in which there are abundance of people and places. As for Boston colony, I never was in it, so can say little to it. But for Connecticut, I am and have been pretty conversant ; and always was as much in all their good graces as any man. And now I am upon that subject, I will give you the best account I can of that colony. It contains, in length, about 140 miles, and has in it about 40 towns, in each of which there is a Presbyterian or Indepen- dent minister settled by their law ; to whom the people are all obliged to pay notwithstanding many times they are not ordained ; of which I have known several examples. The number of people there, are, I believe, about 3,400 souls. They have abundance of odd kind of laws to prevent any dissenting from their church, and endeavor to keep the people in as much blindness and unacquaintedness with any other religion as possible ; but in a more particular manner the Church, looking upon her as the most dangerous enemy they have to grapple withal. And abundance of pains is taken to make the ignorant think as bad as possible of her. And I really believe that more than half the people in that government, think our Church to be little better than the Papist. And they fail not to improve every little thing against us : but I bless God for it, the Society have robbed them of their best argument, which was the ill lives of our clergy that came into these parts. And the truth is» I have not seen many good men but of the Society^s sending.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 107
And no sooner was that honorable body settled, and those pmdent measares taken for carrying on of that great work, but the people of Connecticut, doubtiag of maintaining their ground without some further support, they with great indus- try went through their colony for subscriptions to build a college at a place called Seabrook. And the ministers who are as absolute in their respective parishes, as the Pope of Rome, argued, prayed, and preached up the necessity of it ; and the passive obedience people who dare not do otherwise than obey, gave even beyond their ability. A thing which they call a college was prepared accordingly, wherein, as I am informed, a commencement was made about three or four months ago. But notwithstanding their new college here, and old one in Boston, and that every town in that colony has one, and some two minis- ters, and have not only heard them say, bnt seen it in their prints, that there was no place in the world where the gospel shone so brightly, nor that the people lived so religiously and well as they : yet I dare aver, that there is not a much greater necessity of having the christian religion in its true light preached any where than amongst them. Many, if not the greatest number of them, being little better than in a state of heathenism ; having never been baptized nor admitted to the communion. And that you may be satisfied what I tell you herein is not spoken at random, nor grounded ou careless observation, Mr. Muirson's parish is more than three fourths of it composed of two towns, viz : Rye and Bedford, which were first settled under the colony of Con- necticut, and of people bred and born under that government, and some time before my coming, had a minister, one Mr. Denham, and had afterwards two more, Woodbridge and Bowers, at Rye, and one Mr. Jones, at Bedford. And the people of Rye only had of this county the care to provide a parsonage house. And notwithstanding all those great shows of religion, and that a* such times as they were destitute of a minister.
Greenwich and Stanford, the bounds of the former of which places join npon theirs, and the other is not above ten miles distant, where they were al- ways supplied. But they could not be s^id to want the opportunity of having the sacraments administered to them, yet I believe 20 of them had never re- ceived the communion, nor half of them been baptized, as Mr. Muirson \^ill more fully inform yon. And now I have given you an account of the state of that colony, what will in the next place be naturally expected from me, is to know my opinion of the best and most probable way of doing good amongst them.
There is nothing more certain, than that it is the most difficult task the so- ciety have to wade through. For the people are not only not of the church, but have been and are trained up with all the care imaginable to be its ene- mies. That to make an impression under all those disadvantages is very difficult, though I hope not impossible. And though, at first view, the pros- pect of doing any good upon them is very little, yet no doubt but the most |>roper measures ought to be taken, leaving the event to Almighty God.
Now, to give you my thoughts in what way this great work may best be endeavored at, so as it may be done with little expense. I believe, for th^
108 HISTORY OF THE
first step, the most proper way would be, that one of the ministers in this cofin« try were directed by my Lord of London to inform himself where there are any in that government that profess themselves to be of the church, and to know if they or any of their neighbors have any children to baptize, or desire to partake of the sacrament : and that he will come to the towns where they live, and after having given them a sermon, will perform those holy rites. There need, I think, no more be done in this matter for the present. But the socie- ty may, if they please, leave the rest to me, and I won*t only give him the best advice and directions I can therein, but will, God willing, wait upon him in his progress, and persuade some useful friends along with me. And when this essay has been made, I shall be much better able to guess at the state of that government, and what is fitting to be done next. Now the person that I would advise them to pitch upon by all means for this expedition, is Mr. Muirson ; he being not only posted next those parts, and so will look less like design, but he has a very happy way of delivery, and makes little use of his notes in preaching, which is extremely taking amongst those people ; and for argument, few of his years exceed him.
The chief end I have in this projection, is to have the people of that gor- ernment undeceived in their notions concerning our church ; there being, I believe, fifteen thousand in that colony who have never heard, nor scarce seen a church of England minister. And I have the charity to believe, that after having heard one of our ministers preach, they will not look upon our church to be such a monster as she is represented. And being convinced of some of the cheats, many of them may duly consider of the sin of schism. However, let the success be what it will, to me the .duty seems plain. I have not only mentioned this to you, but in my letter to my Lord of London, and shall pa- tiently wait fur his and the society^s commands therein.
I will now proceed in giving direct answers to the several qoeries men- tioned in yours. Having as yet, only spoke to the first, so shall now take the rest in course. As for Mr. Moor^s mission, you will undoubteHlv have the account thereof very fully by Mr. Talbot, whose place he supplies having not thought it worth the while to stay at Albany. As for my opinion in that mat- ter, I think it is too heavy for the society to meddle with at present, and would properly lie as a burthen upon the crown, to be defrayed out of the revenue here. For their being brought over to our holy faith, will at the same time, secure them in their fidelity to the government. And not only that, hut the society will, I believe, find employment enough for their money in sending of missionaries amongst those who call themselves christians, on the coast of America ; which I find to be their resolution. And it is certainly the great- est charity in the world, to have the best religion planted in these parts, which with time will, in all probability, be so vast a country and people. But whe- ther the charge of missionaries for converting the Indians fall to the share of the crown or the society, to effect that matter well and thoroughly, those sent
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 109
OTer on that errand, mast be sach as can endare hardships, and are able and willing to live with the Indians in their own country, and according lo their way and manner, which are iho methods the French take. And 1 believe some of those gentleman who have had their education in the colleges of the north parts of Scotland, being in orders from my Lord of London, may be the likeliest to undergo it. As for Mr. Dellius, I don't think it worth the while in being at any extraordinary charge in sending of him ; because 1 be- lieve no consideration would make him live in the Indian country. And if he did, he has not the language ; and one that goes on that mission must be a young man, who i^ able to grapple with fatigues, and will not only take pains, but is capable of learning the language ; and it is a general observation that none are so apt to gain foreign tongues as the Scotch.
As for my thoughts of this society's having appointed that good man Mr. Neau, as catechist to the negroes and Indians, it is undoubtedly a very good work: and he is wonderfully industrious in the discharge of his duty, and the truth is, takes more pains than he needs, by going from house to house to per- form that office. And I believe he would find it as effectual to gain the end, and not the fourth part of the trouble to himself, to appoint set times in having them together at the English church, or at least so many at once as may be proper, and catechise and instruct them. And Mr. Vesey assures me that he shall be very free and willing to let him have the use of the church for that purpose. And now I am on this subject, it will be very proper that the socie- ty direct Mr. Cleator, if he comes over, or any schoolmaster whom they ap- point in their respective places to catechise and instruct the negroes and In- dians ; and that the ministers in their several parishes were desired to send a list of all the slaves or free negroes and Indians, the society would then see how that matter was further worth their consideration.
I did, i# my former letters, make mention of one Mr. Bondet, a French Protestant minister, who is in orders from the Bishop of London. He is a good man, and preaches very intelligibly in English — which he does every third Sunday, in his French congregation, when he uses the liturgy of the church. He has done a great deal of service since his first coming into this country, and is well worth the thoughts of the society. The town he lives in is called New Rochelle, a place settled by French Protestants ; it is compre- hended in Mr. Bartow's parish, and contributes toward his maintenance, which disables them, in a great measure, to pay toward Mr. Bondet's, who is in very grna* want. It is true, besides twenty pounds a year, which the peo- ple of New Rochelle promise him, and is very ill paid, he has thirty pounds a year settled on him out of the public revenue here, as the French minister in York hath ; but that is paid with so much uncertainty, that he starves un- der the prospect of it.
Now for a remedy for this poor gentleman, and that he may be made as useful to the church as possible ; if the society would use their interest that
110 msTORY or the
he might ha^e an order from the court that he may not only forthwith be paid his arrears, bat that he should aAerwards ha^e his money by quarterly pay- ments ; and that, at the same time, he be directed by the Bishop of London, to consult with and be helpful to Mr. Bartow and Mr. Muirson in taking care of the scattering towns of their parishes ; especially Mr. Bartow's, where it is impossible for any one to manage it. And whereas, he has been obliged for his bread, to use the French prayers in his French congregation, according to the orders of the Protestant churches of France, and had that liberty granted iiim (as he tells roe) npon his receiving of orders, it is his earnest request, that he might have directions relating thereunto, wherein he might be re- quired not to use otherwise than the liturgy of our church in any congrega- tions where he preacheth, whether English or French. And it would be well that some French common prayer books and catechisms were sent over for that purpose. The reason of desiring an order of that nature is, that it would put the matter out of dispute. Mr.^ Bondet and I have gone as far as we can in that afiair, and it would spend too much time to tell you what tempests we waded through in attempting it, but if directions came from England about it, none, I believe would be found to oppose it. The chief cause of its being hindered with so much heat was, that the French congregation in York were apprehensive that it might be a precedent for them ; and for that reason fired the most ignorant of Mr. Bondet's people, and persuaded them to recant from what they had agreed to.- But I must do the most sensible of them the jus- tice, that they hold fast their integrity, and are willing to receive the church.
If this matter goes forward, I expect that the greatest part of the people of New Rochelle will cease their contributions to Mr. Bondet ; so I must desire the society to consider him with sonie allowance in England. And if efiec- taal care conid be taken that 30/. is paid him, 15/. sterling more, with the small helps he will have from those who will continue steady to the church, will enable him to maintain himself and family.
If care is not already taken therein in the instructions which are preparing, it will be of absolute necessity, that the clergy of this county be directed to meet twice at least, annually, and taking to their assistance the best and most sen- sible of their parishes, to consult of the most eflfectual ways for settling the church, and to give you an impartial account how the parishes are settled in point of coDveniency, and which way it may be better done, not only to make it easy for themselves, but so as the bread of life may be fairly and equally divided amongst their people, that proper measures might be taken, in having it regulated by act of assembly. For if 'something of this nature is not done, one half the people of the county wonU have much benefit by all the cost that is laid out upon them. In the conclusion of your last letter, you tell me that you had sent some common prayers and catechisms, by Mr. Mackenzy, but do not understand he has brought any ; so beg of you to inquire into that mistake. And in case you send any other books to be disposed, pray let them only be
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. Ill
Dr. Beveridge's (now Bishop of St. Asaph,) sermon concerning the common prayers, a little book entitled A Christianas Way to Heaven, and one of the lawfulness of the common prayer. No books can be more serviceable thaa they ; and I would take care to have them scattered through Connecticut colony to both ministers and people, and am apt to belieye they would do ser- vice. As for the deputation the society now pleased to send me, I am exceed- ing sorry I can do them no service therein. For the people of this conntyy having generally land of their own, although they donH want, few or none of them very much abound. There being besides, a settlement belonging tQ Col. Morris, and another to Mr. Phillips, and mine, not any that belong to particular men of any great value in the county ; nor are there ten in the whole county but what have been brought over to the church since I cama into the province, that truly sir, if we can persuade them to build and finish their churches and schools, help to maintain their ministers and schoolmasters* and fit conveniences for them, it is the most that can be expected till things are better settled, and the church a more firm footing among them. 1 have DOt had the happiness to be in company with CoL Morris since I received the deputation ; but shall discourse with him concerning that matter when I see him next. 1 could offer some few things more to the consideration of the so- ciety, but time won't permit me to enlarge, so I shall reserve it to the next opportunity. So with my humble duty to the society, begging their pardon for the trouble I have given them therewith, I desire to remain, sir, &c. &o.,
Caleb IIeathcotb.^
George Heathcote before meutioned, appears to have been a cousin of Col. Caleb Heathcote ; for in the will of George Heath- cote of Bucks county, province of Pennsylvania, among other items occurs the following: '^I give and bequeath unto my cou- sin, Caleb Heathcote, of the province of New York, the residue of my estate, and nominate him executor of this my last will and testament. "b
Col. Caleb Heathcote was also a member of the venerable Pro- pagation Society, mayor of New York in 1711, vestryman of Trinity Church from 1697 to 1714, and upon the incorporatioQ of the borough town of Westchester in 1697, chosen first mayor of that place.
The following order swere addressed by Benjamin Fletcher, captain-general, and goveruor-in-chief of the province of New
» Church Rec. Francis L. Hawks, D. D., vol. i. no. 29. fc Surrogate's Ofltee N. Y. No. vU. p. 3.
I
112 HISTORY OF THE
York, &c., to Colonel Caleb Heathcole, con mander of a regiment of foot in Westchester county.
"Whereas I am informed that several disorders and misdemeanors aro daily committed by the regiment under your command, and no obedience paid to my several orders for prevention whereof, for the fatnre, reposing special trust and confidence in your prudence and conduct by virtue of the power and authority to me given by virtue of their majesties' letters patent under their great sea! of England, I have thought fit and do hereby erect, constitute and appoint a court martial in Westchester county aforesaid, and hereby I em- power and authorize you, the said Caleb Heathcote, from henceforth and at all times, when so often it shall be found needful to call the said court mar- tial, which shall consist of you, the said Caleb Heathcote, as president judge advocate, and six at least of the commissioned oilicers under your command, whereof four to be captains, with full power and authority to hear, judge and determine ail crimes and offences committed by any officer or soldier under your command, and sentence to pronounce so far as fine or imprisonment or other corporal punishment, as the merit of the crime or offence shall deserve, according to an act of assembly made and provided against such offenders and criminals, and to cause such sentence to be put into execution according to the rules, articles, and laws of war and arms ; provided always that this con- dition shall continue in force during this war, or till my pleasure be further known, and no longer.
Given under my hand and seal at armes, at Fort William Henry, New York, the 12th day of September, 1693, in the fiAh year of his majesty's reign, by his excellency's command.
Benj. Fletcheb.
In 1715 Colonel Heathcote received the appointment of sur- veyor general of the province.
Among the archives of the Wyllys family in Boston, Massa- chusetts, there is still preserved a Latin order from the king to Col. Heathcote, dated London, August 4th, 1719.
The manor house of Scarsdale has been already described in our account of Mnmaroneck.
Colonel Heathcote married Martha, daughter of the Honorable William Smith, governor of Tangier. Mrs. Heathcote bore her husband six children ; namely, Gilbert, William, Anne, Mar}'', Martha, and Elizabeth. On the 29th of February, 1719, Col. Caleb Heathcote executed his last will and testament in the fol- lowing manner:
" Imprimis. To his wife Martha he devolved the sole keep-
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 113
ing and management of his children during minority, &c., and from the moneys in England due to her the sum of £100 to be paid to her annually. Item, To his eldest son Gilbert he devises his dwelling house at Mamaroneck^ together with the neck of land called Mamaroneck east neck, and all mills, &c., and rights of streams within the limits of Mamaroneck township, known by the name of the Two Miles Bounds, and also all my lands lying on the east »ide of Mamaroneck river; and the lands I bought from Anne Richbell, within the county of West- chester aforesaid, running eighteen miles in length into the woods, 1 hereby give and bequeath unto my said son Gilbert Heathcote, one thousand acres, to be laid out by my wife, &c.
^^Item. Out of the legacy lately left me by my brother, Wil- liam Heathcote, in England, I hereby give and devise to my son Gilbert, £2600 sterling. To my son William Heathcote the same ; and to my four daughters, Anne, Mary, Martha and Eliz- abeth £4000 each.
"His two brothers in-law, Col. Henry Smith and Major Wil- liam Smith, he constitutes and appoints executors of this his last will and testament.*^
The last will of his wife, Martha Heathcote, bears date 13th of August, 1736, by which she bequeaths to her daughter Anne, the wife of James de Lancey, the sum of £1000, also a pair of silver candlesticks, silver snuffers and snuff dish, together with my silver tea pot, silver tankard, and my large coffer. To her daughter Martha Johnston she bequeaths the like sum of £1000, and to her daughters Anne and Martha all her wearing ap- . parel, &c.
The sons of Col. Caleb Heathcote died in their minority, upon which the manor of Scarsdale^ with other possessions, descend^ ed to Anne and Martha, their surviving sisters and heiresses. Anne, the eldest, married the Honorable James de Lancey, lieu- tenant governor of the province. The children of Anne and the Honorable James de Lancey were first Captain James de Lancey, who greatly distinguished himself as the aide of General Aber-
« Surrogate's Office, N. Y. lib. vUi. 234.
Vol. IL 16
114 HISTORY OF THE
crombie at the celebrated siege of Port Ticonderoga, father of the present Lieutenant Colonel James de Lancey, of Somerset, England, the eldest heir male of the De Lancey family.
The youngest son was Major John Peler de Lancey of Heath- cote Hill, Mamaroneck, who married Elizabeth, daughter of Colonel Richard Floyd, of Floyd's neck, Long Island. This in- dividual ultimately became possessor of the Scarsdale estates.
John Peter de Lancey, by his last will ai^d testament, bearing date 28th of January, 1823, bequeathed his property amongst his surviving children ; namely, William Heathcote, Elizabeth Car- oline, Martha Arabella, Anne Charlotte, and Susannah Augusta de Lancey.
Under the Heathcotes and De Lanceys, the Angevines iield the farm bearing their name for four generations, whilst the Secor family rented the Hickories.
By a survey and division of Heathcote's lands lying in Scars- dale manor on the II th of August, A. D. 1774, in the county of Westchester, the property of Caleb Heathcote in his lifetime, and which remain unsold by his descendants since his death, &c. No. 1, in north division, contained twenty-one lots, and likewise two small lots in the possession of William Barker. Lots Nos. 16 and 17 were controverted lands in this division.
Upon the west side of the manor the proprietors appear to have been the Crawfords, Devauxs, Vailes, Gedneys, Angevines, Tompkinses and Townsends. On the east side, the Griflens, Fishers, Vuils, Underbills, Gedneys and Cromwells. On the south-west^ the GrifTens and Barkers.
The surface of this town is undulating and hilly ; soil, sandy and clny loam ; drained, south by the Bronx river, which bounds it on the west. Two small streams called the Hutchinson and Sheldrake, rise in Scarsdale, and flow southerly into the sound. The latter is a tributary of the Mamaroneck river. They are well supplied with all kinds of fresh water fish.
The most prominent features of Scarsdale, however, are the extensive tracts of woodland which completely cover its wild and romantic hills on the west, displaying themselves to great advantage from every part of the surrounding country. The Saxton forest which forms a large portion of this woody district,
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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 116
abounds with foxes, rabbits and other wild game, and retains much of its ancient grandeur.
At the fox meadows, Scarsdale, was born on the 21st of June, 1774, that dislingruished individual Daniel D. Tompkins, Vice President of the United States.* He was die seventh son of the Hon. Jonathan G. Tompkins, by his wife Sarah Hyatt, and grandson of Stephen Tompkins, whose ancestors emigrated ori- ginally from the north of England, (during the time of the reli- gious persecution in that country,) and landed at Plymouth, in the colony of Massachusetts;^ from Plymouth they removed to Concord. John Tompkins of that place, had John born there in 1642, and a daughter, Ruth, in 1640. The Tompkins family subsequently emij^rated to Fairfield, in Connecticut.c lu 1649, we find John Tompkins proprietor of lands in Fairfield.
From Fairfield, the family removed to Eastchester, Westches- ter Co. The name of Nathaniel Tompkins occurs among a list of the first proprietors of Eastchester, in 1665. Of this family was Micah Tompkins of Milford, Connecticut, who secreted King Charles' judges when they fled to Milford. "The regicides Whalley and GofFe, (says Mr. Lambert) lived in the town from the 20ih of Auorust, 1661, for more than two ypars, till they went to Hadley. Here they were secreted by Mr. Tompkins, in the basement story of a shop standing near his dwelling. It is re- lated that Mr. Tompkins's daughters often spun in the shop, and sometimes would sing some poetry which was composed about that time, concerning the martyrdom of King Charles, (in which they are mentioned) which much amused the judges. The girls were of course acquainted with their concealment.^ After remaining in Eastchester a short time, the sons of Nathaniel and John Tompkins removed to Scarsdale and Greenburgh, where they purchased lands and permanently settled.
" Tlie father of Daniel D. Tompkins was a member of the state convention, which adopted the Declaration of Independence and the first constitution of the state. He was a member of
^ The fox meadow estate originally belonged to the Griffin family, and paawfi from Jonathan Griffin to his adopted son, Jonathan Grifl^ Toisp)uo>* b Herring's Nat Portrait Gallery. • Sbattncks* Hist of Concord. 4 Lambert's Hist of New Haven, 144
116 HISTORY OF THE
the legislature during the whole period of the Revolution, aUo for many years first judge of the court of common pleas for this county ; and on the institution of the university, was appointed one of the regents, which situation he held until his resignation of it, in 1808. He died after seeing his son elevated to the sec- ond office in the gift of liis country.
Governor Tompkins was educated at Columbia college in the city of New York, and received the first honors of his class in 1796. He was admitted to the bar of the supreme court in the capacity of attorney, 6th Aug., 1797.* In 1801, he was elected a representative of the city, in the convention to revise the con- stitution of the state ; in 1802, was chosen to the state legislature ; and in 1804, was appointed a judge of the supreme court of the stale, to supply the vacancy occasioned by the election of Chief Justice Lewis to the gubernatorial chair. In the same year he was elected a member of congress for the city, as a colleague of the late Dr. Mitchell. Gov. Tompkins (continues his biogra* pher) seemed to embody within himself, the peculiar character- istics of the citizens of his native state, activity, energy and per* severance, and his talents constantly and variously as they were tried, were always found equal to any emergency. At the bar in the city of New York during the early part of his life, he sustained an honorable rank ; on the bench of the supreme court of the state, amid the bright constellation of judicial talent, learning and eloquence which then adorned it, he was conspicu- ously distinguished while yet a comparative youth, and we ven- ture to say, that no judge since the formation of our government, ever presided at nisi prius, or travelled the circuit with more popularity. Dignified in his person, peaceful and conciliating in his address, and thoroughly amiable in his character, he won the respect and confidence of the bar, and the admiration of the
« As attorney in the court of common pleas in N. Y. and Westchester Co., 26 Sept. 1797 ; counsellor in court of common pleas, 26tb Sept. 1797 ; counsellor in Mayor's court, Feb. 24, 1801 ; counsellor in supreme court, 2 May, 1801 ; solici- tor in court of chancery, 5 June, 1801 ; elected representative of city to convention on revision of constitution, 7 June, 1802 ; solicitor in circuit court of the U. S., 1804 ; justice of supreme court, 2 July, 1804, member of congress for N. Y., 1804, judge of district court, March, 1805. -^Editor.
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 117
public. The distinction which he gained in his judicial ca- pacity, soon elevated him to a different theatre of action, the gubernatorial chair of his native state. (In 1807, when not thirty- three years of age,) he was put forward as a candidate by the most influential of the republicans of that day, and in the mode in which he administered the government he did not disappoint their choice. Those were turbulent times in politics, but like a skilful pilot, he safely and triumphantly weathered the storm, Lot only that which was raging within our own bounds and among ourselves, but a more painful one which was pouring in upon us from a foreign foe. By his unwearied efforts in repeat- edly pressing the subject upon the attention of the legislature, slavery was finally abolished in the state of New York.
The subject of public education and morals, was always near his heart. Tlie benevolent feelings of Gov. Tompkins, prompted him to call the attention of the legislature on repeated occasions, to the abolition of corporeal punishment, and he at length happi- ly effected that of the former ;. the latter siill remains. So early as 1811, we find him raising his voice in favor of the encour- agement of manufactures. In 1812, he prorogued the senate and assembly of the state. In this brief sketch, it is not to be ex- pected that even all the most prominent measures of Gov. Tomp- kins's administration can be noticed."^^
We come now, (continues his biographer) to the part which he bore in our late war with Great Britain, which embraces a most interesting period of his life. Whenever the history of that war shall be written for posterity, his name will fill an ample space.
As governor of the state of New York, he had the direction of all her energies, and many and arduous were the duties which he was ordered upon to perform, but those who were conversant with the scenes of that period, will recollect the universal confi- dence which he inspired in every lover of his country. The fol- lowing letter, dated a few days after the declaration of war, will show the perilous situation of the state of New York at that time, the condition of the army, and the responsibility he as« sumed to meet the exigency.
* Herring's Nat. Portrait Gallery, jo\. U,
118 HISTORY OP THE
Albany t June 28, 1819^. To Major Giniral Dearborn,
Sir, your letter of the 22 inst. has been received. I had anticipated year request by ordering the detachments from Washington, Essex, Clinton and Franklin counties into service, and have fixed the days and places of their rendezvous. Upon application to the quarter master general, I find there are but 139 tents and 60 camp kettles at this place, and even those I take by a kind of stealth, the deputy quarter master general declines giving an order for their delivery, until he shall have a written order from the quarter master general, and the latter is willing I shall take them, but will not give the de- puty a written order for that purpose, under ^ such circumstances. I shall RTaii myself of the rule of possession, and by virtue of the eleven points of the law, send them ofif tomorrow morning without a written order from any one. Tou may remember, that when yon were secretary of the war de- partment, I invited you to forward and deposite in our frontier arsenals, arms, Rmmunition and camp equipage, for self defence, to be ready for defence in ease of war, and the same invitation to the war department has been repeated four times since. The United States have now from five to six hundred regular troops at Plattsborgh, Rome, Canandaigua, &c. And yet those reeruits are now and must be for weeks to come, unarmed, and in every re- spect unequipped, although within musket shot of arsenals. The recruits at Piattsburgh, aro within fifly miles of two tribes of Canadian Indians. In ease of an attack upon the frontiers, that portion of the United States army would be as inefiicient and as unable to defend the inhabitants or themselves even, as so many women. As to cannon, muskets and ammunition, I can find no one here who will exercise any authority over them, or deliver a single article upon my requisition, neither can 1 find any officer of the army who feels himself authorized to exercise any authority, or do any act which will aid me in the all important object of protecting the iohibitants of our extended frontier exposed to the cruelty of savages, and the depredations of the enemy. If I must rely upon the militia solely for such protection, I entreat you to give orders to your officers here, to furnish upon my order for the use of militia detachments, all needful weapons and articles with which the United Slates are furnished, and of which we are destitute.
'' You may rely upon the assistance which my talents, influence and autho- rity can furnish, in the active prosecution of the just and necessary war, which has been declared by the constituted authority of our beloved coun- try."
Prom the day of the declaration of the war, the governor en- tered heart and soul into the prosecution of it, and so continued until its close. Most of the frontier troops the first campaign, were militia, and many of them were marched several hundred
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 119
miles: The quarter master general of that day, refused to make any advances to them ; the governor was therefore placed in the dilemma of providing as well as he could for them, expenses of every kind, or of permitting, them to return home for want of ac- commodation, disgusted both with the war and the government; he issued orders for raising a brigade of volunteers upon his own responsibiliryy» which greatly distinguished itself on the Niagara frontier, and particularly at the memorable sortie from Fort Erie.
The officers were all selected by Gov. Tompkins, and their gallant conduct in the field showed his admirable discrimination in this respect. He had previously recommended to the legisla- ture to raise volunteer regiments for the defence of our frontiers and the city of New York ; but by a perversity that seems strange to us at the present day, his patriotic recommendation was rejected. A man of less firmness than Governor Tompkins would have quailed beneath the storm which was raised against him in Albany in the winter of 1813-14, and the consequence would probably have been that the state would have been over- run by the foe. Not only was the whole western frontier in danger of invasion, but Sacketts Harbor, Plattsburgh and the city of New York. But regardless of censure or disapprobation he called into the field large bodies of militia, and organized a corps of new fencibles for the protection of the city of New York, consisting of one thousand men. In Sejitember, 1814, the mi- litia in service for the defence of the city amounted to 17,300 men. He was even ready to dispatch a force under the lamented Decatur for the assistance of Baltimore, which was then menaced with an attack, and had not the news of the enemy's retreat been received the succor would have been upon the march to the re- lief of a sister state. In 1814, from information received and corroborated by the movements of the enemy, there are suS- cient grounds of belief that one great object of his campaign was to penetrate with his northern army by the waters of Lake Champlain and the Hudson, and by a simultaneous attack with his maritime forces on New York, to form a junction which would sever the communication of the states. The exigency of the time, while it subjected the executive to great responsibility,
120 HISTORY OF THE
admitted of no delay. To defeat his arrogant design and save the state from inroad, it was necessary immediately to exercise fuller powers and more ample resources than had been placed in his hands by the legislature. « He proceeded therefore to make such dispositions as were deemed indispensable to secure the ex* posed points against menaced invasion. To efiect these objects he found it necessary to transcend the authority tfnd means ves- ted in him by law, perfectly satisfied that the legislature would approve and sanction what he had done.
In October of this year. Governor Tompkins was appointed by the President to the command of the third military district. He acquitted himself of the command with great ability, and on the disbanding of the troops he received from every quarter let- ters of compliment and gratitude ; and this was the only recom- pense for his services in this command which he ever obtained.
During the fall of this year the general government was desi- rous of fitting out an expedition to dislodge the enemy from Cas- tine in the province of Maine. They had applied to the Gover- nor of Massachusetts to raise the necessary funds for this pur- pose but without effect. In this dilemma the situation of the general government was hinted to Governor Tompkins, who with his individual credit and upon his own responsibilities, immediately raised the money, $300,000, which he placed at the orders of General Dearborn, then commanding in Massachu- setts. This noble act of patriotism speaks for itself and comment would be superfluous."*
" He contributed (remarks the Hon. G. Rathbun) more than any one man in the Union to the success of our arms in repell- ing the invaders of our soil. Mr. Tompkins disbursed for the United States very nearly two millions of dollars. This sum was charged to him. Further, he borrowed for the use of the general government more than one million, three hundred thou- sand dollars, some of it partly upon the credit of the government, and some of it upon his own responsibility, &c.'^^
^ Herrinsfs Nat. Portrait Gallery, vol. ii.
b Extract* from spoecb of Hon. G. Rathbun of N. Y. in favor of an appropriation
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 121
*' In looking over his military correspondence, it is surprising to see how watchful he was to foster a delicate and punctilious regard to the relative rank of tlie officers of the militia, so as to preclude any cause of jealousy or complaint. The officers were appointed by the council of appointment, which in the winter of 1813-14, was together with one branch of the legislature opposed to the administration of the general government, and to the pro- secution of the war, and it is evident from his correspondence at this period that attempts were constantly made to create discon- tents, by the recommending of persons for promotion over the heads of those who were entitled to it by their previous military rank ; and in turning back to his private correspondence from 1808 to 1811, we are struck with the continual annoyance ex- perienced by him from the intrigues and slanders of political op- ponents, and at the same time with the indefatigable industry and noble frankness with which he counteracted and exposed them. In the fall of 1814, Mr. Monroe having just been appoint- ed secretary of war, President Madison requested permission to name Governor Tompkins to the senate as his successor. This offer of what is considered the highest office in the gift of the President of the United States was declined. In the spring of 1815, after peace had been proclaimed, he resigned the command of the third military district, and the President addressed to him a letter of thanks for his *^ patriotic action and able support given to the government during the war."
"In February, 1817, having received official information of his election to the office of Vice President of the United States he surrendered that of chief magistrate of the state of New York." He was also chancellor of the university, and in June, 1820, was elected grand master of masons in the state of New York. In 1821, he was chosen a delegate for the county of Richmond to the convention for framing a new constitution for the state; and he was afterwards appointed president of this body. This was the la3t public situation which he held.''^
for the heira of D. D. Tompkini, delivered ia the House of ReprescatatiTes, Feb. 4| 1847. » Herrinsft National Portait Gallery, vol. ii.
Vol. ii. 16
122 HISTORY OF THE
"Years having rolled away (remarks Mr. John W. Edmonds) since he played so prominent and active a part on the stage, and the party rancor with which he was sometimes beset having been long since buried in the grave of the past, ample justice may now, without ofience be done to him who was in every sense of the word,
'* A stitesmaR lofly and a patriot pure/'
The task, however, of doing full justice to his memory belongs to an abler pen ; but no one is too feeble to admire the elevated patriotism which induced him, at a most trying crisis, to forego the honor intended for him by the President, to sacrifice his own health and the comfort of his family to the paramount duty of serving his country in that sphere where he could be most use- ful, and to offer himself a victim for its safety if it should be neces- sary ; and the indomitable energy which enabled him in less than forty days, without assistance in money from the national gov- ernment, to bring into the field at various points of danger nearly 50,000 men, organized, armed and equipped, to endure the toil, expense and embarrassment of commanding 20,000 of them in person, and at the same time to administer the government of the state : and in less than sixty days when the national credit was at its lowest poiiit of depression, when the payment of even the interest of its notes could not be provided for, to raise for the pub- lic service upwards of $1,000,000.^
If it should be asked what was his reward, for his great ser- vices to his country, and where stands his monument? the ven- eration in which his memory is yet regarded by the whole na- tion, answers that it is erected in the hearts of his countrymen.
*' Such honors Ilion to her hero paid, And peaceful slept the mighty Hector's 8hade.**i»
■ Id consequence of the death of Goyemor Tompkins in 1825, and of Mm. Tompkins a few years after, the claim of what was due him in 1824, slept until February 4, 1847, when Congrress voted its appropriation to the heirs of Daniel D. Tompkins. — Editor. See speech of the Hon. G. Rathbun.
b Some passages in the Hfe of Governor Tompkins, by Mr. John W. Edmonds. See Froceedings of N. Y. Hist Soc. 1844.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 123
' The Hon. Daniel D. Tompkins died at his residence Tomp- kinsTille, Stateu Island, June 11, 1825, aged fifty-one, and was buried in the vault of Mr. Minthorne, at St. Mark's Church, New York.* His wife was a daughter of Mangle Minthorne, Esq., of New York. His sons were Minthorne, Ray, Daniel, Clinton and Griffin Tompkins.
The Fox meadow estate in Scarsdale passed to the late Hon. Caleb Tompkins, the eldest brother of the Governor, and is now occupied by his son the present Jonathan G. Tompkins. The only surviving brother of the Governor is George Washington Tompkins, Esq., of While Plains.
The neighboring properly on the south formerly belonged to the Hon. Richard Morris for many years chief justice of the pro- vince of New York, from whom it passed to his son-in-law, the late Brigade Major William Pppham. The mansion erected in 1790, is a spacious wooden structure, and occupies a very se- cluded position in a picturesque hollow, surrounded by groves of locust trees. The Bronx enlivens the estate upon the west. Here is situated a valuable mill sent, once occupied by an exten- sive beaver dam. The calm solitude of this beautiful spot is inr creased by the overhanging woods and the low murmuring of the river over its stony bed. The graceful hemlock, fitly en- titled by Coleridge " the lady of the woods," appears to luxuri^ ant in this vicinity.
Directly opposite to the former residence of the Hon. Richard Morris, a tragical event took place during the Revolution. The circumstances are thus narrated. An officer belonging to Col, Armand's cavalry, went to the village of Eastchester on the Sun- day, to have his horse shod. Vincent, the blacksmith, as a mat- ter of conscience, refused to shoe the horse ; whereupon the ofr
« In the cemetery of this parish, around the church, (says Dr. Aothon in hit Historical Notices of St Mark's Churcli in the Bowery,) the govornors of three dif- ferent dynasties, Dutch, English and American, repose almost side by side. In the Stnyvesant vault, next to Governor Stnyvesant are the remains of the English governor. Colonel Henry Slonghter, who died in 1691. In the vault of Mr. Min^ thome, not far distant, the body of Daniel D. Tompkins, a former governor of the state of New York, was interred. Parish Aonals by Henry Anihon, D. P,
124 HISTORY OF THE
ficer becoming enraged, drew his sword and struck the unofiend« ing blacksmith to the ground. In revenge for this brutal assault, Elijah Vincent, a brother of ihe smith, concealed himself in the vicinity of the Morris house, and whilst the French officer was passing, on his return from Oearmore's expedition, shot him dead.
The Pophara family were originally from Popham; in the county of Hampshire, England, and spring from Gilbert Popham, of Popham, who in the year 1200 married Joan, daughter and heiress of Robert Clarke, a feoffee in trust for the manor of Pop- ham. They were greatly distinguished by the favor of the Empress Maud, A. D. 1140, and held high and honorable sta- tions in ihe reign of Henry the third. To Hampshire county they gave several sheriffs. «* Sixth in descent from Gilbert Pop- ham was Sir John Popham, knight of the Bath, lord chief justice of the Queen's Bench, purchaser of the Littlecot estate, Wiltshire, England; this individual died, A. D. 1607, and his remains re- pose under a magnificent tomb in the church of Wellington, sur- 5^^ rounded by a palisade of wood and iron ; on a tablet are the effigies of himself and Lady Popham. His only son was Sir Francis Popham, Knt., of Littlecot, Wilts. This gentleman, together with his son Alexander, became so obnoxious to King Charles the first, that he excepted them both out of the general pardon. John Popham, eldest son of Sir Francis, was for many years a gentleman of the household to King James the first. Upon the restoration of King Charles II., he removed to Ireland, and there purchased the Bandon estates, county of Cork. His only son he significantly named Icabod,^ (the glory is departed.) Icabod left one son, John, the father of James and grandfather of William Popham of Bandon, whose son was the late Major William Popham of Scarsdale. We are indebted to the New York Express, of September 27, 1847, for the following account of the late Major Popham. " He was born in the town of Ban-
« Robertos de Popham, 1227. Stephanas de Popham, cir. 1428. % The mother of Icabod is reported to have been a daughter of the celebrated Chief Justice Bradshaw.
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 125
don, Cork county, Ireland, on the 19th of September, 1732. He was brought to this country at the early age of nine years, and his parents having settled in the town of Newark, state of Dela- ware, it was in that place that he spent his youth, and where be received a finished education. It was his intention to enter upon the holy office of the ministry, but on the breaking out of the revolutionary war, he was fired with military zeal, and accepted a commission in the army, and immediately raised a company in defence of his country.
" His first engagement was at the battle of Long Island, where he greatly distinguished himself by taking prisoner the famous Capt. Ragg, with eighteen more of the enemy. He was then appointed a captain in the army, and having followed the Ame- rican arms to White Plains, he there again distinguished him- self as an accomplished soldier and brave man. As a captain he took part in the battle of Brandywine, and also acted as aid to Gen. Clinton in the northern division of the army, and was also the aid of Gen. Sullivan in his western expedition among the Indians.
*' After the war he resided a few years in the city of Albany in this state, where he entered upon the study of the law, and practised his profession. Subsequently to that time he came to New York, and practised his profession for a few years. In the year 1787 he purchased a farm in Westchester county, upon which he resided for many years, during the whole of which time he held the office of clerk of the court of exchequer. He held this office until it was abolished. In 1804, he again took up his abode in New York, where he remained until 1811, at- tending to his profession, and paying particular attention to the education of his children. He then returned to his farm, and lived there until the year 1836, when the death of his wife* oc- curred, and he then returned to New York and resided until his own death.
*^He was ever a remarkably religious man, and died at the age of ninety five, the peaceful and happy death of a firm Chris*
* Mra. Popham was a daaghter of the Hon. Richard Morria.
126 mSTORY OF THE
tian, and a member of the Episcopal church. He jpras not, as has been stated,-.ffQ]an of property, though he was always blessed with an abundan j%. He was a friend to the poor and needy, and derived much of his happiness by doing good. He was the friend and companion of Washington, and claimed as his inti- mates many of the most remarkable men of his day. He be- longed to the old school of American gentlemen, and in mind and body was distinguished for activity and sprightliness. He was an accomplished scholar, and in every particular a thorough- bred gentleman. His funeral took place on Sunday evening last, and Bishop de Lance y, an old and well tried friend of the de- parted, officiated on the occasion. The remains of the deceased were conveyed to White Plains, where, in the little church-yard of the village, they now repose in peace. He lived the life of a noble man, and died the death of a happy Christian — leaving be- hind him three children, two sons and one daughter."
Major Popham was President of the New York State Society of Cincinnati,^ and as the oldest member, President General of
* The folio wingr ^neral order was inaed by the New York State Society of the Cincionati, dated New York, Sept 27tb, 1847.
NEW YORK STATE SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI.
General Order.
New York, Sept. 27th, 1847. It has become the painful daty of the vice presi- dent to announce to the society the death of their venerable president, Major Wil- liam Popham, at the advanced age of 95 years. Major Popham was also President General of the General Society of the Cincinnati of the United States.
He was a native of Ireland, and came to this country previous to our Revolution, and was at its commencement, appointed a lieutenant in the army, and at the bat- tle of Long Island with a detachment of troops under his command, captured and brought to head quarters in this city, a British guard with its commanding officer, and was highly complimented by General Washington on the occasion ; he was afterwards appointed an aide-de-camp to General James Clinton, and subsequently to Baron Steuben, by whom he was much beloved ; he continued in the service till the termination of the war, was a brave and accomplished officer, and a gentleman of considerable legal and literary acquirements. He held for a long time an im- portant civil office connected with our courts of justice. He always sustained the character of the most exemplary punctuality in the execution of his official duties.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 127
«
the Genen4 Society of Cincinnati of the United States, an office first held by General Washington. As presidMl general he had in his possession the golden eagle of the ordikr, most splendidly set in diamonds. It bears the following inscription : <* Presented in the name of the French sailors, to his Excellency the General Washington." This precious relic of the society, goes to his successor in the office.^
Immediately north of the Popham residence, is situated the estate of the Yarian family. The late Col. Jonathan Varian who greatly distinguished himself in the last war with Great Britain, was the eldest son of Michael Yarian, who occupied the homestead in 1775. Michael as well as his brothers Richard and Isaac, took an active part in their country's service, during the revolutionary war. Of this family was Isaac Yarian former Mayor of the city of New York.
In the northwestern corner of the town, lies Morningvillei two miles south of White Plains. Here is a railroad station, and the Bronx Powder Manufactory, of the Messrs. E. F. Haubold and Company. There are now in operation four grinding mills, a dyeing house, saltpetre magazine, two coul houses, store house and car house, besides a spacious stone dwelling.
Near the centre of the town, upon what is called the Angevine farm, stands the former residence of Fenimore Cooper, Esq. The house is in the French chateau style, and will excite atten-
In private life he wu respected and beloved by all who knew him ; his mental faculties were retained with gre^i vigor notil the last moment of his life, and died as a Christian soldier, with the confident hope, that his piety and faithfulness, would entitle him to the reward in the life to come, promised to those who con- tinue faithful to the end.
•' Sweet sleep the brave who sink to rest, With all their country's honor blest."
The members of the society are requested to wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days. By order,
GiH. Anthony Lamb, Vice Pres't
Edward P. Marckxxjn, Sec*y*
a Major Popham was the third person who has held that office since its institution
in 1763.
128 HISTORY OF THE
tJon from its commanding position. There is an extensive view from the south front of the sound and surrounding* country.
In this vicinity formerly resided Captain De Kay, the father of James E. De Kay, M. D., one of the geological commissioners of the state.
On the south eastern side of Scarsdale, is situated the duaker meeting house. Upon the site of the oldest building stood a much older structure, erected prior to the Revolution.^
•
The first Independent election for officers of the manor of Scarsdale, took pkee on the 22nd of Dec. 1783. In parsnance of an act of the legislatnre passed Oct. 23d, 1779, entitled " an act to provide for the temporal govern- ment of the southern part of this state, irhenever the enemy shall abandon or be dispossessed of the same, and until the legislature can be convened,** &c,
"The town met on the aforesaid day, at the house of Jonathan Griffin, near the usual place of holding said meetings ; then and there the inhabitants pro- ceeded to choose town officers by a majority of votes.
Jonathan Tompkins, Supervisor.
Benjamin Cornel], C)erk.
Stephen Cornell, > . Thomas Cornell, J A»»essors.
Israel Herriott, Constable and Collector.
Ferris Cornell, Founder.
Thomas' C^?I^^^^ \ ^®°®® *°^ Sewage Viewers.
At a town meeting held in the manor of Scarsdale, at the school house in said manor, near Capt. Jonathan Griffin^s, on the 6ih of April, 1784, and in the 8th year of the independency of America, according to an act of assembly made in that case for each town, manor, province and district, to choose all necessary town officers for the benefit of the towns, for the ensuing year.
Jonathan Tompkins, ^
John Barker, > Inspectors of said meeting.
Israel Herriott, }
Jonathan G. Tompkins, Supervisor.
Benjamin Cornell, Clerk.
» The first Friends' meeting house erected in this vicinity, stood near the Palme burying in Mamaroneck.
COUNTV of WESTCHESTER. 129
Israel Herriott, Constable and Collector.
John Barker, ^
John Coropton, > Assessors.
Stephen Cornell, J
^^ire?Hi"^r' ( ^^«^^®" of highways. Thomw i Fence and damage Overseera.
Samuel Higher, Pounder.
Vol. IL IT
130 HISTORY OF THE
SOMERS/
SoMERs is situated twenty miles north of the village of White Plains, distant fifty miles from Mew York, and one hundred and twenty from Albany, bounded north by Dutchess county, east by North Salem and Lewisborough, south by Bedford and New Castle, and west by Yorktown.
Prior to the year 1788 Somers formed a part of the township o( Hanover, within Cortlandt's manor. Upon the 7th of March, 1788, it was independently organized under the title of Stephen- town, a name adopted out of compliment to Stephen van Cort- landt, one of its principal proprietors. The present name was bestowed, A. D. 1808, in honor, it is said, of Captain Somers, one of the gallant heroes of the Tripolitan war. This individual terminated a short but brilliant career in the bay of TripolL
The name of Somers, (says Mr. Silliman,) the twin brother in arms of Decatur, shines brightly in the history of American warfare; and the last desperate action which terminated his short and brilliant career with his life, is stamped in colors so in- delible, that nothing but the destroying finger of time can efi!ace it from its pages. After a severe and continued fighting before Tripoli, the Turkish flotilla withdrew within the mole, and could not be induced to venture themselves beyond the guns of the Tripolitan battery. The ketch Intrepid was fitted out as a fire-ship, filled to the decks with barrels of gunpowder, shells, pitch, and other combustible materials ; and Capt. Somers, with a volunteer crew, undertook the hazardous, almost desperate, task of navigating her in the darkness of the night into the middle of the Turkish flotilla, when the train was to be fired and they were to make their escape as they best could in her boats. Lieutenants Wadsworth and Israel were the only ofllcers allowed to join the expedition, which was composed of a small
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 131
crew of picked men. The Intrepid was escorted as Tar as pru« dent by three vessels of the squadron, who hove to, to avoid suspicion, and to be ready to pick up the boats upon their return ; the Constitution under easy sail in the ofSng.
Many a brave heart could almost hear its own pulsations in those vessels, as she bec^raie more and more indistinct and era- dually disappeared in the distance. They watched for some time with intense anxiety, when a heavy cannonade was opened from the Turkish batteries, which, by its flashes, discovered the ketch determinedly progressing on her deadly errand. She was slowly and surely making for the entrance of the mole, when the whole atmosphere suddenly blazed as if into open day. The mast with all its sails shot high up in the air; shells whizzed, rocket-like, exploding in every direction ; a deafening roar fol- lowed, and all sunk again into the deepest pitchy darkness. The Americans waited — waited — in anxious — at last sickening suspense. Their companions came not — the hours rolled on — no boat hailed — no oar splashed in the surrounding darkness. The east grew gray with the dawn — the sun shone brightly above the horizon, nought but a few shattered vessels lying near the shore — the flotilla — the batteries-rand the minarets of Tripoli gilded by the morning sunbeams, met their gaze. Those noble spirits had written their history. Whether consigned to eternity by a shot of the enemy, prematurely exploding the magazine, or from the firing of the train by their own hands, must always re- main untold and unknown."^
The U. S. brig Somers, lost in a gale oflf Vera Cruz, January, 1847, was also named after this young hero.
Under the Mohegan Indians, Somerstown formed an appen- dage to the great terrhory of Aniaghpogh or AtnmawcUk, In 1699 a deed for this tract was executed by Sachima Wicker, the chief of the Kightawonck tribe, (within whose limits Amagh pogh was comprehended,) to Stephanus van Cortlandt.
The principal Indian settlement appears to have stood upon
« Silliman*8 Gallop among American Scenery.
132 HISTOBY OP THE
the summit of a rocky ridge bordering the Croton 'ri^er, on the lands of Gerard Crnne, Esq. Indian lodges also occupied the higher grounds and adorned the romantic banks of the numerous streams iutersecting this town. In the woods of Ray Tompkins, Esq., situated upon the east side of Angle Ply brook, are yet visible the remains of Indian habitations. The Indian burying ground lies near Wood's bridge, at the junction of Plum brook and Croton river. This beautiful portion of Westchester county, 80 highly diversified with hills and dales was once covered with extensive forests, abounding with every species of wild game* Deer were numerous here as late as 1780, and wolves, though rare, were not extinct at that period. The Indians, for the better purpose of hunting the large herds of deer that roamed through these forests, annually burnt the higher grounds. ^'This prac- tice (says Vanderdonck,) is named by us and the Indians, ^bush' burnin^j^ which is done for several reasons; first, to render hunting easier, as the bush and vegetable growth renders the walking difficult for the hunter, and the crackling of the dry substances betrays him and frightens away the game. Secondly, to thin out and clear the woods of all dead substances and grass, which grow better the ensuing spring. Thirdly, to circumscribe and enclose the game within the lines of the fire, when it is more easily taken, and also because the game is more easily tracked over the burned parts of the woods. The bush burning presents a grand and sublime appearance. On seeing it from without, we would imagine that not only the dry leaves, vegetables and limbs would be burnt, but that the whole woods would be con- sumed where the fire passes, for it frequently spreads and rages with such violence, that it is awful to behold," &c.» The last burning remembered by the oldest inhabitant took place on the high ridge cast of Primrose street.
By the royal patent to Stephanus van Cortlandt in 1697, it will be seen that he enjoyed the sole right of hunting deer with- in the forests of Cortlandt, a privilege usually conceded to the Ranger of the county. *>
« N. Y. Hist Collect. 2d teries, rol. i. k S«e Cortlandt town, vol. i. 46.
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER.
The deep seclusion of the woods bordering Plumb brook af- forded an agreeable haunt to the bearer, and here these industri- ous animals had constructed an extensive dam which long sur- vived their existence.
Upon the partition of the manor of Cortlandt among the heirs of the Hon. Stephanus van Cortlandt in the year 1734, the fol- lowing allotments were made in this town ; north lot, No. 5, Mrs. Margaret Bayard ; ditto No. 6, Philip van Cortlandt ; ditto, No. 7, Andrew Johnston ; part of north lot No. 8, Mr. Miller; south lot, No. 5, Stephen de Lancey ; ditto No. 6, Stephen van Cort- landt; ditto half of lot No. 7, Stephen van Cortlandt; part of south lot No. 9, Mrs. Susannah Wurren ; ditto. No. 10, Stephen de Lancey ; this lot has since been annexed to the town of New Castle by an act of the legislature, passed in 1846. Subsequent to the above division, we find the heirs of Stephanus van Cort- landt disposing of their respective rights in the same. On the 4ih of June, 1760, Samuel Bayard granted to Hachaliah Brown, gentleman, of the town of Rye, "all that tract of land being in the northernmost part of the manor of Cortlandt, bounded north by the dividing line of Dutchess and Westchester, to the line of Philips's upper patent, west by lot of Andrew JohnstoUj south by bounds of Samuel Brown and east by Croton river."
In the year 1763, Andrew Johnston conveyed to Hachaliah Brown, " all that lot of land, situate, lying and being in lot No* 6, east range, and being part of north lot No. 7, at Plum brook^ consisting of two hundred and thirty acres.^
It appears that Andrew Johnston did also in his lifetime, by a certain indenture bearing date, 20ih March, 1762, lease to John Hampstead a certain lot of land, lying and being at Plum brook, in the manor of Cortlandt, known by the name of farm No. 4, west range, and is part of great lot No. 7. Tlie same was again
» Co. Rec. Lib. I. 61. Upon the 17th of June,, 1760, Hachaliah Brown of Rfo. conveyed the same to hit eldest son, Hachaliah Brown, Jun. The property is still ▼ested in their descendants.
» Co. Ree. Lib. L 66.
134 HISTORY OP THE
leased to John Hampstead by the heirs of Andrew Johnston, 24th of June, 1772.
John Hampstead the above lessee was one of the first settlers of this town. From his tomb-stone in the Union burying ground^ we learn that he departed this life the 26th of April, 1801, at the advanced age of 107 years, 6 months and 21 days.
How few can reach those years of time,
Whicd here are numbered to our view, Since death calls most while in their prime.
And leaves behind so aged few.
Upon the 3d of Dec. 1772, the devisees of Andrew Johnston conveyed to Lewis Riiley, farm No. 9, in west range of great north lot No. 7,^ In the year 1775, the executors and heirs of Andrew Johnston deceased, conveyed to Abraham Theale, cer- tain lands situate on Plum brook.
A. D. 1793. John Johnston, executor of Andrew Johnston, conveyed to Benjamin Green of Stephentown, a farm in the north east corner of lot No. 4, west range, being part of Andrew John- ston's great north lot No. 7.
These sales clearly show that the great lots were again sub- divided by the devisees of Stephanus van Cortlandt. Many of the descendants of the above mentioned grantees still occupy the patrimonial estates in fee simple.
The oldest record relating to town officers occurs in a small manuscript volume, entitled as follows :
" Book of the records of the proceedings from the first town meeting of the people of Stephentown, being the year of our Lord, one thousand, seven hundred and eighty-eight, whereof William Horton, Esq. was chosen town clerk.
The first Tuesday in April, in the year above written, the people of Stephentown met at the house of Benjamin Green, for choosing town officers and oth^ necessary business of the town for the year ensuing.
Hachaliah Brown, supervisor.
■ Co. Rec. Lib. I. 179.
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 136
assessors.
William Horton, Esq., town clerk*
Obadiah Fttttf^ Nathaniel Wright, Herman Hilliker, Samuel Green,
John StedwelK > r ,
Jacob Lent, } orerseers of ihe poor.
Benjamin Green, constable and collector."
1
The village of Somers is pleasantly situated on a beautiful plain almost surrounded by romantic hills, the top of which are clothed with a profusion of green verdure. The air of this de- lightful region is said to be uncommonly mild and salubrious. To the south of the village lies the delightful vale of Plum brook, through which passes the road to Pine's bridge. On the north-east Prospect hill rises in a grand and picturesque manner. The village of Somers PlaiUj ccmmonly so called, " is the prin- cipal market of lean stock of cattle and sheep, brought hither from variotis and distant parts of the country to supply the wants occasioned by the sales of fattened cattle and sheep to the butch- ers of New York. The farmers of this county carry on an ex- tensive traffic in this way, and droves are annually and almost constantly arriving from the inland regions, some from 100, 200, and 300 miles, to replace the consumption."^ It is computed that over 5000 head of horned stock are annually fatted in this district alone.
A bank has been for many years established in this village, under the name of " the Farmers and Drovers Bank of So- mers.^^ This institution was first organized under the general banking law of 1839, with a capital of $111,000. First presi- dent, Horace Bailey, Esq. It deserves notice that the money of the Farmers and Drovers Bank has always been redeemable at par. The present board of directors, consist of
> New York Gajtettef r.
136 HISTORY or THE
Horace Bailey, Esq. Lewis Doaney
Tjeonard D. Clift, Epenetus Howe, Edwin Crosby, Stephen Brown,
John Titus, Charles Wright,
Gerard Crane, .Daniel Kent, Thaddeus Crane, Lewis Brown,
Solomon Bailey.
OFFICERS.
Horace Bailey, Esq., President. Egbert Howland, Cashier.
Near the centre of the village, and directly opposite the junc- tion of the Pines bridge and Peekskill turnpike road, stands the Elephant Hotels a very commodious and handsome brick edi- fice, under the superintendence of Horace Bailey, Esq.
The large zoological exhibitions which annually visit this state, originated in Somerstown, through the enterprise of Hacha- liah Bailey, who imported about 1816, the celebrate^ elephant • « Old Bet,'^ the first ever brought to the United States. Other im- portations of animals quickly followed, but subsequently the smal- ler companies became absorbed into one grand travelling mena- gerie. The present propiietors are Messrs. Thaddeus and Ge- rard Crane. These gentlemen are associated with the great lion- tamer. Van Amburgh, and in the adjoining town of North Salem, with Lewis Tit is imd John June.
The Episcopal Church of St. Luke, occupies a fine situation, on the Plain^ at no great distance from the hotel. It is a very handsome edifice of wood, in the Grecian style, with a stone basement beneath. The front presents a lofty portico, supported by Ionic columns ; the roof is surmounted with a low tower.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
Previous to ihe erection of ihis church in 1842, Episcopal ser- vices were occasionally performed in the town, by the neighbor- ing clergy. They were held usnally in an edifice erected by the liberality of persona belonging to the various religious socie- ties and others, possessing no denominational connection, under the name of the Union Meeting House. Here the church- men of'this section of country were favored with the occa- sional ministrations of the Rev. R. C. Moore, the late pious and beloved Bishop of Virginia, and many other respectable and laborious clei^ymen. As early as 1808, we find the Rev. Evan Rogers officiating here. Before the 26th of January, in the year 1835, the present parish was organized under the rectorship of the Rer. Alexander Fraser, and about this lime, arrangements vere made for disposing of the interest which the Episcopal party held in Ihe Union meeting house and parsonage, and build- ing a church for themselves. This was quickly effected through the active and zealous exertions of the vestry, to whose liberali- ty together with that of several other individuals of the neigh- borhood, friendly to the undertaking, the parish is indebted for its present commodious and beautiful church.
This building was consecrated to the service of Almighty God, on the 19ih of January, A. D. 1S42, by the Right Rev.
ToL. II. 18
138 HISTORY OF THE
Bcnj. Tredwell Onderdonk. It had been previously incorpo- rated upon the 28lh Feb., 1835.
Isaac Purdy, and Frederick J. Coffin, church wardens, Thaddcus Barlow, Aaron Brown, William Marshall, Gerard Crane, Edwin Finch, Charles Wright, William Clock and ftay Tompkins, ves- trymen.*
LIST OF RECTORS.
Instituted or called. Incumbents. Vacated by
A. D. 19^, Rev. Alexander Fraser, Presb. xesig.
A. D. 1842, Rev. David H. Short, Presb. do.
A. D. 1844, Rev. Samuel Chalmess Davis, Presb. do.
A. D. 1846, Rev. Alfred H. Partridge, present incumbent.
Kotitia Parochialis.
1843, Communicants^ 14. Baptisms, 1.
1844, do. 22. da 12.
The Presbyterian church is very pleasantly situated on the north side of the main street, near the foot of Prospect Hill.
Its front presents a neat portico of the Doric order. The Presbyterian society was first incorporated on the 10th of Janu- ary, 1811, under the name of the " Union Presbyterian Church of Somerstown," Darius Crosby, Lewis Brown, Amaziah Mead, Joseph Owen, jr., James Bailey and Ebenezer White, jr., triis- tees.i> 111 the year 1832, a mutual division took place, which led to the erection of the Presbyterian Church at Croton falls, whose pastor is the Rev. Joseph Nimmo. The present church edifice was erected, A. D. 1799.
CATALOGUE OF PASTORS AND SUPPLIES.
Instal or call. Pastor or Supply. vacated by
A. D. 1801, Rev. John McNiece, resignation
A. D. 1805, Rev. Mr. Perkins, ditto.
• Co. Ree. ReligioiM Soc, Lib. B. 33. b Ibid. Lib. A. 45.
A. D. 1825, A. D. 1826,
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 139
A. D. 1823, Rev. Sylvanus Haight, resi^.
A. D. 1824, Rev. Abraham Purely, by death.
A. D. 1827, Rev. Ezra Day, resignation.
A. D. 1831, Rev. Griffith R. Griffith, ditto.
A. D. 1834, Rev. Henry Benedict, ditto.
A. D. 1835, Rev. Alexander Leadbither, ditto.
A. D. 1845, Rev. George Menelaus, present pastor.
Chnrch Memoranda.
1846, Communicants, 25, Baptisms, 1.
The first Methodist Episcopal society in this town, was in* corporated on the 10th of May, 1794, Joseph Hadden, Thomas Bailey, John Stedwell, Abraham Golding, Samuel Wilson, Jup., and Benjamin Huestis, trustees.* A second incorporation of the Methodist Episcopal church, occurs upon the 20th of De^ cember, 1808.^ The incorporation of the Methodist brick church, took place on the 20lh of Sept. 1836. This building is still standing on the Mahopack road, a littlo northeast of the village.
In the rear of the Presbyterian church is situated the Union burying ground. Here are memorials to' the Browns, Owensy Wrights, Crosbys, Cranes, Finchs, Baileys, Turks and Whites, Sec. &c. The oldest interment appears to be a member of the Roof family, 1770. A plain head-stone bears the following in* scription :
Sacred to the memory
of
James Bailey, who died Nov. 13th, 1826,
aged 79 years 1 mo. and 16 days,
O ! death thy ensigns here display.
• Co. Rec. Religiotti Sac Lib. A. 45. J> Ibid.
140 HISTORY OF THE
Another mortal snatched away. From life, from friends, from every tie That binds to earth, yet called to die. Such is our lot, like him here laid. ' We must be numbered with the dead, And yield our life a transient day, To mingle with our mother clay.
In this yard lie also the remains of Mary, wife of Luther Kin- nicut,* who departed this life Nov. 13th, 1811, aged 66 years.
In the immediate vicinity of the village, are situated the farms and residences of Gerard Crane, Edward Finch, Charles Wright,** Thaddeus Crane, Caleb Green, Robert Halleck, John Titus^ and others.
A charming valley opens to the east of the plains through which flows the Croton. Rapidity seems to be the principal characteristic of this fine stream, its Indian name Kitcha- wan, denoting the general swiftness qf its current. South of Dean^s bridge^ the banks are highly diversified with romantic and picturesque scenery ; below Dean's bridge are Golding's, Woods' and the Muscoota bridges.
The village of Croion Fallsj formerly Owenville, occupies the northeast comer of Somers, bordering on the south line of Put- nam county. At this place, the Croton river ^'afibrds hydraulic power to a great extent, but little of which is as yet occupied for manufacturing purposes." The stream is said to average three hundred horse power. Here are located a Presbyterian church, a paper mill, a saw and grist mill, a clothier's works, a post ofiicei two stores and several dwellings, besides a rail road depot for the accommodation of travellers, and for merchandise. There is also a convenient hotel under the management of Messrs. Smith
» Luther Kinnicut served in the capacity of a spy to General Washington during the ReTolntion, see page 12.
b Mr. Wright occupies tlie estate formerly owned by James Bailey.
• This gentleman is the son of John Titus, and great grandson of Samuel Titus, whose father, Edmund, was bom in England, in 1630, and came from Mas- mchusetts to Long Island, in 1G50. SeeThompson*s Long Island, toI. ii. 54.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 141
and Mead. Stages during the summer months, leave this place daily for Lake Mahopack,* a distance of five miles. Nearly oppo- site the depot, the two main branches of the Croton river unite. The Presbyterian Society was first organized here, in 1833i under the pastoral charge of the Rev. Joseph Nimmo. A neat and commodious church edifice has been recently erected, to which is attached a small parsonage and grave yard.i>
Church Memoranda. 1847, Communicants, 26, Baptisms, 2.
Bordering the Croton river, are the estates and residences of Mr. Silas Finch, Mr. Edwin Crosby and Thomas R. Lee, Esq. The latter gentleman represented (in 1842) this county in assem- bly.
Within a short distance of the village, is situated the property of the late Lewis Brown, Esq., whose grandfather, Hachaliah Brown of Rye, purchased these lands under the heirs of Ste- phanus van Cortland t, in 1760. His son Elbert, at present, re- sides on the estate.
West Somers, as its name imports, is situated to the west of Somerstown Plains. It is a scattered hamlet, containing a store, a post office, and a commodious hotel belonging to the Messrs. Charles and William Teed.
The neighborhood of West Somers is exceedingly beautiful, commanding a rich view of the Plains and Plum Brook val- ley.
To the west of this place lies the valley of the Muscoota, through which meanders the Muscoota river. The margins of this lovely stream are adorned in many places with thick wood- land and bold hills, which constrain it into an endless variety of windings, at every turn, presenting new features. South of
• '' Lake Mahopack-is a beautifa] sheet of water, lying in the town of Cannel, Patnam Co. ; it is about one mile in diameter, in which are embosomed two or three small islands. The waters abound with Tarious kinds of fish of fine flavor, which are taken in great quantities." Disturnell's Gazetteer of N. Y. Lake Ma- hopack is situated 150 feet aboTe Croton falls — Editor.
b This church is at present connected with the Bedford Pkiesbyterjr.
142 HISTORY OF THE
Bedell's mill pond its waters form a succession of rapids, which enter the Croton a little below Woodsbridge,*'near the junction of Cross and Croton rivers. The running supply of the Mus- coota is said to be at a fair calculation 3,628,800 gallons per diem.
Upon this stream are placed (he grist and saw mill of W. S. Tompkins, the cloth dressing establishment of Reuben C. Yar- nall, the grist, saw and fulling mill of Munson Perry, and the grist and saw mill of Isaac Bedle.
On the Mili Brooke a branch of the Muscoota, are situated the paper mills of William Wallace and Abraham H. Miller.
Angle Fly Brook, a celebrated trout stream, which rises on the lands of Mr. Tompkins, is a tributary of the Muscoota river.
On the east side of Primrose street are situated the residences of Samuel Teed, William Marshall and Ray Tompkins, Esqs. The latter individual is the second son of the Hon. Daniel D. Tompkins. In his possession is an excellent portrait of the Governor by Waldo and Jewett.
Mount Zion Methodist Episcopal Church in Primrose street was erected, cir. 1794, and appears to have been incorporated on the 20th May, 1828. Henry Clift, Aaron Brown, James Phil- lips, Samuel S. Ferguson and Samuel Pedwick trustees.
In the grave yard are interred the remains of
Margaret,
wife of
Enoch Crosby, Esq.,
formerly the wife of
Colonel Benjamin Green, deceased.
Died March 22, 1825,
Aged 64 years, 3 months,
and 20 days.
The above mentoned lady was the second wife of the well- known " Westchester Spy." By her side is a plain marble mo- nument inscribed,
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. IC
In
Memory of
ColI Benjamin GreeNi
who died
October 6, 1812,
Aged 56 years and 2 months.
Upon Plum Brook are situated the saw mills of Messrs. Sylvanus Kniffen and Jacob Ruxer, also the saw and grist mill of Robert Halleck. This stream has its source in the northern part of the town, and running through the town, passes into the Croton at Woodsbridge. There are few historical notices of im- portance in connection with Somers, except that during the Re- volution, -General Washington lay encamped for sometime on the high hills east of the village, in the vicinity of Mr. Reuben Wright's house.
<^ The surface of Somers is uneven in part, with some exten- sive plains ; soil, various, but mostly well adapted to grass and grain."* '* The farms are large, and the inhabitants industrious and wealthy. The growth of wood is similar to that in the neighboring towns." The high lands in the north-eastern part of the town are said to abound with iron ore of good quality.
• See Diitaniell's GazeUeer of N. Y.
HISTORY OF THE
WESTCHESTER.
The township of - Westchester* is siliia- ted sixteen miles south of the village of White Plains, distant twelve miles from New York, | and one hundred and fifty from Albany; bounded on the north by Eastchester, east by the Eastchester bay or Long Island Sound, south by the East River, and west by the Bronx. " Its form is defined by waters on three sides, and of course irregular, but its medial extent north and south may be four miles, and east and west about two and a half; with an area of nearly ten square miles."'' Prior to 1846
flt. FfMr*i Chweh,
• Tbie name ■ probably derived rroin tlie citj of the Same title in ChMhirs, Eng- Und. " Not for from tba moulh of the Dee in CLmhire, (nji Camden,) atanda that noble city, which Plolemy calls Deunana and ADtDninua, Deva, from the river ; the Britoua Caer-Legion, Jic, and by way of pre-emiaeoce Caer; as oui ancetton the Saxona called it Legeacerca, rrom Ihe legion there, end we more eonttactlj Wflchtiter from ite wealerly litaalion, and aimpty Ckttltr according to that
Ceitria do Caatria nomen qnaii Caitria BampaiL Cbeater from Caater (or the camp) wai named. A more appropriale aiune could not have been lelected, aa It WW •Itnated WMt of the Mew EDglaad lettlemeDta.
k Spifbrd'a Gazetteer. ^
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 145
this town embraced West Farms, and the manors of Morrisania and Fordham.
Like the adjoining lands, Westchester was originally purchased by the Dutch West India Company, of the Mohegan sachems and other Indians, who claimed it in 1610.^
Upon the 14th of November, 1654, Thomas Pell of Fairfield, Connecticut, obtained a second grant from the aboriginal propri- etors, which also embraced the present town. Thirty years later we find the sachems Maminepoe and Wampage conveying to the inhabitants of Westchester '* all that tract of land lying on the east side of Bronckses river."
The principal Indian settlements in this town, were located upon Castle Hill neck and about Bear swamp.^ The former is said to have been the site of an Indian castle. On the south-east side of Spicer's neck is situated " Burying Point" their place of sepulture. The extensive ^^ shell banks?^ on the shores of the East river, afford evidence that the aboriginal population must at one time have been very considerable.
Westchester " was probably first settled in 1 642, by a Mr. John Throckmorton and thirty-five associates, who came from New England, with the approbation of the Dutch authorities."*^ By the Dutch it was denominated " Vredeland^" or the " Land of Peace," "a meet appellation (says the historian of the New Netherlands,) for the spot selected as a place of refuge by those who were br^ised and broken down by religious persecution."^'
In reply to John Throckmorton's petition, soliciting permission to settle down within the limits of the New Netherlands, is the following license, dated 2d October, 1642.
** Whereas Mr. Throckmorton, with his asAociates, solicits to settle with thirty five families within the limits of the jurisdiction of their High Mighti-
• Alb. Rec. Tol. ii. 147.
b The aborigines maintained poesesnon here as late as 1789. The site of their wigwams is now owned by Mr. Jesse Ryer. In this Ticinity is a small ezcaTation cat out of a granite rock, (in the form of a mortar,) used by the Indians in pound- ing their com.
• Hist. Collections of N. Y. by John Barber and Henry Howe. 4 0*CaUaghan's Hist N. N. 358.
Vol. 11. 19
146 HISTORY OF THE
nesses, to reside there in peace and enjoy the aame privilej^es as onr othir subjects, and be faYured with the free exercise of their religion ; having seen the petition of the aforesaid Throckmorton, and consulted with the interests of the Company, as this request can by no means be injurious to the country, more so as the English are to settle at a distance of three miles from us, so it is granted. Mr. Throckmorton, with thirty-five English families, are permitted to settle within three miles of Amsterdam.^**
Upon the 6th of July, 1643, the following " land briefs was granted to Jan Throckmorton, &c.
'* We, William KieA, director iifeneral, and the coancil, in behalf of their high mighty lords, the States General of the United Netherlands, his highness the Prince of Orange, and the noble lords, the managers of the General In- corporated West India Company in New Nethei lands residing, by these pre- sents, do publish and declare that we, on this day the date underwritten, have given and granted onto Jan Throckmorton a piece of land, (being a portion of Vredeland,) containing as follows, along the East river of New Netherlands, extending from the point half a mile, which piece of land aforesaid is sur- rounded on one side by a little river, and on the other side by a great hill, which river and hill on high water running, meet each other, surround the Miid land, as will more clearly appear by a map of the same which has been made and marked off by the surveyor, with the express conditions and terms that the said Jan Throckmorton, or they who by virtue of these presents shall succeed to his action, the noble lords, the managers aforesaid, shall acknow- ledge as their lords and patroons, under the sovereignty of the high and mighty lords, the States General, and unto their director and council here, shall in all things be confirmed as all good citizens are in duty bound ; provided also that the said Jan Throckmorton and his company (associates) shall fur- thermore be subject to all such burdens and imposts, as already have been enacted by the noble lords, and hereafter may yet be enacted. It is further- more made an express condition that the aforesaid Jan Throckmorton, ac- cording to promise, shall settle on the aforesaid lands as many families as may offer in the same manner, constituting over the said Throckmorton and his company, in our stead, in the real and actual possession of the aforesaid piece of land, lying on the East river aforesaid, giving them by these presents the full and irrevocable might, authority, and special permission the aforesaid par- cel of land to enter, cultivate, inhabit, and occupy, in like manner as he may lawfully do with other his patrimonial lands and effects, without our, the gran- tors in quality aforesaid, thereunto any longer having, reserving or saving any part, action, or control whatever, but to the behoof as aforesaid, from all as-
• Alb. Rec. firom 1638 to 1642.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 147
flisting from this time forth and forever, promising moreover this tntospoit firmly, invariably, and irrevocably to maintain, fulfil, and execute, and to d« all that in equity we are bound to do. Done in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherlands, this 0th day of July, 1643.
"WiLUAM KiKrr. " By order of the noble lords, the directors and coQocil of the New Netherlands.
" CoRNELis Tikhhoven, Secretary."*
This grant, subsequently called Throckmorton's neck, em- braced the eastern part of the present town. It was bounded oa the north by Eastchester neck, on the east by the Easlchester bay and Long Island sound, on the south by the East river, and on the west by the Westchester creek.
John Throckmorton, the patentee, originally emigrated from England to Nantaskett, Massachusetts, 5th February, 1631, in the ship Lyon; from this place he removed to Salem in 1639; he afterwards became a Baptist, and a resident of Rhode Island.^ From Rhode Island he fled to Vredeland that he might enjoy here (among the Dutch) the free exercise of his religious prin* ciples.
The Throckmorton family derive their name from Throcke- mertona, (Throckmorton) or the Rockmoor town, which is situ* ated in the vale of Evesham, Worcester county, England* Joha Throckmorton was lord of the manor of Throckmorton, about sixty years after the Norman conquest- The etymology of the name is either British or Saxon, which shows that they held this property before that period. Eighth in descent from John Throck- morton, lord of I'hrockmorton in 1130, was John ThrockmortoOi lord of Throckmorton^s neck, Vredeland, who left issue John Throckmorton. The patentee is now represented by the Throck- mortons of Middletown, New Jersey. Several members of the Throckmorton family appear to have fallen in the Indian massar ere which took place on the 6th of October, 1643.^ Upon the 29tb of April, 1652, John Throckmorton petitioned the director
> Alb. R«c. 6. 6. 98. Ibid. 173, 4. ^ Farmers* Register.
• See page 514. The war between the Dutch and the Indians of W^itchester continued throughoat 1644. Alb. Rec. toI zi. 56.
148 HISTORY OF THE
general for leave to transport Throckmorton's neck. In October following permission was granted, whereupon he conveyed the same to Augustine Hermans.*
On the 6th of December, 1656, Governor Stuyvesant ordered that Throckmorton's and Cornhili's neck (Clason's Point,) might come into .their jurisdiction if they please.^
Augustine Hermans, soon after his purchase, conveyed fifty morgen of land situated on Throckmorton's neck, to Thomas Hunt. In 1665 the town of Westchester asserted ** that she had always enjoyed Throckmorton's neck."c
The following abstract is taken from a cause in the court of assize, September, 1666, wherein Augustine Hermans was plain- tiff, for usurpation of rights ; and the inhabitants of ye town of Westchester, defendants.
Mr. Rider, ) Attorneys for ye — Sharpe, ) Plaintiff, &c.
*^They produce the patent to Throckmorton transported to Augaatina^. Hermans.
** A mappe of ye neck oC land is viewed.
" Thomas Hunt, sen., his deposition read, and Ids deed from Augastinas Hermans.
" A copy of an order is produced by the defendant, made by the Dutch g07- ernor, bearing date July Oih, 1657, wherein its exprest that Westchester shall have four English, or one Dutch mile square of land for the towne, which must be taken of this neck. There is also mention made on ye said order of a reservation of one hundred or fiOy morgen for Throckmorton^s and Corneirs neck, for a farme upon each.
Another order brought in by them, dated 1660, viz., that all persons shall remove from their out farmes, which were at a distance, and settle in townes.
Another writing, acknowledged before Mr. van Ruyven, of ye plaintiff's making over his interest in ye land in question to Thomas Hunt, sen.
The court adjudge in lieu of all ye plaintiff's pretences to Throckmorton's neck, hee shall only have fifty morgen of land thereupon, with meadow pro- per con able : thirty- four morgen whereof, with a due proporcon of meadow, being that which was heretofore sold by the plaintiff to Thomas Hunt, sen., who is in possession thereof. The other fifteen morgen at the sale reserved
» Rec. of Asiize, vol. ii. 59.
b Alb. Rec. Courts of Assize, vol. i. CO.
• Alb. Rec* Courts of Assize, vol. II. 60.
C0UN1*Y OF WESTCHESTER. 149
by the pltintiflf, and making up the complement of the fifty, is to be aett out opon the said neck, with its proporeon of meadow, by the gOTcrnor^s order, and not otherwise, saving the right which Mr.^ Spicer shall hereafter make appeare to have therein, and the remainder of Throckmorton's aeck is to bee at ye governor's disposall. It appearing not to this court that ye towne of Westchester hath any lawful pretence thereunto, the defendants are likewise to pay the charge of suite.'>
(JpoQ the 12th of September, 1666, a warrant was granted unto Mr. Augustine Hermans against the inhabitants of West- chester, by Governor Richard Nicolls.**
On the 7th January, 1667, Richard Nicolls granted to Roger Townsend " a certain parcel of land within the limits of West- chester, upon the maine, situate, lying, and being on ye back side of Throckmorton's neck, at ye south-east end thereof, com- monly called New Found Passage, containing fifteen acres, as also a small neck near thereto adjoining, commonly called Horse- neck, being about the same quantity of land, which is not in oc- cupation."
In 1669, thirty acres of land on Throckmorton's neck were granted to Mrs. Micah Spicer.^
Upon the 12th of January, 1686, SpicePs and Brockett's necks (commonly called the grove farm,) were confirmed by letters patent, under the great seal of the province, to Thomas Hunt, in the following manner.
GROVE FARM PATENT.
Thomas Dongan, Captain General, Governor in chief and Vice Admiral ia and over the Province of New York and territories depending thereon ia America, under his Majesty James the Second, by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, &c., &c., &c.. Defender of the Faith, &c., to all lo whom these presents shall come, sendeth greeting: Whereas Thomas Hnnt of the Westchester in the Co. of W. C. stands seized of an estate in fee simple, or one messuage or tenement, and a certaia
> Alb. Assize Rec. vol. 1. 129.
^ Alb. Assize Rec. vol. L 46.
* The Spicers and Brockets were doobtleai some of the associates of John Throok* morton. At a court or assizes held November 5th, 1669, Mrs. Mtoah Spicer sued for thirty acres of liihd on Throckmorton's neck. Assise Ree. 225,
150 HISTORY OF THE
tract or parcel of land afid meadow ground, lying, situate and being within ihe liinita or bounds of the town of Westchester aforesaid, on two certain necks of land called by the name and names of Spicer^s neck and Brnokcti^s neck, vh said messuage or tenement and parcel of land and premises is now called and distinguished and known by the name of the Grove Farm of Westcbes* ter, being bounded on the east by a certain cove or bay which runs up to the north part of Spicer^s neck, on the south by the Sound, on the west by the harbour and river that runs up to the sd town of Westchester, and on the north by a swamp and a certain creek wh runs into the sd river and divides the lands called Throgmortpn^s neck from Spicer^s neck aforesaid ; Know yte That by virtue of the commission and authority from his roost sacred Majesty and power in me being and residing, in consideration of the quit rent herein aAer reserved, and other good and lawful considerations me thereunto move- ing, I have given, granted, ratified and confirmed, and by these presents do give, grant, ratify and &o., &c., &c., confirmed unto the said Thomas Hunt, his heirs and assigns, for ever, all the before recited messuages or tenements and tract or parcel of land and premises with their and ev^ry of their appur- tenances together with all and singular houaes, out-houses, barns, stables, orchards, gardens, yards, lands, meadows, meadow grounds, marshes, pas- tures, fields, woods, wood lands, nndcr-woods, waters, lakes, creeks, coves, hunting, hawking, fishing and fowling, and all other proffits and comodiiy, easments, emoluments, hereditaments and appurtenances, to the above gran- ted messuage, lands and premises belonging or in any wise. &c., &c., apper- taining, as also liberty and the freedom of commonage for all sorts of cattle , cutting of timber and fire -wood in the commons and common wood lands of Westchester aforesaid, as other the inhabitants of the said town of Westches- ter do or may enjoy, to have and to hold the said messuage or tenement, tract or parcel of land and premises, with all and singular the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging or appertaining, and herein before granted and confirmed unto the said Thomas Hunt, his heirs and assigns for ever, un- to the sole and only proper use, benefit and behoof of him the said Thomas Hunt, his heirs, and assigns for ever ; and I the said Thomas Dtingan do fur- ther will, declare and grant to the said Thomas Hunt, his heirs and assigns, that the messuage lands and premises herein above granted and confirmed, shall and may at all time and times, &c., &c., hereafter for ever hold, use, retain and keep the name of the Grove Farm of W^estchester, and by that name, style, to be known, called and distinguished in all bargains, sales, es- cripts, deeds, records and writings ; the said messuage or teiiementst lands and premises to bee holden of his most sacred Majesty, his heirs and succes- sors, in free and common soccage, according to the tenure of East Green- wich, in the county of Kent, in his Majesty's kingdom of England, yielding, rendering and paying therefor yearly and every year unto his said most sacred Majesty, his heirs and successors, or to such officer or officers as shall from time to time be empowered to receive the same, vis. one bushell of good win-
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 151
fer wheat as a quit rent, on or before the five and twentieth day of March, at the city of New York, in lieu and stead of all services, dues and demands whatsoever. In testimony of the premises I have caused these presents to bp recorded in the secretary's office, and the seal of the Province to be hereunto affixed, the &c., &c., &c., twelfth day of January, in the second year of his Majesty's reign, and in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred eighty and six.*
Thomas Dongan.^ By his Majesty's command.
G. S. Swinton.
In 1688, William Barnes and Martha his wife conveyed lands on ThrockiTiorton's neck, (situate near those of Robert Huestis) to Thomas Bedient.^
Thomas Hunt, senr., by his will bearing date 1694, "be- queathed to his grandson Josiah Hunt, eldest son of my son Jo- siah Hunt, " the Grove Farm, to him and his heirs male, which was patented to me by Governor Nicolls Ath Decetnier^ 1667, and further entails the same to the said Josiah and his heirs male lawfully begotten from generation to generation."
The Grove Farm is now owned by the Ferrises, into which family it passed by the marriage of John Ferris with Hannah Hunt.
At an early period James Rivington (the celebrated printer and bookseller of New Vork^) held considerable properly on Throck- morton's neck. The successors of the Rivingtons were the Bay- ards,, a family of considerable opulence and distinction. Samuel Vetch Bayard ** served under the Crown of England, and was a distinguished military officer. He died in Wilmot, Nova Scotia, A. D. Ib32, aged seventy-five." Bayard purchased of Rivington the properly now owned by Daniel Edgar, Esq.
* From the origioal in the ponession of Mr. Charlton Ferris.
b Co. R«c. Lib. A. 2.50.
c Rivington " was possessed of 6Qe talents, polite mauners, and was well inftnn- ed. Tbn is apparent from the correspondence of several of the leaders on the po- pular side, as well as from what has been here said, that his tact and ability in eon- duntiug a newspaper was mach feared, and that his press had more influence over the public mind than any other in the royal interest in the country. Rivington died in 1602, «t 78." Bee Sabine's American Loyalists.
162 HISTORY OP THE
The grandsons of Colonel Samuel Vetch Bayard (who still re* side in the vicinity) are William Bayard, M. D., of West FarroSj and Mr. Edward Cooper of Throckmorton's neck.
A portion of Col. Bayard's estate was subsequently purchased by his brother William Bayard. The whole property is now divided among numerous individuals.
The second grantee under the Dutch, (in this town) was Thomas Cornhill or Cornell, who obtained the following ^'grond brief," or grant in 1646.
"We William Kief\, Director General, and the Council on the behalf of the High and Mighty Lords, the States General of the United Netherlands, the Prince of Orange and the noble Lords, the Managers of the incorporated West India Companj in New Netherlands residing, by these presents do publish and declare that we, on this day the date underwritten, have given and granted unto Thomas Cornell a certain piece of land lying on the East River, begin- oing from the kill of Bronck^s land east south east along the river, extending about half a Dutch mile from the river till to a little creek over the valley (marsh) which runs back around this land ; with the express condition and terms that the said Thomas Cornell, or they who to his action hereafter may succeed, the noble Lords the Managers aforesaid, shall acknowledge as their Lords and Patroons under the sovereignty of the High and Mighty Lords the States General, and unto their Director and Council here shall in all things be confirmed as all good citizens are in duty bound, provided also that he shall be furthermore subject to all such burdens and imposts as by their noble Lords already have been enacted, or such as hereafter may yet be enacted, consti- tuting over the same the aforesaid Thomas Cornell in our stead in the real and actual possession of the aforesaid piece of land, giving him by these pre- sents the full might, authority, and special license, the aforesaid piece to en- ter, cultivate, inhabit and occupy in like manner as be may lawfully do with other his patrimonial lands and effects, without our the grantors in the quality as aforesaid thereunto any longer having, reserving or saving any part, action or control whatever, but to the behoof as aforesaid for all destiny, for this time and for ever more, promising furthermore this their transport firmly, ia- Tiolahly and irrevocably to maintain, fulfil and execute, and furthermore to do all that in equity we are bound to do without fraud or deceit, these presents only as undersigned and confirmed with our seal of red wax here underneath suspended.
Done in the Fort Amsterdam in New Netherlands, this 26th of July, 1645, midersigned,
William Kiirr.
••*
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 153
By order of the noble Lords, the Director General and the Council of New Netherlands.
CoRRELXs VAN TiENHOTEN, Secretary, •^
Upon the death of Thomas Cornell, the neck became vested in his widow who conveyed the same to her eldest daughter, Sarah, the wife of Charles Bridges.
In the book of general entries at Albany, occurs the following order addressed to the schoiU, biirgomeestcrs, and schepens of New York :
<* Upon the complaint of Charles Bridges and Sarah his wife against William Newman and Thomas Seneqviam, an Indian, now in custody, you are hereby required to summon a court to meet to-morrow, to examine, hear and determine the matters in controversie between the said partyes, and to proceed therein according to equity and good conscience. Given under my hand at Fort James, in New York, the 24th of March, 1661.''b
Richard Nicolls.
The cause appears to have been decided in favor of Mr. Bridges and his wife, for on the 27th day of March, 1665, the constable of Westchester was required (by the Gpvemor) " to de- liver unto Mr. Bridges and his wife, or their assignees, the goods that lye attached in your hands as of right belonging to them, for doing whereof this shall be your warrant. Given under my band at Fort James in New York, <kc."o Richard Nicolls.
In 1664, Thomas Pell of Onkway, Connecticut, laid claim to Cornell's neck.
Upon the 26th of October, 1664, " Charles Bridges and Sarah his wife entered a protest before and against all bargains, deeds, and sales of Thomas Pell of Onkway, or any from or under him, of or concerning a parcel of land situated on the East River, be- ginning from the kill of Bronx land, east south east, likewise alongst the river bounded almost half a Dutch mile, a copy of
> Alb. Ree. G. 6. 206, abo 351.
b Alb. Book of Gen. Entries, from 1664 to 1665, page 101.
c Alb. Book of Gen. Eutriee, phge 103.
Vol. II. 20
164 HISTORY OF THE
the original grant whereof unto Thomas Cornell, father of the said Sarah Bridpres they have also registered, until such time as the cause can be tried."*
The following particulars are taken from the assize records, in relation to a trial between the two parties, held on the 29ih of September, 1665.
Charles Bridges } pi-intiffa Names of Jurors.
and Sarah his wife, J ' John Tucker, Foremao,
Thomas Pell, Defendant. William Wilkins, John Emans,
Charles Morgan, John Forster, Joseph Bay ley, Rohert Terry.
'* The attorney for the plaintiffs produced a copy of the heads of the trial at the court of sessions held in June last, st Hampstead, he likewise pnts in a declaration alledging the defendant's unjust molestation of the plaintiffs in their possession of a certain parcel of land called Corneirs neck, lying and being near Westchester, which of right belongs unto them, &c.
To prove their title, a grant and patent from the Dutch governor, Kie(\, to Thomas Cornell, deceased, father of Sarah, one of the plaintiffs, is produced and read in court, that upon the said grant, Thomas Cornell was in lawful possession of the said lands, and that he was at considerable charges in build- ing, manuring, and planting ye same, that af\er some years the said Thomas Cornell was driven off his said lands, by the barbarous violence of the InJians who burnt his house and goods, and destroyed his cattle, which was made ap- peare by sufficient testimony. That widow Cornell's conveyance of the said neck of land to Sarah Bridges, one of the plaintiffs, and hor sister, was like- wise given in, under which the plaintiffs claime. That the said widow Cornell was left sole executrix of the last will and testament of her husband, Thomas Cornell, deceased, and so had power to convey the premises ; this was allowed of, (although neither the will nor a copy thereof were produced,) there being DO exceptions made against it. There was likewise an act from the late Dutch governor, Stuyvesant, produced, where he buyes the same lands of the Indians again, (though alledged to be bought long before,) and confirms it to Thomas Cornell, his heires and assigns.
Mr. Poll, the defendant, makes answer for himself, that he bought the land in question in the year 1654, of the natives, and paid them for it. He pleads his being a free denizen of England, and hath thereby liberty to purchase lands in any of his majesties dominions, within which compass this is. He alledges the fif\h clause in the King's treaty, sent over hither to make for him, as de- claring this land to be within his majesties dominions, he saith the governor
■ Alb. Rec. Gen. Entries. toI. i. p. 14.
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 166
and council of Connecticut tooke notice of this land to be under their goTern- ment,* and that they ordered roagistratical power to be exercised at WeaC- cheater, and that lie had license from them to purchase. He pleads that where there is no right there can be no dominion, so no patent could be granted by the Dutch, they having no right. Several testimony s were read to prove that ye Indians questioned Mr. Corneirs and other plantations there^ about not paying for those lands^ which was the occasion of their cutting them off and driving away the inhabitants , but the defendant hath paid a valuable consideration to the natives.
The attorney for the plaintifis alledges ye articles of surrender, and the King^s instructions, wherein any grant or conveyance from the Dutch is con- firmed, and plead the antiquity of Mr. Corneirs grant and possession, together with his great losse. After a full hearing of the case it was referred to the jury, who brought in their verdict for the plaintiffs, the defendant to pay costs and charges of suite, and sixpence damage."
Jiulgment was accordingly granted by the court, and the fol- lowing order issued.
" The bonrt having heard the case in difference between the plaintiffs aut defendant debated at large concerning their title to a certaine parcell of land, commonly called CornelFa neck, adjoining to Bronx land, near Westchester, and having also seen and perused their writings and evidences, it was com^ mitted to a jury, who brought in their verdict for the plaintiffs, vi^ , that thee land in question doth of right belong to the plaintiffs, and that the defendant shall pay the costs and charges of suit, and sixpence damage. The couit doth give their judgment accordingly, and do likewise order that the high sheriff* or the under aheriff of ye north riding of lorkshire, upon Long Island, do put the plaintiffs in possession of the said lands and premises, and all per- sons are required to forbear the giving the said plaintiffa, or their assigns, any molestation in their peaceable and quiet enjoyment thereof.^b
In 1709 Col. Thomas Willelt,® of Flushing, Long Island, con- veyed to his eldest son, Willianri Willett, <'all that certain parcel
» The legislature of Connecticut, (says the historian Trumbull,) determining to secure as far as possible the lands within the limits of their charter, authorized one Thomas Pell to purchase of the Indian proprietors all that tract between West- chester and Hudson'^ river, and the waters which made the Manhadoes an Island ; and resolved that'it should be added to Westchester, 1663.— 7rum6tt2i'« Hist. t(f Connecticut, S73.
b Alb. Assize Rec. p. 15.
< Col. Thomas Willett was the son of the Hon. Thomas WHlett, fliat mayor of the city of New York, in 1665.
166 HISTORY OF THE
of land contained within a neck, commonly called and known by the name of CornelPs neck, bounded on the west by a certain rivulet that runs to the black rock, and so into Bronx's river."* From William Willett, the neck passed to his brother Thomas Willett, who conveyed the same to his son William Willett. The latter was the father of Isaac Willett, Esq., high sheriff of this county in 1738> Cornell's neck is now owned by the fami- lies of Ludlow, Clason, and Beach.
Prior to 1647 we have seen that " Vredeland," (Westchester) was settled under grants from the Dutch. But, about this period, a number of Puritans from Connecticut must have commenced a settlement, for, at a meeting of the New England commission- ers, and Governor Stuyvesant, on the 19th of September, 1650, the latter complained of the English encroachments upon West- chester, and asserted that the " West India Company of Amster- dam, had bought and paid for the lands in question, of the right proprietors, the native Americans, before any other nation either bought or pretended right thereunto; he also affirmed he had proof of the Jirst Dutch purchase."® Under the apprehension that the English settlements might be connected with the claim of jurisdiction, it was determined (by the Dutch) to remonstrate against it. In 1654, it was resolved at a meeting of the director general and council, " that whereas a few English are beginning a settlement at a grehi distance from our outposts, on lands long bought and paid for near Vreedlant, to send there an interdict, and the attorney general, Cornelis van Tienhoven, and forbid them to proceed, no further, but to abandon that spot, done at Fort Amstcl, 6th Kovember, 1654."^
We have already seen that the principal intruder was Thomas PelI.e
This individual on the 14tli of November, 1654, purchased a
> Co. Reo. lib. D. 38. From thit funily it obtained the name of Willeti's Deck, b This individual married Isabella Morrifi, daughter of Lewis Morris, of Mor- risania.
« Dunlap's Hist. N. Y. vol. i. 95.
d Alb. Rec. vol. ix. 1.75.
' See trial between 1 homas Tell and Charles Bridges, page 154.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 167
tract of land called '< Westchester ^^^ of the sachem Ann-hock| alias Wampage, and other Indians.*
Upon the second of April, 1655, we find the following account of an interview between the Dutch officer Van Elslaudt and the English intruders.
**yan Elslandt went to protest against those of Vreedlandt. Four armed men came to meet them on the creek, asking what he willed? He answered, he wished to land near the house. They told him he should not land. Hd rejoined, allow me to go ashore, I am cold ; whereupon he sprang ashore, where he and Albert the Trumpeter were warned not to come a foot higher. The commander came up to us with a pistol in hand with eight or nine armed men, to whom he read the protest and handed it to him. He answered, I cannot understand Dutch, why did not the fiscal or sheriff send English? when he sends English then I will answer. We expect the determination on the boundaries, the next vessel. Time will tell whether we shall be under Dutch government or the Parliament ; until then we remain here under the state of England. Van Elslandt saw their houses and settle- ments, also the English arms hanging from a tree ; they were carved on a board (plank.) Van Elslandt was left in a house on the shore well guarded with men."*»
The continued encroachments of the English upon " Ooost- dorp,'' {East town,) " which they called Westchester,'''' at last awakened the most vigorous opposition on the part of the Dutch authorities, for soon after PelPs purchase occurs the following resolution.
" The Director General and Council are informed by credita*
ble witnesses that the English in the village which they call
Westchester, situated in Vreedlandt, about two miles from this
city, not only encourage and shelter the fugitives from tliis pro*
■ See Pelham, pag^e 515. Tbie prant embraced tbe present iownihipe of New Ro» chelle, Pelham, Eaatchetter and Westcbestef.
b Alb. Rec. Hoi. doc. iz. 261, 363, 4.
« Whicb appears from the letters of the Burgomeeflters, dated 33d Nov. 1654« 16th April and 3d of May, 1635.
168 HISTORY OF THE
vince,bnf,as plainly appears by a copy from a certain letter, tbat the high sheriff Lieutenant Weyler kept in and about the time of our late dismal engagements with the savnges, a constant corres- pondence with these barbarians.^ Wherefore to promote the wel- fare of the country, and defend the rights of the Lords Patroons, against such usurpations, it was unanimously resolved by the Director General and Council to arrest as secretly and easily as it can be performed, said Englishmen or at least their leaders, to compel the remaining to remove from there with their property, and the execution of this expedition to be intrusted to the valiant Captain Frederick de Coninck. Captain Lieutenant Brian Naton, and with them the Attorney General, Cornells Tieiihoven, to ex- ecute his commission and apprehend the fugitives and thieves. Done in Fort Amsterdam, 6th of March, 1656.
Peter Stuyvesant.
Nicassius de Siile.
La Montague.
Cornells van Tienhoven.^
In accordance with the above order, the valiant Captain Fre- derick de Conhick embarked in the ship Weigh-scales and pro- ceeded to Wtstchester^ where he succeeded in arresting several of the English thieves. Upon their arrival in the city, the fol- lowing order appears in Council.
"With regard to the English prisoners, lately brought hither from Vreedlandtf from the village which they call Westchester^ who remain yet in confinement in the ship the Weigh-scales, it is unanimously concluded and resolved, that all those who be- fore were on oath and allegiance of this government, and who therefore either for debts or other causes did run away, or against whom the attorney general supposes to have a just cause for indictment, these the aforesaid attorney general is authorized to secure in close confinement, and prosecute them agreeably to law. The remainder who either from New England or from other
^ The Sachems Pennekek and Oratang were very troublesome to the West- chester settlements in 1655 — Editor, k Alb. Rec. vol. H. p. 283.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 169
places have been lured and decoyed by- Mr. Pell or any other person to settle within our limits, of which district this city had a grant, to keep them in a civil arrest, either in the court house or any proper and convenient place, till a further examination sliall be instituted and our orders issued in conformity with these. Done in Council, in our fort at New Amsterdam, in New Nether- land, 14 March, 11)56.
Peter Stuy vesant.
Nicassius de Sille.
La Montague.^
On the 15th of March, 1656, the attorney general presented bis demand to the Director General and Council as plaintiff in the case.
RfSPECTruL Lords:
It is not only known to your Honors, but evory one residing in this country, that since many years the district called Vreedlandl was cultivated and inhabited in letters patent granted by your Honors and their predecessors by the Dutch, under your government, till the period of the general war in 1643. Now it has happened that one Mr. Pell, residing at Onkeneg in New England, his dared against the rights and usages of Christian countries to pretend that he bought these lands of the natives, (which long since were purchased of them and paid by your Honors as evidently appears from the transfers in your records,) and actually made a beginning of settling and cul- tivating these lands, without your Honors previous knowledge or consent, di- rectly contrary to the limits and decisions of 1650, concluded with the United Colonies of New England at Hartford,<> against which usurpation your attor- ney general, in his quality and in the name of the Lords his masters, had in due form entered his protest, which the Lieutenant Wheeler, who there com- mands, not at all respecting, continues to remain there with his associates io planting and building, luring and accommodating our run-away inhabitants, vagrants and thieves, and others who for their bad conduct find there a refuge. As it has pleased your Honors in conformity to the instructions and letters of the Lords majors, and in preservation of the convention made at Hartford, to keep it inviolated, to send thither a liody of armed men to secure said Wheel- er and his associates, who, as appears from their own declaration of the 14th
• Alb. Rec. vol. ii. 291.
b Se6 negotiatioDs between New England and Peter StayresaDt concerning limits. Hazard's Hist Coll. vol. ii. 156, 173, 549.
160 HISTORY OF THE
of March had met there the Director General there present on the spot with em armed force, and declined to inoye from thence, saying that it was their land, 00 which said Englishmen were disarmed and twenty-three of them conducted as prisoners to the ship the Weigh -scales, leaving a few there to protect their vives, children and property. All which the attorney general demands that your Honors would send one or two of the oldest to Vreedlandt to inform the remainder of the English ifhat they must leave that spot, taking with them all that they brought thither, under the penalty that if they acted otherwise, that then other measures shall be adopted according to law ; and further that the afore- said Lieutenant Wheeler and his associates shall not be set at liberty before they have paid all the expenses which your Honors have been compelled to, through their conduct and disobedience, in that expedition in going thither with an armed force in boats. Besides this they shall sign an act and pro- mise under oath that they never more will inhabit any of the lands of oar Lords and principals situated in Vreedlandt, now lately by them called West- chester, or any other lands within the limits finally concluded at Hartford, neither settle, or build, or plant, or sow, or mow there, without a special order and consent of your Honors, under the penalty if they acted contrary to it of corporal punishment, as the case might require, &c.«
The council sustained this demand of the attorney general (as plaintiff,) the same day.
Upon the 16th of March, 1656, Lieut. Thomas "Wheeler and his English associates at Vreedlandt, voluntarily submitted them- selves to the government of the New Netherlands. Their names were as follows :
Thomas N. Newman, Thomas Wheeler,
Robert Basset, Isaac Holbert,
John Cloes, Robert Roes,
Sherrood Damis, James Bill,
William H. Fenfall, John S. Genner,
Richard C. Meares, Richard Osbort,
Samuel Harelt, William Ward.
The following prisoners were released on the 25th of March, 1666, Captain R. Ponton, William Elet Black, merchant, Joha Gray and Roger Wheeler.** They were " commanded to depart the limits of the New Netherlands, except some of the inhabi-
• Alb. Rec. vol. ii. 301.
b Arrested for taking up arms at Vreedland
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 161
tants of Vreedlant would adopt them and become tail for their good behaviour." "In 1656 the inhabilanls of Westchester dispatched five of their number, viz., Lieut. Thomas Wheeler, Thomas Newman, John Lord, Jonah Wilbert, William Ward and Nicolas Hurler, to the governor and council (hat they might confirm and establish them, and praying that they may in future appoint their civil oflScers."*
Having efiected a settlement of the difficulties at " Oost-dorp^^ we find the director and his council ordering a supply of arms and ammunition for its protection.
" Being presented to the Hon'ble Director General and Council in New Nelherland, a report of Brian Norton, captain lieut., Cornelia van Ruyven, secretary, and Carel van Brugge, commissary, appointed to go to Oost-dorp^ the director general and council did approve it, upon which they resolved that they would send by the first opportunity to the magistrates of Oost-dorp the following ammunitions of war, to be preserved there for the use of the afore- said village, and to be employed when necessity might require it, viz. : 12 muskets, 12 lb. of powder,
12 lb. of lead, 2 bundles of matches.
And further, a writing book for the magistrates. Done in Fort Ao^sterdam, N. N., U June, 1657.
Piter Stuvtesaiit, NicAssius Di Sills, Petrr Tonhemak."i>
Upon the 28th of June, 1660, Governor Stuyvesant addressed the following letter to the inhabitants of Oost-dorp^ (East- town.)
LdYINO FRIENDS .*
Out of your nomination presented unto us we have made choice, as jou may know by these presents, of
Josiah Gilbert,
Nicolas Bayley,
Thomas Wall. The which we, for the year following, do confirm and establish for magistrates of the towne called East town, requiring all and every one whom these may
• Alb. Rec. p. 318. b Alb. Rec. vol. xv. 8.
Vol. II. 21
162 mSTORY OP THE
eoncerne, to esteem them as oar elected and confirmed magistrates for the said town. So, after my respects, I^est
Your loving friend and governor,
P. Stuyvesant,* Amsterdam, N. N., 28ih June, 1600.
In 1662, Governor Stuyvesant granted to the English towns the right to nominate their own magistrates^ and to have their own courts, " but in dark and dubious matters, especially in witchcraft, the party aggrieved might appeal to the governor and council.''**
Upon the nomination of town officers, the same year, the in- habitants addressed the governor as follows :
Right Hon^ble Lord Governor of the New Netherlands, Lord Stevensone : We, the inhabitants of the towne, do heare present our choice unto your honor, for the establishing of magistrates for the ensuing yeare ; these may give your honor for to understand what the towne choyce is, as followeth^ namely :
William Betts, Robert Huestis, John Quimbe,
Edward Waters, Nicolas Bayley, Thomas Vaille.
East Towne, Feb. 11, 1663.«
About this period Connecticut claimed Westchester as lying within her jurisdiction j^ in support of which she issued the fol- lowing orders.
At a court of general assembly, held at Hartford October 9lh, 1662 : ** This assembly doth hereby declare and inform the in- habitants of Westchester, that the plantation is included in ye bounds of our charter, granted to this colony of Connecticut."*
To the Inhabitants of Westchester,
Hartford f this I3th Oct. 1663. You are required in his majesties name to appear (or by your deputies,} at
> Alb. Rec. vol. xzrr. 38.
b Alb. Rec. Tol. xxi. 233-8
6 Alb. Rec. yol. xx. 51.
d July 10, 1663. Connecticut now laid claim to Westchester, (says TnimbuIIi) and sent one of her magistrates to bend the inhabitants to the choice of their offi- cers, and to administer the proper oaths to such as they might elect. — TrumhulfB Hist of Conn, 268.
•Hartford Reo. Boundary Letters, yoL ii. 168.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 163
Hartford, the Becoad Thursday Id May next, to attend your duty according to his majeeties grants, by letters patent hereof. You may not fail at your peril.'
John Mason, Deputy Governor.
To the InhahitaiUs of Westchester, [Connecticut seal.] 25/A of Oct. 1662.
Mr. Gold, Mr. Clark, chairman, Mr. Campfield, and Jehu Burr are hereby appointed to keep a court at Fairfield, when they see cause for the issuing and determioing auch causes and cases as shall then be presented. Clerk Stamford, Clerk Greenwich, and Westchester, have hereby liberty to take the benefit of the court of Fairfield, as shall be in controversy amongst them- for the future.
This is a true copy of the order of ihfO Hon. Genl. Assembly held at Hartford the 9th of Oct. last past, under the seal of the colony, and under the hand of Dakiel Clark, Clerk. Transcribed for me. Will Hill, Clerk of the courts to be held at Fairfield. Copia scripUim per me,
Richard Mills.
The absolute seal came not to the inhabitants of Westchester, only the sign as above, with the word seal above it.
Richard Mills.*
Another letter from Hartford, entitled an order of the general assembly at Hartford about Oost dorp.
" This assembly doth hereby declare and inform the inhabitants of West«> Chester that that plantation is included within the bounds of the charter granted to the colony of Connecticut, and as it late pleased his majesty, our gracious sovereign lord, Charles H., thus to dispose of them, we cannot but declare, that we conceive it most conducible to their tranquility and future peace, thajl they do demean themselves in all ihings as may declare and manifest their rea- diness to subject to his royal will and pleasure herein.
The next assembly is appointed and ordered to be held at Hartford on th# second Thursday in May next.
Copia scriptum per me,
Richard Mills.
> Alb. Rec. vol. xxi- 99.
J64 HISTORY OF THE
Extracted from the records of tlie cdony court at CoDDecticot, and certi- fied with the seal of the said court per Daniel CLAaK, Secretary. The signal of the seal above is come to the inhabitants of Westchester, abso- lote made in red wax, the motto I sup- pose to be the arborated craggy wilder- ness and the flying cloudrs.
Richard Mills.
In this dilemma, we find the inhabitants of Westchester ad- dressing Governor Stuyvesant in a letter which they sent by their two magistrates, William Betts and Edward Waters.
Westcbester^ tho 30th of April, 1663. Hon. Lord STCTENsoif, We humbly beseech you to understand, that wee the inhabitants of thia place, have not plotted nor conspired against your Honour. The original of the writing here enclosed, were not in any measure, sought for by us, but were by the said court sent unto us when we expected them not. How to re- sist them we know not, they being as you see, in his majesties name of En- gland. This was a reason why we choose not rosgistrates at present as formerly, and that wee hope that your honour will be herewith satisfied. Your honour*s loving friend, Richard Mills, in the name and by the appointment of the inhabitants of Westchester.*'
Governor Stuyvesant having ascertained, that the inhabitants of We«stchester were about to send two delegates to Hartford, de- spatched the Sheriff Waldron with this letter.
Loving Friends, We were much wondered, that yon according to order and your duty, have not presented unto us your nomination of your new magistrates for this present year, being now four months past that this thing should be done, the reason wherefore being unknown to us, we have purposely sent and ordered the bearer. Resolve Waldron our substitute sheriff, (schout) for to inquire after the grounds and reasons thereof, which you are to give unto him in
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 166
writing, and send either your present magistrates to give us more fuUy infor- mation. So after our love, I shall rest,
• Your loving friend and Governor,
Done in Fort AmsterdanD, inscribed,
N. Netherland, P. Stuyvesamt.*
9 May, 1663. ^
The same day Sheriff Waldron conducted the two magistrates, William Betts and Edward Waters, to Governor Stuyvesant, ** who were asked, why they neglected to present to the Director General and Council in conformity to custom and orders, a new nomination of magistrates ? Their answer was, that they in due time, when the nomination ought to have been made, called the inhabitants together, and requested them to nominate new ma- gistrates for the ensuing year, who declined to do so at two different times, because they had been summoned by those of Hart- ford in Connecticut colony, as clearly appears by the following English documents^ conveyed to them for this purpose, by the aforesaid colony, with the declaration of the aforesaid village, in the form of a letter to the Director General. Being further ques- tioned why they did not communicate the aforesaid orders and letters of Connecticut colony, so as they ought to have done, and as other English villages actually did at the past instance, now more than half a year past, and now above it, had actually de novo, appointed two of their village to go and assist in the aforesaid order, on the stated day, at Hartford. They answer ia the first, that they as magistrates, solicited an order to present to us the nomination, but that they could not obtain it while it was refused by me, Mr. Richard Mills who had it in his pos- session, or by an order of the people of that village, or in his own authority unknown to them. At last, they acknowledged and declared, that they through ignorance to maintain the peace and tranquility in said village, had committed a fault, and soli- cited with submission and prayed, to be excused for the present time. The director general and council having heard the sub- mission and confession of guilt of the aforesaid persons, together
* Alb. Ree. vol. xxi. 80. k See preceding c^ocuments.
166 HISTORY OF THE
with the promises made by them, to dispose if possible, the in- habitants to make a new nomination of ma^strates, and due obedience, resolved to let them return for the present time, and the following letter to the inhabitants was delivered to them. ^
Done at Fort Amsterdam in New Netherlands
12th May, 1663.»
«
The letter delivered to the magistrates by Governor Stuy- vesant.
** Whereat, wee by the bearers, year present magistrates were iofbrmed, which in part your letters (subscribed by one Richard Blills) doe confirm* that the nomination for new magistrates at dae time by them, were propoonded at a town meeting, bat hitherto differed throngh some unacceptable orders of Hartford*s assembly, thb, therefore, are to require and to order you and erery one that are inhabitants of your towne, that I shall not attend any of there orders, nor that you shall not send any deputies thither, but that yoa shall, according to oath and duty upon sight of this presents, make nomina* tion of magistrates for this present year, and present them upon Monday sen- nit before us, and if any should be unwilfully so to doe, we have ordered the bearers, that the names uf such disobedient and troublesome persons shall be sent unto us, that we may act, and proceed against them according to law and judgment : so, after my Iofc, I shall rest, your loving friend
and GoTeroor,
Done in Fort Amsterdam, P. SrurvKSANT.
N. N., 12 May, 1663.
On the 14th day of May, 1663, the general assembly of Con- necticut, choose " Mr. Willys, Mr. Gould, Capt. Sallcote and Capt; Young, as a committee to consider and give up their thoughts and apprehensions concerning the settlement of Westchester and Stamford, and to make return to the court."b
The same court also ordered, that '* the letter drawne up by the committee to the Atanhadoes, be drawn out fair and sent to the Lord Stephenson, &c., as also the letter to Westchester."^
• Alb. Rec. vol. zzi. 93-4.
k Hartford Reo. Bound. Leiteri, toI. ii. 183.
« Hartford Rec. Bonnd Letters, vol. ii.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 167
For the purpose of answering these pretensions and claims on Westchester, Governor Stuyvesant repaired in person to Bos- ton, and entered his complaints^ In his interview with the com* missioners (of the New. England colonies) on the 21sl of Sept. 1663, he stated, " that he wished a friendly and neighborly settle- ment of differences concerning Easidorpe by the English called Westchester, and all other disputes, that the parties may live in peace in the wilderness where many barbarous Indians dwell." He requested of the commissioners a categorical answer, whether the treaty of Hartford made in 1650, remained ^^Jirrn and bind- ingy^ and whether the patent of Hartford, newly obtained, should extend westward. In conclusion, he expressed his willingness to abide by the treaty of Hartford."*
Governor Stuyvesant was unsuccessful in his negotiations with the commissioners, for he " found their demands in no way answerable to the rights of h*is superiors.''^
While these negotiations were pending, Richard Mills (the lead- ing magistrate of Westchester) appears to have been languishing in the dungeons of Fort Amsterdam ; for, on the 16th of May, 1663, occurs the following petition from the prisoner :
" Right Hon. Got. Xiord Peter StCYcnsoo, thy degraded prisoner Richard Mills, doe htHoblj supplicate for your favor and commiseration towards me, in admitting of me unto your honoris presence, there to indicate ray free and ready mind to satisfy your honor wherein I am able, for any indignity done unto your lordship by me in any way, and if possible to release me or confine me to some more wholesome place than where I am. I having been tenderly bred from my cradle, and now antient and weakly, and at this time, and ever since I came into this unwholesome place, I have been very ill, and lame with pains in my back, hip and joints, and I doubt not, in a few days, will perdite (endanger or destroy) my life, if not prevented by removal or release, will hope of your honoris gracious admittance and reception, and craving these my poor humble requests and prayers to God for your honor, I remain your lordship, at your pleasure,
Richard Mills. From the gaol in Fort Amsterdam, 16 May, 1663.^
» DuDlap'a Hist. N. Y. vol. r. 113. b Dunlaps*8 Hist N. Y. vol. i. 113. <^ Alb. Rec. vol zzL
168 HISTORY OF THE
Alarmed at the sunnmary manner in which the director had treated their leader, we find the inhabitants of Westchester has- tening to nominate officers for the ensuing year.
LoTiNo Frisnds,
Oat of your nomiDations this day presented, we have made choice, as you may know by these presents, of
Robert Huestis, John Barker, Nicolas Bay ley. The which we for the year following, doe confirm for magistrates of the towne, called East-towne, requiring all and erery one whom these may eon- oeme, to esteem them as our elected and confirmed magistrates for the 6aid town : so, nher my love, I shall rest,
Your loving friend and Governor Amsterdam, N. N., P. STurvssANT.^
24 May, 1663.
The humble petition of Richard Mills, to the Hon. High Court of the Manhatt^s, held 9th of June, 1663, showeth :
That whereas, your honors have continued anger against me about some wri- tings that were in my costody, I owne unto your honors that I did not well to embrace the receipt of, though thereunto importuned, my proper calling being to act in another sphere, and doe see cause to blame myself for under- taking to keep them ; and as for Richard Ponton, his carrying them away, I assure your honors that I never gave order to him or any others, measure 806 to do : neither did I acquaint him directly or indirectly, where I should hide them. I so doing, prepared that I might be sure to have them when forced to send for them, which I can freely. take my oath unto when called hereunto, wherefore I humbly beseech your honors wrath towards me may be purified, and freedom to me granted, soe as that I may proceed in my lawful calling, the short time I have to stay in these parts, being bound for Vir- ginia in Sept. next, humbly craving pardon for what I have done amiss. I remain your honoris petitioner and prisoner,
Richard Mills.
The preceding submission and confession of guilt of the pri-
• Alb. Rec. vol. xxl 115.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 169
soner, Richard Mills, made by him verbally and in writing, being heard and read, so is he discharged upon his humble petition, under the express promise, sanctioned by his oath, that he never will undertake any thing either wiihin or out of this government, to the injury of this province, either directly or indirectly. Done in Fort Amsterdam, N. N., 18tli of June, 1663.
By a court of general assembly, (held at Hartford, 8th of Oct., 1663) it was ordered, that ** this court doth accept of-the town of Westchester as a member of this corporation, being received and accepted as such, by a council formerly.
This court moreover declares, that all the land between the Westchester and Stamford, doth also belong to the colony of Cofinecticut."*
In 1664. the inhabitants of Westchester addressed the follow- ing petition to the honorable his majesty's commissioners for the affairs of New England, which,
'< Humbly showeth '
l8t, That the said tract of land called Weatcbeater, waa purchaaed for large aammea, under the tiile of England, by Mr. Thomaa Pell of the known ancient proprietora, in the year 1654.
2d. The pretended power 'of the Manhatoea, did therefore continue pro- testing againat and threatening of the said plantation, keeping the inhabitants at continual watch and ward, until at length the persona of twenty-three in- habitants of Westchester aforesaid, were aeized under commission from the said powers, and committed prisoners into the hould of a yessel, where they continued in restraint from all friends, for the space of thirteen days, fed with rotten provisions creeping with worms, whereby some of them remained dis- eased to this day, after which, they were^ carried away in chains and laid ia their dungeon at Manhatoea.
3d. That the said inhabitants had perished <vith famine in the said imprisoq- ment, but for (he relief obtained at other hands.
4th. That all this sufiering was inflicted on them, under noe other pretence, but that they were opposera to the Dutch title to the lands aforesaid.
5th. That when the said pretended powers had freed the said prisoners, and introduced their own goverment over the said plantation, they dro?e away such aa would not submit to their pretended authority, to their great endaq* germent, and the enslaving of such aa remained.
6th. That when in May, 1663, the said plantation was reduced to the king's
» Hartford Col. Rec. yoI. iL 169.
Vol. II. 28
170 HISTORY OF THE
authority, by virtue of his letters patent to Coane^licat, the pretended pow* ers aforesaid, sent in hostile manner for certain inhabitants of Westchester, whom they confined in Manhatoes, and' the next day sent for one Mr. Rich- ard Mills, whom they cast into their dungeon, and afterwards so used him for thirty dayes space, as there are yet strong^ and crying presumptions they caused his death, which followed soone after.
7th. That the unreasonable damage of the purchaser, and the low estate of the plantation occasioned by the premises, hath had no other recompense to this day, but new threatenings, and thereby an otter obstruction from the peopling and improTeing of a hopeful country, all which is an insuperable abuse to his royal majestie^s, and our English nation, is humbly offered to the consideration of the hon. commissioners.'**
The difficulties between Connecticut and the New Nether- lands continued to increase, until the subjugation of the latter by the British forces under Governor Richard Nicolls, on the 27th of August, 1664.
"When Governor Nicolls visited Westchester, shortly after the surrender, the inhabitants complained to hin), and as a matter of course were adjudged to belong to New York.** Subsequently the towns of Westchester, Harapstead and Oyster Bay constitu- ted the north riding of Yorkshire.**
Upon the 16th of June, 1664, we find the inhabitants of West- chester surrendering all their rights to Thomas Pell in the fol- lowing manner,
" Know all men by these presents, that whereas there was an agreement made the fourteenth of November, 1654, between Thomas Pell and divers persons, about a tract of land called Westchester^^ which was and is Thomas Peirs, bounded as appears by an instrument bearing date as above expressed, wherein the undertakers engaged the payment of a certaine somme of money, present pay, for the said land expressed in the covenant, by reason of some troubles which hindered the underwriters possession, the agreement was not attended to, the present inhabitants considering the justnesse and right of the above said title of Thomas Pell,, doe surrender all their rights, titles, and claimes, to all the tract of land aforesaid, to bee at the disposal of the said Thomas Pell, as being the true and proper owner thereof. Witness our hand,
• Alb. Rec. Gen. Entries, p. 11. Also AlK Rec. vol. i. 120, 121.
b Westchester continued to form a portion of the north riding until 1683, when the present county was erected.
• At this period Westchester embraced the present town of Eastchester. See ToL i. 122.
COUNTY OP WESTCHBSTER. 171
this 16th day of Jane in the yeere of our Lord one thousand six hundred and
sixty.foor.
John Quimbie. John Winter.
Consider Wood. Richard Ponton,
Niekolas Balle. his X mark.
John Barker. William Jones,
Robert Huestis. his >- mark.
Edward Jessopp. John Acer.»
Wm Beet. John Williams,
John Larens. his ^ mark.
Samuel Barret, Samuel Pitcher,
his B mark. his r" mark.
Thomas Vaille, Thomas MoIIener. his ^ mark.b
Thomas Pell must have subsequently released to ihe inhabi- tants of Westchester, for on the 15th of February, 1667, occurs the following patent from Governor Nicolls.
FIRST PATENT OF WESTCHESTER.
Richard Nicolls, Esq., Governor General under his Royal Highness James, Duke of York and Albany, &c., of all his territories in America, to all to whom these presents shall come, sendeth greeting : Whereas there is a cer* tain town within this government, situate, lying and being upon the main to the east of Harlem river, commonly called and known by tho name of West- chester, which said town belongs to the north riding of Yorkshire, upon Long Island, and is now in the tenure and occupation of several freeholders and in- habitants who having heretofore been seated there by authority, have been at considerable charge in manuring and planting parts of the lands belonging thereunto, and have likewise settled a competent number of families thereupon for a township, now for a confirmation unto the said freeholders and inhabi- tants in their possession and enjoyment of the premises, as also for an en- couragement to them in their further improvements of their said lands and premises. Know ye, that by virtue of ye commission and authority unto me given by his Royal Highness, I have given, ratified, confirmed and granted, and by these presents do give, ratify, confirm and grant unto John Quimby, John Ferris, Nicholas Bayley, William Betts and Edward Waters, as pa» tenteesfor and on the behalf of themselves and their associates, ye freeholderft and inhabitants of ye said town, their heirs, successors and assignees, all that
• DoubtleM Jao or John Archer, first lord of the manor of Fordham. V Westchester Town Roc.
173 ' HISTORY OP THE
tract of land together with the several parcels not otherwise by patent dis- posed of, which already have or hereafter shall be purchased or procured for and on the behalf of ye said town whether from the native Indian proprietors or others, within the bounds and limits hereafter set forth and expressed, (viz.) that is to say, ye western bounds of ye lands lying within ye limits of ye said town, beginning at the west part of the lands, commonly called Bronks' land, near or adjoining unto Harlem river, from whence they extend eastward to the west part of a certain neck of land, commonly called Ann-hook's neck or Mr. Peirs purchase, southward they are bounded by ye Sound or East River« and so runne upon a parallel line from the east and west limits north into ye woods without limitation for range of cattle or other improvements, together with all ye lands, soyles, necks and lands, rivers, creeks, harbours, quarries, woods, meadows, pastures, marshes, waters, lakes, fishing, hawking, hunting and fowling, and all other profits, commodities, endowments and heredaments to ye said land and premises within ye said bounds and lymits described and set forth belonging or in any ways appertaining, to have and to hold all and singular ye said tract and parcells of land, heredaments and premises, with their and every of their appurtenances and of every part and parcel thereof to ye said patentees and their associates, their heirs and assignees, to the proper use and behoof of ye said patentees and their associates, their heirs and assignees for ever. Moreover, I do hereby give, ratify, confirm and grant unto the said patentees and their associates, their heirs, successors and assignees, all ye rights and privileges belonging to a town within this gov- ernment, and that ye place of their present habitation shall continue and re- tain the name of Westchester by which name and style it shall be distinguish- ed and known in all bargains and sales, deeds, writings and records, they ye said patentees and their associates, their heirs, successors and assignees, ren- dering and paying such duties and acknowledgements as now are or hereafter shall be constituted and established by the laws of this government, under the obedience of his Royal Highness, his heirs and successors. Given un- der my hands and seal, at Fort James, in New York, on the isle of Manhat- tans, 13 February, in the 19th year of his Majesty's reign, Anno Domini,
1667.
Richard Ntcolls.
In the Assize Records at Albany, appears the following entry.
" Whereas Mr. Thomas Pell of Ann-hookes neck, (Pelham neck.) late deceased, npon pretence o£ purchase of several tracts of land of the Indian proprietors within 'the then government and jusisdiction of the Dutch, made claims unto the same as namely, the lands belonging to Westchester, Easlchester and Cromwell's neck, and that, after said land together with a larger tract formerly belonging to the said Dutch, were by his Majes-
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 173
ty^s letters patent granted Unto his Royal Highness the Duke of York, and by the said Dutch surrendered by agreement unto his Itoyal Highness's deputy Col. Richard Nicolls before whom said Pell did personally appear the first assizes held in New York, and then to make good his claim to the lands aforesaid, and where it being sufficiently and lawfully proved that the aforesaid lands, together with a large tract as far as Greenwich, was be- fore purchased by the late Dutch government, and whatso- ever part thereof was not by him granted out, was of right pro- perty belonging unto his Royal Highness, some of which was granted to Thomas Richbcll, &c., &c.
In 1673, the province of New York, surrendered to the Dutch. Upon this occasion we find the inhabitants of Oost*dorp tender- ing their submission.
" The deputies of Oost-dorp alias Westchester and adjacent hamlet of East- cheater, deliveriogf their credentials, offered to submit themselves to the goT- ernment of their high mightinesses, and the Prince of Orange, and were com- manded to nominate by their inhabitants a double number of magistrates for the aforesaid ▼illages, by a majority of votes, and to present it to the council by the first opportunity, fiom which we shall elect three for their magistrates, yiz., two for the village of Westchester, and one for Eastchester, who in his Tillage may decide all differences to the value of thirty shillings ; those of higher value shall be determined by the whole college, in the village of West- chester aforesaid."^
On the 28th of August, 1673, the lords commanders of the New Netherlands, made choice of Joseph Palmer and Edward Waters as magistrates for Westchester.**
In 1686, Governor Dongan issued the following letters patent under the great seal of the province.
SECOND PATENT OF WESTCHESTER.
Thomas Dongan, captain general, governor-in-chief and vice admiral in all the province of New York, and territories depending thereon in America, under his majesty James Second, by the grace of God king of England, Scot- land, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c., to all whom these pre- sents shall come sendeth greeting : Whereas Richard Nicolls, Esq., gover- nor general under his then royal highness, James, Duke of York and Albany,
• Alb. Rec. ToL xxiii. 273. ^ Eastchester Rec.
174 mSTORY OP THE
&c., now his present majesty^ of all his territories in America did, by a cdr* tain writing or patent, under his hand and seal, bearing date the fifteenth day of February, in the nineteenth year of the reign of our late so?ereign lord, King Charles the Second of blessed memory, and in the year of our Lord God 1667, by virtue of the power and authority onto him given by him, the said royal highness, now his present majesty as aforesaid. Give, ratify, confirm and grant unto John Quimby, John Ferris, Nicholas Baily, William Betts, and Edward Waters as patentees for and in the behalf of themselves and their as- sociates, tlie freeholders and inhabitants of the town of Westchester, within this government, situate, lying, and being upon the main, to the east of Har- lem river, which said town belongs to the North Riding of Yorkshire, upon Long Island, then in the tenure and occupation of several freeholders and in- habitants who had theretofore been seated on them by authority, and at con- siderable charge in manuring and planting part of the land belonging thereunto, and likewise have settled a competent number of families thereupon for a township, all that tract of land together with the several parcels not otherwise by patent disposed of, which already had or thereafter should be purchased or procured, for and in the behalf of the said town, whether from the native In- dian proprietors or others with the bounds and limits hereafter set forth and expressed, viz., the eastern bounds of the lands lying within the limits of the said town, beginning at the west part of the land commonly called Bronk's land, near or adjoining unto Harlem river, from whence they extend eastward to the west part of a certain neck of land, commonly called Ann-hooks neck, or Mr. Peirs purchase, southward they are bounded by the Sound or East river, and so run upon a paralel line, for the east and west limits, north into the woods without limitation, for range of cattle or other improvements, to- gether with all the lands, soyles, neck, &c., &c. William Richardson, John Hunt, Edward Waters, Robert Hnestis, Richard Ponton, William Barnes, John Beybie, John Bailey, John Tudor, John Ferris, Joseph Palmer, Thomas Bax- ter, freeholders of the commonality of the town of Westchester. 6M January, 1686.
Thomas Donoan.
October 1687, "it was voted, and agreed upon, by the major part of the trustees, that John Ferris, sen., and Joseph Palmer, should go on Monday next, &c., and run the north-west Wne^ from the head of Hutchinson's, to Broncks's river; it was also voted that Joseph Palmer and Edward Waters shall go with the Indians and shew them the line as near as they can, that runs between Mr. Pell and our town, as also the line which runs be- twixt this town and Eastchester."*
* Westchester Rec
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 176
Upon the 27ih of May, 1692, we find the Indian proprietors, Maminepoe and Wampage, conveying the following tract of land, to the trustees of Westchester.
