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THE 


HISTORY 


OF 
THE SEVERAL TOWNS, MANORS, AND PATENTS 


OF THE 


COUNTY OF VVESUCHESTER. 


FROM 


Lis, “FIRS? SERELEMENT 


TO THE 


PRESEN i-PEME.. 


Carefully Revised by tts Author. 


By THE Late Rev. ROBERT BOLTON, 


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


EDITED BY THE REv. C. W. BOLTON, Nerw RocHELLE. 


VOLUME II. 


“It ts the privilege of History to impart the experience of age, without its infirmi- 
ties ; 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’’—POULSON’S 
Hist. OF HOLDERNESS. 


NEW YORK: 
CHAS. F. ROPER, 27 RosE STREET. 
1881. 


Vous FE 


fae 2OWwWN 


OF 


S57. IN Lib GC: 


This township is bounded on the East and South by Mount Pleasant, 
(of which it once formed a part,”) 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 included within the honour and 
fee of Philipsburgh. 

Ossin-ing, the proper Indian orthography of the word variously 
written Sin-sing, Sing Sing, Sin Sinck and Sink Sink, is derived from 
ossin, (a stone) and ing (a place) or “stone upon stone:”4—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 General 
Kieft in Fort Amsterdam, Oratatrim, sachem of Ack-kin-kas-hacky, 
who declared he was deputed by those of Tappan, Reekgawanck, 
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 against the Netherlanders, or by the Netherlanders against 
said nations, shall be forgiven and forgotten for ever; reciprocally 
promising one another to cause no trouble the one to the other; but 
whenever the savages understand that any nation not mentioned in 

a This town was separately organized, May 2d, 1845. Laws of N. Y., 1845. Also 69 
Session, 1846, chap. xxx., 265 section. 


BN. ¥. Hist. Soc. Pro- 1844,101. Ossin in the Chippeway denotes ‘*a stone,” and Ossineen 
‘tstones.” Trans. Amer. Antig. Soc. vol. ii., 70. 


to 


HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


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 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 general council held 
there, in behalf of the Wappinecks, the Weekquaesqueecks, the Sint 
Sings and the Kicktawancks. ? 

In the year A. D., 1663, the Sint Sings appear to have been without 
a chief. ¢ 

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 Nicholaus Johannes 
Visschers, 1659, Kestauboiuck. 4 

“Along the East shores of the Tappan, says Mr. Schoolcraft, 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 Frederick 
Phillipse to whom on the 24th of August, 1685, they released “all of that 
tract or parcel of land situate, lying, and being by the northermost part 
of the land late purchased by Frederick Phillipse, 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 until it 
comes to a creek called Niperan, by the Christians, Yoncker’s creek, 
and so running alongst the said creek till it comes to the northerly 
bounds of the said land of Mr. Frederick Phillipse, and from thence 
alongst the said land till it comes to Hudson’s river, together with, &c., 
&c. The grantors were 


WESKENANE, CRAWMAN, WapPPUS, 
KEANARHAM, WEUNICKTANON, AQUAINES, 


MAMANNANE, WEREMENHORE. 


a Alb. Rec. ii. 220. 

Bb O’Callaghan’s Hist. N. N. p. 356. 

c Alb. Rec. xxi, 247. 

d See map attachment to the new series of the N. Y. Hist. Soc. vol. i.; also Dutch map, 
printed by Thomas Starling, Wilmington Square, London, from the original in the possession 
of 8. Converse, publisher, N. Y. 

e Proceedings of N. Y. Hist. Soc, 1844. 


THE TOWN OF OSSIN-ING. 3 


Here followeth the schedule or particular of the goods paid by the 
grantee for the above said lands. 


50 feet of black wampum, 12. blankets, 
too. 6 do..-—s white wampum, 12 fathom of stroudwater, 

II kettles, 5olb. of powder, 

12 larger ditto. 30 bars of lead, 

15 fathom of trade cloth, 20 axes, 

ro guns, 15 hoes, 

15 shirts, 40 knives, 

12 pair of stockings, 20 stone jugs 
2 ankers of rum, I iron chain, 

12 drawing knives, 2 rolls of tobacco, 
6 adz’s, 2 pistols. % 


This Indian purchase was confirmed to his son Phillip Philipse by 
royal patent, dated 12th January, 1686, under the hand and seal of 
his Excellency, Thomas Dongan, Governor of the Province. 

“For all that land situate upon Hudson river to the northward of 
land purchased by Frederick Phillpse, 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 goverment, for a valuable consideration purchased 
of the natives 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 northernmost part of the land purchased by Mr. Frederick 
Phillipse of the city of New York, merchant, 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 Niperan, by the Christians Yoncker’s creek, and so running 
along the said creek until it comes to the northerly bounds of the said 
lend of Frederick Phillipse, from thence along said land until it comes 
to Hudson river, as by the Indian deed of sale thereof, bearing date 
13th of August, A.D., 1685.” 

On the death of Frederick Philipse, A. D., 1700, this portion of the 
Manor of Phillipsburgh passed by will to his second son Adolphe 
Philipse; who dying without issue in 1749, it became vested in his 
nephew, the Hon. Frederick Philipse, son of his eldest brother, Philip 


a Alb. Book of Pat. v. 90. 


4 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Philipse. The last mesne lord was Colonel Frederick Philipse, with 
whose attainder these lands expired in the Philipse family. 

The subsequent proprietors who purchased under the commissioners 
of forfeitures, were the 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 Tappan Bay, near its confluence with the 
Croton. A beautiful ravine 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 vincinity 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, consisting 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 resembling the prints of horses shoes. These, however, are only 
visble at low water. Immediately to the south, and almost close to the 
waters edge, is situated the Indian cave. 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. 

North-east of the village is the Dale Cemetery, incoporated January 
17, 1851, with about fifty acres improved ; it has twelve trustees. The 
first president, Aaron Ward; vice-president, Marlborough Churchill; 
treasurer, S. Lockwood ; secretary, Geo. E. Stanton. 

The following monuments are to be found there: 

This was the first interment : 


Ixy Memory 
of 
REY. JACOB GREEN, 
for 27 years Pastor of the 
Presbyterian Church of Bedford, 
Westchester County. 


THE TOWN OF OSSIN-—ING, 


Private Chaplain of the 
Sing Sing Prison, 
Born Aug. 13, 1790, 
Died Oct. 25, 1851. 

Aged 61 years. 


In the work of the 
Gospel Ministry he spent 
a devoted and useful life 
He endured unto the end 
He fought a good fight 
He finished his course 

with joy 
Mark the perfect man 
and behold the upright 
for the end of that man 
is peace, xxxvii Psalm, xxxvii. 


Front. 
Here Repose 
The Mortal Remains 
of 


ABRAHAM HY A TT, 


one of that Band 
of 

Incorruptible Patriots 

who achieved the 

Independence of their Country 
and transmitted 
to their Posterity 
The Fairest Form of Government 

That Human Wisdom 


can devise. 


West End. 


This ardent and devoted friend of American Independence, entered the army 
in 1776, as a Second Lieutenant with a Commission from John Hancock; and in 
1779, by a Commission from John Jay; under these Commissions he was ever 


found at the post of danger, and faithfully served the Country until the close of 
tse Revolutionary struggle. 


U1 


6 : HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER, 


South Hnd. 
EREOTED 
to the 
Memory 
ot 
ABRAHAM HYATT 
by 
His surviving children 
and 
Grand children 
A.D. 1857. 


North Side. 
He Deparrep Tuts LIFE 
June 380th, 1820, 
Aged 73 years and 13 days. 


«The setting of his evening sun 
Was like the fading of a summer's day 
That sinks through cloudless glory to repose.” 


Here, also, repose 
the mortal remains 
of 
SARAH RIDER, 
the wife of ABRAHAM Hyatt, 
who died 
June 14th, 1805, 
aged 55 years, 
3 months and 13 days. 


ANN 


Wife of Abram Hyatt, 
who departed this life 
April 10th, 1856, 

In the 43d year of her age. 


‘Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth ; yea, saith the 
spirit, that they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them.” 


‘6 Life’s Duty done, as sinks the clay, 

Light from us Jead the spirit flies, 
While heaven and earth combine to say, 
How blest the righteous when he dies.” 


THE TOWN OF OSSIN-—ING, 


Lis Bo 
Capt. CHARLES C. HYATT, WARD B. HYATT, 
United States Army. Com. Lieut. 
Born 6th New York Artillery. 
Jany 5th, 1840, Died 
Died Sept. 20, 1867, 
October 5, 1867. Aged 


26 years. 


Act well your part— 
There all the honor lies. 


ANDREW KISSAM HOFFMAN, M.D., 
Born March 26, 1797, 
Died May 5, 1871. 
And 
JANE THOMPSON, 
his wife, 
Born April 20, 1801, 
Died February 11, 1876. 
= At Rest. 
Hope, Peace, 
Rest. 


CATHERINE WARD, 
Wife of 


M. L. Coss, 
Born Feb. 6, 1820, 
Died March 25, 1871. 
‘He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” 


ANNIE A, 


Wife of 
Harry CoNgELLy, 
Died October 26, 1878. 
My Darling Wife, 


THE GRAVE OF 
CHARLES 'YOE 


And MARY, His Wife. 


8 HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 


CHARLES YOE, 


Wied Jany 25, 1853, 
Aged 77. 


MARY YOE, 
Died March 31, 1837, 
Aged 55. 


AARON WARD, 
Died 
Feb. 27, 1867, 
Aged 
76 years 7 months and 22 days, 


“ If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep 
in Jesus, will God bring with him.” 


AARON WARD, 
And 
MARY L. WATSON, 
His Wife. 
MARY L., wife 
Of Aaron Warp, 
Who departed this life 
May Ist, 1858, 
In the 55th year of her age. 
Sacred to the memory of the dead— 
She is not dead, she cannot die, 


A Christian left this vale of woe, 
An angel lives on high. 


Franoes died October 10, 1827, aged 3 years and 7 months; Loursa Ooravia 
died in August, 1838, aged 5 months ; Etizanera Matooim died September 25th, 
1841, aged 11 months and 16 days; Cuartes Watson, January 22, 1850, aged 16 
years and 26 days, children of Aaron and Mary L, Warp. 


In 
Memory of 


LIEUT. SAMUEL YOUNG, 


Who served during the Revolutionary war in 
CoLONEL WEISENFEL’S 
Regiment of Infantry, 


THE TOWN OF OSSIN-—ING. : 9 


And 
Won for himself the reputation 
Of a brave and gallant 
Officer. 

‘* He was elected a member of the 
State Legislature, and for several 
years held the office of Surrogate 

of 
Westchester County.” 
Born Dec. 4, 1760, 
Died Sept. 12, 1839. 
In the 79th year of his age. 


This monument is erected by 
Major General Aaron Warp, 
2d Div. of New York 8. M., 
In testimony of his high appreciation 
of the services of a brave officer and a 
true patriot. 


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 two hundred years since. The existence of Indian habita- 
tions upon this particular spot, is amply proved by the vast number of 
shell beds, arrow heads and stone axes, still found in the neighborhood. 
Adrian Van der Donck, in his Dutch map before alluded 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 several landings, from which numerous steam-boats and 
vessels are constantly plying to and from the City of New York; a dis- 
tance of thirty-three miles. 

This village was incorporated by an act of the Legislature, passed 
A.D. 1813; afterwards amended May 15, 1837. ‘The population of 
the village of Ossin-ing is (by the last census) about 6,800, without the 
convicts, which number about 1,500 more. It contains one national 
bank—president, C. F. Maurice; and one savings’ bank—president, G. 
B. Hubbel. The village contains, also, several academies and schools. 
Among the former is the Mount Pleasant Academy, situated in State 
Street. This institution was first founded by the inhabitants, A.D. 
1814, and was incorporated on the 24th of March, 1820, and subse- 


ae) HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


quently received a charter from the Regents of the University. The 
location of the school is beautiful. The course of study varies, as the 
pupil is intended for commercial or professional life. The Bible is a 
standard class-book of the institution, and is used by every member. 

Belonging to the institution is a well selected and valuable library of 
12,000 volumes ; to this the pupils have frequent access. The pupils 
are under the wholesome and effective discipline of a mild but decidedly 
military system. The exercises in this department consist of infantry 
and artillery drills, target practice, and fencing with small and broad 
swords. The Sabbath is strictly regarded as a day of rest; and the 
pupils are required to attend some place of worship with their teachers. 
The number of the pupils is limited. The principals are Messrs. Benja- 
min and Allen. 

Ossin-ing Institute for Young Ladies stands in a retired part of the 
village, and in the midst of large well shaded grounds. The building, 
which is unusually attractive and home-like, commands some of the 
finest river views that can be obtained at any point along the Hudson. 
The institution aims to combine superior educational advantages, with 
the choicest home influences.. A symmetrical development of the physi- 
cal, intellectual and moral powers, is constantly sought as the best pos- 
sible preparation for future usefulness in life ; and the aquisition of that 
wisdom, the beginning of which is “the fear of the Lord,” is held to be 
supremely important. The principal is the Rev. C. D. Rice, A.M. 

Occupying a very conspicuous situation, above the rest of the village, 
stands St. John’s School. This school for boys succeeded the admirable 
work inaugurated on the same spot, and in the same building, by Mr. 
M. Churchill, a quarter of a century before, and from which he retired 
in 1869. The Rev. I. Breckenridge Gibson, D.D., now rector and 
principal, purchased the property on Mr. Churchill’s withdrawal, and 
changed the name. For more than thirty years he has been engaged in 
Christian education; and by Christian education he means “the whole 
work of fitting body, mind and soul, for the duties of this life, and for 
the happiness of that which is to come.” 

The location is about 250 feet above the level of the noble Hudson ; 
commanding one of the finest views of that river, from the Highlands on 
the north, to the Palisades on the south. The advantages of the posi- 
tion, as regards accessibility, beauty and healthfulness, could hardly be 
surpassed. The building is of brick; ample in its dimensions; erected 
and arranged with great care and regard for the comfort, convenience 
and safety of his pupils. The grounds (about six acres) afford abundant 
room for those games and sports which are so essential to the happiness 


THE TOWN OF OSSIN-ING. II 


of boys, and to the development of physical health. Both of the above 
named objects are also attained by a gymnasium, provided for their use, 
and by the neighboring hills and country, over which they are allowed 
to roam under certain necessary restrictions, and within certain limits, 

Near the centre of the village, is situated the Episcopal church of St. 
Paul’s, a beautiful Gothic structure of Sing Sing marble. Beneath the 
body of the edifice is an extensive basement, containing lecture, vestry 


St. Paul’s Church, Sing Sing. 


and robing rooms. Above the tower entrance, a neat escutcheon bears 
the following inscription : 
ST. PAUL’S 
CHURCH 
A.D. 
MDCCCXXXYV. 


The interior is neat and appropriate. The altar and font are of 
polished marble, richly carved; the latter presented by Miss Ludlow. » 

The communion service, consisting of a flagon, two chalices and 
paten, were the gift of Mrs. Jacob Arthur. The tower contains a large 
bell manufactured by “A. Meneely, West Troy, N. Y., 1835,” weight, 
t5oolb. 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 adjoining hills. 

‘* As wave on waye, the tide of sound 
Fills the bright atmosphere.” —Christmas Bells. 


12 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


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 delivered by the Rev. 
Edward N. Mead, Deacon, minister of the parish. The Rev. Peter S. 
Chauncey, A. B., then a 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 “apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself 
being the chief corner stone ;” also the canons of the Protestant Epis- 
copal Church in the United States of America, journals of the General 
and Diocesan 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 inscription : 


Sr. Pavi’s Caurcu, IxcorporatED NovEMBER 111TH, 1833. 
Rey. Epwarp Narnanret Mrap, A.M., Rector. 

GeorGE W. CartwriGut AND CaLeB Bacon, Church-wardens. 
JOHN Srrane, PerErR R. Matson, Wittr1am Danrsveg, JAcos C. ARTHUR. 
JouN Sine, Jonn Bartow, JoserH Hunt, AnD Roper1 WitseE, Vestrymen. 
Joun Suirn, Olerk of the Vestry. 

Samuet C. Nicnots, Superintendent of the Sunday School. 

Mrs. Joun Srrane, Superintendent of the Female Department. 
CARMAN NicHozs, Secretary; RoBErtTWIxtTsE, Treasurer. 

Joun Bartow, Librarian. 

Jacos C. Artuur, JosEPpH Hunt, George W. CartwriGHr. 
JOHN STRANG AND JouN Sine, Building Comimittec. 

Lepyarp H. Hatsey, Builder. 

CALVIN Pottarp, Architect. 

Patt McCorp, 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 Rev. B. T. Onderdonk, Bishop of the Diocese. 

From the church records we extract the following memoranda, 3rd 
October, 1833, “A meeting of Episcopalians residing in this village 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 com- 
municate with our Episcopal friends and neighbors on the subject, and 
urge by our best efforts their co-operation in the good work.” This is 
signed by George W. Cartwright, William Darjue, John Barlow, C. 


THE TOWN OF OSSIN-ING. 13 


Bacon and John Strang; they also agreed to write to the Rev. Mr. Jel- 
liff 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. 

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 memorial, which 
was presented by James Smith, Esq., the petitioners state, among other 
matters, ‘‘ That some years past an old Episcopal church in this neigh- 
borhood, at New Castie,* (of wood) falling to decay, its congregation 
was broken up, and some of the descendents of its members have be- 
come Quakers, notwithstanding portions of them have until lately ad- 
hered to the forms of the Episcopal Church ; and your memoralists en- 
tertain a hope that with the blessing of Divine Providence, by the means 
of the establishment 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 appropriation of $2000, 
the remainder being raised by public subscription. ~ 

On the first Thursday of October, 1834, this church was admitted in- 
to union with the convention of the diocese. 

In 1864, the rectory was built at a cost of $11,000 of brick. 

In 1870, the spire was built through the instrumentality of M. L. 
Cobb, Esq., and the stained glass windows through the exertion of the 
Rey. James I. Helm, D.D. 


LIST OF RECTORS. 


CALL OR INSTIT. MINISTERS. 

July 7, 1836 Rey. Epwarp N. Meavg, A.M., Presb. 

Dec. 16, 1839 Rey. Coarites Henry HatseEy, Presb. 

Oct. 16, 1846 Rey. CHArres Tomes, Presb. 

Dec. 20, 1847 Rey. Wiri1am F. Hatsey, Presb. 
March 8, 1857 Rey. I. Henry Brack, Presb. 

Nov. 1, 1863 Rey. James I. Herm, D.D,, present incumbent. 


In 1868, a secession of a portion of the members of St. Paul's church 
formed a second Episcopal church, known as Trinity church, and pur- 
chased the brick Presbyterian church for their place of worship, at a cost 


a St. George’s church, New Castle. 


I4 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


of $16,000. ‘They removed the galleries and built a recess chancel, and 
otherwise improved the church, both internally and externally. 

The Rev. Clarence Buel was called and accepted the rectorship July 
30, 1868. On December 12, 1871, the Rev. George W. Ferguson was 
called and accepted the rectorship, and is the present incumbent. The 
parish is entirely free from debt ; it has purchased a plot of land on the 
Highland avenue, 130 feet by 200 deep, as a site for a new church edi- 
fice. The cost of this land was $14,500. 

The Methodist Episcopal church is a plain building of wood, fronting 
on Main street, erected A.D. 1817. The Methodist Society was first 
formed in this town, through the exertions of the Rev. 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 first class leader appears to have been Joshua Ry- 
der, who afterwards became a local preacher. Adjoining the church, is a 
neat parsonage and lot. 

A building committee, for a new church, was appointed March 22, 
1851, and the church was completed in 1853. May 1, 1873, alot fora 
new church was purchased on Highland avenue for $13,500. It was 
commenced in 1877, and is expected to cost $55,000. 

The Baptist Society in this place was first organized November 12, 
1790; achurch was erected A.D. 1834, to which is attached a small 
burial ground. The present church edifice was completed in 1874, and 
the parsonage in 1850. 


LIST OF PASTORS OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH, SING SING. 


NAME, DATE OF CALL. 
JoHN KIrcHeEn, 1796. 
Evisan WHEELER, 1799. 
THOMAS STEPHENS, 1801. 
STEPHEN 8. Netson, 1802. 
Jacos H. Brouner, 1814. 
Pb rar, 1828. 
T. C. F. Frey, 1830. 
JOHN PUBIES, 1833. 
C. C. WILtiAMs, 1825: 
Wm. M. Doorirttez, 1839. 
Sipvey A. Cory, 1841. 
Witt C. Looxeg, 1843. 
B. C. Morse, 1844. 
ALonzo WHEELOCK, 1848. 
W.S. MIKEts, 1850. 
R. J. W. Bucktann, 1857. 
L. J. Marrison, 13864. 
JAMES Boxer, 1869. 
A. D. Girerre, D.D., 1874. 


N. R. Everts, 1879.—present pastor. 


THE TOWN OF OSSIN-ING. 15 


At a meeting of the Dutchess County Presbytery, convened at Bed: 
ford, June 28th, 1863, a petition signed by a number of the inhabitants 
of Sing Sing was laid before that body, requesting the Presbytery to 
supply them with the stated and regular preaching of the Gospel; 
whereupon the Presbytery appointed the Rev. Mr. Smith to supply them 
on the first Sabbath of August and October, and the Rev. Mr. Peck on 
the first Sabbath of September. At various times onward, until the year 
1768, we find the people of Sing Sing making application to the Pres- 
bytery to provide them with occasional preaching ; until, at a meeting of 
Presbytery, held at Salem on the 30th of August, 1768, we find an ap- 
plication from a joint committee, appointed by the congregations of 
White Plains and Sing Sing, asking advice from the Presbytery as to a 
proper person to preach alternately at the above named places, with a 
view to settling among them as their minister. At this date the Rev. 
Ickbbod Lewis became the successor of the Rev. John Smith, in the 
church at White Plains and Sing Sing. At or near this time, the first 
Church edifice was erected; having for its site what is now known as 
the old burying-ground at Sparta, about a mile and a half south of the 
village of Sing Sing. The land was originally given by Col. Phillips, the 
proprietor of the manor. The gift was three acres, set apart and 
donated for the use of a church; and when, after the war, the whole 
manor property was confiscated and sold, the land held and occupied 
for church and burial purposes was reserved from sale, and the claim of 
the church fully recognized and confirmed. 

The following is the copy of the Act, passed March 18, 1808, con- 
firming the title of the church to the property :— 

‘‘Be it enacted by the people of the State of New York. represented in the 
Senate and Assembly, that all the right, title and interest of the people of this 
State in and to a certain lot of ground heretofore allotted by Frederick Philips to 
the trustees of the Presbyterian church and congregation of the town of Mount 
Pleasant, in the County of Westchester, be and the same is hereby vested in said 
trustees and their successors, to the use of the said church and congregation for- 
ever.” : 

The church edifice, which had been much injured during the war, 
was repaired in 1778, and continued to be occupied as a place of wor- 
ship until the year 1800; at which time it was decided to remove the 
church to the village of Sing Sing. In 1798 Col. Moses Ward offered 
the said church a lot on Pleasant Square, upon condition that the church 
be removed to Sing Sing—which was accepted; and, in 1800, a church 
edifice was built upon the said lot. 


@ Gillet’s Hist., vol. I., p. 379. 


16 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


This continued to be the place of worship until the year 1834; at 
which time the building still standing on pleasant Square and occupied 
by Trinity church, was erected. 

In the year 1866, the trustees were authorized by the congregation to 
purchase a suitable site for a new church edifice; in obedience to 
which the present site was purchased, and a church built at the cost of © 
$100,000. The corner-stone was laid by the pastor, November sth, 
1868, and the building consecrated May 24, 1870. 


LIST OF MINISTERS AND SUPPLIES OF THE PRESBYTERIAN 
CHURCH AT SING SING. 


INSTALLED OR CALL. MINISTERS. VACATED BY. 
2d Aug., 1798, Rey. Mr. Towntey, resig. 

Pro. tem. 1814, Rey. THoMAs JACKSON, ee 
1818, Rey. Asa Layman, Ut 
1819, Rey. GEorGE Bourng, a 
Pro temp. 1825, Rev. JOHNSON, = 
1826, Rey. R. W. Dickerson, x 
Pro temp. 1830, Rev. NarHanret 8. Prime, ef 
Novemb’r 1832, Rey. James V. Henry, . 
1842, Rey. Danret TEEsE, 
1849, Rey. Joun P. Lunpy, . 

1857, Rey. Witson PHRANER, present pastor. 


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 Ladau family. It is 
constructed of brick, and bears on one side four tombstones. Some of 
the inscriptions are nearly obliterated. 


In Memory oF 
ANNA LADAT, 
wife of ABraHAM LADAD, 
who departed this life 
December 25, 1795, 
Aged 68 years, 11 mo. and 25 days, 


Als, ABRAHAM LADATU, husband 
of Anna Lapav, who departed 
June 21st, —— —— years, 4 mo. and 5 days, 


THE TOWN OF OSSIN-ING. Bey 


In MeMorRY OF 
ABRAHAM LADAU, 


son of ABRAHAM and ANN LADAUT, 
was born A.D. September the 28th, 1767, 
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, and only son and heir ; 

He lived admired, and while he lived, 

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 son— 

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 LyEetu THE Bopy oF 
SARAH LADATU, born in the year 1750, 
April 26th, 
who departed this life August 15, 1764, 
aged 5 years and 7 mo. and 11 days, 
daughter of Apranam and Anna Lapav. 


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, Henry 
Roscoe, Enoch Crosby, and others. The Roman Catholics 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 ac- 
commodation for travellers: 2 File Works; x Cotton-gin Manufactory ; 


18 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


1 Manufactory -of Cotton-gin Saws; and Brandreth’s Pill Factory. 
Four weekly newspapers are issued from this place, entitled the Zhe 
Hudson River Chronicle, The Republican, The Standard,and The Reg- 
ister. 

A number of handsome residences adorn the higher g ames of the 
village. Among others may be noticed the mansion of the late Maj. Gen. 
AaronWard,* who for a number years represented this district in Congress, 
and also that of Mr. H. J. Baker. General 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.,2 having been one of the 
original purchasers under the commissioners of forfeitures in 1785. At 
this early period there were but three dwelling 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 of Fairfield, Connecticut. Gen. Ward’s 
residence is a fine bnilding of Sing Sing marble, presenting a neat Ionic 
portico to the river, with wings.on either side. The interior is embelished 
with several excellent pictures by native artists, viz., Falls of Niagara. 
by Vanderlyn ; 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 romantic 
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 hun- 
dred feet above the bed of the stream. In the vicinity of Brandreth’s 
mill the Croton aqueduct crosses this ravine by means of a handsome 
arch constructed of solid masonry, in the most durable manner. The 
space between 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 superintendence 
of Mr. Young, engineer of the works; commenced May, 1838, and com- 
pleted October, 1840. 

Near the village landing are situated the green-houses of C. F. Klun- 
der, the florist. In the vicinity of Sing Sing the shores of the Croton 

a During the last war with Great Britain General Ward held a capiain’s commission in the 
United States service, and at the close of it conducted a battalion of 700 British prisoners 

ear cid eeineh a oisinet Ok Daneel Drake of the Continental army. 


c The old stone fortress stood a little cast of Mr. R. K. Forster's dwelling house. 
d See Eastchester, p. 159. 


THE TOWN OF OSSIN-ING. 19 


bay are decked with numerous country seats. The first property south 
of the Croton in this town is that of the late Col. Joseph Hunt, whose 
family purchased of the commissioners in 1784. The next place in 
succession is the old McChain estate lately owned by Thomas Oliver, 
Esq., now owned by O. B. Potter. The house is prettily situated on a 
finely wooded point, at the extremity of which lies a great rock, com- 
monly 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, now 
Thos. Hand’s. It was in the old Orser residence that a body of Con- 
tinental troops, under the command of Capt. Daniel Williams, were sur- 
prised by a superior force of British cavalry, led by Capt. Bearmore ; 
the circumstances attending the event are thus related by an eye-witness. 
During the winter of 1782, Capt. Daniel Williams (who had been for 
some time stationed at Croton in command of the American guard upon 
the lines,) undertook, with a small party of dragoons, a foraging expedi- 
tion into the neighborhood of Morrisania. Success 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, 

The confusion that ensued, may be imagined. Some of the Americans 
were cut down within and about the house ; others rushed along the steep 
bank to the river, which was frozen, their enemies following in hot pur- 
suit. Several were slain upon the ice; among the latter, was George 
McChain. Capt. Williams himself fled down the adjoining bank, closely 
followed by a British dragoon, who was gaining fast upon him, when he 
suddenly checked his horse, and, as his pursuer (unable to stop) dashed 
by him, rose in his stirrups and dealt a back handed blow 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 the late John Strang and 
General Sandford. 

Nearer the village are situated the residences of Benjamin Brandreth 
and Philip van Wyck, both delightfully embosomed in trees, and com- 
manding 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 un- 


20 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCEHSTER. 


known ; Catherine De Peyster, wife of Philip; the Hon. 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 Catherine, daughter of the Hon. Pierre van Cortlandt. 

A short distance north of Mr. Brandreth’s pill manufactory is situated 
Craw-bucky point; literally, crab-cove point. The adjoining 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 commencement of the 
two mile dine of the manor of Philipsburg, which, according to the royal 
patent,* extended two miles north from the mouth of the Croton, until it 
struck the southern line of Cortlandt manor. In an old “map of the 
township of Bedford, Stamford, Greenwich, the North river, and Keight- 
awank or Croton’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 existed 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.] 
Streruen 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.] 

Srepnen 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 been obtained here in small specimens, as well as several 
ores of copper—one specimen of the latter yielding from fifty to seventy- 


a See Patent of Philipsburg. The same kind of mark is found near the division line, be- 
tween the townships of Yonkers and Greenburgh; both of them are probably Indian lines. 
b From the original map in the possession of the Hon. William Jay, Bedford. 


THE TOWN OF OSSIN-ING, 21 


five per cent.; also iron pyrites. Sulphuret of zinc, and oxide of mang- 
anese occasionally occur in the lime-stone rock. ‘Sing Sing is also cel- 
ebrated 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 marble found in this vicinity is the dolomitic 
or white coarse grained, of excellent quality, and almost inexhaustible ; 
large quantities are annually quarried and sent to the city of New York 
and other places. 

The Mount Pleasant State Prison, situated about half a mile south 
of the village of Sing Sing, is thirty-three miles north of New York City ; 
it contains about 1,500 convicts. The prison grounds used to consist 
of 130 acres of land, lying between the villages of Sparta and Sing Sing, 
bounded on the east by the Highland turnpike, and on the west by the 
Hudson river ; since which time the land has been sold, and but a few 
acres retained. An Act of the Legislature, passed March, 1824, author- 
ized the building of a new State prison in the first and second senatorial 
districts, with commissioners appointed for the purpose; they selected 
the present site, owing to its exhaustless bodies of marble, its healthy 
situation, and its accessibility by water. It was completed in 1829, 
when it contained eight hundred cells; it has been enlarged, and now 
contains one thousand cells. In 1828 the convicts then in the old 
State prison, in the city of New York, were removed to Sing Sing; and 
the old city prison was abandoned. 

Zion Hill, a mile below the prison, the property of Mr. Peter Weath- 
erby, is famous as being the scene of Matthias’ impositions; this was 
the property of Henry R. Runson. 

A few Revolutionary incidents connected with Sing Sing deserve to 
_ be recorded here. 

In the year 1774, a regiment under the commard 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 Tartar, Roe- 
buck and Phcenix—lay off Sing Sing. 

“On the 28th of October, 1799,” observes General Heath, ‘‘ Captain 
Hopkins of the dragoons took the Captain of the 4e//ona 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 Heath’s Mem. 214, 


22 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


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 sloop of war Vudture, as she lay off Teller’s Point, on 

the morning of September 22, 1780. 

*“No sooner (remarks the biographer of Arnold,) had the parties 
(Arnold and André) arrived at Smith’s house than a cannonade wes 
heard down the river. It was discovered to be against the Vu’vure, 
which, although distant several miles, was in full view, and for sorse time 
seemed to be on fire. 

“Tt had been reported to Colonel Livingston by messengers from 
Tellers Point, that the vessel was so near the shore as to be within 
reach of cannon-shot, and that the inhabitants were likewise apprehen- 
sive boats would land and commit depredations. Colonel Livingston 
accordingly sent from Verplanck’s Point a party with canon, who fired 
upon the Vu/ture 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. André beheld the scene from the 
windows of Smith’s house with anxious emotion. At length the firing 
ceased, and he then resumed his wonted spirits and composure.” He 
was in an upper 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 triumph. 

Mrs. Sussanna Ryder was a God fearing woman. On one occasion 
when a company of soldiers had their quarters at her husbands’, Jacob 
Ryders barn, one of them deserted; he was retaken, tried and con- 
demned to be hung. The gallows was prepared near the house, she 
immediately went to the commanding officer and begged for his life; 
he became angry, and raised a stick to strike her. She then went into 
her chamber and earnestly prayed God to interfere, and incline the offi- 
certo mercy ; when she returned she found the soldier had been reprieved 
ed, and the officer came and saluted her. 

Twice she walked from Sing Sing to New York to get pins and 
needles and spelling-books for her own family and for her neighbors, 
passing through the lines of the British without being molested, and 
returning in safety. 

A person by the name of John Arthur bought a farm about three or 
four miles north of Sing Sing, who had been a merchant in the city of 
New York; he removed his family and goods from the city at the 
outbreak of the rebellion for protection, and amongst the various 


a Sparks’ Life of Benedict Arnold, 206. 


THE TOWN OF OSSIN-ING. 23 


articles of trade was a quanity of tea and loaf-sugar—at that time a 
great luxury, and very difficult to procure. It was soon noised abroad 
among the neighbors, and many of the old Dutch settlers longed for 
a share ; accordingly a party of fifty women organized themselves into a 
raiding party, and appointed a day when and where to meet, and then 
preceed to the farm, now called the Secor farm. 

The day previous to the one fixed by this party, John Arthur set 
out upon a journey from home on horseback; and when a little below 
‘Tarrytown he saw a woman riding ahead, and putting spurs to his 
horse soon overtook her, gave her the usual salutation, and entered 
into conversation on general subjects; but the tea and sugar were 
uppermost in her mind, and soon she asked him if he was going to join 
the party. ‘“‘ There is one Arthur, she said, come up in the country above, 
from New York—and has brought a fine lot of tea and sugar—and has 
them in his house, and to morrow a number of us are going to make a 
raid on his place.” “Ah! Ah!” said Arthur, “is that so?” He rode freely 
along with her, until she had disappeared. Then he returned and rode 
home, informing his family and consulted as to the best line of action. 
They determined to bury the tea and sugar in the garden, and defend 
themselves. ‘They therefore barricaded the doors and windows, armed 
themselves, and determined to resist all intruders. Early the next 
morning Mr. Arthur dispatched his oldest son on horseback to Jacob 
Ryders, now known as Willett Ryders farm—and from the barn which 
stood near the road he stationed himself, awaiting the advance of the 
raiders; as soon as they appeared he rode home and gave the alarm. 
They advanced twenty couple, riding two and two, with two men. One, a 
Captain Owen, who lived, it is said, in Sleepy Hollow; the other was said 
to be Abraham Van Tassel. They had their trouble for nothing, as 
they found it impossible to gain admission into the house. There were 
two Abraham Van Tassels that figure to a great extent in this section 
of country; one was the father of the celebrated Katrina, in the Sleepy 
Hollow legend ; one was called Brim Bones, the other Brom Bounce. 
Others say that Mr. Arthur treated the whole party to plenty of punch 
with abundance of sugar, and they all separated peacefully, without tast- 
ing the tea. 

The small but beautiful stone church, of All Saints, Briar Cliff, is situ- 
ated at the junction of two roads, on a height behind Sing Sing, com- 
manding one of the finest views along the whole length of the noble 
Hudson. That beautiful river lies in the distance like a lake of ten 
miles of extent, while the villages which dot its banks and the high 
rocks which border its western shore and the plains and hills that lie 


24 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


still beyond in the back ground, are spread out like a map beneath the 
eye of the spectator, standing by the porch or bell gable of the building. 
It seems, indeed, a house of prayer and praise set where the glorious 
works of God are full in view to stimulate devotion. Struck with the 
beauty of this spot, the late Rev. John Ogilby, D.D., had selected it as 
a retreat for himself and family. ' Before his dwelling was completed, 
the thought entered his mind, that a humble wayside sanctuary in which 
he might officiate would prove a blessing to the neighborhood; by the 
help of generous friends in the vicinity and elsewhere, he was enabled to 
carry out the good work near to its completion, when disease interrupted 
him and death stayed his hand. His friends knew that the use of the 
church, if completed, would depend upon the family by whom the place 


All Saints’ Church, Briar Cliff, 


was occupied; Henry McFarlan, Esq., of New Jersey, offered to bear 
the whole expense of its completion. The edifice was opened for divine 
service Dec. 13,1854. All the windows are of stained glass. The chan- 
cel window is intended as a memorial window to Dr. Ogilby, and bears 
most beautifully inscribed upon it those three articles of the Creed, “I 
Believe in the Communion of Saints, the Resurrection of the Body, and 
Life Everlasting.” In the centre light of the Triplet are the Cross, the 
emblems of the Communion, and the letters I. H. S. ; at the base of the 
window is the inscription, “In Memoriam Funditoris.” This was the 
gift of A. Beresford Hope, Esq., a noble layman of the Church of Eng- 
land, and a warm friend of Dr. Ogilby. The font, one of the most 
beautiful ever seen, was given to Dr. Ogilby by a devoted Christian 


THE TOWN OF OSSIN-ING. 25 


lady. ‘The Communion service was presented by a family of St. James’ 
church, Philadelphia, through the Rev. Dr. Morton. 

The present rector is Rev. A. H, Gesner. 

The village of Sparta is situated one mile south of Sing Sing. 

The ancient boundary line of 1684, which divided the two colonies 
of New York and Connecticut passed a short distance south of Sparta.“ 

The “Bishop Rocks,” so called from John Bishop, who purchased these 
lands in 1785, lie one mile south of this place. They constitute a 
portion of the Southern boundary of Ossin-ing. White point is a cele- 
brated fishing place in the same neighborhood. ‘The surface of this 
town is mostly hilly, soil productive and well cultivated.” There is also 
a good proportion of interval and meadow land. ‘The principal streams 
are the Sing Sing brook, and the 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. 


Ewan Hunter, Supervisor. 
Dantet Miter, Town Clerk, 
NATHANIEL Tucker, Constable. 


JOHN OAKLEY, 

Moses Fow ter, 2 

Jusse BAKER, snaanekink 
James McCorp, J 


ABRAHAM LE DuE . 
James Requa, Overseer of the Poor. 


NATHANIEL TUCKER, 
JOHN BIsHoP, Commissioners. 
Tsaao G. GRAHAM, 


Tomas LAWRENCE, Collector. 


ABRAHAM LE Dog, } 
JOHN SHUTE, | 
Isaao Van Wart, 
James HAMMOND, 
Jessiz BAKER, 
Tuomas Dean, 


Fence Viewers. 


EBENEZER SCOFIELD, 
Henry Van Wart, > Pound Masters. 
RicHarp GarRRIson, ) 


a Three miles above Frederick Phillipse’s mills at. Sleepy Hollow. See Boundary Letters 
Secretary of State’s office, Hartford, Conn., fol. ii. letter rid i ; 


26 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Upon the erection of the present towns in 1845, the following officer 
were chosen : 


Josern Hunt, Supervisor. 
GEORGE SHERWooD, Town Clerk. 


CHARLES YOE, 


Heyry Harris, : 
Tomas Carrerats, (7 Ustices of the Peace. 
WituiaM Pues.ey, J 


Nrcnoras J. GREENE, Supt. of Common Schools. 


CaLes SMITH, ) 
WILiiAM Orsor, + Assessors. 
STEPHEN MARSHALL, ) 


JoHN RypeEr, 
Epwarp J. BayLes, + Commissioners of Highways. 
Davi C. Coprxeros, J 


Witter Hormgs, 


large 
Wirriam Manean, 3} Overseers of the Poor. 


ABRAHAM Mitter, Collector. 


ABRAHAM MILLER, ) 
JAMES RyDER, ~ Constables. 
JOHN ROMAINE, 

First District. 


CHaPLes YOE, 


GEORGE SHERWOOD, \ Inspectors of Election. 


Srconp District. 


Wirram H. Prox, 


Davin Mo Bern, i Inspectors of Election. 


Tuomas E. Bripaer, Town Sealer. 
Levi Peck, Pound Master. 


ee OWN 


OF 


Sg = a DNS om SPs Bi 


This town is enclosed on the East and North by the township of New 
Rochelle, on the West by the Aqueanouncke or Hutchinson’s River, 
which separates it from Eastchester, and on the South by the Manun- 
ketesuck or Sound. 

Prior to the Revolution, Pelham 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 
Vel (remote) and Ham (mansion or dwelling. )# 

**Zatit in Germany is written Hey and importeth as much as 
Home now doth with us. Zpartit originally signifieth a coverture or 
place of shelter, and is thence grown to signify one’s Home (as now 
uncomposed we pronounce it) that is to say one’s birth-place or most 
proper habitation. It is one of our greatest terminations of surnames, 
as of Denham, for having his home or residence down in a valley. Of 
Higham for the situation of his Haw or Home upon high ground ; 
and accordingly of many others, distinguished one from another in like 
manner upon one or other cause.” 

In Soord, in Ham, in Len, and Cun, 

The most of English surnames run. 


(A Restitution of Decayed Intelligence in antiquities concerning the most noble 
and renowned English nation. By the study and travel of R. W. (Richard Ver- 
stegan) London, printed by T. Newcomb for Joshua Kirton at the King’s arms 
in St. Paul’s church yard, 1655.) 


a Pelham, the name conferred upon this town by the Pells ‘tis derived from the jordship of 
Pelham, Herefordshire, England, where anciently stood a castle, the owner of which in 1265, 
was ameréed in the then very large sum of forty pouuds for a contempt in not coming to an 
inquest to be taken concerning a trespass of the Mint. This lordship of Pelham is recorded 
to be part of the possessions of Walter de Pelham in 1292-3, and it is believed that his ances- 
tors held it prior to the Conquest.”—Burke’s Peerage. a : 


28 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCEHSTER. 


“T am inclined,” says Camden, “ to favour the opinion of those who 
fetch it (Belgce) from the old Gaulish tongue (which our Welsh in a 
great measure keep entire) and who will have the Belgce so named from 
Pel, i e. remote. For they were the remotest people in Gaul; and at 
the greatest distance from the Roman province, &c. Brittania, or a 
geographical description of Great Britain and Ireland, &c., by Will 
Camden, Clarenceux, King at Arms, second edition by Edward Gibson, 
D.D., Rector of Lambeth and now Bishop of Lincoln, &c., London M. 
DCCIL., vol. I, p. 67. 

It is very evident that the Pells were a younger branch of the illustri- 
ous house of Pelham, which is evinced from the unerring testimony of 
their descendants, bearing the same coat armour with additions and 
not plain ; it being a standing rule in ancient times, as is well known to 
all who are acquainted with the differences then used to distinguish the 
Cadets from the principal branch of any family, that they either alter 
their Tinctures or add Bordures, Orles, Bends, Chiefs, Cantons, &c., for 
that purpose ; whence the Pelhams, who bore the coat plain and un- 
altered, is proof that they were chief of the family.. The Pelhams bear- 
ing the field azure, three pelicans arg, vulning themselves ppr. The 
Pells by way of difference bearing the field ermine on a canton azure a 
pelican or, vulning itself ppr. . 

Like the greater part of Westchester County, it formed originally a 
portion of the Indian terntory of Wykagy/, as laid down in the Dutch 
carte of 1614. Its early inhabitants were a clan of the Mohegans or 
“Enchanted Wolf Tribe,” called Siwanoys, whose possessions extended, 
it is well known, from Norwalk to the neighborhood of Hell gate. The 
latter place being their winter quarters. From the Indians this tract of 
land, with others adjacent, passed to the Dutch West India Company 
in 1640, as appears by the following: ‘In order to maintain the 
charter of this company, Kieft, the Dutch governor, dispatched Secre- 
tary Van Fienhoven, on the 1gth day of April, 1640, with instructions 
to purchase the ‘ Archipelago’ or group of Islands at the mouth of the 
Norwalk River, together with all the adjoining territory on the main 
land,” “‘and to erect thereon the standard and arms of the high and 
mighty Lords States General; to take the savages under our protection, 
and to prevent effectually any other nation encroaching on our limits.” 
These directions, we are assured, were fully executed; and the West 
India Company thus obtained the Indian title to all the lands between 
Norwalk and the North River. This sale was confirmed on the r4th of 


a Hist. State of N. Y., by Broadhead, ist. period, 1909-1664. Alb. Rec. ii., 78, 147; De Lact 
vili; Hazard ii, 213; O’Call , i., 215. 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 29 


July, 1649, when the Director General, Peter Styvesant, in behalf of 
the same company, purchased ‘“‘ WECHQUAESQUEECK ”—which, like the 
former grant, comprehended much of the present County of West- 
chester—from the three Indian sachems “ Megtegichkama, Oteyschgue, 
and Wegtakockken,” 

On the day following the above conveyance to the Dutch, on the 
zoth of April, 1640, we find an agreement betwixt Daniell Patricke and 
Mahackem, and Naramake and Pemenat. Hewnompom, Indians of 
Norwake and Makentouk, in which the latter conveyed to the former the 
ground called Sacunyte Napucke, also Mecanworth ; thirdly, Asumsowis ; 
fourthly, all the land adjoininge to the afore-mentioned, as farr up in the 
country as an Indian can goe in a day from sun risinge to sun settinge and 
twoe islands neare adjoininge to the sayed Carantenayneck, all bounded 
on the west side with Noewanton, on the east side to the middle of the 
river of Norwake, &c. Norwalk records Book of Deeds in the year 
1672. Only two months prior to these sales Mahachemo, Sachem, 
Tomakergo, Tokaneke, and Prosewamenos, Indians of Norwalke, con- 
veyed to Roger Ludlow all the lands, &c., ‘‘ between the two rivers, the 
one called Norwalke the other Soakatuck to the middle of sayed rivers, 
from the sea a dayes walk into the country.”@ 

In the Summer of 1642, the widowed Anne Hutchinson, her son 
Francis and her son-in-law, Collins, ‘‘ A young scholar full of zeal,” to 
avoid the bitter persecutions of the Puritans, fled here for protection 
and commenced a plantation.? 

This Colony was situated on Pelham Neck formerly called ‘“ Annie's 
ffoeck,” and was long distinguished as the “ Manor of Anne Hoock's 
Neck,” and nearly adjoined the Dutch district of “ Vredeland” or the 
“ Land of Peace.” ‘Yet no patent or ground-brief appears on record for 
these lands, and why? for the simple reason that Mrs. Hutchinson was 
cut off before the purchase had been completed. This is fully confirmed 
by the testimony of Thomas Pell, the subsequent proprietors, given 
before a Court of Assize, held in New York 29th of September 1665, 
wherein he states “that he bought the land (Pelham and Westchester) 
in question in the year 1654 of the natives and paid them for it. He 
pleads his being a free denizen of England, and hath thereby liberty to 
purchase in any of his Majesties dominions within which compass this 
is. He alleges the fifth clause in the Kings treaty, sent over hither to 
make for him, as declaring this land to be within his Majesties do- 
~ @ Norwalk records Book of Deeds in the year 1672, 75 Alb. Rec. Lib. G. G., 323507, 

b Neal, the Puritan Historian says that Anne Hutchinson ‘“‘removed with her family into 
one of the Dutch Plantations called Hebgate.” WNeals’ Hist. of New England, vol. i, p. 178. 


Chandler says: ‘the whole family of the Hutchinsons removed from beyond New Haven to 
East Chester in the Territory of the Dutch.” Chandler's Crim. Trials, vol. i, p. 27. 


39 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


minion; he saith the government and council of Connecticut took 
notice of this land to be un ler their government, and that they ordered 
magestratical power to be exercised at West Chester; and that he had 
license from them to purchase. He pleads that where there is no nght 
there can be no dominion ; so no patent could be granted by the Dutch, 
they having no nght. Several ftestimonys were read to prove that ye 
Indians questioned Mr. Cornell’s and other plantations there about not 
paying for these lands, which was the occasion of their cutting them off 
and driving away the inhabitants; but the defendant hath payed a 
valuable consideration to the natives.” 

Here, is a flat denial on the part of Pell, supported by the authorities 
of New England, that the Dutch had any claim whatever on these 
lands ; although the latter had discovered the country in 1609, and 
besides had purchased the very territory in question of the Indians, for 
a valuable consideration in 1640, just fourteen years previous to Pell’s 
conveyance. ‘Take the whole transaction together with the subsequent 
proceedings, and it looks uncommonly like a collusion between the 
New England authorities and the Indians. Let it be remembered, too, 
that the latter, who afterwards murdered Mrs. Hutchinson and her 
family, the Throgmortons, the Cornells, and the Moody’s (all refugees 
from New England persecution, and carried off Mrs. Hutchinson’s 
youngest daughter into captivity,) belonged to a tribe of Mohegan 
Indians which owned the supreme authority of the Uncas Chief Sachem 
“who had always been the unscrupulous ally of the English.” 

It is a little singular that the permission given by the Dutch authori- 
ties to Throgmorton to settle himself, with thirty-five English families 
within twelve miles of Fort Amsterdam, bears the date of 2d of 
October, 1642, only a few months after Mrs. Hutchinson’s settlement 
on Pelham Neck. There can be no doubt that the Throgmortons and 
Mrs. Hutchinson, with the Cornells and Moody’s,® were associated in 
their plans, all coming, as they did almost simultaneously from New 
England to New Netherlands—and besides all this the gallant old 
campaigner, Captain John Underhill, who professed to hold Mrs. 
Hutchinson’s doctrines, had established himself two years prior to this, 
at Greenwich only a few miles to the eastward of Vredeland, the former 
being then under the authority of the Dutch.¢ 


a Alb. Assize Rec. p. 15, 

4 In 1640, Lady Deborah Moody a person of noble family and of heroic character, whom 
Winthrop styled “tan anciebtly religous woman came to Massachusetts.’’ Life of Henry 
Dunston by Chapin, p. 42. 

e Underhill blames the Dutch authorities for the massacres of Mrs. Hutchinson, and the 
Collinses, as appears from the following extract taken from his “‘ Vindication” dated 20th 
of May 1653. ‘* We have transported ourselves hither at our own cost, and many of us have 
purchased their land, from the Indians, the right owners thereof. But a great portion of the 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 31 


The family of Hutchinson is supposed to be derived from Mitonensis, 
who came over to England from Castle Cronenburgh with Harold Har- 
fager, and settled at or near Bishop Middleham, then a fortified place. 
A family of Hutchinson was settled at Cowlam or Cowland, in York- 
shire, about the middle of the thirteenth century, and from which de- 
scended ———— Hutchison, of Lincoln, who had four sons—Wilham 
Hutchinson, mayor of Lincoln in 1552; Rev. Christopher Hutchinson, 

Hutchinson, and John Hutchinson, mayor of Lincoln in 1556 
and 1565, whose son, Edward Hutchinson was the father of William 
Hutchinson, who emigrated in 1663 to this county from the neighbor- 
hood of Boston, County Lincoln, England. Truly has it been said that 
this family “ of the Hutchinsons,” up to the day ‘‘ when Anne Hutchin- 
son commenced her expoundings,” had been the most favored of the 
day ; wealth, rank and influence had been the portion of successive gen- 
erations, and had, in truth, been merited by the ability of many of the 
name.” 

Anne Hutchinson, wife of William, the emigrant and owner of the 
colony called ‘‘ Anne Hook’s Neck,” was of gentle descent. Her father 
was the Rev. Francis Marbury, of Gresby, County of Lincoln, of a fam- 
ily in good position there, and her mother was Bndget, daughter of 
John Dryden, of Canon Ashby, County of Northampton. Erasmus Dry- 
den, grandfather of the poet, was the brother of Bridget, and was cre- 
ated a baronet 16th of November, 1619.¢ 

One wonders in amazement at the singular elevation of purpose and 
daring heroism that could have induced a woman of such rare mental 
powers and gentle descent as Anne Hutchinson to tear herself away 
from the civilized society of Rhode Island to bury herself and family in 
the wilderness between Connecticut and New Netherland, right in the 


lands which we occupy, being as yet unpaid for, the Indians come daily and complain that 
they have been deceived by the Dutch secretary, called Cornelius, whom they have charac- 
terized even in the presence of Stuyvesant, as a rogue, a nave, and a liar; asserting that he 
himself had just put their names down in a book, and saying that this was not a just and 
lawful payment but a pretence and fraud similiar to this which occasioned the destruction 
of Joes Huchinson and Mr. Collins to the number of nine persons.”’ Holland, Doce. ix. relating 
to ool Hist. of N, Y., vol. 1i. 151. Underhill’s testimony however must be received with some 
caution, 

@ Notes upon ancestry of William Hutchinson and Anne Marbury by Joseph Samuel 
Chester of Boston, 1868, 9 to p. 24. The arms of the Hutchinsons of Lincolnshire, and now 
borne by Bingham Hutchinson, Esq., of England, the descendant of William and Anne Hut- 
chinson, are: Per pale gu. and az. seme’e of crosses crosslet or, a lion rampant, grg. armed 
and langued of the third. Crest—a cookatrice az. crested jeloped, and armed gu. issuing out 
of a ducal crown or. 

b The Marburys of Gresby, County of L¥ncoln, were of the same family as the Marburys or 
Merburye of Walton, in the County of Chester, temp. Edward Third as their arms and crest 
prove viz. arg. Ona fess engr. gn. three garbs or—crest—a mermaid ppr. holding in the dex- 
ter hand a mirror, and in the sinester a comb or. 

¢ Notes upon ancestry of William Hutchinson and Anne Marbury by Joseph Samuel Ches- 
ter of Boston, 1868, q. top. 24. The Baronetcy 1s now represented by the Rev. Sir Joshua 
Dryden of Canon Ashly. ‘‘In Canon Ashly, says Brydges, (Hist. of Northampshire,) there is 
one room of thirty feet long, upon twenty feet wide, which is reported to be entirely, flocred 
and wainscoted with the timber of a single oak which grew In that lordship.’ (Burke’s Ex- 
tinct and Dormant Baronetcies.) 


32 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


very midst of the favorite haunts of the savage Siwanoys. ‘She was,” 
indeed, ‘far from human help,” and trusted, no doubt, as the historian 
has well observed, “to the Divine protection” alone ; she must, indeed, 
long have relied upon no other power; for among men, she had met 
only bitter persecution and constant injustice.” 

It appears that scarcely had this noble, generous and tender-hearted 
woman settled down her little colony of sixteen persons, either on Pel- 
ham Neck or somewhere in close vicinity thereto,? than Governor Kieft 
aroused the wild fury of the native Indians by his inhumanity and 
treachery. Whereupon they resolved td exterminate the Dutch, and all 
connected with them. “An army of fifteen hundred warriors swept 
over Long Island, and ravaged Manhattan Island to the gates of the 
fort at the Battery. Bloomingdale and Corlear’s Hook swarmed with 
brazen warriors, and the flames of blazing bonfires, and the shrieks of 
dying men and women spread terror over Manhattan Island. The sav- 
age, for the moment, seemed to have recovered his old domain.”’¢ 

An Indian, it is said, came to Anne Hutchinson’s house in the morn- 
ing, professing friendship, (‘‘as was their wont when making their visits”) 
but on discovering the defenceless condition of the inmates, returned at 
night killed Mrs. Hutchinson and her son-in-law, Mr. Collins, with her 
son, Francis, and all the other members of her family save the youngest 
daughter, besides a number of other persons in the neighborhood belong- 
ing to the familes of Mr. Throgmorton and Mr. Cornhill. One of Mrs. 
Hutchinson’s daughters, while attempting to escape, was dragged through 
a ledge by the hair and carried to a stump where her head was chopped 
off. We are assured that 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, escaped ; but 
two of the boats’ crew were killed, in their humane exertions to save these 
distressed people. ‘‘To close the scene, the horses and cattle were 
driven into the barns, the barns were set on fire, and the helpless animals 


a ** Anne Hutchinson; a Remarkable Woman.*”—Read before New York Hist. Soc. Feb. 5, 
1867. &c., by Eugene Lawrence, Esq., Hist. Mag., New Series, Vol. i., No. 3, pages 150 158. 
Morrisiana, N. Y., Henry B. Dawson. 

5 In the grant of the *“*Ten Farms” by Thomas Pell, to James Eustis and others, in 1664, 
there appears to be a direct allusion to the first house erected in the vicinity of Reed s mill, 
on the ‘*‘old planting ground,” viz., ‘‘at Hutchinson’s; that is, where the house stood, at the 
meadows and uplands, on Hutchinson’s river.” This was just twenty-one years after the mas- 
sacre. Close by Reed’s mill is a small rivulet, called *‘Black Dog Brook,’ and, sometimes, 
“* Hutchinson’s Brook.*” Perhaps the Black Dog had some kind of connection with the massa- 
cre of Mrs. Hutchinson in 1643. Tradition asserts, however, that Anne Eutchinson’s resi- 
dence was located on the property of George A. Prevost, Esq., of Pelham, near the road lead- 
ing to the Neck, on the *‘old Indian Path.” Certain it is that the ruins of an old house on the 
Prevost estate, near Hutchinson’s river, are still to be seen, a little south-west of the ** Split 
Rock;” also, some ancient apple trees and shrubs; while close by is a fine spring of fresh 
water; all of which are claimed to have been associated with the history of this remarkable 
woman.—[{EDITOR. 

c ** Anne Hutchinson,” by Eugene Lawrence. Dawson’s Hist. Mag. | 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 33 


-? 


were roasted to death in the flames.”"* The youngest daughter of Mrs. 
Hutchinson, quite a small child, was taken prisoner and remained in 
captivity for four years ; after her release had been procured by the Dutch 
Governor at New York, she was restored to her friends; but she had 
forgotten her native language, and was unwilling to be taken from the 
Indians.” “She afterwards married a Mr. Cole of Kingston in the 
Narragansett country, and lived to a considerable age.” 

One of the principal Indian proprietors of this territory, who sold to 
Thomas Pell in 1654, just eleven years after the above mentioned mas- 
sacre, assumed Mrs. Hutchinson’s Christain name ; for he constantly 
styled himself in the early deeds ‘‘ Ann-hoock,’”¢ alias Wampage. This 


An Koock- 
oh, 


individual may have taken an active part in the destruction of Anne 
Hutchinson, for nothing was more common among the Indians than for 
a warrior or brave to assume the name of his victim—material traces of 
his existence still linger around the scene of this bloody tragedy, for his 
grave or mound is still pointed out, and there is also a rock upon the 
south side of the neck bearing the same name, which is said to have been 
a favorite fishing place of the above mentioned sachem. Towards the 
extreme point of the neck, sometimes called Rodman’s Point (after 
Samuel Rodman who married Mary, grand-daughter of Thomas Pell, 
third proprietor of the manor) quite near the waters’ edge is located an 
ancient burying ground, said to have been used by the Indians; but a 
thorough examination, conducted in the presence of Thomas Pell, fifth 
in descent from John Lord Pell, proved it to be a place of sepulture for 
the white race only—how far back it is impossible to say. The first 
mound opened contained the skull and larger bones of a female skeleton 
in a horizontal position. 

“The heroic Anne Hutchinson, who had so long and so nobly with- 
stood the fiery trials of New England persecution, was worthy of a better 
fate than to fall before the fury of an Indian murderer ; yet death, 
horrible as was the form in which it came to her, did not appease the 
rancor of her Puritan enemies. They rejoiced at the butchery; and 
afterwards spoke of it in terms of pious exultation, as the judgment of an 

a Hist. of Indians of Conn., by De Forest, 205. 


b Drake’s Book of the Indians, 69. 
e Hence Anne’s-Hoeck and the Manor of Anne Hook’s neck. 


34 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


offended God. The Puritans believed, or affected to believe, that all 
who disagreed with them in their peculiar dogmas were in league with 
the devil ; and would surely be visited, sooner or latter, by some terrible 
retribution from on High.”* ‘ When the news of her sad fate was told 
in Boston, her clerical enemies rejoiced over it as a new proof of her 
guilt. The ruling faction smiled at the recital, if never before, like 
Philip II. at the news of St. Bartholomew.” ‘‘ The Lord,’ said Welde, 
“heard our groans to heaven, and freed us from our great and sore 
affliction.”® _ ‘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 Indians did burn her to death with 
fire, her house, and all the rest named that belonged to her; but I am 
not able to affirm by what kind of death they slew her, but slain it is, it 
seems she is, according to all reports. I never heard that the Indians 
in those parts did ever before this commit the like outrage pon 
any one family or families; and, therefore, Gods hand is the more 
apparently seen herein, to pick out this woful woman to make her and 
those belonging to her an unheard of, heavy example of their cruelty above 
others.”* “Heaven, they thought had avenged them of their sharp- 
tongued foe. They even invented shocking calumnies to prove that she 
was Satan’s minister. No tales were too gross and shameless, even for 
the wise Winthrop and the haughty Dudley; their hate pursued her to 
her lonely grave, and they sought to hold her up for the execration of 
posterity as the heavenly detested enemy of the church.” 

Anne Hutchinson’s family did not wholly die out; one of her sons 
had remained in Boston and was the ancestor of Hutchinson, the Tory 
governor of Massachusetts in the Revolution. A daughter, too, was 
married and settled in Boston; and the blood of Annie Hutchinson 
still flows in the veins of several New England families.”4 

The next proprietor, as we have had occasion to show previously, 
was Thomas Pell of Fairfield, Connecticut, gentleman, (as he is styled) 
who obtained a grant from the Indians on Tuesday, 14th of November, 
1654—embracing all that tract of land called West Chester, which is 
bounded on the East by a brook, called Cedar Tree Brook or Gravelly 
Brook, and so running Northward as the said brook runs into the woods 
about eight English miles, thence West to the river Aquebung or 
Bronck’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 

« The Manhattan Papers, No. 10, by Jan Vogelvanger, Sunday Times, New York. 

b Anne Hutchinson by Eugene LaWrence, Hist. Mag., March, 1867, p. 158, by Dawson. 


c Welde’s Rise, Reign and Ruin of the Antinomians. Preface. 
d@ Annie Hutchinson—By Eugene Lawrence, Esq., Hist. Mag., March 1567, p. 158. 


THE TOWN OF PILHAM. 35 


between Long Island and the main land, together with all the Islands, 
lying before that tract of land so bounded as before expressed, and so 
running East to place of beginning, etc., etc. 

This grant was signed by the Sachems, Maminepoe, Annhoock, AZas 
Wampage, and five other Indians, beneath the spreading limbs of a 
venerable white oak ; this formerly stood a little to the westward of the 
residence of the late Robert Bartow, Esq. This grant 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 Con- 
necticut, and that he had paid large sums of money for the same.” It 
appears from the very begirning of the disputes between Connecticut 
and New Netherlands, concerning their respective boundaries, that the 
former had determined to secure, as far as possible, all the lands within 
the limits of her charter ; while the latter was just as resolute in resisting 
any encroachments on her territory. Just nine days previous to Pell’s 
purchase ‘‘it was resolved, at a meeting of the Director General and 
Council of New Netherlands,” “that, whereas a few English are begin- 
ning a settlement, at a great distance from our out-posts, on lands long 
before bought and paid for, near Vreedland?, to send their, interdict, 
andthe Attorney-General, Cornelius van Tienhoven, and forbid them to 
proceed no farther, but to abandon that spot. Done at Fort Amstel on 
the 5th of November, 1654, in New Netherlands,” “on lands purchased 
from the Indians by the Hon. Thomas Pell, of Fairfield, Conn.Ӣ On 
the 15th cf March, 1656, the Attorney-General of the New Netherlands 
thus addresses the Director General and Council :— 


Respectful Lords :—It is not only known to your honors, but every one resid- 
ing in this country, that since many years, the district called Vreedlandt was 
cultivated and inhabited in letters patent, granted by your Honors and their pre- 
decessors by the Dutch, under your government, till the period of the general 
war in 1643. Now it has happened that one Mr. Pell, residing at Onkeneg, in 
New England, has dared, against the rights and usages of Christian countries, to 
pretend that he bought these lands of the natives, (which long since were pur- 
chased of them and paid by your Honors, as evidently appears from the trans- 


a This Indian conveyance was seen some years since by the late Mr. John Soulice of New 
Rochelle, who kindly furnished the author with the above particulars. One Dyckman occurs 
as a witness to the deed; and certain reservations were made by the Indians, for whaling pur- 

oses. 

B 5 At asession of the General Assembly at Hartford, March 10th 1663, John Winthrop, Esq., 
Governor, **This Court doth grant liberty to Mr. Thomas Pell to buy all that land of tne 
Indian proprietors between West Chester and Hudson's river (that makes Manhadoes an 
island) and lay it to West Chester, provided that it be not purchased by any before, nor in 
their possession.” Col. Rec. of Conn. 1636-1665, by Trumbull, p. 418. Upon the 13th of Oct., 
1663, Thomas Pell met the Dutch Deputation sent by the Dutch general at Hartford. Holl. 
Doc., vol. ii., p. 38. 
c Alb, Ree. vol. ix., 275. 


36 . HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


fers in your records, ) and actually made a beginning of settling and cultivating 
these lands without your Honors previous knowledge or consent, directly con- 
trary to the limits and decisions of 1650, concluded with the United Colonies of 
New England at Hartford, against which usurpation your Attorney General, in 
his quality and in the name of the Lords his masters, had in due form entered 
his protest,” &c.¢ 


Notwithstanding this and further protestations, made by the Dutch 
authorities, followed by threats to drive him off his plantation, Thomas 
Pell continued to keep watch and ward until the surrender of the Dutch 
in 1664. Upon the 16th of June 1664 the inhabitants of West Chester 
surrendered all their rights to Thomas Pell, as the just and rightful 
owner of a tract of land called West Chester, which he had obtained by 
an agreement made on the 14th of November, 1654,” from “ divers 
persons.” 

In 1675 the Indians must have been still residing on the neck in con- 
siderable numbers for at a General Court of assize held the same year 
in New York, it was resolved, “‘ that the Indyans at Mr. Pell’s or Anne 
Hook’s Neck, be ordered to remove to their usual winter quarters, with- 
in Hell Gate, upon this island; and further, that all canoes belonging 
to Christians or Indyans on the north side of- Long Island to the east of 
Hell Gate shall be (within three days from the publication of this order) 
brought to the next towns and delivered to the constables to be secured 
near the Hook 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.” 

Near the entrance of Pellam neck, is situated the favorite burying 
ground of the Siwanoy’s tribe, to which the Indians were ir the habit of 
bringing their dead over from Greenwich for interment. Numerous 
mounds are still visible near the water’s edge, on the Rapelyea estate. 
Two of the largest mounds are pointed out as the sepulchres of the 
Siwanoy’s sachems, Ann-hook and Nimham ; both of whom are said to 
have lived to advanced ages.¢ 

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 tenant of the grave. We have carefully examined several 
mounds near the waters edge; one of these held the remains of an 
Indian boy about twelve years old, in a sitting position, together with a 
beautiful specimen of native pottery formed by the hand alone, rudely 
ornamented with zigzag lines, in which we discovered an arrow head of 

a Alb. Rec. vol. ii., 301. See West Chester. 


b Dunlap’s Hist. of N. Y., vol. 1i., appendix cxxiii. 
¢ Nimham, sachem of Miereckacky occurs in 1669. 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 37 


uartz and the bones of a small animal. This practice of burying their 
aC utensils and weapons with the deceased, is known to be an 
ancient Indian custom. By way of accounting for the numerous mounds 
which occur so close to the waters edge, on the north-east side of the 
neck, it is said that the small-pox was introduced among the Indians 
through the medium of blankets, and that when they applied for a remedy 
they were told to bathe in the salt water which proved almost instant 
death to hundreds. Near the residence of the late L. R. Marshail, the 
remains of an Indian were found in a very 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” Sewanhacky, shaded with their ancient forests of nut and oak, 
interspersed with grassy glades must have afforded favorite sites for the 
Indian villages. Here the Indians would obtain their supplies of fish, 
which they so much needed, especially in the winter season to eke out 
the scanty subsistence derived from the chase ; and here, too, they found 
an abundant supply of their favorite Quckog from which they manu- 
factured their Seawant or wampum; well, then, might they call the 
country “‘ LAAPHAWACHKING,” or the place of stringing beads, bordering 
on the ‘‘ Maminketesuck” or “ Broad Flowing River.” 

On the property of Mr. Elbert Roosevelt, just west of Pelham Priory, 
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. 

Directly in front of the Priory, on the opposite side of the post-road, 
leading from Pelham through to New Rochelle, is situated a rocky 
knoll covered with cedars overlooking Shoal harbor, the Sound and 
neighboring Islands called the ‘‘ Haunted Cedar Knoll.” There was 
formerly a current belief in the neighborhood, that the forms of many 
headless Indians, might be seen on moonlight nights, in a circle, per- 
forming a kind of war dance on its summit, with heads in their hands, 
and that these apparitions still haunted the cedars and surrounding 
glens and woods. It is more than probable that a severe and sanguinary 
battle had taken place here, in early times between the Matinecocks of 
“Sewanhacky” and the Siwanoy’s of ‘“ Laaphawachking” which re- 
sulted in the defeat of the latter and their subsequent decapitation. 
Hence, the headless apparitions of “‘ Cedar Knoll.” 

Nearly opposite the Knoll on a point of Hunter’s Island is located a 
mossy rock, or boulder stone, called the ‘‘Grey Mare.” To this piece 
c# rude natural sculpture, the Indians invariably paid just respect, be- 


38 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


lieving it to have been placed there by the direct interposition of their 
God or guardian Manito, for their especial benefit or favor. These 
rolled stones he called Shingaba-wossins—or in general phrase. Muz-in- 
in-a-wun, or images. 

Fine specimens of Indian hatchets, and javelins of chart, quartz and 
horn stone, are constantly found in the neighborhood of these shores. 

Upon the 6th day of October, 1666, a large proportion of the Indian 
grant of 1654, was confirmed to Thomas Pell, Esq., by his excellency, 
Richard Nicholls, governor of New York, and erected into a township 
and manor; the proprietor rendering and paying in fealty therefor 
yearly, unto his royal highness, James, Duke of York, or to such governor 
as should from time to time, be by him appointed, as an acknowledg- 
ment, one lamb upon the first day of May, (the feast of S. S. Philip 
and James) if the same should be demanded. 


THE ROYAL PATENT OF PELHAM MANOR. 


Richard Nicholls, Esq., governor under his royal highness, the Duke of York, 
of all his territorics in America. To all whom these presents shall come, send- 
eth greeting. Whereas: there is a certain tract of land within this government 
upon 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 heretofore 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 Highness, James, Duke of York, &c., 
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 assigns, all the said 
tract of land bounded as aforesaid, together with all the lands, islands, sea-bays, 
woods, meadows, pastures, marshes, lakes, waters, creeks, fishing, hawking, hunt- 
ing and fowling, and all other profits, commodities, emoluments and heredita- 
ments, to the said tract of land and islands belonging, with their appurtenances, and 
of every part and parcel thereof; and that the said tract of land and premises, 
shall be forever hereafter held, deemed, reputed, taken and be an enfranchised 
township, manor and place itself, and shall always from time to time, and all 
times hereafter, have, hold and enjoy, like and equal privileges and immunities, 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 39 


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 or directions of any riding, 
township or townships, place or jurisdiction, either upon the main or upon Long 
Island, but shall in all cases, things and matters, be deemed, reputed, taken and 
held, 2s an absolute’ entire, enfranchised township, manor and place of itself in 
this government, and shall be ruled ordered and directed, in all matters as to 
government accordingly, by the governor and his council, and the general court 
of assizes only, always provided that the inhabitants on the sajd tract of land 
granted as aforesaid, shall be obliged to send forwards to the next towns, all 
public packets and letters, or Hue and Cries, coming to this place or going from it, 
to any other of his majesties 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, firmly, freely and clearly, in so large and ample 
manner and form and with such full and absolute immunities and privileges as 
before is expressed, as if he had held the same immediately from his majesty 
the King of England, &c., &c., &c., &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 highness, 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 May, 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 18th 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., &c., and in the year of our Lord God, 
1666. RICHARD NICHOLLS. 


Entered and recorded in the Office of New VY fee 
the 8th day of October, 1666. 


Marntas Nicotts, Sect’y. 


The Pells, who were formerly lords of the Manor, boast a very remote 
antiquity ; tracing their descent from the ancient family of that name at 
Walter Willingsley and Dymblesbye in Lincolnshire, England. In the 
visitation of Lincolnshire in 1564, William Harvey, Clarenceux, King at 
arms, by his deputy. Robert Cooke, Chester Herald, records William 
Pell as first seated at Walter Willingsley in the year (about) 1368 ; his 
_ son was Thomas Pell of the same place, whose son Richard was the 
father of John Pell, whose eldest son, William Pell of Walter Willings- 
ley, married Alice, daughter and heiress of Robert Buller of Barkeston, 
by Joane, his wife, daughter and heiress of Robert Wyther of Barkeston, 
whose wife, Joane, was the daughter and heiress of John Pounder. The 
only son of William Pell by Alice Buller was Thomas Pell, of Walter 


40 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Willingsley ; who married first, Alice, daughter of Henry Flower, of 
Langer in the County of Nottingham, by whom he had two sons, Ed- 
ward Pell of Walter Willingsley, (the father of Thomas Pell and Thomas 
Pell, ‘‘the younger,”) and Thomas Pell. ‘Thomas Pell of Walter Wil- 
lingsley, married, secondly, Alice, daughter of William Thorold, Lord 
of Marston and Blankney in the County of Lincoln and High Sheriff of 
that county in 1558-1559, who died 24th of November, 1569.” Their 
son was Sir Richard Pell of Dymblesbye* in the County of Lincoln, 
Knight, one of the executors of his cousin, Sir Anthony Thorold, son 
and heir of William, ancestor of the Thorolds of Marston, now repre- 
sented by Sir John Charles Thorold, Baronet. Sir Anthony Thorold 
died 1594. Sir Richard Pell Knight, by his first wife, Margaret, daugh- 
terof Edward Tirwhitt—Knight and Baronet of Stanfield, Essex, had two 
daughters—Anne, who died without issue and was buried at St. Giles, 
Criplegate, London; and Ursula, who married, first, Edward Ellis of 
Chestertown in Cambridge, second, Lewes Cockaine of Cockaine Hatley 
in Bedford. By his second wife, Catharine, daughter of Anthony Meeres 
of Kirton in Holland, Sir Richard Pell had three sons and two daughters. 
The eldest son was Sir Anthony Pell, of Dymblesby, Knight, who by 
his first wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir William Willoughby of Carlton 
in the County of Nottingham, had four sons, viz., Richard, William, 
Anthony and John, who were all probably living when the visitation of 
Lincolnshire was made in 1592 by Richard Lee, Richmond Herald, 
deputy of Robert Cooke, Clarenceux King at arms.? 

A branch of this Lincolnshire family had removed into the County of 
Norfolk, of which was John Pell, gentleman, of Derringham, in that 
county, Lord of the manor of Shouldham Priory,¢ and Brookhall, who 
married Margaret Cletheron, and died April 4th, 1556, leaving an only 
son, John Pell, Esq., steward or master of the king’s cup, and Lord 
Mayor of Lynn Regis, who was born May 5th, 1527 ; married Margaret, 
daughter and heiress of William Overend, Esq., and died May sth, 
1607. Upon an altar-stone at the east end of the south aisle of St. 


a Sir Richard Pell of Dymblesbye had a grant of arms, Oct. 19th, 1594, from Richard Lee 
Clarenceux King at arms, of the oy gevulg i ** Ermine on a canton azure a pellican, or—Crest 
a pellican, or standing on a garland vert, full of roses, or. ‘This coat and vest exactly corres- 
Ee with those borne by the Pells of Norfolk, Sussex and Westchester which prove them to 

ve been of one and the same family. 

6 Harl, MSS. 1550 fol. 187,8 138 and 138,8 visitations of Lincolnshire, 1564, 1592. British 
ree Bou ie Extinct and Dormant Baronetcies. Collectanea Typographia et Genealo- 
gica, vol. iv., 373. 

e At the dissolution, Shouldam Priory was granted, May 1544, 36th, Hen. VIII., to John 
Dethick, Esq., who in the 88th, 1546, had license to alien it toJobn Pell andhis heirs. The 
manor of Brookhall, an old hall conveyed by Sir Giles Capel, son and heir of Sir William 
Capel, Lord Mayor of London, in the thirty-second year of Henry VII., (1541,) to John 
Pell grant by fine, in which family it continued, as in Shouldham Priory Manor, till left to Mr. 
Walpole; the Earl of Oxford being its present Lord. The aforesaid John Pell, gentleman, 
by his will, dated Sept. 16, 1554, requires to be buried in the church of Derringham. 


PEDIGREE OF PELL, OF WALTER aetna LINCOLNSHIRE, NORFOLK, ENGLAND, AND PELHAM, WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NEW YORK. 


Arms:—Ermmnine, on a chevron azure, a Pelican vulned gu. Crest:—On a chaplet vert, flowered cr, a Pelican of the last vulned gules. (Granted October 19th, 1594). 


Walter de Pelham, _ 
held the perce pee Pelham, in 
Herfordshire, 21 Edw. 1, 1294 
To face page 40 


William Pell, ..-.+- 
of Walter Wellingsly, Circa, 13! | 


Teomas Pell) oe ccuse 


of Walter Wellingsly 
ritnara Pell. Robert Wyther, Jane, daughter and hei: 
o Poco —Jane, daughter and heiress 
of Walter Wellingsly ‘ | of Packston of John Pounder 
John Pell, of =A Robert Buller, _ 
= Walter Wellingsly | of Packston 
| | | i 
Richard Pell Thomas Pell, of _ William Pell, of Alice, da. of 
Dumblesby, Linc. Walter Well- Robert Bul- 
ingsley lerof Pack- 
__| ston 
| 
Zohn Pell, of Margaret Clitheron Alice, da, of_Thomas Pell Alice, da. of William Thor- 
Dersingham, Norfolk, Lord of the Manor of Henry Flower, of old, of Marston, County 
Shouldham Priory, and Brockhall, ob. 1556 Sanger Lincolnshire 


| ! i peel iP ain. ... esa eeios aaa ScaaaL 
John Pell,..Margaret, only da. of Edward Pell, Ann Reyster Thomas Pell Daughter —Petchill Margaret, da, of Sir Ritnara Pell, _Catharine, da. of An- Robert Pell, Catharine, da, of An 


Nat. 1528; ob, 1607; Mayor of Lynn, William Oyerend, of of Walter Wellingsly Sir Edward Terwhit, of | Knt. of Dum- thony Meeres, of gastin 
Regis. 1560; Second Lord of the | Norfolk | Stamifleld, Knt, and Bar. | blesbey, Co. Kirtou, Holland or Anthony Porter, of Belton 
Manor | , Lincolnshire Richard Pelt 
| t | ‘Thomas pell, ! | | 
tharine, da.of 2 Jeffrey Pell,_.Catharine, da. of 3, Valentine Pell, 4.Thomas 5, John Thomas Pell pell, —.. Ursula Pell. m. 1st, 1, Catheryn_William Sawell 2” —Nicholas Smith, of ! 
sb wan, Pot, Cathar ‘Drury, nat. 1519; ") Edward Read,of Attorney of Lynn, Pell Pell a the younger | _ , Edward Elis; of Pell of Howby Co. Pall oothedettomates || eauomae Bir Bartholemew. Belt, 
35+ Pi ( ob. 1616 Lynn, E.Rednam — ob, 1698 Edward Pell Cripplegate, Lor Chesterton, Cam.; Line Lincoln, '., of Lincolnshire 
1035; third Lord . a 
ofthe Manor she died 1698 William Pell don 2d.Lewis Cockain § 
| | ] 1 { ] 1 
| awsell, 4. Rey. John Pell, Mary Holland, of Halden, Kent; 5. Katherine 6. Anne 3, Anthony 2. William 1. Richard Elizabeth, da, of _8. Sir Ant 
ea ear nat. circa. 1553; descended from the ) descended from the Holland” Pell Pell Pell Pell Pell Sir Willlam Willoughby, Pell eC CE 
of the Manor Pelis, Knts. of Dimblesby, Co, Linc. Earls of Kent; ob. circa. 1640 of Carlton, Co. Notts, | of Surrey, 8. p.” 
= Incumbent of Southwick, Essex; ob. 1616 Annee 
| ! ! 
. bs da. of Hon, Thomas Pell, Lucy, da. of 2. Rey. and Rt. Hon. John Pell, D. D,—Tal 
Beiinerd of ass : smacteere Cal- nat. at Sonthwyck, Sussex, Anno 1580. He was Gentleman of the Bed- Francis Brewster, of New nat. at Southwyck, Sussex, Mar. 1, 1611, Incumbent of Fobbing, &c., in Essex; Domestic Repitoues oe cree Henry 
nor; 0b. 1658 thrope, Knt. chamber to King Charles I, and first Lord of the Manor of Pelham, Haven, Conn., ob. at Fair- Chaplain to the Archbi, » of Canterbury; Oliver Cromwell’s Ambassador to the Swiss Reginolles of Belsted ’Suitolk . fob. ice 
_ | N. Y¥.; ob. Sept. 1669; buried at Fairfield, Conn., s, p. field, Conn., 1667-5 Cantons; ob. Dec. 12, 1685; buried in Rector’s Vault, St. Giles church, London = - Issue, 4sonsand4 daughters’ z 
l { 
G ‘apt. william Pell, Anne, da. of Sir John Pell, Rachel, da. of 3 M P 
gohn Rell ernie Lome conn ‘Lordofthe "| John Drury nat. London, February $d, 1643; ob. 1702, He wasSewerin | Philip Pinckney, one of the 10 proprietors of Eastchester ary Pell, nat. 14th April, 1654_Raven 
oa Essex Manor Ordinary to Charles Il. Second Lord of Pelham Manor, 
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas 
! | I | | ! ) 
Wood Valentine Pell, 7th Lord of Shonldham, sold the 6. Mary Samnel Rodman, of Pelham, 4. Tamar _James 3. Philip 2. John Hon. Thomas Pell,_Anna, da. of 
John Pe, Anne, 48 of Th prs Manor to Rybert Walpole, of Houghton, ances Pell ‘Neck, afterwards Rodman’s Pell Eustace Pell Pell, dat. 1686; $d Lord of Pelham Manor; ob, the reigning Indian Chief of 
2 tor of the Earl of Oxford; died s, p., 1690 Neck ; owner of Bowne Place ob, 8. De 1789; buried on Bartow Place. Will, 3d | Westchester 
William _Anne Pell, John Pelham September, 1739 
Bilis ~ nat, 1654 Hingham 
1 Pans a etpa ronan Amol Pell,_.Dorothy 4. Davia Pal 5. Joana Pell, Palmer Hannah Mott_6, Philip Pell, Phasbe Fiten 7. Cale Pell, Mary Ferris s, Ana Pell Bradhurst 9. Maly Pell_SamuelSands 10, Sarah Pei P \,sneba Pell Theophilis Barstow 
SET EN ea co ler raae Ue DA 1722; ob, 1778] of Eastchester, "] Ward died 8. p., Will, 1735, Will, 1761 Will, 1705 7] : ell_Benj. Palmer 11. Bathshel - 
of Pelham, nat. 1721; ob, 1752; will 22d March, 1790; bu- ; Will, 1758 
8ist August, 1753; buried on Bar- ried at Pelham ? SSS) | 
o— ee | 1 TUG T T 1 | (i Te aS | | Ui ey ahaa u m. 9 Aug. 1652 1 | 
1.Joseph Pell Mai IReltoteme heh BN li smmaaseeeasoun en enein ty ;,2James PellAnn Fowler, 3.Thomas—Sarah 4, Roger Pell... 6. John—Mary <3 *© % 1.Joshna Pell_Abigail, da. 2 Kdward Pell_Mary Devaux SB elk we ao Bem). —1.Mary Ann, da. Elijan Ferris 1. Philip Pell, —Gloriana Tredwell bh i bet boot 
“nat. 1740; 1 3 ownerof ‘7 Rev.Jonn PESER Pell Pell Ssce 2 da, of Thos Pell Fowler Pell) jj Rotten) Se By) fs) Hat slJan., | Jonathan SF op Ss ss ae 7h Folger hat. 92d Nov., "nat. 12 April, 1781; > Bt Set OmoBrS Fz ae 
ob. 1676 * 1 = Manor Bartow EBB BERS? B a Eo & Pare Seas  ESFas 2; ob. 1783 ob, 10Sept., 1814 Bete RPEERIE 26 Ere 
; s | Fue 2 Joseph PellPhilena Esse § ale EE 5 as | Un es (Oe IS Ge Ee: 2.Titas Ce : 54 23 Ser ao BY soe 
2 Tes SBE S [ “pporah ye 8  S Ls Hrederiok-—..4-0 Benes Rae able T Hy tt = SE SEE: #8 
; BOSNBere oo oh. Se 2 S i, el Sn pom F Em Fs hop § 
a ae Pee E22 1 Avner Peter tmdmas Jon =" ES = 3 x8 32 | | he 4.Gibert_EilzaB,.da, 22 28 ag Els ae é 54 
24 ye ——_ = Se Sie Bltjah Pell 1,Edward Pell—. Pell EE ie le 5 = 25 6 SB 
B Era, g 5 | oe sa a Morris B. Pell 2 pes 
! | ) . = — m" alte ie vy] ee | 1 J 1 T L bot tht By as ® b 1.Hon.'Phit 1.M. Ss sored 3. M. Laret ical banana eae 5. M: | ell © Hannah, 
= T L & PS Sn C4 See eT w QE B, : -Hon, —1.Mary 9% Samuel Tred- 3. Margar . Col. David Pell_Hester Sneden, lary Pell, 
A es le a 3h 1. Thomas Saran aigoinea math Lo} = gsahesPell_Martha = L 5. ohn Pell, owned —Mary PELL L A Rt aor & LuShS as PSs 7 S23 PZ ES Bu £8 S eeig ae 7s Pell, nat. 7) ~Ward Pell, nat.” well, Pell nat.% nat. 1sthJan., | nat.sth May, nat, August nat. Mar. 2S 
June4, | Baldwin,ot +5 BR Pell Fouder Pell Ward 2 ce Pugsley = the Schuyler Pl. | Totten SBA Eia: & Pell Thomas Pell 7S3SER5 Bak 68 he ba yh RE fe se & “aig os =e July, 1 ~2Ann 36Jully,” gp.’ Nov.,1768; 1700; ob. 18th’ | 1770; ob. 8d’ 16th, 1702; 1718; mar. 
1526 Newark, =F 8 a 8 Fe! ain beth Webb = is 23 88 Ee = | SaeRERs £ 2Ee is eb OSE oH ey yee 5 =2 “sg tan cera ad orem es an ee ae 
13, =e 2S z _y Ma 2 Et rea | BESS oe 5 “ES aioe BS —t buy yoy eesu ks ee) mA i | = , 
427 eek 1 yy akestin | | iReveccam. gE EE = ogolnPel LSahiPen = Ee beadus £ Seas es Fan 8 Beet: ee leoneee |Sese=  |28 are BS 
os ~ a9 3 8 1S2) Reman Hinnan £2 3. Phoebe Fowler 27532 = Wwe gig gh= FUR ES B cease Bese ate Qzasre Bete aS 
3= Fi i= —_—_—_—__— 8 2,Polly ears i=} Bates eB OS a8 a) ¥% wes aa PP § 
= = - —, =] = i, ll 
} SS Wt | | | (eaTier karly dk it L Lok P 2 © | 
pig 3 4.Caleb Pell Martha Aaron Pell_... 6. Ann Pell_ Pe A da a 2 @ SS 4 Frederick Pell_..... H = —— | 
1 i a mat enean . Ann =Rev. Mr, 5 E> ° 3 a 8 | L 
L wilam —Frances Sarah.-2.Abian Eliza 4 x.saran4.charies_2.Mary 5. Stephen Mary 1.Mary6.John—Caroline 7 2s Pell TE oi [4 Chase 3 & S a ze et z hh ikl = 2 1 — — — i Ze It 2 ly ae aI oats of 
J. Pell 7 Lockwood Totten Peil Ward 2 Bige- ~ Pell Ann Pell |Marster- J.Man-| Pell Leak 23 Es | | I Bo @ § "BB 5 3 3 = ia if zs = e a.Sophla T. Joseph L Emma _Rey. Samuel shesrosas i Roberts 
eres ade low, Elliott son ser Praneneepal (nd eae Mortimer Theodore Ae ES 3 * 2 8 Srederick Nathaniel 2 & = | Cooke s | Cooke, D.D. By Bose = Zz £ Sl pe 
: Ze Z> yes Maines SFY 5 me OF sa Peete A el aks = ES ae wens 1.Wart 4Mary 
mate os ees 2 ew 8 3 ier I) 2 X 2s er WEA a 
me S$ 2 2 Ba 2 ick S : iS = Daniel Maria vm. rE Lionel H. Howland W. g Smee ar = 2Philip SMary 
a a. D oe < 
ci] = | ao — = = : 7 7 = 3 & 
# ene DT { [sey ae Leeeree b 10, Saphia_jamesD. 4 1. Robert L. L ; | 
es ale By Gy wy aS ay ae Ree fi FAG Teel peeedh Se SU EHEC Rutgers Eliza Croger_Aifred' Pell _Bliza Wood } id 2 a. Res Anuteraee ge 10. Pa tel = - Robert L. Pell ~Marla L. Brincker- 2, James D. Pell _Sophia Pell 8, John A. PellSusan, da. of Benja- t 
wee sen =p? $ Pp? ¢ Gd PPpPRAaN mp s Liat abe BPese=s ERS = Bu Ty aes Torsir edo 2 me ~e 
22305225 SUEEe F Ssere Ore 2EESESS Sis zHS gpeste 68E Cue ALAR ON SNE Ee ee ee a eee eee |e i 1 : Be » s8 
Beee2S2 Eskae £ BEB 8 a Beas eRe Peas BEE Sew ehs By Tella, SHUR a zB BE 2 so fo wg ES 2Frewericx | smury & le peel ees 1. Walden Lily Hyatt 2.Frederick 8,Mary Ella Pell Charles H, Phelps Ba 373 
EEgEEr ES Fano e io BFae FRE zgr?ees =F aes egeee 2 yesk Morgan LeRoy BS -g “pO Fo ¥ 22, 8 8 gs Bae wee ‘thy Hyatt vee, Sasnea Be “ireland eerie ae ce 5S 
gee - peiha $ Hob ow ab ES BA 20 & ae SS grzS 2 ge ae =irstrig e@88588 GE 1. Frederick T 5.Wald au foe 
z2beuees s¥Eb an 5 BwEreso Ln r 5 Lees of om PE! a2 Bb inex 2 flaps yee EK @Lester©. | 4.Jeremiah D. SS & oF 
5 | z Se srgseges ~~, Q) Ss egieek. fo 6 Sn 9 FL g2 lgeaq & weg Se Se 3,Francis 1. . BS 
Bm 2 s 2 I aie = Be = Lak FP 
= ° 8 g 2 eh OE = 2 B eger x S ae Se Se |BEP > Eguchi e Uae 5 2 
Ey ee = = 5 ar-2 = £ Roomy |= Bt nae ; 
3 3° = ES 3 a gs 5 > s Roosm (Re g ? 
Lb Sg 
| | | ! | February, 1s | | | | bth December, 1800 
I i L p a Sater, L iv L x ee ae all L | a Tm Bist February, 1867 Lon SRERRIECSEAE {L L L iT L Te L [__m. oth December, iE ry T 
a . " ; pata (es i 3s can A. Pell, nat, 20th April, Caroline Cheever #& Cornelia Corse —1.John H. Pell_Cari yal ‘ ake § x : 7. Stephen’s. Pell, Adeline M. Turnbull Q 3 
Se ge ge FEZ 32 MAMI) meme! oe gel gee Bee BEE EE $2 ESS ¥¥a eet wed DUMNATHLN corn ae ee = oa gee FF £ EGER G8229 ge MCBNNTntooduueke gy go ggse 
22 fe; of FE = ES : SB 358 BPs Bes B53 53 SS £35 ges 222 BFa : Bea rd I fy yuan ah ge FEE eee P gece Seeee FS 88 S55 FESS 
= ” ba y 5°. oe (Sbialedy MRS ta ae 2 5 —SI Se + a § : % =5 = ‘ = dg oe 
- - ' ° e ~ a = J eZee ees B ie at | ne 2 & a Soe 2D ] | 7 e Renee 
2 2 as F Pu v83 sy 282 225 £5 £3 e238 E58 252 BBE vuncanc.retnat 4 | Alexanacrat-reu, BS BS 3 2 o8ks 2 eka FB gn Gale 2 wet S588 8 i ® k hh gh 858 See5 
Bs pe 5 3 ae SeeePe ee re Est Fe ey Bay aly, PEP see December, 1867 |, Mat. gorn June, 1871” 2S = 3 5 #232 25 2 F 3 4 8 oy 853 BS bgt res S 2859 Sbase BESS yeses g= af FEL ster 
= = = 22 2° S ~ “ag a = = F =| mK 2 S23 St SS ss e SF : see 
fe BE 3; 28 #E ee 25 gee 38 Psa es Se ae gee aE ey noitaid September” 1809 ae 28 g 8 3 Bb s 2 bi Ee oe ee Ses eae gigy  B Bore BEees Sees eee ee ce bee ESE: 
= a ~ r = on FS sy Bass Ze 8 ars s Ong a oF ef 3 sé ; a6 B BES ® P £& 5 
2 ? z Fa = 3 ‘I wow arp Ff $8 £ 5 se £ ap 82 £ o wy Sw 6 og ye 8 2 =] = Bg Ss: S pSsy Bess TER. Fasre a2 8&8 ®B 3s:F 
B55 Ses ar = : SB oF ye BS i & of Se oe Fe BFFs ao S RPS tas tun Suttg ESes og pe fe :F = 
be *F g Fp 38 2 eo «og es ef ) Zo B® of 2 #2459372 23 & Se ne ue Se weg B pone booed Sond wees Bs = sis 
me e s ze 3 G2 89 8 ¢5 BE FF 28 25 38 32 iS Beis Ty (2 ae gf gf 2 j%#FEF yi 2h 5 BEBE BoeES §EEr GEEEE Ss €5 ge SERS 
= - zz 5 Se RIAL Fo B s ae ar a EP SF east Bibs & = BS 2 abe eB es 5° BS $Frp “<PSx5 SRSy ESTs ES 85 Fo wolf 
? ' Se 2 2 2 g = S Bee Es es 5 E g 28 Bs See a2 R Beppe onke ER Bopck & 2 - 25-3 
# z £ BS BF 32 Fs EE 8 fF 28 32 ze EP Re oa BS Rs ae Bs& nee = SsbR aske sR "5 ® ? sf See 


-< vivo” cootr wt 
ofp Bang Coer 3:09 a 
Loker wer Tee 
<P yneriew, ~ ert 


| a4 = : (eva Lay re 
“a, a4 hal =" 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 41 


Nicholas’ church, Derringham, are engraved the effigies of this John 
Pell and Margaret, his wife, together with the following inscription :-— 


Memoria Sacrum. 


Hei jacet Johannis Pell de Dersingham, armiger, quonda major Linne Regis, 
qui uxorem duxit Margaretam, filiam, unicam Gulielmi Overend, armigeri, 
annos 61 feeliceiter und vexerunt, sex filias et tres filias inter se habuerunt, Hec 
vers cum annos 80 compleverat quinto die February, A. Dui 1607, matura sinec- 
tute, mortem obut et octavo die ejuscem mensis corpus sepulchro condibatur. 


John Pell and Margaret Overend had six sons and three daughters ; 
his eldest son was William Pell, Esq., who married Elizabeth, daughter 


42 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


of William Drury, Esq., of Fincham, and died without issue in 1535. 
Jerfrey Pell, his brother, married Catherine, daughter of Edward Rand, 
of East Bendham, and left issue John Pell, Esq., fourth lord of the 
manor of Shouldham, whose great-grandson, Valentine Pell, gave 
Shouldham and Brookhall to Robert Walpole, ancestor of the Earls of 
Oxford ; another son of John and Margaret was Valentine Pell, an at- 
torney at Lynn, who died in 1603; another son was Thomas Pell; 
while a fifth son is said to have been the Rev. John Pell, incumbent of 
Southwyck, in the county of Sussex. Others, however, assert that 
although the latter was descended of the ancient Lincolnshire family, 
yet his branch had removed some time into Sussex. The Rev. John 
Pell, of Southwyck,® was born about 1553, and married Mary Holland, 
of Halden, County of Kent. This accomplished lady was descended 
of the royal family ; her branch being allied to the Hollands, Earls of 
Kent, who flourished in: the reigns of Edward III. and Richard IL., 
Kings of England. Sir Thomas de Holland, second son of Robert 
de Holland, Knight of the Garter and a Baron of the realm, (who led 
the van of Prince Edward’s army at the famous Castle of Cressy,) mar- 
ried Joane Plantagenet, celebrated for her beauty under the name of 
“The Fair Maid of Kent,’ only daughter of Edmund Plantagenet, sur- 
named “ of Woodstock,” Earl of Kent, second son of King Edward III. 
This distinguished woman inherited (upon the decease of her brother 
John, the third Earl of Kent,) that dignity, with the Barony of Woop- 
stock, honors of her father, and the Barony of Wake, a dignity of her 
mother’s; from which latter peerage, she styled herself “ Lapy or 
Wake.” The Rev. John Pell-died at Southwycke in 1616, leaving two 
sons, Thomas Pell, “ gentleman of the bed-chamber” to King Charles 
I., and first Lord and proprietor of the manor of Pelham ; and the Rev. 
7ehs Pell, D.D., rector of Fobbing, in Essex. Thomas Peli, the eldest 
son, appears to have been born at Southwyck, Sussex, about 1608, al- 
though by same he is styled of Norfolk ; the exact period of his arrival 
in America is uncertain ;4 that he was one of the first settlers of New 
England, however, there remains no doubt ; for, at a very early period, 


a Biographia Brittanica. It is a little singular that John Pell, second Lord of the manor of 
Pelham, should be so frequently styled, in the records, ‘Sir John Pell,” which seems rather 
to connect him with the knighted family of Dymblé« osby,. in Lincolnshire. 

