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GENEALOGY COLLECTION

ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

3 1833 01149 0262

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HON. eALEB HEATHOOTE.

From the original Piciure in the possession of the Right Rev.

William lleathcote de Lancey.

HISTORY

OF THE

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT

TO THE

PRESENT TIME.

• By ROBERT BOLTON. Jr.

AUTHOR OF THE " GUIDE TO NEW ROCHELLE," AND
A MEMBER OF THE N. Y. HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

VOLUME I.

" It is the privilege of History to impart the experience of age, without
its infirmities ; to bring back things long obscured by time, or sinking into
oblivion ; and enable us to form some reasonable conjectures of what may
happen to posterity." — Paulson's Hist, of Holderness.

NEW YORK:

PRINTED BY ALEXANDER S. GOULD,

144 NASSAU STREET.

* ^

1848.

Entered according to the Act of Congress in the year eighteen hundred and forty-eight

BY ROBERT BOLTON, JR.
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District of New York.

1281018

TO -

THE INHABITANTS

WESTCHESTER COUNTY,

THESE VOLUMES
ARE MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED '

- BY ^

ROBERT BOLTON, Jr.

Pond Field Farm, EastchesteR) -

April nth, 1848. " "

INTRODUCTION,

ABORIGINES.

At the period of the Dutch discovery the Mahicmmi resided
on the east shore of the Hudson River. " These were the Man-
kikani and Mohikans of De Laet, tlie Mahiccanders^ Mohick-
anders and Nahikanders of the Dutch, the Manhikans, Ma-
hikans, or Mohegans, according to Professor Ebehng, and the
Mohegana or Miihhekanew. (the original name of Mohegans.)
According to the English the Mohiccans, Mahiccon, and lastly,
Mahiccans, were all one people, originally a branch of the De-
laware nation. The Mahiccans and Delawares both say they
were once one people."^ " The best information (says Mr. Hecke-
welder) which I could procure of the extent of the country the
Mahicanni inhabited, was from an aged and intelligent man of
this nation, whose grandfather had been a noted chief. His
report was as follows, to wit : ' When I was a boy, my grand-
father used to speak much of old times ; how it had been before
the white people came into this country, (that is, the State of
New York, in which the relator was born,) and what changes
took place since, from time to time. The western bounding
line of the Mahicanni was the river Mahicannittuck^ which
the white people now call the ' North River.' Our towns and
settlements extended on the east side of this river from Thyp-

^ Moulton's Hist, of New York, 226.

yiii INTRODUCTION.

hane or Tnphanne, (a Delaware word for cold stream^ from
which the whites have derived the name Tnppan,) to the ex-
tent of tide water up this river; here was the uppermost town.
From thence our towns were scattered throughout the country
on the smaller rivers and creeks. Our nearest neighbors on the
east were the Wanipano.^ "a

"The country between the banks of the Connecticut River^
and the Hudson, (says Mr. Bancroft,) was possessed by indepen-
dent villages of the Mohegans^ kindred with the Mauhattayis ;
whose few smokes once arose amidst the forests on New York
Island. "c Mr. Schoolcraft informs us that " The Mohegans and
the Minci were two tribes of Algonquin lineage, who inhabited
the valley of the Hudson between New York and Albany." Mo-
hegan, (continues the same authority,) is a word, the meaning of
which is not explained by the early writers ; but if we may trust
the deductions of philology, it needs create little uncertainty. In
the Mohegan, as spoken at the present time by their lineal de-
scendants, the Slockbridges of Wisconsin^ Maihtshow^ is the
name of the common wolf. It is called, in cognate dialects of
the Algonquin, Myegan by the Kenistenos, and Myeengun by
the Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottowattomies. In the old Algon-
quin, as given by La Hontan, it is Mahingan, and we perceive
that this was the term employed by the early French writers for
the Mohegans. In the language of the Indian priests or medais,
a mystical use of the names of various objects in the animated
creation is made, in order to clothe their arts with the degree of
respect and authority, which ignorant nations are ready to pay to
whatsoever they do not fully understand ; in other words, that
which is mysterious. Thus, in the medicen songs of the Odjib-
was. a wolf is called, not Myeengun, the popular term, but Moh-
hwag. It is believed the priests of the ancient Mohegans made
similar distortion of their words, for similar ends, and that the
terms Moh hi Kan and Moh hin gan, used by the early French

• Moulton's Hist, of New York, part i. 227.

b Connecticoota, meaning Long River, was the Indian name, says Judge Ben-
ton.

'■ Bancroft's Hist. U. S. A., vol. iii. 239.

INTRODUCTION. ix

missionary writers for this tribe, furnish the origin of the term.
The term itself, it is to be understood, by which the tribe is
known to us, is not the true Indian, but has been shorn of a part
of its sound, by the early Dutch, French and English writers.
The modern tribe of the Mohegans^ to whom allusion has been
made, called themselves Muhhekamew. This is, manifestly, a
compound declarative phrase, and not a simple nominative, and
is equivalent to the phrase, '• I am ^ Mohegan." It is in accord-
ance both with religious custom, and the usage of the Indian
priesthood, to infer a unity of superstitious practices in nearly af-
filiated tribes. In this manner the word "Mohegan" was used
to denote^ not a common wolf, but the caries lupus, under the
supposed influence of medical or necromantic arts. In other
words, Mohegan was a phrase to denote an enchanted wolf, or a
wolf of supernatural power. This was the badge or arms of the
tribe, rather than the name of the tribe itself. And this also, it
may be inferred, constituted originally, the point of distinctiouj
between them and the Minci, or wolf tribe proper. The
affinities of the Mohegans with the Minciy or Moncees, on the
west banks of the Hudson, and through them with the Dela-
waj'Gs, are apparent in the language, and were well recognized at
the era of the settlement."a

" The universal name the Monseys have for New York, (says
Mr. Heckewelder) is Laaphawachking, or the place of string-
ing headsy '

The Mohegans were again sub-divided into numerous bands,
each known by a distinctiye name. Among these, inhabiting the
County, may be enumerated the Siwanoys, who occupied the
northern shores of the Sound *• from Norwalk to 24 miles to the
neighborhood of Hellgate." How far they claimed jurisdiction
inland is uncertain.

The Manhattans had their principal settlement on New
York island, and from thence north to the bounds of Yonkers,
nearly opposite T'«pp^n, The WECKauASj^Ecics possessed the

*■ Proceedings of N. Y. Hist. See. 1844, 8/.

YoL. I. B

X INTRODUCTION.

country '' lying between two rivulets called the Smt Sinck and
ArtJionck, lying between the East and North rivers."

The Si NT Sincks occupied the present town of Ossin ing,
and its immediate vicinity. ^

The KiTCHAWoNKs claimed the lands bordering the Kitcha-
wan or Crotoii River, and as far north as St. Anthony's Nose in
the Highlands.

The Pachami and Wappingers possessed the Highlands.

The Tankitekes "resided in the rear of Sing Sing."*

The principal Indian villages appear to have been as follows :

Nappeckamak, Kestaubaiuck,

Weecquaesguck, Kitchawan,

Alipconck, Sackhoes,

Sinck Sinck. Kekisconck,

Nanichiestawack, Betuck-quapock,

Momoronuck, Pasquashic.
Noapaim.

" The three prominent Indian names for the Hudson River,
(says Mr. Schoolcraft) are 'The MohegaUj^ Chatemuc," and the
Cahotalea."

Like their neighbors, the Indians of Westchester were in sub-
jection to the Iroquois, and acknowledged it by the payment of
an annual tribute.

* O'Callaghan's Hist, of N. N., 240.

b Mohegan River.

e " Shaila, in the cognate dialect of the Odjibwa, means a pelican." " Uc is the
ordinary inflection for locality "-^Mr. Schoolcraft's Paper, Proceedings of N. Y.
Hist. Soc 1844. " The great white pelican (P. trachyrhyncus) was formerly nu-
merous on the Hudson and other rivers and lakes of this State. At the present day-
it has entirely disappeared, and I do not know of its existence even as an accidental
visitor."— Nat. Hist, of N. Y., by James de Kay.

INTRODUCTION. xi

A GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTY.

In givino;- a history of the County, it appears proper to begin
with a recital of the act framing the same, entitled " An Act to
divide the Province of New York and dependencies into Shires
and Counties, (fcc."

"Having taken into consideration the necessity of dividing
the Province into respective Countys, for the better governing
and settling courts in the same, be it enacted by the Governor,
Council and the Representatives, and by the authority of the
same, that the said Province be divided into twelve Countys as
followeth : The County of Westchester to conteyne West and
Eastchester, Bronx-land, Ford ham, Anne Hook's Neck, Rich-
bells, Miniford's Islands, and all the land on the maine to the
eastward of Manhattan's Island as farre as the government ex-
tends, and the Yonkers' land, and northward along Hudson's
River as farre as the Highland."

"This bill havingr been three times read before the Governor
and Council, is assented to the first of November, 1683."^

Westchester County was represented in the first Legislative
Assembly of the Colony, which met at New York on the 9th of
April, 1691 ;b and it has constituted one County to this time, hav-
ing been organized as such by the General Acts of 178S and
1801. It is situated on the east side of the Hudson, immediately
north of New York County : bounded north by Putnam and
Dutchess Counties; east by the State of Connecticut ; southerly
by Long Island Sound and East River ; west by Haarlem River
and the Hudson, or by New York County, the State of New Jer-
sey, and the County of Rockland in this State. The area may
be 480 square miles — 307,200 acres — situated between 40^ 47^,

» Provincial Laws of N. Y., County Clerk's Office, Queens Co., L. I. The
above act was confirmed on the 1st of October, 1691.

b In the person of John Pell, Esq. On the 20th Oct., 1635, James II. appointed
John Peli, John Palmer, William Richardson, Joseph Horton, sen., and Joseph
Theale, Justices of the Peace in the County of Westchester.

INTRODUCTION.

and 41*^ 22' north latitude, 103' east, and 32' east longitude from
New York.

The County is thus described by William Smith the historian
of New York, in 175G.

'' Westchester County is large, and includes all the land beyond the Island
of Manhallans along the Sound to the Connecticut line, which is its eastera
boundary. It extends northward to the middle of the Highlands, and west-
ward to IIudson''s River. A great part of this count)' is contained in the
manors of Philipsburgh, Pelham, Fordham, and Courtlandt, the last of which
has the privilege of sending a representative to the General Assembly. The
count}' is tolerably settled. Tlie lands are in general rough but fertile, and
therefore the farmers run principally on grazing. It has several towns,
Eastchesler, Westchester, New Rochelle, Rye, Bedford, and North Castle.
The inhabitants are either English or Dutch Presbyterians, Episcopalians,
Quakers, and French Protestants. The former are the most numerous. The
two Episcopal missionaries are settled at Ri/e and Eastchester, and receive
each jCGO annually taxed upon the county. The town of Westchester is an
incorporated borough, enjoying a mayor's court and the right of being repre-
sented by a member in Assembly.""^

REPRESENTATIVE POPULATION OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY

FOR 1846.

Towns.

Total population.

Bedford,

2725

Cortlandt, .

6738

Green burgh,

3205

Eastchester,

1369

Harrison,

1039

Lewisboro, .

1511

Mount Pleasant,'^

2962

Mamaroneck,

780

Deduct alien.

not

Total re-

taxed, and persons

presentative

of color.

population.

2696

. 1743

5595

270

2935

. 2055

1114

152

887

1535

126

2836

716

• Snnilh'8 Hist of N. Y.

b Mount Pleasant includes the inmates of the county poor-house, which is re-
turned in the ccnHus separately, as follows ; total number of inmates 184, aliens
not naturalized, and persons of color not taxed, 25.

INTRODUCTION.

xiu

North Castle,

. 2010

New Castle,

. 1495

North Salem,

. 1228

New Rochelle,

. 1977

Ossia-ing,^

. 3312

Pelham,

. 486

Poimdridge,

. 1427

Rye, .

. 2180

Somers,^

. 1761

Scarsdale, .

. 341

Westchester,c

. 5052

White Plains,

. 1155

Yorktown, .

. 2278

Yonkers,

. 2517

102

346

177

287

756

140

149

249

1908
1446
1490
1631
3135

422
1413
1895
1668

284
4296
1015
2129
2268

POPULATION OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY FROM 1731 TO 1840.

A. D. 1731,
A. D. 1771,
A. D. 1786,
A. D. 1790,

6,033
21,745
20,554

24,003

A. D. 1800,
A. D. 1810,
A. D. 1835,
A. D. 1840,

27,423
30,272
37,791

48,686

" The County of Westchester comprises a very important
section of this state : washed on the west by the Hudson, on
the south by the East River and Long Island Sound, it enjoys
very superior advantages for trade and commerce, with a fine soil
for agriculture, and a charming diversity of surface and of elegant
situation ; while its contiguity to the great commercial metropo-
lis of North America, completes a proud superiority of geogra-
phical position. The north-west corner is considerably broken
by the south-eastern border of the Highlands, of a mountain
character; and a range of hills of moderate height extends from
York Island toward the north-east extremity, on which are

» Name changed to Ossin-ing in 1846. See Sess. Laws, chap. 30, sec. 5.
b Part of Somers annexed to Newcastle. See Laws of 1846, chap. 249.
* West Farms erected from part of Westchester. See Sess. Laws, 184, chap.
279.

xiv INTRODUCTION.

situated the heights and hills much known in the Revolution-
ary war, particularly in the year 1776. Besides Harlem, Hud-
son and East Rivers, forming the boundaries, there are several
small streams that afford many mill seats. Peekskill Creek and
Croton River, which rise in Dutchess and Putnam counties, run
south-westward across the north-western part of Westchester
County to the Hudson. Saw Mill River runs from Mount
Pleasant to the Hudson at Yonkers ; and Bronx River, the
largest, Hutchinson's and Mamaroneck Rivers run south into
the East River. Byram River runs from Westchester, princi-
pally in Connecticut, and forms two miles of the state boundary
from its mouth in East River, which receives some other small
streams from the south-east angle of Westchester County, direct
across the south-west angle of Connecticut."

*' The soil of this County admits of no general character, ex-
cept that its tillage is productive to the agriculturist. The style
of its agriculture is in the first order, if we except Dutchess.
The lower part has considerable of ornamental farming and
gardening, where are the seats of men of opulence, cultivated
with niuch taste." The manufactures are numerous. White
Plains and Bedford are the half shire towns. "Tarrytown,
Sing Sing, and some others, are charming positions on the Hud-
son, where are small villages and landings, with considerable
trade. Tappan Bay, a wide place in the Hudson, is here three
miles in width, where crowds of shipping are constantly seen
passing in opposite directions, exhibiting a most elegant display
of commercial activity.''^

''The County of Westchester is based on primitive rock called
hypogcne, or granite gneiss, lons^ ridges of which intersect the
county, with here and there small veins of iron ore and
quartz. Large numbers of granite boulders are found here,
both inland and on the coast; also some fine quarries of white
marble and two silver and gold mines at Sing Sing and Peeks-
kill." According to the late geographical survey the principal
minerals are, white marble, iron ore, galena, sulphate of barytes,

» See Spafford's Gazetteer of N. Y.

INTRODUCTION. xv

copper, iron and zinc, oxide of manganese, green carbonate of
copper, serpentine, calcareous spar, phosphate of lime, hydrate
and carbonate of magnesia, quartz, drusy, calcedony, agate, jas-
per, hyroxene, hornblende, asbestos, actynolite, homolite, hyder-
ous anthophylite, felspar, stilbite, garnet, epidote, chenite, tour-
maline, sphene, vanquelemite, magnetic pyrites, chromate of
iron, red ochre and red chalk.

The natural growth of wood is very extensive, especially
upon the higher lands. Among the principal varieties may be
enumerated the White Oak, (duercus Alba,) Red Oak, (Quercus
Rubra,) Pin Oak, (duercus Paluster,) and the Black Oak, (Quer-
tetron ;) the White Elm, (ulmus Americana ;) Red or Slippery
Elm, (Ulmus Fulva,) and the Witch Elm, (Ulmus Montana ;) the
Plane or Buttonwood, (Platanus ;) the Ash, (Traxinus ;) Bass-
wood, Lim.e or Linden, (Zelia ;) Beach, (Tagus ;) Birch, (Betula :)
Maple, (Acer ;) Locust, (Robinia ;) Chesnut, (Castanea;) Walnut,
(Juglans ;) Hickory, (Carya ;) the Whitewood or Tulip, (Lirioden-
dron :) Dogwood, (Cornus ;) Hemlock or Spruce, and the Red Ce-
dar (Juniperus.)

"This County suffered severely during the Revolution. The
whole southern part was marked by the marches, works of de-
fence> or skirmishes and battles of hostile armies ; and, indeed,
the active operations of the war in 1776 were principally con-
fined to this region, and in the autumn to this County — and the
two armies were in full force, constantly on the alert, and under
the eyes of their respective Commanders-in-Chief And this, too,
was probably the most interesting period of the war, though
attended with no exploits of very brilliant fame. The British
with a numerous army, and a powerful marine, were in posses-
sion of New York, while Washington, with an inferior and badly
supplied army, dispirited by the affair of Long Island, was
merely manoeuvring to keep them in check. The battle of
W^hite Plains, October '2S(h, will long be remembered, as will
the dismal prospect of that year, when the Patriot Fathers of
America had still the couraore to declare Independence, and assert
the rights of nature and of nations. a But though the morning

: , "^ July 4. 1776. - > •

-1

xvi INTRODUCTION.

sun of Declared Independence arose thus in a cloud, — while yet
it wrs morning, Princeton, Trenton and the plains of Saratoga
enjoyed a broad refulgence, diffusing new spirits over the nation.
And it were well worthy the attention of every American youth
to study the history of that war, and thus learn the price paid for
Independence ; the better to know how to appreciate its value. Nor
ought we to forget that the privileges so dearly purchased, can
only be preserved to our posterity, by that zeal for our country
which governed the conduct of our Aethers, now descended to
the grave."^

''The County of Westchester," says Mr. N. P. Willis, 'Mias
been made the scene of, perhaps, the best historical novel of our
country, and, n;ore than any other part of the United States, suf-
fered from the evils of war. The character and depredations of
the " Cow-hoys'' and " Skinners,'^ whose fields of action were
on the skirts of this "Neutral Ground," are familiar to all
who have read " the Essay" of Mr. Cooper. A distinguished
clergyman^ gives the following very graphic picture of Westches-
ter County in those days : —

" In the autumn of 1777, 1 resided for some time in this County. The lines
of the British were then in the neighborhood of King's Bridge, and those of
the Americans at Byram River. The unhappy inhabitants were, therefore,
exposed to the depredations of both. Often they were actually plundered,
and always were liable to this calamity. They feared every body whom they
saw, and loved nobody. It was a curjoijs fact to a philosopher, and a melan-
choly one to hear their conversation. To every question they gave such an
answer as would please the inquirer ; or, if they despaired of pleasing, such
a one as would not provoke him. Fear was, apparently, the only passion by
which they were animated. The power of volition seemed to have deserted
them. They were not civil, but obsequious ; not obliging, but subservient.
They yielded with a kind of apathy, and very quietly, what you asked, and
what they supposed it impossible for them to retain. If you treated them
Hindly, they received it coldly ; not as a kindness, but as a compensation for

» .SpafTord's Gazetteer of N. Y. Upon the evacuation of New York by the
British forccfi, Nov. 2^, 178.3, the Governor of the Stqite and Commander-in-chief
were escorted by a body of Westchester Light horse, commanded by Captain Dela-
van." — Editor.

t Dr, Timothy Dwight's Travels, 3d vol.

INTRODUCTION. xvii

injuries done them by others. When you spoke to them, they answered you
without either good or ill nature, and without any appearance of reluctance or
hesitation ; but they subjoined neither questions nor remarks of their own ;
proving to your full conviction, that they felt no interest either in the conver-
sation or yourself. Both their countenances and their motions had lost every
trace of animation and of feeling. The features were smoothed, not into se-
renity, but apathy ; and, instead of being settled in the attitude of quiet think-
ing, strongly indicated that all thought beyond what was merely instinctive,
had fled their minds for ever.

" Their houses, in the meantime, were in a great measure scenes of desola-
tion. Their furniture was extensively plundered, or broken to pieces. The
walls, floors, and windows were injured both by violence and decay ; and were
not repaired, because they had not the means to repair them, and because they
were exposed to the repetition of the same injuries. Their cattle were gone.
Their enclosures were burnt, where they were capable of becoming fuel ; and
in many cases thrown down where they were not. Their fields were covered
with a rank growth of weeds and wild grass.

" Amid all this appearance of desolation, nothing struck my eye more forci-
bly than the sight of the high road. Where I had heretofore seen a contin-
ual succession of horses and carriages, life and bustle lending a sprightliness
to all the environing objects, not a single, solitary traveller was seen, from
week to week, or from month to month. The world was motionless and si-
lent ; except when one of these unhappy people ventured upon a rare and lonely
excursion to the house of a neighbor no less unhappy ; or a scouting party, tra-
versing the country in quest of enemies, alarmed the inhabitants with expecta-
tions of new injuries and sufferings. The very tracks of the carriages were
grown over, and obliterated ; and where they were discernible, resembled the
faint impressions of chariot wheels .said to be left on the pavements of Hercu-
laneum. The grass was of full height for the scythe ; and strongly realized to
my own mind, for the first time, the proper import of that picturesque declara-
tion in the Song of Deborah : ' In the days of Shamgar, the son of Anath, in
the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked
through by-paths. The inhabitants of the villages ceased ; they ceased in
Israel.' "«• , ■- ^

The subjoined account of the County, in 1780, is taken from
Dr. Thacher's Military Journal : — - ' . -

" The country which we lately traversed, about fifty miles in extent, is
called " NpuTRAL Ground ;" but the miserable inhabitants who remain are

» American Scenery, by Bartlett and Willis.
\^PL. I. 0

xviii INTRODUCTION.

not much favored with the privileges which their neutrality ought to secure to
ihem. They are continually exposed to the ravages and insults of infamous
banditti, composed of royal refugees and lories. The country is rich and fer-
tile ; and the farms appear to have been advantageously cultivated, but it now
has the marks of a country in ruins. A large proportion of the proprietors
having abandoned their farms, the few that remain find it impossible to har-
vest the produce. The meadows and pastures are covered with grass of a
summer's growth, and thousands of bushels of apples and other fruit are rot-
ting in the orchards. We brought otf about two hundred loads of hay and
grain ; and ten times the amount might have been procured, had teams enough
been provided. Those of the inhabitants of the neutral ground who were
tories, have joined their friends in New York, and the Whigs have retired into
the interior of our country. Some of each side have faken up arms, and be-
come the most cruel and deadly foes. There are within the British lines ban-
ditti, consisting of lawless villains, who devote themselves to the most cruel
pillage and robbery among the defenceless inhabitants between the lines ; many
of whom they carry off to New York, after plundering their houses and farms.
These shameless marauders have received the names of Cowboys and Skin-
ners. By their atrocious deeds, they have become a scourge and terror to
the people. Numerous instances have been related of these miscreants sub-
jecting defenceless persons to cruel tortures, to compel them to deliver up
their money, or to disclose the places where it has been secreted. It is not
uncommon for them to hang a man by his neck till apparently dead, then re-
store him, and repeat the experiment, and leave him for dead. One of these
unhappy persons informed me, that when suffering this cruel treatment, the
last sensation which he recollects, when suspended by his neck, was a flash-
ing heat over him like that which would be occasioned by boiling water poured
over his body ; he was, however, cut down, and how long he remained on the
ground insensible, he ki^ows not. A peaceable, unresisting Quaker, of con-
siderable respectability, by the name of Quincy, was visited by several of
these vile ruffians ; they first demanded his money, and after it was delivered
they suspected he had more concealed, and inflicted on him the most savage
cruelties in order to extort it from him. They began with what they call
scorching, covering his naked body with hot ashes, and repeating the applica-
tion till the skin was covered with blisters ; after this they resorted to the
halter, and hung the poor man on a tree by his neck, then took him down, and
repeated it a second, and even a third time, and finally left him almost life-
less.'**

Westclicsier CoutUy under the late constitution formed the
Second Senatorial, and Assembly Districts; under the present,

• Thacher'd Military Journal, 232.

INTRODUCTION.

XIX

she constitutes the Seventh Senatorial with Rockland, and is di-
vided into two Assembly Districts.

JUDGES OF THE COUNTY.

John Pell

1688

John Waters

1802

Caleb Heathcote

1700

Caleb Tompkins .

1808

William Wiliett

1721

William Jay

1820

Frederick Phillips .

1730

Isaac Requa

1820

Isaac Honeywell

1734

Jonathan Ferris .

1820

John Thomas

1734

William Miller .

1820

Lewis Morris, Juu.

1738

Edward Kemeys

1821

Samuel Purdy

1744

St. John Constant

1822

William Leggett

1752

Ezra Lockwood .

1822

Nathaniel Underbill

1755

Henry White

1823

John Thomas .

1765

John Townsend .

1825

Robert Graham

1778

Nehemiah Brown, Jun

1831

Stephen Ward

1778

Aaron Vark

1833

Gilbert Drake .

1778

Joseph A. Constant

1838

Ebenezer Lockwood

1778

George Case

1843

Jonathan G. Tompkins

1778

Albert Lockwood

1845

Ebenezer Pardy

1797

Robert J. Hart .

1846

Albert Lockwood . 1847.

CLERKS OF THE COUNTY.

Edward Collier .

1688 to 1691

Joseph Lee ....

1691 to 1698

Benjamin Collier

1698 to 1707

John Clapp

1707 to 1711

Daniel Clark

1711 to 1722

William Forster

.■

1722 to 1732

Benjamin Nicoll

1745 to 1746

John Bartow

1760 to 1764

Richard Hatfield

1777 to 1800

Thomas Ferris .

1807 to 1815

Elijah Crawford

1815 to 1820

William Requa

1820 to 1821

Nehemiah S. Bates

1821 to 1829

Nathaniel Bayles

1829 to 1833

John H. Smith .

1833 to 1837

Chauncey Smith

■■

1837 to 1839

Charles A. Purdy

1839 to 1843

Munson I. Lockwood

1843 to 1849

INTRODUCTION.

SHERIFFS OF THE COUNTY.

Thomas Wheeler, under the Dutch, .... 1654 to 1664

Resolve Waldron, High Sheriff of the North Riding, . 1664 to 1670

Robert Coe, . " " ditto " " . . 1670 to 1671

John Manning . " " ditto " " . . 1671 to 1672

Benjamin Collier, High Sheriff of Westchester County, . 1688 to 1692
Roger Barton ..... j . October 14, 1702 to 1706

Nicholas Cooper 1733 to 1737

Isaac Willet 1737 to 1766

Lewis Graham 1766 to 1768

John de Lancey 1768 to 1769

James de Lancey, Jun., last of the Colonial, . . . 1769 to 1775

John Thomas January 6, 1778 to 1780

Jesse Hunt 1780 to 1781

John Thomas 1781 to 1785

Jesse Hunt 1785 to 1788

Thomas Thomas 1788 to 1792

Samuel Haight 1792 to 1796

Elias Newman 1796 to 1799

William Barker 1799 to 1806

Daniel Delavan 1806 to 1807

St. John Constant 1807 to 1810

Elijah Ward 1810 to 1811

St. John Constant 1811 to 1814

Lyman Cook 1814 lo 1815

Zabud June 1815 to 1818

Lyman Cook 1818 to 1821

Ward B. Howard 1821 to 1823

John Townsend 1823 to 1826

Alan McDonald 1826 to 1829

David D. Webbers 1829 to 1832

Aaron Brown 1832 to 1835

Joseph 11. Anderson 1835 to 1838

Amos T. Hatfield 1838 to 1841

Joseph Lyon 1841 to 1844

William H. Briggs 1814 to 1847

James M. Bates 1847.

SURROGATES OF THE COUNTY.

John Bartow
<yaleb Fowler
Richard Hatfield

1754 to 1761
1761 to 1778

1778 to 1787

INTRODUCTION.

XXI

Philip Pell .
Elias Newman .
Samuel Young .
Edward Thomas
Samuel Young .
Ezra Lockwood
Henry White
Samuel Young .
Ebenezer White, Jun
Jonathan Ward .
Alexander H. Wells
Frederick I. Coffin
Lewis C. Piatt ,

1787 to 1796
1796 to 1800

1800 to

1807 to 1808

1808 to 1815
March 16, 1815 to 1819
July 8, 1819 to 1821
Feb. 17, 1821 to 1823

1823 to 1839
1839 to 1844
1844 to 1847
1847 to 1852

Deputies from Westchester County to the Provincial Congress,
met at New York, May 23d, 1775.

Gouverneur Morris • Philip van Cortlandt

Lewis Graham James Holmes

James van Cortlandt David Dayton

Stephen Ward John Thomas, Jun.

Joseph Drake Robert Graham

William Paulding.

Members of the New York Convention from Westchester
County for deliberating on the adoption of the Constitution of
the United States, assembled at Poughkeepsie, Jnne 17, 1788.

Lewis Morris Philip van Cortlandt

Philip Livingston ■••,.7-- Thaddeus Crane " '

Richard Hatfield Lolt W. Sarles.

Delegates from Westchester County to the Convention met at
Kingston, Ulster County, to frame the Constitution of the State
of New York, April 20th, 1777.

Pierre van Cortlandt
Gouverneur Morris
Gilbert Drake
Lewis Graham

Ebenezer Lockwood

Zebediah Mills
Jonathan Piatt
Jonathan G. Tompkins.

Delegates from Westchester County met in Convention for

xxii INTRODUCTION.

framing the late Constitution of the State of New York, Novem-
ber lOth, 1S21.

Peter A*. Jay, Peter Jay Munro, Jonathan Ward.

Delegates from Westchester County met in Convention, for
framing the present Constitution of the State of New York.
John Hunter, «. Aaron Ward.

A List of the Officers chosen in the several districts of the
South Battalion of Westchester County, {except Westches-
ter,) A. D. 1775.

YONKERS.

John Cock, Captain. John Warner, 2d Lieutenant.

William Belts, 1st Lieutenant. Jacob Post, Ensign.

New officers to be chosen for this company, no commission issued.

EASTCHESTER.
Stephen Sneden, Captain. Daniel Sersing, 2d Lieutenant

Thomas Pinckney, 1st Lieutenant. William Pinckney, Ensign.

Commission issued, dated September 20.

NEW ROCHELLE,
And Manor of Pelfiarn.
Joseph Drake, Captain. James Willis, 1st Lieutenant.

David Guion, 2d Lieutenant.
Commission issued and dated 20th September.

PHILIPSBURGH.

Upper Company.
Abraham Ledew, Captain. John Belyea, 2d Lieutenant.

Benjamin Brown, 1st Lieutenant. John Oakley, Ensign, (son of Isaac.)

Commission issued September 2, delivered to Mr. Pauldino-.

PH1LIPS5URG1L

Tarrytown Company.
Abraham Storms, Captain. Joseph Appleby, 2.1 Lieutenant.

George Combs, Ist Lieutenant. Nathaniel Underbill, Ensign.

Same date, delivered to Mr. Pauldinor.

INTRODUCTION. xxiii

PHILIPSBURGH.

East Company.
David Storms, Captain. Gilbert Dean, 2d Lieutenant.

Benjamin Vermilyea, 1st Lieutenant. Gilbert Requaw, Ensign.
Same date delivered to Mr. Paulding.

PHILIPSBURGH. -

Lower Company.

Isaac Vermilyea, Captain. Isaac Honeywell, 1st Lieutenant.

Dennis Lent, 2d Lieutenant.
Dated September 20, delivered to Mr. Paulding.

MAMARONECK and RYE. .

Except the Upper End of King Street.
Robert Blomer, Captain. Ezekiel Halstead, 2d Lieutenant.

Alexander Hunt, 1st Lieutenant. Daniel Horton, Ensign.

SCARSDALE, WHITE PLAINS,

And Brown''s Point.
Joshua Hatfield, Captain. Anthony Miller, 2d Lieutenant.

James Verrian, 1st Lieutenant. • . John Falconer, Ensign. , -

HARRISON PRECINCT,

And the Upper End of King Street.
Henry Dusinberry, Captain. - Caleb Paulding, 2d Lieutenant.

Lyon Mills, 1st Lieutenant. Gilbert Dusinberry, Ensign.

. ■ . . NORTHCASTLE.

East Company. - "

Benoni Piatt, Captain. Abraham Knapp, 2d Lieutenant.

David Hobby, 1st Lieutenant. Jonathan Guion, Ensign.

NORTHCASTLE. ;

South Company.
Benjamin Ogden, Captain. Caleb Merritt, Jun., 2d Lieutenant.

Jeremiah Hunter, 1st Lieutenant. James Brondige, Ensign.

In Northcastle, North Company, there were not persons suf-
ficient in number who had signed the association, to make offi-
cers of; so that nothing was done.

xxiv INTRODUCTION.

BEDFORD.

Eastern District.

Lewis McDonald, Jun., Captain. Henry Lord, Sid Lieutenant.

James Miller, 1st Lieutenant. Jesse Miller, Ensign.

BEDFORD.

Western District.

Eli Seely, Captain. Ephraim Raymond, 2d Lieutenant.

Hezekiah Grey, 1st Lieutenant. Gabriel lliggins, Ensign.

POUNDRIDGE.
Joseph Lockwood, Captain. William Fansher, 2d Lieutenant.

Noah Bouton, 1st Lieutenant. Gilbert Reynolds, Ensign.

SALEM.

South District,

Abijah Gilbert, Captain. Sands Raymond, 2d Lieutenant,

Jacob Haight, 1st Lieutenant. Joseph Cooley, Ensign.

SALEM.

Northern District.

Thaddeus Crane, Captain. Ezekiel Hawley, 2d Lieutenant.

Jesse Truesdale, 1st Lieutenant. Ebenezer Brown, Ensign.

A List of the Officers chosen in the several districts of the
North Battalion^ of Westchester County.

MANOR OF CORTLANDT.

The District late commanded by Francis Lent.

James Kronkhyte, Captain. Staats Degrete, 2d Lieutenant.

Abraham Lamb, 1st Lieutenant, David Penore, Ensign.

The District late commanded by Bartow Underbill.
Gilbert van Cortlandt, Captain.

Daniel Haines, Ist Lieutenant ; signed the association the day he was chosen.
James Teller, 2d Lieutenant.
Hermanns Gardiner, Sen., Ensijjn.

INTRODUCTION. xxv

The District late commanded by Jeremiah Drake.
Gilbert Lockwood, Captain.

John Drake, 1st Lieutenant; signed the association the day he was chosen. .
Joshua Drake, 2d Lieutenant ; the like.
Peter Carman, Ensign ; the like.

The District late commanded by Joseph Strang.

John Hyatt, Captain.
John Drake, 1st Lieutenant.
Obadiah Purdy, 2d Lieutenant.

Joseph Horton, Ensign ; signed the association the day he was elected.
Commission issued, dated September 20.

The District late commanded by Ebenezer Theall.

Andrew Brown, Captain. John Crissey Miller, 2d Lieutenant.

Samuel Haight, 1st Lieutenant. Solomon Purdy, Ensign.

Commission issued, dated September 20. ' - '

The North Division of the District, late commanded by Levi
Bailey. ' " , .

Nathaniel Delavan, Captain, Titus Runnells, 2d Lieutenant.

Thomas Nicliolls,Jun., 1st Lieutenant. Abraham Purdy, Ensign.
Commission issued, dated September 20.

The South Division of the same District.

Gideon Selah, Captain. Caleb Hobby, 2d Lieutenant. i

Samuel Lawrence, 1st Lieutenant. Abraham Todd, Ensign.

The Company commanded by David Montross refused to
choose officers. ^ .

A List of Officers chosen in the several Districts of the North
^ Battalion of Westchester County.

Manor of Cortlandt, the District late commanded by Francis
Lent. ■ V

James Kronckhyte, Captain. Abram Lamb, 1st Lieutenant. ••>

Staats Dregrete, 2d Lieutenant. David Penore, Ensign.

Vol. L D

xxvi INTRODUCTION.

The District late commanded by Bartow Underbill.

Gilbert vaa Cortlandt, Captain.

Dan. Hains, 1st Lieutenant ; signed the association the day he was chosen.

James Teller, 2d Lieutenant.

Hermanns Gardinear, sen'r, Ensign.

The District late commanded by Jeremiah Drake.

Gilbert Lockwood. Captain.

John Drake, 1st Lieutenant ; signed the association the day he was chosen.

Justus A. Drake, 2d Lieutenant ; the like

Peter Carman, Ensign ; the like.

The District late commanded by Joseph Strang.

John Hyatt, Captain.

John Drake, 1st Lieutenant ; commission issued dated Sept. 20.

Obadiah Purdy, 2d Lieutenant.

Joseph Horton, Ensign ; signed the association the day he was elected.

The District late commanded by Ebenezer Theall.

Andrew Brown, Captain.

Samuel Haight, 1st Lieutenant.

John Crissey Miller, 2d Lieutenant ; commission issued dated Sept. 20,

Solomon Purdy, Ensio;n.

INTRODUCTION.

xxvu

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INTRODUCTION". xxix

Intitled List of Field Officers for Westchester County^ Sept.

12, 1775.

(Endorsed on the back, "an old letter on Military Returns," Sec. Stat. Office, fol.

26, 1775, page 13.)

Commissions issued dated October 14, 1775.

FIELD OFFICERS NOMINATED BY THE COMMITTEE OF WESTCHESTER CO.

First Regiment.
Joseph Drake, Colonel.
James Hammond, Lieutenant. • *

Moses Drake, 1st Major.
Jonathan G. Graham, 2d Major.
Abraham Emmons, Adjutant.

- Theophilus Bartow, jun'r, Quarter Master,
r -

''■ / • Second Regiment.

'. Thomas Thomas, Colonel.

Gilbert Budd, Lieutenant-Colonel.

Ebenezer Lock wood, 1st Major.

Thaddeus Crane, 2d Major.

Jonathan G. Tompkins, Adjutant. - ...

John Thomas, 2d Quarter Master.

Third Regiment.

' ' Pierre van Cortlandt, Colonel.

' Gilbert Drake, Lieutenant-Colonel. - . " -'

.Toseph Strang, 1st Major. ' ■ ] ■

Ebenezer Purdy, 2d Major.
K John Cooley, Adjutant.

Isaac Norton, Quarter Master.

THE WESTCHESTER GUIDES

During the Revolution.

John Pine, Michael Dyckman,

John Odell, James Oakley,

Abraham Dyckman, Frederick Martin Post,

Isaac Odell.

COUNTY PAPERS.

The " Westchester Herald," edited by Mr. Caleb Roscoe, published at
Sing Sing. The " Westchester Spy," Mr. Manuel Noah, Editor, published

XXX INTRODUCTION.

at White Plains. The "Peekskill Republican," Messrs. Richards and
Bronson, published at Peekskill. The " Hudson Rivfr Jhronicle,"
Mr. James B. Swain, Editor, published at Sing Sing. The " Eastern
States Journal," Mr. Edmund G. Sutherland, Editor, published at White
Plains ; and the " Star Spangled Banner," Mr. A. Hanford, Editor, pub-
lished at New Rochelle.

LODGES OF ODD FELLOWS,

Established in Westchester County.

Names of the Petitioners for Cortlandt Lodge, L O. of O. F.,
No. 55, located at Peekskill, Westchester County.

John C. Hitchcock, James L. Seabury,

Caleb H. Bosworth, James M. Spear.

Charter granted by G. L. of N. Y., August 18, 184L

Instiiuted,

Names of the Pelitioners.for Cryptic Lodge, L O. of O. P., No.
75, located at Peekskill, Westchester County.

Joseph L. Cook,
Ephraim D. Fuller,
C. W. Rogers,
William Travis,
W. Gorden,

Charter granted November 2, 1842.
Instituted.

James R. Ferris,
James Summerbell,
Isaac Hadden,
John McCoord,
E. D. Hinsdale.

Names of the Petitioners for Westchester Lodge, L O. of 0. F.,
No. 77 J located at Tarrytown.

Thomas Lindley,
Jacob Storms,
William G. Darley,

Charter granted November 2, 1842.

Caleb G. Wildey,
Thomas Archard,
Albert Lewis.

INTRODUCTION. xxxi

Names of the Petitioners for Putnam Lodge, I. O. of O. F.,

No. 89, located at West Farms.

Aaron E, Hovey, James H. Jessup,

William Bayard, Robert L. Archibald,

John P. Descaso.

Charter granted June 15, 1843. •• ' ^

Instituted June 22d, 1843. . ; .

V ■ - ■ ''^

Names of the Petitioners for Ossinsin Lodge, L O. of O. F.
No. 97, located at Sing Sing.

Edward van Wart, C. B. Blanchard,

Charles Southvvorth, Benjamin Underwood,

Jonathan Knapp, David J. Foster,

William Campbell, . .' E. J. Sutherland.
Charter granted November 1, 1843. - ■

Names of the Petitioners for Melancthon Lodge, I. O. of O. F.,
No. 163, located at Portchester.

J. V. Wilson, . - C. G. Whiting,

W. A. Todd, J. J. Dealls, " ' /.

William Stivers.

Charter granted June 16, 1845.

Names of the Petitioners for Nepperhan Lodge^ I. O. of O. F.,
No. 181, located at Yonkers.

Samuel W. Chambers, William Mann,

James Borlane, - James Hughes, ..

Horatio S. Gates, ' ' Peter Garrison,

Ezra B. Keeler, ' William Henry Garrison,

Alfred H. Hyatt, William P. Reviser,

Matthias Warner.

Charter granted September 30, 1845.

Names of the Petitioners for Throgmorton Lodge, I. O. of O.
F., located at Westchester.

XXXll

INTRODUCTION.

Timothy S. Gibbons,
Titus H. Adee,
Andrew Naudain,
James A. Timpson,
"William W. Waldron,
Matson S. Arnow,
Andrew Arnow,

Charter granted June 24, 1846.

George Granger,
Alexander Tennent,
William Bogie,
Joseph Barllett,
Isaac Poole,
Morris E. Linn,
John Mitchell.

Presbyterian Church. Bedford.

THE

II I S T O R Y

OF THE

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

BEDFORD.

St. Matthew's Church, Bedford.

The half shire town of the county forms in shape nearly a
square, each of its sides being six miles in length. The name is
probably derived from the town of the same title in Bedfordshire,
England, from whence the early settlers came. The earlier ety-
mology of its name in the Saxon language was Bedanpoxd.^-

Among the Mohegan Indians Bedford formed a portion of tlie
great territory of Rippowams, whicii extended eighteen miles
north of Stamford on the Sound, also eiglit miles east and west
of tlie same.

It will be shown presently that the chief proprietors of Rippo-

^ Camden's Brittania.

Vol. 1.

2 HISTORY OF THE

warns in 1640, were Ponus, sagamore of Toquams, and Wascus-
sue. sagamore of Shippan.

Cornelius van Tienhoven, (an early Dutch authority.) in de-
scribing the bounds of the Indian territory of Wechquaesqueck,
says, "tiiis land is situate between two rivulets called Sint Sinck
and Armonck, lying between the East and North rivers."* The
term Armonck (here alluded to,) is supposed to have been the
original Indian appellation for the Byrani river, whose springs
arise from the Comonck hills in this town, sometimes called Coha-
mong ridge ;^ the last syllable onck or ong^ when taken in connec-
tion with the rest of the word, denotes "the place or locality
where shells are manufactured into wampum." From this we
infer that the seawan (the specie currency of the natives,) was
once manufactured in large quantities upon the banks of the
Byram or Armonck.

It may not be amiss to inform our readers that " Seawant or
Seawan was one of the names for Indian money, called also
Wampum, Wampum peague, and Peague, which consisted of
herds formed of the shells of the Gluahaug,^ or wilk, a shell fish
which was formerly very abundant on our coasts, but lately of
more rare occurrence. It was of two colors, the black being held
of twice the value of the white ; indeed the last was formed of an-
other shell fish, called Meteauhock, or Periwinkle, also named
Suckautock. The current value was six beads of the white or
three of the black for an English penny. The first account we
have of the English dealing in this currency was in 1627."<i

A. D. 1650, the following act was passed by the Dutch council
of the New Netherlands, in consequence of " the corruption of
loose seawant, among which (here are current money that are not
perforated, and half finished, and also made out of stone, bone,
glass, muscle shells, horns, and some out of wood, and broken
ones, whereby occasion is given for repeated complaints from the

» O'Callaghan's Hist. N. N. 211.

b Rec. of to. Roads, Co. Clerk's office, page 1.

t The round clam (venus mercenaria, Lin.) " called Quehog, by the Mohegans-
From the internal purple part of this shell fish, the colored beads of the aborigines
were manufactured." Nat. Ilist. of N. Y. part 1, Moluscte, 217, 18.

d Alb. Rec Notes of translator.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 3

inhabitants that they cannot go with such seawant to the market ;
therefore no loose seawant shall be current, nor be a lawful tender
except that the same shall be strung. Comniercial seawant to
consist of six white or three black seawants for one stuyver ; the
base strung seawant shall pass eight while or four black for one
stuyver."a

III 1658, it was reduced from six tp eight of the white, and from
three to four of ihe black, for a stuyver. In IG63, seawan had
got into much disrepute, and was finally discontinued in 1682.

Sometime subsequent to the sale of 1640, the whole township
of Bedford was emphaiically styled by the early planters Catonah's
land, after the Indian chief and proprietor of that name ; hence
we deduce the origin of the present local term Cantiloe, which
yet survives in the northern part of the town, the termination oe
denoting the place of that sachem's residence.

Catonah must have assumed the supremacy over these lands
about 1680, for his first conveyance to the proprietors of the Hop
grounds bears date 23d December of that year. He appears to
have been living in 1703. What connection (or if any) existed
between Catonah and his predecessor Penaghag, (the grandson of
Ponus,) it is impossible to determine at this distant period.

In the vicinity of Bedford both Visschers and Vander Donck
in their maps of the New Netherlands, locate the Indian village of
Nanichiestawack, while further south was situated that of Be-
tuck-quapock.

A bold eminence lying to the north of Bedford village, still re-
tains the aboriginal name of Aspetong. Two roads in the west-
ern part of the town traverse the Indian paths of Potiticus and
Suckebonk, while Muscoota path runs near the northern line.
The summit of the high mountain ridge east of Bedford continues
to be called the ^'' Indian farm" There is a tradition current
in the neighborhood, that the south side of this mountain, some-
times denominated Stony hill, was the scene of a bloody fight
between the early settlers and the aborisfines. Mrs. Martha
Holmes an aged inhabitant of Bedford, (still living,) remembers

"^ Dutch Trans. Rec. City Clerk's office, N. Y. p. 30, 31. . ;

4 HISTORY OF THE

in 1765, to have seen several Indian mounds at the foot of this hill,
(a little south of the old school house,) which were pointed out
to her as the graves of those who fell in the conflict. This may
have been the battle fought between the Dutch and Indians in
Feb. 1644, an account of which is recorded in the journal of the
New Netherlands. JNIr. O'Callaghan thus details the action in his
history of the N. N. : " On his return from Heemstede, Capt. Un-
derbill was ordered to Stamford, to obtain particulars of the where-
abouts of the savages. He brought word back, that they were en-
camped some five hundred strong in that direction, and that the
old guide urged the forwarding a body of troops immediately
thither, as he was desirous, on the one hand, to prove that the for-
mer ill success of the Dutch was not his fault ; on the other hand
anxious for protection, as his life was in constant danger.

"One handrcd and thirty men embarked accordingly, under
Capt. Underbill and Ensign Van Dyck, in three yachts, and
landed the same evening at Greenwich. But a severe snow storm
having set in, detained them at that settlement the whole of the
night. The weather, however, moderated towards morning, when
the party set forward and arrived soon after, at the foot of a rocky
mountain,^ over which some of the men had to crawl, with con-
siderable difriculty, on their hands and feet. The evening, about
eight o'clock, brought them to within a few miles of the enemy.
Their further progress was, however, now impeded by two riv-
ers, one of which was some two hundred feet wide, and three in
depth. It was considered best to remain here awhile, in order to
refresh the men and to make arrangements for the coming attack.
After a rest of a couple of hours, the party again set forward at
ten o'clock. It was full moon, and the night so clear — 'a win-
ter's day could not be brighter,' — that the Indian village was soon
discovered at a distance. It consisted of three rows of houses or
huts, ranged in streets, each eighty paces long, and backed by a
mountain which sheltered it from the nprth-west wind.

"But the Indians were as much on the alert as their enemy.
They soon discovered the Dutch troops, who charged forthwith,
surrounding the camp, sword in hand. The Indians evinced on

* Supposed Stony hills, a mountainous ridge north of Bedford.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 5

this occasion, considerable boldness, and made a rush once or
twice, to break the Dutch line, and open some way for escape.
But in this they failed, leaving one dead and twelve prisoners, in
the hands of the assailants, who now kept up such a brisk fire,
that it was impossible for any of tlie besieged to escape. After a
desperate conflict of an hour, one hundred and eighty Indians
lay dead on the snow outside their dwellings. Not one of the
survivors durst now show his face. They remained under cover,
discharging their arrows from behind, to the great annoyance of
t?ie Dutch troops. Underbill now seeing no other way to over-
come the obstinate resistance of the foe, gave orders to fire their
huts. This order was forthwith obeyed ; the wretched inmates,
endeavoring in every way, to escape from the horrid flames, but
mostly without success. The moment they made their appear-
ance, they rushed or were driven precipitately back into their
burning hovels, ' preferring to be consumed by fire than to fall
by our weapons.'

"In this merciless manner were butchered, as some of the In-
dians afterwards reported, five hundred human beings. Others
carry the number to seven hundred ; 'the Lord having collected
the most of onr enemies there, to celebrate some peculiar festival.'

" Of the whole party, no more than eight men escaped this ter-
rible slaughter by fire and sword. Three of these were badly
wounded. Throughout the entire carnage, not one of the suffer-
ers— -man, woman or child, was heard to utter shriek or moan.

" This expedition having been thus crowned with complete suc-
cess, the wounded, fifteen in number, Vv^ere attended to, and sen-
tinels posted to prevent surprise. Large fires were then kindled,
as the weather was still excessively cold, and the conquerors bivou-
acked during the remainder of the night, on the field of battle.
They set out next morning on their return in good order, ' march-
ing with great courage over that harrassing mountain, the Lord
enduing the w^ounded with extraordinary strength,' and arrived at
Stamford at noon, after a march of two days and one night, during
which they had little repose and less comfort. The English re-
ceived the soldiers with friendly hospitality, proffering them every
possible kindness. Two days afterwards the detachment arrived at
Fort Amsterdam, where a public thanks-giving was ordered for

6 HISTORY OF THE

the brilliant success which attended the New Nelherland arms.*

" The late punishment (continues the same authority,) inflicted
upon these Indians, and the approach of spring, made them desirous
of peace, and they therefore solicited the inter7ention of Capt.
Underhill to procure a cessation of hostilities.

"JMamaranack, chief of the Indians residing on the Kicktawanc,
or Croton River, Mongockonone, Pappenoharrow from the
^Veckquaesqueecks and Nochpeem, and the Wappings from Stam-
ford, presented themselves in a few days (April 6, 1(344,) at Fort
Amsterdam, and having pledged themselves that they should not,
henceforth, commit any injury whatever on the inhabitants of
New Netherland, their cattle and houses, nor show themselves,
except in a canoe, before Fort Amsterdam, should the Dutch be
at war with any of the Manhattan tribes, and having further pro-
mised to deliver up Pacham, the chief of the Tankitekes, peace
was concUided between them and the Dutch, who promised on
their part, not to molest them in any way, but to allow them to
cultivate their fields in peace ; and as a guarantee of their sincerity,
surrendered several of their prisoners.''^*

Upi)n the 1st of July, 1640, Nathan Turner, in behalfof the peo-
ple of Qninipiacke, (New Haven,) " bought of Ponus, sagamore
of Toquams, and of Wascnssue, sagamore of Shippam, (the other
Indians consenting thereto,) all the ground belonging to the said
sagamores, except a piece of ground which Ponus reserved for
himself and the other Indians to plant upon." This purchase em-
braced all the land sixteen miles north of the Sound. The In-
dian name of the tract was Rippo warns. ^

'•'The consideration was twelve coats, twelve hoes, twelve
hatchets, twelve glasses, twelve knives, two kettles, and five
fathoms of white wampum." The liberty of liunting and fishing
on the land, was reserved by the Indians. ^^ The above sale was
confirmed to the inhabitants of Stamford, on the 10th of August,
1655, by Ponus, and Onox his eldest son : "extending sixteen

* Journal Van N. N.

b O'Callaghan's Hist. N. N. p. 300, 1, 2, 3.

c On thf^ 30th of Oct. 1640, Mr. Andrew Ward and Mr. Robert Coe, on behalfof
tliemselves and twenty other planters, purchased Puppowanns of New Haven, for
X33 sterling. Lambert's History of New Haven, 176,

d Lambert's Hii^tory of New Haven.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 7

miles north of the town plot of Stamford, and two miles still fur-
ther north for the pasture of their cattle ; also eight miles east and
west, (the same as paid for before ;) and as a further recompense,
four coats of English cloth was given them.''^ This grant com-
prised nearly tLie whole township of Bedford.

The next purchase was made of the Indians on the 23d day of
December, 16S0:

" Witness these presents, that we whose names ave underwritten, nannely :
Katonah, Stockahwac. Segotah, Jovis, Tohmacogyah, Yannayo, Kakenoud,
we do for ourselves, our heirs and executors, administrators and assignees, and
for and in the behalf of all other proprietors of ye lands, commonly called ye
hopp grounds : we say we do hereby sell, alienate, assign and set over, from
these our heirs, executors, administrators and assignees, a certain parcel of up-
lands and meadows, commonly called and known by ye name of ye hopp
grounds, which land begins at ye north end of Stamford bounds, as it is al-
ready bounded with marked trees, only the west line to be extended southward
until it shall meet with its south-west line, drawn from three marked white
oaks, standing, and very near together, at south-west corner of ye said land,
and ye above named, do hereby sell, alienate and assign, and set over from us
and ours ye land above described with ye rights and privileges thereunto belong-
ing, forever unto Richard Ambler, Abraham Ambler, Joseph Cheoles, Daniel
Weed, John W^escot, Jonathan Petit, John Crosse, John Miller, Nicholas
Webster, Richard Ayres, William Clarke, James Seely, Joseph Stephens,
Daniel Jones, Thomas Yomoyou and Benjamin Stephens, from their heirs,
executors, administrators and assignees forever, quietly to possess and enjoy,
without molestation by us or ours, or by any by our means or procurements ;
moreover, we the above named Katonah, Rockaway, Segotah, Jovis, Tohona-
cogyah, Yannayo, Kakenard, do herein and hereby grant, sell and give, free
liberty of timber and herbage, for their creatures, upon our adjacent lands for-
ever, and free liberty of timber, and do hereby acknowledge to have received
full satisfaction for ye land abovesaid, in witness of truth we have caused this
bill of sale to be made, and hereunto set our hands and seals, the day and dale
above written, Dec. 1680. Signed, sealed and delivered, in ye presence of us,

Joshua Knap, David Waterbury.^

Katonah ><^ his marke.

RocKAHWAY tsj his markc.

Segotah t^ his marke.

Jovis \x his marke.

CoHMACOYYoH ci his marke.

Yannape O* his marke.

Kakenoud t> his marke.

'^ Lambert's Hist, of New Haven.

b Original document in possession of the Hon. W. Jay, Bedford.

8 HISTORY OF THE

The same year there appear to have been no less than twenty-
two proprietors of the Hop grounds, and from the town records
we learn that £43 10s 6d, had been paid for its purchase.

Upon the 1 1th of October, 16S1, the proprietors of the Hop
ground agreed that no one might be admitted as an inhabitant,
nor should have power to sell or exchange the land that might
be allotted to him, nor should he have any voice in disposing of
lands, but that any inhabitant on paying forty shillings should
have an equal share with the proprietors in all the undivided
land.

At a court of election holden in Hartford, May 11th, 1682, the
following license was granted to the people of the Hop ground.

" Upon the petition of the people of the Hop ground, this court
doth grant them the privilege of a plantation and do order that the
name of the town be henceforth called Bedford, and this court
doe appoint Joseph Theall to be the present chief military officer
for the train band of Bedford, and Abraham Ambler is also em-
powered by this court to grant warrants to swear officers and wit-
nesses, and to joyne persons in marriage according to law, and
they doe free the sayd towne of Bedford from county rates, for
the space of three years next ensuing.^

May the 2d, 1683, Catonah sagamore, and Papiaghis son, Tan-
daquid, Q,ueraway and Chickhaag sold to the proprietors of Bed-
ford tlieland and meadow of Cohamong (Armonck) commonly so
called — " which said land and meadow lyeth to the south west,
going to the bounds of Bedford.''^

By the settlement of the colonial boundaries, November, 1664,
Bedford fell within the jurisdiction of Connecticut, the line be-
tween the two colonies commencing from the east point of
Mamaroneck River, where the fresh water falls into the salt at high
water mark, north north west to the line of Massachusetts. On
the ground that this decision was erroneous, a farther agreement
was concluded at New York, 28th of October, 1683, between the
governor of Connecticut and certain persons appointed to act with
him, by which it was stipulated that the line between New York
and Connecticut should begin at Byram River, at the east point,

■ Connecticut Col. Rec. Hartford, volume iii. folio 131, 134.
b Town Rec.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 9

called Lyon's Point, and so np along the said river to the country-
road, thence north west 8 miles from Lyon's point, and then twelve
miles east north east, and then in a line parallel to the North River,
and twenty miles distant therefrom, to the south line of Massa-
chusetts. The whole matter heing left subject to the king's ratifi-
cation. By this settlement Bedford would have been transferred
to New York ; but the king's death unfortunately took place on
the 6th of February, 1684, before its completion, in consequence
of which the whole matter was again left open for a long and
angry discussion which soon ensued.

In 1685 the general court of Connecticut issued an order to the
effect, that all towns should take out patents in due form, and that
the same should be legal evidence of their rights. Before the 28th
of January, 1688, the town ordered that as much money should be
raised as may be necessary to pay for a patent.

It v/ill be seen, however, tliat the patent was not granted un-
til May, 1697. The names of the inhabitants including the re-
sident proprietors of Bedford in 1690, numbered thirty-one.
Their names are as follows :

John Green,
Joseph Miller,
John Holmes,
John Miller,
Mrs. Wildman,,
M. Denham,
Zachariah Roberts,
John Webb,
Stephen Clason,
Stephen Holmes,

William Clark,
John Holmes, sen.,
Richard Ayres,
John Holmes, jun.,
Abraham Wildman,
Isaac Denham,
Jeremiah Andrews,
Richard Wescote,
Daniel Simpkins,
William Clark,

John Brown,

John Miller, jun.,
Jonathan Miller,
John Ambler,
David Mead,
Daniel Jones,
Caleb Webb,
Thomas Asten,
David Clason,
John Higgins,

Abraham Ambler.

Upon the 25th May, 1692, Catonah, Noname, Wappowaham, Wevvewana-
poage, Chuckheag and Pommescecan, sell to Daniel Simpkins of Bedford, a
certain piece of land lying west of the bounds of Bedford, that is to say, half
a mile square, as it is already marked and laid out by the Indians, and boun-
ded as followeth, viz. east by the bounds of Bedford , and south by a brook run-
ning off from the west ridges, and west and north as it is marked by the above-
said proprietors.^
Witnessed and delivered in the presence Catonah X his mark.

of us, Stephen Holmes Wappowham Ix his mark.

Vol. I.

* Town Ilea.

10 HISTORY OF THE

and John Brown. Pummesecham 5,5 his mark.

Chickheag '^ NoNAME O* his mark.

Wewewanapage.
February 10th, 1695, the town ordered that the rates shall be

issued according to the following valuations,* viz.

Each head or person . . . £12 0 0

"Ox, 4 0 0

'' Cow, .... 300

" Horse, . . . . 2 0 0

All improved lands, . . . 0 15 0

All improved meadow with fence, . 0 10 0

In March, 1695-6, we find Governor Fletcher of New York,
writing to Governor Treat concerning sundry persons in Rye and
Bedford who desired to have their land titles confirmed. ^

At a meeting of ye governor and council, held at Hartford,
January 19th, 1696, protection was granted to the towns of Rye
and Bedford, as members of their corporation ; and on the 10th
of May following, Daniel Simpkins was appointed ensign for the
latter town. January 2lst, 1696-7, Rye and Bedford applied to
be united to Connecticut, upon which that colony concluded to
receive ihem.'^

In a letter from Governor Fletcher, to the authorities of Con-
necticut, dated April 5th5 1697, the former complains about the
latter's receiving Rye and Bedford, and thus withdrawing them
from the obedience of New York.^

To compel the refractory towns into obedience, Governor
Fletcher issued a proclamation upon April 15ih, 1697, in which
he required Rye and Bedford to return to their allegiance. «

April 19th, 1697, Governor Fletcher states that Major Sellick
had interfered in favor of Connecticut, with fifty armed men.f

In reply 30th of April, 1697, Connecticut disclaims the use of
violent measures, and refers the whole matter to the King.g

Governor Fletcher and counsel, in answer to Connecticut, May
10th, 1697, entitles the reasons of the latter subterfugeesj and
complains of her making a disturbance in time of war. In con-

a Town Rec. b Boundary letters, Hartford, fol. 10, letter 137.

c Bound, letters, fol. 10, p. 138. d Bound, letters, 140.

• Bound. letterF, 141. f Bound, letters, 141-2.
r Bound, letters, No. 144.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 11

elusion, Connecticut may rest assured that New York will use all
lawful means to reduce these people to obedience.^-

Upon the 1st of May, 1697, the town petitioned for a patent,
embracing ten miles in length, from the north end of Stamford
bounds to ten miles northward into the woods, and eight miles
wide. The patent (which bears the Connecticut seal,) was taken
out May 13th, 1697. From the town records, it appears that Zac-
hariah Roberts, was allowed by the town, three shilhngs aday, and
half his expenses, and the town further ordered that every man
should pay him two pounds of flax for his expenses in going to
Connecticut about the said patent.

In answer to Governor Fletcher's letter of May the 10th, the
Governor and general assembly of Connecticut reply May 19th,
1697, that they consider the arguments of New York weak and un-
satisfactory, and are therefore, determined to protect these people. ^

May the 31st, 1697, CTOvernor Fletcher and council find just
fault with Connecticut for using " such a stile," and assert that
Connecticut gave up these towns by arrangement, in 1683, and
made no claim to them for twelve years or more, New York is
therefore determined to pursue her duty.<^

Upon the accession of Lord Bellamont to the government of
New York, April, 1698, we find Connecticut sending a delega-
tion to congratulate him. In a letter dated May 6th, Lord Bella-
mont expresses his thanks and good will towards Connecticut,
and encloses a letter from the Lords Commissioners of Trade, in
regard to Rye and Bedford ; he also denies their reasons for coun-
tenancing those towns in their revolt. ^

In reply, May, 1698, the deputy governor and assistants ex-
press the kindest and most friendly feelings towards his excellen-
cy, but cannot answer concerning Rye and Bedford until Gov-
ernor Winthrop's return. ^

Upon the 29th of March, 1700, King William the third gave his
approbation and confirmation to the agreement and survey of 1683
and 1684, whereby Rye and Bedford were included in New York.f

a Bound letters, No. 145. b Bound. leiters, No 146.

c Bound, letters, No 147. d Bound, l.'tters, No.l48.

« Bound, letter.^, No. 149. f Bound, letiers, fol. XL, letters 4S-9.

12 HISTORY OF THE

On the 10th of October, 1700, the general court of Connecti-
cut released Bedford from all allegiance.

October, 1713, Connecticut appointed certain commissioners to
meet those of New York in fixing the line. A final agreement
and conclusion took place between the commissioners at Dover,
in Dutchess Co., May the 14th, 1731, a by which Bedford and
Rye were forever hereafter included in ye province of New York.

The followins: grant and conformation under the hand of Kito-
nah, occurs on the 24th of July, 1700.

'' Kotonah Sagamore and chief proprietor of ye land about Bedford, hav-
ing formerly sold unto the inhabitants of the town of Bedford, a certain
tract of meadow land and upland northerly from the town and joining to their
first purchase, which tract of land is bounded by a small brook east, which runs
north on the west side of Potiticus falls, and west by Beaver Dam River,
northerly by the Cross River, and southerly by Bedford's land. This above
named tract of land (of Cotonah) Cotonah have sold from me and mine or any
Indian or Indians laying claim thereunto, to the inhabitants of Bedford, for a
valuable consideration in hand, already received to my full satisfaction, &c.,
&c.

Signed sealed and delivered Katonah ><1 his mark.

in presence of us, Toyebeakup Ix his mark.

Benjamin Hart Rurahquosh ^ his mark.

and Abraham Finch."

On the 13th of March, 1703, the town sold to John Johns-
ton one hundred acres of land for £56, and some months after
Crosses vineyard for £8. At a town meeting held in Bedford Oct,
4th, 1701,

" The town by a major vote, doth order the committee to proceed with ye
Indians about purchasing ye lands westward of ye old purchase, and now
marked the old purchase, formerly bought of the Indians, November 3d, 1701.
The town doth also agree that ye land westward of the first purchase, shall be
paid by heads ; and every head that payeth the Indians for it shall have every
one of them an equal share, according to what they pay. At the same time a
committee is chosen by vote, consisting of Zacariah Robertson, John Holmes,
jun,, and Jonathan Petit, to see ye Indians satisfied for ye land formerly
bought of them, which is west of the first purchase."

Upon the 4th of February, 1702, the town of Bedford sold to

» Bound, letter?, fol. XI., letter 136

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 13

John Dibble, Crosses vineyard purchase for £18 ; on the 16th of
March (1702,) John Dibble agrees to sell lUO acres of the same
to Jacobus Van Courlland, 6cc.

By a grant dated April 20, 1702, Katonah and Wackemane
convey to the inhabitants of Bedford all that tract of land within
the following bounds, viz :

*' To begin where Beaver dam river and Cross River meet and so to run on
the north west side of a brook called miry brook, and then to run across the
hills westerly on the west side of Cisqua meadows until it meets the river call-
ed Cisqua River, and a great swamp, and so to run up the brook and by mark-
ed trees to the north end of Byram pond, and so to the north end of Cohamong
pond, and then to a great red oak tree formerly marked by the Indians for Bed-
ford southermost bounds which stands on the west side of the west turn of
Meanau's River, and this above said land, we Katonah and Wackemane do sell
for us our heirs, &c., to the inhabitants of Bedford,

Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of Katonah s] his mark,

Zachariah Roberts and John Holmes, Wackemane }x} his mark,

Cararoea o his mark, Arattom H his mark,
Mangakom p his mark, Simon ^ his mark,

Upon the 4th of January 1703-4, Ketonah Sagamore and Wackemane, chief
proprietors of the lands about Bedford, have sold, and by these presents doe
sell &c., unto John Dibble of Bedford, in the county of Westchester, &c. a
certain tract of upland and meadow, &c. all within ye bounds hereafter named
and bounded by marked trees, from one branch of Beaver dam River southward
of Stone hills, then to rise westward of Stone hills, northward by ye marked
trees until it meets with a brook coming out of Stone hills, and so to be bounded
by ye said brook until it meets the Cross River, and bounded by the said Cross
River until it meets a small brook, and then bounded westward by Bedford's
cross vineyard purchase, and then bounded by Bedford's first purchase, south-
erly and eastwardly until it meets ye aforesaid branch, which' tract of land
thus bounded we Catonah and Wackemane for us our heirs, &c,, have sold to
the above said John Dibble, &c,'*

Caroroca n his mark, Catonah ><| his mark, [l. s.]

MoNAQui >H his mark, Wackemane p^ his mark, [l. s.]
Simon ^ his mark, Mangocken 72 his mark, [l. s.]

The same year we find John Dibble and wife, conveying to
Jacobus Van Conrtland, 700 acres of land lying in Bedford, called
the vineyard purchase, besides a certain parcel of meadow and

o The original documents in possession of the Hon, William Jay. . .

14 HISTORY OF THE

upland in ye bounds of said Bedford, first purchased, with marked
trees northerly, eastwardly by a small brook which runneth into
Cross River, and northerly by the Cross River, containing about
400 acres.

Upon the 5th of Ma)', 1703, Catonah Sagamore and Wackemane, for them-
selves and in behalf of any other Indians concerned, sell to Zachariah Robert-
son of Bedford, all that land between Bedford bounds and Muscotah River
which lyeth between Cisqua River and ye Cross River, for the several particu-
lars hereinafter named.

This is ye truth of ye bargain test. Zacariah Robertson.

10 pieces of eight which is paid,
6 shirts,
4 dozen coats,
2 blankets,

1 broad cloath coat,
4 hatchets,

4 lbs of powder,

2 gallons of rum.

The last Indian deed for lands in Bedford bears date, July 24th,
1703.

Wherein Catonah and Wackemane sell to Jacobus Van Courtland of the
city of New York, and Zacariah Robertson, a certain tract of upland meadow
and swamp, all within ye bounds hereat'ter named, that is to say to begin where
Beaver dam River and ye Cross River meets, and so to run westvvardly by
Bedfords marked trees until it comes to a black oak tree marked upon a high
hill, and then to run west to Muscotah River, and then to keep the south side
of Muscotah River, until it meets ye Cross River, and to keep the said Cross
River until it meets ye aforesaid Beaver dam River, &c.
Signed sealed anH delivered in presence Catonah 3 his mark,

of us, Nathan Clark, Joseph Hunt, Wackemane q his mark,

Hezekiah Roberts. Mequacom ^ his mark,

NoAPAPiN |x his mark, Cacoporo p5 his mark,

Mashato 14 his mark, Mamtero 01 his mark,

Amboock<1 his mark,

By a patent issued on the 8th day of April, 1704, Glueen Anne
confirmed the inhabitants of Bedford in all their legal rights.

"Whereas the general court of Connecticut on the 13th day of May in ye
year of our Lord Christ, 1697, hath granted unto the proprietors, inhabitants
of the town of Bedford, then within that colony, all those lands, &c., in their
abutments, viz : southerly on ye bounds of the township of Stamford, west*

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 15

wardly by ye wilderness, north on ye wilderness, and eastwardly on ye wilder-
ness or land not laid out, every of which sides is six miles in length, whinh said
lands have been by purchase or otherwise lawfully obtayned of the native Indian
proprietors thereof &c., and the governor and company of the said colony as-
sembled in general council by virtue of their charter afterwards to wit, ye 21st
day of May, in the ninth year of King William, did give, grant, ratify and con-
firm &c. unto John Miller, sen., Daniel Simpkins, Zacariah Roberts, Samuel
Seely, Jeremiah Andrews, John Wescoate, John Miller, jun., and John Holmes,
jun., and the rest &c. The aforesaid parcel of land six miles square the privi-
leges of being one entire township by patent.

We have given, granted, &c. to our loving subjects, Zacariah Roberts, sen.,
John Holmes, sen., Cornelius Seely, sen., Zacariah Roberts, jun., Cornelius
Seely, jun., John Miller, jun., Jonathan Miller, John Holmes, jun., David
Miller, Richard Holmes, Jonathan Holmes, David Holmes, Capt. Peter
Mathews, Col. Jacobus Van Courtland, Obadiah Seely, Stephen Claeson, John
Westcoate, jun., Richard Westcoate, Nathan Clarke, Joseph Hunt, Richard
Ay res, Jeremiah Andrews, Joseph Palmer, David Meade, John Dibble, Daniel
Jones, John Clapp, Thomas Hovi'ard and Vincent Simpkins, their heirs the
said tract of 23,000 acres called ye town of Bedford, &c. Witness our right
trusty and right well beloved cousin, Edward Vicount Cornbury, Captain Gene-
ral and Governor in chief of our province of New York and New Jersey, and ye
territories and tracts of land depending on them in America, Admiral of the
same, &c., in council at Fort Anne, New York, the 8th day of April, in the
third year of our reign A. D. 1704.^

In the sprit]g of 1714 a rate was levied on ye proprietors of ye
township of Bedford, in proportion to their several properties
therein, for ye raising ye sum of £50 for ye discharging of her
majesties dues of quit rent for ten years.

The proportion of Col. Jacobus Yan Cortland for
2565 acres in ye north west corner of ye patent lands

was £6 08 06

For his vineyard purchase, 607 acres . . . 1 10 05
For his right in Dibble's purchase, 762 acres . 1 18 00

For his right in ye new purchase. . . . 2 13 04
The following document is extracted from a manuscript vol-
ume entitled " the receipt book of the quit rents of Bedford, paid
from 1714 to 1767."

" Received of Mr. Jonathan Miller and Joseph Seely the sum of fifty pounds,
proclamation money, being in full for ten years quit rent for the town of Bed-

a Albany Book of Pat. No. vii. 271.

15 HISTORY OF THE

ford, to the Hoih of March last, witness my hand this 1st day of May, A. D.
1714.''*
jCoO procl. money. T. Bverly, Coll.

Upon the 12th of October, 1705, John Dibble,^ by a bill of sale
conveyed all his right, title and interest in the town of Bedford to
Jacobns Van Cortland ; the latter individual subsequently became
invested in the rights of Jonathan Miller on the 15lh of October,
1713, and Zacariah Roberts on the 13th of October, 1717.

Upon the 23d of June, 1736, '' the land to the north of Cross
River was divided by lot among the twenty nine proprietors of
Bedford." '

On the 10th of April, 1738, Jacobus Van Cortland devised ''all
his tenements and hereditaments situated within the patent and
township of Bedford to his son Frederick Yan Cortland of Yonkers
and his three daughters ; Margaret, wife of Abraham Depeyster ;
Anne, wife of John Chambers ; and Mary, wife of Peter Jay, the
parties giving mutual leases and releases to one another."<^

Frederick Van Cortland one of the above devisees obtained a re-
lease from the following freeholders of Bedford on the 21st of
September, 1741.

Hezekiah Roberts, John Holmes, Daniel Holly,

John Miller, Jonathan Westcoat, Nathan Clark,

Joseph Seely, Richard Westcoat, Moses Fountain,

Jonathan Holmes, Daniel Miller, John Miller,

^acariah Mills, Richard Holmes, Samuel Miller,

Jonathan Seely, Daniel Haight, Samuel Barras,

Ebenezer Holmes, Philip Ayres, Ebenezer Owen,

Jonathan Miller, Vincent Simpkins.

From an original map drawn up by Samuel Purdy, surveyor,
it appears that a partition of Jacobus Van Cortlandt's estate took
place in 1743. To Frederick Van Cortlandt, was allotted 1424
acres, to Abraham De Peyster 1110 acres, to John Chambers 1282
acres, and to Peter Jay 1299 acres.

a The original in possession of William Jay of Bedford.

^ The ancestor of John was Thomas Dibble a freeman of Dorchester, Massachu-
setts, who removed to Windsor, Conn,
c Co. Lib. G. foho 298.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

Upon the death of Peter Jay, Esq. in 1782, his share fell to
three sons, Peter, Frederick, and John. The latter was subse-
quently invested with a laro^e portion of the original allotment.

By the decease of the Honorable John Jay in 1S29, his son
William Jay, Esq. became the sole proprietor of tlie Bedford es-
tate. Mr. Jay therefore, is the only descendant of Jacobus Van
Cortlandt, that owns a foot of the original patent in the town of
Bedford. Abraham De Peyster sold to various individuals. The
descendants of the ancient proprietors of the Hop grounds (resident
in Bedford) are still very numerous, viz : the Green's, Miller's,
Holme's, Robert's, x\mbler's, Clark's, Ayre's, Westcoat's, Simp-
kin's, Mead's, Webb's, Clason's and Higgin's.

The village of Bedford is delightfully situated a little north of
the Mehanas River, in a large and fertile vale almost environed by
high hills. The surrounding country, is well wooded, and water-
ed by several streams tributary to the Croton. The principal of
these are the Pepemighting misnamed the Kisco, the Cisqua or
Beaver dam, and the Peppeneghek or Cross River. Bedford beino-
a half shire town with White Plains, (which is located sixteen
miles south.) The courts are held alternately at both places.

Court House, Bedford.

As early as 16S0, the proprietors of the Hop ground (then re-
siding at Stamford,) appointed a committee " for the purpose of
Vol. I. 3

18 HISTORY OF THE

laying out a town spot, and house lots, the latter to consist at
least of three acres each, also a town common field or park, was
directed to be laid out." At this period the Hop ground formed
a part of Stiimford township within f^'airfield county, and was
therefore under the jurisdiction of Connecticut. In 1681 the
general court of that colony ordered the laying out of a plantation
at the Hop ground.

On the 11th of October, 1681, the proprietors of the Hop
ground appointed a committee to lay out and divide the residue of
the land at the Hop ground. It was also agreed to receive eleven
inhabitants in order to form a town, and a committee appointed
to go and view the land for the purpose of laying out a cart way
to the Hop ground.

'^ Upon the 11th of May, 1682, the general court ordered that
the name of the town be henceforth called Bedford.''''

The town records, preserved in the clerk's oflice, contain the
following items, which, from their curiosity we insert: — January
14ih, 1682, a committee was appointed to take measures for build-
ing a grist mill for ihe town." July, 1682, at the first town meet-
ing held in Bedford it was voted that any person having a right
in land and not building a house by the last of next May, or who
should build a house and not inhabit it for three years, should
forfeit his right to the town.

January 29th, 1688. The town by vote doth order, that every
one here present at the town meeting shall have a piece of
land consisting of four acres added to the former dividend, for
their faithfulness in attending town meetings. Seventeen were
present on this occasion. On the 9ih of January, 1699, the town
agreed to give six acres of land for a grind stone. November
17ih, 1701, the town bought a mill for £15. The present village
contains a court house and prison, two churches, an academy,
two taverns, three stores, forty dwellings, and about two hun-
dred and fifty inhabitants ; it is fourteen miles from Sing Sing,
and sixteen from Tiirrytown, on the Hudson, forty-four from
New York, and twelve from Greenwich in Connecticut, on the
sound. Near the western border of the town is situated the Bed-
ford railroad station. The Bedford academy has been in sue-

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

cessfiil operation for several years ; its present principal is Mr.
Odell Close. Besides the above institntion, there are eighteen
school districts. The old parish grave yard lying on a declivi-
ty near the Methodist meeting house, contains many curious
memorials.

The Sacred

Decea to the memory of

sed Col. Lewis McDonald Esq.

Thomas and Sarah his wife

Woolsey being a native of North Britain

born in borne at Strathspey 1709

the year and departed this life 24 July 1777
A. D. 1655.

W. W.

here lies the
body of Thomas
Woolsey
also
Jacob Briam
son of Thomas
born Sept. 1733 ob. 1760.-

Sacred

to the memory of the

Rev'd Ebenezer Grant

17 years minister of the

Presbyterian Church in Bedford

who departed this life Sept. 6. 1821.

aged 48 years _ ,

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord
from henceforth, yea, saith the spirit, that •■

they may rest from their labors
and their works do follow them.
Rev. 14: 13.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was erected in 1837, and
incorporated on the ISth of January, ISSS.^i A prior incorpo-
ration of this society, appears to have taken place 24th July,
1825. John Fountain, Robert Knowlton, Joseph Clark, James
Fountain, Gabriel Smith, trustees.^ A third occurs 9 April, 1844.^
Upon a commanding eminence which rises north of the vil-
lage stands the Presbyterian Church, a modern structure of wood,
surmounted with a small cupola and spire. The old church
which was burnt during the revolutionary war, stood south east
of the present edifice, near the foot of the hill. The first reli-
gious society organized at Bedford in 1680, was Congregational,
at that time the established religion of the colony of Connecticut.

a Religious Sec. Co. Rec. Lib A.
bib. Lib. B.p. 53.
c lb. Lib. B. 88.

20 HISTORY OF THE

The proprietors of the Hop ground appear to have made early
provision for the erection and support of a church, for, in 1680j
" it was agreed that a meeting house should be erected on the com^
mens." In 1681, the general court instructed the committee who
were to la^^ out a plantation at the hop ground, " to take care that
there should be a suitable lot laid out for the first minister of the
place, and a lot for the minister forever." December 8th, 1681,
the proprietors agreed to give Mr. Prudden a call to be their
minister. In 16S8 the Rev. Thomas Denliam must have been
settled here, for on the 2Sih of January, (nf that year.) the town
ordered £20 to be raised and collected for Mr. Denham's salary.
September 23, 1689. The town b}^ vote agreed that in " case
Mr. Abraham Ambler, sen., will come up and live at Bedford
and carry on tlie Sabbath as God shall enable him, we will
give unto him the sum of £20 a year, so long as he shall per-
form the work among us." The following month (October 15)
it was agreed to build Mr. Abraham Ambler a frame house forty-
feet by twenty- two.

*' 16th of December, 1692, David Mead was chosen by the
town to k'eep the town druu), to keep it in repair and to beat it
when necessary, and to be allowed 10 shillings yearly."

Prior to the use of bells in New England, the meetings were
summoned by beat of drum, or the blowing of the conch shell:
to this practice the poet alludes :

"New England's Sabbath day,"
Is heaven-like, still, and pure,
Then Israel walks the way
Up to the temples door :
The time we tell,
When there to come,
By beat of drum,
Or sounding shell.
On the 19th of October, 1694, the town agreed to buy
a house and lot of John Ambler for a parsonage, provided his price
do not exceed £35.

On March 2 1st, 1698, the town voted that every man should
pay three pence per acre for all the land he had for the support of
a minister.

Upon the 9th of January, 1699, the inhabitants of the town re-

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 21

quested the ministers in the county to inform them wliere they
could procure a minister, at the same time offering forty acres
of land and £30 in current provision as his pay.*

On the 26th of December, 1699, the town agreed with Mr.
Joseph Morgan, minister as follows, viz : first to give him the use
of the parsonage, on condition he stays three years ; secondly, to
build him a two story house, twenty-seven feet by twenty,
the house to belong to his heirs if he die in the town ; if he
removes he shall pay the towfj the expence of building the house ;
third, to give him the first year £40, and plant and manure forty
acres for him, and after the first year to give him £20, and to
raise ten acres of winter grain for him yearly, to cut and cart his
fire wood, and transport himself and family to Bedford free of ex-
pence. In a summary account of the state of the church in the
province of New York, as it was laid before the clergy, convened
October 5di, 1704. at New York ; it is therein stated that " there
is an independent church at Bedford where the minister designs
to leave them ; they are well affected to the church, and it is
hoped when he is gone they will be in communion with Iier.''^

The following year Col. Caleb Heathcoate informs the secreta-
ry of the Propogation Society, " that sometime prior to his coming
into the Province, Rye and Bedford had a minister, one Mr.
Denham, and afterwards one Mr. Jones at Bedford. ^

A LIST OF MI.MSTERS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH,

BEDFORD.

Install or call, Ministers. ''' -

1681 ; ..r- Rev. Peter Prudden,

1688 ■ r Rev. Thomas Denham, ^

Oct. 1689 ' Rev. Abraham Ambler,

1699 Rev. Joseph Morgan,

1704 ' Rev. Eliphalet Jones,^

a November 14, lfi99, the town agreed to give sixteen acres of ploughed land to
Mr. Copp, in condition he would inhabit among them.

b See Church Rec Francis L. Hawks, D. D. vol. i. No. 16. ^^ .

c Church Record 1841, vol. i. No. 29.

d Styled in the Co. Rec. minister of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in Bed-
ford.

e Son of the Rev. John Jones, of Fairfield, born at Concord, January 11, 1641.

2 2 HIISTORY OF THE

A^ V

The first regularly installed Presbyterian pastor of Bedford,
^vas the Rev. Wihiam Tennent ; this individual upon his first i^r-
rival in America, (in 1716,) settled at East Chester, A. D. 1720 ;
the exact date of his removal to Bedford has not been determined ;
it probably took place in 1721. a

The Presbyterian Society was incorporated by virtue of an act
of the legislature of this state " entitled an act to enable all relig-
ious denominations in this state to appoint trustees who shall be
a body corporate, for the purpose of taking care of the temporalities
of their respective congregations, and for other purposes therein
mentioned, passed 6th of April, 1784, " to be known by the name of
the trustees for the Presbyterian Church and congregation of Bed-
ford, to be governed in discipline and worship according to the
Directory of the now established Church of Scotland," first trustees
Zebadiah Mills, Israel Lyon and Joseph Owen.b

LIST OF MINISTERS OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT

BEDFORD.

Install or call, JMinisters. Vacated by

1721 Rev. ^ViUiam Tennent, resig.

1740 Rev. Robert Sturgeon, do.

1743 Rev. Samuel Sackett, do. 1753

Jan. 1, 1769 Rev. Ehphalet Ball, do. Jan. 1, 1769

Dec. 13, 1769 Rev. Samuel Mills, do. May 18, 1786

May IS, 1786 Rev. John Davenport, do. May 4, 1791

Nov. 15, 1798 Rev. Josiah Henderson, do. Nov. 15, 1803

Sept. 20, 1804 Rev. Ebenezer Grant, ob. Sept. 6, 1821

April 16, 1828 Rev. Jacob Green, present minister.

First elders of the church, Ebenezer Miller, and Jacob Smith,
first deacon Ebenezer Miller.

CHURCH MEMORANDA.

A. D. 1826, communicants 141, baptisms 19,

» The Rev. William Tennent was the founder of the Log. College, Penn. See
Biographical sketches of the founder by A. Alexander, D. J).— Assembly Magazine,
May, 1805.

t Religious Soc. Incorp. Co. Rec Lib. A. 4.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 23

A. D. 1S36 communicants, 191, baptisms, 6,
1846 ditto 194, ditto 7,

Present number of communicants in (1847,) 200.

The Bedford presbytery,^ which was created in 1829 consists
of the following churches, Bedford, So lers, South Salem, Pound-
ridge, Rye, K^. Green burg. White Plains, Mt, Pleasant, Yorktown,
North Salem and Greenburgh.

About half a mile north of the Presbyterian church, lies a
small scattered hamlet consisting of two churches, an academy,
two stores and several dwellings; through it the northern road to
Cantetoe passes. In the northern part of this hamlet is situated
St. Mathews Episcopal Church, a neat structure of brick, erected
in 1807, by public subscription.

Bedford originally constituted one of the three districts of Ryo
parish, having been annexed thereto by the general acts of assem-
bly, passed in 1693, 1696 and 1700. The first rector of the parish
was the Rev. Thomas Pritchard ;b from a letter addressed by this
individual to the Venerable Propogation Society, dated Novem-
ber 1st, 1704, we learn that the Rev. Mr. Stewart was laboring as
a missionary at Bedford. V '

The quota furnished by the Bedford precinct towards the

Rector's tax in 1725 was £16, 2s. Od, in 1745, £30,

throughout the year 1728. Tiie Rev. Timothy VVetmore officiated
here, and the Rev. Mr. Lampson in 1745; at this date there ap-
pear to have been four hundred families within the two precincts
of Bedford and North Castle. In 1753, the Rev. Timothy Wet-
more informed the Propogation Society, ''that the congregations at
Bedford and North Casile were large and flourishing."

In the spring of 1762, the precincts of Bedford and North Cas-
tle were visited by the Rev. George Dibble and St. George Tal-
bot, Esq. The latter gentleman, (says Mr. HuQ)phreys,) willing to
know the religious state of the people, desired Mr. Dibble to ac-
company him to Bedford, Crumpond and Peekskill, and to return
by way of Croton and White Plains, which he did, and preached

* The earliest meeting of the Presbytery in America, is supposed to have taken
place in 1705. , a

b See Rye. ' ' ?

24 HISTORY OF THE

in each of those places, and baptized ten children; he found no
person of any denomination in any of these places except at Bed-
ford, in each of them he met with several families professors of
the Cluirch of Enghtnd.

St. George Talbot subsequently devised in trust, " certain sums
of money,'' "for the use and benefit of the churches of North Cas-
tle and Bedford."'^

" From letters received by Dr. Auchmuty, Rector of Trinity
Church, and jMr. Livingston (executor of the late Mr. St. George
Talbot,) dated December 8th, 1769, it appears that the heirs at
law leave no method untried to defeat the purposes of Mr. Tal-
bot's will and that by evasive practices in law, the cause is
still undetermined. "t>

In 1771, Mr. John Livingston informs the Propogation Society,
that with regard to Mr. Talbot's will the attorneys have judged
it expedient to come to an agreement with the heirs of Mr. Tal-
bot, by which the executors should pay them £1300, in full
for their claim and demand on the real and personal estate. It will
be seen, however, that the Church did not receive the legacy until
the year 1803.

The Episcopal Church of Bedford was first incorporated on the
19th of April 1789, under the stile of " the Trustees of the Protest-
ant Episcopal Church in the townships of Bedford and North
Castle."^

In consequence of an act passed for the relief of the Protestant
Episcopal Church on the 17ih of March, 1795 ; this church was
again incorporated under the name and title of " the Protestant
Episcopal Church in the United towns of Bedford and New Cas-
tle, the church at New Castle to continue by the regular name
of St. George's Church." Charles Haight of New Castle, and
William Miller, Esq. of Bedford, Churchwardens ; Samuel Ray-
mond, Gabriel Smith, David Haight, James McDonald, Marma-
duke Forster, Gilbert Martin. Nicholas Haight and Samuel Smith

* " Which said money is now in possession of Lewis McDonald and others," ex-
tracts from will of St. George Talbot, Esq.
b Reports of Propogation Society,
c Incorp. of lieli^'ious Soc- Lib. A. 12.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 25

vestrymen." Theodosius Bartow appears to have been minister
of the united parishes at the time of election. »•

At a meeting of the vestry November 12th, 1795, it was " order-
ed that WiUiam Miller, Esq., be empowered to commence and
carry on a suit against Philip I. Livingston for money left by St.
George Talbot to the churches of Bedford and New Castle."

At a meeting of the vestry held on the 3rd of March, 1803,
"Mr. Miller informed the board that the money bequeathed to
the united churches by the late St. George Talbot, had been recov-
ered by a judgment obtained in the supreme court against Philip
I. Livingston, and the said money after deducting charges will
probably amount to about twenty-five hundred dollars." The
vestry at the same meeting resolved to purchase a certain house
and forty acres of land in Bedford, at the price of sixteen hundred
and twenty-five dollars, for a glebe and parsonage ; the purchase
was subsequently made and a new parsonage erected thereon in
1822. In 1804, Trinity Church, New York, liberally endowed
the united churches of Bedford and New Castle with the sum of
one thousand dollars ; also in 1808 the further sura of one hun-
dred and fifty dollars. ^ - .. -

At a vestry meeting held on the 8th of December, 1805, it was
resolved " that the residue of the bequest of St. George Talbot
be appropriated towards defraying the cost of building a church
in Bedford. c

The communion silver belonging to St. Matthew's Church,
was the united gift of Mrs. Banyar and Ann Jay, on the 29th of
October, 1810.

The service books were presented by Mrs. Ann Raymond of
Bedford. In 1839 the church was repaired and new seated ; the
first delegate from this parish to the Diocesan convention in 1787,
was Stephen de Lancey, Esq.

^ Incorp. of Relig. Soc. Lib. A. 64.

b Hist, of Trinity Ch. N. Y. by Samuel Berrien, D. D.

c The church at New Castle having been found too much decayed for public
worship, was taken down in 1839 ; from that time services have been entirely con-
fined to Bedford.

Vol. L 4

26 HISTORY OF THE

RECTORS OF BEDFORD.

Institution or call, Incumbents, by resi

1704, Rev. Stewart, clericus. ditto

1796, Rev. Theodosius Bartow, Presb. ditto

30lh July 1S04, Rev. George Strebeck, Presb. ditto

1S09, Rev. Nathan Felch, Presb. ditto

16th June 1S16, Rev. George Weller, Deacon, ditto

ISiy, Rev. Samuel Nicholls, Presb. ditto

12th Aug. 183S, Rev. Alfred Partridge, pr. incum.

NOTITIA .PAROCHIALIS.

1745, baptisms 14, communicants 00
1810, ditto OS, ditto 10

1815, ditto 19, ditto 24

1844, ditto 09, ditto 88

The burying ground adjoining the church contains memorials
to the families of the Amblers, Guions, Olmsteds, CoUyers, Ray-
monds, Parks, Gardeners and Banks.

Within the before mentioned hamlet, near the junction of the
Sing Sing and Bedford roads, stands the Baptist Church. The
Baptist Society was first organized September 22d, 1798, seven of
its members having received legal letters of dismission from the
Baptist Church of Stamford, to form a new society under the pas-
toral charge of Elder Jones ; on the eighth of May 1802, elder
Ezra Fountain was elected Pastor of this church, an office which
he held with great acceptance until his death which took place
November 26th, 1837. The Rev. Ezra Fountain was interred
on his farm, at present occupied by John A. Miller, in this town,
where a monument has been erected to his memory, which con-
tains the following epitapth, written by himself:

" A dying preacher I have been,"

To dying creatures such as you,
A dying preacher I rennain,

To all who come my grave to view.

It may be truly said of this good man, though dead he yet
sp3aketii. Mr. Fountain was succeeded in the pastoral charge by

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 27

Elder Charles H. Underbill wlio continued for two years. Their
successors have been Elder Samuel Covel, and Elder Nathan
Reed, the present pastor is a licentiate from the Baptist Semina-
ry of Madison County, New York. Present number of communi-
cants, 250.

The Union Academy of Bedford occupies a prominent situation
south east of the Baptist Church ; its principal is Alexander G.
Reynolds.

Near the hamlet, are situated the residences of William Hursell
and Jabez Robertson, Esqrs.

To the south east lies the Hook farm, the property of Phinehas
Barrett Esq., (formerly belonging to Col. James Holmes.) Upon
(he 5th of April, 1774, James Smith and Mary his wife sold to
James Holmes, "all that messnage lying in Bedford, conmionly
called the Hook, containing seventy-three acres.

Col. James Holmes was the son of John and Jemima Holmes ; his
father John Holmes was a respectable farmer, a man of extensive
real and personal property, a large proportion of which descended to
him from his father John Holmes, who emigrated to this country
from Beverly, Yorkshire, in England, about the year 1660, and
was one of the original proprietors and settlers of this town.
John Holmes, father of the said Col. James Holmes held many
civil and military appointments. He was many years a town clerk.
Justice of the Peace and Captain of the Militia, which appoint-
ments he held till the time of his death.

During the French war between France and Great Britain, in
1757-8, Col. James Holmes volunteered in the service of his coun-
try, and was in the great and destructive battle under the com-
mand of General Abercrombie, in which were nineteen hundred
men killed and wounded. After the conquest of Canada he re-
turned to Bedford.

Upon the commencement of hostilities between America and
Great Britain, he was appointed by the New York Convention
one of a committee of three, viz : Col. James Van Courtland, Capt.
Montgomery, (afterwards Gen. Montgomery,) and himself, to pro-
ceed to examine the heights about Kingsbridge, and report where
it wonld be advisable to fortify. They performed this duty and
reported satisfactory. The same convention ordered four regi-

28 HISTORY OF THE

ments to be raised. The first was given to Alexander M'Doiigal,
the second to G. Van Schaick, the third to James Clinton, and
the fourth to James Holmes. Tliese regiments were immediate-
ly advanced to the northward. In 1777, he retired from the
service of his country, owing to certain circumstances which
had tended to dampen his military ambition, and returned to his
farm. In the spring of 1778, he was arrested by order of the
committee of public safety, and conveyed to Bedford.

He subsequently accepted the appointment of Lieut. Colonel of
the corps of West Chester County refugees, in the British service ;
in this corps he remained till the end of the war. Colonel James
Holmes died at New Haven, July, 1824; leaving issue by his
wife Tamar, two daughters ; Tamar, who married James Ronalds,
father of William R. Ronalds, Esq., of New York, and Sally, the
wife of Jeremiah Lounsberry of this town. a

The village of Bedford was burnt during the Revolutionary
war, (by a party of British light horse on their route to Fairfield,)
and much vahiable property destroyed in its immediate vicinity,
but the inhabitants continued firmly attached to the interests of
their country.

On the 15th of July. 1779, General Heath having ascertained
that the enemy's shipping had gone down towards New York,
moved his troops and took a strong position between Ridgefield
and Bedford, sending out patrols of horse and foot on all the
roads. b

On the evening of the 29ihof December, 1780, (writes General
Heath,) a party of the enemy from Delancey's corps, consisting of
about one hundred infantry and fifty horse, came up to North
Castle where after a short halt they proceeded towards Bedford
new purchase. Capt. Pritchard who was posted at Bedford with
a company of continental troops, and some militia, immediately
advanced towards them, attacked their van, who retreated, as did
their main body. Capt. Pritchard pursued them as far as Youngs.
It was said that one of the enemy was killed and several wound-

» Extracts from life of James Holmes, Esq., printed in 1815.
b Heath's Mem. p. 270.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 29

ed who were carried off in a wagon. Four oxen, and between
thirty and forty sheep were retaken, eight or ten head of cattle
were driven off; the captain sustained no injury.^ -

On the morning of the sixteenth, 1781, (contiijues the same au-
thority,) " the enemy made an incursion from Morrisania, to-
wards Bedford, and took Lieuts. Carpenter, Wright and Peacock,
and five other inhabitants prisoners; burnt five houses, plunder-
ed and stript several other inhabitants, and returned ; they were
pursued by Capt. Pritchard, but could not be overtaken. ^

One of the most prominent objects in the immediate vicinity
of Bedford village, is the round hill called Aspeiong, celebrated
for its beautiful views of the surrounding country, its summit
affords a favorite resort for parties during the summer season. <^

The road proceeding north from the village descends into the
valley of the Beaver dam, (Cisqua,) watered by a beautiful stream
of the same name, which rises in the adjoining town of Pound-
ridge. In its progress to the Croton the Beaver dam is fed by
the waters of broad and muddy brooks. By the process of gaug-
ing in 1833, (at a fair minimum,) the Beaver dam and Broad brook
yielded four million nine hundred and sixty-three thousand four
hundred and eighty gallons per diem.'i

The former stream appears to have been in a peculiar manner
the haunt of the beaver ; hence the origin of the name Beaver
dam. This timid animal, (says Van der Donck,) " always con-
structed its dwellings over running streams, having apertures in
the lower stories which communicated with the water from which
they could more easily retreat under water to places of safety
which they have always prepared near their houses ; these consist
of a hollow or hole entwining under water from the side of the
stream whereon their house was erected, and adjoining under the
bank into which they retreat on the approach of danger, wherein
they seem to be safe and secure that no person can molest them.
Eighty thousand beavers (the same authority asserts,) were killed

=1 Heath's Mem. p. 268.
b Heath's Mem. p. 274.

c 11th May, 1772, John Farnam conveys to James Holmes a lot of land lying in
Bedford near a place called Aspetong.
d Report of water commissioners.

30 HISTORY OF THE

annually, during his residence of nine years in the New Nether-
lunds."a

The beaver's favorite food was the bark of the willow, birch,
and maple trees which still flourish on the banks of the Cisqua,
(Beaver dam.) Rising above the banks of this stream on the west
is an extensive ridge called the " Deer's delight."

It appears that the old road laid out to the vineyard purchase
in 1739, " extended north from Harris's mill at the west side of
Cantetoe ridge on the east side of " deer's delight," and so
through to the purchase.^

Deer must have been very numerous here in 1656, for the same
authority just quoted says " the land abounded with them every
where, and their numbers appear to remain undiminished ; we
seldom pass through the fields without seeing deer more or less,
and we frequently see them in herds ; there are also white bucks
and does, and others of a black colour. The Indians aver that the
haunts of the white deer are much frequented by the common
deer, and that those of the black species are not frequented by the
common deer."^

The wolf appears to have abounded in proportion to the other
wild game. So destructive had this ferocious animal become in
1694 that the town of Bedford offered " twenty shillings bounty
for the killing of wolves."

In the northern part of this town is situated the residence and
estate of the Jay family. Here the Hon. John Jay spent the latter
part of his life. The house is delightfully seated on a rising ground
backed with luxuriant woods. The surrounding scenery is ex-
ceedingly picturesque, particularly on the west overlooking the
Kisco and Croton vallies, and the hills bordering the Hudson.
Among these is the distant Dunderberg. A sunset view from
this place is uncommonly grand. The interior of the mansion
contains a number of excellent portraits. These consist of the Hon.
John Jay, head by Stewart, Stephen Van Rensselaer, by ditto,

»■ Van der Donk's Hist. N. N. New York Hist. Soc. collect,
b Book of Co. Roads, Co. Clerk's office, lib. L. A. D. 1728.
« Van der Douk's N. N.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

Hon. Egbert Benson by dilto, Augustus Jay, co))y from an old
French picture, Mrs. Balch by West, and a bust of the Hon John
Jay after a model by (.^arrncio.^

The following notice of the death of the Hon. Jolin Jay occurs
in Hammond's Political History of the state.

" The venerable John Jay died on the 17ih of May, at his man-
sion in Bedford, at the advanced age of ei<^hty three years. Al-
though he had been "long remembered," he was not entirely for-
gotten. The Supreme Court being in session in New York, the
gentlemen of the bar, held a meeting, of which David B. Ogden
was chairman, and John Suydam was secretary, and at wliich a
committee was appointed, consisting of Greene C. Bronson, Jan^es
Tallmadge, J. A. Spencer, D. S. Jones, G. Griffin, and J. J. Rose-
velt, who reported among others the following resolution, which
was unanimously adopted :

" Resolved that the members of this bar are impressed with
deep grief upon the decease of their illustrious brother John Jay.
They find, however, a consolation in the reflection, that his
conduct through a long and useful life, has given a lustre to our
profession, and to this bar ; and that while his character for pri-

Residence of tlie Hon John Jay.

* Frazee the sculptor executed several busts of this distinguished individual from
the model of Carracio ; one of these was ordered by Congress for the Supreme Court
of the U. S.

32 HISTORY OF THE

vate virtues and public worth has justly endeared him to the na-
tion, liis patriotism, his great talents as a statesman, and his great
acquirements as a jurist, his eminent purity as a christian, and
his probity as a man, all unite to present him to the public as an
example whose radiance points to the attainment of excellence."

Tiie memory of this great and good man will be embalmed in
the heart of every true friend of liberty, virtue and the honor and
prosperity of the state of New York and her civil institutions, as
long as the history of this state and nation shall be known and
read ."a

A little east of the house flows Spruce Creek, the former divis-
ion line between the vineyard and the Dibble purchases.

North east of Cautetoe lies the valley of the Peppeneghek,
(Cross River,) celebrated for its picturesque beauty.

Whitlocksville is a small settlement in the north west corner
of Bedford situated near the junction of the Croton and Cross riv-
ers. Upon the latter stream are located the grist mill and clothier
works of Warren Whitlock. The Cross River, (Peppeneghek,)
is said to discharge at the rate of nine million one hundred and
forty-two thousand four hundred gallons per diem.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of this place was first erected
in 1837, and incorporated on the 25th of February the same year :
Norman William Miller, Walter P. Lyon, Joseph Wilson, Joel
W. Miller and Noah Smith, trustees. ^

The settlement also contains a post office, three stores and twen-
ty-five houses. The West Chester Rail Road passes a little east
of the place : the Peppeneghek and the Cisqua intersect a mile to
the eastward. Previous to the erection of the Croton dam, the
shad fish annually ascended the river to Whitlocksville a distance
of nearly thirty miles from the Hudson ; trout are taken here in
great abundance.

" The several tributaries of the Croton in this town supply a
great abundance of mill seats. There is also a small stream that
runs north from tfie village of Bedford to Long Island Sound

» Hammond'fi Polilical Hist, of N. Y. vol. ii. 310.
b Relig. See. Lib. B. 69.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 33

(to which we have already alhided,). called the Mahanas river.
The mills are numerous and more than equal to the wants of the
inhabitants. The general surface of Bedford is elevated, and
though broken by small hills, and valleys, has very little of waste
ground. The arable, pasture, and meadow lands, are in very just
proportion for a good farming country, and the whole is well
watered by springs, brooks, and rivulets, the latter of a good size
for mills ; the summits of the hills afford many extensive and in-
teresting prospects, but the hills are stony and hard to till though
they yield good crops of grain, grass, and all the common
fruits."

In the vicinity of Bedford sulpheret of iron, and the oxide of
iron occur in beds of sand, also quartz and slate are found in nu-
merous localities.

The following extracts are taken from the town records :^

" July, 1682, was held the first town meeting.'' " At a town
meeting held March 17, 1686, the town by vote did choose Zacha-
riah Roberts town clerk, for to record town matters and to keep
the town books and papers."

The first independent election for town officers, took place on
the 7th of April, 1784, when the following officers were chosen :

Peter Fleming. — Supervisor.

Philip Leek. — Town Clerk.

Lemuel Light. — Constable and Collector.

Philip Leek, ]

Richard Sackett, ! Assessors
John Miller, f ^^^^-^^o^^-

Ephraim Raymond, J

James McDonald

Eli Tyler, J> Commissioners of Roads.

Zebediah Mills.

a The town records consist of four volumes, No. 1 entitled Record of the town,
1683. No. 2 the Laws and Orders of Connecticut Colony, &c., entered upon record
by Zachariah Roberts, recorder, in the year 1699. No. 3 commences April 30,
1708. No. 4, 1786.

Vol. I. 5 -

HISTORY OF THE

CORTLANDT.

fc=t. PctQi's Church, PeekskHl.

This town formerly-
belonged to the great
manor of Cortlandt,
which also compre-
hended the present
townships of North Sa-
lem, Somers and York-
town. The name itself
is derived from the
ancient family of the
Yan Cortland t'Sj the

mesne Lords and first
grantees from the Indians. Under the Mohegans or River Indians,
Cortlandt-town appears to have been divided between the two
chiefs of Sachus and Kitchawong, the former of whom exercised
jurisdiction over the lands of Wishqua, Canopus, Wenneebees,
Appamaghpogh and Meahagh, a territory extending from the
south side of Verplanck's Point to St. Anthony's nose in the High-
lands, whilst the latter held authority over the lands of Kitcha-
wan, lying south of Verplanck's Point, including Senasquaneck,
(Teller's Point,) and the small island of Oscawana.

The Indian villages in their order were, first, Kitchawonk, sit-
uated near the mouth of the Croton, so called from the original
name of the river, viz : " Kitchawan,"a term which is descriptive
of a large and swift flowing current. Croton, the present name
of the same stream, is said to have been adopted from an illustri-
ous sachem of that name who resided here at an early period.

"The first name of importance above the island (remarks Mr.
Schoolcraft,) is Croton, a name of classic sound, but unquestiona-

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 35

bly derived from the Indian, though a corrnption of the original,
and not originally applied by them to the River.

In a deed dated 16S5, which is quoted by Jud^e Benson, the
river is called Kitchawan. " Croton as stated by the same author-
ity is a corruption of the name of a chief who lived and exercised
his authority at the mouth of this stream. It is clearly a deriva-
tive from Kenotin or Knoten, or as it is oftener used without
the pronoun prefixed, Noten, meaning in either case the wind or
a tempest. It is a man's name still common in the west and
north. "a.

The Indian castle of Kitchawan (according to tradition) occu-
pied a commanding position on the neck proper overlooking the
Croton and Haverstraw bays, a little northwest of tlie manor
house. This site was chosen for the purpose of protecting the
fisheries, and overawing the neighboring tribes. A variety of In-
dian weapons are occasionally found in the neighborhood, con-
sisting principally of battle-axes, javelins and arrow heads. The
Indian burying ground is situated near the entrance of Senasqua
Neck, (Teller's Point.) The sachem of Kitchawan in 1641, was
Metse wakes.

"Upon the 10th July, 1641, appeared before the counsel, the
following chiefs summoned by Oratan, chief of Hackinkesacky,
agreeably to the conversation with him on the 27 of May, viz.,
Sowanare, chief of Weckquaeskek, and Metsewakes, chief of Ket-
chawangh, alias Slauper Haven ; they expressed a desire to live
on friendly terms with the Dutch and to detach themselves from
the Esopus Indians.''^

Upon the 22d of April, 1643, the chief of Hackinkesacky was
delegated by the Indians of Kitchawan to conclude a peace with
the Director General. c

In 1644, Mamaronack was chief of the Indians residing on the
Kitchawan. f^

!^ Pro. N. Y. Hist. Soc. 1844, 100.

!XL::::...o. • 128101S

d O'Callaghan's Hist. N. N. p. 302,

36 HISTORY OF THE

A. D. 1645, Aepjen chief sachem of the Mohegans signed a
treaty of peace in behalf of the Kitchawanghs.a

On the 15th of September, 1663, occurs the name of Meghte-
sewakes, chief of Kitchawan, and in 1699, that of Sackama
^^'icker.

The next Indian village north of the Croton, was Sachus or
Sackhoesj which stood near the site of the present village of
Peekskill. The chief of this place in the year 1682, was Sir-
ham.

The early Dutch maps place the villages of Keskisko, (a name
that partly survives in theKisco River,) PasquashiC; and Noapain
south ot the Highlands.

The Wappinger Indians occupied the region of St. Anthony's
nose and the Kittatenny mountains, (Highlands. )'»

The Indians are said to have been very numerous in and
around Peekskill as late as 1740, especially during the fishing
seasons. c

At an early period, Teller's Point or neck passed from the
native Indian proprietors to William and Sarah Teller. " The
point or peninsula, (says Judge Benson,) the northern chop of the
bay or entrance into Croton River, the Skippers called Sarah's
Point, the Indians gave it to Wilham and Sarah Teller, hus-
band and wife, and she survived him."<i

On the Sd of June, 1682, occurs a sale from the Indian proprietors, Acke-
mak, Jangheor, Nawakies, Wettatane, Kaegara, Pewengen, Askawanes, Sig-
geres, Owarrevvie, Aronjsack, Serram, Geckawock, Garhanck, Awoejhac-
kias, Armawain, Ogkan, Nennafarick, Wapeken, Sepaacktan, and Awe-
maracktow, to Cornelius Van Burgum, consisting of all that parcel neck or
point of land, with the marsh, meadow ground or valley thereto adjoining and
belonging, situate, lying, and being on the east side of the North or Hudson's
river, over against the Verdrida Hooke, commonly called and known by the
name of Slaupers Haven, and by the Indians Navish, the meadow being by the
Indians called Senasqua, being bounded by the said river and a certain
creek called or known to the Indians by the name of Tanrackan and Sepperak,

a N. Y. Hist. Soc. Coll. N. Ser. vol. i. 276.

y> Moulton's History of New York, p. 221.

• This is stated on the authority of Mr. Mandeville of Peekskill.

<i Benson's Mem. of the state of N. Y. 47.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 37

and divided from the main land by certain trees marked by the Indians, togeth-
er with half the said creek, &c. &c., for and in consideration of a certain sum
or quantity of Wampum and divers other goods, paid by Cornelius Van Bur-
gum.^

It is certain that some time prior to 1748, Sarah Teller held
the neck as tenant at sufferance nnder the Van Cortlandt fami-
ly. A branch of the Teller family were early connected with
the Yan Corllandt's by marriage. Andrew Teller in 1671 hav-
ing married Sophia, daughter of the Right Hon. Oloff Stevensen
Yan Cortlandt.

The common ancestor of the Tellers was a Dutch clergyman
of some distinction in the New Netherlands.

Upon the 30th of July, 1667, occurs an act of the English Gov-
ernor and his council, concerning William Teller and his chil-
dren, wherein the payment of eighty-five beavers is enforced as
his daughter's share besides other portions to his remaining chil-
dren ; one of these was a son named Andries.b

The names of Jacob Teller en zyn buys vrow (and his wife)
occur in the church books of Sleepy Hollow.

Upon the 14 of July, 1800, the heirs of William Teller, con-
veyed part of the neck to Elijah Morgan of Cortlandt-town •
6th of November, 1804, Elijah Morgan, jr., and Ann his wife
re-sold the same to Robert Underbill ; on the 16th of August
1804, Robert McCord and wife conveyed another portion of the
neck to Robert Underbill ; upon the death of the latter individual
the whole became vested in his two sons, the present proprietors
of Croton Point.

In 1683, the Hon. Stephanus Yan Cortlandt, purchased of
the native Indian proprietors the territory of Meabagh, (Yer-
planck's Point,) and the lands east thereof called Appamaghpogh
as follows :

To all Christian people to whom this present writing shall come Pewemine,
Oskewans, Turham, Qaerawighint, Siecham, Jsighers and Prackises, all In-
dians, true and rightful owners and proprietors of the land hereinafter mention-

a Co. Rec. Lib. A. p. 189.

b Surrogate's office, New York, 30.

38 HISTORY OF THE

ed, as for themselves and the rest of their relations send, greeting, know ye
that for and in consideration of the sum of twelve pounds in wampum and sev-
eral other merchandises, as by a schedule hereunto annexed more at large,
doth and may appear to them the same Indians in hand paid before the enseal-
ino- and deHvering thereof, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, and
for other divers causes and considerations, they, the said Indians have granted,
barcrained and sold, aliened, enfeofted and confirmed, and by these presents do
full}^ clearly and absolutely grant, bargain, sell, alien, enfeof, and confirm
unto Stephanus Tan Cortlandt of the city of New York, merchant, his heirs
or assignees forever, all that certain tract or parcel of land situate, lying or
being on the east side of the Hudson River, at the entering of the High-
lands, just over against Haverstraw, lying on the south side of the creek call-
ed Tammoesis, and from thence easterly in the woods to the head of the creek
called Kewightahagh, and so along said creek northerly to Hudson River, and
thence westerly to the utmost point of the said tract of land, and from thence
southerly along said Hudson River to the aforenamed creek, Tammoesis, which
said tract or parcel of land known by the Indians by the name of Appamaghpogh
and Meahagh, including all the lands, soils, meadows and woods within the
circuit and bounds aforesaid, together with all, and singular the trees, timber-
woods, under-woods, swamps, runs, marshes, meadows, rivulets, streams,
creeks, waters, lakes, pools, ponds, fishing, hunting, fowling and whatsoever
else to the said tract or parcel of land within the bounds and limits aforesaid,
is belonging or in any wise appertaining without any restriction whatsoever, to
HA.VE AND TO HOLD the Said parcel or tract of land, and all and singular other the
premises and every part and parcel thereof unto the said Stephanus Van Cort-
landt, his heirs and assignees to the sole and only proper use, benefit and behoof
of him, the said Stephannus his heirs and assignees forever, and they, the said
Tndians do for themselves their heirs and every of them consent, promise, and
engage, that the said Stephanus Van Cortlandt his heirs and assignees shall and
may from henceforth and forever lawfully peaceably and quietly have, hold, pos-
sess and enjoy the said tract or parcel of land, and all and singular the other the
premises with their appurtenances without either let, hindrance, disturbance or
interruption of or by them, the said Indian proprietors, or their heirs or any
other person or persons claiming, or that shall hereafter, shall or may claim,
by from under them or either of them, and that they shall and will upon the
reasonable request and demand made by the said Stephanus Van Cortlandt, give
and deliver peaceable and quiet possession of the said tract and parcel of land
and premises, or of some part thereof and in the room of the whole under such
person or persons, as by the said Stephanus Van Cortlandt shall be appointed
to receive the sar^c, in witness whereof the said Indians Pewemind, Oskewans,
Turham Querawighint, Siecham, Isighers, and Prackises, the Indian owners
and proprietors aforesaid, have hereunto set their hands and seals in New
York, this twenty-fourth day of August in the thirty fifth year of his majesties
j^ign, Anno Domini, 1G83.

COUNTS- OF WESTCHESTER.

Signed and delivered in presence
of us, Francis Rambolett, Gulian
Verplanck.

This is the mark of q
Pevvemind,

This is the marke of P
Oskewans,

The mark of b3

Siecham,
This is the mark of H

Isighers,
The mark of I^

Prackises,
The mark of O

Turham,
The mark of M
Querewighnit.

A schedule or list of goods paid by Stephanus Van Cortlandt, in his deed ex-
pressed. , ^ ^ ..

8 guns,

9 blankets,

5 coats, '" r .

14 fathom of Duffels,

14 kettles,

40 fathoms of black Wampum,

80 fathoms of white Vv'ampum,

2 ankers of rum,

5 half vats of strong beer,

6 earthen jugs,

12 shirts,

50 pounds of powder, ■ •' ;

30 bars of lead, ^' .

18 hatchets, ' ■

18 hoes,
14 knives,
a small coat,

6 fathom of stroud water cloth,
6 pair of stockings,
6 tobacco boxes.

This purchase was afterwards confirmed to Stephanus Yan Cort-
landt, to be holden of his majesty and his successors in com-
mon soccage according to the tenure of East Greenwich in Eng-
land, the patentee paying yearly therefore (as a quit rent,) two
bushels of good winter wheat.

The following year Thomas Dekay, Richard Abramsen, Jacob
Abramsen, Sybout Harche, Jacob tlarche and Samuel Dekay,
" obtained liberty and licence to purchase of the Indians, (each of
them,) three hundred acres of land, lying and being in the high
lands by the north of Stephen Yan Cortland t's land, which is
called by the Indians, Wenebees^ lying between two creeks,
over against the Thunder hill, (Diinderburgh,) on the east side of
the river. &c. Sisjned Thomas Don^an.^"

The same year Thomas Dekay, Kichard Abramsen, Jacob

a Co. Rec. Lib. A. fol, 189, date of license, 6th of March, 1684. The prtncipa]
part of the above purchase is now covered by the farm of John McCoy.

HISTORY OF THE

Abramsen, Sybout Harche, Jacob Harche, and Samuel Dekay,
purchased of the Indians, Sirham, sachem of Sachus, Pannskap-
ham, Charrish, Askewaen, Pewinenien, and Sickham, eighteen
hundred acres of land "situate on the highlands north of Stepha-
nus Van Cortlandi's land, which is called by the Indians Wene-
bees, i5cc."

The above grantees on the 21st of April, 1685, made a second
purchase of land from the same native proprietors consisting of :

" All that tract or parcel of land situate lying and being on Hudson's River
at a certain place called by the Indians Sachus, and stretching by the north
side of Mr Stephanas Van Cortlandt's land to the said river to another creek,
and so runs up said creek in several courses to a certain tree marked with R,
and from the said marked tree southerly by marked trees all along to a marsh
to another marked tree, marked R, west up to the aforesaid creek which lies
by said Mr. Stephanus Van Cortlandt's land, &c., &c."

Here followeth the schedule or particular of wampum and goods paid for
the said land.

100 fathoms of white wampum,

60 guilders of silver,

8 fowling pieces,

8 blankets,

10 match coats,

8 brass kettles,

6 Stroud water coats,

50 yards of stroud water,

15 shirts,

40 bars of lead,

15 earthen jugs cont. 50 lbs powder,

1000 fish hooks,

3 pistols,

100 tobacco pipes,

1 anker of rum,

15 bottles,

15 pair of stockings,

12 coopers knives,

5 bullet moulds,

15 axes,

15 hoes,

40 knives.

2 rolls of tobacco,

3 lead ladles,
100 Indian awls,^
20 tobacco boxes,
200 needles,

2 swords,
8 coats,

4 half vats of beer.

Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of Brant Schuyler, Levinius
V. Schayck, George Brewerton.

The mark of kj Weskhewen Sachem,
The mark of X Tupaine,
The mark of N Amterone,
The mark of ?3 Shaphame.'*

» Used in perforating wampum.
b Book of Pat. Alb. vol. v. 87.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 41

A third sale from Sirhain, Indian sachem of Sachus, and
other Indians, occurs on the 25th of June, 16S5, to Jacobus De-
kay, <fcc.

" Of all that tract or parcel of land, situate and being on the east side of Hud-
son's River, commonly called and known by the name of Wishqua, beginning
at a great creek, called by the Indians John Peake's creek, it being in the
mouth of the west side of the sqid creek and so running up along the said riv-
er to another small creek and fall, including all fresh and salt meadows within
the said bounds, together with all, &c., &c., for the value of four hundred guild-
ers, seawant."a

The Indian territory of Sachus was subsequently confirmed
by Royal Patent on the 23d day of December, 1685, to Tennis
Dekay and his associates in the following manner :

Thomas Dongan, Lieut. Governor and Vice Admiral of Nev/ York, and its
dependencies, under his majesty James the Second, by the grace of God, of
England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King, defender of the faith &c.. Su-
preme Lord and proprietor of the colony and province of New York, and its
dependencies in America, &c. To all whom this shall come, sendeth, greeting ;
whereas, Teunis Dekay, Richard Abramsen, Jacob Abramsen, Sybout Harchie,
Jacob Harchie, and Samuel Dekay, all of the city of New York, have by virtue
of my order or lycense, bearing date the 6th day of March, Anno Domini, 1684-
5, according to the law and practice of the said Province, for a valuable con-
sideration purchased of the natives and Indian owners, their right, title, inter-
est, clayme and demand of, in and to all that certain tract or parcel of land
herein after mentioned and expressed, for their own proper uses and behoofs
as by the Indian deed of sale, bearing date the 21st day of April, A. D. 1685,
remaining upon record in the secretary's office of the said province may more
fully and at large appear ; and whereas Samuel Dekay, one of the purchasers
is since deceased, and Jacobus Dekay his father hath since his decease desired
that his said purchase and share may be confirmed unto his grand sonne, Jacob
Dekay, to him, his heirs and assigns for ever. Now know ye that by virtue of
my commission and authority devised unto me, and power in me residing, in con-
sideration of the quit rent, hereinafter received, I have given, granted, ratified
and confirmed, and by these presents do give, grant, ratify and confirm unto
the said Teunis Dekay, Richard Abramsen, Jacob Abramsen, Sybout Harchie,
Jacob Harchie , and Jacobus Dekay, jun., all that certain tract or parcel of land
situate, lying, and being on Hudson's river, at a certain place called by the In-
dians Sachus, and stretching by the north side of Stephanus Van Cortlandtjhis

a Alb. Book of Pat. vol. v.

Vol. 1.

42 HISTORY OF THE

land up to the said river, to another creek, and so runs up said creek ill several
courses to a certain tree marked with T R, and from the said marked trees
southerly by marked trees all along to a marsh, to another tree marked with
T R, west of the aforesaid creek which lyes by said Stephanus Van Cortland's
land, including all the meadows both fresh and salt within said bounds contain-
ing in all 1800 acres, or thereabouts, together with all, and all manner of rivers,
rivulets, runs, streams, waters, feedings, pastures, woods, underwoods, trees,
swamps, moors, marshes, meadows, easments, profits and commodities, fishing,
fowling, hunting and hawking, and all other appurtenances whatsoever, to the
said tract or parcel of land within the bounds and limits, aforesaid belonging, or
in any wise appertaining to have and to hold, the said tract or parcel of land,
and all and singular other the premises unto the said Teunis Dekay, &c., their
heirs and assigns for ever, to their sole and only proper use, benefit and.
behoof, of them the said Teunis Dekay, &c., and their heirs and assigns forever
to be holden in free and common soccage according to the tenure of East
Greenwich in the County of Kent in his majesties kingdom of England, yield-
ing, rendering, and paying therefor, every year, for the use of our Sovereign
Lord the King's majesty, his heirs or successors in such affair or affairs, as
by him or them shall be appointed to receive the same, ten bushels of good win-
ter merchantable wheat, yearly, on the five and twentieth day of March, at the
city of New York. And for the better preserving the title of the above recited
parcel of land and premises, I have caused these presents to be entered in the
secretary's Oilice, of this province. Given under my hand and sealed with the
seal of the province at Fort James in New York, the 23d day of December,
A. D. lG85.a

Thomas Dongan.

The above patent, commonly called " Ryck's Patent," passed
by purchase to Hercules Lent, as appears by certain releases, the
first bearing date 2Uth of April^ 1715, wherein Jacob Abramsen, of
ye upper Yonckers, one of the original patentees, for the consid-
eration of £150, confirms Hercules Lent, yeoman, in all his right,
title and interest in ye patent called Ryck Abramsen's Patent. ^

On the 29th of December, 1729, Sybout Harchie Krankhyte,
Hercules Johnse Krankhyte, and Jacobus Krankhyte, release to
Hercules Lent " a certain tract of land on the east side of Hudson's
river, at a certain place called by the Indians Sachus, and is
bounded on the north, east, and south, by the manor of Cort-

• Alb. Book of Pat. Lib. A. fol. 114 to 117, Co. Rec Lib. L p. 145.
b Co. Rec, Lib. E., 157.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 43

landt, and on the west by Hudson's river aforesaid, containing
1800 acres, reference being had to a certain patent granted by
Thos. Dongan, &c. (fcc."'^ The following receipts are for quit
rent, due on the Ryck Patent.

Received of Mr. Philip Yan Cortlandt three hundred and eighty
bushels of wheat for thirty eight years quit rent, due to his ma-
jesty from the within patent, and in full for the said time. Wit-
ness my hand this 2Sth of December, 1726.

Archibald Kennedy, Rec. Gen.

Received of Hercules Lent twenty bushels of wheat for two
years quarter upon the within tracts in full to the 25th of March
last. Witness my hand this 2d of May, 1729.

Archibald Kennedy, Rec. Gen.

In A.D. 1766, Hercules Lent, of Ryck's Patent, bequeathed
his lands by will to his children in the following order :

'^ Item. I give and devise to my son Jacob all that farm he
now lives on, containing 350 acres, lying and being, &c. on the
southeast part of a tract of land formerly granted to my father,
Ryck Abramsen Lent and others, which is commonly known by
the name of Ryck's Patent, and by the Indian name of Sackhoes,
to have and to hold, (fee. To my son Hendrick all that farm I
now live on, containing 350 acres, in the southwest part of Ryck's
Patent.

To my son Abraham all that land he lives on, containing 350
acres, adjoining to Hudson's river, and on the south side of the
aforesaid devised to my son Hendrick.

To my grandchildren, Abram Lamb, Jane Lamb, Ira Lamb,
Rachel Lamb, and Rachel, wife of James Lamb, (the father and
mother of the above children,) all that part of my lands and
meadow situate, lying and being in Orange county, by Hudson's
river, known by the name of Stony Point. To my daughter
Catherine, wife of Hendrick de Ronde, lands by Stony Point."b

The descendants of the testator are still numerous in Cortlandt-
town. Hercules Lent, a great grandson of the patentee, holds a
portion of the patrimonial estate, and occupies the family home,

a The original document is in the possession of Mr. Nathl. Bedle, of PeekskilL
b Surrogate's Office, N. Y., No. 25, 337.

44 HISTORY OF THE

stead. On the west bank of the Annsville creek was situated the
property of John Krankhyte, consisting of 300 acres.

The lands of Kitchawan, in tliis town, were conveyed by the
native Indians in 16S6 to Thomas Dongan, Captain General, and
Governor-in-chief, and Yice Admiral in, and over, the province of
New York and territories depending thereon in America, under,
his majesty James IL, by the grace of God, of England, Scot-
land, France, and Ireland, King, defender of the faith, &c.

" To all whom these presents shall come, sendeth greeting : Whereas, Emi-
gent, Askewans, Penarand, and Tagehkint, natives and principal owners of the
tract of land commonly called or known by the Indian name of Kechtawong,
did in and by their certain deed or writing, under their hands and seales, bear-
ing date the day of August now last past, for the consideration therein men-
tioned, grant, bargain, sell, alien, enfeoffe and confirm unto me the said Thom-
as Dongan, my heires and assigns, all that tract or parcel of land situate,
lying and being on the east side of Hudson's river, within the county of West
Chester, beginning at Kechtawong Creek, and so running along Hudson's riv-
er northerly to the land of Stephannus Van Cortlandt, from ihence to the east-
wardmost end of the said Yan Cortlandt's land, and from thence to a great
fresh water pond called Keakates, and from the said pond along the creek that
runs out of the said pond into Kitchtawan creek, and so downward on the
south side of the said creek to Hudson's river, including all the land, soil and
meadow within the bounds and limits aforesaid, together with, &c. And
whereas I, the said Thomas Dongan, in and by a certain deed under my hand
and seal, bearing date 12th day of October, did grant and sell over unto John
Knights, of the city of New York, all my right and title in the same, &c.

I do, by these presents, ratify and confirm the same to John Knights, this
20th day of March, 1686."

Upon the 20th of April, 1687, we find a conveyance from John
Knight, gent., to his Excellency, Governor Dongan, of the same
territory, called Kitchtawong.a

It will be seen hereafter that the royal patent of the manor of
Cortlandt recites "sundry grants" made by Governor Dongan to
the patentee. One of which was doubtless the above conveyance.
Col. Slephanus Yan Cortlandt subsequently received a confirm-
ation for the same, from the Indians, bearing date August the 8th,
1099.

»Co. Rec, Lib. A., 121.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 45

" We, Sachima Wicker, sachem of Kightavvonck, Koraghfall, Avvoghran,
Moninghme, a squaw, Marackenegh, a squaw, Poking, a boy, Wighquekameeck,
quean, a boy, Massarcett, Ilowogharint, Johnny Taparinock, Oghgniawe,
Crraragquock, Pagkerngkinck, Ravisson, IMighegaroe Tapugh, a squaw, Tap-
pawahigh, a squaw, Aratissanck Maentigroo kaas, his Kapoaghpurmin Sawap-
pawall, all right, just, natural owners and proprietors of all the land hereinafter
mentioned, lying and being within the bounds and limits of the marriners of
Cortlandt, &c. &c., have sold, for a certain sum of money, all that tract and
parcel of land situate, lying and being in the manner of Cortlandt, in West
Chester county, beginning on the south side of Kightawonck Creek, and so
along the said creek to a place called Kewighecock, and from thence along a
creek called Peppeneghek to the head thereof, and then due east to the limits
of Connecticut, being the easternmost bounds of said manner, and from thence
northerly along the limits of Connecticut aforesaid to the river Mattegtecos
ten miles, and from thence due west to Hudson's river, together with all the
lands, soils, &c. &c.

Her mark I Tapahuck, a squaw,
Sackima wee, The mark of 0 Sawappen, a squaw,

sachem of Kichtawank, N " R Arahsant,

his mark. " X Maantick,

Corachpa, r^ . - - "A Kakiskagin, a squaw,

Wechrequa, '^ " Q Ackparum, a squaw,

Monrechro, ^ " V Ockququqrie,

a squaw, " fi Oranack Rank

Manackawagh, a squaw, kh " iy} Paghkinekink,

Pooghkink, a lad 15 years of age, g " ><J Rawefen,
signer of the rights of his father, " C Michhacharo,

" 0 Papruch, a squaw,

" 1-5 Wighquach kanno,

" N Q^^ez, a youth 13 years old,

" — Masacott,

" "^ Koocparen,

" ^ Jonyeo,

" P Taparmuck.
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of John Nanfan, A. Depeyster,
James Graham, A. Livingston. "*

The Hon. Stephanus Yan Cortlandt being now vested in the
fee simple, the whole territory was by royal charter erected into
the lordship and manor of Cortlandt, which, according to actual
survey, contained eighty three thousand acres. It is said that the

» Book of Indian Deeds, Alb. warrant for survey, Lib. i., 88.

46 HISTORY OF THE

governor's fees on this occasion amounted to three hundred pieces
of eight.

Over the extensive forests of Cortlandt (celebrated for their fat
venison,) the lord of the manor was constituted, '-the sole and
only ranger, to have and enjoy all the benefits and perquisites, (fcc.
that of right doth belong nnto a ranger according to the statutes
and customs of the realm of England."

The lords of Cortlandt also enjoyed the extraordinary privi-
lege of sending a representative to the provincial assembly.

The whole manor was held by the feudal tenure of paying
therefor yearly to the Crown, upon the feast day of the Annun-
ciation of the blessed Virgin Mary, the rent of forty shillings.

THE ROYAL CHARTER.

Gulielmus Tertius Dei Gratia, Angliae, Scotiae, France et Hiberniae, Rex,
fidei defensor, &c. &c.

" To all to whom these presents shall come, sendeth greeting : Whereas,
our loving subject, Colonel Stephanus Van Cortlandt, one of the members of
our Council of our Province of New York, &c., hath by his petition present-
ed unto our trusty and well beloved Colonel Benjamin Fletcher, Captain Gen-
eral and Governor-in-chief of our said Province of New York and territories
depending thereon in America, &c., prayed our grant and confirmation of a
certain parcel and tract of land situate, lying and being upon the east side of
Hudson's river, beginning on the north line of the manor of Phillipsburg, now
in the tenure and occupation of Frederick Phillips, Esq., one of the members
of our said Council, and to the south side of a certain creek called Kighta-
wanck Creek, and from thence, by a due east line, running into the woods
twenty English miles, and from the said north line of the manor of Phillips-
burgh upon the south side of the said Kightawanck Creek, running along the
said Hudson river northerly as the said river runs into the north side of a high
hill, which high lands, commonly called and knov^'n by the name of Anthony's
nose, to a red cedar tree, which makes the southernmost bounds of the land
now in the tenure and occupation of Mr. Adolph Phillips, including, in the said
northerly line, all the meadows, marshes, coves, bays and necks of land and
peninsulas that are adjoining or extending into Hudson's river within the bounds
of the said line, and from the said red cedar tree another due easterly Ime run-
ning into the woods twenty English miles, and from thence along the partition
line between our r',olony of Connecticut and this our Province, until you come
into the place where the first easterly line of twenty miles doth come — the
whole being bounded on the east by the said partition line between our said
Colony of Connecticut and this our Province, and on the south by the north-

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 4.7

erly line of the manor of Phillipsburg to the southward of Kightawanck Creek
aforesaid, and on the west by the said Hudson's river, and on the north from the
aforesaid red cedar tree by the south line of the land of Adolph Phillips, and
also of a certain parcel of meadow lying and being situate upon the west side
of the said Hudson's river, within the said high lands over against the afore-
said hill called Anthony's nose, befjinning on the south side of a ereek called
by the Indians Sinkapogh, and so along said creek to the head thereof, and
then northerly along the high hills, as the rijrer runneth, to another creek called
Apinnapink, and from thence along the said creek to the said Hudson's river,
"which certain tract of land and meadow our said loving subject is now actually
seized and possessed thereof, and doth hold the same of us by virtue of sundry
grants heretofore made unto him by Col. Thomas Dongan, late Governor of
our said Province, and whereon our said loving subject hath made considera-
ble improvement, having been at great cost, charge and expense in the pur-
chasing the said tract of land and meadows from the native Indians, as well
as in the settling a considerable i;umber of families thereon, and being willing
to make some further improvem.ent thereon, doth by his said petition further
request and pray that we would be graciously pleased to erect the aforesaid
tract of land and meadows within the limits and bounds aforesaid into a lord-
ship or manor of Cortlandt, which reasonable request for the future encouracre-
ment of our said loving subject, we being willing to grant : Knoio ye^ that of
our special grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, we have given, grant-
ed, ratified and confirmed, and by these presents do for us, our heirs and suc-
cessors, give, grant, ratify and confirm unto our said loving subject, Stephannus
Van Cortlandt, all the aforesaid certain parcel and tracts of land and meadow
within their several and respective limits and bounds aforesaid, together with
all and every of the messuages, tenements, buildings, barns, houses, out-
houses, stables, edifices, orchards, gardens, inclosures, fences, pastures, fields,
feedings, woods, underwoods, trees, timber, swamps, meadows, marshes, pools,
ponds, lakes, fountains, waters, water courses, rivers, rivulets, runs, streams,
brooks, creeks, harbors, coves, inlets, outlets, islands of meadow, necks of
land and meadow, peninsulas of land and meadow, ferries, fishing, fowling,
hunting and hawking, and the fishing in Hudson's river, so far as the bounds
of the said land extends upon the same, quarries, minerals, (silver and gold
mines only excepted,) and all other the rights, members, liberties, privileges,
jurisdictions, pre-eminences, emoluments, to the afore recited certain parcels
or tracts of land and meadows within their several and respective limits and
bounds aforesaid, 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 afore recited certain parcels and tracts of land and meadows within
their several and respective limits and bounds aforesaid, together with aU and
every of the messuages, tenements, buildings, barns, houses, out-houses, sta-
bles, edifices, orchards, gardens, enclosures, fences, pastures, fields, feedino-s,
woodS; underwoods, trees, timber, swamps, meadows, marshes, pools, ponds^

t-K.

48 HISTORY OF THE

•
lakes, fountains, waters, water- courses, rivers, rivulets, runs, streams, broolcs,

creeks, harbors, coves, inlets, outlets, island of land and naeadow, necks of
land and meadow, peninsulas of land and meadow, ferries, fishing, fowling,
huntin? and hawking, and the fishing on Hudson's river so far as the bounds
of the said land extends upon the said river, quarries, mines, minerals, (silver
and gold onl}'^ excepted,) and all other the rights, members, liberties, privileges,
jurisdictions, pre-eminences, emolumenis, royalties, profits, benefits, advant-
ages, hereditaments and appurtenances whatsoever to the afore recited certain
parcels or tracts of land and meadow within their several and respective lim-
its and bounds aforesaid, belonging or in any ways appertaining or accepted,
reputed, taken, known or occupied as part, parcel or member thereof unto the
said Stephanus Van Cortlandt, his heirs and assignees, to the sole and only
proper use, benefit and behoof of him the said Stephanus Van Cortlandt, his
heirs and assigns forever ; and, moreover, knoio ye, that of our further spe-
cial grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, we have thought fit, accord-
ing to the request of our said loving subject, to erect all the afore recited cer-
tain parcels and tracts of land and meadows within the limits and bounds afore-
said into a lordship and manor, and therefore by these presents we do for us,
our heirs and our successors, erect, make and constitute all the afore recited
certain parcel and tracts of land and meadows with the limits and bounds afore-
said, together with all and every the above granted premises, with all and every
of their appurtenances, into one lordship and 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 Cortlandt ; and further,
know ye, that we, reposing especial trust and confidence in the loyalty, wis-
dom, justice, prudence and circumspection of our said loving subject, do for
us, our lieirs and successors, give and grant unto our said loving subject, Ste-
phanus Van Cortlandt, and to the heirs and assignees of him the said Stephanus
Van Cortlandt, full power and authority at all times forever hereafter in the
said lordsliip and manor, one court leet and one court baron, to hold and keep
at such time and limes, and so often yearly as he or they shall see meet ; and
all fines, issues and amercements at the said court leet and court baron, to be
holden within the said lordship and manor, to be settled, forfeited or employed,
or payable, or happening at any time to be payable by any of the inhabitants
of or within the said lordship and manor of Cortlandt, or the limits and bounds
thereof, and also all and every of the powers and authorities hereinbefore
mentioned, for the holding and keeping the said court leet and court baron
from time to time, and to award and issue out the accustomary writs, to be is-
sued and awarded out of the said court leet and court baron, to be kept by the
heirs and assigns of the said Stephanus Van Cortlandt forever, or their
or any of their stewards, deputed and appointed with a full and ample power
and autliority to distrain for the rents, services and other sums of money, pay-
able by virtue of the premises and all other lawful remedies and means for the
having, possessing, receiving, levying and enjoying the premises and every

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 49

part and parcel of the same, and all waifs, estrays, wrecks, deodands, goods
of felons, happening, and being forfeited, within the said lordship and manor
of Corilandt, together, with all and every sum and sums of money, to be
paid as a post fine, upon any fine, or fines, to be levied of- any land, tenements,
or hereditaments within the said lordship and manor of Cortlandt, together
with the advowson, and right of patronage, and all, and every, the church
and churches erected or established, or hereafter to be erected, or established
in the said manor of Cortlandt ; and we do by these presents constitute, and ap-
point, our said loving subject Stephanus Van Cortlandt, and his heirs and as-
signs, to be our sole and only ranger of the said lordship and manor of Cort-
landt, and to have, hold, and enjoy, all the benefits, perquisites, fees, rights, priv-
ileges, profits and appurtenances, that of right doth belong unto a ranger ac-
cording to the statute, and customs of our realm of England, in as full and am-
ple manner, as if the same were particularly expressed, in these presents, any-
thing to the contrary hereof in any ways notwithstanding ; and we likewise do
further give, and grant, unto the said Stephanus Van Cortlandt, and to his heirs
and assigns, that all and ever}' the tenants of him the said Stephanus V^an
Cortlandt, within the said lordship and manor of Cortlandt, shall and may
at all times hereafter, meet together, and choose assessors within the manor
aforesaid, according to such rules, ways, and methods, as are prescribed
for cities, towns and counties within our said province by the acts of Gen-
eral Assembly, for the defraying the public charge of each respective
city, town, and county aforesaid, and all such sum or sums of money so as-
sessed and levied to collect, and pay, and dispose of for such uses as the
acts of General Assembly shall establish and appoint ; and further, of our said
special grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, we do, by these presents,
for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant unto our said loving subject,
Stephanus Van Cortlandt, and to his heirs and assignees forever, that the said
Stephanus Van Cortlandt, his heirs and assignees, shall and may, from time to
time, from and after the expiration of twenty years next ensuing the date of
these presents, return and send a discreel inhabitant in and of the said manor,
to be a representative of the said manor in every Assembly after the expira-
tion of the twenty years, to be summoned and holden within this our said Prov-
ince, which representative so returned and sent shall be received into the
House of Representatives of Assembly as a member of the said house, to have
and enjoy such privileges as the other representatives returned and sent from
the other counties and manors of this our said Province, have had and enjoyed
in any former Assemblies holden within this our said Province, to have and to
hold, possess and enjoy all and singular the said lordship and manor of Cort-
landt and premises, with all their and every of their royalties and appurte-
nances unto the said Stephanus Van Cortlandt, his heirs and assignees, to the
sole and only proper use, benefit and behoof of him the said Stephanus Van
Cortlandt, his heirs and assignees forever, to be holden of us, our heirs and
successors in free and common soccage, as of our manor of East Greenwich,
Vol. I. 7

50 HISTORY OF THE

in our County of- Kent, within our realm of England, yielding, rendering and
paying therefore yearly and every year forever unto us, our heirs and success
sors, at our city of New York, on the feast day of the Annunciation of our
blessed Virgin Mary, the yearly rent of forty shillings current money of our
said Province, in lieu and stead of all other rents and services, dues, duties and
demands whatsoever for the afore recited tracts and parcels of land and mead-
ow, lordship and manor of Cortlandt and premises. In testimony whereof, we
have caused the great seal of our said Province to be hereunto affixed : wit-
ness our said trusty and well-beloved Colonel Benjamin Fletcher, our said
Captain-General and Governor-in-ehief of our Province of New York and
the territories depending thereon in America, and Vice-Admiral of the same,
our Lieutenant and Commander-in-chief of the militia and of all the forces by
sea and land within our Colony of Connecticut, and of all the forts and places
of strength within the same, in council at our fort in New York, the 17th day
of June, in the ninth year of our reign, Anno Domini, 1697. Benjamin Fletch-
er, by his Excellency's command. David Jamison, Secretary. a

Tlie following receipt for manorial quit-rent is endorsed, on the
Royal Patent :

Received in quality, as Receiver General of this Province, this
16th day of August, 1720, of Mrs. Gertrude van Cortlandt, exe-
cutrix of Stephanus van Cortlandt, deceased, the sura of eight
pounds proclamation money in full of quit-rents, for all the lands
lying within the Manor of Cortlandt, to the 25th day of March
last, pursuant to the within patent, as witness my hand.

J. BYVERLY, Collector.

Stephanus van Cortlandt, first lord of the Manor of Cortlandt,
was the son of the Hon. Olotf Stevensen van Cortlandt, imme-
diately descended from one of the most noble families in Holland,
their ancestors having emigrated thither, when deprived of the
sovereignty of Courland.^

The orthography of the surname is properly Corte-landt; the
first syllable Corte or Korte, meaning in the Dutch language
short; ^ the second, landt, (land) literally the short land, a term ex-
pressing the peculiar form of the ancient Duchy of Courland
in Russia.

Courland in Russia, (says Schiutzler,) formerly constituted a

a Book of Pat. Alb., No. VII., 165.

b Burke's Landed Gentry of England, vol. IV., 241.

• The use of the letter K in this word is modern, the C ancient.

To face page 51, vol. i.

PJG1

Ducal Arms. — Arg. a lion, rampant, gu. crowned or, for Courland, charged ih^
mantle lined ermine, surmounted with a crown. Family Arms. — Arg. lh4'ml

Mthin a

Right Flon. Ptephanus, nat.=Gertrude Schuyler
7th Mav, I64i; Mayor of
New York, 1677 ; first
Lord of ihe Mnnor of
Cortlnudt, purchased
IbK?. patented 17lh Jun.
Ifi97; 111). 17(in.

Johannes, nat. Oct 18,
1648, Ob. 1667.
ob. s. p.

ant

cbuy.
ler.

Johannes or John van^=Anna Sophia

Cortl;indt, nat. i-lth
Itct. 167:2; Li)rd of
the Manor of Cort-
landt.

van Schauk,
mar. Id95

Oliver, nat. 26th Philip, nat. 9th=Catharine de Step
Oct. 1678, ob. Aug. 1683, Ob. Peyster, m 11

s. p. 1708. 21st Aug. 1746 1710. 16

Genrude=rhilip Verplanck, of
Verpla' ck's Point.
Wesichciter Co.

Stephen van C. nat.:
26. h Oct. 1710, an-
cestor of the Eng-
lish branch, now
represented by Mr.
'J'aylor, of Pen -
nirigton, ob.Oct 17
1756

Mary Walton,
Ricketts, mar.
17:!8, da. of
Wni. Ricketts,
Westmoreland,
Jamaica, and
Wary Walton,
ofN. Y.

Abraham,
nat. 19
Oct.
1713, o!).
s. p aet.
33

Philip,
nat. 29
Feb.
1715,
ob. s.
p. aet.
30

Col. Philip, nat.
Nov 10, 1739,
ob. May 1st,
l«14.

Will. Rick- Catharine,

etts, nat. nat Aug. 23,

March 13, 1745 ; ob. an

1742 infant

Brig. Gen Philip van C.
nat. Aug. 21, 1749, O.
S ob. Nov. 21, 1831,
The last of the heirs
of the entail.

fohn
uyler.

luyler.

Gilbert, nat. 6i
April. 17.57, (
s. p. 12th Nop
17i6.

Col. Pierre van C. heir of his unc
Philip, and first proprietor of
the estate in fee simple.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

portion of Livonia, but was conquered by the Teutonic Knights
in 1561. It subsequently became a fief of Poland. After the
fall of that power it remained for a short time independent under
its own Dukes, but in 1795 it was united to Russia. ^

In th<3 early part of the ITtli century, we find the Dukes of
Courland engaged in the military service of the United Nether-
lands. The Ducal troops are said to have rendered great assis-
tance in the reduction of the towns of Karverden and Minden.

The Dukes of Cour-
land appear to have
been represented in
1610 by the Right
Hon. Steven van Cort-
landt, then residing at
Cortlandt, in South
Holland, father of the
above mentioned OlofF
Stevensen van Cort-
landt.

Like his illustrious
ancestors, Oloff Ste-
-:-■ vensen van Cortland
chose the military profession. As early as 1639, we find
him attached to the military service of the Dutch West
India Company. He subsequently emigrated to this country,
and was soon after his arrival at New Amsterdam, advanced to
the civil department as commissary of cargoes, at a salary of 30
guilders.