'* To all Christian people to whom this deed of sale shall come, greeting : Know ye, that wee, Maminepoe and Wampage alias Ann-hook, Indian pro- prietors of a certain tract of land lying within the limits and hounds of the patent of the county town of W^estchester, in the province of New York, for a valuable consideration, and other considerations us thereunto moving, and having taken the advice and approbation of several native Indians here under- written, to us in hand paid by John Palmer, William Barnes, William Rich- ardson, Joseph Palmer, Samuel Palmer, Robert Huestis, John Ferris, John Hunt, Joseph Hunt, Josiah Hunt, Thomas Baxter, and Edward Collier, trus- tees of the freehold and commonality of the town of Westchester aforesaid, the receipt whereof we do hereby acknowledge and therewith to be lawfully satisfied, contented, and paid, and thereof do acquit, exonerate, and release, and discharge the said trustees, their heirs, successors, and assignees forever, have given, granted, bargained, sold, enfeoffed, released, and confirmed, and by these presents do fully, clearly, absolutely, give, grant, bargain, sell, enfeof, release, and confirm unto the said trustees, their heirs, successors and assign- ees'forever, all that tract of land lying on the east side of Brunxs's river, be- ginning at the pine trees and so compassing all the land which we the said Maminepoe and Wampage layes claim to, until they come to the head of Rattle Snake brook, and from thence north-east to Mr. PelPs land, so north by said PelPs marked trees by Brunxs*s river, together with the woods, underwoods, timber, trees, waters, rivers, runs, brooks, and all and singular the emolle- ments, hereditaments, rights, privileges, and appurtenances thereunto belong- ing or appertaining, (only reserving to ourselves the privilege of making use of white wood trees for our particular use,) to have and to hold the before re- cited premises, with all and every of its appurtenances, unto the said trustees, their heirs, successors, and assignees, to the only proper use, benefit and be- hoof of them the said trustees, their heirs, successors, and assignees forever, and it shall and may be lawful for the said trustees, their heirs, successors, and assignees, from henceforth and forever, to have and to hold, use, occupy, and enjoy the said tract of land, free from all incumbrances whatsoever, unto the said trustees, their successors and assignees forever, without any manner of claime, challenge, or demand of us, our heirs, executors, or administrators, or any other native Indians or Christian people, by, from, or under as, or any person or persons whatsoever, and we the said Maminepoe and Wampage alias Ann-hook, shall and will forever warrant and defend the said tract of land unto the said freeholders of the corporation of Westchester, their heirs and assignees forever. In witness whereof we the said Maminepoe and
176
HISTORY OF THE
Wampage, alias Ann-hook, have put to our hands and seales this 37th of May, in the foarth year of their majesties reign, and A. D. 1603.
Signed, sealed, and de\i/t0ied in pre- The mark of < Maminepoe. sence of as, The mark of V Wampage,
Abraham Haw kj^y^sN ^ ,^ [alias A on- hook.
Isac Larens, The mark of X Crohamananthense.
The mark of John Garretson. The mark of V Mamertekoh.
Native Indian witnesses to the above deed. The mark of X Weenetonah. The mark of V Tanancot. The mark of X CoiMhoa. The mark of > Rauh Coawind. «^The marK of C Tom.
• ■
The following' entry in the town books refers to this sale: " At a meeting of (he inhabitants held the 27th of May, 1692, this day, the land on the east side of Broncks's river, till wee come to Mr. Pell's line, was purchased of Mamiuepoe and Ann- Hook for
2 gunns, 2 shirts, 2 adzes,
6 bitts in money.
2 coats,
2 kettles,
1 barrel of cider,
DISBURSEMENTS UPON THE INDIAN PURCHASE.
William Barnes, 1 kettle,
To expences to ye Indians,
John Hunt, 1 coate,
For money, ....
To Indian supper and other expences
William Richardson, 3 shirts,
John Ferris, sen. 1 coate, ,
To 1 day with the Indians,
Josiah Hunt, 2 adzes, and 3s. bd, in money
Samuel Palmer, I gun, .
Thomas Baxter, 1 gun, .
Joseph Hunt, 1 barrel of cider,
Robert Huestis and Thomas Baxter, 1 gun.»
|
£2 2 |
0 |
|
0 6 |
0 |
|
0 12 |
0 |
|
0 1 |
6 |
|
0 3 |
Q |
|
0 12 |
0 |
|
0 12 |
0 |
|
0 3 |
0 |
|
0 15 |
0 |
|
1 0 |
0 |
|
1 2 |
0 |
|
0 3 |
0 |
|
£8 4 |
6 |
iL Alb. Rec. gen. entries. See also Town Ree. 27th March, 1704, Joseph Hont was directed to go to the clerk of the county and see the Indian deed recorded.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 177
At a meeting held by the trustees of Westchester the sixth day of February, 169|,
** Present, William Barnes, John Ferris, Joseph Palmer, Samuel Palmer, Thomas Baxter, John Bayley, Jobn Hunt, Robert Hues- tis and Edward Collier. It was yoted and agreed upon, that John Ferris, sen. and Joseph Palmer should go to Mr. Pell's and proceed to have the line run between the town and him, ^c.| and report of their doings next Tuesday."
Fourth of September, 1694, it was agreed upon at a lawful town meeting that Richardson shall have free liberty to build or erect a mill or mills upon the stream on the great creek of the town, for and in consideration of grinding of the inhabitants' corn, for the fourteenth part, also liberty of cutUng timber for a saw mill. Done in behalf of the town, &c.
in 1700 it was resolved at a meeting of the inhabitants, "That the line between*' ** Thomas Pell's patent and the town of Wesi^ Chester^ (pursuant to the grants made by Governor Nicolls,) shall be run by the surveyor general of the province of New York, and that the standard for running said line shall be pitched and placed and sett in the middle of" " Hutchinson's river at the going over of the road as far up as (he tide flows, and so to run upon a north line to Broncks's river, and northward down said river in the middle of the channel to the Sound, which said bounds or lines to continue forever between the said Thomas Pell's patent and the said town of Westchester."*
The same year a grant of land appears to have been made by the inhabitants to John Pell, Esq.t>
At a meeting of the trustees held 23d day of January, A. D, 1720, present. Miles Oakley, president,
Trustees. John Oakley, John Ferris,
Thomas Hadden, Peter Ferris,
Thomas Baxter, Joshua Hunt,
Israel Honeywell, Nathaniel Underbill.
"Whereas several persons have come with boats, canoes, &c., a fishing,
» Town Reo. b Town Rec
Vol. II. 23
178 HISTORY OF THE
and hare broke op our groand, and taken away ye oysters from within ye limits of our patent, in an nnlawful manner, therefore, it is voted and agreed upon by the trustees aforesaid, that any person or persons who shall at any time hereaAer trespass upon us by fishing, breaking our ground, and taking onr oysters in ye manner aforesaid, shall be immediately prosecuted according to law for snch trespass or trespasses, and it is also voted and agreed upon by ye trustees aforesaid, that John Ferris, Thomas Baxter, Joshua Hunt, of Westchester, Capt. Joseoh Drake, Nathaniel Tompkins, and Moses Fowler, of Eastchester, do immediately put this into execution ; and it is also agreed that if any freeholder of Westchester do take any oysters to transport out of our township to make sale thereof, such freeholder or freholders shall be esteemed as trespassers, &c. Provided that the freeholders in general of Eastchester shall not be esteemed trespassers according to this act, excepting sucl; of them as shall take oysters within ye limits of West and Eastchester to transport them out of ye said townships to make sale thereof,'** &c.
In the reign of George the first, a charter was granted to the trustees of this town, entitled, '< an act to prevent the fencing in or enclosing the sheep pasture^ or any part thereof, in the bor- ough town of Westchester," &c. Dated 28th February, in the eighth year of his reign, and of our Lord God, 1721.
The sheep pasture embraced what was subsequently known as the commons. Upon this extensive waste, the freeholders of the town enjoyed the free use of pasturage. The commons were purchased by Martin Wilkins, of the trustees, in 1825, and are now owned by his son, Governeur M. Wilkins, Esq.. of Castle hill neck.
The village of Westchester is situated at the head of naviga* tion, on Westchester creek,** twelve miles from the city of New York ; it contains about four hundred inhabitants, fifty dwel- lings, an Episcopal, a Roman Catholic, a Methodist church and two Friends' meeting houses, three taverns, a post office and four stores. Here is a convenient landing, from which ply three
• Town Ree. fol. ix. ISK), 121. — At a court of common council held 1740, it was ordained that no person not belonging to this corporation do take and carry away oor clams or oysters, but that all boats, canoes, or other craft belonging to persons who shall presame to take the same, not inhabiting within this county, shall be soiled, and further no person belonging to this corporation shall have power to giTt eaye to any person not livmg in this corporation to get oysters or clams.
k Called by the Dutch, Ooet>dorp kit.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 179
sloops to the New York market. The Westchester creek (al high water) admits of vessels carrying 300 tons, to the landing. There are three school districts in the town, viz., Westchester village, Throckmorton's neck, and Bear swamp. There are also several manufactories, and two grist mills, one of which is a tide mill.*
Westchester is by several years the oldest village in the coun- ty, its first settlement (by the Puritans) being coeval with Throckmorton's purchase, in 1642.^ At this early period, it formed a part of the Dutch district of Vrede-land (or land of peace) and was, therefore, within the limits and jurisdiction of the New Netherland. By the Dutch it was named Oosidorpy (East town) from its situation east of the Manhattans. So early as 1657, Gov. Stuyvesant ordered that Westchester should have four English or one Dutch mile square of land for the town.*
During the Dutch dynasty, courts appear to have been holden regularly at Oost-dorp, for, among the town records, is a small volume, entitled " The Book of Court acts, from 1657 to 1668,'* from which we extract the following memoranda.
" Feb. 1st, 1657, William Bin field for contempt of authority, is bound over to answer at next court."
On the same occasion, " John Archer, plaintiff against Roger Wiles, in an action of debt for the value of seventy-four guilders, principal."
East town, the 13th of September^ 1662, at a court held be- fore Edward Walters, Robert Huestis and William Bett, by order and power of the Governor General, Peter Stuyvesant, Governor of the province of New Netherland, and the high council, (fcc.
Thomas Higgins, plaintiff, complains of Lawrence Turner, in
• N. Y. GazeUeer.
b Dr. De Witt fixes the date of ita settlement some eS^t years later. " After the provisional arrangement of boundaries between New Netherland and New En. gland, by Got. Stuyvesant and the New Eng^l^d commissioners, m 1650. A number of Puritans from the east, settled a place then named Oo9t Dorp, (East Town) now Westchester, in Westchester county." De Witt's paper on New Neth- eriand. Proceedings N. Y. Hist Soc, 1644, 69.
180 HISTORY OF THE
an action of slander done by his wife, &c., ended by arbitra^ tion.
When Richard Nicolls, the Duke of York^s governour, con- vened an assembly from the towns of Long Island and West- chester, to meet at Hempstead, March 1st, 1665, there appeared the following deputies from this place :
Edward Jessup, John Cluimby,* August 6th, 1665, we whose names are underwritten, doe jointly agree to set to our hands to send the eight townsmen to Governor Nicolls, to stand by them in what they do in that par- ticular, for the settlement of the towne.
William Quimby, Thomas Miller,
, John Ferris, John Smith,
Robert Piuckney, C. Wood,
Edward Waters, Edward Jessupe,
Richard Ponton, Thomas Hunt,
Samuel Barret, Thomas Hunt, Jr.
Thomas Vaile. At this early period, a portion of the judicial power appears to have been lodged in the hands of the constable, for in the town records this entry occurs.
Westchester, Sept 3, 1663. At a town court holden by the constable and the commis- sioners appointed. Thomas Hunt complained against an Indian called Pomoqucee, that the said Indian took his canoe from the shore, where it was safe, and carried it quite away. Upon ex- amination, the Indian confessed that he took the canoe from the shore, but said it was not secured.**
• Alb. Uec. Gen. Eutries, 1G64-65, page 96. See Dunlap Hist. N. Y.
k The inhabiiantB of Westchester (like their New Eogland forefathers) appear to have been greatly troubled with the plague of witchcraa, for, ia 1670, Katha- rine Harryson of England who had lived nineteen yean at Weathersfield in Con- necticut, where she had been tried for witchcraft, found guilty by the jwnf, ae» quitted by the bench, and released out of prison, on consideration that she would remove. Appeared before the council on the accusation of Thomas Hunt and Edward Waters, in behalf of the town of Westchester, they praying that the might be driven from the town. This affair was adjoarned to the 4th of Au-
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 181
The subjoined document woyild appear to be the first tavern license granted in this county.
*' At a town meelingf in Westchester, the 27th of Jane, 1681, Justice Pell present. The town made choice of John Hunt for an ordinary keeper, for one year ensuing, fur the town of Westchester, and desired him the said John Hunt, may be licensed by the justices of the riding. The said Hunt is to sell his biere at two pence per quart, and rum at three pence per gill, which he shall not exceed, and to take his corne at price current, according to the cur- rent rate, and that none else to retaile againe in rum in the said towne of Westchester, during the said tearme of one year, without the approbation of the said Hunt.''*
We have already shown that Westchester sent representatives to the Governor's assembly in 1665. The following relates to the election of representatives in 1683.
Westchester, the 29ih of Sept. 1683. At a town meeting held in obedience to a warrant from the high sheriff concerning the choice of four men out of the town- ship to goe to Jamaica upon Long Island the first day of Octo- ber next ensuing, there to joyne with a committee chosen out of each towne in the north riding'^ and this said committee to choose two out of the riding, able men as representatives for the north riding. The town hath made choice of William Richard-
gust, when being heard, it was referred to the general court of assizes. The wo- man being ordered to give security for good behavior. The foliowiog sentence was recorded by the court, Oct., 1670 : in the case of Catharine Ilarrysou, widow, who was bound to her good behaviour, upon complaint of some of the inhabitants of Westchester, whiUt ye holding of this court. It is ordered, that in regard there is nothing appears against her deserving the continuance of that obligation, shee is to be released from it, and hath liberty to remove from the town of Westchester were she now resides, or any were else in the government during her pleasure. The hu- mane efforts, however of the court, to protect the poor widow, appear to have been ineffectual, for soon after an order was given for Catharine Harryson charged with witchcraft, to leave Westchester, as the inhabitants are uneasy at her residing there, and she is ordered to go off. Assize Rec. Albany, • Town. Rec.
1Q2 HISTORY OF THE
SOD, Richard Ponton, Thomas Hunt, sen., and John Palmer to be the four men to goe to Jamaica.
Recorded in town meeting,
per Francis French, Recorder.
%
Upon the division of the provinCennto shires and counties^ the following act was passed by the Colonial Assembly for the re- gulating and settling of courts of justice, entitled " an act for the more orderly hearing and determining of matters and cases of controversy, &c." Two courts of sessions for the county of Westchester^ the first Tuesday in June and the first Tuesday in December yearly and every year, the one to be held at West' Chester^ and the other at Eastchester. Also a court of oyer and terminer and general jail delivery in the same county on the first Wednesday in December. Passed 29th of October, 1683.*
Westchester formed the shire town of the county from 1683 to 1769. The last court held here was on the 6th of November, 1759.^ A few extracts are selected from the early records to show the manner in which the county courts were conducted.
" At a court of sessions held at Westchester, for the county of Westches- ter, by their Majesties authority, present John Pell, justice and quoram, pre- sident of the court, John Palmer, justice of the peace and quorum, Daniel Sharpe and William Barnes, Esquires, justices of ye peace. December ye 1st 1691.
The Court opened. The grand jury called and appeared, viz.
Robert Hustead, John Furgeson,
John Ferris, sen. Robert Hustead, jun.
John Mollinex, John Hadden,* sen.
a Acts of AsMmbly, passed A. D. 1683. Upon the 29th of October, 1684, the period was changed for holdiug the above courts from the first Tuesday in Decem- ber to the third Tuesday in November. In 1691 the courts were held as first ordered.
k Rec. of Court of Common Pleas, Lib. B. The old court house at Westchester was burnt at an early period of the Revolution.
c A. D. 1749. Died John Hadden and Abigail his wife within a few hovrs of each other, having lived lovingly together 70 years. He died aged 96, and his wife 90.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 183
Joseph Hant, Edward Hadden,
John Hoot, John Winter,
John Qnimby, jun. Thorny Bedient, .
John Baly, SamudliPalmer, •
William Chftdderton.
he court adjourned till Thursday morning.
Constables called. Westchester, Joseph Hunt. Eastchester, Henry Fowler. New Rochelle, Cornelis Seely. Mamaronerk, Richard Ward. Rye, Samuel Knifien. Up- per Yonckers, Matthias Brookes. Bedford, — . Benjamin Collier, high sheriff of the county.^
*' At a court of sessions held at Westchester by his Majesty's authority, June 6th and 7th, 1693, before the Honorable Caleb Heathcote, Esq., judge of the court of common pleas, justice and quorum, &c , the following curious testimony was given in a suit between Richard Ponton, defendant, and Gabriel Leggett, plaintiff. Captain Thomas Williams,t» aged 62 years, deposed, saith, the first reason of this difficulty was a big look violently from mee. After- wards Captain Leisler* sent an order to Captain Ponton to send him some men to go to Albany for their assistance against the French, and also the said Williams to assist the said Ponton in taking and sending the said the men up. When the townes company was called together and Captam Ponton asked them who was willing to go volunteers upon said expedition, and Gabriel Leggett answered that was fooles if any of them did go, and said who would give them a legg or an arm if they lost them. Upon which, Captain Ponton commanded him to hold his peace, but he still continued abusing the defendant and said here comes the father of rogues, and many other scurrilous words, upon which I got a warrant against him, &e."
At a general court of sessions, held in 1696.
" The jury for our Sovereign Lord the King, upon their oaths do present Thomas Furgeson of the county town of Westchester, laborer, for selling of a certain horse without a tongue of a brown culler at Westchester aforesaid, at or about the first day of May last, &o.
By an act of Assembly passed on the 11th of May, 1693, " a
•■ Fint Rec. of Court of Sewions.
k Dec 11th, 1689. Thomas WUliams, freeholder of Westchester, was elected a member of the GoTemor's ConncU. • GoTemor Jacob Leiiler who assumed the goremment of the Province in 1689.
184 BISTORT OF TH8
public and open market was appointed to be held on every Wednesday of the week at Westchester, " to which market it was lawful for all and every of the inhabitants and sojourners to go, frequent and resort, and thither to carry all sorts of cattle^ grain, victuals, provisions and other necessaries from eight in the morning to sunset.'**
It was also enacted by General Assembly the same year, " that there shall likewise be held and kept twice yearly and every year, a/c/ir, to which fair it shall and may be likewise lawful for all and every person to go and frequent, &c., two fairs yearly for the county of Westchester; the first to be kept at the town of Westchester in the said county on the second Tuesday of May and to and on the Fiiday following, being in all four days, ex- clusive and no longer, and the second fair to be kept at Rye in the said county on the second Tuesday in October yearly add to end the Friday following, &c., &c."*> These privileges were subsequently confirmed and enlarged.^:
The following charter, iucor|)orating the ancient settlement of Westchester as a borough town, was granted on the 16ih of April, 1696:
ROYAL CHARTER,
Gulielmas Tertius Dei Gratia, Anglic, Scotie, Gallie et Hiberoie, Rex fidei defensor, &c. &c. *' To all to whome these presents shall come, sendeth greeting : Whereas, Richard Nichulls, Esq., sumeiime Governor General of our pro- vince of New York, in America, by a certain writing or patent under his band and seal, bearing date on or about ye 15th day of February, in the year of our Lord God, 1667, by virtue of the power and authority unto him given, did give, ratify, confirm and grant, unto John Quimby, John Ferris, Nicho- las Bailey, William Belts, and Edward Walters, as pattentees for and on the behalf of themselves and their associates, the freeholds and inhabitants of the town of Westchester, within our sd. province of New York, all that
■ The above act was confirmed in 1697. See Acts of Assembly, p. 17. k Acts of Assembly, confirmed 11 May, 1697. • See Charter.
COUOTY OF WESTCHESTER. 185
tract of land scituate, lyings and being apon the main to the east of Harlem riTer then in thetenare and occupation of the above ad patentees, and seToral other fireeholders and inhabitants, of the said town, who, before that time by authority, had been settled there, and had been at considerable charges in manuring and planting part of the lands belonging thereunto, and likewise had settled a competent number of families thereupon for a township, the boundaries and limits whereof, were therein set forth and exprest as follows: (viz.) tho western bounds of the sd. land, then lying within the limits of the said town, did begin at the land commonly called B rank's land, near or adjoining to Harlem river afores'd, from whence they extend eastward to the west pari of a certain neck of land, commonly called Ann Hooks neok or Mr. Pell's puroh'e, southward, they are bounded by the Sound or East river, and so to run op a parellel line from the east and west limits, north, into the woods without limitation, for range of cattle, and other improvementSt together with all the lands, soiles, necks of land, rivers, oreeks, harbours, quarry's, woods, meadows, pastures, marshes, waters, ffishings, hawkings, huntings and ffowlings, and all other profits, commodities, emoluments and hereditaments, to the sd lands and premises, within the said bounds and limits described and set forth belonging or in any manner of wayes appertaining, to have and to hold^ all and singular the said tracts and parcels of land, hereditaments and appurte* nances, and every part and parcel thereof to the said pattentees and their as* Aociates, their heirs, successors and assigns, forever.
And moreover i the said Richard Nicholl^s, Esq., asGovr. Grenl. as aforesd, did thereby ratify, confirm and grant unto the said patentees, their associates, their heirs, successors and assigns, all the rights and privileges belonging to a town within this government, and that the place of their then present habi- tation should continue and retain the name of Westchester, by which name and stile it was to be distinguished and known in all bargains, sales, deeds, writings and records, they the sd. patentees and their associates, heirs, suc- cessors and assigns, rendering and paying such duties and acknowledgments, as then were or hereafter should be constituted or established by the laws of the said province, as by the said writing or patent now remaining upon the records of the secretaries office, relation being thereunto had, may more at large appear. And whereas^ afterwards, on or about the sixth day of Janry., in the year of our Lord, 1686, upon the petition of several of the freeholders of the said town of Westohester, in behalf of themselves and the rest of tba ffreeholdars and inhabitants of the said town, directed to Coll. Thomas Dun* gan, then Capn. Genl. and Gov. in Chief of our sd. province. The sd. ColL Thomas Dnngan, by virtoe of the power and authority to hhn derived, in and by a certain instromeot in writing, under his hand and seal of our sd prov'e of New York, whose date is the day and yeir last abovesd, for the oonsido- ration therein mentioned, did give, grant, ratify, release and confirm, unto twelve of he freeholders and inhabitants of the sd town of Westohestarp
YoL. IL 84
186 HISTORY OF THE
aikd thereby made them one body corporate and polotick, and willed and deter- mined them to be known and called by the name of the Trustees of the Ffree- holders and Commonality of the Town of Westchester and their Successors, all the aforesd tracts and parcels of land,within the limits and bounds aforesd together with all and singular the houses, mesuages, tenements, building, mills, niilldams, fiences, inclosures, gardens, orchards, fields, pastures, woods, nnder- mroods, common of pastures, meadows, marshes, swamps, creeks, harbors and all other profits and commodities and hereditaments whatsoever, to the sd tracts of land, and premises belonging, or in any manner of ways appertaining, to have and to hold unto them the sd trustees of the flfreeholders and commonallity of the sd town of Westchester, and their successors forever, to and for the several «nd respective uses therein mentioned, (viz.) as for and concerning all and sin- gular the several and respective parcels of land and meadows, part of the abovesd granted premises, then in any wise taken up and appropriated, ei- ther by patent under the hand of any of his majties governors in this province, and soiled with the seal thereof, or by particular divisions, settlements, al- lottments and grants, by town orders, either for the planting of land or erect- » ing of saw mills, with all and every the priviledges of cutting of timber, and pasture for cattle, before the day of the date thereof, onto the several and re- spective then present, freeholders and inhabitants of the said town of West- chester, by virtue of the before recited deeds or pattent, to the use, benefit and behoof of the sd fifreeholders and inhabitants respectively, and their several and respective heirs and assigns forever, and as for and concerning all and every such tracts and parcels of land, remainder of the granted pre- mises not then taken up and appropriated to any particular person or persons, by virtue of the before recited deed or pattent, to the use, benefit and be- hoof of the then present fl*rceholders and inhabitants, their heirs, successors and assignes for ever, in proportion to their several and respective settle- ments, divisions and allotments as tenents in common, without any lett, hin- drance or molestation, to be had upon pretence of jointanaey or survivorship therein saveing to his then majestic, his heirs and successors, the several rents and quit-rents reserved due, and payable from several persons, inhabiting within the limitts and bounds aforesd by virtue of former grants to them made and given, always provided, that all and every such person and persons that hold any land within the limits and bounds aforesd, by virtue of the particular grants, patents, are forever to be excluded from having any rights or oom- monage or particular division of any of the lands within the limits and bounds aforesd that then remaind unappropriated to de holden of us, our heirs and successors in fee and common socage according to the manner of East Greenwich, in the county of Kent, within our realm of England, under a cer- tain ye irly quit rent therein reserved, due and payable unto us, our heirs and successors ; and whereas^ the northerly bounds of the first recited pattent, extends into the woods without limitation, the said Coll. Thomas Dungan did, in and by the last abovementioned pattent and confirmation, declare and deter-
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 187
mite, tkat the northerly north-east and north-west bounds of the sd town of Westchester, shoald for erer hereafter be ooncladed and ascertain*d by ye southerly line of the pattent of Onsal and the south and west line of Thos Pell, as by ye last aboTe reeited patent, relation being thereunto bad, may more, at large appear; and, fforasmuch a.n the present trustees and other the freeholders and inhabitants of the sd town of Westchester, hare lately, by their hnmble petition to onr trusty and well beloved Benjan Ffletclier, oor Capn GenI and GoTernr-in-ehief of our said province of New York, in Amer- ica, prayM our charter or pattent of confirmation of all those sesferal tracts and parcels of land, and other the premises to them granted as aforesd, and that the said town of Westchester, and all and singular the lands and tene- ments thereunto belonging and appertaining, may forever hereafter, be a free borough and town corporate ; now knowe ye, that we do by this our royal pattent or charter of confirmation, for us, our heirs and successors, grant, ratify, approve and confirm, onto the sd trustees of the (Freeholders and in- habitants of onr sd town of Westchester, and to their successors and assignee forever, all the several tracts and parcels of land hereinbefore recited, whose meets and bounds are forever hereafter to be taken, and esteemed to be and remain as follows : (viz.) the western bounds thereof are to begin at the west part of the land commonly caird Urunks land, near or adjoining to Harlem river from whence they are to extend eastward to the west part of a neck of land, commonly callM Ann-hookas neck, or the westermost bounds of Mr. PelPs pattern, southard by the Sound and East river, and so to run up a parraUell line from the east and west limits, north into the woods, until it meet the southerly line of the pattent of Oneal and the south and west line of Thomas FelPs patent, together with all and singular the houses, mesuages, tenements, erections and buildings, mills, mill dams, fences, inclosures, gardens, orch- ards, fields, pastures, common of pastures, meadows, marshes, swamps, plains, woods, underwoods, timber, trees, rivers, rivulets, runs, streams, water, lakes, ponds, pools, pits, braches, quarries, mines, minerals, (half of gold and silver mines excepted) creeks, harbours, highways, easements, fishing, hunting and fowling, and all other franchises, profits, commodities, hereditaments and ap- purtenances whatsoever, to the same belonging, or in any manner of waysap* pertaining or therewithal us'd and enjoy M, as part, parcel or member thereof, or accepted, requited or taken, to belong or in any wise to appertain thereun- to, to have and to hold and enjoy all and singular the abovesd tracts and parcels of land, hereditaments and premises, with their and every of their appurtenances unto the sd trustees of the fi'reeholders and inhabitants of the said borough and town of Westchester, and their successors forever, to and for the sevi^ral and respective uses following, and to no other use, intent or purpose whatsoever, (viz. ) as for and concerning all and singular the several and respective parcels of upland and meadow ground, part of the above granted premises, in any wise taken op and appropriated, either by pattU under the hand of any of our former g'lvers of this our province, and sealed with the
188 HISTORY OF THE "
teal thereof, or by grant from the shore moDtioiied tmetees, or by ptrtienlar divisions, settlements and grants, by town orders, either for planting of land* or erecting of saw mills, with all and erery the privileges of cutting of tim- Iber, and pastures for cattle, before the date of these presents, and that by rir- toe of any the hereinbefore recited grants or patients or any of them, ahaB he and remain to the use and behoof of such of the scYeral and respeetiYe ffreeholders and inhabitats respectively, and their several and respective heirs and assigns for ever, and particularly by one agreement made by the trustees of the sd town, bearing date the 2d day of December, 1694, with one Richard Ward, relating to the stream of the Great creek within the sd town, on which Coll. Caleb Heathcott and the sd Richard Ward, who are now equally coi- eerned therein, are erecting of sundry mills, and is for and concerning all and •very other the tracts and parcels of upland and meadow ground, remain- der of the above granted premises not yet taken up or appropriated by any particular person or persons as aforesaid, to be and remain to the only proper use and behoof of the sd trustees and the ffreeholders and inhabitants of the sd borroogh and town of Westchester, and to their succea- sors and assignes forever, and to no other use, intent, or purpose whatsoever. To be holden of us, our heirs, and successors, according to the manner of East Greenwich in the county of Kent, within our realm of England, in free and comnu>n socage, rendering and paying unto us, our heira, end suocessorSf or to the hands of our receiver genl of our sd province of New York for the lime being or to such other officer or officers as shall be appointed to receive the same for and out of the sd tracts and parcels of land and other the premises the sum of thirty shillings current money of N. York, upon every 2&th day of March forever hereafter. And we do farther give and grant unto the ffree- holders and inhabitants of the sd town of W. Chester, and to their heirs and assigns forever, full power and authority annually and once every year, and that upon the first Monday in the month of May, that they the said ffreeholders and inhabitants bhall and may as formerly hath been accustomed in the sd town, to elect and choose twelve freeholders for their trustees, who shall have full power and authority, or the major part of them, to order and dispose of all or any part of the undivided land within sd town limits and precincts thereof, as fully and amply to all intents, constructions, and purposess as formerly they have used and been accustomed to do. And farther of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and mcer motion, we do, for us, our heirs, and suceesors, grant, constitute, ordain, and appoint, by this our present charter, that all and singular the lands, tenements, and hereditaments herein before in this our sd royal charter and grant granted and confirmed, mentioned or intended to be granted and confirmed, shall from henceforth forever be a free borough and corporation, excepting and always reserving out of the sd borough or corpora- tion all that tract of land scituate and being upon the east side of Harlem river aforesd, and which did formerly belong to Coll. Lewis Morris, deced, and which now is in the tenure and occupation of James Graham, Esqr,, and to be
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 189
and remain ont of the jurisdiction of the ad corporation. And farther of oar especial grace, certain knowledge, and meer motion, do, for ns, onr heirs, and successors, grant, constitote, ordain, and appoint, by this onr present charter, that the sd town of W. Chester and all and singolar the lands and tenements thereunto belonging and appertaining may forever hereafler be a free borough and town corporate, and shall be called the borough and town of W. Chester, and that in the sd town corporate there shall be a body politick consisting of a mayor, six aldermen, and six assistants, or common council of the sd borough and town of W. Chester, to continue in succession forever, and fur the more full and perfect erection of the sd corporation and body politick to consist, continue, and be of a mayor, six aldermen, and six assistants, or common coun- cil of the sd borough or town to be called and known by the name of the may- or, aldermen, and commooay of the borough and town of W. Chester.
We of our especial grace, certain knowledge and meer motion, do by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, create, make, ordain, constitute, nominate and appoint our trusty and well beloved Coll. Caleb Heathcote, Esq. one of our counoellors of our sd province of N. York, to be the first and now mayor of the sd town and borough of W. Chester, and to continue in the said office untill the first Monday in the month of May, which shall be in the ninth year of our reign. And we do likewise create, make, ordain, constitute, no- minate and appoint Wm. Barns, Jno. Stuert, Wm. Willett, Thus. Baxter, Josiah Stuert and Jno. Baily, gents., to be first aldermen of the sd borough and town of Westchester, and Israel Honeywell, Robert Hustis, Sam*l Hus- tis, Saml Ferris, Daniel Turner and Miles Oakley, gents., the first assistants and common council of the sd borough and town, and that the sd mayor, ald'o and common council and their successors, shall for ever hereafter be in name aod in deed a body corporate and politick and shall forever hereailer be called and known in all courts whatsoever, plead and be impleaded by the name of the Mayor, Ald'n and Commonalty of the Borough and Town of W. Chester. And of our further grace, certain knowledge and meer motion, and to the in- tent that the sd corporation and body politick by these presents created and began as aforesd, may have perpetual succession and continue forever, we do by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, grant unto the sd mayor, ald'n and common council and their successors fur ever, that the sd mavor
w
and ald'n of the sd borough and town of W. Chester, for the time being, shall and may from time to time, whensoever aod as oflen as they shall think meet, admit and receive under the common seal of the sd corporation to be of the commonalty of the sd borough and town, such and so many persons as the said mayor and alder'n, or the mayor fur the time being and the greatest part of the sd alder*n shall think mg^t, and that every such person and persons by them the sd mayor and alder*n or the greater part of them as aforesM to be admitted and received as aforesM, shall immediately af\er such admission be free men of the sd borough and town and members of the sd body politick, and have and enjoy all each the same and so many priviledges, franchises and im«
190 HISTORY OF THE
muqities, as if the said pereont bo to be admitted had been apecially and par- ticularly named in tbia our ad royal charter to be of the sd commonality. And further we of our eapecial grace, certain knowledge, and roeer motion, do by theae preaenta, for ua, our heira and aucoesaor, give and grant onto the ad tnayxir, alder'n and common council of the ad borough and town of W. Chea- ter, that they and their auccesaora shall from henceforth for ever be a body politick and incorporate, in deed and in name, and by theae preaenta fully and absolutely make, create, coniBtitute, eatabliah and unite the ad mayor, alder'a and common council into one body politick and incorporate to endure and con tinue for ever, and them and their aucceaaora do declare, accept and allow for a perfect corporation and body politick for ever, and that the ad body politick and corporate aball be called and known for ever by the name of the Mayor, Alder^n and Commonalty of the Borough and Town of W. Cheater, and that by that name they and their aucceaaora aball be able peraona in law to make all manner of contracta and granta, and to make, receive and take all manner of gifta, granta and purchaaea aa any other natural peraon or body politick is able to make, receive and take by the lawa of our realm of England and thia our province, and that they and their aucceaaora ahall and may by that name implead any other peraon or peraona, or be impleaded in any court or courts, in all and all manner of causes and actions, real and personal ot mixt of what kind or nature soever, and claim and demand their libertiea and francheaaea before any judge or judges, ecclesiastical or aecular, and otherwise do and execute alt and every act and acts, thing and things whatsoever, which any other liege men which are enabled and made capable of the benefit of our laws within our realm of England or this our province of N« York, can or may lawfully do or execute. And farther of our especial grace, certain kno^vledge, and meer motion, we do by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant unto the sd mayor, alder^n and common council, that the sd Col. Caleb Heathcott and his successors, mayora of the sd town and borough of W. Chester aforesM for the time being, shall have the charge of free gov- ernmH of the sd borough and town of W. Chester during the time of his and their bearing the sd office, in aa absolute and ample manner as is usual and CQStomary with other mayors in the like corporations in our realm of England. And further because the sd mayor for the time being may many times have jnat occasion to be absent from the sd town, either of the public affairs thereof or for his own private respects, wee do therefore for us, our heirs and succes- sors, by these presents give and grant unto the sd mayor, ald^n and common eounoel and their anccessors, that the sd Coll. Caleb Healhcott and his suc- cessors, mayors of the sd borough and town of W. Cheater, and every of them, shall have full power and authority from time to time during his year of government, with the consent of the said aldermen of the sd town for the time being or the greater part of them, to substitute in his absence some dis- ereet and substantial person being one of the members of the sd aldermen ishabiting in the sd town or borough, ts be his deputy mayor during the ah-
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 191
•enee of the said mayor, and each deputy mayor for the time being, we do by these presents fully and absolutely authorise to do and execute all (hings what- soever belonging to the sd office or place of mayor in as large and ample man- ner as if the sd mayor himself was personally present. And we do farther by these presents give and grant unto the sd mayor, aldermen and common councel of the sd borough and town of Westchester and their successors for ever, that the sd miayor for the time being or lawful deputy and any two or more of the sd aldn of the sd town shall and may lawfully hold and keep upon the first Tuesday in every month throughout the year a court within ye sd town of W. Chester, and therein shall have full power and authority to hold plea of all manner of debts, covenants, trespasses, accompts, detinues, de- mands, and all other actions personal of what kind or nature soever the same be, arising and growing only within the sd borough or town of W. Chester and the limits thereof, so as ye same doth not exceed in debt or damages the sum of twenty pounds current money of this our province, who shall have power to hear and determine the same pleas and accompts according to the rules of the common law of our realm of England and the acts of General Assembly of this our province of N. York. And farther of our like especial grace, certain knowledge and meer motion, we do by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant unto the said mayor, aldern and com- mon council of the.sd borough and town of W. Chester and thejr successors for ever, that they and their successors for ever shall have a common seal un- der which they shall pass all grants, warrants, deeds and specialties, and other the affairs and business of or concerning the sd corporation, which shall be engraven with such form and inscription as shall be devised by the mayor, aldermen and common councel of the sd borough and town ; that the sd may- or, aldern and common council shall and may build, or cause to be built in some convenient place of the sd town a common hall or town house to be called by the name of the town hall of the borough and town of W. Chester, where the sd mayor, aldern and common council shall and may from henceforth for ever lawfully assemble themselves to deliberate and consult touching the publick welfare of the sd borough and town of Westchester, and that they and their successors shall and may from henceforth be a free guild mercaturie, and that they or the greater part of them and their successors of which the mayor to be one, shall and may from time to time in their public counoels freely and lawfully make and establish all such ordinances, statutes, orders or by-laws as may tend to the good and wholesome government of the said borough and town and to ye public benefit of the inhabitants of the same, not being repug- nant to the common laws and statues of oar realm of England, and this our province of N. York, and such ordinances, by-laws, statutes, orders, and d6- erees as shall be made by them as aforesaid, we do by these presents, for as our heirs and successors, ratify, confirm aifd allow as good and effeotnal to bind all the inhabitants of the sd borough and town, and do expressly will and command by these presents that the same be duly pot in execotiony and that
192 HISTORY OF THE
the 8d mayor, aldern and common eoaiiool ahall at aoj time or times hereafter hare full power to establish a ferry orer the Sound> between the said corpo- ration and the island of Nassaa, in such convenient place or places as to the ad mayor and to the greater part of the said aldern shall seem meet and con- venient, and to take such fees and perqaisites for the same for the use of the td corj>oration, as is now paid for the flferidge between N. York and the -sd iaiand.
And farther, for the more orderly government of the said borough and town, according to the form of the best governed towns and corporations of onr realm of England, Wee do by these presents, for us, our heirs and snccessors, give ami grant unto the s^d mayor, alder'n, and common council of the sM borough and town of W. Chester, full power to elect and nominate one dis- creet and sufficient person, learned in ye law, to be recorder and town clerk i>f the s*d borough and town of W. Chester, daring the pleasure of the s*d mayor, alder'n, and common council, and such person or persons as they the s'd mayor, alder'n, and common council shall choose to be recorder and town clerk of the sM borough and town. Wee do, for us, our heirs and successes, make, ordain, and constitute recorder and town clerk of the s*d borough and town, and that the s'd person or persons may execute their sM offices, by them- selves or lawful deputy or deputies, so that the same be first approved of by the sM mayor and tho major part of the said alder'n, and wee do hereby autho- rise the said recorder and town clerk, his or their lawful deputy or deputies, to use and exercise such jurisdictions and authority as the recorder and town clerk doth or ought to do in the like corporations in our realm of England. And further, we do by tbese presents, for us, our heirs and successors, make ordain, and constitute the s'd mayor and aldermen of the s'd borough and town of W. Chester to be justices of the peace within the s'd bounds and limits of the s'd town, and do hereby give them full power and atithority to do and exe- cute all and every act and acts, thing and things whatsoever, within the sM bounds and limits of the s'd borough and town, in as absolute and ample man- ner as any justice of the peace within the s'd county of W. Chester may or ought to do, by the laws and statotes of our realm of England and this oar province of N. York. And we do further, for us, our heirs, and successors, give and grant unto the s'd mayor, aldermen, and common council of ye s'd borough for the time being, and to their success'rs forever, full power and au- thority to nominate and appoint, from time to time, one serjeant of the mace, and all other inferior officers and ministers which they shall think to be con- venient and necessary, and which are accustomary in any of our corporations in our realm of England, for ye service of the s'd borough and town i all which officers being from time to time appoin'd by the s'd mayor and aldermen as afuresM, we do, for us, our heirs, and successors, by these presents, constitute and establish in their several offices, and do give them and every of them fall power and authority to use and exercise ye same within the s'd borough and town, and within the limits and franchises thereof during ye will and pleasort
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 193
of the sd mayor and aldermen as fully and freely as any other the like offi- cers in or of any of the like corporations in our realm of England lawfully may or ought to dO) and the sM office of mayor shall from thenceforth forever be annual, and that the sd mayor, alder'n, and common ooancil shall from henceforth forerer have frank and free election of the sd mayor, to be chosen yearly out of the number of the sd aldermen, and that by the Totes of the greatest number of the said freeholders and inhabitants of the said eorporationt and all other the said officers and ministers out of the rest of the number of the sd ffreeholders and inhabitants by ye greater number of the sd mayor, aldermen, and common council, and when and so often as any of the affores'd aldermen and common council who are hereby nominated and created for their limetime, or untill they or any of them shall be lawfully removed, or Tollenta- rily remove themselves from the sd corporation, ye said aldermen to be elect- ed and chosen out of the number of the sd common council, and the number of the common council to be chosen and made up out of the freemen of the sd corporation by the grater vote of the sd freeholders and inhabitants thereof^ and that always within fourteen days after the death or removal of any of them as aforsM. And farther our will and pleasure is that the first Monday in the month of May, yearly, shall be forever the day of election of the ad mayor and all other the sd officers and ministers which shall yearly succeed in the sd borough, unless the sd mayor for the time being happen to die or be lawfully removM within the year, in which case our pleasure is that the aforesM ffreeholders and inhabitants shall within fourteen days after the death or removal of any such mayor for the time being, as afores^d, proceed to elec- tion to some other of the sd aldermen to supply the place of the sd mayor, being void as afores'd, and that Coll. Caleb Heathcott, the present mayor, shall immediately, before he take upon him the said office and place, take the oaths lately appointed by act of parliament instead of the oaths of alliegeanee and supremacy, and that the same be administered to him in the presence of our sd cap^n genel and gover*r in chief of oar sd province of N. York, and the 8*d Coll. Caleb Heathcott having taken ye said oaths, shall cause the same to be given in his presence as well to such persons as ye sd Coll. Caleb Heathcott shall at any time during his mayoralty leave to be his deputy in his absence as afores^d, as to the aldermen and common council created as afores*d, and to the recorder and all such other officers and ministers as shall be chosen in the said borough for the better government of the same, and that before they or any of them shall take upon them to execute any office or place by virtue of this our royal charter and pattent, and after the end of the mayoralty of the sd Coll. Caleb Heatheota, our will and pleasure is that every mayor of the sd town that shall be hereafter elected in manner aforesM shall imme- diately take the aboves'd oaths before three at the least of the aldermen of the ad boroughj and that upon election of any other alder*n or common ooancil, in case of death or removal as afores'd, or such other officers as shall be annaally chosen to take the abovesM oaths before the mayor for the time being, and any
Vol. II. 25
194 HISTORY OF THE
tTto of the sd aldermen^ whom we do by theee presents fully aathorixe to a^ minister snd gi?e the sd several oaths. And farther^ of oar especial graeo certain knowledge and meer motion, do by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant unto the sd mayor, alder*n, aad common cfmm* eil of the borough and town of Westchester, and their successors forever, that they the sd mayor and alderman shall and may from henceforth forever, have, bold and keep, one free market within the sd borough and town upon every Wednesday in every week, and two fairs within the sd borough and town at two several times in the year, (viz.) the one to begin and to be holden within the said borough and town upon the second Tuesday in May, yearly forever, and to continue for three days and no longer, and the other of the sd fairs to begin upon the last Tuesday in October yearly, forever, and to continue also for three days and no longer, with power to erect several courts of pipowder, and the office of clerk of entries, and all other things thereunto belonging, with all and singular the perquisites and profits, issues, customs, tolls, fees, amercia- ments, commodities, jurisdictions and emoluments, to the sd courts, fairs, and markets, in any wise belonging and appertaining, and that the mayor of the said borough and town of W. Chester for the time being, aud no other, have power and authority to give and grant license annually, under the public seal of the said corporation, to all tavern keepers, inn keepers, ordinary keepers, vicktuallers, and all puhlick sellers of wine, strong waters, rum, cyder, beer, or any other sort of strong liquors by retail, within the sd corporation or the liberties and precincts thereof ; and it shall and may be lawful to and for the sd mayor of the sd borough for the time being, or his lawful de- puty, to ask, demand, and receive for such licence by him to be given and granted as aforesd, such sum or sums of money as he and the person to whome such licence shall be given and granted shall agree for not exceeding the sum of 20s. for such licence, ail which money as by ye said mayor shall be so receivd, shall be us'd and applyd to the public use of the mayor, alder- men and common council of the sd borough and their successors. And also we do, of our like especial grace, certain knowledg, and meer motion, by these presents, for us, our heirs, and successrs, grant unto the said mayor, aldermen and common council of the sil borough and town of W. Chester and their suc- cessrs forever, that the mayor with two or more of the aldermen for the time being, shall have full power to enquire, hear, and determine, of all frays and bloodsheds whatsoever, happening within the sd borough and town of W. Chester, and the offenders therein to correct and punish according to the laws of our realm of England and this our province of N. York. And we do far- ther by these presents, for us, our heirs, and successrs* give and grant unto the sd mayor, aldern, and common council of the sd borough and town of W. Chester, and to their successrs forever that the mayor, or in his absence his deputy mayor of the sd borough and town for the time being, shall be coroner and clerk of the market within ye sd borough and town and the liberties there- of, giving and^ hereby granting unto the sd mayor and deputy mayor fur the
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 196
time being full power and anthority to exercise and execnte the eaid office and offices of coroner and clerk of the market in the sd borough and town and the liberties thereof in as large and ample manner as any other coroner or clerk of the market doth or may lawfully execute the like office or offices in any other town or liberties within this our province of N. York. And farther, of our especial grace, certain knowledg, and meer motion, wee do by these pre- sents, for us, our heirs, and successors, give and grant unto the sd mayor, al- dermen and common council of the sd borough and town of W. Chester aforesd, and their successrs forever, that they and their successors shall and may from time to time return and send one discreet burgess of the sd town and borough into every general assembly hereafter to be suromond or holdeii within this our province of N. York, which burgess so returnd and sent shall be receivd into the house of deputies or members of the sd house and have and enjoy such priviledges as any otlier of the sd members have or ought to have. And lastly our express will and pleasure is, and we do by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant unto sd mayor, aldermen, and com- mon council of the sd borough, and their successrs forever, that these our letters patent or the inrolment thereof in our secretarie^s office of our sd pro- vince, shall be good, available, and effectual in the law to all intents, construc- tions, and purposes, against us, our heirs, and successors, without any other licence, grant, or confirmation from us, our heirs, or successors hereafter, by the sd mayor, aldermen, and common council, or their successors, or any of them, to be had and obtained notwithstanding the not recitall or miss-recitall, not nameing or miss-nameing of the sd offices, ffranchises, lands, tenements, or hereditaments, and other the premises or any of them, and notwithstanding that no writ of ad quod damnum hath issued forth to enquire of the premises or any of them before the sealing of these presents, any statute, act, ordinance, or provision, or any other matter or thing whatsoever to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding. In witness whereof we have caused these our letters to be made paiteot. Witness oar trusty and well beloved Benjamin Fletcher our capn genl and govenr in chief of our sd provin/sa of New York and the territories and tracts of land depending thereon in America, and vice admiral of the same, our lieutent ^nd commander in chief of the melitia and of all the fibrsses by sea and land within our coUony of Connecticut, and of all the fibrts and places of strength within the same, Att our fort at New York, this six- teenth day of April, in the eighth year of our reign.^
VjvAiiT Rex et Reoina."
Another entry relates to the swearing in of the first aldermen and common council of the borough.
• From a certified copy of the original, in the possession of Ogden Hammond, Esq.
tw
HEffTOBT OW THE
(•"('"OMnt- altinm«n. iif cba wid larjocUim, aai Babcrt Hmcaaar Shbm£ KiMMk l^Mmiri Faccus DCIm UsUa« ud IhB^ ToEnr. padommr conni^
«UUBItli lit* «i|i mirpamljim, mn.( .f||| a^ ^ OBtfu Spganttd I17 MSOtf Pttdi*-
awtt. WtiUMt <^ >if tba wlits of aUagJun u^ M
■ HsKCMEim, JBqpr.^
IhifitxiscitssdoaMiefbribe ose of ibe cMpnaCani^ mii tfiat in. tita vaua tiioe the ko/ k ibnoerly awd by ibe inisie» liialL te WMWoseoC it wMfurthei ordered, that Hr.J«iK»Caiittt^iaU. V» Mwrrfw and li^dward Collier hia deputy ; abo ftM laaaph. Hoat. jan^ ahoold be tenant of the maee, if be wosM aasspt a£ il, and if not John Willisma ihould beieiTeanf e^iAcmuin.'*
" At a coart held in the borough tovn of WestcfaotBir &? the mayor and aldermen of uid town on the 6lb of Oetdbs;. Iti9^ Colonel Ueatbcoie brought the wal for (be coriKMatiaiinSid.(fiil give it gratia to the town, and left it in the hands <i£ t&a cor corder."
nt Sol cT Ibt B«Oith AT
Serenl imfnmioi^ at thii k>1 mc atUclMd b
1 (lie lows eSnk'a
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 197
At a meeting of the trustees of this town, held on the 8tli of June, 1700, it was resolved,
" That whereas at a former meeting held by the inhabitants of the borough town and precincts, on the 3d day of May, 1697, it was Toted and agreed up- on that there should be a town hall built to hold courts in and for the public worship of God, &c., but it being then neglected, the mayor, aldermen and Justices at this meeting, did order with a joynt consent to build a house for the uses of a court and prison,*- The dimensions of the house is to be twenty- six feet square, sixteen feet joynts, a square roof, six window cases fi?e feet square, &c. The trustees agreed with Richard Ward to build said house for jC33, and with Erasmus Orton to build the prison for £5. It is to be twenty feet long, 16 feet wide, scTon feet high, two feet thick with a good chimney. The town to find attendance. Which work is to be done by the Slst."^
By a reference to the charter, it will be seen that the borough of Westchester enjoyed the right of being represented in Assem- bly. The first representative appears to have been Lewis Morris, Esq. The following certificate refers to the services of this in- dividual
General Assembly for the Colony of New York.
Die Sabbati, 6 July. 1733.
These are to certifie that Lewis Morris, Esq., one of the persons duly
elected for ye borough of Westchester to serre in General Assembly for ye
Colony of New York, hath attended the serTice of this house in General As<*
sembly, the full term of sixty-one days.
By order of ye General Assembly,
R. LiYiKosTON, Speaker.
July 6th, 1733. ReceiTed ye full payment of this certificate from ye borough of Westohes* ter, I say receiTed by me.
Lewis Morris. <
*■ The old court house and jail occupied the site of the present carriage shed, on the south side of St. Peter's church. Both were burned during the Revolution.
k Westchester Rec On the 4th of September, 1700, Joseph Haviland and John Hunt were directed to agree for the timber work of the priaon.
• Town Rec. book 9, 155.
198 HISTORY OF THE
Peter de Lancey, Esq., represented the borough, in 1766, for which he received ten shillings per diern.^
One of the most important privileges conferred upon this town by the royal charter, was ihat of holding a mayor*s courts the first Tuesday in every month. This court had full power to bear and determine all causes '* not exceeding in debtor damages the sum of twenty pounds." From the town records it appears, that " at a mayor's court holden in Westchester, 6th of July, 1697, the court did order that Capt. William Barnes shall see out for a workman to make a pair of stocks and the prison sufficient for the securing of prisoners, until such time as a way may be found for the building of a new one," &c.^
As a proof that liberty was not yet clearly understood by our ancient judges, we subjoin an extract from the records of the ma- yor*s court in 1730.
<< Present Miles Oakley, mayor, Thomaa Hunt, Joshua Hunt, James Cromwell, Nathaniel Underbill and William lieggett, aldermen.
"The jury being called over said they could not agree, and James Dangly and Gabriel Le^gett who dissented from the others gave their reasons to the court ; which being judged in- sufficient, they were fined 40j. each, and to stand committed till paid. The jury were then discharged."c
"At a mayor's court held in Westchester, December, 1734, Present, William Leggett, Esq., mayor, William Firster, recor- der, Nathaniel Underbill, Thomas Hunt, Joshua Hunt and Ga- briel Leggett, aldermen, <kc. The recorder presented the free- dom of the town to the Hon. James de Lancey, Esq., and John Chambers, attorney at law, which was read and approved : and thereupon it was ordered that the mayor, recorder and aldermen do forthwith wait on the said James de Lancey, Esq., and John Chambers, at the house of William Burnett, and deliver the same
• Smith's Hilt of N. Y* The daily wages of Uie representatives, wer^ regulatpd by sundry acts of Assembly, b Town Rec, c Town Rec,
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 199
unto (hem» and desire their acceptance of the same. According- ly the court adjourned."*
The town properly^ is at present managed by a board of three trustees^ who represent the wayor^ aldermen and commonalty of the ancient borough of Westchester. The following act was passed by the legislature of this state, on the 19th of March, 1813, entitled '<an act relative to the duties aud privileges of towns." The 28th section of which directs,
" That ihe freeholders aad inhabitants of the town of Westchester, in the coanty of Westchester, may, on the day of their annual town meeting, under the usual manner of electing town officers, choose six freeholders resident in this town for trustees, and the said trustees or a majoriiy of them, shall and may order and dispose of, all or any part of the undivided lands within the said town, as folly to every purpose, as trustees have been used to do. under any patent or charier to the said town, and may continue to lease out the right and privilege of setting and keeping a ferry across the East river from the said toWn of Westchester to the town of Flushing, in Queens county, in like manner, at the same rates of ferriage, under the same rules and regulations, and for the like purposes, as they have lawfully been accustomed to do, since the eighteenth day of April, one thousand seven hundred and eighty five.^o
In 1746, the small pox prevailing in Greenwich, New York, the house of asserubly adjourned to Westchester.
The following letter of the Westchester sub-committee, dated borough and town of Westchester, A^ugust 24th, 1775, to the Honorable Provincial Congress, is copied from the military re- turns.
• Town Rec. On the 2d of July, 1737, Lewis Morris, Jun., and Frederick Phi- llpse were admitted fieemen of the borough under the common seal of the corpor- ation.
b The town property prior to its divuiion, in 1846, amounted to sixteen or twenty thousand dollars, (arising from the sale of the common lands) the interest of which was appropriated to the common schools.
c Laws of New York, 1813- The above confirms a former act of legislatare, passed 18 April, 1785, in which the freeholders of the town were antborised to choose six trustees, who should have the right to order and dispose of the ondivided lands, &.C.
200 HISTORY OP THE
We the subscribers appointed a sab-committee to inspeet theelection of mili- tia officers for the said town, do most humbly certify, that the following per- sons were chosen this 24th day of Angnst, 1775, by a majority of Toieea duly qaalified for that purpose, agreeable to the resdotiona of the honoraUe con- gress abo?esaid, (viz. :)
John Oakley, Captain.
Nicholas Berrian, 1st Lieutenant.
Isaac Leggett, 2d Lieutenant,
Frederick Philipse Stevenson, Ensign.
C Thomas Hunt, Committee, < James Ferris,
\ Lewis Graham.
At a meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants of the town of Westchester, held 1st day of April, 1788, being the first Tuesday in April, and the annual day of electing town officers, pursuant to an act of the legislature, passed the 14th Feb. 1787. Present, Joseph Bowne, &c.
The following persons were chosen for the ensuing year :
Israel Underbill, Supervisor.
John Bartow, Jr., 1
Michael Ryer, > Assessors.
Augustus Drake, y
John Bartow, Jr., Israel Underbill,
Josiah Quimby, LTrnatees
Edward Briggs, >^ro»tces.
Joseph Bowne, Samuel Bayard.
Cornelius Hunt, Constable.
The first settlers of Westchester, appear to have made early provision for ifie education of the young, and the support of reli^ gion among them. This is abundantly seen in the town re- cords. Tiie church at this period was Congregational in its form of government, and so continued until the organization of the English Colonial Church in 1693.'
On the llih of February, 1680, occurs the following entry in the town books. " There was sprinkled with water by Morgan
> For a long period, Westcheiiter appears to have been associated with Eastches' ter, in the support of a minister .
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 201
Jones, priest, (what they call baptizing) Williana Hunt, son of John Hunt of Westchester ; witnesses present, Joseph Hiint and Bridget Waters." The same year, •* Morgan Jones married Isaac Dickerman of this towne, to Bertha,' the daughter of Hen- ry Gardner. Recorded by me, Francis French, clerk."*
At a town meeting held in Westchester, April 2nd, 1684, '* it was voted, that the justices and vestrymen of Westchester, East- chester and Yonckcrs, do accept of Mr. Warham Mather as our minister for one whole year, and that he shall have sixty pound in country produce, at money price, for his salary, and that he shall be paid every quarter. Done in behalf of the justices afore- said, signed by us,"^
John Quimby, Joseph Hunt, John Bayley, John Burkbee. . In the year 1692, the church appears to have been without a minister ; for, '< at a lawful town meeting held in Westchester, by the freeholders and inhabitants, and residents of said place, the 2nd day of January, 1692, in order to consult, conclude and agree, about procuring an orthodox minister in said town. It is voated and agreed upon, that there shall be an orthodox minister in the town aforesaid, as soon as possible may be, and to allow him forty or fifty pound per annum, equivalent to money, for his maintenance. Its also voated and agreed upon, that a m^n shall go to the Honorable Colonel Heathcotc, and see if he can prevail with him for to procure us a minister, in his travels in New England, otherwise that Captain William Barnes shall go and procure us a minister.''^
On the 15th of Dec, 1692, the general court of sessions ordered, 'Mhat within any towne, precinct and patent within this county, due observation of the Lord*s day shall be kept, and for want of an able minister, the inhabitants shall employ a reader, to read out of good books, two sermons every Lord's day, (that is to say) one in the forenoone between 9 and 1 1 o'clock, and one in the
• Town See. k Town Rec. • Town Rec p. 198
Vol. II. 26
202 HISTORY OF THE
afternoone between two and four o'clock, at such places as shall be thought meet and convenient by ye inhabitants of such towne, precinct and patent, &c.^
A LIST OP MINISTERS OP THE CONGREGATIONAL
CHURCH, WESTCHESTER.
Instal or call. Ministers. Yacated by
1665*6, Rev. Mr. Brewster, resignatioB.
1674, Rev. Eaekiel Fogge, ditto.
1680, Rev. Morgan Jones, ditto.
1684, Rev. Warham Mather, ditto.
The first organization of the Episcopal church in this town took place under the act of assembly passed September, 1693. entitled " An act for settling a ministry and raising a maintenance for them in the city of New York and the counties of Richmond, Westchester^ and Queen's." To the above act was added as fol- lows on the Uth of May, 1697, "that there shall be called and inducted and established a good sufficient Protestant minister to officiate and have the care of sonis within one year next and after the publication hereof. In the county of Westchester two, one to have the cure of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers, and the manor of Pelham,"^ <fcc., Ac.
The subjoined order relates to the erection of the first Episco- pal church in Westchester.©
"At a meeting held by the trustees this 4th of September, 1700, present, Josiah Hunt, president, Edward Waters, Joseph Haviland, John Hunt, Joseph Bayley, John Perris, sen., and Richard Ponton. It is voted and agreed upon that all who shall cart timber and stuff for the meeting house shall have six shil- lings per diem, &c., done in behalf of the freeholders and com- monality of the town."**
» Town Rec.
k Aeti of proYincial assembly, N. Y., from 1691 to 1725, p. 33.
* The exact date when the CoogrregalioDal meeting^ house was erected here is uncertaio ; it most, however, ha?e fallen into decay sometime prior lo the erection of the Episci^al church.
4 Town Rec.
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 203
At a subsequent meeting of the trustees held on the 26th of October, A. D. 1700, " It was voted that Richard Ward shall build the meeting house twenty-eight feet square^ with a turret on the top, for forty pounds.''*
The first rector of the parish was the Rev. John Bartow. ''This individual (remarks Dr. Hawkins,) was appointed mis- sionary on an annual salary of £50, in the year 1702. He ar- rived in New York in ten weeks, during the prevalence of a very fatal sickness, of which twenty persons, on an average, died every day for some months. He was fixed at Westchester by the governor. Lord Cornbury, but found the glebe of one hun- dred acres *'all a wilderness,** no part of which had ever been cultivated. He says, November 4th, 1702, '< we have a small house built here for public worship of boards, but there is neither desk, pulpit, nor bell in it."b
Here follows the Bishop of London's^: license to John Bartow, clerk.
• In 1793 the tt%m% work of the old church was aold by order of the veetry to Mn. Sarah Ferris, widow of Benjamin Ferris, who afterwards converted it into a bam. It is now owned by her son-in-law. Captain E. Hawkins. The frame work measures exactly twenty-eight feet square, according to the specification 147 yean ago. The posts are sixteen feet high.
k Hawkins' Hist. Notes of Colonial Church, 276. MS. Letters, vol. i. 1, 55.
e We take the following extracts from Queen Aune's instruetioiis to Lord Corn- bury, dated December 5th, 1702. " Article 6th. And whereas the inhabitants of our said province have of late years been unhappily divided, and by their enmity to each other, our service and their own general welfajre have been very much ob- structed, you are therefore in the execution of our commission to avoid the engaging yourself in the parties which have been formed amongst them, and to use such impartiality and moderation to all as may best conduce to our service and the good of the colony."
Article 60. ** You shall take especial care that God Almighty be devoutly and duly served throughout your government, the book of common prayer as by law established read each Sunday and holyday, and the blessed sacraments administered, according to the rites of the Church of England. You shall be careful that the churches already built there be well and orderly kept, and that more be built as the colony shall by God*s blessing be improved, and that besides a £ompetent mainte- nance to be assigned to the minister of each orthodox church a convenient house be built at the common charge, for each minister, and a competent proportion of land assigned him for a glebe and exercise of his industry. And jou are to tnka care that the parishes be limited and settled as you shall find most convenient for the accomplishing this good work**'
204 HISTORY OF THE
•
Henriciu, pennissione dirina, Londooensis episeopos, dfleoto nobis ia Ciirista
lohanni Bartow, clerico, ealutero et gratiam, ad peragendum offieium ministe*
riale intra pro?iociam de Novo Eboraco, in America, in precibaa eoniiniuiiboa
aliisqae nainisteriia ecclesiastiois ad offieium mioisteriale pertinentibas jaxta
formam descriptam in libro publicaram precum, auctoritate parliamenti hujaa
inclyti regni Anglise, in ea parte edita, et proviaa, et eanones, et constitationiar
in ea parte legitime stabilitaa, et poblicataa, et non aliter neqae riio modo ;
tibi de cujus fidelitate moram integritate literarum scientia aaroma doctrina ei
diligentia plurimuro confidemua, (prestituta peniius parte juramoa totami de
agnoacendo regiam aupremam majeatatam, juxta vim formam et effectam ata*
tuti parliamenti dicti regni Anglie, in ea parte editi et provisi, quam de canon-
ica obedientia nobis et successoribas nostris in omnibus recitis et honestis per
te prasstanda et exhibenda subseriptisqne pertinentibas illis articuUs mentiona-
lia ip tricesimo sexto capituk) libri coostitutorum, si?e canonum eccleszaatico*
ram, anno Domini, 1604, regia auctoritate editorum et prcHnulgatonim licentiam
facultatum ntatram concedimu^ ct impertamur per precedeotes, ad nostraoa
beneplacitum dum tanat duraturas, in cujus rei testimonium sigillam nostram,
** 61. You are not to prefer any miaister to any ecclesiastical benefice in that our province without a certificate from the Right Rev. father in God the Bishop of London, of his being conformable to the doctrine and discipline of the Church of England, and of a good life and conversation, and if any person preferred already to a benefice appear to you to give ecandall, either by his doctrine or manners, you are to use the best means for the removal of him, and to supply the vacancy in such manner as we have directed.*'
*' Article 62. You are to give order forthwith (if the same be not already doue,) that every orthodox minister witiiin your goveruraent be one of the vestry in his respective parish, and that no vestry be held without him, except in case of sickness, or that after notice of a vestry summoned he omit to come."
*' Article 63. You are to examine whether there be any minister within your government who preaches and administers the sacraments in any orthodox church or chapel without being in due orders, and to give an account thereof to the said Bishop of London."
** Article 64. And to the end the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the said Bishop of London may take place in that province so far as convenieutly may be, we do think fit that you give all countenance and encouragement to the exercise of the same, excepting only the collecting to benefices, granting licences for marriages, and prpbate of wills, which we have reserved to you, our governor, and to the com* mander*in>chief of our said province for the time being."
•* Article 65. We do further direct that no schoolmaster be henceforth permitted to come from England and to keep school within our province of New York without the license of the said Bishop of London, and that no other person now there or that shall come from other parts be admitted to keep school without your license fiial obtained," &c. The original document is in the possession of Mr. Hayward, West I3lh street, New York.
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 205
(quam in similibos plenimqae utimur,) presentibas apponi feeimos dat vieetimo seouDdo die meneis JuDii, anno Domini millesimo septengeotesimo, secundo nostra translaiione Ticesimo septimo.'''*
» The first election for church officers, occurs the year of Mr. Bartow*s arrival. '^ At a meeting held in the borough town of Westchester, by the parishioneni of said church, pursuant to an act of general assembly, '^entitled an act for the settling a minis- try and raising a mai itenance for them, ^c," and Mr. John Bartow being settled minister of said parish, and his maintenance ought to be taken care for, do voluntarily make choice of the vestry and churchwardens, the 12th day of January, the first year of his majesties reign, A. D. 1702.
Present. Mr. Justice Pell, Mr. Justice John Hunt,
Mr. Justice Willett, Mr. Justice Graham,
Mr. Justice Josiah Hunt, Mr. Jostice Bay ley.
Churchwardens.
Lieutenant Col. GrahaiOi Justice Josiah Hunt.
Vestrymen.
Thomas Baxter, sen., Joseph tiaviland,
Joseph Draka, Thomas Pell,
John Archer, Miles Oakley,
John Buckbee, Daniel Clark,
Thomas Hunt, senr. of West Farms, Peter Ic Roy. Edward Collier, clerk. Erasmus Allen, Messenger.
It is agreed upon by the said justices and vestrymen, that there shall be raised fifty-five )K)unds for the minister's maintenance, and poor of the parish. The quotas for each precinct is as fol-
loweth :
«
Westchester, £27 18 0
Morris Anna, 3 7 0
Eastchester, 7 13 0
Pelham, 1 13 0
Rochelte, 7 3 0
Yonkers, 7 6 0
£55 0 0
• Probate Rec New York, lih. vi.
206 BISTORT OF THE
To be paid unto the churchwardens, at or before the 15th of December, next ensuing."
■ From a summary account of the state of the church in the province of New York, as it was laid before the clergy, convened Oct. 5th, 1704, at New York, &c., we learn that there was a church built, but not finished, being neither glazed nor ceiled." "There is £30 settled on the minister's salary by act of Assem- Uy." "There is twenty-three acres of land given by Westches- ter division, for a glebe,* &c. " At the end of two years," Mr. Bartow speaks with thankfulness, of having, " by the blessing of Almighty God, been made instrumental in making many pro- selytes to our holy religion, who are very constant and devout, in and at their attendance on Divine service ; and, those who were enemies at my first coming, are now zealous professors of the ordinances of our church. The inhabitants of our parish live scattered and dispersed up and down in the woods, so that many cannot repair constantly to the church, by reason of their great distance from it." Mr. Bartow appears, by bis letters, to have been in the habii^ of making collections in his church for any very urgent cases of distress. Thus we have the following notices : '* September 5th, 170S, came a distressed woman, widow o( Maynard, throtigh Westchester, who had nine children mur- dered by the Indians. Collected for her in the church, eleven shillings and six pence." The following Sunday he made a similar collection for a poor man. Besides Westchester at which he resided, Mr. Bartow chelated once a month at Eastchester, and occasionally at Yonkers. The population of Westchester was about five hundred and fifty : that of Eastchester, four hun- dred, &c.<*
Colonel Caleb Heathcote in a letter to the secretary of the Yene- rable Propagation Society, dated manor of Scarsdale, Nov. 9, 1705, says, " there is not any gentleman whom the society hath sent over, that is clothed with a fairer character than Mr. Bartow, of Westchester, and truly he is a very good and sober man, and
• Church Record, Francit L. Hawks, D. D., Editor, vol. i. no 16, 1841, k MS. Letters in Lambeth collection, vol. ii. L 32.
« Hist Not. of the Col. Church, hj Ernest Hawkins, 276. MS. letten, Lambeth Colt vol. ix. p. 109.
«••
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 207
is extremely well liked of and spoken of by his parishioners in general."
The following items are taken from the town records : " At a meeting of the Ji/^/ice^ of the vestry the 6th of Mai eh, 1704-6, John Williams late constable for the year 1703, appears with a receipt from Mr. John Bartow, bearing date the 5th of March, 1704, for the sum of £26 10, which is the full quota for the minister's rate in Westchester.
At a meeting of the justices, churchwardens and vestry of the parish of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers and the manor of Pelham, this 12th of December, 1706, in obedience to his excel- lency the governor's order, &c., present,
JasticeB. John Hunt, Capt. John Drake and Major Wm. Willett.
Vestrymen. Capt. Olirer Bayley, Henry Fowler, Son.,
Lieut. Joseph Drake, Samnel Ferris,
Thomas Pell, Jeremiah Fowler.
It is voted and agreed upon by the justices and vestry afore- said, that the parish church in Westchester^ shall be finished, that is to say, to seal the sides up to the wall plates, and lay a board floor, and make two new door cases, with doors and window shuts for the windows in said church, the upper windows ex- cepted ; and whereas, Jeremiah Fowler and Isaac Irehil, pre- senting themselves to do said work, the justices and vestry have agreed with them to do said worke for £17, in good current money of New York, provided, that as soon as they have laid the under floor and made the doors, and door cases and window shuts, they shall be paid to the value of said work, and the re- mainder of said JE^17, at the finishing thereof. The justices and vestry to find bords, and nails and hinges.
Edmund CullierP
''At a subsequent meeting held by ye justices, churchwardens and vestry, &c., this 23d day of December, 1707, they found it necessary to raise ye sumes which followeth, viz.
To ye minister's rate and collecting .... £b2 10 0
To ye poor, &c . 3980
To boards for Eastchester church 6 0 0
208 , HISTORY OP THE
To ye cl^rk of ye vestry ...... XI 0 0
To ye bell ringer 100
To ye colleciing uf 11 0 0
To ye belfry roof of Westchester church . . . 0 7 0
To ye sacrament and collection 3 8 0
At a meeting of ye churchwardens and vestrymen, freeholders and parishioners of the borough of Westchester, held the 10th day of January, A. D. 1709, present,
Joseph Hunt, Major William WDlett,
Thomas Pinckney, John Hunt,
Justices, Were chosen, and appointed
Joseph Hunt, jun. and Jeremiah Fowler, Churchwardens.
Vestrymen. For the borough of Westchester. For Eastchester.
Miles Oakley, Isaac Taylor,
^ Thomas Baxter, sen. John Lancaster,
Thomas Hunt. Nathaniel Tompkins.
For Yonckers Precinct. For the Manor of Pelham.
John Archer, Thomas Pell.-
Noah Bartow. For New Rochelle,
Anthony Lespinard.
Collected for the minister, jC50. For the clerk of Testry, £5. For col- lecting, £2 13. The quotas for the different precincts were
Westchester, £25 0 0 New Rochelle, i^S 15 0
Eastchester, 0 0 0 Pelham, 3 0 0
Yonckers, 8 0 0 Morrisania, 3 0 0
In 1720 the qnotas for the church and poor of the parish stood thus, Westchester, je37 10 02 Eastchester, £\2 U 11^
Yonckers, U 12 lOi New Rochelle, 12 14 U
Pelham, 4 4 1^ Morrisania, 4 10 0
In the year 1711, the venerable Propagation Society voted one hundred and fifty prayer books, and £5 worth of tracts for the Rev. John Bartow of Westchester. «^
Mr. Bartow in 1713 contributed £9 6s. 6rf., towards rectify- ing the pews and seats in East and Westchester.^ The same year, Mr. Charles Glen was appointed schoolmaster at Westches*
• Raportfl of Propagation Soo. k Ibid.
To fiice pnge C03, vol. ii.
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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER- 209
ter, with a salary of £18 per annum, "as he is recommended under the character of a person sober and diligent, well affected to the Church of England, and competently skilled in reading, writing, aritiiinetic, psalmody and the Latin tongue, provided he comply with the Society's rules in sending certificates of the number of his scholars."*
In 1715, by the blessing of God on Mr. Bartow's ministry at Westchester, Eastchester, Yonckers, and the manor of Pelhamj where there were formerly very few of the Church communion, there was visibly a very great reformation of manners.^
Mr. William Forster appears to have been schoolmaster in 1719. This individual had thirty scholars, '^ whom he catechises every Saturday and also every Sunday when Mr. Bartow goes to another part of the parish.^^
In 1722, Mr. Bartow informs the Society *'lhat they are re- pairing the church at Westchester by voluntary contributions, procured by the zealous efforts of Mr. Forster."**
" Mr. Bartow (says Dr. Hawkins) continued in the discharge of his important duties for the long period of a quarter of a century. He was the itistrument of bringing many separatists back to the church, and admitting into it many hitherto careless adults. He likewise gave much of his time to (he instruction of the poor negroes." " By such long and faithful services he received the general esteem of his people." The Rev. John Bartow was the son of General Bartow, a French Protestant refugee, who fled from France to England on the revocation of the edict of Nantes. A branch of this family, resident in Brittany, originally wrote the name Bertaut ;« but like other French names it was after- wards changed.
Mr. Bartow received his education at Christ College, Cam- bridge, and as we have previously shown entered upon his duties here in 1702. In 1722, he purchased of John Moss and Rosa- mond his wife, the farm now owned by Mr. Abraham Hatfield.
• Reports of Propagation Soc. b Ibid. • Ibid. d Ibid.
* The anm of ihe Bertautea or Bertaudes, en Bretagne, Da Hertray, Du Haim|, Da Pontpierre, de la Poissonniere, were d'or a la bande de lable, charge de tnrit b^ Miita d'argent accompagn^ de six annelets de geales, rail en orle.
YoL. 11. 27
210 HISTORY OF THE
Here be must have resided till his death, A. D. 1725. His re- mains are supposed to be interred in the family burying ground. In 1705, he married Helen, second daughter of John Read of Middrow Castle, parish of Kirkleston, Scotland, and sister of Col. Read, Governor of New Jersey. By his last wilt he bequeathed an equal part of all his personal estate to his wife. To Thomas his eldest son, land in Monmouth county, New Jersey, granted to him and his wife Helen by his father-in-law, John Read, in 1705, and all his Greek and Latin books, watch and a new Eng- lish bible quarto. To Theodosius, lands in New Jersey, a gold ring and an English bible quarto. To Anthony, lands on Mon- tapon river in jhe same province, and a new English bible quar- to. To Basil, an estate in Middlesex, New Jersey, also a part of the Indian purchase, called Pine hill, and a bible quarto, ^c.^
In 1725, " a gratuity of £50 was made by the Propagation Society to Mrs. Bartow, in consequence of Mr. Bartow's good sei* vices of twenty-three years."^ Three sons of Mr. Bartow, Thc- ophilus, Anthony, and Basil, left a numerous posterity, some of whom are still residing in Westchester county.
Mr. Bartow was succeeded in 1726 by the Rev. Thomas Stan- dard. In his report for the year 1728, Mr. Standard states, that he preaches alternately at East and Westchester twice a day, for the summer, and catechises the children publicly at P^astchester.
At a meeting of the trustees and freeholders of the borough town of Westchester, held the 14ih of March, 1729, present Miles Oukley, president, and Thomas Hadden, Nathauiel Cnderhilly Underbill Barnes, Thomas Baxter, John Palmer, Thomas Hunty Joseph Hunt, and James Baxter, trustees, ordered that Nathaniel Underbill, treasurer, pay Ebenczer Haviland
For a Bpindle for the church, £Z 7 6
To Justice Hadden, for lath and service done . . . . 2 8 0
To Captain Oakley fur service dune, 0 6 0
Allowed the treasurer for four white oak plank, Carting ditto, and for the weathercock,
!
1 1 0
• Rec. of Wills, Surrogate's office, N. Y. vol. x. 180. h Rep. of Propagation Soe.
• Hawkin's Hist. Not. of the Col. Church, 277.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 211
To Win. Oakley for bringing the weathercock from New York, 0 3 0 To Israel Honeywell for 4500 shingles and carting, and paid for
mending the windows, 13 1 0
To Mr. Gillaim fur work done above his articles, . . . 9 3 3
To Mr. Gillaim for work as per articles, 43 0 0
To expenses at making the agreement, 3 0 0
To Mr. Barnett, expenses at this meeting, . • . . 0 9 0
To Jeremiah Fowler^s expenses, 0 10 0
•
Total* £73 7 9
At a meeting of the trustees, (fcc, had on the 6lh day of May, A. D. 1729, present Miles Oakley, president, John Palmer, Tho^ mas Baxter, Joseph Hunt, Thomas Hadden, Thomas Hunt, Na- thaniel Underhill, John Cromwell, Underhill Barnes, and Miles Oakley, jr., trustees ; pursuant to an act of general assembly of this province passed in the tenth year of the reign of our late sovereign lord. King William the Third of glorious memory, entitled an act to enable the respective towns in this province to build and repair their meeting houses and other publick buildings. Resolved, nemine contra dicetite, that the sum of £70 shall be raised, and also the collection for the same sum^ for the repairing St. Peter^s Church in said Westchester, and for no other use, and that they will make a rate accordingly, agreeable to ye next assessments to be made and taken of the town sworn assessors, and that they will meet on yc 22d inst. to agree with workmen for that purpose,"*> <fec.
At a subsequent meeting of the trustees "£16 was ordered to be raised to finish the seats of the church, secure the frame, and to pay off the arrears, the seats to be made with backs, indluding the collector's fees ; and Underhill Barnes and Thomas Hunt are appointed overseers of the work, and to employ workmen. It was further ordered that a warrant be issued for raising said money according to law, to be paid at ye same time with the county tax. Also ordered, the overseers now chosen require Henry Gillaim to compleat his work, especially the front of the gallery^ and to make it secure and substantial."^
•■ Westchestor Rec. vol. iz. 213. b Weitchester Ree. Tol. ix. 906.
• Westchester Rec. yol. ix. 313.
212 HISTORY OF THE
In 1743, the Rev. Thomas Standard acquaints the Society '^ that notwithstanding the country swarmed with vagrant preach- ers called New Lights he had a more numerous congregation than usual the Lord's day preceding."
Uporf the earnest petition of the churchwardens and vestry- men of St. Peter's Church, Westchester, the Propagation Society appointed Mr. Basil Bartow schoolmaster of the parish. The king^s commissary transmitted tRe following account of this in- dividual. ''That he is son to the Rev. John Bartow, late the Society's worthy missionary there. He is a person of good tem- per, sober, and pious, and well affected to the present government, conformable to the doctrine and discipline of the church, and exceedingly well qualified for the instruction of the young."
A. D. 1745, Mr. Standard observes, " that the churches of East and Westchester^ are in a peaceable and growing state.^
In a letter dated th^ 1st of August, 1760, the churchwardens of Westchester inform the society, that the Rev. Thomas Stan- dard was dead, and that for sometime before his death, he had been incapable of performing his office of the church, of which he had been incumbent for more than thirty-four y«ars.*
Upon the 12ili of June, 1761, the Rev. John Milner was insti- tuted Rector of St. Peter's church, by Governor Golden, in the following manner:
'* I Cadwallader Colden, Esq., president of his majesties coancil and comman- der-in-chief of the province of New York, and the territories depending thereon in America, do, in pursaance of the power defoived in me, collate, institute and eeiablish you, John Milner, clerk, rector of the parish charcb of Westchester, commonly called St. Peter's church, including the several districts of West- chester, Yonkers, and the manor of Pelham, in the county of Westchester, within this government, to have the care of souls of the parishioners of the •aid church districts aforesaid, and take your cure and mine. Given under roy hand and the prerogative seal of the province of New York, at Fort George, in the city of New York, the 12th day of June, lT6i/'>>
Cadwallader Coi^den.
* Report of Propagation Soc.
k Surrogates office N. Y , Book of Commissions, vol. v. 343.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 213
On the 3d of October, 1761, the Rev. John Milner informs the society, " that after a long and dangerous passage, he arrived at his mission. May 13th, and had ever since preached to crowded audiences. He further states, that his parish is of large extent, and he is obliged to attend three churches. Until Mr. Houdin came to New Rochelle^ he officiated there once a
month.
<
In a letter dated June 4th, 1763, Mr. Milner acquaints the so- ciety " that he has procured a charter for St. Peter's church, and that the people have purchased a house with a glebe of thirty acres." The charter here alluded to, was granted in the follow- ing manner :
CHARTER OF ST. PETER'S CHURCH, WESTCHES- TER.
Geori^e the third, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ire- land, king, defender of the faith, &c., to whom these presents shall come, greeting : whereas, our loving sabjeot the Rev. John Milner, rector of St. Peter^s church, in the borough town of Westchester, and the county of West- chester, in our province of New York, and John Bartow, Isaac Willett, Lewis Morris, Jr., Peter de Lancey, Nathaniel Underhill, James Graham and James van Cortlandt, inhfbitanis of the said borough town of Westchester, in communion of the church of England, as by law established, in behalf of themselves and the rest of the inhabitants of the said town, in communion as aforesaid, by their humble petition, presented on the twelfth day of May last, to our trusty and well beloved Cadwallader Golden, Esq., then our lientenant, governor and commander-in-chief of our Province of New York and the terri- tories depending thereon, in America, in council did set forth, that for many years past there had been a church in the said town of Westchester, for the regular administration of divine service according to the use of the church of England, as by law established, but that for the want of proper persons to su- perintend the affairs and interests of the same with legal authority, the building was considerably out of repair, and pious and well disposed persons were dis- couraged in the designs of contributing to and establishing proper funds for the support of the said and the minister thereof, for remedying whereof, the said petitioners did humbly pray a letter patent, constituting the said petition- ers or snch of thetn as shall be thought proper, a body politick and corpo- rate, for the purpose of conducting and managing the affairs and interests of the said church, in such manner and forth, and with such rights, privileges tnd immunities as were therefore granted to the inhabitants of the town of
214 mSTORY OF THE
FfashiRg, in Queen^s ooanty, in comnaanion of the ehurcb of England, or with Koch other rights privileges and immunities as should be thonght reasonable and proper ; now, we being willing to encoarage the pious intentions of our said loving subjects, and to grant this their reasonable request^ know ye, that of oor especial grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, we have ordainedi given, granted and declared, and by these presents for os, our heirs and suc- cessors, do ordain, give, grant and declare, that they the said petitioners, and the rest of the inhabitants of the said borough town of Westchester, in oommunioo of the church of England, as by law established, and theit socces- •ors, the rector and inhabitants of the said borough town of Westchester, in eom- monion of the church of England as by law established, hereafter shall be a body corporate and politic, in deed, fact and name, by the name, stile and title of the rector and inhabitants of the borough town of Westchester, in com- munion of the church of England, as by law established, and them and their successors by the same name. We do by these presents, for os, oar heirs and successors, really and fully make, erect and constitute one body politic and corporate, in deed, fact and name forever, and we give grant and ordain, that they and their successors, the rector and inhabitants of the borough town of Westchester, in communion of the church of England as bylaw established, by the same name shall and may have perpetual successions, and shall and may be capable in law to sue and be sued, implead and be impleaded, answer and be an« flwered unto, defend and be defended in all courts and elsewhere, in all manner of actions, writs, complaints, pleas, causes, matters and demands whatsoever, as fully and amply as any other our liege subjects of oor said province of New York may or can sue or be sued, implead or ^ impleaded, defend or be defended, by any lawful way or means whatsoever, and that they and their successors by the same name shall be for ever hereafter capable and able in the law to purchase, take, hold, receive and enjoy any messuages, tenements, personal and real estate whatsoever in fee simple for the term of life or lives, or in any other manner howsoever for the use of the said church, and also any goods, chattels or personal estate whatsoever, provided always that the clear yearly value of the said real estate (exclusive of the said church and the ground whereon the same is built, and the cemetery belonging to the same,) doth not at any time exceed the sum of five hundred pounds current money of our said province, and that they and their successors by the same name shall have full power and authority to give, grant, sell, leave and dispose of the same real estate for life or lives, or year or for ever, under certain yearly rents, and all goods and chattels and personal estate whatsoever, at their will and pleasure, and that it shall and may be lawful for them and their successors to have and use a common seal, and our will and pleasure further is, and we do hereby for us, our heirs ind successors, ordain and appoint that there shall be for ever hereafter belonging to the said church one rector of the Church of England as by law established, duly qualified for the cure of souls, two churchwardens and eight vestrymen who shall conduct and manage the affairs and business of
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 215
the said charch and confer in manner aa hereafter is eatabiiahed and appoint- ed, and for the more immediate carrying into execution our royal will and pleasure herein we do hereby assign, constitute and appoint Isaac Willett and Nathaniel Underbill, the elder, to be the present churchwardens and Peter de Lanoey, James Graham, James van Cortlandt, Lewis Morris, John Smith, Theophilus B&rtow, Cornelius Willett and Thomas Hunt, to be the present vestrymen of the said church, who shall hold, possess and enjoy their respec- tive offices until Tuesday in Easter week now next ensuing, and fur the keep- ing of the succession in the said offices our royal will and pleasure is, and we do hereby establish, direct and require, that on the said Tuesday in Easter week now next ensuing, and yearly and every year thereafter for ever on Tuesday in Easter week in every year the rector and inbabitants of the bo- rough town of Westchester in communion of the church of England as by law established, shall meet at the said church, and there by the majority uf voices of such of them as shall so meet, elect and choose two of the members to be churchwardens, and eight others of their members to be vestrymen of the said church for the ensuing year, which said churchwardens and vestrymen so elected and chosen shall immediately enter upon their respective offices and hold, exercise and enjoy the same respectively from the time of such elections for and during the space of one year, and until other fit persons shall be elect- ed and chosen in their respective places, and in case the churchwardens or vestrymen, or either of them, by these presents named and appointed, or which shall bo hereafter elected and chosen, shall die or remove from the said borough town of Westchester before the time of their respective appoint- ed services shall be expired, or refuse or neglect to act in the office for which he or they is or are herein nominated and appointed, or whereunto he or they shall or may be elected and chosen, then our royal will and pleasure is, and we do hereby direct and ordain and require the rector and inhabitants of the borough town of Westchester in communion as aforesaid for the time being to meet at the said church and choose other or others of their numbers in place and stead of him or them so dying, removing or refusing to act within thirty days next aAer such contingency, and in this case fortbe more due and order- ly conducting the said elections, and to prevent any undue proceedings there- in, we do hereby give full power and authority to, and ordain and require that the rector and churchwardens of the said church for the time being, or any two of them, shall appoint the time for such election or elections, and that the rector of the said church, or in his absence one of the churchwardens for the time being, shall give public notice thereof by publishing the same at the said church immediately afler divine service on the Sunday preceding the day ap- pointed for such elections, hereby giving and granting that such person or persons as shall be so chosen from time to lime by the rector and inhabitante of the said borough town of Westchester in commupioa as aforesaid, or the majority of such of them as shall in such case meet in maooer hereby directed » shall have, hold, exercise and enjoy such the office or offices to which he or
216 HISTORY OF THE
they Bhall be so elected and chosen from the time of such election nntil the Tuesday in Easter week thence nest ensuing, and until other or others be le- gally chosen in his or their place instead, as fully and amply as the person or persons in whose place he or they shall be chosen might or could have done by virtue of these presents, and wo do hereby will and direct that this method shall for ever hereaAer be osed for the filling up all vacancies that shall hap- pen in either the said offices between the annual elections above directed, and Our royal will and pleasure further is, and we do hereby for us, our heirs aod successors, give and grant that as well the churchwardens and vestry, or those present nominated and appointed as such as shall from time to time be here- after elected and chosen as is herein directed, shall have and they are hereby invested with full power and authority to ezpcute their several and respective offices in as full and ample manner as any churchwardens or vestrymen in that part of our kingdom of Great Britain called England, or in this our pro- Tince of New York, can or lawfully may execute their said respective offices* and further our royal will and pleasure is, and we do by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, give, grant, ordam and appoint that the rector and churchwardens of said church for the time being, or any two of them, shall and may from time to time as occasion shall require, summon and call together at such day and place as they shall think proper the said rector, churchwar- dens and vcbtrymen for the time being to meet in vestry, giving them at the least one day^s notice thereof and we hereby require them to meet accordingly and we do hereby give, grant and ordain that the said rector, one of the said churchwardens for the time being at least, together with the majority of the said vestrymen of the said church, for the time being, being met in vestry 88 above directed, shall for ever hereaftier have, and they are hereby invested with full power and authority by a majority of their voices to do and esecute in the name of the rector and inhabitants of the burough town of Westchester in communion of the Church of England as by law established, all and singular powers aod authorities herein before given and granted to the said rector and inhabitants of the borough town of Westchester in communion of the church of England as by law established, any wise touch- ing or relating to such lands, messuages, and tenements, real and persona! estate whatsoever, as they the said rector and inhabitants of the borough town of Westchester, in communion as aforesaid, shall or may acquire for the use of the said church, and also in like manner to order, direct, manage, and trans- act the general interest, business, and affairs of our said corporation, and also shall have full power and authority in like manner tot make and ordain such rules, orders, and ordinances as they shall judge convenient for the good govern- ment and discipline of the members of the said church, provided such rules, orders and ordinances be not repugnant to the lawsof<lhat part of our kingdom of Great Britain called England, or of this our province of New York, but as near as may be agreeable thereto, and that the same be fairly entered in a book or books to be kept for that purpose, and also in like manner to appoini
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 217
the form of the common seal herein before granted, and the same to alter, break, and remake at their discretion, and also in like manner to appoint such officer or officers as they shall stand in need t>f, always provided that the rector of the said chnrch for the time being shall have the sole power of nominating and appointing the clerk to assist him in performing divine service, as also the sexton, anything herein before contained to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding, which clerk and sexton shall hold and enjoy their respective offices during the will and pleasure of the rector of the said church for the time being, and in case of any avoidance of the said church either by the death of the rector thereof or otherwise, then our royal will and pleasure is that the powers and authority hereby vested in the rector, church- wardens, and vestrymen, in vestry met as above mentioned, shall, until the said church be legally supplied with another incumbent, vest in and be exe- cuted by the churchwardens of the said church for the time being, provided always they have the concurrence and consent of the major number of the whole vestrymen of the said church for the time being, in any thing they shall in such case do by virtue hereof, and further we do by these presents, for us, our heirs, and snccessors, give and grant unto the rector and inhabitants of the borough town of Westchester in communion of the church of England as by law established, and their successors forever, that this our present grant shall be deemed, adjudged and construed in all cases most favorably and for the best benefit and advantage of the rector and inhabitants of the borough town of Westchester in communion of the church of England as by law esta- blished, and that this our present grant being entered on record as is herein- after particularly expressed, shall be good and effectual in the law to all in- tents, constructions and purposes whatsoever, against us, our heirs, and successors, according to our true interests and meaning herein before declared notwithstanding the nof reciting or mis-reciting, not naming or mis-naming of any of the aforesaid franchises, privileges, immunities, officers, in either the premises or any of them, and although no writ of ad quod damnum or other writs, inquisitions in precept hath or have been up this account, had, made, or presented or issued, to have and to hold all and singular the privileges, liberties, advantages, and immunities hereby granted or meant, mentioned, or intended so to be, unto the said rector and inhabitants of the borough town of Westchester in communion of the church of England as by law established, and to their successors forever, in testimony whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent, and the great seal of our said province to be hereunto affixed, and the same to be entered on record in our secretary's office, in our city of New York, in one of the books of patents there remaining. Witness our trusty and well beloved Robt. Monckton, our captain general and governor-in-chief of our province of New York and the territories depending thereon in America, vice admiral of the same and major-general of oar forces at our fort in our city of New York, by and with the advice and consent of
Vol. II. 28
218 HISTORY OF THE
oar governor for our said province. Second day of December, in the yeir A. D. 17C2, and of our reign the third.*
Signed Clakub.
[L. S.]
Upon the 7ih of July, 1764, the church wardens of the parish, stated to the Propagation Society, " that they have purchased a glebe of near thirty acres with a house, which will cost them in the whole, near £700, and that whole families of Quakers have conformed to the church." On the 8th of July, Mr. Milner in- formed the same body, that he had at his own expense, laid out £200 on the parsonage, built a new barn and out houses, &c., &c., and' further added, that he had appointed Mr. Nathaniel Sea bury, a son of the late worthy missionary, at Hempstead, schoolmaster.
" In 1766, (says Mr. Hawkins) Mr. Seabury intimated to the so- ciety, his wish to accept the offer of the mission of Westchester, which was made to him by the churchwardens and vestry, and the society consenting to this proposal, he removed thither at the end of the year 1706.^
His average congregation at this pluce, was about 200 ; and he states, that one of the means which he adopted of communicating religious instruction to the people, was preaching at funerals in the more remote districts, whereby he had the opportunity of ad- diessing those who could not be brought together at any other time. In 1776 he was seized by a party of the disaffected in arms, aiid carried off to New Haven, all his papers being exami- ned for proof against him. After describing this outrage, he says, *^ God's providence will, I hope, protect His church and clergy in this county, the disorder and confusion of which are beyond description." He says, in a letter dated New York, De- cember 29th, 1776, " since my last letter, I have undergone more uneasiness than I can describe : more, I believe, than I
« Alb. Rec. Book of Patents, No. xiu. 490. • b The Rev. Samuel Seabury was instituted rector of St. Peter's church, West- ehester, by Sir Henry Moore, Baronet, on the 3d of Dec. 1766.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 210
could well support again.'' He goes on to say, " I continued tolerably quiet at home for a few weeks, till after the king's troops evacuated Boston, when the rebel army passing from thence to New York, bodies of them, consisting of twenty or thirty men, would every day or two, sometimes two or three times a day, come through Westchester, though five miles out of their way, and never failed to slop at my house."
^^Soon after this, the British fleet and army arrived at Staten Island. The rebels then became very alert in apprehending the friends of government. Many had retired to Westchester from New York. These were first sought after : some escaped, many were seized. My situation became daily more critical, as they began to take up the inhabitants of the county. At length two ships of war came into the Sound and took their station in sight of my house.
Immediately the whole coast was guarded, that no one might go to them. Within a few days, the troops landed on Long Island, and the rebels we*e defeated ; a body of them then took post at the heights near King^s bridge, in my parish, and began to throw up works. Another body fixed themselves within two miles of my house. For some time before, I had kept a good deal out of sight, lodging abroad, and never being at home for more than an hour or two at a time, and having a number of people whom I could depend upon, engaged, who punctually in- formed me of every circumstance that was necessary for me to know." With some difficulty he effected his escape to Long Island. The troops then, having burned the pews, converted his church into a hospital. They also quartered cavalry in his house, and consumed all the produce of his farm. A school which he had opened at Westchester, was necessarily broken up, and thus he was deprived of every means of support."*
The following notice of this individual occurs in Sabine's bio- graphical sketches of American Loyalists. "Samuel Seabury,
• Hawkini Ilist Not of Col. Church. Ori^rinal lettera Lambeth coUectiou vol six. 169.
820 HISTORY OF THE
D. D., the first bishop of the Episcopal chnrch in the United States. He was the son of the Re^. Uamuel Seabury, who was a Congregational minister at Groton, and subsequently the first Episcopal minister of New London. He was born at New Lon- don in 1728, and graduated at Yale College in 175L Soon after completing his collegiate education, he went to Scotland for the purpose of studying medicine, but changed his purpose and de- voted his attention to theology. In 1753 he took orders in Lon- don, and returning to his native country, was settled at New Brunswick, New Jersey. After the death of Mr. Colgan, Sir Charles Hardy, governor of New York, introduced him as cler- gyman of the Episcopal church at Jamaica, Long Island, where he remained from 1756 to 1766. Near the close of the latter year he removed to Westchester, and continued there until the commencement of hostilities. In April, 1775, a large number of loyalists assembled at White Plains, and adopted the following protest. Mr. Seabury's name is the third affixed to it ; that of the Rev. Luke Babcock, another Episcopalian minister, is the fourth. *^ We, the subscribers, freeholders and inhabitants of the county of Westchester, having assembled at the White Plains in consequence of certain advertisements, do now declare, that we meet here to declare our honest abhorrence of all unlawful con- gresses and committees, and that we are determined, at the hazard of our lives and properties, to support the king and con- stitution ; and that we acknowledge no representatives but the general assembly, to whose wisdom and integrity we submit the guardianship of our rights, liberties, and privileges." Mr. Sea* bury went into New York after the Revolution opened, and at one time was chaplain of the king's American regiment, com- manded'by Colonel Fanning. At the peace he settled at New London. In 1784 he went to England to obtain consecration as a bishop, but objections arising there, he was consecrated in Scot- land on the 14th of November of that year by three non juring bishops. For the remainder of his life he presided over the diocese of Connecticut and Rhode Island. His duties were dis- charged in an exemplary manner. He died February 25ih, 1796, aged sixty-eight years. Two volumes of his sermons were published before his decease, and one volume in 1798. A
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 221
sermon founded on St Peter's exhortation to fear God and honor the king, delivered before the provincial or loyalist troops, was printed during the war by direction of Governor Try on."* The following is inscribed on his tombstone at New London.
Here lies the body of
Samuel Seaburt, D. D.
Bishop of Connecticut and Rhode Island,
who departed this transitory scene, February 25ih, 1796,
in the sixty-eighth year of his age, and the eleventh of his
Episcopal Consecration. Ingenious without pride, Learned without pedantry, Good without severity. He was duly qualified to discharge The duties of the Christian and the Bishop ; In the pulpit he enforced religion ; In his conduct he exemplified it. The poor he assisted with his charity ; The ignorant he blessed with his instruction. The friend of men, he ever designed their good ; The enemy of vice, he ever opposed it. Christian ! dost thou aspire to happiness ? Seabury has shown the way that leads to it.
"Charles Seabury, the youngest son of ihe bishop, was born in Westchester, in May, 1770, and succeeded his father in the church at New London. In 1796, he preached a while at Ja- maica. His first wife was Anne, the daughter of Roswell Sal- tonstali of New London, by whom he had issue. His son, Samuel Seabury, D. D., is the present rector of the church of the Annunciation, in the city of New York, and editor of the Churchman, a religious newspaper."**
During the American Revolution religious services appear to have been suspended in this church.
On the 6th day of April, A. D. 1784, the legislature of the state of New York, passed a law entitled " An act to enable all religious denominations in this state to appoint trustees, who
*■ Sabine*B Hist of American Loyalists.
t> History of the Narragaosett Church, by Wilkios Updike, page 144.
222
mSTORY OF THE
should be a bodjr corporate, for the purpose of taking care of the temporalities of their respective congregations, and for other pur- poses therein mentioned." Under the provisions of this act St. Peler's Church was incorporated on the 19th of April, 1788, Lewis Graham, Josiah Browne, Thomas Hunt, Israel Underhill, John Bartow, Philip I. Livingston and Samuel Bayard, trustees.^ Upon the reorganization of the church, the Rev. Theodosius Bartow was called lo the rectorship. For the successors of Mr. Bartow, see list of rectors. The present edifice was erected in 1794, on the site of the old church, and consecrated upon the 9th of December, 1793, by the Right Rev. Samuel Provoost, bishop of the diocese. It is a neat wooden structure surmounted by a cupola. The latter contains the original bell presented to the church by the Morris family, inscribed
"LEWIS MORRIS, 1677."
The commtmion plate consists of a chalice and paten, the gift of dueene Anne, A. D. 1706.
« Co. Rec. Religious Soc. lib. A. 19. A second incorporation occurs on the 2d of Angnst. 1795 ; Israel Underhill, Philip I. Livingston, churchwardens ; John Bar- tow, jun., Thomas Rartow, Oliver de Lancey, Warren de Lancey, Josiah Brown, Jonathan Fowler, Robert Heaton, and Nicholas Bayard, vestrymen. Lib. A. 58.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 223
The queen also presented a church bible, book of homilies, cloth for the pulpit, and communion table. .
On the sonth side of the chancel is a plain stone tablet, bear- ing the following epitaph :
Sacred
to the memory of
Tbb Reverend Isaac Wilkins, D. D.,
who, for thirty-one years, was the
diligent and faithful minister of
this parish,
plaeed here, as he believed, by his Redeemer.
He remained satisfied with the
pittance allowed him, rejoicing that even in that
he was no burden to his
parishioners ;
nor ever wished, nor ever went forth
to seek a better living.
Died 5th February, 1830,
aged 89 years.
A monument on the north side, records the death of Mrs. Wilkins :
Sacred
to the memory
of
Mrs. Isabella Wilkins,
the humble hanmaid
and faithful worshipper
of God, her Saviour,
She died the 31st October, A. D. 1810,
in the 64th year of her age,
and lies buried here.
This monument in conjugal love, is raised
224 HISTORY OF THE
and inscribed, by her grateful, faithful and afieotionate
husband.
And now Lord ! what is our hope t Truly our hope is ever in thee.
In the vestry room are memorials of the Hoffman, Wilkins and Turnbiill families, &c.
To' St. Peter's church is attached a small glebe and parson- age.
The following liberal grants have been made by Trinity parish, New York, to this church, viz. : in 1795, the sum of $750, in 1796, $500, and in 1809, five lots of ground in Reade, Cham- ber and Warren streets. New York, the present value of which is $22,500.* The first delegates from this parish to the dioce- cesan convention, in 1785, were John Jay and Richard Morris, Esqrs.
RECTORS OF ST. PETER'S CHURCH, WESTCHES- TER.
Inst, or call. Rectors. Vacated by
A. D. 1702, Rev. John Bartow, Clericus, Death.
A. D. 1723, Rev. Thomas Standard, Clericus, the same.
12 Nov. 1761, Rev. John Milner, Clericus, the same.
3 Dec. 1766, Rev. Samuel Seabury, Clericus, resignation.
5 July, 1790, Rev. Theodosius Bartow, Presb. the same.
August, 1794, Rev. John Ireland, Presb. the same.
9 March, 1799, Rev. Isaac Wilkins, D. D., Presb., Death.
27 April, 1830, Rev. William Powell, Presb. preset incumbent.
Notitia Parochialis.
A. D. 1718, Communicants, — Baptisms, 32. 1761, ditto 30, ditto 114.
1764, ditto 50, ditto 91.
• Hiat of Trinity Church, N. Y., by WUliam Bcrrian, D. D.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
|
1774, |
ditto |
_ |
ditto |
18. |
|
1814, |
diiio |
40, |
ditto |
13. |
The baptisranl register of this parish, contains the following memoranda :
"March 4th, 1702, tlien baptized by Mr. John Barlow, Rector of Westchester, John Haden, aged 41 years ; John Haden, son of said John Haden, aged 17 years ; Abagail Haden, aged 16 years ; Samtiel Haden, aged 13 years ; Thomas Haden, aged 8 years; Elizabeth Heden, aged 11 years; Joseph Haden, aged 1 year and 7 months, &.c.*
The church yard, which is probably coeval with the settle- ment of the village, contains numerous interments.
" Where heaTea the Intrin maop » rooatdering heap,"
Each in hiB Dftrrow cell forever laid,
The tade forefather* of the hamlet alee p.— Gray '« Eltgy.
The following inscriptions are copied from the monumenla
Here lyeth the body of William , Esq., aged 50 years,
deceased March 27lh, 1702. H. 1718. P. B.o 1727. In mem-
' Weatehnter. Reo.
226 mSTORY OF THE
ory of Philip Honeywell, Esq., he diM of a lingering illness, at Greeubiirgh, on the 8lh day of Sept. 1813, in the 53d year of his age.
He was an active character
during the Revolutionary war,
he lived respected and died regretted.
Ann Eustace,. bis wife,
died May 11, 18II, ctat 50.
Look on this stone and-yoa will find. My journey ^s o*er, and yours behind. Think then, before you turn away. That yours may end before this day.
In memory of Oliver de Lancey, senr., who departed this life April 4th, 1840, aged 70 years. Sacred to the memory of Captain Stephen Bayard, who was born Oct. 26lh, 1785, and died July 11, 1814: "my Blessed Saviour receive my spirit, were his last words," and whosoever believeth in him, tho' he die, yet shall he live again. Ever will the sweet remembrance, of your useful, generous, forgiving and affectionate virtues, best of husbands and fathers, be cherished in the hearts of your wife and family. Sacra memoria of Philip Livingston, whose family were suddenly bereaved of a valued parent, on the 27th Nov. 1808, aged 74 years. His afflictions were numerous and deep felt, yet was he comforted.
His heart, its confidence
Reposed in God, its strength and shield.
The paths of death in glory shine,
When saints the call obey,
A light from Heaven, an arm divine,
Are with them on the way.
Here lies
the mortal remains of
Wright Post,
during many years eminent as a
physician and surgeon
in the city of New York,
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 227
he was distiogiibhed for sound judgment, practioa] ikill and unwearied diligence ia his profession, and for modest, dignified and
mild deportment in all the walks of life,
an enlightened and attached member of the
Protestant Episcopal church,
he was for many years a yestryman
of Grace church
in the city of New York,
and for seyeral years its senior warden,
overplied by professional labours,
his feeble frame gradually gave way
to the attacks of pulmonary consumption.
He retired from the city to his country seat
in this neigeborhood, and aAer a residence
of a few weeks, he departed this life
in full possession of his mental faculties,
at peace with the worM,
and a devout hope of acceptance
with God, through faith in the merits of
Jesus Christ.
He died June 14, 182S,
aged 62 years, 3 months
and 26 days.
There are also memorials in the yard, to members of the Hunt, Doty, Baxter, Bartow, Lewis, Arden, Findlay, Tucker, Read, Burnett, Holsman auJ Wright fimilies, <S6C., beside vaults belonging to the families of Tiuipson, Adee and Ludlow, &c. Near the Episcopal grave yard, is situated the Ferris burying ground,^ which contains the family vaults of Benjamin Ferris and numerous head stones to the Pell family.
The Friends' meeting house which stands south of the church, was erected cir. 1747. The first meeting of this nuiiierous and
• John Ferris of the boroug thown of WestcheBter, in 1715, by his last will, ■■ re- serves the hnrying groand for the people to bury their dead, in the place where they formerly buried without any let or hindrance. Since known as the pasture hiU burying ground."
228 HISTORY OF THE
respectable society in America, is4pd to have been held at Westchester. There is also a tradition, that George Fox " the dauntless founder of their sect," preached here in 1672.
The Methodist Episcopal society of Westchester, was first or- ganized in 1808, and incorporated 8th March, 1809; William Johnston, Gilbert Lewis, Abraham .Seacord, Benjamin Morgan, Moses Hunt and Gilbert Hunt, trustees.^ The present church edifice was erected about 1818.
The Roman Catholic church dedicated to St. Raymond, is pleasantly situated on the road leading from Westchester io West Farms. The Rev. A. Higgins is the present incumbent.^
A number of handsome residences adorn the village. Among them may be noticed, the mansions of Captain E. Hawkins, Mr. George Adee, Mr. Paul Lalavette, Mr. Stephen Scribner and Captain Cornell Ferris, &c.
About two miles northwest of the village, is the residence and estate of William A. Spencer, Esq, Within a few years, great additions and improvements have been made to this beautiful spot by the present occupant, who has enlarged the mansion and completely reformed the gardens and grounds. This pro- perty originally belonged to the Underbill family, having been purchased by Nathaniel Underbill, of John Turner, in 1685* Nathaniel Underbill was the youngest son of the celebrated Cap- tain John Underbill, commonly called Lord Underbill, descended of an ancient and honorable family, in Warwickshire, England.
As early ns 1416, we find John Underbill and Agnes his wife, seated at Uoingham in Warwickshire, and in 1587, occurs the name of Sir Hercules Underbill, Knight, High Sheriff of that county.b
The following account of Captain John Underbill, "of whom so frequent mention is made in the early histories of New En- gland and New York," is taken from a small printed volume, called the " Algerine Captive," by Jphfi Underbill. He had
• Co. Rec. ReligriouB Soc. Lib. B. 30.
b The celebrated Mr. Eklveard Underbill, one of Queen Mary*8 baud of gentle- meu peniiouera, in 155>^, was a member of Uiis family.
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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 229
early imbibed an firdent love of liberty, civil and religious, by his service as a soldier among the Dutch, in their glorious and successful struggle for freedom, with Philip the second of Spain ; when, though quite a youth, he held a commission in the Earl of Leicester's own troop of guards, who was then sent to the assist- ance of that brave people, by the renowned Queen Elizabeth of England. The extravagant passion, which that princess was supposed to entertain for various male favorites, which occa- sioned the disgrace of one, and the premature death of another, while it has furnished a darling theme to the novelist, and has been wept over in the tragic scene, has never yet received the sober sanction of the historian. A traditional family anecdote, while it places the affection of the queen for Leicester beyond doubt, may not be unpleasing to the learned reader, and may benefit the English historiographer.
It is well known that this crafty queen, though repeatedly so- licited, never eflicaciously assisted the Netherlanders, until their affairs were apparently at their lowest ebb, and they in such des- perate circumstances, as to offer the sovereignty of their country to her general, the Earl of Leicester. Captain Underbill car- ried the dispatches to England, and delivered them at the office of Lord Burleigh. The same evening, the queen sent for the captain, and. with apparent perturbation, inquired of him, if he was the messenger from Leicester, and whether he had any private dispatches for her. He replied, that he had delivered all his letters to the secretary of state. She appeared much disa|i- pointed, and, after musing for some time, said, "so Leicester wants to be a king." Underbill, who was in the general's confi- dence, replied that the Dutch had indeed made the offer of the sove- reignty of their country to her general, esteeming it a great honor, as they said, to h ive a subject of her grace for their sovereign. No, replied the queen, it is not the Dutch ; they hate kings and their divine rights; it is the proud Leicester, who yearns to be" independent of his own sovereign, who moves this insolent proposal. Tell him from me, that ho must learn to obey, be- fore he is fit to govern. Tell him, added the queen, softening her voice, that obRlience may make hi.n a king indeed. Imme- diately after Captain Underbill had taken his public dispatches,
230 HISTORY OF THE
the qtieen sent for him to her privy closet, recalled her verbal message, delivered him a letter for Leicester, directed with her own hand, and a purse of one hundred crowns for himself; charging him to enclose the letter in lead, sink it in case of dan- ger in his passage by sea, and to deliver it privately. On the re* ceipt of this letter, Leicester was violently agitated, walked his chamber the whole of the ensuing night. Soon after, he resigned his command, and returned to England, animated by the bright- est hopes of realizing the lofty sugs;estions of his ambition. With him Captain Underbill returned, and upon the decease of the Elarl of Leicester, attached himself to the fortunes of the Earl of Essex, the unfortunate successor to Leicester in the queen's favor. He accompanied that gallant nobleman in his successful attack upon Cadiz, and shared his ill fortune in his fruitless expedition against Tyronne, the rebel chief of the re- volted clans of Ireland; and, returning with the earl into En- gland, by his attachment to that imprudent nobleman, sallying into the. streets of London in the petty insurrection, which cost Essex his head, he was obliged to seek safety in Holland, until the accession of King James, in one thousand six hundred and three, when he applied for pardon and leave to return to his na- tive country. But that monarch entertained such an exalted idea of the dignity of kings, and fro n policy, affected so great veneration for the memory of his predecessor, that no interest of his friends could procure his pardon for an offence, which, in this day and country, would be considered a simple rout or riot, and punished with a small fine, in that age of kingly glory was supposed to combine treason and blasphemy: treason against the queen in her political capacity, and blasphemy against her, as God's representative and vicegerent on earth.
The Rev. Mr. Robinson, with a number of other pious puri- tans, having fled from the persecuting fury of the English pre- lates, to Holland, in one thousand six hundred and tliree, he dwelt and communed with them a number of years. He was strongly solicited to go with Governor Carver, Elder Brewster and the other worthies, part of Mr. Robinson's church, to the settlement of Plymouth, and had partly en^;ed with them, as
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 231
their chief military officer; but, Captain Miles Standish, his brave fellow soldier in the Low Countries, undertaking ihe bu- siness, he declined. How he joined Governor Winihrop, does not appear, but he came over to New England with him, and soon after we find him disciplining the Boston militia, where he was held in such high estimation that he was chosen to repre- sent that town in the general court; but, his ideas of religious toleration being more liberal than those around him, he lost his popularity, and was, on the twentieth of November, one thousand six hundred and thirty-seven, disfranchised and eventually ban- ished the jurisdiction of Massachusetts.
The writers of those times differ, as to the particular offence for which he was punished. Some say that it was for holding the Antinomian tenets of the celebrated Anne Hutchinson, others that the charge against him was for saying, that the government at Boston were as zealous as the Scribes and Pharisees, and as Paul before his conversion. Tlie best account, I have been able to collect, is, that at the time when the zeal of our worthy forefathers burned the hottest against heretics and sectaries, when good Roger Williams, who settled Providence, the pious Wheel- right, and others, were banished, he, with about sixty other im- prudent persons, who did not believe in the then popular argu- ments of fines, imprisonment, disfranchisement, confiscation, ban- ishments, and halters for the conversion of infidels, supposed that the Christian faith, which had spread so wonderfully in its infancy, when ihe sword of civil power was drawn against it, in that age, surrounded by numerous proselytes, needed not the same sword unsheathed in its favor. These mistaken people signed a remonstrance against the violent proceedings, which "were the order of that day. William Aspinwall and John Goggeshell, two of the Boston representatives, who signed the remonstrance, were sent home, and the town ordered to choose others in their room. Some of the remonstrants recanted, some were fined, some were disfranchised, and others, among whom was Captain Underbill, were banished." " When the sen- tence of banishment passed on Captain Underbill, he returned to Dover in New Hampshire, and was elected governor of the European settlers there; but, notwithstanding his great service
232 HISTORY OF THE .
to the people of Massachusetts, in the Pequod wars, his persecu- tors in Boston would not allow him to die in peace. First, by writing injurious letters to those he governed ; by threats of their power; and lastly, by determining that Dover was within the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, they forced him to flee to Albany, then possessed by the Dutch, under the name of Amboyna.
The Dutch were highly pleased with the captain, and after Dutchifying his name into Captain Hans van Yanderbill, they gave him a command of one hundred and twenty men, in their wars with the natives. It is said that he killed one hundred and fifty Indians on Lon^ Island, and upwards of three hundred on the main. The laurels of the famous Colonel Church wither in comparison."* "At the period of his military employment (says Mr. Thompson,) he lived at Stamford, Connecticut, was a delegate from that town to the general court at New Haven in 1613, and was appointed an assistant justice. In 1644 he came with the Rev. Mr. Denton and others of his church, to Long Island, and soon after became a resident of Flushing, where he evinced the same restless temper as formerly, and was anxious for a military employment." " He was afterward settled in Ojrster Bay, for in 1665 he was a delegate from that town to the meet- ing at Hampstead, by order of Governor Nicoll, and was by him made high sheriff of the North Riding on Long Island." "In 1667, the Matinecock Indians conveyed to him a large tract of their lands, a part of which, called Killingworth,** remained in his family for nearly two hundred years."^ Captain John Underbill, at an advanced age, died in Killingworth, leaving several sons ; the youngest of whom, Nathaniel, (before mentioned,) removed to Westchester, in 1685. By his last will, bearing date the 18lh of September, 1671, Copt. John Underbill bequeathes "his whole estate in possession of his wife Elizabeth Underbill, during ye time of her widowhood ; but if she marry, then my brother John Bowne, Henry Townsend, Matthew Pryer, and my son John
• The " Algerine Captive," by Dr Updike Underbill, vol. i. 25, printed at Wal- pole. New Hampebire, 1797.
k Originally Kenilworth, from the place of the lame name in Warwickshire, Eng. « Thompson's Hist, of Long Island, vol. ii 358.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. S33
Underbill, I empower hereby tbat they see to ye estate, that ye children be not wronged, nor turned off, without some propor- tionable allowance, as ye estate will afford ; and that my son Nathaniel^ remain with his mother untill twenty-one years, &c."»
Upon the 22d of March, 1686-7, Nathaniel Underbill and Mary his wife, of the town and county of Westchester, conveyed all their land of every kind at Matinecock, Oyster Bay, " which is the land that my father, John Underbill, sen., lived upon, with forty acres in the woods, which I bought of the Indians," to John Underbill of Matinecock.^
The sons of Nathaniel were Thomas, John, Nathaniel Under- bill, jun., from whom were descended the late Anthony L. Un- derbill of New York, and Lancaster Underbill of Easichester, and Abraham, from whom come the Underbills of Yorktowa and Cortlandtown, &c.
Nathaniel Underbill, jr., died at Westchester in 1775. The following epitaph is inscribed on bis bead stone in the family cemetery.
Here lies the body of
Nathaniel Underbil,
who was born August the
11th, 1690, and departed
this life November
the 27tb, 1776, aged 85
years 3 months and 16 days.
Nathaniel, the eldest son of this individual, filled various pub« lie offices, and in 1775 was elected mayor of the borough of Westchester.
Upon Dorman^s Island,^ in the north-east corner of the town, is situated the estate of Mr. Thomas C. Taylor ; the dwelling- bouse, a fine stone structure, occupies a pleasant position, over-
« Thompeon*! Hivt. of Long Island, toI ii. 361 . b QueAn's Co. Rec lib. B. 9]. • So called prior to 1704.
Vol. II. 30
234 HISTORY OF THE
looking the Eastchester bay and opposit^Mi^es. The grounds are tastefully arranged and ornamciripi wWrthriving plantations. The Eastchester creek bridge communicates with Ihe Westches- ter shore and Pelham neck.*
The adjoining estate, Rorkfield, is the property of Augustus F. van Cortlandt, Esq. ; the house is a very good specimen of the rural Gothic style, and agrees well with its picturesque situation. A choice colleciion of paintings adorns the walls, viz., St. AgathSi Carlo Doici; JMarianne Wellesiey, Marchioness of Wellesley, Sir Thomas Lawrence. This ludy was the daughter of Richard Caton, Esq., of Philadelphia, and widow of Robert Patterson, Esq. I'itian's Mistress, Heely ; Augustus van Cortlandt of Yonkers, Jarvis ; Mrs. van Cortlandt, (a miniature) Leslie. The views of the water from this place are of a beautiful description. Jn the immediate vicinity are located the residences of Mr. Daniel D. Edgar and Mr. Robert R. Morris. This portion of Throck- morton's neck, together with Dorman's island, formerly constituted the old Bayard estate, as noticed in the early part of this town.
Further south lies the Ferris property, which has been held by the family of that name for five generations. At an early period John Ferris,^ removed hither from Fairfield,*^ Connecticut, and became one of the ten proprietors of Throckmorton's neck. These lands he probably obtained by purchase from Thomas Pell. John Ferris was one of the first patentees of the town of Westchester in 1G67 ; he lived to an advanced age, and died in 1715, leaving five sons, viz., Samuel, one of the first assistants and common council of the borough of Westchester, John, James, proprietor of the homestead in 1746, Jonathan, ancestor of the Corllandt-town brunch, and Peter, of Westchester. His grand-
• See vol. i. 550.
k The Ferrises were originally from I^icestersbire, England, and dascend rrom the houite of Feriers, Ferrerr, Ferreis or Ferris, the first member of which (in Eng- land) was Henry de Teriers, the sen of Gualchelme de Feriers, a Norman, wbo obtained of William the Conqueror large grants of laud in the counties of Stafford* shire, Derbyshire, and Leicestershire.
« In 16G0 occurs the name of Jefi*erey Ferryes of Fairfield, Conn. Farmer's Register contains the names of Benjamin Fernis, of Salem, 1G40, and Jeffrey of Massachusetts, who was admitted a freeman, A. D. 1635.
m^mmKm^^mmmmmmmm
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 236
son, James Ferris, possessed this estate in 1776, when it was oc- cupied by the British* troops, under Lord Howe. The family happened to be at breakfast, in the present house, on the morn- ing of the I2ih of October, 1776, when a gun from the British flag ship announced the disembarkation of the troops ; this signal was instantly answered by the enemies' shipping which lay at an- chor between City Island and Throckmorton's neck. On the next day Lord Howe, supposing that he had been deceived by his guides and landed upon an island, summoned them before a board of officers ; as they entered, he struck the table violently with his sword, and demanded in a tlireatning manner, how they could dare to deceive him ? After a proper explanation had been made, he solemnly declared he would hang every one of them unless conducted safe from his present position. The retreat was ultimately effected by a bridge of boats.
James Ferris was subsequently captured by the '• Queen's HangerSf^^ and removed to the New York Provost. His descen- dants are very numerous in the town. Mr. Edward Cooper is the present occupant of the homestead.
Throckmorton's point, situated at the south-east extremity of the nock proper, derives its name a« already stated, from John Throckmorton, an Enp^lishman, who took a grant for it under the Dutch, A. D. 1643. The name (says Judge Benson,) has been abbreviated from Tlirogmorton's to Throg's and finally cor- rupted to Frog's neck.
From the Throckmortons and others the point passed by pur- chase to the late Abijah Hammond, Esq., whose heirs sold to Mr. H. Le Roy Newbold, Mr. W. Whitehead, Mr. James Drake, and the late Mr. Charles King, <fec. The mansion erected by Abijah Hammond occupies a splendid situation near the entrance of the point, commanding on the right and left extensive prospects of the East River. Mr. Hammond was the son of Abijah Ham- mond, and grandson of John Hammond, who emigrated to Mas- sachusetts in 1680> His first wife was Catharine, a daughter
» The Hammond family, claim descent from the house of Penn through the mar- riage of William Hammond with Elizabeth Penn, daughter .of Sir WjJliam apd sister of William Penn, the foander of Penosyl?ani^
236 HISTORY OF THE
of Abraham Ogden ; several children survive. His son, Ogden, for many years resided on the point. His daughter Mary is the wife of William H. Harrison, Esq., of New York.
Upon the extremity of the point is now " in course of erection by the United States government, a very strong fortificationi called Fort Schuyler. It is calculated, when completed, to de- fend this entrance and protect the city of New York from foreign invasions, in connection with the formidable works of a similar character erected at the Narrows.''*
Throckmorton's point is distinguished as being the scene of important military o})erations, and was for a short time in the possession of the enemy during the revolutionary war. The fol- lowing account is from General Heath's memoirs.
" October 3d, 1776. The brigadier generals of our general's division,^ were in council, and several new works were laid out ; among others, a redoubt on the hill above William's bridge. Our general, in reconnoitering his position, accompanied by Col. Hand, below the camp of the rifle corps, being apprehensive that the British might land on Frog's neck, took a view of the cause- way between Westchester and the point. Upon the neck, which runs between these two, is a tide mill, and a plank bridge at the mill} at the west end of the causeway, (the side of the American army,) was at this time a range of cord wood, as advantageously situated to cover a party to defend the pass as if constructed for the very purpose. After taking a full view, our general directed Col. Hand, immediately on his return to his camp, to fix upon one of the best subaltern officers, and twenty-flve picked men of his corps, and assign them to this pass, as their alarm-post at all times ; and in case the enemy made a landing on Frog's neck, to direct this officer immediately to take up the planks of the bridge ; to have everything in readiness to set the mill on fire; but not to do it, unless the fire of the riflemen should appear in- sufficient to check the advance of the enemy on the causeway; to assign another party to the head of the creek ; to reinforce both, in case the enemy landed ; and that he should be sup- ported. Col. Hand made his arrangements accordingly.
• Distunieirt Gazetteer of N. Y. b General Heath.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 237
^October 7th. Gen. Lincoln came to camp. He had come from Massachusetts with a body of militia. This was the first of his joining the main army. The same day the British were putting over horses from Horn's Hook to Long Island, and fixing their pontoons.
"October 9th. Our general's division was formed in line, with its advance, reserve flank-guards, and artillery, all in order of battle, when they were moved down over the diflerent grounds, whfch it was supposed might be the scene of action. Some of this ground was very broken, and there were many fences. These afforded frequent opportunities for the troops to break off and form, for the pioneers to open avenues, &c., and for the whole to become acquainted with every part of the ground, and the best choice of it, if suddenly called to action.
" October 12th. Early in the morning eighty or ninety British boats, full of men, stood up the Sound, from Montresor's Island, Long Island, &c. The troops landed at Frog's neck, and their advance pushed towards the causeway and bridge at Westches- ter mill. Col. Hand's riflemen took up the planks of the bridgOi as had been directed, and commenced a firing with their rifles. The British moved towards the head of the creek, but found here also the Americans in possession of the pass. Our general immediately (as he had assured Col. Hand he would do,) ordered Col. Prescott, the hero of Bunker Hill, with his regiment, and Capt. Lieut. Bryant, of the artillery, with a three pounder, to reinforce the riflemen at Westchester causeway, and Col. Gra- ham of the New York line, with his regiment, and Lieut. Jack- son of the artillery, with a six pounder, to teinforce at the head of the creek; aH of which was promptly done, to the check aud disappointment of the enemy. The British encamped on the neck. The riflemen and yagers kept up a scattering popping at each other across the marsh ; and the Americans on their side, and the British on the other, threw up a work at the end of the causeway. Capt. Bryant, now and then, when there was an ob* ject, saluted the British with a field piece.
"In the afternoon forty or fifty sail of vessels passed up, and came to anchor off Frog's Point. The same evening Gen. Mc- Dougal's brigade joined our general's division.
838 HISTORY OF TIIE
** Oclober 13th, The brigade formerly under the command of our general, when he was brigadief, joined his division. The division now became very strong. Tho general officers of the army were this day in council at our general's quarters.
" October 14ih. Our general, with the generals under his com- mand, reconnoitred the enemy at Frog's neck; afterwards the general officers of the army reconnoitred the various grounds. The same day Maj. Gen. Lee was ordered to the command of the troops above Kingsbridge, now become the largest part of the American army. But Gen. Washington had desired him not to exercise the command for a day or two, until he Could make himself acquainted with the post, its circumstances, and arrange- ments of duty. A great number of sloops, boats, d&c, were pass- ing the sound eastward, just at dusk, probably conveying ammu- nition, provisions, &c., to the troops at Frog's Point.
" October 15ih. Five sailors came off from the La Brune, they informed that there was a large body of the British on Frog's Point, and that an attack might be soon expected. The scatter- ing fire across the marsh continued, and now and then a man was killed.
"October 16th. Two works were discovered on Frog's neck, nearly finished. The general officers of the army rode to recon- noitre the ground at Pell's neck, (fcc, and it was determined that the position of the American army should be immediately changed; the left flank to be extended more northerly, to pre- vent its being turned by the British.
"October 17lh. Wadsworth's and Fellow's brigades came to Kingsbridge. The British shipping, d&c, continued moving eastward.
" October 18th. The regiment at Westchester causeway had been relieved by another. The officer on command there, this morning, sent up an express to our general, informing him that the British were opening an embrasure in their work at the end of the causeway, and that he apprehended they intended under a cannonade from this, to attempt to pass. Our general ordered one of his aids to gallop his horse to the officer commanding the brigade near Valentine's, the nearest to Westchester, and order him to form his brigade instantly. Arriving himself by the time
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 239
the brigade was formed, he ordered the officer to march with the utmost expedition, to the head of ihe causeway, to reinforce the troops there-^ himself moving on with them. When the troops had advanced to about half the way between the head of the creek and the post at the head of the causeway, another ex- press met him, hiforming him that the whole British army were in motion, and seemed to be moving towards the pass at the head of the creek. Upon this, the brigade was ordered to halt, the whole to prime and load, and the rear regiment to file off by the left, and march briskly to reinforce the Americans at the pass, at the head of the creek. At this instant Gen. Washington came up, and having inquired of our general the state of things, ordered him to return immediately and have his division formed ready f^r action, and to take such a position as might appear best cal- culated to oppose the enemy, should they attempt to land another body of troops on Morrisania, which he thought not improbable. Our general immediately obeyed the order.
<< The wind was now fresh at south-west. The British crossed to the other side of Frog's neck, embarked on board their boats crossed over the cove, and landed on Pell's neck."*
Throckmorton's point is likewise remarkable as the place where the tides meet in the Sound. Directly opposite are the famous stepping stones, a number of rocks which pro- ject in a line from the Long Island shore, and show their bare tops at low water. "An Indian origin (says Judge Benson) is asserted for this name, and a tradition vouched as the authority.'^ '^ It is said, that at a certain time, doubtless some years ago, the evil spirit set up a claim against the Indians, to Connecticut, as his peculiar domain ; but they being in possession, determined^ of course, to try to hold it. By Connecticut, the premises in question, is to be understood, the original Connecticut proper, the territory between the oblong, our eastern boundary in that quarter, and the Sound." The surfaces of Connecticut and Long Island, were then the reverse of what they are now. Long Island was covered with rocks, Connecticut was free from them.
* Homth'i Mom. 67.
210 HISTORY OF THE
The Indians were fuiljr sensible of what they bad to dread from such an adversary, and accordingly betook themselves to a course not unus<tl on occasions of great difficulty and danger, they referred the case to the squaws, the mothers of the tribes, who, it is said, recommended an offer to quit, on being allowed their betterments, a Novanglican law teraSt devised to signify the dwelling and other erections, and comprehending girdling the trees to disencumber the land of the wood, by a person en- tering without title, on land never before cultivated, known as new or wild land, d^c." '* No answer as was to be expected, was given to this offer, and the parties claiming to be entitled to the right of sovereign states, and there being no federal court to interpose between them, had recourse to the "alternate mean of discussion between princes, to arms." The parties foresee- ing there would be war, were, as behooved them, prepared for it.