6 This livingis a discharged rectory in the Deanery of Lewes, and is valued in the King’s 
books at £9, 13s, 93gd. Itisinthe patronage of the crown. The church is dedicated to St. 
Michael. The Registers commence in 1653. - 

ce Burke’s Extinct and Dormant Peerages. Hasted’s Hist .of Kent, vol. ii, 284. The arms 
of Holland, of Holland, temp. King John, az. a lion ramp. guard betn. six fleurs-de-lis ar. ; 
these were also the arms of Robert de Holland, summoned to Parliament, S. Edward 1L., and 
his descendants, the Karls of Kent. 

d Twoof this name appear as emigrants to New England in 1635.—‘“*6th April 7635. These 
pties hereinunder mencioned are to be transported toNew Englande, im barqued in the Plant- 
ers Nico Trarice M., bound thither they have brought certilicate from the Justic’s cf Peace 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 43 


we find his name associated with Roger Ludlow, a member of the Rev. 
John Warhams’¢ company who settles first at Dorchester, Massachusetts, 
June, 1630, and afterwards removed to Windsor Connecticut, in 1635. sub- 
sequently Ludlow, with ten families, commenced a plantation at Unquowa, 
(the Indian name for Fairfield, Conn.,) here we find Mr. Pell, in 1635. His 
name first occurs in the New Haven colonial records, as attorney for the 
executors of Richard Jewell in 1639.2 In 1642, he was a resident there ; 
and on the roth of March, 1646, his name is recorded as the occupant 
of the first seat, on the cross-benches or pews at the end of the meeting 
house.¢ In 1647, he traded to the Delaware and Virgina. The year 
following, he was cailed upon to take the oath of allegiance to New 
Haven, but he declined compliance with this order, on the ground that he 
had taken the oath in England, “and should not take it here.” This 
refusal we think was not prompted by his attachment to the royal cause; 
but from conscientious scruples in taking any oath at all; for this he 
was pronounced guilty of contempt, and fined. He would not pay the 
fine, however ; and, as “his carriage had been full of high contempt,” 
he was again summored before the authorities and again amerced.? In 
1646-7, he married Lucy, widow of Francis Brewster, of New Haven, 
and in June or July of that year removed to Fairfield. 

A.D. 1654 (the same year of his purchase here), Mr. Thomas Yale 
presented to the General Court, held at New Haven, a note under hand of 
Mr. Thomas Pell, wherein he desires the said Mr. Yale to make entry of 
the lands he had sold to Allan Ball, James Russell and William Bradley 


and Ministers of ye parish, that they were conformable to the orders of ye Church of England, 
and are no subsidy men. They have taken the oath of supremacie and allegience die et an prd. 


A carpenter, Thos. Pell, -....26. 
Marie Pee can cecsa case. see 20> 
MATIC Pel, cacacsasina oss'cms is 


These names are said to be crossed out in the original MSS. iist of emigrants to America 
1600-1700. J. W. Bouton, N. Y., “‘ April, 1635, in the Hopewell, Wlll. Burdock, master, bound 
to New England; a tailor, Thos. Pell, aged 22.” Mass. Coll. ‘* Founders of New England,” 
by Samuel Drake. 

a John Warham was 2 pious and celebrated preacher at Exeter, England, but was forced 
to flee to New England for refuge from the storm. Previous to his departure, a congrega- 
tion being gathered at Plymouth, he was after solemn fasting and prayer chosen one of its 
pastors ; and in the year 1636, many pious families out of Devonshire, Dorsetshire and Somer- 
Setshire, accompanied them to New England. Lives of the Puritans, by Brook. Princes 

ron Hist. vol. i., p, 200, 204. 

5 New Haven Col. Rec. vol. i, p. 63. 

e *Ata general court, held on that day and year were recorded the names of the peopie as 
Seated in the meeting house; first middle seat, the Governor and Deputy Governor, &c. In 
the cross seats, at the end, first seat, Mr. Pell, Mr. Tuttle and brother Fowler,” &¢. New Ha- 
ven Rec., vol. i, p.280. 

d Hist. of Netherlands, by O’Callighan, vol. ii., p. 283 ; see note. 

e In 1647 Mr. Pell was 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 re- 
fused 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 anoath.”” New Haven Col. Rec., vol. i., 315-391. Eighteen pages of the Col. 
Ree. are occupied with the trifling details of a trial of ‘Lucy Brewster for slander ; but this 
was before her marriage to her second husband, and may have contributed to produce it in 
order to obtain manly protection. Savages’ Bis. Dict. 

J New Haven Col. Rec. 


44 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Upon the oth of February, 1653, Thomas Pell purchased land in Fair- 
field of Henry Rowland, Philip Pinckney, Alexander Briant and others ; 
also a house which was sometime Nathan Gould’s, in 1654. In 1662 he 
was made a freeman of that town, and chosen its representative to the 
General Court in 1665. 

Thomas FPell’s death must have occurred in September, 1669; he is 
said to have died of hasty consumption, and was buried at Fairfield, 
his wife, Lucy, probably died at the same place in 1668. 


THE LAST WILL OF THOMAS PELL. 


In ye name of God, Amen—It hath pleased ye all wise God many years to ex- 
ercise me with much weakness of body, and having lately taken to himselfe my 
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 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 enjoy- 
ment of what God hath been pleased to give to me—this being my last will and 
testament—I doe make my nephew, John Pell, living in ould England, 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. Lalso give to my 
nephew John Pell (my whole and sole heire) all my goods, moveable or immove- 
able whatsoever—money, plate, chattells and cattle of all kinde—except such 
parcells and legacyes which I give and bequeath to persons 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, Jobn Pell, I give to such issue of his; and in ye default of such issue, 
it’s my will that my brother John Pell’s daughter shall enjoy ye above said por- 
tion; 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 above said 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. JI give to Abigall 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 
curtaing, 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. tem 


a Fairfield Town Rec, 
b Hazard’s Siate Papers, vol. ii, pp. 231-245-342-343, 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 45 


—I give to Daniell Burr all my horses and horse colts which have in New Eng- 
land, and in ye territoryes of ye Duke of Yorke: I except my mares and mare 
colts, which I do not give him; I except my saddie gelding, which my heir 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. Jtem— 
I give to my sonne, Francis French, all my tobacco, growing or not growing, in 
casks, or otherways made up in rolls or twist. J¢em—I give to Nathaniel] 
French two young cowes and one young bull. Jtem—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 fifteene 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. [tem —to Mary White I give 
six pounds and one suite of aparell of serge, with two shifts, and wool for stock- 
ings. I give to Nathaniell White, an apprentice to some handicraft trade; and 
if it be for his advantage, to give tenne pounds 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 liberty 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, Ido 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, 
Katherine Rysten, five pounds in cattle or county pay. I make, ordain, con- 
stitute and appoint Daniell Burr and John Bankes to be my executors of trust, 
and order them to pay, after my burial, all just debts and legacyes, and to make 
sale of any utensils which are subject to decay—old cattle—and to be account- 
able to my heire 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 in- 
cumbrances. Jtem—I give those poor men their debts upon my booke, whose 
names follow—Joseph Pathon, 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 GouLp, 
Joun CABELL. 


John Cabell gives oath that he was witnesse to Mr. Pell signing this will, with 
Mr. Gould, as he hath entered his hand. Taken upon oath before me, 
NatHAN GouLp, Assistant. 
This 3d of ——-——, in his Majestie’s 
Colony of Connecticut, September, 1669,¢ 


Upon the reth of October, A.D. 1669, the Court of Assize issued the 


a This will may be foundin the Probate Rec. of Fairfleld Co, 1665 to ’75, vol. ii, p. 43-44+ 
Also Surrogates office N. Y. Wills and Adm., 1665 to 1683, vol. 1., p. 83. 


46 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


following order, authorizing and appointing Mr, John Richbell, 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 government, of which no inventory is as 
yet returned.’’@ 


In the inventory, we have a thorough and particular account of the 
whole furniture and household array of a wealthy merchant and gentle- 


man of that early period. 
P Rictar Cuan 


An inventory of ye estate of Sir Thomas Pell, late deceased, appraised 
by us whose names are underwritten, and yt according to an order or 
commission directed unto us 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 
blankett, 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 cae 

9 pound of tacks, 

1 pr. of brasse scales and Bonne rene 

1 piece of girt web and lead lyne, 


—! 


Soo oWFeKHrF OCOOCOCO CCC ONC CO ONT ore BS 
ee 


1 pound of pepper, 

4 knives, : : 2 4 : 
14 buckles and 2 bridle bits, . 2 4 ; i 
23 yds. of bongala at 3s pr. yd. ‘ : : d 


14 yds. of peniston at 2s p. yd. 

6 yds. of Holland at 4s. p. yd. 

21 yds. 3 of Brockram at 1s. 6d. p. yd. 

60 lbs. of pewt. 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, 


= 


tt 
SAIPmDROWFOTDIONNWNAUMNIBROORWOCRAOS 
OSS ors aS S oo Sooo so oo oo (Sa S&S 


a Assize Rec. Albany, Vol. ii. 7S. 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 


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 ae stuffs at 2s pr. aaa: 
12 yds. more ye sd stuffs, 

9 yds. of remnants of serge at 3s pr. va 

1 piece of serge, - 

113 yds. of remnants éf ae at 4s. a yd... 

24 yds. of flew lynnen at 2s. pr. yd. . 


4 yds. of penistone at 2s. pr. yd. : : C 
5 yds. of cotton at 2s. 6d. p. yd. : : : 
3 lb. of black and browne thread, . = ; 
Remnants of gimp. and other laces, . ; 5 
1 pair of cotton cards, . - - 


14]b. and 3 of lead in barres = 3d. p. “Ib é - 
1 pair of bridle reines, - 

3 quire of paper, 

1 chest with a lock, 

2 joynt stooles, 

3 chaires at 2s. per chair, 

7 lb of powder at 1s. per lb. 


1 old neckeloth, 5 old bands, 2 hankerehicta and ald red a 


3 gunnes, 


1 old patch flock cea 2 poulsiees 3 a pate cs 1 old Cavern 
1 chaffe bed being broke, 1 feath. bolster, 1 per of course sheets, 


1 hammock, 

1 old coate, 

2 feather bol. 1 naar. 2 poate faa 1 coarse eee 
1 dressed boar skin, 

1 very old boat sayle, . 

1 old bible, 

Culpeper’s ie wh 3 other aaatt imoke 

2 of Cradock’s works in quarto, 

2 brushes, 

18 old fashioned felt hats wh ee 

2 yds. of bayes and duffets for 1 paire of iain paeectien 
15 bushells of winter wheat at 6s. p. bushell, 

3 bushells of Indian corn at 2s. 6d. p. bushell, 

A parcell of sheep’s wool, : 

A parcell of cotton wool, ; 

A parcell of lumber casks in ye chamber, 

380 lb. of nayles at 10d. p. Ib., 

7 bolts for dores, 

2 paire of bridle raines, 

1 paire of bridle bitts, 


1 feth’r bed, 1 boulster, 2 blanketts, 2 as 2 aidue, 1 pr. of abet 
1 large feather bed, 1 boulster, 2 blanketts, 1 rug, 1 pr. sheets, 


cCcococoocooocorwoocoonnwnwrrroocdtrH 


He 
st oO SO GS = t Sow GN Se OS o.oo & by ©} 


WNONnGOoONTK DOAK OC 


— 


a = 


= 
COPPPRPRORNMNOC OC ON DPR OF KK WHO 


a 


ar 


pane 


corwrROoO WOON oOoN or 


eoooocomooenmoc oooocooooqcoococmcw Oo 8 OC OOO ON OOO AS 


48 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


2 blanketts, 

lold feather bed, 1 boulster, 1 aiilow: 1 onire of sheets: a blankett 
and 1 coverlett, k 

17 yds. of coarse broad-cloth at t 7s. p. vil 

17 lumber casks, - - 

1 old chest without a lock, 

4 iron potts, 1 skillett, 3 pair of pot sooks, 

3 brasse kettles, 1 skillett, 2 chafing dishes, 1 pestell and eS) 
and 1 copper skillett, * - 

2 trammells, 1 dripping pan, 1 spitt, 1 frying pan, 1 ae of Come 
1 gridiron, 1 smoothing iron, : 

2 doz. trayes, 2 boults, 1 cheesplate, 5 ane bottles, 8 aoe 14 
bushell, 1 peck, 1 quarter cann, 1 old small churn, 

2 ploughs, 2 shares, 2 coulters, bolts, collars and 1 pr. of nanan 

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 alediees 6 Lee if elie 
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 un: and 
1 cart rope, . ° s : 

3 old table napkins, 1 table Bey 6 old ional 

1 warming pan, &c. . 3 : < ° 

24 harrow teeth, 1 swivell, 1 horse ieee 1 arial chaine, 3 gimbletts, 
8 howes, 2 3 : ~ = - - . 

1 small bag with ginger, . “ - ° - 

20 yearling cattle, : 4 > : . 

9 two yeare old, : - : 5 ° - 

9 three yeare old, Z : - . ° 

6 four yeare old, : - 3 : 

6 milch cows, 

12 oxen, : : : - ; . 

5 calfes, 


1 hogsd. and 1 barrell of ries 

4 barrells of salt, : 

16 lumber casks, : 

All ye tobacco, old and new, . 

2 hydes, 

1 parcell of feathers in a oilicier case, oa 1 o of old siouk un. 

Horses and horse colts as they run in the woods, 

Mares and mare colts, : 

53 sheep, . a - 

Swyne, small and greate, 

The howsing, lands, barnes, islands, dion tiae fom Piubelihsot?s s 
River westward, and so far eastward as were Mr. Tho. Pell’s 
inst. and lawful right, é = 4 - 


~ 


woownuw 


OrweH 


es Re 
ooocorooomoooocooe 


ooo 


Oo ooco]o 


o 


ceoogooocoocoococoococoeoocoeococe oe 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM, 49 


House and land in Westchester, e . . ; - 20 00 
6 new sythes, : ‘0 18 0 
6 unwashed fleeces of wool, Opin O 
6 old scythes, ~ P . 0 14 0 
In Applebyes keeping, 2 cows and 1 plow chaine ; : wy S. 0 

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, S . et oon, 0 

1 plough share, colter, hoult, coller aed oo irons, in John Holy’s 
hands, é : ‘ e : 5 . é Ze OreO 
64 load of hay, ‘ : ° 7) RE OPO 
5 firkins of sope and pone of ae 3: ..0' 0 
3 barrell of rum, : . 1 10 0 
1 paire of stillyards, : : Se pone! . oe eo 
3 yoaks and 2 grind stones, . 7 z 0 12 0 
1 canow, parcell of beef, and 2 small beret of ae ~ - t-910;50 
4 cowes more, - : - : : - tS Sc077.0 
4 oxen, . . - : : : - 24 0 0 
2 of two yearsold, . 4 - E : - 5 OL () 
2 of three years old, . ‘ : 2 . eae | 
2 calfes, : 270) 0 
1 bull stag, . : . : 6 0 0 
Wheate, é ‘ 5 2 12 OO 
30 bushells of fataate corne Saa0c0 
Old wheat, Been Oued 
2 draught chaines, 1 “ee supa 1 oe cart aes pone and rings, 3+ 0,0 
1 colter, 1 share colter and boult. 5 as ORY 

1 broad axe, 3 iron wedges, 1 pr. of beetle ee 1 om rope, ag bolle 
for a horse, 2 pitchforks, 1 grind stone 1 10 0 

1 flock bed and boulster, 1 handsaw, 2 augurs, 2 2S and 1 
paire fell’rs, £4026 

1 iron pott, pot hooks and air 1 Pe kettle, 1 kellett na 
candlestick, 1 pewter pint pott, 2 old pewter platters, oe "05.0 
6 alchymy spoons, - : ; f ? = eee eat 
15 old lumber casks, . 2 E : E 2 0 15 0 
3 firkin butter and 2 cheeses, . 0 15-0 
2 cowe hydes, OMMO-0 
Total sume, z > 1294 14 4 


This inventory and appraisem’t was finished ye 20th of October, 1669, as 
witness o’r hands, we having according to o’r best knowledge and understanding, 
done as witness o’r hands ye day and yeare aforesaid, we have appraised as 
money of this country, 

JouNn RIcHEELLs. 
Wa. tt Hoypen. 
his marke. 


SAMUEL DRAKE. 


590 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


John Bankes one of ye Exec’rs of ye said will entered into bond of £200 
Sterl. to perfourme ye said will. Ye bond was dated ye 13 October, 1669.4 

During the same year an execution was grauted against ye estate of Thomas 
Pell, of Ann Hooks neck, for £16 19 10, of ye goods or chattels belonging and re- 
served by ye executors, in trust, for the use of his heirs, the said sum being due 
for several charzes relating to a matter in difference between Charles Bridges and 
Sarah his wife, plaintiffs, and.ye said Thomas Pell defendant, wherein ye said _ 
defendant was overthrown, and condemned to pay ye costs of suit .4 


FRANCIS LOVELACE. 
[To Mr. Robert Coe, high sheriff or his deputy, to cause this exccution tobe served. |° 


By the will of Mr. Thomas Pell, it will be observed, that he be- 
queathes all his “lands and houses in any part of New England, or in 
ye territory of ye Duke of York,” to his nephew John Pell, living in Ould 
England, the only son of his only brother, John Pell, Doctor of Divinity. 

The Rey. John Pell, D.D., second son of Rev. John Pell and Mary 
Holland, was born at Southwyck, in Sussex, on the first of March, 1611. 
His father, we are told, died whilst he was only five years old; but his 
mother, who was of the Holland family, residing in Kent, did not allow 
this loss to be an injury to his education, From her tuition he went to 
that of Mr. John Jefferies, master of the free school at Steyning, and 
made such proficiency that at the age of thirteen he proceeded to Trini- 
ty College, Cambridge.¢ He was an excellent Imguist, understanding 
well Arabic, Italian, French, Dutch and Hebrew, as well as the two clas- 
sical languages. Mathematics, however, were his favorite and distinguish- 
ing study. At the age of nineteen he composed a treatise upon the use 
of sun-dials, and engaged in a correspondence relating to logarithms with 
the learned Mr. H. Briggs. In the year 1636, he took the degree of 
M.A., and the following year proceeded to finish his studies at Oxford, 
where he was greatly esteemed. On the 3d of July, 1632, he married 
Tehamaria, ‘Tamar or Athamar,” second daughter of Mr. Henry Regi- 
nolle,* of London, by whom he had four sons and the same number of 
daughters.” John, their only surviving son, as we shall see presently, 
succeeded his uncle as second lord of Pelham. 

“In December, 1643,” Dr. Pell * went to Amsterdam to fill the pro- 
fessorship of mathematics. He succeeded Martin Hortensius. His pub- 


a Probate Ree. Fairfield Co., 1665-1675, 2 vol. pp. 43, 44. Also Surrogate’s Office, N. Y., 
Wills & Admin, 1665 0 1683, vol. i, p. 87. 

5 Westchester Town Rec. 

¢ Assize Rec., Albany, 215. 

d Trinity College, Cambridge, was founded by Kdward III, and the Black Prince and Pell 
as being of founders kin was entitled to certain privileges attached thereto. 

e Henry Reginolles, or Reginalles, was descended of a family of that name resident at Bel- 
sted, county of Suffolk. The following guand of arms was made to Reginalls (Belsted, coun- 
ty of Suffolk,) in 1584, *“*Sa. on a chief ar. three mullets pierced of the field.” Burke’s Gen. 
Armory. 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 51 


lic lectures upon Diophantus were much applauded, as is testified by his 
learned colleague, Gerrard John Vossius, who styles him, in his De 
Scientiis Mathematics, ‘a person of various erudition, and a very acute 
mathematician ;’ though, as Dr. Pell tells Sir Henry Cavendish, in a let- 
ter, still preserved inthe British museum, ‘ stupidus, stolidus, cant similis, 
temerarius, petulans juvenis, and the like titles, hath Longomontanus 
bestowed upon your honor’s most humble servant, JoHN PELL.” “ This 
letter is dated from Amsterdam, in February, 1644-5. In 1646, in com- 
pliance with the wishes of the Prince of Orange, Mr. Pell removed to the 
Professorship of Philosophy and Mathematics in Schola lustris which 
his Highness founded that year at Breda. In the same year appeared 
his ‘ Controversia cum Christiano Longomontana de vera circuli mensu- 
ra.’ While at Breda he had Lord Brereton? under his tuition. In 1651, 
was published his ‘ /zea Mathematus, which is the best of his works. 
In 1652, he returned to England, and two years subsequently was sent 
by the Protector Oliver Cromwell as his od/igatus, or agent, to the Pro- 
testant Cantons of Switzerland, but subsequently he received orders to 
continue there as resident minister. He chiefly resided at Zurich.’¢ 

The Pell MSS.¢ in the Landsdowne Collections, in the British Museum, 
are written in an excellent style and afford interesting illustrations of 
Dr. Pell’s domestic and literary character. They contain letters to and 
from Dr. Pell. Amongst his correspondents are Mr. Secretary Thurloe, 
Boswell, Monk, Moland, Drury and Hirtzell, To which is appended 
Dr. Pell’s diary during his residence at Zurich. The latter commences 
thus : — 

1654. 


March 1, I was forty-three years old. 

March 2, My Lord Protector sent for me, and first proposed that journey to 
me. 

March 3, The Low-Dutch ambassador came. 

March 21, Marcus first waited upon me. 

March 24, I received at Whitehall, £200 sterling advance. 


a Harleian MSS. 6796, 72 c. 


4 The son of the second Lord Brereton, of Leaghlin, in Ireland, to whose title he succced- 
ed, and was member for Ciieskire in the reign of CharlesII. He diedin 1679. Vaughan’s 
Protectorate of Cromvvell, vol. ii, 383. 


¢ History of Sussex, by Thomas Walker, vol. ii, 218. Besides the works already mentioned. 
Dr. Pell published—l. Modus Supputandi ‘Ephemerides Astronomicus, 1630: 2. Clef de la Ste- 
ganographic de Jean Tretheim, 1631; 3. Letter to Edward Wingate upon Logarithms, 1631; 4, 
Astropomical Account of Celestial Appearances, &c., 1634; 5. The Art of Calculating Eclipses, 
1634; 6. Easter not Mis-timed, 1664; 7. Table of 10,000 Square Numbers, &c., 1672; 7. Inaugu- 
ral Oration at Breda. His Demonstration of the 2 and 10 b’ks of Euclid, his alterations and 
additions to Rhonim’s Algebra, with many others on miscelianeous subjects, letters, &c., are 
some of them preserved in MSS. in the library of Lord Brereton, in Cheshire. 


d Inthe Lanesdowne MSS. are 11 vols. of Dr. Pells. The first vol. is composed of a vast 
fuad of interesting information respecting the presecution of the Piedmontose. 


52 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


April 5, Dismissed by my Lord Protector. Isupped with my wife and bade 
her adicu. 
April 6, We came to gravesend.@ 


The first article in his correspondence (as ambassador) opens with a 
letter to Mr. Secretary Thurloe, dated Utrecht, April 2oth, O. S., 1654. 

In a letter from Morland, to the Right Hon. John Pell, dated White- 
hall, 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 five 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, &c., &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 will,” &c. 


“To Mrs. Pell, ather house behind six trees, in Gardiner’s 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 that you know I 
have rich presents; you might do well to tell me, who gave them me, 
when, and where, and what they are, for I know none of all these. No- 
body wears pearls or jewels 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 daughters 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 1s, all his just claims being reckoned 
with that which he hath nowin his power. This letter will come to White- 
hall, about the very beginning 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 time I tell you no more of my mind concerning Ma and 
the rest, of whom I cannot think without much sadness. 

God Almighty bless them and direct you.” 


Zurich, May 26th. Mr. Pell to Mrs. Pell. “Since my last of April 
2oth, &c., &c., I have received two of yours. In them you ask advice 
concerning my son. If he be’ not fit to get long lessons, by heart, he 
will never be fit for that school ; but you must take heed that you dis- 
please 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 


a Dr. Vaughan’'s Protectorate of Cromwell vol. ii, 485. The journey from Westminister to 
Zurich, says Pell, was forty-three days; ‘our way was worked, and at least seven hundred 


miles long.” 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 53 


vacation ; or else my uncle may help you to an excuse, by pretending a 
desire to see him; and then (as if it were his humor 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,”4 


“October 15th, Mr. Pell to Mrs. Pell. Since my last of July 16,1 have 
received seven of yours, &c. The fourth tells me 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 4e that wrote it will 
be a scholar or a’ prentice. That question will be better answered three 
years hence; they that will now judge of him may be very much mis- 
taken in him; with your next, iet him send me the names of the books 
which he now learns in school, &c.” 

October 2d, 1656, concerning his daughter Mary’s marriage, he writes: 
‘“*T perceive by yours, that M. hath much abated her 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 mon- 
ey in other men’s hands, almost enough to purchase four-score pounds a 
year free land. 

Now she hath found one rich enough for her, you must try whether 
she is 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, &c. &c.? 


On May the 6th, 1658, 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 there, in the 
best manner, to repair homewards, that we may receive from you the ac- 
count of your whole negotiation, and you from us the encouragement 
which you have deserved.¢ 

Sir, I rest your loving friend, OLIVER P. 


By his highness’s command, 
Jo THURLOE. 


a John Pell here alluded to, was the second Lord and proprietor of the Manor of Pelham 
In Mr. Pell's diary, Feb. 3, 1634, he remarks iy son as eleven years old. 

6 Mr. Pell’s daughter was mar. Nov. 27, 1656. 

ec The tedious negotiations at Baden, ended in a peace, which left the Swiss Cantons in the 
same relation to each uther and Europe as before. 


54 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


On the 23d of June, 1658, he took leave of the Swiss Cantons, in a 
Latin oration, and arrived in England on the 13th of August following, 
just as Cromwell was dying. In his diary Mr. Pell thus records the 
death of the Protector and the proclamation of his son: 


September 3d, 1658, Olivarus Protector obiit alb, aula. 
September 4th, 1658, Ricardus Westmonasterii et Londine proclamation. 


The following notes relate to his attendance on the Protector’s 
funeral : 


GARDINER’s LANE, NEAR Kina STREET. 


““T do hereby request that the proportion of cloth allowed unto me by the right 
honorable council as mourning for his late highness, the lord protector, may be 
delivered unto my neighbor, Mr. Samuel Hartlib, the younger. Written -with 


my own hand, Sept. 26th, 1658. 
JOHN PELL. 


WHITEHALL, AT THE GREEN CLoTaH, SEpt. 27. 1658. 


Mr. CrerKe, Comptroller :—‘‘I desire you to direct the delivery 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 OLIven, late Lord Protector, from Somerset House, on Tues- 
day, the 23d of November, instant, at eight of the clock in the morning at the 
furthest, and bring with you this ticket; and that by Friday 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 are not to be admitted; and also to take notice 
that no coaches are to pass, on that day, in the streets between Somerset House 
and Westminister.” 


While abroad Mr. Pell had performed considerable services for King 
Charles II.’ and the Church of England for which he was favored by the 
Royalists party. Being ordained Deacon by the Bishop of Lincoln on 
the 31st of March, 1661, and a priest in the June following; the same 
year he obtained from the crown the rectory of Fobbing’ in Essex, to 
which the Bishop of London added the rectory of Lasingdon or Lain- 
den in 1663. 


a Vaughan’s Protectorate of Cromwell, vol, il., 341, 342. 

4 In his diary he records the King’s birth day thus: ‘1657, May 29, Carslus, twenty-seven 
years old.” 

c The living is a discharged rectory, in the deanery of Lewes, and is valued in the King’s 
— = £9 138. 944d. Itisinthe patronage of the owner. The church is dedicated to St. 
Michael. 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 55 


Among the Pell papers occurs the following letter from his curate, 

the Rev. John Nye, dated :— 
LAINDEN, FEB. 10, 1677-8. 

ReEveERrEND Sir:—You expect, I presume, some intimations concerning the 
place and people where, as your substitute, I serve the cure ; after tedious delib- 
eration, I thought to give your worship the following notice, viz. :—<As far as the 
winter extremities, the incontiguity of country houses, and private necessities 
do permit, our churches enjoy full congregations, the people being reverent and 
observant, and lovers of the desk as well as pulpit. I know not one perfect dis- 
senter; only Mr. Andrews, of Lainden, once held a conventicle in his house 
since my coming. The appearance at Christmas communion was tolerable— 
ebout twenty persons ; and we hope Easter will exceed. Our school is occupied 
by a licensed, grave, and good man. All officers for church and town are legal- 
ly qualified, 7. e. men honest, able, judicious. All church ornaments and repairs 
are exact, except only Barseldon, where two casualties are fallen, viz.: the bell 
roof is ready to drop, aud 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! I know not one drunkard nor swearer 
amongst us, except only Gaffar Fryer of Lainden—who on many accounts for- 
gets 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 17th 
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 perambulations for 
several years; I suppose it will be convenient to stir them thereto against the 5th 
of May next, Rogation Sunday, Reverend sir, I know your minutes are pre- 
cious, your importances constant ; evgo, 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. 


Mr. Andrews (of whom my letter speaketh,) is a constant church- 
man, attentive and observant at the common prayer, and carefully 
avoideth sly reflections against the government; but, as it seems, best 
satisfied with the Presbyterian discipline. 

The same year of his appointment to Laindon he was made domestic 
chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury. ‘It was expected he would 
have risen to some of the highest dignities of the Church ; but, careless 
of his interests, and neglectful of his pecuniary. resources, he was 
cheated by his tenants, and defrauded by his relatives, and never 
attained to a higher rank than D.D. Finally, he was roused to a sense 
of his imprudence in devoting all his time to study, by actually wanting 
the necessaries of life; but it was too late, he was committed to the 
King’s Bench prison for debt; and though speedily released by those 
who admired his talents, it seems to have had a fatal influence upon his 


56 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


health. He lived for about a year at the College of Physicians with Dr. 
Whistler; and had just removed thence to the house of one of his 
grand-children, residing at Westminster, when death procured him a still 
more friendly removal, on the 12th of December, 1685. He was buried at 
the joint expense of Dr. Busby, a master of Westminster school, and of 
Mr. John Sharp, rector of St. Giles’s, in the rector’s vault.¢ 

John Pell, the only son of the Rev. John Pell, D.D., by Ilhamarie, 
Tamar or Athamar, Reynolds, was born in London, Middlesex county, 
on the 3d of February, 1643. By the will of his uncle, Thomas Pell, 
he became the next proprietor of the manor of Pellham. He must have 
arrived at Boston, Massachusetts, sometime during the Fall of 1670; 
bearing a letter of introduction to Governor Winthrop by his friend 
Lord Brereton, from London, 23d June, 1670. 

The following certificate of recognition was issued by the Governor 
and assistant of Connecticut in 1670: 


‘Att a meeting of the governor and assistants in Hartford, December 9th, 
1670, upon the desire of Sir John Pell, the governor and assistants thought good 
hereby to certify 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, Sir John Pell, senior, 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 testament, 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, per me, JOHN ALLEN, 

Secretary of His Majesty’s Colony of Connecticut. 


This isa true copy according to the original received the 


15th December, 1670,per me 
WIttiam Hitt CLarKE.¢ 


The above certificate was confirmed by Governor Lovelace of New 
York.? 

In the year 1675, John Pell of Ann-hooks Neck, binds and makes 
over unto John Burr of Fairfield, his heirs and assignees, &c., all his 
meadow lying in Fairfield, on the Mill river, &c. Upon the 2oth of Oc- 
tober, 1687, the whole territory was erected into one entire enfran- 
chised township, manor, and place of itself, henceforth to be called 


a Hist. of Sussex, by Thos. Walker, vol. ii, 218. See Bothopia Brittanica, vol. v. 

b The original letter was in the possession of the late James Savage, LL.D. of Boston, 

ec Probate Rec. Fairfield ’‘o., 1665-75, p. 49. = 
d Surrogate’s Office, N. Y., Will & Adm., 1665 to 1683, vol. i, page 102. 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 57 


“THE LORDSHIP AND MANOR OF PELHAM,” under the feudal tenure of 
paying yearly, thereupon, twenty shillings at the city of New York, on 
the 25th day of March (Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary).¢ 


THE ROYAL PATENT OF PELHAM MANOR. 


Tuomas Doncan, Captain General and Governor-in-chief in and over the 
province of New Yorke, and the territories depending thereon in America, 
under his most sacred Majesty, James the Second, by the grace of God, Kinge 
of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, &c.,—to all 
to whom these presents shall come, sendeth greeting: Whereas, Richard 
Nicholls, .Esq., late governor of this province, by his certaine deed in writing, 
under his hand and seale, bearing date the sixth day of October, in the eighteenth 
year of the reigne of our late sovereigne lord, Charles the Second, by the 
grace of God, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Kinge, defender of 
the faith, &c., and in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand six hundred 
sixty and six—did give, grant, confirm and rattefye, by virtue of the commis- 
sion and authoritye unto him given by his (then) royal highness,’ James, Duke 
of Yorke, &c., (his now Majesty,) upon whome, by lawful grant and pattent 
from his (then) Majesty, the propriety and government of that part of the 
maine land, as well of Long Island and all the islands adjacent. Amongst 
other things was settled unto Thomas Pell, of Onkway, alias Fairfield, in his 
Majestye’s colony of Connecticut—gentleman—all that certaine tract of land 
upon the maine lying and being to the eastward of Westchester bounds, 
bounded to the westward with a river ‘called by the Indians Aquaconounck, 
commonly known to the English by the name of Hutchinson’s River, which 
runneth into the bay lyeing betweene Throgmorton’s Neck and Anne Hooke’s 
Neck, commonly called Hutchinson’s Bay, bounded on the east by a brooke 
called Cedar Tree Brooke, or Gravelly Brooke; on the South by the Sound, 
which lyeth between Longe Island and the maine land, with all the islandsin 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 cight English miles, the breadth to be the same, asit is along by the Sound, 
together with all the lands, islands, soyles, woods, meadows, pastures, marshes, 
lakes, waters, creeks, fishing, hawking, hunting and fowling, and all other proff- 
itts, commodityes and heridetaments to the said tract of land and islands belong- 
ing, with their and every of their appurtenayces, and every part and parcel there- 
of ; and that the said tract of land and premises should be forever thereafter held, 
deemed, reputed, taken and be an intire infranchised 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 towne- 


a The year of our Lord, until a century ago, was reckoned from the 25th of March because 
with the miraculous conception, the work of our redemption: and hence the era of Grace 
began. ‘*The change of New Year’s Day from 25th of March to the ist of January was 
adopted legally by France in 1563, by Scotland in 1600, and by England and Ireiand at the 
change of style, 1752.” Chambers Miscellaneous Questions, by J. B. Lippincott & Co,, 1868. 


58 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


shipps, place or jurisdiction either upon the maine or upon Longe Isiland—but 
should in all cases, things and matters be deemed, 1eputed, taken and held as an 
absolute, intire, infranchised towneshipp, manner and place of itselfe in this gov- 
ernment, and should be ruled, ordered and directed in all matters as to govern- 
ment, accordingly, by the governour and Councell, and General Court of Assizes 
—only provided, always, that the inhabitants in said tract of land granted as 
aforesaid, should be obliged to send fforwards 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, to- 
gaither 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, ffuly, ffreely, clearely, in as large 
and ample manner and forme, and with such full and absolute immunityes and 
priveledges as before is expresst, as if he had held the same immediately 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 
fealty, only yealdeing, rendering and payeing yearely and every 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 constituted and appoynted, as 
an acknowledgement, one Jambe on the first day of May, if the same shall be de- 
manded as by the said deede in writeing, and the entrey thereof in the bookes of 
records in the secretarie’s office for the province aforesaid, may more fully and at 
large appeare. And whereas, 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 
isin the actual, peacable and quiett seazeing and possession of all and singular the 
premises, and hath made his humble request to mee, the said Thomas Dongan, 
that I would, in the behalfe of his sacred Majesty, his heirs and suckcessors, give 
and grant unto him, the said John Pell, a more full and firme grant and confirm- 
ation of the above lands and premises, with the appurtenances, under the seale 
of thishis Majestie’s province: Wow Know Yee, that I, the said Thomas Dongan, 
by virtue 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 here- 
by give, grant, ratefie 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, imuncties, ffranchises and ad- 
vantages to the same belonging and appertaining, or in the said before mention- 
_ ed deede in writing expresst, implyed or intended to be given and granted, and 
_ every part and parcel thereof, together with all that singular messuages, tene- 
ments, barnes, stables, orchards, gardens, lands, islands, meadows, inclosures, 
arable lands, pastures, feedeings, commons, woods, underwoods, soyles, quar- 
reys, mines, minnerully, (royall mines only excepted,) waters, rivers, ponds, 
lakes, hunteing, haucking, ffishing, ffowleing, as alsoe all rents, services, wasts, 
strayes, royaltyes, liberties, priviledges, jurisdictions, rights, members and ap- 
purtenances, and all other immunityes, royaltyes. power of franchises, profitts, 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 59 


commodeties, and heredatements whatsoever to the premises, or any part or par- 
cell thereof belonging or appertaining: and further, by vertue of the power and 
authority in mee being and residing, I doe here 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 hence- 
forth be called the lordshipp and manner of Pelham; and I doe hereby give and 
grant unto the said John Pell, his heirs and assigns, ffull power and authority at 
all times hereafter, in the said lordshipp and manner of Pelham aforesid, one 
court leete and one court barron, 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 barron, 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 
hereinbefore mentioned, for the holding and keepeing of the said court leete and 
court barron, ffrom time to time, and to award and issue forth the customary 
writs to be issued and awarded out of the said court leecte and court barron, and 
the same to beare test and to be issued out in the name of the said John Pell, his 
heirs and assignes, and the same court leete and court barron to be kept by the 
said John Pell, his heirs and assignes, or his or their steward, deputed or ap- 
poynted ; and I doe further hereby give and grant unto the said John Pell, his 
heirs and assignes, full power to distraine for all rents and other sums of money 
payable by reason of the premises, and all other lawful remedys and meanes for 
the haveing, receiving, levying and enjoying the said premises and every part 
thereof, and all waifts, strayes, wrecks of the sease, deodands and goods of ffrel- 
ons 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, islandsand manner of Pelham, and alland singular the above grant- 
ed or mentioned to be granted premises, with their rights, members, jurisdictions, 
priviledges, heredaments and appurtenances, to the said John Pell, his heirs and 
assignes, to the only proper use, benefitt 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 common soccage, according to the tenure of 
East Greenwich, in the county of Kent, in his Majestye’s kingdom of England, 
yielding, rendering and paying therefore yearly ard every year for ever, unto 
his said Majestye, his heirs and successors, or to such officer or officers as shall 
from time to time be appointed to receive the same—twenty shillings, good and 
lawful money of this province, at the city of New Yorke, on the five and 
twentyth day of the month of March, in lieu and stead of all rents, services and 
demands whatsoever. 

In testimony whereof, I have signed these presents with my handwriting, caus- 
ed 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. 


a Co. Rec. Lib, A. 240, Alb. Book of Pat. No. ii. 306. The original document is in the pos- 
session of Mrs. Maria Fay, of East Chester. 


60 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


In 1684-5 John Pell married Rachel, daughter of Philip Pinckney, 
Esq., one of the first ten proprietors of the town of East Chester, a lineal 
representative of the Pinkney’s, of Pinkney’s manor, in the county of 
Norfolk, England. 

“On the 2oth of September, 1689, 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 hun- 
dred acres of land for the use of the French church erected or to be 
erected thereon,” and ‘“‘The grantees and his heirs yielding as an ac- 
knowledgement therefore unto the said John Pell and his heirs, as lords 
of the manor,” one fat calf on the festival of St. John the Baptist. 

By a writ of summons served on the 2oth of March, 1691, John Pell 
was returned by the High Sheriff to represent the county of West Chest- 
er, in the Provincial Assembly.2. He was also Judge of the Court of 
Common Pleas for this county, from 1688 until the day of his death. 

The Hon. John Pell is said to have been cast away and drowned in 
his pleasure boat which foundered in a gale off City Island, sometime 
in the fall of 1702. He died intestate, leaving issue by his wife Rachel, 
two sons and two daughters. 

Thomas Pell, the oidest son, was born at Pelham in 1686, and 
became invested with the inheritance and legal rights of his deceased 
father. 


On the 3rd of March, 1729, occurs an indenture between :— 


Thomas Pell of the Manor of Pelham, in the County of West Chester in Colony 
of New York, Esq., and Anna his wife of the first part, and Edward Blagge of 
the City of New York, gent, of the second part, for the consideration of £50, 
‘‘hath granted, bargained, aliened and confirmed unto the said Blagge, his exec- 
utors and administrators all that certain full equal one-fifth of ali that large 
Tract of land which is contained in the bounds of the said Manor of Pelham to 
wit: of that part of the said Manor, which lyes on the north side of the Boston 
Road o: Highway, which leads from East Chester to New Rochelle, and also 
the one full equal fifth part af all that tract of land within the said manor which 
lyes to the eastward of New Rochelle bounds, with all the hereditaments and 
appurtances thereunto’ belonging, excepting and reserving out of this present 
grant, all those lands which do belong to the Township of New Rochelle, and 
also all that plantation on which Phillip Pell now lives, and also all that land 
formerly conveyed to Isaac Coutine, Daniel Samson, John June, and William 


a Thearmsof Pinkney ot Pinchené (of Buckinghamshire, Essex and Northamptonshire 
townships, Edward I) as given-by burke, are—or four lozenges in fesse gu: which exactly 
agree with the sketch of the P nckney coat found in the corner stone of the French church at 
New Rochelle deposited in 1697. S2e East Chester for Pinckney family. 

EF Smith’s History of New York, quarto cdition 73. 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 61 


Pinckney, 01 any other person or persons whatsoever, who have any lawful claime 
to any of the said lands by virtue of any Deeds or Conveyances from the said 
Thomas Pell or his father John Pell deceased. To have and to hold, etc., and 
defend said Blagge against all other persons claiming any right to the same, etc. 
Upon the 15th day of March, 1732, Edward Blagge (for the value of £40,) did 
bargain, sell, release and sett over the within recited and mentioned tract of land 
and premises to Thomas Pell, Jr. 4 


Chern e fr Pre 


The following Indenture from Thomas Pell, Sen., to Thomas Pell, 
Jun., for another fifth part of all his lands in the Manor of Pelham, 
lying and being to the northward of the King’s highway or Country road, 
from the city of New York to Boston occurs on 25th of April, 1732. 


EDWARD BLAGGE. 


This Indenture made the twenty-fifth day of April, in the fifth year 
of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second, by the Grace 
of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the 
Faith, &c.. Annoq Dom.: Seventeen hundred and thirty-two, between 
Thomas Pell, Senior, of the Mannour of Pelham, in the county of 
Westchester and province of New York, Esq., of the one part, and 
Thomas Pell, Junior, of the Mannour aforesaid, Gent., of the other part, 
Witnesseth, That the said Thomas Pell, Senior, for and in consideration 
of the sum of one hundred pounds current money of New York to him 
paid at and before ye Ensealing and Delivery of these presents by the 


a Copied from original document in posession of Geo. H. Pell, of New York; also March 
23, 1729, an Indenture between Thomas Pell, gent, and Anna his wife, and Samuel Clowes of 
Jamaica, Queens County, for one other certain full equal one-fifth part of the same consid- 
ered £50. Witnesses. Edward Blagge, Thomas Pell, Jr. and Jno Pell, Jr.; also Indenture 
March 23, 1729, from Thomas Peil, Sr. and Anna his wife to Thomas Pell. Jr. for another fifth 

art of same, considered £50. Witnesses, S Clowes, Edward Blagge and John Pell, Jr; also 

ndenture March 23, 1729, between Thomas Pell and Anna his wife and John Pell for another 
fifth part of same, considered £50. Witnesses. S. Clowes, E. Blagge and Thomas Pell, Jr. 
All the above are in posession of Geo. H. Pell, and have never been ~scorded. 


62 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


said Thomas Pell, Junior, the receipt whereof the said Thomas Pell, 
Senior, doth, hereby acknowledge and himself therewith fully satisfied 
and paid, and thereof doth freely and absolutely exonerate and discharge 
him, the said Thomas Pell, Junior, his heirs, Executors and Adm™ and 
every of them for ever by these presents hath granted, bargained, sold, 
conveyed and assigned, and by these presents Doth freely, fully and 
absolutely grant bargain, sell, convey and assign unto the said Thomas 
Pell, Junior, his heirs and assigns for ever all the right and title which he 
the said Thomas Pell, Senior, hath at the time of executing these 
presents, of in or to any Lands in the Mannour of Pelham, abovesaid, 
lying and being to the Northward of the King’s highway or Country 
road from the City of New York to Boston which have not been hereto- 
fore conveyed by the said Thomas Pell, Senior, or his honoured father, 
John Pell, late of the aforesaid Mannour of Pelham, Esq., Deceased, 
to any person or persons whatsoever by Deed of FFeoffment or other- 
wise Together with all and Singular, the Appurtenances, profits and 
advantages thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining. ‘To have 
and to hold all the right and title of him the said Thomas Pell, Senior, 
of in or to the Lands in the Mannour of Pelham abovesaid, lying and 
being in the Northward of the King’s highway or Country road from the 
City of New York to Boston which have not been heretofore conveyed 
by Deed of FFeoffment or otherwise to any person or persons whatso- 
ever by him the said Thomas Pell, Junior, or his honoured father, John 
Pell abovesaid, late Deceased, and the appurtenances and advantages to 
the said right belonging unto him the said Thomas Pell, Junior, his 
heirs and assigns to the only proper use and behoof of him the said 
Thomas Pell, Junior, his heirs and assigns for Ever. In Witness whereof 
the said parties have to these presents interchangably set their hands 
and Seals the day and year first above written. 


Sealed and Delivered and the SO 
Consideration Money acknow- CHO, | Coe Tt 
ledged to be received in the pre- f ip L@é P. 


sence of 


WILL THOMPSON. 
JosEPH PELL. 


Thomas Pell, sen., died at the Manor house, Pelham, sometime in 1739. 


a Geréeddrom original in possession of Geo. H. Pell, of N. Y. 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 63 


THE WILL OF THOMAS PELL, Sex. OF THE MANOR OF PELHAM. 


In the name of God, Amen. This third day of September, in the 18th year of 
the reign of King George ye second Anno Domi, 1739, I, Thomas Pell, Sen., of 
the manor of Pelham, in the County of West Chester and Province of New York, 
being sick and weak in body, but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be given 
unto God therefore, and calling unto mind the mortality of my body, knowing it 
is appointed for ail men once to die, doe make and ordain this, my last, will etc., 
in manner and form following, to say: Principally and first of all I give and re- 
commend my soul into the hands of God who gave it, and my body Irecommend to 
the earth to be buried in a Christian like ana decent manner att the discretion of 
my executors hereinafter named, and touching such worldly estate as it hath 
pleased God to bless me with all in this life. After my just and lawful debts 
are first satisfied and paid out of my moveable estate, as also my general charges 
of my executors hereinafter named—I give, Devise and Dispose of the same in 
the following manner and form: Imprimis, I give unto my daughter Ann, 
Broadhurst the use of the room she now lives in, during the time she remains a 
single woman without a husband; but, if in case after my decease, my son Jo- 
seph Pell doth not like or approve of her living in said room during the time 
aforesaid, that then he shall build her a small house of about sixteen feet square, 
and allow her that and the use of six acres of land out of his land, during the time 
she remains a, single woman and without a husband as aforesaid ; and I also give 
unto my said daughter, Ann Broadhurst, the sum of sixty pounds, current money 
of New York, to be levied and paid her out of my moveable estate by my execu- 
tors after my decease, and to be enjoyed by her, her heirs and assignees forever. 

Item.—lt is my further will and mind, that my brother, John Pell, should 
have houseroom, lodging, victuals and cloaths, comfortable for him during his 
lifetime, which I order my son Joseph Pell to provide. 

Item.—Ii give and bequeath unto my beloved wife, Ann Pell, the use of the best 
room in my house and timber in any part of my land, and the use of sixty acres 
of land and chamber and cellar room in my house, during the time she remains 
my widow; and I also give unto my said wife, the sum of one-hundred pounds, 
current money of New York, by her if she sees cause to take it in money out of 
my moveable estate after my decease; to be enjoyed by her, her heirs and assign- 
ees forever; and also I further give unto my said wife, the best bed and furniture 
in my house. 

Item.—I give and bequeath unto my son John Pell, the sum of five pounds, 
current money of New York, to be levied and paid him out of my moveable es- 
tate, by my executors after my decease; to him, his heirs and assignees forever, 
he having received the use of his portion already. 

Item.—I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Pell the sum of three pounds, 
current money of New York, to be levied and paid to him out of my moveable 
estate, by my executors after my decease; to him, his heirs and assignees forever, 
he having received the use of his portion already. 

Item.—I give and bequeath unto my son Joshua Pell, the sum of three pounds, 
current money of New York, to be levied and paid to him out of my moveabie 
estate, by my executors after my decease; to him, his heirs and assignees forever, 
he having received the use of his portion already. 


64 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Jtem.—I give and bequeath unto my son Philip Pell, the sum of three pounds, 
current money of New York, to be levied and paid to him out of my moveable 
estate, by my executors after my decease ; to him, his heirs and assignees forever, 
he having received the use of his portion already. 

Item.—I give and bequeath unto my son Caleb Pell, the sum of three pounds, 
current money of New York, to be levied and paid to him out of my moveable 
estate, by my executors after my decease ; to him, his heirs and assignees forever, 
he having received the use of his portion already. 

Item.—I give and bequeath unto my son Joseph Pell, all and singular, my 
lands, meadows, houses, tenements, builaings etc., tat now belong unto mee, 
as also the houses, rooms and land, and rooms before reserved for my wife att 
her marriage or decease, to him, his heirs and assignees. ‘l’o his and their own 
and only proper use, benefit and behoof forever after my decease. 

Ttem—I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Mary Sands, the sum of seventy 
pounds current money of New York, to be levied and paid her out of my 
moveable estate by my executors upon my decease, to her, her heirs and assigns 
forever. 

Item—I give and bequeath to my daughter, Sarah Palmer, the sum of five 
pounds current money of New York, to be levied and paid her out of my 
moveable estate, by my executors after my decease ; to her, her heirs and assignees 
forever. 

Item—I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Bursheba Pell, the sum of one 
hundred and fifty pounds current money of New York, to be levied and paid 
her out of my moveable estate, by my executors after my decease; to her, her 
heirs and assignees forever. 

Jtem—It is my will and mind, that all my moveable estate, excepting what I 
have before reserved to my wife, should by my executors be sold and the afore- 
said legacies (after my just and lawful debts and funeral charges are satisfied 
and paid), to be paid out of the overplus thereof. 

I give and bequeath unto my grandson, Samuel Broadhurst, the sum of ten 
pounds current money of New York, to him, his heirs and assignees forever, and 
the remainder thereof it is my will and mind should be equally divided among 
my four daughters, Mary Sands, Ann Broadhurst, Sarah Palmer, and Bathsheba 
Pell, and be enjoyed by them, their heirs and assignees forever ; and for executors 
of this my last will and testament, I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint 
my two sons, Philip Pell and Joseph Pell, sole executors of this my last will and 
testament ; and I do hereby dissolve, revoke and disanrmul all and every and other 
former wills and testaments, legacies and executors whatsoever made by me 
before this time, named, willed or bequeathed. 

Ratifying and confirming this, and no other, tobe my last will and testament, 
in testimony whereof, I have hereunto sett my hand.and seal, the day and year 
first above written. 

THOMAS PELL. 4 Ch. Bs 


Joseph, his eldest son, died in 1752, aged 31, and was buried at Pel- 


a Pi office, N. Y. Rec. of wills. Fol. Xong, pp. 155, 156. 1751-54. This will was 
proved. 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 65 


ham.* His eldest son Joseph Pell, the fourth and last lord of the manor, 
died in 1776, leaving issue five sons who all died issueless save John 
Pell who had six sons and four daughters. ‘The last of the six sons, 
who all died without issue, was the late Richard Moore Pell Esq. of 
New York, who died there on 1868, and was inter- 
red 

This gentleman was a tall noble looking person, who well represented 
the manorial lords of Pelham, as their nearest male heir in a direct line 
from John Lord Pell. The present representatives of this branch of 
the family, are the children of Maria Pell, who married 
Amelia Pell; and the son and two daughters of Caroline Pell, who mar- 
ried Delano. 

The decendants of John Pell, second son of Thomas Pell, and grand- 
son of John Lord Pell, were Thomas, his eldest son, the father of Jos- 


Jie 2 


eph, who married his cousin Zipporah Pell, daughter of John Pell, and 
ieft issue: Abner, Peter, Thomas, John and Philena, who married 
Thomas Disbrow, whose children are Joseph, Livingston, Thomas, 
Clara, Louisa wife of George J. Penfield, Libby and Susan the second 
wife of Mr. Penfield, of New Rochelle. John Pell Jr., second son of 
John Pell, Sr., had Josiah and Zipporat, who married Thomas her 
cousin as above. 

Thomas Pell, third son of Thomas Pell and grandson of John Lord 
Pell, by his will dated July 3d, 1739, and proved 28 bequeathes 
his “st/ver tankard and silver tumbler that formerly belonged to his 
grandfather, John Pell, to his son David. 


OSE LE. ae 


a The will of Joseph Pell is dated 1 Aug. 1752. Proved 25 Sept. 1752, Surrogates office N.Y- 
See Peil burying ground on property of late Robert Bartow of this town, for monuments 
of Joseph Pell andwife, 


66 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


David Pell, “also the great Bible.” ‘“ His executor he empowers to 
execute good and sufficient deeds and Conveyances of his lands and 
remainders of the moneys, which shall be arising from the sa!e of one- 
half of his farm, lying in East Chester, 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, etc., and to dispose of my lands lying in 
Fairfield, Connecticut.” * His descendants are Samuel, who died with- 
out issue ; James, who married Ann Fowler, daughter of Richard Fowler 
of East Chester, who had Abijah, who married Mary Baldwin, and had 
William James, Abijah, Aaron B., Charles Shute, Stephen, John and 
William ; James, the eldest, residing in New Jersey; Abijah, the second, 
deceased, left four sons ; Aaron B., the third, died without issue ; Charles 
Shute, the fourth son, deceased, is the father of Charles Elliott, and Geo. 
Hamilton of New York. The Hon. Stephen, the fifth son, resides in 
Brooklyn, L. I. John, the sixth and youngest, at Poughkeepsie, N. 
Y. Roger was the third son of Thomas Pell; John, the fourth son of 
Thomas married Mary Totter, and had issue, John; Thomas Pell, who 
married Maria, daughter of Thomas Pell, and had two sons: Samuel 
Pell, now living on City Island, and John ; David was the fifth and young- 
est son of Thomas Pell. 

The descendants of Joshua Pell, fourth son of Thomas, el lest son of 
John Lord Pell, were numerous; among others, was Joshua who married 
Palmer, and left Joshua the father of Joshua, Edward (whose son 
Frederick had Elijah Pell of New York) and Joseph. Benjamin, the third 
son of Joshua Pell, and —-— Palmer, married Ann, daughter of John 
Ferris, of the grove farm West Chester, and had among other sons, 
William Ferris Pell the founder of the famous auction firm of Pell & Co. 
of New York. The sons who succeeded him in the business, were all 
New York men by birth, and presented a splendid appearance. 

The theory that city life impairs physical developement might have 
been combatted by the appearance of this family, and it is doubtful if 
this city ever beheld a nobler trio of brothers than Duncan, Walden, and 
Clarence Pell, each of whom stood six feet high and were well propor- 
tioned. 

I well remember attending one of Pell’s sales where an individual was 
gazing with admiration on the crier, who, as he turned from time to time 
in that direction, beheld the admiring gaze. At last, suspicious that the 
man was not of a business turn, Mr. Pell exclaimed, ‘‘ Was that your 
bid?” “No sir,” was the reply. “ Well, then, please stop looking at me,” 
said the Apollo of the red flag. 


a Ree. Surrogate’s office, N. Y., No, xviii, 403. 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 67 


Duncan Pell was the finest looking man of his day in Wall street, but 
to this he added not only commercial skill, but a love of learning, which 
was shown by the prize which he founded in the Free College in this 
city. Mr. Pell was not afraid to administer reproof, and the writer is 
indebted to him for a very valuable one. I was at that time (which is 
thirty years ago), a clerk in a small retail store in Broadway. One 
morning having swept out, I sat down toread the paper; but soon was 
addressed by some one, whom I answered in an indifferent manner, and 
without lifting my eyes from the paper. Ina moment I heard a voice 
of thunder exclaiming, “ Look up, young man and mind your business.” 
The reproof needed no repetition. I looked up and saw a noble-look- 
ing man, whose frown at once passed away as he saw the effect of his 
words. 

These three elegant men are now dead (as well as a fourth brother, 
James K. Pell), but the firm is still in successful existence in Hanover 
Square.# 

Duncan Pell being Lieut. Gov. of Rhode Island, and his son, Duncan 
Archibald, Colonel on Genl. Burnside’s staff during the war of 1861. 

The eldest of the five brothers was Archibald Pell, Esq., the father- 
in-law of Edward A. Leroy of New York. The only daughter of Ben- 
jamin Pell, just mentioned (and sister of William Ferris Pell), was Maria, 
a noble and excellent woman, who married at the age of nineteen Jacob 
Treadwell Walden, a leading merchant of New York in the India trade. 
Their two sons, Alfred Pell Walden and Joseph Walden, died unmar- 
ried; and of four daughters, only one now survives, viz; Emma Wal- 
den, the wife of Samuel Cooke, D. D., Rector of St. Bartholamew’s 
church, New York City. ‘The second son of William Ferris Pell, was 
Alfred Sands Pell, who married Adelia, daughter of Col. James Duane, 
first Mayor of New York after the Revolutionary war, and a Judge of the 
Supreme Court of the United States, whose son is the present Robert 
Livingston Pell, of Pelham, Ulster Co., N. Y. 

The descendants of Philip Pell, Esq., (fifth son of Thomas, the eldest 
son of John Lord Pell), are also numerous and distinguished. His 
eldest son Philip, who married Hannah Mott,’ died in 1788, and was 
the father, first of the Hon. Philip Pell, Judge Advocate of the Continen- 
tal Army in the revolutionary war, and a member of the Cincinnati 
Society. This illustrious individual had the honor of riding by the side 
of General Washington when he entered New York City upon “ Evacu- 


a Sketches of some of our old auctioneers. Evening Post, March 3d, 1871. 


4 This marriage took place before the Quaker meeting assembled at Westbury, L. I., 5th of 
March, 1731. The marriage certificate is signed by 26 witnesses ; among these occurs the name 
of his brother Caleb Pell. 


68 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


ation Day,” Nov. 25th, 1783. He was a graduate of Kings College® (now 
Columbia), in 1766 and is said to have been one of the best Greek schol- 
ars of that day. His only son was Philip Pell of Pelham, the father of 


Philip Pell of San Francisco, Cal. The second son was Major Samuel 
Treadwell Pell of the Second New York Regiment, who greatly dis- 
tinguished himself under General Gates at Saratoga, in October, 1777. 
For his services on this memorable occasion he received from the State, 
three-hundred acres of bounty land. The following epitaph is inscribed 
on his head stone in East Chester church-yard. 


MAJOR SAMUEL PELL, 
ob. 29 Decr. 1786, 
in the 32nd year of his age. 
‘¢Thus after returning victorious,” 
From the Field of Mars, he 
Cheerfully obeys the summons 
Of eternity from whence there 


is no return. 


The third son of Philip Fell was Colonel David Jones Pell, also an 
officer in the Continental army, whose son was the late Stephen Snedan 
Pell, the father of Ogden Philip Pell and Walter Turnbull Pell, both of 
New York city. 

Caleb Pell, the sixth and youngest son of Thomas Pell, oldest son of 
John Lord Pell, also left a numerous family whose descendants are scat- 
tered throughout the country. 

A beautiful valley, called Swiss Dale, borders the Acqueanouncke or 
Hutchinson’s River on the west side of the town. The Acqueanouncke 
or more properly the Acquacknouncke (an Indian ‘name, descriptive of 
the red cedar tree,) rises in the town of Scarsdale, upon the lands of 
Lewis G. Mormis. 

Pelham Dale, the property of Hargous, is delightfully situated near the 
junction of the salt and fresh waters of the Acqueanouncke. This estate 


ez Philip Pell was admitted to Kings Coll. 1766. 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 69 


formerly belonged to Colonel David Pell; and upon the division of his 
property, was purchased by the late. James Hay, Esq; ‘The dwelling 
house is a handsome structure of stone, and commands a beautiful view 
of Hutchinson’s River, together with the distant 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 imile 
further up the valley is situated the “‘ Race Field,” once famous in the 
annals of the turf, adjoining which is the village of Pelhamvyille ; here is 
a depot of the New Haven Railroad and a small Episcopal church, called 
the Church of the Redeemer; at present a chapel of ease to Christ 
church, Pelham. A grand feature in this beautiful valley is an extensive 
range of forests called the Pelham woods. 

On the margin of the East River Creek, or Aqueanouncke, near the 
Boston Boulevard in this town, is situated ‘‘ The Shrubbery,” the residence 
of the Prevost family. George A. Prevost, Esq., the brother of the pres- 
ent owners, is the only surviving son of the late Mayor 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, Augustine James Frederick Prevost.” The 
latter, subsequently conveyed it to Major General Prevost. The Pre- 
vosts were originally from Geneva in Switzerland, being descended 
from Major General Augustine Prevost, of that place, who married 
Anne, daughter of the Chevalier George Grand, of Amsterdam, Hol- 
land.4 The father of the late proprietor was Major General Augustine 
Prevost, brother of Lieutenant General Sir George Prevost, Baronet, 
Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of the British North Ameri- 
can Colonies now represented by the Rev. Sir George Prevost, Baronet 
of Belmont, Hampshire, England. The brothers of the late proprietor 
were Colonel Augustine Prevost, lost at sea, and Capt. Henry Prevost, 
who fell in the storming of Cindad Rodrigo, in Spain. 


@ James Hay was a descendant of James Hay, Esq., of Netherinch, Scotland, who joined 
the army of Prince Charles Edward in 1745, and was wounded at the “‘ fight of Falkirk. He 
was buried in Kilsyth church yard, Scotland. .The iamily coat of arms, aig. 3 cscutchcons, 
gu. are tv be seen on the north side of the house at Pelhain. ‘ihe tradition is thatthese arms 
were granted by Kenneth III., King of Scotland, anno. 980 to the first tiay and lis two sons for 
their bravery at the battle of Lancaster Perth, as they had proved themselves the (copy torn) 


b The old road to Pell’s Point, or Neck. from the ‘-King’s highway, or ‘‘ Westchester 
Path,” as it was anciently called, formerly ran south of this house, making almost a circuit 
about the ground. 

¢ Augustine James Frederick Prevost was the son of Colonel Frederick Prevost by his wife 
Theodosia Bartow, who afterwards married Colonel Aaron Burr. 

d “Atth: Synod ot Loudon. in 1645, for the Proviuc:of Poictou, appeared John Chabroll 
Pastor of the church of Thouars, accompained with Sir Peter Prevost, Knght Lord of La 
Javeliere, Elders in the church of Chantonnay and Puybelliard, and Charles Prevost, Esq., 
Lord of La Simonie, elder in the church of Champagne and Moston.” Quicks Synodicon, vol. 
ii, 502. At 5th Colloquy of Alengon appeared Stephen Le Prevost, Lord or Buissou, Quick's 
Synodicon, vol. ii, 535 The arms and crest of the Prevostfamily are, azure, a dexter arm in 
fesse issuing out of clouds from the sinister fesse point, the hand grasping a sword, erect 


ppe. a pommel and hilt, or, in chief, 2 mulletts, or. Crest a domi lion rampant, azure, charg- 
ed with a mural crown, or, on the Crest. 


7o HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


The following item relates to the old well that formerly stood in this 
vicinity, near the iron suspension bridge: 

** April, 1726, Joseph Fowler is permitted to erect a dam or mill on 
the creek that runs between A/r. Pedl’s and Lastchester, at a certain 
place commonly called and known by the town land, provided he makes 
room for the water to be drawn off the meadows and for the canoes to 
pass.”’@ 

On the heights of Pelham, overlooking the village of Eastchester, 
stands the residence of the late Remsen Hinman, whose wife, Elizabeth, 
was a daughter of Col. James Pell, son of Roger Pell, fourth son of 
Thomas Pell, grandson of Hon. John Lord Pell. From the records of 
of the Court of Chancery, it appears that Colonel Pell’s property orig- 
inally consisted of four hundred and forty acres. His last will is re- 
corded in 1790. Nearly opposite this place, which fronts on the Boston 
Boulevard, a road pursues the eastern side of the heights towards Pel- 
ham. This road passes on the left, Woodside, the residence of J. Co- 
burn. From this place, many pleasant views of the valley and adjacent 
country are obtained, with the meanderings of the Aqueanouncke, on its 
way to the Sound. 

Pelham Neck, a portion of the southern extremity of this town (we have 
seen), was formerly called Ann Hook’s Neck—subsequently Pell Point and 
Rodman’s Neck. Before entering the neck, on the high ground to the west, 
stands the residence of the late Richard Morris, Esq., commanding a pretty 
bay on the east, and some fine woodland scenery on the north-west. 
Upon the north-west side of the Neck lies the “ Zndian burying-ground,” 
already alluded to. Im fact, the whole of the Neck appears to have 
been used hy the Indians for the purpose of sepulture ; in proof of this, 
their remains have been found in almost every part of it. The largest 
proportion of mounds, however, are situated on the grounds of the late 
George Rapelye, Esq. This individual was the son of Rem. Rapelye, a 
noted royalist, who married March 14, 1751, Ellen, daughter of Abel 
Hardenbrook, and amassed a large fortune in mercantile pursuits in 
New York. He died at Pelham in 1805, in his seventy-seventh year. 
George Rapelye, his son, who was born in New York, August 9, 1771, 
and educated at Columbia College, married July 19, 1798, Susan Eliza, 
daughter of the Rt. Rev. Samuel Prevoost, D.D., first Bishop of the 
Diocese of New York. He was not only distinguished for his wealth, 
but for his great public enterprises, and was a warm friend and sup- 
porter of the Protestant Episcopal Church. He was a liberal benefactor 
to St. Paul’s church, East Chester. He published a book of travels in 


a Eastchester Town Rec. 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM, p(s 


1834. The Rapelyes purchased this property of the Rodman family, 
the Rodmans having obtained it through the marriage of Samuel Rod- 
man with Mary Pell, daughter of Caleb Pell, grandson of Hon. John 
Lord Pell. The property is still vested in the heirs of George Rapelye ; 
the house is beautifully situated near the eastern shore of the neck, and 
is justly celebrated for its extensive views of the sound and Long Island. 

Hawkwood, the residence of the late Elisha King, Esq., is now 
owned by the widow of the late Levin R. Marshall, and adjoins the 
property of Captain J. R. Steers, 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 proximity of City Island, and the richly wooded shores of 
the Pcint. The grounds, containing a great variety of choice trees, 
were laid out by the celebrated gardener, André Parmenteer. Nearly 
adjoiniug Hawkwood, in the south-west, is Longwood, the residence of 
A. Newbold Morris, Esq. 

Pelham Neck is terminated by the property of the late Gilbert Bowne. 
On the site of the dwelling-house, stood the residence of Thomas Fell, 
Esgq., first lord of the manor. Perhaps the finest view of City Island 
and the adjacent waters are to be had from this portion of the Point. 
It deserves to be mentioned, that this district affords a favorite haunt for 
the fish hawk (Falco Halitcetus), whose nests may be seen in the lofty 
summits of the venerable oaks and chestnuts which abound on the neck 
and neighboring 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 bays and creeks adjacant, procuring their prey by their own active 
skill and industry.” 

“The regular arrival of this noted bird at the vernal equinox, when 
the busy season of fishing commences, adds peculiar interest to its first 
appearance, and procures it many a benediction from the fishermen” 


‘*Scon as the sun, great ruler of the year,” 
Bends to our northern climes his bright cureer, 
And from the caves of ocean calls from sleep 
The finny shoals and myriads of the deep; 


a“ Annals of Newtown James Riker, Junr.’? The Rapelye family is descended from that 
of the de Rapelic, which as early as the eleventh Century, possessed large estatesin Bretagne 
and ranked among the arriere—born of the French nobility. Jarvis Jansen de Rapelie, from 
Rochelle, in France, who came to this country in 1623, was the father of Pronimus, whose son 
Teunis, was father of the above George Rapelye. Arms, azure, three bars or, crest—out of a 
Sa cp a chapena azure, with three bars, or, surmounted with six ostrich feather= of 

ue and gold. 


72 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


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! 
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 along, 
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 fish—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! Jet's seek the deep, 
Ply every oar, and cheerly wish her, 
Still as the bending net we sweep, 

“God bless the fish hawk and the fisher.” 
She rears her young 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 ’em. 
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 Gravelly or Cedar Tree brook, on the north side 
of the East river and Hempstead harbor, and Matagariesons Bay on the » 


a Wilson’s American Omithology, New York News, Pennsylvania Gazette, June 18th, 1752 
Wednesday last we had a great deal of thunder with some rain, which we hear, shattered a large 
tree on Ann Hook's Neck in Westchester County, and an ox, acow and a calf, under it, were 
Killed; and at New Rochelle, we hear, a house was much damaged. 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 


~] 


ioe) 


opposite shore, under such regulations as had been usual and customary. 
“The patentees were Samuel Rodman, owner and proprietor of a tract 
of land lying on Pell’s Neck, in the County of Westchester, adjoining 
upon and extending along the East river about one mile and a half, and 
John Wooley, owner and proprietor of a certain tract of land in the town- 
ship of Hampstead in Queens ‘County, on Nassau Island, opposite to the 
landing place on the said Samuel Rodman’s plantation, adjoining upon 
and extending along the said river about half a mile.Ӣ 

It was upon Pelham neck that the Bnitish forces, consisting of the 
grenadiers and light infantry, landed, October 18th, 1776, ten days pre- 
vious to the battle of White Plains.? 

Two days prior to the enemies landing, General Heath inform us “that 
the general officers of the American army rode to reconnoitre the ground 
at Pell’s neck, &c., and it was determined that the position of the Ameri- 
can 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 posted on Throgmorton’s neck.”* ‘On the 18th of October 
the wind was more fresh at southwest, the British urged to the other 
side of Frog’s neck, embarked on board their boats, crossed over the 
cove, landed on Pell’s neck, and moved briskly upwards. Three or four 
of the American regiments advanced towards them and took a good po- 
sition behind a stone fence. When the British had advanced sufficiently 
near, they gave them a pretty close fire, which checked them, and even 
obliged them to fall back; but, being immediately supported, they re- 
turned vigorously tothe charge. The action was sharp, for a short time ; 
but the Americans were soon obliged to give way to superior force. 
Shepard’s, Reid’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 almost to New Rochelle, and halted. The American 
army extended its left.”4 


We copy the following from the diary of President Styles: 


Camp at Mite Square, E. Cuester, 23 Oct. 1776. 


‘‘Friday morning last, the 18th, we were alarmed, and the enemy landed at 
Rodman’s Point, (a place about four miles from our encampment,) with their 


a Albany Rec. Book of Patents, No. xvi. 
b Stedman’s Hist. of the Rev. 

e H2ath’s Mem. p. 71. 
d Lleath’s Mem. pp. 72, 73. 


74 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


whole force, the brigade under the command of Col. Glover consisting of about 
700 men, one regiment being absent for guard. We marched down towards the 
place where the enemy were advancing with a body of 1600, witha 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 tothe 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. Thus we continued fighting them and retreating the whole 
afternoon, until they came to a stand, where they now remain, except stretching 
along down toward Connecticut, I suppose for forage. Our men behaved liked 
soldiers, conformed 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, al- 
most, as in a militia regiment. They would run out from the body and fire sin- 
gle guns. As to their conrage, 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 regi- 
ment 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 pub- 
licly 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.” 


Norra Castix, October 29th, 1776, 


‘“We have secured and encamped on every hill and dale, between this and 
New York, last Friday week, (18th.) Our whole brigade that then lay at East- 
chester uncer command of Colonel Grover, was ordered to oppose the progress of 
alarge 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 over- 
looking the causeway, to secure a retreat for the others, and to prevent the ene- 
my from advancing. Col. Glover so posted the three other regiments in the woud 
that they annoyed the enemy greatly. But discovering that they had determined 
to flank them he ordered a retreat. We had six orseven 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 Lee’s, we joined the 
main body of the American army at White Plains.Ӣ 

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 these is ‘Great Minniefords,”4@ 


a Balls and brass ornaments are frequently found on the heizhts of Pelham. Near the resi- 
dence of the late James Hay, Esq., part of a soldier’s belt was discovered, marked 16th 
regiment. 

b Diary of President Styles, Library of Yale College, vol. vi. 

e Diary of President Styles, 

d This word invariably accurs in the genitive, (Minnefords, Minifers, Minnewies land) 
from which we infer thatit was originally the name of its Indiau proprietors, 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 75 


sometimes styled ‘“‘ Minnewies” or “‘ Minnewits,” but, commonly called 
City Island. ‘Upon the 11th of December, 1685, John Pell, Esq., by 
conveyance made over to John Smith, of the town of Bruckland, Great 
Minneford’s Island, which lies situated opposite to Ann-hook’s Neck, 
formerly in possession of William Pate and Robert Godfrey.” The 
principal proprietors of the island in 1700, appear to have been Wilham 
Euerden and Gabriel Umbriel, from whom it passed to Amos Dodge. 
On the 21st and 22nd of June, 1753, Amos Dodge and Sarah, his wife, 
“in consideration of the sum of £2300, ‘‘did by certain indentures of 
lease and release,” “sell and convey unto Samuel Rodman, his heirs and 
assigns forever a certain tract of land called Minnefers Island,” &c.,¢ 
upon the 1st of June, 1755, Samuel Rodman sells to John Jones of 
Jamaica, Queens County, Island of Nassau for the sum of 5,, all that 
certain island, commonly called Minneford’s Island, &c., containing 
by estimation 230 acres of land and meadow, yielding and paying 
therefor, at the expiration of the said year, one pepper-corn, if the 
same should be lawfully demanded.4 The next proprietor of the island 
was Joseph Palmer, who, on the roth of June, 1761, conveyed the 
whole to his brother Benjamin Palmer. ‘Upon the 19th of October, 
1761, occurs a deed of covenants, grant and partition from the latter 
individual and twenty-nine others, quit claiming to each other their re- 
spective rights in severalty as designated by a map drawn by Samuel 
Willis of the said island.”* Previous, however, to the above deed of 
covenants, Benjamin Palmer conveyed to the several proprietors their 
respective thirtieth parts. Upon.the 27th of May, ‘1762, Governor 
Robert Monckton laid out for Benjamin Palmer and others the breadth 
of four hundred feet of the ground, 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 Minne- 
ford’s Island. The petitioners on this occasion were David Hunt, 
Jonathan Fowler, Caleb Hunt, Edmund Ward, Samuel Ward, John 
Wooley, Isaac Barnes, Enoch Hunt, Joseph Mullineux, James Lewis, 
Aaron Hunt, Benjamin Palmer, Joseph Palmer, Samuel Le Roux, and 
many other proprietors of Minneford’s Island, &c.”4 ‘Sept. 3d, 1762, 
a On the 6th of Ang., 1755, Amos Dodge, was firmly bound unto Samuel Rodman, yeoman, in 


the full sum of £2300 for the purchase of the Island. Co. Rec. Lib. G. 465 and 467. See orig- 
inal dsc. presented by Richard E. Mount, Esq., to New York Hist. Society. 

b Co. Rec. Lib. G. 467. 

e Copied from original MSS., presented by Richard E. Mount, Esq., to N. Y. Hist. Society. 
** The map of City Island,” says Aaron Burr, ‘* was drawn between the 17th of August and 
the 29th of October, 1761.” See Mount Rogers, a map of a portion of Minniford’s Island, 
made by Alexander Colden, surveyor general, May 5th, 1763, is preserved in Sec. of State 
Office, Albany, No. 159. 


d See docket on file in Sec. State Office, Albany. 


76 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Benjamin Palmer, Joseph Palmer, and Samuel Le Roux prayed for 
letters patent to be granted for the land under water, six-hundred feet 
from common high water mark, surrounding Minefors or Minneford’s 
Island in the Sound, being part of the manor of Pelham in the 
County of Westchester, &c.”* A second petition occurs on the 27th of 
November, 1762, from David Hunt and fourteen other persons named 
in behalf of themselves and associates to the number of one-hundred 
proprietors of Minneford’s Island, praying letters patent for four-hundred 
feet of the soil under water, from common high water mark into the 
Sound, beginning at that part of the island, which in a due east line is 
opposite the house of Samuel Rodman, and holding the same distance 
westward into the Sound, in every part round the island, and so running 
along the east end of said island with that part thereof which is opposite 
to the most southerly point of an island in said Sound, commonly called 
High Island, the property of Capt. John Wooley.” 

The prayer of the petition, however, was not granted until the 27th 
of May, 1763, when letters patent were issued by Cadwallader Colden, 
Captain General and Governor of the Province, to Benjamin Palmer, 
for four hundred feet of land under water from high water mark round 
Mineford’s Island, which patent recognizes the plan of the island and 
that it was made by the surveyor general.¢ 

Upon the 3d of October, 1763, a deed of Covenant and Division for 
the water lands was made between the proprietors of the Island.4 

In a letter addressed to His Excellency, General Maunsell, by Benja- 
min Palmer, dated New York, June tst, 1790, the letter says that :— 


‘‘In the year 1761, I bought an island in the Manor of Pelham, in the County 
Westchester and the Province of New York in North America, commonly called 
Mineford’s Island, for £2,730 and divided it into thirty equal parts; sold twenty- 
six parts to one gentleman in order to make a trading town of it, because it lay 
very advantageous for Foreign Trade. Four-thirtieth parts I preserved to myself, 
which were six hundred house lots, twenty-five feet front and rear and one hun- 
dred feet in Jength, except some of the lots against the Market place (and some 
of the slips were shortened to make room for the Market place and for vessels) as 
by a map of said island will appear. The whole number of house lots on said 
island, forty-five hundred besides two squares of thirty lots each reserved for pub- 
lic use for building of churches, meeting-house, &c. I have sold and otherwise 
disposed of one hundred and eighty-seven of my lots, so that I had still remaining 


a Land papers, Albany, vol. xvi, p. 313; also pp. 115, 116 and 119. 

6 Land Papers, Albany, vol.xXvi. p. 316, p. 136 of original. 

e Copied from MSS. in the Mount collection in possession of N. Y. Hist. Soc., entitled “* A 
Case,” in the Supreme Court, Benj. Palmer vs. Geo. Berrian, supposed to be in Aaron Burt’s 
hand writing. 

d Ditto. 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. "7 


four hundred and thirteen lots on said island in the time of the war between 
England and these States. I sold many of my lots for £10 each, and bought some 
for that price, and so have the other proprietors; for £10 was the stated price for 
each lot. I was offered £300 for one square by Mr. Gomez, a Jew that lived in 
Hanover Square in the City of New York, containing thirty house lots. I also 
was offered £1000 for one right, that is one thirtieth part of said Island contain- 
ing thirty house lots, &c.”4 


The water rights on the island were supposed to be principally invested 
in the estate of the late John Hunter, Esq., the State having sold them 
some years ago for quit-rent to an individual from whom Mr. Hunter 
purchased. 

In the possession of the New York Historical Society, is an ancient 
MSS. entitled, ‘“‘ Number one, Book of Laws, ordered by the Community 
of Minniford’s Island, made the tenth day of May, one thousand, seven 
hundred and sixty-three.” From which we take the following : 


‘‘May 10th, 1763, this day, we, the Community of Mineford’s Island, have 
thought proper to apoint a stated ferry acroost from Mr. Samuel Rodman’s Neck 
to said Island, in manner and form as foiloweth: The ferryman to keep a’good 
sufficient craft to ferry a man or men acroost from Mr. Rodman’s Neck to said 
Island, and from said Island to the neck, at all times and from Day Light to Day 
Light, and shall not fail to give good attendance Durering and for the ensuing 
year from the date hereof, and likewise to keep a sufficient craft to take ina 
horse and chair, or two horses in manner and form as abovesaid, and the ferry 
man shall receve for each chair and horse not to exceed the sum of one shilling ~ 
and sixpence, and for each person the said ferry man not to exceed the sum of 
four coppers for each time crossing said ferry, &c.” 


The same year the ferry at the north end of said island was disposed 
of to the best and fairest bidder, viz: Mrs. Deborah Hicks. On the 13th 
of May, 1766, Jeremiah Fowler was ferryman ; 11th of June, 1776, the 
ferry was sold to John Bridgewater. 

The ferry across from the,south end of Minneford’s Island, to the op- 
posite shore of Long Island, was established 13th of May, 1766, and let 
to John Barnes for the term of five years. 


*‘On the 14th day of June, 1763, Isaac Barnes, Benjamin Palmer, John 
Barnes, Enock Hunt, Joseph Mullinix and Joseph Palmer were chosen by the 
proprietors trustees of the island.” The year following, ‘‘8th of May, Capt. John 
Wooley, Israel Pinckney, Aaron Hunt, Benjamin Palmer, Isaac Barnes and Caleb 
Hunt were appointed the committee, and Benjamin Palmer, clerk and ae, 
to the proprietors of the Island for one year.” 


a Copy of original riginal doc., endorsed on the back, “sent to England,” among Richard E. Mount’s 
papers, 'N. Y. Hist. Soe. m “s : 


78 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


‘“At a meeting of the committee of the Proprietors of Miniford’s Island, as- 
sembled at the house of Isaac Barnes, the 11th day of May, 1765, 


‘¢ Present : 
“Moses Owns, (SaMvEL Rog, 
Dunoan CAMPBELL, (JosEPH PALMER.” 


‘“‘The committee ordered that no owner or proprictor of the said Island, not 
residing thereon, shall put or caus to be put on more than twoo creatures of any 
kind; likewise, any owner or inhabitant living and residing upon the said Island 
may bring on twoo cows, if a twoo wheld carriage, one horse, and if a waggon 
two horses p’r. each right; any person, proprietor, owner or inhabitant disobey 
these orders and puting on more than the No. above written, must expect to have 
them put in common pound and dealt with according to law, &c.Ӣ 


The last election recorded in the ‘‘ Book of Laws,” (No. 1) took place 
May toth, 1791, when Joseph Mullinex, clerk, and Aaron Hunt, Joseph 
Mullinex, Thomas Baxter, Augustus Drake, Jr., Brusted Barnes and 
James Lewis were chosen trustees. 

It appears that upon the first settlement of the island, the proprietors 
had conceived the idea of erecting thereon a large commercial city, un- 
der the supposition that an extensive East India trade could be advan- 
tageously carried on with the States of Holland. Its agreeable and beau- 
tiful situation on the Sound, lying over against the broad side of Long 
Island, its close vicinage to New York, besides its healthiness, oyster- 
ing and fishing conspiring to render it, as its projectors vainly imagined, 
the best place, for the aforesaid trade in the United States. The Revo- 
lution, however, breaking out, suspended operations for a time; but 
soon after the closing of hostilities the project was again revived, as ap- 
pears from the following document signed by some of the proprietors: 


‘« Whereas, the thirteen United States of North America is become Free, Inde- 
pendent and Sovereign States, and have the Like Liberty to Carry on Their 
Trade and Commers To Foreign Nations as well as other States, Nations and 
Kingdoms, Excepting the East india Trade, and some others, which are formed 
in Like Companyes ; and, Whereas, the Seven United States of Holland are also 
Free, Independent and Sovereign States and they Have great Possessions in 
the El!ast indians and Carry on an Extensive Trade To and from it, and 
have plenty of Cash Shiping and Sailors To make the Trade To that part of 
the World much more greater Than it now is; and, Whereas, they have been 
Friendly in assisting the American States To. their Independancy ; therefore, We 
Do Earnestly Recommend To the State of New York To give and grant Liberty 
To the merchants in Holland to bring over Some of their East india produce To 


a In May, 1770, Isaac Barnes had two cows, 2 yearlings and 1 colt, making in all 5 head; 
Benjamin Palmer, 2; Joseph Muleux,1; Dukin Campble,5; Minor Hillard, 10; John Pink- 
ney, 4; John Barnes, 2; Markos Baxter,4; Deborah Hicks, 8; Widow Brucks, 4. 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 79 


this State and to set up some of their manufactorys in some Convenant place for 
such purpose which Would be a great advantage to both Countries. For the Amer- 
ican States are New and have no Possessions in the East indians nor can they have 
any unless they purchase it with money or Conquer it in War, but some of the 
Merchants of these States might join the Holland Merchants and Trade with them 
as occasion might serve ; and Whereas there is an Island lying abont 25 milesfrom 
New York in a very agreeable and Beautiful Situation and is Counted as Healthy 
a place as any in the World; it Lyes off against the broad side of Long Island and 
almost joins the main Land on the Manor of Pellham in Westchester Ceunty azd 
State of New York, and Round it is a great plenty of Oysters, Fishing and Fow!- 
ing in their season, a Ferry has been keept From thence to Long Island for many 
years; Liberty has been granted by the Legislature to Build a Bridge over the 
Narrows from the Island to the Main, it is imagined that when the Bridge is Built 
that it will be one of the greatest Fisherries in the Sound, for the greatest part of 
the Fish that comes Down the East River is thought to go through these Narrows. 
This Island is laid out in a Regular form for a Town, it contains about forty-five 
Hundred House Lotts, each Lott contains one hundred feet in length and twenty- 
five feet in Breadth. The Pilots that is acquainted with the Sound says that the 
largest ships can come Down the Sound with the greatest safety to said Island, 
therefore we the Subscribers Do Earnestly Recommend this Island to be the best 
place for carrying on the aforesaid Business of any in the States. The plan of 
said Island may be seen in the Bowery Lane, No. 88, New York. 


‘“‘SamureL Lerug, Surveyor. 


Bamp Ayrs, JAMES SEDIKER, 
DanieEt TER, JEREMIAH FowLeER, 
JOHN Hawkins, Bens, PALMER.” 


It is almost needless to say, however, that its projectors failed in their 
plans, and were compelled to seek a less exposed and more eligible site. 
From this circumstance the place acquired its present name, “City 
Island.” 

Benjamin Palmer, one of the principal proprietors, appears to have 
been a great sufferer during the Revolutionary War, losing almost every 
thing for his attachment to the American cause; upon the 29th of Sep- 
tember, 1789, we find him petitioning His Excellency, General Washing- 
ton, President of the United States, for redress under his grievances. 
He complains “that himself and his family were taken prisoners by the 
British, who used us very ill, and then ordered us off my plantation, 
which I then had on said Island, to New York, where I have continued 
with my family ever since.” The reason he assigns for their using him so 
cruelly, was on account of his sending a letter to General Howe, the 
commander of the British army, in vindicaton of, and setting forth the just 
cause the people of this country had to oppose the King’s orders.”* In 


Pa aa from original document, presented by Richard E. Mount, Esq., to N. Y. Historical 
ciety. 


So HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 

his humble petition for damages, to His Excellency, George Clinton, Esq., 
Governor in and overthe State of New York, Vice-Admiral of the Navy 
of the same, dated, February 28th,1788, he sets forth ‘‘ that your petitioner 
in the beginning of the late war between Great Britain and America, 
employed.Minor Hilliard to hire for him a plantation in New England, 
which he said he did for £25 per annum. ‘The British fleet then lay at 
Staten Island; it was expected the first invasion would have been at 
New York, which preverted your petitioner moving on the said planta- 
tion. He waited to see how the contest would go between the fleet and 
city; but instead of attacking New York, the Admiral sent three armed 
ships up theSound early one morning, and came to anchor off City 
Island, where your petitioner then lived ; they sent three of their boats on 
shore with about one hundred men, who took your petitioner and all 
his family prisoners ; killed and destroyed his creatures, and plundered 
many things, all of which they carried off and never paid for, &c.” ‘‘He 
then complains of Capt. Brown, of the guard ship Scorpion, who, in the 
beginning of the year 1779, ordered him to cut his wood on Jesse Hunt’s 
Island, and at no other place—threatening to burn down his house in 
case of refusal, as the men-of-war and refugees cut their wood there. 
The island being then in the possession of the British, and Col. Benja- 
min Hunt had a protecticn for the island from General Howe and Gov- 
ernor Tryon, the British commanders refusing him permission to supply 
himself with necessaries from New York for his family use; neither 
would they permit him to ship his produce for that place, threatening to 
sink his boats if he dared to go to the rebels. He thereupon came to 
New York and purchased property of Nicholas Bayard, Esq.” 

Benjamin Palmer, one of the principal proprietors of the island, was 
the second son of William Palmer, of Westchester, who died sometime 
in April, 1676.4 Benjamin Palmer married ———— daughter of Under-. 
hill Barnes, of Philipsburgh, in this county, by whom he had a daughter, 
who married Ware Branson. ‘The latter married secondly a daughter 
of Henry Ritter, who was the grand mother of Richard E. Mount, Esq., 
of New York. 

In 1818, Nicholas Haight and Joshua, Huested owned nearly the 
whole island, together with Rodman’s Neck and the Marshall estate. 
Upon the rst of January, 1819, Nicholas Haight and Mary, his wife, 


a From original MSS. presented by Richard FE. Mount, Esq., to the N. Y. Historical Society, 


b Wili dated June 2, 1670. Willand admint. Surrogate’s office, N. Y. Inventory, April 
26th, 1676. No. 1. uf. supra. His otner children were Joseph, Samuel, Obadiah, Thomas, 
Spicher, and a daughter Martha. Palmer complains that he was intrusted by all the pro- 
prietors to keep the plan and books and other papers concerning said island, and had them 
in his possession all the time of the war between England and the States, and had never lost 
the plan, the books or the papers, in all the troubles, although himself and family were driven 
from one place to another like fugitives on earth. 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 81 


sold to George W. Horton forty-two acres of land on the lower, or south- 
erly part of City Island. Most of this property is still held by his two 
sons—Capt. Stephen Decatur Horton, and Capt. George Washington 
Horton. The former owns the extreme point of this beautiful island, 
overlooking Hutchinson’s bay, Throgmorton’s Neck, the Stepping Stone 
light, the great necks upon Long Island, besides the most extensive 
views of the Sound, Hart Island and neighboring shores. 

Among the earliest projects of the first proprietors of the island was 
the construction of a bridge across the narrows, to connect with the 
main. To enable them to effect this the State Legislature passed an 
act allowing the erection of the bridge ; and upon the 7th of September, 
1804, a subsciption list was opened for this object, but the attempt then 
failed for want of support. About six years ago, another effort was at- 
tended with better success; anda bridge erected by a joint stock com- 
pany, connecting the island with the main, and was thrown open to the 
public on the 1st of December, 1873. It is a singular fact that the pres- 
ent structure stands within a few rods of the bridge laid down on tine 
map of 1761. The bridge, which is one thousand feet long, is constructed 
of nineteen abutments, of heavy wooden cribs filled with stone ; these are 
ninety-six feet long, by twenty-four feet wide, finished with a draw one 
hundred and twenty feet long. The greater part of the materials used in 
its erection were taken from the old United States frigate of war, North 
Carolina. 

The navigation of the Sound, which is considered exceedingly danger- 
ous for the larger class of vessels, has given employment to some sixteen 
or twenty resident pilots at an income of $70,000; but since the last war, 
tug or tow boats have almost superseded the occupation of the pilots on 
the Sound. At the present time, more vessels actually pass through Hell 


Gate than through the Narrows. It is estimated that one hundred and 
fifty vessels pass through the former, daily. 


About seventy-five to one hundred oystermen, heads of families on 
the island, are engaged in doing a lucrative business in the surrounding 
waters, under a capital of over $200,000. 

On the eastern side of the island, Mr, David Carll has a fine dock 
yard. Here are three marine bridges, and the largest marine railway out 
of the city of New York. Quite a number of yachts have been con- 
structed in this yard—among which may be noticed the A/anta, for 
William Astor; the Resolute, for Ayres S. Hatch; the Henrietta, for 
James G. Bennett ; the AZagic, which won the Queen’s cup in 18—, for 


a Ina grove, upon this point, the celebrated Italian artist, Pietro Vaini, shot himself, in the 


sine ad of 1775. One of his small cabinet pictures isin the possession "of Capt. Stephen D: 
orton. 


82 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Frank Osgood, and the Vesta, for Pierre Lorillard. Mr. Carll has al- 
tered the /Vanderer for Mr, Stillman, the Saf/o for William Douglass, 
and is now engaged in lengthening the Ves¢a twelve feet for her present 
owner, Mr. Samue! H. Mills, of New York city. Four yachts are now 
on the stocks. ‘To these may be added a large floating light-house for 
the United States Government, furnished with steam whistle. 

The island contains two churches, a Protestant Episcopal and a 
Methodist Episcopal. The former called Grace church, situated at the 
corner of Main street and Pilot avenue (not far from the site originally 
designed by the proprietors in 1761 for the erection of a churche ) was 
organized in 1862. First services were held in May, 1861. On the 
t2th of October, 1863, George W. Horton and Margaret A., his wife, 
conveyed to the Rector, Church-wardens and Vestrymen of Christ 
church, Pelham, a lot of land, 50 feet by 100 feet, situated on Main 
street and Pilot avenue, for the site of a church. A release of thé pro- 
ceeding to the Rectors, Church-wardens and Vestrymen of Grace church, 
City Island, took place 1st of December, 1868. 

A church edifice was commenced in 1863, and consecrated the same 
year. It continued for atime as a part of Christ church, Pelham, Rev. 
Samuel S. Chevers acting as assistant to the Rector of Christ church, 
but residing on the island and officiating as pastor. Under the Rector- 
ship of the Rev, E. W. Syle, it was set apart as an independent parish. 

The church building is of wood, built in the gothic style, containing 
a small chancel window of three stained lights representing the trial of 
Christ before Pontius Pilate, by the Rev. William J. Bolton. The 
edifice will seat over two hundred. It deserves to be recorded here 
that the Miss Boltons, of Pelham Priory, from the first, have been the 
unfailing friends and supporters of the Island church. Without their aid 
in the beginning, the parish would never have been formed; and without 
their liberal contributions to the support of the Rector, the parish would 
have been deprived of the services of the church ; they have done a quiet, 
but a blesssed work.” 

Attached to the church is a rectory on Main street valued at $2,500. 
Upon the 5th of March, 1871, Stephen Decatur Horton and Caroline 
L., his wife, conveyed to the Rector, Church-wardens and Vestrymen of 
Grace church, City Island, a lot for a rectory, 100 feet square, for the 
above mentioned object. 

A communion service was presented by Miss Catharine Lorillard Wolf. 
The service books, by Isaac O. Barker, Esq. 


a Nos. 62 and 90 of the Public Squares on the island were set apart for churches and meet- 
ing houses, 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 83 


LIST OF RECTORS OF GRACE CHURCH. 


Inst. oR CALL. ReEcrors. VACATED. 
A. D. 1868, Rey. Wizu1am VY. FELTWELL, per resig. 

Jan., 15, 1871, Rey. Grorce HoweE.t, Sé 

Oct., 1, 1874, Rey. JosHua Morsetr, D.D., present rector. 


Upon the island are five stores, three blacksmiths, small town house 
for Justice’s Courts, and three hotels, viz: Cunningham Villa, kept by 
Mr. Cunnigham ; City Island Hotel, kept by Capt. Joshua Leviness, and 
the Minnieford Shore House, by Charles McClennon, at the steam boat 
landing, well known for its clam bakes and refreshments. Boats, tack- 
ling, &c., can be easily obtained at Captain C. H. Stringham’s or Philip 
Flynn’s, two well known fishermen. Three lines of stages are in constant 
service running to and from the island to the Harlem’ River Railroad, a 
distance of only two miles. 

During the Revolutionary war, the island was greatly exposed to the 
enemy’s shipping. 

“On the 27th of August, 1776, early in the morning (says General 
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 plunder or burn. Before he arrived several 
barges full of men landed on Mew City Zsland, 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 remainder of the cattle were secured.”4 

“ 30th of January, 1777 (observes the same authority), the storm clear- 
ed up, when fifteen ships, one brig, two schooners and two sloops came 
too, between Hart and City Zsland. They were from the eastward, and 
were supposed to have troops on board.”? 

In 1777, a party from Darien, Connecticut, consisting of John Dibble, 
Isaac Quintard, Mead and eight others, captured the British armed 
vessel of war, called the Siuldam, off City Island. They carried their 
whale boats across Pell’s Neck, where they seized a market boat, which 
had just returned from New York, laden with three hundred bushels of 
salt and twelve ten-gallon kegs of brandy. With this vessel they bore 
down, aided by a fair wind, upon the guard ship Shuldam, as she lay di- 
rectly off the north side of City Island > as they neared, her captain, 
Roney, who was at the helm, and the watch, cried out: “ What sloop is 
that?” They answered, “the little Stanton /” “Take care! take care! 


a (Copy torn.) 
Mem. p. 113. 