Of this individual, the historian of New Netherland re-
marks, " Oloff Stevensen, or Oloff Stevens van Cortlandt, as he
subsequently signed his name, left the Company's service in 1648.
On becoming a freeman he embarked in trade, built a brewery in
New Amsterdam, and became wealthy. He was Colonel of the
Burghery, or City train bands in 1619, in which year he was also
appointed one of the nine men. He was one of the signers to the
Remonstrance transmitted to Holland against the administration
of Director Kieft, and the high-handed measures of Director Stuy-

Ducal Arms of Couriand.

• Schiutzler, La Russia, 585.

To face pagu 51, vol.

PEDIGREE OF VAN CORTLANDT OF CORTLANDT.

Ducal Arms.— Arg. a lion, rampaut, gu. crowned or, for Courland, charged on the breast with an escutcheon, on which are placed the arms of the reigning Duke. Supporters.— Two lions crowned, or, the whn(e within a
mantle lined ermine, surmounted with a crown. Family Arms. — Arg. the wings or arms of a wind-mill, saltierways sa. voided of the field, five estoiles gii. Crest. — An estoile gu. between two wings elevated arg.

Motto. — Virtus sibi munus.

Right Hon. St<

1 Cortlandl, ob. at Uortlandt, Somh Holland —

Uigbt Hon. Oloff StevenBen,or OloflfStevens van Kortlandt,=Annetje Loockermans, da. of Govert
as he Bubsequentiy signed his name ; nat. at Cortlandt, j Loiicltermans and Ariantje his wife,
in South Holland, ob. cir. 1083. mar. 1042, ob. 1009.

Right Hon. Ptephpnus, nne— Ge

rtrude

yler

Johannes, nat. Oct

18,

Jacobus=;Eva Philipse

Jlary, nat. 30th July,— Col. Jeremiah van

Sophia— Andrew Teller

Catharine— 1. Col. John d« Witt, Cornelia

7th Mav, 1641; Mayor of

1648, ob. 1667.

nat. 7 Ju-

1045. Rensselaer, Pa-

nat. 31

nat. 25lh or Jan der Vail. nat. 21sl

New York, lO;? j first

ob. a. p.

ly, 1658,

troon of Rensse-

May,

Oct. 1652 2. Frederick Philipse Nov.

Lord of the Mnnnr of

ancestor

laer Wyek.

1U3I.

1655

Coillandt, purchased

of the

l(iri:i. iialenled l*lh Jun.

llin?; "h. 17110.

branch.

Johannes or John van
Corthndt, rat. 24th
net. 1672; Lord of
the Manor of Cort-

=Anna Sophia

I van Schank,

mar. Ilj95

)liver, nat. 26th
Oct. 1078, ob.
s. p. 1708.

Philip, nat. 9th=Calbarine de Stephen, nat
Aug. lOaJ, ob. I Peyslet, ui 11th Aug.
21st Aug. 1746 1710. 1685-

Gjsbert, nat. 1689, ob. s. p.

=t. Samuel Bayard-

=2. Stephen or i'eter

Keaible.

' O = = O tfl

Wcsicheuer Co.

Stephi

26. h Oct. 1710,
cestor of the Eng-
lish branch, now
represented by Mr.
Taylor, of Pen-
nirigtou, ob.Oct 17
1756

C. nat.=Mary Walton,
Ricketts, mar.
17118, da of
Wni. Kickctts,
Westmoreland,
Jumaica, and
Wary Walton,
of N. Y.

AbrahRm, fhilip. John, nat. Pierre, nat. 10th=Joa

Oct.
1713, olj.
s. p Kt.

Feb. 1718, ob.

vernor of the
State of New
York.

Col. Philip, nat. Will. Rick- Catharine,

Nov 10, 1739, etts, nat. nat Aug. 2?

ob. May 1st, Marcb 13, 1745 ; ob. i

1814. 1742 infant

Brig Gen Philip van C.
nat. Aug. 21,1749, O.
S, ob. Nov. 21, 1831,
The last of the heirs
of the entail.

Gilbert, nat. 6ih
Aiiril. 17.=i7,ob.
s. p. I2th.NL.v.
17d6,

Stephen, nat. 13tU
Feb. 1760, ob, 3.
p. 29th Aug.
1775.

nat. 28th
Aug. 1722,
ob. lOlh
Sept. 1808.

I I

Catharine, nat. Margaret=Hon. General
26lh June, Thomas Gage, the

172.7, killed father of Henry

1736, by the l,ord Gage

bursting of a

the King's
birth day.

Cornelia— Col. Jnhn
nat. 3u- I Sctluyler.
July,
1698. I

Gen. Philip Schuyler.

Major Gen. Pierre=l. Catharine
nat. 29ih Aug.
1762, ofCort-
landt town,

Catharine, nat.^Theodnsius Ciirnelia, nat.z=Gerard G.

4th July, 1751, P. van 2d Aug. 1753, Beek-

ob. ■J9th Sept. Wyck ob. 11th man.

1829, ait. 78, 2 March, 1817,

nio3. 9 days. at. 91.

ine, nat.=P. S. van Gertrude, nat.
L June, Rens' 2iith June,

66. selaer. 1755, ob. 9ih

Dec. i;6e.

Col. Pierre van C. heir of his uncle=Catha
Philip, and first proprietor

the estate in fee simple.

Beck, da. of
Theudric Romeyn Beet
Esq.M. D. of Albany.

Theod'c Catharine
Romeyn T, K.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

In th<3 early part of the 17th century, we find the Dukes of
Courland engaged in the military service of the United Nether-
lands. The Ducal troops are said to have rendered great assis-
tance in the reduction of the towns of Karverden and Minden,

Like his illustrious
ancestors, Oloff Ste-
vensen van Cortland
chose the military profession. As early as 1639, we find
him attached to the military service of the Dutch West
India Company. He subsequently emigrated to this country,
and was soon after his arrival at New Amsterdam, advanced to
the civil department as commissary of cargoes, at a salary of 30
guilders.

Of this individual, the historian of New Netherland re-
marks, " Oloff" Stevensen, or Oloff" Stevens van Corihindt, as he
subsequently signed his name, left the Company's service in 1648.
On becoming a freeman he embarked in trade, built a brewery in
New Amsterdam, and became wealthy. He was Colonel of the
Burghery, or City train bands in 1619, in which year he was also
appointed one of the nine men. He was one of the signers to the
Remonstrance transmitted to Holland against the administration
of Director Kieft, and the high-handed measures of Director Sluy-

Ducal Arras of Couriand.

Schiutzler, La Russia, 585.

HISTORY OF THE

vesant. In 1654 he was elected Schepen of the city of New
Amsterdam, and in 1655 appointed Burgomeester, which office he
filled almost uninterruptedly to the close of the Dutch govern-
ment. His place of residence was in Brouwer-straat, now Stone
street. He had the character of being a worthy citizen, and a
man most liberal in his charities." By his wife Ann Loocker-
mans, " he had issue — seven children — Siephanus who married
Gertrude Schuyler ; Maria who married Jeremias van Rensselaer,
12th July, 1662; Catharine, who married first, John Derval, and
secondly, Frederick Philips ; Cornelia, who married Barent
Schuyler; Jacob, who married Eva Philips; (ancestor of the
Van Cortlandts of Yonkers;) Sophia, who married Andrew Tel-
ler, and John who died unmarried.

Oloff Stevens van Cortlandt died some time subsequent to
1683, leaving his son Stephanus, then a highly respectable mer-
chant in New York."a-

In 1664, the name of Oloff Stevensen van Cortlandt, occurs as
one of the six commissioners, appointed to meet the English De-
puties at Governor Stuyvesant's house in the Bowery, to treat
concerning the surrender of the colony. This individual subse-
quently signed the articles of capitulation. Among the wealthy

Autograph and Seals of Oloff Stevensen van Cortlandt.

O'Callaghan's Hist. N. N. 212.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 53

citizens of New Amsterdam in 1653, occurs the name of Oloff
Stevens, who contributed the sum of 150 guilders, or 60 dollars,
towards putting the city in a state of defence. a-

In a tax list for the city of New York, A. D., 1674. the estate
of Oloff Stevensen van Cortlandt is assessed at 45,000 guilders ;
his son's, Stephanus, at 5000 guilders.^

The Hon. Stephanus, (son of Oloff Stevensen van Cortlandt,)
was born on the 7th of May, 1643. This distinguished person-
age, upon the death of his brother-in-law, Jeremias van Rensse-
laer, A. D., 1675, became one of the three administrators of his
estate, during the minority of Killian'van Rensselaer, (then 12
years old.) Stephanus van Cortlandt had charge of the books,
for which duty he received one hundred schepels of wheat. ^ Iq
the year 1677 he was elected Mayor of the city of New York.
He was also a member of the Governor's Council, and a Colonel
in the provincial militia.

Stephanus van Cortlandt died in the year 1700, leaving by his
wife Gertrude Schuyler, eleven children, who intermarried with
the DePeysters, DeLanceys, Beeckmans, Skinners, Bayards,
Johnsons, and VanRensselaers.

On the 14th of April, in the twelth year of the reign of William
the Third, King of England, «fcc., Stephanus van Cortlandt made
and published his last will and testament as follows:

" Know all men by these presents, that I, Stephanus van Cort-
landt, of the city of New York, merchant, being distempered in
body, but of good, sound and firm memory, praised be Almighty
God therefor, do make, ))ublish, and declare ; this my last will and
testament, (this 14th day of April, in the yeai* of our Lord God
and Saviour Jesus Christ, one thousand and seven hundred, in
the twelfth year of the reign of our sovereign lord William the
Third, King of England, Scotland and Ireland, defender of the
faith, (fcc.,) in manner and form following, that is to say, I be-
queath my soul into the hands of the Almighty God, my heaven-
ly Father, from whom I received it, and by whom of his mere

a MS. Vol. City Rec.

b Moulton's Sketch of New Orange.

c O'Callaghan's Hist. N. N. 212.

54 HISTORY OF THE

grace I trust to be saved and received into His eternal rest,
through the merits of my dear Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ.
My body, in hopes of a joyful resurrection, I commit to the
earth, to be buried in such decent manner and form as my exe-
cutrix hereafter named, shall think fit and convenient," (Sec.

Touchinor the distribution of what real estate it hath pleased
God to endow me withal in this world, I devise to my eldest son
Johannes van Gortlandt :

" All that neck and parcel of land on the east side of the Hudson River, at
the entering of the highlands over against a certain place called Haverstraw,
which is known to the Indians by the name of Meanagh, (Verplanck's Point,)
separated from my other lands known to the Indians by the name of Appam-
aghpogh, by a certain creek called Meanagh, and bounded on the other side
by the creek that runs between my land and the land of Richard Abramse and
others, together with the rneadows that lie on said neck : to have and to hold
said neck of land and premises, with their appurtenances, to the said Johan-
nes, my son, his heirs and assigns forever. Item : I do give, devise and
bequeath all my other lands, honours, mills, tenements, pastures, meadows,
and their appurtenances, and other real estate whatsoever and wheresoever it
be, unto my eleven children, by name Johannes, Margaret, Ann, Oliver, Mary,
Philip, Stephanus, Gertrude, Elizabeth, Catharine, Cornelia, and lo such other
children as it shall please God to bless me with : to have and to hold unto
them, their heirs and assigns, in equal proportions, according to their priority
of birth, &c."=^

The above will was proved on the 2d day of June, A. D. 1700.

The will of Gertrude, his wife, bears date October, 1718.
Upon the tfie 23d of December, A. D. 1706, Oliver van Gortlandt,
one of the devisees of Stephanus, published his last will and tes-
tament, in which he devised all his right, title and interest, of and
into his portion, to his ten surviving brothers and sisters, by
wliich they became seized in fee of Cortlandt's Manor as tenants
in common.

In the year 1730, (November 13th,) the aforesaid children and
devisees drew up articles of agreement for the division of the Ma-
nor. Upon the 29th of May, 1733, a division was made of that
part of the Manor situated north of the River Croton. It was not,
however, until November the 4ih, 1734, that a final partition, and

» Surrogate's Office, N. Y. Lib. II. 78.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 55

division, of the Manor took place between the surviving children
and grandchildren of Col. Stephanos van Cortlandt, when they
gave to each other releases in due form of law, viz. :

Phih'p Verplanck and Gertrude, his wife.

Mary Melin.

Samuel Bayard and Margaret, his wife.

Andrew Johnson, and Catharine, ditto.

Stephen de Lancey, and Anne, ditto.

Philip Van Cortlandt.

John Schuyler, and Cornelia, his wife.^-

William Skinner, and Elizabeth, ditto.

The original partition deed is in the possession of Philip
G. van Wyck, Esq. of Sing Sing. The share of each heir
amounted nearly to 8000 acres.

By this partition of the Manor, the following lots were laid out
to the devisees in Cortlandt town, viz. :

River lot No. 1, to Philip van Cortlandt ; No. 2, Philip Ver-
planck, who married Gertrude, only daughter and sole heiress of
Johannes van Cortlandt, one of the original devisees.

No. 3, William Skinner, who married Elizabeth van Cortlandt,
This individual " was the first rector of St. Peter's Church, Perth
Amboy ; his real name was MacGregor, and he was among those
of that clan, proscribed after the rebellion of 1715; he had re-
ceived a superior education, and was endued with a strong mind ;
having received holy orders, he was appointed missionary to
Amboy, in New .Jersey, 1721, and died rector, A. D. 1757."^

No. 4, Stephen van Cortlandt ; No. 5, Mr. Melin ; No. 6, Ste-
phen de Lancey ; No. 7, Margaret Bayard, widow of Samuel Bay-
ard ; No. 8, Mr. John Schuyler : this lot had been sold prior to
partition. North lot No. 1, Andrew Johnson. We have previ-
ously shown that Verplanck's Point, (by the will of Stephanus
van Cortlandt,) passed t© his son Johannes or John, whose daugh-
ter married Philip Verplanck.

In the year 1734, we find Philip Verplanck, of Cortlandt's Ma-
nor, and Gertrude, his wife, only daughter and heiress of Johan-

» The father and mother of Gen. Philip Schuyler.
b Whitehead's East Jersey, under the Proprietors.

56 HISTORY OF THE

nes van Cortland t, tlie eldest son and heir of Colonel Stephanus,
late of the city of New York, deceased, and John Lent, of the
said manor, on the other part, bargaining, selling, devising, and
leasing unto the said Joiui Lent —

" All that certain neck or tract of land and meadow, situate, ]3dng and being
in the manor of Cortlandt, being bounded on the east by the land commonly
called Appamaghpogh, and a certain creek, called Meanagh, on the north by
the land now belonging to Hercules Lent, and on the south and west by Hud-
son's River, containing 1000 acres, the lessee yielding and paying therefor
the yearly rent of one pepper-corn on the feast day of Saint Michael, the
Archangel."*

Above Verplanck's Point extended the patent of Hercules Lent,
bounded on tlie north by Magregaries' creek.

Lot No. 9 was the property of Andrew Johnson, Esq. ; No. 10,
the portion of Gertrude Beeckman : this lady possessed the high-
lands north of the Peekskill creek.

The division of the Manor, east of the river lots in this town,
consisted of lot No. 1, distinguished by the name of the south
lot, the properly of Philip van Cortlandt, Esq. ; also, north
lot ISo. 1, ihe property of Andrew Johnson, Esq. No. 1,
south of the Croton, belonged to Philip van Cortlandt, from
whom it passed to the Hon. Pierre van Cortlandt. The follow-
ing advertisement, dated March the 18th, 1762, relates to the sale
of the above lot. " Conditions of sale of south lot No. 1 : 978
acres of land situated in the south-west corner of Cortlandi's ma-
nor, and corner of north lot No. 6, belonging to the estate of
Philip van Cortlandt, Esq., deceased, above mentioned, sometime
posted in the New York Gazette, and now to be sold at public
vendue, pursuant to an act of General Assembly, passed for that
purpose and agreeable to a map hereunto annexed. Pierre Van
Cortlandt, surviving executor of Philip, deceased, will give a
title agreeable to the act of Assembly, &c. The lands are to be
sold to the highest bidder, and the purchase money to be imme-
diately paid as soon as the deeds are given. Dated Manor of
Cortlandt, at the ferry house, near the mouth of Croton River."b

»Co. Rec. lib. G. 681.

b From the original document in possession of Philip G. van Wyck, Esq.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 57

"Upon the SOtii of March, 1762, John de Milt and Susannah
his wife, conveyed to Pierre van Corllandt two tracts of land, the
first being a part of lot No. 6, and the second lot i\o. 1 south of
theCroton. The heirsof the above grantee still hold lot No. 1. Lot
No. 2 belonged to Oliver de Lancey, and lot No. 3 to John Watts.

Philip van Corllandt, the eldest survivin"^ son of Stephanus,
was born on ti]e 9th of August, 1683. He married Catharine de
Peyster, and on the failure of heirs male to his elder brother, John,
continued the line of the family Upon the death of Philip,
(which took place 21st August, 1746,) his property became di-
vided among his six children, viz., Stephen, Abraham, Philip,
John, Pierre and Catharine. Stephen, the eldest, married Mary
Walion Ricketts. Their descendants at present reside in Enghmd,
and have intermarried with many members of the British nobility.^-

The fifth son, Pierre van Cortlandt, ultimately became the
oldest surviving representative of the Van Cortlandt family in
America, and the heir at law of the entail.

Upon the breaking out of the revolutionary w^ar, Pierre van
Cortlandt was appointed president of the committee of public
safety, and v/as subsequently elected lieutenant governor of this
state. Throughout the trying period of the revolution, he appears
to have been the principal administrator of the state govermnent,
(George Clinton being necessarily engaged in military duties.)
His patriotic zeal rendered him so obnoxious to the enemy, that
the British governor set a bounty on his head.

The following obituary notice of this illustrious individual oc-
curs in the Gazette office of May 17, 1814 : '

"Pierre Yan Cortlandt, early took an active part against every
oppression of the British government upon the colonies. He was
chosen into the first Provincial Congress, was a member of the
committee which formed the constitution of this state, and was
honored by the suffrages of his country at the first election un-
der the new government with the station of lieutenant governor,
and continued to be elected to that office for eighteen years suc-
cessively. He was the friend and confident of that great patriot,

^ The will of Philip Van Cortlandt was proved 17th November, 1748. Surro-
gate's Office, N. Y., No. XVI., 375.

YoL. I. - - -.8

58 HISTORY OF THE

George Clin(on. In ibe revolution he shared the fate of the
friends of their country ; his family were obliged to abandon their
homes in the manor of Cortlandt, and take refuge in the interior.
Firm and nndismayed in adversity; the ill success of our arms
was a stnmikis to greater exertions. He was on^ of those who,
relying on the justice of their cause, put their trust in God and
stood firm at the post of danger. In prosperity he was not too
much elated, but held a temperate and uniform course, having in
view only the independence of the United States and the safety
of his country.

In the senate of this state he presided with dignity and pro-
priety, nor ever suffered his opinion to be known until called
upon constitutionally to decide ; and his vote was then given
with promptness, uninfluenced by parly feelings, a»jd evidencing
the convictions of a sound and honest mind. Jn the year 1795
he declined a re-election as lieutenant governor, and retired into
private life."

The Hon. Pierre van Cortlandt died on the morning of the
first day of ]\Iay instant, at his seat at Croton Kiver in this town,
in the 94th year of his age, leaving issue by his wife Joanna Liv-
ingston, Philip, Gilbert, Stephen, Pierre, Catharine, Cornelia,
Anne and Gertrude.

Philip, the eldest son, was born in the city of New York on
the first day of September, 1749. This individual was brought
up at the manor house on the Croton, and subsequently received
a liberal education in the vicinity of Coldingham. N. Y.

At the early age of nineteen he commenced business as a land
surveyor; he had also the management of an extensive flouring
mill and country store. Soon after the destruction of Lexington
and Concord (by the British troops) he threw up business, and
agreeing with his patriotic father in sentiment, determined by an
appeal to arms, to obtain either liberty or death. In this inten-
tion he was strongly opposed by his tory relations, who used
every effort to induce him to join their standard. Governor Tryon
at the same time forwarded him a major's conmiission in the Cort-
landt militia. This document he subsequently destroyed, and re-
ceived in lieu thereof a lieutenant colonel's commission in the Con-
tinental service, bearing dale June, 1775, signed John Hancock,

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 59

President of Congress. He continued to hold the above com-
mand in the 4th New York recrinient until November the 28th,
1776, when lie received from General Washington a colonel's
commission in the 2d New York regiment. In this capacity he
served at the battles of Stillwater and Saratoga. In both of these
actions the New York regiment suffered severely. In the winter
of 1778 he was ordered to protect the frontiers against the depre-
dations of Brant, the Indian chief, who had destroyed much va-
luable property and murdered several of the defenceless inhabi-
tants. In pursuance of these orders Col. van Corllandt marched
to Laghawack, where he posted his command. Soon afterwards
havinof received fresh orders from the commander-in-chief, he
was on the eve of marchino; when Brant, supposing he had left
the neighborhood, prematurely set fire to an adjoining village.
The colonel immediately started his whole command in hot pur-
suit. Upon the first tidings, however, of their approach, Brant
fled to the neighboring hills. In his diary Gen. Philip van Cort-
landt remarks, "As I approached him (Brant) he being on the
hills, and seeing me leaning against a pine tree waiting for the
closing up of my men, ordered a rifle Indian to kill me, but for-
tunately he over-shot me, tlte. ball passing three inches over my
head. I then porsned him, but could not overtake him, as he
ran through a large swamp.''

In the year 1779-80, Col. van Cortlandt was a member of the
court that tried Gen. B. Arnold for improper conduct. His own
views of the matter are thus recorded in his diary : '• Gen. Arnold
being under arrest for improper conduct in Philadelphia, while
he commanded there, I was chosen one of the court-mr.rtial, Maj.
Gen. Howe, President. There were also in that court four offi-
cers who had been at Ticonderoga when Col. Hazen was called
on for trial, &c. ; we were for cashiering Arnold, but the majority
overruled, and he was finally sentenced to be reprimanded by
the commander-in chief. Had all the court known Arnold's for-
mer conduct as well as myself he would have been dismissed the
service," &c.

In the year 17S0 Col. van Cortlandt was selected as one of
the colonels to command a regiment of infantry under Major
General La Fayette. A letter is still preserved in the family

60 HISTORY OF THE

from tlie Marquis de la Fayette to the colonel, dated Light Camp,
16th September, ITSO, and the following from the commander-in-
chief to Col. van Corilandt :

Str : — Vou will take charge of the clothing, the boats, entrenching tools,
and such other stores as shall be committed to your care by the quarter master-
general ; with these you are to proceed (Sir in the order they are mentioned)
to Springfield by the way of Sufferan, Pompton, theTwo Bridges, and Chat-
ham.. When you arrive at Springfield you will put yourself u^der the order
of Major Gen. Lincoln, or any other your superior officers commanding at
that place. You will also, if occasion should require it, alter the above route
agreeably to orders from either Major General Lincoln or the quarter- master-
general.

You will be particularly careful to collect all your men that are in proper
condition to march, and will use your best endeavors to prevent desertion.

Given at King's Bridge this 25lh day of August, 178L

Geo. Washington.

At the battle of Yorktown, in Virginia, Col. van Cortland t ap-
pears to have served on piquet guard ; for his conduct on this
occasion he was advanced to the rank of brigadier general. To
his care the commander-in-chief entrusted 700 British and Hes-
sian prisoners of war, which he conducted in safety to Freder-
icksburg. During the spring of 1782 his cainp on the Flat
Fields was visited by General and Lady Washington. ^

Upon the suspension of hostilities Gen. van Cortlandt retired
to the manor house at Croton ; he was afterv/ards chosen one of
the commissioners of forfeitures, and represented for sixteen years
this district in Congress, declining re-election in 1811. Gen.
van Cortlandt accompanied the Marquis de la Fayette in his tour
of the United States in 1824. The general died at his house on
the Croton November 21st, 1S31, and with him expired the en-
tail. By his will he bequeathed to his brother, Gen. Pierre van
Cortlandt, fiOO acres ; to his three sisters, Anne van Kensselaer,
Cornelia Beeckman, and Catharine van Wyck. 200 acres each;
and his western lands to his nephew, the present Philip G. van
"Wyck of Sing Sing. The latter gentleman has since inherited

» Extracts from Gen. Philip van Cortlandt's diary in the possession of his nephew,
Philip G. van Wyck, Sing Sing.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

his mother's portion consisting of 200 acres on north lot No. 1,
south of tfie Croton, together with 112 acres north of that river.
The first independent election for officers of the town of
Cortlandt took place April 1st, 17S8, when the following indi-
viduals were chosen officers for the year ensuing : —

Philip van Cortlandt, Supervisor.

Joseph Travis, Town Clerk.

Daniel Birdsall. 1

Nathaniel Brown, )>• Poor Masters.

Pierre van Cortlandt, J

David Ferris, Constable.

John Paulding, Collector.

John Jones, "1

Nathaniel Brown, )

John Paulding, )► Fence Viewers.

Bariah Richardson, J /■

Abraham Merritt, J

Hercules Lent, "]

Jonathan Ferris, ^Commissioners of Highways.

Pierre van Cortlandt, J

Abraham Merritt,
Henry Lent, son of

Hercules,
Jarvis Dusenberry,
Caleb Barton,
John Haight,

John Jones,
Henry Griffen,
Abraham Merritt,
John Paulding,

Gerritt Storms,
Philip van Cortlandt,
Elisha Hammon,
Joshua Bishop,
Thomas Conkling,
John Garrison,
Joseph Mandeville,
Richard Curry, jun.,
John Ferris,
John Lee,
Daniel Hall,
Ludlow Haight,
Sam'l. Field,
Benj. McCord,

Peeksldll, the principal village in Cortlandt town, is situated
on the east shore of the Bay of the same name. This place corn-

Assessors.

J
1

)► Pound Masters.

> High way Masters.

62 HISTORY OF THE

mands every advantage of river navigation, besides an extensive
inland trade, of which it forms the depot.

By the Mohegan Indians the place was called Sachoes, a term
derived from the adjoining lands. The small stream intersecting
the village was called by them Magrigaries.

The Dutch first denominated the village Peckskill from Jan
Peck, one of their early navigators, who, mistaking the present
Annsville creek for the proper passage through the race, ran his
yacht ashore on the former. Here he subsequently erected a ha-
bitation and spent the winter.

The earliest settlement ui this neighborhood commenced one
mile north-east of Poekskill, on the property of Capt. John McCoy.
The landing place was then at Pemart's dock, near the head of
the tide waters of the creek.

On the Sth day of x\ugust, 1745, occurs a sale of land from
Andrew Johnson and Isabella his wife, daughter ofStephanus
van Cortlaudt, to Caleb Hall and Palatiah Haws, consisting of a
part of lot No. 2, situated in great front lot No. 9, beginning on
south side of Peck's creek, containing 351 acres, excepting 16 acres
of land conveyed by said Johnson to Mrs. Gertrude Beeck nan.*

Fifteen years subsequent to the above sale, Andrew Johnson
conveys to Caleb Hall, Joseph Travis and Palatiah Haws, "lands
situated at a place called Peekskill.''^

In the year 1764, Daniel Birdsall, Nathaniel Brown, Joseph
Travis, and Capt. Isaac Conklin, commenced the settlement of
the present village. At that early period there was little or no
business transacted here. The first store was erected by Daniel
Birdsall in the vicinity of middle dock, near the mill of Andrew
Johnson, Esq. C. plain Swim is said to have sailed the first
sloop from Pemart's dock, A. D. 1773.

Peekskill now contains about 3,000 inhabitants, 250 dwelling
houses, 1 bank, 10 churches of different denominations, 6 hotels
and public houses, 3J stores, 2 tanneries, 2 soap manufactories, 1
hat, 2 cabinet, and 3 carriage manufactories. Also several iron
foundries, some of which are very extensive and manufacture

» Co. Rec. Lib. G., p. 403. b Co. Rec. Lib. H., p. 344.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 63

large quantities of stoves and plongli castings, belonging to the
Messrs. Thos. Southard, Taylor, Flacrjer <fc Co. ; Minor, Horlon
& Co. ; Reuben R. Finch 6c Co. ; C. A. Depew & Co. ; Whiiney
(fe Montanya; Rikeman & Seymour, and Judson H. C^Jilbert &
Son ; besides the salamander fire brick manufactory of Abraham
M. Lord, and C. C. Queen's manufactory of portable blacksmith's
forges. There are now owned in this village 1 steamboat engaged
in transporting passengers and produce, G sloops besides a steam-
boat which runs daily to and from the city of New York, land-
ing at Sing Sing, Tarrytown, Yonkers, (fcc. The Hudson river
steamboats also land passengers several times daily at Caldwell's
Landing, opposite Peekskill, affording almost hourly communi-
cation with the city of New York, by the aid of a steam ferry boat.
The village of Peekskill was incorporated A. D., 1839, under
the style and title of the '' Corporation of the Village of Peekskill."
Its officers consist of a president and four trustees. The Peeks-
kill Academy is a flourishing chartered institution, delightfully
situated on Oak Hill. Near it is still standing the tree on
which was hung, during the revolutionary war, Daniel Strang,
the British spy.a- " One Daniel Strang, (says Thatcher,) was
found lurking about our army at Peekskill, and on examination
enlisting orders were found sewed in his clothes. He was im-
mediately tried as a spy from the enemy, sentenced to suffer
death, and was executed accordingly."^

The most interesting evidence, (remarks a recent traveller,)
that there is a spark of public spirit existing in this ancient set-
tlement which will sooner or later burst into a flame, is to be
found in the establishment of a high school, and the erection of
a very neat, spacious and appropriate edifice for that purpose on
a most delightful eminence, where the healthful and invigorating
breeze from the towering mountains in the vicinity pours forth
its medicinal influence, and where the soul alive to the senti-
ments of beauty, variety and sublimity, can view wiih rapture
the variegated and picturesque scenery, the beautiful and expan-
sive bay, the towering and gigantic Dunderberg, the " race," and

» N. Y. Gazeteer. b Thatcher's Journal.

64 HISTORY OF THE

the opening of the majestic Highlands. But my pen affords an
altogether inadequate description of the scene.

Peekskill is certainlj^ well situated for purposes of education,
furnishing as it does facilities for communicating daily, nay, al-
most hourly, with the great city; and from my own personal in-
ference, as well as the testimony of others, I doubt whether there
is a place in the whole range of the Hudson, where health can be
more conveniently soi^oht, or more surely gained.

The academy was built with a capital stock of $7000, divided
into shares of five dollars each, and taken up principally by the
inhabitants of the village. The principal, Mr. Albert Wells, is a
very worthy, intelligent teacher. The present number of pupils
is about sixty. Board is furnished in the same building to
scholars whose parents do not reside in the vilhige.a

Near the entrance of the village stands the Westchester Bank.
This institution was first established in Peekskill in 1833, with a
capital of $200,000, and General Pierre van Cortlandt elected
President. It is at present in a flourishing condition, and like
the hills of Westchester, has so far stood firm and unmoved amid
troublesome times. The stock has sold at almost as orreat an
advance as ever the United States Bank stock did. The
Westchester Bank declared its first dividend six months after its
establishment. The bills contain a beautiful vignette represent-
ing the capture of Andre by the three farmers of Westchester
County ; besides a neat engraving of the Hon. Pierre van Cort-
landt. There is also a bust of this individual in the bank, presented
by his son, Gen. Pierre van Cortlandt.

The present board of directors consist of :

Pierre van Cortlandt, Joseph H. Anderson,

James B. Travis, Ebenezer Foster,

Philip Clapp, Isaac Seymour,

Frederick W. Requa, Jasper S. Odell,

Samuel Brewster, Charles A. G. Depew,

Aaron Vark, John Williams,

James Bailey.

» Letters about the Hudson, p. 21, 22.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 65

Isaac Seymour, Esq. has held the office of cashier with distin-
guished abihty since the first organization of the institution.

The Episcopal Church of St. Peter's is a handsome gothic
structure of wood, situated on the north side of the village. The
interior contains a neat chancel, gallery, and organ. Against the
north wall of the church is placed a marble tablet, inscribed as
follows : - •

M. S.
Ann Stevenson,
The affectionate and beloved wife of
Gen. Pierre van Cortlandt,
of this township and county,
who departed this life at Albany, March 20th, 1821, '; , .
translated by God to a kingdom of happiness and glory, _ '' -.
aged 46 years, 6 months and 16 days. - ' "

Early instructed by her pious mother in the doctrines and principles of the
gospel, this excellent woman became exemplary as a communicant of the
church when only thirteen years old, and continuing to be a sincere and hum-
ble follower of her Saviour, even unto her life's end, was endeared to all who
knew her by her Christian virtues, and for a pure and devoted attachment to
Christ's holy apostolic church, to the members of this congregation, who, as a
memorial of her worth and mark of respect for her venerable consort and her
only son, benefactors of this parish, have erected this tablet.

-, Requiescat in pace. - - • " "•

There is a fine bell in the tower bearing the following inscrip-
tion : '' Cast by G. H. Holbrook, East Medway, Mass. 1811.
Presented to Saint Peter's Church, Peekskill, Westchester Coun-
ty, New York, by Gen. Pierre van Cortlandt, August 29th, 1841."
The marble font was the gift of his son, Colonel Pierre van Cort-
landt.

The site of this church was formerly occupied by a military
magazine, destroyed by the British army in 1777. Large quan-
tities of grape shot have been found in the immediate vicinity.
Adjoining the building on the south is situated the family vanlt
of Ward B. Howard, Esq. (now president of the village corpora-
ation,) in which repose the mortal remains of his late wife, Lucia

YoL. L 9

66 HISTORY OF THE

Howard, daughter of the late Hon. Robert Johnston. * Also
the remains of his nephew, Wilham J. Mitchell, (son of the
late Chauncey Mitchell, Esq.) who was unfortunately killed by
the explosion of the steamer Gen. Jackson, off Yerplanck's Point,
June 7th, 1S31.

This church was first incorporated 19th*July, 1838, under the
title of the " AVardens and Vestrymen of St. Peter's Chapel, in the
village of Peekskill," on which occasion Pierre Van Cortlandt
and Samuel Marks, were elected wardens, and Daniel D. Smith,
Samuel T. Wood, John CoUett, Elihu E. Baker, Alex. Fairly,
Wm. B. Birdsall, Nicholas Cruger, and Isaac Seymour, vestry-
men.^

A third incorporation occurs under the title of " St. Peter's
Church of Cortlandt," 28th August, lS40.c

This church is annexed to a much older one of the same name,
situated two miles north of the village, where occasional services
are still performed.

The Dutch Reformed Church is a neat wooden edifice, sur-
mounted with a spire of the same material, standing nearly
south of the Episcopal Church. Above the entrance is a tablet
inscribed —

The Van Nest

Reformed Dutch Church,

Founded A. D. 1839.

Abraham A^an Nest and George Douglass, Esquires, appear to
have been liberal benefactors towards the erection of this church.
A silver communion service was also presented by the former in-
dividual. The first Reformed Dutch Church located in this vil-
lage, stood on the hill west of the Episcopal Church, adjoining
the Diviu property. Nothing remains at present to mark its site,
save a small enclosure containing a (ew interments. In this ce-
metery is a plain marble monument to the memory of Lieut.
George McChain, which bears the following truly classical in-
scription, composed by the Hon. R. R. Pray, Chancellor of the
State of Mississippi :

*■ Mrs. Howard died on the 8th of March, 1834.
b See Religious Soc lib. B. p. 56.
e Lib. B. p. 60.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 67

Interred.

Near this stone lie the remains of

George McChain,

Lieutenant in the sixth regiment of the

United States Infantry, and distinguished

for his valour in the battles of Chippeway and

Bridgewater. In him were united the energy

of the soldier, with the easy politeness of the

gentleman. Impressed with the great truths

of religion, he was hospitably, gentle, sober, just,

and contemplative. From the ardour of his

love of country, he early devoted himself to her

service, where he was brave without vanity, and

magnanimous without ostentation. To

perpetuate the memory of so beloved a character,

his mourning friends have erected this humble stone,

a frail memorial of their veneration for his virtues,

and a faint testimony of their grief for a misfortune,

alas : indelibly engraven on their hearts.

He died on the 19th day of October, 1818,

Aged 32 years.

Also monuments to the memory of his father John McChain,
one of the Westchester guides in the revolutionary war, and the
Rev. Allen Blair, who departed this life June 14, aged 72 years;
also Jane, wil''e of St. John Constant, who died April 2, 1817.

The Van Nest Reformed Dutch Church in Peekskill, was in-
corporated on the 3d of January, 1843, and called by the above
name, " in consideration of the private virtues and public liberality
of Abraham Van Nest of New York." The consistory also resolved
to confide the manaofement to a board of nine trustees. The follow-
ing gentlemen were elected to this office, on the 16th of January,
1843: James Goetchius, William Leavins, John P. Cruger,
Washington S. Whitney, J. Henry Ferris, Thomas Nelson, Her-
cules Lent, Charles A. G. Depew and N. S. Jacobs. a

The Presbyterian Church is situated on the south side of Ma-
grigaries brook, upon land the gift of Nathaniel -Brown, Esq.

The first edifice was erected A. D. 1799 ; the principal bene-
factors towards which, were Stephen Brown, Esq., and his mother-
in-law, Mrs. Hannah Brewer. In possession of the present Dr.

a Relig. Soc. Lib. B. 80, 82.

68 HISTORY OF THE

Brewer of this place is preserved an account of monies expended

by Messrs Samuel Haight and Stephen Brown, in building the

meeting house in Peekskill. Total expenditure £371 8s. Id. dated

Peekskiil, 13 Sept. 1799.

Samuel Haiorht, ) rr<
Stephen Brown, \ Trustees.

During the ministry of the Rev. Silas Constant, a division took
place in the congregation. The seceding party erected a new
church, but subsequently became merged in the Reformed Dutch
Church in 1826. The present building which was erected in
1845, is a handsome wooden structure, surmounted with a neat
tower and spire ; the former contains a large bell and clock. In
the cemetery adjoining the church are monuments to Capt. Isaac
Conklin, who departed this life, January, 13th, 1815, aged 68
years, Zebulon Philips, and Samuel Strang, M. D., and others.
There are also inclos ure belonging to the Brown, Bedle and
Rundle families, in which numerous interments have been made.
This church is in conection with the 2d New York Presbytery.

The following is a list of the pastors and supplies of this
church from the year 1800. The Rev. Silas Constant, A. D.
ISOO ; Rev. John Manly, Rev. Abraham Purdy, Rev. Andrew
Thompson, Rev. Abner Brundage, Rev. John H. Leggett, A. D.
lS2'3-7; Rev. Peter Lockwood, Rev. William Marshall, Rev.
D. M. HalliJay, present minister.

The Independent Presbyterian congregation in the village of
Peekskill was incorporated 29th September, 1813 ; John Lent,
John Constant, and Samuel Strang first trustees. a

The new school Presbyterian church of this place was first
organized November 17, 1841, by a committee from the North
River Presbyter}^

The present church edifice was erected A. D. 1845, and dedi-
cated to the service of God 9th of April, 1845 ; the society was
incorporated by its present name July 29th, 1846. The first pas-
tor was the Rev. Daniel Brown. This individual was installed
May 4th, 1842. Mr. Brown died on the 8th of November, 1846,

^ Religious Soc. Lib. A. 102, 188.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 69

and was succeeded by the Rev. Livingston Willard (present pas-
tor) April 15th, 1847'

The Baptist society must have been established here at an
early date; this appears from the following document, entitled
an agreement made the 17th day of December, A. D. 1772, by
and between tfie subscribers, as follows, to wit :

Whereas the society of people called Baptists, by way of voluntary sub-
scription, have lately erected and built a house for public worship at or near a
place called Peekskill, in the manor of Cortlandt, and as there is not as yet a
sufficient sum of money raised to pay for the building said house, we the sub-
scribers do agree upon and appoint Caleb Hall, of said manor of Cortlandt, to
hire a sum of money sufficient to pay the deficiency ; and we jointly and seve-
rally promise, and oblige ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators, to
• pay to the said Caleb Hall, his executors or administrators, one equal part of
the sum that he shall so hire, according to the proportion of our first subscrip-
tion: Provided that if there shall be money raised by way of subscription suf-
ficient to pay the cost laid out in building said house, that the money so hired
shall be paid out of the same. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our
hands.

Caleb Hall, Sen. John Poun,

Isaac Horton, Sen. Joshua Horton,

Daniel Hall, • . Caleb Hall, Jr.

Richard Williams, , ' ', Nathan Brown,

Nathan Eliot, ' Oliver Yeomans.

The first Baptist church stood near General Pierre van Cort-
landt's, directly on the spot now occupied by the district school-
house.

The present society was organized in 1843, under the style
and title of the First Baptist Church in Peekskill. The meeting
house, which is valued at $3,400, was erected August, 1847, and
dedicated the 8th of April, 1847, to the service of Almighty God.
On this occasion the Rev. W. R. Williams, D. D., delivered the
dedicatory sermon. This church belongs to the senior Baptist
, ^ association. Upon the 31st October, 1843, the Rev. Edward
Conover was duly elected pastor ; this individual was succeeded,
November 25, 1844, by the Rev. C. C. Williams. The present
pastor is the Rev. P. Buel, who commenced his ministrations 23d
August, 1846. The communicants belonging to this church
^ average forty.

70 HISTORY OF THE

The Methodist Episcopal church in Peekskill was first incor-
porated 2d August, ISOS ; Bethune Washburn, Gilbert Weeks
and John Spock, trustees.^ The Methodist society must have
been in existence, however, some time previous to the above in-
corporation, for on the 26th February, 1795, we find John Drake
and Catharine his wife conveying three-quarters* of an acre of
land in this place to William Hallock, Thomas Clark, William
Weeks, Abraham Travis and Stephen Newby, managers of the
Methodist society. The present church edifice, erected A. D.
1837, occupies the site of a still older building erected in 1811 :
to it is attached a small grave yard. The communicants of this
church number two hundred.

The Protestant Methodist society was first established here in
1827, and incorporated 23d November, 1836 ; John Spock, Wil-
liam R. Steel and Thomas Blackney trustees. b

The Wesleyan or Primitive Methodists originally belonged to
the old Methodist society, from which body they seceded in 1839*
Their first pastor was the Rev. John Miles. The church edifice
was erected in 1839. and incorporated A. D. 1842.

The society of Friends was first organized here in 1804, and
the oldest house erected in 1811, upon land given for that purpose
by Nathaniel Brown, Esq.

One of the most interesting objects in the village of Peekskill
is the old Birdsall residence, situated directly opposite the Bank.
This house during the American Revolution was occupied occa-
sionally by General Washington as head-quarters when the army
happened to be stationed here. In this time honored mansion
the visitor is still shown the sleeping apartments of Washington
and his noble companion in arms La Fayette. The furniture
occupies nearly the same position as at that day, and the old
clock still marks the passing liour as it did seventy-seven years
ago. The colored woman who waited upon the illustrious visi-
tors died in 1841. The Rev. George Whitfield also preached in
one of the parlors.

The village landing is pleasantly situated at the foot of a high
bank, commanding a fine view of the Peekskill Bay, the Dun-

» Religious Soc. Lib. A. p. 102. h Religious Soc Lib. B. p. 47.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 71

derbarrach, Rahway Hook, and the entrance to the Highlands ;
directly opposite is Caldwell's Landing in Rockland county, with
which the \V^estchester shore is connected by a ferry. Across
this ferry the American troops were frequently transported during
the Revolution. In the vicinity of the landing there was formerly
a silver mine in operation ; the following register of its discovery
occurs in the Secretary of State's office.

No. 8 name of Discoverer. In ivhich County. Recorded. Book. Page.

Gilbert Weeks. W. C. Co., town of March 16, 26. 190.

Cortlandt, within a 1796.
quarter of a mile of
Peekskill landing,
on the north side of
McGregory's brook
silver ore.

Numerous minerals are also found in this neighborhood, such
as Epidote, Garnet, &c. Sphene is said to have been discovered
near Peekskill in an aggregate of quartz. Sulphate of barytes
exists in the region of Anthony's Nose.

Gregory's brook (sometimes called Magrigarie's creek,) rises in
Magrigarie's pond, a few miles east of the village. This rapid
stream, after flowing through a deep and wooded glen, empties
into the Hudson near the landing place.

The romantic hills which abound in the immediate vicinity of
Peekskill are many of them connected with stirring events dur-
ing the revolutionary war. Among the most prominent is Gal-
lows hill, famous as the spot where the spy Palmer was executed
by order of General Putnam, whose laconic reply to Sir Henry
Clinton, the British commander, deserves an enduring record. It
appears that Clinton had sent up a flag of truce from New York,
demanding the release of Edmund Palmer, his lieutenant, who
had been detected as a spy in the American camp. The brief
and emphatic answer of Putnam runs thus:

'' Head Quarters, 7th August, 1777.
" Sir : Edmund Palmer, an officer in the enemy's service, was
taken as a spy lurking within the American lines. He has been

72 ' HISTORY OF THE

tried as a spy, condemned as a spy, and shall be executed as a
spy ; and the flag is ordered to depart immediately.

Israel Putnam."

" P. S. — He has been accordingly executed."

From this circumstance the hill derived its present appellation.
The story of Palmer's sad fate is thus graphically described in
the republican paper of Peekskill : —

" In the summer of the year 1780, and for some time preceding and follow-
ing, on the southern and eastern sides of the hill, and along the rich valley
\vhich lies at its base, was quartered a division of the American army under
the command of Gen. Putnam. Disaffection and treachery prevailed on every
side ; men there were who from fear or from other base causes refused to take
part on the side of virtue and patriotism, and remained as neutrals, wavering
between each party, and acting as their personal safety seemed most to re-
quire. Many, calling themselves Whigs, were constantly endeavoring by cov-
ert means to blast the hopes and discourage the gallant few who were strug-
gling at the side of liberty, by giving to their enemies that information of their
situation and prospects which they had obtained by the most abject treachery.
To destroy these evils required the greatest vigilance and severity on the part
of the American commander. Early one morning, in the month of August, a
party of the militia, three in number, brought a young man by the name of
Palmer, whom they had taken on suspicion of his being a spy and having en-
listing orders from Try on, the British general then com.manding in New York.
The enormity of his offence was such, that if proved, it demanded the most
vigorous punishment. A court martial was therefore immediately convened,
and from the circumstances given to the court by those who arrested him, and
the evidence of many of the country people, who gave an unfavorable account
of his conduct, he was convicted and sentenced to be executed as a spy.

" The prisoner was a young man of athletic form, and possessed elegant at-
tainments, had a wife and children then residing in Yorktown, the place of his
nativity, and was connected with some of the most respectable families of
West Chester. The most urgent intercessions were immediately made to ob-
tain his release, but in vain ; the stern justice of Putnam was not to be overcome
bv any feelings of pity. The British general wrote a letter to the American com-
mander, demanding his prisoner, and threatening him with vengeance if a com-
pliance with his demand was not immediately acceded to ; but he received for
answer that the prisoner was " taken as a spy, tried as a spy, convicted as a
spy, and that be should be hung as a spy." Here the matter rested until the
morning previous to his execution, when the wife of Palmer presented herself
before the commanding officer in his tent. She had come there with her child
in her arms, to throw herself with humble submission at the foot of the man
who by a word, she thought, could relieve her aching heart of its load of mis-

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 73

ery. , In the artless and winning eloquence of a bursting heart, she represent-
ed to him the awful situation in which she would be placed should the fearful
sentence that had been passed upon her husband be carried into effect. She
implored him, by every tie of affection that bound two young hearts together
— for the sake of the infant she pressed to her bosom, who, if left fatherless,
would wander through the world disgraced and an orphan — by his own feel-
ings as a father and a husband, to have mercy on him v»'ho was all to her this
world could bestow. Her tears, her deep distress and her passionate excla-
mations fell deep into the heart of the war-worn soldier ; but they did not alter
his stern resolve. With a dignity of purpose and a countenance that told how
intense were the feelings then glowing within him, he told her he must die.
Insensible she was carried from his presence and conveyed back to her friends.
The following morning, at the hour appointed for his execution, on an enclosed
spot of ground near the summit, on the eastern side of the hill, was seen a
gallows rudely constructed of logs, with a rope appended thereto. The trees
and fences were filled with men, women and children who had come far and
near to witness the awful scene, and the prisoner was led out to the appointed
spot where his last view of the world was taken, and prepare his mind for its
sudden transit into eternity. It is but just to say, that whether hung guilty or
innocent, he met his fate with the fortitude of a man. The body, after being-
suspended a suitable time, was taken down and given to his friends for inter-
ment."

Such is the story of Gallows Hill. The sad fabric of Jogs
which had been raised for his execution remained standing for
several years after the war, an object of dread and superstition to
the more ignorant of the country people whose daily avocations
compelled them to pass it.^

The summit of Gallows Hill embraces a fine view of the river,
the scenery of the race and surrounding country. The remains
of Fort Look Out are situated on the adjoining hill. During the
revolutionary contest, the village of Peekskill appears to have suf-
fered severely from the enemy's incursions. "Before the British
army took the field, for the third campaign of 1777, (says Mr.
Smith) two enterprizes for the destruction of American stores were
undertaken. Col. Bird landed with about 500 men at Peekskill,
March 23, fifty miles from New York. The few Americans
who were stationed as a guard at this place, on the approach of
the British, fired the principal store-houses and retired. The loss

a Westchester and Putnam Republican, May 14, 1833,

Vol. 1. 10

74 HISTORY OF THE

of the provisions was considerable.''^ '' September, 1777, the en-
emy came out on both sides of the Hudson simultaneously in
considerable force, consisting of from two to three thousand men,
on which occasion the American barracks and store-houses, and the
whole village of Peekskill was sacked and burnt dA^di the country
pillaged."b The Weekly Mercury of Feb. 16th, 1778, (published
by Hugh Gaines,) contains a letter from Commodore Hotham to
Vice Admiral Lord Viscount Howe, which by his lordship was
transmitted to all ships in service, <fcc., dated on board his Ma-
jesty's ship the Preston, lying oiF Peekskill creek. Major Burr
was stationed at Peekskill on the 21st July, 1777, when he re-
ceived a lieutenant colonel's commission in the continental army,
and from this place the traitor Arnold likewise received his ap-
pointment to West Point, dated August the 3d, 1780.

In the vilbge of Peekskill was born John Paulding, one of the
American farmers who intercepted Andre the British spy, at Tar-
rytown, some fifteen miles below this place. For his services on
'this occasion the state presented him with a farm situated within
the town of Cortland t. The property now belongs to Jacob
Strang.

The following abstract is taken from a deed given by Samuel
Dodge, Daniel Graham, and John Hotham, commissioners of for-
feitures for the middle district of New York, to John Paulding,
of Cortlandt Manor :

For and in consideration of the services John Paulding, of Cortlandt
IManor, in the County of Westchester, hath rendered his country, in appre-
hending and securing the British deputy adjutant Gen. Major Andre, who was
returning to New York after having in the character of a spy concerted mea-
sures with the infamous Benedict Arnold, then commanding at the posts in
the Highlands, for betraying the said posts into the hands of the enemy, and
for his virtue in refusing a large sum of money offered by the said Major
Andre as a bribe to permit him to escape ; and for and in consideration of the
sum of five shillings lawful money of the State of New York, and for the fur-
ther sum of twenty-five pounds ten shillings like lawful money of the said
stale, by the said John Paulding paid into the treasury of the said state,
the said commissioners by virtue of the powers and authorities in and

<» Military Repository, by Charles Smith.
\> Burr's Mem. Vol. 1, 180.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 75

by the several acts to them given, hath by their deed bearing date on the 16th
day of June, 1783, granted and sold unto the said John Paulding all that cer-
tain tract or parcel of land, situated in the manor of Corllandt, in said county
of Westchester, and state aforesaid, now in possession of said John Paulding,
and is commonly known by lot No. 14 in great lot No. 1, containing 100 acres.
Also, another tract, part of farm No. 13, in great north lot No. 1, contain-
taining 21 acres. Also, another part of farm No. 13, in great lot No. 1, and
is part of the land which Palatiah Haws purchased for Thomas Lee in Ma-
gragaria swamp, 10 acres. Also, another part of farm No. 15, a part of
great north lot No. 1, 37 acres. ^

168 acres, 16 rods of land, appraised for . . JC529 10 0
Gratuity allowed by law . . . . . . 500 0 0

Excess from him received . . ; £2d 10 0

John Paulding died on the 18th of February, 1.8 IS. A few-
minutes before the patriot expired, he called Dr. Fountain, (his
medical attendant,) to the bed side, and thus addressed him :
" Doctor, please tell all those who ask after me, that I die a true
republican." Paulding's remains repose beneath a handsome
monument in the Episcopal grave-yard, two miles north of the
village.

Upon the north side of Gallows Hill, by the road side leading
from Peekskill to Albany, is situated the *' Soldier's Spring,"
which derived its name from the foHowing tragical incident :

" The British, who were in possession of Stony Point, and whose shipping
lay in the bay of Haverstraw, resolved upon landing a portion of their men on
Yerplanck's Point, and from thence make a descent upon Peekskill. Their
object in this expedition was to procure fresh provisions and to wake the en-
ergies of the Americans who were encamped in the village and in various
places among the hills in its vicinity. In accordance with this resolve they
effected a landing and proceeded without opposition to Drum Hill, an eminence
which overlooks the village near its southern boundary. Here they com-
menced cannonading with two small field pieces which they had brought
■with them, while their light troops entered the village by another road higher
up the river. The Americans unprepared, and withal too weak to resist so
formidable a foe, were obliged after a short resistance to fly to the interior.
Their enemies from the commanding points which they occupied, kept up a
constant firing upon them as they sought the various avenues of retreat. It

a County Clerk's Office, Abstract of Sales, p. 137.

76 HISTORY OF THE

was at this period when a soldier in his flight stopped for a moment to refresh
himself at the spring. ^Yhile on his hands and knees in the act of drinking, a
ball which struck on the eminence above him, glanced obliquely, and descend-
ing the road with rapid bounds, finished its course by shattering the thigh of
the exhausted soldier, and burying itself in the ground beyond. Unable to
move, he lay bleeding and in agony, until a wagon filled with provisions hasti-
ly collected by a bold and resolute man ere they left the scene of commotion
passing by, he was perceived by those who followed after, who immediately
picked him up and placed him thereon. They conveyed him as far as Fish-
kill village, 19 miles distant ; but loss of blood and the fatigue of his journey,
prostrated the powers of nature ; and though he received surgical aid, survived
but a few hours. "^

Two miles north of Peekskill is located the property and re-
sidence of General Pierre van Cortlandt, who derived his title to
this portion of the ancient manor from his brother Gilbert, heir
of his grand-aunt, Mrs. Gertrude Beeckman,

The situation of the Van Cortlandt estate is very fine, cover-
ing, as it does, some of the most graceful undulations of a hilly
district, diversified with the richest scenery.

The old brick mansion erected A. D. 1773, occupies a very se-
questered and romantic spot on the north side of the post road,
immediately above the vale of Annsville. At one period of the
revolution it was occupied by the American] commander-in-chief
^ as head quarters. Here also the Van Cortlandt family for some
time found a safe asylum amid surrounding desolation. The in-
terior contains a valuable collection of family portraits, consisting
of Catharine, first wife of Gen. Pierre van Cortlandt, eldest daugh-
ter of George Clinton, Vice-President of the United States, by
Aimes ; General Pierre van Cortlandt, by Collins ; Ann Steven-
son, second wife of General Pierre van Cortlandt, by Aimes ;
Mrs. Magdalen Stevenson, mother of the above lady, by ditto j
Nicholas Giiman, &c.

The bed rooms contain three curious pictures, of full length
figures, representing John van Cortlandt as a boy. dressed in a
long blue coat reaching to the knees, with large cuffs turned
up to the elijows, knee breeches, scarlet stockings, high shoes
and silver buckles ; his right hand rests on a stag. Pierre, (af-

a Weetchefcter and Putnam Republican, Aug. 1838.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. ^ 77

ter wards Lieutenant Governor,) in a scarlet coat, with white silk
stockings ; a greyhound by his side, Abraham is depicted in a
russet coat and red stockings, with high heeled shoes and buckles.
These paintings are said to be over 115 years old. Besides the
above, are portraits of George Clinton and lady, in crayons, by
St. Menon Valdevieux.

Among the family silver, are two magnificent pitchers, inscrib-
ed as follows : —

Presented
To General Pierre van Cortlandt,
By the Directors of the Westchester County Bank,
June, 1836.
In this house General McDougal posted his advanced guard,
when the British took possession of Peekskill, March, 1777.
The following account of the subsequent engagement with the
enerny, is extracted from the Connecticut Journal of April 2d,
1777:—

" Fishkill, March 27. — Our post at Peek's-kill, since the removal of the mi-
litia of the eastern states has been, in a manner, in a defenceless situation,
there being only part of two regiments stationed there, under the care of Gen.
McDougal, amounting to about 250 men. The enemy having received intel-
ligence of this, formed an expedition thither, with a view to take or destroy
the stores belonging to the continentals, that were deposited there. Accord-
ingly, on Sunday last they appeared with a frigate, four transports and several
other small vessels in the bay, and landed about 1000 men, with several pieces
of cannon.

" General McDougal not thinking it prudent to hazard a battle with such an
unequal force, and not having reasonable advice of the enemy's movement,
was under the necessity of destroying their stores in order to prevent their
falling into their hands, and retired about two miles into the pass in the high-
lands, carrying with him his baggage and military stores, his advanced guard
being stationed at Cortlandt's house in the valley. The enemy, the same day,
took possession of the village, and remained close in their quarters until the
next day in the afternoon, when a party of them, consisting of about 200 men,
possessed themselves of a height a little south of Cortlandt's. The general
having received a reinforcement from Col. Gansevoort's regiment, of about 80
men, under the command of Lieut. Col. Willet, permitted them to attempt to
dispossess the enemy from that eminence. Col. Willet having accordingly
made the necessary disposition, advanced with his small party with the great-
est firmness and resolution, and made the attack. The enemy instantly f!ed
with the greatest precipitation, leaving three men dead on the field, and the

HISTORY OF THE

whole body, panic struck, betook themselves to their shipping, embarking un-
der cover of the night ; and by the last accounts, they had sailed down the
river. Before they embarked, they gave out they intended to stop at Tarry-
town on their way down, and attempt to destroy our magazine of forage at
Wright's mills. Upon their evacuating the place, Gen. McDougal took pos-
session of his former quarters, and detached a party of men to watch their mo-
tions. The enemy on tliis occasion have been exceedingly disappointed, as
they have not been able to carry off any stores left behind by our men, and no
other flock than about forty sheep and eight or ten head of cattle, M'ith which
they were supplied by our good friends the tories. Never did troops exhibit
more firmness and resolution than did our army on this occasion. Notwith-
standing the disparity of numbers was great, and the measure absolutely ne-
cessary, it was with the utmost reluctance they retired to the pass. As usual,
these heroes of Britain have burnt some houses, plundered the inhabitants of
what they could conveniently take with them, frightened the w^omen and chil-
dren, and raised the spirits of their tory brethren in that quarter, but which,
alas, as is always the case when unnaturally elevated, are now again propor-
tionably depressed."

The old oak tree east of the Van Cortland t residence, served
the purpose of a military whipping post.

Upon the summit of a high knoll, south east ot the Yan Cort-
landt residence, stands the Episcopal Church of St. Peter's. This
humble structure was erected A. D. 1767. The site and the ad-
joining grave-yard were the gift of the Johnson family.

St Pelcr'ri Church and ihe Tomb of I'aulding.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 79

In the possession of Mr. James Brown, of Peekskill, is the fol-
lowing indenture, bearing date 23d of March, 1750, between An-
drew Johnson, of Perth Amboy, East Jersey, of the first part, and
Caleb Hall, Joseph Travis and Palatiah Haws, of the second :

Wherein the former party for the value of £5, conveys to the latter a par-
cel of land lying at a place called Peekskill, being a part of lot No, 8, begin-
ning at the north east corner of the second parcel of land lately purchased of
Joseph Taylor, by north side ofCrumpond road, containing six acres, &c. : to
have and to hold in trust for a school and burying place, and also for their ex-
ecutors and successors in trust, to the only proper use, benefit and behoof, and
exercise of the public worship of God, and that it be for that purpose in the
erecting and building of a meeting house or houses for the religious, (under
the protection of our most gracious majesty,) either the Church of England,
Presbyterian, Independents Baptists, or Congregational, &c. to erect and build
a house for the religious exercise of the public worship of God, with a conveni-
ent yard thereto, for each or either of the above written denominations to them,
the said Caleb Hall, &c., their heirs and successors, in trust for the neighbor-
hood and inhabitants round about, from generation to generation for ever,
and for no other use, purpose or intent whatsoever. a-

Colonel Beverly Robinson endowed the united parishes of St.
Peter's, on Cortlandt's manor, and St. Phillips' on the High-
lands, with a farm of two Inmdred acres. This property was
subsequently sold under an order of the Court of Chancery, and
equally divided between the two churches. Out of these funds
(aided by a liberal grant from Trinity Church, New York,
amounting to $1000) the present church was erected in Peeks-
kill.

The following entry occurs in the bible belonging to this
church, in possession of Isaac Seymour, Esq. : —

"The gift of Mrs. Susannah Robinson^ to St. Peter's Church at Peekskill,
which church was, by the desire of Beverly Robinson, Esq., Messrs. Jere-
miah Drake, Caleb Ward, Isaac Hatfield and Charles Moore, trustees, ap-
pointed by the subscribers to said church for directing and carrying on said
building, and for securing it to the inhabitants as a place of public worship
according to the establishment of the Church of England, on Sunday the 9tli
of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty-
seven, being the eighth Sunday after Trinity ; consecrated by the Rev. Doc-

a Co. Rec. lib. H. 339.

b This lady was the daughter of the Hon. Frederick Philips.

80 HISTORY OF THE

tor John Ogilvie, of New York, for the service of the Holy Trinity, accord-
ing to the rites and cerenaonies of the Church of England, as by law estab-
lished, by the name of St. Peter's Church."

Upon the ISlh of August, 1770, the church received the fol-
lowing charter from His Excellency, Cadwallader Golden, Lieu-
tenant-Governor of the Province.

" George the Third, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and
Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c, to all to whom these presents shall
come, greeting : Whereas, our loving subjects, Beverly Robinson, Charles
Moore, Jeremiah Drake, Caleb Ward, John Johnson, Joshua Nelson, Thomas
Davenport and Henry Purdy, on behalf of themselves and sundry inhabitants
on the upper part of the manor of Cortlandt, and the lower part of Philips'
Patent, in communion of the Church of England as by law established, by their
humble petition, presented on the 21st day of March now last past, to our trusty
and well beloved Cadwallader Colden, Esq., our Lieutenant-Governor and
Commander-in-chief of our Province of New York and the territories de-
pending thereon in America, in council did set forth that the petitioners have
at a great expense and trouble erected a convenient house for a place of divine
worship near Peekskill, to be according to the Church of England as by law
established, and being very desirous of promoting the same, and settling a minis-
ter among them, did humbly conceive that if our said Lieutenant-Governor and
Commander-in-chief would be pleased to take the matter into consideration,
and to grant them a charter with such privileges, immunities and conditions as
our said Lieutenant-Governor and Commander-in-chief should see fit, and that
the said Beverly Robinson and Charles Moure may be appointed church ward-
ens, and the said Jeremiah Drake, Caleb Ward, John Johnson, Joshua Nel-
son, Thomas Davenport and Henry Purdy, vestrymen, in the charter by the
name of the church wardens and vestrymen of St. Peter's Church, on the
manor of Cortlandt, near Peekskill. Now, we being willing to encourage the
pious intentions of our said loving subjects, and to grant this their reasonable
request, 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 the said
petitioners and such other person and persons and their successors for ever as
now are or shall hereafter from time to time be, as well of the Church of En-
gland as by law established, as members of the congregation of the said church
in the herein above recited petition called St. Peter's Church, on the manor of
Cortlandt, near Peekskill, and also contributors to the support and maintenance
of a minister of the Church of England as by law established, to officiate in the
said church for the time being, shall, with the rector of the said Church of St.
Peter's for the time being forever hereafter be one body corporate and politic
in deed, fact and name, by the name, style and title of the rector and members

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 81

of St. Peter's Church, on the manor of Cortlandt, near Peekskill, 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 politic and corporate in deed, fact and name for ever, and will give, grant
and ordain that they and their successors, the rector and members of St. Peter's
Church, on the manor of Cortlandt, near Peekskill, by the same name shall and
may have perpetual succession, and shall and may be capable in law to sue and be
sued, implead and be impleaded, answer and be answered unto, defend and be
defended in all courts and elsewhere in all manner of actions, suits, complaints,
pleas, causes, matters and demands whatsoever, as fully and amply as any our
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 shall be for-
ever hereafter capable and able in the law to purchase, take, hold, receive and
enjoy any messuages, tenements, houses and real estate whatsoever 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 whatso-
ever, provided always that the clear yearly value of the said real estate (ex-
clusive 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 one
thousand 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 forever, 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 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 and successors or-
dain and appoint that there shall be forever hereafter belonging to the said
church, one rector of the Church of England as by law established, duly qual-
ified for the cure of souls, two church wardens and six vestrymen, who shall
conduct and manage the affairs and business of the said church and corpora-
tion in manner as hereafter is declared and appointed ; and for the more imme-
diate carrying into execution our royal will and pleasure herein, we do hereby
assign, constitute and appoint Beverly Robinson and Charles Moore to be the
present church wardens, and Jeremiah Drake, Caleb Ward, John Johnson,
Joshua Nelson, Thomas Davenport and Henry Purdy to be the present ves-
trymen of the said church, who shall hold, possess and enjoy their said re-
spective offices until Tuesday in Easter week now next ensuing ; and for the
keeping up 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 forever on Tues-
day in Easter week in every year, the rector and members of St. Peter's
Church, on the manor of Cortlandt, near Peekskill, shall meet at the said
church, and there, by the majority of voices of such of them as shall so meetj

Vol. I. 11

S2 HISTORY OF THE

elect and choose two of their members to be church wardens, and six others of
their members to be vestrymen of the said church for the ensuing year, which
said church wardens and vestrymen so elected and chosen shall immediately
enter upon their respective offices, and hold, exercise and enjoy the same re-
spectively 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 church wardens or vestrymen, or
either of them by these presents named and appointed, or who shall be here-
after elected and chosen by virtue of these presents, shall die before the
time of their respective appointed services shall be expired, or refuse or
neglect to act in the office for which he or they is or are herein nomi-
nated and appointed, or whereunto he or they shall or may be so elected
and chosen, then our royal will and pleasure is, and we do hereby direct, or-
dain and require the rector and members of St. Peter's Church, on the manor
of Cortlandt, near Peekskill, 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, or neglecting or refusing to act within thirty days next after
such contingency, and in this case for the more due and orderly conducting
the said elections, and to prevent any undue proceedings therein, we do here-
by give full power and authority to and ordain and require that the rector and
the said church wardens 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 church wardens 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 elections, hereby giving and granting that such person or
persons as shall be so chosen from time to time by the rector and members of
St. Peter's Church, on the manor of Cortlandt, near Peekskill, or the majority
of such of them as shall in such case meet in manner hereby directed, shal^
have, hold, exercise and enjoy such the office or offices to which he or they
shall be elected and chosen, from the time of such elections until the Tuesday
in Easter week thereon next ensuing, and until other or others be lawfully
chosen in his or their place and 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 church wardens 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 church wardens or ves-
trymen in that part of our kingdom of Great Britain called England, or in this

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 83

our province of New York can or lawfully may execute their said respective
ofnces ; 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 church wardens 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, church wardens and vestrymen for the time being, to meet in
vestry, giving them at the least one day's notice thereof, and we do hereby
require them to meet accordingly. And we do hereby give, grant, and ordain
that the said rector and one of the said church wardens 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 as above directed, shall forever hereafter
have, and they are hereby invested with full power and authority by the ma-
jority of their voices, to do and execute in the name of the rector and members
of St. Peter's Church, on the manor of Cortlandt, near Peekskill, all and sin-
gular the powers and authorities herein before given and granted to the said
rector and members of St. Peter's Church, on the manor of Cortlandt, near
Peekskill, any wise touching or relating to such lands, messuages and tene-
ments, real and personal estate whatsoever, as they the said rector and mem-
bers of said church on the manor of Cortlandt, near Peekskill, shall or may
acquire, for the use of the said church, and also in like manner to order, di-
rect, manage and transact the general interest, business, and affairs of our said
corporation, and also shall have full power and authority in like manner to
make and ordain such rules, orders, and ordinances as they shall judge con-
venient for the good government and discipline of the members of the said
church ; provided such rules, orders and ordinances 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 or 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 appoint the form of the common seal herein before granted,
and the same to alter, break, and re-make at their discretion, -and also in like
manner to appoint such officer or officers as they shall stand in need of, always
provided that the rector of the said church 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 con-
trary in any wise notwithstanding, which clerk and sexton shall hold and en-
joy iheir respective offices during the will and pleasure of the rector of the
said church for the time being. And whereas there hath not yet been any
minister presented or inducted to the said church, our royal will and pleasure
therefore is, that until the said church shall be supplied with a minister of the
church of England, as by law established, as is herein after mentioned, and
also in case of every avoidance of the said church thereafter, either by the
death of the rector thereof or otherwise, that the powers and authorities vested
in the rector, church wardens and vestrymen in veslrv, met as above men-

g4 HISTORY OF THE

tioned, shall, until the said church be legally supplied with another incumbent,
vest in and be executed bj- the church wardens of the said church for the time
beinc^ together with the vestrymen of the said church for the time being, by
the name of the church wardens and vestrymen of St. Peter's Church, on the
manor of Cortlandt, near Peekskill ; provided always, the concurrence and con-
sent of the major number of the whole vestrymen of the said church for the
time being be had in every thing that shall in such cases be done by virtue
hereof, and we do by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, give
and grant that the patronage and advowson of the said church, and the right
of presentation thereto, shall forever hereafter belong to and appertain, and is
hereby vested in the church wardens and vestrymen of the said church for
the time being, or the majority of them, forever, whereof one church warden
shall always be one. And further we do by these presents, for us, our heirs
and successors, give and grant unto the rector and members of St. Peter's
Church, on the manor of Cortlandt, near Peekskill, 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 said rector
and members of St. Peter's Church, on the manor of Cortlandt, near Peekskill,
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 intents,
constructions and purposes whatsoever, against us, our heirs and successors,
according to the true intent and meaning herein before declared, notwithstand-
ing the not reciting, or mis-recital, not naming, or mis-naming of any the afore-
said franchises, privileges, immunities, offices, or other the premises or any of
them, and although no writ of ad quod damnum or other writs inquisitors or
penalties hath or have been, upon this account, had, made, issued, or prose-
cuted, 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
them the said rector and members of St. Peter's Church, on the manor of
Cortlandt, near Peekskill, and to their successors forever. In testimony
whereof we ha^e 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 said trusty and well beloved Cad-
wallader Colden, Esq., our said lieutenant governor, and commander-in-chief
of our said province of New York, and the territories depending thereon, in
America, at our fort in our city of New York, by and with the advice and con-
sent of our council for our said province, the 18th day of August, in the year
of our Lord, 1770, and of our reign the 10th. "^

The following year Governor Tryon granted a special charter,
in virtue whereof, the trustees held a certain glebe of 200 acres of

* Albany Book of Patents.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 85

land, given by Col. Beverly Robinson, for the use of the rector,
officiating one half his time at St. Philip's in the Highlands.

The first incor})oration of this church subsequent to the revo-
lution took place 26th of April, 1791, under the style and title of
the corporation of St. Peter's Church, Peekskill, and St Philip's
Chapel in the Highlands. Joshua Nelson, Richard Arunde]l,Silva-
nus Haight, James Spock, Jarvis Dusenberry, vestry of St. Peter's
Church, Peekskill. First trustees, William Ward, Caleb Ward,
James Spock, Silvanus Haight, Caleb Morgan, Joshua Nelson,
Richard Arundell, Jarvis Dusenberry. Signed 16th December,

1791.a

In 1793, William Denning and Pierre van Cortlandt were elec-
ted wardens. . . - , ... . , •■ - •, '

William Denning and Jarvis Dusenberry were the first dele-
gates from this parish to the Diocesan Convention in 1791.

List of Ministers and Rectors. .' ■ .

Instituted or Ministers and Rectors. ' ' Patrons. vacated by

elected. - '"

A. D. 1771, Rev. John Doty, Clericus, warder

1792, Rev. Andrew Fowler, A. B. Presb.

1796, Rev. Samuel Haskell, Presb.

1807, Rev, Joseph Warren, Presb.

1815, Rev. Adam Empie, Presb.

1816, Rev. Peter Ten Broeck, Presb.
1818, Rev. John Urquehart, Presb.
1830, Rev. Edward J. Ives,
1834, Rev. James Sunderland, Presb.
1838, Rev. Wjlliam C. Cooley, Presb.
1840, Rev. Moses Marcus, A. M. Presb.

June, 1843, Rev. William Barlow, Presb.

Notitia Parochialis. . .

1807, baptisms 19, communicants 10, marriages 5.

1847, ditto 40,

If the members of St. Peter's Parish value this church as an in-

■.. a Religious fSoc. I-ib. A. 26.

id vestr]

J pel

r resig,

do -

do .'

do .

do ;•

da-; '

do * -

do .

85. HISTORY OF THE

terestino- relic of the past, some speedy means should be taken to
preserve it ; otherwise it will soon perish.

The church yard which is extensive, contains several me-
morials to the Penoyers, Wards, Drakes. Ferris's, &c., <fec. The
oldest interment appears to have been Mary, wife of John Ward,
who died on the 15th of September, 1765, in the 69th year of her

age.

One of the tomb stones is inscribed with the following expres-
sive sentence :

" Eternity hoio long /"

There is also a small enclosure belonging to the Birdsall

family.

On the west side of the grave yard is situated the monument
of John Paulding.

The following is the report of the select committee, appointed
in pursuance of a resolution of the board, ^ passed the 4th day of
December, 18:^6, during the mayoralty of the Honorable Philip
Hone directing a monument to be erected to the memory of John
Paulding, one of the captors of the British spy, Andre.

Your committee engaged Messrs. Francis and James Kain, to
erect a monument of white marble, the materials of which were
procured from their quarry, in the county of Westchester. It is of
the most simple form, consisting of a pedestal, surmounted by a
cone, showing an elevation of thirteen feet ; the whole composed
of the most massive materials, and fastened with iron cramps
in such a manner as to resist the severity of the climate for ages
to come.

The base of the monument covers a square of seven feet, sur-
rounded by an iron railing, four feet in height, and two feet seven
inches distant, inserted in a marble coping fourteen inches broad,
comprehending a square of twelve feet two inches.

One side of the monument exhibits a fac-simile of the face of
the medal, voted by the Congress of the United States to each of
the captors of Andre, on the third day of November, seventeen
hundred and eighty ; the other of its reverse, both carved in bas-
relief.

a Board of common council. ■-

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 87

Oil the front of the pedestal is the following inscription :

Here repose the mortal remains of

John Paulding,

who died on the 18th day of February, 1818,

in the 60th year of his age.

On the morning of the 23d of September, 1780,

Accompanied by two young Farmers of the Co. of Westchester,

(Whose names will one day be recorded

On their own deserved monuments,)
He intercepted the British spy, Andre:
- , ,' Poor Himself

■ ■ . He disdained to acquire wealth by the sacrifice of .

> • . HIS COUNTRY. __- -'

^- ■' ' Rejecting the temptation of great rewards

He conveyed his prisoner to the American camp; ^ . ;
. ■ -. - • And - , / . .< . ■

. ;. By this act of noble self denial, ■ - • • -■ -

The treason of Arnold was detected, . '

The designs of the enemy baffled ; _ ■ \

West Point and the American Army saved ;
'": . '- And these United States,
Now by the Grace of God Free and Independent,
Rescued from most imminent peril.

The fourth side of the pedestal bears the following inscription

THE CORPORATION

Of the City of New York,
Erected this Tomb,
As a memorial Sacred to
; PUBLIC GRATITUDE.

S8 HISTORY OF THE

The whole beiug completed with the exception of placing the
cone on the pedestal, on the morning of the twenty-second of
November, eighteen hundred and twenty-seven, the corporation
proceeded in the steamboat Sandusky, to Peekskill, where they
arrived at one o'clock, and were met by the Committee of Ar-
rangements,^ and a large concourse of the inhabitants of West-
chester County, who had come to assist in the last honors, to
the memory of their fellow citizen. Amon^ them were many
aged and venerable men, who passed through the perils of the
revolution and shared its dangers with the deceased.

A procession was formed to the church yard, where the monu-
ment stands, about two and a half miles from the village of
Peekskill, and the column being lowered to its place on the pe-
destal, William Paulding, mayor of the city of New York, ad-
dressed the assembled citizens as follows :

My Friends : — History bears testimony to the importance of the act we
are here assembled to commemorate. The capture of Andre, while it pre-
vented the most fatal disasters, and led to the most signal results, afforded at
the same time a memorable example of the fidelity and patriotism of the yeo-
manry of these United States. As such it has always been viewed, and will
appear in the eyes of posterity one of the most honorable achievements of our
great revolutionary struggle.

It was in the year seventeen hundred and eighty.

There is not an aged man here present, but must remember that gloomy
and disastrous period, when, if ever, the freedom of our country was almost a
desperate hope. The money, the credit, the men, the means, and I may al-
most say, the sentiment necessary for continuing the great contest, were
either quite exhausted, or fast melting away.

Hardship, ill success, and a miserable scarcity of every necessary of life,
had checked present exertion, and produced almost a hopelessness of the fu-
ture. Our little army, the last reliance of the country, was cooped up at West
Point, almost the last refuge of liberty remaining. Had that army, with its
illustrious commander, been treacherously surrendered, and that strong-hold
given up to the enemy, the communication between Canada and New York,
then in his possession, would have been open — the North and the South could
no longer have co-operated with each other — the spirit of our people had been
broken — the last stay of freedom destroyed, and the last ray of hope perhaps

a Generals Pierre van Cortlandt and Philip van Cortlandt, Daniel W. Birdsall, St.
John Constant, Ward B. Howard, Benjamin Dyckman, Doctor Peter Goetchius,
James Mandeville, and Doctor Samuel Strang.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 89

extinguished. What the final issue might have been, God only knows ; but
we all know, the consequences would have shaken our good cause to its
foundation. A plan for this purpose was agitated — matured — almost consum-
mated by the treason of Arnold. To you it is not necessary to detail the par-
ticulars of this infamous and dangerous project, so familiar to the memory and
hearts of our people. I see among you many venerable and aged men who
bore a part in the struggle, and shared in the hardships, anxieties, dan-
gers and sufferings of those dismal times. I see at the head of these, a faith-
ful and gallant officer, still happily and honorably surviving to enjoy that in-
valuable freedom which his own efforts contributed to secure. =^ I see too,
among them, one who was him.self a companion and sharer in the virtuous act
by which these imminent dangers were averted. b

If you wish for the story of this high achievement of honest, unpretending
patriotism, ask it of him. He will tell it in such a way, as shall neither
wrong the living or the dead. He will tell you of the capture of Andre, who
from a spy, was elevated by a false estimate and a mistaken sympathy, into a
hero and a martyr — of the temptations which had corrupted the second man
in the nation's estimation, being rejected by the sons of the farmers of West-
chester— of the delivery of the spy into the hands of the great good man of
the ags — of modern times — of all times whatever, and of their receiving his
glorious approbation — of the applauses of the nation — and the thanks of that
most illustrious body, the old Congress of the United States — the noblest re-
ward which was ever bestowed on a private citizen. Lastly, my friends, he
will tell you what a source of honest pride — of heart-felt pleasure — of unut-
terable happiness has it been to him, and will be to the last hour of his life, the
reflection that he did his duty to his country in her hour of peril.

My Friends : — The man to whose mouldering remains and imperishable
memory we are now paying the last honours, was born and brought up among
us. Like many now present, he was the son of a plain country farmer, who
cultivated his own fields with his own hands ; and he received such an educa-
tion only, as is now within the reach of every honest man's son in these
United States. He had nothing to boast of but a vigorous, active, well-pro-
portioned frame, a daring spirit, and an honest heart. His means and oppor-
tunities were only such as you all enjoy ; and his example furnishes a lesson
to you all, of what every one of you is capable of becoming, when the hour of
danger arrives, and our country requires the aid of a virtuous patriotism. He
is most peculiarly an example to you and yours. He belongs forever to the
yeomanry of the United States, a class of men always honest and patriotic —
always ready to defend that soil in whose products they share so liberally, and
those rights in which they so amply participate.
Bear then in mind, my friends, and impress it on the hearts of your chil-

^ General Philip van Cortlandt. i> Isaac van Wart.

Vol. I. 12

90 HISTORY OF THE

dren, and upon all that shall nestle in old age under your withered branches,
that as all are equally called upon to protect and defend their country, so there
is not one of them all but may one day be placed in a situation like John Paul-
dinfT, to confer a lasting benefit on his country, and like him, to merit and re-
ceive the highest and noblest of all earthly recompenses — the thanks and gra-
titude of his countrymen.

The assembly then separated, deeply impressed with the ceremony and ths
occasion.

All which is respectfully submitted.

Abrm. M. Valentine,
John Agnew,
John Lozier,
Gideon Ostrander,
Jameson Cox.

The Baptist burying gronnd is situated north of the Episcopal
yard. Here is a memorial to Caleb Hall, who died October 1st,
1791, aged 91 years, beside other monuments.

The village of Annsville, in this town, is delightfully situated
near the niouth of the Peekskill creek, one mile north of the vil-
lage of Peekskill.

This place formed a part of the Indian territory of Wishqua.
Here also was an Indian settlement. Upon the survey of the
manor of Corllandt, Annsville and lands adjoining constituted a
portion of lot INo. 10, the river portion of Mrs. Gertrude Beeck-
man, daughter and devisee of Stephanus van Cortlandt.

Here are situated an extensive snuff factory, and a wire factory,
both propelled by water power ; also about 20 dwellings.

The scenery of the Peekskill creek is remarkably rich and di-
versified.

1'his stream rises 14 miles north of Annsville, in the town of
Kent, Putnam County ; south-west of Annsville, it receives the
waters of the Canopus, (Sprout creek,) a current of water which
derives its source from Horton's lake, called by the Indians the
" Fire-fly lake," a name derived from that beautiful insect whose
bright phosphorescence illumines the dark woods of a summer's
evening. The Indian children of the West have the following ex^
quisite chant to this flitting, white fire insect, as they denominate it :

" Fire- fly, fire-fly ! bright little thing;
Bright little fairy-bug, night's little king."

Schoolcraft'' s Oneota.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 91

Near the banks of the Canopus, or Peekskill hollow, is situated
the site of the old Continental village, which once contained bar-
racks for 2,000 men. The following account of its destruction is
given in the dispatches of Gen. Sir William Howe to Sir Henry
Clinton, dated Fort Montgomery, October 9, 1777:

" The little army consisting of about 3.000 men arrived off
Verplanck's Point, preceded by the gallies under the command of
^Sir .Tames Wallace. On our appearance the enemy retired with-
out firing a shot, leaving a 12 pounder behind them: and Sir
James moved up to Peekskill creek to mark the only communi-
cation they had across the river on this side the Highlands.

" P.S. — Major Gen. Tryon was detached this morning with
Emmerick's chasseurs, 50 yagers, the royal fusiliers and regi-
ment of Trumback, with a three-pounder to destroy the rebel set-
tlement called the Continental village^ has just returned and re-
ported to me, that he has burned the barrack for 1500 men,
several store houses and loaded wagons. I need not point out to
your excellency the consequence of destroying this post, as it
was the only establishment of the rebels on that part of the High-
lands, and the place from whence any body of troops drew their
supplies.''^

The Cortlandt bridge crosses the mouth of the Peekskill creek
near Annsville, on the road leading to Roa or Rahway Hook.
The total length of this bridge, which is built of wood, is four-
teen hundred and ninety-six feet. Upon the highest ground of
Rahway Hook stands " Fort Independence Hotel," lately erected
by Col, Pierre van Cortlandt. From its elevated position this
spot commands a most extensive prospect of the Hudson River
and adjacent country. To the north rise the mnjestic Highlands,
on the west the race and towering Dunderbarrack. To the south
the waters of the Peekskill bay resemble a vast lake bounded by
the mountains of Rockland and Stony and Verplanck's Points,
while on the east appears the village of Peekskill and the Cort-
landt hills. The proximity of this place to the city, and the un-
equalled facilities of communication by steamboat, renders this

"^ Supplement to H. Gaines' Military Gazette, Feb. 9, 1778, No. 1372,

92 HISTORY OF THE

hotel one of the most desirable residences in summer for families
or individuals to be found on the banks of the Hudson. In the
rear of the hotel are situated the remains of Fort Independence,
whose history is so inseparably interwoven with the stirring
events of the Revolution. A small portion of its embankments
and trenches are yet to be discerned. The whole is shaded by a
luxuriant grove of native pines. The solitude of this delightful
spot is occasionally disturbed by the moaning of the wind amid
the trees,

And hark ! as it comes sighing through the grove,
The exhausted gale a spirit there awakes,
That wild and melancholy music makes.

Circuitous paths lead to the landing, while the table land to the
east is heavily bordered with the ash, maple, cedar and tower-
ing oak.

The hotel is under the management of Mr. Y. Truesdale.

Hudson, the discoverer of the North River, appears to have
been much struck with the first sight of this high and mountain-
ous region.

"It appears from his journal," says Moulton, "that he was not inatten-
tive to the rapid and astonishing elevation of a district of country which, in
the course of less than sixty miles, increases from a few feet above the water
level* to the lofty height of fifteen hundred feet.'' Sailing leisurely, he had
full opportunity to contrast the appearances of the opposite shores. On the
left he had the sublime prospect of the pallisado rocks, whose dark columnar
front, like a towering battlement, witli here and there a projection like the sal-
ient angle of a bastion, presented perpendicular elevations from three to five
hundred feet, and, ranging more than thirty miles uninterrupted, (except by
the valley of the Nyack,) it at last exhibited an altitude of nearly seven hun-
dred feet,<= and then vanished from his sight on the remote, but still more ele-
vated range of the High Tourn and Tourn Mountains. On the right he be-
held a comparatively low but undulating border, which, in the luxuriance of
autumnal foliage, afforded a striking contrast and a pleasing relief as he turned
from the sublimity and barrenness of the opposite cliffs. Onward he per-
ceived the river in its first course of thirty miles, very gradually widening un-
til it suddenly presented the broad expanse of a bay (' Tappaanse Zee.') Then

» At Bergen Point.

b At the head of the Highlands.

e South peak of Vredidcka Hook.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 93

as he passed into another, (Haverstraw,) and viewed the insuperable barriers
of mountains that lay before him, he considered his discovery terminated, un-
til, in searching for a passage, he found one which proved to be the continua-
tion of a river, now serpentining in its course, deepening and narrowing, until
it brought him to ' where the land grew very high and mountainous.' Here
he anchored for the ensuing night. a This was directly opposite West Point."

Diirino^ the revolutionary war two British vessels were sunk
in the race directly opposite Fort. Independence. Abont thirty
years since, several cannon were raised from these vessels by the
aid of the diving bell.

f In the northwest corner of Cortlandtown is situated '' Antonie's
Neus," or St. Anthony's Nose, a well known peak of the High-
lands.

General Van Cortlandt, the present proprietor of the Nose,
gives the following origin of that name : —

" Before the Revolution a vessel was passing up the river un-
der the command of a Capt. Hogans. When immediately oppo-
site this mountain, the mate looked rather quizzically, first at the
mountain and then at the captain's nose. The captain, by the
way, had an enormous nose, which was not unfrequently the
subject of good natured remark ; and he at once understood the
mate's allusion. ' What,' says the captain, 'does that look like
my nose? — call it then, if you please, Antony's Nose.' The
story was repeated on shore, and the mountain thenceforward
assumed the name, and has thus become an everlasting monu-
ment to the memory of the redoubtable Capt. Antony Hogans and
his nose.'"iJ

The elevation of Antony's Nose is one thousand two hundred
and twenty eight feet from the level of the river, and directly op-
posite Fort Montgomery Creek. From here to Fort Montgom-
ery, which is now in ruins on the opposite side, a large boom and
chain was extended during the revolutionary war, which cost
about seventy thousand pounds sterling. It was partly de-
stroyed by Gen. Sir Henry Clinton in October, 1777."

a Moulton's Hist. N. Y., 2.38-39.

b See Washington Irving's story of the Dutch governor's voyage up the Hudson,

■= Letters about the Hudson.

94 HISTORY OF THE

"In the year 1672 (says Dnnlap) orders arrived to Governor
Lovelace to put the Province in a state of defence. Upon this
occasion a small fort was to be erected at Antony's Nose, or near
it, on the north river."a

A tribe of Indians named the Wabingi occupied the highlands
called by them Kettatenny Mountains. Their principal settle-
ment, (designated Wickapy,) was situated in the vicinity of An-
tony's Nose.''

Four miles south of Peekskill lies Yerplanck's Point. This
place, called by the Indians Meahagh, was bounded on the east
by the lands of Appamagpogh and the creek Meanagh, on the
south by the same creek, on the west by the Hudson, and on the
north by the creek Tammoesis.

Prior to 16S3 the territory of Meahagh belonged to Siecham,
sachem of Sachus and other Indians, who sold the same to Ste-
phanus van Cortlandt, At the death of Stephanus it passed by
will to his eldest son Johannes, and afterwards descended by mar-
riage to Philip Terplanck, from whom the neck acquired its pres-
ent appellation. This individual married Gertrude, only daugh-
ter and heiress of the above Johannes.

In 1734 Yerplanck's Point (consisting of one thousand acres)
was held by John Lent, who paid therefor the yearly rent of one
pepper-corn on the feast day of St. Michael, the archangel. The
Yerplanck's subsequently sold the Point to the present proprietors,
John Henry and others, for the sum of nearly $300,000.

The Yerplanck family descend from Abraham Jacobsen Yer-
planck; of New Amsterdam, whose son Gulian was a wealthy
merchant of the same place in 16S3. The son of Gulian was
Philip Yerplanck, of Yerplanck's Point.

This branch of the flmiily is now represented by Philip Yer-
planck, Esq., of New Windsor, grandson of the last mentioned

Philip.

The principal proprietors of the Point are John Henry, Esq.,
who holds five hundred acres, upon which is situated the old
Yerplanck residence ; Mr. William Blakely, jr., Mr. John Stenson,

• Dunlap's Hist. N. Y , vol. i., 127.

b iVIoullon's Hist. N. Y., 271. Seo note.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 95

also William Lj-ell, Esq., whose mansion is delightfully situated
in the midst of the most beautiful woodland scenery. This gen-
tleman married the widow of the late Beeckman Yerplanck, Esq.

Yerplanck's Point has ever been admired for the variety and
exquisite beauty of its scenery: in some places it is thickly cov-
ered with luxuriant woods. The line of the Hudson River Rail
Road passes through the "deep gut," a sii!gular phenomena,
which traverses the neck for some distance.

On the south side of the neck is situated a convenient steam-
Doat landing, post-office, two taverns, two stores, some fifteen or
twenty dwelling houses, beside several extensive brick yards and
lime kilns ; also one Methodist and one Roman Catholic Church.

Near the western extremity of the Point is the site of Fort
Fayette, which, July 22, 1779, was garrisoned by one thousand
British troops, under the command of Gen. Yaughan. " Twenty-
third of June, 1779," remarks Gen. Heath, "the British were
now in possession of both the points at King's Ferry, and a num-
ber of transports had lain in the river for some time. The ad-
vanced posts of the Americans at this time, on this side, did
not extend lower than Peekskill," &c.a "On the 27ih," con-
tinues the same authority, "a deserter came in from Yerplanck's
Point, who reported that the British army, except five or six
regiments, were to leave the Points, and were then embark-
ing. Soon after, upwards of thirty sail of transports were seen,
standing down the river. The British had a sloop at anchor off
Peekskill Landing and a ship off the Dunderberg. Lest the en-
emy meant a deception, the Americans were ordered to lie on
their arms, and a regiment extra was ordered to advance on the
heights.

" On the 2Sth, three deserters, one a Hessian musician with his
horn, came in from the enemy. They confirmed the testimony
of the former deserter, that the body of the British army had left
the Points.''^

"On the 2d of July, Col. Rufus Putnam reconnoitered the en-
emy's positions at Yerplanck's and Stoney Points.*'^

Subsequent to the brilliant attack and capture of Stoney Point

=- Heath's Mem. 205. b Heath's Mem. 206. = Heath's Mem.

96 HISTORY OF THE

under General Wayne, 13th of July, 1779, it was resolved to at-
tack this post.

"Sioney Point, (says Gen. Heath.) having been taken with so
nmcli eclat to the American arms, Gen. Washington determined
an attempt on Yerplanck's Point, on the east side of the Hudson,
and opposite to Stoney Point. For this purpose Major General
Howe with two brigades and some 12-pounders on travelling
was ordered to proceed by the way of Peekskill, throw a bridge
over the creek, move on the Point, and open batteries against the
enemy's works, while a cannonading and bombardment was kept
up across the river from Stoney Point."

July J 7, 1779, at about 10 o'clock, A. M., General Heath while
out reconnoitering, received by an express from Gen. Washing-
ton, orders to move as expeditiously as possible to Peekskill,
where he would find Gen. Howe with two brigades. Gen. Heath
w^as to take command of the whole, and carry into effect the or-
ders which had been given to Gen. Howe. Gen. Heath returned
immediately to the troops, and at 12 o'clock began his march
towards Peekskill — marched until dusk 15 miles, when the troops
halted and laid down to rest on the side of the road, the dragoons
not unsaddling their horses.

At 3 o'clock the next morning, the troops resumed their march,
and in the afternoon Gen. Heath received information from Gen.
Howe by express that Gen. Clinton was in full march with his
whole army towards Verplanck's Point. An answer was return-
ed, at what point the troops then were, and that they were march-
ing as fast as the men could endure, and would continue so until
they reached him. When the troops had advanced a little to the
westward of Drake's farm, Col. Mayland came up from Gen.
Howe with information that a part of Clinton's army were then
above the new bridge on Croton River pushing for the Point ;
and that he was retreating from the Point as fast as possible.
On this Gen. Heath ordered Gen. Huntington with his brigade
and two field pieces to push forward as fast as the troops could
march and keep in breath, and take a position on thehigli ground
to the south of Peekskill which commands the road to the Point,
and also that to the new bridge on Croton River; and ordered a
regiment to file off to the right and secure the pass over the hillp

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 97

between Drake's and Peekskill, and also ordered the flank guard
on the left to be reinforced, and to send out small flank guards
still further from its flank. The troops moving on with the utmost
expedition to the ground which General Huntington had been
ordered forward to secure. Every moment that passed, was ex-
pected to announce the commencement of an action between the
advanced or flanking parties of the two armies; but it did not
take place. At this moment Gen. Washington, having learnt how
matters stood, and that possibly Gen. Clinton might attempt to
push into the Highlands, sent an express to Gen. Heath, to move
into the Highlands immediately, which was done, just after
dark, the troops passing the night on Bald Hill. It was general-
ly the opinion that if General Heath had not been at hand to ad-
vance in the manner he did, that Gen. Clinton by a forced march
of his light troops, backed by his army, would have got in the
rear of Gen. Howe, before he could have possibly gained the road
at Peekskill, and between his army and a sally from the garrison
of Verplanck's Point inevitably cut ofl" the whole. Our troops at
Stoney Point cannonaded and bombarded the enemy's works at
Verplanck's during the whole day, and until near midnight. The
post was then evacuated, and the Washington galley was
blown up. a

On the 2d of October, 1779, the enemy, at Verplanck's Point,
opened a number of pits about five feel deep, and from four feet
over, with a sharp stake in the middle, around the outside of the
abbatis.^ , --.

October 21st, 1779, three deserters came in from Verplanck's
Point, and reported, that the enemy were on the point of evacu-
ating their works. The oflicer commanding the advanced picket,
soon after sent information that the works appeared to be on fire,
and the shipping standing down the river. Major Waldbridge,
who commanded the advanced picket, immediately sent a detach-
ment to take possession of the works. Several loaded shells, left
by the enemy in places where the fire would come at them, burst,

"i Heath's Mem. 211. b Heath's Mem. 218.

Vol. I. 13

OS HISTORY OF THE

but did 110 harm. The enemy left one horse, a few old entrench-
ing tools, and some other trifles at the Point. f^

Colonel Livingston held command of this post in 1780, when
Arnold came there for the purpose of carrying on his treasonable
correspondence with Andre.

Upon the south- west side of Verplanck's Point was situated
King's Ferry, the ancient pass to Rockland. The old sign post
placed at the head of the lane, leading to this ferry, bore the fol-
lowing direction : —

'• DiSHE HIS DI ROODE TOE DE KsHINg's FaRRY."

Upon the 30th of August, 1779, fifteen sail of the enemy lay at
anchor near the King's Ferry. ^'

On the evening of September 22d, 17S0, Major John Andre,
the British spy. crossed the King's Ferry in company with Smith
and the negro boy. V.'illiam van Wert, the ferry-master on this
occasion, afterwards testified at Andre's trial, " that Mr. Smith
crossed King's ferry from Stoney Point to Yerplanck's Point on
the evening of a day in the week before last, in company with
another man, and a negro boy was with him ; — each of them had
a horse. The day of the month I do not recollect. 1 have not
seen the person since to know him. He had a black, blue or
brown great coat on, a round hat, and a pair of hoots. I did not
hear any conversation pass between Mr. Smith and the person
in the boat, neither did I hear Mr. Smith say which way he was
going. Mr. Smith seemed to hurry us a good deal. Cornelius
Lambert, Henry Lambert and Lambert Lambert, were boat-men
along with me."

Four or five miles below Verplanck's Point can be distinctly
seen Smith's house, where the interview took place between
Andre and Arnold, and where the latter gave the spy the fatal
papers that proved his ruin.

In describing the scenery of this beautiful spot, Mr. N. P. Wil-
lis remarks : *' It is not easy to pass and repass the now peaceful
and beautiful waters of this part of the Hudson, without recalling
to mind the scenes and actors in the great drama of the Revolu-
tion, which they not long ago bore on their bosom. The busy

Heath's Mem. 221. b Heath's Mem. 216.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. . \ 99

mind fancies the armed gun boats slowly pulling along the
shore, and the light pinnace of the Vulture flying to and fro on
its errands of conspiracy, and not the least vivid picture to the
imagination is the boat containing the accomplished, the gallant
Andre and his guard, on iiis way to death. It is probable that
he first admitted to his own mind the possibility of a fatal result
while passing this very spot. A late biographer of Arnold gives
the particulars of a conversation between Andre and Major Tall-
madge, the officer who had him in custody, and who brought
him from West Point down the river to Tappan, the place of
his subsequent execution : ' Before we reached tlie Clove, (a
landing just below Yerplanck's Point,) Major Andre became very
inquisitive to know my opinion as to the result of his capture.
When I could no longer evade his importunity, I remarked to
him as follows : I had a much loved class mate in Yale Col-
lege by the name of Hale, who entered the army in 1775. Im-
mediately after the battle of Long Island, Washington wanted
information respecting the strength of the army; he v/ent over to
Brooklyn, and was taken just as he was passing the out-posts of
the enemy, on his return. Said I, with emphasis, do you remem-
ber the sequel of his story ? Yes, said Andre, he was hanged as
a spy, but you surely do not consider iiis case and mine alike?
I replied yes, precisely similar, and similar will be your fate.
He endeavored to answer my remarks, but it was manifest he
was more troubled in spirit than I had ever seen him before.'"^

What a contrast does this scene present to the passage of the
traitor himself, who, as soon as his villainy was ascertained,
" mounted a horse belonging to one of his aids that stood saddled
at the door, and rode alone, with all speed, to the bank of the
river. He there entered a boat, and directed the oarsmen to push
out to the middle of the stream. The boat was rowed by six
men, who, having no knowledge of Arnold's intentions, promptly
obeyed his orders. He quickened their activity by saying, that
he was going down the river and on board the Vnlture with a
flag, and that he was in great haste, as he expected Gen. Wash-
ington at his house, and wished to return as expeditiously as pos-

» American Scenery, by Bartlett anci Willis.

100 HISTORY OF THE

sible to meet him there. He also added another stimulating mo-
tive, by promising them two gallons of rum, if they would exert
themselves with all their strength. As they approached King's
Ferry, Arnold exposed to view a white handkerchief, and ordered
the men to row directly to the Vulture, which was now in sight
a little below the place it had occupied when Andre left it. The
signal held out by Arnold, while the boat was passing Verplanck's
Point, caused Col. Livingston to regard it as a flag-boat, and pre-
vented him from ordering it to be stopped and examined. The boat
reached the Vulture unobstructed in its passage ; and after Arnold
liad gone on board and introduced himself to Capt. Sutherland, he
called the leader of the boatmen into the cabin, and informed him
that he and his companions were prisoners. The boatmen, who
liad capacity and spirit, said they were not prisoners; that they came
on board wiih a flag of truce, and under the same sanction they
would return. lie then appealed to the captain, demanding jus-
lice and a proper respect for the rules of honor. Arnold replied,
that all this was nothing to the purpose ; that they were prison-
ers and must remain on board. Capt. Sutherland, disdaining so
pitiful an action, though he did not interfere with the positive
command of Arnold, told the man that he would take his parole
and he might go on shore and procure clothes and whatever else
was wanted for himself and his companions. This was accord-
ingly done the same day. When these men arrived in New York,
Sir Henry Clinton, holding in just contempt such a wanton act
of meanness, set them all at liberty.''^-

As soon as Washington had solved the mystery, "and the
whole extent of the plot was made manifest, Hamilton was im-
mediately ordered to mount a horse and ride to Verplanck's Point,
that preparations might be made for stopping Arnold, should he
not already have passed that post." " But Col. Hamilton's mis-
sion proved too late. It could hardly have been otherwise,
for Arnold had got the start by six hours. He left his house
about tun o'clock in the morning, and his treachery was not
known to Washington till nearly four o'clock in the afternoon.
When Hamilton arrived at Verplanck's Point, a flag of truce was

" Sparks' Life of Arnold, 241, 2, 3.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 101 '

coming, or had come from the Yulture to that post with a letter
from Arnold to Washington. "^

"The case of Col. Livingston is worthy of notice. He com-
manded at Yerplanck's Point, and from the proximity of his post
to the enemy, and several concurring circumstances, mig'U he
very fairly presumed to have been either directly or indirectly
concerned in Arnold's manoeuvres. By a very laconic letter^
Washington ordered that ofScer to come to him immediately.
Livingston expected, at least, a severe scrutiny into his conduct,
being fully aware, though conscious of his innocence, that circum-
stances were unfavorable. But Washington made no inr^uiries
into the past, nor uttered a syllable that implied distrust. He
told Col. Livingston that he had sent for him to give him very
special orders, to impress upon him the danger of his post and
the necessity of vigilance, and to communicate other particulars,
which could only be done in a personal interview. In conclu-
sion he said it was a source of gratification to him, that the post
was in the hands of an officer, whose courage and devotedness to
the cause of his country afforded a pledge of a faithful and hon-
orable discharge of duty. Let the reader imagine the grateful
emotions of Col. Livingston, his increased esteem for his com-
mander, and the alacrity with which, under such an impulse, he
went back to his station of high trust and danger.''^

One of the most interesting associations connected with this
spot, is the recollection, that here were located the head-quarters of
General Washington.

" On my return from the southward in 1782," says the translator
of Chastellux, (who has thought proper to withhold his name,)
" T spent a day or two at the American camp at Verplanck's Point,
where I had the honor of dining with General Washington. I
had suffered severely from an ague which I could not get quit of,
though I had taken the exercise of a hard trotting horse, and got
thus far to the northward in the month of October. The General
observing it, told me he was sure 1 had not met with a good glass of
wine for some time— an article then very rare — but that my dis-

a Sparks' Life of Arnold, p. 249.
b Sparks' Life of Arnold, p. 253.

102 HISTORY OF THE

order must be frightened away. He made me drink three or four
of his silver camp cups of excellent Madeira at noon, and recom-
mended to me to take a generous glass of claret after dinner ; a
prescription by no means repugnant to my feelings, and which I
most religiously followed. I mounted my horse the next morn-
ing, and continued my journey to Massachusetts, without ever
experiencing the slightest return of my disorder.

'' The American camp here presented the most beautiful and
picturesque appearance. It extended along the plain, on the neck
of land formed by the winding of the Hudson, and had a view
of this river to the south. Behind it the lofty mountains, covered
with woods, formed the most sublime back-ground that painting
could express. In the front of the tents was a regular continued
portico, formed by the boughs of the trees in full verdure, deco-
rated with much taste and fancy. Opposite the camp, and on dis-
tinct eminences, stood the tents of some of the general officers
over which towered predominant that of AVashington. I had
seen all the camps in England, from many of which drawings
and engravings have been taken ; but this was truly a subject
worthy the pencil of the first artist. The French camp, during
their stay in Baltimore, was decorated in the same manner. At
the camp at Yerplanck's Point we distinctly heard the morning
and evening gun of the British at Kingsbridge."

The curiosity seizes with avidity upon any incidental irtforma-
tion which fills up the bare outline of history. The personal
history of Washington more particularly, wherever it has been
traced by those who were in contact with him, is full of interest.
Some of the sketches given by the Marquis of Chastellux, who
passed this point of the Hudson on his way to Washington's
head-quarters below, are very graphic.

" The weather being fair on the 26th," he says, '' I got on
horseback, after breakfast, with the General. He was so atten-
tive as to give me the horse I rode on the day of my arrival.
I found him as good as he is handsome ; but, above all, perfectly
well broke and well trained, having a good mouth, easy in hand,
and stopping short in a gallop without bearing the bit. I men-
tion these minute particulars, because it is the General himself
who breaks all his own horses. He is an excellent and bold

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 103

horseman, leaping the highest fences, and going extremely quick,
without standing upon his stirrups, bearing on the bridle, or let-
ting his horse run wild ; circumstances which our young men
look upon as so essential a part of English horsemanship, that
they would rather break a leg or an arm than renounce them.

It was off Yerplanck's Point that Hudson's vessel, the Half-
Moon, came to an anchor on the 1st of October, 1609. a-

" Here he was visited by the native HighlanderSjb who came
flocking to the ship, expressing their wonder and astonishment
to behold a vessel so superior to their canoes, and weapons so
much more terrible than their own. Anxious to carry away to
their friends some part of this floating world of wonders, and not
satisfied with the trifles they received in return for skins, one of
the canoes with one man in it lurked about the stern with a
thievish tardiness, notwithstanding he was warned ofl". Watch-
ing an opportunity, he at length crawled up the rudder into the
cabin window, and stole a pillow and a few articles of wearing
apparel. The mate, little anticipating that justice, though slow,
is sure, and would follow him even to the arctic circle, shot at
the poor pilferer, and killed him. The rest fled, panic struck,
and in their precipitance some leaped into the water. The ship's
boat was manned and sent to recover the articles : one of those
who had leaped into the water got hold of the boat for the pur-
pose of overturning it, as was thought, but the cook stood ready
with his sword, and with one blow cut off one of his hands, and
he was drowned. This was the first Indian blood shed during
the voyage. With this mighty revenge for a trifling injury,
they returned to the ship, and weighed anchor near Teller's
Point, off the mouth of Croton River, near the entrance into Tap-
pan Sea."

Parsonage or Montrose's Point, is separated from Yerplanck's
Point on the north by the creek Meanagh. This Point was
originally granted by the Van Cortlandts to the Dutch Reformed
Church of Cortlandt manor. Some time subsequent to the revo-

a Monlton & Yates Hist. N. Y., page 271.

b The Wickapy Indians, whose principal settlements were in the vicinity of An-
tony Nose.

104 HISTORY OF THE

lutioiiary war, the title of the church becoming involved, the pro-
perty was sold to satisfy quit-rent. The Point, however, again
reverted to the Dutch Church, who disposed of it to various
individuals, from whom it descended by purchase to the pre-
sent proprietors, James Talbot, Esq., and Col. John King.^

The first Dutch Church in this town, stood on the Brotherson
farm at Yerplanck's Point, now owned by Mr. John Henry. This
edifice was standing in 1793. Prior to its erection the mem-
bers of the Reformed Dutch Society appear to have attended ser-
vices at the Sleepy Hollow Church, for the following list of com-
municants occurs in the records of that church, dated April 21st,
A. D., 1717, entitled a continuation of the persons, members liv-
ing in the manor of Cortlandt, and Patent of Capt. Dekay and
Ryck Abrahamsen. First, Sybout Herricksen Krankheyt and
Geertje his wife, Jan Corne van Texel and Annetje his wife,
Francoy de Paw, Mathys Brouwer and Marrietje his wife, Nathan
Beesly and Esther his wife, Catharine van Texel, wife of Hend-
rick Lent, Geertje Brouwer, wife of Samuel Brouwer, Hendrick
Lent and Cornelia, his wife, William van Texel and Trynje his
wife, Annetje Sybout, wife of Jan Beesly, Maria de Paw, wife of
Abram Lent, Aeltje Brouwer, wife of Jeurisen Wall ; Theunis
Kranckhyt, and Sophye his wife ; William Teller, and Mar-
rietje his wife; Jeremy Gennoyss, and Annetje his wife; Mar-
rietje Blauvelt, wife of Ryck Lent ; and Elizabeth, the wife of
Cornelis Michgrelzen."

Belonging to the Reformed Dutch Church of Cortlandtown is
a manuscript volume entitled " Kerkelyk Aanteken boek voor De
Mannour van Cortlandt," (that is, A Church Register for the
Manor of Cortlandt,) containing a list of baptized infants, to
which is appended the names of the parents and witnesses, &c.
The first entry occurs June 3d, 1729 ; baptized Teunis, the son
of Hendrick Brower and Jannetje Crankheit.

The 28ih day of June, 1760, ordained as consistory Hermanns
Gardinier, Abraham van Tessel, as elders, and Abraham Lent as
deacon, 6cc. From this it is evident, that a distinct society was
organized on Corllandi's Manor as early as 1729. The old church
must have been erected soon after.

• This gentleman is the well known author of " Travels in South America."

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 105

The present church of Cortlandtown is situated southeast of
Verplauck's Point, near the edge of the Albany and New York
Post road. It is a neat building of wood, with a tower and cupola,
but its interior contains nothing worthy of particular notice. In
the cemetery surrounding the church are several monuments to
the Lents, Montross's, Brinckerhoffs, (fee. &c. Also a plain head-
stone inscribed as follows : —

" Sacred

to the memory of

Dr. Peter Goetchius,

who died the 21st of Sept., A.D. 1S2S,

aged 70 years, 5 months,

and 20 days,

having been for 35 years an elder

of the Reformed Dutch Church in

Cortlandtown, and died, as he lived,

a Christian.

" ' The silent tomb and rising hillocks show'
The way, the end of mortals here below ;
But silent tombs nor hillocks can affright
The soul of him whose ways are just and right.
How calm the righteous man with God his friend ;
Peace crowns his life, and happiness his end.' "

The following minutes are extracted from the records of the
New York Classis :

Flatbush, April 24, 1792, the Rev. Classis "appointed the
Rev. Mr. Jackson ^ to visit the congregation at the Cortlandi's
manor between this and the next session, and to report to Classis
the state of that congregation."^

September 4, 1792, Mr. Jackson reports to Classis that he has
fulfilled his commission, and finds the congregation have lost
their church, diminished in number, and greatly dispersed.

Resolved, that Mr. Jackson shall again visit them as soon as
convenient between this and next spring to organize the con-

a To this individual, (under God,) the Reformed Dutch Church in Cortlandtown
is indebted for her re-establishment and present success.
b Rec. of N. Y. Classis, Vol. I., 110.

YoL. I. .14

105 HISTORY OF THE

sistoiy, and do any thing in his power to collect the congre-
gation.»

April oO, 1793, Rev. G. A. Kuypers and Rev. Peter Stryker,
each with an elder, appointed by Classis to visit tlie vacant con-
gregations at Cortlandi's manor as soon as possible, in order to
organize a consistory, &,c. <fcc. Rev. Mr. Brush and Brouwer
ordered to preach in their absence in their pnlpits, and after they
have accomphshed their mission to repair to the same place, and
preach there at least each one Sabbath. ^

September 2. 1794. ordered that Mr. Jackson visit the congre-
gation of Cortlanf^t's manor the second Lord's day September
instant; also, that Mr. Schoommaker visit said congregation once
in the meantime between this and next meeting.^

Also ordered, that the Rev. Mr. Sickels in the course of
this fall visit Peekskill, and apply to the Classis of Albany for re-
commendations to visit their vacancies.

1797, Rev. Mr. Lowe reports that he has fulfilled his mission
to Cortlandt.

Mr. Abeel appointed^ 1798. Mr. Abeel reports that he has
fulfilled his appointment.

Ordered, that the candidates now under the care of this Classis
supply each one Sabbath at Cortlandt town, and that Mr. Jackson
preach and administer the Lord's Supper once during said time.

May 8, 1800, a call made out by the church at Cortlandt town
upon the Rev. William Manly, was laid before the Classis for
approbation. Upon reading the same, it was found to be in due
form, and subscribed by three elders and four deacons, but not
authorized by any minister as the moderator of the call. Dr.
Peter Goetchius, one of the subscribing elders, appearing before
the Classis, attested to his own signature and that of each of the
other subscribers, and gave sufficient reasons why a neighboring
minister could not assist in completing this document. It was
approved and endorsed. ^

' Rec. of N. Y. Classis, vol. i., 113.
b Rec. of N. Y. Classis, vol. i., 123.

• Rec. of N. Y. Classis, vol. i., 143.
A Rec. of N. Y. Classis, vol. i., 187.

• Rec. of N. Y. Classis, vol. i., 221.

COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 107

The Dutch Reformed Church of Cortlandt town was incorpo-
rated 3Uth December, 1794 ; first trustees, William Lent, Peter
Goetchius, Hercules Lent ; elders Abraham Lent, Benjamin
Dyckman, Jacobus Kronkhite, deacons.^-

To this church is annexed the Van Nest Reformed Dutch
Chapel at Peekskill.

Prior to the year ISOl, supplies were obtained weekly from
New York.

LIST OF MINISTERS.
Date of instalment. Ministers. Vacated by.

April, 1800, - - - Rev. William Manly. b Death.

March 27, 1810, - - " Abraham Hoffman.

October 21, 1831, - - " R. Kirkwood.

July, 1836, - - " Cornelius de Pew Westbrook, present

■ minister.

At a short distance below Terplanck's Point is situated Bosco-
bel House, the late residence of Staats Morris Dyckman, Esq., at
present occupied by his grand-daughter Elizabeth, wife of Col.
John P. Crnger. The house is built in the French style, and
occupies a very pleasant spot on the brow of a high hill, overlook-
ing the river and adjacent country. The grounds surrounding
the mansion are greatly enriched with luxuriant woods and plan-
tations. The beautiful island of Oscawana forms a portion of the
Cruofer estate.

Staats Morris Dyckman, the former proprietor, was the fifth
son of Jacob Dyckman of Philipsburgh, and the protetje of Gen.
Staats Morris; he was also, for many years, the private secretary
of Sir William Erskine, in which capacity he attended the latter to
Europe. Sir William died in 1795, leaving a large and valuable
property to his secretary. Soon after the death of his friend, Mr.
Dyckman returned to his native country, purchased the Bos-
cobel estate, and erected the present mansion. The library
formerly contained a valuable collection of books, (amounting
to 6,000" volumes,) which were accidentally destroyed by fire.

» Religious Soc. Lib. A., 78.
b Brother of General Manly

108 HISTORY OF THE

In the vicinity of Boscobel house is situated the small hamlet
and landing of Cru^ers, a name derived frotn the Crnger fnmilj^,
who have long possessed estates in the immediate neighborhood.
A small mountain stream enters the Hudson at this place, called
the Mill brook, upon which stood the manorial mills, long
since superseded by Ramsay's mill. Above Crugers, crown-
ing the bold brinks of the mountain torrent, is situated the Cort-
landt furnace, which has given name to an extensive tract of
forest, (consisting of loiJO acres) called the furnace woods.

In the year 1760 a mining company was established in Eng-
land, and Germnn miners employed for the purpose of obtaining
and smelting iron ore in this viciiiity. It would appear, however,
that the ore was not found here in sufficient abundance, for, at a
vast expense, we find it subsequently transported from the
Q,ueensbury mine, in the forest of Dean, Rockland county, (by
the route of King's ferry.) and smelted in this furnace.

But even in Rocklruid County the ore was not found in suffi-
cient quantities to render it of any importance, so that prior to
the Revolution, tlie enterprise was wholly abandoned, and the pro-
perty sold to iMr. John Ramsay whose daughter married JohnCru-
ger, father of Nicholas, the present proprietor of the furnace woods.
Mr. Benjamin Odell occupies the Ramsay residence and mill.
The Cruger mansion is delightfully situated near the landing
commanding from its elevated position, most extensive views of
the river. The present occupant is the Hon. Nicholas Cruger,
who, for several years represented this County in assembly.

The Cruger family emigrated to this country at a very early
period of its settlement, and descend from the Hon. Henry
Cruger, Mayor of Bristol, (England) father of Nicholas Cruger.
The latter individual is the grandfather of the Hon. Nicholas
Cruger, Col. John P. Cruger, and Henry Cruger, Esq. Croton
village in this town, is situated on the north side of the Croton
river, near its confluence wiih the Hudson : it contains one
Methodist Church, one tavern, two stores and fifteen dwellings.
Here is a convenient landing known as CoUabergh landing, from
whence steamboats and sloops ply to the city of N w York, and
other places on the Hudson river. Here is also situated the Cort-

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 109

landtown post office.a To the east of Croton village, the CoUa-
bergh mountain, a liig'i ridge encompassed by woods, towers
far above the surrounding hills, at tlie foot of wFiich is situated
the Codahergh pond. Near the mouth of Croton river stands the
Corilandt manor house, late the residence of Gen. Philip van Cort-
landt, but now in possession of Col. Pierre van Corilandt, his ne-
phew. This venerable mansion was built soon after the erection of
the manor by .Tohnnnes van Cortlandt, oldest son of Stephanus
van Cortlandt, first lord ofthe manor of Corilandt. The basement
story still retains the old embrasures for fire arms, and the steep
flight of steps in fro:it, powerfully reminds the visitor of
those sanguinary times, when its noble owners never knew
when they were secure from the inroads of the savages, but
in proportion to the strength and security of iheir habitations.
The front commands the most extensive and beautiful views
of the Croton bay and Hudson river, with the additional in-
terest of a lawn and neat garden, laid out at the foot of the
building. It is sheltered on the north by a high hill covered
with luxuriant forest trees. The approach to the house is by a
road formed on the banks of the Croton river.

The entrance hall is adorned with several stag's heads, the only
remains of that wild race which anciently spread from the Hud-
son to Connecticut.

The library contains together with a valuable collection of
books, several interesting autographs, viz : a poetical effusion of
Mrs. Madison, wife of his excelleiicv, President Madison, ad-
dressed, for Mr. Pierre van Cortlandt, jun :

Happy iho man, and he alone,

Who, master of himself, can saj',
To day at least haih been my own,

For 1 have clearly lived to-day.

[D. P. Madison.

Next occurs a letter from Gen. Lafayette to Charles King,
Esq.

a New York Gazetteer.

110 HISTORY OF THE

La Grange J September 28, 1832.
This letter, my dear sir, will be delivered by Mr. Fiorelli, a
young Italian sculptor, a refugee patriot, nephew to the gentle-
man whom I introduced to you in 1824. I recommend him to
your good advice and beg you to accept the best wishes and re-
gards of your obliged and affectionate friend.

Lafayette.

There is also an original letter from Gen. Washington, dated
Mount Yernon, x\pri! 3d, 1797, to Mrs. Clinton, near which, is the
following, "Mrs. Washington presents her compliments to Mrs.
Clinton, and findiuir that Congress will, contrary to their usual
practice on Saturdays, assemble to-morrow, proposes to Mrs.
Chnton to visit the Federal building, at six o'clock to-morrow af-
ternoon if it should be convenient to her. Friday afternoon."

Ill the same apartment, is a fine bust of the Hon. Pierre van
Cortlandt, from the original painting by Jarvis ; and a portrait
of General Pierre van Cortlandt, executed in crayons, by Yalde-
muf, 1797. Also the silver mouated pistols of the Lieut. Gov-
ernor.

The entire suite of apartments on the principal floor are paint-
ed to imitate oak wainscoating. In the dining room are several
family portraits, viz: Dr. Beck of Albany, Pierre van Cortlandt
and Catlierine van Cortlandt.

What a variety of illustrious visitors may fancy summon up
and set down in this ancient mansion. At one time the il-
lustrious Franklin, seated in the parlour, upon seeing Gen.
Pierre van Cortlandt, (then a boy,) walk in with a handfull of
prickly pears, requested a iew of the pins as he was shortly go-
ing to France and would like to exhibit in that country pins of
domestic manufacture.

At another, we have the neighboring toi^antry assembled on the
lav/n, while the eloquent Whitfield addresses ir.em from the
piazza.

The year preceding the commencement of hostilities betwa;*^
the mother country and her colonies. His Excellency, William
Tryon, and suite, paid an unlocked for visit here, of which Gen.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. Ill

Philip van Cortland t thus speaks : " I remember Governor Try on
came in a vessel bringing his wife and a young lady, who was a
danghter of the Hon. John Watts, a relation of my father, and
Col. Edmund Fanning, his friend and secretary; and after re-
maining a night, he proposed a walk, and after proceeding to the
highest point of land on the fiirm, being a height which affords a
most delightful prospect, when the governor commenced with
observing what great favors could be obtained if my father would
relinquish his opposition to the views of the king and parliament of
Great Britain, what grants of land could and would be the conse-
quence, in addition to other favors of eminence, consequence, cfcc.
My father then observed that he was chosen a representative by
the unanimous approbation of a people who placed confidence in
his integrity to use all his ability for their benefit and the good of
his country as a true patriot, which line of conduce he was de-
termined to pursue. The governor then turned to Col. Fanning
and said, '*' I find our business here must terminate, for nothing
can be effected in this place, so we will return ;" which they did
by taking a short and hasty farewell, and embarked on board the
sloop and returned to New York. This was in the year 1774."*

Much valuable property was destroyed in this vicinity by the
great Croton flood of 1840, caused by the giving way of the dam,
on which occasion the river (directly opposite the mansion) rose
suddenly to the height of eight feet above the ordinary tide level.
At the wire mills, lialf a mile distant, it exceeded fifty feet.

A long walk leads through the old garden or pleasaunce to the
ancient ferry house. This building was occupied by a conti
nental guard during the Revolution, and occasionally favored with
the presence of Washington and other distinguished military offi-
cers.

The following orders from the Baron de Kalb bear date,

'' Camp near Croton Bridge, 19th July, 1778.
" Colonel Malcolm's regiment is ordered to march at 2 o'clock
to-morrow morning to the fort at West Point, on Hudson's River,
with the regiment commanded by Lieut. Col. Parker, which is to

a Gen. Phillip van Cortlandt's Diary.

112 HISTORY OF THE

join on the road near Croton Bridge. The commander of the
two reo^imeiits (Col. Burr) will make all convenient dispatch,
marching ten miles a day, as water and ground will admit. *

The Baron de Kalb."

During the winter of 1782, Captain Daniel Williams, of the
New York levies, (stationed on the lines.) having just returned
from an excursion to IMorrisania, was surprised by a party of the
enemy's horse, in a barn near the ferry house. George McChain,
who behaved with the utmost gallantry on this occasion, was
killed ; the rest of the party effected their escape on the ice.

A beautiful lane leads from the ferry-house east to the Croton
bridge, which crosses the river a short distance from Joseph Bay-
ley's wire manufactory. Below the bridge the river is seen ex-
panding into a wide bay, ornamented with picturesque islands,
points of land, and lofty banks, covered with clusters of rich fo-
liage. On the evening of October the 1st, 1609, Henry Hudson
anchored the Half-Moon at the mouth of the Croton. The bay
was once famous throughout the country as the favorite resort of
vast flocks of canvass back ducks, and shoals of shad fish.

The Van Corilandt Cemetery is situated on the summit of a hill
west of the mansion. Here is a marble tomb erected to the

Memory of the Honorable

Pierre van Cortlandt,

late Lieutenant-Governor of the

State of New York,

and President of the Convention that

framed itie Constitution thereof during

the Revolutionary war with Great Britain.

He departed this life on the first day of

May, in the year of our Lord 1814, in the

ninety-fourth year of his age.

He was a patriot of the first order, zealous to

the last for the liberties of his country ;

A man of exemplary virtues ; kind as a neighbor,

fond and indulgent as a parent ; an honest man —

ever the friend of the poor ;

■^ Burr's Mem., vol. i., 131.

COUNTV^ OF WESTCHEiSTER. 113

respected and beloved.
The simplicity of his private life was that

of an ancient Patriarch.

He died a bright witness of that perfect

love which casts out the fear of death,

putting his trust in the living God, and

with full assurance of salvation in the

redeeming love of Jesus Christ, retaining

his recollection to the last, and calling upon

his Saviour to take him to himself.

Near the Lieutenant-Governor are interred the remains of his
illustrious son, Gen. Philip van Cortlandt. who died November
21st, 1831, aged 82; and Johanna van Cortlandt, wife of the
Hon. Pierre van Cortlandt, daughter of Gilbert and Cornelia Liv-
ingston, born at Kingston, ifi the county of Ulster, the 28th day
of August, 1722, died at her residence at Croton, on the IGth of
September, 1808, aged 87 years, &c. Also a tomb bearing the
following inscription : — - \ x.

_ „ ' ■ Sacred ' '

To the memory

~ ■■ :Gf .:/.■'-'"'; .'^ '•
Gerard G. Beekman,

born . .; -?,.•:' .j

. September 19,1746, •.-;'■ . - \':- > '
In the city of New York ; -, .

died
June 22d, A.D. 1822, "' /

at his seat "^ _, _ *

In the town of Mount Pleasant, ' .• '■•'■'

County of West Chester, '• ' ^

aged ' '^ . -''-', i . ::•'
73 years, 9 months, and 3 days, ri • '. ' - "

Beside the above tombs, there is a small pedestal surmounted
with a chaste urn, inscribed as follows: —

To the memory of

Catharlve,

wife of Col. Pierre

VAN Cortlandt, Junr.,

and .eldest daughter of ~

Vol. L ':■ . \ i^ - ~ -

m HISTORY OF THE

George Clinton, Esqr.,

Vice-President of the

United States.

*' The memory of the just is blessed ;"

Prov. 10 : 7.

May death's best slumbers occupy thy urn —
The heap that hides thee nature's livery wear ;
O be ihou sacred in the silent bourne,
Till time rolls round the great Sabbatic year.

born at New London

the 5th November, 1770,

she deceased at her

residence, Peekskill,

on the 10th January, 1811,

aged 40 years, 2
months and 5 days,^c. &c.

Likewise a marble obelisk to the memory of Anne van Cort-
landt, wife of Gen. Pierre van Cortlandt ; —

" She is not dead, but sleepeth."

Also monuments to Stephen, Gilbert and Gertrude van Cort-
landt.

To the west of the cemetery, at the entrance of the neck proper,
stood the Indian castle or fort of Kitchawan, one of the most an-
cient fortresses south of the Highlands. The narrow pass which
it occupied was well protected on the north by Indian Swamp, and
on the south by the salt meadows. It is said to have been erected
at a very early date by the sachem Croton, as a convenient ren-
dezvous for the assembling of his war and hunting parties, and
also for the object of commanding the rich treasuries of the Hud-
son and the wide estuary of the Croton. We have previously
shown that Matsewakes was chief sachem of Kitchawan as early
as 1641.

At a short distance east of the fort, on the south edge of Haunt-
ed Hollow, is situated the Indian burying-ground of Kitchawan.
Nothing can be more romantic and beautiful than its locality, *'a
clear proof of the good taste of those who selected and consecra-
ed it for that object." There was formerly a current belief in the

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 115

neighborhood that the forms of the ancient warriors still haunted
the surrounding glens and woods. The apparitions have been
named, in consequence, "The Walking Sachems of Teller's
Point." The road from the Manor House to Croton Landing
passes along the edge of Haunted Hollow.

In connection wUh the above, another tradition deserves to be
recorded, which asserts that several of the river tribes had a se-
vere and sanguinary conflict with the Indians inhabiting the
Point, which resulted in the defeat of the former ; and, fur-
ther, that the large mound or barrow near the entrance of the
Point was erected over the dead who fell upon that memorable
occasion. Be this as it may, indubitable evidence exists that a
struggle must have taken place here at some time, from the fact,
that vast quantities of warlike weapons have been found in the
immediate vicinity of the fort.

A rural lane, bordered with luxuriant forest trees, leads from
the main, called Enoch's Neck, to the Point proper, originally
called by the Indians Senasqua, and by the English Sarah's
or Sarak's Point, a name derived from Sarah Teller, wife of Wil-
liam Teller, former proprietor. This lane passes immediately
below the site of the Indian castle.

The Italian villa of R. T. Underhill, M.D., stands upon an
elevated position near the extremity of the latter, commanding a
very extensive view of the Hudson River (nearly twenty-seven
miles in length) and adjacent country, in which Vredideka Hook
forms a noble feature to the southwest. The basement of the
building is constructed of Ashlar marble, cut in Sing Sing ; the
upper portion consists of stuccoed brick. The whole edifice is in
admirable keeping with the adjoining vineyards and surrounding
scenery. -.---.-

R. T. and William A. Underhill, the present proprietors of the
Point proper, are the sons of Robert Underhill, Esq., fifth in de-
scent from the famous Lord John Underhill, High Constable of
the North Riding of Yorkshire, upon Long Island.

The woods of Teller's Point aftbrd a safe retreat for thousands
of crows, (corvus corone Liim.) which here, "unmolested and
un watched by the cruel farmer and gunner, have from time im=-

1^5 HISTORY OF THE

memorial enjoyed an extensive "roost." Daily, towards sunset,
may be seen approaching this sylvan abode,

" The blackening trains of crows to their repose."

[Burns.

When the Croton dam gave way in the fixll of 1840, the wild,
hurryins: torrent, as it approached nearer and nearer, is said to
have sent a savage roar through these woods, causing the very
watch-dogs to howl for fear.

A large fish pond lying east of Dr. Underbill's residence is con-
jectured to have originally formed the bed of the Croton River,
from the fact that trunks of trees have been discovered four or
five feet beneath its muddy sediment.

The southern declivities of the Point towards the Croton Bay
are covered with extensive vineyards of Catawba and Isabella.
The fable land also embraces luxuriant orchards and vineyards.
The whole of the latter cover nearly an area of forty acres.

Two thousand one hundred and fifty-four shad, and seven
thousand herring, have been taken at single lifts in the adjoining
waters. During the winter season vast flocks of coot and black
duck frequent the shores of the Croton and Haverstraw Bays.

There are numerous Revolutionary incidents connected with
Croton or Teller's Point deserving of notice. It was off the west-
ern extremity that tlie Vulture sloop of war came to anchor on
the morning of the 21st of September, 1780, having brought up
Andre for the purpose of holding an interview with Arnold ]^ and
here she expected to have awaited his return — but soon after
the spy had embarked for the opposite shore, a barge filled with
armed men from the Vulture was seen approaching Teller's
Point ; whereupon, George Sherwood and .Tohn Petterson, who
were in the vicinity, seized their arms and hastened to the shore,
resolved in their own minds that the enemy should not land
without opposition. For this purpose they concealed themselves
behind the large rocks which still lie on the beach ; and as the
barge catne sweeping along towards the shore, Petterson fired.

^ See Greenburnfh.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 117

His aim had been well directed, for an oar was seen to fall from
the hands of one of the men on board, and much confusion was
observed among them. A second shot, from Sherwood, compelled
them to return, which they did under a cover of canister and
grape shot from the Vulture, directed to that part of the beach
where Sherwood and Petterson were concealed. The cannonade
from the Vulture drew the attention of the people of Cortlandt-
town to the scene of action. The Vulture lying in a position to
be distinctly seen from Verplanck's Point, and the distance of
country between it and the point on the Westchester shore, and
likewise from Stony Point ; the town of Haverstraw, and the
point where Andre and Arnold held their conference in Rockland
County; the grounds upon both sides of the river for many
miles in extent sloping gradually towards the river — gave the
inhabitants a full view of the scene of action.

The inhabitants on the Westchester side had been upon the
lookout; for they apprehended an attack under cover of the night.
There were more, however, who entertained the opinion that it
would be brought on before sunset, until Petterson and Sherwood
commenced their fire. Many of theni now hastened to the scene
of action with a field piece, which they had obtained of Col.
Livingston, who was in command at Verplanck's Point ; and
after erecting their little battery on the Point, ihey opened a well-
directed fire against the Vulture. They soon compelled her to
slip her cable and hoist sail. This circumstance prevented An-
dre from returning to New York by water.

" No sooner (says Sparks) had Andre and Arnold arrived at
Smith's house, than a cannonade was heard down the river. It
was discovered to be against the Vulture, which, although dis-
tant several miles, was in full view, and for a time seemed to be
on fire. It had been reported to Colonel Livingston by messen-
gers from Teller's Point, that the vessel was so near the shore as
to be within reach of cannon-shot, and that the inhabitants were
likewise apprehensive boats would land and commit depredations.
Col. Livingston accordingly sent from A^erplank's Point a party
with cannon, who fired upon the Vulture and compelled her to
remove from the position she had held during the night, and
drop farther down the river till she was beyond reach of the shot.

118 HISTORY OF THE

Aijdr6 beheld the scene from the windows of Smith's house
with anxious emotion ; at length the firing ceased, and he resumed
his wonted spirits and composure.''^

Upon another occasion, *' while Enoch Crosby the Westchester
spy was on duty in the vicinity of Teller's Point, a British sloop of
war came up the river, and anchored in the stream opposite the Point.
With an unconquerable predilection for stratagem, our hero im-
mediately concerted a plot, for the sole purpose, as he says, of
affording " a little sport for his soldiers." He accordingly pro-
ceeded down to the Point, accompanied by six men, five of
whom, besides himself, concealed themselves in the woods,
which grew a short distance from the shore, while the other para-
ded the beach so as to display La Fayette's uniform in so con-
spicuous a manner, as to attract the notice of the officers on
board the vessel.

The enemy swallowed the bait ; and a boat soon put off from
the sloop of war, manned with eleven men, under the command
of a lieutenant, to make a prisoner of this one yankee, who pre-
cipitately fled into the woods as the barge approached the shore.
The Englishmen followed, threatening to shoot the fugitive un-
less he stopped and surrendered.

As soon as the pursuers had passed his own little party,
which were scattered in various directions, Crosby exclaimed,

'•' Come on my boys ! now we have them !"

At this signal, every man sprang up in his place, with a shout
that made the welkin ring ; making at the same time such a
rustling in the bushes, that the British, thinking themselves sur-
rounded by a superior force, surrendered without resistance. On
the next day they were marched to Fishkill, and confined in
the old Dutch church.''^

16th of October, 1799, (remarks Gen. Heath,) fourteen sea-
men were taken prisoners by Capt. Hallet's company of New
York militia, two days before on the North River, near Teller's
Point. c

• sparks life »f Arnold, 20G. « Heath's Mem. 22.

b Barnum's spy unrnaskr-d, p. 149, 150,

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 119

The surface of this town is hilly, and on the north west moun-
tainous. The soil consists principally of sand" and gravelly-
loam ; it is abundantly supplied with rivulets and springs of
water. The general growth of wood, is oak of all kinds, ches-
nut, hickory, elm, black and while ash, birch and pine.

120 HISTORY OF THE

EAST CHESTER.^

This township is situated ten miles south of White Plains,
twenty miles north of New York, one hundred and forty from
the city of Albany, and four east of the Hudson ; bounded, north
by Scarsdale, east by Pelham and New Rochelle, south by West
Chester, and west by Yonkers. It is about seven miles long,
nor thand south, and near two and a half miles wide. On the
west it is washed by the Bronx river, (Aguehung) and on the east
by Hutchinson's (Aqueanounck,) or East Chester creek, which
enters a large bay of the same name, in the south east angle of
this town>

East Chester, was at first called Hutchinsons, and subse-
quently, " The Ten Farms,^^ an appellation derived from its
ancient division among ten proprietors. The present name was
conferred as early as 1666.

The lands of East Chester, were formerly included in the In-
dian grant of 1640, whereby the Indians conveyed to the Dutch,
all the territory situated between the town of Greenwich and the
North River.

Upon the 14th of November, 1654. Thomas Pell obtained a
second grant from the aboriginal proprietors, which also em-
braced the present township. Twelve years later we find the
inhabitants of East Chester confirmed in all their rights by the
Mohegan Sacherns, Gramatan, Woariatapus, Annhooke, (alias
Wampage,) and Porrige.

The undivided lands, which were a long time in controversy
between the two towns of East and West Chester, appear to have
been held by the Indians up to a late period of our colonial his-
tory. Tlie aboriginal names of Coranases and Conoval, fre-
quently occur in the early deeds of this town.

» This name, Chester, says Camden, " comes plainly from the Roman Castrura."
Camden's Brittauia.
b See N. Y. Gazeteer.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 121

Indian wigwams formerly occupied the site of Daniel Morgan's
residence, bordering the Aqueanouncke (Hutchinson's) river, and
the mill of Stephen Anderson upon the same stream.

Vast quantities of arrow and spear heads are found in every

portion of this district, showing that it was once a great hunting

.country. The Indians were extravagantly fond of the chase,

" their first hunting season always commencing as soon as the

wild herbage began to grow up in the woods.''^^

Deer must have heen incredibly numerous in the ancient
forests of East Chester, as we invariably find the wolf infesting
the same section of country. .

Upon the 10th day of February, 1672, it was agreed (by the
inhabitants of East Chester,) " that the town wolfpits which Mr.
Pincldni and John Hoyt hath made, shall be, and is also illegal in
the glan (glen,) where they are situated, and that the inhabitants,
do see to fill them up." Seven years later it was decided by-
vote, that the inhabitants pay ten shillings for every wolf that is
killed within the limits of East Chester, for the year ensuing.
These orders show conclusively that ihis ferocious animal was
then very troublesome.

So common and mischievous were wolves (at this early period,)
throughout the county, that we find the provincial assembly com-
pelled to issue the following order for their destruction, entitled,
an act for destroying of wolves within this colony :

"Forasmuch as divers inhabitants of this colony have sufiered
many grievous losses. in their stock, both of sheep and neat cattle,
for the prevention of which, and encouragement of those who
shall destroy wolves in the said colony, and that the breed of
wolves within this colony may be wholly rooted out and extin-
guished, be it enacted, &c., that in the County of West Ches-
ter, twenty shillings for a grown wolf killed by a Christian, and
ten shillings for such a wolf killed by an Indian, and half that
sum respectively for a whelp."^

The remains of a large wolf-pit are still to be seen in the Win-

a Vanderdoncks N. N., N. Y. His. Soc. 207.
b Acts of Col. Assembly N. Y. p. 47.

YoL. I. 16

122 HISTORY OF THE

ter Hill burying-gronnd, situated upon the property of Mr. Robert
Purdy. Tradition asserts, tliat over one hundred years ago the
oria^inal settlers used to hunt bears and deer in the Long Reach
patent, (situated on the northwest side of this town,) and they
were accustomed to provide themselves with thirty days pro-
vision.

The following grant, under the hand and seal of Thomas Pell,
occurs in 1G64, to James Euestis, Philip Pinckney, and others.

Know all men by these presents, that I, Thomas Pell, have granted to James
Euestis and Philip Pinckney, for themselves and their associates, to the num-
ber of ten families, to settle down at Hutchinsons, that is where the house
stood at the meadows and uplands, to Hutchinson's River, they paying accord-
ing to ye proportion of the charges which was disburst for the purchase, and
other necessary charges, only liberty to have the disposing of two lotts upon the
same terms with them, because that I might provide them some tradesmen for
their comfort, as a smith, or weaver, or what else with their approbation. Wit-
ness my hand, this 24ih of June, 1664. ^

Thomas Pell.

The above grantees appear to have emigrated from Fairfield,
Connecticut, to this place, for, in the year 1649, we find the fol-
lowing names recorded in the town books of Fairfield, viz. :
James Euestis, Philip Pinckney, John Tompkins, Moses Hoit,
Samuel Drake, Andrew Ward. Walter Lancaster, Nathaniel
Tompkins, Samuel Ward, &c. These individuals subsequently
took an active part in the affiiirs of East Chester.

The following covenant was drawn up in 1665, for the' future
government of the proprietors, entitled:

Articles of agreement betwixt us whose names are underwritten,
A. D. 1665.

Imprimis, that we, by the grace of God, sett down on the tract
of land lying betwixt Hutchinson's brook, where the house was,
imtil it comes unto that river, that runneth in at the head of the
meadow.

2. That we endeavour to keep and maintain christian love and
sivill lionesty.

"^ Alb. Rec.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 123

3. That we faithfully couiisell what may be of infirmity in
any one of us.

4. Plainly to deal one with another in christian love.

5. If any trespass be done, the trespassed and the trespasser
shall chase two of this company, and they a third man if need
be required, to end the matter, without any fiu'ther trnbell.

6. That all and every one of us, or that shall be of us, do pay
unto the minister, according to his meade.

7. That none exceed the quantity of fifteen acres, until all
have that quantity.

8. That every man hath that meadow that is most convenient
for him.

9. That every man build and inhabit on his home lot before
the next winter.

10. That no man maks sale oC his lot before he hath built
and inhabited one year, and then to render it lo the company, or
to a man whom they approve.

11. That any man may sell part of his alotment to his neigh-
bour.

12. That no man shall engrosse to himself by buying his
neigh hour's lot for his particular interest, but with respect to sell
it if an approved man come, and that without much advantage, to
be judged by the company.

13. That all public affairs, all bridges, highways, or mill, be
carried on jointly, according to meadow and estates.

14. That provision be endeavoured for education of children,
and then encouragement be given unto any that shall take pains
according to our former way of rating.

15. That no man shall give entertainment to a foreigner who
shall carry himself obnoxious to the company except amendment
be after warnino- sriven.

16. That all shall join in guarding of cattel when the company
see it convenient.

17. That every man make and maintain a good fence about all
his arable land, and in due time a man chosen to view if the
company's be good.

18. That every man sow his land when most of the company
sow or plant in their fields.

X24 HISTORY OF THE

19. That we give new encouragement to Mr. Brewster each
olhor week, to give us a word of exhortation, and that when we
are seitled we meet together every other weeke, one hour, to talk
of the hest things.

20. That one man, either of himself, or by consent, may give
entertainment to strangers for money.

21. That one day, every spring, be improved for the destroy-
ing of rattle snakes.

23. That some, every Lord's day, stay at home, for safety of
our wives and children.

24. That every man get and keep a good lock to his door as
soon as he can.

25. That a convenient place be appointed for oxen if need
require.

26. If any man's meadow or npland be worse in quality, that
be considered in quantity.

27. That every man that hath taken up lots shall pay to all
public charges equal with those that got none.

That all that hath or shall take up lots within this tract of
land mentioned in the premises shall subscribe to these articles.
Thomas Shute The mark of

The mark of X

O Nathaniel White,

Nathaniel Tompkins, William Haidon's mark, H

Philip Pinkney, The mark of John Gay, I G

The mark of X Joseph Joans, John A. Pinkney,
John Hoitt, The mark of John Tompkins, O

James Enstis, Richard Shute,

The mark of X Daniel Godwin, The mark of John HoUind, 1 H
Tlie mark of X William Squire, Moses Hoitte,
David Osburn, Richard Hoadley,

John Goding, The mark of Henry X Ffowlir,

Samuel Drake, John Emory,

John Jackson, Moses Jackson,

The ni.-irk of John Drake, I D John Clarke,

This is a true copy according unto ihe originall, transcribed by
me. Richard Shute, this 23d day of Nov. '68.

In 166P, the inhabitants of Eastchester obtained a further

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 125

grant from the native Indians, Ann-hooke and ot'iers. This
sale was confirmed by royal patent the same year :

*' Richard Nioholls, Esq., Governor General under his Royal Highness,
James, Duke of York and Albany, &c. &c., of all his territories in America,
to all whom these presents shall come, sendeth greeting : whereas there is a
certain plantation upon ye maine, lying within ye limits and bounds of West-
chester, belonging to ye north riding of Yorkshire, upon Long Island, situate
and being in ye north part of ye limits of ye said town, which said plantation
is commonly called and known by ye name of ten farms, or Eastchester, and
is now in the tenure and occupation of several freeholders and inhabitants,
who having heretofore made lawful purchase thereof, have likewise manured
and improved a considerable part of ye lands thereunto belonging, and settled
several families thereupon ; now for a confirmation unto ye said freeholders,
and inhabitants in their enjoyment and possession of ye premises. Now know
YE, by virtue of ye commission, and authority, unto me given by his royal
highness, 1 have ratified, confirmed, and granted, and by these presents, do
ratifie, confirm, and grant, unto Philip Pinckney, James Euestis, and William
Hoyden, as patentees for and in ye behalf of themselves, and their associates,
iheir heirs, executors, and assignees, all ye said plantation, with ye lands
thereunto belonging, lying within ye bounds and limits hereafter exprest, viz.,
that is to say, bounded to the east and ye north, east, by a certain river com-
monly called Hutchinson's River, which runs in at ye head of ye meadow, and
is ye west bounds of Mr. Pell's patent, to ye south by a certain creek, the mouth
whereof openeth to ye south-east, including ye meadows heretofore called
Hutchinson's Meadows, and ye upland, to ye now known and common path
coming up from Westchester, to take in also of ye upland between Hutchin-
son's and Rattlesnake Brook, from the said path to ye extent of half a mile
north-west from ye path, to plant, or otherwise to manure, as they shall see
cause ; ye remainder to lye in common between you and ye inhabitants of
Westchester, at ye end of which half-mile to be bounded by Rattlesnake
Brook, till you come to ye head thereof ; from thence striking a north-east
line to Hutchinson's River aforementioned, ye certain bounds of this planta-
tion aforesaid are described, and so hereafter are to be reputed and taken, any
former order, conclusions, or agreement, to the contrary in any wise notwith-
standing, together with all woodlands, where is meadows, pastures, messuages,
waters, creeks, lakes, brooks, fishing, hawking, hunting, fowling, and other pro-
fits, commodities, emoluments, and hereditaments, to the said land and premises,
within ye limits and bounds aforementioned, described, belonging, or any other-
wise appertaining ; and ye said patentees and their associates, their heirs, ex-
ecutors, and assignees, shall likewise have the commonage, and liberty for
range or food for cattle, from ye head of Hutchinson's Brook aforesaid, for
about eight English miles ; to run north-west on the woods as far as Brunck-
er's River, or so far as they shall not encroach or entrench upon any other

126 HISTORY OF THE

patent by me given or granted : To have and to hold all 3'e singular ye said
lands and hereditaments and premises, with their and every of their appurte-
nances, and every part and parcel thereof, to ye said patentees and their asso-
ciates, their heirs, executors and assignees, to ye proper use and behoof of ye
said patentees and their associates, their heirs and executors and assignees,
forever ; moreover, I do hereby grant and confirm unto ye said patentees and
their associates, their heirs, executors and assignees, that their plantation
shall continue and retain ye name of Eastchester, by which name and stile
it shall be distinguished and known in all bargains, deeds, records and writ-
ings ; likewise, they shall nave ye privileges of electing out of their own num-
bers some discreet person yearly to bear the office of a deputy constable, to
keep his majesties peace, and to compose, if possible, all private business by
arbitration amongst themselves, but that in all other matters they have rela-
tion to ye town and court of Westchester, they the said patentees and their
associates, their heirs, executors and assignees, rendering and paying such
duties and acknowledgments as now are or hereafter shall be constituted and
established by ye laws of this government, under ye obedience of his royal
highness, his heirs and successors. Given under my hand and seal at Fort
James, New York, on ye Isle of Manhattans, ye ninth day of March, in ye
nineteenth year of ye reign of our Sovereign Lord Charles ye Second, by ye
grace of God, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King, defender of ye
faith, and in ye year of our Lord God, 1666.*

" Richard Nicolls.
" Recorded by order of ye Governor,
the day and year above written.