The renowned arch-leader, an host in himself, took the field alone ; and being an overmatch for the Indians in skill and spirit, he at first advanced on them ; but, they having provided there should be constantly reinforcements on their march, thereby preserving' their corps entire, and harassing him inces- santly, giving him no rest night nor day, he was obliged finally to yield to vigilance and perseverance, and fall back. He re- tired collected, and, as usual, giving up the ground only inch by inch ; and, though retiring, still presenting a front whenever at- tack threatened ; he kept close to the Sound to secure his flank on that side ; and, having reached Frog^s point, and the water becoming narrow, to be crossed by the Indians in bark canoes, easily to be made in a night, and the tide being out, and the rocks showing their heads, he availed himself of them, and step- ping from one to another, effected fiis retreat to Long island. He at first betook himself sullen and silent to Coram, in the mid- dle of the island ; but it being in his nature not to remain idle long, and " rage superadded, soon roused him and ministered to him the means of revenge. He collected all the rocks in the island in heaps at Cold Sprincf, and throwing them in different directions, to different distances across the Sound in Connecti- cut, covered the surface of it with them as we now see it ; and
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 241
It has been repeated from the whites, the first settlers of the lands at Cold Spring, that the Indians to the last who re- mained, not only undertook to show the spot where he stood, but insisted they could still discern the print of his feet." '' The fact of tradition (adds Judge Benson) among the Indians of Long Island, of a wnx between those of Connecticut and the evil spirit about the territory, and of his being worsted and re- treating to the island, &c., I had from the late Air. L'Hommedieu a native of the island."<^ A projecting point of land on the neck still bears the name of Satan^s toe.
Upon the north-east side of Throckmorton's point lies Locust Island, the property of James Drake. On the south, the shores of the East river are ornamented with numerous handsome re- sidences, as the seats of Mr. W. H. Carter called Bella Vista, Mrs. Wright Post, Mr. Barker and Mr. Thomas Ash. The property of the latter gentleman, formerly belonged tp Philip J. Livingston, Esq., who expended large sums in procuring every novelty in the vegetable world to adorn this beautiful spot. The gardens at one time covered several hundred acres. "The finest cedar of Lebanon in the Union, (says Mr. Downing) is growing in the grounds of Mr. Ash, being 50 feet high, and of corresponding breadth.''*> There is also a superb specimen of the copper coloured beech. The road from the point to Westchester village, passes many beautiful country villas. Spi- cer^s and Brockett^s necks are situated at the south-west extremi- ty of Throckmorton's neck proper, and constitute what was formerly known as the Qrovefarm. This property we have seen, was patented by Governor Nicolls to Thomas Hunt, la 1667, who bequeathed it in 1694 to his grandson, Josiah Hunt. At Josiah's death, A. D. 1729, it went to his son, Thomas Hunt. Upon the demise of the latter, in 1756, the Grove farm descen- ded to his eldest daughter, Mianna Hunt, who married John Ferris. Their son was the late Elijah Ferris, whose sons, John H., William and Charlton Ferris, are the present owners. The old grange erected in 1697, is prettily located at the entrance of
» Memoirs of the SUte of N. Y., by Egbert Beusoa, 1817. b Downiog't Landscape Gardcoing.
Vol. II. 31
242 HISTORY OF THE
Spicer's neck, on the margin of the Westchester creek, shrouded by a group of venerable locusts. The nurseries of Mr. William Ferris, situated a little north of the house, are very extensive and contain eveiy variety of fruit and ornamental trees. We be- lieve this is the largest establishment of the kind in West- chester county. There was formerly a ferry between Ferry point, the termination of Brockeii's neck, now called Laing's Isl- and, and the opposite shore of Powell's point, L. I. The pas- sage was performed in a peri-auger.
The Westchester creek which is here nearly three quarters of n mile across, abounds with every description of shell and salt water fish. Among the latter, may be enumerated, bass, week fish, black fish, drum, eels, flounders, spice, tomicods, perch, porgics, horse mackerel, herrings, bequeals, garnet, d&c.
On the eastern side of the creek, lies Castle-hill neck,*' the property of Governeur M. Wilkins, Esq. This estate was for- merly held by the Cromwell family.** In 1685, John Cromwell and Elizabeth Cromwell his wife, exchanged six acres of meadow with Thomas Hunt, for eight acres of upland, situated upon Castle neck,^ From the Cromweli's,^ it went to a younger branch of the Underhiirs,^ who conveyed it to the Rev, Isaac Wilkins. After being sold by Mr. Wilkins, in 1784, it was successively the property of the families of Pell, Russell, Gilchrist, Taylor and Aspen, from whom it passed to Mar- tin Wilkins, Esq., by whose son it is now enjoyed. The family of Wilkins, was oritjiually seated in the county of Glamorgan, South Wales, and derives from " Robert de Winlona, or Wincestria, who came into that county with Robert Fitz- hamon, who was lord of the manor of Languian, near Coubridge and built a castle there, the ruins of which are still extant. The
'^ A name derived from the ludian castle which formerly 8tood near the termi- nation of the neck.
b From this family, it obtained the name of CromwelVa neck.
« Co. Rec. Lib. A. 95.
d See vol. i. 251.
• Co. Rec. Lib. A. 214.
f The name is supposed to be derived from the Whelk, an imaginary animal, which tradition asserts, inhabited the vale. The Whelk ia still borne on the coat armor of the family, with the significant Welch motto : Son ar dy Hyn : anglice, beware of thyselH
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 243
valley underneath, is called Pant Wilkyn (Welkyn's vale) to this day.* Mennbers of the family, yet reside at Brecon, Gla- morganshire and Maeslongh, Radnorshire. The more immedi- ate ancestor of the American branch emigrated to Jamaica, West Indies, in 1720, and settled as a planter at St. Dorothy's in that colony. His grandson, was the Rev. Isaac Wilkins, D. D.
Of the latter, the following account is given in " Sabine^s Sketches of American Loyalists?^ His father was " Martin Wilkins," a rich planter of Jamaica, and died when he was quite young. He was sent to New Vork to be educated, and enjoyed the best advantages which the country afforded. He prepared himself for the ministry, but did not take orders. Having set- tled in the countv of Westchester, he was returned as a mem- ber of the houss of assembly, in which boiy he became a leader on the ministerial side. His influence with his associates, and with his party, was very great. Near the close of the session of the assembly of Februury, 1775, Col. Woodhull, (a whig who met a sad and early death) moved that the thanks of the house should be presented to the delegates to the continental congress, who met at Philadelphia, in September previously. The motion was opposed and lost, Mr. Wilkins voting against it. When the question of appointing delegates to the second congress, came up, he made a speech, which was much admired by his friends for its eloquence, clearness and precision. Schuyler and George Clinton were his principal antagonists in the debate. As this speech affords a good specimen of the views of loyalists and of the state of the controversy at that period, I insert it entire, and nearly verbatim, as it was delivered ; as a matter of curious his- tory, and as the effort of an able man, the reader will be inte- rested in its perusal.
Mr. Speaker, The subject now under consideration is the most importmnt, I believe, that has ever come before this house ; nothing less than the welfare, I had al- most said the existence, of this colony, and perhaps of all America, depends upon the result of our present deliberations. Deeply impressed with this idea, I rise with great anxiety of mind to deliver my sentiments on this oo-
» Burke's Hist, of the landed gentry of England, vol. iii. 393.
244 HISTORY OF THE
casion. Whether they are sach as this hoase will think proper to approTe* 1 cannot tell ; but sore I am, they are such as are dictated by an honest heart, an heart biased by no selfish or sinister motives, and warped by no attach- ment to sect, persons or party. There is not, I am persuaded, an individual in this assembly, who does not wish well to America in general, and who is not solicitous for the preservation of this province in parV^colar. For my own part, I feel more real concern than I can well express, at the gloomy prospect of our aflfairs, and I would sacrifice more, much more, than meet men would be willing to believe, if I could by that means rescue my country from the ruin and destruction that is now ready to overwhelm her. The d«- cessity of a speedy reconciliation between us and our mother country, must be obvious to every «}ne who is not totally destitute of sense and feeling ; so that there can be no dispute now, I presume, but about the means of accomplish- ing it. Before I give my opinion, however, upon this matter, I must beg the indulgence of the House, while I exhibit a short view of the rise and progress of our present disturbances in America.
" Ever since the first settlement of these colonies, Great Britain has claimed and exercised the right of jurisdiction over them, and her claim was founded in reason, and in the nature of civil government, for it is certain beyond all manner of doubt and controversy, that the supreme authority of every empire, must extend over the whole and every part of that empire, otherwise there must be imperium in imperio^ two absolute and dis- tinct powers in one and the same government, which is impossible ; and consequently the supreme authority of the British empire, which is irested in the king, lords, and commons, must extend over these colonies, which are a part of the British empire. This authority was never disputed by the colonies, till the time of the stamp act, and then no farther than as to the right of imposing internal taxes ; for the right of regulating trade, and of imposing duties upon articles of commerce, was universally acknowledged as essential to the supremacy of the British parliament. Their right of inter- nal taxation over the Colonies, was by the Americans opposed upon this prin- ciple, that it was contrary to one of the fundamentals of our free Constitution, which forbids the taking of the subjects' money without their consent, given either personally or by their representative. This power of disposing of their property, they imagined and asserted, was lodged in their Provincial Legisla- tures only. Be that as it will, this was certainly placing their liberty upon a proper bssis : here they ought to have rested ; here they ought to have bound- ed their demands ; this would have been a sufficient bsrrier sgainst arbitrary power. The Parliament, in consequence of this, although they did not relin- quish their claim or right to tax the Colonies, repealed that impolitic and op- pressive act ; and although they aAerwards imposed duties on paper, glass, paints, colors, &c., yet those also, in compliance with our demands, were taken off: so indulgent has our mother country been to the claims and humors of her children. This complying 'disposition, however, i i her so far
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 245
from exciting oar gratitude, or satisfying oar uneasiness and discontent, has only emboldened us to make farther encroachments upon her authority. We foolishly attributed this gentle conduct towards us to fear, and to a conscious- ness of her inability to compel us to submission. And when a three penny duty on tea was demanded of us, we peremptorily refused to comply ; and instead of expostulating or of showing our disapprobation of that act, by remonstrating in a legal and constitutional way, as we ought to have done ; or instead of taking that easy and effectual method that offered itself to us, I mean the not purchasing that commodity, while encumbered with the duty, we flew into the most indecent rage, and hastily adopted every unwarrantable measure that could irritate and provoke the government ; we either destroyed or sent back, in a must contemptuous manner, all the tea that entered our harbors ; we insulted her ministers, and absolutely denied her authority.
*' The colony of Massachusetts Bay was the foremost and the most violent in this opposition, and chastisement followed close upon tho transgression, which, though the mildest that could possibly have bee;i inflicted, considering the nature of the offence, has kindled such a flame through the whole conti- nent of America, as threatens universal devastation. The Colonies, instead of endeavoring to extinguish it, are increasing its violence ; instead of strifing to restore peace and good harmony, so essential to the welfare of both coun- tries, are using every possible means to widen the breach and make it irrepa- rable. Good God ! that we should be so void of common sense ! that we should be so blind to our own happiness ! What advantage, in the name of Heaven, can we propose to ourselves, in being at enmity with Great Britain 1 Shall we by this means become more powerful, more wealthy, or more free ? Let us pause for a moment, and reflect a little upon the absurdity and folly of such expectations. On the contrary, shall we not derive every desirable ad- vantage from being in friendship and amity with her 1 Shall we not derive strength, proteetion and stability, from that oak around which we have so long twined ourselves, and under the shadow of whose branches we have so long flourished in security ?
*' Permit me to carry on this allusion. We are a vigorous and fertile vine ; but without some prop, without some sufficient support, we shall only trail along the ground, and be liable to injury and destruction from the foot of every passenger. But if Great Britain gifes us her protection ; if she cultivates us with tenderness and care, we shall yield her a rich and plentiful vintage, as necessary to her welfare and prosperity, as her support is to our existence. In this mutual relation do we stand to each other. Let us therefore, like wise men, endeavor to establish a lasting and permanent union between us ; let us endeavor to remove every obstacle to this desirable end ; and let us reject with the utmost disdain and abhorrence every measure that can tend to in- crease the difference between us, and make this necessary union impracticable. Let us therefore, to the utmost of our power, endeavor to put a stop to the illegal and disorderly proceedings, and resolutions of committees, associations.
216 HISTORT OF THB
sod eoojrrewes. Tbey have already drivea this Colonf to tie brink of a pve- cipice ; wumit of oar sister CokMiies (I speak with the deepest eoneern.) have already taken the desperate plonge, and ooless the cleaieocy of Great Britain shall work a miracle io their faror, I know not hov they vill escape perdiiioo. Let OS be warned by their example ; let their folly and precipitation teach no wisdom ; and, instead of linking oarseUes to the chain of their evil destiny, let us instantly break loose, and, by a well timed effort, rescue oomelveo froni destruction, and endeavor to make peace for ourselves, — not a shamefnl, not an igncHoinioos peace, — but such a one as shall be worthy of freemen ; such a one as will secure to us our liberties and properties, and render the onion between us and our mother country permanent and lasting ; in short, such as will be worthy Great Britain to offer, and Americans to receive.
" And here let it not be said that it will be a base desertion of oor sister eolooies, to withdraw oor assistance from them when in so critical and dan- gerous a situation. But let it be remembered that Great Britain is oor mother — a kind and indulgent mother, who hath nourished, protected and established us in this land of Canaan, this land flowing with milk and honey-^ a mother, whose arms are open to receive all such of her children as will re- torn to their duty ; who is willing to hear their complaints, and to redress their grievances. And shall we take part against such a parent 1 Shall we, like detestable parricides, wound her bosom fur the sake of ungrateful brethren, who have wilfully shut their eyes both to their interest and their duty, and who are obstinately bent upon their own destruction T Surely we cannot. No, I am persuaded there is not an individual in this House who would not reject this proposal with the utmost abhorrence. We have too much under- standing not to know that the interest of these colonies and of Great Britain is the same ; that we are all one people — of the same laws, language and re- ligion, each of us equally bound to one another by the ties of reciprocal affec- tion ; and we have too much loyalty to the best of sovereigns — too great a regard to order and good government, to assert that insurreciiona and tumults in one Colony can or ought to justify them in another. Indeed, so far am I from thinking that this conduct in us would be deserving the common cause of the Colonies, that I am convinced it is the only expedient left, by which we can in any measure promote their real and true interest. By uniting with them, we shall in all probability sink with them, but by rending ourselves from the rash and ill-judged combination in which they have engaged, while we are doing good to ourselves, we may do good also to them. We may have it in our power, as I know we shall have it in our will, to stretch out a helping hand to raise them from the pit into which they are falling. And I will ven- ture to assert with baldness and confidence, that if this Loyal Province will do her duty, and act with wisdom and moderation in the critical juncture, she may yet save America.
'* Great Britain is not the only quarter from whence danger is to be appre- hended. Her resentment, no doubt, is to be dreaded, aod it behoves us, if possi-
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER, 247
ble, to avert it ; she may destroy oar cities ; she may ruin oar commerce ; she may reduce us to so deplorable a condition that we shall be willing to accept of peace and reconciliation upon any terms which 'she shall think proper to impose. This is what she may do, and what most probably she will do, un- less we alter the mode of our conduct towards her. But if she should think proper to decline the contest ; if in her wrath she should give us up to our own direction, and leave us to cut and shuffle for ourselves, and to settle oar boundaries, and to appoint our forms of government, deeper and more terrible scenes of distress will present themselves to our view. Fsin would I draw a veil over this melancholy prospect, and hide it from the eye of humanity ; but my duty to my family — to my constituents — to my country, forbids me to be silent. Factions and animosities will lay waste our country. Provinces will rise against Provinces, and no umpire to determine the contest but the sword. This once flourishing and happy land will smile no more ; it will become a field of blood, and a scene of terror and desolition. To such calamities shall we awake from our dreams of independence, and to such miseries will our unreasonable love of liberty lead us. Let us therefore, moderate a little the eagerness of our dispute, and not prostitute this noblest and best principle of the human heart, to the unworthy purposes of sedition and rebellion.
*' The Americans love liberty, *His their grand, their darling object, and may they ever have virtue and spirit enough to assert and defend it, as well as wis- dom and prudence to enjoy it. But that love of liberty which beats so strongly in onr hearts, and which seems to animate and inspirit almost every individual, if not carefully watched and attended to, will, on some future day, (should we be so fortunate as to escape onr present danger,) prove a dreadful source of misfortune to us, if not our ruin. Liberty and licentiousness are nearly allied to each other ; like wit and madness, there is but a thin partition between them ; and, licentiousness invariably leads to slavery. Al- most every page of history will furnish abundant proofs of the truths of these observations ; and God grant that the annals of this country i ?.y not add to the number ; but I fear from the present licentious conduct v e are much nearer to a state of slavery and oppression than we seem to be aware of. So far already have we advanced towardsit, that all internal order and rubordiaatioa is nearly at an end amongst us. The authority of the civil magistrate is become useless, and almost contemptible ; even the authority of this House, nay, of the whole Legislative body of this Province, has been treated with the utmost con- tempt, and our power in a manner wrested from us, by a set of men who hav* arrogated to themselves the style of the People^s Representatives. If they are in reality such, to what purpose are we here assembled ! If they are autho- rized to make laws, to establish penalties, and to regulate the concerns of this Colony, why are we called together ? what is left for us to do 1 Notbiog sir, but to do our duty ; to undo, if possible, all that they have done ; to strip them of their borrowed plumes, and to resume that authority, which has been delegated to us forthe most important parposes ; for the preservation oi liberty^
248 HISTORY OF THE
order and good goTernment. We are the representatives of the inhabitantB of this Colony ; they have entrusted os with the guardianship of their rights and liberties, and they lo^ up to us for the preservation of them. Let os, there- fore, act as becomes us, with firmness and resolution. The eyes of all honest and good men are upon us : their hopes ^ their expectations of peace and safety^ under Heaven^ are centred here. Let us not disappoint their hopes, but let us lay aside every prejudice ; let us suppress every passion and sentiment that can interfere with our oountry*s welfare, and let us unite with one voice and one mouth, to save her from destruction.
'* We have this day before us, the choice either of peace nr war ; of hapi»- ness or misery, of freedom or slavery ; and sorely we cannot hesitate a mo- ment which to choose. By proceeding in a firm, but in a peaceable, loyal and constitutional manner, in the settlement of this unhappy difference with our mother country, we eannot fail, I am convinced, of meeting with all de- sirable success. We shall by these means, nndoubtedly, secure to ourselves a free constitution ; we shall have a line of government stretched out and as- certained, and we shall be restored to the favor and protection of the parent state, which, next to the favor of Heaven, will be our best and strongest safe- guard and security. But if you listen to the dictates of violent and enthusi- astic men, if you adopt the ill-judged, tyrannical, and destructive measures of the Congress, where will your miseries end ? where, indeed, I cannot tell ; but from that moment you must date the commencement of them ; from that mo- ment be assured your ruin is inevitable. Now is the critical moment of our fate ; we have it in our power to do the most essential good, or the most es- sential mischief to oarselves and our posterity. If we neglect this opportunity of promoting our common felicity, and of establishing'our liberties upon a firm and lasting basis, we may, perhaps, never have another, and we shall repent of our fatal fully and infatuation, when too late to retrieve the mistake; when the horrors and miseries of a civil war shall be increased, if possible, ten fold upon our heads, by the curses and execration of our distracted and deluded constituents ; when all orders and degrees of men shall, in the bitter- ness of their hearts, point us out as the authors of their ruin ; when we shall be obliged to submit to the laws of conquest, or the penalties of rebellion.
^* I have now sir, delivered my sentiments freely and candidly upon the sub- ject of our consideration. 1 have stiown that the rise of our present disputes with Great Britain has been un unreasonable jealousy on our part, originating from an impolitic exertion of authority, on hers. I have proved that it is both our duty and interest, to cultivate the closest and most intimate union with her. I have shown that the authority of the British Parliament, which is the supreme Legislature of the empire, extends over these colonies, which are parts of that empire. I have shown the extreme danger of undue opposi- tion to that authority, which, either by exerting itself against us, or giving us up to our own government, will equally involve us in misery and destruction. 1 have shown, that by a peaceable and loyal conduct, we may procure for
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 249
oarselves, and perhaps (or oar sister colonies, a more perfect system of gor- ernmeut than that which we had hi.herto enjoyed, whic)i was indeed better calculated for our infant state, than for the present period of our present ma- tarity, a period that requires, at the same time, more liberty and a stricter government I have, therefore^Mr. Speaker, nothing more to add, than that, if contrary to my hopes and my most ardent wishes; if, contrary to the honor and dignity of this house ; if, contrary to the dictates of humanity, and to the duty which we owe to our constituents and our country, you adopt the unjust and destructive measures of the conj^ress, and by that means, involve our country in a civil war, the most dreadful calamity that can befall a people, I hereby declare my honest indignation to that measure, and now call Heaven and the house to witness, that I am guiltless of the blood of my fellow sub- jects that will be shed ui>on the occasion. I am guiltless of the ruin of my country.
" Mr. Wilkins's zeal and extreme loyalty, rendered him very- obnoxious to the whigs. Besides his prominent position in the Assembly, he gaye utterance to his thoughts, in essays. It is a singular circumstance, that the youthful Hamilton, who was also born in the West Indies, undeHook the task of replying to two of his poetical effusions. One of these. The Congress Can- vassed, &c., which was signed, A. W. Farmer, was extensively circulated, and with that called, A View of the Controversy be- tween Great Britain and her Colonies," was burnt, " whenever they fell into the hands of those whose measures they criticised and condemned."
''A few months after the delivery of this speech, he abandoned the country and went to England. At the moment of his de- parture he issued the following address :
Niw York, May 3, 1775.
Mt CoUNTRTMBIf :
Before I leave America, the land I love, and in which is contained every- thing that is valuable and dear to me : my wife, my children, my friends and property, permit me to make a short and faithful declaration, which 1 am induced to do, neither through fear nor a consciousness of having acted wrong. An honest man and a christian hath nothing to apprehend from this world. God is my judge, and God is my witness, that all I have done, writ- ten or said, in relation to the present unnatural dispute between Great Britain and her colonies, proceeded from an honest intention of serving my country ; her welfare and prosperity were the objects toward which all my endeavors have been directed. They are still the sacred objects which I shall efer steadily and invariably keep in view ; and, when in England, all the influenoe
Vol. II. 32
260 U18T0RY OF THE
that ao incontidarable a man as I am can have, shall be exerted in her be- half. It has been my constant maxim through life to do my doty conscien* tioosly, and to traat the issue of my actions to the Almighty. May that God in whose hands are all events, speedily restore peace and liberty to my un- happy country. May Great Britain and America be soon united in the bonds of everlasting unity, and when united, may they continue a free, a virtuous and happy nation to the end of time. I leave America, and every endearing eonneotion, because I will not raise my hand against my sovereign, nor will I draw my sword against my country, when I can conscientiously draw it ia her favor. My life shall be cheerfully devoted to her service.
Isaac Wilkims.
In 1776, he returned to Long Island, where he remained until the peace, when he returned to Shelburne, Nova Scotia. He remained in Nova Scotia several years, and lived a part of the time at Lnnenburgh. About the year 1800, he took up his residence in Westchester County, New York, and was settled over the Episcopal parish there. He continued in the ministry until his decease in 1830, at the age ol 89. Doctor Wilkins mar- ried Isabella, sister of Lewis Morris, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and of Gouverneur Morris, another distin* guished whig. Their motlier espoused the royal side, and re- ' mained within the British lines. Their correspondence with her during hostilities occasioned suspicion, and caused them difficulty, notwithstanding their sacrifices and services. At the moment when Lewis voted in congress for independence, British ships of war were lying within cannon shot of his house; and soon after, his manor of Morrisania was desolated, his woodland of one thou- sand acres destroyed, and his family driven into exile. Three of the sons of Lewis served in the whig army. Staats, brother of Lewis and Gouverneur, was an officer in the royal service, be- came a member of parliament, and a lieutenant general. Thus was the Morris family divided. Doctor Wilkins has a son in Nova Scotia, who bears the name of his uncle Lewis Morris, and who has obtained distinction. He was elected a member of the house of Assembly, about the time of his father's return to the United States ; and when in 1806, William Cottam Longe, Esq., who was elected speaker, was disallowed by the governor, Lewis Morris Wilkins was chosen in his place, and approved of, and occupied the chair, by subsequent election, until 1817, when he
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 851
was removed, to be placed on the bench of the supreme court of the colony. Judge Wilkins resides at Windsor."*
The present residence of Mr. Gouverneur M. Wilkins is seated on the brow of a hill, near the extremity of the neck, and com- mands an almost uninterrupted view of the river with the ad- jacent shores. The interior contains some good paintings, par- ticularly a view on the Arno, by Cole, and a portrait of Martin Wilkins, Esq., by Rogers, &;c., also a beautiful white marble bust of Washington, by Garacchi, and an Apollo by Tantenovi. The old family mansion, which stands on the side of the neck is now converted into a farm house. Here in 1776 three of the clergy managed to secrete themselves for some time, notwith- standing the most minute and persevering search was made for them, so ingeniously contrived was the place of their conceal- ment in and about the old fashioned chimney. Food was con- veyed to them through a trap door in the floor. Tye front of the house is shaded by two of the largest and finest elm trees in the County. Cornell's or Clason's neck, which is pleasantly situated in the south-west corner of the town, contains about five hundred and fifty acres. We have seen that Thomas Cornell i from whom it was originally named, became possessed of tlia neck through the Dutch, who purchased of the Indians.^ Near the entrance to the neck, are the mansions of Mrs. Ludlow, and of her son, Henry Ludlow, Esq.
The site of the old Willett homestead is now occupied by the residence of Mrs. Clason.<^ On the extreme point of the neck stands that of Augustus Clason, Esq.
About three miles from the mouth of the Bronx, and directly opposite to the village of West Farms, is the mill seat and pro- perty of Philip M. Lydig, Esq., formerly called. I)e Lancey's mills. Here it is probable that Jonas Bronck<^ erected a mill and laid out a plantation as early as 1639. Upon the 16th of August, 1680, the town of Westchester did give and grant unto
• liorenzo Sabine'i Biographioal Sketches of Ameriota Loyaliiii.
b See pege 156.
c On the north tide of this house we noticed t bstatiful specimen of the Hycene Wisteria, which is ssM to be indigenous to the neck.
i From this indiTidaal the riTer deri?es its name. Town Rec. lib. i?. 57. Bee. of Trastees, pages 8S, 89.
262 HISTORY OF THE
William Richardson and his associates the privilege of the stream of Broncks's river, to set up two mills^ viz^ one saw and a corn mill, upon certain conditions specified in the conveyance.* Ou the 2nd of April, 171 L, TryiHje Byvanck, widow of Evert Byvanck, granted to William Provost fot/r mills^ to wit, three grist mills and one saw mill, situate in the township of West- chester, and all rights and privileges appertaining thereto, &c. ; also a certain privilege granted by the freeholders of Westches^ ier of the stream of Broncks^s river, ^c, ^*c. From the Pro- vosts, this property was purchased by Stephen de Lancey, Esq., in whose will, made the 4th of March, 1735, occurs the following item:
*' I do hereby give, devise, and bequeath unto my son Peter, and to his heirs, all my mills, mill house, mill boat, farm and land, and all and every the appurtenances thereunto belonging, situate and being in the County of Westchester, upon Broncks'a river, lately known as the mills of William Richardson, to have and to hold unto my son Peter, and to liis heirs and as^gnees forever.">>
" James de Lancey,« the eldest son of the above testator, was chief justice and lieutenant governor of the province of New York. He married Atme, eldest daughter of Col. Caleb Heathcote, and left James, Stephen, John Peter,<i Maria, Anne and Susan. Jaxues, the first of these, was educated at Corpus Christi college, Cam- bridge, England, in which college his father had been educated before him. On quitting college, he entered the army, rising to the rank of captain. In the unfortunate campaign against Ticon- deroga, he was an aid of Abercrombie's. When his father died, or shortly after, Captain de Lnncey sold out, inheriting the prin- cipal esXaies qf his family. He married Margaret, a daughter of Chief Justice Allen of Pennsylvania, whose other daughter Anne married John Penn, grandson of William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania.
Early in the Revolution, Capt. James de Lancey went to Eng- land. Eventually he established himself atBaih." This gentle- man, (and not his cousin, Lt. Col. James, as Mr. Sabine supposes,)
a See Tol. i. 298. e gee yol. i. 297.
b Surrogattf*! Office, N. Y. lib. xit. 91. < Ibid 299.
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 263
"at the close of the t^ar, and ftt the formation of the loyalist agency folr presenting claims for compensation, was ippointed agent for New York, and became vice president of the board His own losses were large and difficult of adjustment, and occupied . the attention of the commissioners for some days. Excepting Sir William Pepperell," Captain James " de Lancey appears o ravj been the most active member of the agency.''* " Five of the chil- dren of Capt. James de Lancey and Margaret grew up, viz., two sons and three daughters. Charles, the eldest sou, was in the British navy, and died a bachelor. James, late Lt. Col. ist Dra- goon Guards, is living, also a bachelor. Two of the dn 'irhters, Anne and Susan, are single, and still living ; while Margaret married the present Sir Juckes Granville Clifton, Bart., and died early, childless."
The second son of Stephen de Lancey, the Huguenot, was Brigadier General Oliver de Lancey. Sabine, in his sketches of American Loyalists, states that/<at the period of the French war, Oliver de Lancey occupied a commanding position, and perhaps he did not overrate his personal influence when he said, that it' in the expedition against Crown Point, he *< should accept the command of the Hew York raiment, he could in ten days raise the whole quota of troops allotted to that colony." This standing he maintained after his brother's death, and until the Revolution. *'He opposed the dismemberment of the empire, and put his life and property at stake to prevent it. In 1776, he was appointed a brigadier general in the royal service. Skinner, of New Jersey, Brown, a former governer of the Bahamas, Arnold, the af)ostate, and Cunningham, of South Carolina, were of the same grade, but their commissions were of later date. Gen. de Lancey was, therefore, the senior loyalist officer in commission during the contest. His command consisted of three battalionS| ktiown as De Lancey's battalions."
<* Previous to the Revolution, Gen. De Lancey was a member of the Council, and was considered to be in office in 1782, though a constitution was formed in New York in 1777, and a govern- ment organized under it. By this government he was attainted
• Sftbioe'f Sketehee of Am^rieaii I^yalitta.
264 HISTORY OF THE
of treason, and his large property confiscated." ** At the eracna- tion in 1783, he went to England, and died at Beyerly, Yorkshire in 1785y aged sixty-eight His body is interred in the choir of the Minster, while a mouuraent standing near (he transept records his services." ''His son, Oliver de Lancey, jr., was educated in Europe; put early in the 17th Light Dragoons ; was a captain at the commencement of the Revolution ; became Major in 1776, a Lieutenant Colonel a year or two later, and succeeded Andre as Adjutant General of the British army in America. On his return to Europe, he was made Deputy Adjutant Gieneral of England ; as a Major General he got the Colonelcy of the 17th Light Dra- goons ; was subsequently made Barrack Master General of the British empire ; rose through the grade of Lieutenant General to that of General, and died, some six or eight and twenty years since, nearly at the head of the English Army list. This branch of the family is now extinct in the male line ; its last man having been killed at Waterloo, in the person of Sir William Heathcote de Lancey, the Quarter-master General of Wellington's army."
Peter de Lancey, youngest son of the Huguenot, to whom his father devised the mills, was a man of wealth and of considerable influence in the colony. His wife was Alice, daughter of Cad- wallader Colden, lieutenant governor of the Province of New York in 1761. His children were John, father of Mrs. Yates, relict of Grovernor Yates, and Lt. Col. James de Lancey, a distin- guished military officer. " James was for a considerable time she- riff of Westchester county. He took a battalion in the brigade of his uncle Oliver de Lancey, called the Loyalist Rangers,^ or De
•■ The command of the Loyalist Rangeis afibrded Colonel de Lancey faciiiiiea for communicating with hb old aaeociatea in thii lection of country, and waa the meane of indncingr some of the landed jrcntry to take an active part in the contest This was particularly the case with Samuel Kip, Eaq., of a family which from the first settlement by the Dutch had possessed a gnni of land at Kip's Bay, and in other parts of New York island- Members of this family were named as officers under the Crown in the royal charter granted when the British first took possession of the colony in 1664, and in that given thirty years later. Having been always associated with the government, and from their landed interest wielding an infiuence in its affairs, they were naturally predisposed to espouse th^ royal cause. In addition to this, Mr. Kip's estate was near that of Col. de Lancey, and a close intimacy had always existed between them. He was, therefore, easily indnoad to acoept a cap«
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 265
Lancet's Horse. In consequence of his familiarity with the county, Lt Col. James de Lancey was stationed much of his time in Westchester, to keep open the means of procuring sup- plies. His corfis made free with the cattle of that part of the country, and got the soubriquet of '' Cow Boys," in revenge for their knowledge in the aiticle of beef." The colonel finally fixed his residence in Nova Scotia, and in 1797, was sworn in as a member of the council of that colony. He died at Annapolis, N. S., about the ye^r 1809. Martha Tippett, his widow, also died there in 1827, aged 73, and where his sons are still living. Oliver de Lancey, third son of Peter and Alice, threw up his commission in the British service at the commencement of the Itevolutionary war. His children are resident in the town. Peter, the fourth son, and Lt..Col. Warren de Lancey, besides four daughters. ^
By an indenture bearing date the 20th of July, 1774. the trus- tees of Westchester for divers considerations, sold to Jamei and Oliver de Lancey, and their heirs and assignees, the ground un* der the water of Broncks's river, and all such lands as had been granted or appointed by the town, for the use of the mills, dtc* The present proprietor, Philip M. Lydig, Esq., holds by convey, ance from under Oliver de Lancey, Esq. The dwelling house which once served as the head-quarters of Washington, was de- stroyed by fire a few years since.
The grounds, which display all the elegance of modern gar- dening, rise in a succession of terraces from the water's edge. Near the old mansion stands a majestic pine tree, a noble relic of
tain's oommiision from the royal goTemment and embark all his interests in this contest He raised a company of caTaJry, principally from his own tenants, joined the British army with the colonel, and from his intimate knowledge of the country was enabled to gain the reputation of an active and daring partisan officer. For this reason he was for a time assigned to a command in the Loyalist Hangen. In one of the severe skirmbhes whioh took place in Westchester county in 1781, Capt. Kip, while charging a body of American troope, had his horse killed under him, and re- ceived a severe bayonet wound. He survived, howe vrr, several years after the war, though, like his friend De Imncey, a heavy pecuniary sufferer from the cause he had espoused.
• For many of the above particulan we are indebted to Mr. Cooper's correspon- dence in the Home Jonmal of 1848.
k Rec. of Trustees, pp. 88, 89.
256 HISTORY OF THE
the post. " The foltowing appropriate lines were written hy a genileman, atier a Tisit paid (o (his beautiful apot, th» former residence of the De Lancey family.
!>• Luuy HlUa,
of Dr. Bijard at WiM Parm.
Db Lahcsi's Akcikkt Pun. Wbere gantle Bronx elm winding flow*, Tbe ahcdawj b&nks b«lween. Where bloBBDmed Irall or wilding rou AdoroE the biightest green : Memorial of tbe fallen greit, 'I'be rich tnd hononred line, S lands high in aoliurj alate, De Lancej's ancient pine.
There once at eatlj dawn arrajed
The rural siKirl to lead.
The frallant maeter of the glade,
Bedecked his eager eteed.
And once ihe Ijghtfoot maiden came
In lovelineaa divine,
I'o sculpture with the dearest name,
De Lancey'a ancient pine.
But now the airanger'a foot eiplores De Laacej's wide domain, And aearce one kindred heart reatotea, Hia DiemoTj to the plain ;
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 267
And jast like one in age alone, The last of all his line, Bends sadly where the waters moan, De Lanoej's ancient pine.
Oh, victim of misguided zeal
To tell thy former fame !
Who bids the fretted stone reveal
The numbers of thy name 1
Ere brightening up the eastern sky
Another morn shall shine.
In equalizing dust may tie
De Lancey^s ancient pine.
Wo ho ! the satiate traveller stays Where eve^s calm glories shine, To weep as tells of other days, De Lancey^s ancient pine.
At ft short distance from Lydig's mills, on the property of Mr. Leonard Mapes, may be seen the ruins of an old chateau, since the residence of Lewis H. Guerlain. Thn following inscription upon a marble monument hard by, so touchingly records the history of its former inmates, that any further account would be needless. A. D. 1798, sacred to the memory of virtue, merit and beauty ; to Sarah Guerlain, the beloved consort of Lewis H. Guerlain.
Alas ! His in vain ! the spirit has ied !
Sarah has sunk in the tomb,
The beauty of nature lies mixM with the dead
Gods ! how severe is the doom :
As a delicate lily that blows in the vale,
That springs to perfection and dies,
So she bloomed, and then sickened ; but, shall we bewail ?
The grave of the pure is the path to the skies.
£TERinT7 HOW LOVO !
In 1798, 7th March, Sarah died in the West Indies, in the 20th year of her age, in the passage from St. Croix to St. Christopher's and was brought back by her disconsolate husband to this peace- ful mansion, the place of their union, the 4th of October, 1 795.
Lire HOW short!
Vol. II. 33
8B8 HISTORY OF THE ''
Immediate! 7 north of the village of West Farms, lies Bronx dale, the sides of which present a most romantic appearance. la this neighborhood, is a small settlement, containing two public houses, two stores and about twenty dwellings, also the exten- sive bleach factory of Mr. James Bolton, and the snuflf milU of Mr. Peter Loriliard. The beautiful seat of the latter gentleman is rendered particularly attractive, from the contiguity of over hanging woods, and its due vicinity to the river. The low ground cast of Bronx dale, is called Bear swamp. The general "surface of Westchester is rolling, and in some places hilly; soil, clay loam, mostly susceptible of high cultivation." "The lands produce all kinds of grain, but they are best adapted to grass and pasturage. Almost every variety of fruit trees flourish here. The principal growth of wood is oak of all sorts, chesnut and hickory, &c. It is freely watered in every part by springs and rivulets."^
COUNTT OP WESTCHESTER.
Onc« Cbnrcb, Wot Ftrma.
WEST FARMS.
Thjb township vhich is situated at (h« soulli west ex- tremity of tbe county, was se- parated from ihe ancient town of Westchester ;» and, incor- porated oQ the 13th of May, 1846,t> by an act of the legis- atiire. It is- bounded on ths north by Yonkers, east by the Bronx, south by the East river, and west by the Har- lem river, or county of New
York. It is distant sixteen miles south of the Tillage of White
Plains, and about one hundred and forty-one miles from Albany.
" Kings bridge, across Harlem river, is just within the line, at
the north-west comer of this town." Our intention is to lake up separately the three former divi-
sions of the present town, viz., West Farms, Morrisania and
Fordham.
From the following; patent, it appears that the proprietors of
the lands subsequently called the West Farms, in 1666, were
Edward Jessup aud John Richardson, of Westchester.
PATENT OP WEST FARMS.
" Richard NieoUa, Esq., goteraor seoenl nader hia tajal highneN, JuMy Daka of Yorli ud Albany, &e. fco., of all bia lerriiorjea in America, lo aU lo whom UwM pr«a«nt« ahall come, aeodeth greeting ; whereu, there ia a car-
260 HISTORY OF TH»,^^
tain tract or parcel of land within this government, situate, lying and being neare unto and within the limits of the towne of Westchester. Upon ye maine being bounded to the east by the river commonly called by the Indians Aquehung^ otherwise Broncke river, ezteadlHig to the midst of said river to the north, by the markH trees and by a piece of hassock meadow, westwardly a little brook called by the natives Sackiorahung, and southward by the Sound or East river, including within a certain neck of land called Quinnahungf which said parcel or tract and neck of land with the appurtenances, together with commonage and liberty for range of horses and cattle, as free as thej please into the woods, hath heretofore been jointly purchased of the Indyan - proprietors by Edward Jessup and John Richardson of Westchester aforesaid, and due satisfaction hath ye then been given for the same, as by the deed re- maining upon record, more at large doth and may appear, now it being ma- tually agreed upon ye both the aforesaid purchasers, that an equal division shall be made of the said parcel or tract of land and appurtenances between .'them the said Edward Jeseup and John Richardson, their heirs and assigns, and to the end that the said lands may be better manured and planted for a further confirmation unto each and either of them, in their possession and enjoyment of the premises. Know ye, that by virtue of the commission and authority unto me given by his royal highness, I have ratified, confirmed and granted, and by these presents do ratify, confirm and grant, unto John Richardson aforesaid, his heirs and assigns, the moiety or one-half of the aforesaid par- cel or tract of land and premises, together with the moiety or one-half of all the woods, meadows, pastures, waters, conmionage, marshes, rivers or lakes thereunto belonging, within their and every of them, appurtenances and every part and parcel thereof, to have and to hold their said moiety, or one-half of ihe said parcel or tract of land, commonage and premises, with all and singu- lar the appurtenances to the said John Richardson, his heirs and assigns, unto the proper use and behoof of the said John Richardson, his heirs and assigns forever, he or they rendering and paying such duties and acknowledgments as now are or hereafter shall be constituted and established by the laws of this government, under the obedience of his royal highness, his heirs and suc- cessors, given under my hand and seal at Fort James^ in New York, on the island of Manhattoes, 25th day of April, in the eighteenth year of his majesties reign, A. D. 1666."
Richard Nicolls.
Edward Jessnp one of the above patentees, like most of the original settlers of Westchester, emigrated from Fairfield, Con- necticut. In 1653, occurs the name of Edward Jessope, owner of lands on Snscoe neck in that town. By his wife Elizabeth Bridges, he left issue a son, Edward, and two daughters. Eliza- beth married Thomas Hunt, of the Grove farm, Westchester,
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 261
from whom the Hunts of Hunt's point descend. Edward Jes- 8up died in 1666 ; his will bears date the same year.
The last Will and Testament of Edward Jessup.
" Being eicke and weake in body, yet in perfect nenaory, I bequeath noiy •oule to ye Almighty God that gave it, and my body after my death to be de- cently buried, my funeral to be discharged and my debts to be paid. I will and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Hunt, twenty shillings, besides which, I have already given her to be paid in a year and a day aAer my decease. I will and bequeath unto my daughter Hannah Jessup, the sum of five and thirty pounds with that she hath already, to be payed unto her at 18 years of age.
I will and bequeath unto my sonne Edward Jessup, two mares with two colts by their sides, one is a gray mare, and the other is a mare marked on both ears with two half pence on each ear, to bee set out for him for hil use a year and a day after my decease.
I will and bequeath unto my grandchild Mary Hunt, twenty shillings, to bee payd in a year and a day after my decease. I will and bequeath ooto my cousin Johannah Burroughs, twenty shillings, to bee payed in a year and a day after my decease.
Furthermore, I institute and appoint my well beloved wife, Elizabeth Jet- sup, to bee whole and sole executrix, and I do will and bequeath unto her, all my lands and houses, and goods and cattle, moveable and immovable, of this my last will and testament, and to receive all debts, dues and demands what- soever, to be at her disposing, and she to pay all debts, dues and legaoies whatsoever, and she to bring up my two children in the feare of God. This I do owne to be my last will and testament.
Further, I do appoint my well beloved friends Mr. Richard Cornhill, jos- tice of the peace, Mrs. Sarah Bridges, my well beloved brother-in'law, John Burroughs, and Ralph Hunt, overseers of this my last will and testament, like- wise to be assistants to my executrix in all cases and difliculties, and this I do owne as my owne act and deed, to all true intents and meanings, and doe furthermore ratify and confirm it as my owne act and deed by ye setting to my hand and seal, the day and year underwritten.
August the 16th, 1666.
EowiRD Jxssup. Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of us, witnesses, WilFm Gouldstone, John Richardson, mark of Richard Horton. X
Upon the 20tfa of June, I668j Robert Beacham and Elizabeth
262 HISTORY OF THE
the wife formerly of Edward Jesmp of Westchesteri in the North Riding of Yorkshire, on Long Island, did fully (ind abso- lutely sell and ''make over unto Thomas Hunt of Westchester aforesaid all those hoeing lands and accommodations that were formerly Edward Jessup's, within the bounds and limits of the aforesaid Westchester, that the said Edward Jessup and John Richardson purchased together and procured patents for from the Hon. Col. Richard Nicolls," &c.
John Richardson, the surviving patentee, appears to have united with Thomas Hunt the following year in making an equal division of these lands, for on the 12th of August, 1669, occurs the following report of the commissioners.
- *» We whose names are underwritten being made choice of by John Rieli- ardson and Thomas Hunt, bothe inhabiting in Westchester, in the Neith Riding of Yorkshire, to make an equal division of a grant of land formerly purchased of the Indian proprietors by Edward Jessup and John RichardsoD, being butted and bounded by patent I say all those uplands and meadows within that purchase, save some upland and meadows, which was formerly divided by the forementioned persons, Edward Jessup and John Richardson, have been committed unto us, William Ilayden, Samuel Drake, Thomas Lawrence and Jonathan Hazard, to make an equal division, &c., Sic, As first we find it necessary that John Richardson, having twenty acres of upland and meadow more or less, lying on the southermost poynt of the corne field neck, which tract of land is a district of itself by a divisional line running west and by north east and by south, and all the rest of the upland both in that neck and a little neck adjoining to it, is Thomas Hunt's, with highways laid out, and into the above said neck north to upland and meadows, with marks renewed between the meadows and the upland, beginning at a white oak, which is the divisional line between Thomas Hunt and John Richardson, which line runneth from the white oak to the water east and by north, and all the meadow lying along between the water and the marked trees is John Richardson's, until you meet another divisional line that bears west and by north and east and by south, which line runs at the old highway, and all the rest of the meadows within the neck to be Thomas Hunt's, for and in consideration John Richardson hath all the Long neck lying upon the south end of the dwelling houses of John Richard- son and Thomas Hunt, all the above said neck within fence, and further we have laid out unto Thomas Hunt a tract of upland lying near bis bouse contain* ing sixteen acres and forty-five rods, stretching from the creek north north- west and south south-west to a great burnt stump, from thence west sonth- wett to a creek, and from the creek south south-east, &c., &c."
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 263
The three daughters and co-heiresses of John Richardson were Bethia, wife of Joseph Ketchani of Newton, Long Islandi Mary, wife of Joseph Hadley of Yonkers, and Elizabeth, wife of Gabriel Leggett, from whom descend the Leggetls of West Farms. His last will bears date 16th November, 1679. In it he beqneaths ''to his beloved wife, Martha, all his housing and orchard, and all moveables without and within, and all live stock, also all his land and meadow on the planting neck, and all the Long neck that runs southward from Thomas Hunt's new dwelling house to the Sound, and this during her life to act and dispose as she shall see cause."
'*To his son-in-law, Joseph Hadley, a pasture of three acres already laid out, &c., at or about the first spring, and all the meadow that is already divided, that is on this side the river above ye planting neck,^^ '^ To his three daughters two hundred acres of land each ;" ''and to his brother's son, in England, Jo- seph Richardson, one hundred acres, if he come within the space of one whole year to receive it, and if he come not within the time prefixed it shall remain in Martha my wife's hands." ''In conclusion, he constitutes and appoints his well beloved friends, William Richardson and Richard Ponton, both of Westchesteri and Jonathan Hayward of Newtown, Long Island, overseers of Iiis last will and testament, and that it is his whole will and tes- tament after his decease, he witnesses it under his own hand the 16th day of November, 1679."
Signed John Richardson.
Upon the 12th of January, 16S6, Governor Thomas Dongan granted a patent to Thomas Hunt, sen., for all his land bounded on the east by the river Aquehnng or Bronx, extending to the midst of the said river, on the north by certain marked trees and a piece of hammock, and on the west by a certain brook called Sackrahung, for the value of one bushel of good winter wheat."*
The following receipt appears to have been given for quit rent due on the above patent.
• Co. Ree. toI. iL From tka origintl tn the poasMiioB of Mr. Daaiol Wiflthi|b Hunt*! Point
964 HISTORT OF THE
''Received of Thomas Hunt, sen., twenty-fire bushels and one half wheat, in full for his quit rent for his land in the county of Westchester, upon Broncks*s river, to the 25th of March last past. Witness my hand, in New York, this 9th day of April, A. D. 1717.
''Richard Nicoll, Deputy Receiver!^
Seventeenth of October, 1687, Joseph Hadley of the Yonkers patent conveys to Thomas Williams of the West Farms eight acres formerly given him by John Richardson. In 1711 the heirs of the patentees united in a second division of the West Farms.
** Whereas Thomas Hunt, sen., of ye West Farms io ye leraugh totem aoi county of Westchester in ye colony of New York, yeoman, and Rliaaheth Leggett of ye same place, widow, did on ye 9th day of May last past, by aa instrument ander their hands and seals, formerly agree and conclude that the West Farms lots, containing twelve in number, should be surreyed and laid out by myself or some other person, and that according to a former surrey made by me William Taylor, on or before the last day of June instant, with a farther covenant, promise, and agreement, each to the other, for themselTes and each of their heirs, executors, and administrators, as far as they or any of them are concerned in the said lots, that the survey made by M. W. E. or some other person, in manner as above, and the lines or bounds so run and settled should remain, continue, and not be removed for ever hereafter upon the penalty of ^^e hundred pounds current money of said colony, to be paid by the party or persons breaking the said conclusion or agreement and cove- nant to the party or persons fulfilling and performing the same, &c., &e., as by the said instrument, relation being thereunto had, will fully and at large appear. Therefore upon this request and desire of the said Thomas Hunt, Elizabeth Leggett and others, the owners and proprietors of said land, I have sarreyed the said twelve lots of land as followeth. That is to say, begin at a ohesnut tree standing on the river side above Byvanck^s miUy running thence north forty-three degrees, west two hundred and eighty-three, to a marked white wood, thence south thirty degrees, west about forty-five, eight rods to the north side and westernmost corner of the sixth lot, and then upon several courses until it meets with the north-west corner of the twelfth lot, then east twenty-one degrees and a half rod to ye meadow and from thence along the meadow and river to the place first begun as appears in the scheme hereunto annexed, the whole tract containing 1096 acres, &c., &c. It is firmly agreed and concluded upon by the said Thomas Hunt, Elizabeth Leggett and others concerned in the matter, that what every or any lot wants or falls short of one hundred acres as above shall be allowed and made up to then or theirs
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 26^
oat of* the land not contained within this survey. Comprehended with a cer- tain patent granted by Governor Richard Nicolls to Edward Jessup and John Richardson in the year of onr Lord Christ 1666, except thirty acres which he» said Thomas Hunt, formerly sold to John Feryedon and Robert Manning, and also thirty acres belonging to the said Elizabeth Leggett, being in lieu of the aforesaid thirty acres on which Thomas Davenport now dwells, in witness whereof, &c., &c. In presence of Joseph Huitt, Thomas Hunt,
Justice. Elizabeth Legoet,
John Lawrence, Matthew Puoslby.
This Survey was made and completed on the 26th day of June, 1711, by me, Peter Berrien.
On the 30th of Sept. 1723, William Davenport of Penh Am- boy, in East New Jersey, and Bridget his wife, did convey all their right, title and interest in ye patent of West Farms unto William Leggett, viz., all and singular ye flats, coves, bays, fish- ing places, &c, ; also, all their right, title and property of fishing, hunting, hawking and fowling in this ye same patent, &c."»
In the southwest corner of the patent of West Farms, was situated a small tract of land, called the *^ debatable ground" This territory appears to have been in dispute between the heirs of the patentees of West Farms, and Lewis Morris, proprietor of the manor of Morrisania, from 1666 to 1740. At an early period, Lewis Morris laid claim to most of the undivided lands of the West i^arm^ patent, as belonging to him."
Upon the 4th of Feb., 1712, "Elizabeth Leggett, widow of Gabriel Leggett and daughter of John Richardson, released her title and interest of all the common and undivided lands, that Mr, Lewis Morris makes any claim to within our patent of West FarmsJ^ In 1737, " William Leggett, assignee to the heirs of John Richardson, of one- half moiety of the West Farm^s, and Abraham Lent, of the heirs of Edward Jessup, }oini\y agreed to prosecute Lewis Morris, who is now in posses.^ion of almost all the undivided landsP
» The same rights had previously been conveyed by Thomas Davenporti father of the above grantor, to Abraham Leggett.
Vol. II. 34
266 HISTORY OF THE
A complete settlement of the undivided lands was not made till 1740. In 1830, the debatable lands were purchased by William H. Leggeti, Esq.
The twelve lots into which the West farms was originally di- vided, have been long since distributed among numerous pro- prietors.
The village of West Farms is pliitMitly situated at the head of the navigable waters of the Bronx, three miles from the East river, and twelve from New York. This place from its close vicinity to the city, and its valuable water privileges, is rapidly increasing in importance. It now contains about 1,600 inhabi- tants, 200 dwelling houses, an Episcopal, a Dutch Reformed, a Presbyterian and a Methodist church, 4 taverns, a tem]ierance house, 12 stores of different kinds, and a post office ; also, seve- ral extensive manufactories, among which may be named the Brussels carpet and spinning factory of Mr. Richard Crow- ther,^ the Ingrain carpet factory of Mr. A. Smith, and the grist and mahogany saw mill of Mr. Philip M. Lydig ; beside nume- rous coopering establishments doing a large business. Here are owned seven sloops, trading with the New York and other markets. The Haarlem and Westchester rail road depot, situa- ted one mile north-west of the village, affords almost hourly communication with the city of New York.
Near the centre of the village is situated the Episcopal churchf a beautiful Gothic structure, of wood. The bell tower is attached to the north-eastern corner. Over the prin- cipal entrance, is a neat porch. The cornerstone of this edi- fice was laid on Tuesday, November 10th, 1846, by the Rev. Hugh Smith, D. D., rector of St. Peter's church, New York; on which occasion, an address was delivered by the Rev. J. T. Gush- ing minister in charge of the parish. In the corner stone were depo- sited a copy of the New Testament, and of the book of common prayer ; the journal of the last general convention in 1844 ; the journal of the last diocesan convention of New York for 1845, together with the debates in the same j copies of the general and
* Mr. Crowther*tf manufactory occupies Uic silo of the old paint mills and pottery workfli wliich were in successful operation during the last war with Great Britain.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 267
the diocesan canons, Swords' pocket almanack for 1846, Prot. Churchman of the date of Nov. 7th, 1846, the New York Courier and Enquirer of Nov. 9th, 1846, and sundry parish documents &c. &c. Besides the officiating clergy, there were present, th« Rev. William Powell, rector of St. Peter's church, Westchester, and the Rev. Robert Bolton, rector of Christ's church, Pelhara.
On the 28th of June^ 1847, it was consecrated and set apart to the worship and service of Almighty God, under the title of Grace church, by the Right Reverend William Heathcote do Lancey, Bishop of the diocese of Western New York. The consecration sermon being preached by the Rev. Kingston Goddard of Staten Island.
Grace church. West Farms, was incorporated upon the 13th of Dec. 1844. William A. Spencer and Philip M. Lydi^, church- wardens ; Peter Lorillard, Richard Crowlher, Dr. William Bay- ard, Charles S. Valentine, Benjamin Lea, Jacob M. van Winkle and William B. Hoffman, vestrymen."*^
On June 3rd, 1847, the Rev. Washington Rodman was unani- mously called to be rector of the parish. The credit of first attempt- ing the establishment of an Episcopal church in this village, is due, under God, to Miss Margaret Hunt,^ a lady whose intelli- gent zeal, kindly sympathy and untiring benevolence, deserve especial mention. The work was undertaken by this lady about twelve years since ; and, although the number of Episcopalians in the immediate neighborhood was then comparatively small, still a considerable interest was awakened by her endeavors. The amount of $2061,00 was collected, to which the sum of $1000,00 was added by the munificent donation of Mrs. C. L. Spencer, to whose christian liberality, the congregation is further indebted for the gift of an organ, a Sunday school library, and numerous other contributions to the church. Additional aid was given by the following gentlemen, viz. : Messrs. Peter Loril- lard, jun., Philip M. Lydig, Governeur M. Wilkins, J. D. Wolfe, William A. Spencer and others, making in all the sum of $4,1&8
' Co. Roc. Religious Soc. Lib. B. p. 93.
b Daughter of Thomas Hunt, fourth in descent from Edvard Jessup, one of the first patentees of the West Farms.
268 HISTORY OF THE
95, (he cost of ihe church. The congregation are also deeply- indebted to Francis Barretto, Esq., of the building committee, for his generous sympathy with the first projectors of the church, as well as for his attentive supervision of the building while in process of erection. A bell weighing 6.^6 lbs. has been pur- chased by subscriptions received principally from the members of the church.
The Presbyterian church stands upon the highest ground in the village. It was incorporated, in 1814, by the name of the V First Presbyterian Church in the village of West Farms," Robert Givan, Caleb Pell, Ebenezer Waterbury, James Bathgate, James Renwick and John B. Gillespie, first trustees.^ Prior to the year 1836, it belonged to the Bedford presbytery, but is now in connection with the second New York Presbytery. The pre- sent church edifice was erected in 1816.
LIST OF PASTORS AND SUPPLIES.^
|
Install or call. |
Supply. |
|
|
1815, |
Rev. Isaac Lewis, |
do. |
|
1819, |
Rev. Truman Osborne, |
do. |
|
1821, |
Rev. Samuel Nott, |
do. |
|
1823, |
Rev. Joseph B. Felt, |
do. |
|
1823, |
Rev. Thomas S. Wickes, |
do. |
|
1824, |
Rev. Ithamer Hillsbury, |
do. |
|
1824, |
Rev. E. D. Wells, |
do. |
|
1825, |
Rev. J. D. Wickliam, |
do. |
|
1828, |
Rev. George Stebbins, |
do. |
|
1835, |
Rev. William Gray, |
do. |
|
Jan. 22, 1836, |
Kev. M. I. Adam, |
pastor. |
|
Feb. 1841, |
Rev. James B. Ramsey, |
do. |
|
1846, |
Rev. Charles Moase, |
supply. |
|
Oct. 28, 1847, |
Rev. Isaac Watts Piatt, present pastor. |
• Co. Rec. Lib A. 154.
h For BoniA y«an this church wai aiaocialed, iu the Bupport of a minister, with the PretibyteriaQ church of New Rochelle.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 269
Church Notes.
1826, Communicants, 41, Baptisms, 1.
1846, do. 38, do. 8.
The Dutch Reformed Church of this village was first organ- ized iu 1839, under the pastoral charge of the late Rev. George Bourne, of New York, and incorporated on the I6ih of March, 1840.» First elders, Thomas Butler, George Wilson, and Abijah Rogers ; first deacons, James P. Fitch, J. G. Rowland, and Ste- phen Kelly. Mr. Bourne was succeeded, in 1842, by the Rev. Barnabas Collins. The present pastor is the Rev. John Simon- son, who commenced his ministrations in 1845.
An Episcopal Methodist Society was incorporated upon the 21th October, 1831 ; Andrew C. Wheeler, Joseph Smith, John F. Fay, Thomas T. Phillips, and Thomas Bolton, trustees.**
West Farms is not behind any of the neighboring towns in her literary institutions ; for, b<^sides three large district schools for the education of both sexes, there is a ladies' seminary and a boys' school. In 1803 there appears to have been an academy existing here, the trustees of which were the Hon. Governenr Morris, Dominick Lynch, John Sloss Hobart, Abijah Hammond, James Morris, Daniel Ludlow, Isaac Clason, Israel Underhill| Philip I. Livingston, Robert Gilchrist, Joseph Given, Jonathan Randel, Andrew Barton, Israel Honeywell, Samuel Kelly, Rob- ert Heaton, and William H. Morris.
During the revolutionary war, West Farms was constantly ex- posed to the daily forays of both armies, as they alternately held possession of the adjoining country. " Ou the 25th of January, 1777, (observes General Heath,) early on the morning, the enemy made a sally towards De Lancey^s MiUs,^ where they surprised and routed the guard, wounding several, but not killing or taking
» Co. Rea Relifioos Soc Lib. B. The firat church edifice wai erected io 1839. k Co. Rec. Religious Sec. Lib. B. p. 6. Aa incorporatioQ of the Methodist Epis* copal Church occom in 1836, aod again in 18(3. See Lib. B. 4(^, 76. < Now known as Lydig's Mills.
270 HISTORY OF THE
any of them ; and a regiment near that place quitted their quar- ter8."»
The Military Blockhouse, which occupied the site of Mr. Mapes's Temperance House, was destroyed by Colonel Burr in the winter of 1779. The event is thus related by Samuel Young, in a letter to Commodore Valentine Morris : —
"Soon after Tryon's retreat, Colonel Delancey, who com- manded the British refugees, in order to secure themselves against surprise, erected a blockhouse on a rising ground below De Lancey's Bridge. This Colonel Burr resolved to destroy. I was in that expedition, and recollect the circumstances.
"He procured a number of hand-grenades ; also, rolls of port fire, and canteens filled with inflammable materials, with contri- vances to attach them to the side of the blockhouse. He set out with his troops early in the evening, and arrived within a mile of the blockhouse by two o'clock in the morning. The colonel gave Captain Black the command of about forty volunteers, who were first to approach ; twenty of them were to carry the port fires, &c. Those who had hand-grenades, had short ladders to enable them to reach the port holes, the exact height of which Colonel Burr had ascertained. Colonel Burr gave Captain Black his instructions in the hearing of his company, assuring him of his protection if they were attacked by superior numbers ; for it was expected that the enemy, who had several thousand men at and near King's Bridge, would endeavor to cut us off, as we were several miles below them. Burr directed those who carried the combustibles to march in front as silently as possible; that on being hailed, they should light the hand-grenades, Soc. with a slow match provided for the purpose, and throw them into the port holes. I was one of the party that advanced. The senti- nel hailed and fired. We rushed on. The first hand-grenade that was thrown in drove the enemy from the upper story, and before they could take any measure to defend it, the blockhouse was on fire in several places. Some few escaped, and the rest
^ Heath's Mem. p. ill.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
271
surrendered without our having lost a single man. Though many shots were fired at us, we did not fire a gun."*
Although the inhabitants appear to have suffered much during the Revolution, they generally continued firmly attached to the interests of their country. In 1775 occurs the following petition to the Hon. Provincial Congress, from the subscribers, inhabi- tants of the manor of Fordham and West'Farms, in the county of Westchester, which
" Harobly sheweth that we were Rommoned to appear at Westchester in order to choose officers, accordiag to the resolution of the congress, it having been represented, as we understand, that there was not a competent number of men in our district to form a company, we therefore beg leave to inform you that the manor of Fordham and the West Farms have in the militia al- ways been considered as a district by themselves, and that within their limits there are upwards of seventy men fit to bear arms, and that an attendance at Westchester upon the meeting of the company will be attended with great in- convenience to many of the inhabitants and therefore injurious to the service intended to be advanced ; from which considerations your petitioners humbly pray the Hon*bIe Congress will be pleased to order that the manor of Ford- ham and the West Farms have a company with themselves, and that they elect their own officers under such inspection as the Honorable Congress in their wisdom shall think best ; and your petitioners shall ever pray.
Nicolas Berrien, Isaac Valentine, Peter Valentine, John Stevens, Benjamin Curser, Abraham Dyckman, John Farmer, Benjamin Valentine, George Pilpet, Isaac Valentine, jr. Peter Bussing, jr. Abraham Wilson, Benjamin Curser, jr. Ilendrick Ryer, John Lent, John Rver, Isaac Curser, jr.
Hezekiah Ward, Tunis Garrison, Isaac Cant, Gilbert Taylor, Robert Gilmer, Benjamin Archer, jr. Daniel Devoe, jr. John Embrie, sen. Jacob Lent, Abraham Lent, Dennis Hycr, Jacob Valentine, Abraham Garrison, James G. Groot, Thomas Hunt, Abraham Leggett, William Leggett,
Levi Hunt, Jeremiah Requa, James McKay, Robert Campbell, Eden Hunt, Isaac Hunt, James Archer, Saml Embrie, jr. John Embrie, jr. Thomas Cromwell, G. Cromwell, Obadiah Hide, John Curser, Simon Williams, John Ryer, jr. Jacob Chappelf John Garrison,
' Davis*! Mem. of Aaron Burr, vol. i. 164»
272
inSTORY OF THE
Tunis Le Joye, Philip Hant, Stephen Emboli, Nathan*! Lawrence, Peter De?oe, James Swain, Nazareth Brewer, Edward Harris, John Cullard, T'ornelius Jacobs,
John Leggett, jr. Robert Hunt, jr. Cornelias Leggett, Mr. Woods, John Hedger, Thomas Hedger, Stephen Edwards, James Rock, George Higby, Jacob Hunt,
John Jacobs, Thomas Dogherty, John Cbrk, John de Noo, John Blixard, John Walbin, John Warwick, Thomas Gemble, Peter Bussing, Is^c Curser.
Congress were pleased to grant the prayer of this petition.
The road passing the Tillage landing south leads to the Grent Planting neck, called by the Indians Quinnakung^ upon which are now many beatUifnl country seats. At the south-east extre- mity of the neck is situated HmiCs Point. This property has been occupied by the Hunt family for nearly one huiidred and sixty yeitrs, having passed into their hands by the marriage of Thomas Hunt with Elizabeth Jessup, daughter of Edward Jes- sup, one of the first patentees. In 1688, Thomas Hunt, of the Grove farm, granted to his son Thomas Hunt one hundred acres lying on the south side of Gabriel Leggett's land, bounded east- wardly and southerly by Broncks^s river. It is now the property of Mr. Daniel Winship, who married Eliza, the widow of the late Richard Hunt, Esq. The old Grange erected in 1688, occu- pies a beautiful situation near the termination of the point, over- looking the East river and Flushing bay.
This place was for many years the residence of Rodman Drake the poet, and it was here that he wrote his well known lines on the Bronx, on the neighloring banks of which he often wandered.
I sat me dowTi upon a green bank side,
Skirting the sroootli edge of a gentle river, Whose waters seemed unwillingly to glide,
Like parting friends, who linger while thej sever ; Enforced to go, yet seeming still unready. Backward they wind their way in raai»y a wistful eddy.
Gray o'er my head the yellow- vested willow Ruffled its hoary top in the fresh breezes,
:l
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 273
Glancing in light, like spray on a green billow,
Or the fine frost work which young winter freezes, When first his power in infant pastime trying, Congeals sad autumn^s tears on the dead branches lying.
From rocks around hung the loose i?y dangling,
And in the clefts samach of liveliest green. Bright ising-stars the little beach was spangling.
The gold-cap sorrel from his gauzy screeni Shone like a fairy, enchased and beaded, Left on some morn, when light flashed in their eyes unheeded.
The hum-bird shook his sun-touched wings around,
The bluefinch carolled in the still retreat ; The antic squirrel capered on the ground.
Where lichens made a carpet for his feet. Through the transparent waves, the ruddy minkle Shot op in glimmering sparks, his red fins tiny twinkle.
There were the dark cedars, with loose mossy tresses, Wliite-powder*d dog trees, and stiff* hollies flaunting.
Gaudy as rustics in their May-day dresses. Blue pellorets from purple lea^ es upslanting
A modest gaze, like eyes of a young maiden
Shining beneath droppM lids the evening of her wedding.
The breeze fresh springing from the lips of morn. Kissing the leaves, and sighing so to loose 'em.
The winding of the merry locust's horn.
The glad spring gushing from the rock's bare bosom ;
Sweet sighs, sweet sounds, all sights, all sounds excelling,
Oh ! 'twas a ravishing spot, form'd for a poet's dwelling.
And I did leave thy loveliness, to stand
Again in the dull world of earthly blindness; Pain'd with the pressure of unfriendly hands,
Sick of smooth looks, agued with icy kindness ; Left I for this thy shades, where none intrude. To prison wandering thought and mar sweet solitude.
Yet I will look upon thy face again
My own romantic Bronx, aud it will be A face more pleasant than the face of men.
Thy waves are old companions, I shall see A well remembered form in each old tree, And hear a voice long loved in thy wild minstrelsy.
Vol. IL 35
874 HISTORY OF THE
The burial place of the Hant family, is located near the en- trance of the point. The following inscriptions are copied from two of the monuments in this yard : in memory of Thomas Hunt, who departed this life, July 4(h, 1808, in the 80th year of his age. He possessed the cardinal virtues in an eminent degree ; he was temperate, brave, patient and just :
The solid rock shall sink beneath The iron hand of time, But yirtne dwells with Immortality.
The other is
Sacred
to the memory
of Joseph Rodman Drake, M. D.
who died September 2 Ist,
18S5.
aged 25 years.
Fifz Greene Halleck's pathetic lines on the death of his com- panion, will not be considered inappropriate here, especially as the last two of the first stanza are engraved upon this tomb- stone.
Green be the turf aboTe Ihee, Friend of my better days ! None knew thee but to Ioto thee, Nor named thee but to praise.
Tears fell when then wert dying, From eyes unused to weep. And long, where thou art lying, Will tears the cold turf steep.
When hearts whose truth was proren, Like thine, are laid in earth, There should a wreath be woTcn To tell the world their worth.
1
l'
V
To lkc< |W(o STj, *ol u.
Arnu. — Ai on a b«nd
1. John LuBMl.pfJ
Qmlotl JojDo
Thom«»i nml.=l Mnry It»h|hl, ob. Jnlui U= EbfDB-= S * S a *■
t'.iS, nh. I Otl 10, iai5 I ici I ESS""
f 1 1
einiDCl—ElliialMlli JoKpti^Elizi
WJUUinll.c>r=,ll
ff S s gajs
hit il
.III
Louln
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 276
And 1, who wake each morrow To clasp thy hand in mine, Who shared thy joy and sorrow, Whose weal and wo were thine, —
It should be mine to braid it Around thy faded brow ; But Ftc in vain essayed it, A nd feel I cannot now,
While memory bids me weep thee. Nor thoughts nor words are free, The grief is fixed too deeply That mourns a man like thee«
Upon Waddington pointy the south-west projection of the Planiing necky is situated Blythe place, the estate of Francis Barretto, Esq. The house is a handsome edifice of stone. The grounds are richly wooded, and the views of the river extensive, and singularly beautiful. Mr. Barretto for many years repre- sented this county in assembly. In the immediate vicinity of Blythe place, and near the public landing, stands the residence^ of the late Thomas Leggett, (now occupied by his widow) whose ancestors have been resident proprietors of the great planting neck, since the year 1690, if not before.
The Legg;ett family were formerly seated in Essex county England, and probably descend from Helmingius Legat, high sheriff of that county, in 1404. As early as 1661, Gabriel Leg- gett emigrated to this country, and in right of his wife. Elizabeth Richardson, daughter and co-heiress of John Richardson, (one of the joint patentees) became possessed of a large portion of the neck. By his last will, dated 16th of April, 1697, Gabriel Leg- gett of the West Farms, bequeathed '^ to his wife Elizabeth, all his household goods &c. &c ; to his son John, all his house and out- houses, orchard, land and the meadows in the Planting neck^ and the meadow, &c., also that messuage and tenement which Thomas Williams dwells upon, and was formerly my father-in- law's, John Richardson, his now dwelling house, and orchard
» This home ooenpied the lito mt the old Legi^tt homeeteMl
276 HISTORY OP THE
and out houses with the land and meadow which I bonght of John Ferguson, sen. and Robert Manning, together with 60 acres of wood land, lyinsr within the bounds of the patent of West Farms, &c. "I say to my fou Thomas," to his son William 100 acres of woodland, and five acres of meadow, lying behind the field, within the bounds of the patents of West Farms, together with all the undivided meadow, as also my house and house lot, with an orchard thereon, lying in the town of Westchester. To his daughter Martha, he bequeathed his little colored boy, to his daughters Mary, Sarah, Alice and bllizabeth, twenty pounds each."* John Leggett, the eldt^st son of the above testator, was the great grandfather of the late Thomas Leggctt. The follow- ing incidents are related of Mr. Leggctt, whose activity, energy and fearlessness of character are well known.
While a youth, at the commencement of the revolutionary war, he was h'ving with his father on the farm adjoining Morris- ania. All he possessed at this time was a very fine young mare, the gift of his parent. Prior to Colonel De Lancey^s taking posses- sion of his father's house, a party of British refugees took, with other property, his favorite animal, whilst he, being unarmed, could only bluster and threaten. He refused, however, to leave them, and actually accompanied the robbers two miles on their route to head-quarters. As the party were passing the spot which now makes the southern entrance to West Farms, two continen- tal soldiers rose up from behind a stone wall and fired. The man leading the mare was shot, and fell ; the mare turned round and ran homewards, to the great delight of the owner, who immedi- ately followed. Soon after this event the family, driven from home, were compelled to seek shelter elsewhere. Mr. Leggett and his two brothers went to Saratoga ; here they cleared a small piece of land, erected a log house, and prepared to spend the winter. But on the approach of Burgoyne, they were taken prisoners by the Indian allies. His two brothers were carried to Fort Ed- ward by the Indians, whilst he himself was conveyed to Bur- goyne's camp. Here he fell in with a neighbor named Concklin,
Surrogate's Office, N. Y. lib. ii. 24.
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 277
who, ftfter a fortnight's detention, forged a pass for both. By this means the sentinels were deceived. Our heroes swam the North river, (it was the early part of October,) and ran all that night. The next day they concealed themselves in the woods, and the fol- lowing night kept on their way, avoiding all habitations of note. Not knowing the state of parlies in the country, they skulked from one place to another until they reached Dutchess county, where Concklin was known. Here they rested themselves and obtained food. Soon after the treaty of peace, Mr. Leggetl re- moved to New York, tie died October lOih, 1843. His chil- dren were Samuel, Joseph, William H. and Thomas, besides sev- eral daughters.
Opposite the residence of Edward G. Faile, Esq., on this neck, a rural lane leads southwest to Morrisauia. It is called La Fay- ette's Lane, to commemorate the journey of that general, who passed through it on his way to Boston.
On the west side of the Planting Neck lies the dehateahle ter- ritory already alluded to.
In 1740, Lewis Morris and Isabella, his wife, conveyed to James Graham, as a marriage portion with their daughter Ara- bella,
'* All that certain tract of land being (>art of the manor of Morrisania, sita- ate, lying and being in the coantj of Westchester, in the province of New York aforesaid, beginning at the mouth of a small brook or run of water com- monly called or known by the name of Wigwam Brook, but by some falsely called Sackwrahung, it being the first brook to the westward of an isthmus or neck of land known by the name of JeaffertTs Neck, and from the mouth of the said brook, where it falls into the salt water, running as the said brook runs to the head thereof, which being measured in a straight line north eight degrees thirty minutes more easterly, is forty and three chains running east, thirty-four degrees northerly to Bound Brook ; thence down the said Hound Brook, as it runs to the mouth thereof, where it falls in a salt water creek that runs by the house of Gabriel Leggett ; then along the said creek as it runs into the Sound to the eastward of the said Jeafferd*s Neck ; then along the Sound to the mouth of a salt creek that runs up to Wigwam Brook ; thence along up the said salt creek as it runs tu the mouth of Wigwam Brook, whence it first began, including the said Jeafferd^s Neck, with the hammock, meadows and marshes thereunto adjoining and belonging, being bounded to the west- ward by the said Wigwam Brook and the salt creek before mentioned that
STB HISTORY OP THE
ruM up to it to the northwaid, partly by the lands of MorrUania aod the aalt ereek that runs by the house of the said Jjegget to the eastward, partly by the said Bound Creek, and partly the salt oreek aforesaid that mns by the honae of heigeti, and to the southward by the Sound that divides Long Island, or the Iriand of Nassau, from Connecticut, Sic. : the grantee paying therefore yearly, on the 25th of March, six ears of Jndian com, &c,^
^ From Austin Graham this property passed to the Leggetts, who have sold various portions to Mr. Dater, Mr. Etennison and others.
Rose Bank, the charming seat of Mr. William H. L^fgett, Is situated near the entrance of Jtfferdis Neck, on the banks of the East River, the waters of which appear spread out into a vast lake.
The view in front of the house embraces Riker's Island, the Two Brothers, (called in the Dutch *' Gesellen,^^) the entrance of the Gate, and the distant shores of New York city, &c. In the Gra- ham mansion, which formerly stood on the site of Mr. Leggett's farm house, Major Bearmore, a British officer, was surprised by Colonel Armaud,* of the French cavalry. "November 7th,
* The last whose name I recollect, (says the Marquis De Chastellaz,^ is Colonel Armand — ^that is, M. de la Rouerie, nephew of M. de la Belinage. He was as cele- brated in France for his passion for Mademoiselle B , as he is in America for his
courage and capacity. His family, having compelled him to abandon an attach- ment, the consequences of which they dreaded, he buried himself in a celebrated and profound retirement ; (the monastery of La Trappe ;) but he soon quitted it for America, where he devoted himself to a more glorious abstinence, and to more me- ritorious mortifications. His character is gay, his wit agreeable ; and nobody would with to see him make the vow of silence. M. Le Marquis de la Rouerie was then very young : his subsequent conduct has proved that nature, in giving him a sos- ceptible and impassioned mind, has not made him a present likely to be always fatal to him : glory and honor have employed all its activity ; and it is an observation which merits to be consigned in history, as well as in this journal, that carrying with him, as he did to America, all the heroic courage and romantic notions of chi- Talry of the ancient French noblesse, he could so well conform to republican man- ners, that, far from availing himself of his birth, he would only ni&ke himself known by bis Christian name. Hence he was always called Colonel Armand. He commanded a legion which was destroyed in Carolina, at the battle of Camden, and in the remainder of that unfortunate campaign. In 1781 he went to France, purchased everything necessary for arming and equipping a new legion, and on hia
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. J79
1779, (says General Heath,) at night, Colonel Armand proceeded with his corps from near Tarrytown to the vicinity of Morris- ania, to the house of Alderman Leggett, where he surprised and took Major Bearmore and five others prisoners. The secresy^ precaution, gallantry and discipline exhibited by the colonel and his corps on this occasion did them much honor. In the capture of Major Bearmore, the inhabitants of the adjacent country were relieved from the frequent excursions of a troublesome officer."* The destruction of the old house took place under the following circumstances. Col. Fowler, of the British army, who had dis- possessed the Graham family, and made it his own quarters, invi- ted all the officers and gentry in the neighborhood to dine with him, preparatory to his change of quarters. The company were assembled, and all seemed gay and happy. The more youthful of both sexes were wandering about the lawn, enjoying the beauty of the prospect, when a servant (one of Mr. Graham's slaves) announced the important fact, '^Dinner is on the table.*' All turned their faces to the banqueting room, but before any one entered the door, there was a cry of fire heard. Col. Fowler seemed to think the dinner was more important than the build- ing : he ordered everything removed from the table, the gentle- men assisting, and in a few minutes the table and contents were removed to the shade of a large willow, where all seated them- selves, and appeared to enjoy the meal and the burning. The house was utterly consumed, with the contents, before the com- pany separated. No effort was made to save an article not re- quired for the better enjoyment of their meal. The same even- ing Colonel Fowler conducted a marauding party into the vicin- ity of Eastchester, where he was attacked and fell mortally wounded. Being brought back to the house of Cornelius van Ranc, overseer of Mr. Graham's farm, he expired that night.
return to America he adyaneed the eoet of them to Congrese. Before the peace« he was adyanced to the rank of Brigadier-General — TruvtU in North Ainerit^, by Morquio de CkatteUux, page 90-1. b Heath's Mem. 223.
280 HISTORY OF THE
In 1791 the Manor of Morrisania was annexed to the ancient borough town of Westchester by an act of the legislature,* and ao continued until 1846, when it was added to the present township. Its name is derived from the Morris family, the first mesne Lords and patentees under the crown, the termination ^^ania^^ being in general use in the latter part of the seventeenth century. At ti.e period of the Dutch discovery, it was styled by the aborigines Ranachque, or Raraque, an appellation which doubtless refers to some object peculiar to its geographical locality. The Indians appear to have resided principally on the shores of the East and Haarlem River. Of this, the extensive ''shell beds," which are still to be seen, afford conclusive evidence. Within a few years several Indian tumuli have been accidentally opened in the vi- cinity of Governeur Morris's residence, and found to contain large sized skeletons of the aborio^ines. The first grantee under the sachemf of Ranachque was Jotias Bronck, in 1639,^ who subse- quently obtained a '' grond brief from the Dutch authorities. In 1639 we find the patroon of Broncl^s land leasing a portion of his territory in the following manner : '^ Appeared before me, Corne- lius van Tienhoven, secretary in New Netherland, in presence of the undersigned witnesses — Mr. Jonas Bronck from one side, and Peter Andriessen and Lourent Dayts from the other, who agreed together amicably in the following manner: said Mr. Bronck shall show to the persons aforesaid a certain lot of land, of which he is proprietor, and which is situated opposite the river and the plain of Manhattan ; in which lot aforesaid they may cultivate tobacco and maize, upon the express condition that they shall clear and cultivate, every two years, a fresh spot for raising their tobacco and maize, and then the spot which they cultivated be- fore shall return again to Mr. Bronck aforesaid, to dispose of ac- cording to pleasure; they shall be further obliged to return the field that they again surrender, that it is in proper order to be ploughed, and sowed with grain : this lot of ground they shall
• Entitled an act to annex the town of Morrisania to the town of Wettcheatert paiaed 22d of February, 1791.
k See Col. Morria*t confirmation of Bronck^s porehaae.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 291
have (be use during three years, for which Mr. Bronck shall have no other claim than that the land shall have been cleared and brought in a proper manner of culiivation by the diligence of Peter Andriessen and Lourent Dayts, who from their side shall be holden to accomplish their task. 21st July, 1639.
Maunt Janssen, Witness."*
We find Jonas Bronck again leasing land on the 15th of Au- gust, 1639, to Cornelius Jacobsen Stoll and John Jacobsen>
Jonas Bronck must have died sometime prior to the year 1643, for we find his widow Antonia Slaghboom, at that date, married to Arendt van Curler. His descendants are said to be still nu- merous in the vicinity of Coxsackie, Green county, and Coey- tnans, Albany county, N. Y.
By the marriage of Antonia Slaghboom, Bronck's land passed into the Van Curler family. In a letter to the patroon Van Rens- selaer, dated " The Manhattans, this 16lh of June, 1643," Van Curler says, " I am at present betrothed to the widow of the late Mr. Jonas Bronck. May the good God vouchsafe to bless me in my undertaking, and please to grant that it might conduce to his honor and to our mutual salvation. Amen."<^
On the 30th of October, 1644, Van Curler obtained a" grond brief* for Broncks' land from William Kieft, director general. I cannot forbear quoting an interesting sketch of this distinguished indi« vidual by E. B. O'Callaghan, historian of the New Netherlands. ^'Arendt van Curler was one of those characters who deserve to live in history. His influence among the Indians was unlim- ited, and in honor of his memory these tribes addressed all suc- ceeding governors of New York by the name of " Corlear." He possessed feelings of the purest humanity and actively exerted his influence in rescuing from the savages such Christians as had the misfortune to fall into their Iiands, of whose danger he might receive timely notice. On his marriage with Antonia Slaghboom, the widow of Jonas Bronck, he visited Holland, and on his return moved to the Flatts above Albany where he had a
« Alb. Reo. b Alb. Rec.
e O'Callaghan't Hiit. N. Y. 464.
Vol. 11. 36
288 HISTORY OF THE
farm. He wps proprietor of a brewery in Bererwyck, in 1661. Being a cousin of the Van Rensselaers he had considerable influence in the colony, where he was a magistrate to the time of his decease. Ho was one of the leaders in the settlement of Schenectady in 1661-2, iind in the surrender of New Nether- lands was especinlly sent for by Governor Nicoli to be consulted on Indian afiairs and the interests of the country generally.
He was highly respected by the governors of Canada, and the regard entertained for him by Monsieur de Tracy, viceroy of that country, will be best judged of by the following extract of a letter which that high personage addressed him, dated Quebec, 30th April, 1667.
'' 'If you find it agreeable to come hither this summer, as you have caused me to hope, you will be most welcome, and enter- tained to the utmost of my ability, as I have great esteem for you, though i have not a personal acquaintance with you. Believe this truth, and that I am, sir, your affectionate and assured servant.
« ' Tracy.*
" Having accepted this invitation, Mr. van Curler prepared for his journey. Gov. Nicoli furnished him with a letter to the viceroy. It bears date May 20th, 1667, and stales that 'Mons'r Curler hath been importuned by divers of his friends at duebec to give them a visit, and being ambitious to kiss your hands he hath entreated my pass and liberty to conduct a young gentle- man, Mr. Fontaine, who unfortunately fell into the barbarous hands of his enemies, and by means of Mons'r Curler obtained his liberty.' On the 4th July following, Jeremias van Rensselaer writing to Holland, announces that ' our cousin Arendt van Cur- ler proceeds overland to Canada, having obtained leave from our general, and been invited thither by the viceroy, M. de Tracy. In an evil hour he embarked on board a frail canoe to cross Lake Champlain, and having been overtaken by a storm was drowned, I believe, near Split Rock. In his death this country experi- enced a public loss, and the French of Canada a warm and efficient friend.' '*»
• O'Callaghan't Hut. N. N. 332, 3.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 283
Upon the 15th of January, A. D. 1676, the following letters of administration were granted unto Mr. Wiiliam Beeckman of the estate of Juffrou^ Slaghboom.
" Edmund Andross, Esq,, ^t.
** Whereas Juffrou Antonia Slaghboom, the widow and relict of Monsieur Aren it van Curler, late of Schanecktade near Albany, is lately dead, and in her last will and testament did nominate and appoint William Beeckman, sen., of this city to be her exe- cutor, and the said William Beeckman having made application unto me for letters of administration upon the estate of the deceased f^ &c., &c.
On the 10th of July, 1651, sixteen years prior to his death, Arendt van Corlear, transported Broncks^ land to Jacob van Stoll, from whom it passed through several proprietors to Her- man Smeeman.
22d of Oct. 1664. " Herman Smeeman of Comoonepan on the maine, sold to Samuel Edsall all that certain tract of land situated on the East river through Hell-gate, comn^only called Broncks' land, containing 500 acres." This sale was confirmed to Edsall by royal pntent the saiie yean
NICOLLS' PATENT FOR BRONCK'S LAND.
Richard NieoHs, Esq., governor g^eneral under bis royal highness, Jaaesy Duke of York and Albany, of all his territories in America, To all to wh(im these presents shall come, sendeth greeting. Whereas there was a patent ojr ground brief heretofore granted by the Dutch Gov. Wiirm KieA, unto Areni van Curler for a certaine tract or parcel of land forroerjy in the te90K;e or occupation of Jonas Broncks, commonly called by the Indians by the name of Ranachque^ and by the English Broncks land^ lying and being on the main« to the east and over against Harlem town, having a certain small creek «r kill which runs between the north-west part of it and LiUle Barnes Mand^ near Hell-gate, and so goes into the East river and a greater creek or river which divides it from Manhattoes Islands, containing about 500 acres or %&0 margon of land, and including all the push thereunto annexed or adjoiojng, which said patent or ground brief so granted as aforesaid, bearing date th«
« A title of dtstinetion for a lady among the Dutch, b Surrogate's Office, N. Y. 2(fl.
284 HISTORY OP THE
20th day of October^ 1644, was by the said Arent van Curler ^ upon the 10th day of July, 1651, transported and made over unto Jacob Jans StoUt^nd upon the 19th day of December, 1663, conveyed by Matthews de Vos, as atloniey of Geertrtiyt AndrieSy the widow of the said Jacob Jansen Sfoll, onto Geer^^ trieu Hendricks formerly the widow of Andries Hoppen, and by her upon the same day, (with the approbation and consent of Dirck Girrits Tan Tright, then her husband,) made over to Harman Smeeroan, who, upon the 22d day of October, 1664, sold and conveyed the same for a valuable consideration unto Samuel Edsall, late of this city, beaver maker, now for a confimmtioB unto him, the said Samuel Edsall, in his possession and enjoyment of the premises. Know ye that by virtue of the commission and authority uoto me given by his royal highness, I have ratified, confirmed, and granted onto the said Samuel Edsall, his heirs and assignees, all the aforesaid parcel of land and premises, with all the soil, woods, pastures, meadow ground, marshes, commonage, creeks, waters, lakes, fishing, hawking, hunting and fowling, within the limits before set furth, described, and all other profits, commodities and emoluments to the said parcel or part of land belonging or in anywise appertaining, to have and to hold the said parcel or part of land and premises unto the said Samuel Edsall, his heirs and assignees, unto the proper use and behoof of the said Samuel Edsall, his heirs and assignees, forever, rendering and paying such duties and acknowledgments as now are or hereafter shall be constituted and established by the laws of this government, under the obe- dience of his royal highness, his heirs and successors. Given under my band and seal at Fort James in New York, on the island of Manhattoes, the day of in the 20th year of bis majestie^s reign. Anno Domini 166 .
Richard Nicolls.
The next possessor of Bronchus land was Captain Richard Morris, who must have purchased of Edsall, cir. 1670. Mr. Sparks says : ** That there was a contract, dated the lOlh of Au- gust, 1670, in which Richard is styled a merchant in New York, and Lewis, his brother, a merchant in Barbadoes.'^ " It follows," (remarks Dunlap,) " that Richard was in Barbadoes in 1070, and contracted to come on to New York to purchase this grant of Morrisania for himself and brother, Lewis, who was to follow and settle on it ; but that he did not come until the p)eace of 1G74, when he found the son of his brother an orphan, took him under his protection, and built at Morrisania."^
• Articles of ajiproement were entered into between the two brothersi that if either of them died without iMue, the survivor, or inue of the survivor, if any, should take the estat**.
k» Punlap's Hist, of N. Y. vol i. 272.
COUNTY OF WESTCilESTER. ^ 286
The Morris family are originally of Welch origin, and '^ lineal- ly descend from Elystan Glodrydd, a powerful British chief- tain, born in 933, who derived his name, Elystan, (or Athel- stan,) from the Saxon king, Athelstan, who was his godfather. The appellation of Glodrydd, or the Illustrious, was bestowed upon him, indicative of his personal deeds, as well as of his rank and extensive possessions, which comprised nearly all the lands between the Severn and the Wye. He died in the early part of the eleventh century, leaving by Gwladys, daughter of Rhun ap Ednowain, Prince of TegengI, a son, Cadwgan ap Elystan, Lord of Builth and Radnor, who married Margaret, daughter of Brockwel ap Acddan, of Powys. Sixteenth in descent from Cadwgan was {for intervening descent^ see Barkers History of the Landed Gentry q^England^ vol. iii. p. 233) Morys^ ap Mor- GAN.'^i^ About the middle of the fifteenth century, a branch set- tled in Monmouthshire, and became possessed of large estates there, at Tintern, Denham, Ponterry, &c. It was represented in 1635 by three brothers, viz. Lewis, William and Richard Morris. Lewis, who inherited the paternal estate of Tintern, raised a troop of horse in support of the Parliament, for which Charles the First confiscated his estates in Monmouthshire. In return for his losses, Oliver Cromwell subsequently indemnified him. At the attack upon Chepstow Castle, which was defended by Sir Nicholas Kemish, the king's general, Lewis Morris was the second in command. After an obstinate resistance, the garrison was reduc- ed by cutting ofi'the supply of water which ran through the es- tate of Pearcefield, then owned by Col. Morris' son-in-law, John Walters, and setting fire to the castle. From this circumstance, the family assumed as their crest a castle in flames, with the fol- lowing motto, <^ tandem vincitur" — at length he is conquered.
• This name, originally apelt Mawr-rwyee or Mawr-rhys, was changed into Maa- rice, Morrice and Morrta. " Man, Mayon, WaUie^, ' Mawr-rwyce/ and Angliee ; ' warlike, powerful,' ia a title applied to aaeh of the ancient chieaaina aa were pra- eminent for yalor, whose nnmeroas deecendants account for the present freqneney of the name in Wales. To this one of the mottoes borne by the family of Morris seems to have reference, 'Marie et mart faventibui,* " — Burke's History of tha Landed Gentry.
b Burke's History of the Landed Gentry, vol. iv. 488.
286 • HISTORY OP THE
In 1654, he was despatched by Cromwell to the Spanish West Indies, with orders to make himself master of those seas. In this undertaking he was aided by his nephew, Captaui John Mor- ris, who had been long settled on the Island of Barbadoes. While on this service, Captain Lewis Morris purchased a large estate in that island. When the Protector sent forces to attack Hispniola, under Admirals Penn and Yenables, he forwarded a vacant rej^iment and a colonePs commission to him, with instruc- tions that the forces were to land as directed by Colonel Morris. The failure of the expedition is said to have been owing, in a great measure, to a non-compliance with his directions.* In the attack upon the Island of Jamaica, Lewis was second in com- mand. On ihe restoration of King Charles the Second, Colonel Morris deemed it prudent not to return to England, where his fa- mily had played so bold a part. In 1663, he, with others, pur- chased the Island of St. Lucia of Amiwatta Baba, chief proprie- tor of the Carribee Islands. He subsequently emigrated to the province of New York in 1674.
William Morris, who had for his portion Denham, also joined the Parliamentary service, and took an active part against the king, when (through his favorite, the Marquis of Worcester,) he attempted lo enclose Wendswood chase, Monmouthshire. Upon the defeat of the popular party, William determined upon a sea voyage, until the storm should have blown over. He was lost at sea. His son John received a captain's commission from the Parliament in 1651. Like his father, he also perished at sea oft' Deal Castle in 1688. His body was found under the walls of the castle, and buried with military honors. His descendants are still numerous in the Island of Barbadoes.
Richard Morris, the youngest of the three, held a captain's com- mission in his brother's regiment. Upon the restoration, he re- tired to the Island of Barbadoes, where he married a lady of large fortune, by the name of Pole. This individual was the first pro- prietor of Morrisania in 1670. The following letter addressed by the secretary of the colony to " Colonel Lewis Morris, at the Is-
* Admiral Peon's Journal, in possession of the late Thomas PeoiL
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 287
land of Barbadoes," establishes the death of Richard, and Sarah, his wife.
New York, 29th Oct. 1672. Worthy Sir, — Since my reception of yours by Wm. Shack- erly, no opportunity of conveyance to you hath presoiited from hence till this present. Although by the way of Boston, I sup- pose you would sooner receive the sad tidings of your brother's decease, in whom as you have lost an only brother so have I a dear friend ; I shall not insist upon many particulars relating thereto ; our general letters arriving to you herewith I hope suf- ficiently inform you ; yet I cannot but reflect upon the transitory condition of poor mortals, when I frequently call to mind in how little time God hath been pleased to break a family, in taking away the heads thereof; first, a virtuous young woman in the prime of life, and then a man full of strength and vigor, inured to hardships, of whom there is remaining but one poor blossom, of whom yet there may be great hope with your kind friendship, for it is a lovely, healthy child, and was well at Ha tr"« , where it is at nurse, and I went to see it yesterday. I was also at the plantation on the other side, when there was some public correc- tion of two or three negroes, and breaking the necks of a mutiny among the white men by Mr. Gibbs, and through his vigilance it is now in good order. The crime of the negroes is reported to be so natural to them, which was both stealing and receiving stolen goods.
Worthy sir,
Your most dutiful
Humble servant,
Matthias Nicoll. The Governor presents you his kind respects and service.
Col. Lewis Morris,
At the Island of Barbadoes.
" Letters of administration of the estate of Captain Richard Morris, brother of Colonel Lewis Morris, were granted to Mr. Matthew Nicolls Major, Captain Thomas De La vail, Mr. Corue-
288 HisrroRY or the
lius Steenvvyck, Captain John Berry, and Mr. Thomas Gibbs, trustees, in 1672."*
" Lewis Morris," (continues Mr. Dunlap,) " tells us in the pre- amble to his will, that his ^mother died when' he 'was about six months old,* and his father not long after, in New York, where he was left an orphan entirely in the hands of strangersi who were appointed by the government to take care of him." He thus lost his parents, (who were prbbably English, avoiding the restoration of kingly government in that country,) when Francis Lovelace was governor of New York, and between the years 1667 and 1673, when the province was again surrendered to the Dutch, and the boy '* put by their magistrates into the hands of the tnis- tees, by them appointed to take care of him, and of what effects their soldiers had left unplundered ; and after the surrender of New York to the English," by the peace of 1674, his 'Mmcle came to these parts of America, and kindly took care of him, un- til he came to man's estate."^
In 1676, Lewis Morris, second proprietor of Morrisania, and brother of Richard, obtained the following letters patent :
GOVERNOR ANDROS'S PATENT FOR BRONCKS' LAND.
Edmund Andros, Esq., seigneor of Sausmarez, lieut. goT*r genM under his royal highness, James, Duke of York, and of all his territories io America, to all to whom these presents shall come, with greeting. Whereas Col. Lewis Morris of the island of Barbadoes hath long enjoyed and by patent stands possest of a certain plantation and tract of land, lying and being upon the maine, over against the town of Haerlem, commonly called Broncks* land^ the same containing about five hundred acres, or two hundred and fifty morgea of land, besides the meadow thereunto annexed or adjoining, cotted and bounded as in the original Dutch ground brief and patent of confirmation is sett forth, and the said Col. Morris having made good improvement upon the said land, and there lying lands adjacent to him not included in any patent or grants, which land the said Col. Morris doth desire for further improTcment, this said land and addition being bounded from bis own house over against Haerlem, running up Haerlem river to Daniel Turner's land, and so aloag his said land northward to John Archers's line, and from thence stretching east
• Surrogate's Office, N. Y. lib. i. 173. b Dunlap't Hilt. N. Y. vol. i. 373.
COUNTY OF WESTijpESTER, 289
to the land of John Richardson and Thomas Hunt, and thence alung the Sound about southwest, through Bronck*s kill, to the said Col. Morris his house, the additional laud containing (according to the survey thereof,) the quantity of fourteen hundred, and the whole, one thousand nine hundred and twenty acres. Now know ye that by virtue of the commission and authority unto me given by his royal highness, I have confirmed, granted, and given, and do hereby confirm, give, and grant unto the said Col Morris, his heirs and as- signees, the afore recited land before possest by him, and the additional land herein ezprest, and bounded as aforesaid, together with the woods and mea- dows, both salt and fresh waters and creeks belonging to the^ said land and premises, in his royal highnesses gift, with all and singular the appurtenances to have and to hold these said lands and premises unto the said Col. Lewis Morris, his heirs and assignees, unto the proper use and behoof of him the said Col. Lewis Morris, his heirs and assignees forever. He continuing in obedience and conforming himself according to the laws of this government and yielding and paying therefor yearly and every year as a quitt rent to his royal highness five bushels of good winter wheat.
Given under my hand and sealed with the seal of the province of New York, this &re and twentieth day of March in the eighth and twentieth year of his majesty's reign. Anno Domini, 1676.
Recorded by order of the gov'r the Akdross.
day and year above written.
Matthias NicollSi Sec.
A confirmation from the Indians occurs on the 7th of Febru- ary, 1684.
** To all to whom this present writing shall come, doth witness, that ws Shahash, Panazarah, Wanaoapeen, Kneed, Taquamarke, and Awarasawist having formerly sold unto Jonas Broncks a large tract of land lying and being between ye river commonly called Broncks' river and Harlem kill, and more especially that tract of land that Colonel Morris stands now possest of, as his draught and ground brief bearing date in ye year 1675, excepting forty mor« gen« of land that we sold Daniel Turner ye elder, being bounded on the west side with Harlem river, the aforesaid Colonel Morris his land, being bounded on the north side with the land of John Archer, beginning at Crabb Island and running east or thereabouts until it comes to ye corner tree of Richardson and Hunt and so down to ye southward according to ye marked line until it come to ye bound brook between ye said Colonel Morris and ye said Richard- son and Hunt, and from thence along ye creek to ye Sound or East river until yon come to Daniel Turner's land, that's above mentioned, including the purchase of ye said Colonel Morris, that point of land called Nauasin, whers
* A Dutch morgen messurt d a little less than two acres English.
Vol. IL 37
290 HISTORY OF THE
formerly lived a Frenchman named Marcns Dosaisway, all which ptreel or tract of land we do for ooraelvea, our heirs, execotora, admiDiatratora, uai aaaigneea, fully and wholly acquit and discharge for ever ye said Ccdooel Morris, his heyres, executors, and administrators, of all and every part aod parcel of ye residue of ye money that should have been paid by ye aforesaid Brancks for the purchase of ye said land, declaring to the world that we ae-* knowledge for oarseWes, ocr hejrres, executors, and assignees, to be folly paidj satisfied, and contented. In witness whereof we have hereonto aett oar hands and fixed our seals this scTenth day of Febmary, 1684, in preaenee of us,
Samuel Edsall, Ye mark X Taquamarke.
John Bassetf, Ye mark O Wanacapeen.
John Manton, Signed and sealed by Awanawis, Witnessed by Longe Clasaey Shahash, and Kneed, in presence a lady Wastowancett, of us. Ye marke of X Awanawis,
John Ibenny, Ye marke of I Shahash,
Edward Harrall, Ye marke of {) Kneed.
John Edsall.
On the 25ih of October, 1676, Colonel Morris purchased a large tract of land in East Jersey, consisting of 3640 acres, which he named Tintern and Monmouth, aAer the paternal es- tate in Monmouthshire, Wales.
The last will and testament of Colonel Morris bears date 7th of February, 1690. Although twice married, he left no issue; his nephew, therefore, according to the agreement of 1670, suc- ceeded to the estates. Upon the 15th of May, 1691, Henry Sloughter, Captain General and Governor-in-chief, " granted let- ters testamentary to Lewis Morris, nephew to Colonel Morris, the executrix being dead."
THE LAST WILL OF LEWIS MORRIS.
Whereaa I formerly intended to have made my nephew, Lewia Morria, aon of my deceased brother, Richard Morris, my sole executor ; his many and great miscarryages and disobedience towards me and my wife, and his caaae- less absenting himself from my house, and adhering to and advizeing with those of bad life and conversation, contrary to my directions and example onto him, and for other reasons best known to myselfe, I doe make and ordaine my dearly beloved wife, Mary Morris^ sole executrix of this my last will and tea- ment; and
To the meeting of Frienda at Shrewsbury, in Monmouth co., five pounds
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 291
ourrent money of New York per annam forever, to be paid out of his planta- tion '^t Tinton ironworks, to be paid on 25th March yearly.
To Thomas Webley, of Shrewsbury, 950 acres on the westermost part of his 2000 acres, lying between Swimming River and Hop River, Monmouth CO.. — he paying quit rent one half penny sterling pr acre.
To Lewis Morris, of Shrewsbury, one of his best mares in the woods, and i:20 N. York curr'y.
To his nephew, Lewis Morris, son of his brother, Richard Morris, as soon as he attains the age of 21, the rest, residue, and remainder of his eHe ; t. e. his plantation and iron works at Tinton, with all lands, meadows, houses, barns, mills, runs and ponds of water, water courses, rivers, woods, trees, or- chards, gardens, all his negroes on that plantation, cattel, horse, kinde, swine, and all other creatures ; all household goods, utensils, moveables, immo*bles, bills, bonds, patents, books of ac, debts belong'g to ye place, all profits, privi- ledges and appurt'ces : also one flat handled spoon, one small tankard, one salt cellar, one small sugar box all of silver, one small cabinet sealed op ; — wherein is four pearl necklaces, three or four jewels set in gold, and several other things of value ; one negro woman named Bess, — which forementioned plate, cabinett, and negro woman, were* his brother ^s — unto which he adds all the children of said woman Bess, except one that is otherwise disposed of; 1 doz. silver spoons, one large tankard, one large tumbler, one small tumbler, and one porringer, all of silver ; all which last mentioned things he gives his nephew in lieu of some things that are lost and supposed to be embezzled by Walter Webley ; also J^20 in silver current at New York, and ten guinneys, the whole given with this restriction and limitation, that he shall quietly and peaceably acquiess and submit himself wholly and absolutely unto every thing mentioned or to be m'd in his will and t*t, and shall make no opposition or ob- jection against the same, nor any part thereof, but to his power shall perform and fulfill all things whatsoever that on his part I have hereby enjoyned unto him ; otherwise, it is my final determination and result, that if my said ne- phew, Lewis Morris, his h^rs or as's, on any pretence or right from his father afd, whether by partnerships with me or purchase, or any way else, shall at any time hereafler, either by himself or any other person or persons claiming from, for, by or under him or them, by any manner of way or means whats'r, make any demand or pretend any right, title or int*t to any part or p'l of estate that now doth or may hereafter belong unto me, more than I have by these presents entitled him unto, than to what I have by these presents entiilsd him him unto, then, and in such case, I do hereby revoake, nullifie and make void, all and every part of what I have herein before given and beq unto my said nephV, L. M. And my will is, that in case of any disturbance by my s*d n V cono*g the premiss or any part or par of e*ts, real or p'l, hereby oth*se beq*d, and that my sM dearly bel*d wife Mary M., her h*rs or as, shall thenceforth and then immediately enter into possession, have, occupie and enjoy all and eo'n part and parcel of ye before recited premises, beq*ts and legacys givea
292 HISTORT OF THE
or to b g, to my sM nV L. M., if he or any, under pretence of him, shall at any time molest my sM wife, her heirs or assigns, in her or their peac'bl en- joy't of whatsoever est'te, r' or p'l. that is or shall be herein and hereby giveo and beqM unto her or them, any thing herein conM to the contrVy notw*hst^g« only giveing unto him ; and I doe hereby give and bequeath unto m sM b L. M. the snm of ten pounds cur*t money of N. Y., to be paid unto him by my 8*d ex*z, h h^s and as^s in foil of my bequests and legacys unto him in case of any snch disturbance or molestation as aforesaid.
Item, I gi?e and beq unto my honM friend, William Penn^ my negro man Taff, provided the said Penn shall come to dwell in America ; otherwise the B*d Yaff is to serve my said wife equally with other negroes. Item, I give and beq unto William Bickley one negro girl named Maria. Item. • • •
• to Wm. Richardson one negro boy named Jack. Item to
SamM Palmer one n. girl named Buckey. Item, I . . . onto my negro man Toney, the cooper, the snm of 40 shillings a yeare during his life, be- sides his usual accommodation. Item unto my negro w'n NeU
her ffreedom and liberty to goe att large wheresV she shall please after the dec*se of my sM wife. These two last beq^ts are with this restriction and limitation, that they yield all duty, full submis'n and faiihfl obed*ce in all re- spects as becom^h diligH servHs tow^ds my wife ; otherwise, they are to enjoy no benefit hereby, but their beqHs to be void, as if never written or moot. Item, I g and b unto John Adams, of Flushing, h h and as*s, the sum of five, pounds, which ia due to me on his obligacon. Item, Moreover* I g and beq unto my said nepV, L. M., all my land and m*ws att Mattinicot, on Long Isl^d, together with all the profits and privires adv^g thereof, to him, his heirs and as's for ever, togV.with one half of all my pewter and the one half of all my house linen for bedding and tabling that is on my plantation over against Har- lem, and all my printed books, except such as my said wife shall please to re- serve unto herselfe. Note, that these last bequests unto my sM n'w L. M. are given and beqM under ye same limitations and rest*ns with those legacys first above mentioned, and not otherwise. Item, I give and beq^h unto ye meeting^ of Friends, in the prov^ce of N. Y., the sum of six pounds per annum, to be paid oat of my plant'n ag*t Harlem af d, in the s*d prov^ce. by whoms^er shall enjoy the same, according to my devise thereof, as hereafter appears, and on every 25th of the month called March, yearly and ev'y year forever, onto SQch p*n or per as shall be thereunto ap^d.
Item, All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate and my plantation, rl and pM, where I now inhabitt over against Harlem afd, I give and beq*h onto my dMy beloved wife, Mary Morris, her heirs and as*s forever, the lands thereof, cont^g about 2000 acres best m or 1, tog*r with all houses, barns, miUs* runns and ponds of water, water courses, rivers, orchards, gardens, trees, woods, negroes of all kinds, cattell, swine, sheep, horse, kinds, and all other creatures and improves whatsoever, as also all goods, household stuff and utensills, moneys, plate, aud every thing else moveable and im'ble within doors
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 293
ind wH that ean be named or ezpreseed, that now ie, or hereafter shall be in my poa*n or any ways belon*g unto the s'd pFo, except what is here other* wise disposed of and beq*d. Item. I give and beq*h unto my said d'y bel'd wife all that my houses, land in N. Y. city situate over against the bridge, unto all appurCces, profitts and advantages whatsoever thereunto belong^g, with all deeds, patterns, writings, bills, bonds, obIig*ions, and all things else
WhatsV, named and unnamed, belonging. Item to John Bowne,
of Flushing, one negro girl nM Abba ; is att old Thomas Hunts. Item. . . . . to Miles Foster one serv^ble negro boy, such as my s'd d*y belM wife
shall appoint. Item to RicM Jones, M^ht, of N. Y., one negro
boy or one negro girl, such as m d b wif shall appoint. Item to
William Bickley and to my nV, L. M., all my right, t and int in and to the ship Friends' Adventure, as also of all my part of her profits and adages by
freight or otherwise, to each of th eql alike part. Item my sM
n'w, my gold seale and my negroman Yeabba ; and whereas, I have beqM unto m s*d nV, L. M., all m E at the ironworks at T., with this expression, viz. (as soon as H sM attaine to the age of 21 yeare,) 49 as above written, I doe now revoake ye sM expression as to time, giving unto him, my sM n*w, full power and auth'y to enter into and possess the s*d e'te, and ev'y part and p'l thereof, immly after my decease, anything before above w'n to the contrary not'g, but under the same restrictions and limitations as before men'd, viz. by his conformity to the fulfilling of this my last will and testament ; all the rest of my plate and money, silver and gold, I give and beq'th unto my dearly be* loved wife. Lastly, I desire, author and app't my trusty ffriends, Ric'd Jones and Miles Ffoster, of N. Y., John Bowne, of Fflushing, Wm. Richardson, of W CV, Richard Hartshorne and John Hanes, of co of Monmouth, and Wm. Bickley, of W'r co aforesaid, to be my executors in trust, and overseers to see this my will punctually perf d and fulfilM ; and in regM to the remoteness of their abodes from one another, I do order and appoint that any three of them may act as they shall find needfull, provided Wm Rich'n, Wm Bickley, er RichM Hartshorne be of that number ; and for want of a 3d person in the co of Monmouth, RM Hartshorne and John Hanes may act there as they Ihall find cause, or may choose a 3d person to act, &c. &c.
And now, having thus disposed of that outward estate and substance that it hath pleased God to possess me of, I commit my soul to God, &c. ^ In testimony whereof, I the sM Lewis Morris, have hereunto to this my last will and tH subscribe, signM and fixed my seal, at my plant^n over against Harlem, in the p*o N. Y., this seventh day of this twelfth month called Feb- ruary, in the year 1690, in presence of Johannis Vermilje, Jan Tibout, Lama- eert Zoches, Oavied Lillies, marks of Susannah Roberts — Wm. Bickley.
By the Commander in Chbif. Whereas, Lewis Morris, gent., adminrstrator of the goods,
294 HISTORY OF THE
rights and credits of Lewis Morris, deceased, is obliged to make and exiiibite a true and perfect inventory of all and singular the goods, rights and credits of the said dece'sd, into the surveyor's office of this province. These are to authorize and impower you, Stephanus v. Cortlandt, Nicholas Bayard, John Pell and William Richardson, to make a true and faithful! appraisement of the goods, rights and credits aforesaid, according to the best of your knowledge and discretion, and for so doing, this shall be to you a sufficient warrant. Dated at Fort William Henry, the 23d of October, 1691.
Richard Itigoldsby to Stephanas van Cortlandt, Nich Bayard, John Pell and William Richardson, Lewis Morris, inventory. A true inventory of all and
singular the goods, chattels and credits of Coll. Lewis Morris, deceased, appraised at the plantation^ the day of 1691, by Coll. Ste-
phanus van Cortlandt, Coll. Nicholas Bayard, John Pell and William Richardson, Esq., by virtue of a warrant to them directed, under the hand of the commander-in-chief and seal of the prerogative office, bearing date the day of October, Anno 1691, and exhibited in the
surveyor's office, being the prerogative registry of this province bj Lewis Morris, administrator of all the goods, chattels and credits of the •aid Coll. Lewis Morris, deceased.
Imprimus, 16 i. Shop goods.
36 Armes v Airy, (vitriol) at 2s 6d,
8 pieces and ^ strouds,
3 tunn of iron at 14Ib. p. tunn, 30 yds. and } of black silk prunella, 39 yds. lutestring,
3 pieces of 10 yds. bagg, Holland, 33 yds. in each piece, at8d.
7 pices white calicoes, at 20s. 3001b. white sugar, 16 pr. of women's worsted hose, at 16 pd. yarne,
1 case black hefted knives, lOIb ginger.
* Arms, (aams) on old Dutch measure.
|
£ |
1. d. |
|
10 |
14 00 |
|
44 00 00 |
|
|
42 00 00 |
|
|
10 |
15 00 |
|
12 00 00 |
|
|
43 |
12 00 |
|
7 Ob 00 |
|
|
7 |
10 00 |
|
2 |
8 00 |
|
0 |
16 00 |
|
0 |
6 00 |
|
0 |
2 00 |
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 296
8 yds. red caddis, 13 yds Scotch tikkin,
6 yards English tick,
1 black leather saddle,
3 yds daflells,
45 yds Peony stone, at 2s 6d, 53 yds. Loskoraro, at 15d. 16 inkhornes,
12 mille pins,
5 ivory combs,
6 home and wood ditto, 4 raille needles,
5 pair shoe buckles,
4 pr. knitting needles,
2 doz. fish hooks,
0 yds. mock medley,
6 gimbletts,
10 doz. gimp buttons,
5 yds. fustian,
3 lb. white and brown thready
3 oz. silk,
2 suites dampeeriyed curtains,
13 yds diaper linnen,
6 yds ozenbriggs,
14 yds dampureyed swanskin,
9 ditto white bay damnifyed, 6 ditto kersy, at
6 ditto serge, at
8} ditto topsills,
\\ hair plush,
8 pair womens knit gloves,
1 doz. ditto kid,
6 pr. mens sheep, ditto, 8 pr. damnified bodice and stomacher,
4 pr mens worsted hose,
2 mens thread hose,
2 Spanish leather skinns,
4 shamy skins full of holls, 6 yds move, 16 yds persian silke,
3 ditto course cambrick,
|
0 |
0 8 |
|
1 |
16 00 |
|
1 |
4 00 |
|
1 |
00 00 |
|
6 |
12 00 |
|
5 |
12 00 |
|
3 |
6 3 |
|
0 |
6 00 |
|
0 |
14 00 |
|
195 |
0 5 |
|
0 |
2 6 |
|
0 |
1 6 |
|
0 |
3 9 |
|
0 |
1 3 |
|
0 |
3 6 |
|
0 |
6 00 |
|
2 |
14 00 |
|
0 |
2 00 |
|
0 |
3 4 |
|
0 |
7 6 |
|
0 |
16 00 |
|
0 |
6 00 |
|
2 |
0 00 |
|
0 |
19 00 |
|
0 |
6 00 |
|
0 |
14 00 |
|
0 |
18 00 |
|
1 |
4 00 |
|
1 |
0 00 |
|
0 |
5 00 |
|
0 |
6 00 |
|
0 |
8 0 |
|
1 |
4 00 |
|
0 |
6 0 |
|
1 |
0 00 |
|
0 |
10 00 |
|
0 |
8 00 |
|
0 |
18 00 |
|
0 |
6, 00 |
|
1 |
16 00 |
|
4 |
0 00 |
|
2 |
5 00 |
UISTORY OF THE
19 ytnia btir banttioe, Sa yds Mtipt blew, 4 jit Bculett, kt 3i,
0| yds hiJT chamblett,
i piecei and remaaDi pintsdo*,
S yds. cnpe,
S ydi ahkUoon,
5 ;di. woTtted drugged, I lb. inonnry,
fiO lb. eoidage, A piroell ladlerjr,
4 lb. wbJM la&d, It 6d, 30 lb. led oker,
SS ealvo skipDi,
40 faog skipns, 3 pr. ailk hote,
6 ;ds. red Iwje
1 pail red Mockingi, woaied, noTnen,
I pr. green sUke hose,
Honaehold linnen, 19 Holland tbeeia, 15 pr. other linnsn sheets,
9 diaper (abie -cluailis,
T damask table cloalbs,
9 Onenbriggs,
6 damask cupboard cloalbs.
& dex. damask napkins,
3 doz. diaper napkina,
& doi. Oxenbrigg's napkins,
fi towels,
41 pillow cases,
Household stufT. 13 cane chairs, broken and oat of order, 13 old Tarkey worke chairs,
5 wicker chairs, 8 leather chaira, Scuochea,
|
a IT 00 |
|
|
4 00 |
|
|
000 |
|
|
8» |
19 4 |
|
6 00 |
|
|
0 00 |
|
|
6 00 |
|
|
S 00 |
|
|
0 IS 00 |
|
|
B 00 |
|
|
0 10 00 |
|
|
9 10 00 |
|
|
0 00 |
|
|
5 00 |
|
|
0 00 |
|
|
000 |
|
|
000 |
|
90 SOO |
|
» 000 |
|
4 10 00 |
|
« 000 |
|
0 18 00 |
|
0 18 00 |
|
10 0 00 |
|
1 10 00 |
|
fi 0 e |
|
0 3 0 |
|
sua |
|
3 18 0 |
|
3 000 |
|
0 800 |
|
I 4 00 |
|
3 0 00 |
|
340 1« » |
|
340 10 a |
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. *" 8PT
|
3 puna, |
0 IS M |
|
4 low chtin. |
0 18 00 |
|
1 (uiu UpeHry hingingi, |
3S 000 |
|
1 pr. bUnkelU d«D) , |
0 6 00 |
|
« Tuibe; coahiooi, |
0 18 00 |
|
STutiojcHpelti, |
« 0 00 |
|
10 »ble«. |
* 0 00 |
|
5 ciMtb iDd MUgs cupeia. |
fl 5 00 |
|
1 clock and case. |
S 040 |
|
1 mublo monmr. |
1 19 00 |
|
1 ligDDm Tit«, ditto, |
0 » 00 |
|
.9 duesoea. |
0 600 |
|
ilookiogilMM., |
8 0 00 |
|
4 trunk*, |
1 4 00 |
|
1 Mriplora, |
S 0 00 |
|
A pueeU book*. |
18 0 00 |
|
a pieues »pp»rreU, |
3 000 |
|
1 Jack and 3 spitta, |
9 000 |
|
3 cases ofliottlei of apiriU, |
4 8 00 |
|
1 waiering poll. |
0 000 |
|
4 pr. btlbwa, |
0 600 |
|
SeheM, |
|
|
4 Jicto diawera. |
16 0 • |
|
1 wetthet giftsa. |
|
|
1 speaking Irampel. |
|
|
1 ledd plaah saddle. |
|
|
1 oalUeo qoik. |
|
|
1 hd. and 4 salt, |
|
|
I cwt. while taliow. |
|
|
Scale* and beam*, and 1 ewt. 3 qt*. 16 lb. weight, |
|
|
ft barrel* beefand 9 ditto pork, |
14 0 0 |
|
(4) S gall*, spirit*. |
|
|
1 barrel! moIa**e*, |
1 barrel Morado sugar, 1 firkin soap, home made, 814 lb. Casteel aoap at 7d.
PewUr, ft doc. and S platn,
Vol. II.
im HISTORY OF THE
8 basons, S ohsese p1ates» S pye plates, 4 old pewtsr csDdl, 1 egg dish, 1 ordpann, 1 fruit pott, (168) 4 quart potts,
4 saucers, 18 platers.
1 flask and bold standish,
1 laobeck aiid I pewter worm. Id all 364 lb. at lOd. per R>. 16 S 4
IroQ Andirons, grate tongs, fire sho?els, racks, tramells, iron potts, trevetts, dripping pan, clea?er8, frying panos, fenders, &c., in all 927 lb. at 7d. Hooks and eyes, 97 0 0
5 anchors and 2 graplins gt. 319, at 6d 7 19 6
Copper 1 copper kettle,
6 potts,
1 desertion copper, 1 cooler,
1 copper still. Qt in all 416 lb. at 18d 31 4 0
Brass.
2 brass kettles,
3 stewpans, candlesticks, &c., of brass, implements cent.
1021b. at 15d 6 7 6
£55S 2 10 2 boxes candles, qt. 150 at 6d 3 15 0
Steele
40 lb. at 12d 200
1 whip saw, qt. appraised among the former impl.
Bedsteads and Bedds.
One bedd and furniture in the great room, . 25 0 0
One in the dining room, 18 0 0
One in the lodging room, 15 0 0
4 other ditto, 36 0 0
5 bedds without furniture, 20 0 0
Plate.
900 oz. plate at Gs. Od 303 15 0
Cash and wampum, 89 9 0
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 299
Gold.
(169) 180 goyneys, 243 0 0
1 double goiaey, 2 14 0
23jaoobu8S, 34 10 0
61 ditto, 4 10 0
4i ditto, 1 10 0
1 pi8to11e, . . . . 14 0
2 double doubloons, 9 12 0
5 pr uroall claspe,
1 bullett, 1 plain piece, 1 aingle tootb-piek, 1 double ditto,
1 case ditto with small bodkin,
2 bodkins,
1 mourning ring,
1 heart with lock of hair,
1 mash bead, eont. in all 4 oz. 5 pwts. and 6 grs. at 41. 13s. 9d. per ot. 19 19 0
DebU good and bad, 2194 0 0
i:3661 13 10 112 bottles, foni of them with syrup, aid other odd things, 18 0
Wheat.
540 bushells at 3s. . , , . , . . 81 0 0
60 aeres of wheat at 12s 30 0 0
Stock, vis.
24 oxen, « . 72 0 0
17 cows, 84 0 0
4 bolls, 800
8 year and vantage, ^ • 10 0 0
5 yearlings, 3 15 0
2caWes, . . ^ . « « . ^ . . 0 12 0
30 horses, mares, and colts, 60 0 0
30 head of swine, 9 0 0
147 sheep, 36 15 0
(170) Plantation Impl'ts.
3 carts and 1 pr timber wheels, . . ^ . . 20 0 0
1 sloop and yall, 74 0 0
1 yall and pinnace, 10 0 0
12 lb. deer suett at 6d. 0 6 0
Hangings of the lodging rooms, three old eabbinetts for all tools and
Qtensib for th« famii and family, and appateO not particularised, 20 0 0
300
HISTORY OF THE
24 galls, refined molasses at 18d.
N.B. Miss addition in folio 4.
1 16 0
£UZ4 5 10 . 15 4 0
JC4149' 0 10
82 man negroes at 20/. 11 women at 15/.
6 boys at 15/.
2 garles at 12/. . 25 children at 5/.
Negroes.
440 0 0
165 0 0
90 0 0
24 0 0
125 0 0
Je844 0 0
3 box irons and heaters,
I little letter box, Memorandum ; we finde in fol. the particulars by the apppraise-
ment to amount to the summe of, . • 195 14 5
in ful. 2, 39 0 4
in fol. 3, 107 18 3
in fol. 4 135 7 8
in fol. 5, 98 12 6
in fol. 6, 3023 11 0
in fol. 7, 472 11 0
^64071 16 1 . 844 0 0
Besides the negroes in fol. 7, more,
Appraised by us underwritten.
More 17doz. scissors at 38. 2 11 0 Step. V. Cortlandt*
7 cwt. 1 qr. 9 lb. old lead N. Batard,
at 308. per cwt. 11 0 0 John Pell,
Wm. RiCHARDSOir.
X13 11 0
S. V, CORTLANDT.
Exhibited the seventeenth day of February, 1691, by Lewis Morris, ad- ministrator, &c, for a true and perfect in?entory, &c., but under protestation of adding, &c., if &c.
L. Morris.
Lewis Morris, heir of his uncle Lewis, and third proprietor of Morrisania, appears to have been a man of extraordinary talents. Chief Justice William Smith informs us, that of all the members /)f the New York assembly in 1710, ''Colonel Morris had the greatest influence on our public affairs. He was a man of letters,
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 301
and, though a little whimsical in his temper, was grave in his manners, and of penetrating parts. Being excessively fond of the society of men of sense and reading, he was never wearied at a sitting till the spirits of the whole company were dissipated. From his infancy he has lived in a manner best adapted to teach him the nature of man, and to fortify his mind for the vicissitudes of life. He very early lost both his father and mother, and fell under the patronage of his uncle, formerly an officer of very con- siderable rank in CromwelVs army ; who, after the Restoration, disguised himself under the profession of Quakerism, and settled on a fine farm within a few miles of the city, called, after his own name, Morrisania, Being a boy of strong passions, the general indications of a fruitful genius, he gave frequent otfence to his uncle, and, on one of these occasions, through fear of his resentment, strolled away into Virginia^ and thence to Jamaica in the West Indies, where, to support himself, he set up for a scrivener.''* "As a proof of his boyish propensities, (says Mr. Dunlap,) we are told that when a pupil to Luke Coppathwait, a Quaker, Lewis, hid himself in a tree by which his teacher was to pass, and in a feigned voice, with great solemnity called upon Luke, (from above, of course,) and ordered him to go and preach the gospel among the Mohawks. Luke considered the bidding miraculous, and prepared to obey, when either by compunction of the boy, or other means, he was undeceived. After several years passed in the West Indies, the wanderer returned to Mor- risania, and was received by his uncle with forgiveness and joy. To settle him for life, the uncle brought about a marriage be- tween Lewis and Misfs Graham,"** "a fine lady, (continues Mr, Smith,) with whom he lived above fifty years, in the possession oi every enjoyment which good sense and polite manners in a woman could atford."<^
Upon the 8th of May, 1697, Lewis Morris obtained royal let- ters patent from King William the Third, erecting Morrisania into a township and manor, to be holden of the king in free and.
• SmiUi*i H«Ury of N. Y. b Dunlap'i Hiat. N. Y. toI. i. 278.
« Smith'i Hitt. of N. Y.
803 HISTORY OF THE
common soccage, its lord yieMing and rendering therefore annu* ally, on the Feast Day of the Annunciation of our blessed Virgin Mary, the rent of six shillings.
THE ROYAL CHARTER.