84 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


you will be foul of us!” was the reply. ‘ Never fear, never fear,” they re- 
joined ; and coolly added: ‘The whale boats are out on the sound to- 
night, and we wish to get under your lee.” Another moment and their 
bow-sprit was in the Siu/dam’s netting ; it took but a short time to cut the 
ropes with their broad swords, when all sprang on deck and drove the 
watch below. During this affray, the British were firing upon them fierce- 
ly from City Island, As they did not understand the management of so 
large a vessel, they were compelled to use two of their prisoners, whom 
they afterwards released, to navigate herinto port. This wasimmediately 
followed by the capture of six other vessels, laden with wood; two of 
which were ransomed, while the other four were taken into Stamford. It 
appears that the original intention of the captors, on this occasion, was 
to have seized the fort at Whitestone Ferry, upon Long Island; but 
that the unexpected sight of the guard-ship induced them to alter their 
plans.“ A large force of whale-boat men afterwards landed on the island, 
and arrested all the inhabitants ; but paroled them immediately.s At 
one time there seems to have been a tacit understanding between the 
British and Americans, that the former should hold the island in the day- 
time, while the latter at night occupied it. 

Hart Island lies to the east of the former. Here is a Hospital under 
charge of the Department of Charities and Correction of New York 
city, accommodating between eight and nine hundred patients, In con- 
nection with the Hospital is also a work-house at the north end of the 
island. The present Protestant chaplain is the Rev. Marinus Willett. 
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 Minneford Islands, containing 
eighty-five acres. From Oliver de Lancey it passed to the Rodmans and 
Haights. The latter sold it to the late 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 Pelham Neck. The Narrows between 
Hart and City Island and the Blauyes are much frequented by vast flocks 
of wild ducks. ‘The varieties consist principally of the old wive, broad 
bill, coot, black duck and whistler. In the Fall of 1846, one thousand 
ducks are said to have 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 

a McDonald MSS., in possession of G. N. Moore, of New York. 


_ 5 Jessie Mullinex, of New Rochelle, remembered Colonel Thomas’ attempt to take the 
et when he, with others, armed with long duck guns, helped to drive him off, McDonald 
MSS. 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 85 


well known as a favorite resort for anglers, when the tide serves, fish of 
various kinds, and particularly the largest sized bass are taken. On the 
3d of June, 1844, Mr. Benjamin Fowler captured a striped bass, weigh- 
ing sixty-three pounds ; when measured, it was found to be four feet six 
inches long. A single steak of this fish weighed eight pounds. The late 
Des Brosses Hunter, Esq., also caught a bass here weighing fifty pounds. 
During the summer, 1841, a bass drifted on the neighboring beach, 
weighing forty-three pounds ; and Mr. George Cox Furman, with a reel, 
caught another weighing twenty pounds. In the Fall of 1838, a former 
proprietor of the bridge informed me that seven hundred and sixty-nine 
bass of various sizes were taken at this place by angling. September 
and October are considered the best fishing months. Sheepshead are, 
also, occasionally taken here. A few years since a monstrous seal was 
shot in the bay, opposite the bridge, weighing 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 was reserved for the late 
George Rapelye, Esq., to complete. The bridge was afterwards pur- 
chased of his heirs and rented out annually, until the present iron struc- 
ture was erected a few years since at a cost of $60,000. It is said to re- 
quire three men and a boy to open the draw. A little west of this structure 
is the bridge and draw of the New Haven and Harlem River Railroad. 
From the Pelham Bridge there is a most extensive view of Hutchir- 
son’s Bay, terminated only by the shores of Long Island, the fertile val- 
ley through which the Aqueanounck winds on its passage to the former, 
and the heights of Westchester. On the south-east shore of Pelham is 
situated the estate of the late Robert Bartow, Esq. This property was 
once a portion of the estate of Thomas Pell, third Lord of the Manor, 
eldest son and heir of John Lord Pell. In March, 1790, Thomas Pell, 
grandson of the above Thomas and Pheebe, his wife, conveyed the same 
to John Bartow,* and Ann Pell, his wife, third daughter of Joseph Pell, 
grand-parents of the late Robert Bartow, Esq. The dwelling house 
which is constructed of native stone, presents a fine Grecian front to the 
road, with wings on the east andwest. The old manor house which was 
pulled down, not many years ago, stood near the summer house in the 
garden a little south-west of the present stone mansion. Here the 
manor courts were held and tenants came to do suit and service from 
time to time to the Mesne Lord. 
In a smal] cemetery south of the site of the old manor-house, repose 


a The father of John Bartow was Theophilus Bartow, who married Bathsheba, daughter of 
Thomas Peli, eldest son of John Lord Pell. 


86 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


the mortal remains of the Pell family. The oldest monument, legible, 
bears the following inscription : 


“HER LYES ISEC PELL, D. DEC. 14, ANNO 1748,” 


Another, surmounted with the figure of a rude cherub, bears this epi- 
taph: 


“HER IS THE BODY OF JOSEPH PELL, AGED 31, D. 1752.” 


This individual was the third Lord of the manor, and son of Thomas 
Pell, the eldest son of John Lord Pell. 
The inscription to his wife, is as follows: 


In Memory oF 
PH@BE PELL, 


the widow of JosEPH PELL. 
She departed this life 
On the 22d day of March, 1790, 
In the 70th year of her age. 


This lady, together with the executors of her husband, confirmed to 
Trinity church, New Rochelle, in 1763, the one hundred acres of land 
given by John Lord Pell for the use of the French church in 1689. An- 
other stone is inscribed: 


Here Lyses tHe Bopy or 
SALOME PELL, BORN JAN. 1318, 1759, 


and Departed This Life 
Oct. ye 10th, 1760, Aged 1 year, 
8 months and 27 Days. 


The following records the death of Sussannah, the second daughter of 
the before mentioned Joseph and Pheebe Pell. 


Iy Memory 


of SUSSAN NAH, wife 


of Bensamrin Drake, who 
Died March 4th, 1763; 
Aged 22 years. 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 37 


The last legible inscription is: 


In Memory 
of JOHN, son of 


James and Po@BeE BENNETT, 
who died Augt 6, 17638, 
Aged 21 months. 


In 1862 awhite marble slab was erected on the spot, by the late James 
K. Pell, Esq., of New York, with the following inscription : 


Tus STONE 
is placed here in token of 


respect for the 
memory 
of, and to mark the spot where 
lie buried the mortal remains of 
several of the descendants of 


JOHN PELL, 


who was born in the year 1643. 
and died in the year 1700. 
The son of 
the Rev. Joun Pett, D.D., 
of Essex, in England, 
and nephew of 
Tuomas PELL, 
the first proprietor 
of the 
Lordship and Manor of Pelham. 
born in the year 1603. 


Not very far west of the site of the old manor house stood, a few years 
ago, one of the iargest and finest oak trees in the country ; interesting as 
the very tree beneath which the Indian sachems ceded these lands to 
Thomas Pell, on the 14th of November, 1654. 

On what was once the Bartow estate is located the Bartow station of 
the Harlem River branch of the New York and New Haven Railroad. 
The distance is computed to be seven miles from New York centre, and 
fifty-three minutes from business centres. From this station are daily 
lines of stages connecting with Yonkers, Mount Vernon and City Island. 


88 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


The ground, on which has been commenced the new village of Bar- 
tow, rises gently from Hutchinson’s River, and commands fine views 
of the Sound, Mount Vernon, and an extensive landscape. The Town 
Hall of Pelham township is adjacent, and likewise the Pelham bridge, 
which affords the finest fishing and boating along that side of the River. 
West Neck, the estate of the late Philip Schuyler, Esq., joins the vil- 
lage on the north, originally belonged to John Pell, a grandson of John 
Lord Pell. The old mansion, which formerly occupied the site of the 
Schuyler residence, was removed in 1850 and is now used as a carrlage 
house and stable. Here, during the Revolutionary war, the daughters 
of John Pell and Mary Totten were frequently in the habit of entertain- 
ing the British officers, who would drive up from New York. The ad- 


joining estate to the Bartows on the east is Oakshade, the property of 
Richard Lewis Morris, M. D., son of James Morris, and grandson of 
General Lewis Morris of Morrisania, one of the signers of the Declara- 
tion of Independence. The house is a very beautiful specimen of the 
Italian villa style. The south front commands a fine view of the Pelham 
Neck and the Sound. The old Le Roy mansion, now the estate of the 
Rodgers’ family, is also finely situated, and embraces every variety of 
water view. But the most to be admired 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 ex- 
tensive green and fruit houses. 

Hunter’s Island, sometimes denominated Henderson’s or Appleby Is- 
land, now owned by Alvah Higgins, Esq.,is connected with the main by 
a stone causeway and bridge. The mansion which is situated about the 
centre of the Island, has the most commanding views of the vicinity. 
It is constructed of stone, with wings on the east and west. The south 
front presents a collonade of the Ionic order, from which an 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 


\ 


To face page 85, vol. i PEDIGREE OF SCHUYLER, OF PELHAM. 


Philip Pieterse Van Schuyler Margaret Van Slechtenhorst 


came to Albany in 1650, from Holland, 
married 16th December, 1650 


| 
Johannes _ Elizabeth Staats, widow of John Wendell 


Philip, shot by Canadians in 1745, at Schuylerville, Saratoga Co. N. Y. 
General phil, of the Revolution Catharine Van Rensselaer 


| 
John Bradstreet _Elizabeth Van Rensselaer 


John —Cornelia Van Cortlandt 


| 
Philip Jeremiah, of Rhinebeck, N. Y. 


pahip, (only child) Grace Hunter, daughter of Robert Hunter, Esq., and sister of John Hunter, of Hunter’s Island, Pelham. 


| | | | 
Ruth_T. W. Ogden Elizabeth_R. H. Ogden Grace Catharine Rev. John Bolton 


| | 
Harriet Letitia_C. H. de Luze Fanny John Mary 


(The family now residing in Peljham.) 


tent 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 89 


south-west a lovely bay stretches towards Pelham Neck and Throgmor- 
ton’s Point. These features render it one of the most beautiful spots on 
the sound or East River. The north front of the house overlooks the 
winding creek and distant woods of Pelham. In 1743 this island, and 
twenty acres on the main, were in possession of Joshua Pell, Esq., son of 
Thomas and grandson of John Lord Pell, from whom the former passed 
to the Hunts and Hendersons. The latter sold it to the late John 
Hunter, Esq. The Island embraces an area of 250 acres. Large quan- 
tities 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 xo nation reefs and green fiats, lying nearly south of the island, 
are also well-known fishing places. On the south-east end of the island 
is situated the great Indian Rock ‘ Mishow,” while on the east lies the 
well known boulder, called the “‘ Gray Mare.” 

On the main, nearly fronting the causeway leading to the Island, is 
situated the residence of Mrs. Elizabeth DeLancey, eldest daughter of 
the late Elias Des Brosses Hunter, (who died on the 22d of March,1865, 
aged 65,) son of John Hunter, Esq., the former proprietor of those lands 
and the adjoining Island. The building is of native granite, and com- 
mands beautiful views of the Sound and adjacent creeks and islands. 
Here is the orignal portrait of the Hon. Caleb Heathcote, Esq., Lord of 
the Manor of Scarsdale in this County. Surveyor General of H. M. Cus- 
toms, and Judge of the Court of admiralty, and one of H. M. Council 
for the Province of New York. ‘On the day of his death, Feb. 28,1721, 

this excellent man went about doing good in procuring a charitable sub- 
' scription”® Adjoining this estate on the south, is the residence of John 
Munro, Esq., son of the late Peter Jay Munro, and grandson of Rev. 
Harry Munro, first Rector of St. John’s church, Yonkers. 

The residence of the late Elbert Roosevelt, Esq., now occupied by his 
sons, is pleasantly located directly on the banks of the Sound, and has fine 
views of Long Island and the surrounding shore. The Roosevelt family, 
which have settled here since 1802, is of Dutch extraction ; and claim 
descent from Claus Martens ze van Roosevelt, z. ¢. Nicholas the son of 
Martin of the Rose-field, a native of Holland, and first of the name who 
came to America. His son was Nicholas, whose son Johannas was the 
grandfather of Cornelius, father of the late Elbert Roosevelt, Esq., of 
Pelham. . 

In this vicinity is the Priory, the former residence of the late Rev. 
Robert Bolton, a native of Savannah, Georgia, whose father, Robert 
~ @ Many years ago Peter Jay Maune levied a fine and recovery in behalf of John Hunter, 


Esq. for the entire Island. 
b American Weekly Mercury, N. Y. March 6th 1721, 


go HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Bolton, was a well known merchant of that city, the only son of Robert 
Bolton, Esq., the first post-master of Savannah, in 1764, who removed 
from Philadelphia, Pa., into Georgia about one hundred and thirty-two 
years ago, whose father was Robert Bolton, Gent., merchant of Phila- 
delphia and senior warden of Christ church in that city, A.D., 1727, 
‘born at Walesin Yorkshire, 26th of July, 1688, and a lineal descendant 
of the Bolton’s, of Bolton, in Lancashire. A collateral branch of this 
family gave to the Church of England, the well known author and divine, 
Robert Bolton, B. D., (great grand uncle of the last mentioned Robert 
Bolton of Philadelphia,) rector of Broughton, North Hamptonshire, who 
died in 1631, and penned the recently republished edition of “ Bolton’s 
Four Last Things.” 


The Residence of the Rey, Robert Bolton, Pelham. 


The mansion house, which is of stone, affords a good specimen of the 
old English style, and accords well with its romantic situation. The 
building has two towers, affording splended 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. The 
armory is decorated with a mantle-piece brought from Venice, two or 
three suits of ancient armor, besides helmets, morions, breast plates, 
chain armor, &c., and a curiously carved chair of oak, found at Dorches- 
ter near Oxford, bearing the date of 1639. There are paintings here of 
members of the Bolton family, and among them a portrait of Robert Bol- 
ton, merchant of Savannah, Ga., whose great wealth gained for him the 
sobriquet of “ King ;” he died in 1802. He is represented, dressed in 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. gi 


dark blue coat, with yellow vest, and cocked hat; also the portrait of 
his wife, Sarah McClean, in high cap, stiff cambric handkerchief and 
tight brown silk bodice. They are copies of the origirals, by Walter 
Robertson, in 1797; also the portraits of the late Rev. Robert Bolton, 
and his wife, Anne Jay, daughter of the Rey. William Jay, of Bath, 
England, with her two children, Robert and Anne, painted by the cele- 
brated William Etty, of the Royal Academy of England ; also an original 
portrait of Bunyan, formerly in the possession of the Rev. George White- 
field. There is in the library a good collection of autographs, the oldest 
of which is that of Henry VII., of England. The signatures of Queen 
Mary and Queen Elizabeth, with her council, are worthy of notice; also 
those of Oliver Cromwell and Richard Cromwell, presented by the late 
Oliver Cromwell, of Chestnut Park, England, their last direct male 
representative ; letters of Lord Fairfax, Pope, Cowper, Chatterton, Lord 
Nelson; signatures of Napoleon, Sir Christopher Wren, Percy, author 
of the ballad, Bishop Burnet, Kosciusko, &c., &c. Among the American 
autographs are those of William Penn and his sons, the proprietors of 
Pennsylvania, Francis Lovelace, Governor of New York in 1671, Jona- 
than Edwards, Increase and Cotton Mather, Washington, La Fayette, 
Franklin, Jefferson, Schuyler, Sterling, Arnold, the signers of the 
Declaration of Independence, and various other eminent characters. 
The terrace in front of the house forms a fine promenade. A beautiful 
flower garden on the west end of the house is laid out in geometrical 
plots, in which the plants are well disposed for the display of the flowers. 
The grounds are ornamented with natural walks leading to various ob- 
jects of interest, among which deserves to be noticed the “rocking 
stone.”* This natural curiosity is a rock supposed to weigh about twenty 


tons. 
‘* A rock, chance pdised and balanced, lay 


So that a stripling arm might sway 
A mass no host could raise. 


‘In Nature’s rage at random thrown, 
Yet trembling like the Druid’s stone 
On its precarious base.” 


Rocking stones, used in ancient Druidical worship, are found both in 
Great Britain and America. They were consulted in various ways by 
the Druids ; sometimes as an oracle through which Jehovah spoke, for 
they believed one Supreme God although they adored lesser objects. It 
seems that these stones originated in the time of Moses, as mentioned in 

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 roggetnh and 
awaketh soft.”—Legend of Good Women. 


92 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Joshua xxiv: 17—‘ And Joshua took a great stone, and set it up there 
under an oak, and he said unto all the people, ‘ Behold this stone shall 
be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the Lord, which 
He spake unto us; it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny 
your God.” Ancient history mentions their existence in various places ; 
and, without doubt, from ancient Britain their use was introduced into 
this country, where they are numerous, but I shall only mention a few. 
In Siddiman’s Journal, O. Mason notices two rocking Stones in the neigh- 
borhood of Providence, N. E.,* and Dr. J. Porter, two in Massachusetts; 
another writer, speaks of several near Roxbury in the same State ; one 
at Andover,and another at Duxham, in New Hampshire. Putnam’s 
Rock, thrown by some soldiers during the Revolutionary war from a cliff 
into the Hudson river, where it is now visible, was a Druidical Rocking 
stone. According to American history, it ‘was so adroitly poised and 
easily moved that it attracted general attention.” Speaking of the usages 
of the ancient British Druids, an English writer says: ‘‘ They erected 
also great stones, called by moderns ‘ Rocking Stones, so cunningly fitted 
one upon another, that if the upper one were touched in acertain place, 
though only with a finger, it would rock ; whereas no strength of man 
could avail to move it, if applied to any other part. Hither they led 
those accused of any other crime, and—under preténce that the gods, 
would, by this form of trial, show the guilt or innocence of the party—di- 
rected him where to touch, and make the proof; and thus, at their direc- 
tion, (how like the priest-craft of every age,) they either absolved the ac- 
cused, or made them appear guilty—knowing where the laying of the fin- 
ger would move the rock, and where no human power could effect it.” 
The author of ‘“ Mexican and American Antiquities,” published in 
France, mentions the existence of Rocking Stones among South Ameri- 
can ruins ; he terms them “balancing rocks, similiar to the Celtic monu- 
ments of France and of England.” The Spanish historian Fuentes, speak- 
ing of the customs of the Aborigines of Gautimala, South America, al- 
luding to their mode of trying criminals, says: ‘‘ After the sentences of the 
criminals were given, it was necessary to have them comfirmed by the 
oracle, for which purpose three of the judges left their seats and proceed- 
ed to a deep ravine, where there was a place of worship containing a 
sacred stone, on the surface of which the Diety was supposed to indicate 
the fate of the criminal. If the decision was approved, the sentence was 
executed immediately—if nothing appeared on the stone, the accused 
was set at liberty.” Juarros, in his history of Guatimala, speaking of 


a Thereisarocking stone called “ Drum Rock,” withintwo milesof Wickford, North Kings- 
ton. The sound resembles a drum; it can be heard a great distance off, some say to the 
next stone: near it is a burying ground.—[ED.] 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 93 
a Rocking Stone among the ruins in Copan, says: ‘“ Astonishment is 
forcibly excited on viewing the structure ; because, large as it is, and al- 
though entirely of stone and of enormous weight, it may be set in mo- 
tion by the slightest impulse of the hand.” Among the Greek’s, Rock- 
ing Stones occur as funeral monuments ; and frequently on cliffs over- 
hanging the sea. Fosbroke, an English writer, in his ‘“ Antiquities,” 
speaking on the subject, says: ‘‘ There is a singular conformity to the 
Greek custom in the following passages of Ossian: ‘ A rock bends along 
the coast, with all its echoing wood. On the top is the circle of Loda: 
the mossy stone of power;’ and again—‘The king of Lora is my 
son; he bends at the stone of my power,’ It appears that the bards 
walked around the stone singing. That at Staunton, England, evidently 
in order to be conspicuous, is placed on the nose of a promontory loft- 
ier than the neighboring heights.” The North American Mandan In- 
dians have a sacred stone, and so vivid is the similarity, that I can al- 
most say it originated with the Druids, the ceremonies only being modi- 
fied by the varying ages and circumstances through which they have 
passed. The “ Book of the United States” says: ‘The Mandans have 
their medicine stone, which is their great oracle; and they believe with 
implicit confidence whatever it announces. Every spring, and occasion- 
ally during the summer, a deputation, accompanied by jugglers, magi- 
cians, or conjurors, visits the sacred spot where there is a large stone, 
about twenty feet in circumference, with a smooth surface. There 
the deputies smoke, taking a few whiffs themselves and then cere- 
moniously offering the pipe to the stone, they leave there their presents 
and withdraw tosome distance during the night. Before morning (Druid- 
ical priest-craft again) the presents have disappeared—the Great Spirit, 
according to- their belief, having taken them away; ard they read the 
destinies of their nation on some marks on the stone, which the juggling 
priests, who have made them, and secretly manage the whole transaction, 
can easily decipher. The Minnatree Indians have, also, a stone of the 
same kind.” Bradford in his ‘‘ American Antiquities,” speaks thus of a 
rocking stone, near Caxamatca, South America, which, from the accu- 
mulation of dirt around it, had lost its rocking character—“ It is a large 
block of free-stone. It has two grooves cut across it, near to the centre, 
four inches deep and five wide. The site of this stone commands a 
most beautiful prospect of the valley of Caxamatca. Doubless in that 
groove the Druidical priest sat administering wzjust justice.* 

At a short distance from the priory near the angle formed by the in- 


a Correspondence of the Baltimore Sun, Iverton Letters on Antiquities by Robert H. Liver. ° 
ing, Lancaster, Ohio, 1844. 


94 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


tersection of Pelhamdale avenue with the sea-side boulevard, stands the 
parochial edifice called Christ church. 

It may be as well to state here the progress of religious affairs in Pel- 
ham prior to the erection of this church in 1843. Under the royal char- 
ter of 1637, the Pelis were possessed of the “‘impropriation and the pat- 
ronage of the church or churches erected or to be erected within the 
manor.” In 1689, John Pell did give and grant to Jacob Leisler for 
the French Refugees at New Rochelle ‘one hundred acres of land for 
the use of the French church erected or to be erected by the inhabitants.’ 
This glebe, which was situated only a short distance from Christ church 
was held for nearly one hundred and fifteen years by Trinity church, 
New Rochelle; upon the rgth of March, 1697, John Pell, Esq., as impro- 
priator laid the corner stone of the French church at New Rochelle, which 
instituted the only edifice within the Manorial limits for one-hundred and 
forty-six years. 

By the act of Assembly passed 24th March, 1693, the Manor of 
Pelham had been made of the four precincts of West Chester Parish ; 
and the first vestryman elected under it, in 1702, was the said impro- 
priator John Pell, Sen., Esq.; in May, 1703, the quota contributed by Pel- 
ham Manor toward the rector’s support and poor of the parish was 
41-138. ‘At a meeting of ye church-wardens, vestrymen, freeholders 
and parishoners of ye Borough of West Chester, etc., held in West 
Chester the roth day of January A. D. 1709-10.” etc. “ Mr. Thomas 
Pell was chosen and appointed ye vestryman of ye Manor of Pelham.” 
The quota for the precinct the same year was £3.0.0; in 1720 the 
quota furnished by Pelham Manor had increased to £4.48. 14d. 

As early as 1695 aclergyman of the Church of England was settled in 
the manor of Pelham; but as the freeholders were obliged to pay towards 
the rector’s support at West Chester appointed to him by act of Assem- 
bly, they were rendered incapable of doing anything for their own minis- 
ter; so that the principal support which the three French ministers of 
the Manor of Pelham, residing at New Rochelle, received prior to 
the Revolution, was derived from the Venerable Society for the Propa- 
gation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. 5s nee 

In 1788, New Rochelle was separated from the Manor of Pelham, but 
the latter still remained united, for all eclesiastical purposes with the 
former until 1840, when the late Rev. Robert Bolton, the rector of the 
parish of East Chester, first extended his ministerial labors to this town, 
which was as yet, destitute of the services of the Church. At this time, 
Mr. Bolton, besides his stated duties in East Chester, held 4 Sunday ser- 
vice at his residence in Pelham, accomodating in the ample hall a neigh- 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 95 


borhood peculiarly destitute of spiritual culture. Through his instrument- 
ality, a parish was finally organized; and the corner stone of a church 
was laid on his own estate, Friday, the 28th of April, 1843—being the 
first building devoted to religious worship and instruction ever com- 
menced in Pelham. The good seed has spread since then, for there are 
now no less than three Episcopal churches in this town, viz: Grace 
church, City Island; the Church of the Redeemer, Pelhamville ; and the 
Parish church. The edifice thus happily begun was finished the same year, 
and consecrated the 15th of September by the name of ‘‘ Christ church, 
Pelham.” Prior to this event, the Reverend Founder prepared a deed 
transferring the church, and a quarter of an acre of land on which it is 
situated, to a parochial corporation, when one should be there formed— 
reserving, however, six free seats, the southeast and northwest transepts, 


Christ Church, Pelham. 


and two vaults beneath the floor of the church ; and, further, it provides 
that no rector or minister can be called or employed to officiate in the 
said church without the written consent of a majority of his heirs resid- 
ing in America be given thereto.” The act of incorporation bears date 
25th of September, 1843. Richard Morris and Henry Grenzabach, 
church-wardens ; Isaac Roosevelt,George F. Mills, John Bolton, William 
J. Bolton, Peter V. King, Jacob LeRoy, Cornelius Winter Bolton, and 
Robert Bolton, Jun., vestrymen. # 

Upon the organization of the parish the Rev. Robert Bolton became 
its rector. He was born at the family residence in Oglethorpe Square, 
Savannah, Georgia, roth of September, 1788. His father has already 


a County Rec. Rel. Soc. Lib. B, p. 85. Day of annual election, Monday in Easter week. 


96 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 

been referred to as Robert Bolton, merchant of Savannah. He was 
ordained deacon by the Bishop of New York, 25th July, 1837 ; and Priest 
by the same on the r2th of November following. In 1852 he resigned the 
rectorship, and died at Cheltenham, England, 19th of November, 1857. 

The parish church comprises a nave, sixty-five feet by twenty-two, 
with two small transeptal buildings, east porch and a bell turret over 
the eastern gable. It is constructed of common granite, in a very solid 
manner. In the rear, is a small wooden school and vestry-room out of 
all keeping with the main edifice. 

The style is gothic, and may be called the transitional second pointed. 
The chancel window, of three lights, is filled with stained glass of ex- 
quisite coloring, representing the adoration of the magi; over this is 
a circular light bearing the Agnus Dei with the appropriate legend, ‘ Be- 
hold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world.” This 
window, and several of the nave, were executed and presented to the 
church by the Rev. William Jay Bolton, A. M., vicar of Stratford East, 
near London, England. The two windows, on either side of the chancel, 
are after patterns in Salisbury cathedral; and were executed and pre- 
sented by the Rev. John Bolton, rector of Trinity church, Westchester, 
Penn. ‘The northern window of the transept bears the arms of the old 
Manorial Lords, Ermine, on a canton azure, a pelican or, vulned gules, 
while the southern is charged with those of the Reverend Founder: 
sable, a label for difterence, a falcon argent, beaked, jessed, membered 
and belled or, charged on the breast with a trefoil, slipped ppr. The 
open rafters of the church rest on half length figures of angels projecting 
from the wall. The interior contains the following monumental inscrip- 
tions : 


SACRED 
to the memory of 


ABBY BOLTON; 


who slept in peace, 
June 16th, 1849. 

She was the fifth daughter of the 
Rey. Rogert Borron, 
Founder and first Rector 
of this Church. 

Loving purity from principle, 
she courted the shade. 

Her religion dwelt upon the Spirit, 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 97 


and was sweetly exhibited 
in the every-day duties of life. 
This is pure and undefiled religion 


** Her God sustained her in her final hour, 
Her final hour brought glory to her God.”’ 


This tablet is erected by her friends. 


IN MEMORY OF 
THE REV. ROBERT BOLTON, 


eldest son of 
Rosert Botton, Esq., merchant, of Savannah, Georgia. 
He was born in that city Sept. 10, 1778. He died in Cheltenham, 
England, Nov. 19, 1857. He was founder and first rector of this church. 


ALSO 
ANN, 


his tenderly beloved wife, 
who fell asleep in Jesus at Brighton, England, Sept. 27, 1859. 
She was the eldest daughter of the Rev. William Jay, of Bath, England, 
Author of ‘‘ The Morning and Evening Exercises.” 
Their children here record in gratitude to God their tender 
affection, prevailing prayers and pure example. 


IN MEMORY OF 
our beloved nurse, 


ANN GRIFFIN, 


who after twenty-four years of devoted service, fell asleep in Pelham, 
August 29th, 1854, aged 54. 
*“ Well ae aoe good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” (St. Matt. 
XXV:21.) 


SAORED 
to the memory of 


MRS.MARY ANNE THOMAS, 


who fell asleep in Jesus, 
March 24th, 1849, aged 36 years. 
Her dying words were :— 
‘* There is a reality in religion.” 


98 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


IN MEMORY OF 
ISAAC ROOSEVELT, 


who died in Pelham, Sept. 30th, A.D. 1856, aged 43 years. 
An honest man: a sincere friend, and humble Christian. 


“ He was an early promoter and constant friend of this church, 
serving as vestryman and treasurer from the time of its forma- 
tion to his death. Possessed of a sound mind, a kind heart, and 
a generous hand, he labored to promote the welfare and happi- 
ness of the neighborhood in which he lived. He died respected, 
beloved and universally lamented.” 


SAORED TO THE MEMORY 
of 
SARAH WILMINGTON NORTON, 


of Savannah, Georgia, 
who died in Pelham, on the 15th of July, 1845, 
aged 17 years. 
‘*Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.”—(Eccles. xii chap. 1 Verse.) 
This tablet is erected by her affectionate young friends. 


IN MEMORY 
of 


SARAH SMITH CHERBULIEZ, 


who died in Pelham, 
Feb’y 6, 1858, 
aged three years and three months. 


**Ts it well with the child?” Andshe answered: ‘It is well.’ 


In a vault, beneath the pulpit, repose the mortal remains of William 
Matthew Evans, Esq., of Savannah, Georgia,son of William Evans, and 
Sarah (second daughter of Robert Bolton, Esq., of Savannah, Ga, and 
Sussannah Mauve, of Vivay, Switzerland,) who departed this life in East- 
chester, on the 18th of November, 1837, aged sixty-three; also Abby 
Bolton, fifth daughter of the Rev. Robert Bolton, and Anne Jay, his 
wife, who was born at Henley upon Thames, Oxfordshire, England, 
Feb. 3d, 1827, and died in Pelham, June the 16th, 1849; also her sister- 
in-law, Elizabeth Rebecca, first wife of Rev. Robert Bolton, and second 
daughter of James Brenton, Esq., of Newport, Rhode Island, who was 

a This individual was the son of Benjamin Brenton and grandson of Jahlee Brenton of 
Newport, R. I., (a son of Ebenezer,) and grandson of William Brenton, Governor of Rhode 
Islandin 1663, by his wife, Frances, daughter of Samuel Cranston, Governor of Rhode Is- 
land, son of John Cranston, Governor of the same, son of James Cranston, Chaplain to King 
Charles I,, who was the son of John Cranston by his wife, Christiau, daughter of Sir Robert 
Stewart, predecessor to the Earls of Traquair, who was son of James Cranston (brother of 
John Lord Cranston) by his wife, Lady Elizabeth, daughter of Francis Stewart, Earl of Both- 


well. Mary Clarke, wife of Samuel Cranston, Governor of Rhode Island. was the daughter of 
Governor Walter Clarke by his wife, Freeborn, daughter of the celebrated Roger Williams 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 99 


born at Pittstown, in this State, on the 2d of August, 1814, and died in 
New Rochelle on the 12th of March, 1852; also Richard Woodhull, 
sixth son of Rev. Robert Bolton, and Josephine Woodhull, born at Bed- 
ford, Nov. roth, 1864, died there, April rgth, 1868. 

In the Schuyler family vault are the following: Philip Schuyler, Esq., 
born October 26th, 1788, died Feb. 12, 1865 ; Grace Hunter Schuyler, 
born April 10, 1790, died Dec. 23, 1855 ; Harriet Schuyler, daughter of 
the above, born Oct. 26, 1823, died Nov. 22, 1877. 

The organ was built in June, 1872, by Jardine & Sons, of New York ; 
it has two banks of keys, twenty stops, two octaves of foot pedals, with 
the modern improvement of swell and coupler, and cost $2,500. 

The bell, weighing one hundred and eighty-four pounds, was presented 
to the church by Lydig Suydam, Esq. The communion plate, which was 
the gift of Mrs. C. L. Spencer, daughter of Peter Lonillard, Esq., bears 
the following inscription: ‘‘ Christ church, Pelham, May 11th, 1844.” 
A chalice was also presented by the late Miss Georgiana C. Pell, daugh- 
ter of Governor Duncan C. Pell, inscribed with the appropriate motto: 
“This do in rememberance of Me.” This lovely young lady, who was 
a pupil of the Priory, and died 15th of November, 1851, aged sixteen, 
was a lineal descendant of John Lord Pell. The service books were 
presented by the late Gerardus Clark, Esq.; and a set of beautifully il- 
luminated tablets, by the Rev. John Bolton. 

To Christ church, Pelham, is attached a small stone rectory, in the 
Norman style, erected in 1843. 


By an indenture bearing date 4th of May, 1867, Nanette Anne Bolton of the 
town of Pelham, County of West Chester and State of New York, conveyed to 
the Rector, Church-wardens and Vestrymen of Christ church, Pelham, parties of 
the second part ‘‘a certain parcel of land situated in the town of New Rochelle; 
begining at the south-westerly corner of aroad running past Christ church, Pelham 
and the Pelham road, 226 feet thence north-westerly, parallel with the road leading 
past Christ church, Pelham, 75 feet, thence north-easterly, parallel with said Pel- 
ham road, 226 feet to the aforesaid road running past Christ church; thence 
scuth-easterly along the last mentioned 75 feet to the point or place of beginning. 
To have and to hold the said premises hereby conveyed to the said parties of the 
second part and their successors in office for parish purposes forever ; subject nev- 
ertheless, to the following reservation, viz: that in case the said parties of the 
second part should ever abandon the use of said premises for parish purposes, 
then and in that case the said premises shall revert to the party of the first part, 
her heirs and assigns forever, &c, NANETTE ANNE BOLTON. 

In presence of 


CHaRrLes W. RooskEvzLt. @ 


a@ Copied from the orignal document in the possession of the vestry. 


100 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


RECTORS OF PELHAM. 


Inst. or CALL. INCUMBENTS. ‘YAOATED By. 

28 April, 1843, Rev. Rosert Boron, Presb. resig. 
Rey. ALEXANDER Surras, D.D., Presb., resig. 
Rev. M. M. Ditton, Presb., resig. 
Rev. Epwarp W. Sytz, Presb., resig. 
Rey. J. McAprne Harprye, Presb., resig. 
Rev. CHARLES HIGBEE, present incumbent. 


Near to the entrance of the Priory, on the grounds of Miss Lydia Em- 
met, daughter of the late Hon. Robert Emmet, Judge of the Supreme 
Court of the State, son of Thomas Addis Emmet, the celebrated Irish 
jurist, is another large boulder, weighing several tons. 


Parochial School of Christ church, Pelham. 


Deveau town is a small scattered hamlet in this vicinity, so named af- 
ter Abel Deveau, an old whig of the Revolution, and proprietor of a 
small estate. This individual was proud of relating how he and others 
were deployed as skirmishes to way-lay the British near the causeway, 
after their landing on Pelham Neck, in 1776, firing behind the rock 
near Rapelye’s, and retiring, as they advanced, towards Eastchester. The 
late Abel Deveau, of Pelham, was his son; and one of his grandsons is 
the present Richard Deveau, of New Rochelle. 

From the town records we take the following extracts :— 


** At a town meeting held at the school house in the town.of Pelham, on Tues- 
day the seventh day of April, 1801, for the purpose of electing town officers for 


THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 1oI 


the said town to serve the ensuing year, the following persons were appointed to 
the following offices and places,” viz: 


Pure Pex, Supervisor. 
Davin J. Petz, Town Clerk. 
Davip J. Pett, ) 


WituiaM Bay ery, > Assessors. 
Josaua HvxstIs, ) 


Pap 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 Bar- 
tow 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 men- 
tioned gate : 


Exisan Horton, 


h r. 
Gaonee eo Overseers of the Poo 


JESSE MULLINEX, } 


JosHuA HuEstIs, \ F : 
n iewers. 
Eisan Horton, ence Viewers 


EsalE GUION, 


Davin J. PELL, 0 
JessE MULLINEX, Pound Masters. 


Pamir Pert, 7 

JOHN Barrow, 

ALEXANDER ANDERSON, 

WrtiiaM BayLey, Commissioners of Schools. 
IsalE GUION, 

Rem RapatsE, 

JoHN WILLIAMS, J x 


JosEPH Barry, Constable and Collector. 


In 1875, was commenced the Huguenot Forest Memorial chapel, a 
pretty wooden structure, facing the Boston boulevard, at its junction 
with the Pelham Dale avenue. It was opened for public worship, Sun- 
day, July oth, 1876. The Rev. Charles E. Lord having assumed the 
pastorate. 

In this portion of the town has been organized and legally incorpor- 
ated, a company styling themselves, “‘ Ze Pecham Manor and Hugue- 
not Leights Association,’ for the purpose of combining capital and skill 
in the control and improvement of land for villa or cottage residences. 
This company own about five hundred acres, stretching from the New 


aS. H. Witherbee, President, C.J. Stevens. Secretary, office, 18ST Broadway. 


102 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Haven Railroad on the north, to the beautifully winding shores of the 
Sound on the south. On the southerly portion of these lands, facing on 
Pelhamdale avenue, nearly opposite the Priory grounds, is situated “ All- 
wood,? the residence of Mr. C. J. Stevens, and this avenue leads to the 
Pelham Manor Station, a depot of the Harlem River branch of the New 
Haven R. R., ten miles from North New York, where the boats connect 
for Fulton or Peck Shp. Fourteen trains run daily, and the time is 
estimated at twenty-one minutes, 


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Poundridge is situated fifteen miles north-east of the village of White 
Plains, and distant one hundred and thirty-nine miles from Albany ; 
bounded north and east by Lewisboro, south-east by the State of Con- 
necticut, and west by Bedford and North Castle; and was organized on 
the 7th of March, 1788. 

The name of this town is, undoubtedly, derived from the ancient 
“Indian Pound,” which formerly stood at the foot of a “high ridge” a 
little south of the present village of that name. On account of its 
natural boundaries, this section of country was peculiarly adapted for 
the favorite Indian practice of entrapping wild game. Upon the north, 
stony mountains formed an impassible rampart ; whilst the long chain 
of ponds and streams on the east line of the town, closes up all avenues 
of escape in that direction. The Indians, therefore, availing themselves 
of these natural barriers, constructed a palisaded pound at the southern 
extremity of the ponds, into which they drove the wild game from the 
west. 

Van der Donck, the historian,informs us “that the Indians frequently 
united in companies of from one to two hundred, when they have rare 
sport. On these occasions they drive over a large district of land, and 
kill much game. They also make extensive jikes with palisadoes, which 
are narrow at the terminating angles, wherein they drive multitudes of 
animals and take great numbers ; at a word, they are expert hunters for 
every kind of game, and know how to practise the best methods to 
insure success.”* The shouts and yells of these savage huntsmen must 


@ Van der Donck’s Hist. of N. N. New York Hist. Soc. Coll. New Series, vol i. 103 


104 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


have often reverberated in frightful echoes from the neighboring woods 
and hills, serving no doubt much to bewilder their timid prey. 

Poundridge was originally included in the Indian grant of Toquams, 
made to John Turner of Quinnipiacke or New Haven, on the rst of July, 
1640. ‘The sale is thus recorded in the town book of Stamford : 


INDIAN DEED OF TOQUAMS. 


‘‘Bought of Ponus, sagamore of Toquams,” (Stamford,) ‘‘and Wasoussue, 
sagamore of Shippan, by me Nathaniel T'urner of Quinnipiacke,”« (New Ha- 
ven,) ‘‘all the ground that belongs to both the above-named sagamores, ex- 
cept a piece of ground which the aforesaid sagamore of Toquams reserved for 
his and the rest of the said Indians to plant on; all which ground being ex- 
pressed by meadows, uplands, grass, with the rivers and trees; and in consid- 
eration hereof, I, the said Nathaniel Turner, am to give and bring or send to 
the above said sagamores within the space of one month, twelve coats, twelve 
hoes, twelve hatchets, twelve glasses, twelve knives, four kettles, and four 
fathoms of white wampum; all which land both we the said sagamores do pro- 
mise faithfully to perform both for ourselves, our heirs, executors or assigns to 
the above said Nathaniel Turner of Quinnipiacke, his heirs, executors or assigns, 
and hereunto we have set our marks in the presence of many of the said Indians, 
they fully consenting thereto. 


Witnessed by us, Ye marke of A, Ponws, sagamore. 
WituiaM WILKES, Ye marke of © Wasoussvs, sagamore. 
JAMES, &O. The marke of 2 OWENOKE, the son of Ponus. 
Rec’d in part payment, 
12 glasses, 
12 knives, 
6 coats. 


Besides Poundridge the above sale also embraced the present town- 
ships of Darien, Stamford, New Canaan, and the greater part of Bedford 
and Greenwich. 

The planting grounds reserved by the sachem Ponus, were situated 
four miles south of Poundridge, in the vicinity of the street still bearing 
his name. In 1644, “the western Indians being at war with the Dutch, 
had communicated their hostile feelings to those around Stamford, who 
at this period numbered one thousand warriors; but the firmness and 
courage of Capt. John Underhill compelled the whole of them to sue for 
peace. Upon occasion of its ratification the Wappings of Stamford pre- 


a Capt. Nathaniel Turner purchased in behalf of the people of New Haven. 
b See Bedford. 


THE TOWN OF POUNDRIDGE. 105 


sented themselves with others at Fort Amsterdam, April 6th, 1644.4 In 
1655, occurs the following agreement between the inhabitants of Stam- 
ford and the Indian Sachem Ponus, &c. :— 


‘*Our agreement made with Ponus, Sagamore of Toquams, and with Onox, his 
eldest son. Although there was an agreement made before with the said Indians 
and Captain Turner, and the purchases paid for, yet the things not being clear, 
and being very unsatisfied, we come to another agreement with Onox and Ponus 
for their land from the town plot of Stamford north about sixteen miles, and 
then to a marked white oak tree with S'[, and from that tree we went towards 
the Mill river side, we marked another white oak tree with ST, and from that tree 
west we were torun four miles eastward, and from this east and west line we were 
to have further to the north, for our cattle to feed, full two miles further, the full 
breadth only, the said Indians reserve for themselves liberty for their planting 
ground, and the above said Indians, Ponus and Onox, with all other Indians that 
be concerned in it, have surrendered all the said land, &c., for and in consideration 
hereof, the said town of Stamford is to givethe said Indians four coats which the 
Indians accept of as full satisfaction for the aforesaid lands although it was paid 
before. Hereby all Ponus’s posterity is cut off from making any claim or hav- 
ing any right to any part of the aforesaid land, &c., the said Ponus and Onox his 
son, having this day received of Richard Lane, four coats, acknowledging them- 
selves fully satisfied for the aforesaid land. 


Witness the said Indians hands this fifteenth day of August, A.D. 1655. 
Witness Witt1am Newman, Ponts A his mark, 
RicHarp Lewis. Onox o his mark.” 


‘4 


Upon the 7th of January, 1667, Taphance, son of Ponus, and Pow- 
hag or Pinaghag, son of Onox, confirmed to the people of Stamford the 
agreement of 1655. By thesesales Poundridge became a part of Stam- 
ford township, within Fairfield county. 

On the 26th of May, 1685, the General Court of Connecticut, issued 
the following patent to the inhabitants of Stamford, embracing all those 
lands. 


‘‘ Bounded on the south west by ye five mile brook, between Stamford afore- 
said and Norwalk, from the mouth of the said brook, till-it meet with the cross- 
path, that is, where the county road crosses the said river, and from thence to 
run up into ye country till twelve miles be run out upon the same line, that is be- 
tween Stamford and Fairfield, and upon the west, to Totomak brook, where the 
lowermost path or road that now is to Greenwich, east by ye said brook, and 
from thence to run in a straight line to the west end of a line drawn from the falls 
of Stamford mill river, which line is to run a due west point towards Greenwich 
bounds, a short mile, and from the west end at the said line, to run due north, to 


a The Wappings were probably engaged ‘‘in the great battle fought between the Dutch and 
Indians in that part of Horseneck cailed Strickland’s plain, now included in the town of 
Greenwich, Connecticut.” O’Callahan's Hist. N. N., 302. 


106 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


the north of ye present country road to Rye, and froin thence run up into the 

country, the same line that is between Norwalk and Stamford, to the ends of the 

bounds, the said Jand having been by purchase or otherwise, lawfully obtained 

of the Indians, native proprietors. And whereas, the proprietors the aforesaid in- 
habitants of Stamford, in the colony of Connecticut, have made application to’ 
the Gov. and company of said colony of Connecticut, assembled in court, 25th 
May, 1685, that they may have a patent for confirmation of the aforesaid land, so 
purchased and granted to them as aforesaid, and which they have stood seized 
and quietly possessed of for many years late past, without interruption. Now, for 
a more full confirmation of the aforesaid lands, as it is butted and bounded afore- 
said, unto ye present proprietors of the said town of Stamford, &c., &c. Know 
ye, that the said Gov. and company aforesaid, in general court, according to the 
conditions granted to them by his majesty in his charter, have given and granted 
and by these presents, do give, grant, ratify and confirm, unto Mr. John Bishop, 

Mr. Richard Lowe, Capt. Jonathan Silleck, Capt. John Silleck, Lt. Francis Bill, 

Lt. Jonathan Bull, Ensign John Bales, Mr. Abraham Ambler, Mr. Peter Ferris 
and Mr. Joshua Hoyt, and the rest of the said present proprietors of the town- 

ship of Stamford, their heirs, successors and assignees forever, the aforesaid par- 
cel of Jand as it is butted and bounded together, with, &. &c., that the afore- 
said tract of land, shall be forever hereafter deemed, reputed, and be an entire 
township of itself, to have and to hold the said tract of land, premises, &c. &e., 

yielding rendering and paying tkerefore to our sovereign Lord the king, his heirs 
and successors, his dues according to charter. In witness whereof we have caus- 
ed the seal of the colony to be hereunto affixed, this 26th of May, 1685, in ye first 
year of the reign of our Lord King James the second, &c. &c. 


ROBERT TREAT, Gov. 


This patent included the southern portion of Poundridge ; for, until 
the final arrangement of the boundary lines in 1731, Stamford extended 
over the greater part of the present town. 

Upon the temporary settlement of the colonial lines, A.D. 1701, we 
find the Indian sachem Catonah, confirming Robert Walters and others 
in these lands. 


‘““This indenture, made the 25th of February, 1701, betwixt Robert Walters 
John Chollwell, Leigh Atwood, Cornelius Depeyster, Richard Slater, Barne 
Cosens, Lancaster Symes, Matthew Clarkson, Robert Lurting, Peter Matthews, 
and Caleb Heathcote, of the one part, and Sagamore, Katonah, Wakemane and 
Weewanessege, Indians, of the other, for the consideration of a certain sum in 
hand paid by the said Robert Walters, &c., at and before the ensealing and de- 
livering of these presents. The receipt whereof they do hereby acknowledge, 
&c., &c., have given, granted, bargained and sold, aliened, enfeoffed, released 
and confirmed, and do by these presents, clearly and absolutely give, grant, bargain, 
and sell, alien, enfeoff, release and confirm, unto the said Robert Walters, &c., a 
certain parcel or tract of land, lying and being in the County of Westchester, in 
the province of New York, butted and bounded as followeth, viz., westward by 


THE TOWN OF POUNDRIDGE, 107 


Bedford and by the patent granted to Caleb Heathcote and others, northerly by 
Col. Cortlandt’s purchase and Croton’s run, southerly and easterly by colony lines, 
to have and to hold, &c., &c.¢ ‘he mark of qa, Caronau.” 


On the 2d day of March. 1701, William the Third, by his royal let- 
ters patent, under the great seal of the colony of New York, did grant 
and confirm unto Robert Walters, John Cholwell, Leigh Atwood, Cor- 

elius Depeyster, Richard Slater, Barne Cosens, Lancaster Symes, Mat- 
thew Clarkson, Robert Lurting, Peter Matthews and Caleb Heathcote, 
a certain tract of land in the County of Westchester. 


“ Bounded to the south by the east division line between the province of New 
York and the colony of Connecticut, and on the east by the other division line ; 
and so along the said line, until it meet with the patent of Adolph Philips, and 
so along his southern boundaries, till it meet the patent of the manor of Cortlandt, 
and from thence by a line that shall run upon a direct course, until it meet with 
the end of the first easterly line of twenty miles of the said manor of Cortlandt, 
and from thence, along the said line westerly, until it meet with the patent 
granted, to Robert Walters and others; then, southerly, along the said patent, 
until it meet with the bounds of the township of Bedford, and thence along the 
said bounds, till it meet with the patent granted to Col. Caleb Heathcote and 
others; and, along the bounds of the said patent, unto the colony line, which 
said tract of land, on the 25th day of February, was by the said Robert Walters, 
in his aforesaid company purchased of the native Indian proprietors, &c., &c.” 


This grant, which not only embraced the whole of Poundridge but a | 
portion of Lewisboro, was subsequently known by the name of the Zast 
Patent. 

The same year occurs the following confirmation from the Indian 
sagamore Catonah to the “inhabitants of Stamford, in their former sales 
under ye hands of Taphance, son of Ponus, and Penaghag, son of On- 
ox.” 


KS 


Oa we 
Pras, br 

‘We the said Catonah and other Indians do by these presents sell and fix 
bounds as followeth, that is to say westward as far as ye west bounds of Bed- 
ford purchase, bounded north by ye south side of Bedford purchase and by ye 
Stone hills, upon a straight line eastward unto ye upper end of ye Long Pond, 
and from thence an east line until it meets with a line drawn north from ye 


a Indian deeds, Alb. Rec. warrant for Survey, Lib. i. 100. 


108 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


upper end of Five Mile river, which is ye east line of our several purchases, and 
we, ye said Catanoh and other Indians, give, grant, and quit claim al! ye mead- 
ows, trees, feeding grounds, rivers, pools, and other privileges that doth belong 
to ye said lands and meadows within to ye southwards of ye north bounds above 
mentioned unto ye said inhabitants of Stamford, &c. Also we do acknowledge 
by these presents to have received of ye said inhabltants a considerable and val- 
uable sum of money for all ye said lands, &c. It is to be understood that ye 
above said Catonah and other Indians doth by these presents confirm all ye said 
old deeds of Taphance, Ponus and Penaghag, and old Onox, also young Onox, 
also that deed made to Capt. Turner in behalf of ye town of Stamford, also that 
deed of Nonatomonoa, that is to say, a quit-claim to any parte or parcel of lands 
and meadows within ye said bounds above mentioned. In witness of truth, we 
whose names are underwritten have hereunto set our marks and seals, at Stam- 
ford, this eight day of July, 1701. 


Signed, sealed and The marke of CaToNAH AA Sagamore. 
delivered in the presence The marke of Maninus 0 
of John © The marke of WEQUACUMOKE. 4 
The marke of KENnootTam *U The marke of PepriaMan > 
The marke of RamHoRNE © The marke of Woxra & 
The marke of Syneo The marke of PAPAUMEMA 2 
The marke of ArkuTAR O The marke of TemMon <i 


The marke of Ponortus © 
The marke of Mooxgea 4 


By the final settlement of the boundary lines on May 14th, 1731, 
Poundridge was transferred to the province of New York. 

In 1744, John Crawford was appointed assessor for the Hast Patent. 

The following items are from the town records. 


Op PounprRIDcE, April ye first day, 1760. 


‘“* At a town meeting held at the house of Ebenezer Lockwood, in said 
Old Pound, in Westchester county, under ye Province of New York, 
we the freeholders, inhabitants and residents proceeded as follows: 
first, by major vote, Joseph Lockwood to be town clerk, and by Major 
vote, William Forster to be constable, &c., &c. 

“January 14th 1762. It was voted that Joseph Lockwood be clerk of 
said meeting and Lieutenant John Gauspur be moderator. 

“April 20th, 1776. Voted Ebenzer Lockwood as moderator, Joseph 
Lockwood as clerk, Lieut. William Jones, constable. 


Upon the 7th day of August, 1766, the Hast Patent formerly granted 
to Robert Walters and others, was sold, in pursuance of 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 


a North Castle Rec. In 1746, Joseph Lockwood was assessor for the East Patent. 


THE TOWN OF POUNDRIDGE. 109g 


Majesties quit rents in the colony of New York, and for the partition of 
lands in order thereto,” &c. The principal purchasers under the act, 
appear to have been the Lockwoods, Amblers, Forshers, Bishops, Fer- 
rises, Hoyts, Hollys, Browns, Sillicks and Scofields, &c., &c. In 1826, 
the Legislature of this State claimed, as successor of the Crown, the sum 
of $243.71, due as quit rent on the Zast Patent.’ To satisfy this claim 
nine hundred acres of land were sold in the southern part of the 
Patent.°® 

The village of Poundridge occupies an elevated situation near the 
centre of the town, and contains two churches, two stores, a school 
house, a post office and 15 or 20 dwellings. As early as the year 1744, 
a settlement was commenced on this spot by Captain Joseph Lock- 
wood, and a few associatesa from Stamford Connecticut. At this early 
period the surrounding country was one vast wé/derness heavily cov- 
ered with timber. Upon a commanding eminence which rises above 
the rest of the village stands the Presbyterian church. This building 
which was erected in 1786, occupies the site of the old church destroyed 
by the British troops, A. D. 1779. The Presbyterian Society of Pound- 
ridge was first organized in 1760.¢ The first church edifice, however, was 
not erected till 1770. Its incorporation occurs on the 28th of April, 
1788. Nathaniel Bouton, Wiliam Fancher, John Hoyt, Benaiah Brown, 
Thaddeus Seymour and Ebenezer Seymour, trustees. ‘The said 
church to be governed according to the Directory of the now Establish- 
ed Church ef Scotland. 4 From this date to 1822, it remained in con- 
nection with the Westchester presbytery. Upon the 8th of May, 1822, 
it was received into communion with the General Assembly. 

At a meeting of the congregation held the 22d of April, 1828, it was 
resolved, that whereas “‘some doubt existed with regard to the due legal 
organization of the Presbyterian church and congregation in Pound- 
ridge, they hereby declare themselves to be a Presbyterian congregation 
under the style of the “ Presbyterian Congregation of Poundridge, be- 
longing to the Presbytery of the North River, under the care of the 


a The Wetmores also appear to have been among the early proprietors; for, ata late 
period James Wetmore, attorney at law, (then residing in Novia Scotia,) served a writ of 
ejectment upon the Lockwood Family to recover certain lands in Poundridge. 

b Sce Revised Statutes for 1813. 


'_¢ “*Soccage lands were not deemed discharged of any rents, certain or other services inci- 
dent or belonging to tenure in soccage, due to the people of the State, (who are considered to 
stand in the place of the Crown.) Therefore, on the 1st day of Aprii, 1786, the Legislature of 
this State passed an Act, entitled an Act for the eollection and commutation of quit rents.” 


d The descendants of the original settlers are numerous, and some of them still reside in 
the village. 

e At the first meeting of the congregation, Captain Joseph Lockwood was unanimously 
chosen chairman, and Mr. Jarvis, secretary. 

JF Co. Rec. Religious Soc. Lib, A, 21, 


IIo HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States.” 
- On this occasion Horatio Lockwood, Joseph St. John and Samuel Weed, 
were elected trustees.¢ 

This church and congregation are now in connection with the Bed- 
ford Presbytery. 


LIST OF MINISTERS OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT POUND- 


RIDGE. 

INsTaL. oR CALL MInIsTeERs. VACATED BY. 
1770, Rev. Mr. Strrone, resig. 
1774, Rey. Brackieacn Burritt, do. 
1791, - Rev. BeNsAMIN JUDD, do. 
1795, Rey. SaMvEL Bratourorp, D.D.,? do. 
1800, Rey. Richarp ANDREWS, do. 
1819, Rey. Joun Lowe, do. 
1823, Rey. Mr. Crocksr, do. 
1824, Rev. Mr. Bronson, do. 
1880, Rey. Jonn Wuilte,¢ do. 
1832, Rey. Canaries G. THOMPSON, do. 
1834, Rey. WittiamM Patrerson, present minister. 


CHURCH MEMORANDA. 


1826, members 46, baptisms 0 
1836, ditto 62: ditto 1 
1846, ditto 90; ditto 3 
1875, ditto _- ditto 0 


a Co. Rec. Religious Soc. Lib. A. 197. 

4 The Rey. Samne] Blatchford, an Englishman, succeeded Dr. Dwight, at Greenfield, Conn. 
when the latter was called to the presidency of Yale College. 

c This individual was a native of Scotland and a classmate of Robert Pollock, author of the 
Course of Time. 


THE TOWN OF POUNDRIDGE. 2a Uy 


A considerable eminence rises a little to the east of the Presbyterian 
church, from the summit of which is an extensive prospect of the beauti- 
ful country bordering the Sound and the distant shores of Long Island, 
ic. 

Prior to 1775, Poundridge constituted one of the precincts of Rye 
parish. In 1816 Episcopal services were performed here by the Rev. 
George Weller, and subsequently by the Rev. Alfred H. Partridge. 

he Methodist Episcopal church of this place was first incorporated 
in 1822; James Brown, John Haws and Samuel K. Olmstead, trustees.@ 
The present church edifice was erected in 1833. Parsonage on Bedford 
road, $1,500. 

The village grave-yard is pleasantly situated about a quarter of a mile 
south of Poundridge upon a gentle aclivity. The head stones record 
the names of Thaddeus H. Lockwood who died in 1774; Ebenezer 
Lockwood, Esq., who died July 29th, 1821, et. 84; John Ferris who died 
A.D. 1783, and Captain John Grinnell, born in Nantucket, Mass., De- 
cember 7th, 1795, and died in Cronstad, Russia, June 3d, 1831, et. 34, 
&c,, &c. Others are simply inscribed with the initials of the deceased, 
Ped e772 5 Le NE La, 1787, Kc. 

On the south side of the village, and near the Methodist church, for- 
merly stood the old mansion house of the Lockwood family. The Lock- 
woods are originally derived from a place of that name in Staffordshire, 
England. 

This place was settled by Joseph Lockwood, son of Jonathan and 
grand-son of Robert Lockwood, who came from England in 1630 and 
settled in Watertown, Mass. 

About the year 1646 he removed from Watertown to Fairfield, Conn., 
where he died, and his will was probated. H.; son Jonathan, born in 
Watertown, Sept. 10, 1634, settled in Stamford, Conn., and afterwards 
removed to Greenwich, where he became a prominent citizen. Jona- 
than’s son, Joseph, was born in Stamford in 1666. He married Eliza- 
beth Ayres and a second wife, Margery Webb. ‘The removal of the 
family to Poundridge occurred in the Spring of 1743, and consisted of 
three generations, namely: Joseph Lockwood, first,-seventy-seven years 
of age, a widower, (having buried his second wife, Margery Webb;) 
his son, Joseph Lockwood, second, with his wife, Sarah Hoyt Lock- 
wood; and their two sons, Joseph third, aged twelve years, and Eben- 
ezer, aged six years. It was Joseph, third, who was afterwards known as 


a Co. Rec. Religious Soc. Lib. A. 170. A second incorporation occurs on the 2ist of Decem- 
ber, 1832. The Methodist Protestant Church and Society in Poundridge. were incorporated 
on the 16th of March, 1833. Selby Fancher, Wiliam Brown and Joseph Waterbury, trustees 
Co. Ree. Religious Soc. Lib. B, 12. 


I1i2 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Captain Joseph Lockwood ; and who married Hannah, daughter of Sol- 
omon Close of North Salem, N. Y. Ebenezer was known as Major 
Lockwood through the Revolutionary war, and afterwards as Judge 
Lockwood. Hons. Ezra and Horatio were sons of Ebenezer. Captain 
Joseph, third, was father of Joseph, fourth, and Solomon. Joseph, fourth, 
was father of Hon. Saml. Drake Lockwood, who was born in Poundridge 
and removed to Illinois in early life, where he became one of the most 
prominent men in the State, and filled many honorable positions, among 
which were those of Attorney General and Judge of the Supreme Court. 

One of the oldest grave stones in the burial ground in Poundridge is 
that of Captain Joseph Lockwood, the third. It is of slate-colored stone 
and lies horizontally on the ground, bearing the inscription— 


“JOSEPH. LOCKWOOD; 
Died March 15, 1792.” 


His brother’s is an upright marble slab, inscribed:— 


“MAJOR EBENEZER LOCKWOOD, 


died July 29, 1821, 
Ati, 84 years.” 


Then his two sons— 


“HORATIO LOCKWOOD, 


died Nov. 5, 1853, 
aged 74 years.” 


And— 


“EZRA LOCKWOOD, 


died May 29, 1853, 
aged 75 years, 11 mo. 2 days.” 


Another is that of— 


“SOLOMON LOCKWOOD, 


died March 9, 1841, 
aged 74 years, 6 mo. 9 days.” 


THE TOWN OF POUNDRIDGE. Il3 


SKETCH OF MAJOR EBENEZER LOCKWOOD. 


BY HIS SON, HON. EZRA LOOKWOOD. 

Ebenezer Lockwood, late of Poundridge in Westchester County, de- 
ceased, was born in Stamford, Conn., on the 31st of March, 1737, and 
was the fourth son of Joseph Lockwood, who emigrated to Poundridge 
in the spring of the year 1743, and settled in the central part of the 
town (now village) on a right of land belonging to one of the original 
proprietors of the Stamford Patent, so called, and which fell within the 
jurisdiction of New York. 

He continued on the farm with his father engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits, during his minority ; but soon after engaged in various other pur- 

suits of extensive usefulness. 

Soon after the demise of his father, which occurred June 15, 1757, the 
paternal patrimony consisting of some four or five hundred acres, was 
divided between his older brother and himself, being the only surviving 
sons, which still remains in the possession of the descendants after the 
lapse of a century. It was the circumstance of a pound being erected 
on that handsome ridge of land now owned by one of his sons, that 
gave to the town the name of Poundridge. At the age of twenty-five 
he was engaged in merchandise and was appointed one of his Majesty’s 
Justices of the Peace, and one of the Quorum, which office he held 
until the commencement of the Revolutionary war. At the breaking 
out of hostilities, to wit, on the 19th October, 1775, he was commissioned 
a major in the regiment of Westchester County Militia, commanded by 
Col. Thomas Thomas; and was in active service during most of the 
campaign of ’76, when the enemy took possession of the lower part of 
Westchester County. 

In the month of May, ’76, he attended the Provincial Congress, then 
sitting in New York, having been elected to that office on the third 
Tuesday in April previous, for one year; and was in continued service 
from that period until the close of the war, either as Major, Member of 
the Provincial Congress, or Committee of Safety and other posts of active 
duty in favor ofAmerican Independence until its final acknowledgement 
by Great Britain in 1783. 

After the Declaration of Independence he was elected a member of 
the Provincial Convention for forming a Constitution of Government for 
the State, and as such, aided in the formation and adoption of the first 
Constitution, and was returned as a Member of the Legislature for 
several years after the close of the war. 

Other stations of public employment also engaged much of his time 
and called him from the domestic circle at considerable sacrifice of in- 
terest and comfort. His unwearied zeal and activity in the American 
cause, also was accompained with much pecuniary loss and sacrifice of 
property. 

In the year 1779, when the whole county of Westchester was the 
theatre of blood, rapine and plunder, and life and property, endangered 
from foes without and traitors within, his hospitable dwelling was opened 


IIl4 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


as a military cantonment and rendezvous of Col. Sheldon’s Regiment of 
Light Dragoons. The regiment was engaged in frequent skirmishes 
with the enemy and served as a protection to the Northern frontier from 
the incursions of the Tories and British from below the lines in the 
neighborhood of North Castle. It was for the capture of this regiment 
that Sir Henry Clinton resolved on sending Col. B. Tarleton with a de- 
tachment of the Royal Dragoons of the Seventeenth Regiment anda de- 
tachment of about three hundred men on the night of July 2, 1779. 

The precaution of the Committee of Safety had placed a spy by the 
name of Luther Kinnicut in the enemy’s camp below the lines, who on 
the day previous gave notice to Col. Sheldon of the intended attack in 
a short time but did not know the precise day. The night proved stormy, 
and the torrents of rain which fell would have retarded the progress of a 
commander of less intrepidity than Tarleton. Sheldon apprehended no 
danger on account of the storm. 

Col. Moylan’s regiment was daily expected to join Sheldon; and, 
had the junction been effected before Tarleton’s arrival—from the well 
known bravery and courage of Moylan and his troops—the fate of 
Tarleton would not have been less disastrous than he received from the 
old Wagoner at the Cowpens. 

Sentinels were placed about a mile from the Major’s, on the north and 
the south roads leading to Bedford. The sentinels on the north road, 
at early dawn descried a large body of dragoons under rapid move- 
ment, who passed the junction of the road leading from Bedford to 
Poundridge, and continued on toward Ridgefield. This mistake of the 
enemy, in pursuing the Ridgefield road for half a mile or more, gave 
time for the vedette to return and give the notice. 

Sheldon supposing it might have been Col. Moylan’s regiment, who 
were expected, dispatched Major Benjamin Tallmadge with a small 
detachment to reconnoiter and bring back intelligence of the true state 
of things. ° . 

About half way to the junction of the road, as Tallmadge ascended a 
hill where the road turned to the right, from the uneveness of the ground 
an object could not be seen, except at a very short distance ahead; and 
at this place Tallmadge met Tarleton under full charge—wheeled and 
returned at full speed with Tarleton at his heels; while Sheldon, with 
his command, were preparing to mount their horses, which were tied to 
the fence on the east side of the road by the meeting-house. A general 
rout ensued, while Sheldon’s regiment moved off down the road leading 
to Stamford for about three-fourths of a mile; then separated at the 
junction of the road leading to New Canaan, with Tarleton’s dragoons 
harrassing his rear—killing, wounding and taking prisoners some eighteen 
or twenty. The enemy lost one killed, four prisoners, and wounded un- 
certain; one horse killed, and four taken. 

Among the prisoners captured by Tarleton, was Alsop Hunt, a son- 
in-law of Major Lockwood; who, after being rifled of a gold watch, 
money, and other things of value about his person, was carried to New 
York and lodged in the Provost prison. 

The pursuit lasted about four or five hours, when Tarleton, being un- 


THE TOWN OF POUNDRIDGE. TI5 


able to overtake Sheldon, returned, burnt the Major’s house with most 
of its contents, permitting one of his soldiers cruelly to cut and maltreat 
his wife; drove off his valuable stock of sixteen cows ; burnt the meet- 
ing-house, and were about committing further outrages when the ma- 
litia under command of Major Leavensworth began to approach, and 
Tarleton fled with all the precipitation he came, 

Mr. Hunt, from religious scruples, was a non-combatant ; yet a true 
friend to his country, and in vain appealed to the honor of a British 
soldier for protection against robbery and insult. 

It may seem an unpardonable digression at this place, to notice some 
thrilling incidents that occurred on this occasion ; but justice to the 
bravery of some individuals in Sheldon’s command, demands a passing 
notice. 

John Buckhout who happened to be in the rear of Sheldon’s regiment, 
during the retreat and closely pursued, was accosted in the imperative 
tone of a British dragoon: “Surrender, you d— rebel, or I'll blow your 
brains out!” John, not heeding the threat, was saluted with a pistol 
shot, which hit his cap and perforated the scalp on the side of his head 
without further injury. ‘‘ There, (says the dragoon,) you d—d rebel, a 
little more and I should have blown your brains out.” 

“Ves, d—n you, (replied John,) and a little more you wouldn’t have 
touched me!” John continued his speed and escaped without further 
injury. 

Jared Hoyt, a brave soldier, also in the rear of Sheldon’s command, 
was hard pressed by Tarleton’s advance, and within striking distance of 
his assailant received a blow from the heavy cutlass of his pursuer on the 
head. The.blow only cleft the skin and hair from the side of his head ; 
Hoyt instantly returned the blow back-handed, which struck his assailant 
directly in the mouth, nearly separating the top of his head from his 
body, which stopped his bawling. 


One of the largest proprietors in the southeast section of this town 
was Elnathan Weed, Esq., who, in 1799, erected the old mansiona now 
occupied by Aaron Fancher, Esq., near the banks of the Rippowarrus, 
or Mill river. He is said to have held at one time seven hundred acres 
of land in Poundridge. His son, Elnathan Weed, was the father of Levi 
and George Weed. His daughter, Sarah, married Stephen Hoyt, of 
South Salem, whose sons are William Hoyt and Stephen L. Hoyt of 
Lewisboro’. , 

The Fanchers were also extensive owners of land in the southeast cor- 
ner of the town and the vicinity of Trinity Lake. This family were orig- 
inally from Stamford, Conn., and probably descended of the Fanshaws, 
of Fanshawgate, county of Derby, England.’ John Fancher was living in 


@ The old iron door latch is still preserved and bears the initials and date, ‘‘E. W., 1799.” 


F Fanshaw (Fanshawgate, County Derby, Parsloes and Barking, County Essex, and West 
Park, County Stratford; from the last name derived the Lord Fanshawe) arms—or, a chev. 


betw. 3 fleur-de-lis sa, Crest, a dragon’s head erased vert, flames of fire issuing from the 
mouth, cole, ppr. 


116 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Stamford, A.D. 1734, and bought lands of John Jacklin in 1747. In 
1750, his name is on the official list of that town. He married Eunice 
Bouton, November 19, 1736, and must have removed to Poundridge 
sometime after 1750. William Fancher, Esq., of Poundridge, son of 
John Fancher, was a judge of the Court of Common Pleas in Westches- 
ter county, a justice of the peace and captain of the minute men during 
the Revolutionary war. He was born 13th of November, 1739, and died 
August, 1820. His remains repose in the Presbyterian grave yard, 
Poundridge. By his wife, Sarah Smith, who was born 15 Oct., 1744, he 
had two sons—Dr. Nehemiah Fancher, the father of Henry Fancher, of 
Poundridge, and Thaddeus Fancher, the father of Alanson Decatur Fan- 
cher, who now owns the site of the old mansion, a little east of the Mill 
river. It was in the immediate vicinity of the old Fancher homestead 
that one of Col. Tarleton’s hussars of the Legion calvary was shot in the 
summer of 1779, under the following circumstances: ‘ Nearly one hun- 
dred Legion cavalry, after the skirmish at Poundridge village, had pur- 
sued the retreating Continentals down the Stamford road, at the junction 
of which, with the New Canaan road, they divided—about one half of 
them taking the road to William Fanchers, the other half going south; 
the latter captured Thaddeus Seymour, whom they carried off a prisoner 
to the sugar house in New York. The hussars pursuing east halted on 
the hill just above the site of the new school house, near Alanson D. Fan- 
cher’s, and turned their horses into a field of oats, sending three of their 
mounted companies to search the house of William Fancher, which 
stood a little south of the present homestead. After rummaging around 
for some time they discovered an old wooden chest, which they insisted 
on Mrs, Fancher’s opening ; this, she resolutely refused to do; whereupon 
they broke it open by force. One of them immediately stuffed his bosom 
and pockets with the family papers, and both remounting started for the 
hill. Just as the robbers were crossing the brook, about fifty rods dis- 
tant, up rose William Brown,? with his father, who had stationed him- 
self behind the wall, and levelled his fowling piece. Seeing him in the 
act of firing, they both yelled out lustily for quarter. ‘‘ Yes,” shouted the 
patriot, “I'll quarter you!” And suiting the action to the word, fired. 
An empty saddle and a lifeless corpse soon told the story. The survivor 
started up the hill at full gallop, followed by the riderless horse. Mrs. 
Fancher ran out and recognized in the dead corpse the very man who 
had just robbed her. The papers were thus wonderfully rescued. Just 
at this moment the bugle sounded a recall on the hill, and the whole 


a This William was the father of William whose son is the present Benj. W. Brown. 


THE TOWN OF POUNDRIDGE. 12 oy 


party remounted and rode off. Only fifteen minutes had elapsed when 
Leavenworth appeared with a strong force of American militiamen, who 
immediately followed the retreating Legion to Dan Town. Ere this, 
word had been sent all around; and but for their hasty retreat, the ene- 
my would soon have’ been surrounded. 

James Raymond in former times owned considerable landed property 
in and around what is now denominated Raymond Hill, once included 
in the East Patent, and bordering on the west side of the oblong ; some 
of his descendants still reside in that vicinity.¢ 

In the south-west corner of this town is located the Searles property, 
which formerly belonged to Major Samuel Lewis, who was living here 
in 1777. James Searles subsequently purchased the estate of his heirs. 
The father of James Searles, also named James, died in 1776 at Hart- 
ford, Connecticut, of small pox. This individual was once taken prisoner 
by the British, and confined in the New York provost. Nehemiah, his 
grandson, is now residing at Armonk in this county. The Searles 
cemetery is located one mile south of ‘‘ Great Hill” on the Bedford and 
Stamford road. Among the oldest settlers of Poundridge was Nathan 
Slawson, son of Eleazar of New Canaan, and grandson of Jonathan, who 
is said to have removed from Holland to Norwalk, Conn. Nathan 
married Hannah, daughter of James Ferris, and left a son Nathan who 
died here in 1821; the latter by his wife Mary, daughter of Daniel 
Stephens, had two sons and two daughters, Eleanor of Poundridge, and 
Levi, of Columbia County ; Eleanor married George Caldwell, of Stam- 
ford, Conn.; and Nannet married Charles Hoyt, of Stamford, east corner 
of Poundridge bordering on Lewisboro. 

During the contest between England and the colonies, the in- 
habitants of Poundridge, generally appear to: have taken a decided 
stand in favor of liberty and independence. The following letter from 
the committee of public safety, to the Hon. Provincial Congress, is 
found in the acts of the latter body. 


PotNDRIDGE, 15th of October, 1776. 


Honorep Sir :—We the sub-committee of Poundridge, in Westchester County, 
beg leave to inform your Honors, that we are apprehensive that there is danger 
of our prisoners leaving us and joining the ministerial army, as we are not above 
nine or ten miles from the water, where the sound is full of the ministerial ships 
and tenders. One of our number is already gone to Long Island, and numbers 
have gone from other places, who are no doubt now in the ministerial army. 
There are disaffected persons daily going over to them,which gives much trouble. 


_@ Lois Raymond, a danghter of James was baptized in the old Danhouse which occupied the 
site of Samuel Canfield’s residence, and married Daniel Coggeshall, son of Lyman Coggeshall 


118 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Therefore, we humbly beg your Honors would give us some directions concerning 
them, that they may be speedily removed at some further distance. We would 
also inform you that for the misdemeanors of one of them and our own safety, 
we have been obliged to commit him to jail at the White Plains. These with all 
proper respects, from yours to serve. JOSEPH AMBLER,¢ 
Chairman of Committee. 


In July, 1779, a skirmish took place in this village between the 
Americans and a strong force of the enemy, under Lieutenant Colonel 
Tarleton. 


‘** About three hundred and sixty of the enemy’s light-horse, and light-infantry 
(says General Heath,) came out from Mile-Square, and attacked Colonel Shel- 
don’s light-horse, who were posted at Poundridge, about ninety in number. 
The superior force of the enemy obliged our horse at first, to retreat; but being 
reinforced by the militia, they in turn, pursued the enemy. Our loss was one 
corporal, one trumpeter and eight privates, wounded; three sergeants, one cor- 
poral, and four privates missing ; and twelve horses missing. Zhe standard of 
the regiment being left in the house when the dragoons suddenly turned out, was 
lost. Of the enemy, one was killed, four taken prisoners, four horses taken, 
and one horse killed. The enemy set fire to and burned the meeting house, and 
Maj. Lockwood’s house; They also burnt Mr. Hay’s house, at Bedford.”¢ 


It appears that one of the principal objects in this sudden foray of the 
enemy, was the surprisal of Major Ebenezer Lockwood, before men- 
tioned, for whose head forty guineas had been offered. The day 
previous, however Luther Kinnicut, a spy in the employ of the commit- 
tee of public safety, gave notice of the intended attack, and advised the 
major to be on his guard. The night being very dark and stormy, 
Colonel Sheldon did not expect the enemy ; he nevertheless ordered the 
horses to be tied up in readiness. 

Major Lockwood, thus being destitute of a house or home, and appre- 
hending further visits from the enemy, found an asylum for his family in 
the house of a friend in Ridgefield, while he continued in active service 
to his country in various stations of civil and military duty to the close 
of the war. Nothing disheartened by this reverse of fortune, he soon 
returned to his farm, converted a barn into a dwelling, was honored with 
the appointment of first Judge of the County Court, frequently elected 
to the Legislature from Westchester County, and was intrusted with 
loaning the moneys of the State in the county, and eer anes to other 
responsible offices. 


a The descendants of this individual still reside in the vicinity. 

é The British would not “suffer the family to take anything away.” See New York 
Journal, for Holts account of the action. 

c Heath’s Mem, 208, 


THE TOWN OF POUNDRIDGE, 1@ Ze) 


When peace was established with Great Britain, the country, through 
the villainy of Col, Austin, was destitute of a county court house and 
jail. The location of a public building is always calculated to excite the 
interested feelings of different sections of the territory to be accommo- 
dated, and it was so with Westchester county. Judge L. was one of the 
committee to settle this vexed question of locality and ; through his in- 
fluence principally, the present arrangement of court houses was effected, 
which has proved to give general satisfaction for more than half a cen- 
tury. 

About the year 1795, he retired from all public employment; and spent 
the remainder of his days in the circle of his family and friends, until his 
death, July 29, 1821, beloved and esteemed by all who knew him. 

From ‘Civil List,” Ebenezer Lockwood, member of Second Provin- 
cial Congress, 1775-6; Third Provincial Congress, 1776; Fourth Pro- 
vfncial Congress, 1777, and Representative Convention; member of 
Assembly, 1778-9, 1784-5, 1786, 1787 and 1788; first Judge Common 
Pleas, March 15, 1791. 


PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 


The pastor of the Presbyterian church is Rev. William Patterson, who 
came to Poundridge and was installed in 1835. He married February 
16, 1836, Sarah, daughter of Partridge Thatcher. and grand daughter of 
Major Ebenezer Lockwood. 


Hon. SAMUEL DRAKE LOCKWOOD. 
(Prom Batavia (Ill.) Weekly News.) 


Hon Samuel Drake Lockwood was born in Poundridge on the 2d day 
of August, 1789. 

When he was ten years old his father died, and his mother was left 
with three small children, and with but slender means for their support. 
By this event his plans for a liberal education were broken up, and he 
was thrown very much upon his own resources. 

In 1803, he went to Waterford, N. Y., to live with his uncle, Francis 
Drake, a lawyer in that place, and remained in his family as errand boy 
and law student until February, 1811, when he was licensed to practise 
law, and opened an office in Batavia, N. Y. The next year he removed 
to Auburn and continued in the practise of law there until the Fall of 
1818, holding during a part of that time the office of Master in Chancery. 

Ted ih * * * * * * 

On the roth of October, of that year he started for the West, and 
reached Shawneetown, Illinois, December 15th, and afterwards removed 
to Carmi, as a more favorable point for the practice of his profession. 


120 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


At the second session of the Illinois Legislature, which was held in 
Vandalia in 1821, Mr. Lockwood was elected Attorney General of the 
State, and his acceptance of this office rendering another change of 
residence necessary, he chose Edwardsville for his future home. 

In 1823 he was, very unexpectedly to himself, nominated by Governor 
Cole to the office of Secretary of State; but soon after accepting that 
office, he was greatly surprised by receiving from President Monroe a 
commission appointing him receiver of public moneys at the land office 
in Edwardsville, This commission was, in itself, as undesired as it was 
unsought ; but the salary of Secretary of State was small and payable in 
depreciated currency, where the salary of receiver was liberal and pay- 
able in gold, and had attached to it a percentage on receipts. These 
considerations induced him to resign the office of Secretary and accept 
that of receiver. 

At the next session of the State Legislature, 1824~5, he was, against 
his expressed wishes, elected Judge of the Supreme Court, which office 
he accepted and held until the State Constitution of 1848 went into 
operation, under which new judges were elected by the people. 


* * % * * * % 


In 1829 he removed from Edwardsville to Jacksonville, and in 1853 
from that place to Batavia, Kane county, where he died. He was sent 
from Morgan county as delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 
1848, and in that Convention was chairman of the Committee on the 
Executive. 

In 1851 he was appointed by the Legislature trustee of the Land De- 
partment of the Illinois Central Railroad, which office he held at the time 
of his death. 

The position which he has held in the history of our State, is indicated 
by the offices which have been conferred upon him. Having a natural 
distate for everything like office-seeking, and never putting himself for- 
ward for any official position, he has still been kept in offices of high po- 
sition and trust for over fifty years. 

* * * * * * % 


In Governor Ferd’s History of Illinois, are found the following notices 
of Judge Lockwood: “In 1820 was fought the first and last duel in 
Illinois. One of the parties fell mortally wounded, the other was tried 
and convicted of murder, and suffered the extreme penalty of the law 
by hanging. Judge Lockwood was then the Attorney of the State, and 
. prosecuted in the case. To his talents and success as a Prosecutor, the 
people are indebted for this early precedent and example, which did 
more than is generally known to prevent the barbarous practice of 
dueling from being introduced into this State * * * Judge Lock- 
wood was an excellent lawyer, a man of sound judgment, and his ‘face 
indicated uncommon purity, modesty, and intelligence, together with 
energy and strong determination. His face was the true index of his 
character.” 

Any account of Judge Lockwood’s services to the State which should 
fail to notice his connection with the educational, benevolent and 


THE TOWN OF POUNDRIDGE. I2I 


religious interests, would come far short of doing him justice. As early 
as his residence in Auburn, he was so identified with the religious 
interests there as to be appointed one of the trustees of the Presbyterian 
Church. 

In 1815 was formed the Cayuga County Bible Society, the first 
organized in the State of New York, two years before the organization 
of the American Bible Society ; and Judge Lockwood’s name also appears 
as one of the onginators and directors of that organization. 

Of the twenty four first directors of that society, he was the last sur- 
vivor. The stand he thus took, as indicated by these incidents, he 
maintained through life. 

Judge Lockwood, with others, started in this State the movement 
which resulted in the establishment of the Illinois College. His influence 
and liberality secured it location in Jacksonville; and while able to 
attend to the duties, he held the position of President of its board of 
trustees. 

He took an active part in the planning and organizing each of the 
three State institutions now located in Jacksonville—the Asylum for the 
Deaf and Dumb, the Blind and the Insane, and was on the first board 
of trustees of each of these institutions. And in every place where he 
has resided in the State, his influence has been a strong, steady, and 
reliable power for good, always on the side of freedom, temperance, 
morality, and Christianity. 

For the last twenty-one years, Judge Lockwood has had his residence 
in Batavia, in an honored old age enjoying his quiet home or the pleasant 
bank of our niver, and rejoicing in every thing that tended to advance 
the material or moral prosperity of the State he had loved so long, and 
served so faithfully. On the 23d of April, 1874, he passed away from 
us in a death as quiet and peaceful as his life with us has been. 


The following account of the action is thus given by Lieut.-Col. Tar- 
leton in his report to Sir Henry Clinton: 


DatTep, Camp on THE Bronx, July 2, 1779, eleven P. M. 


Sm :—I have the honor to inform your excellency, that I moved with the de- 
tachment you were pleased to entrust me with, consisting of seventy of the 17th 
light dragoons, part of the legion infantry and cavalry, Queen’s rangers, Hussars 
and some mounted yagers, in all about two hundred, at half past 11 o’clock last 
night. The weather being remarkably bad, prevented my making North Castle 
church before 4 o’clock next morning, where I received confirmation of my in- 
telligence relative to the numbers and situation of Sheldon’s regiment and one 
hundred Continental foot, but no tidings of Moyland’s regiment of dragoons. I 
pursued my route through Bedford to Poundridge, without any material occur- 
rence, in the district of the ridge, and within three hundred yards of the enemy, 
who were not-alarmed. My guide in front, mistook the road; another guide in- 
formed me of the error, and it was rectified as soon as possible.” The enemy’s 
vidette had noticed our passing their front. The whole regiment was mounted 
and formed behind the meeting house. An attack was instantly made by the 


‘ 


I22 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


advanced guard, consisting of the Seventeenth light dragoons, the ground not 
allowing more than seven or eight in front. The enemy did not stand the charge ; 
a general route ensued. The ditliculties of the eountry, and there being no pos- 
sibility of obtaining their rear, enabled the greatest part of the regiment to escape. 
The pursuit continued for four miles on the Stamford and Salem roads. The loss 
of men in Sheldon’s dragoons, upon enquiry and comparision of accounts, I esti- 
mate at twenty-six or twenty-seven killed, wounded and prisoners.2 But their dis- 
grace in the loss of the standard of the regiment and of hemlets, arms and accout- 
rements, was great. A part of the officers and regimental baggage fell into our 
hands. I have hitherto omitted mentioning the militia to the amount of one hun- 
dred and twenty, who, together with the Continental foot, broke and dispersed 
at the appearance of the king’s troops. The militia assembled again on emin- 
ences and in swamps, and before we quitted the ground on which the first charge 
was made, they fired at great distances, We were successful in killing, wound- 
ing and taking fifteen of them; the rest hovered almost out of our sight. The 
inveteracy of the inhabitants of Poundridge and near Bedford, in firing from 
houses and out of houses, obliged (us) to burn some of their meeting and some of 
their dwelling houses, with stores. I proposed to the militia, terms, that if they 
would not fire shots from buiidings, I would not burn. They interpreted my 
mild proposal wrong, imputing it to fear. They persisted in firing till the torch 
stopped their progress, after which not a shot was fired.” 

With pleasure I relate to your excellency, that the loss sustained by his majes- 
ties troops is trifling—one hussar of the legion killed, one wounded, one horse of 
the Seventeenth dragoons killed. The whole of the detachment, except the 
above, being returned to camp. The infantry of the legion, mounted on horses, 
were extremely fatigued by a march of sixty-four miles, in twenty-three hours, 

I have the honor to be, &c., [Signed,] BANASTRE TARLETON, 
It. Col. British Legion. 


The following additional particulars respecting this engagement, are 
contained in a letter from an officer (of Col. Sheldon’s regiment as sup- 
posed) dated at Salem, July 3rd., 1779. 


‘* Yesterday morning about sunrise, a detachment of the second regiment of 
light dragoons, consisting of ninety men, commanded by Col. Sheldon, posted 
near Poundrige meeting house, was notified of the advance of the enemy by our 
videttes. Our horses being previously saddled and bridled, the men were or- 
dered immediately to mount. As soon as we were paraded, the enemy’s horse 
were discovered rapidly advancing, about three or four hundred in number. 

The enemy having driven in our advanced parties, they began the charge on 
the detachment, which, from the great superiority of the enemy, was obliged to 
move off. The enemy pushed hard on our rear for more than two miles, in the 
course of which, a scattering fire was kept up between their advance ard our 
rear, and a constant charge with the sword; the country through which we passed 
being very mountainous and rocky, caused many of our horses to blunder and 


RE le! in risoners he speaks of, were mostly the rege inhabitants who took no part 
the 


b Major L Leavenworth commanded the militia. 


THE TOWN OF POUNDRIDGE. 12 


ve 


fall, which occasioned some to fall into the hands of the enemy. We immediately 
collected some of the militia, and began to pursue the enemy, following them be- 
low North Castle church. They moved off with such great precipitation, that 
we could not come up with them. Before the enemy moved off, they buint the 
meeting house at Poundridge, and the dwelling house of Benjamin Hays, at 
Bedford. They (as usual) plundered most of the houses they came to, and set 
fire to several houses which were fortunately extinguished. Our loss on this 
occasion, was ten wounded, eight missing and twelve horses missing. The 
enemy’s loss, one killed, wounded uncertain, four prisioners four horses taken, 
and one ditto killed.” 


The general surface of Poundridge, is uneven, and much of it stony; 
but having a due admixture of arable, with pasture and meadow lands, 
it forms a tolerably productive agricultural township. The soil consists 
principally of a gravelly loam, and is well adapted to grass and pastur- 
age. It is also excellent for orchards and fruit trees of all kinds. The 
growth of wood consists of white, red and black oak, hickory and chest- 
nut, &c. The northern portion of the town is occupied by a steep and 
lofty ridge of mountains, called the ‘Stoney Hills,” which runs princi- 
pally in a northeast direction for the space of three or four miles. The 
sides of these craggy mountains, intermixed with stunted trees and 
bushes, exhibit a variety of fantastic forms, presenting one of the wildest 
scenes in Westchester county. Here was a fine cover for the wild game 
that once abounded in these solitudes. At the base of these steep and 
rocky hills are luxuriant valleys, clothed in verdure and watered with nu- 
merous streams—the principal one of which is denominated “ Stoney Hill 
brook,” having its rise in Marshall’s swamp. In the rear of N. B. Adam’s 
residence, on the South Salem road, is a precipitous declivity in the 
mountains, nearly two hundred feet high, called the “‘Raven’s Rock ;” 
where, amid the stony ledges, the ravens used to build their nests of 
yore. The racks here form almost a semi-circle, and bid defiance to the 
most daring climber, or trapper. This gloomy spot is still the favorite 
resort of the screech owl and crow. ‘These birds, but especially the 
owl, occupies places of honor and importance in the religions of Greece 
and Rome. Every note of the hideous and dismal owl, were invested 
with significance. The screech of this creature was regarded as a fatal 
presage: 


‘* When screech owls croak upon the chimney top, 
It’s certain then you of a corse shall hear.” 


The raven was also supposed to feel the shadow of coming calamity. 
The croak of this bird portended death. It is stated that one of these 
gloomy birds premonished Cicero of his approaching death. Crows were 


I24 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


also accounted prophetical birds, When flying in flocks, they were watch- 
ed by the Romans in trembling ; for if they passed on the right hand, 
they boded good; if on the left, evil. The flight of a crow over a house 
three times in succession, with a croak each time, was sure to be followed 
by a death in the family. An old writer was so profoundly convinced of 
the prophetical powers of this lover of corn, that he expresses the belief 
‘‘that God showeth his privy counsayles to crowes.” The ravens have 
long ago disappeared from their favorite haunts, amid the rocky ledges, 
and gone west in quest of more abundant game. The “ Devil’s den” is a 
dark cavern at the base of the “ Raven’s rock,” while below is a placid 
stream called ‘“ Stillwater.” Stony Hill brook (which rises in Marshall’s 
swamp) unites with the Cisqua, or Beaver Dam river, near the residence 
of Phineas Lounsbury. 

The Stony Hill lands, soon after the Revolution, were divided into 
so-called ,wood lots, and granted by the State to Generals Philip Van 
Cortlandt and Van Renssellaer, for services rendered during the war. 
Governor John Jay and Dr. Peter Fleming, both of Bedford, also pur- 
chased some of them. ‘The mountains are now occupied with charcoal 
pits and forsaken huts, and frequented by occasional trappers. About 
seventy years ago one Samuel Brown was killed by a large fox trap. 

On the property of Lewis Green, and almost under the shadow of the 
Stony Hills, is an ancient burying ground, where the native Indians are 
said to have interred their dead long before it was used by the white set- 
tlers, more than’ one hundred years ago. Nothing, however, but the 
rudest kind of stones serve to mark the dwellings of the dead for two or 
three generations. 

The Indians were in the habit of visiting this part of Poundridge, 
down to a period as late as 1800. 

The late Jonathan Dibble, whose father David Dibble resided near 
the farm of Mr. William Barnes, (on the South Salem road) when a boy 
of ten years old fed twelve Indians who were “going down to salt” 
(salt water) under the black walnut tree, still standing just above the 
Brick. House. 

Boutonville is a hamlet in the north corner of Poundridge, near the 
outlet and junction of the Peppeneghak, or Cross River, with the 
Waccabuc Stream. Here is a Post Office, Grist Mill, and several] 
dwellings. 

Upon the north-éast side of the town was formerly a singular chain 
of ponds, the largest of which was Lake Peppeneghak or Cvoss Pond, 
(supplied by several springs from the hills) and has its outlet in Cross 
River. The others were Round-Pond, the Middle-Pond, and the Low- 


THE TOWN OF POUNDRIDGE. 125 


er-Pond, now formed into one grand sheet of water, and called “ Trinity 
Lake,” which a little below the dam empties into the Rippowarus or 
Mill River. At North Stamford the waters are discharged into the 
reservoir which forms the supply from Stamford. The whole town is 
richly interspersed with hills and valleys, and much running water ; 
having as we have seen the Peppenighak or Cross River, flowing through 
the extreme north corner, Rippowarus or Mill River flowing through the 
east part, and Myanas River forming part of the south-western boun- 
dary. ; 


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This township, named after old Rye,* in the County of Sussex, 
England, formerly comprehended the present towns of Harrison and 
White Plains, and was separately organized upon the 27th of March, 
1788." It is situated directly in the south-east angle of West Chester 
County, bordering the sound; bounded on the east by the State of 
Connecticut and the Byram River, on the south by the sound, and on 
the west and north by the townships of Harrison and Northcastle. 

In the year 1660, the lands of Rye were in the possession of Shan- 
arockwell or Shanarocke, as he subsequently signed his name, an 
independent sagamore or chieftain of the Siwanoy’s, whose clan formed 
a portion, if not one of the Mohegan tribes itself of the “sea coast.” 

Peningoe, Peninggoe or Poningoe, the Indian name of Rye, is 
apparently derived from Ponus, the* title of the aboriginal proprietor of 
this territory, A.D. 1640. The final termination ve or omg, denoting 
locality. Thus the whole word may emphatically express the place, or 
locality, of that sachems residence. Nothing however remains at this 

a Yeake deduces this name, (Rye) from the British word ‘rhy,’ it signifying a ford, or, as 
some say, a bay, &c., Allen’s History of Surrey and Sussex, vol. I], p.621. Camden, speaking 
of Rye, says: ‘ But as to it’s name, whether it took it from Rive. a Norman word, which sig- 
nifies a Bank, I cannot say ; yet since, in the Records, it is very often called in Latin, Ripa, 
and they who bring fish from thence are called Ripiers; I rather incline to this original, and 
should incline yet more, if the French used this word for a shore, as Pliny does Ripa.’ Cam- 
den, Brittannia, Bishop Gibson; edition vol. 1. p. 212. Hastings and Rye, whose names were 
successively bestowed upon this place, are two nerghboring towns on the south-east coast of 
England, both of great antiquity, aud both numbered among the Cinqui Ports, or five privi- 
leged seaport. towus on that coast. Chronicle of a border town: History of Rye, West- 


chester County, New York: 1660-1870; including Harrison and the White Plains till 1788. By 
Charles W. Baird—New York: A. D. F. Randolph & Co; 1871, Pp. i—xviii; 1—570—P. 35. 


Laws of New York by Thomas Greenleaf, M. D. CO. XC: ii, Vol. IL; p. p. 153, 154. 
ec From annotations by the late Henry R. Schoolcraft, in 1846, upon the Indian names in 
. West Chester County, made for the author. : 127 


128 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


late period, to establish the connections with any degree of certainty. 
Ponus himself, was one of the ruling sagamores of Rippowams, (Stam- 
ford) in 1640. This individual left issue three sons, Onenoke,* Tap- 
hance, and Onox; the latter had one son, Powhag. 

The ruling sagamore of Peningoe or Poningoe in 1681, appears to 
have been, Maramaking commonly known as “Lame Will” His suc- 
cessor was Pathung or Pathunck, who with his son Wappetoe Path- 
unck,? granted to Joseph Horton in 1694, lands bordering the Mama- 
roneck River. 

For the various localities within Poningoe, the Indians had other 
names. The meadows bordering the Armonck (Byram) were called 
Haseco and Mioschassaky, besides which there was a place named Ra- 
howaness. The high ridge east of the Mockquams (Blind brook) Euke- 
tampucuson, and the territory bordering the Pockcotessewake (Stony 
brook or Beaver Meadow brook) Apawamis or Epawainos.¢ 

The former existence of Indian habitations on the great necks of Po- 
ningoe is amply proved by the number of hunting and warlike weapons 
found in that neighborhood. The site of the principal Mohegan village 
was on or near Parsonage Point. In the same vicinity is situated Bury- 
ing Fill, their place ofsepulture, The remains of six Indians were dis- 
covered on excavating the present foundations for the Halstead man- 
sion, which stands near the entrance of the great neck. ‘The level 
grounds along the shores of the creek, north of the present village of 
Milton, were cultivated as Indian fields. Here and there clusters of 
wigwams occurred on the western bank of the creek, overlooking the 
salt meadows, through which the Mockquams winds, to the great Man- 
unketesuck, or Broad flowing river.” Some Indian families, too, it 
would appear, had their homes on Manussing, or Mennewies island, ‘off 
the eastern shore of the neck,”¢ “while near by was the ‘ Indian path,’ 
which formed the rude thoroughfare connecting the native settlements, 
which was early designated by the English as ‘THE OLD WESTCHESTER 
Paru,’”¢ 

The first grantees under the Indians of Poningoe, were the Dutch 
West India Company, who obtained a grant of the lands extending from 
Norwalk, in Conn., to the North river, on the 19th of April, 1640. Thus 


a Owaneco was a son of Uncas, whose name and totem, both signify Goose, Honck, softened 
by the insertion of vowels, becomes Oh-won-ek-ka, Chapins Hist. of Glastonbury, Conn. 