" Matthias Nicolls, Secretary."

Siibsequenlly the three patentees made the following declara-
tion of trust in behalf of their associates: —

" These may certify that we, viz. Philip Pinkney, James Eustis and Wil-
liam Hoyden, having a certain tract of land granted and confirmed unto us by
patent, being granted and confirmed by Colonel Richard Nicholls, then Gover-
nor in New York, beiu^r granted to us, viz. Philip Pinkney, James Eustis and
William Hoyden, and our associates — the above mentioned Philip Pinkney,
James Eustis and William Hoyden do, by these, resign up our particular
interest that we have by patent, or which was granted and confirmed unto
our associates, who have owned and subscribed unto the observation of a cov-
enant, with this provisal, that they observe all conditions of our grant ; 2ndly,
that they with us, and we with them, perpetuate, our and each of our interests
of land, and maintain our and their enjoyments ; 3rdly, that we, with the ma-
jor part of the inhabitants that are associated, have the disposing of land, but

» Book of Pat. Alb.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 127

not they without us — we that are associated accordingly as our names are

herein inserted : —

Philip Pinkney, David Osborne,

William Haiden, Samuel Drake,

John Hoitte, John Embury,

James Eustis, John Jackson,

Richard Shute, Moses Jackson,
Moses Hoitte."

Upon the 9th of March, 1666, Robert Doughty purchased sev-
eral parcels of land belonging to William Haiden, situated within
the limits of Eastchester Patent. In 1667 the inhabitants of
this town united with those of Long Island in protesting against
the Duke's laws.''- The province of New York was retaken by
the Dutch on the 30ih of July, 1673. Upon this occasion we
find the deputies of Oostdorp, alias Westchester, and the adjacent
hamlet of Eastchester, offering to submit themselves to the gov-
ernment of the States General and the Prince of Orange ; in re-
turn for which they were commanded "to nominate, by their
inhabitants, a double number as magistrates for the aforesaid vil-
lages."b Subsequently the following order was issued by the
Lords, Commanders, and Honorable Council of War of the New
Netherlands, residing in Fort William Hendricke.

" Whereas, by a former order it was thought fit that the two towns of West
and Eastchester should be brought under one court of judicature, consisting of
three schepens, or magistrates — that is to say, out of the town of Westchester
two, and one out of the town of Eastchester ; and that the inhabitants of the
said respective towns should make choice each of a double number — the which,
by them, hath been accordingly executed, and returned, and made unto us, — we
have made choice of magistrates of the said towns, to continue for the space
of one whole year next ensuing the date hereof, viz..

For ye town of Westchester, | EXard^Wat^A
do do Eastchester, John Hoitte,

And the said persons are hereby required with all possible expedition to ap-
pear before us, and to take the oath, &c. &c. Dated at Fort William Hend-
ricke, 27th of August, 1673. c Cornelius Euerstend,

T. Youngs,
Jacob Banckers.

a Thompson's History of Long Island. b Eastchester Rec.

c Alb. Rec, vol. xxiii., 273.

128 HISTORY OF THE

In 1676 Nathaniel Tompkins, of (his town, was directed by
Governor Andross '• to seize al! stray horses within the jurisdic-
tion of West and Kastcliester that are without marks, and bring
them to the constable or justice of the peace. "a-

At this period the standard prices of grain and other market-
able produce were as follows : —

Merchantable winter wheat, 5^. Od.

Summer wheat, 4^. 6d.

Merchantable barley. 4^. Od.

Rye, 3^. 6o?.

Peas, 3^?. Od.

Indian corn, 2s. Qd.

Certain difficulties having arisen with regard to the boimdaries
of Eastchester Patent, Mr. PhiHp Plnckney was appointed on
the 30ili of October, 1677, " to go to our governor to meet Mr.
Justice Pell, Esq., where it is intended that our governor is to
decide any ditferefice that may arise betwixt us concerning the
bounds of our Patent.''^

In the year 1681 Capt. Phillip Pinckney, Samuel Drake, senior,
and Moses Hoit, were chosen to treat with the Indians about their
lands. " And so if they can agree, in behalf of the rest of the
inhabitants, with the said Indians, concerning the purchase and
pay of the said land, &c., these tiiree men above mentioned to be
together in the design.''

"Also it is further agreed that the said Indian purchase shall
be paid, answerable unto every man's proportion of land in the
east division already laid out, &c."c

The following land list occurs in 1682, containing the names
and rates of the resident freeholders : —

Samuel Drake,

301

Walter Lancaster,

rs'athaniel Tompkyns,

231

Richard Shnte,

Capt. Will. Haiden,

Henry Fowler,

William Pinckney,

John Tompkyns,

Richard Iloadley,

John Wharford,

William Gray,

Samuel Godin,

231

• Eastchester Rec.

b Ibid.

= Ibid.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 129

John Piiickiiey, 25^ John Vaille, 6i

John Drake, 24J- Samuel Godin, 5J-

Moses Hoir, 45 Walter Webelly, 8

John Clarke, 13

At a meeting of the inhabitants of Eastchester, held Decem-
ber 1st, 1683, it was resolved, that Nathaniel Tompkyns, John
Drake, and Richard Shute, should go into the woods with the
Indians, "and mark out certain lands within the patent of East-
chester, and go and know what the said Indians do ask for the
said lands, and bring report to the rest of the inhabitants."

On the 1st of March, 1686, Captain William Haiden and Mo-
ses Hoit, sen., were chosen by the inhabitants of Eastchester to
go to treat with the Westchester townsmen in defence of our land,
granted to us by patent."

On the 16th of January, 1698, occurs the following entry in the
town records : — " There being several inhabitants of Westchester
come to invade us (the inhabitants of Eastchester) in the prop-
erty, of our lands, by way of molestation, the town did inform
the above said persons that they should not proceed to lay out
any land, or mark any trees, or to set any marks, as by sufficient
testimony will appear."

In the Secretary of State's office, at Albany, there is a map of
the disputed territory, entitled " A draft of the lands in contro-
versy between the inhabitants of Westchester and the inhabitants
of Eastchester, joyn'd with William Peartree, &c., surveyed and
laid downe per Augustine Graham, surveyor, &c."

The vacant lands were situated on the west side of Rattlesnake
Brook, in the northwest corner of the present town, and amount-
ed to 3,308 acres. From their peculiar shape they obtained the
name of the " Long Reachy

In 1696, "at a meeting of the freeholders, and commonalty of
the borough town of West Chester, they did give and grant unto
Col. Caleb Heathcote, the liberty of the stream of Hutchinson's
river, or creek, lying by the " Ten Farms" within the limits
and bounds of the patent of the borough town of Westchester

Vol. I. 17

^30 HISTORY OF THE

aforesaid, known by ihe name of Eastchester, for to erect a mill
or mills thereon. »

Upon the 23d day of'December, A. D. 1700, we find the
Indians confirming tlie inhabitants of Eastchester in their pos-
session.

Be it known unto all to whom these presents may come, or concern {
whereas the inhabitants of Eastchester did formerly purchase a certain tract
of land of the natives, in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred
sixty and six, and part of the same being not as yei satisfied, the said tract of
land being bulled and bounded as is hereafter expressed, viz. east, and south-
east by a certaine river commonly called Hutchinson's river, which runs in
at the head of the meadows, on the west bounds of Mr. Pell's patent, and
soulherly to Hutchinson's brook, and from the head thereof, northwest to
Brunckses his river, and so from the head of Hutchinson's river, northwest to
Brunckses river, and so all the land betwixt Hutchinson's and Brunckses
river, according as aforementioned, now know ye, that we, Woariatapus,
Annhook, and Porrige. do owne, that we have received full satisfaction of
Richard Shute, John Drake, and Henry Fowler, in ihe behalf of the rest of
the inhabitants of Eastchester aforesaid, for the said tract of land, and we the
abovesaid Woariatapus, Annhook, and Porrige, do by these presents, confirm
unto the said Richard Shute, John Drake, and Henry Fowler, in the behalf of
the rest of the inhabitants of Eastchester aforesaid, their heirs and assigns
for ever, and we the above said Woariatapus, Annhook, and Porrige, will
warrant and defend the same from all incumbrances whatsoever, of any per-
son or persons laying claime, right, title, or demand, unto any part or parcel
of the abovesaid tract of land, above mentioned, in witness whereof, we ihe
said Woariatapus, Annhook, and Porrige, have hereunto put to our hands and
scales, this third day of Dec. in the 12 year of his majesties reign, A. D.
1700.

Signed, sealed, and delivered in pre- The mark of X

sence of us,- Robt. Bloomer, George Woariatapus

Copping, David Wliiilock.- The mark of AH Ann Hooke,

Gramatan Sachem, Porrige.

The same year it was resolved by the inhabitants of this town,
" that Edmimd Ward shall have and hold 60 acres of land, in
consideration that the said Edmund Ward do pay the Indians
purely, and clear the said town of, and from the said pay, when
need be, &c.

' Westchester Rec.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 131

The Indian purchase to be paid for as follows, viz., 14 guns,
12 coats, 12 Indian kettles, 12 Indian axes, 4 adzes, and 4 barrels
of cider ; this agreement entered into by me, Richard Shute, re-
corder in Eastchester.

On the 6th of April, 1705, Patthunck, Sagamore, Hopescoe
alias Porrige, Anne Hook, and Elias, Indian proprietors, sold to
George Booth, joiner, of the city of New York, and his associates,

"All that our right of land which is not yet lawfully purchased, lying and
being from the land which is now in dispute betwixt Westchester and East-
chester, and so running along by Hroncks's river to Hutchinson's river, and
bounded on the north by Eastchester lyne, to have and to hold, &c."

Upon the 22d of Sept. 170S, the following letters patent were
issued under the great seal of the Province, to Colonel William
Peartree and his associates.*

"Anne by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, &c.,
the queen, defender of the faith, &c. ; whereas, it appears, that our beloved
cousin, Edward Viscount Cornbury, had granted to Col. William Peartree,
Col. Jacobus van Cortlandt, Joseph van Home, Capt. John Drake, Thomas
Pinckney, Joseph Drake, Edmund Ward, Henry Fowler, and Roger Barton,
a grant for a tract of land in Westchester Co., beginning at Hutchinson's
brook, at the end of the half mile mentioned in Eastchester patent, and so up
the said Hutchinson's brook, as the brook runs to the head thereof, and from
thence, northwest t© Brunckses river, and so up the said Brunckses river, as
the river runs, till it comes to bear with the head of Hutchinson's river,
due southeast to a chesnut tree, marked, and so down the said Hutchinson's
river as the river runs, till it comes to the northeast, and southwest line of
Eastchester patent, and so down southwest, along the said line, to the head of
Rattlesnake bYook, and from thence down the said brook as the brook runs to
the aforementioned half mile of Eastchester patent, and from thence westerly
to the above said Hutchinson's brook, where it began : know ye, that we have
ratified the said grant to the above mentioned persons, reserving what has
been granted to Westchester, 23 of Sept. in the 7th year of her majesty's
reign, A. D. ITOS.b

a This individual was Mayor of the city of N. Y. in 1703, and for njany years
senior warden of Trinity Church, in that city,
b Alb. Book of Pat. No. p. 380.

3J2 HISTORY OF THE

In 1724, the inhabitants of East Chester appear to have held a
quit-rent on the patent of Jacobus van Cortlandt, and others,

The following items relate to the election of town officers from
1672 to KS3.

On the 13th of February, 1672, Samuel Drake was voted in
constable for the year ensuing.

April 24th, 1673, the inhabitants nominated William Haiden,
for the first man to be presented to our commander for our magis-
trate.

Mr, John Hart was elected magistrate, A. D. 1673.

This 24th day of August, 1673, the inliabitants have nominated
"William Haiden, for the first man to present to our commander
for a magistrate, and John Hoitte for the ground man. Upon nom-
ination also this same day we have forthwith agreed that our de-
sire is, that Mr. John Pell may be proposed to our commander for
the year as a skoutte.

The same year Richard Shute, was chosen town recorder.

In 16S6, John Pinckney appears as supervisor ; Richard Shute,
clerk of the town court ; Joseph Drake, constable ; William Haiden,
Samuel Drake and Philip Pinckney, town commissioners ; Wil-
liam Haiden and John Pinckney, representatives.

In 1691, John Pinckney, supervisor.

The following election took place in 1776-7.

Stephen Ward, supervisor; Samuel Sneden, town clerk;
Charles Guion, collector ; Solomon Drake and Moses Drake, as-
sessors ; Thomas Farrington, Joshua Ferris, Joseph Gedney,
overseers of roads ; Thomas Pinckney and William Fowler, over-
seers of fences ; Edmund Ward and John Sneden, viewers of
fences ; Stephen Ward and William Fowler, pounders.

The first independent election for town officers took place on
the 22d of December, 1783, under the superintendence of Stephen
Ward and Ebenezer S. Burling Esq. <fcc., (in accordance with an

« Town Rec. No 2.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 133

act of the legislature passed October 23, 1779,} when the fol-
lowing persons were elected.

Ebenezer Burling, Esq., supervisor; Charles Ward, town
clerk; William Crawford, jun., constable and collector; Thomas
Pinckney, Jacob Hunt, Daniel Learing and John Wright, asses-
sors; Charles Guion, EUsha Shute and James Morgan, overseers
of roads ; William Crawford and James Morgan, pounders ; AVil-
liam Crawford and Charles Guion, to take care of public edifi-
ces.^

The public lands of Eastchester are now managed by a board
of trustees, according to an act of the legislature passed May 1 Ith,
1846.b

The village of Eastchester is situated in the south east
angle of the town, at the head of the Eastchester bay, fifteen
miles from the city of New York ; it contains about three hun-
dred and fifty inhabitants, fifty dwelling houses, one Episcopal
and one Methodist church, post office, three taverns, four stores,
and one grist mill. There is also a convenient landing,^ from
whence sail several sloops trading with the New York market.
. The first settlement in this town appears to have been com-
menced near the Indian path, (subsequently known as the West-
chester path or Kingsbridge road,) leading to the wading place,
cir. 1664, at a spot called Hutchinson's. "That is where the
house stood at the meadows and uplands to Hutchinson's river."'^
' In 1666 it was by royal charter enacted, " That the plantation
shall continue and retain ye name of Eastchester, by which
name and style it shall be forever hereafter distinguished and
known, &c."

The early planters in order to concentrate their dwellings as
much as possible, (so as to protect themselves and families,) laid

a Town Records. — The town books consist of three volumes ; the first com-
mencing on the 13th of February, 1672 ; 2d vol. in 1693 ; 3d vol. at a much later
period.

b Laws of N. Y. 69 session, chap. 185-208.

« At an early period called Sillick's landing, A. D. 1G76.

d Extracts from Pell's grant.

134 HISTORY OF THE

out the original farms in narrow strips called home lots, which
radiated from the village fort in all directions.

At a meeting of the inhabitants, held Oct. 16th, 1675, it was
resolved, "That we will forthwith fit William Haiden's house
by his land, soe as that it may, by God's helpe and blessing, ans-
wer our honorable governor's order and our own preservation.
At the same time John Jackson, Richard Hoadley and Samuel
Drake, jun. were chosen to stake out the place as aforementioned
for the said fortification ; also John Jackson and Richard Shute
were chosen to the constable to be overseers for the carrying on
the said works ; and it was further agreed, that for a man's day's
work, (provided he do an honest day's work,) he shall be allowed
two shillings and sixpence a day, for a man, and for their cattle,
cart, or tackling to do the work, or four oxen, shall be allowed
six shillings a day, for two oxen, five shillings per day, and so
begin the said work on Thursday next, it being the 17th of this
instant, A. D. 1675."^ The above structure (commonly called
the General Fort) was erected by the village farmers, on the hill
north-west of Mr. Philemon Fowler's residence. ^ The ruins of
this Fort were distinctly visible thirty years ago.

Upon the 1st day of Dec. 1675, Samuel Drake, sen. was ap-
pointed by the inhabitants of Eastchester " to appear at the hon-
orable Court of Sessions against Mr. Pell, concerning Eastchester
work as not being a fort.''^

By the governor's orders it appears to have been dismantled
the following year, for on the 4th of Sept. 1676, we find the in-
habitants agreeing " to employ a man to tear or to take down
the stockadoes according to our governor's order ; also on the
same occasion, Richard Shute was chosen to go to Westchester
to hire or make an agreement with John Hudson to carry the
stockadoes of Eastchester down to Yorke."<i

■^ Town Rec. vol. 1.

t> This gentleman who has for nearly half a century filled the office of senior war-
den of St. Paul'" Church, Eastchester, is a descendant of Henry Fowler, one of the
original patentees of this town,

'- Town Rec.

d Town Rf'c

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 135

Near the fort, was located the general fold, into which all
cattle were driven nightly for protection. The fold appears to
have been constructed sometime prior to 1684.

The first school-house was erected in 1683, for at a public
meeting of the inhabitants, held on the 15th of October of that
year, it was ordered, " that a school-house be erected upon a site
between the property of Richard Shule and William Haiden,
and encouragement given to Mr. Morgan Jones to become tlie
school-master."*

This building occupied the site of the present village school-
house. Thus the ground has been used for this purpose one
hundred and sixty- four years.

In 1685 it was agreed to build a town house, fourteen feet long
and twelve feet broad, and to set it up by the highway side be-
tween the houses of Captain William Haiden and Richard Shute.

Beside the home lots, the proprietors held equal shares in the
planting lands, (situated on the west side of Rattlesnake brook,)
tthe commons, or Conoval meadows, and the sheep pasture.

At a town meeting, held 21st February, 1705, the inhabitants
did agree by vote, '^ that all the land below Annhooks brook,
and also a strait line from the old meadow to the head of Rattle-
snake brook, beside all the land between Hutchinsons brook,
an Rattlesnake brook, to the extent of the half mile shall be for
a perpetual sh:ep pasture.'''^

Upon the 30th of May, 1707, John Drake and Edmund Ward
were chosen sheep-masters by the freeholders of Eastchester.

The town and village of Eastchester were distinguished, in our
early colonial annals, for the active part they took in favor of
Governor Leisler; for we find " Leisler's party strengthened on
the 3d of June, 16S9, by the addition of six captains and four
hundred men in New York, and a company of seventy men from
Eastchester, who had all subscribed on that day a solemn decla-
ration to preserve the Protestant religion and the fort of New
York for the Prince of Orange and the Governor whom the
Prince might appoint as their protector.''^

"^ Town Rec. ^ Town Rec. vol. ii.

« Smith's History of New York, English edition, p. 59.

136 HISTORY OF THE

The pleasant village green in front of St. Paul's Church was
formerly used as a general training ground for this section of the
county, and here, too, the county elections were not unfrequently
held. The following article is taken from the New York Week-
ly Journal of Monday, Dec. 24th, 1733, "containing the freshest
advices, foreign and domestic :" —

" Westchester, Oct. 2Qth, 1733.
" On this day Lewis Morris, Esq., late chief justice of this province, was, by a
majority of voices, elected a representative from the county of Westchester. * *
Election of great expectation : the court and country's interest was exerted
(as is said) to the utmost. I shall give my readers a particular account of it,
as I had it from a person that was present at it. Nicholas Cooper, Esq., high
sheriff of the said county, having, by papers affixed to the church of East-
chester and other public places, given notice of the day and place of election,
without mentioning any time of the day when it was to be done, which made
the electors on the side of the late judge very suspicious that some fraud was
intended — to prevent which, about fifty of them kept watch upon and about the
green at Eastchester (the place of election) from 12 o'clock the night before
till the morning of that day. The other electors, beginning to move on Sun-»
day afternoon and evening, so as to be at New Rochelle by midnight, their
way lay through Harrison's Purchase, the inhabitants of which provided for
their entertainment as they passed each house in their way, having a table
plentifully covered for that purpose. About midnight they all met at the house
of William Le Count, at New Rochelle, whose house, not being large enough
to entertain so great a number, a large fire was made in the street, by which
they sat till daylight, at which time they began to move. They were joined
on the hill at the east end of the town by about seventy horse of the electors
of the lower part of the county, and then proceeded towards the place of elec-
tion in the following order, viz. : First rode two trumpeters and three violins ;
next four of the principal freeholders, one of which carried a banner, on one
side of which was affixed, in gold capitals, 'King George,' and on the other,
in golden capitals, ' Liberty and Law ;' next followed the candidate, Lewis
Morris, Esq., late chief justice of this province, then two colors, and at sun
rising they entered upon the green of Eastchester, the place of election, fol-
lowed by above three hundred horse of the principal freeholders of the county
(a greater number than had ever appeared for one man since the settlement of
that county.) After having rode three times round the green, they went to the
houses of Joseph Fowler and Child, who were well prepared for their re-
ception ; the late chief justice was met, on his alighting, by several gentlemen
who came there to give their votes for him. About 11 o'clock appeared the can-
didate of the other side, William Forster, Esq., schoolmaster, appointed by the
Society for Propagation of the Gospel, and lately made, by commission from

COUiNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 137

his Excellency, (the present governor,) Clerk of the Peace and Common
Pleas in that county, which commission, it is said, he purchased for the valu-
able consideration of one hundred pistoles, given the governor : next him came
two ensigns, borne by two of the freeholders ; then followed the Honorable
James De Lancey, Esq., chief justice of the province of New York, and the
Honorable Frederick Phillipse, Esq., second judge of the said province and
baron of the exchequer, attended by about a hundred and seventy horse of the
freeholders and friends of the said Forster and the two judges : they entered
the green on the east side, and, riding twice round it, their word was ' No Land
Tax.' As they passed, the second judge very civilly saluted the late chief
justice by taking off his hat, which the late judge returned in the same manner,
some of the late judge's party crying out ' No Excise ;' and one of them was
heard to say (though not by the judge) ' No Pretender ;' upon which, Forster,
the candidate, replied, ' I will take notice of you :' they, afterj.hat, retired to

the house of Baker, which was prepared to receive and entertain them.

About an hour after, the high sherifi' came to town finely mounted, the hous-
ings and holster caps being scarlet, richly laced with silver, belonging to .

Upon his approach, the electors on both sides went into the green where they
were to elect, and after having read his majesty's writ, bid the electors pro-
ceed to the choice, which they did, and a great majority appeared for Mr.
Morris, the late judge ; upon which, a poll was demanded, but by whom is not
known to the relator, though it was said by many to be done by the sheriff
himself. Morris, the candidate, several times asked the sheriff upon whose
side the majority appeared, but could get no other reply but that a poll must
be had, and accordingly, after about two hours delay in getting benches, chairs
and tables, they began to poll. Soon after, one of those called Quakers, a man
of known worth and estate, came to give his vote for the late judge. Upon
this, Forster, and the two Fowlers, Moses and William, chosen by him to be
inspectors, questioned his having an estate, and required of the sheriff to ten-
der him the book to swear, in due form of law, which he refused to do, but
offered to take his solemn afiirmation, which both by the laws of England and
the laws ©f this province w-as indulged, to the people called Quakers, and had
always been practised, from the first election of representatives, in this prov-
ince, to this time, and never refused ; but the sheriff was deaf to all that could
be alleged on that side ; and notwithstanding that he was told by the late chief
justice, and James Alexander, Esq., one of his Majesty's council, and counsel-
lor at law, and by William Smith, Esq., cotmsellor at law, that such a proce-
dure was contrary to law, and a violent attempt of the liberties of the people,
he still persisted in refusing the said Quaker to vote, and in like manner did
refuse seven and thirty Quakers more — men of known and visible estates.
This Cooper, now high sheriff of the said county, is said not only to be a
stranger in that county, but not having a foot of land, or other visible estate
in it, unless very lately granted, and it is believed he has not where withall to
purchase any. The polling had not been long continued before Mr. Edward
Vol. I. 18 . .

138 HISTORY OF THE

Stephens, a man of a very considerable estate in the said county, did openly,
in the hearing of all the freeholders there assembled, charge \Yiiliam Forster,
Esq., the candidate on the other side, with being a Jacobite, and in the inter-
est of the Pretender, and that he should say to Mr. ^Yilliam Willett (a person
of good estate and known integiity, who was at that time present and ready
to make oath to the truth of what was said) that true it was he had taken the
oaths to his Majesty, King George, and enjoyed a place in the governnfrent

under him, which gave him bread ; yet notwithstanding that, should

James come into England, he should think himself obliged to go there and fight
for him. This was loudly and strongly urged to Forster's face, who denied it
to be true ; and no more was said of it at that time. About eleven o'clock that
night the poll was closed, and it stood thus : —

For the late chief justice, 231

" Quakers, 38

269
For William Forster, Esq.^ 151

For difference, 118

269

So that the late chief justice carried it by a great majority, without the Qua-
kers. Upon closing the poll the other candidate, Forster, and the sheriff
wished ihe late chief justice much joy. Forster said he hoped the late judge
would not think the worse of him for setting up against him, to which the
judge Replied, he believed he was put upon it against his inclinations, but that
he was highly blamable, and who did or should know better for putting the
sheriff, who was a stranger, and ignorant in such matters, upon making so
violent an attempt upon the liberty of the people, which would expose him to
ruin if he were worth jC10,000 if the people aggrieved should commence suit
against him. Tlie people made a loud huzza, which the late chief judge
blamed very much, as what he thought not right. Forster replied, he
took no notice of what the common people did, since Mr. Morris did not put
put them upon the doing of it.

The indentures being sealed, the whole body of electors waited on their
new representative to his lodgings with trumpets sounding, and violins playing^
and in a little time took their leave^f him. Thus ended the Westchester elec-
tion to the general satisfaction.

New York, November 5th. On Wednesday, 31st October, the late chief jus-
tice, but now representative, for the county of Westchester landed in this city
about five o'clock in the evening, at the ferry stairs. On his landing he was sa-
luted by a general fire of the guns from the merchant vessels lying in the road,
and was received by great numbers of the most considerable merchants and
inhabitants of this city, and by them, with loud acclamations of the people as

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 139

he walked the streets, conducted to the Black Horse tavern, where a hand-
some entertainment was prepared for him at the charge of the gentlemen who
received him, and in the middle of one side of the room was fixed a tablet with
golden capitals, " King George, Liberty, and Law."*

The road which passes through the village green on the north
side of the church, was formerly called the Kingsbridge turnpike.
This road appears to have been first opened in 1G71, as we find
in that year, "Mr. John Pell, and Mr. John Richbell appointed to
lay out the new road to New England, through Eastchester."^
The Kingsbridge road was the first stage route estabhshed be-
tween New York and Boston in 1732. "The coach, which
would at the present time be thought an extremely slow one, was
fourteen days in the journey, carrying news to and fro once a
month. "c

Beneath the shade of the venerable locusts (which still adorn
the green,) stood the village stocks, erected in 1720. ^ Embedded
in the bark of one of the trees may be seen the iron staple to
which culprits were formerly attached and publicly whipped.
Upon the green, between the locust trees and the present church
yard, stood the old parish church, built by the Independents,
about 1699. This edifice was destroyed by fire at an early period
of the Revolution. e

The first settlers of Eastchester, like the people in general of
that day, paid early attention to religion, to the support of the
gospel, and the institutions of the church to which they belonged.
The Congregational church in this place was gathered in 1665 ;
for, in that year it was ordered : "That all and every one of us,
or that shall be of us, do pay unto the minister according to his
mead," also, " that we give new encouragement to Mr. Brewster
each other week, to give us a word of exhortation."^ A. D. 1670,

a Nev7 York Weekly Journal, 1733, No, viii.

b Assize Rec. Alb.

c Bridgman's Hort. Rep. 1846.

d The stocks consisted of a rude wooden instrument, firmly secured in the ground,
into which the offenders' hands and feet were locked. It was once a common mode
of punishment, but since the Revolution has fallen into disuse. — Editor.

^ The fact that the old church once stood upon the green is conclusive evidence
that this property is still vested in the church.

f See Covenant.

140 HISTORY OF THE

it was farther enacted : " That whereas we being a society oT
christians living together, liave agreed that all those of our asso-
ciation shall join togther in meeting on Lord's days to tell aboiU
the worship of God ; it was also resolved that whereas Moses
Hoit being deserter, and being behind, and not seeming to be
willing to contribute unto our minister, whereupon the inhabi-
tants of Eastchester have agreed that the said Moses shall be pre-
sented unto the next Court of Sessions," (fcc.

Upon the 29th of July, 1674, Richard Shute was chosen for to
go to our honored governor as a representative from the village of
Eastchester, upon the occasion that we may have the Rev. Eze-
kiel Fogge to be established and confirmed by our honorable
governor, and also the humble request to have the liberty or grant
to build a Chapel of Ease, and not to be paying toward Westches-
ter church's building."

The following day, at a public meeting of the inhabitants of
Eastchester, it was resolved by vote, " to go jointly unto West-
chester, and so speake with the Rev. Mr. Fogge, by reason we
heard that Mr. Fogge did express himself to be desirous, and also
willing to live and settle among us in Eastchester ; in considera-
tion whereof, we are willing to manifest our acceptance to em-
brace his good company, and shall provide for his present com-
fort, and likewise for his future livelihood."

Upon the 5th of September, 1677, it v^ras agreed, '-'that if it be
the will of God to bring a minister to settle among us we pay him
£40 a year, for his subsistence, and also provide him a house
and land for his use during the time he stays here as our minister.
At this meeting it was resolved to send Philip Pinckney and
Samuel Drake, sen., as representatives to Westchester to the town
meeting to treat with that town for the providing a minister."

The 31st day of March, 1678, was appointed by the inhabi-
tants of Eastchester, " to be kept as a day of fasting and prayer,
that it will please Almighty God to withdraw his judgments
from UP. As in some measure, according to our honored
governor's order to keep the said day in the best manner we can
attain unto.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

141

Mr. Pinckiiey appears to have been selected to carry on the
said day of humiliation."

It was farther agreed on the same occasion. " that we will
meet together on Sabbath days, for time to come to celebrate the
worship and service of God, in the best manner that we can at-
tain unto."

It was also decided by vote, " that we will pay towards the
carrying on the said Sabbath days services, by a free will offer-
ing for the year ensuing, the following sums :

s. d.

William Haiden,

14 0

Richard Shute,

12 0

Nathaniel Tompkins,

10 0

John Pinckney,

10 0

Richard Hoadly,

10 0

John Drake,

10 0

John Tompkins,
Will. Gregier,
Henry Fowler,
Henry Creway,
Samuel Drake,

s. d.
OS 0
05 0
04 0
02 0
15 0

Upon the 17th of December, the inhabitants of Eastchester
agreed to pay £40 a year unto Mr. Morgan Jones, minister of
Newtown, L. I. That is to say, to be paid unto the said minis-
ister, for his encouragement to administer the word of God unto
us, as our minister ; and that we the said inhabitants, do engage
to pay the abovesaid sum of £40 in good provincial pay, at
the price according to the same of this government ; provided,
that the said Mr. Jones do come and live among us. and per-
for.n the office of a minister, and to pay it by vote."

Feb. 11th, 1680, we find the Rev. Morgan Jones, officiating
in the village of Westchester.^

During the year 1684, Eastchester appears to have been united
with Westchester in the support of a pastor, for, in the spring of
the same year, it was resolved, " that the justices and vestrymen
of West and Eastchester, and Yonkers, do accept of Mr. War-
ham Mather as our minister for one whole year.''^

At a public meeting of the inhabitants, held Sept. 5th, 1685,

» See Westchester.

b Westchester Rec.

142 HISTORY OF THE

it was resolved to contribute the following salary towards the
maintenance of a minister.

Daniel Drake, jr.

Richard Shute.

Moses Hoite,

Richard Hoadley,

John Pinckney,

John Drake,

John Wear ford,

Cornell Goding,

Henry Fowler,

John Joan,

Nathaniel White,

5. d.

William Gray,

10 0

John Clarkson,

5 0

Thomas Norton,

6 0

John Shute,

5 0

Thomas Pinckney,

5 0

Walter Lancaster,

10 0

Thomas Keurkin,

7 0

do. junr.

5 0

John Coe,

10 0

This present testifieth, that we whose names are above writ-
ten, do engage to pay the said several sums by us, every particu-
lar man, to pay as abovesaid, unto Mr. Morgan Jones, for the
carrying on the work of the ministry for this present year en-
suing."
The following entry occurs in the records of Newtown Long Island,
" Whereas. I, Morgan Jones, have officiated for some time as a minis-
ter in Newtown, without any agreement for a salary, upon the pro-
mise of some particular persons of the town, to allow me some small
recompense, of their own accord, I do hereby acquit and dis-
charge the town of all salary, moneys, goods, or wares, which I
might claim. Aug. 28, 168G. Morgan Jones."*

This must have been preparatory to his removal and settlement
in East or Westchester.

The Rev. Morgan Jones was succeeded by Mr. Samuel Goding,
who received instructions to "read" in the Bible, and other good
sermon books, and so to carry on the Sabbath exercises (in East-
chcster) according to the Hon. Colonel Fletcher's order.

On the 30th of Nov., 1692, the inliabitants of Eastchester,

* Thompson's Long Island, vol. ii. 140.

COUiNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

143

agreed to pay the following sums towards the support of Mr

Goding.

Henry Fowler offers one bushel of good winter wheat.
John Tompkins 3 0 John Drake 4 0

2 0 John Pinckney 5 pecks of Indian corn.

4 0 William Gray 2 0

John Shuts 3 0
2 0 Bcnj. Taylor 2 0

Thomas Shute 4 6.

Jonn Clark
Joseph Drake
Thomas Pinckney 3 0
Isaac Taylor

Upon the 9th of May, 1693, it was resolved that a meeting
bouse should be built, and Captain William Haiden, John Drake,
John Pinckney, Richard Shute, and Henry Fowler, sen. were ap-
pointed overseers to superintend the work."
". On the 31st of July, 1696, it was determined to lighten the
meeting house by a lantern to every seat of the same. The fol-
lowing is a plan of the meeting house, with the names of pew-
holders, as represented in the town records. a ,

Mr. Justice Pinckney,

Richard White,

Tliomas White,

John White, ■ > ';

Mates Fowler,

The south side belong
to this. -. -:

Henry Fowler, sen.
John Pinckney,
Moses Hoit, sen.
" - Moses Hoit, jun. .^ / '
John Haute, . - ,.
Robert Stonith, ■,• '
John Lancaster, ' -
East to this.

Capt. John Drake,
Ensign Drake, - -■ .: • ^.'■-
John Tompkins,
Nathan'l Tompkins,
Mr. Will. Chaterton,
a place of John Clark,
South side to this.

Isaac Taylor,
Isaac Lawrence,
Edward Hancock,
Thomas Vail,
Jeremiah Fowler,
Isaac Odcll,
John Coe,

Joseph Coe, " *•.
West to this. ■ -' "

■^ ■ -

169.

* There is a tradition in the Pinckney family, that one of its early members pre-
sented the land to the church, embracing the present green, church-yard and ad-
joining property, for which they enjoy the privilege of free interment.

144 HISTORY OF THE

By an act of Provincial Assembly, passed 1 llh of May, 1697, the
parish of Westchester was divided into four several districts, viz.
Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers, and the manor of Pelham.a

In August, 1699, we find the inhabitants of the precinct of
Eastchester petitioning the Governor, Council and General As-
sembly, in behalf of themselves, and for their neighbors in Yon-
kers and the Mile Square, to be taken off from the parish of
Westchester, and to have liberty to call a minister of their own."

On the 26th of December, 1699, it was resolved, at a public
meeting b.eld in Eastchester, " to haste and erect the said meet-
ing house, and that it shall be finished at or before the 3lst of
Ma}^ in the year of our Lord 1700, and in case the said work
be not finished, that then John Drake and Jeremiah Fowler
shall set men at work and finish the said work on the town ac-
count.

The same year a lot was provided for the minister, and £30
appropriated annually for his salary, which sum was ordered
to be raised upon all rateable estates. Mr. Henry Fowler at the
same time was directed to " write a letter unto Mr. Morgan con-
taining our proceedings."

Upon the 14th of October, 1700, we find Mr. Henry Fowler,
sen. authorized by the inhabitants to proceed to New York to
petition the General Assembly for the calling and settling a min-
ister with ourselves, and that we may be freed from Westchester
in the ministry."

12th of King William, lil. A. D. 1700, occurs an act of the
General Assembly, declaring that

" Whereas since the passing of said act, (that of 1699,) it has been found in-
convenient, to the great discouragement of religion and the public worship of
God, for the inhabitants of Eastchester to travel to Westchester aforesaid at
the preaching of God's word. Wherefore the said inhabitants and freeholders
of the town of Eastchester have by their humble petition to the House of Re-
presentatives, now convened in General Assembly, most humbly prayed that
it might be declared and enacted, and it was enacted, 1st. That the said town
of Eastchester in the county of Westchester be henceforth and for ever here-

» Acts of Assembly, from 1691 to 1725.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 145

after separated from the parish of West and Eastchester, lower Yonkers and
the manor of Pelham.

" 2d. It was further enacted (by the authority aforesaid) that the said town
of Eastchester, &c. be and hereby is declared to be and remain for ever a
distinct parish from the parish of Westchester, &c. by the name and style of
the parish of Eastchester in the county of VA^estchester, provided that the
freeholders and inhabitants thereof do maintain a good orthodox Protestant
minister in the said town of Eastchester, &c.''a

June the 12th, 1700, "the town exchanged land with Mr.
Joseph Morgan, pastor of the church in Eastchester."

"At a public town meeting called by order of the inhabitants,
Oct. 4th, 1700, the said inhabitants directed Mr. Henry Fowler
and Richard ^hute, (with the rest of the intended church,) to
write nnto the reverend ministers in New England concerning
the ordination ; they having the assistance of the Rev. Mr. Mor-
gan. Also, that Mr. John Pinckney, Henry Fowler and Richard
Shute, shall write unto his Excellency for his approbation, that
he will be pleased to induct our minister the Rev. Joseph Moi-
gan ; at the same time Joseph Drake and John Shute, were
chosen to hire a man to build a pulpit on the town account.''
" Upon the 3d of April, 1702, John Drake and Thomas Pinckney
were authorized to agree with a carpenter to make a pulpit, and
set up the gallery and repair the window shutters, &c."

John Tompkins, jun., was also chosen " to beat the drum con-
stantly every Lord's day if occasion require, and at other times
when it is needful, and to keep the drum in rej^air, and the said
inhabitants do promise to pay him therefor 9 pence a piece every
one."

In a summary account of the state of the church in the pro-
vince of New York, as it was laid before the clergy, convened
October 5th, 1704, at New York, by the appointment of his Ex-
cellency Edw^ard Lord Viscount Cornbury and Colonel Francis
Nicholson, it was stated, that "There is one independent congre-
gation at Eastchester whose minister designs to leave tljere,
whose congregation upon his departure are resolved to join with
the church."^

^ Laws of N. y. 1700, chap. xc. 40.
b Church Record, vol. i., No. 16.

Vol. I, 19

146 HISTORY OF THE

Col. Caleb Heathcoate, in a letter to the secretary of the vener-
able Society for Propagating the Gospel in foreign parts, dated
Manor of Scarsdale, November 9th, 1705, thus writes; "and
thirdly, one Mr. Morgan, who was minister of Eastchester, pro-
n;»ised me to conform."^

To Mr. Morgan appears to have succeeded the celebrated
AVilliam Tennent, who officiated here for a short time only, from
whence he removed to Bedford. ^

A LIST OF MINISTERS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH,

EASTCHESTERo

Jnstituted Ministers. Vacated by

1665-G, Rev. Brewster, Resignation,

1675, ** Ezekiel Fogge, ditto

16S4, " Warham Mather, ditto

16S6, '' Morgan Jones, ditto

1692, " Samuel Goding, ditto

1700, " Joseph Morgan, ditto

cir. 1720, " William Tennent, ditto

About 1703-4, the Congregational church of this place became
merged in the Episcopal, (at that time the established religion of
the colony,) which clearly appears from the following notice of
the Rev. John Bartow, first Episcopal rector of the parish: " Be-
sides Westchester, (observes Dr. Hawkins,) at which he resided,
Mr. Bartow officiated once a month at Eastchester, and occasion-
ally at Yonkers. The population of Westchester was about 553,
that of Eastchester 400, who, being Presbyterians, obtained an
act by which they were formed into a separate parish, and ob'
tained a minister of their own persuasion, but on Mr. Bartow's
comino[ among them " they were so well satisfied with the liturgy
and doctrine of the church, that they forsook their minister and
conformed to the Church of England.''^

The following memoranda occurs in the vestry book of St.
Peter's Church, Westchester.

January 12ih, 1702. *'It was resolved by the justices and ves-
trymen, that there shall be raised £50 for the minister's mainte-

» Church Rec vol. i. No. 29. t See Bedford. <^ See Westchester.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 147

nance, and poor of the parish, (the quota furnished by Eastchester
Avas £7 13^.) to be paid unto the church wardens at or before the
15th of December, next ensuing." The name of Joseph Drake
appears in the Ust of vestrymen.

On the same occasion, Edward Avery late constable of East-
chester produced a receipt from the Rev. John Bartow, for the
minister's rale in the year 1703, stating that he had paid Mr. Bar-
tow the sum of seven pounds thirteen shillings, for his collecting.*

On the 23d of December, 1707, it was resolved to raise the
sum of five pounds towards purchasing boards for Eastchester
church. b

In 1703 Capt. John Drake and Edmund Ward were appointed
to go to New York to ask concerning the settling the minister
according to a warrant granted by General Heathcoate, for the
good of the county.c

Upon the 20th of March, 1703, it was agreed that " Judge
Drake, Moses Fowler, and Isaac Taylor should have full power
to hire a man to repair ye meeting house in Eastchester, and in
making a pulpit and pew seat, (reading desk) and further to sell
and make other seats in the same as far as the boards that are
already bought will go."'^ In 1713 the Rev. John Bartow contri-
Jbuted £9 6s. 6d. towards rectifying the pews and seats in East
and Westchester.e During the year 1728, the Rev. Thomas
Standard (rector of Westchester) officiated here every other Sun-
day, and publicly catechised the children. This year there ap-
pear to have been fifty children, and thirty communicants.^ In
1745 Mr. Standard informs the society that the parishes of East
and Westchester are in a thriving and growing state." The
Rev. Mr. Milner, his successor in 1764, reported to the Propaga-
tion Society, " That the peopk of Eastchester have laid the foun-
dation of a new church of stone, seventy-one feet by eighty-eight,

* Westchester Rec.
b Ibid.

« Hawkins Hist. Notices of the Church of England, 276. MS. Letters in the
Lambeth collection, England, vol. xx. 109.
d Town Rec.

•Ibid. • • • ■'-■-. -_^. j\

i Propagation Soc Rep.

148 HISTORY OF THE

in the room of a small decayed wooden building erected in the
infancy of the settlement." Throughout the years 1766, 7, and 8>
the Rev. Samuel Seabury (afterwards bishop of Connecticut,)
officiated in Eastchester.

Occasionally the French clergy of New Rochelle must have
performed services in this parish, as we find the following entry
on the records of Trinity Church, New Rochelle.

'• Cet anjourd'hui le 5 mars, 173f , baptise a East Chester, Wil-
liam Fowler, fils de Joseph Fowler et de Madame Sarah sa femme
age d'environ six mois, et presente au saint bapteme par Ezekiel
H.ilstead, son oncle et par Sarah Fowler, sa mere, Parrain et
Marraime. P. Stouppe."

The parsonage formerly stood on the Alstine property, directly
north of the present church. Here the Rev. Thomas Standard
resided for many years.^

St. Paul's Church, Eastchester, was first incorporated on the
12ih of March, 1787, in pursuance of an act of the legislature
passed April 6th, 1784 ; on which occasion Thomas Bartow?
John Wright, Isaac Ward, Elisha Shute, Lewis Guion, and Philip
Pell, jun., were unanimously elected trustees. This church was
again incorporated 4th of October, 1795, by the style and title of
'• St. Paul's Church in the town of Eastchester.''^ William Pop'
ham and Lancaster Underbill, churchwardens. Philip Pelh
Lewis Guion, Isaac Ward, John Reed, Isaac Guion, Abraham
Valentine, William Pinckney and William Crawford, vestrymen.

We have previously shown, that the present church was
erected in 1764, by the inhabitants of this town, situated in a
pleasant valley (bordering the Aqueanouncke.) It presents from
the neighboring hills, a very picturesque appearance. On the west
end is a neat tower, containing a bell, which bears the following
inscription. c

'THE GIFT OF THE REV. THOMAS STANDARD,
1758." "LESTER & PACK FECIT."

" It appears that as early as 1699 a lot was provided for the minister.

b In pursuance of an act passed for the relief of the Protestant Episcopal Church
in the state of New York, 17th March, 1795.

e Immediately above the tower door are inscribed the initials of the principal bene-
factors, viz. P. n. P., P. P., I), v., nli^o a tablet bearing the date of erection 1765.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

149

Beneath the chancel floor, repose the remains of the Rev.
Thomas Standard, former rector of the parish, and Anne his
wife. a

St. Paul's Church, Eastchester.

The chandelier and organ, were the gift of George Rapelje,
Esq.

The communion silver consists of a flaggon, two chalices, and
paten.

The former bears the following inscription :

St. Paul's Ch., Eastchester, N. Y.

In memory of

Mrs. Mary Gregg,

obt. Janry. 2d, 1844.

yE 71 years.

The chalices are inscribed as follows : 1st. St. Paul's Church,
Eastchester, N. Y., from Mrs. John Q^uincy Adams, 1829.

2d. The gift of Frederick van Cortlandt. " St. Paul's Church,
Eastchester, N. Y., A. D. 1829."

"^ On the erection of the present edifice, their badies were removed from the old
church which stood near the locusts.

150 HISTORY OF THE

During the American Revolution, services appear to have been
suspended here, and the congregation dispersed. At this period
the church was used as an hospital, and subsequently served the
purposes of a court house. The following entry occurs in the
records of the court of Common Pleas. At a court of Oyer
and Terminer and general jail delivery, held at the church at
Eastchester, in and for the county of Westchester, on Tuesday,
the l:^th day of June, in the year of our Lord, 1787. Present,
the Honorable Richard Morris, Esq., Chief Justice of the (Supreme
Court of Judicature, for the state of New York.

Stephen Ward, 1 t f r r^ i n^ •

, , r^ m 1- I Justices of Oyer and lermmer
Jonathan G. Tompkms, . ^ , t •, t^ ,• r

^ and General Jail Delivery, for the

Ebenezer S. Burling,
Benjamin Stevenson,

county of Westchester.

Immediately after the Revolution, the inhabitants of Eastches-
ter appear to have associated themselves with the parish of Yon-
kers, under the charge of the Rev. Elias Cooper. This connec-
tion was dissolved about 1798. From the year 1800, to cir. 1837.
Eastchester was alternately united to Westchester and New Ro-
chelle ; but for the last ten years it has supported its own incum-
bent.

The village grave yard which lies on the south and west side
of the church, is one of the most extensive in the county.

The earliest tombstones bear the following inscriptions :

R. S. D. Here H D 1 D

DECEMBER is

14. 1704. the body N 20

of Thomas 1711
PiNCKNEY died
ye 1 1732 E. G. 71.

On the north side of the church is a marble tomb, inscribed
as folio AS :

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 151

Therese Boulland

DE BeSANSON

who departed this life
Ihe 5th of October
1805
' aged 29 years,

wife of
Joseph F Mangin
DE Dompaire
Major of the engineers of the
General staff of
St. Domingo,
surmounted with the arms of Boulland, viz. arg. a chev. between three quar-
ter foils, surmounted by a coronet ; supporters, two lions rampant regardant.

There are vaults in this yard belonging to the Pell, Gregg,
Drake, Sands, Prime, Cain, Masterton and Morgan families.

The following is a catalogue of the ministers and rectors of
this parish, from the year 1703.

LIST OF MINISTt:RS AND RECTORS.

Instituted or called. Incumbents. Vacated by

1703 Rev. John Bartow, Clericus, per mort.

1726 Thomas Standard, Clericus, do

1764 John Milner, Clericus, do

1766 Samuel Seabury, Clericus, per resig.

1787 Andrew Fowler, Presb. do

5 July, 1790 ; Theodosius Bartow, Presb. do

1794 ' ,. Elias Cooper, Presb. ^ , do

Aug. 1795 . ..^ John Ireland, Presb. do

18 Jan. 1800 Isaac Wilkins, D. D. Presb. do

1817 Revaud Kearney, Presb. do

1818 Lewis P. Bayard, Presb. do
14 Oct. 1826 - La wson Carter, Presb. do

1837 John Gregg, Presb. do

1838 Robert Bolton, Presb. do

152 HISTORY OF THE

Insrituted or Incumbents. Vacated by-

called.

1S16 Edwin Harewood Presb. do

22Ang. 1847 Henry E. Duncan. Deacon, present incumbent. a

NOTITIA PAROCHIALIS.

A. D. 1728, 30 communicants.

1817, 48 do 45 baptisms.

1819, 60 do 7 do

1847, 35 do 15 do

The first delegates from this parish to the Diocesan Conven-
tion, in 1787, were Pliilip Pell, sen., and Thomas Bartow.

From the church records we extract the following curious
item : —

" At a meeting of the vestry, held at the house of William Crawford on
Saturday, the 7lh of May, 1791 — present Stephen Ward, Abraham Valentine,
John G. Wright, Isaac Ward, Lewis Guion, and Thomas Bartow —

" Marcus Christian, the sexton to the church in Eastchester, was sent for
and examined respecting the bell's being rung on Saturday, the 30th of April,
on the family of James Bogart's moving out of this place ; which charge he
denied, and, on his examination, said he was lame, in bed, and was not at the
church on that day. He was further examined on his former conduct, on his
selling licure in the belfrie of the church, on a training day, which he acknow-
ledged. Whereupon they did agree he was not worthy to keep the keys of
the church, or to be employed as sexton ; upon which, he delivered the key
and was dismissed the service "^

The Methodist Episcopal church in the village of Eastchester
was first organized in 1836, and incorporated the same year by
the name and title of "the Methodist Episcopal church in the
town of Eastchester ;" Thomas Griffin, Peter Bertine, Josiah
Sickles, Nicholas Duff, and Gilbert Underbill, trustees.^ The
church was erected in 1837.

This portion of Westchester county appears to have suffered
severely during tlie war of the Revolution, and was constantly

" This individualis a lineal descendant of the first Episcopal Rector of the parish,
his mother being a daughter of the late Augustus Bartow, great grandson of the
Rev. John Bartow.

b Church Rec. ^ Religious Soc. Co. Rec, Lib. A. 54.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 153

the scene of marches, points of defence, and skirn:ii5hes. Here,
also, the lawless "skinner" and " cow boy" practised their black
deeds of rapine unmolested.

In October, 1776, a skirmish took place in this town between
the patriots, on their route from King's Bridge to Westchester,
and the enemy under Lord Howe.

For some time the Connecticut troops were billeted in the vil-
lage.

On the 3d of October, 1779, " Lieut. Gill, of the American
dragoons, patrolling in Eastchester, found a superior force in his
rear, and no alternative but to surrender or cut his way through
them ; he chose the latter, and forced his way, when he found a
body of infantry still behind the horse. These he also charged,
and, on his passing them, his horse was wounded, and threw
him, when he fell into the enemy's hands. Two of the lieuten-
ant's party, which consisted of twenty four, were killed, and one
taken prisoner ; the rest escaped safe to their regiments.^

In the vicinity of the village a detachment under the command
' of General Parsons, fitted out in sleighs, (returning from an en-
terprise against the enemy at Morrisania,) were overtaken and
almost entirely cut to pieces by a party of British light horse.^

The small stream that waters the western part of the village of
Eastchester, was formerly known as Rattlesnake Brook. An
early town order required " the inhabitants to meet together one
day in the spring, for the destruction of this dangerous reptile.''^
In 1721 Nathaniel Tompkins was permitted to erect a fish wair
on Rattlesnake Creek, - to ye advantage of himself to catch ye
fish that swimmeth therein, for ye space of ten years from this
date, providing he put it up at once."d

Near the mouth of the brook is situated the tide mill of Mr.
Robert Reed. The cottage commands an extensive view of the
winding creek and the high grounds of Pelham. The adjoining
property formed a portion of the ancient planting grounds of
Eastchester. Further to the southwest lies Black Dog Brook,

a Heath's Mem., 218. t Hugh Gaines' Gazette,

b As late as 1775, a rattlesnake was killed near the brook, measuring some six feet,
c Town Rec, 1 Feb., 1696-7. John Pell, senr., had the privilege of erecting a
mill on this brook.

Vol. I. 20

154 HISTORY OF THE

sometimes called Hutchinson's Brook. This stream constitutes
a portion of the southern line of the township.

Upon the western shore of Hutchinson's Creek (north of Reed's
mill) is located the village landinsf already alkided to.^

Id the sou ih west corner of Eastchester lies the estate of the
late George Faile, Esq., at present occupied by his widows for-
merly the property of Fleetwood Marsh, Esq., a native of Diitchet,
Buckinghamshire, England, for many years a freeholder of this
town. The situation of the estate is very fine, commanding all
the various undulations of a hilly district.

The house, seated upon rising ground, overlooks the valley to
the southeast, Eastchester Creek, and the distant waters of the
Sound.

The adjoining property on the west belongs to Mrs. Givans,
widow of the late Robert Givans, Esq. The mansion is sur-
rounded by extensive plantations and ample woodlands. The
latter affords a favorite rendezvous or head- quarters for vast flocks
of crows, which receive every protection from their generous ben-
efactress. The noise created bv ihem, in their assemblage and
re ascension in the morning, is incredible, causing the woods to
re-echo with a thousand reverberations.

In the immediate neighborhood are the properties of the Hon.
Effingham C. Schietfelin and Alfred Seton, Esq. The residence
of the latter gentleman occupies the summit of a high ridge over-
looking the valley of Eastchester on the east.

There is a remarkable rock in this vicinity, well worthy of the
stranger's notice, marked with the rude impression of a human
foot, seven inches in length. ^

a During tlie revolutionary war, a British sloop was captured in this creek by a
party of whale boatmen.

b About half a mile from the fort " on Montauk point," says Mr. Prime, " in a
Bouthcasterly direction, is a granite rock imbedded in the ground, on the upper
surface of whichjs the apparent impress of a human foot.

'•The figure is as perfect and distinct as would follow from the pressure of the
left foot, upon some cohesive substance, except being deficient in a toe ; a deficiency
not at first sight apparent, and discernible only by inspection. No artist could
have chiselled a more perfect resemblance. The impression is still fresh, and with-
out the least appearance of injury from time. There are two other tracks less per-

-*r

T fate page I. 5, vol. i

Anns, ar. a ci

John Lawrence emigrated from England Wiil

lo the colony of Sew Amsterdam in Uiil ; brothe
one of the first patentees of North Hemp- ing in
stead. L I., 16-14; a resident of VVestches- magis
ter, 1644; deputy lo Haitford from Gov. ob 1&
Stuyvesant in 1663 ; mayor of New York
and member of the Gov. Council at the
time of his death in 1699; judge of the
tsupreme Court Nat l'il8; will dat. 1698,

Thomas, joint patentee with his__Francina Smith

father, ancestor of the East-
chester branch.

widow of M.
Smith.

Thomas, justice of the—Frances Isaac, nat,
peace for Bergen co. from Edsall. from Long
1702-1*13, judge of court of Chester, ciJ

of C. P., ancestor of N. J. branch. 1730.

I — 1

Isaac, nat 1687, ob cir. 1768=1 Widow Ward. 1
I —2 Ruth Owens.

- 2 I I ,

-^n ~=5 1 Is^artc =:Keziah Pell, 2 Jesse, nat,

nat |nat. 1729, ob Dec 9, 1727

17-^4 25 March, nb. Feb. 14,

1795. ISOl. I

- — "<

I I I 1 I i I I I

w-^-fs 2, i m » =. ?5 =

S3 — "1,

2 K

B » 3 —

" II iT II
5 > ?

^ '6- a - E -

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 155

Within a short dii^tance of the village are situated the estates
of Mr. Thomas Rimisey, and John R. Hayward, Esq. the latter
geniienian represented (in 1846) this county in Assembly. =^

Most of the farms in this neighborhood now cover the old
Lawrence property, which at one period embraced nearly five
hundred acres. A portion of it was called Virginia from its
beantifnl appearance. The earliest proprietor (of this estate) was
Isaac Lawrence, Esq. who originally emigrated from Long Island
to Eastchester, cir. 1C89. On the I2th of ]May, 1690, Isaac Law-
rence was chosen by the inhabitants of this town, one of the
pound-masters for the year ensuing. In 1700, he appears to
have been town treasurer, and in 17'2l his name occurs in the
list of the grand jurors for the county of Westchester. Isaac
Lawrence died about 1730, leaving three sons, the eldest of
whom was Isaac Lawrence, grandfather of the present Augustus
Lawrence, Esq. This gentleman has for many years filled the
office of justice of the peace for the town of Eastchester.

The Lawrences of Westchester county. New Jersey, and
Long Island, descend from three brothers who emigrated from
Holland to the colony of New Amsterdam in 1641. John, Wil-
liam and Thomas Lawrence were originally from the county of
Lancaster, England, and left their native country at the com-
mencement of those political troubles which preceded the rebel-
lion, and death of Charles I."'' ~ . .. ■ •• ■

The Pinckney estate in this town originally embraced the pro-
perties of Mr. Jesse Lyon, Joseph Disbrov^, Henry Slayman, Al-
fred H. Buncombe, and Benjamin Underbill, Esq.

The Pinckney residence, which stood a little to the south-west
of Mr. Lyon's, appears to have been a favorite resort for officers

feet and distinct ; the one in the Indian field, and the other west of Fort Pond.
The heel of the foot is towards the east in ail of them, as though formed in passing
to the west. Excepting that they are the footsteps of the evil spirit, no record or
tradition pretends to give their story. They existed at the first settlement by the
whites, and were a subject of pawwa to the Indians." [N.S. Prime's Hist, of L. I.]

^ Mr. Hayward purchased of the executors of tlie late Richard Shute. In 1671,
James Eustice and others were appointed to lay out land for Richard Shute an-
cestor of Richard above mentioned) near Rattlesnake brook,

b For a further account of this family, see pedigree.

T fnrp page ir^.l, vol.

PKDIGREE OF LAWRENCE OF EASTCHESTER.

aguly, gu Crest, a demi tarbot, tail upwards. Motto, Qiioero, Iiiven

3 of Lancashire, England.

Joliti Lawrence eniigriiied from England
lo ihe colunyof New Amsterdam in HiM ;
one of ihe first patentees of North Hemp-
stead. L I., 16J4 ; a residt-ni of Westchea-
ler, IG44; depute to Hartford from Gov.
Stuyvesantin 166:1; mayor of New York
and member of the Gov. Council at the
time of his death in 161)9; judge of the
Supreme Court Nat l-i 18; will dat. 1698.

William emigrated to Ami
brother, one of the first paten
ing in 1645, proprietor of L^
magistrate of I<'lushing und
ub 163U.

_ Elizabeth Smith of Smiihtown, da of
Richard, patentee of Smithtowti ; this la-
dy afterwards married Sir Philip i 'arteret,
tiiiv. ol >Jew Jersey. From her Elizabeih-
town takes itanaiiie.

Thomas, oneof the patenieesof New-=
town 1666- proprietor of Hell-gate neck,
a major in Leisler's forces, 1690; died
at Newtown, July 170.1.

rhomas, joint patentee with his_-Francina
father, anct-stor of the East- I widow
Chester branch. Smitii.

William, member of the,
Gov. Council from 170^-
1706.

John, high sheiift" of Qu
CO. 16118, commander
troop of horse, ancesK
the Newtown brajich.

Jonathan whu rtmnived to Westchester.^^,
ancestor of the Wt-Mche-lei- branch, |
and probal) y of Kuckland co. branch, I

Tiiornas, justice of the— Frances
peace for Bergen co. from Edsatl.
1702-n n, judge of court of
of C. P., ancestor of N. J. branch.

Isaac, nat. 166&-7, reinoved_.Anna
Ironi Long Island to East- I Squii
Chester, cir. 1689, oh. cir. _=2 E
1730. Ca

John nat. 1668,^ Eliza'
ob. 17;^2, remov- I _2Ma
ed IJ Cortlandt's
patent, 1730- |

Thomas, will
dat. i:i May,
1752; lib. 18
p 202.

Isaac, nat 1687, ob <

—Keziah Pell, 2 Jesse, nat— Elizabeth 3JosephkiII- 4 Gilbert,— 1 Margaret

I nat. 1729, ob l>ec 9, 1727, I Vandostern. ed by a fall nat 1738, | Kissac

1 25 March, nb. Feb, 14, | from his ob. July 17 I —2 Mrn.

j 1795. lyUl. I hor.se prior 1817. | Magdalene

I to the Kc-vo- , I Alyres

lution.

5 AaioiJ—

1 Jane Law-

nat. I'J

rence, ob 18

Mar. 1741,

Aug. 1785.

ob. 2 Jan.

_2 Cralt,

1810

ab 182il.

Debo

ah.

lAnJa
April
I72!l,
Aug.

22
»b
13,

= Nehemiali
Hunt nat.
May 21, r,24
ob July 2 I,

■ I I I i. I
-o<oH o M §■ ^

I I J I I J

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 155

Within a short distance of the village are situated the estates
of Mr. Thomas Rnnisey, and John R. Hay ward, Esq. the latter
gentleman represented (in 1846) this connty in Assembly. ^

Most of the fnrms in this neighborhood now cover the old
Lawrence property, which at one period embraced nearly five
hnndred acres. A portion of it was called Virginia from its
beantifnl appearance. The earliest proprietor (of this estate) was
Isaac Lawrence, Esq. who originally emigrated from Long Island
to Eastchester, cir. I(i89. On the r2th of ]\Lay, 1690, Isaac Law-
rence was chosen by the inhabitants of this town, one of the
pound-masters for the year ensning. In 1700, he appears to
have been town treasurer, and in 1721 his name occurs in the
list of the grand jurors for the county of Westchester. Isaac
Lawrence died about 1730, leaving three sons, the eldest of
whom was Isaac Lawrence, grandfather of the present Augustus
Lawrence, Esq. This gentleman has for many years filled the
office of justice of the peace for the town of Eastchester.

The Lawrences of Westchester connty, New Jersey, and
Long Island, descend from three brothers who emigrated from
Holland to the colony of New Amsterdam in 1641. John, Wil-
liam and Thomas Lawrence were originally from the county of
Lancaster, England, and left their native country at the com-
mencement of those pohtical troubles which preceded the rebel-
lion, and death of Charles I."^

The Pinckney estate in this town originally embraced the pro-
perties of Mr. Jesse Lyon, Joseph Disbrov^, Henry Slayman, Al-
fred H. Duncombe, and Benjamin Underbill, Esq.

The Pinckney residence, which stood a little to the south-west
of Mr. Lyon's, appears to have been a favorite resort for officers

feet and distinct; the one in the Indian field, and the other west of Fort Pond.
The heel of the foot is towards the east in alt of them, as though formed in passing
to the west. Excepting that they are the footsteps of the evil spirit, no record or
tradition pretends to give their story. They existed at the first settlement by the
whites, and were a subject of pawwa to the Indians." [N. S. Prime's Hist, of L. I.]

a Mr. Hayward purchased of the executors of tlie late Richard Shute. In 1671,
James Enstice and others were appointed to lay out laud for Richard Shute /an-
cestor of Richard above mentioned) near Rattlesnake brook,

b For a further account of this family, see pedigree.

156 HISTORY OF THE

of the British army during the RevoUuionary war. In front of
this mansion Henry Pinckney was shot before the ryes of his
family, (by a party of soldiers,) whilst endeavoring to effect his
escape on horseback, April 2d, -3780.

The Pinckneys of Eastchester descend from Philip Pinckney,
one of the first ten proprietors and patentees of this town, who
originally emigrated from Fairfield, cir. 1663-4. Philip Pinck-.
ney was a lineal representative of the Pinckneys of England,,
whose ancestor Gilo de Pincheni or Pinckenie came into that
country in the train of William the Conqueror. The Pinckney
estate is watered on the east by the Aqueanouncke, (Hutchin-
son's river,) and its tributary called Ann Hook's brook, from the-
Indian chief of that name.

The Drakes were also extensive proprietors in this town ; the
old estate called Nonsuch being bounded on the west by the'
Bronx, on the north by the Yonkers road leading to Swain's
mill, on the east by the White Plains turnpike, and on the south
by the Hunt's Bridge road. The property is now owned by vari-
ous individuals. It is somewhat curious, that the only portion of
the original estate at present vested in the Drake family, is the site
now occupied by the barns and out-buildings of the late Moses:
Drake. This individual was the son of Benjamin Drake, third
in descent from Samuel Drake, Esq. of Fairfield, one of the first
ten proprietors of Eastchester in 1664.

On the 9th of Sept. 1650^ Samuel Drake received a grant of
land from the freeholders of Fairfield.

Upon the 8th of Feb. 1677, Samuel Drake of Eastchester sold
luito his son Samuel Drake, three separate parcels of land lying
in Fairfield. a

The will of Samuel Drake, sen. bears date May 30th, 1676. i>
Samuel Drake is presumed to have been a son of John Drake
who emigrated to Boston in 1630, and finally settled in Windsor
Conn., from whence his son Samuel removed to Fairfield.

The Drake family are of great antiquity, and descend from thcv
old house of Drake of Ashe, Devonshire, England, a branch of

« Fairfield town Rec.

fc Surogate's office, N. Y. vol. iii. 47.

To face page 156, vol. i.

Thoma!

Thomas, died=Elizabeth

after ihe war

Chappel,
L. 1.

Philip.
William.

Jonaihan^l. Sarah "V —
I 2. Alida Si
j a Dutcles,
1st

Thomas, nat.=Abby Is rael= Dorothy Rich

Feb, 1729.

Briggs

Philip^

:Elizabeth
Townsend,
da. of John

Thomas Elijah Rachel 1. Lewis 3. Willi- Rachel, Philip Richard=Su

Briggs Josiah Rebecca 2. John am married Eliza- C

4. Israel Jacob beth h
Post

David, a re-
presentative
of the house
of assembly
of Nova
tscotia.

David=Fanny
Mcln-

<; I II

e-- ~-
= 3-0

1. John Town- William=Hannah 1. Elijah

send. Bertine 2. Peter

2. Thomas C. 3. Stephen

1. Mary

2. Eliza

1. Wi

2. Jar

3. Isa-

).W

Stephen Jas. Henry Geo. Washington William Bertine Charles

tyre

- 1, Freelove, — 1
m. Thos.
Hunt.

2. Maiy, m.—
Dan Ro-
berts

3. Jemima, —
m Maj.
Frazer, B.
officer

4. Ann, m.—
Jos Rey-
nolds

5. Sebina, — j
m. Elijah
Ward.

6. Phebe, ra.—
ElijahRich

7. Sarah, m —
Dr. Po»l.

156 HISTORY OF THE

of the British army during the Revolutionary war. In front of
this mansion Henry Pinckney was shot before the ryes of his
family, (by a party of soldiers,) whilst endeavoring to effect his
escape on horseback, April 2d, -3780.

The Pinckneys of Eastchesler descend from Philip Pinckney,
one of the first ten proprietors and patentees of this town, who
originally emigrated from Fairfield, cir. 1663-4. Philip Pinck-.
ney was a lineal representative of the Pinckneys of England,,"
whose aticestor Gilo de Pincheni or Pinckenie came into that
country in the train of William the Conqueror. The Pinckney
c'state is watered on the east by the Aqueanouncke, (Hutchin-
son's river,) and its tributary called Ann Hook's brook, from the
Indian chief of that name.

The Drakes were also extensive proprietors in this town ; the
old estate called Nonsuch being bounded on the west by the
Bronx, on the north by the Yonkers road leading to Swain's
mill, on the east by the White Plains turnpike, and on the south
by the Hunt's Bridge road. The property is now owned by vari-
ous individuals. It is somev/hat curious, that the only portion of
the original estate at present vested in the Drake family, is the site
now occupied by the barns and out-buildings of the late Moses
Drake. This individual was the son of Benjamin Drake, third
in descent from Samuel Drake, Esq. of Fairfield, one of the first
ten proprietors of Eastchester in 1664.

On the 9th of Sept. 1650^ Samuel Drake received a grant of
land from the freeholders of Fairfield.

Upon the 8th of Feb. 1677, Samuel Drake of Eastchester sold
unto his son Samuel Drake, three separate parcels of land lying
jn Fairfield. a

The will of Samuel Drake, sen. bears date May 30th, 1676. •>
Samuel Drake is presumed to have been a son of John Drake
who emigrated to Boston in 1630, and finally settled in Windsor
Conn., from whence his son Samuel removed to Fairfield.

The Drake family are of great antiquity, and descend from the
old house of Drake of Ashe, Devonshire, England, a branch of

• Fairfield town Rec.

* Surogate's office, N. Y. vol. iii. 47.

To face page 156, vol.

PEDIGREE OF PINCKNEY OF EASTCHEsTER.

Arma. or, four fusils in fesee gules. Crest, out of a ducal coronet or, a griffen's liead ppr.

Philip Pinckney, one of first the patentees of Eastcheater, 1664=

Thomaa Pinckney, of Eastchcster=Hamiah'

Tbomas, died=Elizabeth

.1 I

Samuel Ferris, 1699. Sarah

Abigail

II a. Aiiaasran,
■[ aOutcli faily

I I

Ann.
Deborah.

I I I

Thomaa, nat.=:Abbv Is raei= Dorothy Rich Philip=EIiza')eth

Feb, 1729. | Briggs I I Tovvnsern

iiliam=:Freelove,

da. uf Jolin
TowiiBend

Jemima,
married
Thomas
Ward.

Phoebe,
marijpd

Thomas
FowJer

tiathan, ob.

Gilbert, nat. John, nat.

Philip, nat.

Cliarles

Mav3l, laihJuly,

21st Ocio

nal.aiat

presenlativG

1743 1746, of No-

her, 1749, nf

Nov.

of the house

va Seolia.

Nova Scotia

1751, of

of nssejubly

Nova

of Nova

Scotia.

i:;cotia.

Thomas Elijah
Briggs Josiah

Riehard^^Susan

Henry, kiHed du-:
ring the war

:Esther
Coutant,
da. of Ja-
cob.

Jonalhan=Elizabeth Palmer

1. John Town-

2. Thomas C.

1. Elijah

2. Peter

3. Stephen

J. Will. Townsend

2. James Ward

3. Isaac Micajah

4. Abraham Cross

5. Joshua Gedney

6. Alex. Ru

7. 'Ihos. Coleaworth 4. Adelif

1. Amelia Freelove

2. Sarah Caroline

3. Octavia

O.Wi

Stephen Ja3. Henry Geo. Washington William Bertins Charlea

.L'

I I

1. Jaa, Gilbert
2 Jncob Henry
3. Daniel

I I I

;ajah^ane William=l. Jarvis James^ David=
Cross =2. Ulrdaall

1. Freelove | I |

2. Amelia 1. .Tames

3. Deborah 2. Lovvery

1. Wil

filliam 4 Ellas
3. James 1. Roaella

3. Peter

offic

;r, B.

m.—

4. An
Job Rey-
nolds

5. Bebina, —
m. Elijih
Ward.

6. Phebe, ra.—
ElijahRich

7. Sarah, nj.—
Dr. Foil.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 157

which gave birth to the ilhistrious Sir Francis Drake. The
name is supposed to be derived from the heraldic wivern. The
arms of tiie family, which is another name for the fabled drngon
of antiquity ; draco or drago being the Roman name. As late as
the time of Sir Francis Drake, writers called him the Dragon.
Of this family was Joseph Rodman Drake, the poet, and the late
Charles Drake, M. D.«-

Opposite Mrs. Drake's is situated the property of the late Elisha
Shute, whose ancestor Thomas Shute is named in the covenant
of 1665. Richard Shute, the son of Thomas, was for many years
recorder of this town. Elisha Shute was the father of the late
Richard Shute, whose five sons are still living in the town.

The representatives of James Eustis another of the ten propri-
etors in 1664, are also numerous in East and Westchester.

On the west side of the town (at Hunt's Bridge, on the Bronx)
is located the Eastchester Railroad depot.

About two miles and a half north of this place is situated
Bronx Mill, the property of James P. Swain, Esq., formerly
known as Underbill's Mill. The Bronx River here affords a fine
water power to an extensive gj-ist mill and screw manufactory.
The building is a large and handsome structure of stone, four
storiajg high, and measures forty feet by eighty. The machinery
is of the best kind, and the water is sufficient to carry the mill
throughout the year, which enables it to grind at all seasons.

The course of the Bronx immediately below the mill is said to
have been formerly changed by a large beaver dam, which those
industrious animals had erected near the foot of Mr. Underbill's
garden. Beaver Pond lies directly north of the mill ; vast quan-
tities of trout, roach, suckers, and other fresh water fish, are bred
yearly in the Bronx. In 1S25 Canvas White, Esq., engineer, em-
ployed by the New York Water Works' Company, reported to the
directors of that corporation, that he would rccomiwend taking
the waters of the Bronx at Underbill's Bridge, estimating that
9,100,000 gallons of water might be delivered in the city daily,
and that the whole expense would not exceed $1,450,000.^

a Genealogical and Biographical account of the family of Drake, by Samuel G^
Drake. Boston, 1845.

t Corporation Doc. Report for 1833, doc. xxxvi., 375-

158 HISTORY OF THE

The mill and adjoining property, at an early period, belonged
to the late Lnncasler Underhill, who lived to the remarkable age
of 9S. Thronghout the trying period of the Revoluiion, this
individual resided on his farm, and appears to have suffered se-
verely both in person and estate. Durifjg many a severe winter
nig!u he lay concealed beneath the body of an oxcart, (which he
had taken the precaution to cover with hay,) and on each re-
turning day blessed his good fortune that his liouse had escaped
the flames. Near the mill is located the Bronx Railroad depot,
distant about four and a half miles south of White Plains.

Upon the Long Reach, in this town, are situated the farms and
residences of John Townsend, Esq., (former sheriff of the county,
and senator for the second district in 1821,) Alexander Pirnie,
Mr. Headly, Alexander Masterlon, Abijah Morgan, Charles Mor-
gan, and Mr. Pinckney, (fcc.

The whole of this elevated district commands extensive views
of the Sound and surrounding country, in the innnediate vicin-
ity stands Marble Hall, the site of which is celebrated in our
Revolutionary annals. From the petition of Jonathan Ward
(one of the former proprietors of this place) to Congress in
1825, we learn, " that at the commencement of the Revolu-
tionary war, Stephen Ward (the petitioner's father) resided in
Eastchester, and county of Westchester, seven miles south of
White Plains ; that the British troops took possession of the city
of New York and the southern part of the county of Westches-
ter, in the autumn of 1776 ; that in consequence of which, the said
Stephen Ward left his residence, consisting of a large and valuable
dwelling, barn, and sundry other buildings ; that between this
period and the autumn of 1778, those buildings were occupied, a
large portion of time, by the American troops, at which place
there were several engagements between them and the British ;
that in November, 1778, a large body of the British forces, com-
manded by General Tryon, made an excursion as far as Ward's
house, and, by the g:eneral's orders, totally destroyed, by a fire,
the buildings, with considerable other property.''^

In the spring of 1776Captain Archibald Campbell, with a strong

» Araer. State Papers, No cccclxv., G54. See Simcoe's Mil. Journal, p. 92.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 159

•

force of the enemy, surprised a Continental guard (under the
conmiaiid of Captain Dehivaii) stntioned at Ward's house. After
an offer of surrender hnd been nriade by the Americans, a shot
was fired from one of the windows, which, unfortunately, killed
Capiain Campbell. ^ The Briiisfi, seeing their commander fall, in-
stai]tly forced the house, and, no resistance l)eing made, revenged
his death by killing upwards of twenty on the stairs and in the
adjoining. rooms ; a few effected tlieir escape by jumping out of
the back windows. I'he dead, who fell upon this occasion, were
interred among the locusts on the west side of the road.^

The Hon. Stephen Ward, who occupied this property prior (o
the Revolution, was the son of Edmund Ward,^ and grandson of
Edmund W^ard, of Fairfield, Connecticut, who removed to East-
chester at a very early period. In 1700 the inhabitants of this
town granted to Edmund Ward fifty acres of land, in consideration
that he pay the Indians for the same. These lands were situated
on the Long Reach, for the name of Edmund Ward occurs in the
Long Reach Patent, granted to Wm. Peart ree and others A. D. 1708.

The Honorable Stephen Ward, above mentioned, was for many
years a judge of the county, and a firm patriot throughout the
Revolution. At an early period he appears to have been pro-
scribed by the loyalist party, and a bounty set upon his head. '

The following epitaph is inscribed on his tombstone in East-
chester church yard : : . ... . ^ r - ■. ,

' 'In ^- ' -■ :-,r/^ ■;:_:' T'v •. ;

MEMORY OF ' ' /. ^ /

Stephen Ward, Esa. ' • .. -
Who died 8th Dec'r., 1797,

AGED 67 years, 9 months and 17 DAYS. ■"

Sons of America ! ' ",-- .

Mourn for your country, she has lost a friend
Who did her rights and liberties detend.
May rising patriots keep those rights secure,
And hand them down to latest ages pure.
Mourn too, ye friends and relatives who knew
His worth, his kindness, and his love to you.

* The shot is said to have been fired by Lieut. Paddock.

b The old Ward house stood directly on the site of the present Marble Hall, and
s said to have closely resembled it in all its proportions.

Edmund Ward was for many years a member of the Colonial Assembly,

160 HISTORY OF THE

But duty bids us all resign, and say,

Thy will be done, who gave and took away.

By his wife Ruth Gedney, the Hon. Stephen Ward left issue
eight sons and four daughters ; the fourth son was the late Jona-
than Ward, surrogate of the county of Westchester, and a dele-
gate to the convention that framed the late constitution of this
state in lS21.a

In the vicinity of Marble Hall are situated the two valuable
marble quarries of Elijah Morgan & Co., and George Hall. The
former supplied the material for the construction of the New
York custom house, and is now fulfilling a heavy contract for the
city hall, Brooklyn. ^

Upon the eastern side of Long Reach lies the estate of the late
James Somerville, Esq.,c (a native of Roxburghshire, Scotland,)
for a long period one of the associate judges of the county, and a
well known and respected free-holder of this town. The Som-
erville property (at present occupied by Archibald Somerville,
brother of the late judge,) formerly belonged to David Williams;
and was given him by the state, upon the 16th of June, 1783,
"for and in consideration of the services of David Williams*^ of
Cortlandt manor, in the county of Westchester, hath rendered his
country in apprehending and securing the British deputy adjutant
general. Major John Andre, who was returning to New York,
after having, in the character of a spy, concerted measures with
the infamous Benedict Arnold, then commanding at the posts in
the Highlands, for betraying the said posts into the hands of the
enemy, and for his virtue in refusing a large sum of money
ofi'ered by the said Major Andre as a bribe to permit him to
escape, &c., and consisted of all that certain tractor parcel cf

» Also a member of the state senate ia 1806.

b The Winter Hill burying ground in this neighborhood contains some ancient
memorials to the Hodens and Hunts. One of the headstones is inscribed " S. 1719,"
another, " Mary Hoden, deceased March ye 10th, 1731-

c James Somerville was the son of Archibald Somerville, M. D., of Melrose,
Roxburghshire, (whose family originally came from Berwickshire, in the same king-
dom,) a lineal descendant of Sir Gualter de Somerville, Lord of Wichnour, one of
the companions of the Norman conqueror.

d For a full account of this individual see Hist, of Schoharie County, N. Y.

To face pnge 161, vol. i.

Arm?. — A

Edmn
C«»ai
chea
1712
fice.

Edmund Ward, member of the=P]
Colonial Assembij'; will da
ted 12ih Feb 1731. Surro-
]2ate's Rec. No 11, 276.

Ediinnd, of Ea-tchestnr, to whora^^Phcebe Hon. Stephen, J|

lii:J fatber bequeathed a silver 1 Fowler of Westchestel

liilted sword; ob. 1805. | 1730, ob Dec.

1. Emund=. . 2. John 3. VVil- 4. Moses^
I liam

5. E.ijah G. Richards. ,

Jonathan

7. Step!

1. Phoel

2. Miri:

I.Oliver 4. Steplien I.Phoebe

y William 5. John 2. Miriam

3. Moses. 6 Augustus H.

Free.

love

Pine*

kney

1. Horatio

2. Alfred

Ana

Stephen, nat.
Apiil £*,
17d7

Philip Pell, JefTer-
sou County, N.Y.

Margaret Sarah=^Benj.
Mary VVrlglit

Ruth
Julia

Glorianna=

Charles, nat April
11, 1802, ob.

Sally Ann, nat. June
10, 1800, ob.

Jane

Emeline, nat.
June. 18119

Moses=Elizabeth
nat. Towns-
June 3, end
17'. 4

Jolm, naf.=Sarah
26 June, Morgan
1778

James, nat.=Eslher Thomas, n

21 April, Fowler 22d March

1780, ob28 1785. ob s.
Aug 18:i8

Mooes, of=;Ann, da. of Philip,
Sing I Job Sher- ob. s. p.
Sing Wood.

William-

Th<

I I I I I I J J .

Isaac Abijah, Nathan- Mnj. Gen. Fran=Jame3 Sally— Will Thomas Mary

ob. iel.ob. Aaron, of ces Pugs- Ann Carpen-

8. p. Sing Sing ley ter

Hannah=Elijah Elizabeth Ann=Levi Rcbecca=Dr. Scrib- Jemima=Georgi
Wash- Shutc ner, of Tar- Sher.

burn rytown, ob. 1847. wood

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 161

land situate in the town of Eastchester, late iii the possession of
Edmund Ward, amounting to 252^ acres.^

The above mentioned Edmund Ward, was the only brother of

.•the Hon. Stephen Ward. Daring the RevoUition, Edmund ap-
pears to have sided with the loyalists, for which he lost his pro-
perty under the confiscation act of 17S2. His second son John
Ward, was an officer in the Loyal American regiment, " and
entered (remarks Sabine) the military service of the Crown as
early as 1776. During the war, he was frequently in battle.

. The loyal Americans went to New Brunswick, in 1783 ; and when
in the course of that year the corps was disbanded, he settled at
St. John as a merchant. He filled various public stations, and
for many years enjoyed the appellation of the father of the city.
At the time of his decease, he was not only the senior magistrate
of the city and county of St. John, but the oldest merchant and
half pay oflicer in New Brunswick. Mr. Vf ard was a gentleman
of noble and venerable appearance. He died in 1S46, in the
ninety-third year of his age. His remains were taken to Trinity
Church, " where the impressive funeral service of the Church of
England was read, and were subsequently interred in the new
burial ground, followed to the grave by one of the largest and
most respectable funeral processions ever seen in this city ; in-
ckiding in distinct bodies, the justices of the peace for the city
and county of St John, the common council of the city headed
by his worship the Mayor, and his honor the Recorder, the mem-
bers of the legal profession, (the barristers being in their gowns)
at the head of whom, was his honor Mr. Justice Carter, sup-
ported by the Honorable the Attorney General, and Solicitor
General, the grand jury for the city and countj^ then attending
the Circuit Court, and the officers and men of the New Bruns-
wick regiment of artillery of St. John, as Vv'ell as a vast concourse
of other citizens, all anxious to pay the last sad tribute of re-
spect, to one who was so intimately associated with the early
history of the country, &c."^

The Ward family originally came from Kent, England, and

a Abstract of Sales of Confiscated Estates, 138.
b Sabine's Hist, of Amer. Loyalists, 67?,

Vol. I. 21

To ftre pnge lCl,Vol,

PEDIGREE OF WARD OF WESTCHESTER CO.
ArmF. — Az. a cross, patonce, or. Crest. — A wolf's head, erased, or. Motto. — Non nobis soliin

Andrew Ward, of Walertown, Afasa. freeman, 1634, accompanied the first settlers^
to Connecticut, and was elected a magistrate ia 1636 ; removed to Long Islaiid I
in 1643 : a resident of Fairiield, Conn, in I64S.

Edmnnd Ward, of Fnirlield,=Mary
Conn, removed to East- I
ciiener : will dated June,
17i2. Surrogate's of-
fice.No. 7. III. I

Sainuel, Eastcliester, 1608=Hannah
Abigail

of tlie=Pliffibe Sands

Williai
field.

Uicliard, of Westcliester=Mary

Edniund, of Ea-5tcliestnr, 1
llis fatljer bcqueatlied a
liilled sword ; ob. 1805.

w]lom=:Ph(Ebe

1730, ob I)ec. 8, 1797

•I I I

.2. John 3. Wil- 4. Moses=.
liaui I

5. Elijah 0, Kichard=

I I I
7. SlCflit

1. Olivei
a VVillii
3. Moses

,1 I I
4. 8tepliea

I I

1. Pbtebo

2. Mirian:

I I

1. Horaiio

2. Alfred

Ann

Charles=JVIary James,=Phffibe Barthn
m. Jan. I Pell nat.
2U, 1783 May

28,

1763

Toinp- Jomew,

S' Surr. of

kins. nat.

g. Weit'r

Aug.

25,

~ Sep. 31,

1766

? 1768,0b.

= Sep. 28,

2 I8t3.

W Jonathan=Sarah Kicliard=: tJ Jagper= t>

Brown,

nat. 1st

g- nat.

da. of

Jan.

S Fe.4,

llacha-

177ll,m.

g. |-7;i.

llBh,

Mar. 6,

a ot) 4

nat. 2d

1791,ob

2. Dec.

June,

S8 May

g 1834.

1772

1816

Stephen, nat. Philip Pell, Jefler. Margaret Sarah=nenj.
Apiil8, sou County, N.Y. Mary Wright

17S7

Caleb T. Bennett, nat, Mary, nat. Caroline Stephen

Ward, of July 11. 1795. May. 18U1, Anna= James H.

Slaten ob. 8 Jaa. ob. 21 Jackson nat. Sept.

Island 1812 May, 1816 ('dell 12 If2i

I I

Rev. John W.

Moses=Elizabelh

Joiin, nat.=
2fi June,
1778

Daniel, nal
31 March
1796

Theodore A. Caroline M. Mary A.

Abigail, nat. Ann, nat.=Tnwn- Margaret=Da
1776 25 Feb. send nal 16 Moi

17o3 June, 1787

John-

=Pha!lie
1

Oo'rL

John, of East-=Mary Tho-
chest'T, will niaa
dated n6t
But. Reo^fol.
19, 1U2.

=Free-
Inve
Pinc-
kaey

Hester, nat.=Peter Martha. nat.=Simeon
19 Aug. 1791 Boyd Sept. 10, 1709 Burgess

i, of=Ann, da. of Philip,
g I Job Shcr- ob. s, p.

I I I

Israel—Sarah Samuel=Mary Nancy=St€phen
I Ros- I Pur- Arclier.

I sell I dy

Rebecca—Naihani- Freelove^OIiver EIi2abeth=Gilbert
U'ider- Torra Tomp-

Hannah=Jame3 Phffibe— Wiltiatn

Naihan- Maj. Gen. ]
iel.ob. Aaron, of
S-P- Sing Sing

Hannah=EIijah Elizabeib Ann=Lev

riiomaa Mary=G.

uJbe

ca=:Dr. Scrib- Ji

ner, of Tar.
rylown, ob. 1847.

J I

Elizabeth=NatiijinieI

John, ob. Thomas, l.eonard, James
s- p. ob, 8. p. EssexCo.
K. Y. N. J.

Ezra Elijah narriet:=:Wm.
N. V . Den.

ham,
N.Jer-
scy

Jemi-z=Natha-

COUNTY OF \YESTCHESTER. 161

land situate in the town of Eastchester, late in the possession of
Edmund Ward, amounting to 252^ acres.^

The above mentioned Edmund Ward, was the only brother of
the Hon. Stephen Ward. During the Revolution, Edmund ap-
pears to have sided with the loyalists, for which he lost his pro-
perty under the confiscation act of 17S2. His second son John
Ward, was an officer in the Loyal American regiment, " and
entered (remarks Sabine) the military service of the Crown as
early as 1776. During the war, he was frequently in battle.
The loyal Americans went to New Brunswick, in 1783 ; and when
in the course of that year the corps was disbanded, he settled at
St. John as a merchant. He filled various public stations, and
for many years enjoyed the appellation of the father of the city.
At the time of his decease, he was not only the senior magistrate
of the city and county of St. John, but the oldest merchant and
half pay officer in New Brunswick. Mr. AYard v^as a gentleman
of noble and venerable appearance. He died in 1S46, in the
ninety-third year of his age. His remains were taken to Trinity
Church, " where the impressive funeral service of the Church of
England was read, and were subsequently interred in the new-
burial ground, followed to the grave by one of the largest and
most respectable funeral processions ever seen in this city ; in-
chiding in distinct bodies, the justices of the peace for the city
and county of St John, the common council of the city headed
by his worship the Mayor, and his honor the Recorder, the mem-
bers of the legal profession, (the barristers being in their gowns)
at the head of whom, was his honor Mr. Justice Carter, sup-
ported by the Honorable the Attorney General, and Solicitor
General, the grand jury for the city and county, then attending
the Circuit Court, and the officers and men of the New Bruns-
wick regiment of artillery of St. John, as well as a vast concourse
of other citizens, all anxious to pay the last sad tribute of re-
spect, to one who was so intimately associated with the early
history of the country, &c."^

The Ward family originally came from Kent, England, and

^ Abstract of Sales of Confiscated Estates, 138.
b Sabine's Hist, of Amer. Loyalists, 673.

Vol. I. 21

162 HISTORY OF THE

claim descent from William de la Ward, who flourished temp.
Henry II. 1154 to 1189.

The first member in this county appears to have been Andrew
VVard,^ of Watertown, Mass., who accoinpanied the early settlers
to Connecticut, and was elected a magistrate in 1636; he sub-
sequently removed with the Rev, Richard Denton to Hemp-
stead, L. I. In 1649, we find him residing at Fairfield, Connec-
ticut. His sons were Samuel, of Easlchester, John, and Edmund
the grandfather of the former proprietor of the Somerville estate.

In the northern part of this town are situated the residences of
James Morgan^ and William Silliman, Esq. Immediately north
of the latter stood the old Tredweli mansion, the head quarters of
Lord Howe, when the British army lay encamped in the vi-
cinity.c

The farm of Mr. John Bates completes the northern boundary
of this town.

Upon Hutchinson's river are situated the saw and grist mills of
John Tompkins and Stephen Anderson ; the latter gentleman,
besides his mill, carries on a large rope and cord manufactory.

The general surface of Eastchester is hilly and somewhat stony,
the soil chiefly consisting of a fertile loam, there is, however a
good proportion of interval and meadow land upon the rivers.
The town is well watered throughout, both by springs and streams.
The growth of wood and timber resembles that of other towns in
general ; oak of various kinds, hickory, chesnut, white wood, ash,
walnut and pine, (fcc.

'•Among the most important minerals" of Eastchester, ("in an
economical point of view,) may be ranked the dolomitic marble.^
which occurs abundantly in various places, and is extensively
employed as a building material. Pyroxene occurs every where
in the dolomite.''^

» For further particulars of this family see genealogy.
^ See genealogy.

«■ From John Tredweli this property passed to the late Capt. Joseph Skinner, who
died October 20, 1&36, aged 70 years.

-i Dolomite, magnesian carbonate of lime.
• Geological survey of the state, 1840.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

163

GREEN BURGH

Christ Cliurch, Tarry town.

In the Dutch lan-
guage Grein (Grain)
bnrgh (borough,) lite-
rally the Grain town.
In some of the early-
deeds called Lawren-
ces plantation, a name
undoubtedly derived
from one of its original
proprietors.

At the period of the
Dutch discovery, this
town formed a part of the Indian territory of Wikagyl, as laid
down in the Dutch carte of 1614. «•

The aboriginal name of the town itself was Weckquaskeck ;
afterwards varied to Wechquossqueeck and Wiequoeshook ; in
pure Algonquin, Weec-quoes-guck, the place of the bark kettle. b

Opposite Tappaan, (says Be Yries, in 1640.) lies a place called
Wichquaesqueeck.

Van Tienhoven describing tlie same spot" remarks : '• Wicli-
quaesqueek, on the North River, five (twenty) miles above New
Amsterdam, is a right good and suitable land for cultivation, con-
tains considerable maize land which the Indians planted, rising
from, the shore. In the interior the country is flat and mostly
even, very abundantly watered with small streams and runniuo"

* See Dutch carte, Secretary of State's office, Alb.
k Schoolcraft's paper, Pro. N. Y. Hist. Soc. 1^44,

164 HISTORY OF THE

fountains. This land is situate between two rivulets called Sint-
sinck and Armonck, lying between the East and North rivers.
''Bedenkinge over het aenvaerden van de landeryen^inN. Neder-
lant."a

To a large current of water which descends through the vil-
lage of Dobh's Ferry and falls into the Hudson at the upper land-
ing, the Indians gave the name of Weghqueghe or Wysquaqua,
by the English called afterwards Wickers creek or William Por-
tugues creek.

At the mouth of this beautiful stream the powerful tribe of the
Wichquaesqueecks, had erected a village which was standing
in the time of Nicholas Johannes Visschers, (Nicholas John Viss-
chers.) for in his map of Novum Belgium, published at Amster-
dam, 1659,^ he calls it Wickquaskek, a name which was also ap-
plied to the surrounding lands as already shown. The site of this
ancient village can still be traced on the neighboring banks by
the numerous " Indian shell beds" which in some places are
found to vary from two to three feet in depth. Another Mohegan
village occupied the site of Tarrytown, called in the Algonquin,
Alipkonck, " Anneebikong ? place of leaves or rich foliage.''^
"Above Weckquaskeck says Schoolcraft, was the village of Alip-
konck, that is " a place of elms."<i

On the mnp of ''Novum Belgium" it is also styled Alipconck,
which clearly shows it was standing in 1659.

From the bark of the white elm (ulmus Americana) the Indian
manufactured his light canoe.e This tree is also celebrated for
the elegance of its foliage.

As early as 1644 there were three entrenched castles belong-
ing to the Weckqaaskecks.f One of these strong-holds was

* O'Callaghan's Hist. N. N. p. 240.

i> See copy of Visscher's map engraved by Thomas Starling, Wilmington Square »
London, 1833 ; from the original, in the possession of S. Converse, New York.

""■ Schoolcraft's Ethnology. Oneota.

d Proceedings of N. Y. Hist. Soc. 1844.

e These canoes of bark were sewed together with thongs made from the dry
sinews of the deer. One of them was capable of holding from twelve to fourteen
men, or one hundred and fifty bushels of corn.

' O'Callaghan's Hist. N. N. 299.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 165

still remaining in 1663, and garrisoned with eighty warri-
ors.

The first sachem of Weckquaskeck, of whom we have any
account, was Mongockonone, who appeared in behalf of this
place, A. D. 1644, at Fort Amsterdam.

This chief must have held his authority under the high sach-
em of the Mohegans, for on the 30th of August, 1645, we find
Aepjen, chief sachem of the Mohegans, appearing in behalf of
Weckquaskeck before the Director General and Council at Fort
Amsterdam. a-

Eighteen years later Oratam, chief of Hackinkishacky, sum-
moned the chiefs of Weckquaskeck before the Council. Upon the
death of Mongockonone, (who doubtless fell in one pf the Indian
wars so frequent in that stormy period,) Pounpahowhelbshelen
appears to have inherited the chieftainship. This individual
sanctioned the sale of lands called Ubiequaeshook toPetrus Stuy-
vesant, A. D. 1649.b

The chief of Weckquaskeck in the year 1660 was Ackhongh,
who is called the chief and counsellor of Weckquaskeck.

In 1663 we have the names of Toawenare, sachem of the same
place, and Souwenaro his brother. Also the same year occurs
the name of Schowmenarack. In 16S0 the chiefs were Wes-
kora or Weskomen and Goharius his brother. And one year la-
ter Wessickenaiuw, sachem of Weckquaskeck, and Conarhand-
ed his brother.

The descendants of the aboriginal proprietors appear to have
been very numerous in this town, A. D. 1731, nearly half a cen-
tury after their last sale to Frederick Philips.

In 1746 there were two Indian villages situated in the vicinity
of Hart's corners ; one stood on the farm of Mr. James Mc
Chain, whilst the second crowned the summit of Indian Hill,
the property of Mr. John Tompkins. Even as late as 1755
the banks of the Hudson were thickly populated by the Indians

a N. Y. Hist. Soc. 2 series, vol. i. 27G.

b Pennekeck, sachem in Achtercol, stated on the 16th July, 1649, (before the
Director and Council,) that the tribe named Raritans residing before at Wecquas-
keck, had no sachem, &.c. Alb. Rec. vol. vii. 252.

156 HISTORY OF THE

particularly south of Tarrytovvn in the vicinity of Mr. James
Ackers.

The cruel murder of an aged warrior of this town, Sept. A. D.
1620, plunged the Dutch colony into a long series of wdrs. It
appears that " one of the neighboring tribe of Wickwasqueeck In-
dians had come, with his nephew and another of his nation, to
the Dutch fort to sell some beaver skins. He was met, unfor-
tunately, by three of Minuit's farm servants, who not only rifled
the Indian of his property but murdered him in cold blood. The
nephew of the unfortunate man, who was then a mere youth,
was a witness to this outrage. He returned home brooding over
the wrong, and vowed to take vengeance when he should arrive
at the years of manhood ; a vow he too faithfully fulfilled years
afterwards, the Dutch having neglected to expiate the crime by
a suitable present of wampum, in conformity with the customs
of the redmen, or to punish the murderers, as justice and good
policy demanded."^

Sept. A. D. 1641, the boy had now attained the age of man-
liood. " His uncle's spirit was still unappeased — his murder was
unavenged. His voice was heard in the roaring of the storm —
in the rustle of the leaves — in the sighing of the winds; and full
of the conviction that that spirit could not find rest until ven-
geance should be had, the young Weckquaeskeeck sought for a
victim to offer to the manes of the dead. Shrouding his evil
purpose under the cloak of a friendly or business visit, he called
a-t the house of one Claes Cornelisz Smits, the '• raadmaker,"^
an aged settler resident on the west side of the river, under pre-
tence of making some purchases. The old man suspecting no
harm, (for the Indian had been in the habit of working for his
son,) set some food before him, and proceeded to get from a
chest, in which it lay, the cloth which the other wished to pur-
chase. The moment he stooped, the savage seized an axe, struck
him dead, and then wiihdreWj having rifled the house of all its
contents.

• O'Callaghan's Hist. N. N. p. 105.
lb Raadmaker (wheelright.)

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 167

*• This aggression on an old and helpless man excited, when
it became known, considerable feeling at Fort Amsterdam."*
" Director Kieft promptly demanded satisfaction from the chiefs
of the Weckquaskecks. "But the sachem" (who was doubtless
Mongockonone) " refnsed to make any atonement. He was sar-
ry that twenty Christians had not been immolated ; the Indian
had but avenged, after the manner of his race, the murder of a
relative whom the Dutch had slain nearly twenty years before.
On receipt of this answer, armed parties were sent out to retaliate,
but they returned, having effected nothing,"*^ - /

Aug. 29, I641y it was proposed to wait -'until the hunting
season, when it was suggested that two expeditions should be
got np ; one to land in the neighborhood of the ' Archipelago,'
or Norwalk Island — the other, at Weckquaskeck."

Notwithstanding the impatience of Kieft to attack the Weck-
quaskecks, he could not obtain the consent of his council un-
til Feb. IS, 1642. Having now received their sanction, " he
ordered Hendri^ck Van Dyck, ensign in the Company's service,
who had been already over two years stationed at New Amster-
dam, to proceed with a force of eighty men against the Weck-
quaskecks, to execute summary vengeance upon that tribe, with
fire and sword. >■ 'i *^ '^- '•

To ensure complete success, the expedition was placed under
the direction of a trusty guide, who professed to be intimately
acquainted with the homes and haunts of the savages. This
party started in the fore part of March, and pushed actively for-
ward towards the Indian village ; but fortune favored the red
man. The night set in clouded and dark; and when the expe-
dition reached Armenperal,'^ Van Dyck called a halt, notwith-
standing the entreaties of his men to push on, ere the savages

a O'Callaghan's Hist. N. N . p. 240, 1.

b O'Callaghan's Hist N. N. p. 24:1. Journal van Nieuw Nederlaut, Hoi. Doc. v.
314. De Vries corroborates the statements in the text.

« O'Callaghan's Hist. N. N. p. 242.

d Armenperal supposed to be the west branch of the Sprain river, which flows in
the rear of Dobb's Ferry. -

168 HISTORY OF THE

should have warning of their approach. An hour and a half was
thus lost ; the guide then missed his way, whereupon Van Dyck
Jost temper, and made a retrograde movement to Fort Amster-
dam, whither he returned without having accomplished the ob-
ject for which he had been detailed. The expedition however
was not without its effect. The Indians had observed, by the
trail of the white men, how narrowly they had escaped destruc-
tion, and therefore immediately sued for peace, which Cornells
van Tienhoven concluded with them, in the course of the
spring" of 1642, "at the house of a settler named Jonas Bronk,
who resided on a river to which he gave his name, situate east
of Yonkers, in the present county of Westchester."

One of the conditions of the above treaty was the surrender
of the murderer of Clas Smits, dead or alive ; a condition which
however was never fulfilled, owing either to unwillingness or in-
ability on the part of the Indians.''^

" Feb. 7ih, 1642, winter came, and while the earth was yet
buried in snoW, a party of armed Mohawks, some eighty or
ninety in number, made a descent upon the Weckquaskecks and
Tappaen Indians, for the purpose of levying tribute.''^

'• At the approach of these formidable warriors of a braver
Huron race, the more numerous but cowering Algonquins crowd-
ed together in despair, begging assistance of the Dutch. Kieft
seized the moment for an exterminating massacre. In vain was
it foretold that the ruin would light upon the Dutch themselves.
In the stillness of a dark winter's night, the soldiers at the fort,
joined by freebooters from Dutch privateers, and led by a guide
who knew every by-path and nook where the savages nestled,
crossed the Hudson," (into Pavonia, New Jersey, whither the
unsuspecting Weckquaskecks and Tappaens had fled from Man-
hattan,) " for the purpose of destruction. The naked and un-
suspecting tribes could offer little resistance : the noise of mus-
ketry mingled with the yell of the victims. Nearly a hundred

« O'Callaghan's Hist. N. N. p. 249, 50.
b O'Callaghan's Hist. N. N. p. 264.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 169

perished in the carnage. Day break did not end its horrors ;
men might be seen, mangled and helpless, suffering from cold
and hunger; children were tossed into the stream, and as their
parents plunged to their rescue, the soldiers prevented their land-
ing, that both child and parent might drown. "^ Beside these
thirty more were murdered at Corlaers Hook on Manhattan
Island while sunk in repose.

"This unjustifiable outrage led to consequences ulmost fatal
to the Dutch. It estranged the Long Island Indians, the wann-
est of their friends, who now formed an alliance with the River
Indians, whose hate knew no bounds when they discovered that
it was the Dutch, and not the Mohawks, v/ho had attacked them
at Pavonia and Corlaers Hook. The tomahawk, the fire-brandj
and scalping knife, were clutched with all the ferocity of phrensy,
and the war-whoop rang from the Raritan to the Connecticut, for
eleven tribes of savages proclaimed open war against the Dutch.
Every settler on whom they laid hands was murdered — women
and children dragged into captivity ; and though the settlements
around Fort Amsterdam extended, at this period, thirty English
miles to the east, and twenty-one to the north and south, the en-
emy burned the dwellings, desolated the farms and form-houses,
killed the cattle, destroyed the crops of grain, hay, and tobacco,
laid waste the country all around, and drove the settlers, panic-
stricken, into Fort Amsterdam. ' Mine eyes saw the flames of
their towns,' says Roger Williams, 'the frights and hurries of
men, women and children, and the present removal of all that
could to Holland.'^ The assassins, says Bancroft, were com-
pelled to desire a peace, which was covenanted with the River
Indians the 22cl of April, 164.3. " This was principally brought
about by the Dutch Pairoon de Vries, and not by Roger Wil-
liams, as some of the New England historians claim."c

This peace proved unsatisfactory, for we find the Indians
again taking up arms.

' Bancroft's Hist. U. S. ii. 289, 90.

b O Callaghan's Hist. N. N. p. 270. Rhode Island Hist. Rec. Lii. 156.

c O'Callaghan's Hist. N. N. p*276, note.

Vol. I. 22

170 HISTORY OF THE

*' 15tli Sept. 1643, it was resolved by the Dutch to renew the
war, either by force or stratagem, ao^ainst the River Indians."^

<' A. D. 1644, some of the Stamford people having surprised an
Indian village and taken some prisoners; one of them an
old man, proposed to the Dutch, in hopes of obtaining a reward
'• to lead any of their troops against the Weckqnaesqueecks,
who are said to be entrenched in ihree casiles, at the north,
liieutenant Baxter and Sergeant Cock were, thereupon, ordered
to proceed under the guidance of this old man, with sixty-five
men against this tribe. But this party was in no way more fortu-
nate than those which had aU'eady gone on similar expeditions.
Tiiey found the castles of the Indians formidable in construction,
and well adapted for defence. They were built of five inch
plank, nine feet high, and bound around with thick beams, and
studded with port holes. Though it was calculated that thirty
Indians could hold out, in one of these, against two hundred
soldiers, strange to tell, the whole were found uninhabited. The
Dutch, thereupon, burnt two of these strongholds, reserving the
third as a point to retreat to, in case of necessity. From this place
they next marched between thirty and forty miles further, but
discovered nothing save a few lir.ts.''^

April 6, 1644. The spring approaching made our river In-
dians again anxious for peace, which was brought about by the
intervention of Capt. John Underbill. '' xMamaranack. chief of the
Indians residing on the Kicktawanc, or Croton River ; Mongocko-
none, Pappenoharrow, from the Weckqueesqueecks and Noch-
peem ; and the AVappings from Stamford, ])resented themselves,ia
a {^\Y days, at Fort Amsterdam, and having pledged themselves,
that they should not henceforth commit any injnrV; whatever on
the inhabitants of INew Netherland, their cattle and houses, nor
show themselves except in a canoe, before Fort Amsterdam,
should the Dutch be at war with any of the Manhattan tribes ;
and having further promised to deliver up Pacham the chief of
the Tamkitekes," (who resided in the rear of Sing Sing,) "peace

• O'Callaghan's Hist. p. 285.

»» O'Callaghan's Hist. N. N. 298.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 171

was concluded between ibem and the Dntch ; who promised, on
their part, not to molest them in any way."*

The fall of the same year, 1644, we find the ''eight men" or
conncil of the director, tjins complaining to the directors of the
Dntch West India Company at home.

A semblance of peace was attempted to be patched np last
spring with two or three tribes of savages towards the north by
a stranger,b whom we, for cnnse shall not now name, without one
of the Con)pany's servants having been present, while our princi-
pal enemies have been nnmolested. This peace hath borne little
frnit for the common advantage and reputation of our lords, &c. ;
for so soon as these savages had stowed away their maize into
holes, they began again, to mnrder our people in various direc-
tions. They rove in parties continually around day and night,
on the Island of Manhattans, slaying our folks, not a thousand
paces from the forts, and 'tis now arrived at such a pass, that no
one dare move a foot to fetch a slick of fire wood, without a
strong escort, c

'•The spring of 1645, brought with it as usual, another desire
for peace, on the part of the River Indians," " This was brought
about by Kieft and his counsellor, La Montague." '• To make
suitable presents to the Mohegans or Mahicanders in token f f
the ratification of this peace, Kieft was obliged however to borrow
money" from Adriaen vnnder Donck, sheriff of Rensselaerswyck,
afterwards Patroon of Colendonck, (Yonkers,) and others.^

On the occasion of this treaty, which took place 30'h August,
1615, " Aepjen, cliief of the Mohegans, spoke for the Wappinecks
the Wechquaesqueecks, the Sinlsings, and tjie Kitchtawancks ;
these, with others, sealed themselves, silent and grave, in front of
Fort Amsterdam, before the Director General and his councih
and the wholecommonalty ; and there, having religiously smoked
the great calumet, concluded in "the presence of the sun and

a O'Callaghan, p. 303. : ^ / '-

b Captain John Underhiil. • / - .

c Hoi. Doc. 111,200,222.

d Vauderdonck's New Neth. N. Y. Hist. Soc trans. ^2 ser.) Isf, 27 Vol, .

172 HISTORY OF THE , .

ocean," a solemn and durable peace wiih the Dutch, which both
the contracting parties reciprocally bound themselves honorably
and firmly to maintain and observe."*

The ralification of this important treaty terminated, a re-estab-
lishment of good understanding with the natives commenced,
for. on the 14th of July, 1649, we find the Director General,
Petrns Stuyvesant, purchasing lands in this town, in behalf of
the Dutch West India Company.

" On this day, the date underwritten, appeared before the noble Lords, the
Director General, and the council, Megiegichkama, Oleyochgue, and Weg-
taJiOckhen ; the right owners of the lands lying on the North River of New
Netherland, on the east shore, called Ubiequaeshook, in the breadth through
the vvoods, till a certain kil called Seivegrat, diverging at the East River,
from thence northward and southward to a certain kil named Rechawes, the
same land lying betwixt two kils, one-half woods, and betwixt the North and
East Rivers ; so that the western half to the aforesaid is still remaining ; and
the other easterly half, with a south and north direction, middle through the
woods, the aforesaid owners acknowledged ; that with the consent of the chief
Sachem, they have sold the parcel of land, and all their oystering, fishing, &c. ,
unto the noble Lord Petrus Stuyvesant, Director General of New Netherland,
fur, and in consideration of certain parcels of merchandize which they ac-
knowledge to their satisfaction to have received into their hands and power,
before the passing of these presents, viz. :

6 Fathom cloth for jackets. 10 Knives. 1 Gun

6 Ditto seawanl (wampum.) 10 Harrow teeth. 2 lbs. lead.

6 Kettles. 10 Corals or beads. 2 lbs. powder.

6 Axes. ' 10 Bells. 2 Cloth coats.

6 Addices.

In consideration of which, the before-mentioned owners do hereby the said
land convey, transport, and give over, to the aforesaid (noble Lords the Direc-
tor General, and his successors in full, true, and free ownership : To the said
land, we the grantors, neither now nor hereafter, shall ever present any claim
for ourselves, or our heirs and successors, desisting by these presents from all
action, either of equity or jurisdicton, but conveying all the same to the said Di-
rector General and his successors, to do therewith as it may seem proper to
them, without their, the grantors, or any one of them, molesting the grantee of
the aforesaid land, whether in his property or his family. It is also agreed
that the most westerly half, just as the Lord Director pleases, shall go with

O'Callaghan's Hist. N. N. 356.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

173

P
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174 HISTORY OF THE

The sachems of this town subsequently committed further
depredations, and probably armed several of ihe sixty four war
canoes that attacked and ravaged the country around Manhattan
during the absence of Stuyvesant in 16o5.a

For on tlie Cth of March, 1660, we find Ackhongh, the chief
and counsellor of Weecqjiaesqueeck,i\ppei\nng in the city of New
Amsterdam, before the Director General and Council, to treat for
peace. b

On the lOih of July, 1663, during the negotiation between
Connecticut and the Dutch, a furious war was raging in the
neighborhood of Esopus. The insurgent tribes were fieaded by
five warlike chiefs, viz.. Pennyraweck. kSewekenamo, Wapper-
onk, Caelcop, and Mekarowe, who threatened not only the ex-
tinction of the Dutch villages, bat also their allies, the Weeck--'-
quaesqneecks. In dread of the threatened invasion, we find the
chiefs of this town repairing to New Amsterdam on the 26th of
July, 1663. "Souwenaro, sachem of Weeckquaesqueeck, came
of his own accord, with his brother, and asserted th:)t he was
warned by a Wappinger Indian that the Esopus Indians intended
to come down, within five or six days, with forty or fifty men to
kill them, with the Dutch of New HarUiem and other places,
and those of the New Village: he told them he, with his people,
took therefore their flight near Harlaem. He notified them of it,
and why they came, so that those of New Harlaem should not be
intimidated.

" He said, further, that he warned those at New Harlaem, and
requested we would do the same to the pe-^.ple in that neighbor-
hood, and warn those on the general's farm (Bowery). Souwe-
iiaro also stated that his people were only eighty strong which
could bear arms, and that they had, consequently, left their fort
at Weeckquaesqueeck, and had retired into the woods to defend
themselves.''^

This war with the Esopus Indians lasted till November, 1663,
when a peace was concluded. In the fi\ll of the same year, Sept.
15; 1663, appeared in the fort, Schoumenarack, chief of Wecc-

» Bancroft's IlLst. U. S. iL p. 299. « Alb. Rec. xxi. 247.

b Alb. Rec. xxi. p. 247.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 175

qnaesqiieeck, soliciting for himself and his men to go fishing un-
molested near the village of Harlaem, which was granted on con-
dition that they shall not come with arms near the Dntch dwel-
lings, and that it may be known, with full certainty, that they
were his savages, and not some of Esopns ; so was delivered to
him a senl (signet) of tlie Dutch Company, printed on wax, in
small billets, which might be shown in meeting Dntchmen, on
the day as above.

Note. — There were delivered to him twelve seals, viz. : —

For those of Weecquaesqneeck, whose chief is Sawwesach,
four.

'J'o Kitchtawangh, whose chief is Currupin, four.

Kiskingthing and Sint Sinck have do chiefs, but are consid-
ered to belong to those savages. »

On the 2lst of October, 1663, we find the chiefs of Weecquaes-
qneeck, united with tliose of Sint Siuck and Kitchtawang, in a
war with the Dutch. ^' The armistice of November appears to
have restored tranquillity. During the summer of 16()2, "Connec-
ticut purchased of the Indians all the lands on the seaboard as
far west as the North River."c Thus a second lime was this
territory ceded by the sachems of Weecquaesqneck. Upon the
confiscation of the property of the Dutch West India Compa-
ny, 15ih of June, 1665, the New Netherlands passed to his
Royal HighnesSj James, Duke of York; and these lands being
within tlie province of New York, formed a part of the North
Riding of Yorkshire. In consequence, Connecticut ceased to
hold any jurisdiction.

The next grantee, under the sachems of Weecquaesqneeck,
was the Hon. Frederick Philipse, of East Friesland, in Holland,
who had emiorated to New Amsterdam at an early period. The
first grant to Philipse occurs on the lOth of December, 1681.

" From the Intlians Cobus, Oramaghqueer, Betthunsk, Sjoghweena-men,
Wenraweghien, Saijgadme, and Togtquanduck, of all those lands beginning on
the north sice of a creek called Bisightick, and so ranging along said river
northerly to the landd of the said Frederick Philipse, and thence alongst the

» Alb. Rec. c Bancroft's Hi.st. U. S. ii. 312.

b Alb Rec. xviii. 446. <i This refers to a former purchase.

176 HISTORY OF THE

said land, north-east and by east until it comes to and meets with the creek
called Neppizan, if the said creek shall fall within that line, otherwise to ex-
tend no further than the head of the creek or kill called Pekantico, or Pueghan-
duck, and then southerly alongst said river Nippizan if the sanae shall fall within
the said line as aforesaid, or else in a direct line from the head of the said creek
or kill called Peckantico, until it comes opposite the said first mentioned creek
called Bisightick, and from thence westerly to the head of the said creek Bis-
ightick and alongst the same to the North or Hudson's river,"^ &c. &c. This
purchase embraced the north-west portion of the town, and a part of Mount
Pleasant. It was attested by

W The mark of \yessickenaeuw Sachem of Wesquaskack.

Witness the mark of C^ Clause the Indian. b

V The mark of Ghoharius for himself, Cobus, and Toghquandack.

W The mark of Wramaghaqueer.

Z The mark of Petthunck.

O The mark of Sjogheveen.

V, The mark of Wearaweghein.

/ The mark of Sayjaenw.
Here follows a schedule or particular account of the wampum and other
goods paid by Frederick Philipse for the said land.
10 fathom of duffils, 2 iron potts, 6 howes,

10 blankets, 5 earthen cans 12 axes,

8 gunns, 12 steeles to strike fire, 9 kettles,

7 shirts, 2 coopers' adds, 40 knives,

1 anker of rum, 2 half vatts of beere, 6 brass tobacco boxes,

25 lbs. of powder, 70 fathom of wampum, 6 coates,

10 bars of lead, 7 pair of stockin^^s, 2 drawing knives.

The second sale to Philipse embraces lands situated south of the
former, bearing date the 13th of April, 1682.

*' Beginning at the south side of a creek called Bisightick, and so ranging
along Hudson's river, southerly to a creek or fall called by the Indians
Weghquegsike, and by the christians called Lawrence's plantation ; and from
the mouth of the said creek or fall, upon a due east course, to a creek called
by the Indians Nippiran, and by the christians Youncker's kill; and from
thence along the west side of the said creek or kill, as the same ruas to lands
formerly bought."

In presence of Emient, Sachem of Siapham,
Kicktawongh, Goharis,

Conarhande, brother of Wassekanew, Teattanqueer,
Aramaghqueer, Wearaquaeghier,

» Book of Pat. Alb. v. 54.

t Tbifl individual appears to have acted as interpreter upon the occasion.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. ' 177

A schedule or particular of the wampum and other goods paid by Frederick
Philipse to the Indians, the owners and proprietors of the above land.

100 fathoms of white 30 barrs of lead, 20 boxes,

wampum. 12 shirts, 2 ankers of rum.

12 fathom black ditto, 12 pair of stockings, 2 1-2 vatts of beere,

. 12 ditto of duiiills, 30 hows, 3 drawing knives,

12 blankets, , 8 fathom of stroud wa- 2 coopers adds,

12 kettles, ter cloth, 10 yearthen juggs,

10 guns, \ ' 8 coates, , 10 axis,*

60 lb. of powder, 50 knives.

Upon the 6th of September, 1682, Frederick Philipse purchased
of tlie native Indians : ' . ' '

" All that tract of land situate, lying and being on the east side of Hudson's
river, beginning on the north side of the land belonging to the Younckers kill,
or Wepperhaem, at a great rock called by the Indians Sigghes,b and from
thence ranging into the woods eastwardly to a creek called by the Indians Nep-
perha, and from thence along the said creek northerly till you come to the east-
ward of the head of a creek called by the Indians Weghqueghe, being the ut-
most bounds of the lands formerly bought of the Indians, &c.,&c., attested by
Waramanhanck, Esparamogh, Anhock,

Maeintighro, Mightereameck, Sakissjenogh,

Aghwarowes.

The schedule of the goods, &c., &c., paid by the grantee.

4 guns, 6 pair of stockings, 2 ankers of rum,

4 fathom of wampum, 10 bars of lead, 4 shirts,

4 blankets, 3 kettles, 2 fathom of cloth,

6 fathom of duffils, 12 lbs. of powder, 1 adze,

1 drawing knife. « -

The last purchase made by PliiUpse in this town, (on the 5lh
of June, 1684,) includes the land situated between the Saw Mill

and Bronx river, viz. : ■ - ■ ■■ ^ .

" All that tract or parcel of land, situate, lying, and being, to the eastward of
the land of the said Frederick Philipse, between the creek called Neppiran, or
the Younckers kill, and Bronck's river, beginning (on the north side) at the
northerly bounds of the Younckers land, and from thence along the aforesaid

» Book of Pat. Alb. V. 57. , .

b See Yonckers ; also Philipsburgh Patent.

c Book of Pat. Alb. v. 64. This deed includes the southern part of Greenburgh,
from the northern line of Yonkers to Dobb's Ferry.

Vol. I. 23

17S HISTORY OF THE

creek Neppiran, however it runs, till you come to the most northerly bounds
of the said Frederick Philipse's land, and from thence north-east into the woods,
to Bfoncks's river, and from thence along Broncks's river so far as it runs
southerly to the eastward of the Younckers land aforesaid, and from thence
with a westwardly line to the aforenamed Younckers kill or Neppiran, together
with all the lands, &c., &c.

S3pham, Arradppanint,

Ghoharin, Kawanghis, an Indian squaw,

Kakinsjgh, Niepack,

Enhoak, Kewightakin,

Teatangc^m.
A schedule or particular of goods, &c., paid to the grantors.

130 fathom of white wampum, 10 spoons,

12 guns, 2 knives,

14 fathom of duffils, 12 pair of stockings^

12 blankets, 15 hatches,

8 coats, 10 hoes,

6 kettles, 10 earthen jugs,

6 fathom of stroud water, 10 iron pots,

16 shirts, 4 1-2 valts of beere,

25 lbs. of powder, 2 ankers of rumme,

20 bars of lead, 2 rods of tobacco. »

The above sales covered the present township of Greenburgh,
and subsequently formed a portion of Philipsburgh manor.

These lands remained in the Philipse family, until the attain-
der of Colonel Frederick Philipse, A. D. 1779, when they became
vested by forfeiture in the people of this state. Under the com-
missioners they were parcelled out for small sums, to the Van
Tassels, Van Warts, Odells, Lawrences, Posts, Archers, Harts,
Ackers, Dyckmans and Requas, former tenants of the manor in
pursuance of the aci of J 784. Many of their descendants still
occupy the patrimonial estates in fee simple.

The earliest entry relating to town officers occurs in the old
town and manor book, entitled " the town and manor of Philips-
burgh for to keep the town redesstors, 1742."

The first Tuesday in April, is chosen Abraham Martlinghs for
tlie clerk of the town and manor aforesaid, at the town meeting,
for chnssen all other assessors in the town.

■^ Book of Pat. Alb. v. 79.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 179

In 1742j the first Tuesday in April is chosen four assessors for
the manor of Philipsburgh, viz : Joseph Geddenie and Gerret van
Wart, jun. For constable and collector is chosen Jocqheni van
Wart. Pound master is Elbert Airsse. Frederick Philipse ap-
pears to have been supervisor in 1752. The first independent
election held in 1778, is thus recorded. '' Being a memorandum
of all the public officers appointed and chosen at a town meeting
held as usual on the manor, the 7th day of April, 1778, and in the
second year of our independency."

Joseph Paulding, — Supervisor,

Joseph Requ a Wj — ToionClerh '- • .'

Peter Bant, — Cojistahle.

Jacob Van Wart, sen., > /--. ^,, - '

James Keqiiav/, }^Overseers of the poor. ,. ,

Gershara Sherwood, / . . ',

Tho:nas Buess, ' | ^^^ews. ,^ ; ;; • ; :

Within the township of Greenburgh are located several pleasant
villages.

Hastings occupies a romantic situation on the east bank of the
Hudson, at the mouth of a beautiful glen. The country rising
above the margin of the river with great boldness, is luxuriantly
ornamented with wood. A steep descent leads to the village
landing and hotel, from which extensive views are obtained of
the Hudson. The winding stream that buries itself in the ad-
joining ravine, supplies valuable water privileges for the che-
mical and button works of Mr. Sheckler, a brass factory, and
the celebrated axle manufactory of Mr. Saunders.

The advantages presented by the river, combined with the
healthfulness of the situation, has rendered Hastings a favorite
resort for New York citizens during the summer season.

The site of the present village nearly covers the old Post es-
tate, formerly owned by Peter Post, who occupied it during the

180 HISTORY OF THE

revolutionary war. The house (a small stone edifice) is still
standing. Immediately subsequent to tlie revolution, this build-
ins: was used as a tavern, and became celebrated as the rendez-
A^ous of cock fighters, and hard drinkers. Since that period, it has
been transformed into the present neat cottage.

On the east side of Edgar's Lane, (a continuation of the Albany
Post Road.) stands the mansion of Anthony Constant, Esq., for-
merly the residence of William Edgar. It is a fine wooden edi-
fice, surrounded by rich plantations of cedar, fir and locust trees,
and commands delightful views of the river, and adjacent hills.
Judge Constant is the son of Col. .loseph Constant, and grand-
son of the Rev. Silas Constant, of York Town. .

A. D. 177(3, a skirmish took place in Edgar's Lane between a
body of Hessians, commanded by Lieut. Wurtz, and a troop of
Sheldon's horse, under the following circumstances. Col. Shel-
don having received information from his spies, that the enemy
were prepaiing an incursion into this vicinity, left his quarters at
New Castle, and led by Isaac Odell, a trusty guide, followed the
by-roads to this place, where he ascertained from Peter Post, that
the Hessians had not yet passed. Enjoining secrecy upon Post,
the Colonel ambuscaded his horse in the adjoining cedars, which
he had barely done, when the Hessians rode up, and demanded
of Post, if he had seen the rebels. The Hessians, deceived by his
answer, were proceeding in full gallop through the lane, when a
shrill whistle rang through the air, instantly followed by the im-
petuous charge of Sheldon's horse. Panic stricken, the enemy
fled in every direction, but the fresh horses of the Americans car-
ried their gallant riders wherever a wandering ray disclosed the
steel cap, or the brilliant accoutrements of a Hessian. A bridle
path leading from the place of ambush to the river was strewed
with the dead and dying, while those who sought safety in the
water were captured, cut to pieces or drowned. The conflict,
so short and bloody, was decisive. One solitary horseman was
seen galloping off in the direction of Yonkers, and he alone?
wounded and unarmed, reached the camp of Col. Emmerick in
safety. Here he related the particulars of the march, the sudden
onset and retreat.

Astonished and maddened with rage, Emmerick started his

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 181

whole command in pursuit. Poor Post was stripped for his fidelity,
and after having a sufficient number of blows inflicted upon his
person, left for dead. The lane, half a mile in length, has been
since used as a race course. The former residence of Van Burgh
Livingston, Esq. is agreeably situated near the river, a short dis-
tance north of Hastings, The estate is at present owned by
Mr. Stephen Archer, who purchased it of Mr. Livingston.

The remains of the ancient military fort at Dobb's Ferry is
situated a little south-west of the Livingston residence. The form
of the embankment is somewhat in the shape of a horse shoe.
From its elevated position, it overlooks the ferry beneath, and the
magnificent scenery of the Hudson River. This fort appears to
have been a post of great importance during the revolutionary
war, for it not only commanded the passage of the river, but also
the opposite ferry to Paramus, on the Jersey shore.

'• On the 19th of July, 17SI, (says Thatcher,) the British fri-
gates tliat passed up the North River, a few days since, took ad-
vantage of wind and tide, to return to New York. A severe can-
nonade commenced from our battery, at Dobb's Ferry, where the
river is about three miles wide. They were compelled literally
to run the gauntlet. They returned the fire as they passed, but
without effect. On board the Savage, ship of- war, a box of pow-
der took fire, and such was their consternation, that twenty peo-
ple jumped into the river, among whom was a prisoner on board,
who informs us that he was the only man who got on sfiore, all
the rest being drowned. He reports also, that the Savage was
several times hulled by our shot, and was very near sinking.''^-

The remains of a second redoubt are still visible on the proper-
ty of Frederick W. Paulding, Esq. The village of Dobb's Ferry,
one mile north of Hastings, is prettily seated on the rising hills of
Greenburgh, opposite the northern termination of ihe Palisades
and the village of Tappan. This place derives its present name
from the ancient family of the Dobbs, who have been long set-
tled here, and also from the fact that they were the early ferry-
men. In the year 1698, there was living in this vicinity Jan
Dobs en zyn buys vrou (and his wife,) Abigail, both members of

» Thatcher's Military Journal, 259. See Heath's Mem. 76, 294.

1S2 HISTORY OF THE

the Dutch Church, Sleepy Hollow^ Thomas, their son, was
born on the manor, A. D. 1712.

20th September, 1729, occurs a record in the church books at
Sleepy Hollow, of a marriage between William Dobs, born in
Philadelphia, and Lea van Waert, a native of the same place.
They were perhaps Swedes, originally from the Delaware. Je-
remiah Dobs, fora.er proprietor of the ferry, left issue by Jane le
Vines, besides two daughters, two sons, Jeremiah and Peter. Se-
veral sons of the latter are still living in Greenburgh.

The Indian name of this place, as already shown was, Weec-
qu£es-guck, literally ^^ the place of the hark kettle P The abo-
riginal settlement appears to have been located at the mouth of
the Weghqueghe or Wicker's creek, (William Portuguese creek.)
This beantiful stream arises from two distinct springs, situated
on the lands of E. W. Wald grove and Frederick B. Wilsie, both
of which, running nearly west, unite soon after crossing the Al-
bany post road ; here, commingled, they flow through a rocky
glen enclosed between high wooded banks. Passing under the
arch of the Croton aqueduct, the waters again appear rushing
over their stony bed until their further progress is checked by the
mill dam. Here a pipe of nine hundred feet in length conveys
the water lo the neighboring mill, affording a fall of thirty feet
to an overshot wheel.

In the vicinity of the upper dock, the ravine opens and dis-
plays a splendid view of the Hudson River. The road, passing
through the gap of the Greenburgh hills west of the Saw Mill
Valley, follows the course of the ancient Indian path, which for-
merly led to the village of the ^^ Bark Kettle,^^ at the mouth of
the Weghqueghe, or Wysquaqua Creek.

The lower landing and ferry are situated some distance south
of the creek at the foot of a steep bank. Here is a neat hotel,
kept by Mr. Shadrach Taylor, for the convenience of passengers
by the ferry, and the daily steamboats that touch at this dock.

Dobb's Ferry was distinguished, during the Revolution, as the
scene of active military operations. To this fort, October 9, 1776,
General Hentli ordered Colonel Sargent, with 500 infantry, 40
light horsp, Capt. Horton, of the artillery, with two 12 pounders,

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 183

and Captain Crafts, with a howitzer, to watch the movements of
the enemy up the river.^

To this place the British army retreated after tlie battle of
White Plains, closely followed by reconnoitering parties of the
Americans. On the 7th of November, 1776, the enemy com-
menced foraging for grain and hay, and driving in cattle.^

On the 29th of January, 1777, General Lincoln's division of
the Continental army was ordered to Dobb's Ferry. <5

This ferry was selected by General Arnold and Major Andre
as the place of their first meeting, *' Andre's letter to Sheldon,
(observes Mr. Sparks, in his Life of Arnold,) when divested of its
disguise, will be seen to have had no other object than to com-
municate the intelligence that he should be at Dobb's Ferry at a
certain time. He presumed the letter would be sent to Arnold,
who would understand its meaning, and conduct his plans ac-
cordingly. So it turned out. Arnold left home on the afternoon
of the 10th, went down the river in his barge to King's Ferry,
and passed the night at the house of Joshua H. Smith, who re-
sided about two miles and a half from the Ferry, near the road
leading to Haverstraw. Early the next morning he proceeded
to Dobb's Ferry, at which place Andre had arrived, according to
his appointment, accompanied by Colonel Beverly Robinson, to
whom the secret had already been entrusted by Sir Henry Clin-
ton, probably at the suggestion, or at least with the knowledge of
Arnold. An accident occurred which prevented the interview,
and was near putting an end to the plot itself. When Arnold
was approaching the point of destination by water, he was fired
upon by the British gun boats stationed in that part of the river,
and so closely pursued that his life was in danger, and he was on
the point of being taken prisoner. By some oversight the boats
had not been withdrawn, or it may have been expected that Ar-
nold would come with a flag, which appears not to have been the
case.

"Having landed on the west side of the river, he went down
to the Ferry, where he remained till night. Whether Andre and
Robinson were at the landing place on the opposite side, or

a Heath. Mem. 69. b Ibid. 84. ^ Ibid. 113.

181 HISTORY OF THE

whether they came np from New York in a vessel and remained
on board, has not been ascertained ; but, at any rate, no meeting
took place.

" Not forgetting his accustomed caution, Arnold wrote a letter
to General Washington while at Dobb's Ferry. His passage
down the river had been in so public a manner, that it could not
foil to be known and he feared suspicions might be raised con-
cerning his motives and objects. Filling up the principal part of
his letter with matters of some importance appertaining to his
command, he said, as if accidentally, that he had come down to
that place, in order to establish signals, which were to be observed
in case the enemy ascended the river, and also to give additional
directions respecting the guard-boats, and to have a beacon fixed
on a hill, about five miles below King's Ferry, which would be
necessary to alarm the country. These reasons were plausible,
and afforded apparent proofs of his vigilance, rather than grounds
for suspecting any sinister design.

"Being foiled in this attempt to mature his scheme of treach-
ery, he left Dobb's Ferry a little after sunset, went up the river in
the night, and reached his quarters at Robinson's House before
morning. Andre and Colonel Robinson returned to New
York."a

When Arnold left Andre, (the day previous to his capture at
Tarrytown,) after delivering the treasonable papers, "Andre
(continues Mr. Sparks) supposed he was to be sent on board the
Vulture, as will appear by the following extract, which he wrote
after his capture. 'Arnold quitted me,' said he, 'having him-
self made me put the papers 1 bore between my stockings and
feet. Whilst he did it, he expressed a wish, in case of any acci-
dent befalling me, that they should be destroyed ; which I said
of course would be the case, as, when I went into the boat, I
should have them tied about with a string and a stone. Before
we parted, some mention had been made of my crossing the
river, and going another route ; but I objected much against it,

• Spark's Lile of Benedict Arnold, 180, 181, 182. An account of the second
interview will be found in Cortlandtown.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 185

and thought it was settled, that in the way 1 came, I was to re-
turn.'

"Arnold left him, and went up the river to hcad-qnarters. Be-
fore he departed from Smiih's house, he urged Smith to go back
with Andre to ihe Vulture as soon as it should be dark ; yet the
matter seemsNo have been undecided, for he wrote and gave to
Smith two passports, (dating them ' Head (Quarters,') one autho-
rizing him to go by water, and the other by land.

" The former was in these words : * Joshua Smith has permis-
sion to pass with a boat and three hands, and a flag, to Dobb's
Ferry, on public business, and to return immediately.' "a-

After the trial of Andr6 at Tappan, and his letters and those
of Washington, as well as the proceedings of the board of exam-
ination, had been received by Sir Henry Clinton, then in New
York, it was resolved by Clinton and a board of general ofncers,
"that a deputation of three persons should proceed to the nearest
American out-post, furnished with evidence to prove Major An-
dre's innocence, and to impart information which Sir Henry Clin-
ton thousjht would place the question in a different light from
/ that in which it had been viewed by the American board. The
persons delegated on this mission were General Robertson,
Andrew Elliot, and William Smith. They were accompanied
by Beverly Robinson as a witness in the case, and were fortified
in their estimation, but w^eakened in reality, by a long explana-
tory and threatening letter from Arnold to General Washington .
The commissioners went up the river in the Greyhonnd schoon-
er, with a flag of truce, on the first of October. Notice of the
- intended visit and its objects had been already communicated by
Sir Henry Clinton to Washington; and when the vessel an-
\ , chored at Dobbs' Ferry, General Greene was there, having been
deputed by Washington to hold the interview on his behalf.
The person sent on shore by the British commissioners brought
word back, that General Robertson only would be permitted to
land, and that General Greene was then in readiness to receive
him.

. _ • » Sparks' Life of Benedict Arnold, 209-10.

YoL. L ': .. . ./ 24

1S6 HISTORY OF THE

The conference was opened ly Robertson, who paid some
compliments to the American general, and expressed the satis-
faction he Iiad in treating with him, on nn occasion so interest-
ing to the two armies 'and to humanily. Greene rephed, that it
was liecessary for them to know at the out-set on what ground
they stood : that he was not there in the character of an officer ;
that he was allowed by General Washington to meet him as a
private gentleman, but that the case of an acknowledged spy
admitted of no discussion. Robertson said his design was to
state facts, wljich he hoped would have their due weight, in
whatever character he might be supposed to speak.

He then entered largely into the subject, endeavoring to show,
first, that Andre landed under the sanction of a flag ; secondly,
that he acted wholly by the directions of Arnold; from both of
which positions it was inferred, that he could not in any just
sense of the word be regarded as a spy. The facts having all
been examined by the board of oncers, and being well under-
stood, this new statement of them made no change in Greene's
opinion or impressions ; and when Arnold's testimony was in-
troduced, he said the Americans would believe Andre in prefer-
ence to Arnold. General Robertson said, that no military tribu-
nal in Europe would decide the case of Andre to be that of a
spy, and he proposed to refer the question to Count de Rocham-
beau and General Knyphausen. Other considerations w^ere
urged by him, not so much in the way of argument as on the
score of reciprocal benefits and humanity. He added that he
should confide in General Greene's candor to represent in the
fairest light to General "Washington the arguments he had used ;
that he should stay on board all night, and hope in the morning
to take back with him Major Andre, or an assurance of his
safety. a

"The British commissioners waited till morning, as General
Robertson liad proposed, and at an early hour they received a
note from General Greene, stating that he had communicated to
Washington the subject of the conference, but that it had pro-

Sparks' Life of Arnold, p. 71, 2, 3.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 187

duced no change in liis opinion and determination. This intel-
h"gence was astoundin:^ to Robertson ; for he had written to Sir
Henry Clinton the evening before, that he was p^rsna'Jed Andre
would not be harmed. How he got this impression is not easily-
discovered, since he represented General Greene as obstinately
bent on considerin": Andre as a spy, and resisting all his argu-
ments to the contrary.

Nothing more could be done by the commissioners. That no
msasure might be left untried however, General Robertson"* ad-
dressed the following letter to General Washington, dated

Greyhound Schooner, Flag of Trace,

Dobbs' Ferry, Oct. 2, 1780.

Sir : — A note I liil fro:Ti General Greene leaves me in doubt if his memory
had served him to relate to you, with exactness, the substance of the conver-
sation that had passed betvvnen him and myself on the subject of Major Andre.
In an affair of so much consequence to my friend, to the two armies, and hum-
anity, I would leave no possibility of a misunderstanding, and therefore take
the liberty to put in writing the substance of what I said to General Greene.
I offered to prove by the evidence of Colonel Robinson and the officers of the
Vulture, that Major Andre went on shore at General Arnold's desire, in a boat
sent for him with a flag of truce ; that he not only came ashore with the
knowledge and under the protection of the General who commanded in the
district, but that he took no step while on shore, but by the direction of Gen-
eral Arnold, as will appear by the enclosed letter from him to your Excel-
lency. Under these circumstances I could not, and hoped you would not,
consider Major Andre as a spy, for any improper phrase in his letter to you.

The facts he relates correspond with evidence I offer, but he admits a con-
clusion which does not follow. The change of clothes and name was ordered
by General Arnold, under whose direction he necessarily was while within
his command.

As General Greene and I did not agree in opinion, I wished that distin-
guished gentlemen of knowledge of the law of war and nations, might be ask-
ed their opinion on the subject, and mentioned Monsieur Knyphausen and
General Rochambeau I related that a Captain Robinson had been delivered
to Sir Henry Clinton as a spy, and undoubtedly was such ; but that it being
signified to him that you were desirous that the man should be exchanged, he
had ordered him to be exchanged.

I wished that an intercourse of such civilities as the rules of war admit of
might take off many of its horrors. I admitted that Major Andre had a great

* Sparks' Life of Arnold, p. 275, 6,

1S8 HISTORY OF THE

share of Sir Henry Clinton's esteem and that he would be infinitely obliged
by his liberation : and that if he was pernnitled to return with me, I would
engage to have any person you would be pleased to name set at liberty.

I added that Sir Henry Clinton had never put to death any person for a
breach of the rules of war, though he had, and now has, many in his power ;
under the present circumstances much good may arise from humanity, much
ill from the want of it, if that could give any weight. I beg leave to add that
your favorable treatment of IMajor Andr^, will be a favor I shall ever be in-
tent to return to any you hold dear.

My memory does not retain with the exactness I could wish, the words of
the letter which General Greene showed me from Major Andre to your Ex-
cellency. For Sir Henry Clinton's satisfaction I beg you will order a copy
of It to be sent to me at N. Y.

I have the honor to be your Excellency's

Most obedient and humble Servant,

James Robertson.

" This letter could have produced no effect, even if it had not
arrived too late ; for it touched upon no points which had not
already been examined and decided. The commissioners re-
turned to New York. "a

Andre was executed at 12 o'clock the same day.

"On the night of the 3cl of August, 1781, about 11 o'clock,
the British and American guard boats met in the river near
Dobb's Ferry, when a considerable firing ensued ; the Americans
had one man badly wounded, who died soon after. The damage
sustained by the enemy was not known." 7lh August, 1781, in
the morning, about two o'clock, the American army was awakened
by the firing of cannon at Dobb's Ferry. It appeared that two
of the enemy's gun boats had come up as high as the ferry, pro-
bably to endeavor to seize some vessels or boats. On finding
ihey were discovered, they fired four cannon, but to no effect.
Four cannon were discharged at the boats from the battery, on
which they went down the river.^

Beides the two redoubts, there must have been a military
block house erected here ; for, on the 17th March, 1781, we find
Major Graham ordered out with a detachment of 150 men for its

Sparks' life of Arnold, Q76. t> Heath's Mem. 295.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 189

relief, on which occasion, the garrison on both shores were
doubled.*

Upon the suspension of hostilities, May 3, 1783, General Wash-
ington, His Excellency Governor Clinton, and General Sir Guy
Tarleton, (the British commander,) and their respective suites,
met here. The two former came down the river in barges ; the
latter ascended the river in a frigate. Four companies of light in-
fantry performed the duty of guards on this memorable occasion. b

Near the junction of the Albany Post, and Saw Mill river road,
is situated the Presbyterian C.iurch, sometimes called by way of
distinction, the lower Greenburgh Church. This society was
organized on the 11th of April, 1825. Present at its first meet-
ing of the clergy, the Rev. Samuel Robertson, Rev. Mr. Weeks,
and the Rev. Mr. Wells, of New Rochelle. Of the members,
Perez Jones, Peter Nodine, James Odell, Elizabeth Lefurge, Van
Burgh Livingston, and Harriett Livingston.

The present edifice was erected, A. D. 1827. Principal con-
tributor, Van Burgli Livingston, elder of the church.
LIST OF CLERGY AND SUPPLIES.
Install or call. Ministers. vacated by

1825 Rev. Chester Long, -, resig.

1831 Rev. David Remington, ~' ; do

1832 Rev. Mark Mead, ■. do

1834 Rev. Hosea Ball, . do
1838 Rev. George Walker, do
1841 Rev. Samuel Kellogg, present Pastor.

Elders. Deacon.

1825, Perez Jones, ■ - ' 1825, James Odell.

Van Burgh Livingston. / -- ' ' " -

Church Notes.

1835 Total number of communicants, 37, bapt., 7
1846 do 67 do 6

First delegate to Presbytery, Van Burgh Livingston, Esq.

a Heath's Mem. 277.

b "The tour of duty having fallen to our regiment, we marched from Nelson's
point, on the 24th, crossed the river at King's Ferry, and on the 25th, encamped
near the block house at this place." August 5th ; " flags are passing and repassing
from this post to New York and back, every day." Thatcher's Mil. Journal, 310.

190 HISTORY OF THE

Previous to the year 1843, this church was connected with the
Upper Greenburgh and White Plains churches. The burial
ground on the east side of the church, contains monuments to
the Browns, Ackers, Lockwoods, Lefurges, Wilsies, Dyckmans,
and Storms,

Zion Church stands upon the highest ground in the village
near the Albany post road.

The wonderfully extensive views which this elevated spot
commands on every side, are better seen than described.

The building which is constructed of stone, is in the Gothic
style.

The ground whicli it occupies, was the gift of Van Burgh
Livingston, Esq. Its erection took place A. D. 1833, during the
incumbency of the late Alexander Crosby, A, M., at that time
Rector of the parish.

This gentleman was succeeded by the Rev. William Creigh-
ton, D. D. The present incumbent is the Rev. W. G. Higher.

There are two or three interments in the grave yard surround-
ing this cluirch, of members belonging to the Noble, Bowdoin
and Irving families.

Immediitely in the vicinity of Dobb's Ferry, and contiguous
to the river, is the residence and estate of James Hamilton, Esq.,
son of the Hon. Alexander H imilton. This place formerly be-
longed to the OJell family. Jonathan Odell, father of the distin-
guished Colonel John OJell, was residing here in the autumn of
1776, v/hen the British army, after retiring from White Plains,
encamped in the neighborhood.

The enemy, upon their final retreat to New York, arrested
Mr. OJell and four of his neighbors, as prisoners of war. On
their arrival in the city, they were consigned to the provost.
Here four of them died of poison, said to have been administer-
ed in their food. Jonathan Odell escaped through the kindness
of a friend, who daily brought him provisions. Each of the suf-
ferers had sons in the continental army, which was the cause of
this inhuman treatment.

Bordering the river in the same vicinity, is the cottage of
George Schuyler, E. q.

About two miles south of Tarry town, a winding lane leads to

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 191

Sunny Side, the residence of the Hon. Washington Irving.
'' There is scarcely (observes Mr. Downing,) a building or place
more replete with interest in America than the cottage of Wash-
ington Irving, near Tarrytown. The legend of Sleepy Hollow,
so delightfully told in the sketch book, has made every one ac-
quainted with his neighborhood, and especially with the site of
the present building there celebrated as the ' Van Tassel House,'
one of the most secluded and delightful nooks on the banks of
the Hudson. With characteristic taste, Mr. Irving has chosen
this spot, the haunt of his early days, since rendered classic
ground by his elegant pen, and made it his })erraanent residence.
The house of 'Baltns Van Tassel' has been altered and rebuilt
in a quaint style, partaking somewhat of the English cottage
mode, but retaining strongly marked symptoms of its Dutch
origin. The quaint old weathercocks and finials, the crow-
stepped gables and the hall paved with Dutch tiles, are among
the ancient and venerable ornaments of the houses of the original
settlers of Manhattan, now almost extinct among us. There is
also a quaint keeping in the cottage, and grounds around it, that
assists in making up the chain of the whole ; the gently swel-
ling slope reaching down to the water's edge, bordered by pret-
tily wooded ravines, through which a brook meanders pleasantly,
and threaded by foot paths, ingeniously contrived, so as some-
times to afford secluded walks, and at others to allow fine vistas
of the broad expanse of river scenery.''^.