William the Third, by the grace of God, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c.,to all to whom these presents ahall come, sendeth greeting : Whereas, the Hun^ble Edmund Andross, Ee^., Seigneur of Saasmarez, late governor of oar province of New York, Ac, by a certain deed or patent, sealed with the seal of oar said province of New York, bearing date the 85th day of March, in the year of our Lord 167a, pur- suant to the commission and authority then in him residing, did confirm unto Col. Lewis Morris, of the Island of Barbadoes, a certain plantation or tract of land laying or being upon the maine over against the town of Haerlem, com* monly called Bronckse^s land, containing 250 margin or 800 acres of laiKl« besides the meadow thereunto annexed or adjoining, butted and bounded as in the original Dutch ground brief and patent of confirmation is set forth; which said tract of land and meadow, having been by the said Col. Lewis Morris long possessed and enjoyed, and having likewise thereon made good improve- ment, he, the suid Eldmond Andross, late governor of our said province, did farther, by the said deed or patent, sealed with the seal of our said province, a«id bearing date as aforesaid, we grant and confirm unto the said Cul. Lewis Morris, for his further improvement, a certain quantity of land adjacent imto the said tract of land-^which land, with the addition, being bounded from his own house over against Haerlem, running up Haerlem River to Daniel Tur- ner's land, and so along this said land northward to John Archer's line, and from thence stretching east to the land of John Richardson and Thomas Hunt, snd thence along their lands southward to the Sound, even so along the Sound about southwest through Bronck's hill to the said Col. Lewis Morris' house — the additional land containing (according to the survey thereoQ the quantity of fourteen hundred and twenty acres, to h ive and to hold the a fore- recited tract of land before possessed by him, and the additional land within the limits and bounds aforesaid, together with the woods and meadows, both salt and fresh, waters and creeks, belonging to the said lands, unto the said Col. Lewis Morris, his heirs and assignees forever, under the yearly rent of four bushels of good winter wheat, as by the said deed or patent, registered in our secre- tary's oflSce of our said province of New York, &c., — relation being there- unto had — may more fully and at large appear. And whereas, our loving sub- ject, Lewis Morris, (nephew unto the said Cul. Morris, lately deceased, his sole and only heir,) who is now, by right of descent and inheritance, peacea- bly and quietly seized and possessed of all the aforesaid tracts of land and premises within the limits and bounds aforesaid, hath, by bis petition, present- ed unto oar trusty and well beloved Benj. Fletcher, our Captain General and
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 303
6overnor-in-chief of oor said province of New York and territories dependant thereon in America, &c., prayed our grant and confirmation of all the afore- recited tracts and parcels of land and premises within the limits and bounds aforesaid ; and likewise that we would be fi^raciously pleased to erect the said tracts and parcels of land, within the limits and bounds aforesaid, into a lordship or manor, by the name or title of the manor or lordship of Morrisania, in the county of Westchester ; and whereas, it is publicly manifest that the said Col. Lewis Morris, deceased, in his lifetime, and our said loving subject, his ne- phew and sole and only heir since his decease, have been at great charge and expense in the purchasing, settling and improving of the said tracts and par- cels of land, whereon considerable buildings have likewise been made ; and our said loving subject, being willing still to make further improvements there- on— which reasonable request, for his further encouragement, we being will- ing to grant; and know yee, that we, of our special grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, we have given, granted, ratified and confirmed, and by these presents do for us, our heirs and successors, give, grant, ratify and confirm unto the said Lewis Morris, his heirs and assignees, all the aforesaid tracts and par- cels of land within the limits and bounds aforesaid, containing the quantity of one thousand, nine hundred and twenty acres of land, more or less, together with all and every the messuages, tenements, buildings, houses, out houses, barDs, barracks, stables, mills, mill dams, mill howles, orchards, gardens, fences, pas- tures, fields, feedings, woods, underwoods, trees, timber, meadows, (fresh and salt,) marshes, swamps and pools, ponds, waters, water courses, brooks, rivulets, baths, inlets, outlets, islands, necks of land and meadow, peninsulas of land and meadow, ferries, passages, fishing, fowling, hunting and hawking, quarries, mines, minerals, (silver and gold mines excepted,) and all the rights, liberties, privileges, jurisdictions, royalties, hereditaments, benefits, profits, advantages and appurtenances whatsoever to the afore-recited tracts, parcels and necks of land, and mill, within the limits and bounds aforesaid belonging, adjoining, or in any way appertaining, or accepted, reputed, taken, known or occupied, at part, parcel or member thereof, to have or to hold all the aforesaid recited tracts and parcels of land within the limits and bounds aforesaid, containing the quantity of one thousand nine hundred and twenty acres of land, mora or less, together with all and every the messuages, tenements, buildings, houses, out houses, barns, barracks, stables, mills, mill dams, mill houses, orchards, gardens, fences, pastures, fields, feedings, woods, underwoods, trees, timber, meadows, fresh and salt, marshes, swamps, pools, ponds, waters, water courses, brooks, rivers, rivulets, streams, creeks, coves, harbors, bridges, baths, strands, inlets, outlets, islands, necks of land and meadow, peninsulas, ' land and meadow, ferries, passages, fishing, fowling, hunting and hawking, quarries, mines and minerals, (silver and gold mines excepted.) and all the rights, liberties, privileges, jurisdictions, royalties, hereditaments, tolls, and benefits, profits, advantages, and appurtenances whatsoever, to the afore re- eited tracts, parcels and necks of Land and mill within the limits and boands
304 HISTORY OF THE
aforesaid, belonging, adjoining, or in any appertaining or accepted, repute^i taken, known onto him, the said Lewis Morris, his heirs and assinees» to th« sole and only proper use benefit and behoof of him the said Lewis Morris^ his heirs and assinees fore?er, and moreover, that if oar farther special graee« certain knowledge, and mear motion, we have brought it according to the reasonable request of our said loving subject to erect all the aforerecited tracts and parcels of land and premises within the limits and bonnds afore- said into a lordship and manor, and therefore, by these presents, we do, for us, our heirs and successors, erect, make and constitute all the afore-recited tracts and parcels of land within the limits and bonnds afore-mentioned, together with all and every the above granted premises, with all and every of their appurtenances, unto one lordship or manor, to all intents and purposes, and His our royal will and pleasure, that the said lordship and manor shall from henceforth be called the lordship or manor of Morrisania ; and know yee, that we reposing especial tmst and confidence in the loyalty, wisdom, justice, prudence, and circumspection of our said loving subjects, do, for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant unto the said Lewis Morris, and to the heirs and assinees of him the said Lewis Morris, full power and authority at all timea forever hereafter, in the said lordship or manor, one court-leet, and one coart- barron, to hold and keep at such time and times, and so oAen yearly as he or they shall see meet, and all fines, issues and amerciaments, at the said court- leet and court barren, to be holden within the said lordship or manor, to be set, forfeited or employed, or payable or happening at any time to be paya- ble by any of the inhabitants of or in the said lorship or manor of Morrissa- nia, or the limits and bounds whereof, and also all and every of the power and authority therein-before mentioned, for the holding and keeping the said court-leet and court barron from time to time, and to award and issue out the said accustomary writs, to be issued and awarded out of the said court-leet and court barron, to be kept by the heirs and assinees of the said Lewis Mor- ris, forever, or their or any of their stewards deputed and appointed with full and ample power and authority to distraine for the rents, serveses, and other sums ofmoncy, payable by virtue of the premises and all other lawful remedies and means, for the having, possessing, recovering, levying and enjoying the premises, and every part and parcel of the same, and all waifes, estrages, meeks, deadodans, goods or ftlons, happening and being forfeited within the said lordship or manor of Morrissania, and all and every sum and sums of money to be paid as a post fine, upon any fine or fines to be levyed, of any bounds, tenements or hereditaments within the said lordship or manor of Morrissania, together with the advowson and right of patronage, and all and every the church and churches erected or established, or thereafter to be erected or established within the said manor of Morrissania, and we do also give and grant unto the said Lewis Morris, his heirs and assinees, that all and each of the tenants of him the said Lewis Morris, within the said manor, may at all times hercaAer, meet together and choose assesors^ within the manor
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
305
•foretaid, aeeording lo such tuIbb, ways and melhode, ■• are pieacribed Tuc ciliea Iowpb and counties wiihin our province afurewid, by the seta of gene- ral aasembEy, foi the defraying the public charge of each respective eilj, town and county aforesaid, and all aoch suma of money aaaeaed or levied, to dispose of and collect for such uses as the acis of the general assembly shaH Mlablish and appoint, to have and lo hold, poasess and enjoy, all and singalat th« said lordship or manor of Morrissania and premises, with all their and every of their appurteoaneea, onto (he said Lewi* Morris, his heirs and as- ■inees forever. Id be holden of us, our heirs and succeasora. In free and con- Dwn socage, according lo the tenure of our manor of East Greenwich, in oui eooniy of Kent, within oai realm of England, yielding, rendering and paj'ing Uierefor, yearly and eveiy year, on the feist day of ihs Annunciation of our blessed virgin, onto as, our heirs and successors, at our city of New Yi>rk, the annual rent of sii shillings, in lien snd atead of all former rents, dues, •ervices and demands whalsoever, for Ibe said lurdnhip and manor of Morris- sania, and premises : in Uatimeny whereof, we.hsve caused the great aeal of ths said province to be affixed. Witnesse our trusty and well beloved Benja- Diin Fletcher, our capt. gen. and guv. in-chief of oor province of New York, and the territories and tracts of land depending thereon, in America, and vice admiral of the same, ourlleulenBnt commander- in -chief of the militia and of all the forces by sea and land wiihin our colony of Conneclicnt, and of all the folia and places of strength within the same, in council at our fort in New York, the 8Lh day of May, in the ninth year of our reign, Anno Domini, 10B7.' By command of his eiceUencey, BiK. Flitchm.
David Jameion, Sect'y,
<=>.=^^^^c/^rr^
AuKfraph ud arsa at L.cwla Manii.
> Alb. B<K>k of Pat. No. Til G4 and TO.
306 HISTORY OF THE
" The greatest part of the life of Lewis Morris, before the ar- rival of Governor Hunter, was spent in New Jersey,* where be signalized himself in the service both of the Proprietors and the Assembly. The latter employed him to draw up their complaint against my Lord Cornbury, and he was made the bearer of it to the Queen." "In 1732," remarks Dunlap, "a question was raised, whether Van Dam (who administered the government un- til the arrival of Cosby) should receive the whole salary allowed to a governor, and the opinion of the assembly was asked ; but they declined giving an opinion, leaving it to the council, who consented that the warrants should be drawn for the whole. Cosby, on his arrival and friendly reception by the assembl^i waited until their adjournment, and then produced the King's instrnctions to take to himself one half the salary and emolu- ments, during Van Dam's administration, leaving him one half. Van Dam agrees, provided Cosby accounts for certain monies re- ceived by him, and shares with Van Dam such monies. Cosby refuses, and erects a court of exchequer to compel Van Dam to comply with his terms. Suits commence on their part, but Cosby appoints the judges. Van Dam denies the legality of the pro- ceedings. Chief Justice Morris declines to obey the Governor's orders in the case, as illegal, and is by him suspended, after serv- ing twenty years unimpeaoliably. James de Lancey was ap-
• *' He was one of the Council in that province, and a jndge of the supreme court there in lf)92. Upon the surrender of the government to Queen Anne, in 1702, he was named (o be governor of the colony ; but the appointment was changed in favor of Lord Cornbury, the Queen's cousin." '* Within the limits of Shrewsbury, (says Mr. Whitehead,) Col. Lewis Morris had extensive iron works, employing sixty or seventy negroes, in addition to white servants and dependants.'* ** The land (3540 acres) was granted to him, Oct. 25, 1G76. Full liberty was given to him and bis associates *' to dig, delve, and carry away all such mines for iron as they shall find or see fit to dig and carry away to the iron works, or that shall be found in that tract of land that lies inclosed between the southeast branch of the Raritan River and the whale pond on the sea*side, and is bounded from thence by the sea and branch of the river, to the eastward, to the Raritan river, he or they paying all such just damages to the owners of the land where they shall dig mines as shall be judged is done by trespass of cattle or otherwise sustained by the cart- ing and carrying of the said mine to the work.'* — E. J. Records, B. page 155.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 307
pointed id his place.'-^ The following particulars in relation to this affair, are taken from the Carribeana, a literary periodical purporting to be " written by several hands in the West Indies," The reader will see that the Chief Just ice performed his part with great boldness and independence.
" Sir : — You wUl perceive, by the enclosed copy of a letter, that the origi- nal waa addressed to the present governor of New York, on occasion of a new dispute that arose between his Excellency and the chief judge of the pro- vince concerning the establishment of a new Court of Equity. The judge's argument upon the question is very long, and, for aught I know, very learned. I shall not take it upon me to say whether his opinion is right or not ; but cer- tainly he was right in giving his opinion upon a matter of law that came in judgment before him. The governor, however, was oflfended at what was spoken, and demanded a copy, which the judge sent him, in prints with the letter now mentioned.
I confess Ihad some curiosity to know the particular character of this ex- traordinary personage, who would seem to act and speak like an inhabitant of some other world. They tell me he is nothing but a man, and a plain man too, exactly like one of us — eats beef and mutton, drinks madeira wine, and sometimes rum punch, as we do. His education was narrow, nor does he pre- tend to inspiration or any supernatural aid. His knowledge is derived merely from reading and observation, and his fortitude grounded on the Christian reli- gion and the laws of his country, which he fancies are commonly on the side of honesty, and a good conscience.
I would not be thought to propose this northern magistrate to the imitatloa of his brethren between the tropics. I hope and believe they will never meet with such trials ; and, if they should, I am persuaded they will be more polite than to copy after so coarse a pattern ! I only meant to help out your next paper with a strange and wonderful occurrence, which may perhaps amuse your gentle readers as effectually as the accounts they have sometimes of hard frosts and huge whales, though they never see such things in these parts.
I am yours, &e.,
Indus.
To his Excellency. William Cosby, Esq., Captain General and Governor-in- chief of the province of New York, New Jersies and territories thereon de- pending in America, Vice Admiral of the same, and Colonel in his Majes- ty ^s army, &c.
May it please your Excellency : In obedience to your commands by F. M., Esq., deputy secretary, to send
• Danlap's Hbt. N. Y. 70I. i. 29^.
308 HISTORY OF THE
yoa a copy of what I read in the Sapreme Conrt ooDcerniog its having a ja« riadiction to determine causea in a Court of Equity, and a seeond meatags from him to gvre it under my hand, I send you not only what I read, hot what I said on that head, as far as I can charge my memory. What was said, was spoken before a numerous auditory, among which were the grand jury for the city and county of New York, and se?eral other persons of distinction. 1 chose* this public method to prevent, as much as I could, any misapprehension ; and what I said is as follows, viz. :
[Here follows the judged argoment against erecting a court of equity, and then he concludes with the remainder of his letter in these words, Tia. ;]
This, sir, is a copy of the paper I read in court, and the substance of what I said besides on that head, as far as I can shape my memory. I have oo rea- son to expect that either this, or any thing else I can say, will be at all grate- ful, or have any weight with your Excellency, aAer the answer I received to a message I did myself the honor to send you concerning an ordinance you were about to make for establishing a court of equity in the supreme court, as being, in my opinion, contrary to law, and which I desired might be deUyed till I could be heard on that head. I thought myself within the duty of my office in sending this message, and hope I do not flatter myself in thinking I shall be justified in it by your superiors, as well as mine. The answer your Excellency was pleased to send by Mr. J. W. was, thai I need not gtue my^ self any trouble about that affair ; that you would neither receive a tfisit or any message from me ; that you could neither rely upon my integrity nor depend upon my judgment ; that you thought me a person not at all fit to be trusted with any concerns relating to the King ; that ever since your coming to the government, I had treated you, both as to your own person and as the King*s representative y with slight, rudeness and impertinence ; that you did not desire to see or hear any further of or from me, I am heartily sorry, sir, for your own sake, as well as that of ihe public, that the King^s representative should be moved to so great a degree of warmth, as appears by this answer, which I think would proceed from no other reason but by giving my opinion in a court of which I was a judge, upon a point of law that came before me, and in which I might be innocently enough mistaken ; (though I think I am not ;) for judges are no more infallible than their superiors are impeccable. But if judges are to be intimidated so as not to dare to give any opinion but what is pleasing to a governor, and agreeable to his private views, the people of this province, who are very much concerned both with respect to their lives and fortunes in the freedom and independency of those wh3 are to judge of them, may possi- bly not think themselves so secure in either of them, as the laws and his Ma- jesty intend they should be.
I never had the honor to be above six tiroes in your company in my life ; —
Printing his argument and letter.
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 309
one of those times wm when I delivered the public seals of the province of New Jersey to joo on your coming to that government ; another, on one of the pablic days, to drink the King's health ; a third, at your desire, to wait on my Lord Augustus Fitz Roy, with the body of the laws, to tell him we were glad to see him at New York ; and except the first time, I never was above a quarter of an hour together in your company at any one time ; and all the words I ever spoke to you, except at the first time, may be contained on a quarto side of paper. I might possibly have been impertinent, for old men are too often so ; but as to treating you with ludeness and disrespect, either in your public or private capacity, it is what I cannot accuse myself of doing or intending to do, at any of the times I was with you. If a bow, awkwardly made, or any thing of that kind, or some defect in the ceremonial of address- ing you, has occasioned that remark, I beg it may be attributed to the want of a courtly and polite education, or to any thing else, rather than the want of respect to his majesty's representative. As to my integrity, I have given yoa no occasion to call it in question. I have been in this office almost twenty years. My hands were never soiled with a bribe ; nor am I conscious to my- self, that power or poverty hath been able to induce me to be partial in the favor of either of them ; and as I have no reason to expect any favor from you, so I am neither afraid nor ashamed to stand the test of the strictest in- quiry you can make concerning my conduct. I have served the public faith- fully and honestly, according to the best of my knowledge, and I dare, and dot appeal to it for my justification.
I am, sir,
Your Excellency's
Most humble servant,
Lbwis Morris.
A. D. 1733, the Hon. Lewis Morris was elected a representa- tive for the county of Westchester, in opposition to the aristocra- tic candidate.* In 1738 he was appointed the first governor of New Jersey, as a separate province from New York. He appears also to have been an active member of the venerable Propagation Society ; for " at a meeting of that body, held in London, 14th of Sept., 170], a memorial was received from Colonel Morris, in which he speaks of the several townships of East Jersey as dis- tracted by almost every variety of dissent, but with little appear- ance of real religion among them. Middletown was settled from New York and New England. "It is," says Colonel Morris, "a
• See vol. i. 136.
310 HISTORY OF THE
large township : there is no snch thing as a church or religion amongst them. They are, perhaps, the most ignorant people ia the world." The colonel describes the settlers of West Jersey as "a hotch potch of all religions," and the youth as being *• very- debauched and very ignorant, &c."»
Among the early benefactors lo Trinity Church, New York, occurs the name of Lewis Morris, who contributed the timber for its erection. In return for this act of munificence, the vestry of that church granted the family a square pew. The Hon. L^wis Morris died in the spring of 1746, aged 73. <* He directed his body to be buried at Morrisania, in a plain coffin, without cov- ering or lining with cloth ; he prohibited rings and scarfs from being given at his funeral ; he wished no man to be paid for preaching a funeral sermon upon him, though if any man, churchman or dissenter, minister or not, was inclined to say any thing on the occasion, he should not object. He prohibited any mourning dress to be worn on his account, as he should die when divine Providence should call him away, and was unwil- ling thai his friends should be at the unnecessary expanse, which was owing only to the common folly of mankind."^ To his eldest son, Lewis Morris, he bequeathed all that part of Morris- ania lying to the eastward of the mill brook, and the remainder westward of the same stream, called Old Morrisania^ to his wife Isabella.^'
The following items are taken from the journal of his son Lewis Morris. " May 26th, 1746, set out from Trenton with my father's corpse for Amboy ferry; got there that night about nine of the clock. His corpse was attended by numbers of peo- ple and his pall was supported by Messrs. Andrew Johnston, James Hide, Peter Kemble, Thomas Leonard, Philip French, Daniel Cox, Philip Kearney and Charles Read. The corpse was put on board of a large peri-auger which came from Morri- sania for that purpose, and arrived the next morning at Morrisa-
> Hist. Not Miss, of the Church of England, p. 20. b Blake*8 Biographical Dictionary.
< Surrogate's Office N. Y. Lib. xviii. 94. Chancery Records, Albany, for peti« tion of Isaac Willctt
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 311
nia, the wind blowing at night at north-west extraordinary hard, and being cold lay that night at the ferry."
" May 29ih. My father was buried at Morrisaiiia in a vault built by directions in his will. The materials and workman- ship came to JCIO 6 7^.* His bearers^were the Chief Justice, Joseph Murray. Robert Wallers, James Alexander, Wilh'am Smith, David Clarkson, Abraham Depeyster and Lewis Johnston. Dr. Standard the minister of the parish of Westchester attended the burial and performed the service of the church."
"May 30. Sent back the chaises to Harlem that we borrowed for the burial. There was one quarter cask of wine expended at the funeral to about two dozen bottles, and about two gallons of rum, a barrel of cider and two barrels of beer," &c. dsc
" Nov. 6th, 1746. Waited on my mother with my wife, and begged, her blessing and returned back at dusk."^
By her last will and testament, Isabella Morris, wife of his late Excellency Lewis Morris, directs that '' her body be decently interred in the vault at Morrisania, near the remains of her de- ceased husband." This lady was the daughter of James Graham, Attorney General for the province of New York, and a near re- lation of the Marquis of Montrose. The sons of the Hon. Lewis Morris were^ Lewis, who inherited the lordship and manor of Morrisania, and Robert who had for his share the Jersey es- tates.
Lewis Morris the eldest son was judge of the high court of adniiralty and one of the judges of oyer and terminer, he died iii 1762, aged sixty-four years. By his last will, dated Nov. 19th, 1760, he devised "all that part of Morrisania situated west of the Mill brook to his eldest son Lewis Morris." "To his wife the land whereon his house stands west of the Mill brook." "To his brother Robert Hunter iVlorris he bequeathed the pictures of his father and mother,'' and "that of myself and wife to my daughter
■ In this vault, which lies near the residence of Colonel Lewis Morris, the re- mains of the Morris family have since been interred, with the single exception of Gouvemeur Morris, who erected a new vault at Morrisania.
b From the journal of the Hon. Lewis Morris, in ponession of Gouvemeur M* Wilkins, Esq.
312 HISTOKY OF THE
Isabella."* His son Governeur was to have the best education << ihat is to be had in England or Anfierica," &cJ^ His three sons by his first wife, Catharine Staats, were Lewis Morris, a brigadier general in the Continental army,<> also a member of Congress and one of the signers of the Declaration of Indepen- dence. Staats Long Morris, the imimgi^ General Staats Long Morris who married Catharine, the celebrated Duchess of Gor- don, and Richard Morris, judge of the .high court of admiralty in 1776. By his second wife, Sarah Governeur, Lewis Morris had one son Governeur Morris. The following biograghical sketch of the latter^gentleman is from Barber's Historical Collections.
'< Governeur Morris was born at Morrisania, Jan. 31, 1762. He graduated at King's College, New York, in 1768. He was bred to the law in which he obtained a great reputation. In 1775| be was a delegate to the provincial congress in New York. In 1776, (Dec.) he acted as one of the committee for drafting a con- stitution for the state of New York, which was reported in March, 1777, and adopted in April of thai year, after repeated and very able debutes. He was employed in the public senrice in various capacities during the revolutionary contest, in all of which he displayed great zeal and ability.*^ After the Revolution he retired from public life and passed a number of years in pri- vate pursuits, excepting being a very active member of the con- vention which framed the constitution of the United States. In 1792, he was appointed minister to France, and remained there in that capucity until October, 1794.« He returned to America in 1798, and in 1800 w,as chosen a senator from New York. In the summer of 1810, he examined the route for the Erie canal,
■ The above-meDtioned pictures are in the poMession of Lewia Morris, £iq. Fordham.
b Surrogate's officoi N. Y. lib. zziii. 426.
c Brigradier General Morris received orders from Congress to take possession (with his whole brigade; of such part of the Sound and Hudson River as he might think most exposed to the enemy.
d Upon the 8th of July, 1775, he was appointed a member of the Committee of Public Safety for Westchester county.
• He is said to have been the author of the memorable address of Louis XVL to
■
the French people.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 313
and took a prominent part in originating and promoting that noble work." " The activity of his mind, the richness of ^his fancy, and the copiousness of his eloquent conversation, were the admiration of all his acquaintance, and he was universally ad- mitted to be one of the most accomplished and prominent men of our country ."» " He died at Morrisania, November 5, 1816, aged 64. His publications were numerous. A selection from his pa- pers, with a sketch of his life, has been published by Jared Sparks, in 3 vols. 8vo. lS32."b
He married Anne Carey Randolph, daughter of Thomas Ran- dolph of Roanoake, Virginia, who was descended, in the fifth generation, from the celebrated Pockohantes,c the daughter of Wahunsonacock or Powhattati, Emperor of Attanonghkanonck alias Virginia. His son is the present Gouverneur Morris of Morrisania.
The principal proprietors of the ancient manor, are William H. Morris, who holds one third part of Old Morisania^ lying on the west side of the Mill brook, Colonel Lewis Morris, his mother, (who has a life estate,) Governeur Morris, (whose father purchased that portion formerly belonging to StaatsLong Morris,) Gerard Morris, Henry Morris, Hannah Morris, Albert J. and Smith Anderson, William H. Legget, Charles Dennison, Philip Dater, B. L. Benson, Captain Davy, Mr. Humphrey, Julia Steb- bins and Jordan L. Mott.
The principal settlement in Morrisania, is a small hamlet bear- ing the same name, bordering the Haarlem river. Here is a neat hotel, a rail road depot, the rope and cord factory of Mr. John York, an extensive iron foundry belonging to Mr. Jordan L. Mott, and the nursery gardens of Mr. Joseph Lodge.<^
The Haarlem bridge communicates with the Westchester shore and New York island. Prior to the erection of the bridge, there
> Barber^i Hist. Coll. of N. Y.
b Blake*! Biographical Dictionary.
• Literally a run between two hills. This name was given her under the sup- position that the English could not bewitch her with an assumed name.
d Mr. Lodge, who has had a long experience in the nursery gardening basi« lieM, is extensively employed in ornamental horticnltore.
Vol. IL 40
314 HISTORY OF THE
appears to have been a fording place between the two shores ; for, upon the 11th of October, 1666, Governor Nicolls granted " certain saw mills to Thomas Delaval, John Vervelen and Daniel Turner^&c, lying over against Verchers or Hogg island, in the Sonnd, where a passage hath been made to ford over from this island to the maine?**'
Governor Dongan's patent for Haarlem, in 1666, recites the fol- lowing : *• and whereas, the town lies very commodious for a ferry to and from the raaine, which may redowned to the par- ticular benefit of the inhabitants as well as to general good. The freeholders and inhabitants of said cown should, in consideration of the benefits and privileges therein granted, as also for what advantage might accrue thereby, be enjoyned and obliged, at their proper costs and charge, to build and provide one or more boats fit for the transportation of men, horse or cattle, for which, a certain allowance was to be given by each particular person," &c.*»
In the vicinity of Harlem bridge issituated, the well known coun- try residence of the late Hon. Governeur Morris, which is highly spoken of by travellers, and other persons of taste. Its location is very tine, just on the south-west angle of the township of West Farms, nearly opposite to the beautiful scenery of Hurl- gate, and eight miles from New York. It commands extensive views of the surrounding country and the adjacent waters. " Here he passed the latter years of his life exercising an elegant and mu- nificent hospitality, reviewing the studies of his early days, and carrying on a very interesting correspondence with statesmen and literati in Europe and America.''^ Among his principal guests were Louis Philipe Le Due d'Orleans, (the present king of the French) aud John Victor Moreau, one of the most celebra- ted of modern French generals. Of the old mansion, which was constructed in the French chateau style, nothing remains but the central portion, and (his has been greatly modernized by tho pre-
• Harlem couveyancea
b Harlem coDTeyancesi p. 7.
• Barbefa Hist. CoU. of N. Y.
COUNTT OF WESTCHESTER.
316
sent proprietor. The interior, however, retains much of its former consistence. The library possesses a very choice collec- lion of books. It is chiefly remarkable for the valuable manu- scripts belonging to it, which are so ezleasively connected with the history of iu former owner. There are here, likewTse, seve- ral choice pieces of French furniture, some gobelin capestry, and a good portrait of the late Hon. Governeur Morris, also a fine marble bust of Mrs. Morris.
The grounds are enriched with many rare ornamental trees and shrubs, among the former deserve to be mentioned, two or three specimens of tlie deciduous American cypress, (cupressua disticha) said by Gordon to be the finest of the kind in the Uni- ted States. Of the latter, there are hedges of the glidilsia trican- thus, and the gliditsia horrida. The orchards consist principally of the bell flower, styre and pearmaiu apple trees.
Sl Adb'i Ctrareh,
At a short distance from the house, stands the parish church of St. Ann's, a pleasin;; gothic structure of marble. This edifice " was erected by the present Goremeur Morris, Bsq., in a field on his own estate, which had for some time been hallowed, as con- taining the sepulchre of his parents. In n vault constructed to receive kia remains, as appears by a tablet in the chancel, the relics of the Hon. Governeur Morris," were laid by his faithful widow. In the year of our Lord 1837, she joined him with tha
316 HISTORY OF THE
dead ; and, over her remains has arisen this beaiitiiul sanctuaryv which, in remembrance of her, and with respectful regard to two other valued relations of the name, was called Sl^ Annfsy from ^< St. Anna of the Gospel, and consecrated by that name on the 28lh^of June, 1841,"* by the Right Rev. Benjamin T. On- derdonk, D. D., bishop of New York. The corner stone had been laid with appropriate ceremonies in the preceding Octo- ber. Its incorporation took place on the 20th of July, 1841 ; Robert Morris and Lewis Morris, churchwardens, Jacob Buck- hout, Daniel Devoe, Benjamin Rogers, Benjamin M. Brown, Edward Legget, Lewis G. Morris and Henry W. Morris, vestry- men."**
The interior of the church contains a well arranged chancel and the tablet before mentioned, inscribed as follows :
Conjugal affection
consecrated this spot where
THE BEST OF MEN WaS laid
until a vault could be erected
to receive
his precious remains.
A beautiful purple altar cloth . adorned with the sacred mono- gram, surmounted with, the glory, together with a silver com- munion service, consisting of a flagon, two chalices and paten, have been recently presented to the church by the ladies of the congregation. There is also an additional paten which bears the following inscription, "Stae. Annse Altari Voverunt Tres, J. H. C. Fest Pentecost, 1842." The bell is inscribed, " Presented to St. Ann's church by Governeur Morris, J. P. Allaire, New York, 1841."
It appears, that prior to the Revolution, Morrisania formed one
• Church Register. "^^
b The church with its adjoining grounds, were munificently conveyed to the ves- try, as a donation, by its founder, Ooverneur Morris, Esq., in a deed securing tho holy and beautiful house, which God had moved him to erect to the service of God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Slc. SlcJ" See Church Register.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 317
of the precincts of Westchester parish, for, in 1707, she paid for tlie church and poor, £3 10. In 1720, her quota was £4 10. Ta St Ann's church are attached a parsonage and burying ground.
LIST OF RECTORS.
Instit. or call, Incumbents, Vadated by
1841, Rev. Arthur C. Cox, Fresh. resig.
1842, Rev. Charles Jones, Presb.
1843, Rev. Charles Aldis, Presb. ''
1st Sep., 1847, Rev. Abraham Beach Carter, present in-
cumbent.
Notitia Parochialis. 1847, Communicants, 60. Baptisms, 17.
At the commencement of the revolutionary struggle. General Heath's division of the American army was stationed at Morri- sania. From his memoirs we gather the following particulars. A picket from our general's division, of four hundred and fifty men, constantly mounted, by relief, at Morrisania, from which a chain of sentinels, within half gun-shot of each other, were planted, from the one side of the shore to the other, and near the water passage, between Morrisania and Montresor's island, which in some places is very narrow. The sentinels on the American side were ordered not to presume to fire at those of the British, unless the latter began : but the British were so fond of beginning, that there was frequently a firing between them. This having been the case one day, and a British officer walking along the bank, on the Montresor's side, an American sentinel, who had been exchanging some shots with a British sentinel, seeing the officer, and concluding him to be better game, gave him a shot, and wounded him. He was carried up to the house on the island. An officer with a flag soon came down to the creek and called for the American officer of the picket, and informed him that if the American sentinels fired any more, the commanding officer of the island would cannonade Col, Morris's house, in which the officers of the picket quartered, l^he American officer immediately sent up to our general, to know what answer should
318 HISTORY OF THE
be returned. He was directed to inform the British officer th»t the American sentinels had always been instructed not to fire on sentinels unless they were first fired upon, and then to retara the fire; that such would be their conduct; as to the cannon- ading of Col. Morris's house, they might act their pleafure. The firing ceased for some time; but a raw Scotch sentinel having been planted one day, he very soon after discharged his piece at an American sentinel nearest to him, which was imme- diately returned ; upon which a British officer came down, and called to the American officers, observing that he thought there was to be no firing between the sentinels. He was answered, that their own began; upon which he replied, ''he shall then pay for it." The sentinel was directly after relieved, and there was no firing between the sentinels, at that place, any more, and they were so civil to each other, on the posts, that one day, at a part of the creek where it was practicable, the British sentinel asked the American, who was nearly opposite to him, if he could give him a chew of tobacco; the latter, having in his pocket a piece of thick twisted roll, sent it across the creek to the British sentinet, who, after taking off his bite, sent the remainder back again."»
"On the 6th of October, 1776, (continues General Heath,) orders were given for throwing up a new work on Harlem creek below the wood at Morrisania."*>
After tiie retreat of the American army northwards and the settlement of their lines on the Croton, the British refugee corps were stationed at Morrisania, under the command of Col. James de Liancey, who held his head quarters at Col. Morris's house. Here the British appear to have been kept in a constant state of alarm by their vigilant enemies. Upon the 5th of August, 1779, (says Heath) about 100 horse of Sheldon's, Moyland's, and of the militia, and about forty infantry of Glover's brigade, passed by De Lancey's mills to the neighborhood of Morrisania, where they took twelve or fourteen prisoners, some stock, &c. The enemy collected, a skirmish ensued, in which the enemy had a
• Heath*! Mem. p. 63. «> Ibid. 6&
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 319
number of men killed and wounded ; our loss, two Icilied and two wounded."^ The frequency of these attacks compelled De Lancey to shift bis quarters under the British guns of Fort No. 8, in Fordham. The dwellings at Morrisania were burnt on the same day with the Westchester court house.
The property of William H. Morris is situated on the high ridge west of the mill brook vale. The house built by James Morris, Esq., occupies the site of one much older, erected in 1795. It is handsome, and well placed, and the neighborhood is rendered ex- tremely beautiful by the inequality of the ground, and the fine mixture of wood and pasture, which diversifies the appearance of the vales and eminences. Within are some good paintings, viz., Jttmes Morris, Benjamin Peale ; Hon. Daniel Webster, Frothingham ; and General Staats Long Morris, artist unknown. A broad and fine carriage road, lined on either side with elms,^ is terminated by a picturesque view of the small hamlet of Morrisania. At no great distance stands the residence of the late ^Commodore Valentine Morris, now occupied by Mr. John Ray.
Upon the east side of the Mill brook lies the old race course^ which is said to have been established by General Staats Long Morris, one of the first importers of blooded horses at the north. The western portion of Morrisania is watered by Cromwell creek,<^ which discharges into the Haarlem river. The principal seats which embellish this part of the town are those of Mr. Anderson and Mr. Wells, &c.
The Manor of Fordham,^ which forms the last division of West Farms, was, as we have noticed, originally included in the township of Westchester. Its early Indian proprietors appear to have been the sachems Fecquemeck, Rechgawac and Packana- riens, who sold the lands of Kekeshiek^ bordering the Haarlem
> Heath's Mem. 214.
b One of theee ireee meuuree fonrteen feet in circumiareDce, while its branches afibrd a shade of 120 feet.
• On this stream a mill was erected by Lewis Morris in 1760, of which nothing remains but the mill dam.
d A word of Saxon origin, and compounded of Ford (ford) ham (mansion.)
330 HISTORY OF THE
River, to the Dutch West India Company, A. D. 1639.* In 1646, we find the whole of Fordham, as well as the Toucker^ land, in the possession of Adriaen van der Donck, whose widow Mary conveyed them to her brother, Elias Doughty. The fol- lowing sales appear under the hands of the latter in 1666-7 : ''Know all men, by these presents, that I, Elias Doughty, of Flushing, do sell unto Mr. John Archer^ of WesiehesteTf^ his heirs and assignees, fourscore acres of land and thirty acres of meadow, lying and being betwixt Brothers^ River and the wa- tering place at the end of the Island of Manhatans ; and if the land be not fit to cleare for the plow or hoe, this land is to 1]^ together; and if there be not all such land together as there should, or if there should happen eight or ten acres of land that is not for such use, then the said Archer is to have it with the rest ; and he shall have equal right privilege in the commons as any other man shall have within that Patent that hath no more arable land ; and the meadow is to be mowed all. As witnesse my hand this 1st of March, 1666. As witnesse, if there should lye any more land, that is to say, between thirty and forty acres, it is all in common, and I am to give the said ilrcA^a firme bill of sale under my hand and seal.
"Elias Doughty.
''J, Elias Doughty, do own to have received full satisfaction of the said Archer for the said lands and meadow ; the house is yet to be : and he, the said Archer, is to have his within the abovesaid tract of land. September the 18ih, 1G67.
" It is to be understood that Mr. John Archer is to have the freshest meadow (boggy) that lyeth in the north side of West- chester path between the Patent of Mr. O'Neale, within his se- cond purchase, upon consideration that the said John Archer shall pay to the said Doughty, dec. &c/; as witness my hand.
"Elias Doughty.
Examined by John West."
By these and other purchases, John Archer, Esq., eventually
• See Yonken. b Vol. u 179.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 321
became seized in fee of 1263 acres. Upon the 13th of Novem- ber, 1671, Francis Lovelace issued the following letters patent, under the great seal of the province : —
Franeis Lovelace, Esq., one of the gentlemen of his Majestie's Hon^ble Priry Chaniber, and GoTernoi-General under his Royal Highness, James, Dake of York and Albany, and of all his territories in America, to all to whom these presents shall come, sendeth greeting : Whereas, there is a certain par- cel or tract of land within this government, upon the main continent, silaate, lying and being to the eastward of Harlem River, near unto ye passage com- monly oalled Spiting Devils upon which land ye new dorp or village is erected known by the name o/Fordham — ye utmost limits of the whole tract or parcel of land beginning at the high wood land that lyes due northwest over against the "first point of the main land to the east of the island Pepiriniman — there where the hill Moskuta is— ^and soe goes alongst the said kill, the said land striking from the high wood land before mentioned east southeast, till it comes to Bronk^s, his kill ; soe westward up alongst ye main land to the place where Harlem Kill and Hudson River meet, and then forth alongst Harlem Kill to the first spring or fountain, keeping to the south of Crabb Island ; soe east- ward alongst Daniel Tumer^s land, the high wood land, and ye land belonging to Thomas Hunt ; and then to Bronk's Kill afore -mentioned, according to a survey lately made thereof by the surveyor-general — the which remains upon record ; all which said parcel or tract of land before described being part of the land granted in the grand patent to Hugh O^Neal, and Mary hia wife, pur- chase was made thereof, by John Archer, from Elyas poughty, who was in- vested in their interest as of the Indian proprietor, by my approbation, who all acknowledge to have received satisfaction for the same : and the said John Archer having, at his own charge, and with good success, begun a township in a convenient place for the relief of strangers, it being the road fur passen- gers to go to and fro from the main, as well as for mutual intercourse with the neighboring colony, for all encouragement unto him, the said John Archer, in prosecution of the said design, as also for divers o:her good causes and con« siderations : know yee, that by virtue of ye eommis-^ion and authority unto me given by his royal highness, upon whom, by lawful grant and patent from his majestie, the propriety and government of that part of the main land, as well as Long Island, and all the islands adjacent, amongst other things, is settled,! have given, granted, ratified and confirmed, and by these presents do give, grant, ratify and confirm to ye afore mentioned John Archer, his heirs and assignees, all the said parcel or tract of land butted and bounded as aforesaid^ together with all the lands, soyles, woods, meadows, pastures, marshes, lakes, waters, creeks, fishing, hawking, hunting and fowling, and all ye profits, com- modityes, emmoluments aad hereditaments to the said parcel or tract of land or premises belonging or in any wise appertaining, and of every part and par- cel thereof; and I doe likewise grant unto ye said John Archer, his heirs and
Vol. II. 41
322 HISTORY OF THE
aasignees, that the house which he shall erect, together with ye Miid ptreel at tract of land and premises, shall be forever hereafter held, claimed, repatedf and be an entire and enfranchised township, manor and place of itself, and shall always, from time to time, and at all times hereafter, haTe,'hold and eo- joy like and eqiml privileges and immunities with any town enfranchised or manor within this government, and shall, in no manner of way, be sabordiiiat« or belonging unto, have any dependmce upon, or in any wise be under thm rule, order or direction of any riding, township, place or jurisdiction either upon the main or Long Island, but shall, in all cases, things and matters, be deemed, reputed, taken and held as an absolute, entire, enfranchised township, manor and place of itself in this government, as aforesaid, and shall be mled, ordered and directed, in all matters as to government, by ye governor and his council, and ye general court of assizes, only always provided thai the inhab- itants of the said town, or any part of the land granted as aforesaid, ahaU be obliged to send forward to ye next town or plantation all public pacqnetta and letters, or hue and cryes, commiog to this place or going from it towards or to any of his majestie^s colonics ; and I do. further grant onto the said John Archer, bis heirs and assignees, that when there shall be a sufficient number of inhabitants in the town of Fordham aforementioned, and the other parts of ye manor capable of maintaining a minister, and to carry on other public af* fairs ; that then the neighboring inhabitants between the two kills of Harlem and Bronk*9 be obliged to contribute towards the maintenance of their said minister and other necessary public charges that may happen to arise, and likewise that they belong to the said town, according to the direction of the law, although their said farms and habitations be not included within this pa- tent, to have and to hold ye said parcel and tracts of land, with all and singa- lar the appurtenances and premises, together with the privileges, immanities, franchises and advantages herein given and granted unto the said John Ar- cher, his heirs and assignees, unto the proper use and behoof of him, the said John Archer, his heirs and assignees forever, fully, truly and clearly, in as large and ample manner, and from and with such full and absolute immunities and privileges as is before expressed, as if he held the same immediately from his majesty, the King of England, and his successors, as of the manor of East Greenwich, in the county of Kent, in free and common soccage and by fealty, only yealding, rendering and paying yearly and every year unto his royal high- ness, the Duke of York and his successors, or to such governor and governors as from time to time shall by him be constituted and appointed, as all aoknow- ledgment and quit rent, twenty bushels of good peas, upon the first day of March, when it shall be demanded. Given under my hand, and sealed with the seal of the province at Fort James, in New York, on the island of Man- hattan, this thirteenth day of November, in the twenty-tbird year of the roign of our sovereign lord, Charles the Seccond, by the grace of God, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and Anno Domini, 1671. Francis Lovblack.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 323
Sometirao prior to 1672, Daniel Turner purchased forty mor- gen of land from the Indian sachems Shahash Panazarah and others, bounded west by Harlem River, &c. This sale is pre- sumed to have embraced Devoe's Point, called by the aborigines Nuasin, On the 15th of June, 1668, Richard Nicoll, governor of the province, confirmed to the above grantee all that parcel of land " situated upon the maine, lying and being to the north of Broncks's land, beginning at the mouth of Maenneppis-kill, (now known as Cromwell's Creek,) and goes into the woods the depth of fifty rods, containing 80 acres," &c. Sec.
Upon the restoration of the Dutch in 1673, we find the inhab- itants-of Fordham, petitioning at a meeting of the governor-gen- eral, through counsellor Cornelius Steenwyck, in the village of New Harlem, 4lh of October, 1673, "upon which occasion the inhabitants of Fordham appeared and complained, in substance, of the bad management of their lord, (land-heer,) John Archer, soliciting that they might be permitted to make the nomination of their own magistrates, &>c. as is granted to all -the other inhab- itants under this government ; on which^ the aforesaid John Ar- cher, being summoned, this complaint was communicated to him, who voluntarily declared that he abdicated all authority and pa- tronage over the villages, reserving only to himself the properly of the lands and houses there, and permitting the said inhabitants the nomination of their own magistrates, which was confirmed by the governor and council. The following act was granted them :
" The inhabitants of the village of Fordham are, by a majo- rity of votes, to choose a number of six persons of the best qualified inhabitants, and only those of the Reffrmed Christian religion^ as magistrates of aforesaid village, and to present the aforesaid nomination, by the first opportunity, to the governor-general, from which he shall make the election. They are recommended to take care that at least the half of the nominated are of the Dutch na- tion. Done in this village of New Harlem, 4th of October, 1673.
^ From the nomination of the inhabitants of Fordham, there are elected, by the governor, as magistrates of said village for the ensuing year,
" Johannes Yerveelen, as schepen and secretary,
324 ' mSTORY OF THE
"Michael Bnstyensen, *• Valenlya Olaessen.* « Done at Fort William Hendricke, on the I8lh Oct., 1673.*^ The following year, John Archer, Esq., laid claim to a neck of land called Hiimock Island, commonly named Papiriniman^^ which he assorted he had by patent.
Upon the 25th of November, 1676, John Archer mortgaged the manor of Pordham to Cornelius Sleinwyck, merchant of New York.
This indenture, made the twenty-fuurth day of November, io the IM yesr of the reign of onr sovereign lord, Charles the Second, by the grace of God* of England, ScotUnd, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and Anno Domini 1676, between John Areher, owner and proprietor of the manor of Fordham, upon the main, near Spiting Devil, on the one part, aod^Conie- liu8 Steenwick, of the city of New York, merchant, on the other part, wit- nesseth, that the said John Archer, for, and in consideration of the smn of twepty-four thousand guilders seawant, or the value to him paid, secured to be paid at or before the ensealing and delivering of these presents by the laid Cornelius Steenwick, whereof and wherewith be, the said John Archer, doth acknowledge jand confess himself to be fully satisfied, and thereof doth cletolj acquit and discharge the said Cornelius Steenwick, his heirs, ezecntors, and administrators, haih allowed, granted, bargained and sold, and by these pre- sents doth fully, clearly and absolutely alien, grant, bargain and sell nnto the said Cornelius Steenwick, his heirs and assigns forever, all his right, title and interest in the town and manor aforesaid, together with all the messuages, te- nements, buildings and fences thereupon, and all the land improved or other ways now in the tenure or occupation of him, the said John Archer, and others, his tenants or assigns, and also all and all manner of rents, duties and profits received or may be received, and payable for and in respect of every or any of the said barga.ned premises, and also all and singular deeds, patents, eviden- ces and writings, touching and concerning the same, and the privileges therein contained, to have and to hold the said manor of Fordham, with the messua- ges and all and singular other the premises by these presents granted or in- tended to be granted, bargained and sold, with their and every of their appur- tenances, unt<» the said Cornelius Steenwick, his heirs and assigns, to the only proper use and behoof of him, the said Cornelius Steenwick, his heirs and as- signs for ever, provided always, nevertheless, and upon the condition that if the said John Archer, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, or any of
• Alb. Rec. vol. xxiii. 26 and 53. k See Yonkers.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. ^ 325
tbem at or in the new dwelling house of the wiid Cornelius Steenwick, situate and being in the city of New York, shall pay unto the said Cornelius Steen* wick, his heirs, executors, or administrators or assigns, that value of twenty- four thousand gnilders,l>r the value, within the time and terms of seven years after the date hereof; that is to say, before the twenty-fourth day of Novem- ber, which shall be in the year of our Lord, 1663, and also paying a yearly interest for the same until the principal be paid, at the rate of six per cent., as aUowed by law, and that without fraud, or henceforth this present indenture or bargain and sale-shall cease, determine, and be utterly void and of none effect to all intents, construction and purpose ; and that then also it shall and may be lawful for the said John Archer, his heirs and assigns, to enter into and upon the said bargained premises, wholly to re-enter, and the same to have again, and to possess as his and their former estates, any thing contained in these presents to the contrary notwithstanding : and whereas, the said John Archer, at or before the ensealing and delivery of these presents, hath deliv- ered to the said Cornelius Steenwick certain deeds, patent evidences in wri- ting, whioh he hath concerning the eaid bargained premises, he, the said Cor- nelius Steenwick, for himself, his heirs, executors and administrators, doth by these' presents covenant and grant to and with the said John Archeri his heirs assigns, and every of them ; that if the said John Archer, &c. &c. — ~- recorded 25th of November, 1676.
On the 20th of November, 1684, Cornelius Steenwyck of New York, merchant, and Margaretta his wife, made their last will and testament in the Dutch language. After the usual preamble they express themselves to the following effect, viz. :
'^ We the said testators do declare that our earnest will and last desire is, that the general inheritance of us, the said testators, and between our heirs, shall be regulated after the form, manner, custom and practice of the Nether Dutch nation, and according to the articles made upon the surrendering of this place. And I, the said testator, with the free consent of my wife, by form of a legacy have given, granted, and legacied, as I, the said testator, by form of legacy, do give and grant by these presents, for and to the proper use and behoof of the Nether Dutch Reformed congregation within the city of New York, for the support and maintainance of their ministers ordained according to the church orders of the Netherlands, now at present here in being, or hereafter to he called, ordained, or to come, all the testator's right, property title, and heraditaments in and to the manor of Fordham, lying in the county of Westchester, together with all the lands, meadows, fields, woods, creeks, rivulets, and other waters, as also all the said testator's jurisdiction, right, title, action, and property, in and to the said manor of Fordharo, with all the patents, deeds, schedules, hypothets, mortgages, and other instruments of writing to the said manor of Fordham belonging or in anywise appertaining, in
326 mSTORY OF THE
as full and am^le as the said mauor of Fordham now already in property is belonging, ot hereafter more amply shall be confirmed onto the said tesutor by deed, conveyance, transport, hypothet, mortgage, judgement or otherwiae* from or by any manner of way or means, of John Archef, deceased, last ownec and proprietor of the said manor of Fordham.
And 1, the said testator, dp further order and declare, as ray last will and testament, the said manor of Fordham, together with all the benefits, profits* incomes, advantages, rents, and revenues) and all appurtenances thereof, shall be conveyed, transported, and made over, in a free, quiet, and fall property and enjoyment by the testator*s appointed executvix within the spaee of six months after the testator's decease, or upon lawful demand, to the elders and overseers of the Nether Dutch congregation, for the proper use and behoof oi the minister of the said congregation, as herebefore at large is expressed and set forth, to be held in full propriety, possession, and enjoyment, inheritably and forever, by the said elders or overseers at the time of the te8tator*s de- cease in being, and all others that from time to time shall succeed in their places, to the end and use as aforesaid, without any let or hindrance or con- tradiction of any person or persons whatsoever.
Provided always that none of the lands of said manor may be made away alienated contrary to the tenor of these presents, or otherwise disposed of, but from thenceforth forever be and remain as lands of inheritance towards the support and maintenance of the minister of said congregation is and recited and not otherwise. And finally, I, the said testator, do hereby declare that I have nomioated> appointed, and authorised my aforesaid dear and loving wife Margaretta Recmur to be my only and lawful ezecatrix of this my last will and testament, giving and granting by these presents onto her my said wife as full and ample power and authority as all other executors by law have and do enjoy, as in and by an English translated copy thereof and the said original Dutch will in the hands and custody of the said minister, elders and deacons fully and at large appear,'* &c , &c.
Soon after the making of this will the said Cornelius Sieen- vjyckj died so seized and possessed of the manor as aforesaid.
Subsequently John Archer, the younger son and heir of John Archer, first grantor of the manor of Fordham, by an indenture bearing date the 16th of October, 1685, for and in consideration therein mentioned, did grant, release, and convey the said manor of Fordham, and his estate, right, and title of it and to the same, and the equity of redemption thereof, and all the deeds unto the aforesaid Margaretta Steenwyck, and make livery seizure there- of," &c. Upon the 10th of January, 1694, Dominie Henricus Selyns and Margaretta his wife, formerly Margaretta Steenwyck,
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 327
by their certain deed poll, under their hands and seals, did grant and convey to Colonel Nicholas Bayard, Captain Isaac Vermil- yea, Jacob Bolen Rockloyzun, and John Harpendinck, then elders and overseers of the Nether Dutch Church within the city of New York, (fee, and their lawful successors and heirs and posterity the said manor of Fordham, lying in the county of Westchester above mentioned, with all the lands and meadows, fields, woods, rivulets, creeks and other rivers, together with all the right, title, property, jurisdiction, and interest which either the aforesaid Cornelius Steenwyck or in quality as before in any other manner of way before that time had in the said manor of Fordham, and its appurtenances, whether it be by right from the said John Archer or from his son, John Archer, jr., to be held and forever enjoyed, used, and possessed, and held in full and absolute property, as an hereditary estate, by the said elders and overseers of the aforesaid congregation who were then in being, with all the profits, incomes, benefits, and revenues, for the better support and raaintainauce of the said minister^ called pursuant to order of the church of Netherlands then present or that should thereafter be called and come.
Provided, and with the aforesaid condition and stipulant, that the manor with all its appurtenances, should, in no wise be alienated nor estranged, contrary to the tenor of the afore- mentioned will and bequest, but should remain to the use and be- hoof aforesaid, and not otherwise, releasing therefor, the said deed to property, title and right that this said grantors as well for themselves or in quality as above heretofore had to the said manor and its appurtenances, could or ought to have in any manner of way whatsoever as by the said indenture in the hands and custody of the said Nicholas Bayard and the present elders of the said Dutch church became seized and possessed of the premises aforesaid in trust to the use and purpose a'bresaid.
In December, 1753, the lieutenant governor of his majesty's province of *New York, with the council and assembly, passed an act entitled, "An act to enable the minister, elders, and dea- cons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of the city of New York to sell and dispose of their lands, tenements, and hereditaments in the county of Wes^tchester, commonly called
338 HISTORY OF THE
and known by the name of the Manor of Fofdham^ &c. " Aad be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that the moneys arising by such sale or sales shall not be disposed of to any secu* lar use, but the same shall be expended and used in purchasing or improving lands and other real estate, in order to secure a better and more large revenue or income towards supporting and maintaining of the said Dutch minister, or ministers, of the said Dutch churches and congregations, as near as may be agree- able to the will and intentions of the said donor, Cornelius Steenwyck," &c. On the 25th of February, 176S, the above act was confirmed by the king in council.^
The principal grantees of the manor under the Dutch Re- formed Church were Charles Doughty, who held 230 acres, Joiin Yanholst, 138 acres, Daniel Secord, 108 acres, Joseph and Bishop, 156 acres, the Dyckmans, &c. The residue, consisting of forty acres, was sold to the Hon. Lewis Morris and WilUiam Kelly in 1760. Upon the 2d of May, 1774, Lewis Morris and William Kelly conveyed 110 acres to Peter Valentine, in whose descen- dants this portion of the manor is still vested.
Through the liberality of Mrs. Steenwyck, 300 acres are said to have been exempted from the sale to the Dutch Church, upon which was situated the old manorial residence. Be this as it may, however, we find Benjamin Archer, son of Samuel and grandson of John Archer, first grantor of the manor of Fordham, in 1780 seized in fee of a portion of the manor. Upon the death of Benjamin it passed to his children, Benjamin Archer, John Archer, Sarah, the wife of Jacob Alord, and Rachel, the wife of James Crawford. In 1786 Sarah and Rachel conveyed their rights and interest nn to Benjamin Archer, their brother, whose sons, the present William and Samuel Archer, are the only pro- prietors of the name that own a foot of land in Fordham. The family of Archer^ is of English origin, and held for many cen-
•■ The funds ariBiuj^r from the sale of this property are now vested in Chamber St. New York.
b The surname of this family originated at the time of the crusades, when some designation was necessarily affixed to the Christain name of those who enolbarked in them, for distioctioD^s sake ; as L*Archer, signifying the archer or bow-man.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 329
turies large possessions in the county of Warwickshire. The representative of the senior branch in 1600 appears to have been John Archer of Warwickshire, who married Eleanor Frewin. Fulbert L' Archer, the first of whom anything is known, came into England with William the Conqueror. At what period they emigrated to this country is uncertain, but as early as 1630, occurs the name of Samuel Archer, a freeman of Salem, Massa- chusetts, and in 1641, Henry Archer, of Ipswich in that province. John Archer, first proprietor of the manor of Fordham, probably accompanied the early settlers from Fairfield to Westchester, cir. 1664, fdr in 1657 his name appears as plaintiff in an action of debt brought against one Roger Wiles.^ It is said that this in- dividual expired in his coach while journeying to New York city, November, 1685.i»
In 1686, appears the following license and certificate con- cerning his son's marriage :
"By his Excellency the governor, whereas, I have received in- formation of a mutual intent and agreement between John Archer of the one part, and Sarah Odell of the other part, to solemnize marriage together, for which they have requested my lycense, and there appearing no lawful impediment for the obstructioa thereof, these are to authorize and empower you to join the said John and Sarah Odell in the bonds of matrimony, and them to pronounce man and wife, and to make record thereof, if conve- nient to the laws in that behalf provided, for which this shall be your warrant. Given under my hand and seal, at Fort Jame?, in New York, the seventh day of October, 1686, under the 2nd year of his majesties reign.
Thomas Dongan.'* Province of New York,
These may certify all persons to whom these presents shall come, that John Archer, of the manor of Fordham, in the county of Westchester, and Sarah Odell of the same place, by virtue of his Excellency the governor's license, bearing date the 7th day of October, 1686, were both joined together in matrimony the
• See Tol. ii. 179. ^ Hit remaini were interred on Tetard bill
ToL. II. 42
. #
380 HISTORY OF THE
day of Dec, in the year of our Lord God, 1686, and in the Snd year of his majesty's reign.
Ita Rogatus, Attestator. John Palmer,
Justice of Quorum.
The children of John Archer, Jr. and Sarah his wife, were John, Samuel, Richard and others, who have left numerous de- scendants. .
The small hamlet of Fordham " is situated on the line of the Haarlem railroad, where is a depot, twelve and a half miles north of the City Hall.*' This place is said to have been the site of the ancient Dutch dorpe or village. ^' Here are located a Dutch Reformed Church, an academy, three taverns, two stores* and thirty or forty dwelling houses.
^^ St. John^s College^ a Roman Catholic institution, is situated near this place, on an eminence called Rose Hill ; enjoying all the advantages peculiar to the country, its pure invigorating air, its retirement and peaceful quiet, so favorable to the formation and growth of studious habits ; while at the same time its prox- imity to the city by means of the railroad, is a great convenience. This institution, the only one of its kind in the state, was first opened for the reception of students on the 24th of June, 1841.'' It was incorporated by an act of the legislature passed April lOtb, 1846. The following is an extract from their rules and regula- tions: "The system of government will be mild and paternal, yet firm in enforcing the observance of established discipline. The utmost attention will be paid not only to the intellectual, but also to the moral education of the pupils. As to their do- mestic comfort, every thing which parental afiiection can desire will be found and supplied in the assiduous attention and skilful management of the Sisters of Charity, to whom the charge of this important and highly responsible department is mainly con- fided." The college, which contains the rooms of the various professors, library, &,c., is a large, elegant, and commodious edi- fice. The iiall is adorned with some valuable engravings from Raphael's frescoes in the Vatican, presented by the late Pope Gregory XVI., to the Right Rev. Bishop Hughes. The oil pic- tures consist of a Madonna de la pesce, a copy from the original
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 331
by Raphael. This picture is from the collection of the late Joseph Bonaparte ; The Entombment of the Saviour, a copy by William Franquinet. The head of St. Joseph in this picture is finely painted. The wooden building attached to the gardens on the south was formerly the residence of Colonel John Watts and his wife, the celebrated Lady Mary Alexander, daughter of Major General Lord Stirling. The church is a very large and handsome structure of stone, in the Gothic style. It is intended to embattle the tower and carry up the spire. The windows, which are filled with some excellent stained glass, give the in- terior a very pleasing appearance. The apostles, St. Peter and St. Paul, and the four evangelists are depicted in six windows, three on each side. These figures are executed in the best style of modern stained glass; they stand on floriated Gothic pedestals of gold surmounted by a rich canopy of the same. At the foot of the pedestal a gold escutcheon containing the name of each apostle and evangelist. The whole were made to order expressly for this church at St. Omers in France.
Adjoining the church on the west is the new divinity school of St. Joseph ; the grounds are extensive, and in a state of high improvement. The collegiate year commences on the first Mon- day of September. Average number of students about 130.
Rose hill place has been successively the property of the families of Corsar, Watts, and Brevoort, from whom it passed to Horatio Shephard Moat, who sold it in 1836 to the present proprietor.
The farm and residence of the late Peter de Lancey, Esq., is delightfully situated near the college.
In the same neighborhood is Belmont, the property of Jacob Lorillard, Esq. The house, which occupies an elevated position, commands a very extensive view of the Mill brook vale and the country adjacent.
The Dutch Reformed Church stands upon rising ground on the north side of the road leading from Fordham to Kings- bridge. This edifice was erected in 1801. It is a neat wooden structure, but contains nothing worthy of particular notice. The old church,^ which has long since been destroyed, stood
• This building was ttanding in 1724. Mrs. Steenwyck and William Dyckman aro said to have bttn libaral banefactora lowardi ita erection*
332 HISTORY OF T0gk'
on the farm of Mr. James Yalentiiie. Little is known con^ cerning the early history of this church, except that as early as 1671, "The inhabitants residing between the two kills ot Haarlem and the Broncks were obliged to contribute towards the support of its minister." Upon the 11th of May, 1696, it appears to have been regularly organized by the Collegiate D* R. Church of New York; the Rev. John Montague being at that time minister of the latter and Henricus Selyns, William Beeckman, Johannis Kerbyle, Johannis de Peyster, Jacobus Kipp^ Isaac de Forrest, and Isaac de Reyner, elders and deacons. The last minister prior to the Revolution was the Rev. Dom. Tetard.
The following minutes are extracted from the record of the New York Classis :
<<At a classis held in Flatbush on Tuesday, September 2d, 1800, &c. The church in the Manor of Fordham, being re- duced during the war, and a prospect now opening of their being restored, Resolved, that this classis encourage and countenance them, by assisting and supplying them. Resolved further, that Dr. Livingston visit and preach to them as soon as convenient."*
*< In 1802 Mr. Livingston reported that he had fulfilled his appointment, whereupon it was resolved that Mr. Jackson take charge of the congregation and give them all the service in his power."^
** October 19ih, 1809, the church of Fordham having called the Rev. John Jackson he was approved by the classis, who also resolved that the Rev. Dr. Gerardus A. Kuypers, as primarius, and the Rev. Cornelius C. Yermilyea, as secundus, be a commit- tee to install the Rev. John Jackson."^
List op Pastors.
Jnstal. or call. Pastors. Vacated hy
1779. Rev. Dom. Tetard, resignation.
1819. Rev. John Jackson, ditto.
184 . Rev. P. I. van Pelt, D. D. ditto.
1846. Rev. William Cahoone, present pastor.
* Rec. of N. Y. Clawls, vol. i. 225. b Ibid. vol. ii. 9.
•• IhUi. vol. V. 23.
COUNI^ OF WESTCHESTER. 333
Church Memoranda.
1827. Communicants, 32. Baptisms, 15.
1845. ditto. 48. ditto — .
Immediately contiguous to the church is the Croton Aqueduct^ which, at no great distance, crosses the Haarlem river on a mag- nificent bridge of stone, 1450 feet long, with fifteen arches, eight of which are eighty feet span, and seven of fifty feet span ; one hundred and fourteen feet above tide water at the top. The estimated cost of the whole, when finished, will exceed $900,000.
In the vicinity of the high bridge is situated Mount Fordham, the seat of Lewis G. Morris, Esq. This place commands a very extensive view of the Haarlem river and surrounding country, in which New York island form? a beautiful feature.
The residence of Mr. Samuel Archer, in this neighborhood, is distinguished in the history of the Revolution as the head quar- ters of Colonel James de Lancey of the Royal Refugee corps. The following incidents show that although situated directly under the guns of Fort No. 8, De Lancey 's position was a very hazardous one, and required the utmost vigilance to guard against a surprise.
In May, 1780, Captain Cashing of the Massachusetts line, with a small detachment under his command, consisting of one hundred infantry, made an excursion to this place. The expe- dition appears to have been planned by his guide, Michael Dyck- man, who had ascertained by close observation that the British sentinels were not in the habit of changing their countersign ; the next step was the capture of one of the refugees themselves, from whom he obtained the countersign. By this means, so sudden and complete was the surprisal of the enemy on the oc- casion, that over forty of them were either killed or made pris- oners. It was the intention to have captured De Lancey, but he was absent from his quarters. The cantonment had scarcely been turned, when a large party of Yauger horse collected and pursued Captain Cashing, but he efl!ected his retreat with so much skill and gallantry, though charged repeatedly by the ene- my, that no injury was sustained. The enemy were far ad- vanced up the Saw Mill valley ere they relinquished the pursuit.
334 HISTORY OF THE
On this occasion Abraham Dyckman arrested Captain Ogden in Colonel Emmerick's quarters, (the house now occupied by Na- thaniel P. Bailey, Esq.,) at the moment when a British sentinel was pacing the bridge within musket shot.
"On the 19lh of January, 1781, (says General Heath,) 150 men from the Connecticut line and 200 from the New Hampshire line were to move towards the lines; these, with those who marched from Hazen*s tiie day before, were to form a covering party to the detachment under Lieutenant Colonel Hull, who was to make an attempt on De Lancey's corps."^ The result of the enterprise, (which took place upon the 2Sth of January, 1781|) is thus related by Thacher. " A detachment, under the com- mand of Lieutenant Colonel Hull, has returned from a successful expedition, having attacked by surprise the Royal Refugee corps under the command of the noted Colonel De Lancey, posted at Morrisania. Colonel Hull has for several months past sustained the command of a detachment of our troops posted in advance of our army, a situation requiring the most active vigilance and precaution, to guard against surprise and stratagem. In this station, as in many others, this officer has evinced his military skill and judgment. He has executed an enterprize with such address and gallantry as to merit for himself and his detachment the highest honor. He bravely forced a narrow passage to the enemy, and besides a number being killed, he took upwards of fifty prisoners, cut away the bridge,^ burnt their huts and a con- siderable quantity of forage, and brought off a number of horses and cattle. Colonel Hull possesses in a high degree the confi- dence of the commander-in-chief; and for his judicious arrange- ments in the plan, and intrepidity and valor in the execution of the enterprize, he received the thanks of his Excellency, and after- wards of congress. The enemy pursued our troops, and fell in with a covering party, under command of Colonel Hazen, and in a skirmish which ensued, they suffered an additional loss of about thirty-five. Of Colonel Hull's detachment, one ensign, and twenty-five rank and file were killed and wounded. This suc-
* Heath's Mem. 271. h Tlie pontoon bridge acron Haarlem rirer.
COU^TY OF WESTCHESTER. 335
cessful exploit is calculated to raise the spirits of our troops, and to divest their minds from the unhappy occurrence, which has recently taken pface in camp, and at the same time it may con- vince the enemy that the affiiirs of our army are not altogether desperate."*
''4th of March, 1782, Captain Hunnewell with a body of vol* unteer horse, backed by the infantry under the command of Major Woodbridge made an excursion to Morrisania. The horse proceeded down between the British fort, No. 8, and the canton- ment of De Lancey's corps, and having turned the cantonments between day-break and sun-rise, they entered pell mell. The enemy were completely surprised, and fled in every direction ; some were cut down on the spot, others so badly wounded as not to be able to be removed. Some of the enemy availed them- selves of positions where the horse could not assail them, from whence they b'agan to fire on the house. This occcasioned the firing of the alarm guns at No. 8. The horse having nearly accomplished their design^ moved off, taking the Eastchester road, in which Major Woodbridge had posted the infantry in ambus- cade. Captain Hunnewell had brought off one subaltern and twenty men prisoners and 20 horses. The enemy in the vicinity collected a number of horse, backed by light infantry, and pur- sued Captain Hunnewell until he came to Major Woodbridge. The enemy were drawn into the ambuscade, who made one or two discharges on them, on which they broke and retired, but soon returned to the charge ; skirmishing ensued, and continued to a considerable distance. Of the Americans, two privates were killed, Mr. Abraham Dyckman,^ one of the guides, a brave and active man, mortally wounded, and three privates slightly wounded."c
'^ On the 26th of March, (says General Heath,) Mr. Dyckman^^ one of our guides on the lines, with thirteen volunteer horsemen
» Thaclier*s Journal, 245.
b Mr. Dyckman fell at Purdy't corner near Uie interiection of the Eaatcheitcr and New York roads.
• Heath's Mem. 330.
* Michacli brother of Abraham Djekman.
336 HISTORY OF THE
made an excursion to Morrisania, took five prisoners of De Lan- cey's corps and five horses ; on their return they were pursued by a party of the enemy's horse, who coming rather too near, the brave volunteers faced about, charged vigorously, took one man prisoner with his horse, and put the rest to flight. The enemy again appeared," on the Eastchester road near Jonathan Ward's house, *' in some force, at a distance, but dared not renew the attack."*
The following is General Heath's account of the burning of Colonel Hatfield's quarters, which stood directly opposite Archer^ entrance. " About this time (January, 1780,) a detachment from Colonel Mead's regiment of levies at Horseneck, and a number of volunteers from Greenwich, the former under the command of Captain Keeler, the latter under the command of Captain Lock- wood, the wlole about eighty, marched to Morrisania; and about one o'clock in the morning made an attack on Colonel Hatfield. They first attacked the picket, killed three, and drove the rest into the colonel's quarters. The colonel and his men took to the chambers, and fired out at the windows, and down stairs, at those who had entered the house ; it appeared difficult, if possible, to dislodge them ; the house was instantly set on fire, by putting a straw bed into a closet, which compelled the enemy to jump out at the chamber windows, to avoid the flames. Colonel Hat- field, one captain, one lieutenant, one quarter- master, and eleven privates were taken prisoners and brought ofi*. This was a pretty affair, but was a litte tarnished on the return by some of the militia, who were fatigued, loitering on the road, where they supposed there was no danger ; but a party of horse pursuing, overtook, killed and captured several of ihem."^
Many other occurrences of the same kind might be related to show that this vicinity was constantly harassed by small parties of American volunteers, who made every effort to dislodge their wary antagonists.
Upon a lofty eminence to the norlh-wesi of the Archer house, stand the remains of Fort No. 8. ** The enemy (observes Heath)
« llfttiri Mf>m. 339. b Ibid. 228.
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 337
had a redoubt called No. 8 on the east side of Haarlem creek, nearly opposite to the fort on Laurel hill, and under the fire of its cannon, for the security of their advanced troops on the Mor- risania side."*^ When the British made the bold and successful attack upon Fort Washington in 1776, the guns of No. 8, which lay directly opposite, covered the advance of the Hessians and Lord Percy. " On the 20th of October, 1782, the enemy were demolishing their works at No. 8, Morrisania.''^
Fort Independence^ the ruins of which are still visible on Te(ard?s hilly was not dismantled until 1833. Prince Charleses redoubt^ and the Negro fort^ both well known fortifications, in the annals of the Revolution, lie on the south side of Valentine^s hill. From the former, which commands a splendid view of the surrounding country, the morning and evening gun of the British was fired.
Williams* Bridge^ in the north-east corner of West Farms, is situated on the line of the Haarlem and Westchester railroad, where is a depot, thirteen and a half miles north of the City Hall ; here are two taverns and a store.
The Haarlem river (Muscoota,) which forms the western boundary of the town, is one of the sweetest streams that ever gave a charm to landscape. On the Westchester shore high woods cover the sides of undulating hills, while here and there rich meadows form a gradual and beautiful descent to the water's edge. The opposite banks are abruptly terminated with rocky declivities, and present by their greater boldness a fine contrast. These waters afford an agreeable haunt to the king fisher, <* the most celebrated and besung of all other birds says Aldrovand,'' likewise to the heron and fish hawk.
• Heath's Mem, 223. b HeaUi's Mem. 357.
Vol. II. 43
UISTORT OF THE
h, While ntloi.
WHITE PLAINS.
The tialf-shire towD of the county is sJtii' ated Iwetiljr-eiirhl miles from New York, one hundred and thirly-one fiouih of A'baiiy, six i miles ea?t of the Hud- son, and fourteen sonih of Bedford, Ihe other half-shire town; bound' ed northerly by North Castle, eastward! y by Harrison, southerly by Scnrsdaie, and west by Greenburgh. The river Bronx roos south along the west line, and the Mamaroneck river along the cast, forming the boundary towards Harrison township. The whole area of (his town may be eight and a half square miles.*
White Plains originally formed a portion of the town of Rye, and derived its name from ihe White Balsam, (Gnaphaliomh Polycephalum of Linnfetis,) which still grows in great ebon- dance in and around the plains.
ll was called Quaroppas by the Indians, under whom these lands must have fonoed a portion of the ancient domains of Weck- quaskeck, as we find Shapham, or Thapliam, one of the sachems of that place, conjointly selling lands here to ihe inhabitants of the town of Rye in 1683.
"It is BO long since the Indians quitted these grounds, that their monunienis are almost effaced. Once in a while a point of au arrow, or a stone axe is found, which bears the mark of In-
■ Spaflard's GtuUer of N. Y. k FtoiD tlie Grtek Gnaphalon, <
ll agaifyin^ »rt down oi wool.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 339
dian labor and dexterity; and there is still to be distinguished the spot on which they had their wigwams, and the cemetry* where they buried their dead." The former is situated on the lands of Mr. Gilbert Oakley, the latter on the property of Mr. Elisha Crawford. In the vicinity of the H^age is a small exca- vation cut out of a granite rock, denominated the Indians^ seat. Upon the 22d day of November, 16S3, the inhabitants of Rye obtained the following grant from the aboriginal proprietors*
"To all ChritUaa people to whom these presents shall come, greeting: Know ye, that we, Thapham, Cockinseko, Orawapum, Kewetoham, Koawa- nohpaatch, Shipharrash, Korehwewous, Panawok, Memishote, Pewekanoh, Oromahqah, Pathanck, Hohoreis, Debeoga Wonauahing, Owhorawas, and Onoshand, have for a valaable sum of money to as in hand, bargained, cove- nanted, alienated and sold unto the inhabitants of the above said town of Rye« a certain tract of land lying within the town bounds of 12ye, bounded as fol- loweth, on the north-east with Marrineck river, and on the south-east with a branch of the said river and marked trees till it comes to Broncks's river, and then to ran by Broncks's river till it comes to the head of the White Plaines^ so called, and by marked* trees from thence till it comes to the uppermost branch of Marrineck river, which tract of land is commonly called by tbe English the White Plaines, and called by the Indians Quaroppas, which said tract of land wee, the abovesaid Thapham, Cockinseko, Orawapam, Kewe- toham, Koawanoh, Moahatice« and the rest of the abovesaid Indians have sold as abovesaid unto the inhabitants of the said town of Rye, them, their heirs, executors, administrators, or assignees, for ever, and do hereby bind ourselves^ our heirs, executors, administrators, and assignees, unto the inhabitants of the abovesaid town of Rye, them, their heirs, executors, administrators, or assignees, that they may at all times from and afW the date hereof appear^ peaceably and quietly possess* occupy, and enjoy the abovesaid tract of land free from all former bargains, sales, mortgages, or other incumbrances what- soever, and also to warrant and make good the abovesaid sale against any person or persons whatsoever that shall or will make or lay any claim or olaimes thereunto, and in testimony thereof we have caused this bill of sale to be made, and hereunto have sett our hands and seals this two and twentieth of November^ one thousand six hundred and eighty-three. Sealed, signed^ and delivered in the presence of us.
• On the 30th of April, 1803, Eliiha Brewster and wife sold to Isaac Valentine *' all that land bounded as follows : at a mulberry stump by the road that leads to New York, thence runiuag southerly by and with said road to a black stump, ftom thence by and with said road to the Indian grav€§" dte.
340 HISTORY OF THE
Cornelias Sbapbsm C
his X marke. Cockioseka Z
Joshua Knap, Orawapam d
The w marke of Kewetoham E
Motepeattehow. Koawanoh '^
John Odcll ' Moahpoatch T
his 0 marke. Pathnnck Ci
Hohorises P Totojnge 1 Oherowass X Oraronptah <-« This bin of sale is acknowledged by the said grantors to be their act and deed, before me in Rye, the day and year above written.
Joseph Horton, Commissioner.^
<< 12th of April, 1694, Hachaliab Brown and Thomas MerriCC were appointed to go with the Indians and renew the marks of the White Plains purchasej agreeing with the Indians as rea- sonably as they can."b "The same year Thomas Merrittand Joseph Galpin were chosen to lay out the land at the White Plains granted to Jonathan Horton by the town."*: The next notice of this town occurs on the 9th of February, 1719, when, at a public meeting held by the proprietors of the White Plains^ it was voted and agreed by the said proprietors that Captaia Joseph Budd, John Hoyt, sen., John Horton, Caleb Hiatt, Samuel Purdy and George Lane, jr., layers out of the said purchase chosen by the said proprietors, for laying out all the above said land, as may appear by record bearing date February 11th, 17|f , that the said layers out shall have for their trouble and industry for laying out the whole purchase and returning the bounds at or between the thirteenth day of April, which will be in the year one thousand seven hundred and twenty, one hundred and tea acres of land lying between the lower end, the ridges and Mama- Toneck river. At the above said meeting tis voted and agreed that David Ogden and Hachaliah Brown are to survey and lay out
« Bye Rec. lib. A. b Rje Rec.
Ubid.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 341
the above said one hundred acres and ten of land as above men-^ tioned."*
The following is a list of the proprietors, and the number of acres held by them under the survey .^
Joseph Horton, 18 Joseph Budd, 26
Isaac Denham, I Philip Galpin, 9
Francis Purdy, 2 Richard Lounsberry, 33
Deliverance Brown, 30 John Galpin, 5
George Lane, 23 John Horton, 15
Thomas Brown, 3 Joseph Horton, 17
John Frost, 20 Henry Disbrow, 8
Peter Brown, 32 Garrett Travis, 13
Peter Disbrow, 22 John Stockham, 7
John Merritt, 39 Jonathan Fowler, 19
Caleb Hiatt, 11 Richard Walter, 35
Samuel Hoyt, 42 Andrew Cox, 43
Timothy Knap, 16 Thomas Jeffrey, 21
Jacob Pease, 37 Isaac Sherwood, 38
George Kniffen, 12 Joseph Sherwood, 34
Joseph Purdy, 25 Francis Brown, 40
Benjamin Horton, 29 William Odell, 6
Isaac Odell, 31 Jonas Sherwood, 28
Joseph Galpin, 10 Thomas Lyon, 14
John Hoyt, 36 John Brondig, 4 « Hachaliah Brown, 27
"In 1721, William Burneti governor of New York, set out ia order for patent, to Samuel Hunt, ^' a certain tract or parcel of land lying and being in the county of Westchester, being part of a large tract commonly known by the name of the White Plains^ beginning at three large white oak trees standing near together on the west side of Mamaroneck river, and runs thence south thirty-nine degrees west, thirty-one chains, &c., &c., containing two hundred and sixty acres after five acres deducted for every hundred acres for highways."©
Upon the 13th of March, 1721, his Excellency, William Qurnet granted letters patent to Daniel Brundage for that tract of land in Whiie PlaUis^ beginning at a small white ash stake standing
* Rye Rec. lih. A. b Sometime* called the second draught*
e Alb. Book of Pat. No. viU. 442.
342 BISTORT OF THR
on the east side of the Long Meadow brook, and runs thenca south fifty-three degrees, west forty-three chains, to a heap of stones near the street, containing one hundred and ninety-five acres, the patentee yielding therefor on the festival of the Annun- ciation, the annual rent of twenty shillings and sixpence for every hundred acres.*
King George the Second the same year issued the following royal letters patent to Joseph Budd, John Hoit, and others.
CHARTER OF WHITE PLAINS.
George, by the gr&ce of God of Great Britaio, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c.. To all to whom this present shall come, greeting : Whereas oar loving subjects Joseph Budd, John Hoit, Caleb Hoit, Humphrey Underhill, Joseph Purdy, George Lane, Daniel Lane, Moses Klnap, John Horton, David Horton, Jonathan Lynch, Peter Hatfield, James Travis, Isaac Covert, Benjamin Brown, John Turner, David Ogden, and William Teomans, by their humble petition presented to our trusty and well beloved William Burnet, Esq., captain- general and governor-in-chief of our provioee of New York, in council, the twenty- first day of December last, did humbly pray that his said Excellency would be favourably pleased to grant to them, their heint, and assignees, his true letters patent for their claims and purchase, lying within this province, in the county of Westchester, known by the name of the White Plains, in such manner and under such quit rent, provisions, and re- strictions as is and are directed in our royal commission and instruotions to O'jr said governor where petition was then and there received and considered of by our council of our said province, untill the first day of this insL, they did humbly advise our said governor, and consent that the prayer of the said petition be granted. In order to the granting whereof in pursuance of and in obedience to our royal instructions to his said Excellency, given at St. James the third day of June, one thousand seven hundred and twenty, in the sixth year of our reign, our said governor, together with George Clarke, Esq., sec- retary, and Cadwallader Colden, Esq., surveyor general of our said province, three of the commissioners appointed by our said instructions for setting oot all lands to be granted within our said province of New York, did set out for the said Joseph Budd, John Hoit, Caleb Hoit, Humphrey Underhill, Joseph Purdy, George Lane, Daniel Lane, Moses Knap, John Horton, David Horton, Jonathan Lynch, Peter Hatfield, James Travis, Isaac Covert, Benjamin Brown, John Turner, David Ogden, and William Yeomaos, that tract or par- cel of land situate, lying and being in the county of Westchester, and is com*
• Alb. Book of Pat No. viii. 442.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 343
monly known by the name of the While Plains. Beginning at a large white oak tree marked with seferal letters, where two brooks fall into the wes^ branch of Mamaroneck river, and runs thence by markt trees to Brunxes river near the place where a small brook falls into the said river by a bonch of elders, some of which are marked, thence up the stream of Brunxes river to an ash tree about seventeen chains above Anthony Miller's fulling mill, thenoe by marked trees to a white oak tree marked, near Lang Meadow brook, then down the stream of the said brook to the lands laid out for Daniel Brundage then along his land to the said Long Meadow brook, then down the stream of the said brook to the place where it falls into Mamaroneck river, and down the stream of the said river to the land granted to Christopher Bridge, then along his line and to the lines of the land laid out for Samuel Hunt to Mamar- oneck river, then down the stream of the said river to the place where the west branch falls into the said river, and then op the stream of the said west branch to the place where it begins, containing four thousand five hundred and thirty-five acres, with allowance for highways, and in the seting out of the said tract of land had regard to the profitable and unprofitable acres, and had taken care that the length of the said tract do not extend along the banks of any river, conformable to our said royal instructions, as by a certificate under their hands bearing date the tenth day of March last, entered of record in our secretary's ofiice more fully and at large appears, which tract of land set out as aforesaid, according to our said royal instructions, and being willing to grant to the said Joseph Budd, John Hoit, Caleb Hoit, Humphrey Underhill, Joseph Purdy, George I^ane, Daniel Lane, Moses Knap, John Horton, David Horton, Jonathan Lynch, Peter Hatfield, James Travis, Isaac Covert, Ben- jamin Brown, John Turner, David Ogden, and William Yeomans, their heirs and assignees, according to the prayer of their petition.
Know ye, that of our especial grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, we have given, granted, ratified and confirmed, and do by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, give, grant, ratify and confirm, unto the said Jo» seph Bodd, John Hoit, Caleb Hoit, Humphrey Underbill, Joseph Purdy, George Lane, Daniel Lane, Moees Knap, John Horton, David Horton, Jona- than Lynch, Peter Hatfield, James Travis, Isaac Covert, Benjamin Brown, John Turner, David Ogden and W^illiam Yeomans, their heirs and assignees, all that, the said certain tract or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the county of Westchester, which is commonly known by the name of the White Plains, beginning at a large white oak tree marked with several letters, where two brooks fall into the west branch of Mamaroneck river, and runs thenea by marked trees to Bronx's river, near the place where a small brook falls in- to the said river by a bonch of elders, some of which are marked, thence np the stream of Bronx's river to an ash tree, about 17 chains above Anthony Miller's fulling mill, thence by marked trees to a white oak tree marked, near Long Meadow brook, then down the stream of the said brook to the lands laid out for Daniel Brondage, then along his land to the said Long Meadow brook,
344 HISTORY OF THE
then down the stream of the said brook to the place where it &Ila ibio Urn Mamaroneck river, and down the stream of the said rirer to the land fnuited to Christopher Bridge, then along his line to the lines of the land laid oot for Samuel Hunt, to Mamaroneck river, then down the stream, np the said river to the place where the west branch falls into the sai^ river, aad then ttp the stream of the said west branch to the place where it begun, containing four thoe- sand four hundred and thirty-five acres, with allowance for highways, together with all and singular woods, underwoods, trees, timber, feeding, pastaree, meadows, marshes, swamps, ponds, pools, waters, water coarsesy rivers, rivii- lets, runs and streams of water, fishing, fowling, hunting and hawking, minee* minerals, standing, being, growing, lying, or to be had, used and enjoyed within the limits and bounds aforesaid, and all other proffits^ benefits, libertiea» privileges, hereditaments and appurtenances to the same belonging, or in any wise appertaining, and all that oor estate, right, title, interest, benefit, claim and demand whatsoever, of, in, or to the same, and the reversion and reTer- sions, remainder and remainders and the yearly rents and profits of the same, excepting, and always reserving oat of this our present grant, nnto us, oar heirs and successors forever, all trees of the diameter of twenty-four inchea and upwards at twelve inches from the ground, for masts for oar royal navy, and also all such other trees as may be fit to make planks, knees and other things necessary fur the use of our said navy, which now are standing, growing or being, or which forever hereafter shall be standing, growing or being in and upon any of the said land, with free liberty and lycense for any person or persons whatsoever, by us, our hejrs and successors, or any of them, to be thereunto appointed under our or their sign manuel, with work- men, horses, waggons, carts and carriages, and without, to enter and come into and upon the said said lands and any part thereof, and there to fell, cut down, root up, hew, saw and rive, have, take, cart and carry away the same for the uses aforesaid, (excepting also and reserving all the silver and gold mines) to have and to hold all and singular the same certain tracts of land and premises, with its hereditaments and appurtenances (excepting as before is excepted and reserved) unto the said Joseph Budd, John Hoit, Caleb Hoit, Humphrey Underhill, Joseph Purdy, George Lane, Daniel Lane, Moeea Knap, John Horton, David Horton, Jonathan Lynch, Peter Hatfield, Jamea Travis, Isaac Covert, Benjamin Brown, John Turner, David Ogden and Wil. Ham Yeomans, their heirs and assignees forever, to be holden of us, oar heirs and successors, in free and common soccage, as of our manor of East Green- wich, in the county of Kent, within our kingdom of Great Britain, yeilding, rendering and paying therefor yearly, and every year, forever, unto us, our heirs and successors, at our custom house in the city of New York, unto oar or their collector or receiver general, for the time being, on the feast day of the Annunciation of the blessed Virgin Mary, commonly called lady day, the annual rent of two shillings and six pence for every hundred acres thereof
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 315
in Ilea and stead of all other rents, services, dues, dutyes and demands whatsoever, for the same four thousand four hundred and thirty-fire acres of land so panted as aforesaid, provided, always, and these presents are upon this condition, that the said Joseph Budd, John Hoit, Caleb Hoit, Humphrey Underhill, Joseph Purdy, George Lane, Daniel Lane, Moses Knap, John Horton, David Horton, Jonathan L3 nch, Peter Hatfield, James Travis, Isaac Covert, Benjamin Brown, John Turner, David Ogden and William Yeomans, their heirs and assignees^ some or one of them shall and doe within the term and space of three years now next ensuing the date here* of, plant, settle, and effectually cultivate, at least three acres of land for every fifly acres of the land granted as aforesaid on default thereof, and if the said Joseph Budd, John Hoit, Caleb Hoit, Humphrey Underhill, Joseph Purdy, George Lane, Daniel Lane, Moses Knap, John Horton, David Hor- ton, Jonathan Lynch, Peter Hatfield, James Travis, Isaac Covert, Benjamin Brown, John Turner, David Ogden and William Yeomans, their heirs and assignees, or any other person or persons, by their privity consent or pro- curement, shall set on fire or burn the woods on the said lands or any part thereof, to clear the same so as to destroy, impair or hinder the growth of any of the trees that are or may be fit for masts, planks, knees or other timber for onif royal navy, hereby reserved unto us, our heirs and successors, that ■then and in either. of these cases, this our grant, and every article and olansa therein or thereof, shall cease, determine and be void, everything therein contained to the contrary thereof, in any wise notwithstanding, and we do further of our especial grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, consent and agree, that these presents being entered upon record, as is here- tofore appointed, shall be good, effectual in law to all intents and purposiM, against us, our heirs and successors, notwithstanding the not well reciting or our writing of the premises or any part thereof. In testimony whereof, we have caused these our letters to be made patent, and the great seal of oor said province to be hereunto affixed to the same, to be entered of record in onr secretary's office, in one of the books of patents there remaining. Witness our trusty and well beloved William Burnet, Esq., captain general and gov- ernor-in-chief of our province of New York, of oor province of New Jersey, and of all the territories and tracts of land thereon depending, in America, and vice-admiral of the same at Fort George, in New York, the thirteenth day of March, in the eighth year of our reign, Anno Domini, seventeen hundred and twenty-one.
W. Robin, D. Secr'y.
The descendants of the ancient proprietors and patentees, (le- sident in White Plains) are still very namerbus, viz. : the Hor- tons, Purdys, Browns, Merritis, Odells, Sherwoods, d&c. ice
The village of White Plains is pleasantly situated on a fine
Vol. XL 44
346 HISTORY OF TniS
plain, Ihree quarters of a mile east of the river Bronx, and eon- taJDs about 700 inhabitants, 150 dvelliog houses, a conrt boase^ jail, county clerk's atid surrogate's offices, an Episcopal, a Pres- byterian, and two Methodist churches, a bank, two boys' semina- ries which are in a Nourishing condition, and a femald boarding school, four taverns, four stores, and a woollen factory, dec. The surface of the surronnding country is broken by a range of hills from the south, which diversify with a pleasing variety, both the soil and position of land thus distributed into portions for meadow, pasture and tillage.' The whole town ia also richly wooded and watered by the Bronx, Sheldrake and Mamo- roneck rirera. These streams form romantic valleyf , and supply nnmerous mill seats. Since the first settlement of this place, which commenced soon after its purchase from the Indiaos, ia 1683, it has continued steadily to progress, and is now hardly lo be excelled by any other inland villoge in the county. White Plains being a half shire town with Bedford, (which is sixteen miles north) the courts are held alternately at both places. The court house stands near the centre of the village, and occupies the site of the old building erected in 1759, upon the removal of the courts from Westohestcr. The first Court of Common Pleas as- sembled here, the 27th of May, 1760.
Omrt Boom, WUu
* Spafibrd'i Ganttrar of N. Y.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 347
There are events connected with this spot, which will long live in the pages of American history. It was here that the Whigs of Westchester county appointed to meet the committees of the several towns to elect deputies to the continental congressi who were to assemble at Philadelphia, on the first day of Sep- tember. 1774. The proceedings of the various meetings held here would afford matter for a good sized volume, we shall there- fore present our readers *• with a small part only of the impor- tant productions of those eventful times." The following reso- lutions were adopted by the freeholders and inhabitants of Rye and Westchester.
" On the 10th day of August, 1774, the freeholders and inhabi- tants of the township of Rye^ made choice of John Thomas jr. Esquire, Robert Bloomer, Zeno Carpenter and Ebenezer Havi- land, for a committee to consult and determine with the commit- tees of the other towns and districts in the county of Westches- ter, upon the expediency of sending one or more delegates to con- gress to be held in Philadelphia, on the first day of September, next. The committee, after making choice of Ebenezer Havi- land as chairman, expressed their sentiments and resolutions in the following manner, which were unanimously approved :
*' This meeting being greatly alarmed at the late proceedings of the British Parliament, in order to raise a revenue in America, and considering their lata roost cruel, unjust and unwarrantable act for blocking up the port of BostoOt having a direct tendency to deprive a free people of their most Taluable rights and privileges, an introduction to subjugate the inhabitants of the Englith colonies, and render them vassals to the British House of Commons, resolvedi 1st, that they think it their greatest happiness to live under the illnatrious house of Hanover, and that they will stedfastly and uniformly bear true and faithful allegiance to his majesty King George the Third, under the enjoy- ment of those constitutional rights and privileges, as fellow subjects, with those in England. Sndly ; but we conceive it a fundamental part of the British constitution, that no man shall be taxed, but *oj his own consent, or that of hit Representatives in Parliament.
And as we are by no means represented, we eonsider all acts of Parliameot imposing taxes on the Colonies an undue exertion of power, and subversiTe of one of the most valuable privileges of the English constitution.
3d. That it is the opinion of this meeting, that the act of Parliament for shutting up the port of Boston, and divesting some of the inhabitants of pri-
348 HISTORY OF THE
Tate property, is a most unparalled, rigorona aod unjuat piece of enidlj mud detpotiam.
4th. That anaaimity and firmness of meaaores in the Coloniea, ve the most effectaal means to secure the invaded rights and priTileges of Ameritm, and to avoid the impending ruin which now threatens this once happy eoontrj. * 5th. That the most effectaal mode of redressing oor grieTances, will be by ft General Congress, of delegates from the difi*ereot colonies, and that we are willing to abide by sach measures as they in their wisdmn shall oooaider ne« oeasary to be adopted on that important occasion.
By order of the committee,
Ebenezer Haviland, Chairmftn.
The committee for the town of Rye will meet the committees of the other towns and districts in the co. of Westchester, on Monday the 92d day of thia instant, at the court house in the White Plains^ to return an answer to a let- ter from Mr. Isaac Low, chairmaio of the committee of eorrespondenoe io New York.*
The Westchester resolutions were as follows :
" At a meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants of the Borough Town of Westchester, in New York, the SOth of August, 1774, James Ferris, Elaq.t Col. Lewis Morris, and Capt. Thomas Hunt, were chosen a committee to meet a committee of the different towns and precincts within this county, at the White Plains, on Monday the 22nd inst., to consult on the expediency of appointing one or more delegates to represent this county at the General Con- gress, &c., and James Ferris Esq. being unanimously chosen chairman ; the committee after considering the very alarming situation of their suffering brethren at Boston, occasioned by the late unconstitutional, arbitrary and op- pressive act of the British Parliament, for blocking up their port, as well aa the several acts imposing taxes on the Colonies in order to raise a revenue in America, thought proper to adopt the following resolutions, which were unanimously agreed to: '* resolved, l8t.,tbat we do and will bear true alle- giance to his majesty George the third, King of Great Britain, and according to the British constitution.
2ndly, that we coincide in opinion with our friends in New York and every other Colony, that all acts of the British Parliament imposing taxes on the Colonies without their consent or by their representatives, are arbitrary and oppressive, and should meet the abhorrence and detestation of all good men, that they are replete with the purpose of creating animosities and dissensions between the mother country and the colonies, or thereby tend to destroy that
« American Archives, fourth series, vol. i.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 349
hannony and matoal agreement which is so much the interest of both to cherish and maintain.
3rd. That we esteem it our duty, and think it incumbent on all the Colonies in America, to contribute towards the relief of the poor and distressed people of Boston ; and that a person of this Borough be appointed to collect such charitable donations, within the same, as may be oflered for their support.
4th. That as a diriaion in the Colonies would be a sure means to counteract the present intention of the Americans in their endeavors to preserye their rights and liberties from the invasion that is threatened, we do most heartily recommend a steadiness and unanimity in their measures, as they will have the happy effects of averting the calamity that the late tyrannical act of the British Parliament would otherwise most assuredly involve us in.
5th. That to obtain a redress of our grievances it has been thought most advisable in the Colonies to appoint a General Congress ; we will take shelter under the wisdom of those gentlemen who may be chosen to represent us, and cheerfully acquiesce in any measures they may judge shall be proper in this very alarming and critical occasion.*
James Ferris, Cfuiirman.
Upon the 6ih of April, 1775, appeared the following public notice, addressed to the freeholders and inhabitants of the county of Westchester.
*' You are earnestly desired to attend a general meeting of the county to be held at Whi(e Plains, on Tuesday next, the ilth inst., to give your votes upon the questions : — Whether you are inclined to choose deputies to meet at the city of New York, in a Provincial Convention t or, whether you are deter- mined to abide by the loyal and judicious measures already taken by your own worthy Representatives in the General Assembly of this Province, for a redress of American grievances 1 The consequences that may arise from neglecting to attend at White Plains on Tuesday next, to declare your sentiments rela- tive to the appointment of deputies to meet in Provincial Congress, may be very fatal to this county. The friends of government and our happy consti- tution are therefore earnestly invited in person, to oppose a measure so replete with ruin and misery. Remember the extravagant price we are now obliged to pay for goods purchased from merchants in consequence of the new impor- tation agreement ; and when the new exportation agreement takes place, we shall be in the situation of those who are obliged to make bricks without straw."b
White Plains, in the Co. of W. C. April llM, 1775. On the 28th of March last, the following gentlemen having received letters from the chairman of the committee of the city and county of New York,
• American Archives, fourth series, voL i. 7:26. k American Archives, fourth seriet, vd. ii. 282.
350 HISTORY OF THE
Utive to the appoiotment of Depaties for this county, met at thb plmee for thm purpose of devising roeaos for taking the sense of the county upon the aolilaety ▼is., Theodosias Bartow, Esq., William Sutton, Esq., Captain Joseph Drake, James Willis, Benjamin Drake, Moses Drake, Colonel Lewis Morris, Thomas Hunt, Abraham Leggett, James Horton, jr., Esq., Stephen Ward, and Abra- ham Goion, Esq., who, having taken the same into consideration, agreed to tend the following notification to the principal freeholders in the different towns and districts in the county, viz. :
March S8/^ 1775.
Sir : — A number of persons from different districts in the County of West- chester having this day met at the White Plains to consider of the moat pro- per method of taking the sense of the freeholders of the said County apon the expediency of choosing deputies to meet the deputies of the other counties for the purpose of electing delegates to represent this colony in the Greneral Con- gress to be held in Philadelphia, on the 10th day of May next, are of opinion that the best way of proceeding for that purpose will be to have a general meeting of the freeholders of said county. As this county is Tory extensive we take the liberty of recommending the meeting to be held at the Wkiie Plainst on Tuesday, the i llh day of April next, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, at the Court House^ and therefore do desire you to give notice of the same to all the freeholders in your district, without exception, as those who do not appear and vote on that day will be presumed to acquiesce in the sentiments of the majority of those who vote. We are, &c., &c.
The above notice having been generally given and distributed, a Tery nu- merous body of freeholders of the county assembled at the Court Hooae, White Plains, on the day appointed and chose Colonel Lewis Morris for their chairman. An inconsiderable number of persons, (among whom wero many tenants not entitled to vole,) with Isaac Wilkins and Colonel Philips at their head, then appeared ; and Mr. Wilkins, in their behalf, (as he said,) declared that they would not join in the business of the day, or have any thing to do with the Deputies or Congresses ; but that they came there for the sole pur- pose of protesting against such illegal and unconstitutional proceedings ; afler which they departed. The following question was then put to the people by the chairman, viz., whether they would appoint Deputies for this County to meet the Deputies of the other Counties at the city of New York, on the 30th of April inst., for the purpose of electing delegates to represent this Colony in the General Congress, to be held at Philadelphia on the lOih day of May next 1 To whicli question they unanimously answered that they would. They then appointed the following eight persons, or a majority of them, to be the Depu- ties of this County for the purpose aforesaid, viz.. Colonel Lewis Morris, Ste- phen Ward, Daniel Drake, Esq., Colonel James Holmes, John Thomas, jr., Esq., Jonathan Piatt, Esq., Robert Graham, and Major Philip van Cortlandt. The two following resolves were then unanimously entered into, viz. : Re- solved, that the thanks of this body be given to the virtuous minority of the
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 351
General Assembly of this Province^ and particularly to John Thomas and Pierre Tan Cortlandt, Esq., two of out Representatives, for their attachment to, and zeal on a late occasion, for the preservation of the nnion of the Colonies, and rights and liberties of America; and that this resolve be communicated by the chairman to every gentleman of whom that minority consisted.
Resolved, that the thanks of this county are due to the Delegates who com- posed the late Congress, for the essential services 'they have rendered to America in general ; and that this resolve be forthwith published.
After the business of the day was thus concluded, the people gave three huzzas for our gracious sovereign, and dispersed quietly without the least disorder.*
Lewis Morris, Chairman^
Protest of the inhabitants and freeholders of Westchester county, New York.
County of Westchester , April 13/ A, 1775.
Mr. RnriNOTON : — Be pleased to insert the following, and you will oblige a number of your friends and subscribers.
On Thursday the 11th inst., a very respectable number of freeholders and inhabitants of the county of Westchester assembled at the White Plains in the said county, agreeable to the notice given, that their sentiments might be known concerning the choice of a committee to meet other committees in the city of New York, for the purpose of choosing delegates to represent this Colony in the next Continental Congress. The friends of order and govern- ment met at the house of Captain Hatfield ; more who were for a committee put up at another public house in the town. About 12 o^clock, word was brought to the gentlemen at Captain Hatfield^s that the opposite party had already entered upon the business of the day ; upon which they immediately walked down to the court house, although not half of their friends, who were expected had yet appeared, where they found the other company collected in a body. The numbers on each side seemed to be nearly equal, and both to- gether might amount to two hundred, or, at most, two hundred and fifty. The friends to government then declared, that as they had been unlawfully called together, and for an unlawful purpose, they did not intend to contest the matter with them by a poll, which would be tacitly acknowledging the authority that had summoned them thither ; but that they came only with a design to protest against all such disorderly proceedings, and to show their detestation of all unlawful Committees and Congresses ; they then declared their determination and resolution to continue steadfast in their allegiance to their gracious and merciful sovereign, King George the Third, to submit to lawful authority, and to abide by and support the only true representatives of
* American Archives, fourth series, vol il 314.
352 HISTORY OF THE
the poople of this Colony, the General Aseemhly ; than giving three ]iDnss» they returned to Captain Hatfields, tinging^fpi they went, with lofs] eBtho- siasm, the good and animating song 6f '* Gd^ save great George oar King," " Long lire our noble King,^' &c., &c. At their return, finding that niMiy of their friends had arrived during their absence, and that many still kept eoming in, they proceeded to draw up and sign the following declaration, whieh they seemed to do with as mdch patriotic zeal as ever warmed the hearts of tme and faithful subjects, and aAerwards dispersed to their different habitations.
'* We the subscribers, freeholders and inhabitants of the coanty of Waat- Chester, having assembled at the White Plains in consequence of certain ad« vertisements, do now declare, that we met here to declare our honest abhor- rence of all unlawful Congresses and Committees, and that we are determined at the hazard of our lives and properties, to support the king and constitation, and that we acknowledge no Representatives but the General Assembly, to whose wisdom and integrity we submit the guardianship of our rights aed privileges.
Frederick Philips, Isaac Wilkins, Samuel Seabury, Luke Babcock, Isaac Fowler Judge, Caleb Fowler Judge, J. P. HoTton, Esq., William Sutton, Esq., Daniel Oakley, Esq., Benjamin Fowler, E»q , William Davids, Esq., Wm. Anderson, Esq.,
Roger Purdy, Gilbert Pugsley, Abraham Leader, Benjamin Brown, Isaac Keed, Aaron Buis, Moses Weyman, Urael Underbill, John Baisly, David Oakley, jr., Isaac Smith, John Hyatt, Hezekiah Cudney,
Capt. Abra^m Hatfield,
Nathi Underbill, May'r, Abraham Odell,
George Cromwell, Esq., Thos. Lawrence,
Philip Pell, Esq., Joshua Pell, James Pell, Edward Pell, John Hunt, Gilbert Hortoo, Adrian Leforge, Joshua Gidney, Joseph Bude, James Wetmore, Moses Williams, John Haight, Isaac Brown,
John Seysion, Jeremiah Travis, Griffen Carey, Isaac Foshee, Gabriel Requeau, Samuel Webb, Benjamin Downing, Gabriel Archer, Elias Secord, Thomas Veal, James Pierce, Edward Higbee, David Haight,
Jonathan Bndd, John Wetmore, WUliam Underbill, Thomas Brown, Lieut. Isaac Gidney, Nehemiah Tompkins, Henry Leforge, Robert Brown, Benj. Beyea, Bartholomew Gidney, John Loce, Einathan Appleby, John Baker, Jonathan Underbill, James McChain, Benj. Seacord, Joshua Hunt, Betts Chatterdon, William Landrine, Enoch Hunt, Peter Corme, Dennis Kennedy, James Hains, Andrew Bainton, Hezekiah Simmons, Nathaniel Tompkins, Caleb Archer, Benj. Bogbee,
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
803
Philip KeUy, James Hains, Joseph Haines, jr.y James Haioesyjr.^ Matthew Hains, Bartholomew Hains, Gilbert Hains, John Hains, Elijah Hains, Lieut. Solomon Fowler, Isaac Williams, John McCollumt Joseph Clark, Joseph Oakley, Caleb Ferris, Capt. Benj. Griffin, Capt. Joshua Purdy, James Mott^ Lieut. Will. Loonsberry, Lieut. SamM Purdy, John Ruster, Nafban Osborn, Philemon Halstead, Daniel Purdy, John Crab, Izrahiah Wetmore, Capt. Absalom Gidney, Da?id Haight, John Brown, Jasper Stivers, Peter McFarthing, Joshua Purdy, jr., Hachaliah Purdy, jr., James Tompkins, Michael Ckatteilon,
Sylvanias Lyon, Dtaiel Haight, John Williams, Joseph Purdy, Ezekiel Halsted, John Hunt, jr.f Isaac Purdy, Elijah Purdy, Abrkbam Looses, Isaac Tompkins, William Gray, Nathaniel Merrit, Joseph Paulding, Hendrieus Storm, Francis Secord, John Parker, Gilbert Hatfield, Gabriel Purdy, Alexander Hains, Benj. Ogden, Thos. Merritt, Gilbert Bates, John Gidney, Stephen Arnode, Israel Secord, John Arnode, David Purdy, David Belcher, Jordan Downing, Levi Devoe, Abraham Acker, Cornelius van Tassel, Elisha Merritt, Jacob Schurman, Joseph Appleby,
Francis Purdy, William' Odelli Israel Hunt, Thos. Tompkins, Frederick. Underhiitf Peter Post, Benj. McCord, John Williams, John Aekerman, Peter Husting, Thos. Barker, Jeremiah Honter,« Abraham Storm, Peter Jansing, Isaac Merritt, Edward Merritt, John Gale, John Smith, Roger Purdy, James Hart, jr., Jona. Purdy, jr., Monmouth Hart, Jr., Christopher Purdy, Gilbert Purdy, Edward Metritt, jr., Elijah Miller, Henry Disborough, Benj. Hunt, Elnathan Hunt, William van Wart, Abraham Slorm, Thomas Berry, Lancaster Underbill, Charles Merritt, Benjamin Underbill,
^** North Castle, May Qtk, 1775. Ma. Rivinoton: — In your paper lately I saw ray name to a protest. I never signed it. bat went into Capi. Hatfield's bonsa and was asked whether I was a Whig or a Tory ? I made answer^ that I dM not understand the meaning of those words, bat was for liberty and peace. Upon which I immediately pat down my name. Now, sir, I ^ssirs yoa will print this to show the world that I have not deserved to be held up in the light ef a protestor.
"jBaawaM HmfTtt."
Vol. IL 45
354
HISTORY OF THE
ElDathiB Taylor, GUbert Tbesl, William SexoD, Thoroat Champoneers, John Charoponeeray WUliam Griffin, Isaac Gidney, John Bates, Joseph Ha?iland, Eleazer Hart, Timothy Wetmore, James Hani, Joseph Parkirt Joshaa Barn, ' Joseph Pardy, John Park, Samue) Pordyr Gilbert Purdy, James Chatterton, John Dewsenhurgb, Thomas Cromwell, Solomon Horton, Peter Bossing,^ Thomas Valentine, Peter Bussing, jr , James Kniflen, NathanU Underbill, jr., Philip Fowler, John McFarthing, John Tompkins, Joseph Hart, Jacob Post, Joseph Gidney, James Baxter, John Hunt, Cornelius Loosee, Jesse Park,
John Tompkins, jr., . Job Hadden, jr., Patrick Carey, James Hart, Gilbert Ward, Joseph Hart, Monmouth Hart, William Danlap, Joshua Ferris, Timothy Purdy, James Macgaire, James Requan, Daniel Shadin, Samuel Purdy, Sylvanus Purdy, William Balton, David Davids, Elijah Purdy, jr. Elijah Tompkins, Daniel Jerow, Charles Lawrence, Joseph Purdy, jr., James Snifien, jr , Gilbert Valentine, Andrew Guion, Gilbert Hunter, Lt. Peter Bennett, Samuel Sneeden, Peter Fashee, Jesse Lawrence, William Sneeden, Dr. Daniel Knap, Solomon Dean, Charles Vincent, sen., Lieut. Thos. Hyatt, James Gidney, William Woodward.
BenjamUi GrflBs, Jr.y Jeremiah Cowiak .
JobaHalW James Angeviiie, Jacob Cooiie« Jeremiah AoderMio, Jr.f Gilbert WiUiams, William BulMr, Jn, Gideon Ardeb, WiUtam Fidd, Joseph Pardy» George Stom« Jacob Vermileftt Samuel Heaeted, Barthol'aiew VadeiluD, Lieut John Warner^ Nathi Purdy, Isaac BenneC, Samuel Baker,^ John Cromwell, John Storm, ;, Andrew FowlMr« Joshua Seaeordy Abraham Rich, George Freneh* John Underhill, Caleb Gidney, William UnderhiU, jr., James Hill, William WatkiBi, John Rustio, Richard Baker, Will. Aaciwgls, Bishop Heostice, James Miller, Phineas Hunt,
• That oar names were net subscribed to the protest of Westchester, eitkar by ourseWes, or ear orders or pemissioo, directly or indirectly, is certified by «, eash for hiroselC May 4, 1775. Paraa BuisiNa. John Bowung.
b Ma. RiviifOTON : — ^I did sign a protest which was printed in yonr papei^ Imi I did so because I was toU that the iatent of sigDiog it was to show that I wae ioc the liberties of the country. Sawjel Bakcs.
COUNTT OF WESTCHESTER* 355
The fbnowing persons, not being able to attend at the Plains, requested hy their friends that their names might be added to the list of protestors* Tis. : John Hant, Esq., Philip Palmer, Esq , John Hitchcooki
Jeremiah Hitchooek, William Bond, Joseph Bond.
The foregoing account is strictly trae, as can be proTcn by the testimony (or, if necessary, by the affidavits,) of a number of persons of the most un- questionable character in this county. What then must we think oCsuch per- sons as have propagated a report that the friends of gOTemment were, upon this occasion, outnumbered &7e to one, and that many of the persons whose names were subscribed to the foregoing declaration were not on that day pre- sent at the White Plains 1 They must be conscious to themselves that they have spread abroad a falsehood, and they are hereby called upon, if they dare, to set their names to those assertions. In what manner those gentlemen who chose the committee at the Plains proceeded, we cannot positively say ; but this we can declare with truth, that we do not believe they can produce to the public the names of a hundred and fifty persons who voted for a commit- tee that day, and we are surely persuaded that they did their utmost to make their party as numerous as possible. How then can they Justify their choice of a committee ? or how can they presume to impose upon the world, and to insult the Loyal County of Westchester in so barefaced a manner ? It 4s weH known here that two-thirds, at least, of the inhabitants of this eounty are friends to order and government, and opposed to committees and all unlawful combinations ; and it will be made apparent to the world that they are so, as soon as certain resolves, now signing freely by the people, shall be ready for publication. And one principal reason why the friends to government did not assemble in greater numbers than they did, on Tuesday list, was that many of them had already, by signing those resolves, testified their loyalty to the king, their attachment to the constitution, their enmity to the committees, and their acquiescence in the prudent measures taken by the Assembly in the late session, for accommodating the unhappy differences between the mother cona« try and the colonies, and consequently thought they had done their duty. The committe that was chosen may with some kind of propriety, be said to represent those particular persons who chose them ; but how they can be de- nominated the Representatives of the County of Westchester, who, in general, abhor committees and committee men, and are determined to take no steps that may lead them inio rebellion, we cannot conceive ; certainly the friends to government who were collected at Captain Hatfield^s had a better right from their number to determine that there should be no committee than the op- posite party had to appoint one, and might with much greater propriety be said to show the sense of the County than the few who acted without authority and in direct opposition to government, and to the determinattoos of our worthy * Assembly ; and we doubt not but the impartial pnbliek will consider the matter in this light, and not esteem the act of a few individnals, unlawfully sssemMed,
856 HISTORY OF THE
S8 the aet (which most asaaredly is not,) of the veiy respeetabley popiiIdta«» and Loyal County of Westchester.*
In answer to the above protest, occurs the following letter from Lewis Morris, addressed " to the publick." ,
Morrisanla, May 7th« 1775.
" A very extraordinary paper called a protest against the proeeedtngs of the freeholders of the County of Westchester, relative to the eleetion of De* puties for the late Convention, and said to have been sabecribed bj the aeve* ral persons whose names are printed with it, was published in Bfr. RiTiogton and Gainers Gazette, a few weeks ago.
By whom this performance was given to the publick is uncertain ; and, be- ing as little distinguished by decency as by truth, there is reason to seapect the author's name will remain a secret. The falsities contained in thia repre- sentation, are too flagrant to impose upon any person in this coloiiy ; and, nothing but the apprehension of its gaining credit in other parts of the wozld would have induced me to have made it the subject of animadversion.
I shall pass over the many little embellishments with which the aathor*s fancy has endeavored to decorate his narrative ; nor. is it necessary to call in question the reality of that loyal enthusiasm, by wiiich it was said these good people were influenced, and I really wish that had been the fact, beoaoae when inconsistencies and fooleries result from inebriety or enthusiasm, they merit our pity, and escape indignation and resentment.
Much pains I confess, were on that day taken to make temporary enthoai- asts, and with other more exhilirating spirit than the spirit of loyalty.
To give the appearance of dignity to these curious and very orderly protea- ters, the author has heeu very mindful to annex every man^s addition to bis name, upon a presumption, perhaps, that it would derive weight from the ti- tle of mayor, esquire, captain, lieutenant, Judge, &c.
But it is not easy to conceive why the publick should be less civil to the clergy than to the gentry and commonalty. Samuel Seabury and Luke Bab- cock, certainly ought not to have been sent into the world floating on a newspaper in that plain way : the one is the ** Reverend Mr. Samuel Sea- bury, Rector uf the united Parishes of East and Westchester, and one of the missionaries for the propagation of the Gospel (and not politicks) in foreign parts,^^ &c. &o., the other is " the Rev. Mr. Luke Babcock, who preaches and prays for Mr. Philipse and his tenants at Philipsburgh."
In this formidable catalogue of 300 and 1*2 sober and loyal protesters, thera are not less than one hundred and seventy who after a most diligent inquiry, J cannot find have the least pretensions to a vote, and indeed many of them are also under age. Their names are as follows ;
• American Archives, 4tb series, vol. ii. 331.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
357
Sarooal Seabary, Luke Babcoek, fienjamin Fowler^ Esq., Joshua Pell, Edward Pell, John Hoot, Gilbert Hortoo, Adrian Leforge, Moses Williams, PbOip KeUey, James Haines, Bartholomew Haines, John Haines, Elijah Haines, Joseph Clark, Joseph Oakley, James Mott, Daniel Pnrdy, John Crab, Izrahiah Whetmore, Absalom Gidney, John Brown, Jasper Stevens, Peter McFarthing, Joshoa Purdy, jr., Hachaliah Purdy, jr., James Tompkins, Gilbert Theal, William Sexon, Thomas Champoneors, John Champoneers, Eteazer Hart, James Hunt, Joseph Parker, Joshoa Barns, John Park, Isaac Smith, John Hyatt, Abraham Odell, Thomas Lawrence, John Seyson, Isaac Forshea,
Elias Seacord, James Pierce, Edward Bugbe, Daniel Haight, John Hont, jr., Abraham Losee, Isaac Tompkins, Joseph Paulding, Henricus Storm, Francis Seeord, John Parker, Gilbert Bates, David Purdy, David Bleeker, Jordan Downing, Corn, van Tassell, Joseph Appleby, Patrick Cary, GUbert Ward, William Dunlap, Joshua Ferris, Timothy Purdy, James McGuire, James Requan, Samuel Purdy, Sylvanus Purdy, William Dalton, Elijah Tompkins, Joshua Hunt, Bates Chatterton, William Landrin, Dennis Kennedy, James Haines, Andrew Banton, Nathaniel Tompkins, Caleb Archer, Benjamin Bugbe, Francis Purdy, William Odell, Israel Hunt, Thomas Tompkins, Fred. Underbill,
John Williams, John Ackemar, Peter Bussing, Jeremiah Hunter, Abraham Storm, Peter Jenning, John Gale, John Smith, James Hart, jr., Jonathan Purdy, jr. Monmouth Hart, jr. Christopher Purdy, Gabriel Purdy, Edward Merritt, jr., Henry Desborough, William van Wart, Abraham Storm, Thomas Berry, Charles Merritt, Bejamin Griffin, Samuel Purdy, Gilbert Purdy, James Chatterton, Thomas Cromwell, Solomon HoUon, Nathaniel Ilndorhill, jr. Philip Fowler, John McFarthing, Jacob Post, James Baxter, John Hart, Cornelius Loosee, Josse Park, Roger Purdy, jr., Gilbert Pugsly, Abraham Leaden, Benjamin Brown, Aaron Buis, John Bursfey, David Oakley, jr., Charles Lawrence, Joseph Purdy, jr.
358
HISTORY OF THB
Gabriel Reqneao, Gabriel Archer, Peter Fashee, Isaac Lawrence, Will. Snider, Solomon Dean, Thomas Hyatt, William Woodward, John Wbitmore, Will. Underbill. Nehemiah Tompkins, Henry le Forge, Evert Brown, Benj. Beyea, Charles Merritt,
Peter Post, " BenJ. McCord, John Loce, Elnathan Appleby, John Baker, Jonathan Underhill, James MeChain,
James Aogevine,
Jeremiah Anderson, jr. James Ilill,
Will. Barker, jr. WUIiam
Gideon Arden, jr.
Joseph Pardy,
George Storm,
Jacob Vermiller,
James Saiflta, jr., Peter Bomwlt* Samoel Hoeated, John Warner, John Storm, Joshua Seoord, John Underhill, WUIiam UoderbiU, Jr.,
Richard Baker, Bishop Haestica, Jeremiah Hitoheoek, William Bond,
Samael Snider,
or the others who are freeholders, many also hold land at will of CoL Philipse, so that the truth really is, that rery few Independent fraeholdecs objeded to the appointment of deputies.''*
Lewis Mouus.
Upon the 29ih of April, 1775, appeared the following docu- ment addressed to the publick.
** We the sabscribers do hereby make this public declaration, that whereas, we and seferal others in Westchester coanty, having signed a certain number of resoWes, which at the time of our said signing were deemed eon- stitutional, and as having a tendency to promote the interest of our eoaotrj ; but, since upon mature deliberation ind more full knowledge of the matter find not only injurious to our present caus^, but likewise offensive to oor fel* low colonists, we do therefore thus publickly testify oor abhorrence of the same, and declare ourselves true friends to the colonies, and ever ready cheer- fully to exert ourselves in the defence and preservation of the same.**^
Jonathan Fowlbb, Esq.
George Cromwell, £Isq.
"At a meeting of freeholders of Westchester county, New York, at the White Plains^ on Monday, the 8th day of May, 1775. Governeur Morris, Lewis Graham, James van Cortlandt, Stephen Ward, Joseph Drake, Philip van Corllandt, James Holmes, David Dayton, John Holmes, jr., Robert Graham, and
* American archives, fourth series, vol. ii. h Ibid. 446.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 369
William Paulding, were chosen to be the deputies from this County to the Provincial Convention of the Province of Nev York.''*
"On the 30th of June, 1776, the Provincial Congress of this State adjourned from the city of New York to the court-house in White Plains^ where they met on the 9th of July following, and there continued in session until the 29ih of that month."^
In Provincial Congress New York, 30th June, 1776.
Sunday afternoon.
It was resolvjed, '' that the treasurer and secretary of ihis Con- gress be and they hereby are directed forthwith to repair, with all and singular the public papers and money now in their cus- tody or possession, unto the White Plains^ in the county of Westchester, and that this Congress be and it hereby is adjourned unto the court-house in the White Plains aforesaid, there Xo meet on Tuesday the 2d of July next, and proceed upon busi- ness ; and that the next Congress of this county do meet at the same place on Monday the 8th day of July aforesaid, unless otherwise ordered by the Congress." It was carried in the affirmative.
For the question, 20, against ditto, 6.
And it was further ordered that all the lead, powder and other military stores belonging to this State be forthwith removed to the White Plains.*'©
The journey between New York and the Plains was performed by the members on horseback, Pierre van Cortland t, the presi- dent, riding at their head. As expresses overtook them from General Washington the bouse was called to order on horseback^ and several resolutions passed.
" It was at White Plains on the 9th of July, the Provincid Congress received the Declaration of Independence ; there it was read, in front of the court house,*^*^ and there they solemnly ia convention promised at the risk of their lives and fortunes to
• American ArohiTM, fonrUk teriMi toI. ii. 539.
b Extract fh>ro addrMi of J. W. Tompkin*. E«h 1845.
• Joarnal of N. Y. Provineial Congnm$ w6L i. 519.
4 Th« declaration was read by John Thomaa, Em^, and aacaaded by MUaal
360 HISTORY OF THE
join with the other colonies in supporting iu The letter of John Hancpck, enclosing to then), that d^laralion, after acknowledff- ing their dependence for success upon the Rider of the uoiversei with almost a prophet's vision announced the important conse- quences which would flow from that declaration.'^* The . old court house, honored by this fearless step in the cause of inde- pendence, " and so intimately associated with the wisdom apd vir- tue of such men as Jay, Morris^ Clinton^ WoodhuU^ Hobat% Van Corilandij Livingston^ and RutgerSj was burnt on the night of the 6th of November^ by a New England major, without orders, together with every dwelling at White Plains.''^
" About 12 o'clock, this night, (Nov. 6th, 1776, says General Healh,) a party of Americans wantonly set fire to the court-house, and several other private houses,. which stood between the two armies. This gave great disgust to the whole American anny, and drew from the commander-in-chief the following paragraph, in bis orders of the 6th : ^ It is with the utmost asionishmeut and abhorrence, the general is informed, that some base and cowardly wretches have, last night, set fire to the court-house and other buildings which the enemy left. The army may rely upon it, that they shall be brought to justice, and meet with the punish- ment they deserve.^c
Pierre van Cortlundt, vice president of the committee of public safety, under date of 28th November, thus feelingly alludes to the event.
" Unhappy am I to add that amidst all our sufferings the army employed for the protection of America have not refrained from embittering the calamitiea of war, at a time when the utmost resources of this state were laid open to their wants, and the members uf Convention personally submitted to the labour and fatigue which were necessary on a sudden emergency, and after frequent losses of provisions and barracks, to supply two numerous armies, augmented by the militia, with every article which they required, the coml- house and the remains of the village at the White Plains, which had been spared on the retreat of our forces, were, even after the enemy had in their
Varian and Samuel Crawford, two promineut Wliigs of Scarsdale. The latter met a sad and early fate by the hands of British refugees.
* Extract from address of J. W. Tompkins, Esq. klUd.
• HeatbV Mem. 83.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 361
tarn retired, wantonly destroyed, without the orders and to the infinite regpret of our worthy general, besides in spite of all his Excellency's efforts, wherever our troops have marched or been stationed they have done infinite damage to the property of the people.
I am directed, sir, to submit it to the Hon^ble Congress, whether some effectual remedy ought not to be provided against such disorderly and dis- graceful proceedings. The soldier who plunders the country he is employed to protect is no better than a robber, and ought to be treated accordingly, and a severe example, in the opinion of the committee, ought to be made of the oflicer who, without any necessity, or his general's permission, set fire to the court-house and other buildings at the White Plains. He is guilty of the crime of arson, and if he cannot be punished by the articles of war, ought to be given up to the laws of the land. If so glaring a violation of every senti* ment of humanity should be passed over in silence, if the army is not reason- ably restrained from such acts of barbarity, the consequence must be fatal to the cause of a people whose exalted glory it is to be advocates for the rights of mankind, against the tyranny and oppression of lawless power. The reso- lutions which the committee of safety have passed upon the subject are here- with transmitted.
'* I have the honor to be, with great respect, sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,
" By order
" PiiRRC YAK CoRTLANDT, Vice President,'*^
" To the Honorable John Hancock, President of the Congress of the United States."'
At a meeting of the committee of safety held Monday morning, 2d December, 1776. It was resolved, " that the laws of the country are not superseded by the military code in the presence of the army,'* " and that a letter be written to General Washing- ton, requesting that theoflScer directing the burning of the court- house and dwelling houses at the White Plains be delivered to this committee or the Convention of the state, in order to his being tried by the laws of this state, and, if guilty, punished thereby."**
Tiie Episcopal Church is very pleasantly situated, a little east of the court-house, and being elevated above the road, commanda a fine view of the valley and hills to the north-east. It is built of
' Joamal of N. Y. Pfot. Congress, toL L 723. b Journal of N. Y. Prov. Con. toI I 729.
Vol. II. 46
362 HISTORY OF THE
wood, with a handsome tower and vestry room in the rear. The former contains a bell weighing 1136 pounds. This parish was first organized by the exertions of the Rev. Lewis P. Baynidf in 1824, who occasionally performed services here. Upon the 22d of March, lb24, the church was incorporated by the title of ** Grace (Protestant Episcopal) Church, White Plains," in re- membrance of Grace C hurch, Rye, whose ministers had officiated here at intervals from 1762 to 1816,^ Richard Jarvis and Alan McDonald, wardens )^ William Purdy, John Horton, Gilbert Hat- field, James Dick, Alexander Fowler, Joshua Horton, William Bulkley, and James Merritt, vestrymen.'' The present church edifice was consecrated on the 26th of June, 1826, by the Right Rev. J. H. Hobart. In 1833 Trinity Church, New York, appro- priated to this parish the sum of $760.
LIST OF RECTORS AND MINISTERS. Intt. or call, Ineumbentt. Vacated hf
1824. William C. Mead, Presb. resignation.
1826. Alexander H. Crosby, A. M., Presb. ditto.
1829. Rev. John W. Curtis, Presb. ditto.
1831. Rev. Robert W. Harris, A. M., Presb. pres't incumb. Present number of communicants, cir. 50. The church-yard contains memorials to the families of Du Bois, Thomas, Pojiham, and others.
Adjoining the church is the residence of Samuel K Lyon, Esq., a beautiful specimen of the rural Gothic style ; the grounds surrounding it nre in harmonious keeping with the scenery.
In the immediate vicinity lies the parsonage and glebe, at pre- sent occupied by the Rev. R. W. Harris, rector of the parish, who has for fourteen years past conducted a select boy's school, for English, classical, and religious education ; his chief object being to serve the church, by training a few of its youth in the old paths of filial obedience, patient industry, and Christian devotion.
• Ai early as 1760, White Plains constituted one of the precincts of Rye pariah, and paid a small sum annually towards the support of the Rector and poor. Her connection with Rye was dissolved in 1816.
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER, 368
The spacious mansion of Minott Mitchell, Esq., occupies a commanding position on the west side of the village. This gen- tleman is the son of the Rev. Justus Mitchell, who graduated at Yale College in 1776, and married Martha Sherman, daughter of the Rev. Josiah Sherman^ and Martha Minott. i>
The residence of J. W. Tompkins, Esq., nephew of the late Hon. Daniel D. Tompkins, forms a prominent object on the op- posite side of the village.
In the main street are situated the female seminary of Mrs^ Searles, and the White Plains Academy^ of which Mr. J. M. SwiU'^ burn is principal
The Presbyterian Churchy surrounded by locust trees, pre- sents a pretty appearance upon entering White Plains from the north. It is a plain edifice of wood, with a tower of the same material, erected A. D. 1824.
The first notice of this church occurs in a deed from Moses Owen to Caleb Hyatt, John Turner, and Peter Hatfield,^ bearing date the I5th of Jnne, 1761 : " For one acre and three roods of land, with Presbyterian Church thereon, for the sum of ten pounds. The land is the north-east corner of land formerly be- longing to Abraham Smith, now in possession of Moses Owen, and bounded on the northerly side by the road leading to Bronx river,^' ice. The title is in fee simple, and without any conditions^ Signed before Jacob Grifien and Caleb Grifien, and acknowledged before Samuel Purdy, January 9lh, 1752.<i
There is also a release (supposed to be much older than the preceding,) from the proprietors of an undivided piece of land, to be annexed to the burying ground, as follows:
" The ondersigners, being such as have proprietors^ rights ia the WhU§ Plains, in the township of Rye, cj-c. whereas there is a small piece of utidif ided land lying on the north side of burying yard near the Presbyterian meeting
' Mr. Sherman was a graduate of Yale College in 1765, and brother of the disr tinguished Roger Sherman.
b Daughter of the Hon. James Minott by his aecoi^d wife Elizabeth Memckf For account of the Minott family see Lemuel Shatmck's Hist, of Concord, 379.
« These persons appear to have been trustees of the Presbyterian church.
d From the original in the possession of th^ trustees, communicated by the Rev. Elias S. Schenck.
364 HISTORY OF THE
koustf being willmg that the eaid pieee of andiTided lend, fto., we urm wfBimg that the same thoald be feneed in to with the borying yard, to be approj»rMle4 for the Qse of a burying yard, to be under the entire gOTemment and toMomg^ ment of the aaid congregation.
Fefore Jonathan G. Tompkins, Jonathan Pubot,
Datid HoBTOHv
GAiatKL LraoHy - Caleb Htatt, Samubl Uuxt.**
From these documents it would appear that there was a Pres- byterian church standing here sometime prior to 1761. The pastor at this period was the Rev. John S.nith, D.D., whosenred the Presbyterian churches of Rye and White Plains^ and died in the year 1776, leaving flourishing congregations and cooiino- dious houses of worship in both places. His remains repose in the burying ground, near those of his wife and daughter, in the rear of the church. A plain head-stone marks the spot, and bears the following inscription under a rudely carved similitude of a cherub.
Here lie the remains of the Rev.
John Smith, the first ordained minister*
of the Presbyterian persuasion in Rye
and the White Plains, who was born in
England, May 5, 1702, wore out with
various labours, and fell asleep in Jesus.
Deceased Feb'y 26, 1771, aged 68 years, 9
mouths, and 22 days.
By faith he lived, in faith he died, and faith
foresees a rising day when Jesus comes, while
hope assumes and boasts his joy among the
tombs. Oh death ! Oh grave ! where is thy victory.
•* Thanks bo to God that giveth us the
victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
His brother was the Hon. William Smith. Lorenzo Sabine,
• Mr. Smith*! name appeara in the record of the Synod in 1753 as minister of Rye.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 365
Esq., in his very valuable work on American loyalists, says of this individual, *' That he was chief justice and a member oftha council of the colony, and considered to be in office in 1782. His father, the Honorable William Smith, an eminent lawyer and judge of the supreme court, died in 1769. William Smith, the subject of this notice, graduated at Yale College in 1745. It appears, that he was at a loss as to the side which he should espouse in the controversy which preceded the Revolution, and that he made no choice until late in the war. It seems, also, that a number of other gentlemen of wealth and influence, who had wavered like himself, joined the royal cause about the same time, in 1778. It is believed that, at first, he opposed the claims of the ministry. However this may be, his final decision excited the remark of both the Whigs and the Loyalists. The former indulging their wit in verse, and calling him the ' weathercock,' that < could hardly tell which way to turn;' and the latter no- ticing his adhesion in their correspondence. He settled in Can- ada, after the war, and was chief justice of that colony. He published a history of New York, which was continued by his son William."* In 1776, the Rev. Ichabod Lewis, twin brother of the venera-
• *' This eloqaeot man," alluding to Jadgre Smith, ** having been an adherent to the royal cauae in the Revolution, left the city of New York in 1783, with the Britiah troope, and waa aAerwards rewarded by his sovereign with a high judiciary office at Quebec. Judge Smith, although thus removed from the place of his ori- gin, always contemplated the politics of his native country with peculiar solicitude. One evening, in the year 1789, when Dr. Mitchell was in Quebec, and passing the evening at the chief justice's house, the leading subject of conversation was the new Federal constitution, then under the consideration of the states, on the recom- mendation of the Convention which sat at Philadelphia, in 1787. Mr. Smith, who had been somewhat indisposed for several days, retired to his chamber with Mr. Grant, one of the members of the legislative council, at an early hour. In a short time Mr. Grant invited Dr. Mitchell, in Mr. Smith's name, to walk from the parlor into Mr. Smith's study, and sit with them. Mr. Mitchell was con- ducted to a sofa, and seated beside the chief justice, before whom on a tabie« was a large bundle of papers. Mr. Smith resumed the subject of Amerieaa politics, and noticed his papers. After searching among them awhile, he un- folded a certain one, which he said was written about the time the colonial com- motions grew violent, in 1775, and contained a plan, or system of government, sketched out by himself then, and which nearly reaembled the constitution afUr-
366 mSTORT OF THE
Ue Isaac Liwis, of HDrseneck, was ordaioed pastor of the nnited churches of White Plains aod Ne v Rochelle, by the Piesbytviy of Datchess county. About 12 o'clock at night, oo the 6th of November, 1776, the Presbyterian Church, together with a quantity of timber designed for its enlargement, besides a number of other buildings, were set on fire by Major Osbomey of the Blassachusetts line, (under General Glower,) for the purpose of presenting ihem from being used by the British troops, then in th's neighb'^rbood, durin^ the ensuing winter. These facts are fully proved by affidavits of witnesses now in possession of the trustees. After the burning of the church, the congrc^tion gradually declined ; for the members, being mostly staunch Whigs, were obliged to retire north to avoid the depredations and assaults of Briti^ troops from New York. The Rev. Ichabod Lewis removed to Bedford, but similar circumstances constrained him to leave that place also for Salem, where he spent the re- mainder of his days, and lies interred. He left a legacy to the church at South Salem of one thousand dollars, the interest of which at present assists in supporting the pastor of that church.i^ From 1784 to 1821, the congregntion enjoyed the privilege of occasional preaching. Upon the 13ih of February, 1788, the church was incorporated under the title of the ^'Presbyterian Church in the White Plains/' Jonathan G. Tompkins, Richard Hatfield, Daniel Horton, Jacob Purdy, Nicholas Fisher and Rob- ert Hart, trustees.**
During the years 1821 and 1822, the church was regularly supplied by the Rev. Thomas G. Smith, of the Reformed Dutch
wardi proposed by the Federal Convention of the United States. He then read the contents. The piece was long and elaborate, and written with much beauty and spirit. ' This, sir/ added he, after finishing it, ' is a copy of a letter, which I sent to a member of Congress in 1775, who was an intimate friend of General Washington. You may trace to this source the sentiments in favor of a more ener- getic government for your country, contained In the commander-in-chief's circular letters, and from this, there can be no doubt, that the citizens of all the states de- rive their leading traits for your new form of government.' ** — Lorenzo Sahin€*M Biographical Sketcheo of American LoyaliMtM.