4 Raresquash was the second son of the sagamore Pathunck. 


e Apwonnah is the Indian term for an oyster. (Colton’s Indian Vocabulary.) Along the 
valley of the Apawamis Indian arrow-heads have been found in great abundance. 


d Baird’s Hist. of Rye. 
é Ditto. 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 129 


the Dutch had full possession of most of the present county of West- 
chester, anterior to English purchase and settlement. 

By the provisional treaty of Hartford, in 1650, the boundary line be- 
tween New England and New Netherlands was to commence upon Long 
Island, from the westernmost part of the Oyster bay, so, and in a straight 
and direct line to the sea; and upon the main land, a line to begin upon 
the west side of Greenwich bay, being about four miles from Stamford, 
and so to run a northerly line twenty miles up into the country, and af- 
ter as it shall be agreed by the two Governments, of the Dutch and of 
New Haven, provided the said line come not within ten miles of Hud- 
son river.% 

The successors of the Dutch West India Company in 1660, were Pe- 
ter Disbrow, John Coe, and Thomas Studwell; ‘a fourth, John Budd, 
was associated with them in some of their purchases, and several others 
joined them in the actual settlement of the place; but the earliest nego- 
tiations appear to have been conducted in behalf of the three persons 
we have first named. They were all residents of Greenwich at the time 
when the first Indian treaty was signed. Their leader was Peter Dis- 
brow, a young, intelligent, self-reliant man, who seems to have enjoyed 
the thorough confidence and esteem of his associates. His name inva- 
riably heads the list of the proprietors. Whenever there was a treaty to 
be formed or a declaration to be made, Disbrow’s services were re- 
quired,” 

On the third day of January, 1660, we find Peter Disbrow in treaty 
with the Indians of Poningoe Neck for the purchase of that tract of land 
described as follows, ‘‘ Lyeing on the maine between a certaine place 
then called Rahonaness to the East and Westchester path to the north 
and up to a river then called Moaquanes to the west, that is to say all 
that land lying betweene the aforesaid two rivers then called Penningoe 
extending from the said path to the north and south to the sea or 
Sound.” 

This first purchase on Ponirgoe Neck comprised the lower part of 
the present town of Rye, on the east side of Blind Brook, ‘ 

The next purchase of the Indians was for the island they called Manus- 
sing, or Mennewies* about a mile in length, which lies east of Poningoe 


a Hazard’s State Papers, vol. ii., 218. 

B Baird’s Hist. of Rye. 

ec Land Papers Sec. of States office, Albany, vol. vii., p. 171. ‘‘The deed of this purchase 
has long since disappeared,” says Paird, ‘‘It was lost during thelifetime of Disbrow himself.” 
Town Ree, vol. B. ‘* We have, however, an account of this purchase written some sixty years 
later that embodies facts relative to it which had doubtless been preserved by tradition.” 
Baird’s Hist. of Rye, p 9, note. 

d Minnis denotes an island in the Algonquin, 


130 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Neck and separated from it only by a narrow channel. This sale was 
effected on the twenty-ninth day of June, 1660, by Peter Disbrow, with 
John Coe and Thomas Stepwell in the following manner: 


INDIAN DEED OF MANUSSING. 


‘* Be it knowen unto all men whom it may concern both Indians and English, 
that we Shanarockwell Sagamore, Maowhobv and Cokensekoo have sold unto 
Peter Disbrow, John Coe, Thomas Studwell, all living at this present at Gren- 
wige, to say a certain parcel of land, (the parcel of land which these Indians above 
mentioned have sold is called in the Indian name Manusing Island) and is near 
unto the main land which is called in the Indian name Peningo. This said 
island we above mentioned doe here by virtue of this bill doe sell all our right 
and title unto John Coe, Peter Disbrow, Thomas Studwell, quietly to enjoy 
from any molestation of us or any other Indians to them and their heirs, assigns, 
and executors forever ; and farther, we have given unto Peter Disbro, John Coe 
and Thomas Studwell feed for their cattle upon the main called by the Indians 
Peningo, and timbers or trees that is tor their use and not to be molested by us 
or other Indians; and we doe hereby acknowledge to have received full satis- 
faction for this purchase of land above mentioned, to say we have received eight 
cotes and seven shirts, fiftene fathom of wampone which is the full satisfaction 
for the parcel of land above mentioned, and for the witness we have hereto set 
our hands. 


Witness, Josova Knap, IPAWAHUN, SHANAROCEWELL, 
Henry DisBrow, ARAMAPOE, ARANAQUE, 
Feb. 23, 1678. Wonanao, CoxKow, 
TOPOGONE, WAWATANMAN. 
MATISHES, CoxKINSECO, 
RIcHARD, MaAowBeEprt, 
QUARAOKO. 


By another deed bearing date the 22d May, 1661, Cokoe and other 
Indians sold another tract of land lying farther north, between the Blind 
Brook and Byram streams to Peter Disbrow. 


INDIAN DEED OF RAHONANESS. 


‘« Be it known to all men whom it may concerne, bothe English and Indians, 
that I, Cokoe, and Marrmeukhong, and Affawauwone, and Nahtimeman, and 
Shocoke, and Wauwhowarnt, doe acknowledge to have sold to Peter Disbrow, 
his heirs and assigns, a certain tract of land lying between Byram River and the 
Blind Brook, which tract of land is bounded as followeth, viz: with the river 
called in English Byram River, beginning at the mouth of the above said river on 
the east, and the bounds of Hasting on the south and southwest, to the marked 
trees, and northward up to the marked trees ; which may contain six or seven 
miles from the sea along the said Byram River side northward, and so from the 
said river cross the neck northwest and west to the river called Blind Brook, 
bounded north with marked trees which leads down to little brook, which runs 


THE TOWN OF RYE. I31 


into Blind Brook. The which tract of land I, Cokoe, and the above said Indians, 
our fellows, heirs and assigns, do here promise and make good to the said Peter 
Disbrow, his heirs or assigns, peaceable and quict possession for ever, without 
any molestation either from Dutch, Indians, or English. We the above said In- 
dians have also sold this tract of land above mentioned, with all the trees, grass, 
springs, and minerals, with feed range and timber northward twenty English 
miles above the said purchase of land and do acknowledge to have received full 
satisfaction of the said land. In witness hereof we the above said Indians have 
set to our hands this present day and date above written. 


Witness Jonn Cog, MARRMEUKHONG, his mark. 
JOHN JAGSON, AFFAWAUWONE, his mark. 
NAHTIMEMAN, his mark. 
Coxog, his mark. 


“These three purchases completed,” says Baird, “the territory of Rye 
on the eas¢ side of Blind brook. Indeed, they took in also a part of the 
town of Greenwich, the tract of land between the present State line and 
Byram river; and we shall see that the claims of Rye to this tract, found- 
ed upon the Indian purchase just related, gave rise to not a little trouble 
in the subsequent relations of the two towns.”4 


Another purchase was made on the 2d day of June, 1662, by Peter 
Disbrow, John Coe, Thomas Studwell and John Budd, for a tract of land 
above Westchester Path, and west of Blind Brook, or directly north of 
Budd’s Neck. This was the territory of the present town of Harrison. 


INDIAN DEED OF MOCKQUAMS. 


‘* Know all men whom this may concern that we, Peter Disbrow, John Coe, 
Thomas Studwell, and John Budd, have bargained, bought, and payd for, to the 
satisfaction of Showannorocot, Roksohtohkor, and Pewataham and other In- 
dians, whose hands are underwritten, a certain tract of land above Westchester 
Path, to the marked trees, bounded with the above said river, Blind brook, which 
tract of land, with all the privileges, of wood, trees, grass, springs, mines and min- 
erals, to the said Peter Disbrow, John Coe, Thomas Studwell, to them and their 
heirs forever, with warrant against all persons, English, Dutch or Indians. To 
this bargain and sale we the above said Indians do hind ourselves, our heirs and 
assigns, to the above said Peter Disbrow, John Coe, and the rest abovesaid, to 
them, their heirs and assigns, for ever; as witness our hands this present day 
and date, June 2, 1662. SHUWANNOROOOT, 3 mark. 

RomxKaQvE, his mark. 


April the 28th, 1663, Peter Disbrow, John Coe, Thomas Studwell 
and John Budd, by a deed of sale conveyed the island-and main land to 
the following planters, Samuel Allen, Richard Vowl, Philip Galpin, 


@ Baird’s Hist. of Rye, p. 12. 


132 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Thomas Applebe, William Odell, John Brondig and John Coe, for which 
the latter were to pay forty shillings a lot in cattle or corn, between the 
above date and January next ensuing. 

Peter Disbrow by a declaration of trust, dated June 16, 1676, assigned 
all his right, title and interest in the Indian purchase to the rest of the 
proprietors of Rye then living between the two rivers, viz: the Byram 
river to the east, and a river called the Blind brook to the west. The 
original division of Rye consisted of ten acres to each individuai plant- 
er, besides a privilege in the undivided lands. 

From a note appended to this deed of trust it appears that John 
Horton had selected a spot of land not within the bounds of the Rye 
purchase. 


‘But lyeth considerably to the northward of the head of the Blind Brook, 
and consequently to the north of the north-west bounds, except they do claim 
it as comprehended within the twenty English miles range, whereof was granted 
to them, viz. the proprietors. 

In 1662, the thirteen proprietors of the salt meadows within Hastings were, 


Tuomas STUDWELL, WixiiamM ODELL, 

JoHN Bronvie, Peter Dissprow, 

Wi1t1am ODELL, JOHN Cor, 

THoMAs APPLEBE, SAMUEL ALLEN, 

Puirie GALpr, JoHN Cok, 

RioHarD Vow, THomas STUDWELL. 
Joun Bopp. 


At this period Connecticut regardless of the Hartford treaty made in 
1650, obtained from the native Indians a further grant of territory 
extending from the east line of that colony, to the present village of 
Westchester. Upon this purchase she claimed the lands of Rye, and 
required the submission of the inhabitants to her authority. 

During the year 1633, King Charles the Second, by letters patent 
under the great seal, conveyed the province of New Netherlands, and 
that part of Connecticut lying westward of Connecticut River, to his 
brother James, Duke of York and Albany. Thus, by a. wholesale 
usurpation excluding forever the rightful proprietors, utterly regardless 
of their just rights as discoverers; and in the face, too, of all existing 
treaties. 

As early as 1641, it appears to have been the British policy as one 
means of counteracting the Dutch in America, “that the English put 
forth their plantations, and crowd on, crowding the Dutch out of those 


a Rye Rec. Lib. A. 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 133 


places where they have settled;”* this continued to be the principle 
upon which the former acted until the subjugation of the latter, which 
happened 5th of September, 1664, when the Province of New Neth- 
erlands surrendered to Colonel Richard Nicholls, the Duke’s governor. 

The same year the commissioners appointed for settling the bounds 
of his Royal Highness the Duke of York’s patent and the colony of 
Connecticut, did order and declare ‘‘that the creek or river, called 
Mamaroneck, which is reputed to be about twelve miles to the east 
of Westchester, and a line drawn from ye east point or side, where the 
fresh waters fall into the salt at high water mark, north north-west to the 
line of Massachusetts, shall be the western bounds of ye said colony of 
Connecticut.? 

By this division Rye became annexed to the colony of Connecticut, 
and constituted a portion of Fairfield county. 

The following bill of sale occurs December 8th, 1666, from John 
Coe, one of the original proprietors of Rye to Hachaliah Brown :— 


‘Know all ye men to whom it may concern, that I, John Coe, purchaser of the 
town of Rye, being one of the four men that bought this place in the colony of 
Connecticut, in New England, do sell and bind over unto Hachaliah Brown in 
the same town, one half of a 12th lot with all the privileges thereunto belonging ; 
namely: one half of the upland and one half of the meadow, both fresh and 
salt, both divided and undivided, with four acres of upland lying in the neck 
called the Oxpasture neck, or otherwise called Scotch cap neck, of which two of 
the aforesaid four acres belong to the half lot. This four acres is bounded thus: 
with George Kniffen on the N. E. and front ; with the Blind Brook towards the 
N. W. and Thomas Brown toward the §. W. and the waste land is the bounds 
to the 8. E. This seven acres of land more or less, is thus bounced as is above 
mentioned. The aforesaid land I have purchased of the Indians, as doth appear 
by deed under the Indians hands, I say, I have sold with all privileges thereunto 
belonging, namely : trees, grass, rocks, minerals, and springs, with the fence or 
fencing which are or shall be belonging thereunto, and I do here bind myself, by 
promise, to make good the sale hereof from me, my heirs, assignees, or admin- 
istrators to the said Hachaliah Brown, him, his heirs, assignees or administrators, 
quietly and peaceably to possess as his own forever, without any molestation 
either by or under me, &c., &c. And I do acknowledge to have received full 
satisfaction of the abovesaid Hachaliah Brown for this aforesaid land, as witness 
my hand this day and date, Dec. 8th 1866.¢ JOHN COE.” 


Witness: 
Tuomas Brown, 
GEORGE LANE. 
a Col. Boundaries, Hart. Rec. fol. ii. letter i 


b Col. Boundaries, fol. ii, letter xxii, 
ec Rye Rec. 


134 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


May 11, 1671,the general court of Connecticut granted that the town 
of Rye bounds should extend up into ye country northward twelve 
miles. 

At first the pretences of Connecticut to the westward were unlimited, 
till the year 1683, and consequently so to the northward of Rye; hence 
the grant to extend twelve miles to the north, as being less exposed to 
be opposed by New York, leaving their bounds unlimited to the west- 
ward of Byram river, thus giving them an opportunity of extending their 
bounds twelve miles in that direction, so as to form a tract of twelve 
miles square; as they had already granted ane of six miles square to 
Bedford, This grant, hadit been allowed by New York, would have cov- 
ered Harrison’s purchase, the White Plains, Mamaroneck, the Mile 
Square, Tuckahoe, New Rochelle, and Eastchester, besides other places. 

The twelve proprietors of the salt meadows in this town, A.D. 1672, 
were as follows: 


WILLIAM ODELL, 1; JOHN Coz, 5; JOHN Cok, 9. 

JoHN Bronpis, 2; THomas APPLEBE, 6; Riowarp Fow er, 10. 
Peter Dissrow, 3; THomas ALLEN, 7; Tuomas STuDWELL, 11; 
WitiraM ODELLE, 4; Purp GALPEN, 8; Joun Bupe, 12; 


“ At a town meeting held March, 1672, it was agreed that the first of 
April following should be taxed of all persons and young cattle and 
horses, unless 1t be such as are wrought, and that they henceforward 
should goe out on the first of April, and whatsoever person hath not his 
fence up by that time shall forfeit five shillings a rod.” 

‘28th January, 1673, the general court ordered that the bounds be- 
tween Greenwich and Rye is to be from the mouth of Byram river, to 
run up the river one quarter of a mile above the great stone lying on the 
cross path by the said river; and from thence the sayd commons up- 
wards, between Stamford bounds and the colony line, is to be equally 
divided between them by a parallel line with Stamford, and to Norwalk 
to the end of their bounds up in the country, &c.” 


This settlement was confirmed June 21st, 1696, by the general court 
sitting in Hartford, May 8th, 1693. 

“Upon the 28th November, 1680, the town made choice of Peter 
Disbrow, Hachaliah Brown, Robert Bloomer, and Thomas Merritt, for 
to go with the Indians to view some land lying between the Blind brook 


and Biram river, and to make a thorow bargain with them if they shall 
see it best.” 


The result of this interview was a sale of land under the Indiansachem 
Maramaking, “ of all that certain tract of land lying by a brook common- 
ly called Blind brook, which tract of land is called by the Indians Euke- 
taupucuson, and by the English Hogg Pen Ridge.” 

@ Hart Rec. vol. viii, p. 13. 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 135 


INDIAN DEED OF EUKETAUPUCUSON. 


“*To all Christian peopelle to whom these shall come greeting, know yee, that 
I, Marrmaaking, commonly called by the English, Will, have for a valuabelle 
consideration by me Allradi Recaifed of Robart blomer, haccaliah Brown and 
thomas merrit, alinated and sould unto them the said Robt. blomer, Haccaliah 
brown and thomas merit, them their heirs, executors, adminstrators, or assignes 
a certain trackt of Land Lyeing by a brooke commonly called blind brook which 
tract of Land is called by the Indians Eauketaupacuson bounded as followeth: 
beginning at the southermost and which is betwene the above said brook and a 
branch thereof, and from thence to the great swamp at the oulld marked tree 
which is now new marked with these Letters R B H YM, and from thence hy 
marked trees to a small Runn which Runns into the above said brook and there 
is marked with a mark, the which tract of Land is called by the English name 
the hogg penn Ridge, to have and howlld the above said trackt of land for 
ever, and I the said Maramaking alice Will doe bind by sellfe my heirs, executors 
and administrators firmly by these presents to warrant and make good the above 
said salle unto the above said Robart blomer, Brown and merit, their heirs, ex- 
ecutors, administrators, or asignes without any Lett hindrance, molistation or 
trouble from or by any person or persons whatsoever that shall from or after the 
date hereof make or lay any claim or claims theareunto. In witness hereof I 
have set my hand this 4th day of September in the yere 1680. 


Witness the mark of Covxo, The mark of MARAMAKING 
the mark of OwRowWOAHAx, Auis WILL. 
JOHN OGDEN, 
JOHN STOKHAM. 
Maramaking alise Will, hath acknliged this bill 
of sale before me in Rye this 28 of november, 
1680. JosEPH Horton, Comissoner. 


‘Know all men by these presents that wee, Robert Bloomer, Hacaliah 
Brown and thomas merit doe asigne over all our Right, titel and Intrust of this 
within written bill of salle to the propriatars of peningo neck, as witness our 
hands this second day of march, in the year sixtene hundred eighti one, we three 
above said Reserving our equall portions with the other propriatars above said. 


Delivered in peresence of us. Rosert BLoMEr, 
JOHN GEE his marke Hacxatian Brown, 
JOSEPH GALLPEN. _ Txomas Merir.@ 


“Lame Will’s purchase commenced at a point where the ‘branch’ of 
Blind Brook joins the main stream. From thence the southern bound- 
ary ran eastward to ‘the old marked trees,’ at ‘the Great Swamp,”? 
northward, it extended along Blind Brook to certain other marked trees, 
where the line now divides the town of Rye from that of North Castle.” 


a Town Rec. vol. B, p. xii. 

6 “The GreatSwamp extended over a considerable part of the region bounded on the east 
by King Sheep, and on the west by the Ridge road, north by the present Roman Catholic 
cemetery.” Baird’a Hist. of Rye, p. 57, [see note.] 


e Baird’s Hist. of Rye, p. 57. 


136 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


“The second purchase from Maramaking was effected on the 8th of 
October, 1681. For the valuable consideration of ‘three coats received’ 
Lame Will sold to the inhabitants of Rye a tract of land ‘ between By- 
ram river and the Blind Brook, or Honge ;’ apparently lying north of 
the preceding purchases and within the present limits of North Castle.” 


INDIAN DEED OF HONGE. 


Know all Christian People to whom these shall come, greeting, know ye that 
I, Maramaking, Comonly called by the english will, have for a valuable consid- 
eration by the inhabitance of the towne of Ryeallradi Resaived namely, three 
cotse In hand of the inhabitants of Rye by me Resaived, I, Maramaking, doe ac- 
knowlidg that I have aLinated, covinanted, soulld and deLivered unto them, the 
inhabitants of Rye, to them, theare heirs, Execetars, administratars, or asignes a 
sartain tract of Land Liing betwene Biram river and the blind brooke or honge ; 
acording as it is allradi marked by the Indians and bounded; to have and holld 
the above said trackt of Land forever; and I, the said Maramaking, or else Will, 
doe bind my sellfe, my heires, execetars and administratars firmly by these pres- 
ents to warant and make good the above said salle unto the above named Inhabi- 
tants of Rye to them, thaire heires, execetars, asignes or administratars without 
any Let, hindrance, moListation or trouble from or by any person or persons 
what so ever that shall from or after the date here of make or Lay any claim or 
claims theare unto. 

In witness here of I have set to my hand this 8th of Octobar, in the year 1681. 
Witness the mark of WEssACcoNoW, The marke of MARAMAKING, 
The mark of Cowwows, or elce WiLL 

The mark of PumMeEtum, 
JosHua Kwap, 
JACOB Parrs. 

Maramaking, or else Will, both acknowleged this bill of salle before me in 
Rye, this 8 of October, 1681. JosEPH Horton, Commissioner. 

Recorded decem. 20, 1682.¢ 


The above sales were long known and distinguished as “ Zame Witl’s 
two purchases,’ and “donot appear to have been divided and improved 
until long after those on Byram ridge.” 

“‘ Twenty years after the first division on Byram ridge, we find the fol- 
lowing entry in the town records :” 


‘‘At a town meeting in Rye, February 14, 1699-1700, the town both made 
choice of Lieutenant Horton, Benjamin Horton, Joseph Purdy, Justice Brown, 
Sergeant Merritt and John Stoakham, who are to survey and lay out the three 
Purchases of land; that is to say, the White Plaine’s purchase, and Lame Will’s 


a **The name Honge may have been applied to the upper part of Blind Brook, or to the 
branch already referred to.” Baird’s Hist. of Rye, p. 57, see note. 


& Baird’s Hist. of Rye, p. 57. 
c Town Rec. vol. B, p. 15. 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 137 


two purchases: and the town doth give them full power to call out such person 
or persons whom they shall see cause to have occasion of.” 


‘Nothing, however, seems to have been done under this order. Will’s 
Purchase was not actually laid out till ten years later.’ The first division 
took place in 1709. ‘This 11th day of April, 1709, the lots laid out in 
Will’s purchases were drawn for.’ ‘Each allotment being thirty-eight 
acres.’ ‘February 18, 1711,’ ‘the second division of lots laid out in 
Lame Will’s two purchases occurred. These were situated higher up, 
and on the east side of the colony line. A third draught of seven acre 
lots followed.’® ‘The proprietors of these purchases numbered thirty- 
four. The list comprises the names of nearly all the proprietors of Pe- 
ningo Neck.’ 

In 1681, Peter Disbrow sells his Indian purchase on Poningoe Neck 
to the rest of the proprietors. In 1683, Colonel Dongan arrived at New 
York as governor of the province. Soon afterwards the Governor and 
Council of Connecticut, in a letter to Dongan, dated October 5th, 1683, 
complain of a warrant having been issued to the constables of Rye, 
_ Greenwich and Stamford, which towns they claim are in Connecticut, 
by charter and agreement of 1664.¢ Dongan, in reply, October gth, 
1683,¢ asserts that the Duke’s patent extends to Connecticut river, and 
refers to the former agreement, twenty miles east of Hudson’s river, 
which he is by no means compelled to confirm, only refers to the old 
claim for the purpose of extending as far as he can eastward of Hudson’s 
river. 

In return the Governor and general court of Connecticut, October 16, 
1684, refer Governor Dongan to the agreement of the King’s Commis- 
sioners, A.D. 1664, as settling the boundary.@ 

Governor Dongan in reply, November 5, 1683, states, ‘that he must 
not be unmindful of his master’s interest, thinks it not wrong to claim 
twenty miles from Hudson’s river, eastward ;” and also mentions “that the 
commissioners were assured éy Connecticut people, that Mammaroneck 
river was twenty miles from Hudson's river, and concludes by assuring 
them he will have all twenty miles eastward of that river, or he will claim 
by Connecticut River; and further, wishes the matter settled.”% 

On the 28th of November of the same year the agents (appointed by 
the two governments,) came to an agreement that the line of partition 


a S2e Baird's Hist, Rye. Also Townand Proprietors Meeting Book, No. C, p. 6. 
b Baird’s Hist. of Rye, pp, 59,60. See Rye Rec. vol. B, p. 160 (back.) 

e Col. Bound Hart. Ree. Lib. ii., Letter 42. 

d Col. B. Hart. Rec. Lib. ii., Letter 43. 

e Col. B. Hart. Rec. Lib. ii., Letter 44. 

JF Col. B. Hart Rec. Lib. ii, Letter 45. 


138 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


should begin at Byram River at a point called Lyon’s Point, where that 
river falls into the Sound, and run northerly at not less than twenty miles 
distance from the Hudson to the south line of Massachusetts. 

Upon the occasion of this change in 1683, we find the following letter 
addressed to Lieutenant Horton and selectmen of the town of Rye. 


FatrFigxp, Deo. 3, 1683. 


Lovine Friends :—We had purposed in our passage to York to have called upon 
you, but the badness of the weather, and taking our passage by water we missed 
the opportunity of seeing you in our going thither, and in our return. And 
therefore we take this first opportunity to acquaint you that though we were 
loath to have parted with you, and would have been glad to have continued you 
in this government, yet the providence of God hath so disposed that by our 
agreement with Governor Dongan, we are forced to part with you, and could not 
help it, and the Governor promised us that he would not by this change alter any 
man’s property or propriety ; and therefore we thought it necessary to acquaint 
you of this change, and also to advise you speedily to apply him to grant you 
confirmation of your bounds and proprieties, which we doubt not but he will do 
also. We must acquaint you that you must by our agreement, pay to this colony 
this year’s rates, which the treasurer will appoint you, to whom you shall pay it 
speedily it isone penny half penny upon the pound, according to the list pre- 
sented to the general court, in October last, by the agreement with the Governor 
Dongan. ‘The west bounds of our colony is now by Byram River, and it runs 
as the river till it comes to the road, and from thence it runs north, north-west, 
till it hath run eight miles from the east point of said Byram River. 

Gentlemen, we do request you to be satisfied and content with this change, and 
to carry it suitably to the government. under which you are now seated, and 
apply yourselves to the Honorable Govornor, who is a noble gentleman and wiil 
do what you shall desire in a regular manner to promote your welfare, which with 
best respects is all the needful from your assured friends. 

i : ROBERT TREAT, Governor, 
J can g Reis ; Assistants. 

Endorsed. These for Lizur. Joszepn Horton, 

theselectmen of the townof Rye. These in Rye. 


Notwithstanding this agreement, the towns of Rye and Bedford were 
again received into the colony of Connecticut, June 21, 1696-7.? 

Governor Fletcher of New York justly complained of this treatment, 
and issued his proclamation, requiring Rye and Bedford to return to 
their allegiance, April 15, 1697.° 

The whole matter was now referred to the king, who in council, 
March 28th, 1700, confirmed the former agreement made 1683, and 


a Webster’s Letters, p. 207. 
6 Col. Bound. Hart. Rec. vol. ii. letter 138. 
e Col, Bound. Hart. Rec. vol. ii. letters 140, 141. 


THE TOWN OF RYE, 139 


ordered “that the high sheriff of the County of Westchester, accom- 
panied with two justices of the said county, do repair to the said towns 
of Rye and Bedford, and publish the said proclamation, requiring the 
inhabitants of the said towns, to give obedience to this government, 
pursuant to his majesties royal will and pleasure, at their peril. 

Per order of Council, D. Costns, 

L. Coventry.”2 

Oct. ro, 1700, the General Assembly of Hartford ordered the significa- 
tion of the settlement to be sent to the inhabitants of Rye and Bedford. 

The matter was not completed until May 14, 1731, when the lines 


were established as 
were the following : 


Haocwarian Brown, 
TrvorHy Knapp, 
JONATHAN VOWLES, 
JoNAs STEVENS, 
JoHN Bronpie, 
Isaac SHERWoopD, 
THomas Lyon, 

Joun SILLIcK, 

Cates Hart, 
GzEoRGE KNIsSON, 
JoHN Purpy, 
Tuomas Merritt, 
Francis Purpy, 
JOSEPH OGDEN, 
Isaao SHERWOOD, 
Joun Boyp, 

Rogpert BLoomMer, 
JAMES TRAVIS, 
Rosert BLENER, 
JACOB PAREE, 
DELIVERANCE Brown, 
Peter DisBrow, 
Tuomas Lyon, 
GeEorGE KnIson, 
Joun Boyp, 

Tuomas SLATHAM, 
WituiaM ODELL, 
Tuomas SLATHAM, 
Ricuarp BeEatte, 
Joun Boyp, 
SaMUEL JENKINS, 
JAMES WRIGHT, 


a Webster’s Letters, p. 207. 


they now exist. 


JOHN SELLICKES, 
JAMES WRIGHT, 
STEHHEN SHERWOOD, 


The inhabitants of Rye in 1683, 


Isaao DEwHaM, 
The town grants from 
Hartford, 


STrepHeNn SuEeRwoop, Jun. Issac Dennam, 


Hamer GaALPEN, 
SAMUEL ODELL, 
JOHN MERRITT, 
SAMUEL JENKINS, 
Joost PALDIN, 
Trmorpy Kwapp, 
WILiiamM ODELL, 
JOHN DiIsBRow, 
ARNOLD Basset, 
Ropert BLooMEr, 
Srmon Roparp, 
JosEPH Horton, 
JOSEPH SHERWOOD, 
JoHN DisBrow, 
Rosert BLooMEr, 
JoHN Horton, 
Francis Purpy, 
DanieL BronDIGE, 
JoHN CHUROH, 
STEPHEN SHERWOOD, 
JOSEPH GURNEY, 
JONATHAN KNIFFIN, 
Crytamon Horron, 
STEPHEN SHERWOOD, 
Francis Purpy, 
Peter Brown, 

The draft of the swamp, 
JAMES TRAVIS, 


ABRAHAM Brvsu, 
ABRAHAM SMITH, 
JOHN OGDEN, 
Samur. Banks, 
JosEPH STUDWELL, 
Paiie Travis, 
Jonn Mersirv, 
STEPHEN SHERWooD, 
JosePpH Merrirt, 
Joun Fxasz, 
JONATHAN KNIFFer, 
Houmparey UNDERHILL, 
JOHN TURNER, 
Roperr Bioomer, 
Hacwarian Brown, 
JONATHAN Hart, 
EBENEZER KNIFFEN, 
JoHN Boyp, 

RoGER Park, 
Joost PAvULDINOK, 
Toomas MERRITT, 
JOSEPH Banks, 
Ruwamau BisHor, 
Francis Purpy. 
JOHN VAIL, 

JOHN VAIL, 

Isaac ANDERSON, 
Joun MEepRIrIT, 


I40 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Joun Horton, JOSEPH SHERWOOD, A draught of Will’s pur- 
Ricwarp WareERs, The draught of lots by chase, 

JoHN SrockHaM, Biram River, JogsrrpH Purpy, 

Joun Horton, Davip OapEn, RiowuarRpd OGDEN, 
Tsomas Merritt, Rozserr BioomEr, Henry HAtare, 

JosEPH SHERWOOD, The draught of Biram’s Pond field draught, 
Joun Merritt, neck, The three draughts in 
HacHatiAn Brown, Tuomas Merritt, Will’s purchase, 

Cates Hrart, Mary Oapen, JosEPH ROBINSON, 

JoHN BopDEGARET, JOHN Bronpie@, Davin Horton, 

JOHN Bronvie, JONATHAN KNIFFEN, Joun Hrart, 


Davin Horton.4 


In 1694, we find the Indian Sachem Patthunck, with the full consent 
of his son and heir Wappetoe Patthunck, conveying to Joseph Horton, 
a parcel of land beginning at certain marked trees, &c., with turf and 
twigg taken off the said ground and delivered to the said grantee, in 
peaceable and quiet possession by the said Patthunck, sen., and Pat- 
thunck, jr. The above tract of land was situated :— 


‘On the east side of the Mamaroneck river, and ran with a line of mark trees 
until it came to the said river, and again to a red oak tree, close by the river 
marked III, together with all the woods, &c., &c., to the said Joseph Horton, 
&c. Dated this 29th day of Dec. A. D. 1694. 


Signed, sealed and delivered, 


in presence of us. The mark of PATTHUNOK, SEN. 
The mark of The mark of WappETOR PATTHUNCK. 
Captain Rosin, Indian, The mark of Berry Parruunosg, 
WiItiiam Coates, The mark of AckANUM PATTrHUNOK. 
The mark of R. P. MiLuEr. daughter of the above named 


Patthunck, sen.” 


“As early as 1686, we find the inhabitants of Rye applying for a 
Patent, doubtless in view of an order which the general court had issued 
the year before to all the towns within its jurisdiction, relative to the oc- 
curring of charters for their lands.” November 23d, 1686, the town 
empowered Benjamin Colyer and John Brondige to treat with the Gov- 
ernor for a general patent for the township of Rye.Ӣ The proprietors of 


a *“ The envestiture ‘by turf and twig.’ This was a relic of feudal times; it consisted in 
the delivery of a turf, a stone, a branch; or some other object, as a symbol of the transfer of 
the soil. Anciently, this had been practiced by the feudal lord, in confering a fief upon 
hix vassal. We find it observed on Manussing Island in 1693, with all formality, and on 
Budd’s Neck as late as 1768.” Baird’a Hist. of Rye; p. 132, see Hallam’s Middle Ages, vol |, p. 
170. 

b Baird’s Hist. of Rye, p. 92. 

c Town Rec. Lib. B, now lost. 


THE TOWN OF RYE. I4I 


Poningoe Neck also authorized the same individuals to obtain a particu- 
lar patent for said neck. “The court, it appears, however well inclined, 
did not see fit just then to grant either of those applications. Again, in 
1692, at the October session of the General Court,’ Mr. Underhill, of 
Rye, and Zachary Robert’s of Bedford, were in attendance, and the 
court granted them an allowance for their expenses in coming; ‘to be 
payd at Stamford out of the county rate.’ But the time for this step did 
not arrive until five years later. At a meeting of the Governor and 
Council, January 19, 1697, Thomas Merritt and Deliverance Brown ap- 
peared in behalf of ‘the town of Rie,’ with the request that this planta- 
tion may be owned as included within the colony, and that a charter 
may be granted to them for their lands. ‘The petition is granted, anda 
patent for the town is ordered to be prepared forthwith.’ It is as fol- 


lows: 
“RIE PATTENT.” 


‘Whereas the Hon" Gen" Court of the Colonie of Connecticut have, on May 
the fourteenth day, 1685, ordered and declared that every town within the said 
Colonie should take out Pattents or Charters for their severall grants of Lands 
Given them by the said Gen" Court, or derived by purchase or otherwise obtain- 
ed, which Pattents they did order should be made and Given to them under the 
seal of the Colonie and hands of the Gov" and Secretary. And that such Pattents 
shall be a sufficient Evidence for all and every township that hath the same to all 
Intents and purposes for the holding the said lands firme to them, their heirs, suc- 
cessors and assignes forever, according to the Tenor given by his Majestie Charles 
the sccond In his Charter bearing date the three and twentieth day of Aprill, in 
the fourteenth year of his Reign. And the said Gen" Court having granted and 
assigned to severall persons a certain township to be known by the Name of Rie; 
bounded westward eight Miles upon the Dividing Line between the Province of 
of New york and the Colonie of Connecticutt, according as it was settled by his 
Majesties Commissioners, as appears by their act or Report thereupon; and East- 
ward on a line beginning at the mouth of Byram River and Running up the said 
River one quarter of a mile above the Great Stone lying in the path by the said 
River, and from thence Continued by a parrale] Line eight miles into the Coun- 
trey, and bounded southward upon the sea and northward upon the Wildernesse. 
Now know all men by these presents, that I, Robert Treat, Esq’ Govern" of his 
Majesties Colonie of Connecticutt, have given, granted, bargained, enfeoffed and 
Confirmed, and by these presents doe give, grant, bargain, enfeoffe and confirme 
unto Joseph Theale, Thomas Merritt, Deliverance Brown, John Horton, Joseph 
Horton, Francis Purdie, Hackaliah Brown, Timothie Knap, George Lane and 
John Merritt, their heirs, assignes and their associates forever, all that part or 
parcell of Land which lies and is contained within the bounds above-mentioned, 
With all and singular the Lands, hereditaments and appurtenances whatsoever 
are thereunto belonging or any way appertaining to the same or auy part thereof. 


a Public Rec. of Conn., vol. iv, p.83. 
4 Baird’s Hist. of Rye, p. 93. 


142 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


As of his Majesties mannor of East Greenwich [in Kent] to Have and to hold in 
free and Common Soccage, And not in Capite nor by Knight Service. Except- 
ing and reserving for his Majestie his heirs and successors the fift part of all the 
Oar of Gold and Silver which shall be found therein from time to time. In wit- 
nesse whereof the said Robert Treat with the Secretary of the Colonie have here- 
unto annexed our hands and afixed Our Colonie Seal, this two and twentieth day 
of January Anno Domini 1696.4 And in the eighth year of the reign of our Sov- 
ereign Lord William by the Grace of God of England Scotland France and Ire- 
land, King Fidei Defensor. Always provided that nothing herein Contained shall 
Extend or be understood or taken to Impeach or prejudice any Right, title, In- 
terest or demand, which any person or persons hath or have or claim to have, of 
into or out of any part of the said township situated within the Limits above- 
mentioned according to the Laws and Gen" Customes of this Colonie but that 
all and every such person and persons May and shall have hold, and enjoy the 
same in such manner as if these presents had not been Made. 


R. TREAT, Goor 
ELeazar KIMBERLY, Secretry”b 


DEPUTIES FROM RYE TO THE GENERAL COURT, 1664-1700. 


October, 1664, Lu- Joun Bunn, May, 1676, Peter DisBrog, 

October, 1665, RicHarp VowLEs, October, 1676, TimorHy Kwap, 

October, 1666, Lr. Bup, May, 1677, Joun BrunDIcE, 

May, 1667, Mr. JN° Bop, October, 1677, Mr. Jonn BANKEs, 

October, 1668, Mr. Jonn Bopp, ' May, 1678, Mr. Joun Bancxs, 
RicHAaRD VOWLES, October, 1678, Trumorny Knap, 

May, 1669, RrcuHarp FowE.Ls, October, 1679, Perer DisBrovues, 

May, 1670, Mr. Jonn Banks, May, 1680, Mr. JoHN Banxgs, 
Prrer Disprog, May, 1681, Joun BRaNpDIGE, 

October, 1670, TiwotTHy Kwap, October, 1681, Prerer DisBrog, 

May, 1671, Mr. Jonn Banoxgs, October, 1682, TraotHy Napp, 
Peter DIsBRroE, October, 1683, TimotHy Knap, 

May, 1672, Mr. JoHN Bankes, May, 1697, Mr. VMpPHRIE VNDERHILL 
Mr. Jos. Orton, Mr. DELIVERANCE Brown 

June, 1672, Mr. Joun Bancks, May, 1698, Mr. JosErpu Horton, 

October, 1672, Mr. Jonn BanxkEs, October, 1698, Capt’ VMPHRIE VNDER_ 

May, 1673, Perer DisBRoE, HILL, 

October, 1674, Mr. Joun OGDEN, ° October, 1699, Mr. THo* Merrit, 

May, 1675, Mr. Joon BanxEs, Lieu? Jn° Horton. 

July, 1675, Mr. Jonn Banxgs, 


13 April, 1705. The Indian chiefs Wapeto, Rarequash, and Mek- 
eran, granted to Capt. Joseph Theall, Capt. John Clapp, and Capt. John 
Horton all of ye town of Rye. 


@ 1697, New Style. 


Bb Colony Book of Deeds, Patents, &c., MS., Hartford, vol. ii, p. 251. This document was 
printed for the first time by Baird in his Hist. of Rye, pp. 93, 94. 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 143 


‘* A certain parcel of land lying and being within ye township of Rye, bound- 
ed by a certain beach tree standing upon the brink of Byram River, marked 
with J. G. J., andJ. H. and J. C. running up ye said river northerly to a great 
swamp, where standeth an ash tree marked with the above said letters, and from 
thence in a direct course to an oak tree with stones laid at ye root, and from 
thence with a range of marked trees of the northermost corner of ye great pond- 
so running down by ye said pond till it meeteth with a white oak sapling marked 
with ye above said letters, and from thence by certain marked trees to the above 
said marked beach tree by ye brink of Byram River.¢ 


Signed, sealed and delivered The true mark of WAPETOE 
in the presence of The true mark of RARESQUASH, 


DANIEL STRANG. The true mark of MEKERAN., 
JOSEPH Purpy. : 
The marke of PARE. 


A further grant and confirmation was obtained of the Indian pro- 
prietors, Seringoe, Raresquash, and Wapeto Patthunck, by John Clapp 
and others, 20 July, 1705. 


‘ Of all that said tract of Jand which is butted and bounded as follows, viz : 
beginning at a beach tree standing by Byram river near a great rock, marked 
with letters J. H. J. P. J.C. then running up the said river north-west to a cer- 
tain ash tree in the upper end of a place commonly called Pond Pound neck, 
marked with the letters aforesaid, &c., &c., to the Colony line, and thence by 
the said Colony line westwardly to the eight mile stake standing between three 
white oak trees, marked viz: one of the said trees is marked with the letters C. 
C. R. on the north side, and on ye south side J. D. and from said tree in a direct 
line runs to ye northermost corner of Rye Pond, and thence south 10 degrees 
westerdly to a white oak sapling, marked by the Pond side with the letters J. P. 
thence by a range of marked trees south 64 degrees east to an ash tree standing 
by Blind brook on the east side thereof, and thence by another range of marked 
trees to a certain chestnut tree marked with the lettersJ. J. on ye north side, on 
the west side with the letters J. P. on the south-west side with letters J. H. and 
thence by a range of marked trees to ye place where it began. 


The mark of SERRINGOE, 
Signed, sealed, and delivered SERRINGOE’s mark in behalf WAPETO, 
in the presence of PATTHUNCK, 
James Mort, and of his brother RARESQUASH, 


Henry Disppow, 
Joost PALDINOEK. 


The above sales were again confirmed by the Indians, 13 September, 
1705. 
a See Warrant for Survey. Alb. Rec. Lib. i. 127,8 


6 Warrant for Survey, Indian Deeds; Alb. Rec. Lib. I, 129. 
e County Records, Lib. E, 46. 


144 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


At a Court of General Assembly holden at New Haven, 12th October, 
1710, “ Captain John Clapp of the town of Rye, in the province of 
New York, presented a petition to this assembly on the behalf of him- 
self and partners, praying for a patent to be granted to them of a certain 
piece or parcel of land lying in this Colony, and within the bounds of 
the said town of Rye, which they had purchased (with lycense) of the 
native Indians.” 

“Upon consideration whereof, this assembly do resolve that no patent 
shall be granted to them, forasmuch as the said land, hath been for- 
merly granted by this government to the inhabitants of the said town of 
Rye, and also a patenf given them for the same.” 

Queen Anne the same year issued her royal letters patent ‘“‘to Anne 
Bridges, John Clapp, Augustine Graham, John Horton, and Thomas 
Hyatt, for lands in Rye :— 


Beginning at a beach tree standing by Byam river, near a great rock marked 
with ye letters J. H. J. P. J. C., thence running up by ye said river, north north- 
west to a certain ash tree in ye upper end of a place commonly called ye Pond 
Pound neck, marked with ye letters aforesaid, and to ye Colony line, and from 
thence by ye said Colony line westerdly to ye eight mile stake standing be- 
tween three white oak trees, marked viz: one of ye said trees is marked with 
the letters C. C. R. on ye north side, and on ye south side J. D. and from ye said 
tree on a direct line, it runs to ye northermost corner of Rye Pond, and thence 
so to the westerdly t> a white oak sapling marked by ye pond side with the let- 
ters J. J. P. thence by a range of marked trees, so by ye east to an ash tree 
standing by Blind brook on ye east side thereof, and thence by another range of 
marked trees to a certain chestnut tree marked with ye letters I. T. on ye north 
side, and on ye west side with ye letters I. P. on ye north-west side with ye let- 
ters I. H. and thence by a range of marked trees to ye piace, where it began- 
&c., &c. To the above said patentees, &c., &c.> 


The proprietors of Poningoe Neck in 1715 were as follows: 


Hacnatian Brown, JOSEPH SEERWOOD, 
DELIVERANCE Brown, Tsaao ANDERSON, 
JOHN STOAKHAM, Jonn Merritt, Sen. 
Rogert BrioomMer, Joun BRonpiGE, 
GrEorGE LANE, GrorGE 8. KNIFFEN, 
Timotrny Knapp, Jonn DisBrow, 
RicHaRD OGDEN, Txomas Mergirt, 
Daniet Purpy, EBENEZER KNIFFEX, 


Peter Brown.¢ 


@ Hartford Records, vol. IV. 121. 
b Co. Rec. Lib. E, 2. 


ec A Town Rec. At a meeting of the proprietors of Poningoe Neck, Dec. 11th, 1699, a grant 
Was made to Richard Ogden, of an island commonly called Fox Island. 


THE TOWN OF RYE, 145 


Upon the ist of July 1715, Robert Hunter, Captain General and 
Commander-in-chief, set out for patent to Christopher Bridge, clerk, 
rector of the parish of Rye, and his heirs and assigns, twenty small par- 
cels of land situate, &c., in the precinct and parish of Rye, &c., not 
heretofore granted under the seal of the Province; all which certain tracts 
of land, purchased by Christopher Bridge, contained two hundred and 
eighty-one acres. 

On the 2oth of June, 1720, Daniel Purdy, Samuel Brown and Benja- 
min Brown, inhabitants of the township of Rye, petitioned for a Patent 
for the tract of land between Blind brook and Byram river, in behalf of 
themselves and divers other inhabitants of the said township of Rye, in 
the following manner: 


To the Honble Peter Schuyler ye President of his Majesties Counsill of the 
Province of New York and Territories thereon depending in America 
In Counsiil : 

The Humble Petition of Daniell Purdy Son of John Purdy Deceased Samuell 
Brown and Benjamin Brown Inhabitants of the Township of Rye in the County 
of West Chester in behalfe of themselves and diverse other Inhabitants of the 
said Township of Rye. 

Sheweth That one Peter Disbrow many yeares since by authority from the 
Colony of Connecticut (under whose Government the Township of Rye then lay) 
on the third of January 1660 purchased from the then Native Indian Proprietors 
a Certaine Tract of Land lyeing on the maine Betweene a sertaine plane then 
called Rahonaness to the East and to the West Chester Path to the North and up 
to a river then called Moaquanes to the West. That is to say all the Land lyeing 
betweene the aforesaid Two Rivers then called Pennigoe Extending from the 
said Path to the North and South to the Sea or Sound. 

That the said Peter Disbrow also purchased of the said Native Indian Propri- 
etors by authority as aforesaid a Certaine other Tract of Land lyeing Betweene 
Byram River andthe Blind Brook which was bounded as followeth vizt with the 
Byram River Beginning at the Mouth of the aforesaid River on the East and the 
Bounds of Hasting (then soe called) on the south, and southwest to the marked 
Trees, and northward up to the marked Trees, abt six or seven miles from the 
sea alorg the said Byram River northward and soe from the said River a Cross 
the North Northwest and west to the said River called the blind Brook bounded 
northward with marked Trees which lead down to a little Brook runing into the 
Blind brook as by the said Two Indian Purchases may more fully appeare. 

That the said Peter Disbrow having made such purchases afterward sold and 
Disposed of the same to many of the Inhabitants of the said Township of Rye 
who settled and Improved the same Lands? and were ffirst under the Township 
of Rye under the Collony of Connecticut and Great part thereof hath since falen 
under the Government of the Province of New York: 


a Alb. Rec., Book of Patents; Lib. viz. 185. The Patent appears to have been granted in 
T18. 


b Words [erased] and were first as a township. 


146 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


That yo" Petitioners and other Inhabitants of the Town of Rye aforesaid and 
those under whom they Claime have beene ever since in the quiet and peaceable 
possession of the said Lands and premises and Cultivated and Improved the 
same. 

But inasmuch as such Parts of the aforesaid Two severall Tracts of Land now 
Claimed by yo" Petitioners and those whom they Represent as aforesaid lyes now 
within the said Township of Rye under the Government of the said Province of 
New York and there having been as yet noe Grant from the Crown for the same 
under this Government Your Petitioners and those whom they Represent being 
willing and Desirous to have his majesties most Gracious Letters Patent for 
such part of the aforesaid Tracts of Land now in their quiet and peaceable pos- 
session under this Government viz' Beginning at the Southermost part of Pinnin- 
goe Neck and Runs along the sound Easterly until it comes to the mouth of By- 
yam River and Runing up the said River and the Land Betweene the Colony of 
Connecticut and the Province of New York Northward to the Antient marked 
Trees of Limping Wills purchase and soe with the said marked Trees a Cross the 
said purchase north west to the. River called the Blind brook, and soe Runing 
down to the said River, and brook called Mill Creek to the Sound. 

Yor Petitioners therefore on behalf of themselves and the said other Inhabitants 
(who have fully authorized and Impowered yo" Petitioners to this Purpose) most 
humbly pray yo" honours will be pleased to Grant to yo" Petitioners his majesties 
most Gracious Letters Patent for the aforesaid Tract within the Limitts and 
Boundaries last above Described, In Trust for themselves and the aforesaid In- 
habitants according to their respective rights and Interest in the same under such 
Reservation and Restrictions as are appointed for that purpose. 


And yot.Petitioners shall ever pray etc. SAMUEL BROWN, 
New York ve BENJAMIN BROWN.4 
20 June 1720. 


Upon the 11th of August, 1720, the following Royal Letters Patent 
were issued to Daniel Purdy, Samuel Brown and Benjamin Brown in 
behalf of themselves and others, freeholders and inhabitants of the town- 
ship of Rye. The patentees yielding and paying therefore yearly to the 
King, his heirs and successors at the Custom House in New York, unto 
the Receiver-general of the Province, on the Feast of the Annunciation 
of Blessed Virgin Mary (commonly called Lady Day) the annual rent of 
two shillings and six pence “for every hundred acres thereof for the 
same four thousand, five hundred acres of land, island and premises so 
granted, &c.” 

ROYAL PATENT OF RYE. 

George by the grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, De- 

fender of the faith, &c. Zo all To whom these presents shall come sendeth greeé- 


ing: Whereas our Loving Subjecis Daniel Purdy, son of John Purdy deceased, 
Samuel Brown and Benjamin Brown in behalf of themselves and others Free- 


a Land Papers, Albany, vol. vii, p. 171. See Baird’s Hist. of Rye. 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 147 


holders and Inhabitants of the Township of Rye in the County of Westchester in 
the Province of New York by their Humble Petition presented to our trusty and 
well-beloved Colonel Peter Schuyler, President of our Councili for our Province 
of New York aforesaid, Have set forth that they and their ancestors and prede- 
cessors under whom they hold have held and improved at their great charge with 
their labour and industry, a Certain Tract of land bordering upon the line of 
Division between this Province and Connecticut Colony for which they nor their 
ancestors and predecessors hitherto have had no patent under the Seal of the 
province of New York, Which said Tract of land is situate and being between 
Byram River and Blind Brook and Begins at a Certain rock being the ending of 
a point of land commonly known by the Name of Town Neck Point and in the 
Southermost point of the said Tract of land, thence running Easterly by the 
Sound to a point near the mouth of said Byrams River called Byrams Point in- 
cluding a certain Island called Moiunsons [sland and from the said Byram Point 
Northerly up Byram River on the East side of the said River as the Colony line 
is at present supposed to be run by the inhabitants of the Neighborhood to a 
rock standing on the Hast side of the said River by the wadeing place and the 
high road leading to Connecticut, then North twenty-four degrees, thirty minutes, 
West three hundred and forty-eight chains as the line which divides this Province 
from Connecticut is supposed to run by the said inhabitants to a Wallnut tree 
marked with three knotches on three sides being twelve chains on a straight 
line to an Ash Tree Marked with three knotches on three sides standing near 
blind Brook then down the said Brook untill it emptys it self into a Creek called 
Mill Creek and then by the said Creek to the place where it Begun, Containing 
Four Thousand and Five Hundred acres of Land or thereabout, after eighteen 
small Tracts of land which lye within the said bounds and are part of twenty 
small Tracts formerly granted the Reverend Christopher Bridge in his life time 
are deducted and allowance being made for the Kings Highways and prayed to 
have our Grant and Letters Patent for the same under the Great Seal of the 
Province of New York in the manner following that is to say. To Hold to them 
and their heirs and assigns for ever but to and for the use and uses following and 
to no other use whatsoever (that is to say) As for and concerning such Tracts of 
Land and hereditaments parts of the before receited Four Thousand Five Hun- 
dred Acres of Land and Island whereof they the said Daniel Purdy, Samuel 
Brown and Benjamin Brown are and stand Lawfully and Rightfully seized and 
possessed in their own severall and respective rights interests and Estate to and 
for the sole and only proper use Benefit and Behoofe of the aforesaid Daniel 
Purdy, Samuel Brown and Benjamin Brown severally and respectively and of 
their severall and respective heirs and assigns forever. And as for and concern- 
ing such other Tracts of Land and hereditaments parts of the before recited Four 
Thousand Five Hundred Acres of Land and Island which are belonging and Ap- 
pertaining to severall other persons Freeholders and Inhabitants within the 
bounds and limits of the same Four Thousand Five Hundred Acres of Land and 
Island some of more some of less according to their several seperate and particu- 
lar interest in trust to and for the sole and only proper use benefit and behoofe 
of each particular Freeholder and Inhabitant particularly and respectively and of 
each their particular and respective heirs and assigns for ever in as full and ample 
manner as if their particular Names and their particular and severall Freeholds 


148 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


and Inheritances were particularly and severally Expressed Mentioned and De- 
scribed under the usual Quitt Rent, Clauses, provisions conditions limitations 
and restrictions as are limited and appointed by our Royall Instructions for the 
Granting of Lands in our Province of New York, for that purpose. Which re- 
quest wee being willing to grant Know Yee that of our Especial Grace certain 
knowledge and meer Motion Wee have given, granted, ratified and confirmed and 
do by these presents for us our heirs and successors for ever Give, Gract, Ratifie 
and Confirm unto the aforesaid Daniel Purdy, Samuel Brown and Benjamin 
Brown and to their heirs and assigns for ever, All that the aforesaid Tract of 
Land and Island Containing as before is set forth Four Thousand Five Hundred 
Acres together with all and singular Woods, Underwoods, Houses, Edifices, 
Buildings, Barns, Fences, Orchards, Fields, Fielding, Pastures, Meadows, Mar- 
shes, Swamps, Ponds, Pools, Waters, Water courses, Rivers, Rivoletts, Runs and 
Streams of Water, Fishing, Fowling, Hunting and Hawking, Quarrys, Mines, 
Mineralls, Standing Growing Lying and being or to be had used or enjoyed with- 
in the limits and bounds aforesaid and all other profits benefits libertys privil- 
edges, Hereditaments and appurtenances to the same belonging or any ways ap- 
pertaining. And all that our Estate, Right, Title, Interest, Claim and Demand 
whatsoever of in or to the same. And the Revertion and Revertions, Remainder 
and Remainders and the Yearly Rents and Profits of the same (Excepting and 
always reserving out of this our present Grant unto us our heirs and successors 
for ever all such Fir Trees and Pine Trees of the Diameter of Twenty-four 
inches at Twelve inches from the ground or root as are or shall be fit to make 
Masts for the use of our said their Royall Navy. As also all such other Trees, 
as are or shall be fit to make planks and Knees for the use of our said their said 
Royall Navy only which now are standing growing or being in and upon any of 
the said Tract of Land and Island with Free Lycence and Liberty for any per- 
son or persons whomsoever by us our heirs and successors or any of them to be 
thereunto authorized and appointed under our and their sign Manual with Work- 
men Horses Waggons Carts and Carriages and without to enter upon and come 
into the same Tract of Land and Island and there to fell cut down root up hiew 
saw rive splitt have take cart and carry away the same Masts, Trees, Planks and 
Knees for the use aforesaid and also Except all Gold and Silver Mines, saving also 
and reserving unto the heirs and assigns for ever of the aforesaid Christopher 
Bridge Eighteen small Tracts of Land which Lye within the said bounds and are 
part of Twenty small Tracts formerly granted to him in his life time by Letters 
Patent under the Great Seal of our said Province of New York bearing Date the 
Nineteenth day of July in the Fourth Year of our Reign saving also and reserv- 
ing unto Lemuel Rogers and Roger Parks, and to their several and respective 
heirs and assigns respectively for ever their Respective Rights Title Interest and 
Equity which they and either of them respectively do shall or may have or claim 
to the Southermost part of the said Island any thing in these Presents to the 
contrary thereof in any ways notwithstanding.) Yo have and To hold all that the 
aforesaid Tract of Land and Island containing in the whole Four Thousand Five 
Hundred Acres of Land and all other the above granted premises with the 
hereditaments and appurtenances (Saving and Hzcepting only as before is Excepted 
and Reserved) unto the aforesaid Daniel Purdy, Samuel Brown and Benjamin 
Brown, their heirs and assigns for ever, but to and for the uses following and to and 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 149 


for no other use whatsoever (that is to say) As for and concerning such Tracts of 
land and hereditaments parts of the before recited Four Thousand Five Hundred 
Acres of Land and Island whereof they the said Daniel Purdy, Samuel Brown and 
Benjamin Brown are and stand Lawfully and Rightfully seized and possessed in 
their own severall and respective rights interests and Estate to and for the sole and 
only proper use benefit and behoofe of the aforesaid Daniel Purdy, Samuel Brown 
and Benjamin Brown severally and respectively and of their severally and respec- 
tive heirs and assigns for ever. And as for and concerning such other Tracts of Land 
and hereditaments parts of the before recited Four Thousand, Five Hundred Acres 
of Land and Island which are belonging and apertaining to several other persons 
Freeholders and Inhabitants within the bounds and limits of the same Four 
Thousand Five Hundred Acres of Land and Island some of more, some of less 
according to their severall separate and particular interest in Trust to and for the 
sole and only proper use benefit and behoofe of each particular Freeholder and 
Inhabitants particularly and respectively and of each of their particular and 
respective heirs and assigns for ever in as full and ample manner as if their 
particular Names and their particular and several Freeholds and Inheritances 
were particularly and severally Expressed Mentioned and described in these 
presents. 'o bee Holden of us our heirs and successors for ever in free and com- 
mon soccage as of our Mannor of Hast Greenwich in the County of Kent within 
our Realm of Great Brittain Yeilding rendering and paying therefore yearly and 
every year unto us our heirs and successors at our Custom House in New York 
unto our and their Receiver Generall of our said Province for the time being on 
the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary commonly called Lady 
Day the Annual Rent of Two Shillings and six pence Lawful Money of New York 
for every Hundred Acres thereof in Lieu and stead of all other rents services 
Dues Duties and Demands whatsoever for the same Four Thousand Five Hun- 
dred Acres of Land Jsland and Premises, so granted as aforesaid Provided al- 
ways and these presents are upon this condition that the same Daniel Purdy, 
Samuel Brown and Benjamin Brown and the other Freeholders and Inhabitants 
of the same Tract of Land and Island so granted as aforesaid and their heirs and 
assigns some or one of them have already or shall within the Term and Space of 
three Years next Ensuing the Date hereof settle clear and make improvement of 
three acres of land for every fifty acres of land at least for the same tract of land 
and Island so granted as aforesaid and so proportionably for a larger or smaller 
Tract or parcel thereof and in Default thereof or if the aforesaid Daniel Purdy 
Samuel Brown and Benjamin Brown and the other Inhabitants and Freeholders 
of any part or parts of the same Tract of land and Island or their heirs or assigns 
or any of them or any other person or persons whatsoever by their or any other 
of their privy consent or procurement shall set on fire and burn the Woods on 
the same Tract of land and Island or any part thereof to clear the same that then 
and there and in either of these Two cases this our present Grant and every 
Article and Clause therein or thereof shall cease determine and become utterly 
Void anything in these presents to the contrary thereof in any ways notwith- 
standing. And Wee do hereby Will and Grant that these our Letters be made 
Patent and that they and the Record of them in our Secretary’s Office of our 
Provinge of New York shall be good and effectuall in the Law of all Intents and 
Purposes Notwithstanding the not true and well reciting of the premises or of 


150 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


the limits and bounds thereof or any former or other Grant or Letters Patent for 
the same made or granted to any other person or persons or persons body poli- 
tick or corporate whatsoever, any Laws or other restraint incertainty or imper- 
fection whatsoever to the contrary hereof in anyways Notwithstanding. 


Tn Testimony whereof Wee have caused the great Seal of our Province of New 
York to be affixed to these presents and the same to be Entred on the Record in 
one of the Books of Patents in our said Secretary’s Office remaining. Wétness our 
said trusty and well beloved Colonel Peter Schuyler President of our Councill 
for our Province of New York in Councill at Fort George in New York the 
Eleventh day of August in the Seventh Year of our Reign Annoque Domini 
1720. Js. Borin. Dept. Secy.% 


In 1786 the people of the State, (as successors of the Crown,) claimed 
the arrears of quit rent due upon the tract of four thousand five hundred 
acres, granted to Daniel Purdy, Samuel Brown and Benjamin Brown, 
on the 11th of August, 1720. 

The lands west of the Blind brook, called by the Indians Apawamis, 
are to be distinguished from the resi of the township of Rye as consti- 
tuting a distinct Patent, called Budd’s Neck Patent. ‘This territory, 
which was ‘bounded on the east by Blind brook, on the west by the little 
stream whose Indian name was Pockcotessewake, since known as Stony 
brook, or Beaver Meadow brook, and extending northward as far as 
Westchester Path, and southward to the sea,’ was purchased of the na- 
tive sachem Shanarocke and other Indians by John Budd, of Southhold, 
Long Island, who now takes the lead instead of Peter Disbrow, the first 
English grantee, under the sachems of Poningoe. 


INDIAN DEED OF APAWAMIS. 


To all Christian people, Ingains and others whom it may concern, that we, 
‘whose names are hereunto subscribed, living upon Hudson’s river, in America, 
that we, Shanarocke, sagamore, and Rackceate, Napockheast, Tawwheare, Nan- 
derwhere, Tomepawcon, Rawmaquaie, Pawaytahem, Mawmawytom, Howho- 
ranes, Cockkeneco, Tawwayco, Attoemacke, Heattomeas, all Ingains, for divers 
good causes and considerations us hereunto moving, have fully and absolutely 
bargained, and doe for ever sell unto John Budd, senior, of Southhole, his heires, 
executors, &c., all our real right, tittell and interest we or eather of us have in 
one track of land lying on the mayn, called Apawammeis, buted and bounded on 
the east with Mockquams river, and on the south with the sea against Long 
Island, and on the west with Pockcotessewake river, and at the north up to the 
marke trees nyeer Westchester Path, all the lands, trees to fell at his pleasure, 
with all the grounds, and meadow grounds and planting grounds, moynes and 
minerals, springs and rivers, or what else lying or being within the said track of 
land, and also range, feeding and grasse for cattell, twenty English miles north- 
ward into the country, and trees to fell at his or their pleasure, and to their pro- 
per use and improvements of the said John Budd, his heirs, executors, &c., for 


a Book of Patents, (Albany) No. vili. 407 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 151 


ever to enjoy, possess and keep as their real right, as also peaceably to inherite 
the sayd track of land with all thereon, and we, the before named Ingains, doe 
acknowledge and confesse to have received in hand of the said John Budd, the 
juste sum of eightie pounds sterling in full satisfaction for the aforesaid land 
with all the limits, bounds and privileges with hegrece and regrece , without lett 
or molestation of any one. Now for the more true and reall enjoyment and pos- 
session of the said John Budd, his heirs, &c., we doe jointly and severally, us 
and either of us, or any by and under us, for ever assign and make over by vir- 
tue of this, our deed and bill of sale, disclayme any further right in the sayd 
tract of land from the day of the date hereof, and all and each of us do promise 
to put the said John Budd or his into quiet, peaceable possession, and him to keep 
and defend and mayntaine against all person or persons whatsoever that shall di- 
rectly or indirectly lay any clayme or former grant, or shall trouble or molest 
the said John Budd or his, be they English or Dutch, or Ingains, or whatsoever. 
We the aforenamed Ingains doe engage ourselves, heirs, executors, &c., to make 
good this our obligations as aforesaid. I Shanarocke, Rackeate, Mepockheast, 
Tawwaheare, Nanderwhere, Tomepawcon, Rawmaquaie, Pawwaytahem, Maw- 
mawytom, Howhoranes, Cockkeneco, Tawwayen, Attoemacke, Heattomees, have 
hereunto set our hands at time and times,and we doe approve of each of our 
hands to this deed to be good and firm. Witness this our hands this day, being 


the 8th of November, 1661. The mark of SHANOROOKE, 
Signed, sealed and delivered, NANDERWHEBE, 
THomas REVELL, MEpocKHEAST, 
JOHN CoE, HowHoRAaNEs, 
THomas CLosE, RAWMAQUAIE, 
HumpHeey HuGuHEs, RACKEATE, 
PAWWAYTAHEM, 
CocKENSEOO.’ 


Know all men, English and Ingains, that whereas Shanorock sold John Budd 
all the land from the sea to Westchester path, I Shenorock marked trees by Pen- 
ning path do hereby give and grant and acknowledge that I have received full 
satisfaction of him, and according to the true intent of these bounds, he the sayd 
John Budd is to have and enjoy all the land by the Blind brook to Westchester 
path, witness my hand. 


Witness the The mark of SHANOROOKE, &. 
mark of & CoxKzo. The mark of REMaAQUvUAIE. 
Peter DisBrow. 


Another deed executed eleventh month, fifth day, 1661, related to the 
islands in the Sound near the southern extremity of the territory of Ap- 
awamis. These were Hen and Pine islands, and the Scotch caps. 


Know all men whom this may concern, that I Shenerock, sachem have bar- 
gained sold and delivered unto John Budd the islands lying south from the neck 
of land the sayd John Budd bought of me and other Ingains, and have received 


152 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


full satisfaction of Thomas Close for the said John’s use, and doe warrant the 
sale above written in the presence of Thomas Close and William Jones. 


The mark of Smznorock, sachem. 
Witnesse THomas CLosE, SHENOROCK. 
WILLIAM JoNEs, his marke, 


This transaction was followed, in a few days, by the purchase of the 
West Neck, or the tract of land adjoining Budd’s Neck, proper, and ly- 
ing between Stony Brook and Mamaroneck river. 


““11 MONTH, TWELFTH DAY, 1661. 


‘Know all men whom this may concern, that I Shenorock, Rawmaqua, Rack- 
eatt, Pawwaytahan, Mawmatoe, Howins, have bargained sold and delivered 
unto John Budd a neck of land, bounded by a neck of land he bought of me and 
other Ingans on the south, and with Merremack river on the west, and with 
marked trees to the north, with twenty miles for feeding ground for cattle with 
all the woods, trees, manrodes, meadows and rivers and have received full satis- 
faction in coats and three score fathom of wompom of Thomas Close for the 
said John’s use, and to engage myself to warrant the sale thereof against all men, 
English, Dutch and Ingans, and for the faithful performance hereof, I have set 
my hand in the presence of Thomas Close and William Jones, the day and year 


above written. The mark of SHENEROCKE, 
Witnesse THomas Coser, RAWMAQUA, his mark. 
WIi1AM Jongs, his marcke, HOWNIS, 


PRAM, his mark, 
RAZI, his mark.’¢ 


On the second day of June 1662, we found John Budd in company 
with Peter Disbrow, John Coe and Thomas Studwell, purchasing of the 
Indians Showannorocot, Romkque and others, a tract of land above the 
West Chester Path, and west of Blind Brook, or directly north of Budd’s 
Neck. This was the territory of the present town of, Harrison, and 
taken from Rye in 1702. ; 


‘Know all men whom this may concern that we Peter Disbrow, John Coe and 
Thomas Studwell and John Budd have bargained and bought and paid for to 
the satisfaction of Showannorocot and Roksohtohkor and Powataham and other 
Indians whose names are underwritten a certain tract of land above Westchester 
Path to the marked trees bounded with the above said river Blind Brook ; which 
tract of land with all the privileges of wood, trees, grass, springs, mines and 
minerals, to the said Peter Disbrow, John Coe, Thomas Studwell, to them and 
their heirs for ever; with warrants against all persons, English, Dutch or Indians. 
To this bargain and sale we the above said Indians do bind ourselves, heirs, and 
assigns to the above said Peter Disbrow, John and the rest above said, to them, 


a Col. Rec. Wartford, vol. i, pp. 333, 334, 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 153 


their heirs and assigns for ever; as witness our hands this present day and date, 
June the 2: 1662. SHOWANNOROCOT, his mark 
RomxKegukE, his mark’¢ 


In 1665 John Budd, sen., grants to John Morgan and John Concklin 
of Flushing, lands situate in Rye upon the south-eastern neck, ‘“‘ bounded 
west by Mamaroneck River, east by great rock in a bottom, south with 
the creek, and north by marked Trees.” 

The next year John Budd obtains a confirmation of the Indian grant 
of November 8th 1661, of a tract of land extending northward into the 
country sixteen miles from Westchester Path from the Indian Sachems 
Shanarocke, Romackqua and Pathung: 


SECOND INDIAN DEED OF APAWAMIS. 


To all Christian people, Indians and others whom it may concern that wee who’s 
names are hereunto subscribed living upon Hudson’s River in America, Shona- 
rocke Sagemore, and Romackqua and Pathung, whereas wee have formerly sold 
a tract of land unto Mr. John Budd, senior, bounded on the sea by the South, on 
the North by Westchester path and the name of the tract of land is commonly 
called Apauamiss, and whereas wee have sold unto the sayd Mr. John Budd 
twenty English miles northwards from the above said tract of land, which is 
called by Apauamis the above said twenty English miles wee doe acknowledge 
that wee have sold unto Mr. John Budd for range, for feed, for timber, for gras- 
ing, to him and his heirs forever, and now wee doe acknowledge that wee have 
bargained, sold and delivered, wee and every one of us from our Heirs, Executors, 
or assignes jointly and severally unto John Budd, his Heirs, Executors or As- 
signs a tract of land lying within the compass of the above sayd twenty English 
miles bounded on the south by Westchester path and on the East by the Blind 
Brook and on the West by Mamaraneck River and the north bounds is sixteen 
miles (English miles) from Westchester path up into the country, for which land 
we have received already in hand a certaine sume to the value of twenty pounds 
sterling for the above sayd track of land, for which land we are fully satisfied by 
the sayd John Budd for the above sayd track of land for the which wee doe ac- 
knowledge wee have bargained, sold and delivered unto John Budd and His 
Heirs forever with warrantie against all men, English, Dutch, and Indians and 
doe give him full possession and promise so to keep him to the which bargaine 
and agreement wee have hereunto set our hands this day, being the 29th of April, 
1666. 


Witness, JosepH Horton, The mark of SHANAROCKE, 
Witness, Joun Rawis, The mark of ROMACKQUA, 

a sachems Son, 
The mark of Cokok the Indian, The mark of PATHUNG. 


Recorded May 10, 1673, in the public records of ye book ffol 32, pme, Jno. 
Allyn, Secretry: A true copie compared by Edward Colier.? 


a Baird’s Hist. of Rye, p. 15. 
on New York Col. MSS. Land papers. 1642-1681, vol. I. p. 10, “ol. Rec. of Conn., vol. (MS.) p. 
34. 


154 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


** By the several purchases now recorded,” says Baird, “ the founders 
of this town acquired the title to a very considerable territory. The 
southern part of it alone comprised the tract of land between Byram 
River and Mamaroneck River, while to the north it extended twenty 
miles, and to the northwest an indefinite distance. These boundaries, 
so far as they were stated with any degree of clearness, included, be- 
sides the area now covered by the towns of Rye and Harrison, much of 
the towns of North Castle and Bedford in New York, and of Green- 
wich in Connecticut; whilst in a northwesterly direction the territory 
claimed was absolutely without a fixed limit. Indeed, we shall see that 
as the frontier town of Connecticut, Rye long cherished pretensions to 
the whole region beyond, as far as the Hudson.” 

Yet as ambitious as the proprietors of this town appear to have been 
in general, they viewed with great suspicion the progress of individual 
enterprise, especially in selling or disposing of any of the lands in ques- 
tion. In consequence the extensive purchases and subsequent sales of 
John Budd gave them no little degree of anxiety ; for we find the follow- 
ing petition dispatched to the General Court at Hartford by the inhabit- 
ants of Rye, on the 2d of October, 1668: 


The humble petition of the inhabitants of the town of Rye, to the Right Honorable the Governor 
and the rest of the yentlemen of the General Court at Hartford: 


May it please your Honor, with the gentlemen of the General Courte, to under- 
stand that about four years since, that John Budd did present a paper with 
several names to it, of inhabitants on his neck or island, so called and patented. 
It was for the settling of himself and children; on which we conceived had it 
been performed it had done noe great injury to the towne; but he noe ways pre- 
tended it, as doth agree, but hath and doth dayley let it and settle people upon 
it, extreamely prejuditiall to the towne, without the towne’s approbation, which 
wee humbly conceave may be ourinjury if not speedily prevented; Doe humbly 
request that neck of land may be delivered up to the town, we paying him by 
Indian purchases with interest, he abating for what land he hath sold, if not pre- 
juditiall to the towne. And them that are prejuditiall, may be removed, and 
that you would be pleased to depute two or three persones whom you shall think 
meet, to come and settell amongst us with what speed may be. Soe we rest your 
humble petitioners. 


Perer Dissrow, WILLIAM WooDHULL, RosBEert BLoomeEr, 
RicHarp Vow Les, JouN BRonpie, STEPHEN SHERWOOD, 
Tiworny Knapp, THomAs BRowng, GrorGE LANE. 


“On the 15th of October, 1672, the general courte assembled at 
Hartford, ordered that Mr. Budd and those of Rye, that have appropri- 
ated the lands of Rye to themselves shall appear at general court in 


@ Baird’s Hist. of Rye, pp. 17, 18. 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 155 


May next, to make appear their right. For the general court intends 
to settle those lands according to righteousness, that no plantation may 
be discouraged, and plantation work may goe forward to better satisfac- 
tion than formerly.Ӣ 

The court must subsequently have confirmed John Budd, in his nghts 
as proprietor, (while at the same time they showed the neck to be incor- 
porated into the town of Rye,) for we find him in 1681-2, granting a 
piece of meadow land lying westward of John Ogden, to John Hor- 
ton.? 

In 1685, John Budd, of Southhold, in New England, sold to Joseph 
Purdy a certain tract of land in Rye, lying and being upon the neck 
called Epawainos, bounded on the east by Blind Brook, &c., &c. Also 
a parcel of land upon the same to Judith Brown and Joseph Ogden, 
April 29, 1685.¢ 

The following orders were issued to the surveyor general, by his Ex- 
cellency the governor in council, the 2oth of February, 1695-6: 


“You are hereby required to survey and lay out for Joseph Budd in 
order to a patent, all the land contained in an Indian purchase in West- 
chester Co., made A. D. 1661 ; from the Sound to the marked trees near 
Westchester path, bounded on the west by the Mamaroneck River, on 
the east by parte of Blind Brook,” and this shall be to you a sufficient 
warrant.@ BENJAMIN FLETCHER, 
To ANTHONY GRAHAM, Surveyor General, By order of Council. 


In consequence of the unsettled state of the boundary lines between 
the two colonies of New York and Connecticut, Joseph Budd failed in 
obtaining his patent at this time. 

The general court also refused him a patent for his paternal lands in 
1710, upon the ground that the former patent granted was sufficient.¢ It 
was not until the year 1720 that the Crown confirmed the Budd pur- 
chase by royal letters patent under the great seal of the province of New 
York, to Joseph Budd, John Hoight and Daniel Purdy ; the patentees 
yielding and rendering therefor yearly, to the Governor, on the feast day 
of the blessed Virgin Mary, commonly called Lady Day, the annual rent 
of one pound nineteen shillings :— 


@ Hartford Rec. vol. III. 29. 

b County Rec. Lib. B. 84. 

e County Rec. Lib. A. p. 14. 

d Indian Deeds, Alb. Rec. warrant for survey, Lib. 39. 


é Hartford, Rec. vol. TV, 121. 1. Local officers were sometimes appointed specifically by 
the town for the ‘ east side of Blind Brook ‘—‘ 2d of Aug., 1700, the town in general doth grant 
unto the inhabitance of the neck of appoquamas, the liberty to have pound and pounders and 
fence viewers.’ Baird’s Hist. of Rye: 


156 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


ROYAL PATENT FOR BUDD’S NECK. 


George, by the grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, De- 
fender of the faith, &c. To all to whom these presents shall come, sendeth greet- 
ing, whereas our loving subjects Joseph Budd, John Hoight and Daniel Purdy, in- 
habitants of the Town of Rye, in the County of West Chester, by their petition 
presented to our trusty and well beloved Colonel Peter Schuyler, President of the 
Council for our Province of New York, Have set forth that in Virtue of a pur 
chase made by John Budd in his life time, the Father of the aforesaid Joseph 
Budd by Lycence from the Government of Connecticut Colony, bearing Date the 
Eighth Day of November, One Thousand Six Hundred and Sixty, of a certain 
Tract or parcell of land in the Bounds of the Township of Rye, in the County of 
Westchester, then called Apawquammis, bounded East by a River then called 
Mackquams River, Southerly by the Sea or Sound against Long Island, now 
called the Island of Nassau, Westerly by a River then called Pochoteswake River, 
and Northerly by Marked Trees near West Chester Path, that the said petitioners 
with Diverse others of our Loving subjects, inhabitants of the same Township of 
Rye, who have and do hold and enjoy the same Tract of Land by from or under 
the same John Budd, and his heirs and assigns have cultivated and improved the 
same at their great charge, and with great labor and industry, and have been and 
are now hitherto peaceable and Quietly possessed thereof, praying to have the 
same confirmed to them by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Province 
of New York, in the manner as is hereafter Described (that is to say) all that 
Tract or Neck of Land in the Township of Rye, in the County of Westchester, in 
the Province of New York now called Budd's purchase, Beginning at a certain 
grist Mill, called Joseyh Lyon’s Mill, standing on a Brook called Blind Brook, 
thence up the stream of said Brook including the said Mill until it meets withal 
small Brook called or known by the name of Bound Brook, thence on a North 
West course until it meets with Westchester Old Road, then South Westerly 
along the said Road as it runs to a White Oak Tree Marked on two sides stand- 
ing on the West side of a certain brook known by the name of Stony Brook 
which White Oak Tree is the South West corner of a certain patent called Har- 
rison’s Patent thence from said White Oak Tree on a North West course to an 
Ash Tree Marked on two sides standing on the East side of Mamarroneck River 
close by the edge of said River as it runs to the place where the said Mamarron- 
eck River emptys itself into Mamarroneck Harbour or Creek thence Southerly 
to where said Mamarroneck Harbour or Creek falls into the Sound thence East- 
erly along the Sound untill it meets with a certain Creek called Mill Creek on the 
head whereof the aforesaid Grist Mill of Joseph Lyon is standing thence up the 
channell of said Creek as it runs until it meets the aforesaid Grist Mill where it 
first begun, Bounded Easterly by Blind Brook and Mill Creek Northerly by 
Westchester Road and Harrisons Patent Westerly by Mamarroneck River and 
Harbour and Southerly by the Sound together with a small Island called Hen 
Island lying in the Sound over against the said lands about a quarter of a Mile 
from the Main containing in the whole Main land and Island fifteen hundred and 
sixty acres, To Hold to them and their heirs and assigns forever, but to and for 
the use and uses following and to no other use whatsoever (that is toe say) as for 
and concerning such Tracts of land and hereditaments part of the afore recited 
Tract of land and Island whereof they the said Joseph Budd, John Hoight and 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 157 


Daniel Purdy are and stand Lawfully and Rightfully seized and possessed in 
their own severall and respective rights interest and estate to and for the sole 
and only proper use benefit and behoof of the aforesaid Joseph Budd, John 
Hoight and Daniel Purdy severally and respectively and of their severall and re- 
spective heirs and assigns for ever, Amd as for and concerning such other Tracts 
of Lands parts of the before recited Tract of Land and Island which belonging 
and appertaining to severall other persons Freeholders and Inhabitants within 
the bounds of the same ‘Tract of Land and Island some more and some less ac- 
cording to their severall separate and particular interest and for the sole and only 
proper use benefit and behoof of each particular Freeholder and Inhabitant par- 
ticularly and respectively and of each of their particular and respective heirs and 
assigns for ever in as full and ample manner as if their names were particularly and 
severally mentioned and expressed and their particular and severall Freeholds 
were particularly and severally mentioned and Described under the usual Quit 
Rent with the usual Clauses provisions ccnditions limitations and restrictions as 
are limited and appointed by our Royall Instructions for Granting of landin our 
said province. Which request Wee being willing to Grant, Know Yee that of our, 
Especial Grace Certain Knowledge and Meer Motion Wee have given granted 
ratifyed and confirmed and do by these presents for us our heirs and successors 
give grant ratifie and confirm unto the said Joseph Budd, John Hoight, and 
Daniel Purdy, and to their heirs and assigns for ever, All that the aforesaid 
Tract of land and Island before it containing in the whole Fifteen Hundred and 
Sixty Acres in manner and form as last mentioned and Described together with 
all and singular Woods, Under woods, Houses, Edifices, Buildiugs Barns Fences 
Orchards Fields Feedings, Pastures, Meadows, Marshes, Swamps, Ponds, Pools, 
Waters Water Courses Rivers, Rivoletts, Runs and Streams of Water, Fishing, 
Fowling, Hunting and Hawking Quarries Mines Mineralls, standing growing ly- 
ing and being or to be had used and enjoyed within the limits and bounds afore- 
said and all other profits benefits libertys privileges hereditaments and appurte- 
nances to the same belonging or any ways appertaining, Avd all that our Estate 
Right Title Interest Benefit Claim and Demand whatsoever of in or to the same 
and the Revertion and Revertions Remainder and Remainders and the Yearly 
Rents and profits of the same Excepting and always Reserving out of this our 
present Grant unto us our heirs and successors for ever all such Fir Trees and Pine 
Trees of the Diameter of twenty-four Inches at twelve Inches from the Ground 
or Root as are or shall be fit to make Masts for our Royall Navy as also all such 
other Trees as are or shall be fit to make Planks or Knees for the use of our said 
Royall Navy only which now are standing growing or being which for ever 
hereafter shall be standing growing or being inand upon any of the said Tract of 
Land and Island with Free Lycence and Liberty for any person and persons 
whomsoever by us our heirs and successors or any of them to be thereunto au- 
thorized and appointed under our or their Sign Manual with Workmen Horses 
Waggons Carts and Carriages, and without to enter upon and come into the same 
Tract of Land and Island and there to fell cut down root up hiew saw rive split 
have take cart and carry away the same Trees Planks Masts and Knees for the 
use aforesaid and also Except all Gold and Silver Mines To have and to hold all 
that the aforesaid Tract of Land and Island before it containing in the whole 
Fifteen Hundred and Sixty Acres and all other the above Granted Premisses 


158 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


with the hereditaments and appurtenances (Excepting only as before is Excepted 
and Reserved) unto the aforesaid Joseph Budd, John Hoight and Daniel Purdy 
their heirs and assigns for ever, but to and for the uses following and to and for 
no other use whatsoever (that is to say) as for and concerning such Tracts 
of Land and Hereditaments part or parts of the before recited Tract of 
Land and Island herein and hereby Granted whereof they the said Joseph 
Budd, John Hoight, and Daniel Purdy are and stand Lawfully and Rightfully 
seized and possessed in their own and severall and Respective Rights Interest 
and Estate to and for the sole and only proper use benefit and behoof of the said 
Joseph Budd, John Hoight and Daniel Purdy severally and respectively and their 
severall and respective Heirs and assigns forever, And as for and concerning 
such other Tracts of Land and hereditaments part or parts of the before recited 
Tract of Land and Island herein and hereby Granted which are or shall be be- 
longing and appertaining to severall other persons Freeholders and Inhabitants 
within the bounds of the same Tract of land and Island some more and some less 
according to their severall seperate and particular Estate and Interest in trust to 
and for the sole and only proper use benefit and behoof of each particular Free- 
holder and Inhabitant particularly and respectively and of each of their particu- 
lar and respective heirs and assigns for ever in as full and ample manner as if 
their severall Names and their severall and respective Freeholds and Inheritances 
were particularly and severally Described and Exprest in these presents 7’o Bee 
Holden of us our heirsand successors in free and common soccage as of our Man- 
nor of East Greenwich in the County of Kent within the Realm of Great Brittain 
Yeilding rendring and paying therefore unto us our heirs and successors unto our 
and their Receiver Generall for the Province of New York for the time being at 
our Custom House in the City of New York Yearly and every Year for ever on 
the Feast Day of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary commonly called 
Lady Day the annual rent of Two Shillings and Six pence for every hundred 
acres of the said Tract of Land and Island and so proportionably for a smaller 
quantity (that is to say) the sum of One Pound Nineteen shillings for the whole 
Tract of Land and Island in Lieu and Stead of all other Rents services Dues 
Duties and Demands whatsoever for the same Tract of Land Island and Premisses 
so Granted as aforesaid, Provided always and these presents are upon this Con- 
dition that the same Joseph Budd, John Hoight and Daniel Purdy, and the other 
Free-holders and Inhabitants of the same Tract of Land and Island so Granted as 
aforesaid and their heirs and assigns some or One of them have or shall within 
the Term and Space of three Years next ensuing the Date hereof settle clear and 
make improvement of three acres of Land at least for every Fifty Acres of the 
said Tract of Land and Island and so proportionably for a larger or smaller Tract 
or parcell thereof; andin Default thereof the said Joseph Budd, John Hoightand 
Daniel Purdy, and the other Inhabitants and Freeholders of any part or parts of 
the said Tract of Land and Island or their heirs or assigns or any of them or any 
other person or persons by their or any of their privity consent or procurement 
shall set on fire and burn the Woods on the same Tract of Land and Island or 
any part thereof to clear the same that then and in either of these cases this our 
present Grant and every article and clause thereof shall become Void, cease and 
Determine any thing in these presents to the contrary thereof in any ways Not- 
withstanding ; and wee do hereby Will and Grant that these our Letters be made 


THE TOWN OF RYE, 159 


Patent and that they and the Record of them in our Secretary’s office of our 
Province of New York, shall be good and Effectual in the Law Notwithstanding 
the not true and well reciting of the premises or of the bounds thereof or of any 
former or other Letteis Patent or Grant for the same made or granted to any 
other person or persons Body Corporate or Politick whatsoever by us or any of 
our Royall ancestors or predecessors any Law or other restraint uncertainity or 
imperfection whatsoever to the contrary hereof in any ways Notwithstanding. Jn 
Testimony whereof wee have caused the great seal of our Province of New York 
aforesaid to be affixed to these presents and the same to be Entered of Record in 
one of the Books of Patents in our said Secretary’s office remaining Witness our 
said Trusty and well-beloved Colonel Peter Schuyler President of our Councill 
for our Province of New York in Councill at Fort George in New York the 
twenty-eight Day of July in the sixth year of our Reign Annog Domini 1720. 


‘ JS. BOLIN, Depty Seery-a 


The Budd or Rye neck patent was subsequently divided among the 
following proprietors, viz. James Gedney, 102 acres; Daniel Purdy, 
drummer of Rye, 40 acres; John Carpenter, a portion joining Mama- 
roneck river; Mr. William Bowness, of Rye, 2 acres; that portion 
called the Gusset to Joseph Ogden; a second of 30 acres to Joseph 
Lyon; Daniel Purdy, 3 acres; Monmouth Hart, 15 acres; James 
Wood, 5 acres; Archibald Tilford, 18 acres; The residue to John 
Budd. 

25 March, 1745. Peter Jay leased of John Budd 250 acres, and ob- 
tained a release for the same the succeeding day. 

The name of John Roome occurs as lessee for the whole patent, of 
1560 acres, the same year. 

4 September, 1746. Peter Jay purchased four acres of meadow on 
Hen Island of Monmouth Hart.° 

The partition deed between Sir James Jay, Peter Jay, John Jay and 
Frederick Jay, sons of Peter deceased, recites “that Peter Jay deceased 
devised all his real estate to his four sons, and conveyed in severalty to 
Peter Jay the Rye farm, as conveyed by John Budd to Peter Jay de- 
ceased by lease and release of 25th and 26th of March, 1745.4 

The Jays have since added to their original grant by other purchases 
from the families of the Harts, Gedneys, Guions, and Haines, &c. 

Peter Jay by will bearing date, 1st September, 1797, devised all his 
real estate to his brother John Jay, who thereupon became seized of the 
whole premises in severalty. The Hon. John Jay by adeed, dated 16th 


a Albany Book of Patents, Lib. viii, p, 375 and 257, 461. 

4 County Rec. Lib. R, 132, 133, 128. 

e Co. Ree. Lib. R, 138. 

d Extract from deduction of title, in possession of John C. Jay, Esq. 


160 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


September, 1822, conveyed them in fee to the late Peter Augustus, Esq., 
father of the present proprietor, making the fourth generation that has 
occupied this spot. 

The Guions are also owners of a large portion of the Budd or Rye 
neck patent. 

The village of Rye is pleasantly situated upon the New York and 
Boston turnpike, one mile and a half north of Long Island Sound. The 
Mockquams or Blind Brook, a perennial stream, flows through the place, 
and adds much to the beauty of the surrounding scenery. It derives its 
source from the romantic hills north of the village. The principal spring 
is located on the lands of the late Edwin Keeler. In its progress south, 
this stream, fed by numerous tributaries, affords excellent mill seats.¢ 

The first settlement in the town was made near the ford, at the south- 
ern end of Manussing Island, in 1660; while other habitations, which 
were subsequently erected on the bank, overlooking the beach, and on 
or near “ Burying Hill,” formed a kind of suburb to the island village. 
To the latter place the first proprietors gave the name of Hastings, after 
the famous seaport of that name in Sussex, England. Part of the main 
land received this appellation, together with the island. ‘The bounds of 
Hastings’ extended, as we have seen, about as far north, on Peningoe 
Neck, as the present village of Port Chester. But some time elapsed be- 
fore any improvements were attempted in this direction. For two or 
three years, certainly, the planters confined themselves to their insular 
home. 

The three purchasers of the island—Disbrow, Coe and Studwell— 
were soon joined by other adventurers, if, indeed, they were not accom- 
panied by them at the outset. The following are the names of all the 
planters of whom we have any record, as belonging to the island settle- 
ment :— 


a In the town records occurs the following entry :—‘‘March 3d, 1696. Samuel Lane and Jo- 
seph Lyon are, or either of them, permitted to build a fulling or grist mill upon Blind Brook, 
above the town, provided they choose their locationin three weeks, and build the fulling mill 
in three years. This mill is supposed to have occupied the site of the present grist and saw 
mill of Mr. James E. Beers, so that a mill has stood upon this stream for one hundred and 
forty years at least. The ancient Budd mill, the first building erected on the river land, was 
located on the west side of Blind Brook, south of the present stone bridge at the entrance of 
the village. The following extracts relate to the erection of other mills on the Mamaroneck 
and Byram rivers: In 1705, the town granted unto Samuel Hunt, of Rye, the stream of Mam- 
aroneck river at the falls of the said river, off Humphery Underhills, to erect and build a 
grist mu] or mills upon the said stream ; and the said Samuei Hunt is to grind the town’s corn 
for the fourteenth part.’ In 1712, the town ‘ granted unto Richard Ogdin the privilege of the 
stream in Byram river, between the lower going over and the country road to erect and builda 
miil or mills, &c, 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 161 


Peter Dissrow, RicHarD VOWLES, Tuomas APPLEBE, 

JOHN Coz, SaMvEL ALLING, PuHirip GALPIN, 

Tuomas STUDWELL, Rogserr Hcpson, GEORGE CLERE, 

Joun Bopp, Joun Bronpisu, JOHN JACKSON, 

Witu1aM OpELL, FREDERICK HARMINSON, Wa ter LANCASTER, 
JAYFREY Lokwoop and ——— Mosier, 


** Making seventeen in all.Ӣ 


From the island village the early settlers issued their declaration. of 
allegiance to their sovereign Lord, King Charles, the Second, dated— 


** Hastinas, July 26, 1662. 


‘Know all men whom this may concern that [we the] inhabitants of Minnus- 
sing Island whose n[ames are here] vuder writtne, do declare vnto all the true 
[th] we came not hither to live without government as pr [etended] and therfore 
doe proclayme Charles the Second ovr lawful lord and king: and doe volunta- 
ryly submit our selves and all ovr lands that we have bought of the English and 
Indians, under his gratious protection: and doe expect according to his gratious 
declaration; unto all his subjects which we are and desire to be subject to his 
holsom laws that are jvst and Righteous according to God and our capableness 
to receive, where unto we doe subscribe. 


Which aid yee. Peter DisBrow, 
JAYFREY Loxwoon, Joun Coz, 
The mark of Mosizr, The mark of THomas STuDWELL, 
The mark of SamvEeL ALLING, The mark of Witt1amM ODELLE, 


The mark of Ropert Hursone, 

JouN BronpisH, 
The mark of FrepERIcK HARMINSONR, 
The mark of THomas APPLEBE.? 


To this declaration is appended the following compact and orders, 
(showing the bounds of the future Zownship of Hastings.) 


‘* We do agree that for our land bought on the mayn land, called in the Indian 
Poningoe, and in English the Biaram land, lying between the aforesaid Biaram 
river and the Blind Brook, bounded east and west with these two rivers, and on 
the north with Westchester path, and on the south with the sea, for a plantation, 
and the name of the town to be called Hastings. 

And now, lastiy, we have jointly agreed that he that will subscribe to these or- 


a Baird’s Hist. of Rye, p. 21. 

6 The original of this interesting document is unfortunately lost. The author of this work 
made # careful tracing, from the first volume of the town records of Rye, which has sivce 
disappeared. A lithographed fac-simile copy of this declaration will be found in Baird’s His— 
tory of Rye, pp. 22, 23. 


162 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


ders, here is land for him, and he that doth refuse to subscribe hereunto, we have 
no land for him.” Hastings, July 26, 1622. The planters hands to these orders, 


BensAMIN WAYPEN, Roserr Hutson, 
JoHN May, JoHN Bronvisn, 
SAMUEL ALLIN, FreDERICOK HarMInson, 


THOMAS APPLEBE.@ 


Aug. 11, 1662. These orders made by the purchasers of the land with our 
names. 
Prrer DisBRow, JoHN Coz, 


Tomas STUDWELL. WILLIAM ODELL.? 


Under the royal charter obtained by the celebrated John Winthrop, 
of King Charles, 2d May, 30th, 1662, Hastings was included in the lim- 
its of the colony of Connecticut, and its inhabitants were required there- 
fore to send deputies to the next meeting of the General Court, to be 
held at Hartford ; a meeting was called, and Richard Vowles was chosen 
by the inhabitants of Hastings ‘to go to Fairfield, and there be qualified 
as constable for the plantation ; shortly after, the settlers addressed the 
following letter to the General Court :’¢ 


From Hastine, the 1st mth. 26: 16638. 


Muvcu Honorep Sires :—Wee, the inhabitance of the towne of Hasting, whose 
names are heer underwritne: being seted upon a small tract of land lying be- 
twixt Greenwich and Westchester: which land wee have bought with our mon- 
ey : the which: wee understand doth lye within your patent: and where as you 
have allredy required our subjection: as his maiesties subjects, which we did will- 
ingly and redily embrace and according to your desiouer: we sent aman to Fair- 
field who have there taken the oathe of a Constable: we have now made choyse 
of our nayghbar John Bud for adeputi, and sent him up to your Corte to act for 
us, as hee shall see good: it is our desiouer: to have [some] settled way of Goy- 
ernment amongst us: and therefore we do crave so much favor at the hands of 
the honorable Cort: that whether they do make us a constable oraney other offe- 
sere that they would give him povr to grant a warrant in case of need, because 
we be som what at remote from other places: thus leaving it to your wise and 
judicious consideration, we remayn yours to command: 


Peter DisBrow, WItiiAM ODELL, 
RioHARD Frowrs, JoHN Bronpie, 
This is ouer desier GEORGE CLERE, JOHN JAGSON, 
In the name of the PuHuitie GaALprne, THoMAS STUDWELL, his mark, 
Rest. Joun Cog, Water LANcAster his mark.’¢ 


a Rye Rec. Lib. A, lost since 1848. ‘ 
4 Ditto. 

c Baird’s, Hist. of Rye. 

d Hartford Ree. vol. I, No, 66, on towns and lands. See Baird’s Hist. of Rye, p. 25. 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 163 


““ The modest request of the men of Hastings was granted after some 
delay. At the session of the General Court in Hartford, on the eighth 
of October, 1663.” 

‘Lunt. John Budd’ makes his appearance, and ‘is appoynted Commis- 
sioner for the town of Hastings, and is invested with Magistraticall 
power within the limits of that town’ Moreover, ‘Rich. Vowles is ap- 
poynted Constable for the Town of Hastings, and Mr. Bud is to give 
him oath.’@ 


On the twenty-eight of April, 1663, the four purchasers, Disbrow, Coe, 
Studwell and Budd, by a deed of sale conveyed the island, together with 
the land on the main, to the following planters: Samuel Allen, Richard 
Fowles, Philip Galpin, Thomas Applebe, William Odell, John Brondig, 
and John Coe. According to the terms of this transfer, the planters 
were to pay forty shillings a lot, in cattle or corn, between the above 
date and the month of January ensuing.? 