Over tlie porch, is the following inscription : .. ' ... ■

M,nm 1650. ^ ^. ,;. . .- •• .': .^

Unno 1835.

' Geo. Harvey,
' , Architect.

» Downing's Rural Architecture, 335.

192

HISTORY OF THE

Above the peaked turret of the portal, pttters a horse in full
gallop, once the weathercock of the great Van der Hydeii palace
at Albany ; the other upon the eastern gable formerly surmount-
ed the Stadt House of New Amsterdam.

The interior is in perfect harmony with the exterior design
of this quaint and venerable edifice. In the. library are preserved
the elbow chair and writing desk of Diedrich Knickerbocker.

?unny Side, the residence of the Eon. Washington Irving.

" Van Tassel House" occupies the site of " Wolfert's Roost,"
which was built by Wolfert Ecker, an ancient Dutch burgher of
this town.

In 1697, we find recorded the name of Jan Ecker, first accept-
ed deacon of the Dutch Church, Sleepy Hollow, which office he
appears to have held for several years. By his wife, Magdalentje
Jan Ecker, left issue Wolfert, Cornelis and others.

The will of Wolfert Ecker bears date 1753, " wherein he be-
queaths to his son, Stephen, a cow, or the worth thereof, more
than the others, for his birth right, and to the child of his grand-
son, Wolfert Ecker, son of Sybout, twenty shillings, beside other
bequests to the remainder of his children, viz. Sybout, Abram and
Mareijc."a A branch of this ftimily still resides in the neigh-

Rec. Surrogate's Office, N. Y. lib. .\ix. 29-

COUNTY QF WESTCHESTER. 193

boihood. From the Eckers, tliis property passed by marriage lo
the gallant family of the Van Tassels, who figure so coiispicii-
onsly in the writings of Died rich Knickerbocker.

During the stormy period of the revolution, it belonged to
"Jacob Van Tassel, or Van Texel, as the name was originally
spell, after the place in Holland, which gave birth to this heroic
line." The following graphic sketch of the exploits of this re-
doubtable hero, is taken from the chronicle of the Roost :.

" The situation of the Roost is in the very heart of what M-as the debatea-
ble ground between the American and British lines, during the war. The
British held possession of the city of New York, and the island of Manhattan,
on which it stands. The Americans drew up towards the highlands, holding
their head-quarters at Peekskill. The intervening country, from Croton River
to Spiting Devil Creek, was the debateable land, subject to be harried by
friend and foe, like the Scottish borders of yore. It is a rugged country, with
a line of rocky hills extending through it like a back bone, sending ribs on
either side ; but among these rude hills are beautiful winding valleys, like those
watered by the Pocantico and the Neperan. In the fastnesses of these hills,
and along these valleys, exist a race of hard-headed, hard-handed, s^.out-heart-
ed Dutchmen, descended of the primitive Nederlanders. Most of these were
strong whigs throughout the war, and have ever remained obstinately attach-
ed to the soil, and neither to be fought nor bought out of their paternal acres.
Others were tories, and adherents to the old kingly rule ; some of whom took
refuge within the British lines, joined the royal bands of refugees, a name
odious to the American ear, and occasionally returned to harrass their ancient
neighbors.

" In a little while, this debateable land was overrun by predatory bands from
either side ; sacking hen-roosts, plundering farm houses, and driving off cattle.
Hence arose those two great orders of border chivalry, the Skinners and the
Cow Boys, famous in the heroic annals of Westchester county. The former
fought, or rather marauded, under the American, the latter under the British
banner ; but both, in the hurry of their military ardor, were apt to err on the
safe side, and rob friend as well as foe. Neither of them stopped to ask the
politics of horse or cow, which they drove into captivity ; nor, when they
wrung the neck of a rooster, did they trouble their heads to ascertain whether
he were crowing for Congress or King George.

" While this marauding system prevailed on shore, the Great Tappan Sea,
which washes this belligerent region, was domineered over by British frigates,
and other vessels of war, anchored here and there, to keep an eye upon the ri-
ver, and maintain a communication between the various military posts. Stout
galleys, also armed with eighteen pounders, and navigated with sails and oars,
cruised about like havvkSj readv to pounce upon their prey.

Vol. I. 25

194 HISTORY OF THE

" All these were eyed with bitter hostility by the Dutch yeomanry along
shore, who were indignant at seeing their great Mediterranean ploughed by
hostile prows ; and would occasionally throw up a mud breast work on a point
or promontory, mount an old iron field-piece, and fire away at the enemy,
though the greatest harm was apt to happen to themselves, from the bursting
of their ordnance ; nay, there was scarce a Dutchman along the river, that
would hesitate to fire with his long duck gun at any British cruiser that came
within his reach, as he had been accustomed to fire at water fowl.

I have been thus particular in my account of the times and neighborhood,
that the reader might ihe more readily comprehend the surrounding dangers
m this, the heroic age of the Roost.

It was commanded at the time, as 1 have already observed, by the stout Ja-
cob van Tassel. As I wish to be extremely accurate in this part of my chron-
icle, I beg that this Jacob van Tassel, of the Roost, may not be confounded
with another Jacob van Tassel, commonly known in border story by the name
of "clump-fooled Jack." a noted tory, and one of the refugee band of Spiting
Devil. On the contrary, he of the Roost was a patriot of the first water, and,
if we may take his own word for granted, a thorn in the side of the enemy.
As the Roost, from its lonely situation on the water's edge, might be liable to
i^ttack, he took measures for defence. On a row of hooks above his fire-place
reposed his great piece of ordnance, ready charged and primed for action.
This was a duck, or rather goose-gun, of unparallelled longitude, with which
it was said he could kill a wild goose, though half way across the Tappan
Sea. a Indeed, there are as many wonders told of this renowned gun as of the
enchanted weapons of the heroes of classic story.

In different parts of the stone walls of his m-ansion he had made loop-holes,
through which he might fire upon an assailant. His wife vias stout-hearted
as himself, and could load as fast as he could fire ; and then he had an ancient
and redoubtable sister, Nochie van Wurmer, a match, as he said, for the stout-
est man in the country. Thus garrisoned, the liltle Roost was fit to stand a
siege, and Jacob van Tassel was the man to defend it to the last charge of
powder.

He was, as I have already hinted, of pugnacious propensities, and, not con-
tent with being a patriot at home, and fighting for the security of his own fire-
side, he extended his thoughts abroad, and entered into a confederacy with
certain of the bold, hard-riding lads of Tarrytown, Petticoat Lane and Sleepy
Hollow, who formed a kind of holy brotherhood, scouring the country to clear
it of skinners and cow-boys, and all other border vermin. The Roost was one
of their rallying points. Did a band of marauders from Manhattan island come

a The goose gun is still in existence, having been preserved for many years in a
hollow tree. It is now in the possession of Mr. Caleb Brush, of Grove street, New
York, who married the celebrated heroine, Laney van Tassel.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. ' 195

sweeping through the neighborhood, and driving off cattle, the stout Jacob and
his compeers were soon clattering at their heels ; and fortunate did the rogues
esteem themselves if they could but get a part of their booty across the lines,
or escape themselves, without a rough handling. Should the moss troopers
succeed in passing wiih their cavalfrada, with thundering tramp and dusty
whirlwind, across King's Bridge, the holy brotherhood of the Roost would
rein up at that perilous pass, and, wheeling about, would indemnify themselves
by foraging the refugee region of Morrisania.

When at home at the Roost, the stout Jacob was not idle ; he was prone to
carry on a petty warfare of his own, for his private recreation and refresh-
ment. Did he ever chance to espy, from his look-out place, a hostile ship or
galley anchored or becalmed near shore, he would take down his long goose-
gun from the hooks over the fire-place, sally out alone, and lurk along shore,
dodging behind rocks and trees, and watching, for hours together, like a vet-
eran mouser intent on a rat hole. So sure as a boat put off for shore, and
came within shot, bang went the great goose-gun, a shower of slugs and buck-
shot whistled about the ears of the enemy, and, before the boat could reach
the shore Jacob had scuttled up some woody ravine, and left no trace behind.

About this time the Roost experienced a vast accession of warlike import-
ance in being made one of the stations of the water-guard.

This was a kind of aquatic corps of observation, composed of long, sharp
canoe-shaped boats, technically called whale boats, that lay lightly on the vi^a-
ter, and could be rowed with great rapidity. They were manned by resolute
fellows, skilled at pulling ari oar or handling a musket. These lurked about in
nooks and bays, and behind those long promontories which run out info the
Tappan Sea, keeping a look-out, to give notice of the approach or movements
of hostile ships. They roved about in pairs, sometimes at night, with muf-
fled oars, gliding like spectres about frigates and guard-ships riding at anchor,
cutting off any boats that made for shore, and keeping the enemy in constant
uneasiness. These musqaito cruisers generally kept aloof by day, so that
their harboring places might not be discovered, but would pull quietly along,
under shadow of the shore, at night, to take up their quarters at the Roost.
Hither, at such time, would also repair the hard-riding lads of the hills, to hold
secret councils of war with the " ocean chivalry ;" and in these nocturnal
meetings were concerted many of those daring forays, by land and water, that
resounded throughout the border.

The chronicle here goes on to recount divers wonderful stories of the wars
of the Roost, from which it would seem that this little warrior nest carried the
terror of its arms into every sea from Spiting Devil Creek to St. Anthony's
Nose ; th.at it even bearded the stout island of Manhattan, invading it at night,
penetrating to its centre, and burning down the famous De Lancey house, the
conflagrati(m of which makes such a blaze in revolutionary history. Nay,
more ; in their extravagant daring, these cocks of the Roost meditated a noc-
turnal descent upon New York itself, to swoop upon the British commanders,

196 HISTORY OF THE

Howe and Clinton, by surprise, bear them off captive, and perhaps put a tri-
umphant close to the war.

Tills doughty Dutchman (continues the sage Diedrich Knickerbocker) was
not content with taking a share in all the magnanimous enterprises concocted
at the Roost, but still continued his petty warfare along shore. x\ series of
exploits at length raised his confidence in his prowess to such a height, that he
began to think himself and his goose-gun a match for anything. Unluckily,
in the course of one of his prowlings, he descried a British transport aground,
not far from shore, with her stern swung toward the land, within point blank
shot. The temptation was too great to be resisted ; bang ! as usual, went the
great goose- gun, shivering the cabin windows, and driving all hands forward.
Bang I bang ! the shots were repeated The reports brought several sharp-
shooters of the neighborhood to the spot : before the transport could bring a
gun to bear, or land a boat, to take revenge, she was soundly peppered, and
the coast evacuated. She was the last of Jacob's triumphs. He fared like
some heroic spider that has unwittingly ensnared a hornet, to his immortal
glory perhaps, but to the utter ruin of his web.

It was not long after this, during the absence of Jacob van Tassel on one of
his forays, and when no one was in garrison but his stout hearted spouse, his re-
doubtable sister Nochie van Wurmer, and a strapping negro wench called Di-
nah, that an armed vessel came to anchor off the Roost, and a boat full of men
pulled to shore. The garrison flew to arms — that is to say, to mops, broom-
sticks, shovels, tongs, and all kinds of domestic weapons, for, unluckily, the
great piece of ordnance, the goose-gun, was absent with its owner. Above
all, a vigorous defence was made with that most potent of female weapons, the
tongue. Never did invaded hen roost make a more vociferous outcry. It
was all in vain. The house was sacked and plundered, fire was set to each
corner, and in a few moments its blaze shed a baleful light far over the Tap-
pan Sea. The invaders then pounced upon the blooming Laney van Tassel,
the beauty of the Roost, and endeavored to bear her off to the boat. But
here was the real tug of the war. The mother, the aunt, and the strapping
negro wench, all flew to the rescue. The struggle continued down to the
very water's edge, when a voice from the armed vessel at anchor ordered the
spoilers to let go their hold. They relinquished the prize, jumped into their
boats, and pulled off, and the heroine of the Roost escaped with a mere rump-
ling of the feathers."

"Shortly after the catastrophe of the Roost, Jacob van Tassel,
in the course of one of his forays, fell into the hands of the Brit-
ish, was sent prisoner to New York, and was detained in captiv-
ity for the greater part of the war.''^

Immediately north of Van Tassel house is the residence of

^ Knickerbocker Magazine.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 197

Philip R. Pciulding, Esq. delightfully seated on a bold bank of
the Hudson ; it commands from its elevated position, the noblest
prospects of the river, while the view to the east is terminated by
the lofty hills of Greenburgh. The edifice is constructed of
Sing Sing marble, after the designs of Alex. J. Davis, Esq, In
its details, both externally and internally, the most minute atten-
tion has been paid to a careful correspondence with the best ex-
amples of the Tudor era. Among the most remarkable features
of the building, deserves to be noticed, the admirable porte
cochere, or covered entrance for carriages, and a superb library
ornamented wiih a lofty ceiling of carved timber.

The Paulding family have long been residents of this town.
As early as 1712, we find Joost Pauldinck accepted deacon of
the Dutch Church. The name of Joost Pauldinck occurs in a
conveyance from William Odell of Rye, A. D. 1667.

In 17U9 Joost Pauldinck appe;;rs to have been residing at
Westchester. The father of the present proprietor is William
Paulding, Esq. mayor of the city of New York in 1827. The
patriot John Paulding who captured the British spy Major An-
dre was of this family.

The next object worthy of notice is the elegant and secluded
villa of Henry Sheldon, Esq. This building is in the rural Gothic
style and presents a very beautiful and picturesque exterior, com-
bined with every accommodation and convenience of internal ar-
rangement. No pains have been spared in laying out the ad-
joining grounds and plantations. A small stream running
through a deep and woody glen has been obstructed in various
places by rock work, and thus forms several artificial cascades.
Some close walks, winding by the stream, conduct to a large
fall situated at the glen's mouth. The scenery about the fall is
extremely fine, embracing a lovely view of the Hudson river.
The old Van Weert mill has been transformed into a Swiss cot-
tage and boat house. The Van Weert family were the first oc-
cupants of this estate under the Philipses, and subsequently be-
came its possessors in fee. In 1698 there appears to have been
three married brothers of this ancient family living in Philips-
burgh, who claimed descent from the illustrious house of Van
Weert in Holland, viz. Joacham van Weert and Christyntje his
wife, Gerredit van Weert and Cathalyna his wife, Jacob vaa

198 HISTORY OF THE

Weert and Bieltitje his wife. Gerredit van Weert left issue, Jan
van Weert, father of Isaac, who sold this property to- Mr. Sheld-
on.

The village of Tarry town is pleasantly situated in the lap of
the Greenbnrgh hills, overlooking the Hudson at the widest
point of the Tappan Zee, which is here nearly three miles
across.

Tarwe town, the old orthography of ihe Dutch word tarwe,
(wheat) " the wheat town," probably so called from the abun-
dant culture of that grain in tfiis vicinity.

Here was an Indian village in 1659, ^ styled by the aborigines
Alipconck, that is the place of elms. It seems more than pro-
bable that this ancient settlement occupied a hill at (he sQuth
end of the present village. This opinion is son^iewhat confirm-
ed by the circumstance that the whole ground is covered with
shells, in some places to the depth of two or three feet. It is pre-
sumed that these " shell beds^^ generally indicate the site of In-
dian habitations.

Upon the same spot are situated the remains of the old mili-
tary redoubt from whence the gallant water guard cannonaded
the Vulture sloop of war, as she lay grounded on the ballast reef.
The site of the Indian village and redoubt belong to Mr. Hart,
who purchased of the Dutch Church.

The Dutch settlement of Tarwetown commenced soon after
Philips purchase in 1680. The first dwellings appear to have
been erected near the water's edge ; for the convenience of ship-
ping which found here a fine natural harbor. Prior to 1775 a dock
had been constructed, and several houses erected near it. In 1776,
the village consisted of twelve dwelling houses. At the present
day there are over one hundred dwellings, five churches, three
hotels and taverns, seven stores and an extensive brick yard.
The steamboats Columbus, Mountaineer and Arrow make daily
trips from this place to the city of New York. A number of sloops
are also owned here, which run to various places on the river.
Among others the Katrena van Tassel, Harvey P. Farrington,
and the Farmer's Daughter, by Gilbert Requa. The principal

» Visscher's map Nov Belgii.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

199

hotels are the Franklin House kept by Mr. H. Wilson, (a favor-
ite retreat for visitors during the summer season,) and the an-
cient tavern stand of Martin Smith, another well known resort of
travellers. Near the water's edge, in the vicinity of the landing,
is situated the residence of General William Paulding. This
house was erected previous to the Revolution, by his father
AYilliam Paulding, Esq. From its proximity to the water it was
frequently the object of the enemy's fire ; the marks of their can-
non balls are still visible on its walls.

Upon a commanding position, north of the village, is seated
the Irving Institute ; a classical boarding school for young
gentlemen. William P. Lyon, A. M., principal and proprietor.
This institution was founded in the spring of 1S3S. The loca-
tion is, perhaps, the most desirable that could be selected for
the purposes of education in this vicinity, 'i'he 5iVe is half a
mile from, the village landing, and about twenty-five miles distant
from New York, with which there is daily communication. The
edifice is a commodious brick building with wings, and a large
rear building for the school. The grounds embrace several
acres, affording abundant opportunity for healthy sports, and are
quite retired from the village.

Irving Institute, Tarry town.

Christ Church, Tarrytown, is a neat Gothic edifice of brick,
pleasantly located in the main street.

This church was erected in 1836, and consecrated to the ser»
vice of Almighty God by the name and style of Christ's Church,

200 HISTORY OF THE

Tarrytown, September, 1837. The whole structure is valued at

8S000.

On the iiorih side of the chancel are two marble slabs bearing
the following inscriptions:

IN IN

memory of memory of

Katharine Kemble, Maria* Philips,

Born October, 1765, (Relict of Frederick Philips, b)

and departed this life the of Philipstown, Putnam County,

16th day of July, New York,

A. D. 1843, who departed this life the 13th day of

Sister to Maria Philips. November, A.D. 1839,

" In death they aged 68 years.

were not

divided." Her remains rest within the walls of

the Tower of this Church.

The memory of the just is
blessed. — Prov. x. 7.

The Rev. William Creighton, D. D., first and present incurn-
betit.

Upon a commanding eminence, nearly in front of the Episco-
pal church, stands the mausoleum of the Cobb family. The lower
portion consists of a broad marble base, containing apartments for
two sarcophagi, and likewise an upper receptacle for coffins, the
whole surmounted by a neat obelisk.*^

Tiie Reformed Dutch church is situated immediately above
the former, on the road leading to Sing Sing. This building is
also constructed of brick. The front presents a coUonnade of the
lorjic order, surmounted with a wooden tower and spire. This
church was erected A. D. JS37, and is in union with the old
Dutch church at Sleepy Hollow.

a !\Iaria Kemble and her sister were nieces of the Honorable Viscount Gage.

b Son of Philip Philipse, proprietor of the Philipstown patent, and grandson of the
Hon. Frederick Philipse, Lord of the Manor of Philipsburgh.

* This structure has been recently erected for Capt. Nathan Cobb, now a resident
of this village, formerly and for many years a most efficient and successful coru-
mander in the Liverpool packet line from New York. — Irving Banner.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 201

Above the entrance is placed the following inscription.

"Reformed Dutch Church."

Erected A. D. 1837.

In all places where I record

my name I will come
unto thee and I will bless thee.

Exodus XX. 24.

The first pastor of this church was the Rev. George Dubois,
who was succeeded by the Rev. Joseph Wilson, present minister.

The Methodist society of Tarrytown was first organized by
the Rev. Mr. Witsell of Haverstraw, A. D. IS31. The present
church was erected in 1840. Since that period it has been at-
tached to the Bedford circuit.

The Asbury Methodist Episcopal church in this village was
erected A. D. 1837.

There is also a Baptist church, of which the Rev. Charles
Underhill is the present pastor.

Mr. Christopher Collins, the first projector of the Erie canal in
1805-6, was for several years a resident of this place, and lies
interred in the grave yard at Sleepy Hollow.

Tarrytown is far famed as the place where Major Andre, adju-
tant general of the British army, was captured by Paulding and
his associates upon the 23d of September, 1780. The circum-
stances which led to the arrest of the spy were as follows :

Major John Andre had been long negotiating with the Ameri-
can general, Arnold, to put the British general, Clinton, in pos-
session of West Point. " This post, says Major General Greene,
(who. it must be remembered, was president of the court that
tried Andre,) is a beautiful little place lying on the west bank of
the Hudson, a little below where it breaks through the chain of
mountains called the highlands. Its form is nearly circular, in
half of its circumference defended by a precipice of great height,
rising abruptly from the river, and on the other by a chain of
rugged, inaccessible mountains. It is accessible by one pass only
from the river, and that is narrow and easily defended, while on
the land side it can be approached only at two points by roads
that wind through the mountains and enter it at the river bank

Vol. I. ^ 26

202 HISTORY OF THE

on the north and soutli. Great importance had always bepn at-
tached to this post by the Ainerirans, and irreat labor and ex-
pense bestowed npoii fortify ini^ it. It has heen well called the
Gibraltar of America. The North river had long lieen the great
vein that snpplied life to the American army, and had theenemy
obtained possession of this post, besides the actual loss in men
and stores, the American army would have been cut oiF from
their principal resources in the ensuing' winter, or been obliged
to fall back above the Highlands, and leave all the country below
open to conquest, while the communicaiion between the eastern
and western states would have been seriously interrupted if not
wholly excluded. Arnold therefore well kiiew the bearing of
this post upon all the operations of the American army, and after-
wards avowed his confident expectation, that had the enemy got
possession of it, the contest must have ceased, and America
been subdued.

The British general, Clinton, also appears to have appreciated
the value of this post, and it is probable that the purchase of it
had been arranged with Arnold some months prior to the detec-
tion of the plot. It was when Washington marclied to Kings-
bridge, with a view to the attempt on New York, and when he
had mustered under him every man who could carry a musket,
that he placed Arnold in command of a corps of invalids at West
Point.

The commander-in-chief had offered him a command suitable
to his rank and reputation in the army, but he niade the unhealed
state of his wounds, and so;ne other causes, the pretext for de-
clitiing it, as the negotiations for the surrender of West Point had
already commenced. Soon after the relinquishment of the enter-
prize against New York, a meeting was concerted to take place
between the American commander-in-chief and the French mili-
tary and naval commanders. Hartford, on the ( onnecticut river
was the place assigned for their meeting; the object was to con-
sult on their future joint operations. Upon the departure of
Washington for this meeting Greene was placed in command of
the main army. Tliis was on the 17ih of September, 1780. On
the eighteenth Admiral Rodney arrived in New York with such
an overwhelming reinforcement to the British navy as must have

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 203

set the consiiliations at Hartford all at nouo^ht. From (hat time
Greene's communications to the president of congress are full of
the hurried preparations 2:oing on at New York for some impor-
tant enterprise ; little did [ie, or any other |)erson suspect to what
point that enterprze was directed.

It appears that General Greene had estabh'shed a regular com-
munication for obtainitig intelligence from the city by spies;
and his correspondents in that place were at a loss whether the
expedition was intended for Rhode Island or Virginia, ''j'o one
er other of these plnces (he enemy had been careful to throw
out hint?!, or exhibit appearances, that the expedilioa was directed.

Yet Greene was not deceived, for in a letter of the 21st (just
two days before the discovery of the plot) to General Washing-
ton he writes, " Colonel communicated the last

intelligence we have from New Y'ork ; since that I have not been
able to obtain the least inlorrnation of what is going on there.
Though we have people in from three different quarters, none of
them returning:, makes me suspect some secret expedition is in
contemplation, the success of which depends altogether upon its
being kept a secret.

The British conmander had now become sensible that no
time was to be lost, as most probably, on the return of Wash-
ington from Hartford, he would assume the command in person
at West Point, or confide it to Greene. The present, therefore,
was the most favorable time that would ever present itself-''^-

"Andre was accordmgly dispatched in (he Vulture sloopof war.
to hold a personal conference wi(h General Arnold. I'he Vul-
ture ascended t.;e Hudson river on the k!Oih, as far as Teller's
Point, and came to anchor at (he mouth of the Haversiraw bay.
Here Andre eagerly awaited some opportiujity to acquaint
Arnold with his arrival. An occasion tor so doing presented it-
self the next day. A white flag was displayed at 'leller's Point,
by some of the country people, which bjing" interpreted as they
Vv^ished, the captain ot (he Vulture sent off a boat with a flag,
which was fired upon as soon as it approached the shore. '^I'his
gave x4ndre the ojifjoriimity he desired, as it was a proper sub-

a See Baraum's Spy Unmasked..-. - - .

204 HISTORY OF THE

ject for a remonstrance to the commanding oiEcer,and a flag
with a letter was accordingly dispatched. The letter was
dared on the 2lst Sept. ; it was in the handwriting of Andr6,
signed by the captain of the vessel, and countersigned "John
Anderson." (And e's assumed name.) This flag was sent to
Yerplanck's Point. Arnold arrived just as the boat returned to
the Vulture. The letter was handed to him and of course fully
understood ; thereupon, he hastened to prepare Smith for a visit to
the enemy's vessel on the approaching night. Crossing from
Verplanck's to Stony point, he made all the requisite arrange-
ments respecting the boat that Smith would want, and then pro-
ceeded to his quarters to remove the difficulty which had occurred
respecting boatmen. The guard boats had received orders not to
stop Smith, and he also possessed the countersign for the next
night, which was the word " Congress." In the morning Smith
brought his tenant, Samuel Colquhoun to a conference with Ar-
nold, who requested him to accompany his landlord on a visit
that night to the Vulture." The man at first refused, but at last
consented to go with his brother, Joseph Colquhoun and Smith-
They were directed by Arnold to muffle the oars, and thus pre-
pared, about midnight, the boat arrived at the Vulture. The
noise made by the officer on watch, and the sailors in their hail-
ing the boat, was heard below, and a boy sent up with orders
that the man should be siiown into the cabin, supposing him to
be Arnold. Smith descended, and found his old acquaintance
Beverly Robinson. A letter from Arnold was presented to the
Colonel, in which he said, "This will be delivered to you by
Mr. Smith, who will conduct you to a place of safety. Neither
Mr. Smith nor any other person shall be made acquainted with
your proposals, if they (which 1 doubt not) are of such a nature,
that I can officially take notice of t hem, I shall do it with pleasure.
I take it for granted. Colonel Robinson will not propose anything
that is not for the interest of the United States, as well as of him-
self. "Smith had likewise two papers signed by Arnold, which
he showed to Robinson ; one, a permission to pass and repass
with a boat to Dobb's Ferry, the other a permission to Joshua
Smith, Mr. John Anderson and two servants, to pass and repass
the guards near King's ferry at all times." By these papers,

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 205

Colonel Robinson understood that Arnold expected Andre to
come on shore. Smith was left with the captain of the vessel
for abont a qnarter of an hour, when Robinson returned with a
person whom he introduced as Mr. Anderson. He excused him-
self from going ashore, but this person would go in his stead, and
was competent to the transaction of the business. Andre, al-
though in liis uniform, was so completely enveloped in a blue
great coat, that Smith (if we believe his assertions) did not sus-
pect his real name or character.

Smith and Andre descended into the boat, where the Colqu-
houns awaited them. They were landed at the foot of a moun-
tain called the Long Glove, on the western margin of the river,
about six miles b^low Stony point. The Vulture lay between
the place and Teller's Point. Here Arnold was in attend-
ance on horseback, with another horse brought by a servant of
Smith's. It was perfectly dark, and Smith knowint^ the spot
designated by Arnold, groped his way up the bank, and found
the commander of West Point concealed among the trees and
bushes.a-

Smith was sent back for his companion, and having intro-
duced him, was requested to retire to the boat, where he remained
ill at ease and watchful, while the Colqnhouns conscience-free,
slept soundly through the remainder of the night. The confer-
ence appeared unnecessarily long to Mr. Smith, and he retraced
his way to give notice of the approach of morning, and the ne-
cessity of departing before daylight appeared. . ':

The conspirators had exhausted the night and their business
was not yet completed. It was agreed that the boat should be dis-
missed, and sent up the river. Andre consoled to mount a led
horse brought to the Clove with Arnold, and to accompany him
to Smith's house, there to remain through the day, and return to
the sloop of war next night. It was still dark, and, as Andre as-
serts, the voice of the sentinel demanding the countersign, was
tlie first indication to the adjutant-general that he was within the
American lines. About the break of day, the conspirators arrived
at Smith's house. He had proceeded with the boat to Crown

Smith's words are, " hid among the firs."

206 HISTORY OF THE

Island in Haverslraw creek, and dismissing the Colquhouns
joined Arnold. To the alarm of the group, a cannonade was
very soon heard, and from the window, Andre beheld that the Vul-
ture was in peril from the guns, and saw her obliged to weigh
anchor and stand down the river. In an upper apartment in
Smith's house, the spy and the traitor viewed this unexpected in-
cident, and Sir Henry Clinton's adjutant general, no doubt, felt
for a time, that the net prepared for others, was closing around
him. It is to be supposed, (hat the commander of West Point
reassured him, and after breakfast, Smith left him to finish "the
plot of treachery" between them ; it was understood that Arnold
was to receive a stipulated sum. The day fixed upon, Andre
was to return to New York, and the British troops (already em-
barked under the pretence of an expedition to the Chesapeake,)
were to be ready to ascend the river. Arnold was to weaken
the post of West Point by such a disposition of the garrison, as
would yield it an easy prey to the troops brought against it.

Every preliminary was settled, and the spy furnished with all
the papers explanatory of the condition of the post, and the man-
ner in which its force was to be rendered unavailable, and its
garrison betrayed to death or captivity. Andre required to be
put in safety on board the Vulture; to this Arnold assented, and
although a different route was proposed, yet Andre supposed he
was to be sent on board the attending sloop of war. Before Ar-
nold left Smith's house, he urged him to go with Andre on board
the Vulture as soon as it was dark ; but, as if to provide for ob-
stacles, he sent two passes for Smith; the one a permission
to go " with a boat, three hands and a flag to Dobb's Ferry, on
public business, an^ return immediately;" the other, to pass the
guards to the White Plains, and return. To this was added a
third, as follows: "Head Quarters, Robinson's liouse, Sept. 22d,
1780. Permit Mr. John Anderson to pass the guards to the
White Plains, or below, if he chooses; he being on public busi-
ness, by my direction. — B. Arnold, M. Gen." A miserable day
was passed by the spy in solitude, and when evening came,
Smith positively refused to go again on board the Vulture, nei-
ther had he engaged any person to row the boat. The reason he
gave was an attack of the ague, but this did not prevent him,

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 207

as will be seen, from accompanying Andre on horse-back in his
nocturnal journey, or from crossing the river with hiuj. Tj)us
Andre was compelled to take the route Smith chose, which was
to cross the river, and proceed in the direction of White Plains.
The uniform coat of the adjutant general was left at Smitli's
house, and with a coat of Smith's, covered by the dark great-coat,
with "a wide cape and buttoned close to his neck," Andre was
equipped for the journey. Accordingly in the morning, he and
Smith proceeded to King's Ferry.

On the way. Smith endeavored to draw his companion into
conversation, but without success. He was reserved and thought-
ful. On the contrary, Suiith accosted several of his acquaintances
on the road, and even stopped at a sutler's tent, and joined in
discussing a bowl of punch, while Andre walked his horse slow-
ly to the ferry alone, and there waited Smi.h's arrival.

As they passed through the works at Verplanck's Point, Smith
rode up to Colonel Livingston's tent, while Andre, and a servant
who attended him, (a negro of Smith's,) rode on. To the
Colonel's inquiries. Smith said he was going up the country, and
took charge of letters for General Arnold and Governor Clinton.
He excused himself from stopping, as a gentleman waited for
him whose business was ur5:ent. He then overlook his charo-e
and they proceeded until between eight and nine at night, " when
they were hailed by the sentinel of a patrolling party. This was
near Crompond, and about eight miles from Verplanck's Point.
The sentinel ordered them to stop, and Smith dismounted, gave
the bridle of his horse to his servant, walked forward, and inquir-
ed who commanded the party. He was answered, -Captain
Boyd,' who, overhearing the conversation, immediately appeared.
The captain was unusually inquisitive, and demanded of him
who he was, where he belonged, and what was his business.
Smith answered these questions promptly, adding tiiat he had a
pass from General Arnold, and desired not to be detained. The
captain was not yet satisfied, but inquired how far he meant to
go that night ; to which he replied, as far as Major Strang's or
Colonel Drake's ; but this only increased the embarrassment, for
the captain informed him that Major Strang was not at home
and Colonel Drake had removed to another part of the country.

208 HISTORY OF THE

Captain Boyd then said that he must see the passport, and, it
being dark, they went to a house at a small distance to procure a
light. Andre began to be a little alarmed, and advanced with
reluctance towards the house, till he was encouraged by Smith,
who assured him that Arnold's pass would certainly protect them.

And so it proved ; for the pass was expressed in positive
terms, and there was no room to doubt its genuineness or its au-
thority.

The Captain was afterwards more bland in his manner, but
the ardor of his curiosity was not diminished. He took Smith
aside, and begged to be informed of this important business which
carried him down so near the enemy's lines, and induced him and
his companion to travel so dangerous a road in the night. As an
apology for this inquiry he manifested a good deal of concern for
their safety, telling him that the cow-boys had recently been out,
and were believed then to be for up the country, and he advised
him by all means not to proceed till mornins:. Smith prevaricat-
ed as well as he could, saying to Captain Boyd, that he and his
fellow-traveller, whom he called Mr. Anderson, were employed
by General Arnold to procure intelligence, that they expected to
meet' a person near White Plains for that purpose, and that it was
necessary for them to go foru'ard as expeditiously as possible.

Upon this statement Captain Boyd seemed more anxious than
ever, magnified the perils to which they would be exposed by
travelling in the night, and recommended anew that they should
turn back to one Andreas Miller's, who lived but a little way oif,
and at whose house they might lodge. Smith's courage was
somewhat damped by these representations, and he went and told
the tale to Andre, counselled with him as to the steps they ought
to take. It is probable, also, that he had fears of exciting suspi-
cion, if he hesitated in resisting the Captain's zeal, expressed so
earnestly in their behalf Andre, as it may well be imagined,
not being very easy in his present situation, was for going on at
all events. When Smith found his fears unheeded and his elo-
quence unavailing, he called in the aid of Captain Boyd, and in-
quired of him which was the safest road to White Plains. Boyd
considered both roads perilous, but believed the one through
ISorth Castle the least so, for the lower party, or cow-boys, infest-

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 209

cd the Tarry town road, and bad lately done mischief in that quar-
ter. He used various arguments to dissuade them from going
itirther that night, to which Smith listened with open ears, and
he resolved against the will of Andre, to trespass on the hospitali-
ty of Andreas Miller.

They met with a welcome reception, but coming at alate hour
to an humble dwelling, their accommodations were narrow, and
the two travellers were obliged to sleep in the same bed.

According to Smith's account, it was a weary and restless
night to his companion. The burden on his thoughts was not of
a kind to lull them to repose ; and the place of his retreat so near
the watchful Captain Boyd and his guard, w^as hardly such as
would impress upon him a conviction of perfect security.

At the first dawn of light he roused himself from his troubled
slumber, wakened the servant, and ordered tlie horses to be pre-
pared for an early departure.

Having solicited their host in vain to receive a compensation
for the civilities he had rendered, they mounted and took the
road leading to Pine's bridge,"=i which crosses the Croton River
on the way to North Castle. " The countenance of Andre bright-
ened when he was fairly beyond the reach of the patroHing party,
and, as he thought, he left behind him the principal difficulties in
his route. His cheerfulness revived, and he conversed, in the
most animated and agreeable strain, upon a great variety of top-
ics. Smith professes to have been astonished at the sudden and
extraordinary change which appeared in him, from a gloomy
taciturnity to an exuberant flow^ of spirits, pleasantry, and gay
discourse. He talked upon poetry, the arts, and literature; la-
mented the war. and hoped for a speedy peace."^ As they passed
Major Strang's house, two miles below Yorktown church, they
were observed by its inmates, who supposed them to be Conti-
nental officers. " In this manner they passed along, without be-
ing accosted by any person, till they came within two miles and
a half of Pine's Bridge. At this place Smith had determined to
end his journey in the direction of White Plains. The Cow-
boys, whom he seemed anxious to avoid, had recently been above-

^ Sparks' Life of Arnold, 214, 215,216, 217. ^ Ibid 217.

Vol. I. 27

210 HISTORY OF THE

the bridge, and the territory below was considered their appro-
priate domain. The travellers partook of a frugal breakfast to-
gether at the house of a good Dutch woman, who had been plun-
dered by three marauders, but who was yet enabled lo set before
them a repast of hasty pudding and milk.^ This being dispatched,
^Smith divided liis small stock of paper money with Andre, took
a final leave, and, with his servant, hastened back to Peekskill,
and the same evening to Fishkill, where he had left his family
four days before, at the house of his brother-in-law. On his way,
he took the road leading to Robinson's house, where he called on
General Arnold, and dined. He gave an account of Andre's pro-
gress, and mentioned the place where he left him, with which
Arnold appeared well pleased. It is to be understood, however,
that Smith had not, at this time, as he always affirmed, any
knowledge of Andre's true character, and that he supposed his
name to be John Anderson.

'i'he Coio-hoys were a set of people, mostly, if not wholly, re-
fugees, belonging to the British side, and engaged in plundering
cattle near the lines, and driving them to New York. The name
indicates their vocation. There was another description of ban-
ditti, called Skinners^ who lived, for the most part, within the
American liuesj and professed attachment to the American cause;
but, in reality, they were more unprincipled, perfidious and inhu-
man than the Cow-boys themselves ; for these latter exhibited some
symptoms of fellow feeling for their friends, — whereas, the Skin-
ners committed their depredations equally upon friends and foes.

f>y a law of the State of New York, every person refusing to
take an oath of fidelity to the state was considered as forfeiting
his property. The large territory between ihe American and Brit-
ish lines, extending nearly thirty miles from north to south, and
embracing Westchester county, was populous and highly culti-
vated. A person living within that space, who took the oath of
fidelity, was sure to be plundered by the Cow-boys; and if he
did not take it, the Skinners would come down upon him, call

*■ This was not a Dutch woman, zis the historian supposes, but Mrs, Sarah Under-
liill, wife of Isaac Underliii), of Yorktown, whose grandson, Edward Borough Un-
<lerhitl, still owns ihe iiousc. — Editok.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. ^ 211

him a tory, and seize his property as confiscated by tlie state.
Thus the execution of the laws was assumed by robbers, and ilie
innocent and guilty were involved in a common ruin.

It is true the civil authority endeavored to guard against ihe^o
outrages, so for as it could, by legislative enactments and execu-
tive proclamations; but, from the nature of the case, this form,
idable conspiracy against tlie rights and claims of humanity could
be crushed only by a military arm. The detachments of Conti-
nental troops and militia, stationed near the lines, did something
to lessen the evil, yet they were not adequate to its suppressior,
and frequently this force was so feeble as not to afford any barrier
to the inroads of the banditti.

The Skinners and Cow-boys often leagued together. The for-
mer would sell their plunder to the latter, taking in exchange
contraband articles brought from New York. It was not uncom-
mon for the farce of a skirmish to be acted near the American

. lines, in which the Skinners never failed to come off victorious ;
and then they would go boldly to the interior with their booty,
pretending it had been captured from the enemy while attempi-

" ing to smuggle it across the lines.

Such was the social condition of that part of the county through
which Andre was now to pass alone, for nearh^ thirty miles, be-
fore he could be perfectly secure from danger; for, although ev-
ery step diminished the chances of untoward accidents, yet there
was no absolute safety till he was beyond the limits of this ill-
. fated neutral ground.''^

" But Andre had the American general's pass to produce to the
■ one, and his true character to protect him from the other, ^till
he could not but feel that his situation was one of peril. The
remarks he had heard from the captain of the patrole on the pre-
ceding night, seems to have induced the adjutant-general to take

' the Tarrytown road, as the one most frequented by the Cow-boys ^
for it was understood by Saiith that he would proceed toward
White Plains. Upon what apparently chance circumstances the
fate of individuals, and armies, and states, appears to depend !
Had this bearer of ruin to thousands proceeded on the road at first

, * Sparks' Life of Arnold, 218, 19, 20, 21.

212 HISTORY OF THE

intended, be probably would have accomplished the treason in
safety to himself; but a few words uttered at random by the
American officer, to Smith, respecting the danger of the road
nearest the Hudson, determined the spy to turn that way, as most
frequented by his friends, — and by that heaven-directed turn,
impending ruin was averted, and the lives of thousands saved."
From Pine's Bridge, the adjutant general of the British army fol-
lowed the Crum Pond road, which passed the house of Mr. Staats
Hammond- The son of this gentleman, David Hammond, of
Norih Castle, is still living, (1847,) at an advanced age. He
relates, that on the day Andie was taken, he was standing at the
door of his father's residence, upon the Crum Pond road, when
he observed a person approaching on liorseback, leisurely walking
his horse. As he rode up, he observed the stranger to be closely
enveloped in a light blue swan's down cloak, with high military
boots, and a low crowned and broad brimmed hat on his head.
The animal he bestrode was a beautiful bay, bitted with a hand-
some double snaffle bridle ; the mane, particularly about the head,
being thickly matted with burs. The stranger immediately asked
for a driiik of water. It deserves to be noticed, in connection
with this incident, that Mr. Hammond's faiher, who was laying,
at the time, badly wounded on the floor, caught a glimpse of the
stranger, whom he pronounced to be a spy, from the fact of his
being enveloped in the manner described.

David Hammond, having procured a drinking vessel, accom-
panied by his sister, led the way to the adjoining well. Here the
girl drew the water, which was offered to the stranger, who re-
quested David to hold the bridle whilst he drank. After satisfy-
ing his thirst, he turned toward Mrs. Hammond, and asked the
distance to Tarrytown ; she replied, ''Four miles." " I did not
think it was so far," said he.

At Chappequa, in the vicinity of Underbill's tavern, the spy
encountered several (Quakers. From them he again i*3quired the
road, at the same time asking whether any troops were out be-
low, (fcc.

At the foot of the Chappequa roads the adjutant general select-
ed that which leads to the river. Following this, he came out in
the Albany post road, near the village of Sparta. He had now

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 213

securely passed about eleven miles of the neutral gronndj and ap-
proached within a few hundred yards of the Hudson without inter-
ruption, and probably felt himself beyond the reach of deteciion.

A little north of Tarrytown, the road crosses a small brook, (now
called the Andre brook.) A few rods from this spot a period was
put to the journey of the spy and the progress of the treason.

On this fated morning soiiie of the inhabitants of Westchester
had by agreement taken their arms, and proceeded to the neigh-
borhood of this brook and bridge, to prevent cattle from being
driven down towards New York, and to seize as a loyal prize
any such cows or oxen as might be destined for his majesty's
troops by their friends. This patriotic band of seven had volun-
teered of their own account to go upon this expedition the day pre-
vious, Sept. 22, 1780. John Yerks, (still living in the town of
Mount Pleasant aged eighty-eight.) says that he proposed this ex-
cursion to John Paulding, both of them being at that time station-
ed in North Salem. The latter at first objected, but upon fur-
ther consideration volunteered his services, provided they could
induce a sufficient number to accompany them. This Yerks
assured him could be easily accomplished and offered to procure
the men ; while Paulding should obtain the necessary permit
from the com.manding officer. Yerks had in the meantime en-
listed three volunteers, viz. Isaac See, James Romer and Abra-
ham Williams. Paulding soon after returned with tlie permit,
accompanied by his friend Isaac Van Wart. The party now
consisting of six, took the direct road for Cross river. Here they
were joined by David Williams from Bedford. From Cross riv-
er they proceeded' to Pleasantville, formerly Clark's Corner, where
they halted for the night. From a lady by the name of Mrs.
Powell, (who had recently arrived at this place from Morrisania,)
the volunteers ascertained that the British horse from Long Isl-
and, New Jersey and New York, had advanced from the Island
into tlie neighborhood of Boar hill, Yonkers.

Whilst Andre slept at Crunipond, our volunteers turned into
a hay barrack, (then standing a few yards fiom the present
Methodist Church,) ai Pleasantville.

Up by times on the next morning, the party followed the
windings of the Saw Mill valley to the house of Capt. Jacob

214 HISTORY OF THE

Rormer, where they obtained breakfast and a basket well pro-
vided for their dinner. From this place ihey marched to the hill
iiiimediately above Tarrytown. Here it was agreed that three
of the number, viz. Paulding, Van AYart and David Williams
should go below, whilst the remaining four should watch the
road above, with the full understanding, (according to Yerks,)
that whatever might be taken should be equally divided among
the whole band.

The upper party were stationed two hundred yards east on the
hill above the lower party, the latter being concealed in the
bushes near the post-road.

At Smith's trial, (which was by a court martial, and commen-
ced the day after Andre's examination, Paulding and YVilliams
gave the following testimony. Paulding said, '• myself, Isaac
van Wart and David Williams, were lying by the side of the
road about half a mile above Tarrytown, and about fifteen miles
above Kmgsbridge, on Saturday morning between nine and ten
o'clock, on the 23d of September. We had lain there about one
hour and a half, as near as I can recollect, and saw several per-
sons we were acquainted with, whom we let pass. Presently
one of the young men who were with me said, ' There comes a
gentleman-like looking man who appears to be well dressed and
has boots on, and whom you had better step out and stop, if
you don't know him. (The party must have observed Andre
rising the hill out of Sleepy Hollow ; when first observed, he
was walking his horse.) On that, I got up and presented my
firelock at the breast of the person and told him to stand, and
then I asked him which way he was going? 'Gentlemen,' said
he, 'I hope you belong to our party.' I asked him what parly.
He said ' the lower party.' Upon that, I told him I did. Then
he said '1 am a British officer out of the country on particular
business, and I hope you will not detain me a minute;' and to
show that he was a British officer he pulled out his watch, upon
v/liich 1 told him to dismount. He then said, ' My God ! I must
do any thing to get along,' and seemed to make a kind of laugh
of it; and pulled out Gjueral Arnold's pass, which was to John
Anderson to pass all the guards to Whiteplains and below ; up-
on that he dismounted. Said he, ' Gentlemen, you had best let

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 215

me go, or you will bring yourselves into trouble, for yonr slopping
me will detain the General's business, and said he was going to
Dobb's Ferry to meet a person there, and get intelligence for
General Arnold.'

" Upon that 1 told him I hoped he would not be offended, that
we did not mean to take any thing from him. And 1 told him
there were many bad people who were going along the road, and
I did not know tut perhaps he might be one."' Mr. Paulding
said further that he asked the unknown gentleman his name
and he answered " John Anderson." That on seeing General
Arnold's pass he should have let him go, if he had not previous-
ly said he was a British officer ; (there was yet another circum-
stance which tended greatly to increase their suspicions, viz. that
his pass was for White Plains and not the Tarrytown road ;)
and that when fie pulled out his watch, he understood it as a
confirmation of that assertion, and not as offering it to him.

Mr. Williams confirmed the above statement with these par-
ticulars. " W^e took him into the bushes, and ordered him to
pull off his clothes, which he did ; but on searching liim narrow-
ly we could not find any sort of writings. We told him to pull
off his boots, which he seemed indifferent about, but w^e got one
boot off, and searched in that boot and could find nothing. But
we found there were some papers in the bottom of his stockir)g
next to his foot, on which we made him pull his stocking off,
and found three papers wrapped up. Mr. Paulding looked at
the contents; and said he was a spy. We then made him pull
off his other boot, and there we found three more papers at the
bottom of his foot within his stocking."

The following letters and documents were found in the stock-
ings of Major Andre.

THE ANDRE PAPERS. -

-«

From the originals in the possession of Colonel Beeckman,^ of
Flatbush, Long Island.

a Col. Beeckman is the grandson and lineal descendant of Governor Georg©
Clinton.

216 HISTORY OF THE

No. 1.— Pass.

[Endorsed,]

Pass from General Arnold, dated September 20, 1780, to Joshua Smith and
Mr. John Anderson, to pass the guards at King's Ferry.

Head Quarters, Robinsoji's House,
September 20, 1780.
Permission is given to Joshua Smith, Esquire, a gentleman, Mr. John An-
derson, who is with him, and his two servants, to pass and repass the guards
near King's Ferry at all times.

(Signed,) B. Arnold, M. Gen'l.

No. 2.
[Endorsed,] Sept. 22, 1780.

Pass to Joshua Smith to pass to White Plains.

Head Quarters, Robinsori's House,
September, 22d, 1780.
Joshua Smith, Esq. has permission to pass the Guards to the White Plains,
and to return, being on public business, by my direction.

(Signed,) B. Arnold, M. Gen'l.

No. 3.
[Letter endorsed to]

'* Thomas Smith, Esq. Havershaw."

Robinsoii's House,^Sept. 25lh, 17S0.
Dear Brother : — I am here a prisoner, and am therefore unab!e to attend
in person. I would be obliged to you if you would deliver to Captain Cairns,
of Lee's Dragoons, a British Uniform Coat, which you will find in one of the
drawers in the room above stairs. I would be happy to see .you. Remem-
ber me to your family.

I am, affectionately, yours,
(Signed,) Joshua H. Smith.

Thomas Smith, Esq.

No. 4.

[Endorsed,] Memo.

Hennirut, [a word not intelligible.]
Elijah Hunter.

Mr. L Johnson, B. R r.

Mr. J. Stewart to the care of Joshua Smith, Esq. to be left at Head Q'rs.
Isaac Adams, 5 ,, 5 ,, 5.

COUNTY OF VVE6TCHESTER. 217

No. 5.
[Endorsed,]

Gen'l Arnold's permission to Joshua Smith.

21 Sep. 1780.
- - to Dobb's Ferry,

. . -. ^ &c. &c.

.. •• .■ ' ■ ^ Head Quarters, Robinson'' s House,

■ ■ Sept. 21, 1780.

Permission is granted to Joshua Smith, Esq. to go to Dobb's Ferry with
three Men and a Boy in a Boat with a Flag to carry some Letters of a private
Nature for Gentlemen in New York and to Return immediately.

(Signed,) - B. Arnold, M. Gen'l.

N. B. — He has permission to go at such hours and times as the tide and
his business suites. B. A.

\ ■ : ;' -' • No. 6.

[Endorsed,] , . - '

Sep. 22, 1780.
Pass to Joshua Smith to pass to Dobb's Ferry.
* v.- • ' ' ■ • ' '.. Head Quarters, Robinson'' s House^

Sept. 22, 1780.
Joshua Smith, Esq. has permission to pass with a Boat and three handj
and a flag to Dobb's Ferry on Public business and to return immediately.
(Signed,) . . ..- - B. Arnold, M. Gen'I.

■~ '--■.' No. 7. ^- :"■■ .--

[Endorsed,] •' ' ; '■. --^ -.

Arnold lo John Anderson — Pass. ":^ ' ^ >■

22d Sept. 1780. "' . ■

- ' ; Head Quarters, RobinsorCs House,

Sept. 22, 1780.
Permit Mr. John Anderson to pass the Guards to the White Plains, or be-
low, if He Chuses, He being on Public Business by my Direction.

B. Arnold, M. Gen'I.

No. 8.
" .' - [In Arnold's hand-writing.]

[ Gustavus to John Anderson." -.^

" The following document is one of the highest importance to
the British, inasmuch as " in case of alarm ^^ it made the British
— who would have caused the alarm — fully acquainted with the

Vol. I. , , - •• .: • 28 ■■. - ' ■'/.

218 HISTORY OF THE

disposition of all the American forces in that vicinity, and thus
enable them to conduct an attack to the best advantage. It is
of course in the traitor's own hand-writing: —

No. 9.
[Endorsed,]

Artillery Orders, Sept. 5th, 1780.

W'st Point, Sept. 5th, 1780.
Artillery Orders.

The following disposition of the corps is to take place in Case of an alarm.

Capt. Dannills with his Comp'y at Fort Putnam, and to Detach an Officer
with 12 men to WylJys's Redoubt, a non Commissioned Officer, with 3 men
to Webb's Redoubt, and the like number to Redoubt No. 4.

Capt. Thomas and Company to repair to Fort Arnold.

Capt. Simmons and Company to remain at the North and South Redoubts,
at the East side of the River, until further orders.

Lieut, Barber, with 20 men of Capt. Jackson's Company will repair to
Constitution Island ; the remainder of the Company with Lieut. Mason's will
repair to Arnold.

Capt. Lieut. George and Lieut. Blake with 20 men of Capt. Treadwell's
Company, will Repair to Redoubt No, 1 and 2, the remainder of the Company
will be sent to Fort Arnold.

Late Jones's Company vA-iih Lieut Fisk to repair to the South Battery.

The Chain Battery Sherburn's Redoubt, and the Brass Field pieces will be
manned from Fort Arnold as Occation may require.

The Commissary and Conductor of Military stores will in turn wait upon
the Commanding Officer of Artillery for Orders.

The Artificers in the Garrison, (agreeable to former Orders,) will repair
to Fort Arnold, and their receive further Orders from the Command'g Officer
of Artillery, J. Bauman Major Comm't Artillery.

No. 10.
[In the Traitor's own hand.]
[Endorsed,]

Estimate of the Forces at West Point, and its dependencies,
Sept. 1780,
Estimate of the Forces at W'st Point and its dependencies, Sep, 13th, 1780.
A Brigade of Massachusets Militia and two Regiments of Rank and
file New Hampshire Inclusion of 166 Batteaux Men at Verplanks
and Stoney Points, 992

On command and Extra Service at Fish Kills, New Windsor, &c.

&:c., who may be called in occationally, 852

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 219

3 Regiments of Conecticut Militia under the Com'd of Colonel Wells

on the lines near N. Castle,
A Detachment of N. York Levies on the lines,

Colonel Lamb's Regiment

Colonel Livingston at Verplank and Stoney Pts

Colonel Sheldon's Dragoons on the lines about one half mounted
Batteaux Men and Artificers

Total 3080

488

115

Militia

2447

167

Continent :

247

lalf mounted

142

250

•'■-.• , No. 11. ■ ■',;" '■ ' ;.."

[In Arnold's hand.] • .. . -■ ^ " •

[Endorsed,] - . ,
Estimate of Men to Man the Works at Wst Point, &c.
Sep'r 1780.
Estimate of the Number of Men necessary to Man the Works at West Point

and in the Vicinity.

., , Fort Arnold 620 /

Putnam 450

Wyllys 140

Webb _k_- ' 140. - '; ^'

Redoubt No. 1 . v 15C

ditto 2 150

ditto 3 . 120 ' \ */' j- '

ditto 4 . , ^ .' 100 . •

ditto 5 - ' ,-v. 139

ditto 6 ,'__ 110 .

ditto 7 . ' V- ~ - 78 ,' - /

North Redoubt ' _ ' 120

South Redoubt 130 • ^^ •

■" .;' Total 2438

Villepance, Engineer.
N. B. The Artillery Men are not Included in the above Estimate.

220

HISTORY OF THE

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"The virulence and malice of Ai'nold's treachery are no where
more manifest and delestable than in the following document.
See how the archfiend exposes the weaknesses of the forts — the
ease with which they could be set on fire — the facilities of ap-
proach— the commanding heiglits and rising grounds, (fee. The
whole too, an expose intended expressly for the British, and
yet endorsed as if it had been a memoran Jum for his own private
use a.jd fur Gjneral Washington.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 221

No. 12.
[In the traitor's own hand.]
[Endorsed,]
Remarks on Works at Wt. Point, a Copy to be transmitted to his Excell'y

General Washington.
Sepr. 1T80.

Fort Arnold is built of Dry Fascines and Wood is in a ruinous condition,
incompleat, and subject to take Fire from Shells or Canasses.

Fort Putnam, stone, wanting great repairs, the wall on the East side broke
down, and rebuilding From the Foundation at the west and South side have
been a Chevaux de Frise on the Wst side broke in many Places. The East
side open, two Boom Proofs and Provision Magazine in the Fort, and slight
Wooden Barrack. — A. commanding piece of ground 500 yards West between
the Fort and No. 4 — or Rocky Hill. —

Fort Webb Built of Fascines and Wood, a slight Work very dry and liable
to be set on fire as the approaches are very easy, without defences save a
slight abathus.

Fort Wyllys built of stone 5 feet high the Work above plank filled with
Earth the stone work 15 feet the Earth 9 feel thick. — No Bomb Proofs, the
Batteries without the Fort.

Redoubt No. 1. On the south side wood 9 feet thick, the Wt. North and
East sides 4 feet thick, no cannon in the works, a slight and single Abetters,
no ditch or Pickett. Cannon on two Batteries. No Bomb Proofs.

Redoubt No. 2. The same as No. 1. No Bomb Proofs.

Redoubt No. 3, a slight Wood Work 3 Feet thick very Dry no Bomb Proofs,
a single Abatters, the work easily set on fire — no Cannon.

Redoubt No. 4 a Wooden work about 10 feet high and fore or five feet thick,
the West side faced with a stone wall 8 feet high and four thick. No Bomb
Proof, two six pounders, a slight Abatters, a Commanding piece of ground 500
yards Wt.

The North Redoubt on the East side built of stone 4 feet high, above the
stone wood filled in with Earth, Yery Dry, no ditch, a Bomb Proof, three Bat-
teries without the Fort, a poor Abatters, a Rising piece of ground 500 yards.
So, the approaches Under Cover to within 20 yards. — The Work easily fired
with Faggots diptd in Pitch &c.

South Redoubt much the same as the North a Commanding piece of ground
500 yards due East — 3 Batteries without the Fort.

"The following document explains itself: —

No. 13.
[In Arnold's hand-writing.]
[Endorsed,]

Copy of a Council of War, held Sept. 6th, 1780.
Ala Council of War, held in Camp Bergen County Sept. 6th, 1840.

222 HISTORY OF THE

Present — the Commander-in-Chief.

The Commander-in-Chief states to the Council, that since he had the honor
of laying before the General Officers, at Morristown, the Gth of June last, a
general view of our circumstances, several important events have occurred,
which have materially changed the prospects of the Campaign.

That the success expected from France, instead of coming out in one body,
and producing a Naval Superiority in these Seas, has been divided into two
Divisions, the first of which only consisting of seven ships of the line, one
forty-four and three smaller Frigates, with five thousand land Forces, had
arrived at Rhode Island.

That a Reinforcement of six ships of the line from England having rein-
forced the Enemy, had made their Naval Force in these seas amount to Nine
Sail of the Line, Two Fifties two forty-fours, and a number of smaller Frigates,
a Force completely superior to that of our Allies, and which has in consequence
held them Blocked up in the harbor of Rhode Island till the 29th ult., at which
Period the British Fleet disappeared, and no advice of them has since been
received.

That Accounts received by the Alliance Frigate, which left France in July,
announces the Second Division to be Confined in Brest with several other
Ships by a British Fleet of thirty-two Sail of the line, and a Fleet of the Allies
of Thirty-six, or thirty-eight Ships of the lias ready to put to sea from Cadiz
to relieve the Port of Brest.

That most of the States in their answers to the requisitions made of them,
give the strongest assurances of doing every thing in their power to furnish
the men and supplies required for the expected Co-operation. The effect of
which, however, has been far short of our expectations, for not much above
one-third of the Levies demanded for the Continental Battalions, nor above
the Same proportion of Militia have been assembled, and the Supplies have
been so inadequate that there was a necessity for dismissing all the Militia,
whose immediate services could be dispensed with to lessen our Consumption,
notwithstanding which the Troops now in the Field are severely suffering for
want of Provision.

That the army at this Post and in the vicinity in opperating Force consists
of 10,400 Continental Troops and about 400 Militia, besides which is a Regi-
ment of Continental Troops of about 500 at Rhode Island left there for the
assistance of our Allies, against any attempt of the Enemy that way, and two
Connecticut State Regiments amounting to 800 at North Castle.

That the Times of Service for which the Levies are Engaged will expire
the first of January which, if not replaced, allowing for the usual Casualties,
will reduce the Continental Army to less than 6000 men.

That since the state to the Council above Referred to, the Enemy have
brought a detachment of about 3000 men from Charles Town to New York,
which makps the present opperating Force in this Quarter between Ten and
Eleven Thousand men.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 223

That the Enemies Force now in the Southern States has not been lately
ascertained by any distinct accounts, but the general supposes it cannot be less
than 7,000 (of which about 2,000 are at Savannah) in this estimate the Dimi-
nution by the Casualties of the Climate, is supposed to be equal to the increase
of Force derived from the Disaffected.

That added to the loss of Charles Town and its Garrison accounts of a re-
cent misfortune are just arrived from Major General Gates, giving advice of a
general action which happened on the 16ih of August near Campden,in which
the army under his Command met with a total defeat, and in all probability the
whole of the Continental Troops, and a Considerable part of the Mihtia would
be cut off.

That the State of \^irginia has been sometime exerting itself to raise a Body
of 3000 Troops to serve till the end of December, 1781, but how far it has suc-
ceeded is not known.

That Maryland had Resolved to raise 2000 Men of which a sufficient num-
ber to compose one Battalion was to have come to this army. The remainder
to recruit the Maryland line — but in consequence of the late advices, an order
has been sent to march the whole Southward.

That the Enemies Force in Canada, Halifax, St. Augustine, and at Penob-
scot, remains much the same as stated in the preceding Council.

That there is still reason to believe the Court of France will prosecute its
Original intention of giving effectual succor to this Country, as soon as cir-
cumstances will permit ; and it is hoped the second Division will certainly
arrive in the course of the fall.

That a Fleet greatly superior to that of the Enemy in the West Indies, and
a formidable land Force had sailed sometime since from Martinique to make
a Combined attack upon the Island of Jamaica, that there is a possibility of a
reinforcement from this quarter also, to the Fleet of our Ally at Rhode
Island.

The Commander-in-Chief having thus given the Council a full view of our
present Situation and future prospects, requests the Opinicm of each Member,
in writing, what plan it will be advisable to pursue, to what objects Our Atten-
tion ought to be directed in the course of this fall and winter, taking into con-
sideration the alternative of having or not having a Naval Superiority, whether
any Offensive operations can be immediately undertaken and against what
Point, what ought to be our immediate Preparations and dispositions, particu-
larly whether we can afford or ought to send any Reinforcements from this
Army to the Southern States, and to what amount the General Requests to be
favored with these opinions by the 10th Instant at farthest.

" This concludes the famous " Andre Papers.'^ A more re-
markable set of documents no man surely ever set foot on before.

224 HISTORY OF THE

The papers themselves look yellow, are much crumpled and
worn, and bear evident marks of age."a

« # » ♦ ♦ » #

" Upon this we made him dress himself and I asked him what
he would give us to let him go. He said he would give, us any
sum of money. 1 asked him whither he would give us his horse,
saddle, bridle, watch, and one hundred guineas. He said 'yes,'
and told us he would direct them to any place, even if it was
that very spot, so that we could get them. I asked him whither
he would not give us more. He said he would give us any
quantity of dry goods, or any sum of money, and bring it to any
place that we might pitch upon, so that we might get it. Mr.
Paulding answered, ' No, if you would give us two thousand
guineas you should not stir one step.' I then asked the person
who had called himself John Anderson, if he would not get
away if it lay in his power. He answered, 'Yes, I would.' I
told him, I did not intend he should. While taking him along,
we asked him a few questions, and we stopped under a shade.
He begged us not to ask in"m questions, and said when he came to
any commander, he would reveal all. He was dressed in a blue
overcoat and a tight body coat that was a kind of claret color,
though a rather deeper red than claret. The button holes were
laced wiih gold tinsel, and the buttons drawn over with the
same kind of lace. He had on a round hat and nankeen waist-
coat and breeches, with a flannel waistcoat and drawers, boots
and thread stockings." According to John Yerks, the lower
party were observed coming up the hill, Paulding^ leading
the horse, upon which Andre was mounted. As they halted,
Paulding exclaimed, " we have got a prisoner," and immediately
ordered Andre to dismount. He then asked him for his watch.

» New York Herald, 1842.

b Paulding had effected his escape only three days previous from the New York
Sugar House, in tlie dress of a German yager. General Van Cortlandt states that
Paiilding wore this drees on the day of the capture, which tended to deceive An-
dre and led him to exclaim, in answer to their reply, " Thank God, I am once
more among friends."

COUN IT OF WESTCHESTER. 22

4:io

at the same time w.irning him not to make any attempt at es-
cape, for if he did, he was a dead man. After a short interval,
Paulding (who appears to have been the master spirit upon
this occasion,) ordered him to remount. They then led him
off in the direction of North Castle, the nearest military post,
where Lieut. Col. Jameson was stationed with a detachment of Shel-
don's dragoons. The roads being carefully avoided, the party went
with all speed across the fields, each taking their turns at the
bridle, some marching on either side, the remainder bringing up
the rear. During their progress to INorth Castle, the prisoner
never spoke unless some question was asked, and then said but
h"ttle in reply. On their route the party stopped for a short tim3
at Jacob Romers,a(in the vicinity of the present poor-house.) where
the captors had taken breakfast that morning. Having forgot in
their hurry the basket of provisions, Captain Romer was dis-
patched after it. During the absence of Romer, Andre was ask-
ed by the lady of the house, if he would take any thing to eat,
his reply was truly descriptive of his bitter feelings, '' No, I
thank you, I have no appetite to take anything." Upon the ar-
rival of the basket, the party again resumed their march, and
within a short time arrived at Northcastle. Here they delivered
np their prisoner to Jameson, with all the papers that had been
taken from his stockings. '^ The prisoner w^as confined here
in a small cottage, at present attached to the barn of Mr. Sands.
Further details concerning the spy will be found in the respec-
tive towns,c ' "

* Paulding, says Jacob Romer, came up in advance of the party and observed to
me, " Be careful how you talk, I believe we have got an English officer."

b It is a curious fact mentioned by Sparks in his Biography of Arnold, that the
last canto of Andre's humorous satire, called the " Cow-chase," was first printed
on the very day of his capture. It will be found in Rivington's Royal Gazette fof
Sept. 23, 1780. It ends with the following stanza.

'* And now I've closed my epic strain,
I tremble as I show it,
Lest this same warrior-drover, Wayne,
Should ever catch the poet."

[Sparks' Biog. Arnold, 228.
« See North Castle. S. Salem.

Vol. L 29

226 HISTORY OF THE

Upon the delivery of their prisoner, the seven patriots returned
to their different quarters, little imagining the importance of tlieir
prize. A little more than a month afterwards, (General Wash-
ington having recommended the captors to Congress,) they re-
ceived the following vote of thanks from that body.

In Congress, November 3, 1780.

Whereas Congress have received information that John Paulding, David
Williams and Isaac van Wart, three young volunteer militia men of the State
of New York, did, on the 23d day of September last, intercept Major John
Andr-', adjutant general of the British army, on his return from the American
lines in the character of a spy, and notwithstanding the large bribes offered
them for his release, nobly disdaining to sacrifice their country for the sake of
gold, sec ..red and conveyed him to the commarding officer of the district,
whereby the dangerous and traitorous conspiracy of Benedict Arnold was
brought to light, the insidious designs of the enemy baffled, and the United
Slates rescued from impending danger :

Resolved, that Congress have a high sense of the virtuous and patriotic con-
duct (>f the said John Paulding, David Williams and Isaac van Wart. In tes-
timony whereof, Ordered, that each of them receive annually out of the public
treasury two hundred dollars in specie, or an equivalent in current money of
these States, during life, and that the board of war procure for each of them a
silver medal, on one side of which shall be a shield with this inscription " Fi-
delity," and on the other, the A)ll()wing motto" Yincit amor patriae," and for-
ward them to the commander-in-chief, who is requested to present the same,
with a copy of this resolution, and the thanks of Congress for their fidelity and
the eminent service they have rendered their country.

The State also gave each a farn). ,

The Westchester Connty Bank, at Pcekskill. has commemo-
rated this important event on its bills, by a beaniifiil vignette
picture representing the arrest of the spy. He is in the act of
snpplicalino[ his captors to let tiim escape, the discovered papers
are in the hands of one of ih.em, and (he stern eyes of the others
evince the determination to listen to no sngo:es!ions hut those of
patiiolism. The form and features of Andre are admirably de
picted, a miniature hangs in liis hosom exqui>itely finished.
This was a likeness of Miss Honora to whom he was devotedly
attached. a The picture had been painted by himself from the

» This lady died of consumption only a few months before Andre suffered at
Tappan. She had married another gentlemen four years after her engagement to

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER; 227

living features of the object of his affections. In 1775, he was
taken prisoner by General Montgomery, at St. Johns, Canada; a
few months afterwards, in a letter to a friend, he observes, » I
have b3en taken prisoner by the Americans, and stripped of
every thing except the pictnre of Honora, which I concealed m
my month. Preserving that, I think myself t^ortunate-''^. To
this touching incident Anna Seward refers in her poem upon
Andie.

^' Shade of my love
'Tis free ! These lips shall resolute enclose
The precious souther of my ceaseless woes."

The above vignette suggested the following stanzas.

"Before their country's foe they stand,
Each with a stern and searching eye ;
Grasped with a firm and honest hand,
The hostile records open lie ;
They read, and as each- noble brow
Wears the quiet shadow of resoh'e,
The true and just exhibit now,
The secret which they dared to solve.

Away with gold ! It has no power
To turn the true heart from its quest ;
The ordeal of this solemn hour
Gives firmness to the patriot's breast;
And as the tempter's art is tried,
He finds each supplication vain ;
The weary prisoner turns aside^
To hide his laboring bosom's pain.

Tumultuous thoughts upon his mind,
In quick succession wildly crowd,
As urged by the resistless wind.
Spreads o'er the sky the tempest's cloud.

Andre, which had been dissolved by parental affection.— [See J^etterg about th^
Hudson, published by Freeman &, Hunt, 1837.
a See Sparks' Life of Arnold, p. 171.

228 HISTORY OF THE

Why bends his sad and languid glance
Where, near his heart, that picture lieSf
AfFection^s fond inheritance,
With sunny smile and loving eyes t

Alas ! upon that face no more
The eager gaze of hope can turnj
The dream of early love is o'er,
And ne'er again its fires will burn ;
A shade is gathering o'er each tress,
A gloom is lingering on the brow.
And all its budding loveliness
Is stained with tears of anguish now.

Brave, yet devoted ! On thy head
The bolt, by others forged, shall fall ;
And history on thy name shall shed
Of fate, the wormwood and the gall;
Yet wert thou noble — and thy soul
The battle and the storm withstood,
Till bending to a stern control,
'Twas by a traitor's lure subdued.

Peace to thy shade, ill-fated one !
Though in the abbey's lengthened aisle,*

* Memorial to Major John Andre in Westminster Abbey, England.

This is a neat monument in s'.atuary marble, composed of a sarcophagus, eleva-
ted on a pedestal, upon the panel of which is engraved the following inscription:

" Sacred to the memory of IMajor Andr^, who, raised by his merit, at an early
period of life, to the rank of adjutant-general of the British forces in America, and
employed in an important, but hazardous enterprise, fell a sacrifice to his zeal for
his king and country, on the 2d of October, 1780, aged twenty-nine, universally
beloved and esteemed by the army in which he served, and lamented even by his
foes. His gracious sovereign, King George the Third, has caused this monument
to be erected."

The remains of the said Major Andre were deposited, on the 28th of November,
1821, in a grave near his monument.

On the front of the sarcophagus, General Washington is represented in his tent,
at the moment when he had received the report of the court-martial held on Major
Andre ; at the same time a flag of truce arrived from the British army, with a let-
ter for General Washington, to treat for the Major's life. But the fatal sentence
being already passed, the flag was sent back without the hoped for clemency in his
favor. Major Andre received his condemnation with that fortitude and resolution
which had always marked his character, and is represented going', with unshaken

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 229

Scarce lit by day's meridian sun,
Thy marble bust may sadly smile,
Yet is there darkness on thy name,
Though gentle pity mourns for thee,
While patriots bless the holy flame.
Which kept thy captor's spirit free.
■.s. ' . - [Westchester and Putnam Republican.

A remarkable incident is said to have befallen the celebrated
white wood tree near which the spy was captured. It was struck
by lightning on the same day that the intelligence of General Ar-
nold's death arrived at Tarrytown. This tree was a fine
specimen of the ancient forest, being twenty-six feet in cir-
cumference, and its stem forty-one feet in length. At the
present day not a vestige remains of " Major Andre's tree," as
it was familiarly called. It is thus beantifully described by the
author of the Sketch Book : " This tree towered like a giant
above all the other trees of the neighborhoo 1, and formed a kind
of landmark. Its limbs were knnrled and fantastic, large enough
to form trunks for ordinary trees, twisting down almost to the
earth, and rising again into the air. It v/as connected with the
tragical story of the unfortunate Andre, who had been made pris-
oner hard by, and was universally known by the name of ' Major
Andre's tree.' The common people regarded it with a mixture of
respect and superstition, partly out of sympathy for the fate of its
ill-starred namesake, and partly from the tales of strange sights,
and doleful lamentations told concerning it." It was while pass-
ing beneath this whitewood tree that Ichabod Crane, in his mid-
night career toward Sleepy Hollow, "suddenly heard a groan,
his teeth chattered, and his knees smote against the saddle. It
Avas but the rubbing of one huge branch upon another, as they
were swayed about by the breeze. He passed the tree in safety,
but new perils lay before him. About two hundred yards from
the tree, a small brook crossed the road, and ran into a marshy
and thickly u'ooded glen, known by the name of Wiley's Swamp.

spirit, to meet his doom. On the top of the sarcophagus, a figure of Britannia, re-
clining, laments the premature fate of so gallant an officer. The British lion, too,
seems instinctivelv to mourn his untimely death.

230 HISTORY OF THE

A few rouo:h logs, laid side by side, served for a bridge over this
stream. On that side of the road where the brook entered the
wood, a group of oaks and chestnuts, matted thick with wild
grape vines, threw a cavernous gloom over it. To pass this
bridge was the severest trial. It was at tiiis identical spot that
the unfortunate Andre was captured, and under the covert of
those chestnuts and vines were the sturdy yeomen concealed who
surprised him. This has ever since been considered a haunted
stream, and fearful are the feelings of the schoolboy who has to
pass it alone after dark."a

Beside the capture of Andre, there are several revolulionary
incidents which deserve to be noticed in connection with Tarry-
town. One of these was the surprisal qf a large corps of British
refugees, which took place at the tavern of Ehzabeth van Tassel.
Major Hunt, having received intelligence of the advance of this
party, at once determined upon their surprisal, particularly as the
late murderers of his brother were known to be among the num-
ber. In company, therefore, with John Archer, and a (e\v volun-
teers, Major Hunt proceeded from Westchester to. Tarry town, so
arranging the march as to arrive in the vicinity of the tavern
about dusk. After darkness had fairly set in. Hunt, with his
party, surrounded the house: at this moment their unsuspecting
enemies were engaged in playing cards. Major Hunt, having
armed himself with a huge club, now gave the signal for attack,
when the whole party simultaneously rushed in, headed by the
Major, who exclaimed, as he raised his weapon, " Clubs are
trumps, gentlemen." During the desperate struggle that ensued,
Archer attempted to kill several of the refugees, and was only
prevented from so doing by Major Hunt, who, arresting his arm,
observed — "Sir, the highest sense of honor in a soldier is to pro-
tect the lives of his prisoners." After a short but ineffectual re-
sistance, the refugees surrendered, and were led off in triumph to
the American quarters.

In the summer of 1779, a strong detachment iinder the com-
mand of Col. Emmerick advanced upon Tarrytown so rapidly,
that the Continental guard quartered in Requa's house were com-

■ See Sketch Book, Beauties of Irving, tfcc &,c.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 231

pletely taken by surprise ; four of them were killed upon the
spot, and the remainder, consisting of ten or twelve, taken pris-
oners. On this occasion Isaac Martlinoh,a a one armed man,
and Polly Buckhout, were also killed ; the latter supposed acci-
dentally, from the circumstance of her wearing a man's hat.

In the spring of 1782, a small party of refugees, under the
command of Lieut. Akerly. captured tjiree American militiamen
named Yerks, Van Wart, and Strong, near the residence of the
present Gilbert Underhill, situated in Tarrytown. Strong was
hung on the spot by his inhuman captor.

The following letter occurs in the book of Military Returns.^

Philipsburgh, Oct. 23, 1775.
Mr. William Paulding,

Sir,

I send you a list of the officers chosen in
the manor of Philipsburgh, in the county of Westchester, in the room of those
who decline.- - , >

■ ■ For Tarrytown.

' ' - ' Gload Requa, Capt.

Cornelius van Tassel, 2d Lieut.
Siebout Acker, Ensign.

Upper Company. ' ' ' , .

Jf^gias Arsor, 2d Lieut. . " : . / ,

East Company. ' ^ ' '■ ,

Benj. Vermilyea, Capt.
Gilbert Dean, first Lieut. , '

William Forshee, 2d Lieut. " ''•

a 1 he fullovving epitaph is inscribed upon this individual's grave stone in Sleepy
Hollow churcii-yaid : —

T. M.

lu memory of Mr. Isaac Martungh,

who was inhumanly

slain by Nathaniel

Underhill, May 26,

A.D. \Ti^,
in the 39th year
of his age.
b Military Returns, Alb. xxvi. 140.

232 HISTORY OF THE

We have likewise returned you the commission of those who decline.

George Comb,
Joseph Young,
James Hammond.

In 1776, the ccmmittee addressed the following letter to Gene-
ral Washington.

Saturday morning, July 13, 1776.

Sir:

On being informed 5'esterday afternoon, that two ships of war had gone
into the North River, and passed by all the fortifications on York Island, the con-
vention immediately sent an express to the commanding officer of the fort at the
Highlands, advising him thereof. Last evening advice arrived that two frig-
ates and two or three tenders were at anchor at Tarrytown, whereupon the
convention sent the inhabitants a supply of powder and ball, and took imme-
diate measures for reinforcing the inhabitants along that shore. This morning
the convention were informed, that the frigates and tenders still lay there at
anchor, and that several barges were busy in sounding the river; another de-
tachment of the militia has been directed to guard the stores in that neighbor-
hood, in which are sundry effects belonging to the public.

The convention will endeavor to prevent their making incursions into the
country, and beg leave to suggest to your Excellency, the propriety of keep-
ing a strong guard at King's bridge, the destruction of which they apprehend
tobe an object with the enemy. ^

I have the honor to be with esteem,

Your Excellency's most obedient servant,
by order

To his Excellency Gen, Washington.

July 16th, 1776. A letter from Colonel Hammond then sta-
tioned at Tarrytown, was read.

The Colonel therein informs the convention, that the ships of
war have left that harbor, and are sailing up the river with a
fair wind, towards the Highlands. Thereupon it was resolved,
that Colonel Van Cortlandt and Mr. Z. Piatt^ be directed to re-
pair immediately to the Highlands. '^

» Jour. N. Y. Pro. Cou Book I. 523.

t- A distinguished ofEcer of the American service, grandfather of Lewis C. Plait,
Esq., present surrogate of the county.
• Journal N. Y. Pro. Con. Book I. 525.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

233

Upon the 9(h of October, 1778, a body of 1100 British troops
embarked on board batleaux at Peekskill and the same night
proceeded to Tarrytown, where they landed at daybreak, and oc-
cupied the heights adjoining.*

Jnly 15th, 1781, ( remarks Thatcher, in his Military Journal,)
two of the British frigates, and several smaller vessels, passed
up the North River as far as Tarrytown, in defiance of our can-
non, which were continually playing on them. Their object ap-
pears to be, to seize some of our small vessels which are passing
down the river with supplies for our army.

One small sloop loaded with bread for the French army, has
fallen into their hands.''^

Greeiiburgh is a small hamlet situated three miles south east of
Tarrytown, consisting of a church, a store, a few scattered
houses, and one tavern.

This place is delightfully located in the Saw mill valley,
through which flows the lovely Nepera, (Saw mill.)

Upon the west side of the valley, towers Beaver hill, frown-
ing in solemn majesty on the quiet scene below.

Presbyterian Church, and Tomb of Isaac van Wai t.

■• Gaines' Weekly Mercury,
b Thatcher's Journal, 258.

Vol. I.

234 HISTORY OF THE

The Presbyterian Church of Greenburgh, (situated on the
east bank of the Saw mill) was first organized about the year
1790, under tlie ministry of the Rev. John Townley. This
individual labored here for about twelve years, after which time
he removed to Somers, and subsequently to Peekskill.^'

Upon the departure of Mr. Townley, services were performed
here, by the Rev. Thomas G. Smith, pastor of the Dutch Re-
formed Church of Tarrytown and Unionville.

Mr. Smith was succeeded by the late Rev. George Bourne^
who served the churches of Greenburgh, and Dobb's Ferry,
with great acceptance.

During this period, the church was connected with the old West-
chester Presbytery, a congregational body, long since extinct.
Upon the 12th of June, 1825, it was received into union with
the First Presbytery of New York, and reorganized. It is at pre-
sent connected with the Bedford Presbytery. This church
appears to have been first incorporated upon the 25th of April,
1790, on which occasion, John Martine, Elijah Tompkins,
Archer Read, Thomas Almond, and Abraham Odell were elected
trustees."'^

LIST OF MINISTERS OF THE PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH AT GREENBURGH.c

Instal or call. Ministers. Vacated by.

Ministers C 1790, Rev. John Townley, resig.

under the J 1802, Rev. Thomas G. Smith, supply, resig.

Westchester ' 1820, Rev. George Bourne, resig.

Presbytery, [^ 1825, Rev. David Remington, resig.

Sept. 19, 1826, Rev. Chester Long, resig.

Dec. 1, 1832, Rev. Mark Mead, resig.

1834, Rev. John AVhite, resig.

» The Rev. John Townley died March 1st, 1812, aged 72 years. His remains
and those of his wife and daughter, are interred in the burying ground attached to
this church.

I Religious Soc. Co. Rec Lib. A. 22, a second incorporation occurs 17 May,
1808 ; a fourth, Cth of June, 1835.

c The ministers of this church have for a long time officiated alternately between
the two churclies of Greenburgh and While Plains.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 235

, 1835, Rev. Hosea Ball, resig.

July 16, 1838, Rev. George Walker, resig.

Oct. 9, 1841, Rev. Samuel Kellogg, resig.

June 10, 1843, Rev. Elias S. Schenck. present minister.

First elders of the church, Archibald Reid, George Combs and
Staats Hammond. First deacons, William Brown and Isaac
iSee.

CHURCH MEMORANDA.

A. D. 1836, Communicants, 97 ; Baptisms, 2.
A. D. 1847, ditto, 65.

In the cemetery of the Presbyterian Church rest the remains
of Isaac Van Wart, one of the three captors of Major John Andre.
A marble monument consisting of a base and pyramid is inscrib-
ed on its four sides, with the following epitaph :

(North side.)

Here reposes
the mortal remains

Isaac Van Wart,

an elder in the Greenburgh Church,'

who died

on the 23d of Ma}^ 1828,

in the

69th year of his age.

Having lived the life, he died the death, of the

Christian. ^' ' . '

(South side.)

The Citizens

of the

County of Westchester

erected this tomb

in testimony of the high sense

they entertained for the
virtuous and patriotic conduct

a Isaac van Wart was for many years an efficient church officer, and acted as
chorister up to the time of his death.

236 HISTORY OF THE

of their fellow citizen,

as a memorial sacred lo

public gratitude.

(Upon the east side.)

Vincit Amor Patriae.

Nearly half a century

before this monument was built,

the conscript fathers of America

had in the senate chamber voted that

Isaac Van Wart,

was a faithful patriot, one in whom

the love of country was invincible,

and this tomb bears testimony

that the record is true.

(West side.)

Fidelity. — On the 23d of September, 1780, Isaac van Wart, accompa-
nied by John Paulding and- David Williams, all farmers of the County of
Westchester, intercepted Major Andre, on his return from the American
lines, in the character of a spy, and, notwithstanding the large bribes offered
them for his release, nobly disdained to sacrifice their country for gold, se-
cured and carried him to the commanding officer of the district, whereby the
dangerous and 'traitorous conspiracy of Arnold was brought to light, the insidi-
ous designs of the enemy baffled, the American army saved, and our beloved
country free," &c.

We extract the following from the Westchester Herald, on oc-
casion of raising this monument, June 11, 1829 :

On Thursday last, being the day appointed by the committee of arrange-
ments for the ceremony of erecting a monument to the memory of the late Isaac
van Wart, one of the captors of the British spy Andr^, a large concourse of
our feHow citizens assembled at the spot where repose the remains of the de-
parted patriot, at the burial place of the Presbyterian church, on the east bank
of the Saw Mill River, in Greenburgh. The day was very fine and pleasant,
and by 12 o'clock, there was supposed to be present upwards of two thousand
spectators, who had convened to participate in the last respects to the memory
of their esteemed fellow citizen ; among whom were to be seen a few of the
aged and venerable men who had passed through the scenes and perils of the
revolution. About 12 o'clock, a procession was formed under the direction of
Major John Sing, marshal of the day, the whole in the inverse order of their
rank : —

1st. Captain Denslow's company Light Infantry of the 12th regiment, with
the band attached to that regiment, and the first regiment of Light Infantry
formed the military escort on the left. The left in front.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 237

Sd. The officers and non-commissioned officers of the 15ih brigade.

3d. Captain Warner's company of cavalry on foot.

4th. Citizens of the county.

5th. Mr. F. Kain, the architect, and his workmen, with their implements to
complete the work.

6th. The invited guests.

7lh. The clergy of the county.

8lh and last, the surviving officers and soldiers of the Revokition, the com-
mittee of arrangements and General William Hammond and suite.

The column was marched in this inverse order to solemn music with arms
reversed, until arrived at the church yard, when the procession opened to the
right and left, fronting inward. The officers and soldiers presenting arms.
The officers and soldiers of the Revolution preceded by General Philip van
Cortlandt, now the senior surviving officer of the continental army. These
passed through the line, conducted by General Hammond and suite, and the
marshal of the day, to the place reserved for them on the right of the monu-
ment, and the whole procession having passed through in this order, the mili-
tary escort formed a square about the whole in the church yard. At this spot,
the column was met by a large procession of the ladies of the county, under the
direction of S. Simpson Esq., who acted as assistant marshal of the day, is-
suing from the church, at the head of which supported upon the arm of a
friend, was the venerable widow of the deceased, followed by his surviving sis-
ter, also supported, and next came the female children and grand children of
the deceased, a goodly number, after whom, followed a large train of matrons
and misses, amountino^ to four or five hundred in number. The whole of this
interesting group having assembled within the yard and about the monument.
The Rev. David Remington pastor of the church to which the deceased be-
longed, addressed the throne of Grace, in a very solemn and appropriate man-
ner, after which, Colonel Ward^ the orator of the day was conducted to
the platform prepared for the occasion, where he delivered the following ad-
dress. (It was afterwards published at the request of the committee of arrange-
ments.)

Friends ! Fellow citizens !

and Soldiers ! \ ' ' . • ^ ^.

We have assembled on an interesting occasion, a solemn, not a melancholy
one. We have come to this spot, to discharge a part of our duty, to one who
has paid the debt of nature, to bring with us, as it were, each a stone from our
quarries, fitted and prepared to build a monumental pile to a departed patriot,
one who fell not in the hour of battle, contending for our liberties, but who
lived to see our country prosperous and happy, delivered from all her troubles,

The present General Aaron Ward, of Sing Sing.

238 HISTORY OF THE

and then gathered like a shock of corn ripe for the harvest. It might be
asked, if insensible dust and ashes can be benefitted by monumental honors ?
No I But it is the duty of the living to make and preserve memorials of the
virtuous and distinguished dead ; for these memorials contain lessons of in-
struction that are constantly before our eyes.

The man to whose memory we are now erecting a tomb stone, was one of
us, a citizen of Westchester county ; his name requires no lineal honors, no
armorial bearings, to make it dear and precious with us. We knew him and
that was sufficient, but for those who did not know him personally, (for his cir-
cle of acquaintance was not a large one,) we put his fame on his character as
a patriot, and it gives me pleasure to state that he lived and died a christian.
For his patriotism, it is enough to say, that Isaac van Wart was one of the
captors of Andre. For proofs of his exemplary life, and for his firm belief
in our holy religion, to you my friends I appeal as witnesses. Some of you
have known him in the noonday and evening of life, have heard him breathe
the patriot's prayer, " 0 God save my country," have seen his practical ex-
amples of virtuous conduct, his piety, his devotion, and his humble submission
to the will of Heaven.

The capture of Andre, fellow citizens, formed an important epoch in the his-
tory of our Revolution. This event took place on the morning of the 23d oj
Sept., 1780, and what is well worthy of observation, within three miles of the
spot where we are now assembled, and within a few miles of the place where
the man, to whose perishable remains we are now paying the last tribute of re-
spect, w^as born, brought up and died. It 03curred too, at a period when our
country was in the deepest distress. It will be recollected, that Charleston,
South Carolina, had then but recently been taken by the enemy, with the loss
of our whole army, under the command of General Lincoln, amouhting to up-
wards of five thousand men, together with all the magazines of military and
naval stores, the shipping in the harbor, and four hundred pieces of ordnance.
General Gates had also been defeated at Camden in North Carolina, seven
hundred of our troops having been killed in battle, and one thousand three
hundred wounded and made prisoners, and the whole of his forces routed and
dispersed. The eastern states had likewise been overrun by the enemy, with
fire and sword. And to add to the general gloom which now overspread the
United States, the small army that was left, was reduced to the greatest dis-
tress and misery ; and, nothing, it is believed, but the wisdom and prudence
of the immortal Washington, could have kept it together ; for, in the language
of a committee appointed by Congress to visit it, the soldiers were unpaid for
months together, seldom having more than six days provision in advance ;
and on several occasions for several successive days, entirely without meat.
The medical department having no supplies whatever, for the sick, and every
department of the army being alike without money, and not even the shadow
of credit left." Discontent to an alarming extent, at the same time among the

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 239

officers and soldiers, on account of the depreciated currency of llie country.
The pay of a private for a year, would not subsist his family for a single week
nor would the pay of an officer procure forage, or even oats for his horse.

And in addition to these evils which fell so heavily upon the army, others
not less deplorable, had, by reason of the embarrassed slate of the country,
fallen upon the community at large. For the aged and infirm, who had re-
tired to enjoy the fruits of their industry, found their subsistence reduced to a
scanty pittance, and the widow and the orphan were obliged to accept a dollar
where hundreds were their due.

At this moment when all was dark, our hopes for a successful termination of
the war well nigh gone, when the east and the south were in gloom and doubt,
and fear which "betrays like treason," was setting on many an honest face, Major
Andrd was sent from the British army, whose general then wished to finish the
war at a blow, to tamper with the low principles of Benedict Arnold, and by
the strength of bribery and corruption, to pluck up his shallow rooted patriotism
at once. The treason had so far prospered, that the delivery of West Point
and the army there stationed, was agreed upon. The plan to effect the pur-
pose was drawn up ; nay, more, the victims of deceit and slaughter, were
marked out, perfidy and destruction had sharpened their daggers for the march,
when it pleased Divine Providence to make three of our fellow citizens instru-
ments in His hand for good.

They arrested the spy on his return to the camp. On this event, perhaps,
hung the destinies of our country ; if not that, certainly the lives of thou-
sands, and long years of war were involved in it. The spy was taken, and
conducted to the lines of the American army : the immeasurable power of
gold was tried upon Van Wart and his associates — it would not do ; rewards
beyond their knowledge of wealth were offered them, if they would give up
their prisoner, but ofFered them in vain. Their virtues, to the honor of hu-
man nature — to the honor of republican principles — to the honor of our coun-
try, stood the test — nobly stood it.. The spy was tried, and expiated his of-
fence against the laws of nations by his death, and our country was saved.

During the whole of this excitement, so momentous and alarming, we have
to thank God that our country w^as stained by one act of treason only ; and to
alleviate our grief and mortification for this act, we have to offer the incorrup-
tible integrity of three militiamen in the common walks of life, (where virtue
always resides,) in whose breasts all ordinary springs of action were absorbed
by the love of liberty, and whose enthusiastic ardor in the cause was regula-
ted and guided by prudence and firmness ; and we have it to say too, that if
one proud, envious, canker-hearted general had his price, our soldiers were
above purchase ! — that if treason found its way to the stronghold and the cita-
del, it was in the end crushed at the outposts. To commemorate this event,
that posterity should not lose sight of it — that future ages should understand
it by full and satisfactory proof — that our countrymen know how to respect
and value patriotism as well as to practice it — that they were as ready to

2i0 HISTORY OF THE

render justice to the merits of a private soldier, as (o the officer highest in
rank — and to show, too, that our Revolution was achieved by principles of the
highest order, we have assembled to erect this monument. Such an act is in
conformity with the usages of the wisest of nations in every period of history,
and, whenever neglected, has been a source of censure and regret ; such an
act is in conformity with the habits of our own country, for it is consonant to
a sense of gratitude in every bosom. Monuments are now rising to the he-
roes of the Revolution in every part of the United States. Montgomery,
Warren, De Kalb and others, are now remembered by a grateful people, and
on the banks of our majestic Hudson has lately been placed a tasteful monu-
ment to the great and good Kosciusko, who dispensed honors and rewards for
the freedom of rnan. This last tribute of respect has sprung from the purest
of all sources — from the bosoms of the youthful soldiers of our national mili-
tary school, whose pursuits lead them to search history, and to canvass every
military character for models of the patriot soldier.

The time, fellow citizens, is fast coming, when the actors in our revolution-
ary scenes will live but in the remembrance of the few, and in the annals of
our country ; more or less of their number are daily passing to their eternal
rest. Within a few days past, the citizens of this county and of this nation
were called to mourn the loss of one of the most distinguished members of
that valiant band — the great, the illustrious John Jay, the American Fabri-
cius : and even while I am speaking, there are only here and there one of the
men of that age to be seen, and he, with whitened locks and solemn demeanor,
standing on the confines of eternity, and taking, as it were, a farewell of us
and of all the present generation.^

Illustrious relics of a patriotic age ! ye shall not be forgotten when you shall
have passed away. Monuments shall arise to your fame, written over with
the story of your deeds. You have lifted your warning voices to us to be vir-
tuous and united, and they shall be heard ; your principles shall not be lost — your
examples shall have their influence — your very monuments shall have a tongue
that shall never be silent in teaching us how to live and how to die. The vir-
tuous deeds of one generation are monuments for the next, and so onward in
the procession of ages. We know that our country is yet in its youth, and is
still forming its habits and fixing its principles ; and I thank God, that among
her best habits is that of cherishing the memory of her benefactors. The
deed that we are now doing, my friends, in gratitude and modesty, is not to be
done for this day alone. In some distant period, when the traveller shall
inquire of our descendants, " Whose monument is this ]" they shall answer,
with pleasure and pride, " This is the grave of Isaac van Wart, who was an
incorruptible patriot and a good Christian. He lived with our ancestors, and
was one of them, and they appreciated his services ; and to perpetuate his
memory, erected this tomb stone, and gave it in charge to us to keep it from
profanation. Nearly half a century before this monument was built, the Con-

'■" The late General Philip van Cortlandt.

COUNTY OF WE^STCHESTER. 241

script Fathers of America had, in the senate chamber, voted he was a faithful
patriot, one in whom the love of country was invincible — and this monument
bears testimony that the record is true.

Mr. Francis Kain then gave the finishing stroke to the monument, after
which the military escort divided into three sections ; each division fired one
round. The procession was again formed by the marshal in the same order
as before. The officers and soldiers of the Revolution, on the right, passed
the line, the same honors being paid to them by the military ; and the whole
returned to the house of Mr. E. Mead, from whence they had started."

During the Ainericaii war, this section of the neutral ground
was frequently harassed by incursions of the enemy.

On one occasion a large body of British Cow-boys (who had
been up the country in prosecution of their trade) were returning,
laden with spoil, when they received a severe check in the vicin-
ity of Smith's tavern, from a small force of American volunteers.
The attack is said to have been commenced by an individual
named John Dean. The neighborhood, alarmed by the firing,
immediately turned out to his assistance.

November 17th, 1777, the British, under Captain Emmerick,
made an excursion from their quarters to the Saw Mill Valley,
and completely surprised the Van Tassels, who were residina:
near Captain Romer's, burnt their houses, " stripped the women
and children of necessary apparel to cover them from the sever-
ity of a cold winter's night," and led off, in triumph, the two
brothers, Peter and Corneliiis van Tassel.*

In retaliation for this inhuman outrage, the patriots fitted up
an expedition at Tarrytowii, under the command of Abraham
Marllingh, which proceeded down the Hudson River, passed the
enemy's guard boats in safety, and succeeded in setting fire to
General Oliver de l^ancey's house on New York island, after
plundering it of its contents. The whole party returned to Tar-
rytovvn in safety. This enterprise was conducted in the very
face of the British army.

Three young lads named Vincent, Smith, and Lawrence, were
overtaken by a party of Totten's refugee corps a little south of
Rowland's mill ; two were killed on thes pot, Vincent recovered

"" See Gen. Parson's Letter, Mamaroneck.

Vol. I. 31

2.42 HISTORY OF THE

irom his wounds, but remained a cripple for life. Major David
Hunt of the continental army afterwards conveyed him to Paulus
Hook where he was noticed by several members of Congress who
subsequently obtained a pension for the suflerer. This is said to
liave been the first pension granted by the United States' gov-
ernment.

A short distance south of the hamlet of Greenburgh is situated
the residence of Samuel Howland, Esq. It is embosomed in
trees, and stands on the west bank of the Saw Mill river, in
its rear rise bold and majestic hills covered with luxuriant
woods. The building itself is a very handsome structure of
wood, in the modern style. The river arrested by the mill
dam, forms in front of the house an extensive sheet of water
which adds greatly to the beauty of this romantic spot.

The former possessors of the estate were the Odells, who in
1816, sold the property to Joseph Howland, Esq., father of the
present proprietor.

Chatterton height, the battle field of 1776, lies on the north-
east corner of this town. AVe have reserved a description of the
battle for the town of White Plains, with which place it is gene-
rally associated, although more properly belonging to Greenburg.

The Chatterton family, from whom the hill derives its name,
have been long residents in the town of Greenburg. A member
of this family was settled on the hill as early as 1731. A. D.
3 750, we fii]d Michael Chatterton purchasing land6 in the vicin-
ity, of David and Nathan Purdy.

Chatterton bridge which crosses the Bronx at the foot of the
hill was first erected in 1736. Cornelius Chatterton, one of the
earliest magistrates of Eastchester was an ancestor of this family.

Hart's Corners, formerly Barnes' Corners, is another small ham-
let in Greenburg, situated about three miles south of White Plains,
in a fine valley, tlie neighborhood of which is rendered extremely
beautiful by the inequality of the ground and surrounding
scenery. The settlement is composed of one church, several
dwellings and stores. The Bronx River Powder Manufactory,
and Railroad depot adjoin it on the east. This place derives its
name from John Hart, who purchased the property of the com-
missioners in 1784,

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 243

The Methodist.church ; stands on the summit of the high ridge
west of the hamlet, it was erected A. D. 1832.a The burying
ground Ues near the Raihoad.

A fine line of hills extend south from Hart's Corners to the
foot of Thirty Deer ridge in Yonkers, watered on the east and
west by the two branches of the Spraine, called by the Indians
Armenperal. These hills were formerly so covered with thick
woods as to be almost impassable, and abounded in deer, wolves,
bears, wild-cats, and rattle snakes. Deer were numerous as late
as 1760.

One of the earliest settlers of the place was John Tompkins of
Eastchester, who purchased a large tract upon these hills in 173 L
For some time after this purchase, Mr. Tompkins was in the con-
stant practice of spending the week here, and returning to his
family on a Saturday. During the whole of this period he was
surrounded by Indians, but they never once offered to molest him.
A small hill to the south-east of the present Mr. John Tompkins,
still bears the name of Indian hill, and the adjoining spring is
called the Indian spring. Two descendants of the original pro-
prietor, John and James Tompkins, yet occupy a large portion of
the estate.

A little west of the Methodist church at Hart's Corners stands
the residence of Jackson Odell, son of the distinguished Colonel
John Odell. This gentleman, during the early part of the Revo-
lution served in the capacity of a guide to the American army,
and subsequently received a colonel's commission from Congress.
He was the second son of Jonathan Odell, Esq., by his wife^Iar-
garet Dyckman, and descended from a common ancestor with
the late General Jacob Odell of Yonkers. Col. Odell died 26ih
October, 1835.

At one period of the war the house was occupied as head-
quarters by the French commander. Count de Rochambeau,
General Washington having encamped on the west bank of the
Spraine. On several occasions large tables were arranged for the

» For incorporation of this church see Religious Soc. Lib., B. 7 ; first trustees,
Underhill Tompkins, Ste-phen Leviness, Gilbert Tompkins, Joseph Forster, Joha
Cxawford, and Elijah Tompkins.

244 HISTORY OF THE

military staffs of Generals Washington and Rochambeaii in the
adjoining stables, the mangers serving as a repository for their
hats and swords.

Mrs. Churchill, daughter of Mr. Taylor, former proprietor of
the place, remembers to have danced with the celebrated Marshal
Berthier, at that time one of the aides of the Count de Rocham-
be.iu in the parlor of the present mansion.

The summits of the Greenburgh hills command a variety of
beautiful prospects, in which long reaches of the East River,
Bronx valley and Scarsdale, form the principal features. In the
south east corner of Greenburgh is situated Greenville, where
there is a Dutch Reformed Church, and a iew scattered dwellings.

The Dutch Church of this place was first organized in 1842,
under the pastoral charge of the Rev. V^. M. Hulbert of Yonkers,
and incorporated on the 3d of December, 1842, by the title of the
" Minister, Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch
Church of Greenville, in the town of Greenburgh." First elders,
John Dusenberry and Charles Dusenberry ; first deacons, Ichabod
Saiith and Benjamin Carpenter.'^ Mr. Hulbert, was succeeded by
the Rev. Abel T. Stewart, present minister.

« CHURCH MEMORANDA.

1847, communicants 21, baptisms 5.

"The township of Greenburgh is situated 27 miles north of
New York, 135 south of Albany, and 5 miles west of White
Plains ; bounded north by Mount Pleasant, east by White Plains
and Scarsdale, south by Yonkers, and west by the Hudson. Saw
Mill creek, (Nepera,) runs south on the west part, Bronx creek,
(Acjnehung,) along the east line, and there are some branches also
which supply mill seats."t»

The general surface of this town is hilly, but not mountainous.
It is richly and beautifully interspersed with hills, valleys and
streams of water. The hills are most of them good and suitable
for cultivation. The soil in general is gravelly clay, and sandy
loam, producing all kinds of fruit and grass in plenty.

» Religious .Soc. Co. Rec, Lib. B. 79. * Spafford's Gazetteer.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 245

There are some valuable quarries on the banks of the Hudson,
that yield great quantities of beautiful building stones. The fo-
rests are principally of oak, chesnut, hickory, ash and walnut.

Among the mineral productions may be mentioned the Dolomi-
tic marble, which occurs in various places ; also several localities
of feldspar, especially in the vicinity of Tarrytown.

246 HISTORY OF THE

HARRISON.

Harrison, sometimes called the purchase and Harrison's pre-
cinct,^ is situated 3 miles east of the village of White Plains, dis-
tant 30 miles from New York, and 134 miles from Albany;
bounded northerly by North Castle, east and southerly by Rye,
west by Mamaroneck, \Yhite Plains and North Castle. Its length
north and south is about nine miles, and its medial width near
three miles, but like most of the other towns in this county, its
form is irregular, having no right lines for its boundaries. The
present township was organized 7th of March, 1788. ^

The tirst proprietor of this land of whom anything is known,
was Shanasockwell or Shanarocke, sagamore of Poningoe, who,
with other Indians in 1661 conveyed to John Budd of Southhold,
Long Island ; " one neck of land lying on the mayne called
Apawammeis, (Budds neck, Rye,) also range, feeding and grasse
for cattle, twenty English miles into the country ^^ Under
this purchase the inhabitants of Rye subsequently claimed the
whole territory, a demand which the province of New York re-
fused to sanction.

From Shanasockwell, the territory north of Westchester path,
(including the above mentioned range for cattle,) appears to have
passed into the possession of Pathunck or Pathung, Indian sachem,
for upon the first of February, 1695, we find the latter convey-
ing the present township to John Harrison, in the following
manner :

"This indenture, made the 24th day of January, and in the seventh year of
the reign of William the Third of England, Scotland, France and Ireland,

* Prior to 1775, Harrison constituted one of the six prec'ncts of Rye parish.

f' Revised Statutes.

•= See Rye, for Budd's purchase.

COUNTY OF WESTCHE^STER. 247

King, Defender of the Faith, &c. &c., and in the year of our Lord God
1695, witnesseth, that I, underwritten Pathungo, the true owner and proprie-
tor of a certain part or parcel of land situate, lying, and being in the county
of Westchester, and province of New York, by these presents, further mani-
fested to Christian people, to whom this deed of conveyance may any ways
concern : Know ye that I, the said Pathungo, the true owner and proprietor
of the above named tract or parcel of land, upon good reasons and considera-
tion moving hereunto, but more especially for a valuable consideration of jC40
current money in hand paid before the ensealing of these presents, hath grant-
ed, bargained, made over, confirmed and sold, and do by these presents grant,
bargain, make over and confirm, and fully, freely, and thereby, unto John Har-
rison, of Flushing, in Queens county, on Nassau Island, in the province afore-
said, all that aforesaid tract or parcel of land aforesaid, being butted and
bounded, as followeth — that is to say, westwardly upon a certain river, com-
monly called and known by the name of Mamarranack River, and so stretching
eastwardly to a certain brook called by the name of Blind Brook, southwardly
by the lands of John Budd, as appears by certain marked trees, near unto West-
chester old road, and northwardly to certain ponds called by the name of Rye
Ponds, together with all rights, members, jurisdictions, ways, commodities, ad-
vantages, together with all meadows, woods, underwoods, liberties, franchises,
privileges, and singular appurteuunces to the said tract or parcel of land be-
longing or in any ways appertaining, to have and to hold the said tract or par-
cel of land, according to the butts and bounds above mentioned, and recited to
the only proper use or uses of him, the said John Harrison, his heirs and as-
signs forever, and the said Pathungo, for himself, his heirs, successors, and
assigns, that at the time of the signing and ensealing of these presents, hath
full power and lawful authority the land and premises to sell and confirm, and
that the same is truly acquitted and discharged, and sufficiently saved and kept
harmless of and from all manner of former bargains, sales, grants, or any other
incumbrances whatsoever, had made, done, or sufiered to be done by the said
Pathungo, his heirs, successors, or assigns, or any other person or persons
whatsoever, by, from, or under him, Christian or Indian, whereby the said
John Harrison, his heirs or assigns, shall or may be annoyed or ejected out
of the possession thereof; and the said Pathungo, for himself, his heirs, suc-
cessors, and assigns, all the said tract or parcel of land, with every part and
parcel thereof, unto the above said John Harrison, his heirs, executors, ad-
ministrators and assigns, against all manner of Indians, shall and will war-
rant, and forever defend, by these presents. In witness whereof, the said Pa-
thungo hath set his hand and seal this day and year first above written.

Pathungo, his ICT marke.

Signed, sealed, and delivered in the presence of us, (Jharles "] Morgan, his

marke, Nicolas Haight and James Clement. Moreover, before signing and

sealing hereof, the said Pathungo doth reserve, liberty for his use, such ivnite-

wood trees as shall be found suitable to make canoes of. These may certify

248 HISTORY OF THE

any whom it may concern, that on the first day of February, 1695-6, appeared
before me, Thomas Willett, Esq., one of his Majesties' justices for the province
of New York, Pathungo, the within mentioned Indian who did then and
there acknowledge the within conveyance or deed of sale to be bis free and
voluntary act and deed, as witness my hand. Thomas Willet.

This may certify whom it may concern, that we Indians, whose names are
now underwritten, do own to have received full satisfaction of the within
mentioned John Harrison for all the within mentioned tract of land beirfg but-
ted and bounded as within specified. As witness hereof, we have hereunto
set our hands and seals this 15th day of February, in the year of our Lord
God 1695-6.

Betty Pathungo, 3 her mark, Pathungo Wappatoe, Pi his mark, Elias Jo-
zes Pathungo Askarame, q her mark, Chrishoam Pathungo, S her marke, Po-
rige, § his marke, Elaas Arowash, Arawask's wife, Hannah >- her mark,
Ingen. Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of James Mott, Samuel
Palmer, Joseph Horton, the marke of '<^ Akabaska.^

The wliitsw^ood trees referred to in the above deed by the sachem
Pathungo, are the Liriodendron tnlipifera of Linnaeus, from the
trunk of which the Indians manufactured their canoes; hence
it was commonly called by them " canoe wood."

" Whoever (remarks Mr. Downing) has once seen the tulip tree
in a situation where the soil was favorable to its free growth, can
never forget it ; with a clean trunk, straigiit as a column for forty
or fifty feet, surmounted by a fine ample summit of rich green
foliage. It is, in our estimation, decidedly the most stately tree
in North America. When standing alone, and encouraged in its
lateral growth, it will indeed often produce a lower head, but it.s
tendency is lo rise; and it only exhibits itself in all its stateliness
and majesty, when, supported on such a noble columnar trunk,
it towers far above the heads of its neighbors of the park or for-
est. Even when at its loftiest elevation, its large specious blos-
soms, which, from their form, one of our poets has likened to a
cljalice —

Through the verdant maize

The tulip tree
Its golden chalice oil triumphantly displays —

Pickering.

• Indian deeds warrant of survey, Albany Rec. Lib. i. 4.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 249

jilt out from amid the tufted canopy in the month of June, and
glow in richtiess and beauty. This tree was introduced into
Enghind about 1G68, and is now, we are informed, to be found
in ahp.ost every o:entlemnn's park on the continent of Europe, so
highly is it estimated as an ornamental tree of tfie first chiss.''*

We hope tliat the numerous specimens of this noble tree yet
standing in Westchester county may i3e sacredly preserved from
the barbarous infliciion of the axe, which has heretofore dis-
poiled without mercy so many of our majestic forest trees.

The next notice of tlie purchase occurs in the following war-
rant for its survey, A. D. 1695-6.

By his Excellency the Governor in Council, i^'c. — You are
hereby required to survey and lay out, for John Harrison, a cer-
tain tract of land in Westchester county which he hath pur-
chased by virtue of a license, b^arius: date the second day of
August last past, bounded to the south by the trees of Mr. Budd's
purchase, west by Mamaroneck river, easlwardly by Blind brook,
and north by Kyepond, and this shall be to you a sufficient war-
rant.

' Benjamin Fletclier to Anthony Graham, Surveyor General, by
order of Council.

Upon the 2.5lh of June, 1696, the Indian purchase was confirm-
ed by letters patent under the great seal, to William Nicolls, John
Harrison and others in the following manner. . ■ . •-..

William the Third, by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland,
France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, to all to whom these presents
shall come, sendeih greeting : Whereas our loving su!)jects William Nicolls,
Esq., Captain Ebenezer Williams, David Jameson, John Harrison, and Sam-
uel Haight have by their petition, presented to our trusty and well beloved
Benjamin Fletcher, our Captain General and Governor-in-ohief of our pro-
vince of New York and territories depending thereon in America, and prayed
our grant and confirmation of a certain tract of land in our county of West-
chester, beginning at a certain white oak tree marked with three notches,
standing at the east side of Mamaroneck river, and thence by marked trees,
as it runs south sixiy-five degrees and thirty minutes, eastwardly fifty-six
chains to a black oak tree and the marked trees of Joseph Budd's pnrchase.

* Dow^ning's Landscape Gardening, p. 197,8, 9- There is a fine specimen of this
noble tree on the property of Elbert Roosevelt, Esq , Pelham.

Vol, I. 33

250 HISTORY OF THE

standing near Westchester path, marked with three notches, and thence hy
the marked irees of JosP|>h Biuid's purchase stand-ing near Westchester path
aforesaid, lo an elm tree on the west side of Blind brook, and a white ash on
the east side of the said brook, marked with three notches, and thence by the
east side of the said brook, to the head thereof to a chesnut tree marked
with three notches and the letters E. W. and H. ; thence south lo a white
wood tree, and thence by marked trees west to Ryeponds ; thence including
the said Rveponds, south to the head of Mamaroneck river, which runs on the
west side of Brown's I'oint, and thence by Mamaroneck river and the east
bounds of Richbell's patent to the place where it began, bounded west by
Blind brook and vacant lands, north by vacant lands, west by Mamaroneck
river, and souih by Budd and Jonas W. ('oryan's purchase, which reasonable
request we being willing to grant, Know ye, of our special grace, certain
knowledge and mere motion, we have given, granted ratified and confirmed,
&c., &c., and by these presents do for us, our heirs and successors, give,
grant, ratify and confirm unto our said sovereign subjects, William Nicolls,
Ebenezer Williams, David Jameson, John Harrison, and Samuel Haighi, all
the aforesaid certain tract of land within our said county of Westchester, and
within the limits and bounds aforesaid together with all and singular the woods,
underwoods, trees, timber, feedings, pastures, meadows, marshes, swamps,
ponds, pools, \Aaters, water-courses, rivers, rivulets, brooks, streams, fishing,
hawking, fowling, hunting, and all other profits, benefits, privileges, liberties,
advantufjes, hereditaments and appurtenances whatsoever to the aforesaid re-
cited certain tract of land, wiiliin the limits and bounds aforementioned l)fe-
longing or in any ways appertaining, to have and to hold all the aforesaid cer-
tain tract of land, together with all and singular the woods, underwoods,
trees, timber, feedings, pastures, meadows, marshes, swamps, ponds, pools,
waters, water-courses, rivers, rivulets, runs, brooks, streams, fishing, fowling,
hunting, hawking, and also other profits, benefits, privileges, liberties, advan-
tages, hereditaments, appurtenances whatsoever, to the aforementioned cer-
tain tract or tracts of land within the parts and bounds aforesaid belon^nng or
in any ways appertaining unto ihem, the said William Nicolls, lObenezer
Williams, David Jameson, John Harrison and Samuel Haight, their heirs
an J assigns, to the only proper use, benefit and behoof of them, the said
William Nicolls, Ebenezer Williams, David Jameson, John Harrison and
Samuel Haight, their heirs and assigns forever, without any let, hindrance,
or molestation, or right to be had or reserved upon pretence of joint tenancy,
or survivorship, any thing contained in this our grant lo the contrary or
anywise notwithstanding, to be holden of us, our heirs and successors, in free
and common soccage as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county of
Kent, within the realm of England, yielding, rendering and paying therefor
yearly and every year, unto us, our heirs and successors, the annual and
yearly rent of twenty shillings current money of our said province, at our city
of New York, on the Feast day of the Annunciation of our Blessed Virgin
Mary, in lieu and stead of all other rents, dues, duties, services and demands

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 251

whatsoever. In testimony whereof, we have caused the great seal of our said
province to be hereunto afFised ; \viines5 our trusty and well-beloved Benja-
min Fletcher, our Captain-general and (ravernor-in-chief of our province of
New York and territories anfl tracts of land depending thereon in America,
and Vice-admiral of the same, our Lieutenant and Commander-in-chief of the
militia of the forces by sea and land within our colony of Connecticut, and of
all the forts and places of strength within the same. At our fort of New Y^ork
the 25ih day of June, in the eighth year of our reign, Anno Domini 1696, by
his Excellency's command.*

David Jameson.

Entered upon record in the Book of Patents beginning in 1695,
by warrant from his Excellency.

Little is left on record relative to the Harrison family, who
have given name to this township. In 1655, John Harrison ap-
pears to have been a freeholder of Newtown, Long Island. ^ This
individual was the father of John Harrison, the above meiiiioned
patentee, also of Samuel Harrison. The latter left two daughters,
co-heiresses. Hannah, the oldest, married Joshua Cornell, father
of the present Jolin Cornell of North Castle, and Sarah, who
married Gilbert Palmer. « The descendants of Samuel Haightd
(another of the patentees) are also very numerous in the county,
likewise the Williamses.

In 17d0 occurs a deed of sale from James de Lancey and Lev\'is
Johnston to Godfrey Haines of Rve, which recites Caleb Heath-
cote's purchase in a certain patent granted to John Harrison and
others. Caleb Healhcote appears to have purchased 200 acres
from David Jameson the patentee in \7\2.^

The Crom wells were possessed of estates in this township at a
very early j)eriod. The old latnily place is sitr.ated on the south-
east side of Rye pond, on the road leading from the purchase to

a Alb. Ren. Book of Patents, No. vii, 36, 37, 33. The original document is in
the possession of Andrew Carpenter of Harrison. The Albany Records say 5th of
June, 1695, and Capt. Ebenezer Nelson for Williams.

b Jolin Harrison of Boston, freeman of that place in 1644, had a son John, born
in 1652 — F<irmpr''s Register.

c The fatlier of John Palmer.

d Samuel Haight appears to have been a resident freeholder of Flushino- iu 1684,

6 Co. Rec, hb. C. 260.

-^'

252 HISTORY OF THE

North Ciistle.a The several branches of the Cromwell family in
America chiiiii descent from the same parent stock ns that of the
PiOlector Ohver Cromweli. It is presumed timt the ancestor of
the American lino was Col. John Cromwell, son of Sir Oliver
Cromwell, and brother of the protector.

Tiie following notice of Col. John Cromwell occurs in Noble's
life of the ])rotector.

"This gentleman was early in the army. In 1624 he went
over as a captain in ihe first regiment of foot in the forces sent
over by King James I. for the recovery of the palatinate ; after
this he was a colonel of an English regiment in the service of
the United States. Happening to be in England whilst his sove-
reign, Kit)g Cliarles I., was a prisoner to the parliament army,
and hearing his relation, Oliver, (afterwards lord protector) say,
'I think the king the most injured prince in the world,' and put-
ling his hand to his sword, continued, -but this shall right him,'
supposed that his zeal was real, and therefore expressed himself
satisfied that it was impossible for him to go those lengths which
many others wished to go. For these reasons when that unfor-
tunate, misguided monarch was (afier a pretended trial) con-
demned to die, and the Prince of Orange taking vast jiains to
save him, or at least to stay the execution, sent over such rela-
tions of the leading men in the army as ihey thought could in-
fluence them, applied to this gentleman, he very readily under-
took the task with the greatest expectation of succeeding in so
desirable a business; wherefore taking credential letters from the
Slates; with letters, with the King's and Piince of Wales' sig-
net, and both confirmed by the States, offering Oliver his own
terms in case he would prevent the fatal sentence from being
carried into execution, lie hastened to England. He found his
cousin Oliver, the lieutenant general, at home. It was with
difficulty he gained admittance, as he kept his chamber and
ordered himself to be denied. Upon his introduction to Oliver,
after the usual compliments between relations, he began to men-
tion the horrid crime intended to be committed, and after a very

» This family have conferred tl)eir name upon a small brook in the vicinity of
Bye pond.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 253

free harrangue upon its atrocity, the indelible stain it would be
to thenniion, and in wliat a light it was bthel 1 upon the conti-
nent, added, 'that, of all men living, he thou2:ht he would never
have had any hand Id it, who, in his hearing, had protested so
much to the King.' Oliver replied, it was not hinij but the army ;
and though he did once say such words, yet now times were
altered, and Providence seemed to order things otherwise, adding
that he had prayed and fasted for the King but no return that
way was yet made to him. Upon which the colonel stepped a
little back and hastily shut the door, which made Oliver suppose
he was going to be assassinated ; but the other, taking out his
papers, said to him, 'Cou-in, this is no time to trifle with words,
see here, it is now in your own power not only to make yourself,
but your family, relations, and posterity happy and honorable
for ever ; otherwise, as they have changed their name before,
from Williams to Cromwell, so now they must be forced to
change it again, for this act will bring such an ignominy upon
the whole o-eneration of them that no lime will be able to deface.'
After a pause Oliver said, 'Cousin, I desire you will give me
till night to consider it, and do you go to your own inn and not
to bed till you hear from me.'

"The colonel retired, and at one o'clock in the morning he
received a message that he might go to rest and expect iio other
answer lo carry to the prince, tor the council of otiicers had been
seeking God, as he had also done, and it was resolved by them
all that the king must die. With this unhappy messnge he re-
turned into Holland again, where he continued in thai service
for many years, perhaps during the remainder of his life. By a
letter dated Nov. ^|, 1653, from Jongeshall to William, Earl
of Nassau, it appears that Col. John Cromwell was then in Hol-
huid. Through the ill behavior of his wife Abigail, he was from
the most afliuent circumstances reduced to the brink of ruin, i^y
his wife (continues Noble,) Col, Cro.nwell had a daughter Joan,
baptized September 23, 1634, and perhaps other chili rcn,"^
In 16S6 we find John Cromwell'^ of the town of W^estchester

a Noble's Life of Oliver Cromwell, vol. i. 534-8.

b John Cromwell (.the supposed son of Col. John,) is s:iid to have emigrated from
Holland during the time the Dutch held the province.

254 HISTORY OF THE

and Mary his wife, selling lands to Thomas Hunt, sen., of the
West Farms. These lands v/ere situated upon Long Neck, after-
wards known as CromweU's Neck.^

John Cromwell (the supposed son of Col. John Cromwell,) left
issue by his wife Mary, John, from whom the present Oliver
Cromwell and Jeremiah of West Farms are descended, and James
Cromwell, who was living in 17 17. The latter by his wife Anne
Godfrey had two sons, John and James. The oldest son John
Cromwell was residing upon the property in Harrison at the
commencement of the revolutionary war, for his name occurs in
General Washington's military map of the county, dated 1778,
as the occupant of the homestead.^ The present Wilham Crom-
well of Harrison is the grandson of the above named Jolin Crom-
well.^

From an early period, the Thomas family have resided in the
eastern part of this town. The first member who purchased land
here, was the Hon. John Thomas, son of the Rev. John Thomas,
for many years Rector of St. George's Church, Hempstead,
Long Island. Concerning the latter individual, Dr. Carmichael
in his history of St. George's Church, observes, " that he com-
menced his ministrations there, in the spring of 1705, under
the auspices of the society for propagating the gospel in foreign
parts. In a letter addressed to the secretary of that society, Oct.
18th, 1724, he says, "Good sir, give my humble duty to the
Honorable Society, and assure them of my utmost fidelity, as far as
lame limbs and a decrepid state of health will permit. My heart is
warm and sounrj, though lodged, God knows, in a crazy, broken

* SomPtimes styled Castle Hill Xeck.

b John Cromwell was taken prisoner by the British and conveyed to New York.

<^ A singular circumstance (illustrative of the strong fainily likeness which still
exists between the English and American branches,) occurred in tlie village of
Westchester a few years since. Oliver Cromwell, a resident blacksmith of that
pldce. was accosted by a friend, who at the same moment presented him a likeness
of tiie Protector ; the former (unable to read) invohinlarlly exclaimed as he gazed
upon the portrait, " why there is our old tjlacksm;th himself." For a portrait of
the Protector see the Hon. John Hunter's collections of painting, Pelham : and for
A further account of this family see genealogy.

254 HISTORY OF THE

and Mary his wife, selling lands to Thomas Hunt, sen., of the
West Farms. These la:ids v/ere situated upon Long Neck, after-
wards known as Cromwell's Neck.^

John Cromwell (the supposed son of Col. John Cromwell,) left
issue by his wife Mary, John, from whom tiie present Oliver
Cromwell and Jeremiah of West Farms are descended, and James
Cromwell, who was living in 17 17. The latter by his wife Anne
Godfrey had two sons, John and James. The oldest son John
Cromwell was residing upon the property in Harrison at the
commencement of the revolutionary war, for his name occurs in
General Washington's military map of the county, dated 1778,
as the occupant of the homestead.^ The present Wilh'am Crom-
well of Harrison is the grandson of the above named John Crom-
well.^

From an early period, the Thomas family iiave resided in the
eastern part of this town. The Jirst member who purchased land
here, was the Hon. John Thomas, son of ihe Rev. Jolin Thomas,
for many years Rector of St. George's Church, Hempstead,
Long Island. Concerning the latter individual, Dr. Carmichael
in his history of St. George's Church, observes. " that he com-
menced his ministrations there, in the spring of 1705, under
the auspices of the society for propagating the gospel in foreign
parts. In a letter addressed to the secretary of that society, Oct.
18th, 1724, lie says, "Good sir, give my humble duty to the
Honorable Society, and assure them of my utmost fidelity, as far as
lame limbs and a decrepid state of health will permit. My heart is
warm and sound, though lodged, God knows, in a crazy, broken

"^ SomPtimes styled Castle Hil! N^eck.

b John Cromwell was taken prisoner by the British and conveyed to New York.

c A singular circumstance (illustrative of the strong fa:nily likeness which still
exists between the English and American branches,) occurred in tlie village of
Westchester a few years since. Oliver Cromwell, a resident blacksmith of that
place, was accosted by a friend, who at the same moment presented hiin a likeness
of the Protector ; the former (unable to read) involmitarily exclaimed as he gazed
upon the portrait, " wliy there is our old blacksmith himself." For a portrait of
the Protector see the Hon. John Hunter's collections of painting, Peiham ; and for
ft further account of this family see genealogy.

Ai'iiis. gu.

, eliev. or; betw. tlir

PEDIGREE Of THOMAS OF HARRISON.

herons az. four barrulets az. Crest, a heron's head erased uz. gorged willi a garland of roses,

lion. Jiilin Tlionias, First Judge iiC the counly oT Weslcliester and a^Ablgail, da^of Jolln Sands of Sands Point, L. 1., nat. Jan. 1708,
Represpnialive in Geneiiil Assembly. ob.May2,n77; interred in I mar. 19 Feb. 172^, ob. 14 Aug. 1782 ; buried at Bedford.
Trinity cburcliyard.

Major General'Thiiinasi Thomas, a disiinguished^Oatliarine Floyd of " g
officer of tbe Continental army, and a member Mastic, L. 1., nat. ^

uf ihe Legislature of the Slate of New York, 9 Mav, 1746, Ob.
nat. 17 Jane, 1745, Ob. May 29, 1824, interred J»n. 15, 1825. let. 'g

on tlie estate. -" • '

Kdward— Aime Cap. Jr)bii ^■
.^urrufiaie 1 Oakley, ob 6 Jan.
of West- Ob. Mav 1''35.

cbester 12,1807,
CO. ob a u'l. 45.
M'y, leOfi I

Floyd,
nat. 1778,
ob.2Jiine

Glorlanna,
nat. 9 Dec.
1778, oil 9

ob. Feb.
I, 179.'i,
a5t.l9.

Capt Benjamin

ob. 16 !>ept. 1813,

in N. Y.

John of N. Y.

Sophia=:Deighton, M. D

Thomas heir ol
the Thomas pro.
perty, Harrison.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 255

carcase ; nay, more, pray (ell them said he, that Epaminondas
like, I shall fight upon the stimips for that purest and best of
churches, as long as God indulges me with the least ability to
do it. " After this (continues Dr. Carmichael) we find no more
letters from Mr. Tiiomas to the society, whose distinguished
ornament he was, and presume from oifier circumstances, that
he died near about tiiattirne; but, in the Society's annual re-
port printed in London, Feb. 16ih, 1727, we have discovered the
followirtg touching memento, viz., a gratuity of £50, to Mrs.
Thomas, is voted, the widow of the late Rev. Mr. Thomas,
missionary at Hempstead, in New York, in consideration of his
loi]o and faithful services, upwards of 2U years. "^

His eldest son, was the Hon. John Thomas, (already alluded
to) first Judge of the county of Westchester, and for many years
a representative in the geiieral assembly of the province. This
distinguished gentleman was a warm whig, and took an active

. part in the scenes that preceded the Revolution, on which ac-
count he was particiilai-ly obnoxious to the enemy. Judge

.■ Thomas was seizad in his bed by a party of British troops, at 10

; o'clock on Sunday morning, March 22d, 1777, and conveyed to
New York, where he was committed to the Provost. Here fie
lingered until the 2d of May, 1777, when (between four and five

•' o'clock in the morning of that day.) death released hi;n from his
sufferings. His remains were interred the following Saturday
evening between seven and eight o'clock in Trinity Cfiurch
yard.'^ " The following is a brief summary" (says Dr. Tliatcher)

_ of the systematic method adopted and practiced for "the destruc-
tion of American prisoners," as taken from the New London

- Gazette, from General Washington's letter of complaint to General
Howe, and from the verbal statement of the ofiicers and soldiers
who have returned from New York, by exchange. They were
crowded into the holds of prison ships, wtiere they were almost
suffocated for want of air, and into churciies, and open sugar
houses, etc., without covering or a spark of tire. Their allow-

a Carmicliaers Hist, of St. George's Church, p. 28.
t Extracted from James FrankUu's Bible.

256 HISTORY OF THE

mice of provisions and water for three days, was insufficient for
one, and in some instances, they were four days entirely destitute
of food. The pork and bread, for they had no other sustenance,
and even water allowed them were of the worst possible quality,
and totally unfit for human beirigs. A minute deiail of their
dreadful sulFerings, would only serve to Iiarrow up the feelings
of surviving friends. As a gross outrage against the principles
of hinuanity, suffice it to say. that in consequence of the most
barbarous treatment, died within a few weeks, not less iJian fif-
teen hundred Auierican soldiers, brave young men, the pride
and shield of our country. After deaih had released the sutfer-
erSj their bodies were dragged out of the prisons and piled up
without doors, till enough were collected for a cart load, when
they were carted out and tumbled into a ditch, and slightly cove-
red witli earth."a

By his wife Abigail, the Hon. John Thomas left issue, (beside
fourdaiighlers,) JohnThomas, HighSherift'of Weslchestercounty,
in 1778,b SVilliam Thomas, and Major General Tliomas Thomas
of Harris3n. The latter individual was one of the most promi-
nent whigs of ihe north, a distinguished military ofhcer,^ sheriff
of the county, (in 1778) and one of the first members of the
state legislature. The following notice of his capture by the
Queen's rangers in 1777, is thus re'ated by Lieutenant Col.
Simcoe.

" Before the troops went into winter quarters, it was necessary
that sufficient boards should be procured to hut those who were
to remain in the vicinity of King's Bridge, and tlie light troops
were of the parties who collected them. Lt. Colonel Simcoe pro-
posed to General Tryon, who commanded the British, to take
down Ward's hduse,^ and the buildings in its vicinity; and that,
while a covering party .should halt tiiere, he would attempt to
surprise Col. Thomas, (a very active partizan of the enemy,) and a

» James Thatcher's Military Journal, Feb. 1777, page 77.

b Tliis gentleman was the last High Sheriff of the county before, and the first
appointed after tlie war.

^ General Thomas was elected chairman of Public Safety, in 1776.
«J .*»'ee Fast Chester.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 257

post of dragoons, nearly twenty miles beyond it. General Tryon
acquiesced in the proposal, and directed it to be put in execution,
but seemed v^ry doubtful, whether so wary a person as Thomas
could be circumvented, lit. Col. Simcoe marched all night, with
Emmerick's and the (Queen's rangers, and surrounded Thomas'
house by daybreak. He never lay at home before that night,
and had done so in consequence of the British troops in general
being gone into winter quarters, and one of his own spies being
deceived, and made to believe that the Queen's rangers were to
march to Long Island. One shot was fired from the window,
which, unfortunataly killed a man by the side of Lieut. Col.
Simcoe. The house was inmiediately forced, and, no resistance
being made, the officers shut the doors of the different rooms, to
prevent the irritated soldiers from revenging their unfortunate
comrade. The man who fired, was the only person killed : but
Thomas, after Lt. Col. Simcoe had personally protected him
and ensured his safety, jumped out of the window, and, springing
over some fences, would have certainly escaped, notwithstanding
most of Emmerick's riflamen fired at him, had not an hussar
leapt after him and cut at him with his sword, (which he
crouched from, and luckily escaped,) when he surrendered.
The cavalry proceeded on to the enemy's picquet, at a mile dis-
tance. They had been alarmed by the firing, and were formed.
They fired their carbines (by which Captain Ogden, of Emn}erick's,
was wounded) and fled ; they were pursued, but to no purpose.
The troops returned to General Tryon, who was, in person, at
Ward's house, and who was much pleased at this mischievous
partizan's being taken. This march was above fifty miles. "^

General Tliomas \vas subsequently paroled, and ultimately
exchanged. Upon his death, which took place in 1824, the
Thomas property in this town passed by will to the heir of his
sister, Charity Thomas, who married Jan:ies Ferris of Throck-
morton's neck. Their grandson Thomas Ferris is the present

• Simcoe's Military Journal, Barttett & Welford, X. Y. p. 92, 93-

Vol. L 33

258 HISTORY OF THE

proprietor. Of this family is the Hon. Charles G. Ferris, late
member of Congress from the city of New York.

The remains of the Thomas family are interred within a neat
inclosure; situated on the west side of the estate. Here are a
number of memorials inscribed as follows. ^

Sacred

to the memory

Major General

t h o m a s t h 0 m a 9,

who died on the 29th May,

A. Di 1824,

in the 79ih year of his age.

Asa soldier of the Revolution

of 177&,

he aided in achieving

the independence of the

United States : •

as a member of the legislature

ef the State of New York,

he assisted in laying the

foundation of those institutions

that are intended to perpetuate the

Republic.

Sacred Sacred

to the memory of to the memory

Catharine Thomas, of

widow of Charles Floyd Thomas,

Thomas Thomas, son of Thomas Thomas,

who died the 15lh day of and Catharine Thomas,

January, A. D. 1825, who died on the 2d of

in the 79th year of her age. January, A. D. 1802,

in the 24th year of his age.

* There are also memorials to Nancy Thomas, daughter of General Thomas and
Gloriana Thomas.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 259

The Field family were also among the early settlers of Harri-
son's purchase, Anthony Field* having removed from Flushing
to this town in 1725. He was the father of six sons, Thomas,
Samuel, Benjamin, William, Moses and John,b whose descen-
dants are very numerous in tiie county.

The small settlement of Purchase is pleasantly situated in the
northern corner of the town, on the south-east side of Rye-pond.
It contains two meeting houses belonging to the Society of
Friends, a store and a post-office.^ Upon the road from Rye to
Bedford passing through this place, are several dwellings.

The first Friends meeting house appears to have been erected
prior to the Revolutionary war, upon ground given for that pur-
pose by Anthony Field. 'i The oldest memorial in the grave yard
contains the following inscription.

R. -W.
March 31, 1731.

During the war the Friends meeting house was occupied as
an hospital by the American army.

Within a short distance of the Purchase lies Rye-pond, a
beautiful sheet of water covering over two hundred and ten acres
of ground. In this pond vast quantities of pickerel are annually
taken with hook and line, and pleasant sport is afforded to those
who are fond of trolling. « Its waters abound also with almost
every other variety of fresh water fish. The best place for fish-
ing is said to be a flat rock near the centre of the pond. : ' ■'''

Rye-pond has an outlet on the west which passes into the little
pond of the same name, and from thence into Bronx's river.^

The principal proprietors of the land bordering the pond, are

' a Anthouy Field was the sou of Benjamin Field of Flushing. For further particu-
lars of this family, see pedigree.

b This individual is the ancestor of the Fields of Yorktown and New York.

c There is also an African Church and school house in the vicinity, under the
patronage of the Friends.

d Anthony Field is buried in the Friends grave yard at Purchase.

• No fishing is allowed in the ponds with any kind of net or seine.

t Rye-pond is the principal source of the Bronx.

260 HISTORY OF THE

Ezra Carpe iter on the south, Thomas Clapp on the eastj and
Oliver ]\[atthe\vs on the north.

The late Thomas Clapp of this town left one hundred and
fifty acres on the west side of the pond for the education of poor
children at the Purchase.

A liitle south west of this place is situated the farm and resi-
dence of the Hon. Joseph H. Anderson, late member of Congress
for the seventh district. The house commands a very fine and
extensive prospect of the Sound and surrounding country. Jo-
sepli H. Anderson is the son of Jeremiah Anderson, Esq., who
for many years represented this county in Assembly.

" Uj)on the 23d of October, 1776, Col. Tyler's, Huntington's
and Throop's regiments of General Parson's brigade, and of Gen.
Heath's division moved, and took post at the head of King street,
near Rye-pond."^ *

" On the 4th of December, 1781, (says General Heath) Captain
Sackett of the New York levies near Harrison purchase below
the lines, having gone a small distance from his detachment on
the morning of the 2d, was taken prisoner by a party of the en-
f»my. The enemy afterward attacked Lieutenant Mosher to
whom the command of the detachment fell. Lieutenant Mosher
and the detachment behaved with great bravery, repulsed the
enemy, killed one of them and two horses, and wounded eight of
the enemy, among them a Captain Kipp, said mortally. Colonel
Holmes and Captain Kipp had their horses killed under them,
the levies had not a man killed or wounded."^

Tlie above engagement took place in the vicinity of Merritt's
tavern. Moshers command consisted of only eighteen men,
while the British horse under Colonel Holmes numbered over
seventy.*^

*■ Heath's Mem. 75, 76. From a return of militia officers for Harrison's Pre-
cinct, February 9ih, 1776, it appears that John Thomas, minor, was chosen cap-
tain, Gilbert Dusenberry first lieutenant, William Woodward second lieutenant and
James Miller, jun. ensign.

b Heath's Mem. p. 324.

* A full narrative of this memorable event has been published in almost every
e<*UQtry in Europe, showing what a handful of infantry can do, opposed to a strong

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 261

We believe the whole period of the American war cannot pro-
duce such another instance, in which the enemy were repulsed
by so small a force. General Washington himself often spoke
of this brilliant alfair, and praised the gallantry of the brave Mo-
sher.a

The surAice of this town is mostly level ; soil, loam, fertile and
well cultivated, drained by Blind Brook (Mockquams) and Mam-
aroneck Riv^er, running south into Long Island Sound, sup-
plying mill seats in abundance.'^ The south line of the town is
about one mile from the Sound, and the northeast corner touches
upon the west line of Connecticut. The growth of wood con-
sists principally of oak of all kinds, chestnut, much hickory, ash
and elm, &c. &c.

The following extracts from the town records relate to the elec-
tion of town officers at the commencement of the Revolution, and
immediately subsequent : —

^'On Tuesday, the 2d of April, 1776, the freeholders, inhabit-
ants of Harrison's Precinct, met at the place appointed by law,
and made choice of the following town officers : —

Samuel Haviland, Supervisor,

William Miller, Town Clerk,

Joshua Hunt, ^ ., ^ ^. •

John Haight, \ Assessors, "" "^ .

Wellsey Dosenbery, ) - -

Joseph Carpenter, Highway Master for lower part,
David Halstead, " -' the middle,

force of horse. Seven of Mosher's party were from the farm of General Pierre van
Cortlandt, Cortlandtown.

» On the east side of the road leading from the Purchase to Rye, lies the grave
of an old veteran by the name of John Peter Follow, who died at the advanced age
of 120. He requested that the following epitaph might be inscribed on his tomb
stone : —

- . ~ , *' Here lies as good a soldier

as ever fought in Flanders."

Also, in the same vicinity, Louis Burling, a colored soldier of the Revolution, who
served as a private in Col. Samuel Pell's regiment.

b Upon the Mockquams, or Blind Brook, is situated the grist mill of the late Gen.
Thomas.

262 HISTORY OF THE

Steplieii Field, Highway Master for die upper,

William Ascongh, " " Brown's Point,

William Woodward, " " North street,

Job Hadden, " " West and Haight

streets, all to the usual bounds.

Samuel Haviland, ) r^ a t\ tt-

mi r> 1 } tence and Damas^e viewers,

Thomas Park, ) ° '

Thomas Park, Pownder."
At a town meeting held this first day of April, 1783, in Har-
rison's Precinct, State of New York, the following town officers
were chosen to serve the ensuing year :—
'* Isaiah Maynard, Supervisor,

Stephen Field, Town Clerk.

James Miller, Constable and Collector.

Thomas Thomas, )

William Woodward, V Assessors,

Thomas Carpenter, \

Henry Dusenbery, Pownder,

John Cromwell, Overseer of the Highway for the upper

part of the Precinct,
Richard Barnes for the middle part,
Joseph Carpenter for the lower part,
Roger Purdy for North street,
Job Haddon, jr., for the west part of the patent,
Henry Dusenbery, ) ^^ , ,^ ,r.

Elisha Horton, \ ^^""^^ ^"'^ ^^""^^^ Yi&^ets.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

263

LEW18B0R0UGH.

Lewisborough is
situated eighteen miles
north of tlie village of
White Plains, — distant
fifty miles from New
York, and one hundred
and nineteen from Al-
bany,— bounded north

Presbyterian t'hurcli, Lewisb )rough. j^y ]\^orth Salem, eaSt by

the State of Connecticut, south by Connecticut and the towns of
Poundridge and Bedford, and west by Somers.

This town, prior to 180S, was called Salem, and afterward
South Salem, to distinguish it from the northern town of that
name.a- In 1840 the name was again changed to Lewisborough,
in compliment to John Lewis, Esq., a liberal benefactor to its
common schools.

The earliest sale of lands in this town is to be found in an In-
dian deed bearing date 15th of August, 1653, wherein Ponus
Sagamore, of Toquams, and Onox, his son, (for the value of four
coats,) conveyed to the people of Stamford all their land, extend-
ing sixteen miles north of the town plot of Stamford, and ^' two
miles still further norths for the pasture of their cattle," (fcc.^
The above sale clearly embraced a large proportion (perhaps the
whole) of Lewisborough. Some of these lands must have subse-
quently reverted to the Indians, for in 1699 the Kitchawan tribe
again released the same territory to Stephanas van Cortlandt.
This individual had previously obtained a charter from the

» Salem was incorporated on the 18th of March, 1791.
b See page 6.

264 HISTORY OF THE

Crown, erecting the whole of his possession into the lordship and
manor of Cortla:id(,a by which means the northern part of this
town, came to be included in the manor.

On the Sth of July, 1701, we find Catoonah, Indian Sagamore,
confirming to the inhabitants of Stamford " all those lands which
extend westward as far as the west bounds of Bedford purchase
and marked trees, and by the east bounds of the same, bounded
north by the south side of Bedford purchase, and by the stone
hills upon a straight line eastward unto the upper end of the
Long Pond., and, further, on an east line, until it meets with a
line drawn north from the upper end of Five Mile River, which
is the east line of our several purchases."^

From this time we hear no more of the aboriginal proprietors
of Salem.

Lewisborough includes seven miles in length of the south end
of a tract of land cal ed the Oblong. This territory was a strip
of one mile three quarters and twenty rods wide, formed by the
running of a line parallel with Hudson's River, and twenty miles
distant therefrom to tlie south line of Massachusetts. The con-
troversy between tlie two colonies of New York and Connecti-
cut concerning it lasted nearly a century, during which time the
disputed ground afforded a sort of sanctuary for the most desper-
ate kind of outlaws and robbers. Some improvement, however,
must have taken place prior to the settlement of the bomidary,
since we find the people living on the Oblong, between the gov-
ernments of New York and Connecticut, employing the religious
services of the Rev. Mr. Dibble, Rector of Stamford.*'

The commissioners appointed for settling the lines, assembled at

• See Royal Charter of Cortlandt.
b Trumbull's Ilisl. of Connecticut.

* Reports of Propagation .Society.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 265

Greenwich J April 29th, 1725, when they came to the following
agreement as to the means of ascertaining the lines, viz., " they
are the westernmost line, called eight miles, the line running
east northeast thirteen miles and sixty-four rods from the eight
mile line, the line called parallel with the Hudson's River, and
twenty miles from it, extending from the end of the line thirteen
miles and sixty-four rods northward to Massachusetts line ; the
parallel line ivas in tu'o lines, having" one angle in it. The
equivalent land they estimated at 61,440 acres, which has to be
taken from Connecticut on the east side of the parallel line."^
; The angle above mentioned (sometimes called Cortlandi's
Point) was situated near the southwest shore of Lake Wacabuck
(Long Pond.) Here the commissioners, who surveyed the manor
of Cortlandt in 1734, erected a monument, which they "deemed
and esteemed twenty miles distant from Cortlandt's Point, at the
mouth of the Highlands."

" The complete settlement of the boundary line (says the his-
torian Smith) was not made till the 14th of May, 1731, when
indentures, certifying the execution of the agreement in 1725,
were mutually signed by the commissioners and surveyors of
both colonies. "~ •• '. ' / ". ^

Upon the establishment of this partition, a tract of land lying
on the Connecticut side, consisting of above sixty thousand acres,
from its figure called the Oblong, was ceded to New York, as an
equivalent for lands near the Sound, surrendered to Coimecti-
cut> ' '^ . '^ -

The very day after the surrender made by that colony, a patent
passed in London to Sir Joseph Eyles and others, intended to
convey the whole Oblong. A grant posterior to the other was
also regularly made here, to Hawley and Company, of the great-
est part of the same tract, which the British patentees brought a
bill in chancery to repeal. But the defendants jSled an answer
containing so many objections against the English patent, that
the suit remains still unprosecuted, and the American proprietors

» Letters on Boundaries. Hartford ; Letter 117.

b See Douglas's late Plan of the British Dominions of New England.

Vol. L 34

266 HISTORY OF THE

have ever since held the possession. Mr. Harrison, of the coun-
cil, soliciicd this controversy for Sir Joseph Eyles and his part-
ners, which contributed, in a great degree, to the troubles so re-
markable in a succeeding administration. "^

Upon the 8th of June, 1731, the following letters patent were
issued, under the great seal, to Thomas Hawley and his associ-
ates : —

" It is hereby certified, that whereas Thomas Hawley, Nathan St. John,
Samuel Smith, Benjamin Benedict, Richard Olmsted, Thomas Smith, Ebene-
zer Smith, Daniel Sherwood, Benjamin Burtt, Thomas Hyatt, Benjamin Wil-
son, Joseph Lee, Joseph Keeler, James Benedict, Richard Osborn, Samuel
Smith, Daniel Olmsted, Timothy Keeler, Jonah Keeler, Matthew Seymour,
Joseph Northrup, James Brown, Adam Ireland, John Thomas^ and Benjamin
Birdsall, inhabitants of the town of Ridgefield, as of the eastern parts of this
proTince, by their humble petition, presented unto his Excellency in council,
the third day of September, setting forth that they and their ancestors have for
a long time been settled upon, cultivated and improved, certain lands near the
eastern parts of this province, held by patent from the colony of Connecticut ;
but that, contrary to their expectations, some of the lands to be sold by patent
from the colony of Connecticut are supposed to be within that part of the
province of New York, commonly called the Equivalent Lands, and that the
petitioners, together wiih their associates, would be willing to defray the
charge and expense of finding out and ascertaining the true partition lines be-
tween both the said colonies, provided that 50,000 acres of the said lands be
granted to the petitioners ; and whereas, the partition lines between the said
colonies tiave been accordingly run out and ascertained by commissioners for
both the said colonies, being thereunto duly commissioned and appointed, and
sixty- one thousand four hundred and forty acres of land of the said colony of
Connecticut were lately, at the settling of the said partition lines, surrendered
to the said province of New York, for the use of his Majesty ; wherefore the
petitioners prayed his Excellency would be favorably pleased to grant to them,
their heirs and assigns, his Majesty's letters patent for 50,000 acres of the
said land under such quit rent, provisions and restrictions as is and are direct-
ed in his Excellency's commissions and instructions ; which petition being
then and there read and considered of, his Majesty's council of this province,
did afterwards, on the same day, humbly advise and consent that his Excel-
lency do grant the prayer of the same, &c., given, &c. four several tracts, the
first of which begins at the monument where the two lines intersect which are
the eastwardly bounds of the said surrendered lands, and is one mile, three

» Smith's Hist, of N. Y. p. 177.