• Communicated to the author by the Rev. S. Schenck, since the completion of Liewisborough or South Salem. See vol. i. 268.
k Co. Rec. Religious Soc. Lib. A. 15.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 367
congregations of Tanrytown and Unionville, every second or third Sunday, for which he received a small pecuniary compen- sation. In the spring of 1823, the Rev. Marcusr%iarrison per- formed services, for a short period, as a domestic missionary, and was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Ely, who officiated here and at Lower Greenburgh (Dobb's Ferry) about four months, under the direction of the Domestic Missionary Society of the city of New York. For the successors of Mr. Ely, see the subjoined list of pastors.
On the 25th of April, 1824, the church was re-organized, and consisted of six communicants, viz. Isaac Hunt, David Palmer, Isaiah P. Palmer, Samuel Dixon, Mary Hart, (wife of Monmouth Hart,) and Elizabeth Mead, wife of Cyrus MM|1. Isaac Hunt and David Palmer were o/dained ruling elders.
The present house of worship was dedicated to the worship of God in June, 1825, on which occasion the dedication sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Rowan, of New York.
A LtST OF PASTORS AND SUPPLIES OF THE PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH OF WHITE PLAINS.
Install, or Call. Pastors, Vacated by.
A. D. 1753, Rev. John Smith, D. D., death.
" 177t5, •* Ichabod Lewis, resig.
." 1821, " Thomas G. Smith, supply, do.
<< 1823, <' Marcus Harrison, do. do.
** 1823, « Mr. Ely, do. do.
Oct'r, 1823, " Samuel Robertson, pastor, do.
A. D. 1825, « Chester Long, do. do.
'• 1834. " John White, do. do.
« 1835, Edward Wright, do. ^ do.
J'ne 9, 1844, Elias S. Schenck, present pastor.
Church Memoranda.
1825, Communicants 6
1836, do. 34
1847, do. 35
This church is in connection with the Bedford Presbytery.
The following inscriptions are taken from monuments in the
graveyard : " Here lie the remains of Caleb Horton, who died
368 HISTORY OF THE
Aug. 24, 1770, oged 72 years." " Mary, wife of Michael Chad- derion, born June 25, 1706, mar. 1727, and lived in that state 46 years; ob. 1772." There are also numerous memorials to the families of Miller, Fisher, Yarian, Purdy and Tompkins^ and the vault of William and Isabella Pirnie. The remains of a Britjrii officer, who fell at the battle of White Plains, were interred in the southwest corner of this yard.
The Methodist Episcopal church occupies a beautiful position at the north end of the village. This society was first incor- porated upon the 12th of August, 1795, — '* Elijah Crawford, John Lynch, Nicholas Fisher, Abraham Miller, Azariah Horton and Abraham Davids, trustees.''^
West Whit^ Plains^ immediately contiguous to the village, is situated on the line of the Westchester and Haarlem Railroad. It contains a depot, a store, and a few dwellings.
The Orawapum hotels adjoining the depot, is a handsome Elizabethian structure, under the superintendence of Mr. Isaac Smith, who has admirable accommodations, and provides excel- lent entertainments at fifteen minutes notice. Strangers visiting the town may enjoy every comfort here, and fishing parties to Rye pond, will find it their most convenient stopping place. Gentlemen fond of the amusement of angling, can also wet their lines in the Bronx, hard by, where good trout are frequently taken. Directly in front of the hotel, rises " Old Chatierton/^ the battle field of 1776.
The following account of themilitary quarters in this town and its vicinity, in October, 1776, is from the address of J. W. Tomp- kins, Esq., delivered at White Plains on the 28th of Oct., 1846.
" The county of WeBtchester, at the commencement of the Revolation, contained a multitude of hardy yeomen inured to toil, whose ancestry had fled from oppression abroad, and in the enjoyment of greater freedom in the colony, had imbibed an ardent ]ove of liberty. When the star of Independence arose in the east, they were ready to follow its lead ; and when New York, ia 1776, was threatened with invasion, they flocked with alacrity to its defence. When the battle of Long Island turned the tide of war against us, ibey still adhered to the American army, contending every inch of ground
• Co. Rec. Religious 8oe Lib. A. 50. See Lib. B. 23, 25, 26, 53.
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER- 369
to Harlem, thence to King's bridge, and through the Boothem part of West* cheater to White Plains, where Gen. Washington again determined to en- trench himseif and make another stand against an overwhelming force of the choicest British troops, flushed with victory and confident of success. A brief account of the movements of the two armies to this pUce, and of their operations here, it is my purpose to give."
** The city of New York was selected by the English as the centre of their military operations, with the view of commanding the North river and acting in conjunction with a force from Canada, descending through Lake Cham- plain, thus securing the Colonies. Their march into Westchester county waa designed to obtain command of the two principal routes leading to New En* gland, one through Kye and the other by the way of Bedford, and thereby cut off the American army from its supplies, principally derived from the East, and obtain the rear of General Washington's army, and furce him to a general battle, or to a precipitate retreat. But Washington penetrated their inten- tions, and conducted his forces northward from King's bridge with great skill, moving in a line parallel with the British, a little in advance of them, facing them constantly, with the Bronx iu his front, which was fortified at every assailable point.
On the 12ih of October, ^76, a portion of the British army, consisting of the Guard, Light Infantry reserve, and Count Dunop's Corps landed at Throg's Neck, and on the night of that day, Col. William Smith (then a Lieutenant) with a CorporaPs guard, broke down the bridge connecting the neck with Westchester town, and left Sir William Howe upon an Island. On the 16th and 17th of October, the English forces at Throg's Neck were augmented by the Ist, 2nd and 6ih Brigades crossing from Long Island, and by the 3d Hes- sian battalion from New York. On the 18th, the whole British army crossed to Pelham Point, and marching northerly, encamped the same night on the high ground between Hutchinson's river and New Rochelle village, where it remained till the 21st. On the 21st, the British removed and encamped on New Rochelle heights, north of the Village, and on both sides of the road leading to Scarsdale. This camp was broken up on the 25th, and the Army moved forward to a position upon the high grounds in Scarsdale, in the vicinity of the late John Bennetrs farm, and there remained till the morning of the 28th of Oc- tober.
General Washington during that time had not remained inactive — as early as the Uth of Ocvober, apart of his army crossed from Harlem heights, reached White Plains on the 12th, and commenced erecting fortifications, and on the 22d General Washington, leaving his head-quarters at Fort Wash- ington, established them at Valentine's hill, whence they were removed to White Plains on the 23d.
" The entrenchments at White Plains were erected under the directions of a French engineer, and consisted of a square fort of sods in the main street with breastworks on each side running westerly over the south side of Purdy's
Vol. n. 47
3?0 HISTORY OF THE
hill to the Bronx, and easterly across the hills to Horton's pond. When lb* En^ilish attacked Chattertun^s hill on the 28th, they were unfinished, but dor- ing the riight of the 26th and 2tith of October they were raised and atreBgtlH ened, being only intended fur teonporary use until the poaition above Abraham Miller^s in Northcastle could be fortified, which was done, and to whieh the American army afterwards retired.
'* General Howe comn)itted a great mistake in not attacking General Waah- ington*s fortifications in White Plains on the 28th instead of Chatterton'a hilL He gained nothing in taking that hill. After the workaat White Plaina were completed, great loss to Howe^s army must have attended their capture, and Washington's new position (above Mr. Miller's) appears to have been regarded as impregnable. Washinj^tun's policy at this time was, as he expressed it* ' to enirerich and fight with the spade and mattock.^ The experience at Bun- ker's hill had made the English cautious in attacking Americans behind en- trenchments.^
** During the march of the two armies to White Plains frequent skinniahea occurred. On the 18th, the vanguard of the British army were attacked bj a detachment under General Sullivan, and the fight which ensued (near the road reaching from New Rochelle) has been always repreaented as Tery ere- ditablc to the Americans."
"On the 21st, Colonel Rogers, a celebrated partisan officer in the French war, had accepted a command in the English service, and lay at Maroaroneck. An attack upon him was planned by Lord Sterling, and executed by a foroe under the command of Col. Haslet of the Delaware regiment. Rogers was completely surprised ; seventy or eighty of his men were killed or made pris- oners, and a considerable quantity of arms, ammunition and clothing taken by the Americans. On the 23d of October, a spirited skirmieh took place be- tween Hand's Pennsylvania riflemen and a detachment of Hessisn chaaseurs, about 240 strong, in which the Hessians were routed. These haraasing en- counters of the Americans (attended invariably with success) tended to delay the advance of the Britibh and to make them cautious, while it cheered the despondmg courage of the American soldiers, and above all, gave General Wachington time to remove his stores and entrench himself where no army dare assail him.
** On the morning of the 28th of October, the British army marched from their camp in two columns — the right commanded by General Clinton^ the lefi by De Heister^ and came in sight of the American forces about 10 o'clock.
■ *' General George Clinton, in a postscript to a friend, writing from Wasbiog- ton's entrenchment on the night of the 20th October, says: *Love to Mrs. Clin- ton— tell her I write from an entrenchment. The British forces are in sight, and we shall probably have battle to-morrow — tell her to entertain no fears for my »bfety.' " — Mr. Totnpkin9*» Addrttt.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 371
Od the 27th of October, two roiliiia regiments had been sent over to throw np entrenchments on Chatterton hill, and on the morning of the 28th, General Washington ordered Cul. Haslet to take command of the hill, having under hie command his own <the Delaware) Regiment, the Militia, and part of the Maryland troops. General McDoagal soon followed him and took the com- mand. Col. Haslet says the enemy in the first place moved towards the for- tifications in the Tillage-— they then halted — the general officers had a coancil of war OD horseback in the wheat-fields, and the result was that their forces inclined towards the Bronx. Fideen or twenty pieces of artillery were placed upon the high ground opposite the hill, and commenced a farioas caanonade upon McDoogars forces, under cover of which fire the British buik a bridge over the Bronx and prepared to cross.
'* Gen. MoDoogal placed two field pieces upon a ledge of tahle-rock, whidi did great execution among the British artificers and soldiers. So soon as the bridge would admit their croeeiog, they rushed forward and attempted to take the two pieces by a charge up the hill — ^these two cannon were in charge of the late Alexander Hamilton* (then a captain of artillery,) and never did offi- cers or men do belter executioa. When upon the spot in after years, describ- ing it to a youthfiJ friend, he was heard to say, ' For three successive dis- charges the advancing column of British troops was swept from hill-top to river.' The British finding this table rock inaccessible, inclined to the left down the river, and joined the troops under General Raid, which had crossed about a quarter of a mile below.
** They now attacked McDougal and attempted to turn his right flank. He retreaied, but contested the ground all the way up to the summit of the hill, making a stand at every favorable point. At length the British cavalry gainedl the crest of the hill, and charging, cut to pieces the militia on McDougaPs right. The last stand was made by the Americans behind a fence at the top ef the hill, where tfie Delaware regiment and part of McDougal's brigade, twice repulsed the British Light Infantry and Cavalry. At length compelled to retreat, it was done in good order over the bridge at the foot of the hill under cover of some regiments detached by Washington from his main army. The mMttia and a few of the regulsrs were dispersed among the hills of Greenburgh, but soon returned to Head Quarters. The British forces engaged in that at- tack were the flower of the army, consisting of the second brigade of British, the 28th, 5th and 49th regiments, RahPs battalion, the Hessian Grenadiers under Dunop, and a party of Light Dragoons, all commanded by Geneni Leslie.
" That Genera] Washington did make a successful stand ai this place baa ever excited the wonder of military men. His troops were greatly inferior ia numbers and discipline, and composed in part of militia and raw recruits. After the battle the enemy for several days attempted to gain Washington's rear, tried to alarm him and induce him to retreat or fight by threatening hia flanks. At several times they formed a semi-circle about him« On the night
872 HISTORY OF THE
of the 3l8t of October, WaBhington eTaeaated his eamp at White Plmint* aad establiahed his new posiiion in the hills of Northeastle, about one mile in the rear of his focmer encampment, when the British appear to hare relioqoisbed an further offensive operations. At the advance of the British army to Wbit* Plains the Whig families were seen hurrying unprotected before them with thin clothing and a scanty supply of provisions tu seek shelter for the coming winter, they knew not where. Desolation and famine marked that fair region over which the two armies passed. The English army finding all attempts to circumvent General Washington hopeless, broke op their camp at Whitn Plains on the 5ih of November and retired to Dobb*s Ferry, and from tbenee to King's Bridge, uhere they encamped on the ]3lh of that month."
**Thus ended in Westchester for the year ^76 the movements of the Britisii army ; but soon the inhabitants of the North were overrun by loyalists from Morrisania, and for a long time without protection were exposed to OTory danger and suffering. In short, till the peace of 1782, Westchester was the battle-ground of the disaffected, and the prey of both friend and foe. Scenes of cruelty and bloodshed unknown in civilized warfare, marked their partisan en- gagements, and in the defence of their homes her valiant sons exhibited frequent instances of personal bravery unexcelled in ancient or modern times. Among the most daring were the guides — such men as Abraham Dyckman^ Cornelius Oakley and John OdelL In the darkness of night they have often surprised and carried off captains, officers and men, under the guns of the British forts at Morrisania, or in small parties amused themselves by beating op De Lnn* cey^s quarters. Frequent alarms had made them watchful of surprise and success rendered them reckless of danger, till they became the chosen leaden of each dangerous enterprise against the enemy."
The following additional particulars respecting the engage- ment on Chalterton's hill are contained in Getieral Heath's Memoirs.
27th of October, " In the forenoon, a heavy cannonade was heard towards Fort Washington. Thirteen Hessians and two or three British soldiers were sent in on this day. From the American camp to the west, south-west, there appeared to be a very commanding height, worthy of attention. The Com- mander-in-Chief ordered the general officers who were off duty, to attend him to reconnoitre this ground, on this morning. When arrived at the ground, although very commanding, it did not appear so much so, as other grounds to
•• At the east end of the village is still to be seen the remains of Washington's encampment. Of this nothing is left but a small portion uf the embankment that runs partly across the street, on the surface of which rests a mutilated howitaer. This relic of the past was disinterred near the spot it occupies.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 373
the Dorth, and almost parallel with the left of the army, as it was then formed.
'* Yonder," says Major Gen. Lee, pointing to the grounds just mentioned, " is
the ground we ought to occupy.*' " Let us then go and Tiew it," replied the
Commander-in-Chief. When on the way, a light horseman came up on full
gallop, his horse almost out of breath, and addressed Gen. Washington —
" The British are in the camp, sir." The General ohserved, " Gentlemen,
we have now other business than reconnoitring," putting his horse in full
gallop for the camp, and followed by the other officers. When arrived at
head-quarters, the Adjutant-General, (Read,) who had remained at camp,
informed the Commander-in-Chief, that the guards had been all beat in, and
the whole American army were now at their respective posts, in order of
battle. The Commander-in-Chief turned round to the officers, and only said,
** Gentlemen, you will repair to your respective posts, and do the best you
can." *' Our general," (Heath,) " on arriving at his own division, found them
all in the lines ; and, from the height of his post, found that the first attack
was directed against the Americans on Chatterton's hill. The little river
Bronx, which ran between the American right and this hill, after running
round its north side, turned and ran down on the east and south-east. The
British advanced in two columns. At this instant, the cannonade was brisk on
both sides ; directed by the British across the hollow and Bronx, against the
Americans on the hill, and by them returned. Almost at the same instant,
the right column, composed of British troops, preceded by about twenty light
horse in full gallop, and brandishing their swords, appeared on the road
leading Ao the court-house, and now directly in the front of our General**
division. The light-horse leaped the fence of a wheat field, at the foot of the
hill, on which Col. Malcolm's regiment was posted, of which the light-horse
were not aware until a shot from Lieut. Fenno's field-piece gave them notice
by striking in the midst of them, and a horseman pitching from his horse. They
then wheeled short about, galloped out of the field as fast as they came in,
rode behind a little hill on the road, and faced about ; the tops of their caps
only being visible to our General, where he stood. The column came no
further up the road, but wheeled to the left by platoons, as they came up ; and,
passing through a bar, or gateway, ilirectcd their head towards the troops on
Chatterton's hill, now engaged. When the head of the column had got nearly
across the lot, their front got out of sight ; nor could the extent of their rear
be now discovered. The sun shone bright, their arms glittered, and perhaps
troops never were shown to more advantage, than these now appeared. The
whole now halted ; and for a few minutes, the men all sat down in the same
order in which they stood, no one appearing to move out of his place. The
cannonade continued brisk across the Bronx. A part of the left columq,
composed of British and Hcssisns, forded the river, and marched along under
the cover of the hill, until they bad gained sufficient ground to the left of the
Americans ; when, by facing to the left, their column became a line, parralkl
374 HISTORY OP THE
with the Americans. When they briskly ucended the hill,* the find eolmmi 'resomed a quick march. As the troops, which wereadvanciog to the attaek« ascended the hill, the cannonade on the side of the British ceased ; as their own men became exposed to their fire, if continued. The fire of small anna was now Tory heavy, and without any distinction of sounds. This led aooM American officers, who were looking on, to obserTO that the British were worsted, as their cannon had ceased firing ; but a few minates evinced that the Americans were giving way. They moved oflf the hill in a great body, neither running, nor observing the best order. The British ascended the hill Tory slowly, and when arrived at its summit, formed and dressed their lioe, without the least attempt to pursue the Americans. The loss on the aide of the Americans was inconsiderable. That of the British was not then knowo. The British army having got possession of this hill, it gave them a Taat ad- vantage of the American lines, almost down to the centre.*'^
Botta, ill his history of the American Revolution, says : ''The loss of men in this action was great on the one part as well as on the other."°
Among the principal actors in this scene, upon tlie American side, may be enumerated, Generals Washington, Clinton, Mc- Dougal, Lee, Heath, Sterling, and Read, Colonels Haslet, Small- wood, Malcolm and Glover ; Majors Hand, Lee and Lieut. Fenno ; and the gallant Hamilton, captain of artillery. Sec, d&c. On the British side. Brigadier Generals Leslie, Knypbausen, Rahl, De Heister, and Matthews ; Lord Percy, Count Dunop, Colonel Ralle, Colonel Rifzema, and Major Rogers, &c., &c.
The following letter of General George Clinton, dated Camp, at the old Place near White Plains, Nov. 2d, 1776, to a friend, is copied from the journal of the Provincial Congress :
My Dear Sir : — Your favoars of the 30th and Slat altimo, were left at my tent a few minutes since. Since my last to you, dated the day before
^ While the British were thus advancing up the hill, a shot struck one of the standard bearers dead. Warren de Lancey, (then a boy 15 years of age,) iustanUj seized the colors, and rushing forward, was one of the first to gain the summit, where he planted ihem in the ground. For this act of bravery he afterwards re- ceived a cornet's commission from General Howe. — Auihor*
b Heath's Mem. 76.
• The remains of those slain in the conflict, were interred in a hollow on the south-west side of Chatterton hill, near a hickory tree.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 375
yesterday, the centre and right wiog of oor army, having possessed them* selves of the heights in their rear, north-east of the road leading to Young*s ; yesterday morning evacuated that part of our lines which passed through the
town, and south-east of N , and fell back on those heights ; firing all the
barns, hay and corn stacks in front. This induced the enemy to believe we had sgain retreated, and determined to take the advantage of our apparent flight, their army instantly moved forward into the part of our lines which were evacuated. This brought on a pretty brisk cannonade, though at too great a distance to do much execution. I lost one roan, and had two wounded. I have heard of no other injury done us. We are by the late movements now far advanced — in front of course most exposed. The enemy retired to their former encampment in the evening, leaving strong advanced pickets, and working patties who are busily employed in erecting banks on the heights in and near the town. Deserters, (especially from the Queen's light,dragoons,) come daily over to us ; and now and then our Rangers send in a straggling prisoner. Captain van Wick of my brigade, who, at his earnest desire, wfit appointed to a company of rangers, was the day before yesterday unfortu- nately killed. lie went out in the morning with about 30 men, and fell in with about 100 of the enemy in a house not far distant from their lines — charged them with spirit, gave them a brisk fire, but unfortunately, when loading his piece the second time, was shot in the head, and fell dead. His lieutenant shot down the man who killed his captain. The enemy fled ; our party brought off their captain, and yesterday evening I. had him interred with tha honors of war. He was a good man, and a valiant officer. Pray communi- cate this sad news to his widow, (to whom I would write, had I leisure,) in % manner that will least aflfect her.
I know of no other news worth communicating yon. Though in the campt I am not acquainted with the disposition of our army. Some brigades to the north-east of us, in my humble opinion, are wliere they can do no good ; perhaps I am mistaken : I am not well acquainted with the conntry. I must beg an answer to my letter wherein I desired you to ask a favor of the Con- vention :
And am, with the utmost esteem,
Yours afiectionately,
George Clinton.
P. S. I need not askjfon to forward the enclosed. I know you will do it. Though I determined never to meddle with the disposition of officers,! cannoi help recommending Colonel Duboys and his officers, who served in our army to the northward last year, to the Convention. Should they quit the army by any neglect, it will be a public loss. They are brave men and good officers, at least snch of them as have joined our brigade.'*^
« Journal of N Y. Frov. Coagrefs, vol ii. 317.
376 HISTORY OF THE
The head-quarters of Washington, while stationed here, were at a small farm house to the north of the village, situated amid a deep solitude of woods, surrounded by hills and wild romantic scenery. The following account of a visit paid to this spot, is taken from a newspaper printed at New York in 1846.
** When we entered the little room of Mr. Miller's* farm hoaee, where that great and good roan bad resided, and where he resolved to try the haxajrd of a battle with a flashed and saccessful foe, we could not repress the enthasisMn, which the place and the rooment and the memory inspired. We looked around with eagerness at each portion of the room on which his eye mast have rested, we gazed through the small window panes through which he mast have so often and so anxiously looked towards tho enemy, and at the old- fashioned buffets where his table service was deposited for his accommodation. But little change has taken place in the building, and its amiable and patriotio inmates have shown their respect for the hero by placing on the walls hia portrait and several representations of his last moments at Mount Vernoo.**
In the northeast angle of this town lies^Villett's pond, a lai^ and beautiful sheet of water, which falls into the Mamaroneck river. Its banks on the north-west side are very steep and the views from the summits of the surrounding hills are extremely fine. At the outlet of the pond is situated the grist mill and clothier works of Mr. Henry Willett.
The general surface of White Ploins, "is somewhat hilly, but mostly arable ; soil, principally loam, well adapted to grass, nod much of it highly cultivaled."*» The higher lands abound with good timber, which consists chiefly of oak, chestnut and hickory. There is perhaps no town in the counly better watered by riYers, brooks, and springs.
* Mr. Elijah Miller (who is since deceased; wsp a eoldier of the Revolution, b DitturnellV Gazetteer, N. Y.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 377
YORKTOWN.
YoR^TowN is situated sixteen miles north of the village of White Plains, distant forty-two miles from New York, and one hundred and seventeen from Albany, *' bounded north by Put- nam county, east by Somers and New Castle, south by New Castle, and west by Cortlandt. Its length, north and south, ten miles, and it is nearly four miles wide.
Prior to 1788, Yorktown and Somers constituted the old town- ship of HanoveTj within Cortlandt's manor.« A portion of the former early acquired the name of Gertrude^ s borough^ in honor of Gertrude Beeckman, wife of Colonel Henry Beeckman, and one of the daughters and devisees of Stephanus van Cortlandt.
The Mohegan term Appamaghpogh appears to have been ap- plied to the whole Indian territory within the manor, west of Cortlandtown. The eastern section of Yorktown still bears the name of Amawalk^ probably an abbreviation and conruption of the former term, thus Appamaghpogh^ Atnaghpoghi or Ama- walk. The lands of Appamaghpogh were originally granted to Stephamus van Cortlandt in 1683, by the Indian sachems Pewe- mind, Oskewans, and others, as mentioned in our description of Somers, ice.
The principal aboriginal settlement in this part of Appam- aghpogh occupied the summit of Indian hill, a vast height, which rises to an elevation of nearly six hundred feet above the northern margin of Lake Magrigaries^ (Hollow Lake) situated in Jefferson valley. On the southern side of the hill lies the Indian burying-ground. The remains of several Indians have been lately disinterred near the residence of Dr. Fountain, whose property borders on the lake. Indian hill is also memorable as the last spot inhabited by a band of aborigines in Westchester
> The pretent townihip was erected 7th March, 1786. Rev. Statoteij 486.
Vol. 1L 48
378 HISTORY OF THB
county. On the eastern border of the town is situated the Indian cemetery of Amawalk.
Upon the partition of the manor of Cortlandt among the heirs of Stephanas van Cortlandi in the year 1734^ the following al- lotments were made in this town.
North lot No. 2, Andrew Miller; ditto No. 3, Gertrude Beeck- man ; ditto No. 4, Cornelia Schuyler and her busband| Col. John Schuyler. This gentleman was the father of the illustrious Gen. Philip Schuyler. Middle lot No. 2 and 3, Gertrude Yerplanck; ditto No. 4, Elizabeth Skinner ; south lot No. 1, bordering the Cro- ton river, John Watts; ditto Nos. 4, 6, 6, 7, Philip Yerplank ; ditto No. 8, Gertrude Beeckman ; ditto No. 9, Susannah Warren. Subsequently the devisees and their heirs made other divisions,
A. U. 1784, Andrew Miller, sold to John Strang a farm in west range of north lot No. 2, consisting of 200 acres which he purchased of John Walts.
Gertrude Beeckman bequeathed lot No. 8, south of the Croton to her two nephews Philip and William Ricketts van Ck>rtlandt| as tenants in common in fee tail.
Stephen van Cortlandt with his wife Catalina Staats, in 1791 gave a release to El van Purdy, with the fee of a certain lot No. 3, heretofore called Gertrudt^s borough^ being by division amongst the heirs of Stephen van Cortlandt, deceased, allotted to Gertrude, one of his daughters, late wife of Henry Beeckmani containing 15G acres.
The following receipts for rent prove the Purdys to have been tenants in common long prior to the above release. They also establish the early names of the town.
"Rec'd, Hanover^ May yc lOlh, 1760, by ye hand of Abraham Purdy, three pound in part for his farm rent and for the use of Col. Ilenry Beeckman, Esq., per me.
£3 0 0 "John Bryan."
" Received at Crompond, 16th Nov'r, 1786, per Mr. Elvan Purdy, one pound 13^. in part of rent.
"Stephen van Cortlandt."
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 379
" Received at Yorktown, Nor. 7ih, 1789, of Mr. Elvan Purdy, two pounds 19^. 9d. in full of rent due.
" Stephen vak CoaTLAKDT."
Crompond, the principal Tillage in this towuship, is situated on the high road leading from Somers to Peekskill ; it contains a Presbyterian and a Congregalional church, a post office, a store, and several dwellings. The name is undoubtedly derived from the large pond that lies north-west of the village, which, from its pccnliar shape, is sometimes called the crooked pond, crom de- noting in the Dutch language, crooked. This b«iutirul sheet of water covers an area of 2O0 acres.
Pm-TlRlan Ctanrcli, Crompand.
The Presbyterian Church is handsomely located on the high- est ground of the village, commanding a fine view of the sur- rounding country ; it was built in 1T99, on the site of au older edifice erected cir. 1738, and destroyed by fire in July, 1779. At the time of its destruction the old church appears to have been used as a store house by the Continental troops; for, during the year 1339, a select committee appointed by Congress to iiiveati- gate Revolutionary claims, reported "That Congress pay the Yorktown congregation the sum ^of three thousand five hun- dred dollars out of the first unappropriated funds, the govern- ment having occupied the church and parsonage as barracks and
380 HISTORY OF THB
store hou3e8 during the Re^orutionary war." This appropria- tion, however, was never made by Congress.
The present edifice^ is constructed of wood, presenting in front a lofty colonnade, above which rises a neat tower, finished with a rich cornice and pinnacles, in which is a large bell weigh- ing over 6001bs., inscribed as follows : " Cast by J. H. Thomp- son, New York, 1833."
The Presbyterian church in this town, appears to have been first organiz^ under the ministry of the Rev. Samuel Sackett, about 1740. Upon the 2nd of January, 1739, we find a deed for three acres of land given by Joseph Lane, Henry Beeckoum and Gertrude his wife, unto John Hyatt, John Haight and David Travis, trustees for the first Presbyterian church, on which land the meeting house was erected (said three acres being part of two hundred and twenty acres leased to Joseph Lane for three lives, 25th March, 1737,) dated 2iid of January, 1739, according to the act of 1784 and the act of ISOL^b
On the 26th of May, 178 1, it was incorporated under the name and title of the '' First Presbyterian Society, upon the plan of the Church of Scotland." Aaron Furman, Gilbert Travis, Ebe* nezer White, Elijah L^, Henry Strang and Gabriel Carman, trustees, elected 3d of May, 1784. A re-incorporation of the same occurs on the 4tli of March, 1806.^
LIST OF PASTORS AND SUPPLIES.
Instal or call. Pastors. Vacated by
Cir. 1740, Rev. Samuel Sackett, death.
1785, Rev. Silas Constant, resignation.
1807, Rev. Alexander Thompson, ditto.
1814, Rev. Asael Bronson, ditto.
Rev. Richard Wyncup, ditto.
Rev. Thomas G. Thompson, ditto.
> Occemun the celebrated Indian preacher once addressed a crowded andienca from the pulpit of this church.
b Co. Roc. Religious Soc. Lib. A. 83.
• Co. Rec. Religious Soc. Lib. A. 77, 79, 81, 83, 147.
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 381
Rev. Peter Lockwood, supply.
Rev. William Marshal), do.
Rev. John Iieggett, do.
Rev. D. M. Halliday, do.
Rev. Robert Thompson, pastor, resig.
1S47, Rev. Matthew T. Adams, present pastor.
Church Memoranda.
1826, Communicants, 54, Baptisms, 19.
1836, ditto, 33, ditto, 1.
1816, ditto, 65, ditto, 0.
This society is in communion with the Bedford Presbytery. In the grave yard adjoining the church, are buried the remains of the
Rev. Samuel Sackett,
who died June 6lh, 1784.
He was a judicious, faithful,
laborious and successful minister of Clirist.
Thrice blest departed spirit thou art free From the toils of mortality.
The monument of his son is inscribed as follows : " Here lyes the body of Joseph Sacketf, born April 18th, 1735, and departed this life, December, 1757."
" Behold all ye that now pass by,*'
As you are now, so once was I,
As I am now, so you must be,
Prepare for death and follow me. There are also monuments to Captain Samuel Sackett, Deacon Knapp and others. In the south-east corner of the yard, lie the mortal remains of Colonel Green, the hero of the Red bank^ and Major Flagg his brave componion in arms, both of whom fell by the hands of cruel treachery, on the morning of the 14th of May, 1781. But where shall we look for a monument or even a stone to mark the spot where these brave patriots lie pillowed in the dust ? When will justice be rendered to the memory of the brave and illustrious dead who fell in the noble cause of free- dom?
388 HISTORY OP THE
The parsonage is situated at a short distance from the church and stands on the site of the old building which was occupM for sorae time, during the Revolution, by the Yorktowo Com- mittee of Public Safety. Here that tribunal transacted business, disarmed the disaSected,^ and punished the incorrigible. Here also a Convention of Congress assembled for the purpose of distri- buting commissions to those officers who were empowered to raise the militia.
For the destruction of this obnoxious post, Colonel Robertson obtained of the English governor, a special order and the com- mand of a regiment. From New York, he appears to have pro- ceeded by water to Peekskill, where he landed, swearing he would burn up the d — d committee house, and guided by a spy, named Caleb Morgan, marched to Crompond, where he burnt the p-^rsonage, then used as a store house and arsenal.
Upon the departure of the British troops, the continental guard took possession of the church.
Episcopal services appear to have been occasionally performed in this village, as we find the Rev. Mr. Dibble in company with Mr. St. George Talbot, officiating here in 1762. The following year Mr. Dibble was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Punderson of Rye.
The Congregational society in this town, was first formed during the ministry of the Rev. Silas Constant. The church which had before been Presbyterian, gradually assumed the Con- gregational form of government.
In 1787, Dr. Elias Cornelius and Mr. Benjamin Haight, were chosen deacons. In 1790, a part of the members withdrew by mutual consent, and formed a new church at Red Mills. About the year 1806, a division occurred in the church, when more than two thirds of her members adhered to Mr. Constant, and maintained the Congregational mode of worship, the remainder resumed the Presbyterian form.
• The Loyalists of Cortlandt's manor were disarmed by Zephaoiah Piatt aod oth- ers, aided by 600 Connecticut troops, during the winter of 1776.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 363
In 1816, a number of members harmoniously left this society mm formed a church at Peekskill.
From the time of Mr. Constant's death, to 1832, this church received stated supplies from the Rev. Daniel Jones and the late Rev.Griffeth H. Griffeth ; subsequently the Rev. William Albert Hyde was ordained pastor. The present minister is the Rev. J. B Loring. The Congregational church was incorporated by the name of " the First Congregational Church and Society at York- town." It is at present in connection with the Connecticut as- sociation, and numbers 70 communicants. Among other monu- ments in the grave yard, is the following :
In
memory of
tlie Rev.
Silas Constant,
who departed this life
March 22, 1826,
aged 75 years, 2 mo.
and 7 days.
The Friends meeting house is situated at a short distance from the village of Crompond, and stands on land jointly given by John Clapp and Joseph Waters, in 1774.
The following is a brief abstract of the conveyance :
" John Clapp of Greenwich, and Joseph Waters of Cortlandt manor, of the first part, convey to John Griffin, John Cromwell, John Cornell, Uriah Field and Thomas Clapp, of the second part, all that tract of land being ia Amawalk, in Cortlandt manor, consisting of 3 acres lying and being in the north-east corner of great lot No. 4. Dated 12 day of October, 1774.
The Methodist Episcopal society of Yorktown, was first in- corporated upon the 13th of August, 1792, Timothy Oakley, John Oakley, Solomon Fowler, James Haden, Thomas Kirkham and
384 HISTORY OF THE
Jacob Badeau, trustees.^ A Baptist society was incorporated on the 27th of April, 1793, Reuben Garrison, John Tompktts and Amos Lane, trustees.^ ^ ^.
Directly opposite the Presbyterian church atCimnpon^i stands the residence of the late Alvan Purdy, Esq^ who, daring Uie revolutionary war, held a Lieutenancy in Capt. Heddy's Company of Militia, belonging to the regiment of Col. Samuel Drake. Alvan Purdy, was the son of Abraham Purdy, Esq., for many years a Lieutenant of Militia for the Manor of Cortlandt. This individual erected the present mansion, A. D. 1775. The Fur- dy's have long been possessed of estates in this town, and are lineally descended from the Purdys of Rye and White Plains. Of this family was Joseph Purdy, one of the proprietors of the White Plains and the Lame Will's purchase in Rye, A. D., 1678. The surviving sons of the late Lieut. Alvan Purdy, are Abraham, of Goshen county, James, po^t master of Yorktown, and Alvan, proprietor of the homestead.
In the vicinity of Crompond and bordering on King street is the residence of the Hon. Henry White one of the judges of the late Court of Common Pleas in this county. Judge White is the son of Ebenezer White, M. D., by his wife Helena Bartow, and grandson of the Rev. Ebenezer White of Southampton Long Island. Dr. White of Yorktown through the whole course of the Revolution sustained the character of a patriot, with that de- votion and firmness which characterised the many at that event- ful period of our history. It appears that the enemy made seve- ral unsuccessful attempts to capture this distinguished individual. On one occasion they were desirous of exchanging the doctor for a British surgeon then in the hands of the Americans. To eflecl his surprisal a large party of Light Horse were despatched to Crompond, with strict orders to surround his dwelling and make him prisoner. Some kind friend however, gave the doctor time- ly warning which enabled him to escape.
• Co. Rec. ReligiouB Soc. Lib. A. 34. For re-iQCorporation, see pasrew 163» 175, &c. b Ibid. Lib. A. 40. For re-in'^orporation, see i»ttr^ o^.
384 HISTORY OF THfi
Jacob Badeau, trustees.^ A Baptist society was incorporated on the 27th of April, 1793, Reuben Garriaoni John Tompkifts and Amos Lane, trustees.^ ^. ^.
Directly opposite the Presbyterian church at Cimnpon^i stands the residence of the late Alvan Purdy, Esq^ who, daring the revolutionary war, held a Lieutenancy in Capt. Heddy's Company of Militia, belonging to the regiment of Col. Samuel Drake. Alvan Purdy, was the son of Abraham Purdy, Esq., for many years a Lieutenant of Militia for the Manor of Cortlandt. This individual erected the present mansion, A. D. 1775. The Fur- dy's have long been possessed of estates in this town, and are lineally descended from the Purdys of Rye and White Plains. Of this family was Joseph Purdy, one of the proprietors of the White Plains and the Lame Will's purchase in Rye, A. D., 1678. The surviving sons of the late Lieut. Alvan Purdy, are Abraham, of Goshen county, James, po^t master of Yorktown, and Alvan, proprietor of the homestead.
In the vicinity of Crompond and bordering on King street is the residence of the Hon. Henry White one of the judges of the late Court of Common Pleas in this county. Judge White is the son of Ebenezer White, M. D., by his wife Helena Bartow, and grandson of the Rev. Ebenezer White of Southampton Long Island. Dr. White of Yorktown through the whole course of the Revolution sustained the character of a patriot, with that de- votion and firmness which characterised the many at that event- ful period of our history. It appears that the enemy made seve- ral unsuccessful attempts to capture this distinguished individual. On one occasion they were desirous of exchanging the doctor for a British surgeon then in the hands of the Americans. To eflecl his surprisal a large party of Light Horse were despatched to Crompond, with strict orders to surround his dwelling and make him prisoner. Some kind friend however, gave the doctor time- ly warning which enabled him to escape.
• Co. Rec. ReligiouB Soc. Lib. A. 34. For re-iQCorporation, see paflre<« 163, 175, Slc. b Ibid. Lib. A. 40. For re -in corporation , see fmtr^ 'i^.
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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
As a substitute they seized upon Dr. James Brewer, who resid- ed in ttiii immediate neighborhood, and were proceeding home with their prisoner, when passing through Sloney street they were fired upon by a party of Americans, who lay concealed be- hind the fences. Dr. Brewer received a mortal wound and ex- pired the next morning, Nov. 20, 1780, In the arms of Dr. White who had thus narrowly escaped the melancholy fate of his friend. It deserves to be mentioned that he was the only one wounded of the party. Dr. Brewer who thus perished at the early age of thirty-nine, was a native of Massachusetts and left by his wife Hannah Brewer four sons and three daughters. His grandson is the present Dr. James Brewer of Peekskill.
Ebenezer White M. D., died 8th day of March, 1825, leaving issue beside Henry above mentioned, Bartow, Dr. Ebenezer of Somerstown (for many years surrogate of the county, and a mem- ber of assembly) Lewis of Peoria, James, Theodosius of SomerSi and a daughter Catharine.
In King street is also situated the residence of Major Thomas Strang asoldier of the Revolution. Major Strang is theson of Capt. Henry Strang who was the grandson of the worthy Huguenot Daniel L'Estrange and Charlotte his wife. From the genealogical table in possession of the Strangs of Putnam, it appeals that Dan- iel L'Estrange and Charlotte his wife, (daughter of Francis Hur- bert,) being protestants, fled from the city of Paris in the year of our Lord 16bi5, during the iiersecutions under Louis the XIY., and came to the city of London. He obtained a lieutenancy in the guards of James the 2d, King of Great Britain, and con- tinued there until the year 1688, when with his wife he embark- ed for America in company with a number of French Protestants and arrived at the city of New York. From thence he went to New Rochelle, and subsequently removed to Rye.^ Daniel L'Es-
• The following tradition hu been banded down in the family, that the aboTe Charlotte L'Estrange wishing to accompany her husband in his escape from France left her infant as a hostage in Paris, her enemies hoping by this artifice to insure her retnm, but taking ship the first opportunity she croawd the channel into Eng • land. During the bitter perMCUtion that preceded their flight the fkmWj Bible WM concealed beneath the hearth stone.
ToL. II. 49
386 HISTORY OP THE
■m
trnnge who was born in the city of Paris A. D. 1656, died at Rye in this count/ A. D. 1703. His wiU bears date the satae year. The Inie ftlojor Joseph Strang, uncle of the prcspnt proprietor, greatly distinguished himself in the batteaux service during the old French war.
In the same street formerly resided Susannah de Lancey,* daughter of Eiienne de Ltmcey Esq., and Anne Yan Cortlandc his wife. Her house during the Revolution afforded an asylum for the persecuted, who found here a safe protection from their ene- mies.
Near the main road leadrng from Crompond to Somers is situ- ated the estate and residence of Robert Lee Esq., for many years one of the leading members of the bar in this county. Mr. Lee is the youngest son of John Lee of Yorklown, whose grandfather William Lee emigrated to this country in 1675, from Nottingham, England.
The village of Crompond and its immediate neighborhood ap* pears to have been greatly harrassed during the revolutionary trou- bles by frequent forays of the enemy. Before the morning of the 21ih of June, 1779, (says General Heath,) about 200 of the ene- my's light horse came up as far as Crompond, surprised two militia pickets, killed and took prisoners nearly 30 men. About 130 light infimtry of the enemy at the same time, came out from Verplank's Point, made an excursion round and then returned.^ Upon another occasion the Continental troops having stacked their arms in the church, then used as an Arsenal, were engaged at breakfast when the enemy made a sudden and furious onset, capturing and killing some and compelling others to seek safety in flight. Among the latter was Bot Lent who fled down King street closely pursued by two of ths British light horse. After fol- lowing the road some distance Lent took lo the woods, whea his enemies gave up the pursuit. They had scarcely, however,
• The remains of this lady repose in the Presbyterian grave yard, adjoining thos^ of Mrs. Deborah Peck. Communicated to the Editor by Major Thomas StraDg. k Heath's Mem. 200.
-• COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 387
turned their bncks, than he raised his rifle and fired at the near- est. The shot must have taken eflect for his comrade was after- wards seen dragging him down the road covered with blood. Major Strang, who happened to be miserably mounted, was also pursued down the same street and narrowly escaped by jumping from his horse.
It seems from the following letter that timely notice was oc- casionally given of the enemy's approach.
Hanover^ Saturday Morning, one (Pclotk.
Sir. — Captain Buckhout and Mr. Hunt are sent by Colonel Putnam to inform you that the light horse are to be in this place about day light. He is at Solomon Hunt's with his detachment ; any of the inhabitants who shall join him, will be gratefully re- ceived.
I am yours,
Joseph Strang.
N. B. I am desired to let you know that it i« expected you will acquaint your neighbors up the street and Mr. Carmans.
The subjoined account of this place is given by Thacher in his Military Journal.
'* The advanced guard of our army, consisting of about two hundred meR« U posted at Crcmpondf about twenty miles beluw West Ptiint, and is relieved every two or three weeks. A surgeon constantly attends, and I am now ordered to repair to that post, to relieve Dr. Thomas.*^
*' Crompond, March^^'* 1781. ** I have taken my quarters at Crompond, ia a house with Major Trescott, who commands at this post. This vicinity m constantly harassed by small parties of volunteers on our side, and parties of royalists and tories on the other, who are making every effort to effect mutual destruction ; seeking every opportunity to beat up rach others quarters, and to kill or capture all who are found in arms. This is to be considered a very hazardous situation ; it requires the utmost vigilance to guard against a sur- prise. Major Trescott is an e.xcellent disciplinarian, an active vigilant officer, and well acquainted with his duty. A party of vc^unteers collected here oa horseback, for a secret expedition, and by their earnest request, Major Trcs^ eott marched in the night with a party to cover their retreat, and to take any advantage which might offer. Tho party returned the nest day with six tory prisoners, three of whom were wounded by the broad sword. One of our volunteers, named Hunt, received a dangerous wound through his shoulder and lungs ; the air escaped from the wound at every breath. Dr. Eustia came to the lines, and dilated the wound in the breast, and as the patient ia
388 . HISTORY OF THE
athletic and had not saetained a Terj copioas loes of blood, he reoommandad repeated and liberal blood letting, obserTing that in order to cure a wmmd through the longs, you muat bleed your patient to death. He eventaaUy re- coTered, which is to be ascribed principally to the free use of the laooet, and soAh abstemious living, as to reduce him to the greatest eztremitj. A ooo- •iderable number of wounded prisoners receive my daily attention.
** A gentleman volunteer, by name Requaw, received a dangeroas woand and was carried into the British lines ; I was requested by his brother to Tiait him, under the sanction of a flag of truce, in company with Dr. Whita, who resides in this vicinity. This invitation I cheei fully accepted, and Mr. Re- quaw having obtained a flag from the proper authority and procured horses, we set off in the morning, arrived at Westchester before evening, and dressed the wounded man. We passed the night at Mrs. Bartow*s, mother-in-law of Dr. W. She has remained at her farm between the lines during the war, and being friendly to our interest, has received much abusive treatment from the royalists. We were treated in the most friendly manner, and her daaghter, an amiable well educated girl, entertained us in conversation till one o'clock in the morning, relating numerous occurrences and incidents of an interesting nature, respecting the royal party. The next day we visited our patient again, paid the necessary attention and repaired to a tavern, where 1 was gra- fied with an interview with the much famed Colonel De Lancey, who com- mands the Refugee Corps. He conducted with much civility, and haring a public dinner prepared at the tavern, be invited us to dine with him and his officers. Adez dinner, Colonel De Lancey furnished us with a permit to re- turn with our flag ; we rode ten miles, and took lodgings in a private hoose. Here we were informed that six of our men, having taken from the refugees thirty head of cattle, were overtaken by forty of De Lancey^s corps and were all killed but onci and the cattle retaken. In the morning breakfasted with a friendly Quaker family, in whose house was one of our men who had been wounded, when four others were killed ; we dressed his wounds, which were numerous and dangerous. In another house, we saw four dead bodies, man- gled in a most inhuman manner by the refugees, and among them, one groan- ing under five wounds on his head, two of them quite through the skull bone with a broadsword. This man was capable of giving us an account of the murder of his four companions. They surrendered and begged for life, but their entreaties were disregarded, and the swords of their cruel foes were plunged into their bodies so long as signs of life remained. We found manj friends to our cause, who reside on their farms between the lines of the two armies, whose situation is truly deplorable, being continually exposed to the ravages of the tories, horse thieves, and cow boys, who rob and plunder them without mercy, and the personal abuse and punishments which they inflict is almost incredible.^'*
• Thacher's Mil. Journal. 248, 9.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 389
Shrub Oak is a small village, in the northern part of the town, containing a Methodist church, a post-office, and about fifteen dwellings. The Methodist society of this place was first incorporated upon the 22d of September, 1840; Newman Louns- berry, Benjamin Curry, Solomon Requa, Thomas Curry, jr., and Jonathan Danow, trustees."* The church, which was erected in 1839, is a very neat wooden structure. In the immediate neighborhood, lies Lake Magrigaries, (Hollow Lake, already alluded to,) which is a beautiful sheet of water, well stocked with fish.
A rich and picturesque vale extends south from Crompond, backed by rolling hills. Upon one of the principal heights in this vicinity, called French hillj the French forces were en- camped in 1781-2, under Comte de Rochambeau. <' The French army, at the time the Marquis speaks of, (Nov. 178'<^, says the translator of Chastellux,) had been for some time encamped at Crompont, near Cortlandt's manor, a few miles from that of General Washington's, and between which there was a daily in- tercourse. The translator dined, in October, 1782, in General Washington's tent, with the Marquis de Laval, the Baron de Yio* menil, and several French officers, within hearing of the British guns, which were at that period happily become a brutum ful-^ meny^ On the north-west side of French hill, are the two ponds styled by the Indians Keakatis. The largest of these, sometimes known by the name of the Great Pond, covers an area of 200 acres, and discharges its redundant waters into the smaller one of 100 acres. Both are supplied by numerous springs, and have their outlet it Muscoota river. The site of an Indian village is still pointed out, on the borders of the Great Pond, north of cedar swamp, likewise the remains of a cemetery on Cedar Point.^
Several roads intersect the town, running principally north
• Co. Rec. Relijjrious Soc. lib. B. 65.
b Travels in North America id the years 1780, 81, 89, bj the Marquis Chastel- lux. One of the principal Tisitora at the French camp in 1782 was the Baron de Talleyrand.
• Upon Cedar Point an eccentric character known as Nancy Lane the hermit- eis, residftd for many years.
300 HISTORY OF THE
and south, from the Mahopack turnpike to the great post-road, formerly called the King's road. These consist of Stoneji King's, Gorm6, Amawalk, Tomahawk and Lovett streets.
Tlie Pine's bridge rond leading south from Crompond, affords in')gni¢ views of the rich and fertile country bordering the Croton River, together with the village of Yorktown, and the Turkey and C/ollabergh mountains. Upon this road are situated the farms and residences of General Bernardus Montross,* Mr. Seth Whitney, Mr. James Underbill, Mr. Richard M. Underbill and George McKeel, &c> Directly opposite the mansion of the latter, stands the orthodox Friends meeting house, erected in 18^.
A road diverging to the south-west, near the meeting house, leads to the Turkey mountain^ a vast tract of woodland covering 800 acres, from the summit of which, the spectator has a noble prospect of the surrounding country. At the foot of the moun- tain is situated the residence of Mr. Edward Burrough Underbill, son of the late Abraham I. Underbill, "a worthy and prominent member of the society of Friends, who sustained throughout a useful and protracted life, an unsullied reputation." Abraham I. Underbill, who died on the 5ih of May, 1841, aged 78 years, was the second son of Isaac Underbill, fourth in descent from John Underbill of (>ys*er Bay, L. I. In the old family mansioa which stands one mile south of this spot, (on the Pine's bridge road) is shown the room where Major Andre and Joshua H. Smith, breakfasted on the 23J of September, 1780. At this pe- riod, the house was occupied by Isaac Underbill and Sarah his wife,<: who appears to have been a woman of good resolution and
* In a back room of this bouse, fell the notorious freebooter, Joseph liueton, by the hand of Seth Whitney, (father of the above mentioned gentleman) former pro- prietor of the estate. Hucson was a perfect scourge and terror to this part of the country dutiug the Uevolution, for he devoted himself to the most cruel pillage and robbery among the defenceless inhabitants. Whilst in the act of entering the hoase for plunder, Whitney plnnged a bayonet into his body. Upon heariug their leade< excUim " the rascal has killed me !" a band of ruffians forced an entrance seized Whitney, and inflicted on him the most savage cruelties.
b Upon the 9th of .N'ov., 1832, George McKeel conveyed te Isaac McKet Daniel Smith, Aaron Underbill and Edward Borrough Underbill, 1 acre of Ian 3 miles north of Pine's bridge."
• This lady was the daughter of Robert Field, whose nephew John was a r
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 391
conrage, whilst engaged in entertaining Andre and his companion, she took pnriicuinr notice of the former, and imagined she rend in his confusion, a person embarrassed in some great underta- king> A few days previous to this event, Mrs. Underhill had visited head-quarters to recover some cattle carried off by a band of marauders.
About a mile below the r^idence of Mr. William Smith, on the Pine's bridge road, a narrow lane diverges south-west to Davenport's or Panforth's house, the scene of Colonel Green's sur- prisal by the British Refugees, upon the 13th of May, 1781. The following account of this incursion, is given by General Heath :
4
" The next day intelligence wa8 received, that on the 13th, Colonel Green of the Rhode Island regiment, who was doing duty on the lines of the Ameri- can army, was sarprised by a body of the enemy's horse, supposed to be aboot 150 dragoons, and that the Colonel, Major Flagg, two subalterns and 27 men were killed, and several wounded. Col. Green was a brave and intre- pid officer, and his loss was much regretted. The colonel had taken post above and near to Croton river, at a place where the river was fordable, to prevent the enemy passing up by this ford 1 1 ravage the country. He had practiced the greatest vigilance in guarding this ford in the night time, taking off the guards after sunrise, apprehendmg that the enemy would never presume to cross the river in the day time ; but the enemy, having learnt his mode of doing duty, on the morning of the 13th effected bis overthrow, by crossing the ford soon afler the guards had come off, and surrounding their quarters before they had an idea of any enemy being near them. In this situation, the ut- most exertion could not then avail them.**b
A person named Gilbert Totten, is said to have betrayed his countrynaen to Colonel de Lancey on this fatal occasion, in re- taliation for an act of discipline administered by his commanding
sideut of Yorktown. The following notice of the death of Moses Field, (son of John) occurs in the New York American of Oct S5, 1833 : *< Died at Feekskill» on the 18th ioat, Moses Field of this city, aged 53 years. The poor cnold not have sustained a greater loss in an individaaL ^o man had more enlarged and persevering bei^evolence in feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and providing for the sick. His greatest happiness appeared to be, to mitigate the suffering and relieve the wants of the virtuous poor.**
• See vol. i. 210.
b Heath*8 Mem., 9^8-9.
392 HISTORY OF THE
officer. De Lancey anxious for an opportunity to return the recent attack made upon bis quarters by Captain Gushing,* instantly fitted out a force of about 150 dragoons, as described by Heath. The route selected by their experienced cooimandei^ was the road leading to Wiiite Plains, by which means the party escaped through the only opening in the long line of sentinds stretched across the country. Near Chappequa, they halted for a short time at the house of Daniel Underbill, and then pro- ceeded by the west road, which is an intersection of the present Sing Sing turnpike, till they arrived at the residence of Mr. Lyon ; here they anxiously awaited the withdrawal of the Amm- can guard at Oblenus's ford, which is nearly one mile west of Pine's bridge. Up to this moment no one of the party, save their commander and his guide, knew the object for which they had been detailed. According to ^General Heath's account, the American officers appear to have had no idea that the enemy would dare to cross the ford after sunrise, and therefore had taken no precautions to prevent it. By this means, Davenport's house was surrounded by the enemy, and all possibility of escape cut off before the danger was discovered. De Lancey remained on the south side of the river, probably with a view to cover the retreat of his party, if it should prove necessary. *
To General Heath's account of the surprisal, we must be per- mitted to add the following extract from Colonel H. Lee's history of the Southern war : —
" In the spring of 1781, when General Washington began to expert the promised naval aid from our best friend, the ill-fated Louis XVL, he oecm- aionally approached the enemy's lines on the side of York island. In one of these movements, Col. Green, with a suitable force, was posted on the Cro- ton River, in advance of the army. On the other side of this river lay a corps of refugees, (American citizens who had joined the British army,) under the command of Col. Delancy. These half citizens, half soldiers, were notorious for rapine and murder, and to their vindictive conduct may Justly be ascribed most of the cruelties which stained the progress of our war, and which at length compelled Washington to order Captain Asgill, of the tb'itish army, to be brought to head -quarters, for the purpose of retaliating, by his executiont
• See page 333.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 393
lor the murder of CapC. Haddy, of New Jersey, perpetrated by a Capt. Lip- L ' piocoart, of the refngees. The commandant of these refugees, (Delancy was not present,) haring ascertained the position of Greeners corps, which the colonel had cantoned in adjacent farm houses — probably with a view to the procurement of subsistence — took the resolution to strike it. This was ac- cordingly done, by a nocturnal movement, on the 13th of May. The enemy crossed the Croton before daylight, and hastening his advance, reached our station with the dawn of day, unperceiTcd. As he approached the farm house in which the Lieutenant-Colonel was quartered, the noise of troops marching was heard, which was the first intimation of the fatal design. Greene and Major Flagg immediately prepared themseUes for defence, but they were too late, so expeditious was the progress of the enemy. Flagg discharged his pis * tols, and instantly afterwards fell mortally wounded, when the ruffians (unwor- thy the appellation of soldiers) burst open the door of Greeners apartment. Here the gallant veteran singly received them with his drawn sword. Several fell beneath the arm accustomed to conquer, till at length, overpowered by num- bers, and faint from the loss of Uood streaming from his wounds, barbarity triumphed over valor. * His right arm was almost cut off in two places, the left in one, a severe cut on the left shoulder, a sword thrust through the abdo- men, a bayonet in the right side, and another through the abdomee, several sword cuts on the head, and many in different parts of the body.'
*' Thus cruelly mangled, fell the generous conqueror of Count Donop, whosa wounds, as well as those of his unfortunate associates, had been tenderly dressed as soon as the battle terminated, and whose pains and sorrows had been as tenderly assuaged. How different was the relentless fury here dis- played !
*' The commander-in-chief heard with anguish and indignation the tragieal fate of his loved, his faithful friend and soldier, in whose feelings the army sincerely participated. On the subsequent day, the corpse was brought to head-quarters, and his funeral was solemnized with military honors and uni- Tcrsal grief. •
liieutenant Colonel Greene was murdered in the meridian of life, being only forty -four years old. He married in 1758, Miss Anne Lippitt, a daughter of Mr. J. Lippitt, Esq., of Warwick, whom^he left a widow with three sons and four daughters. He was stout and strong in person, about five feet ten in- ches high, with a broad round chest ; his aspect manly and demeanor plea- sing, enjoying always a high state of health, its bloom irradiated a oonnten-
• At the close of the Revolutionary war Col. De Lancey politely forwarded to General Tbomlb of Harrison the bkK>d stained pocket books of Col. Green and Major Flagg. These intereiting relics we regret to say (sines the General's de- cease) have been destroyed.
Vol. IL 50
394 HISTORY OF THE
Moe whieh signifieantly ezpreated the fortitude and miMneM invariably die* played throughoat hie life/'^
The following additional particulars concerning this melan- choly aflbir, are contained in a letter from the pay-master Thomas Hughes to a friend dated
Rhode Island Vmage.May 14, 1781.
Dear Sir. — It is with pain I write you on a sabject that is so nearly and elosely connected to yoo as a parent ; I most my dear friend iafbnn yon of the unhappy fate that befel your son.
This morning the enemy made an ^tack upon the lines, which was a eom- plete sorprise, and he fell a sacrifice to the cmel hand of tyranny in defend- ing himself against the strokes struck by the light horsemen. He had his wrist almost out off in two places, ■ a severe cut in the left shoulder, a sword run through his body, a bayonet into his right side, and another throogh hie body, his head but to pieces in sererat places, his back and body ent and hacked in such a manner as gives me pain to inform you, he was carried about three quarters of a mile from his quarters where they left him to die or rather through loss of blood and strength to go forward, finished his days in the woods. And as they went by the houses informed the inhabitants should there be any enquiry after the Colonel they left him dead in the edge of the woods. b This cruel and barbarous treatment was perpetrated by De Lsneey's corps, De Lancey himself at the head.* Major Flagg, as he arose from his bed received a ball in his head, and when they entered the house they stabbed and cut him in a cruel manner, and he expired immediately. A doc- tor of the New Hampshire line and a Lieutenant of the Massachusetts line were wounded in the house and carried off. Lieut. Macomb being in bed was made a prisoner, Ensign Greene who commanded a guard at the bridge, with him- self and all his men were taken or killed.
J went in the lines the evening before, to pay off the troops and retnmed with Greene. My horse being hitched at the door and when the alarm was given, I saddled him and just made my escape. My flight was so rapid I left my receipts behind. The woman of the house was so kind as to hide them in the bushes, so I received them again. The loss of my dear friend roost fall heavy on the family, but as life is uncertain we roust surrender it when the great Jehovah calls. To morrow we shall bestow on each of them the honors
• See Updike's hiitory of the Narragansett Church, for a full account of himself and family.
b Green expired near the residence of Mr. Sutton, where he was found the fol- lowiuf; morning by Major Strang and bia brother.
« The writer must have been mistaken, for De Laiiccy was act present accord- lug to other acconnts.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 395
that are dae to men, who so nobly suffered the pains of death in thesenrice of their country. It is uncertain how many we had killed and taken ; but I be* lioTe about 40 taken, killed and wounded. John is wounded, and Prince Wolland I fear will die ; please make my respects to Maria and sister, and belie?e me to be with esteem.
Your humble servant,
Thomas Hughee.
Mr. Joshua Carpenter,* the present occupant of the house, still points out the spot where the bed of Colonel Green stood, and the window from which Major Flagg fired his pistols, while the old fashioned wainscoting and doors are pierced with nu« merous bullet holes. A large addition has been since added to the house, on the east. The wonderfully extensive views which this elevated spot commands, will amply repay the visitor, besides the interest attached to the above associations.
In the southeast comer of Torktown, is situated the great dam of the Croton Acqueduct, one of the most important and ex- tensive works ever undertaken in this country. ''The dam across the Croton, is placed where the river enters between the hills, after having passed for several miles through a more level country. The hill on the south side is composed of solid rock."^ The dam itself " is not of great length, but is one of the most ingenious works of substantial masonry any where to be found. The highest point of the stnicture is rather more than fifty feet above the natural bed of the Croton. By this elevation, the water is thrown back more than six miles, forming a beautiful lake of several hundred acres, containing about 100,000,000 gallons for each foot in depth for the surface. The water is drawn into the acqueduct by means of a tunnel cut into the rock, which constitutes the hill on the south sideu At distances of one mile, a circular hollow tower is erected over the acqueduct, for the purpose of ventilation, these being composed of white marble, produce a very pretty effect Every three miles is an
• Mr. Carpenter is a grandson of Richard DaTenport, who held the piopertj hi 1780. k Dtrtumeirs Gazetteer of N. Y.
396 HISTORY OF THE
apparatus for drawing off the water in case any internal repairs should be necessary/' &c.*
'' The whole quantify of land which the water commissioDers have been compelled to buy on the forty miles of the works, amount to nine hundred acres, and the average price has been nearly five hundred dollars per acre."*»
The great bend of the Croton, west of Pine's bridge, was de- nominated by the aborigines Keweghlegnack. Croton lake bor- dered by meadows and high hills presents a lovely and interest- ing scene to the eye of the beholder. The following lines sug- gested by a visit to the lake, are from the Hudson River Chroni- cle.
TO CROTON LAKE.
How mildly beams the moon*8 pale light»
As o^er thy breast we gaily glide ; Her silfery lostre eharms the night,
As swid we float along the tide. Unraffled calm thy bosom lies,
Save where the oars the stillness break ; Nor do the breezes dare to rise,
To mar thy beauty, Croton Lake.
The purest joys that friendship yields,
We here in rich profusion taste, While busy thought roams oVr the fields
Of memory, brightening from the past ; Sweet recollections crowd the mind,
With former scenes of purest bliss ; While now, a sweet delight we find
In musing o^er past happiness.
Now is the hour of tranquil peace.
While gliding o'er thy fair expanse ; All fierce, tumultuous passions cease,
And heavenly joys the soul entrance ; The hallowed fellowship of friends
We here with rich delight partake. Nor e'er, till this existence ends.
Shall we its memory dear forsake.
■ ___^ - III - __
• Diilurneire Gazetteer, N. Y. * Ibid.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 397
But li8t ! the hour souDds to depart,
And thy bright shores we lea^e with pain ; Thoa e^er shalt be near ray heart,
While life or thought or hope remain ; The friends I here ha?e found, shall be
Dear to my heart till life forsake ; And often shall I think of thee,
Thou mildly beauteous Crotoo Lake.
" The supplies of the Croton are derived exclusively from the elevated region of the Highlands, in Westchester county and Putnam, being furnished by the pure springs which so remarka- bly characterize the granitic formation of this region. Many of the ponds and lakes from which it is maintained, are, three or four hundred acres in extent, and as large as 1000 acres : all these ponds are surrounded by clear upland shores, which furnish soft and clear water. Half a gallon of water taken from the Croton at Wood's bridge, yielded by evaporation, 2,333 grains residuum, in the following proiiortions :
Vegetable matter, 133
Carbonates of lime and magnesia, . 1,200 -
Muriate of magnesia, . . . 1,000
grains,* 2,333 Prior to the erection of the dam, shad fish annually ascended the river some miles above the present lake. The fishing is now entirely confined to trout, perch, and other fresh water fish. In 1800 it was proposed to render the Croton river navigable, from its mouth to Pine's bridge. The following report of the en- gineers is entitled :
** Estimate of expense to make the Croton xiret na?igable for boats of two tons."
The falls at Croton rirer with a lock, jC350
The falls below the Old bridge, S50
Small rapid, 10
Rapid and stony, 15
2 small falls, 15
• See Corporat. Doc. of N. Y., No. x«?i. 409.
308 HISTORY OF THE
Rocky falls and stony water, £ 60
Fall both above and below Fowler's mill, 100
Rapids and rocks, 80
Long rapid water, 2 stony falls, 950
do. do. 150
Fall at Carpenter's mills and lock, 1 10
A short rapid, 30 This brings us to Pine's bridge. Here we find 18 obttmctions, such as small rapids, fish wares, stony, &c. &c.
The cost of n hich is estimated at 830
X1050
Pine's Bridge crosses the lake about one mile above the dam. On the south side of the Croton is a small settlement bearing the name of Crotonville, which contains a Methodist church, a Friends' meeting house, two stores, a tavern, a post office, and several scattered dwellings. The old bridge was situated west of the present structure, and served, during the Revolution, as the principal communication between the lines. Here the Ame- ricans generally kept a strong guard for the purpose of affording timely notice of an enemy's approach. It was also a place of rendezvous, as appears from the following orders :
" Manor of Corilandt, 12th Nov., 1781. *< Lieutenant Purdy, you are commanded to march 24 of your men, well armed and eqnipt with six days provision, to Pintfs Bridge, by to-morrow morning at 8 o'clock, with all the teams in your company.
"Samuel Drake, Ck)lonel.''
" DanforiKs^ 8 o'clock in the evening. " Sir— I have this moment received intelligence that the ene- my are out as far as Young's. I shall be at the Bridge, ready- to march, at 2 o'clock, and wish to have all the militia in Crom- pond mustered and at the Bridge by that time.
" I am, sir, your most obedient servant,
"William Hull, Lieut. Colonel. " P. S. — I beg you to send to Major Strang's and Captain Drakes."
« On the morning of the 26th of June, 1779, the British light horse, and about 1000 infantry, were at Pine's Bridge,^^ Gen- eral Heath "ordered 200 light infantry, under the command of
County of westchester. 399
Lt. Col. Grosvenor,to march to Robinson's stores, near Marpoach Pond, to cover that quarter."*
21st of October, 1780, " intelligence was received that the en- emy were meditating an excursion as far up as Crompond and its vicinity, to sweep off the cattle." General Heath " immedi- ately ordered Colonel Hazen, with a detachment of 600 men, to move to Pin€?s Bridge^ and Lieut. Col. Jameson, with the 2d light dragoons, to move from Bedford towards Col. Hazen. The detachment arrived at Pine^s Bridge about 10 o'clock the same evening, and Colonel Jameson with the dragoons at about ,2 o'clock the next morning. The evening of the 23d, Col. Hazen returned with the detachment ; the enemy did not come out."b It was in the vicinity of Pine's Bridge that Enoch Crosby, the Westchester spy, first commenced his career of secret service.
By way of a general geographical description of Yorktown, it may be observed, " that the north is broken by the hills of the southern border of the Highlands, and the general surface is hilly, though its hills are of a moderate height in the south.''^: The numerous streams supply abundance of mill seats. << The soil is generally productive, and well distributed into arable, pasture and meadow lands. Much of it is stony ; and previous to the late introduction of gypsum as a manure, many farms were nearly exhausted by constant tillage."** The timbt^r is very thrifty and tall, consisting for the most part of oak, chesnut, hickory and walnut, &c. The low grounds yield maple, black birch, ash and hemlock, &a.
The first entry relating to town officers occurs in the manor book, entitled, " Record for the manor of Cortlandt and York- town." <* At a town meeting held for ye manor of Cortlandt, on the first Tuesday, in April, in the year of our Lord, 1760, to choose town officers for ye said manor for the ensuing year, and the re- spective names and offices of those chosen." Pierre van Cortlandt, Supervisor, Moses Travis, Clerk,
• Heath's Mem. 206. d Ibid.
b Ibid. 260.
< Spafford*8 Gazetteer of New York.
400 HISTORY OF THE
Joseph Sherwood, Treasurer, ' Daniel Strang, ) Joseph Tidd, {Assessors.
Joseph Travis, for the Water Collector at Peekskill,
John Travis, Pounder,
Jeremiah Drake, Constable for the west part,
John Teomans, for ye middle part,
John Purdy, for ye east part, d&c.*
» See Rec. of Yorktown. The names of some twenty freebolden ai« •lao attached to the Hit
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. ' 401
YONKERS.
YoNKERs is situated on the east bank of the Hudson, immedi- ately above New York island, seventeen miles north of New York, one hundred and thirty south of Albany, and ten south- west of White Plains ; bounded north by Greenburgh, east by Eastchester and a small angle of Westchester, or by Bronx's River ; south by West Farms and New York county, and west by the Hudson River. It extends near eight miles along the Hudson, and has a medial width of near three miles.
The name of this town, at different periods written Younkers, Younckers, Jonkers and Yonkers, is derived from the Dutch ** Jonker" or " Jonkheer," meaning in that language the ^^ young gentleman,^^ a common appellation for the heir of a Dutch fam- ily.»
Yonkers and the Mile Square constituted a township withia the great manor of Philipsburgh, until the year 1779, when the manor was confiscated and conveyed to the people of this state. A. D. 1788, the present township was independently organi- zed.»»
Thirty years after the Dutch discovery of the New Nether- lands, A. D. 1639, we find the Dutch West India Company pur- chasing lands in this town of the native Indian sachems.
" Appeared before me, Cornelis van Tienhoven, secretary of the New Netherlands, Fecquemeck, Rechgawac, Packanniens, own- ers of Kekeshickj which they did freely convey, cede, <fcc. &c. to the behoof of the General Incorporated West India Company, which lies over against the flats of the Island cf Manhates, mostly east and west, beginning at the source of the said Kill till over against the high hill of the flat lands — to wit, by the great Kill, together with all the rights, estate and title to them, the grantees,
« Benson*! Mem. of N. Y.
k Act pawed 7th March, 1788. Re?. Stat. vol. iii. 286.
Vol. II. 51
402 HISTORY OF THE
&c. &c. Tn testimony of the truth of which, this is subscribed by witnesses. Done 3d of August, 1639, at Fort Amsterdam, in New Netherlaud-»
Cornelius van der Hoyken, J ^, witnesses.
Davidt Piettersen de Tries, i Id presence of me Cornells van TienhoveOi Sec^j/*
How long the Dutch West India Company held the lands of Kekeshick, does not appear } but about the year A. D. 1646| we find the Indian sachem Taekarew^ granting lands in this town to Adriaen van der Donck.^ In this sale the town is called Nep-' perhaenif^ an Indian name frequently applied to the village. Eighty years Inter we find it varied to NeppercAf^'ihe. proper Indian orthography of which is evidently Nap-pe-cha-makf ren- dered literally the ^^ rapid water seillementJ^ Thus graphically expressing the situation of the Mohegan village, at the mouth of the Neperah, or rapid waters.^ In the deep seclusion of the an- cient forests that once bordered this beautiful stream, were loca- ted other Indian villages, some of the sites of which tradition has preserved to us ; one of these occupied the eastern edge of Boar Hill. A Mohegan castle ornamented the steep side ot Berriau^s Neck, styled in the Indian tongue Nipnichsen. It was carefully protected, by a strong stockade, from the attacks of the warlike Sank-hi-cnu-ni, (fire workers,) inhabiting the Jersey shores, and commanded the romantic scenery of the Spuyten Duyvel Creek and Hudson River. Tiie junction of the two streams was calledj in the Indian, Shorackappock. The lost settlement of the Nap- peckamak Indians remembered in this town stood near the present residence of Abraham Fowler, on a rising bank of the Neperah (Saw Mill.) The crystal waters of this sweet stream (which runs principally north and south) arise from two perennial springs in
• Alb. Rcc. C. C. 62.
b Sometimes called the Youngrer Vau Dunkc. Araize Rec. Alb. 47.
• Alb. Kec. viii. 79, 60 ; IIcl. Doc. vi. 118 ; Book of Pat. i. 5G; O'Calla^han*! Hist. N. N. 282.
d Valentine receipts for rent.
• Nipi, in the old Algonkin, sif^niftct water; Niep» in the Montauk. Trniu. Amer. Antiq Soc. iu
COUNXr OF WESTCHESTER. 403
rti« bosom of the Chappeqiia hills." To this nymph of ihe val- ley the Indians (as their custom was) offered sacrifice, the perpe- tuity of her motion typyfying to them the eternity of God.
In the north irest comer of this town, west of the Saw Mill, (Neperah) is situated the rock Mcghkeckassia, Amackasain, otr the great alone, soineiimes called Meshkeckassin, and Maca- kassin, a name probably derived from two Delaware words, " Mekhkakhsin" signifying copper^ " akkain," slone.*' This word appears to denote not a common stone, but the cwlored copper stone bound under some spell of Indian necromancy. " To these stones they paid all outward signs of worship and de- votion, not as to God, but as they are hieroglyphinks of the per- manency and immutability of the Deity; because these, both for figure and subslaiice, are, of all sublunary bodies, the least sub- ject to decay or change."" This stone lies in an obscure nook on the eastern shore of the Hudson, at the foot of a steep bank whose sides are shaded with masses of wild cedar and laurel, the beautiful take like appearance of the river giving additional interest and magical illusion to the scene. At ebb tide the huge
> TImm hill* ara (ituKted in Ihe town of Niwcaitl*. k Trmu. Amer. Auliq. Sue. tol. ii. 336. ' Biverly'a Hiit. Virgini».
404 HISTORY OP THE
boulder must have reminded them of a monstrous Neebanawbaijif, (or water spirit) afloat on the waves. To the superstitious In- dian its peculiar position mast have been a subject of deep inte- rest. The name of this stone is sometimes applied to a brook that flows in the vicinity. The term Sigghes, which also oc- curs in some of the deeds, doubtless belongs to the Indian rock, situated still higher up, west of the post road on the land of J. O. Dyckman. The two rocks or stones and rivulet here referred to, still form a portion of the northern boundary of Yonkers, run- ning east to Bronx's river. In this town are also two Indian burying grounds. The principal one lies two miles north of the village, on Blackwell's hill. Within the recollection of many persons still living, the graves were distinctly indicated by rude mounds of earth, but, alas ! the plough has long since removed these memorials of the ancient dead, and perhaps the mouldering relics themselves.
That remnant of a martial brow,
Those ribs that held the mighty heart. That strong arm — ah ! 'tis strengthless now. — Bryant,
and well might the poet add.
Spare them ! each mouldering fragment spare,
Of God's own image — let them rest, Till not a trace shall speak of where
The awful likeness was impressed !^
The second and last place of sepulture used by the Indians in this town, is now nearly covered by the barn and out buildings of Benjamin Fowler, Esq. The sile was well chosen on rising ground at the entrance of the Sprain valley.
Besides the Tawasenlhas, (or places of many dead,) numerous skeletons have been discovered in different parts of the town, showing it to have been once numerously populated by the In- dian tribes. One of these was recently disinterred in making some improvements on the Kingsbridge road nearly opposite the Van Corllandt residence j it proved to be on examination the full
* Ilurper'n Indian Traits, introd. i. 19.
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 405
sized skeleton of an Indian in a sitting posture holding the re- mains of a small child between its knees. Others have been discovered lying near the surface of the ground on Berrian's Neck ; the back part of the skull of one of these was found per- forated hy a musket ball, which still remains in the cavity of the brain.* Of course this Indian perished by fire arms. It may not be inappropriate to mention that Hendrick Hudson had an engagement with the Indians, 1609, at the mouth of the Spuyten Dyvil creek.
The descendants of the last named chief, Tackarew jConiinned to reside in Yonkers for more than half a century after the sale to Van der Donck. A. D. 1646, as wc find Claas do Wilt, Neme- rau, and a squaw, Karocapacomont, confirming the Hon. Jacobus van Cortland t in possession of the old Younckers, A. D. 1701.^ 1692, we find an Indian chief at Bedford called Wappowham.* The last remnant of his tribe in this place was a noble Indian by the name of Shucktaman, who occasionally visited the village, but was oftener to be seen in his canoe cruising along the various fishing grounds of the Hudson.
We have shown that the next grantee in Younckers, under the Indians, was the renowned Dutch De Heer Adriaen van der Donck.<^ <<Tlus illustrious personage was a free citizen of Breda in Dutch Brabant, part owner of the famous turf sloop in which a party of Dutch troops were clandestinely introduced, in 1590, into the castle commanding that city, then in the hands of the Spanish, by which stratagem that stronghold fell into the hands of their high mightinesses the States General.''^ '' Van der Donck en- joys the distinction of having been the first lawyer in the Colony of New Netherlands. He received his education at the University of Leyden in Holland, where he attained the degree of Juris utriusque Doctor; he subsequently obtained permission to prac- tice as an advocate in the Supreme Court of Holland. In the autumn of 1642 he embarked on board a vessel belonging to the
■ lu postession of H. S. Gates, M. D., of Yonken rilla^
b See Van Cortlandt*8 coofirmation.
c See Bedford.
4 Douck if a ▼illaje in Soath HoUaDd, three and a half leagues fVom Gorcnm.
• 0*Callaghan*s Hitt. N. N. 337.
406 HISTORY OF THE
Patroon Killian van Rensselaer, for the New Netherlands. On his arrival he was created sheriff t)f Rensselaerwyck."*
After remaining here for two or three years, and finding him- self disappointed in his efibrts to plant a colony in that neighbor- hood. *' he obtained, in consideration of the assistance he afforded in negotiating the treaty between the Director Grencral and the Mohawks, and in return for the advances he then made to enable the government to purchase presents for the Indians, Ihe tracl of land called Nepperh'aem. This valuable property was situated on the east side of Hudson's river, about, sixteen miles above New Amsterdam. It was bounded on the north by a stream which the Indians called Maccakassin and ran south to Neper- haem ; thence to the Shorakapkock kill^ and to Papirinimen creekj called by the Dutch ' Spuyten duyvel,' whence it stretched eastward to the river Bronx. The title of thiscolonie was *Coien Donckf^ Donck's colony, and the proprietor thereof was invested with all the rights and privileges contained in the charter of 1629."b If Van der Donck obtained these lands in marriage with his wife Mary, as her brother affirmed, he certainly had the sanction of the Lords Directors of the Dutch West India Com- pany, as Earls of the province of New Holland, as well as a charter afterwards, and a deed of confirmation from the ancient loi^ds of the soil. The Indian grantors were Tackarew, Claee^ and seven others. This fact is proved by the testimony taken before his Excellency, Richard Nicolls, the first English Gover- nor of New York, A. D. 16G4, when it was distinctly declared, <*That the Indian proprietor's name, who was chief of them, was TackareWf living at the Navisans, (the highlands of the Nevi- sink, N. J.) who acknowledged ye purchase as before described, and that he had recived satisfaction for it. Claes ye Indian having interest in a part, acknowledged to have sold and re- ceived satisfaction of Van der Donck. All the rest of ye Indians, being seven or eight, acknowledged to have received full satis- faction® likewise.
The Jonge Heer being now a member of the privileged order
• N. Y. HtBt. Soc. CoU iu tec. i. 37. » 0*CallaghaQ*t Hiit. N. N. 389.
« Alb. Rec. Courts of Auize, u
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 407
of PatfooDs,^ enjoyed all the feudal appendages attached thereto, such as power to erect achurch or churches ; to administer juris- diction, to decide civil suits, to impose fines, to pronounce the first sentence, finally to exercise all rights belonging to the jurisdic' tion of Colen Donck together with the right of hunting, fowling, fishing and trading according to imrouniiies granted in the same. Soon after the settlement of our Patroon at Colen Donck, there arose a controversy between the government of the Colony of New Netherlands and several of the colonists ; among the most forward of the latter was Adriaen van der Donck. who with others united in a strong remonstrance to the States General of Holland, complaining of the power exercised by the Dutch West India Co. especially during the administrations of Kieft and Stuy- vesant. This remonstrance was afterwards printed at the Hague A. D. 1650, and formed a small vol. (quarto) of fifty pages enti- tled "Yertoogh^ van Nieuw Nederlaudt, weghens de Ghelegeu- hetyd, Vruchtbaerheydt, en soberen Staet desselfs. In s' Graven Hage 1650, (An Exposition of the New Netherlands, in respect to the situation, fertility, and wretched condition of the country. At the Hague, 1650.) This attempt to shake the authority of the Dutch West India Company, proved abortive, and only served to re-act unfavorably upon the disafiected ; 19 March, 1650, oc- curs a contract between the Dutch West India Co., Van der Donck and others, for the transportation of 200 persons to New Nether- lands.e November 29, 1660, Cornelis Van Tienhoven secretary of the New Netherlands, delivered to the States General a short statement or answer upon certain points contained in the memo- rial of Van der Donck and others to their High Mightinesses.*^
Van der Donck, also appears to have been one of the commis* sioners who repaired to Holland for a redress of grievances for May, 13, 1652, occurs the memorial of Adriaen van der Donck to
• A title derived from the Latin Patronmi like the French Seignior, b Vertoogh tometimeB meaua remonstrance, e Holland Doc. xvi. 191. d HoU. Doc. No. Ivil 360.
408 HISTORY OF THR
the commiUec of ilie States General, stating his intended return to the New Netherlands.*
Again, May 30, 1652, a second memorial from Adriaen van der Donck to the same body, ^' respecting various matters con- nected with his visit to Holland on behalf of Gemeente at New Netherlands.^
During the Patroon's stay in Holland, he had shipped for Colen Donck seven persons, four of whom had cruelly deserted and betrayed him. Upon this we find him again petitioning the Directors of the Dutch We.H India Company's department. Am- sterdam.
Remonstrates reverently, Adriaen Van der Donck, residing in New Nether- lands that to tbe supplteant was granted by the Director General and Com- pany in New Netherlands, the Saw Kill with the adjacent lands to erect there saw and grist mills, and clear the land for a plantation and farms as far as his property would permit it, which grant was chiefly obtained beeaose tin sop- plicant bad contributed a vast deal by bis services as mediator, to negotiate and conclude a peace between the director Kief\ from the one side aad the Indians from the other side, not without great sacrifice from his aide, aa it was the first part of the year when his presence was wanted at hoaie, and all this at his own expcnce so that he might assert without boasting that he con- tributed at least as much to its consolidation than any other person whatevert 80 that at length peace was concluded when the supplicant advanced the prin- cipal part of the money, as the Director General was at that period not well provided witli it to procure seawant,* which was wanted for presents in con- firmation of the peace which God be praised, remains yet uninterrupted. After I attained this grant in the year 1616, 1 resolved to reside here, erected a saw mill and laid out a farm and plantation, and was actually resolved to contiooe on this spot, when I further with consent of the Director General, parchaaed a part of said land from the Indians the original proprietors, who reclaimed it as belonging to them, but the suppliant' observing that near the saw kill were valleys used as commons which by enclosure might be properly adapted for hay lands, so was he permitted by the Director General to purchase thesa valleys from the Indians, on the best possible terms. This induced the sup- plicant to follow his plan, having obtained as I already mentioned the consent and approbation of the Director General and Council, and included said ral-
•■ Holl. Doc. xxxii. 130, iv. b Holl Doc. xxxvii. 141. > ludi&n aam« f'»r nholl money.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 409
leys in his purchase, as he did not possess other low lands* This valley con- tained about 30 or 40 morgen/ with another handsome vale bordering on said, on the back part of the Island of Manhattans, and stretching as far as Paprin* emin called by our people, in spite of the dyvel, where the supplicant was de« termined to fix his residence as soon as he should have finished all his con- cerns at the saw kill ; and which yet remains his firm determination as soon as he shall have returned in safety to that country, as he made every prepa* ration to execute his purpose, by commencing to build on that spot and culti- rate the soil ; so because he is delighted with that situation, as because it shall enable him to reap all the advantages of the aforesaid valleys, without which all his great expenses which he made at the saw kill, would be in vain and his prospects in future profits would be obscured, while all his toils and la- bors would have been rendered useless with respect at least to himself, and whereas the supplicant is informed that some greedy land speculators arrived in 1653, to obtain a grant of these lands in a clandestine manner ; so it is that the supplicant now addresses himself to your honors, with great re- spect that it may please them to resolve that the supplicant shall not be dis- possessed of these lands and valleys, by any individual under any pretext what- soever, by which doing &c. &c.b
26 May, 1652, occurs an octroy, granting to Adriaen van der Donck, Patroon of the Colony of Colendonck, power to bequeath his said &ef of Colendonck.
'* The states general of the United Netherlands, to all who shall see or hear these presents, send health, fie it known, that we, at the humble re- quest of Adriaen van der Donck of Breda, Patroon of the colony of Nepper- haem, called by him Colendonck, situated in New Netherlands, within the limits of the privileged West India company, and having taken into consideration the 6th article of the freedom granted by the assembly of the nineteen of the aaid company, to all those who shall plant in New Netherlands aforesaid, have granted, consented and privileged, grant, consent and privilege, out of our sovereign will by these our letters, that he may dispose, bequeath and order the aforesaid, his fief named Colendonck, either by codicil by form of testa- ment, or last will before a notary and witnesses, superintendence within the property situated in the same, as or otherwise as it shall please him, to th« profit of his children, if he have any, or other, strangers, &o., &e.«
* A Dutch morgen contained a little over 3 acres English, 7 morgen containing 15 acres.
k Alb. Rsc. vol. viii. 79.
• Holland Doc. No. zxv. 118.
Vol. II. 52
410 HISTORY OF THE
About this period, the Patroon commenced the compilation of his celebrated book, entitled '* Beschyvinge van Nieuw Neder- land," or a description of New NeUierlandj the copyright of which bears date, 17th May, 1653.^
The work is dedicated " To the DlQetrioas, Most Wise sod Pradent Lords, the HoDorable Ruling Bargomasters of the far-famed commercial City of Am- sterdam.
Why mourn about Brazil, full of base Portuguese t When Van der Donck shows so far much better fiare; Where wheat fills golden ears, and grapes abound in trees ; Where fruit and kine are good with little care ; Men may mourn a loss, when vain would be their Toiee, But when their loss brings gain, they also may rejoice.
Then, reader, if you will, go freely there to liTe, We name it Netherlands though this excels it far ; If you dislike the Toyage, pray due attention giTO, To Van der Donck, his book, which, as a leading star. Directs toward the land where many people are. Where lowland Love and Laws all may freely share.
[Evert Nieuwenk&f.^
24th of July of the same year, we find him petitioning the Di- rectors of the West India company, for permission to search the records of the colony, and also for leave to pursue the practice of his profession.
The following appears in answer to it :
As Mr. Adriaen Tan der Donck has petitioned our college, [stating] first, that he has received his degree at law in the university of Leyden, and been admitted to practice it before the supreme court of Holland, he may be per- mitted to follow his profession as advocate in New Netherlands. Sndly, That he may examine all the records and documents in the secretary's office to accomplish his history of New Netherlands, which he did undertake to write, so is our resolution upon these points, we consent and permit hion, that, in conformity with the rules and customs of this country ^he may foUow his profession as advocate in New Netherlands, to give his advice to all who
• HoII. Doc. No. zli. 4, No. ziii. 42, No. ziv. 43, No. zv. p. 44, No. xvi. 45, "So. zvii. 47. This book has been recently translated from the original Dutch, by the Hon. Jeremiah Johnson. See 1 vol. new series N. Y' His. Soc.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 411,-
may desire to obtain it ; but, as regards his pleading before the ooDrts* we cannot see that it can be admitted yet, with any adrantage to the Direoter and Council in New Netherlands, besides that we are ignorant of there being any of that stamp in your city (who nevertheless before they can be admitted, must apply to your honor, or directly to our department) who can act and plead against Van der Donck, in behalf of the other side. We trust, that in this, you will consult the interests of your goreroment and the welfare of the inhabitants.
Si July, 1653.»
Adriaen van der Donck married Mary, daughter of the Rev. Francis Doughty. Patentee of Mespath, Long Island. In con- sequence of the absence of all family records, we have no meant whereby we can determine the exact date of the Patroon's death, but it is reasonable to conclude from the following document, that it took place circa, 1654, as in it we find his lands settled and divided among his children. This was previous to tba general massacre by the Indians, A. D. 1655.
This letter was despatched by the Director General, Peter Stuyvesant and council, to Holland, in a vessel called the FoXf coomianded by the skipper^ Jacob Jansen Hayes^
Honorable, prudent, wise and right respectful gents.
AlthoQgh since our last letter* no act of hostility has been eonimitted^ yet those of Hartford continue tjieir threatenings, anticipates, and encroachments, and purchased from the savages all the land between Westchester and the lliTorth ri7er,b including different lots of land, which were as well under the administration of the Honorable Got. Kieft as ours, in the usual manner granted by letters patent, and in virtue of these possessed by those of our nation, as so among others the land of Jonas Bronek, the lands of the old Verdonck divided and settled by his children and associates in rarious plantations and farms, but who in the massacre* were absconded with many others, all which are situated here and bordering on our island, only divided by a small creek, which in some places by low water is passable, so as they to us the
• Alb. Rec. vol. iv. 3.
k Thos. Pell, proprietor of the manor of Pelham, was authorized by the anembly of Conn., to porchtse all the lands from Westchester town to the North river, of the Indians, 1664. Trumbuirs Conn., 373, Webster's Letters, 305.
• The maisacre here alluded to, took place Sept. 1655, during the absence of Stuyvesant, when the warriors of the Algonquin tribes, mads a furioos onset upog the colony. See Bancroft's His. U. S„ vol. ii, 399.
412 HISTORY OF THE
MTftges declared and solicited them to parchaae ot!ier lands to tbe emst aai
west of the North river, dat. 20 Jane, 1064.*
On the 12th of March, 1664, the Dutch possessions in America were patented to his Royal Highness James Duke of York and Al- bany, by his brother King Charles 11. This grant was immediately followed by a military and naval armament under the command of Colonel Richard Nicolls, which reduced the New Netherlands to the subjection of the English Crown, 27th August, 1664.
One of the articles of capitulation drawn up by the commission- ers at the surrender, declared that '^all people shall qontinne free denizens, and shall enjoy their lands, houses and goodi| whersoever they are within this country, and dispose of theni as they please.**
Sept. 21, 1666, Mary Doughty, widow of the late Adriaen van der Donck, and wife of Hugh O'Neale,® in right of her former husband, claimed "all that land upon the maine not far from Westchester, called the Younckers land, and brought forward several Indians to prove the purchase."<>
8th October, 1666, 18th King Charles IT. Governor Nicolls granted the following patent to Mr. Hugh O'Neale and Mnry his wife.
PATENT FOR NEPPERHAEM.
Richard Nicolls, Esq , governor under his Royal Highness, ye Dake of York, of all his territoryes in America, to all to whom this present writing shall come, sendeth greeting : Whereas there is a certain tract of land within this government, upon the main, bounded to the northwards by a rivulet called by the Indians, Macakassin, so running southward to Nepperhaem, from thence to the kill Shorakkapoch, and then to Paprinimen, which is the southermoet bounds, then to go across the country to the eastward by that which is com- monly known by the name of Bronck^^s his river and land, which said tract hath heretofore been purchased of the Indian proprietors by Adriaen ran der Donck, deceased, whose relict, Mary, the wife of Hugh O^Neale, one of the patentees is, and due satisfaction was also given for the same, as hath by
• Alb. Rec. vol. xviii. 257.
h Smith's Hist, of N. Y., p. 19.
< Hugh O'Neale, formerly of Newtown, Long Island. Assize Rec. p. 47.
iL See Confirm, of Van der Donck*H purchasje.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 413
some of the said Indians been acknowledged before me : now for a further oonfirmatioR unto them, the said Hugh O'Neale and Mary his wife, relict of the aforesaid Adriaen Tan der Donck, in their possession and enjoyment of the premises.
Know ye, that by the virtue of this our commission and authority given unto me by his Royal Highness the Duke of York, I have thought fit to give, ratify, confirm, and grant, and by these presents do givtf, ratify, confirm, and grant, unto the said Hugh O^Neale and Mary his wife, their heirs and assigns, all the aforementioned tract or parcel of lands called Neperhaero, together with all woods, marshes, meadows, pastures, waters, lakes, creeks, rivuletts, fishing, hunting, and fowling, and all other profits, commodities and emolu* ments to the said tract of land belonging, with their and every of their apurte- nances, and of every part and parcel thereof, to have and to hold the said tract of land and premises, with all and singular their appurtenances, unto the said Hugh O^Neale and Mary his wife, their heirs and assignee, to the proper use and behoofe of the said Hugh O'Neale and Mary his wife, their heirs and assigns forever, he, she, or they, or any of them, rendering and paying such acknowledgment, duties, as are or shall be constituted and ordayned by his Royal Highness the Duke of York and his heirs, or such governor or governors as shall from time to time be appointed and set over them within this province. That, if at any time hereaAer his Royal Highness, his heirs, successors, or as- signes, shall think fit to make use of any timber for shipping, or for erecting or Impairing of forts within this government, liberty is reserved for such uses and purposes to cut any sort of timber upon any unplanted grounds on the said tract of land, to make docks, harbours, wharfes, houses, or any other conveniences relating thereunto,and also to make use of any rivers or rivuletts and inlets of water for the purposes aforesaid, as fully and free as if no such patent had been granted.
Given under my hand and aieal at Fort James, New York, on the island of
Manhattan, the eighth day of October, in the eighteenth year of the reign of
our frovereign Lord, Charles the Second, by the grace of God, of England,
Scotland, France, and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, 4^c., &c., in the
year of our Lord God, 1606.^
Richard "Skowlb.
I have been unable to trace the Patroon's descendants. That he left children has been clearly shown in the letter dispatched by the Fox, A. D. 1664. On the 26th August, 1666, Governor Stuyvesant grants a piece of land lying on the north side of Manhattans called Muscoota,^ to one Cornelis van der Donck
« Book of Pat Alb.
b Moscoota, a meadow or plain of natural gnm. The tame worjl is applied to the Haarlom riFer.
414 HISTORY OF THE
This purchase lay directljr opposite to Tonckers.* A. D. 1663^ Gysbert van der Donck occurs, a defendant in a sait brought by Gulyan Jansen, a carpenter, for the recovery of damages on the loss of clothes sustained by plaintiff, <* which through the fault of defendant's father, then his master, had been stolen by the In- dians."^ 1653, Madame Anna van der Donck occurs as defen- dant in a suit, (her son Huybert van der Donck.)®
Upon the 30th of October, 1666, Ellas Doughty purchased lands in this town of Hugh O'Neal and Mary his wife. The father of Eiias was the Rev. Franciscus Doughty. ^'This min- ister, Franciscus Doughty, (says his son-in-law, Tan der Donck,) in the time of the first troubles in England, came over in order to escape from them to New England, and found himself (to use a homely phrase,) out of the frying-pan in the fire. In order to be able to enjoy freedom of conscience accordiug to the Dutch reformation, which he certainly missed in New England, he betook himself under the protection of the Dutch, and an ab- solute patent with privileges for a colony was granted and con- ferred on him by the Director General." This patent consisted of thirteen thousand three hundred and thirty-two acres of the lands called Mispath, (the present Newtown on L. I.) It was.conferred upon him and his associates, 28th March, 1642."<i He had re- inforced himself now in one year with some families, but in con- sequence of the breaking out of the war, they were all driven from their lands with loss of some people, and the destruction of much cattle, losing for the most part all their houses and what- ever they possessed. After they had remained awhile, and con- sumed more than they could collect, they came to the Manhat- tans, where all the refugees resorted at the time, and Master Doughty was minister there.® The Rev. Franciscus Doughty was a member of the ancient and honorable family of the Doughtys or Douteys of Easher Surrey, and Boston, Lincoln-
• Alb. Rec. ZZ7.
b Dutch Rtc. City Clerk's Office, N. Y. 160.
« Ibid. 279.
d O'Callaghan*! Hiit N. N. Appendix, 436.
• Van der Donck'e Vertooghe Tftn N. N.
N/
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 41S
shire, England, descended from an English Saxon house of Dohteg, before the conquest, A. D. 1066.*
15th May, 1677, Ellas Doughty, (son of the above) proprietor of the land heretofore belonging to the Younckers van der Doncky near Eastchester, was invested in the sole ownership by Hugh O'Neale and Mary his wife.
The descendants of Elias Doughty are still numerous in the county of Westchester. Of this family was Francis Doughty of Rye, in 1766, father of John Doughty, Esq., and grandfather of the Hon. John Doughty. The son of the latter is the present General George S. Doughty of West Farms. From Elias Doughty, the old or lower Yonkers passed to William Bohz or Betts, George Tippetts,^ and Joseph Hadley. '<The name of the Jonckers, (says the Hon. Egbert Benson,) the proprietor of the creek, now Saw Mill creek, van der Eee ; and it is still to be collected from the documents, as not being improbable that the lauds granted to Tan der Donck and perhaps including the island of the Indian name of Papuriminon^ the southern shore at Kingsbridge were the neighborhood called the Lower Yonck* ERs, as to be distinguished from the other Yonckers, the lands of Yan der Kee on the Saw Mill creek.® This distinction be- tween (he lower Yonckers and the vpper^ or as it was sometimes called the little and the old Yonckers clearly points to two dif- ferent proprietors. The first may have been Yan der Kee, as Mr. Benson suggests, (although there is nothing in the shape of evidence to support it,) and the second Adriaen van der Donck, the Jonkheer or '' young gentleman.'^
22nd of February, 1670, Joseph Hadley sold fifty acres called Georges Point to Matthias Buckhout, who subsequently con- veyed the same, 22d January, 1694, to Frederick Philipse.
'*Upon the 10th of October, in the eleventh year of the reign
* GaiIIam*8 Display of Heraldry.
b A. D. 1664, one Georjre Tippett being aeciued and foand guilty of hogg steal- i ng, the coart doUi adjudge the delinquent shall pay as a fine to his majeetie's asa the sum of j6]4, or receive ye corporal punishment of thirty one stripee, at the common whipping post, before ye state hoiiM of this city, upon ye braaking up of this court, Slc Assize Rec. Alb. 311.
• Benson's Mem. of N. Y. 56.
416 HISTORY OF THE
of our Sovereign Lord, William the Third, by the grace of Qod of England, Scotland, Phince and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, d&c, and in the year of our Lord Christ, 1699, occurs the following indenture :
Between Frederick Felipse of the city of New York, merchant, of the part, &c., and Jacobus van Cortlandt of the same city, merchant, of the other part, witneaseth that the said Frederick Felipae, aa well for and in conajdeim- tion of a certain aom of good and lawful money to him in hand paid, beibra the ensealing and delivery of these preaents, by the said Jaeobns ran Cort- landt, dec, dec, hath given, granted, bargained, and sold. eonToyedi &c., unto the said Jacobus van Cortlandt, hia heira and assignees for OTor, all that fifty acres of land with the appurtenances lying within the limits and bounds of the Yonckers plantation in the county of Westchester, known by the name of Georges Point, butted and bounded, &c., &c. Also one acre and a half of meadow with the appurtenances, &c, together with tweniy-five aeres more of upland, with their appurtenances, and the reversion and reversions and all the estate, right, title, claim and demand whatsoever, of him the said Frede- rick Felipse, of, in, or into the said premises, to have and to hold the several parcels of land and meadow to the said Jacobua van Cortlandt, &o., his heirs and assignees forever. In testimony whereof the parties to these presents have set their hands and seals the day and year first above written.
This property is still vested in a descendant of Jacobus van Cortlandt.
13th August, 1701, we find the Indiaqs confirming the Van Cortlandts in their purchase.
'* To all Christian people and others to whom these presents shall comey Clause Dewilt, Karacapacomont and her son Nemerau sendeth greeting: Know yee, that wee, the said Clause Dewilt, Karacapacomont, and Nemeran, native Indians and former proprietors of a certain tract of land lying in the county of Westchester in the province of New York in America, commonly called and known by the name of the old Younckers, now in possession of Jacobus van Cortlandt of the city of New York, merchant, and the heirs of the Belts and Tippetts, for and in consideration of two fathom* of doflils and one pound two shillings and sixpence current money of New York in hand paid unto us by the said Jacobus van Cortlandt, have remised, released, and forever quit claimed unto the said Jacobus van Cortlandt, and to the heirs of the Belts and Tippets, and to their heirs and aasigns forever, all our right, title, and interest, which we ever had, now have, or hereafter may have or
* A Dutch fathom contained six feet English.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. IVT
chiro to the said tract of land called I he old Younckers, and to CTery part and parcel thereof, and du hereby acknowledge the above consideration to be in full of all dues and demands whatsoever, for the said tract of land and pre- mises, lo have and to hold the said tract of land called the old Younckers, to the said Jacobus van Cortlandt and the heirs of the Detts and Tippetts, their heires and assignees forever, witness our hands and seals the 13th of August, 1701.'
Sealed and delivered in the presence Claass Dewilf,
of Gualter du iiois, Karacapacomont,
William Sharpes, Nemerau.
The Liille Yonkers in conlradislinction from the Old, nborc mentioned, nppenra to have been included in the sale to Elias Doughty of Flushing, 30 October, 1666, who granted it 29lh November, 1672, to Thomas Delaval, Frederick Phihpse and Thomcis Lewis, mariner. Thomas Del»vai,*> by a codicil of his hist will, bearing date June lOih, 1682, did devise unto John, his only son, all his interest in a full third part.
Feb. 19, 16S4-5, Tliomas Dongan, governor of New York, by a patent did ratify and confirm unto John Uelavul, Frederick Pliilipsc and Geerije Lewis, relict of Thomas Lewis, the afore- said tract.
27 August, 16S5, John Delaval sold his third part in the sam6 to Frederick Philipse, as also Gcertje, wife of Thomas LewiSy Lodowick Lewis, Barent Lewis, Leonard Lewis, Katherine Lewis and Tfiomas Lewis, by deed conveyed each their interest ia third part to Frederick Philipse, 12th June, 16^6.^
On the 17th day of April, 1685, occurs the following agree- ment between Frederick Philipse, Dierchant, of New York, and John Pell, Esq., of Annhoock-s neck, in the county of Westches- ter. << It was mutually agreed and consented unto by us under- written, Frederick Philipse, merchant of the city of New York, and John Pell, Esq., of Annhoock's neck,^ihat the Bronx's river shall be the division between both their lands, and that, if either the said Frederick Philippe or the said John Pell, shall at any
> Van Cortlnndt papers.
k This individual was for many years alderman, and mmyor of New York city in 1678. • See Royal Charter of Philipaborocgli.
YoL. II. 53
41§ HISTORY OF THE
tkae see cause to make any small dam across the said riFer, it shall be lawful for either party to fix the end of their dam of each other side, without leU or molestation."*
Frederick Philipse.
John Pell^ Frederick Phil ipse being now vested in the fee simple, the whole territory was by royal charter, erected into the lordship and manor of Philipsborougb, to be holden of the king, in free and common soccnge, its lord yielding, rendering, and paying therefory yearly and every year, on the feast day of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the fort in New York, the auDual rent of £4 12^.
THE ROYAL CHARTER.
William and Mary, by the grace of Gud, &c., king and queen of England* Scotland, France and Ireland, defenders of the faith, &c., to all to whom these presents shall come, greeting : whereas, the Honorable Riebard XieoDs, Esq., late governor of our Province of New York, &c., by a certain deed or patent, sealed with the seal of our said Province, bearing date the 8tb daj of Oct., in the year of our Lord, 16G6, pursuant to the authority in him residing* did giTO and grant unto Hugh O^Neale and Mary his wife, their heirs andaa* signs, all that tract of land upon the main, bounded to the north by a rifulet called by the Indians, Meccackassin, so running southward to NepperhaUy from thence to the kill Shorackkapock and tu Paparinnomo, which ia the southermost bounds, then to go across the country, eastward by that which is commonly known by the name of Bronx's river, together with all the woods, marshes, meadows, pastures, waters, lakes, creeks, rivolets, fishing* hunting and fowling, and all other profits, commodities and emoluments to said tract of land belonging, with their and every of their appurtenance, to have and to hold unto the said Hugh O'Neale and Mary his wife, their heiis and assigns forever, as by the said deed or patent, relation being thereonto had, may more fully and at large appear, and whereas, the said Hugh O^Neal and Mary his wife, by their certain deed or writ, dated 30th day of Oe(., in said year of our Lord, 16db, did sell, alien, assign and set over all and sin* gular their right and title and interest of in and to the aforenamed tract of land and premises, unto Elias Doughty of Flushing, in the Co. of York, on Long Island, unto the said Elias Doughty, his heirs and assigns forcTcr, as by the said deed or writing, relation being thereunto had, as may more folly and at large appear, and whereas, the said Elias Doughty by his certain deed or
• Co. Rer. Uh. A. 69.
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 419
writingf, bearing date SO day of Nor., in the year of oor Lord 1679, for tlM consideration therein expressed and mentioned, did assign and set over, all and singalar his right and title and interest, of, in and to the aforementioned tract of land and premises unto Thomas DeleTsI, Esq., Frederick Philips and Thomas Lewis, mariner, to hold to them, their heirs and assigns forever, as by the said deed or writing relation being thereunto had, may more fully and at large appear ; and whereas, the said Thomas Deleval, in and by a certain codicil annexed unto his last will and testament in writing, bearing date the 10 day of June, in the year of our Lord, 1693, amongst other things did devise unto John Deleval his only son, all that his interest in the afore- mentioned land and premises, his one full, equal and certain third thereof, as by the said codicil in writing, relation being thereunto had, may more fully and at large appear : and, whereas, the Hon. Col. Thomas Dongan, late gov. of our said province &c., and as by a certain deed or patent, sealed with the seal of oor said province, &c., and bearing date the 19th of Feb., in the year of our Lord, 1684-5, pursuant to the authority in him then residing, for the consideration therein expressed, did further grant, ratify and confirm, nnto the said Thomas Deleval, Frederick Philips, Geertje Lewis, relict of the said Thomas Lewis, due their heirs and assigns, all the aforesaid tract and parcel of land beginning at a small rivulet known and called by the Indians, Mak- akassin, from thence into the woods due east by a great rock stone and a lyne of marked trees, to Bronx's river, and thence by said river, four miles and something more, to a marked white oak tree upon the middle of a great ledge of rocks, whieh is the north-east corner of the land of Francis French & Co., in the mile square formerly sold out of the aforesaid patent, then by the said land, west, 85 deg. northerly, 1 mile or 80 chains from thence east 35 deg. southerly to Bronx's river to a marked tree, which is the south-east comer of the mile square, excepted out of the said patent, from thence by Bronx's, his river, 89 chains to a marked tree, which is the north-east corner of Wm. Betts and George Tippets, and then by a certain lyne of marked trees doe west SO chains to the marked tree or south-east corner of the purchase of John Heddy, then due N. 34 chains, from thence due west by their purchase, 00 chains to the north-west corner of the 300 acres, then due south 16 chains to the north-west corner of the 30 acres purchased of John Heddy, thence and by the said land west 13 chains to the north-west corner, then by the side of the kill, south 18 chains to the land of Wm. Betts and George Tippetts, from thence by a lyne of marked trees due west 70 chains, to a while oak Irea standing on the bank of Hudson's river, to the south of Dog-wood biDok 10 ehainsand i and then northerly by the Hudson's river to Nepperha, which is near the Yonkers mills, and so continue by Hudson's river to the first men- tioned small rivulet, Maccakassin, the whole being bounded to the north with a lyne of marked trees and a great rock stone, to the east by Bronx's river and Che land of Francis French and Co.. to the south by the land of Wm. Betu, George Tippets and Thomas Heddy, to the west by Hndson*s
UISTORT OF THIS
river, containing in all, 7,703 aerest together with all and aingalar the inefl* suaget, tenements, buildings, barns, stables, orchards, gardensv paatoresy meadows, mills, inilUdams, runs, streams, ponds, livers, brooks, woods, onder- woods, trees, timber, fencing, fishing, fowling, hunting, hawking, liberties, pri* Tileges, hereditaments and improvements whatsoever, belonging or in any way appertaining, to have and to hold all the aforememioned tract and paicel of land, with sll and singular the albrementiuned premises, unto the said John Dtfleval, Frederick Philips, Geertje Lewis, their heirs aiid assigns foreTer, ss by the said deed or patent registered in our secretary's office of our provines of New York aforesaid, relation beinjr thereunto had, may more fully sod at large appear ; and, whereas the said Thomas IXeleval, by a certain deed of indenture, sealed with the seal, and bearing date the 37ih day of August, ia the year of our Lord, 1685, did, for the consideration therein meoiioned, granU bargain and sell, all that one full third part of all atid singular the said traet of land, afore recited, described and bounded within the limits aforesaid unto him the said Frederick Philips one of the parties aforesaid, tugeiher with all that one full and equal third part of all and singular the houses cut-houses, barns, stables, mills, mill-dams, buildings, fences and edi- fices thereon erected and built, and likewise one full third part of sU and singulir the waters, water-courses, streams, woods, ^underwuod4, fishing, fuwhn?, hawking, hunting, hereditaments and appurtenances to the same be- longing, or in any way appertaining, to have and U> hold unto the said Fred- erick Philipse, his heirs and assigns forever, as by the said deed or indenture, relation being thereunto had, may more fully and at large appear ; and where- as, the said Geertje Lewis, executrix of the last will and lestameut of Thomas Lewis, late of New York, mariner, her late husband, deceased, and Lodivick Lewis, Barrent Levvid, Leonard Lewis, Katharine Lewis and Thomas Lewis the children and co-heirs of said Thomas Lewis and Geerije his wife, by a certain deed of indenture, sealed with the seal bearing date the 12 day of June, in the year of our Lord 1686, did, for the consideration therein mentioned, grant, bargain and sell, all that the full one- third part of all and singular the said tract of land afure- recited, described and bounded with the liiiiiis aforesaid, unto him, the said Frederick Philips, one of the parties aforesaid, together with all that one full and equal third part of all and singular the houses, out-houses, barns, stables, mills, mill-dams, buildings, fences and edifices thereon erected and built, and likewise one full third part of all and singular the water, waier-courses, streams, woods, underwoods, fishing, fiiwling, hunting, hawking, hereditaments and appurtenances to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining, to haTe and to hold unto the said Frederick Philips, his heirs and assigns forever, as bv the said deed or indenture, relation being thereunto had, may more fully and at large appear, and whereas, the Hon. Sir Edmund Andntss, late go- vernor of our said province of New York, &c., by a certain writing or pat» ent, sealed with the seal of our said province, bearing date the first day of April, in the year of our Lord, 1680, pursuant to the authority in him then
COUNTY OF WESTCHE8TER. 421
residing, did give and grant unto the eaid Frederick Philips, a certain traet or parcel of land, beginning at a creek or river called by the Indians, Pocan- teco or Wackaiideco, wiili iiuw«:r thereon to set a mill ur mills, with a due portioo of land on each aide, adjoining unto the said river, lying within the bounds of the Indians land at Wickers creek, on the east side of ihe Hud- son riverr which said Indian land, was by the said Frederick Philips par- chased from the said native Indian proprietors thereof, by the licence and ap- probation of the said Sir Kdmund Andross and the said Indian proprietors did, in the presence of Sir Edmund Andross aforesaid, acknowledge to hive re- ceived foil satisfaction of him the said Frederick Philips fur the said land ad- joining, to each syde of the creek or river aforesaid, which said land issitnate, lying and being on each side of the said creek or river, north and south 1600 Ireads or steps which at Id ft to the rod, makes 400 rod and runs up into the country so far as the said creek or river goeth, with this proviso or restriction that if the creek or river called by the Indians, Nippiorha, and by the charters Yonkers creek or kill shall come within the space of land of 400 rods on the tooth side of the aforenamed creek or riv^r, that shall extend no farther than the said creek or river of Nippiroha, but the rest to be so far up into the country on each side of the said creek or river called Pocanteco as it runs, being about oorth-east, to have and to hold all the aforesaid recited tract or parcel of land onto him the said Frederick Philips, his heirs and assigns forever, as by the said grant or patent registered in our secretary's office of our province of New York, &c., aforesaid, relation being thereunto had may more fully and at large appear, and whereas the Honorable Thomas Dongun late gov. of oor province of New York, &c., aforesaid, by virtue of the pt>wer in him then residing hath, by another grant or patent sealed with the seal of our said pro- v*flee of New York, and registered in our secretary's office of our province aforesaid, bearing date ;23d of September, m the year of our Lord 1084, given granted, ratified, and confirmed, unto said Frederick Philips, his heirs tnd assigns, several tracts and parcels of land with the limits nnd bounds hereafter mentioned, that were according to the usage, custom, and laws of oor said province purchased by the said Frederick Philips from the native Indians and proprietors, in manner and form following, (that is to say,) all those certain parcels and pieces of land lying about the Wigquaskeek thst was on the 24tb day of October, in the year of our Lord, 1680, purchased by the said Freder- ick Philips of the Indian Goharins, brother (»f Weskora, sachem of Wigquas- keek, for himself and by the full order of Goharios, which certain parcel or parcels of land are lying about Wigquaskeek to the north syde and tending from the land of the aforesaid Frederick Philips running along the North river to the north of the small ereek called by ihe Indians Sepackena creek, as far as it goeth into the woods, and ooming to the end of the aforesaid creek, then shall the aforesaid pieces or parcels of land havo their lyne north-east, or if the creek Pocanteco Wackandeeo upon which at present stands the mills of the said Frederick Philips, shall run npon a north-east lyne, then the said land shall run along the said ereek Pocanteco, or Weghkandeco, into the
422 HISTORY OF THE
woods as the said creek or kill shall go, mod there shall be the end or bounds of the said certain pieces of ]and, as by the said writing or Indian deed, relation being thereunto had may more fully and at large appemr, as likewise another tract or parcel of land on the east side of Hudson^s river that was by said Frederick Philips purchased of the Indians Gobarius, Gobus, and Tog- quanduck, on the 33d day of April, in the year of oor Lord, 1681, which tract or parcel of land being situate on the east side of the North or Hudson** rirer, beginning at the south side of a creek called Bissigktick, and so ranging along the said river northerly to the aforesaid land of the aforesaid Frederick PhiU ips, and then alonget the said land north»east and by east nntill it comes to and meets with the creek called Nippiorha, if the said creek shall fall within that lyne, otherwise to extend no further than the head of the ereek or kill called Potanteco, or Puegkanteko, and southerly alongst the said river Neppioriia if the same shall fall within the said line as aforesaid, or else in a direct lyne from the head of the said creek or kill called Pocanteco Puegkandieo, antOl it comes opposite to the said first mentioned creek called Bissightiek, and from thence westwardly to the head of the said creek and alongst the same to the North or Hudson^s river, being the first station, as by the said vnritiog os deed, relation beipg thereunto had, may more fully and at large appear, as also another certain tract or parcel of land on the east syde of the said Hod- son^s river that was by the said Frederick Philips purchased of the native Indians Armaghqueer, Seapham alias Thapham, on the 8th day of April, in the year of our Lord 1682, which certain tract or parcel of land is sttnate, lying, and being on the east side of the North or Hudson^s river to the snnih of the land formerly bought by the said Frederick Philips of the said Indians, beginning at the south side of a creek called Bissightiok, and so ranging along t\ie said river southerly to a creek or fall called by the Indians Weghqoegeik, and by the Christians Lawrences'fl plantation, and from the mouth of the said creek or fall upon a due east course to a creek called by the Indians Nippiorha, and by the Christians the Yonkers kill, and from thence alongst the west side of the said creek or kill as the same runs to the before mentioned land, for- merly bought by the said Frederick Philips of the sayd Indians, and so along that land to the first station, as by the said writing or Indian deed, relation being thereunto had, may more fully and at large appear, as also another tract or parcel of land on the east side of Hudson's river that was by the said Frederick Philips purchased of the native Indians Warramanhack, Espara* mogh, Anhock, &c., on the 6th day of September, in the year of our Lord, 1682, which certain tract or parcel of land is situated, lying, and being oo the west side of the North or Hudson's river, beginning at the north side of the land belonging to the Yonkers kill, Nipperha, at a great rock called by the Indians Meghkeckassin,or the great stone, (as called by the Christians,) from thence ranging into the woods eastwardly to a creek called by the Indians Nipperha aforesaid, and from thence along said creek northerly till you come to the eastward of the head of a creek called by the Indians Wegqoiskeekj
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 422
being the utmoet bounds of the said Frederick Philips's land, formerlj bought of the Indians, tnd from thence westwardly along the said creek Wegqueskeek to Hudson's river aforesaid, as by the said Indian deed, relation being there- unto had, may more fully and at large appear, and also another tract or parcel of land that was by the said Frederick Philips purchased of the native Indians Sapharo, Ghoharius, Kakingsigo, on the 7th day of May, in the year of our Lord, 1684, which tract or parcel of land is situate, lying, and being to the eastward of the land of the said Frederick Philips between tho creek called Nippiorha, or the Yonkers kill, and Bronk's river, beginning on the south side at the northerly bounds of the Yonkers land, and from thence along the aforesaid creek, Nippiorha, however it runs, till you come to the most north- erly bounds of the said Frederick Philips's lands, and from thence north-east into the woods unto Bronk's river, as it runs southerly to the eastward of the Yonkers land aforesaid, and from thence with a Westerly lyne to the afore named Yonkers kill, or Nippiorha, as by the said Indian deed, relation being thereunto had, may more fully and at large appear, all which several tracts and parcels of land within the several respective limits and bounds aforemen- tioned, and purchased by the said Frederick Philips of all and every the re- spective native Indians aforesaid, in manner aforesaid, were by the said Thomas Dongan, late gov. of our province, under the seal of our said pro« Tince, bearing date as aforesaid, given, granted, ratified, and confirmed unto him, said Frederick Philips, his heirs and assigns, together with all and sin- gular the houses, buildings, messuages, tenements, and hereditaments, mills, mill-dams, rivers, runns, streams, ponds, with liberty to erect other mills or dams, or places convenient, woods, underwoods, quarries, fishing, hawking, hunting, and fowling, with all liberties, privilcdges, and improvements whatso- ever to the said land and premises belonging or in anywise appertaining, to have and to hold all the aforesaid tract and tracts, parcel and parcels of land and pre- mises with their and every of their appurtenances unto said Frederick Phillips his heirs and assignees forever, as by the said grant or patent sealed with the seal of our said province, and registered in our secretary's office of our said province bearing date 23d day of December in the year of our Lord 1684 re- lation being thereunto had, may more fully and at large appear, and whereas the aforesaid Thomas Dongan late Gov. of our said province, by virtue of the said power and authority in him residing hath moreover by another grant or patent sealed with the seal of our said province and registered in oar secre- tary's office aforesaid bearing date the lllk day of November, in the year of our Lord 1686 given, granted, ratified, and confirmed unto Philip Phillips eld- est son, of him the said Frederick Philips all that tract or parcel ef land eom- monly called by the Indians Sinck Sinck, and situate, (ying, and being on the east side of Hudson's river by the northerraost part of the land parebssed by the said Frederick Philips, and so running alongst Hudson's river to a certaia creek or river called Kichtawan, and from thence mnning alongst the said creek two English miles, and from thence mnning up the country apon a diM
424 HISTORY OF THE
east ]yn(! ant ill it comes unto a create called Nippiorha, by the Chrittii Ycinkerd creek, and so runuing alongat the aaid creek untill it comes ofiio tira nortl»cr\y bounds of the said land of Frederick Philips aforesaid, and fniia thence alongst the said land untill it comes to Hudson's river, together with all manner of rivers, rivulets, runns, streams, feedings, pastures, wcKxla, aa* derwoods, trees, limbers, waters, water courses, poods, 'pools, pits« swampe* moors, marshes, meadows, easements, proffits and commoditiea. fidlaing* fowl* ing, hunting, hawking, mines, luinerals, quarries, (royal- mioes only exeepted) and all royalties, profits, commodities, hereditaments and sppuitenaoces what* soever to the said tract or parcel of land within the bounds and limits aforesaid, belonging or in any ways appertaining, to have and to hold the aaid tract or parcel of land and all and singular other the premises with their and- every of their appurtenances, unto the said Philip Philips, his heirs and asaigoa forevert as by the said grant or patent, relation being thereunto had, may more fully and at large appear, and whereas the said Philip Philips did by mean asaoraoce in the law, sell, alienate, enfeoff, and confirm unto his said father Frederick Philips all iho afore recited tract or parcel of land within the limits and b<niiMla above mentioned and expressed, together with all and singular the premises with their and every of their appcrtinences, to have and to hold unto him tiie said Frederi<-k Philips, his heirs and assigns forever, as by bis deed of con- veyance under his hand and seal bearing date the day of iji the year of our Lord 168 , relation being thereunto had more folly and at large appear ; and whereas the aforesaid Thomas Dongan, late gov. of oar said province, by virtue of the said power and authority in him residing hath, by another gram or patent sealed with the seal of our said province and re* gistered in our secretary's office aforesaid, bearing date the 27th day of June, in the year of our I^ord, 16S7, given, granted, ratified, released and confirmed unto the said Frederick Philips all that the muiety or one equal half part of a certain entire parcel of meadow ground, situate, lying, and being at a certain place called Tappan near Hudson's river, bounded to the north by a certain creek called or known by iho name of Tappan creek, to the east by Hudson's river aforesaid, to the west by a certain |>arce] of upland now in possession of George LockSari, and to the south by Hudson's river aforesaid, the aaid moiety or eqtial half part of the said meadows to be laid out along the side of Hudson'^ river aforesaid throughout the whole length of its bounds upon aaid river from Tappan creek aforesaid, and to be bounded to the north by Tappan creek, to ilie cast by Hudson's river, to the west by the other moiety or half part of the said meadows, still running to the said George LockhartV, and so to run southerly to the end of the said meadows, nothing excepted or reserved thereof, to the said George Lockhart, his heirs or assigns, but one cart or waine way through the said moiety or half part of the meadow aforesaid^ which moiety or equal half part of the meadow aforesaid was by mean assa* ranee in the law conveyed to the said George Lockhart and Janet his wiOs unto the said Frederick Philips, his heirs and assigns, to have and to bold the
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 48B
•aid moiety or equal half part of the said meadows and premises with the ap- pertinences unto the said Frederick Philips, his heirs and assigns forever, as hy the said grant or patent, sealed with the seal of our said province and re- gistered in our secretary's office aforesaid, bearing date the said 37th day of June, in the year of our Lord, 1687, and as by the said deed of conveyaDce, under the hands aud seals of the said George Lockhart and Janet his wife, bearing date 30ih day of February, in the year of our Lord, 1685, relation being thereunto had respectively may more fully and at large appear ; and whereas Augustine Grayhara our surveyor general for our said province of New York, &c., hath by warrant bearing date the 1 1th of February, in the fourth year of our reign, surveyed and laid out for the said Frederick Philips, a certain small parcel of salt meadows situate and being on the north side of Tappan creek in the county of Orange, beginning at a certain stake set on the east side of the said creek, and from thence run east 37^ 40 min. northerly to Hudson's river six chains and ninety links, thence along the said river twelve chains and ninety links, south one degree, westerly to the mouth of the afore- said creek, and from thence along the said creek west five degrees thirty-five minutes, northerly eleven chains, thence north twelve degrees, eastwardly twq chains and forty links, thence east forty degrees, southerly three chains. fort j« five links along the said creek, thence east eleven degrees thirty mioutsst southerly two chains twenty links, thence north six degrees twenty-five mio** utes, seven chains and seventy links, to the stake where the line first begaut being bounded on the north-west by a certain parcel of meadow said to belong to Cornelius Claater, on the east by Hudson's river on the south and west by the said creek, containing in all six acres three roods and eight perches, as by the return of the survey, bearing date the 19th day of April, in the said fourth year of our reign, and in the year of our Lord, 1692, relation being thereunto had may more fully and at large appear, all which several tracts or parcels of land lying together, and bounded and limited in manner hereafter expressed and mentioned, (that is to say) all the said tract and parcels of land that are on the east side uf Hudson*s river are bounded to the northward by a creek or river commonly called by the Indians Kightowank and by the English Kno- trus river, and now belonging to Stevanus van Corilandt, Esq., and so east- ward into the woods along the said creek or river two English miles, and from thence upon a direct east line to Bronses river, and so running southward along the said Bronxes river as it runs until a direct west line cutteth the south side of a neck or island of land at a creek or kill called Papparinemo which divides York i»land from the main, and so along the said creek or kill as it runs to Hudson's river, which part of the said creek is called by the In- dians Shorackhappok, and continues dividing the said York island from the main, and so from thence (o the northward alongst Hudson's river nntill i( comes into the aforesaid creek or river called by the Indians Kightswank and by the English Knotrus river and the salt meadow ground on the west side of Hudson's river, are bounded and limited as here before is plainly meniiooed
Vol. II. 54
436 HISTORY OF THE
mod expretaed. And whereas oor loving sobjeot the said Fredariek Phil- ipa, one of the members of our coupcil of our said profince of New York, and the territories depending thereon in America, hath by hia pelition pre- sented to Benjamin Fletcher, oar captain- general and governor-in-chief of our eaid province of New York, &c , prayed onr grant and confirmation of all and eveiy the tracts and parcels of land within the limits and boande albresaidy and that we would likewise erect all the said tracts and parcels of land within the limits aforesaid into a lordship or manor of Philipsborough, and that we would farther grant unto our said loving subject a certain neck or ialand of land called Paparinemo adjoining to the land aforesaid, with the ealt meadowe thereunto belonging, together with power and authority to erect a bridge over the water or river commonly called Spiten devil ferry, or Paparinemo, and so receive toll from all passengers and droves of cattle that ahall pass thereon according to rates hereinafter mentioned ; and whereas it is manifest that oor saM loving subject hath been at great charge and expense in the purehasiof and settling of the aforerecited tracts of land, whereupon considerable im- provements have been made, and that he is likewise willing at his own proper cost and charge to build a bridge at the ferry aforesaid for the benefit and ae- commodation of travellers, which reasonable request for his future encourage- ment we being willing to grant. Know ye, that of our special giace« certain knowledge, and mere motion, we have given, granted, ratified, and confirmed, and by these presents do, for us, onr heirs and successors, give, grant, ratify, snd confirm unto said Frederick Philips, his heirs and assigns, all and every the aforerecited tracts and parcels of land and meadow ground within the limits and bounds before mentioned and expressed, and likewise the aforesaid neck or island of land called Paparinemo, and the meadow thereunto belong- ing, with power, authority, and privilege to erect and build a dam bridge upon the aforesaid ferry of Spitendevil or Paparinemo, and to receive rates and tolls of all passengers and fur droves of cattle according to the rates hereafter mentioned, (that is to say,) three pence current money of New York for each man and horse that shall pass the said bridge in the day time, and three penee current money aforesaid for each head of neat cattle that shall pass the same, and twelve pence current money aforesaid for each score of hogs, calvea, and sheep that shall pass the same, and nine pence current money aforesaid for every boat, vessel, or canoe that shall pass the said bridge and cause the same to be drawn up, and for each coach, cart, or sledge, or waggon that ahall pass the same the sum of ninepence current money aforesaid ; and after eon- set each passenger that shall pass said bridge ehall pay two pence current money aforesaid, each man and horse six pence, each head of neat cattle six pence, each score of hogs, calves, and sheep two shillings, for each boat or vessel or canoe one shilling and sixpence, for each coach, cart, waggon or sledge one shilling and six pence current money aforesaid, togather with all the messuages, tenements, buildings, bams, houses, out-houses, mills, mill- dams, fences, orchards, gardens, pastures, meadows, marshes, swamps, moora,
' COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 4387
poob, woods, under- woods, trees, timber, qaarries, rirers, runs, ri?iilets, brooks, ponds, lakes, streams, creeks, harbours, beaches, ferrys, fishing, fowl- ing, hunting, hawking, mines, minerals, (siher and gold only excepted,) and all the other rights, members, liberties, priviledges, jurisdictions, royalties, hereditaments, profits, tolls, benefits, advantages and appurtinances whatso- ever to the aforesaid tracts and neck or island of land and meadows, ferry, bridge, and mills belonging or in any ways appertaining, or accepted, reputed, taken, known, or occupied as part, parcel, or member thereof; and moreofer, inaw ye, that of our further special grace, certain knowledge, and mere mo- tion, we have thought fit, according to the request of our said loving subject, to erect all the aforesaid recited tracts and parcels of lands and meadows with the limits and bounds aforesaid, into a lordship or manor, and, therefore, by these presents we do erect, make, and constitute all the aforesaid recited tracts and parcels of land and meadows, within the limits and bounds aforesaid mentioned, together with all and every the afore granted premises with sU and every of the apperti nances into a lordship or manor, to all intents and par- poses; and it is our royal will and pleasure that the said lordship and manor shall from henceforth be called the lordship or manor of Philipsborough, aad the aforesaid bridge to be from henceforth called Kingsbridge in the manor of Philipsborough aforesaid. And know ye, that we, reposing special trust and confidence in the loyalty, wisdom, justice, prudence, and circumspection of oar loving subject, do, for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant nnto the said Frederick Philips, and to the heirs and assignees of him the said Fred- erick Philips, full power and authority at all times forever hereafter in the said lordship or manor, one court leet and one court baron to hold and to keep at such times, and so often, yearly and every year, as he ok they shall see meet ; and all fines, issues, and amercements as the said Court Leet or Court Baron to be holden within said lordship or manor to be sett, forfeited, or em* ployed, or payable, or happening at any time to be payable by any of the in- habitants of or within the said lordship or manor of Philipsboroagb, in the limits and bounds thereof, as also all and every of the power and authority herein before mentioned, for the holding and keeping the said ]>et and Coort Baron from time to time, and to award and issue out the customary writs to be issued and awarded out of the said Court Leet and Court Baron to be kept by the heirs and assignees of the sard Frederick Philips forever, in their or every of their stewards deputed and appointed, with full and ample power and authority to distrain for the rents, levies, or other sums of money payable by virtue of the premises, and all other lawful remedies and meane for the having possession, receiving, levying, and enjoying the premises and every part and parcel of the same, and all waifes, estrays, wrecks, deodans^ and of the fellons happening and being furnished within the said lordship and manor of Philipsborough, and all and every sum and sums of money to be paid as a parte fine upon any fine or fines to be levied of any lands, tenements or hereditaments within the said lordship or manor of Philipsbnrgh, togather
428 HISTORY OF THE
with the advowsoti aud right of patronage of all and every the eborelrar ehurches erected or to bo erected or eetabliehed or hereafter to be erected or ettabliahed within the said manor of Philipsboroogh ; and we do also farther give and grant onto the said Frederick Philips, his heirs and aseigneeSf that all and singular the tenants of the said Frederick Philips, within the said maoor •hall and maj at atl times hereafter meet together and choose asaessora within the manor aforesaid, according to such rules, ways, and methods as are pre- aoribed for the cities, towns, and counties within oor proYince aforesaid by the acts of General Assembly, for the defraying the publick charge of each re- spective city, town, and county aforesaid, and such sums of money so assessed or levied to collect and dispose of for such uses as the acts of General Assem- bly shall establish and appoint, to have and to hold, possess, collecty aod enjoy all and singular the said lordship or manor of Philipsboroogh, togather with the aforessid halls and premises, with all their and evory of their appertinances, unto the said Frederick Philips, his heirs and assignees, to the only proper use, benefit, and behoof of him, the said Frederick Philips, his heirs aod as- signees forever, reserving unto us, our heirs and successors, free egress and ingress of all our and their forces, horse or foot, of oor and their coaches, waggons, stores of war, ammunition, and expresses, that shall from time to time pass the said bridge fur our or their service, or any thing contained to the contrary herein in any ways notwithstanding, to be holden of ns, our heirs aod successors, in free and common soccage according to the tenure of our manor of East Greenwich within our county of Kent in our realm of England, yeald- ing, rendering, and paying therefor, yearly and every year, on the feaat day of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at our fort at New York unto us, oor heirs and successors, the annual rent of JC4 Ids. current money of onr said province in lieu and stead of all former rents, services, dues, duties, and demands for the said lordship or manor of Philipsboroogh and premises. In testimony whereof we have caused the seal of oor province of New York to be hereunto affixed. Witness Benjamin Fletcher our captain-general and governor-in-chief of our province of New York aforesaid, province of Penn- sylvania and county of New Castlp, and the territory aod tracts of land de- pending thereon in America, at Fort William Henry, the 12th day of June, in the fifth year of our reign, and in the year of our Lord, 1693.