The merging of the two villages of Hastings and Rye into one planta- 
tion was ordered by an act of the General Court of Assembly, holden at 
Hartford, May 11th, 1665: “That the villages of Hastings and Rye 
shall be for the future conjoined and made one plantation, and that it 
shall be called by the appellation of Rye; and Mr. Gold, Mr. Lawes and 
John Banks are appointed to go and settle the differences between the 
inhabitants of Hastings and Rye, and also see the line between Stam- 
ford and Greenwich run.Ӣ 

At the following session of the General Court “ Mr. Lowes and Lt. 
Richard Olmstead are desired and appointed to view the lands apper- 
teineing to Hastings and Rye to see what there is that may be suitable 
for a plantation and to make returne to the Court the next session.”4 

“Within the next five or six years, the village on Manussing Island 
ceased to be. Most of the planters who had remained there till now, 
came over and united with their new associates in building upon the 
present site of the village.Ӣ 


“ A, D. 1666, John Budd, Sen., of Rye, for and in consideration of 
thirty-seven pounds, ten shillings, sells his lands, divided by agreement 
of the men of Hastings now called Rye, to George Kniffer of Stratford ; 
the house being situated in the town formerly called Hastings. 

In presence of us, FRANCIS BROWN 
and DANIEL SIMKINS.”7 
a Public Records, ete., 1678-1689. p. 5. 
b Rye Records, vol. A., lost since 1848. ; 


c Hartford Records, vol. ii., 208. ; 
d Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut, 1665-1678, Edited by J. Hammond Trumball, 


. 1d. 
= e Baird’s Hist. of Rye, p. 30. Traces of several dwellings have been found on the Southern 
end of the island where they appear to have formed a cluster, a few rods apart. The sum- 
mer house on the late Mr. Wm. P. Van Rensselaer’s grounds, indicates about the spot where 
this little village stood.”—Baird’s Hist. of Rye. See note, p. 20. 

f Probate Ree. of Fairfield Co., from 1665 to 1675. 


164 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


“In 1668, John Coe sold to Stephen Sherwood his ‘house and hous- 
ing and home lot, upon the north end of Manussing Island. The Coes, 
Sherwoods and Vowles were the principal owners in 1707, when Jon- 
athan Vowles conveyed his share of lands in this locality to his son-in- 
law, Roger Park.’ ‘As late as the year 1720, the island had a popula- 
tion sufficiently large to claim the right to erect a pound.’ ‘ About the 
middle of the last century, the families of Fowler, Carpenter, Dusen- 
berry and Haviland appear as the owners.’ The island is now owned 
by Mrs. William P. Van Rensselaer, Charles T. Cromwell, Esq., and 
John Erving, Esq. 

In the main street of the village of Rye there formerly stood an ancient 
stone tavern, known as Van Sicklen’s. This building had been erected 
in the early days of the settlement, when it served the double purpose of 
a residence and a fortification. It was built of rough stone and clay; 
its walls was thirty inches in thickness, and one story high, with an old 
fashioned pitched roof. The dimensions being forty feet in width, and 
twenty-four in depth. It faced the south, with one of its gable ends 
fronting on the Turnpike road. In the upper portion of the westerly 
end of the wall there was an embrasure or port-hole, which, from having 
always been there had given the house the name of “ The Old Stone 
Fort.” The following order is presumed to relate to this edifice ; which 
was torn down in May, 1868: 


**March sth, 1676, at a town meeting, Thomas Lyon and Thomas 
Brown are appointed to choose a house or a place to be fortified for the 
safety of the town. Also the young men who come into the fortification 
and remain during the troubles¢ are to have an equal proportion of the 
undivided lands, provided they be such as the town approve.” 


Upon the 13th of July, 1681, “the town authorized John Ogden and 
George Kniffen to purchase a barrel of powder and three hundred 
weight of lead of Mr. Budd of Fairfield, or wherever it can be obtained 
the cheapest. These are to be kept for the use of the town.” 

At this early period, the Indians were very numerous, and the sur- 
rounding country was infested with wolves. On the 15th of Decem- 
ber, 1689, a bounty of fifteen shillings was ordered to be raised by a 
town rate, for the killing of wolves. 

a King Philip’s war with New England. On the 1th of March, 1676, (eight days after the 
date of the above order,) the entire town of Groton, Conn., consisting of forty houses, was 
burned by the Indians. Mr. Baird thinks that for a time the oldstone fort or tavern was the 
homestead of Peter Disbrow. ‘* Mr. Isaac Denham, son of the first minister of Rye, lived here 
afterwards. The piece of ground upon which the house stood is perhaps the only one of the 
original ‘town lo‘s;’ the size and shape of which can be distinctly traced. It measured two 
acres anda half when bought in 1868 by the Methodist Episcopal congregation.” —Baird’s 
Rye, p. 34. 

4 Town Rec. vol. i, p. 73, 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 165 


By an act of Assembly of the Province of New York, passed in 1692, 
Rye was erected into a market town, and was entitled to the extraordi- 
nary privilege of holding and keeping a yearly fair, on the second Tues- 
day in October, to end on the Friday next, following, being in all four 
days, “for selling of all country produce and other effects whatsoever.” 
It appears, however, that the inhabitants had not chosen to avail them- 
selves of this great privilege until 1771, when they petitioned his Excel- 
lency, the Right Honorable John Ead, of Dunmore, Commander in 
Chief in and over the Province of New York, to “appoint Docror 
EBENEZER HAVILAND, of said Rye, to be Governor, and to have full 
power, according to said Act of Assembly, to keep and hold a fair in 
said Rye, in the month of October next.” This petition was signed by 
Jifty-seven inhabitants, and was presented to Governor Dunmore in 
April, 1771. His Excellency graciously appointed Dr. Haviland to be 
Governor of such a fair, to be kept at Rye on the second Tuesday in 
October, yearly, and to end the Friday next following, being in all four 
days, and no longer. 

Courts of Special Sessions were also held in Rye during the Colonial 
dynasty. 

“A great event for Rye,” says Baird, ‘‘was the establishment of a 
Ferry in 1739, between this town and Oyster Bay, Long Island. The 
charter issued in that year for this purpose, sets forth that ‘the principal 
freeholders and proprietors of the lands in the two patents called Budd’s 
Neck and Penning’s Neck, have made application for it.6 The inhabi- 
tants generally seem to have taken a deep interest in the enterprise. 
Messrs. John Budd, Hachaliah Brown and Jonathan Brown were at the 
head of it. The list of subscribers, towards the expense of obtaining the 
patent, embraces twenty-six names. Those who thus contributed were 
to ‘enjoy a share of the privileges and emoluments of the ferry in pro- 
portion to the sums’ subscribed.”¢ 

“This ferry continued in use till the latter part of the century. In 
1786, Mr. Isaac Brown, of Rye, purchased the rights of the proprietors 
of Rye Ferry.”4 

Many handsome villas and country residences adorn the village of 
Rye. The Kingsland Place, now owned by Jasper E. Corning, Esq., is 
a beautiful specimen of the old English style. The gables are enriched 
with elaborately carved scroll work, and surmounted by finials. The 


a See Baird's Hist. of Rye, p. 212. 
b Baird’s Hist. of Rye, p. 78. 

ec Ditto do do. 

d Ditto do do. 


166 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


oriel windows present a light and airy effect. The whole structure is ele- 
gantly furnished, internally as well as externally. The residence of Wil- 
liam H. Parsons is beautifully situated upon the margin of Blind brook. 
South of the former is the residence of the late Hachaliah Brown, whose 
family had, for five generations, occupied the estate. ‘The Browns were 
descended from Thomas Brown, Esq., of Rye, County of Sussex, Eng- 
land, who emigrated to Concord, Mass, circ. 1632, from whence he re- 
moved to Cambridge, where he lived some time. His sons were Thomas, 
of Rye, who died 1694, and Hachaliah, of Rye.”* who died about 1720. 
In 1756, Major Hachaliah, fourth son of Hachaliah Brown, of Rye, 
commanded the Westchester Levies, under General Lord Amherst in the 
French war, and was Justice of the Peace for many years. 

Rye station, on the New Haven Railroad, is situated on Purchase 
street. The building is a light iron structure, containing telegraph 
office, passenger, and freight rooms. - Distant twenty-four miles from 
New York ; upwards of twenty-three trains running daily, and running 
time—fifty-one minutes. 

The drives about Rye are proverbially beautiful. The Boston turnpike, 
or post-road, traverses the entire length of the town—a distance of six 
miles and a half, from Mamaroneck to Byram river. It is a wide avenue, 
lately graded and macadamized, and lined on either side, entire distance, © 
by valuable country seats and stately mansions, with here and there a 
superb glimpse of the Sound and the Long Island shore. 

The village contains, besides a pcst office, several stores and three 
churches. Among the private educational institutions may be mentioned 
a seminary for young ladies, and one for boys (Park Institute), while the 
facilities for public instruction are also excellent. For a number of 
years Mr. Samuel U. Berrian had charge of the well-known Chresto- 
mathic Institute of Rye, and met with great success in his professional 
labors—both as a teacher and a disciplinarian. 

North-east of the village, bordering on Purchase street, is the property 
of the late Josiah Purdy. The Purdy family were among the early set- 
tlers of Hartford and Fairfield, Connecticut. Francis Purdy,® the first 
of the family or whom we have any account, died in 1658, at Fairfield. 
His three sons—John, Joseph and Francis—came early to Rye; John 
in the year 1670, Joseph by 1677, and Francis by 1679. Their de 
scendants are now quite numerous throughout the country. 


a Baird’s Hist, of Rye, p. 399. 

b&b An inventory of the goods, chattels, &c., of Francis Purdy and his estate, 14 Oct., 1658 
Prob. Rec. of Fairfield, 1648-1656, p. 39. Burke in his General Armory gives the coats of two 
families of the name of Purdy or Purdie: ** Or,on a chevy. az. betw. three mullets sa. pierced 
of the field. Crest, a peacock head erased gu.; another crest, a dexter head holding a roll 
of parchment, ppr. Motto, Fidelitas.” 


THE TOWN OF RYE, 167 


The first religious society of Rye was Congregational, at that time the 
established religion of the colony of Connecticut. By authority it had 
been enacted that “no person within the colony should embody them- 
selves in church estate, without the consent of the General Court.” The 
law also prohibited any ministry being attended by the inhabitants in 
any plantation district, and separate from that which was established 
in the place, except by the approbation of the General Court and the 
neighboring churches. 

“One object of these laws was, doubtless, to prevent Baptists, Epis- 
copalians and others from gaining a foothold.” 

“ As early as 1660,” says the historian Trumbull, “ Rye paid taxes for 
the support of religion, although no church was formed nor pastors or- 
dained” ‘Greenwich and Rye,” continues the same authority, “‘ were 
but just come under the jurisdiction of Connecticut, and not in circum- 
stances for the support of ministers ; they had occasional preaching only 
for a considerable time.”? 

In October, 1669, the General Court are ‘informed that the people of 
Rye are yet destitute of an orthodox minister.’ It appears, too, that 
‘they doe not take due care to procure such a one as might carry on the 
work of the Lord on the Sabbath.’ This is not owing solely to the 
weakness of settlement. Rye now numbers some fifty families, and is 
considerably stronger than Greenwich, its neighbor. 

In some of the new plantations, says Trumbull, thirty families sup- 
ported a minister, and commonly there were not more than forty when 
they called and settled one.* What is the matter with the planters at 
Rye? They do not show an utter indifference to religion, but they are 
getting into loose and disorderly ways. ‘John Coe and Marmaduke 
Smith,’ persons who are ‘represented to this Court as unsound and het- 
erodox in their judgments, if not scandalous in their lines,’ are under- 
taking to teach or to conduct religious services among them. Their 
labors, too, are acceptable, it would appear; for the people ‘seem to 
rest satisfyed without’ a lawful pastor, ‘in the approuement’ of these 
teachers ; whoare thus ‘ put in a capacity more to prejudice then farther 
the edification of the people there.’ The Court, therefore, ‘upon these 
considerations, doe authorize and impower Mr. Nathan Gold, and any 
three of the Commissioners,’ of Fairfield county, ‘to require the afore- 
said persons, John Coe and Marmaduke Smith, or any others of that 
towne, to appeare before them, and if, upon examination, things doe 


a Lambert’s Hist. New Haven, p. 189. 
b Trumbull’s Hist. of Connecticut, p. 300. 
¢ Trumbull’s Hist, of Connecticut, vol. i, p. 287. 


168 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


appeare to them as they are represented to this Court, they are desired 
to take effectuall course that the persons afoarsayd may have no opper- 
tunety affoarded them to sowe the seeds of error among the people there ; 
and allso they are to informe the people of Rye that this Court are re- 
solued, if the sayd people’s prudent considerations do not moue them, 
to make such provisions of a suitable person, sownd and orthodox in his 
principles and apt to teach, (so approued by Mr. Bishop, Mr. Handford, 
Mr. Wakeman and Mr. Eliphalet Joanes,) the Court will, themselves, 
procure and setle a preaching minister amongst them, and take sufficient 
order that he may be mayntained by them, at their next session.”* 

Mr. Baird thinks it possible that the persons above mentioned, Coe 
and Smith, ‘may have been of the Quaker persuasion ; and that for want 
of a settled pastor, the inhabitants may have listened with favor to their 
teachings.’ 

“Rye and Westchester,” says Humphreys, “as soon as they had fixed 
the civil magistracy, they did establish a public worship of God; and - 
suitable to this prudent, as well as religious procedure, the colony throve 
apace, and hath now far outstripped all the others. But when the Inde- 
pendents found themselves fixed in power, they began to exact a rigid 
conformity to their manner of worship. Men of all persuasions, but 
their own, were styled opprobriously sec¢aries ; and though they had de- 
clared at first for moderation and a general liberty of conscience, they, 
notwithstanding, banished and drove out of the country the Quakers, 
the Antinomean and Familistical parties. However, there are many cir- 
cumstances which alleviate and soften some particulars, which might 
seem rigorous in their administration. New England was, at the begin- 
ning, harrassed with various sectaries; who, under the umbrage of liberty 
of conscience, took a great licentiousness in all religious and civil 
matters.” Among these he mentions the Antinomeans, Familist, Con- 
formitants or Formalists, Seekers, Arians, Arminians, Quakers ; and the 
most impudent of all, the Gortonists—so named from their vile ring- 
leader, one Gorton—who set up to live in a more brutal manner than 
then the wild Indian savages, &c.” ‘‘ After these sectaries had rose and 
fallen, another sort of people appeared, professing themselves members 
of the Church of England. These, too, were looked upon as sectaries, 
with what degree of modesty or truth the reader must judge. It is true, 
indeed, at the settling of the country, as hath been before observed, In- 
dependents were the first planters, who removed from England, from 
what they thought persecution; but since that time great numbers of 


a Public Rec. of Conn,, vol. ii, pp. 120,121. Baird's Hist. of Rye, p. 273. 
4 Ilumphrey’s Hist. of the Propagation Society, &c., p. 21. 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 169 


people, members of the Church of England, have at different times settled 
there who thought themselves surely entitled, by the very New England 
Charter, to a liberty of conscience, in the worshipping of God after their 
own way. Yet the Independents (it seems) were not of this sentiment, 
but acted as an establishment. The members of the Church of England 
met with obstructions in setting up that form of worship ; and tl:erefore 
a great number of the inhabitants of Boston, got an humble petition to 
be laid before His Majesty, King Charles the Second, by Dr. Compton, 
the Bishop of London—praying that they might be allowed to build a 
church at Boston, and to perform divine worship according to the 
Church of England. This petition was granted, a church was soon after 
built, and frequented by a numerous congregation ; upon this occasion, 
the members of the Church of England in many other towns in New 
England, declared their desire of the like advantage of worshiping God 
after that way; wrote very zealous lettters to Bishop Compton for min- 
isters, and now it appeared they were a very considerable body of 
people.” 

The order of the General Court in October, 1669, appears to have 
produced but little effect in settling a minister at Rye ; as it was followed 
by another “on the 13th of October, 1670, more stringent and defin- 
ite. The matter of the religious destitution at Rye is referred to the 
County Court of Fairfield. The magistrates there are recommended 
‘to take an effectual course to settle an able and orthodox minister in the 
towne of Rye, and to order due and competent mayntenance for such 
minister in a proportionable way among all the inhabitants, with coertion 
of payment according to laws, upon complaynt and evidence against 
any that shall neglect, and the will affected of the sayd towne to a settle- 
ment of such a mercy among them, are appoynted to adres themselues 
to themselues to the sayd County Court at Fairfield to that end.”” 

This action on the part of the General Court appears to have pro- 
duced the desired effect ; for “at a town meeting held in Rye, Novem- 
ber, 17th, 1670, the inhabitants made choice of Joseph Horton, Thomas 
Brown and John Brondig, who are to do their endeavour to procure a 
minister.” It was also agreed for to allow “two pence in the pound for 
the maintenance of a minister amongst us; that is to say an orthodox 
minister.Ӣ 

From the following document, however, it appears that the inhabit- 
ants had not yet succeeded in procuring a minister but were dependent 
on neighboring churches for occasional supplies : 


a Humphrey’s Hist. of the Propagation Society, &c., p. 22. 
2 Public Rec. of Conn., voi. il, pp. 142, 143. Baira’s Hist. of Rye, p. 274, 
e Town Rec. of Rye, vol. A. (aow lost.) 


17° HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


“May the 11th, 1671, at a Court of Assembly holden at Hartford, 
Captain Nathan Gold, Thomas Fitch, Mr. Holly, Lieut. Richard Olm- 
stead, and Mr. John Burr, they, or three of them, are desired to repair 
to the said Rye, as soon as may be, and to endeavour a comfortable com- 
posure and issue of such differences as are among the people there, and 
to use their endeavours in procuring a minister, and comfortably settling 
of him in the plantation of Rye. Then the Court doth empower the 
aforesaid committee to agree with a suitable man for that work in that 
place, and to agree with him for maintenance to the value of £40 per 
annum, which the Treeasurer, by warrant to the Consable of said Rye, 
shall order for the gathering and payment thereof with the county 


rates.” 

“On the r4th of May, 1674, the General Court desires Mr. Elipha- 
let Joanes” (one of the ministers of Fairfield) “to take the paynes to 
dispence the word of God to the people of Rye once a fortnight on the 
Lord’s Day, till the Court, October next, and then this Court will take 
further order concerning them and for Mr. Joanes’ satisfaction.” 

This gentleman was the first who is known to have officiated for any 
length of time in the ministry of the Gospel at Rye. And it so happens 
that we are able to glean further information concerning him than about 
any of his immediate successors. Eliphalet Jones was the son ef the 
Rev. John Jones, a man of some note in the early history of the New 
England churches. He came to this country from England, in 1635, 
a clergyman of the Established Church ; and was first settled at Concord, 
Massachusetts, and afterwards at Fairfield, Connecticut, where he be- 
came pastor of the church organized there by his efforts. Eliphalet was 
born at Concord in 1641. He received his education under the care of 
the learned and pious Peter Bulkley, who had been his father’s colleague 
at Concord, and studied at Harvard College, but did not graduate. In 
1669, we find him admitted to the privileges of a freeman of Connecti- 
cut.¢ He was at Greenwich in 1674, when the above order was given ; 
not however as the settled pastor of that town, but as a missionary or 
evangelist. It would seem that he continued in this neighborhood for 
about three years, preaching at Rye, probably, from time to time, as oc- 
casion appeared.? In 1677, Mr. Jones accepted a call to Huntington, 
Long Island, where he remained and labored for more than fifty years ; 
dying in 1731, at the good old age of ninety. He was never married. 
He is said to have been ‘a man of great purity and simplicity of life and 
manners, and a faithful and successful preacher. ’@ 

a@ Hartford Col. Rec. vol. iii., p. 12. 


6 Public Rec. of Conn., vol. ii p. 232, Bairds Hist. of Rye, p. 276. 
e Public Rec. of Conn, vol. ii. p. 106. 


d Mr. Savage (Gen. Dict. of the First Settlers of N. E.) speaks of him as ‘ aviary preached at 
Rye some years,’ (vol. ii. p.561). I find no confirmation of this statement, 
e Thompson’s History of Long Island, vol. i. p. 481, Baird’s Hist. of Rye, p. 276. 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 171 


The General Court took further order on the rst of October 1674, for 
the securing of a regular pastor, empowering Captain John Allyn, Mr. 
James Bishop, Mayor Robert Treat, with Mr. Gold, “to endeavour 
also the obliging and settling of a minister at Rye.” 

This lead to the call of the Rev. Peter Prudden,® as the General 
Court strongly endorsed him:—“ At a court, holden at Hartford, May 
17th, 1675, Major Nathan Gold, Major Robert Treat, and Mr. John 
Burr, were nominated and appointed a committee to treat with the in- 
habitants of Rye and those concerned in lands there, and labour to ac- 
commodate matters, as that there may be suitable encouragement for 
Mr. Prudden to settle in the ministry, and such other suitable inhabitants 
with them as may promote the settlement of said town of Rye and the 
ministry therein ; and if they shall find any averseness or difficulty with 
the inhabitants or proprietors, in so just and necessary publique good of 
the towne, they are empowered to do what they see meet for the end 
aforesaid, and make report to the court in October next, for approba- 
tion ; and for the encouragement of the ministry at Rye, this Court, for 
this year, grants them a penny of the pound upon all the ratable estate 
of their town, to be pay’d out of their county rate, and shall be ready 
as need requires to continue such necessary encouragement as they shall 
judge suitable.¢ 

Upon the 27th May, 1675, the town orders that the home lot of Peter 
Disbrow, adjoining Timothy Knapp, be taken by the town in exchange 
for the land by the Blind brook, south of Jacob Bridge’s, The above 
lot to be for Mr. Peter Prudden for a parsonage lot ; if not thus disposed 
of, this agreement to be void. 

February 26,1676. The town releases Peter Disbrow’s lot, and can- 
cels the above agreement. 

February 26th, 1677. John Brundige and John Purdy are empowered 
to sell the frame intended for a parsonage house. 

The same year the Rev. Thomas Denham appears to have been min- 
ister here ; for, June 15, a house lot is ordered for Mr. Thomas Denham, 
and on November the 22d, we find the same individual admitted an in- 
habitant of the town of Rye. June 21, 1678, Mr. Thomas Denham is 
to have all the grass on the highway at the old town, besides an equal 
share with the proprietors of Poningoe Neck. 

March 5th, 1679. Fifty poles of land lying before his door, toward the 


a Hartford Col. Rec: vol. iii. p. 53. 
4 Ditto vol. ili. p. 59. 


ec It is Mr. Baird’s impression that his name should be John, not Peter. That the Rev. John 
Was pastor of the church in Jamaica, L. I., in 1670 to 74, he was called in 1681 to Bedford. It 
is probably the same person who was invitedto the churchin Bedford, 


172 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


brook, are granted to Mr. Thomas Denham, and the ensuing year he is 
to have all the grass in the highway at the first of the old town lots ; 
also £30 allowed for his maintenance. The General Court of Connec- 
ticut, October 14th, 1680, ordered that thirty pounds per annum agreed 
by Rye to be paid to the minister, Mr. Denham, shall be gathered by 
the constable with the county rate, in the same specie and prices as the 
county rate, and by him to be paid to the said minister.e A.D. 1682, 
the town confirms the sum of £30 as salary to Mr. Denham, and orders 
the same to be paid in provisions. 

The historian, Trumbull, informs us that about the year 1688 the Rev. 
John Bowers removed from Derby and settled at Rye. 

April 22d, 1690, Captain Horton, Joseph Theall, and John Brondig 
are chosen by the town to procure a minister, and, if possible, a school- 
master. 

27th June, 1693. Hachaliah Brown, George Lane and Timothy Knapp 
were added to the above committee to procure a minister as soon as 
possible. 

February 26th, 1694, it is ordered that the townsman make a rate to 
defray the expense of repairing the parsonage house. 22d July, 1697, 
Captain Theal, Hachaliah Brown, George Lane and Thomas Merritt 
are chosen by a vote for the procuring of a minister for the town of Rye. 

Colonel Caleb Heathcote, writing to the secretary of the Propagation 
Society in 1705, observes, ‘‘that there is no parish in the Government 
but what is able to pay twice as much asthey do. For Rye parish, 
which is not by one-half so large as the least parish established by law 
in the Government here, since my living here, maintained two dissent- 
ing ministers, viz: one at Aye and Mamaroneck, and one at Bedford ; 
and gave the former £50, and the latter £40 a year.” 


A LIST OF MINISTERS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL OR PRESBY- 
TERIAN CHURCH, RYE. 


Ims1. o8 CALL. MInIsTERs. 
1675, Rey. Prerer Pruppen, 
1677, Rey. THomas DenHam, 
circ. 1684, Rev. JonN WoopBRIDGE, 
1697, Rey. NarHaniet Bowers. 


THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 
On the 15th of May, 1729, they secured a building spot. The deed 
for which is entered upon the town records. This plot of ground was 


a Hart. Col. Rec. vol. iii, 59. 
Bb Sze Scarsdale, for Heathcote’s letter. 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 173 


situated on Pulpit Plain, as it was called, at the north-west corner of the 
post road and the road to the Cedars, subsequently opened. Here the 
church was built, and here it stood until the Revolutionary war. Tradi- 
tion states that it was a plain frame building, without belfry or spire but 
tolerably capacious. 

The church at White Plains, which blonged to the same society, was 
built two or three years earlier. 

The village of Rye now had two separate places of worship. The con- 
gregations were about equal in size, numbering about sixty families in 
each. As there was ro bell in either church, the roll of the drum an- 
nounced the hour of service probably to both. 

The Rev. Edmund Ward who had ministered to them for over two 
years, left them in 1729; and they remained without any stated minister 
for nearly thirteen years. 

On the 30th of December, 1742, a council of the Eastern Reese anion 
of Fairfield County, Connecticut, met at Rye and ordained Mr. John 
Smith as minister of that place. He seems to have been a man of rare 
excellence, able, earnest, consistant and godly. He was a native of 
Newport, Pagnell Bucks, England; and born May sth, 1702. His father 
settled in the city of New York. The celebrated Jonathan Edwards, 
when preaching in New York, made Mr. Smith’s house his home. John 
Smith and Edwards were about of an age, Smith a little the oldest; and 
there sprang up between them a warm friendship, which lasted through 
life. 

A few weeks after his settlement, Mr. Smith secured a house for his 
family in the village of Rye. On the 2oth of February, 1743, he pur- 
chased of John Abrahamson a house and six acres of land for £180, 
afterwards he bought another house with eight acres and a quarter of 
land situated in the northern part of the village and in the neighborhood 
of his church. Some years after Mr. Smith removed his residence from 
Rye to White Plains, but continued to preach here alternate Sabbaths, 
riding to and fro on horseback. The house in which he lived, at White 
Plains, is still pointed out near the corner of the cross road leading to 
the Purchase. In his later years he owned a farm of about one hundred 
acres ; in 1763 he added the church at Sing Sing to his charge, where 
he occasionally preached for the next five years, but he was growing old 
and not so active as hehad been. Mr. Ichabod Lewis, a cousin of the 
Rev. Isaac Lewis of Greenwich, was therefore invited by the Presbytery 
to help him; and on the 11th of October, 1769, he was ordained at 
White Plains. Mr. Smith continued to do what he could up to the time 
of his death, which took place at White Plains February 26th, 1771. His 


174 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


remains lie in the church yard, and on the tomb it says: ‘“ First or- 
dained minister of the Presbyterian persuasion in Rye and the White 
Plains ;” adding, that ‘worn out with various labors he fell asleep in 
Jesus.” 

In the Revolutionary war, which began shortly after the death of Mr. 
Smith, the Presbyterian church of Rye was destroyed by fire. The con- 
gregation, owing to the times, was very much scattered. 

At the close of the Revolution, the Presbyterians of Rye were very 
few and feeble. 

The efforts to resuscitate the congregation was due to the Rev. Dr. Lewis 
of Greenwich. The first step towards rebuilding the church was taken 
in1792. On the 22d of November in that year, Jesse Park and Phcebe 
his wife, of the town of Harrison, conveyed to Joseph Theale, Ezekiel 
Halsted, Junior, and John Merrit, of Rye, as trustees of the Presbyterian 
society, a tract of land comprising half an acre. The church was builz 
in the following spring. It was dedicated to the worship of God in 1793 
by the Rev. Isaac Lewis, D.D., who preached here for some months 
every Sunday after service in his own church at Greenwich ; his son, the 
Rev. Isaac Lewis, succeeded him for a short time. But after this they 
remained a long while without a stated minister, from 1793 to 1812. 

It had been incorporated on the 5th of June, 1795, under pe name 
of the Presbyterian church of Rye. 

The old church, built in 1793, was a very plain and unpretending 
structure. There were two doors on the front. The interior remained 
unfinished for many years. ‘The walls were not plastered ; an1 instead 
of pews there were planks, the ends of which rested upon logs for seats. 
In or about 1811 the Methodists obtained possession of the church and 
occupied it for a period of sixteen years, from 1812 to 1828. 

It was by the efforts of Mr. Ebenezer Clark, a merchant of New York 
who came to Rye in 1821, that the building was restored to its original 
use ; he claimed the building, on behalf of the few Presbyterians of the 
place. This claim was not admitted without some discussion. The 
Methodist congregation had worshipped there unmolested for many 
years, and they conceived that so long a possession gave them a right 
o the property. Mr. Clark showed clearly that the land had been given 
for a Presbyterian church, and that a society of that denomination had 
been incorporated under the law of the State, and that the building had 
been appropriated from the first to their use. 

A service was held by the Presbyterian congregation on the 7th of 
Dec., 1828, in the district school house of Rye, preparatory to the resump- 
tion of public worship in the church. Soon after the occupation of the 


M4 ce PF 


Conuctt 


PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 


ii, 175. 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 175 


building, the Rev. Noah C. Saxton began his ministry here as stated 
supply, and continued until May, 1829 ; meanwhile, on the 4th of March- 
the formal organization of a church took place by orderof the Presby- 
tery of New York. 

In 1869, the congregation bought land adjoining the church lot, with 
a view to the erection of a new church, Sunday-shool building, and part 
sonage. Upon this tract, which comprises 3 acres, the Sunday-school 
buiding has been erected at the sole expense of Wm. Matthews, Esq. 

The corner stone of the new church was laid Noy. 29, 1870, Mr. R, 
M. Upjohn, Architect. The church is built of the native stone, with 
dressings of red and yellow stone. The style of architecture adopted 
for the building, is the 13th century gothic. Connected with the church, 
and arranged for convenience of both buildings, and also for external 
architectural effect, Mr. Wm. Mathews has erected a memorial chapel 
—to his infant daughter Bessie—which he gives to the church to be used 
for Sunday-school and other parochial purposes. It is upwards of fifty 
feet square. The main room will accomodate two hundred persons. In 
connection with this, there is a Bible and infant class room, and a room 
for the Sunday-school library. 

The tower and spire of the church, stand at the west end of the seuth 
aisle. The tower is 25 feet square. The tower and spire together are 
150 feet high, and entirely built of stone.¢ 


Catt. List oF Pastors. REMOVAL. 
1720, Rey. Stepsen BockrvenaM, 1722. 
1723, Rey. JoHN WALTON, 1728. 
1728, Rey. Epamunp Warp, 1729. 
1742, Rey. Jony Suita, 1769. 
1769, Rey. IonaBop Lewis, 

1829, Rey. Wituiams H. WairreMorz, 1832. 
1832, Rey. Davin Reminertox, 1834. 
1834, Rey. Tuos. Payne, 

1836, Rey. Jas. R. Davenport, 

1838, Rev. Epwarp D. Beyay, 1860. 
1861, Rev. CHartes W. Barep, D.D., - present. 


The Presbytery of Rye appear to have maintained their existenc’: as 
a congregation for a number of years, without a stated ministry or he:1se 
of worship. They were supplied with occasional preaching by the ne?gh- 
boring ministers of Connecticut. 

Christs ehurch, Rye, is agreeably situated upon rising ground, over- 
looking the village and vale of Blind brook. 


a Baird’s History of Rye. 


176 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 
The old building was a plain edifice of wood, surmounted with an em- 
battled tower, and a small vestry-room attached to the rear. 
Its interior consisted of a nave, two aisles, gallery and chancel. On 
the north side of the latter there was a neat monumental tablet, erected 


In Memory oF 
WILLIAM THOMPSON, 
Rector 
of Christs church at Rye 
A native of Enniskillen, 
Treland. 

Ordained April, 1820. 
Appointed to the charge of this Parish, 
September, 1823, 


Died August 26, 1830. 


‘Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, 
for the end of that man is peace.”—Psalm XXxXvii: 27. 


Erected by his affectionate Widow. 


Sars: ra 


Christ’s Church, Rye, Erected in 1788. 


His remains are interred in the village cemetery. Beneath the floor 
of the church lie, pillowed in the darkness of the grave, several of the 
early rectors. 

This building was erected at a cost of $5,500, in the year 1788, upon 
the site of the old stone edifice called Grace church. 

It was designed at first to have erected a steeple in place of the pres- 


THE TOWN OF RYE, 1 Oy £7 | 


ent tower, as appears by an act of the vestry, dated September 17, 1791. 

“Wherein it was ordered to remove the work projected for a steeple 
on the top of the roof, at the west end.” 

Belonging to this church is a silver paten 
and chalice presented by her Majesty, Queen 
Anne, A.D. 1706. 

These articles have been used in the admin- 
istration of the holy sacrament nearly one cen- 
tury and a half. The royal donation originally 
consisted (together with the above), of a large 
Church Bible, Common Prayer Book, Book of 
Homilies, cloth for the pulpit, and a commu- 
nion table. 

Upon two copper alms bowls are inscribed, 
“Presented to Christ church at Rye, by James 

Meadows, 1769.” 
~ Besides a fine toned bell, the church con- 
— tains a neat organ. 

The Queen's paten and chalice. The first notice of this parish occurs in two 
acts passed by the Assembly of New York, in 1693 and 1697. 

The first entitled “ An Act for settling a ministry and raising a main- 
tenance for them in the city of New York, and counties of Richmond, 
Westchester and Queens.” 

The second ordered, ‘“‘ That there shall be called, inducted and estab- 
lished a good sufficient Protestant minister to officiate and have the cure 
of souls within one year next ensuing, and after the publication hereof. 
In the county of Westchester, two; one to have the cure of souls within 
Westchester, &c. ; the other to have the cure of Rye, Mamaroneck and 
Bedford.”4 

Pursuant to these acts of Assembly a town meeting was held, Februa- 
ty 28, 1695, by virtue of a warrant granted by Justice Theal, when 
George Lane and John Brondig were elected churchwardens ; and Jona- 
than Hart, Joseph Horton, Joseph Purdy, Timothy Knapp, Hachaliah 
Brown, Thomas Merritt, Deliverance Brown and Isaac Denham, vestry-. 
men ; the two last, being chosen for Bedford. 

The whole number of the appropriated precincts, belonging to the par~ 
ish of Rye in 1725, were as follows ; Bedford, Scarsdale, Mamaroneck- 
and North Castle, to which were subsequently added White Plains and 
Harrison. 


a Acts of Assembly; Pro. of N. Y. 1691 to 1725, p. 23. 


173 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 

For collecting the minister’s maintenance, writs of mandamus were is- 
sued to the justices and vestries, empowering them to make a rate for 
raising the rector’s tax. 

The following are specimens of the original taxation rolls of this ben- 
ifice, in 1725. 

Bedford, £16 2 0. Mamaroneck, £418 0 o. Scarsdale, £5 3 o. 
North Castle, 4290. Total with Rye, £67 18 o. 

The first inducted rector of the parish was the Rev. Thomas Pritch- 
ard. In asummary account of the state of the Church in the Province 
of New York, as it was laid before the clergy, convened October 5th, 
1704, at New York, &c., it was stated, that ‘‘at Rye, of which the Rev. 
Thomas Pritchard is rector, there is no church, but the minister preach- 
es in the town house; the parish is divided into three districts, viz. Rye, 
Bedford and Mamaroneck. re 

“There is a salary of #50 per annum, established by act of Assem- 
bly ; the number of communicants are considerably increased, since the 
first celebration of the sacraments, &c.”4 

In a letter addressed to the Propagation Society, dated Rye, Novem- 
ber rst, 1704, Mr. Pritchard proposes to that body the Rev. Mr. Stew- 
art, then missionary at Bedford, as a most suitable person to fill the va- 
cant parish of Hempstead, Long Island. 

The Rev. Thomas Pritchard married Anna Stuyvesant, daughter of 
Nicholas William, and grand-daughter of the illustrious Peter Stuyves- 


ant. Mr. Pritchard appears to have been inducted in 1702. He died 
A.D): 1706; 


His successor was the Rev. George Muirson. Of this gentlemen the 
Rev. Mr. Evans thus writes in a letter to the Bishop of London, under 
the date of October 17th,1704. ‘‘ This comes by the hands of the in- 
genious Mr, George Muirson to receive holy orders from your Lordship, 
by the approbation of his Excellency my Lord Cornbury. I find that he 
is very well beloved and esteemed by all sorts of people, a man of avery 
sober and blameless conversation, He seems to be indued with great 
humility of mind, and has the character of being very prudent in his con- 
duct. I give him this recommendation, not to gratify himself, nor any 
body else—but because I sincerely believe he may be very instrumental 
of doing much good in the Church.Ӣ 

Mr. Muirson having been ordained, was appointed to the mission of 
Rye. In his first report to the Society he states “‘that he had a very 


a Church Rec. Vol. i. No. 16. Francis L. Hawks, D, D., editor, 
b Rep. of Propagatian Soc. 
¢ N. Y. Hist. Collections, New Sz2ries, vol. i. 455, 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 179 


great congregation every Sunday, and that those were his hearers who 
never were in a Church of England congregation before. ‘Though the 
people were of almost all persuasions, he had admitted into the Church, 
by baptism, eighty persons, young and old; hundreds, however, in the 
parish remain unbaptized.¢ 

He further remarks to the Society, “‘I.have lately been in the Gov- 
ernment of Connecticut, where I observe some people well affected to 
the Church, for those that are near come to my parish on Sabbath days ; 
so that I am assured, an itinerant missionary might do great service in 
that province. Some of their ministers have privately told me that had 
we a Bishop among us, they would conform and receive holy orders ; from 
which as wellas on all the continent, the necessity of a Bishop will plain- 
ly appear.® 

“In these visits and in every effort for the good of the Church, Mr. 
Muirson was heartily supported by Colonel Caleb Heathcote, who also 
wrote to the society on the subject, confirming the account of the oppo- 
sition which the missionary had encountered ; and stating that the jus- 
tices had forbidden him to preach, and even threatened to put him and 
all his hearers in jail. 

Of his own parish, Mr. Muirson reports, “I have baptized about two 
hundred, young and old, but most adult persons ; and am in hopes of in- 
itiating many more into the Church, after I have examined, taught and 
find them qualified. This is a large parish ; the towns are far distant ; 
the people were some Quakers, some Anabaptists, but chiefly Presbyte- 
rians and Independents ; they were violently set against our Church, but 
now (blessed be God !) they comply heartily ; for I have now about forty 
communicants, and had only six when I first administered that holy sac- 
rament. I find that catechising on the week days in the remote towns, 
and frequent visiting is of great service ; and I am sure that I have made 
twice more proselytes by proceeding after that method, than by public 
‘preaching.””¢ 

Mr. Muirson, besides his salary of £50 from the society, was entitled 
to £50 currency, as settled by Act of Assembly on Rye parish; but, as 
his people were poor and for the most part recent converts, he consider- 
ately forbore to press his legal claim—and during the first two years of 
his ministry, had only received about ten or twelve pounds currency— 
thus plainly showing he sought not theirs, but them. 

The following account of the Indians, written in the year 1708, will 


@ Hawkins’ Hist, Not. of Col. Church, vol. ii. MS. letters, No. 34. 
65 Hawkins’ Hist. Not. of Col. Church, p. 277. 
ce Hawkins’ Hist. Not, of Col. Church, p. 279, 


180 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


be thought interesting: ‘“ As to the Indians, the natives of the country, 
they are a decaying people. We have not now in all the parish twenty 
families, whereas not many years ago there were several hundreds. I 
have frequently conversed with some of them, and been at their great 
meetings of ‘pawawing,’ as they callit. I have taken some pains to 
teach some of them, but to no purpose ; for they seem regardless of in- 
struction. And when I have told them of the evil consequences of their 
hard drinking, &c., they replied that Englishmen do the same; and that 
it is not so great a sin in an Indian as in an Englishman, because the 
Englishman’s religion forbids it, but an Indian’s does not, They further 
say that they will not be Christians, nor do they see the necessity for so 
being, because we do not live according to the precepts of our holy re- 
ligion. In such ways do most of the Indians that I have conversed 
with, either here or elsewhere, express themselves. I am heartily sorry 
that we should give them such a bad example, and fill their mouths with 
such objections to our blessed religion.” 

He mentions in this letter ‘‘ that they had completed the house of God 
at Rye, by the subscription of the inhabitants; a stately structure in- 
deed.” 

“Mr. Muirson, after a short but a most useful service in the ministry 
of the church, died in October, 1708, much lamented by his friends, and 
missed by his parishioners. 

The last will of George Muirson, clerk, bears date September, 1708. 
By his wife, Gloriana, daughter of the Hon. Colonel William Smith,’ he 
left one son, George Muirson, M.D.,¢° of Setaukett, L. I., the father of 
Heathcote Muirson. The latter was a graduate of Yale College in 1776, 
and died from wounds received in the attack upon Lloyd’s Neck, Long 
Island, July, 1781. 

Mr. Muirson was succeeded in January, 1709, by the Rey. Christo- 
pher Bridges. 

“ Upon the oth of January, 1710, at a meeting of the parishioners,.at . 
the parish church in Rye, the following churchwardens and vestrymen- 
were elected for the year ensuing : 


Church-wardens. 
Capt. JoserH THEALE, Capt. JonaTHan Hart, 


CoRrNELIUS SEELY. 


a Hist, Not. of the Ch. of England in the N. A. Colonist, 2s1. 

Bb The Hon. William Smith was Chief Justice and President of the Council of the Province 
of New York. 

c Anna, the eldest daughter of Dr, George Muirson, married Cyrus Punderson, D.D. Their 
pear are still residing upon Long Island. Mary, the youmgest, married William Wick- 
ham Wills. 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 181 


Vestrymen. 
ANDREW CoE, GerorGe LANE, Jun., 
JoHN Merritt, SEN, JosEPH Lyon, 
2 Danie Purpy, GEORGE KNIFFEN, 
Tuomas Purpy, JoHN Disprow, Mamaroneck, 
Tomas Mrrrirt, JUn., Joun Mitter, Bedford. 


At a meeting of the vestry, held on the 29th of July, 1712, the Rev. 
Mr. Bridges presented the following communication from his Excellency 
Robert Hunter: 


‘You are to give order forthwith, (if the same be not already done) that every 
orthodox minister within your government be one of the vestry in his respective 
parish; and that no vestry be held without him, except in case of sickness, or 
that after notice of vestry summoned he omit to come.” 

Rev. Sir, the above copy of Her Majesty’s instructions to me, I have thought 
fit to direct to the several ministers within this Province, that their respective 
vestries may regulate themselves accordingly ; and if there be any practice con- 
trary thereunto, I desire you may duly inform me, that effectual care may be 
taken therein. I remain, Reverend Sir, Your assured Friend and Servant, 

ROBERT HUNTER.a 


In 1712, “one hundred and fifty prayer books and five pounds worth 
of tracts, were voted to Mr. Bridges of Rye. He was also allowed for 
the services of two school-masters in the parish, £5 per annum each, 
on a certificate, that they have taught thirty children the Bible, the cate- 
chism and the use of the liturgy.” 

In 1715, “ Mr. Bridges at Rye had reduce many who were brought up 
in a very dissolute way of living and total neglect of public worship, to 
a more sober conversation and a constant attendance on the worship 
of God, using his utmost endeavors to put a stop to many disorderly 
practices.Ӣ ; 

The same year the Propagation Society “presented to Mr. Huddle- 
stone, school-master in Rye, £5 additional salary, and to Mr. Bridges 
some Common Prayer Books and devotional tracts, of which the people 
were very desirous before he wrote, and heartly thankful for them since. 
To these donations the Society added two dozen Prayer Books, with the 
oid version of the singing, and as many of Lewis’s Church Catechism for 
exercise in his school, or in mornings of the Lord’s days, (when not only 
his own scholars, but several of the young people of the town of both 
sexes come willingly to be informed,) one dozen Bibles with the Com- 


a Church Rec. 
& Reports of Propagation Soc. 
e Reports of Propagation Soc, 


182 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


mon Prayer, and the new version of psalms, twenty-five psalters and fifty- 
one primers, all which he requested as contributing mightily to the 
spreading the good work he has in hand, having taught besides British 
children, six hundred Dutch and French to read and write English.” 

The Rev. Christopher Bridges died on the 22d of May, 1719, having 
been ten years minister of this church. 

A.D. 1720, “The Rev. Mr. Barclay formerly missionary to Albany 
was missionary of Rye withasalary of £50.” Thesame year the Society 
“gave Mr. Barclay £10 in consideration of the hard circumstances he 
lies under.” 

In 1721, the Rev. Thomas Poyer officiated here.¢ 

Upon the 4th of June, 1722, the church-wardens and vestrymen ad- 
dressed the following letter to the venerable Propagation Society : 


‘*We the church-wardens and vestrymen of ye parish of Rye, in ye province 
of New York, in America, having taken ye liberty soon after ye death of our late 
incumbent, the Rev. Mr. Christopher Bridges, humbly to pray that your honours 
would continue your usual bounty toour poor church, and supply usin our desti- 
tute condition with a Church of England minister in ye room of our late incum- 
bent, do take this opportunity to return your honours our hearty thanks, as well 
for the constant supply which by your honours’ favorable recommendation we 
had from the clergy of this province, as for your resolution, appearing in print, 
to supply us with a minister to reside among us, as soon as one whom your hon- 
ours can approve of shall offer. We have been, to our great detriment, destitute 
about three years ; and now having the opportunity of one whom we are univer- 
sally pleased with, ye Rev. Mr. Robert Jenney, chaplain of the forces of this 
province, who is willing to relinquish his place in the forces to settle amongst us 
and become our minister, provided he can have your honours’ favor and bounty 
for his encouragement. We have taken ye liberty to give him a call, as ye act 
of assembly of this province empowers us, (which is enclosed to your honours, ) 
humbly praying for your approbation, of what we have done, and that you will 
please tp grant unto him as our minister, ye favour and bounty; being a person 
whose conversation, preaching, and diligence in his holy function we are well 
acquainted and satisfied with. We are confident that his residence amongst us 
will effectually reconcile all our differences, and heal all our breaches, oceasioned 
by our being so long in want of a faithful and prudent pastor to guide and in- 
struct us. That God Almighty will prosper your honours’ pious and charitable 
endeavours for the service of His Church in this wilderness, and that He will 
grant unto every one of you the choicest blessings, temporal and eternal, is the 
hearty prayer of 


‘‘May it please your honours, your honours’ most dutiful and most obedient 
humble servants. Signed by order, JOHN CARHART, Clerk.” 


a Reports of Propagation Soc. 

+ Reports of Propagation Soc. 

c The Propagation Society voted £50 to the clergy of New York for supplying the church of 
Rye, vacant by the death of the Rev. Mr. Bridges, 

d Church Rec. 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 183 


The Rey. Robert Jenney, minister of Rye, writing to the Propagation 
Society in 1723, observes, “that he has several other townships under 
his charge, and that since his admission in 1722, he has baptized ten 
adults and fifty children; number of communicants twenty-six.”% In 
1724 Mr. Jenney reported ‘‘the baptism of two adults and several chil- 
dren ; communicants twenty-eight.2 A. D. 1725,¢ the quotas of the vari- 
ous districts stood thus: 


Rye, £34 4 0; Bedford, £16 2 0; Mamaroneck, £18 0 0; 
Scarsdale, £5 3 0; North Castle, £2 9 0; 


Mr. Jenney was removed by the Society to Hempstead, Long Island, 
in 1726. The vacancy created by the removal, the Society proceeded 
immediately to fill by appointing the Rev. Mr. Colgan. Upon which 
we find the vestry addressing the secretary of the Society as follows: 


‘*Rey. Srr:—We, the church-wardens and vestry of the parish of Rye, re- 
turn our humble thanks to ye honorable Society for their pious and charitable 
care of this parish in providing so speedily to fill this vacancy by appointing ye 
Rev. Mr. Colgan for us. We conclude they have before this time been acquainted 
by our letters how far we had proceeded to obtain a minister, fearing the ill 
consequences of being left destitute; and we hope ye honorable Society will put 
a favorable construction upon our proceedings, though we have given our call to 
the Rev. Mr. Wetmore, and he received induction immediately upon it, yet he 
always declared that he should submit to ye resolutions of the honorable Society, 
and not in any degree interfere with their determination, and though we find ye 
inclinations of ye people very much to have Mr. Wetmore appointed for us ; on 
which account we can’t but desire that ye honorable Society would be pleased to 
favor it; yet we shall always pay ye greatest difference to their pleasure, and if 
they finally determine that Mr. Colgan shall be for us, against whom we have 
no exceptions, as, being a stranger to us, we shall give him the best welcome we 
are capable of ; but inasmuch as ye Rev. Mr. Colgan is willing, by exchange with 
Mr. Wetmore, to continue at New York, and that vestry has signified their ap- 
probation, we heartily join with them in requesting of ye honorable Society that 
they would confirm that agreement, and give liberty for Mr. Wetmore'to come 
to this parish, who, by being born in the county and acquainted with the dis- 
positions and customs of ye people here, will be acceptable to us, and we hope 
do much service for religion. But all this with submission to that venerable 
body, whose pleasure we shall most cheerfully submit to; and we pray ye con- 
tinuance of their favour and charity to us, and that God would prosper their 
pious designs. We are, reverend sir, the Hon’ble Society’s and your most hum- 
ble and ubedient servants. Signed by order. JOHN CARHART, Clerk. 
To the Rey. Mr. Davin HumpuHrReEys, 


Secretary to ye Hon’ble Society for Propagating ye Gospel, &c., 
at ye Archbishop’s Library at St. Martins in ye Fields, London.” 


- Bev of Propagation Soc. 
id. 
c At a vestry meeting held in Rye, January 18th, 1725, ‘*it was voted that money be raised 
to purchase a drum for the church. 
a Church Ree. 


184 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


In accordance with this request, the Society were pleased to confirm 
the appointment of Mr. Wetmore. 

We take the subjoined extract from a letter sent to the secretary of 
the society, in 1726-7: 


‘**And now we are once more peaceably settled, we hope by the blessing of 
God to see religion revive among us, which by contentions and divisions is sunk 
toa very low ebb. As the Rev. Mr. Wetmore has been born in the county, and 
long known among us, who has had his conversation becoming his sacred char- 
acter and profession, we doubt not but ye people of this parish will continue 
their affection to him, and hope to see this good fruit of it, viz: that they be 
brought to a proper sense of religion, and more general and constant attendance, 
in ye public worship and sacraments which for a long time have been very much 
neglected among us; we earnestly pray for the blessing of almighty God upon 
that venerable society whose extensive charity (under God), finds food for so 
many souls famishing in ignorance and error, and shall always look upon our- 
selves strictly bound to pay it, the greatest honor and most cheerful obedience to 
all their commands and directions, and beg leave to subscribe with all dutifu] 
respects, : 

Rev'd Sir, your and ye Honorable Society’s most humble and obedient servants. 


Signed by order of the Vestry,¢ JOHN CARHART, Clerk. 


The Rev. James Wetmore writes, A.D. 1728, that his congregation is 
considerably increased ; he has added nine new communicants, and bap- 
tized nineteen. In 1729 he acquaints the society ‘“‘that he meets with 
good success in his mission, that his numbers increase, and that several 
of the Independents have quitted that persuasion and very regularly at- 
tend divine service at his church.’ July 1st, 1738, he says, ‘‘I have 
baptized the last half year five adults besides several children. About 
fifty families in the adjoining parish have requested assistance. Mr. 
Purdy,”* (schoolmaster at Rye) ‘‘ teaches twenty-one children of Church 
parents and fourteen dissenters, as likewise two Dutch, two Jewish and 
one colored child, in all forty-one. Mr. Dwight, of White Plains, six 
miles from Rye, teaches twenty-seven children, in all forty-six.” 

“And adds, July 15, 1740, that besides his regular duty at Rye, he 
officiates once a month at Stamford and Greenwich. He had also spent 
some days last winter in visiting surdry families in the woods. Since the 
3d day of May, 1739, he had baptized one hundred and eleven children, 
and twenty-seven adults ; his communicants number fifty.”@ 

Under date of September 28th, 1741, he observes ‘‘that by God’s 
help the Church maintains her ground, notwithstanding the efforts of the 

a Church Rec. 

b Propagation Soc. Rep. 


e Mr. Purdy died in 1783, and was buried on Ash Wednesday. Rep. of Propagation Soc. 
d Reports of Propagation Soc. 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 185 


sectaries in new Methodism. He had baptized within a year sixty-nine 
children and six adults, &c.”% 

In 1745 Mr. Wetmore writes “that he is fully occupied in performing 
duty at Rye, Scarsdale and the White Plains, and begs for an assistant 
to officiate under him. At Bedford and North Castle there are four 
hundred families, &c.”? 

The same year Mr. Joseph Lamson was appointed assistant to Mr. 
Wetmore with a salary of £20; a gratuity of £20 was also made by the 
society, ‘‘ out of compassion to Mr. Lamson’s sufferings and necessities, 
who was taken prisoner, shipped and carried into France on his voyage 
towards England; and afterwards, on his way from Port Louis in France, 
to London, was detained seven months by a fever at Salisbury. Mr 
Lamson undertook the voyage to England for the purpose of obtaining 
Episcopal ordination. In his first reports dated May 12th, 1746, Mr. 
Lamson writes, “ that he officiates by turns at Bedford and North Castle 
to full congregations, and had then baptized eleven children and three 
adults." At a vestry meeting of this parish, held at Mr. Benjamin 
Brown’s, Sen., in Rye, January 16th, 1749, the Rev. James Wetmore de- 
livered the following letter, from the Rev. Philip Bearcroft, D.D., secre- 
tary to the Honorable Propagation Society: 


Lonpon, CHARTER Hovse, June 27, 1749. 

Gents :—It is with much concern that the Society for the Propagation of the 
Gospel in Foreign Parts are informed that your church and the parsonage house 
are very much out of repair, and that even the possession of the glebe is disputed 
against your very worthy pastor Mr. Wetmore, whose great pains and abilities 
in the cause of God’s church, cannot but recommend him to every worthy mem- 
per of it. Therefore the Society hope and expect that upon due consideration 
you will give orders for the full repair of the church and the parsonage house, 
and defend Mr. Wetmore in the maintenance of all his just rights, as you desire 
his longer continuance among you. 

Jam, Gentlemen, 
Your very humble servant, 


PHILIP BEARCROFT, Secretary. 
To the Churchwardens and Vestry of the : 


Church of Rye, New York. 


Mr. Wetmore, in his report of 1751, mentions “that the church had 
lately been repaired, and is made neat and beautiful.” 


a Reports of Propagation Soc. 

b Reports of Propagation Soc, 

ec Some idea (says the Rev. M. H. Henderson) of the great disadvantages under which the 
Church labored during our colonial existence, may be formed from the fact that beside the 
great expense of the voyage (£100). an expense which candidates for holy orders could ill af- 
ford to bear, nearly one-fifth of all that went to England for ordination died, either from 
small-pox, or the dangers of thedeep. ‘‘ The number who had gone to England for ordination 
from the northern colonies. up to 1767, was fifty-two ; of these forty-two only returned safely. 
—Henderson’s Centennial Discourse. 

d Rep. of Propagation Soc. 


186 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


In a letter of April 7th, 1759, Mr. Wetmore acquaints the Society 
“that a very worthy person, a native of England,¢ but now being in New 
York, had put into his hands £600 currency, of which he reserves to 
himself the interest during life, and hath left by his will 4400 more to 
be added after his death, to purchase a convenient glebe, and other lib- 
eral legacies.” 

The Rev. James Wetmore died on the 15th of May, 1760,¢ having 
been nearly thirty-four years minister of this church. His remains re- 
pose in the old parish burial ground, on the northwest side of Blind 
brook. A plain monumental tablet marks the spot, and bears the fol- 
lowing inscription : 

SACRED TO THE MEMory 
of the 


REV. JAMES WETMORE, 


The late, worthy, learned and faithful 
Minister of the Parish of Rye, 


for about thirty years, 
who having strenuously defended the Church 


with his pen, and adorned it by his life 
and doctrine, at length being seized 
of the small pox, departed this 
life, May 15, 1769. AXtatis, 65. 


Cujus memorize sit in 
Benedictione sempiterna. 


Mr. Wetmore left issue two sons—Timothy, afterwards Attorney- 
General of the Province of New Brunswick, and James, of Rye—descen- 
dants of the latter are still living in the town. Also four daughters— 
Alethea, wife of the Rev. Joseph Lamson; Anna, wife of Gilbert Brund- 
age; Charity, wife of Josiah Purdy, from whom descend the Purdys, of 
Rye; and Esther, who married first David Brown, and secondly Jesse 
Hunt, Esq., high sheriff of this county in 1780, 

In a letter or May 6th, 1761, Mr. Timothy Wetmore complains to the 
Society, “that since the death of his father they had not been favored 
with a sermon, or either of the sacraments, for six or eight months.”@ 


a St. George Talbot, Esq., see vol. i, 25. 


b Reports of Propagation Soc. 
e The last will of James Wetmore, clerk, bears date Nov., 1759. Surrogate’s office, N. Y., 


Lib. xxii, 123. 
d Reports of Propagation Soc. 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 187 


After a vacancy of nearly two years the mission was again filled by 
the appointment of the Rev. Ebenezer Punderson.« In 1763, this 
gentleman informs the Society “ that since writing his last letter, besides 
two-thirds of the Sundays at Rye, and the other third at White Plains, 
North Castle and Bedford, he had been twice to Crumpond and once 
to Croton ; he had also baptized nineteen adults, and ninety-two chil- 
dren.” 

Mr. Punderson died in 1764. The following inscription is taken from 
his monument in the grave yard. 


SACRED TO THE MEMory 
of the 
REV. EBENEZER PUNDERSON, 
late Missionary to the Ven. Society for 
Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, 
who died 22d Sept., A. D. 1764, 
being 60 years of age. 


‘* With pure religion was his spirit fraught, 
Practiced himself what he to others taught.” 


Upon the 19th day of December, 1764, Grace church Rye, received 
the following charter from King George the Third: 


CHARTER OF GRACE CHURCH, RYE. 


George the Third, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland 
King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth, To all to whom these presents shall 
come, greeting: Whereas our loving subjects, Peter Jay, Elisha Budd, Christo- 
pher Isinghart, Timothy Wetmore, Caleb Purdy, Joshua Purdy, John Guion, 
Joseph Purdy, Gilbert Willet, John Carhart, Thomas Sawyer, Gilbert Brundige, 
John Thomas, William Sutton, Anthony Miller and John Adee, inhabitants of 
the parish of Rye, in the County of Westchester, in our Province of New York, 
in communion of the Church of England as by law established, by their humble 
petition presented on the sixteenth day of November last past, to our trusty and 
well beloved Cadwallader Colden, Esquire, our Lieutenant Governor and Com- 
mander-in-Chief of our Province of New York and the territories depending 
thereon in America, in Council did set forth that the inhabitants of the said 
parish of Rye, in communion of the Church of England as by law established, 
have by voluntary contributions erected and finished a decent and convenient 
church in the town of Rye, in the said parish, for the celebration of divine service 
according to the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England; but that from a 
want of some persons legally authorized to superintend the same and manage 
the affairs and interests thereof, the said church is greatly decayed, and the peti- 


_ For the induction of Mr. Punderson, see Surrogate’s office, N. Y. Book of Commissions, 
Bh 


188 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


tioners discouraged from contributing to the repair thereof, least the moneys 
given for that purpose may be misapplied ; and that on that account also charit- 
able and well disposed people are discouraged in their design of establishing 
proper funds for the future support of the said church and the better mainten- 
ance of the ministry, and therefore humbly prayed in behalf of themselves and 
the rest of the inhabitants of the said parish in communion of the Church of 
England as by law established, our letters patent incorporating them and the 
rector and inhabitants of the said parish incommunion of the Church of England 
as by law established, for the time being a body corporate and politick, with 
such rights, privileges, and immunities, as should appear proper and expedient to 
answer the purposes aforesaid, Now We being willing to encourage the pious 
intentions of our said loving subjects and to grant this their reasonable request, 
Know: Ye that of our special grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, we have 
ordained, given, granted and declared,and by these presents for us, our heirs, 
and successors, do ordain, give, grant and declare, that they the said petitioners 
and the rest of the inhabitants of the said parish of Rye in Communion of the 
Church of England as by law established, and their successors the inhabitants of 
the said parish of Rye in communion of the Church of England as by law estab- 
lished, with the rector of the said parish of Rye for the time being, for ever, shall 
for ever hereafter be one body corporate and politick in deed, fact anc name, 
by the name, stile and title of the rector and inhabitants of the parish of Rye, 
in communion of the Church of England as by law established, and them and 
their successors by the same name, we do by these presents for us our heirs and 
successors really and fully make, erect, create and constitute one body politick 
and corporate in deed, fact and name for ever; and will, give, grant and ordain, 
that they and their successors the rector and inhabitants of the parish of Rye in 
communion of the Church of England as by law established, by the same name 
shall and may have perpetual succession, and shall and may be capable in law to 
sue and be sued, implead and be impleaded, answer and be answered unto, de- 
fend 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 other 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, re- 
ceive, 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 (exclusive 
of the said church and the ground whereon the same is built and the cemetery 
belonging to the same) doth not at any time exceed the sum of five hundred 
pounds current money of our said province, and that they and their successors by 
the same name shall have full power and authority to give, grant, sell, lease and 
dispose of the same real estate for life or lives, or years, or for ever, under cer- 
tain yearly rents; and all goods, chattels and personal estate whatsoever at their 
will and pleasure, and that it shall and may be lawful for them and their succes- 
sors to have and usea common seal; and our will and pleasure further is, and we 
do hereby for us, our heirs and successors, ordain and appoint that there shall be 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 189 


for ever hereafter belonging to the said church one rector of the Church of Eng- 
land as by law established, duly qualified for the cure of souls, two church- 
wardens, and eight vestrymen, who shall conduct and manage the affairs and bus- 
iness of the said church and corporation in manner as hereafter is declared and 
appointed, And for the more immediate carrying into execution our royal will and 
pleasure herein, we do hereby assign, constitute and appoint Peter Jay and Elisha 
Budd to be the present church wardens; and John Thomas, Joshua Purdy, Chris- 
topher Isinghart, William Sutton, John Adee, Caleb Purdy, Anthony Miller and 
Timothy Wetmore to be the present vestrymen of the said church, who shall hold, 
possess, and enjoy their said respective offices until Tuesday in Easter week, 
which shall come and be in the year of our Lord one thousand, seven hundred 
and sixty-six ; 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 in the said year of our Lord one thousand, seven 
hundred and sixty-six, and yearly and every year thereafter for ever, on Tuesday 
in Easter week in every year, the rector and inhabitants of the parish of Rye in 
communion of the Church of England as by law established, shall meet at the 
said church, and there by the majority of voices of such of them asshallso meet, 
elect and choose two of their members to be church-wardens and eight others of 
their members to be vestrymen of the said church for the ensuing year, which 
said church-wardens and vestrymen so elected and chosen shall immediately enter 
upon their respective offices, and hold, exercise and enjoy the same respectively 
from the time of such elections for and during the space of one year, and until 
other fit persons shall be 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 which shall be hereafter elected and chosen by virtue of these pres- 
ents, shall die or remove from the said parish of Rye before the time of their re- 
spective appointed services shall be expired, or refuse or neglect to act in the office 
of which he or they is or are herein nominated 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, ordain and require the rector and inhabitants of the par- 
ish of Rye in communion as aforesaid for the time being to meet at the said* 
church, and choose other or others of their members in the place or stead of him 
or them so dying, removing 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 procedings therein, we do hereby 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, shal! 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 af- 
ter divine service on the Sunday next preceeding the day appointed for such elec- 
tion, hereby giving and granting that such person or persons as shall be so chos- 
en from time to time by.the rector and inhabitants of the said parish of Rye in 
communion -as aforesaid, or the majority of such of them as shall in such case 
meet in manner hereby directed, shall have, hold, exercise and enjoy such the 
office or offices to which he or they shall be so elected and chosen from the time 
of such election until the Tuesday in Easter week thence next ensuing, and until 


190 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


other or others be legally chosen in his or their place or stead, as fully and amply 
as the person or persons in whose place he or they shall be chosen might or could 
have done by virtue of these presents; and we do hereby will and direct that this 
method shall for ever hereafter be used for the filling up all vacancies that shall 
happen 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 hereaf- 
ter elected and chosen as is herein directed, shall have and they are hereby in- 
vested with full power and authority to execute their several and respective offi- 
ces in as full and ample manner as any church-wardens or vestrymen in that part 
of our kingdom of Great Britain called England, or in this our province of New 
York, can or lawfully may execute their said respective offices; and further our 
royal will and pleasure is, and we do by these presents, for us, our heirsand succes- 
sors ,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 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 be- 
ing 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 for ever hereafter 
have, and they are hereby invested with full power and authority by majority of 
their voices, to do and execute in the name of the rector and inhabitants of the 
parish of Rye in communion of the Church of England as by law estahlished, 
all and singular the powers and authorities hereinbefore given and granted to the 
said rector and inhabitants of the parish of Rye in communion of the Church of 
England as by law established, any wise touching or relating to such lands, mes- 
suages and tenements, real and personal estate whatsoever, as they the said rec- 
tor and inhabitants of the parish of Rye in communion as aforesaid, shall or may 
acquire for the use of the said church ; and also inlike manner to order, direct, 
manage and transact the general interest, business and affairs of our said corpor- 
ation ; and also shall have full power and authority in like manner to make and 
ordain such rules, orders and ordinances as they shall judge convenient for the 
good government and the 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 near as may be agreeable thereto, and that the same be fairly 
entered in a book or books to be kept for that purpose. And also in like manner 
to appoint the form of the common seal hereinbefore granted and the same to 
alter, break and new make at their discretion; and also, in like manner, to ap- 
point 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 nomi- 
nating and appointing the clerk to assist him in performing divineservice, as also 
the sexton—any thing hereinbefore contained to the eontrary in any wise not- 
withstanding—which clerk and sexton shall hold and enjoy their respective offices 
during the will and pleasure of the rector of said church for the time being. And 


THE TOWN OF RYE, IgI 


whereas by the death of the late minister of the said church the same is now in 
avoidance, our royal will and pleasure is that in this case, and also in case of every 
future avoidance of the said church, either by the death of the rector thereof or 
otherwise, that the powers and authorities hereby vested in the rector, church- 
wardens and vestrymen in vestry met as above mentioned, shall, until the said 
church be legally supplied with another incumbent, vest in and be executed by 
the said church-wardens of the said church for the time being; provided always 
they have the concurrence and consent of the major number of the whole vestry- 
men of the said church appointed by these presents, or chosen by virtue hereof, 
for the time being, in every thing they shall in such case do by virtue hereof. 
And further we do by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, give and 
grant unto the rector and inhabitants of the parish of Rye in communion of the 
Church of England as by law established, and their successors for ever, that this 
our present grant shall be deemed, adjudged and construed in all cases most fa- 
vorably and for the best benefit and advantage of the said rector and inhabitants 
of the parish of Rye in communion of the Church of England as by law estab- 
lished; and that this our present grant being entered on record as is hereinafter 
particularly expressed, shall be good and effectual in the law to all intents, con- 
structions and purposes whatsoever, against us, our heirs and successors, accord- 
ing to our true intent and meaning herein before declared, notwithstanding the 
not reciting or misreciting, not naming or misnaming of any of the aforesaid 
franchises, privileges, immunities, offices or other the premises, or any of them; 
and although no writ of ad guod damnum, or other writs, inquisitions or pre- 
cepts hath or have been upon this account had, made, issued or prosecuted, to 
have and to hold all and singular the privileges, liberties, advantages and im- 
munities hereby granted or meant, mentioned or intended so to be, unto 
them the said rector and inhabitants of the parish of Rye, in communion of the 
Church cf England as by law established, and to their successors for ever. In 
testimony whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent and the 
great seal of our said province to be hereunto affixed, and the same tc be entered 
on record in our secretary’s office in our city of New York, in one of the books 
of patents there remaining. Witness our trusty and well beloved Cadwallader 
Colden, Esquire, our Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief of our 
Province of New York, and territories thereon in America, at our Fort in our 
city of New York, by and with the advice and consent of our Council for our 
said province, the nineteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord one 
thousand seven hundred and sixty-four, and of our reign the fifth. First skin, 
line the fortieth, the words o7 with and second skin, line the twenty-seventh, the 
word 7s are interlined. CLARKE. 


August 27,1765. The Rev. Ephraim Avery was appointed to the 
mission of Rye. 

In 1773, Mr. Avery’s notitia parochialis stood thus: Baptized, ninety 
infants, adults, six ; colored infants, five ; marriages, five ; burials, ten. 

On the 5th of June, 1776, he informs the Society “that he has lost 
the use of his right hand, and therefore is incapable of writing and send- 
ing an account of his parish.” 


192 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 

“The persecutions and privations to which the clergy were exposed 
(says Dr. Hawkins) in the war, whether from the Royalist or American 
armies, proved fatal to several of them. At Rye, Mr. Avery was a princi- 
pal sufferer ; his horses were seized, his cattle driven off, and his property 
plundered. His death, by some supposed to have been occasioned by 
these losses, happened soon afterwards.” 

The Rev. Isaac Hunt succeeded Mr. Avery in the rectorship, having 
been appointed by the Propagation Society in 1777, with a salary of 
£49. 

During the subsequent years the parish of Rye suffered considerably 
from the confusion that attended the Revolutionary war. The church 
was burned, the glebe lands hired out on terms which produced but a 
small income, and the parishoners scattered. 

After the close of the war, the congregation received a letter from the 
Rev. Samuel Provoost, rector of Trinity church, New York, Abraham 
Beach and Benjamin Moore, dated April 17, 1786, inclosing the jour- 
nals of the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church, held in 
Philadelphia, September, 1785. 

Upon the reception of this letter, a meeting of the congregation was 
called, which assembled at the house of Mrs. Haviland, in Rye, on the 
5th of May, 1786. a 

Mr. Joshua Purdy was unanimously elected president of the meeting. 
On motion, it was resolved to take the sense of the congregation, whether 
they would comply with the request of the letter, and send delegates to 
meet in convention at St. Paul’s church, in New York, upon the third 
Tuesday in May next. 

The sense being taken, it was unanimously agreed to send delegates. 
William Miller and Alexander Hunt, Esqs., were chosen delegates to the 
General Convention. 

September, 1787. The Rev. Richard Channing Moore (afterwards 
Bishop of Virginia) was elected to the rectorship, the first since the close 
of the war. 

At a vestry meeting held 5th of March, 1788, it was determined by 
that body to erect a new church on or near the place where the old ruins 
stood. 

Upon the resignation of Mr. Moore, in 1788, the Rev. David Foote 
accepted an invitation to the rectorship. This individual was called away 
whilst in the morning of life from the field of his earthly labors to reap 
an eternal reward, A.D. 1793. 


a Hawkins’ Hist, Not, Col. Church, 281. Mr. Avery wasastep-son of the celebrated Gen- 
eral Putnam.—Editor, 


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PARSONAGE OF EPISCOPAL CHURCH, RYE. 


ii, 193. 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 193 


His tombstone bears the following simple inscription : 


Iy Memory 

of the 
REV. MR. DAVID FOOTE, 
late Pastor of Rye and White Plains, 
who departed this life the first of August, 
1793, 
aged 32 years. 
Blessed are the dead who 

die in the Lord. 

The Rey. John J. Sands was called to, and accepted, the rectorship in 
1793. For the successors of Mr, Sands, see the list of rectors. 

Another important event occurred about this time, in the winter of 
1794. The parsonage house, on the west side of Blind brook, was 
burnt. This house had been the residence of the rector since Mr. Wet- 
more’s time. The vestry at first inclined to rebuild the parsonage on its 
former site, but afterwards concluded to purchase the house and land of 
Isaac Doughty, near the church; and May 24, 1794, this purchase was 
made for £400. Thus they acquired the beautiful and spacious rectory 
grounds which they now possess. 

In 1852, steps were taken to replace the old wooden church built in 
1788; and in 1855, Bishop Wainwright consecrated the new church. In 
1864, a neat and convenient Sunday-school room was erected near the 
church, and soon afterwards the church was enlarged and embellished. 
But on the evening of December 21, 1866, this beautiful church was de- 
stroyed by fire, and within two years a new and larger edifice arose on 
the same site. The present church was consecrated on the roth of 
June, 1869, by Bishop Potter. 

At a meeting of the rector, wardens and vestrymen, held in 1794, it 
was resolved to substitute the title Christ’s instead of Grace, by which 
the church had heretofore been distinguished. 

The principal benefactors to this parish have been the Hon. Caleb 
Heathcote, St. George Talbot, Esq., Ann Jay,® sister of the Hon. John 
Jay, and the wardens and vestry of Trinity church, New York.’ 

Christ’s church, Rye, was incorporated on the 12th of March, 1796. 
Peter Jay and John Barker, church-wardens ; Joshua Purdy, Sen., Roger 
Purdy, John Haight, Thomas Carhart, Gilbert Hatfield, Roger Purdy, 
Jonathan Horton and Jonathan Purdy, vestrymen.* A second incorpo- 


a _ ey left a legacy of $250 to the church. 
6 In 1800, Trinity church contributed $750 for a parsonage at Rye; to which was added in 
1813. the sum of $500. 
¢ CO. Rec. Religious Soo. Lib. A. 


194 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


ration occurs on the 18th of June following. 

The present glebe was purchased by the vestry in 1794. Uponita 
neat parsonage has been erected. 

The first delegates from this parish to the Diocesan Convention in 
1785, were Mr. William Miller and Mr. Alexander Hunt. 


InstIT. on CALL, Reorors, VACATED By, 
A.D. 1702, Rev. Thomas Prirowarp, Clericus, death. 
A.D. 1704, .Rery. Geor@Ee Mouirsoy, Clericus, o 

January, 1709, Rey. CuristopHer Brioas, M.A., Cler.¢ “ 
1719, Rey. Mr. Baroray, Clericus, resig. 

1720, Rey. Tuomas Poyer, Clericus, a 

4 June 1722, Rey. Ropert JENNEY, Clericus,? a 
1726, Rey. James WETMORE, Clericus, death. 
1746, Rey. Josepn Lamson, Clericus, resig. 
1 July, 1763, Rey. EBENEZER PunpErsoy, Clericus.¢ death. 

27 Aug. 1765, Rey. Erpnram Avery, Clericus, ae 

1777, Rey. Isaao Hunt, Clerius, resig. 
Sept. 1787, Rey. RiowarpD C. Moors, Presb., i. 
Nov. 1790, Rey. Davin Footer, Presb., death. 
1793, Rey. Joun J. Sanps, Presb. resig. 
Nov. 1796, Rey. GEorGE Oaityin, Presb., death. 
Aug. 1797, Rey. Samvuet Haske tt, Presb., resig. 
April, 1801, . Rey. Evan Rogers, Presb., death. 
1809, ° Rev. Samver Hasxert, Presb., resig. 
1822, Rey. Wir.t1AM Tompson, Presb., death. 
1830, Rey. Joun M. Forsss, Presb., resig. 
1832, Rev. Witi1aM M. Carmicuakt, Presb., se 
Aug., 1834, Rey. Prerer 8. Cuauncey, Presb., e 
May, 1849, Rey. Ep, C. Butt, se 
May, 1859, Rev JoHN CAMPBELL WHITE, oo 
Noy. 1864, Rey. Reese F. Atsop, a Dy: 
June 1873, Rev. CHaunoey B. Brewster, present incumbent. 


a The following obituary notice of Mr. Bridge, is from the Boston newspaper of June 1st 
to 8th, 1719: ‘* We have an account from Rye, in the government of New York, of the death 
of the Rev. Mr. Bridge, M. A ,a Presbyter of the Church of England, and minister of the 
gospel at that place, who died on Saturday, the 23d of May, Jast. He was formeriy, for many 
years together, one of the ministers of the Church of England, in Boston, a religious and 
worthy man, a very good scholar, and a fine grave preacher. His performances in the pulpit 
were solid, judicious and profitable ; his conversation was agreeable and improving, and 
though a strict Churchman in his principles, yet of great respect and charity to dissenters, 
andmuch esteemed by them. He was bred at the University of Cambridge, in England, and 
was about forty-eight years of age when he died, very much lamented.” Extracted from 
Greenwood's Histcry of King’s Chapel. 

b This gentleman_was the son of Archdeacon Jenny, of Wanney town, in the north of Ire- 
land. See Hist. of Narraganset church by Wilkins Updike. 


ec Mr. Punderson graduated at Yale College in 1726, and was afterwards ordained 9, Congre- 
gational minister over the second church in Groton, In 1732 he came into the Episcopal 
church,and crossed the Atlantic to be ordained. On his return,he reorganized a church at the 
village of Poquetannuc,in North Groton, in 1738, which has ever since existed, &c. Mr. Pun- 
derson was for some years an itinerant missionary of the ‘‘ Society for the Propa ation of 
the Gospel,” from 1740 to 1750. In 1753-4 he was settled missionary in the towns of Guilford. 
New Haven and Bradford.” Ibid. 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 195 


The old church was erected in 1788, and has since been sold; and 
now stands on the Milton road, and is used as a private residence. 

A new parsonage was commenced in 1878, and finished in the Fall of 
the same year. It is built of stone, in Queen Anne’s style, directly op- 
posite, on the south side of the church. 

There is Grace chapel at Milton, where services are held regularly by 
the rector of Christ’s church, Rye. 


METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF RYE. 


According to report, Methodism was introduced into this part of Rye 
about 1802. The marriage of Esther, widow of John Griffen, of Mam- 
aroneck, to Ezekiel Halsted, of Rye, in that year, was the occasion of it. 
Mrs. Griffen had united with the Methodist Episcopal church before her 
marriage to Mr. Halsted. Whilst Mr. E. Halstead was a member of the 
Congregational church in Greenwich, soon after his marriage he identi- 
fied himself with the Methodist. 

The Methodists for many years occupied the Presbyterian church in 
connection with that body; but differences springing up between them 
in 1832, they ceased to use the church; and the same year a lot, com- 
prising half an acre, was bought and a church erected. 

In 1853 a house and four acres of land, situated on the turnpike, 
about half a mile from the church, were bought for a parsonage. In 
1855, the trustees bought eight acres of land for a cemetery; to this, 
nearly seven acres have been added. 

In 1855, the trustees sold the parsonage; and in 1860 bought land di- 
rectly opposite the church and built a parsonage. In March, 1864, the 
church was remodelled at an expense of $4,000. Lately the property 
adjoining the church, consisting of two and a half acres, was bought for 
$10,000. A Sunday-schcol room was built, a house on the premises 
was altered for a parsonage, and other improvements made at a cost of 
about $5,000, and the old parsonage was sold. 

South of the village lies Peningoe Neck, commonly called Brown’s 
Point, one mile and a halfin extent. The extremity of the point in the 
neighborhood of the Scotch Caps, has been considerably undermined by 
the constant action of the waves. The eastern shore of the neck has 
also receded, before the same destructive element. The beach, on Rye 
flats,is a well-known and favorite bathing place. It also commands an 
extensive view of the Sound. The name of Parsonage Point has been 
conferred on the south-east projection. At present the principal propri- 


a Baird’s History of Rye. 


196 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


etors are Gideon Reynolds and Hachaliah Brown, Esq. The latter in- 
dividual holds 250 acres of the lower portion. 

Upon the western shore of Peningoe neck, or Brown’s Point, stands 
the small hamlet of Milton, overlooking the mouth of the Blind brook 
(Mockquams), the beautiful scenery of the Mill creek and the wooded 
shores of Budd’s Neck. Here are several stores and a tide mill; the 
latter is situated at the head of the navigable waters of Mill creek. In 
the immediate vicinity of Milton, is the residence of Newberry Halstead, 
Esq., which, from its elevated position, commands splendid prospects of 
the river and surrounding country. The Halsteads have been long resi- 
dents of Rye, and descend from a common ancestor of that name, who 
originally came from Huntington, Long Island. The adjoining propri- 
etors are Underhill Halstead, Joseph Parker and Gideon Reynolds. 

Near the entrance of the Neck proper, is located the ancient z//age 
burying ground, Here the frail memorials— 


‘‘ With uncouth rhymes and shapeless sculpture decked, 
Implore the passing tribute of a sigh.” —Gray’s Elegy. 


The following inscription is taken from one of the oldest tombstones : 
Mary, daughter to Samuel and Mary Kniffen, deceased January ye 12, 
1707. Upon another richly carved stone surmounted by a winged 
cherub, are these words: In memory of Mr. Joseph Lyon, who deceased 
February the 21st, A. D. 1761, in the 84th year of his age. Here are 
also interred the bodies of the Rev. William Thompson® and the Rev. 
Evan Rogers. The tombstone of the latter is inscribed as follows : 


THE 
Masonio Society IN THE TOWN OF RYE, 
have erected this monument sacred to the memory 
of their beloved brother, the 
REV. EVAN ROGERS, 
Pastor of Christ Church in this town, 
who departed this life January 25th, 1809, 
in the 42d year, of his life. 


My flesh shall slumber in the ground, 

Till the last trumpet’s joyful sound, 

Then burst these chains with sweet surprise, 
And in my Saviour’s image rise. 


Also memorials to Stephen Roe, M. D., and Dr. Charles McDonald, 
a soldier of the Revolution. The Union Gemetery is situated in North 


a The inscription on the tombstone of Mr. Thompson, is an exact copy of that upon his 
tablet in the church. 


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Fearn ts at eat OF hated ts Pt | OP 


To face page 197, vol. il. 


Arms :—Borne by the Huguenot. 


D’azur. au chevron d’or, en chef demi soleil splendant, entre deux etoiles de meme en point, a roe propre surmonté paroiseaux. 


PEDIGREE OF JAY, OF RYE AND BEDFORD. 


Crest :—Deux ceeurs unis. Present crest :—A cross mounted upon 


three graces, or steps. Motto :—Deo Duce Perseverandum. 


Pierre Jay, Ecuyer of the house of Le Jay, of Poictou T udith Francoise, da. of Mons. Francoise, of La Rochelle 


Bears day, died during the voyage 
from France to England 


Petbr Jay, of Rye, nat. 3d Nov., Mary, da. of Jacobus Van Cort- 
1704, ob. 17th April, 1782; m. | landt, of the old Yonkers, ob. 
20th Jan., 1728. Buried at | 17th April, 1777 
Rye 


| 
Isaac Jay, 1690, died of wounds re- 
ceived at the battle of Boyne 


| 
Frances,_Hon, Mr. Poloquin, Mayor of 
ob, 1742 Bristol, England 


| 
Augustus Jay, nat. at La Rochelle, 13 March, 1665, _Anna Maria Bayard, license of mar- 
ob. 10 March, 1751; came to New York, 1697 riage dated 27th October, 1697 


| 

Mary, nat. 31st Aug., Peter Vallette, ob. 
1700; ob. 5th June, 9th Dec , 1752 
1762 


| 

Ann, nat. 6th March, 
1706; ob. 24th Dec- 
ember, 1707 


mrshena nat, 26th Feb., Frederick Van 
1701; mar. 19th Jan., Cortlandt, ob, 
1724; ob. 2d August, 13th February, 
1780 1750 


Judith, nat. 29th__Cornelius Van Horne 
Aug. 1698, ob. ob. May, 1752; mar, 
August, 1757 6th April, 1735 


| | 
meas nat. James, nat. 27th Sir James, Knight, pater, nat. 19th_Mary Duyck- 


| 
Frederick, 


| | i.) a Gs Earn. 
Hon. John Jay, of Bedford,—Sarah, da. of Hon. Wm. Frederick, _1.Margaret, da. of Andrew Barclay, m. 7th Eva, nat. 9th Rev, Harry Munro, Anna Maria, nat. aah, nat. Nov. 
nat, 12th December, 1745; | Livingston, Gov.of N.J., nat.19Apr., Sept., 1773; ob. 23 Oct., 1791. Nov., 1828; M.A , Rector of St. 


nat. 10 


15th April, 1730 April, 1781; ob. nat, 27th Oct. 1732; Oct., 1734; ob, —_ inck, mar. May, 1744; ob. 20th Oct., 1737 ; 10th. 1748; ob. 
ob, 23d Dee., 16th Oct, 1751; ob. 20th Oct,, 1815. 8th July, 1813 1789 July 5th, 1741 m. 28th April, 1174; ob.17 | nat. Aug., 1756; ob. at 1747; ob.s.p. _2 Euphemia Dunscomb, ob. 26th Feb., ob. April7, John’s Church, ob. 4th Sept., 18th May, 1752 
1801. 8. p. 8. D. Buried at Rye May,1829 Buried at Rye | Bedford, 28th May, 1802 14 Dec., 1799 1817 1810 Philipsborough 1791 


Sahn, nat. at Mardrid, July 
9th, 1180; ob, 1st August, 1780; 
Interred in the vault of the 
Flemish Chanel, at Madrid 


Hot. Peter Augustus Jay, of Rye_ Mary Rutherfurd, 
Neck, nat, 24th Jan., 1777; mar. | da, of Gen. Mat- 
July 29th, 1807, at Liberty Hall, | thew Clarkson 
N.J.; ob. 20th Feb., 1848 


Salah Louisa, nat. 
New York, 20th Feb., 
1792; ob, 22d April, 
1818 


Hon. Judge \ittiam Jay, of Bedford, Augusta MeVicker, da. of 
nat. 16th June, 1789; ob, October | John McVickar, Esq., of 
14, 18:8, Buried with his wife in St. |} Bloomingdale,N.Y. ; nat. 11 
Matthew’s Church-yard, Bedford Nov., 1790; ob. Apr. 26, 1857 


as nat. at Passy, 
near Paris, August 
13th, 1783; ob. at 
N.Y., 13 Nov., 1856 


Meta, mar. 22d April, 1801, _Goldsborough Banyar, 
nat. at Madrid, February Esq., ob. June, 1806. 
20th, 1782; ob. at N. Y., Buried at Rye 
2ist November, 1S56 


| 
Mary Rutherfurd, Frederick 


| 
Sarah, nat. Dec. 19th, Wm. Dawson, 


hae F | ‘ | 
Catharine Helena_Henry Aug. DuBois Anna Maria, —Henry Evelyn Pierre- Peter Augustus Josephine, da. of Jos. mitdabeth Gian Matilda, Mathew Clarkson 


| | 
Join Clarkson, M.D.,_ Laura Prime, da. 
of Rye Neck; nat.| of Nathaniel nat. April 16th, 1810: | Prime, Esq. 1811; mar. Feb. 11th, | Esq., of Eng- mar. Dec. 7th, LL.D., of New m. Dec. 1st, | pont, Esq., of nat. Oct. 28d, 1821; | Pearson, Esq., of Clarkson mar. April 11, 
Sept. 11th, 1808; mar. | Prime, Esq., of mar. April 80th, 1829; | of N. Y. 18386; ob. 9th Jan,| land 1835 Haven 1841 Brooklyn mar. Jan. 13, 1848; | Washington, D. C. 1852 
Nov. 8th, 1881 New York ob. Sept. 9th, 1835 1846 Ob. 1856 | 
| ae | ero Wed: ll ele melhor gat eee ey een | i co | l ; fl 
Mary Rutherfurd Tarr ett, m. Helen Jay, m. BASS cas 4 sa EY a s BE ye oo PE x Rey Az Q Mary Rutherfurd _Rutherfurd a = a Boe HeB q Augastus, =Emily, da. of Banyer Clarkson, nat. 13th 
1867, Thomas P. Francis 'T. Gar- we es are ae 5 ag ae 53 | ret Ra 8 ers nat, Aug. 24, 1842 Stuyvesant, 5 5 Ben SE 2 PB nat. Oct. 17, | De Lancey March, 1854 
Gibbons, M. D. retson, Esq. = BES a Bry ety } Ew oF a & vs EP BE ob. 1880 Esq., of N.Y. ¢, y ye Soe) Rms 1850 Kane, Esq. 
Bosq ee Uist ier Sel eae Be S39 ees 
ree ong = = 4 a = 5a 23 ow — a REoy HOPS Augustus Jay, 
So | Pa B 5 2s Z 7a & 45 Pi on”: eae e's nat. August, 1877 
ad ] | | ] | | ] | | 
Laura, nat. —Chas. Pember- Augustus, nat. John, nat. Mary, Jonathan Edward, Esq., Cornelia Rev. Peter Aug., Julia, da. of Alfred C. Post, Anna Maria, nat. John Clarkson, —Tarriett, da. of Alice sarin Matilda, ob. young 
Feb. 8, 1854| ton Wurtz ob. 1889 ob. 1841 m. 186) | of the New York Bar nat June, 1841; ob.1875 | M. D., of New York 1843; ob, 1858 nat. 1844 | Gen Vinton 


| 
Eleanor, m.—Henry G. Chapman, Esq., wihtian, Esq., of the N.Y. Bar,Lucie, da of Henry 


| 
John, nat. 25 Aug , 1842: 


Te | | | | | | | 
US 9 Ey west Laura Jay Pierre, nat. 1876 Mary Rutherfurd Laura Prime John, nat, Dec. 1875 Maria Arnold. ob, young Edith Van Cortlandt 
of o gases — 
32uE 2 ORES | \ | 4 | | | 
oF 5 “ = ae ee Anna, nat. 17 Aug., —Rev. L. P. W. Balch, D.D. Maria Banyer, nat.—John F. But- John, Esq., nat. June 23d, —Eleanor Kingsland, Sarah Louisa,—Alex. M. Bruen, Eliza, nat. 23 May, Henry E, Pellew, Esq. William, nat. 26, June, Augusta, _H. E, Pellew, Esq. 
eee ve | ofB 1818; ob 5th of Jan., | Rector of St.Bartholomew’s — 28 April, 1515; ob. | terworth,Esq 1817; Minister to Vienna, | da. of H. W. Field, m. Aug. Ist, M.D., of Bruen 1823; ob. Dec., of England 1828; ob. 16th March, mar, 187 , 
& S ala =| =e aoa 1849 Church, New York 17 Noy., 1881 | of N. Y. 1869-75 of New York 1848 Place, Scarsdale 18¢9 1829 at Vienna 
ts’ oO 
BG gheg l | l l l 1 | l l 
a § <<28° Augusta Elizabeth Lewis, L. P. W., M.D.of Albany Augusta Jay, Wm.Leonard Smith Eliza Jay Augusta MecVickar, nat. 13 April, Alexandrine Alexander William Wm. Henry Edwin Geo., Chas. Ernest, nat. Elise Marian 
i 1851; ob. 13th April, 1863 Louise day Livingston nat. 10th June, 1859 Mar, 186€3 


| | 
Augusta, nat. Aug. 9th,_ Edmund Randolph Mary, William Henry Anna, ™. 18 Oct., 1872_H. E. Lt. Gen. Lothar von Schweinitz, German Ambassador 


June 23, 1859 of New York Lt.Col, U.S.A., nat. Feb, 12 1841 ; Oelrichs, Esq., of ob. July 18th, 1843 1844; m. Oct. 3, 1867, at | Robinson, Esq ,of Oct. 15, | Shieffclin, Esq., at Vienna, afterwards at St. Petersburg 
m, June, 12, 187s New York Bedford House; ob. Mar. | New York Bar 1863 | of New York 
20th, 1878 
ae ee | ao ; | | | ! | | ; | | | | in é ie 
enry Grafton, nat. JohnJay,nat. EleanorJay Beatrix Julia Eleanor Jay Moncure,nat. Augusta Frances Eleanor Jay William Jay, nat. Samuel Bradhurst, John Jay,nat, Hans Wilhelm, Emilia Maria ans Friedrich Hubert, Tans Lothar 


June 7th, 1860 Mar. 2d, 1862 


Feb. 3, i876 Beverley 14th April, 1866 nat. 9th Aug. 1870 Ist Sept., 1876 nat. 16 Noy. 1873 Eleonora nit. 30th Noy. 1877 nat. Ang. 17, 1880 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 197 


street. It contains monuments to the families of Budd, Nelson, Kniffen, 
Osborne, Bulkley, Brooks, Merritt, Yeoman, Halstead, Barker, Brown, 
Prevoost, Andrews, Berrian, Haviland, Russel, Mount, Fisher, and 
Ferguson, &c. 

On the west shore of the Mill creek, extends the ancient territory of 
Apawquammis, afterwards named Budd’s neck, from John Budd, the 
first grantee of these lands under the Indians, A. D. 1661. In 1639, 
the name of John Budd occurs in the New Haven records, as one of the 
first planters of that place. He subsequently removed to Southhold, 
Long Island, from whence he came to Rye in 1661. In 1663, John 
Budd was deputy from Rye to the general court of Connecticut.¢ 

John Budd, proprietor of Budd’s neck, by his last will dated the 13th of 
Oct., 1669, bequeathed to his son John, all his part of the Mill on Blind 
Brook, and to his son, Joseph, the Epawquammis lands. Joseph Budd 
was the first patentee of Budd’s orRye neck, under the crown, in 1720.7 
From the Budds, the neck went by purchase, into the families of the 
Purdys, Gedneys, Guions and Jays, &c. The property of the latter 
family, contains a large proportion of the old patent. 

We have previously shown, that John Budd released this portion of 
his patrimonial estate, including Pine Lsland, Marees neck and Hen Is- 
land, to Peter Jay, A.D. 1745. 

The Jay family who have been seated here for four generations, are of 
French origin, and descendants of Pierre Jay, Ecuyer, a wealthy mer- 
chant of La Rochelle, in 1684. Pierre Jay is presumed to have been 
of the house of Le Jay, of Poitou. There was also an ancient French 
family in Paris of the name of Le Jay, which formerly distinguished it- 
self in the civil department of the State, many of whom bore the same 
Christian name, as many of the Jays have since done—amongst whom 
is found, a John le Jay, in the early part of the sixteenth century; 
a Nicolas le Jay, Baron de Tilley de la Maison Rouge, et de St. Far- 
geau, Seigneur de Villiers, was first President to the Parliament of Paris, 
in 1636. This individual was theson of Nicolas le Jay, styled “ correc- 
teur des Comptes a Paris.Ӣ 


a Sometimes called Rye Neck. 


& New Haven Col. Rec. vol. i, 7. 

ec New Haven Col. Rec. vol. i, 425. 

d In the town records of Westchester, occurs the foliowing entry: “ Baptised by Mr. 
John Bartow, rector of Westchester parish, in the parish church in the town aforesaid, the 
eighth of August, 1703, Sarah Budd, the wife of Joseph Budd of Rye, in the County of West- 
chester, and their son Joseph Budd, aged eleven months, also. 

e Hist. Genealogique et Chronologique parle P. Anselme, 1731, vol. ix. 304. The arms 
borne by Nicolas Jay, were: ‘* D’azur au chevron d’or, accompagne en chef de deux etoiles 
de meme en point, d’un mouton passant d’argent. The arms of Pierre le Jay the Huguenot, 
closely resemble the former, viz.: ‘‘d’azur au chevron d’or, en chef demi soleil splendant, 
entre deux etoiles de meme en point, a roc propre surmonte par oiseaux. Crest. deux cceurs 
unis. 


198 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Of Pierre Jay, Mr. Renwick in his life of John Jay, remarks: “He 
was a native of France, and resided in the city of La Rochelle, his busi- 
ness was that of a merchant; and from collateral facts, we have reason 
to believe that he was both wealthy and enterprising. Like many of the 
most industrious and most respectable inhabitants in that part of the 
country, he was a Protestant ; and doomed as we shall see, to undergo 
much trouble and persecution on account of his religion. He seems to 
have had a sort of presentiment—probably derived from the growing dis- 
favor of the Protestants in the sight of the government—that it would at 
some time or other be necessary for him to sacrifice both country and 
property, on account of his religion. On this account, he determined 
to send one of his sons to England to acquire a knowledge of that lan- 
guage, and be educated there. His eldest son was the one chosen for 
this purpose, but he unfortunately died on the voyage. With great 
promptness, the father sent his second son, Augustus, who was then 
barely twelve years old, to take his place; this happened A. D. 1677.” 
The troubles and persecutions which Mr. Jay seemed to have foreseen, ‘ 
and which preceded the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, now com- 
menced ; and in January, 1685, the Protestant Church at Rochelle was 
pulled down, pursuant to a decree passed at that time. Finding that the 
Protestants still continued the exercise of their religion, and were not to 
be forced to change it by any ordinary means, a regiment of dragoons 
was despatched to that portion of the country, and quartered upon the 
Protestant inhabitants. We have full evidénce that these armed mis- 
sionaries had free license to make their hosts as uncomfortable as pos- 
sible, and were encouraged to practice upon them those insults so easily 
perpetrated by unrestrained and licentious soldiery.” 