COUNTY or WESTCHESTER. 267

quarters of a mile, and fifty-two rods distant on a line ru-nning north eighty-
four degrees east from the monument, and the end of the twenty mile line
from Cortlandt's Point west to the east end of Long Pond, &c., then along
south side of said pond to the easterly bounds of said surrendered lands.

The second tract begins at the monument, standing at two m'les from the
monument, at the end of the twenty miles from Cortlandt's Point.

The third begins at the eighth mile monument, on the westwardly bounds of
the said surrendered lands, on the line running north twelve degrees and thirty
minutes east from the monument, at the end of the twenty miles from Cort-
landt's Point.

The fourth tract begins at the thirty-fourth mile from the monument, at the
end of the twenty miles from Cortlandt's Point, &e. Given, under our hands,
at New York, this eighth day of June, in the fourth year of his Majesty's
reign, A. D. 1731.^ J. Montgomerie.

On the 8th of January, 1752, John Bowton of the East patent,
granted a tract of land, consisting of eighty acres, to Benjamin
Rockwell for the snin of £249.

The same year letters patent were granted to James Brown of
the county of Westchester, gentleman, for •• four several tracts of
land within that tract of land called the Equivalent lands, lately
surrendered by our colony of Connecticut to our colony of New
York, first beginning on the western bounds of the said Equiva-
lent, at the south-west corner of a tract of land in or late granted
to Thomas Hawley and others, known by the name of lot No. 9,
containing 1100 acres," &c. 22d August, \7o2>

The folio u'ing receipt appears to have been given for quit- rent
due on the East patent in 1760. :;.-.

'• Received of the owners and proprietors of the East patent, to
wit, Thomas Hawley and others, for a tract of 50,000 acres of
land in Westchester and Dutchess counties, commonly called the
Oblong, by the hands of Abraham King, £1382 \s. 5d., proved
money, being the full balance of quit-rent which was due her
majesty on the said patent, to the 8th day of June, 1760, old
style, as witness my hand this 21st day of March, 1760.

"Richard Nicholls,

" Deputy Receiver General.^^

* Alb. Book of Pat. No. i. 1.
b Alb. Book of Pat No. xii. 451.

26S HISTORY OF THE

Upon the partition of Cortlandt's manor in 1734, the lots (in-
cluded in this town) fell in the following order to the devisees
and heirs of Stephanus van Cortlandt, viz., one-half of south lot
No. 7, east of the Croton, to Stephen van Cortlandt ; ditto No. 8,
Gertrude' Beeckman ; ditto No. 9, Margaret Bayard ; ditto No. 10,
Mr. Skinner. The above lots have been long since distributed
among numerous grantees, such as the Meads, Keelers, Rock-
wells, Ferrises, and Bowtons, &c., <fcc.

The general surface of Lewisborough is hilly and even moun-
tainous ; much attention, however, has been paid to the improve-
ment of the soil, which consists of clay mixed with a sandy loam.
The whole township is well irrigated. Croton river runs along
the nort'h-west corner while Cross river (the outlet of Lake Wa-
cabuck) waters the central portion. Tatomuck river also rises
within its limits; each of these streams supply numerous mill
seats.

Upon the high hills which rise to the east of Cross river (near
the eastern border of the town,) is situated the village of South
Salem. This place contains several scattered dwellings, two
stores, a post-office, (first established in March, 1813,) and a Pres-
byterian church.

The scenery of the neighborhood is uncommonly beautiful,
aboundii]g in rich woods, deep valleys, and fertile pastures. The
air also of its mountainous regions is said to be very salubrious.
An opening through the hills to the south-west affords a fine
view of the distant stony mountains, and the great valley of Cross
river.

The Presbyterian church of South Salem occupies a command-
ing position near the centre of the village. It is a handsome
wooden structure, sixty feet by forty, surmounted with a tower
and spire. The latter serves as a beacon to the surrounding
country.

The first notice of this church occurs on the 19th of May, 1752,
*• when a convention of ministers assembled at Salem, upon the
desire of the people." The same year there appear to have been
eighteen members in connection with this society. The Pres-
byterian church of Lower Salem was first incorporated on the
4th of January, 1784. Abijah Gilbert, Jacob Hoit, Matthew Sey-

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 269

moiir, Gideon Seely, Michael Halstead, and Nathaniel Newman,
trustees. a

Besides a small parsonage this church possesses an extensive
glebe, consisting of about thirty acres of improved land and
seventy of woodland. In the year 1800 the trustees petitioned
the legislature for an act to enable them to sell certain lands for
the benefit of the church. The act was passed March, 1800, and
is entitled an act to authorize the trustees of the Presbyterian
church and congregation of the town of Salem to sell and dis-
pose of certain lands for the benefit of the said church and con-
gregation.

" Whereas the trustees and society of the Presbyterian church
and congregation of the town of Salem, in the county of West-
chester, have by their petition to the legislature, prayed for leave
to sell, for the benefit of the said church and congregation, cer-
tain lands belonging to the said church and congregation, in the
town of Salem aforesaid, thereupon : Be it enacted by the people
of the state of New York, represented in senate and assembly,
that full power, good right, and lawful authority shall be and
hereby is granted to the trustees of the said church and congre-
gation to sell, alien in fee, all right and title belonging to the said
church and congregation, vested in them as trustees of and in all
such lands, situate, lying and being in the town of Salem, in
W^estchester county, as they from time to time may deem neces-
sary for the purpose of procuring other lands on which a parson-
age house may be more conveniently erected, and for erecting
the same. Provided always that the lands so to be sold by vir-
tue of this act shall not exceed the quantity of fifty acres. ^

Tliis church and congregation are in connection with the
Bedford Presbytery.

LIST OF MINISTERS OF THE PRESBYTERIAN -CHURCH AT

SOUTH SALEM.

Instal or call. Ministers. Vacated hy.

19th May, 1752, Rev. Solomon Mead, Death.

a Religious Soc. Lib., A. p. 2.
b Laws of N. Y. 1800, p. 47.

270 HISTORY OF THE

'' 1S17, " Clark Hart,

'' 1S19, "

27th Nov. 1804, *' John Ely, Resig.

IS 13, " Jacob Burbank, the same.

Clark Hart, ; ,.

Abraham Andries, \ ^"PPlies.

" 1S20, *' Charles F. Butler, Resig.

1st May, 1S23, " Stephen Saunders, the same.

9th Oct. 1S34, *' Reuben Frame, present pastor.

Church Me77ioranda,
1804, 51 members, 1826, 173 members, 2 baptized.

1836, 212 ditto 6 baptized. 1846, 226 ditto 7 ditto.

The grave yard surrounding the church contains memorials
to the families of the Keelers, Rockv/ells, Ferrises, Gilberts,
Loundsberrys and Meads, (fcc. &c.

" Green is the church yard, beautiful and green."
•' Ridge rising gently by the side of ridge."

In the south-west corner appears a neat marble slab inscribed
to the

M-emory of the

Rev. Solomon Mead,

First Pastor of the Presbyterian

Church in this place, M. 86.
He had the charge of this people,
48 years.
Ob. September, 1812.
While marble monuments decay
The righteous live in endless day^
And earthly temples turn to dust.
Blest is the memory of the just.

Also a monument erected in

Memory of

(/APT Joseph Webster,

who died

Jan. 16, 1838,

aged 81 years

and 12 days.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 271

A mission of the Church of England was organized in this
town sometime prior to the Revolutionary war. Its first trustees
are said to have been Gershom Sellick, Mr. Brown and others.
Soon after its establishment, Benjamin Brown of Norwalk made
a liberal benefaction of one hundred acres of land, as a glebe for
the support of a minister. The first church edifice was erected
by the inhabitants of Salem, (for the use of the Episcopal mis-
sion,) at the commencement of the Revolution. The building
was constructed of the very best timber, and contained three
hundred and sixty-five braces. It stood upon the land of Jere-
miah Keeler; near the road-side leading from South Salem to
Ridgefield.

Some of the most active members of the mission having joined
the army, (at the commencement of hostihties,) it was found ab-
solutely necessary to dispose of the building to satisfy the claims
of the contractor, Mr. Benjamin Chapman. This individual sub-
sequently purchased it and converted the same into a tavern.
For many years it was known as the Churcli tavern. Mr. Chap-
man afterwards sold the property, with the dwelling house, to
J. L. Morehouse, from whom it passed to the present Mr. Jere-
miah Keeler. In 1796, Mr. Keeler dismantled the building and
removed the materials.^-

On the 19th of May, 1811, the Episcopal church was in-
corporated under the style of " the church-wardens and vestry-
men of the corporation of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Sa-
lem." At a previous meeting of the members of this church,
held on the 15th of October, 1810, the following officers had been
duly elected for the year ensuing, viz: Angus McCarroll, Wil-
liam Sherwood, church-wardens; Henry Hoyt, Gould Bouton,
jim., Jesse Jarvis, Samuel B. Isaacs, Samuel Ambler, Joseph
Nash, Absolom Holmes and James Church, vestrymen. b

In 1815 this church was visited by the Rev. Theodosius Bar-
tow of New Rochelle, and the same year Mr. George Weller was

» Communicated by Henry Keeler and others,
b Religious Soc- Lib. A.

272 HISTORY OF THE

licensed as a lay reader for the same.^ Occasional services were
also performed here by the Rev. Elias Cooper of Yonkers, the
Rev. Samuel Haskell of Rye, and the Rev. John McVickarj <fcc.
The first delegate from this church to the diocesan convention,
in 1811, was Mr. Samuel B. Isaacs.

Notitia Parochialls.
1811, communicants 10, baptisms 7, families 15.

For a number of years no Episcopal services have been per-
formed in this town.

The house now occupied by Jacob Gibber, situated a little
north of the Presbyterian Church, is celebrated as having been
the temporary prison of Major John Andre, Adjutant General of
the British army. From this place he penned the letter to
General Washington, disclosing his true character. " After the
capture of Andre by the three farmers of Westchester, (says
Sparks,) the latter resolved to convey their prisoner to the nearest
military post, which was then stationed at North Castle, under the
command of Lt. Col. Jameson. From North Castle the prisoner
was foolishly forwarded by that officer, under the charge of
Lieut. Allen and a ^uard, to General Arnold. Upon the return
of Major Tallmadge, (who it seems had been out on duty,)
to North Castle, and having inspected the papers, he earnestly
requested, that the prisoner might be brought back, to which
Jameson at last consented. In the latter's order of countermand
to Lieutenant Allen, he says, "from some circumstances which
I have just discovered, 1 have reason to fear, that a party of the
enemy is above, and as I would not have Anderson retaken, or
get away, 1 desire that you will proceed to Lower Salem, with
him, and deliver him to Capt. Hoogland, &c. &c.

Some mistake appears to have been made in the orders, for
Andre was returned to North Castle. It was now agreed upon
by Jameson and Tallmadge, " that it was best to keep Anderson
in close custody, till something more should be known about him,
or till orders should be received from General Washington. As

* This gentleman was subsequently ordrtined in North Salem.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 273

Lower Salem was farther within the American lines than North Cas-
tle ; and, as Col. Sheldon's quarters were there, it was thought advi-
sable for him to be removed to that place. Mnjor Tallmadge com-
manded the escort, and continued with the prisoner from that lime,
till he arrived at Tappan. It will be remembered that eight or
nine days previous to the taking of Andre, a letter had been
received by J\Iajor Talla.adge from Arnold, in which he requested.
Tallmadge, if a man by the name of Anderson should come
witliin the lines, to send him to head quarters with two horse-
men, and to bear him company in person, if his business would
permit. This incident, connected with the circumstances of the
capture of the prisoner, who called himself Anderson, and with the
obvious disguise he now assumed, confirmed l\allmadge's sus-
picions, though the nature and extent of the plans in agitation he
could only conjecture, as Anderson revealed nothing and men-
tioned no names. On the arrival of Andre at Lower Salem,
about 8 o'clock in the morning, he was introduced to Mr. Bron-
son, who was attached to Sheldon's regiment, and who occupied
a small apartment which he consented to share with the prisoner.
The room could be easily guarded, as it had but one door and
one window. Andre appeared much fatigued, and at first was
little inclined to talk. His clothes were soiled, and he accepted a
change from Mr. Bronson, while his linen and nankeen under
dress was sent to the washerwoman.

■ Becoming refreshed and more at ease, he relaxed into familiar
conversation, which, with his agreeable and courteous manners,
excited the interest and secured the good will of his room-mate.
He resorted to his favorite resource for amusement, and sketched
with a pencil a group of ludicrous figures, representing himself
and his escort under march. He presented the sketch to Bronson,
saying, " this will give you an idea of the style in which I have
had the honor to be conducted to my present abode." Li di-
versions of this kind the morning passed away. As it was
known to Andre that the papers found on his person had been
transmitted to General Washington, who must soon receive them,
and it being now evident, that he would not himself be sent to
- Arnold, he perceived that any further attempts at concealment
would be unavailing, and resolved to stand forth in his true char-
Vol/L 35

274 HISTORY OF THE

acier, seeking no otlier mitigation of his case, than such as
could be granted on the strict principles of honor and miUtary
usage. "\Vith this view he wrote in Bronson's room, his first letter
to General Washington.

« Salem, 24 September, 1780.

''Sir,—

'• "What J have as yet said concerning myself, was in the jus-
tifiable attempt to be extricated; lam too little accustomed to
diiplicily to have succeeded.

"I beg your excellency will be persuaded, that no alteration in
the temper of my mind, or apprehension for my safety, induces
me to take the step of addressing you ; but that it is to rescue
myself from an imputation of having assumed a mean character
for treacherous purposes or self interest ; a conduct incompatible
with the principles that actuate me ; as well as with my conduct
in life.

"It is to vindicate my fame that I speak, and not to solicit se-
curity.

" The person in your possession is Major John Andre, Adju-
tant General to the British Army.

" The influence of one commander in the army of his adversa-
ry is an advantage taken in war. A correspondence for this
purpose I held; as confidential (in the present instance) with his
Excellency Sir Henry Clinton.

" To favor it, 1 agreed to meet upon ground not within the
posts of either army a person, who was to give me intelligence;
I came up in the Yulture man-of-war for this effect, and was fetched
by a boat from the ship to the beach. Being there, I was told
that the approach of day would prevent my return, and that I
must be concealed until the next night. I was in my regimen-
tals, and had fairly risked my person.

"Against my stipulation, my intention, and without my know-
ledge beforehand, I was conducted within one of your posts.
Your excellency may conceive my sensation on this occasion,
and will imagine how much more must I have been affected by
a refusal to reconduct me back the next night, as I had been
brought. Thus become a prisoner, I had to concert my escape.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 275

I quitted my uniform, and was passed another way in the night,
without the American posts, to neutral ground, and informed I
was beyond all armed parties, and left to press to New York. , I
was taken at Tarrytown by some volunteers.

" TIius, as I have had the honor to relate, was I betrayed (being
Adjutant General of the British army,) into the vile condition of
an enemy in disguise within your posts.

" Having avowed myself a Britisli officer, I have nothing to re-
veal but what relates to myself, which is true on the honor of an
officer and a gentleman.

'' The request I have to make to your excellency, and I am
conscious I address myself well, is, that in any rigor policy may
dictate, a decency of conduct towards me may mark, that, though
unfortunate, I am branded with nothing dishonorable, as no mo-
tive could be mine but the service of my King, and as I was in-
voluntarily an impostor.

" Another request is, that I may be permitted to write an open
letter to Sir. Henry Clinton, and another to a friend for clothes
and linen.

'^ I take the liberty to mention the condition of some gentlemen
at Charleston, who being either on parole or under protection,
were engaged in a conspiracy against us. Though their situation
is not similar, they are objects who may be set in exchange for
me, or are persons whom the treatment I receive might affect.

" It is no less, sir, in confidence of the generosity of your mind,
than on account of your superior station, that I have chosen to
importune you with this letter. I have the honor to be, with great
respect, sir, your excellency's most obedient and humble servant,

'' John Andre. Adjutant GeneraU-

When he had finished this letter, he handed it open to Major
Tallmadge, who perused it with astonishment and strong
amotion ; for, although he believed the writer to be a military
man, yet he had not supposed him a person of such rank, nor
dreamed of the dangerous plot in which he had been acting a
part. The letter was sealed and sent to General Washington.
From that moment Andre's mind seemed relieved. He became
cheerful, and his good humor, affable address, and attractive pow»

276

HISTORY OF THE

ers of conversation, gained npon the hearts of the officers, and
won from them reciprocal kindness and civiUties.^" As soon as
General Washington had ascertained the full extent of the trea-
son, instantaneous preparations were made for the defence of
West Point, and "an order dispatched to Col. Jameson, directing
him to send Andre nnder a strong guard to Robinson's house.
The express arrived about midnight at Lower Salem, and at that
hour an officer came with the message to Andre. He started up
quickly from his bed and obeyed the summons. The rain fell in
torrents, and the night was dark and dismal. Mr. Bronson
says, that, on taking leave, he expressed a deep sense of the obli-
gations he was under, for the delicate and courteous treatment he
had received from the officers of the reg-iment with whom he had
become acquainted, and declared that, whatever might be his fu-
ture destiny, he could never meet them as enemies. The guard
marched all night, and in the morning of the next day, September
26th, Andre arrived at Robinson's house, in the custody of Major
Tallmadge."b From whence he was taken the same evening to
West Point.

CoJonel Sl;eWon's headquarters nt Lower Salem. The west window on the ground floor be-
lon;'8 to tlie room in wiixii Andre wrote liis first letter to Washington.

« Sparks' Life of Arnold, p, 231, 23.), G, 7, 8.
* .'^parks' Life of Arnold, p. 2r)3. 4.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 277

The ravages of time have made but little progress upon the
old quarters of Andre at Salem; the small room still remains,
with its single door and solitary window looking out upon the
road.

Between two and three miles north-west of the village of
South Salem lies Lake VVacabuck, (Long Pond,) a beautiful
sheet of water, covering over two hundred and twelve acres of
ground. Near by is another pond connected with the former by
a small stream. Both are fed and supplied chiefly, (perhaps en-
tirely,) by springs and rivulets from the great Long Pond moun-
tain. The northern shore of the lake is bordered with hanging
woods, and surrounded by rocky mountains of the most picturesque
form, presenting altogether an interesting scene as the traveller
approaches from Lower Salem. The hills on the southern shore
are much lower, but equally attractive ; their bases being pro-
fusely covered with foliage to the very margin of the water.
Its shores are also diversified with wooded points. Lake Waca-
buck was once famous for the abundance of its beavers (castor
fiber.) It is upwards of fifteen years since, that the last solitary
hermit was observed upon the edge of the lake. This animal
had been noticed at different intervals throughout the summer of
1832. In the fall of that year a laboring man (residing near the
lake) determined upon securing it if possible. For this purpose
he took his station early one morning in the vicinity of one of
the beaver's haunts. It soon made its appearance, and com-
menced felling a small tree, which it drew to the water's edge ;
but the man who had refrained from firing, in order to watch
the motions of the animal, making a slight noise, it became
alarmed, and suddenly plunged into the water. a

The numerous rivers of Westchester county must have afford-
ed (the Indian hunter) an abundant supply of this useful animal.
Van der Donck, the Patroon of Yonkers, informs us that in
1656, beavers were found not far from his residence, andlseveral
were brought in by the Indian hunters ; also that 80,000 of these
animals were annually killed in this quarter of the country.

a It is said that the same animal was observed in the fall of 1S37.

27S

HISTORY OF THE

" The Indians (continues the same authority) burn the beaver
bones and never permit their dogs to gnaw the same ; alleging
that afterwards tliey will be unlucky in the chase. Among all
the beaver skins 1 have seen, no more than one was of a differ-
ent color, and that was white, the outer-wind hairs were golden
yellow. This skin was shipped on board the Princess with
Director Kieft, which was lost at sea."=^

The deep waters of Lake Wacabuck afford vast quantities of
fish, as pickerel, large perch, eels, (fcc. The two former are said
to have been introduced here within a few years. The favorite
haunts of the pickerel are the Cove and Raven's rock.

Upon the south ridge of Long Pond mountain (which rises
abruptly from the northern shore of the lake,) is situated the
cave of Sarah Bishop, the hermitess.

The Sarah Bishop Cave, Long Pond Mountain

Amidst the savage landscape, bleak and bare.
Stands the chill hermitage, in mountain rock, and air
Its haunts forsaken, and its feasts forgot,
A leaf strown, lonely, desolated cot !

[White's Selborne.

" Van der Donek's Hist. New Netherlands.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 279

The herniitess is reported to have been a resident of Long Isl-
and at the period of the Revolution, where she saw the destruc-
tion of her paternal mansion, and suffered great cruelty at the
hands of a British officer, which finally induced her to abandon
society altogether, and seek an abode in ihe present cave.
The following account of a visit to the hermitess is taken from a
newspaper printed at Poughkeepsie in 1804.

''Yesterday I went in company of two Captain Smiths of this
town to the mountain to visit the hermitage. As you pass the
southern and elevated ridge of the mountain, and begin to des-
cend the southern sleep, you meet with a perpendicular descent
of a rock, in the front of which is this cave. At the foot of the
rock is a gentle descent of rich and fertile ground, extending
about ten rods, when it instantly forms a frightful precipice, des-
cending half a mile to the pond called Long Pond. In the front
of the rock on the north, where the cave is, and level with the
ground, there appears a large frustum of the rock, of a double
fathom in size, thrown out by some unkown convulsion of na-
ture, and lying in front of the cavity from which it was rent,
pajrtly enclosing the mouth and forming a cover. The rock is left
entire above and forms the roof of the humble mansion. This
cavity is the habitation of the hermitess, in which she has
passed the best of her years, excluded from all society. She
keeps no domestic animal, not even fowl, cat, or dog. Her little
plantation, consisting of half an acre, is cleared of its wood and
reduced to grass, where she has raised a few peach trees, and
yearly plants a few hills of beans, cucumbers, and potatoes. The
whole is surrounded by a luxuriant grape vine, which over-
spreads the surrounding wood, and is very productive. On the
opposite side of this little tenement, is a fine fountain of excel-
lent water. At this fountain we found the wonderful woman
whose appearance it is a little difficult to describe. Indeed, like
nature in its first state, she was without form, her dress appear-
' ed little else than one confused and shapeless mass of rags
patched together without any order, which obscured all human
shape, excepting her head which was clothed with a luxuriancy
of lank grey hair, depending on every side as time had formed
it, without any covering or ornament. When she discovered
our approach, she exhibited the appearance of a wild and timid

280 HISTORY OF TPIE

animal. She started and hastened to her cave which she entered,
and barricadoed the entrance, with old shells pulled from the
decayed trees. We approached this humble habitation, and after
some conversation with its inmate, obtained Irberty to remove
the palisades and look in, for we were not able to enter, the room
being only sufficient to accommodate one person. We saw no
ntensil, either for labor or cookery, save an old pewter basin and
a gourd shell, no bed but the solid rock, unless it were a few old
rags scattered here and there, no bed clothes of any kind, not
the least appearance of food or fire. She had indeed a place in
one corner of her cell where a fire had at some time been kindled,
but it did not appear there had been one for some months. To
confirm this, a gentleman says he passed her cell five or six days
after the great fall of snow, in the beginning of March ; that she
had no fire then, and had not been out of her cave since the
snow had faMen. How she subsists during the severe season is
yet a mystery. She says, she eats but little flesh of any kind ;
in the summer she lives on berries, nuts and roots. We con-
versed with her for some time, found her to be of a sound mind,
a religious turn of thought and entirely happy in her situation.
Of this she has given repeated proofs, by refusing to quit this
dreary abode. She keeps a bible with her, and says she takes
much satisfaction and spends much time in reading it." Soon
after her settlement, the hermitess purchased the cave and three
acres of land adjoining. Here she resided until the winter of
1810, when she was accidentally killed by falling into a pit. a

The southern view from the cave aff'ords a splendid prospect
of forty-five miles in extent, terminated by Long Island.

From Lake Wacabuck issues the Peppeneghek, or Cross River,
(one of the numerous tributaries of the Croton,) upon which is
situated the small settlement of Cross River. This place con-
tains a post office, two churches, several manufactories, and
twenty dwellings. The road from Ridgefield, by South Salem,
to Bedford, passes through it. The Baptist church of Cross
River was first incorporated on the 28th of March, 1842 ; Lewis

* The poor-master found in the cave a small sum of money sufficient to defray
her funeral exjjeusee.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. • 281

Holmes. Abijah Reynolds, Lewis Mead, Titus Reynolds, Jerah
M. Elmore, trustees.^ The Methodist Episcopal church of this
place (sometimes styled the Herman Chapel) was incorporated
12th of March, 1S25 ; first trustees, Joseph Wilson, Daniel Silk-
man, John Silkman, Aaron Silkman, Walter S. Lyons, and John
Brady.^

The waters of the Cross River are abundantly supplied with
all kinds of fresh water fish. Near the intersection of the Beaver
Dam and Cross River are situated the fishing falls.

Golden's Bridge is a small hamlet (located on the banks of the
Croton) in the northwest corner of this town. It contains a post
office and several dwellings.

Vista is a pretty settlement in the southeast corner of Lewis-
borough. Here is a post office and several dwellings. This
portion of the town is drained by the Tatomuck River, which
eaipties into the Sound at Stamford.

The following extracts are taken from the town books: —

'• First Book of Records in Salem, April the 17th, 1747. '
At a town meeting in Salem, April 2, 1751 — - ,.

Justice Gilbert, Moderator, . . ' ,

Jacob Wall, Supervisor,

Nathaniel Wyatt, Clerk,

David Webster, Constable, ' '-- '

Peter Benedict, Sessor, • , '

Benj. Rockwell, Sessor, - ' .

Nathan'l Wiatt, Sessor,

David Webster, Servuer, / ,' ;

Nathan'l Wiatt, Servuer, , * ' . ' _ .'

Jacob Walley, Servuer."
^ "At a town meeting in Salem, 10th day of January, 1763, Re-
solved that the welfare of the town was endangered by one Dr.
Michael Abbott, of Ridgefield, in the colony of Connecticut, who
had lately come into the town with sundry other persons, and
had inoculated with the small pox one Gershom Sillick, by
means of which the people are greatly exposed, and put in much
damages of taking the small pox.'^ " -

^ County Rec. Religious Soc. Lib. B. 70. b Co. Rec Rel. Soc. Lib. A. 186.

YOL. I. 36

2S2

HISTORY OF THE

MAMARONECK.

Mamaroneck is sit-
uated seven miles south
of the village of White
Plains, distant twenty
miles northeast of New
York, and about one
hundred and forty-two
south of Albany ; —

St. Thomas's Church, Mamaroneck. boUUdcd nOrth bv

Scarsdale, east by Harrison and Rye, south by Long Island
Sound, and west by New Rochelle. Its length, north and
south, is three miles, and its medial width two and a quar-
ter.a The etymology of the name of this place (at different
periods spelt Mammarinikes, Mornoronack, Mamarinck, Merinak,
and Momoronuck) doubtless refers, like most other Indian words,
to some object peculiar to its geographical locality. The last
syllable, " neck," or " uck" (uc,) being the ordinary inflection for
locality, and one of the striking characteristics of Mohegan names
east of the Hudson. By some the word is supposed to indicate
" the place of rolling stones,^^ (boulders,) which abound in the
romantic environs of Mamaroneck.^

The aboriginal name for the southeast corner of the town con-
stituting De Lancey's Neck was ^- Wanmainuck," while the west
neck, adjoining New Rochelle, was called by the Indians "Man-
gopson."'

Mamaroneck, at the time of the Dutch discovery, appears to

» New York Gazetteer.

•" In the Indian deed to John Budd, of Rye, 1661, the place is mentioned under
the name of Merrimack, an Indian term for the sturgeon fish which once frequent-
ed the waters of the bay in great numbers.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 28^

have been inhabited by one of the numerous sea coast tribes
termed SuwanoeSj or Sewanoos, by Jolm De Laet, one of tfie
earliest historians of the New Netherlands, A.D. 1625.^ This
people he describes " as dwelling along the coast from Norwalk
to twenty-four miles to the neighborhood of Hellegat." Adriaen
van der Donck, in his map of 1G56, styles them Siwanoys,
These Siwanoys constituted a tribe of the mighty Mohegan na-
tion, originally called Muhhekanew. or the Seven Tribes on the
sea coast — otherwise called Mohiggans by the English, and Ma-
hicanders, or River Indians by the Low Dutch>

The River Sachems, at this early period, paid tribute to Sas-
sacus, grand sachem of the Mohegans, whose broad territory ex-
tended from Narragansett to Hudson Riv^er, and over all Long Is-
land. In 1644, there was an Indian Chief by the name of Mam-
aranack, living at Kitchawanc,<^ (Croton.) This individual may
have been one of the grantors of these lands to the Dutch West
India Company, in 1640, when the latter purchased a large tract
of country extending as far east as Greenwich.

The site of the ancient Indian village in this town can still be
traced upon the projecting rocks, directly opposite the residence
of Benjamin M. Brown, Esq. This spot was well suited to the
habits of the aborigines, who subsisted one-half of the year at
least upon the fish caught in these waters. It must also be borne
in mind, that all the Indian villages on the sea board were noted
for the manufacture of seawant, the materials for which were
found here in great abundance.*^

The beautiful scenery of the bay, and adjoining necks, must
have had peculiar attractions for these roving nomads and hun-
ters, as they appear always to have selected such places for their
summer residencs. Early Connecticut coins have been discover-
ed on the site of these habitations. The remains of several In-

a De Laet's New World, chap. viii.

b N. Y. Hist. Soc. New Ser. vol. i. 296-307. '

• O'Callaghan's Hist. N. N. 302.

d Tliere were two kinds of seawant, wampum or Indian money, viz. wampum,
(white,) and suckaubock, (black.) The white was manufactured from the Mehe-
aubock Periwinkle. The black of the Quahaug.

284 HISTORY OF THE

dians were found a few years since, in repairing the road opposite
Mr. Monmouth Lyons' store. Some of the skeletons were nearly
entire. They have been since interred in the rear of Dr. Stan-
ley's residence. Upon the Shubal Lyon property, north-east of
the village, is situated the Indian burying ground. Remains of
extensive Indian works exist on the elevated ground, north of
]\Ir. Benjamin Brown's residence, called Nelson's Hill. They
consist of four circular pits in the form of a square, having a
small mound upon the soutli, " The use of these excavations it
is impossible to imagine, unless we suppose them to have been
iised by the aborigines in defence, an idea that is rather favored
by the circular mound on the south, as if made purposely to re-
ceive the palisade." The site of other Indian habitations are
very apparent on the west side of Heathcote Hill. We have
shown, that the lands belonging to this town were originally pur-
chased of the native Indians by the Dutch West India Company,
in 1640. Their next proprietor was John Richbell, who obtained
a confirmation from the Indians, A, D. 1660. The following year,
we find him thus addressing the Dutch Director and Council :

Amsterdam,
In New Netherlands, 24th Dec. 1661.
To the most noble, great and respectful Lords, the Directors
General and Council, in New Netherland, solicits most reverent-
ly, John Richbell, that it may please your honours to grant him
letters patent for three corners of land, the east corner being
named "Wanmaimick" corner, the western with the adjacent
land, by some named Mr. Pell's land, promising that all persons
who, with the supplicant's permission or order, would settle there
with him, shall be willing to solicit letters patent for such a par-
cel of land as they may intend to settle ; in the meantime, he sup-
plicates that your honours may be pleased to grant him letters
patent for the whole tract, which he is willing to enforce and in-
struct them of your honours' government and will, in similar
manner, on terms and conditions as are allowed to other villages.
Hoping on your consent, he remains, &c.a

John Richbell.

» Albany Rec. vol, xx, 22.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 285

This petition having been presented to and read by the Direc-
tor, 19th Jan. 1662, it was returned for answer, that before a
final decision can be given on this petition, so shall the suppli-
cant be requested to explain more at large before the Director Ge-
neral and Council in New Netherlands, the extents of his propo-
sal as mentioned in the said petition on the day as above. a

John Richbjll must have replied immediately to this letter, as
the same year we find the following declaration (of Petrus Stuy-
V€sant, Govornor General,) in favor of Mr. Rissebel.

We, the Governor General and Council of estate of the United
Netherlands, doe declare by these presents, that we, upon the pe-
tition of Mr. John Rissebel and his associates, that be under the
protection of the high and subordinate authority of this Province,
upon terms and conditions as other inhabitants doe enjoy, may
take up and possess a certain neck and parcel of land called Mam-
niarinikes, provided that the aforesaid Mr. John Rissebel, his as-
sociates, and every one that are now hereafter to come in due and
convenient tim.e, shall present themselves before us to take the
oath of fidelity and obedience, and also, as other inhabitants are
used to, procure a land brief of what they possess. Given under
our hand and seal the 6th of May, 1662^ in the Fort Amsterdam,
in the New Netherlands. ^ ;- ^ -

John Richbell appears to have obtained a " ground brief" for his
land the same year.<^

The following documents relate to a dispute between the two
patentees of Pelham and Mamaroneck, concerning their respec-
tive boundaries. Upon the 20th of April, 1666, Richard Nicolls,
Governor of the Province, granted to Thomas MuUinex, " a cer-
tain neck lying betv/een the east bounds of the town of Westches-
ter and a certain small river called Stoney River, which is reput-
ed to be the west bounds of the land in dispute between Mr. Rich-
bell and Mr. Revell (Pell,) and from thence shooting along by the
side of the maine westward, containing 220 acres, which said

ft Albany Rec. vol. xx. 22. . ■^ ■ r- '

b Alb. Rec. vol. xx. 127.

c At a court of assize held in the city of New York, A. D. 1665, it was determin-
ed that Horseneck doth of right belong to John Richbell an'J his heirs. Alb. Assize
* Kec. 14.

2S6 HISTORY OF THE

neck has been purchased of the Indians." During the year
1666-7, occurs a trial between Thos. Revell (Pell,) plaintiff, and
John Richbell, defendant. " The Governor and Council, toge-
ther with Y^ justices of ye peace, setting in this present court
of assizes, having been well and sufficiently informed in ye case
in difference between the plaintiff and defendant, and that ye de-
fendant, (who in several courts of this government hath heretofore
been plaintiff in this case relating to a title to a certain parcel of
land at Mamaronuck, upon ye maine,) did prove his said title in
those courts to the land in question, and no person now appearing
for ye plaintiff, either to prosecute or defend his claime and title, or
those concerned in his pretended right to ye said land, according
to ye order of ye last general court of assizes, this court doth
therefore unanimously adjudge and decree, that ye title to ye said
land in difference doth of right belong to the defendant."^.

Nov. 166S, " John Richbell of Mamaroneck, accused Thomas
Pell of gaining in a surreptitious manner, his patent of Governor
Nicolls, and extending upon his lands, upwards of a mile in
breaddi from east to west, beside the length thereof north 'and
south, although John Richbell has sufficiently proved his right
thereto, both at several courts, and the last court of assizes held
in New York."b

Upon the 13th Sept. 1669, we find a special warrant addressed
to Thomas Pell of Ann-hook's-neck, or elsewhere, citing him to
appear before the next court of assizes, for unjustly detaining
and keeping from John Richbell, a certain parcel of meadow
ground set upon one of the three necks at Mamaroneck."*^

An order about ye difference between Mr. Pell and Mr. Rich-
bell.

The report of ye commissioners appointed b}^ ye court of as-
sizf^, to view ye lands in difference between Mr. John Richbell
and Mr. John Pell, and having been delivered unto me sealed

» Alb. Assize Rec. 172. b Alb. Book of Pat. vol. vi. 106.

c Alb. Assize Rec. p. 204. In January, 1671, a subpoena was sent forth to sum-
mon Mr. Robert Penoyer of Mamaroneck, and Mr. John Archer, of Fordham, to
give evidence at said court (of assizes) concerninor the difference between Mr. Pe!l
and Mr. Richbell. Alb. Rec. General Entries, No. IV. 59.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 2S7

np, and now opened and read before me and my council, upon
very much consideration had thereupon, do find, that two of the
commissioners have made report, that between two brooks in dis-
pute called stony and gravelly brook, there is a tree marked on
ye east side, with J. R., and on the other with T. P., from which
if there were a line run directly down to the sound, it would di-
vide ye meadow in difference in the middle, and put an end to
ye matter in question, but neiiher of the other three commission-
ers agree amongst themselves as to their opinions of the bounds,
wherefore, in regard that I am very desirous an amicable com-
posure of this difierence may be made between both parties, I do
recommend the report of the two -commissioners to be observed
as a medium to end all differences ; however, if so the party
shall not seem satisfied therewith, they have still liberty to pro-
ceed to a trial before a special court, according to ye order of ye
last general court of assize. Of the resolutions, hereupon, a
speedy answer is expected, that order may be taken accordingly.
Given under my hand, at Fort James, in New York, the ISth
day of January^ 1671.^

Francis Lovelace.

Upon the 20th of January, 1671, a commission was appointed,
consisting of Captain Dudley Lovelace, Captain Jacques Cortel-
yau, Mr. Elias Doughty, Captain Richard Ponton and Mr. John
duinby, to view ye bounds in difference between Mr. Pell and
Mr. Richbell.b

On the 25lh day of January, 1671, occurs the following order
(addressed to Capt. Jacques Cortelyau, Surveyor General) about
Mr. Pell and Mr. Richbell, made after their agreement and com-
posure, &c."

" Whereas, there is an amicable composure of ye difference
between Mr. John Richbell, and Mr. John Pell,<^ concerning the
neck of land lying between stony and gravelly brook, to the
eastward of Annhook's neck, ye which is agreed upon to be di-
vided equally between them both, meadow and upland quantity

»■ Alb. Rec. General Entries No. IV. 92.

b Alb. Rec. Gen. Entries, No. IV. 59.

c Mr. John Pell succeeded his uncle Thomas PpU.

2SS HISTORY OF THE

and quality alike, which agreement I very well approve of.
These are to require you, that sometime next week, or with your
first convenience, you repair hither, where you shall receive fur-
ther directions concerning the copy act, on the said neck of land,
soe to put a final end and determination to that dispute of which
at your return you are to render me an account, and for soe do-
ing, this shall be your warrant. Given under my hand, at Fort
James, in New York, this 25lh day of January, 1671."^

Francis Lovelace.
■ This dispute was finally arranged by Mr. John Richbell, ex-
changing a portion of the west neck for a much greater quan-
tity and value of other lands belonging to Mr. Pell, adjoining
the west neck in lieu thereof, which land never was within the
bounds of Mr. Richbell's patent.^

Upon the 16th of October, 1668, Governor Lovelace issued the
following letters patentj under the great seal of the province.

Francis Lovelace, Esq., Governor General, under his Royal Highness,
James, Duke of York and Albany, &c. &c., of all his territories in America,
to all to whom these presents shall corne, sendeth greeting. Whereas, there
is a certain parcel or tract of land within this government, upon the main, con-
tained in three necks, of which the eastermost is bounded with a small river, called
Mamaroneck river, being also the east bounds or limits of this government
upon the main, and the westermost with ihe gravelly or stony brook or river,
which makes the east limits of the land known by the name of Mr. Pell's
purchase. Having to the south, the sound, and running northward from the
marked trees upon the said neck, twenty miles into the woods, which said
parcel or tract of land hath been lawfully purchased of the Indian proprietors,
by John Richbell of Mamaroneck, gentleman, in whose possession now it is,
and his title thereunto sufficiently proved, both at several courts of sessions,
as also at the general courts of assizes, now for a confirmation unto him the
said John Richbell, in his possession and enjoyment of the premises : Know
ye, that by virtue of the commission and authority unto me given by his Roya}
Highness, 1 have given, ratified, and confirmed and granted, and by these pre-
sents do give and ratify, confirm and grant, unto the said John Richbell, his
heirs and assigns, all the aforecited parcel or tract of land as aforesaid, to-

» Albany Records, General Entries, No. IV. 95.

b See Complaint of Obadiah Palmer and others, to his Excellency William Bur-
net. The original docnment is in the possession of the Mimro family.

COUNTV OF WKSTCIIESTKR. 289

gether with all woods, beaches, maiches, pastures, creeks, waters, lakes, fish-
ing, hawking, hunting and fowling, and all other profits, immunities and emolu-
ments to the said parcel or tract of land belonging, annexed, or appertaining
with their and every of their appurtenances, and every part and parcel thereof,
and in regard to the distance of the plantations already settled, or to be settled
upon the said necks of land, from any town, the persons inhabiting, or that
shall inhabit thereupon, shall have a petty constable chosen amongst them-
selves yearly, for preserving of the peace, and decision of small differences un-
der the value of forty sliiiiings, and they shall be excused from all common at-
tendance at training or other ordinary duties at Westchester. But in matters
of assessment and public rates, they are to be assessed by the ofricers of that
town to which they do properly belong, being the nearest unto them, to have
and to hold the said parcel and tract of land in the said three necks contained,
and premises with all and singular the privileges and appurtenances to the said
John Richbell, his heirs and assigns, to the proper use and behoof of the said
John Richbell, his heirs and assignees forever, as free land of inheritance, ren-
dering and paying as a quit rent for the same yearly, and every year, the value
of eight bushels of winter wheat, upon the five and twentieth day of March,
if demanded, unto his Royal Highness and his heirs, or to such governor or
governors as shall from time to time be appointed and set over them. Given
under my hand and seal, at Fort James, in New York, on Manhattans Island,
the 16th day of October, in the twentieth year of the reign of our sovereign,
Lord Charles the second, by the grace of God, of England, Scotland, France
and Ireland, king, defender of the faith, &c. &c., Anno Domini, 1668.

Francis Lovelace.

In 1669 we find John Richbell, and Anne liis wife, conveying
a certain portion of land in Mumaroneck to ^largaret Parsons.^-

On the 4th of March, 1669, John Richbell of Mamaroneck, in
New Yorkshire, gentleman, with Anne his wife, conveys land in
this town to John Bassett.

By a deed bearing date the 23d of April, 1669, Jolni Richbell,
proprietor of Mamaroneck, settles the following jointnre npon his
wife, Anne Richbell, viz.: "all that certain parcell or tract of
land where he now lives, called the East Neck, and to begin at
the westward part thereof at a certain creek lying, being, and ad-
jacent by and betwixt the neck of land commonly called the
Great Neck, and the said East Neck, and so to run eastward as
far as Mamaroneck river, including therein betwixt the two lines
all the land as well north into the woods above Westchester patli,

^ . » Co Uec. Lib. A.

ToL. I. 37

290 HISTORY OF THE

twenty miles, as the lands below ye path, south and towards ye
river,'' etc., tfcc.^

The following year we find the patentee investing his son-in-
law, James Mott. in a small portion of the Maraaroneck lands, for
which the latter paid to the crown the annual quit rent of one
bushel of wheat. James Mott subsequently assigned all his right,
title and interest in the same to John Wescot.

The following warrant "for ye fetching Mr. John Richbell to
town a prfsoner," occurs in the assize records.

These are in his majesties name to authorize and impower you to seize
upon ye person of John Richbell of Mamaroneck, in what place soever he
shall be found within this government, he being a prisoner under arrest for
debt in this city, from which place he hath absented himself contrary to his
engagement and that you cause him to be brought back hither to answer ye
several suites of his creditors, and to abide the judgment of court therein ac-
cording to law, and all officers or others whom this may concerne are to be
ayding and assisting herein as occasion shall require, for the doing whereof
this my special warrant shall be to you and them a sufficient discharge.
Given under my hand and seal at Fort James in New Yorke, this 30th day of

June, 1671.

Francis Lovelace.
[Endorsed]

To Mr. Allard Anthony, sheriff of the city of New Y^ork, or his deputy. i>

Upon the 30ih of July, 1673^ the province of New York sur-
rendered to the Dutch. On Ihh occasion Anthony Colve assumed
the reins of government. His commission defined the eastern
boundary of the colony to be the town of Greenwich and so run-
nii]g northerly, provided such line does not come within twenty
miles of Hudson's river, conformable to the treaty of 1650. which
was ratified by the States General February 22d, 1656, Mamar-
oneck river having been heretofore considered the boundary line,
as settled the 5th of December, 1664, viz. : "a line beginning on
the east side of Mamaroneck river or creek, at the place where
the salt water meets the fresh, at high water, and thence north-
west to the line of Massachusetts.''^

The Dutch governor now required the submission of the in-

• Co. Rec. Lib. A. 238. This conveyance was to John Ryder,
b Alb. Assize Rec. p. 391.
c Webster's Letters.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 291

habitants, and oaths of allegiance to the States General. Where-
upon the people of Mamaroneck submitted themselves through
their deputies, and were ordered to nominate by a majority of votes
four persons who were to be presented the first opportunity, from
which the Lords Commanders shall elect two for magistrates.
By order of the Lords Commanders and military tribunal as-
sembled in Fort William Hendrick, on the 23d day of August,
A. D. 1673.^

Peace took place between the belligerent powers, in Februa-
ry, 1674, by which x\ew York was again restored to the English.

2()th of November, 1763, John Richbell of Mamaroneck mort-
gaged the westernmost neck to one Cornelius Stenwyck, " bound-
ing on the Gravelly or Stony river, having on the south the
Sound, and so running from the marked trees, standing on the
aforesaid neck, northerly twenty English miles into the woods. b

Upon the 2d of February, 16S3, a dispute arose between Mr.
John Richbell (about the limits of his land) with the inhabitants
of the town of Rye, whereupon the latter were ordered to attend
the council. c

The following order is extracted from the council minutes.

At a council held at Fort James, on March 17th, 1653, upon the petition
and complaint of Mr. John Richbell of Mamaroneck, gentleman, against the
inhabitants of Rye, concerning some lands, it was thought fit by the governor
and council that the inhabitants of Rye, or some deputed by them for that pur-
pose, do show cause at the next court of assize to be held in the county of
Westchester, why the said land do not of right belong and appertain to Mr.
John Richbell. c

The patentee must have been subsequently confirmed in his
rights, as further grants were made by himself and wife the same
year to John Nelson, and in 16S4 to James and Mary Mott. Iq
16S5 Anne Richbell conveys property in this town to Henry Dis-
brow, Richard Ward, John Rider, John Emerson and others.

«^ Alb. Rec. III. 276.

b A second mortgage from the patentee to Stenwyck occurs on the 6th of August,
1678. Upon the 12th May, 1675, the patentee mortgaged to Robert Richbell, jr.
of Southampton, England, one of the three necks called the great or middle neck ;
this was afterwards assigned to Samuel Palmer, July 7, 1676.

c Council Min. Alb. No. V. 47.

d Council Minutes, Alb. No. V. 58.

292 HISTORY OF THE

A, D. 1G9G. Aline Riclibell orders that the lot formerly belong-
ing to tlie Blackiuns, containing two acres and thirty-lwo rods,
be laid out for my son John Emerson. ^

The death of the patentee, John Richbell, appears to have taken
place so.netime in January, 16S4, as we find Mr. John Timan
petitioning the o^overnor and council for administration on the
estate of John Richbell, January IGth, 1084.^

The following extracts are taken from the will of Mrs. Anne
Richbell, his wile, which bears date 1st of April, A. D. 1700.

"In the name of God, amen. I, x\nn Richbell, of the lown of Mamaroneck,
in the county of Westchester, in the province of New York, gentlewoman,
being sick and weak in body, but of good and perfect memory, (blessed be the
Lord for it.) who hath now put it info my heart to set my house in order, by
making this my last will and testament, in rnanner as followeth : Imprimis, I
give and bequeath my soul into the hands of Alnr.ighty God, my creator, and
my body to the earth fiom whence it came, to a decent and comely burial at
ihe direction of Colonel Caleb Ileaihcote.

*']Mr. Richbell Mott and Lt. John Horton, I make my executors of this my
last will and testament, and for this worldly estate which it hath pleased the
I^)rd to endow me withal, &c. Imprimis, to my daughter Elizabeth the sum
of Bo/, and my gold ring with the emerald stone in it and my little bible. To
my daughter Anne tlie sum of 60/, and also my gold chain. To my grand-
daughter, Anna Gedney, Mary \Ailliams and Mary Mott, each 40/. and to my
said grandd;iughter Mary, my biggest gold ring. I give and bequeath to my
son-in-law James Mott 14/. and to my grandson James Mott, the son of Capt.
James Mutt, 15/," &c. &c .

Elizabeth and Anno, tlie two devisees mentioned in the above
will, were the sole issue of the patentee. Elizabeth, the eldest,
n:arried Captain James Mott, (son of Adam Mott.) H'heir des-
cendants still reside in the town. Anne married John Emerson.
The patentee left one brother, Robert Richbell of Southampton,
in Encrland, father of Robert Richbell, who succeeded his uncle
in a portion of the Mamaroneck estates. ^

» Town Rec.

t Council Min. A!b. No. V. ]04.

< .^nrrogalp's Off. N. Y. Hec. Wille, No. ii. O-?.

<J For a cojil!uualioii oftliis family, sec pedigree.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 293

A, D. 1700, Ihe Hon. Caleb Heathcote became legtilly seized in
fee of the greatest portion of tlie eastermost neck, together with
other lands, having in 1696 obtained a patent right from Mrs.
Anne Richbell to purchase lands which were already included in
her husband's sale of 1660.

On the 21st day of March, 1701, King William III. by letters
patent, granted and confirmed inito Caleb Heathcote

" All that tract of land in Westchester county, beginning at a marked tree
by Mamaroneck river, which is the eastermost side of the nori hern bounds of
]\Iamaroneck township, being about two miles from the country road and to run
along the said river to the head thereof, and thence on a northern line, until
eighteen miles from the said marked trees is completed westerdly, at the said
marked tree or a great rock ; being the westernmost part of the said northern
bounds of the aforesaid township, being about two miles from the said country
road, and thence run southerly eighteen miles as the line on the eastermost
side of the said land runneth, including therein his eighth part of the two
miles laid out from the town of Mamaroneck, with the lot he then lived on,
and the lot bought of Alice Hatfield with the land and meadow below, wester-
ly to a path to him belonging by virtue of his deeds and conveyances, part of
^ which lands within the bounds aforesaid was purchased by John Richbell from
the native Indian proprietors, which said John Richbell had a grant and con-
firmation for the same from Colonel Francis Lovelace, Esq.''

Tlie Hon. Caleb Heathcote subsequently enlarged his estates
by further purchases and confirmations from the Indians.

One of these indentures bears date 26ili May, 1701, betwixt
the Indian proprietors, Patthunk, Beopoa, Wapetuck, Kohawaes
and Racheshund, on the one part, and Colonel Caleb Heathcote
of Mamaroneck, gentleman, on the oiher part, wherein the for-
mer in consideration of a good and hiwful sum of money, to them
in hand paid by the said Caleb Heathcote, &c..

Sell, alien, enfeofFe and confirm, &c. a certain tract of land lying and be-
ing in the county of Westchester, bounded as follows : to begin on the east
side of the country road, going over at Mamaroneck river, and so to run as the
road goes, as far as a creek or brook, known by the name of Pipin's brook,
adjoining the neck known by tlie name of the great neck, including therein
all the land and meadow below the said road southward to the Sound, and to
begin at the bridge which lyes over the swamp, known by the name of the
Dirty swamp, on the New York road, on the east side, and at the going over
of Pipin's brook, as the New York road goes, on the west side, and so to rua

294

HISTORY OF THE

as high into ihe woods as the marked trees on the southermost end of Rich-
bell's or Horse ridge, having one hundred rods in breadth between the said
lines, to have and to hold, &c. the said bargained premises with all of their
appurtenances thereunto belonging, to the said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs and
assignees for ever, &c.

The mark of
Patt O hunke.
The mark of

Beopa.
The mark of

W
Creghien.

Sig. sealed and delivered
in presence of
Anne Millington,
Hugh Farquhar.
The mark of

Kehocuss.
The mark of

The mark of

Wapetuck.

The mark of

Kohawnes

Kocheolara,

Amb\'ro.

10 June, 1701. Patthunek, Brope, Wepetuck, Indian proprietors sell to
Colonel Caleb Heathcote, Captain James Mott, William Pennoyer, John
Williams, Henry Disbrow, Oliver Hatfield, John Disbrough and Benjamin
Disbrough a lot or parcel of land bounded as followelh, " To begin at West-
chester path by Mamaroneck river and runs as the river doth to the marked
trees at the eastermost side of the two mile bounds, from thence as was laid
out to the marked trees on the southermost end of Richbell's ridge, from
thence to Dirty swamp ridge in a direct line, and from said ridge as the road
goeth to Mamaroneck river, each party above mentioned to have and to hold
their allotments and divisions as already laid out, and according to their deeds
of John and Mrs. Richbell.

Sig. sealed and delivered Patthunek.

in the presence of us, Wapetuck.

Joseph Hiatt,

Joseph Purdy.

In the year 1700, Sa:nuel Palmer of Mamaroneck obtained an
assignment of the great neck from Robert Richbell, former mort-
gagee under his uncle John Richbell.

Upon the 5th of November, 1701, Ann Hook, Indian sachem,
released to Samuel Palmer,

" All that my parcel of land formerly called Mangopson neck, now called
by the name of the great neck, &c., bounded easterdly by a brook, called by
name Pipin's brook, which runs into the salt water creek, and so running
round along by the Sound, and so running up to a brook called by the name of
Cedar or Pine tree brook, together with a parcel of land running up said brook
by a range of marked trees until this meet with the marked trees of Colonel

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 295

Caleb Heathcote, and from thence running by the aforesaid range of marked
trees, down to the said Pipings brook, to the aforesaid salt water creek, with
all and singular the members, rights, privileges and appurtenances thereunto
belonging, &c.

The mark of Ann Hook,
Signed, sealed and delivered
in presence of us,
Besly,
Benj. Collier.

The heirs of Samuel Palmer, viz. Obadiah, Solomon, Nehc-
miah, and Sylvanus subsequently sold the great neck, (contain-
ing three hundred and twenty acres,) to Josiah Quinby. It ap-
pears that Adolph Philipse and Jacobus van Cortlandt purchased
(in the lifetime of John Richbell,) the fee simple of certain lands
in Mamaroneck, embracing one full and equal half moiety of the
west neck ; the whole of which afterwards became vested in the
person of Frederick Philipse. This individual eventually claim-
ed the whole territory north of Westchester path lying above
the great neck, so that when the surveyor general, on the ISth
of November, 1724, commenced the survey of the great neck, he
was stopped by Philipse, when he came above Westchester path.
The surveyor however continued the original line until he came
to Bronx's river, here again he was opposed by Philipse who for-
bad and warned him at his peril to proceed any further, as he
claimed all the land beyond Bronx's river by a different title.
The twenty mile line north of the great neck would have carried
the Richbell patent nearly to the Croton river. The whole
matter ultimately came before the court of chancery, on the
2d of May, 1727.^

On the 8th of December, 1708, William and Thomas Pennoyer
did grant unto Caleb Heathcote their home lot, laid out to them
by the inhabitants of Mamaroneck ; also certain lands situated on
the west neck.

In 1724, Henry Pennoyer sold certain lands in the village to
Polycarpus Nelson.

In the field book belonging to the Secretary of States office, oc-

• Chancery Rec, Albany.

206 HISTORY OF THE

curs a map containing tlie survey and division of all the certain
tracts and parcels of land lying on Mamaroneck, Scarsdale and
Harrison purchase, in the county of Westchester, the property of
Caleb Heathcote, Esq., in his lifetime, and which remain unsold
by him or his descendants since his death whereof we the sub-
scribers were appointed commissioners by virtue of an act of the
Lieutenant Governor, the Council and the General Assembly of
the colony of New York, entitled an act for the more effectual
collecting of his majesty's quit rents in the colony of New York,
and for partition of lands in order thereto, which said lands we
have laid out into three divisions, viz.: Division No. 1 or north
division; division No. 2 or middle division; division No. 3 or
south division ; north division laid out into 21 lots, two small
lots in the possession of William Barker ; lots No. 16 and 17 con-
troverted lands in his division. Division No. 2 divided into 9
lots for the proprietors ; division No. 3 or south division laid out
into 11 lots; immbers 4, 5, 6 and Tare controverted; the re-
maining lots uncontroverted. Lots No. 13 and 18, and 2 small
lots in the possession of William Barker ; the first lot, north di-
vision, and lot No. 7 in the middle or second division, distin-
guished on the map by a certain red line, which together contains
320 acres, 2 roods, 10 rods, are set apart for sale in order to defray
expenses of division, 6cc., &.c. In witness whereof, as well the
said commissioners as the surveyor by us appointed, have here-
unto set their hands at Mamaroneck, in the county of Westches-
ter, the sixteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord, 1724.

Philip Pell, ^

Jacobus Bleecker, > Co7nmissioners.

William Sutton, )

Charles Webb, — ^^urveyor.

The following is a receipt for quit-rent due the crown on the
Richbell Patent :

*' Received of Nehemiah Palmer and Co., 70 bushels and 3
pecks of uheat in full of the proprietors for quit-rent, (being 3
bushels and 30 quarts per annum,) due on the tract of land in
Westchester County, granted to John Richbell, the 16th of Octo-

To ^e« pBg« 2^7, roL t.

PEDIGREE 01

Arms borue by the Huguenot, D'or a uii aigle de sable, ayant les
A l£ince in pale with a flag its point in chief, debruised a

Etienne de Lancey,

Hon. James de l.ancey^Anneda. of

nat. 1693, ob. 30 July,
1760.

Col. Caleb
Heathcole

Oliver
Brig. G
Briiisl] 1
1777.

1 Capt. JameSz=Margaret da.
of Bath, So- of Ch. Jusiice

3 John Peter of=ElizabPth da.

mer?et, Eng.
aidde-camp
of Gen Ab-
ercrombie at
Tlconderoga

Allen of Allen-
town, Peiiu.

Charles

James

an officer

lieut. col.

in the

in the l8t

British

Dragoon

navy, ob.

guards,

6. p.

eldest heir

male of the

De Lancey

family.

llealhcote
hill, nat. 15
July, 1753. ob
31 Jan. I82d.

r,H

of Col. Rich rd
Floyd, twt. Aug
1758, ob. 7 May,
1820

2 Stephen
of North
Salem,

Thomas James=Mary Jane

nat. 12 Aug
1789, ob 28
Dec. 1822.

da. of

Thomas

Ellison

Edwarc

nat. 18

ob. 29

181

Thomas James

proprietor of

De Lancey neck,

Mamaroneck

John de Lane

EIizabeth=Gov. falea

COUNTY OF WKSTCIIE.STER. 297

ber 166S, bcini,M>om tbe25ili of Marcb, 178-1 tollic 25ih of March
last, as witnobs rny band ibis I2ib of jmie, 1752.
Wheat reckoned at 4s. Od. a biisbcL

lliciTAiiD NicoLL, Deprdy General Receiver,

A subsequent parlUioii of Colonel lleafbcote's estates took
place between bis two daughters and co-heiresses, Anne and
Martha. Anne lieathcote married the Hon. James de Lancey,
son of Etienne de Lancey.

The De Lanceys, of Mamaroneck, are a branch of tlic ancient
and honorable house of De Lanci, in France,*'^ springing froni
Jean de Lanci. Ecuyer, Vjcomte of Laval and Nouvian, who was
born in the latter part of the fifteentli ceritury, and died ^lay,
1525. The De Lancies were decreed to belong to the ancient no-
bility of France in the fourteenth century. Under Louis do
Bourbon, Bishop and Duke of Laon, they held the hereditary fief
of the Four banier of Laval;'^ they were also the lords of other
lands^ such as Rarai, Nouvian, DLIaramont, Ribecoupt, Pimpre,
St. Germain et Ruy, and hereditary castellans of the castle and
domains of Bdthizv and V^erberie.=

t The French members of this family spelt llie last syliable of the surname with
an i, in place of the ey.

b This fief was probably holden by the feudal service of the banner or lance —
hence the surname De Lanci. The ancient coat armor (borne by the Huguenot in
1687) was a shield of gold, bearing thereon a black eagle with its wings expanded,
charged upon the breast with a blue escutcheon, containing three lances in pale.
This coat was subsequently changed by tlie second English branch.

= L'armorial general d'France ; 2d Register, 2 vol. : King's Library, Paris. In
front of the altar at the Church of Verberie, (department of Oise, P>ance,) thera
is a tombstone erected to a member of this family, inscribed

D. O. M.

Ici repose

Haute et puissante Dame

Madame Frantoise de Lanci Rarai, uuine

des Terres et Seigueurits, d'Haramont, Ribecoupt,

Pimpre, St. (iermain ct Ruy, en partie Chatelaine

Hereditaire et engagisie des Domaines de Bothizy

ct Verberie, possidrs par ses pores depuis plus

decent aus veuve dc ]\Iessire Barihclemi de

Vol. 1. ">S

To tU90 pag<! itdT, vvt i.

PEDIGREE or DE LANCEY OF MAMARONECK AND WESTCHESTER.

Arms boriio by the Huguenot. D'or a un aigle de sable, ayant les ailes etendueset charge sur Testomac d'un eousson d*azure, a trois lances rangees eu pale ; les poiutes ea hant Present Arms, azure.
A lance in pale with a flag its point iii chief, debruised nf a bar or. Crest, a sinister arm in armour embowed, holding a standard, with flag. Motto, certum voto pete fluem.

Etienne de Lancey, a native of Caen, Normandy=Anne, da. of Hon. Stephanas van Corllandt, nal. 13 Feb. 1676.

sde l.ancey=Anneda. of

Oliver deLnncey_.Phl(a Franks
Brig. Geii.in Ihe I
Briiisliaraiy,ob.
1777.

Peler de Lancey^AUce da. of Cad-
I wullader Ojiden,
Gov. of N. Y.

Susan:=Adniital Sir Peter Warren

Anne=Jolm Walts

1 Capt. Janie8=Mnr(!or«!t da,
nf Biith, So- nfCli. JuBilct

3 John Peler of^EllznbPth da.

inerfet, Eng.
ntd-de-cninp
o( Gen Ab
ercronibie ut
Ticondcroga

Alien of All.
town, Peiiti.

Charles

Jilines

an officer

lieut. col.

In the

In llic Int

Billish

XJragnnn

navy.ob.

s. p.

elilesl hi'lr

nialcofihe

De Lancey

family .

Ilrnth(
hill, nnt. IS
July.nS'J.ob
:U Jan. 182d.

of Col. Richrd
Floyd, 1^at. Aug
n5B, Ob. 7 May,
1820

2 Stephen lUaria=William Walton

of North father of Rear

Salem, Admiral Jacob

Walton.

Lt Col. Stephen:;=Misa Barclay
of the Rev
of the British Henry, rector
W. Indian Isl- of Trinity Ch.
ands. N. Y.

Capt. Oliver of Che 17th
Lt Dragoons, Major and
Jjt. Col suci^eeded Maj.
Andre as Adjutant Gen.
Pitt made Iiiin Barrack-
Mr. Gen of the British
Empire.Col.of 17tii Lan-
cers, M.P. ob. 1825.

Left one son, Capt. Oliver

;fi?

Thomas James^Mary Jane
nat. 12 Aug I da. of

1789, ob 28 Thomas

Thomas Jamea

proprietor of

De Laiicey neck,

Mamaroneck

Edward Floyd

nat. 18 J line.

ob. 29 Oct.

leid

f
William Heaihcote— Frances
Bishop of iheDio- da. of
cese of Western peter Jay
N. Y. proprietor Munro
uf Heaihcote hill,
Mamaroneck.

Sir William Heathcote=:Magdnlen Sarah=CoI. William Johtison

aiiarter Master General, da of Sir snn of Sir John John,

fell at WaierliKi, aid to Jai. Hull, son, ob. 1811.
the Duke of Wellint; on.

Jobnde Lancey= Dorothy Ludlnm

I ob. 27 0ct 1773.

=2 Miss Morgan

Ollver=RacheI Hunt
ob. Sep. I ob. Jan. 6,
4, 182tl, 1827, tEl. 60.

Warren coI.=l Mary Lawrence
17lhLt. Ura- | 2 Ann Taylor
goons in I7e0 3 Rt^becca Law-

Elizabeth=Gov. Yaiei

John

Stephen

Peter

of N.

ofN.

OfN.

Scoila

Scotia

S 2 S. 5 = i

3. E

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 297

ber 1668, being from the 25th of March, 1784 to the 25ih of March
last, as witness my hand this 12th of June, 1752,
Wheat reckoned at 4s. 6d. a bushel.

Richard Nicoll, Deputy General Receiver,

A subsequent partition of Colonel Heathcote's estates took
place between his two daughters and co-heiresses, Anne and
Martha. Anne Heathcote married the Hon. James de Lancey,
son of Etienne de Lancey.

The De Lanceys, of Mamaroneck, are a branch of the ancient
and honorable house of De Lanci, in France, ^^ springing from
Jean de Lanci, Ecuyer, Vicomte of Laval and Nouvian, who was
born in the latter part of the fifteenth century, and died May,
1525. The De Lancies were decreed to belong to the ancient no-
bility of France in the fourteenth century. Under Louis do
Bourbon, Bishop and Duke of Laon, they held the hereditary fief
of the Four banier of Laval ;•* they were also the lords of other
lands, such as Rarai, Nouvian, D'Haramont, Ribecoupt, Pimpre,
St. Germain et Ruy, and hereditary castellans of the castle and
domains of Bothizv and Verberie.^

* The French members of this family spelt the last syllable of the surname with
an i, in place of the ey.

« L'armorial general d'France ; 2d Register, 2 vol. : King's Library, Paris. In
front of the altar at the Church of Verberie, (department of Oise, France,) ther^
is a tombstone erected to a member of this family, inscribed

D. O. M.

Ici repose

Haute et puissante Dame

Madame FRANqoisE de Lanci Rarai, dame

des Terres et Seigneuries, d'Haramont, Ribecoupt,

Pimpre, St. Germain et Ruy, en partie Chatelaine

Hereditaire et engagiste des Domaines de Bothizy

et Verberie, possides par ses peres depuis plus

decent aus veuve de Messire Barth61emi de

Vol. 1. 38

29S HISTORY OF THE

The only son of Jean de Lanci, Vicomte of Laval and Nou-
vian, was Charles de Lanci, Ecuyer,^ also Yicomte of Laval, (fcc.
This individual (who held the fief of the Fonr banier of Laval)
married Marie Yilliers, by whom he left issue two sons, Charles
de Lanci, Ecuyer, Yicomte of Laval, living in 1534, and Chris-
topher de Lanci, ancestor of the Lords of Rarai.b From a branch
of this family came Elienne or Stephen De Lancey, a native of
Caen, in Normandy.

During the troublesome times which preceded the edict of
NantZj the De Lancies of Caen appear to have suffered severe-
ly for their devotion to the Hugnenot cause. In 1681 Stephen
de Lancey was one of those who fled from France, " to escape
the tyranny and bigotry of Louis XIV. He appears to have
been aided in his flight by a Protestant mother, who not only
gave him the passports of education for his safety, but jewels,
which enabled him in Holland to procure what was necessary to
appear in New York as a wealthy merchant." *' In the year
1724 (says the historian Dunlap) Governor Burnet was involved
in a dispute with Mr. Etienne de Lancey, who is represented as
a rich man, and the principal benefactor of the French Church
established in New York by the refugees who fled from the Re-
vocation of the Edict of Nantz.

The governor took part with Monsieur Le Ronx, in opposi-
tion to the clergymen upheld by De Lancey and a majority of
the congregation ; and M. de Lancey, being returned as a mem-
ber of Assembly, Burnet refused to administer the oath to him,
upon the ground that he was not a subject of the crown. De
Lancey replied that he was made a denizen in England, " in a
patent of denization granted in the reign of James II., and under

Flahant Chevalier seigneur de la Billarderie Maitre

de camp de Cavalerie, exempt des gardes du corps

du Roi iu6 a la bataille de Mai plaquet. La dite

Dame de la Bellarderie est decedee le 25 Juin, 1724,

agee de 61 ans

Priez pour sou ame.

» The French Ecuyer denotes a gentleman who possesses coat armor.

t L'armorial General du France, 2 Register, 2 vols. King's Lib. Paris.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 299

the seal of this province in 1686." The house decided in favor
of De Lancey, but a feud existed between him and many of the
Protestants against Burnet. The Assembly claimed the right of
judging of their own members ; and although the governor still
held a majority, his conduct in this case was considered uncon-
stitutional ! and his opposition to De Lancey to have originated
in the latter's espousing the French trade, in opposition to Bur-
net's plan of trade by Oswego."^. Soon after De Lancey's arri-
val in New York, he entered into partnership with his brother-in-
law, Monsieur Barbarie, and the latter's son-in-law, Mr. Moore.
In 1691 we find him assistant alderman of the south ward ; in 1711
alderman, and in 1727 member of Assembly. He v/as also for
many years a vestryman of Trinity Church. By his wife, Anne
van Cortlandt, Stephen de Lancey left issue James, Oliver, Peter,
Susan and Anne. The eldest son, James de Lancey, was a man
of great talents. This individual received his education at the
University of Cambridge, and was called, whilst at college,^ the
handsome American. He afterwards returned to his native land,
and held the first honors which the country could bestow — first
as a member of the governor's council, chief justice in 1744,c and
lieutenant-governor of the State of New York in 1717.^ In 1754
Governor De Lancey gave his sanction to the act of incorporating
King's, now Columbia College. He is praised for his political skill
in successfully preserving to the Assembly the right of annual ap-
propriation, and evading the prohibition of the crown to issuing
bills of credit. The historian Smith, his political enemy, allows
him genius, a retentive memory, and ready elocution.

The Hon. James de Lancey married Anne, daughter and co-
heiress of the Hon. Caleb Heathcote, lord of the manor of Scars-
dale. "His death, which took place 30th of July, 1760, was an
event which had a great influence on the affairs of this province.
He was found expiring upon that morning, seated in his chair,

» Dunlap's Hist, of N. Y. vol. i. 288.

b Corpus Christi College.

« The date of his commission as chief justice occurs Sept. 14, 1744

«3 The date of his commission as Lieut. Governor, Oct. 27, 1747,

300

HISTORY OF THE

too late for medical aid. His funeral took place on the evening
of the 31st of July, 1760. The body was deposited in the mid-
dle aisle of Trinity Uhurch, the funeral service being performed
by the Rev. Mr. Barclay in great magnificence : the building was
splendidly illuminated. The order of the funeral procession from
his house in the Bowery to the church, fills columns of the papers
of the day."a

J^iy/l/K^

Seal and Signature of the Hon. James <ic Lancey.

The following particulars (relating to this distinguished man,)
are copied from a memorandum written by John Watts, Esq., of
New York, in 1787.

"James de Lancey was a man of uncommon abilities in
every view, from the law, to agriculture, and an elegant pleasant
cgmpanion, what rarely unites in one person. It seemed doubt-
ful which excelled, his quick penetration, or his solid judgment ;
the first seemed an instant guide to the last. He was born in
1704, married while young, Anne, eldest daughter of Caleb
Heathcote, was appointed by Governor Montgomerie, a member
of the council, by Governor Cosby, Chief Justice, in the room of
Lewis Morris. Upon the death of Sir Darius Osborn, about
1754, he succeeded to th^ administration as Lieutenant Governor.

No man in either office had more the love and confidence of
the people, nor any man before nor since, half the influence.

• Pai^Ker's Post Boy, I5i'nlap'« Hist, of N. Y. vol. i. 402,

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 301

He was unfortunately taken from us in July, 1760, so suddenly,
that his very family suspected no danger. He had spent very
agreeably the day before on Staten Island ; after ten at night he
left my house perfectly well : in the morning he was as usual ;
but, about nine, a servant was despatched to tell me his master
was very ill. 1 mounted instantly, and hurried to his house in
Bowery lane ; but, on the way was alarmed by a call, " that all
was over," and too true 1 found it, he sat reclined in his chair one
leg drawn in, the other extended, his arms over the elbows, so
naturally, that had I not been apprized of it, I certainly should
have spoken as 1 entered the room. No body but his youngest
daughter, a child, was present at the time. So little did the fam-
ily apprehend the least danger. Never did these eyes behold such
a spectacle, or did my spirits feel such an impression ; the idea
aifects me whenever I think of it, to lose such a companion, such
a counsellor, such a friend. This accomplished person and or-
nament to his country, left three sons and three daughters, viz.
Captain James, Stephen, John Peter, Maria, Anne and Susan.'^^
Soon after the demise of his brother, John Peter de Lancey
became possessed of the Mamaroneck estates ^' which formerly
belonged to his grandfather, Col. Caleb Heathcote." Upon the
28th of January, 1823, John Peter de Lancey devised his property
in this town to Thomas James de Lancey, ^ the only child of his
deceased son Thomas James, and his son William Heathcote de
Lancey,c (Bishop of the diocese of Western New York,) the pre-
sent proprietors.

a Copied from a memorandum written by John Watts of New York, in 1787,
found among the papers of his daughter, the late Mrs. Leake.

b A portion of the property came to the present Thomas James de Lancey from
his father, who held by conveyance from John Peter de Lancey.

<= In the spring of 1847, when Bishop De Lancey was in New York, a package
was handed to the servant at the door, on opening which, the Bishop found an
anonymous letter directed to him. The writer stated, that being in England be-
tween thirty and forty years ago, he found some papers relating to the De Lancey
family, among some waste paper in the house where he was staying, that he had
preserved them, and seeing by the newspapers that the Bishop was in the city,
he now enclosed them to him. These the Bishop found to be ; 1st, the commission
of James de Lancey as Lieut. Governor of the colony : 2d, his commission as Chief
Justice of the colony ; 3d, the freedom of the city of New York, voted to pne of ths

302 HISTORY OF THE

Martha Heathcote, the second surviving daughter of Col, Caleb
Heathcoie, married Lewis Johnston of Perth Amboy.a In the
year 1771, the above Martha, conveyed all her right and title to
her husband.

There is a deed recorded in the town books, between Anne
de Lancc}^, daughter of Col. Caleb Heathcote, widow of the
Hon. James de Lancey, deceased, and Lewns Johnston of Perth
Amboy, physician, of the one part, and William Sutton of Mama-
roneck, on the other part.

Signed,

Anne de Lancey.
John Johnston, Heathcote Lewis Johnston,

Johnston by Anne de Lancey.

In presence of, John Johnston and Susannah de Lancey.
John Johnston the eldest son and heir at law of Lewis John-
ston and Martha Heathcote, died in 1782, leaving issue by his
wife Margaret Barbaric, five sons and two daughters. Heath-
cote the third son, is the father of Susannah Snowhill Ward,
wife of the Rev. John M. Ward, Rector of the parish.

This lady is the only representative of the Johnston family,
resident in Mamaroneck.

In the town clerk's office is a small manuscript volume en-
titled:

" This is the book of records for Mamaroneck."
The first entry commences April 2d, 1697.

Lieutenant Samuel Palmer, Supervisor.
Captain James Mott, Assessor.
Henry Disbrow, Collector.

Henry Disbrow, Surveyor of the highways.

Lt. William Palmer, Constable and also clerk.
At a meeting held by the freeholders of Mamaroneck, on the 18th
day of April, in the year 1702, the following officers were chosen :

family, in 1730 ; 4th, a map of the lands owned by them in Westchester county
and on New York Island, prepared by the Bishop's grandfather.

a The father of Lewis, was John Johnston, M. D., of Edinburgh, who married
Euphemia Scot, on the 18th of April, 1686. John Johnston died at Perth Amboy,
6 Sept. 1732, aetat 73. The brother of T^ewis, Andrew Johnston, married Catha-
rine van Corllandt.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 303

Captain James Mott, Supervisor.

Nehemiah Palmer, Constable.

Obadiah Palmer, Clerk,

John Nelson, Assessor.

John Disbrow, Collector.

Henry Disbrow, Surveyor of highways.
Samuel Palmer and William Penoyer, chosen fence viewers.
Col. Caleb Heathcote and Samuel Palmer, chosen to lay out high-
ways by John Wems, as they shall see most convenient.

The village of Mamaroneck is very pleasantly situated at the
head of a fine bay near its confluence with the Mamaroneck
river. The channel of the former admits at hiorh water, vessels
carrying one hundred tons to the landing. Indian creek, the
northwest channel of the bay, leads to the old ship yard which
formerly stood near the western entrance of the village ; the site
was presented to the town by the Johnston family. Vast quan-
tities of flounders are frequently taken by means of fykes, in this
channel. Black fish, sheeps head and striped bass abound in
the waters of the bay. The Mamaroneck river above men-
tioned, forms the eastern boundary of the town, and derives its
source from Horton's pond. This stream is more remarkable for
the romantic valleys it forms, and the rich country it winds
through, than for its extent, being generally buried within deep
banks. Near its junction with the Sheldrake, (directly north of
the village) it forms a beautiful valley between high rolling hills,
upon the sides of which, are boulders of enormous size.

In the immediate vicinity of the bridge, the waters become
merged in an extensive mill pond, which discharges a stream
sufiicient to propel several manufactories.

The Sheldrake rises from two springs in Scarsdale.^ The gene-
ral surface of the surrounding country is hilly, and abounds in
wild and romantic scenery.

Mamaroneck, is one of the most ancient villages in the county
having been laid out soon after the purchase in 1660. It now

» The Sheldrake Springs are situated on the laud of John Hatfield.

304 HISTORY OF THE

contains fwo chnrcIieSj two cotton factories, several stores and
about 50 dwellings. a

The former divisions of the high ridge, originally called *'good
snccess ridge," (facing the bay and post road) are still distinguished
by the names of their original propi ietors, viz., Heathcote, Nelson
and Bndds' hills. Near the entrance of the village from the west
is situated Heathcote hill, the property of the Rt. Rev. William
Heathcote de Lancey, whose family formerly resided here. At
present occupied by Mrs. Ludlow.

The De Lancey residence stands upon the site of a stately
brick edifice, erected by Colonel Caleb Heathcote, sometime pri-
or to 1704, and destroyed by fire during the revolution.

Heatbeote Hill, Mamaroneck.

Madame Knight in her journey to Boston, A. D., 1704, thus de-
scribes the place.

" From N. Rochelle we travelled through Merrinack, a neat

though little place, with a navigable river before it, the pleasant-

est [ ever see. There are good buildings, especially one, a very

fine seat^ which they told me ivas Col. Heathcote's^ who I heard

was a very fine gentleman.^ The grounds around the present

• The Westchester and New Haven rail road depot is situated immediately
north of the village.

t Journal of Madame Knight, N. Y. edition, 1825.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 305

mansion are not extensive, but the views of the bay, adjacent
necks and distant sound scenery, present a charming landscape.
Fine rows of willows and locusts border the property on the
south and east. A short distance from the dwelling house, sur-
rounded by orchards, is the family cemetery of the De Lanceys.
This spot was appropriated by John Peter de Lancey as a
cemetery for the remains of the De Lancey family, and for that
purpose devised to his son William Heathcote de Lancey in
trust forever, &c. <fcc.

Here repose the mortal remains of

John Peter de Lancey, Elizabeth de Lancey,

born in the city of New York wife of

15 July, 1753, John Peter de Lancey,

died at Mamaroneck born

31 January, 1828. " 8 August, 1758,

died
7 May, 1820.

Thomas James de Lancey,

born

August 12, 1789,

died
DecV 28th, 1822. , ■

Besides other memorials to various members of the family.

The adjoining estate upon the east is Nelson hill. This pro-
perty formerly belonged to the Nelson family ; Polycarpus Nel-
son having purchased it of Henry Penoyer, in 1725.

Polycarpus died in 1738, leaving three sons, Polycarpus, Ed-
ward and Maharshnlabar. The name of the latter is supposed to
have been derived from his maternal ancestor Akabashka, one of
the Indian witnesses to the sale of John Harrison in 1695.

The two younger brothers devised their rights to Polycarpus.
The property has since passed through the Horton, Ryer, Bailey,
and Stanley families, to the present proprietor, Benjamin M.
Brown, Esq.

The house occupies a beautiful situation on the slope of the

Vol. L 39

306 HISTORY OF THE

hill overlooking the sound and Mamaroneck bay. This place is
remnrkable for a very distinct echo, the true object of which ap-
pears to be the opposite residence on Heathcote hill. In the still
dewy evenings of summer, when the air is very elastic, and a
dead stillness prevails, every word spoken in the neighboring
house is plainly re-echoed from the northern bank. " Echo (says
"White) has always been so amusing to the imagination that
the poets have personified her; and, in their hands she has
been the occasion of many a beautiful fiction. Nor need the
gravest man be ashamed to appear taken with such a phenome-
non, since it may become the subject of philosophical or mathe-
matical inquiries.''^

Several members of the Nelson family are interred north of Mr.
Brown^s residence. Upon the only tombstone remaining, are
chiselled two open hands pointing to a heart, with the following
inscription.

PALYCARPES

NELSON

WAS BORN

IVLY21 ABOT-4-

A • CLOCK • IN • THE • MO

RNING • IN • THE • YEAR

1688 • I • FINNIST • MY • CORS

AND • aVIT • THE • LAND • IN .

WITNES • HEREOF • MY • HART . MY

HAND • DESESED • DESKMBER 19

1738.

The neighboring property was formerly vested in the Budd
family, whose surname it still retains. The last member that
occupied the estate was Col. Gilbert Budd, who served with great
distinction in the continental army during the Revolution. This
gentleman was the son of Underbill Budd of Budd's neck. Rye.
The family cemetery is situated on that portion of the estate
whicfi borders the Sheldrake, to the north of the village.

* White's Selborne.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 307

Here repose the remains of

Gilbert Budd,*

who died Oct. 14th, 1805,

aged 87 years.

Whoe'er thou art, with silent footsteps tread
The hollow mould where he reclines his head;
Let not thoughtless mirth one dear deny.
But pensive, pause, where truth and honour he.
His the gay wit that fond attention drew,
Oft heard delighted by the friendly few.;
The heart, that melted at another's grief ;
The hand, in secret, that bestowed relief.
Perhaps e'en now, from yonder realm of day.»
To his lov^'d relatives he sends a ray :
Pleased to behold affections like his own.
With filial duty raised this votive stone.

Colonel Gilbert Budd, Jane Barker,

who departed this life dec'd December,

Sept. 7, 1808, 1754, aged 42.

aged 69 years.
There are also memorials to members of the Horton, Miller and
Seaman families.

The Episcopal church occupies a very pleasant position directly
north of the main street. The building is a neat wooden struc-
ture, valued at $5000. The foundation of the present edifice
was laid A. D. 1823, and the church consecrated to the service of
Almighty God on the 17th of June, 1823, under the name and
title of St. Thomas's Church., Mamaroneck, by the Right Rev. J.
H. Hobart, bishop of the diocese. Previous to the Revolution
Mamaroneck constituted one of the appropriated towns of Rye
parish, having been annexed thereto by acts of assembly, passed
in 1693-7. In 1725 Mamaroneck contributed towards the rec-
tors' tax £18, and in 1767, £19 2^. 6d. The name of John Dis-
brow (vestryman from Mamaroneck) occurs in the church records
of Rye, A. D. 1710. The parochial clergy appear to have offi-

» Gilbert Budd, M. D., a distinguished surgeon, educated at Edinburgb, sou of
John Budd. See Genealogy.

303 HISTORY OF THE

ciated here at a very early period, as Madame Knight incidentally
mentions in 1701, '^ that one Church of England parson officiated
in all these three towns," viz. Rye, Mamaroneck and Horseneck,
" once every Sunday in turns throughout the year."* The French
clergy of New Rochelle also performed occasional services here;
this we learn from the records of Trinity Church.

Upon the 12th of April, 1814, the present parish was organized,
and incorporated in accordance with the act passed on the 17th of
March, 1795. At the first meeting of the congregation, held on
Tuesday in Easter week, 1814, tne following gentlemen were
chosen ofiicers for the ensuing year, viz. John Peter de Lancey
and Peter Jay Munro, churchwardens. William Gray, Benj.
Hadden, Henry Gedney, Samuel Deal, Abraham Guion, and Mat-
thias G. Yalentine, vestrymen. ^

To this church is attached a handsome parsonage and glebe,
the whole real estate being valued at $8000. The communion
silver consists of a flaggon and a double set of chalices and pat-
tens, inscribed

St. Thomas's Church, Mamaroneck, New York, 1837.

Besides a smaller set for the private administration of the holy
eucharist. During the incumbency of the present rector the
church has undergone considerable repairs ; the parsonage has
also been purchased and greatly improved. In 1835-6, Trinity
Church, New York, liberally endowed this church with the sum
of $800. The first delegate from this parish to the diocesan
convention was Guy C. Bayley, Esq.

RECTORS OF MAMARONECK.

Institution or call. Incumbents. by resig.

4 June, 1821, VVm. Heathcote de Lancey, Deacon, ditto.

27 Sept. 1823, Lewis P. Bayard, Presb. ditto.

• Madame Knight's Journal, p 59.

b Religious Soc. Co. Rec, lib. A., 145. A second incorporation of this church
took place oa the 9th of June, 18J7, when John Peter de Lancey and Peter Jay
Munro were elected wardens; Jacob Mott, Guy C. Bayley, Monmouth Lyon, Ed-
ward Floyd de Lancey, Benjamin Hadden, Henry Gedney, Benjamin Croker, and
Thomas James de Lancey, vestrymen. Religious Soc. Lib. A. 159.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

309

24 Mar.
21 Sept.
24 Mar.

2 Oct.
11 Feb.
17 Nov.

8 Sept,
14 July,

5 July,

1824,
1825,

1827,
1830,
1832,
1834,
1836,
1837,
1841,

William C. Mead,
Lewis P. Bayard,
Alexander H. Crosby,
John M. Forbes,
William M. Carmichael,
Peter S. Chauncey,
Robert W. Harris,
William A. Curtis,
John M. Ward, present inc

Presb.

ditto.

Presb.

ditto.

Presb.

ditto.

Presb.

ditto.

Presb.

dttto.

Presb.

ditto.

Presb.

ditto.

Presb.

ditto.

umbent.

Notilia Parochialis.
1847, communicants, 53, baptisms, 10.

The Methodist society of this town was organized upon the
8th of April, 1813, when the following gentlemen were elected
trustees : Absalom Tompkins, John Bonnet, William Ward, Eli-
slia Budd, Ransome Burtis, and William Ally.*^ The meeting
house is a chaste edifice of wood located upon the highest sum-
mit of Good Success ridge.

^_^^g^ij^^^^^^^. _ Near the western en-

' ^__ trance of the village

"^ stands the ancient re-

sidence of the Disbrow
family, erected A. D.
1677. Mrs. Sanford,
the present occupant,
being the eighth gen-
eration that has resid-
I ed upon this spot. The
Disbrows were origin-
ally from the county
of Essex, t» England?
and related to, if not
immediately descended from Major General John Disborough or
Disbrow, who married Anna Cromwell, sister of the Protector. By

ij^

Disbrow House, Mamaroreck.

» Co. Rec. Religious Soc. Lib. A. 14o. -,,..'

b Mr. Moraut, in his history of Essex, gives the arms of the Disboroughs, argent
a fesse, between three bears' heads muzzled, erased sable.

310 HISTORY OF THE

this lady John Disboroiigh had seven sons, the youngest was Ben-
jamin DisboroLigh, Esq. Samuel Disborough, Lord Keeper of Scot-
land, a near relation of the Major General, was one of the first sett-
lers of Guildford, Connecticut, A. D. 1650. "The town of Guildford,
says Mr. Lambert, being from the first a component part of New
Haven government, was allowed an assistant or magistrate. Mr.
Samuel Disborough, who, next to Mr. VVhitefield, was esteemed
the first and richest of the planters, was the first magistrate.
After serving the colony in this capacity about twelve years, he
returned to England in company with Mr. Whitefield. After the
restoration of King Charles IL, he was a subject of royal favor
and political distinction, and at one time was a member of the
privy council."^

Peter Dishrow was one of the first and principal proprietors
of Ryp, in 1660. John Disbrow, son of Peter, purchased lands of
John Richbell in 1674. A second sale occurs in 1685.

A. D. 168S. Henry Disbrow, son of John, conveys half
his lands situated in Mamaroneck to his son Henry Disbrow. ^
Henry Disbrow of Mamaroneck, in 1690, releases a lot of
ground lying in the town of Rye, which he formerly bought of
John Wascot.c The Disbrow estate in this town originally
consisted of 700 acres, including a valuable tract of wood-land,
called the Hickory grove.

The family relate the following tradition ; that in the early
part of the last century, the Indians came in a large body to the
present house and demanded immediate possession of the pro-
perty. Fortunately the original title deeds had been carefully
secured. They were now opened and shown to the Indians, Avho
upon seeing their own signatures appeared perfectly satisfied,
and instantly marched ofi', leaving the Disbrows in undisturbed
possession.'^

* Lambert's Hif.t. of New Haven, p. 167.
b Co. Rec. Lib. B. 21.
^ Co Rec. Lib. B. G5.

«i The old family bible, edited by Basket of London, A. D. 175G, contains the
book of comtnjii prayer, and numerous fanoily entries. There is also preserved a

To face page 310, vol i.

Peter Disbrow of Rye, 16K

Henry Disbrow, 1701, purchased lands in Mamaronecl

Henry Disbrow of Mamaroneck^; ....

Henry Disbrow_l Elizabeth Pell, Joseph, will

uat. 1732 nat. May, n:i2 1756, No. 21,

2 Anne Davis

3 Martha Sands

Henry Disbrow, nat. 25 Feb. 1755^AbigaiI Fowler, nat. Aug 3, 1750
ob. Jan. 24, 1825, a?t. 69. m. 19 Jan. 1779, ob. 19 May, 1811

John=

Henry of N. RocheJIe John nat.=
nat. 15 Jan. 17S0, ob. April 1786
Aug. 1847 ob 28 Jan

1825

Henry of
Sf. Jersey

William of N. YGrk=Anne James Henry=

nat. 25 Mar. 1794

Robin- nat. 13 May

sou iim

Stephen
Thomas

Elizabeth^Gilbert Eebecca=Robert William H. David E G Adelaide

UnderhiJI Mathieson

310 HISTORY OF THE

this ladv John Disboroiigh had seven sons, the youngest was Ben-
jamin Disboroiigh, Esq. Samuel Disborougli, Lord Keeper of Scot-
land, a near relation of the Major General, was one of the first sett-
lersofGuildfordjConnecticut, A.D. 1650. "The town of Guildford,
says Mr. Lambert, being from the first a component part of New
Haven government, was allowed an assistant or magistrate. Mr.
Samuel Disborough, who, next to Mr. Whitefield, was esteemed
the first and richest of the planters, was the first magistrate.
After serving the colony in this capacity about twelve years, he
returned to England in company with Mr. Whitefield. After the
restoration of King Charles XL, he was a subject of royal favor
and political distinction, and at one time was a member of the
privy council."*

Peter Disbrow was one of the first and principal proprietors
of Rye, in 1660, John Disbrow, son of Peter, purchased lands of
John Richbell in 1674. A second sale occurs in 1685.

A. D. 1688. Henry Disbrow, son of John, conveys half
his lands situated in Mamaroneck to his son Henry Disbrow.^
Henry Disbrow of Mamaroneck, in 1690, releases a lot of
ground lying in the town of Rye, which he formerly bought of
John Wascot.c The Disbrow estate in this town originally
consisted of 700 acres, including a valuable tract of wood-land,
called the Hickory grove.

The family relate the following tradition ; that in the early-
part of the last century, the Indians came in a large body to the
present house and demanded immediate possession of the pro-
perty. Fortunately the original title deeds had been carefully
secured. They were now opened and shown to the Indians, who
upon seeing their own signatures appeared perfectly satisfied,
and instantly marched ofl', leaving the Disbrows in undisturbed
possession.'^

* Lambert's Hif.t. of New Haven, p. 167.
b Co. Rec. Lib. B. 21.
' Co Roc. Lib. 13. G5.

<i The old family bible, edited by Basket of London, A. D. 1150, contains the
book of commjn prayer, and numerous family entries. There is also preserved a

To face page 310, vol !.

PEDIGREE OF DISBROW OF MAMARONECK.
Arms, arg. a fesse between three boars' heads muzzled erased sa.

Peter Disbrow, one of (he first and principal proprietors of Rye, in 1660, ob. 16. .:=Sarnh

Peter Disbrow of Rye, 1693

Jolin of Bye, J693, bought lands of Richbell in Mamaroiieck, A D 1674=

Leda, 1693 Mary, 1693

Henry Disbrow of Mamaroneclc, leSS^Margaret, 1701

Henry Disbrow, 1701, purchased lands in Mamaroneclc of ihe lodiaas— .

Hen^ Disbrow of Mamarooeck^

Jolin will dat. Sarah
1751, Sur Rec I
No. iviii, 13

I da =neDry GrllTen

Henry Disbrow—I Elizabeih Pell, Joseph, will dat.

nat. 1732 l nal. May, n:)3 175G, No. 31, p. 396

2 Anne Davis

3 Martha Saads

Jofan,Qb.in W25=.

Henry of N. R_ochelle John nat.= William of S. York=Anne James Henry=Marta tlerijamin^Clarifsa ElizabPlh=l John Coles Sarah, nat=Nicholas Polly nat. Jane nst. Thomas of Susi

. 15 Jan ITBO, ob. April 1788
Aug. im7 oil iSJJan

ll3j

Apr. 2Isaac Wilklns 18 Sep 1783 Morrill 17 ?ep 1791 Oct 13 Mamaroneck Barrel

18j;ej 3 K I. Mnlhi.-son ob. 19 Sep 1795

4 Rev. Mr Sandtbrd 1807

Henry of Elizabeth=Gilbert Rebec<;a=Robcrt William H. David B George, ob. Edward Reginald H John van Buskiark Adelade Anne Maria Emily Ellii Caroline R EUzabelh Isabella E

V. Jersey Uiideitlill Mathie«)n

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 311

There are mimeroiis historical events in connection with Ma-
maroneck, which deserve to be recorded here.

The day previous to the battle of White Plains, Colonel
Small wood of the American army surprised and cut off a large
body of the enemy, under the command of Major Rogers, sta-
tioned upon Nelson hill and its vicinity. The event is thus re-
lated by General Heath: "Lord Sterling, who was before in this
vicinity with his brigade, had formed an enterprise against Maj.
Rogers's corps. The old Indian hunter of the last war, who had
engaged in the British service, with his corps, now lay on the
out-posts of the British army, near Mamaroneck, The enterprise
was conducted with good address ; and if the Americans had
known exactly how Rogers's corps lay, they would probably have
killed or taken the whole. As it was, thirty-six prisoners, sixty
muskets, and some other articles, were taken. The Major, con-
formably to his former general conduct, escaped with the rest of
his corps. This was a pretty affair ; and if the writer could re-
collect the name of the commanding officer, with pride and plea-
sure he w^ould insert it. He belonged to one of the southern
lines of the army; and the whole of the party were southern
troops.'^a

On the 31st of January, 1777, a cordon of troops was ordered
to be formed, to extend from Dobb's Ferry to Mamaroneck.
" February 1, 1777. Foraging being now the object, a large
number of teams were sent out towards Mamaroneck, and up-
wards of eighty loads of forage were brought ofF."'^

The following letter of Gen. Samuel Parsons, dated at Mama-
roneck, Nov. 21st, 1777, to Governor Tryon, with his answer, is
copied from a newspaper printed at the time : — '' ^

" Sir : — Adding to the natural horrors of war the most wanton destruction
of property, is an act of cruelty unknown to civilized nations, and unaccustomed

silver headed walking-stick inscribed " Henry Disbrow, 1697." The above heir-
looms are in the possession of WiUiam Disbrow of New York.

»■ Heath's Mem. 74. Holt's Gazette. The dead who fell upon this occasioa
were buried on the south east side of Nelson's hill.

b Heath's Mem. 114.

312 HISTORY OF THE

in war, until the servants of the King of Great Britain have convinced the
impartial world, no act of inhumanity, no stretch of despotism, are too great
to exercise toward those they term rebels.

" Had any apparent advantage been derived from burning the house on
Philips' manor, last Monday, there vrould have been some reason to justify the
measure ; but when no benefit whatever can be proposed, by burning those
buildings and stripping the women and children of necessary apparel, to cover
them from the severity of a cold night, and captivating and leading in triumph
to your lines, in the most ignominious manner, the heads of those families, I
know not what justifiable cause to assign for those acts of cruelty ; nor can I
conceive a necessity for your further order to destroy Tarrytown.

" You cannot be insensible it is every day in my power to destroy the houses
and buildings of Col. Philips, and those belonging to the family of De Lan-
cey, each as near your lines as those buildings were to my guards; and not-
withstanding your utmost diligence, you cannot prevent the destruction of ev-
ery house this side of King's Bridge. It is not fear, it is not want of oppor-
tunity that has preserved those buildings ; but a sense of the injustice and
savageness of such a line of conduct has saved them ; and nothing but neces-
sity will induce me to copy examples of this sort, so often set by your troops.

" It is not my inclination, sir, to war in this manner, against the inhabitants
within your lines, who suppose themselves within your king's protection. But
necessity will oblige me to retaliate in kind upon your friends, to procure the
exercise of that justice which humanity used to dictate, unless your explicit
disavowal of your two captains, Emmerick and Barns, shall convince me these
houses were burned without your knowledge and against your order.
" I am, sir, your humble servant,

" Samuel H. Parsons."

Governor TryorCs answer, dated - ,.■:—<■ .^.-

" King's Bridge Camp, Nov. 23dj 1777.
" Sir : — Could I possibly conceive myself accountable to any revolted sub-
ject of the king of Great Britain, I might answer your letter, received by the
flag of truce yesterday, respecting the conduct of the party under Capt. Em- ■
merick's command upon the taking of Peter and Cornelius van Tassell ; I
have, however, candor enough to assure you, as much as I abhor every princi-
ple of inhumanity or ungenerous conduct, I should, were I in more authority,
burn every committee man's house within my reach, as I deem those agents
the wicked instruments of the continued calamities of this country ; and in
order sooner to purge the country of them, I am willing to give twenty-five
dollars for every acting committee man, who shall be delivered up to the king's
troops : I guess, before the end of next campaign, they will be torn in pieces
by their own countrymen, whom they have forcibly dragged in opposition to
their principles and duty (after fining them to the extent of their property) to

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 313

take up arms against their lawful sovereign, and compelling them to exchange
their happy constitution for paper, rags, anarchy and distress.

" The ruins from the conflagration of New York, hy the emissaries of your
party last year, remain a memorial of their tender regard for their fellow be-
ings exposed to the ' severity of a cold night.'

"This is the first correspondence I have held with the king's enemies, on
my part in America, and as I am immediately under the command of Sir
Henjy Clinton, your future letters, dictated with decency, would be more prop-
erly directed to his Excellency.

" I am, sir, your most obedient servant,

"To Gen. Parsons.'' "William Tryon, Major General.

This came on Sunday, the 23d inst., and by some means or
other Gen. De Lancey's house at Bioomingdale, on York island,
took fire on the 2oth, at night. f^

"The army marched on the 8th of July, 1778, in two col-
umns to Mamaroneck ; the Queen's Rangers were, in front of
that, on tlie right. On the 9th, the commander-in-chief marched
with the army to Byram's Bridge : on leaving this camp, to re-
turn to Mamaroneck, the next day, the Queen's Rangers formed
the rear guard. Upon this march, three soldiers, straggling at a
small distance from their huts, were taken by some militia ; Lieu-
tenant Colonel iSimcoe expressed, in orders, "that he is the most
sensibly affected at the loss of the three men, who straggled from
their posts during the last march. He feels himself but ill repaid
for the confidence he has placed in the regiment, and his inclina-
tion to ease their duty, by never posting an unnecessary sentinel ;
at the same time, he trusts, that, as this has been the first instance
of the kind during the time he has had the honor of command-
ing the Queen's Rangers, it will be the last ; and that the soldiers
will reflect what they must suffer by a long imprisonment, from
a mean and despicable enemy, who never has, or can gain, any
advantage over them, but what arises frorn their own disobedience
of orders."^

It was in the vicinity of ?,Iamaroneck that Lieut. Hickford, of
the Refugee corps, overtook Col. White, of the Continental

"^ Barber's Hist. Col. St. N. Y. p. 591, 59-2.
b Simcoe's Mil. Jour. p. 102, 103.

VoT . I, . > . 40

314 HISTORY OF THE

army, upon his retreat from Morrisania. Some thirty strag-
glers, who had taken refuge on the ice, were killed by the British
cavalry.

De Lancey Neck, commonly called the Great or Middle Neck,
lies immediately southwest of the village, upon the east side of
which is situated Seaman's Point or Neck, the ancient Wanmai-
nnck of the aborigines. This point obtained its present name
from Giles Seaman, former proprietor, who married Lydia Mott,
a lineal descendant of John Richbell, the patentee. The dwell-
ing house and old Mott flirm are now owned by Mr. Isaac Hall.
The former, a fine wooden structure, occupies a commanding
position, overlooking the Bay and opposite shores of Bndd's Neck.
Indeed, from this spot, the best view is obtained of the village.

Upon the extremity of the Point there is a small cemetery, con-
taining several memorials to members of the Bain, Disbrow, and
Vanderbilt families. From the old Boston post-road a picturesque
lane leads to the northwest extremity of De Lancey Neck, some-
times called Long Beach Point. Extensive woods ornament
the shores of the Neck, and add greatly to the beauty of the sce-
nery. The present proprietors of the Great Neck are the Right
Rev. William Heathcote de Lancey, and his nephew, Thomas
James de Lancey, Esq. The former individual holds some four
or five hundred acres on the east side, at present leased to Mr.
William Doby.

Next in order, we have the Prickly Pear Creek, Eagle Ham-
mock, Barker's Hammock, and Munro's Gut, which constitutes
the division line between the Great Neck proper and the Western
Neck, now called Munro's Neck. Munro's Neck formerly be-
longed to the Palmer family. Samuel Palmer, having obtained
a confirmation for the same, under the hand of the Indian sa-
chem Ann Hook, in the year 1700-L From the heirs of Samuel
Palmer it passed by purchase to the late Peter Jay Munro in
1798. From the Munros it was purchased by the present pro-
prietor, Edward K. Collins, Esq., in 1845.

The mansion erected by Peter Jay Munro occupies a de-
lightful situation near the river, on the highest grounds of the
Neck, commanding, on the south and east, extensive prospects of
the Sound. A grateful air of seclusion has been studied in the

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 315

arrangement of the grounds and the grouping of trees. The
view from the road is tastefully concealed by a fine plantation
of pine, which adds much to the beauty of the place. The
late owner, Peter Jay Munro, Esq., was the son of the Rev.
Harry Munro, M. A., (for several years rector of St. John's
Church Yonkers,^-) by his wife Eva Jay.

Peter Jay Munro was a distinguished member of the bar, and
one of the framers of the late constitution of this state. By his
Avife Margaret White, Mr. Munro left two sons, Henry and John,
besides several daughters. Mott's neck adjoins Munro's on the
west, upon which is situated the farm and residence of William
Scott, Esq. This delightful spot commands pleasing views of the
neighboring neck and sound scenery. Mr. Scott is the son of James
Scott, whose father, Walter Scott, ^ took an active part in tlie politi-
cal drama of 1745, in favor of Prince Charles ; father and son sub-
sequently emigrated to this country, and during the war of the
revolution, distinguished themselves as brave and zealous patriots.

Upon the Flandreau hammock is placed the Premium Mills, the
property of William P. Kellogg, Esq. In this vicinity are the es-
tates of James I. Roosevelt, Esq., (late member of congress,) and
Mrs. Susan Daubeny ; the latter adjoins the Palmer burying
ground on the west.c

We have previously shown that the town is well watered by
numerous streams, some of which have one or more mills stand-
ing on them. -

The growth of wood is of the usual various sorts On the high
lands, oak, hickory, walnut and chesnut are the chief. The lower
grounds are covered generally with maple, birch and elm, &c.

The principal minerals of the town, are quartz, drusy, calcedo-
ny, agate and jasper. Serpentine of almost every variety, and
cromate of iron ; veins of the dolomitic marble also occur in vari-
ous localities. -- -

a This family is a branch of the INIunros of Foulis, Scotland,
b The first Walter of this family was the famous " Auld Wat," the renowned
freebooter of the Scottish border.

' Near the Palmer bnrvinsf ffronnd stood the old Friends meeting house.

316 HISTORY OF THE

jM O U IS T P L E A S A xN T .

TiJE naiiie of this town justly denotes its pleasant location up-
on high hills. Mount Pleasant lias been recently separated from
the old town of the same name, and erected into a distinct town-
ship ;a both having been formerly included in the Manor of Phil-
ipsburgh. It is situated six miles north-west of the village of
"W'liite Plains, distant thirty three miles from New York and one
hundred and nineteen from Albany ; bounded north by Ossin-
ing and Newcastlcj east by Northcastle, south by Greenburgh,
and west by Ossin-ing and the Hudson river.

This tract of land must originally have formed a portion of
the ancient domains of VVeckquaskeck, as we find Weskora, sa-
chem of tliat place, and Ghoharius, his brother, (a chief residing
here,) conjointly selling lands, bordering the Pocanteco, to Fre-
derick Philipse in the year 1680.

Upon the district situated near the mouth of the Pocanteco
river, (called by the English Mill river,) the Indians conferred
the name of Pockerhoe. Pocanteco, the Indian name for the
beautiful Mill river, is clearly a derivative from the Algonquin,
Pockohantes,^ a term expressive of a '' run between two hills."
The local term Pockerhoe also points to the saniie root for its ori-
gin. Be this as it may, however, no signification could be more
descriptive of this wizard stream, which pours its swift current
through the foldings of a hundred hills. The Dutch styled it
the Sleepy haven kili,c hence the origin of the present term
Sleepy Hollow, as applied to the valley.

• Mount Pleasant was originally organized on the 7th oi' March, 1788. Rev.
Slat. The present town on the 20th of May, 1845.

k Tlie Indian name of the illustrious princess of Virginia.
-^ Van der Donck's Hist. N.N.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 317

In the rear of the Dutch church, (situated near the entrance of
the Hollow,) there formerly stood an Indian fort, the remains of
which, together with several mounds, have long since been lev-
elled with the surrounding ground. For the erection of these
forts or strong-holds, Van der Donck informs us. '-that the In-
dians usually selected a situation on the side of a steep hill, near
a stream or river, which is difficult of access except from the wa-
ter, and inaccessible on every other side ; with a level plain on
the crown of the hill, which they enclose with a strong stockade
work in a singular manner." Near their plantations they also
frequently erect small works to secure their wives and children,
against the sudden irruption of the small marauding parties of
their enemies. When their castles and forts are constructed ac-
cording to their rude custom, they consider the same very safe
and secure places.^

The vestiges of a military redoubt at present occupy the sum-
mit of the adjoining hill, commonly called Jones's hill. This
elevated spot commands the valley of Sleepy Hollow, Tarry-
town, and splendid prospects of the Hudson river.

In 1680, the Indian sachem Glioharius, with the consent of his
brother Weskora, for a certain sum of wampum and other goods,
released unto Frederick Philipse a large strip of land, lying on
each side of the Pocanteco river, for which they acknowledged
to have received full satisfaction. This sale was ratified before
the governor of the province, at Fort James, in New York, and
subsequently confirmed to Frederick Philipse by royal patent,
the same year.

Sir Edmund Andros, Knight, &c. Whereas Frederick Philipse of this
city, merchant, hath made apphcation unto me for a grant of a certain creek
or viver, called by the Indians, Pocantico, (whereon to set a mill,) with a pro-
portion of land on each side adjoining thereunto ; the same lying within the
bounds of the Indians' land at Wickers creek, "^ on the east side of Hudson's
river ; and by my leave and approbation hath made purchase thereof from the
native Indian proprietors, the which they have acknowledged before me, as

& Van der Donck's Hist. N, N. N. Y. Hist. Soc. N. Ser. vol. i. p. 197.
b A corruption of the Indian name Weckquaskeck.

318 HISTORY OF THE

likewise to have received full satisfaction for the same, from the said Freder-
ick Philipse. Tlie said land adjoining to the creek or river aforesaid lying on
each side thereof, north and south 1600 treads or steps, which at twelve feet
to the rod makes 400 rods ; and runs up into the country as far as the said
creek or river goeth, provided always, that if the said creek or river, called
by the Indians Neppera, and by the Christians the Yonckers creek or kill,
shall come within that space of land of 400 rods on the south side of the afore-
said creek or river, that it shall extend no further than the said creek or river
of Neppera, but the rest to bee so fai^e up into the country on each side as
the said creek or river called Pocantico runs, being about north-east. Know ye
that by virtue of the commission and authority unto me given under his Royal
Highness, I have given and granted, and by these presents do hereby give,
ratify, confirm and grant unto said Frederick Philipse, his heirs and assignees,
the afore-recited creek or river, parcels of land and premises hereinbefore
expressed and set forth, together with all the woodlands, meadows, pastures,
inarches, fishing, hawking, hunting and fowling, as also the privilege of erect-
ing and building a mill, making a dam, or whatsoever else shall be necessary
and requisite thereunto, with all profits, commodities and emoluments unto the
said creek, river and land belonging, or in any wise appertaining, to have and
to hold the said creek or river and land with their and every of their appur-
tenances to the said Frederick Philipse, his heirs and assignees unto the proper
use and behoof of him the said Frederick Philipse, his heirs and assignees for
ever, he making improvement thereon according to law, and yielding and paying
therefor yearly and every year unto his Royal Highness, a quit rent, one bush-
el of winter wheat in New York, unto such officer or officers as shall be em-
powered to receive the same. Given under my hand and sealed with the seal
of the Province, m New York, the first day of April, in the thirty-second year
of his Majesty's reign. Anno Domini, 1680.

From this period we find the Indians gradually yielding their
terriiory to ihe above patentee. Upon the 5th of June, 1684, (the
royal patent says 7th of May,) the Indians, Sepham, Ghoharim,
(Ghoharius,) Kakinsigh, Enhoak,^ Arradppanint, Kewanghis, a
squaw, Niepack, Kewightakem, and Teatangoom, sell to Freder-
ick Philipse,

All that tract or parcel of land situate, lying, and being to the eastward of
llie land of Frederick Philipse, between the creek called Neppierha, or the

» Thf real name of this rliit-f was AVnmpnge, tlie place of his residence Ann
hook's UP rk. (V,A])am Point.j

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 319

Yoncker's Kill and Broncks's River, beginning on the south side at the north-
erly bounds of the Voncker's land, and from thence along the aforesaid creek
Nippierha, however it runs, till you come to the most northerly bounds of the
said Frederick Philipse's land, and from thence northeast into the woods unto
Broncks's river, so as it runs southerly to the eastward of the Yoncker's land
aforesaid, and from thence, with a westerly line, to the aforesaid Yoncker's
Kill, or Nippierha, &c. &c. The goods paid by the grantee were as fol-
lows : — a

130 fathoms of white Wampum, 2 Knives,

12 Guns, ..12 pair of Stockings,

M fathoms of Duffels, ' - 15 Hatchets,

12 Blankets, . ' ,, \ 10 Hoes,

8 Coats, ♦ 10 earthen Jugs,

6 Kettles, 10 iron Pots,

6 fathoms of Stroudwater, 4 ^ fats of Beer,

16 Shirts, ' ■ 2 ankers of Rum,

25 lbs. of Powder, . , - ' 2 rolls of Tobacco.

20 bars of Lead, ^ . ■ " .
10 Spoons,

The above purchase, (together with other sales, from the In-
dians,) was confirmed to PhiHpse by his Excellency, Thomas
Dongan, Governor of the province, on the 23d of December, 1684,
The whole were subsequently included within the Royal Patent of
Philipsburgh. From the Indian grants and royal patents, wc
proceed to give our readers a brief account of the Philipse fam-
ily, collected from the best authorities and original manuscripts
still extant. ' • -..-

Frederick Philipse, or, (as the name was spelt at that early peri-
od,) Vreedryk or Vrederyck Felypsen,b father of the before men-
tioned grantee of this town, was a native of Bolswaert, in Fast
Friesland, and son of the Hon. Viscount Felyps, of Bohemia, who
sprang from the ancient Viscounts of that name and country.
The early members of this family took an active part in favor of
the Reformers, John Huss, and Jerome of Prague, for which
they suifered severely both in person and property, being finally

» See Yonkers. '-^ - . •

b Vrederyck Felypsen is equivalent to Frcderyk Flypsen.

320 HISTORY OF THE

compelled to fly, for better security, to East Friesland.'^ The
Christian name Vreedryk is of Dutch origin, and means literally
y^ -peace rich^'^ or rich in peace,b in allusion probably to the bitter
snifv3rings of former days, as well as the present enjoyment of re-
ligious peace. The surname Felypsen is a patronymic from
Philip — the F for the PH, and the ij for the single Y ; hence the
English substitute, Frederick Philipse, which at an early period
became the adopted name of the family, — the Dutch termination
se or sen, meaning in English son. Vrederyck therefore the son
of Felyp.c Besides their high rank as nobles, they appear also
to have held the office of Grand Veneurs, or keepers of the deer
forests in Bohemia.<i In the year 1658, Frederick Philipse, (hav-
ing previously obtained the consent of the Stadiholder and States
General,) emigrated from East Friesland to the New Netherlands,
carrying" with him money, plate and jewels. « Upon his arrival
in the city of New Amsterdam, (as New York was then called,)
he purchased a large estate, and soon became one of its wealthiest
merchants. On the 9th of February, 1653, Governor Stuyve-
sant granted certain lots within the city of New Amsterdam to
Frederick Philipse, which were subsequently confirmed to him
by the English governor, on the 12th of April, 1667.

In the general tax list of 1674, raised by the Dutch, on their
reconquest of the city and province, we find the estate of Fred-
erick Philipse assessed at 80,000 guilders. f By his wife Marga-
ret Dacres, he left one son, Frederick, born at Bolswaert, East
Friesland, A.D. 1656.

Frederick Philipse, jun., was the first lord of the manor of

» Burke's Hist, of tlie Landed Gent, of Great Britain.

b In German, peace is friede, and rich is reich : the compound, therefore, in that
language would be Friedreich.

c Extracts from a note of Egbert Benson to Captain Phillips, in 1820.

d The collar and badge of office, consisting of a gold chain set with amethysts,
diamonds, rubies and emeralds, is still preserved in the family. It was last in pos,
session of Miss Susan Kobinson, sister of Col. Beverly Robinson.

• The original passport, written upon vellum, is also preserved in the Robinson
family.

t y. Y. Hist. S'oc. 1 Ser. vol. i. p. 387.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

321

Philipsburghj founder of the Dutch church at Sleepy Hollow ;
and for many years a leading member of the governor's council.

Upon the arrival of Henry Sloughter as governor of the prov-
ince, on the 19th of March, 169 J, we find the following mem-
bers present at a council meeting, holden the same day, viz. Jo-
seph Dudley, Frederick Philipse, Stephen van Cortlandt, Gabriel
Monville, Chiidley Brooke, Thomas Willet, and William Pin-
borne. a

In the assize records at Albany, occurs '"a pass to Frederick
Philipse, to put on board the sloop called ye Cock 250 schepels of
Wheat, to be carried to Milford Mill to be ground, (fee.

Permit and suffer Frederick Philipse to land on board the sloop
ye Cock 250 schepels of Wheat, to be carryed to ye Mill at Mil-
ford for his conveniency of having it ye sooner ground for his
occasions, he engaging that the floure and meale thereof shall be
brought back to this place. Given under my hand at Fort James,
in New Yorke, the 22d day of April, 1671.

To ye officers of ye- customs, >_ ."• ' " .

or whom else this may concern."

The annexed items, are taken from the family ledger of the
Philipse's : —

1680, John Reyder is debett,
According to accounte de- ]
lijwered, £3956:2 yn 1 n^qi
wampum. Com in hoi- \
lans, J

To the Sherryf, a byll of

Exchang yn hollans, 1500 :—

Apoyt 20 Toyn Sylver, ■ ..,,^_ ,

payd £5:0:0 Com'r, ' '
Hollans, " •' 50 —

To 110 pieces of fryer ' -

woed wyth Cartyng 3 : 4

Pr Contra is Credytt
To a house and

lot yn hollans.
To som petyoy-

ans, left yn the

house.

£2250

Rest due To me
pr ballins,

2290 : 00

0054:00

£2344 : 00

' " .' a Duulap'a Hist, of N. Y. vol. i. p. 202.

Vol. I. 41

322

HISTORY OF THE

Nyew Yorck, thys the 21 £2344 : 00
day of September, Anno.
16S0. Fredryck Flypsen.

The following note occurs among some old documents endorsed
Tan Fredrich Philipse : —

Net Bockmaster, N. York the 3 Agust, 1694,

I have sacket to pay you'n de sume

Of sich pount twellef shilling voor

partt of Elyas Pndington ^

fogge £6 — 12 — 0. Fredryck Flypse.

Frederick Philipse married, first. Margaret Hardenbroch, wid-
ow of Peter Rudolphus ; this lady died A.D. 1662: secondly,
Catharine, daughter of the Hon. Oloflf Stevensen van Cortlandt.

Oc^

Coat of Arms and Signatures of the Founders of Sleepy Hollow Church.

To face page 322, vol. i.

Arms. az. a demi lion rampant, rising out of a ducal coronet ar, si

Hon. Vrederyck Fe
Holland, emigrati
4and to New Ami

""lillp French.

PliWip Philipse, proprietor of the=Maria S
Springhead estate Island of Sparkf

Baiuadoes, nat. 1676, ob. 1700 mar. 1

n52.

Col. Fredericli Philipse,=Elizabeth Wiilia

last Lord of the Ma
nor of Phiiipsbnrough
ob. cir. May. 1785, at
Chester, England.

widow of }

gers, da. of Cha
Wiliiaais, Esq.

"Frederick Philipse^^Harriet Charles Phil-
GrifEth lipse, drown-
of ed in cross-

Rhent, ing the Bay
N.Wales ofFundy.

Philip, ob. John, killed at Susan, marri
s. p. the battle of ed Ri^htHon

Trafalgar, Viscount
1H05. Strangford.

Nathaniel,
ob. s. p

Frederick Chi

Frederick, of R'h-ent,
N. Wales, nat 18^9.

Edwin Will. nat.
8th April, 1830.

322

HISTORY OF THE

Nyew Yorck, thys the 21 £2344 : 00
day of September, Anno.
16S0. Fredryck Flypsen.

The following note occurs among some old documents endorsed
Tan Fredrich Phiiipse : —

Net Bockmaster, N. York the 3 Agust, 1694,

I have sacket to pay you'n de sume

Of sich pount twellef shilling voor

partt of Elyas Padington ^

foa:2:e £6 — 12 — 0. Fredryck Flypse.

^so

Frederick Phiiipse married, first. Margaret Hardenbroch, wid-
ow of Peter Rudolphus ; this lady died A.D. 1662: secondly,
Catharine, daughter of the Hon. Oloff Stevensen van Cortlandt.

-Uir^ ^ f-'V( ^yjjK/iUc^

Coat of Arms and Signatures of the Founders of SJeepy Hollow Church.

To face page 3K, vol.

PEDIGREE OF PHILIPSE OF PHILIPSBOROUGII.

Arms. Bz. a demi lion rampttnt, rising out of a ducal coronet ar, surmounted by a ducal coronet, or. Crest, a demi lion rampant rising out of a Viscount's coronet ar, surmounted by a ducal coronet, or.

Motto. — Quod tibi vis fieri facias.

East Friesland.

Hon. Vrederyck Felypsen, of Bolswaert,=Margaret Dacrea, descended of the noble family of
Holland, emigrated from East Fries- I Dacre, of Dacre.
land to New Amsteidam, la 165b. |

■Hon. Vrederjxk Felypsen, or PI]illpse,=l. Margaret Hardenbroch, widow of Peter Rodolphus, ob. 1662.
first Lord of ihe Manor of Phitipsbo- =2. Catharine van Conlamlt, da of ihe Right Hon. Oloff Stevens
rou^h, nat. 1656, cb. 1702. Willdat, t van Cortlaodt, nat. 25ih Oct. 1652. Will dated 7ih January,
■ffthDec. 17U2, fol. 12, p. 98, 99. tfur. 173U. Interred at Sltepy Hollow.

PhiJip Philipse, proprietor of the=Maria Sparkes, da, of Gov.
Springhead estate Island of I tfparkfs, of Baibadoea,
eaibadoes, nat. 1616, ob- 1700 mar. 1697, ob. 1700.

AdolphuB Phitipse, proprietor of the Highland
Upper Patent "nd the northern part of Phil-
ipsborough, nat. 1657, ob. s. p. 1749. Buri-
ed at Sleepy Hollow.

Eva Phitipse, nat. 6th July, 1658=Jaco'jus van Cortlandt. Annetje Philipae— Philip French,

Hon. Frederick Philipse, second Lord of the Manor of Phllipsboroodh, heir to^Joanna, da
his grandfather Vrederyck, and hia uncle Adolphus, born at Uarbadnes A. I lady was
D. 1698; died of consumption, 1751 ; founder of Si. John's Church, Yonk- from her
era. Will dated 6th June, 1751, No. 18, p. 3. Bur. Rec. N. Y. Married J

of Anthfjny Brockholea Thi3
unfortunately killed by a fall
uniage on the Highland estate.

Col. Frederick Philipse,
last Lord of ihe Ma-
nor of Philipsbnrough
ob. cir. May. 1785, at
Chester, England.

Elizabeth Williams, Philip Philipse, proprietor— Margaret

widow of

gers. da- of Charles

Williams, Esq.

of the Highland Upper.
Patent ; bapt. in Dutch
Ch, N. Y. 1724. Will
dated 1768, No. 26, p.
326. Sur. Rec. N. Y.

Susannah, devisee with=xCol. Beverley
her brother Philip, Robinson,

of the Upper Patent,
nat. 27 Sept. 1727,
ob. Nov. 1822.

Mary, nat. 3d JuIy=Col. Roger
1730, mar. 19 Ja- Morris, member of
uary, 1758. ob. , the Gov. Council.
laJuly, I8i5

Frederick PhiUpsP=Harriet

Charles Phil- Philip, ob. John, killed at Susan, marri- Sarah, mar- Elizab'h, Charlotte,

lipse, drown- s. p. the battle of ed Right Hon. ried Mungo nb. married

ed in cross- Trafalgar, Viscount Noble. March, Captain

1^05. Strangford. I82d. Webber.

Adolph, E. p. 1785. Frederick, an oflicer=l. Mary Marston, da. of Nathaniel
in the I3riti>h ser- [ Murston.

vice, ob. 1829. 2. Maria, niece nf the Hon. Vis-

Natuai

N.Wales ofFundy.

Mary Phllipse=9amuel Goiivemeur.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 323

In his last will, which bears date 9th of December, 1702, he
orders his body to be

" interred at my burial place at ye upper ?nills, with such charges and in such
decent manner as to my executors, hereinafter named, shall seem convenient.
To Frederick Philipse, my grandson, born in Barbadoes, ye only son of Philip
my eldest son, I will and dtvise my houses in New York, and also the lands
in Westchester, the island called Papirineman, with the meadows and bridge
toll, and all my lands and meadow called ye Yonkers plantation together with
all houses, mills, mill-dams, &c., &c., as also a piece of land in the Mile Square
by me late bought of Michael Hawdon, and all that tract or piece of land ex-
tending from the Yonckers patent or plantation to a creek called by ye Indians
Wysquaqua, and by the Christians William Portugue's creek, and thence ac-
cording to ye course of that creek unto ye woods to ye head of the same ; from
thence on an east line to the creek called Yonckers creek, and then to continue
on the same course to Bronck's river and as far as my right extends as also
all that ye equal half of my meadow? lying at Tappan, &c., &c., to have and
to hold all ye said real estate, tenements and hereditaments, with ye appurte-
nances herein before given, &c., to ye said Frederick Philipse, my grandson,
and ye heirs male of his body lawfully begotten ; and for lack of such issue ye
remainder thereof to my son Adolphus Philipse, and ye heirs male of his body,
and for lack of such issue to ye next right heirs of me, ye said Frederick
Philipse, ye grandfather, forever.

Also he devises to his grandson, Frederick Philipse, the negroes at ye
Yonckers plantation, a negro man called Harry, and wife and child, a negro
called Peter, &c., and ye boat Yoncker, with her furniture, apparel and appur-
tenances, and ye equal half of all ye cattle, horses and sheep upon and belong-
ing to ye plantation at ye upper mills, &c., &c. Provided always and I do
hereby declare my will, mind, and true intention, that 1 give ye lands, heredi-
taments and their appurtenances, extending from ye Yonckers plantation to
William Portugue's creek, and so to Broncks's river, to my said grandson with
this restriction and condition that it is in lieu of a tract of land called Cinque-
singte, purchased long since and intended to be given to his father, my eldest
son, soe that if att any time hereafter ye said Frederick Philipse, my grandson
shall claim or recover this tract of land called Cinquesingte, that it is my will
and desire that ye tract of land and appurtenances extending from ye Yonckers
plantation to William Portugue's creek before described, shall devolve unto, and
be vested in my said son Adolphus, his heirs, &c., &c.

To his son Adolphus he bequeathes the rest of his houses and the lands,
tenements and hereditaments in ye county of Westchester, (to wit) all that
tract of land lying at ye upper mills, beginning at a creek called by ye Indians
Wysquaqua, and by ye Christians, WiUiam Portugue's creek, being ye bounds

324 HISTORY OF THE

of ye lands hereby given to my grandson, and so running up Hudson's river
to ye creek called Wegheandagb, where is built two grist mills, and from
thence along ye said river to a creek called Keghtawan, or Croton river, or
along that river or creek according to ye patent, then on an east line into ye
woods as far as Bronck's river according to its course to ye lands herein be-
fore discribed to my grandson aforesaid, as also ye moyety or equal half of a
saw-mill with its appurtenances att Mamaroneck, late by me purchased of Dr.
Selinus, &c., &c. To his daughter Eva, wife of Jacobus van Cortlandt,
a house and ground in the city of New York, &c., also a mortgage of
Dr. Henricus Selynus upon ye lands of John Richbell, deceased, 20
miles into ye country and to his daughter Annetje, ye wife of Philip French,
a house and ground in the city of New York, and an estate in Berghen, New
Jersey, Ac, &c.^ Dated 26th October, 1700,

Adolphus Philipse, > ^

T ^ > Executors.

Jacobus van Lortlandt. ^

By this will all that portion of the manor north of Dobb's Ferry,
including the present town became vested in Adolphus or Adolph
Philipse, second son of the devisee. This individual was also pro-
prietor of the great Highland patent, situated north of St. Anthony's
Nose, granted on the 1 7th of June, 1697, and the executor of his bro-
ther, Philip Philipse's estate, letters of administration having been
granted to him in that capacity on the 22dof Dec, 1714.^ Adolph
Philipse died without issue A.D. 1749. The following inventory
of money, plate, jewels, and household furniture, &c., &c., be-
longing to the manor house, which was taken in 1752 (after the
death of Adolph Philipse,) affords a curious specimen of the habits
and tastes of a gentleman at that early period. It is transcribed
from the original, preserved among the family papers at Philips-
town, Putnam county, entitled

A old acc't by Jos. Read, Administrator of Adolph Philipse.

Dr, the estate of Fred. Philipse^ Esq,, dec. to Jos. Read, against
estate of Fred. Philipse.

174'9, Jan'y 25.—

To I Boston shilling and 1 lead meddal, . . jCO 1 2

• Pvec. of Wills, Surrogate's Off. N. Y. vii. lOi.
^ Surrogate's Off. N. Y. No. vii 28CL

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 325

1 cask of apples, ..... 060

1-3 of a ps. broad cloth qt. 10 yards a 20s. 10 0 0

1 steel or iron tobacco box, . . . 0 2 0 10 9 2

1750, April 6.—

To l-8th pt. of cloth, &c., divided among the re-
lations, . . . . . .400

11 bottles of wine, &c., &c., a small jug with

ink, 13 6

./' ' . ;, ' 5 3 6
1750, May 8.— ' c ■ >

To the picture of Mr. Adolph,* . . . 6 0 0
1750, May 20 —

To a razor strap with silver, .... 060

1 silver tankard, wt. 26o^. lOp. Ogr. at 9s. 6d.

pr. ounce, . , . . . . 12 11 9

1 ditto, wt. 23oz. lip. Ugr. at 10^. 6^. 12 9 1^
• 1 ditto shaving basin and box, wt. 21oz. I5p.

at 105. 6d. pr. oz. • . . . 11 8 4^

' 1 ditto tooth case pick, . . . - 0 13 3
12 ditto spoons, wt. 23oz. lip. I2gr. at 10^. 36?.

per ounce, . . . . . . 12 3 2

6 ditto, wt. 9oz. I5p. at 9s. Zd. , . 4 10 2i

3 ditto, " 3 10 " " " . . 1 12 4i

1 ditto beker, wt. 7oz 8p. at 9^. 9^. pr. oz, 3 12 1|

1 ditto cup, wt. 2oz 13p. I2gr. at 9^. 9c?. pr. oz. 16 1

6 ditto tea spoons, wt. loz. 19p, at 12^. 3c?. " 13 10|

1 reading glass with a silver rim, .■ . 14 0

1 deers foot tipt with gold, . . . 0 113

1 black box with a ps. gold and a ps. silver, 3 15 0
Aparcellof gold beads and pearl, wt. 2oz lip.

at 61. is 16 14 10

2 trunks, . .' . . . . ^ 0 6 0
h pt. of a parcell homspun and parcell linnen, 113 0
I pt. of a parcell wampum valued at jC40, 6 6 6
I pt. of 236o^. 9p. I2gr. silver pigs, valued by

A. B. . . f . . . . ' 11 11 6

^ This picture is still preserved at Philipstown.

326 HISTORY OF THE

4 Arabmn ps. gold, , . . . . 2 16 0 106 7 Hi

85 11 5

To sundrvs bought at public vendue in March,
1749-30, as per acct. ....

To ditto at the manor of Philipsburgh in April,

1750, as per acct 5.?4 16 11 620 8 4

November 25. —

To John Chambers, Esq., pr. assignn for a sadle
and bridle 545. 8d., a pr. pistols capt with sil-
ver 825., bo't at vendue and paid s'd Philipse, 6 16 0

1752, July 16.—

To Jas. Read for sundreys bo't in co. at vendue

as per acct. here enclosed, . . . 10 7 2

17 3 2

I pt. of a parcell whetstones divided among

the relations, supposed to be worth 20*. 0 2 6

Philip Philipse, pr. assignm't, for 2 ps. linnen

bo't at vendue 23 March, 1749-50, . 117 6

492 bushels wheat rec'd by Elbert Aartsen for

rent due to Adolph Philipse, which ball.

Philipse sold to Johanis Schank at 4^. per

bushel 98 8 0

a field of green wheat of ab't 8 bushels sowing

which by the opinion of Mr. Wm. Curray,

belonged to the personal estate of Adolph

Philipse 8 0 0

a bolting box reel and bolting cloath valued by

E. Byvanck, ....

6 10 0

112 18

i:880

1 0

rrors E.
J.^s. Read,

Estate of Mr.

By the death of Adolph Philipse the whole manor ot Phihps-
burgh became vested in his nephew the Hon Frederick Philipse,
as the nearest male heir of his grandfather Frederick. Tliis dis-
tinguished personage was born upon the Springhead estate, island
of Barbadoes, A. D. 1698. From 1721 to 1728 he filled the office
of speaker to the house of Assembly in the province of New York,
and ill 1733 was Baron of the Exchequer, and second judge of

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 327

the same. He also erected St. John's Church, Yonkers, and liber-
ally endowed it with a farm and parsonage. The Hon. Frederick
Philipse died in 1751. His last will bears date the 6th of June of
that year. His two sons, by Joanna Brockholes, daughter of gover-
nor Brockholes, were Frederick Philipse and Philips Philipse ; also
three daughters, Susannah. Mary and Margaret. The eldest
son, Frederick, being heir of his father, became devisee in tail
male of the manor of Philipsburgh, tenant for life, under the will
of his father, with remainder in tail male, while the upper high-
land patent of Philipstown passed to the second son, Philip, devi-
see in tail of those lands among whose descendants it still re-
mains.

In 1779 the lands in this town together with the rest of the
manor of Philipsburgh, became by the attainder of Colonel Fred-
erick Philipse, vested in the state of New York. After having
been in possession of the Philipse family nearly a century. In
the year 17S4, the state by commission parcelled out these lands
to various individuals. One of the principal grantees was Gerard
G. Beeckman, Esq., v/ho purchased one thousand six hundred
acres in the vicinity of Tarry town, upon which is situated the
old manor house. Mr. Beeckman married Cornelia van Cort-
landt ; thus after the forfeiture of the Philipses a portion of the
manor again reverted to a connection of that ancient family ; Ja-
cobus van Cortlandt, having married Eva Philipse, daughter of
the Hon. Frederick Philipse.

In the south-west corner of Mount Pleasant, between the Andre
brook and the Mill river, (Pocanteco.) is situated Beeckmantown,
commonly called the Pocanteco suburb of Tarry town. This
place derives its name from the family of the Beeckmans. The
residence of Stephen D. Beeckman, M. D., son of the for-
mer proprietor stands upon the highest ground of the village im-
mediately west of the Irving Institute.

To the north of Beeckmantown lies the romantic region of
Sleepy Hollow.

A pleasing land of drowsy head it was,

Of dreams that wave before the half-shut eye ;

32S HISTORY OF THE

And of gay castles in the clouds that pass,
For ever flushing round a summer sky.

[Casile of Indolence.

Castle Phil ipse, the ancient residence of the Lords of Philips-
burgh, occupies a pleasant position on the west side of the mill
pond, nearly facing the old Dutch church ; having acquired the
appellation from the fact, that in the early days of the colony, it was
strongly fortified with cannon. A necessary precaution against
any sudden attack of the Indians. The embrasures or port holes
can yet be traced on the cellar walls.

The western end of the building is evidently the remains of a
much older edifice, probably coeval with the erection of the mill
in 1683.

The mansion is seen to the best advantage from the Sleepy
Hollow bridge. The principal entrance is through a porch on
the north east front.

Here within the compass of a broad territory, the Philipses
enjoyed every distinction, feudal and ecclesiastic, which the Co-
lonial Government could bestow. The manor, baronial courts,
hunting, fishing, advowson, and family sepulture, together with
all the blessings which the retirement of a country life and reli-
gion could afibrd.

The old mill adjoining the mansion is quite in unison with the
scenery of the Hollow. In the palmy days of the manor, the
tenants brought hither their grain to be ground, and from
hence the lords of the manor shipped their flour for the metrop-
olis.

The keel of the famous Roebuck that so often navigated the
neighboring waters with her cargo to and from the city, quietly
reposes in the muddy bed of the Pocanteco creek. The old miller
(who lived to the advanced age of 94,) was in the habit of calling
It his iron mine, as the keel actually furnished him with bolts
and nails for his lifetime.

The manor house was for many years the residence of the late
Mrs. Cornelia Beeckman, widow of Gerard G. Beeckmun, Esq.

o
H

I «..L 'If/',, .Kji ;i I'l

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 329

We are indebted to the Evening Gazette for the subjoined notice
of this remarkable lady. "Cornelia Beeckman was the second
daughter of Lt. Gov. Pierre Van Cortlandt, by liis wife Joanna
Livingston, whose birth took place in the old manor house, by
the banks of the Croton, on the 2d of August, 1753. Here her
infancy and youth glided av/ay, and but a short time before the
war, she left its scenes for a life in New York, whither she re-
moved upon her marriage with Gerard Becckman. When the Re-
volutionary troubles ran high, she came back to the old house at
Peekskill, where part of her family resided. Exposed, of course,
to all manner of insult and aggression, well-known herself, and
in connection with her father, subsequently lieutenant-governor
of this state, under Clinton, (but at that time, president of the
Committee of Public Safety.) with her brother serving in the
army, and many relatives and intimates, all zealous whigs and
devoted Americans, her unconquerable will and high spirit bore
her safely and uncompromisingly through those trying scenes.
We copy from a graphic sketch, by an able and we fancy well-
known pen, the following notice of her life during this disastrous
period.

" One little incident we recollect to have read in a letter writ-
ten by herself, in 1777. A party of royalists, under Colonels Bay-
ard and Fanning, came to the Peekskill house, and commencing
their customary course of treatment, one insultingly asked her,
'Are you not the daughter of that old rebel Pierre van Cort-
landt ?' She replied, ' I am the daughter of Pierre van Cortlandt,
but it becomes not such as you to call my father a rebel.' The
tory raised his musket, v/hen she, with great calmness, reproved
him for his insolence and bade him begone. The coward turned
away abashed, and she remained uninjured. The narrative
thus continues: — 'Her letters written about this time, many of
which are now in existence, abound in patriotic spirit. Excited
by personal wrongs and the aggressions she witnessed all around
her, she gave vent to her feelings in most severe reproaches up-
on the enemy, and in fervent prayers for the American success.
But although thus exposed, she refused to leave her home, and
continued to reside in the same place until the close of the war.
Mrs. Beeckman possessed a powerful memory, and to the close

Vol. I. 42

OOK

HISTORY OF THE

of her life could relate with exact minuteness, the interesting
events of which she was cognizant ; and the recital of those in-
cidents abounded in interest, as all who know her can well bear
witness.'

"A number of years after the war, Mrs. Beeckman removed
to the old manor house, on Philips' manor, situated in what is
now known as Beeckmantown, where she continued 16 reside
to the day of her death.

" Mrs. Beeckman was a lady of the old school, possessed of a
high wsense of honor, exact principles and an unconquerable wilt,
with a vigorous mind and a powerful memory. She retained
her faculties unimpaired to the day of her death. She lived be-
yond the allotted period of life, and could almost gaze upon the
face of a second century of existence. The scenes of her child-
hood were ever before her ; but of the friends of her childhood,
how few remained. Her destiny was fulfilled, and on the four-
teenth of March, 1847, a Sabbath morning, she gave a farewell
glance o'er the scenes of her eventful life, and without a sigh re-
signed her spirit to the God who gave it."

Col. Watson Webb is the present occupant of the manor
house.

The ancient Dutch Church is agreeably situated a short dis-
tance from the manor house, near the northern edge of the hol-

Dutch Reformed Church, Sleepy Hollow.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

331

l&w. This venerable edifice, believed to be the oldest chnrch
now standing in the state, is built of stone nnd brick, the latter
having been imported from Holland for the express purpose.
Its antique belfry and hipped roof, present quite a picturesque
appearance. Tlxe entrance was formerly through a porch on the
south side ; this has been recently changed to the western end
facing the road.

On the north side of the doorway is inserted a stone tablet
inscribed as follows :

ERECTED AND BUILT BY FREDERICK

PHILIPS AND CATHARINE VAN CORTLANDT

HIS WIFE, IN 1699.

The interior of the building has undergone considerable re-
pairs and alterations^ semi Gothic lights having supplanted the old
fashioned square headed windows. The pulpit and Heilig Avond-
maal (holy communion table) were like the bricks originally im-
ported from Holland. The former being a capacious affair, sur-
mounted by a sounding board. Like the church itself, we are sorry
to say, the pulpit and canopy have not escaped the hands of
modern innovation ; we believe they are now spread piece meal
throughout the country ; but thanks to a few generous spirits,
the communion table still remains unchanged, a venerable relic
of a by-gone age. . .

Communion Table.

The bell of this church was cast to order in Holland, and pre-

332

HISTORY OF THE

seated by Frederick Philips. It is richly ornamentedj and bears
the following inscription.

^^TlyETJS^^rSO -J^QBIS - gUIS ' C QNTBA- I^TQ S ' 1685

The western end of the building is surmounted by a curious
vane, in the shape of a flag bearing the initials of the illustrious
founder, Vrederick Felypsen.

At an early date, Mr. Felypsen of the city of New York, records
the brand mark for himself and all his plantation in the county
of Westchester, viz.^ z'^^^^^^s^

The communion service presented by the Philipse family, con-
sists of two silver bekers, the first richly engraved with floriated
tracery, bears the name of Fredrych Flypse, and stands about
seven inches high. The second is also richly engraved whh an-
tique figures, representing angels, birds, fruits and flowers, be-
side, three ovals containing emblematic figures of Faith, Hope
and Charity, near the top is engraved the name of Catharina van
Cortlandt, this cup stands nearly six inches and a half high.

The Bekers and Baptismal Bowl.

« Co. Rec. Lib. A. 221.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 333

There is likewise a baptismal bowl composed of solid silver,
eight inches and half in diameter, bearing the name of Fredrych
Felypse.

These articles are rendered extremely valuable by the distin-
guished characters who gave them, and well deserve the stran-
ger's notice ; they are at present under the care of the sexton who
resides at Tarrytown. Catharine Philipse the liberal benefac-
tress of this church, by her last will dated on the 7th of Jan. 1730,
bequeathes one of the bekers, the damask tablecloth and commu-
niontable to her son-in-law Adolph Philipse, and to his heirs
forever in trust for the church, in the following manner.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law Adolph Philipse and to his
heirs forever, a large silver beaker, on which my name is engraved, a
damask table cloth, five Dutch ells and three quarters long^ and two and a
half broad, with a long table, in trust to and for the congregation of the Dutch
Church erected and built at Philipsburgh, by my late husband Frederick Phil-
ipse deceased, according to the discipline of Dort, which beker and cloth I
•will and direct shall be always kept at the mansion house of the said Adolph
Philipse and his heirs, in that part of the manor of Philipsburgh, where-
on the said church is erected, to and for the use of the said Church and
congregation, and to and for no other use or purpose whatsoever, &c. Item,
I give and bequeath unto the children of Paules Vanderhiders, the sum
of £25 current money, &c. Item, I will and direct, that Matty and Sarah,
ray Indians or muster slaves, shall be manumitted and set at full freedom.^
Item, all the residue and remainder of my whole estate, both real and personal
whatsoever and wheresoever, I do give, devise and bequeath, to my brother
Jacobus van Cortlandt, one-fifth, and to all the children of his deceased brother
Stephanus, and the daughters of his eldest son Johannes, a fifth part, share and
share alike, another fifth part to the children of my deceased sister, Marietje van
Renssalear, &c., another fifth part of my said estate to the three grand child-
ren of my deceased sister Sophia Teller, to be divided between her grandson
Andrew, and the children of her son Oliver, deceased, the remaining fifth part

» It is a well known fact, that slavery existed in this county at an early pe-
riod of its settlement, of which abundant evidence can be produced, but no re-
cord appears that native Indians were enslaved until 1705, when we find the
following deed of gift executed by Elizabeth Legget, of Westchester, in favor of
her daughter Mary : " I hereby give, grant and confirm, unto the said Mary, her
heirs and assigns forever, my two negro children, born of the body of Hannah, my
necrro woman, of the issue of the body of Robin, my Indian slave. There are also
several bills of sale recorded of Indian squaws being furnished by a dealer in New
York, named Jacob Decay. Westchester Rec

334 HISTORY OF THE

and residue, unto the children of Philip Schuyler deceased, eldest son of my
sister, Cornelia Schuyler deceased, and Oliver Schuyler, &c.=^

Tradition asserts that Catharine Philipse was in the habit of
riding up from the city of New Yorlv on horseback, mounted on
a pillion behind her favorite brother, Jacobus van Cortlandt, for
the purpose of superintending the erection of this church; her
husband was at this time a merchant in the cit^r. These jour-
neys were generally performed during moonlight nights. Who
could relate the interesting conversations that must have passed
between the affectionate brother and sister, as they thus sat
on horseback pursuing their lonely route from the metrop-
olis, and the joy of the latter when the glorious work was com-
pleted ? This illustrious lady must certainly havejaken a very
active part, not only in the building, but in the procuring and
subsequent settlement of the ministry therein, which plainly ap-
pears from the ancient records of the Dutch church, where her
name occurs, as first on the list of its members, in 1697.

"First and before all the right honorable, God-fearing, very
wise and prudent, my lady Catharina Philipse, widow of the
lord Frederick Philipse of blessed memory, who have promoted
down service here in the highest praiseworthy manner." The
Dutch church and its vicinity is tluis described in the well known
legend of Sleepy Hollow. " The sequestered situation of this
church," says the author of the legend, " seems always to have
made it a favorite haunt of troubled spirits. It stands on a knoll
surrounded by locust trees and lofty elms, from among which its
decent white washed walls shine modestly forth, like chris-
tian purity, beaming through the shades of retirement. A gentle
slope descends from it to a silver sheet of water bordered by high
trees, between which peeps may be caught at the blue hills of the
Hudson. To look upon its grass-grown yard where the sunbeams
seem to sleep so quietly, one would think tliat there at least the
dead might rest in peace. On one side of the church extends a
wide woody dell, along which laves a large brook among broken
rocks and trunks of fallen trees. Over a deep black part of the

» Surro'iate's office N. Y. No. XI. 85.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 335

stream, not far from the church, was formerly thrown a wooden
bridge ; the road that led to it and the bridge itself were thickly-
shaded by overhanging trees which cast a gloom about it even in
the day time, but occasioned a fearful darkness at night."^

" It was in this church that the never-to-be-forgotten yankee
pedagogue, Ichabod Crane, in rivalry of the old dominie, led off
the choir, making the welkin ring with the notes of his nasal
psalmody. It was too in the ravine, just back of the church,
that this redoubtable hero, Ichabod, had his fearful midnight en-
counter with the headless horseman and forever disappeared from
the sight of the goodly inhabitants of Sleepy Hollow."^

The grave yard is delightfully situated on the north side of the
church, upon a gentle acclivity. " Some of the tomb-stones are
of the rudest sculpture; upon many of them are inscribed, in
Dutch, the names and virtues of the deceased, with their por-
traitures curiously carved in the similitude of cherubs."

Ileer legt Begraven Heer legt Begraven

Het Lechaam van Het Lechaam van Jochum van

Hendrick van I'assel, Wert overleeden den 18

Gebooren den 7 Aug. 1704. van Aug. 1770, out

zynde omtrent 72 yaaren.

Mors vincit omnia.

Te Geduchtenis van

Catriena Ecker, wedue van

Petrus van Tessel, geboren

Nov. 10, 1736, overleeden

de 10 van Jan'y, 1793, out zynde

56 yaaren en i rnaanden, (fee.

* Legend of Sleepy Hollow, by Washington Irving,
b Barber's Hist. Col.