Frederick Philipse Esq., by his last will bearing date 9th of December, 1702, devised his lands in this town and part of Green- burgh to Frederick Philipse his grandson, born in Barbadoes ye only son of Philip, his eldest son, viz.
** The Island of Papirinemin with the meadows ye toll and all ye lands and meadows called the Yonkers plantation, with all houses, mills, mill dams d:c.f
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
429
as also a piece of land in the mile square by me late bought of Michael Havr- don and all that tract or parcel of land extending from the Yonkers patent or plantation to a creek called by the Indians Wysquaqua and by the Christians William Portugues creeks and thence according to ye coarse of that creek in* to ye woods to ye head of ye same from thence on a last line to the creek called the Yonkers creek, and thence to continue on the same coarse to Broncks's river, also the boat Yoncker, with her furniture apparel and appur- tenances, &c.^ Upon the death of the Hon. Fredrick Philipse, the above de- visee of his grandfather Frederick in 1751, Colonel Frederick Phillipse his son became devisee in tail male of the whole manor of Philipsborough.
These lands continued in the possession of Colonel Frederick Philipse, till the year 1779. When having broken his military parole by not returning to Yonkers, they became confiscated to the people of this state, and sold and conveyed by Isaac Stouten- burgh and Philip van Cortiandt Commissioners of Forfeitures appointed in pursuance of an act of the Legislature of the State passed 12 May, 1781, to the following persons.
|
Mary Hunt |
120 |
Jacob van Tassel |
0 |
|
Abraham Archer |
120 |
Peter Acker |
186 |
|
Pierre van Cortiandt |
160 ' |
Abraham Acker |
239 |
|
ditto. |
120 |
William Dalcber |
215 |
|
His own |
164 |
John Jewell |
285 |
|
John Bishop |
83 |
Jonathan Odell |
463 |
|
Moses Ward |
167 |
Daniel Willsie |
329 |
|
Elijah Honter |
196 |
Jacob Storms |
279 |
|
Peter Davids |
200 |
Richard Delawley |
220 |
|
Samael Drake |
115 |
Greor^ Daterach |
282 |
|
Arnold Hunt |
283 |
Philip Livingston |
233 |
|
Richard Garrisden |
123 |
James D. Clark |
286 |
|
Abraham Orser |
123 |
Peter Post |
226 |
|
Thomas Bishop |
159 |
Jacobus Dyekman |
300 |
|
Job Sherwood |
365 |
George Forster |
300 |
|
Gerard G. Beeckman |
750 |
Garrett Brown |
312 |
|
Cornelia Jones |
200 |
Peter Forshee |
171 |
|
Gerard G. Beeckman |
0 |
Cornelius Darqoa |
29 |
|
Micliael McKeel |
327 |
Andrew Bostwick |
279 |
|
John van Tassel |
160 |
John Lawrence |
175 |
^ Surroflrntes offi. N. Y. vii. 101.
HISTORY OF THB
|
David StornM |
S5 |
John Lamb |
Mi |
|
|
Jtmet Hammond |
0 |
Robert JohoaoB |
190 |
|
|
and |
Comeliot P. Lowe |
i |
SflO |
|
|
George Cuombs |
16S |
mills at Yonckers |
mmV |
|
|
James van Wart |
0 |
Sarah Areher |
18 |
|
|
William van Wart |
0 |
John Williams |
0 |
|
|
William Hunt |
870 |
Dennis Post |
165 |
|
|
John van Wart |
830 |
Thomas Valentine |
8S8 |
|
|
Reformed Dateh Charoh |
0 |
Joseph Oakley |
164 |
|
|
Glode Reqaa |
806 |
Elnathan Taylor |
100 |
|
|
Frederick van Cortlandt |
105 |
John Dead |
136 |
On the east side of this town, bordering the Bronx^s rivets ii situated a tract of land called the Mile SquarSj Ijring priocipally in a beautiful vale watered by the river and sheltered by picto- rcsque hillfi. This tract was exempted out of the great manorial patent of 1693, and appears originally to have formed a part of the possessions of the Doughtys of Flushing, as we find John Doughty of (hat place in 1685 selling sixty-four acres of land here, in one square mile, to Francis French, Ebenezer Jones and John Wascot.* " 22d May, 1674, John Winter of Westchester sold to Josepli Jeames of Fairfield, Connecticut, a parcel of land containing 120 acres, which is one quarter part of ye tract of land Francis French and Ebenezer Jones bought of Elias Doughty. This land lay west northerly from Bastchester, on the other side of Brunckses river." — Fairfield Records. 1685, John Hiatt of Bronx's river deeds sixty acres of upland to Hopestill Betts of the Yonckers, this sale being a part of the whole tract of land called by the name of the Mile Square. Tradition says that this place was ^iven by Frederick Philipse as a dower portion when his daughter Annetje married Philip French. From the French and Jones family it passed by sale to the Oakleys, Bertines, Curwells, Sherwoods and Riches. The latter family have been long resi- dents here, and are still possessed of a large estate, which has been successively occupied for several generations. By marriage they are connected with the ancient family of the Valentines. The Rich family originally came from Germany, and are descended of
•■ Liber B. Co. Rec. p. 53.
COUNTV OF WESTCHESTER. 431
the Ulrich of Flaack, whose son, Balthassar Rych^, emigrated to this country at an early period of its settlement. The following ancient document is still preserved in the family ; it is written in the German language, and was brought from Germany by Balthassar Rych&
I, Johann Conradt Heidegger, sen^r, of the corporation fur Guild, and by the cooDcil of the honorable city of Zurich, duly appointed sheriff of the county of Kyborgh, certify and make known that on the dale mentioned below, the bearer of this, Balthaaaar Rycb6, son of the late Ulrich of Flaack, situated in my Jurisdiction, appeared before me, stating, that whereas having been many years and days absent from this conntry, and in consequence of a purchase made by him, intending to reside in future with his wife and children at Sand- bussen in the electoral palatinate as his permanent residence, he therefore humbly requested an authentic certificate showing his honest birth, pedigree, and name, and likewise that he leaves this country with a good name and character, in order that he may produce such testimony when and where it might be requisite. Wherefore I, having beard the said Rych6*s petitiony conceive it to be no more than right and just to grant him his request. After having made diligent enquiries respecting his character, and also obtained from the regularly ordained minister here a written acknowledgment that his parents were lawfully married and he thus legitimately conceived and born/ and subsequently baptixed in a Christian like manner on the first day of June, in the year 1669, in the presence of sponsors. It also appears that from his in- fancy and during the time he resided here be conducted himself uprightly and without reproach ; and that when he left this place he carried with him an honest reputation. In testimony whereof and in compliance with his humble and dutiful request, I have caused this written certificate to be prepared for the said Rychi and have caused the seal of office to be affixed thereto.
Done and passed on the sixteenth day of January, 1699, counting from the birth of Christ our Saviour.
Signed The County Clerk (Schiegk) at Kybargh.
Mile Square during the war of the Revolution appears to have been a favorite camp ground with- both armies, on account of its sheltered situation and vicinity to the water. Here were quar- tered Colonel Emmerick's British light horse. The British Hussars were billeted here for several summers. The Ryche's mansion being occupied as head quarters, it was the custom of the troopers to tie up their horses to long cords stretched from the apple trees in the orchard, many of which are sUll standing.
433 HISTORY OF THE
For security the roads were patrolled and videttes stretched along the neighboring heights. The remains of bastions are still Tisible on their summits.
1776, the American Rifle Corps were stationed here, and from this place crossed the Bronx to attack and harrass the British flank, as they moved towards White Plains, after landing on Throgmorton's neck. Subsequent to the memorable battle of White Plains the British returned to Mile Square, reconstructed Hunt's bridge, and occupied the hill forts.
1778, the British light infantry and Highland companies under General Simcoe, formed an ambuscade in an orchard, at the place where the roads fork to Hunt's bridge and Yalentiue's hill, in the hope of surprising a large and strong body of the Ameri- can army moving on the o])posite side of the Bronx.
It appears from the British accoant as related by Simeoe, ** tbmt Hoot^s bridge was commanded by the heights on the side of Kingebridge, which the enemy had fortified in 1776. In the British re&r was a wood ; it bad been designed to conceal the Queen^s Rangers under General Simcoat and while the Yagers and cavalry should have engaged with aoy corps who might patrole to Valentine*s hill, it was thought probable that the etnemy oo tho opposite side of the Bronx would pass over to their assistance, when the in- fantry and Highlandprs would rush from the wood, and, occupying the fences do severe and cool execution upon them as they were on the bridge and oceo- pied in the deep hollow. An advanced party of the enemy, notwithstand- ing the circumstances which made the troops quit Valentine's hill, had already passed the Bronx, the Yager cavalry were ordered to proceed towards Kings- bridge, slowly and in full sight of the enemy who were on Hunt's hill. There was still hopes by forming the ambuscade to do some service, when, to Lieutenant Col. Simcoe's great surprise, the enemy's cannon were fired at the infantry, whom he expected to have been hidden from their sight, by the intervention of the woods ; but it appeared that while Captain Ross was with the advanced companies some officers imprudently had got upon a fence, out of curiosity, and discovered themselves to the enemy. Lieutenant Colonel Simcoe immediately withdrew his men out of the reach of any chance shot, and made U6e of the low ground (the crossing of which would have led him into the ambuscade,) to march his infantry under its cover, out of their sight, or the reach of their cannon ; he sent orders to Capt. Ross to withdraw, and again ambuscaded the cavalry in a position to take advantage of the ene- my if any party of them should pursue him, or from Valentine's hill should endeavor to incommode his retreat. Observing the movement of the Yager cavalry, the enemy marched a party to watch their movements, on the
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 433
oppositQ bank, while their main body formed the line. Captain Rom thoagbt proper to wait for the party that had crossed the Bronx. He permitted them to come close to him,^hen his fire threw them into confusion, he then re- treated, making a small circuit to avoid some riflemen who had occupied the wood, and the corps returned to the camp."«
A day or two preceding the battle of White Plains a large body of British horse advanced upon the road leading through this place for the purpose of reconnoitering.
September, 1778, Sir Archibald Campbell advanced with the 7l8tregimentof theScotchHighlanderstoMilesquare. They were soon after joined by General Grant with another force of High- landers who occupied the ground from the Bronx at Hunt's bridge to the North River. During the whole course of the war Colonel Jaoies de Lancey kept a recruiting officer constantly stationed at Jones's house, in the Mile square, as he always con- sidered Mile square itself within the British lines.
On the road leading from the Mile square to the village of Yonkers, are still visible, the remains of an old hostel, the keeper of which was one Gainos, a Frenchman. This individual, during the occupancy of Mile square by the Ameri* can forces, supplied the army with liquor and provisions. On the approach of the enemy from New York he chose to re- tire with General Washington to White Plains, shortly after the evacuation of the premises by Gainos, his tenants left in charge were alarmed by the midnight attack of a gang of British Cow- boys, a scuffle ensued, during which one of the assailants was killed.
In the retreat of the robbers, they pitched the headless body of their slain comrade, into the adjoining well. This tragical event has given rise to strange stories ; and has thrown over this spot a veil of horror; which is heightened by the loneliness of its situ- ation. Some benighted countryman has construed the gnarled and fantastic cedars, (which surround this spot,) into the head- less form of the cowboy seated on the well, and the sweeping blast, or gurgling brook, into his doleful groans. The common
^ Simco«*8 Milit Junrnil, p. 77.
Vol. If. B6
431 HISTOHT OF THE
people still regard this place with superstitious dread, no one daring to approach it after dusk.
Valentine^s hill, is a high ridge borderin^he Mile square on the west ; its summit affords one of the finest views in lYest Chester County. To the east the eye ranges over an extensive country of hills, woods and vales, stretching towards the Long Island Sound, the distant horizon skirted by light blue bills. To the north lie the Tnckahoc hills, while westward tlie view is bounded by the Yonkers ridge surmounted with lofty wood?, with here and there a glimpse to be obtained of the dark pali- sades peeping through some opening of the trees ; below lies a beautiful vale through which Meanders Tippets brook. At the base of the hill winds the Croton Acqueduct.
Valentine's hill and adjoining property has been occupied by the ancient and numerous family of the Valentines for nearly one hundred and twenty years. The ancestor of the family Matthias Valentine, having been one of the first tenants under the Philipses; on his settlement here the whole surrounding country was one vast forest, the lonely domain of the deer. The verges of these forests also abounded with another noble species of game long since extinct, and that was the wild turkey. It is said that flocks of them used to fiy from the Yonkers ridge on the west side of Tippets brook to this hill at certain seasons of the year for the purpose of feeding on the acorn and beech nut. The flight was always commenced by a large black cock of the woods. Sunset being the signal for departure, the leader gave the well known note and they were instantly on the wing for the opposite hills. There yet remains a fine specimen of the ancient denizens of the forests on the western edge of this hill, by the road side letiding to the village. This venerable chesnut tree ill the fall of the year appears to be the favorite gathering place of thousands of swallows just before, they commence their migrations.
In possession of the Valentine family are numerous receipts given for rent ; formerly due \he Lords of Phiiipsborough. As a specimen occurs the following:
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER- 436
Op Nippera Des 20 Mars No. 1727.
den 20 Mars hefvTheis Valentin en syn Moeder hier gebracht 13^ boschel tar we vor de hner von land vor ye Tahr Ao 1725.
Yonckers, January ye 28 day 1734-6.
Then received of Mr. Matihiase Valleniine 7^ bushels of Rent wheat on behalf of Mr. Philipse. I said received by me
William Peck.
At the commencement of the revolutionarv war this hill was rented by two grandsons of the first proprietor Thomas and Gil- bert Valentine who occupied it through the whole course of the war. In the summer of 1775, the American army threw up en- trenchments on its summit the remains of which are still visible. When his Excellency General Washington layencamped on Valen- tine's hill in the fall of 1776, it was supposed to be the design of the enemy to attack his position. On this occasion Thomas Valen- tine wasengaged with the General in conversation, leaning upon the pommel of his saddle when the heads of the British columns were seen approaching at a distance of three or four miles on the op- posite side of the Bronx, as if taking the direction of the hill. Un- der this supposition Washington ordered out several companies to attack the flanking parties of the enemy, who it was discovered were taking the high road to the White Plaii s. It was after- wards asserted by a British officer that through the aid of their glasses they had seen Thomas Valentine and the General in conversation.
Washington having ascertained the intention of the enemy pushed on his left wing to the White Plains, while his right oc- cupied the hill.
From the 12th to the 27th of October, 1776, the American army lay entrenched in detached camps from this hill to the White Plains.* On the 27th, as the enemy continued to advance upon the White Plains, General Washington suddenly called in all his detachments, and abandoning the positions he had occupied along the Bronx, assembled all his forces in a strong camp upon Chatterton Heights. Upon the 28ih of October, the day of the battle, it was asserted by the residents on the hill, that not only
• Stedmaa'f Hift of th« American War.
436 HISTORY OP THE
was the cannonade distinctly heard, but also the singing of the Hessians as they advanced to attack the American position. Af- ter the battle of the 28th, the British infantry were stationed here.
The old Valentine house, which stood northwest of the pre- sent residence, was used for some time by General Washington as head-quarters.
It would appear from the following letter, in possession of the family, that Thomas Valentine had aided the advance of Wash- ington's left wing towards the White Plains : —
Valentine't HiU, Jan*y 97tb, 1777. Thete may certify, that on or about the S5th day of October last, I ordered Thomaa Valentine^a one yoke of oxen and cart, to be uken for the poUic ser- vice. They carried a load to ye White Plains. There I discharged them. I am informed they were further taken on their return, and that Mr. Valen- tine hath not received them. B.- Lincoln.
On the 6th of June, 1778, Sir William Erskine fell back to- wards Valentine's Hill. The Queen's Rangers encamping oa OdelPs Hill, soon after, these corps formed part of an escort which accompanied the English commander-in-chief to the White Plains, » 1778. Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton was ordered, with the whole of the English cavalry, to this hill, for the purpose of covering the right, when they endeavored to surprise General Gist in the parsonage. The same year, upon the retiring of Lieutenant-Colonel Simcoe, the continental forces again took possession of the hill.
On the 16th September, 1782, (says General Heath,) the ene- my made a grand forage near Valentine's Hill ; Sir Guy Carle- ton was out in person, as was the young Prince (William Henry, Duke of Clarence, afterwards King William the Fourth.) The covering party, it was said, consisted of five or six thousand men.*>
During the absence of the armies, Valentine's Hill was much exposed to the depredations of gangs of outlaws called Cowboys and Skinners, who roamed the country in search of plunder. On one occasion, a party of the former forced their entrance into the
• Sinicoe*e Mil. Journal. b Heath's Mem. 353.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 437
Valentine House ; seizing the proprietor, Thomas Valentine, they demanded his life or money ; whereupon, disbelieving or affect- ing to disbelieve him, they threatened^ on his again refusing, to hang him instantly. Obtaining no satisfactory answer, they car- ried him to the foot of a cherry tree, still standing, near the cor- ner of the old garden, and had placed the cord around his neck, when he suddenly threw it off, exclaiming, " Don't be such
d d fools as to hang a man when he hasn't any money .'^
The coolness and apparent sincerity of his language served effec- tually to disarm the robbers, for they not only desisted from their purpose, but released him. Instances had occurred in the neigh- borhood in which they had actually carried their threats into execution.
One or two instances of heroic courage in a female of this family (Susan Valentine, now Mrs. Vredenburgh, still living, 1847, aged 93) is deserving of record. These marauders, like all other villains, frequently proved themselves great cowards. Miss Susan Valentine, when a young woman, prevented a large party from entering the house by threatening them, single hand- ed, with a large oven shovel, solemnly protesting she would split the head of the first man that dared to cross the threshhold. Her courage and determination alone served to protect the house from plunder. On another occasion, an intimate friend, Mr. Sneden, had entrusted her with the care of £3U in gold and silver, not daring to carry this amount about his person, as be was going a long journey into the interior.
On receiving her charge, Miss Valentine, for greater security concealed it in her dress, designing to keep it there until the own- er's safe return.
The same evening of Mr. Sneden's departure, a party of Skin- ners forced their way into her bed-room, dragged her from the bed, and demanded her money. This she either denied possess- ing, or refused to deliver ; whereupon, becoming violent, she called to her brother. During the scuffle that followed her bro- ther's entrance, she contrived to crawl out at the foot of the bed. hoping, in this way, to escape unobserved. In this she was dis- appointed ; the villains observed and again seized her. In the violent attempt made to extricate herself the second time, the
438 HISTORY OF THE
•
noone^ fell on the floor, or, as she herself described it, ^ was fairly shook out of her." The freebooters greedily seized it, and marched off, delighted with the saccess of their enterprise.
In this town is situated Berrian^s Neck^ the ancient Nipnick- sen of the Mohegans. The Dutch conferred apon it the name of Konstabelsche hoekj or Point, from its owner, William Con- stable. This neck forms the northern bank, at the mouth, of the noted Spf/t den Dyvel Kil, or channel. At an early period it belonged to Samuel Edsall. From the Edsalls it passed to the TippettSy who, during the revolutionary struggle, adhered to the side of the Crown. In consequence their property was confis- cated to the State, (the Tippetts having fled to Nova Scotia,) and sold to Samuel Berrian, who married a daughter of Tippett, for- mer proprietor. A second daughter became the wife of the eel* ebrated Col. James de Lancey, one of the boldest foragers of the Neutral Ground. In 1796, Samuel Berrian^ sold the whole estate of Tippett's Neck, consisting of 200 acres, to his nephew, Abra- ham Berrian.
The neck remains yet undivided. The heirs are Abraham Berrian, John Hoogland, and Mr. Bleecker.
There are remains of three distinct forts on Tippett or Berri- en's Neck, which once formed a part of the chain of hill batte- ries reaching from the North to the East Rivers. January the 19th, 1777, (says Gen. Heath,) it was determined to make an at- tempt to cut off the British battalion within King's Bridge, early the next morning, by passing a strong detachment over Spitten De- vil Creek on the ice, which, however, was not very strong, but the weather was cold. One thousand were detached for this pur- pose ; but the weather having grown warm in the night, the ice was judged, by the unanimous opinion of all the general offi- cers on the ground, to bo too hazardous, on the morning of the 20th^ to venture the attempt. On this day there was a cannon- ade on both sides, and the enemy on the island side were thrown into much confusion. Our General observing that when the ene- my within the island were cannonaded acrors Haarlem Creek, they
» The ion of Samuel wai Richard Berrian, father of the Rer. William Berrian, D. D., rector of Trinity Church, N. Y.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 439
shellered themselves behind the little hill near the bridge, next to Spitten Devil Creek. On this afternoon he rode ronnd on to Tip- pett's Hill, which was in its rear, and found that a field-piece, drawn up on that side, would leave the enemy no hiding place. On the 21sl,.a cannonade commeuced again on both sides. In the afternoon a field-piece was hauled up to Tippett's Hill, and the enemy being cannonaded both in front and rear, they were thrown into the utmost confusion : some secured themselves in their redoubt, others under the banks ; some lay flat on the ground, and some betook themselves to the cellars ; so that in a short time there was no object for the gunners."^
The principal fort now standing on the neck is situated a little south of the residence of Mr. Whiting, on the property of Mr. John Ewings. It is in the form of a hollow square, with banks fifteen or twenty feet high. Nothing can exceed the boldness of the scenery as viewed from this elevated spot ; below, the steep sides of the neck are bordered with beautiful woodland that skirts the shores of the majestic Hudson ; while beyond, the pali- sades are seen abruptly rising in all their grandeur from the opposite margin of the river. South-east are the distant heights of Fordham and Westchester, and north the Hudson reaching into the Tappaan Zee.
l*he remains of " Indian shell heds^ are still visible imtredi- ately in the rear of the fort. Foot paths lead through the woods that skirt the river to the extreme point of the neck. The Berrian residence, a fitie structure of stone, now occupied by Mr. Tucker, is situated on rising ground near the extreme point ; its beautiful situation claims notice. The Hudson here expands its waters, and, united with those of the Haarlem river at the mouth of the Spuyten duyvel, gives a beautiful lake like appearance to the whole ; the winding creek, the heights of Fordham and wooded hills of New York island, serve to unite and blend a landscape which might have inspired the pen of a Thomson or the pencil of a Claude. The old Tippett mansion is located on the eastern side of this neck, embosomed in the bank and shaded with tall poplars. It possesses a desolate and antiquated appearance, in
• Heath*! Mem. 110.
440 HISTORY OF THE
perfect keeping with the strange stories that are told of its still being haunted by the ghosts of the old tories. Deer are said to have frequented the woods bordering on this neck as late as 1782.
The mouth of the Spuyt deu duyvel kil and Berrian's neck will ever be memorable as the scene of the fight between Hen- drick Hudson and the Indians, A. D. 1609.
At day-break on the 22d of October, the Halve Maen (Crescent) sailed from Teller's Point on her passage down the river, with a fair wind, twenty-one miles, till the tide set too strong against her, when she came to anchor near the upper end of Manhattan island. *' The two captive Indians who had escaped at West Poiftt had, it appears, made their way on the east side of the river, rousing on their return the spirits of Sleepy Hollow^^ or the more ferocious Manhatta,^ and here ' in the inlet of Haarlem river, they had concentrated a force that impatiently awaited the arrival of the rich booty, which they flattered themselves they should obtain.'
*'They had not waited long ere the Halve Maen appeared, and immediately hove to near their place of ambush. One of the Indians who had escaped from Hudson's vessel now came out with many others armed with bows and arrows expecting to betray them."c But, says Juet the mate of Hudson's vessel, " we perceived their intent, and suffered none of them to enter our ship, whereupon two canoes full of men with bows and arrows shot at us after our stern, in recompense whereof we discharged six muskets and killed two or three of them, then above one hundred of them came to a point of land to shoot at us, then, I shot a falcon at them and killed two of them ; whereupon the rest fled into the woods. Yet they manned off another canoe with nine or ten men, which came to meet us, so I shot at it also a falcon, and shot it through and killed one of them, then our men with muskets killed three or four more of them, so they went their way."d ■I ^■^~— ■— "~"^~^ ^~~^~"^~^"~"^»
•> OS the Mahicanni nation, who lived, aaye Moolton, a little north- weet of Whit« rrains. — Irving'a Sketch Book.
k Who probably extended to Tappan bay.- Moulion. « Monlton*8 Hiit N. Y. part i. 27J, 2 < Iludion*! Joarnal.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 441
It was here too, that during the absence of the illustrious Peter Stuyvesant, who was then occupied in reducing the Swedish fortresses on the Delaware, a body of nine hundred Indians having crossed the river, came and landed at Spiteing devil creek. Here they posted themselves, and remained until they were ap* prised of his return.*
The waters of the kil or channel derive their name from a daring Dutch burgher of the Manhattans, who, bent upon per- forming some deed of knight errantry, determined upon crossing this stream in a violent storm, in opposition to the remonstrances of his friends; swearing he would swim across en spyt den duyvel, (in spite of the devil.) but scarcely had he reached the middle of the channel when he was overwhelmed by the stormy billows and sank to rise no more.
This incident has been well described in the Sketch Book, by Washington Irving, although he has fixed a much later date for the origin of the name than we fiiid it recorded in the Colonial annals. It is entitled, " The Doleful Disaster of Anthony the Trumpeter."
" Stayresant resolutely bent opoa defending hit belored city (New Amster- dam) in despite of itself, colled not^him his trusty Van Corlear, who was his right hand man in all times of emergency. Him did he adjure to take his war denouncing trumpet, and mounting his horse, to beat up the country, night and day, sounding the alarm along the pastoral borders of the Bronx, startling the wild solitudes of Croton, arousing the rugged yeomanry of Weehawk and Ho- boken, the mighty men of battle of Tappan bay, and the brave boys of Tarry- town and Sleepy Hollow, together with all the other warriors of the country round about ; charging them one and all, to sling their powder horns, shoulder their fowling pieces, and march merrily down to the Manhattans. Now there was nothing in all the world, the divine sex excepted, that Anthohy van Corlear loved better than errands of this kind. So just stopping to take a lusty dinner, and bracing to his side his junk bottle, well charged with heart inspiring Hol- lands, he issued jollily from the city gate that looked out upon what is at present called Broadway ; sounding as usual a farewell strain, that rung in sprightly echoes through the winding streets of New Amsterdam. Alas ! never more were they to be gladdened by the melody of their favorite trumpeter ! It was a dark and stormy night when the good Anthony arrived at the famous ereek (sagely denominated Harlem river) which separates the island of Manoa-hata
• Rgbert Benson's Mem N. Y. 94. YOL. II. 56
A42 mSTORT OF THE
from the maiii land. Tbe wind wm higha the deaieBU were ie aui a|iraw, and oo CbaroB coold be foacd lo ferry the adTentarooe aooeder of bxaw acioii the water.
*' For a short time he Tapoored like ao impatient ghoaC opoo the hriak, aad then, beihinkiog himself of the orgency of his errmad, took a heaitj eaibnce of his stooe bottle, swore most Yalorooslj. thai he voald evim ac in— , ea wfifl den dajvel, (in spite of the devil !) and daringly plooged iolo llie eireaa. Luckless Anthony I scarce had he baffeted half way oTer, when be was oh- served to struggle fioleotly, as if battling with the spirit of the wmters — in- stiociiTely he put his trumpet to his mouth, and giving a Tehement Mast, sank forever to the bottom I
'* The potent clang oor of his tnimpet, like the ivory bom of tbe Teaowned Paladin Orlando, when expiring in the glorions field of Roncesvallea, mag hi and wide through the country, alarming the ncighbonrs roondy m ho honied in amazement to the spot. Here an old Dutch borgher, famed for hia veracity, and who had been a witness of the fact, related to them the melancholy afiair, with the fearful addition, (to which I am slow of giving belief,) that he nw the duyvel, in the shape of a huge moss-bonker, seize the stordy Anthony by the leg, and drag him beneath the waves. Certain it is, the place with the adjoining promontory which projects into the Hodson, has been called spjt den duyvel, or spiking duyvel, ever since. The restless ghoal of the onforta- nate Anthony still haunts the surrounding solitudes, aud hia trampet baa often been heard by the neighbors, of a stormy night, mingling with tbe bowling of the blast. Nobody ever attempts to swim over the creek after dark ; oa the contrary, a bridge has been built to guard against soch melancboly aceideals in future."*
This creek and neighbouring waters are also celebrated for their shad fishery. The season for fishing commences in March aiid continues throughout April and May. It is entirely governed by the influx and reflux of the tide, or the last of the jQood and ebb. The fishermen make four lifts every twenty-four hours. Tlie aggregate value of this fish, (the Alosa Sapidissitna^ RaP-O taken in the Hudson river and neighbouring waters south of the Highlands, amounts to $100,000 annually.
Tlie small settlement of Kivgsbridge bordering on the Haarlem river, took its name from a ferry and bridge established here at a very early period of the Colonial administration. The Westches- ter side of the bridge (where stands the Macomb's mansion^) was formerly an island called by the Indians Papcrinemen, as
' Beautiei of Washington Irving, p. 198.
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 443
we find the Director General, William Kieft, granting unto Matys (Matthew) Jansen the isle of Paperinemen, I8th August, 1646.* 1674, John Archer, lord of the manor of Fordham, laid claim to a neck of land called Humock Island, commonly called by the Indians Puperinemen, which he asserted he had by patent. But it would appear that Governor Lovelace had already settled an individual by the name of Vervelen upon the island to keep a ferry for the accommodation of paflsengers between the island and the Westchester shore. To satisfy Archer's claim, however, the secretary of the colony, Matthias Nicolls, agreed to pay a yearly rent for the same.
1692, His Excellency the Governor '' out of great favour and good to the city of New York proposed the building of a bridga over the spiken devil ferry ^^
The same year at a n^eeting of the Mayor, Aldermen and As - sistants, we find them petitioning the Governor,
That at Frederick Phillipse will QDdertake to build the bridge at the said place, for the convenieocy Kit all traTellers and dro?e8 of caule at a moderate and reasonable toll ; they do therefore humbly pray, that if the said Phillipse will undertake in one years time to build a good and convenient draw bridge for the passage of all travellers, droves of cattle and passage of carts and waggons, for the toll of one penny for every neat cattle, and two pence for each man and horse, and 12 pence for each score of hogs and sheep, and six pence for each cart and waggon that shall pass thereon, that he may have the preference of their majesties grant for the same by having a bridge built there.*
The following year, 1693, the 5th of King William the third and Queen Mary, the farrj. Island and. meadow were confirmed to Frederick Philipse, I/ord of the manor of Philipsburgh, by royal charter and power given him to erect thereon a bridge and to receive a certain toll therein specified, and furthermore the said bridge to be henceforth called Kings hridgeA
Madam Knight on her journey from New York to New Haven in the year 1704, speaks thus of this place : " about 5 o'clock came
• Dutch Trans. Rec. G.G. p 360.
b Minutes of Common Council N. Y. Vol. ii 70.
• Minutes of Common Council, Vol. ii. 70. d Charter of Philipsburgh.
4U HISTORY OF THE
to Spiting DeTii, else Kings Bridge, where they pay three pence for passing over with a horse, which the man that keeps the gate set up at the end of the bridge receives."*
During the war of the revolution. Kings Bridge constituted the ^^bahrien^ of the British line, when they occupied New York Island, while as far north as the Croton extended, the *' Neutral Ground" Like the pass of ancient Thermopylae, Kings bridge can boast of her faithful bands of Sprtans, who fought for ^ liberty or death." As early as May 25, 1775, Congress ordered,
" That a post be immediately taken and fortified, at or near Kings bridge, and that the ground be chosen with a particular view to prevent the comma* nication between the city of New York and the country from being intemipced by land.**
On the abandonment of Manhattan Island in 1776, by the American Army, Kingsbridge was occupied by the American General as head quarters.
This bridge was the scene of a bloody conflict between a por- tion of the Continental army under the command of Major Gen- eral Heath, and a large body of Hessians under Knyphausen.
January 17, 1777, a detachment *' says Heath with two field pieces, waa or- dered to move to the south of the fort, (in which was a garrison of Heatians who had refused to surrender,) to a hill abo?e Harlem creek, not far from the New Bridge.^ When the detachment arrived at this place, a battalion of Hessians ap- peared drawn up on the side of the hill just within Kings bridge, and back of Hy- att's tavern. Our general (Heath) ordered the artillery to cannonade them im- mediately. The first shot just cleared the right of the battalion, nearly a platoon settling down as the shot passed them, which entered the bank close behind them. The second shot passed about the centre of the battalion, when to the amoant of a grand division settled down, which was an evidence that they would not stand much longer. One of the pieces was ordered to be drawn lower down the hill ; on which the battalion quitted their ground and marched off as fast as they could, without running to get behind the redoubt and hill at the bridge receiving one shot more as they were turning round the point. It was not suspected that the enemy had any cannon in the redoubt within the bridge, bat they now began to cannonade the artillery men who had descended the hill.
•■ Journal of Madnm Knight, 56.
b The new bridge was erected by Jacob Dykeman and Johannes Vermilyea, previous to the war, for the purpose of avoiding the toll of the old bridge.
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 445
who bad lo draw up their piaoet aafaai aa poaaible,^ which they efieeted without any lose bat received three or four ahot qaite among them, before they could reach the top of the hill."« The attack on the 19tb and 2l8t baa been already detailed in the account of Tippetts hill.
July, 1778, Lord Cathcart held the command of the British force at Kings bridge.
"The late skirmish, (says Heath,) writing in 1781, near King's Bridge, was occasioned by the American army's moving down, in order to give the French officers a view of the British out-posts near the bridge. A number of Americans were killed and wounded by long shot from the yaugers of the enemy, who kept up a popping fire whenever they could reach our troops.^^
The vestiges of the military camp pits can still be traced on the hills around the bridge, while within a few feet of it the re- mains of a British officer was recently disinterred, and, incredible as it may seem, in his full uniform ; the brass buttons as perfect as the day they were moulded, containing the number of his regiment
King's Bridcro was also the rendezvous of a corps of freeboot- ers called " Cow Boys,^^ whose bands ravaged the surrounding hills and vallies. '-On the part of the British," remarks the au- thor of The Spy, *' the stimulus of loyalty was by no means suffered to sleep where so fruitful a field ofifered on which it might be expended. But their freebooters were enrolled, and their efforts more systematized. Lon^ experience had taught their leaders the efficacy of concentrated force ; and unless tradi- tion does great injustice to their exploits, the result did do little credit to their foresight. The corps — we presume from their well known affection to that useful animal — had received the significant appellation of * Cow Boys.' "« The morality of these heroes of the Neutral Ground was of a singular kind : the rapine by which they subsisted they accounted lawful and honorable.
King's Bridge lies prettily situated in a beautiful vale near the confluence of the Hudson and Haarlem Rivers. It is almost
• HeaUi*f Mem. 109. « Spy, i. 24.
t Heath's Mem. 294.
446 HISTORY OF THE
surrounded by high rolling hills whose tops are crowned by hill forts and fine spreading woods. This spot was first chosen as the site of the city of New Amsterdam, on account of its secure and inland position.
Immediately west of the bridge flows Tippetfs Brook^ the Mosholu of the Indians, and here it unites with the Haarlem River. This latter stream, formerly called the Muscoota,^ has been long known as a favorite resort to the angler. The beau- tiful striped bass (Labrax Lineatus, Cuvier,) abounds in these waters. The fishing season usually commences in May, and reaches perfection in the months of September and October. The baits preferred (although they vary according to location) are the soft crab, shrimp and squid, or common cuttle fish. The bass is well known to bean anadromous, living in the salt water, but generally spawning in the fresh. These fish sometimes attain to a large size.
The favorite station of the angler is the New Bridge. The present tavern at King's Bridge occupies the site of the old Dyck- man Hotel, in which its landlords were wont to entertain the an- cient aldermen of the Manhattans.
The residence of the late Robert Macomb, Esq., now occupied by his widow, lies beautifully embosomed in shrubbery, com- manding fine views of the bridge, creek, New York island, and neighbouring hills. Among the latter stands prominent TeiartTs Heighty with its powder house, and Fort Independence, From this hill the continental army retreated, on the approach of Gen- eral Knyphausen, in 1776. The pleasure grounds around the Macomb mansion, are tastily laid out in shrubberies and walks, while the beautiful waters of the " Muscoola" add variety to the scenery.
In one of the rooms we noticed a beautiful painting, by Waldo, of Major Gen. Alexander Macomb. This family is descended from the MacCombie's of Ireland, an ancient and honorable stock who removed to that country from Scotland. The grandfather
■ This uaine frequently applies to the Haarlem River iii the Albany aod County Records.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 447
of the Gencrul was John Macomb, who emJj^ated from Ireland to this country 1742, and held an official place under the Colo- nial government. He established himself in New York, where bis son Alexander Macomb, father of Major Gen. Alexander, was educated. The father was a representative in the State Legisla- ture, from the city of New York, in 1787-8, and during the late war with Great Britain he furnished five sons for the service of his country in the militia and regular army. He afterwards re- moved to Detroit, where he amassed a large fortune in the fur trade. Here he married Catharine Navarre, a lady of noble French extraction. Major General Alexander Mucomb was born 3d April, 1782.
Leaving the Bridge, the approach to the village of Yonkers from the south possesses many points of interest. Along the edge of the valley are scattered beautiful knolls and high ranges of hills, either cultivated or covered with woods; to the left, seated on a fine wooded hill, is a large stone mansion, erected by Augustus van Cortlandt, Esq., A. D. 1822, upon the site of a much older building, which was destroyed by fire A. D. 1822. The ascent to the house is through the romantic woods of Cort- landt's ridge. l*hc road passes over a deep ravine, watered by a picturesque brook, and through high masses of frowning rock. The lawn in front commands a view of the vale of Yonkers, while at the foot of the hill runs Tippetl's Brook.
The farm house situated on this property was built by Frede- rick van Cortlandt A. D. 1766. Still flourishing upon the lawn, in the rear of the mansion, is an aged apple tree marked with the name of Jacobus van Cortlandt— <late illegible.
This property, which lies directly north of Berrian's Neck, passed, upon the death of Frederick van Cortlandt, to his brother Augustus van Cortlandt. The latter, by will, bequeathed the same to his grandson Augustus Morris, "provided he assumed the name of Yan Cortlandt." Augustus van Cortlandt subse- quently sold the property to Samuel B. Thompson, John Ewing, William C. Wetmore, and James R. Whiting. The latter gen- tleman has recently erected a beautiful stone residence on the western side of the ntck, which commands extensive prospects
448 IRSTOUT OF THE
of the Hudson and palisades; the entrance is by a beautifulnroad that winds through a thick wood to the house. The Van Cort- landt mansion and surrounding property belongs to Samuel B. Thompson, Esq., and is now occupied by the McFariane family. The western side of Cortlandt's ridge embraces fine views of the Hudson River, palisades and hills stretching northwards. Upon the property of W. 0. Wetmore, Esq., there is a celebrated while oak, which stands in the midst of a pretty glade called the '^ Ccw Boy Oak" from the fact that these lawless desperadoes were often suspended from its branches.
'* Short was their shrift, and sure the cord.**
[Rokehy.
Cortlandt house, the ancient residence of the Van Cortlandt family, stands in the vale below, about one mile north from Kings bridge, on the road leading to the village of Yonkers. Prior to the purchase of the Philipses this estate (as before shown,) formed a portion of the fief of Colen-donck, and was styled the <' Old YonckersJ" From the Patroon Adriaen van der Donck it passed through the hands of various proprietors to the Hon Frederick Philipse who sold it to his son-in-law Jacobus van Cortlandt A. D. 1699. Since then, it has been considerably enlarged by other purchases. The whole eight hundred nnd fifty acres is now vest- ed in his descendant Augustus van Cortlandt Esq.
Jacobus van Cortlandt, the first of the name who enjoyed this estate was the second son of the Right Hon. Oloff Stevenson van Cortlandt, a native of Cortlandt in Holland, who came out to this country in the military service of the Dutch West India Com- pany, and grandson of the Right Hon. Steven van Cortlandt a lineal descendant of the ancient Dukes of Cortlandt or Courland.>^ .lacobus married Eva Philipse daughter of the Hon. Frederick Philipse of the manor of Philipsburgh. Besides the Yonkers es* tate. Jacobus van Cortlandt was a large landed proprietor in the town of Bedford, in this county. This individual was one of the
* See Cortlandt-towD, vol. i. 50.
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COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 449
five members returned by the High Sheriflf to represent the city and county of New York in the Colonial Assembly A. D. 1691.
By his will dated 12th of May, 1739, he devised, and bequeath- ed unto his son Frederick van Oortlandt,
All that my farm situate lyin^ and being in a Alace commonly called and known by the name of the Little or Lower Yonckers &o., and all other the land, meadows and real estate, I am seized of or have a right to in the Manor of Philipsbargh &c. for his natural life, and from and after his decease to the heirs male lawfully begotten, &c. To his eldest daughter, Margaret, wife of Abraham de Peyster,' property in the city of New York, and the same to' bis remaining daughters, Anne, wife of John Chambers, and Mary, wife of Peter Jay.*
Frederick van Corilandt only son of the above testator, married Frances Jay, daughter of the Hugueuot, Augustus Jay, by his wife Anna Maria Bayard.
Upon the death of Frederick vatr Cortlandt, I2th Feb., 1749,»» the estate devolved by the will of Jacobus, senr. to Jacobus van Cortlandt jun., eldest son and heir at law of Frederick. This individual, better known as Col. James van Cortlandt, nobly used his influence (while residing here during the war,) in ame- liorating the condition of his suffering countrymen. It not un- frequently happened that a poor neighbour was robbed of every thing he possessed ; upon application to Col. van Cortlandt he would assume his red watch coat, and mounting his horse ride down to the city, to intercede in their behalf. He seldom applied in vain, such was the universal respect for his charactor. Pre- vious to the close of the war he was compelled to leave his country residence at Yonkers on account of ill health. He died shortly afterwards in the city of New York, 1st of April, 1781. His remains were interred in the family tomb, Vault Hill. On the death of Col. James van Cortlandt, the property passed to his brother Augustus van Cortlandt the next heir of the entail.
• Surrogate's office, N. Y. fol. xiii. 425.
b The will of Frederick van C. bearg date 3d Oct 1749. To his wife Franeea he bequeathe! two negro girls and a four wheeled chaise. His children were Jamais Augustus, Frederick, Anna Maria and Eva. Surrogate's office, N. Y. fol. xrlii. 69L
Vol. II. 67
450 HISTORY OF THE
This gentleman held the office of Clerk of the Common Conn- cil in N. Y. on the breaking out of the Revolution ; this appears from the following letter addressed by him to the New Tork committee of safety — Dated Sept. 5, 1775.
Gbmts. — Being requested by the FioTineial Congress to enqaire for some place of safety to deposite flie public records in, and to inform the cominittee of safety thereof, agreeable to which, Mr. Cortlaodt informs the commilteo of safety, that pre?ious to the abore request, he caused the public records to be- pot into chests, and secured them in a cellar in his garden, made for that purpose, of stone and brick, well arcbed and exceedingly dry. Thin precaution was taken against accidents kappening by fire ; should the city be invaded by an army from Great Britain, or British troops, he in such case intended to reroo?e them to his brother^s at Yonkers, in the county of West- chester. If the committee of safety shall judge any other place more secure, Mr. Van Cortlandt will be glad to be informed thereof, that he may commaui- cate the same to the corporation of this city for their approbation.* He remains their most obedient
humble servant,
AueUSTUS TAM CORTLAHDT.
By the will of the above Augustus Tan Cortlandt, dated 20th of December, 1823| he bequeathes his property after the follow- ing manner:
** Whereas the greatest part of the lands and real estate which I oecnpj and hoki in the town of Yonkers, was deri?ed to me by inheritance from my ancestors ; and, whereas I hare lately purchased several tracts and pieces ol land also lying in ye said town of Yonkers, which I at present occupy and possess, &c. Item, it is my desire that the same remain entire, and pass from time to time to one of my surname and family ; whereupon I do here- by give and devise all my lands and real estate, and all dwelling houses, mills and other buildings thereon in the town of Yonkers, &c., unto my affectionate relations, John Jay and Peter Augustus Jay, and to their heirs for ever, except a certain dwelling house and farm in the said town of Yonkers, &c., and a lot of ground near my mill-pond, &c., which belonged to my late brother, Frederick van Cortlandt, to bold the same in trust fur the foUowiog^ uses: viz., Ist, to hold the same for my son-in-law, Henry White, late the husband of my deceased daughter, Anna White, for and during the time of his natural life. 2nd, for and after the decease of my son-in-law Henry
' American Archives, 4th series, vsl. iil €45w
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 451
White, tnd in ctse Aagastos, the son of the said Henry White and my said deceased- daughter shall sormo Che aaid Henry White, then to hold the eame for the use of the said Aagostus, and his heirs and assignees, on condi- tion that from and after my decease, he do take and constantly and excla- sively use the name of Van Cortlandt, &c., &c.»
Augustus van Cortlandt, the above devisee, subsequently took possession of the estate under the will of his grandfather, the above testator. The Revised Statutes of 1826, having abolished the entail, Augustus became possessed of the estate in fee sim- ple. Upon the 18th of Feb., 1827, Augustus van Cortlandt be- queathed the Yonkers to his brother Henry, fc^ life, and to his brother's eldest son forever, provided they take and constantly use the name of '< Van Cortlandt f and upon the failure of male heirs, to Henry, the testator provided that the property should pass to his nephew, Augustus van Cortlandt Bibby, son of his sister Augusta."
Henry, the above devisee, took possession of the estate 6n his brother's death, in 1839, and assumed the name of Van Cort- landt. Henry van Cortlandt died Oct, 1839, and was succeeded by his nephew, the present proprietor, Augustus van Cortlandt, Esq.
The present mansion house, a large edifice of stone, was erected by Frederick van Cortlandt, A. D. 1748 \^ it forms a noble object when viewed from the lawn. The situation commands nearly the whole length of the vale of Yonkers ; stretching south, the view is terminated only by the high hills of New York island, and heights of Fordham. The pleasure grounds in front, appear to have been laid out in the ancient Dutch style, with high artificial banks, adorned with rows of state-
• Surrojrale'fl office, N. Y.
b The foliowiagr item occun in Uie will of Frederick van Cortlandt, dated 3nd of Oct 1749 : ** whereas, I am now about finifhiiig^ a large ttone dwelling houn on the plantation in which I now Htc, which, with the said, plantation, will, by Yirtoo of my deceaied father's will, devolve after my deceaae, upon my eldeit son Jamof, &c. Surrogate's office N. Y., fol. zviii. 63.
4S2 UlSTOKY OP THE
]y box, venerable for their height and autiquity ; while be- neath are still visible the remains of old Ash ponds and jets d'eau. Above the old foahioued windows, grim visages in the ahape of corbels seem lo frown upon the beholder. We sap- pose (hum to be a kind of "genii loci.**
if AniuMu TU ConUDit, Ciq.
Two eagles surmount the posts of the old gateway facing the stables. 'These were part of the spoils taken from a Spanish pri- valeerduring the war; and presented to Augustus vnn Cortlandt, by Rear Admiral Robert Digby of the British navy. To the east of the house, the Mosholii [Tippetts brook) pent up by the mill dam, forms an extensive sheet of water; which is greatly en> riched by the vicinity of green meadows, orchards and neighbor- ing hills. iSouth of the pond is situated the old mill. Amid (he grove of locusts on George's point, a little north of the mill, stood the original residence of the Van Cortlandts.
The interior of the present house is neatly fitted up and fur- nished, its drawing room and library windows look out on beau- tiful prospects, in the latter apartment are some fine family por- traits: Henry White, jr., by Jarvis; Vice Admiral Sir John White, in full nniform, « copy by Chapman from the original of Jarvis; Augustus van Cortlandt, by Jarvis; Thomas Bibby,
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 453
liy Chapman; Mr. Babcock, by Stewart; and Henry White sen., by Copley.
The old family Bible of the Van Cortlandts, printed at Am- sterdam, A. D. 1714, contains some curious memoranda of the Jay family. The first entry occurs New York den 19th Jan'ry, 1723 4.
During the early period of the Revolutionary war this house was garrisoned by a piquet guard of the Green Yagers, whose officers held their head quarters here.
His Excellency, General Washington, and aids, dined in one of the apartments on the memorable July of 1781, when the British piquets were driven within the lines upon New York island. In another room the unfortunate Captain Rowe expired in the arms of his bride elect
To the north of the mansion is seen rising Vault Hill, so called from the family sepulchre, which is seated upon its sum* mit. From this spot, hallowed by the remains of the illustrious dead, the view is exceedingly beautiful ; Tippett's vale, the mill pond, orchards, and neighbouring hills. The vault itself is a small square edifice of stone surmounted with a pointed roof, the whole enclosed by a solid stone wall. Within an adjoining vault in the same yard repose the remains of
Charlotte Amelia Baylev,*
relict of Doctor Richard Bayley,
who died the 1st day of Sept. 1805.
It was upon this hill that Gen. Washington stationed his troops and lighted camp fires for the purpose of deceiving the enemy, whilst he secretly withdrew to join La Fayette before Yorktown in Virginia, A. D. 1781.
There are still the remains of a considerable fort on the north end of this ridge. During the Revolutionary struggle the valley south from Vault hill to Kingsbridge, appears to have been the constant scene of skirmishing between the two armies.
3d July, 1781, General Washington planned an expedition to cut off Colonel James de Lancey, stationed in the vale^ and Major
* This lady was sister-in-law of Augustus Tan Cortlandt, sen.
464 HISTORY OF TEE
Pruschanck, another British officer occupying Cortlandt ridge, m .command of the Yager horse.
It had been so arranged that the Duke of Laazun should inarch to Williams's bridge and there make his rendezvous till daylight the following morning. General Lincoln was to be piloted down from Tappan and landed below Yonkers, while Washington himself should take post on Valentine's hill. Lauzun accordingly conducted his cavalry to Williams's bridge, where be halted. In the mean time General Lincoln bad been landed half a mile below the village, on the property now owned by Thomas W. Ludlow, Esq., then occupied by Isaac Post. After landing. Lincoln, guided by Major Lawrence, passed along shore soutbi missing C/ol. Emmerick with his corps marching north to Boar hill ; then crossing over the hills east, Lincoln followed the course of Tippett's brook, for the purpose of avoiding Pruschank's corps, stationed upon Cortlandt's ridge. Passing the Van Cortlandt residence, he kept close to the edge of Gun and Locust hills, and had arrived in the vicinity of General Montgomery's house, (then occupied by his widow,) unobserved by the sentinels on the opposite side, when the enemy's patrol fired. De Lancey, instantly on the alert, commenced his retreat in face of General Lincoln's advancing columns. Totten, De Lancey's lieutenant, seemed determined to make a stand, but soon received positive orders from De Lancey to retire, which he did, just in time to avoid the surprisal.
Colonel Armand, the celebrated French cavalry oflScer, made a daring and successful attempt to surprise a large piquet of Green Yagers, stationed at Warner's store, under the command of De Wurmb. For this purpose Armand left his quarters above the Croton and proceeded down the main post road to the village of Yonkers ; after passing the village, and when in the neighbor- hood of the enemy's encampment, he started his whole corps on a full gallop. The Yagers had taken the precaution to post a sentinel at Hadley's spring, but the poor fellow became so per- fectly alarmed and powerless on seeing the furious onset of Armand's horse, that he could give no alarm, and was instantly dispatched. The consequence was, the whole corps were either killed or made prisoners. Colonel Armand then made g3od his
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 456
retreat, passing in front of the Van Cortlandt residence, and re- turning by the way of Tippett's valley. In the mean time the British bugle sounded to horse, and his enemies were in full pursuit. On arriving at the Van Cortlandt house a vigorous search was made for Armand, who was by this time far advanced on his retreat to the Croton.
On the Van Cortlandt estate is situated Indian bridge and field ; the former crosses Tippet's brook, the latter forms a portion of the Cortlandt woods, an extensive range of woodland to the north-east of the mansion. Both these places are memorable as the scene of a severe engagement between the British troops and Stockbridge Indians, 31st August, 1778.
The action is thus related in Simcoe's Military Journal :
" Lt. Col. Simcoe, returning from head qnartera, the 20th of August, heard a firing in front, and being informed that Lt. Col. Emmerick had patrolled, he immediately marched to his assistance. Ue soon Axei him retreating; and Lt. Col. Emmerick being of opinion the rebels were in such force, that it would be advisable to return, he did so. Lt. Col. Simcoe understood that Nimham, an Indian chief, and some of his tribe, were with the enemy ; and by his spies, who were excellent, he was informed that they were highly elated at the retreat of Emmerick's corps, and applied it to the whole of the light troops at Kingsbridge. Lt. Col. Simcoe took measures to increase their belief; and, ordering a day's provision to be cooked, marched the next morn- ing, the Slst of August, a small distance in front of the post, and determined to wait there the whole day, in hopes of betraying the enemy into an ambus- cade ; the country was mobt favorable to it. His idea was, as the enemy moved upon the road whi<^h is delineated in the plan as intersecting the country, to advance from his flanks ; this movement would be perfectly con- cealed by the fall of the ground upon his right, and by the woods upon the left ; and he meant to gain the heights in the rear of the enemy, attacking whomsoever should be within by his cavalry and such infantry as might be necessary. In pursuance of these intentions, Lt. Col. Emmerick with his corps, was detached from the Queen's Rangers and Legion, as Lt. Col. Sim- coe thought, fully instructed in the plan ; however, he most unfortunately mis- took the nearer house for one at a greater distance, the names being the same, and there he posted himself, and soon after sent from thenoe a patrol forward upon the road, before Lt. Col. Simcoe, could have time to stop it. This pa- trol had no eflect, not meeting with any enemy ; had a single man of it de- serted, or been taken, the whole attempt had, probably, been abortive. Lt. Col. Simcoe, who was half way up a tree, on the top of which was a drummer boy, saw a flanking party of the enemy approach. The troops had scarcely
466 HISTORY OF THE
falleD into their ranks, when a smart firing waa heard from the Indimns, wb# had lined the fences of the road, and were exchanging shot with Lc. CoL Eramerick, whom they had discovered. The Qjieen^s Rangers moved impidlf to gain the heights, and Lieut. Col. Tarleton immediately advanced with the Hussars and the Legion cavalry ; not being able to pass the fences in his front, he made a circuit to return further upon their right ; which being re- ported to Lieut. Col Simcoe, he broke from the column of the Ran^rSy with the grenadier company, and, directing Major Ross to conduct the corps to the heights, advanced to the road, and arrived, without being pehseived, within ten yards of the Indians. They had been intent upon the attack of Emmer- iok^s corps and the Legion ; they now gave a yell, and fired upon the grena- dier company, wounding four of them, and Lieut. Col. Simcoe. They were driven from the fences ; and Lieut. Col. Tarleton, with the earalry, got among them, and pursued them rapidly down Cortlandt*s ridge. That active officer had a narrow escape ; in striking at one of the fugitives, he lost his balance and fell from his horse ; luckily, the Indian had no bayonet, and his musket had been discharged. Lieut. Col. Simcoe joined the battalion, and seized the heights. A captain of the rebel light infantry, and a few of his men, were taken ; but a body of them, under Major Stewart, who afterwards was distinguished at Stony Point, left the Indians and fled.
" Though this ambuscade, its greater part, failed, it was of consequence. Near forty of the Indians were killed, or desperately wounded ; among others, Nimham, a chieAain, who had been in England, and his son ; and it was re- ported to have stopped a larger number of them, who were excellent marks- men, from-joining General Washington's army. The Indian doctor was taken ; and he said, that when Nimham saw the grenadiers close in his rear, he called out to his people to fly, Mhat he himself was old, and would die there ;' he wounded Lieut. Col. Simcoe, and was killed by Wright, his orderly Hussar. The Indians fought most gallantly ; they pulled more than one of the cavalry from their horses ; French, an active youth, bugle-horn to the Hussars, struck at an Indian, but missed his blow ; the man dragged him from his horse, and was searching for his knife to stab him, when, loosening Frenches hand, he luckily drew out a pocket pistol, and shot the Indian through the head, in which situation he was found. One man of the Legion cavalry was killed, and one uf them, and two of the hussars, wounded."*
The scene of this conflict lies on the land of the late Freder- ick Brown, now occupied by his widow. The struggle com- menced in the 2d field west of Brown's house, and close by the
• See Simcoe's Military Journal, published by Bartlett Sl Welford, N. Y., to which work we refer our readers for an engraved plan of the above mentiooad action.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 4S7
present road leading to Devaux's. The opening in the Cort- landt woods still goes by the name of Indian field. Here the dead were buried. The Indians according to the British account led down the ridge across the present acqueduct, to what is called Indian bridge ; which then, as now, crossed Tippetts brook. On gaining the western bank, they secreted tliemselves amid the rocks and bushes; here the cavalry pursued them ; but being un- able to scale the rocks, called upon the fugitives to surrender ; promising them as a condition for so doing, life and protection. Upon this, three ventured to throw themselves upon the mercy of the British soldier, and were immediately drawn out by the bridge and cut to pieces. Notwithstanding the strictest search tliat could be made for the remainder, four managed to escape to the American linos beyond the Croton. One of these survivors by the name of Job, lived to a good old age ; gaining his livelihood by fishing on the banks of the Hudson ; but whenever he could be tempted to relate the horrors of that day, the big tears would start in his eyes and he would sob like a child. Nimham the Indian chief fell as related by the hand of Wright, Simcoe's or- derly huzzar, in the swamp between Jesse Halstead's house and John and Frederick Devaux's, now the Mankiu property. .There it was left a prey to the dogs and crows to be devoured at their leisure. All trace of the bones are now gone. Eighteen Indians were buried in one pit in Indian field ; it is still a current tradi- tion, that the old Sachem haunts the scene of conflict.
Does fancy's mimic dread pourtray Amid the boaghs a spectre gray, Or is it, the boding vision seen Where murders bloody work has been t
[Yamofden,
It is not a little singular that a few months preceding this battle, the two British Generals Simcoe and Tarleton, bad a narrow escape of their lives from these very Indians. These officers it appears were making observations on the country, and petroling with a few huzzars. '* The Stockbridge Indians about sixty in number, excellent marksmen, had just joined Gen.
Vol. II. 68
458 HISTORY OF THE
Washington'^ array. Lieut. Colonel Simcoe was describing m private road to Lieut. Colonel Tarleton : Wrigbt, his orderly dragoon, alighted and took down a fsnce of Devanx's farm yard for them to pass through ; around this farm the Indians were lying in ambuscade ; Wright had scarce mounted his horsci when these officers, for some trivial reason altered their intentions, and, spurring their horses, soon^rode out of sight, and out of reach of the Indians.
In a few days after, they had certain information of the am- buscade, whicli they so fortunately had escaped : in all probabi- lity they owed their lives to the Indians' expectation of surround- ing and taking them prisoners."^
Bordering the road north west of the Van Cortlandt's, is the old Hadley property, now owned by Major Joseph Deiafield.
The stone residence of the Hadley^s is still standing on the edge of the ancient turnpike.
The shore of the Hudson in this region is studded with beauti- ful villas ; the most prominent of which are those of Mr. W. Mor- ris, Mr. William Ackerman, Mr. Abraham Schemerhom, Mr. J. E. Betner and Mr. Lispenard Stewart, &c.
Tn the immediate vicinity of the latter is situated Font Hill, the seat of Mr. Edwin Forrest. The edifice which is of stone, after the designs of Mr. Thos. C. Smith, presents a fine specimen of the English castellated style. The building has six towers, aflording extended views of the Hudson River ; the highest of these called the flag or stair tower, is seventy-pne feet from the surface of the ground.
The gothic residenceof Mr. Thomas W. Ludlow occupies a very pleasant spot on the bank of the river, a short distance south of the village; it is almost surrounded by high hills. From this place the noble Hudson appears in all its glory. The edifice is built of brick in the Eliziibethian style. The exterior presents quite the beau ideal of an old English country residence. A pretty lodge in the rural gothic order adorns the entrance of the grounds. Mr Thomas W. Ludlow is the youngest son of Thomas Ludlow,
■ Simcoe's Mil. Jonroal, p. 80.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER, 460
Esq., who was Marshal of the Court of Admiraky in 1780. • The family of Ludlow derives its surname from the ancient town so denominated, in the county of Salop, England. They afterwards removed to High Deverell in Wiltshire, about the middle of the 14th century ; at which time lived William Ludlow Esq., of High Deverell, from whom lineally descended Sir Henry Lud^ low, Knt. of Maiden Bradley, in the county of Wilts, M. P. for that shire, father of Edmund Ludlow, the celebrated republican general during the civil wars, who died in exile, at Vevay, in Switzerland, in 1693, where a monument is erected to his mem- ory. The half brother of Sir Henry Ludlow, was Edmund Lud- low, Esq., ancestor of the American branch. Of this family is Henry Ludlow, Esq. of Clason's neck*
Near the village of Yonkers, is situated the farm and residence of the late Elijah Rich, recently occupied by John P. Groshoa now owned by his grand-daughter, Mrs. Herriot. Directly op- posite the house a commanding eminence of rocks rises very ab- ruptly. Up the side of this steep precipice, General Washington pursued by the enemy^s patrol, was compelled to fly to escape capture. From the high grounds in the rear, are fine views of the river. Here, in 1777, a memorable engagement took place between the two British frigates the Rose, and the Phcenix, which lay off at anchor, and the gun boats of the patriots which sallied out of the harbor of Yonkers, having in tow a large tender filled with combustibles, intending to run it along side of the frigates. The crews however, kept it ofl* by means of spars, and a heavy fire of grape and cannister compelled the gun boats and their brave crews to seek shelter in the mouth of the Saw Mill.
The year previous, General Heath had been requested by the person in command of the fire ships, to be a spectator of the burning of these vessels.
16 Aagost, 1776, General Heath accompanied by General Clinton and seve- ral other officers, took a proper position on the bank of the Hudson. '* TIbe night, says Heath himself, was pretty dark ; we soon found that the gallies
•> His staff of office is still presenred at Tonl^srs in ^he shape of a silver oar, in- scribed <* Court of Vice Admiralty, New York.**
460 HISTORY OP THE
and fire ▼easels were silently moving: ap with the tide. After some timet and almost immediately after the sentinels on hoard the British abipe. bid passed the word '* all is well,** two of the fire vessels flashed into a Uaxe ; the one close on the side of the Phceniz, the other grappling one of the ten- ders. To appearance, the flames were against the side of the Phcenix ; and there was much confusion on board. A number of cannon were discharged into the fire Teasel in order to sink her. A number of seamen ascended and got out on the yard arm, supposed to elear away some grapplinga. The fire vessel was along side as was Jud^^ed near ten minutes, when the Pbcniix either cut or slipt her cable, let hH her fore topsaU, wore round and atood ap the river, being immediately veiled from the spectators by the darkness of the night. The Rose and tlie other two tenders remained at their moor- ings.*** Cannon balls are still dug out of the banks in great numbera.
A little south, upon the east shore, lies tho Vi9cher^9 rack or Fishers point* The Groshoa place was frequently visited da- ring the war by prowling bands of " Cow boys ;" who not only levied exactions of stock and money, but compelled its inmates to find other shelter out of doors, while they filled the rooms with straw and quartered themselves thereon for the night. A cow and horse belonging to the family were concealed for some lime in one of the bed rooms; while the fkmily silver was stowed away between the wainscoat.
Contiguous to the village of Yonkers, and immediately above it, is situated on a commanding eminence, the hotel of De Witt C. Kellinger, called the Mansion house. This well known spot affords excellent accommodation to parties and strangers visiting the town.
The village itself, is pleasantly situated in a picturesque hol- low on the banks of the Saw mill river, which here discharges its waters into the lordly Hudson. The dams of the various grist, saw mills and woollen manufactories, form a beautiful series of cascades ; while the wooded banks and surrounding hills add in- creased loveliness to the scene.
This place was called by its aboriginal possessors, Nap-pe- cka-makj a name derived as before stated from its situation at
• Heath Mem. 54.
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER, 461
the mouth of ihe Ncperah ; or in other words it was the Rapid water settlement.
The Dutch afterwards conferred upon it the name of the Little Jonkers Plantation. This word was sometimes pro- nounced Yonkers, which gives us the present name of the vil- lage. During the occupancy of the Philip^'s, it was called Philipsboroughj after the Manor.
The Dutch termed the Saw Mill, the Saeg kil (stream.) After the Patroon's settlement, it was named in compliment to him, the Jonkers or Yonkers kill and Oolendoncks kill. "Several fine creeks enter into the north river, says Van der Donck, such as the Colendonck's kil or Saw kil.''*
Yonkers is now one of the most opulent villages in the county of Westchester. From its desirable situation on the Saw Mill and close vicinity to the Hudson, it has greatly im- proved in trade, of late years: many beautiful houses have been built, streets laid out, and a number of thriving manufac- tories erected and in full operation ; among these, are the two large sawing mills of Messrs Paddock, two mahogany mills of T. Cop- cutt, Norton and Moore, a large facfory for the extraction of dye woods, Embjssing factory of Dykes and Co., Carpet factory of Mitchell and Co., Hat body manufactory of Waring & Baldwin, and the glove skin dressing manufactory of T. Glasser, &c.
A beautiful road lends to the village landing, tastefully orna- mented with the fine horse chesnut (^sculus.) This avenue affords a beautiful sight in the month of May when these trees put forth their gay clusters of white flowers.^ But the beauty of the coup d'oeil, is the scene from the landing. In front flows the Hudson like a broad silvery mirror ; while oppo- site, tower in majesty the basaltic rocks of the Palisades. <» North- ward, the view is terminated by the highlands of Tappaan und
•> Vander Donck't N. N., N. Y. HisL Soe. p. Ser. i. 143.
b The Hone CbetDUt if extennvely used in Europe for aTenues. At Gheot, one borders the Broges canal of a mile and a half in length.
• The Indian name for the palisades is supposed to bave been that of the present town of Wehawken, the term awk, to indicate a stracture of rocks resembling trees. Schoolcraft.
462 HISTORY OF THE
the distant hills of Westchester^ which bouDd the eastern shore of the Tappaan Zee. The prominent cliff at the south-west cor- ner of Rockland Co., presents a noble object viewed from this spot. It boldly projects at the entrance of the 2jee, and in a bright summer's day may be seen casting its shade upon the waters.** A very deep interest attaches itself to this spot, when we recol- lect, that on the afternoon of the 13th Sep., 1609, Hendrick Hud- son "taking advantage of a light wind and flood tide, anchored the '' Halve Maen"^ near where the village pier projects into the Hudson. The old Dutch Patroon of this town, Adriaen van der Donck, in his N. Neth. Tertoogh, (a rare old book printed just 41 years after the discovery of Hudson) tells us what our native tribes thought when they for the first time saw this wondrous vessel."
'* They did not know there were any more people in the world than of the same with themselves : much less people who differ so widely from each other as our nation and theirs ; so that, when they first discoTored oar ship, they did not know what to make of it. They were in great femr, and knew not whether it might not be an apparition ; bat whether from HeaTen or Hell they could not diTine. Others supposed it to be a great sea inoD8ter» and that those in it had more the appearance of deyils than haman bein|{s, at least a strange report circulated through the conntry and caused a greal consternation among them.*
What must have been the wonder then, of the Nap-pe-cka- mak settlement, when they beheld the apparition anchor off the mouth of the Saw mill, especially when we conjure up old Mas- ter Hendrick Hudson standing upon the poop of his round built yatch, and Master Robert Juet and* brother officers in their tall shovelled brim hats and doublets. This arrival must have created quite a talk among the Mohegan squaws of Nappecka-
• Mr. H. Schoolcraft suggests, that the term ** Tabanxee," which means in the Algonquin, a short crouching person, may originally have heen applied to this noble cli£ Proceed, of N. Y. Hist Soc., 1844. It is 549 feet above the level of the Hudson.
b MouUou*s Hist, of N. Y., p. 238,
< Moullon Hist., p. 256.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 463
mak. In coonection with the Palisades and the river, the ro- mantic legend of the " storm ship*' must not be forgotten. To the great terror of the early colonists, she would appear gliding by the Palisades bearing her Dutch colors, the evening sun gilding her canvass as she came riding over the billows on her voyage down the river like Moore's spectre ship, bound to " Dead man's isle.**
Occasionally the village and landing appear to have been en- livened by the march and embarkation of troops. The follow- ing extract occurs in the journal of Lewis Morris, Judge of the Admiralty : June 4th, 1746, returned home, dined at Westchester, when the detachments from dueens county and Westchester marched to' Colonel Philipse's, in order to embark for Albany, on board of Captain Conradts Derrike's sloop, wTio lay there for that purpose."* This was on occasion of the war with France, when the Colony of New York was making formidable preparations for the reductioh of Canada.
Directly opposite the dock on the Jersey shore, is situated CI OS ter landing, from which a road gradually ascends to the sum- mit of the Palisades, a height of 517 feet above the river. Here Lord^ Crey, after coming up the Hudson in barges, disembarked his troops for the purpose of cutting off Baylor's light dragoons then stationed at Tappaan.^
The River Hotel kept by John Bashford, affords a favorite re- sort for the citizens of New York, being within seventeen miles
*> Journal of Lewb Morris. .
b October, 1778, (says Tbacher)the regiment of cavalry commanded by Col. Baylor beings posted on our lines near Tappan, their situation was betrayed by some tories, and a party of the enemy surprised them whQe in a barn, in the nig^ht, and massacred a part of them under circumstances of savage cruelty. The comman- der of the party who disgraced themselves by this foul deed, was the English Gene- ral Grey. Col. Baylor*s detachment eonsisted of one hundred and four horsemen. The attack was so sudden, that they were entirely defenceless, and the enemy immediately commenced the horrid work of slaughter ; their entreaties and erieg for mercy were totally disregarded by their savage foes. It has been well ascer- tained that the British soldiers were ordered by their inhuman officers to bayonet every man they could find, and to give no quarter." Thacher*s Blllitary Journal* 147.
464 inSTORY OF THE
of the city. Throughout the day, the bells of yarious steam boats bound to Tarrytown, Sing Sing, Peekskill or the High- lands, are heard ringing out their call of warning as they come majestically sliding along the wharf. We would recommend to the lovers of nature, a day's excursion to this favored place ; we can assure them it will more than repay. Besides the trade in the shape of steam, a great business is carried on with the city in sloops.
During the winter of 1780, the river was frozen so hard, that sleighs were driven from this place to the city on the ice. At a short distance above the village landing, facing the post road, is the old Manor halL The present front was erected cir. 1745j the rear at a much earlier period, which is reported to have becQ built soon after the f^hilipse family purchased herei A. D. 1682. Although the favorite residence at first, appears to have beea Castle Phil ipse, in Sleepy Hollow.
The front of the Manor hall presents quite a handsome ele- vation for a country residence of the olden time.
It is built in the Dutch style, so fashionable at that period ; its roof is surmounted by a heavy line of balustrade formiog a ter- race, that commands extensive views of the river.
The principal entrance is through the eastern porch, orna- mented with light columns and corresponding pilasters. There are likewise two porches on the eastern /ront^ looking upon Ibe lawn. The interior is fitted up with wainscoated walls, ceilings highly ornamented in arbesque work, and carved AifMrble mantels. The view from the south, commands the old stone milli village spires, and the wooded banks of Philips's point. On the- west, beautiful prospects of the dock and river ; on the east, a i^fdant lawn skirted by garden terraces, horse chesnuts and the main road, above which rises Locust hill.
The hall is capacious, and its wide staircase with antique balustrades and banister, has a fine efiect. The bedrooms are large panelled apartments with old fashioned fire-places faced in Dutch tile, representing thereon, Scripture stories with appropri- ate references.
The walks around are laid out in the shape of noble terraces, some of which lead between tall avenues of box. The garden
4 COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 46S
is extensive, and enrfehed by valuable fruit trees and shrubs. The splendid orange and myrtle trees that once adorned the green house, were formerly in the possession of Mrs. Macomb of Kings-bridge. The green sward sloping gradually to the Hudson, is here and there dotted with fine specimens of ornamental trees ; this, during the occupancy of the Philipse's, was emparked and stocked with deer. Among other exotics (which seem to thrive here,) we noticed on the edge of the- river the English yew; judg- ing from its appearance and the exposed situation which it oc- cupies, we should say it was quite hardy enough to endure our coldest winters. We should be glad to see this beautiful tree, whose dark verdure never fails, naturalized in the gardens of Westchester.
In this Mansion the lords of the manor on the great rent days, feasted their tenantry. Some idea may be fornied of this establish- ment which maintained thirty white and twenty colored servants. There appears to have been two rent days yearly for the manor of Philipsborough. One in January, held at Yonkers for the con- venience of the lower tenantry ; another a few days subsequent at Sleepy hollow, for the upper.
In lieu of rent was frequently received a couple of fat hens, a day's work, or a trifling sum amounting to three or four pounds. The farmers bordering the river having greater privileges, paid higtfer rents. The Courts Leet and Baron were held yearly at the house of John Cockles, the site of the present Nap-pe-cka-mak tavern. This court took cognizance of all criminal matters, and sometimes inflicted punishments that were eVen capital. In the administration of justice the baronial lord presided, either in his own person or that of his steward.
In the Manor Hall, July 3d, 1730, was bom Mary Philipse, daughter of the Hon. Frederick Philipse, speaker of the House of Assembly and lord of the manor of Philipsborough. " From this lady's character Feniniore Cooper formed the heroine of the Spy, under the name of Frances, (see the interesting ac- count of her in that work.) It is said that she refused the hand of Washington, who was greatly attached to her; she subse- quently married Col. Roger Morris, 15th January, 1758. This individual greatly distinguished himself during the first American Vol. II. 69
466 BISTORT OF THB
war, and was wounded in the battle of Minongahela river ; on which occasion General Braddock was killed with most of bis officers. In that engagement George Washington, Robert Orme^ and Roger Morris, Esqrs., were aids to Braddock."* *'Attba commencement of the Revolution he was a member of the Coun- cil of the Colony, and continued in office until the peace, aUhoagh the Whigs organized a government as early as 1777, under a written and well framed constitution."
*' A part of the Philips estate, (cibserves Mr. Sabine,) wis io possession of Colonel Morris in right of his wife, and was confiscated ; and thai the whole interest should pass ander the act, Mrs. Morris was included in the attainder. It is believed that this lady, her sisters, Mrs. Robinson, and Mrs. Inglisy were the only females who were attainted of treason during the struggle. Bot il appeared in due time, that the confiscation act did not aflfect the rights of Mn. Morrises children. The fee simple of the estate was valued by the British government at jC20,000 ; and by the rules of determining the worth of life interests, the life interest of Col. Morris and his wife were fixed at ^^18,605, for which sum they received a certificate of compensation.
" In 1787, the attorney general of England examined the ease, and gmre the opinion, that the reversionary interest (or property of the children at the decease of the parents,) was not included in their attainder, and was recorer- able under the principles of law and of right. In the year 1800, their eon, Captain Henry Uage Morris of the royal navy, in behalf of himself and his two sisters, accordingly sold this reversionary interest to John Jacob AstOTf Esquire, of New York, for the sum of i:20,000 sterling. In 1828 Mr^ Astor made a compromise with the State of New York, by which he received for the rights thus purchased by him (with or without associates,) the large amount of five hundred thousand dollars. The terms of the arrangement required, that within a specified time he should execute a deed of conveyance in fee simple, with warrantee against the claims of the Morrises — husband and wife — their heirs, and all persons claiming under them ; and that he should also obtain the judgment of the Supreme Court of tho United States affirming the Taliditj and perfectibility of his title. These conditions were complied with, and the respectable body of farmers who held the confiscated lands under titles de« rived from the sales of the commissioners of forfeitures, were thus quieted in their possessions.
** Colonel Morris died in England in 1794, aged sixty-soven, and Mary his widow died in 1825, at the age of ninety-six. Their rsroains were deposited near Savior-gate Church, York. Their son, above mentioned, erected a
• Burke*s Hist, of the Landed Gentry of England, vol. iv. 490.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 46T
monument to their memory. It ia anderstood thmt the British goTernment made them a second compensation for their losses, and that the whole snm receiTed was jC 17,000 sterling. Their children were as follows : Henry Gage, a captain in the royal navy ; Amherst, who was named for his god- father Lord Amherst, who was also a captain in the royal navy, and who died unmarried in 1803 ; Johanna, who married Captain Thomas Cowpor Hincks of the British dragoons, and who died in 1819 ; and another daughter whose name and fate have not been ascertained. To the memory of Captain Am^ herst Morris, there is a monument at Baildon, England. Of Captain Henry Gage Morris, honorable mention is made in the British naval history. Of Mrs. Morrises early life, there is a most interesting incident. That Wash- ington had some desire to become her suitor, is a fact which rests on the highest authority.
'* In Mr. Sparks* life of the illustrious commander-in-chief, there is the following passage : * While in New York in 1750, Washington was lodged and kindly entertained at the house of Mr. Beverley Robinson, between whom and himself an intimacy of friendship subsisted, which indeed continued with- out change, till severed by their opposite fortunes twenty years afterwards in the Revolution. It happened that Miss Mary Philips, a sister of Mrs. Robin- son, and a young lady of rare accomplishments, was an inmate in the family. The ebarms of this lady made a deep impression upon the heart of the Vir- ginia Colonel. He went to Boston, returned, and was again welcomed to the hospitality of Mr. Robinson. He lingered there till duty called him away ; but he was careful to entrust his secret to a confidential friend, whose letters kept him informed of erery important event. In a few months intelligence came that a rival was in the field, and that the consequences could not be an- swered for if he delayed to renew his visits to New York. Whether time, the bustle of the camp, or the scenes of war, had moderated his admiration, or whether he despaired of success, is not known. He never saw the lady again till she was married to that same rival. Captain Morris, his former as- sociate in arms, and one of Braddock's aids-de-camp.
'* In an English work, shown to me by Mrs. Morrises relatives in New Brunswick, it is stated that she refused Washington. But this is very doubt- ful ; and the passage just cited, which is founded upon Washington's papers, seems to utterly disprove the assertion. Imagination dwells upon the out- lawry of a lady whose beauty and virtues won the admiration of the great Whig Chief. Humanity is shocked that a woman was attainted df treason, for DO crime but that of clinging to the fortunes of her husband whom she had TOwed on the altar of religion never to desert.^*'
« The Ameiican Loyalists, by Lorsnso Sabine. See also Historical view of the oommiMion for inquiry into the losses and claims of the American Loyalists, bf John Eardley Wilmot, Esq., London, 1815.
468 HISTORY OF THE
There is a beautiful portrait of Mary Philipse still presenred at Philipstown in the Highlands, which represents the youthful heroine in all her native loveliness. It is in the possession of her namesake and grand niece, Mary Philipse, widow of the late Samuel Gouverneur, Esq. In Rivington's Royal Gazette of May 18, 1773, occurs the following notice of the commencemeot at King's College, (now Columbia, College) N. York- "Tues- day being the day appointed for the annual commencement of the graduates of King's College in this city, a very numerous and splendid audience assembled at Trinity church. After prayers and a Latin speech by the President, an elegant salutft- tory oration was delivered with great propriety of pronunciation and gracefulness of action by Mr. Frederick Philipse. The au- dience was then entertained with a discourse on the happiness of connubial life, by Mr. Beverly Robinson, whose just -obser- vations on the subject did him much honor. Degrees were after this, conferred on the following gentlemen : Beverly Robinson, Frederick Philipse, Nathaniel Philipse, B. A., Philip Pell, Rev. Harry Munro M. A." Upon the arrival of the British forces in New York, Colonel Frederick was arrested on some suspicions in the Manor Hall, Yonkers, and removed to Hartford, Connecti- cut, by the American authorities. On this occasion, his faithful colored valet, George Angevine, attended him until his return to Philipsborough, which took place shortly afterwards. Here Colo- nel Philipse was residing when the battle of White Plains was fought.
After the departure of the family from Yonkers, in 1777, John Williams, steward of the manor, took charge of the property till the confiscation A. D. 1779. As before mentioned, at the close of the war, the whole manor became forfeited.
Feb. 1, 1781, the following individuals were appointed Com- missioners for the southern district of N. York ; Stephen Ward, Mr. Lawrence and Isaac Sloutenbergh. Sept. 1785, those gentlemen conveyed the homestead and mills situated in Yonk- ers, amounting to 320 acres, to Cornelius P. Lowe ; bounded west by the Hudson river, on the north by R. Johnson, &c. &c. May 12, 1786, Cornelius P. Lowe conveyed part to Wil- liam Constable. April 29, 1796, Wm. Constable and wife sold
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 469
#
to Jacob Stout. April t, 1803, Jacob Stout conveyed it to Joseph Howland. It was finally bought under a decree of Chancery by Lemuel Wells, Esq., at whose death in 1842, the Mansion House with 300 acres, passed to his heirs at law, he dying intes- tate. The present proprietor of the Manor House is his nephew, Lemuel Wells, Esq. The Wells family are originally from Cambridgeshire, England, and descend from Richard Wells, who held the manor of Wells at a very early period. In the possession of the present Lemuel Wells, Esq., is a coat of arms beautifully embroidered in silk needlework. These arms were granted to the Cambridge Wells's, A. D. 16l4.» The pre- sent family are more immediately descended from Samuel Wells of Wethersfield, Conn., who remoyed A. D. 1639, with his three sons, John, Thomas and Samuel, to Milford, Conn.^ This family gave a Governor to that State.
The last lord of the manor. Colonel Frederick Philipse, re- turned to Chester, in England, where he died, A.D. 1785, after a short illness, and has a monument there erected to his mem- ory.<^ His faithful colored valet, Angevinc, who had^ccom-
« Benyf Eneyclopedis of Armf .
k Tramboir* Conn., 105.
• <* Frederick Pbilipee (says Mr. Sabine) oeenpied an eloTated poeition in Colo- nial society, bat be doei not appear to bare been a prominent actor in poblie affaire.
He waf , howoTer, a member of tbe Honae of Aeeembly, and bold tbe oommit* mon of colonel in tbe militia. Nor doef it eeem tbat, tbougb a friend of ezictinf institutions, and an opposer of tbe wbigs, be was an active partisan. In April, 1775, be went to tbe groand appointed by tbe wbigs of Westcbester county, to elect deputies to tbe Congress ; and declared tbat be would not join in tbe business of tbe day, and tbat tbe sole purpose in going tbere was, to protest against tbeit illegal and unconstitutional proceedings. On some otber occasions, be pnnraed a similar line of conduct ; but, bis name is seldom met witb in tbe documents of tba time. Soon after 1771, Colonel David Humphreys, wbo subssquentfy became an aid to Washington, and, under the Federal gorernment, minister to Portugal and Spain, and wbo bad just completed bb studies at Yale College, beeama a resident in bis family tben living on Pbilipee manor. The late President Dwight was well acquainted with him at this time, and qieaks of him as ** a worthy and respectable man, not often excelled in personal and domestio amiableneas, and of Mrs. Pbilipee, be remarks, that she "was an excellent woman.*' In tbe
470 HISTORY OF THE
panied his master in all bis changes of fortaoe survived bim but one year. They are both interred in the same church yard.
Charley Philips, son of Angevine, still lives on the banks of the Hudson, and was under a succession of dynasties, 45 years sexton of St: John^s church, Yonkers.
There is still living in this village and near the landing, Capt. Joel Cook, a hero of 1776, who belonged to Colonel Meigs' regi- ment. The day Andre was captured. Gen. Washington ordered the brigade then stationed at Peekskill to march to West Point.
This gentleman during the war. escorted 1600 men from Tel- ler's point to the neighborhood of Kings-bridge.
In compliment to the services of the old veteran, the citixens of Yonkers presented him with a gold medal bearing the follow- ing inscription:
Pesented to Capt. Joel Cook
by the citizens of Yonkers,
in honor ot his patriotic services in defence of
progress of events, Colonel Phillipse abandoned his home and took refag« in the city of New York, and finally embarked for England. In person, he waa extremely large, and on account of his bulk, his wife seldom rode in the same carriage with him. Colonel Fhillipse had one brother and two sisters, who in- herited the Manor of Fredericksburgh in equal portions. His brother whose name was Philip, died before the Revolution, and his children were too young to take a part in the war. Their share was saved, and \b still in the family. For an account of Susannah and Mary, the sisters, the reader is referred to the notice of their husbands, — the senior Colonel Beverly Robinson and Colonel Roger Mor- ris.
The Manor of Fhilipsbnrgh was the property of Colonel Phillipse, and like his sisters' share of the other estate, was confiscated. He applied to the Britbh gov- ernment fo( compensation, and was allowed jC62,075 sterling, or about |f 300,000. In 1809, in an English work, the value of the two Manors, or the whole of the ori- ginal Phillipse property was estimated at six or seven hundred thousand pounds. Nor was the smaller sum extravagant. But it is to be remembered, that lands in 1783, hardly had a fixed value ; while, in 1809, the impulse which the Revolution had given to settlements, to increase of population, dtc, had already eflTected vast changes in the marketable prices of real property. Colonel Phillipse*s son Frederick, is also named in the New York confiscation act. This gentleman married a niece of Sir Alured Clarice, Governor of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope."
[ The American Loyaliete, by Lorenxo Sabine,
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 471
LIBERTY,
July 4, 1845,
at the
battles of
Lexington^ Danbury, White Plains, Trenton and Stony Point,
Springfield and Tippecanoe.
The inhabitants of this town appear to have taken an active part during the struggle for Independence.
11th April| 1775, Colonel Frederick Philipse appeared at the head of a large body of his tenantry, when the deputies from the several towns of Westchester met at White Plains, for the purpose of electing delegates to represent this colony in the gene- ral Congress to be held in Philadelphia.*
At a meeting of the Committee for this County held at White Plains, on Thursday and Friday, the 17th and 18th days of August, inst., the committee divided the County into districts or beats, agreeable to the directions of the Provincial Congress, for forming militia and minute companies.
Yonkers formed one of the districts of the southern battalion. The officers chosen, were John Cock, Capt., William Belts, first lieutenant, John Warner, second lieutenant, and Jacob Post, ensign.**
The following petition from the inhabitants of Lower Yonkers, occurs in 1775.
Lower Yonlers, Sept. 15, 1775. To the Hon. the Pro?incial Confess for the Province of New York, convened in their reccM, to the Hon. Committee of safety. The humble petition of the inhabitants of the precincts of Lower Yonkers, in the county of Westchester, humbly showeth, that your Hon. House had made a resolve, and published the same, recommending to the inhabitants of every town, ma- nor, precinct and district within the province aforesaid, to meet, nominate and appoint a captain and other officers, to form themselves as compsnies of militia ; and, whereas the inhabitants of this precinct did meet agreeable to your said resolve, on the 34ih day of August last, under the inspection of the committee of that district, and by a very great majority, as by the list will appear, did
•' See page 350.
k American Archives, p. 691.
472
HISTORY OF THE
nominate and appoint Mr. John Coek of the said precinct, for his knowo skill and ability in military discipline, and for other good causes, captain of the company for the district aforesaid ; and, whereas, we are informed that a complaint hath been made to the committee by a few of the iohabitants against the said Mr. John Cock, out of spite and malice, and as we conceive what has been alledged against him was before signing the associatioo, we are well assured that since his signing the association, no person can aceose him of breaking the same by any ways or means whatsoever ; therefore, we the petitioners and subscribers, do humbly beg the indulgence of this Hon. House to grant Mr. John Cock the commission of captain for the company aforesaid, as we are convinced he was chosen agreeable to yonr said resolve, and yonr petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray.
Anthony Archer,
BasU
Thos. Oakley, Jonathan Fowler, Abraham Hick, Matthias Archer, Ezekiel Brown, Abraham Aster, Robert Farrington, John Odell, Abraham Odell, Abraham Post, Dennis Post, William Post, Robert Brown, Daniel Dean, Stephen Bastine, Henry Norris, John Gresinall,
John Devoe, Jacob Post, Israel Post, Lewis Post, John Warner, Efnathan Taylor, Jacob Taylor, James Crawford, Elnathan Taylor, David Oakley, jr., Joseph Oakley, jr., George Crawford, Moses Oakley, Francis Smith, Jordan Norris, Frederick Yermilyea, John Cartright, Edward Cartright, Henry Taylor, Fred. Brown.
Charles Tyler. Martin P<iet, James Monro, Anthony Allaire, Edward Ryer, Benj. Farriogton, Wm. Rose, Henry Preaher, Thomas Farringtoa, Isaac Post, James Rich, Gilbert Brown, Thomas Tippet, Samuel Lawrence, Thomas Merrit, Samuel Williams, Israel Underbill, Henry Brown, Benjamin Archer,
The commanding eminence rising above the village directly ea^t of the Philipse Mansion, is called Locust Hill. Here the Ainerican army were encamped during a part of (he war, while the enemy lay in the lower grounds.
October 12, 1776, the American army marched from King's bridge, along the heights above Yonkers towards Dobb's Ferry.
St. John's church, Yonkers, together with its gothic parsonage, stands pleasantly situated on the south bank of the Saw mill. This church is one of the neatest in the county, having been
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 473
completely repaired and beautified within a few years. It owes its early foundation to the Philipses's, who, as lords of the Manor at that time enjoyed the advowson or right of patronage to all and every church erected therein. Its first founder and patron was the Honorable Frederick Philipse, for some years speaker of the house of Assembly in the province of New York, 1721-8.
There is every reason to believe that this distinguished indi. vidual took some steps towards the erection of the church previous to his death, which happened in 1761 : (he died of consumption at the age of 63.) In his will, which is dated the 6(h of June, of the same year, he directs,
^' That out of the rents that were, or should thereafter be due t# him, from the manor of Philipsborough, the sum of £400 be by his executrix laid out in erecting a building or finishing a church of England as by law established, on the farm near and to the northward of the house then in the tenure of William Jones, sen., unless he should build the said church in his lifetime ; and he de- vised all the said farm with all the buildings thereon, unto all bis children, and their heirs, in trust, for the use of such minis- ters of the church of England as by law established, as should be from time to time admitted or instituted in the said church ; and so for ever to remain for a glebe to the said church."*' That the building was commenced in 1752, there is no doubt, for among the family papers, occurs an account of the expenses on the church at Philipsborough to the estate of Frederick Pbilipse, debtor," commencing Nov. 1752, closing December, 1763, whole amount, £623 6s. 9d. This sum shows that bis executrix had exceeded the original bequest in the will, £223. The curious reader will not be displeased with one or two more of these accounts, showing the expenses attendant on building a church at that early period :
<' Benjamin Fowler's account in full for ye chufch: Blay 11th, 1753, dito 6^ days works at gating timber for the dors and the winder frams for the church, at 6 shillings per day, £1 12 6. September the 20th| to working and going to ask
• Sarrogate's oflke. N. Y. No. XTra.3. V^r IT 60
474
HISTORY OF THE
Ihe peple to come to work at the church, 8 days, dcc^ dee. John Uoderhiira receipt for supplying the woikmeo at ihs church with beef, commencing August Slsl. Madame I^ilipse dito, 69 pouud of beof at 2s 3(J per pound, £1S 10 3.
Received of Beverly Robinson (he above amount in full. JoiiN Undekhill.*'
Nothing remaina of Ibe originnl structure, except the vails and tower, the roof and wood work having been destroyed by an accidental fire, May, 1791. When the ruins of (he church came to be examined afier this melancholy accident, the skeleton of a full sized man was discovered behind the remains of tbe pulpit. In 1792, it was again repaired, and on the 21st August of that year, consecraled to the service of Almighty God, under the name and title of St. John's Church, Philipsborough, by the Right Rev. Samuel ProvoosI, first Bishop of ihe Siata of New York. The present edifice consists of a square lower snr- uiotinted wiih a wooden cupola and spire, body and vestry it>om in Ihe rear.
El. Jolin'i Cburcb, Yonkcn.
The principal entrance is by a circular headed door on the
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 475
south side. There are two monumental tablets in this church : the first placed against the south wall is inscribed ;
To perpetaate the memory of
the Rev. Elias Cooper,
37 years Rector of this charch,
who departed this life, Jan. 16, 1816,
aged 58 years and 1 1 days.
He laboured industriovsly to promote the happiness
of MAEIKIND
by advancing the inJdueBce of the Christian religion. Picas without snperstiUon, and xealous without
BIGOTRY ;
a friend to the poor and an ornament to the church, exemplary in the discharge of every relation
and professional doty,
respected and honored through life by those
who knew his virtues,
and in his death universally lamented.
This humble monument (not of his praise)
is erected by his faithful flock,
who koew him, loved^him, and lament their loss,
and are desirous of recording in
this inscription their esteem, affection and regret.
The second on the chancel wall is erected
TO THE MEMORY OF
THE Ret. Alczamder H. Crosby, A. M.,
10 years Rector of this church,
who died at the Island of St. Croix,
January 4, 1889, aged 35 years. In the General Theological Seminary,
THE PIETY, YIRTUES AND TALEHTS,
were nurtured, which fitted him for the
CHRlSTIAir MINISTRY,
sincerity of character, kindness of heart.
4f^ HI8TDIIT or THE
ua pnilr of life, OHlad with «Md7 bmI. Mtnatynwtiilm, patiMt tabm ud tna
dcToladneM W God, edifled the ehmohi
won fgr Urn Iba hemita of hii flock, ■nd wen bonorad by bU DifiBa mmaiar,
vith *lMDdftol Iniu.
In kII thing* bo wu ma esample and «
puiora for the paople to follow ; and whb
thi* Uatimonj ha ha« entered into b» laet.
, A aCLOTiD BaoTBXR
and bUhfiil miaiaMt in the Lord.
Thailoek
foe wboaa nk«a ha gladly apent himaalf,
bav ■ oraeted ibia tablet to aiteat tbek aenae
of hia excellenne,
and their giieffarhit loaa.
The bell' was presented to the eharch, hj the Iat« Joseph Howlaad, Esq., and contains the folloviag inscription: "B. Hanks, MansGeld, Con., 1616."
It is much to be regretted, that (he old commanion service of this church was carried off during the war of the Bevolutioa for safs keeping, to th« city of New York. Some yean after the close of the war, the altar cloth was discovered in an old dusty box, where it had lain through the whole period of the Revola- tion : (his is now in use at St. John's chapel, Tuckahoe. Tho silver now used at the administration of the holy sacrament, consists of one large silver flagon, 2 silver chalices, a silver ba- son or font ; the latter presented by a member of the Van Cort- land! family; and a silver plate bearing the following in- Bcription :
'< Presented to the Episcopal Church of the towo of Yonkera 1795."
> Ball* wan naad by the aneiant Ronuaa to lifBiiy the tima of batU nalanUy appUad by Uw aaily CbcfaUana ts daaota Uia houi of daToliea.
x^yjuL^ki ut w K8TCHE8TER. 477
During the troubles of the Revdution, an American soldier killed in this neighbourhood is known to have been interred be- neath the floor of this church, but there is no tradition of the cause o( so uoosual a place of sepulture being chosen.
^ Hsrs the wavrisr retts is petee. And holy ebaroh his tomb doUi frace."
The church-yard has been long since abandoned on account of its rocky situation. The one now used is located on the old parsonage property, and formed once a portion of the glebe. It is beautifully situated on a rising knoll in the valley of the Saw Mill. The first interment on record occurs 1783, Richard Ar- cher. Among other memorials in this yard are those of
Lemuel Wells, Esa. Miss Susannah Howland bora in the city of Hartford, boni in Bostoo, 1763,
mar. Eliza H. died ia Greenborgh, 18S3,
died Feb. 11, 1849, aged 73 years,
aged 83.
The first mention of the parish of Yonkers occurs ia an act passed during the first session of the third Assembly, 6th of King Wil- liam and Queen Mary, September, 1693, entitled an act for sett* ling a ministry and raising a maintenance for them in the city of New York, counties of Richmond, Westchester and Queens ; '< Wherein it was enacted by General Assembly, and by the authority of the same, that in each county there shall be called and inducted two clergymen for the county of Westchester, one to have the cure of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers and the manor of Pelbam ; the other to have the cure of Rye, Mamaro- neck and Bedford ; and allowed £100 each, to each £60 to be paid in country produce. In raising the respective maintenances for the ministers, the respective justices of every city and county aforesaid, or any two of them are required to issue out warrants to the constables to summon the freeholders of erery city, town and precinct, for the chosing two^Testrymen and two
478 mSTORY OF THE
wardens.^ Confirmed the llth of May, 1697. This act was further explained 3rd daeen Anne>
A. D. 1698. Lford Cornbury, Governor of the Province, issaed orders to the magistrates of the several towns in Westchester County to build churches ; by virtue of this, several towns were enabled to build public houses (or the worship of Almighty Grod. St. Peter's Church, Westchester was thus built and became the parish church, inclusive of the precincts of Eastchester, Manor o( PelheLtn and Yonkers.
The quota contributed by the precinct of Yonkers towards the support of the Rector and poor of the parish in 1702, was £7 6^ in 1709, JC8.
The first vestryman elected by the freeholders of this precinct was Mr. John Archer ; seven years later John Archer and Noah Barton, were vestrymen.
A. D. 1702, King William III. by Royal Charter incorporated the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. The principal object of this society was to send clergymen to the colonies ; " and the society to earnestly request and beseech all persons concerned that they recommend no man out of favor or affection or any other worldly consideration ; but with a sincere regard to the honor of Almighty God and our blessed Saviour, as they tender the interest of the Christian religion and the gtxxl of men's souls.®
The first Rector of the parish of Westchester and precinct of Yonkers was the Rev. John Bartow, who received his license from the Bishop of London in 1702. The same year upon his arrival here, he was inducted by the commission of his Excel- lency Governor Cornbury.
In 1703 Rev. John Bartow commenced his services within this precinct. September 5, 1708, he writes to the society that he occasionally preached at Yonkers, where the population was then 250 8ouls.<^
• Acts of Anembly paned in the province of N. Y. from 169] to 1785, p. 23. b Ibid
• From a oollection of papers printed by order of the Society, 9.
< From the Westchester Records we take the following extract, "John Archer»
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 479
In 1713, the Propagation Society founded a charity school for the education of children in this town. The same year £6 per annum is granted to a schoolmaster at Yonkers, where there is a large congregation of Dutch and English, for instructing the younger sort in the catechism and liturgy, provided he can pro- duce a certificate of his teaching thirty children. A. D. 1719, Mr. Jones was allowed fifty shillings for teaching children to read at Mile Square.
In 1761, the Rev. Mr. Milner, Rector of the parish, informs the Propagation Society that one of the edifices he preaches in at Yonkers was a new one, raised by the generosity of Colonel Frederick Philipse of Philipsborough, who has given to its service a fine farm as a glebe, consisting of (wo hundred acres, upon which he purposes to build a good house for a minister. In 1764 the society report that they have received a letter from Colonel Frederick Philipse of Philipsborough within the Province of New York, dated October 23, 1764, representing
" That at the expense of himself and family there is now erected oo the Manor of Phi]i[>8borough a handsome stone church completely finished, and every thing necessary for the decent performance of divine service prepared, that abont three quarters of a mile from the church he has laid out and appro- priated two hundred and fifty acres of excellent arable and wood land for a glebe for the minister for ever, and that he fully intends as soon as they are happy to have a worthy clergyman of the Church of England settled among them, Ut build him a genteel and handsome house upon said glebe, the ma- terials for which are now providing, and which will cost at least jC400. He therefore earnestly requests the society to send them a missionary, that he and his tenants, nearly one hundred and fifty families, may be no longer des- titute of the worship of the Church of England.**
The board taking this letter into consideration have appointed the Rev. Harry Munro,* a gentleman recommended to them by all the clergy of New Jersey and the Rev. Messrs. Charlton and Auchmuty at Perth Amboy, September 2Uth, 1764, nnd by other
coDstable of the Yonken appears, with a receipt from Mr. Bartow, beariog date ye 21 May, 1714-15 since the year 1709, as the minister's rate with the collection allowed, &c. • Vol. I 315.
480 BISTORT OF THB
Tery ample testimoDials to be the society's missionary at Fhilqss- borough, with a salary of £30 per aonum.
Jane 8th, 1765, Mr. Munro himself, writes, ** that on his ar« rival at his mission, he found everything promising and agreea- ble, a neat church (always kept in good repair by Col. Ffaderkk Philipse and family) and a decent congregation, materials al- ready for a parsonage, the glebe well fenced, ploity of wood, and a sufficient quantity of arable land.
In 1771, the Rev. Luke Babcockwas recommended by the clergy of New York, '^ being lately ordained by the bishop of London, as a proper person for a missionary. And Colonel Philipse having requested that the mission of Philipsbcmnigli formerly filled by the Rev. Harry Munro, should be renewed ; and the Colonel having made a proper provision for the mainten- ance of a minister, with the assistance of the society, they have accordingly appointed the Rev. Luke Babcoek to the misp sion with a salary of £30.
The youngest son of Doctor Joshua Babcoek, of Westerly Narragansett (observes Mr. Updike) was the Rev. Luke, <*an Episcopal clergyman at Philips's Manor, on the Hudson, where he died, leaving a wife and several children. Hawkins, in his historical notices of the missions of the Church of Englandi says: '' another victim of ill treatment already mentioned, was the Rev. Luke Babcoek, missionary at Philipsborough. He was seized by the insurgents, his papers were examined, and because he answered affirmatively to the question, whether he considered himself bound by bis oath of allegiance to the king, he was deemed an enemy to the liberties of America, and ordered to be kept in custody.* After four month's confinement, his health gave way, and he was then dismissed with a written order to remove within the lines of the king's army. " He got home, (says Mr. Seabury.) " with difficulty, in a raging fever and deli* rious, and there died, extremely regretted.^* Indeed, 1 know not
» Ho was wised and carried off a priaoner to Hartibrd, Coon. Hore 1m wmi detained in cnetody, from October, 1776, to February of 1777.'-*JB^»l0r.
k His remains were deposited in the family Taalt of the Van CortlandiV— JS^»#'m>.
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTEIt 481
a more excellent man, and I fear his loss, especially in that mis- sion, will scarcely be made up."*
His wife was Grace Isaacs, a cousin of Judge Isaacs of New Haven. His children were Cortlandt, Frederick, (he father of Mrs. W. L. Morris, of Ware Hill, Yonkers, and Henrietta, who married a Mr. Richard Saltonstal of New York.
This parish suffered greatly during the war of the Revolution. The church was used at intervals by both armies as an hospital ; audits pulpit occupied by ministers of different denominations, who made some strong efforts to retain possession.
At the close of the war. May 1, the State of New York passed an act vesting the chnrch two acres of land, and the glebe in the corporation of the Episcopal church, Yonkers.
This was confirmed by another act of the Legislature, passed April 3, 1793, wherein it is specified : " that all the estate, righti title, interest, claim and demand of the people of the State oi New York, in and to the said church, and two acres of land, and in and to the said parsonage or glebe, shall be, and hereby are granted to, and vested in the corporation of the Episcopal church in the town of Yonkers, in the County of Westchester and State of New York, and their successors forever, for the use of the said corporation."
This church had been previously incorporated under the act of 1784. Sept. 15, 1787, Augustus van Cortlandt and John War- ner, trustees.
In accordance with the act passed for the relief of the Episco- pal church, passed March 17, 1795, it was again incorporatedi Sept. 7, 1795. Augustus van Cortlandt and William Constablei wardens, John Warner, Thomas Valentine, Isaac Verrailyea, Frederick Underbill, Shadrach Taylor, Isaac Lawrence, Stephen Oakley and Jacob Post, vestrymen. In the first Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the diocese of New York, held in the city of New York, June 22d, 1785, this church does not appear to have been represented.
« Updike's Hbt. of the Narraganiett Church, 3]0.
Vol. U. 61
188 HISTORY OF THE
To the Coa ventioQ of 1787, she sent her first delegateii AogUf- tus van Cortlandt and Israel Honeywell, Esqrs. ^
The principal benefactors to this parish, have been, the Hob* Frederick Philipse, Mark Noble, Esq., Augustus van Cortlaii4l; Esq.,* and the wardens and vestry of Tiinity Church, Mew York.b
In 1845, owing to the large increase of families within this parish, and the numerous calls made upon its officiating deigyi it was deemed advisable, after mature deliberation, to erect a par- sonage within the village of Yonkers. For this pnrposei an ox- der was obtained the same year from the Court of Chancery, to dispose of the old parsonage and glebe. These were finally sold for $6,500. With part of these funds, the present Rectory was built The corporation reserving to themselves the burying ground in the Saw Mill valley.
A part of Philipse's point in the rear of the present rectoryi appears to have been U8«d as a grave yard for strangers.
The following table extracted from the reports of the veueni- ble Propagation Society and the Church records^ deduce the catalogue of incumbents to the present time.
LIST OF MINISTERS AND RECTORS.
Institoted or called. lucambeDts. Vaoated by.
Sep. 20, 1764, Rev. Harry Munro, A. M. Clericus, per lesig.
1770, Rev. Luke Babcock, Clericus, per death
1777, Rev. George Panton, Clericus, per resig
1786, Rev. Andrew Fowler, Presb. do.
Sep. 10, 1788, Rev. Elias Cooper, Presb. per death
Mar. 14, 1816, Rev. William Powell, Presb. per resig.
Mar. 20, 1820, Rev. John Grigg, Presb. do.
Oct. 17, 1823, Rev. John West, Presb. . da
• This indiyidiial, by his will dated Dec. 30, 1833, beqaeaihed " Uie sum of (500 to the Rector, wardoLs and vestry of St. John's church, at Yonkeis, beiof the Protestant Episcopal church of that town, to be put and kept oat at interest hj them, upon good real security, within the County of Westchester.*'
b In 18 — , Trinity Chorch contrUrated 9 ^ • pareonage at Tooken, to
which was added in 18 , the sum of $
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 481
loatitoted or called. . IneambenU. Vacated by.
Dec. 16, 18S8, Rev. Alex. U. Crosby, A. M. Presb. per death May 4, 1839, Rev. Smith Pyne, A. M. Presb. per resig.
Mar. 20, 1841, Rev. Henry L. Storrs, Presb. present incumbent*
Notiiia Parochialis.
In 1703 there appear to have been 250 families attached to this precinct.
A. D. 1761, — communicants. 47 baptisms.
1775, — do. 15 do.
1806, — do. 16 do.
1818,— do. 17 do.
1844,94 do. 31 do.
There is also a Reformed Dutch Church standing directly south of St. John's, situated upon rising ground. This church was erected on a portion of the estate of the late Lemuel Wellsi Esq., which was given by his heirs in 1844 The building is a neat edifice of brick. The interior arrangements and fittings up are peculiarly appropriate, being neat and simple. A chaste pul- pit and communion table occupy the west end, while a gallery extends across the eastern.
This church was incorporated under the act of 1813, dated Ju- ly 13, 1844. Lemuel W. Wells and Ducan McFariand, elders ; Frederick Nodine and Ralph Shipman, deacons. The first in- stalled pastor was the Rev. Y. M. Hurlbert, present minister.
There appears to have been a Dutch Reformed congregation in this town as early as 1781, '' called the Reformed Dutch Church at the Lower Mil Is, in the Manor ofPhi]ipsborough," incor- porated under the act of 1764, dated September 8, 1786 ; William Warner, Abraham Odell, Isaac Yermiiyea, James McChain, Ja- cobus Dyckman, trustees.
Minutes from the records of the Reformed Dutch Church, Yonkers, 1845.
No. of Commun icants. Bapt isms.
45. 10.
The Methodist Episcopal Church is located on the edge of
481 HISTORY OF THE
Locust Hill,» north of the village, from its eleyated position over- looking the splendid scenery of the Hudson. The present edifice is a neat structure of wood. Adjoining it on the east is a small parsonage. The Methodist Episcopal Church was organixed March 1, 1828, under the name and title of Christ Church ; first trustees Joseph Oakley, Frederick Shonnard, Thomas GriffeOi and David Oakley.
In the immediate vicinity of the village are located two well- known seminaries, viz. the Oak Grove Female Seminary, Mr. and Mrs. Foote, principals ; and a large boarding school for boys, G. W. Francis, principal. Both of these institutions are delight- fully situated upon high ground, overlooking the magnificent scenery of the river. A new building for the district school has recently been erected at an expense of nearly $3000« It is of brick 32 feet by 42, and one of the best arranged in the county.
North-west of the village is Wild Boar Hill,^ so called from the animal that once frequented the solitudes of its ancient for- ess. So troublesome and numerous had this animal become at one period that the Provincial Government was compelled to pass laws for its destruction.
Up to a late era, Indians occupied this hill in great numbers. From here they are all said to have taken their departure in one night. The scarcity of the wild game, together with the en- croachments of the white man, may in some measure account for this sudden removal.
During one period of the Revolution it was the site of the American encampment. Its summit commands fine views of the surrounding country and the noble Hudson, stretching in one long reach to Jersey City.
Somewhere near this spot there formerly stood a peculiar shaped tree, as if adapted by nature to receive the body of a man. In this rustic couch the ilhistrious Washington, wearied with his toils, slept for two hours ; his trusty guide Martin Post watching^
• Upon land the gift of Mr. Frederick Shonnard.
t> This hill is laid down in General Washington's surveyed map of the county Boar hill. » Post was at this lime altac'ied to Col. Schammers regiment.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 486
by his side. Augustus Gregier, a nephew of the guide now living in the town, relates the incident.
In the summer of 1780, the famous spy Huddlestone was dis- covered concealed in the woods upon this hill, and was after- wards hung at Poughkeepsie. For a long time it was freqirent- ed by the American water guards^ whose business it was to in- tercept all traders passing to the British lines.
On the south side of this hill fell the brave Captain Rowe of Pruschank's yagers. This individual appears to have been in the habit of ranking a daily tour from Kingsbridge, round by Mile Square, for the purpose of reconnoitering. On the morning of the melancholy accident which terminated his career, he was on his last tour of military duty, having already resigned his commission for the purpose of marrying the accomplished Eli- zabeth Fowler of Haarlem ; when pasring with a company of light dragoons he was suddenly fired upon by three Americans of the water guard of Captain Pray's company, who had am- buscaded themselves in the cedars near the site of the present residence of Mr. Bangalore. Their shot took deadly effect, for the Captain fell from his horse mortally wounded. The yagers instantly made prisoners of the undisciplined water guards, and a messenger was immediately dispatched to Mrs. Babcock, then living below in the parsonage, for a vehicle to remove the wounded officer. The use of her gig and horse was soon ob- tained, and a neighbour, Anthony Archer, pressed to drive. la this they conveyed the dying man to Col. Van Cortlandt's. They appear to have taken the route of Tippett's valley, as the party stopped at Mr. Frederick Post's to obtain a drink of water. In the mean time an express had been forwarded to Miss Fowler, his affianced bride, to hasten without delay to the side of her dying lover. On her arrival, accompanied by her mother, the expiring soldier had just strength enoufi^h left to articulate a few words, when he stmk exhausted with the effort.
As late as 1780 a thick forest extended from the village north to Mr. William Bolmer's, bounded by the Hudson and Saw-Mill riveps. The site of these woods on the Hudson shore is now oc- cupied by a number of country residences, among which are those of Sampson Simpson, Esq. This gentleman's father, in
486 . HISTOBY OF THB
cocnpaDy with Ool. James bad charge of the silver mine! at Sing previous to the RevolutioD. Also Pamona Hall, the re- sidence of Philip Rhinelander Roberts, Esq. In this house the aspiring politician Ck>loiiel Burr found a safe asylum to shelter himself from the storm of iodignaliou which followed the death of the illustrious- Hamilton ; and from hence he departed <'a vol- untary exile from his native country to implore, like an abjecl slave, allegiance from that power against whose rule he had so successfully fought."»
The eastern edge of Boar hill is still covered with beautiful woods, sloping gradually to tiie bank of the Saw Hill river. This lovely stream rises among the picturesque hills of Chap- pequa ; its source is formed from two springs, one on the land of Job Collins, the other on the property of Willett Kipps. Its descent from the springs lies nearly in a south course of sixteen miles through the rich bottoms of a valley bordered with high woodlands; and not unfrequently its waters become lost in some rocky dell or amongst dark foliage. At times it is seen steal- ing through some green meadow with a babbling sound, or oc- casionally becoming impetuous it rushes over rocks and stones in its headlong course, but more frequently
" Clear are the depths where its eddies play, And dimples deepen and whirl away/* — Bryant,
At the foot of Boar hill a bridge crosses the stream nearl7 op- posite the Parsonage. It was here that Eden Hunt, brother of Major David Hunt, was waylaid and attacked by two soldiers belonging to the British Refugee Corps. It would appear that the unfortunate man being better mounted than the rest of his companions, who were all retreating before Col. De Lancey, rode considerably in advance ; and on coming to the cross roads near the Methodist church, he mistook his way, and was following the course of the Saw Mill road when thus mortally wounded. The rest of the party made good their retreat by the Albany turnpike.
*■ Life of Hamilton by the Harpers, p. 336.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 487
r
The old Parsonage, formerly called Babcock's house, appears to have been frequently garrisoned by the troops of both armies. It was here tliat Lord Howe fixed his head quarters, and here the American Col. Gist was visiting in 1778, when the enemy determined upon his surprisal. At this period the house was occupied by the handsome and accomplished widow of the Rev. Luke Babcock and Miss Sarah Williams, a sister of Mrs. Fred- erick Philipse. To the former lady Col. Gist was devotedly attached, consequently when an opportunity afforded he gladly moved his command into that vicinity. On the night preceding the attack, be had stationed bis camp at the foot of Boar hill| directly opposite the parsonage, for the better purpose of paying a special visit to this lady. It is said that whilst engaged in urging his suit the enemy were quietly surrounding his quarters ; he had barely received his final dismissal from Mrs. Babcock when he was startled with the firing of musketry. The follow- ing account of the attack is thus given by the British commander, Lieut. Col. Simcoe.
" Colonel Gist, who commanded a light corps of the rebels, was posted near Babcock^s house, from whence he made frequent patroles. Lieut. Col. Simcoe had determined to attack him ; when, a deserter coming in, at night, who gave an accurate account of bis position, the following morning was fiied upoa for the attempt. General Knipbausen, who eommanded at Kingsbridge, ap» proved of the enterprise, and ordered a detachment of the Yagers to co-operate in it ; Lieut. Col. Emmerick undertook to lead the march, having in his corps people who were well acquainted with the country.
'* The following disposition was made. Emmerick^s infantry, followed by the Qoeen^s Rangers, were to march through the meadows on the side of Valentine^s hill, opposite CorUand^s ridge, and pass between the rebel sen* tries to Babcock's house, when they would be in the rear of Gist*s encamp* ment, which they were immediately to attack. Lieut. Col. Tarleton, with the whole of the cavalry, was to proceed to corer tbe right, and arrive at Valentine's hill by daylight ; a detachment of Yagers, under Capt. Wreden, were to march on Cortland's ridge, and to hah opposite to Gist's encampment ; and a larger detachment of Yagers, under Major Pruscbank, were, at the same time, to be ready to force Philipse's bridge, then to proceed to the bridge op- posite Babcock's house, and to cut off the enemy's retreat by that road. Tbe signal for these divisions moving on was to be noise of storming Gist's an- caropment. Lieut. Col. Emmerick eondoeted the march in so able a manner and the whole corps followed with so maeh ailenee, that the enemy's sentinels
488 HISTORY OF TUX
were passed withoat alsrm, and this di? ision gained the heights in the rear, and coald see the whole chais of sentinels walking below them. Major Ross wss detached to possess himself of Pott's house, to preser? e a eomnionicatioa with Lieut. Cd. Tarleton on Valentine's hill ; the remainder of the Rangers inclined to the right, towards Gist's camp, and Lieut. Col. Emmerick was directed to secure the Saw Mill road. Firing soon began; and it was appa- rent from Lieut. Col. Emmerick's quarter, whom the enemy had diaeovezed. Lieut Col. Simeoe immediately moved rapidly into the road, and direetly op the steeps to the enemy's camp, as a nearer way than through tha thickets ; he attained it, and, to his great surprise, found that Major Praschank had not forced Philips' bridge, as had been intended, but had creased and joined CapC Wreden on Cortlandt's ridge, and that Col. Gist had escaped through the passage which had been so unaccountably led open. Lieut. CaI. Tarletoa fell in with a patrole of cavalry, and diapersed it ; and the Qaaen's Rangers, as soon ss they got possession of Gist's camp, ha? ing amboseaded themseWes took a patrole which came forward on hearing the firing. The troops aet fire to Gist's huts and returned to their camp.*
From tlie American accounts, it appears that all the roads and bridges had been well guarded by the enemy, except the one now called Warner's bridge, and that Capt. John Odell upon the first alarm led oflf his troops through the woods on the west side of the Saw Mill ; hejre Colonel Gist joined them. In the mean- time Mrs. Babcock having stationed herself in one of the dormant windows of the Parsonage, aided their escape whenever they ap- peared, by the waving of a white handkerchief.
During the winter of 1780 a gang of six or eight "cow boys" broke open the Parsonage and robbed the defenceless ladies o[ everything valuable. To escape detection they had blackened their faces and disguised their persons. Upon the departure of this gang their leader, after making a profound bow, thus ad- dressed Mrs. Babcock :
'* Fare you well and fare you better, And when I die, V\\ send you a letter/*
Fortunately, Mrs. Babcock, through the intervention of Col. James van Cortlandt, obtained restitution of every thing. With- in a few years trees have been cut down near the site of Gist's camp and found to contain balls buried six inches in the wood.
• Simcoe*8 Mil. Jonmal, p. 66.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 489
North of the Parsonage^ on the Saw Mill river road, is situated the residence and property of the late Mr. Robert Reed. This patriotic individual having obtained certain information from Kingsbridge, that the enemy were fitting out an expedition against Col. Thompson, then stationed at the Four Corners ; and were on the eve of marching, he instantly mounted his horse and rode up to the American quarters, a du^tance of thirteen or fourteen miles, thus giving Thompson timely warning of the enemy's approach. The horse upon which he rode died a few minutes after his arrival. This property is now owned by his son, Mr. Oliver- Reed.
In the Saw Mill valley, is also situated, the residence of the late General Jacob Odell, a descendant of the ancient and hono- rable family of the Odils. " The river Ouse," says Camden, " runs under Odil or Woodhill, formerly Wayhull, which also had its Barons of Wayhull, eminent for their ancient nobility, where was a castle." '^ Walter de Flanders, (says Burke,) came into England with the Conqueror, and held as feudal lord at the time of the general survey, WahuU, (Woodbull, Odhull,) and his son was Walter de WahuU." The first ancestor of the family in this country, was William Odell, of Concord, who r^ moved to Fairfield, Connecticut, in 1644. His son William was one of the principal proprietors of Rye, in 1661-2.* . General Jacob Odell, at the early age of 21 years, embraced the military profession, and in the year 1776, took up arms in defence of his country. He used to recount with pleasure, the time and the very spot, where himself and three other cousins of the name, vol- unteered their services to the Continental Congress. It was be- neath the white-wood tree where the Westchester farmers stopped Major Andre, and found the papers that revealed the treason of Arnold. After enlisting, he served in Captain Samuel Drake's regiment, belonging to the brigade of General Scott. On the memorable retreat after the battle of Long Island, he was on piquet guard. At the close of the war, and as soon as the mili*
• See Pedigree of Odell Family.
YoL. II. 62
■a.
49a HISTORY OF THE
tia was formed, he received his commiisioh from Major Gene- ral Morris.
Like the rest of the ^^ Neutral Chround^^ this part of Tonkers was infested with marauding parties of Cow Boys and SkinoeiSi the former of whom claimed the title o( Loyalists, the latter under the mask of patriotism, called themselves Whigs.
Daring the war when General Odeli's father and family were living in the homestead, a party of these lawless ruffians, with blackened faces, armed with muskets, entered the house. Their first act appears to have been, to secure the females in the cellar; having effected this, they proceeded to interrogate the general's father, and demanded his money. On refusing to sat- isfy their demands, they immediately hung him by his neck to an adjoining tree ; and when life was well nigh extinct, they cut him down, and again repeated their threats, but to no better purpose. Whereupon, they once more suspended and lowered him, leav- ing him for dead. During these proceedings, the females had escaped from the cellar, and Mrs. Odell, the generaPs mother, a woman of great intrepidity, boldly assaulted them, upon which, these cowardly villains attacked her with the butt ends of their muskets. She managed however, to escape with a few broksa ribs. On this occasion, the general was too young to take aa active part in the affray, and narrowly escaped by lowering him- self with a cord from the garret window. His son Jacob Odell, Esq. now owns the property. The adjoining estate, north, belongs to his son-inlaw, Cornelius Odeli, Esqr.
The roads leading east of the Saw Mill valley, intersect with the Sprcin valley road, which runs nearly north and south.
The Sprain river, called by the Indians, Armenperal^ risc^ in two springs north of Tliirty Deer Ridge ; the west branch in Wolf Swamp. <^ The other called the Grassy Sprain, on the lands of widow Underbill. These Xno springs flowing south, intersect a little east of Benj. Fowler's. They again divide at the north- ern extremity of Thirty Deer Ridge, and running through two dif- ferent vales again meet nearly opposite the Cat rocks, so called from the abundance of wild cat that once frequented the hill.
• A wolf WM killed here ae late as 1806,
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 491
These animals Van der Donck assures us, had skins resembling that of a lioness, and not unlike them in form, with the ex- ception of short tails like a rabbit or hare.
After uniting here, the Sprain pursues a south-east course until it discharges into the Bronx, on the lands of Nathaniel Valentine. The waters of the Sprain were pronounced hy the commissioners in 1842, to be the purest in Westchester county.
This beautiful stream has been long celebrated for its trout. Well may the lover of the sport exclaim with Cotton,
None 80 bright,
So pleasant to the taste, none to the sight :
None yield the angler eueh delight.
This fish begins to bite in March or April. Very large sized trout have been caught here about the middle of March, and they continue till the months of July and August. They lie generally under the shelter of stumps, bridges and stones.
The bait generally used in catching this fish, is the common earth worm. By connoisseurs, the artificial fl/ is preferred.
The north-eastern part of this township is occupied by a high ridge of hills, called the Tuckahoe Hills. This portion of the town, originally formed a part of that large tract of land between the Saw Mill and the Bronx rivers, which was ceded by the Indian chiefs, Sepham and others, to Frederick Philipse, June 6, 1684. Tradition says, that anciently, an Indian Sachem of that name, had his residence on one of these hills, and exercised his authority among the tribes of the neighbouring valleys.
The name Tuckahoe, means in the Algonquin, <' The Bread," literally, Tuckah, (bread) the o, oe, or ongi being merely an ob- jective sign relating to the plant itself*
The celebrated Captain Smith, in his travels and adventure3, tells us, '^ that the chief root the Indians of Virginia have for food, is called Tockawhoughe. It groweth like flogge in marshes. In one day a salvage will gather sufficient for a weeke. These roots are much of the greatness and taste of potatoes. They are toasted a great many of them, with oke leaves and ferns,
492 HISTORY OF THE
and then cover all with earth in the manner of a tola pit ; over it on each side, they continue a great fire t wenty-fonr hoars before they dare eat it. Raw it is no better than poyaon, and beio; roasted, iexcept it be tender, and the heat abated, or sliced and dryed in the snnne mixed with sorrel and green?, or such like^ it will prickle and torment the throat, extraordinaryi and yet in summer, they use this commonly for bread.''^
R. Beverly, in his History of Virginia, pablished A. D. 172^ calls it Tuekahi>e>
Respecting the frequent diet of the Indians ia genera), (sayi John F. Watson,) we may say that besides their usual planta- tions of com, they often used wild roots ; of ihese they had tawho, (arum virginicum,) and tawkee, (orantium aquaticom.) These roots grew in low damp grounds, were a kind of potatoes to them, and were divested of their poisonous or injurious quality by roasting.^ The Mohegan term for bread is Tauquah.^
These names evidently point to one and the same plant| which still flourishes along the moist mai^ins of the Tuckahoe creek. This stream rises on the lands of John Tompkins, and waters the western side of the ridge. Pursuing a south course it discharges into the Armenperal near where the latter forms a junction with the Bronx.
Upon the highest ground of the ridge stands the Episcopal chapel, from which the eye can command a fine prospect em- bracing almost every variety of scenery. This chapel was erected A. D. 1798, during the Rectorship of the Rev. Elias Cooper, upon land the gift of the late John Bowne, Esq. Mr. Bowne was the son of Thomas Bowne and grandson of John Bowne, formerly of Flushing, L. I., a descendant of the celebra- ted John Bowne of that place, who was born at Matlock, Derby- shire, England, March 9th, 1627. The adjoining estate is oc- cupied by the sons of the late John Bowne, Esq.
• Tra?elt and Adventaresof Capt John Smith, p. 121-7. b Beverly's Hist, of Virginia, p. 153.
• John T. Wat«)n, Hist. Tales, also Address of Do Witt ClintOD, &.c., &c d Trans, of Amer. Autiq. Soc.
COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 493
Since its erection, it has formed an appendage or chapel of ease to the parish church of St. Johns, Yonkers. The building has lately undergone considerable repairs and a com- modious vestry room has been added to the chapel. On June 29th, 1847, it was consecrated to the service of Almighty God by the name of St. John's chapel, Tuckahoe.
There are many interesting historical recollections connected with this hill and vicinity. During the eventful week that pre- ceded the battle of White Plains, General Washington's advance corps lay upon the Tuckahoe heights, under the command of General Scott, whose whole corps numbered 2000 men. Direct- ly south of the church, bordering the Eastchester road, is the property of Mr. Valentine Odell. Here a party of nine pat- riots were overtaken by a large company of De Lancey's horse, commanded by Colonel Oliver Hatfield. The whole party were barbarously killed or mortally wounded.
A touching incident deserves to be recorded in connection with this melancholy afiair. A dog belonging to one of the Americans that fell upon this occasion, took up his quarters at Mr. Caleb Smith's who lived a mile below. The ladies of Mr. Smith's family were frequently in the habit of visiting their neighbor Mr. Odell, when the dog would go with them half way and return. It appears nothing could ever tempt him to pass the fatal spot.
On the farm of Isaac Lent west of the hill, (he American of- ficer (Major Leavenworth of the Massachusetts line) ambuscaded a large detachment in 1778, for the purpose of cutting ofi* Capt. Joshua Barnes of De Lancey's corps ; who, he ascertained, had gone up in the neighborhood of Hart's Corners for the object of plundering. The better to draw Barnes into his ambuscade, Shotwell posted a party of his command upon the hill a little be- low the church. Upon the return of Barnes he immediately descried the detachment on the hill, to avoid which he lead his men ofi'by the opposite side, thus walking directly into the trap laid by his wary foe. They received one heavy fire and sur- rendered, consisting of one full company, sixty-four men.