We can easily imagine what must have been the situation of a pious 
family, and what the feelings of a husband and a father under such cir- 
cumstances. Mr. Jay determined that those nearest and dearest to him 
should no longer be exposed to insult and contamination ; and, find- 
ing a safe opportunity, he secretly sent his family, together with several 
articles of value, on board a vessel bound for England. This vessel ar- 
rived in safety. The departure of his family did not long remain un- 
discovered; and, causing suspicion of his own intentions, he was 
arrested and thrown into prison. From thence, by the intervention of 
some worthy Catholic friends, he was rescued; when, foreseeing that 
France was no longer a residence for him, he determined to leave it for 
ever. But first, it was necessary to raise funds for the support of him- 
self and family in a strange land; this he dared not do by turning any 
of his French property into money lest his motives should be surmised, 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 199 


and a second arrest should follow. At this time, several of his ships 
were expected to arrive. He gave secret orders to one of the pilots of 
the port, to bring the first of his ships that should arrive to anchor at 
some distance, and not come up to the town. The first of his vessels 
that made its appearance was from a Spanish port, laden chiefly with 
iron; and fortunately, both for his honor and his future means of living, 
both ship and cargo belonged entirely to himself. The pilot, faithful to 
his instructions, anchored the vessel in the place determined on. With 
his assistance, Mr. Jay embarked and sailed immediately for England. 
He arrived in safety, and happy must have been the meeting between 
him and his family. They were now out of danger, free from persecu- 
tion, and in the enjoyment of their chosen religion ; and, although their 
means were not so great as formerly, yet they still had a sufficiency. 
On his escape from France being made public, all his property was con- 
fiscated, and never was returned—so as to be of any use either to him or 
to his children. But one thing marred their happiness ; this was their un- 
certainty as what would be the fate of their second, now their eldest son, 
who was at that time probably in Africa, on commercial business of his 
father’s. This son, Augustus, the grandfather of John Jay, returned (not 
knowing of his parent’s escape) to Rochelle. Thence, facilitated by the 
kindness of his friends, he managed to procure a passage to Charleston, 
S. C.; for he also, like his parents, was resolute in sacrificing everything 
for his religion. From Charleston, driven by a climate unhealthy even to 
natives, and doubly so to foreigners, he travelled to Philadelphia; but, 
finding in that city, then an infant State, no field for the exercise of com- 
merce, to which he had been brought up, he made his way to New 
York. Here he not only found occupation, but friends—driven like him- 
self, by persecution, to carry the arts and industry of France to other 
shores. Here also he found churches built and attended by French re- 
fugees, and a service performed in his own language. Finding that his 
succcess in life must wholly depend upon his own exertions, he applied 
himself with diligence and skill to business, and followed for many years 
the calling of a supercargo. During this time, he both heard from his 
parents and made them acquainted with his weltare.¢ 
Leaving his fortunes for a while, we turn to those of his younger 
brother, Isaac. At this time, the war between William of Orange and 
_James II of England was in progress, and a regiment of French refu- 


a On the 4th of March, 1686, letters of denization were granted to Augustus Jay. Upon the 
29th of Saptember, 1698, King William III, by his royal letters patent, granted to Augustus 
Jay, ‘*all the rights and privileges of a native born English subject.” Augustus Jay was ad- 
mitted to the freedom of the city of New York. by the Mayor and Aldermen, on the 27th Jan- 
uary, 1700. From the original documents in possession of the Hon. William Jay, 


200 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


gees was enrolled by the former to assist in driving from Ireland his 
catholic competitor for the throne. Into this regiment Isaac entered, 
impelled by the ardor of youth, and no doubt not a little by the recol- 
lection of the many insults and injuries he and his family had received 
at the hands of those who professed the Romish religion. He sealed 
his conviction of the justice of his own cause with his blood, and died 
not long after the battle of the Boyne, from the effects of wounds re- 
ceived in that engagement. 

In the year 1692, Augustus, while pursuing his commercial avoca- 
tions, started on a voyage from New York to Hamburg ; on the passage 
the vessel was captured by a French privateer, and carried into St. Ma- 
loes. He, with other prisoners, was confined, not very closely as it ap- 
pears by subsequent events, in a fortress about fifteen miles from that 
place, While there, news arrived of the battle of La Hogue, and the 
prisoners were ordered into closer confinement. They, in some way, re- 
ceived news of this order ; and determined, before it was put in force, to 
effect their escape. Accordingly, on the evening that was to precede their 
imprisonment, Augustus and some of his companions succeeded in scaling 
the wall and dropping into the ditch. Whether his friends were 
stunned by the fall, or re-captured, he had no means of ascertaining. He 
himself, however, got out of the ditch, took the road and arrived at Ro- 
chelle. Here he was secreted and protected by his aunt, until she found 
means to send him to the isie of Aux Rhé, whence he got passage to 
Denmark. On his way home he passed through Holland, performed 
his business there, and then crossed over to England, where he saw his 
father and sister for the first time since their separation so many years 
before. There was one drawback to their joy, one cause of grief ; the 
mother who had gone through so many trials with them, was no more. 
The calls of business soon separated this happy party, and Augustus took 
a last farewell, and returnned to his business in America. 

A few years after his return he married Anna Maria, daughter of Mr. 
Balthazar Bayard. She, like himself, was descended from a family who 
had suffered from religious persecution. Her great grand-father was a 
Frenchman, a Protestant professor of theology in one of the colleges at 
Paris, who was forced either to give up his religion or leave his country, 
during the reign of Louis XIII. He chose the latter alternative, and 
fled to Holland, whence his grand-son emigrated to this country. 

By this marriage, Augustus Jay found himself surrounded by a num- 
erous and influential Dutch connection. In the colony of New York, 
the descendants of the Dutch were the most numerous class of the pop- 
ulation ; and they were remarkable for the liberal manner in which they 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 20T 


befriended and assisted their countrymen, or those connected with them. 

Soon after his marriage, finding himself in comfortable and respect- 
able circumstances, Mr. Jay sent out for his father and sister: but the 
father felt that his declining years would not permit such a voyage, and 
the sister would on no account leave him. Augustus Jay went on for 
many years increasing his wealth and influence ; and, after having had 
three children, all of whom were daughters, he was at last made happy 
by the birth of ason in the year 1704. This son, the father of John Jay, 
he named Peter. No other children were born ; and Peter, therefore, at 
his father’s death, which did not take place until he had reached the 
age of eighty-four, found himself sole bearer of the name of Jay. 

Peter Jay, like his father and grand-father, was a merchant and fol- 
lowed his business with such success, that at the age of forty he was able 
to retire and live on the proceeds of his industry. At the age of twenty- 
four, he married Mary van Cortlandt. This lady was the daughter of 
Jacobus van Cortlandt of the Lower Yonckers, by his wife Eva Philipse, 
daughter of the Hon. Frederick Philipse, lord of the manor of Philips- 
burgh. Through this lady, the Jays subsequently became possessed of 
the Bedford estates. 

Peter Jay, Esq., by his wife Mary van Cortlandt, had ten children. 

Their eighth child, John Jay, was born on the 12th of December, 
1745, the same year that his father purchased the Rye estate. At the 
age of eight years, John Jay was sent to a grammar school at New Ro- 
chelle ; his instructor being the Rev. Pierre Stouppe, minister of the 
French Episcopal church. ‘Here he continued for three years, and 
was then placed by his father under the care of a private tutor, who pre- 
pared him for college. The one selected was King’s, now Columbia 
College, an institution that boasts of many celebrated men among its 
alumni.” 

“Tn his fourth collegiate year he decided upon the law as his future 
profession.2 At the commencement held at St. George’s chapel, May, 
1764, General Gage and his Majesty’s council, &c., being present, Rich- 
ard Harrison, seventeen years of age, delivered the salutatory oration ; 
John Jay, a dissertation on the blessings of peace.” Upon this occasion 
he received his degree of Bachelor of Arts. 

The annexed sketch of Mr. Jay’s subsequent life is from Blake’s Bi- 
ographical Dictionary. 

“John Jay, LL. D., first Chief Justice of the United States under 
the constitution of 1789, graduated at King’s (now Columbia) College, 


a Here John Jay spent his boyhood, 
b Compiled and abridg<d from the life of John Jay by Henry B. Renwick, 


202 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


A.D. 1764; and in 1768 was admitted tothe bar. He was appointed 
to the first American Congress, in 1774. Being on the committee 
with Lee and Livingston to draft and address the people of Great 
Britain, he was the writer of that eloquent production. In the Congress 
of 1775, he was on various important committees, performing more 
service perhaps than any other member except Franklin and John 
Adams. In May, 1776, he was recalled to assist in framing the govern- 
ment of New York, and in consequence his name is not attached to the 
Declaration of Independence; but July 9th, he reported resolutions in 
the Provincial Convention in favor of the declaration. After the fall of 
New York, and the removal of the Provincial Assembly to Poughkeep- 
sie, Mr. Jay retained his resolute patriotism. The very eloquent ad- 
dress of the convention to the people of New York, dated Fishkill, De- 
cember 23, 1776, and signed by A. Ten Broeck, as president, was 
written by him. March 12, 1777, he reported to the convention of New 
York the draft of a form of government, which was adopted ; and many 
of the provisions of which, were introduced into the constitution of other 
States. From May 3, 1777, to August 18, 1779, he was Chief Justice of 
the State, but resigned that office in consequence of his duties as presi- 
dent of Congress. The glowing address of that body to their constitu- 
ents, dated September 8, 1779, was prepared by him. On the 2oth of 
September he was appointed minister plenipotentiary to the court of 
Spain. He was one of the commissioners to negotiate peace with Great 
Britain, and signed the definitive treaty of peace at Paris, September 3, 
1783. He returned to America in 1784. Congress had previously ap- 
pointed him Secretary of State for foreign affairs. In the difficult cir- 
cumstances of the country, the secretary was in effect the head of the 
government. Mr. Jay’s services were of great importance. He drew 
up, October 13, 1776, an elaborate report on the relations between the 
United States and Great Britain. Though not a member of the conven- 
tion which formed the Constitution of the United States, he was present 
at Annapolis, and aided by his advice. He also assisted Madison and 
Hamilton, in writing the Federalist. In the convention of New York, 
he contributed to the adoption of the Constitution. He was appointed 
Chief Justice, by Washington, Septemper 26,1789. In 1794 he was ap- 
pointed minister plenipotentiary to Great Britain, and succeeded in nego- 
tiating the treaty which still goes by his name, He was governor of the 
State of New York from 1795 to 1801. The remainder of his life he 
passed in retirement at Bedford, in this county. He died 17th May, 
1829. His remains are deposited in the family burying ground. 

By his wife, Sarah Vanburgh, daughter of the Hon. William Livings- 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 203 


ton, Governor of New Jersey, he left issue two sons, viz,: the late Hon. 
Peter Augustus Jay, member of the State Assembly in 1813, recorder of 
New York in 1819, and delegate to the convention which framed the 
late constitution of the State of New York; and the Hon. William Jay 
of Bedford, for several years a Judge of the late Court of Common 
Pleas in this county; besides four daughters. 

The family residence is situated near the post road leading to Rye at 
no great distance from the river. The building is a handsome structure 
of wood, presenting a lofty portico on the north. The south front com- 
mands a beautiful lawn, and charming views of the Sound and Long 
Island. Some highly interesting family portraits adorn the walls of the 
hall and dining-room ; amongst them are the following: Hon. John Jay, 
first Chief Justice of the United States, and Governor of the State of 
New York. Head by Stewart, figure by Trumbull. The Hon. John 
Jay sat to Colonel Trumbull (his secretary) for this picture, whilst resi- 
dent ambassador at the Court of St. James, London. The artist sub- 
sequently presented it to Mr. Jay.¢ Augustus Jay, who emigrated to 
this country in 1686, a copy from the original, by Waldo; Anna Maria 
Bayard, wife of Augustus Jay, by ditto; Peter Augustus Jay, as a boy, 
artist unknown ; an old painting upon oak panel, supposed to represent 
Catharine, wife of the Hon. Stephen Van Cortlandt, South Holland. 
This lady appears habited in a plain black dress, wearing a high neck 
ruffle, and in her right hand holds a clasped book. In one corner of the 
picture is inscribed “‘ Aitat. 64, 1630.” 

The library contains a large and valuable collection of shells amount- 
ing to between three or four thousand specimens. John C. Jay, M.D., 
has published several catalogues of the new and rare shells contained in 
his cabinet.¢ 

Among other family relics, we noticed the gold snuff box presented by 
the corporation of New York, with the freedom of the city, to his Excel- 
lency John Jay, on the 4th of October, 1784. Also a French Bible,?@ 
containing the following memoranda: Auguste Jay est né ala Rochelle 
dans le Royaume de France le 3} Mars, 1665. Laus Deo, N. York, 
July ye roth, 1733, this day at 4 o’clock in ye morning dyed Eva Van 

aThis picture has been engraved for Herring’s National Portrait Gatlery. In the possession 


of Henry Munro, Esq., is another portrait of the Hon. Jokn Jay, by Stewart, in his robes as 
Chief Justice of the United states. 


6 This picture was found in one of the old city residences of the Van Cortlandts. 


ce See ** Catalogue of recent shells in the cabinet of John C. Jay,” 8vo. New York, 1835, pp. 
56. ‘* Description of new and rare shells with four plates,’ 8vo. N. Y. 1836, 2d ed. pp. 78. **A 
catalogue of the shells arranged according to the Lamarckian system, together with descrip- 
tions of new and rare species contained in the collection of John ‘'. Jay, M. D.” 3d ed. 4to. 
New York, pp. 125, with ten plates. 

d The title runs thus, ‘* La Sainte Bible qui contient le Vieux et le Nouveau Testament. par 
David Martin, pasteur de l’Eglise Wallone d’Utrecht. Amsterdam, MDCCVII.” 


204 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Cortlandt, was buried ye next day ye 12 en ye voute at Mr. Stuyvesant’s 
about six and seven o’clock.” 

The situation of the Jay property is very fine, embracing some of the 
most graceful undulations of a hilly district, highly diversified with rocks, 
woods and river scenery. Contiguous to the southern portion of the 
estate, and bordering the Sound, is Maree’s neck, and the neighboring 
islands of Pine and Hen-hawk, the latter consisting of seventy-seven 
acres. A curious phenomenon, called Mirage, is frequently seen from 
these shores, when the land on the opposite coast of Long Island appears 
to rise above the waters of the Sound, while the intermediate portions 
seem to be sunk beneath the waves. This illusion is caused by a cer- 
tain state of the atmosphere, depending chiefly upon its humidity and 
warmth which changes considerably its ordinary refractive power. In 
days of ignorance and superstition, such appearances occasionally ex- 
cited a strange interest. 

In an opening of the woods on the south-east side of the mansion, is 
the family cemetery. 


HERE 
are interred 
the remains of the 


JAY FAMILY, 


which were removed from 
the family vault 
New York, 
the 28th of October, 
1807. 


IN MEMORY OF 
JOHN JAY, 


Eminent among those who asserted the liberty 


and established the Independence 
of his country, 


which he long served in the most 
important offices, 
Legislative, Executive, Judicial and Diplomatic, 
and distinguished in them all, by his 
ability, firmness, patriotism and integrity. 
He was in his life and in his death, 
an example of the virtues, 
the faith and the hopes 
of a Christian. 
Born Dec. 12th, 1745, 
Died May 17th, 1829. 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 205 


IN MEMORY PETER JAY MUNRO, 
of who died 
SIR JAMES JAY, Ky. 22 Sept., 1833, 
born 27 October, 1732, aged 66 years, 
died 20 October, 1815. 8 months and 12 days. 


IN MEMORY OF 
Wa OLD ICG Ra Ee 


relict of Joan W. Warxuss, Hsa., 
and last surviving daughter of 
Witram Lriyryeston, 
Governor of New Jersey, 
who departed this life 
July 7th, 1843, 
in the 83d year of her age. 


Anchored safe, the weary soul 
Shall find eternal rest, 

Nor storms shall beat nor billows roll 
Across my peaceful breast. 

Besides other appropriate memorials to Peter Jay, Peter Augustus 
Jay, Esq., Mary Rutherford Jay, Margaret Munro, Goldsborough Ban- 
yar, Eva Munro, Harriet Van Cortlandt and Mary Jay, wife of Fred- 
erick Prime, Esq. 

The adjoining territory upon the west, constitutes what was form- 
erly called Guion’s neck. From a branch of the Guion family descended 
from Isaac Guion of New Rochelle, the son of Louis Guion, who emi- 
grated from England about 1687. The beautiful beaver stream“ called 
by the Indians, Pockeotessen, rises north of Guion neck, and forms its 
western boundary. 

The Purdy estate is situated upon the eastern shore of Rye neck 
bordering the Blind Brook, (Mockquams). A short distance from the 
house is the burial place of the Purdy family, Among other memorials 
is the following : 

JOSHUA PURDY, 
ob. March 4, 1800, 
Adtat, 79. 


On the west bank of the Byram River, which here forms the boundary 
between New York and Connecticut, is situated the village of Port 


a Sometimes styled Stony Brook. 


206 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Chester.* ‘This place has grown rapidly within a few years, and bids 
fair to rival any on the Sound; among other causes, its manufactories 
have contributed greatly to promote this prosperity. The Byram or 
Armonck river, which waters this beautiful section of Westchester County 
takes its rise from the Byram lake—an extensive sheet of water, fed by 
the springs of the Comonck or Armonck hills in Bedford. During its 
downward course, it winds between lofty hills, fringed with copse wood. 
and abounding with bold projections which here and there break the 
course of its rapid current. In other places it forms romantic glens, 
shaded with the wild hemlock and fir. The wooded shores of Byram 
point, rise directly opposite the village, forming a fine contrast to the 
western side of the river. The Byram is navigable nearly two miles from 
its mouth, affording an easy transit from this place for the marketable 
productions of the interior. 

The site of the ancient ferzy across the Sound to Matinecock, upon 
Long Island, was the Horse Rock in the vicinity of Rye Port. 

Upon the 18th of July, 1739, King George the Second, by his royal 
letters patent, regulated and established a ferry at this place, to be kept 
and attended for the convenience of passing and repassing to and from 
the land in the two patents called Budd's neck and Peningoe neck, lying 
and being in Rye, to the island of Nassau, over against the township of 
Oyster Bay, in the said island. 


Which ferry our Joving subjects John Budd, Hachaliah Brown and Jonathan 
Brown, Esqs., propose to undertake and to provide and keep at their own charge 
and expense, a sufficient number of good and able boats and servants for the due 
attendance on such ferry, &c., &c., and have free liberty to ask, demand and 
take for ferriage at and for such ferry, &c., the several and respective fees here- 
inafter mentioned, &c., viz: for every person one shilling and sixpence, for every 
man and horse three shillings, for all horned cattle from two years old and up- 
wards each two shillings, for all colts and horned cattle under two years old each 
one shilling, for every score of sheep, lambs, hogs and sows five shillings, and so 
in proportion for any greater or lesser number, for every full barrel one shilling, 
for every empty barrel four pence, for every full pipe or hogshead six shillings, 
for every empty pipe or hogshead two shillings, for every firkin or tub of butter 
four pence, for every bushel of wheat, salt, grain, seeds or any other thing fully 
measured and sold by the bushel one penny ; for every waggon, cart or carriage 
seven shillings and sixpence, for every pair of wheels two shillings, for every 
cupboard, press for clothes or writing desk four shillings and sixpence, for every 
full trunk or chest two shillings and sixpence, for every empty trunk or chest 
one shilling, for every full half barrel sixpence, forevery gammon, flitch of bacon 
or piece of smoked beef one penny, for every hundred weight of gunpowder, iron, 
steel, sheet pewter or lead and iron or iron, copper or brass kettles or pots one 


a Formerly called Sawpits. 


THE TOWN OF RYE, 207 


shilling and sixpence, and so in proportion for any greater or less quantity, for 
every such one penny,for every corn fan five pence. for every hundred of shingles 
one shilling, for every bed, bedstead and bedding together three shillings, for 
every chair two pence, for every table eight pence, for every saddle without 
horse three pence, for every gun two pence, for every case with bottles nine 
pence, for every frying pan or warming pan two pence, for every looking glass 
of one foot sixpence, and so in proportion for all other goods for which no pro- 
vision is heieby made, and also all manner of privileges, &c., &c. For which the 
patentees and their heirs are to pay to the collector general of the town being, on 
the 25th day of March, commonly called Lady-day, the yearly rent of two shil- 
lings and sixpence, &c., &c. FREDERICK MORRIS, Secretary. 


The ancient ferry now exists only in name, the present rapid commu- 
nications with the island having superseded this dangerous mode of navi- 
gation. The property is vested in the Provoost family. Directly oppo- 
site the port lies Minnewies or Manursing Island, separated from the 
main by a narrow creek on the southwest side. It consists of one hun- 
dred acres, divided between the three proprietors, Joseph Bartam, Mr. 
Beale and Thomas Theall. Upon the main is situated the tide mill of 
Mr. Kirby. 

A dock appears to have been commenced at or near Rye fort as early 
as 1679, for in this year we find a grant made by the town to “ John 
Ogden of forty-eight or fifty acres of land by the water side at the Fish- 
ing rock, for the purpose of building a house and wharf. The inhabitants 
of Peningoe Neck to have wharfage free.” From Aye fort a steamboat 
runs daily to and from the city of New York. There is also a neat board- 
ing house established here for the accommodation of summer visitors to 
this delightful spot. 

The islands—called the Great, Middle and Little Captains—east of 
Manursing, belong to this town. 


THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 


It was the first place or worship built in the village of Portchester— 
commenced in 1830 and completed in 1833. The congregations of Rye 
and Portchester remained united for twenty-three years. In 1852 it be- 
came a distinct church, 


CALLED. List OF Pastors. RESIGNED. 
1853, Rey. Henry BENEDICT, 1863. 
1864, Rey. VALENTINE A. LEwis, 1867. 
1868, Rev. Ezra F. Munpy, 1878.4 
1877, Rey. Wituis W. DoweEt, present. 


At the foot of King street stands the 
@ Baird’s History of Rye. 


208 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 


It was built in 1831 ; it was dedicated by Bishop Janes in 1858, and cost 
about $10,000, This church took the name of Summerfield church, frona 
regard for the memory of the sainted John Summerfield, and two of 
whose surviving sisters were members—Mrs: James Blackstock and Miss 
Summerfield. 

The King street Methodist Episcopal church was built about the 


same year. 
THE BAPTIST CHURCH 


was dedicated on the 2d of February, 1865. 


PASTORS : 


Rev. E. S. Raymonp, Rey. Dr. Byrne, 
Rey. Lawson Stewart, Rey. JonarHan Bastow, 
Rey. A. C. Frrauson.¢ 


At the southern end of the village of Portchester stands the 
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. 


About 1846, they purchased a small frame building on Main street, 
which they used as a church, until 1852, when the Rev. E. J. O’Reilly be- 
came its pastor. In 1852, the old church was sold, and the present, 
Our Lady of Mercy, was built on the same site. Connected with this 
church is a school for boys and girls, and a convent occupied by the Sis- 
ters of Charity, who have charge of the female department. 


APPOINTED. PAsTors. REMOVED. 
Rev. E. J. O’REty, 1853. 
sz 1853, Rey. Taomas MocLoveutin, 1854. 
1854, Rey. Marruew Dow tine, present incumbent.® 


Near the eastern end of the village stands the 
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 


Rev. P.S. Chauncey, rector, of Rye, commenced services in 1836, in 
this village. They were often held in the old school house, at: the 
foot of King street hill, and sometimes in the Methodist church, and 
again in Armonck hall, then known as Burger’s chapel. 

The corner stone of the present church was laid on the 25th of July, 
1843, by Bishop Onderdonk. The land was given by the late William 
Adee, and completed at a cost of about $6,000. It was consecrated on 
the 15th of July, 1844, and called St. Peter’s chapel, in connection with 


a Raird’s History of Rye. 
b Baird’s History of Rye. 


THE TOWN OF RYE. 209 


Christ church, Rye. Rev. Mr. Chauncey continued to discharge the du- 
ties of this part of his charge, until January 30, 1848, when he resigned 
the rectorship of Rye. During the ministry of Rev. Ed. C. Bull, steps 
were taken to form a distinct parish at Portchester; and on April 12, 
1852, St. Peter’s church was organized as a separate parish. ‘The rec- 
tory of St. Peter’s church was built in 1860; the ground, two acres and 
three-eighths, was given by Read Peck, Esq. The church was enlarged 
in 1855, and afine Sunday-school and lecture-room was erected. 


CALLED. Reorors. REMOVED. 
1852, Rey. Isaao Prox, 1858. 
1858, Rey. GeEorGE PENNELL, 1859. 
1860, Rey. SamvugEL HoLiinecswortH, 

1872, Rey. BrooxHotst Morea, 1879. 
1880, Rey. J. GARDENER ROSENORANTZ, 


On the same side of the main street is situated the Presbyterian church. 

Near the western entrance of the village stands the residence of the 
Merritt family. Mr. Merritt, the present occupant, is a lineal descend- 
ant of John Merritt, one of the original proprietors of Rye. Of this family 
was “ Thomas Merritt, a cornet of cavalry in the Queen’s Rangers, A.D. 
1780. This gentleman subsequently settled in Upper Canada, and held 
the offices of sheriff of the District of Niagara, and surveyor of the 
King’s forests. He died at St. Catharine’s, May, 1842, aged eighty- 
two.” 
King street extends nearly seven miles north of Portchester, and finally 
terminates in the north-west corner of Greenwich township, Connecticut. 
The surrounding country is a fine agricultural district, embracing some 
of the finest farms in the county. 

BAPTIST CHURCH, KING STREET. 

This congregation existed before the Revolution. The church was 
completed in 1773, with a membership of fifty-four. It was supplied 
' for eleven years by the ministers of Tarrytown, Danbury, Long Island, 
and New York. After this the Rev. Nathaniel Finch was settled as 
Pastor, and continued in office until 1826; he died mm 1829, in the 
eighty-fifth year of his age. 


CALL. Pastors. REMOVED. 
Rev. NatHaniev Finong, 1826. 
1826, Rev. E. §. Raymonp, 1836, 
1836, Rev. Mr. Brewer, 1840. 
1840, Rey. E. 8S. Raymonp (returned), 1862. 
1862, Rey. O. C. Kirxuam, 1862. 


Since then, the congregation has had no settled pastor.’ 


a Baird's History of Rye. 
B Baird’s Hist. of Rye. 


HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Ny 
4 
Oo 


During the Revolutionary war the Continental forces appear to have 
been frequently quartered in this town. On the 8th of January, General 
Parson’s brigade were posted in Aing street. The same year, General 
Wooster’s division retreated as far as Rye Weck. Lieutenant Colonel 
Van Rensselaer also received orders from Congress to maintain his 
station until obliged to retreat upon Rye Meck. Subsequently the enemy 
occupied this portion of Westchester County, where the soldiers did 
much wanton mischief and plundered most of the houses. Their prin- 
cipal encampment seems to have been on the high ground between the 
villages of Rye and Portchester. 

The earliest record of town officers occurs on the 25th of April, 1671. 
Upon this occasion, “‘ George Kniffen and Francis Purdy were appointed 
pounders.” 

‘“*Upon the 3d of October, Joseph Horton, Thomas Brown and John 
Brondig were chosen fown and sedectmen for the year ensuing.” ‘28th 
of September, George Lane was elected constable.” ‘13th of June, 
1691, Mr. Joseph Theall, supervisor.” “June 26th, 1696, Deliverance 
Brown was chosen constable forthe town of Rye, and Mr. John Hoit, 
recorder.” 

The general surface of the town is uneven and stoney.* The land, 
however, is under good cultivation. The soil consists of a clay loam. 
The natural growth of wood is oak, chestnut, walnut, hickory, &c., on 
the higher lands ; and in the low lands, ash, birch, and maple. We have 
already shown that it is drained on the east by Byram River, and on the 
west by Blind Brook, both flowing into Long Island Sound. Upon these 
streams are numerous mill seats. Among the principal mineral produc- 
tions of the town may be noticed Chlorite,? ‘“‘a soft greenish substance, 
composed of minute scales, closely compacted together. It differs very 
little from soapstone,” also Tourmaline, in long slender crystals.° 

a@ Disturneli’s Gazetteer of N. Y. 


5 Rocks containing it are said to be Chloritie. 
e See geological surveyof the State, 1840, 


THE TOWN 


OF 


SO AES iD Act F. 


This town is bounded on the north by White Plains and Greenburgh, 
east by Mamaroneck, west by Greenburgh, and south by Eastchester and 
Rochelle. Under the Colonial Government it constituted a portion of 
the manor of Scarsdale, which also embraced the greater part of White 
Plains and the townships of North and New Castle,@ 

The place acquired its name fromthe Heathcote family, who origin- 
ally came from Scarsdale, Derbyshire, England. “More onward,” says 
the learned Camden (describing that part of Derbyshire), “‘ we see Ches- 
terfield in Scarsdale—that is, in a dale enclos'd with rocks. For crags 
were call’d scarrs by the Saxons.” Under the Mohegan Indians Scars- 
dale is believed to have formed a portion of the Indian territory of Qua- 
roppas, which was ceded to John Richbell by the Indian proprietors in 
1660. 

A.D. 1696, Col. Caleb Heathcote obtained of Anne Richbell, relict 
of John Richbell deceased, a full patent nght to purchase lands, “‘ which 
are already included in her husbands sale of 1660.” 

Upon the 3oth of March, 1701, occurs the following indenture “ be- 
tween Col. Caleb Heathcote on the one part, of Mamaroneck, gentle- 
man, and the Indian proprietors, Patthunck, Beaupo, Kohawney and 
Wapetuck, on the other part: 


‘* Witnesseth that the said Patthunck, Beaupo, Kohawney and Wapetuck, &c., 
for and in consideration of a certain sum of good and lawful money to them in 
hand paid, and secured to be paid, at or before the ensealing and delivery of 


a The presént township was organized on the 7th of March, 1788, 
4 See Mamaroneck, New Castle, &c, P 211 


212 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


+ 
these presents, by the said Caleb Heathcote, the receipt whereof the said Pat- 
thunck, Beaup», Kohawney, Wapetuck, &c., doth hereby acknowledge them- 
selves therewith to be fully satisfied and contented and paid and thereof and 
therefrom do acquit, exonerate and discharge the said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs, 
executors and administrators, have given, granted, sold, bargained, alienated, en- 
feoffed, and confirmed, and do by these presents give, grant, bargain, sell, alien- 
ate, enfeoffe and confirm unto the said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs and assignees 
forever, all our rights, title, and interest in a certain tract of land lying and be- 
ing in the county of Westchester, bounded as follows: To begin on the west side 
at the southermost end of a ridge known by the name of Richbell’s or Horse 
ridge, at a great rock, and so to run a north-north-west line to Broncks's river, 
and on the eastermost side with Mamaroneck river, and from the head thereof to 
Broncks's river, to have and to hold the said bargained premises, with every of 
the appurtenances thereunto belonging, to the said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs and 
assignees, forever; and that the said Caleb Heathcote. his heirs, executors, ad- 
ministrators, and assignees, shall and may at all times hereafter, and from time 
to time, peaceably and quietly have, hold, use, occupy, and enjoy, all and singu- 
lar the herein before mentioned bargained premises, with their and every appur- 
tenances, without the let, hindrance or molestation of them the said proprietors, 
their heirs or assignees. In witness whereof they have hereunto set their hands 


and seals, the day above written.¢ PATTHUNCK, 
Signed sealed and delivered in presence of us. BEAUPO, 
Ann MULLINGION, COHAWNEY, 
Bens. CoLuer, WAPETUCK. 


Joun Cooke, 
The mark of 
KaokQuERIN WOMATERA. 


Upon the 21st of March, 1701, the extensive purchases of Colonel 
Caleb Heathcote in Westchester county were erected into the lordship 
and manor of Scarsdale, to be holden of the king in free and common 
soccage, its lord yielding and rendering therefor annually, upon the fes- 
tival of the Nativity, five pounds current money of New York, &c. 


THE ROYAL PATENT. 


William the Third, by the grace of God, of England, Scotland, France and Ire- 
land, King, Defender of the Faith, &c., to all to whom these presents shall come, 
sendeth greeting: Whereas our loving subject Caleb Heathcote, Esquire, hath 
petitioned the Honorable John Nanfan, our Lieutenant-Governor and Comman- 
der-in-chief of the Province of New York in America, and our Council of the 
said Province, for a confirmation of a tract of land in the county of Westchester, 
beginning at a marked tree by Mamaroneck river, which is the eastermost side 
of the northern bounds of Mamaroneck township, being about two miles from 
the country road, and to run along the said river to the head thereof, and thence 
in a north line until eighteen miles from said marked tree is completed, westerly 
at the marked tree or a great rock, being the westermost part of the said north- 


a From the original, in the possesslon of Edward F. DeLancey, Esq. 


THE TOWN OF SCARSDALE. 213 


ern bounds of the aforesaid township being about two miles from the county road, 
and thence to run northerly eighteen miles as ye line on ye eastermost side of the 
said land runneth, including in ye said manor his eighth part of the two miles 
laid out for ye town of Mamaroneck, with ye lott he now liveth on, and ye lott 
bought of Alice Hatfield, with the lands and meadows below, westerly to a path 
to him belonging by virtue of his deeds and conveyances, part of which land 
within the bounds aforesaid was purchased by John Richbell from ye native In- 
dian proprietors, which said John Richbell had a grant and confirmation for ye 
same from Francis Lovelace, late Governor of our said Province, and ye right of 
ye said John Richbell therein is legally vested in ye said Caleb Heathcote, and 
other parts have been purchased by ye said Caleb Heathcote of ye native Indian 
proprietors; and whereas the said Caleb Heathcote hath further petitioned our 
said Lieutenant Governor and Council that the said tract of land may be erected 
into a manor by ye name of ye manor of Scarsdale, whereupon our said Lieuten- 
ant Governor, by and with the advice of our Council, directed a writ to the high 
sheriff of the said county of Westchester to inquire to what damage such patent 
would be, which writ issued accordingly with a proviso that it should not give 
the said Caleb Heathcote any further title than which he already hath to the land 
called White Plains, which is in dispute between ye said Caleb Heathcote and 
some of ye inhabitants of ye town of Rye, whereupon ye said sheriff returned that 
ye jurors found that there is no damage to ye King or his subjects in erecting the 
manor aforesaid, except ye said White Plains which are in dispute and contest 
between ye said Caleb Heathcote and ye town of Rye, and excepting James Mott 
and ye rest of ye purchasers of Mamaroneck which have deed within ye patent 
of Richbell, Know ye that of our special grace, certain knowledge and mere mo- 
tion, we have given, granted, ratified and confirmed, and by these presents do 
for us, our heirs and successors, give, grant, ratify and confirm unto ye said Ca- 
leb Heathcote, his heirs and assignees, all and every ye aforesaid tracts and par- 
cels of land aad meadow within ye respective limits and bounds before mentioned 
and expressed, together with all and every the messuages, tenements, buildings, 
barns, houses, out-houses, fences, orchards, gardens, pastures, meadows, marshes, 
swamps, pools, ponds, waters, water-courses, woods, under-woods, trees, tim- 
bers, quarries, runs, rivers, rivulets, brooks, lakes, streams, creeks, harbours, 
beeckes, bays, islands, ferries, fishing, fowling, hunting and hawking, mines, 
minerals (royal mines only excepted), and all the rights, members, liberties, 
privileges, jurisdictions, royalties, hereditaments, profits, benefits, advantages 
and appurtenances whatsoever to aforesaid several and respective tracts and par- 
cels of lands and meadow belonging or in any ways appertaining or accepted, re- 
puted, taken, known or occupied as part, parcel, or member thereof to have and 
to hold ali the aforesaid several and respective tracts, parcels of land and meadow 
and premises within the respective limits and bounds aforesaid, with all and 
every of the appurtenances unto him the said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs and as- 
signs, to the only proper use and behoof of him the said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs 
and assigns for ever, provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed, 
deemed or taken to give the said Caleb Heathcote any further title than what he 
now by virtue of these our letters patent lawfully hath to ye said White Plainsin 
dispute as aforesaid, nor any jurisdiction within the said White Plains until the 
same shall happen to belong to the said Caleb Heathcote ; and moreover Know ye 


214 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


that of further our special grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, we have 
thought fit to erect all the afore recited tracts and parcels of land and meadow 
within the limits and bounds aforesaid into a lordship and manor except as before 
excepted ; and therefore by these presents we do for us, our heirs and successors, 
erect, make and constitute all the afore-recited tracts and parcels of land and 
meadow within the limits and bounds before mentioned (except as before except- 
ed) together with all and every the above granted premises, with all and every 
of their appurtenances into one lordship or manor, to all intents and purposes, 
and it is our royal will and pleasure, that the said lordship and manor shall from 
henceforth be called the lordship and manor cf Scarsdale; and Know ye that we 
reposing especial trust and confidence in the loyalty, wisdom, justice, prudence 
and circumspection of our said loving subject, do for us, our heirs and suc- 
cessors, give and grant unto the said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs and assigns, full 
power and authority at all times forever hereafter within the said lordship or 
manor one court leet and one court baron, to hold and keep at such time and 
times, and so often yearly as he or they shall think meet, and we do further give 
and grant to the said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs and assigns, all fines and issues 
and amercements at the said court leet and court baron to be holden within our 
said lordship or manor, to be sett, forfeited or imposed, or payable or happening 
at any time to be payable by any of the inhabitants of or within the said lordship 
or manor of Scarsdale, or the limits and bounds thereof, and also all and every 
power and powers, authority and authorities for holding and keeping the said 
court leet and court baron fron: time to time and to award to and issue out the ac- 
customed writs to be issued and awarded out of courts leet and courts baron, and 
also that the said court leet and court baron be kept by the said Caleb Heathcote, 
his heirs and assigns for ever, his or their or any of their stewards and deputies, 
and appointed with full and ample power and authority to distrain for the rents, 
services and other sums of money payable by virtue of the premises, and all other 
lawful remedies and means for the having, possessing, levying and enjoying the 
premises and every part and parcel of the same, and all waifs and estrays, deod- 
ands and goods of felons happening or to be happening, being or to be forfeited 
within the said lordship or manor of Scarsdale ; and we do further give and grant 
unto the said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs and assigns, that all and singular ye ten- 
ants of him ye said Caleb Heathcote within ye said manor shall and may at all 
times hereafter meet together and choose assessors within ye manor aforesaid, 
according to such rules, ways and methods as are prescribed for cities, towns and 
counties, within our said Province by ye acts of General Assembly for defraying 
the public charge of each respective city, town and county aforesaid, and all such 
sums of money so assessed and levied to collect and dispose of for such us@ as 
any act or acts as the said General Assembly shall establish and appoint, to have, 
hold, possess or enjoy all and singular the said lordship or manor of Scarsdale 
and premises, with all and every of their appurtenances unto the said Caleb 
Heathcote, his heirs and assigns for ever, and that the said lordship or manor 
aforesaid shall be and for ever continue free and exempt from the jurisdiction of 
every town, township or manor whatsoever, to be holden of us, our heirs and 
successors in free and common soccage according to the tenure of our manor 
of East Greenwich, in the county of Kent, within our kingdom of England, 
yielding, rendering and paying therefor yearly and every year forever at our city 


THE TOWN OF SCARSDALE, 215 


of New York unto us, our heirs and successors, or to such office or officers as 
shall from time to time be impowered to receive ye same, five pounds curreat 
money of New York, upon the Nativity of our Lord, in lieu and stead of all ser- 
vices, dues, duties or demands whatsoever. In testimony whereof we have caus- 
ed the great seal of our province of New York to be hereunto affixed. 

Witness John Nanfan, Esq., our Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-chief 
of our Province of New York and territories depending thereon in America. 
Given at Fort William Henry in our city of New York, this twenty-first day otf 
March, in the fourteenth year of our reign, Anno Domini 1701.4 


JOHN NANFAN. 


The Heathcote family, according to Lyson, “ were originally of Heath- 
cote in the parish of Hartington, County of Derby, England. The first 
mention we find of them is in the tenth reign of Edward IV, (1470- 
1471,) when they were engaged in mercantile pursuits at Chesterfield? 
in the same county. George Heathcote, who is said to have descended 
of an ancient and worthy family of that name in Derbyshire, possessed 
of a large estate,° was of Brampton near Chesterfield in that county, and 
Hundred of Scarsdale. He married Beatrice ———, and died in 1596, 
leaving issue George Heathcote of Lodes, and of “the Lodge,” also near 
Chesterfield. ‘He was very intimate with Gilbert ‘Talbot, Earl of 
Shrewsbury, Knight of the most noble order of the Garter, one of the 
chief noblemen in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. By means of this ac- 
quaintance he was drawn into great engagements for the aforesaid Earl 
which did diminish his estate. The Earl stood god-father to his son, and 
gave him the name of Gilbert.? He died in 1601, leaving, by his wife, 
Agnes, who died in 1609, first—George Heathcote, ancestor of the 
Heathcotes of Culthrope Hall, Brampton, whose line became extinct in 
1825; second, the before mentioned Gilbert Heathcote of Chesterfield. 
This individual “had large interests in the lead mines by which, together 
with other sources, he received an income of £5,000 per annum clear 
of all expenses ; but venturing too deeply in other projects, he was forced 
to dispose of the greater part of his estate.Ӣ He died in 1636, leaving 
—by his wife, Elizabeth Owtum—only one son, Gilbert Heathcote, Esq., 
of Chesterfield, who was born May 22d, 1625. ‘He was left with but 
a small estate, in consequence of the losses sustained by his grandfather 
and father.” On the breaking out of the civil wars, during the reign of 

a Book of Patents, Albany Rec, No. vii., 226. 
b Lyson’s Mag. Brit. Derbyshire. 


e Extract from a MSS. Book of Sir William Heathcote. 
d Extract from a MSS. Book of Sir William Heathcote. 


e Extract from Samuel Heathcote’s MSS. ; account of his family in possession of Sir Wm. 
Heathcote; Bart of Hursley. 


JF Ditto. 


216 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Charles the First, “he entered the Parliament army and there behaved 
himself with great courage and bravery in several engagements for the 
Rights and Liberty of his country.”* At one time he was Mayor of the 
ancient city of Chesterfield. He died April 24th, 1690. By his wife, 
Anne, daughter of George Dickins, of Weststoke, County of Sussex, he 
had eight sons (“seven of whom he brought up as merchant adventurers 
whereby with God’s blessing they obtained good estates,”) and one 
daughter, viz.: First, Sir Gilbert Heathcote, Knight anc Baronet, an- 
cestor of the “‘ Heathcotes Barons Aveland of Normanton Park, County 
Rutland; second, John Heathcote who died unmarried in 1710; third, 
Samuel Heathcote of Hackney, Middlesex, ancestor of the “‘ Heathcotes, 
Baronets of Hursley Park, Hampshire ; fourth, Josiah Heathcote, father 
of George Heathcote, Alderman and Lord Mayor of London in 1744, 


Hon. Caleb Heathcote, 


whose son was Josiah Eyles Heathcote of Southbroom House, who died 
August, 1811, aged sixty-two; fifth, William Heathcote, who died in 
1719 ;and sixth, Caleb Heathcote,’ first Lord of the Manor of Scarsdale, 
Westchester County, New York. This gentleman was born at Chester- 
field, Derbyshire, England, 6th of March, 1665. He adopted the mer- 
cantile profession and soon acquired considerable wealth. ‘‘ The cause 
of his emigration was very different from that which brought most Eng- 
lishmen to America. He was engaged to a very beautiful lady, to whom 


@ Ditto. 


b The two other sons of Gilbert were George, who died unmarried on his voyage home from 
Jamaica in 1690, and Thomas who died young. The daughter, Elizabeth, died young in 1658. 


To face page 216, vol. il. 


PEDIGREE OF HEATHCOTE, OF HEATHCOTE HILL, MAMARONECK, IN THE MANOR OF SCARSDALE. 


Arms:—Ermine, three pomeis, each charged with a cross, or. And for Crest :—On a wreath argent and vert, a mural coronet azure, surmounted with a pomeis charged with a cross, or, between two wings displayed ermine. 
Motto —Habere et Dispertiri. 


George Heathcote, Beatrice ......, admin, granted at Lichfield in 1596, to Beatrice, widow 


he was dead in 1596 | of George Heathcote, of Brampton 


Geoue —Agn 


of Lodes and of ** The Lodge,” in Brompton, Yeoman, living 1584-98-99, Ad- | 


ni Brampton; will dated 1609, mentions her sons, 


min. was granted at Litchfield, on the death of George H. of Brampton, 1601 | George, Godfrey and Gilbert, daus. Dorothy and Katharine 


pl os ee Goatrey, named in 


| 
Gilbert Elizabeth Owtrem, 


Dorethy nam- 


| 
- Kathar 
of Cutthorpe, in Brampton; will dated 1625, proved 1628, mentions | was living in willof Agnes, 1609, of Chesterfleld, Yeoman, names wife Elizabeth, son Gilbert, | had two brothers, Francis ed in will of named te 
his late father George, brother Gilbert, of Chesterflel¢ , Cousins, 16265, but died Godfrey H., an 6 daughters, in his will, proved at London, and dated 1634, and Robert, named in will Agnes H.,— will of Ag- 
Godfrey H. and Anthony; senior sons, George, Thomas, Joseph, in 1632 Esther Turner, m. Named in will of nephew George, as being dead in 1636, of husband Gilbert, 1634 1609 nes H.,— 
Gilbert ; daughters, Dorothy, Ann, Alice, Mary and wife Dorothy at Stmvely, 1583 and as of Chesterfield Sole Ex. to will of Gilbert. 1609 
[ Leng ay = l 
4 ‘ Heathcote. Grace da. 2.Thomas, named 8.Joseph, father 4.Gilbert, his father left him lands at 2.Ann 8.Alice,named in  4,Mary, nam- Gilbert Anne Chase, Elizabeth_Peter Alice Harding Dorot 
Ww lee See: 1 entice Mall] of Thos. in will of father left him lands Brampton Brigg Close and Lochenfort will of Brother ed in will of of Chesterfield, b. Aug. 22, 1625, d. April 24,) of Mr. George Dick- ‘Atkinson B thy Frances Ann Rosamond 
. Mr. Shawe was a in Brampton; will Smith, of George, he left in Darley Par- Close, in Tapston, late the inheritance George, 1636; m. bro. George, 1690. He went into the Parliament’s army | ons, of Chestertield, 
celebrated noncon- dated 1636, and Derby him Chander Hill ish of his grand-father, George, and other Vevers of inl, 1636 and behaved with great courage and bravery died November 29th, 
formist minister. proved 1638 in Brampton lands. named in will of bro. Geo., 1636 living 1657 in the civil wars in the time of Charles I. __| 1705, aged 75 


| 
Gemmpeieain John, named Grace, named Sir alinert Heathcote, Hester, 


wale 2a 


| 
Samuel, 8d son, —Mary, 


| rete ] I 
Josiah, Catharine, William, 5th son, b. 1665, d. 1719 , 
of Cutthope Hall, )da. of Ralph Clarke, of Chesterfleld, and “in will of fa-__—_in will of fa- Knt. and Bart. of London, Mer-| da of Mr. Chris- son,'d. un- of Iackney,) da.andCoth.of 4thson,b.1660) widow of Mr. aged 57 = y 6th Pear Tae aC "William Smith, George. Tunean, 
admin granted at | Norton and Aatgate, m. Rev. Thomas ther George, ther George, chant. Born teen died 1733,| topher Rayner, married, Merchant, b.| Mr. William ad. 1766, will) Tho, Barrett, Elizabeth, b. 1657, d. 1658 Chesterfield, Gov. of Tangiers. and aged 30, about 
Lichfield, in 1678, | Ogle, Dissenting minister at Cutthorpe. 1636 1636 Lord Mayor and M. P. for the | of London, Mer- 1710, b. 1653 1655, mar. 1690, | Dawsonne, of proved at of the Island ‘Thomas, d. young 1665, came to| Chief Justice of N. Y., 1698 
b. at Brampton, The Clarke’s were a wealthy Ere} city in four Parliaments chant ; born 1655, d. 1708 | Hackney, b, London | of Jamaica N.Y., 1691; d. |b. at Tangiers, 11 Sept. 
1677 {oyterian family. = ee cgneeert® died 1714 1670, d. 1720, d Mar. 21,1721 | 1681, d. at N.¥ , 1757 
I | | { | | } | | | I ieee Jf A | - | 
iibert, Frances, Tlester, _Wm. Sloane. Ann Sir Jacob Frances, Gilbert, Sir John, Bridget, Tlenry, Elizabeth, m. Sigis- oO BLe SeM> Sir William_Lady Elizabeth Samuel, _Eliz. da, of Mat- George —Maria. 
bapt. SEE mot gunhoean? da. of Sit FrancisRo- _b. 16997 of Chelsea, .1683™ Jacobson, vb. 1685” b. 1687, _. 1650, "da, of Thomas b. 1697, mond Trafford, ¢= Bog £455 Heathcote, | Parker, onlyda. b. 1699’) thew Holwor- b, 1700, d.1168) da. of John Eyles, 
ton, Nov. 27th, Hall,M.D.,bapt. | des, of Marlboro, and d, 1782 Sar. of London, da, young m. 1720, White, Esq., of d.unmar, Esq, of Dunston BS : a 5 Bart.,b.1693 | of Thomas, Ist thy, Esq., d. aldermanand| Esq., of South- 
1663, bur. there —1664,'d. 1719, (A | afterwards heiress to Knt d. 1751 Tusford and Wal- 1727 Hall, Lincolnshire = P+ Say REG ™. 1720, d.| Earl of Mac- 1726 LordMayorof| broom House, d. 
Sept. 6, 1685 Quaker) her brother, m. 1690 lingswells. Notts RE. age 3 ES 1761 clesfield London, 1744 | 1792 
— 2, 
Secsa ses | 


| 
Sir Gilbert Heathcote, fifth Baronet, was elevated to the Peerage {n 1856, as Baron 
Aveland, of Aveland County, Lincoln. See Peerage for descendants, under title ‘Aveland,’ 
The present Peer, Sir Gilbert Henry Heathcote, Lord Aveland ; was born Ist Oct., 1830. 


| 
Cornelius .Mizabeth, 
of Cutthorpe, | daughter and helr of Robert 
M.D, _| Middlebrook of Thorn Co., York 


| | 
Gilbert Heathcote, suc. his great uncle Sir John Rodes, Martha, m. 1744_BenJamin Bartlett, of Bradford 


| 
John, a. Oct, 28,— _Mllllcent Saterthwaite 
and took the name of Rodes; a, unm, 1 768 | 


Euzdbeth —_Rey. Philip Acklom Reaston; they had a son, 
The Rey. Cornelius Heathcote Rodes, married = 


\ 
omaine Heathcote Rodes, d, unmarried, 1825, ret. 70 John, d. unmarried 


C See Peerage and Baronetage 


| 
Elizabeth, m, 1746_.Peter Acklorn of Homsey County, York 


», “Heathcote, of Hursley, Baronet ” for de-) 
scendants. Present Baronet is the Right Hon. Sir William Heathcote, Bart.D 
C.L.,late M.P.for Oxford University; born 17th May, 1801. 
of Hursley ae in remainder to the Earldom of Macclesfield. 


| 
Mary =Mr. Ryley 
The Ileathcotes of Southbroom House, 


1803, d, 8.p.; & minor at the 
d, Aug, 1811, mt. 62 


i : | i 
Maria Gossip, and d. s.p.; and ada, Mary Gilbert, eldest son, b. Hlizdbeth, 


| | 
Josiah Eyles Heathcote Angusta Utica Heathcote,m, Rev.Thomas 
Sedgwy: 
date of her father’s will, 1750 Whalley 


ck 


| | 
€ witlam, Mary, Anne Teathcote, Hon. James de Lancey, Martha Tleathcote, Lewis Johnston’ M.D., 
in 1707, ad. in London, ob. 8. p. ob 8 p. ob. s. p. co-heiress with her sister | Lt.Gov. of the Provinceof N Y., eldest son of co-heiress with her sister | of Perth Amboy, nat 1704, ob, 
Sept. 27, aged 20 Martha, nat. 1705 ob. 1779 | Etienne de Lancey nat. 1703, ob. July 30, 1760 Anne, ob. about 1765 1774, will dat. 28 Sept. 1773 
- | 
| | T 1 ] “ | ee (ie - | | | | 
. 3 ol. Ji 95 Hen > 2 ¥ ; .p. Sus 5o.8) ‘ames de Lancey, Margaret Stephen, John Peter de Lancey,Tiizabeth Floyd, Jno. L. Johnston Susanna Anne _,William Burnet Margaret_Bowes Heathcote died 
Charles, R.N., ob, 1840, 8.p. Lt. Col. James de Lancey, R.A,,ob.1859, 8. p. Margaret, ob,1805, s.p. Sir J. Clifton, Bart. Anne, ob. 8.p. Susan, ob, 1866, 8 | of New York and of Bath, Som- | Allen, da. Ob. 1795, of Heatheote Hill, Mama- | nat. 8th August, of New Jersey Barbarie, son of Gov. Bur- - Read in London, 
(aad os j erset, member of Assembly of | ch Wm Al- 8. p. roneck, nat. 1763, ob, 1828 1758, ob. Tth May, ob. 1782 net, and grand- | 1796, 8.p. 
Thomas James..Mary J. Ellison William Heathcote. D D..Frances Munro, Bea uss oe for the city | Jen,of Penn. 1820 gon of Bishop 
nat, 1759, ob. Bishop of the Diocese of Western New York, nat. 8th October, nat, 9 Jan., 1797, BLAIS} ODE Se i jurnet 
1822 1797, ob. Sth April. 1865. Vide Mamaroneck ob. 1869 — —— 2 ae | I, Las) Pt) Lele hk i ll 
(| | i | | 3 i Spells 3 (= Dl L | | John L. Johnston, Sarah Montgomery, Heathcote Mary nS Ba EO ZL BO Maria Josiah Mellvain =o 
Thomas James.Francis Tdward Floyd, Josephine Matilda, If 2 yy = = Margaret Munro, —Thomas F. Rochester, M. D. Frances Munro, ob.s.p. 1835 Elizabeth Floyd, ob.sp. 1836 & Se $28 Martha nat. Nov, 22d, ob. er, 1333 Se e424 WB Fs Baers | Se 
proprietor of west Augusta nat, 23 Oct., 1821, pro- | daot William S.de cf ef 2 5 natifeb, 194 l of Buifalo, nat. 1822 45 W258 1771, ob. cir. | reine BSW ES OE uB be Pe 
part of de Lancey’s Bibby prietor of Heathcote | Zeng,ofGeneva,N. 52 52 83 BE 5B ae ab & 1882 ples! PSS55 ie 
neck, Mamaroneck, lill, and Kast partof| Y,, nat. 23 Jan, °3 5% SY 25 multe a en ane ito ey MP ee SSB we one Ro | s 
nat. $9 March, 1822, de ‘Lancey’s Neck, | 1833, ob. sth June) pS 2. SS Bo 23H 50H O28 & Be yl | apn CH ee Sh | 
ob, 1859, 8. p. Mamaroneck 1866 ue Fl ea eee ee fe B 2 Bee | a 8p To?’ um . 
ie = 2 rs SCHaAagGSE ° . =FSume § RS Charles Petit MeTivain, 
oe Bee S SBepeoba ee: Sy Mowo Se A SB late Bishop of the di 
; 3s EB Ss S 2368 S 2 a —T § BS eS ee * £5 ate Bishop of the dio- 
4 3 a2 3 BEeecpRak iz mes Se: @ Pug 2 cese of Ohio 
a a 2s s Gerry stsb Ss RHODE @ 22a 
co e <s : pS oe & PPESES a > = > 
Tea) = =x te tS 2 Eee 3 ete eS me ogee | | | | | 
datolitelad z ATA ele? ie Hee Fi 28a © 3% @JohnAlex. William H. ThomasM. Heathcote Susannah Rey. John Ward Mary H. 
Frances Munro, b. 1851, ob. 8.p. 1867, ae = = Uh 5 a i ease ' = 
Wm. Heathcote, b. 158, ob. s.p.1860, =e = e ost R es gees 
Edward Etienne, >. 12th May. 1859 5 5 vi & 2 i Lat eae 
Josephine Matilda, b.21 Oct..1861,0b.8.p Laat B 3 ES = ES 
Josephine de Zeng, b. 17 June, 1863 E 8 fe &S & 2 & 


Bue — 


rye (BIELA eG RF egal tom Ot ‘T! 


a eae Wf & Te h oy aah 
ee oe oe pander sects 


*, crone4 ob Cannsrere 
om, ad estates | 


: 
Ce 0 A “4 


) ee aa 
wig? j ering peorgee, Cole 
a Ss / be _ es 
ti —As+e £6 ne 
5 ‘ ai m ye — a 
7 ioe hiet=, mil a 
yl ae om ~~" yer La” wh ph ae 
Be er “ : 
Pe Rai er See - Siege Aoal Bp we a 
—_— ‘ * of 
2" ah wet) . 52 oat seat raat ah a wet ¢ 
fT = io rian : - is wine, <£9( sa0t amet 
ety tate | ble gigtqul at Li, are a Sone 
; ufy!T, hs Nai took tate seen ee 44 bm 
ie 0 ee ie tl 
age f ’ om - _ f 7: 7 
~~ sity, 7 ne é > m i“ 
pare DAT i at, b Yas ie) Yow ig 
a A eae rn M4 ny: an tN i op % ‘nt ©. . “ > 
Atere arn: vat lt ofl moment te s * 
ee elt a a. 5f a het poh 
arr teinatt - a” ae nadia 1 2b 
, i re Of alctads yt Weecgh “grodtip > Ye* ies 7 
, ays enti D ee ere Ce re ml | | ane 
- ef ones @Qraberatea? dy SF, ry Pont wend mat seat 
(ais hee cee! Codaug ei 2 ape 
* m va 
a . eatedit te Wie hed ar { 
Pa eed ) rmnd't to Sag tolt wi ; 
= ee en gee —aes ae ee ae RAG ee 


” 


it aot shoetes toot ales Awe pioodionl Mrriti 
SOT E_sateter Lb otal 10 Samatt aft 4004 bam 14 


= ee sage a A 


OT met ed wanes Db A108 900076 49m 


tw oe ik 
B.. r a pre tty & 


= 7 J 
‘er = 
_— a - - et re 


SW AMAT Peter +, ni Ne he ORR ibaa; a. 


ae) 


ee — ~ - - am : “T 
rut ae rt Ww — Dott .t yale sass 
tale he deh ses {wot cme m7, | it 19 goat ™ 

Mar aera asi r a fed het FETE | bors 
am AS ore , him 
a Y 2. Pr Hpwok.. gi oPe ingen 
7 - 4 tlt) ne | “the hed Yager, = 2 
Aa = aves 1c e | ORE dbmit Yeo 


: : a . ' 
7 | « ant, i unit ; | Nor da tet T Via het 
“5 EER he st Og) | 
a5 : sa5 yee ee 


ae. 
Se 


lugh 

- erect ey art 
| taal] tre p> Ras 
] e 
<7 


THE TOWN OF SCARSDALE. 217 


he introduced his eldest brother, Sir Gilbert Heathcote, (afterwards M. 
P. for London and Lord Mayor of that city in 1711, at the very time his 
brother was Mayor of New York, and one of the chief founders and the 
first Governor of the Bank of England); a circumstance most unfortu- 
nate for him—for the lady soon found she preferred the elder brother, 
and broke her engagement with the younger, who at once left England 
and came to New York, where he arrived in 1692. As we have already 
seen, he was negotiating for the purchase of lands in Westchester County, 
at least as early as 1646; and on the 21st of March, 1701, the Royai 
Patent erected the whole into the Lordship and Manor of Scarsdale. 
' From the time of his arrival ‘he became a leading man in the colony, 
was Judge of Westchester and Colonel of its militia all his lie, first 
Mayor of the borough of Westchester, a Councillor and Surveyor Gen- 
eral of the province, Mayor of New York for three years; for a time 
Commander of the colony’s forces, and from 1715 to his death, in 1721, 
Receiver General of the customs for all North America.2 He was also 


a member of the Venerable Propagation Society as early as 1705, anda 
vestryman of Trinity church from 1697 to 1714; senior warden of West- 
chester parish from 1695 to 1702, and likewise senior warden of the 
parish of Rye from 1703 to1710. He was, indeed, a sincere Churchman ; 
and seconded from principle, the views which Governor Fletcher advo- 
cated from interest and in obedience to his orders. “In his military 
capacity he had command not only of Westchester County but also of 
the West Riding, on Long Island ; and in one of his letters to the Vener- 
able Propagation Society, gives this account of his method of convert- 
ing military into religious exercises” :— 


a Doc. Hist. N. Y., vol. ii, p. 1039. 


b Doc. Hist. N. Y. Governor Fletcher, writing to the Lords of Trade in 1697, says: Mr. 
Caleb Heathcote is not to leave this province and hath given directions for the taking out of 
the warrant, he isa gentleman, hath been very useful, and has advanced his private fortune 
for His Majesties service, to answer an emergency when money was not in the Treasury, 
and zealously affected to His Majesties government and interest.” N. Y. Col. MSS. London 
Doe. X., vol. iv., p. 275. 


218 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


“T shall begin the history of the church from the time I first came 
among them, which was about twelve years ago. I found it the most 
rude and heathenish country I ever saw in my whole life, which called 
themselves Christians—there not being so much as the least marks or 
footsteps of religion of any sort. Sundays were only the times set apart 
by them for all manner of vain sports and lewd diversion, and they were 
grown to such a degree cf rudeness, that it was intolerable. I having then 
command of the militia, sent an order to all the captains, requiring them 
to call their men under arms, and to acquaint them, that in case they would 
not in every town agree among themselves to appoint readers, and to 
pass the Sabbath in the best manner they could, till such times as they 
should be better provided, that the captains should, every Sunday, call 
their companies under arms, andspend the dayin exercise. Whereupon, 
it was unanimously agreed on throughout the country, to make choice: 
of readers ; which they accordingly did, and continued in those methods 
for some time.” 


The following letter is extracted from the MSS. of the Venerable So- 
ciety for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts. 


COLONEL HEATHCOTE TO THE SECRETARY. 
Manor of Scarsdale, Nov. 9, 1705. 


Sir :—I am indebted to you for yours of the 11th Jan. and 9th of April, and am 
wonderfully surprised that the Society should make choice of me for one of their 
members. It was a very great satisfaction to me, that any thing 1 could offer was 
acceptable to them; and should very joyfully embrace any opportunity of doing 
service to the Church, and I bless God for it, I am not conscious to myself of ever 
having slipt one fair occasion therein, when goverment would give me leave. I 
beg of you, sir, to present my most humble duty to that honorable body, and 
thank them for the honor they have been pleased todo me; and may assure them 
that I shall not only endeavor to give them satisfaction as to any thing they shall 
desire of me, but if any new matter occurs, which I believe may be of service to 
the Church, I will not fail laying it before them for their consideration. If I mis- 
take not, the several heads you desire satisfaction of in both your letters now be- 
fore me, are, first, an exact and impartial account of all your Ministers, Second- 
ly, what fruit may be expected from Mr. Moor’s mission, Thirdly, what my 
thoughts are of sending Mr. Dellius into those parts again. Fourthly, my opin- 
ion of the Society’s having appointed that good man, Mr. Elias Neau, as Cate- 
chist to the Negroes and Indians, and the cause of misunderstanding betwixt him 
and Mr. Vesey. 

As to the first, I must do all the gentlemen which you have sent to this Prov- 
ince that justice as to declare that a better clergy were never in any place—there 
being not one amongst them that has the least stain or olemish as to his life or 
conversation ; and though I am not an eye witness tothe actions of any, save those 
in this county, yet I omit no opportunity of inquiring into their behavior, both 
of the friends and enemies of the Church, and they all agree as to the character 
of the gentlemen: and that they use their best endeavors to gain over the people. 
And as to their diligence in the faithful discharge of their trust, the Society, I 


THE TOWN OF SCARSDALE. 219 


hope, will, in their instructions, have laid down such rules as they won't fail 
coming at it without being imposed on. Mr. Urquhart, minister of Jamaica, has 
the most difficult task of any missionary in this government ; for although he has 
not only the character of avery good man, but of being extraordinary industrious 
in the discharge of his duty, yet he having a Presbyterian meeting house on the 
one hand, and the Quakers on the other, and very little assistance in his Parish, 
except from those who have no interest with the people, that his work can’t but 
go on very heavily, as I understand it does: but Mr. Thomas, of Hempstead, 
having better assistance, the leading men in his parish not being disgusted, are 
helpful in the work; and having no other sectaries to oppose him by their meet- 
ings but the Quakers, makes very considerable progress, as I have been told by 
some of the most sensible of his parish. As for Mr. Mackenzie, he has a very 
good report from the people of Staten Island; and I shall not fail making further 
inquiry concerning him, and Jet you know it in my next. 

But when all is done, what I can tell you concerning any minister, except in 
this county, is only by information from others, which is often very uncertain ; 
for some gentlemen may many times, and very deservingly, have a fair and good 
character by the generality of their neighbors—and yet at the same time, by one 
misfortune or other, not perform much of the service of the Church, in which I 
will give you this plain instance. 

There is not any gentleman whom the Society have sent over, that is clothed 
with a fairer character than Mr. Bartow, of Westchester, and truly he is a very 
good and sober man, and is extremely well liked and spoken of by his parishion- 
ers in general; yet, although he has been three years in that parish, not many are 
added to the communion, nor baptized, and few catechised ; and if he is directed 
to send an account how he has advanced on each of these heads, annually since 
his coming there, it will be found accordingly. For this and many other reasons, 
I can’t help still to be pressing that the Society should lay the gentlemen which 
are sent over under exact rules; and methinks it is no difficult matter to have it 
ordered, so as to know almost as well what is done as if they were present in 

“every parish. 

The people of Westchester were very angry with me because I was for having 
this county divided into three parishes, and every minister to have 70/. instead of 
507. ; and I had brought the county, except that place, to a willingness to have it 
so, as I formerly acquainted you—and had they permitted that projection to have 
taken place, it would have been a great ease to the Society; for first, what Mr. 
Bartow had more than the 50/. he now hath, might reasonably have been deduct- 
ed at home. Secondly, Mr. Bondet would have been provided’for. And third- 
ly, one Mr. Morgan, who was minister of Eastchester, promised me to conform ; 
that there would not have been occasion of another being sent to us, and by that 
means have saved 50/. a year more at home, and wholly out of all hopes of any 
dissenting minister getting footing amongst us, and it will never be well until we 
are in three parishes ; and I shall not fail, when I havea fair opportunity, to push 
for it again. And to satisfy you of the reasonableness in what I offer, I believe 
there has not six public taxes been laid out on this county by the Assembly this 
fifteen years past; but I have been at the proportioning of, and when the places 
in Rye parish pay 507. the towns in Westchester parish were allotted 120/; and 
there are two places more, which, both together, are one third part as bigas Rye 


220 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


parish, which are not in neither of them. And now I am on this subject, it comes 
in course to make out what I told you in my former letters, viz: that there is no 
parish in the government but what is able to pay twice as much as they do. For 
Rye parish which is not by one half so large as the least parish established by law 
in the government here, since my living here, maintained two dissenting minis- 
ministers, viz: one at Rye and Mamaroneck, and one at Bedford—and gave the 
former 507. and the latter 407. a year—which I think makes it out very plain what 
I have offered on that head ; and you may be assured, I shall omit no opportunity 
of serving the Society therein. But the work must be done, in a great measure 
by the minister's taking pains, and bringing the people into a good opinion of the 
Church; for though the reason hereof is very plain, it must be a business of time 
to effect it. We have had it reported that the Queen would be at the charge of 
maintaining a Suffragan Bishop in these parts. If that was granted, I question 
not but a great many who have had their education in Boston College would con- 
form, and would be content with the benefices as settled by Assembly, without 
being very burthensome to the Society. 

I have been so long wandering from one subject to another, that I had almost 
forgot to give you my thoughts of Mr. Muirson whom my Lord of London has 
sent for this parish. He has been here about three months,in which time he hath 
by much outdone my expectation ; having very fully retrieved all that unfortun- 
ate gentlemen, Mr. Pritchard lost ; and if he continues so faithful in the discharge 
of his trust, of which I have not the least doubt he will, he’ll be able to give as 
large account of his services as any that has been sent over to this Province. 
And I must do him the justice to own, that he is as deserving of the Society’s fa- 
vors. For, as some of his parishioners told me, and which I know in a great 
measure to be true, that although they have had a great many ministers amongst 
them since the settlement of their town; yet Mr. Muirson did more good amongst 
them the first six weeks after his coming, than all they ever had before. And I 
question not but when you have the particulars of his proceedings transmitted, 
you will find what I have said of him to be true. As for Mr. Brooks, whom the 
Society have sent to the Jerseys he has an uncommon good character given him 
from those parts ; and it is reported of him that he makes wonderful advances for 
the service of the Church, and I question not but Col. Morris will be very partic- 
ular concerning him—that being properly his watch. For though that Province 
is not above 50 miles from my house, and Staten Island about forty, yet by rea- 
son of the difficulty of water passages, I have never been at either of them above 
twice since my coming to America. And I am now more tied at home witha 
family, and my private affairs than formerly, for which I humbly crave an allow- 
ance. My principles and natural temper lead me to do the Church all the service 
I can every where, but I dare not promise for more than this county at present; 
and my best endeavors in the westernmost towns in Connecticut colony, when 
the Church is well rooted here. And it has always been my opinion, and is so 
still, that there is no part of this Province, or even America, that would be of 
greater use or service to have the Church thoroughly settled in; for it is not only 
large in extent, and the land very good, and near the city ; so, consequently, will 
in time be a great settlement. But bordering on Connecticut there is no part of 
the continent from whence the Church can have so fair an opportunity to make 
impressions upon the dissenters in that government, who are settled by their laws 


THE TOWN OF SCARSDALE. 221 


from Rye parish to Boston colony, which is about 35 leagues, in which there are 
abundance of people and places. As for Boston colony, I never was in it, so can 
say little to it. But for Connecticut, | am and have been pretty conversant; and 
always was as much in all their good graces as any man. And now I am upon 
that subject, I will give you the best account I cau of that colony. It contains, 
in length, about 140 miles, and has in it about 40 towns, in each of which there 
isa Presbyterian or Independent minister settled by their law ; to whom the peo- 
ple are obliged to pay, notwithstanding many times they are not ordained; of 
which I have known several examples. The number of people there, are, I be- 
lieve about 2,400 souls. ‘They have abundance of odd kind of laws to prevent 
any dissenting from their church, and endeavor to keep the people in as much 
blindness and unacquaintedness with any other religion as possible; but ina more 
particular manner the Church, looking upon her as the most dangerous enemy 
they have to grapple witha!. And abundance of pains is taken to make the ig- 
norant think as bad as possible of her. And I really believe that more than half 
the people in that goverment, think our Church to be little better than the Papist. 
And they fail not to improve every little thing against us: but I bless God for it, 
the Society have robbed them of their best argument, which was the ill lives of 
our clergy that came into these parts. And the truth is, I have not seen many 
good men but of the Society's sending. 

And no sooner was that honorable body settled, and those prudent measures 
taken for carrying on of that great work, but the people of Connecticut, doubting 
of maintaining their ground without some further support, they with great indus- 
try went through their colony for subscriptions to build a college at a place called 
Seabrook. And the ministers who are as absolute in their respective parishes, as 
the Pope of Rome, argued, prayed, and preached up the necessity of it; and the 
passive obedience of people, who dare not do otherwise than obey, gave even 
beyond their ability. A thing which they call a college was prepared accordingly, 
wherein, as lam informed, a commencement was made about three or four months 
ago. But notwithstanding their new college here, and an old one in Boston, and 
that every town in that colony has one, and some two ministers, and have not 
only heard them say, but seen it in their prints, that there was no place in the 
world where the gospel shone so brightly, nor that the people lived so religiously 
and well as they; yet I dare aver, that there is not a much greater necessity 
of having the Christian religion in its true light preached any where than amongst 
them. Many, if not the greatest number of them, being little better than ina 
state of heathenism; having never been baptized nor admitted to the communion. 
And that you may be satisfied what I tell you herein is not spoken at random, 
nor grounded on careless observation, Mr. Muirson’s parish is more than three- 
fourths of it composed of two towns, viz: Rye and Bedford, which were first 
settled uncer the colony of Connecticut, and of people bred and born under that 
government ; and sometime before my coming, hada minister, one Mr. Denham, 
and had afterwards two more, Woodbridge and Bowers, at Rye, and one Mr. 
Jones, at Bedford. And the people of Rye only had of this county the care to 
provide a parsonage house. And notwithstanding all those great shows of relig- 
ion, and that at such times as they were destitute of a minister. 

Greenwich and Stamford, the bounds of the former of which places join upon 
theirs, and the other is not above ten miles distant, where they were always sup- 


222 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


plied. But they could not be said to want the opportunity of having the sacra- 
ments administered to them ; yet I believe 20 of them had never received the com- 
munion, nor haif of them heen baptized, as Mr. Muirson will more fully inform 
you. And now I have given you an account of the state of that colony, what 
will in the next place be naturally expected from me, is to know my opinion of 
the best and most probable way of doing good amongst them. 

There is nothing more certain, than that itis the most difficult task the society 
have to wade through. For the people are not only not of the Church, but have 
been and are trained up with all the care imaginable to be its enemies. That to 
make an impression under all those disadvantages is very difficult, though I hope 
not impossible. And though, at first view, the prospect of doing any good upon 
them is very little, yet no doubt but the most proper measures ought to be taken, 
leaving the event to Almighty God. 

Now, to give you my thoughts in what way this great work may best be en- 
deavored at, so as it may he done with little expense. I believe, for the first step, 
the most proper way would be, that one of the ministers in this country were di- 
rected by my Lord of London to inform himself where there are any in that gov- 
ernment who profess themselves to be of the Church, and to know if they or any 
of their neighbors have any children to baptize, or desire to partake of the sacra- 
ment : and that he will come to the towns where they live, and after having giv- 
en them a sermon, will perform those holy rites. There need, I think, no more 
be done in this matter for the present. But the society may, if they please, leave 
the rest to me; and I won’t only give him the best advice and directions I can 
herein, but will, God willing, wait upon him in his progress, and persuade some 
useful friends along with me. And when this essay has been made, I shall be 
much better able to guess at the state of that government, and what is fitting to 
be done next. Now the person that I would advise them to pitch upon by all 
means for this expedition, is Mr. Muirson ; he being not only posted next those 
parts, and so will look less like design, but he has a very happy way of delivery, 
and makes little use of his notesin preaching, which is extremely taking amongst 
those people—and for argument, few of his years exceed him. 

The chief end I have in this projection, is to have the people of that govern- 
ment undeceived in their notions concerning our Church ; there being, I believe, 
fifteen thousand in that colony who have never heard, nor scarce seen a Church 
of England minister. And I have the charity to believe, that after having heard 
one of our ministers preach, they will not look upon our Church to be such a 
monster as she is represented. And being convinced of some of the cheats, many 
of them may duly consider of the sin of schism. However, let the success be 
what it will, to me the duty seems plain. I have not only mentioned this to you, 
but in my letter to my Lord of London, and shall patiently wait for his and the 
society’s commands therein. 

I will now proceed in giving direct answers to the several queries mentioned 
in yours. Having as yet, only spoke to the first, so shall now take the rest in 
course. As for Mr. Moor’s mission, you will undoubtedly have the account there- 
of very fully by Mr. Talbot, whose place he supplies, having not thought it worth 
the while to stay at Albany. As for my opinion in that matter, I think it is too 
heavy for the society to meddle with at present ; and would properly lie as a bur- 
then upon the crown, to be defrayed out of the revenue here. For their being 


THE TOWN OF SCARSDALE. 223 


brought over to our holy faith, will at the same time, secure them in their fideli- 
ty to the Government. And not only that, but the society will, I believe, find em- 
ployment enough for their money in sending of missionaries amongst those who 
call themselves Christians, on the coast of America; which, I find to be their res- 
olution. And itis certainly the greatest charity in the world, to have the best re- 
ligion planted in these parts, which with time will, in all probability, be so vast a 
country and people. But whether the charge of missionaries for converting the In- 
dians fall to the share of the crown or the society, to effect that matter well and thor- 
oughly those sent over on that errand, must be such as can endure hardships, and 
are able and willing to live with the Indians in their own country, and according to 
their way and manner, which are the methods the French take. And I believesome 
of those gentlemen who have had their education in the colleges of the north parts of 
Scotland, being in orders from my Lord of London, may be the likeliest to undergo 
it. Asfor Mr. Dellius, I don’t think it worth while in being at any extraordinary 
charge in sendixg of him ; because, I believe no consideration would make him liye 
in the Indiancountry. And ifhe did, he has not the language; and one that goes 
on that mission must be a young man, who is able to grapple with fatigues, and 
will not only take pains, but is capable of learning the language ; and it is a gen- 
eral observation, that none are so apt to gain foreign tongues as the Scotch. 

As for my thoughts of this society’s having appointed that good man, Mr. Neau, 
as catechist to the negroes and Indians, it is undoubtedly a very good work; and 
he is wonderfully industrious in the discharge of his duty, and the truth is, takes 
more pains than he needs, by going from house to house to perform that office. 
And I believe he would find it as effectual to gain the end, and not the fourth 
part of the trouble to himself, to appoint set times in having them together at the 
English church, cr at least so many at once as may be proper, and catechise and 
instruct them. And Mr. Vesey assures me that he shall be very free and willimg 
to let him have the use of the church for that purpose. And now I am on this 
subject, it will be very proper that the society direct Mr. Cleator, if he comes 
over, or any school-master whom they appoint in their respective places to cate- 
chise and instruct the negroes and Indians; and that the ministers in their 
several parishes were desired to send a list of all the slaves or free negroes and 
Indians, the society would then see how that matter was further worth their 
consideration. 

I did, in my former letters, make mention of one Mr. Bondet, a French Pro- 
testant minister, who is in orders from the Bishop of London. He is a good 
man, and preaches very intelligibly in English—which he does every third Sun- 
day, in his French congregation, when he uses the liturgy of the Church. He 
has done a great deal of service since his first coming into this country, and is 
well worth the thoughts of the Society. The town he lives in is called New Ro- 
chelle, a place settled by French Protestants; it is comprehended in Mr. Bar- 
tow’s parish, and contributes toward his maintenance, which disables them, in a 
great measure, to pay toward Mr. Bondet’s, who is in very great want. It is 
true, besides twenty pounds a year, which the people of New Rochelle promise 
him, and is very ill paid, he has thirty pounds a year settled on him out of the 
public revenue here, as the French minister in York hath; but that is paid with 
so much uncertainty, that he starves under the prospect of it. 

Now for a remedy for this poor gentleman, and that he may be made as useful 


224 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


to the Church as possible ; if the society would use their interest that he might 
have an order from the court that he may not only forthwith be paid his arrears, 
but that he should afterwards have his money by quarterly payments; and that, 
at the same time, he be directed by the Bishop of London, to consult with and 
be helpful to Mr. Bartow and Mr. Muirson in taking care of the scattering towns 
of the parishes ; especially Mr. Bartow’s, where it is impossible for any one to 
manage it. And whereas, he has been obliged for his bread, to use the French 
prayers in his French congregation, according to the orders of the Protestant 
churches of France, and had that liberty granted him (as he tells me) upon his 
receiving of orders, it is his earnest request, that he might have directions relat- 
ing thereunto, wherein he might be required not to use otherwise than the liturgy 
of our Church in any congregations where he preacheth, whether English or 
French. And it would be well that some French Common Prayer Books and 
Catechisms were sent over for that purpose. The reason of desiring an order of 
that nature is, that it would put the matter out of dispute. Mr. Bondet and I 
have gone as far as we can in that affair, and it would spend too much time to 
tell you what tempests we waded through in attempting it ; but if directions came 
from England about it, none, I believe, would be found to oppose it. The chief 
cause of its being hindered with so much heat was, that the French congregation 
in York were apprehensive that it might be a precedent for them; and for that 
reason fired the most ignorant of Mr. Bondet’s people, and persuaded them to 
recant from what they had agreed to. But I must do the most sensible of them 
the justice, that they hold fast their integrity, and are willing to receive the 
Church. 

If this matter goes forward, I expect that the greatest part of the people of 
New Rochelle will cease their contributions to Mr. Bondet; so I must desire the 
Society to consider him with some allowance in England. And if effectual care 
could be taken that 30/. is paid him, 157. sterling more, with the small helps 
he will have from those who will continue steady to the Church, will enable him 
to maintain himself and family. 

If care is not already taken therein in the instructions which are preparing, it 
will be of absolute necessity, that the clergy of this county be directed to meet 
twice at least, annually, and taking to their assistance the best and most sensible 
of their parishes, to consult of the most effectual ways for settling the church, 
and to give you an impartial account how the parishes are settled in point of 
conveniency, and which way it may be better done, not only to make it easy for 
themselves, but so as the bread of life may be fairly and equally divided amongst 
their people, that proper measures might be taken, in having it regulated by act 
of assembly. For if something of this nature is not done, one-half the people of 
the county won’t have much benefit by all the cost that is laid out upon them. 
In the conclusion of your last letter, you tell me that you had sent some Com- 
mon Prayers and Catechisms, by Mr. Mackenzy, but do not understand he has 
brought any ; so beg of you to inquire into that mistake. And in case you send 
any other books to be disposed, pray let them only be Dr. Beveridge’s (new 
Bishop of St. Asaph,) sermon concerning the common prayers, a little 
book entitled ‘‘A Christian’s Way to Heaven,” and one of the lawful- 
ness of the common prayer. No books can be more serviceable than they; 
and I would take care to have them scattered through Connecticut colo- 


THE TOWN OF SCARSDALE. 225 


ny to both minister and people, and am apt to believe they would do ser- 
vice. As for the deputation the society now pleased to send me, I am ex- 
ceeding sorry I can do them no service therein. For the people of this county, 
having generally land of their own, although they don’t want, few or none of 
them very much abound. There being besides, a settlement belonging to Col. 
Morris, and another to Mr. Phillips, and mine, not any that belong to particular 
men of any great value in the county; nor are there ten in the whole county but 
what have been brought over to the Church since I came into the province, that 
truly sir, if we can persuade them to build and finish their churches and schools, 
help to maintain their ministers and schoolmasters, and fit conveniences for them, 
it is the most that can be expected till things are better settled, and the Church a 
more firm footing among them. I have not had the happiness to be in company 
with Col. Morris since I received the deputation ; but shall discourse with him 
concerning that matter when I see him next. I could offer some few things more 
to the consideration of the Society, but time won’t permit me to enlarge, so I 
shall reserve it to the next opportunity. So with my humble duty to the Society, 
begging their pardon for the trouble I have given them therewith, I desire to re- 
main, sir, &c., &. CALEB HEATHCOTE.¢4 


No wonder that St. George Talbot, writing to the Venerable Society, 
should say: “I wish the report were true that he, Col. Caleb Heathcote, 
were appointed Governor ; it would be the best news, next to that of the 
gospel, that ever came over.” 

In 1693, Col. Heathcote received the following appointment as Presi- 
dent Judge Advocate of a court martial, to be holden in Westchester 
county, for the trial of all offending officers and men under his com- 
mand :— 


‘* Whereas Iam informed that several disorders and misdemeanors are daily com- 
mitted by the regiment under your command, and no obedience paid to my sev- 
eral orders for prevention thereof; for the future, reposing special trust and con- 
fidence in your prudence and conduct by virtue of the power and authority tome 
given by virtue of their majesties’ letters patent under their great seal of England- 
I have thought fit and do hereby erect, constitute and appoint a court martial in 
Westchester county aforesaid, and hereby I empower and authorize you, the said 
Caleb Heathcote, from henceforth and all times, when so often it shall it be 
found needful to call the said court martial, which shall consist of you, the said 
Caleb Heathcote, as president judge advocate, and six at least of the commission- 
ed officers under your command, whereof four to be captains, with full power and. 
authority to hear, judge and determine all crimes and offences committed by any 
officer or soldier under your command, and sentence to pronounce so far as fineor 
imprisonment or other corporal punishment, as the merits of the crime or offence 
shall deserve, according to an act of Assembly, made and provided against such 
offenders and criminals, and to cause each sentence to be put into execution ac- 
cording to the rules, articles, and laws of war and arms; provided always that. 


a Hawk’s MSS. from N. Y. archives at Fullham. 
b New York MSS. General Convention, vol.i, p. 176. 


226 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 
RS 
this condition shall continue in force during this war, or till my pleasure be fur- 
ther known, and no longer. 
Given under my hand and seal at armes, at Fort William Henry, New York, 
the 12th day of September, 1693, in the fifth year of his majesty’s reign, by his 
excellency’s command. BENJ FLETCHER. 


Among other wealthy relations Col. Heathcote had, it appears, a “rich 
cousin, George Heathcote, who was born in Middlesex county, England, 
and who came to this country as captain of a merchant ship, about the 
year 1678. This individual acquired a large property, and being a bach- 
elor, invited his nephew, Caleb, to take up his residence in this country ; 
and upon his death, at his last residence, in Buck’s county, Penn., in 
1710, bequeathed his large property to his cousin, who became one of 
the most considerable men in this Province.” 

In the will of George Heathcote, of Buck’s county, Province of Penn- 
sylvania, among other items occurs the following: ‘I give and bequeath 
unto my cousin, Caleb Heathcote, of the Province of New York, the 
residue of my estate, and nominate him executor of this, my last will and 
testament.” 

Among the archieves of the Wyllys family, in Boston, Mass., there is 
still preserved a Latin order from George I., to Col. Caleb Heathcote, 
dated London, August 4th, 1719. The manor house of Scarsdale was 
a fine brick mansion, that occupied the site of the present building, on 
Heathcote Hill, Mamaroneck. It was from this place that Col. Heath- 
cote addressed all his letters to the Honorable Propagation Society, the 
Lords of Trade and the Provincial Government. This edifice, which 
was erected sometime prior to 1704,.was destroyed by fire during the 
Revolutionary war. 

Col. Caleb Heathcote married Martha, daughter of the Bon Col. 
William Smith, Chief Justice and President of the Council of the Prov- 
ince of New York, and former Governor of Tangier. By his wife 
Martha, daughter of Henry Tunstall, Esq., of Surrey county, England. 
The monuments to the Hon. William Smith and wife are still to be 
seen at St. George’s manor, Brookhaven, Suffolk county, L. I. :— 


Here Lyes 
Interred ye body of ye 
HONL COLL. WILLIAM SMITH, 
Chief Justice and President of ye Council of ye Province of New York. 
Born in England, at Higham Ff errers, 
in Northamptonshire, Feb. ye 2d, 1654-5, 


a George must have at one time resided in Savannah, Ga., for there is a ward in that city 


named after him. 
b Surrogate’s office (N. Y.) of wills, vol. vii, p. 3. 


THE TOWN OF SCARSDALE, 227 


and Died at ye Manour of St. George, Feb. ye 18th, 1704-5, 
in ye fifty-first year of his age, 
being grandson of Max. ConsTamMMEt, &c.@ 


Here Lyzs 
interred ye body of 


MARTHA, 


daugbter of Henry TunsTatt, Esq.,® 
born at Putney, 
in the county of Surrey, in England, 1659, 
and died at ye manour of St. George, Sept. 1st, 1709, 
aged fifty years. 


Mrs. Heathcote bore her husband six children—namely, Gilbert, 
William, Anne, Mary, Martha and Elizabeth. Col. Heathcote died while 
in the performance of his duty as a Christian philantrophist, in the city 
of New York, on Tuesday, 28th day of February, 1721. 

The following notice of his death appeared in the American weekly 
Mercury, of March 6th, 1714: 


**On the 28th day of February last, died the Honorable Caleb Heathcote, Esq., 
Surveyor General of his Majesty’s customs, for the Eastern District of North 
America, Judge of the Court of Admiralty for the Provinces of New York and 
New Jersey, and the Colony of Connecticut, one of his Majesty’s Council forthe 
Province of New York, and brother of Sir Gilbert Heathcote, of London. 

“He was a gentleman of rare qualities, excellent temper and virtuous life and 
conversation, and his loss lamented by all that knew him, which, on the day of 
his death, went about doing gocd, in procuring a charitable subscription, in 
which he made a very great progress.” 


On the 29th of February, 1719, Col. Caleb Heathcoté’executed his 
last will and testament, as follows: 


WILL OF COL. CALEB HEATHCOTE. 


In the name of God, Amen. I, Caleb Heathcote of the Province of New York, 
in America, gentlemen, being at this present time in perfect health of body and of 
firm and sound mind and memory, thanks therefore be given to Almighty God ; 
but well knowing that it is appointed for all men once to dye, and that the time 
of the approach of Death is uncertain, Do make this my last will and Testament 
in manner and form following ; my Soul I Recommend to my Gracious God who 


a The Smith family had been Jong seated in the counties of Leicester and Northampton ; 
arms: Or, on a chey. betw. three crosses, pattee fitchee, gu, as many bezants. 


; 4 The Tunstalls were formerly seated at Agacombe, Surrey county. Arms: Sa. three combs 
n fesse ar. 


ec See American weekly Mercury from Wednesday, March 9th, to Thursday, March 16, 1721. 
*1721, Feb. 28, died at New York. Col. Caleb Heathcote, member of the “ouncil and Judge of 
the Admiralty, Surveyor Genera: of his Majesty’s Customs for the North District of Amer- 
ica.” Gleanings from the annual register of the fire office, London. Hist. Mag. vol. iv, 2d 
series, No. 3, p. 137. 


228 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


gave it; my Body to the earth, from whence it came to be Decently interred at 
the discretion of my Executors hereinaftér named in certain hopes of the Remis- 
sion of all my sins through the sole Merits of my Blessed Saviour Jesus Christ 
and of a Joyful Ressurrection and Reunion of my Body and Soul at his second 
coming to Judgement—and as for what worldly Estate it hath pleased God to 
Bestow upon me, and which shall any ways belong to me at the time of my de- 
cease, I Give, Devise and Dispose of and Bequeath the same in manner follow- 
ing—Imprimis my will and Desire and I do hereby order that my Dear and well 
beloved wife Martha Heathcote, shall have the sole care and keeping and manage- 
ment of all my children during their Minority and her widdowhood, and for the 
Handsome Maintenance of herself and the Handsome Maintenance and good and 
liberal education of my children I do hereby order, that she my said well beloved 
wife, shall have and Receive all such Annuities and Interests of money due pay- 
able or to become due and payable and belonging to mein England and also that 
she shall have the sole possession, use and Management of all my Estate, both 
real and personall in America, and have and receive for the uses aforesaid all the 
Rents, Interests and Profits thereof during the Minority of my children and her 
widowhood as aforesaid, but no longer, and if there happens to be any overplus 
of the said proceeds in her hands after her having made use of the same as afore- 
said, I hereby Impower my said wife to Dispose of and Distribute the same 
amongst my children either by her Last will and Testament or otherwise and in 
such proportion as she in her Discretion shall see fit, and I do hereby further Give, 
Devise and Bequeath unto my said well beloved wife Martha Heathcote, and her 
executors and assigns the sum of one hundred Pounds annually to be paid unto 
her yearly and every year during the term of her natural life, in New York mon- 
ey ; fifty pounds thereof to be paid yearly out of that part of my estate which 1 
shall hereby give unto my son Gilbert Heathcote, and fifty pounds yearly out of 
that part of my estate which I shall hereby give unto the rest of my children re- 
spectively in a due proportion all which Bequests so as aforesaid ordered to my 
wife shall be in Lieu of her Dower and all other her Pretentions to my estate 
whatsoever. Jtem, I Give, Devise and Bequeath unto my Eldest son, Gilbert 
Heathcote, my Dwelling House at Mamaroneck within the County of West-Ches- 
ter, within the Colony of New York, Together with the Home Lott of land 
there: my Barns and other edifices with the Neck of Land called Mamaroneck, 
East Neck, and my Mills, Mill Dams, Streams and Rights of Streams, and all my 
lands within the Limits of Mamaroneck Township, known by the name of the 
Two Mile Bounds, and also all my Lands lying on the East of Mamaroneck 
River, Contiguous thereto which I bought of David Jamison. And whereas, 
the lands which I bought from Anne Richbell, within the County of West 
Chester aforesaid, Runs eighteen miles in Length into the woods, I hereby 
give and Bequeath unto my said son Gilbert Heathcote, one thousand acres 
thereof to be taken up and laid out unto him conveniently by my wife, by such 
persons as she shall appoint (if it shall so happen that I do not settle and ascer- 
tain it myself in my life time) in this manner to witt, Two Hundred acres 
of the said Lands to lye next adjacent to the Township of Mamaroneck to the 
Northward thereof one hundred acres more to lye Two Miles from the place 
where the said Two Hundred acres shall end, and in like manner the Quantity of 
one hundred acres at the end of every two miles till the said one Thousand acres 


THE TOWN OF SCARSDALE. 229 


be completed. To Have and To Hold the said Dwelling house, Mills, Lands, 
premises with every their appurtenances unto Him the said Gilbert Heathcote 
and his heirs; to his and their use and behoofe forever; to have the possession 
thereof when ke arrives to the age of twenty-one years, he always observing to 
Pay unto his mother the moneys by this my will ordered to be paid out of his 
share untoher. Jtem, out of the Legacy Jately left unto me by my Brother Wil- 
liam Heathcote in England, I hereby give and Devise unto my said son Gilbert 
Heathcote Two thousand five hundred pounds sterling ; tomy son William Heath- 
cote, the same sum of Two thousand five hundred pounds; and to my four 
daughters, Anne Heathcote, Mary Heathcote, Martha Heathcote and Elizabeth 
Heathcote four thousand pounds sterling ; that is to say to each of them one 
thousand pounds to be paid to my children when they arrive at the age of 
twenty-one years respectively. And al] such moneys as shall at that, the time of 
my decease, belong unto me in England besides what I have as aforesaid Dis- 
posed of I hereby give and Bequeath unto my said children to be Divided 
amongst them in the like proportion as aforesaid and all the rest of my Estate 
both Real and Personal of what Nature or kind so ever it be in America. I 
give, Devise and Bequeath the same as followeth, Thatis to say, one full equal 
sixth part thereof I give, Devise and Bequeath unto my Daughter Anne Heath- 
cote—one other full Equall sixth part, to my daughter Mary Heathcote—one 
other sixth part to my daughter Martha Heathcote—Two full sixth parts thereof 
unto my son William Heathcote, and one sixth part thereof tomy Daughter Eliz- 
abeth Heathcote. Zo Have and To Hold the same unto them their heirs and 
executors and assigns Respectively and separately forever to be Delivered to 
them and either of them Respectively as they come of age of twenty-one years 
and in case my son William Heathcote should happen to Dye before he arriving 
to the said age of twenty-one years and without lawful issue then I will and 
order that the one Moiety or Equall half part of that share of my estate hereby 
given to him, shall be given and remain to my son Gilbert Heathcote and the 
other moiety to be equally divided amongst my Daughters which shall then be 
alive. Yo Have and To Hold to them and their heirs and executors and assigns 
separately and respectively forever, andif any of my said daughters shall happen 
to Dye before they come to age of twenty-one years or have lawful issue then I 
will that the share of my said daughters so dying as aforesaid shall be equally 
divided and the one half or moiety shall be given to my son William and his heirs, 
executors and assigns; and the other half part to be equally divided amongst such 
of my daughters as shall then be alive, and to Remaine to them and their re- 
spective Heirs, executors and assigns in severalty forever. And it is my de- 
sire and strict order that every one of my children as they shall arrive at the 
age of twenty-one years shall be immediately put into the possession of their 
respective parts and shares of my estate hereby given unto them, and this 
is to be done by my wife if she then be my widdow in whose Discretion 
and Justice I Intirely Confide; and therefore do order that my said children 
shall be content and rest satisfied with the Distribution she shall make to them 
pursuant to this my last will and Testament hereby Impowering her to be sole 
Judge of what is theirtrue shares. But if it shall happen that my wife should Dye 
or Marry again during the nonage of any of my said children then I will, Devise 
and order that their well beloved Cousins, William Heathcote the son of my brother 


230 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER, 


Samuel Heathcote deceased and John Heathcote the son of my brother Sir Gilbert 
Heathcote do demand and take into their possession all such Moneys or other estate 
which shall belong to mein England, and Improve and Distribute the same accord- 
ing tothe Direction of this my last will and Testament. And as tomy estate Real 
and Personal in America I hereby will and order in case of my wife marrying 
again or Death as aforesaid that the same, Excepting such part thereof as before 
that time shall be in the possession of any of my children already come of age 
shall be taken into possession by my Two Beloved Brothers-in-Law Coll. Henry 
Smith and Major William Smith, and my two beloved friends Coll. William Wil- 
let and Mr. Samuel Clowes or the major part of them who shall then be alive and 
Residing in the Colony of New York to secure and improve the same according 
to their discretion for the bringing up, Education, Benefit and advantage of my 
children and be Delivered by them to my said children when they shall come to 
age or Marry Respectively according to their respective shares and proportions 
pursuant to this my last will and testament; and I will that my said children shall 
be content and satified with such Distribution of my said estate amongst them as 
by the said persons or major part of them as aforesaid shall be made, which per- 
sons as aforesaid shall be the sole judges and arbitrators of all differences arising 
amongst my said children concerning the division of my said estate. Lastly, I 
do hereby nominate Constitute and appoint my said well beloved wife, Martha 
Heathcote, to be my sole and whole executriz of this my last will and testament to 
be executed by her so long as she shall remain my widdow, but no longer. And I 
hereby Revoke Disannull and utterly make void all other wills Testaments and 
codicills by me at any time heretofore made by mee, and I do declare this only to 
be my last will and Testament. In witness whereoff I have hereunto put my 
hand and seal at Jamaica, in the Colony of New York, this twenty-ninth Day of 
February, in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and nineteen. 


CALEB HEATHCOTE, [1.s.] 
Signed, sealed, declared and published by the 
within named Caleb Heathcote as his last will 
and Testament in presence of us. 
Davin JongEs, 
8S. Clowes, JuUn., 
JouN CLOWEs.4 


The last will of his wife, Martha Heathcote, bears date 13th of 
August, 1736, by which she bequeaths “to her daughter Anne, the wife 
of James De Lancey, the sum of £1,000, also a pair of silver candle- 
sticks, silver snuffers and snuff dish, together with my silver teapot, silver 
tankard and my large coffer. To her daughter Martha, wife of Lewis 
Johnston, she bequeaths the like sum of £1,000, and to her daughters 
Anne and Martha all her wearing apparel, &c.” 