336 HISTORY OF THE

Peter Paulding, an officer Sacred

in the Revolutionary army, to the memory

who died March 3, 1S42, of Colonel

in the 73d year of Barnardus Swartwout, jim.,

his age. a soldier of the Revolution,

born Sept. 26th .1761.
deceased Oct. 8th, 1824.

Memory of Captain
John Buckhout who departed
this life April the lOih, 1785,

aged 103 years, and left

behind him when he died,

124 children and grandchildren.

There are vaults in the yard belonging to the Paulding, Brown,
Beeckman and Brush families.

The Dutch church at Sleepy Hollow appears to have been
first organized in 1697, for the ancient books are still extant, con-
taining the names of members at that early date. We have pre-
viously shown that the present edifice was erected in 1699.

Prior to the year 1771, this society (like the rest of the Dutch
churches in the colony of New York,) was under the supervision
of the Classis of Amsterdam, the latter body being subordinate to
the Synod of North Holland. In the contest concerning the sub-
stitution of the English for the Dutch preaching cir. 1764, the
members of this church took an active part, some supposing that
by the suppression of the last it would necessarily involve in
course of time the loss of the doctrines, the mode of worship, the
government, nay even the very name of the church itself. The
Rev. Mr. Johannes Ritzema, at this time the stated supply at
Sleepy Hollow, uniformly acted throughout this trying period,
as the friend of the English party. Upon the formation of the
General Synod of the Reformed Dutch Church in North Amer-
ica, in 177], this church was decreed to belong to the Assembly

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 337

of New York, now called the Classis of New York. The arti-
cles of union agreed upon by the Synod of 1771 were subscribed
(among others) by Johannes Ritzema and Pierre van Cortlandt of
Westchester county. The Dutch Reformed Church at Tarry-
town is attached to the mother church, its pastor having the
charge of both congregations. The first minister of the church,
A. D. 1697, was the Rev. AVilliam Barthoti', styled in the church
records, the well learned and Godly Dominus Guilliaume Bar-
thoff.

This individual resided at Hackinsack, New Jersey, but per-
formed services here three or four times a year ; he continued liis
ministrations with great acceptance until tjie year 1715.

The following item occurs in the church books, (relating to the
expense of bringing and returning the abovesaid minister.) " We
have paid Thomas van Houtten, who has fetched said minister
and brought him over and taken him back again, whom we have
satisfied according to our bounden duty, and with that, it may
please the Almighty and merciful God to grant him to come for
a long time."

The successor of Mr. BarthofF was the Rev. Johannes Ritzema,
styled in the church records " verge doctrinae minister," (minis-
ter of the true doctrine.) This gentleman continued to supply
the church until the commencement of the Revolution. »•

From this general account of the church, we proceed to give
a few extracts from its original records. The oldest book is thus
entitled, '* Het notitie boeck der Christeutycke Kerck op de Manner
op Philipsburgh ;" that is. the memorandum book of the Christian
Church of the Manor of Philipsburgh. Upon the back of this
volume is the following motto. ■ '

" Endraght maakt magt, maar twist verquist.'*
''' Unity makes might, but discord squanders,"

The first line of the above was originally adopted as the na^

» One of the sons of the Rev. Mr. Ritzema was a commissioned officer in the

British service ; this gentleman prior to the Revolution kept a military school at
Tarrytown.

Vol. I. 43

338 HISTORY OF THE

tional motto of the United Netherlands, in 1578, " when the
seven northern provinces united for mutual interest and defence,
which union actualh^ proved the precursor of their deliverance
and esfablishmenl as a natio n.'^-

The preface of tlie original book runs thus, viz.

" To give the kind reader a right idea why, and at what time,
this church book, or particular memorandum according to Chris-
tian church order, is made, to be for the satisfaction of every one.
Also, first with regard to his Royal Majesty of England, Scot-
land, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. has pleased
towards the year of our Lord Jesas Christ, 1680, by prerogative,
consent and license to give to the Hon. Lord Frederick Phillips
to purchase freely as or for hereditary purchase, a parcel of land
or valley, so, and as it is situated in the county of Westchester in
America, beginning at the river of Spyten Devil's kill, running
north along the river, until the kill of Kitchawong, &c., &c., as
in the license and patent is contained, which is called Philips-
burgh ; to indicate further in what manner and good affection
these first Christian inhabitants have shown in the middle of
heathenism, and with and about heathens to live, as true Chris-
tians, having first thought good and highly necessary, on the
Lord's day, to gatiier together, and in a place for that purpose fit*
to pray together, God the Lord with their whole heart to praise,
and thank him with psalms and hymns, <Scc.

" Furthermore it was also thought very necessary to look for a
reformed preacher, and to want him to preach three or four
times in the year, and to administer the holy sacraments, and
that the congregation might become participant thereby, and so
much the better by the grace of God, with the covenants of his
holy sacraments, according to the true Christian reformed re-
ligion.

" And as the Hon. servants of the church experience that up to
this time, being the 3d day of November, in the year of our Lord
1715, there are no church memorandum, it has appeared neces-

» Pro. N. Y. Hist. Soc. p. 56.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 339

sary and ^ood to us for what is past, forasmuch as we can find
out according to the upright proof to put it down, also first and
successively to put down the annotations in this book by one of
our members of Jesus Christ, whom we judge to be able and to
possess tire knowledge thereto, to put rightly and successively
what will come to our knowledge and experience, that which
we can find out with truth as will follow.

The volume itself is divided into eight special books, the last
of which contains the previous memoranda abbreviated and con-
cluded for the accommodation of the kind reader.

The first hook contains the first memorandum of the yearly
ministry of the word of God and the holy sacraments, as also the
salary for each journey, per year and date as noted.

In the second book is registered the names of the members of
Jesus Christ, who after Christian examination and exhortation
have disposed themselves to receive the Lord's holy communion.
In the third book of the church memorandum are also re-
gistered the names from year to year of the election of elders
and deacons to be accepted and confirmed thereto, the year and
date, with the addition of the resigning elders and deacons after
they will have served two years.

The fourth book contains the names of the baptized children,
together with the names of their respective parents, also the names
of the witnesses, and in what year and month, <fcc.

The fifth book contains the names of those who in the s\^\n
of God and his communion; after three previous solemn proclama-
tions, have let themselves been confirmed in the lawful matri-
monial state, and in what year and month. / ■

The sixth book in which is notified the receipt and the expendi-
ture of the deacons, according to the list thereof, &c., in order to
see the settlement of accounts.

The seventh book in which is noted the expenditure and re-
ceipt of the chest of the poor, with additipn to whom and where-
fore.

The eighth and last hook being the conclusion of all the pre-
vious books.

In the first booh occiu's the following entry.

340 HISTORY OF THE

"Finding out from the meniovandum of Mr. Abraham de Ri-
viere that the well-learned, godly Do niniis Guilliaume BarthoiF
has accepted according to request of the first inhabitants and re-
spective congregation of Philipsburgh, in the year of onr Lord,
1697, to come to preach here three or four times God's holy
\vord, and to teach and to serve the holy sacraments, which
through God's particular grace he has continued to do laudably
up to this present date, the 2d November, 1715, and have given
the said minister, according to our bounden duty, his content-
ment and satisfaction ; as also to Theunis van Houtten who has
fetched said minister from Hackinsack, &c., for which we are
particularly and gratefully obliged, to show for the usual benefi-
cence of the High, Hon. and very prudent my lady Mrs. Catha-
rine Philipse."

" In the second book is registered all the names of the Hon. per-
sons, who after Christian examination and exhortation, have dis-
posed themselves to have been accepted members of Jesus Christ,
and worthy to appear at the table of the Lord, and to receive
the holy sacrament of communion, A. D. 1697. First and before
all the Right Honorable God-fearing, very wise and prudent my
Lady Catharine Philipse, widow of the Lord Frederic Philipse
of blessed memory, who have promoted divine service here in
the highest praiseworthy manner."

" The continuation of the congregation of Philipsburgh.

Abraham de Reviere,

Dirck Storm and Maria his wife,

Isaac Sie, the elder, and Esther his wife,

Isaac Sie, junr.

Jacob van Texel and Aeltje his wife,

Joacham van Weert and Christyntje his wife,

Sebastiaen Michgielze and Galanti,

Sybouwt Kranckheyt and Marytje his wife,

Gregoris Storm and Engeltje his wife,

Ryck Abranise and Tryntje his wife,

Powlus Reetan and Angelica his wife,

Albret Gardenier and Mariije his wife,

Peter Sie and Pizcn lla his wife,

J'ln lacker and Alagilaleentje his \v'i(\

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 341

Jacobus Sie and Catharina his wife,

Jan Fowseer and Eva his wife,

Jan Louwrenzs and Marytje his wife,

Andries van Dyck and Gessje his wife,

Jan van Texel and Catharina his wife,

Isaac van Dyck and Barbera his wife,

Abram de Vauw and Marytje his wife,

Abram de Reviere, jun., and Weijntje his wife,

Geertje wife of Pieter Breys,

Gerridit van Weert and Cathalijna his wife,

Annetje Branckert wife of Hendrick Krankheyt,

Jan Hart from Switzerland,

BeelUtje wife of Jacob van Weert,

David Storm and Esther his wife,

Louwrens Mathysie Banckert and Neitje de Groot his wife.

Barent Duytsen and Maritje,

Lodewyck Ackerman and Hillegenda,

Margarietje wife of Joseph Escoth,

Rachel the wife of Thos. Hyert,

William Artzen, his daughter above named,

Abram van Dyck and Elizabetli,

Herman Jurckze and Maria, . _

Antje van Weert wife of Samuel Canckle, : '

Antje Sybouwt wife of Jan Beesly, -- • ^'

Peter Storm and Margarietje, -. -

Antje wife of Henderick Kranckheyt, ■ ~ •

Antje van Lent wife of Corel Davidson, ; ■

Cornelis van Texel and Antje his wife,

Antje Keninck wife of Lowies Bowie." -

The sixth church book commences with the following preface :
*' In this book is noted from the existing notes the receipt and
expenditure of each outgoing deacon, since the year of our Lord,
A. D. 1697. Being intended to note said accounts uprightly, as
per contents of the notes in this book, as much as will be possible
according to truth, but as it is very dangerous for a good pilot to
arrive safely in a strange harbor without falling on a bar or rock,
principally in dark weather, I request accordingly very earnestly

342 HISTORY OF THE

and in a friendly manner, from the kind reader, to please to take
in good part if any obscure notes might come in my way as ac-
cording- to our opinion, we find some somewhat obscure ; it is;
however, my intention, with the help of God, according to the
best of my knowledge to close the following accounts according
to truth and to make a beginning firstly outgoing deacon as
follows :

1697, the 30th October, Jan Ecker received in his deaconship
for£S5 Is.

1699, the 6th of August, Jan Ecker having finished his time,
as appears by his delivered notice of his service as deacon, shows
his receipt of the communion money to be £54 16. Further I
find a notice dated 25d August, 1702, in which Jan Ecker ac-
knowledges when he was deacon to remain of his receipts above
the expenditure up to £149 in money. By which it would ap-
pear as said above. The receipt at two periods of the deaconship
by said Jan Ecker has been and will amount to £288 17 0.

The receipts of Jacobus Sie, deacon in 1701, were £254 1^.
Credit expenditure for the church for bread and wine for com-
munion to the sum of £61 10
and the present moneys are found to be 192 11

which have been put in the box of the church."

£254 1
Upon the 24th of August, 1787, Isaac Stoutenburgh and Philip
van Cortlandt (commissioners of forfeitures for the southern dis-
trict of New York,) conveyed to the trustees of this church and
their successors, &c., "all that certain church and two acres o
land adjoining thereto, including the burial ground situated near
the upper mills in the said manor, bounded southerly and west
by the post road or highway, and north and eastward ly by the
land of Gerardus G. I^eeckman ; and also that certain farm of
land situate and lying and being in the said manor of Philips-
burgh, &-C., bounded westward! y by Hudson's river, northerly
by laud now or late belonging to John van Wart, easterly by land
now or late belonging to Jacob Buckhout, and southerly by land
now or late Gloud Requa's containing 100 acres more or less," (fec.^

• From the original document in possession of the trustees.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

343

The first incorporation of the Reformed Protestant Dutch
Church in Philips manor took place on the 24ih of January,
1792.b

Predikanten van de Kerk op Puilipsburg.
Tyd vaji Bevestegiiig. Predikanten.

1697, Dom. Guliehnus BartliolfT, vcrae doctrina3 minister.
Dom. Johannes Ritzema, V. D. M.
Dom. Stephen van Vorhees, V.
Dom. John F. Jackson. V.
Dom. Thomas Smith, Y.

1760,
1785,
1795,
1798,

1838,

Dom. George Dubois,

Jan. 28th, 1845, Dom. Joseph Wilson, V.

Kerkelyk Aanteken.
A.D. 1697. Communicants, 73, Baptisms,'^ 11,
A.D. 1707. " '^ 13,

A.D. 1760. , « • " 48,

A.D. 1845. > '" ' 218, " 3.

.. ... DE OUDERLINGEN EN DIAKENEN

VAN DE

KERK OP PHILIPSBURG.

A.D.

Ouderlingen.

Diakenen.

1697.

Abram de Reviere,

.Tan Ecker,

1698.

Ryck Abramse,

Woltiert Ecker, • .:-

1699.

Joachim Wouters,

David Storms,

1700.

Sybout Herriksen,

Abram de Reviere, jr.

1701.

Jan Hart,

Jacobus Sie,

1702.

David Storm,

Jan Ecker,

1703.

David Storm,

Andries van Dyck,

1704.

Jan Ecker,

Abram de Reviere,

1705.

Jan Hart,

Gerrit van Weert,

1706.

Wolffert Ecker,

Barent Duytser,

1177.

David Storm,

Isaac van Dyck,

a This church was again incorporated on the 20th of June, 1792. Religious Soc.
Lib. A. 99.

b The first child baptized in this church was Rebecca, daughter of Jan and
Maria Heyert, Ryck Abramse and Clyntje, his wife, witnesses.

344

HISTORY OF THE

A.D. OuderUn;^e7i.

170S. Abram de Reviere,

1709. David Storm,

1710. David Storm,

1715. Jan Harmse,
Jan Hart,

1716. David Storm,

1717. Cornelius van Texel,

1718. Sybout Harckse,
Barent Duytser,

1719. Gerrit van AVeert,

1720. Abram van Dyck,

1722. Barent Duytser,

1723. David Storm,

1724. Abram de Vouw,

1725. Jeremias Henniff,

1726. David Storm,

1727. Jan van Tessel,

1728. Abram Martelingh,

1729. David Storm,

1730. Abram Martelingh,
Thomas Storm,

1731. Gerrit van Weert,

1732. Jacobus Stoutenburgli

1733. David Storm,

1734. Jan Bouckhout,

1735. William Kemmen,

1736. Jan van Tessel,
Thomas Storn^,

3 737. Barent Duytser,
Peter Buys,

1738. Jacobus Stoutenbursfh
Jan van Texel,

1739. David Storm,
Jan Bouckhout,

1742. Johannis Cle.Vians,
Thomas Storm,

1743. Peter Buys,

6"J

Diakenen.
Abram de Vouw,
Cornel is van Texel,
Gerrit van Weert,
Jacob Sie,

Jan van Texel,
Thomas Storm,
Deliefferius Concklin,
Abram Martelingh,
Jan Bouckhout,
Thomas Storm,
Peter Buys,
Hendrick Kranckheyt,
Deliefferius Concklin,
Willem Kemmen,
Jan Bouckhout,
Jacobus Stoutenburgh,
Matthes Canckely,
Jacobus Stoutenburgh,

Jonas Juel,
Joannes Clemens,
Jan Belyce,
Joachim van Weert,
Deliefferius Concklin,
Joannes de Vouw,
Adolph Banckert,
Stephen Ecker,
David Ackerman,
Hendrick van Texel,
Adolph Banckert,
Jacob van Weert,
Harmanis Gardenier,
Johanis Syffer,
Jan Storm,
William Davidson,

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

345

A.D. Ouderlingen.

Jonas Juel,

1744. Johannes Clemans,
Johannes de Youw,

1745. Jan Bockhout,
Hendrick van Tessel,

1746. Jooris Juel,
Thomas Storm,

1748. William Davids,
Johannes Seyfer,

1749. Abraham Martlingh,
Hendrick van Tessel,

1750. Thomas Storm,
Hendrick van Tessel,

1751. William Davids,
Jan Bolye,

1753. William Hemman,
Joris Juell,

1754. Hendrick van Tessel,
Jan Bockhout,

1756. Joris Juell,
Hendrick Storm,

1757. Thomas Storm,
Johannes Siffer,

1758. William Aertse, •
David Storm,

1760. Hendrick Storm,
Johannes Duytser,

1762. Hendrick van Tessel,
Benjamin Brown,

1763.

1764. Thomas Storm,
Jan En tens,

1766. William van Wert,
William Arse,

1767. Dirck van Tessel,
Hendrick Storm,

1769. William van Noorstrand,
Vol. I. 44

Dlakenen.
Dirck van Texej,

Everett Bruyn,

Hendericus Storm,

Johannes Duytser,

Jacob Buys,

Harmen Jurckso,

Jan Balye,

JMatthys Cancklingh,

Barent Duytser,

William van Weart,

David Storm,

Hendiicus Storm,

Harman Turckse,

Hendrick Storm,

Joachim van Waert,

William Brit,

Jeremias Mevie,

Barent Duytser,

Harman Davids,

Dirck Storm,

Abraham Martlinghs, jr.

Johannes van Tessel,

William van Noostrand,

Jan Eiitens,

Johannes van Tessel, •

David Sie,

Johannes van Tessel,

William Turckse,

Henry van Wormer,

Isaac He mm en.

Nicklass Storm,

William Breis,
Arie van Wormer,
Abram Bruin,
Jan Hem men,
Abraham Storm,

346 HISTORY OF THE

A.D. OnderUngen. Diakenen.

1769. William Aerse, Thomas Sampewa,

1770. Claes Storm, Marteines van Wert,
William Turckse, Jacob van Tessel,

1771. William van Wait, . Jacobus Davids,
Abraham Bruyn, Jacobus Sie,

1773. Jan Enters, Barent Lemetter,
Abraham Storm, Jacob Bockhout,

1774. William Aarse, Peter Hick,
Martynis van Wart, Jan Storm,

1776. Hendrick Storm, Jacob van Wart,

David Sie, Peter Sic,

1790. Isaac Johnson, William van Wart,

Hendrick Storm, Jan van Tessel.

Thomas Buys,

The Pocanteco river has a two fold source, the first being on the
lands of Isaac Lounsberry, in the vicinity of the Chappequa
hills : and the other, a short distance from it.

After a progress of four miles, these streams unite and become
a beautiful river, which is subsequently strengthened and aug-
mented by numerous tributaries flowing from an extensive dis-
trict of hills and valleys.

The whole course of this river from its spring heads to its
outlet in the Hudson, is fraught with scenes of picturesque and
romantic beauty. " Far in the foldings of the hills, (says the
author of the Sketch Book) winds this wizard stream, sometimes
silently and daikly through solemn woodlands, sometimes spark-
ling between grassy borders or fresh green meadows, sometimes
stealing along the feet of rugged heights under tlie balancing
sprays of beech and chesnut trees. A thousand chrysial springs
with which this neighborhood abounds, sent down from the hill
sides their whimpering rills, as if to pay tribute to tlie Pocante-
co."a In the neighborhood of the acqueduct, is a deep ravine,
which forms the dreamy region of sleepy hollow. A narrow and
broken path which sweeps along the south east bank of the hol-
low, leads to the foot of the redoubted hill where once stood the

• Kuickerbocker Magazine for 1839.

COUiNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 347

school house, in which the celebrated Ichabod Crane " tarned,"
for the purpose of instructing the youth of this vicinity. *• The
whole of the neighborhood (observes the author of the Sketch
Book) abounds with local tales, haunted spots and twilightsupersti-
tions." " The dominant spirit, however, that haunts this enchanted
region, and seems to be commander-in-chief of all the powers of
the air, is the apparition of a figure on horseback without a head.
It is said by some, to be the ghost of a Hessian trooper, whose
head had been carried away by a cannon ball in some nameless
battle during the revolutionary war, and who is ever and anon
seen by the country folks, hurrying along in the gloom of night,
as if on the wings of the wind."

" It is alleged that the body of the trooper having been buried
in the church yard, the ghost rides forth to the scene of battle, in
nightly quest of his head, and that the rushing speed with which
he sometimes passes along the hollow, like a midnight blast, is
owing to his being belated and in a hurry to get back to the
church yard before daybreak."

iSuch is the general purport of this legendary superstition.
The spectre is known by the name of the " Headless Horseman
of Sleepy Hollow.''^

The bridge so famous in goblin story, crossed the hollow, a
few yards east of the present structure, the road having been al-
tered within a few years.

A little north of Sleepy Hollow church, lies the Beeckman
forest, an extensive tract of woodland, ranging principally east
and west of the Albany post road. These woods formerly cove-
red a much larger district of country, and abounded in fine tim-
ber; while the thickets and glades, served as a favorite haunt for
large herds of wild deer. The perpetual harassing of this noble
game, in spite of fines and imprisonment, has long ago extermi-
nated the whole race in this county, in the year 1705, (to prevent
if possible, their entire destruction,) it was enacted by the governor
council and general assembly, " that whosoever within the county
of Westchester, Christian or Indian, freeman or slave, after the
first day of January, which will be in the year of our Lord, 1705,

Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

34S HISTORY OF THE

shall kill or destroy any buck, doe or fawn, or any sort of deer
whatsoever, at any time of the year, except only between the
first day of August and the first day of January, shall forfeit and
pay the sum of twenty shiUings lawful money of New York,
or in default thereof, suffer imprisonment for the time and space
of twenty days without bail or mainprize, and all dogs also found
chasing deer, to be shot during those times.''^

These sp2cial enactments were doubtless procured through the
influence of the Philipses and Van Cortlandts, whose families
were both represented in the governor's council at that period, espe-
cially, as the lord of the manor of Cortlandt, was ranger within
the forests of Cortlandt. The manorial proprietors of Phil-
ipsburgh and Cortlandt, had a charter of free warren, i. e. an
exclusive right of pursuing and killing game throughout their re-
spective patents, a privilege which they frequently conceded to
their tenantry. This beautifully wooded region contains many
wild and picturesque scenes, united with charming prospects of
the river.

In the immediate vicinity and bordering the shores of the
Hudson, are located the residences of Commodore M. C. Perry,
the distinguished commander of the gulf squadron, also Commo-
dore Slidell Mac Kenzie. About a mile north from the mouth of
the Pocanteco, is a beautiful little cove called the Haventje,b
near which, is situated the estate and residence of Col. James
AVatson Webb. Within the fertile valley of the Nepera, a
few miles east of Beeckmantown, stands the county poor house, an
incorporated and endowed institution for the afiiicted and indi-
gent. Its officers consist of three superintendants, (who are
nominated by the board of county supervisors,) a keeper,
a physician and teacher. Religious services are maintained
weekly, by the voluntary aid of the neighboring clergy. The
buildings are extensive, and principally constructed of stone. Its
inmates at present, number one hundred and eighty-four. There
are accommodations for three hundred, if necessary. To the

• Acts of Colonial Assembly, G4.

>> Haventj« irt the diiDiniilive of IJ;iven and means a little haven or harbor.

COUNTY OF WESTCPIESTER. 349

south east of the poor house, lies the Paulding farm, now occu-
pied by John Paulding.^

The surrounding neighborhood is rendered pecuUarly attract-
ive, from the contiguity of high hills rising to bold heights,
crowned with rich hanging woods.

The road leading north from the county house, passes near the
celebrated Raven Rock, around which cluster a thousand strange
stories and superstitions. The rock is said to have derived its
name from the fact, that it was once the favorite haunt of that omi-
nous bird, whose hoarse croakings were believed to prognosticate
approaching ill. The ferocious wife of Macbeth, on being advised
of the approach of Duncan, whose death she had conspired, is
made to say in the language of the poet,
'' The raven himself is hoarse
That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan
Under my battlements." — Macbeth, Act 1. scene 5.
This ill omened bird, once, very numerous on our coasts, has
long since retired with the wild game into the interior.

But the dark glen of Raven Rock is now haunted by a far
different object, viz., the lady in white, whose shrill shrieks are
said to be often heard during the long and weary winter nights,
as if presaging a storm. Tradition asserts she perished here in
a deep snow.

" The hungry worm my sister is,
This winding sheet I wear,
And cold and weary lasts my night,
Till the last morn appear."

Margaret'^s Ghost.
The wild and romantic scenery of the glen, seems to favor
these superstitions.

In this vicinity, Jacob Acker and Isaac van Wart, two well
known patriots, made a bold attack upon a small party of British
cavalry. For the purpose of annoying the enemy they concealed
themselves in a neighboring wood, from whence they could
obtain a view of the road ; and, as the British passed in full

e See Greenburgh.

350 HISTORY OF THE

gallop, Acker fired at the commanding officer. The sudden re-
port of the musket frightened the horse, which immediately com-
menced plunging ; the rider in his efibrts to restrain the restive
animal, lost his hat, which Acker determined to possess himself
of; was again reloading his piece, when the enemy not knowing
the number of their assailants deemed it proper to retire, which
they effected with much haste and confusion.

Jacob Acker, commonly called Rifle .Take, is reported to have
killed with his own hands, on different occasions, five or six of the
enemy.

Two miles north-east of the county house are situated the
^^four corners,^^ (so called in contradistinction to the upper,) bet-
ter known as Young^s burnt house.

We learn from the petition of Samuel Young, (former proprie-
tor of this place,) and the report of the committee made thereon,
that at the commencement of the revolutionary war Joseph
Young, father of said Samuel Young, resided about four miles
east of Hudson river, on the road leading from Tarrytown to the
White Plains, that after the British took possession of the city of
New Yoik and part of the county of Westchester, that road was
denominated the American lines. The elevated situation of the
dwelling house and the number of out buildings, rendered it a
convenient post for the American troops ; that from August, 1776,
until February, 1780, the said dwelling house was occupied as
head quarters for the several commanders in those lines, and the
out houses were occupied as barracks for the soldiers, and places
of deposit for their provisions and military stores ; that on the
night of the 24lh of December, 1778, Capl. Williams of the Amer-
ican army, who, with about forty soldiers, was quartered in the
dwelling house and barns, was attacked by the British refugees,
under the command of Major Bearmore ; that said Captain Wil-
liams and a party of soldiers, and said Joseph Young were taken
prisoners ; that the said Young was himself confined in the
provost of the city of New York about one year ; that the barn
of the said Joseph Yonng was burnt by the British refugees, who
also took from the said Joseph Young a large and valuable stock
of cattle; that inj the winter of 1779, said dwelling house and
other buildings were occupied by tiie said continental troops, un-

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 351

der the command of Colonel Burr, and in the spring of that year
Major Hull ; that in the winter of 1780 they were occupied by
Colonel Thompson of the American army, who then commanded
the American troops stationed on the lines; that the prisoners
and military stores belonging to said detachment were deposit-
ed in said buildings ; that on the third of February, 1780, an
attack was made on that post by about 1000 British troops and re-
fugees, under the command of Colonel Norton ; the action com-
menced in the dwelling house, and continued in and about it
until Colonel Thompson had lost either in killed or wounded
about 50 of his men when he surrendered ; that immediately
thereupon the buildings of the said Joseph Young were burnt, by
order of the British commander; that all the clothing, beding
and furniture of the said Joseph Young were destroyed at that
inclement season of the year. 3-

This spot is celebrated in the Westchester Spy, as the site of
the hamlet of the Four Corners, whilst a little west of the pres-
ent Van Wart residence stood the "Hotel Flanagan, a place of
entertainment for man and beast." In front of this imposing edi-
fice, on a rough board suspended from a gallows-looking post, was
written in red chalk,

"ELIZABETH FLANAGAN, HER HOTEL." .

This illustrious personage, (who is said to have invented
the well known beverage, vulgarly called "cock tail,") was
the widow of an American soldier who had fallen in the service
of his country. She appears to have gained her livelihood by
driving a cart to the various military encampments; and as the
Four Corners happened at this time to be the head-quarters of
the Virginia horse, Betty Flanagan had emigrated thither with the
troops. Here she was stationed when the lawless Skinners
dragged in the .pedlar spy.b

After Colonel Burr left the command of the troops on the lines,
in the year 1779, Colonel Thompson, a man of approved bra-
very, assumed it, and fixed his head-quarters at this place. " On
the morning of the 3d of February, 1780, about 9 o'clock, (says

» American State Papers on Revolutionary claims. Doc. 600, page 858.
b See Westchester Spy, by Fennimore Cooper.

352 HISTORY OF THE

General Heath,) ilie enemy made an attack on Lieut. Col. Thomp-
son, who commanded the troops on the lines ; the colonel's
force consisted of two hundred and fifty men, in five companies,
properly Dl^cered ; they were instructed to move between Croton
River and the White Plains, Hudson's River and Bedford; never
to remain long at any one place, that the enemy might not be
able to learn their manner of doing duty, or form a plan for stri-
king them in any particular situation. The colonel had for some
days taken post himself at Young's, not far from the White Plains.
Capt. W\atson, with his company, was with the Lieut. Colonel ;
Capt. Roberts and Capt. Stoddard, with their companies, were on
the right ; Capt. Lieutenant Farley, and Capt. Cooper, on the left.
The force of tlie enemy consisted of four flank companies of the
first and second British regiments of guards, detachments from
two Hessian battalions, some mounted yaugers,and mounted refu-
gees— the whole under the command of Colonel Norton, of the
guards. The roads were so filled with snow, that the enemy ad-
vanced but slowly, and were obliged to leave their field-pieces
behind on the road. They were discovered at a distance by Mr.
Campbell, one of our guides. Vv^ho, from the goodness of his
horse, reconnoitred them pretty near. He gave the lieutenant-
colonel notice of their advancing, and that their force was consid-
erable, and advised him to take a stronger position a little in his
rear. But the lieutenant-colonel was very confident that the en-
emy were only a body of horse, and that he could easily disperse
them, and would not quit his ground. The enemy first attacked
a small advance guard, consisting of a sergeant and eight men,
who behaved well, and meant to reach the main body in season ;
but were prevented by the horse, and all taken prisoners. The
enemy's horse soon appeared in sight of the Americans, and dis-
charged their rifles at long shot, and waited the coming up of the
infantry, when a warm action commenced ; the enemy scattered,
taking the advantage of the ground and trees in the orchard, and
closing up Oil all sides. The three companies of the detachment
which had joined, fought well. After about fifteen minutes
sharp coijflict, our trooj)S broke; some took into the house, and
others made off'; the enemy's horse rushing on at the same instant,
and the whole bhouting. At this time, the two flank companies

COL'NTY OF WESTCHESTER. 353

came up, but finding how matters stood, judged it best to retreat,
Capt. Stoddard's company giving a fire or two at long shot,
Capt. Cooper's, from their distance, not firing at all. Some who
were engaged effected their escape, others were overtaken by the
horse. The enemy collected what prisoners they could, set Mr.
Young's house and buildings on fire, and returned.

Of the Americans, thirteen were killed on the spot, and Cap-
tain Roberts, who was mortally wounded, lived but a few min-
utes. Seventeen others were wounded, several of whom died.
Lieut. Col. Thompson, of Marshall's, Capt. Watson, of Greaton's,
Capt. Lieut. Farley, of Wesson's, Lieut. Barley, of Tupper's,
Lieut. Maynard, of Greaton's, Ensign Fowler, of Nixon's,
Ensign Bradley, of Bigelow's, with eighty-nine others, were
taken prisoners. The enemy left three men dead on the field,
and a captain of grenadiers was wounded in the hip, and a lieu-
tenant of infiuitry in the thigh. The British, in their account of
the action, acknowledged that they had five men killed, and
eighteen wounded. Lieut. Col. Badlam, with the relief for the
lines, was at the time of the action far advanced on his march ^
but not within reach of those engaged.

- One MayheWj a pedlar, well known in Massachusetts, was of
this detachment ; he made off up the road, but finding the horse
rushing on, he struck off into the snow, almost up to his hips.
Two of the enemy's horse turned into his track after him ; and,
gaining fast upon him, he asked them if they would give him
quarter; they replied, "Yes, you dog, we will quarter you."
This was twice repeated, when Mayhew, finding them inflexible,
determined to give them one shot before he was quartered ; and,
turning round, discharged his piece at the first horseman, who
cried out, " The rascal has broken my leg ;" when both of them
turned their horses round, and went off, leaving Mayhew at liberty
to tread back his path to the road, and come off.''^

Thacher, in his Military Journal, thus describes the action.
" February, 1780, Lieutenant Colonel Thompson had the com-
mand of about two hundred and fifty men, as an advanced par-

» Heath's Mem. p. 229.

Vol. L - 45

254 HISTORY OF THE

ty, on onr lines. He was instructed to be constantly alert, and
in motion, that the enemy might not be able to take advantage,
and form a plan for his destruction. It happened, however, that
a detachment of British, Hessians, and mounted refugees, were
discovered advancing towards him, but on account of a very
deep snow obstructing the road, they marched slowly, and Col.
Thompson resolved to defend his ground. The enemy's horse
first advanced and commenced skirmishing till their infantry
approached, when a sliarp conflict ensued, which continued about
fifteen minutes; some of our troops manifested symptoms of
cowardice, and gave way. The enemy secured the advantage,
and rushed on with a general shout, wliich soon decided the con-
test. The Americans lost thirteen men killed, and Captain Ro-
berts,^ being mortally wounded, soon expired ; seventeen others
were wounded. Lieut. Col. Thompson, and six other officers,
with eighty-nine rank and file, were made prisoners. Of the en-
emy, two officers and eighteen men were wounded ; and five
men killed. ''t»

The British advanced by the southern road and divided at the
junction of the Four Corners, one party going west, the other
marching directly upon the house. The party moving west in-
tercepted or cut ofi' Isaac van Wart and a small company under
his command, who were attempting to succour their comrades.
The dead who fell in this engagement, were buried on the east
side of the road, upon the rising bank of a small hollow, north-
east, of the Van Wart residence.

a It was afterwards related by Issac van Wart that (he day previous to this fatal
occurrence, Captain Roberts in a conversation with him, mentioned that his father
had been killed in the old French war, and he was sure he should fall in the pres-
ent struggle. He fell, alas ! not by the hand of a foe, but by one of his' own coun-
trymen, a refugee named Hammond, who as he recognized this brave officer, ex-
claimed " Now I will give it you," and fired with deadly effisct. His body was
found after the conflict, with one of the fingers barbarously bitten for the purpose
of obtaining a gold ring. His murderers had also inhumanly placed their feet
upon the body to draw off his boots. It may be as well to mention here that Col_
Norton was promoted for his services on this occasion. — Editor.

1 Thachcr's Military Journal, 185. ,

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 355

" On this occasion," (says Samuel Young, in a letter written to
Commodore Valentine Morris, dated Mount Pleasant, 25 January,
1814,) " my father's house with all his out-houses were burnt.
After this disaster our troops never made an effort to protect that
part of the country. The American lines were afterwards
changed and extended from Bedford to Croton brido^e, and from
thence following the course of that river to the Hudson. All the
intermediate country was abandoned and unprotected, being
about twenty miles in the rear of the ground which Colonel
Burr had maintained, when posted on the lines. Samuel Young
served under the comaiand of Colonel Burr during the Revolu-
tionary war. a

In the summer of 1S20, a stranger was observed loitering around
the residence of Mr. Van Wart. Upon being questioned, this per-
son stated, that he had taken an active part in the above engage-
ment, and v/ell remembered the spot where he stood, (pointing
to a stone,) when the British guard were first seen advanciiig
from the west. He had just discharged his piece, and was en-
gaged in loading it, v\hen he received a bullet in his breast^
which passed through his body. Fortunately he happened to be
leaning a little to the right, otherwise the vitals could not have
escaped. I'he old veteran further stated that he was then on hi§
way to obtain certificates I'or a pension.

At the Four Corners, Thaddeus Kosciusko also fixed his
head-quarters, when the American army lay eiicamped in this
vicinity.^ From Samuel Young the Corners passed to Isaac van'

» Davis's Mem. of Burr, vol. i. 105. "^ '•■ '

b Near the blacksmith's shop^ (on the road leading from the Corners to Whitja
Plains,) a duel was fought between General Gates and Colonel Wiikins, Sept. 11,
1778. Two shots, saj's Thaclier, were exchanged without bloodshed, and a recon-
ciliation was efTected. The gentlemen, it is said, displayed a firmness and bravery
becoming their rank and cliaracter, and have established their claim to the title of
gentlemen of honor, «fcc., &c. Thacher's Military Journal, p. 145.

In this neighborhood resided the noted Brom Boycc, " who at the early age of
sixteen, enrolled himself among the minute men of the American army. He was
Boon distinguished for his bravery and daring, and was recognized as the best guide
to be procured in this vicinity.'' " Boyce, after the Revolution, followed tlie busi.
ness of a carman iu the city of Xew York. He was a member cf the Bedford

<- —^ —
• /

356 HISTORY OF THE

Wart, one of the captors of Andre, who exchanged the original
farm granted by the State tor this property. Jt is at present
owned by his son the Rev. Sandy van Wart.

In the south-east comer of this town is situated upon lands of
William Fowler a gloomy cavern connnonly called Kettle Hole,
near the moutji of which rises a mineral spring.

The settlement of the upper corners is situated three miles north
of the lower. Here stands the well known tavern of Isaac
Twitchings, whose name has conferred on the place the appellation
of Twirchings' corners. During one period of the revolution,
a continental picket guard \vas stationed here.

On the 30th of August, 1779, Capt. Hopkins of Moylan's light
dragoons, together with a small detachment from Sheldon's horse,
proceeded from their quarters in North Castle, to the vicinity of
the upper cross roads: here they ascertained that Col. Emmer-
ick was advancing by the way of White Plains. Emmerick him-
self having received similar information of Hopkins' advance,
had previously dispatched Col.Bearmore with a strong body of De
Lancey's cavalry, directing them to proceed by the way of Davis's
brook east of the upper cross roads. Hopkins pursued another
route inclining west of Twitchings', passing the residences of
IMr. Avery and Col. Hammond, where he posted a strong de-
tachment of light dragoons under the command of Cornet Pike,
(afterwards General Pike) south of the Tarrytown road. He
then proceeded witfi the rest of his detachaient, to meet Emmer-
ick in person. He soon perceived the enemy advancing with a
smnll body of cavalry.

Hopkins now retreated, leading Emmerick into his ambuscade
stationed in Storms's wood. The consequence of this sudden
surprisal was the destruction of the whole corps, with the excep-
tion of Emmerick and a few dragoons. Twenty-three of the
enemy were killed in this encounter. Hopkins now turned upon
Einmerick, pursuing him so closely for the distance of half a

Slri'cl church about thirty-five years, and died in 1839, aged eighty-two years.
Huj reiuaLiid were interred at 'i'arrvtovvn." — Noah's Sunday Times.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 357

mile, that several strokes were exclianored between both parties
until Emmerick cleared a stone wall, behind which he had con-
cealed his riflemen. The whole company instantly rose and
fired simullaneously upon Hopkins, who escaped uninjured ; but
Isaac Odell who rode by his side, was slightly wounded. Hop-
kins thus in turn taken by surprise, wheeled to the west with
his party, and succeeded in overtaking his prisoners, resolving to
make good his retreat by tlie way of the poor house road. He
had proceeded no great distance, when he beheld approaching, a
strong body of Bearmore's horse, in the neighborhood of Avery's
mill, a little north of the poor house. Finding his retreat thus in-
tercepted, he was compelled to take the Bedford road, but he had
scarcely arrived at See's store, when he found Emmerick again
drawn up to dispute the passage. Hopkins a second time discover-
ing his retreat terminated, decided upon a vigorous charge and suc-
ceeded in cutting his way through the detachment with the loss of
a k\v prisoners. A running fight now ensued for about two miles
when Hopkins again found his course blockaded by Col. Wurmb's
yagers. The post road also, was guarded by Pruschanck's
corps, so that Hopkins had no resource left but the fields. He
therefore crossed the mill creek a little north of the Dutch church,
Sleepy Hollow, the whole body of the enemy joining in the pur-
suit. This was kept up until Hopkins arrived near the house of
Job Sherwood, a short distance from the present arch of the Cro-
ton acqueduct, on the road to Sing Sing. Hopkins now rightly
judging that the best horses of his pursuers were far in advance
of their comrades, instantly checked his horse, and in turn be-
came the pursuer. At the spring brook which crosses the road
in the Beeckman wood, he succeeded in capturing one or two
prisoners in the very face of the enemy, and made good his re-
treat.a

Near Twitchings' tavern, resides John Yerks, one of the seven
volunteers connected with the capture of Andre. Mr. Yerks

» The above was related to the author, by Jacob Romer. aij eye witness of tlie
engagement.

35S HISTORY OF THE

served for several years in the capacity of a water guard, and re-
members to have seen on one occasion, as many as fifty British
vessels and galleys stationed on the Hudson river. Near his pre-
sent place of residence, himself with nine others, engaged in a
deadly conflict with a party of twenty Cow boys. In this skir-
mish, they brought off three prisoners and four horses, besides
leaving six of the enemy dead on the field.

The road from Twitchings' descends gradually to the valley
of the saw mill, on the east bank of which, stands the church
and hamlet of Union ville, delightfully sheltered by high hills.
The most prominent object in the immediate vicinity, is the
Buttermilk mountain, which towers like a giant, far above the
neighboring scenery. A small perennial spring rises on its
eastern edge, which has conferred this fanciful name on the hill.
The summit of the mountain commands an extensive view of
the Hudson River and surrounding country.

During the progress of the United States coast survey, the
Buttennilk formed one of its stations.

The Dutch Reformed Church of Unionville, was first organized
in lS20,a under the pastoral charge of the Rev. Tliomas Smith,
and incorporated on the 8th of August, 1842, by the title of the
" Minister, Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Protestant
Dutch Church of Unionville," First elders, John Newman,
Abraham Onderdonck, and Isaac G. Graham, Jun. : first deac-
ons, Abraham Yerks, Thomas Angevine, and Ebenezer New-
man> The successors of the Rev. Thomas Smith have been the
Rev. John JMaule, and the Rev. William S. Moore, present pas-
tor.

-Church Memoranda^
1S25, communicants 122, baptisms 26-
1845, ditto 88, ditto 4.

This church is in connection with the New York classis.

In the immediate neighborhood of Unionville is the residence

• The present churcli edifice was erected the same year.

* Religious Soc Co. Kec. Lib. B. 73.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 359

and estate of Isaac G. CTraham, M. D , for some years a member of
General Washington's medical staff, and a lineal descendant of
the ancient and lionorable family of the Grahams of Montrose in
Scotland, who derive their origin from tlie renowned Grasme in
the fifth cenlnry. In this vicinity also resides Mr. Walter Hunt,
an aged soldier of the revolution.

Pleasantville (formerly Clark's corners,) lies nearly midway
between the Pocanteco and Saw Mill rivers on the north east
border of Mount Pleasant ; the village is delightfully situated
on the western edge of Bear ridge. A beautiful vale extends south,
while through the gap of the western hills may be seen the dis-
tant mountains of Rockland. It contains one church, two stores
a post office, and several dwellings.

The Methodist Episcopal church of Pleasantville appears to
have been the first of that denomination founded in this section
of the country. As early as 1800 a class meeting was organized
on Bear ridge, near the residence of Mr. Jesse Barker. The
present building was erected in 1820. Its pastor in 1847 was the
Rev. Charles T. Pelton. A small burying ground surrounds the
church which contains memorials to the Clarks, Brouvvers, Mon-
troses, Searles, Romers, Ackers and others. - ""-' .^

A short distance west of the village, is situated the Westches-
ter rail road depot and hotel, in front of which, rise high hills,
crowned with luxuriant woods ; among the former are most con-
spicuous, Searles' and Wild boar hills.

" There is in this town a great variety of timber and wood, be-
ing a good proportion of almost every kind which is known to
grow in this part of the country." The surface of the town
is mostly hilly, the soil productive and well cultivated. Mount
Pleasant has the reputation of being rich in mineral productions;
an iron mine has been recently opened on the land of David
Acker. Native iron ore also (probably of meteoric origin) is fre-
quently found on the surface of the earth in various parts of the
town.

The following town officers were elected in pursuance of the
act of 1845.

Isaac Coutant, Supervisor.

360 HISTORY OF THE

Jacob T. Broil wer, Town Clerk.

William Brown, Town Superintendant.

Abraham Brouwer, Trustee of the poor.

Hervey Romer, Assessor.

Henry Clark, Jan., Commissioner of highways.

Amos Clark, Overseer of the poor.

Hebby Brown, Sealer of weights and measures.

Andrew Vincent, Constable.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 361

NEWCASTLE.

This township is situated ten miles north of the village of
White Plains, and distant one hundred and twenty-one miles
from Albany ; bounded north by Cortlandt, Yorktown and So-
mers, east by Bedford, south by North Castle, and west by Os-
sin-in^r and Mount Pleasant. New Castle was taken from the
older town of North Castle, and set off as a separate or distinct
township, on the 18th of March, 1791. By the Indians it was
called Shappequa, probably a corruption of the Algonquin term,
Chapacoiir, which signifies "a vegetable root.''^ The name still
survives in the Shappequa hills. The chief proprietor of these
lands in 1696 was the Indian sachem Wampus, whose principal
residence is said to have been situated near the pond of that
name, in the south-west part of the town. On the south side of
Kirby's pond, (at New Castle corner,) the Indians had their wig-
wams and a burying ground. Their tools are occasionally found
ill the adjoining fidds..b v. ;■ . '. ,

In 1660 John Richbell, of Mamaroneck; purchased of the In-
dians, (who claimed to be lords of the soil,) a large tract of land
extending twenty miles north of the Sound. This grant com-
prised the entire township of New Castle.

The next proprietor was Colonel Caleb Heathcote who obtain-
ed of Mrs. Anne Richbell, a patent right to purchase lands
''which are already included in her husband's sale of 1660."
Upon the 12ih of October, 1696, his Excellency Benjamin
Fletcher, Captain General and Governor of his Majesty's Pro-
vince of New York, &c., did grant unto Caleb Heathcote, Esc^.,

» Beverly's Hist, of Virginia, p. 121.

b The Indians a^e s,^ld io have been very numerous in this town seventy years
ago. , ?',-.'

Vol. I. ' 46 . '

352 HISTORY OF THE

"free liberty and license to pnrcliase vacant land in the county
of "\^'esIchester, between Cioton's river and the south bounds of
j\]r. Harrison's purchase, (fcc."'

Twelve days after the date of the above license, occurs the fol-
lowing deed from the Indians.

"This inueiifure made on the 19th of October, in the eighth year of the
reign of our Sovereign Lord William the Third, by the grace of God, &c.,
&c., and in ilie year of our Lord Christ, 1696, between Wampus, Indian sa-
chem, and others, whose names are hereunto set and seals affixed, native pro-
prietors of all that tract of land, situate, lying, and being in the county of
Westchester in the Province of New York in America, bounded north by
Scroton (Croton) river, easterdly with Byram river and Bedford line, souther-
ly by the land of John Harrison and his associates, and the line stretching to
Byram river aforesaid, and westerdly ly the land of Frederick Philipse."

" Xow ^?ioiv all men that said Wampus, Cornelius and Coharnith, Indian
sachems, and others, whose names are hereunto subscribed and seals affixed,
the native proprietors of all the aforesaid tract of land, have, for and in con-
sideration of the sum of lOOZ. good and lawful money of New Y^ork to them in
bands paid by the said Caleb Heathcote, at and before the ensealing and de-
livery of these present'?, the receipt whereof they do hereby acknowledge,
and themselves and each and every of them to be therewith fully satisfied,
contented and paid, and thereof and every part and parcel thereof, they do by
these presents for ever acquit and discharge the said Caleb Heathcote, his
heirs, executors and administrators, &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, enfeof, release and confirm
unto the Baid Caleb Heathcote, his heirs and assigns, for ever, all that the
before mentioned tract of land within the county of Westchester, bounded as
above expressed and set forth, together with all and singular, the messua-
ges, tenements, gardens, orchards, arable land, pastures, feedings, woods, un-
derwoods, meadows, marshes, lakes, ponds, rivers, rivulets, mines, minerals,
(royal mines only excepted,) fishing, fowling, hunting and hawking, rights,
privileges, hereditaments and appurtenances to the same belonging or in any
ways appertaining, and all the estate, right, interest, claim, possession, pro-
perty and demand of the said Wampus, Cornelius and Coharnith, sachems,
and the other Indians whose names are hereunto subscribed, and each and
every of them, in and to the premises, in and to every part and parcel thereof,
to have and to hold the before mentioned tract of land and all other the above
granted premises to him the said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs and assigns, to
the only proper benefit and behoof of him the said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs
jj.nd assigns for ever. In testimony whereof, the parties to these presents

COUxNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 363

have hereunto set their hands and affixed their seals, the day and year first
above vi'ritten.*

Sealed and delivered in Pathiinck.

presence of Coharnus.

William Lawrence, and Betty Pathunck.

Joseph Samuel. WiUro Coharnus's wife.

Wacapo ^ her mark.
. - ■• '■ • W^ampus, Indian, O liis mark.

(>ornelius, ^ his mark.
Roe Roe, ^ his mark.

The above sale included the township of New Castle, and all
that portion of North Castle, lying west of the Byram River.
Upon the 14th day of February, 1701, the following letters pa-
tent were issued under the great seal of the Province of New York.

"William the Third, by the grace of GoJ, of England, Scotland, France,
and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c., to all to whom this present
shall come or may concerne, greeting : Whereas, our loving subjects, Robert
Walters, Leigh Atwood, Cornelius Depeyster, Caleb Heathcote, JMatthew
Clarkson, John Chohvell, Richard Slater, Lancaster Simes, Robert Lurting,
and Barne Cosens, have, by their petition, presented unto our trusty and well
beloved John Nanfan, Esq., our Lieutenant-Governor and Commander-in-
chief of our province of New York, and the territories depending thereon in
America, &c., prayed our grant and confirmation of a certain tract of land in
our county of Westchester, bounded northerly by the manor of Corilandt, and
eastwardly with Bedford line of three miles, the white fields and Byram River,
southerly by the land of John Harrison, Rye line stretching to Byram River
aforesaid, and the White Plains, and westwardly by Broncks's River and the
manor of Philipsburgh, excepting out of the bounds aforesaid, all the land in
Mr. Richbell's patent, now in the tenure and occupation of Colonel Caleb
Heathcote, which first above named tract of land was purchased by Caleb
Heathcote and others, with whom he has agreed, excepting James Mott and
Henry Disbrow, whom he hath undertaken to satisfy. Within ye bounds there
are, by estimation, about five thousand acres of profitable land, beside wastes
and woodland, which reasonable request wee being willing to grant, hioio ye,
that of our special grace, certain knowledge, and meer motion, we have given
granted, ratified and confirmed, and by these presents doe, for us, our heirs,
and successors, give, grant, ratify and confirm unto our said loving subjects,
Robert Walters, Leigh Atwood, Cornelius Depeyster, Caleb Heathcote, Mat-
thew Clarkson, John Chohvell, Richard Slater, Lancaster Simes, Robert

» Alb. Rec. ludiaa deed.s, warrant for survey, Lib. i. 52, 53,

364 HISTORY OF THE

Lurtino-, and Barne Cosen3,'all the above recited tract of land within our coun-
ty of Westchester, and within the limits and bounds aforesaid, together with
all and singular the woods, underwoods, trees, timber, feedings, pastures, mea-
dows, marshes, swamps, ponds, falls, waters, \-rater courses, rivers, rivulets, runs,
brooks, streams, fishing, fowling, hunting and hawking, mines, minerals (silver
and gold mines excepted,) and all other profits, benefits, privileges, libertyes,
advantages, hereditaments, and appurtenances whatsoever, to the aforesaid
tract of land within the limits and bounds aforesaid, belonging or in any wise
appertaining, to have and to hold, all the aforesaid tract of land, together with
all and singular the woods, underwoods, trees, timbers, feedings, pastures,
meadows, marshes, swamps, ponds, pools, water courses, rivers, rivulets,
runs, brooks, streams, fishing, fowling, hunting and hawking, mines and miner-
als, (silver and gold mines excepted,) and all other profits, benefits, privileges,
liberties, advantages, hereditaments and appurtenances whatsoever to the
aforesaid tract of land within the limits and bounds aforesaid, belonging or in
any ways appertaining unto them, the said Robert Walters, Leigh Atwood,
Cornelius Depeyster, Caleb Heathcote, Matthew Clarkson, John Cholvvell,
Richard Slater, Lancaster Simes, Robert Lurting, and Barne Cosens, their
heirs and assigns, to the only proper use, benefit, and behoof of them, the
said Robert Walters, Leigh Atwood, Cornelius Depeyster, Caleb Heath-
cote, Matthew Clarkson, John Cholwell, Richard Slater, Lancaster Simes,
Robert Lurting, and Barne Cosens, their heirs and assigns for ever, to be
holden of us, our heirs, and successors, in free and common soccage, as of our
manor of East Greenwich, in our County of Kent, within our Realm of En-
gland, yielding, rendering and paying, this year and every year forever, at our
city of New York, unto us, our heirs and successors, or to such officer or offi-
cers as shall from time to time be empowered to receive the same, the annual and
yearly rent of six pounds four shillings, current money of New York, in lieu
and stead of all other rents, dues, duties, services and demands whatsoever,
hi testimony whereof, we have caused the great seal of our said Province to
be hereunto affixed. Witness John Nanfan, Esq., our Lieut. Governor and
Commander-in-chief of our province of New York, and the territories de-
pending thereon in America, vice-Admiral of the same, and at our fort in New
York, this I4ih day of February, A.D. 1701, and in the 13ih year of our

reign.*

John Nanfan."

Tliis grant was subsequently known as the West Patent of
North Castle.

The following items occur in the town records:

• Hook of Tat. Alb., No. vii. 191-

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 365

February 21st, 1743, an agreement between the Receiver Gen-
eral and others^ "concerning money that is coming to the former
on the behalf of the King, for quit-rent of the West PatoitJ^^

In 1744 Joseph Hutchins and Caleb Green were aj^pointed
" assessors for the west side of the branch of Byram River ;"
"also Thomas Walters for the West Patenty^

John Halleck, of North Castle, in 1755 "sold to Joseph Fow-
ler and Caleb Fowler three quarters of an acre of undivided land
in North Castle, within a certain Patent known and called by the
name of Fauconier's West Patent, and to be in the right of
Thomas Weaver, who was one of the Patentees of said Patent,
it being a part of a greater right purchased 13th of March, 1753,
of John Thomas, one of the representatives of Westchester
county."

In the Secretary of Staters office at Albany is a map of part of
a tract of land (granted by letters patent under the great seal of
the colony of New York, bearing date the fourteenth day of Feb-
ruary, 1701-2, to Robert Walters and others) " which remains
unsold, and contains four thousand one hundred and fifty one
acres, divided into sixteen lotts by Charles Clinton, Jonathan
Brown, and Elisha Budd, Commissioners, and Nathaniel Merritt,
Surveyor, appointed by virtue of an act of the liieutenant Gov-
ernor, the Council, and the General Assembly of the colony of
Nev»r York, passed the eighth day of January, 1762, entitled an
act for the more effectual collecting of his Majestie's quit-rents in
the colony of New York, and for partition of lands in order
thereto," <fcc.<^

Upon the 10th of June, 1766, occurs the following public no-
tice for the sale of the above lands : . ; . , ;. . •

" Whereas his late majesty, King William the Third, by letters patent under
the great seal of the colony of New York, bearing date the 4th day of Febru-
ary, 1701-2, and the 30th year of his reign ; did grant and confirm unto Robert

* Town Rec. vol. i. 4.

b In 1743 Robert Walters and Peter Fauconier had rights concerning quit-rents on
the West Patent.

« Field Book, Sec. of State's office.

366 HISTORY OF THE

Wallers, Leigh Atwood, Cornelius Depeyster, Caleb Heathcote, Matthew
Clarkson, John Chohvell, Richard Slater, Lancaster Simes, Robert Lurtingi
and Barne Cosens ; a certain tract of land in the county of Westchester,
bounded northerly by the manor of Cortlandt, easterly with Bedford line of
three miles square, the V»*hite Fields and Byram river ; southerly by the land
of John Harrison, Rye line stretching to Byram river aforesaid, and the White
Plains ; and westerly by Bronck's river, and the manor of Philipsburgh, except-
ing out of the bounds aforesaid, all the lands within Richbell's patent, accord-
ing 10 the lines of the said patent, now in the tenure and occupation of Col.
Caleb Heathcote ; which first above named tract of land was purchased by-
Col, Caleb Heathcote, and others, with whom he has agreed, except James
Mott, and Henry Disbrovv, whom he hath undertaken to satisfy ; within which
bounds, there are by estimation, about 5000 acres of profitable land, besides
wastes and wood lands. And whereas we the subscribers, in pursuance cf a
certain act of the lieutenant governor, the council, and general assembly of this
colony, entitled, An Act for the more effectual collecting of his majesty's quit-
rents in the colony of New York, and for partition of lands in order thereto*
have lately made a survey of all that part of the lands above-mentioned, which
have not been sold by the proprietors and owners thereof We do hereby give
notice, that true maps and field books of the survey of the said part thereof,
and of the allotments made, specifying the bounds of every lot ; on which maps
the lots are laid down and numbered, and the number of acres in every lot ;
and the said maps and field books signed by us, and by Nathaniel Merrit, our
surveyor, are filed, one of the said maps and field books in the office of the
clerk of the county of Westchester, and the other in the secretary's office in
the city of New York- And we do hereby appoint Wednesday, the 6th of
August next, at the city hall of the city of New York, to be the day and place
for balloting for the said lots and allotments ; and do require all persons inte-
rested, then and there to attend, and to see the several allotments balloted for.
Given under our hands this 23d day of June, 1766.

[Pat. 7, 223.] " CHAR. CLINTON, } Surviving

" JONATHAN BROWN, \ Commissioners."

We find the following indenture, on the 5tli of April, 1774, be-
tv\een Benjamin Smith, Caleb Fowler, and Joseph Sutton all of
the west patent of JNorth Castle, (fee, of the first part, and Caleb
Sands of Bedford, of the other part, witnesseth that his gracious
mnjesly, King William the Third, of glorious memory, by letters
patent, under the great seal of tlie province of New York, bearing
date the 1 4th day of February, in the fourteenth year of his reign,
granted unfo Robert Walters and others, a certain tract of land
in the county of Vrestchesler, bounded, 6cc., 6oC. All which
trpct of land is called tjie west patent of North Castle, and where-

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 367

as the said Benjamin sSmitli, Caleb Fowler and Joseph Sntton
were deputed for to, and did make, a purchase of the greater part
of the abovesaid tract of land for themselves and their associates,*
as by a general map of the same may appear. Now this inden-
ture witnesseth, that for and in consideration of the sum of
£15 125. of good current and lawful money of the province of
.New York, well and truly paid by tlie said Caleb Sands, one of
the associates in making of the above said purchase, we the said
Benjamin Smith, Caleb Fowler and Joseph Sutton doth acknow-
ledge by these presents, and therefore have given, granted, and
released unto him, the said Caleb Sands, his heirs and assigns^
all that certain part of the above recited tract of land containing
thirty-nine acres, bounded as follows: by a heap of stones at the
south-west corner of Bedford new purchase, so called, and run-
ning north with Bedford line till it comes to a chestnut oak tree,
marked with a heap of stones about it, at the south-east corner of
the land of Benjamin Hall, then westward to a white wood tree
with a heap of stones about it, then south-eastwardly as the fence
stands to a large black oak tree, marked, then more southerly as
-the fence stands to an oak stump or a cliff of rocks, still southerly
to a chestnut sapling, on a knoll of rocks, then eastwardly as the
fence stands, to a chestnut oak tree, marked, still eastwardly as
the fence stands to the land of Peter Disbrow, from thence to the
first bounds, a heap of stones, (fee, &c.b .^ ■ ■ r- ■_;•.

^. .-?. Benj. Smith,

Caleb Fowler.

The principal proprietors of New Castle are the Wards, Conck-
lins. Hiatts, Underbills, Haights, Carpenters, Greens, Kirbys,
Davenports, Van Tassels, Griffens, Tomkins, Kipps, Secors, Bra-
dys, Reynolds, duinb^^s, and Merrits, 6cc., &c.

The first election for town officers took place on the 5th of
April. 1791, vvhen the following individuals were chosen for the
year ensuing :

a One of the associate patentees appears to have been Col. Matthews, who held
]2S0 acres in the west patent of North Castle.

b The original document is in the possession of Mr. Caleb Sands of North Castle,

368 HISTORY OF THE

Isaac Siiiitb, supervisor.
Abraham Hyatt, town clerk.
SiUtoii Craft, constable.
Benjamin Carpenter, collector^ and
Caleb Carpenter, security.
Caleb Haight, )

Nathaniel Smith, > assessors.
Henry Slason, \

Caleb Carpenter, / .^^..^g.^,. ^/-^^g jj^.^.
Abraham Hyatt, \ ^^^^^^^^^ ^/ '^^ P^^^-

Caleb Haio^ht, )

Nathaniel Smith, > commissioners of roads,

Henry Slason, )

Jan:ies Underbill, pounder.

Nathaniel Concklin, )

Jesse Brady, > damage prizers and fence viewers.

Isaac Powell, 3

" Isaac Smith, Caleb Carpenter and Isaiah Green; were deputed
to meet a committee from the town of North Castle for to settle
all disputes which may exist between the town of New Castle
and the aforesaid town of any nature or kind whatsoever, also to
settle the line between the two towns.^

The village of New Castle Corners^ is pleasantly situated in
the north-east angle of the town, on the west side of Kirby's
pond. It contains a Methodist church, several stores, a post-office,
a grist mill, a needle manufactory, and twelve or fifteen dwelling
houses. The neighborhood of this beautiful spot abounds with
the most romantic scenery. It is now about one hundred and
twenty-eight years since the first families settled in this place.
They appear to have met with great discouragements, and to have
endured severe trials, for they were in the midst of a wilderness,
and constantly exposed to Indian depredations. The Rev. Ro-
bert Jenney, minister of Rye, writing to the Propagation Society
in 1722, thus alludes to the place. " I have lately been to a set-
llement in the woods, where 1 had good success, having baptized
a whole family, parents and children ."i* This evidently refers

-* Formerjy called North Castle. ^ Rep. of Propagation Soc,

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 369

to the present village, for in 1728 the Rev. T. Wetniore, his sue-
cessor informs the same society, ihat "at North Castle, a new set-
tlement in the luoods, there are more than forty families most
of which are uhbaptized, and that he preaches there every fiftli
Sunday.''^

Prior to the Revolution. North Caslle formed one of the pre-
cincts or districts of Rye parish, which accounts for the parochial
clergy officiating here at this early period. In 1725, North Cas-
tle contributed towards the minister's rate and poor of the parish,
£2. 9. 0, The same year Mr, Dwight was school-master at
North Castle with a salary of £10 a year. At a vestry meetinj^,
held March the 1st, 1730, for the parish of Rye, it was ordered,
that " whereas the vestrymen of the district of North Casth
have neglected to make up their parish rate last year and this
year, though often requested thereto, ordered therefore by ye
vestry and justices, that the North Castle vestrymen^ for ye last
year and this year do appear at Rye at Francis Doughty's, on the
16lh of this month at noon, in order to make their rates without
any farther delay, or ordered to be presented immediately, and
that the clerk do send forthwith a copy of this order to said North
Castle vestrymen.''^ The Rev. Mr. Wetmore, writing to the
Propagation Society in 1753, states, " that his congregations at
Rye, White Plains, North Castle and Bedford are large and
flourishing, the new light preachers have removed from Bedford,
and there is some hopes of the people uniting with North Caslle,
towards supporting a minister."

Among the reports of the Society in 1761, occurs the follow-
ing; "Second Sunday in October, 1761, the Rev. Mr. Dibble
preached at the opening of St. George's church, North Castle.
Mr. St. George Talbot, the pious and noble benef\ictor was pre-
sent, and was highly pleased with the number and devout be-
haviour of the people. The same day, Mr. Dibble baptized thir-
teen inumts, and one adult.

In the spring of 1762, St. George's church was visited by the

» Propagation Soc Fep.
b Rye Rec

Vol. I. ^ - 47

370 HISTORY OF THE

Rev. George Dibble and St. George Talbot, Esq. Of the latter
gentleman, Mr. Dibble thus writes to the Society : " He is inde-
fatigable in his endeavors to serve the interests of true religion
and our holy church, whose services 1 find universally accepta-
ble, and his life agreeable to his public character. He was (con-
tinues Mr. Dibble) surprised both at the number and devout be-
haviour of the people at North Castle^ for the church could not
contain them," ^fcc*

St. George's church, which had stood for nearly eighty years
in the Episcopal burying ground, was dismantled in 1S39, and
sold at public auction for the sum of forty dollars.^

The following inscriptions are copied from monuments in the
grave yard.

In In

Memory of Memory of

Isaac Lounsberrv, James Wright,

who was born Oct. llth, 1703, who was born March 14th,
and died March 3, 1721, and departed this life,

1773. May the 17th, 1776,

aged 55 years, 1 mo.
and 25 days.

There are also memorials to the Greens, Woolseys, Ferrises,
Sarleses, Harts, Pinckneys, Tompkinses, Carys, Seamans, For-
shays, Haineses, Millers, Carpenters, Clapps, Merritts, Mon-
Irosses, &c.

The Methodist Episcopal church of this place was first incor-
porated in 1S24. Caleb Kirby, James Fish, John B. Horton,
Tyler Fountain and Benjamin Kirby, *trustees.c The present
church was erected in 1843, to it, is attached a small parsonage
and grave yard.

» Hawkins' Hist. Not. of the Missions of the Church of England. Original let-
ters in Lambeth collection, vol. xix. 208.

b It deserves to be recorded that Judge Miller strenuously opposed its destruction.
YoT a further account of t' is pariah, see Bedford.

e Religious Soc. Co. Rcc. Lib. A. 183.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 371

During the Revolution, this part of the county was greatly an-
noyed by the enemy, who frequently made sudden inroads, plun-
dering and capturing the defenceless inhabitants. February 7lh,
17S2, (says General Heath,) about fifty of De Lancey'rf horse
came out within four miles of Chappequa, where they halted.
On the 8th ihey moved toward North Castle, but turned off by
\Yright's Mills ; from thence to King street, Rye.''^ For a long
time St. George's church was occupied as a guard-house and hos-
pital by the Continental troops.

In the vicinity of Abraham Weeks's mill dam, in this town, a
party of British refugees waylaid and murdered a French doctor
of some distinction. It appears that the unfortunate man was on
his route to the American hospital at New Castle, when arrested
by his murderers, who dragged him from his horse, and conveyed
him into an adjoining swamp. Here, having secured their vic-
tim, they proceeded to play a game at cards, as to which of them
should be his executioner. In vain their victim plead in broken
English for his life, numbering his children upon his fingers.
The lot fell upon one Totten, who, approaching the doctor, in-
stantly shot him dead as he knelt on the ground. He was now
stripped of his clothing, watch and money, and dragged a few
rods further into the bushes- The skeleton was afterwards found
and interred upon the spot.^

Near the centre of the town is situated the small hamlet of
Sarlesville. Here the town business is principally transacted.

In the southwest corner are located the Friends' meeting hou-
ses. The Friends' Society was organized here some time prior
to the Revolution. c

The general surface of New Castle is uneven, hills and vales

'^ Heath's Mem. 328.

b Tradition reports, that the following remarkable accident befel the assassin sooa
after : he was struck by lightning, which dissolved the metal on his shoe buckles.
When asked if this was a fact, the conscience stricken murderer replied, " If I
should say yes, that would be an admission of my guilt." Totten is said to have
been a terror not only to himself, but all who knew him. This miserable man lieg
J n the Friends' burying-ground at Pines Bridge.

= The Methodist Episcopal Church was erected ia 1845.

•^

372 HISTORY OF THE

interspersed ; soil gravelly, clay and sandy loam. The natural
growth of wood is of various kinds, as oak, chestnut, hickory
ash. maple, walnut, elm and v/hitewood, <fcc. The Chappequa
Isills in this town are worthy of particular notice. They begin
near the great hill known by the name of the Buttermilk Moun-
tain, and extend north easterly four miles, terminating north-
ward in the Kisco Mountain. These hills are very stony and
rocky in general, but afford vast quantities of excellent timber.
At the foot of the Kisco Mountain is situated the Westchester and
Harlem railroad depot. New Castle is exceedingly well watered
by rivers, rivulets, and springs. The Saw Mill River (Nepera)
takes its rise from two springs near the centre of the town, one
of them situated on the land of Job Collins, the other on the
property of Willett Kipps. The Bronx River (Aquehung) has
its source in the Dark Valley of this town. The Mill River
(Pocanteco) rises on the lands of Isaac Lownsberry,

There are tvvo or three large ponds, which supply valuable
mill seats. Kirby's Pond receives its waters from Simmons's
Pond, vv^hile its outlet passes into the Pepemighting, or Kisco.
Wampus Pond is situated on the boundary line between New and
North Castle. This pond covers about fifty acres, and empties
into the Byram (Armonck) River, Fish were never caught here
until within a few years, when pike were put therein, which have
multiplied exceedingly.* Upon the west side of Wampus Pond
rises Prospect Hill, the property of Mr. Caleb Quinby.b It is
impossible to describe the variegated prospect that meets the eye
from its summit ; a more extensive view is not to be had in the
town. Near this hill an iron mine was opened seventy-four
years ago, but, the war commencing, put a stop to the project,
which has never since been resumed.

The Chappequa sulphur springs, which have acquired some
celebrity, are situated ^' four miles northeast of Sing Sing. They

« Ten years ago vast flocks of wild duck and geese used to frequent this pond.

t. The Quinby family were among the first settlers of this part of New Castle,
and dpfifen.d frora John Quinby, one of the patentees of the town of Westchester in
1GC4

To face page 372, vol. i.

Arms, or, on a bend sa. three trefoils slipped ar. Ci

«3 i^

Josiah_-IIannah
nat. March Cornell of
31, 1G92. Scarsdale

Jonatiian

nat. 13 Feb. 1695.

James.

Samuel—Pliilakett \s

nat. 2 may, Lester. ?

1697. I-

inh
lov.
43,
i.p.

ly.

2 Aaron

nai. April

1, 1747,

ob. s. p.

3 Mo5es=BatliPli«ba Jam?s_-1 Anne Underliiil

nat. 11

March,

1719.

Pell of
Eastchester.

i.at. 12
Oct.
1751.

da of Jacob of

tshappequa.

_.2 Hannah Un-
derliiil da. of Is-
aac and Sarah
of Yoikiovvn.

^5= X

_ • 3

K)3 M

"Mr
, 2^ ?.

, w:

>3
Ti y'-3 3

> -::.SL

» a

ib. Daniel.

Aaron_l Plioebe Sutton.
I 2 Hannali Barnes.
3 C.iroline Under-
bill.

^ zti m J

s » — . Moses=: Abigail
■" " "^ Carpen-

ter, da.
of Bene-
dic .

Obadiah=Fr

*« 2

3- "

William-

-Hannah
Sands

I da. of
John.

> H

Abram-

.Adelia
Derough.

Underhill=Annc

Vorice.

Rei

O JJi

)«5

•5-3

»=r

t,-

O ti

— •e-t

C 3

- B

Si*

='1,

^11

n-a*

I I I

s s? ^

5g =
O
P p.

ft cy

2"3

"^ > ^

J- 7J

C :a ..

3- 2 = 3

r c 3 "^

I I I aron J.

> o

-1 3" -^

ft. ~ •

2 >

Mary J.
Cornelia.

372 HISTORY OF THE

interspersed ; soil gravelly, clay and sandy loam. The natural
growth of wood is of various kinds, as oak, chestnut, hickory
ash, maple, walnut, elm and whitewood, (fcc. The Chappeqna
hills in this town are worthy of particular notice. They begin
near the great hill known by the name of the Buttermilk Moun-
tain, and extend northeasterly four miles, terminating north-
ward in the Kisco Mountain. These hills are very stony and
rocky in general, but afford vast quantities of excellent timber.
At the foot of the Kisco Mountain is situated the Westchester and
Harlem railroad depot. New Castle is exceedingly well watered
by rivers, rivulets, and springs. The Saw Mill River (Nepera)
takes its rise from two springs near the centre of the town, one
of them situated on the land of Job Collins, the other on the
property of Willett Kipps. The Bronx River (Aquehung) has
its source in the Dark Valley of this town. The Mill River
(Pocanteco) rises on the lands of Isaac Lownsberry.

There are tvv'o or three large ponds, v/hich supply valuable
mill seats. Kirby's Pond receives its waters from Simmons's
Pond, vs^hile its outlet passes into the Pepemighting, or Kisco.
\\ ampus Pond is situated on the boundary line between New and
North Castle. This pond covers about fifty acres, and empties
into the Byram (Armonck) River, Fish were never caught here
until within a few years, when pike were put therein, which have
multiplied exceedingly. a Upon the west side of Wampus Pond
rises Prospect Hill, the property of Mr. Caleb Quinby.b It is
impossible to describe the variegated prospect that meets the eye
from its summit ; a more extensive view is not to be had in the
town. Near this hill an iron mine was opened seventy-four
years ago, but, the war commencing, put a stop to the project,
which has never since been resumed.

The Chappequa sulphur springs, which have acquired some
celebrity, are situated ^' four miles northeast of Sing Sing. They

• Ten years ago vast flocks of wild duck and geese used to frequent this pond.
t The Quinby family were among the first settlers of this part of New Castle,
and descend from John Quinby, one of the patentees of the town of Westchester in

To face page 373, vol. t.

Arms, or, on a bend sa. three trefoils elipped i

PEDIGREE OF QUINBY OF NORTHeASTLE.
Creat, a cubit arm, erect, vested, or, with three slashes in the sleeve, in the hand ppr a cimetar, hilted of the firat, the blade enibrued i
William Quinby emigrated from England—

1 of Westchester io 1664, and t

Josiah^Mary Mullioex, June 17, 1783.

III

-llflimnh
" Ciirnull of
- Scariidale

Jruiatlian

not. i:t Feb. 1095.

Jamea.

Ephraim_Elizabeth
lat. 7 Feb. llaliday.
I7tU.

30 Oct. 1702,

mar. 17 Feb.

X740.

»at — Elizabeth

Cornell- ila
of Ricliard
and Uaanatl.

Moses nat._,Jane Pelbatn

12 Nov. 1701

mar. 17 Oct.

1739.

IJoslnh
i. Nov.
[r.43,
p a. p.

da. iif Franc

und Elizabeth

of Newcastle.

Dnniel^Mary iBaiah—Rache]

nat. II Thorn ' nat. 11 Warlord

Jan, of April, of New

1709. Flushing. 1716. Jetsej'.

-§"8

3 MoSPBr

-Bntli^heba

Jam's-

nat. 11

Pell of

March,

Easteliester.

Oct.

1719,

1751.

1 Anne Underbill

gsa

^**2

da of Jacnb of

^c^

t!|inii|iequa.

2° =

_2 Hannah Un-

f6 g

derhillda.of Is.

,' ■ iT

aac and Sarah

s-gws 1

of Yoiklown.

SS^s;

£=^5-SS!5

Francis^ Esther
nat. :10 da. of
Sept. Benj. and
17J1. Maiy Sniit

Joslah=Phcebe

Isaiah=JVlary

nat. ,1 Underbill
da. of Is-
aac and
Sarah of
Yorktown,
mar. Sept.
18, 1793.

1749.

3=« ■sk r,;

si Si

I I
3| a|

mjab. Daniel.

1 Phoebe Sulton.

2 Hannah Barnes.

3 C.troline Under-

Mose8=Abigail
I Carpen-

Obadiahi=Freelove Jo6iah=Amy da. of
I Caleb Un.
derhill,nal.
1 Nov. 176:1, ^^

I J i I I

> William=Phnebe

'L ill

5 g >:

Moses— Esther

I I I

-„ ail.

> H

Sands

f i

dn. of

Jobn.

Reubeii=Susnn Daniel—Rachel CaIeb=:Eli2abeth

Carpen- (rf White I Pugsley. I Tomp-

ter da. Plains. kins,

of John.

lEa)ab=Amy. Azarlah.
Sutton
da. of
Samuel.

Joeiah— Dphorah
I naight

John J. Eliza F.
nat. Feb. nat. Nov.
35, ieS6. 2U, 1824.

S-M 2;= 3^

2." I." !:&

1 I ' I

^ ;? M V-

■U

I I III

Mosea. Thomas^Susan P 2 33
Hunter. 3 ffl 3

Josiah. George M. George W. Aa

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 373

issue from a cleft in the rock, near the base of a hill about two
hundred feet in height. The vvaterj as it rises from the rocks, is
transparent, but in its course deposites a reddish yellow powder.
The salts held in solution are said to be sulphate of lime, chlo-
ride of calcium, and the muriate of iron, and manganese. The
water is supposed to possess medicinal properties similar to those
usually ascribed to sulphur springs.''^-

It is a singular fact, that sulphuretted springs are to be found at
short distances from this spot to Fort Miller, in Washington
county, a distance of a hundred and fifiy miles.

In the northeast corner of the town lies the romantic valley of
the Pepemighting,b through which the river of that name mean-
ders in its passage to the Croton. This part of New Castle has
been recently taken from the adjoining township of Somers.^

» Nat. Hist, of N. Y. Part iii. 141. Sulphuretted hydrogen is the gas evolved.
b Misnamed the Kisco.

c Laws of N. Y. May 12, 1846. 69th Session, chap. 249. The Sutton family
settled in this part of the town 104 years ago.

374 ^

HISTORY OF THE

NEW ROCHELLE.

The town of New
Rochelle, (which for-
merly constituted a por-
tion of the manor of p
Pelham,) is situated on g
the south-east side of i
the county, distant eight
miles south of the vil-
lage of White Plains,
and one hundred and Indian imagp stone a

forty miles from Albany ; bounded by Scarsdale on the north, by
Mamaroneck and Scarsdale on the east, by Hutchinson's river
and Pelham on the west, and on the south by the Sound.

This tract of land was originally included in the grant made
by the Indians, in the year 1640, to the Dutch West India Com-
pany, but no settlement was actually commenced upon it until
long after Thomas Pell's purchase, which occurred in 1654.^

The aborigines appear to have resided principally on Daven-
port's Neck, where they had a large settlement, denominated
Shippa. Within a very short period there were old persons
{living in the town) who could well remember when the neck
was covered with Indian wigwams. ^ Of this the extensive
"shell beds," on its southern shores afford conclusive evidence.

* This image stone was discovered on the lands of John Soulice some few
years since. Beneath it lay a smooth stone, (weighing 7 lbs.) resembling in shape a
kidney, and encompassed with a circular grove.

^ J^ee Pelham.

■■- Testimony of Mrs. Le Count, who died January, 1841, aged 105 years; also
Mra. Pine.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 375

A few settlements were also scattered along tlie fertile meadows
bordering the various fresh water streams, especially in the north-
ern part of the town.^

As late as 1694-5 the Indians were in the habit of coming
down into the northern part of New Rochelle from the neighbor-
hood of White Plains, for a cider frolic, which they considered
as a kind of usufruct title to the soil. The remains of an oak tree
which they burnt upon one of these occasions, is still visible on
the farm of John Soulice, Esq. This seems to have been the last
chapter in their history connected with New Rochelle ; although
in 1767 a small remnant of the aborigines (then inhabiting the
Highlands,) visited the town.

Upon the sixth day of October, 1666, Richard NicoUs, govern-
or of the province, did give, grant, ratify and confirm unto
Thomas Peil, gentleman, all that tract of land lying to the east-
ward of Westchester bounds, (subsequently known as the manor
of Pelham,) &c., " which said tract of land hath heretofore been
purchased of the Indian proprietors, and ample satisfaction given
for the same."^

In 1669, the patentee devised the whole manor of Pelham to
his nephew John Pell, (commonly called Lord Pell,) who obtained
a further confirmation for the same from Thomas Dongan, go-
vernor of the province, on the 29th of October, 1687.^

Upon the 20th of September, 1689, we find John Pell, Lord of
the manor of Pelham, and Rachel his wife, conveying to Jacob
Leisler of the city of New York, merchant, "all that tract of land
lying and being within the manor of Pelham, containing 6000
acres of land," (fcc, <fec., (the present township of New Rochelle,)
"The grantee and his heirs yielding and paying unto the said
John Pell and his heirs, &c., as lords of the said manor, one fat
calf on every four and twentieth day of June yearly, (fee., if de-
manded," ifec.d

^ One of these was situated on the property of John SouUce, where there is also
a quarry of quartz from which the Indians manufactured their javelin and arrow
heads.

b See Pelham, for Thomas PeU's patent.

c See Pelham, for John PeU's confirmation.

<! Whenever the fat calf was demanded by the lords of the manor, (on the festival

376 HISTORY OF THE

The above tract was granted in the following manner :

To all Christian people to whom this present writing shall conne, John Pell,

proprietor of the manor of Pelham, within the county of Westchester, in the
province of New York, within the dominion of New England, gentleman, and
Rachel his wife, sendeth greeting in our Lord God everlasting, Know yee
that the said John Pell and Rachel his wife for and in consideration of the sum
of sixteen hundred and seventy-five pounds and twenty-five shillings sterling,
current silver money of this province, to him in hand paid and secured to be
paid at the, or before, the ensealing and delivery thereof by Jacob Leisler of
the city of New York, merchant, the receipt whereof they, the said John Pell
and Rachel his wife, do thereby acknowledge themselves to be fully satisfied
and contented, and thereof, and of every part and parcel thereof, do hereby
freely and clearly acquit and exonerate and discharge the said Jacob Leisler,
his heirs, executors, administrators, and every of them, by these presents have
granted, bargained, and sold, and by these presents do grant, bargain and sell
unto the said Jacob Leisler, his heirs and assignees, all that tract of land lying
and being within said manor of Pelham, containing six thousand acres of land,
and also one hundred acres of land more, which the said John Pell and Rachel
his wife do freely give and grant for the French church erected, or to be
erected, by the inhabitants of the said tract of land, or by their assignees, being
butted and bounded as herein is after expressed, beginning at the west side of
a certain white oak tree, marked on all four sides, standing at high water
mark at the south end of Hog Neck, by shoals, harbour, and runs, north-wes-
terly through the great fresh meadow lying between the road and the sound,
and from the north side of the said meadow where the said line crosses the
said meadow, to run from thence due north to Bronckes river, which is the
west division line between the said John Pell's land and the aforesaid tract,
bounded on the south-easterly by the sound and salt water, and to run east-
northerly to a certain piece of salt meadow lying at the salt creek which run-
neth up to Cedar Tree brook, or Gravelly brook, and is the bounds to southern.
Bounded on the east by a line that runs from said meadow north-westerly by
marked trees, to a certain black oak tree standing a little below the road,
marked on four sides, and from thence to run due north four miles and a half,
more or less, and from the north side of the said west line, ending at Bronckes's
river, and from thence to run easterly till it meets with the north end of the
said eastermo^;t bounds, together with all and singular the islands and islets
before the said tract of land lying and being in the sound and salt water, with
all the harbors, creeks, rivers, rivuleits, runns, waters, lakes, meadows, ponds,
marshes, salt and fresh, swamps, soils, timber, trees, pastures, feedings, en-

of St. John the Baptist,) each Huguenot paid his proportion towards its purchase.
This ceremony was last performed in a house which occupied the site of Mr. James
Morgan's residence in Ejistchester. A feast invariably followed the presentation.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 377

closures, fields, quarries, mines, minerals, (silver and gold mines only excepted)
fishing, huniing, fowling, hawking, and also all the messuages, houses, tene-
ments, barns, mills, mill dams, as they were at the time of the ensealing and
delivery of the articles of agreement of sale for said land, hearittg dale the
second day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and
eighty-seven. As relation being thereto had doih more fully and at large ap-
pear, as also the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders of a cer-
tain lott of land and meadow, now in the tenure and occupation of John Jefferd,
and Olive his wife, being part of the aforesaid six thousand acres of land, with
all the privileges belonging thereto or any wise appertaining, or therewith now
used, occupied and enjoyed, as all the right, title, interest, reversion, remain-
der, property, claime, and demand whatsoever, of, in, and to the same, and any
part thereof, as is hereafter expressed. To have and to hold the aforesaid
tract of land, with all other the above granted premises, unto the said Jacob
Leisler, his heirs and assigns, for ever, to his and their own sole and proper
use, benefit, and behoof, for ever, yielding and paying unto the said John Pell,
his heirs and assigns, lords of the said manor of Pelharn, to the assignees of
him or them, or their or either of them, as an acknowledgment to the lords of
the said manor, one fat calf on every four and twentieth day of June, yearly
and every year for ever if demanded. The said John Pell and Rachel his
vvite, for themselves, their heirs, executors, and administrators respectively,
do hereby covenant, promise, and grant to and with the said Jacob Leisler, his
heirs and assignees, in manner and form following, that is to say, at the time
of the ensealing hereof, they the said John Pell and Rachel his wife, do avouch
themselves to be true, sole, and lawful owners of all the afore bargained pre-
mises, and that they are lawfully seized of and in the same and every part
thereof in their own proper ri^ht of a good and indefinable estate of inheri-
tance in fee simple, and have in themselves good right, full power and lawful
authority to sell and dispose of the same as aforesaid ; and the said Jacob
Leisler, his heirs and assignees, shall and may from henceforth and forever
hereafter, peaceably, quietly, have, hold, occupy, possess, and enjoy the above
granted premises, and every part and parcel thereof, free and clear without
any charge or intimidation, caused, made, suffered, or granted by said John
Pell and Rachel his wife, or either of them, their or either of their heirs in
estate, right, title, interest in law or equity, trust, charge, or other molestation*
whatsoever. And the said John Pell and Rachel his wife, for themselves re-
spectively, and for their respective heirs, do covenant, promise, and grant to
warrant and defend the above granted premises with their appurtenances, and
every part and parcel thereof, unto the said Jacob Leisler, his heirs and as»
signees, forever, against the lawl'ul charges and demands. In witness where-
of the said John Pell and Rachel his wile have hereunto set their hands and
seals in New York, the twentieth day of September, in the first year of ihe
reign of our sovereign lord and lady, William and Mary, King and Queen of

YoL. I. " 4S

378 HISTORY OF THE

England, &c., &c., in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred eighty
and nine.

The mark of*

John Pell. R-

Racliel Pell. ^

Leisler, the above grantee,^ was authorized by the committee
of public safety,^ on the 16ih of August, 16S9, '* to use the pow-
er and authority of commander-in-chief, until orders should come
from their majesties," King William and Queen Mary. '-And
further to do all such acts as are requisite for the good of the
province, taking counsel with the militia and civil authority as oc-
casion shall require."'^

For assuming the government Leisler was afterwards tried on

a charsre of hio^h treason, and executed on the 16tliofMav, 1691.

" Ebeling, the Dntch historian of New York, (says Dunlap,)

gives an impartial account of the transactions of this lime, and

the fate of Jacob Leisler.

On the surrenderof the fort (of New York,) Leisler, Milbourne,
and others who had form.ed the council, were imprisoned and
immediately tried by a court of oyer and terminer, appointed by
the governor, instigated by the enemies of Leisler, who again
formed the court. The fallen party were arraigned as murder-
ers and traitors. In vain they reminded the court of their zeal for
William and Mary — in vain Leisler denied the authority of the
court : any consideration and any humiliation would not have
satisfied his enemies ; and it appears that he stooped to none, but
justified his conduct. Dudley was the presidmg judge. Leisler
and Milbourne were sentenced to die as rebels and traitors. Had
James been king, they might have incurred the same fate for
treason aguinst him. Ebeling in his history, says, that after the
sentence, "the whole matter was laid before the king," (i. e. be-

2 F'rorn the original document in the possession of Bonnett Underhill, Esq., of
Upper Koclielle.

b In a roll or list of persons embarked in the ship Otter, (at Amsterdam, in 1663,
4,) for the New Netherlands, occurs the name of Jacob Loyseler of Franckfort.
Alb. Rec.

' This committee had been appointed by the people.

«J Dunlap's Hist. N. Y. vol. i. 153.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 379

fore William TIT.,) but by whom? by thoss who had determined to
sacrifice him to ilieir private views and passions.

The assembly that had been convened, were persuaded that
the misfortunes of the province were ail attributable to Leisler
and his friends, and tliat assembly pressed for his execution.

Sloughter feared to exasperate the people who still adhered to
Leis'er. The governor thought of proroguing the assembly to
Albany. Lcisler's friends were clamorous on account of his long
imprisonment :a "and at the sentence passed upon him by the
opposite party who feared that if the governor and assembly re-
moved to Albany, the people of New York would liberate the pris-
oners, and therefore pressed the more for immediate execution.
Sloughter called, says Ebeling, "a particular council, of both
houses. In this council he was urged and pressed to execute
the sentence immediately !'' Sloughter is said to have been unwil-
ling. Was he not fearful ? The historian Ebeling, says," when
every thing else failed, he (Sloughter) was made drunk, and
the execution took place May 17th. Every tiling proves that
Leisler was cpndeinned unlawfully, and executed unjustly. Af-
terwards the act of attainder was reversed ; this was done at the
instance of young Leisler,"'iJ and the Huguenots,c " Governcur,
and all the others except Mi I bourne were released."

It has been the policy (continues Dunlap) of men of all a^es tG
preserve the memory of the founders of the nation tliey claimed
as their own. It serves to perpetuate nations. Rome, the eter-
nal, bears the name of its reputed founder. The founder of the
democracy of New York, was Jacob Leisler: and New York is
now an empire founded on democracy. The line that says, "an
honest man is the noblest work of God," has been received as a

» la the possession of E. N. Boeby, Esq., of Youkers, Westchester County, is a
gold piece, of the time of James II., said to have been in the possession of the unfor-
tunate Leisler, the night preceding iiis execution. Around the edge is the following
inscription, cut with the penknife of Leisler.

" Remember well and hear in mynd, a faithful friend is hard to find.''

b Dunlap's Hist. N. Y. vol. i. 210.

c A petition in favor of reversing Leister's attainder was signed by the Hugue-
nots of New Rochelle. — Editor.

3S0

HISTORY OF THE

truism. And Jacob Leisler was truly an honest man, who, though
a martyr to the cause of liberty, ond sacrificed by injustice, aris-
tocracy, and party malignity, ought to be considered as one in
whom New York should take pride."

The descendants of this illustrious man, will be best described
in the followinof table.

, execul-
r in lav;
neur.

-Rev. I.

Wilkins

D. D.

'-2 "o ii

O *- t,
- rt ^

•

Count

5 C: o

1*2

O c3

-a

m •
1— 1 -c

1 —

s.s

^^1

-1

g « =

3 .

0) m

1"-

> ^

^ •

•

!-l

O f^

*-• 03

_^.2

— w

3 t::
^ o

C =2

Si ^

■:;?

O j=

bi
Q

1-4

;-!

. 1

• 1

1.^

o
<u

•-S

"qj

fii

■s^

o) r

>— 1

-"t^
^

Jj3

d^l

-d
c

c > l^.

__.-3

h-i ^ ,^'

.a
o
u

HH
1— (

e .

S-l

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 381

Throughout the yenr, 1690 (the one preceding his execntion)
we find Jacob Leisler releasing to the exiled Htignenots, the
lands which he had purchased in t'leir behalf, of John Pell, in
1689.

To all Christian people to whom this present writing shall conme, Jacob Leisler
ofthe city of New York, merchant, sendeth greeting in our Lord God everlasting.
Whereas, John Pell of the manor of Pelham, Esq., together with Rachel his
wife, have, by their certain deed in writing, from under our hands and seals,
bearing dale the 20ih of September, A. D. 1689, given, granted, bargained and
sold, unto the said Jacob Leisler, his heirs and assignees for ever, all that
tract of land lying within the said manor of Pelham, containing six thousand
acres of land, and also one hundred acres of land more, which the said John
Pell and Rachel his wife, hath given freely to such, or cause to be erected for
the French Church, by the inhabitants residing thereon as relation thereunto
being had, dolh more fully and at large appear, noiv know ye, that I the said
Jacob Leisler, for and in consideration of a certain sum of money to me in
hand paid or secured, at or before the ensealing and delivery hereof, by John
Neufville, ofthe city of New Y'ork, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowl-
edged, and thereof, and of any part and parcel thereof, have granted, birgained
and sold, and by these presents do grant, bargain and sell, unto the said John
Neufville all that certain piece or parcel of land situate and being within the
manor of Pelham, being 200 acres of land, 40 acres thereof being in the small
lot bounded on the north by the Boston road, on the south by the creek, on the
east by the land of Mary Levilain, and on the west by the land of Lewis Carre
and one hundred and sixty acres of land on the great lott with Mary Leve-
laine, Gabriel Le Voiteurs and Marheit, which are not divided lands, his pro-
portionable interest in the commons of the six thousand acres of land, and in
the fresh and salt meadows ofthe said six thousand acres therein, comprehend-
ing four acres of land on the little commons, together with all the appurtenan-
ces thereunto belonging, to have and to hold the said land and premises with
their appurtenances, unto the said John Neufville, his heirs and assignees for
ever, and the said Jacob Leisler doth by these presents covenant, grant and
agree to and with the said John Neufville, his executors, administrators and
assignees, in his and their quiet and peaceable possession and seizen, accord-
ing to the same right and title, as to me appertaineth by the aforesaid deed of
sale, made and delivered to me, the said Jacob Leisler, and no farther, he the
said John Neufville, paying his proportion of the quit rent on the aforesaid
land mentioned and expressed. In witness whereof, I the said Jacob Leisler,
have set my hand and seal to these presents, this one and twentieth day of
May, A. D. 1690. . . - . , - .

382 HISTORY OF THE

The quantity of acres I acknowledge be above the limits, I will not engage
at all.

New York, 31 May, 1690.

Sig. Jacob Leisler, Elsje Leisler.

The same year, Jacob Leisler with the consent of Elisee his
wife, conveyed to Alexander Allaire, one hnndred acres. Also
to Louis Guion, a tract consisting of one hundred and thirty,
eight acres, &c. <fcc.

The annexed receipt is taken from the town records.

New York, 8th Sept. 1690.

Item: received of Mr. John Bonteillier, the sum of nine and
twenty pounds seven shillings and two pence, being in full for
the last payment of his lands.

Received by me,

Rachel Pell.

The township of New Rochelle was first surveyed and divi-
ded into lots or farms on the 20th of November, 1693, by Alex-
ander Allaire and Captain Bond, the latter being a surveyor.
This division was made by running a straight line directly north
from the old Boston road to Hutchinson's river, and laying out
lots on each side of it. The land south of tiie Boston road, was
divided into twenty-six lots. Saghlers and Lacounte's neck, (now
Davenport's neck) contained, according to the survey, two hun-
dred acres.

Upon the 20ih of November, 1700, Sir John Pell^ and Rachel
his wife, granted to Daniel Sampson and Isaac Cantin, one hun-
dred acres, " provided that the purchasers aiid their assignees*
shall do suit and service, now or at any lime hereafter, from time
to lime in the manor court, and pay their proportion to the min-
ister of the place.c

The Huguenots, f^ or French Protestants of New Rochelle, came

» Town Rec. 20. Jacob Leisler was executed on the 16th May, 1G91*

t So styled in the Town Records.

* Town Rec. p. 10.

d The epithet Huguenot (which has been a subject of much discussion,) is traced
to the word Eignot, derived froiu the German Eide-genossen — federati or allied. —
Mr. G. P. Disosway.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 383

directly from England, and were a part of the 50,000 persecuted
who fled into that country four years before tlie revocation of the
edict of Nantz. This is confirmed by the charier of Trinity
Church in New Rochelle, wherein ttiey specify that ^'- they fled
from France in 168 1.^

" The cruelties which they suffered in France are beyond any-
thing of the kind on record, and in no age was there ever such a
violation of all that is sacred, either with relation to God or
man ; and when we consider the exalted virtues of that glorious
band of brothers, w^e are amazed, while we are delighted with
their fortitude and courage. Rather than renounce their Chris-
tian principles they endured outrages shocking to humanity, per-
secutions of unheard of enormity, and death in all its horrors.
The complaint of Justin Martyr to the Roman Emperor, that the
Christians were pimished wiih torture and death upon the bare
profession of their being such, might have been made by the
French Protestants. To be a Huguenot was enough to ensure
condemnation. Whoever bore this name were imprisoned ar-
raigned for their lives, and adhering to their profession were con-
demned by merciless judges to the flames. Some of the name
and character were murdered in cold blood, and massacred with-
out any legal forms of justice.

"It is a singular fact, (continues Mr. Disosway, to whom we
are indebted for the materials of this sketch.) tliat the Reforma-
tion originated in France upon her own soil, and its earliest
seeds were germinated in the University of Paris, then a strong-
hold of Romanized faith. At this timt", the University was the
principal seat of European learning and Roman Catholic ortho-
doxy.

"Among the people of Picardy and Dauphiny, the first prin-
ciples of the great work appeared before they were manifest in
any other country. This is the fact if we regard dates; and
therefore the earliest honors of the Reformation belong to France,
a circumstance which lias been generally overlooked. Still Lu-
ther, in zeal, knowledge and success, was the master spirit of the

• See Trinity Church Charter.

384 HISTORY OF THE

age, and in its fullest sense he deserves the epithet of the first re-
former.

" Among the first doctors of theology in Paris, who zealously
embraced the ever blessed Reformation, was Lefevre, who while
engaged in a task of collecting the legends of saints and martyrs,
felt a ray of divine light from on high suddenly flash into his
mind, and abandoning his work, cast away such foolish things
and embraced the holy scriptures. The new impulse grew ra-
pidly in his heart, and he soon communicated its divine truth to
his classes in the University. Of this individual, Beza remark-
ed : 'It was he who boldly began the revival of the holy religion
of Jesus Christ. Thus a new era opened in France, and the Re-
formation soon made rapid progress. One of its first witnesses
in the court of royalty was the celebrated Princess, Margaret of
Yalois, Duchess of Alen^on, and sister to the reigning monarch,
Francis the First. '"^ She is said to have dignified her profession
by a pure religious and blameless life amidst the dissolute and
literary household of her royal brother, &c.

'• The bishop of Meaux through Margaret sent to the King a
translation of St. Paul's epistles richly illuminated, adding:
'They will make a truly royal dish of a fatness that never cor-
rupts, and having a power lo restore all manner of sickness ; the
more we taste them the more we hunger after them, with desires
that are ever fed and never cloyed.'

" The fires of persecution now began to rage against this new
sect. John Le Clerc was the first martyr of the gospel in France.
He was the pastor of the church at Meaux. For writing against
antichrist of Rome, he was seized by the enraged priests, whipped
three successive days, and then branded as a heretic with a heat-
ed iron on his forehead. But the martyr uttered not a groan, and
he was again set at liberty. He ihen withdrew to Meiz, where
more awful sulferings awaited him, and again in the power of

• Margaret selected for her emblem the marigold which, says Brantome, the an-
nalist of the co'jrt, " in its flower and leaf has the most resemblance to the sun,
and turning follows its course. Her device was Non inferiora secutus ; * I seek not
things below ;' signifying, continues our author, that her actions, thoughts, purposes
and desires were directed to that exalted sun, namely God.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 385

his enemies, they cut off his right hand and tormenting him
with red liot irons, he was at last consumed by a slow fire.
During all these horrid tortures his mind was kept in perfect
fidelity and peace, and he ejaculated solemnly: 'Israel trust in
the Lord, he is their help and their shield.' Such was the first
confessor of Jesus Christ who suffered and died in France, and
therefore demands our especial notice. A system of terror soon
began over the whole of France.

" But in vain did its enemies oppose ; the glorious march of the
Reformation was onward and sure. France had now been bap-
tized with the blood of the martyrs !

■• " In the midst of perils, opposition and persecution, the first
national synod was called at the metropolis of the kingdom. This
council published to the world their confession, which is entitled,
' The confession of faith held and professed by the Refornied
Churches of France, received and enacted by their first national
synod, celebrated in the city of Paris, and year of our Lord, 1559.'
" In their contests at this period the Huguer:ot forces were led by
the celebrated and brave Coligny and the Prince of Conde, two il-
lustrious names in their annals. The Duke of Guise headed the
papal armies. Towns were taken and retaketj ; when the Hugue-
nots triumphed they destroyed altars and images, and the Ro-
manists in their turn burned all the bibles they could seize. Such
were the effects of fanaticism on both sides. To assert that the
excesses were only committed by one party would be untrue,
and that some of our race were allied to angels ; but we hazard
nothing in saying that the reformed, in almost every instance,
resorted to arms from motives of self-preservation."

"Upon Sunday, August the 24th, 1572, was perpetrated the
massacre of St. Bartholomew. De Thou, a Popish historian,
relates that thirty thousand perished on this terrible occasion.
Another estimates one hundred thousand. In Paris alone, they
amoiuited to ten thousand, and among the number five hundred
Huguenot lords, knights, and military officers, with several
thousand gentlemen.

"This massacre which was perpetrated on St. Bartholomew's
day, in the year of our Lord 1572, a year most aptly designated
as infamous by Lord Clarendon, may be pronounced the foulest

Vol. I. " 49

3S6

HISTORY OF THE

and the bloodiest of ancient or modem times. The black deed
has handed down the names of Catharine de Medicis and her
son Charles IX. to the universal detestation of after ages.

*'Ciiarles, by a public edict, proclaimed himself the author of
it, pretending that he was forced to the measure by the Admiral
Coligny and his friends. In honor of it high mass was performed
by the Pope ; salvoes of artillery thundered from the ramparts of
St. Angelo ; a Te Deum was snng to celebrate the atrocious
event, and a medal was struck for the same purpose. If every
Protestant account of this terrible transaction must encounter
suspicion, we ourselves will be satisfied with the testimony of
this medal alone of Gregory Xllf., at that time the Pope ; — evi-
dence that scatters to the winds of heaven all the excuses and
attempted apologies for those who perpetrated the St. Bartholo-
mew massacre. The medal has as usual on the obverse a head
of the Pope, Gregorius XIII. Pont. Max. An. I. The reverse ex-
hibits a destroying angel with a cross in one hand, and a sword
in the other, pursuing and slaying a flying and prostrate band of
heretics. Strange work for an angel.^ The legend is: Hugo-
nottorumstrages, (slaughter of the Huguenots,) 1572."^

Fac-eimile of Papal Medal in honour of the Massaci-e of St. Kartholomew'a.
Kindly furnished by Mr. Edward Walker, publisher of "Dowling's Uisiory of Romanism."

Some of the Huguenot families of New Rochelle appear to

* Sketch of the Huguenots by Mr. G. P. Disosway. See Christian Intelligencer.

t There is an original medal in the possession of the Rev. S. Farmar Jarvis, D. D.
L. Ij. D., of Middletown, Connecticut ; who obtained it at the mint in Rome. Elec*
trotype copies of this medal are very numerous.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 387

have preserved the memory of that fatal day, by adopting it as a
christian name for their oitspring.^

The city of La Rochelle in France, which had always stood
firmly attached to the reformed interests, appears to have afford-
ed (in 1572,) an asylum for the survivors of the bloody massacre
of St. Bartholomew. It was here they issued their famous decla-
ration stating the affair to be one of unheard of cruelty, and
bidding defiance to their enemies the house of Guise. " And it
was here they armed and fortified themselves, trusting in a just
cause and to the favor of Heaven. For nine months they fought
most gallantly in defence of La Rochelle, killing 40,0U0 of their
enemies, who besieged them with the strongest and mightiest
army of France witljout success. It was however in 1G27, that
this city made its last and ever memorable stand for the cause of
the Huguenots. •.. <• ■ ;' •

*' And it may safely be said, that this mighty city would never
have fallen, (such was the undaunted heroism of the Rochellese
themselves,) had it not been for the powerful minded genius of
Cardinal Richelieu, who planned and executed such a mighty
work against it, that in gigantic extent it has been compared by
historians to the similar one executed by Alexander the Great
for Tyre. The powerful mind of Richelieu saw at a glance
that it was useless to carry on the longest siege against the city
of La Rochelle, whilst a free communication remained open to
the sea, on which the town was situated. He therefore closed
the mouth of their channel by the erection of a prodigious mole,
4482 feet across the harbor, with a central opening. The frame
work of this mole consisted of huge piles which was filled up
with stones., and sixty hulks sunk with the same material, for
the purpose of buttresses. One arm of this immense dyke over-
lapped the other, so that the entrance instead of being in front
was lateral. A stockade of piles, interlaced with chains effectu-
ally stopped the passage. This work he completed and defend-
ed by 45,000 men, while forty pieces of cannon on the one shore,
and twenty-five on the other, flanked the approaches ; and the

* Bartliolomew le Roux and others.

3S8 HISTORY OF THE

narrow passage in its centre, (of one hundred and fifty feet,)
guarded by a flotilla of vessels.''^

*' The brave Rochellese manfully defended themselves amidst
warfiire and starvation. They were reduced from over 27,000 to
5000, and out of a company of nearly 600 English allies, only
62 survived. 'Assure the Rochellese that 1 will not abandon
them ;' was the message of Charles of England to the closely be-
sieged city, and jnst as Buckingham was taking command of the
desired expedition, he was assassinated. This event created fur-
ther delay, and the expedition arrived too late to relieve the
place. The citizens bore their trials most manfully, and with a
perseverance seldom equalled. The bearer of a letter was arres-
ted, and compelled by torture to confess that he had swallowed
it concealed in a silver almond ; and he with the silver-smith
who made the almond were both hanged. Two illustrious ladies,
the Duchess of Rohan and her daughter, who were not named
in the capitulation, are thus referred to by a writer of that day.
^ Rigor without precedent, that a person of her quality, at the age
of seventy, on quitting a siege in which she and her daughter
had lived for three months on horse flesh and four or five ounces
of bread per day, should be held a captive, deprived of the exer-
cises of religion.' ' Protestants were no longer allowed to reside
in this ' city of refuge,' unless they had been inhabitants before the
arrival of Bucking'iam's expedition. The walls were prostrated,
the fortifications razed, and a cross erected. Thus perished this
little Christian republic which had defied the crown of France
lor seventy years."

•' History does not afford an example of more malignant or
desolating war than that which raged in France during the sev-
enteenth century. Louis XIV., the easy dupe of the Jesuits, con-
fessors, and the designing Madame de JVlaintenon, and led on,
also, by the Cardinal Mazarine, determined to convert the Re-
r<^rmers to the Roman faith. Not only force, but bribery was

• Smedley's History of Reform. Religion in Franc, vol. iii., p. 164, Harper's edi-
ti^EL

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

389

now employed ; converts were to be purchased, and proselytism
in every form resorted to."a

Arms of La Roclielle.

To enter into the minute particulars of this disastrous period
would be superfluous ; suffice it to say. that now commenced
a renewal of the outrageous proceedings of former years.
Commissioners were sent into the provinces to dispossess the
Reformed of all they held as citizens; nothing awaited them
but fines^ humiliation and poverty. Troops of soldiers were
quartered among them, who inflicted the most horrid bar-
barities, while others scoured the country, and dragooned men
into false confessions. And not only this ; hundreds were con-
demned to the galleys, and sent to the French provinces in Ame-
rica. One of their own ministers, Jeurieu, informs us that a
friend of his saw a great number of men, at Aries, fastened to the
horses, underneath, by means of cords, followed by long carts
filled with men and women, tied by their waists to the carts ! and
these were carried to Marseilles, to be shipped to America; others
again were sent to the islands of this country in the king's ships,
to be sold, like slaves, to those who would giv^e most for them.^
Wearied with the incessant persecution, and despairing of repose
around their native hearths, the Huguenots began to leave
France for more secure regions. Their well known industry and
skill made them be welcomed in every Protestant country. No

»■ Sketch of the Huguenots, Christian Intelligencer, Mr- Disosway,
b Jeurieu's Pastoral Letters,

390 HISTORY OF THE

less than five hundred thousand thus escaped, and found homes
in Germany, Holland, and England. "* King Charles 11. granted
letters of denization in council, under the great seal, and assured
the exiles that, at the next meeting of Parliament, he would in-
troduce a bill by which they should be naturalized ; relieved
them at the momenf from importation duties and passport fees,
and encouraged voluntary contributions for their support.''^ This
order was issued on the 2Sth of July, 16SI, the same year in
which the Huguenots of New Rochelle fled from Frnnce,c con-
clusive evidence that they constituted a portion of those exiles
who accepted the royal offers, and afterward, under the patronage
of the government, purchased and settled here in 1689. The
Huguenots must have been "aided, in their escape from France,
by the English vessels that lay for some time off the Island of
Rhe, opposite La Rochelle, in which they were conveyed to En-
gland.''d Tradition says that they were subsequently transported
to this place in one of the king's ships. The point on Daven-
port's Neck, called Bauffet's or Bonnefoy's Point, was the spot
where they first landed.

Upon the 17th of April, 1695, we find letters of denization
granted to Francis Le Count, under oaths appointed to be taken. ^

On the 6th of February. 1G95-6, letters of denization were is-
sued, under the seal of the province, " to David de Bonrepos,
Alexander Allaire, Henry Beignon, Esaye Valleau, Andrew Thau-
net, David Bonnefoy, Louis Guion, and Louis Guion his son,
Pierre Das, Pierre Palcot, Andrew Naudin, and Andrew and
Louis Naudin his sons, Theophile Fourrestier, Cliarles Fourres-
tier, Ambroise Sycard, and Ambroise, Daniel, and Jacques, his
sons^ Giulliamme Landrin, Guilliaume Latteneau, Isaaq Caillard,

» Christian Intelligencer ; Mr. Disosway's Sketch of the Huguenots.

b Smedley's Hist, of the Keformed Religion, iii. 217.

■« See Charier of Trinity Church in this town.

* So rapid and instantaneous appears to have been tlieir flight, that one family in
particular (the Guions) " left their pot boiling on the fire." An earthen jug, res-
cued on this occafiion, is in the possession of Mrs. .Tulia Ijuwlon, daughter of Fred-
erick Cuion.

' Alb. Ho.,k of Pat. vl 527.

COUN'CY OF WESTCHESTER. 391

Marie Cothonnean, and Guilliaume Cothonnean her son, Jean Neu-
fuille, Eslensie Lavinge, and Jean Constant, of foreign birth, and
a writ of "didimus potestatem," directed to Col. Caleb Heath-
cote, for administering the oaths nnto thetn."*

Most of these Huguenots purchased under Jacob Leisler,'^ in
1690.

They continued to arrive from England, as far as can be as-
certained, till the year 1700; for there is still preserved in the
Bonnett family (of this town) the following passport (from the
mayor of Bristol, in England, of this date,) to their ancestor, Dun-
iel Bonnett :

CiviTAs Bristol. — These are to certify that the bearer hereof, Daniel Bon-
nett, weaver, (as we are very well assured by persons of credit and repute of
the French refugees here,) is a French Protestant of good repute, and hath
here lived ten years. But in hopes of better maintaining himself and family,
is intending to settle himself, with his wife and four children, in some of his
Majestie's plantations in America. In testimony whereof, we have hereto sub-
scribed our names, and caused the seal of the mayoralty of this city to be
hereto affixed this sixteenth day of November, one thousand and seven hun-
dred.

Thos. Gary, Clerk. William Daines, Mayor,

Richard Lane,
Samuel Wallis,
William Jackson,
Thomas Day.

On Daniel Bonnett's arrival in New Rochelle, he purchased
land of Bartholomew le Roax, one of the first settlers. f'-

For some time, all the exertions the Huguenots conld make
men, women and children united, were necessary to prepare the
land for cultivation, and enable them to pay for its purchase,
which their perseverance at last accomplished. Yet amid all the
hardships and suffering incident to a laborious life, in an uncnl-
tivated and strange country, they wrote to their friends in France,

a Alb. Book of Pat. vol. i.

t The artists and mechanics appear to have remained in the city, while the farm-
ers moved into the country.

"^ This property is still occupied by his descendants.

392 HISTORY OF THE

expressing tbeir gratitude to Heaven for the advantages they en-
joyed in this land of liberty.

That heart must be hard indeed that cannot appreciate the fol-
lowing pious ejaculations set forth in the last will of John
Mashett, one of these suflerers for conscience sake.

Our help be in the name of God, which made the heavens and earth,
Amen.

T, John Mashett, a ship carpenter, born and bred in ye town of Frambbad
in France, and dwelling in Bordeaux, and being fugitive by the persecution,
with my family, viz., Jeanne Thomas my wife, and Peter, John, Jeanne and
Mary Anne Mashett, my children, sons and daughters, and having all aban-
doned and forsaken all my goods for my religion's sake, which I profess in
the purity of a (christian commonly called Protestant, and being now estab-
lished in these places, lands and dependencies of New York, in the town called
New Rochelle, under the dominion of the high and mighty monarch, our king,
William of plaine memory, to which God preserve his sceptre and crowne,
and that under his reign we might live in God's fear, and being sick of body
with a fever, notwithstanding sound of mind and memory, and willing to pro-
vide my business for the tranquility of my family, &c. Imprimus, I commend
my soul to God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, that
he might receive her in His Heavenly kingdom among his blessed child-
ren. And as for my corpse, to be buried after the custom and manner of my
religion and discipline, till the accomplishment of times, and untill the ressur-
rection when our Lord shall come for to judge the quick and the dead, &c. &c.
The above will is dated New Rochelle, 17th of April, 1694.*

Among the Lespinard papers, (at Upper New Rochelle) is pre-
served a diary kept by a member of that family, prior to their
leaving France, from which we make the following extracts (the
originals are in the French language.)

" September 20ih, 1671. I have been married to Abel de
Forge. I beg the good God, that he gives us the grace to live a
long lime in His holy fear, and that it will please Him to give us
a good paradise at the end.

" October 2d, 11)72. My wife has been confined of a girl Mar-
garet, at about ten o'clock of the day, on a AVednesday. Marga-

» Co. Rec.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

393

ret died, and has given her spirit to God, between 6 and 7 o'clock
of the afternoon. a

" Between the French Hnguenots, who settled at Oxford in
Massachusetts, and those who came to New York, it appears by
the Bernon papers, there was some correspondence."^

The freeholders of New Rochelle in 170S were as follows :

Daniel Lambert,
Elie Badeau,
Daniel Giraud,
Gregoire Gougeon,
Daniel Bornnett,
Elie de Bonrepos^
Jean Magnon,

Besly,

Isaac Meroier,
Bartholonnew Le Rous,
Pierre Valleau,

Jacob Scurman,
Annbroise Sycart,
Benjaaiin Faneuil,
Alexander Allaire,
Jean Pemeau,
J. Levillain,

Bolts,

Daniel Rayneau,
Guilleaume Le Counte,
Franqois Le Counte,
Zacharie Angevin,

Frederick Schorman.

Upon the 17th of April, 1724, we find the following freeholders
"granting to Anthony Lespinard a portion of land (situated on
Davenport's Neck,) for the erection of a mill."°

Besly,

Oliver Besly,
Simon Mohe,
Francis Ganyard,
Frederick Scurman»
Gilleaume Clapp,
John Clark,
John M. Martin,
Eslen Guerin,
Benj. Petit,
Josias Le Conte,
Abel Devoux,
Samuel Barnard,,
John Moras,

Peter Simson,
John Coutant,
F. Bolt, jr.
Zaccarie Angevin,
Pierre Elize Gallaudet,
Isaac Mercier,
Lancinie Thauvet, -'
Aman Guion, ' -

Andre Naudain,
Alexander Allaire,
Gregoire Gougeson,
James Roubet,
Henry Shadden,
Rachel Neufille.d

" Extracts from the Lespinard diary, in possession of Mr. Gaulladet, Upper Ro-
chelle.
b Massaclmsetts Hist. Collect, vol. ii. 34.
c The site now occupied by Mr. Secor's mill.
d Co. Rec. lib. F. 150.

Vol. I. 50

394 HISTORY OF THE

The records of this town commence on the 1st of November,
1699.

"At a general meeting of all the inhabitants of this town, ac-
cording to Justice Pinckney, his warrant, Peter Le Ronx, hereto-
fore Constable, has been discharged, and Robert Bloomer has
been named in his place, for to exercise the said charge of Con-
stable, and that, nomine contradicente. In the same assembly,
Peter Frederick and Joseph Devane have been named for to
be surveyors about the fences in all the plantation of this place,
for to preserve the peace.

April, 1700. Robert Bloomer, Supervisor,

Ambroise Sicard, Collector,
Peter Valleau, Assessor,

Peter Frederick, > c? r tr- u

. , „ I . > Surveyors of Highways
Andrew narehut, ) o j

Occasionally the entries occur in the French language: "La
j^remiar jour d'avril, 1710, nous les inhabitanis de La Nouvelle
Rochelle, assemble a I'autorite par un warant de Justice Gougeon
date du en mnrs nous eumes a nommer pour officiers pour suvir le
canton.

Pour Supervoyser, Olliviere Besly,

Pour Constable, Zacarie Angevin,

Pour Collecteur, Jacque Flandreau,

Pour Toon Man, Isaac Mercier et Pierre Yalleau,

Pour Sarvoyeur, Jonas Le Villain et Daniel Reyneau.

The first independent election for officers of this town took
place in 17S3.

At a town meeting, held the 22d of December, 1723, at the house of Gil-
bert Brush, innkeeper, for choosing town officers for the town of New Ro-
chelle, in pursuance of an ordinance of the Council, appointed by the act of
the Legislature, entitled an act to provide for the temporary government of the
Bouihern part of this state whenever tlie enemy shall abandon or be dispossest
of the same, and until the Legislature can be convened, passed 23d of October,
1779, the following town officers are elected : —

Benjamin Stephenson, Supervisor,

James Willis, Town Clerk,

James Reynolds, Constable and Collector,.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 395

Benjamin Stephenson, ^

James Ronalds, > Assessors,

James Willis, y

David Guion, ) Overseers of the road for

James Wiliia, \ the upper quarter,

Abraham Guion, } x ♦

!•,,>,• ' > Lower quarter,

Josiah Uuion, ^ ^

Peter Flandreau, ) r* ir-

X,,- r^ ■ ' > Uamage Viewers.

tilias Guion, ) °

"The village of New Roclielle is agreeably situated on the
Boston turnpike, extending to Long Island Sound on the south,
where there is a convenient steamboat lauding, distant eigliteeu
miles from the city of New York. It contains about 900 inhab-
itants, 130 dwelling houses, 1 Episcopal, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Meth-
odist, and I Roman Catholic church ; a post office, a bank, 3
hotels, and several extensive boarding houses, 1 boarding schoo:!
f jr males, and two for females, 9 stores, 2 grist mills, 1 manuflic-
tory of printer's ink, and two carriage factories."^

The settlement of this place was commenced by the Hugue-
nots in 1691, (two years after the purchase of the town,) who
gave it the name it now bears, in remembrance of their native
residence. La Rochelle, in France.^ This favorite asylum of the
French Protestants was, at a very early period, a place of some
resort not only for the acquirement of the French language, but
on account of the hospitality and polit&ness of its inhabitvnE^s^
Here some of the most distinguished men in the country have
received the elemen-ts of their education (under the charge of
the French clergy ;) among them may be enumerated the Hon.
John Jay, (the grandson of a Huguenot,) " who made the cele-
brated treaty of Paris, for the independence of oiu' country, and
exerted a powerful in§uence in extending the limits of the United
States to the Mississippi !"« Also General Philip Schuyler, so

» Spafford's N. Y. Gazetteer.

b La Rochelle, the capital of the department of Lower Charente, called Rupella
by the ancient Romans.

= " At the early age of eight years, John Jay was sent to a grammar school at
New Rochelle. His instructor was the Rev. Mr. Stouppe, a native of Switzerland,
and pastor of the French Church." See Life of John Jay.

396 HISTORY OF THE

conspicnons for his services and successes in the revolutionary
war,a luid Washington Irving.

For two generatioi]s the Huguenots of New Rochelle, preserv-
ed in its purity the French language, thus testifying their attach-
ment to their native land, the sepulchre of their forefathers, and»
to which perhaps, they cherished the hope of a return at souie fa-
lure period.

The first dwelling houses were erected on each side of the
hiah street. b in the vicinity of the old stone church. At a very
early date of the settlement, this appears to have been a flourish-
ing place; for Madame Knight who travelled through the vil-
lage in 1704 thus describes it.

** On the 22d of December, we set out for New Rochelle, where
being come, we had good entertainment, and recruited ourselves
very well. This is a very pretty place, well compact, and good
handsome houses, clean good and passable roads, and situated on
a navigable river, abundance of land well fenced and cleared all
along as we passed, which caused in me a love to the place,
which I could have been content to live in it. Here we rid over
a bridge made of one entire stone, of such a breadth that a cart
might pass with safety; and to spare. It lay over a passage cut
through a rock to convey water to a mill not far off.<^ Here are
three fine taverns withiu call of each other, and very good pro-
vision for travellers. ''d

The advantages presented by the proximity of the sound are
of great importance to New Rochelle.

Besides the ordinary water transportation by sloops there is the

^ " Philip Schuyler was born on the 22d of November, 1733. He was educated
by a good and wise mother, until sent to a school at New RocJielle, &c. Here he'
acquired a knowledge of the French language, and improved himself in various
branches of learnhig."' Notice of Gen. P. Schuyler.

b The present street, which passes in front of the Episcopal Church. The
Guion family appear to have been among the first residents and proprietors of the
viWage.

« 'I'his stone must have occnpied the site of the present bridge which crosses thp
ClirysJal Lake stream.

<i Madaujc Knight's (ravels in 1704^

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 397

c<!)nTenience of a daily steambont to the city during the summer
months, atid tliree times a week in the winter. In addition to
which there is the New York and New Haven rail road now in
course of construction.

The hotels, which afford excellent accommodations to parlies
visiting the place for ihe amusement of fishing, the salubrity of
its air, or the beauty of its scenery, consist of the New Kochelle
Hotel, by Mr, George Fuller, and the Mansion House, by Mr.
Henry Porter.^ The Le Roy House is an extensive and comfort-
able establishment, under the charge of Mr. Alexander Banlcs.
Adjoining the store of Messrs. Baber &, Badeau (on the main
street) there has been erected a large and commodious office for
the Westchester Mutual Insitrance Company.

The by-laws of this company authorize their agents to insure
to the amount of 5000 dollars on one risk, but in no case to insure
property so connected, that one loss can exceed 5000 dollars.^

OFFICERS OF THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY MU-
TUAL INSURANCE COMPANY, NEW ROCHELLE.

DIRECTORS.

Nathaniel Bayles, Josiah Le Count, George W- Miller, -

George Rutherford, Ben H. Carpenter, Samuel S. Wood,

William Scott, George Case, Samuel Trowbridge,

James T. Eells, Monmouth Lyon, Caleb Rorcoe,

William H. Bowne, Horace B. Smith, Thos. O'Farrington,

Albert Badeau, D. R. Carpenter, Daniel Mapes,

Alexander Banks, Alsop H. Lockwood, Sam'l W. Canfield,

' OFFICERS.

Nathaniel Bayles, President and General Agent.
James T. Eells, Secretary and Treasurer.
George Case, Attorney and Coimsellor.

On the opposite side of the street is situated the town Iiouse, a
neat wooden building surmounted by a cupola. This is used for

» Formerly kept by Capt. George Pelor and known as The Cross Keys,
b Directions to agents.

398 HISTORY OF THE

holding the justices' courts, and town elections in, and other public
purposes. The main street is wide, straight, and very pleasant,
and runs the entire length of the village. Upon the whole, New
Rochelle is a place of considerable wealth and enterprise, and
from its fine location it must eventually arrive to some impor-
tance. On tli« north side of the old Boston post road (formerly
the high street of the village,) is situated the Episcopal church, a
chaste Gothic structure of wood surmounted by a neat tower and
spire of the sane materials.

The first church edifice, of which any thing is known, was
built by the Huguenots about 1692-3, upon the site of the pre-
sent Episcopal church. a In 1693, " The elders of the church in
New Rochelle have accorded to Ambroise Sicard, jr., and Daniel
Sicard, to convert into a rent at 6 per cent, the 40 shillings which
they owe for 10 acres of land sold them by the inhabitants and
begin to pay the rent May, 1694.^

"Thauvet Ecotonneau,

'•Tmacher Theroude,

"GuiLLiAUME Le Count,

'•Daniel Streing."

In the grant to Jacob Leisler, (20ih September, 1689,) John
Pell, lord of the manor, with the consent of Rachel his wife, did
give and grant, '• to the said Jacob Leisler the further quantity of
one hundred acres of land for the use of the French church
erected or to be erected by the inhabitants of the said tract of
land.''c

The following documents relate to this property, which was in
dispute for some time, between the present Episcopal corporation
and the Presbyterian society,

" Juilly 22d, 1700.'' " In general assembly of the inhabitants of
ihis place, according to Justice Mott's warrant, it lias been agreed
by the plurality of votes, that above the hundred acres of land
given by Sir John Pell for the church of this place, the said 100

* Testimony of Elias Guioa, This individual was born February 14, 1728, and
died November 26, 1811.

b Town Rec.

* See Leisler's deed and church charter.

COUNTV OF WESTCHESTER. 399

acres shall be taken on the undivided land, according to the
choice of the elders of the church, as they will find the more pro-
fitable for the church and people.'-a

In 1763 the members of Triniiy Church obtained a further
confirmation of the above grant from the heirs of John Pell, and
subsequently released to each oiher. The following release from
the executors of Joseph Pell to David Guion occurs on the 22d of
February, 1763.

" Between Phcebe, widow of Joseph Pell, and Samuel Sneden and Jacobus
Bleecker, Esqrs., executors of Joseph Pell, on the one part, and David Guion
of New Rochelle on the other, witnesseth, &c., whereas John Pell, formerly
proprietor of the said manor of Pelham, was seized in fee of 6000 acres of land,
part of said manor of Pelham, and being so seized did sell the said 6000 acres
of land to one Jacob Leisler, and did set apart the said remaining 100 acres of
land for the use of the French church. But said John Pell never did dispose
or divest himself of the legal estate and right to the said 100 acres, and the
said John Pell afterwards died intestate, and left Thomas Pell his eldest son
and heir at law, by means whereof the inheritance and legal right to the said
100 acres became vested in said Thomas Pell. And whereas said Thomas,
on 3d July, 1739, did in due form of law make his last will and testament ar*d
bequeath the same to his son, Joseph Pell, in fee, &c., whereupon the said
executors do convey the said 100 acres to David Guion," &c.b

On the 4th of Feb. 1763, David Guion released the same to
Trinity church for the snm of £100.^

Isaac Guion, Peter Flandreau, Samuel Gelliott and Magdaline
Stonppe (sole executrix and heir of the last will and testament
of the Rev. Peter Stouppe) also released to the Church in 1767.^

Prior to the erection of the first Huguenot church in New Ro-
chelle, the devoted inhabitants of this town, walked regularly
every Sunday to New York, a distance (by the road at that time)
of 23 miles, to attend the Sabbalh service at the old Church du
St. Esprit, in Pine street, and returned on the Sabbath evening
to their homes, to be ready for their weekly avocations on Mon-

s^ Town Rec

b Co. Rec. lib. H 342.

e Co. Rec. Lib H 346.

<i Co. Rec, Lib. G. 554, 556. See also Lib. H. 349.

400 HISTORY OF THE

day. To them the service of the temple was a delight. They
invariably commenced their march on Sunday morning by sing-
ing one of the psalms of Clement Marot. The 60lh psalm ap-
pears to have been a particular favorite.

" O Lord thou didst us clean forsake,
And scatter all abroad, &c."

We are indebted tor the following particulars, to ihe recollec-
tions of the late John Pintard, L. L. D.

"The holy sacrament was administered to the Huguenots at
New Roche le, four times a year, viz., Christmas, Easter, Whit-
sunday and the middle of September. During the intermissions
that occurred, the communicants walked to New York for that
purpose. Prior to their departure on a Sunday, they always col-
lected the young children, and left them in the care of friends^
while they set off early in the morning and walked to the city
barefooted, carrying their shoes and stockings in their hands.
About 12 miles from New York at a place since called the Blue
Bell, there was a large rock by the road side covered with cedars,
here they stopped for a short time to rest and take some refresh-
ment, and then proceeJed on their journey till they came to a
fresh water pond, (within the bounds of the city) here they
washed their feet, put on their shoes and stockings, and walked
to the French church, where they generally arrived by the time
service begun. After they had received the sacrament, they
adjourned to the consistory room and partook of the provisions
they hLid brought with them. The interval between the services
was short for Uieir accommodation, as they had to walk home
again the same evening to their families. This religious duty
was often repeated, an evidence that their piety was ardent and
sincere. They continued to worship after this manner, till the
American revolution broke out, when this part of the county be-
came harassed and overrun by the British troops. The people
in consequence were scattered, and the younger folks grew up
without going to any regular place of worship.

The French Church du St. Esprit had two doors, behind which
boxes were placeJ to receive the contributions of the congrega-
tion. At the conclusion of the services, the minister never failed

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 401

to add '• Sonvenez vous les pauvres," remember yc the poor.
Upon which, every person old and yonng, on going out of church,
dropped a copper into the box.^ The money collected in this
manner was divided the next morning among the poor who
came regularly to receive their allowance at nine o'clock in the con-
sistory room. At that early period, a large loaf of bread could be
purchased for four coppers, so that this money supplied the indigent
for one week. It is a well known fact, that the French Huguenots
always made it a matter of conscience to support their own poor,
and the scripture remark has more than once been applied to
them. " Yet have I not seen the righ'eous forsaken, nor his
seed begging bread." The French clergy were derived frciQ
Geneva, and greatly distinguished for their learning. Governor
Burnet, of New York, the son of Bishop Burnet, was much cenr
sured for his partiality to them, but being well educated^ he knew
how to appreciate their merits. The Huguenots were very care^
ful in the domestic education of their children. In the common
sitting room of most houses, the mantel piece was finished with
Dutch tiles, containing chiefly the history of the New Testament;
and the Parables."^

They were taught to learn the subject by these tiles on Sun-
day evenings, for at that period Sunday evening services were
not common ; other denominations first introduced them. The
consequence has been that domestic instruction has declined, a
method by which the children of earlier days derived more bene-
fit, than by being carried to evening churches.''^

In the possession of the Hon. Joshua Purdy of North Salem is
the original French bible belonging to the Guion family of New
Rochelle, containing the forms of prayer, with the manner of ad-
ministering the sacraments ; celebrating marriage, and the visita-
tion of the sick, as formerly practised in the French Reformed

a Mr. Pintard remembered as a child, to have been lifted up for the purpose of
dropping his mite into the box.

b Such may yet be seen in this place in the house of Mr. Samuel Davis.

c From John Pintard's recollections, communicated by Mrs. Seryoss of Nev^
Rochelle.

Vol. I. 51

402 HISTORY OF THE

Church' of tliis pUice, one hundred and eight years ago. One
of the prayers is thus entitled,

'•OrAISOX DU FIDELE detenu en CAPTIVITE."

The catechism of the French Church is also added, and the
Psalms in metre with their appropriate tunes. On a blank leaf
occurs the following memoranda,

Cette Bible appartient
au moy Valther Himbert
du Locke & de ta
de fond Bourgeois
Mangin Lan-
mille Sept cent
et un
FI.
Au nom de dieu Issac Gieon a marie ma file le 25 d'Aiigust,
1700, par Monsieur le Roux minister de la Francaise de la Nouv-
elleyoik. X

En j ve Leace de Monsieur Peak dronibut ancien. \^
By an act of General Assembly, passed Sept. 1693, (which was
subsequently confirmed,) the Manor of Pelham became one of
the four districts of Vv'estchester parish. In the year 1702, New
Roche! le contributed towards iheriiinister's maintenance, and poor
of the parish, £7 'Ss. Od. In 1720 her quota amounted to £12
145 lid.

At a meeting of the justices and vestry held in the town of
Westchester, on the 5th of May, 17t)4, '• appeared Mr. Peter
Hulse, (constable for the town of New Rochelle in 1702,) who
produced two receipts, for £5., the minister's rate for that year."^
The first minister of the French Reformed Church in New
Rochelle appears to have been the Rev. Daniel Bondet. Although
by a reference to the charter of Trinity Church it will Le seen
that the pastors of the French Church in this place had been
'* invested with holy orders by episcopal ordination," as early as
1095.b

• Westchester vestry books.

k By a reference to the first elders of this church in 1693, it will be seen that

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 403

Mr. Bondet, prior to his removal to this place, had been settled
over the French congregation at New Oxford in Massachusetts.
This appears from a letter written by him to some person in
authority, (probably Governor Dudley) complaining of the sale of
rum to the Indians, " without order and measure," and of its
baneful effects. The date is lost, with a line or two at the be-
ginning, but is endorsed " Mr. Daniel Bondet's representation re-
ferring to N. Oxford, July 0th, 1691." He mentions it as up-
on "an occasion wliich fills my heart with sorrow and my life
of trouble, but my humble request will be at least before God,
and before you, a solemn protestation against the guilt of those
encorrigible persons who dwell in our place. The rome (rum)
is always sold to the Indians, without order and measure, inso-
much that according the complaint sent to me by Master Dickes-
tean, with advice to present it to your honor. The twenty-
sixth of the last month there was about twenty Indians so furious
by drunkenness that they fought like bears, and fell upon one

called Remes who is appointed for preaching the gospel

amonafst them. He has been so much disfis'ured bv his wonds
that there is no hope of his recovery. If it was your pleasure to
signifie to the instrumens of that evil the jalosie of your athorite
and of the publique tranquility, you would do great good main-
taining the honor of God in a Christian habitation, comforting
some honest souls, wich bjing incompatible wjth such abomina-
tions, feal every day the burden of afflixon of their honorable
perigrination aggravated. Hear us, pray, and so God be with
you and prosper all your just undertakings and applications 'tis
the sincere wish of your most respectuos servant,

D. Bondet, Minister of the Gospel
in a French congregation at New Oxford,"

The government probably interfered and took measures to pre-
vent the repetition of the evil complained of. The above paper
was found in the secretary's office, and shown to me by Mr.

the name of Tliauvet Ecotonneau is placed above those of the elders : it Is possible
that he was the first miuisler.

404 HISTORY OF THE

Secretary Bradford, who. at my request, searched the govern-
ment papers, in aid of my inquiries. The " representation of the
minister may have induced the government to appoint him a
missionary to the natives in the neighborhood of Oxford ; for in
another communication. Mr. Bradford informed me ;" " in 1695,
Mr. Bondet, a French Protestant minister, preached to the Nip-
mug Indians, in the south of Worcester county.""-

The year of Mr. Bondet's settlement at New Rochelle was
1700. At first he used the French prayers, according to the
Protestant Ciiurches of France; but in 1709 his congregation
unanimously, with the exception of two individuals, followed
the example of their French reformed brethren in England and
New York, by conforming to the English Church.^ In doing
this, the Huguenots followed the sentiment of their own church,
which, from the beginning of the Reformation to this time, had
allowed it to be lawful to do so, and condemned those who made
any separation, but from the Church of Kome.^

Upon this conformity, we find the venerable Propagation So-
ciety making an allowance to the Rev. Daniel Bondet and di-
recting him to use the liturgy of the Church of England. Oii.
the 20ih of March, 1709, Governor Ingoldsby issued the follow-
ing order or license emnowerino: the inhabitants to erect a new
church.

By ye Honorable Richard IngolJsby, Esq., her majesties Lieutenant Gov-
ernor and Commander-in-chief of ye province of New York and New Jersey,
To ye Rev. Mr. Daniel Bondel minister, Captain Oliver Bessley, Mr. Isaac
Valleau, Doctor John Neuille, Joseph le Villian, and ye other inhabitants of
ye town of New Rochelle, in ye county of Westchester, communicants of ye
Church of England, as by law established, greeting :

» Mass. Hist. Coll. 3rd Series, vol. iv., 61, Appendix.

^ Hist. Propagat. Soc. by Dr. Humphreys, p. 207.

''' Bcza, one of the most powerful advocates for the Huguenots, wrote to some of
lliem who were discontented in England, conjuring them by ail that was good and
hacrod not to forsake the communion of the Church of England, for such indiffer-
ent rites and ceremonies as were there imposed upon them. Bcza, Ep, xii.j p. 105.
Calvin, the founder of the French Churches, passes an anathema upon those who
forsake th'; communion of orthodox bishops where they are lo be had. Calvin de
Meceasit. Reform. Eccles. torn, xiii., p. GO. Se«; Bezu Uesp, ad Surar. cap. xviii.

dOtlMtY OF WESTCHESTER.

40=

Whereas, I am informed (jfyour pious design to build a church for the wor-
ship and service of God, according to ye form and manner prescribed by the
liturgy of the church' of England, and have been applied to for lycense to erect
it on ye j)ublic street. I have thought fitt, and do hereby give leave and ly-
cense to you to erect such building in such convenient place of ye said street,
as you shall think most proper, provided ye breadth of such church do not ex-
ceed thirly foot. And further I do authorize and empower you to receive
and collect such sums of money and other help as charitable people shall be
disposd to contribute to the good work. Given under my hand and seal at
New York, this 20th day of March, 170D, and of her majesties reign ye ninth
year. a

Richard Ingoldsby.

This new church erected in
1710-1 J, stood a little east of
the present Episcopal church,
(at the entrance of the lane
leading to Mr. Elias Guion's
residence.) The building
which was constructed of
stone, formed nearly a square,
being perfectly plain within
and without. b The founda-

fluguenot Church, New Rochelle, erected A. D. 1710. tion StOUCWaS laid bv GoV-

crnor Hunter; and, so anxious were all to contribute something
towards its completion, that even females carried stones in their
hands, and mortar in their aprons to complete the sacred work.c
The new church may have been re-modelled after the ancient
Huguenot church of old La Rochelle, which appears to have
been destroyed by fire in 1687'. On Corpus Christi day, just
two years before, the Huguenots themselves, purchased the pre-
sent township. Jurieu, a minister of the Reformed church, in
one of his pastoral letters, addressed to the " Protestants of France
groaning under the Babylonish captivity, refers to this event,
which he evidently considers a remarkable interposition of God

a I Co. Rec. Lib. D. 72.

b The first child baptised in this cliurch was Sovereign Belts.

c Upon the departure from France, t!ie Huguenot ladies concealed their small
bibles beneath their high dressed hair. One o.'" these bibles is still in tlie possession
of IMrs. Sevooss, New Rochelle.

406 HISTORY OF THE

in their behalf. "It is nothing less notorious, (he observes) than
the burning of the ^reat church of Old La Rochelle. This church
was formerly tlie great Church of the Reformed : they (the Ro-
manists) took it away from them, after the siege and taking of
the city. Every one knows that the day in which the inhabi-
tants made a bonfire, the fire took hold of this large and fair
church, none knows how, nor where : and that it was consumed,
the lead melted, and all the vaults burned, without being able to
quench it.

There is something singular in the event, the day, and the
occasion, and 'tis impossible not to see the finger of God therein."*

In the year 1711-12, the Venerable Propagation Society, pre-
sented to Mr. Daniel Bondet, for the use of the inhabitants of
New Rochelle, (who, under the influential mitiistry of the Rev.
Mr. Bondet, have built them a 7iew church of stone, for the wor-
ship of God, and are, many of them, reconciled to the usage of
the Church of England) 100 French prayer books of the smallef
sort, and 20 of larger impression. In consideration of the great
learning and piety of Monsieur Bondet, at New Rochelle, and his
long and faithful discharge of his office, they have augmented
his salary from £30 to £50 per annum.

Another supply of 100 prayer books in French, occurs in 1713,
to the Rev. Monsieur Bondet, minister of the Reformed congre-
gation at New Rochelle. Upon this, he remarks, " the books came
very seasonably, and is much to the comfort of that people, as to
engage their thanks to the society, for their charity in the care of
them, when their ejiemies reported they were derilected."

The same year the society forwarded to the Rev. Daniel Bon-
det, "minister of the French Calvanistic congregation at New
Rochelle, £10, in consideration of his diligence and care in per-
forming English service every third Sunday, for the edification
of the French youth who have learnt so much of that language
as to join with him therein."

Upon the 7ih of February, 1714, Quean Anne was pleased to
grant and confirm the new church or chapel, and the ground

• Jurieu's Pastoral Letters, p. 593,

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 407

whereon it stood, to the ministers and members in the following
manner: —

" Anne, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Queen,
Defender of the Faith, &c. &c., to all whonn these presents may come or in
any wise concerne, sendeth greeting : Whereas, the inhabitants of New Ro-
chelle, in the County of Westchester, &c., with the leave and lycense of our
trusty and well beloved Robert Hunter, Esq., Captain General and Governor-
in-chief of our province of New York and territories depending thereon in
America, and Yice-Admiral of the same, have, by the voluntary contributions
of well disposed Christians, erected and built in the High street of the said
town of New Rochelle — to wit., on the north side thereof, a Church or Cha-
pel for the worship and service of Almighty God, according to the rites and
ceremonies of the Church of England as by law established ; and whereas
Daniel Bondet, now minister at New Rochelle aforesaid, Isaias Valleau, Oli-
ver Besley, Peter Yalleau, Elie Debonrepos, in behalf of themselves and other
the inhabitants of New Rochelle aforesaid, of the Communion of the Church
of England, by their petition, presented to our trusty and well beloved Robert
Hunter, Esq., Captain General and Governor-in-chief as aforesaid in CounciU
Hb-ve prayed our grant and confirmation of ihe said Church or Chapel, and
ground whereon the same is erected and built, to and for the use and service
aforesaid, the which petition wee being willing to grant — Know ye, that of our
especial grace, certain knowledge, and raeer motion, we have given, granted,
released, ratified, aad confirmed, and by these presents for ourselves, our heirs
and successors, do give, grant, release and confirm unto the said Daniel Bon-
det, Isaias Yalleau, Oliver Besley, Peter Yalleau, and Elias Debonrepos, and
to their heirs and assignees, all that the Church or Chapel aforesaid, and all
and singular t!ie ground whereon the same now stands, being 40 feet in length
and 30 feet in breao'th ; the which said Church or Chapel and ground is situate,
standing and being in the north side of the High street of the said town of
New Rochelle, in the County of Westchester aforesaid, between the dwelling
house of Johannes Le Conte and Zachary Anjouvaine, together with all and
singular the ways, easements, emoluments, profiits, benefitts, priviledges, Hb-
ertyes, advantages, hereditaments, appurtenances whatsoever to the same
belonging, or in any wise of right appertaining, and all our state, right, title,
interest, benefits, advantages, claime and demand whatsoever, of, in, or to the
said Church or Chappel, ground and premises, with the appurtenances or any
part or parcel thereof, and the reversion and reversions, remainder and re-
mainders thereof, to have and to hold the said church or chappel ground and
premises with the appurtenances hereby granted, released, and confirmed, or
meant, mentioned, or intended to be hereby granted, released, and confirmed,
unto ihe said Daniel Bondet, Isaias Yalleau, Oliver Besly, Peter Yalleaa and
Elie Debonrepos, their heirs and assignees, for ever, to the only proper use
and behoof of them, the said Daniel Bondet, Isaias Valleau, Oliver Besley,

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 409

During ihe year 1714 Mr. Bondet took charge of the River In-
dians.^

'• In 1715 Mr. Bondet's congregation at New Rochelle has a
comfortable number of communicants, and meets for service not
only on Lord's days, but all other occasions appointed by the
church.'"'^

The Rev. Daniel Bondet died in 1721, having been twenty
years minister of this church. As lie lived greatly beloved, he
died no less lamented; his will bears date 24ih of March, 172^.
In this document he styles himself "minister of the gospel of New
Rochelle." To Betty Cantine he bequeathes all his ready mo-
ney, plate, jewels, ring and household furniture ; and to the use
of the French church in New Rochelle, all his books consisting
of 400 volumes.^

During the interval between the death of ]Vlr. Bondet and the
appointment of his successor, services appear to have been per-
formed by the Rev. John Bartow, Rector of the parish of West-
chester, who received o€10 for such extra service.

Mr. Bondet was succeeded in 1722 by the Rev. Pierre Stouppe.^

This gentleman proved very acceptable because he could preach
in French, which language only most of the people understood.

In 1724 the elders, or anciens (as tliey are sometimes styled,)
of the French church, were Isaac Q,uantein and Isaac Guion.

Mr. Stouppe writing to the Propagation Society, in 1726, thus
describes the state of the church. " 1 liave baptized 6 grown ne-
groes, 7 negro children, fitted 8 young people for the sacrament,
and my communicants at Easter numbered 33."

In 1730 he acquaints the society that the French and English
prayer books sent him have been of great use, the number of his
communicants increases, and in the course of six months he had
baptized 15 white children and 3 colored. In the report for the year

a These were the Mohegan Indians. Report of Propagation Soc.

b Report of Pro. Soc.

c Surrogate's office N. Y. No. viii. 332. Miss, of Col. Ch. 282.

d Mr. Stouppe, miuister of the French church in London, was sent out to Geneva
to negotiate on affairs relating to the French Protestants. Thurloe, ii. 246. This
individual was probably the fallier of the Rev. Pierre Stouppe.

Vol. I. 52 >

410 HISTORY OF THE

1733 he writes that he has 35 communicants, baptized 3 white
childreHj and has always a good number of hearers, and when
service is performed in English : the congregation is so numerous
of late that the people scarce can sit, and not only the English
but the Dutch also of that town have applied to him for the bap-
tism of their children. November 16, 1736, he reports, " that his
cliurch continues in a prosperous condition, and that the people
do regularly attend the church at all seasons." In 1743 he la-
ments the death of several worthy communicants.

This year we find the congregation addressing the Venerable
Propagation Society on behalf of their minister as follows:

New Rochelle, June 1st, 1743.
Dr. Bearcroft,

Reverend Sir. — Our minister, ye bearer hereof, having communicated to us
his letter to you of ye month of Oct. 1742, wherein he expressed a desire of
revisiting his native country, and asked ye Hon'ble Society's leave for that
purpose ; we took that declaration as if he had resolved to leave us altogether
and to serve our church no longer ; and therefore made bold to address our-
selves unto ye Hon'ble Society for providing us with another, that we might
not remain destitute.

But hearing now from his own mouth that he designs to go no further than
London, and is willing to return, with ye Hon'ble Society's permission, for the
service of our church : we therefore upon this consideration take ye liberty to
declare and acquaint you that our said minister, since his first coming, has
constantly resided among us, preaching (as directed by ye Hon'ble Society,)
two Sundays in French and one in English, much to our satisfaction and edifi-
cation, his doctrine being very sound, and his pronunciation full, clear, and in-
telligible—upon which account we could have wished that he had finished his
days among us without interruption, and we expected nothing else ; but as it
happens, a strong desire to hear from his relatives has prevailed with him to
take a journey for Europe. However, seeing he now explains his mind, and
promises to return among us, we beg of the Hon'ble Society that they would
accordingly be pleased to send him again to us, by the first and next opportu-
nity. But if, contrary to our expectation, it should fall out otherwise, we re-
peat our former petition, and beg leave to entreat ye Hon'ble Society not to
leave us destitute, but to continue to us their charily in providing us with
ar,olher in his room, as in their great wisdom and goodness they shall think fit.