In the house of Isaac Lent then occupied by Jacob Vermilyea, a small party of American volunteers under the command of
494 HISTORY OP THE
Captain Honeywell had stopped to take some refreshmenty har- ing just relarned from an incursion into Morrisania, when tbef were suddenly surrounded by the enemy under Caplain Totten, who fired upon the house, killing one of the patriots and making prisoners of nine. These however finally rose upon the guard and escaped.
Near the vicinity of the school-house, Benjamin Hunt of the continental army, captured thirty of the enemy by stratagem, with a force of half that number. Availing himself of the dark- ness of the night, he called out as if in command of a large de- tachment, Lieutenant Such-a-one to the right, Captain to
the left ; in this manner he deceived his enemy who laid down their arms and surrendered at discretion.
On the east side of the Tuckahoe hill is the property of Charles Dusenberry, Esq., one of the most active members of the Croton water commissioners. The house occupies an ele- vated position overlooking a picturesque vale to the south-east
The Methodist church is prettily situated at the foot of the bill surrounded by a fine locust grove, and near the margin of a small stream that washes the eastern side of the hills. The edi- fice is a neat structure of wood. This society was first orga- nized in 1797, and called " the first Methodist Episcopal Church of the town of Yonkers."
The small settlement of Tuckahoe is situated upon the wes- tern margin of the Bronx. Here is a convenient depot of the West- chester railroad, post office, store and cotton manufactory. The latter was for some time called the Eastchester Manufacturing Company. The present building having been erected, A. D. 1814, and incorporated soon afterwards, for $100,000. Shares were sold at one time for $2500. The property is now vested in the heirs of John Tait.
In 1824, Canvas White, Esq., engineer employed by the cor- poration of New York, reported that he proposes taking the wa- ters of the Bronx from the Eastchester cotton factory pond. He thinks that the natural fiowof the river in the driest season will furnish 3,000,000 s:alIons per day, and by raising a dam of six feet to the upper Rye pond and lowering the outlet two feet, 3,000,000 gallons per day may be obtained, and that a daily sup-
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 495
ply of 6,600,000 gallons may be brought to ihe city every twenty-four hours. The cost of bringing the water to a reser- voir near the park is estimated at $I,949,542.<^
The Tuckahoe bridge which crosses the Bronx at this place, appears to have been erected at a very early period, as we find it recorded by that name, A. D. 1728.^
During the encampment of the American army upon the hills to the west, the British horse stationed above at Wood's house (now Marble Hall) were in the constant habit of coming down to water their horses at the foot of this bridge. On one occasion a small party of Continentals concealed themselves in am- bush on the margin of the river, and lay waiting for the usual approach of the horse. A long interval elapsed, but at last the well-known tramp declared the enemy near at hand. Every gun was cocked, and a death-like stillness prevailed ; but whether the enerby suspected their designs or obtained information, was never ascertained ; for at this time they came with nearly their whole force. To have fired upon them would have been but the prelude to a massacre ; the patriots therefore lay snugly concealed until their departure.
The following extracts from the town records, relate to the first election of town officers, in 1756, and immediately sub- sequent to the Revolution.
" At a public town meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants of the Yonkors and Mile square, at the house of Edward Ste- venson in said Yonkers, on the first Tuesday of April, in 1756, being the day appointed by act of the General Assembly of this Province of New York, for choosing town officers, and likewise to make regulation of creatures and fences. The under written officers and orders of creatures and orders of fences, were made by majority of votes.
James Gorton, Supervisor and Pounder, Benjamin Fowler, Town Glerk, Thomas Sherwood, Gonstable and Collector.
David Oakley, ) . William Warner, \ ^^^sessors.
• See Corporation Doc p. 36 to 375. k Recordi of Roadi, Co. Recorcb.
496
HISTORY OF THE
Highway Hasten.
Fence and Damage Yiewers.
Edward Weeks, William Crawford, Daniel Devoe, \ John Rider, Isaac Odell, Hendrick Post.
Andrew Modin, Charles Warner, Moses Tailor, Isaac Odell,
At a town meeting held for the Yonkers, in the Manor of Philipsborough, at the house of David Hant, on the 28th day of Dec, 17S3, under the superintendence of Israel Honey well, Esq^ William Hadley and Thomas Sherwood, in pursuance of an or- dinance for holding elections in the southern district, by the coun- cil appointed. The act entitled an act to provide for the temporary government of the southern part of this State, until th% enemy shall abandon or be dispossessed of the same, and until the Le- gislature can be convened &c. Passed the 23d of Oct^ 1779 The following town officers were chosen :
Israel Honeywell, Esq., Supervisor.
David Hunt, Clerk.
Thomas Sherwood, Constable and Collector.
Israel Honeywell, Esq., jun., Security.
William Belts, > ^^gessors Jacob Vermilyea, l -Assessors.
Frederick Vermilyea, Overseer of roads on the east side of Tippett's Brook. William Crawford, for the upper part. Will. Warner, do. for the middle part.
Benjamin Odell, .
John Archer, do. Tuckahoe.
Jacob Lent, from Lent's house to the mill.
Stephen Beriine, the cross road, from Mile Square to the bridge. William Hadley, ")
Joseph Crook, Isaac Vermilyea, Stephen Sherwood, John Garus, William Crawford,.
► Damage Viewers.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 497
Abraham Odell, )
Will. Hadley, > Commissioners of Roads.
Thomas Sherwood, ;
The general surface of the town is uneven and broken ; soil, clay, and sandy loam, mostly well cultivated. The natural growth of wood is very extensive. We have already shown that it is well drained by numerous streams, upon which are several mill seats.
Vol. II. 63
APPENDIX.
PEDIGREES OF THE FAMILIES
OF THE
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
N. B. In the following pages b. stands for born, m. or mar. for married, d. for died, da. for daughter, and »t. for aged.
Amblkr or BEoroRD. Two brothers of this oame were among the early
aettlers of Bedford. Benjamin Ambler, mar. Dibble, and left three
sons, Joseph, Joshua and Benjamin, and a da., Rachel, who mar. — — ^ Miller. Benjamin, the youngest, mar. Mary Wilson, and left Henry and William H. of Bedford.
Anoeyiub. The name of Zacharie Angevinet occurs as a freeholder of
.New Rochelle, in 1708. Pierre, probably son of Zacharie, left 1, Louis, 8,
Pierre, 3, Marie. Louis, mar. Esther Sicard, and had Louis, b. 19th August,
17712. Pierre, b. 30 August, 1734. Marie, Esther and Anne, the latter b. 1731.
Pierre, second son of first Pierre, mar. Margaret — , and left a da.
Esther, b. 4 Deo. 1729. John, a member of this family, left John and Daniel. Mary, da. of John, d. January, 1841, et. 105. Daniel mar. Catharine Ge* raud, and left Daniel, who was lost at sea. Eli Angevine of Scared ale, had nine children ; 1st, Jonathan of Poughkeepsie, Snd, Caleb of Poughkeepsie,
mar. Ostrander, 3d, Phoebe mar. Stephen Lockwood, 4th, Charity
mar. Israel Sheerly, 6th, Susan mar. Isaac Pnrdy, 6th, Mary mar. Budd Purdy, 7th, Patience mar. Jacob Burnett, 8th, Peggy mar. Joshua Underhill, 9th, Elizabeth mar. Richard Cornell. Jonathan of Poughkeepsie, mar. Susan Ferris, and has Eli and Caleb.
Archer of Fordham. The ancestor of this family is supposed to hare been Humphrey Archer who was born 1527, and died October 34th, 1569, eldest son and heir of Richard Archer, twelfth in descent from Fulbert L* Archer, one of the compaDiona of William the Conqueror. Humphrey mar.
600 APPENDIX.
Elis&beth Townsend, and left 1. Hanphrey, 9. Artbnr, 3. Andre w, who mir. Margiret Raleigh, 4. John, who mar. Eleanor Frewio, 5. Bridget, who mar. John Bancroft, 6. Marjory, who mar. John CoUia, 7. Elixmbelh, who mar. John Hereford. Andrew, third aoa of Humphrey, died d Ajirfl, 1699, laaT- ing issue by his wife Margaret two sons, Simon, bom September 91, 1624, who mar. Anne Ferris ; and Lieut. Col. Thomas, an officer in the Pariiameat serfice, who fled beyond seas ; Humphrey, Elisabeth and Penelope. Richard second son of Andrew by his wife Mary Bull, left one ton Rowland. Joha Archer, fourth son of first Humphrey by Eleanor Frewin, left one son Joha the father of John Archer first Lord of the Manor of Fordkam^ Westchester county. John, first Lord of the Manor, mar. Sarah Odell, da. of William, and had one son John and three daughters, tIs. Mary, Catharine and Saiah. John, second Lord of the Manor, had three sons, 1. Samuel, 9. Riehard who
mar. Sarah Valentine, and died 1783, 3. John who mar. Elizabeth , will
dat. 1708, no. xxi. 60. Samuel Archer, first son of John, left one eon Ben- jamin of Fordham who had first, Benjamin owner in fee of part of the Maoor, mar. Rachel de Yaux ; second John ; fourth Mary who mar. John Pogaley ; fifth Sarah who mar. Jacob Alord, and sixth Rachel who mar. James Craw- ford. Benjamin first son of Benjamin, had 1. William of Fordham, 9. Samuel of ditto, whose sons are George, Charles, Benjamin, Lewis, William and Henry, 3. Catharine who mar. Charles Valentine and 4. Rachel who msr. Richard Archer. Richard Archer, second son of John, second proprietor of the Manor by his wife Sarah Valentine left two sons, 1. Anthony, bom 1746, died 1838, mar. Margaret Mapes and had Elijah, Benjamin of N. Y. Richardy Charles, Anthony of Yonkers, Sarah, Mary, Margaret, Eliia and Sally ; 9. Matthias who had Matthias, who mar. Sarah Odell, da. of Hendrieky and left Charles and Odell of Yonkers. John A.rcher, third son of John seeond im>-
prietor, had 1. Abraham of Eastchester, in 1764, mar. Mary , 9. Jacob,.
3. John of Winterhill, Eastchester, mar. Mary Leggett, 4 . Jonathan of East- chester, will dat. 1764, no. xxi7. 279, whose children were Sarah who mar. Joseph Fowler, John, Ezekiel, and Abigail who mar. Joshua Pell. John of
Winterhill and Mary Leggett had 1. James who mar. Phoebe , their
children are Mary, Phoebe, Anne and Esther; 9. Gabriel who mar. Susan Hunt and left John of N. Y. James, Daniel, Benjamin of New Castle, Elisa- beth who mar. Clark Guion, Sally wife of Stephen Hunt, Phcebe wife of Ro- bert Sarles, Mary wife of Isaac Carpenter, Hetty wife of Nehemiah Pnrdy, and Susan the wife of Elisha Tompkins ; 3. John mar. Susan Wheeler ; 4. Catharine mar. John Bashford ; 5. Mary mar. John Brown ; 6. Bridget mar. Samuel Hitchcock ; 7. Martha mar. William Green ; 8. Sarah mar. Jacob ; 0. Hannah mar. Archer Reed.
Bailey of Somers. Levi Bailey \W\fig in 1795, mar. Gilchrist.
He had De Vaux of Putnam co., James of Somers, Gilbert, Thomas, William of Nota Scotia, Le?i of Canada, Stephen, Daniel, Sarah who mar. Daniel Carpenter, Esther who mar. John Steren and Sarah who imr. Nalhan
APPENDIX. 601
Brown. Da Vaax mar. Elizabeth Smith and left 1. Samoel, 3. Stephen, 3. Ben- jamin, 4. William, 5. Le?i, 6. Horace, 7. Daniel, 8. Ira, 9. Isaac, 10. Thomas, 11. Esther. James of Somers mar. Ann Brown and had 1. Stephen, 2. Ha- ohaliah of Somers d. 1645, 3. Mary, 4. Ann, 5. Jane, 6. Susan, 7. Elizabeth, 8. Theodore. Gilbert mar. Sarah Field and left 1. William, d. Joseph, 3. Le?i, 4. Solomon, 5. Simon, 6. Clande, 7. Jane, 8. Elizabeth. Thomas mar.
Sarah , and had Jacob and Deborah. William of Nora Scotia left Le?i
and Esther. Levi of Canada had John and Chloe. David left l)aniel and Deborah.
Barker of Scarsdale. Barker^ left three sons, I. William of
Scarsdale mar. Fowler of Eastchester, and had 1. Thomas of Green- burgh, mar. Anne Horton whose sons are Peter, Caleb and Samnel. 2. John mar. Mary granda. of the Rev. John Smith, their son is William Barker of
White Plains. 3, William of Mamaroneck mar. Fowler of Eastchester,
and left one son Samnel, 4. Samuel of Scarsdale. 5. A da. mar. Bennett
of Philipse's Manor. II. Daniel the father of Daniel. III. Thomas of Dut- chess county.
Bayards of Westchester. Stephen Bayard had two sons Col. Samuel Vetch Bayard of Throckmorton^s neck, Westchester ; and William of New York. Col. Samuel mar. 34 of April, 1778, Catharine van Home and left, 1. William b. at Halifax, N. S. Feb. 14, 1779. 2. Elizabeth b. at N. Y. Dee.
1, 1780. 3. Catharine nat. 13 Oct. 1782. 4. Stephen b. at Cornwallis, N. S., Oct. 26, 1785, mar. Elizabeth Anne de Lancey and left Eliza Anne mar. Ja- cob Lorillard, Stephen, and William, M. D. of West Farms. 5. Robert b. at Wilmot, N. S., March 1, 1788. 6. Samuel b. at Wilmot, N. S., March 1, 1790. 7. Frances b. 25 July, 1793. 8. Ethelinda. 9. Eliza mar. George L. Cooper. 10. Louisa. 11. Sarah. William of New York secoml son of Stephen, mar. Harriett Cornell and had 1. Harriett mar. Stephen van Rensselaer. 2. Justina mar. Joseph Blackwell. 3. Susan mar. Duncan P. Campbell. 4. Maria. 5. Robert of FishkUl. 6. WilUam of New York.
Bkkkdict or Lkwisborouoh. Amos Benedict removed at an early period from Norwalk to South Salem ; killed by the fall of a tiee. His children were, 1st, Solomon^ who mar. Hannah Benediot and left one son, Solomon.
2. l8€ULCi mar. Elizabeth Burchitt, and had Isaac, Ady, Elizabeth, mar. Sam- nel Townsend, Huldy, Anne, and Esther. 3. Amos, mar. Elizabeth Brown. 4. Jacob. 5. Jonah, mar. Mary Rusky, and left Peter, the present occupant of the Homestead, near Long pond.
Berrian or Yorkkrs. The family of Berrian was among the French Huguenots that fled from France to Holland, on the Revocation of the ediet of Nantes. Nicholas Berrian^ the first of the family who emigrated to this
603 APPENDIX.
coantry, had fife sons; 1. Nicholas, 9. Coraelias, 3. Hich&r^, 4. Samuel, 5. Peter. Cornelias, the second son, mar. Sarah Warner. Richard, who was b. in Holland, resided for some time upon Long Island. He mar. Grace, or Gesh^, Ryker of Ryker^s Island, and left, 1. Abraham, second proprietor of Berrian^s neck, who mar. 1st, Mary Moore, 2nd, Mary Williams ; their chil- dren were Col. Abraham, Nathaniel of Berrian^s neck, b. Jane 24, 1781, d. 1845, Richard, Phcebe, Mary, Gesh^, and Charity; 3. Sarah, mar. Samuel LcTerich. 3. Gesh6, mar. Jesse Le?erich. Samuel, 4lh eon of first Nicholas,
mar. Tippet, and left two sons, 1st, Samuel, 2nd, Richard ; whose
son is the Re7. William Berrian, D. D., Rector of Trinity Cborch, New York.
BcRTuns or Niw Rochklls. The ancestors of the Berlines^ or Berteins (as the name was originally spelt,) were Protestants, inhabitants of RocheDe, in France. On the Revocation of the edict of Nantes, Pierre Bertine fled from France to England, and soon after came thence to America. Two bro- thers by the name of Peter and James were living at New Rochelle in 1742. Peter left three sons, James, Peter, and Isaac, and a daughter Elisabeth. James mar. Deborah Cozine, and had James, Thomas, Hannah, who mar. Wil- liam H. Pinckney of Eastchester, Sarah, mar. Henry Remsen, Eliza, mar. Gilbert Hatfield, and Julia who mar. Gershom Smith.
Birds ALL ob Peekskill. Daniel BirdsaU of Peekskill, b. 17th January,
1734-5, d. Oct. 29ih, 1800, mar. Hannah , she was b. 7th No?. 1737.
Their children were, 1. Daniel, jr., of Peekskill, who mar. 1st, Phcebe Brown, and secondly Letitia Lewis, and left William B. of Peekskill, James, of New York, Samuel of Cincinnati Ohio, Daniel, Mary, who mar. Medad Raymond, Anne Eliza and Hannah, 2. Samuel, left William, who mar. 1st, Nancy Haws,
2nd, Spook, and had Samuel of Peekskill. 3. Sarah, b. Nov. 6, 1758.
4. Mary Hannah, b Sept. 1760. 5. Elizabeth, b. 8th July, 1765. 6. Martha.
Bleecker. Jan Jansen Bleecker^ a native of Meppel in the Province of Overyssel, Holland, came to New Amsterdam from Holland in 1658, and Bubsequenily removed to Albany. He was one of the first aldermen named in the charter of Albany, A. D. 1686 ; and mayor of that city in 1695, mar. Mar- garet da. of Rutger Jacobsen, A. D. 1667. He d. st. 91. They had eight children; I.John, Mayor of Albany in 1701, d. Sept. *1738, st. 70, mar. Anna Coster, Oct. 1693 ; 2. Rutger, Recorder and Mayor of Albany, 1725, 6, 7, 8, d. Aug. 1756, st. 82, mar. Catalina Schuyler, da. of David S. ; 3. Nico- las ; 4. Henry ; 5. Catharine, roar. Abraham Cuyler ; '6. Jane, mar. John Glen ; 7. Margaret, mar. Henry Ten Eyck ; 8. Rachel. John, the eldest, left five sons, John, Henry, Nicolas, Jacob, and Anthony. John, eldest son of John,
mar. Ut, Ten Eyck, 2d, — - Brees, their children were, 1. Jacob. 2. John,
d. Sept. 1747, mar. Gerritje van Schaick,and left John, mar. V^'an Allen,
APPENDIX. 603
Sybrant and Jacob ; 3. Gertrade, mar. Abraham Wendell ; 4. Anne ; 6. Cath* arine. Henry, Sd son of John and Anna Coster, d. in the country of the Sene- cas. Nicolas, 3d son, mar. Margaret Rooseboom, and left three sons, Henry* John, and Nicolas. Henry, the eldest, mar. Catharina Cayler, tl^jsir children are Nicolas of Albany, mar. Nettje Staats, Henry of Albany, mar. Elizabeth Metcalfe, Margaret, mar. Hermanns Ten Eyck, and Catharine, mar. James van Ingen. John, second son of Nicolas, d. 1825, et. 87, mar Margaret ran Deosen, and left, 1. Henry S., of Albany ; 3. Nicolas, of Albany ; 3. Jacob ; 4. Eliza, mar. Jacob Brodhead ; 5. Harriett, mar. John Romeyn ; 6. Margaret* mar. John van Schaick. Jacob, fourth son of John and Anna Coster, mar.
Margaret Ten Eyck, and left one son, Hermanns, who mar. Wendell,
their sons are Jacob J. and Hermanns of Albany. Anthony, fifth son of John and Anna Coster, d. without issue at Otsego. Rutger, second son of Jan Jansen, d. 1756, leafing two sons, John Rutger and James,, of New Rochello, also a da. Margaret. John Rutger d. A. D. 1800, set. 88, mar. Elizabetk Staats da. of Barent S., and left, 1. Barent, of Albany, mar. Sarah Lansing ; 3. John, mar. Ist, Jane Gilliland, 3nd, Elizabeth Tan Rensselaer, widow ot John Schuyler. Their children were, 1. Eliza, mar. Grant Powell. 3. Char- lotte, mar. Vinal Luce. 3. Sarah. 4. Stephen, d. 1836. 5. John, d. 1833.
6. Catharine, mar. G. van Rensselaer ; 3. Rutger, mar. Catharine Elmtfn- dorf, and left John R., Elizabeth, Peter Brinckerhoof, Maria and Blandina. James of New Rochelle, second son of first Rutger, mar. Abigail R. Lispen- ard of New Rochelle, and left, 1st, Anthony L., mar. Mary Noel. 3. Rutger. 3. David. 4. Andrew. 5. James. 6. John, mar. Anne Eliza Schuyler.
7. Leonard, mar. 1st, da. of James Abeel. 3d, Grace Moore Berrien. 8. Elizabeth Grace, mar. William Le Hart. Arms^ az. two ^battled chevrons or, empaling) arg. a rose branch ppr. Crest^ a pheon or.
Brewer of Pkkkskill. The ancestor of this family was Danul Brewer oi Massachusetts, who d. A. D., 1770. He mar* Phoebe Locke and left is- sue ; 1, Samuel d. A. D. 1810; 3, James, M. D. b, 1741, d. Nov. 30th, 1780, mar. Hannah Lee, da. of Joseph Lee, of Yorktown, she died Sept. 4th
1810 ; 3, Daniel, d, 1777 ; 4, Phsebe mar. Jones, of Ashbury,
Mass. ; 5, Lucy mar. Darbe of Hanwick, N. H. ; 6, Mary mar,
Williams of Randolph, Vermont ; 7, Sarah mar. Willard of Maine ;
8. Mette mar. Solomon Saflford, of Bennington, Vermont. James, M. D., and Hannah Lee, left, 1, Sarah mar. Elias Cornelius, M. D., of Philipstown ; 3, Mary d. Oct. 10, 1779, aet. 33, mar. Stephen Brown of Peekskill ; 3, Joseph d. May, 31, 1803, et. 34 ; 4, Daniel d. Sept. 6, 1804, et. 33, mar. Phoebe Howell, left one son, James, who d. young ; 5th, James d. Oet. 34, 1810 et. 37 years, mar. Anne Brotherson, and left James, M. D., of Peekskill, and Sarah Ann, who mar. Cofiln S. Brown, of Peekskill ; 6; Phoebe d. July 7, 1816, et. 38, mar. Daniel W. Birdsall ; 7, Samuel d. March, 1, 1815, et. 35,
604 APPENDIX.
mar. Elizabeth, da. of John Titns of FloaliiDg, L. I., and left two da., Uaiy and Eliiabethi who mar. Tharatoa Huntington.
Bolton. The samame of Bolton is one of considerable antiquitj, and is (lerifed from the place of that name in Yorkshire, England.
" Bodelton or Bothelton, the ancient orthography of all the towna whieli bear this name, (says Whitaker) is evidently from Boel, manaio, implying probably, that it was the principal residence of some Saxon thane. Tha spelling, with a slight Tariation, was continued a centnry or more after the conquest ; for, in the time of Stephen, Abbot of Sallay, (probably in Henry the second^s reign,) Elias de Bothilton held lands in thia place/ de Feodo de la Leya."^
In the reign of Henry the third, Richard de Bonhilton ia named of the village of Bonhilton, in Yorkshire. The Testa Villarum of the time of Heniy the third, and Edward the first, contain the name of Robert de Bolma, as holding six acres of land at Bolmn, in Yorkshire. John de Bolton, bow bearer of Bolton forest, in 1313, was the lineal representatiTo according to Dogdale, of the Saxon earls of Mercia. From Whitaker'a History of Craven it appears that Edwin, Earl of Mercia, was seized of the Manor of Bodel- tone* before the conquest, and held it five years after. This nobleman was son of Leofwine, and brother of Leopie, earls of Mercia. In the year 1330, John de Bolton was rector of the church at Bolton, in Yorkshire, and John de Bol- ton, patron of the same. Henry Bolton is the next ancestor of whom we have any account. He appears to have been living at Bolton in Lancashire, about 133*2. He left Robert the father of William, who had a son Robert.
Robert Bolton, the more immediate ancestor of the family, waa residing at Blackburn, Lancashire, in 1569. His sons were John and Robert. Of the youngest, Fuller in his Worthies of England, thus speaks : " Robert Bol- ton was born at Blackburne, in Lancashire, on Whitsunday, 1572, a year as infamous for the massacre of many Protestants in France, an for the birth of some eminent in England. His parents having a narrow estate, struggled with their necessities to give him a liberal education ; he was bred first, in Lin- coln, then in Brazen-nose college, in Oxford. He had Isocrates' six marks
» Parish of Bolton, juxta Bowland.
b Wbitaker's Hint, of the Deanery of Craven.
c The Mauor of Midhope, one of the moet extensive and valuable grazing fianns in Craven, was parcel of the great possessions of the Boltona, and passed into the Lister family, by marriage with a co- heiress of that most ancient name, in the time of Edward the Second." Whitaker's Hist, of Craven. Bolton was, though the style hath been altered, (says Segar) an ancient barony by tenure in Henry the Second's time, and the Scroopes of Upsall and Masham are in a direct line des- cended from the Barons Bolton of Bolton.'*
APPENDIX. 505
or properties of a good scholar. His want of means proTed an adTancemant unto him ; for, not having whence to boy books, he borrowed the best au- thors of his tutor, read orer, abridged into note books, and returned them. He was as able to express himself in Latin or Greek, as English ; and that, stylo imperatorio. He was chosen one of the disputants before King Jamesi at his first coming to the uniTcrsity, and performed it with great applause.
Thus far I have followed my author mentioned in the margin ; but wa must depart from him a little in one particular. Though Mr. Bolton's parents were not overflowing with wealth, they had a competent estate, (as I am in- formed by credible intelligence) wherein their family had comfortably continued long time in good repute.
Sir Augustine Nicolls presented him to the rectory of Broughton, in Northamptonshire : sending him his presentation unexpectedly, from his chamber in Sergeant's Inn, where Dr. Kinj^, Bishop of London, being acci- dentally present, thanked the judge for his good choice : but told him withal, that he had deprived the university of a singular ornament. Besides his ooq« stant preaching, he hath left behind him, many useful books, the witnesses of his piety and learning ; and died, in the 59th year of his age, December 17, 1631.
The following epitaph is engii^veo on his monument in Broughton church Northamptonshire :
ROBKRTUS JACET QIC BOLTOITUS.
CJETBRA ROTITy
OCCUBITUS DXFI.EN8 AlfOLU TOTA
DIXM,
PRIMUS ET 0PTIAIU8 QUJUS, «0
CL1SIJ6 PRJBOO
DOCnSSIMK PIUS QUI 17, DIB
D£C£MB.,
Amro Dm, 1631, placidb oboob
MIVIT IK DOMINO.**
Rev. Robert Bolton mar. Anne Boyce of Kent, and left one son, Samuel and four daughters. John Bolton, eldest brother of the above Robert, inheri- ted his ftither's property at Blackburn, and was living in 1633. Among the names of his children, all of which are not preserved, we find Robert who was baptized at Blackburn in 1609, father to John baptized at tba same place, in 1633. John died about 1700, at Sheffield, Yorkshire, he mar. Anne, and left Robert, b. at Blackburn, 86 July, 1688 ; and a da. Anne, who mar. Thombs Richmond. Robert emigrated from Sheffield to Philadel- phia, Penn., in 1720, and mar. Anne Curtis, widow of Robert Clay, on the 19th Feb., 1731. He was for many years warden of Christ Church, Phila-
Vol. it. 64
S06 APPENDIX.
ddphia. He d. June 25ih, 174S ; she d. May 7tli, 1747. Their ehildiea were ; 1, Robert, b. January let, 1723 ; 8, Anne ; 3, Mary, mar. I74I9 Hob. James Habersham of Satannah, Georgia ; 4, Rebecca d. Dee. 2S, 1739 ; 5, Joseph, d. May 1, 1725; 6, John, b. 1725, d. May 30, 1730; 7, John, b. 1726 ; Joseph and Hannah, b. 20 Jane, 1727. Joseph, d. Juoe 13, 1739, Hannah, d. 25 April, 1728. Robert the eldest, removed to SaTanaab, Ga., where he married Susannah Man?6, a native of Vifay, Switzerland. He left Robert of SaTannah, b. in 1757, Hannah, m. Mr. Moore, Sarah, m. WiU. ETans, Anne, m. Nathl. Adams, and Rebecca, m. Thomas Newell.
Robert of Savannah mar. Sarah McClean, and had, 1st, Robert, b. at Sa- vannah, Sept. 10, 1788, baptized by his grandfather, Robert. 2nd, Sarah mar. her second cousin, John Bolton. 3d, Anne mar. her aecoad eoeain, Curtis Bolton. 4th, James mar. 1, Miss Clay of Philadelphia ; 9, Hooorah Richardson d. Feb. 10th, 1824, left three sons, James, Edward and William ; 5th, Frances mar. Richard Richardson of New Orleans. 6th, Rebecca. Robert, the eldest, mar. Anne Jay, da. of the Rev. William Jay of Bath, England, and has, 1st, Robert Bolton, b. at Bath, April 17, 1814, mar. Elisa- beth R. Brenton, da. of James B., 2nd, Anne, 3d, William Jay, 4th, John, 5th, Cornelius Winter, 6th, Mary Statira, 7th, Arabella, 8th, James, 9th Rboda, lOih, Abby, 11th, Meta, 12th, Adele and Adelaide, 13th, Frances Geor- gian na.
John Bolton, of Cheatertown, Md., fourth son of Robert and Anne Curtis, roar. Sarah Doggethty, and left, 1st, John, who mar. his aecond coosin, Sa- rah ; 2nd, Curtis, who mar. his second cousin Anne ; 3d, Eklwio, m. Mary Douglass ; 4th, Anne, ro. 1st, John Maut^ Moore, 2nd, George Booth. Arms, sa. a falcon, arg. beaked jessed, merobered and belled, or, charged 00 the breast with a trefoil, slipped, ppr. This coat was con6rmed by William Cam- den Clarencieux, by patent, dated August the 26th, 1615, to Thomas Bolton of Woodbridge, Suffolk, Esq., descended, of the Boltoos of Bolton, in Laoca- shire.
BoNNETT OF New Rochelle. The ancestors of the Bennetts were Protestants, inhabitants of Rochelle, in France. On the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, Daniel Bennett fled from France to England. He subsequently emigrated to America. Daniel left, 1, Pierre, b. in England; 2, Jacqnes; 3, Daniel. Jacques had Peter, who mar. Mary Parcot, and James, who left one son, Peter, of New York. Peter the eldest son of Jacques, d. in 1823, and had Salmon of Upper New Rochelle, and a da. Elizabeth, who mar. Bartholomew Ward.
Brondio of Rye. John Brondish or Brondig, was one of the first and principal proprietors of Manusing Island and Poniogoe Neck, in 1663. He left four sons, John, Joseph, Daniel and Joshua, ancestors of the numeroos and respectable families which bear the name in Westchester County.
Buowif OF Rye. This family was a younger branch of the Browns of
APPfiKDDC. 607
Beechworth, in the County of Kent, England, founded by Sir Anthony Brown,* who wu created a Knight of the Bath, at the coronation of Richard II. He left issue two sons. Sir Richard his heir, and Sir Stephen, Lord Mayor of London in 1439. Sir Robert Brown, living temp, Henry V. was father of Sir Thomas Browne, treasurer of the household to Henry VI., and Sheriff of Kent, in 144rand 1460. Thomas Brown, Esq., of Rye, County of Sussex, England, emigrated to Concord, Massachusetts, cir. 1632, from whence he remored to Cambridge, where he lived some time.b His sons were Thomas of Rye, who d. A. D. 1694, and Hachaliah of Rye. The latter left issue ; I, Ben- jamin, d. in 1755, and had 1, Benjamin, 2 Joseph, 3, Daniel, 4. William : II,
Peter, d. 1731-2, mar. Martha , he left, let, Ebenezer, 2nd, Caleb,
3rd, Peter, d. 1739 ; he had Rebecca, mar. John Purdy, and Sarah, mar. Thomas Sutton, 4th, Hon. Nathaniel, 5th, Hon. Nehemiah, 6th, Hannah, 7th, Sarah, 8th, Rebecca, 9th, Elizabeth. II f, Thomas d. 1762 ; IV, Hachaliah d. 1784, mar. Ann Kniffen, he left, 1st, Hachaliah of Somers, b. August 20, 1727, d. May 22, 1813, mar. Abby Halsted. She was b. 1734, d. August, 1807. The children of Hachaliah and Abby Halsted, were Nathan^ b. Aug. 24, 1756, d. March, 1814; Stephen, b. July 10,1766; Lewis.h. May 12, 1776, d. March 3, 1830, mar. Clarissa Clift of Somers; Ann, b. 28 Oct., 1754, d. July, 1804, mar. James Bailey ; Mary, b. 22 June, 1758, d. 26 Aug.,et. 52, mar. Hon. Elijah Lee; Aner, b. 16 Feb. 1760, d. 7 April,
1807, mar. Crane, M. D. ; Abigail, b. 15ih Jan, 1762, d.
20 April, 1828, mar. Colonel John Odell, of Greenburgh ; Susannah, b. 16 Dec., 1768, mar. John Titus ; Esther, b. 8 April, 1768, d. 16 April, 1798; and Sarah, b. 1 June, 1772, mar. Jonathan Ward. 2ad, Christopher of Somers, second son of Hachaliah, had Isaac, Aaron, Frederick and Phoebe. 3d, David d. 1773, mar. Esther Wetmore, da. of Rer. James Wetmore. 4, Nathan d, 1764, mar. Elizabeth Kniffen, he left Gilbert, d. Dec. 27, 1820, «t.«61. Elizabeth d. June, 1831, «t. 71. Margaret d. Feb. 1, 1820, et. 50 ; and Lavinia ; 5th, Thomas, d. April 6, 1825, et. 86, mar. Jane Seaman, she d. April 8, 1813, nt. 71. Their children were, David, d. Feb. 6, 1847, et. 85. Thomas d. S^pt. 20, 1830, «t. 58. Nathan, Hachaliah^ Letitia, d. Sept. 20, 1830, et. 30, mar. Hon. Elijah Lee ; Anne, mar. Da?id Stebbins. Jane, d. Sept. 24, 1830, «t.53. Abigail d. 1813, mar. Thonaa Strang, and Catharine mar. Rot. Elias Cooper, Rector of St. John's church, Yonkers. 6tb, Josiah d. Aug. 30, 1789, et. 47, mar. Deborah Brown, da. of Jonathan ; she d. January 18, 1830, et. 76. Their children were, Hacha* liah, Nancy mar. John Watson, Elizabeth and Clarissa ; 7ih, Isaac ; 8tb, Gilbert d. young : and 9th, Gilbert who also d. young. V, Deli?erance had three sons ; 1st, Delirerance ; 2nd, Zebadiah and Jonathan. VI, Anne mar. Daniel Purdy. VII, Mary mar. Absalom Brondige. Of this family, was Jona-
ft The name of Brown Is frequently written in ancient records with the addition of the e, and sereral families hsTC even retained this orthography, k See Fanner's Register.
608 APPfiNDHT.
than Brown, wboM son Jonathan left issoe ; Itt, Jottadna aitr. £nilier Ar* eels, be bad, Eliaabeth mar. James Batterworth, and Clarissa who mar. ■ Perkins $ 8nd, Obadiah, he left Isaac and Aime ; Sd, Chailes nsar.
• — Wyrgans ; 4th, Clarissa mar. Niebolaa Hasbraeck ; Sth, Deborah
mar. Josiah Brown. Arms, sa, three lions, passant, in bend, belw* two double ootteses, arg. Crest, an eagle displayed rert. AooChor crai^ a stag, ppr., altered and daeaHj gorged and lined or.
Brown of Pebxskill. SoTcral indifidoals of the name ol'Brosm, among the early settlers of Massachusetts. Wiiiiam Brawn was bom ia Connectioat His son Samoel was a freeholder of North Castle, ia this Coanty, and left, I, Nathaniel of Nine Partners, Dotebess Co., who had a soa James C. of Saratoga, N. Y., and a da. Mary, mar. Jonathan Griffia. II, Mordeeai of Coxsackie, who had Samuel, living near Lake ChamplaiBt aad James of FishkiU. Ill, Thomas, formerly of Nine Partners, snbeeqaonUj a resident at Peekskill, where he d., cir. 1800, mU 90, mar. Susannah Bogbee. IV, William of Queensbnry, Saratoga Co., left Wdliam of Queensbarj. V, Benedict of Queensbury, who had sons, Justus, Silas, Hongill and Timothy; Thomas, third son of Samuel, left, Ist, Nathaniel, b. May 16, 1744, d. Maj 80, 1811, mar. Mary Hall, da. of Caleb Hall and Jane DaggeU bin wife, she was b. Not. 83, 1745, date of mar. May 16, 1766, d. Jan. 34, 1836 ; Bod, Gilbert b. 1746, mar. Lefina Wolley, and had David of New York, Isaac of New York, Cinthia, Fanny mar. Moses Ward, of Newarki N. J., and two other da. ; 3d, Nathan of Peekskill mar. Peace and left Gideon, Susan and Eliaabeth ; 4th, Alran, whose descendants are liting in N. Y. ; 6th, Pheshe mar. 1st, — — — Walters ; 3nd, James Tucker. Nathaniel, eldest son of Thomas, by Mary Hall, left : I, Stephen of Peekskill, b. Feb. 23, 1767, d. at Purchase, May 3, 1831, while attending quarterly meeting at that place ; mar; Sept. 3d, 1791, Mary Brewer, da. of James. She was b. Sept., 3d, 1766, and d. Oct. 19, 1799. Their children were, 1. Phoebe, b. Sept. 30, 1793, d.. April 33, 1805. 8. James, of Peekskill, b. Oct. 33,* 1794. 3. Han- nah, b. Aug. 9, 1797, mar. Abner Brundage, of Peekskill. Stephen, mar. secondly, Jemima Strang, da. of Major Joseph Strang, and had, 1. Ann, b. May, 1801. 3. Egbert, b. Jan'y 7, 1803, d. Feb. 14, 1815. 3. Mary, b. January 33, 180.'>, mar. Sandford Knapp, M. D. 4. Sarah. 6. Jane, d. 1819. IL Nathaniel, b. Feb. 17, 1769, mar. Charity Cox, and had Jacob, Samoel, of New York, Stephen C, and Esther. III. Mary, b. Sept. 8, 1770, d. 1785. IV. Sarah, b. Aug. 13, 1771, mar. Jacob Bedle. V. Cornelius, b. May, 34, 1773, d. Dec. 1831 ; mar. Ist, Elizabeth Osborne, 3nd, Lea Jones, and left by first wife, Martha, mar. Abel Smith, by second, Nathaniel, Smith, Thomas,
Edgar, and Anne Eliza, who mar. Veeley. VI. Thomas, b, Sept.
13, 1775| d. 1839, mar. 1st, Nancy Concklin, 3d, Martha Birdsall. YIL Mary, b. Oct. 4, 1778, mar. Sopher Jones. VIII. Susannah, b. June 8, 1780, d. 1781. IX. Caleb, b. May 33, 1783, mar. Phoebe Weeks, and left Hannah, who mar. John Merrit of N. Y., Thomas, Joshua, Dorothy, Mary, and Na-
APPENDIX. 509
ttianiel. X. Gilbert, b. Sept. 94, 1784, d. May 6tb) 1837, mar. HaDnah Os- borne, and had two da., Elisabeth and Naney.
BuDD. John Buddf of Sonthold, L. I., mar. Catharine , and had
John Budd of Sonthold, first proprietor of Apawquammie or Bodd*8 neck, 1661 ; will dated 13ih Oct. 1669 ; mar. and left issue two sons, 1. John Bodd, to whom his father bequeathed all his portion of the mills on Blind brook, 1671. 3. Joseph, first patentee of Bodd's neck under the crown, 20th Feb. 1695, will dated 1722 ; Surrogate's Office N. Y., viii. 311. Jo- seph, mar. Sarah , and had, 1. John, who mar. Mary Strang, by whom
he had Gilbert, M. D., John, who left a son John, and Mary who mar. Gilbert Theal. 2. Joseph, who married Ann , leaving Joseph, Nicholas, Un- derbill, Anne, and Sarah, the wife of John Que of Dutchess. The will of Joseph, sen., is dat. 1763. 3. Elisha, b. 1705, d. 1765, will dat. 1765, No. XXY. 252 ; mar. Ann Lyon, who d. Dec. 6, 1760, ct. 60. Their children were, Jonathan, James, Merriam, who mar. Jonah Maynard, Sarah, who mar. Purdy, Anne, who mar. Brown, and Phcebe. 4. Under- bill, proprietor of Budd's neck, b. April 29, baptized 30th May, 1708, will dat. 1755, lib. xix. 280 ; mar. Sarah Fowler, b. Jane 17th, 1710, mar. Sept. 17, 1730, d. August 10, 1798. Their children were Colonel Gilbert, who d. 7th Sept. 1813, and left twin daughters, Ophelia and Sarah, b. July 22, 1782; Sarah, b. July 21, 1731, Mary, b. Deo. 30, 1746, d. 1786, Tamar, mar. Ebenezer Hayiland, M. D., and Hetty, mar. William Colman. 5. Gil- bert, who d. Oct. 14, 1805. 6. Hannah, who mar. Palmer. 7. Sarah.
jB. Anne. 0. Tamar. 10. Mary.
Bush of Rte. Justus Bush was one of the eighteen proprietors of
Poningoe Neck, in 1737. He mar. Anne who d. Aug. 5, 1745. His
three sons were Bernardus, Henry, and Abraham. Abraham mar. Ruth, da. of Gilbert Lyon, and had 1. Abraham, who left William of King Street, Rye, the father of William S., Andrew, L. Hobart, and Newberry, 2. Gilbert, 3. Anne, mar. Jonathan Fichers, 4. Sarah, mar. Thomas Theal, 5. Elizabeth, mar. Ezrahiah Wetmore, 6. Rebecca mar. Daniel Merritt.
Clapp of North Castle. Two brothers of this name were among the earliest settlers of West Farms. John remo?ed to North Castle about 120 years ago. His sons were I. John, proprietor of the Homestead, who left Thomas, Dorcas, mar. 1. William Sutton, 2.- Francis Nash, Mary mar. Jo- seph Carpenter, II. Silas of Rhode Island, III. Elias who had John and Benjamin, IV. Gibson.
Clark of Bedford. The names of William and Nathan Clark, occur in
a list of freeholders of Bedford, in 1713-14. William, mar. Hannah
and had John, William, Ebenezer, Da?id, and Jab^sh. Nathan left I. Ste- phen, father of Cornelius, II. Nathan who had Daniel of Vermont, the &ther of Stephen of Bedford, III. Reuben, IV. Martha, V. Sarah, VI. Joseph, pro- prietor of the homestead, mar. Sarah Smith, he left 1. James, 2. Joseph,
610 APPENDIX.
mar. Hannah Clock, their children were Ibrael, Sjdoej Delawmre, Lewie, John of Bedford, Joseph of Salem, Isaac of Orange Co., Bethia, Taldmh Can- field, Clara, mar. Caleb, K. Hobby, Phoebe, mar. John Bossing, Hannah mar. Abel B. Raymond, and Anne, who mar. James Howe of Bedford. 3. Na- than of Bedford, mar. Lydia Holmes, and had Albert, d. et. 23, Jerecnialr of Bedford, Deborah, mar. James Ferris, Sarah, mar. Jesse Hojrt, Catharine and Abigail.
Close of North Salem. This family was formerly seated at Langlej, near Macclesfield, England, A. D. 1486. Clooghes, Clowes, or Close, in a Saxon word signifying a cliff or cleft in a valley between high hills. TkomoM Closet removed from England to Greenwich, Connecticut, in 1665, d. Jolj S6, 1683. His sons were I. Thomas, II. Joseph, III. Benjamin, who left a son Benjamin, IV. John. Joseph, the second son of Thomas, b. 1674, re- moved from Greenwich to North Salem, in 1749, and d. in 1760, set. 86. He mar. Rebecca Tompkins, she d. A. D. 1761. Their children were 1. Joseph, S. Elixabetb, 3. Solomon, 4. Sarah, 5. Rachel, 6. Thomas, 7. Benjamin, and 8. Rebecca. Solomon, second son of Joseph, was b. Jane 23, 1706, d. A. D. 1788, et. 83, roar. Deborah Bmsh. He had ten children, I. Solomon of
North Salem, who left , mar. a Paddock, Phoebe, mar. Epenetos Wallace,
M. D. of North Salem. II. Nathaniel of North Salem, b. 1739, d. 1773. He had 1. Nathaniel of North Salem, d. A. D. 1837, ttt. 77, mar. Mary Wood, and left 1st. Ebenezer, 2d, Amzi of North Salem, who had Isaac, Daniel H., Ebenezer L., Jeromiah, Bfargaret A., Amy K., Charles H., and Mary R. ; 3d. Nathaniel, 4th. Rachel, 5th. John of North Salem. 2. Jesse of North Salem, d. set. 86, 3. Isaac, 4. Deborah, mar. Thomas Chapman, 5. Rachel, mar. Joseph Crosby, 6. Sarah, 7. Matilda. III. Deborah, IV. Han- nah, V. Rev. John of North Salem, a graduate of Princeton, N. J., minister at New Windsor, in 1792, b. 1737, d. 1813, at Waterford, N. York, mar. Miss Weeks of L. I., and left two da. who reside at Waterford. VI. Sa- rah. VI 1. Jesse, in the military service of the Colony, d. at Half Moon Point, Jaly 29th, 1758, et. 17. VIII. Rev. David, a Presbyterian minister at Pat- terson, N. J. This individual was a great friend to his country, and doring^ the Revolution, suffered much at the hands of the enemy. He graduated at Yale College, and d. at Patterson, in Putnam Co., in 1783, et. 41. IX. Rev. Tompkins, a Presbyterian minister, d. at Fishkill, Sept. 26, 1770, et. 97, X. Mind well, d. Oct. 22, 1762, mar. Elizabeth .
CoE OF Rye. Two brothers of this name, from Norfolk Co., England, were settled in Massachusetts, as early as 1655. Robert removed to Durham, where his posterity still reside. He was b. 1629, mar. 1657, and d. 161^9. He left John, b. May 10, 1658, mar. Mary Hawley. John Coe, supposed brother of Robert, removed to Newtown, L. I., thence to Westchester, and settled at Rye. He was one of the principal proprietors of Poningoe Neck,
APPENDIX. 611
1662. His 80D8 were John and Jonathan. John left a son Andrew, who waa living at Rye, in 1744. Jonathan left John, the father of Jonathan, M. D., of Portchester. The latter d. Not. 28, 1809, mar. Esther Green, she d. Dec.
1, 1805. Their children were 1. John of Saratoga, mar. Farman, 9.
Reuben, d. 2l8t March, 1822, et. 67, mar. Phcebe Jordan, she d. Aug. 27th, 1842, et. 80, and 6 mo. He left Charles, who. d. Oct. 10, 1800, John, who d. Feb. 15, 1824, and La?inia, who mar. Willett Moseman, 3. Edward d. at Marlborough, 4. Mary, mar. John Mead, of Greenwich, Connecticut.
Cooper of Throckmorton^s neck. The ancestors of the Coopers emigra- ted from England to Massachusetts, at a very early period. The name of John occurs as freeman of Cambridge, in 1636. This individual was one ot the grantees named in the Indian deed of Southhampton, L. I. A. D. 1640. Mr. Cooper of Suffolk Co., L. I., a descendant of the above, had two sons and a da., the latter mar. and emigrated with her husband, to the western part of Pennsylvania. His sons he brought up as physicians. The youngest, Jeremiah, settled at Fishkill, in Dutchess Co. The eldest, Ananias, settled at Rhinebeck, in the same county, and was an active whig during the Revolu- tionary war. He had ten sons and three da. One son and one da. d. young. I. Thomas, the eldest, graduated at Princeton College, and became an emi- nent lawyer in the city of New York, he mar. Catharine Colden, grand-da. of the Hon. David Colden, Lt. Gov. of the Province of New York. He left 1. Colden, a lieutenant in the Provincial army, and aid de camp to General Izard, S. Edward, d. young, 3. Alice Ann, II. John, d. young. III. Henry, lY. Charles Dekay Cooper, M. D., fourth son of Ananias, resided at Albany, here he mar. Margaret Yerner. He left three sons and two da., 1 Major Gen- eral John T. Cooper, of Albany, mar. Miss Henry, da. of John Y. Henry, 9. William mar. a da. of the late Judge Yanderpool, 3. Rev. Charles Dekay Cooper, of Rochester, mar. a da. of Judge Sutherland, formerly Chief Justice of the state of New York, 4. Margaret, 5 Elizabeth. Y. William, d. young, YI. George D. Cooper^ mar. Eliza Bayard, da. of Col. Samuel Yetch Bayard, and left a largo family. 1. Catharine, d., 2. Thomas, d., 3. William B., d., 4. Edward of Throckmorton^s Neck, mar. Miss Gamage, and had four da., 5, Eliza, d., 6. Mary, 7. Elizabeth ^{fotinaVYhlr. Isaac He^gsey, M. D., 8. Har- riette Bayard, mar. Rev. Samuel Jf . Evans, 9. Francis Bayard, 10. Oeorgi- ^ anna Dekay, mar. Edward P. Clark, 11. George Duncan, jr., 12. Matilda / Watu, mar. Henry Whitehoi^, Principal of St. Thomas's Hall, Holly y.f^i/ Springs, Mississippi, 13. Alice Ann Swartwout. Yll. Mary, d., unmar., YIII. Francis, ditto, IX. Eliza Ann Swartwout, ditto, X. Joseph C, mar. Dorathea Staples, and left Thomas Colden, and Charles Staples. XI. Ga^>/ of Albany , d., unmar. XII. Fayette,l/L. D., of New York, XIII. Margaret, mar. Charles ( McEvers,and had three da., XIY. Christina mar. William Bachle, and left \. 0^ Eliza, 2. Ann, 3. Helen, 4. Theophylact, 5. William.
/
612 APPENDIX.
CooTiNTs OP New Rocrbllk. The (ainily of CoateDt wbs among tba French HogoenoU that fled from Franoe to America on the ReToeatioe of the Edict of Nantes. Jsaac Cautong^ or Coutant^ was amoog the first aetikn of New Ro<^heUe. He d. 1747, mar. Catharine Bonnefois, and left, I. Jacob, proprietor of the Senross and Carpenter farma« New Rochelle, mar. Jine Renand, his children were, 1. Jacob. 2. David, who bad Jacob, Isaac, Ma- ria, who mar. Charles Dasenberry of New Rochelle, and Lewis P. The latter had John, who d. April 1848, and James. 3. Esther, mar. Henry Pincknej. 11. Isaac, mar. Frances Badeau, da. of John, and lefl, 1. Isaac, b. 1754, pro- prietor of the Homestead, New Rochelle. 2. John, d. 3. James, mar.
Geraud, and had three sons, Andrew, (Major) Elijah, and Rot. George,
all of New Rochelle. 111. John, d. s. p. mar. Catharine . lY. Cath- arine, y. Esther. VI. Sosan. VII. Miriam.
Cromwell of Harrison. " The family of the Psotkctob, which arose in Wales, and was deemed illustrious by the genealogists of the principality, bore the surname of Cromwell, by assumption only, its patrooimio, Wiluahi, ha?ing been abandoned at the special desire of King Henry VIII. "That monarch,'* saith Noble, '* strongly recommended to the Welsh, (whom he in- corporated with the English,) to adopt the mode of moat civilized nations, in taking family names, instead of their manner of jadding their father V end per- haps grandfather's name, to their own Christian one, nap, or op, between the Christian and surname, as Morgan ap Williams, or Richard ap Morgan ap Wil- liams, that is, Richard the son of Morgan, the son of Williams ; and the King was the more anxious as it was found so inoonTonient in identifying persons in judicial matters. Richard's father seems to haye taken the name of Wil- liams for his family name ; but as the surname of Williams was of so late a standing, his Majesty recoromended it to Sir Richard to use that of Cromwell in honor of his relation, the Earl of Essex, whose present greatness en- tirely obliterated his former meanness.''* The several branches of the Crom- well family in America claim descent from the same parent stock as that of the Protector Oliver Cromwell. It is presumed that the ancestor of the American line was Col. John Cromwell, third son of Sir Oliver, and a brother of the Protector. John, a colonel in the royal army, mar. Abigail ■ . ■ . He had a da. Joan and a son John, who emigrated from Holland to the New Netherlands. John, son of Col. John, resided at Long Neck, West- chester. He mar. Mary , and led two sons, John, from whom the
present Oliver Cromwell and Jeremiah of West Farms are descended, and James. The latter was b. 1696, and d. 1780 ; he mar. Esther Godfrey, and loft, I. John, of Harrison, b. 5th December, 17*27, d. 1805, mar. Anna Hop- kins of L. I. she was b. January 12, 1730. II. Cromwell. III. James,
who Ua Oliver. IV. William of Poughkeepsie, who had William of New
> 3arKe*0 llist of the Landed Gentry of England, vol. i. 429.
APPENDIX. 613
York, and Robert of Canada. John, eldest son of James and Esther Godfrey, had, I. James, b. Nov. 6, 1752, d. 23d Dec. 1828, mar. l«ih of May, 1782, Charlotte Hunt, da. of Aaron ; she was b. 18lh Not. 1762, and d. Jan*y, 1839. Their children were, 1. Daniel, who mar. Elizabeth Towosend, and had Henry, Edward, Daniel, and Charlotte, all of New York. 2. James, who mar. Anne Abbott. 3. Oli?er, mar. Sarah Titos, and \e(i Joshua of Mon- roe Co., Thomas of New York, James, John of St. Louis, and William of New York. 4. David, mar. Rebecca Bowman, and has William D. of Maiden Lane N. Y. ; Henry, James, Frederic^ Anna, Sarah, Charlotte, Maria, Re- becca, and Emily. 5. Aaron. 6. William, mar. Caroline Underbill, da. of Joshua, and has James W. and Caroline. 7. William and Mary, twins, d. »t. nine months. 8. John of Orange Co., mar. Laetitia Haviland,and has Walter of Orange Co., James, David, and Oliver. 0. Hannah, mar. David Griflin. 10. Rebecca, mar. George Fritts. 11. Anne, mar. John Haviland. H. Daniel, b. 17th July, 1755, left John and Sarah, who mar. William Waring.
John mar. Rachel , and has, 1. James T., M. D., of Indiana. 2. Daniel
S. 3. Charles S. of New York, who mar. Henrietta Brooks, da. of Benjamin Brooks, Esq., of Bridgeport, Conn. This lady is a lineal descendant of Col- onel John Jones, one of the judges whose signature appears to the warrant for the execution of King Charles ]., by his wife Henrietta Cromwell^ eldest sister of the Protector. The children of Charles T. and Henrietta are Charles B., Henrietta, and Oliver Eaton Cromwell. 4. Leonard T. of New
York. 111. Naomi, b. 4th May, 1757, mar. Rev. Halstead. IV. Esther,
b. 1st Jan'y, 1760, mar. Griffin. V. Hannah, b. 20th May, 1762, mar.
Field. VI. John, b. 18th Aug. 1767. VII. Joseph, b. 3d March, 177a
d. A. D. 1843, mar. Mary Clapp of Greenwich ; he left William of Harrison, who mar. Sarah Griffin. VIII. William of Canada, b. 20th of April, 1773, d. left William of Cedar street, N. Y. Arms, Sa. a lion rampant arg. Crest, A demi lion rampant arg., in his dexter gamb a gem ring or.
CuRRET or CoRTLANDT. Richard Currey of Northcastle left three sons and six das. I. Joshua. II. Stephen, mar. Frances Moore. III. Richard, mar. Sarah Ferris. IV. Jemima, mar. Elijah Horton. V. Phcebe, mar. John Sherwood of Cortlandt. VI. Sarah, mar. John Jones. VII. Rachel, mar. William Lane. VIII. Mary, mar. John Smith. IX. Elizabeth, mar. Joseph Lee.
Davenport of Davenport's Neck, New Rochelle. This family de- rive their name from the town of Davenport or Danport in the county of Cheshire, England. Camden calls them " the famous family of Davenport.** The first of the name on record was Ormns de Davenport who lived at the time of the conquest. William Davenport emigrated from England aboat
1670, and settled at Westchester, he mar Mary , and left 1. William
of Perth Amb jy, in 1723 proprietor of lands in West Farms, mar. Bridget
Vol. 11. 65
614 ' APPENDIX.
2. Francis, b. l»t March, 1685, d. 8lh May, 1720, mar. Martha
Newberry ; she was b. Not. 7ih, 1688. Their children were, 1. Fraocis, b. 31st May, 1715, d. 2d Aug. 1797, mar. Mary Hewlett, da. of Lewis ; ahe was b. 5ih No?. 1713, d. 23d June, 1781. 3. Walter, b. 2(Hh March, 1716. S. i$amael, b. 22d Aog. 1718. 4. Anne, b. 20th July, 1713. Francia, eldest son of Francis, left, I. Lewis, b. 4th April, 1745. II. Newberry^ b. 5th June, 1746, d. 4th Jan'y, 1829, first proprietor of Da?enport's Neck io 1786, mar. Elizabeth Hewlett, da. of Joseph ; she was b. 19th Jan*y, 1759, mar. 20th Feb. 1774. They had, 1. Joseph. ^. James. 3. Hewlett. 4. Lawrence of Davenport's Neck. 5. Newberry of Davenport's Neck. 6. Deborah. 7. Mary mar. Samoel Davis. 8. Elizabeth, mar. Mr. William Buah of Rye. HI. Samael, b. Oct. 5, 1753. IV. Martha, b. 2d June, 1748.
Delatan of North Salem. Timothy Delavan left nine sons rim. : I. Timothy, who had Timothy. II. Nathaniel, who has several chOdren.
III. Samuel. IV. John, mar. 1st, Hastead, and has Chauncej, Jane,
Catharine, and Elizabeth ; he mar. 2d Patty Keeler, and has John, Frederick, Deborah, and Nancy. V. Cornelias, d. s. p. VI. Daniel. VII. Abraham the father of Gilbert and Jesse. VIII. Stephen, who has Daniel and Fred- erick. IX. Nathan, the father of Charles and Elizabeth.
Dbake of Eastchesteb. *^ John Drakes of the conncil of Plymootli, one of the original company established by King James in 1606, for settling New England, was a branch of the family of Drake of Ashe, several of whose sons came to this coantry. John^ who came to Boston in 1630, with two or more sons, and who finaUy settled in Windsor.*' Samael Drake, sod of John, last mentioned, removed to Fairfield about 1650, and from thence to Eaat-
chester in 1663. He mar. Anne , and left Joseph of Eastchester,
Samuel t heir of his father's lands at Fairfield, John of Eastchester, Sarah and Mary, who mar. Joseph Joannes. Joseph, the eldest, roar. Mary Shate, and had issue, I. John, who settled at Peekskill Hollow. II. Samael, of Fox Meadow, Scarsdale, d. A. D. 1774, et. 75. He had, 1. Gilbert, d. 1803, set. 90. 2. Samuel, M. D., late of Troy, N. Y., d. 1793, et. 63 ; he left Joshua^ d. 1790, Jasper, d. 1829, Elijah^ et. 74, Francis^ d. 1814, Sarah, mar. John ManHeville, Ann, d. unmar., Mary, mar. Joseph Lockwood, d. 1820, Rebecca, roar. G. Millegrew, and Samuel, M. D. HI. Benjamin of Eastchester left,
1. Benjamin, who mar. 1st, Susan Pell, 2d, Martha Seaman, 3d, Phoebe ,
4th, Charity Archer. The children of Benjamin, jr., were Thomas, who mar. Sasannah Morgan, and left Charles, M. D., of New York, b. 1789, d. April, 1832, a distinguished physician, Sarah, mar. Jonathan Coddington, Sosan, still living, and Anne, who mar. John Seaman. Benjamin, b. 2l9t Feb. 1763, d. 17ih June, 1822, mar. Mary Parcot, she d. 1820. Their chil- dren were Daniel of New Rochelle, b. 14th April, 1786, mar. Abigail Soulico, ' Susannah, b. Jan^y 8, 1788, mar Isasc Bennett, and Nsncy. James, mar.
APPENDIX. 516
Sarah Dodge, and led James, Susan, mar. Joseph Drake, Sarah, mar. Rich- ard Lawrence, and Marj, mar. Rev. — Lismekeese. John, fourth son of Benjamin, jr., b. 1773i mar. Magdalene Guion, b. 1774, and had Joseph, b. 1796, Susan, Elias Guion, b. 7th Dec. 1799, Benjamin, b. 1801, John Erskine, b. 18th Sept. 1802, Jacob, b. 1813, Caroline, b. 24lh July, 1807, mar. John R. Townsend, Angeline E., mar. Samuel J. Skidmore, and Martha Mag- dalene, b. 18ih Oct. 1778, d. Jacobs fifth son of Benjamin, jr., mar. lst« Mary Williams, and had Jonas W., b. 1799, mar. Mary Betts, Jacob, mar. 2d, Susan Ackerly, and left William Henry, Mary Anne, and others. Moses, sixth son of Benjamin, jr., b. 1776, mar. Susan Morgan. Samuelt
seventh son of Benjamin, jr., b. 1778, d. set. 22, mar. Morgan. Mary^
first da. of Benjamin, jr., mar. Henry Vervalen. PAce^«, second da., mar. Thomas Luvell. Amy d. unmar., and Martha d. et. 10. 2. Col. Joseph, of New Rochelle, second son of Benjamin, sen., b. 12lh July, 1737, O. S., d. llth Sept. 1836, et. 99, mar. Ist, Phcebe Hunt, 2d. Lydia Miller, and left Joseph, b. 2d Dec. 1766, d. 16th of July, 1794. 3 Moses of Dutchess Co., d. during early part of Revolutionary war, left issue three sons, viz., Jonathan, Richard and Stephen. Jonathan had one son, Joseph Rodman Drake, the Poet, b. 1795, d. Sept. 1820, mar. Sarah Eckford. Janet, only child of the Poet, mar. Col. George Dekay of L. I. Jonathan had also three das. 4.
Abigail. 5. Mary, mar. Caleb Ward. 6. Sarah, mar. Hunt. 7. Re-
beca, mar. Caleb Morgan. IV. Jasper, who lived in New York, bad a soa Francis who d. at sea, and several da. Y. Rebeeca^ YL Sarah. Yll. Anna,
mar. Fowler. Arms, arg. a wivern with wings displayed gn. Crests^
1st, an eagle displayed, 2nd, a naked dexter arm and hand erect, holding a battle axe sa. headed arg.
Dtckman of Pbilipsborough. All of this name in America are supposed to have originated from WUiiam Dyckman, (a native of Holland,) who was among the early settlers of New Amsterdam. This individual was a liberal benefactor of the Dutch Reformed Church of Fordam Manor. His gnmdsoa
Jacobus mar. Kesor. The children of Jacobus were, I. Jaeoh, mar.
Tryntje Benson of Haarlem, and had 1. Jacob, the father of Jacob and John. 8. Sampson, mar. Rebecca Odell, da. of Isaac, and had 1st, Hannah ; 2d, Cath- arine, mar. Matthias Yalentine. 3. Btnjamm, mar. Martha Lent, da. of Jacob, and left William, John, Sampson, and Jane. 4. Jacob, mar. Margaret Post, da. of Martin, and had Martin, Sampson, Benson, Staats Morris, Cath- arine, mar. Pell C. Yought, Martha Maria, mar. Isaac Mandeville, and Elmira, mar. Louis Levines. 6. John, mar. Letta Goetchios, and left issue Sampson and Rachel Goetchius. 6. Garett, mar. Joanna, da. of Jonathan Odell, and had William N. and Jacob G. 7. WiUiam N. mar. Rebecea Odell, da. of Jonathan. Their children were Sampson, Jonathan, William, Cathalioe, Maria and Rebecca. 8. Maria, mar. John Clark. 9. Jane, mar. John van Yredenborgh. 10. Caihalme, mar. Daniel Hale. Staaui Morria, soa of
616 APPENDIX.
Jacob, mar. Elixa Canada, grand da. of Peter Corny, and leA Peter C. and
Susan Matilda, who mar. Mr. Wheaton. Elixabeth, da. of Peter C, mar.
Col. John P. Crager. II. 'William Dyckman, second eon o{ JacobaSy b. Aug.
23d, 1725, d. Aug. 10, 1767, roar. Mary Turner ; she was b. Feb. 4, 1728, d.
Feb. 14, 1802. Their children were, 1. ^Jacohxis^ b. Sept. 18lb, 1748, who
left William, Frederick, mar. E?a Myers, John, Abraham, mar. Marga^
Honeywell, Jacob, James, Isaac, Michael, Hannah, mar. Caleb Smith, and
Maria. 2. Abraham, b. Aug. 25, 1754, one of the Westchester guides during
the Revolution. 3. Michael, b. August 9, 1756, d. Jan^t 1808, a Westchester
guide, mar. Sarah Oakley, and had two das. Sarah and Maria. 4. Wdliam^
b. 9th Dec. 1762, also a Westchester guide, he left William and Evert, both
residing at the West. 5. John, b. 28ih July, 1764, d. 15th April, 1774. 6.
Mary, b. Juno 2, 1752, d. 23d Feb. 1826, mar. Jacob Vermilyea. 7. Jane,
b. 26ih June, 1759, d. 24th March, 1772. 8. Jemima, b. 25th Feb. 1765.
mar. Evert Brown. 9. Charity^ b. 18th May, 1770, mar. Benjamia Lent.
Field. The name of Field is of frequent occurrence in Doomsday book, and is there often interchanged with Lea, a word having the same signi- fication. John Field of Ardsley, County of York, England, was a distin- guished mathematician and astronomer. He is said to have been the first person who introduced into England, by his writings, the discov« eries of Copernicus. His Ephemerides was published in that country in 1556. His will bears date Dec. 28th, 1586, in which he directs his body to be interred in the church porch at Ardsley. H^ mar. Jane Amyas of Kent, who d. A. D. IC09. His children were I. Richard, b. 1562, who left a da. Mary; H. Christopher; III. John; IV. Matthew of Ardsley, b. 1615; V. Thomas; VI. James; VII. Martin; VIII. William, who mar. tho widow of George Burdett, da. of John Totwell, and had Judith, the wife of John Mun- dy. Matthew, fourth son of John, had two sons, James and Robert. James had Robert, James, Anne, and Judith. Robert removed to America, and set- tled at Flushing, L. I., in 1645. He left Anthony, Benjamin, and Robert.
Anthony, the eldest, mar. Susannah , and had first, John, who removed
to New Jersey. He was the father of Jeremiah and others ; secondly, Ben- jamin, who mar. Hannah Bowne, she was b. in 1665, and d. A. D. 1707. The children of Benjamin and Hannah, were I. Robert, b. 1707, the father of Uri- ah. Uriah left 1. Aaron, who had first Charles, the father of seven children, viz.; Edward, Rit hird, Charles M., Aaron, Phoebe, Jane, and Louisa M., 2nd. Richard, 4th. Sarah C, 5th Anne, 6th Eliza, and 7th. Hannah ; 2. Rob- ert, second son of Uriah, 3. Josiah, ibid., 4. James, ibid., 5. Abigail, 6. Elis- abeth, 7. Hannah, 8. Sarah, 9. Mary, 10. Anna. The two da. of Robert, son of Benjamin, were Jerusha and Sarah. II. Benjamin, b. 1692 ; III. John, b. 1694 ; IV. Samuel, b. 1696, left three sons, William, Stephen, and John. William had William and Samuel ; V. Anthony of Harrison, Westchester Co., b. 1698, mar. Hannah Burling, and had 1. John of Yorktowo, who mar. Lydia
APPENDIX. 617
Hazard of Rhode Island, 3. Thomas, 3. Moses, 4. Samael, roar. Abigail Haight, 5. Benjamin, b. 1733, d. 1818, roar. Jerusha Sutton, 6. William, mar. Mary Hatfield, 7. Sarah, mar. Joseph Waters, 8. Mary. John, eldest son of Anthony and Hannah, led nine sons and four da., 1. Hazard, mar., 1. Frances Wright, 2. Mary Bailey, and had two sons, Benjamin and Joseph. Benjamin mar. Catharine Depeyster, and has one son, Cortlandt. The four da. of Haz- ard are Phoebe, Hannah, Jerusha, and Abigail. 2. John mar. Frances Perry, 3. Daniel mar. Elizabeth Field, and lef^ one son James, and two da. James had Edward, James, and Adele. 4. James ; 5. Joseph ; 6. Moses of Peeks^ kill, d. Oct. 18, 1833, mar. Susan K. Osgood, and le(\. Maunsell, Osgood, Franklin C, Moses A., William Hazard, Susan K., and Caroline M. 7. William, mar. Sarah Fairchild, had a son William, who mar. Margaretta Day. The latter lefl two children, viz., William and Helen. 8. Hickson, mar. Eleanor K. De Forest, and had a son Hickson, who mar. Mary Brad- burst, and a da. Eleanor, who mar. John Jay. 0. Seaman, youngest son of John, mar. Eliza Debourg, and has De Forest, Eliza, mar. J. T. Blanchard, Odell, and Clemence. 10. Abigail, mar. Leonard Van Hoosen. 11. Phcebe, mar. Henry Fowler. 13. Jerusha. 13. Josiah. 14. Sarah, mar. Caleb Horton. 15. Abigail, d. young. VI. Joseph, b. 1703, left Gilbert, Nehe- raiah, Solomon, and Comfort. VII. Hannah, b. 1700. VIII. Sarah, young- est da. of Benjamin and Hannah Bowne, was b. A. D. 1704. Arrfts, sa, a chey. betw. 3 garbs, arg. Crests a dexter arm, issuing out of the clouds, fesse ways, ppr., habited gu., holding in the hand ppr., a spear, or.
Falconer. Peter Falconer^ one of the first patentees of North Castle, lefi two sons. I. William, who had 1. Josiah, 3. Ruth, 3. Catharine, 4. Han- nah. II. John of Eastchester, b. Dec. 18, 1747, d. June 34, 1831, ait. 88, mar. Elizabeth Purdy, she was b. May 31, 1749, d. Dec. 33, 1799. Their children were 1. David of N. Y., b. Dec. 10, 1773. S. Jonathan of Miltown, N. v., b. Feb. 14, 1774, 3. Roger of N. J., b. Aug. 30, 1775, 4. Josiah of N. Y. b. May 1, 1780, 5. William of N. Y. b. May 1, 1780, 6. Anne, b. Dec. 9, 1779, mar. Matthew Fogel, 7. Elizabeth, b. July, 1781, mar. William Baldwin, 8. Catharine, b. January 8, 1783, man John Fisher, of White Plains.
Ferris of Westchester. The family of Ferris came, according to the earliest accounts, from Normandy. Henry de Feriers, the son of Gnal- chelme de Feriers, a Norman, obtained from William the Conqueror, large grants of land in the counties of Staffordshire, Derbyshire, and Leicestershire. John Ferris, a native of Leicestershire, England, emigrated to Fairfield, Con- necticut, from whence he removed to Westchester about 1654. He was one of the first patentees of the town of Westchester, A. D. 1667. He mar. Mary , and left five sons and four da. I. Samuel, one of the first assis- tants, and common council of the borough town of Westchester, mar. 1699, Sarah, da. of John Pinckney. II. John. III. James of Throckmorton^a
618 APPENDIX.
neck, d. 174A, mar, Anne Sands. IV. Jonathan of Cortlairdts manor, d. 1753, had isaoe, two sons,*!. Jonathan, who left Honorable Jonathan, and F. Heniy, 9. Da?id, who left David and Caleb. V. Peter. VI. Mary, mar. — Bur-
ling. VII. Hannah, mar. Mott. VIII. Martha, mar. Clark. IX.
Sarah, mar. Solomon Palmer. James, third son of John, left, lat. John, pro- prietor of the Grove Farm, Throckmorton^s neck, b. Jane, 1733, d. Janoarj, 1814, mar. Mianna Hunt, da. of Thomas Hant, and had two sons and fonr da. I. Elijah, b. 84th Jan. 1768, d. May, 1842, mar. Amelia Livingston, da. of Philip Livingston, and left Lindley, John H., William Livingston, and Charl- ton. II. Jonathan of New York, mar. Ursula Catplin, and had John, Alexan- der, Lynd, M. D., Charles, Mortimer, Edwin, Valentine, Helen, mar. Dr. Brayton, Martha, and Almira. III. Hannah, mar. Valentine Seaman, M. D. IV. Elizabeth, mar. Thomas Cock, M. D. V. Elvina. VI. Mary. 8d. James, heir of his father James, taken prisoner by the Qaeen^s Rangers, du- ring the Revolutionary war, mar. Charity Thomas, da. of the Hon. John Thomas, she was b. July 3, 17^4. The issue of James and Charity were I. Thomas, clerk ^Ahe County of Westchester, mar. Mary Ann Banks, and left
1. Samuel of Northcastle, mar. Hetty Guion, 2. Harriet, 3. Margaret, mar.
John Harris, 4. Anne, mar. Cliff, 5. Deborah, 6. Catharine, Upar. Joha
Guion, 7. Maria. II. James of New York, mar. Sarah Oakley, and had 1. Floyd, M. D., 2. James of Throckmorton Neck, alderman of the Sixth Ward, N. Y., 3. Henry, d. s. p., 4. Clayborn, clerk of the ward courts of N. Y., 5. Capt. Watson, commander of the St. George, patsket ship, 6. Warren, 7. Richard, 8. Ann, mair. Alexander Hamilton, 9. Elizabeth, 10. Charity, mar. Capt. Woodhouse, 11. Sarah, mar. — Hicks. III. Edward, d. Jan. 8, 1820, ttt. 52, mar. Elizabeth Godsby, da. of I'homas Godsby, of England. She d. Feb. 3, 1825, et. 54. The children of Edward are 1. Hon. Charles G., member of the 23d and 27th Congresses, and alderman of the 4th Ward, in 1832-3, 2. Caroline, mar. John Richardson. IV. David of Westchester, mar. Ann Ferris, da. of Benjamin, and had 1. Cornell of Westchester, d. 1845, 2. Edward, 3. George, 4. John T., 5. Clinton. V. George, youngest son of James and Charity, d. March 11, 1841, aet. 66, roar. Miss Post, and lefl 1. Thomas, heir of the Thomas ^tate, Harrison, Westchester Co.
2. Oscar, proprietor of the homestead un Throckmorton^s Neck, 3. Catharine,
mar. McCIay. VI. Mary, VII. Pepgy, VIII. Ann, mar. Philip Pell,
Judge Advocate of the American army. IX. Abigail, youngest da. of James and Charity, mar. Capt. David Harrison. ArmSf az, on a chev, sa, between three cinquefoils gu, as many horse shoes of the field. Cresty out of a ducal coronet, a sinister hand between two wings, ppr.
Fountain or Bedford Fountain, Esq., descended from the
Fountains of Stockingham, Devonshire, England, was a merchant of opulence, and emigrated to America about 1050. He d. let. 100, leaving Moses, and a younger son who d. s. p. et. 104. Moses, the eldest, had also two sons, via.
APPENDIX. 619
Moses and Matthew. The latter was a military officer of some distinction. Previous to the Revolutionary war he removed from Bedford to Eastcbester* where he d. from the bite of a fox, aet. 56. He lef^ four eons, I. Stephen. II. Aaron. III. Rev. Ezra of Bedford, b. 20ih May, 1743, d. Oct. 16, 1840. IV. James of Bedford. Rev. Ezra had, 1. James^ M. D., of the New York University, who has Hosea, M. D., of Somers, Elias, Jabez, Husted, C. Hor- ton, and Ezra James. 2. Hosea, 3. Tyler of Peekskill. Arms^ arg. threo bars, gamelles, gu, on a canton az. a lion passant guardant, or. Crests an eagle's head erased, holding in his beak a snake.
Fowler of East and Westchester. All of this name in Connecticut and New York are supposed to have originated from William Fowler of New Haven, who was elected a magistrate in 1637, and was one of the first settlers of Milfurd, 1639. John Fowler was living at Guilford, Conn, in 1650. Benjamin Fowler^ of Westchester, removed toPhilipso's Manor, b. 1715, mar. Sarah Vincent. Their children were, I. Anthony, mar. Elizabeth Taylor, and had, 1. Benjamin. 3. Abraham. 3. Anthony. 4. Nathaniel. 5. Sarah. II. Vincent, mar. 1st, Dorothy Valentine, 2nd, Mrs. Merriit, and left, 1. Ann. S. Abraham. 3. Rebecca. 4. Benjamin. 5. Mary. 6. Sarah. HI. Fred- erick, whose da. Jane mar. Jeremiah Dobbs. IV. Josiah, d. s. p. V. Ben- jamin, d. 8. p. VI. Hannah, mar. H. Fowler, M. D. VII. Ann, nar. Den- nis Brewer. VIII. Isabel, mar. Dennis Post. Henry Fowler of Eastcbester was one of the associate proprietors of the Long Reach Patent in 1708. He left Henry the father of William, who was b. A. D. 1701. William had Richard the father of Philemon of Eastcbester. Edmund Fowler of East- cbester d. A. D. 1747, mar. Rachel, and left, 1. Gilbert 2. Edmund, to whom his father devised all those lands in Eastcbester called Hutcbin^s. 3. Solomon. John Fowler of Eastcbester had John, Abigail, who mar. ■
Secor, and Jemima, who mar. Willianns. John Fowler, jr., d. cir. 1766,
mar. Elizabeth, and left, 1. John. 2. Andrew. 3. David. 4. Joshua. 5. Thomas.
Gaulladet of New Rochelle. The ancestors of the Gaulladeu wore Protestants, inhabitants of La Rochelle, in France. On the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes Pierre Elise6 Gaulladet, a physician at Rochelle, fled from France to England, from whence he removed to America and settled at New
Rochelle. His son Pierre d. A. D. 1774, mar. Willmouth, and left, 1.
Klisha. 2. Colonel Peter, commander of a troop of light horse in the Conti- nental service. 3. Joseph of New RocheUe, mar. Ann Badeau. 4. Mary, mai. Samuel Pease. 5. Frances, mar. Casting.
GuioN OF New Rochelle. Louis Guion, Ecuyer, ^* the founder of this eminently respectable family'* was b. at La Rochelle, in France, about 1640. Four years before the Revocation of the celebrated Edict of Nantes, he fled
520 APPENDIX.
with his family into England, from whence he emigrated to America and ael- tled at New Rochelle about 1687. Feb. 6th, 1695, he received laicenof denization from King William of England. His son Laouis, who d. at Nev
Rochelle cir. 1725, mar. Tomaza , and \e(i 1. Louis or Lewis, b. at sea,
who had 1. Isaac, mar. Mary Bolt and left Thomas^ Frederick S., Isaac, M. D., Laetitia, mar. Jos. Purdy, and Maria, b. 9th March, 1750. 9. Abra- ham, b. Ist Jan. 1719, d. Jan. 1, 1799, had issue 1. Frederick, b. 1751, d. 1831, mar. Jemima Uacketi,and left Frederick Augustus, Maria, Alethea, Julia, and Cornelia, 2 John, 3. Major Isaac of Natchez, mar. Sarah Lewis, and had Capl Frederick U. S. A., Hun. John of Yicksburgh, Hod. JLiOwis of Misaia- sippi, Cipt. Walter, U. S. A., 3. David, mar. Esther Parcot, 4. Peter, d. ap., 5. Jo^in of Rye Neck, b. Feb. 1, 1723, d. June 21, 1792, mar. 1747, Aona Hart, she was b. April 11, 1728, and d. Feb. 26. 1814. The children of Joho and Anna were 1. Jonathan, b. January 28, 1749, mar. Phoebe Lyon, and left two sons, James and Alvy. James, the eldest, had Rev. Thomas Tompkiaa, 2. Sarah, b. April 25, 1751, d. July 15, 1808, mar. Bartholomew Hadden,! Peter, b. May 27, 1753, d. 1772, 4. James, b. June 22, 1755, d. at New Haven, Feb. 1, 1781. 5. Dinah, b. May 7, 1757, mar. Peter Knapp, 6. Anna, b. Jan. 12. 1760, mar. Silas Knapp, 7. John, b. March 4, 1762, mar. Pbebe Huestis, 8. Abraham, b. January 26, 1765, d. Oct. 0, I8r?l, mar. May 19, 1793, Mary Purdy, Ehe was b. June 7, 1777, and d. Sept. 28, 1816. The children of Abraham and Mary were Anne Eliza, d. Oct. 26, 1840, mar. Thomas Haviland of Rye, Sarah, d. May 15, 1798, Maria, mar. JohnW. Conno?er, of New York, John, d. 19th Feb. 1798, William Henry, proprietor of the homestead on Rye Neck, Peter Knapp, d. July 10, 1838, mar. Jane Stockbridge of New York, James Hart of Rye Neck, mar. Jaoe Harriot, Sarah Ophelia, mar. Royal C. Orrasby of New York, Charity Amelia, mar. Garret Vermilyea of Rye, Hetty Adeline, mar. Gilbert Haight of Maroa- runejk, Charlotte Purdy, d. April 2, 1824, and Chalan Gabriel of Rye Neck, mar. Sarah Wright, of L. 1. 9. Isaac, b. Sept. 19, 1767, mar. £iizabeth Wilsey, 10. Elijah, b. April 19, 1770, mar. Elizabeth Marshall, and left Rev. John M., and the Hev. Elijah, who mar. Clara Beu*k, 11. Monmouth Hart, b. Oct. 8, 1771, mar. Anne Lyon. }1. Isaac, second son of second Louis, mar. Maria and had Louis of Eastchester. The latter left Lew- is of Eastchester, Daniel of Eastchester, Mary, mar. John Albeson, Isabel, Margaret, and Susannah. III. Aman, third son of second Louis, d. cir. 1757, mar. Elizabeth Samson, and had 1. Elias, b. Sept. 14, 1728, d. Nor. 26, 1811, mar. 16th December, 1770, Magdalene Soulice,and had Elias of New Rochelle, b. Feb. 19, 1772, Mary Elizabeth, b. May 24, 1776, Magdalene, b. 19th August, 1774, mar. "John Drake, son of Benjamin, 2. Benjamin, h. Feb., 1730, mar. Sarah Pell, da. of Joshua, she was b. July 30, 1744. They left Phoebe, bapt. 1784, and others, 3. Esaie, b. Aug. 26, 1736, 4. Aman of New Ho.'hellc, 5. Elizabeth, 6. Susannah, mar. John Landrine. IV.
APPENDIX. 521
Sasannab, only da. of second Louis, mar. John Sunlice. Arms. D*arg. au cap de Tigne de sable charge de trois grappes, de raisins de geales.
Hadley of Yonkers. Joseph Hadley was living at Tonkers, in 1687.
His grandson, Joseph, roar. Elittabel , and left George, who roar
Phoebe Tippett. The children of George were I. Isaac. IT. Frederick. III. George. IV. Abraham. V. Stephen. VI. William. VII. Elizabeth. Williaro, sixth son of George, roar. Elizabeth Warner, and left 1. Joseph, ob. at the West ; 2. Moses, whose son Moses is still living ; 3. Williaro, d. at N. Y. ; 4. Charles of Connecticut, where sons are still living; 5. John, d. ; 6. Jaroes of N. Y. ; 7. Isaac, whose two sons d. in the U. S. A. ; 8. Jacob of Western New York ; 9. Thomas, d. at Charlestown ; 10. George Wash* ington.
Hahpord op North Salem. The Rev. Thomas Hanford, was the Arst Presbyterian roinister of the town of Norwalk. He d. A. D. 1693, and left several sons. Thoroas, the eldest, had Thoroas. The latter left two sons, I.
Tboroas of Noiwalk, whose da. Mary, roar. Wentworth. II. Ger-
shom of North Salero, whose sons are 1. Gershoro; 2. Lewis of North Sa« lero ; 3. John of North Salero ; 4. Josiah ; 5. Thoroas ; 6. Neheroiah ; 7. Ste- phen.
Holmes of Bedford. This family derive their origin from John Holmes, who emigrated from Beverly, Yorkshire, England, to America, about 1660. In 1690, he was one of the resident proprietors of Bedford, b. oir. 1639, d. 1729. His son John was for many years town clerk, and justice of the peace for Bedford. John Holmes jun., d. A. D. 1763, he mar. Jeroiroa ■,
and left I. John, proprietor of the Coharoong farm, b. 1735, d. 176*2, who had Lewis and Catharine. II. Col. Jaroes, b. 1737, d. July, 1824, roar. Sept. 25, 1787, Taroar Lounsberry, she d. Oct. 11, 1788. Their two da. were Taroar, b. June 4, 1786, who roar. James Ronalds, and Sally, b. Oct. 27, 1787, who roar. Jereroiah Lounsberry of Bedford. HI. Stephen, proprietor of the homestead, d. Sept. 1779. IV. Sarah. V. Rebecca. VI. Lois. VII. Em* ma. VIIL Doreas. Of this family was David Holroes of Bedford, in 1710, whose sons were I. Joseph, who left Joseph of Bedford, the father of Na* than. The latter had two children, viz., Joseph and Safah, who roar. Charles Miller. II. Reuben. III. Jonathan, who roar. Dorothy, and left 1. Jonathan, who had two da., Martha, roar. Richard Wilder, and Mary, mar. Isaac Chase ; 2. Solomon, mar. Rachel Miller, and left a son and three da. ; 3. Hezekiah, mar. Elizabeth Finch, he d. in 1813, et. 100. The children of Hezekiah are Jaroes of Thoropsontown, Jonathan, Patty, et. 92, in 1847, and Rachel, at. 82 ; 4. Dorothy ; 5. Mary ; 6. Rachel. IV. David, left two sons, 1st. David, the father of David, 2nd. Sarouel, the father of Stephen.
Vol- II. 66
622 APPENDIX.
HoRTON OF Rye and White Plains. Joseph Hoiloa wac atiJHn be- fore 1679. He had several sons. Captain John, the eldest, left M^pf ^bo was li?ing at Rye, 1707. The latter had a son, Joseph, who oiar. Elizmbeth
. David of White Plains, supposed son of Joseph, had four •ona, I.
Joseph. II. Thomas. III. John. IV. Daniel, who had I. Stephen of Whita Plains, who left Daviil of Yonkers and Benjamin ; 2. Daniel ; 3. Smmoel ; 4. George W. of City Island ; 5. Elijah C. ; 6. Anne mar. Samqel Crawford of White Plains ; 7. Margaret. Of this family was William Hortoo of Kutg Street, Rye. who had I. Jeremiah of Mamaroneck, who mar. Elizabeth Hart, and left 1. Abraham; 3. James; 3. Benjamin; 4. Elijah; 5. Hannah; 6. Anne. II. Isaac, d. s. p. 1821, mar. Sarah Cornell. III. Timothy of I«. I. IV. Rachel. V. Pruer. Daniel Horton of Rye, a lineal descenAwt of first Joseph, b. Feb. 22, 1776, mar. Anne Stiang, she wrs b. Sept. 30, 1764. Their children were I. James, b. Oct. 29, 1767 ; 2. Henry, b. Feb. 19, 17S9; 3. Ebenezer, b. Nov. 30, 1796, ob. May 13, 1814. 4. Nathaniel, h. Jan. 17, 1794 ; 5. Phoebe, b. May 23, 1791 ; 6. Margaret, b. Oct. 20, 1795, d. Oct. 98. 1793 ; 7. Mary Ann, b. Sept. 9, 1798, d. May 18, 1823 ; 8. Martha, b. Sept. 7, 1801 ; 9. Margaret, b. April 2, 1804 ; 10. Caroline, b. Feb. 28, 1807 ; II. Elizabeth Ann,b. Oct 2, 1824. Of this family was. John Horton of Whita Plains, who d. 1763, and left 1. Azariah ; 2. Phoebe ; 3rd. Patience; 4. Haa- nah.
HuESTis OR EusTis. Robert Hoestis removed from Fairfield to West* cheater, aboot 1664. By his wife Elizabeth, he had Robert, John, Samoel, and David. James, whether connected with Robert or not, is aneertain, came from Fairfield to Eastchester, in 1665. The children of James were let. Jonathan^ b. Nov. 12, 1667. 2nd. James^ b. Feb. 15, 1669. 3d. Judah^ b. March 16, 1671. James, second son of James, mar.Tamar Pell,da. of Joho, and left Ist. James, d. cir. 1779-80, et. 80, mar. Tamar Ferris, and had 1. James mar. Griflfen; 2. Caleb; 3. Samuel, a man of great literary attain* ments, lost his manuscripts by fire, which brought on mental derangement,
mar. Appleby ; 4. Joshua, d. Dec. 1781, mar. Abbe Barker, she
d. cir. 1821, let. 90; 5. Martha, mar. James Boyd ; 6. Sarah, mar. Samoel Nelson. Joshua, fourth son of James, had I. Thomas of New Brunswick, b. Dec. 25, 1760, mar. 1. Phoebe Mabee ; 2. Eliza Smith. He left by PbcdM Mabee, 1. Joshua, mar. Sarah Black; 2. Peter, mar. Miss Lefurge; 3. James; 4. Nathaniel. By Eliza Smith, 1. Phoebe; 2. Mabee, mar. Simon Newcombe; 3. Abby; 4. Joshua; 5. Thomas. H. Mary, d. 1836, mar. Benjamin Palmer. III. Benjamin, b. Dec. 1765, mar. Hannah Higby, she was b. June 16, 1771. Their children were 1. Joshua; 2. Fleming; 3. Ben- jamin ; 4. Thomas Palmer ; 5. Samuel ; 6. William ; 7. Daniel ; 8. Harvej ; 9. Catharine, mar. Abraham Lent ; 10. Mary ; 11. Abigail Jane. IV. Joshua, proprietor of Pelham Neck, b. July 15, 1768, mar. Leah Rodman, and left Anna Maria, d. 1834, mar. Moses Odell. V. Elizabeth, b. Oct. 23, 1769, mar.
APPENDIX. 623
AngwIlM Lawrence Esqr. VI. Daniel, mar. Sasannah Rich, and left 1. Re- Keeea Anne, mar. Nicholas Uoderhill ; 2. Mary, mar. Charles Augustas Briggs. VJI. Elijah of Ithaca, Tompkins Co., mar. Elizabeth Greene, and had
1. Deborah Ann, mar. Ist, William Riccards, 2nd, John Perry ; 2 Jine, mar. Ist, John Farrell, 2nd, Will. Bennett ; 3. Emmeline, mar. John Cutis ; 4. Lo- renio Scott ; 6. Thomas Greene ; 6. Joshua ; 7. Charlotte. James, second son of first James, left secondly, John, b. cir. 1734, d. 1760, mar. Elizabeth
, and had I. John, ob. s. p. II. David, mar. Pinckney»
and left 1. Augustus, Esqr., of Westchester ; 2. Stephen ; 3. Elijah, 4. Benjamin. James, second son of first James, left thirdly, Samuel, of Long Reach, Eastchester. Arms^ sa. a saltier, betw. four martletts, ar. within a bordarefrm«
HoKT or HuNT^s Point. This family are presumed to spring from one of the younger sons of Thomas Hunt of Shrewsbury, county of Shropshire, England, son of Richard Hunt, bailiff of Shrewsbury in 1613. Thomas was high sheriff of Shropshire in 1656, and a colonel in the Parliament service ; he died A. D. 1669.
Thomas Hunt of Rye removed to Westchester, where he purchased the Grove Farm, which was patented to him by Governor Nicolls, 4th Dec. 1667. Will dated 6lh Oct. 1694,— Rec. Wills, No. v. 09 ; mar. Elizabeth Jessup, da. of Edward. They had, 1. Thomas, a trustee of the freehold and com- monalty of the town of Westchester in 1692. 2. Josiah, a trustee of ditto in 1692. 3. Joseph, who left a daughter Martha. 4. John, who mar. Grace
; his will is dat. 7ih Jan^y, 1711. 6. Abigail, mar. John Pinckney.
Thomas, the eldest, was father to Thomas of Hunt's Point, (who mar. Sarah Ward,) Augustus, Lewis, Robert, (who d. 1749.) and Abigail. Thomas and Sarah Ward left, 1. Thomas, b. 1727, d. July 4, 1838, mar. Ist, Milicent Wright) d. 15th Sept. 1832, 2nd, Hannah Wright. 2. Jesse, high sheriff of the County and proprietor of Hunter^s Island, mar. Miss Staples. 3. Ward,
mar. Briggs of Eastchester. Thomas, the eldest, left issue, 1. Thomas,
who mar. Frances Ambroise de Poline, and had Eliza and Frances. 2. Jo- seph, M. D., mar. Burnet of Demerara,and left Joseph, Thomas, James
of Michigan, and Henry. 3. Jonathan. 4. James, mar. Ward, da. of
Hon. Stephen. 5. Alsop, mar. Elizabeth Lockwood, da. of Major Ebenezer. 6. Henry, mar. -*-— Rogers of Demerara, and left two da. 7. Joshua. 8. Richard, mar. 1st, Elizabeth Tice, 2nd, Eliza Hardy. 9. Margaret of West Farms. 10. Sarah. Jesse, high sheriff of the county, had Capt. Thomas,
Lieut. Jesse, Samuel, and a da. who mar. Gracie. Ward, third son of
Thomas and youngest brother of Jesse, left Montgomery of Utica and Walter of Mount Pleasant.
Josiah Hunt, second son of Thomas of the Grove Farm, by his wife Bethia Horguson, left one son, commonly called Grove Josiah, who had 1. Thomas.
2. Moses of Long Reach, Eastchester. 3. Josiah. 4. David, father of Jo*
624 APPENDIX.
•iih. 5. Abner. 6. PhoBbe, mar. Fowler. 7. Masii%' 8. Akigiil#
mar. Buckbed. Thomas, eldest son of Joeiah, d. eir. iTdO, mar. Mar/
>- ■ ■ ,.jind had Mtanna, mar. John Ferris, Stephen^ father of Sy Wester, Charles^ Long Reach, Eastchester, Eloin^ Martha^ mar. James Tippett, Christina, Alathea, Arme, mar. John Leggett, and Helena, who mar. Jooathaa Odell. Moses, second son of Josiah, d. cir. 1760, and left Benjamin, Timothj,
Gilead, Reuben, Mary, mar. Yomans, Rebecca, Sarah, mar. Williaei
Oakley, and Martha, mar. Tippett. Josiah, third son of Josiah, d. eir.
1743, and had, Jacob, Caleb, Solomon the father of Nathao, Abi^H and
Anne ; Tabitha, Rachel, mar. Fowler, Rebecca, mar. Pell, Lydia,
mar. Walter Briggs, and Tabitha. Joseph, third son of Thomas Hant of the Grove Farm, left Martha and others. John Hunt, fourth son of Thomas of the Grove Farm, was a trustee of the freehold and commonalty of Westches- ter in 1099, d. cir. 1711, mar. Grace — ' , and had, 1. William, aocestor
of the Hunts of Tarrytown. 3. Joshua, d. eir. 1760, mar. Mary , and
liad, John father of Joshua, Caleb, Enoch, Joshoa,~Israel, Miriam, mar.
Oakley, and Mary. 3. Jonathan. 4. Mary, mar. Underbill. 6. Jere- miah, 6. Israel, whose son Israel left Joshua, the father of Gilbert and Israel.
The latter resided at Eastchester and mar. Bennett. 7. James, to whom
his father bequeathed thirty acres upon Throckmorton^s Neck. Of this family was Obadiah Hunt of Philipsborough who d. 1736, and had Obadiah and Anne. Obadiah, jr., d. cir. 1760, and lef^, 1. Obadiah. 2. John. 3. Zebediak. Joseph Hunt, a resident of Cortlandt's Manor, d. cir. 1768, mar. LoTioa — , and had, 1. Gilbert. 2. Levina. 3. Eunice. 4. Jemima. 5. Anne. 6. Father. Aaron Hunt of Westchester, a descendant of Thomas Hant of Hunt's Point, mar. Rebecca Haydock, and had, 1. Eden, b. Dec. 3, 1755, a guide to General Washington. 2. Major David, b. Sept. 4, 1757. 3. Mary, b. January 10, 1760. 4. Charlotte and Eleanor, b. Not. 18, 1762. 5. Eleanor, b. Not. 2lBt, 1764. 6. Aaron, b. Sept. 24, 1767. 7. Roger and Haydock, b. Sept. 22, 1770. 8. Moses, b. Feb. 25, 1773. Nehemiuh Hunt of Eastches- ter mar. Lawrence, and had, 1. Knphemia. 2. Anne. 3. Mary. 4.
Frederick. 5. Phoebe. 6. Theodosius. 7. Aaron, d. 1828, mar. Klixabeth Fowler, da. of Thomas Fowler, and had Theodosius, Richard and others. 8. Basil, who had Richard, Reuben, Nathan and Jacob. 9. Thomas. 10. Mar- tha. Arms, per pale, ar. and sa. a saltier ; counterchanged. Crest, a lion*s head, erased, per pale, ar. and sa. collared gu. lined and ringed or.
The family of Iryino is from Scotland, in the northern part of which king- dom it was, (as an ancient record quoted by Chambers the historian, and by Sir Walter Scott observes,) '* an ancient and principal family.^* Very freqaent mention is made of them in the early annals of that country ; and in soTeral instances they are spoken of by the above named writers as possessing a dis- tinguished position and great influence among the baronial families of the north east counties.
APPENDIX. 625
An old and Anrious manoacript history of this family is preserved by one of them in this country, entitled, *' The original of the Family of Irvinea or Erivinea, Written by Christopher Irvine, M. A.. State Physician and His- tory-grapher to his majesty, King Charles the Second, in Scotland/tnd gent to his brother Sir Gerard Irvine, Bart., of Castle Irvine in the kingdom of Ireland, in the year 1600/* From this manuscript it appears that the oldest branch of the family styled the " Irvines of Bonshaw,** were settled on the banks of the river Eshe, where they continued for many successive genera- tions with varying fortunes. From this sto^^k are descended the English and Irish Irvines, among the latter having been the Rt. Hon. General Sir John Irvine, Commander in chief of his majesty's forces in Ireland in the year 1779.
A very early offshoot of this parent stock were the " Irvines of Drum,^^ The eldest son of the house of Bonshaw, William, having been knighted by King Robert Bruce in the year 1290, and for long and faithful services in the field, having been endowed with the lands of Drum on the river Dee in Aber- deenshire, which are to this day in possession of his descendants. The castle of Drum is about ten miles from the city of Aberdeen, and is now inhabited by Alexander Irvine, Esq., the lineal descendant of the above Sir William. Sir William Irvine of Drum married the daughter of Sir Robert Keith, Knight, Lord Marshall of Scotland, and of Margaret Hay, daughter of Gilbert Hay, Lord Hay, first Constable of that family. The manuscript referred to observesv that, '* The king gave him the lands of the forest of Drum, and he himself having carried a private coat of arms whilst he was concealed under the name of the Earl of Carrick ; he likewise gave him that, with permission for him and his descendants forever to bear it as their armorial bearing, with this motto, *' sub sole^ sub umbra virens" alluding to the family's great fidelity to him in his troubles. The badge or bearing consists of three holly leaves banded gules^ on a shield argent.'*^ The history relates the vicissitudes which befell this family with much minuteness, and records their alliances with many of the most distinguished families of the kingdom ; Abernethy, Forbes, Ogilvie, Douglas, Leslie, Dundas, &c., &c. There were several families of conside- ration which sprung from these alliances, among which are named the Irvinea of King Caussie, Cutts, Glassil, Easterclane, Cornyhaugh, Murthil, and Aa- tainford, all of which eatatea were in the north-eastern counties of Scotland. During the civil wars they suffered severely in property, and have since lost much of their former infioence, although still retaining a position of the highest respectability among the gentry of that part of Scotland.
The first of the family who settled in America was William Irving, the aon of Magnua Irving, who was born inl731, and who on coming to this conntry in 1703, altered the orthography of the family name, changing the final letter from e to g^ to accord with the English usage. He was married at Falmouth, England, in 1701, to Sarah, daughter of John Sanders, Esq., of Falmouth, England. This gentleman was a very successful and highly respected mer- chant of the city of New York, commanding universal esteem from his probity.
626 APPENDIX.
He died in the year 1807, leaving the following iasoe, 1. Wltliam, '' a mer* chant of the city of New York. He was dietingnished mm a gentleoua of literary taste, and in 1619 became a member of Congrees. He wae eoD«' eerned with his brother, Washington Irving, and Mr. J. K. Paalding ia writing for Salmagundi ;" b. 176a, d. 1881. He mar. Julia Paolding of Tar-
rytown, W. C. C, and left issne, I. Lewis Graham, mar. Hale, and had
Lewis and Charles. S. Rev. William Sanders of the Prot. Epis. Cb. d. a. p. 18:23. 3 Oscar, late of Tarrytown, mar. 1st, Miss Dayton, 9nd, El»a, widow of Mr. Romeyn. 4. Pierre Monro, counsellor at law, N. Y., mar. fat. Miss Berdau, and 2nd, his cousin Helen da. of General Richard Dodge. 5. Henij Ogden of Tarrytown. 6. Julia, mar. M. H. Grinnel, Esq.« of N. Y. IL Anne, b. 1770, mar. General Richard Dodge of Johnstown, Montgomery Co. she died A. D. 1808. 111. Peter Irving, M. D., of Tarrytown, b. io N. Y 1773, d. 1837, interred at Greenburgh. IT. Catharine Rodgers, b. 1774, mar. Daniel Paris, Esq., son of the late Colonel Isaac Paris. V. Bbeneier of Tarrytown, b. 1776, mar. Elizabeth Kip, (who died in 1897,) a descen- dant of the old Dutch family of that name in the city of N. Y. Their childxeB are 1. Pierre Paris, a clergyman of the Protestant Episcopal Charch« mar. Anna, da. of John Duer, Esq., a grandson of the late Major Greneral William Alexander, (Lord Sterling,) and has issue, Leslie, Alexander Dner, Anna, &o. 9. E^gar, mar. Amanda, da. of Thomas Tenant, Esq., of BalUmoie and has issue, Washington. 3. Theodore, a professor in Geneva College, mar. Jane, da. of the late Hon. Jacob Sutherland. 4. Sanders, mar. Jnlia, da. of John A. Granger, Esq. of Canandaigoa. 5. William. 6. Waabingvo, and several das., yet unmar. VI. John Treat, b. 1778, educated at Colom- bia College, a member of the bar, and for many years before bia death, which took place in 1838, first judge of the city and county of New York. He mar. a da. of the late Hon. Gabriel Furman, and leii issne, 1. Gabriel, mar. Miss Eckford. 3. William, an officer in the U. S. N., now de- ceased. 3. John Treat, mar. a da. of Abraham Schemerhorn, Esq. 4. Ab- by, mar. Henry Van Wart, junior, Esq. of Birmingham,. England. 5. George. VII. Sarah, b. 1780, mar. Henry Van Wart, sen. Esq. of Tarrytown, West- chester County, for the last forty years a resident of England. VIII. Wash- ington Irving of Tarrytown. Arms, arg. three bunches of holly leaves, three leaves in each bunch, vert, tied gu, the strings flotants. Crests an arm, coo- ped above the wrist, in armour, ppr. lying fessewise, holding in the gauntlet a bunch of holly, as in the arms.
Kip of New Castle. Jacobus Kip, a native of Holland, emigrated from that country to New Amsterdam, with his parents, about 1645. He was b. A. D. 1631, and mar. (March 8, 1654,) Maria de la Montaigne. She was b. at sea, off the island of Madeira, Jan. 26, 1637. Jacobus left issue, Johannes , b. Feb. 3, 1655 ; Jacobus, b. Oct. 14, 1656, mar. Catharine de Hart ; Abro'- ham, b. Dec. 21, 1658; Jesse, b. Dec. 2, 1660 ; Rachel, b. Jan. 7. 1664, mar. William Teller ; Maria, b. Dec. 2, 1666 ; Hendricus, b. Jan. 12, 1G68 ; Cath-
APPENDIX. B27
arine, b. Jan. 35, 1671, mar. Hans Kierated ; PeiruSj b. April 35, 1674 ; Ben* jctmin, b. Ang. 6. 1678, d. A. D. 1703 ; aad Samuel, b. Nov. 4. 1683. Jo- hannes, eldest SOD of Jacobus, laar. Sept. 4, 1682, Catharine, da. of William Hans Kiersted, grand da. of Annetje Jans Bogardus. Their children were 1. Maria, b. Sept. 13, 1086 ; 3. Sarah, b. Nov. 19, 1688 ; 3. Hans, b. Oct.
5, 1690; 4. Johannes, b. Jan. 31, 1694; 5. Catharine, b. Oct. 16, 1698;
6. Henricas, b. Oct. 30, 1700 ; 7, Benjamin and Blandina, twins, b. Mar. 31, 1703. Benjamin, eldest son of Johannes, removed into Westchester Coanty, where he purchased a farm of 400 acres. He was a justice of the peace under the Colonial Government, d. May 34, 1783, at Westchester, mar. Dorothy Davenport, she d. Sept. 3, 1807. Benjamin left issue, I. Mary, b. Sept. 18, 1734, mar. Robert Runnells. IL William, b. June 38, 1736, d. young. III. Elizabeth, b. April 9, 1738, mar. John Powell. IV. Jesse b. Feb. 33, 1740, ob. Jan. 1, 1780, mar. Ann, da. of Samuel Haight, she was b. April 18, 1745. They left six sons and two da. First, Benjamin. Second, Gilbert, mar. Hannah, da. of John Sarles, b. Sept. 4, 1767. Third, John, b. April 37, 1768, mar. Ann, da. of Samuel Quinby, and had four sons, and four da., viz., Jesse, Sophia, Quinby, mar. Cornelia Halsted ; Jane, Moses, mar. Martha Worden ; Mary Ann, mar. William Hidstead, of New York ; Leonard B., and Catharine. Fourth, Phahe, b. Feb. 36, 1770, mar. Abel Underbill. Fifth, Caleb, b. October 33, 1771, mar. GrifTeny Acker, and had four sons and one da. viz., Hiram, d. May 37, 1835, mar. Miss Hark- we 1, Solomon of the firm of Kip and Brown, New York, mar. Esther Con- way, and has Griffeny, Oscar, Amanda, Warren, and Celia ; Charles T., mar. Agnes Paxton, Rebecca Ann, mar. 1st, Conrad Gaynor, Snd, Francis Sniffen, d. July 13, 1843, of New York, Elias S., mar. Elizabeth Lacy, and left Caleb. Elizabeth, wife of Francis, d. Oct. 34, 1844. Six h, Miriam, b. Oct. 4. 1773. Seventh, James, b. March 9, 1777, mar. Abigail, da. of Sutton Rey- nolds, and had Reuben, mar. Maria Fowler, Eden| Miriam, and Ezra. The latter mar. Margaret Ann, da. of Seth Whitney, and had Seth, Elbert, and James. Eighth, Jes^e, of Somerstown, b. May 35, 1780, mar. 1. Eliz- abeth, da. of Abel Smith, and left one da. Phoebe, who mar. Wilson Brown of N. J. Jesse mar. Snd, Sarah Hunt, da. of Capt. Stephen, and had two sons and three da., viz., Elizabeth, mar. Jesse Cole of Indiana, William, mar. Adelaide Gowdy, Benjamin, Margaret Ann, mar. Thomas Russel, and Sally Ann. V. Abraham, third son of Benjamin, b. March 33, 1743, mar, Phoebe, da. of Samuel Haight. They had 1st. Samuel, mar. Elizabeth Ci* pher, and had Abraham and Walter. 3nd. Abraham, who mar. Catharine, da. of Samuel Quinby, and left, Reuben, Ann, Phoebe, Mary, Josiah, Jane, and Abraham. VI. Jacobus, b. Feb. 38, 1745, d. young. VII. Sarah, b. Sept. 30, 1746, mar. James Weeks. VIII. William, b. Dec. 1748, mar. Mary Merritt, and left Isaac, who mar. Mary, da. Joseph Washburn, Sarah, mar. John Reqoa, Prudence, mar. John Sarles, Dorothy, mar. Gilbert Baker, Tho- mas, mar. Amy, da. of Isaac Conklin, Martha, mar. Mosea Marshall, Abigailf
628 APPENDIX.
mir. James Washborn, BeDjamin, mar. Phcebe, da. of Ismme Conklio, mod left, ConkliD, Charles, Mary Ann, Rebecca, Sarah, Charlotte, and Aaroo. Ann Kip, sixth da. of William and Mary, mar. Joeeph Tompkins. Tamar, the youngest, mar. Absalom Underhill. IX. James, b. April 6, 1751, mar. Zipporah Carpenter, and had John of Canada, who mar. Rath Carpenter, da. of Caleb, Daniel, Elizabeth, mar. William Green, and Charlotte, who mar. Samael Hewlett of Datchess Co. X. Samuel, b. Dec. 16, 1753, mar. FreeloTe Totten, and left one son*and three da., Tii., Freelove, mar. Silas Arnold, Samael, who mar. Taroar Thorn, and has two sons, Stephen and Benjamio ; Sarah and Lydia. XL Thomas, b. July 14, 1756,. d. Sept. 1, 1833, mar. Abigail Hatfield and had three sons and three da., viz., Mary, mar. Stephea Kingland, of N. Y., Isaac, Benjamin, William, Dorothy, and Jane. XU. Mary, b. Feb. 14, 1761, ob. s. p.
Keeler of North Salem. Jonah Keeler, one of the first settlers of North Salem, left two sons, Zedidiah and Job. The eldeat had, I. Job of North Salem. H. Nathan of ditto. III. Jeremiah of ditto. IV. Ada. mar. LobdelL V. A da. mar. Brash. VI. A da. mar. Smith.
Lee of Yorktown. This family, sopposed to have been a younger branch of the Lee's of Lee-Magna, Kent, England, settled in Nottingham at an early period. William Lee* emigrated from Nottingham to America in 1675, d. 1724. mar. Mary Marvin, and left three sons and seven da. His sona were, Thomas of Long Island, d. s. p. ; Joseph of Long Island, and Richard, who entered the French military service in Canada ; d. s. p. Joseph, second son of William, had, I. Joseph of Yorktown, d. et. 77, and left, 1. WiUiam,d. St. 50. 2. Joseph d. «i. 50. 3. Abigail d. et. 40. 4. Hon. Elijah d. ct.
78, mar. isl, Concklin, 2d, Brown, 3d, Brown, 4th,
Williamson. 5. Enos d. aet 70. 6. Anne mar. Capt. Saml. Haight ; she d. St. 70. 7. Hannah roar. James Brewer, M. D. ; she d. aet. 70. 8. Phoebe d. aeL 70 ; mar. Daniel Horton. 9. Elizabeth d. et. 60 ; mar. Joseph Inger- soU. 10. Sarah d. et. 20. II. Thomas of Woodbridge, Cortlandt's Manor,
d. et. 80 ; left, 1. David d. et. 90 ; mar. Young. 2. Peter of Ohio d.
et. 80. 3. Paul d. et. 70. 4. Israel of Orange Co. d. et. 80. 5. Philip, also of Orange Co., d. et. 74. 6. William of New Jersey d. et. 80. 7. Thomas, also of New Jersey. 8. Hannah d. s. p. 9. Phoebe d. s. p. HI. John removed from Long Island to Yorktown, W. C. Co., in 1750 ; b. 1726, d. March 12, 1816, mar. Sarah Perine ; she d. July 31, 1796, et. 74. Their children were, 1. Thomas d. et. 40, s. p. 2. John of New Jersey d. set. 84. 3. Sarah d. et. 65, mar. John Horton. 4. Henry d. et. 90, s. p. 5. Hannah
> Elizabeth Lee, lister of the above mentioned William, bequeathed her estate in England to the heirs general
APPENDIX. 529
d. «t. 87, 8. p. 6. Margaret d. et. 77, mar. Jonas Williams. 7. Abigail d. aet. 60, mar. David Knapp. 8. Phoebe d. st. 78, mar. Fraucis Colgrove. 9. Dinah, still living aet. 85, mar. Thaddeus Rockwell. 10. Robert of York- town, still living aet. 81. IV. Phoebe d. aet. 84, mar. 1744 Dennis Coombs.
v. Anna d. aet. 80, mar. Martin. VI. Ruth d. aet. 80, mar. Job Wright.
VII. Elizabeth d. aet. 80, mar. Martineau. Vlli. Sarah d. aet.60. IX.
Mary d. aet. 64. X. Abigail d. aet. 18. Arms. — Az. on a fesse, between two fillets, or, three leopard's heads, gu. CresL^^K demi Moor ppr. vested ga. rimmed round the collar with two bars or, tied round the waist with a rib- bon ar. wreathed about the head ar. and gu, holding in his dexter hand a gem-ring of the third.
Le Comte, or Le Count, of New Rochelle. — The ancestors of the Le Count's were Protestants, inhabitants of La Rochelle, in France. They were of honorable and noble descent, (as the name implies,) and there possessed considerable estates. On the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, Guillaume Le Comte fied from France to England, and soon af\cr came to America. Guillaume m. Marguerita , and had Guillaume, Peter and Esther. Guil- laume, junior, mar. Annette Martha — , and left two sons, Francis and Jo- siah. Francis, the eldest, had, I. Paul d. in 1815, s. p. II. Josias mar. Anne Richo and John of New York, and Thomas of ditto. III. John m. Han- nah Ferris, and left, 1. Samuel. 2. Hannah. 3. Eleanor. IV. Joseph mar. Hannah Raymond, and had, 1. Piatt. 2. Francis. 3. Joseph. 4. Elizabeth. Josiah, second son of 2d Guillaume, mar. 1. Mary Angevine. 3. Susannah Soulice, and ]ef\, I. Peter, lost at sea. II. John mar. Sarah Badeau. III. Mary mar. Nathaniel Lawrence. John and Sarah had, 1. Capt. Josiah of New Rochelle. 2. William of New Rochelle. 3 John. Of this family was Pierre Le Comte of Staten Island, whod. 1702, mar. Mar- garet , and bad three sons, viz. John, Peter and James.
Le Fevre of New RociielLe. Peter Le Fevre, a French Protestant re- fugee, b. at Havre de Grace, fled from France to St. Domingo, W. I., and left a son John, b. 1753, d. 1837, who removed from St. Domingo to New Rochelle. John mar. Susannah Coutant, da. of Isaac ; she died 1802. Their children are, 1. Peter. 2. Prosper. 3. John. 4. Benjamin. 5. Drake.
Lent of CoRTLkVDT, -^Ryek Abrahamsen Lent^ proprietor of Ryck*8 Patent, left Hercules, who d. about 1765. Hercules had, I. Jacob. II. Hendrick, the father of David. III. Abraham. IV. John Lent, who left John, Hercu- les present proprietor of the homestead, and Lewis of Cortlandtown. V. Rachel mar. James Lamb. VI. Catharine mar. Hendricke de Rondle. VII. Elizabeth.
Le Roux op New Rochelle. The family of Le Rous was among the Vol. I. 67
530 APPKNDK.
French HugueDots that fled frbxn France to America. Charles JLe Roux^ a native of France, left Charles and others. Catharine, a dm. of Charles, janr., married Thomas Ludlow, from whom the Ladlows descend.
LisPENARD OF New Rochelle. The ancestors of the Lispeoard family were also French Protestant refugees. Antoine, b. in France, left two sons, David and Anthony. David, proprietor of Davenport'a Neck, mar. Elizabeth, and had John and Elizabeth ; the latter d. Nov. 5, 1797. John left John. Anthony, second son of Antoine, mar. Elizabeth, da. of Leonaxd de Klyn of New York, and left Anthony, who mar. Abigail, and d. 1690. The children of Anthony and Abigail were, 1. Anthony, the father of Leo- nard. 9. Margaret. 3. Abigail, who mar. James Bleecker of New Ro* chelle.
LocKwooD OF PoDNDRiDGE. The family of Lockwood originallj deriv- ed from a place of the name in Staffordshire,* England^an estate which pasted in 1470 to the Henshaws of Cheshire by the mar. of Thos. Henshaw with Amie, only child of Richard Lockwood. ** Edmund Lockwood^ freeman iStk May, 1631, was of Cambridge, Mass., in 1632, and probably removed to Connec- ticut with Messrs. Hooker and Stone." Joseph Lockwood, who waa doubtless a descendant o( the above Edmund, removed from Stamford to Poondridge ia 1744 ; he mar. Hannah Close, da. of Solomon, and lefl, I. Joseph. II.
James. 111. Solomon mar. Close, da. of Odell Close. IV. Israel d.
1776. V. Reuben. VI. Nathaniel, who left Nathan. Joseph, the eldest, mar. Mary Drake, and had, 1. Major Ebenezec of Poundridge,. d. 1821; his sons are the Hon. Ezra and Horatio of Poundridge. 2. Joseph of Stamford, who left Solomon and others. Of this family was SUas Lockwood^ whose son Stephen lef\ issue, 1. Hon. Albert of Sing Sing. 2. General Munson Lock- wood of White Plains, &c. Arms. — Arg. a fesse between three martletts sa. Crest, — On the stump of an oak tree erased ppr, a martlett sa.
Lyon of Norih Castle. The first emigrants of this family, (which claims to be of Scotiieh origin,) settled in Massachusetts. The name of John Lyon occurs as early as 1648. Peter Lyon was admitted freeman in 1649. William of Roxhury^ member of the artillery company, was a freeman of that place, and d. A. D. 1692. His son Joseph was b. 1654. John descend- ed from the above, removed to Rye about 1719. His son John had four sona. I. Capt. Ro^erd. May 13, 1797 ; mar. Mary Wilson of Kings* street. Rye ; she died 19ihMay, 1813, aet. 83. Their children were, 1. Major Samuel of the
« There is another family of the name of Lockwood, who derive from Lock- wood in Vorkshire.
APPENDIX. 631
Continental army mar. Mary Loansberry, and left Samuel, Esq. of North Caatle, who married Rosalinda Fowler ; the latter d. Dec. 19, 1844. 3. Ro- ^r. 3. Justus or Jesse, who left John of Bedford. 4. Gilbert of the Con- tinental army had Jesse of Eastchester. 5. Daniel. 6. Joseph. 7. Glori- anna mar. Andrew Sniffen. 8. Sarah mar. William Wright. II. John. III. Samuel. IV. James, proprietor of Byram Point, left, 1. Daniel. 3. David. 3. Benjamin. 4. Woolsey. 5. James. Daniel, eldest son of James, had Lauretta, who mar. Mr. Brock, and Lavina, who mar. John Horton. Of this family was Peter Lyon, Esq., of North Castle, who had, I. Jonathan of New York. II. James of Tarrytown, the father of William P. Lyon, Esq., Prin- cipal of the Irving institute. III. Samuel of Michigan. IV. Edward of Seneca Falls. V. Peter of New York. VI. Ann mar. William Briit. VIL Sarah mar. Abner lliggins. VIII. Phoebe mar. Richard Palmer. IX. Mary mar., 1. John Tucker. 2. Benjamin Watson.
McKeel of Yorktowic. Michael McKeeU who was one of the earliest settlers of Yorktown, had sons Uriah, John and Isaac. The latter left issue Jesse, Jacob of Peekskill, Caleb of Scipio, New York, Joshua of Hector^ Tompkins Co., N. Y., Isaac of Yorktown, and George of ditto.
Mead of Greenwich and Lewisborough. John Mead emigrated from Greenwich, Kent Co., England, in the year 1643, and settled in the town of Greenwich, Fairfield, Connecticut. Of his two sons Joseph and John, the first d. young ; the second (John) had eight sons and three da., viz. John, Jo- seph, Jonathan, Ebenezer, Benjamin, Nathaniel, David, Samuel, Susanna, Abigail and Mary. Joiuithan^ the third son of second John, left Elnathan, who had Elnathan ; Eunice mar. J. Close and Deborah. Elnathan, son of Elnathan, had, I. Elnathan, who lefl Elnathan and Sarah. Elnathan, great grandson of first Elnathan, had, 1. Hibbard. 3. Solomon, the father of Wil- liam, Seth, Sarah, Tyler, Charles, Thomas and Solomon. 3. Tyler, who left Mans, Hetty, Abel and Floy. II. Henry. III. Abram had, 1. Abram. 3. Esbon. 3. Jotham. 4. Enos. 5. Daniel. 6. Lemuel. 7. Isaac. 8. Job. 9. Zebulon. 10. Mansah mar. Electa Mead. 11. Eunice mar., 1st. Solo- mon Mead ; 3d. Benjamin Weed. 13. Ruth mar. Major Brown. IV. Ste- phen had, 1. Stephen, who left Jane and Betsy. 3. Israel, who had Jamea, Alfred, Alexander, Israel, Stephen, Lemuel, Hiram and Mary. 3. Edward, the father of Edward. 4. James, who had John Wolcott. 5. Amos. 0, Matthias. 7. Albert. 8. William. 9. Mary mar. Job Brown. 10. Eunice mar. Mr. Piatt.
Ebenezer^ fourth son of second John, left Ebenezer, Caleb ; Sarah mar. Jonathan Hobby, Hannah mar. John Hobby ; Jabez ; David ; Abigail mar^ Isaac Holmes, Susannah mar. Moses Huested, Jemima mar. Moses Knapp. Ebenezery the eldest son of second Ebenezer, mar. Mary Mead, %nd left, I. Ebenezer, whose children were, 1. Nancy. 3. Hannah. 3. Marrilda majr,
632 APPENDIX.
T. Bronghton. 4. Ebenexer, who had Ehenexer the father of WiHiam, Ebe- Aezer, Maria, Theodore, &c. 6. Hannah mar. T. Walker. 6. Jabes. 7. Amy mar. Kpenetos Lockwood. II. Hannah mar. Elkanah Meed, and left Hannah, Sarah and Amoa. III. Enoch d. Sept. 18, 1807, et. 52, mar. Je^ mima Mead ; she d. April 4, 1837, et. 82 : her children were, I. Solomon*
who mar. Gilbert, and left Mary, Enoch, Gilbert, Laura and Tharsa. %.
Alfred mar. Mary Brundage. 3. Thurza mar. Joseph Bmndage. 4. Laara mar. Joel Todd. 5. Henry d. Dee. 10, 1811, et. 11. 6. Knfus d. SepL 15, 1799. 7. Nancy. 8. Sarah d. May 19, 1784. Silas of Quaker Ridge, Conn., second »on of second Ebenezer, b. 1719, d. 1817, mar. Mary Mead; shewasb. 1724, d. 1787. Their children were, I. Silas, b. 1748. d. 1813, mar. Sarah Mead, and left Sarah, Francis and Silas H. ; the latter mar. Har- riett Mead, and had Sarah, who mar. Silah Savage, and Silas D., who mar. Emily L. Close. Silas D. has one da. Myrtilla M. II. Abner, b. 1750, d. 1810, s. p. III. Aaron mar. Sarah Mead, da. of Eliphalet, and left Aaron of Cross River, Lewisboro\ mar. Miss Finch, Allan of Greenbargh mar. Mabel Todd, Amos of Cross River, Anna mar. Isaac Seely, Lacinda mar. Joseph Banks, Sarah (Mrs. Hoyt,) Mary mar. Harvey Keeler. IV. Mary. Y, Mary. VI. Calvin roar. Deborah Mead, da. of Jehia Mead, and had, 1. Ls- ander of Quaker Ridge mar. Anna Mead. 2. Luther of Ohio mar. Alice Mead, and had Marcus, Will. M., Joseph, Thos. L. and Anna. 3. Theresa (Mrs. Palmer.) 4. Myrtilla. 5. Lisetta mar. Obadiah Peck. 6. Marcos mar. Harriett • Sturges, and has Will, Elizabeth and Alice. 7. Rnfob mar. Anna Waterbury, and has Lucinda, Harriett, Stephen, Catharine and Sarah. 8. Mary Jane. 9. Herman mar. Margaret West ; has Marcus W. 10. Lo- cinda. Rev. Abraham, third son of second Ebenezer, d. et. 29. JanoM, fourth son of second Ebenezer, b. 1723, d. 1783, mar., 1. Sarah Ferris. S. Sarah Howe, and left, 1. Solomon. II. Edmund, father of Solomon. III. Noah. IV. Mark, who had, 1. Jonas mar. Abigail Mead, and lef\ Isaac and Emeline. 2. Sylvester. V. Jonas had, 1. Charles mar. Rachel Sackett,and left Sarah A. and Whitman S. 2. Hannah mar. Benj. Mead. 3. Mark. 4. Milo. 5. Sarah. 6. Sarah. Rev. Solomon, fifth son of second Ebenezer, removed from Greenwich to rjjMtlT Salem : first pastor of the Presbyterian Church in the latter place A D. 1752, d. Sept. 1812, mar., 1. Hannah Strong. 2. Hannah Clark, and left, 1. Andrew, who roar. Miss Barton, and had Tho- mas, Benjamin, Strong, Alice, Lucy, Hannah and Maria. 2. Theodosia (Mrs.
Smith.) 3. Clark of Lewisboro' mar. Gilbert and left Martin, Richard,
Rufus, Sophia, Laura, Rhoda and Linus. 4. Martin of Lewisboro*.
Deliverance, sixth son of second Ebenezer, d. et. 57, mar. Abigail Howe and had, 1. Elizabeth, b. 17G0, d. 1823, mar. Job Lyon. 2. Sarah, b. 1761, d. 1812, mar. Silas Mead. 3. Rachel, b. 1673, d. 1831, mar. Whitman Mead. 4. Hannah, b. 1765, mar. Joshua Mead, and left Solomon. 5. Jabez. 6. Robert, b. 1768, d. 1836, roar. Prudence Mead, left Edward. 7. Mary. 8. Huldah, mar. Zophor Mead. 9. Ephraim, b. 1775, mar. Zuba Mead, and had
APPENDIX. 533
Miry, mar. W. Merrtit, Huldah, mar. D. S. Mead, Thona, Mithea, Jane, Isaac D., Kliaabeth. and Ophelia. 10. Jabez, b. 1777, d. 1839, mar. Sarah Knapp, and left Julia, Belden, Mary E., and Will. K. 11. Zenas, b. 1779, mar. Maria Lashlers, and had Abigail, mar. Jonas Mead, Lueretia, Deborah, Henry, Julia, Eliza and Lyman. Amos, seventh ton of second Ebenezer, mar. Ruth Bush, she d. aet. 77 ; they had, 1. Richard, roar, let, Sarah Mead, Sod, Rachel Mead ; he left Thomas, who mar. H. Seaman and had Louisa, Thomas R., Seaman, Abigail R., and Elizabeth. The sisters of Thomas are Sophia, Elizabeth, mar. Webb, and Sarah, mar. Brush. 3. Tho- mas. Hannah, first da. of second Ebenezer, d. et. 29. Edmund, eighth son of second Ebenezer, d. et. 23. Jabex, ninth son of ditto, d. aet. 30. Jared^ tenth son of ditto, mar. Lydia Smith, and had 1. Leita, mar. Ebenezer Mead. 2. Daniel, mar. Rachel Mead, and left Smith, Jared, Letta, L. Delia, Eliza- beth, Adeline, Adeline, Edwin, and S. Mervin. 3. Lydia, mar. Lock- wood. 4. Alma. 6. Hannah, mar. Jonas Mead. 6. Jared, roar. Anna Armstrong, and has Amzi Armstrong. 7. Alvan, mar. Eliza Peck, and left. Ralph P., Warren B., Cornelia G., MeUncthon W., and Elvan C. Abraham, eleventh son of the second Ebenezer, d. apt. 86, mar. Keziah Howe, and had, 1. Deborah. 2. Zoplior, who mar. Huldah Mead and left Abram, Amelia, Louisa, Oliver, Esther, Sarah, and Mary E. 3. Isaao, mar. Clarinda Mead, and has Augustus. 4. Oliver. 6. Esther. 6. Lucy. 7. Lucy. 8. Lucy. Caleb, second son of first Ebenezer, the fourth son of second John, mar. and lefl, I. Elkanah, who had, 1. Sarah, mar. D. Hoested. 2. Hannah, mar. B. Smith. 3. Amos, who left Elkanah, Stephen Waring, Catharine, Sarah mar. B. Smith, Belcher, and Mary. II. Jonah, mar. 1st, Mary Mead, 2d, Rachel H nested, 3d, Hannah Mead. III. Abel, left Zadok, Benjamin, Phdebe, Lucy and Fanny. IV. Jeminui. Y. Deborah, mar. Jehiel Mead, and had, 1. Deborah. 2. Jehiel, who left Lewis, Harriet, William, William, Mary, Mary Ann and Hanford. Vl. Stephen. VII. Zadok. VIIL Rebecca. IX. Hannah. X. Mary, mar. Jabez Peck. XI. Caleb, had Ra- chel, Anne, Huldah, Hannah, Elizabeth, Caleb, Jemima, and Rebecca.