All the children of Col. Caleb Heathcote died in their minority, ex- 
cept his daughters Anne and Martha, upon which the manor of Scars- 


a The above will was proved 19th of April, 1721, Rec. of Wills, Surrogate’s office, No. ix, 
1718 to 1725, pp. 234, 235, 236, 237. 


THE TOWN OF SCARSDALE, 231 


dale, with other possessions, descended to Anne and Martha, then sur- 
viving sisters and heiresses. Anne Heathcote, the eldest, married the 
Honorable James De Lancey, Lieutenant-Governor of the province of 
New York; their children were, 7rs¢, Captain James De Lancey, who 
greatly distinguished himself as the aide of General Abercombie at the 
celebrated siege of Fort Ticonderoga, father of the late Lieutenant- 
Colonel James De Lancey of Bath, Somerset County, England, the 
eldest heir male of the De Lancey family ; second, Major John Peter De 
Lancey of Heathcote Hill, Mamaroneck, who married Elizabeth, daugh- 
ter of Colonel Richard Floyd, of Floyd’s Neck, Brookhaven, Suffolk 
County, Long Island. This individual alternately became possessor of 
the Scarsdale estates. 

John Peter De Lancey by his last will and testament, bearing date 
28th January, 1823, bequeathed his property amongst his surviving chil- 
dren, namely—William Heathcote De Lancey, Elizabeth Caroline, 
Martha Arabella, Ann Charlotte and Sussanah Augusta De Lancey. 

Third, Stephen De Lancey, of North Salem, who died January rst, 
1795, leaving no issue. 

Under the Heathcotes and De Lanceys the Anjevines held the large 
farm bearing their name (now owned by Alexander M. Bruen, M. D.,) 
for four generations. The Anjevin’s or Anjevine’s were among those of 
the French Protestant refugees who fled from France about the year 
1694. They were spoken of in a history of French families as living in 
the ancient province of Poitou (“a province foremost in its opposition 
to the religious oppression exercised by the Government, led by the 
principal families therein. The royal government had more difficulty in 
opposing the religious uprising here than almost any other part of the 
kingdom,”) in the Marches of Anjevin. In 1708, Zacharie Anjevin, who 
-was born in France, A.D. 1664, appears as one of the freeholders of the 
town of New Rochelle. Sometime in September, 1710, among a list of 
the inhabitants of the latter place occur the names of Zachariah and 
Peter Anjevin, brothers, and a sister, Sussanna. Zachariah Anjevin and 
his wife, Mary, had four children, namely—Zachariah, Daniel, Margaret 
Mary and Mary, junior. Peter Anjevin, who was born in France, A.D. 
1666, and Deborah, his wife, had three children—Louis or Lewis, Pierre 
or Peter and Mary. The eldest, Lewis, born in 1702, settled on the 
Anjevin farm and lies burried there; Jean, his son, became heir to the 
estate and left seven sons, viz: David, Peter, John, Louis, Elijah, Wil- 
liam and Solomon; and four daughters, the youngest of whom, Mary, 
married Thomas Truslow, Esq., of New York City and Portchester. 

The Secor family rented the Scarsdale manor farm called the Hic- 


232 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


kories. The Secors, Sicards, or Sycars were among the French Protest- 
ant refugees who fled from France in 1681. The name occurs fregently 
on the records of the French church Du St. Esprit in New York between 
the years 1680 and 1770. In1708the name of Ambroise Sycar appears 
among the freeholders of New Rochelle. Two years later there was re- 
siding in that town James Sycar, Sen., born in France, A.D. 1635; 
Daniel Sycar, born in France, 1660; Sussannah Sycar, aged thirty; 
James Sycar, born in France, 1676, Mary, his wife and their children— 
John, Elizabeth, Mary and Sussanah; Daniel Sycar had Daniel, Jun., 
John, Peter, Andrew and Mary. The sons of Ambroise Sycar, the 
Refugee, were—Ambroise and James, the latter by his wife, Catharine, 
had first James, the owner of the late Richard Secor’s property, upper 
Rochelle, secondly, Peter, owner of the property lately held by Philp 
Carpenter, and thirdly, Daniel, owner of the estate of Benjamin Secor ; 
of this family was Israel Secor of Upper New Rochelle, who formerly 
owned the property held by the late Richard Secor; his sons were 
Richard, William, Abraham, Benjamin, Samuel and Peter. The fourth 
son, Benjamin, who married Jane, daughter of John Renaud, is the father 
of the present Darius Secor of New Rochelle. 

By a survey and division of Heathcote’s lands lying in Scarsdale 
manor on the 11th of August, A.D. 1774, in the county of Westchester, 
the property of Caleb Heathcote in his lifetime, and which remain unsold 
by his descendants since his death, &c. No. 1, in north division, contain- 
ed twenty-one lots, and likewise two small lots in the possession of Wil- 
liam Barker. Lots Nos. 16 and 17 were controverted lands in this division. 

Upon the zest side of the manor the proprietors appear to have been 
the Crawfords, Devauxs, Vailes, Gedneys, Anjevines, Tompkinses and 
Townsends. On the east side, the Griffens, Fishers, Vails, Underhills, 
Gedneys and Cromwells. On the south-west, the Griffens and Barkers.- 

The surface of this town is undulating and hilly; soil, sandy and clay 
loam ; drained, south by the Bronx river, which bounds it on the west. 
Two small streams called the Hutchinson and Sheldrake, rise in Scars- 
dale and flow southerly into the Sound. The latter is a tributary of 
the Mamaroneck river. They are well supplied with all kinds of fresh 
water fish. 

The most prominent features of Scarsdale, however, are the extensive 
tract of woodland which completely cover its wild and romantic hills on 
the west, displaying themselves to great advantage from every part of 
the surrounding country. The Saxton forest which forms a large por- 
tion of this woody district, abounds with foxes, rabbits and other wild 
game, and retains much of its ancient grandeur. 


\ 


PROORES Of COMED MAR AAD 


To face page 238, vol. il. PEDIGREE OF TOMKYNS, OF SCARSDALE. 


Arms, az. on achey. betw. three moor cocks, close, or, as many cross crosslets sa. Crest, a unicorn’s head, erased, per fesse, ar. and or, armed and maned of the last, gorged with a chaplet of laurel ver 


John Tompkins, of Concord, removed 
to Fairfield, September, 1644, | 


| 
John, of Concord, moved to Fairfield; subsequently settled at Eastchester, nat, 1642, living in 1672, Ruth Tompkins, nat. 1640, 


| 
Nathaniel, of Eastches-_ Elizabeth eet 


J ae of Eastches-_ Bantuna, of Scarsdale, will dated 3d Feb.,_ Hannah 
ter in 1684 | 1719, Surrogate’s Office, N.Y., No. 8, 128. | ter, 1684, ob, cir. 1733 | 
1 Iduin of_Merey 2 nbhe- Oak- 3. Nath- 4, Thome Hed- Mal ,»Mmar- 2 ana, mar- 38, Rath 1, Ste-_ 2. pelea to whom 38, ali to whom Lag de tes L b 3, Stephen Ane b b L 
Fasiches- | Jones miah | ley,of aniel as | dy ried Joseph ried Anna phen his f’r bequea’ed his _ his f’r beq’d his BOORSe aS BZ BE 
ter, remo- | da. of est- Appleby Ledew of dwelling house and estate called the =5 5—a 2285 5 S RES 
ved to James ches- Fishkill lands in E'chester. Pines. Beoguns° SE gaa 
Green- ter te a a ed BE > § 
pores i= — | a 
A . I = 1 — ( = - lela | yonatnat Ko Oe SyWvanusy of Stephen_.. ahs of Hannah. Thomas 
f Sarah 2Moses_ Polly 3.Nath_ Polly 4.Absa_Debor- 5Isaac_Abi- BU NS & & s | ’ yate, roton Coeymans DeVoe 
af Oe Bark- of Som- Bone aniel | Tomp lom | ah Mc- gail 5 aes & Osa of. ‘nett Re nen Quelly. ‘ nats os ane Soh oe 
5 & - der- zy 
ton er, da. ers. net kins Chain Vail $8 3 Sj anal ter: eee a son of Jona. | 9% 
of Ip l ese than Griffi 1 
John De ob seh Hy |e 
Boots eres ob. May 22, 
Baggrel #5 | 1823, 
“Breeze 3 i 
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| | E a72 3 | on Green: | | Ward of Long 
urg Island 
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| | | MD ll ts | 5 | | | IAS 
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of Oneida} Law- Taylor Tomp- ZS £ Dec. 22, | Varian April3,1762, 19th July, | Barker Noy. sth, Aug. 2ist, Vice President ; Mangle nat. Purdy § 5 = 
rence, kins Es 5 1759 1763, ob, 1767. ob. 1771 of the United | Min- Mar, 19, sy 2 & 
2, Martha si * Dee, 19, Jan. 7th. States, nat. thorne 1777. 22 ae 
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Vos . Beats 
HESS | | ob. 1825. are 
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2 Pao8 boon 
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7 wee PBgar 
| | | | ere 
Aitert Bobo 1-mline Staats Mary Dorcas i 7 : — 22 f Z 
2Isaac 4.Lorenza 2.Abiga! t 
- Stephen of Gilbert Augustus Elijah George & i L EP b b 9 22 8 Joseph W. of 
Tarrytown Alexander Clinton — 8 & & 5 5 & 6S 6 White Plains 
cB B Bess 8 & 
| | | I | | | 3 & been 3 
Jonathan G Varian Elizabeth Mary Deborah,wife Sarah Angeline a) = 
of Richard 2 
Patterson o 
* The D after Daniel, was added to distinguish him from another Daniel Tompkins, who attended 


the same school and college, (Helen T’, Tompkins, Somers, Westchester County, a grand-daughter). 


THE TOWN OF SCARSDALE, 233 


At the fox meadows, Scarsdale, was born on the 21st of June, 1774, 
that distinguished individual Daniel D. Tompkins, Vice-President of the 
United States. He was the seventh son of the Hon. Jonathan G. 
Tompkins, by his wife Sarah Hyatt ; and grandson of Stephen Tompkins, 
whose ancestors emigrated originally from the north of England, (during 
the time of the religious persecution in that country,) and landed at 
Plymouth, in the colony of Massachusetts ;? from Plymouth they removea 
to Concord. John Tompkins of that place, had John born there in 
1642, and a daughter, Ruth, in 1640. The Tompkins family subse- 
quently emigrated to Fairfield, in Connecticut.* In 1649, we find John 
Tompkins proprietor of lands in Fairfield. 

From Fairfield, the family removed to Eastchester, Westchester Co. 
The name of Nathaniel Tompkins occurs among a list of the first pro- 
prietors of Eastchester, in 1665. Of this family was Micah Tompkins 
of Milford, Connecticut, who secreted King Charles’ judges when they 
fled to Milford. “The regicides Whalley and Goffe, (says Mr. Lam- 
bert) lived in the town from the 2oth of August, 1661, for more than 
two years, till they went to Hadley. Here they were secreted by Mr. 
Tompkins, in the basement story of a shop standing near his dwelling. 
It is related that Mr. Tompkins’s daughters often spun in the shop, and 
sometimes would sing some poetry which was composed about that time, 
concerning the martyrdom of King Charles, (in which they are mention- 
ed) which much amused the judges. The girls were, of course, acquaint- 
ed with their concealment.? After remaining in Eastchester a short 
time, the sons of Nathaniel and John Tompkins removed to Scarsdale 
and Greenburgh, where they purchased lands and permanently settled. 

“ The father of Daniel D. Tompkins? was.a member of the State con- 
vention, which adopted the Declaration of Independence and the first 
constitution of the State. He was a member of the Legislature during 
the whole period of the Revolution, also for many years first judge of the 
Court cf Common Pleas for this county ; and on the institution of the uni- 
versity, was appointed one of the Regents—which situation he held until 
his resignation of it,in 1808. He died after seeing his son elevated to 
the second office in the gift of his country. 

Governor Tompkins was educated at Columbia college in the city of 


a The fox meadow estate originally belonged to the Griffin family, and passed from Jona- 
than Griffin to his adopted son, Jonathan Griffin Tompkins. 


b Herring’s Nat. Portrait Gallery. 
c Shattucks’ Hist. of Concord. 
d Lambert’s Hist. of New Haven, 144. 


e The D was added to his name merely to distinguish him from another Daniel Tompkins 
who attended the same school or college with him. From his grand-daughter, Helene T. 
‘Tompkins, Somers, Westchester Co, 


234 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


New York, and received the first honors of his class in 1795. He was 
admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court in the capacity of attorney, 5th 
Aug., 1797.* In 1801, he was elected a representative of the city, in the 
convention to revise the constitution of the State; in 1802, was chosen 
to the State Legislature ; and in 1804, was appointed a Judge of the Su- 
preme Court of the State, to supply the vacancy occasioned by the elec- 
tion of Chief Justice Lewis tothe Gubernatorial chair. In the same year 
he was elected a member of Congress for the city, as a colleague of the 
late Dr. Mitchell. Gov. Tompkins (continues his biographer) seemed 
to embody within himself—the peculiar characteristics of the citizens of 
his native State—activity, energy and perseverance ; and his talents con- 
stantly and variously as they were tried, were always found equal to any 
emergency. At the bar in the city of New York, during the early part 
of his life, he sustained an honorable rank ; on the bench of the Supreme 
Court of the State—amid the bright constellation of judicial talent, learn- 
ing and eloquence which then adorned it—he was conspicuously distin- 
guished while yet a comparative youth; and we venture to say, that no 
judge since the formation of our government, ever presided at nisi prius, 
or travelled the circuit with more popularity. Dignified in his person, 
peaceful and conciliating in his address, and thoroughly amiable in his 
character, he won the respect and confidence of the bar, and the admir- 
ation of the public. The distinction which he gained in his judicial ca- 
pacity, soon elevated him to a different theatre of action, the gubernato- 
rial chair of his native State. (In 1807, when not thirty-three years of 
age,) he was put forward as a candidate by the most influential of the 
Republicans of that day ; and in the mode in which he administered the 
government, he did‘not disappoint their choice. ‘Those were turbulent 
times in politics; but like a skillful pilot, he safely and triumphantly 
weathered the storm—not only that which was raging within our bounds 
and among ourselves, but a more painful one which was pouring in upon 
us from a foreign foe. By his unwearied efforts in repeatedly press- 
ing the subject upon the attention of the Legislature, slavery was finally 
abolished in the State of New York. 

The subject of public education and morals, was always near his heart. 
The benevolent feelings of Gov. Tompkins, prompted him to call the at- 
tention of the Legislature on repeated occasions, to the abolition of cor- 
poral punishment ; and he at length happily effected that of the former, 

a As attorney in the Court of Common Pleas in N. Y., and Westchester Co., 26 Sept. 1797; 
counsellor in Court of Common Pleas, 26th Sept. 1797; counsellor in Mayor’s Court, Feb. 24, 
1801; counsellor in Supreme Court, 2 May, 1801; solicitor in Court of Chancery, 5 June, 1801; 
elected representative of city to Convention on Revision of Constitution, 7 June, 1802; solicitor 


in Circuit Court of the U.S8., 1804; Justice of Supreme Court, 2 July, 1804, Member of Congress 
for N. Y., 1804; Judge of District Court, March, 1805.—Editor. 


THE TOWN OF SCARSDALE. 235 


but the latter still remains. So early as 1811, we find him raising his voice 
in favor of the encouragement of manufactures. In 1812, he prorogued 
the Senate and Assembly of the State. In this brief sketch, it is not to 
be expected that even all the most prominent measures of Gov. Tomp- 
kins’ administration can be noticed.” 

We come now (continues his biographer), to the part which he bore 
in our late war with Great Britain, which embraces a most interesting 
period of his life. Whenever the history of that war shall be written for 
posterity, his name will fill an ample space. 

As Governor of the State of New York, he had the direction of all 
her energies, and many and arduous were the duties which he was or- 
dered upon to perform ; but those who were conversant with the scenes 
of that period, will recollect the universal confidence which he inspired 
in every lover of his country. The following letter, dated a few days 
after the declaration of war, will show the perilous situation of the State 
of New York at that time, the condition of the army, and the respon- 
sibility he assumed to meet the exigency :— 


ALBANY, June 28, 1812. 
To Major General Dearborn: 

Sir:—Your letter of the 22 inst. has been received. I had anticipated your 
request by ordering the detachments from Washington, Essex, Clinton and 
Franklin counties into service, and have fixed the days and places of their ren- 
dezvous. Upon application to the Quartermaster General, I find there are but 
139 tents and 60 camp kettles at this place; and even those I take by a kind of 
stealth, the Deputy Quartermaster General declines giving an order for their de- 
livery, until he shall have a written order from the Quartermaster General ; and 
the latter is willing I shall take them, but will not give the deputy a written or- 
des for that purpose, under such circumstances, I shall avail myself of the rule 
of possession ; and by virtue of the eleven points of the law, send them off to-mor- 
row morning without a written order from any one. You may remember, that 
when you were Secretary of the War Department, I invited you to forward and 
deposit in our frontier arsenuls, arms, ammunition and camp equippage, for self- 
defence—to be ready for defence in case of war—and the same invitation to the 
War Department has been repeated four times since. The United States have 
now from five to six hundred regular troops at Plattsburgh, Rome, Canandaigua, 
&c. And yet those recruits are now and must be for weeks tocome, unarmed, 
and in every respect unequipped, although within musket shot of arsenals. The 
recruits at Plattsburgh, are within fifty miles of two tribes of Canadian Indians. 
In case of an attack upon the frontiers, that portion of the United States army 
would be as inefficient and as unable to defend the inhabitants or themselves 
even, aS somany women. Asto cannon, muskets, and ammunition, I can find 
no one here who will exercise any authority over them, or deliver a single article 


@ Herring’s Nat. Portrait Gallery, vol. ii. 


236 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


upon my requisition ; neither can I find any officer of the army who feels himself 
authorized to exercise any authority, or do any act which will aid me in the all 
important object of protecting the inhabitants of our extended frontier exposed 
to the cruelty of savages, and the depredations of the enemy. If I must rely 
upon the militia solely for such protection, I entreat you to give orders to your- 
officers here, to furnish upon my order—for the use of militia detachments, 
all needful weapons and articles with which the United States are furnished, and 
of which we are destitute. 

‘“You may rely upon the assistance which my talents, infiuence and authority 
can furnish, in the active prosecution of the just and necessary war, which has 
been declared by the constituted authority of our beloved country.” 


From the day of the declaration of war, the Governor entered heart 
and soul into the prosecution of it; and so continued until its close. 
Most of the frontier troops, the first campaign, were militia ; and many of 
them were marched several hundred miles. The Quarter Master General 
of that day, refused to make any advances to them; the Governor was, 
therefore, placed in the dilemma of providing as.well as he could for 

‘them, and expenses of every kind—or of permitting them to return home 
for want of accommodation, disgusted both with the war and the Govern- 
ment; he issued orders for raising a brigade of volunteers upon his own 
responsibility, which greatly distinguished itself on the Niagara frontier, 
and particularly at the memorable sortie from Fort Erie. 

The officers were all selected by Gov. Tompkins, and their gallant con- 
duct in the field showed his admirable discrimination in this respect. He 
had previously recommended to the Legislature to raise volunteer regi- 
ments for the defence of our frontiers and the city of New York ; but, by 
a perversity that seems strange to us at the present day, his patriotic 
recommendation was rejected. A man of less firmness than Governor 
Tompkins would have quailed beneath the storm which was raised 
against him in Albany, in the winter of 1813-14, and the consequence 
would probably have been that the State would have been over-run by 
the foe. Not only was the whole western frontier in danger of invasion, 
but Sacketts Harbor, Plattsburgh, and the city of New York. But re- 
gardless of censure or disapprobation he called into the field large bodies 
of militia, and organized a corps of new fencibles for the protection of 
the city of New York, consisting of one thousand men. In September, 
1814, the militia in service for the defence of the city amounted to 17,- 
500 men. He was even ready to dispatch a force, under the lamented 
Decatur, for the assistance of Baltimore, which was then menaced with 
an attack ; and had not the news of the enemy’s retreat been received, the 
succor would have been upon the march to the relief of a sister State. In 
1814, from information received and corroborated by the movements of the 


THE TOWN OF SCARSDALE. 237 


enemy, there are sufficient grounds of belief that one great object of his 
campaign was to penetrate with his northern army by the waters of Lake 
Champlain and the Hudson; and bya simultaneous attack with his mar- 
itime forces on New York, to form a junction which would sever the 
communication of the States. The exigency of the time, while it sub- 
jected the Executive to great resposibility, admitted of no delay. To 
defeat his arrogant design, and save the State from inroad, it was neces- 
sary immediately to exercise full powers and more ample resources than 
had been placed in his hands by the Legislature. He proceeded, there- 
fore, to make such dispositions as were deemed indispensable to secure 
the exposed points against menaced invasion. To effect these objects 
he found it necessary to transcend the authority and méans vested in 
him by law, perfectly satisfied that the Legislature would approve and 
sanction what he had done. 

In October of this year, Governor Tompkins was appointed by the 
President to the command of the third military district. He acquitted 
himself of the command with great ability, and on the disbanding of the 
troops he received from every quarter letters of compliment and grati- 
tude and this was the only recompense for his services, in this command, 
which he ever obtained. 

During the Fall of this year the general government was desirous of 
fitting out an expedition to dislodge the enemy from Castine in the 
Province of Maine. They had applied to the Governor of Massa- 
chusetts to raise the necessary funds for this purpose, but without effect. 
In this dilemma the situation of the general government was hinted to 
Governor Tompkins, who, with his individual credit and upon his own 
responsibilities, immediately raised the money, $300,000—which he 
placed at the orders of General Dearborn, then commanding in Massa- 
chusetts. This noble act of patriotism speaks for itself, and comment 
would be superfluous.” 

“He contributed (remarks the Hon. G. Rathbun) more than any one 
man in the Union to the success of our arms in repelling the invaders of 
our soil. Mr. Tompkins disbursed for the United States very nearly 
two millions of dollars. This sum was charged to him. Further, he 
borrowed for the use of the general government more than one million, 
three hundred thousand dollars ; some of it partly upon the credit of the 
Government, and some of it upon his own responsibility.”? 

‘In looking over his military correspondence, it is surprising to see 
how watchful he was to foster a delicate and punctilious regard to the 


a Herring's Nat. Portrait Gallery, vol. ii. 
4 Extracts from speech of Kon. G. Rathbun of New York, in favor of an pe pronreen for 
the heirs of D. D. Tompkins, delivered in the House of Representatives, Feb. 4, 1847, 


238 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


relative rank of the officers of the militia, so as preclude any cause of 
jealousy or complaint. The officers were appointed by the council of 
appointment, which in the winter of 1713-14, was, together with one 
branch of the Legislature, opposed to the administration of the general 
government, and to the prosecution of the war ; and it is evident from his 
correspondence at this period that attempts were constantly made to 
create discontents, by the recommending of persons for promotion over 
the heads of those who were entitled to it by their previous military 
rank. And turning back to his private correspondence from 1808 to 
1811, we are struck with the continual annoyance experienced by him 
from the intrigues and slanders of political opponents, and at the same 
time with the indefatigable industry and noble frankness with which he 
counteracted and exposed them. In the Fall of 1814, Mr. Monroe hav- 
ing just been appointed Secretary of War, President Madison requested 
permission to name Governor Tompkins to the Senate as his successor. 
This offer, of what is considered the highest office in the gift of the 
President of the United States, was declined. In the spring of 1815, 
after peace had been proclaimed, he resigned the command of the third 
military district ; and the President addressed to him a letter of thanks, 
for his ‘patriotic action and able support given to the Government 
during the war.” 

“In February, 1817, having received official information of his elec- 
tion to the office of Vice President of the United States, he surrendered 
that of chief Magistrate of the State of New York.” He was also 
Chancellor of the University; and in June, 1820, was elected grand 
master of masons in the State of New York. In 1821, he was chosen 
a delegate for the county of Richmond to the convention for framing a 
new constitution for the State ; and he was afterwards appointed presi- 
dent of this body. This was the last public situation which he held.” 

“‘ Vears having rolled away (remarks Mr. John W. Edmunds) sirce he 
played so prominent and active a part on the stage, and the party 
rancor with which he was sometimes beset having been long since buried 
in the grave of the past, ample justice may now without offence be done 
to him—who was, in every sense of the word, 


‘* \ statesman lofty and a patriot pure.” 


The task, however, of doing full justice to his memory belongs to an 
abler pen; but no one is too feeble to admire the elevated patriotism which 
induced him, at a most trying crisis, to forego the honor intended for 
him by the President—to sacrifice his own health and the comfort of his 


a Herring’s National Portrait Gallery, vol. ii. 


THE TOWN OF SCARSDALE. ~ (238 


family to the paramount duty of serving his country in that sphere where 
he could be most useful, and to offer himself a victim for its safety if it 
should be necessary ; and the indomitable energy which enabled him in 
less than forty days, without assistance in money from the national gov- 
ernment, to bring into the field at various points of danger nearly 50,000 
men, organized, armed and equipped, to endure the toil, expense and 
embarrassment of commanding 20,000 of them in person, and at the 
same time to administer the government of the State ; and in less than 
sixty days when the national credit was at its lowest point of depression, 
when the payment of even the interest of its notes could not be provided 
for, to raise for the public service upwards of $1,000,000. 
If it should be asked what was his reward, for his great services to his 
country, and where stands his monument? the veneration in which his 
“memory is yet regarded by the whole nation, answers that it is erected 
in the hearts of his countrymen. 


‘*Such honors Ilion to her here paid, 
And peaceful slept the mighty Hector’s shade.’’? 


The Hon. Daniel D. Tompkins died at his residence, Tompkinsville, 
Staten Island, June 11, 1825, aged fifty-one, and was buried in the vault 
of Mr. Minthorne, at St. Mark’s church, New York. His wife was a. 
daughter of Mangle Minthorne, Esq., of New York. His sons were 
Minthorne, Ray, Daniel, Clinton and Griffin Tompkins. The youngest 
brother of the Governor was George Washington Tompkins, father of 
the late Joseph Warren Tompkins, of White Plains. 

The Fox Meadow Estate in Scarsdale, passed to the Hon. Caleb 
Tompkins, the eldest brother of the Governor; and was afterwards 
occupied by his son, the late Jonathan G. Tompkins. The property is 
now owned by Charles Butler, Esq., whose taste and liberality has done 
so much to add to the natural beauties of this charming spot. The 
grounds are beautifully laid out and embellished with gardens, and ex- 
tensive fruit houses. 

The neighboring property on the south formerly belonged to Hon. 
Richard Morris, son of the Hon. Lewis Morris, of Morrisania, for many 
years Chief Justice of the Province of New York, from whom it passed 
to his son-in-law, the late Brigadier Major William Popham. The man- 
sion erected in’ 1790, is a spacious wooden structure, and occupies a 

a@ In consequence of the death of Governor Tompkins in 1825, and of Mrs. Tompkins a few 
years after, the claim of what was due him in 1824, slept until February 4, 1847, when Con- 


gress voted its appropriation to the heirs of Daniel D. Tompkins—Editor. See speechof the 
Hon. G. Rathburn. 


b Some passages in the life of Governor Tompkins, by Mr. John W. Edmonds. See pro- 
ceedings of N. Y. Hist. Soc , 1844, 


240 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


very secluded position in a pasturage hollow, surrounded by groves of 
locust trees, bordering the old Boston turnpike, the Bronx enlivening 
the estate upon the west. Here is situated a valuable mill seat, once 
occupied by an extensive beaver dam. The calm solitude of this beau- 
tiful spot is increased by the overhanging woods and the low murmur- 
ing of the river in passing over its stony bed. The graceful hemlock, 
fitly entitled by Coleridge ‘‘ The Lady of the Woods,” appears to luxu- 
riate in this romantic position of Scarsdale. 

The Popham family were originally from Popham, in the county of 
Hampshire, England ; and spring from Gilbert Popham, of Popham,who, 
in the year 1200, married Joan, daughter and heiress of Robert Clarke, 
a feofee in trust for the manor of Popham. They were greatly distin- 
guished by the favor of the Empress Maud, A.D. 1140, and held high 
and honorable stations jn the reign of Henry the Third. To Hampshire 
county they gave several sheriffs—Robertus de Popham in 1227, and 
Stephanus de Popham, circ., 1428. Sixth in descent from Gilbert Pop- 
ham was Sir John Popham, Knight of the Bath, Lord Chief Justice of 
the Queen’s Bench, purchaser of the Littlecot estate, Wiltshire county, 
England. This individual died A. D. 1607, and his remains repose 
under a magnificent tomb in the church of Wellington, surrounded by a 
palisade of wood and iron. On a tablet are the effigies of himself and 
Lady Popham. His only son was Sir Francis Popham, Knt. of Little- 
cot, Wilts. This gentleman, together with his son, Alexander, became 
so obnoxious to King Charles the First that he excepted them both out 
of the general pardon. John Popham, eldest son of Sir Francis, who 
married, it is said, a daughter of the celebrated President, John Brad- 
shaw, was, for many years, a gentleman of the household to King 
James the First. Upon the restoration of King Charles II. he removed 
to Ireland, and there purchased the Bandon estates, county of Cork. 
His only son he significantly named Icabod—“ the glory is departed.” 
Icabod left one son, named after his grandfather, John, who was the 
father of James, and grandfather of Wiliam Popham, of Bandon, whose 
son was the late Brigadier Major William Popham, of Scarsdale. This 
truly good man, who was one of the last of Washington’s illustrious 
compatriots, ‘was born in the town of Bandon, Cork county, Ireland, on 
the 19th of September, 1752, He was brought to this country at the 

a “Col, Edward Popham was made Admiral of the fleet, and Alexander Popham was sum- 
moned to Oliver Cromwell’s House of Lords.” ‘* With them were joined some of the ancient 
nobility, together with some of the gentry who had considerable estates derived from their 
ee = as Mr. Alexander Popham and others.”—Mem., of Edmund Ludlow, pp. 112 

b ** President Bradshaw was of the family of Bradshaw, of Marple county, chem”, Eog- 


land; its representatives now rests in the Isherwood.”—Burke’s Extinct Baronetage, Owne- 
rods, Cheshire. 


To face page 240, vol. 1. PEDIGREE OF POPHAM, OF SCARSDALE. 


Gilbert Popham, of Popham Hants, 1200 _Joan, da. and heiress of Robert Clark, a feofee in trust for the Manor of Popham, 


| 
Robert Popham, of Popham, Knt. 


| : i 
John Popham, of Popham, _...... . 2 Sir Hugh Popham, Knt., Joan, da. and sole heiress of Sir Stephen 
one of King Edward I.’s commissioners for fixing the bound- | De Rentisbury, Knt., of Huntsworth, 


This branch of the family ended in four 
daughters, heiresses in the 15th century aries of the Loyal Forests in Somersetshire Somerset 


el 
Sir Hugh Popham, Knt,_...... 
| 


John Lapa of Huntsworth, 6th in descent from Sir Hugh _Isabella Knoyle, or 
being the son of William, who died, 1465, by his wife Agnes, da. of William Ed- | Knowl, da of Thomas 
monds, son of Thomas of Huntsworth, ob. 1419, son of John, ob. 1375, son of 
Hugh, the son of John, son of the above Sir Hugh 


| 
Alexander Popham _Jane, da. of Sir Edward Stradling, Knt., of St. Donats Castle, Glamorgan 


| 
Edward Popham _Jane da. of Richard Sir Jonn Popham, Knt., purchaser of the Littlecott estate, Wilts. Lord_—Ann, da. and heiress of  Elizabeth_Richard Catharine _ Wiliam Dotothy 
of Huntsworth, 1575 Norton of Abbotts Lee Chief Justice of England, vb. 1607; his remains repose under a magnifi- | Robert Gomes, Esq., Mitchel of Poole 
cent tomb in the church of Wellington, surrounded by a palisade of wood and | of Castle Glamorgon Cannington 
iron; in a tablet are the effigies of himself and Lady Popham 


| | | | 
Elizabeth_Richard Eleanor_Roger Warre, Jane_Thomas Penelope—Thos. Hanham Mary —Sir John Katharine dward 
Champernoun Esq.. of Hester- Horner Sergeant at Law Mallett, of Rogers of Can- 
Evmore nington Somer- 


—Ann. da. and heiress of John Dudley, of Stoke 
combe 
set County 


Newington, Esq., grand-son of Thomas, son of 


Sir ees Popham, Knt., of Littlecott, Co. Wilts, member of the last Parliament of 
Edward Lord Dudley 


ueen Elizabeth, and in all of those of James I. and Charles I., and excepted out of 


the general pardon of the latter Prince 
| | | | 
John Popham, Gent. of the Privy Chamber to James I. _......da. of Sir Sabastian Havey, Lord Mayor of London Alexander Popham, of Littlecott, M.P., for Thomas, Hugh, ob, s. p. Col. rdwara Popham, an officer in the Parliamentary 
others say a da, of John Bradshaw, President of the Somerset, one of the protectors upper house. ob.s.p. slain in the service of the service, ob. Aug. 1654, buried in Westminster raf the 
and a Col. in the Parliament Service Parliament at Shelborne Court of the Protector assisted at the funeral obsequies 


who afterwards emigrated to Ireland and became proprietor 
of Bandon estates, County Cork _|__ Court for the trial of Charles I., ob. 1659 


| 
Ichabod Popham, of Bandon, Co. Cork, Ireland_...... 
| 
| 
John Popham _...... 
I 


| 
James Popham ee AA 


| 
William Popham, of Bandon, emigrated to America, 1716, ob. at Amboy, 1785-6 _Patience, da. of the Rev. William Willet, a minister at Bandon 
| 


! | 
Mary Elizabeth atary 


Major Gen. William Popham, of Scarsdale, Aide-de-camp to Baron Stubens, President-General of the Cincinnati Society_Mary da. of the Hon. Richard Morris, Chief Justice of N. Y., ob. 1836, st. 73 
| z 


| | | 
Richlara Popham wittlam John Popham _Mary Thompson Charles Popham Sarah _Leonard Bleecker 


fire tn Tee a 


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es ineneenel 


THE TOWN OF SCARSDALE, 241 


early age of nine years, and his parents having settled in the town of 
Newark, State of Delaware, it was in that place that he spent his youth, 
and where he received a finished education. It was his intention to en- 
ter upon the holy office of the ministry ; but on the breaking out of the 
Revolutionary war, he was fired with military zeal, and accepted a com- 
mission in the army, and immediately raised a company in defence of 
his country. 

“‘ His first engagement was at the battle of Long Island, where he 
greatly distinguished himself by taking prisoner the famous Capt. Ragg, 
with eighteen more of the enemy. He was then appointed a captain in 
the army, and having followed the American arms to White Plains, he 
there again distinguished himself as an accomplished soldier and a brave 
man. As a captain he took part in the battle of Brandywine, and also 
acted as aid to Gen. Clinton in the northern division of the army; and 
was also the aid of Gen. Sullivan, in the western expedition among the 
Indians. 

“ After the war he resided a few years in the city of Albany in this 
State, where he entered upon the study of the law, and practised his 
profession. Subsequently to that time he came to New York, and prac- 
tised his profession for a few years. In the year 1787 he purchased a 
farm in Westchester county, upon which he resided for many years; 
during the whole of which time, he held the office of clerk of the Court of 
Exchequer. He held this office until it was abolished. In 1804, he 
again took up his abode in New York, where he remained until 1811, 
attending to his profession, and paying particular attention to the edu- 
cation of his children. He then returned to his farm, and lived there 
until the year 1836, when the death of his wife occured; and he then re- 
turned to New York, and resided there until his own death. 

“He was ever a remarkably religious man, and died September 1847, 
aged ninety-five, the peaceful and happy death of a firm Christian, and 
a member of the Episcopal Church. He was not, as has been stated, a 
man of property, though he was always blessed with an abundance. He 
was a friend to the poor and needy, and derived much of his happiness: 
by doing good. He was the friend and companion of Washington, and! 
claimed as his intimates many of the most remarkable men of his day. 
He belonged to the old school of American gentlemen, and in mind and 
body was distinguished for activity and sprightliness. He was an ace. 
complished scholar, and, in every particular, a thoroughbred gentleman.@: 
His remains now repose in peace in the Popham family vault near St. 


a New York Express, Sept. 27th, 1847. 


242 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


James church Scarsdale. ‘‘ He lived the life of a noble man and died 
the death of a happy Christian.” 

The following general order was issued by the New York State So- 
ciety of the Cincinnati, dated New York, Sept. 27th, 1847. 


NEW YORK STATE SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI. 
GENERAL ORDER. 


New York, Sept. 27th, 1847. It has become the painful duty of the Vice 
President to announce to the society the death of their venerable President, 
Major William Popham, at the advanced age of 95 years. Major Popham was 
also President General of the General Society of the Cincinnati of the United 
States. 

He was a native of Ireland, and came to this country previous to our Revolu- 
tion, and was at its commencement, appointed a lieutenant in the army; and at 
the battle of Long Island, with a detachment of troops under his command, cap- 
tured and brought to head quarters in this city, a British guard with its com- 
manding officer, and was highly complimented by General Washington on the 
occasion ; he was afterwards appointed an aide-de-camp to General James Clin- 
ton, and subsequently to Baron Steuben, by whom he was much beloved ; he con- 
tinued in the service till the termination of the war, was a brave and accom- 
plished officer, and a gentleman of considerable legal and literary acquirements. 
He held for a long time an important cival office connected with our courts of 
justice. He always sustained the character of the most exemplary punctuality 
in the execution of his official duties. In private live he was respected and 
beloved by all who knew him; his mental faculties were retained with great 
vigor until the last moment of his life, and died as a Christian soldier—with the 
confident hope, that his piety and faithfulness would entitle him to the reward 
in the life to come, promised to those who continue faithful to the end. 


** Sweet sleep the brave who sink to rest, 
With all their country’s honor blest.” 


The members of the society are requested to wear the usual badge of mourning 
for thirty days. By order. 
GEN. ANTHONY LAMB, Vice Pres’t. 
Epwarp P. Marcetiin, Sec’y. 


Major Popham was President of the New York State Society of Cin- 
cinnati, and as the oldest member, President General of the General So- 
ciety of the United States—an office first held by General Washington, 
in 1783; secondly, by Alexander Hamilton ; thirdly, by Charles Coles- 
worth Pinckney ; fourthly, by Thomas Pinckney ; fifthly, by Aaron Og- 
den; sixthly, by Morgan Lewis, and seventhly, by Major Popham. As 
President General he had in his possession the golden eagle of the or- 
der, most splendidly set in diamonds. It bears the following inscription : 
“ Presented in the name of the French sailors, to his Excellency, General 


THE TOWN OF SCARSDALE. 243 


Washington.” This precious relic of the Society, upon the death of 
Major Popham, went to Henry A. S. Dearborn, Esq., his successor in 
Office. 

By his wife, Mary, daughter of the Hon. Richard Morris, Chief Jus- 
tice of New York, Major Popham had issue Richard , William S., 
who now occupies the Popham mansion, John , and Charles Pop- 
ham, who resides in the old Morris homestead. The daughters were 
Sarah, who married Leonard Bleecker, Esq. ; Mary and Elizabeth Pop- 
ham. 

Under the Provincial Government, Scarsdale constituted one of the 
seven districts of Rye parish. In 1763, Scarsdale contributed to the 
rector’s tax and poor of the parish, the sum of £25 4s 6d. The paro- 
chial clergy appear to have officiated here at a very early period; as the 
Rey. Robert Jenney writing to the Bishop of London, 1724, says: “I 
officiate eight times per annum at Mamaroneck, for that place, and 
Scarsdale and Fox’s Meadows.” In 1727, there were thirty persons in 
Scarsdale upon whom the parochial tax was levied. Mr. Wetmore in 
writing to the Society in 1744 observes: “I have aconsiderable congre- 
gation at the White and Scarsdale, above seven miles west of the parish 
church, which [J also attend once in two months.’’ 

Religious services were, for a long time, confined to White Plains. 
In August, 1849, the Rev. Henry J. Morton, D.D., of Philadelphia, first 
held services in the farm house (formerly the residence of Chief Justice 
Morris), after which the late Rev. H. L. Storr, of Yonkers, officiated 
with other clergy for nearly six months prior to the call of a permanent 
minister. 

Through the zealous efforts of William S. Popham, Esq., a parish was 
finally organized, and the corner-stone of a church laid on Saturday, the 
29th of June, 1850, by the Right Rev. W. R. Whittingham, D.D., Bishop 
of Maryland, being the first structure devoted to religious worship 
ever erected in the town of Scarsdale. The church was incorporated on 
the 3d day of September, 1849, by the name and style ‘of the Rector, © 
Church-wardens and Vestrymen of the Church of St. James the Less, in 
the township of Scarsdale.” William S. Popham and Mark Spencer, 
church-wardens ; Charles W. Carmer, William H. Popham, Francis 
McFarlan, Joshua Underhill, Edmund Ludlow, Samuel E. Lyon, Au- 
gustus Bleecker, and Orrin Weed, vestrymen. Upon the 31st of Janu- 
ary, 1850, the Rev. James F. Le Baron, was called as rector and resign- 
ed the next year. For his successor, see list of rectors. 

In June, 1850, the grounds adjoining the church were conveyed to 
the vestry, in the form of a lease, by William H. Popham. 


244 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER, 


LEASE FOR CHURCH LOT. 


This indenture, made the 28th day of June, eighteen hundred and fifty-one, be- 
tween William H. Popham in the town of Scarsdale, county of Westchester, 
State of New York, party of the first part, and the rector, church-wardens and 
vestrymen of the Church of St. James the Less, in the town of Scarsdale, in the 
county of Westchester, State of New York, of the second part, witnesseth: that 
the said party of the first part, for and in consideration of the rents, covenants, 
agreements and conditions hereinafter mentioned, reserved and contained on the 
part and behalf of the said parties of the second part and their successors, to be 
paid, kept and performed as granted, demised and to farm. let, and by these pres- 
ents doth grant, devise, and to farm-let unto the said parties of the second part 
and their successors, all that certain lot, piece or p:rcel of land, on which the 
church edifice of St. James the Less is now erected in the town aforesaid, bound- 
ed and containing as follows :—commencing at a bound mark on the south fence 
of the old Scarsdale farm road, being the northerly corner of a lot of land de- 
signed for a cemetery marked A on the annexed diagram, running thence south 
fifteen degrees, west six chains two links, along a line of pegs, and east of the 
church edifice as shown by a dotted line in diagram to a ground mark in the op- 
posite fence at B, thence along the south fence north seventy-five degrees, thirty 
minutes, west five chains and sixty links to a point in diagram marked C, thence 
north seventeen degrees, thirteen minutes, cast six chains and eighty links, fifty 
links east of and parallel to the western fence of said lot as shown by a dotted 
line to a point marked D in diagram, thence south sixty-seven degrees, forty min- 
utes, east forty chains and ninety-two links along the south fence of the old 
Scarsdale farm road aforesaid, to the place of commencing at A. The lot is 
bounded on all sides by lands of the said William H. Popham, and contains 
three acres one rood and twenty-six perches, as designated in a diagram hereun- 
to annexed, surveyed by R. Henwood, October, eighteen hundred and fifty-one. 
To have and to hold the above mentioned and described premises with the ap- 
purtenances, unto the said parties of the second part and their successors in office 
from the day of the date hereof, for and during the full end and time of one 
thousand years next ensuing, and fully to be completed and ended, yielding and 
paying therefor unto the said party of the first part, and his heirs yearly and 
every year during the said term hereby granted the yearly rent or sum of one 
silver dime, lawful money of the United States of America, on the Festival of St. 
Philip and St. James in each and every year; and, also, the parties of the sec- 
ond part or their successors in office, shall not at any time during the continuance ~ 

$f the term hereby granted let, underlet, assign, sell or convey the whole or any 
part of said premises to any person or persons, sole or corporate whatever, ex- 
cept the right or privilege of burial in said ground ; and upon the further condition 
that religious services in said church during said term shall be performed accord- 
ing to the form prescribed by the book of Common Prayer, or the administration of 
the Sacraments and other rites and ceremonies as prescribed in said book for the 
use of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America, and 
of the doctrine and discipline therein set forth, and the canons of said Church 
by a duly and regularly ordained minister of said Protestant Episcopal Church, 
or by one allowed bv the canons of said Church so to officiate, or by a duly 
ordained minister of the Church of England, as now by law established, and 


THE TOWN OF SCARSDALE, 245 


none other; provided always, nevertheless, that if the rent above reserved shall 
not be demanded by, or paid to the said party of the first part or his heirs on or 
before the Feast of St. Andrew in every year, after the same shall have been 
due, that then said parties of the second part shall forever thereafter be dis- 
charged from the payment of the same. And provided further, that in case any 
form or mode of worship shall be used or celebrated in said church, or in any 
other building that may hereafter be erected thereon, or upon any portion of said 
grounds in the open air, other than as above mentioned; orif said church or any 
portion of said land shall be used or converted to secular use, then and thencefor- 
ward it shall and may be lawful for said party of the first part, his heirs and as- 
signs into and upon the said described premises, and every part thereof, wholly 
to re-enter and remove therefrom all persons found violating the aforesaid con- 
ditions, and the same shall remain vacant until a new incumbent be appointed 
by the Bishop of the said Church then administering the Diocese ; anything 
herein before contained to the contrary thereof notwithstanding. And the said 
parties of the second part and their successors in office, do covenant and agree 
to and with the said party of the first part and his heirs, by these presents, that 
they the said parties of the second part and their successors in office shall, and 
will yearly and every year during the said term hereby granted, well and truly 
pay the said rent in manner aforesaid, reserved, if demanded, within the time 
aforesaid: and that they will not celebrate nor allow to be celebrated in said 
church or other buildings that may be hereafter erected on said land, or upon any 
open space thereof in the open air, any other form or mode of worship than that 
of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America aforesaid or 
by any other person not duly ordained according to the forms prescribed in the 
said Book of Common Prayer or allowed by the Canons of the said Church, or by 
a duly ordained minister of the Church of England, as now by law established in 
England, and in good standing therein. And the said parties of the second part 
further covenant and agree to and with the said party of the first part and his 
heirs, that they will not during said term hereby granted, let, underlet, assign, 
sell, convey or in any way or manner dispose of the whole or any part or portion 
of said premises above mentioned, except the right or privilege of burying there- 
in as aforesaid; and that they will faithfully keep and perform all the covenants 
herein, on their part and behalf to be kept and performed. And the said party 
of the first part for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, doth 
covenant and agree to and with the said parties of the second part and their sue- 
cessors in office, by these presents, that the said parties of the second part keep- 
‘ing and performing the conditions, covenants and agreements aforesaid on their 
part and behalf, the said parties of the second part and their successors in office 
shall and may at all times hereafter, during the said term hereby granted, peace- 
fully and quietly have, hold and enjoy the said described premises without any 
manner of let, suit, trouble or hindrance of or from the said party of the first 
part, his heirs or assigns or any other person or persons whomsoever. In witness 
whereof the parties hereto have interchangeably set their hands and seals, the 


day and year first above written. WILLIAM H. POPHAM, [. s.] 
By order of the Corporation of the church of St. James the Less, Scarsdale.¢ 


a County Rec. Liber. 180 of Deeds, p. 400. 


246 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


The parish church is well situated on an eminence commanding a fine 
view of the Greenburgh hills, under which flows the river Bronx, adding 
greatly to the beauty of the picture. It was built, as before stated, by 
William S. Popham, Esq,, in conjunction with several members of his 
family and personal friends, The style of the building is early English 
or first pointed, according to Rickman’s nomenclature. It is constructed 
of native stone, with dressings of the white dolomitic marble, and con- 
sists of a nave, chancel, with sacristy attached, and porch. The nave, 
which is 56 feet by 24 feet in the clear, with sittings for about 211, is 
divided into four bays, the flank walls of which are pierced with couplets, 
excepting the first bay from the west end on south side, which contains 
a door leading tothe porch. The roof is open, with rafters diagonally 
braced. The pulpit is in the north-east corner of the nave. A font of 
the largest size (2 feet 6 inches across the bowl stands in the south-east 
corner of the nave. It is circular, supported on a central octagonal stem, 
surrounded by four detached pillars of white marble, and was presented 
by the sisters of the first rector of the parish. The seats are open, and 
entirely free of any charge for rent or use—the church being supported 
by voluntary contributors at the offertory. ‘The organ, presented by a 
member of the vestry, is situated at the west end of the nave. The 
chancel 20 ft. by 16 ft. in the clear, is separated from the nave by the 
chancel arch. The choir is raised two steps above the nave, and has 
two stalls on the south side. On the north it opens by a door into the 
sacristy. Thesanctuary, elevated above the choir by two steps, is about 
eight feet in depth, containing an altar 6 feet by 3 feet, on a foot pace, a 
credence shelf on the south side, and Bishop’s seat on the north. The 
chancel is lighted by a triplet of richly stained glass, the middle lancet 
of which contains a cross within the vesica piscis; the south, a dove and 
font; and the north, a paten and chalice. The rest of the glass, except- 
ing the west end of the nave, which is rich grisailed, and the southern 
windows of the chancel, which have colored borders, is plain enameled. 
The whole of the stained glass was manufactured by Mr. John Bolton, 
of Pelham. Over the central lancet in the chancel, and in the middle 
of the west gable are triangular trifoliated lights, with colored glass. 

The west end of the nave, supporting bell gable, has flank window 
couplets. ‘Taken as a whole, we think that this simple church, in pro- 
portion and general arrangement, might well serve as a model for a 
country parish. ‘The entire cost, including the glass and furnace cham- 
ber, was $5,000. It was designed and carried out by Frank Wills, Esq., 
of New York. 

This church was consecrated on the 28th of June, 1851, by Rt. Rev. 


THE TOWN OF SCARSDALE, 247 


William Heathcote De Lancey (a great grandson of the first Lord of the 
manor, Col. Caleb Heathcote) who preached the sermon and adminis- 
tered the Holy Communion; he was assisted in the services by the 
Right Rev. Bishop Whittingham, of Maryland. 

The communion service, presented on the day of consecration, con- 
sists of the following articles: a flagon inscribed :—“ The blood of Jesus 
Christ cleanseth us from all sin.” Two silver chalices, each having the 
following inscription:—‘“ I will receive the cup of salvation.” A paten 
with the legend:—“I will offer unto Thee the sacrifice of thanksgiv- 
ing ;” and a silver alms basin, which was presented by an aged female 
friend on the day of consecration. The altar cloth is of rich crimson 
velvet, presented by the rector’s father, having the sacred monogram 
I. H.S., worked in gold and blue by a lady of the parish. The church 
linen is also richly embroidered, and bears numerous inscriptions, like- 
wise the work of various ladies of the parish. The service books were 
presented by individuals interested in the church, and the Bishop’s chair 
by the builder, Mr. Henry Cornell. The bell weighing Ibs., was 
cast by Meneely of West Troy, and was presented by ——-—. To St. 
James’ is attached a parochial school and a rectory. 


RECTORS OF SCARSDALE. 


Temp. Ivsr. Recrors. VAo'r. PATRONS. 
31 Jan., 1850, Rey. James F. LE Baron, per resig. Ward. and Vest. 
1 April,1851, Rey. WILtiAM W. OLssEN, BO MCC Or ee Tee 
July, 1872, Rev. Henry WEBBE, Chomp eel Og we oe 


Immediately north of the Popham residence is situated the former 
estate of the Varian family, now belonging to the late Col. Jonathan 
Varian who greatly distinguished himself in the last war with Great 
Britain ; and who was the eldest son of Michael Varian, who occupied 
the homestead in 1775. Michael, as well as his brothers, Richard and 
Isaac, took an active part in their country’s service during the Revolu- 
tionary war. Of this family was Isaac Varian, Esq., Mayor of the city 
of New York. 

. A little west of the church is the Scarsdale railroad station (on the 
Harlem R. R., twenty-two miles from New York) and Post-Office. 

Directly opposite the former residence of the Hon. Richard Morris, a 
tragical event took place during the Revolution, the circumstances are 
thus related. An officer belonging to Col. Armand’s, that is, Monsieur 
Le Marquis de la Rouerie’s cavalry of the French legion, went down 
accompanied by a new party to the village of East Chester on a Sun- 
day morning to have his horse shod. “It appears that Gilbert Vin- 


248 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER, 


cent Jr., was the only member of his family at home (his father Gilbert 
having gone below) when the party arrived at the Smithy ; and he pos- 
itively declined to shoe the horse—not only as a matter of conscience, but 
on the ground that he was out of coal. This was considered, by his un- 
reasonable foes, an insufficient excuse ; and some of the West Chester 
guides who accompanied the French officer, knowing that Gilbert’s father 
and brother were strong Tories, determined that the want of coal was 
a mere pretext to avoid doing a service for the upper party (as the 
Americans and their allies were termed) and so they endeavored to 
compel the young man to do the work by force; resistance was nat- 
urally offered, whereupon a scuffie ensued, and at length’ one of the 
dragoons drew a pistol and shot Vincent dead on the spot ; while others 
say that the officer himself becoming enraged at the reply, drew his 
sword and struck the unoffending blacksmith to the ground—when his 
brother Elijah Vincent, who belonged to De Lancey’s Refugee corps, 
heard of the outrage, he vowed revenge on the murderer; and the bet- 
ter to accomplish his purpose, determined to lay in wait and watch the 
French scouting parties as they passed to and fro from Scarsdale to 
their encampment on the Greenburgh hills. For several nights, he 
watched in vain ; but at length the opportune moment for revenge ar- 
rived. It so happened that a party of the Duke of Lauzune’s patrols 
were passing the very spot where Vincent lay, concealed behind the 
bushes ; he immediately rose and fired upon the unsuspecting company, 
and a captain of the Hussars fell from his horse mortally wounded. 
Favored by the darkness of the night Vincent fled into the woods and 
made the rest of his way to West Farms, where he arrived early the 
following morning; after the war, he removed to Canada and died 
there.’”4 

It was along the high ridge of Scarsdale, north-west of the post road, 
that the British forces, led by Generals Clinton and De Heister, march- 
ed on the very day of the battle of While Plains, 28th of October, 1776. 
The late Francis Secor, of Scarsdale, was in the habit of telling, ““how 
that he had often heard his father describe the march of the British army 
on the day of the Battle at White Plains. He stood, as they passed, un- 
der the great tree in front of their house ; marching along the ridge which 
runs north of the post road, he suspected them to be the right column of 
the British army. As they moved steadily forward, they drove before them 
a force which constituted the advanced guard of Washington’s army. 
The enemy were preceded by a strong body of pioneers, who tore down 


ea Mac Donald MSS. in posession of Geo. H. Moore, Lib. N. Y., Hist Soc. Conversation 
of William Barker of White Plains, Oct. 23-25, 1844-5; also John Williams of the County House, 
aged 93, Oct. 17, 1844-5. B 


THE FOWN OF SCARSDALE. 249 


the fences and made bridges therewith for crossing brooks and low 
swampy grounds. They crossed the road on the west side of where it 
forks, 7. ¢., at the Fox meadows’ junction of the Mamaroneck and 
Hartford post roads. 

Near the centre of the town, upon what is still called the Angevine 
farm, once stood the residence of the world-renowned Fennimore Cooper, 
Esq., whose wife, Susan, was the daughter of John Peter de Lancey, of 
Heathcote Hill, Mamaroneck, the grandson of Colonel Caleb Heath- 
cote. The old mansion, which has long since disappeared, was con- 
structed in the French chateau style, and commanded splendid views of 
the surrounding country. The property, after Mr. Cooper’s death, was 
sold by Mr. Cooper’s children to Alexander McWhorter Bruen, M.D., 
who married Sarah Louisa Jay, third daughter of the Hon. William Jay, 
of Bedford. The Bruens descend from a family of that name, formerly 
seated at Bruen, Stapleford, Cheshire, England. Robert Le Bruen, of that 
place, in 1230, was the ancestor of the celebrated John Bruen, Esquire, 
of Bruen, Stapleford, who was born in 1560, and died 1625. His son, 
Obadiah Bruen, was entered a freeman of Plymouth Colony, Massachu- 
setts, in 1640, Before 1650, he was chosen seven times deputy to the - 
General Court, from Gloucester. From the latter place he removed to New 
London. In the charter of Connecticut, granted by Charles IT., his name 
appears as one of the patentees of the Colony. From New London he 
removed in 1667, with his son John to Milford (now the city of Newark, 
New Jersey). John, his son, left Eleazer the father of Eleazer the 
grandfather of Matthias Bruen, Esq., father of the present Alexander 
M. Bruen, M.D., of Scarsdale. 

In this vicinity formerly resided Captain De Kay, the father of the 
late James E. De Kay, M.D., one of the Geological Commissioners of 
the State. 

In the old church of Tarvin, near Stapleford, is recorded the follow- 
ing memorial of John Bruen :— 


BourtArs 25 Jan’y, 1625, 


JOHN BRUEN, 


of Stapleford, Esquire. 
Nulli pictate secundus 


** An Israelite in whom no guyle 
Or fraud was ever found; 
A Phoenix rare 
Whose virtues fair, 
Through all our coasts do sound.” 


aMadDonalu’s MSS. in possession of George H. Moore, Lib, of N. Y. Hist. Soc. Conversa- 
tion of Francis Secor. Nov. 5, 1844-5. 

5 “The very singular life of John Bruen, Esq., of Bruen, Stapleford,” Cheshire. Repub- 
hished by A, M. Bruen. M.D., 1857.—Edward O. Jenkins, New York. 


250 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


On the south-eastern side of Scarsdale is situated the Quaker meeting- 
ing house, which occupies the site of a much older structure, erected 
prior to the Revolution. 

The first independent election for officers of the manor of Scarsdale, 
took place on the 22d of December, 1783. In pursuance of an act of 
the Legislature passed October 23d, 1779, entitled ‘‘an Act to provide 
for the temporal Government of the southern part of this State, when- 
ever the eremy shall abandon or be dispossessed of the same, and until 
the Legislature can be convened,” &c. 

The town met on the aforesaid day, at the house of Jonathan Gniffin, 
near the usual place of holding said meetings; then and there the in- 
habitants proceeded to choose town officers by a majority of votes. 


JONATHAN Tompxiys, Supervisor. 
BENJAMIN CorNELL, Clerk. 


STEPHEN CoRNELL, ) 
Tuomas CoRNELL, } jek ca 


IsraEL Herriort, Constable and Collector. 


Ferris Cornett, ) 3 
SAMUEL FISHER, } Overseers of the Highway. 


Ferris Cornety, Pounder. 


sel a oy ; Fence and Sewage Viewers. 

At a town meeting held in the manor of Scarsdale, at the school- 
house, in said manor, near Captain Jonathan Griffin’s, on the 6th of 
April, 1784, and in the eighth year of the independency of America, ac- 
cording to an Act of Assembly made in that case for each town, manor, 
province and district, to choose all necessary town officers for the ben- 
efit of the towns, for the ensuing year, 


JONATHAN TOMPKINS, ) 
JoHN BARKER, ~ Inspectors of said Meeting. 
IskaEL Herriot, 


JoNATHAN G. Tompxrys, Supervisor. 
BengaMin CornE Lt, Clerk. 
IsrarL Herriotr, Constable and Collector. 


JoHN BARKER, , 
JOHN ComMPTON, ~ Assessors. 
STEPHEN CorRNELL, ) 


WILLIAM GRIFFIN, ) 


Samurn Hicner, 5 Overseers of Highways. 


JoHNn Crompton, ) 
Tomas CoRNELL,s Fence and Damage Overseers. 


SamveEL Hicuer, Pounder. 


PELE ‘TO WN 


OF 


SS Fe.) OS TE = oe 


Somers is situated twenty miles North of the village of White Plains, 
distant fifty miles from New York, and one hundred and twenty from 
Albany—bounded north by Dutchess County, east by North Salem and 
Lewisborough, south by Bedford and New Castle, and west by York- 
town. 

Prior to the year 1788 Somers formed a part of the township of Han- 
over, within Cortlandt’s manor. Upon the 7th of March, 1788, it was 
independently organized under the title of Stephentown, a name adopted 
out of compliment to Stephen Van Cortlandt, one of its principal pro- 
prietors. The present name was bestowed, A.D. 1808, in honor, it is 
said, of Captain Somers, one of the gallant heroes of the Tripolitan 
war. This individual terminated a short but brilliant career in the bay 
of Tripoli. 

The name of Somers, (says Mr. Silliman,) the twin brother in arms of 
Decatur, shines brightly in the history of American warfare; and the 
last desperate action which terminated his short and brilliant career, with 
his life, is stamped in colors so indelible, that nothing but the destroy- 
ing finger of time can efface it from its pages. After a severe and con- 
tinued fighting before Tripoli, the Turkish flotilla withdrew within the 
mole, and could not be induced to venture themselves beyond the guns 
of the Tripolitan battery. The ‘ketch Intrepid’ was fitted out as a fire- 
ship, filled to the decks with barrels of gunpowder, shells, pitch, and 
other combustible materials; and Captain Somers, with a volunteer 
crew, undertook the hazardous, almost desperate, task of navigating her 
in the darkness of the night into the middle of the Turkish flotilla—when 


251 


252 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 
‘ 

the train was to be fired, and they were to make their escape as they best 
could in her boats. Lieutenants Wadsworth and Israel were the only 
officers allowed to join the expedition, which was composed of a small 
crew of picked men. The ‘Intrepid’ was escorted as far as prudent by 
three vessels of the squadron, who hove to, to avoid suspicion, and to 
be ready to pick up the boats upon their return ; the ‘ Constitution,’ un- 
der easy sail in the offing 

Many a brave heart could almost hear its own pulsations in those ves- 
sels, as she became more and more indistinct and gradually disappeared 
in the distance. They watched for some time with intense anxiety, when 
a’ heavy cannonade was opened from the Turkish batteries, which, by 
its flashes, discovered the ‘ ketch’ determinedly progressing on her deadly 
errand. She was slowly and surely making for the entrance of the mole, 
when the whole atmosphere suddenly blazed as if into open day. The 
masts with all its sails shot high up in the air ; shells wizzed, rocket-like, 
exploding in every direction ; a deafening roar followed, and all sunk 
again into the deepest pitchy darkness. The Americans waited—wait- 
ed—in anxious—at last sickening suspense. Their companions came 
not—the hours rolled on—no boat hailed—no oar splashed in the sur- 
rounding darkness. The east grew gray with the dawn—the sun shone 
brightly above the horizon, nought but a few shattered vessels lying near 
the shore—the flotilla—the batteries—and the minarets of Tripoli gild- 
ed by the morning sunbeams, met their gaze. ‘Those noble spirits had 
written their history. Whether consigned to eternity by a shot of the 
enemy, prematurely exploding the magazine, or from the firing of the 
train by their own hands, must always remain untold and unknown.”4 

The United States brig ‘Somers,’ lost in a gale off Vera Cruz, 
January, 1847, was also named after this young hero. 

Under the Mohegan Indians, Somerstown formed an appendage to 
the great territory of Amaghpogh or Ammawalk. In 1699, a deed for 
this tract was executed by Sachima Wicker, the chief of the Kightawonck 
tribe, (within whose limits Amaghpogh was comprehended, ) to Stephanus 
van Cortlandt. 

The principal /vdian settlement appears to have stood upon the sum- 
mit of a rocky ridge bordering the Croton river, on the lands of Gerard 
Crane, Esq. Zudian lodges also occupied the higher grounds and adorned 
the romantic banks of the numerous streams intersecting this town. 
In the woods of Ray Tompkins, Esq., situated upon the east side of 
Angle Fly brook, are yet visible the remains of Indian habitations. The 
Indian burying ground lies near Wood's bridge, at the junction of Plum 


a Silliman’s Gallop among American Scenery. 


THE TOWN OF SOMERS. 253 


brook and Croton river. This beautiful portion of Westchester county, 
so highly diversified with hills and dales was once covered with extensive 
forests, abounding with every species of wild game. Deer were numer- 
ous here, as late as 1780; and wolves, though rare, were not extinct at 
that period. The Indians, for the better purpose of hunting the large 
herds of deer that roamed through these forests, annually burnt the 
higher grounds. ‘‘ This practice (says Vanderdonck,) is named by us 
and the Indians, ‘ dush-burning, whichis done for several reasons ; first, 
to render hunting easier—as the bush and vegetable growth renders the 
walking difficult for the hunter, and the crackling of the dry substances 
betrays him and fnghtens away the game. Secondly, to thin out and 
clear the woods of all dead substances and grass, which grow better the 
ensuing spring. ‘Thirdly, to circumscribe and enclose the game within 
the lines of the fire, when it is more easily taken, and also because the 
game 1s more easily tracked over the burned parts of the woods. The 
bush burning presents a grand and sublime appearance. On seeing it 
from without, we would imagine that not only the dry leaves, vegetables 
and limbs would be burnt, but that the whole woods would be consumed 
where the fire passes ; for it frequently spreads and rages with such vio- 
lence, that it is awful to behold,” &c.* The last durning, remembered 
by the oldest inhabitant, took place on the high ridge east of Primrose 
street. 

By the royal patent to Stephanus van Cortlandt in 1697, it will be 
seen that he enjoyed the sole right of hunting deer within the forests of 
Cortlandt, a privilege usually conceded to the Ranger of the county.® 

The deep seclusion of the woods, bordering Plum brook, afforded an 
agreeable haunt to the beaver; and here these industrious animals had 
constructed an extensive dam, which long survived their existence. 

Upon the partition of the manor of Cortlandt among the heirs of the 
Hon. Stephanus van Cortlandt, in the year 1734, the following allot- 
ments were made in this town: North lot, No. 5, Mrs. Margaret Bay- 
ard; ditto, No. 6, Philip van Cortlandt ; ditto, No. 7, Andrew Johnston ; 
part of north lot No. 8, Mr. Miller; south lot, No. 5, Stephen De Lancey ; 
ditto, No. 6, Stephen van Cortlandt; ditto, half of lot No. 7, Stephen 
van Cortlandt; part of south lot No. 9, Mrs. Susannah Warren ; ditto, - 
No. 10, Stephen De Lancey—this lot has since been annexed to the 
town of New Castle, by an Act of the Legislature, passed 1846. Subse- 
quent to the above division, we find the heirs of Stephanus van Cort- 
landt disposing of their respective rights in the same. On the 4th cf 


a N. Y. Hist. Collect. 2d series, vol. i. 
4 See. Cortlandt town, vol. 1. 46. 


254 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


June, 1760, Samuel Bayard granted to Hachaliah Brown, gentleman, of 
the town of Rye, ‘“‘all that tract of land being in the northernmost part 
of the manor of Cortlandt, bounded north by the dividing line of Dutch- 
ess and Westchester, to the line of Philip’s upper patent, west by lot of 
Andrew Johnston, south by bounds of Samuel Brown and east by Croton 
river.”4 

In the year 1762, Andrew Johnston conveyed to Hachaliah Brown, 
“all that lot of land, situate, lying and being in lot No. 6, east range, 
and being part of north lot No, 7, at Plum brook, consisting of two 
hundred and thirty acres.” 

It appears that Andrew Johnston did also in his lifetime, by a certain 
indenture, bearing date zoth March, 1762, lease to John Hampstead a 
certain lot of land, lying and being at Plum brook, in the manor of 
Cortlandt, known by the name of farm No. 4, west range, and is part of 
great lot No. 7. The same was again leased to John Hampstead by the 
heirs of Andrew Johnston, 24th of June, 1772. 

John Hampstead, the above lessee, was one of the first settlers of this 
town. From his tombstone, in the Union burying ground, we learn that 
he departed this life the 26th of April, 1801, at the advanced age of 107 
years, 5 months and 21 days. 

How few can reach those years of time, 
Which here are numbered to our view, 


Since death calls most while in their prime, 
And leaves behind so aged few. 


Upon the 3d of December, 1772, the devisees of Andrew Johnston 
conveyed to Lewis Bailey, farm No. g, in the west range of great north 
lot No. 7.¢ In the year 1775, the executors and heirs of Andrew John- 
ston deceased, conveyed to Abraham Theale, certain land situate on 
Plum brook. 

A. D. 1793, John Johnston, executor of Andrew Johnston, conveyed 
to Benjamin Green, of Stephentown, a farm in the north-east corner of 
lot No. 4, west range, being part “of Andrew Johnston’s great north lot, 
No. 7. 

These sales clearly show that the great lots were again sub-divided by 

‘the devisees of Stephanus van Cortlandt. Many of the descendants of 
the above-mentioned grantees still occupy the patrimonial estates in fee 
simple. 

a Co. Rec. Lib, I, 66. 
6 Co. Rec. Lib. I, 61, Upon the 17th of June, 1760, Hachaliah Brown, of Rye, conveyed the 
same to his eldest son, Hachaliah Brown, Jr. The property is still vested in their descend- 


ants. 
e Co. Rec. Lib, I, 179. 


THE TOWN OF SOMERS. 255 


The oldest record relating to town officers occurs in a small manu- 
script volume, entitled as follows: 


“Book of the records of the proeeedings from the first town meeting of the 
people of Stephentown, being the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred 
and eighty-eight, whereof William Horton, Esq., was chosen town clerk. 

“The first Tuesday in April, in the year above written, the people of Stephen- 
town met at the house of Benjamin Green, for choosing town officers and other 
necessary business of the town for the year ensuing. 


Hacnarian Brown, Supervisor, 
Witiram Horton, Esq@., Town Clerk, 
OpapiaH Pourpy, 7 


NATHANIEL WRIGHT, 
HERMAN HILLIKER, } Assessors, 
SAMUEL GREEN, a 


JoHN STEDWELL, 
Jacos Lenr, ‘ Overseers of the Poor, 


BENJAMIN GREEN, Constable and Collector. 

The z//age of Somers is pleasantly situated on a beautful plain almost 
surrounded by romantic hills, the tops of which are clothed with a 
profusion of green verdure. The air of this delightful region is said to 
be uncommonly mild and salubrious. To the south of the village lies the 
delightful vale of PZum Brook, through which passes the road to Pine’s 
Bridge. On the north-east, Prospect Hill rises in a grand picturesque 
manner. The village of Somers Plain, commonly so-called, “is the 
principal market of lean cattle and sheep, brought hither from various 
and distant parts of the country to supply the wants occasioned by the 
sales of fattened cattle and sheep to the butchers of New York. The 
farmers of this county carry on an extensive traffic in this way, and 
droves are annually and almost constantly arriving from the inland 
regions—some from 100, 220 and 300 miles—to replace the consump- 
tion.” It is computed that over 5,000 head of horned stock are 
annually fatted in this district alone. 

A bank has been for many years established in this village, under the 
name of “ Zhe Famers and Drovers Bank of Somers.” This institution 
was first organized under the general banking law of 1839, with a capital 
of $111,000. First president, Horace Bailey, Esq. It deserves notice 
that the money of the Farmers and Drovers Bank has always been re- 
deemable at par. The present board of directors, consist of : 


Horace Battey, Esq., Lewis Doane, Leonarp D. Curr, 
EpeNnetts Howe, Epwin Crossy, STEPHEN Brown, 
Joun Titvs, CHARLES WRIGHT, GERARD CRANE, 
DanieEL KENT, THADDEUS CRANE, Lewis Brown, 
Officers, Sotomon Baler. 
Horace Bartey, Esq., President, Ecspert How ann, Cashier. 


a New York Gazetteer. 


256 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Near the centre of the village, and directly opposite the junction of 
the Pines Bridge and Peekskill turnpike road, stands the Zephant Hote/, 
a very commodious and handsome brick edifice, under the superintend- 
ence of Horace Bailey, Esq. 

The large zoological exhibitions which annually visit this State, orig- 
inated in Somerstown, through the enterprise of Hachaliah Bailey ; who 
imported about 1815, the celebrated elephant ‘ O/d Let,” the first ever 
brought to the United States, Other importations of animals quickly 
followed, but subsequently the smaller companies became absorbed into 
one grand traveling menagerie. The present proprietors are Messrs. 
‘Thaddeus and Gerard Crane. These gentlemen are associated with 
the great lion-tamer, Van Amburgh ; and in the adjoining town of North 
Salem, with Lewis Titus and John June. 


St. Luke’s Church, Somers. 


The Episcopal church of St. Luke, occupies a fine situation, on the 

_ Plain, at no great distance from the hotel. It isa very handsome edifice 

of wood, in the Grecian style, with astone basement beneath. The front 

presents a lofty portico, supported by Ionic columns; the roof is sur- 
mounted with a low tower. 

Previous to the erection of this church in 1842, Episcopal services 
were occasionally performed in the town, by the neighboring clergy. 
They were held usually in an edifice erected by the liberality of persons 
belonging to the various religious societies, and others possessing no de- 
nominational connection, under the name of the Union Meeting House. 
Here the Churchmen of this section of country were favored with the 


THE TOWN OF SOMERS. 257 


occasional ministrations of the Rev. R. C. Moore, the late’ pious and 
beloved Bishop of Virginia, and many other respectable and laborious 
clergymen. As early as 1808, we find the Rev. Evan Rogers officiat- 
ing here. Before the 26th or January, in the year 1835, the present 
parish was organized under the rectorship of the Rev. Alexander Fraser ; 
about this time, arrangements were made for disposing of the interest 
which the Episcopal party held in the Union Meeting House and par- 
sonage, and building a church for themselves. This was quickly effected 
through the active and zealous exertions of the vestry, to whose liberal- 
ity, together with that of several other individuals of the neighborhood, 
friendly to the undertaking, the parish is indebted for its present com- 
modious and beautiful church. 

This building was consecrated to the service of Almighty God, on the 
tgth of January, A.D. 1842, by the Right Rev. Benjamin Tredwell On- 
derdonk. It had been previously incorporated upon the 28th of Febru- 
ary, 1835. 

Isaac Purdy and Frederick J. Coffin, church-wardens ; Thaddeus Bar- 
low, Aaron Brown, William Marshall, Gerard Crane, Edwin Finch, 
Charles Wright, William Clock and Ray Tompkins, vestrymen.* 


LIST OF RECTORS: 


INSTITUTED OR CALL. INCUMBENTS. VACATED By. 
A.D. 1835, Rey. ALEXANDER Fraser, Presb. resig, 
A.D. 1842, Rey. Davin H. Snort, Presb. do. 
A.D. 1844, Rey. Samuet Cuatmers Davis, Presb. do. 
A.D. 1846, Rey. AtFrreD H. ParrripGE, do. 
A.D. 1851, Rey. Jonn Witts Moors, do. 
A.D. 1856, Rey. GEoRGE 8. Gorpon, do. 
A.D. 1861, Rey. Cares Dovuerass, do. 
A.D. 1862. Rev. Witrtram Murpnay, do. 
A.D. 1864, Rey. BENJAMIN WEBB, ~ do. 
A.D. 1868, Rey. Jacos Moore, do. 
A.D. 1869, Rey. R. Conpir Russet, - present incumbent. 


The Presbyterian church is very pleasantly situated on the north side 
of the main street, near the foot of Prospect Hill. 

Its front presents a neat portico of the Doric order. The Presbyterian 
society was first incorporated on the roth of January, 1811, under the 
name of the “Union Presbyterian Church, of Somerstown ;” Darius 
Crosby, Lewis Brown, Amaziah Mead, Joseph Owens, Jr., James Bailey, 
and Ebenezer White, Jr, trustees. In the year 1832, a mutual division 


a Co. Rec. Religiotfs Soc., Lib. B, 33. 
b Ibid. Lib, A, 45. 


258 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


took place, which led to the erection of the Presbyterian church at Cro- 
ton Falls, whose pastor is the Rev. Joseph Nimmo. The present church 
edifice was erected A.D. 1799. 


CATALOGUE OF PASTORS AND SUPPLIES. 


INSTAL or Catt. Pastor oR SUPPLY. VACATED By. 
A.D. 1801, Rey. Joun McNIece, resignation. 
A.D. 1805, Rey. Mr. Perkins, do. 
A.D. 1823, Rey. Syitvanvus Haieat, do. 
A.D. 1824, Rey. ABRAHAM Pourpy, by death. 
A.D. 1825 . ABN NDIGE,) 7: : 

A‘D. 1836" Mn, Janse Avenn, ’t Licentiates 

A.D. 1827, Rey. Ezra Day, resignation. 
A.D. 1831, Rev. GrirritH R. GRIFFITH, do. 
A.D. 1834, Rey. Henry BENEDICT, do. 
A.D. 1835, Rev. ALEXANDER LEADBITHER, do. 
A.D. 1845, Rey. Grorck MENELAUtS, 

A.D. 1848, Rey. D. D. Tompxins McLAvuGHLIN. 

A.D. 1857, Ry: W.. R.Prarr. 

A.D, 1865, Rey. P. H. BureGHarpt. 

A.D. 1869, Rev. C. B. Wuircoms, Licentiate. 

A.D. 1872, Rey. Josern BEERS, resigned. 


No minister at present. 


The first Methodist Episcopal society in this town, was incorporated 
on the roth of May, 1794. Joseph Hadden, Thomas Bailey, John Sted- 
well, Abraham Golding, Samuel Wilson, Jun., and Benjamin Huestis, 
trustees.* A second incorporation of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
occurs upon the 2zoth of December, 1808.2. The incorporation of the 
Methodist brick church, took place on the 2oth of Sept. 1836. This 
building is still standing on the Mahopack road, a little north-east of the 
village. . 

In the rear of the Presbyterian church is situated the Union burying 
ground. Here are memorials to the Browns, Owens, Wrights, Crosbys, 
Cranes, Finchs, Baileys, Turks and Whites, &c., &c. The oldest inter- 
ment appears to be a member of the Roof family, 1770. A plain head- 


stone bears the following inscription : 


SAORED TO THE MEMORY 
OF 
JAMES BAILEY, 
who died Nov. 13, 1826, 
aged 79 years 1 mo, and 16 days. 


a Go. Rec. Religious Soc. Lib. A. 45. P 
b Ibid. 


THE TOWN OF SOMERS, 259 


“‘O! death thy ensigns here display, 
Another mortal snatched away. 

From life, from friends, from every tie 
That binds to earth, yet called to die, 
Such is our lot, like him here laid, 

We must be numbered with the dead, 
And yield our life a transient day, 

To mingle with our mother clay.” 


In this yard lie also the remains of Mary, wife of Luther Kinnicut,* 
who departed this life Nov. 13, 1811, aged 56 years. 

In the immediate vicinity of the village, are situated the farms and 
residences of Gerard Crane, Edward Finch, Charles Wright,? Thaddeus 
. Crane, Caleb Green, Robert Halleck, John Titus¢ and others. 

A charming valley opens to the east of the plains through which flows 
the Croton. Rapidity seems to be the principal characteristic of this fine 
stream ; its Indian name Kitchawan, denoting the general swiftness of 
its current. South of Dean’s bridge, the banks are highly diversified with 
romantic and picturesque scenery; below Dean’s bridge are Golding’s, 
Woods’ and the Muscoota bridges. 

The village of Croton Falls, formerly Owenville, occupies the north- 
east corner of Somers, bordering on the south line of Putnam county. 
At this place, the Croton river “affords hydraulic power to a great ex- 
tent, but little of which is as yet occupied for manufacturing purposes.” 
The stream is said to average three hundred horse power. Here are lo- 
cated a Presbyterian church, a paper mill, a saw and grist mill, a cloth- 
ier’s works, a post-office, two stores and several dwellings, besides a rail- 
road depot for the accommodation of travellers and for merchandise. 
There is also a convenient hotel, under the management of Messrs. Smith 
and Mead. Stages during the summer months, leave this place daily for 
I.ake Mahopack,? a distance of five miles. Nearly opposite the depot, 
the two main branches of the Croton river unite. 

The Presbyterian Society was first organized here, in 1833, under the 
pastoral charge of the Rev. Joseph Nimmo. A neat and commodious 


a Luther Kinnicut served in the capacity of a spy to General Washington during the Revo- 
lution. See page 12. 


4 Mr. Wright occupies the estate formerly owned by James Bailey. 


e This gentleman is the son of John Titus, and great grandson of Samuel Titus, whose - 
father, Edmund, was born in England, in 1630, and came from Massachusetts to Long Islandt 
in 1650—See Thompson’s Long Island, vol. ii. 54. 


d **Lake Mahopack is a beautiful sheet of water, lying in the town of Carmel, Putnam Co.; 
it is about one mile in diameter, in which are embosomed two or three small islands. The 
waters abound with various kinds of fish of fine favor, which are taken in great quantities.” 
—Disturnell's Gazetteer of N. Y. Lake Mahopack is situated 150 feet above Croton falls—Edi- - 
or. : 


260 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


church edifice has been recently erected, to which is attached a small 
parsonage and grave yard.4 

Bordering the Croton River, are the estates and residences of Mr. 
Silas Finch, Mr. Edwin Crosby and Thomas R. Lee, Esq. The latter 
gentleman represented (in 1842) this county in Assembly. 

Within a short distance of the village, is situated the property of the 
late Lewis Brown, Esq., whose grandfather, Hachaliah Brown, of Rye, 
purchased these lands under the heirs of Stephanus Van Cortlandt, in 
1760. His son, Elbert, at present, resides on the estate. 

West Somers, as its name imports, is situated to the west of Somers- 
town Plains. It is a scattered hamlet, containing a store, a post-office, 
and a commodious hotel belonging to the Messrs. Charles and William 
Teed. 

The neighborhood of West Somers is exceedingly beautiful, command- 
ing a rich view of the Plains and Plum Brook Valley. 

To the west of this place lies the valley of the Muscoota, through 
which meanders the Muscoota River. The margins of this lovely stream 
are adorned in many places with thick woodland and bold hills, which 
constrain it into an endless variety of windings, at every turn present- 
ing new features. South of Bedell’s mill pond its waters form a succes- 
sion of rapids, which enter the Croton a little below Woodsbridge, near 
the junction of Cross and Croton Rivers. The running supply of the 
Muscoota is said to be, at a fair calculation, 3,628,800 gallons per diem. 

Upon this stream are placed the grist and saw mill of W. S. Tomp- 
kins; the cloth dressing establishment of Reuben C. Varnall; the grist, 
saw and fulling mill of Munson Perry; and the grist and saw mill of Isaac 
Bedle. . 

On the J&7/ Brook, a branch of the Muscoota, are situated the paper 
mills of William Wallace and Abraham H. Miller. 

Angle Fly Brook, a celebrated trout stream, which rises on the lands 
of Mr. Tompkins, is a tributary of the Muscoota river. 

On the east side of Primrose street are situated the residences of Sam- 
uel Teed, William Marshall and Ray Tompkins, Esqs. The latter in- 
dividual is the second son of the Hon. Daniel D. Tompkins. In his 
possession is an excellent portrait of the Governor, by Waldo and Jew- 
ett. 

Mount Zion Methodist Episcopal Church, in Primrose street, was erect- 
ed, cir. 1794, and appears to have been incorporated on the 2oth of May, 
1828. Henry Clift, Aaron Brown, James Phillips, Samuel S. Ferguson 
and Samuel Pedwick trustees. 


a This church is at present connected with the Bedford Presbytery. 


ENOCH CROSBY, THE SPY. 


ii, 251. 


THE TOWN OF SOMERS. 261 


In the grave yard are interred the remains of 


MARGARET, 


wife of 
Enocn Crosspy, Esq., 
formerly the wife of 
CoLonEL BENJAMIN GREEN, deceased, 
Died March 22, 1825, 
Aged 64 years, 3 months, 
and 20 days. 


The above mentioned lady was the second wife of the well-known 
“ Westchester Spy.” By her side isa plain marble monument inscribed, 


In 
Memory of 
COL. BENJAMIN GREEN, 
who died 
October 6, 1812, 
Aged fifty-six years and two months. 


Upon Plum Brook are situated the saw mills of Messrs. Sylvanus 
Kniffen and Jacob Ruxer; also the saw and grist mill of Robert Halleck. 
This stream has its source in the northern part of the town, and running 
through the town passes into the Croton at Woodsbridge. There aye few 
historical notes of importance in connection with Somers; except, that 
during the Revolution, General Washington lay encamped for some time 
on the high hills east of the village, in the vicinity of Mr. Reuben 
Wright’s house, 

“The surface of Somers is uneven in parts, with some extensive plains ; 
soil, various—but mostly well adapted to grass and grain.”* ‘The 

@ See Disturnell’s Gazetteer of New York. 
farms are large, and the inhabitants industrious and wealthy. The 
growth of wood is similar to that in the neighboring towns.” The high 
land in the north-eastern part of the town are said to abound with iron 
ore of good quality. 


THE TOWN 


OF 


ya gel 2B yt EN ll ls a Se Ol Sar Sd DR SB SO 


The township of Westchester is situated sixteen miles south of the 
village of White Plains, distant twelve miles from New York, and one 
hundred and fifty from Albany ; bounded: on the north by Eastchester, 
east, by the Eastchester Bay or Long Island Sound, south by the East 
River and west by the Bronx. “Its form is defined by water on three 
sides, and of course irregular—but its medial extent North and South 
may be four miles, and East and West about two and a half; with an 
area of nearly ten square miles.” Prior to 1846, this town embraced 
West Farms and the manors of Morrisania and Fordham ; the three lat- 
ter, have recently been attached to New York county. 

Like the adjoining lands, Westchester was originally purchased by the 
Dutch West India Company, of the Mohegan sachems and other Indians, 
who claimed it in 1640.9 

Upon the 14th of November, 1654, Thomas Pell of Fairfield, Connec- 
ticut, obtained a second grant from the aboriginal proprietors, which also 
embraced the present town. Thirty years later we find the sachems 
Maminepoe and Wampage conveying to the inhabitants of Westchester 
all that tract of land lying on the east side of Bronckses river.” 

a This name is probably derived from the city of the same title in Cheshire, England. ‘* Not 
far from the mouth of the Deein Chesire, (says Camden,) stands the noble city, which Ptolemy 
calls Deunana and Antonius, Deva, from the river; the Britons Caer-Legion, &c., and by way 
of pre-eminence Caer; as our ancestors the Saxons called it Legeacerea, from the legion there. 
=r Ae an contractly Westchester from its westerly situation, and simply Chester according 

Cestria de Castris nomen quasi Castria sumpsit. 
Chester from Caster (or the camp) was named. 


A more appropriate name could not have been selected, as it was situated west of the New 
England settlements. 


4 Alb. Rec, vol. ii. 147. 263 


264 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


The principal Indian settlements in this town, were located upon Cas- 
tle Hill neck and about Bear swamp.* The former is said to have been 
the site of an Indian castle. On the south-east side of Spicer’s neck is 
situated “ Burying Point,” their place of sepulture: Cornell’s neck or 
Black Rock, they denominated “Snakapins.” The extensive “ she// 
banks,” on the shores of the East river, afford evidence that the aborigi- 
nal population must at one time have been very considerable. 

Westchester “‘was probably first settled in 1642, by a Mr. John 
Throckmorton and thirty-five associates, who came from New England, 
with the approbation of the Dutch authorities.” By the Dutch it was 
denominated ‘‘ Vredeland,” or the ‘‘ Land of Peace,” “a meet appella- 
tion (says the historian of the New Netherlands,) for the spot selected as 
a place of refuge by those who were bruised and broken down by relig- 
ious persecution.Ӣ 

In reply to John Throckmorton’s petition, soliciting permission to 
settle down within the limits of the New Netherlands, is the following li- 
cense, dated 2d October, 1642 :— 


‘‘ Whereas Mr. Throckmorton, with his associates, solicits to settle with thirty_ 
five families within the limits of the jurisdiction of their High Mightinesses, to 
reside there in peace and enjuy the same privileges as our other subjects, and be 
favored with the free exercise of their religion; having seen the petition of the 
aforesaid Throckmorton, and consulted with the interests of the Company, as this 
request can by no means be injurious to the country—more so as the English are 
to settle at a distance of three miles from 1s—so it is granted. Mr. Throckmor- 
ton, with thirty-five English families, are permitted to settle within three miles 
of Amsterdam.”4 


Upon the 6th of July, 1643, the following “ Zand brief” was granted 
to Jan Throckmorton, &c. 


GROND BRIEF FOR THROCKMORTON’S NECK. 


““We, William Kieft, director general, and the council, in behalf of their high 
mighty lords, the States General of the United Netherlands, his highness the 
Prince of Orange, and the noble lords, the managers of the General Incorporated 
West India Company in New Netherlands residing, by these presents, do pub- 


a The aborigines maintained possession here as late as 1789. The site of their wigwams is 
now owned by Mr. Jesse Ryer. In this vicinity is a small excavation cut out of a granite rock, 
in the form of a mortar, used by the Indians in pounding their corn. 

4 Hist. Collections of N. Y. by John Barber and Henry Howe, 

e O’Callaghan’s Hist. N. N. 258. ‘*In July 1661, the La Montagne family, who were heirsto 
a farm called Vredendal,’’ granted to the councillor La Montagne on the fats, made applica- 
tion t» the Director General and Council, in which they set forth that they were desirous of 
taking possession of their lands situated abouta mile from New Harlem, and wished the priy- 
ilege of establishing an hamlet or concentration of S$ or 10 families, near the place whereon 
the water-mill is abont to be erected on the neck, for the benefit of the village of New Harlem, 
&c. ; the application was refused.” Valentine’s Manual, 1863, p. 15. 


d Alb. Rec. from 1638 to 1642. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 265 


lish and declare thatwe, on this day the date under written, have given and grant- 
ed unto Jan Throckmorton a piece of land, (being a portion of Vredeland, ) con- 
taining as follows, along the East river of New Netherlands, extending from the 
point half a mile, which piece of land aforesaid is surrounded on one side by a 
’ little river, and on the other side by a great kill, which river and kill on high 
water running, meet each other, surround the said land, as will more clearly ap- 
pear by a map of the same which has been made and marked off by the survey- 
or, with the express conditions and terms that the said Jan Throckmorton, or 
they who by virtue of these presents shall succeed to his action, the noble lords, 
the managers aforesaid, shall acknowledge as their lords and patroons, under the 
sovereignty of the high and mighty lords, the States General, and unto their di- 
rector and council here, shall in all things be confirmed as all good citizens arein 
duty bound; provided also that the said Jan Throckmorton and his company 
(associates) shall furthermore be subject to al] such burdens and imposts, as al- 
ready have been enacted by the noble lords, and hereafter may yet be enacted. 
It is furthermore made an express condition that the aforesaid Jan Throckmor- 
ton, according to promise, shall settle on the aforesaid lands as many families as 
may offer in the same manner, constituting over the said Throckmorton and his 
company, in our stead, in the real and actual possession of the aforesaid piece of 
land, lying on the East river aforesaid, giving them by these presents the full and 
irrevocable might, authority, and special permission the aforesaid parcel of land 
to enter, cultivate, inhabit, and occupy, in like manner as he may lawfully 
do with other his patrimonial lands and effects, without our, the grantors 
in quality aforesaid, thereunto any longer having. reserving or saving any 
part, action, or control whatever, but to the behoof as aforesaid, from all as- 
sisting from this time forth and forever, promising moreover this transport 
firmly, invariably, and irrevocably to maintain, fulfil, and execute, and to do 
all that in equity we are bound to do. Done in Fort Amsterdam in New 


Netherlands, this 6th day of July, 1643. 
* WILLIAM KIEFT. 


‘*By order of the noble lords, the directors and 
council of the New Netherlands. 
‘“CoRNELIS TIENHOVEN, Secretary.” 


This grant, subsequently called Throckmorton’s Neck, embraced the 
eastern part of the present town. It was bounded on the north by 
Eastchester Neck, on the east by Eastchester Bay-and Long Island 
Sound, on the south by the East River, and on the west by the West- 
chester Creek. 

John Throckmorton, the patentee, originally emigrated from England 
to Nantaskett, Massachussetts, 5th February, 1631, in the ship Lyon; 
from this place he removed to Salem in 1639; he afterwards became a 
Baptist, and a resident of Rhode Island. From Rhode Island he fled 
to Vredeland that he might enjoy here (among the Dutch) the free ex- 
ercise of his religious principles. 


a Alb. Ree. G. G. 98. Ibid. 173, 4. 
5 Farmer’s Register. 


266 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


The Throckmorton family derive their name from Throckemertona, 
(Throckmorton) or the Rockmoor town, which is situated in the vale of 
Evesham, Worcester county, England. John Throckmorton was Lord 
of the manor of Throckmorton, about sixty years after the Norman ° 
conquest. The etemology of the name is either British or Saxon, 
which shows that they held this property before that period. Eighth in 
descent from John Throckmorton, Lord of Throckmorton in 1130, was 
John Throckmorton, Lord of Throckmorton’s Neck, Vredeland, who 
left issue John Throckmorton. The patentee is now represented by the 
Throckmortons, of Middletown, New Jersey.“ Several members of the 
Throckmorton family appear to have fallen in the Indian massacre in 
and around Vredeland, which took place on the 6th of October, 1643.7 
Upon the 29th of April, 1652, John Throckmorton petitioned the Direc- 
tor General for leave to transport Throckmorton’s Neck. In October 
following permission was granted, whereon he conveyed the same to 
Augustine Hermans.°¢ 

On the 5th of December, 1656, Governor Stuyvesant ordered that 
Throckmorton’s and Cornell’s Neck might come into their jurisdiction 
if they please.@ 

Augustine Hermans, soon after his purchase, conveyed fifty morgen of 
land situated on Throckmorton’s Neck, to Thomas Hunt. In 1665 the 
town of Westchester asserted ‘that sZe had always enjoyed Throckmor- 
ton’s Neck.”¢ 


March 23, 1677, I, John Wile, of Madman’s Neck belonging to Hempstead on 
Long Island, doe sel, alinate and make over from myself and my heirs, execu- 
tors, administrators and assignes forever unto Thomas Molener of Westchester in 
Yorkshire in New England, to him, his heirs, executors, administrators and as- 
signes six acres of upland, lving and being upon Frogs Neck (so-called) in ye 
general field, belonging to ye aforesaid Westchester, upon ye place called Quin- 
be’s Neck and adjoining to ye lott that was Thomas Baxter's. 

Witnesses, JOHN WELE, } his mark. 


JOHN PALMER, 
NicoLe Bayt. f 


The following abstract is taken from a cause in the Court of Assize, 
September, 1666, wherein Augustine Hermans was plaintiff, for usurpa- 


a Joseph Throckmorton divises his lands, 2d Dec., 1689, to the heir male of his brother 
John Throckmorton, of East Jersey, viz.: Joseph Throckmorton, Rec. of Wills Surrogates 
Office, N. Y., No. 3, 1684, 1686, p. 189. Sir Nicholas Throckmorton was one of the Secretarys 
of State in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, 1558. 


b See page 514. The war between the Dutch and the Indians of Westchester continued 
throughout 1644.—Alb. Rec. vol. xx. 56. 


ce Rec. of Assize, vol. ii. 59. 

d Alb. Rec. Court of Assize, vol. i. 60. 

e Alb. Rec. Courts of Assize, vol. ii. 60. 
f Westchester Rec, 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 267 


tion of rights; and the inhabitants of the town of Westchester, defend- 


ants :— 
MR. RIDER, } Attorneys for ye 
— SHARPE, t Plaintiff, &c. 

‘*They produce the patent to Throckmorton transported to Augustinus Her- 
mans. 

‘* A mappe of ye neck of land is viewed. 

‘Thomas Hunt, Sen., his disposition read, and his deed from Augustinus 
Hermans. 

‘* A copy of an order is produced by the defendant, made by the Dutch Gov- 
ernor, bearing date July 9th, 1657, wherein its exprest that Westchester shall 
have four English, or one Dutch mile square of land for the towne, which must 
be taken of this neck. There is also mention made on ye said order of a reserva- 
tion of one hundred or fifty morgen for 'Throckmorton’s and Cornell’s Neck, for 
a farme upon each. 

Another order brought in by them, dated 1660, viz., that all persons shall re- 
move from their out farmes, which were at a distance, and settle in townes. 

Another writing, acknowledged before Mr. Van Ruyven, of ye plaintiff’s mak- 
ing over his interest in ye land in question to Thomas Hunt, Sen. 

The court acjudge in lieu of all ye plaintiff's pretences to Throckmorton’s 
Neck, hee shall only have fifty morgen of land thereupon, with meadow propor- 
conable : thirty-four morgen whereof, with a due proporcou of meadow, being 
that which was heretofore sold by the plaintiff to Thomas Hunt, Sen., who is in 
possession thereof. The other fifteen morgen at the sale reserved by the plaintiff, 
and making up the complement of the fifty, is to be sett out upon the said neck, 
with its proporcon of meadow, by the Governor’s order, and not otherwise, sav- 
ing the right which Mr. Spicer shall hereafter make appeare to have therein, and 
the remainder of Throckmorton’s Neck is to bee at ye Governor's disposall. It 
appearing not to this Court that ye towne of Westchester hath any lawful pre- 
tence thereunto, the defendants are likewise to pay the charge of suite.”2 


Upon the 12th of September, 1666, a warrant was granted unto Mr. 
Augustine Hermans against the inhabitants of Westchester, by Gover- 
nor Richard Nicolls.? 

On the 7th of January, 1667, Richard Nicolls granted to Roger 
Townsend “a certain parcel of land within the limits of Westchester, 
upon the maine, situate, lying, and being on ye back side of Throck- 
morton’s Neck, at ye south-east end thereof, commonly called New 
Found Passage, containing fifteen acres ; as also a small neck near there- 
to adjoining, commonly called Horseneck, being about the same quantity 
of land, which is not in occupation.” 