Such is ye prayer of us underwritten members of New Rochelle church,
who are with frreat respect,
Reverend sir,

Ye most obedient humble servants,

And in ye name of all,
Jean Soulice, Jean Angevin,

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

411

Peter Bonnet,
Gille Lieure,
Peter Sicard,
John Badeau,
Aman Guion,
Isaac Guion, jr.
Barnard Rynlander,
Philip Jacob Rhinlander,
Joseph Donaldson,
Jonas Spock,
Daniel Cicarf,
Isaac Sicard,

his
Paul ><j Sicard,

mark.
Jacque Pureot,
Isaac Guion,
Jaines de Blez, ' •
Marsil Ne Fuelle, • '
Josias Le Conte,
Jean Sicard,
Jaques Bonnet,
Jean Bonnet,
William Rhinlander,
Jaque Flandreau,

her
La Veuve ><^ Jean Juin,

mark.
Anne Palmer,
Mary Anne Palmer,
Johann Pieter Ritter,

his
Samuel ><{ Bernard,
mark.

Jacques P. Sicard,
Aleda Bolbt,
Peter Bertain,
J'Anne ne a Fuille,
Robert Livingston,
Abm. Bancker, jr.
Abrm. Guion,
Daniel Angevin,

his
Trustura X Soby,

m.ark.
Catherine Angevin,
Ambroise A. Sicard,
Daniel Giraud,
Daniel Giraud, jr.
John More,

his
Frederick ^ Selurman,

mark.
Michael Croesny,
Jean Parcot,
Isaac Coutant,
John Allee,
John Flandreau,
Isaac Daas
William Rodman,
Jam. Bartain,
Jaque Sicard.
John Chadeayne,
Gideon Florance,
Daniel Sicard,
Guilleaume Landrim
Janne Bonnin, '^

Oliver Besly.

In 1743, Aman Guion granted " to Isaac Guion and John
Soulice, churchwardens or elders, and their successors for the
use of the minister and communicants of the French church in
New Rochelle aforesaid, as is herein settled according to the
rules and form of the Church of England, as by law established,
a small tract of land containing one acre and three quarters,
more or less, which is now in the possession of the Rev. Peter

412 HISTORY OF THE

Stoiippe, now minister of the aforesaid church, bounded northerly
by burying place, easterly b}' the land of Arnan Guion, or a lane
or road, southerly by the land that formerly belonged to De Bon-
reppas, and westerly, by the land of William le Count, for the
use of the French minister and communicants of the French
Church, &c."a

June ll5th. Mr. Stouppe reports to the society, that the church
continues in a good state, and that he officiates to numerous
congregations, both of English and French. The number of
communicants had increased to SO. He had baptized in the pre-
ceding year, 34 white and G colored children.

In the report for the year 1758. occurs the following passage :
'' Since the war broke out, (French war) great alterations huve
taken place in the congregation, by which I have lost many
members. This is caused by removals, and enlisting in the
King's service."

Dr. Barclay in a letter dated Sept. 3, 1760, encloses an ad-
dress to the Propagation Society, from the Church of New Ro-
chelle,ij wherein they acquaint -that body with the death of the
Rev. Pierre Stouppe, who for 37 years had been the society's mis-
sionary. He was a simple minded conscientious man, (says Dr.
Hawkins in his Early Colonial Missions) who continued for
seven and thirty years, faithfully to discharge the duties of his
mission. During this long incumbency, the number of communi-
cants had been raised from thirty-three to eighty. ^

His remains are deposited with those of Magdalene Stouppe,
(his wife) under the site of the old French Church. Here also
repose the mortal remains of the Rev. Daniel Bondet. The same
year in which Mr Stouppe died, (1760) the Rev. Michael Hou-
din, of Trenton, N. J. was, at the request of the congregation,
and his own desire, appointed their minister. This gentleman
had " formerly been the superior of a convent in Canada," and
wa^ " received into communion with the Church of England, in

• Town Rfc.

*> The address appears to have been drawn up on tlie 30lh of Oct. 1760.

« Hist. Not. of the Miss, of the Ch., by Ernest Hawkins, D. D. 282.

COUNTY OF \YESTCIIESTER. 413

1749," being well testified of by various clergymen. He was ap-
pointed missionary of Trenton, in 1753. ^^

During the incumbency of the Rev. Michael Houdin, Trinity
Church received her first charter from King George the third,
under which the present corporation of this church, still enjoys
its trust and exercises its powers.

The old charter was exemplified by his Excellency, George
Clinton, first Governor of the state in 1793, after the following
manner :

CHARTER OF TRINITY CHURCH.

The people of the stale of New York, by the grace of God, free and inde-
pendent.

To all to whom these presents shall come, greeting. Knmo ye, that we
having inspected the records remaining in our secretary's o.lice do find there
recorded, certain letters patent in the words and figures following, to wit :
" 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 Michel Houdin, Jacob Bleeck-
er, James de Blez, David Lispenard, Isaac Guion, Elias Guion, Isaac Guion
Junior, Peter Bertain, John Soulice, Paul Secord, Lidia Secord, Jean Abby,
Joseph Antuny, Content Antuny, Peter Bonnet, Mary Bonnet, Peter Par-
quot, Daniel Sulis, Benjamin Seacord, Abraham Seacord, Elizabeth Par-
quet, Jane Seacord, Mary Seacord, Peter Guion, Abigail Bleecker, Judith Leco-
net, Allida Guion, Catharine Bertain, Mary Bertine, Peter Bertain, jun. Josiah
Le Conte, David Guion, Elizabeth Lispenard, Judith Bertain, Moses de St.
Croix, Marie de Sain Croix, Deborah Foulon, Mary Guion, Marie Neufville,
Mary Stouppe, Marthe de Blez, Rachel Guion, Jan Nicolle, Arquez,Ante Ni-
colle, Thomas Guion, John Bryan, Oliver Besley, Isaac Besley, Cornelia Bes-
ley, Frederick King, Benjamin Guion, Esaie Guion, Elizabeth Guion,
Elizabeth Guion, Susanna Landrin, Dina Guion, Anne Danielson, John Hou-
din, Catharine Houdin, Kitty Houdin, Elizabeth Houdin, Rutger Bleecker,
Sarah Bleecker, Mary Rodman, Hester Leconte, Agnis Donaldson, Daniel
Secord, Francis le Conte, Judith Le Conte, Abraham Guion, Mary Angevine,
Esther Angevine, Joshua Solis, Thomas Steel, Jane Contine, Susanna Con-
tine, Jane Mauraux, Jonathan Seicord, Esther Le Conte, Sarah Secord,
James Pine, Susannah Soulis, Jane Guion, Ester Soulis, Magdalene Soulis,
John Bonnet, Mary Bonnet, Daniel Bonnet, Mary Bonnet, James Besley, Ed-

» Hist. Not. of .Miss. ITjO.

414 HISTORY OF THE

ward Smith and James McCurers, inhabitants of the township of New Rochelle
in Westchester county, by the humble petition presented to our trusty and
well beloved Cadwallader Golden, Esquire, our Lieutenant Governor and Com-
mander-in-chief of our province of New York, and the territories depending
thereon, in America, in council on the twelfth day of May last past, did set forth
that they the petitioners are members of the French church at New Rochelle
aforesaid, and principally descendants from French Protestants, who fled from
the religious persecution in France, in the year one thousand six hundred and
eighty-one. and shortly thereafter settled a tract of six thousand acres of land
now known by the name of the township of New Rochelle, which was granted
to Jacob Leisler, from whom the petitioners' said ancestors purchased by John
Pell, then proprietor of the manor of Pelham, in the year one thousand six
hundred and eighty-nine. That the said John Pell at the same time, did also
give and grant to the said Jacob Leisler, the further quantity of one hundred
acres of land for the use of the French church erected or to be erected by the
inhabitants of the said tract of land or township, or by their assigns ; that the
petitioners' ancestors had long since built a decent church within the said
township, and dedicated the same to the service of Almighty God, and that
they and the petitioners had enjoyed the same with the said tract of one hun-
dred acres of land, as a glebe thereto to that day.

That on the twelfth day of June, in the year of the Lord one thousand seven
hundred and nine, all the then inhabitants of the said township who were
members of the said French Church, excepting two, unanimously agreed and
consented to conform themselves, in the religious worship of their said
Church, to the liturgy and rites of the Church of England as established by
law, and by a solemn act or agreement did submit to, and put themselves under
the protection of the same ; that fourteen years before, and ever since such
conformity, their respective ministers and pastors have been invested with
holy orders by episcopal ordination, and had received their principal support
from the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts ; and that divine
service, since the said conformity, had constantly been performed in their said
church, agreeable to the rites and liturgy of the Church of England as by law
established — two Sundays out of three in the French tongue, and every third
Sunday in English — for the instruction of such of the inhabitants as frequent-
ed the said church and were ignorant of the French language ; and the peti-
tioners did further set forth, that their said church was then greatly decayed and
out of repair, and their minister or pastor but indifferently provided for ; and that,
although they were sincerely disposed to make a suitable provision for both, yet
they could not accomplish this good design, unless, bybeing incorporated, they
should become enabled to receive, apply, and improve the donations and contri-
butions that might be collected among themselves, and given for these purpo-
ses by other pious and charitable people. The petitioners, therefore, most hum-
bly prayed our royal charter, confirming to them the said church and the lands
and other rights thereunto appertaining, and also creating and constituting them

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 415

and the rest of the members of the said church a body politic and corporate for
the managing and conducting the affairs and interests of the said church, with
such powers, privileges and immunities as should appear fit and reasonable :
which petition having been then and there read and considered of, our said
Council did afterwards, on the same day, humbly advise our said lieutenant gov-
ernor and commander-in-chief to grant the prayer thereof. Wherefore we being
graciously disposed to encourage and promote the pious intentions of our said
subjects, and to grant this their reasonable request, Know Ye, that we of our
especial grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, have made, ordained, con-
stituted, granted and declared, and by these presents for us, our heirs and suc-
cessors, do make, ordain, constitute, grant and declare, that the said petition-
ers and the rest of the members in communion with the said French cburch
at New Rochelle aforesaid, being the most ancient French church now there,
and known by the name of Trinity Church, be, and they and their successors,
the minister and members in communion with the said French church at New
Rochelle aforesaid for that time, shall be, from time to time, and at all times
forever hereafter, a body politic and corporate in deed, fact and name, by the
name and style of the Minister and Members of Trinity Church at New Ro-
chelle, in the county of Westchester, and them and their successors, the min-
ister and members in communion with the said church at New Rochelle afore-
said, for the time being by the name of the Minister and Members of Trinity
Church at New Rochelle, in the county of Westchester, one body politic and
corporate in deed, fact and name, really and fully, we do for us, our heirs and
successors, erect, make, constitute, declare and create by these presents, and
that, by the same name, they and their successors, the nfiinister and members
in communion with the said church at New Rochelle aforesaid, for the time
being shall and may have perpetual succession, and shall and may be responsi-
ble and capable in the law to sue and be sued, to implead and be impleaded, to
answer and be answered unto, and to defend and be defended, in all courts and
elsewhere, in all and singular suits, causes, quarrels, matters, actions, demands
and things of what nature and kind soever ; and also, that they and their suc-
cessors by the same name be, and shall be forever hereafter capable and able,
in the law, to take, accept of, and acquire and purchase, receive, have, hold
and enjoy in fee, forever or for life or lives, or for years, or in any other man-
ner, any messuages, buildings, houses, lands, tenements, hereditaments and
real estate, and the same to lease or demise for one or more years, or for life
or lives, or to grant, alien, bargain, sell and dispose of in fee simple, and also
to accept of, take, purchase and possess any goods, chattels or personal estate,
and the same to have, let, sell or dispose of at their will and pleasure, and all
this as fully as any other corporation or body politic within that part of our
kingdom of Great Britain called England, or in our province of New York,
may lawfully do, provided that such messuages and real estate as they for
their successors shall have or may be entitled unto, shall not at any one time
exceed the yearly rent of five hundred pounds over and above the said church

416 HISTORY OF THE

and the ground on which the same stands; and, further, we do will and ordain,
and by these presents tor us, our heirs and successors, declare and appoint,
thai tor tiie belter ordaining and managing the business and affairs of the said
corporation, there shall be one minister of the Church of England as by law
established, duly qualified for the care of souls, two church wardens and six
vestrymen, from time to time constituted, elected, and chosen for the said
church in manner and form as is hereafter in these presents expressed ; which
minister and church wardens, or any two of them, together with the vestry-
men, or the major part of them, for the time being shall have, and are hereby
invested with full power and authority to dispose, order and govern the busi-
ness and affairs of, and concerning the said church, and all such lands, tene-
ments, hereditaments, real and personal estate as shall or may be purchased or
acquired for the use thereof as aforesaid ; and, further, we do will and grant,
that the said minister and members of Trinity Church at New Rochelle, in the
county of Westchester, and their successors, shall and may forever hereafter
have a common seal to serve and use, for all matters, causes and affairs what-
soever of them and their successors, and full power and authority to break,
alter, change and new make the same, or any other common seal, from time
to time, at their will and pleasure, as they shall think fit ; and for the better
execution of our royal will and pleasure herein, we do assign, constitute and
appoint the said Jacob Bleecker and James de Blez to be the present church
wardens, and the said David Lispenard, Isaac Guion, Elias Guion, Isaac
Guion, junior, Peter Bertain and John Soulice, to be the present vestrymen
of the said church, — to hold and enjoy their several offices until the first
Tuesday in Easter week next ensuing and no longer. And further our will and
pleasure is and we do for us, our heirs and successors, establish, appoint and
direct, that on the said first Tuesday in Easter week next ensuing, and once
in every year forever thereafter on Tuesday in Easter week in every year, at
the said church, the members in communion with the same church for the
lime being or the m^jor part of them, then and there assembled, shall elect,
choose, and appoint two of their members to be churchwardens and six other
of their members to be vestrymen of their said church for the ensuing year,
which churchwardens and vestrymen, so to be chosen and appointed, shall im-
mediately enter upon their respective offices, and hold and exercise the same
for and during'the term of one whole year from the time of such election res-
pectively, and until other fit persons shall be elected in their respective places.
And we do ordain and declare that as well the churchwardens and vestry-
men by these presents nominated and constituted, as such as shall from time
to time hereafter be elected and appointed, shall have, and they are hereby
invested with full power and authority to execute and perform 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
our province of New York, have or lawfully may qr can do, and if it shall hap-
pen that any or either of the churchwardens or vestrymen by these presents

COUNTY OF WESTClIKtSTER. 417

named and appointed, or hereafter lo be elected and chosen, shall die or re-
move, or refuse or neglect toolTiciate in the said respective oifices before their
or either of their appointed time of service therein be expired, then and in
every such case it shall and may be lawful to and for the said minister and
members in communion with said church at New Rochelle aforesaid, for the
time being, or the major part of such of them as shall assemble together for
that purpose at the said church, at some day within a month next after such
death, removal, refusal or neglect, to be appointed by the minister aud church-
wardens for the time being, or any two of them, to proceed in manner albre-
said, and make a new election and appointment of one or more of their mem-
bers for the time being, to supply the room or place of such person or persons
so dying, removing, refusing or neglecting to act in his and their respective
office and offices as aforesaid, and so as often as shall be needful and requisite.
And for the due and orderly conducting and carrying on the respective elec-
tion of churchwardens and vestrymen by these presents established and or-
dained, our will and pleasure is, and We do declare and direct that the minis-
ter of the said church for the time being, shall give public notice thereof from
time to time, as they may become necessary, and are hereby appointed, by pub-
lishing the same at the said church immediately after divine service on the
Sunday next preceding the day appointed for such elections. And further-
more We do will, and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, or-
dain, appoint and direct that the minister and churchwardens of the said
church for the time being, or any two of them, shall and may from time to
time, upon all occasions assemble and call together the said minister, church-
wardens and vestrymen for the time being, or the greater number of them, tlie
said vestrymen ; which said minister and churchwardens, or any two of them,
together with the said vestrymen, or the major part of them, shall be and
by these presents are authorized and empowered to consult, advise and con-
sider, and by a majority of voices to do, direct, manage, transact and carry on
the interests, business and affairs of the said church, and to hold vestries for
that purpose. And We do further give and grant unto the said minister and
members of Trinity Church at New Rochelle, in the county of Westchester
aforesaid, and to their successors forever, that the minister and churchwar-
dens of ihe said church for the time being, or any two of them, together with
the vestrymen of the said church for the time being, or the major part of thera
in vestry assembled, shall have full power and authority from time to time,
and at all times hereafter to raake, ordain and constitute such rules, orders
and ordinances for the good discipline and government of the members of said
church and corporation and interests thereof, as the}', or the major part of
them, shall think fit and necessary, so as such rules, orders and ordinances he
not repugnant to the laws of that part of our kingdom of Great Britain called
England, or our province of New York, or the present or future canons of
the Church of England, as by law established, but as near as may be agree-
able thereto, which rules, orders and ordinances shall be from time to time

Vol. 1. - 53

418 HISTORY OF THE

fairly entered in a book or books to be kept for that purpose. And further
our will and pleasure is that it shall and may be lawful for the minister and
churchwardens of the said church, or any two of them, and the said vestry-
men, or the major part of them, at a vestry to nominate and appoint a clerk
and a sexton or bell-ringer for the said church, and also a clerk and messen-
ger to serve the said vestry at their meetings, and such other under officers as
they shall stand in need of, to remain in their respective offices so long as the
said minister, churchwardens and vestrymen for the time being, or the major
part of them, shall think fit and appoint. And further We do for us, our heirs
and successors, declare and grant that the patronage, advowson, donation or
presentation of and to the said church shall appertain and belong to, and is
hereby vested in, the churchwardens and vestrymen of the said church for the
time being, and their successors for ever or the major part of them, whereof
one churchwarden shall always be one ; provided always, that whenever the
said church becomes vacant, such donation and presentation shall be made
within six months thereafter. And that on every lapse or default herein, the
right of such donation and representation shall be in us, cur heirs and succes-
sors ; and further know ye, that we of our especial grace, certain knowledge,
and meer motion, 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 minister and members of Trinity Church at New Rochelle, in
the county of Westchester aforesaid, and their successors for ever, all that
the said church and ground on which the same stands, and the cemetery be-
longing to the same, and also all that the before mentioned tract of one hun-
dred acres of land situated and being within the township of New Rochelle
aforesaid, so by the beforeinentioned John Pell formerly given and granted
to the aforesaid Jacob Leisler for the use of the French church erected or
then to be erected by the inhabitants of the township of New Rochelle or by
their assigns as herein before is recited and set forth, together with the
hereditaments and appurtenances to the same belonging or appertaining, to
have and to hold all and singular the premises aforesaid, with the appurte-
nances unto them, the said minister and members of Trinity Church at New
Rochelle, in the county of Westchester aforesaid, and their successors, to their
only proper use and behoof forever, to be holden of us, our heirs and succes-
"sors, in free and common soccage, as of our manor of East Greenwich in the
county of Kent, within that part of our kingdom of Great Britain called Eng-
land, yielding, rendering, and paying therefor unto us, our heirs and successors,
yearly and every year lorever, on the feast day of the Annunciation of the
blessed Virgin Wary, at our city of New York, unto our or their receiver-
general there, for the time being, the annual rent of one pepper corn, if de-
manded, in lieu and stead of all other rents, dues, duties, services, claims, and
demands v.hatsocver, for the premises. And lastly, we do, for us, our heirs
and successors, ordain and grant unto the said minister and members of Trinity
Church at New Rochelle in the county of Westchester aforesaid, and their

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 419

successors, by these presents that this our grant shall be firm, good, effectual^
and available in all things in the law, to all intents, constructions, and purposes
whatsoever, according to our true intent and nr.eaning herein before declared*
and shall be construed, reputed and adjudged in all cases and causes most
favorably on the behalf and for the best benefit and advantage of the said min-
ister and members of Trinity Church at New Rochelle in the county of West-
chester aforesaid, and their successors, although express mention of the yearly
value, or certainty of the premises, or any of them, in these presents is or are
not made, any matter, cause, or thing to the contrary hereof in any wise not^
withstanding. In testimony whereof we have caused these our letters to be
made patent, and the great seal of our said province of New York to be here-
unto affixed, and the same to be entered on record in our secretary's office of
our said province, in one of the books of patents there remaining. Witness
our said trusty and well beloved Cadwallader Colden, Esquire, our lieutenant
governor and commander-in-chief of our province of New York, and the terrir
tories depending thereon in America, at our Fort George in our city of New
York, the second day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven
hundred and sixty-two, and of our reign the second." All which we have exr-
emplified by these presents. In testimony whereof we have caused these our
letters to be made patent and the great seal of our said state to be hereunto
affixed. "Witness our trusty and well beloved George Clinton, Esquire, gover-
nor of our said state, general and commander-in-chief of all the militia and ad-
miral of the navy of the same, at our city of New York, the fourteenth day of
February, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety -
three, and in the seventeenth year of our independence.

From 1768 to 1770 nothing worthy of especial note occurred
in the history of this church. a

In 1770 services were performed here by the Rev. Samuel Sea-
bury, rector of the parish of Westchester.^ During the American
revolution the church must have been closed, for the congrega^
lion was much scattered.

Shortly after the treaty of peace the church was again orga-
nized under Mr. Theodosius Bartow as a lay reader. Mr. Bartow
continued his services in this capacity until January 27, 1790?
when he was admitted to deacons' orders by Bishop Provoost.c

* For the immediate successors of Michael Houdin see catalogue of ministers.

b Propagat. Soc. Rep.

c Mr. Bartow was ordained priest October, 1790. The salary at this period
amounted to :C30 per annum, and appears to have beeu paid for many years by
Lewis Pintard, Esq_.

420 HISTORY OF THE

A definite invitation appears to have been given to Mr. Bartow
soon after bis ordination, by which he became minister of the
parish. a The church having been without a minister fourteen
years. Occasional services, however, may have been held during
that time. The following memorandum is preserved among the
Guion papers, entitled

" Memorandum of the collection in the church by Peter Shute.
The Jirst collection was May 17th, 1792."^

May 17, collected SJ

May 24, " 12 6

Mr. Burtow continued minister of the church imtil June, 1819,
when ho resigned the ofice. His long service of more than
thirty years, is still cherished with grateful remembrance.^^ Mr.
Bartow's remains repose in the grave-yard on the west side of the
church.

The Rev. Lewis P. Bayard was elected minister of the parish,
August, 1821, and resigned in 1825. ^ "It is but a short time
since that he rested from his labors, having died at the Island of
Malta, on his return from the Holy Land, September 2d, 1840."^
During the incumbency of Mr. Bayard, the present church edi-
fice was erected (in 1821) on the site of the first Huguenot
church, and consecrated the same year by the Right Rev. John
Croes, bishop of New Jersey, in the absence of the lamented
Hobart, tiien on a visit to England.

In 1846 the present edifice was considerably enlarged and im-
proved. The tower contains the original bell, presented by Sir

* The official title under which the incumbent is recognized in the charter,
b Elias Guion's papers.

« Mr. Bartow was the son of Theophilus Bartow by his wife Bathsheba Pell, and
grandson of John Bartow the Huguenot.

d Lewis Pintard Bayard was the son of the Hon. Samuel Bayard, of Philadel-
phia. His mother was the only daughter of Lewis Pintard, cousin of the late ven-
erable John Pintard, L.L.D. Mr. Bayard's ancestors, both on the paternal and ma-
teinal line, were Huguenots.

• Matthew H. Henderson, rector of Trinity Cjuirch, Newark ; centennial dis-
couree.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

421

Henry Ashurst, of London, to the French Church du St. Esprit
of New York,!^ inscribed

"SAMUEL NEWTON MADE ME 1706."

The communion plate consists of a
large chalice and paten, the gift of
Queen Anne ;b also two smaller chalices
presented by a member of the Daven-
port family.

In the rear of the church is situated
the old burying-ground, where lie, await-
ing the resurrection of the just, many of
the persecuted and exiled Huguenots.

The inscriptions on the earliest tomb-
stones are wliolly illegible.

The Queen's Chalice and Paten,
presented A.D. 1705.

t Here lies

VOJJIE The body of ^BG

GOIPID Andre Ranoud, EG

Deer. 1750. who departed this life

on Friday, the 2d

day of Deer ,

A.D. 1753,
aged 25 years.

There are also monuments in the yard to members of the Gui-
on, Allaire and Secor families, &c.

The cemetery on the west side of the church contains a neat

a In 1823 it was ordered by the vestry of the Church du St. Esprit, that this bell,
then iu the care of St. Stephen's Church, New York, be presented for the use of
the French Church, New Rochelle.

b The Queen also presented a Church bible, book of homilies, cloth for the pul-
pit and communion table.

422

HISTORY OF THE

marble monument, consisting of a base and pyramid, with the
following inscription (surmounted by a medallion likeness of the
deceased) : —

William Leggett,

the eloquent journalist,

whose genius, disinterestedness

and courage ennobled his profession —

who loved truth for its own sake,

and asserted it with most ardor

when weaker minds were most dismayed

^vilh opposition :

who could endure no form of tyranny,

and raised his voice against

all injustice,

on whomsoever committed,

and whoever were its authors.

THE DEMOCRATIC YOUNG MEN

of New York,
sorrowing that a career so glorious
should have closed so prematurely,
have erected this monument.

William Leggett,

born in New York, April 30, 1801,

died at New Rochelle,

May 29th, 1839.

The following is a catalogue of the ministers of this church
from the year 1700 : —

MINISTERS OF THE FRENCPI CHURCH, NEW ROCHELLE. *

Instit. or Call. Ministers. Vacated hy.

A.D. 1700, Rev. Daniel Bondet, Clericus, Death,

Pierre Stouppe, Clericus,
Michael Houdin, Clericus,
Sourenne, Clericus,

1722,

1760,

((

17(38,

((

1769

Andrew Nodine, Clericus^

resig.

T.
TL'-

A.D. 1772,

Re^

Jan'y, 1790,

((

1S20,

((

Aug., 1S21,

1826,

ii.

May, 1839,

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 423
— Bevelet, resig.

Theodosius Bartow, Deacon, do.

Revaiid Kearney, Presb., do

Lewis P. Bayard, Presb., do

Lawson Carter, Presb., d

Thomas W. Coit, D. D., present incum-

bent.

The first anciens or elders of tfie church appear to have been
Thauvet Ecoltonncau, Tmacher Theroude, Guilliaunie Le Count,
and Daniel Strang in 1693; first wardens, Jacob Bleecker and
James de Blez, in 1762. The delegates to the first diocesan con-
vention were Andrew Fowler and Theodosius Bartow.

Notitia Parochialis.
1723 Communicants 23 Baptisms 13

1732

1756

1804

1819

1847

The baptismal register of the church commences in 1724.

Ce Dimanche 14 Mars, 172f, a ete baptise sortie du service du
matin, Peter fils de Thomas Wall is and Madelaine sa femme le
Peter a ete presente au saint bapteme par Denys Woertman and
Elizabeth sa femme, Parrain et Marraine le dit Peter est ne le six
du dit mois."a

I'homas Wallis, Pr. Stouppe,

Denis Woertman, Isaac Q^uantein, ancien,

her
Elizabeth M Woertman, Isaac Guion, ancien.

marque.

To this church is attached a valuable glebe and parsonage. A
few rods west of the Episcopal church is situated the residence
of the late Frederick Guion, at present occupied by his sonin-

a The original manuscript is in the possession of William Lawton, of New Ro-
chelle.

424 HISTORY OF THE

law, "Williaai Lawton, Esq. This property was originally pur-
chased by Louis Guioii in 1691. Upon the 8th of October, 1725,
we find Louis Guion, sen., conveying to Aman Guion 64 acres of
land in that part of the manor of Pel ham called New Rochelle.
Louis, the ancestor of the Guion family of New Rochelle, emi-
grated from England about 1687, having fled from La Rochelle
in 1681. a The old family residence stands a little to the west of
Mr. Lawtoij's. Louis Guion iiad one son Louis, the father of
three sons — first, Louis, grandfather of the late Frederick Guion ;
second, Isaac; and third, Aman, the grandfather of the present
Elias Guion, of New Rochelle, who also resides on a portion of
the old property.

In the immediate vicinity of this cliurch are also the resi-
dences of E. W. Yoris, M. D., Peter Moulton. M. D.. and George
Case, Esq. The latter gentleman was for some years a judge of
the late Court of Common Pleas, in this county. His place was
originally a portion of the Guion property. It has been laid out
and ornamented with good taste; and on the walls of his house
may be seen some original paintings, specimens of art not un-
worthy the notice of a connoisseur.

Near the western entrance of the village stands the Presbyte-
rian church, a plain wooden edifice. 1 he Presbyterian society
claims succession from the original French chuich, gathered to-
gether soon after the settlement of the place in 1689. In this
view they must represent some minority of the Huguenots, for
in 1709 the majority conformed to the Church of England, ac-
cording to the charter of Trinity Church which specifies, "That
on the 12th day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand,
seven hundred and nine, all the then inhabitants of the said
township who were members of the said French church, excep-
ting two, unanimously agreed and consented to conform them-
selves and the religious worship of their said church to the lit-
urgy and rites of the Church of England as established by law,

» See letters of denization and pedigree. A branch of this family appears to
have settled upon Staten Island at a very early period, for on the 13th of October,
1664, we find Ciovernor Nicolls granting to Jacques Guion 200 acres, situated on
that i«land. Of this family was John Guion, deputy mayor of New York in 1677.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 4S5

and by a solemn act or aofieement did submit to and put them-
selves under the protection of the same^ that fourteen years be-
fore," (1695,) "and ever since such conformity their respective
ministers and pastors have been invested with episcopal ordina-
tion, and had received their principal support from the Society
for propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts," cfcc.^

Fourteen years after this conformity, we find Alexander Al-
laire conveying a certain lot of land lying in the town of New
Rochelle unto the members of the French Protestant congre-
gation^ in the following manner :

To all Christian people unto whom these presents shall or may come, Alex-
ander Allaire of New Rochelle, in the county of Westchester, in the province
of New York, sendeth greeting in our Lord God everlasting : Know ye,
that he the said Alexander Allaire, for and in consideration of the love and
affection which he hath and beareth unto his brethren in Jesus Christ, Isaac
Mercier, Daniel Samson and Zachary Angevin and other the members of the
French Protestant congregation gathered together at New Rochelle aforesaid,
according to the discipline and church government heretofore established and
exercised in the Protestant Church of France, before their late persecution
and destruction in that kingdom, hath granted, released, and confirmed, &c.,
&c., unto the said Isaac Mercier, Daniel Samson, and Zachary Angevin, all
that certain lot or tuft of ground, situate, lying and being in the town of New
Rochelle aforesaid, being butted and bounded by the road or highway from the
corner of Chapron's land along the road one hundred and twenty foot^ from
thence northerly along the other land of the said Alexander Allaire seventy-
five feet, and from thence along the line of Chapron's land sixty foot easterly,
and from thence along the line of said land ninety foot, together with all and
singular the edifices, buildings, liberties, &c., unto the said Isaac Mercier,
Daniel Samson, Zachary Angevin, and their heirs for ever, for the only, sole
and proper use, benefit, and behoof/or a public assembling place for the wor-
ship of God, for the French Protestants inhabiting within the town of New
Rochelle aforesaid, who exercise the discipline and church government ac-
cording to the usages, orders, customs and directions heretofore used^ prac-
tised, established and exercised in the Reformed Protestant Churches of the
kingdom of France, before the last persecution and destruction of the same in
the said kingdom of France, for ever, and to no other use and purpose what-
soever ; and in case these premises shall be applied to any other purpose, then

* See Charter of Trinity Church.

Vol. I. 54

426 HISTORY OF THE

they shall immediately revert unto the said Alexander Allaire, his heirs and
assignees for ever.

This20lh day of January, 1723-4.*

Alexander Allaire.

The above lot embraces the present Presbyterian grave-yard. ^
On or near this spot, the Reformed Protestant congregation of
New Rochelle erected a church about 1724,^ the pastor of which
in 1754 was the Rev. Jean Carle. This we gather from the fol-
lowing document entitled

Certificate of Dismission given to Mr. Jean Carle, pastor of the
Reformed French Church. New Rochelle, April 13, 1764.

In the name of God. amen.
Certificate given to Mr. Jean Carle, our pastor. We the un-
dersigned elders and deacons who now compose the consistory
of the Reformed French Church at New Rochelle. in the govern-
ment of New York, in America, certify and declare that Mr.
Jean Carle, minister of the holy gospel, has been our pastor dur-
ing about ten years, that he has resided in this government;
that we have been edified by his Christian and worthy walk as
a minister of Jesus Christ the great Shepherd and Saviour of our
souls, as well as by his preaching in which we have always
found a doctrine, truly pure and evangelical, sound and edifying,
and consequently, the only one which accompanied and aided by
the grace of God is able to conduct our souls unto eternal life.

We add further, that we have seen with sincere regret the re-
quest which Mr. Jean Carle has made for his dismission from the
Reformed French Church in New York with which we are con-
nected, for we truly desired that he would finish his days with
us, we being much edified by his ministry ; but wishing to ac-
quiesce, we join with sorrow our consent with that of our sister
church, the Reformed French Church of New York, and accord

* Co. Rec. Lib. E. 388, 9. The original document is in the possession of Mr.
Drake of New P.ochelle.

b Information derived from the Allaire family.

« This edifice having fallen into decay, was removed in 1783 by John Guerri-
neau, carpenter.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 427

to Mr. Jean Carle his dismissal which he has requested. In
consequence lie has given us his f\\re\vell sermon, this Lord's
day morning, April 15, 1764, we accompanying it with our own
most sincere prayers, praying tliat God would take liim under
his mighty protection, conduct happily wherever his providence
may call him, and bestow his blessing upon his person and his
ministry, to the end that he may contribute effectually to the
glory of our great God, and lead souls captive to the obedience of
Jesus Christ. Done in consistory, and a true copy given to Mr.
Jean Carle,^ at ^iew Rochelle, this 15th day of April, 1704.^^
(Signed,) Samuel P. Gillet.

' > ^ Michel Honore.

Jean Badeau.
Jean Parcot.

From this time (1764) no record appears to have been made of
the state or progress of the French Protestant congregation in
New Rochelle, as a distinct body ; probably about this period,
such of its members as had not conformed to the Church oT Eng-
land, allied themselves to the Presbyterian form of worship, for
in 1770, the Rev. ichabod Lewis was ordained pastor of White
Plains and Neio Rochelle^ by the presbytery of Dutchess county.

Upon the 23d of February, 1808, the Presbyterian church was
incorporated under the title of the "French Church in New
Rochelle," Matson Smith, John Reed, Thomas Carpenter, Ro-
bert Givan, Gideon Coggleshall, and James Somerville, trus-
tees.^ A re-organization appears to have taken place '• on the
30th of May, 1812, under the direction of a committee appointed
by the presbytery of New York, consisting of the Rev. Walter

a Smith the historian, writing iii 1757, observes, the present minister in the
French Church in New York is Mr. Carle, a native of France, who succeeded Mr.
Rou, in 1754. *•' He bears an irreproachable character, is very intent upon his
studies, preaches moderate Galvanism, and speaks with propriety, both of pronun-
ciation and gesture." Smith's Hist. N. Y. 19-L

b Translated from the original manuscript by the Rev. Gorham D. Abbott, in
1837.

^ Religious Soc. Co. Rec. Lib. A. 96. . -

428 HISTORY OF THE

King. Philip Milledolar, D. D., and Henry Rutgers, elder."*
The church edifice was raised in 1S15 and dedicated the same
year. The land on which it stands was the gift of Mr. George
Pelor, 12th of May, 1814. In 1827 Samuel Bayard of the bo-
rough of Princeton, in the state of New Jersey, and the Rev.
Lewis P. Bayard, b of the town of New Rochelle, trustees of
Lewis Pintard deceased, conveyed to the "trustees of the Pres-
byterian church of the town of New RocheWe, formerly known
by the name of the French Church,^^ a certain piece of land ly-
ing in the town of New Rochelle, beginning at a corner formed
by the intersection of the lot of ground on which the Presby-
terian church aforesaid is erected, and the old Boston road,

ecc.''c

A LIST OP MINISTERS OP THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OP

NEW ROCHELLE.

Ministers. Date of call. Dateofresig.

Rev. Ichabod Lewis, from 1770, to

Rev. Isaac Lewis, " April, 1815, " July, 1821.

Rev. Elijah D. Wells, " June, 1823, " June, 1825.

Rev. J. D. Wickham, '' June, 1825, " June, 1828.

Rev. George Stebbings, " June, 1828, " Aug. 1835.

Rev. John Mason, " Nov. 1835, " Nov. 1837.

Rev. Gorham D. Abbott, " Nov. 1837, " Nov. 184.5.

Rev. Charles Hawley, '' Jan. 1845, present pastor.

First elders, Dr. Matson Smith, ; ^^^^^ ^ ^^
Mr. Robert Weir, ^ '

« See Fuueral Discourse on the death of Matson Smith, U. D., by the Rev. G.
D. Abbott. See, also, Presbyterian Manual.

b The father of Lewis P. Bayard was the Hon. Samuel Bayard, a ruling elder in
the Presbyterian church, and the author of a volume of letters on the Lord's sup-
per.

e From the original document in the possession of the trustees. Colonel Samuel
Bayard, one of the above grantors, was also a liberal benefactor to this church.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 429

Church Memoranda.

1826, 25 communicants, 5 baptisms.
1836, 29 do. 0

1847, 60 do. 3

TFiis church is in connection with the New York presbytery.'^
fn this part of the village are situated the properties of Colonel
J. L. Graham, former post-master of the city of New York, Mr.
Samuel Davis and the late Matson Smith, M. D.,Ij now occupied
by his son Albert Smith. M> D» Dr. M. Smith, though not a
descendant of the French, was among the early settlers of the
place, and for more than half a century distinguished for his high
professional skill and attainments, being for many years presi-
dent of the Medical Society of Westchester county. He was a
man of strictly religious habits, and for some time a ruling elder
in the Presbyterian church. A large portion of the land in this
vicinity constituted the old Allaire estate purchased by Alex-
ander Allaire, the Huguenot, in 1691. The ancestors of the Al-
laires were of honorable descent, and possessed a iixu inheritance
in France at a very early period.*^ The more immediate ances-
tor of the family however, was Pierre Allaire, Ecuyer, living in
1465. Prior to the revocation of the edict of Nantes, Alexander
Allaire, the Huguenot, fled from La Rochelle to England, and
soon after cam^e thence to America. This individual was the
great grand- father of the present James Allaire, proprietor of the
Allaire iron works in New York. Alexander Allaire also owned
the property now occupied by James P. Huntingdon, Esq., and

1 It was formerly attached to the Bedford Presbytery,
b A native of Lyme, Conn., and a graduate of Yale college in 1787*
c The Allaire family claim descent from the famous Baldwin, King of Jerusalem,
who died in 1118, and was buried in a church upon Mount Calvary.

430

HISTORY OF THE

erected ihe dwelling house soon after the settlement of New Ro-
chelle.

R -iden^e (f James I' Huntingdon, E-q.

Near the western extremity of the village, ou a commanding
situation stands the residence of Thomas A. Ronalds, formerly
the property of Mr. Gideon Coggeshall.a an old inhabitant of the
place.

There is a large and respectable Methodist Episcopal society
in the village, which was organized August 22d, 1791, and in-
corporated the same year, Peter Bonnett, Sen., Benjamin Morgan,
Thomas Shute, Gilbert Shute, John Bonnett and Ramson Burtis,
first trustees. b

There is also a Roman Catholic church erected in 1845.

The property adjoining it (on the south) belonged to the late
William Leggett, Esq., for many years the able conductor of the
^'Evening Post." Mr. Leggett died in 1839 soon after his ap-
pointment to the Guatemala mission, and has a handsome monu-

• For further particulars of the Coggeshall family, see pedigree.
» Religious Soc. Lib. A. 24.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 431

ment erected to his memory in the church-yard of the Episcopal
church.^

In this neighborhood formerly resided Captain Samuel Pin-
tard, whose ancestors were French Protestant refugees.^ Capt.
Pintard was greatly distinguished for his military services in the
Low Countries in 1759. "At the battle of Minden he was
severely wounded, and afterwards found on the battle ground,
wrapped up in a standard of colors which he had captured with
his own hands from the enemy. He subsequently returned to
this his .native country full of honors and wounds, and located
himself near his brother Lewis, *^ on the farm now owned by Mr.
Jarvis Dusenberry. The two brothers marrieds isters of the
Stockton family of New Jersey.

The estate of Charles F. Wright, Esq. formerly belonged to
Mr. James Bleecker, son of Rutger Bleecker, mayor of the city
of Albany in 172S.<i The house is said to have been used by
the British as an hospital for the wounded soldiery in 1776.
Captain Josiah le Count still occupies a portion of the old family
place, situated on the south side of the road leading to the viU-
age.e Guilliaume le Conte, the founder of the Le Count family
in New Rochelle, fled from France to England, prior to the re-
vocation of the edict of Nantes, and brought with him his two
sons Guilliaume and Pierre le Conte.^

a Mr. Leggett's father was a native of this town, and actively engaged in the
Revolutionary struggle.

b The grandfather of Samuel was Anthony Pintard, who came originally from
La Rochelle, and settled at Shrewsbury, New Jersey. The son of Anthony was
John Pintard, whose four sons were, Louis of New Rochelle, Samuel, (as above,)
Anthony of New York, and John Pintard ; the latter was the father of the late
venerable John Pintard, L. L. D., whose daughter, Mrs. Servoss, resides in this
town.

c Lewis Pintard was appointed by Washington commissary for the American
prisoners in^New York. This individual occupied the Graham property in New Ro-
chelle.

d See Genealogy of the Bleecker family.

e On this property there is a landing, from whence sail several sloops trading
with the New York market.

f See letters of denization, and for further particulars of the family, see Genea-
logy.

432 HISTORY OF THE

The Rhinelanders were also extensive landholders in this part
of the town. Bernard Rhinelander settled on the place now
owned by his grand-danghter, Mrs, Isaac Underhill. The father
of Bernard was Philip Jacob Rhinelander, a French Protestant
refuofee.

The steamboat landing is delightfully situated about half a
mile south-west of the village, on a small wooded island, connec-
ted with the main by a solid stone causeway which leads to the
dock and to a well built hotel called the Neptune House. This
establishment is well located on account of its close vicinity to
the Sound. At high water, the scenery presented in front of the
hotel is altogether unrivalled : the harbour in the foreground,
the long surface of the waters, stretching five miles across to
Long Jsland ; the winding streams of the creek on each side,
and Davenport's neck and island around, help to fill up the land-
scape ; and, in addition to the healthiness of the spot, give it ad-
vantages, possessed by few of our watering places.

The buildings and improvements on this island have been
erected at the private cost of Philip Rhinelander Underhill, Esq. a-
The whole establishment is under the superintendence of Charles
F. Rice.

The adjacent island, commonly called Locust Island has been
recently purchased by Louis A. Depau, Esq., grandson of the
French admiral, Count de Grasse.

The neighboring waters abound with bass and black fish, &c.,
which last, at the proper season, are taken in large quantities.
According to the old rhyme the proper season is indicated by
the chesnut leaf, for

"When chesnut leaves are as big as thumb nails,
Then bile black fish without fail ;
But when chesnut leaves are as big as a span,
Then catch black fish if you can."

The size of the black fish varies from seven to eight pounds.

• A lineal degcendaut of John, Lord Underhill, proprietor of Kenilwortb, Long
Island.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 433

although some have been taken in this vicinity weigliing eighteen
pounds. The adjacent bays and creeks are the common resort of
innumerable flocks of wild ducks. Immense numbers of these
birds are killed annually either for sale or domestic use. The
favorite method of shooting is technically called "lining," which
is performed in the following manner. A number of sportsmen
form a continuous line of boats at convenient distances from each
other, directly across the line of flight. The moment the ducks
rise the firing commences at the head of the line, and is continu-
ed in succession by the whole chain of gunners. In this way,
hundreds of ducks are annihilated, unless they happen to dash
through an opening in the line of boats, when they are suce to
escape.

Three hundred ducks have been shot by one individual placed
in the line. The species commonly killed by this destructive
method are the long-tailed duck, commonly called the squaw or
old wife, (Anas Glacialis, Linn.) and the velvet duck, commonly
called the coot, (Anas Fusca, Wil.) Another mode is by means
of decoys, which is practised until the months of April or May,
when the ducks take t'neir departure to the north. ^

In this place deserves to be recorded the capture of an enor-
mous turtle, upon the 9th of Sept. 1773. " On Tuesday a turtle
of an enormous size and singular form and marks was taken with
a harpoon, by Mr. Bleecker and some others, near New Ilochelle.
His length is eight feet from fin to fin, and seven feet three
inches from stem to stern. He is snotted under the fore fins like
a leopard, and discovered amazing swiftness after beiiig struck
by the harpoon. He had been seen among the rocks in the
neighbourhood of New Rochelle, but was not known till just be-
fore his capture to be a turtle. What a noble repast would this
prove to the Blow-bladder street fraternity in London, for he is
found to be upwards of 800 cwt."^

» This method will apply to the above named species, also to the broad bill (Fuli-
gula Marila, Linn.) black duck, (Anas Obscura, Linn.) golden or whistler, (Fuligula
Albeola, Wil.) the biifFel head or dipper, (Anas Albeola, Linn.) and the pin-tail,
(Anas Acuta, Linn.)

b Rivington's Gazette, N. Y. 1773. . -

Vol. I. 55 "

».

434 HISTORY OF THE

In the vicinity of New Rocbelle the waters of the Sound are
studded with numerous islands, which add much to the beauty
of the surrounding scenery. The opposite shore of Long Island
also, forms another charming addition to the landscape, sprinkled
as it is, in all directions, by neat farm houses and villages.

*'The Sound ! Oh ! how many delightful reminiscences does
the name bring to our recollection. The Sound ! with its white
sand banks, and its wooded shores, its far broad bosom covered
with fleets of sails, scudding along in the swift breeze in the open
day, and its dark waves roiling and sweeping in whole streams
of phosphorescent fire from their plunging bows, as they dash
through it in the darkness of midnight. The Sound ! redo-
lent with military story. The Sound ! overflowing with su-
pernatural legend and antiquated history." "Are there not
the ' Brothers,' unnatural that they are, who, living centuries to-
gether, never to one another have as yet spoken a kindly word,
and the great savage ' Executioners,' and 'Throgs,' and 'Sands,'
and 'Etons,' all throwing hospitable lights from their high bea-
con towers, far forward, to guide the wandering Hriariner ; and
the 'Devil's Stepping Stones,' o'er which he bounded when driv-
en from Connecticut : and the great rocks too, inside of Flush-
ing Bay, on which he descended, shivering them from top to
bottom as he fell. And are there not the ' Norwalk Islands,'
with their pines, — 'Old Sasco,' with her rocks, — ' Fairweather,'
with the wild birds' eggs deep buried in her sands, — and the far
famed fishing banks ofl" the ' Middle Ground.' Ay ! and is it not
from the fierce boiling whirlpools of the ' Gate' to 'Gardiners,'
and the lone beacon tower of 'Old Montaukett,' one continuous
ground of thrilling lore and bold adventure. In her waters the
*FJre ship'^ glared amid the darkness; her phantom crew, like
red hot statues, standing at their quarters, as rushing onwards,

» The tradition is, that she was taken by pirates, all hands murdered, and aban-
doned after being set on fire by the buccaneers. Some accounts state that a large
white horse which was on board, was left near the foremast to perish in the flames,
and in storms of peculiarly terrific violence, that she may be seen, rushing along en-
veloped in fire, the horse stamping and pawing at the heel of the foremast, her phan-
tom crew assembled at quarters. Gallop among Amer Scenery by A- B. Silliman,

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 435

in the furious storm, she passed the siiuddering mariner, leaving
comet-like long streams of flame behind. Beneath her sands the
red-shirted buccaneers did hide their ill-gotten, blood-bespotted
treasure. Ay ! and 'twas on her broad bosom that with iron-
seared conscience, sailed that pirate, fierce and bold, old Robert
Kidd ; and to this very day his golden hoards, with magic mark
and sign, still crowd her wooded shores.''^-

Capt. Kidd the notorious freebooter (whose name is so insepa-
rably connected with these shores,) appears to have been em-
ployed by the government in 1696 to suppress the buccaneers, (at
that time very numerous on our coast,) " from the knowledge he
possessed of their numbers, strength, and places of resort." In
1699 he "returned from the East Indies, whither he had sailed
after making several unsuccessful cruises on the American coast,
during his absence having been engaged in the very practices he
had engaged to prevent. This result appears to have been in a
measure foreseen by the provincials. Governor Fletcher, writing
to the board of trade, June 22, 1697, says : " One Captain Kidd
lately arrived here, and produced a commission under the o:reat
seal of England for suppressing of piracy. When he was here
many flocked to him from all parts, men of desperate fortunes
and necessitous, in expectation of getting vast treasures," "He
sailed from hence with 150 men, as I am informed ; a great part
of them are of this province. It is generally believed here they
would have money per fas aut nefas^ thai if he miss of the de-
sign intended for which he has commission H loill not he in
Kidd^s poiver to govern such a horde of men under no pay-
His subsequent career is v/ell known in 1699, he was made pris-
oner in Boston, b sent to England, and there executed in 1701."^

The following ballad (attributed to Kidd,d) pretends to set forth
his veritable history. It is entitled,

a Gallop among American Scenery, by A. B. Silliman, 912.

»j Hutchinson says, vol. ii. 119, that when the officer arrested him he attempted
to draw his sword, but was prevented by a person in company.

c New Jersey Hist. Soc. Collect. 146.

d The author of the ballad has evidently mstaken the christian name of the pirate
which was William.

436

HISTORY OF THE

"Ye lamentable BALLAD, AND Ye TRUE HLSTORIE OF
CAPTAINS ROBERT KIDD, WHO WAS HANGED IN CHAINS
AT EXECUTION DOCK, FOR PIRACY AND MURDER ON Ye
HIGH SEAS."

You captains bold and brave, hear our cries, hear our cries,
You captains bold and brave, hear our cries.

You captains brave and bold, tho' you seem uncontroll'd,
Don't for the sake of gold lose your souls, lose your souls,
Don't for the sake of gold lose your souls.

He calleth ui>on
the captains.

He stateth his
name and ac-
kno^ledgeth Ills
wickedness.

He beareth wit-
ness ol' thu good
counsel of his
psircnis.

My name veas Robert Kidd, when I sail'd, when I sail'd,
My name was Robert Kidd, when 1 sail'd.

My name was Robert Kidd, God's laws I did forbid,
And so wickedly I did, when I sail'd.

My parents taught me well, when I sail'd, when I sail'd,
My parents taught me well, when I sail'd.

My parents taught me well to shun the gates of hell,
But against them I rebell'd when I sail'd.

He curseth his
father and his
mother dear.

And blnsphe-
nveth against
God.

He burieih the
Good Book in
the sand.

I cursed my father dear, when I sail'd, when I sail'd,
I cursed my father dear, when I sail'd,

I cursed my father dear and her that did me bear,
And so wickedly did swear, when I sail'd.

I made a solemn vow when I sail'd, when I sail'd,

I made a solemn vow when I sail'd,
I made a solemn vow, to God I would not bow.

Nor myself one prayer allow, as I sail'd.

I'd a bible in my hand when I sail'd, when I sail'd,

I'd a bible in my hand when I sail'd,
I'd a bible in my hand by my father's great command,

And I sunk it in the sand when I sail'd.

And murdereth
V\ iliiam Moore.

And also cruelly
kiileth the gun-
ner.

His mate, being
abfiijt lo die, re-
penieth and war-
ii'-ili liim in his
career.

I murdered William Moore, as I sail'd, as I sail'd,
I murdered William Moore, as I sail'd,

I murdered William Moore, and left him in his gore.
Not many leagues from shore as I sail'd.

And being cruel still, as I sail'd, as I sail'd,

And being cruel still, as I sail'd.
And being cruel still, my gimner I did kill.

And his precious blood did spill, as I sail'd.

My mate was sick and died as I sail'd, as I sailed,
My mate was sick and died as I sailed,

My mate was sick and died, which me much terrified,
When he called me to his bedside as I sail'd.

And unto me he did say, see me die, see me die.

And unto me did say see me die,
And unto me did say, take warning now by me,

There comes a reckoning day, you must die.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

437

You cannot then withstand, when you die, when you die,

You cannot then withstand when you die,
You cannot then withstand the judgments of God's hand,

But bound then in iron bands, you must die.

I was sick and nigh to death, as I sail'd, as I saiPd, Hefaileth sicif,

I was sick and nigh to death as 1 sail'd, pL'nS!''''''bT;t

And 1 was sick and nigh to death, and I vowed at every breath, lorgetteih hia

To walk in wisdom's ways as I sail'd. ^"^^^•

I thought I was undone as I sail'd, as I sail'd,

I thought I was undone as T sail'd,
I thought I was undone and my wicked glass had run,

But my health did soon return as 1 sail'd.

My repentance lasted not, as I sail'd, as I sail'd,

My repentance lasted not, as I sail'd.
My repentance lasted not, my vows I soon forgot.

Damnation's my just lot, as 1 sail'd.

I steer'd from sound to sound, as I sail'd, as I sail'd,
I steer'd from sound to sound, as I sail'd,

1 steer'd from sound to sound, and many ships I found,
And most of them I burn'd as I sail'd.

He steereth ihro'
Long Is^laiid ajid
olher Sounds.

I spy'd three ships from France, as I sail'd, as I sail'd,
I spy'd three ships from France, as I sail'd,

I spy'd three ships from France, to them I did advance,
And took them all by chance, as I sail'd.

I spy'd three ships of Spain, as I sail'd, as I sail'd,

I spy'd three ships of Spain as I sail'd,
I spy'd ihree ships of Spain, I fired on them amain,

Till most of them were slain, as 1 sail'd.

He chaseth three
Bhips of France.

And also three
ships of Spain.

I'd ninety bars of gold, as I sail'd, as I sail'd,

Fd ninety bars of gold, as T sail'd,
Fd ninety bars of gold, and dollars manifold, ' ,

With riches uncontroU'd, as I sail'd.

Then fourteen ships I saw, as I sail'd, as I sail'd,

Then fourteen ships I saw as I sail'd.
Then fourteen ships I saw and brave men they are,

Ah ! they were too much for me as I sail'd.

Thus being o'ertaken at last, I must die, I must die,

Thus being o'ertaken at last, I must die.
Thus being o'ertaken at last, and into prison cast,

And sentence being pass'd, I must die.

' Farewell the raging sea, I must die, I must die,
Farewell the raging main, I must die,
Farewell the raging main, to Turkey, France, and Spain,
I ne'er shall see you again, I must die.

He boasteth of
his ueasure.

n e spyeth four-
teen ships in
pursuit, and sur-
rendereih.

He biddeth fare-
well to the seas,
and the raging
main.

438 HISTORY OF THE

To Newgate now I'm cast, and must die, and must die,
To Newgate now I'm cast, and must die,

He eihorteth the
young and old to

take couusel *- -•-■■o .■-■• - — , ~ — ,

from his fate. To Newgate I am cast, with a sad and heavy heart,

To receive my just desert, I must die.

To Execution Dock I must go, I must go,

To Execution Dock I must go.
To Execution Dock will many thousands flock,

But I must bear the shock, I must die.

Come all you young and old, see me die, see me die,
Come all you young and old, see me die,

Come all you young and old, you're welcome to my gold.
For by it I've lost my soul, and must die.

And deciareth Take warning now by me, for I must die, for I must die,
that he must go Take warning now by me, for I must die,

^° ^^'dT'^ h^3 Take warning now by me, and shun bad company,
wickedness. Lest you come to hell with me, for I must die.

Lest you come to hell with me, for I must die.^

Smith, the historian, observes, " that it is certain the pirates
were frequently in the Sound, and supplied with provisions by
the inhabitants of Long Island, who, for many years afterwards,
were so infatuated with a notion, that the pirates buried great
quantities of money along the coast, that there is scarce a point
of land, or an island, without the marks of their au7H sacra fa-
mes, So.ne credulous people have ruined themselves by their
researches, and propagated a thousand idle fables current to this
day, among our country farmers.''^ There is a tradition that
Kidd buried money beside a rock on Huckleberry island. ^

Almost every boulder and erratic block in this vicinity has
been examined by the gold hunters in search of pirates' money.

On the opposite shore of Long Island is a small promontory
which runs into tlie entrance of Hempstead bay, called to this
day Kidd's point, " upon which several companies of diggers for
Kidd's money have expended much time and labor.''^ At a

» Gallop among American Scenery, by A. B. Silliman.

b Smith's Hist. N. Y. English edition, 92.

e Amusing stories are related of the gold hunters and their mode of conducting
operations, which generally resulted in the marvellous revelation of Kidd himself,
sealed on his treasure, holding a drawn sword.

i Geology of N. Y. Vol. vii. x\o. 200, p. 12^(.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 439

short distance from the village, and east of the steamboat land-
ing, is Davenport's neck, a designated in the early division of the
town as Lagler's (Leisler's) and Le Count's neck, containing two
hundred acres. This neck was formerly the property and resi-
dence of the Lispenards, an ancient French family, who were
also owners of the mill now belonging to Willett Secor.^

Among the Lispenard papers occurs the following receipt for
quit rent, from Thomas Pell, lord of the manor.

" New York, Dec. 20th day, 1742.
" I have received of John Lispenard, the sum of eight pounds,
five shillings, and 2 in full, 81 bushels of wheat. 31 pounds of
butter and 21 lb. of cheese.

* *'Tho. Pell."

In 1786, the neck was purchased by Newberry Davenport,
father of the present proprietors, Lawrence and Newberry Dav-
enport, Esqs. Bonnefois or Bauffet's point situated on the
north-east side of the neck has been already alluded to as the
landing place of the Huguenots, about 16S9. A further interest
is imparted to this locality from its being the spot upon which
the first house in this town was erected, the remains of which are
still visible.

There is a tradition that one of the old Huguenots would daily
repair to this place, " and turning his eyes in the direction where
he supposed France was situated, would sing one of Marot^s
hymns, and send to heaven his morning devotions. Others
joined him in these pious remembrances of their God and of their
beloved climes, from which tfiey had been so cruelly driven by
the merciless fires of persecution."'^

The Coutant family of New Rochelle possess the Bonnefois
bible printed at Amsterdam, by

a Formerly called Myer's point, after a family of that name, who held it under
the Rodmans.

b See grant of freeholders to Anthony Lispenard, in 1724. The Lispenard ce-
metery lies on the south side of the neck.

c Sketch of the Huguenots, by Mr, Disosway.

440 HISTORY OF THE

Jean Frederic Bernard,

Revile et corrige6 sur le texte Grec par les

Pasteiirs et les Professeurs de I'Eglise de Geneva.

Davenport's neck suffered severely during the Revolution,
both from the enemy's shipping and the incursions of the whale
boat-men. Here General Knyphausen landed the second divi-
sion of Hessians and the 22d regiment of Wal deckers, October,
1776, ten days previous to the battle of White Plains. «•

On the property of David Harrison, Esq. (in this vicinity,)
there is a sloop landing and place of business. A short distance
from the neck is situated Chrystal Lake, which abounds with
every variety of fresh water fish such as pickerel, perch, cat and
sun fish, &c. The water is pure and from it great quantities of
ice are annually trans})orted to the New York market. The lake
also supplies water to two good mill seats, one of which is situa-
ted on the shore of the adjoining creek. Near the former,^ a
spring issues out of a bank, the water of which is medicinal.
Many persons who have drank freely of it, have found great re-
lief. It is chiefly useful in cutaneous diseases. In the south-east
angle of the town are located the Premium Mills, the property
of Mr. Henry Partridge Kellogg. This enchanting spot com-
mands the most extensive views of the Sound and adjacent
shores.

The northern road from New Rochelle to the White Plains
divides the ancient farms of the Huguenots. These were origi-
nally laid out in parallel narrow strips, containing each from fifty
to sixty acres, and distinguished from the southern, by the name
of the eastern and western divisions. Many of the early settlers
had double lots, and some from eight to ten, amounting to four
or five hundred acres in all.

The southern division of the town was also laid out in a simi-
lar manner, the lots running frum the south side of the Boston
turnpike to the Sound. Among the descendants of the ancient

• Stedman's Hiitory of the American war.

b This seat was formerly occupied by Jacob Leisler's mill, while the neck on the
eaat waa called Leisler's neck.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 441

proprietors, who still occupy the original strips or farms, may be
enumerated, in the west division, the Contants,^ the Drakes,
who represent the Parcots,i> the Badeaiis,c and the Secors. In
the east division are the Bonnetts,d Sonlices,e Secors,^ and Scur-
mans.g In the southern, the Guions, Le Counts, Rhinelanders
and FJandreausJ'

The farm of Mr. Nehemiah Purdy, in the eastern division,
formerly belonged to the notorious Thomas Paine, having been
conveyed to the latter by the State government for services he
had rendered the country during her struggle for indcpnndence.
This remarkable man was the son of a Quaker, a stay-maker by
trade, and was born at I'hetford, Norfolk, England, in 1737.
His mother was the daughter of an attorney, herself a member of
the Church of England. In her religious principles the son ap-
pears to have been educated, for we find lie was confirmed at the
usual age by the Bishop of jNorwich, After leaving school, (at
the early age of thirteen,) Paine embraced his father's trade as a
stay-maker, in which ho continued five years. He next ventur-
ed on a sea-faring life.

In 1759 he again established himself in stay making, and mar-
ried his first wife, Mary Lambert, who died the next year, in con-
sequence of his bad treatnient of her.

^ The ancestor of this family, who emigrated from England in 1689, was Isaac
Coutant, or Coutoug. He married Catharine Bonnefoi, and left issue three sons.
Of these, Isaac, the eldest, was the father of Isaiah Coutant. A large portion of
the Coutant farm, which originally consisted of 307 acres, is now occupied by Phi-
lemon Carpenter and Thomas L. Servoss. The present Coutant residence was erec-
ted in 1769, and the cemetery in 1775. The latter contains a monument to John
Le Fevre, a native of France besides others. , -

1j John Parcott was one of the original Huguenots of this place.

c The name of Elias Badeau occurs in a list of freeholders belonging to this town,
in 1708.

d For Daniel Bennett, the ancestor of this family, see passport.

e This family trace their descent from John Soulice, a native of the French Py-
renees, living in 1672.

f The ancestor of this family was Ambroise Secor or Sycard.

s Frederick Scurman was a freeholder of this town, in 1708. '

h The name of Jaques Flandreau is attached to the list of church members in
1743.

Vol. I. > . 56 — ,

442 • HISTORY OF THE

Two years after this he obtained a place in the excise, from
which he was twice expelled for mal-praclices. In 1771 he mar-
ried liis second wife, Elizabeth Ollive, from whom, in three years
he obtained a divorce. In 1774 he composed his first production
an election song, for which he obtained three guineas. The great
Franklin found him a garret writer in London, and was the first
person who advised him to come to this country. In Philadel-
phia, under the auspices of such men as Rush, Franklin, and
others, he prepared and published his '• Common Sense," a work
which appears to have been well-timed, and calculated to rouse
the enthusiasm of the brave asserters of independence. As a
work of merit, it was well suited to the times in which it was
first publisha^l ; but, as his own biographer remarks, "it is de-
fective in arrangement, inelegant in diction, with a few excep-
tions showing little profundity of argument, no facility of re-
mark, no extent of research, and no classical allusion, and cannot
be appealed to as authority on government." Its popularity was
entirely owing to the critical juncture of the times.

He afterwards published his "Crisis." In 1777 he was elected
secretary to the Committee of Foreign Affairs, from which office
he was disaiissed. in 1779, for a scandalous breach of trust, and
this was decreed by the assembled wisdom of the States. About
this period, the State of New York presented the farm which he
afterwards occupied.

In 1787 he formed the design of producing a revolution in En-
gland, liis native country. At this time the infidels of France
were ripening their plots in Paris ; Paine joined with them, and
viewed with rapture the rising revolution in England. His infi-
del and revolutionary principles were opposed by the powerful
and eloquent Burke, who, with other noble-minded coadjutors,
crushed the revolution in that country, and sentenced Paine as an
outlaw.

To promote the " revolution of the world,"'^ he published his
"Age of Reason," well entitled a complete piece of ribaldry.

» Tho " Revolution of the World'' was a toeiat given by Paine at a public meet-
ing in London.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 443

As a companion of the blood thirsty Robespierre, we find him
next sitting on the trial of the innocent Louis.

He was subsequently confined in the dungeons of Paris, where
he had a narrow escape of his life.*

In 1796 he published his letter to General Washington, wliich
contained a causeless, ungrateful, virulent and useless attack on
one of the best of men.

Shortly after this, he was expelled from the society of his fel-
low infidels, and a second time committed to prison. He now
deemed it expedient to fly to America, taking under his charge a
lady named Madame Bonneville, and her three sons. Soon after
his arrival in New York, we find him in possession of the farm
at New Rochelle, A portion of the house in which he lived (at
this period) is still standing: here he had a small room, the fur-
niture of which embraced a miserable straw bed, deal table, a
chair, bible, and jug of spirituous liquors. His breakfast table is
thus described by an eye witness (Mr. Carver) : "The tablecloth
was composed of newspapers ! on it was a tea-pot, some coarse

* '• One evening (says Grant Thorburn) Mr. Paiae related to me the following
anecdote. He said it was in the reign of Robespierre, when every republican that
the monster could get in his power was cut down by the knife of the guillotine.
Paine was in the dungeon, and his name was on the list, with twenty-four others,
ordered for execution ne.xt morning. It was customary for the clerk of the tribunal
to go through the cells at night, and put a cross with chalk on the back of the door
of such as were to be guillotined. In the morning, when the executioner came
with his guard, wherever they found a chalk, the victim was brought forth. There
was a long passage in the cellar of this Bastile, having a row of cells on each side
containing the prisoners ; the passage was seeured at each end, but the doors of the
cells were left open through the day, and the prisoners stepped into one another's
rooms to converse. Paine had gone into the next cell, and left his own door open
back to the wall, thus having the door inside out. Just then came the chalkers, and
probably being drunk, crossed the inside of Paine's door. Next morning, when the
guard came with an order to bring out twenty-four, and finding only twenty-three
chalks, (Paine being in bed and the door shut,) they took a prisoner from the fur-
ther end of the passage, and thus made up the number; so Mr. Paine escaped.
Before the mistake was discovered, or about forty-eight hours after, a stronger party
than Robespierre's cut off his head and about thirty of his associates — so Paine was
set at liberty ; and being afraid to trust his head among the good republicans for
whom he had written so much, he made the best of his way to this country." — Re.
miniscences of Grant Thorburn.

444 HISTORY OF THE

brown sugar, part of a rye loaf, and quarter of a pound of but-
ter."^

The subsequent career of this unfortunate man is well known.
On the Sth of June, 1S09, Thomas Paine breathed his last, aged
72 years and 5 months. Shortly after his decease, his body was
brought up from New York, and interred on the farm, near the
site of the present monument. In 1819 the remains of Paine \
were disinterred by William Cobbett, and conveyed to England. ^

The site of his grave has been recently purchased by his
friends, and a handsome marble monument erected upon it. On
tlie side facing the road is a medallion likeness, beneath which is
inscribed,

Thomas Paine,
author of
^- Common Sense."

In the northern part of this town is situated the small hamlet
of Upper Rochelle, which contains a Methodist Church, a school
house, two stores, and about fourteen or fifteen dwellings. The
high grounds in its vicinity command extensive prospects of the
surrounding country and Sound.

From the commencement of the revolutionary war, New Ro-
chelle appears to have suffered considerably from the incursions
of the enemy and their emissaries. On the 18th of October,
1776, Lord Howe, the British commander, took post in the vil-
lage, General Washington occupying the intermediate heights
between the two rivers. Whilst in New Rochelle, the enemy
were joined by the second division of Germans, under the com-
mand of General Knyphausen, and by an incomplete regiment of
cavalry from Ireland, some of which had been captured on their
passage.

The Scotch Highland battalion occupied the heights of New
Rochelle. From this place both armies moved toward White

» Abridged from Cheetham's Life of Paine.

t Among the household goods and chattels of the late William Cobbett, occurs a
tox nj hones.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 445

Plains, on the 25th of October, 177(3.^ Upon the 29ih of Janu-
ary, 1777j General Wooster's division was ordered to New Ro-
chelle> At the east end of the village, a severe skirmish took
place between a body of American light horse, under Colonel
Moyland. and the Queen's Rangers, commanded by Lieut. Colo-
nel Simcoe.c In this affair, Colonel Moyland greatly distin-
guished himself by beating off the enemy, (who far out-numbered
him,) and making good his retreat to Horse Neqjc.

The lands of this town are, in general, level and stony, but
the soil is very productive, and much of it is a wet loam or clay,
good for grass. The soil is also very propitious to the cultivation
of fruit trees of all kinds. Most of its unimproved lands are
covered with wood and tnnber : these lie principally on the east
and west sides of the town. On the highlands grow chesnut,
oak and hickory ; on the lower grounds ash, birch, maple, elm,
pine and hemlock, &c. It is also sufficiently watered by
springs and brooks. New Rochelle furnishes an extensive list
of minerals. Among the most important may be mentioned
quartZ; drusy, calcedony, agate, jasper, serpentine of almost ev-
ery variety, and chromate of iron. Hydrate of magnesia and
carbonate of magnesia, compact and crystalline, are also found
here, according to Mr. Mather. <i There are several islands in the
Sound attached to this town ; among others may be enumerated
Goat, Maskett's, Hurtleberryj Hewlet's, Locust, Pea and Vaucluse
Islands. • •. / . -/ • .:-■,• ; .

» Marshall's Life of Washington, vol. i. p. 111.
b Heath's Mem. 113.

c Subsequently Governor General of Canada.
d See Geological Survey of N. Y. 1840.

} -.

446

HISTORY OF THE

NORTH CASTLE.

The township of
North Castle is situated
" 6 miles north of White
Plains. 36 miles from
New York, and 129
miles from Albany ; —
bounded north by New
Castle and Bedford, east
s:. Stephen's Church, North cas.ie. j^y Ponudridge, South-

easterly by the State of Connecticut and the town of Harrison,
and west by Monnt Pleasant.''^- North Castle was at first styled
the White Fields,^ and subsequently (upon its division into sev-
eral patents) the Liberty of North Castle. The present town-
ship was organized on the 7th of March. 1788.^

From the general tenor of the Indian grant, made to Nathaniel
Turner, of New Haven, in 1640, we infer, that the greater part of
these lands originally belonged to the Indian sachems Ponus and
Wascussue. At this early period, however, the Indians were in
the habit of making repeated and almost unlimited grants of land
into the wilderness, as they termed the interior of the county.
Thus, we have Shanasock well's grant to the people of Rye in
1660, which extended twelve miles north of the Sound \^ also,

» Spafford's Gazetteer of N. Y.

b A name derived from the White Balsam (Gnaphalium Marjraretaceum, Linn.)
This appellation more particularly applied to that part of the present town situated
east of the Byrarn River.

« Laws of New York. New Castle was set off* from North Castle in 1791.

<i This grant was afterwards confirmed by the General Assembly of Connecticut.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 447

the same year, the Indian sale to John Richbell, of Mamaroneck,
running twenty miles north of the Sound. In 1G95 the lands
west of the Byrani appear to have belonged to the sachems W am-
pus, Cornelius, Coharnitt, and others, while the territory west
of the Mehanas River, and south of Catonah's land, (Bedford,)
was in a peculiar manner the domains of Serrinqua, or Sorringoe.

The principal Indian village in this town was situated upon
the northern bank of Rye Pond. On ploughing the ground (in
this vicinity) a few years ago, extensive '•'heds of clam shella^^
were discovered beneath the soil. These, together with Indian
utensils found tliere, prove this was a favorite place of resort.
From this spot are some charming views, loth of the pond and
surrounding hills. There are also some vestiges of Indian vil-
lages on the banks of the Armonck (Byram Lake.) A variety of
Indian v^'eapons have been likewise found in ihis neighborhood. ^

The Indian burying ground is situated near Wampus Pond.b
In the southeast angle of the town is a beautiful hill, generally
known by the name of Mount Misery,^ which acquired its pres-
ent appellation from the fact that a large body of Indians were
surprised and cut to pieces here by the Huguenots, in retaliation
for a descent upon New Rochelle.

From the summit of this mount, (which is between two and
three hundred feet above the valley,) on a clear day, may be seen
the distant mountains be^^ond the Hudson, the hills of North Cas-
tle and Greenburgh, the village of White Plains, the country bor-
dering the Sound as far as the eye can stretch, and the Bronx
meandering through a rich and fertile valley — the tout ensemble
forming a scene truly beautiful and romantic. On the brow of
the hill are the remains of a small fortification.

We have already shown that the Tndian grant of 1640 em-
braced a large proportion (perhaps the w^hole) of the present town.
Some of these lands must have subsequently reverted to the abo-

a In the possession of Samuel Lyon, Esq., is an Indian anchor manufactured of
stone, found near Byram Lake.
- b Testimony of Mr. Sands. , ^

t Testimony of Mr. Merrill in 1826.

448 HISTORY OF THE

rigines, for in 1660 we find the Indians again releasing them to
John Richbell, of Mamaroneck. Upon the 19th of October, 1696,
Caleb Heathcote obtained a further release from ihe Indian sa-
chems Wampus, Patlhunck, and others, " of all that tract of land
situate, lyino^ and being in the county of Westchester, &c. :
bounded north by Croton River, easterly with Byram River and
Bedford line, northerly by the land of John Harrison and his as-
sociates, and the line stretching to Byram River aforesaid, and
westerly by the land of Frederick Phihpse."a The above sale
included the west patent of North Castle. Caleb Heathcote had
previously obtained a patent right from Mrs. Anne Richbell to
purchase lands " which were already included in her husband's
deed of 1660."

Upon the 21st of May, 1696, John Brundage "made applica-
tion for himself and Richard Griffen, to purchase 100 acres of va-
cant land in the county of Westchester, on Byram river, near
fourteen miles from the Sound, for which they desire a patent.''^

The second sale to Heathcote and others included a portion of
the former purchase.

" Witness these presents, we Serrinqua, Quarrarequa, Wyapera and Patt-
hunck, Indian proprietors, in consideration of a certairvsum of money to us in
hand paid, at or before ensealing and delivering of these presents, by Colonel
Caleb Heathcote, Captain Joseph Theal, Lieutenant John Horton, and Mr.
Joseph Purdy, of Mannaroneck and Rye, have bargained and sold, and do
by these presents bargain, sell and alienate unto the said Colonel Caleb Heath-
cote, Joseph Theal, John Horton, and Joseph Purdy, their heirs and assigns
for ever, a certain parcel and tract of land, bounded as followeth, southerly by
Byram river, northerly to the northwest corner of a great swamp, commonly
called the Round Swamp,c thence a south-westerly line to Rye great pond,
and bounded by the said pond westerly and so runs to Harrison's great mark-
fd tree, to have and to hold ihe above mentioned tract of land to the said Caleb
Heathcote, Joseph Theal, John Horton, and Joseph Purdy, their heirs and
assigns for ever ; and it .shall and may be lawful for the said Caleb Heathcote,
Joseph Theal, John Horton, and Joseph Purdy, their heirs and assigns, at all
times thence forward, to have, use, occupy and enjoy the above mentioned

• See New Caistle for Indian deed.

b Indian deeds warrant for survey. Albany, Lib. i. 44.

« Supposed Tamarack swamp in the north-we.st corner of this town. — Editor.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 449

premises, without any lett, hindrance, or molestation, from us the said Scrrin-
qua, Quarrarequash, Wyapera, Paithunk, tlinir lieirs and assigns for ever, or
from any by, for, or under them, in witness whereof the said Serrinqua, Quar-
rarequash, Wyapera, Patthunk, have hereunto set their hands and seal, this
eleventh day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred
and one, sigrTed, sealed and delivered in the presence of us,

Sophia Horton, Serrinqua,

her ^ mark. «■ his ;j mark.

Thomas Repherson, Quarrarequash,

Warrattins, his ^ mark,

his Y mark. " ■ , Wyapera,

Cock Cocktimus,"^ ,/ his ?3 mark,

his N mark.

Upon the 4th of July, 1701, occurs the following license, "I
underwritten do give free liberty so far as it lyes in my pou'er,
(by virtue of a grant to me from Colonel Benjamin Fletcher, late
Governor of INew York,) unto Robert ]^o:khard, Richard Sco-
field, Nathaniel Sellick and Gershom Lockhard, to purchase
of the Indium proprietors, the lands hereafter mentioned from
Mehanas river to Byram river, and so run northward three
miles into ye woods, upon Byram river, and one mile into ye
woods, on the MehanjiS river, provided it does not injure tiie
right of Bedford or Greenwich, nor is within my patent right
from Mrs. Ann Rich bell. Witness my hand,

Caleb Heathcote.

Mamaroneckj July 4thj 1701. : ■

On the same day the Indians conveyed to Col. Caleb Heath-
cote, Capt. James Mott, Robert liOckiiard, Gershom Lockhard,
Jonathan Lockhard, Nathaniel Sellick, Richard Scofield, Ger-
shom Lockhard, Gershom's son, and Henry Disbrow. of the
one part, and Seringoe, Raresquash, VVashpaken, Ramiione ai d
Packanain on the other part, witnesseih, that the said Scrringoc,
Raresquash, Washpaken, Ramhone and Packanain, in consider-
ation of a certain sum of good and lawful money to ihem in
hand paid, at the ensealing and delivery of these presents, the
receipt whereof they do hereby acknowledge, and themselves

a Cockarouse was a title of honor among the Algouquiu Indians.

Vol. L 57

450 HISTORY OF THE

therewith to be fully satisfied, contented and paid, and thereof
and therefrom do acquit, exonerate and discharge the said Col.
Caleb Heathcote, Captain James Mott, <fcc.j their heirs, executors,
dec, have given, granted, bargained, sold, enfeoffed, released and
confirmed, &c., unto the said Colonel Caleb Heathcote, Captain
James IMott, (fcc,

" A certain parcel or tract of land, bounded as follovveth, to begin at By-
ram river at the colony line, and so to run to Mehanas river as said line goes,
running northerly on Mehanas river, as the river goes, a mile into the woods,
and from the colony line on Byram river, three miles northerly as the river
runs into the woods, and from the head of said line to the head of the other
line afore-mentioned, to have and to hold the before recited parcel or tract of
land, with all and every of its appurtenances, unto the said Colonel Caleb
Heathcote, Captain James Mott, &c,j &c., their heirs and assigns for ever,
&c., &c. In witness whereof, we the said Serringoe, Raresquash, Wash-
packin, Ramhone and Packanain, have hereunto put our hands and seals, the
4th day of July, in the year of our Lord, 1701. a
Signed and delivered in presence of us,

Benjamin Disbrovv, The mark of

Benjamin Collier, ^

Cohornet, Serringoe,

Wralicus, The mark of

Toporone, fxj

Kinhatem, Raresquash,

Wapatong, The mark of '

Raratta, <^

Meekrum. Washpackin,

The mark of

Ramhone.
The mark of

Packanain.

By a deed bearing date the 5th of July, 1701, Serringoe, Rare-
squash, Packanain and Ramhone conveyed to Col. Caleb Heath-
cote of Mamaroneck, gentleman, Joseph Theal and Lieutenants
John Horton and Joseph Purdy of Rye,

» The above sale embraced that tract of land called the White Fields.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 451

" All that tract of land bounded southerly by colony line, easterly by Me-
hanas river, northerly by Bedford line, and nnarked trees to Mehanas river and
southerly as said river goes against the stream, by ye head of the river, and
so by colony hne, &c.

Signed and sealed in presence of us, '

Sarah Underbill, __/ ' ' The mark of

Benjamin Collier. T The mark of >

X Taporanecam.

( Washpaken,

The mark of

' - - ^ ' ^- , ■

. ^ Cohornet.i^ ' • " ' ' '

This purchase was subsequently confirmed by royal letters
patent to Colonel Caleb Heathcote and his associates, in the fol-
lowing manner.

" 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 or may concern, sendeth greeting : Whereas our loving subjects
Col. Caleb Heathcote, Joseph Theal, John Horton, Joseph Purdy, Robert
Walters, Leigh Atwood, Matthew Clarkson, Lancaster Sims, Cornelius De-
peyster, Richard Slater, John Chollwell, Robert Lurting, and Barne Cosens,
have by their petition, presented unto our trusty and well beloved John Nan-
fan, Esq., our Lieut. Governor and Commander-in-chief of our Province of
New York and territories depending thereon in America, &c., and prayed our
grant and confirmation of a certain tract of land in the county of Westchester,
bounded southerly by the colony line of Connecticut, easterly by Mahanas
river, northerly by Bedford line and marked trees to Mahanas river again, and
southerly as the said river goes against the stream to ye head of the said river,
and so to the said colony line, which said tract of land on the 5th day of July
last past, was by our said Caleb Heathcote, Joseph Theal, John Horton and
Joseph Purdy, &c,, purchased of the native proprietors, and containing with'
in the limits aforesaid, by estimation, about 1500 acres of profitable land, be-
sides wastes and wood lands, which reasonable request, we being willing to
grant; knoiv ije, that of our especial grace, certain knowledge and mere motion,
we have give^ granted, ratified and confirmed, and by these presents doe for
us, our heirs and successors, give, grant, ratify and confirm unto our said
loving subjects, Col. Caleb Heathcote, Joseph Theal, John Plorton, Joseph
Purdy, Robert Walters, Leigh Atwood, Matthew Clarkson, Lancaster Sims,

a Indian deeds, warrant of survey. Alb. Rec Lib. i., 94.

452 HISTORY OF THE

Cornelius Depeyster, Richard Slater, John Chollwell, Robert Lurting and
Barne Cosens, all the afore recited tract of land within the county of West-
chester, and within the limits and bounds aforesaid, together with ail and sin-
gular the woods, underwoods, trees, timber, feedings, pastures, naeadovvs,
marshes, swamps, ponds, poo's, waters, water-courses, rivers, rivulets, runs,
brooks, streams, lisliing, fowling, hunting, hawking, &c., mines, minerals, &c ,
(silver and gold mines excepted,) and all other profits, benefits, privileges, lib-
erties, advantages, hereditaments and appurtenances whatsoever to tlie afore-
said tract of land, within the limits and bounds aforesaid, belonging or in any
way or ways appertaining, unto them the said Colonel Caleb Heathcote, &c.,
&c., their heirs and assigns to the only proper use, benefit and behoof of him
the said Colonel Caleb Heathcote, &c., &c., their heirs and assigns for ever,
to be holden of us, our heirs and successors, in free and common soccage as of
our manor of East Greenwich in our county of Kent, withiu our realm of
England, yielding, rendering, and paying therefor yearly and every year, on
the first day of the Nativity of our Blessed Saviour, the annual yearly rent
of one pound, seven shillings and sixpence, current money of New York, in
lieu and stead of all other rents, dues, duties, services and demands whatso-
ever. In testimony whereof, we have caused the great seal of our said Pro-
vince to be hereunto afhxed. Witness John Nanfan, Esq., our Lieutenant
Governor and Commander-in-chief of our Province of New York and terri-
tories depending thereon in America, and Vice-Admiral of the same, at our
Fort in New York, this ITth day of February, 1701-2, and in the fourteenth
year of our reign."*

John Nanfan."

The above charter embraced ihe eastern portion of what is still
known as the middle patent of North Castle.

Upon the first of April, 1705, the Indian proprietors Patthunck,
senr., Panridge, and Wapeto Patthtinck, jnnr., absolute lords of
a tract of land "lying situate in Westchester county upon the
northermost side of the great pond called Rye pond, have sold
for a sum of money and other goods,

"All the land above mentioned, from the said north-west side of said pond,
running west northerly three miles more or less, and from thence running
norih-eastwardly four miles, more or less, on a run or river caj^ed Bruncks's
river, and from thence east northerly three English miles, more or less, and
then from thence runs soulh-westerdly to the place from whence it began
taking in and including a small pond called Cranberry pond, unto John Clapp,

» Alb Rec. Book of Patents, No. vii., 224.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

453

his heirs, executors, administrators, &c., reserving three hundred acres for
our own use, for the sum of jClO, that is to say, four pieces of eight, or money,
and the other £8 lOs. in such goods as are agreed upon by said parties."^

Signed sealed and delivered in pre-
sence of us,

Roger Thoryon,

The mark of Daniel Headley.

The mark of
Co
Patthunck, sen.
The mark of
X
Panridge.
The mark of
<!
Wapeto Patthunck, jun.
And younger Patthunck
his mark.
O

On the 2Sih of Marcli, 1705, the Indian proprietors Serrino;oe,
Raresquash. and Paqucrekin, (for and in consideration of a vahi-
able consideration in hand paid,) release to George Booth and his
heirs, <fec.

" A certain tract of land in Westchester county, bounded south by a certain
tract of land formerly sold by said Serringoe, &c., to Richard Schnfield,b ar.d
on the west by Byram pond, on the north by Catonah's land, and on the east
by Mahanas river," &c.

Signed sealed and delivered in pre-
sence of us,

Richard Schofield,
Joseph Seely,

The mark of
O
Serringoe.
The mark of

XI
Raresquash.
The mark of

Paquenikin.

The mark of •

Ram Otes Wapeto Tapawmak.

The mark of

John Coak Mansawum.

a Indian deeds, warrant of survey, Alb. Rec. lib. i. 130. See Harrison,
b See Indian sale to Caleb Heathcote and others on the 1st of July, 1701. Rich-
ard Schofield was one of the proprietors of the middle pateut.

454 HISTORY OF THE

A further release from the Indian proprietors Serringoe, Mage-
rack, and Pawenackj occurs on the 14th day of July, 1705, to
George Booth, John Bond, Andreis Meyer and John van Home,
<fcc., viz : "of all the land, swamp and meadow that the said
Indians have in Westchester county,"a ^^c. From this time we
hear no more of the aboriginal proprietors of North Castle.

The western portion of the middle patent was confirmed by
royal charter on the 25th day of September, 1708, to Anne
Bridges and her associates in the following manner.

"Anne, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Queen,
Defender of the Faith, &c., To all to whom this shall come, sendeth greeting :
Whereas by our letters patent bearing date the 2d day of March, 1705, b in the
fourth year of our reign, we have given, granted, ratified and confirmed nnto
our loving subjects, Anne Bridges, Roger Mompesson, George Booth, William
Anderson, William Bond, John Persor, Daniel Clarke, John Clapp and Lewis
Perant, all that certain tract or parcel of land in the county of Westchester,
beginning at a certain small brook called Cohamong brook*^ where the said
brook empties itself into Mehannus river, and runns thence up the said river
Mehannus southerly to the head thereof, to a beech tree standing by a small
spring, and marked with the letters T. M., and thence south to the colony
line of Connecticut, which runs in the rear of the town of Greenwich and
Horseneck, and so by the said line as it runs westerly to Byram river, thence
by the river (including the said river) to the head thereof, to two certain white
ash trees standing on the north end of a certain bog meadow, marked with
three letters, D, G., P. C, T. C, and thence westerdly in a direct line to the
head of Cohamong brook as it runs to the place where it begun, bounded west
by Byram river, east by Mehannus river, north by Bedford line and Cohamong
brook, and south by colony line, together with all the woods, underwoods, \c.,
&c. And whereas said Anne Bridges, Roger Mompesson, &c., &c.,by their
indenture of lease and release bearing date the 18ih and 19th days of Septem-
ber, in the fifth year of our reign, and for considerations therein mentioned,
did ^rant and convey unto Thomas Wenham, Esq., and to his heirs and as-
signs, one tenth part of the said premises. And whereas the said Anne Bridges,
Roger Mompesson, George Booth, William Anderson, William Bond, John
Persor, Daniel Clarke, John Clapp, Lewis Perant and Thomas Wenham, have
since by their petition presented to our right trusty and well beloved cousin,
Edward Viscount Cornbury, captain-general, and governor-in-chief, in and

* This deed is signed by the Indians, Serringoe, Magirack, Pawewack, Sackema,
Wigzac, Shickham, Wasse, Waewagh Kemego, Warrea Sekis, Geshegeo pogh.

b .See Alb. Rec. Book of Patents, lib. vii. 341.

• Cohamong brook empties into the west side of Mehanus river,

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 455

over our province of New York and territories thereon depending in America,
and vice-admiral of the same, &c., in council therein, setting forth that having
made some improvements on the said lands, and fearing some disputes may
arise hereafter what shall be esteemed a settlement, &c., the which petition
wee being minded to grant, Know yee, that for diverse considerations us there-
unto moving of our especial grace, &c., wee have given, granted, released,
ratified and confirmed, and in and by this present, for ourselves, our heirs and
successors, do give, grant, release, ratify and confirm unto the said Anne
Bridges, Roger Mompesson, &c., &c., within the bounds and limits above in
our said recited letters patent, &c., &c , in ten equal parts to be divided, &c. ,
to be holden of us, our heirs and successors, &c., in free and common soccage,
as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county of Kent, within our realme
of England, yielding, rendering, and paying therefor, yearly and every year
henceforward, and unto our heirs, at our custom-house at New York to our
collector or receiver general then for the time being, at or upon the feast
day of the nativity of St. John the Baptist, the yearly rent or sum of jC2 \0s,
current money of the province of New York, &c., this 25th day of Sept., in
the seventh year of our reign, A.D. 1708.*

"Edward Cornbury."

In 1724 we find the inhabitants of the Liberty of North Castle
petitioning the court of general sessions for permission to erect a
public pound. b Benjamin Piatt appears to have been assessor
for the middle patent in 1744. c

Upon the first of April, 1746, Jonathan Ogden and Benoni
Piatt were appointed trustees for the middle patent, also George
Dennis and Caleb Fowler for the icesi patent, " to clear up the
quit-rents."'!

In 1766, a partition of the middle and west patent took place,
(in* pursuance of an act of the lieutenant governor, the council
and general assembly of the colony of New York, passed on the
eighth day of January, 1762,) "for the more effectual collecting of
his majesty's quit-rents." Upon the 23d day of June, 1766, the
several allotments were balloted for, and sold to numerous indi-
viduals. Descendants of the original patentees still reside in the
town ; among them may be enumerated the Brundages, Griffens,
Lockhards, Sillecks, Scofields and Clapps, <fcc., (fee.

a Alb. Book of Patents, No. vii. 383.
b Co. Rec. Court of Sessions, lib. B. 1.
c See New Castle for assessor of West Patent.

d Town Rec. The Woolsey family appear to have had a claim on the middle
patent. c, "

456 HISTORY OF THE

The following items occur in the town records:
"April ye 6th, 1735, at a lawful town meeting for to choose
town officers in North Casile," were elected,
George Dennis, Supervisor.
IMoses Q,uimby, Clerk.
Jonathan Ogden, Constable.

Shubel Rowley, ;

r> • • r^ , \ Assessors.

Benjamin Carpenter, )

Samuel Dean, ) ^,. ,

cu 1 1 D 1 ( Highway

Shubel Rowley. > -.^

- , „ -^ ' ( Masters.

Joseph Green, 3

Jonathan Ogden, Pounder.

Samuel Dean, ) Fence and

John Merritt, \ Damage Viewers.

'•At a lawful town meeting held in North Castle on Tuesday
the 7th of April, 1772, by the West and Middle patents to choose
and elect town officers, and to make such prudential acts as said
patents or the inhabitants thereof hath power, and shall think
proper," &c.

In 1773 it was voted that a committe of three be appointed to
represent the town, '-and wiih other members to represent the
county."

The village of North Castle is situated in a valley, about the
centre of the town, with the hills rising boldly around it. The
settlement of this place was commenced sometime prior to 1722,
principally by a company of Englishmen from Rye, who gave it
the name it now bears. North Castle at present contains a post-
office, two churches, a Friends' meeting house, a school house,
three stores, several dwellings, and the well known tavern stand of
Samuel P. Smith. * Mile Sqiiare^^ is a pleasant hamlet adjoining
it on the west^ consisting of a tavern, several dwellings and stores.

St. Stephen's church, North Castle, is situated mid-way be-
tween the two settlements, on the road leading from White Plains
to Bedford. From the primed parochial reports of 1843, we take

• In this tavern a parly of Continental troops were stationed during the Revolu-
tionary war

^ ThiH name occurs in a deed as early as 1764. 4

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 457

the following extract : '■ Episcopal services were commenced in
a scliool-hoiise, in tlie town of North C'astle, in November, 1810,
and were held here, once a fortnight, until the summer of 1S42,
when it was deemed expedient to occupy the log cabin in the
village of Mile Square, in said town, as a place of public worsiiip."
''In this building a good congregation was gathered consisting
of persons, wlio, although strangers to our services, wore, not-
withstanding, favorable to the church, attentive to its ministra-
tions, and disposed to aid in its establishment. Immediately-
after the convention of 1842, "a church was organized, with the
title of St. Stephen's Church, North Castle; and it was deter-
mined at once to erect, with strict regard to economy, a neat and
substantial church edifice. The Lord, in an especial manner,
blessed our undertaking. Several providential circumstances,
which might be mentioned if space would allow, occurred to en-
courage and aid us. The work was accomplished without delay,
and in a manner exceeding our most sanguine expectations. A
beautiful church of wood, (42 by 36.) with a handsome tower,
and vestry room (12 by 18,) in the rear, and gallery across, has
been thoroughly finished by day's work, of the most substantial
materials and workmanship, and completely painted with several
coats of paint for the moderate cost of $2000."

*' It must be observed, hov/ever, that a small lot of ground eligi-
bly situated, was given for a site, together v/iih the timber for the
frame, and the drawing of the materials. The builder also (Mr.
L. Eggleston.) very generously gave off his usual profits."

'•'Two gentlemen in New York, presented the church, the one
with a chandelier, the other with a pair of lamps for the pulpit,
very acceptable gifts, both costly and ornamental."

" Without assistance from other parishes this church could not
have been built. About $675 were given by them."

The church was consecrated, September 13, by the bishop of
the diocese, twelve of the clergy being in attendance. There is
an interesting historical fact connected with the church in this
town, which it may be well here to record.

Previous to the Revolution, a site was selected for a church
edifice, not half a mile from the spot now occupied for this pur-
pose,«and was designated by the letter C, inscribed on a rock.

Vol. I. 58

45s HISTORY OF THE

This letter is still legible. The present proprietor of the farm
has the ancient deed for the lot of gronnd in his possession. For
some reasons now unknown, it was determined to erect the
church on another site, (then in the same town, now in New
Castle,) six miles distant from the former. This was done, and
that building, long since taken down, was called " St. George's
Church, North Castle.'''^

St. Stephen's Church, North Castle, was incorporated on the
23d of August, 1844. Israel Townsend and Samuel B. Ferris,
churchwardens, John Merritt, Reuben M. Green, Leonard B.
Tripp, Joseph Close, Zeah Eggleston, Elisha Sutton, Jonathan
H. Green, and Samuel Townsend, vestrymen> The Rev. Ro-
bert W. Harris, M. A., first and present incumbent.

Noiitia Parochialis.
1844,. crmmunicants^ 11 ; baptisms, 11.

The Methodist Episcopal church of this place was first incor-
porated on the 2d of February, 1792. Caleb Merritt, Sen., 0th-
niel Sands, James Hall, Thomas Nash, Charles Green, and John
Ferris, trustees.*^

The Friends meeting house was erected about 1798,
A little west froii the latter flows Wampus brook, which issues
out of the pond of that name. Upon this stream is the grist mill
of Mr. Evans, 'i and the woollen manufactory of Job and Wm.
Sands and Co. One of the principal proprietors of Bedford New
Purchai^e, in 1746, was Olhniel Sands,e whose son Caleb subse-

» Parochial report of the Rev. Robert W. Harris in 1843. See Journal of the
59lh Conventioa of tlie Protestant Episcopal Church in the diocese of New York
MDCCcxLiii. 137. The rock above mentioned is situated on the property of Mr. Job
Sands.

b Religious Soc. Co. Rec. Lib. B. 39.

<^ Religious Soc. C'o. Rec. Lib. A. 30. A second incorporation occurs on the 30th
of May, 1800, and that of the Wesley Methodist Episcopal chapel on the 3d of
April, 1824.

<i Upon the 5lh of April, 1737, John Halleck received permission to erect a mill
on Wampus brook, near Abel Wceks's.

« lu 1728, James Sands of Nassau Island, conveyed to his son Othniel Sands, a
/aran situated in the township of Oyster Day.

lii.

I I

U'i

t * •

m ^

• I I

-f

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

459

quently removed to Nortk Castle. On the 16th of October, 1790,
Thomas Sands (son of Caleb) purchased of William Latting and
Sarah his wife, " one hundred and twenty acres of land and all
the buildings and mills on the same, which said land and mills
are situated in the town of North Castle," (fee. The Sands fa-
mily were originally seated at St. Bees, in Cumberland county,
England, and are descended from Richard del Sandys, who was
returned a knight for the shire in I377.a- Of this family was
Comfort Sands of Sands Point, Long Island, who "united with
his brothers, Richnrdson and Joshua, in a contract with Robert
Morris, to supply the northern army with provisions for 1782."^

iColonel Jameson's headquarters at North Castle The building attached to the barn on tlie
left is the one in \vhich Andre was confined.

Within a few rods from Mr. Sands' residence stands an old
wooden barn, formerly the head quarters of Lieutenant Colonel
Jameson of the Continental army. Here (on the 23d of Sep-
tember, 1780,) the unfortunate Andre was delivered up to thajt
officer with all the papers which had been found upon his per-
son.<= " The course pursued by Jameson (observes Mr. Sparks)

*■ Burke's Hist, of the Commoaers of England.

t' Thompson's Hist, of Long Island. For a further account of this family, see
pedigree.

e The room occu^jied by Andre is still shown to the visitor.

To fart- pngc 450, vol. i.

PEDIGREE OF SANDS OF NORTHCASJLE.

Arms, or, a fesse, dancettee betw. three crosses bottonee fitchee gu. Crest a griSSn segreaat per fesse or and gules.

Cnpt. James Sandys, a native of Reading, countj' of Berkshire, England, wlio nmigraled lo_Anne Wailter of Rhode Island.
Plymouth, Mass iti 1658. In 1660, with filteen others, he purchased Blocli island of the Indians, |
called iWanisses ; for which they ohlained a charter in 1672 by the name of Shorum. JVal. I6d2,
ob. 13 March, 1095, at.-73.

Capf. Jotin 8andys=Pybil da, of
removed to Cow neck, | Simon Kay
L. I, lOUO. -Nat. 161(1, of Block
ob. March 15, 1712. island, ob.

James of Sands point,,
removed to Malme-
cock, cir. I0'J4. Nat.

1673, ob. nai.

Edward of_Dinah Sarah_Raymond. Mnry—Nilea.

Block Isl- I Walker. nat. nat.

ai.d, ob. 1671. 1683.

1708. I

John nat.=Cath.
1684, ob. I Uulfarle.
Aug. I.

lMalhaniel=0'Neal.

Edward =RacheI

Cjrnetl, da.
of Iticnard
of Cow neck.

Olhniel nal.-
logy, moved
to Bedford,
1740, ob.
1757.

;Susannada.
of Nicholas
Lang of Oys-
ter Bay, nat.
1702, ob. 1757

James=l Miss Howla
I da. ofCapl. Ho
land of C()w nt
I _-'i Rebecca
liailly.

Abijahof=\Paring.
Penntyl: I
vania.

John of_.(5erman
Pemsyl- I Lady.

I I I I I I I I

John nat._Eli7.abeth W Pi 55 2 ;
Jan. 1708,
ob. Nov.
22, 170U.

IL.

Fl,

Samuel=Mary PcU

Thomas
Lord of
the manor.

Caleb nat.
at Oyster
Bay, 1727

-Peninah
Owen,
mar. 1756

i Col, Samuel

SS^si If

Croiuwctl Robert

Ul,

Sands

Point,

21 Feb.

1718:

Caleb Tliomas John-

.11.

May, 1749,
ob 20 Jan.
1795.

=2C Tnelia
I Lott

Ruth
ob. a. p.

I I

Sarnuei—Susannaii

da. of Israel
TowiiseuU

David Stephen

Caleb^Haigljt Joseph=l Halght.

& g.

2 Martha da.
orJolm Hnl-

lickof Norih
Caatle.

Vk I

! 5 ? !• =

= i •< S
3 5- 2

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

459

quently removed to Nortk Castle. On the 16th of October, 1790,
Thomas Sands (son of Caleb) purchased of William Latting and
Sarah his wife, " one hundred and twenty acres of land and all
the buildings and inills on the same, which said land and mills
are situated in the town of North Castle," &c. The Sands fa-
mily were originally seated at St. Bees, in Cumberland county,
England, and are descended from Richard del Sandys, who was
returned a knight for the shire in I377.a. Of this family was
Comfort Sands of Sands Point, Long Island, who "united with
his brothers, Richardson and Joshua, in a contract with Robert
Morris, to supply the northern army with provisions for 1782."'^

(Colonel Jameson's head-quarters at North Castle The building attached to the barn on the
left is thy one ia which Andre was confined.

Within a few rods from Mr. Sands' residence stands an old
wooden barn, formerly the head quarters of Lieutenant Colonel
Jameson of the Continental army. Here (on the 23J of Sep-
tember, 1780,) the unfortunate Andre was delivered up to that
officer with all the papers which had been found upon his per-
son.^ " The course pursued by Jameson (observes Mr. Sparks)

» Burke's Hist, of tlie Commoners of England.

b Tliompson's Hist, of Long Island. For a further account of tliia family, see
pedigree.

« The roo.ii occu;jied by Andre is still shown to the visifor.

460 HISTORY OF THE

was extraordinary and inexplicable. On examining the papers,
he fonnd them to be in the undisguised hand-writing of General
Arnold, with which he was perfectly acquainted. Their con-
tents and the manner of their being found, was such, as one
would think, could not fail to excite suspicion in the most ob-
tuse mind, whatever might be the rank or character of the party
concerned. ''a

" With these papers in his hands, bearing incontestable marks
of their origin, and procured in a way that indicated most une-
quivocally the designs of the person with whom they were
found. Jameson resolved to send the prisoner immediately to
Arnold ! How far he was influenced by the persuasion or ad-
vice of Andre is uncertain ; but it cannot be doubted, that all the
address of the latter v/as used to advance a purpose, which open-
ed the only possible door for their escape. Could he proceed to
Arnold at West Point before the report of his capture should go
abroad, it might be practicable for them both to get within the
British lines, or to take such other steps for securing themselves,
as the extremity of their affairs should make necessary. It has
been represented, that Andre's magnanimity was the principal
motive by which he was actuated in concealing the agency of
Arnold. His subsequent conduct gives him every claim to the
praise of honor and nobleness of mind; yet on the present oc-
casion, it is obvicJus, iliat his own personal safety was as much
consulted, to say the least, as his sentiments of generosity towards
his associate.

Jameson penned a hasty line to Arnold, saying merely that he
sent forward, under the charge of Lieutenant Allen and a guard,
a certain John Anderson, who had been taken while going to-
wards New York. He had a passport, said Jameson, signed in
your name ; and a parcel of papers taken from under his stock-
ings, which 1 think of a very dangerous fendency. He then de-
scribed these papers, and added that he had sent them to General
Washington.

There appears to have been some misgiving in the mind of

* For ilie AndrJ papers, s^e Grpenburgh.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 4G1

Jameson, althougli he was not prepared lo suspect the patriotism
and political fidehty of his commanding general. Washington
said afterwards that, eitiier on account of his "egregious folly,
or bewildered conception, he seemed lost in astonishment,
and not to know what he was doing." Tfiis is as lenient
a judgment, perhaps, as can be passed on his conduct. No
one ever doubted the purity of his intentions. Perceiving
the mischievous tendency of the papers, and knowing them
to have been copied by Arnold, at the same moment that
he sent Andre under guard to West Point, he dispatched an ex-
press with the papers to meet General Washington, tlien suppos-
ed to be on the road returning from his interview with the
French commanders at Hartford. Two reasons were subsequently
assigned by Jameson, for a course which seemed so extraordinary
to every body else; first, that he thought the affair was an im-
position by the British, intending to destroy the confidence of
the Americans in Arnold ; secondly, that, not knowing the Vul-
ture was up the river, he supposed Arnold could not get to the
enemy, without passing through the American out-posts on the
lines, where he would be taken.

Major Tallniarlge, next in command under Jameson was ab-
sent on dnty below White Plains when Andre was brought in,
and did not return till evening. He was filled with astonish-
ment when Jameson related what had hapjaened, and could not
refrain from expressing his surprise at tiie course that had been
pursued. To his mind the case was so clear, or at all events
was attended by such peculiar circumstances, as not only to
justify but require prompt, bold, and energetic measures on the
part of Jameson. In short he declared his suspicions of Arnold,
and ofl^ered to take on himself the entire responsibility of pro-
ceeding upon that ground. To this idea Jameson would not listen-
He was agitated and irresolute at first, but finally refused to sanc-
tion any measures, which should imply a distrust of Arnold.

Failing in this object, Tallmadge earnestly requested that the
prisoner might be brought back, to which Jameson with some
reluctance consented. As the parties from below liad been
higher up the country than the post at North Castle, there was
room to apprehend that he might be recaptured, and this was

462 HISTORY OF THE

probably^ the prevailing reason of Jameson for countermanding
his order. Stranire as it may seem, however, (if any thing can
seem strange in such a string of bhinders,) he would insist on
sending forward the letter he had written to Arnold, as will ap-
pear by his order of countermand to I^ieutenant Allen : —

<-From some circumstances, which I have just discovered/'
said he to that officer, " I have reason to fear that a party of the
enemy is above ; and as 1 would not have Anderson retaken, or
get away, 1 desire that you will proceed to Lower Salem with
him, and deliver him to Captain Hoogland. You will leave
the guard with Captain Hoogland, also, except one man, whom
yon may take along. You may proceed to West Point, and de-
liver the letter to General Arnold. You may also show him this,
that he may know the reason why the prisoner is not sent on.
Von will please return as soon as you can."

The messenger, with his letter, overtook Lieutenant Allen, and
he came back with his charge to North Castle late at night, or early
the next morning, although from the tenor of the letter, it might
be inferred, that Colonel Jameson supposed he would proceed by
some other route to Lower Salem. As soon as Major Tallmadge
saw the prisoner, and especially when he observed his manner of
walking to and fro on the floor, and turning on his heel to retrace
his steps, he was struck with his military deportment, and con-
ceived that he had been bred to arms. Jameson gradually came
into the same way of thinking, though there is no proof of his
confidence in Arnold having been shaken ; but he agreed with
Tallmadge, that it was best to keep Anderson in close custody,
till something more should be known about him, or till orders
should be received from Arnold or General Washington."* From
North Castle the prisoner was subsequently removed to Lower
Salem. b

The hills which lie along the western side of the town present
a very rough and rocky appearance, and in some places rise to
considerable heights. Upon the edge of one of them is a remark-
able split rock, which was, in all probability, rent asunder ages

• Spark'H Life of Benedict Arnold, 22G, 7, 8, 0, 30, 31, 32, 33,
b See Lewisborou'/li.

COUNTS: OF WESTCHKSTER. 463

ago, by some convulsion of nature. The gap is commonly called
Brimstone Alley. Hard by is a dismal cavern, styled the Devil's
Den. In the northeasterly corner of the town lies the Dark Val-
ley, a part of wliich falls within the limits of New Castle. From
the gloomy woods of this valley issues the northern branch of
the Bronx. a On the east side of the Dark Valley rises "VVhif-
poor-will Hill, an appellation given to rt on account of its being
a haunt of that well known bird.b "The notes of thi'S solitary
bird, (observes Wilson, the ornithologist,) from the ideas which
are naturally associated with them, seem like the voice of an old
friend, and are listened to by almost all with great interest. At
first they issue from some retired part of the woods, the glen or
mountain ; in a few evenings, perhaps, we hear them from the
adjoining coppice, the garden fence, the road before the door, and
even from the roof of tlie dw^elling house, long after the family
have retired to rest. Some of the more ignorant and superstitious
consider this near approach as foreboding no good to the family —
nothing less than sickness, misfortune, or death, to some of its
members. These visits, however, so often occur without any
bad consequences, that this superstitious dread seems on the de-
cline. He is now a regular acquaintance. Every morning and
evening his shrill and rapid repetitions are heard from the ad-
joining woods ; and when two or more are' calling out at the
same time, as is often the case in the pairing season, and at no
great distance from each other, the noise, mingling with the
echoes from the mountains, is really surprising." " These notes
seem pretty plainly to articulate the words which have been gen-
erally applied to them — Whippoor-ivill — the first and last syl-
lable being uttered with great emphasis, and the whole in about
a second to each repetition ; but when two or more males meet,
their Whip-poor-will altercations become much more rapid and
incessant, as if each were straining to overpower or silence the
other." "Towards midnight they generally become silent, un-

a The eastern branch of the Bronx originates from the Rye ponds, and, running
tlirough Kenseco, unites with the northern in the southern part of this town.
b Gapfimulgus Vociferus. — Wilson.

464 HISTORY OF THE

less in clear moonlight, when they are heard, with little inter-
mission, till mornino:. If tliere be a creek near, with high, pre-
cipitous, bushy banks, they are sure to be found in such situa-
tions. During the day, ihey sit in the most retired, solitary, and
deep-shaded parts of the woods, generally on high ground, where
they repose in silence." '' I shall not, (continues Mr. Wilson,) in
the manner of some, attempt to amuse the reader with a repeti-
tion of the unintelligible names given to this bird by the Indians,
or the superstitious notions generally entertained of it by the
same people. These seem as various as the tribes, or even fami-
lies, with wljich 3'ou converse ; scarcely two of them will tell
you the same story. It is easy, however, to observe, that this,
like the owl and other nocturnal birds, is held by them in a kind
of superstitious awe, as a bird with which they wish to have as
little to do as possible. The superstition of the Indian''^ differs
very little from that of an illiterate German, or Scots Highlander,
or the less informed of any other nation. It suggests ten thou-
sand fantastic notions to each, and these, instead of being record-
ed with all the punctilio of the most important truths, seem only
fit to be forgotten. Whatever, among either of these people, is
strange and not comJ)rehended, is usually attributed to supernat-
ural agency ; and an unexpected sight, or uncommon incident, is
often ominous of good, but more generally, of bad fortune to the
parties. Night, to minds of this complexion, brings with it its
kindred horrors, its apparitions, strange sounds, and awful sights ;
and this solitary and inoffensive bird, being a frequent wanderer
in these hours of ghosts and hobgoblins, is considered by the In-
dians as being, by habit and repute, little better than one of them.
All these people, however, are not so credulous : I have conversed
with Indians who treated these silly notions with contempt."

» " The Indians say, that when the leaf of the white oak, which puts forth in the
spring, is of the size of the ear of a mouse, it is time to plant corn : they observe,
that now the whip-poor-will has arrived, and is continually hovering over them,
nailing out his Indian name ' Wekolis,^ in order to remind them of the planting
limes, ' Ilfirhilinrk ." ' go to planting corn !' " — Yamoyden ; note to stanza 27.

The anthor of the " History of Virginia" makes mention of a bird, said to con-
tain the soul of ono of their princes, by the Indians. P. 185.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 465

The favorite places of resort for these birds are on high, dry
situations ; it is probably on this account, that they are to be
found here in such numbers. The following lines are so appro-
priate, that no apology can be necessary for their inserlion.

SONG OF THE WHIP-POOR-WILL.

Swiftly the hours of day-light have fled,

Dark hang the clouds o'er the sun's wavy bed ;

Stilly the cool dews of evening are falling,

And the night-loving owl from her wood haunt is calling,

Now swiftly fronri my dark home Fll silently fly.

And glide through the glen with my bright beaming eye.

On the slope of the hill is the gleam of my wings,
Through the limbs of the oak where the rain prophet rings,
By the skirt of the green wood where hangs the light dew,
O'er the grass of the meadow my flight I pursue ;
Through the star lighted paths of the forest I'll fly,
And pierce the gray gloom with my bright gleaming eye.

Wo ! to the night moth that flits in my way,
Wo ! to the tribes in the still air that play.
Wo ! to the wretch in the night dew that sings,
For the death spirit waits on the rush of my wings ;
High and low, swift and slow, through the shadow I fly,
While the wolf's in her track, and the owl hooteth nigh;
When the moon from her cloud-cinctured car brightly gleams,
And starts the shades with her tremulous beams, ...

Then loud in the night winds I pour my wild song,
Whip-poor-wull, Whip-poor-will, through the mists rolling gray,
And the tremulous moon-beams on high wings I play.

Now the owl to the gloom of the forest has flown.

And the deer to her covert hath stealthily gone ;

The lone prowling wolf to his lair is returning.

For night's shadows are lost in the blush of the morning.

Now swift to my dark home I'll silently fly

And close on the daylight my broad gleaming eye.

[Knickerbocker Magazine.

Whip-poor-will hill is very high and contains much arable
land ; especially adapted for pasturage. With the exception of
Vol. I. 59

460 HISTORY OF THE

Prospect hill, it overtops all others in tho neighborhood. In this
vicinity is Wampus Pond,^ whence issues a tributary to the By-
ram river, as mentioned in the description of New Castle. By-
ram Lake lies in the north-east part of the town towards Bed-
ford, not far from the village of North Castle. This lake is fed
by numerous springs from the Cohamong or Armonck hills,
which border it on the east. The north western shore is bound-
ed by steep rocky acclivities covered with woods.b It is an ex-
tensive and beautiful sheet of water, constituting the head of
Byram (Armonck) river, which waters the southern part of the
town. The lake abounds with pickerel, which were introduced
here from the western lakes by a number of enterprising gentle-
men in the neighborhood.*^

On the eastern shore of the lake is situated the estate and re-
sidence of Samuel Lyon, Esq., whose family have been long set-
tled in this part of the town.

In 1772, Roger Lyon of North Castle held a captain's com-
mission in the middle battalion of the Westchester militia. At
one period of the Revolution, this gentleman had the honor of
entertaininof General Washinofton and suite on their route to
White Plains. It is related by his grand son that during the
entertainment, Captain Lyon being blind, handed the General a
draught of good cheer, with these words, " General ! the ladies
say you are a very handsome man, but I cannot see." " Tell the
ladies," rejoined Washington, "I am afraid they are as blind as
yourself."'! Samuel Lyon, his eldest son, received from Gover-
nor Tryon a comtuission in the Westchester militia, which he
afterwards resigned for a major's commission in the continental
army, whereof Samuel Drake was captain. During the war,
Major Lyon was unfortunately surprised in the night, by a par-
ty of Totten's refugee corps. The marauders after the most in-
human treatment, plundered the house and farm, and carried off

a It is said that clowder fish were very abundant in this pond prior to the intro-
duction of pickerel. See page 372.

*> A fine 8pe:;imen of the white-headed or bald eagle (Falco Leucocephalus) was
allot on the shores of the lake in 1840.

c Mes.-rs. Hunt, Lyon, Carpenter and Tripp.

d The silver cup used upon this occasion is still preserved in the family.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 467

their prisoner to New York. His brother Capt. Gilbert L^^on also
held a commission in the continental service.^ The son of Ma-
jor Lyon, is the present Samuel Lyon, Esq. of North Castle.
Opposite the site of the old residence on Lyon hill, lies the fa-
mily cemetery, which contains, among other memorials, the
following.

In In

Memory of Memory of

Major Samuel Lyon, Mary, AVife of

who departed Samuel Lyon,

this life, . .^ who departed this life,

January 23, 1819, -• - January 10, 1792.

M. 71 years, 8 mo, and . ^ ' J^. 84.

9 days.

About a mile east from By ram L-ike is situated the Coha-
mong Pond, so denominated from the adjoining hills. This
pond has no observable inlet, and is said to be of great depth.
There is a delightful eminence in the vicinity, from which the
spectator has a noble prospect, comprehending a horizon to the
north, east and south of forty miles at least.

The name of the Middle Patent is still applied to all that beau-
tiful district of country lying in the north-east corner of the
township. Within this part of North Castle rises the Mehanas
river, which after running some distance north into Bedford,
turns and takes a southerly course, forming the boundary be-
tween North Castle and Poundrige on the east. In the Mahanas
valley is a small settlement consisting of a Methodist church and
several scattered dwellings. The Methodist society appears to
have been first organized here in 1825. A new church edifice
has been recently erected on a beautiful site, commanding a good
view of the valley. Upon an eminence near the meeting house
is the burying ground of the ancient proprietors. The oldest
grave stones are inscribed as follows.

a This individual was likewise captured by the enemy and confined with his
brother in the New York Sugar-house. Capt. Gilbert Lyon is the father of Mr.
Jesse Lyon of Eastchester,

468 HISTORY OF THE

S X B Here lies the A. H. N.

J. 29, 1743. body of Samuel Banks, 1776.

who departed this life,
the 19 th of September,
1773, in the S6th year
of his age.

Prom the Rye ponds, situated on the southern border of this
town, issues the principal branch of the Bronx river. Upon
this stream stands the small hamlet of Kenseco, formsrly call-
ed Robbin's Mills. Here is a Methodist church, two woollfin
manufactories, a saw and grist mill, a spring and carriage manu-
factory, two stores and several dwellings. In the north-west
angle of Connecticut which projects into this town, lies the
boundary rock, marked with the royal initials, G. R.^ The
heights of North Castle are well known in the annals of the
Revolution. It was to these hills that General Washington re-
tired soon after the battle of White Plains. Upon the summit of
Fort Hill, in the vicinity of Rye-pond, vestiges of a military en-
campment are still to be seen. Camp Field is also situated in
this town. " The general surface of North Castle is broken in-
to hills and valleys, but all admit of cultivation, either as arable,
meadow or pasture lands.''^ "The soil is a sandy loam and
clay."c The principal growth of wood consists of oak of all
kinds, chesnut, hickory, elm, locust, (fee, (fee. In our topographi-
cal description of the town we have shown that it is a well
watered district.

» Four towns abut upon Clapp's ridge in the south-east corner of North Castle,
b SpafFord's Gazetteer.
« Disturuell's Gazetteer.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

469

NORTH SALEM.

North Salem is
situated twenty four
miles north of the vil-
lage of White Plains,
distant fifty six miles
from New York, and
one hundred and twen-
I ty two from Albany,
W^^^^ bounded north by

St. James's Church, Nortli Salem. DutchcSS COUUty, CaSt

by the state of Connecticut, south by South Salem, and west by
Somers. Its extent east and west is about six miles, medial
width four miles.

Prior to the Revolution, the two towns of Upper and Lower
Salem constituted the old township of Salem proper, within
Cortlandt's manor. The present township was erected on the
7lh of March, 17SS.

Upon the 8th en' August, A. D. 1699, Sachima Wicker, sach-
em of Kightawonck and his associates sold to Stephanus van
Cortlandt, all their rights as owners and proprietors in the " land
lying and being v/ithin Cortlandt's manor, beginning on the
south side of Kightawonck creek, and so along the said creek to
a place called Kewighecock, and from thence along a creek call-
ed Peppeneghek to the head thereof, and then due east to the
limits of CoJi7wcticut, and from thence northerly along the lim-
its of Connecticut aforesaid to the river Mattegticos ten miles,
and from thence due west to the Hudson river, ifcc, &c."*

"^ See Cortlandt.

470 HISTORY OF THE

A portion of the Salem lands, if not the whole, may have ori-
ginally belonged to the great sachem Catonah, whose terri-
tory extended from the Sound as far north as Dan bury in Con-
necticut ; his possessions on the west appear to have been bound-
ed by the western line of Bedford.

" In the year 170S, John Belden, Samuel Keeler, Matthew Sey-
mour, Matthias St. John, and other inhabitants of Norwalk, pur-
chased a large tract of land lying between that town and Dan-
bury, bounded west on the partition line between Connecticut
and New York. This purchase was made of Catonah, the chief
sachem, and the other Indians, who were the proprietors of that
part of the country."^

Van der Donck, the historian, in his map of 1656, locates the
Indian village of Pechquenakonck somewhere in this vicinity.
The Indian burying ground is situated on the estate of the Hon.
Isaac Purdy, in this town, a little northwest of the mansion
house. In 177S upwards of forty mounds were visible. The
Titiciis River still retains a portion of its ancient Indian naiiie;
Midi ghti coos. ^ This beautiful stream rises from the West Moun-
tain, in the town of Ridgefield, Connecticut, upon the estate of
Thomas Smith, commonly designated as the " Indian FarmP
Tradition asserts that the Mutighticoos was sometimes called
Buffalo Creek. What similarity exists between the Indian name
and its English substitute, or if any, we are unable at this dis-
tant period to determine. The latter certainly bears ample testi-
mony to the fact, that the vast gorges of the Highlands and
these vales once abounded with the buffalo. c Van der Donck,
the patroon of Yonkers, writing in 1656, says of this animal —
" Buffaloes are also tolerably plenty: these animals mostly keep
towards the southwest, where few people go." "Again, it is re-
marked (says the same writer) that the half of these animals have

» Trumbull's Hist, of Connecticut. Philip Money, a lineal descendant of the
aboriginaJ proprietors was living in this town, A. D. 1784. Absalom, the son of
Philip, left i8su«, Philip and Philander, besides a daughter Sarah.

b So called in the Cortlandt Manor map.

« Vast quantities of arrow and spear heads arc found on the higher grounds of
thli t/>wn, showing that it was once a great hunting country.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 471

disappeared and left the country."* It onglit to be remembered
that, long after the discovery of this country by the Dutch in
1609, and up to a very late period, iSalem and the adjoining terri-
tory was an unexplored wilderness. A small tributary of the
Mutighticoos bears the Indian name of Mopus.

Stephanus van Cortlandt, the first grantee under the Indians,
by his last will, dated 14th of April, 1700, devised and bequeathed
the whole manor of Cortlandt to his eleven children, who thus
became seized in fee. In 1734 the devisees and the legal heirs
of those who were dead, made a partition of the manor among
themselves. By this division, North Salem fell to the share of
Mr. Andrew Miller, Col. John Schuyler, and Stephen de Lancey,
in the following order : north lot, No. 8, Andrew Miller; ditto,
No. 9, John Schuyler ; ditto. No. 10, Stephen de Lancey.

The latter individual subsequently became vested in lot No.
9. Stephen de Lancey married Anne van Cortlandt, one of the
above devisees, and left issue three sons and two daughters. By
will, Stephen de Lancey devised all his property in this town to
his eldest son, James de Lancey. On the 29tli of December, 1744,
James de Lancey conveyed all his lands in North Salem to his
son, Stephen de Lancey,b whereby the latter stood seized for the
use of the same for life, with remainder to his issue male, in fee
tail male.

This indenture, made the twenty-ninth day of December, in the year one
thousand seven hundred and forty-four, between James de Lancey, Esq., chief
justice of the province of New York, of the one part, and Stephen de Lan-
cey, son of the said James de Lancey, of the other part, witnesseth, that the
said James, for, and in consideration of the natural love and affection which
he, the said James, beareth to his said second son Stephen, doth for him and
his heirs covenant and grant to and with the said Stephen and his heirs, that
the said James and his heirs shall and will, from henceforth, stand and be seized
of, and in all that tract or parcel of land in the manor of Cortlandt, in the
county of Westchester, distinguished and known by the name of nortii lot
number nine, and north lot number ten, whereof the said James is now seized
of an estate in fee simple, to the use of the said James for and during the term

a Van der Donck's Hist, of the New Netherland?, N. Y. Hist. Soc vol, i. 168.
b For a full account of this family, see Mamaroneck.

472 HISTORY OF THE

of his natural life, and after his decease to and for the use of his said son Ste-
phen for and during the term of his natural life, and after his decease to the
use and behoof of the heirs male of his body, lawfully begotten, and for de-
fault of such issue, to the use and behoof of the right heirs of him, the said
James, for ever —

Provided always, and it is hereby covenanted and agreed by and between
the said parties to these presents, that it shall and may be lawful to and for
the said James at any time or times during his natural life by his last will in
writing, by him signed and published in the presence of two or more credible
witnesses, or by any other writing or writings by him signed and sealed in the
presence of two or more credible witnesses, to revoke or alter all or any the
use or uses of all or any part of the said land and premises, any thing in these
presents contained to the contrary notwithstanding. In witness whereof, the
parties to these presents have interchangeably put their seals the day and year
above written.

James de Lancey.

Sealed and delivered in the presence of
A. De Peyster^
J. Roberts.

The De Lancey Patent, as it was sometimes called, embraced
Great North Lot No. 9 and 10 of the manor of Cortlandt. These
were again subdivided into thirty six smaller lots or farms. The
whole was about four miles square. In the year 1769, Stephen
de Lancey, and Hannah, his wife, conveyed to the Rev. Epene-
tus Townsend certain lands situate in North Lot No. 10. The
same year also part of farm No. 12, in Great North Lot No. 10,
to Nathaniel Delavan. During the year 1774, Stephen de Lan-
cey released certain lots in the town to the Carpenters, Baileys,
Rodgers, Lobdens, Nashs, Purdys, Nortons, Tiluses and Rey-
nolds, &c. &c.

The following items are taken from the rent rolls of the De
Lancey family.

" Lot No. 25, Timothy van Scoy^ tenant of one-half, for cash
due for rent, January ye 1st, 1773, £1 55." '' No. 12, Crow Hill
lot leased to Hannah Delavan, wife of Abraham Delavan, to cash
due for rent, January ye 1st, 1774, the sum of £4," <fcc., <fcc.

Upon the 1st of January, 1795, Stephen de Lancey conveyed all
the remainder of his estate in this town to his brother John Peter
de Lancey of Mamaroneck. The last will and testament of
Stephen dc Lancey commences in the following manner.

COUiNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 473

" In the name of God, Amen, I, Stephen de Lancey a reader of
divine service of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Beeckman-
town, in the county of DiUchess and state of New York, esquire,
and first principally I do commit my precious, immortal, and
never dying soul into the hands of my most merciful Creator,
whose I am and whom I desire to serve in the Holy Gospel of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who giveth Hfe and health and all things,
hoping, trusting, and relying only on the most meritorious satis-
faction of our Lord Jesus Christ, before whose dreadful tribunal
I and all mankind must appear and give a strict account of all
their works, whether they be good or whether they are evil, and
who, 1 trust and am persuaded, shed his most precious blood on
the altar of the cross for my eternal salvation, 6cc., <Scc. In con-
clusion, he desires his body may be buried under the chancel of
the church at Beeckmantown, unless his brother should order
otherwise," (fee.

John Peter de Lancey, by his last will, dated the 28th of Jan-
uary, 1823, devised all his farm and land at North Salem, in trust
to his two daughters, Elizabeth Caroline, and Martha Arabella de
Lancey. A portion of these lands are still vested in the De Lan-
cey family.

Prior to 1731 North Salem embraced six miles (in length) of a
tract of land called the Oblong. Upon the 8th of June, 1731,
his excellency, John Montgomerie, governor of the province,
granted letters patent to Thomas Hawley and Company for all
that " tract of land situated north of and near unto Long pond,
which is bounded as follows, viz. : beginning at Jonah Keeler's^-
north-west corner, and running north seventy-seven degrees and
a half, containing three hundred and twenty-six acres." The
Oblong, or east patent, was situated on the east side of the town.i'
On the Sth of June, 1749, James Brewer purchased of Thomas
Hawley and Company, fifty acres, bounded west by the twenty
mile line, which he afterwards conveyed to Solomon Close of
Greenwich.

The Hawleys were originally from the town of Reading in

a This individual was the father of Jedediah Keeler, vvliose sons are the present
Job, Nathan, and Jereniiali Keeler, of North Salem.

ij The south east corner of North Salem still retains the shape of the oblong.

Vol. I. 60

474 HISTORY OF THE

Connecticut. Of this family was Ezekiel Havvley, son of Joseph
Ha\vley,fi one of the proprietors of the Oblong in 1754. Ezekie
Hawloy was a commissioned officer in the continental service
and chairman of the committee of public safety ; in the latter
capacity he served throughout the Revolution. He died sud-
denly in 17SS, leaving four sons, Ezekiel, Peter, Joel, and David.
Joel, the third son, was the father of the present Alfred S. Haw-
ley, who occupies the ancient homestead.

The following entry, in the town book, relates to the first elec-
tion of town officers.

North Salem this sixth day of April, 1790.
" A town meeting was held at the town house in North Salem,
and that John Quick, Esq., was chosen moderator, (after which)
the freeholders and inhabitants of said town proceeded on to
choosing town officers, and doing all other busine55s which con-
cerned said town. And that Daniel Delavan was chosen Clerk.'^

John Quick, chosen Supervisor.

John Delavan, j

Jonathan Hallett^ > Commissioners of Roads.

Uriah Wallace, )

Thomas Smith, i

Caleb Smith, > Assessors.

Daniel Purdy, )

Thomas Vail, j

Timothy Yanscoy, > Overseers of the Poor.

Thomas Vail, )

Timothy Yanscoy, |

Benajah Star, ! Trustees to provide a place for the

Stephen Baker, -f receipts for the poor.

Michajah Fuller, J

Benjamin Close,

Jacob Wallace,
David Baxter,
Isaac Keeler,
Reuben Zump,
Solomon Close,

Path Masters.

» This individual was a distinguished scholar and antiquariaa.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

475

!^ Path Masters.

Fence Viewers.

David Smith, ]

Ebenezer Purdy,

Robert Bloomer,

Frederick Knox,

Thomas WiUiams,

John Finch,

Abraham Knox,

Micliajah Fuller,

Abraham Vanscoy,

Jonathan Brown,

Thomas Baxter,

Stephen Baker,

John Knox,

Abraham Purdy,

John Quick, jr.

Gilbert Bayiey,

Daniel Delavan, Pounder.

William Rogers, Constable.

Solomon Close, Collector.
The surface of North Salem is in part covered with lofty hills ;
the soil, various, but chiefly composed of " a gravelly and clay
loam, well adapted to grass and summer crops.''^ The course of
the Mulighticoos river, through the centre of this town is marked
by beautiful mountain scenery, and rich tracts of meadow land,
which skirt the margin of the stream. The Mutighticoos emp-
ties into the Croton a little south of Dean's bridge. In the north-
east corner of the town lies Peach pond, a large sheet of water
covering over four hundred acres of ground. At no great dis-
tance from it is situated Beaver pond.

The village of North Salem occupies a beautiful position on
the north bank of the Mutighticoos, commanding a fine view of
the valley and surrounding mountains. It contains about 200
inhabitants, thirty-five dwellings, one Episcopal, one Presbyterian,
one Methodist and one Universalist church, two taverns, three
stores, one paper mill, one grist mill, and one clothiers' works.
A little east of the village stands the North Salem academy.

» Disturnell's Gazetteer.

476

HISTORY OF THE

Academy, Xorth Salem.

" This eLlifice was erected between the year 1770 and 1775, by
Stephen de Lancey. one of the principal proprietors of tliis town.
It was intended for his own residence, but was not finished as
snch, as he soon after removed. In 1786 it was purchased by a
company and completed as an Academy, which went into opera-
tion about that date, under the care of the Rev. Amzi Lewis.
During several years it continued in a veryflourishing state under
Mr. Lewis, and was incorporated by theregents of the university,
April 19th, 1790, on the "application of Benjamin Haight and
thirty-eight others. It was the first incorporated academy in the
county, ai]d the third in the state; Erasmus Hall at Flalbush,
and Clinton Academy in East Hampton, having been incorpo-
rated near the close of 1787. Many individuals who afterwards
became eminent, were prepared for college or finished their edu-
cation here." Among the most distinguished may be reckoned
Daniel D. Tompkins, vice president of the United States, Colonel
Tallmadge and brother, and the Hon. James Kent, L. L. D.
" After tli€ removal of Mr. Lewis, the institution appears to have
declined for a few years. A revival of its prosperity, however,
occurred about 1801, under the Rev. Mr. McNiece. This gen-
tleman is said to have been one of the Irish patriots of 1795,
who left his country at the same time with Emmet, Adrain,
McNevcji and others, and for the same cause. He was a man of

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 477

learning and an eloquent preacher of the Preshyterian denomi-
nation, and the Academy under him had at one time eighty
scholars in attendance. From this period the reports to the re-
gents indicate great fluctuations in the number as well as in the
advancement of the scholars. Some years present no report from
the trustees, from which we may imply that the building was
not occupied as a school during a sufficient portion of the year
(four months) to entitle them to a share of the literature fund, or
that the scholars were not sufficiently advanced to be reported in
the higher branches of study. The reports of other years indi-
cate a better condition. And among the teachers are mentioned

- the Rev. HermanDagget, Rev. Abraham Purdy, A.M., Ebenezer
Close, Dr. Samuel B. Mead, Rev. Hiram Jelliff, John C. Jones,
and G. S. Tozer.

For the last eight years North Salem Academy has held a
respectable standing among its sister institutions in this part of
the state ; sometime numbering nearly one hundred students
and generally during the winter sessions, from seventy to ninety.
The last annual catalogue contained the names of one hundred and
forty-five pupils. During the revolution, the Academy was used
as a jail and court house for the detention and trial of refractory
tories. Here one Paine was-tried and condemned as a spy ; he

^ was executed about half a mile from the Academy, though it ap-
pears that circumstances afterward threw some doubt upon his
guilt. It is said that a reprieve was forwarded from head-quar-
ters, and that when the unfortunate man was swung off, the bear-
er had just reached the Episcopal church, which was a mile as
the road then ran, from the place of execution ; he was of course
too late. When the French army passed through this town in
1781, on their way from Rhode Island to Dobb's Ferry, where
they crossed the Hudson to join Washington, they encamped
near the Academy two days, and the officers occupied the build-
ing."a The situation of the Academy is exceedingly beautiful,
and the view of the Mutighticoos valley is such as can seldom

» Communicated by Mr. John F Jenkins, A. M., principal of the North Salem
Academy.

478 HISTORY OF THE

be equalled. The moderate distatice from the rail-road, combined
with the great advantages for education, presented by retirement
and tranquility, justly entitle this institution to a large share of
public patronage.

The present board of trustees consists of

Knapp Remington, Esq., president,
John Close, secretary, Samuel H. Smith, treasurer.

Epenetus Wallace, M. D., Zabud June,

Epenetus Howe, Thaddeus C. duick,

Richard H. Lockwood, Underbill W. Smith,

Ezra Finch, Stephen Ryder,

Isaac D. Smith, James R. Howe,

Amzi Close, Isaac H. Purdy,

James Egglestone, , Anson Lobdell,

John Wallace, David Vail,

William Vail, William P. Baxter.

Alfred B. Mead, Isaac T. Frost,

John Braden.

John F. Jenkins A. M., principal, professor of mathematics
and teacher of the higher branches. Miss Mary A. Jenkins as-
sistant, having charge of the preparatory department, and teacher
of common English branches.

About half a mile west of the Academy is to be seen a singu-
lar phenomenon called the Natural Bridge. " Here are two
streams which meet and run under the road, the one flowing '.
from the east along the road side, enters the ground twenty-five
or thirty feet east of where it seems to cross the road, the stream
from the north east, appears to run nearly straight, directly under
the road, and issues from the earth again, after falling ten or
fifteen feet lower than where it enters, but the place where it
issues from the earth, is at least twenty-five feet perpendicular,
the top of which precipice is within ten or fifteen feet from the
side of the road. The two streams, although they enter the
ground so far from each other, unite under ground, and come up
together." The question how these effects are to be accounted
for, is a matter we leave to abler philosophers than ourselves lo

COUNTS OF WESTCHESTER. 479

determine. Gro.w Hill lies half a mile to the northeast of the
Natural Bridge. There is a lofty hill in the southern part of the
town, bordering the Bedford road called Turkey Hill, on ac-
count of the great number of wild turkeys that once frequent-
ed it.

St James's Episcopal Church, occupies an elevated situation di-
rectly opposite the junction of the cross roads, at Salem centre,
and is quite a picturesque object from the valley. It is con-
structed of wood, and surmounted with a neat bell turret. The
old edifice erected in 1763, stood east of the present, upon the
property of Epenetus Wallace, M. D.^ The first notice of this
parish, occurs in a letter addressed by the Rev. Samuel Auch-
muty, D. D., Rector of Trinity Church, New York, to the Vene-
rable Propagation Society in England, dated October 17th,
1767, enclosing a petition from the chnrch people of Salem,
wherein " they represent their want of religious instruction and
the regular administration of God's word and sacraments ac-
cording to their religious profession, there being no minister of
the church nearer than Rye, which is between thirty-eight and
forty miles distant. They have erected a decent church with gal-
leries, on a convenient spot given them by Mr. Stephen de Lan-
cey, the present proprietor.^ They have already purchased six
acres of good land for a glebe, and promise to build a convenient
house, and in conjunction with some neighboring places engage
to contribute a certain sum annually toward the support of a
minister." Upon the receipt of this petition, the society granted
their request, " and appointed the Rev. Epenetus Townsend
missionary, a gentleman educated in Kings college, and whose
exemplary life and sober conversation, they have already had
experience of." From the church records we make the follow-
ing extracts.

" Whereas, St. James's church North Salem was founded and

» The old site was exchanged for the present location.

b This gentleman also gave three quarters of an acre of land bordering the So-
mers town road for the same purpose, and by his last will bequeathed the church
a b^ll.

480 HISTORY OF THE

first organized by our ancestors, previous to the revolutionary
^var; and, the Rev. Epenetus Townsend, the missionary (a can-
didate for holy orders) went to England with the necessary cre-
dentials, about the year 1767, where he was ordained as a mis-
sionary : the parsonage being purchased before he went. He
also officiated at Ridgefield and Ridgebury a part of the time, (fee.
The mission was furnished by the Propagation Society, with
a library and an annual salary. Susan de Lancey, daughter of
Lieut. Gov. James de Laricey, presented a silver chalice.''^ Sep-
tember 29th, 1768, the Rev. Epenetus Townsend informs the
society, " that he arrived at his mission, on the 26th of May,
1768, and was kindly received. The church wardens also, of
Salem, in the name of the people belonging to the mission, have
returned thanks to the society for Mr. Townsend's appointment."
" At Salem and Ridgefield, there are one hundred and fifty church
people, at Ridgefield, eighty. The people, he continues, are zeal-
ous and constant at public worship. He has baptized within the
year, two adults and thirty infants, and admitted four to the
communion. In 1772, his congregation are increasing, had bap-
tized sixty-two infants and two adults.^

In the year 1774, the Rev. Epenetus Townsend again informs
tlie society, " that he preaches in parts adjacent, and from Lady
day to Michaelmas, had baptized twenty-one infants and one
adult, beside admitting two communicants. During the year
1776, he had baptized thirty infants, buried seven, and married
three."

In his last letter to the society, dated June, 1777, Mr. Town-
send states, " that he was sent to the county committee, but was
dismissed, and kept his church three weeks after the declaration
of independence. In October, he was sent prisoner to Fishkill,
and detained all winter. In the mean time, his family were suf-
fering for the want of his presence. In March, 1777, Mr.
Townsend refusing to swear allegiance, was removed to Long
Island, the place of his nativity. Here he continued a short time,
when himself and family embarked on board a vessel bound for

Church Rec. b See Reports of Propagatian Society.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. * 481

Nova Scotia. This ship foundered in Boston bay, and every
soul on board perished."^ Thus terminated the short and sad
career of the first rector of the parish.

Mr. Townsend was one of the numerous descendants of the three
brothers, John, Henry, and Richard Townsend, who settled at
Oyster bay, in 1667.^ Previous to his embarkation, Mr. Townsend
had deposited in the hands of the Rev. Benj. Moore, (afterwards
Bishop Moore) the library, silver chalice and velvet cusliion, be-
longing to this church, desiring him to keep them until called for.

The Rev. Benjamin Moore in 17S5 informed i\Ir. John Wal-
lace and Ebenezer Lobdell, churchwardens of this parish, that
the above mentioned articles were left with him for safe keeping,
and that St. James's Church might have them by sending an order
for that purpose. The Rev. David Perry was accordingly depu-
ted to receive them, in the name of the vestry. ^ Immediately
after the close of the revolutionary war, the Rev. David Perry
(then in deacon's orders) officiated here and in the neighboring
parishes. In the year 1797 the old church edifice was found to
be in a ruinous condition ; whereupon it was dismantled and sold
at public auction May 25th, 1797. Upon the decease of John
Wallace and Ebenezer Lobdell, first wardens of the parish, their
successors, Benjamin Close and Gershoni Hanford,^ together widi
the vestry, resolved on the erection of the present building. The
corner stone was laid on the 30th of August, 1810, by the Rev.
Nathan Felch, who delivered a well adapted discourse upon the
occasion. The principal benefactors were Epenetus Wallace,
M.D., and Joseph Purdy, Esq., with others. Trinity Church
also liberally contributed the sum of $1000 in 1813.

St. James's Church was consecrated to the service of Almighty
God in 1816, by the Right Rev. John H. Hobart.

a Reports of Propagation Society.

b Thompson's Long Island, vol. ii. 344.

c We regret to state that the chalice, connected with so many interesting associ-
ations, was subsequently sold, by order of the vestry, for the sum of ^100.

d This gentleman is the son of Gershom Hanford, great grandson of the Rev.
Thos. Hanford, first Presbyterian minister of Norwalk, Conn., who died A. D. 1693.

YoL. I. 61

482 HISTORY OF THE

Mr. Stebbins Baxter, a resident of this town, who died on the
28th of February, 1S20, bequeathed his entire property to St.
James's parish, amounting (according to an inventory of his es-
tate) to 83000, which, after deducting general expenses, dec, left
a balance of 82000. The church, however, owing to the failure
of his executors, only obtained the sum of $1100. In 1837 the
present vestry room was added to the church at a cost of $100.
In 1842 the wardens and vestrymen erected the parsonage house
and barn, &c., the expenses being defrayed by public subscrip-
tion, amounting to $1100.^

St. James's Church was first incorporated on the 3d of June,
1786, under the name and title of the " Episcopal Reformed Pro-
testant Church at Upper Salem ;" Ebenezer Lobdell, Daniel
Smith, and Joseph Pnrdy, trustees.^ A third incorporation of
St. James's Church, at North Salem, occurs on the 30th of June,
1797 ; James Bailey and Benjamin Close, churchwardens ; Epe-
netus Wallace, John Lobdell, Gershom Hanford, Joshua Purdy,
Gilbert Bailey, Daniel Sherwood, Jacob Lobdell, and Joseph
Knox, vestrymen. c The first delegate from this parish to the
Diocesan Convention was Joseph Purdy, Esq.

LIST OF MINISTERS AND RECTORS.

Instituted or called.

Incumbents.

Vacated by.

A.D. 1768,

Rev,

, EpenetLis Townsend, Clericus,

per mort.

1782,

David Perry, Deacon,

per resig.

1790,

John Plumb, Presb.,

((

1795,

Andrew Fowler, Presb.,

((

ISOO,

George Sebeck, "

1810,

((

Reuben Hubbard, "

1816,

George Weller,'i "

» The fomrer parsonage was erected by the Rev. Epenetus Townsend upon the
^ebe. The church glebe is " bounded on the south by the highway leading west-
erly from Ridgefieid to Somers, on the east by land of Epenetus Howe, on the
north by land of Benjamin B. Gray, and on the west by land of S. Howe and
Charles Cable, containing six acres."

b Religious Soc. Co. Rec. Lib. A. 8.

« Ibid. Lib. A. 3.3, 73,

* This gentleman died rector of Christ Church, Nashville, Tennessee. He was

3Sb.,

per resig,

((

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 483

1816, Rev. Nathan Felch, Presb.,
1820, '• Samuel Nicolls,
1829, '' Himm Jelliff,
1835, *' Alexander Fraser,
22d July, 1836, '' Benjamin Evans,

1841, " David Short,

1842, '' Albert P. Smith,
1847, ^' Nathan W. Munroe, Presb., present incum-
bent.

Notitla Parochialis.
1829, Communicants J7 Baptisms 1

1844, " 18 '^ 0

Upon an elevated piece of ground, on the west side of the
church, is a large enclosure, in which numerous interments have
taken place. Here repose the mortal remains of the celebrated
Sarah Bishop, the hermitess. Also the following : —

Col. Thaddeus Crane, Erected

died to the memory of the

Sept. 1st, 1800, ■• Rev. Abraham Purdy, A, M.,

aged 71 years, 5 mo. who died at Some rs,

and 20 days. on the 7th day of August,

A.D. 1825, in the 44th year
of his age.

Beneath this Monument

lie the remains of , ■ -

Doctor ' ■

Benjamin Delavan^

of the

United States Army,

who died at Natchitoches,

the author of a reply to the review of Dr. Wyatt's sermon, and Mr. Sparks's Let-
ters on the Protestant Episcopal Church, published in Boston, 1821. Also editor
of the Church Register, an Episcopal periodical, printed in Philadelphia, In 1807
this church was supplied by the services of the Rev. Benjamin Moore, D.D., Isaac
Wilkins, D.D., and the Rev. John Henry Hobart.

484 HISTORY OF THE

State of Louisiana,

26th Nov., A.D. 1827,

in the 36th year of his age,

and was interred here

the ISth of March, A.D. 1S29.

In the immediate vicinity stands the Presbyterian Church, a
very handsome wooden edifice, erected in 1847, and dedicated on
the 15th of October of the same year. From a date on a semi-
circular stone, lying in front of the door, we learn that the old
church, which stood east of the present building,a was erected as
early as 1764. This is confirmed by the followinor items, taken
from an old account book in the possession of Mr. John Close :

" November the 20th, the year 1764, Ebenezer Brown, of Sa-
lem, have received of Solomon Close two pounds seven shillings
and ten pence, on the accompt of the Meeten House. Recieved
by Ebenezer Brown."

" To cash by Nathan, 0—5—0. 1765 Abner Benedict cradit
to a log for the fore that made 140 feet to 158 feet of oak bords,
0—2—16. For the Meeten House, 0—7—11 to 370 feet of bords,
by Crane, 0—18—6."

"October the year 1764, I, Ebenezer Brown, of Salem, have
recieved of Samuel Cole, of Cortslandt Manner, the ful and just
sum of five pounds, rec'd by me on the acompt of the Meeten
House."

Little is known concerning the early history of this church,
except that from J 764 to 1832 it was strictly independent in its
organization, and Congregational in its form of government and
worship.