Benjamin, fifth son of second John, left a son Benjamin, who had, I. Ben* jamin, whose children were, 1. Mary. 2. Anna, mar. 1st, David Mead, 2od, James Bailey. 3. Theodoeia, mar. Edmund Mead. 4. Obadiah, engaged to Charity Mead, killed during the Revolution. 6. Phosbe, mar. Jehiel Mead. II. Thaddeus, who left 1. Edward Mead of Somers roar. Miss Finch, and had Squire Mead, John, Elizabeth mar. Henry Lane, Anne mar. James Banks* Clarissa mar. Mead Sutherland, Sarah mar. David Horton, and Hannah. 2. Ebenezer, roar. Abigail Chapman, and had Harvey, mar. Amy Brown, Whit- man, Solomon, mar. Nancy Ferris, and Edward. 3. Amaziah, mar. Miss Jessup, and has William and others. 4. Benjamin, left Solomon. 5. Sarah« mar. Stephen Sutherland. 6. Mary, mar. Noah Lyon. 7. Martha, mar^ Andrew Quick. 8. Tamar, mar. Benjamin Jessup. III. Sylvanus, who had 1. Whitman, mar. Rachel Mead« and left Mary, who mar. John Saokett, Zo* phar, mar. Martha Seaman, and left Araminta, Mary E., and Amelia. WhU^
534 APPENDIX,
man, mar. Grace CorneD, and has Grace and Henrietta. 3. Piatt, mar. De- borah Peck, and had Sackett, Sylvanoa, Sarah mar. John Robbina, Hannah mar. Daniel Peck, Gideon, Nathan, and Harriet mar. Bradlej Redfield. 3. Gideon, mar. Mary Miller, and left Underbill, Mary, and Maria. 4. Asel, mar. Anne Mead, and had Martin, the father of Alva, Amaziaby John, and Asel ; Henry, the father of William H., and David ; Levi, who has Joseph ; Mary, mar. Bailey ; and Hannah. IV. Gideon, left Gideon. V. fid- ward. VI. William, who had^ 1. William. 2. Abigail. 3. Anna. VII. Benjamin, left, 1. Margaret, mar. Hon. Nathan Rockwell. 2. Elizabeth, mar. J. Brown of Somers. 3. Sarah, mar. Joshna Peck. 4. Mary, mar. Sylvanus Ferris. 5. Rachel, mar. Caleb Lyon, jr. VIII. Sarah. IX. Klix- beth, mar. Theophilua Peck. X. Keziah, mar. laaac Howe, b. Feb. 1707, d. 1808. XI. Eliphalet, b. 1708, d. 1796, mar. and left, 1. Eliphalet, b. 1738,
d. 1808, mar. Anne , and bad Dariua, mar. Hannah Peck, and Anne.
Darius left Anne, mar. Leander Mead ; AUa, mar. Obadiah Mead ; Htddah ; Alva, mar. Jane Arundel, and had Samuel £., Hannah E., Samuel £., Lean- der, Hannah E., and Mary 1^ ; Adelia, is the youngest da. of Darius. 3. Jehiel, mar. Deborah Mead. 3. Jesse, mar. Rachel Knapp, and left a, Jesse, who mar. N. Compton, and had William, Elizabeth and George ; b, Elizabeth, mar. Daniel Van Vard ; c, Rachel, roar. Richard Dyckman ; d, Rebecca ; e, Dimions, mar. Richard Loyd. 4. Abigail, b. 1717, d. 1796. 5. Libeas, mar. Ist, Hannah Benedict, and 2nd, Widow Pocock, and has Eri, Martin, Jared, Hannah, Abby, Clarissa, Eliphalet, Sarah, and Sibah. 6. Eli, mar. Deborah Brush, and has Polly, Obadiah, Orson, Hannah, and Cynthia. 7. Sarah, mar. Aaron Mead. 8. Nancy, mar. Ebenezer Mead. 9. Rachel, mar. Benjamin, Knapp. XII. By second wife Benjamin had Rachel. XIII. Obadiah had Phoebe and Mary. XIV. Zebediah left Henry, b, 1754, Hannah, b. 1755, Lydia, b. 1757, and Levi, b. 1761. XV. Nehemiah left, 1. Lucy, mar. Isaac Howe. 2. Sarah, mar. Richard Mead. 3. Rachel, mar. Charles Weed. 4< Nehemiah, mar. Miss Richards, and left Samuel, William H., James, Sarah, Laura, and Caroline. 5. Clarinda, mar. Isaac Mead, and left Augustus. 6. Bethiel, mar. Stephen Davis.
Nathaniel^ sixth son of 2d John, had I. GenH John, who left John the father of Seth, Walter, Hipsibeth mar. J. Simmons, and Alice mar. Peter Mead, n. Capt. Matthew had, 1. Matthew, who left Matthew, Clemence mar. R. Rich, Hannah mar. H. Merritt, Justus mar. Nancy Hanford, and has Joseph, Justus, Matthew, Andrew J., Eliphalet, and three others ; Mary^ Thomas, Amos, Wtl^ liam mar. E. Lawrence, and had Jane E., &c. ; Hobby, is the youngest son of
Matthew. 2. Justus had Susan, mar. Eldridge, Bush, Walter, James,
Joseph, Rebecca, mar. Marshall, Anne, mar. Craft, and William.
3. Bush had Sophia, mar. Russell, Pothena, mar. Holmes, Stc,
III. Nathaniel left 1. Jaspar, the father of Bush. 2. Nathaniel. 3. William, mar. and left John, Gilbert, Nathaniel, William, Charity, Hannah, and Mary.
4. Charity. 5. Rachel. 6. Betsy. 7. Anna. Nathaniel Mead mar. Pru«
APPENDIX. 636
dence Wood, and had , T. Epenetas. II. Nathaniel, mar. Mist Brown, and left Neheiniah, Nathaniel, William, Tyler, Epenetus, Walter, and Harvey, &c. III. Joshua. IV. David, mar. Anna Mead. V. Israel. VI. Halsey,
VII. Jonathan, mar. Lyon. VIII. Hannah, mar. Wheeler. IX.
Dimny, mar. Thaddeus Hnestead. X. I'heodosia, mar. Benj. Close. XI. Robert. XII. Daniel S. XIII. Isaac.
Samael, seventh son of second John, left I. Peter, who had, I. Peter, who had Mary, Peter, Deborah, Cyras, Lackur, Anna, and Sandford. Lnckur mar. Sarah Fletcher, and has Benjamin and Robert. 2. Zacheus has Elsie, who mar. Job Mead, and had Zacheas, Amanda, Abraham, Emeline, and Elisa. Hannah, youngest da. of Zacheus, mar. Mark Mead. II. Zacheus. III. Samuel leA I. Charlotte. 2. Henry. 3. Artemas. 4. Bythemy. 5. Pris- cilia. 6. Lavinia. 7. Martha. ArmSf sa. a chev. betw. three pelicans or, vulned gu.
Morgan of Eastchester. James Morgan the ancestor of this family came to Eastchester from Wales about 1700, a«d settled where Caleb Mor- gan, Esq. his great grandson now lives ; will dat. 1764, Surr. Reo. xxiv. 447. He left James from whom the Morgans of Reading in Connecticut descend ; Caleb and*Cbarles of Eastchester. Caleb of Eastchester b. July 24, 1718, d. 1803, mar. Ist, Abigail Drake, sister to Col. Joseph, she was b. Oct. 22,
1727 ; 2d. Isabella . Caleb lef^ issue, I. Caleb of Peekskill, mar. Phoebe
Ward and had 1. Edmund of New York, d 2. Elijah of Biooklyn, L. I. II. Benjamin mar. Ist Miriam Ward, 2d Dinah Morgan, and left Caleb of New Rochelle, &c. III. Elijah of Poughkeepsie mar. Levina Hatfield and had 1. Elijah of Poughkeepsie. 2. Joseph of Poughkeepsie. 3. Gilbert. 4. Caleb of Poughkeepsie. 5. David. 6. Rebecca. 7. Sally mar. Rev. Mar- vin. IV. James of Eastchester who resided on the property now occupied by Charles Morgan, mar. Mary Guion and led 1. David mar. Mary Underbill. 2. John, mar. Eliza Maoready, 3. Daniel, mar. Sally Ann Morgan of Pough- keepsie. 4. Rebecca, mar George Farrington. 5 Anna, d. s. p. 6. Char- lotte mar. Hachaliah Purdy. 7. Dinah, mar. Ist, James Brown, 2d, Benja- min Morgaji. V. Moses d. June 18, 1818, mar. Oct. 4, 1786 Hetty Vincent, she was b. Feb. 10, 1769, d. Dec. 10, 1636. Moses had 1. Susannah, mar. Elijah Townsend. 2. Isabella, ob. s. p., 1809. 3. Vincent, mar. Esther T. Davis. 4. Abigail, mar. Lewis H. Hobby, d. 5. Caleb of Eastchester, mar. Esther Dederer. 6. Charlotte, d. s. p. 7. Hetty, s. p. 8. Lewis. 9. Au- gustus. 10. Moses. 11. Drake, d. s. p. 12. Hetty Vincent, d. 1810, s. p. VI. David, mar. 1st, Abigail Ward, da. of Isaac ; 2d, Peggy Ward, sister of Abigail ; 3d, Phoobe Astor, and had by first wife, 1. Eliza. 2. Martha. By second wife, 1. Clarissa. 2. Abigail Jane. VII. Augustus, mar. Pbosbe Myers. VIII. Abigail, mar. Elijah Johnson. IX. Charlotte, mar. Elijah Angevine of Scarsdale. Charles youngest son of first Jaroea, d. 1760, mar. Susannah Guion, and left I. James, August 20, 1750, mar. Phoebe Ludwell, da. of Edward, and had 1. Mary, mar. John Barker. 5L
636 APPENDIX.
Hannah, mar. James Hani. 3. Sarah mar. Mr. Wood. 4. Suaan. mar. Moses Drake. 5. Phoebe mar. Capt. Josiah Le Count. 6. Abby, mar. Daniel Drake. 7. Charles. 8. Eliza. II. Mary, b. Aug. 30, 1747, mar. Gilbert Valentine. III. Charles of Eastchester, b. May 8, 1756, d. May 18, 1833, mar. Jane Gaion, da. of David, she d. Oct. 30, 1823, and had 1. Mary, mar.
1st, Samuel Drake, 2d, Gilbert . 2. Susan, d. March 90, 184L 3.
Abijah, mar. Jane Underhill, da. of Col. Peter Underbill. 4. Abby, mar. Benjamin Washburn. 5. Hester, mar. Thooiaa Oakley. 6. Jane, mar. Fisher Valentine. 7. Anne, mar. John Valentine. 8. James mar. Sarah Anne Valentine, da. of Jacob. 9. I^etitia. IV. Abigail, b. April 13, 1746, mar. David Huested. V. Anne, b. August 20, 1752, mar. Edward Tredwell. VI. Phoebe, b. Sept. 20. 1754, mar. Elisha Shute. VII. Suaaonah b. Feb. 20, 1758, mar. Thomas Drake. }A. Eustatia, b. August 23, 1760, mar. John Garrett. ftjhj)
Odell of Rye and Greenburgh. William Odett^ one of the first settlers of Concord, Mass., removed to Fairfield, 1Q44. William his son was among the early settlers of Rye, in 1060. William, jun., leA five sons, vis. Stephen of Rye, who removed to Dutchess County, John of Fordham, Michael, Isaac, and Jonathan of Connecticut, ancestor of the Wilton branch. John of Fordham mar. Johanna Turner and had, I. John of Fordbam, mar.
Benson and left 1. John, the father of Isaac and Jemima. 2. Sarah,
mar. Hobbs. 3. Clyntje, mar. James Teller. II. Jonathan, mar. Mar- garet Dyckman. She was b. 1729, d. March 20, 1783. 1'hey left 1. Jae^, b. 1752, roar. Hannah Slymits, and had. Jonathan of Tarrytowo and Jacob. 2. Colonel John of the Continental army, b. Oct. 25, 1750, d. Oct. 26, 1835, mar. Abigail Brown, da. of Hachaliah, left Jackson of Greenburgh, who mar. Anna Ward, and Mary mar. Benjamin Underhill, 3. Abraham, b. January 4, 1760, d. February 26, 1820, roar. Ann Mindwe]l,and had Cornelius, mar. Jans Odell, da. of Jacob. 4. Isaac, b. September 25, 1758, d. June 24, 1811, mar. Phoebe Dean, and had Jonathan and Daniel. 5. William, b. March 18, 1762, mar. Hannah Wiltsea, and left Jonathan, Daniel, Isaac, Abraham, Jacob, William roar. Rebecca Dyckman, and Johanna, roar. Gerrit Dyckman. 6. Jonathan, b. May 8, 1766, d. July 17, 1767. 7. Johanna, b. Dec. 26, 1754, d. April 12, 1832. 8. Margaret, b. January 10, 1764, d. April 8, 1782. 9. Jane, b. Sept. 2, 1768, roar. Isaac Verroilyea. 10. Rebecca, b. Sept. 2, 1768, 11. Aubette, b. March 2, 1770, d. August 8, 1775. III. Abraham, mar. Re- becca Dyckman and had 1. General Jacob of Yonkers, roar. Ann Devorr and left Jacob of Yonkers and Jane, who roar. Cornelius M. Odell of Yonkers. 2. Jonathan, roar. Elizabeth Underhill and had Isaac of Brooklyn, L. I. ^ Rebecca, roar. Klijah Valentine. 4. Ellida, roar. Jaroes Oakley. 5. Jane^ mar. Abraham Valentine. 6. A da. mar. Isaac Odell. IV. Isaac, mar. ■
Devaux and had 1. Isaac, a guide to General Washington, mar. Odell,
and leA a da. who mar. -.i— Reynolds. 2. John* 3. /cmaMan of Oaonda^a,
APPENDIX. 637
father of Isaac, late member of Assembly. V. A da. mar. Evert Brown. VI*
Allida, mar. John Deraux. Michael, third son of William of Rye, mar.
Bussing, and had 1. Hendrick, mar. Sarah Devaux, and lofl James, mar. -^— Odell, Stephen, mar. Elizabetli Sherwood, Jonathan, mar. Eleanor Underhill, Margaret mar. Charles Dasenberry, Hannah mar. Lewis Rich and Sarah, mar. Matthias Archer. 2. John^ d. s. p. Isaao of Eastchester fourth son of William of Rye, who mar. Patience Tompkins, had three sons, William of
Eastchester, Joshua and Tompkins. William, the eldest, mar. Jones,
and left Daniel of Mile St^aare, who mar. Valentine, Abraham of Dutchess
County, and John of Tonkers. John the youngest mar. Jones, and had
Jonathan of Yonkers, who mar. Ferris^ and left Isaac the father of Jona*
than, Benjan^in and Gilbert, Joshua, second son of Isaac, mar. Sarah Jones, and had I. Joshua, mar. Polly Vincent, who had I. John of Dutchess County, mar. Esther Crawford and left, Peter, Daniel, James, Elizabeth, Abigail and Charlotte. 3. Isaac. 3. Joseph of Greenburgh, mar. Rebecca Tompkins, and had Joshua, William L., Anne, mar. Gilbert Tompkins, and Hannah, mar. Benjamin Brown. 4. Abraham of Dutchess mar. Mary Nelson, and had Stephen, Daniel, Joshua, Polly, Elizabeth and Sally. 5. Daniel, mar. Ann Boyce, and had Thomas B. of New York. 6. James mar. Elizabeth Odell and had Daniel, Benjamin, Lawrence, Mary, Ann, Susan, Jane, Caro- line and Harriett. 7. Sarah. 8. Abigail. 9. Joshua. II. Joseph of Odel- town, Lower Canada, mar. Martha Manning and had Joshua, John, Charles, Joseph, Jacob, Sarah, Martha and Kve. III. John of Yonkers, mar. Mary Wiltsea, and had 1. James, sqrmiroed the Blac|c Beard, mar. Abby Hunt, da. of CoK Hunt, and left Benjamin, John, Moses, Lancaster, Captain Joseph,
Charles, Rachel, mar. Estes, and Marianna, who mar. John Varian. 3.
Elizabeth. Arms* Ar. three cresents, gu.
Palmer of Mamaroneck. William Palmer of Westchester, d. about 1670, left Joseph, Benjamin, Samuel, proprietor of Mangopson Neck, Mama- Toneck, Obadiah and Thomas. Samuel of Mangopson Neck had issue, I. Obadiah,d. 1748, mar. Anne and left, I. William. 2. Samuel. 3. Benjamin.
4. David. 6. Obadiah. 6. Caleb. 7. Esther, mar. Angevine. 8.
lifary Anne. II. Nehemiah, d. 1760, had one son and a da. Mary. The son ' of Nehemiah left Harrison, Drake, Aaron, Nathan, Benjamin, Nehemiah and Elihu. III. Sylvanus of Mamaroneck, d. 1741, mar. Mary and had, 1. Rob- ert, mar. Mary — r—. 3. Sylvanus. 3* John, mar. I^ebecca, and left Joseph, Philip, Marcus, Lewis. Benjamin, Thomas, Esther and Martha. 4. Marma- duke. 5. Edward. 6. Anne. T. Susannah. 8. Charity. 9. Mary, IV. Solomon.
Post op Yonkers. r Post a native of Holland emigrated to the New
Netherlands. He had two sons Jacob and Tine. Jacob held lands in Philips- bnrgh under the Philipses. Ue mar. Anne Heddy aqd left six sons and three
YoL.lI. 68
538 APPENDIX.
da. I. Jacob, proprietor of the homestead, Tonkert, mar. Rachel Pinekoej. She was b. March S3, 1732. They had 1. Lewis, b. 15 October, 1756, mar. Abigail Oaklej. 3. Israel, b. May 15, 1758, mar. Naoey Rich. X David, b. March 28, 1760, d. October 16, 1803, mar. Margaret Fowler. 4. Frederick, b. November 16, 1762, mar. Eliaabeth Lawrence. &. James, bb September 10, 1766, mar. Rebecca Ferris. 6. Phcebe, b. October 90« 17M, roar. William Warner. 7. Eliaabeth, b. August 19, 1768^ mar. Moses War- ner. 8. Euphemia, b. May 7, 1772, mar. Aaron Warner. 9. Marj, h. Jooe 11, 1774, mar. Abraham Berriin. 10. Getty d. June 11, 1780. II. Abra- ham, mar. Rebecca Merrill and had 1. David of Baltimore. S. Jacob of Rockland, mar. Peggy Graham. 3. Abraham of Haveratraw, mar. Widow Gesner. 4. Clinton of Rockland, mar. Mary Briggs. 5. Grace, mar. Daniel Gesner. 6. Eliaabeth mar. Abraham Scudder. 7. Rachel, mar.
Isaac Fredeker. / 8. Peggy mar. Hibbert. III. Isaac, proprietor of
the Ludlow estate, Yonkers, mar. Polly Lawrence, and had 1. Samael mar. Polly Post. 2. Lawrence mar. Elisabeth Post. 3. William. 4. Betsy,
mar. Timothy Briggs. 5. Mary. 6. Peggy, mar. Hibbert. IV. Martio,
a guide to General Washington, mar. Polly Brown, and left 1. Evert, d. s. p.
2. Martin, mar. Polly Brown. 3. Jacob mar. Mary Lent. 4. Peter, mar. Betsy Anderson. 5. Peggy, mar. Jacob Dyckman. 6. Polly, mar. WiUiam Dyckman. V. Peter, mar. Dolly Warner, and left 1. Jacob, mar. Ana Storms. 2. William, mar. Polly Williams. 3. Harriet, mar. John Bowmaa. 4. Maria, mar. John Whipple. 5. Nelly, mar. Stephen Smith. 6. Peggy mar. Jacob l^torms. 7. Elizabeth, mar. Lawrence Post. 8. Susan, mar. Theodosius Rockwell. VI. Anthony of New York, mar, Nelly Brower, and had 1. Anthony, mar. Elizabeth Polhamus. 2. Nelly, mar. Odell Valentine.
3. Betsy, mar. Robert Manly, M. D. 4. Ann mar. William Bailey ; besides four other daughters who d. s. p. VII. Elizabeth, mar. Thomas Gregier, VIII. Margaret, mar, John Gregier, M. D. IX. Annetje, mar. Elnathan Taylor.
PuRDY or Rte. The Purdy family were among the early settlers of Fairfield, Connecticut. Francis Purdy the first member of the famOy of whom we have any account, died in 1658, at Fairfield. His sons were Francis, John and ISarouel. John the second left Francis, who had two sons, Joseph and John. Joseph the eldest, one of the first proprietors of. the
White Plains and Lame WilFs Purchases, d. about 1709, mar. Elizabeth
to whom her husband conveyed his rights in the White Plains Purchase. They had, I. Joseph, who left Obadiah, living in 1734» the father of Caleb, 1746. II. Daniel the father of Solomon and Benjamin. III. Samuel left the Hon. Samuel, a judge of the Court of. Common Pleas, who had Samuel and Caleb. IV. David who had David and Nathan of Ulster County, N. Y. V. Jonathan of White Plains, mar. Mary Hart. He had L Elijah^ ma/. Lari- nia Hoyt, and left Samuel, David, John, Israeli Elijah, Mary, mar. Joho
APPENDIX. 539
Pardy, Abby, mar. Jonatlian Pardy, Fridy mar. John Hariland, Leyinia, mar.' laenhart Purdy, Hester and Melissa who mar. Thomas Halstead. 3. /ona- than of Whiu Plains, mar. Charity Hadden and had a, Jonathan, killed by the fall of a tree, et. 18. 6, Benjamin of Parchase, mar. Elizabeth Pardy, da. of Samuel, and left Jonathan, d.,Sylfanas of Eastchester, Jonathan, Samael, d., and Benjamin, &c. c, Timothy, mar. 1st, Amy Hobbs, 3d, Mary Hont, and had Augustus, Jonathan, Amy mar. John Stapley, Deliah, mar. Dafid
Burgess, Charity mar. Fisher and Eliza, mar. Thomas Dick, d. Job
mar. — — Gedney. e, Nebe, mar. Amos Purdy, and left Moses, Emery, Susan, Charlotte and Margaret. /, Glorianna, mar. Henry Budd. g, Sarah, d. s. p. A, Elizabeth, d. s. p. t, Charity. 3. Joseph, mar. Charity Isen-
hart, and left Jonathan, Joseph, Henry, Wermoth, Michael, a da. mar.
De Lancey, and Charity mar. Purdy. 4. Elizabeth, mar. Williams.
VI. John mar. Rebecca. VII. Francis heir to his father^s lands on Budd*s Neck, who left Daniel. John, the youngest son of second Francis, left a son Daniel and others.
Samuel, youngest son of first Francis, mar. Penelope Strang da. of Daniel Strang and Charlotte his wife, and left issue three sons. tHrst. Henry. Se- cond, Josiah, mar. Wetmore, da. of Rot. James, and had, 1. Seth, pro- prietor of the homestead at Rye, mar. Phoebe Ketchum of L. I., and left Joshua, Seth, Josiah, Keziah, Alathea, Elizabeth, Charity, Melinda, and Phoebe. S. Alathea, mar. 1st, Joseph Purdy, 2nd, William Purdy. 3. Esther, mar. Henry Purdy of King street. 4. Hannah, mar. Josiah Merritt. Third, Caleb, mar. Hannah Brown, da. of Samuel and had, I. Caleb, mar. Ruth Peck, and left, 1. Caleb. 2. Elias. 3. Ruth. 4. Sarah. If. Samuel, mar. Glori- anna Fowler, and had, 1. Gabriel. 2. Samuel. 3. Phoebe. 4. Elizabeth. 5. Glorianna. 6. Hannah. III. Josiah, mar. U. Knapp, and left, 1. Josiah. 2. Joshua, who is presumed to ha?e had two sons, Hachaliah, who left four sons, viz., Daniel, Hachaliah, John, and Elijah. Daniel, the eldest, had Wil- liam of Salem and Daniel ; Hachaliah had Elijah of Somers ; Elijah mar.
Park and had issue. Joshua of Rye mar. Mary Park, by whom he had, first, Joseph, who mar. Letitia Guion and had three sons, Tiz., Isaac of North Salem, mar. Miss H.^rt, they left Isaac Hart of North Salem, Sally Ann,
mar. Lewis Brown, Rosanna, mar. Gerard Crane, Clarissa, mar. Perry*
M. D., Lydia, mar. Mr. Howe, Mary, mar. Rer. D. H. Short, Jane, mar. Floyd Keeler, Christina and Laetitia. Thomas of Rye, second son of Joseph
and Letitia, mar. Purdy, and left Edward, Henry, James, Elizabeth,
Cornelia, and Emeline. Hon. Joshua of North Salem, third son of Joseph, is still li?ing at North Salem. Second, Joshua, mar. Sarah Griffin, and had
Benjamin of Rye, mar. , da. of Jonathan Purdy, and left Edward of Rye,
William, Hetty, Mary, Julia, Ann, Harriet, and Adeline. The das. of Joshua and Sarah were Elizabeth, Deborah, Mary, Sarah, Esther, and Harriet. Third, Roger of Rye. Fourth, Isaac of Rye. IV. Andrew, fourth son of Caleb and Hannah Brown, mar. Phoebe Merritt, and had Robert of Eastches-
540 APPENDIX.
ter, Andrew of EMtchesier, John lierritt, PlMebOv and HeTelindah. V. No- hemiah, mar. Elizabeth Barchuin, aod left Thomas, Nehemiah, Caleb, Haa- nah, A one, Elizabeth, and Deborah. VI. SyWanos. VII. £Iia% mar. Rachel Merritt, and had Eliat, John Merritt, William Heory, Caleb, Sarah, and Ophelia. Till. Caroline. IX. Hannah. X. Let ioia. XI. Anoe.
Abraham Purdy of Yorktown, a descendant of first Joseph of White Plainsi b. 10th Oct. 1716. d. April 17th, 1778, mar. Phoebe Strang, she was h. Feb. 7, 1733, d. Oct. 37, 1759 ; their children were, I. Abraham, b. April 9, 1750, d. Aog. 1769, s. p. 11. Alfsn, b JanV 11, 1757, d. July 16, 1830, mar. Lydia Hunt, she d. Jan*y 37, 1843, ct. 83, and left issue, 1. Abraham si Goshen, Orange Co., mar. Charity Strang and had William, Alran, and Howell. 3. Alsop, d. s. p. 3. James, Post-master of Yorktown. 4. David, d. s. p. 5. Alran of Yorktown. 6. Elizabeth Ann, mar. J. H. Strang. III. Frances, b. July 33, 1753, mar. Col. John Drake. IV. Ebenezer, b. Dec. 6, 1754, roar. Hun. Ebenezer Foot of Delaware. Arms. Or, on a oheyron az. between three mullets sa. pierced of the field.
Rbnaud or New Rochellb. The ancestors of the Renaads were Protes- tants, inhabitants of Rochelle in France. On the ReTocation of the E^ict of Nantes, Daniel Renaud^ or Rayneaut fled from France to England, and soon after came thence to America. His son John left John, b. 1745, d. 1839,
who mar. Parcot, and had, I. Andrew of Westchester. If. James, mar.
Jane Renaud his cousin^ and left, 1. Cornelius. 3. Leonard. 3. Lewis. 4. Salmon. 5. Hiram. 6. Jerome. 7. Ambroise. 8. Lewis. III. John, whose descendants are scattered o?er the county. IV* Stephen left a da. Sarak» and others. V. Susan^ mar. James Secor. YI. Jane, mar. Betgamin Secor.
Requa of Greenburoh. The Requas of Westchester County all de- scend from Daniel Requa, who was an emigrant from La Rochelle in France. Daniel came to New Rochelle and afterwards mo?ed o?er and purchased a farm on the Hudson, about a mile and a half south of Tarry town, where some of his descendants yet live. He left four sons, Gloade or Glode, Juhn, Da?id and James. I. Gloade, the eldest, left six sons; 1. Isaac, b. June 3, 1758, mar. Henrietta . 3. Gabrieh 3. Samuel. 4. Daniel. 6. James.
6. James. IL John, d. s. p. III. James, the youngest son of first Danieli had, 1. Gabriel. 2. Joseph. 3. Daniel. 4. John. 5. James. 6. Gloade.
7. William. 8. Elijah. 9. Isaac, b. Jan. 31, 1779. 10. Gilbert*
RbinelA-udke or New Rochelle. Philip Jacob Rhinelander, the founder of the family, came from the Rhine, France, to America, soon after the ReTo- cation of the Edict of Nantes. He had three sons and a da. I. Philip Jacob. II. Bernard, who left, 1. William^ b. 1745, man Hester Deraux, and had a da. Mary Magdalen. 2. Jacobs b. Oct. 27th, 1740, d. s. p. Philip, mar. Deborah
APPENDIX. 641
Allen, and left Deborah, who mar. Isaac Underhill. III. William had, 1. Wil- liam C. of New York. 3. John of L. I. 3. A da. mar. William Paulding. IV. A da. mar. Mr. Schureman.
Rich BELL. John Richbell was of Southampton, England. His son John
was the first proprietor of Mamaroneck in 1660 ; mar. Anne , her will
dat. 1 April, 1700. Their two das. were Elizabeth and Anne. Elizabeth, the eldest, mar. Capt. James Mott, grandson of Adam Mott, of Hempstead, L. I. The children of Capt. James Mott and Anne were 1. James. 3. Mary. 3. Richbell, who mar. Elizabeth — — , and left, 1. Edmund of Cow Neck, L. I., who had issue Richbell, Edmund, John and Margaret. S. Rich- ard, ob. 1743, roar. Sarah Pearsali. 3. Adam of Staten Island. 4. Joseph. 5. Jemima. 6. Deborah.
The only brother of John Richbell, first proprietor of Mamaroneck, was Robert of Southampton, England, whose sons were Edward of Westminster, Middlesex, England, and Robert, junr. Edward of Westminster left Ed- ward of St. James*s Parish, Middlesex, heir-at-law of John Richbell of Ma- maroneek.
Rodman of RooMAii^s NeCk. Samnel Rodman roar. Mary Pell, «nd left, I. Joseph, proprietor of Morsels Island, New Rocheile. II. William, heir to his father^s lands on Rodman^s Neck, mar. Leah Myers, and had Mary, who mar. Nicholas Haight. III. Samuel roar. Anne Hicks of Hart Island, Pelham, and left 1. Samuel. 2. Capt. Charles Rodman of Eastchester. 3. Deborah mar. John Bertine. IV. Elizabeth mar. Philip Rich^.
RoMER OF Greenburoh. Jacob Romer, a native of Switzerland, emigra- ted to America before the RoToIution, and settled in Greenburgh. His sons were Capt. John of Greenburgh, William and James.
Secor of New Rochelle. The ancestor of this family was Amhroise SecoTf or Sycard, a Protestant refugee of Rochelle> who fled from France in 1681. His sons were Amhroise and Jacques. The latter mar. Catharine , and had, I. Jacques, owner of Richard Secor^s property, Upper Ro- chelle ; he mar. Jane Bennett, and had, 1. Jacques, b. Jnly 25, 1729. 2. Jacob, b. Sept. 11, 1737. 3. James, b. July 1ft, 1739, mar. Catharine Ber- tine, and left James, Mary and Catharine. 4. Benjamin, b. Sept. 9th, 1735, mar. Jane Parent, and had Thomas, Elizabeth, Jane, Mary, Susan and Esther. 5. Solomon, b. March 6, 174-. 6. Abraham mar. Hannah Simmons, and left Abraham, Richard and Lancaster. 7. Jane, b. Dec. 27, 1732, mar. John Pine of New Rochelle. 8. Catharine mar. Benjamin Jereau. 9. Mary mar. John Armand. 10. Isaac mar. Jane CoutanCt da. of Jacob ; she was b. March 18, 1746, d. Sept. 1, 1794, and left issue, Peter, Richard, Abraham, Beiya- min, William, Samuel, James, David, Elizabeth and Bfargaret. II. Peter,
642 APPENDIX.
owner uf the property now occupied by Mr. PhilemoQ Carpenter, mar. Es- ther Guion, da. of Isaac, and had, 1. Catharine, b. July SO, 174S. 2. Marie, b. March 34, 1731. 3. Esther, b. Jan. 32, 1738. lU. Ambroiae. IV. PaoL y. Daniel, owner of the property now occupied by Mr. Benjamin Secor,mar. Mary Archer, and left, 1. Jonathan, b. Feb. 8, 1749. 3. Jeremiah, b. Jan. Sd, 1740, and others.
Smith of NortA Castle. Benjamin Smith removed from Long Island to North Castle. His sons were, 1. Abel, mar. Bathsheba Hatchins, and left Abel of North Castle, John, James, Benjamin and Charity, who mar. Daniel Matthews of North Castle. II. Isaac, Sheriff of Westchester County, killed in the performance of his duty. III. Benjamin. IV. Jamee.
SouLiCE OF New Rochelle. John iSou/tce, a natire of the French Pyre- nees, in 1673 mar. Jane Curterrie, a native of the Rhine, and had two soni,
▼iz., Joshua, whose da. mar. Blaavelt, and John, b. in the Pyrenees A. D.
1692. The latter fled from the persecutions of the Trotestants in France, and emigrated to America A. D. 1700. He settled at New Rochelle, and mar. Mary Bennett, da. of Daniel; she was b. in France 1695. John and Mary left«issue, I. John of New Rochelle, mar. Maria, and had, 1. Elizabeth, b. Aug. 24, 1729. 2. Esther, b. Sept. 5, 1731. 3. Madeline, b. Sept. 9, 1733. 4. Catharine, b. Sept 5, 1734. 5. Susan, b. 1750. 6. Maria, b. May 30* 1745. II. Daniel, ancestor of the Soulices of Nora Scotia. III. Joabua, mar. Susannah Guion, and lef\, 1. Joshua of New Rochelle, mar. Mary Bon- nett, great grand-daughter of Daniel Bennett, the Huguenoty and has John Soulice of Upper New Rochelle. 2. Susannah, b. Oct. 4, 1765. IV. Su- sannah, y. Maria, mar. Abel Devaux. VI. A da. roar. Dubois. YII.
A da. mar. Unerray. VIII. Magdaline, mar. EJias Guion. IX. A da.
mar. .
Sutton or New Castlk. This family derive their origin from Joseph Sutton, whose father emigrated from the County of Lincolnshire, Cngland, to Massachusetts. Joseph, who remo?ed to Long Island, d. betw. 1765 and 1770, ct. 80, mar. Mary Sands, and had, I. Joseph of North Castle, d. et. 80, mar. Deborah Haight of Shappequa, and left several children. II. Caleb, d. aet. 70, mar. Abby Pell, and had, 1. Edward. 2. Andrew. 3. Pell. 4. Mary. 5. Sophia. 6. Solomon. 7. Henry. 8. Caleb. III. James of Cro- ton Valley, mar. Elizabeth Brown, and had, 1. Mary. 2. Jerusha. 3. Han- nah. 4. Joseph. 5. Amy. 6. James. IV. William of Croton, d. set. 80 mar. Dorcas Clapp, and had, 1. Jesse. 2. William. 3. Alice. V.Richard- son of Crutoo, b. July 11, 1732, d. 1776, mar. Elizabeth Quinby, da. of Moses ; she was b. Feb. 28, 1736. VI. Abby, mar. Robert Field. VII. Mary, mar! Samuel Palmer. VIII. Sophia. IX. Jerusha, mar. Benjamin Field. Rich- ardson, fifth son of Joseph, left issue, I. Esther, b. March 15, 1752, mar. Jo-
APPENDIX. 543
seph Tolten. II. Moses, b. March 15, 1756, mar. Rebecca Underbill, da. of Itaac, aod lefl, 1. Sarah, mar. Nehemiah Merrit. 2. Abraham, mar. Esther Carpenter. 3. Hannah, mar. Joseph Pierce. 4. Isaac, mar. Sarah Under- bill. 5. Mary, mar. David Merritt. 6. Aaron, mar. 1. M. Pierce; 3. Ann Haight. 7. Phoebe, mar. Aaron Quinby. 8. Moses, mar. Rebecca Under- bill. 9. Abby Jane. III. Daniel, b. May 22, 1758, mar. Phoebe Hiie8ted,da. of Jonathan, and had, 1. Rachel, mar. Silas Birch. 2. Esther, mar. John
Griffen. 3. Elizabeth, mar. Jesse Weeks. 4. Jacob, mar. Wheeler.
5. Deborah, mar. Adonijah Underbill. 6. Ann, mar. Joseph Birdsall. 7. Henry. 8. Louisa. IV. Deborah, b. Jo ne 17, 1760, mar. Zopher Griffen. V. Robert, b. April 5, 1762, mar. Sarah Underbill, and had, 1. Phosbe. 2. Mary. 3. Thomas. 4. Deborah. 5. Gula, mar. John Mott. 6. Abby,
mar. Carpenter. 7. Lydia, mar. Walter Haight. 8. Leonard. 9.
Jane. YI. Samuel, b. Jan. 22, 1764, mar. Sarah Underbill, da. of Abraham, and left, 1. Richardson, mar. Maria Wing. 2. Joshua, mar. Phoebe Burling. 3. Caleb, mar. Rebecca Kiggsland. 4. Amy, mar. Isaiah Quinby. 5. Abra- ham. 6. Daniel. 7. Edmund. 8. Stephen mar. Ann Burling. 9. Sally. VII. Phoebe, b. Aug. 27, 1765. VIII. Mary, b. March 7, 1767. IX. Jeru- sha, b. Sept. 2, 1768. X. Abigail, b. Dec. 12th, 1770. XI. Frances, b. Dec. 13, 1772. Arms — Ar. on a cher. betw^ three annulets gu. as many cres- cents or. Crest-^A greyhound; head couped. erro., collared gu., garnished and ringed or, on the collar three annulets of the last.
Teller or Teller's Point. William Teller, the ancestor of this fam- ily, emigrated from Holland to New Amsterdam. He d about 1698, mar.
Mary ; she died in 1701. Their children were, I. Jacob, mar., 1. Anna
Margaritje . 2. Christina Ashiield, and bad two da., Anna and Margaret.
II. William of Teller's Point, d. 1710, mar. Rachel Kiersted, and had, 1. Jo- hannes of Teller's Point, mar. Vermilyea. 2. William. 3. Jacobus of
Teller's Point, mar. Marietje Vermilyea, and left John, Pierre, Tobias, James
of Teller's Point, Rachel, 8yrch6, mar. Valentine, Margaret and Mary.
Pierre, second son of Jacobus, had, 1. James. 2. Pierre. 3. Solomon. 4. Daniel. 5. Isaac. 6. Miriam. 7. Unas, mar. Robert McCord. III. An- drew, father of Andrew. IV. Johannes. V. Casper. VI. Elizabeth. VII. Mary. VIII. Jane, mar. Schuyler.
TowNSEND or Eastchester. This family is descended from the Town- sends of Long Island. John Townseod, son of John of Oyster Bay, d« 1788-9, and bad, 1. Daniel of Eastchester, who led John of Eastchester, Senator for the Second District in 1821, and Elijah. 2. Freelote, who mar. William Pinckney. From the Long Island family also descended Sylvanus Townsend, who removed to North Salem, and left issue William, Syl? anutt at. 91, still Ijf ing, James, Samuel and Jqstus, all residing at North Salens,
644 APPENDIX.
Valentine of Yonkers. Benjamin Valentine^ the ancestor of this fam- ily, was a dragoon in the French military serfice, Canada. He removed to New York circa 1680, and settled upon the farm (in Yonkers) now owned bj
Frederick Rich. He roar. Odell, and had three sons, Matthias^ first
proprietor of Yalentine^s Hill, Yonkers, b. 1698, d. 1781, buried at Elastchester, Nicholas^ who remo?ed South, and Joseph, The latter individaal was so pas- sionately fond of the Tiolin, that he obtained the sarnaoae of '* Tlie Fiddler.*^ Matthias J the eldest, mar., 1. Anna Rych. S. Mary , and left, I. Abra- ham of Yonkers, b. 1719, d. 19ih Oct. 1768, buried at Eastcbestery niar. Deb- orah Barton, and had, 1. Gilbert, b. 1748, d. 1819, roar., 1. Marj Morgan, da. of Charles. 2. Martha Briggs ; by first wife he had Abraham^ b. June 16, 1773, roar. May 27, 1798, Hannah Briggs ; she was b. May 9, 1776. Abra- ham and Hannah left, a, Abraham of New York, b. May 10, 1804, mar., 1826, Jane Bates, and has Abraham, Edward, John, William, George, Mary Jane, Emily, d. 1843, and Catharine, b, Edward Briggs, b. Jan. 95, 1809, d. Sept. 23, 1834, mar., 1833, Eliza E. Pinckney. c, S»m. Morgan of Ponghkeep- sie, b. Not. 14, 1814, mar., 1843, Elizabeth Hempatead, and has Sam. Hemp- stead, d, James, b. June, 10, 1813, d. June 20, 1813. e, William Henry, b. May 10, 1822, d. Aug. 13, 1836. /, Anne Delia, b. June 23, 1809, mar., Dec. 8, 1821, Edward G. Faile of West Farms, g, Harriet, b. May, 97, 1806, roar. Gilbert Bates. A, Hannah, b. March 9, 181 l,d. s. p. Dee. 10, 1812. t, Mary Jane, b. Sept. )9, 1818, d. Feb. 10, 1825. Gilbert Valentine, by his second wife Martha Briggs, left three sons and two das., viz., a, Matthias, mar. Hannah Briggs, and had Matthias, Thomas, Martha, Mary, Sarah and Stacia. h, John mar. Mary Bussing, and left Gilbert, John, Peter, Mary and Georgia, c, Gilbert d. s. p. i, Mary. «, Sarah. 2. Abraham, second aon of first Abrahaqi, mar., 1. Jane Odell. 2. Fanny Newman. 3. Elizabeth Lent, and had Samuel, Odell, James, Gilbert, Jacob and Ann, who mar. Elijah Williams. 3. Dorothy, eldest da. of first Abraham, mar. — — Fowler. 4. Nancy. 5. Sally. 6. Mary. 7. Susan, b. 1756, still living, mar. Mr. Vredenborgh of Yonkers. II. John, second son of first Matihias. III. Matthias. I V. Sam- uel, y. Thomas of Valentine's Hill, b. April 29, 1723, mar., 1. Isabel Law- rence. 2. Mary Barton, and bad, 1. James, who mar. Miss Warner, and
had Staats, Charles and Nathaniel. 2. Elijah, mar. Odell, sister of
General Jacob. 3. Nathaniel of Valentine's Hill, who had Bishop, Byrlipg, Elijah, &c. 4. Thomas of Pelham had Charles of Eastchester. 5. Mat- thias, mar. Deighton, and had Samson of Eastchester. 6. Margaret,
ntar. Isaac Odell. 7. Anna. VI. Dorothy, b. April 16, 1716, mar. William Warner. VII. Sarah, b. Oct. 19, 1719, mar. Richard Archer. VIIL Jane, b. Jan. 27, 1724, mar. Reuben Fowler. IX. Mary. Joseph Valentine, the youngest son of first Benjamin, haci Caleb, who left two sons, Caleb and An- thony. Anthony mar. Farringdon, and had, 1. James. 2. Anthony. 3*
Jordan. 4. Daniel, who mar. Miriam Fisher, da. of Thomas, and left Fisher of Eastchester, Da?id, Clerk of the Common Council, New York city, Dan-
APPENDIX. 646
iel, E valine, Elizabeth, Amelia, and Emma. Arms. Arg. a mullett between three human hearts gules.
Van Tassell op Gricenburgh. Derick van Tassel of Tarrytown, had Corftelius, who mar. Elizabeth Storms, and left Leah the wife of Capt. Wil- liam Romer ; Joanna mar. Aaron van Wedmer ; and Mary mar. Sybout Acker. The descendants of Jacob van Tezel, the ancestor of this family, are very numerous in Westchester county.
Van Wart or Greenburgh. This family derive their origin from Joa- chim van Weert of Philipsburgh in 1697, who had several children. Isaao van Wart, one of the captors of Andre, probably a grandson of the above,
was b. Oct. 25, 1762, d. May 23> 1828, mar. April 14, 1778, Rachel ,
she was b. June 4, 1760, d. 1834 ; their children were, Alexander, b. Sept.
28, 1779, mar. March 27, 1822, Eshton, and has James, Frances, Esther,
Rachel Anne, and Hannah. 2. Abraham, b. Aug. 12, 1785, and has Isaac. 3. Anne, b. 1782. 4. Fanny, b. May 12, 1793.
Vermilta of Greenburgh. Isaac Vermilya of Yonkers d. about 1766, and led three sons and five das., viz., I. Johannes of Kingsbridge, roar. Char- ity Dyckman, and had, 1. Jacob, mar. 1st, Mary Dyckman, 2nd, Maretje Dyckman, and left Isaac of New York. 2. William, mar. Mary Forbes, and had William and Thomas of New York. 3. Isaac, mar. Susan Myers of Haarlem, had Isaac of Yonkers. 4. Jane, mar.. Edward Prior. 5. Rebecca, d. 8. p. 6. Ellida, mar. James Teller. II. Isaac of Croton Valley. III. Peter, also of Croton Valley. IV. Aeltje. V. Maretje. VI. Santje. VII. Rebecca. VIII. Hannah.
Wallace. James Wallace, a native of Lanarkshire, Scotland, A. D. 1676, was a scion of the parent stock from which the renowned Sir William Wallace descended. Eeinverus Galleius, its founder, was a subscribing witness to King David^s foundation charter of Kelso Abbey, A. D. 1 150.
James Wallace emigrated from Scotland to Ridgefield, Conn., cir. 1676, and subsequently removed to North Salem, ob. March, 1762, eet. 87. His wife Mary Hyatt, ob. Dec. 20, 1768, aet. 84 ; buried at Ridgefield. His chil- dren were, 1. John of North Salem, mar. Martha Scofield. 2. James, nat. Feb. 28, 1713, ob. March 20, 1780, set. 69, lefl one son Jacob. 3. Jacob of North Salem, (see Rec. of Wills, Surrogate's OfiSce, N. Y , lib. xix. 176.) 4. Thomas, ob. et. 24. 5. Rachel, ob. Nov. 20, 1748, mar. Vivos Douchy. John, the eldest son of James, was nat. 16th Oct., O.S. 1709, ob. 23d March, 1812, iBt. 102 years and 5 mos. His wife Martha ob. March, 1770, et. 44. Their children were, 1. John of Nova Scotia, nat. 2d June, 1747, ob. Dec. 1828. 2. William, nat. Oct. 16, 1750. 3. Jonathan, nat. Nov. 18, 1752. 4. Samuel, nat. Nov. 1754, ob. 19th April, 1826. 5. Jacob, nat. June 1,
Vol. II. 69
646 APPENDIX.
1759, led » son Jacob heir to his oncle Jacob. (^. James, nat. July 8, 1763.
7. Epenetus, M. D., of North Salem, nat. Not. 18, 1706, mar. Phcebe Close, da. of Solomon. 8. Martha, nat. June 2, 1747, ob. Oct. 27, 1826. 9. Rachel, nat. Jan'y, 1749, eb. set. 62, at Onondaga. 1(^. Ruth, nat. Dec. 1756. 11. Mary, nat. Aog. 28, 1769. The children of Epenetus, serenth son of John, are I. Solomon, nat. Oct. 23, 1703. 2. Charles, nat. Sept 17, 1796, mar. Chra Townsend, their children are Epenetus, nat. Jan. 22, 1830 ; Isaac, nat. March, 23, 1832 ; Elbert, nat. Oct. 19, 1834 ; Justus P., nat. Sept. 5, 1836, ob. Aa^r. 16ih, 1838; Ann AuRUSta, nat. July 3, 1838 ; Majra G., nat. Sept. 10, 1841, and Eleanor, nat. Oct. 27, 1844. 3. John, third son of Epenetus, nat. Dec. 1, 1801. 4. Tompkins Donald, nat. Jan'y 18, 1814. 5. Matilda, nat. llih May, 1789. 6. Jane, nat. 22d Feb. 1791. 7. Abigail, nat. March 8, 1799.
8. Martha M., nat. I4lh June, 1804. 9. Phttbe Ann, nat. July 29, 1807. 10. Rachel E., nat. 14th Dec. 1810.
Family arms. Gules, a lion rampant or. Crest. Two eagles* necks and heads conjoined.
Wescotte or Bedford. Richard WescoUe was one of the early proprie- tors of Bedford. He mar. Rachel , and left issue, Richard, Daniel,
Rachel, Ruth, Rose, and Millison. Ananias Wescotte, a descendant of the above Richard, mar. Hannah , she d. Nor. 24, 1833, set. 83. The chil- dren of Ananias were, 1. Huly W. of Bedford, b. May 27, 1798, mar. Debo- rah Wreden, and left Ezra, William, Eliza, and Susan. 2. Stephen of Stock- town, Cayuga Co. N. Y. 3. Smith of North Salem, b. April 23, 1790. 4. Mary, b. April 20, 1789. 5. Abigail, b. Feb. 8, 1796. 6. Ezra W« 7. Su- san, b. Jan^y 24, 1821. 8. Sally. 9. Maria. 10. Ruth.
White. John White came to Sonthampton, Long Island, about 1640. He left two sons, I. viz., Rev. Ebenezer, minister of the Presbyterian Church, Bridgehampton, b. 17th Feb. 1672, graduated at Harvard, 1602, and installed minister of Southampton Church, 9th Oct. 1695, d. March, 1756, mar. Miss Pierson ; and II. Captain Thomas White. Rev. Ebenezer and Miss Pierson left, sons, Eloathan, Kev. Sylvanus, Silas, and a da. Hannah, who mar. Rev. Rossiter of Stonington, Conn. Rev. Sylvanus, second son of Rev, Ebe- nezer, was b. A. D. 1704, graduated at Harvard 1723, minister of Southamp- ton Church 1727, d. 22d Oct. 1782, mar. Phcebe Howell da. of Hezekiah, who d. July 24, 1783. They had nine children, I. Sylvanus of Blooming Grove, Orange Co., N. Y., d. set. 80, mar. Eunice Herrick of Southampton, and had Sylvanus, Nathan Herrick, Phcebe and Eunice. II. Edward of New Windsor, d. June 4, 1767, set. 36, mar. Hannah Pelletreau da. of Francis, she d. March 1, 1810, set. 74. Their children were, 1. Edward of Geneva, n. 1745, d. Aug. 1827, ast. 65, mar Rachel Smith da. of Henry, and had Harry, who d. Oct. 1833, Sophia, Phoebe, and Mary, d. set. 12. 2. Hannah, mar. Charles Merrill. 3. Mary, d. Dec. 27, 1798, st. 33. 4. Phcebe, mar. Reu-
APPENDIX. 547
ken ColtoD. III. Hezekiah, mar. Abigail Sayre of Bridgehampton, settled at Blooming Grove, Orange Co. ; they had six children. IV. Daniel, d. autamn of 1781, mar. Euphemia Bartow da. of Hev. John, and left Daniel, Theophilusi Phoebe, Bathsheba, who mar. Don Joseph Barnubean, Spanish Consul Gene- ral, Matilda, and Euphemia. V. Silas of New Windsor, mar. Sarah Newson, and had, 1. James Tiley. 3. Silas. 3. Levi of New Windsor, who mar. Ellen Cox, and had Charles, George, Robert, Adelia, b. 1814, Elvira, b. 1816, Harriet, b. 18*29, and Eleanora b. 1830. 4. Robert. 5. Harriet. VI. Ebenezer, d. set. 15 mo. Vll. Hon. Ebenezer, M. D., of Yorktown, d. 8ih March, 1825, st. 81, mar. Helena Bartow and had, 1. Bartow, M. D.» member of Congress for Dutchess Co. 2. Ebenezer, M. D., of Somers, who mar. Miss Green, and has John of N. Y., Samuel of Somers, Bartow F. of Round Hill, Conn., Henry, M. D., of Peekskill, Euphemia, Phoebe, and Elea- nor. 3. Henry, M. D., uf Yorktown. 4. Lewis, late of Peoria, Illinois. 5. James. 6. Theodosius, b. 1836. 7. Catharine, mar. SamM Strang, M. D., of Peekskill. Vlll. Henry, M. D., mar. Ann Eels da. of Nathaniel, and had Sylvanus, Hannah Eels, mar. James Parker, Phoebe, mar. James Parker, and Ann. IX. Phoebe, mar. James Tilly.
W^iLKiNS OF Westchester. The ancestor of this family emigrated from London, Middlesex, England, to the parish of St. Dorothy, Island of Jamaica, ante 1719. He mar. Anne and left issae Martin, a large landed proprietor in the island of Jamaica, whose last will bears date September 19, 1748, and a da. Anne. Martin mar. Johanna Ilay, and had issue a son and a da., viz. Rev. Isaac, D. D., for thirty -one years Rector of St. Peter's Church, Westchester, d. Feb. 5, 1838, set. 80, mar. Isabella Morris, da. of Hon.
Lewis, she was b. Feb. 8, 1748, d. Oct. 21, 1810. Anne mar. Hawks.
Rev. Isaac had I. Martin, a distinguished member of the New York bar and proprietor of Castle Hill Neck, Westchester, who mar. Sarah Nutter, da. of Valentine, and left 1. Gouverneur of Castle Hill Neck. 2. Martin of South Carolina. 3. Gilbert of New York. 4. Lewis of Madison County, New York. 5. Catharine, mar. Henry Phelps. 6. Anne, mar. Robert TurnbuU, M. D. 7. Matina. d. s. p. 11. Isaac of Westchester mar. Charlotte Sea- bury, da. of Right Rev. Samuel Seabury. III. Hon. Lewis of Nova Scotia, has James of New York, Hon. Lewis of Nova Scotia, Martin and others. IV. Thomas b. 1771, d. May, 181C, s. p. V. Sarah mar. Archibald Burns, M. D. VI. Jounah. VII. Isabella. VIII. Mary. IX. Euphemia, roar. Ichabod Brush of New York. Arms, per pale or, and ar. a whelk vert. Crest, a whelk^s head, erased, vert. MoUo, Sun ar dy hyn.
WiLLETT or Willett's Neck. Captain Thomas Willett of Plymouth, Mass , in 1629, mar. Mary Brown, July 6, 1636, and left I. Colonel Thomas of New York in 1667, afterwards of Flushing, L I., who had two sons, William heir of his father's lands on Coraell's or Willett's Neck r and Thomas who
648 APPENDIX.
Mceeeded his brother. Thomas the youngest had William who d. 1733, and left 1. William. 2. Isaac, High Sheriff of Westchester Coonty d. s. p. mar. Isabella Morris, da. of Lewis. 3. Thomas to whom his father bequeathed his property at Flushing. 4. Corneliasi heir to his brother, mar. Klisabetk
, and \e(i Elizabeth^ d. June, 1772, Hannah^ mar. Frederick Stephens,
Mille, mar. Rev. George Ogilby, Mary, mar. 1st, Van Romer, 2d«
Graham, Rachel, mar. 1st, Lecrafl, 2d, Haviland, Martha^ mar.
Hatfield, and Sarah, roar. Mr. Bcrrian. 5. Mary, mar. Mr. Rodman.
G. Anna mar. Mr. Jones. II. James of Narragansett, second soa of Captain Thomas, had Francis of Rhode Island. III. Andrew. IV. Samoel. V. Hezekiah, killed by the Indians during King Philip^s war, June 26, 1676. VI. Hester, mar. John Suffin. Yll. Rebecca, mar. Samael Hooker.
Wood of Bedford. Three brothers of this name emigrated from Eng- land to Connecticut, viz. Isaac, Daniel, and Obadiah. The latter remoTod to Salem where he died. He mar. Sarah Abbot and lefl I. Obadiah, mar. Anna Roe, and had William Wood, M. D. of Bedford. II. Lemuel, mar. Sarah Whitlock, and had 1. Lemuel. 2. Obadiah. 3. Thomas of Fairfield.
III. Fibenezer Df Salem, b. July 18, 1731, mar. Rachel Lockwood, da. of Ebenezcr. She was b. February 13, 173 i, mar. 1759, d. June 8, 1785, and had 1. Prudence, b. Ma^ 3, 1761, d. January 9, 1815. 2. Sarah, b. Aagost 18, 1768, d. March 12, 1814. 3. Rachel, b. October 18, 1765, d. Jalj 91, 1825. 4. Mary, b. Aug. 29, 1770. 5. Ebenezer, b. November 26, 1773, d. October 20, 1824. 6. Joseph, b. November 15, 1778, d. September 18, 1779.
IV. James, mar. Eunice Barnum and had 1. Levi of Danbary. 3. James, d. 3. Joseph, d. V. Michael of Ballston, roar. Margaret Scribner, acd left I. Abraham. 2. Uriah. 3. David. 4. Michael.
WooLSEY OF Bedford. This family is descended from CeorgB Wo^ilsey, " the son of Benjamin, and grandson of Thomas, a near relaUve of Thomas, better known in history as Cardinal Wolsey ; who, to the liberality of his royal master, Henry VIII. was indebted for his extraordinary elevation. George Woolsey was b. October 27, 1610, and had probably resided some time with his father in Holland, having come over with the Dutch emigrants in 1623, while yet a mere boy.^' From New Amsterdam George removed to Flushing, where he purchased a plantation and established himself. He d. August 17, 1698. By his wife Rebecca, he had three sons, Qeorge, Thomas and John, and ihreo da. Sarah Ilallett, Mary Woolsey and Rebecca Wiggins. For the descendants of George, see Thompson's History of Long Island. Thomas, the second son, b. 1655 removed to Bedford, Westchester County, and left three snns, viz. Richard, William and Thomas. Richard, the eldest, b. 1697, d. 1777, mar. Sarah Fowler, and had I. Josiah, d. 1778, mar. Mary Owen and left 1. Stephen of Ulster Co. b. 1758. 2. Thomas of Bedford, b. 1766, d, 1839. 3. Josiah of Bedford. 4. William of Bedford, b. 1770, d.
APPENDIX. ^ 649
1836. II. Thomas of Virginia, left Simeon and Daniel of Bedford. III. Daniel had Aaron and others. IV. Benjamin had Jeremiah of New York. V. John had 1. John of Ulster Countf. 2. Henry of Ulster. 3. David. 4. Rer. Elijah. 5. Thomas. VI. Richard of Vermont, has Richard of Delaware Co., N. York. VII. Henry, killed by lightning. VIII. Joseph, mar. Mary Haight, and lef^ 1.. Richard of Seneca County, New York. 2. Joseph of Cayuga County. 3. Jonathan of Newcastle, Delaware. 4. Daniel of
Bedford. IX. Mary mar. Loton of Albany. X. Sarah, d. in Ulster
County. XI. Ruth, mar. Jacob Griffen of Fishkill. XII. Hannah, mar. Joseph Sarles. William of Bedford, second son of Thomas, left two sons, Tiz. John and Jonathan. John mar. Ruth Owen, by whom he had issue,
John of Bedford. The latter mar. Knowlton and had 1. Nathaniel.
2. John of Bedford, who mar. Elizabeth Fountain, da. of Ezra. Their des- cendants are very numerous in the western part of this state. Thomas youngest son of Thomas resides at Bedford. Arms, sa. on a cross, engr. ar. a lion passant, guardant gu. crowned or, betw. four leopards* faces az. on a chief, of the second, a rose of the third, betw. two Cornish choughs, ppr. Crest, a naked arm, embowed, grasping a shin-bone, all ppr.
ADDExXD A.
HowLAND OF Greenburqh. John Howland, the founder of this family, was a citizen and Salter of London, Middlesex, England. He mar. Ann,
daughter of Granway of Clay, Norfolk County, England. She mar., 2.
John Quarles of London, and d. 1588. Their children were — I. Richard, D. / D., Bishop of Peterborough, bapt. Sept. 26, ll>40. II. John of London re- 9 mo?ed into Essex Co., bapt. Aug. 11, 1541, mar. Emma, da. and heiress of ' Nicholas Revell of London, and left John of Newport, Essex Co., Nicholas
and Margaret, who mar. Euseby Catesby of Castor, Northamptonshire. John of Newport is presumed to have left, with others, John, who arrived at Ply- mouth, Massachusetts, in the M^v Flower Dec. 16, O. S., 1620, b. 1593, d. Feb. 23, 1673, mar. Elizabeth/uarver, da. of Governor Carver,%nd had four sons, viz. John of Barnstable, Jabez of Bristol, Isaac of Middteborough, and Joseph of Plymouth, besides six das. Jabez, second son of John, mar. Be- thia Thacher, and left five sons, 1. Josiah, b. Aug. 1, 1676, roar. Bathsheba, and had a son Joseph. 2. John, b. July 26, 1679 ; he had John, who mar. Abigail Burt, and left Joseph of Greenburgh, b. at Boston, who mar. Lydia Bill of Boston, and had Gardiner of Flushing, L. I., Samuel of Greenburgh, and several das. 3. Jabez, h. Sept. 1, 1669. 4. Samuel. 5. Joseph, b. Oct. 14, 1692, d. Aug. 16, 1737, mar. Bathsheba Carey, by whom he had issue a son Joseph, b. Dec. 16, 1717. III. William, third son of first John of Loo^ don, bapt. 1542. IV. Robert of Grey*s-Inn, London, bapt. 1545, ob. t. p.
650 APPENDIX.
V. Ralph bapt. 1546, ob. 8. p. VI. Wflliam liapt. 1548, ob. s. p. Til. Sir Giles of Streatham, Surrey Coanty» England, bapt. 1644, ob. 1606, mar., 1. Aon, da. of Sir John Hart of London, Knt, ob. a. p. 2. Elixabetb, da. of Sir John Rivers of London, Knt; she d. 1605, and left, 1. Sir Jobs of Streatham, d. 1631, roar. Cecily, da. of John and So8an,and had John and Susan, besides others. 3. Sir Matthew, Knt, a gentleman pensioner to James I., and Charles I., d. 1648, and left Edward and Eliaabeth ; the latter mar. Thomas Roberts of Glastonbury, Kent Co. 3. Geoffrey, who ancceeded Iob brother at Streatham, and had Samuel, d. s. p. ; John of Streatham ob. 1686, roar. Elizabeth, da. of Sir Josiah Child, Knt, and had John, d. young, and Elizabeth, who mar. Wriothesley Russell, Duke of Bedford, from whom the present Duke of Bedford descends. 4. Elizabeth mar. Sir George Fiuwil- Hams of Mablethrop, Lincoln Co. 5. Mary. 6. Ann. 7. Alicia. VIII. Benjamin, eighth son of first John, bapt. 1550, ob. s. p. IX. William, bapt 1553, ob. 8. p. X. James, bapt. 1554. XI. Nicholas, bapt. 155.S. XIL Christina, bapt. 1554, ob. s. p. Arms, ar. two bars sa. in chief, three lions, rampant, of the second. Crest, a leopard passant sa. dncally gorged or. These arms were confirmed to Richard Howland, D. D.,8od and heir of John Howland of London, gentleman — allowed to him and all the posterity of John Howland, father of said Richard, under the hand and aeal of Robert Cooke, Clarencieux, King-at-Arms by patent, dat. June 10, 1584, Act S7th of Elizabeth.
Farrington op Eastciiebter. The family of Farrington are of Shaw Hall, Lancashire, England. The Farriogtons of Farrington, Wearden and Shaw Hall, all in the Parish of Leyland and County Palatine of Lancaster, arose at the time of the Conquest ; and have since preserved an uninterrupted male succession. They resided at Farrington as recently as the time o( Elizabeth, and continued at Wearden until the close of the sixteenth century, when they removed to Shaw Hall.
The manor and hundred of Leyland was held by them of King Edward the Confessor ; and the men of the manor, (which was of a superior order) as well as those of Salford, enjoyed the privilege of attending to their own harvest instead of the King^s.
According to Thompson's History of Long Island, one Edmund Farrington, with a number of others, embarked from Lynn, Massachusetts, in a vessel with a Capt. Howe, on or about the 17ih of May, 1640, and arrived at Cow Bay, L. I., where they purchased of the Indians from the eastern part of Oys- ter to Cow Bay ; and where they were dispossessed, by the Dutch Governor Kiea, on the 19th of May, 1G40.
This Farrington originally came from Southampton, England. He, with the others, afterwards bought Agawan of the Indians, a tract about twenty miles long and six miles wide, and made a settlement, which he called Southampton. They made their settlement on the 13th December, 1640.
APPENDIX. 551
The consideration paid was sixteen coats and eighty bushels of Indian corn for the land. Edmund Farrington returned to Lynn, Mass., and ''n J 655 built a mill there, and dug a pond and opened a brook for a half mile called Farrington^s Brook. Farrington died in 1680, aged 88 years. Two of his sons, viz. Thomas and Edmund, afterwards removed to Flushing. Thomas Farrington in 1645 was one of the patentees of Flushing, and his brother Edward was a magistrate there in 1657. The latter had a son named John Mastin Farrington.
Thomas Farrington, the first of that name mentioned in the Eabtches- ter town records, was one of their descendants. He emigrated from Flush- ing to Eastchester about the year 1750, and became one of the purchasers of a portion of Long Reach, a district of the town ; and the farm that he owned in that patent is yet in the possession of one of his descendants, Mr. Jonas Farrington of the city of New York.
Thomas settled in Yonkers — afterwards removed near Hunt^s Bridge and then to the Long Reach.
Thomas Farrington died about the year 1793, aged about 90 years of age, and his grave and that of his second wife lies at the junction of a lane called Farrington's Lane, running through his farm with the White Plains Road. Thomas Farrington mar., first wife, a Miss Norris ; and his sister Jane Far- rington mar. John Norris, the brother of his first wife. Their children — 1. Robert mar. Charity, sister of Nehemiah Hunt. 2. Sarah mar. Anthony Valentine. 3. Thomas mar. Miss Taylor. 4. Benjamin mar. Susannah Tompkins ; second wife, Margaret Mastin. Their children — I. Jonas mar. to Euphemiah Lawrence. 2. Mastin died unmarried. 3. Hannah mar. Jo- seph Oakley. 4. Penelope died Oct. 10, 1838, unmarried. 5. George mar. Frances Guion, d. April 16, 1830.
The following extracts from the Eastchester town records apply to Thomas Farrington, viz. : hq was appointed overseer of the roads April 15th, 1774.
** There is at ye house of Thomas Farrington's a road rooned horse aboute fourteen hands high, shored before with a roidlen long tale, without either roarke or brand as can be perceived. Entered ye 28th day of December, 1760, by me.
J^O. 0. 9. Sam'l Sneden, Town Clerk."
The following extracts from the town records apply to other members of his family . —
George Farrington (his son) was appointed Overseer of the Roads on 1st April, 1784. Appointed Fence Viewer and Overseer of the Road on 5lh April, 1796 ; re-elected 4th April, 1797. Appointed Overseer of the Poor 3d April, 1798 ; also 2d April, 1799 ; also Overseer of Roads 1st April, 1800.
Jonas Farrington, another son, was selected Overseer of Roads 3d April, 1798; Overseer of Highways, 11th Dist., on 7th April, 1812; re-appointed 6th April, 1813 ; also 7ih April, 1818; also 6th April, 1819.
Jonas Farrington, the son of Thomas Farrington, was born May 26, 1754 ;
i
662 APPENDIX.
mar. Euphemia Lawrence, b. Jan. SO, 1764. Their children — I. Mastinb. Feb. 2, 1783. 3. Jane b. April 16, 1785. 3. George b. Aug. 10, 1787. 4. Jonas b. May 3, 1790. 5. Hannah b. May 3, 1793, died in infancy. 6. Charles b. April 3, 1796. 7. John Rich b. Dec. 23, 1798. 8. Rebecca b. Nov. 10, 1801. Jonas d. A. D. 1822, Sept. 22. Eaphemia d. A. D. 1830, March 21. Their tombstones are in Eastchester churchyard. Of these chil- dren— The First, Mastin Farrington, d. March 29, 1823, mar. Keziah Oak- ley, b. July 25, 1782. Their children— 1. Oakley b. Not. 3, 1801, mar., 1825, Msy 8, to Mary Ann Boscawen, and had issue. 2. Mary b. Oct. 27, 1803, mar. a Mr. Maun, and had issue. The Stcondt Jane Farrington, mar. Anthony Valentine, and had issue ; she d. in 1838. The Thirds George Far- rington, mar. a Miss Morgan, and had issue. The Fourlh^ Jonaa Farrington, jr., mar. Sarah Wolff, and had — 1. John, who mar. Margaret Jourdan, and had issue. 2. Rebecca roar. Abel Wheaton, jr., and had issue. 3. John Smith. 4. Sarah mar. Wm. L. Barker. 5. Hannah. The f\fth^ Charles Farrington, mar. Catharine Boyce, b. A. D 1799, and had — 1. £meline Ea- phemia b. April 19, 1819, mar. Wm. S. Wood. 2. Chas W. b..April 4, 1835, mar. 3. John Rich b. Feb. 4, 1820, mar. 4. Eliia Rebecca d. The Sixiht John Rich Farrington mar. Hannah Barker, and had issue. The Seventh, Rebecca Farrington, roar. John P. Angevine A. D. 1837, and had Charles Berrian, b. March 15, 1840.
There are great numbers of the descendants of the other children of Tho* mas Farrington settled in Westchester County, city of New York and Vir- ginia.
Cornells or Westchester. Richard Cornell, the ancestor of this family emigrated from England to Long Island about 1655 to 1660. Under the Dutch colonial government he purchased the estate of Little Neck. He after- wards removed to Rockaway, where he became possessed by patent from the British colonial government dated 1686, of a tract of land, part of which he sold in 1691 to John Sands, lie died cir. 1693, leaving five sons and two das., viz., William, Thomas, Jacob, John, Richard who d. s. p., Mary and Sarah. William, the eldest, left issue, I. Thomas. II. Richard of Success, roar. Phoebe Doughty, and had, 1. Charles of New York, b. 1743, d. 1800, mar. Deborah Bowne. 2. Phcebe, mar. Thomas Pearsall. 3. Mary, mar. Elijah Pell. 4. Anne, mar. Ferris Cornell of Scarsdale. Charles of New York and Deborah \e(i,Jirst, Charles of Long Island, b. 1769, d. 1807, mar. Catharine Rodman, and had, a, Richard of Long Island, b. 1793, d. 1831, s, p. b, Alexander, b. 1800, mar. Catharine Magnus, and has Charles M., b. 1827, John F. D., b. 1829, Alexander, b. 1836, Charlotte L., b. 1831, and Catharine R., b. 1834. c, Thomas F., b. 1604, mar. Sarah F. Mann, and has Thomas F., b. 1830, Charles R., b. 1832, William T., b. 18.?3, and Stephen M., b. 1836. </, Phoebe, b. 1794, mar. Thomas Roe. e, Charlotte, b. 1795, mar. Henry J. Ilayner. /, Adelaide, b. 1798, mar. Edward Cosarts. Sec^
APPENDIX. 663
and. Robert, second son of Charles and Deborah, b. 1772, d. 1778. Third. Sarah, first da. of do., b. 1766, d. 1809, mar. John J. Glorer. Fourth. Phcebe, second da., b. 1775, d. 1776. III. Samuel of Flashing, third son of
first William, b. 1700, mar., 1. Hannah Doughtf. 2. Doaghtj. 3.
Susannah Willett, and left, 1. Samuel mar. Mampson of Newborn, and
had — Elizabeth mar. William Bajard of New York, Hannah mar. Herman Le Roy, Sarah mar. Matthew Clarkson of New York, Mary mar. — ^— Ed- wards, and Susannah, who mar. Chads. 2. Charles b. 1738, d. 1790 at
Bay Side, mar. Elizabeth Cornell, and left Samuel, who d. s. p. Archibald of Flushing, L. I., b. 1733, mar. Elizabeth Allen, Williant d. s. p., Phabe b. 1773, mar. Lewis Hewlett of Cow Neck, L. I., Sarah, Hannah mar. Wil- liam Coit, Arabella mar. Gordon Corning of Troy, Jannette mar., 1. William D. Cheever. 2. Samuel Huntingdon, Anne mar. Gorsbom Cook. 3d. Rob- ert mar. Anne Lines. 4. Hannah mar. Francis Brown. 6. Mary mar. Ar- thur Mampson. A, Elizabeth b. 1806, d. 1830, mar. W. H. Girard. t, Abi- gail Jane b. 1809, mar. W. H. Girard. >, Phcebe. Fifth. Mary d. 1827, mar. Nathan Palmer. 2. Joseph, second son of second Richard, b. 1708, d. 1770, mar. Phoebe Ferris, and had*<»Fsr«^ Joseph of Mamaroneck mar. 1735 Sarah Hadden, and left, a, Richard b. 1762, d. 1795. h, Jonathan b. 1764, d. 1834, mar., 1. Lydia Carpenter. 2. Jemima Acker, and had Calebs b. 1790, mar. Phoebe Lamoree, who left Isaac, George L., Merritt G., Jane and Debo- rah. Joseph b. 1793, mar. Deborah D. Merritt, and left Theodore, b. 1819, d. 1822, Jonathan H., Caleb, Richard, Lydia mar. Lewis Ryn, Caroline, Em- •line and Deborah S. Zeno b. 1795, d. 1795. Zeno b. 1796, mar. Mary Brown, and had Anna Maria and Phcebe. Philip Ward. Deborah and Sarah D. mar. Isaac L. Carpenter, c, Willett b. 1770, mar. Mary Cock, and had Daniel, who mar. Frances P. Halstead, and left Cordelia, Mary Elizabeth and Ann Augusta ; Ambroise mar. Sarah Halstead, and had Jonathan H., Willett and Albert, Charity d. 1834, mar. James Tompkins, Sarah d. 1832, mar. Ste- phen Bradey, Rebecca and Lydia mar. D. W. Chase, d, Susannah b. 1757, mar. Newberry Fowler, e, Deborah b. 1760, mar. Jonaihan Fowler. Se- cond. Richard b. 1738, d. 1748. Third. John of Mamaroneck b. 1743, d. 1827, mar. Alice Williams ; she was b. 1744, d. 1830. Their children were, Isaac b. 1767, d. 1832, mar. Sarah Bennett, and had David M., b. 1798, mar. Elizabeth Clive, and left Isaac, John C, David, Mary Elizabeth, Sarah Anne, Hester, Jane B. and Margaret. Charles, second son of Isaac and Sarah, mar. Maria Champenois, and had Esther and Albert W. Mary, eldest da. of Isaac, mar. Caleb Ward ; Margaret, second do., Joseph Carpenter ; Susan A., third da., William Yarian ; Sarah, fourth do., Timothy Calver. John L.^ second son of John and Alice, b. 1781, mar., 1. Margery Williams ; 2. Han- nah Anderson, and had George; William mar. Susan Secor; Margaret mar. Edwin Underbill ; Sarah mar. Lancaster Odell ; Mary b. 1809, d. 1832 ; AJice b. 1810, d. 1838, mar. William Champenois ; Elizabeth b. 1814, d. 1832 ;
Vol. II. 70
0M APPENDIX.
SoHiB, Ann and Elizabeth. Margaret^ eldest da. of John and Alice, b. 1709^ d. 1831, mar., 1. Isaac Horton ; S. William Anderson. Phmb£^ aeeood do., b. 1769. Afory, third do., mar. 1. DaWd Mann; 3. Rer. Samuel Huhtiff PhabCt foarth do., d. 1774. Sarah, fifth do., mar. J. Varian. EUzaktik^ sixth do, mar. James Varian. Fourth. Ferris K 1748, d. 1816, mar., 1. Anne Cornell ; 9. Hannah Qainby ; 3. Sarah Cox, and had Richard^ b. 1774, d. 177-, Joseph b. 1776, Thomas I. b. 1779, mar. Amj Fiaher. 6. Anas mar. BenJ. Floyd. IV. John of White Stone, L. I., foarth son of first Wil. Ham, mar. Mary Clement, and left, 1. Thomas b. 1743, d. 1807, mar. Anas Gale, and had John, mar. Sarah Talman, and Thomas, mar. Elisabeth Ack- erman. 3. John mar. Sarah Roe, and had Mary, mar. John Hooter, aad Sa- rah, who mar. William Barmstead. 3. Oliver mar. Anne Roe, and left Wil. Ham ; OliTer mar. Susan Bagby ; Mary ; Martha mar. Henry Loweme, Char- lotte mar. Joel Hunter, Caroline mar. Jonathan Peck, EHsabeth mar. Samsd Ellis, Margaret mar. Elijah Peck, Anne mar. EHJah Peck, and Sarah mar. Stephen Leonard. 4. Margaret b. 1760, d. 1815, mar. Oliver Roe. 5. Maiy mar. Austin Field. 6. Anne mar. William Roe. V. Charles, yoangest soa of first William. Thomas, second son of first Richard, left Thomas, member of Assembly from 1739 to 1764. Jacob, third son of first Richard. John of Cow Neck, L. I., living in 1677, mar. Mary Russell, and had, I. Riohaid, who removed in 1735 to Westchester, b. 1675, d. 1757-8, mar. Hanotk Thorne of Flushing ; she was b. 1678, and d. 1756. Their childveo were— 1. Richard b. 1*08, mar. Mary Ferris, and had Peter of Mamaroneek, who mar. Sarah HaTiland^ and left, First. Thomas mar. Hannah Lynch, and had, o, Peter, who mar. Margaret Gedney, and had John, Thomas, Nalhaoiel, Aa- thony, Cornelia, Hannah, Elisabeth, Mary and Margaret. 5, Samuel 6. c, Thomas L. mar. Emeline Lawrence, d, Sarah mar. John Bates, e, Hester mar. Timothy Hayiland. Second^ Richard mar., 1. Elizabeth Angevioe. S. Ann Pardy, and had Caleb, Richard, Ebenezer, John, Elizabeth mar. Jesse Seymour, Sarah Anne mar. John Seymour, Deborah and Anne. Third. Ebe- nezer mar. Elizabeth Purdy, and left a da. Susan. Fourth. Haviland b. 1764, mar., 1. Mary Gales. 2. Lavinia Storms, and had, a, Peter b. 1789, mar. Sarah Matthews, and had, Elijah, Thomas, Edward and Richard., b^ Thomu b. 1792, mar. Amy Merritt, and had Haviland, William, James, John, Mary, Ruth and Ann. c, Haviland b. 1801, mar. Anne K. Dillingham, and had Pe- ter, Barney, George W., Elizabeth Dearborn, Maria Anne, Anna, Sarah and Delia, d, Ebenezer b. 1804, d. 1821. e, Dorothy b. 1786, d. 1817, mar. Jo- seph Griffin. /, Sarah G., b. 1795, mar. Carpenter Merritt. ^, Maria b. 1798, mar. Benjamin Archer. 2. Gulielma Wood, and left, a, Richard, who mar. Mary Annetto Phelps, and had Eliza P.; John b. 1832, d. 1 832, and Anna b. 1834, d. 1836. b, Charles, c, Henry, d, Robert, e, Anne mar. Daniel Griffin. /, Esther F., b. 1808, d. 1812. g. Amy W. b. 1812, d. 1812. A, Mary W. i, Phosbe. Samuel youngest son of Ferris, b. 1782, mar. Martha Bennett, and had Arthur, Elizabeth, Hannah and Rachel. Fifth.
APPENDIX. 65&
Htuinah, b. 1736, mar. James Fowler. Sixth. Sarah b. 1739. Seventh. Mary b. 1741, mar. John Merritt. Eighth. Phcebe b. 17M), mar. Abijah Haigfat. 3. John, third boo of second Richard, b. 1717, d. 1781, s. p. 4. Benjamin, fourth son, b. 1723, d. 1771, mar. Abigail SteTcnson, and had, First. Stepliea of MamaMneck b. 1749, d. 1802, mar. Margaret Ha? iland, and left, 41, William H., b. 1776, mar. Dorcas Carpenter, and had Stephen, Wil- liam, Deborah and Mary, who mar. Jacob Miller, b, Richard b. 1781, d. 1798. e, Stephen b. 1785, d. 1815, mar. Amia Titos, and had Richard, b. 1811, d. 1837, Titus mar. Phoebe Ann Mott, and has William and Stephen, b. 1814, d. 1814. d, Bei^amin b. 1788, mar. Sarah Titua, and had Mary, e, Samuel b. 1796, mar. Hannah Carpenter, and had Richard, Stephen G., Henry G., Re- becca Jane and Elizabeth. /, Deborah mar. John Schuerman. g, Mary b. 1783, d. 1784. h, Mary mar. Henry Griffin, t, Abigail. Second. Benjamin b. 1760, d. 1760. Third. Benjamin b. 1761, mar., 1. Alice SuUon ; 2. Pa- melia Farmington, and left, a, John b. 1733, mar., 1. Sarah Matthews; 2. Mary Ann Porter, and had William M. of Newtown, L. I., Andrew Jackson, Jesse, Ar? in, Alice, Elizabeth mar. Henry Hackett, Ann Maria, Sarah and Emetine, b, Jesse b. 1785, d. 1805. c, Silas b. 1789, mar, Sarah Mott, and had Thomas, James M., Richard M. b. 1822, d. 1823, Anne M. and Sarah Alice. d, Thomas b. 1794, d. 1797. e. Thomas T. /, Benjamin F. b. 1813, d. 1814. g, Jane b. 1787, d. 1830, mar. David Arnold. A, Phcsbe mar. Stephen Un- derbill, t, Dorcas mar. Joseph Arnold. /, Mary F. Fourth. Hannah b. 1744, mar. John Burling. Fifth. Jane b. 1746, mar. Joseph Griffin. Sixth. Deborah b. 1751, mar. Willett Bowne. Seventh. Anne b. 1753, mar. Benja- min HaTiland. Eighth. Phiebe b. 1755, mar. John Gibbs. Ninth. Sarah b. 1758, d. 1764. Tenth. Abigail b. 1758, d. 1834. Fifth. Mary, first da. of second Richard, b. 1703, d. 1762, mar. Rot. Henry Sands. Sixth. Deborah, second da., b. 1705, d. 1779, mar. Matthew Franklin. Seventh. Hannah, third da., b. 1711, mar. Josiah Quinby. Eighth. Phoebe, fourth da., b. 1715, mar. Ebenezer Hafiland. Ninth. Rebecca, fifth da., b. 1718, d. 1735, mar. Ed- ward Burling. Tenth. Elizabeth, sixth da., b. 1720, d. 1795, mar., 1. Aaron Palmer. 2. Aaron Quinby. II. Joshua, second son of first John and Mary Russell, mar. Sarah Thorne of Flushing, L. I., and had, 1. Joshua of Harri- son, b. 1696, mar. Charity Haight, and left, a, Joshua, b. X726, d. 1775, mar. Hannah Harrison, da. of John, and had, First. Samuel of Siiiith*a Co?ei, Orange County, b. 1741, d. 1812, mar. Eleanor Hunt, and left J^rrofi, Eden^ Isaac, Harrison, who mar. Charity Earle, and had Samuel, John and Han- nah ; John, Haydock, Rebecca, Phabe, Charlotte and Sarah, who mar. Fran- cis Hazard. Second. Joshua of Yorktown b. 1765, d. 1825, mar. Rebee(!a Haight, and had Jesse, who mar. Ann Wortman, William mar. Phoebe Car- penter, and had John J., James B., Sarah Anne and Lydia P., Jaa^es d. s. p., John H. mar. Rachel Webster, Samuel P. mar. Julia Scbooley, Lydia mar. Hugh D. Webster, Phabe d. s. p., and Mary G. Third. John b. 1769. Fourth. Charity b. 1759, d. 1770. Fifth. Sarah b. 1762, d. 1810. Sixth.
666 APPENDIX.
Fbcebe b. 1768, mar. James Hallett. Seventh. Hannah b. 1775, d. 1777. Eighth. Mary b. 1776, mar. William GromweU. b^ William, second aoD of Joshaa and Charitj Haight, b. 1738. mar. Mary Quinby, and had, Firtt. Richard. Second. Qaioby mar. Hannah Underhill. Third. James mar., 1. Elisabeth Chadeaynea. S. Phoebe Smith, and had Abraham, Oliver and Sa- rah. Fourth. John d. a. p. Fifth. William mar. Esther Underhill, sad had Solomon, Joel, Aaron, William, Charity, Deborah, Mercy and Mary. SixtL Daniel roar., 1. Elizabeth Birdsall. 3. Mercy Bowman. Sevenik. Jostah, twin brother of the former, mar., 1. Sneannah Birdsall. 2. Anne Reynolds, e, John, third son of Joshua and Charity, b. 1738, d. 1813, mar., I. Maiy Qoinby. 3. Mary Ann Allen. ^, Charity, only da. of Joshaa, b. 17^, mar. Barnet Cornell, her cousin. 3. John, second son of Joshaa and Sank Thorne, d. s. p. 4. Samuel of Cow Neck, Flushing, b. 1709, mar., 1834, Hannah Carman, and had three sons and one da., y'u. Baruch, who mar., 1. Charity Cornell ; 3. Mary Clark ; John d. s. p., Joshua, and Martha h. 1736, d. 1759, mar. Henry Sands. Baruch and Charity left. First. Joshna d. a. p. Second. Comfort mar. Elisabeth Embree, and left Robert, who mar. Afany Lofett, Abigail mar., 1. Jacob Doughty. 3. Isaac Carse, Alice mar. Peter Townsend. Third. Samuel mar. Sarah Miller, and had, a, Elijah mar. Cha- rity Willis, and had Samuel M. mar. Emetine J. Howland, William W., Syd- ney mar. Sarah Ann Nostrand, Walter W. , Ann, Eliza Ann mar. Willksi Binns, and Mary Jane, b, Samuel M. H. b. 1784, d. 1803. c. Charity mar. John Franklin, d, Ann mar., 1. Obadiah Bostwick. 3. John Fraher. e, Zipporah d. 1788, s. p. Fourth. Henry mar. Sarah Coe. Fijtk. John mar. Letitia Field. Sixth. Joshua mar. Ann Van Nostrand. Seventh. Baraek mar. Susan Petit. Eighth. Stephen mar. Mary Wiggins. iVtnlA. Hannah mar. Jefi*rey Cornell. Tenth. Mary mar. John Hicks. 4th. Sarah, eldest da. of Joshua and Sarah, mar. Henry Franklin of Harrison. 5. Elizabeth, second da., mar. Joshua Franklin. III. John, third son of first John.b. 1681, mar. Mary Starr of Danbury, Conn. iV. Caleb, fourth son, b. 16S3, mar. Elizabeth Hayner of Flushing, and had, 1. Richardson, b. 1706, d. 1733, s. p. 3. Caleb b. 1709, d. 1775, mar. Catharine Thorne, and left, First. Joseph b. 1739, d. s. p. Second. Richardson of Steubenville, Mass., d. 1741, mar. Tabitha Longfellow. Third. Stephen b. 1744, mar. Mary Piatt, and had Epenetus mar. Ann Knapp, Stephen mar. Elizabeth Brown, Catharine, Maria mar. John Morehouse, Sarah mar. Charles Gardiner. Fourth. Caleb b. 1748, d. 1802, mar. Freelove Demilt, and had Richardson, who mar. Martha Cor- nell, Phcebe, Catharine, and Mary, who mar. Laton. Fifth. Aspinwall mar. 1. Jane Mitchell. 2. Priscilla Mitchell, and had Robert, Joseph, Priscilla
mar. Silly, Mary mar. Mooney, and Jane mar. Silly. Sixth.
Catharine mar. Wessell Sills. 3. John, third son of Caleb and Elizabeth, b. 1715, d. 1790, mar., 1. Martha Hewlett; 3. Phcebe Hewlett, and had, First. Charles d. s. p. Second. Hewlett mar. Elizabeth Willis, and left John mar. Mary Ann Tredwell, Charles d. 1814, Walter mar. Sarah Allen, Margaret
APPENDIX. 657
roar. Whitehead Mitchell, Martha mar. Richardson Cornell, and Phoebe roar. John Willis. 4. Richard, fourth son of Caleb and Elizabeth, b. 1720, d. 1773, mar. Catharine Deans. Their children were. First, Caleb of the R. N. roar. Magdalen Butler. Second. Elizabeth mar. Stephen Marsh of Phil- adelphia. Third. Mary roar. William Miller. Fourth, Margaret roar., 1. George Graharo. 9. William Cook. 5. William, fifth son of Caleb, b. 1721, d. 1797, mar. Ruth Hewlett, and had. Firsts Samuel mar. Martha Pat- terson of Franklin, Dutchess County, and had James, Samuel, Sarah, Emma, G(ace, Elizabeth and Mary. Second, Elizabeth b. 1754, d. 1825, mar. ' Charles Cornell of Bayside. 6. Joshua, sixth son of Caleb, b. 1826, d. 1800, mar. Hannah Hewlett, and had, First. Joshua d. 1822. Second. Lewis b. 1757, d. 1804, mar. Elizabeth Sands, and had Augustus b. 1791, and Grace b.
1793, who roar. Magruder. Third. Charles mar. Nanny Fleet of
Flushing, and had Charles Fleet and William Warren. Fourth, James d. 1825. 7. Elizabeth, eldest da. of Caleb and Elizabeth, b. 1711, d. 1791, mar. John Sands. 8. Mary, second da. of do., b. 1714, d. 1780, mar. Tho- mas Appleby. 9. Susannah, third da., b. 1715, d. s. p. 10. Margaret, fourth da., b. 1728, d. 1808, mar. John Willis. V. Mary, eldest da. of Caleb and Mary Russell, b. 1679, roar. James Sands of Matinecock, L. I. VI. Rebec- ca, second da., b. 1685, mar. Starr of Danbury, Connecticut. Of this
family was John Cornell of Rockaway, son of Thomas, second son of first
Richard of Little Neck, who mar. (as supposed) Whitehead, and left, I.
Whitehead, who mar. Margaret Sebring, and had, 1. John mar. Sarah Cor- telyou, and left, a, Hannah, i, George d. young, c, Catharine, d, Mar- garet.' e. Ann mar. Arthur Hurst, /, Whitehead roar. Juliet Hicks, g^ Simon d. A, George L. mar. Isabella Sheldon, t, John S. mar. Mary Ran- dolph, jf Agnes, k, Peter C. roar. Elizabeth Bunco. /, Isaac R. mar. Elizabeth Duyckinck. m, Sarouel G., mar. Sarah Douglass, n, Mary. 3. Isaac mar. Hannah Cortelyou. 3. William roar. Catharine Cowenhoven. II. Thomas mar. Elucabeth Thurston, and had, 1. John mar. Sarah Hicks. 3. Joseph mar. Maria Striker. 3. Thomas roar. C. Skidroore. 4. Elizabeth. 5. Abigail roar. — Keeling. III. William mar. Mary Mott, and had, 1.
Abigail, who mar. C. Mott. 2. Martha mar. Townsend. 3. Margaret
mar. Lefl^erts LeflTerts. 4. Elizabeth mar. Daniel Lefierts. 5. Samuel mar. Jane Hewlett. 6. Charles. IV. John had sons, 1. Whitehead d. in New Orleans. 2. Benjamin mar. Mary Willis. 3. William. 4. John. V. Sil-
Tester. VI. Daniel lel\, 1. Elizabeth mar. Hendriokson. 2. Jane mar.
Golden. 3. Sil? ester. VII. Elizabeth mar. Horsefield. Arms, —
Ar. five castles, in cross, sa.
Directions for the Reader. — In the preceding pagos b. stands for born, m. or mar. for married, d. or ob. fur died, da. for daughter, set. for aged, cir. for about, s. p. for without issue, and nat. for born.
INDEX.
Abraroten, Richard, i. 39.
Ackhongh, Sachem, i. 16A.
Aepjen, Chief Sachem, i. 36.
AHpoonck, village of, i. 164.
Allaire family, i. 429.
Amawalk, territory of, ii. 377.
Andr6, Major John, i. 98, 183, 372, 459. «
capture of, i. 201.
papers of, i. 215.
monoment to, i, 328.
letter to Washington, i. 374. Anderson, Hon. Joseph H., notice of, i, 260. Ann Iloock, sachem, i. 516. Ann Hoock's Neck, origin of name, i. 613. AnnsTille, village of, i. 90. Anthony's Nose, origin of name, i. 93.
Indian proprietors of, i. 103. Apawqaammis, territory of, ii. 16. Indian sale of, ii. 34. Appamaghpogh. territory of, i. 34, 38. Arattomi Sachem, i. 13. Archer family, ii. 328. Armand, Colonel, ii. 278. Armemperal, stream of, i. 167 ; ii. 490. Armonck, river and hills of, i. 2. Aspetong, hill of, i. 3. Avery, Rev. Ephraim, ii. 74.
660 INDEX.
B
Babcock, Rev. Lake, notice of, ii. 480. Badeau family, i. 441. Bailey, James, memorial to, ii. 139. Banks, Samuel, monument to, i. 468. Bartow, Rev. John, license for, ii, 204. Bartow family, ii. 209. Bayard, Colonel Samuel Vetch, ii. 153. Bayard, Capt. Stephen, inscription to, iL 236. Bedford, location of, why so called, Indian name of, i. 1 Indian deeds for, i. 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 13, 14. why. called Catonah's land, i. 3. when first so called, i. 8. inhabitants of, i. 9.
dispute concerning boundaries of, i. 10, 1 1, 12. Connecticut patent for, i. 11. Queen Ann*s patent for, i. 14. freeholders of, i. 15. village, when first laid out, i. 17, 18. Methodist Episcopal Church of, i. 19. Congregational society of, i. 20. Presbyterian society, organization of, i. 33. Baptist Church, organization of, i. 86. general description of, geology of, town officers of, i. 33. Beaver, description of, i. 277. Beekman, Gerard G., monument to, i. 113. Bcekmantown, i. 327. Beekman, Cornelia, i. 328. Beekman forest, description of, i. 347. Berrien's Neck, description of, ii. 438. Betuckquapock, Indian village of, i. 3. Birdsall family, residence of, i. 70. Bishop, Sarah, the hermitess, i. 279. Biatchford, Rev. Samuel, D. D., ii. 9. Bleecker family, i. 431. Blind Brook, Indian name for, i. 261. Boar Hill, Yonkers, description of, ii. 484. Bolton, Rev. Robert, notice of, (see note,) i. 555. Bonnefois point, i. 439. Bonnett, Daniel, passport of, i. 391. Bonnett family, i. 391. Boscobel house, i. 107. Brewster, Rev. Mr., ii. 202.
INDEX. 661
Bridge, Re?. Chrutopher, obituary notice of, ii. 77.
Broekett*8 Neck, ii. 341.
Bronx, lines of Drake upon, ii. 373.
Bronck Jonas, ii. 381.
Bronck*s land, ii. 381.
NicoU's patent for, ii. 383.
Andross^s patent for, ii. 388. Brown fitmilj, ii. 48. Lewis, ii. 141. Budd, Gilbert, monument to, i. 307. Budd family, ii. 80. Byram RiTer,^Indian name for, i. 3. Byram Lake, description of, i. 406.
Canopus, lands of, i. 34.
Cantitoe, origin of name, i. 3.
Cararoea, Sachem, i. 13.
CasUe HiU Neck, ii. 343.
Catonab, Sagamore, i. 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 13, 14.
Cedar of Lebanon, ii. 341.
Chappeqaa Hills, i. 373.
Sulphur springs of, i. 373. Chatterton family, i. 343. Chatterton Hill, ii. 368. Chuckheag, i. 8, 10. Christ Church, Pelham, i. 558. Christ Church, Rye, ii. 54.
charter for, ii. 69.
incorporation of, ii. 76.
list of rectors, ii. 77. Christ Church, Tarrytown, 1. 199. Chrystal Lake, i. 440. Cisqua Rirer, i. 39. City Island, i. 549. Clason*s Neck, ii. 351. Clinton, Gen. George, letter from, ii. 374. Close family, i. 487. Cohamong, Indian deed for, i. 8. Cohmacoyyoh, Sachem, i. 7. Colon Donck, grant for, ii. 406. Collins, Christopher, notice of, i. 301. Colonial boundaries, dispute concerning, i. 8, 10, 11, &e.
Vol. II. 71
162 INDEX.
Ibid. ii. 31-27.
CoDgress, ProTineial, adjoornmeot of to White Pliiot^ iL 350.
Constant family, i. 180.
Cornell*8 Neck, grond brief for, ii. 159.
dispute concerning, ii. 153. Cortlsndt, origin of nsme, i. 34. Indian di? ision of, i. 34. rangers of and Rojal charter for, i. 46. manorial division of, i. 54. geology of, i. 71.
Dutch Reformed Church of, i. 104. manor boose of, i. 100. general deseription of, i. 110. Division of in Lewisborough, i. 868L Ibid., Somers, ii. 133. Ibid., yorktown, iL 378. Ibid., North Salem, i. 472. County House, notice of, i. 348. Court House, White Plains, burning of, ii. 360. Coutant family, i. 441. Crompond, viBage of, ii. 370.
Presbyterian Church of, ii. 370. Congregational society of, 382. Cromwell family, i. 251. Crosby, Margaret, inscription to, ii. 142. Cross River, Indian name for, i. 17. settlement of, i. 280. Croton, origin of name, 34, 35. village of, i. 100. Falls, ii. 140. aqueduct, ii. 305. Lake, Indian name for, ii. 306. Crotonville, hamlet of, ii. 308. Croger family, i. 108. Cushiug, Capt., attack upon Refugee corps, ii. 333.
D
Dark Valley, situation of, i. 463.
Davenport's Neck, i. 430.
Debatable territory, conveyance of, ii. 278.
De Kalb, Baron, letter from, i. 111.
De Kay, Thomas, i. 30.
De Lancey's Neck, Indian name for, i. 282.
INDEX. 563
De Laneey^s Necki ladian proprietors of, i. S83. De Lancey family of Mamaroneck, i. 997.
patent, diTisioo of, i. 47d.
Susaonah, ii. 386.
Stepheo, laat will of, ii. 353. DelaTaa, BeDjamin, M. D., monument to, i. 483. Diabrow family, i. 309. Dobb*8 Ferry, Indian name of, i. 183.
historical notice of, i. 183. Presbyterian Charch of, i. 189. Dobb's family, i. 183. Dorman's Island, ii. 333. Doughty family, ii. 414.
Drake, Joseph Rodman, M. D., memorial to, and Fits Green Halleck*s pa- thetic lines upon, ii. 374. Duncan, Rot. Henry, notice of, see note, i. 153. Dutch Reformed Church, Sleepy Hollow* i. 330-346. Dyckman, Staats Morris, i. 107.
E
Eastchester, boundaries of, i. 130.
origin of name of, i. ISO. first Indian cooTeyanee for, i. 136. Indian names of, i. 130. first settlers of, i. 133. coTcnant of, i. 133. patent for, i. 135.
disputes concerning boundaries of, i. 138. Indian confirmation of, i. 130. town officers of, i. 133. public lands of, i. 138. Eastchester Tillage, first settlement of, i. 133.
fort of, i. 134.
general fold of, i. 135.
first school house erected in, i. 135.
first town house erected in, i. 135.
county election in, i. 136,
Boston road, when first laid out through, i. 139.
Congregational Church of, i. 139.
ministers of, i. 146.
Methodist Episcopal Church of, i. 153. Eastchester, geographical description and minerals of, i. 163. East Patent, ii. 6.
i
6t^ INDEX.
Echo, deteriptioQ of, i. 306. Ecker, famil j of, i. 199. £dgar*8 Lane, skirmish in, i. 180. Enoch's Neck, description of i. 115. EukeUupucusoo, high ridge of, ii. 16. Eastis, family of, i. 157. : •' * '-^
Farmers and DroTers Bank of Somers, ii. 135.
Fecqaemeck, sachem, ii. 3 19.
Ferris, familj of, ii. 834.
Ferry Point, ii. 94S.
Field, family of, i. 359.
Fisherman^s hymni i. 545.
Fish hawk, description of, i. 544.
Flandreaa, family of, i. 441.
Fogge, RcT. Eaekiel, i. 146 ; ii. 903.
Foot, Rev. David, ii. 76.
Fordham» Manor of, Indian proprietors of, ii. 319.
patent for, ii. 331.
petition of inhabitants, ii. 333.
mortgage for, ii. 384.
hamlet of, ii. 330.
Roman Catholic College of, ii. 330.
Dutch Reformed Church of, iL 331.
Revolutionary incidents in, ii. 333. Fort Independence, ii. 337. Fort Number Eight, ii. 336. Fort Schuyler, ii. 336. Four Corners, description of, i. 350. Fowler Philemon, notice of, i. 134.
G
Callow's Hill, story of, i. 73. Goetchius, Peter, M. D., monument to, i. 105. Golden*B Bridge, hamlet of, i. 381. Grace Church, West Farms, ii. 366.
White Plains, ii. 361.
rectors of, ii. 363. Gramatan, sachem, i. 130-130. Greenburgh, origin of name of, i. 163. Indian villages of, i. 166.
INDEX. 666
iDdian sale of, i. 173, 5, 6, 7.
hamlet of, i. 333.
Presbyterian Church of, i. 333.
geographical and geological description of, i. 344. Green, Col. Benjamin, inscription to, ii. 143. Green, Lieut Col. Christopher, ii. 391.
surprisal of, by British refugees, ii. 393. Green? ille, hamlet of, i. 344.
Dutch Reformed Church of, i. 344. Gregory^s Brook, Indian name for, i. 71. GroTO Farm, patent for, ii. 149. Guerlain, Sarah, memorial to, ii. 357. Guion, family of, i. 433. Guion, William Henry, family of ii. 91.
H
Haarlem Ri? er, Indian name for, ii. 337.
description of, ii. 337. Hadden, John and wife, remarkable longe?ity of, ii. 183. Halstead, family of, ii. 79. Hamilton estate, i. 190. Hammond, family of, 335, ii. Hampstead, John, memorial to, ii. 134. Hanford, family of, i. 481. HanoTcr, township of, ii. 130. Harche, Sybout, i. 39.
Jacob, i. 39. Harrison, boundaries of, i. 346.
Indian proprietors of, i. 340.
Indian sale of, i. 346.
patent for, i. 349.
Re? olutionary incidents in, i. 360.
geographical description of, i. 361.
town officers of, i. 361.
family of, i. 351. Hart^s Coiners, settlement of, i. 343.
Methodist Episcopal Church of, i. 343. Haseco meadows, ii. 16. Hastings, Tillage of, i. 179.
Hatfield, Colonel, destruction of his quarters, ii. 336. Haunted Hollow, location of, i. 114. Hawley, family of, i. 473. Hay, family of, i. 643.
666 INDEX.
Heathcote, family of, ii. 101.
Hon. Caleb, last will of, ii. 112. High Bridge, ii. 333. Highlands, Indian name for, i. 35—04. Holmes, Col. James, notice of, i. 27. Honeywell, Philip, and wife, memorial to, ii. 296. Hunnewell, Capt., attack on refagee corps, ii. 336. Hop grounds, Indian sale of, i. 7.
license for, i. 8. Horton^s Lake, Indian name for, i. 90. Howard, Ward B., notice of, i. 66. Huguenots, sketch of, i. 382.
naturalization of, i. 390. Hull, Colonel his atuck on De Laneey^s corps, ii. 334. Hunt, family of, ii. 241. Hunt, Thomas, memorial to, ii. 274. Humerus Island, i. 552. Hunter, family of, i. 554. Hunt's Point, ii. 272. Hutchinson, Ann, historical notice of, i. 513.
Indians, Kitchawangh tribe of, i, 36.
Sint Sincks, i. 488.
Siwanoys, i. 283.
Weckquaskecks, i. 103.
Wickapys, i. 103.
Wappinecks, i. 171.
Wappings, ii. 3. Institute, Chrestomathic, ii. 78. Ir? ing, Hon. Washington, i. 191.
Institute, Tarry town, notice of, L 199.
Jackson, Rev. John, i. 105 ; ii. 332. Jay, family of, ii. 81.
Hon. John, notice of, i. 30.
memorial to, ii. 90. Sir James, ibid. Jefiard's Neck, ii. 278.
RcTolutionary incident connected with, ii. 279. Jenny, Rev. Robert, ii. 77. JessQt), Edward, wUl of, ii. 261.
INDEX. 567
JohoBton, family of, i. 303.
Jones, Re?. Morgim, i. 143 ; ii. 200.
JoTia, sachem, i. 7.
K
Kakenoad, sachem, i. 7. Kastoniack, Indian Tillage of, i. 489. Keakatis Ponds, situation of, ii. 389. Keeler, familj of, i. 473.' Kekeshick, lands of, ii. 319. Kemble, Catharine, memorial to, i. 200. Kemeys, family of, i. 510. Kenseco, situation of, i. 468. Keskisko, village of, i. 36. Kitohawaoghs, peace with, i. 35. Kidd, Captain, notice of, i. 435.
ballad atttibuted to, i. 436. Kingsbridge, origin of name, il. 443.
RoTolutionary incidents connected with, ii. 444, King^s Ferry, Major Andrews passage orer, i. 08. Kip, Samuel, Esq., notice of, ii. 254. Kisco Mts., i. 372. Kitchawan, Indian village of, i. 35.
river of, i. 34.
Indian castle of, i. 35, 114.
sachem of, i. 35.
burying ground of, i. 114. Kittatenny Mnt., location of, i. 36. Krankhyte, Sybout Harchie, i. 42. Krankhyte, John, i. 44.
Ladau family, memorial to, i. 409.
Lake Wacabuck, description of, i. 277.
Lawrence family, i. 155.
Le Count family, i. 431.
Lee family, ii. 386.
Leggett, William, memorial to, ii. 375.
Leisler, Hon. Jacob, notice of, i. 378.
descendants of, resident in Westchester Co., i. 380.
release of, to the Huguenots, i. 381. Lent, Hercules, last will of, i. 43.
668 INDEX.
Lent fkmiljr, i. 43.
Lewiaboroagh, bonodaries of, i. S63.
Indiaa proprietors and sale of, i. 963.
^Deral description of, i. 968.
Presbyterian Chareh of, L 968.
ministers of, i. 969.
Episeopal Chnreh of, i, 971.
town officers of, i. 981. LiTingston, Col., i. 08-101. LiTingston, Philip, memorial to, ii. 996. Lockwood familj, ii. 11. Longreach, sitaation of, i. 199.
patent for, i. 131. Long Pond and mountain, i. 487. Lounsberry, Isaac, memorial to, i. 370. Lodlow family, ii. 458. Lyon family, i. 466.
M
Macomb family, ii. 446.
Magregaries Lake, sitaation of, ii. 377.
Magrigaries Brook, i. 69.
Manor Hall, Tonkers, description of, ii. 464.
Mamaranaek, Sachem, i. 6, 35.
Mamaroneck, boundaries of, i. 989.
etymology of name, i. 989.
first patentee of, i. 984.
disputes concerning, i. 985.
Heathcote^s patent for, i. 993.
Indian sales of, i. 993.
petition of inhabitants, i. 995.
quit-rent for, i. 996.
town officers of^ i. 309.
village of, i. 303.
Methodist Episcopal Church of, i. 309.
historical notices of, i. 311.
geographical and geological description of, i. 315. Maminepoe, Sachem, ii. 145. Maramakiog, Sachem of Poningoe, ii. 16. Marble Hall, Eastchester, notice of, i. 158. Martlingh, Isaac, epitaph to, i. 931. Mashett, John, last will of, i. 399.
INDEX.
Mather, Rat. Warhun, i. HI : ii. SOI.
MoChiin, Lieut. George, iuctiplion to, i. 67.
Meahagh lands, i. 34, 37.
Alcad, iter Solumon, epitaph to, i. S70.
Ueghkcckasaii), Indian roek, Ii. 403.
Meghleaewakea, Sachem, i. 34.
Uahanai River, i. 39.
Merriu ramily, ii. 9i.
Middle paieni, liiuatioD of, i. 407.
Mile Squam deacriplion of, ii. 430.
ReTolutlonary iaeidenle cooneetod with, iL 43|. Mill Rirer, ladian name for, i. 316. Milia, iticliarJ, bal petition of, ii. 103. Milacr Hev John, ioalitution of, ii. 313. Mianerord's Jg\a.ad, patentee of, i. H9, Mionewies Isbnd, Ii. 93. Minott family, ii. 303. MioaBhtt8saky,ii. IB. Mirage, description of, ii. 89. Mockquam'a Brook, ii. 10, 44, Monaqui Sachem, i. 13- Mongockonone.Saehsin, i. 106. Mopui Rirer i. 471. THoiingville, Betilomenlof, ii. 1*7. Morrimnia, manor of, ii. 360.
rof al ebaitei for, ii. 303. Morris family, ii. SB4. Murria, Lewis, laat will of, ii. 390. Hottissnia, hamlet of, Ii. 313.
Itevolutionar; Incident* of, ii. 31T. Mosher, Lieut., notice of, i. 300. Moahulurirulel, ii. 440. Mott family, i. Sl»3. Mount Miaerj, why so caHed, i. 447. Mount Pleastnl, bouodariea of. i. 310.
Indian propiietori of, L 310. £rsl Indian sale of, i. 317. town ofltoars of, i. 359. Dutch Keformed Chnreb of, i. 330. Huirson, Rev. George, ii. 58. Manro family, i. 316. Monro, Peter Jay, epitaph to, ii. 00. Monro, Rqt. Hany, i. 315) ii. 479. MdmooU River and valley of, U. 141, 337. ToL. II. 78
1
»70 INDEX.
Motjghticoot River, i. 471.
N
Nanicbiestawack, Indian ? illage of, i. 3. Nappeoharoak, Indian Tillage of, ii. 409. Natural Bridge, description of, i. 478. Nelson family, i. 305. Nepperab, or Nepera, Ri? er, ii. 403. Nepperbaem Tillage, ii. 403.
patent for, ii. 418. New Castle, boundaries of, i. 301.
Indian name of, and proprietors of, i. 361. Indian sale of, i. 363. royal patent for, i. 365. town officers of, i. 367. New Rocbelle, boundaries of, i. 374.
Indian villages of, i. 374. Indian proprietors of, i. 375. conveyance of from John Pell, i. 376. survey and division of, i. 383. freeholders of, i. 393. town records of, i. 304. village of, i. 395. Presbyterian Church of, i. 484. ministers of, 437.
Methodist Episcopal Church of, i. 430. Revolutionary incidents in, i. 444. geographical and geological description, i. 445. Nimham, Sachem, i. 516. Noapain, Indian village of, i. 36. Noname, Sachem, i. 10. North Castle, boundaries of, i. 446.
Indian proprietors, and villages of, i. 447. Indian deeds for, i. 446, 453. royal patent for, i. 451, 454. town officers of, i. 456. village of, 456.
Revolutionary incidents in, i. 466. North Salem, boundaries of, i. 469.
Indian proprietors of, i. 471.
division of, i. 471.
officers of, i. 474.
geographical description of, i. 475.
INDEX. 671
North Salem, academy of, i. 475.
village of, i. 475.
Presbyterian Church of, i. 484.
ministers of, i. 485.
Methodist Episcopal Chorch of, Baptist Chareh, and Univer- salist society, i. 466. Nuasin Point, ii. 323.
O
Oblong, dispute concerning, i. 264.
royal patent for, i. 266. ^
Odell, family of, ii. 489.
Colonel John, notice of, i. 243. O'Neal, Hugh, ii. 412. Onox, sachem, i. 6. Oratan, sachem, i. 35. Oscawana, Island of, i. 34, 107. Ossin-ing, boundaries of, i. 468.
etymology of name of, L 488.
Indian proprietors, and Tillage of, i. 488.
patent for, i. 490.
town officers of, i. 511. Oostdorp, Dutch village of, ii. 157.
Pacham, sachem, i. 6. Packananiens, sachem, ii. 319, 401. Paine, Thomas, notice of, i. 441. Palmer, Edmund, execution of, i. 71. Paperinemen, Island of, i. 442. Papeag, sachem, i. 8. Parcot, family of, i. 441. Parsonage Point, i. 103. Pasquashic, Indian village of, i. 36. Patthunck, sachem, i. 131 ; ii. 16. Paulding, John, notice of, i. 74.
monument to, i. 86, 7. Pauldinck, family of, i. 197. Pounpahowhelbshelen, sachem, i. 165. Peartree, Colonel William, notice of, 1. 131. Pecbquenakonck, village of, i. 470. Peekskill, village of, i. 61.
Indian name for, i. 62.
678 • INDEX.
Peektkill, origin of present name of, 63.
Reformed Datcb Church of, i. Bd, Presbyterian Church of, i. 67. Baptist Society of, i. 69. Methodist Episcopal Church of, i. 70. Protestant Methodist Society of, i. 70. Wesleyan Methodist Society of| 1. 70. Society of Friends of, i. 70. destruction of, by British troops, i. 73-7. Pelham, boundaries of, i. 513.
origin of name of, i. 513. Indian proprietors of, i. 513. Got. Nicoll^s charter for, i. 617. Indian burying ground of, i. 517. Got. Dongan^s patent for, i. 536. Neck, i. 544.
RcTolutionary incidents connected with, i. 546. town officers of, i. 559. Pell, Thomas, couf eyance of Eastcbester from, i. 18d.
agreement with inhabitants of Westchester, ii. 170. Pell, fsmily of, i. 520.
cemetery of, i. 552. Pell, John, i. 520.
Thomas, last will of, i. 552. Rot. John, D. D., correspondence of, i. 530. Major Samuel, epitaph on, i. 541. Penaghag, Sagamore, L 3. Peppeoeghek riTer, i. 32. Philipse, Mary, ii. 465.
Maria, memorial to, i. 200. origin of name, i. 319. family of, i. 320. I Col. Frederick, ii. 469.
Frederick, agreement between, and John Pell, ii. 417.
last will of, i. 323 ; ii. 428. Catharine, last will of, i. 333. Philipsborough, division of manor by commissioners, ii. 429.
royal charter for, ii. 416.
iPinckney, family of, i. 155. Pine^s Bridge, ReTolntionary OTents connected with, ii. 398. Pintard, family of, i. 431. Planting Neck, the Great, ii. 272.
Indian name for, ii. 272.
INDEX. 673
PUtt, Zephaniah, i. 233 ; see note.
Plomb Brook, ii. 133.
Pocanteco Rifer, etymology of name of, i. 316.
source and description of, i. 346. Pockerhoe, i 316.
Pookohantes, Morris, descent from, ii. 313. Pockeotessen Rifer, ii. 17. Poningoe, etymology of name of, ii. 16. Ponus, sachem, i. 3, 6 ; ii. 16. Popham, Brigade Major William, ii. 134.
family of, ii. 134. Portehester, village of, ii. 91.
Presbyterian chapel of, ii. 94.
Methodist Episcopal Choroh of, ii. 96. Post, Wright, M. D., epitaph on, ii. 386. Potiticas, Indian path, i. 3. Poandridge, boundaries of, ii. 1.
origin of name of, ii. 1.
Indian proprietors of, ii. 1.
Indian deeds for, ii. 1, 3.
royal patent for, ii. 4.
village of, ii. 8.
Presbyterian Church of, ii. 8.
Methodist Episcopal Church of, ii. 10.
British attack upon, ii. 13.
geographical description of, ii. 14. Pre? ost, family of, i. 543. Pritehard, Rot. Thomas, ii. 57. Prospect Hill, description of, i. 373. Pummeseeham, i. 10. Pnnderson, Rot. Ebeneaer, ii. 69, 77. Purchase, village of, i. 359. Purdy, Rot. Abraham, epitaph on, i. 483. family of, ii. 48, 384. Joshua, memorial to, ii. 91. Putnam, Gen. Israel, reply of. to Sir Henry Clinton, i. 73.
Qnaroppas, Indian territory of, ii. 338.
Qneen Annexe instructions to Gov. Combury, ii. 303 ; see note.
Qneraway, sachem, i. 8.
Qoinby, family of, i. 373.
Qninrnhnng Neok, ii. 378.
Sn INDEX.
Rahway Hcwk, description of, i. 91. Ranacbqae, Indian territory of, ii. 283. Ranoudy Andre, epitaph to, i. 431. Raven Rock, tradition of, i. 349. Rechgawac, saebem, iL 319, 401. Rhinelander, family of, i. 43S. Rich, family of, ii. 430. Richardson, John, last will of, ii. 963. Richbell, John, conveyance from. i. 989.
Ann, last will of, i. 293. Rippowams, Indian territory of, L 1, 9.
Indian confirmation of, i. 6, 7. Rifington, James, notice of, ii. 151. Rockaway, sachem, i. 7. Rogers, Rev. Evan, epitaph on, ii. 79. Roosevelt, family of, i. 555 ; see note. Roost Wolfert*s, chronicle of, i. 193. Rowe, Captain, tragical death of, ii. 485. Round clam, Indian name for, i. 8. Rnrahquosh, sachem, i. 13. Ryck patent, i. 43. Rye Pond, description of, i. 359. Rye, boundaries of, ii. 16.
Indian proprietors of, ii. 16.
royal charter for, ii. 33.
boundaries, dispute concerning, ii. 20.
second charter for, ii. 34.
village of, ii. 44.
Presbyterian Church of, ii. 49.
Congregational Church of, ii. 51. ,
Methodist Society of, ii. 78.
historical notices of, ii. 95.
geographical and geological description of, ii. 96.
resolution of inhabitants, ii. 347.
Neck, Indian name for, ii. 16.
Neck, royal charter for, ii. 43.
Port, ferry of, ii. 93.
Sackett, Rev. Samuel, epitaph on, ii. 381. Saekhoes, Indian territory of, i. 36.
INDEX. 576
Sacbus or Saokhoes, royal patent for, i. 41. Sanda family, i. 459. Sarlesfille, hamlet of, i. 371. Searsdale, boondaries of, ii. 97.
etymology of its name, ii. 97.
Indian title for, ii. 97.
royal charter for, ii. 98. Schowmenarack, Sachem, i. 105. Schuyler, General Philip, i. 395. Seareman family, i. 441. Seabary, Rev. Samuel, D. D., notice of, ii. 218. Seawan, description of, L 6. Seeor family, i. 441. Segotah, Sachem, i. 7. Senasqua Neck, i. 34, 36. Shanaaockwell, Sachem, ii. 16. Shappequa, etymology of its name, i. 861. Sheldon's, Colonel, head-quarters, i. 373. Shorackappock, ii. 413. Shrub Oak, village of, ii. 389. Shute family, i. 157. Sigghes, Indian rock, ii. 404.
Simcoe, Lieut. Col., attack on Mohegan Indians, ii. 455. Sing Sing, village of, i. 490.
incorporation of, i. 493. Presbyterian Church of, i. 499. Revolutionary incidents connected with, i. 509. Slauper Haven, Indian name for, i. 35. Sleepy Hollow, i. 310, 347. Smith Matson, M. D., notice of, i. 439. Smith, Rev. John, epitaph on, ii. 364. Soldier's spring, tradition of, i. 75. Somers, boundaries of, ii. 130.
village of, ii. 135.
Presbyterian Church of, ii. 138.
west hamlet of, ii. 141.
geographical description of, ii. 143. Somerville, family of, i. 160. Soulice family, i. 441. Sound, description of, i. 434. South Salem, village of, i. 3C8.
Presbyterian Church of, i. 869. Sowanare, Sachem, i. 35. Sparta, village of, i. 510.
576 INDEX.
Spectacle or Hart Island, i. 550.
Spicer*8 Neck, ii. 149.
Sprain Rifer, Indian name for, ii. 490.
Sprout Creek, Indian name for, i. 90.
Spyt den dyfel Kil, ii. 441.
St. Ann*a Chnrcb, Morrisania, ii. 315.
St. Athony^s Noae, tradition of, L 93.
State Prison, notice of, i. 505.
Sundard, Rev. Thomas, i. 147 ; ii. 310.
Steenwyck, Cornelins, last will of, ii. 335.
Stephentown, ii. 130, 134.
Stepping stones, Indian tradition of, ii. 339,
St. George*s Chnrcb, New Castle, i. 35, 389.
St. James' Church, North Salem, i. 479.
St. John's Church and chapel, Yonkers, ii. 473, 493.
St. John's College, Fordham, ii. 330.
St. Lake's Church, Somers, ii. 137. •
St. Matthew's Church, Bedford, i. 83.
Stony Hill, Indian tradition of, i. 3.
St. Paul's Church, Eastchester, i. 146.
St. Paul's Church, Sing Sing, i. 494.
St. Peter's Chapel, Portchester, ii. 94.
St. Peter's Church, Westchester, ii. 803.
charter for, ii. 813.
Strang family, ii. 49, 385.
St. Raymond's Roman Catholic Church, ii. 838.
St. Stephen's Church, North Castle, i. 456. i ! St. Thomas's Church, Mamaroneck, i. 307,
Suckobonk, i. 3.
Sutton family, i. 373 ; see note. h
i: T
Tackarew, Sachem, ii. 403, 406.
Talbot, St. George, extract from last will of, i. 84*
Tammoesis brook, i. 94.
Tandaquid, Sachem, i. 8,
Taquamarke, Sachem, ii. 289.
Tarrytown, village of, i. 198.
Indian name for, i. 108,
Episcopal Church of, i. 199.
Dutch Reformed Church of, i. 300.
Methodist and Baptist societies of, i. 301. Tatomuck River, source of, i. 368.
,:
i
\ :
h
J
1
INDEX. 677
Teller family, i. 37.
Teller Point, origin of name, i. 36.
Indian coni^eyance of, and Indian name for, i. 37.
Revolutionary incidents on, i. 116. Thomas family, i. 254. Thompson, Rot. William, epitaph to, ii. 55. Throckmorton, John, petition of, ii. 145.
Neck, military operations apon, ii. S36-0. Tippett^s Brook, Indian name for, ii. 446. Titus family, ii. 140. Toawenare, sachem, i. 165. Tompkins, John, notice of, i. 243.
family, ii. 115.
Hon. Daniel D., biographical notice of, ii. 115-7. Toyebeakup, sachem, i. 12. Trinity Church, New Rochelle, i. 398.
charter for, i. 413. ministers of, i. 422. Tryon GoTemor, visit of, to Cortlandt manor house, i. 110. Tuckahoe, orthography of name, ii. 491.
Methodist l!«piscopal Church of, ii. 494. Tulip tree, i. 248. Twitchings Corners, skirmish at, i. 356.
U
Underbill family, i. 115 ; ii. 228. Underbill, Lancaster, notice of, i. 158. Underbill, Capt. John, ii. 228. Underbill, Nathaniel, epitaph to, ii. 233. Unionyille, Dutch Reformed Church of, i. 358.
Methodist Episcopal Church of, i. 359.
Van Cortlandt, Augustus, last will of, ii. 450. Jacobus, Bedford, i. 16.
Indian confirmation to, ii. 416. last will of, ii. 440. etymology of surname, i. 50. Van Cortlandt family, i. 50.
Stephanus, last wUI of, i. 53.
Philip, i. 57,
Lieut. Go? emo» Pierre, i. 57.
Vol. II. 73
Sra
INDEX
Van CorthDdt, Gen. Philip, i. 68.
Ann Stevenson, epitaph to, L (15. iMidenee, Peeluklll, i. TS. Hun. Pieira, moonmant to, i. IIS. Johanna, epitaph to, i. 113. Van Curler, Atendt, ii. SSI. Vaa der Doaek, De Heer Adriaen, ii. 40ft. temonatraace of, ii. 407. petition of, ii. 408. Octroy granted to, ii. 409 fainilj of, ii. 413. Van TasMt, Jacob, notice of, i. 1S3. Van Weort family, i. 197.
Isaac, monament to, i. 335. Van W;ck, ^ilip, notice of, i. 503. Varian, Col. Jonalbao, ii. 127. Verplanck family, i. 04.
Verplanck'a Point, Indian oame fw aiid aala of, i. 39. military aperationa apon, i. 06-7. Wsahingtoo'a ettoampment upon, i. 1 Hndaon'a Tuit to, i. 103. Village, Continentat, destraction of by Britiafa, i. 01. ViBla, seillcnienl of, i. SBl, Vredeland, ailuation of, ii. 145.
W
Wabingi, acitlemeni of, i. 04.
WackemaDe, i. 13.
Waddington Point, ii. 275.
Wallace family, i. 487.
Wampage Sachem, i. 516, ii. 175.
Wampus Sachem, i. 361.
Wampua Pond, description of, i. 373.
WanacapecB Sachem, ii. 290.
Wappings, location of, ii. 30.
Wappotrham Sacheno, i. 0.
Ward family, i. 169-501.
Ward, Hod. Stephen, epitaph od, i. 159.
Ward, John, Dolice of, i. IGl.
Ward, Major Gen. Aaron, notice of, i. 601.
Waacussue Sachem, i. 3, 0.
Washington, notice of, i. 108.
head quartera of, at White Plaioa, ii. 37«.
INDEX. 079
WatkiDS, Jadith, epitaph on, ii. 90. Webster, Capt. Joseph, epitaph on, i. 370. Wechqucsqaeeck, boands of, i. 3. Weghqueghe, location of, i. 183. Weller, Rev. George, notice of, i. 483. Wells, family of, ii. 469. Wenneebees, situation of, i. 34.
patentee of, i. 39. Weskora Sachem, i. 165, 317. Wessickenaiow, i. 165. Westchester Co. Bank, i. 64.
▼ignette on its hills, i. 336.
Co. Insurance Company, 1. 397.
first court of session for, ii. 183.
protest of freeholders, ii. 351.
boundaries of, ii. 144.
etymology of its name, ii. 144.
Dutnh name for, ii. 145.
disputes concerning, between New England and Go? ernor Stuy- Tesant, ii. )57.
Nicolla' patent for, ii. 171.
Got. Dongan*s patent for, ii. 173.
Indian confirmation of, ii. 175.
laws concerning oystermen, ii. 177.
charter for sheep pasture, ii. 176.
village of, ii. 140.
Royal charter for, ii. 184.
Congri^gational church of, ii. 803.
resolution of inhabitants of, ii. 348. West Farms, patent for, ii. 359.
first division of, ii. 363.
village of, ii. 366.
Presbyterian church of, ii. 368.
Dutch reformed church of, ii. 368.
Episcopal church of, ii. 369.
Revolutionary events connected with, ii. 370. West White Plains, settlement of, ii. 368. Wetmore, Rev. James, ii. 64.
epitaph on, ii. 68. West Patent, grant of, i. 365. Wewewanapage Sachem, i. 10. White, Ebeoezer, M. D. ii. 384. White, Rev. John, ii. 10. Whita Plains, Indian name for, ii. 338.
i
680 INDEX.
White Plains, Indian sale of, ii. 339.
charter for, ii. 342.
Tillage of, ii. 345.
court bouse, events connected with, ii. 346.
Presbyterian church of, ii. 363.
battle of, ii. 368.
geographical description of, i. 376. Whip-Poor- Will, Hill, description of, i. 463. Whitlocksf ille, situation of, i. 32.
Methodist church of, i. 32. Wickquaskek, Indian village of, i. 164. Wickapy, Indian settlement of, i. 94. Wicker Sackama, i. 36, 45. Wilkins, Rev. Isaac, epitaph on, ii. S^3.
family, ii. 242. Wi11ett*s Neck, original name for, ii. 156. Williams, Capt. Daniel, notice of, i. 502. Williamsbridge, ii. 337. Wishqoa, territory of, L 34, 41. Wolves, laws for destruction of, i. 121. Wright, James, memorial to, i. 370.
Yana)>e Sachem, i. 7.
Yerks, John, notice of, i. 357.
Yonkers, boundaries of, geos:raphical description of, ii. 401, 497.
orthography of name, Indian proprietors of, ii. 401.
Indian burying grounds, ii. 404.
Tillage, ii. 460.
petition of inhabitants to congress, ii. 471.
Dutch reformed church of, ii. 483.
Methodist Episcopal church of, 474.
town officers of, ii. 495.
ERRATA.
VOLUME I.
Pife. Line. 12, 8, for conformation read confirmation.
21, 23, for propogation read propagation^ and also wherefer the same occurs.
23, 12, for Mathews read Matthews.
33, 12, for sulpheret read sulphuret.
46, 30, for which read in tfie.
46, 38, for into read unto, also in 29th line.
46, last lioe, insert between south and by the word side,
66, 7, for Johnson read Johnston^ and also wherefer the name occurs in Cortlandt town. 107, 26, for protetje read protegS. 120, 7, for Aguehung read ii^ueAuii^. 181, 9, for south-west read north-west. 181, 16, for Thatcher read Thacher. 190, 17, for Higher read Heyer. 207, 8, for morning read evening. 227, 12, to the word a&ove add mentioned. 232, note, 2, for grandfather read grand-uncle. 234, 19, for Thomas Almond read Hammond. 254, note, 9, for collections of painting read collection of paintings. 276, under vignette, for u;e«< read ri^A/. 297, last line of note, for au^ read at/x. 301, 19, after brother insert Stephen. 374, note, 3, for ^ooe read groove. 379, 21, for Govemeur read Gouvemeur, and also wherever the name
occurs. 379, note, 1, for ^eeiy read Bibby.
379, note, 6, let the motto read thus, " Remember well and baer in mynd a faethful frind is hard to feind.^* From Leisler this gold piece passed to Abraham Gou? emeur, who gave it to his daughter Esther ; the latter presented it to E. N. Bibby, Esq. 392, 26, for Lespinard read Lispenard, 394, 26, for 1723 read 1783. 406, note, last line, for Servoos read Servoss.
i
688 ERRATA.
r^i Um.
499, l*»t liiM, for HmUfgdrnt read HuniuigloH. ■
431, SO, for Le CotU* tMil Lt Comtt.
499, ia tbt orminiaterB, for AoaM nad Dnii Tmm.
S15, 99, for /(/oiuj r«ad />i»i^. '
G90, Gnl line ofiMeription, for Quanrfom md QtMndoai.
ftSO, Mh line, Tor Fcinaic read F^rwtrii.
640, 7, for tktrtfort read Ihertfor.
644, IS, for 0MAa read £JuA« TV. King.
VOLUME II.
91, 10, fyw RulherfardtMdRuOUrfilrJ.
OS, 37, for tcerc read imu. 183, 34, for liuitriant read Itauriale. 197, 19, for MomingvSU raad MorittgvitU. 166, 9S, for cAooM read cAom.
330, IS, after nania Leieetler ioaert A«.
331, 31, for Gi^jwiAeU read CojjrefAeA. 943, 39, for CoubriJge read Coabridge. 954, nolo 1, for Deicriplion read Stelehii. 378, 15, for ihores read spirt*.
S79, laat line, for Rane read Ranee.
319, 6, omit Ihe following. Slants Long Morra Ike father of, and read
General Slaalt Long Af«rm who married Catkariue, &e., Ac. 368, 17, for ElizabelAian read EHzaielhatt. 390, 3, for gormi read gome. 305, 17, for Acqueduct read Aqueduct. 469, note, 5 aod 6, read aa foljom, "/n 1800, Trinity Church eoiUriiuted
•500 for partonage at Yonktrs" lo whloh waa added in 1804
the aam of S309. 483, 93, for Hurtbul read Hurtberl.
APPENDIX. 601, 8, for David read Daniel. 604, 90, for Leopie read Leofric. 506, 33, for Daggethly read Dougherti/. 613, 17, for PanieJ S. read Donie/ T.
CA(ir/t( S. read ChaHet T. 636, 37, for Mary mar. Benjamin read Naney mar. Bithop.
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I
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