The first settled pastor appears to have been the Rev. Joel
Benedict, in 1783. Prior to this, the congregation must have de-
pended on occasional supplies, or employed the services of a min-
ister for a short period only. In the church register book (enti-
tled the Records of the Congregational Church at Upper Salem)
occurs the following memoranda. '-Upper Salem, August 20th,
1779. At a meeting of the church members hving in Upper Sa-

« Tho old building and site were sold to Mr. Alfred B. Mead in 1847.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 485

lem, Cortlandt's manor, and other places adjacent, to consult
wliether they were desirous of uniting for forming into church
order, (fcc. Present Peter Benedict, Jehiel Tyler, Jonathan Rog-
ers, Thaddeus Crane, Solomon Close, Ezekiel Hawiey, Jesse
Truesdale, Joseph Doolittle, John Piatt, James Wallace and Pe-
ter Ferris, voted Mr. Peter Benedict Moderator.'' "xA.ugust25,
1779, it was voted to form and unite as a Church in the order of
the gospel. Mr. iMead invited to attend." "At a meeting of the
Society of the upper end of Salem, 11th of May, 1779, at the
upper Presbyterian Meeting House," it was voted " that Jesse
Truesdale, Solomon Close and Nathaniel Delavan should form a
committee for one year to get preaching." Its incorporation took
place on the 18th of February, 1786, under the style of the
" Congregationalist Society in Upper Salem ;" John Piatt, Benja-
min Wood, Abraham Lockwood, David Smith, Bonage Starr and
Moses Richard, trustees. *

In 1832 this church was placed under the jurisdiction of the
Bedford Presbytery. As a Presbyterian church, it was first in-
corporated on the 25th of September, 1832 ; John Wallace, Hor-
ace Barnum, and Richard H. Lockwood, trustees.^

LIST OF CLERGY AND SUPPLIES.

Inst, or call, Ministers, vacated by

1783 Rev. Joel Benedict, resig.

Rev. John Blindbur, do

1787 Rev. Amzi Lewis, do

Rev. Abner Benedict, do

1792 Rev. Richard Andrews, do

1798 Rev. Phelps, do

1799 Rev. John Mc. Niece, do
Rev. Cornwall, do

1815' Rev. Abraham Purdy, do

1817 Rev. Herman Daggett, do

Rev. David Delavan, do

1835 Rev. Alexander Leadbilher do

1841 Rev. Joseph Nimmo, present minister.

a Religious Soc. Co. Rec. Lib A. 8. b Religious Soc Lib. B. 10.

486

HISTORY OF THE

Church Notes.

1S36, communicants 21
1847, do 25

The iNIethodist Episcopal Society of North Salem, was first
organized in the early part of the present century, and incorpora-
ted 6th of January, 1S32 ; Jonas Keeler, Abel Smith, WiUiam
Cable and Stephen Ryder, trustees.^ The church edifice was
erected in IS33.

The Baptist congregation in this village was incorporated on
the 1st of April, 1833; Ebenezer Whelppy, Edward Ganong,
John Wesley Searles, John Braden and James Mills trustees.^

An UniversaUst Society was incorporated upon the 23d of
January, 1832 ; Levi Smith, Epenetus Howe, William Howe,
Henry Hunt, Samuel Hunt and Thomas Smith, trustees ; Gil-
bert Hunt, collector ; Jesse Smith, treasurer. The church was
erected in 1833, its pastor is the Rev. T. J. Hillyer.

The Friend's meeting house is erected in the north east part
of the town.

_ One of the most in-

^^ teresting objects in the
^^^g: village of North Salem,
is an immense granitic
^;g boulder or rock, weigh-
^^ ing sixty tons, or up-
wards, supported about
three feet from the
ground on the project-
ing points of five small-
er lime stone rocks.
This immense block
Boulder Stone. vicwcd from the valley

beneath has much the
appearance of a huge mammoth ascending the hill. From its

» Religious Soc. Lib. B. 11.
»> KelifTious Soo Lib. B. p. 15.
< Religioim Soc. Lib. B. 8.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 487

weather beaten sides the Indian magician and priest is presumed
to have deciphered the destinies of his tribe. It stands on the
land of T. C. Quick.

In the vicinity of the rock is situated the paper mill of Epene-
tus Howe. Esq. ; also the saw and grist mill of Mr. D. Hunt.
We must not omit to mention there is a very fine chalybeate
spriijg, on the property of Mr. Howe, issuing from a bank, upon
the side of Mulighticoos river ; the waters of which are said to
be highly medicinal. , • ' ' .

Upon the old parsonage properly, west of the Presbyterian
church, resides Epenetus WaHace. M. D., a distinguished member
of the medical profession, and for many years a magistrate of
this town. Dr. Wallace is the youngest son of John Wallace,
Esq., for along period senior warden of St. James's church, and
grand-son of James AVallace, formerly of Ridgefield, Connecticut,
a native of Lanarkshire, Scotland, and a scion of the parent
stock from which the renowned Sir William Wallace descended.

Directly opposite the Episcopal church stands the hotel of A.
and J. Close,^ a well known resort for travellers. Near the junc-
tion of the Croton and Mutighticoos rivers is situated the North
Salem depot. Immediately north-east of this depot is the farm
and residence of Joshua Purdy, Esq., formerly one of the associate
judges of the county.

In the north-east corner of the town is located the Croton falls
depot and the hotel of Messrs. Smith and Mead. From the road
that passes over the summit of Long Pond mountain, in the
south-east corner of the town, a fine panoramic view is obtained
of the great valley of the Mutighticoos and the surrounding
country. The evening is the most propitious season to enjoy
the scene, when the valley and neighboring hills are richly illu-
minated by the setting sun, imparting an effect that surpasses
description. To those who have read Bunyan's Pilgrim's Pro-
gress, it will bear strong resemblance to the " Delectable Moun-
tains," mentioned in that beautiful similitude.

«^ The Close family have long been seated here and descend from Thomas Close
of Greenwich, Connecticut, who emigrated from England in 166G. For a further
account of this family, see pedigree.

488 HISTORY OF THE

O S S I N - I N G.

This township is bounded on the east and south by Mount
Pleasant, (of which it once formed a part, a) on the west by "the
Hudson river, and on the north by New Castle and the Croton
river. Like the neighboring townships it was originally includ-
ed within the honour and fee of Philipsburgh.

Ossi?i-iTig, the proper Indian orthography of the word various-
ly written Sin-sing, Sing Sing, Sin Sinck and Sink Sink, is de-
rived from ossin (a stone) and ing (a place) or " stone upon
stone :"b — a name exceedingly characteristic of this beautiful
town, whose coast is guarded by a vast munition of rocks and
ancient boulders. At a very early period Ossin-ing constituted
a part of the possessions of a powerful Mohegan clan called the
Sint Sings.

April the 22d, 1643, appeared before the Dutch Director Gen-
eral Kieft in Fort Amsterdam, Oratatrim, sachem of Ack-kin-kas-
hacky. who declared he was deputed by those of Tappan, Reek-
gawanck, Kicktawanc and Sint Sinck, to conclude a peace with
the Dutch in the following manner, viz. : that all the injustices
committed by the said nations again.st the Netherlanders, or by
the Netherlanders against said nations, shall be forgiven and for-
gotten for ever; reciprocally promising one another to cause no
trouble the one to the other; but whenever the savages under-
stand that any nation not mentioned in this treaty might be
plotting mischief against the Christians, then they will give
to them timely warning, and not admit such a nation within
their own limits. To secure and confirm this peace, presents

« This town was separately organized. May 2, 1845. Laws of N. Y. 1845. Also
69 Session, 1H46, chap, xxx., 265 section.

b N. Y. Hist. Soc. Pro. 1844, 101. Ossin in the Chippeway denotes *' a stone,"
and Osaineen " Etoncs." Trans. Amer. Autiq. Soc. vol. ii., 70.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 489

were given on both sides, while God is prayed that this peace
may be duly observed by the savages.^-

30 August, 1645. Aepjen, chief sachem of the Mohegans,
personally appeared at Fort Amsterdam, as a delegate to the gen-
eral council held there, in behalf of the Wappinecks, the Weck-
quaesqueecks, the Sint Sings and the Kicktawancks.^

In the year A. D. 1663, the Sint Sings appear to have been
without a chief.c

Between the Indian village of Sin-sing and the Kitchawanck,
(Croton,) the early Dutch maps place another Indian settlement
called in Van der Donck's map of 1656, Kestaubuiuck ; in that
of Nicolaus Johannes Visschers, 1659, Kestauboiuck.^

" Along the east shores of the Tappan, says Mr. School-
craft, is "the village of Kastoniuck, (a term still surviving in
the opposite village of Niuck or Nyack.) The name of Nyack
does not occur, continues the same authority, in records of the
earliest period for the position of the present town. The word
is found in an opposite Indian village of Kastoniuck."^

The first grantee, under the Indians of Ossin-ing, was Freder-
ick Philipse to whom on the 24th of August, 1685, they released
"all that tract or parcel of land situate, lying, and being by the
northermost part of the land late purchased by Frederick Phil-
ipse, and so running alongst Hudson's river to the creek or river
called Ketchawan, and called by the Indians Sint Sinck, with
the use of half the said creek, and from thence running up the
country upon a due east line till it comes to a creek called Nep-
peran, by the Christians Younckers creek, and so running alongst
the said creek till it comes to the northerly bounds of the said
land of Mr. Frederick Philipse, and from thence alongst the said

a Alb. Rec, ii. 220.

b O'Callaghan's Hist. N. N. p. 356.

c Alb. Rec. xxi. 247.

d See map attached to the now series of the N. Y. Hist. Soc. vol. i. ; also Dutch
map, printed by Thomas Starling, Wilmington Square, London, from the ori-
ginal in the possession of S. Converse, publisher, IS Y.

« Froceedingsof N. Y.Hist. Soc. 1844.

YoL. 1. 62

^♦■

490 HISTORY OF THE

land till it comes to Hudson's river, together with, &c., &c. The

grantors were

"Weskenane, Crawman, Wappus,

Keanarham, Weunicktanon, Aquaines,

Mamannane, Weremenhore.

Here followeth the schedule or particular of the goods paid by

the grantee for the abovesaid lands.

60 feet of black wampum,

blankets,

00 do.

white wampum,

fathom of stroudwater,

kettles.

50 lb. of powder,

larger ditto.

bars of lead,

fathom of trade cloth.

axes.

guns,

hoes,

shirts.

knives,

pair of stockings.

stone jugs,

ankers of rum,

iron chain,

drawing knives,

rolls of tobacco,

adz's

pistols. a-

This Indian purchase was confirmed to his son Philip Philipse
by royal patent, dated 12th January, 1686, under the hand and
seal of his Excellency Thomas Dongan, Governor of the Pro-
vince.

" For all that land situate upon Hudson river to the north-
ward of land purchased by Frederick Philipse, and reaches to
Kitchawan creek, (Croton,) and is called by the Indians Sinck
Sinckes, which is to run upon an east line to Bronx river, the
northerly bounds thereof to be Kitchawan creek. And whereas
the aforesaid Philip Philipse hath by virtue of the said license,
and by my approbation, according to the law and practice of this
government, for a valuable consideration purchased of the na-
tives and Indian owners all their right, title and interest, claim
and demand, of, in and to a certain tract or parcel of land, being
a part of the land aforementioned within the aforesaid license,
and situate and being by the northermost part of the land pur-
chased by Mr. Frederick Philipse of the city of New York, mer-

• Alb. Book of Pat. v. 90.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 491

chant, and so running alongst Hudson's river to a certain creek
or river called Kitchawan, and from thence running along the
said creek two English miles, and from thence running up the
country upon a due east line till it comes to a creek called Nip-
eran, by the Christians Yonckers creek, and so running along
the said creek until it comes to the northerly bounds of the said
land of Frederick Philipse, trom thence along said land until it
comes to Hudson river, as by the Indian deed of sale thereof,
bearing date 13 August, A. D. 1685,"

On the death of Frederick Philipse, A. D. 1700, this portion of
the Manor of Philipsburgh passed by will to liis second son
Adolph Philipse, who dying without issue in 1749, it became
vested in his nephew, the Hon. Frederick Philipse, son of his
eldest brother, Piiilip Philipse. The last mesne lord was Colo-
nel Frederick Philipse with whose attainder these lands expired
in the Philipse family.

The subsequent proprietors who purchased under the commis-
sioners of forfeitures, were ihe Wards, Orsers, Cranks, Bazelies,
Ackers, Purdys, Merritts, McCords, Bishops, Balyeas, Storms,
Jones, Millers, Ryders, and others.

The village of Sing Sing, is remarkable for the beauty of its
situation, in which respect it is hardly surpassed by any of the
river towns. Spreading on the delightful banks of the Hudson
it rises gradually to a height of one hundred and eighty feet
above tide water overlooking the magnificent scenery of the Tap-
pan Bay, near its confluence with the Croton. A beautiful ra-
vine intersects the village, running nearly east and west, through
which flows a pretty stream called the Sin Sinck run, or Kill
brook. These waters rise among the hills east of the village,
and after giving animation to numerous picturesque scenes,
empty into the Hudson, near the vicinity of the upper dock.
The course of this brook a mile above the village, is marked by
some singular phenomena. Among these are the Devil's stairs,
formed in the face of a perpendicular rock 60 feet high, consist-
ing of 16 steps. This extraordinary freak of nature is best seen
from the south west bank of the ravine. Directly beneath the
stairs in the rocky bed of the river, are some rude marks closely

492 HISTORY OF THE

resembling the prints of horses shoes. These however, are only
visible at low water. Immediately to the south, and almost close
to the water's edge is situated the Indian cave. The whole of the
above, are on the property of Mr. Stephen Todd. The rocks of
the same region abound in copper ores, such as copper pyrites,
black sulphuret of copper and green carbonate of copper, likewise
iron pyrites, but they are not found in such abundance as to
warrant any extensive operations.

The site of the present village of Sing Sing, is supposed to
occupy partly the ground on which stood the ancient Indian
settlement of Sing Sing, nearly 200 years since. The exis-
tence of Indian habitations upon this particular spot, is amply
proved by the vast number of shell beds, arrow heads and
stone axes, still found in the neighborhood. Adriaen van der
Donck in his Dutch map before referred to, styles the place Sin
Sing, the same name now in use, with the exception of the single
letter G.

At an early period, Sing Sing appears to have been a favorite
landing place for shipping the various marketable produce raised
in the interior.

There are now four landings, from which numerous steam-
boats and vessels are constantly plying to and from the city of
Isew York, a distance of 33 miles.

This village was incorporated by an act of the legislature,
passed A. D. 1813, afterwards amended May 15, 1837.

The corporation at present, consists of a president, 7 trustees,
(who must be freeholders) 3 assessors, clerk, collector, treasurer
and 3 fire wardens. These officers are elected annually, on the
first Monday in May, their official title being, " The Trustees of
the village of Sing Sing."

The village of Sing Sing contains several academies and
schools ; among the former, is the Mt. Pleasant academy, situated
in State street. This institution was first founded by the inhabi-
tants, A. D. 1814. To meet the increasing wants of the popu-
lation, the present structure was raised in 1820, at a cost of
318,000. The academy was incorporated on the 24ih of March,
1820, and subsequently received a charter from the Regents of
the university.

COUNTY OF WESTCirESTER. 493

The edifice is a spacious building of Sing Sing marble, sixty
feet square, three stories high, standing on a lot of four acres,
delightfully shaded with fruit trees, on one of the most retired
streets of the village, commanding too, an extensive prospect of
the river and adjacent country. In its internal arrangement,
there is every desirable convenience for the principal's family
and instructors, and the several departments of the school. This
academy is under the direction of the *' regents." Boys are
boarded and educated for .$150 per annum. "^

Besides an extensive library, the academy possesses a valuable
philosophical and chemical apparatus. The first principal was
Mr. N. S. Prime, who commenced his duties in 1814. The
Rev. Calvin Colton presided over the classical department in
1816.

The present principal is Mr. C. F. Maurice.

Adjoining this institution on the north, is the Franklin Acade-
my,an incorporated seminary for young ladies. The building
is well located, and possesses every desirable advantage for a
private boarding and day school ; it is under the management of
Mr. W. M. Thompson.

Occupying a very conspicuous situation above the rest of the
village stands the Mountain House, a classical and mathematical
school (for boarders only) under the charge of Mr. Marlborough
Churchill.^ " The location^ which is noted for its salubrity, is per-
haps one of the most eligible that could have been chosen for such
an institution." From its elevated position, " the edifice com-
mands one of the most magnificent prospects on the river, from
the Highlands on the north, almost to the city of New York on
the south. The huilding itself, which is of brick, is four stories
high, on a foundation sixty feet square. It was originally in-
tended for a female seminary, and was erected with an unusual
deo-ree of care and regard for the comfort and convenience of
the pupils. The grounds are extensive beyond what is usual,
and afford abundant playroom. The building is half a mile
from the steamboat landing; and while its proximity to the vil-

*■ Letters about the Hudson, p. G7.

494

HISTORY OF THE

lage, renders it convenient for all purposes of communication,
its elevated and retired situation, secures the pupils from all in-
jurious or undesirable intercourse therewith, and is peculiarly
suited to encourage them in studious and domestic habits.
Especial pains are taken in the discipline of the pupils in this
establishment. The principal is a graduate of the U. S. Mili-
tary Academy at West Point, and his aim is to make this a school
of the highest character.''

St. Paul's Church, Sing Sing.

Near the centre of the village, is situated the Episcopal church
of St. Paul's, a beautiful Gothic structure of Sing Sing marble.
The tower is built of the same durable material, and supported
by single buttresses. It is intended to finish the whole with a
plain marble spire and pinnacles. Beneath the body of the edi-
fice is an extensive basement, containing lecture, vestry and rob-
ing rooms. Above the tower entrance, a neat escutcheon bears
the following inscription :

ST. PAUL'S

CHURCH

AD.

MDCCCXXXV.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 495

The interior is neat and appropriate. The altar and font are
of polished marble, richly carved, tlie latter presented by Miss
Ludlow.

The comnfiiinion service, consisting of a flagon, two chalices
and paten, were the gift of Mrs, Jacob Arthur. The tower con-
tains a large bell manufactured by " A. Meneely, West Troy,
N. Y., 1835," weight, 15001b. It was purchased by the vestry at
a cost of four hundred and fifty dollars. The deep tones of
this powerful bell can be heard for many miles, over the adjoin-
ing hills.

" As wave on wave, the tide of sound
Fills the bright atmosphere."

[Christmas bells.

The corner stone of this church was laid by the Right Rev.
B. T. Onderdonk, November 6th, 1834, in the presence of a large
concourse of people ; on which occasion an address was deliver-
ed by the Rev. Edward N. Mead, Deacon, minister of the parish.
The Rev. Peter S. Chauncey, A. B., Deacon, minister of Christ
Church, Rye in this county was also present and assisting. In
the stone were deposited a bible and book of common prayer, as
an evidence that the church is spiritually founded upon " apos-
tles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner
stone," also tlie canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the
United States of America, journals of the General and Dioce-
san Conventions, with other journals and pamphlets, together
with a glass bottle closed and sealed, containing among many
other things a parchment, on which was the following inscrip-
tion :

St. Pauls Church. Incorporated November 11th 1833.

Rev. Edward Nathaniel Mead, A. M., Rector,

George W. Cartwright and Caleb Bacon, Church Wardens,

John Strang, Peter R. Maison, William Darjue, Jacob C. Arthur,

John Sing, John Barlow, Joseph Hunt, and Robert Willse, Vestrymen,

James Smith, Clerk of the Vestry,

Samuel C. Nichols, Superintendant of the Sunday School,

496 HISTORY OF THE

Mrs. John Strang, Superintendant of the Female Department,
Carman Nichols, secretary ; Robert Willse, treasurer,

John Barlow, Librarian,

Building Committee, Jacob C. Arthur, Joseph Hunt,

George W. Cartwright, John Strang and John Sing,

Ledyard H. Halsey, Builder,

Calvin Pollard, Architect
Paul McCord, Superintendent.

On Wednesday, July 6th 1836, it was consecrated and set
apart to the worship and service of Almighty God, under the
title of St. Paul's Church, by the Right Rev. B. T. Onderdonk,
Bishop of the Diocese.

From the church records we extract the following memoranda,
3 October 1833, '-a meeting of Episcopalians residing in this vil-
lage and vicinity, was held at the house of Mr. Caleb Bacon, who
resolved to form themselves into a society for the purpose under
Divine favor and assistance of forming a church in said village;
and that we will communicate with our Episcopal friends and
neighbors on the subject, and urge by our best efforts their co-ope-
ration in the good work." This is signed by George W. Cart-
wright, William Darjue, John Barlow, C. Bacon and John
Strang ; they also agreed to write to the Rev. Mr. JelliiF of North
Salem, who has expressed a wish to aid in establishing a church
with us.'

Previous to this date there had been occasional services held
at some private house, when a clergyman of the church happened
to be in the village or vicinity. *

In 1833 there were reported to be twenty-four heads of families
witfi an aggregate of one hundred and thirty-six souls belonging
to the Episcopal church.

November 11th 1833, the first election of officers took place.

December 4th and 5th 1833, "it was resolved to memorialize the
rector, church-wardens and vestry of Trinity Church, New York,
for aid by funds in the erection of a church edifice. In this me-
morial which was presented by James Smith, Esq.; the petitioners
state among other matters, " that some years past an old Episcopal

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 497

church m this neighborhood, at New Castle* (of wood) faUing to
decay, its congregation was broken up, and some of the descend-
ants of its members have become Quakers, notwithstanding por-
tions of them have until lately adhered to the forms of the Epis-
copal Church, and your memorialists entertain a hope that with
the blessing of Divine Providence, by the means of the establish-
ment of a church at Sing Sing, many of the descendants of
this ancient congregation may be brought back to our church,
&c." Trinity Church nobly responded to this call by an appro-
priation of $2000, the rem^ainder being raised by public subscrip-
tion.

On the first Thursday of October, 1831, this church was ad.
mitted into union with the convention of the diocese.

LIST OF RECTORS.
Instit. or Call. Incumbents. Vacated by

July 7th, 1836, Edward N. Mead, A. M., Presb. resig.

Dec. 16, 1839, Chjirles Henry Halsey, Presb. «

1846, Charles Clowes, Presb. '«

1847, Charles Tomes, Presb. «
January, 1848, William F. Halsey, present incumbent.

Notitia Parochialis.
Since the organization of the parish to 1846, there had been
one hundred and eighteen infants baptised, and thirty nine
adults,

1846, communicants 81.

The church possesses a convenient parsonage and lot, situated
in the village ; the whole valued at $3150.

The Methodist Episcopal church is a plain building of wood,
fronting on Maine street, erected A.D, 1817. The Methodist So-
ciety was first formed in this town, through the exertions of tlic
Kev. Messrs. Cornelius Cook and Peter Moriorty, in 1787, who
occasionally performed services here when on their route to the
Croton. The earliest class meetings were organized in the valley
beyond Sand Sutton's, and the vicinity of Scrabble street. The

» St. George's Church, New Castle.

Vol. L 63

498 HISTORY bF THE

first class leader appears to have been Joshua Ryder, who after-
wards became a local preacher. The present pastor is the Rev.
Abraham Chalker. The members of the Methodist Society num-
ber 300. Adjoining the church is a neat parsonage and lot.

The Baptist Society in this place was first organized Nov. 12,
1790 ; the present church erected A.Y). 1S34, to which is attached
a small burial ground.

LIST OF PASTORS OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH, SING SING.
Name. Date of Call. Period of Pastorship.

John Kitchen 1796 2 y. and 6 mo.

Elijah Wheeler 1799 1 y. and 6 mo.

Thos. Stephens ISOI 1 y. and 6 mo.

Stephen S. Nelson 1S02 12 y. and 0 mo.

Jacob H. Brouner 1814 14 y. and 0 mo.

P. L. Piatt 1823 1 y. and 6 mo.

T. C. F. Frey 1830 2 y. and 4 mo.

John Pubies 1833 1 y. and 8 mo.

C. C. Williams 1835 2 y. and 6 mo.

Wm. M. Doolittle 1839 2 y. and 9 mo.

Sidney A. Cory 1841 1 y. and 6 mo.

Will. C. Locke 1844 0 and 9 mo.

B. C. Morse 1845, present pastor.

Since the organization of this church, 487 members have been
received into communion. Of these, 333 were added by profes-
sion, 131 by letter, and 23 restored after exclusion.

The Presbyterian church, a large and handsome edifice of ^
wood, fronts upon the New York and Albany post road. This
building was erected in the year 1834, at a cost of $7000, just
twenty two years after the removal of the old congregation from
the lower church. The tower contains a fine toned bell, ^veigh-
ing five hundred pounds, inscribed " L. Aspenwall, Albany,
1834." The Presbyterian Society of Mount Pleasant was organ-
ized immediately subsequent, if not prior to the American revolu-
tion, at which period it belonged to the Westchester Association, an
irregular Presbyterian judicatory formerly existing in these parts.
In 1814, however, it joined the Presbytery of New York. Five
years afterwards, the congregation employed a minister not in

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 499

good standing, and thereby ofiended the Presbylery. Upon re-
ceiving censure, they returned once more to the Westchester asso-
ciation, thus again becoming independent in their form of gov-
ernment. This continued until tlie year 1825, at which date the
Rev. R. W. Knight was the officiating pastor. The following year
it again became a Presbyterian church, and was received into con-
nection with the General Assembly, with which body it still re-
mains united.

LIST OF MINISTERS AND SUPPLIES OF THE PRESBYTERIAN

CHURCH AT SING SING.
Installed or Call. Ministers. Vacated by

1798 Rev. Mr. Townley, resig.

2d Aug. 1814 '

■' Thomas Jackson,

pro temp. ISIS '

' Asa Lyman,

1S19 '

' George Bourne,

pro. temp. 1825 '

' Johnson,

1826 '

' R. W. Dickerson,

pro temp. 1830 '

' Nathaniel S. Prime,

Nov. 1832 '

' James V«r Henry,

1842 '

' Daniel Teese, present pastor.

((
u
It
a
u

-, Church Memorandum.

1S46, Communicants 107.

The burial ground belonging to this church adjoins the site of
the old church edifice, about one mile and a half south of Sing Sing.
One of the principal monuments in this yard is that of the La-
dau family. It is constructed of brick, and bears on one side
four tombstonesp Some of the inscriptions are nearly obliterated^

In memory of

Anna Ladau,

wife of Abraham Ladau,

who departed this life

December 25, 1795,

aged 68 years, 11 mo. and 25 days.

Also Abraham Ladau, husband

of Anne Ladau, who departed

June 21st^ years, 4 mo. and 5 days.

500 HISTORY OF THE

In memory of
Abraham Ladau,
son of Abraham and Ann Ladau,
Avas born A.D. September the 28th, 176?,
and departed this life Oct. the 21st, 1774,
aged 7 years.
Here stop awhile ; let pity draw
The sympathizing tear, if old thou art prepare to die,
If young — thyself in virtue train.
Here lies a son, an only son and heir ;
He lived admired, and while he liv'd
Him good and just we hoped to see.
But death our hopes deceived.
Here all our joy and comfort lies ;
Here lies our only darling sou — '
He fell to death a sacrifice,
Scarce had his glass began to run :
His soul is flown to mansions of the just — ■
To that great God in whom we weep and trust.

Here lyeth the body of

Sarah Ladau, born in the year 1750,

April 26,

who departed this life August 15, 1764,

aged 5 years and 7 mo. and 11 days,
daughter of Abraham and Anna Ladau.

In memory of

Daniel Ladau, who was born

in the year of our Lord, 1694,

and departed this life Nov. the 5th, aged 73.

In memory of

Mary Ladau, who was born

in the year of our Lord 1695,

and departed this life May 11, 1775, aged 78.

There are also memorials of Moses Ward, William Kemeys,
llenry Roscoe, Enoch Crosby, and others. The Roman Catho-
lics occupy the brick building formerly used as a Reformed Dutch
Church, situated on the property of Mr. Albertus.

There are several hotels in the village, which afford excellent
Qccommodation for travellers, viz. : Jhe American Hotel by L.
Workman, and the Hudson River Hotel by J. W. Vincent. The
latter was formerly kept by Mr. Enoch Crosby, " son of him

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 501

of spy memory." Besides ciglitecn stores and groceries, there
is one ship yard, one iron foundry, two grist mills, and Bran-
dreth's pill factory. Two newspapers weekly are issued from
this place, entitled the Westchester Herald and the Hudson River
Chronicle, the former conducted by Mr. Caleb Roscoe, the latter
by Mr. J. B. Swain.

A number of handsome residences adorn the higher grounds
of the village. Among others may be noticed the mansions of
Mr. William Robinson, Mr. Ludlum, Mr. Albertus. Also that of
Maj. Gen. Aaron W^ard,:^ ^vho for a number of years represented
this district in Congress. Cxeneral Ward holds a part of the patri-
monial estate which covered nearly the whole southern portion of
the village, his father the late Moses Ward, Esq.,'' having been
one of the original purchasers under the commissioners of for-
feitures in 1785. At this early period there were but three dwel-
ling houses in Sing Sing, one of which (an old stone mansion,
used as a fortress to defend the settlers against the Indians,^)
was the residence of Mr. Ward. This family descends from
Richard Ward, son of Edmund Ward of Fairfield, Connecti-
cut.^ General Ward's residence is a fine building of Sing Sing
marble, presenting a neat Ionic portico to the river, with wings
on either side. The interior is embellished with several excel-
lent pictures by native artists, viz.. Falls of Niagara, by Yander-
lyn ; St. Nicholas, by Weir ] Boy hoeing corn, by Mount ; Village
of Sing Sing, by Havel ; Gipsey Girl, by Freeman ; View in New-
Hampshire, by Doughty ; Girl and Child, by Chapman. The
family portraits are by Ames, Vanderlyn, and Gilbert.

One of the most striking features of this hilly region is the ro-
mantic ravine (already alluded to) intersecting the village; both
sides of it are bounded by steep acclivities covered with a
luxuriant growth of hemlock and spruce, and near its mouth
the banks rise to a height of one hundred feet above the bed

* During the last war with Great Britain General Ward held a captain's com-
mission in the United States' service, and at the close of it conducted a battalion of
700 British prisoners from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, to Canada.

b Moses Ward married a niece of Col. Samuel Drake of the continental army.

e The old stone fortress stood a little east of Mr. H. K. Forster's dwelling liouse.
"* d See Eastchester, p. 159,

502 HISTORY OF THE

of the stream. In the vicinity of Brandreth's mill the Croton aque-
duct crosses this ravine by means of a handsome arch constructed
of solid masonry, in the most durable manner. The space be-
tween the abutments is 88 feet, and the rise from the bottom of the
creek is about 100 feet. So securely were the foundations of this
noble structure laid, that upon the removal of the uprights the
whole work settled but one inch. It was erected under the super-
intendence of Mr. Young, engineer of the works, commenced
May, 1838, completed October, 1840.

Near the village landing are situated the nursery gardens of
Mr. James Lock, a well known Horticulturist. Jn the vicinity of
Sing Sing the sliores of the Croton bay are decked with numerous
country seats. The first property south of the Croton in this
town is that of Col. Joseph Hunt, whose family purchased of the
commissioners in 1784. The next place in succession is the old
McChain estate, now owned by Thomas Oliver, Esq. The house
is prettily situated on a finely wooded point, at the extremity of
which lies a great rock, commonly called Frank's rock, near
a gigantic tree where a white or bald headed eagle has for a long
series of years built her nest.

Adjoining the above on the south is the Albert Orser property,
at present belonging to Mr. Benjamin Moore. It was in the old
Orser residence that a body of continental troops, under the com-
mand of Capt. Daniel Williams, were surprised by a superior
force of British cavalry, led by Capt. Bearmore ; the circum-
stances attending the event are thus related by an eye-witness.
During the winter of 1782 Capt. Daniel Williams (who had been
for some lime stationed at Croton in command of the American
guard upon the lines.) undertook, with a small party of dragoons,
a foraging expedition into the neighorhood of Morrisania. Suc-
cess had attended the enterprise, and they were thus far on their
way homeward when they halted to refresh themselves. Not
apprehending pursuit, they neglected to post guards, and the
road leading from the highway being hidden by a small knoll
which rose directly in front of the windows, they were not aware
of an enemy's approach until nearly surrounded by Capt. Bear-
more and his dragoons.

Tlie confusion that ensued may be imagined. Some of th«

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 503

Americans were cut down within and about the house ; others
rushed along the steep bank to the river, which was frozetj,
their enemies following in hot pursuit. Several were slain
upon the ice; among the latter was George iMcChain. Capt.
Williams himself fled down the adjoining bank, closely fol-
lowed by a British dragoon, who was gaining fast upon him,
when he suddenly checked his horse, and, as liis pursupr (un-
able to stop) dashed by him, rose in his stirrups and dealt a back
handed biow with his sword, which brought the dragoon to
the ground. He also succeeded in capturing his adversary's
horse with which he arrived safe at head-quarters.

In the same neighborhood are the estates of John Strang,
General Sandford, John Kane, and Robert Havell, Esqrs.

Nearer the village are situated the residences of Benjamin
Brandreth and Philip van Wyck, both delightfully embosomed
in trees, and commanding extensive views of the river. The
latter contains some fine portraits of the Van Cortlandt family,
viz., Philip van Cortlandt, son of Stephanus van Cortlandt first
lord of the manor of Cortlandt, artist unknown, Catherine de-
Peyster, wife of Philip, the Honorable Pierre van Cortlandt, by
Jarvis, and General Philip van Cortlandt, by the same. Philip
van Wyck, Esq., is the son of the late Theodosius van Wyck
by his wife Catharine, daughter of the Hon. Pierre van Cort-
landt.

A short distance north of Mr. Brandreth's pill manufactory is
situated Craio-hucky pointy literally crab cove point. The ad-
joining beach was once famous for its shad fishery : four thousand
have been taken at one lift.

On the margin of the river, are two deep grooves, apparently
chiselled in a hard gneiss rock. These marks indicate the com-
mencement of the two mile line of the manor of Philipsburg,
which, according to the royal patent,a extended two miles north
from the mouth of the Croton, until it struck the southern line

a See Patent of Philipsburg. The same kind of mark is found near the division
line, between the townships of Yonkers and Greenburgh, both of them are pro-
bably Indian lines.

504 HISTORY OF THE

of Cortlandt manor. In an old " map of the township of Bedford,
Stamford, Greenwich, tlie North river, and Keightawankor Cro-
ton's river, by a survey, April the 6th, &c., 1763, by Charles
Webb, surveyor," two spots are marked. First, "the station
fixed by Cortlandt at the sand beach to measure up the river."
This lies nearly mid-way between the Sing Sing brook and the
next stream to the north. Secondly, a '' rock four chains and
sixty links north of the brook," (the first stream above the Sing
Sing brook,) " fixed by Bedford committee to begin to measure
up the river."^

Mining operations were formerly carried on to a considerable
extent in Sing Sing, under the flattering idea that silver ore ex-
isted here ; the old shafts sunk for this object are still visible.
The following entries in the Secretary of State's office, refer to
these mines.
No. 54.]
Stephen Lyon, Westchester county, town of Mt.

Pleasant, about 100 rods south of

the discoverers dock, and about 80

rods south of the farmers dock

at Sing Sing landing, upon lands

of John F. Marsh, (gold and silver.) Nov. 14, 1820. 41. 204.
No. 57.]
Stephen Lyon, Westchester County, town of Mt. Pleasant,

additional vein south of the mine,

which is now on file, extending 1 mile

south of said mine, (gold and silver.) Jan. 30, 1824. 41. 296.
Galena has teen obtained here in small specimens, as well as
several ores of copper ; one specimen of the latter yielding from
50 to 75 per cent, also iron pyrites, Sulphuret of zinc and oxide
of manganese occasionally occur in the lime stone rock. "Sing
Sing is also celebrated for its marble quarries, which are worked
to a great extent by the state prison convicts, who have here
erected two large prisons, a keeper's house and several ranges of
work -shops from materials found on the state farm." The mar-

*■ From the original map in the possession of the Hon. William Jay, Bedford.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 505

ble found in this vicinity, is the dolomitic or white coarsegrained,
of excellent quality, and almost inexhaustible ; large quantities
are annually quarried and sent to the city of New Yojk and other
plac s.

"The Mount Pleasant Stale Prison, situated about half a mile
south of the village of Sing Sing, and thirty-three miles no th of
New York ; contained in 1840, 847 male and female convicts, of
whom 60 were fema'es.

The prison grounds consist of 130 acres of land, lying between
the villages of Sing Sing and Sparta ; being bounded on the east
by the Highland turnpike, and on the west by the Hudson river,
which here affords a depth of twelve feet of water at the landing.
The main prison building is four hundred and eighty-four feet in
length, running north and south, and forty-four feet in width,
fronting westerly on the Hudson, being five stories in height, and
containing one thousand cells ; in front and rear are located work
shops of different kinds, which together with the keeper's house
are all built of rough dressed marble. Attached to the prison
building on the south, is a chapel, hospital, kitchen, store houses)
&.C. A new prison for female convicts stands on elevated ground,
and is built of marble in the Ionic order. It contains well fur-
nished apartments in front for the matrons, and the interior fin-
ish for the reception of female convicts, is neat and well arrang-
ed.^"

The following relative to the history of the prison. &c., is taken
from an article published in the New York Express, April 13th,
1841.

"In 1823 the solitary system of imprisonment was abandoned
at the Auburn prison, and was succeeded in 1824 by the present
system of shutting up the convicts in separate cells by night, and
compelling them to labor diligently during the day.

"The adoption of this system rendered the Auburn prison,
which in 1824 contained but 550 separate cells, insufiicient for
the accommodation of all the convicted felons in the state, and
an act of the legislature was passed in March, 1824, for the erec-

0- Disturnell's Gazetteer, N. Y.

Vol. I. 64

506 HISTORY OF THE

tion of a new state prison in the first or second senatorial districts,
"vvhich the commissioners appointed for the purpose, thought proper
to locate in Mount Pleasant, Sing Sing, owing to its exhausiless bo-
dies of marble, its healthy situation, and its accessibility by water.
On the 14ih of May, 1826, Capt. E. Lynds, former agent of the
Auburn prison, with one hundred convicts in obedience to in-
structions, proceeded to Sing Sing, and commenced the erection
of the state prison there. This was completed in 1S29, and con-
tained eight hundred cells. By the addition of several additional
counties to this prison district greatly increasing the number of
convicts, it was discovered that these accommodations were in^
sufficient, and two hundred more cells were ordered to be added,
which result was obtained by adding another, or fifth story to the
prison building, which addition was completed in 18!-J1.

" In May, 1828. the convicts then in the old state prison in this
city were" removed to Sing Sing, and the old prison here was
emptied of its inmates and abandoned forever as a prison.

The Mount Pleasant prison at Sing Sing is thirty-three miles
from this city, on the eastern shore of the Hudson river, and the
ground on which it stands is about ten feet above high water
mark. The prison grounds contain one hundred and thirty acres,
and the wharf is approachable by vessels drawing twelve feet of
water. The prison keeper's house, work-shops, (fee, are built of
rough dressed stone. The prison for the males is 480 feet in length
from north to south, and 44 in width, fronting towards the west
or Hudson river. This building is five stories high, containing a
line of 100 cells in each story on the west side, and as many more
on the east side, making 1000 cells in all. The western yard is
enclosed by two buildings, forty feet wide, and two stories high,
which are occupied as the kitchen, hospital, chapel, work-shops,
store houses, (fee, and extend from the prison westerly, to the
edge of the waier. The south wing adjoins the prison, but com-
municates with it only through the hospital. The north wing con-
nects with the prison by a wall twenty feet in height running north
and south ten feet, enclosing together an area of 494 feel by 412,
In the centre of the west yard is a range of shops 40 feet wide,
fronting on the Hudson, and running parallel with the prison
276 feet, with wings extending easterly towards the prison 140

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 507

feet, which are occupied as stone shops. The gnard-hoiise is on
the bank or height on the east side of the prison, about one hun-
dred and seventy feet above the level of tlie yard, commanding a
perfect view of the east yard and most of the west. Within the
last few years an additional building has been erected on the
heights east of the main prison, for the purpose of a female prison
exclusively, which is capable of containing about seventy-two
female convicts, one in each cell, and in which that number is
now confined.

" The officers of the prison are those connected with its^rovern-
ment, business, interests, health and morals, are five inspectors,
a principal keeper, agent, clerk, physician, and chaplain, twen-
ty-five assistant keepers, and twenty-six guarJs. These, except
the clerk, are appointed by the board of iusjjectors and hold their
offices during their pleasure. The clerk is appointed by the
governor and senate, and holds his office for four years. The
inspectors are appointed every two years by the governor and
senate, and on them tlie government of the prison, its discipline,
police, its moneyed concerns, contracts, &c., by law devolves.
They are required to meet every two months and inspect the
prison and to make a report annually to the legislature soon
after it convenes. The duties of the principal officers are defined
by law, and are such as the good government and welfare of the
institution require.

"In this prison the convicts are compelled to labor in silence ;
no conversation by word, look or gesture being allowed between
or amongst them. If any information is needed by the prisoner
in regard to his business, he modestly applies to and obtains it of
his keeper, one of whom is always near him in each department
of labor.

" The utmost harmony of movement in the various businesses
conducted, and the most perfect order reigns. The whole inter-
nal machinery of the prison, with its more than eight hundred
hardy convict laborers, resembles more the quiet industry and
subordination to authority of a well regulated family, than an
institution for the punishment of hardened odenders.

*' The hours of labor are not more than laboring men out of
prison generally labor. The food afi'orded is ample. The ration

508 HISTORY OF THE

for each dny consists of either sixteen ounces of good prime beef,
or twelve ounces of prime pork, eight ounces of rye flour, twelve
ounces of sifted Indian meal and half a gill of molasses per man ;
and three bushels of potatoes, or forty pounds of rice, four quarts
of rye in the grain for coffee, two quarts of vinegar, and two
ounces of pepper to every hundred rations. This is all weighed
or measured out each day by the superintendent of the kitchen.
The bread is well baked, and the provisions well cooked by
some of the convicts employed for that purpose. Their provi-
sions are put in small wooden vessels called kids, which are
placed on racks, one of which each prisoner takes as he retires
from labor to his cell, in which he is locked, and where silently
he eats his repast. If any convict requires more food, on making
his wants known, he is supplied from the kitchen.

" At the close of the day, in long lines they march to their re-
spective cells, accompanied by their keepers, and being locked in,
partake of their food and indulge in repose. Each cell has a
bunk of wood or frame made of pine, six feet long and two wide,
four or six inches from the floor, four blankets, a bible, pint cup
for their coffee, small tin cup for vinegar, an iron spoon, a comb,
and towel. These are all kept clean or made so when otherwise.
From twelve to fourteen convicts are employed in washing the
clothes and bedding of the prisoners ; some others do the cook-
ing; and once a week they are all shaved by a convict who acts
as barber.

" Tlie tailoring is done by convict tailors, who make and re-
pair all the prisoners' garments. Clean underclothes are* placed
in their cells each week. At night they are carefully 'watched
by a keeper and four armed guards, who pace the galleries noise-
lessly with socks on their feet — observe that all is safe — notice
every noise, and are prepared to quell any disturbance that might
possibly arise. This latter is, however, almost impossible, as
each prisoner is in a small cell by himself, and secured by power-
ful bolls and bars.

"The moral and religious condition of the prisoners is also
carefully attended to. Prayer generally at night, and a sermon
and prayers every Sabbath morning by the claplains in the
chapel, a bible and latterly other religious books in the cells,

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 509

constitute a portion of their spiritual privileges. A Sunday
school attended by some two hundred and fifty convicts as pu-
pils, and a bible class of one hundred and twenty or more of them,
are also in active operation each Sabbath in the chapel. The ef-
fects of these united means of mental and moral culture in many
of the convicts, are highly beneficial and promissory of good
fruits at a future day. They render the convicts more orderly
and sober-minded, and divert their attention from less profitable
subjects."

Zion Hill in the vicinity of the prison, the properly of Mr.
Peter Weatherby, is famous as being the scene of Matthias' im-
positions.

A few Revolutionary incidents connected with Sing Sing de-
serve to be recorded here.

In the year 1774, a regiment under the command of Colonel
James, (director of the silver mines in this place,) was stationed
at Sing Sing. Upon the breaking out of hostilities it was ordered
to Boston.

Some days previous and subsequent to the memorable battle of
White Plains, the British vessels of war, consisting of the Tar-
tar, Roebuck and Phoenix, lay off Sing Sing.

" On the 28th October, 1779," observes General Heath, "Cap-
tain Hopkins of the dragoons took the captain of the Bellona
transport, a Serjeant and corporal of the 64th British regiment
and two seamen who had ventured too far on the shore near
Sing Sing."a - '

There is still preserved in the village a small cannon, well
known by the cognomen of "Old White," which is said to have
been the identical piece fired at the Vulture sloop of war, as she
lay off Teller's point, on the morning of September 22, 1780.

"No sooner (remarks the biographer of Arnold,) had the par-
ties (Arnold and Andre) arrived at Smith's house than a canno-
nade was heard down the river. It was discovered to be against
the Vulture, which although distant several miles was in full
view and for some time seemed to be on fire.

» Heath's Mem. 214.

510 HISTORY OF THE

*' It had been reported to Colonel Livingston by messengers
from Teller's Point, that the vessel was so near the shore as to be
within reach of cannon-shot, and that the inhabitants were like-
wise apprehensive boats would land and commit depredations.
Colonel Livingston accordingly sent from Verplanck's Point a
party with cannon, who fired upon the Vulture and compelled
her to remove from the position she had held during the night,
and drop farther down the river, till she was beyond the reach of
the shot. Andre beheld the scene from the windows of Smith's
house with anxious emotion. At length the firing ceased and he
resumed his wonted spirits and composure."* He was in an up-
per apartment of Smith's house on the opposite side of the river.

On every anniversary of the Fourth, *' Old White" emerges
from his lurking place and is paraded through the streets in tri-
umph.

The village of Sparta is situated one mile south of Sing Sing.
This place contains one tavern, two stores, about forty dwellings
and a very convenient landing.

In the immediate vicinity is the residence of the Rev. William
Creighton, D. D., which stands on the sloping bank of the river.
Every effort of successful art has been made to aid and improve
the natural beauty of the surrounding grounds, nor can any
things be imagined more beautiful than the views presented from
this delightful place. There are also the properties of Mr. James
Knowllon, Mr. Rhodes, Mr. Drowley, Mr. Cheetham, Mr. Ed-
ward Agate, Mr. Peter Weatherby, Mr. Edward Priestly and Ed-
ward Ke 1 eys, Esq., in and around Sparta. Mr. Kemeys^w as for
some yja s a judge of the late Court of Common Pleas of this
county.

The ancient boundary line of 1684, which divided the two

» Sparks' Life of Benedict Arnold, 206.

b This gentleman is the son of the late William Kemeys, Esq., a native of Scar-
borough, York, England. " The ancient house of Kemeys, originally De Camois,
Camoes and Camys is of Norman extraction, and the name of its patriarch is to be
found on tlie roll of Battle Abbey. Large pcssessions were granted to the family
in the counties of Sussex and Surrey, and so early as the year 1258. Ralph de Ca-
mois was a baron by tenure. A branch of the family afterwards removed into
Yorkshire." Burke's Hist, of th© Commoners of England, vol. iv. 184^

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

511

colonies of New York and Connecticut passed a short distance
south of Sparta. a

The Bishop rocks, so called from John Bishop, who purchased
these lands in 17S5, lie one mile south of this place. They con-
stitute a portion of the southern boundary of Ossin ing.
White Point is a celebrated fishing place in the same neighbor-
hood. '• The surface of this town is mostly hilly, soil productive
and well cultivated." There is also a good proportion of inter-
val and meadow land. The principal streams are the Sing Sing
brook and tfie Mill river or Pocanteco. The latter has its source
in New Castle and was particularly described in the account of
that town.

The first independent election for town officers took place,
April the 7th, 1789, upon which occasion the following persons
were chosen for the ensuing year.

Elijah Hunter, supervisor*

Daniel Miller, town clerk.

Nathaniel Tucker, constable.

John OakleVj

> assessors.

Moses Fowler,
Jesse Baker,
James McCord,
Abraham Le Due,
James Requa,

Nathaniel Tucker.

John Bishop,

Isaac G. Graham, )

Thomas Lawrence, collector.
Abraham Le Due, ]
John Shute, |

Isaac van Wart,
James Hammond,
Jesse Baker,
Thomas Dean,

Ebenezer Scofield,
Henry van Wart,
Richard Garrison,

overseers of the poor.

commissioners.

fence viewers.

pound masters.

=■ Three miles above Frederick Philipse's mills at Sleepy Hollow. See Boundary
Letters, secretary of state's office, Hartford, Conn., fol. ii. letter 46.

512 HISTORY OF THE

Upon the erection of the present town in 1845, the following
officers were chosen.

Joseph Hunt, supervisor.
George Sherwood, town clerk.
Charles Yoe, ")

Thonuns^cX^^^^^ [ justices of the peace.

'SVilliani Pngsley, J

Nicliols J. Greene, superintendent of common schools.

Caleb Smith, )

"William Orsor, > assessors.

Stephen Marshall, )

John Ryder, \

Edward J. Bayles, > commissioners of highways.

Dnvid C. Codington, )

Wiilet Holmes, ? - .,

i,^.,i IT ! overseers of the poor.

\\illiam Mangarn, ^ ^

Abraham Miller, collector.
Abniham Miller, )
James Rider, > constables.

John Romaine, \

First District.

Charles Yoe, ^ . , r t .-

George Sherwood, l inspectors of election.

Second District.

William H. Peck, ) ^ , r i .■

David McBeth, \ Inspectors of election.

Thomas E. Bridger, town sealer.
Levi Peck, pound master.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

513

PELHAM.

Tins town is en-
closed on the cast and
north by the townsliip
of New Rochelle. on
the west by Hutchin-
son's river, which se-
parates it from East-
chestor, and on the

Chria's Cl.u'c!., rdl.am. g^^^^j^ |. ^ jj^^ Sound.a

Prior to the Revohition, Pelharn formed a portion of the old
manor of that name, which originally embraced nine thousand
one hundred and sixty-six acres. The name itself is of Saxon
origin, and compounded of the two words Pel (remote) and IIa7n
(mansion.)^ The former, being the ancient surname of the ma-
norial proprietors, affords us a very good reason for its adoption
in connection with the last. -» ' .

The Indian appellation of these lands has not been preserved.
Its early mhabitants appear to have been a tribe of t!ie Mohegans
called Siwanoys, whose possessions extended, it is well known
from Norwalk to the neighborhood of Hell2:atc. From the In-
dians, this tract of land (with others adjacent) passed to the Dutch
West India Company, A.D. 1640. In the year 1642, .Airs. Anne
Hutchinson, to avoid the bitter persecutions of the Puritans, lied
here for protection, and commenced a plantation. Neal, the
Puritan historian, asserts that " Mrs. Hutchinson being turned

a Pelham is situated teu miles south of the village of White Plains and distant
140 miles from Albany. — DisturneWs Gazetteer.

t Pelham is the name of a lordship in Herefordshire, England, and recorded to
have been part of the possessions of ^Valter de Pelham, A.D. 1293.

Vol. I. . i}o

514 HISTORY OF THE

out into the wide world, went first with her disciples to Rhode
Island, but not liking to stay there she removed with her family
into one of the Dutch plantations culled Hebgate, where within
a little while, the Indians murdered her and her whole family,
to the number of sixteen persons.^ Chandler in his criminal
trials, says, '' the whole family of the Hutchinsons removed be-
yond New Haven to Eustchester in the territory of the Dxitch^^^
O'Callaghan observes, that " the greatest terror prevailed every-
where," (arising from the Indian war then raging,) Pavonia,
Achter Col, the greater part of Manhattan, and most of Long
Island were in the hands of the Indians, now consisting of seven
different tril es, amounting, it was estimated, to fifteen hundred
warriors. While the work of destruction was going on in the
above quarters other parties of savages crossed over to the main,
and cleared all before them as far as Stamford. Thither the
celebrated Mrs. Anne Hutchinson had retired from her persecu-
tors in Massachusetts, but the Indians had discovered her retreat.
They appeared at first friendly, as was their wont when making
their visits, but on discovering the defenceless condition of the
inmates they killed her and her son-in-law, Mr. Collins, with her
son Francis, and all the other members of her family, besides a
number of otb^er persons in the neighborhood belonging to the
families of 3/r. Throgmorton and Mr. Cornhill. Eighteen per-
sons in all fell victims here to these barbarians, who putting the
cattle into barns, burnt the whole.''^ To the above account Mr.
Drake adds, "a greater slaughter would have been made at this
time and place, but for the arrival of a boat while the tragedy
was enacting, into which several persons, women and children,

» Neal'B Hist, of New England, vol. i. 178.

b Chandler's Criminal Trials, vol. i. 27.

c U'Callaghan's Hist. N. N. 287. Wild's Rise, Reigil, and Ruin of the Antino-
mians contains this pious exultation at the destruction of Mrs. Hutchinson: "The
Indians set upon them and slew her and all her children, save one that escaped,
(her own husband being dead before,) a dreadful blow ! Some write that the In-
dians did burn her to death with fire, her house and all the rest that belonged unto

her, but I am not able to affirm by what kind of death they slew her God's

hand ifl more apparently seen herein to pick out this woful woman, to make her and
tho»e belonging to her, an unheard of heavy example of their cruelty to others."

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 615

escaped, bat two of the boat's crew were killed in their humane
exertions to save these distressed people. The daughter of Mrs-
Hutchinson remained a prisoner four ^ears, when she was de-
livered to the Dutch governor at New York, who restored her to
her friends. She had forgotten her native lanci^uago, and was
unwilling to be taken from the Indians. "=^ The residence of
Anne Hutchinson appears to have been situated on Peiham neck,
formerly called An)i^s hoeck, literally, Ann's point or neck, hoeck
being a Dutch name for a neck or point, for, up to a very late
period, her farm was distinguished as the Manor of Anne hooks
neck. A small stream that separates this town from Eastchester
on the west still retains her surhame lIntc]iinson''s river. One
of the principal Indian proprietors of this territory also assumed
her christian surname, as we find it recorded in the early deeds.
Ann-hoock alias Wampage. This individual may have taken an
active part in the destruction of Mrs. Hutchinson, for nothing
was more common among the Indians than for a warrior to as-
sume the name of his victim.^

Upon the 14th of November. 1654, Thomas Pell of Fairfield,
in Connecticut, obtained a grant frora the ancient Indian proprie-
tors, embracing all that territory bounded on tlie east by a stream
called Stoney brook or river, and so running northward as the
said brook or river runs, eight English miles into the woods,
thence west to Broncks's river, then down the stream of Broncks's
river to a certain bend in the said river, thence by marked trees
south until it reaches the tide waters of the Sound which lyeth
between Long Island and the main land, together with all the
kland in the sound, (fcc, &c. This grant was sigued by the
sachem Ann-hoock and five other Indians. A. Dyckuian occurs as

a Drake's Book of the Indians, G9. ■ ,

b There is also a rock upon the south side of the neck bearing the sai^e name,
which is said to have been a favorite lisiiing place of the above chief.

516 HISTORY OF THE

witness. It was subsequently confirmed in council. ^ Thomas
Pell stated before a court of assize, held in 1665, that he had
obtained license to make the purchase, from the authorities
of Connecticut, and that he had paid large sums of money
for the same.^J In 1654 it was resolved, at a meeting of
the director general and council of the New Netherlands, "that
whereas a few English are beginning a settlement at a
great distance from our outposts on lands long before bought
and paid for, near Vreedlan^ to send there, interdict, and the
attorney general, Cornelius van Tienhoven, and forbid them to
proceed no farther, but to abandon that spot. Done at Fort
Amstel on the 5lh of November, 1654 in New Netherlands,"c
*' On lands purchased from the Indians by the Hon. Thomas Pell
of Fairfield, Connecticut." Notwithstanding this and further pro-
testations made by the Dutch authorities, Thomas Pell continued
the settlement of his lands until the surrender of the Dutch in
1664. The two principal Sachems of Pelham, Ann-hoock (Wam-
page) and Himham or Nimham,^ lived to advanced ages. In
1675 the Indians must have been residing on the neck in consid-
erable numbers, for at a general court of assize Iield the same
year, it was resolved. " that the Indyans at Mr. Pell's or Anne
Hook's neck, be ordered to remove to their usual iviuter quarters ,
within Hellgate, upon this island ; and further that all canoes
belonging to Christians or Indyans on the north side of Long
Island to the east of Hellgate shall be (within three days from
the publication of this order,) brought to the next townes and
delivered to the constables to be secured near the block-house.
Any canoes found upon the sound after that time to be destroyed."
This order is said to have been made to prevent the Indians of
Long Island joining King Philip against New England. <=

» This grant was seen some years since by Mr. John Soulice of New Rochelle,
To his kindness we are indebted for the above particulars. The original is supposed
to be in the possession of the Pell family.

♦' Assize Rec. Albany, 1G65 to 1G72.

c Alb. Kcc. vol. ix. 275.

d Nimliarn, sacliem of Miereckacky, occurs in 1669.

« Dnnlap's Hist, of N. Y. vol. ii. appendix, cxxiii.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 517

Near the entrance of Pcilhaiii neck, is situated the favorite
burying ground of the river tribes, to which the Indians brought
their dead even from Ilorseneck, Connecticut, for interment.
Numerous mounds are still visible near the water's edge, on the
property of the late Mr. George llnpelje. 'Vwo of the largest
mounds are pointed out as the sepulchres of the Siwanoys sa-
chems, Ann-hoock and Nimham. The former was opened some
years since, and found to contain a large sized skeleton, by the
side of which, lay the stone axe and flint spear head of the ten-
ant of the grave. We have examined several mounds near the
water's edge; one of these held the remains of an Indian boy
about 12 years old, in a sitting position, together with a beautiful
specimen of native pottery formed by the hand alone, rudely or-
namented with zigzag lines ; in this we discovered an arrow head
and the bones of a small animal. This practice of burying
their favorite utensils and weapons with the deceased, is known
to be an ancient Indian custom. Near the residence of Mrs.
King, the remains of an Indian were found in a perfect state of
preservation with a gun by his side. On the extreme point of
this beautiful neck which commands the magnificent scenery of
Hutchinson's Bay, lies another Indian cemetery. The shores of
the " Great Bay of the Island of shells," shaded with their an-
cient forests of nut and oak, interspersed with grassy glades must
have afforded favorite sites for the Indian villages. On the pro-
perty of Mr. Roosevelt north of the post road, great quantities
of Indian arrow heads have been discovered in one particular
spot, leading to the supposition, that an extensive manufactory
of that article once existed here. Fine specimens of Indian
hatchets, and javelins of chart, quartz and horn stone, are con-
stantly found in the neighborhood of these shores.

Upon the sixth day of October, 1666, a large proportion of the
Indian grant of 1654, was confirmed to Thomas Pell, Esq., by
his excellency Richard Nicolls in the following manner.

RICHARD NICOLLS ESa., GOVERNOR

Under his Royall Highness the Duke of York, of all his terri-
tories in America. To all to whom these [)rosents shall come,

518 HISTORY OF THE

sendeth greeting. Whereas, there is a certain tract of land
within this government npon the main, situate, lying and being
to the eastward of ^Westchester bounds, bounded to the westward
with the river called by the Indians, Aqueouncke, commonly
known by the English, by the name of Hutchinson's river, which
runneth into the bay lying between Throckmorton's neck and
Ann Hooks neck, commonly called Hutchinson's bay, bounded
on the east, by a brook called Cedar Tree Brook or Gravelly
brook, on the south by the sound which lyeth between Long
Island and the main land, with all the islands in the sound, not
already granted or otherwise disposed of, lying before that tract
of land so bounded as is before expressed, and northwards,
to run into the woods about eight English miles in breadth
as the bounds to the sound, which said tract of land hath here-
tofore been purchased of the Indian proprietors, and due satisfac-
tion given for the same. Now know ye, that by virtue of the
commission and authority unto me given, by his Royal High-
ness, James Duke of York, (fcc, upon whom by lawful grant and
pattent from his majesty, the proprietory and government of that
part of the main land, as well as of Long Island, as all the islands
adjacent, among other things is settled, I have thought proper to
give, grant, confirm and ratify unto Thomas Pell of Onckway,
alias Fairfield, his majesty's colony of Connecticut, gentleman,
his heirs and assii^ns, all the said tract of land bounded as afore-
said, together with all the lands, islands, sea-bays, woods, mea-
dows, pastures, marshes, lakes, waters, creeks, fishing, hawking,
JHUiting and fowling, and all other profits, commodities, emolu-
ments and hereditaments, to the said tract of land and islands
belonging, with their appurtenances, and of every part and par-
cel thereof: and that the said tract of land and premises, shall
be for ever hereafter held, demand, reputed, taken and be an en-
franchised township, manor and place itself, and shall always
from time to time, and at all times hereafter, have, hold and en-
joy, like and equal privileges and immunities, with any town,
enfranchised place or manor, within this government, and shall
in no manner of way, be subordinate or belonging unto, have
any dependency upon, or in any wise be under the rules, orders

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 519

or directions of any riding, township or townsliips, j)lacc or juris-
diction, either upon the main or upon Long Island, but shall in
all cases, things and nnatters, be deemed, reputed, taken and held,
as an absolute, entire, enfranchised townsliip, manor and place of
itself in this government, and shall be ruled, ordered and di-
rected, in all matters as to government accordingly, by the
governor and his council, and the general courts of assizes only,
always provided, that the inhabitants on the said tract of land
granted as aforesaid, shall be obliged to send forwards to the
next towns, all ])ublic packets and letters, or Hue and Cries, com-
ing to this place or going from it, to any other of his maj(3Sties
colonies, to have and to hold the said tract of land and grant,
with all and singular the appurtenances, premises, together with
the privileges, immunities, franchises, and advantages herein given
and granted, unto the said Thomas Pell, his heirs and assigns,
to the proper use and behoof of the said Thomas Pell, forever,
iirmly, freely and clearly, in so large and ample manner and form
and with such full and absolute immunities and j)rivileges as
before is expressed, as if he had held the same immediately from
his majesty the King of England, &c., &c.. 6cC., &c., &c., his
successors, as of the manor of East Greenwich, in the county of
Kent, in free and common socage and by fealty only, yielding,
rendering and paying, yearly and every year, unto his royal high-
ness, the duty forever, and his heirs, or to such governor as shall
from time to time, be by him constituted and appointed, as an
acknowledgment, one lamb upon the first day of ^lay, if the
same shall be demanded. Given under my hand and seal at
Fort James, in New York, on the island of Manhattan, the sixth
day of October, in the 18ih year of the reign of our sovereign,
Lord Charles the second, by the grace of God, of Englaiid, Scot-
land, France and Ireland, Kino^, Defender of the faith, c^c, SiC,
ifcc, and in the year of our Lord Cfod, 1666.

Richard Nicolls.
Entered and recorded in the oiUce of New York, the Sih day
of October, 1660. - -

Mathias NicoLLSj Sect'y.

520

HISTORY OF THE

The Pells who were formerly lords of the manor, boast a very
reiDote aiitiquity, tracing their descent from the ancient family of
that name, in Luicolnshire, England, a branch of which afterwards
removed into the county of Sussex ]^ of this family was John
Pell, Esq., of the county of Norfolk, "steward, or master of the

Stone efTgies of Julm Tcllj ami Margaret lii^wife, in Deisingliam Cliurcli, Norfolk, £i:glaiid.

IIIC JACET JOHANNES PELL ARMIGER QUANDUM MAJOR TLNN.-E REGIS

QVI VXOREM DVXJT MARGARETAM FILIAM VNICAM GVLIELMI

OVEREND ARMIGER ANXOS Gl ET VNVM F^LIO TER VNA VIXERVxNT

SEX FILIOS ET TRER FILIAS INTER SE HABVERVNT ILLE VERO CVM

ANNOS 81 COMPLEVERAT QVINTO DIE FEBRVAIE ANNO DOMINI

1607 MATVRA SENECTVE MORTEM OBJ IT ET OCTAVO DIE

EIVSDEM MEXSIS CORPVS SEPVLCIIRO COxNDERATVR.

» The seal of John Pell, Esq., attached to the patent of New Rochelle, is charged
with the arms of this ancient family, viz : ermine, on a canton azure, a pelican or,
vulned ^ulf^s ; this coat appears to have been granted October the 19th, 1594, the
gold pelican and azure field are also a portion of the charges belonging to the coal
armor of the rdhain family.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 521

king's cup," livino^ in 1597, who married Margaret Overend, the
only daughter of William Overend, Esq., and had six sons and
three daughters ; his eldest son- was John Pell, in holy orders,
Rector of Southwyck, in Sussex County, England, who died A. D.
1616. This individual was the father of two sons, Thomas Pell,
first proprietor of the manor of Pelham, and the Rev. John Pell,
D. D., Rector of Fobbing in Essex. Thomas Pell appears to
have been born at Southwyck, in Sussex, cir. 1608; the exact
period of his arrival in America is uncertain ; that he was one of
the first settlers of New England however, there remains no doubt,
for at a very early period we find his name associated with Roger
Ludlow, a member of the Rev. Joim Warham's company, who
settled first at Dorchester, Massachusetts, June, 1630, and after-
wards removed to Windsor, Connecticut, in 1635 ; subsequently
Ludlow, with ten families, commenced a plantation at Unquowa,
(the Indian name for Fairfield, Conn.) here we find Mr. Pell in
1635. The name of Thomas Pell first occurs in the New Haven
colonial records, as attorney for the executors of Richard Jewell,
in 1639.a

On the 10th of March, 1646, at a general court held at New
Haven were recorded the names of the people as seated in the
meeting house ; 1st middle seat, the governor and deputy governor,
<fec. In the cross seats at the end, 1st seat, Mr. Pell, Mr. Tut tie
and brother Fowler, &c.b

The next year Mr. Pell is attached for £200, a debt which his
wife, late widow of Mr. Francis Brewster, had contracted before
her marriage with him. This debt it appears Mr. Pell refused to
pay, notwithstanding the court took the liberty to inform him that
his wife's debts were his own. On being afterwards brought up
to court, he declared " that it was against his judgment to take
an oath."<^ -

A. D. 1654, (the same year of his purchase in this town.) Mr.
Thomas Yale, presented to ye general court held at New Haven,
a noute under the hand of Mr. Thomas Pell, wherein he desires ye

» New Haven Col. Rcc. vol. i. 63.
b New Haven Col. Rec. vol. 1. 280.
c New Haven Col. Rec. vol. i. 3ir>, 316, 317,335, 391
YOL. I. 66

522 HISTORY OF THE

said Mr. Yale to make entrv of the lands he had sold to Allen
Ball, James Rnssel and Will Bradley. 6cc.^

Upon the 9th of February, 1653, Thomas Pell purchased
lands in Fairfield of Henry Rowland, Philip Pinckney, Alexan-
der Briant and others ; also a house which was sometimes Nathan
Gold's in 1654.b

At a court hoi den at Fairfield, October the 19lh, 1658, the court
desired Mr. Thomas Pell and John Wheeler to be husbands and
administrators upon the estate of Thomas Demond.<=

Upon the 25th of June, 1669, the town of Fairfield granted
certain lands to Thomas Pell, Esq.*^

Circa 1663, " the legislature of Connecticut determining to se-
cure 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 Westchester and Hudson's River, and the wa-
ters which made the Manhadoes an island, and resolved that it
should be added to Westchester." This statement is made on the
authority of Trumbull and Webster, although no record now re-
mains of the transaction. e

Mr. Pell's death must have occurred sometime between the date
of his will, 21st of September, 1669, and that of the order for the
taking of an inventory of his estate, on the 13th October, 1669 ;
tradition asserts he was buried at Fairfield. f

The last %vill of Thomas Pell.

In ye name of God, Amen — It hath pleased ye all wise God many years to ex-
ercise me wiih much weakness of body, and having lately taken to himselfemy
beloved wife Lucy, it being ye good pleasure of God to deny me natural issue
of my owne body, his good hand of mercy continueing unto me to keep me in
perfect memory and my understanding in a comfortable measure, according to
proportion of wisdom and knowledge, where he saw meet to proportion to me,
I desire in faith to give up my soule to God which gave it, my body to a

* New Haven Col. Rec.
b Fairfield Town Rec.

« Probate Rec. Fairfield Co.
d Fairfield Town Rec.

• TrumbuH'B Hist. Conn. 272. Webster's Letters, 205.
t Hazard's State Papers, vol. ii. 245, 336, 342, 343.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 623

comely burial, that I may be decently buryed in such a comely manner that
God may not be dishonored. It beinge my desire that peace may be attended
in enjoyment of what God hath been pleased to give to me — this being my
last will and testament — I doe make my nepliew, John Pell, living in ould En-
gland, the only sonne of my only brother John Pell, Doctor of Divinity, which
he had by his first wife, my whole and sole heire of all my lands and houses
in any parte of New England, or in ye territoryes of ye Duke of Yorke. I
also give to my nephew John Pell (my whole and sole heire) all my goods,
moveable or immoveable whatsoever — money, plate, chattells and cattle of all
kinde — except such parcells and legacyes which I give and bequeath to per-
sons as followeth, my just debts being first paid : and if my nephew, John Pell,
be deceased, and hath left a sonne or sonnes surviving him, then what I have
above given to my nephew, John Pell, f give to such issue of his ; and in ye
default of such issue, it's my will that ray brother John Pell's daughter shall
enjoy ye abovesaid portion ; and in case they or any of them be deceased,
then it is my will that the children of my brother's daughters shall inherit the
abovesaid portion, to be equally divided amongst them. It is my will, that in
case my nephew, John Pell, my brother's sonne by his first wife, be deceased,
and hath left no male issue, if my brother hath a sonne or sonnes by his last
wife, he or they shall enjoy ye above said portion ; and in ye default of them
or their male issue, then my brother's daughters, or their children, shall enjoy
ye above portion as is above expressed. I give to Abigail Burr, ye wife of
Daniell Burr, ye best bed in my house in Fairfield, and boulstis, with two
blancoates, a rug and dormink suit of curtains, six cushions, two paire of
sheets, six chairs, the brewing kettle in use, two new keelers, a brewing tub,
six silver spoons, with ye use of all ye plate in the house, if she desire of my
executors of trust, till my heire or heires come or send his or their order
how or which way all things shall be disposed of. Item — I give to Daniell
Burr all ray horses and horse colts which I have in New England, and in ye
territoryes of ye Duke of Yorke : I except mj^ mares and mare colts, which
I do not give him ; I except my saddle gelding, w^hich my heire is to have if
he come over — otherwise, Daniell Burr is to have him, Daniell Burr is to take
ye horse flesh as they run ; without any further dehinery, lett the mares be
disposed of according to ye understanding of my executors of trust. Item —
I give to my sonne, Francis French, all my tobacco, growing or not growing,
in casks, or otherways made up in rolls or twist. Item — I give to Nathaniell
French two young cowes and one young bull. Item — To Elizabeth White I
give the worst feather bed and boulster, one iron pott, six porringers, six
spoons of alcamy, six pewter platters, one brass skellet, and fifieene pounds
more in goods or cattle, current pay, and two comely suits of apparel, one for
working days, another for Sabbath dayes, with two paire of shoes. Item —
to Mary White I give six pounds and one suite of aparell of serge, with two
shifts, and wool for stockings. I give to Nathaniell White, an apprentice to
some handicraft trade ; and if it be for his advantage, to give tenne pounds

524 HISTORY OF THE

with him out of my estate, not diminishing his twenty pounds, which is to be
improved for his use. I give to Barbary, my servant — I sett her at hberty to
be a free woman a month after my burial, except my nephew, John Pell, come
in person ; she then to attend his occasions whilst he is there, not exceeding
three months. Further, I do give to Barbary, my servant, one flock bed and
boulster, and two blancoats, a pair of sheets, and cotton rug, one iron pott, an
iron skellett, six trays and chest, with a lock and key to it, six porringers, two
pewter platters, six pewter spoons or ye value of them, two cowes or the
value of them. I give to my ancient maid, Katharine Rysten, five pounds in
cattle or county pay. I make, ordain, constitute and appoint Daniell Burr and
John Bankes to be my executors of trust, and order them to pay, after my
burial, all my just debts and legacyes, and to make sale of any utensils which
are subject to decay — old cattle — and to be accountable to my beire or heires,
and to keep up housing and fences upon my heires' charge, that the estate may
not suffer. I give to my said executors of trust twenty pounds apiece, and to
be paid what first charge they are at upon any incumbrances. Item — I give
those poor men their debts upon my booke, whose names follow — Joseph Pa-
thon, James Evers, Thomas Bassett, Roger Percy : and that this is my last
will. In witness whereof, I have hereunto sett my hand this twenty and
one yeare of the raigne of our sovereigne lord, King Charles, and the twenty
first of September, 1669.

Me, Thomas Pell.

Signed in the presence of us,
Nathan Gould,
John Cabell.

John Cabell gives oath that he was witnesse to Mr. Peli signing this will,
with Mr. Gould, as he hath entered his hand. Taken upon oath before me,

Nathan Gould, Assistant,

This 3d of , in his Majestie's

Colony of Connecticut, September, 1669. *

Upon the 13th of October, A.D. 1669, the Court of Assize is-
sued the following order, authorizing and appointing Mr. John
Kichbell, Mr. William Leyden, and Mr. Samuel Drake, to take
an inventory of the estate of Thomas Pell, deceased:

" Whereas, Mr. Thomas Pell, of Ann Hook's Neck, is lately
deceased, and having left a considerable estate in this govern-
ment, of which no inventory is as yet returned."^

In the inventory, we have a thorough and particular account

■ Th'iB will may be found in the Probate Rec. of Fairfield Co. 1665 to '75.
fc .Assize Rec. Albany, vol. ii. 78.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

525

of the whole furniture and liousehold array of a wealthy mer-
chant and gentleman of that early period.

An inventory of ye estate of Mr. Thomas Pell, late deceased,
appraised by us whose names are underwritten, and yt according
to an order or commission directed unto ns by ye Rt. Hon'ble ye
Govern'r, and his Royal High., ye Duke of Yorke, of all his
territories in America.

Imprimis 1 old feather bed, 2 feather bolsters, 2 pillows, 1 rug,

1 blankelt, 1 coverlett, 1 bedstead, and 1 pr. of old sheets,
1 paire of old kitterminster curtains and vallance,
63 yds. of canvass at 2s. pr yd.
36 drest buck and doe skins at 4s. pr piece,

1 pr. of wooden scales and weights,

2 paire of old sheep sheres
1 table and frame, .....
6 silver spoons and 1 dram cup,
9 pound of tacks, .....
1 pr. of brasse scales and pound weights,
1 piece of girt web and lead lyne, .
1 pound of pepper, ....

4 knives, ......

14 buckles and 2 bridle bits, .

2^ yds. of bongala at 3s. pr yd. .

14 yds. of peniston at 2s. p. yd.

6 yds. of Holland at 4s. p. yd.

21 yds. i of bockram at Is. 6d. p. yd.

60 lbs. of pevvt. at 12d. pr lb.

8 old napkins, 1 table cloath and towell, .
1 old lynnen wast coate, 1 pr. of drawers and 2 shirts,
1 chest, ......

1 old wast coate, . . . . •

5 pr. of woosted stockings at 4s. pr pair,
1 pr. of home spun stockings,
1 pair of serge boot hose and tops, .
4 cushion cases, .....
13 yds. of several remnants of several stuffs at 2s. pr yd.
12 yds. more ye sd stuffs,

9 yds. of remnants of serge at 3s. pr yd.
1 piece of serge, .....
11^ yds. of remnants of kersey at 4s. pr yd.
24 yds. of flew lynnen at 2s. p. yd.

.-)

526

HISTORY OF THE

coarse

4 yds. of penistone at 2s. pr yd.

5 yds. of cotton at 2s. 6d. p. yd.
3 lb. of black and browne thread, .
Remnants of gimp and other laces,
1 pair of cotton cards, ....

14 lb. and i of lead in barres at 3d. p. lb.
1 pair of bridle reines, ....
3 quire of paper, .....

1 chest with a lock, ....

2 joynt stooles, .....

3 chaires at 2s. pr chaire,
7 lb. of powder at Is. per lb. . . ' .
1 old neckcloath, 5 old bands, 2 handkerchiefs, and old red cap
3 gunnes, ......

1 old patcht flock bead, 2 boulsters, 3 old blanketts, 1 old

coverlett, ......

1 chafFe bed being broke, 1 feath. bolster, 1 per of

sheets, ......

1 hammock, ......

1 old coate, ......

2 feather bol. 1 pillow, 2 blanketts and 1 coarse sheet,
1 dressed boar skin, ....
1 very old boat sayle,

1 old bible, ......

Culpeper's dispensatory, wh 3 other small books,

2 of Cradock's works in quarto,
2 brushes, ......

18 old fashioned felt hats wh bands,

2 yds. of bayes and duffels for 1 paire of Indian breeches

15 bushells of winter wheat at 6s. p. bushell,

3 bushells of Indian corn at 2s. 6J. p. bushell,
A parcell of sheep's wool,
A parcell of cotton wool,
A parcell of lumber casks in ye chamber,
360 lb. of nayles at lOd. p. lb.
7 bolts for dores, .....
2 paire of bridle raines, ....
1 paire of bridle bitts, ....
1 feth'r bed, 1 boulster, 2 blanketts, 2 rugs, 2 pillows, 1 pr. o

sheets, ......

1 large feather bed, 1 boulster, 2 blanketts, 1 rug, 1 pr. of old
sheets and 1 pillow, ....

2 blanketts,

1 old feather bed, 1 boulster, 1 pillow, 1 paire of sheets, 1 blan

0 10 0

5 0 0

7 0 0
1 0 0

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

527

kett and 1 coverlett, ........

17 yds. of coarse broad cloth at 7s. p. yd. ....

17 lumber casks, . . . . . . ' .

1 old chest without a lock, .......

4 iron potts, 1 skillett, 3 pair of pot hooks, . . . .

3 brasse kettles, 1 skillett, 2 chafing dishes, 1 pestell and mor-
tar, and 1 copper skillett, .......

2 trammells, 1 dripping pan, 1 spitt, 1 frying pan, 1 paire of
tongues, 1 gridiron, 1 smoothing iron, .....

2 doz. trayes, 2 boults, 1 cheesplate, 5 wooden bottles, 8 peaies,
li bushell, 1 peck, 1 quarter cann, 1 old small churn, .

2 ploughs, 2 shares, 2 coulters, bolts, collars and 1 pr. of chaines,

3 draught chaines, 1 timber chaine, . . . . .

2 paire of geres for horses, .......

6 falling axes and 1 hatchett, ......

2 mattocks, 2 spades, 2 iron crowes, 2 sledges, 6 wedges, 1

drawing knife, 1 hedging bill, 1 clapboard hoe, 1 crosse cut
saw, 1 hand saw,* and beetle rings, ....

1 piece of an iron barre, ......

2 old carts, 3 paire of wheels, 1 paire of them shod with iron
and 1 cart rope,

3 old table napkins, 1 table cloth, 6
1 warming pan, &c.
24 harrow teeth, 1 swivell, 1 horse

bletts, 8 howes, .
1 small bag with ginger,
20 yearling cattle,
9 2 yeare old
9 3 yeare old
6 4 yeare old
6 milch cows
12 oxen,
5 calfes,

1 hogsd. and 1 barrell of mollasses

4 barrells of salt, ...
16 lumber casks, .
All ye tobacco, old and new, .

2 hydes, ....
1 parcell of feathers in a pillow case
Horses and horse colts as they run
Mares and mare colts, .
53 sheep, ....
Swyne, small and greate.
House and land in Westchester,

old towells,

ock, 1 small chaine, 3 gim

and lf)T of old stockens,
in the woods.

5 0 0

1 15 0

1 5 0

1 10 0

2 0 0
1 0 0
0 14 0

2 10 0

0 10 0

5 9 0

0 10 0

0 16 0

1 10 0

0 1 0
40 0 0
22 10 0
31 10 0
27 0 0
27 0 0
:2 0 0

5 0 0

4 0 0

1 10 0

0 16 0
50 0 0

1 0 0
0 4 0

40 0 0

50 0 0

22 0 0

40 0 0

20 0 0

52S

HISTORY OF THE

The howsing, lands, barnes, islands, adjoyning from Hutchin
son's Ryver westward, and so far eastward as were Mr. Tho
Pell's inst. and lawful right,

6 new scythes, ......

6 unwashed fleeces of wool, ....

6 old scythes, ......

In Applebyes keeping, 2 cows and 1 plow chaine,

In Jonathan Burge his keeping, 2 oxen, 3 cowes, 2 yearlings,
4 calfes, 1 timber chaine, 1 plough chaine, 1 colter, 1 share
and boult, ..........

1 plough share, colter, boult, coller and yoke irons, in John
Holy's hands, ....

64 load of hay, ....

5 lirkins of sope and parcel! of tallow,
if barrell of rum, .
1 paire of stillyards,

3 yoaks and 2 grind stones,

1 canow, parcell of beef, and 2 small parcells of sugar,

4 cowes more,
4 oxen,

2 of 2 yeare old,
2 of 3 yeare old, .
2 calfes,

1 bull stag, .
Wheate,

30 bushells of Indian come.
Old wheat,

2 draught chaines, 1 timber chaine,
rings, ....

1 colter, I share colter and boult,

1 broad axe, 3 iron wedges, 1 pr. of beetle rings, I cart rope,

coller for a horse, 2 pitchforks, 1 grind stone,
1 fflock bed and boulster, 1 handsaw, 2 augurs, 2 hamers, and 1

paire feirrs,

1 iron pott, pot hooks and Iramell, I brasse kettle, 1 kellett and
candlestick, 1 pewter pint pott, 2 old pewter platters,

6 alchymy spoons, ......

15 old lumber casks, ......

i) firkin butter and 2 cheeses, ....

2 cowe hydes, .......

Total sume.

1 pr. cart wheels, boxes and

500 0 0

0 18 0

0 12 0

0 14 0

9 8 0

35 10 0

2 0 0
16 0 0

3 0 0
1 10 0
0 10 0

0 12 0

1 10 0
18 0 0
24 0 0

0 0

12 0 0

3 0 0

5 0 0

3 0 0

1 10 0

.200

0 1 0

0 15 0

0 10 0

1294 14 4

This inventory and appraisem'l was finished ye 20th of October, 1669, as
witness o'r hands, we having according to o'r best knowledge and understand-

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 629

ing, done as witness o'r hands ye day and yeare aforesaid, we have appraised
as money of this country,

John Richbells.
Wni. S Iloyden.

liis marii?.
Samuell Drake.
John Bankes one of ye Exec'rs of ye said will entered into bond of X'-200
Sterl. to perfourme ye said will. Ye bond was dated ye 13 of October, 16GU.

During the same year an execution was granted against ye
estate of Thomas Pell of Ann Hooks neck, for JCIO 19 10, of
ye goods or chattels belonging and reserved by ye executors, in
trust, for the use of his heirs, the said sum being due for several
charges relating to a matter m difference between Charles
Bridges and Sarah his wife, plaintitfs, and ye said Thomas Pell
defendant, wherein ye said defendant was overthrown, and con-
demned to pay ye costs of suit. a

Francis Lovelace.

To Mr. Robert Coe, high sheriff or his deputy, to cause this
execution to be served. *^ ' • . .'. ; .: • " •

By the will of Mr. Thomas Pell, it will be observed, that he
bequeathes all his " lands and houses in any part of New En-
gland, or in ye territory of ye Duke of York," to his nephew
John Pell living in Ould England, the only son of his only bro-
ther, John Pell, Doctor of Divinity. ., ... - ^

Dr. Pell, the immediate ancestor of the Pell family in this
country, was "an eminent n-athematician, and descended of an
ancient family in Lincolnshire, whence this branch having re-
moved some time into Sussex, i/iis s^entleman had his birth
in that county, on the first of March, 1610, at Southwycke, of
which place his father Mr. John Pell (as we have shown be-
fore) was then minister, but he did not live to see his son above
six years of age, who after this loss, was put to a grammar school
then newly founded atSteyning in that county. « When scarcely
thirteen years of age, he entered Trinity College, Cambridge,
England. . . . . - ,

» See Westchester. ^ Assize Rec. Alb. 215

c Biographia Brittanica, vol- v.

Vol. L 67'

?-• .

530 HISTORY OF THE

In 1630, lie wrote and published his Modus Suppiitandi, Eph-
emerides, Astronomicas, also a key to unlock the meaninor of
Johannes Trithimius, and a discourse on Steganography. He had
previously written a description and use of the Quadrant. His
great patron at this time, was the Prince of Orange, who presented
him with tlie professorship of mathematics, at Breda in Holland.

In Af)ril, 1654, he received his appointment from Oliver Crom-
well, as English resident Ambassador to the Swiss cantons.

The Pell papers in the Lansdowne and Birch collections af-
ford interesting illustrations of Dr. PelPs domestic and literary
character.

These papers contain numerous letters from Sir William
Moorland, Sir William Lockharr, Sir William Cavendish, Sec-
retary Thurloe and other distinguished men of that day to Dr.
Pell.

To which is appended Dr. Pell's diary during his residence at
Zurich.

The latter commences thus : " April 5th, dismissed my Lord
Protector, supped with my wife and bade her adieu."

The first article in his correspondence (as ambassador) opens
with a letter to Mr. Secretary Thurloe, dated Utrecht, April 20th,
old style, 1654.^

In a letter from Mr. Moorland, to the Right Hon. John Pell,
dated, Whitehall, January 15th, 1656-7, he makes the following
allusion to the family of the latter : " to-morrow, God willing, I
shall not fail to go and present your^ue children with five gold
angels according to your order, as I have this evening^ sent her
ladyship a note, though it were after I received the enclosed
from her to you," (fee. &c.

August 26th, 1654, Mr. Pell thus writes to his wife concerning
his children.

Let Mary learn to cut and carve with her right hand. Take
heed that John^ lose not his Roman with learning Secretary, or
else get a rambling hand writing, neither of them well, &c."

» The year of his brother's purchase.

b John here alluded to, was the second proprietor of the manor. In Mr. Pell's
diary, Feb. 3, 1G54, he remarks, «' my son eleven years old."

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 531

To Mrs. Pell, at her house behind six trees, in Gardiner'*
lane, near King street, Westminster. In a letter of August 28th
O. S. 1655, to his wife, he writes, '' you have reason to thank
the councillor that persuaded you to write to me for pearls and
jewels. You tell me you know I iiave rich j>reseiit3 ; you might do
well to tell me, who gave them me, when, and where, and what
they are, for 1 know none of all these. Nobody wears pearls or jew-
els here. If they were to be sold, they cannot be sent safely to
you in a letter through the hands of many posts, and I have no
other way to send to you from hence. It would a great deal
better become you, to advise your dau^^hters to cast off all thoughts
of such bravery, as would not be fit for them, though their father
were worth twenty times as much as he is, all his just claims
being reckoned with that which he hath now in his power.
This letter will come to Whitehall, about the very begintnng of
the parliament, so that Mr. Secretary and those about him, may be
so full of business, that they may forget to send you this letter
in due time, and then it may miscarry, which is the cause that
this tiaie I tell you no more of my mind concerning Ma. an(J
the rest, of whom, I cai^not think without much sadness,

God Almighty bless them and direct you.

Zurich, May, 26th. Mr. Pell to Mrs. Pell. Since my last of
April 20th, &c. (fcc, I have receiv^ed two of yours. In them
you ask advice concerning my son. If he be i>ot fit to get long
lessons, by heart, he will never be fit for that school ; but you
must take heed that you displease not Mr. B. by taking
him away, if our friends can help you to find out a good
school for him, you may send him thither in the school
vacation ; or else ray uncle may help you to an excuse, by pre-
tending a desire to see him ; and then (as if it were his hiunor
in my absence to have him better grounded before he return to
such a great school) he may be sent to some other school, where
there are fewer boys ; for in large schools, the masters are forced
to ease themselves by laying great burdens upon their scholars'
memories. But it will be very hard to find a good school. God
Almighty direct you and bless him and his sisters.

October loth. Mr. Pell to Mrs. Pell. Since my last of July
16, I have received seven of yours, dsc. The fourth tells me

532 HISTORY OF THE

that you like mine of July 16th so ill, that you may well content
yourself without my letters. In it you sent me a Latin letter
enquiring whether he that icrote it will he a scholar or a ^pren-
tice. Tliat question will be better answered three years hence ;
they that will now judge of him may be very much mistaken
iniiim; with your next, let him send me the names of the
books which he now learns at school, &c.

October 2d, 1656, concerning his daughter Mary's marriage, he
writes : " 1 perceive by yours, that M. hath much abated the height
of her first flight. First a rich husband or none at all, then two
hundred pounds a year at least; now, a younger brother, that
hath no land, but some money in other men's hands, almost
enough to purchase fourscore pounds a year free land.

Now she hath found one rich enough for her, you must try
whether he will account her rich enough for him, you may
therefore tell him or her that you have order to pay him two
hundred pounds upon the day of her marriage, without promise
that she or hers shall receive any more from me, or by me, till I
am dead, (fcc. 6cc,^

On May the 6th, 165S, Mr. Pell received the following letter
of recall from the Protector.

Oliver Cromwell to Mr. Pell.

Sir: — The state of affairs being much altered in those parts,
so that your longer abode there seemeth not so necessary, and that
your return hither may be more serviceable to us, I have thought
fit hereby to recall you ; therefore you will do well, having
taken your leave their, in the best manner, to repair homewards,
that we may receive from you the account of your whole nego-
tiation, and you from us the encouragement which you have de-
served.'^

Sir, I rest your loving friend,

Oliver P.

By his highness's command, Jo Thurloe.

» Mr. Pell's da«gliter was mar. Nov. 27, 1656.

b The tedious negotiations at Baden, ended in a peace, which left the Swiss
Cantons in the same relation to each other and Europe as before.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 533

Mr. Pell arrived in England only a short time prior to the
death of his patron. Cromwell died on the 3il of iSeptemljcr,
1658, just three weeks after Pell's arrival in London, on the 13ih
of August. In his duiry, Mr. Pell thus records the event.

September 3. " Olivarius Protector, obiit Alb. aulee.

September 4. Ricardus Westmona^ierii ct Londiiii procla-
matur.

The following notes relate to his attendance on the Protector's
funeral:

Gardiner^s Lane near Kinsc Street.
I do hereby request that the proportion of cloth allowed unto
me by the right honorable council as mourning for his late iiigh-
ness, the lord protector, may be delivered unto my neighbor, Mr.
Samuel Hartiib the younger.

Written with mine own hand, Sept. 25th, 1658,

John Pell.

Whitehall^ at the Green Cloth, Sept. 27, 1658.
Mr. Clerk Comptroller : I desire you to direct the deliv-
ering of nine yards of black cloth, of twenty-four shillings per
yard, and six yards, of fifteen shillings per yard, for John
Pell, Esq.

' ^ ' Barrington.

John Pell, Esq.: You are desired to attend the funeral of
the most serene and most renowned Oliver, late lord protector,
from Somerset house, on Tuesday the 23d of November, instant,
at eight of the clock in the morning at the furthest, and to bring
with you this ticket, and that by Friday night next you send to
the herald's office, near Paul's, the names of your servants that
are to attend in mourning, without which they arc not to be ad-
mitted, and also to take notice that no coaches are to pass on that
day in the streets between Somerset house and Westminster.^

Mr. Pell was admitted to holy orders by the i3ishop of Lincoln
in 1661, and obtained from the crown the rectory of Fobbing in

» Vaughan's Protectorate of Cromwell, vol. li. 341, 342.

- '• ' ■ i •

534 HISTORY OF THE

Essex, to whicli the Bishop of London added the rectory of
Laviiigdon, or Lainden, in tlie same county, A. D. 1677-S.

Among the Pell papers occurs the following letter from his
curate, the Rev. John Nye, dated,

Lainden^ Feb, 10, 1677-8.

Reterend Sir, — You expect, I presume, some intimations
concerning the place and people where, as your substitute, 1 serve
the cure ; after tedious deliberation, I thought to give your wor-
ship the following notice, viz. : — As far as the winter extremities,
the inconiiguity of country houses, and private necessities do per-
mit, our churches enjoy full congregations, the people being re-
verent and observant, and lovers of the desk as well as pulpit. I
know not one perfect dissenter ; only Mr. Andrews, of Lainden,
once held a conventicle in his house since my coming. The ap-
pearance at C'hristmas communion was tolerable — abont twenty
persons: and we hope Easter will exceed. Our school- is occu-
pied by a licensed, grave, and good man. All officers for church
and town are legally qualified, i. e. men honest, able, judicious.
All church ornaments and repairs are exact, except only Barsel-
don, where two casualties are fallen, viz. : the bell roof is ready
to drop, and one side of the church needs shoring; the total
charges are pre-estimated about fifty pounds. As for my own
acceptance and success, it is not wholly in vain, praised be God !
1 know not one drunkard nor swearer amongst us, except only
Gaffar Fryer of Lainden, who on many accounts forgets piety
but especially by swearing and miserableness. My Lord Bishop
of London urges the duty of catechising with much fervor; I
shall begin on the 17ih of Feb. next, being the first Sunday in
Lent; but my lord (when I sued out a license.) did profess lent
season too short for such a work, and hardly endured to have
the matter contested. Our parishes have not observed perambu-
lations for several years; I suppose it will be convenient to stir
them thereto against the 5lh of May next, Rogation Siuiday.
Reverend sir, 1 know your minutes are precious, your impor-
tances constant ; ergo^ it is duty and love without rhetorical am-
bages, to profess myself, as I ought to appear.

Your worship's humble servant and ready curate.

John Nye.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 535

Mr. Andrews (of whom my letter speaketh,) is a corristant
churchman, attentive and observant at the common prayer,
and carefully avoideth sly reficctions ngainst the government,
but, as it seems, best satisfied with the Presbyterian disci-
pline.a ' ,

The Rev. John Pell, D. D., died on the 12ih of Oecembtr,
1685, and was buried in the rector's vault of St. Giles' Church in
the Fields, London.

John Pell, the only son of the Rev. John Pell, D. D., was born
on the 3d February, 1643. By the will of his uncle, Tliomas
Pell, he became the next proprietor of the manor of Pelham.

From the following document it is apparent that John Pell
took possession of the manor the year succeeding his uncle's de-
cease, for "at a meeting of the governor and assistants in Flart-
ford, December 9th, 1670, upon the desire of Mr. John Pell, the
governor and assistants thought good thereby to certity whom it
may concern, that they are fully satisfied by several letters and
testimonials that the governor hath received from persons of
honor in England, that the bearer of them, Mr. John Pell, sewer
in ordinary to his majesty, and son of Dr. Pell of London, is the
undoubted nephew of Mr- Thomas Pell, late of Fairfield, and
the person whom he hath made his heir in his last will and tes-
tament, to whom the inventory in trust ought to surrender the
estate bequeathed to him by the said Mr. Thomas Pell, deceased,
and the just account thereof according to his will. Signed by
order of the governor and assistants, present me

John Allen, Secretary of

his Majesty's Colony of Connecticut. a

In the year 1675, John Pell of Ann-hooks neck, binds and
makes over unto John Burr of Fairfield, his heirs and assignees,
(fcc, all his meadow lying in Fairfield, on the Mill river, d:c.

The llih of December, 1685, John Pell, Esq., by conveyance
made over to John Smith of the town of Bruckland, Great Minne-

* Vaughan's Protectorate of Cromwell, vol. ii. 483-5.
b Probate Rec. Fairfield, Co. 1G65-75, p. 49.

itf m

r^te<

^ ^

•^ ^n^A ^ ^ «^ H t

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 537

called Cedar Tree Brooke, or Gravelly Brooke ; on the south by the Sound,
which lyeth betvveene Longe Island and the maine land, with all the islands
in the Sound not before that time granted or disspossed of, lyeing before that
tract of land so bounded as is before expresst ; and northward to runne into
the woods about eight English miles, the breadth to be the same, as it is along
by the Sound, together with all the lands, islands, soyles, woods, meadows,
pastures, marshes, lakes, waters, creeks, fishing, hawking, hunting and fowl-
ing, and all other profiitts, commodityes and heridetaments to the said tract of
land and islands belonging, with their and every of their appurtenances, and
every part and parcel thereof; and that the said tract of land and premises
should be forever thereafter held, deemed, reputed, taken and be an intire in-
franchised towneshipp, manner and place of itself, and should always, from
time to time, and at all times thereafter, have, hold and enjoy like and equall
priviledges and immunities with any towne infranchised, place or manner within
this government, &c., shall in no manner of way be subordinate or belonging
unto, have any dependance upon or in any wise, bounds or the rules under the
direction of any riding, or towne, or towneshipps, place or jurisdiction either
upon the maine or upon Longe Island — but should in all cases, things and mat-
ters be deemed, reputed, taken and held as an absolute, intire, infranchised
towneshipp, manner and place of itselfe in this government, and should be
ruled, ordered and directed in all matters as to government, accordingly, by
the governour and Councell, and General Court of Assizes — only provided,
always, that the inhabbitants in the said tract of land granted as aforesaid,
should be oblidged to send fiorwards to the next townes all publick pachquetts
and letters, or hew and cryes coming to New Yorke or goeing from thence to
any other of his Majestie's collonys ; to have and to hold the said tract of land
and islands, with all and singular the appurtenances and premises, togaither
with the privelidges, imuneties, franchises, and advantages therein given and
granted unto the said Thomas Pell, to the proper use and behoofe of the said
Thomas Pell, his heires and assignes for ever, ffuUy, ffreely and clearely, in
as large and ample manner and forme, and with such full and absolute imuni-
tyes and priveledges as before is expresst, as if he had held the same immedi-
ately ffrom his Majesty the Kinge of England, &c., and his suckcessors, as
of the manner of East Greenwich, in the county of Kent, in free and common
sockage and by fealtey, only yealdeing, rendering and payeing yearely and ev-
ery yeare unto his then royall highness, the Duke of Yorke, and his heires, or
to such governour or governours as from time to time should by him be con-
stituted and appoynted, as an acknowledgement, one lambe on the first day of
May, if the same shall be demanded as by the said deede in writeing, and the
entrey thereof in the bookes of records in the secretarie's office for the prov-
ince aforesaid, may more fully and at large appeare. And ichereas, John
Pell, gentleman, nephew of the said Thomas Pell, to whom the lands, islands
and premises, with appurtenances, now by the last will and testament of him
the said Thomas Pell, given and bequeathed, now is in the actual, peacable
Vol. I. 68

53S HISTORY OF THE

and quiett seazeing and posession of all and singular the preniises, and hath
nr.ade his humble request to mee,the said Thomas Dongan, that I would, in the
behalte of his sacred Majesty, his heirs and suckcessors, give and grant unto
him, the said John Pell, a more full and firme grant and confirmation of the
above lands and premises, with the appurtenances, under the seale of this his
Majestie's province : Now Know Yee, that I, the said Thomas Dongan, by vir-
tue of the commission and authority unto me given by his said Majesty, and
power in me being and residing, in consideration of the quitt rent hereinafter
reserved, and for divers other good and lawfull considerations me thereunto
mouving, I have given, rattefied and confirmed, and by these presents doe
hereby give, grant, rattefie and confirme unto the said John Pell, his heirs and
assigns for ever, all the before mentioned and rented lands, islands and
premises, with the heridatements and appurtenances, priveledges, imuneties,
ffranchises and advantages to the same belonging and appertaining, or in the
said before mentioned deede in writing expresst, implyed or intended to be
given and granted, and every part and parcell thereof, together with all that
singular messuages, tenements, barnes, stables, orchards, gardens, lands, isl-
ands, meadows, inclosures, arable lands, pastures, feedeings, commons, woods,
underwoods, soyles, quarreys, mines, minnerally, (royall mines only except-
ed,) waters, rivers, ponds, lakes, hunteing, haucking, fiishing, ffowleing, as
alsoe all rents, services, wasts, strayes, royaltyes, liberties, priviledges, juris-
dictions, rights, members and appurtenances, and all other imunityes, royal-
tyes, power of franchises, profitts, commodeties and heredatements whatsoever
to the premises, or any part or parcell thereof belonging or appertaining : and
further, by verlue of the power and authority in mee being and residing,! doe
hereby grant, rattefie and confirme, and the tract of land, island and premises
aforesaid are, by these presents, erected and constituted to be one lordship and
manner — and the same shall from henceforth be called the lordshipp and man-
ner of Pelham ; and I doe hereby give and grant unto the said John Pell, his
heirs and assigns, ff"ull power and authority at all times hereafter, in the said
lordshipp and manner of Pelham aforesaid, one court leete and one court bar-
ren, to hold and keepe at such times and so often yearly as he and they shall
see meete, and all sines, issues and amerciaments at the said court leete and
court barren, to be holden and kept in the manner and lordship aforesaid, that
are payable from time to time, shall happen to be due and payable by and from
any the inhabitants of or within the said lordshipp and manner of Pelham
abovesaid ; and also all and every the powers and authorities herein before
mentioned, for the holding and keepeing of the said court leete and court bar-
ren, ffrom time to time, and to award and issue forth the costomary vi'ritts to
be issued and awarded out of the said court leete and court barren, and the
same to beare test and to be issued out in the name of the said John Pell, his
heirs and assigties, and the same court leete and court barren to be kept by
the said John Pell, his heirs and assignes, or his or their steward, deputed or
appoynted : and I doe further hereby give and grant unto the said John Pell,

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 539

his heirs and assignes, full power to distraine for all rents and other suras of
money payable by reason of the premises, and all other lawful remedys and
meanesforthe haveing, receiving, levying and enjoying the .said premises and
every part thereof, and all waifts, strayes, wrecks of the sease, deodands and
goods of ffellons happening and being within the said manner of Pelham, with
the advowson and right of patronage of all and every of the church and
churches in the said manner, erected and to be erected — to have and to hold
all and singular the said tract of land, islands and manner of Pelham, and all
and singular the above granted or mentioned to be granted premisses, with
their rights, members, jurisdictions, privileidges, heredaments and appurtenan-
ces, to the said John Pell, his heirs and assignes, to the only proper use, ben-
efitt and behoofe of the said John Pell, his heirs and assignes, for ever ; to be
holden of his most sacred Majestye, his heirs and successors, in free and com-
mon soccage, according to the tenure of East Greenwich, in the county of
Kent, in his Majestye's kingdom of England, yielding, rendering and praying
therefore yearly and every year for ever, unto his said Majestye, his heirs
and succesors, or to such officer or officers as shall from time to time be ap-
pointed to receive the same — twenty shillings, good and lawful money of this
province, at the citty of New Yorke, on the five and twentyth day of the
month of March, in lieu and stead of all rents, services and aemands whatso-
ever.

In testimony whereof, I have signed these presents with my handwriting,
caused the seale of the province to be thereunto affixed, and have ordained
that the same be entered upon record in the secretary's office, the five and
twentyeth day of October, in the third yeare of the Kinge Majestye's reigne,
and in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred eighty and seven. ^

Thomas Dongan,

» Co. Rec. Lib. A. 240, Alb. Book of Pat. No. ii. 306. The original document is
in the possession of Mrs> Maria Fay, of New York.

■/.

540 HISTORY OF THE

On the 20th of September, 16S9, John Pell, gentleman, and
Rachel his wife, for a valuable consideration, conveyed to Jacob
Leisler of New York, merchant, all that tract of land in the
manor of Pelham, (now called New Rochelle,) containing six
thousand acres, and also one hundred acres for the use of the
French church, &c. The grantees and his heirs yielding as an
acknowledgment therefore unto the said John Pell and his heirs
as lords of the manor of Pelham, one fat calf on the 24th day of
June, yearly.^

By a writ of summons served on the20ih of March, 1691, John
Pell was returned by the high sheriff to represent the county of
"Westchester in the Provincial Assembly.^ He was also judge of
the court of common pleas for this county.

The Hon. John Pell appears to have died intestate cir. 1700,
leaving issue by his wife Rachel Pinckney, two sons and several
daughters.

Thomas, the eldest son, as heir at law, became invested with
the inheritance and legal rights of his deceased father. By the
will of Thomas Pell, 3 July, 1739, he bequeathes all his rights to
his son Joseph Pell, whose son Joseph married his cousin Zipporah
Pell, daughter of John Pell ; the sons of the late Joseph Pell, last
mentioned, are Peter Pell of Eastchester, the eldest heir male
of the Pell family, and Abner lately deceased, besides three daugh-
ters. Thomas Pell of Eastchester, the son of Thomas, by his
will, dated A. D. 1753, "bequeathes his silver tankard and silver
tumbler that formerly belonged to his grandfather, John Pell, to
his son David Pell ; also the great bible. His executors he empow-
ers to execute good and sufficient deeds and conveyances of his
lands and remainders of the moneys which shall be arising from
the sale of one half of his farm lying in Eastchester, and the island
lying in ye manor of Pelham, and my right in lands lying within
ye patent at the north end of New Rochelle lands, &c., and to
dispose of my lands lying in Fairfield, Conn.^

A small portion of the ancient manor still remains vested in the

« See New Rochelle.
fc Smith's Hist. N.Y. 7.3.

« Surrogate's ofiice, N. Y. No. xviii. 46.3.

he last vulned gules. [Granted October 19th, 1594.]

Rev. and Hon. Jolin Pell, D. D. nat. Marcli, 1010, ob. Dec
]2, 1685 : buried in the Rector's vault at St. Giles'
Church, London.

=Mary.

kney,
ster.

Mary Pell, nat.
April 14, 1645.

=.... Honeywell.

Tam£ir=James Euslis.

Jose

17ii;=Mary Ann=Broadhurst. Mary=Sam'l Sands Sarah=Benj. Bathsheba^Theo-

Pal- philus

mer Bartow

Josepb-

ob.

3 j„, innali=Dr. Ste-

1827. ^^°s

Caleb Elijah Isila Ann_T.aw- Mary—Samuel

rence Rod-

man

Eupliemia

2
8

«<

nat 1752,

ob. wi.
cir. 51

q5'

Ward
2. Ann
Lewis

Major Samuel=

Col. David=Esther

1 1 1

> 2 S

S B9 P

ob. s. p. 2<Jih

nat 1760,

Snethen

if ci5 <<

Dec. 1786, aet.

ob Aug.

nat.

3-2.

1823

1769,
nb

p ..- ?

5 o P

Feb.

3 F ?"

23.

g ? ^

1842.

« 7 »

I I

.pL 5j ilip=Slby Roberts
mas T F

le ' .

Philip, of Pelliam.

g S z 2 g^

E. J5 '^ •

,- Mary

^ I Ship-
Quinb] igy_

Alf^red S. PeII=AdeIia, da.

I of Col. James

Fcrrig-

:Marianna
Channing

Gilbert=Eliia Birk-
beck, da. of Morris.

Robert L. Pfll,=Maria Lou- James—Sophia John Au- George W.
of f'elham, UI-- isa Brinck- Duane Pell gustus.
Bter Co. erhofT.

Rich-
ard M

•as."

3.P

S" ^ = 5«

S5 =i »
S ^ p =^

if • ^if

^ 1=

P ST

3 5

i A,

arlf

o 2
5.

p "-I

aa p

2: 3
if •

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 541

descendants of Philip Pell, Esq., fourth son of Thomas Pell, eld-
est son of John Lord Pell. Philip married Hannah Mott on the
5th of March, 1731.a The son of Philip and Hannah Pell, was
Philip Pell, who married Gloriana Trcdwell. Their issue was,
first the Hon. Phih'p Pell, judge advocate of the America army,
member of assembly and one of the best Greek scholars of that
day. His grandson is the present Philip Pell, of Pelham. The
second son was Major Samuel Pell of the second .\i w York regi-
ment who greatly distinguished himself at the memorable battle
of Saratoga. t>

The following epitaph is inscribed on his head stone in East-
chester church yard: ■ • . ■" .• _

Major Samuel Pell, *

ob. 29 Deer. 1786, ' '

in the 32nd year of his agn,

'' Thus after returning victoriou.s,"

from the field of Mars, he

cheerfully obeys the summons

of eternity from whence there

is no return. ■ . - . _.

The third son of Philip and Hanndi Pell, was Colonel David
Pell, an officer in the continental army; .this individual was the
father of Stephen Pell, of Pelham.

The descendants of Joshua Pell, third son of Thomas Pell,
eldest son and heir of John Lord Pell, are the Pells of New
York, and Robert L. Peil, Esq., of Pelham, Ulster County.

A beautiful valley borders the Acqueanouncke or Hutchinson's
river on the west side of the town. The Acqueanouncke or

a This marriage took place before the Quaker meeting assembled at Westbury,
L. I. The marriage certificate is signed by 2G witnesses ; among these occurs the
name of his brother Caleb Pell.

b For his services Major Samuel Pell received three hundred acres of bounty
land.

To face p«g8 541, vol. I. PEDIGREE OF PELL OF PELHAM.

Arms, ermine, on a canton, aiure, a pelican or, vulned gules. Crest, on a chaplet vert flowered, or, a pelican of the last vulned gules. [Granted October 19th, 1594.]

Juhn Pell, Esquire, of Norfolk Co , England,=Margaret Overend, da. of
jlasierof the King's Cup, ob. Feb. ia07. | William, of Norfolk-

Thomas Pell, Esquire, first proprietor=Lucy Brewster, of
of the Manor of Pelhain, nat. 1608, New Haven, Conn,
ob. 1669. Supposed to be buried at
Fairfield, Conn.

Rev. and Hon. .Tolin Pell, D. D. nat. March, ICIO, ob. Dec cJ*I«ry,
12, 1685 : buried in the Rector's vault at St, Giles' I

Church, London.

Hon. John Pell, first Lord of the Manor of Pelham,=Rachel Pinckney,
nat. 3d Feb. 1643, ob.cir. 1700. ( of Eastchester.

Mary Pell, nat.
April 14, 1645.

Thomas, second Lord of the Manor of Pelliam ;= Ann
will dated 1739, No. 18, 154. Sur, Rec'.N.Y. (

Tamar=;James Eustis.

Joseph, nat. 17M, ob— Phoihe. nat. 1720, Thomas, of Easlchester,=Dorothv,

1752 ; will dated | ob. 2-2d March, held land in i airfield, I

1753, No. 18. 1790. Buriedon will dated 1753, No.

the Borlow es- 18, 408.

late.

Joshua^Palmer.

Philip, of Pelham
will dated 1751,
No. 18, SO

Cnleb : will
dated
1768, No.
26, 259.

.1 I

~ Barlo\v,

Wm.

da of

Bai.

the Rev.

ley.

John.

Fhilip=r,!orian- M

I na r

Tredwell.'

=BroadImrst. Mary=Sam'l Sands Sarah=Benj. Bathsheba^The.

Isila Ann— l.aw-

Samuel James=Mary Thomas=: Roger,
Fowler will da- I
ted I7.J5
lib. 19, I

I I I I I

John, owned=Mary ^S^'^

the Schuy. - •, ^. -
ler Place.

ten.

II II X coir 'Ian

Tho-=Sarah Ja3=Ruth Sam- Maria=Thi

I . I

il I I I I M

Joshua=AbigaiI Ar-
ob. 1 clier, da.
1821. of Jona-

II II I II

=Elizabeth srS^lis
Archer =■ » 9 fi-.^ 3 g

jHifl

.11 I I II

James=Martha Pugsley Elijah —
I I

Quinby Isa. Stephen Da,=Re

. Mr. CalebsrMartha, Aaron=

ise wife of hia 1

uncle James I

James Muriimer

Renjamin=Ann Fer-
I ris, da.
of Elijah

Elijah,
N Y. City.

Hon. Philip^l. Mary Major Samuel= Col. Davidi=;Esther

Ward

2. Ann
Lewis

S 3 5=

^ f ?

if L ir

cir. 51

t»

0 1 ?
"of

ob.

s. p. 29th

nat 1760,

Dec

. 1786, Kt.

ob Aug.

32.

1823

Philip^Siby Roberts

Philip, of Pelham.

? ^

Willis
of Ne'
York.ob.
Oct. 1841.

F-=Mary
Ship-
ley.

Robert L. Pell,
o( Pelham, Ul-

=Maria Lou- James— Sophia John Au- Georg'
is.n Brinck- Duane Pell gustus.
erhofr.

I I I I I

= 3 — :5 3-3 5
'»= alf S- ?; i

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 541

descendants of Philip Pell, Esq., fourth son of Thomas Pell, eld-
est son of John Lord Pell. Pliilip married Hannah Mott on the
5th of March, 1731. a The son of Phih'p and Hannah Pell, was
Philip Pell, who married Gloriana Tredwell. Their issue was,
first the Hon. Phih'p Pell, judge advocate of the America army,
member of assembly and one of the best Greek scholars of that
day. His grandson is the present Philip Pell, of Pelham. The
second son was Major Samuel Pell of the second .N' w York regi-
ment who greatly distinguished himself at the memorable battle
of Saratoga.^

The following epitaph is inscribed on his head stone in East-
chester church yard :

Major Samuel Pell,
ob. 29 Deer. 1786,

in the 32nd year of his age.

" Thus after returning victorious,"

from th.e field of Mars, he

cheerfully obeys the summons

of eternity from whence there

is no return.

The third son of Philip and Hanmdi Pell, was Colonel David
Pell, an officer in the continental army ; .this individual was the
father of Stephen Pell, of Pelham.

The descendants of Joshua Pell, third son of Thomas Pell,
eldest son and heir of John Lord Pell, are the Pells of New
York, and Robert L. Pell, Esq., of Pelham, Ulster County.

A beautiful valley borders the Acqueanouncke or Hutchinson's
river on the west side of the town. The Acqueanouncke or

a This marriage took place before the Quaker meeting assembled at Westbury,
L. I. The marriage certificate is signed by 2G witnesses ; among these occui-s the
name of his brother Caleb Pell.

b For his services Major .Samuel Pell received three hundred acres of bounty
land.

542 HISTORY OF THE

more properly the Acquacknonncke (an Indian name, descriptive
of the red cedar tree,) rises in the town of Scarsdale, upon the
Jands of Isaac Adriance.

Pelham Dale, the property of James Hay, Esq,, is delightfully
situated near the jnnction of the salt and fresh waters of the
Aqneanouncke. This estate formerly belonged to Col. David
Pell, and, upon the division of his property, was purchased by
the present proprietor. Mr. Hay is a descendant of James Hay,
Esq., a of Netherinch, Scotland, who joined the army of Prince
Charles Edward in 1745, and was wounded at the ^'fight of
Falkirk:' After his death, his family retired to Shetland. The
dwelling house is a handsome structure of stone, and commands
a beautiful view of Hutchinson's River, together with the dis-
tant village and spire of Eastchester. The garden contains a
choice collection of trees and shrubs, and is also enlivened by a
running stream. About half a mile further up the valley is sit-
uated the Race Field, once famous in the annals of the turf.
The Pell family, however, appear to have been its principal sup-
porters, and it has long since fallen into disuse. A little south of
this spot, the New Haven Railroad crosses the vale. A grand
feature in this beautiful valley is an extensive range of forest
commonly called the Pelham woods. On the margin of the
East River Creek, in this town, is situated the Shrubbery, the
residence of George Prevost, Esq., son of the late Major George
William Prevost. This place was formerly the property of Joshua
Pell, Esq., whose son Joshua sold it to Colonel Aaron Burr, from
whom it passed by purchase to his step son, Frederick Prevost. ^
The latter subsequently conveyed it to Major Prevost. The
Prevosts were originally from Geneva, in Switzerland, being des-
cended from Major General George Prevost, of that place, who
married Anne, daughter of the Chevalier Grand, of Amsterdam^
Holland. The father of the late proprietor was Major General
Augustine Prevost, brother of Lieut. Gen. Sir George PrevostJ

» James Hay, Esq., is buried in Kilsyth churchyard, Scotland,
b Frederick Prevost was the son of Frederick Prevost, Esq., by his wife, Theodo-
flia Bartow, This lady afterwards marrieJ CjI. Aaron Burr.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 543

Baronet, Governor General and Commander-in-chief of the Bri-
tish North American colon ies.* The brothers of the late propri-
etor were Col. Augustine Prevost, lost at sea; Capt. Henry Pre-
vost, who fell in the storming of Albufeira, Porlngal, and Capt.
James Prevost, who was killed in the storming of Ciudad Rodri-
go, in Spain. Mr. Stephen Pell's residence and store is at a little
distance on the north. The following item relates to the old mill
that formerly stood in this vicinity :

" April, 1726, Joseph Fowler is permitted to erect a dam or
mill on the creek that runs between Mr. PelVs and Eastchester,
at a certain place commonly called and known by the town land,
provided he makes room for the water to be drawn off the mea-
dows and for the canoes to pass."b

On the heights of Pelham, overlooking the village of East-
chester, stands the residence of Mrs. Hinman, daughter of Col.
James Pell, former proprietor. From the records of the Court of
Chancery, it appears that Colonel Pell's property originally con-
sisted of four hundred and forty acres. His last will was re-
corded in 1790. Nearly opposite this place, a road pursues the
eastern side of the heights towards Pelham Neck. This road
passes, on the left, Woodside, the residence of Mr. B. S. Collins.
From this place, many pleasant views of the valley and adjacent
country are obtained, with the meanderings of the Aquea-
nouncke, on its way to the Sound.

Pelham Neck, a portion of the southern extremity of this town,
(as has been shown,) was formerly called Ann Hook's Neck —
subsequently Pell's Point and Rodman's Neck. Betbre entering
the Neck, on the high ground to the west stands the residence of
Richard Morris, Esq., commanding a pretty bay on the east, and
some fine woodland scenery on the northwest. Upon the north-
east side of the Neck lies the " Indian bnr7/i?io--g-round,'^ aUeady
alluded to. In fact, the whole of the Neck appears to have been
used by the Indians for the purposes of sepulture : in proof of this
their remains have been found in almost every part of it. The

« Ancestor of the Rev. Sir George Prevost, of Belmont, Hampshire, England.
b Eastchester Rec.

544 HISTORY OF THE

largest proportion of mounds, however, are situated on the
grounds of the late Georo^e Rapelje. This individual's father.
Rem Rapelje, purchased the property of the Rodman famil7,
the Rodmans having: obtained it through the marriage of Sam-
uel Rodman, with Mary Pell, daughter of Caleb PeH. The
residence of the late Mr. Rapelje is occupied by Peter Brincker-
hoti', Esq. ; it is beautifully situated near the eastern shore of the
Neck. This spot is celebrated for extensive views of the Sound.
The interior of the mansion possesses some good paintings ;
the whole collection is well worthy the attention of the connois-
seur.

Hawks' Wood, the residence of the late Elisha King, Esq.,^
now occupied by his widow, adjoins the Rapelje property on the
south. The house is built of stone, in the Grecian style, and
presents a fine front of columns to the water. The beauty of the
scenery in this vicinity is greatly heightened by the close prox-
imity of City Island and the richly wooded shores of the Point.
The grounds, containing a great variety of choice trees, were laid
out by the celebrated gardener, Andre Parmentier.

Pelham Neck is terminated by the property of Mr. Samuel
Bowne.^ Perhaps the finest view of City Island and the adja-
cent waters are to be had from this portion of the Point. It de-
serves to be mentioned, that this district affords a favorite haunt
for the fish hawk, (Falco Halitsetus,) whose nests may be seen in
the lofty summits of the venerable oaks and chesnuts which
abound on the Neck and neig?iboring shores.

'• These birds are greatly respected, and a kind of superstition
prevails that it is a lucky omen if one builds on the farm. The
nest is an immense fabric of rotten sticks —

' Itself a burden for the tallest tree.' "

They subsist altogether on the finny tribes that swim in the

■ For a full account of the King family, see Thompson's Hist, of Long Island,
b On the site of Mr. Bowne's dwelling house, stood the residence of Thomas
Pell, first proprietor of the manor.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 545

bays and creeks adjacent,, procuring their prey by their own ac-
tive skill and industry."

"The regular arrival of this noted bird at the vernal equinox,
when the busy season of fishing commences, adds peculiar in-
terest to its first appearance, and procures it many a benediction
from the fishermen."

" Soon as the sun, great ruler of the year,''
Bends to our northern chnnes his bright career,
And from the caves of Ocean calls from sleep
The finny shoals and myriads of the deep ;
When freezing tempests back to Greenland ride,
And day and night the equal hours divide ;
True to the season, o'er our sea-beat shore,
The sailing Osprey high is seen to soar
With broad, unmoving wing ; and, circling slow,
Marks each loose straggler in the deep below,
Sweeps down like lightning ! plunges with a roar I
And bears his struggling victim to the shore.

The long-housed fisherman beholds, with joy,
The well-known signal of his rough employ ;
And, as he bears his nets and oars alon^.
Thus hails the welcome season with a song : —

THE FISHERMAN'S HYMN.

The Osprey sails above the Sound ;
The geese are gone, the gulls are flying ;
The herring shoals swarm thick around ;
The nets are launched, the boats are plying.
Yo, ho, my hearts ! let's seek the deep,
Raise high the song, and cheerly wish her,
Still as the bending net we sweep,
" God bless the fish hawk and the fisher."

She brings us fi.sh — she brings us Spring,
Good times, fair weather, warmth, and plenty ;
Fine store of shad, trout, herrings, ling,
Sheeps-head and drum, and old-wives' dainty.
Yo, ho, my hearts ! let's seek the deep,
Ply every oar, and cheerly wish her,
Vol. I. 69

546 HISTORY OF THE

Still as the bending net we sweep,
" God bless the fish hawk and the fisher."

She rears her j'oung on yonder tree ;
She leaves her faithful mate to mind 'em ;
Like us, for fish, she sails to sea,
And, plunging, shows us where to find 'era.
Yo, ho, my hearts ; let's seek the deep,
Ply every oar, and cheerly wish her,
While the slow-bending net we sweep,
" God bless the fish hawk and the fisher."»

In May, 1755, a public ferry appears to have been established
between Ann-hooks neck, and Gravtlly or Cedar Tree brook, on
the north side of the East river and Hanipstead harbor, and
Matagariesons bay on the opposite shore, under such regulations
as had been usual and custoniary, " The patentees were Samuel
Rodman, owner and proprietor of a tract of land lying on Pell's
neck, in the county of Westcliester, adjoining upon and extend-
ing along the East river about one mile and a half, and John
"NVooley owner and proprietor of a certain tract in the township
of Hampstead in Queens county, on Nasscau Island, opposite to
the landing place on the said Samuel Rodman's plantation, ad-
joining upon and extending along the said river about half a
mile.''b

It was upon Pelham neck that the British forces landed, Octo-
ber ISth, 1776, ten days previous to the battle of White Plains.
Two days prior to the eneniies landing, General Heath informs
us " that the general officers of the Anierican army rode to re-
connoitre the ground at Pell's neck, &c., and it was determined
that the position of the American army should be immediately
changed ; the left flank to be extended more northerly, to prevent
its being turned by the British, <■- who were at this time posied on
Tlirogmorion's neck." " On the 18th of October, (Gen. Heath con-
tinues) the wind was now fresh at south-west, the British crossed
to the other side of Frogs neck, embarked on board their boats,

» Wilson's AmKfican Ornithology, pag*> 334.
b Alb. Rec. Book of Pat. No. xvi-
« Gen, Heath's Mem. 71.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 547

crossed over the cove, landed on Pell's neck, and moved briskly
upwards. Three or fonr of the American regiments advanced
towards them and took a good position beliind a stone fence.
When the British had advanced sutficiently near, they gave thcni
a pretty close fire, which checked them, and even obliged them
to fall back ; but being immediately supported, they returned
vigorously to the charge. The action was sharp, for a short time ;
but the Americans were soon obliged to give way to superior
force. Shepard's, Read's, Baldwin's, and Glover's regiments had
the principal share in this action. The Americans had between
thirty and forty men killed and wounded ; among the latter Col.
Shepard, in the throat, not mortally, although the ball came well
nigh effecting instant death. The loss of the British was not
known, but must have been considerable. They advanced al-
most to New Rochelle, and halted. The American army ex-
tended its left."'^

We copy the following from the Diary of President Styles:

Camp at Mile Square, E. Chester, 23 Oct. 1776.
" Friday morning last, the ISth, we were alarmed, and the ene-
my landed at Rodman's Point, (a place about four miles from our
encampment,) with their whole force, the brigade under the com-
mand of Col. Glover consisting of about 700 men, one regiment
being absent for guard. We tnarched down towards the plac-e
where the enemy were advancing with a body of 1600, with a very
large artillery train. The first attack was made by a small party
on their advance guard. We were effectually routed, and forced
to retreat to the main body, who, when they came up, were fired
upon by two regiments advantageously posted, Col. Glover's and
Major Lee's, who behaved gallantly; we brought many of them
to the ground. I' Thus we continued fighting them and retreat-
ing the whole afternoon, until they came to a stand, where they
now remain, except stretching along down towards Connecticut,
I suppose for forage. Our men behaved like soldiers, conformed

a Heath's Mem. pp. 73, 73.

b Balls and brass ornaments are frequently found on the heijjlits of Pelliam.
Near the residence of James Hay, Esq., part of a soldier's belt was discovered
marked 16th Regiment.

548 HISTORY OF THE

to the orders of their officers, and retreated in grand order. Our
loss is about nine or ten killed, and about thirty wounded. People
may think what they please of the regular and spirited behavior
of the British troops, but I that day was an eye witness to the
contrary ; I saw as great irregularity almost as in a militia regi-
ment. They would run out from the body and fire single guns.
As to their courage, the whole body of the 16th were forced to
return by the fire of a single regiment, and many of them old
troops. The fourth regiment was one that ran, and had we been
reinforced with half their numbers might have totally defeated
them.

"The next day General Lee (under whose command we are,)
came and publicly returned his thanks to Colonel Glover and the
officers and soldiers under his command for their noble spirited
and soldier like conduct during the battle."**

North Castle, October 29/A, 1776.
''We have secured and encamped on every hill and dale, be-
tween this and New York, last Friday week, (I8th.) Our whole
brigade that then lay at Eastchester under command of Colonel
Glover was ordered to oppose the progress of a large body of the
enemy, then landing at Rodman's Point.^ Three regiments
were ordered to pass a causeway, (the only passage,) and march
to oppose them, and our regiment with three pieces of artillery
was posted on an eminence overlooking the causeway, to secure
a retreat for the others, and prevent the enemy from advancing.
Colonel Glover so posted the three other regiments in the wood
that they annoyed the enemy greatly. But discovering that they
had determined to flank them he ordered a retreat. We had six
or seven killed and about eighteen wounded. The enemies' loss
about one hundred and forty or one hundred and fifty. After
the skirmish we retreated to Mile Square, where we lay encamped
till Friday, (25th Oct.) when with the remainder of General

• Diary of President Styles, Library of Yale College, vol. vi.

b The British grenadiers and light infantry (says Stedinan,) landed October 18th,
177fi, on Pell's Point, ten days before the battle of White Plains. The Hessians
under Knypliauseu landed on Davenport's neck.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 549

Lee's, joined the main body of the American army at "White
Plains.''^

There are several islands belonging to this town lying opposite
the southern extremity of Pelham neck, which add much to the
beauty of the Sound scenery. The principal of ilicsc is Great
Minnefords^ or City Island. We have shown that upon the
llih of December, 1685, John Pell sold Great Minneford's Island,
sometimes called Mulberry Island, to John Smith of Bruldand.
The principal proprietors of the island in 1700 were William
Euerden and Gabriel Umbriel. '• Upon the 27th of May, Robert
Monckton, governor of the province, laid out for Benjamin Pal-
mer and others the breadth of four hundred feet of the ground or
soil now lying under the water, round the east side south, and
part of the west side of a certain island lying in the Sound or
East river, in the manor of Pelham, &c., called and known by
the name of Minnefords Island. The petitioners on this occasion
appear to have been David Hunt, Jonathan Fowler, Caleb Hunt,
Edward Ward, Samuel Ward, John Wooley, Isaac Barnes,
Enoch Hunt, Joseph Muliineux, James Lewis, Aaron Hunt,
Benjamin Palmer, Joseph Palmer, Samuel Le Roux, and many
other persons, proprietors of iVIinnefords Island, ^ &c."

The above right is now vested in Des Brosses Hunter, Esq.
the state having sold it some years since for quit rent to an in-
dividual from whom Mr. Hunter purchased.

At an early period of our colonial history the erection of a
large commercial city was proposed upon this island. The at-
tempt was actually commenced, but is hasty projectors were
soon compelled to seek a less exposed and more eligible site.
From this circumstance the place acqin'red its present name.
City Island. Flagging stones are frequently met with on various
parts of the island. One of the principal proprietors is George
W. Horton. On the north-west side reside the family of the late
Thomas Pell, fifth in descent from John Pell, Esq., lord of the
manor of Pelham.

» Diary of President Styles.

b This word invariably occurs in the fjcnitivc, (Minneford's Island) from which
we infer that it was originally the name of its Indian proprietor.
• See docket on file at office of Secretary of State.

550 HISTORY OF THE

During the Revolutionary war, the island was greatly exposed
to the enemy's shipping.

'•' On the 27th of Angnst, 1776, early in the morning, (says Gen.
Heath.) two ships and a brig came to anchor a little above Frog
Point. Our general immediately detached Col. Graham with
his regiment, to prevent their landing to phinder or burn. Be-
fore he arrived several barges full of men landed on New City
Island and killed a number of cattle. Two companies of the
regiment immediately on their arrival ferried over to the island.
The enemy carried off one man and fourteen cattle ; the remain-
der of the cattle were secured."*

"30th of January, 1777, (observes the same authority,) the
storm cleared up, when jfifteen ships, one brig, two schooners,
and two sloops came to^ between Hart and City Island. They
were from the eastward, and were supposed to have troops on
board.' ^

Hart Island lies to the east of the former.

In 1774, Oliver de Lancey was seized in demesne as of fee of
all that certain island, situate and being in Long Island Sound,
commonly called Spectacle^ or Hart Island, or one of the Min-
neford Idands, containing eighty-five acres. From Oliver de
Lancey it passed to the Rodmans and Haights. The latter sold
it to the present proprietor, John Hunter, Esq. The south-west
end of the island affords a safe anchorage for the river shipping,
during the prevalence of south-easterly storms. High Island, is
situated near the south shore of Pel ham neck. The Narrows
between Hart and City Islatid and the Blauzes are much fre-
quented by vast flocks of wild ducks. The varieties consist
principally of the old wife, broad bill, coot, black duck and
whistler. In the fall of 1846, 1000 ducks are said to liave been
shot here, in the course of six hours.

The Pelham bridge, sometimes called the Eastchester creek
bridge, communicates with the neck and the Westchester shore.
This place is well known as a favorite resort for anglers. When

• Heath's Mem. p. 55, 56.
t Heath's Mem. p. 113.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 661

the tide serves, fish of various kinds and ])arlicularly the
largest sized bass are taken. Oil the 3d of June, 1844, Mr.
Benjamin Fowler captured a striped bass,weighirig sixty-three
pounds. When measured it was found to be four feet six inches
long. A single steak of this fish weighed eight pounds. Des
Brosses Hunter, Esq., also caught a bass liere weighing fifty
pounds.

During the summer of 1841, a bass drifted on the neighboring
beach, weighing forty-three pounds. Mr. yVlbert Woodhull vviili
a trolling line captured a fish in these waters, whose weight was
thirty-six pounds, and Mr. Geo. Cox Furman, with a reel, another
weighing twenty-one pounds. In the fall of 1838, the proprietor
of the bridge informed me, that 769 bass of various sizes were
taken at this place by angling. September and October are con-
sidered the best fishing months. Sheeps head are also occasion-
ally taken here. A few years since a monstrous seal was shot
in the bay, opposite the bridge, w^eighing eight hundred pounds.
Pelham bridge was originally commenced by a company of
gentlemen in the immediate neighborhood, who after sustaining
severe losses, were compelled to relinquish the enterprize, which
it was reserved for the late George Rapelje, Esq. to complete.
The bridge has since been purchased cf his heirs, and is now
rented by Benjamin Fowler, Jun., who bears (like his father) an
admirable character for the manner in which he sustains this
favorite haunt of the angler.

From the bridge there is a most extensive view of Kulchinson^s
bay, terminated only by the shores of Long Island, the fertile
valley through which the Aqueanounck winds on its passage to
the former and the heights of AV est Chester. On the south-cast
shore of Pelham is situated the estate of Robert Bartow, Esq.
This property was once a portion of the estate of Thomas Pell,
proprietor of the manor, eldest son and heir of Jolin Lord Pell.

In March, 1790, Thomas Pell, grand-son of the above Thomas
and Phebe his wite, conveyed the same to John Bartow,^ and
Ann Pell his wife, grand-parents of the present owner.

• The father of John was Theophilus Bartow, wh.o married Balhsheba Pell,
daughter of Thomas Pell the proprietor.

• ■■ >.

552 HISTORY OF THE

The dwelling house which is constructed of native stone pre-
sents a fine Grecian front to the road, with wings on the east
and west.

The old manor house was pulled down many years since. It
stood south-west of the present residence.

In a small cemetery south of the former, repose the remains of
the Pell family. The oldest monument legible bears the follow-
ing inscription.

Her is the
Body of Jo-
seph Pell,
Eged 31,
D. 1752.
The figure of a rude cherub with out-stretched wings sur-
mounts the epitapii.

The family of Drake and others have monuments erected here.
On the estate is one of the largest and finest oak trees in the
country, interesting as the very tree beneath \\hich the Indian
sachems ceded these lands to Thom.as Ptll, on the 14th of Nov-
ember, 1654.

" What tales, if there were tongues in trees,
That giant oak could tell." — Alnwick Castle.

The adjoining estate, Oak-shade, is the property of James A.
Suydam, Esq. The house is a very beautiful specimen of the
Italian villa style. The south front commands a fine view of
Pelham neck and the Sound.

The residence of Isaac Coles, Esq., is also finely situated and
embraces every variety of water view. But the most to be ad-
mired in this situation is the good taste with which art has added
her charms to those of nature ; the grounds being tastefully laid
out to the water's edge, and embellished with extensive green
and fruit houses.

Hunter's Island is connected with the main by a stone cause-
way and bridge. The mansion which is situated about the
centre of the island, has the most commanding views of the vi-
cinity. It is constructed of stone with wings on the east and
west. The south front presents a collonade of the Ionic order,

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 553

from which aa extensive and delightful prospect presents itself
to the eye. Before you is a fine belt of woods, to the east a
boundless expanse of water, while on the south-west a lovely
' bay stretches towards Pelham neck and Throgmorton's Point.
These features render it one of the most beautiful spots on the
river. The north front of the house overlooks the winding
creek and distant woods of Pelham.

The principal rooms, together with a large picture gallery
are hung around with an extensive collection of paintings by the
best masters. To enumerate the whole would be unnecessary,
we shall therefore, briefly mention the most pre-eminent. A
Madonna and child, by Raffaele. In this picture may be re-
marked, that grace and simplicity of style, by which the prince
of painters is distinguished. A landscape, by Poussin. A St.
Cecilia, by Domenichino. This painting displaj^s the greatness of
expression and force of relief so peculiar to that artist. It is re-
lated of Domenichino, that when his friends were persuading
him to finish his works with less labor, and in this respect to
follow the example of his contemporaries, he replied : '' I work for
myself alone, and for the perfection of the art." Landscapes, by
Salvator Rosa.

The reading of the recovered books of the law, to King Josiah.
2 Kings, xxii. 8, 9, by Rembrandt.

Presentation in the Temple, — Paul Veronese. Landscape, —
Cuyp. Moonlight, water view, — Yandervelde. The guard room,
— Teniers. Merry making scene, — Ostade. The wise and fool-
ish virgins, Matthew xxv. — Ottovenius. Beheading of John
the Baptist, by Rubens, a pupil of the above artist. Oliver
Cromwell and his favorite daughter, Mary, Countess of Faucon-
berg. — by Vandyck. This lady. Bishop Burnet describes as " a
wise and worthy woman, and one more likely to have maintained
the post of protector, than either of her brothers.''^ Sea storm, —
Vernet. x4n Ecce Homo, — Carlo Dolci. Holy family, — xVndrea del

a Burke's Hist. Landed Gent. vol. I. 432.

Vol. L 70

^J'

554 HISTORY OF THE

Sarto. Several fine hunting pieces by Snyders. Portrait — Albert
Diirer. Pillaging party, — Wouvermans. An Italian Lazaroni, —
Vonlaer. A portrait of James Rivington, printer of the Royal
Gazette, and supposed spy of General Washington, — Stuart.
The paintings have been collected with great judgment, and con-
stitute one of the best private collections in the United States.

In 1743, this island and twenty acres on the main, were in
possession of Joshua Pell, Esq., from whom the former
passed to the Hunts and Hendersons. The latter family con-
veyed it to the present proprietor. The island embraces an area
of 250 acres to which may be added Mr. Hunter's property on the
main, consisting of five hundred and fifty acres, also Hart and
Flatt islands. Large quantities of fish are constantly taken in
the waters south of the island. A thousand weight have been
captured in one morning with a fyke net. The no nation reefs
diVidi green fiats, Xy'mg nearly south of the island, are also well
known fishing places.^

The Hunter family is originally from the county of Ayrshire,
Scotland ; two houses of that name having existed in that
country for many centuries. The surname says Robertson "is
obviously derived from the chase, before the use of fixed family
names, as at present. Thus Johne le Hunter de la Forester de
Paisley, the Hunter of Stragrife, appears in the Scottish^ rolls.

The father of the present proprietor was Robert Hunter of
Armagh county, Ireland, whose ancestors emigrated thither from
Scotland cir. the beginning of the seventeenth century.

The Hon. John Hunter, has for many years represented this
district in the senate ; and, in 1846, was chosen a member of the
convention for revising the state constitution.

The residence of Elbert Roosevelt, Esq., is pleasantly situated
on the side of the Sound, and has fine views of Long Island and
the surrounding shores. This family is of Dutch extraction; and

» On the southeast end of the island, is situated the Indian rock Mishow, while
on the east lies (he well known boulder, called the Grey Mare.
b Burke's Ilisl. of the Landed Gent. vol. II. 500,

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

555

claim descent from Olaes Martensze van Roosevelt,^ a native of
Holland, and first of the name who came to America.

The residence of the Rev. lloiiert Bolton, Pelham.

The last object worthy of notice in this vicinity is the resi-
dence of the Rev. Robert Bolton. ^ The house, which is of
stone, aifords a good specimen of the old English style, and ac-
cords well with its romantic situation. The building has two
towers, affording splendid views, in which wood and water are
beautifully blended. The interior arrangements correspond with
the style of the house, and carry the mind back to days of old.
There are some family pictures, by Etty, of the Royal Academy
of England. There is also an original portrait of Bunyan, for-
merly in the possession of the Rev. George Whitefield. The
library contains the original Italian edition of Piranesi, collected
for Napoleon, bearing his initial, and surmounted by the imperial
crown. This extraordinary work on ancient and modern Rome
consists of forty two volumes royal quarto. Also a copy of
Macklin's Bible, the largest ever printed, in six volumes royal

«^ Literally, Nicolas, the son of Martin of the Rose-field. The son of this indi-
vidual was Nicolas, whose son Johannes was the grandfather of Cornelius, father
of Elbert Roosevelt, Esq., of Pelham.

b A native of Savannah, Georgia, and son of Robert Bolton, Esq, a merchant
of that place.

556 HISTORY OF THE

quarto ; a copy of Elliot's Indian Testament, said to be the first
work '•' written and published in the present United States,"
printed at Cambridge, Massachusetts, A.D. 1661, by Samuel
Green, the first printer in America. When Elliott had finished
this translation, he wrote in his diary — '-N. B. Prayer, faith and
patience can perform wonders." Here is also a valuable cabinet
of coins, collected by the Rev. Bryan Hill, rector of Hodnet,
Shropshire, England : among the most interesting are those of
Alexander the Great, Caesar Augustus, and a series of Roman
and ancient English. Among the medals of the Popes is the
celebrated one of Adrian the Sixth, upon the reverse of which is
the idolatrous inscription, " Gluem creant Adorant" — whom we
create, 2ce adore. There is also a good collection of autographs,
the oldest of which is that of Henry VII. The signatures of
Elizabeth, with her Council, and of her successor, Queen Mary,
are worthy of notice ; also those of Oliver Cromwell and Rich-
ard Cromwell, presented by the late Ohver Cromwell. ^ We
have also to notice, in this collection, an original of Addison's
Spectator, and a letter of Pope's, never before published, addressed
to Lord Bathurst. Our readers, we are sure^ will be pleased with
its insertion.

London, July 5.
My Lord —

To say a word in praise either of your wood or you, would be alike im-
pertinent, each being, in its kind, the finest thing I know, and the most agree-
able. I can only tell you very honestly, (without a word of the high timber of
the one, or the high qualities of the other,) that I thought it the best company
I ever knew, and the best place to enjoy it in.

I came hither but this day, where I find as much business aa 1 left pleasure.
1 wish it would last as short a time, that I might return to you before you quit
Cirencester, but I really see no prospect of ending what I must necessarily do,
in less than a fortnight. Mr, Gay is as zealously carried to the bower by the
force of imagination as ever Don Quixote was to an enchanted castle. The
wood is to him the cave of Montesinos. He has already planted it with
myrtles, and peopled it with nymphs. The old woman of the peasantry ap-
pears already an Urganda,and there wants nothing but a crystal rivulet to purl

» The late Oliver Cromwell, of Chesunt Park, England, was the last direct
male descendant of the Protector.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 557

through the shades, which might be large enough to allay Mr. Lewis's great
thirst after water.

But, my Lord, I beg you to be comforted. Gay promises, that whatever
may be said by the prose-men of this age, posterity shall believe there was
water in Okely wood, and (to speak boldly) wood also.

A wood ? quoth Lewis — and with that,
He laughed, and shook his sides so fat ;
His tongue (with eye that marked his cunning)
Thus fell a reasoning, not a running.

Woods are (not to be too prolix)
Collective bodies of strait sticks ;
It is, my Lord, a mere conundrum
To call things woods for what grows und'r 'em ;
For shrubs, when nothing else at top is,
Can only constitute a coppice.
But if you will not take my word,
See anno, quart of Edward Third ;
And that they're coppice called, when dock'd,
Witness ann. prim, of Henry Oct.
If this a wood you will maintain,
Merely because it is no plain,
Holland (for all that I can see)
Might e'en as well be termed the sea;

And C by be fair harangu'd.

An honest man, because not hang'd.

The rest of Mr. Lewis's arguments I have forgotten ; for as 1 am deter-
mined to live in the wood, I am likewise resolved to hear no reasons against
it. I have made a coup de maitre upon my mother in persuading her to pass
a month or two at Stanton Harcourt, in order to facilitate my journies to her
from Cirencester. And I will not fail to be with you whatever time you shall
pass there in August.

I beg to be informed when your lordship comes to Richkins, by the first
message you send to London, directed to Jervas's. I have only to add my
most faithful services to the ladies ; to desire Mr. Lewis to think as well of me
as he can of a man that writes verses half the year ; and to beg your lord-
ship to believe I love you so very well as to be ashamed to find no better ex-
pression for myself than that of, my lord,
I Your most obedient,

and most humble servant,

A. Pope.

Also a note of Cowper's, one of Chaiterton, Lord Nelson, Na-

558 HISTORY OF THE

poleon, Sir Christopher Wren, Percy, the author of the ballads.
Bishop Burnet, Kosciusko, &c., &c. Among the American auto-
graphs are those of William Penn and his sons, the proprietors
of Pennsylvania, Francis Lovelace, Governor of New York in
1671, Jonathan Edwards, Increase and Cotton Mather, Wash-
ington, La Fayette, Franklin, Jefferson, Schuyler, Sterling, Ar-
nold, and various other eminent characters.

The terrace in front of the house forms a fine promenade.
The gardens are laid out in the French, and landscape styles.
The grounds are ornamented with natural walks leading to
various objects of interest, among which deserves to be noticed
the ^^ rocking stone^^ This natural curiosity is a rock suppos-
ed to weigh about twenty tons, so nicely poised that

" A stripling's arm can sway
A mass no host could move."

At a short distance from the house stands a neat Gothic
church of stone. This edifice was erected in 1843, and conse-
crated to the service of Almighty God, by the name and style of
Christ Church, Pelham, on the 15th of October, the same year.b
The act of incorporation bears date 25th of September, 1843.
Richard Morris and Henry Grenzebach, wardens, Isaac Rosevelt,
George F. Mills, John Jay Bolton, William Jay Bolton, Peter N.
King, Jacob Le Roy, Cornelius Winter Bolton, and Robert Bol-
ton, Jun., vestrymen. The Rev. Robert Bolton is the first and
present incumbent.

The bell of Spanish manufacture was presented to the church
by Lydig Suydam, Esq. It carries a Latin inscription and
weighs 156 pounds. The communion plate was the gift of Mrs.
C. L. Spencer. It bears the following inscription " Christ
Churchy Pelham, May llth, 1844." A chalice has also been

a Rocking stones were called •'' rogan stones" by the Saxons, from the old Saxon
principal of the verb " rogg," to shake, which is used by the poet Chaucer. " And
him she roggeth and awaketh soft." — Legend of Good Women.

b By an instrument of donation, dated the same day, the rector appropriated and
devoted the church to the worship and service of Almighty God, the Father, the
Son and the Holy Ghost, according to the provisions of the Protestant Episcopal
Church in the United States of America, See, &c.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 559

presented by Miss G. C. VeW,^ inscribed with the appropriate
motto, " This do in remembrance of niey The font was pre-
sented by Miss M. H. Clark, the chandeliers by Miss Emma
Gaerard, and the service books by Gerard iis Clark, Esq. The
chancel window is a beautiful specimen of stained glass, repre-
senting the adoration of the Magi. Matthew, ii. 11.
From the town records we take the following extracts.

" At a town meeting held at the school house in the town of Pelham, on
Tuesday the seventh day of April, 1801, for the purpose of electing town
officers for the said town to serve the ensuing year, the following persons
were appointed to the following offices and places," viz.

Philip Pell, supervisor.

David J. Pell, town clerk.

David J. Pell,

William Bayley, \ assessors.

Joshua Huestis,

Philip Pell,

John Bartow, ^ commissioners of Highways.

William Bayley,

Joshua Huestis, overseer of highways, for the within district of the town,

to extend as far north till it come to the gate between the farms of Mr. John

Bartow and Charles Turnbull deceased, and Elijah Horton, overseer of the

highways of the northern district of the town, as far north till it comes to the

before mentioned gate.

Elijah Horton, } r»i

r^ ■^ n r 3 } overseers of the poor.

George Crawford, S

Jesse Mullinex, ~\

Joshua Huestis, I r

-I-,, . , TT ^ ' > fence viewers.

Elijah Horton, [

Esaie Guion, J

David J. Pell, > ,

T i\T ir t pound masters.

Jesse Mullinex, ^ ^

Philip Pell,
John Bartow,
Alexander Anderson,

William Bayley, )■ commissioners of schools.

Isaie Guion,
' Rem Rapalje,

John Williams,

Joseph Bayley, constable and collector.

The Pelham infant school, erected in 1S45, is an interesting
specimen of Saxon architecture. It was opened May, 1845, and
at present numbers from eighty to ninety stated scholars.

a This lady is a lineal descendant of John Pell, second lord of the manor of Pelham.

4935

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Full text of "A history of the county of Westchester, from its first settlement to the present time"

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