In 1669, thirty acres of land on Throckmorton’s neck were granted to 
Mrs. Micah Spicer.¢ 


a Alb. Assize Rec. vol. i. 129, 

Bb Alb. Assize Rec vol. i. 46. 

c The Spicers and Brockets were doubtless some of the associates of John Throckmorton. 
Ata Courtof Assizes held November 5th, 1669, Mrs. Micah Spicer sued for thirty acres of 
land on Throckmorton’s Neck.—Assize Rec. 225, 


268 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Upon the 12th of January, 1686, Spicer’s and Brockett’s Necks (com- 
monly called the Grove Farm,) were confirmed by letters patent, under 
the great seal of the province, to Thomas Hunt, in the following man- 


ner: 
GROVE FARM PATENT. 


Thomas Dongan, Captain General, Governor-in-Chief and Vice Admiral in and 
over the Province of New York and territories depending thereon in America, 
under his Majesty James the Second, by the grace of God, King of England, 
Scotland, France and Ireland, &c., &c., &c., Defender of the Faith, &c., to all 
to whom these presents shall come, sendeth greeting: Whereas Thomas Hunt of 
the Westchester in the Co. of W. C. stands seized of an estate in fee simple, or 
one messuage or tenement, and a certain tract or parcel of land and meadow 
ground, lying, situate and being within the limits or bounds of the town of West- 
chester aforesaid, on two certain necks of land called by the name and names of 
Spicer’s Neck and Brockett’s Neck, w said messuage or tenements and parcel of 
land and premises is now called and distinguished and known by name of the 
Grove Farm of Westchester; being bounded on the east by a certain cove or bay 
which runs up to the north part of Spicer’s Neck,on the south by the Sound, on 
the west by the harbour and river that runs up to the s@ town of Westchester, 
and on the north by a swamp and a certain creek w! runs into the s4 river and 
divides the lands called Throgmorton’s Neck from Spicer’s Neck aforesaid ; 
Know yee, That by virtue of the commission and authority from his most sacred 
Majesty and power in me being and residing, in consideration of the quit rent 
herein after reserved, and other good and lawful considerations me thereunto 
moving, I have given, granted, ratified and confirmed, and by these presents do 
give, grant, ratify and &c., &c., &c., confirmed unto the said Thomas Hunt, his 
heirs and assigns, for ever, all the before recited messuages or tenements and tract 
or parcel of land and premises with their and every of their appurtenances to- 
gether with all and singular houses, out-houses, barns, stables, orchards, gardens, 
yards, lands, meadows, meadow grounds, marshes, pastures, fields, woods, wood 
lands, under-woods, waters, lakes, creeks, coves, hunting, hawking, fishing and 
fowling, and all other proffits and commodity, easements, emoluments, heredita- 
ments and appurtenances, to the above granted messuage, lands and premises 
belonging or in any wise, &c., &c., appertaining, as also liberty and the freedom 
of commonage for all sorts of cattle, cutting of timber and firewood in the com- 
mons and common wood lands of Westchester aforesaid, as other the inhabitants 
of the said town of Westchester do or may enjoy, to have and to hold the said 
- messuage or tenement, tract or parcel of land and premises, with all and singular 
the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging or appertaining, and 
herein before granted and confirmed unto the said Thomas Hunt, his heirs and 
assigns forever, unto the sole and only proper use, benefit and behoof of him the said 
Thomas Hunt, his heirs and assigns for ever; and I the said Thomas Dongan do 
further will, declare and grant to the said Thomas Hunt, his heirs and assigns, 
that the messuage lands and premises herein above granted and confirmed, shall 
and may at all time and times, &c., &c., hereafter for ever hold, use, retainand 
keep the name of the Grove Farm of Westchester, and by that name, style, to be 
known, called and distinguished in all bargains, sales, escripts, deeds, records and 


‘HE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 269 


writings; the said messuage or tenements, lands and premises to bee holden of his 
most sacred Majesty, his heirs and successors, in free and common soccage, ac- 
cording to the tenure of East Greenwich, in the county of Kent, in his Majesty’s 
kingdom of England, yielding, rendering and paying therefor yearly and every 
year unto his said most sacred Majesty, his heirs and successors, or to such officer 
or officers as shal] from time to time be empowered to receive the same, viz. one 
bushell of good winter wheat as a quit rent, on or before the five and twenticth 
day of March, at the city of New York, in lieu and stead of all services, dues and 
demands whatsoever. In testimony of the premises [ have caused these presents 
to be recorded in the secretary’s office, and the seal of the Province to be here- 
unto affixed, the &c., &c., &c., twelfth day of January, in the second year of his 
Majesty’s reign, in the year of qur Lord one thousand six hundred eighty 
and six.4@ THOMAS DONGAN. 
By his Majesty’s command. 
G. S. Swinton. 


In 1688, William Barnes and Martha, his wife, conveyed lands on 
Throckmorton’s Neck (situate near those of Robert Huestis), to Thomas 
Bedient.? 

Thomas Hunt, Sr., by his will, bearing date 1694, “‘ bequeathed to his 
grandson, Josiah Hunt, eldest son of my son, Josiah Hunt, the Grove 
farm, to him and his heirs male, which was patented to me by Governor 
Nicolls, 4th December, 1667, and further entails the same to the said 
Josiah and his heirs male, lawfully begotten, from generation to genera- 
tion.” 

The Grove farm was sold at public vendue on the 6th of May, 1760, 
to Josiah Causten for £3,400, who subsequently disposed of it in Octo- 
ber, 1775, to John Ferris; from whom it descended to his son, Elijah 
Ferris, a large portion of which estate has continued in the family to the 
present day, 

At an early period James Rivington (the celebrated printer and book- 
seller of New York¢ ), held considerable property on Throckmorton’s 
Neck. The successors of the Rivingtons were the Bayards, a family of 
considerable opulence and distinction. 

A portion of Col, Bayard’s estate was subsequently purchased by his 
brother William Bayard. The whole property is now divided among 
numerous individuals. 

The second grantee under the Dutch (in this town), was Thomas Cor- 
nell (some of whose family were killed by the Indians under the pretence 


a From the original in the possession of the family of the Jate Mr. Charlton Ferri . 

Bb No. Rec. Lib. A, 250. 2 

c Rivington ‘was possessed of fine talents, polite manners, and was wellinformed. This 
is apparent from the correspondence of several of the leaders on the popular side, as well as 
from what has been here said, that his tact and ability in conducting a newspaper was 
much feared, and that his press had more influence over the public mind than any other in the 
—— interestin the country Rivington died in 1802, xt. 78.""—See Sabine’s American Loyat 
ists. 


270 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


that they had not paid for their lands, on the 6th of October, 1643), 
who obtained the following “ grond brief,” or grant, in 1646 :-— 


GROND BRIEF FOR CORNELL'S NECK, 


‘“We William Kieft, Director General, and the Council on the behalf of the 
High and Mighty Lords, the States General of the United Netherlands, the Prince 
of Orange and the noble Lords, the Managers of the incorporated West India 
Company in New Netherlands residing, by these presents do publish and declare 
that we, on this day the date underwritten, have given and granted unto Thomas 
Cornell a certain piece of land lying on the East River, beginning from the kill 
of Bronck’s land east south-east along the river, extending about half a Dutch 
mile from the river till to alittle creek over the valley (marsh) which runs back 
around this land; with the express condition and terms that the said Thomas 
Cornell, or they who to his action hereafter may succeed, the noble Lords the 
Managers aforesaid, shall acknowledge as their Lords and Patroons under the 
sovereignty of the High and Mighty Lords the States General, and unto their Di- 
rector and Council here shall in all things be confirmed as all good citizens arein 
duty bound, provided also that he shall be furthermore subject to all such bur- 
dens and imposts as by their noble Lords already have been enacted, or such as 
hereafter may yet be enacted, constituting over the same the aforesaid Thomas 
Cornell in our stead in the real and actual possession of the aforesaid piece of 
land, giving him by these presents the full might, authority and special license, 
the aforesaid piece to enter, cultivate, inhabit and occupy in like manner as he 
may lawfully do with other his patrimonial lands and effects, without our the 
grantors in the quality as aforesaid thereunto any longer having, reserving or 
saving any part, action or control whatever, but to the behoof as aforesaid for 
all destiny, for this time and for ever more, promising furthermore this their 
transport firmly, inviolably and irrevocably to maintain, fulfil and execute, and 
furthermore to do all that in equity we are bound to do without fraud or deceit, 
these presents only as undersigned and confirmed with our seal of red wax here 
underneath suspended. 

Done in the Fort Amsterdam in New Netherlands, this 26th of July, 1646, un- 


dersigned. . WILLIAM KIEFT. 
By order of the noble Lords, the Director General and the Council of New 
Netherlands. CoRNELIUS VAN TIENHOVEN., Secretary. 


Of this family was probably Richard Cornell, who emigrated from 
England to Long Island, during the early Dutch Colonial Government, 
and purchased the estate of Little Neck. He afterwards removed to 
Rockaway, where he became possessed, by patent from the British Co- 
lonial Government, dated 1686, of a tract of land, part of which he sold 
in 1691, to John Sands. He died circ. 1693, leaving five sons, viz: 
William, Thomas, Jacob, John and Richard, and two daughters—Mary 
and Sarah. 

Upon the death of Thomas Cornell, the neck became vested in his 


a Alb. Rec. G, G. 206 also 351. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 271 
widow, who conveyed the same to her eldest daughter, Sarah, the wife 
of Charles Bridges. 

In the book of general entries, at Albany, occurs the following order, 
addressed to the schout, burgomeesters, and schepens of New York: 


‘‘Upon the complaint of Charles Bridges and Sarah his wife against William 
Newman and Thomas Senequam, an Indian, now in custody, you are hereby re- 
quired to summon a court to meet to-morrow, to examine, hear and determine 
the matters in controversie between the said partyes, and to proceed therein ac- 
cording to equity and good conscience. Given under my hand at Fort James, in 
New York, the 24th of March, 1664.”4 RICHARD NICOLLS. 


The cause appears to have been decided in favor of Mr. Bridges and 
his wife ; for on the 27th day of March, 1665, the constable of Westches- 
ter was required (by the Governor) “‘to deliver unto Mr. Bridges and his 
wife, or their assignees, the goods that lye attached in your hands as of 
right belonging to them, for doing whereof this shall be your warrant. 
Given under my hand at Fort James, in New York, &c.”4 

RICHARD NICOLLS. 


In 1664, Thomas Pell, of Onkway, Connecticut, laid claim to Cornell’s 
Neck. 

Upon the 26th of October, 1664, “Charles Bridges and Sarah, his wife 
entered a protest before and against all bargains, deeds and sales of 
Thomas Pell, of Onkway, or any from or under him, of or concerning a 
parcel of land situated on the East River, beginning from the kill of 
Bronx land, east south-east, likewise alongst the river bounded almost 
half a Dutch mile, a copy of the original grant whereof unto Thomas 
Cornell, father of the said Sarah Bridges they have also registered, until 
such time as the cause can be tried.” 

The following particulars are taken from the assize records, in relation 
to a trial between the two parties, held on the 29th of September, 1665 : 


CuAr.Es BripeEs ; Plaintiff's Names of Jurors. 
and Sarau, his wife, : JouN Tucker Foreman, 
Tuomas Pett, Defendant WILiiAM WILKINS, Joun EMans, 
Cuar_Les Morean, JOHN Forster, 
JosEPH BAYLEY, Rosert TERRY. 


‘«The attorney for the plaintiffs produced a copy of the heads of the trial at the 
Court of Sessions held in June last, at Hampstead; he likewise puts in a declara- 
tion alledging the defendant’s unjust molestation of the plaintiffs in their posses- 


a Alb. Book of Gen. Entries, from 1664 to 1665. p. 101, 
b Alb. Book of Gen. Entries, p. 102. 
¢ Alb. Rec. Gen. Entries, vol. i, p. 14. 


272 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


sion of a certain parcel of land called Cornell’s Neck, lying and being near West- 
chester, which of right belongs unto them, &c. 

To prove their title, a grant and patent from the Dutch governor, Kieft, to 
Thomas Corne!!, deceased, father of Sarah, one of the plaintiffs, is produced and 
read in court, that upon the said grant, [Thomas Cornell was in lawful possession 
of the said lands, and that he was at considerable charges in building, manuring 
and planting ye same ; that after some years the said Thomas Cornell was driven 
off his said lands by the barbarous violence of the Indians who burnt his house 
and goods, and destroyed his cattle, which was made appeare by sufficient testi- 
mony. That widow Cornell’s conveyance of the said neck of land to Sarah 
Bridges, one of the plaintiffs, and her sister, was likewise given in, under which 
the plaintiffs claime.¢ That the said widow Cornell was left sole executrix of 
the last will and testament of her husband, Thomas Cornell, deceased, and so had 
power toconvey the premises; this was allowed of (although neither the will nor 
a copy thereof was produced), there being no exceptions made against it. There 
was likewise an act from the late Dutch governor, Stuyvesant, produced, where 
he buyes the same lands of the Indians again (although alleged to be bought long 
before), and confirms it to Thomas Cornell, his heires and assigns. 

Mr. Pell. the defendant, makes answer for himself, that he bought the land 
in question in the year 1654, of the natives, and paid them for it. He pleads his 
being a free denizen of England, and hath thereby liberty to purchase lands in 
any of his majesties dominions, within which compass this is. He alleges the 
fifth clause in the King’s treaty, sent over hither to make for him, as declar- 
ing this land to be within his majesties dominions; he saith the governor and 
Council of Connecticut took notice of this land to be under their govern- 
ment, and that they ordered magistratical power to be exercised at Westches- 
ter, and that he had license from them to purchase. He pleads that where there 
is no right there can be no dominion, so no patent could be granted by the 
Dutch, they having no right. Several testimonys were read to prove that ye 
Indians questioned Mr. Cornell’s and other plantations there, about not paying 
Sor those lands, which was the occasion of their cutting them off and driving away 
the inhabitants, but the defendant hath paid a valuable consideration to the 
natives. 

The attorney for the plaintiffs alledges ye articles of surrender, and the King’s 
instructions, wherein any grant or conveyance from the Dutch is confirmed; and 
plead the antiquity of Mr. Cornell’s grant and possession, together with his great 
losse. After a full hearing of the case it was referred to the jury, who brought 
in their verdict for the plaintiffs, the defendant to pay costs and charges of suite, 
and six pence damage.” 


Judgment was accordingly granted by the Court, and the following 
order issued :— 


a Sarah Cornell, alias Bridges, conveyed her interest to William Willet, her eldest son, who 
obtains a patent therefore, as we shall see presently, on the 15th of April, 1667.—Albany Book 
of Patents, vol. ii, p. 65. 


b The Legislature of Connecticut, (says the historian Trumbull,) determining to secure as 
far as possible the Jands 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 waters which made the Manhadoes an Island; and resolved that it should be added 
to Westchester, 1663.—Trumbull’s Hist. of Connecticut, 273. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 273 


“The court having heard the case in difference between the plaintiffs and de- 
fendant debated at large concerning their title to a certaine parcell of land, com- 
monly called Cornell's Neck, adjoining to Bronx land, near Westchester, and 
having also seen and perused their writings and evidences, it was committed to 
a jury, who brought in their verdict for the plaintiffs, viz: that the land in 
question doth of right belong to the plaintiffs, and that the defendant shall pay 
the eosts and charges of suit, and sixpence damage. The court doth give 
their judgment accordingly, and do likewise order that the high sheriff or 
the under sheriff of ye north riding of Yorkshire, upon Long Island, do put the 
plaintiffs in possession of the said lands and premises, and all persons are re- 
quired to forbear the giving the said plaintiffs, or‘their assigns, any moleslation 
im their peaceable and quiet enjoyment thereof.’’¢ 


The following Patent was issued by Governor Nicolls in 1667 to 
William Willett. 


PATENT FOR CORNELL’S NECK OR BLACK ROCK. 


RicHarp Nicnorrs, Esqr., Governor Generall under his Royal Highnesse 
James Duke of Yorke and Albany, &c., of all his territoyes in America; to all 
to whom these presents shall come sendeth greeting, whereas there is a certaine 
Parcell of Land contained within a neck, commonly called and knowne by the 
name of Cornell’s Neck, lying and being on the Maine, towards the Sound or 
East River being bounded to the West by a certain Rivolett which runs to 
the Black Rock and so into Bronkse Creeke or Kill. Then the Neck stretching 
itselfe East, South East into the Sound it is bounded to the East with another 
Rivolett which divides it from the limits of West Chester and a line being run 
from the head of each Rivolett wherewith a narrow slip, the said Neck is joined 
to the Maine land, it closes up the Neck and makes the North Bounds thereof, 
and whereas there was heretofore a Patent or ground Kiefe granted by the 
Dutch governour William Kiefe unto Thomas Cornell for the said Neck wherein 
(among other things) its mentioned to bee Bounded alongst the River about 
half a Dutch mile which said Patent or ground Kiefe so granted as aforesaid 
bears date the 26th day of June 1646 now the Right Title and Interest in the 
premises, being devolved upon Sarah Bridges the daughter of the said Thomas 
Cornell deceased who having made proof of her Title at law hath by Deed of 
gift made over the same with all her Interest therein unto William Willett 
her eldest Sonne for a confirmation therefore unto him the said William 
Willett in his possession and enjoyment of the premises, Know yee, that by 
virtue of the Commission and authority unto me given by his Royalle Highnesse 
I have given, Ratifyed, Confirmed and granted and by these presents, do give, 
Ratify Confirme and grant unto the said William Willett his heirs and assignes all 
the afore mentioned Parcell and Neck of Land so Bounded as afore said, Together 
with all woods, Marshes, Meadows, Pastures, waters, lakes, creekes, Rivoletts, 
fishing, hunting and ffowling and all other Proffitts, Commodities and emolu- 
ments to the said Parcell and Neck of Land belonging and in any wise appur- 
taining with their and every of their appurtenances, and of every part and Par- . 


a@ Alb. Assize Rec. p. 15. 


274 HISTORY OF THE CCUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


cell thereof, To have and to hold the said Parcell and neck of land and premises 
Paying such dutyes and acknowledgements as now are, or, hereafter shall bee 
unto the said William Willett his heirs and assignes unto the proper use and 
behaffe of the said William Willett his heirs and assignes for ever Rendering and 
constituted and establisht by the laws of this government, under the obedience 
of nis Royalle Highnesse, his heires and successors. Given under my hand and 
seale at Fort James in New Yorke on the Island of Manhattans the 15th day of 
April in the 19 yeare of his Majesties’ Reigne annog D'ni 1667. 
RICHARD NICOLLS. 
Recorded by order of the Goveno’ the day and yeare above written, 
endorsed a patent granted unto Mr. William Willett for Cornell’s Neck.@ 
Marntas Nicorts, Sec’. 


In 1709 Colonel Thomas Willett, of Flushing, Long Island, son of 
the Hon. Thomas Willett of New York, conveyed to his eldest son, 
William Willett, “all that certaine parcell of land contained within a 
neck, commonly called and known by the name of Cornell's Neck, 
bounded on the west by a certain rivulet that runs to the “‘ black rock,” 
and so into Bronx’s River. In 1731 William Willett, by will, &c., con- 
veyed the same to his heirs, &c. In 1745 Isaac Willett devised the 
whole neck to his nephew, Isaac Willett and Lewis Graham. On the 
tst of June, 1784, the two divisers made an equal partition of the same. 
Upon the rsth of October, 1793, Egbert Benson and Thomas Hunt 
executors of Lewis Graham conveyed the west half of Cornell’s Neck 
to Dominick Lynch. On the 16th of April, 1830, the executors of 
Dominick Lynch conveyed the west half of the neck to the Ludlow 
family. The share of Isaac Willett to the east half of Cornell's Neck 
was conveyed to Isaac Clason, Cire, 1793.2 Cornell’s Neck is now 
owned by the families of Ludlow, and Beach, the Roman Catholic 
Fathers and others. 

The Willets descend from the Rev. Thomas Willett, Subalmoner to 
King Edward VI., Rector of Barley, Herts and Prebend of Ely Cathe- 
dral who died in 1597. His son, the Rev. Andrew Willett was born at 
Ely in 1562, was Proctor of Cambridge Uuniversity in 1558, Prebend of 
Ely Cathedral in 1597, Rector of Childerby, Grantesden, and Chaplain 
to Prince Henry. He died in 1621, leaving by his wife, Jane, eleven 
sons and seven daughters. His youngest son was the Hon. Thomas 
Willett, first Mayor of New York, who was born in 1611, went to Ley- 
den, thence came to Plymouth, Mass., in 1630, where he succeeded 


a Copied from the original, Doc. in possession of Robert H. Ludlow, Esq. 
4 County Rec. Lib. D. 38 From this family it obtained the name of Willett’s Point. 
c This individual married Isabella Morris, daughter of Lewis Morris of Morrisania 


ad From MSS. in possescion of B. H. Ludlow, Esq. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 275 


Myles Standish, as Commander of Plymouth Colony in 1647, Magistrate 
of that place 1651-1664, and Mayor of New York 1664 to 1673. He 
died at Rehoboth, Mass., Angust 4, 1674. By his first wife, Mary, 
daughter of John Brown of Plymouth, who he married July 6th, 1636, 
he had eight sons and five daughters. His second son was Colonel 
Thomas Willett, before mentioned, High Sheriff of Flushing in 1670, 
who married Sarah, heir at law of her father. Thomas Cornell, of Cor- 
nell’s Neck, left two sons; William, who died without issue, and Hon. 
Thomas, Judge of Queens County from 1710 to 1730. The latter left 
a son, William Willett of Cornell’s Neck, who died in 1733, father of 
four sons who all died without male issue, viz.: William, Hon. Isaac 
Willett, High Sheriff of Westchester County in 1738, Thomas, of Flush- 
ing, and Cornelius of Cornell’s Neck. Of the daughters of William one 
married a Rodman, and the other a Jones. Samuel, the youngest son 
of Hon. Thomas Willett, first Mayor of New York, was born October 
27th, 1658, settled on Long Island and became Sheriff of Queens 
County. His eldest son, Edward, of Queens County, was born in 1701 
and died in 1794, leaving by his wife, Aleta Clowes, a son, Col. Marinus 
Willett, who was born July 31, 1740, Mayor of New York in 1807 and 
a member of the Cincinnati Society. His son was Marinus, the father 
of the Rev. Marinus Willet of Rye. 

Prior to 1647 we have seen that ‘‘ Vredeland,” (Westchester) was 
settled under grants from the Dutch. But, about this period, a number 
of Puritans from Connecticut must have commenced a settlement ; for, at 
ameeting of the New England commissioners, and Governor Stuyvesant, 
on the 19th of September, 1650, the latter complained of the English en- 
croachments upon Westchester. And asserted that the ‘“‘ West India Com- 
pany of Amsterdam, had bought and paid for the lands in question, of 
the right proprietors—the zative Americans—before any other nation 
either bought or pretended right thereunto; he also affirmed he had 
proof of the 7rs¢ Dutch purchase.” Under the apprehension that the 
English settlements might be connected with the claim of jurisdiction, 
it was determined (by the Dutch) to remonstrate against it. In 1654, 
it was resolved at a meeting of the Director General and Council, “that 
whereas a few English are beginning a settlement at a great distance 
from our outposts, on lands long bought and paid for near Vreed/ant, 
to send there an interdict, and the Attorney General, Cornelius van Tien- 
hoven, and forbid them to proceed no futher, and to abandon that 
spot. Done at Fort Amstel, 5th November, 1654.” 


a Duniap’s Hist. N. Y. vol. i. 95. 
6 Alb. Rec. vol. ix. 275. 


to 
~I 
lo,’ 


HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


We have already seen that the principal intruder was Thomas Pell, 

This individual on the 14th of November, 1654, purchased.a tract of 
land called ‘‘ Westchester,” of the sachem Ann-hock, alias Wampage, and 
other Indians. 

Upon the twenty-second of April, 1655, we find the following ac- 
count of an interview between the Dutch cfficer Claes van Elslandt and 
the English intruders :— 


‘*Claes Van Elslandt went to protest against those of V7eediant. Four armed 
men came to meet them on the creek, asking what he willed? He answered, 
he wished to land near the house. They told him he should not land. He 
rejoined, allow me to go ashore, Iam cold; whereupon he sprang ashore, where 
he and Albert the trumpeter were warned not to come a foot higher. The com- 
mander came up to us with a pistol in hand with eight or ten armed men, to 
whom he read the protest and handed it to him. He answered, I cannot under- 
stand Dutch; why did not the fiscal or sheriff send English? when he sends 
English, then I will answer. We expect the determination on the boundaries, 
the next vessel. Time will tell whether we shall be under Dutch government 
or the Parliament; until then we remain here under the state of England. Van 
Elslandt saw their houses and settlements, also the English arms hanging from a 
tree; they were carved on a board (plank.) Van Elslandt was left in a house 
on the shore, well guarded with men.Ӣ ; 


The continued encroachments of the English upon “ Oostdorp,” (East 
town) “which they called Westchester,"4 at last awakened the most vig- 
orous opposition on the part of the Dutch authorities; for soon after 
Pell’s purchase occurs the following resolution :— 


‘“The Director General and Council are informed by creditable witnesses that 
the English in the village which they call Westchester, situated in Vreedlant, 
about two miles from this city, not only encourage and shelter the fugitives from 
this province, but as plainly appears by a copy from a certain leer, that the 
high sheriff Lieutenant Weyler kept—in and about the time of our late dismal en- 
gagements with the savages—a constant correspondence with these barbarians.@ 
Wherefore to promote the welfare of the country, and defend the rights of the 
Lords Patroons, against such usurpations, it was unanimously resolved by the 
Director General and Council to arrest as secretly and easily as it can be per- 
formed, said Englishmen or at least their leaders, to compel the remaining to 
remove from there with their property, and the execution of this expedition to 


a See trial between Thomas Pell and Charles Bridges, page 271. 

Bb See Pelham, page 33. This grant embraced the present townships of New Rochelle, 
Pelham, Eastchester and Westchester. 

ec Alb. Rec. Hol. doc. ix. 261, 263,4. See Document, relating to the Col. Hist. Holland, Doc, 
1657, 1678, vol. il. p. 163, 4. 

d Which appears from the letters of the Burgomeesters, dated 23d Nov. 1654, 16th April and 
2d of May, 1655. 

e The Sachems Pennekek and Oratang were very troublesome to the Westchester settle- 
ments in 1655.—Editor . 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 277 


be intrusted to the valiant Captain Frederick de Coninck, Captain Lieutenant 
Brian Naton, and with them the Attorney General, Cornelius Tienhoven, to exe- 
cute his commission and apprehend the fugitives and thieves. 
Done in Fort Amsterdam, 6th of March, 1656. Prrer Sruyvesant, 
Nioassivs DE SIxxg, 
La Monraene, 
CoRNELIUS VAN TIENHOVEN,2 


In accordance with the above order, the valiant Captain Frederick de 
Coninck embarked in the ship “‘ Weigh-scales,” and proceeded to JWest- 
chester: where he succeeded in arresting several of the English thieves. 
Upon their arrival in the city, the following order appears in Council :— 


‘‘ With regard to the English prisoners, lately brought hither from Vreedlandt, 
from the village which they call Westchester, who remain yet in confinement in 
the ship the ‘‘ Weigh-scales,” it is unanimously concluded and resolved, that all 
those who before were on oath and allegiance of this government, and who there- 
fore either for debts or other causes did run away, or against whom the Attorney 
General supposes to have a just cause for indictment, these the aforesaid Attorney 
General is authorized to secure in close confinement, and prosecute them agreea- 
bly to law. The remainder who either from New England or from other places 
have been lured and decoyed by Mr. Pell or any other person to settle within 
our limits, of which district this city had a grant, to keep them in a civil arrest, 
either in the court house or any proper and convenient place, till a further ex- 
amination shall be instituted and our orders issued in conformity with these. 


Done in Council, in our fort at New Amsterdam, 


in New Netherland, 14 March, 1656. Peter STUYVESANT, 
Nicassius DE SILzz, 
La Monracne.5 


On the 15th of March, 1656, the Attorney General presented his de- 
mand to the Director General and Council as plaintiff in the case :— 


ResPECTFUL Lorps:—It is not only known to your Honors, but every one re- 
siding in this country, that since many years the district called Vreedlandt was 
cultivated and inhabited in letters patent granted by your Honors, and their pre- 
decessors by the Dutch, under your government, till the period of the general war, 
in 1643. Now it has happened that one Mr. Pell, residing in Onkeneg, in New 
England, has dared, against the rights and usages of Christian countries, to pre- 
tend that he bought these Jands of the natives (which long since were purchased 
of them and paid by your Honors as evidently appears from the tranfers in your 
records), and actually made a beginning of settling and culvating these lands, 
without your Honors previous knowledge or consent, directly contrary to the 
limits and decisions of 1650, concluded with the United Colonies of New Eng- 


a Alb. Rec. vol. i. p. 315. 
6 Alb, Ree. vol. ii. 291. 


278 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


land at Hartford,¢ against which usurpation your Attorney General, in his quality 
and in the name of the Lords Lis masters, had in due form entered his protest, 
which the Lieutenant Wheeler, who there commands, not at all respecting, con- 
tinues to remain there with his associates in planting and building, luring and ac- 
commodating our run-away inhabitants, vagrants and thieves, and others who 
for their bad conduct find there a refuge. As it has pleased your Honors in con- 
formity to the instructions and letters of the Lords majors, and in preservation of 
the convention made at Hartford, to keep it inviolated, to send thither a body of 
armed men to secure said Wheeler and his associates, who, as appears from their 
own declaration of the 14th of March had met there the Director General there 
present on the spot with an armed force, and declined to move from thence, say- 
ing that it was their land, on which said Englishmen were disarmed and twenty- 
three of them conducted as prisoners to the ship ‘‘ Wetgh-scales,” leaving a few 
to protect their wives, children and property. All of which the Attorney General 
demands that your Honors would send one or two of the oldest to Vreedlandt to 
inform the remainder of the English that they must leave that spot, taking with 
them all that they brought thither, under the penalty that if they acted otherwise, 
that then other measures shall be adopted according to law; and further that the 
aforesaid Lieutenant Wheeler and his associates shall not be set at liberty before 
they have paid all the expenses which your Honors have been compelled to, 
through their conduct and disobedience, in that expedition in going thither with 
an armed force in boats. Besides this they shall sign an act, and promise under 
oath, that they never more will inhabit any of the lands of our Lords and princi- 
pals situated in Vreedlandt, now lately by them called Westchester, or any other 
lands within the limits finally concluded at Hartford; neither settle, or build, or 
plant, or sow, or mow there, without a special order and consent of your Honors 
—under the penalty, that if they acted contrary to it, of corporal punishment as 
the case might require, &c.”? 


The Council sustained this demand of the Attorney General (as plain- 
tiff), the same day. 

Upon the 16th of March, 1656, Lieut. Thomas Wheeler and his Eng- 
lish associate at Vreedlandt, voluntarily submitted themselves to the 
government of the New Netherlands. Their names were as follows :— 


Tuomas N. Newman, THoMAs WHEELER, 
Ropert Basser, Isaac Horsert, 
Joun CLOEs, Rosertr Ross, 
SHerroop Damis, James Birt, 
Wiritram H. FEenratt, JoHn 8. GENNER, 
Riowarp C. MEaAREs, RicuarD OsBort, 
SAMUEL Hare tt, Wittiam Warp. 


The following prisoners were released on the 25th of March, 1656 :— 
Captain R. Ponton, William Elet Black, merchant; John Gray and 


a See negotiations between New England and Peter Stuyvesant concerning limits.—Haz- 
ard’s Hist. Coll. vol. ii, 156, 173, 549. 


Bb Alb. Rec. vol. ii. 301, 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 279 


Roger Wheeler. They were “commanded to depart the limits of the 
New Netherlands, except some of the inhabitants of Vreelandt would 
adopt them and become bail for their good behaviour.” ‘In 1656, the 
inhabitants of Westchester dispatched five of their number, viz: Lieut. 
Thomas Wheeler, Thomas Newman, John Lord, Jonah Wilbert, Wil- 
liam Ward and Nicolas Hurler, to the Governor and Council that they 
might confirm and establish them, and praying that they may in future 
appoint their civil officers.” 

Having executed a settlement of the difficulties at “‘ Oost.dorp,” we 
find the Director and his Council ordering a supply of arms and ammu- 
nition for its protection. 


‘Being presented to the Hon’ble Director General and Council in New Neth- 
erland, a report of Brian Norton, captain lieut., Cornelius van Ruyven, secretary, 
and Carel van Brugge, commissary, appointed to go to Oost-dorp, the director 
general and council did approve it, upon which they resolved that they would 
send by the first opportunity to the magistrates of Oost-dorp the following am- 
munitions of war, to be preserved there for the use of the aforesaid village, and 
to be employed when necessity might require it, viz: 


12 muskets, 12 Tb. of powder, 
12 Tb. of lead, 2 bundles of matches. 


And further, a writing book for the magistrates. Done in Fort Amsterdam, 
N. N., 3d June, 1657. PETER STUYVESANT, 
Nicassits DE SILxE, 
Peter ToNNEMAN.Ӣ 


Upon the 28th of June, 1660, Governor Stuyvesant addressed the fol- 
lowing letter to the inhabitants of Oost-dorp, (East town) :— 


Lovine Frienps:—Out of your nomination presented unto us we have made 
choice, as you may know by these presents, of 


JOSIAH GILBERT, 
Nicoias Bayty, 
Tomas WALL. 


The which we, for the year following, do confirm and establish for magistrates 
of the towne called East town, requiring all and every one whom these may con- 
cerne, to esteem them as our elected and confirmed magistrates for the said town. 
So, after my respects, I rest 


Your loving friend and Governor, 


P. STUY VESANT.4@ 
AMSTERDAM, N. N., 28th June, 1660. 


a Arrested for taking up arms at Vreedlandt. 
b Alb. Rec. p. 318. 

e Alb. Bec. vol. xv. 8. 

d Alb. Rec. vol. xxiv. 38, 


280 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


In 1662, Governor Stuyvesant granted to the English towns the right 
to nominate their own magistrates, and to have their own courts, “‘du¢ in 
dark and dubious matters, especially in witchcraft, the party aggrieved 
might appeal to the Governor and council.” 

Upon the nomination of town officers, the same year, the inhabitants 
addressed the Governor, as follows :— 


Right Hon’ble Lord Governor of the New Netherlands, Lord Stevensone :— 
We, the inhabitants of the towne, do heare present our choice unto your honor, 
for the establishing of magistrates for the ensuing yeare; these may give your 
honor for to understand what the towne choyce is, as followeth, namely : 


WILtiAM Betts, Rogerr Huestis, JOHN QuIMBY, 
Epwarp WATERS, Niconas Bayty, Tuomas VAILLE. 


East Towne, Feb. 11, 1662.4 


About this period Connecticut claimed Westchester as lying within 
her jurisdiction ;¢ in support of which she issued the following orders :— 


At a court of general assembly, held at Hartford, October 9th, 1662, ‘This as- 
sembly doth hereby declare and inform the inhabitants of Westchester, that the 
plantation is included in ye bounds of our charter, granted to this colony of Con- 


necticut.’*¢ 
Hartrorp, this 18th of Oct., 1552. 


To the Inhabitants of Westchester : 

You are required in his majesties name to appear (or by your deputies), at 
Hartford, the second Thursday in May next, to attend your duty according to 
his majesties grants. By letters patent hereof. You may not fail at your peril. 

JOHN MASON, Deputy Governor. 
To the Inhabitants of Westchester : 

[Connecticut seal. ] 25TH OF Oort., 1662. 

Mr. Gold, Mr. Clark, chairman, Mr. Campfield, and Jehu Burr are hereby ap- 
pointed to keep a court at Fairfield, when they see cause for the issuing and de- 
termining such causes and cases as shall then be presented. Stamford, Greenwich 
and Westchester, have hereby liberty to take the benefit of the Court of Fairfield, 
as shall be in controversy amongst them for the future. 

This is a true copy of the order of the Hon. Genl. Assembly held at Hartford 
the 9th of October last past, under the seal of the colony, and under the hand of 

DANIEL CLARK, Clerk. 

Transcribed for me, W111 Hirt, 

Clerk of the courts to be held at Fairfield. 


Copia scriptum per me, The absolute seal came not to the 
Ricwarp MILts. inhabitants of Westchester, only the 
sign as above, with the word seal 

above it. Ricuarp Mixts.¢ 


a Alb. Rec. vol. xxi. 233-8. 

b Alb. Rec. vol. xx. 51. 

ce July 10, 1663. Connecticut now laid claim to Westchester (says Trumbull), and sent one 
of her magistrates to bend the inhabitants to the choice of their officers, and to administer 
the proper oaths to such as they might elect.—Trwmbull’s Hist, of Conn. 268. 

d Hartford Rec. Boundary Letters, vol. ii. 168. 

e Alb. Kec. vol. XX1. 99. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 281 


Another letter from Hartford, entitled an order of the General As. 
sembly at Hartford about Oost dorp: 


‘*This assembly doth hereby declare and inform the inhabitants of Westchester 
that that plantation is included within the bounds of the charter granted to the 
colony of Connecticut ; and as it hath pleased his majesty, our gracious sovereign 
lord, Charles II., thus to dispose of them, we cannot but declare, that we con- 
ceive it most conducible to their tranquility and future peace, that they do de- 
mean themselves in all things as may declare and manifest their readiness to 
subject to his royal will and pleasure herein. 

The next Assembly is appointed and ordered to be held at Hartford on the 


second Thursday in May next. 
Copia scriptum per me, 


RICHARD MILLS. 


Extracted from the records of the Colony Court at Connecticut, 
and certified with the seal of the said court per DanteEt Cxrarkg, Secretary. 


The signal of the seal above is come 
to the inhabitants of Westchester, abso- 
lute made in red wax, the motto I sup- 
pose to be the arborated craggy wilder- 
ness and the flying cloudes. 

Ricwarp MILts. 


In this dilemma, we find the inhabitants of Westchester addressing 
Governor Stuyvesant in a letter which they sent by their two magis- 
trates, William Betts and Edward Waters. 


WESTCHESTER, the 30th of April, 1663. 


Hon. Lorp Stevenson :—We humbly beseech you to understand, that wee the 
inhabitants of this place, have not plotted nor conspired against your Honour. 
The original of the writing here enclosed, were not in any measure sought for 
by us, but were by the said court sent unto us when we expected them not. How 
to resist them we know not, they being as you see, in his majesties name of Eng- 
land. This was a reason why we choose not magistrates at present as formerly, 
and that wee hope that your honour will be herewith satisfied. 


Your honour’s loving friend, 
Ricuarp Mitts, 
In the name, and by the appointment, of the 


inhabitants of Westchester.” 


Governor Stuyvesant having ascertained, that the inhabitants of West- 
chester were about to send two delegates to Hartford, despatched 
Sheriff Waldron with this letter: 


Lovine Frienps:—We were much wondered, that you according to order and 
your duty, have not presented unto us your nomination of your new magistrates 
for this present year, being now four months past that this thing should be done; 
the reason wherefore being unknown to us, we have purposely sent and ordered 


282 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


the bearer, Resolve Waldron our substitute sheriff, (schout) for to inquire after 
the grounds and reasons thereof, which you are to give unto him in writing, and 
send either of your present Magistrates to give us more fully information. So 
after our love, I shall rest. Your loving friend and Governor, inscribed, 
Done in Fort Amsterdam, 
N. Nerserranp, 9 May, 1663. P. STUYVESANT.a 


The same day Sheriff Waldron conducted the two Magistrates, William 
Betts and Edward Waters, to Governor Stuyvesant, “‘ who were asked, 
why they neglected to present to the Director General and Council in 
conformity to custom and orders, a new nomination of magistrates? 
Their answer was, that they in due time, when the nomination ought to 
have been made, called the inhabitants together, and requested them to 
nominate new magistrates for the ensuing year, who declined to do so at 
two different times, because they had been summoned by those of Hart- 
ford in Connecticut colony, as clearly appears by the following English 
documents? conveyed to them for this purpose, by the aforesaid colony, 
with the declaration of the aforesaid village, in the form of a letter to 
the Director General. Being further questioned why they did not com- 
municate the aforesaid orders and letters of Connecticut colony, so as 
they ought to have done, and as other English villages actually did at 
the past instance, now more than half a year past, and now above it, 
had actually, de novo, appointed two of their village to go and assist in 
the aforesaid order, on the stated day, at Hartford. They answer in the 
first, that they as magistrates, solicited an order to present to us the nom- 
ination, but that they could not obtain it while it was refused by us; 
Mr. Richard Mills who had it in his possession, or by an order of the 
people of that village, or in his own authority unknown to them. At last, 
they acknowledged and declared, that they through ignorance to main- 
tain the peace and tranquility in said village, had cornmitted a fault, and 
solicited with submission and prayed to be excused for the present time. 
The Director General and Council having heard the submission and con- 
fession of guilt of the aforesaid persons, together with the promises made 
by them, to dispose if possible, the inhabitants to make a new nomina- 
tion of magistrates, and due obedience, resolved to let them return for 
the present time; and the following letter to the inhabitants was de- 
livered to them. 

Done at Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, 12th of May, 1663.¢ 

The letter delivered to the magistrates by Governor Stuyvesant : 

a Alb. Rec. vol. xxi. 80. 


4 See preceding documents. 
c Alb. Rec. vol. xxi. 93-4, 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 283 


Lovine Frrenps :—‘‘ Whereas, wee by the bearers, your present magistrates 
were informed, which in part your letters (subscribed by one Richard Mills) doe 
confirm, that the nomination for new magistrates at due time by them, were pro- 
pounded at a town meeting, but hitherto differed through some unacceptable 
orders of Hartford’s Assembly, this, therefore, are to require and to order you 
and every one that are inhabitants of your towne, that I shall not attend any of 
their orders, nor that you shall not send any deputies thither; but that you shall, 
according to oath and duty upon sight of this presents, make nomination of mag- 
istrates for this present year, and present them upon Monday sennit before us, 
and if any should be unwillfully so to doe, we have ordered the bearers, that the 
names of such disobedient and troublesome persons shall be sent unto us, that we 
may act, and proceed against them according to law and judgment; so, after my 
love, Ishall rest, your loving friend and Governor, 

Done in Fort Amsterdam, P. STUYVESANT, 

N. N., 12 May, 1663. 


On the r4th day of May, 1663, the General Assembly of Connecti- 
cut, choose “ Mr. Willys, Mr. Gould, Capt. Tallcote and Capt. Young, as 
a committee to consider and give up their thoughts and apprehensions 
concerning the settlement of Westchester and Stamford, and to make 
return to the court.”4 

The same court also ordered, ‘that the letter drawne up by the com- 
mittee to the A/anhadoes, be drawn out fair and sent to the Lord 
Stephenson, &c., as also the letter to Westchester.”? 

For the purpose of answering these pretensions and claims on West- 
chester, Governor Stuyvesant repaired in person to Boston, and entered 
his complaints. In his interview with the commissioners (of the New 
England colonies) on the 21st of September, 1663, he stated, “that he 
wished a friendly and neighborly settlement of differences concerning 
Eastdorpe, by the English called Westchester, and all other disputes, that 
the parties may live in peace in the wilderness where many barbarous 
Indians dwell.” He requested of the commissioners a categorical an- 
swer, whether the treaty of Hartford made in 1650, remained “firm and 
binding,” and whether the patent of Hartford, newly obtained, should ex- 
tend westward. In conclusion, he expressed his willingness to abide by 
the treaty of Hartford.Ӣ 

Governor Stuyvesant was unsuccessful in his negotiations with the 
commissioners, for he “found their demands in no way answerable to 
the rights of his superiors.Ӣ 


While these negotiations were pending, Richard Mills (the leading 


a Hartford Rec. Bound. Letters, vol. ii. 183. 
Lb Hartford Rec. Bound Letters. vol. ii. 

ce Dunlap’s Hist. N. Y. vol. i. 113, 

d Duniap’s Hist. N. Y vol. i. 113. 


284 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


magistrate of Westchester) appears to have been languishing in the 
dungeons of Fort Amsterdam; for, on the 16th of May, 1663, occurs 
the following petition from the prisoner :— 


“Right Hon. Gov. Lord Peter Stevenson, thy dejected prisoner Richard Mills, 
doe humbly supplicate for your favor and commiseration towards me, iu admit- 
ting of me unto your honor’s presence, there to indicate my free and ready mind 
to satisfy your honor wherein I am able, for any indignity done unto your lord- 
ship by me in any way, and if possible to release me or confine me tosome more 
wholesome place than where lam. I have been tenderly bred from my cradle, 
and now antient and weakly, and at this time, and ever since I came into this 
unwholesome place, I have been very ill, and lame with pains in my back, hips 
and joints, and I doubt uot, in a few days, will perdite (endanger or destroy) my 
life, if not prevented by removal or release; will hope of your honor’s gracious 
admittance and reception, and craving these my poor humble requests and pray- 
ers to God for your honor, I remain, your lordship, at your pleasure, 

From the gaol in RICHARD MILLS. 
Fort Amsterdam, 16 May, 1663¢ 


Alarmed at the summary manner in which the director had treated 
their leader, we find the inhabitants of Westchester hastening to nomi- 
nate officers for the ensuing year. 


Loving Frienps:— Out of your nominations this day presented, we have 
made choice, as you may know by these presents, of 
Rosert HvEstis, 
JoHN BARKER, 
Nicuoias BAayLey. 


The which we for the year following, doe confirm for magistrates of the towne, 
called East-towne, requiring all and every one whom these may concerne, to es- 
teem them as our elected and confirmed magistrates for the said town; so, after 


my love, I shall rest, 
Your loving friend and Governor, 


AMSTERDAM, N.N., P. STUYVESANT.¢ 
24 May, 1663 


The humble petition of Richard Mills, to the Hon. High Court of the 
Manhattas, held gth of June, 1663, showeth :— 


That whereas, your honors have continued anger against me about some writ- 
ings that were in my custody, I owne unto your honors that I did not well to 
embrace the receipt of, though thereunto importuned, my proper calling being to 
act in another sphere, and doe see cause to blame myself for undertaking to keep 
them ; and as for Richard Ponton, his carrying them away, I assure your honors 
that I never gave order to him or any others, measure soe to do; neither did I 


b Alb. Ree. vol. xxi. 
b Alb, Rec, vol. xxi. 115. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 285 


acquaint him directly or indirectly where I should hide them. I so doing, pre- 
pared that I might be sure to have them when forced to send for them, which I 
can freely take my oath unto when called hereunto, wherefore I humbly beseech 
your honor’s wrath towards me may be purified, and freedom to me granted, soe 
as that I may proceed in my lawful calling, the short time I have to stay in these 
parts, being bound for Virginia in September next, humbly crave pardon for 
what I have done amiss. I remain your honor’s petitioner and prisoner, 


RICHARD MILLS. 


The preceding submission and confession of guilt of the prisoner, 
Richard Mills, made by him verbally and in writing, being heard and 
read, so is he discharged upon his humble petition, under the express 
promise, sanctioned by his oath, that he never will undertake any thing 
either within or out of this government, to the injury of this province, 
either directly or indirectly. Done in Fort Amsterdam, N. N., 18th of 
June, 1663. 

By a court of General Assembly, (held at Hartford, 8th of Oct., 1663), 
it was ordered, that, ‘‘this court doth accept of the town of Westchester 
as a member of this corporation, being received and accepted as such, 
by a council formerly. 

This court moreover declarés, that all the land between the Westches- 
ter and Stamford, doth also belong to the colony of Connecticut,’ 

In 1664, the inhabitants of Westchester addressed the following peti- 
tion to the honorable his majesty’s commissioners for the affairs of New 
England, which, 


‘*Humbly showeth 

ist. That the said tract of land called Westchester, was purchased for large 
sunimes, under the title of England, by Mr. Thomas Pell of the known ancient 
proprietors, in the year 1654, 

2d. The pretended power of the Manhatoes, did therefore continue protesting 
against and threatening of the said plantation, keeping the inhabitants at contin- 
ual watch and ward, until at length the persons of twenty-three inhabitants of 
Westchester aforesaid, were seized under commission from the said powers, and 
committed prisoners into the hould of a vessel, where they.continued in restraint 
from all friends, for the space of thirteen days, fed with rotten provisions creep- 
ing with worms, whereby some of them remained diseased to this day, after 
which, they were carried away in chains and laid in their dungeon at Manhatoes. 

3d. That the said inhabitants had perished with famine in the said imprison- 
ment, but forthe relief obtained at other hands. 

4th. That all this suffering was inflicted on them, under noe other pretence, 
but that they were opposers to the Dutch title to the lands aforesaid 

5th. That when the said pretended powers had freed the said prisioners, and 


a Hartford Col. Rec. vol. ii. 188. 


286 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


introduced their own government over the said plantation, they drove away such 
as would not submit to their pretended authority, to their great endangerment, 
and the enslaving of such as remained. 

6th. That when in May, 1663, the said plantation was reduced to the king’s 
authority, by virtue of his letters patent to Connecticut, the pretended powers 
aforesaid, sent in hostile manner for certain inhabitants of Westchester, whom 
they confined in Manhatoes, and the next day sent for one Mr. Richard Mills, 
whom they cast into their dungeon, and afterwards so used him for thirty dayes 
space, as there are yet strong and crying presumptions they caused his death, 
which followed soone after. 

7th. That the unreasonable damage of the purchaser, and the low estate of the 
plantation occasioned by the premises, hath had no other recompense to this day, 
but new threatenings, and thereby an utter obstruction from the peopling and 
improveing of a hopeful country, all which is an insuperable abuse to his royal 
majestie’s, and our English nation, is humbly offered to the consideration of the 
hon. commissioners.” 


The difficulties between Connecticut and the New Netherlands con- 
tinued to increase, until the subjugation of the latter by the British forces 
under Governor Richard Nicolls, on the 27th of August, 1664. 

“When Governor Nicolls visited Westchester, shortly after the sur- 
render, the inhabitants complained to him, and, as a matter of course, 
were adjudged to belong to New York.” Subsequently the towns of 
Westchester, Hampstead and Oyster Bay constituted the north riding of 
Yorkshire. 

Upon the 16th of June, 1664, we find the inhabitants of Westchester 
surrendering all their rights to Thomas Pell, in the following manner :— 


‘*‘ Know ail men by these presents, that whereas there was an agreement made 
on the fourteenth of November, 1654, between Thomas Pell and divers persons, 
about a tract of land called Westchester,¢ which was and is Thomas Pell’s, bound- 
ed as appears by an instrument bearing date as above expressed, wherein the un- 
dertakers engaged the payment of a certaine summe of money, present pay, for 
the said land expressed in the covenant, by reason of some troubles which hin- 
dered the underwriters possession, the agreement was not attended, the present 
inhabitants considering the justnesse and right of the above said title of Thomas 
Pell, doe surrender all their rights, titles, and claimes, to all the tract of land 
aforesaid, to bee at the disposal of the said Thomas Pell, as being the true and 
proper owner thereof. 

Witness our hande, this 15th day of June in the yeere of Lord one thousand 
six hundred and sixty-four. 


JOHN QUIMBIE, JoHN WINTER, 
ConsibER Woop, RicHarD Ponton, 
Nioxoias Battie, his A mark. 


a Alb. Rec. Gen. Entries, p.11. Also Alb. Rec. vol. 1. 120, 121. 

4 Westchester continued to form a portion of the north riding until 1683, when the present 
county was erected. , 

e At this period Westchester embraced the present town of Eastchester. See vol. i. 122. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 287 


Joun BARKER, Witu1amM Jones, 
Rozerr Hvestis, his > mark. 
Epwarp Jessop, JoHN AOCER,# 
Witt Beet, JOHN WILLIAMS, 
Joun Larens, his H mark. 
SamMve. Barrett, SaMvuEL PircuER, 
his B mark his & mark. 
Tomas VAILLE, Tuomas MILLENER. 


his }{ mark.& 


The same day Thomas Pell issued the following order to the inhabi- 
tants of Westchester :-— 


‘‘The major part of the inhabitants of West Chester having surrendered up all 
their rightes, titles and claimes, of ye land, w¢) they pt tended, to possesse, to 
Thomas Pell, the owner thereof (as appeareth by writing under their hande, in 
the foregoing page), That The inhabitants might enjoy the present improvements 
of Their labors, Tneir home Lotts, and planting groundes with what meadowes 
were in times past laid out to each man’s particular to mow for this yeere I have 
desired Mr. Jessop, with the Townsmen and freemen, That it may bee orderly 
attended. And in case men want meadow to supply Their pr esent necessity, 
they make Their addresses to the aforesaid persons, for Their order, where to 
mow, to supply Their present occasions. 


Witness my hande This sixteenth day of June, in the yeer of our Lord one 
thousand, six hundred, sixty-four. p. me, THOMAS PELL.¢ 


On the r5th of February, 1667, occurs the following patent from 
Governor Nicolls :— 


FIRST PATENT OF WESTCHESTER. 


Richard Nicolls, Esq., Governor General under his Royal Highness James, 
Duke of York and Albany, &c., of all his territories in America, to all to whom 
these presents shall come, sendeth greeting: Whereas there is a certain town 
within this Government, situate, lying and being upon the main to the east of 
Harlem river, commonly called and known by the name of Westchester, which 
said town belongs to the north riding of Yorkshire, upon Long Island, and is 
now in the tenure and occupation of several freeholders and inhabitants who 
having heretofore been seated there by authority, have been at considerable 
charge in manuring and planting parts of the lands belonging thereunto, and 
have likewise settled a competent number of families thereupon for a township, 
now for a confirmation unto the said freeholders and inhabitants in their posses- 
sion and enjoyment of the premises, as also for an encouragement to them in 
their further improvements of their said lands and premises, Know yee, that by 
virtue of ye commission and authority unto me given by his Royal Highness, I 
have given, ratified, confirmed and granted, and by these presents do give, ratify, 


a Doubtless Jan or John Archer, first lord of the manor of Fordham. 
5 Westchester Town Court Rec. Conn., A.D. 1665, p, 17. 
¢ Westchester Town Court Rec. Commg, A.D. 1555, p. 19. 


288 HISTORY OF THE-COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


confirm and grant unto John Quimby, John Ferris, Nicholas Bayley, William 
Betts and Edward Waters, as patentees for and on behalf of themselves and 
their associates, ye freeholders and inhabitants of ye said town, their heirs, suc- 
cessors and assignees, all that tract of land together with the several parcels not 
otherwise by patent disposed of, which already have or hereafter shall be pur- 
chased or procured for and on the behalf of ye said town whether from the 
native Indian proprietors or others, within the bounds and limits hereafter set 
forth and expressed (viz.), that is to say, ye western bounds of ye lands lying 
Within ye limits of ye said town, beginning at the western part of the lands com- 
monly called Bronks’ land, near or adjoining unto Harlem river, from whence 
they extend eastward to the west part of a certain neck of land, commonly call- 
ed Ann-hook’s neck or Mr. Pell’s purchase, southward they are bounded by ye 
Sound or East River, and so runne upon a parallel line from the east and west 
limits north into ye woods without limitation for range of cattle or other im- 
provements, together with all ye lands, soyles, necks and lands, river, creeks, 
harbours, quarries, woods, meadows, pastures, marshes, waters, lakes, fishing, 
hawking, hunting and fowling, and all other profits, commodities, endowments, 
and heredaments to ye said land and premises within ye said bounds and lymits, 
described and set forth belonging or in any ways appertaining, to have and to 
hold all and singular ye said tract and parcells of land, heredaments and premises, 
with their and every of their appurtenances and of every part and parcel thereof 
to ye said patentees and their associates, their heirs and assignees, to the proper 
use and behoof of ye said patentees and their associates, their heirs and assignees 
for ever. Moreover, I do hereby give, ratify confirm and grant unto the said 
patentees and their associates, their heirs, successors and assignees, all ye rights 
and privileges belonging to a town within this government, and that ye place of 
their present habitation shall continue and retain the name of Westchester by 
which name and style it shall be distinguished and known in all bargains and 
sales, deeds, writings and records, they ye said patentees and their associates, 
their heirs, successors and assignees, rendering and paying such duties and ac- 
knowledgements as now are or hereafter shall be constituted and established by 
the laws of this government, under the obedience of his Royal Highness, his 
heirs and suocessors. 

Given under my hand and seal, at Fort James, in New York, on the isle of 
Manhattans, 13 February, in the 19th year of his Majesty’s reign, Anno Domini, 


1667. p RICHARD NICOLLS. 
In the Assize Records at Albany, appears the following entry :— 


**Whereas Mr. Thomas Pell, of Ann-hookes Neck, (Pelham Neck.) late de- 
ceased, upon pretence of purchase of several tracts of and of the Indian proprie- 
tors within the then government and jurisdiction of the Dutch, made claims unto 
the same as namely, the lands belonging to Westchester, Eastchester and Cornell’s 
Neck, and that, after said land together with a larger tract formerly belonging to 
the. said Dutch, were by his Majesty’s Letters Patent granted unto his Royal 
Highness the Duke of York, and by the said Dutch surrendered by agreement unto. 
his Royal Highness’s Deputy Col. Richard Nicolls before whom said Pell did 
personally appear the first assizes held in New York, and then to make good his 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 289 


claim to the lands aforesaid, and where it being sufficiently and lawfully proved 
that the aforesaid lands, together with a large tract as far as Greenwich, was be- 
fore purchased by the late Dutch government, and whatsoever part thereof was 
not by him granted out, was of right property belonging unto his Royal High- 
ness, some of which was granted to Thomas Richbell, &c., &c.” 


In 1673, the province of New York, surrendered to the Dutch. Up- 
on this occasion we find the inhabitants of Oost-dorp tendering their 
submission :— 


‘‘The deputies of Oost-dorp, alias Westchester, and adjacent hamlet of East- 
chester, delivering their credentials, offered to submit themselves to the govern- 
ment of their high mightinesses, and the Prince of Orange, and were commanded 
to nominate by their inhabitants a double number of magistrates for the aforesaid 
villages, by a majority of votes, and to present it to the Council by the first 
opportunity, from which we shall elect three for their magistrates, viz.: two for 
the village of Westchester. and one for Eastchester, who in his village may 
decide all differences to the value of thirty shillings; those of higher value shall 
be determined by the whole college, in the village of Westchester aforesaid.” 


On the 28th of August, 1673, the lords commanders of the New 
Netherlands, made choice of Joseph Palmer and Edward Waters as 
Magistrates for Westchester. ? ' 

In 1686, Governor Dongan issued the following letters patent under 
the great seal of the province: 


SECOND PATENT OF WESTCHESTER. 


Thomas Dongan, Captain General, Governor-in-Chief and Vice-Admiral in all 
the province of New York, and territories depending thereon in America, under 
his majesty James Second, by the grace of God, king of England, Scotland, 
France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c.. to all whom these presents shall 
come sendeth greeting: Whereas Richard Nicolls, Esq., Governor General under 
his then royal highness, James, Duke of York and Albany, &c., now his present 
majesty, of all his territories in America did, by a certain writing or patent, un- 
der his hand and seal, bearing date the fifteenth day of February, in the nine- 
teenth year of the reign of our late sovereign lord, King Charles the Second of 
blessed memory, and in the year of our Lord God 1667, by virtue of the power 
and authority unto him given by him, the said royal highness, now his present 
majesty as aforesaid. Give, ratify, confirm and grant unto John Quimby, John 
Ferris, Nicholas Bailey, William Betts, and Edward Waters as patentees for and 
in the behalf of themselves and their associates, the freeholders and inhabitants 
of the town of Westchester, within this government, situate, lying, and being 
upon the main, to the east of Harlem River, which said town belongs to the 
North Riding of Yorkshire, upon Long Island, then in the tenure and occupation 
of several freeholders and inhabitants who had heretofore been seated on them . 


a Alb. Reg. vol. xxiii. 273. 
b Eastchester Ree. 


290 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


by authority, and at considerable charge in manuring and planting part of the 
land belonging thereunto, and likewise have settled a competent number of 
families thereupon for a township, all that tract of land together with the several 
parcels not otherwise by patent disposed of, which already had or thereafter 
should be purchased or procured, for and in the behalf of the said town, whether 
from the native Indian proprietors or others with the bounds and limits hereafter 
set forth and expressed, viz., the eastern bounds of the lands lying within the 
limits of the said town, beginning at the west part of the land commonly called 
Bronk’s land, near or adjoining unto Harlem River, from whence they extend 
castward to the west part of a certain neck of land, commonly culled Ann-hooks 
neck, or Mr. Pell’s purchase ; southward they are bounded by the Sound or East 
River, and so run upon a paralel line, for the east and west limits, north into the 
woods without limitation, for range of cattle or other improvements, together 
with all the lands, soyles, neck, &c., &e. William Richardson, John Hunt, Ed-. 
ward Waters, Robert Huestis, Richard Ponton, William Barnes, John Bugbie, 
John Bailey, John Tudor, John Ferris, Joseph Palmer, Thomas Baxter, free- 
holders of the commonality of the town of Westchester. 


6th January, 1686. THOMAS DONGAN. 


October, 1687, “it was voted, and agreed upon, by the major part of 
the trustees, that John Ferris, Sen., and Joseph Palmer, should go on 
Monday next, &c., and run the north-west line, from the head of 
Hutchinson’s, fo Bronck’s River; it was also voted that Joseph Palmer 
and Edward Waters shail go with the Indians and show them the line 
as near as they can, that runs between Mr. Pell“fnd our town, as also 
the line which runs betwixt this town and Eastchester.” @ 

Upon the 27th of May, 1692, we find the Indian proprietors, Mami- 
nepoe and Wampage, conveying the following tract of land, to the 
trustees of Westchester. 


INDIAN DEED OF WESTCHESTER. 


‘“To all Christian people to whom this deed of sale shall come, greeting: 
Know ye, that wee, Maminepoe and Wampage alias Ann-hook, Indian proprie- 
tors of a certain tract of land lying within the limits and bounds of the patent of 
the county town of Westchester, in the province of New York, for a valuable 
consideration, and other considerations us thereunto moving, and having taken 
the advice and approbation of several native Indians here underwritten, to us in 
hand paid by John Palmer, William Barnes, William Richardson, Joseph Palmer, 
Samuel Palmer, Robert Huestis, John Ferris, John Hunt, Joseph Hunt, Josiah 
Hunt, Thomas Baxter, and Edward Collier, trustees of the freehold and common- 
ality of the town of Westchester aforesaid, the receipt whereof we do hereby ae 
knowledge and therewith to be lawfully satisfied, contented, and paid, and thereof 
do acquit, exonerate, and release, and discharge the said trustees, their heirs, 
successors, and assignees forever, have given, granted, bargained, sold, enfeoffed, 


7 


a Westchester Rec. 


: THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 291 


a 
released, and confirmed, and by these presents do fully, clearly, absolutely, give, 
grant, bargain, sell, enfeof, release, and confirm unto the said trustees, their 
heirs, successors and assignees forever, all that tract of land lying on the east 
side of Brunxs’s river, beginning at the pine trees and so compassing all the 
land which we the said Maminepoe ard Wampage layes claim to, until they 
come to the head of Rattle Snake brook, and from thence north-east to Mr. 
Pell’s land, so north by said Pell’s marked trees by Brunxs’s river, together with 
the woods, underwoods, timber, trees, waters, rivers, runs, brooks, and all and 
singular the emolluments, hereditaments, rights, privileges, and appurtenances, 
thereunto belonging or appertaining, (only reserving to ourselves the privelege 
of making use of white wood trees for our particular use,) to have and to 
hold the before recited premises, with all and every of its appurtenances, unto 
the said trustees, their heirs, successors, and asssignees to the only proper use 
and benefit and behoof of them the said trustees, their heirs, successors and 
assignees forever; and it shall and may be lawful for the said trustees, their 
heirs, successo1s, and assignees, from henceforth and forever, to have and to 
hold, use, occupy, and. enjoy the said tract of land, free from all incumbr- 
ances whatsoever, unto the said trustees, their successors and assignees © 
for ever, without any manner of claime, challenge, or demand of us, our 
heirs, executors or administrators, or any other native Indians or Christian 
people, by, from, or under us, or any person or persons whatsoever ; and we 
the said Maminepoe and Wampage, alias Ann-hook, shall and will forever 
warrant and defend the said tract of land unto the said freeholders of the 
corporation of Westchester, their heirs and assignees forever. In witness 
whereof we the said Maminepoe and Wampage, alias Ann-hook, have put to 
our hands and seales this 27th of May, the fourth year of their majesties reign, 
and A. D. 1692. The mark of < MAMINEPOE, 


The mark of > WAMPAGE, 
alias ANN-HOOK. 


The mark of } CROHAMANTHENSE, 
The mark of 'T MAMERTEKOH. 
Signed, sealed, and deliver in presence of us, 
ABRAHAM HAWKER, 
Isaac LARENs, 
The mark of 4 JoHN GARRETSON, 
Native Indians witnesses to the above deed. 


The mark of '0 WEENETONAH, 
The mark of < TaNnanoor, 

The mark of $4 CosHEnoa, 

The mark of } Rats Couwinp, 
The mark of o Tom. 


The following entry in the town books refers to this sale :— 


‘‘At a meeting of the inhabitants held the 27th of May, 1692, this day, the 


292 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


land on the east side of Broncks’s river, till we come to Mr. Pell’s line, was 
purchased of Maminepoe and Ann-hook for :— 


2 gunns, 2 coats, _ 2 shirts, 
2 kettles, 2 adzes, 1 barrel of cider, 
6 bitts of money. 


DISBURSEMENTS UPON THE INDIAN PURCHASE. 


WILLIAM Barnegs, 1 kettle, - - - - - P - =» (22-2580 
To expences to ye Indians, - = - “ = é 7 - Ow 6.85 
Joun Hunt, 1 coate, - - - - - - - - - 012 U 
For money, er fo Pree es cal PR 0g aang ck eet a 
To Indian supper and other expences, - - - - - - 0. 8-0 
Witu1Am RicHarpson, 2 shirts, - - - - - - - 012 0 
Joun Ferris, sen, 1 coate, = «3 : : = 2 = : 012 0 
To one day with the Indians, -~ - 2 vee 3 a a: 030 
JosEpH Hunt, 2 adzes, and 3s. 8d. in money, - - - e - 015 0 
SAMUEL Parmer, 1 gun, - - -- - = = -s peered ole iy () 
THomas Baxter, 1 gun, -~— - - 2 s - Z < 1. So 
Josgspo Hunt, 1barrelof cider, - - - += « = « O89 

£8 4 6 


RosBert Hvestis and THomas Baxter, 1 gun,4 


At a meeting held by the trustees of Westchester the 6th day of Feb- 
ruary, 169%,—“‘ Present, William Barnes, John Ferris, Joseph Palmer, 
Samuel Palmer, Thomas Baxter, John Bayley, John Hunt, Robert Huestis 
and Edward Collier. It was voted and agreed upon, that John Ferris, 
Sen., and Joseph Palmer should go to Mr. Pell’s and proceed to have 
the line run between the town and him, &c., and report of their doings 
next Tuesday.” 

Fourth of September, 1694, it was agreed upon at a lawful town 
meeting that Richardson shall have free liberty to build or to erect a 
mill or mills upon the stream on the great creek of the town, for and in 
consideration of grinding of the inhabitants’ corn, for the fourteenth 
part, also liberty of cutting timber for a saw mill. Done in behalf of 
the town, &c. 

In 1700 it was resolved at a meeting of the inhabitants, “‘ That the 
line between” “Thomas Pell’s patent and the town of Westchester, 
(pursuant to the grants made by Governor Nicolls,) shall be run by the 
Surveyor General of the province of New York ; and that the standard 
for running said line shall be pitched and placed and set in the middle 
of Hutchinson’s river at the going over of the road as far up as the tide 


a Albs Rec. gen, entries. See also Town Rec. 27th of March, 1704, Joseph Hunt was direc- 
ted to go to the clerk of the county and see the Indian deed recorded. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 203: 


flows, and so to run upon a north line to Bronck’s river, and northward 
down said river in the middle of the channel to the Sound, which said 
bounds or lines to continue forever between the said Thomas Pell’s 
patent and the said town of Westchester.” 

The same year a grant of land appears to have been made by the 
inhabitants to John Pell, Esq.° 

At a meeting of the trustees held 23d day of January, A. D., 1720, 
present, Miles Oakley, President; John Oakley, Thomas Hadden, 
Thomas Baxter, Israel Honeywell, John Ferris, Peter Ferris, Joshua 
Hunt, Nathaniel Underhill, zruszees. 


‘“* Whereas several persons have come with boats, canoes, &c., a fishing, and 
have broke up our ground, and taken away ye oysters from within ye limits of 
our patent, in an unlawful manner, therefore, it is voted and agreed upon by the 
trustees aforesaid, that any person or persons who shall at any time hereafter 
trespass upon us by fishing, breaking our ground, and taking our oysters in ye 
manner aforesaid, shall be immediately prosecuted according to law for such tres- 
pass or trespasses; and it is also voted and agreed upon by ye trustees aforesaid, 
that John Ferris, Thomas Baxter, Joshua Hunt, of Westchester, Capt. Joseph 
Drake, Mathauiel Tompkins, and Moses Fowler, of Eastchester, do immediately 
put this into execution; and it is also agreed that if any freeholder of Westches- 
ter do take any oysters to transport out of our township to make sale thereof, 
such freeholder or freeholders shall be esteemed as trespassers, &c. Provided 
that the freeholders in general of Eastchester shall not be esteemed trespassers 
according to this act, excepting such of them as shall take oysters within ye 
limits of West and Eastchester to transport them out of ye said townships to 
make sale thereof,”&c.¢ 


In the reign of George the First, a charter was granted to the trustees 
of this town, entitled, “An act to prevent the fencing in or enclosing the 
sheep pasture, or any part thereof, in the borough town of Westchester, 
&c.” Dated 28th of February, in the eighth year of his reign, and of 
our Lord God) 1721. | ¢ 

May the 6th, Anno Dom 1729, at a meeting of the Mayor, Alder- 
men, Common Council and Trustees, of the town of Westchester, it 
was resolved :— 


‘‘That they who have rights in the sheep pasture, may by themselves or as- 
signs for every twenty-five pounds priviledge turn on twenty-five sheep, the 
lambs exclusive being to run with their dams, no more or in lieu of three sheep 


@ Town Rec, 

& Town Rec. ’ : 

e Town Rec. fol. ix. 120, 121,—At a Court of Common Conncil held 1740, it was ordained “ that 
no person not belonging to this corporation do take and carry away our clams or oysters, but 
that all boats, canoes, or other craft belonging to persons who shall presume to take the same 
not inhabiting within this county, shall be seized; and further no person belonging to this 
corporation shall have power to give leave to any person not living in this corporation to get 
oysters or clams.” 


2904 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


out of that number to each priviledge; a cow in lieu of five sheep, a horse, mare 
or an ox; in lieu of a sheep a calf, in lieu of two sheep a yearling. If any person 
who have a right or rights shall turn on above the abovesaid regulation, or if any 
person not having aright shall turn on any sheep, eattle, or horse kind they 
shall be liable to such fines and forefeitures as this body or their successors shall 
from time to time according to their power by charter be established, &c.”’ 


The “sheep pasture” embraced what was subsequently known as the 
*Commons” upon this extensive water, consisting of four hundred 
acres ; the freeholders of the town enjoyed the free use of pasturage, 
under the before mentioned regulations. Attached to the “sheep pas- 
ture” was a small quantity of salt meadow opposite to Bridge Hill near 
the causeway leading from West Chester to Throckmorton’s Neck which 
has been for some time fenced and closed up near the railroad station ; 
at Tompson’s was also a small gore of land attached to the “sheep pas- 
tures” consisting of one and a half acres lying on both sides of Stony 
Brook where the freeholders of the town were in the habit of folding and- 
washing their sheep. 

“ The trustees gave land to the town of Westchester for their minis- 
ters. They also gave the landing place to said town that lays adjoining 
to the creek and crossway which goes from Westchester to Frog’s Neck, 
and they also gave the town what is called Bridge Hill adjoining the 
said bridge for the support and keeping the bridge in good order. I 
suppose there is about three acres of land on said hill. All these above- 
mentioned lands and privileges was given to said town by the trustees, and 
those trustees gave to their proprietors, whose names are herein men- 
tioned in a tract of land called the Sheep Pasture unto forty and five 
men ; some purchased five, twenty-five pound Rights; the number of 
Rights is one hundred and six granted to the said proprietor ; and they 
sold their Rights to others and bought Rights of other men who had a 
mind to sell. The trustees had no Right to sell any of their land at 
all, neither had they right to fence or to lease any of said land, &c.” 

The “Commons” were purchased by Martin Wilkins, Esq., of the 
trustees in 1825, and after passing through other hands were again pur- 
chased by his grandson, the late Governeur M. Wilkins, Esq., of Castle 
Hill Neck for $30,000, who sold them to an association called Union 
Port for the location of a village. 

The village of Westchester is situated at the head of navigation on West- 
chester Creek, twelve miles from the city of New York, contains three 
taverns, a post office, several stores, and a depot embracing the new and 
“@ Minutes of Mayor's Court, formerly in possession of the late William H. Leggett, Esq. 


b Extract from original document, signed Benjamin Palmer New York, 29 July, 1802, in 
possession of New York Hist. Society. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 295 


grand air-line extension, or Harlem River branch of the New Haven 
Railroad—accommodated by the daily stoppage of twenty passenger 
trains, connecting at North New York with the spacious swift, and 
elegant boats of the Morrisania or Harlem Steamboat Companies, which, 
starting about.every quarter of an hour in thirty minutes transport their 
passengers by the East River to their landing at Fulton Shp, the south- 
ern and business end of the great metropolis. At Westchester village is 
a convenient landing for three or four sloops to the New York market. 
The Westchester Creek, at high water, admits vessels of three hundred 
tons to the landing. The bridge connecting Throckmorton’s Neck with 
the main, was erected at a very early period; and maintained, as the 
following document shows, by a rate levied on all taxable inhabitants 
of the town :— 


‘* Att a town court held by the constable and overseers this, 9th of July, 1678. 
Present, 
JustTIcE PELL, 
JoHN Parmer, Constable, 


Cart. PonTon, 
Mr. Mutrier,- > Overseers. 
Mr. Wuirttock. ) 


‘Tt is ordered that ye bridge betwixt Froggs Necke and the Towne be main- 
tained and upheld by a rate to be levied and assissed upon all persons and estates 
that are putt in the county rate belonging to the Township of Westchester, East 
Chester excepted.”2 


There are, also, several manufacturies and formerly two grist-mills ; 
one of which, a tide mill, was destroyed by fire some years ago. The latter 
was erected at a very early period, and was held by Col. Caleb Heath- 
cote, one of the prominent afficials under the Colonial Government, and 
the first Mayor of the Borough. There are three school districts in the 
town, namely: Westchester Village, Throckmorton’s Neck, and Bear 
Swamp. 

Westchester is by several years the oldest village in the county, its first 
settlement (by the Puritans) having commenced in 1650. At this early 
period, it formed a part of the Dutch district of Vrede-dand (or land of 
peace) and was, therefore, within the limits and jurisdiction of the New 
Netherland. By the Dutch it was named Oost-dorp, (East town) from 
its situation east of the Manhattans. So early as 1657, Gov. Stuyvesant 
ordered that Westchester should have four Engtish or one Dutch mile 
square of land for the town. 

During the Dutch dynasty, courts appear to have been holden regu- 


a Westchester Town Rec. 


296 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


larly at Oost dorp; fer, among the town records,-is a small volume, 
entitled “‘ The Book of Court Acts, from 1657 to 1662,” from which we 
extract the following memoranda :— 


Feb. 1st, 1657, Wiliam Benfield for panera of athority is bound over to 
anser at coarte.” 
‘“Pebray the 1, 1657.—Esttowne—the sentence of coarte upon Wiliam Ben- 
field for contempt of athority is fine—twenty guilders, besid’s other charges that 
amounts to eleven guilders three stivers.” 


On the same occasion, “ John Archer, plaintiff against Roger Wiles, 
in an action of debt for the value of seventy-four guilders, principal.” 

East town, the 13th of September, 1662, at a court held before 
Edward Walters, Robert Huestis and William Bett, by order and power 
of the Governor General, Peter Stuyvesant, Governor of the province of 
New Netherland, and the high council, etc. 

Thomas Higgins, plaintiff, complains of Lawrence Turner, in an action 
of slander done by his wife, &c., ended by arbitration. 

When Richard Nicolls, the Duke of York’s Governor, convened an 
Assembly from the towns of Long Island and Westchester, to meet at 
Hempstead, March 1st, 1665, there appeared the following deputies 
from this place—Edward Jessup, John Quimby.¢ 


Avevst 6TH, 1665.—We whose names are underwritten, doe jointly agree to 
set to our hands to send the eight townsmen to Governor Nicolls, to stand by 
them in what they doe in that particular, for the settlement of the towne. 


WitiiaM Quimper, Tomas MILER, 
JOHN FEreis, Joun SMITH, 
Ropert PINCKNEY, C. Woop, 

Epwarp WATERS, EDWARD JESSUPE, 
RicHarD Ponton, Tuomas Hunt, 
Samvet Barret, Tomas Hunt, Jr., 


THOMAS VAILE. 


At this early period, a portion of the judicial power appears to have 
been lodged in the hands of the constaé/e ; for in the town records, this 
entry occurs :-— 

WESTCHESTER, Sept. 3, 1665. 

At a town court holden by the constable and the commissioners appointed, 
Thomas Hunt complained against an Indian called Pomoqucee, that the said 
Indian took his canoe from the shore, where it was safe, and carried it quite 
away. Upon examination, the Indian confessed that he took the canoe from the 
shore, but said it was not secured. 


_ @ Alb. Rec. Gen. Entries, 1664-5, page 96.—See Dunlap Hist., N. Y. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 297 


The inhabitants -of. Westchester (like their New England forefathers) 
appear to have been greatly troubled with the plague of witchcraft ; for, 
in 1670, Katharine Harryson of England who had lived nineteen years 
at Weathersfield, in Connecticut, where she had been tried for witchcraft, 
found guilty by the jury, acquitted by the benck, and released’ out ot 
prison, on consideration that she would remove, appeared before the 
council on the accusation of Thomas Hunt and Edward Waters, in be- 
half of the town of Westchester, they praying that she might be driven 
from the town. This affair was adjourned to the 4th of August, when 
being heard, it was referred to the General Court of assizes. The wo- 
man being ordered to give security for good behavior. The following 
sentence was recorded by the Court, Oct., 1670: ‘In the case of Catha- 
rine Harryson, widow, who-was bound to her good behavior, upon com - 
plaint of some of the inhabitants of Westchester, whilst ye holding of 
this court: It is ordered, that in regard there is nothing appears against 
her deserving the continuance of that obligation, she is to be released 
from it, and hath liberty to remove from the town of Westchester were 
she now resides, or any whereelse in the Government during her pleas- 
ure.” 

The humane efforts, however, of the court to protect the poor widow, 
appear to have been ineffectual; for soon after, an order was given for 
Catharine Harryson, charged with witchcraft, to leave Westchester, “as 
the inhabitants are uneasy at her residing there, and she is ordered to 
go off.” 

Catharine Harryson was returned to Weathersfield, as the people of 
Westchester were unwilling to keep a pauper belonging to the former 
place. The following receipt, in her name, is recorded in the town 
court records :— 


‘‘ Know all men by these presents, that I Katharen Harryson, doe own that 
Joseph Pallmar, hath fully and absolutely satisfied the said Katharen Harryson, 
for a sarten bill of thirteen pounds and so used mony; and I the said 
Katharen Harryson doe aequit the said Joseph Pallmar of all bills, books, dues 
and demands from the beginning of the world to this present day. Given under 
my hand, the fifth of September in the yeare one thousand six hundred and 
seventy. The O mark of 


Witness, the R. P. marke of KATHAREN HARRYSON. 
RienarD Ponton, 
Francis YEATS. 


Ir 1679, wolves appear to have been very numerous and destructive 


a Assize Rec. Albany. 


298 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


in this portion of Westchester county, as appears in the following order 
of the town court records :— 


‘“West Chester January ye 9th, 1679. Att a Towne Meeting at ye house of 
Thomas Wittlock being Constable: Itt is ordered that Wm. Barnes, John 
Hunt and Samuell Well are to make and maintaine two woulf pitts and to main- 
taine the same for the space of three whole yeares from the day of the date hereof, 
and in consideration hereof the Towne is to allow the said persons for the making 
said woulf pitts the sume of twenty shillings: and for each woulf that they shall 
catch, in said pitt, and presented to the Constable of the Town: They shall also 
have of every such woulf soe caute the sume of tenn shillings: it is conditioned 
that the said two woulfe pitts are to be finished and compleated at or before the 
3lst day of May next ensuing the date hereof and to be kept in repair the whole 
tearme of three yeares.” 


The subjoined document, would appear to be the first tavern license 
granted in this county :— 


‘‘At a town meeting in Westehester, the 27th of June, 1681, Justice Pell pre- 
sent. The town made choice of John Hunt for an ordinary keeper, tor one year 
ensuing, for the town of Westchester, and desired him the said John Hunt, may 
be licensed by the justices of the riding. The said Hunt is to sell his biere at 
two pence per quart, and rum at three pence per gill, which he shall not exceed; 
and to take his corne at price current, according to the current rate, and that 
none else to retaile againe in rum in the said towne of Westchester, during the 
said tearme of one year, without the approbation of the said Hunt.” 


We have already shown that Westchester sent representatives to the 
Governor’s assembly, in 1665. The following relates to the election of 
representatives, in 1683 :— 

WESTCHESTER, the 29th of Sept. 1683. 


‘‘At a town meeting held in obedience to a warrant from the high sheriff con- 
cerning the choice of four men out of the township to goe to Jamaica upon Long 
Island the first day of October next ensuing, there to joyne with a committee 
chosen out of each towne mm the north riding, and this said committee to choose 
two out of the riding, able men as representatives for the north riding. The 
town hath made choice of William Richardson, Richard Ponton, Thomas Hunt, 
sen., and John Palmer, to be the four men to goe to Jamaica. 

Recorded in town meeting, 
per FRANCIS FRENCH, Recorder.” 


Upon the division of the province into shires and counties, the follow- 
ing act was passed by the Colonial Assembly for the regulating and settling 
of Courts of Justices, entitled “‘an act for the more orderly hearing 
and determining of matters and cases of controversy, &c.” Two Courts 
of Sessions for the County of Westchester, the first Tuesday in June and 
the first Tuesday in December yearly and every year, the one to be held 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 299 


at Westchester, and the other at Zastchester. Also a Court of Oyer and 
Terminer and general jail delivery in the same county on the first 
Wednesday in December. Passed 29th of October, 1683.4 

Westchester formed the shire town of the county from 1683 to 1759. 
The following notice of the destruction of the Court-House occurs in the 
New York fost Boy, February 13th, 1758 :— 


**New York, Fes. 13TH.—We hear from Westchester that on Satur- 
day night the 4th inst. the Court-house at that place was unfortunately 
burnt to the ground. We have not yet heard how it happened.” 


This building occupied the site of the present parochial school-house 
Ol ot. Peters. 

The last court held here was on the 6th of November, 1759.2 A few 
extracts are selected from the early records, toshow the manner in which 
the County Courts were conducted :— 


‘* At a Court of Sessions held at Westchester, for the County of Westchester, 
by their Majesties authority, present John Pell, Justice and quorum, President of 
the court; John Palmer, Justice of the Peace and Quorum; Daniel Sharpe and 
William Barnes, Esquires, Justices of ye Peace. December ye Ist, 1691. 

The Court opened. 

The Grand Jury called and appeared, viz. : 


Ropert Husteap, JOHN FURGESON, 

JouHN FERRIS, SEN.. Rospert HuvstTEApD, JUN,, 
JoHN Moriinex, JoHN Happen, SEn.,¢ 
JosepH Hunt, Epwarp Happen, 
JoHN Hunt, JoHN WINTER, 

JoHN Qurey, Jun., Tomas BeEpIent, 
Joun Baty, Samurn Parmer, 


WitiiaAM CHADDERTON. 
The court adjourned till Thursday morning. 
CONSTABLES CALLED. 


Westchester, Joseph Hunt. Eastchester, Henry Fowler. New Rochelle, Cor- 
nelius Seely. Mamaroneck, Richard Ward. Rye, Samuel Kniffen. Upper 
Yonckers, Matthias Brookes. Bedford, ——. BENJAMIN COLLIER, 


High-Sheriff of the County.@ 


““At a court of sessions held at Westchester by his Majesty’s authority, June 
6th and 7th, 1693, before the Honorable Caleb Heathcote, Esq., Judge of the 


a Acts of Assembiy, passed A, D. 1683. Upon the 29th of October, 1684, the period was 
changed for hoiding the above courts from the first Tuesday in December to the third Tues- 
day in November. In 1691 the courts were heid as first ordered. 

5 Rec. of Court of Common Pleas, Lib. B. The old Court House at Westchester was burnt 
at an early period of the Revolution. 

e A.D. 1749.—Died, John Hadden and Abigail, his wife, within a few hours of each other, 
having lived loveingly together seventy years. He died aged 96, and his wife 90. 


d First Rec. of Court of Sessions. 


"300 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Court of Common Pleas, justice and quorum, &c., the following curious testimony 
was given in a suit between Richard Ponton, defendant, and Gabriel Leggett, 
plaintiff. Captain Thomas Williams,¢ aged 62 years, deposed, saith, the first 
reason of this difficulty was a big look violently from mee. Afterwards Captain 
Leisler? sent an order to Captain Ponton to send him some men to go to Albany 
for their assistance against the French, and also the said Williams to assist the 
said Ponton in taking and sending the said men up. When the townes company 
was Called together and Captain Ponton asked them who was willing to go vol- 
unteers upon the said expedition, and Gabriel Leggett answered they was fooles 
if any them did go, and said who would give them a leg or an arm if they lost 
them, Upon which, Captain Ponton commanded him to hold his peace, but he 
still continued abusing the defendant and said here comes the father of rogues, 
and many other scurrilous words, upon which I got a warrant against him, &c.” 


At a general Court of Sessions, held in 1695 :— 


‘‘The jury for our Sovereign Lord the King, upon their oaths do present 
Thomas Furguson of the county town of Westchester, laborer, for selling of a 
certain horse without a tongue of a brown culler at Westchester aforesaid, at or 
about the first day of May last, &c.” 


By an act of Assembly passed on the 11th of May, 1693, “a publte 
and open market was appointed to be held on every Wednesday of the 
week at Westchester, “‘to which market it was lawful for all and every 
of the inhabitants and sojourners to go, frequent and resort, and thither 
to carry all sorts of cattle, grain, victuals, provisions and, other necces- 
saries from eight in the morning to sunset.Ӣ : 

It was also enacted by General Assembly the same year, “that there 
shall likewise be held and kept twice yearly and every year, a fair, to 
which fairy it shall and may be likewise lawful for all and every person 
to go and frequent, &c., two fairs yearly for the county of Westchester ; 
the first to be kept at the town of Westchester in the said county on the 
second Tuesday of May and to and on the Friday following, being in 
all four days, exclusive and no longer; and the second fair to be kept at 
Rye in the said county, on the second Tuesday in October yearly, and 
to.end the Friday following, &c., &c.”4 These privileges were subse- 
quently confirmed and enlarged.¢ 

The following charter, incorporating the ancient settlement of West- 
chester as a borough town, was granted on the 16th of April, 1696 :— 


a Dec. lith, 1689. Thomas Williams, freeholder of Westchester, was elected member of the 
Govenor's Council. 


b Governor Jacob Leisler, who assumed the government of the Province in 1689. 
c The above act was confirmed in 1697.—See Acts of Assembly, p. 17. 

d Acts of Assembly, confirmed the lith of May, 1697. 

e See Charter. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 301 


ROYAL CHARTER. 


Guliclmus Tertius Dei Gratia, Angliz Scotia, Galli et Hibernix, Rex fidei 
defensor, &c., &e. 

“To all whome these presents shall come, sendeth grecting : 

Whereas, Richard Nicolls, Esq., sometime Governor General of our province 
of New York, in America, by a certain writing or patent under his hand and 
seal, bearing date on or about ye 15th day of February, in the year of our 
Lord God, 1667, by virtue of the power and authority unto him given, did give, 
ratify, confirm and grant, unto John Quimby, John Ferris, Nicholas Bailey, 
William Betts, and Edward Walters, as pattentees for and on the behalf of 
themselves and their associates, the freeholds and inhabitants of the town of 
Westchester, within our s¢ province of New York, all that tract of land scituate, 
lying and being upon the main to the east of Harlem river then in the tenure and 
occupation of the above said patentees, and several other freeholders and inhabi- 
tants, of the said town, who, before that time by authority, had been settled 
there, and had been at considerable charges in manuring and planting part of the 
lands belonging thereunto, and likewise had settled a competent number of fam- 
ilies thereupon for a township, the boundaries and limits whereof, were therin 
set forth and exprest as follows: (viz.) the western bounds of the s@ Jand, then 
lying within the limits of the said town, did begin at the land commonly called 
Brunk’s land, near or adjoining to Harlem river afores’d, from whence they ex- 
tend eastward to the west part of a certain neck of land, commonly called Ann 
Hook’s neck or Mr. Pell’s purch’e , southward they are bounded by the Sound or 
East river, and so to run up a parellel line from the east and west limits, north, 
into the woods without limitation, for range of cattle, and other improvements, 
together with all the lands, soiles, necks of land, rivers, creeks, harbours, quarry’s, 
woods, meadows, pastures, marshes, waters, fishing, hawkings, huntings, and 
ffowlings, and all other profits, commodities, emoluments and hereditaments, to 
the s@ lands and premises, within the said bounds and limits described and set 
forth belonging or in any manner of wayes appertaining, to have and to hold, all 
and singular the said tracts and parcels of land, hereditaments and appurtenan- 
ces, and every part and parcel thereof to the said pattentees and their associates, 
their heirs, successors and assigns, forever. 

And moreover, the said Richard Nicholls, Esq., as Govr. Genl. as afores’d did 
thereby ratify, confirm ard grant unto the said patentees, their associates, their 
heirs, successors and assigns, all the rights and privileges belonging to a town 
within this government, and that the place of their then present habitation should 
continue and retain the name of Westchester, by which name and stile it was to 
be distinguished and known in all bargains, sales, deeds, writings and records, 
they the sd patentees and their associates, heirs, successors and assigns, render- 
ing and paying such duties and acknowledgments, as then were or hereafter 
should be constituted or established by the laws of the said province, as by the 
said writing or patent now remaining upon the records of the secretaries office, 
relation being thereunto had, may more at large appear. And whereas, after- 
wards, on or about the sixth day of Janry ., in the year of our Lord, 1686, upon 
the petition of several of the freeholders of the said town of Westchester, in 
behalf of themselves and the rest of the freeholders and inhabitants of the said 
town, directed to Coll. Thomas Dungan, then Cap2. Genl. and Gov. in Chief of 


302 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER, 


our sd province. The s? Coll. Thomas Dungan, by virtue of the power and 
authority to him derived, in and by a certain instrument in writing, under his 
hand and seal of our sd. prov’e of New York, whose date is the day and year 
last aboveS’, for the consideration therein mentioned, did give, grant, ratify, 
release and confirm, unto twelve of the freeholders and inhabitants of the sd town 
of Westchester, and thereby made them one body corporate and politick, and 
willed and determined them to be known and called by the name of the Trus, 
tees of the Ffreeholders and Commonality of the Town of Westchester and their 
Successors, all the afores@ tracts and parcels of land, within the limits and bounds 
aforesd together with all and singular the houses, mesuages, tenements, building, 
mills, milldams, ffences, inclosures; gardens, orchards, fields, pastures, woods, 
underwoods, common or pastures, meadows, marshes, swamps, crecks, harbors 
and all other profits and commodities and hereditaments whatsoever, to the sd 
tracts of land, and premises belonging, or in any manner of ways appertaining, 
to have and to hold unto them the s4 trustees of the ffreeholders and commonallity 
of the sd town of Westchester, and their successors forever, to and for the sey- 
eral and respective use therein mentioned, (viz.) as for and concerning all and 
singular the several and respective parcels of land and meadows, part of the 
aboves4d granted premises, then in any wise taken up and appropriated, either by 
patent under the hand of any of his majesties governors in this province, and 
sealed with the seal thereof, or by particular divisions, settlements, allottments and 
grants, by town orders, either for the planting of land or erecting of saw mills, 
with all and every the priviledges of cutting of timber, and pasture for cattle, 
before the day of the date thereof, unto the several and respective then presert- 
freeholders and inhabitants of the said town of Westchester, by virtue of the 
before recited deeds or pattent, to the use, benefit and behoof of the s4 ffree- 
holders and inhabitants respectively, and their several and respective heirs and 
assigns forever, and as for and concerning all and every such tracts and parcels 
of land, remainder of the granted premises not then taken up and appropriated 
to any particular person cr persons, by virtue of the before recited deed or pat- 
tent, to the use, benefit and behoof of the then present ffreeholders and inhabi- 
tants, their heirs, successors and assignes for ever, in proportion to their several 
and respective settlements, divisions and allotments 2i tenents in common, with- 
out any lett, hindrance or molestation, to be had upon pretence of jointanacy or 
survivorship therein saveing to his then majestic, his heirs and successors, the 
several rents and quit-rents reserved due, and payable from several persomts, in- 
habiting within the limitts and bounds afores4 by virtue of former grants to them 
made and given, always provided, that all and every such person and persons 
that hold any land within the limits and bounds afores4, by virtue of the particu- 
lar grants, patents, are forever to be excluded from having any rights or com- 
monage or particular division of any of the lands within the limits and bounds 
afores@ that then remained unappropriated to be holden of us, our heirs and suc- 
cessors in free and common socage according to the manner of East Greenwich, 
in the county of Kent, within our realm of England, under a certain yearly quit- 
rent therein reserved, due and payable unto us, our heirs and successors; and 
whereas, the northerly bounds of the first recited pattent, extends into the woods 
without limitation, the said Coll. Thomas Dongan did, in and by the last above- 
mentioned pattent and confirmation, declare and determine, that the northerly 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 3°93 


north-east and north-west bounds of the s¢ town of Westchester, should for ever 
hereafter be concluded and ascertain’d by ye southerly line of the pattent of 
Onsal and the south and west line of Thos. Pell, as by ye last above recited pat- 
ent, relation being thereunto had, may more at large appear; and jforasmuch as 
the present trustees and other the freeholders and inhabitants of the s@ town of 
Westchester, have lately, by their humble petition to our trusty and well beloved 
Benjan Ffletcher, our Cap2 Gen! and Governt-in-chief of our said province of 
New York, in America, pray’4 our charter or pattent of confirmation of all those 
several tracts and parcels of land, and other the premises to them granted as 
aforesd, and that the said town of Westchester, and all and singular the lands 
and tenements thereunto belonging and appertaining, may forever hereafter, be 
a free borouzh and town corporate; now knowe ye, that we do by this our royal 
pattent or charter of confirmation, for us, our heirs and successors grant ratify 
and approve and confirm unto the s¢ trustees of the ffreeholders and inhabitants 
of our s@ town of Westchester, and to their successors and assigues forever, 

all the several tracts and parcels of land hereinbefore recited, whose meets 
and bounds are forever hereafter to be taken, and esteemed to be and re- 
main as follows: (viz.) the western bounds thereof are to begin at the west part 
of the land commonly call’4 Brunks land, near or adjoining to Harlem river from 
whence they are to extend eastward to the west part of a neck of land, common- 
ly call’€ Ann-hook’s neck, or the westermost bounds of Mr. Pell's pattent, 

southard by the Sound and East river, and so to run up a parrailell line from 
the east and west limits, north into the woods, until it meet the southerly line of 
the pattent of Onsal and the south and west line of Thomas Pell’s patent, togeth- 
er with all and singular the houses, mesuages, tenements, erections and build- 

ings, mills, mill dams, fences, inclosures, gardens, orchards, fields, pastures, com- 
mon of pastures, meadows, marshes, swamps, plains, woods, underwoods, tim- 
ber, trees, rivers, rivulets, runs, streams, water, lakes, ponds, pools, pits, braches, 

quarries, mines, minerals, (half of gold and silver mines excepted) crecks, har- 
bours, highways, easements, fishing, hunting and fowling, and all other franchises, 

profits, commodities, hereditaments and appurtenances whatsoever, to the same 

belonging, or in any manner of ways appertaining or therewithal us’4 and en- 

joy’4, as part, parcel or member thereof, or accepted, requited or taken, to belong 
or in any wise to appertain thereunto, to have and to hold and enjoy ali and sing- 
ular the abovesd tracts and parcels of land, hereditaments and premises, with 
their and every of their appurtenances unto the s4 trustees of the ffrecholders 
and inhabitants of the said borough and town of Westchester, and their succes- 
sors forever, to and for the several and respective uses following, and to no other 
use, intent or purpose whatsoever, (viz.) as for and concerning ali and singular 
the several and respective parcels of upland and meadow ground, part of the 
above granted premises, in any wise taken up and appropriated, either by patt’t 
under the hand of any of our former gover’ of this our province, and sealed with 
the seal thereof, or by grant from the above mentioned trustees, or by particular 
divisions, settlements and grants, by town orders, either for planting of land, or 
erecting of saw mills, with all and every the privileges of cutting of timber, and 
pastures for cattle, before the date of these presents, and that by virtue of any the 
hereinbefore recited grants or pattents or any of them, shall be and remain to the 
use and behoof of such of the several and respective ffreeholders and inhabitants 


304 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


respectively, and their several and respective heirs and assigns for ever, and par- 
ticularly by one agreement made by the trustees of the s4 town, bearing date the 
2d day of December, 1694, with one Richard Ward, relating to the stream of the 
Great creek within the s@ town, on which Coll. Caleb Heathcott and the s@ Rich- 
ard Ward, who are now equally concerned therein, are erecting of sundry mills, 
and is for and concerning all and every other the tracts and parcels of upland 
and meadow ground, remainder of the above granted premises not yet taken up 
or appropriated by any particular person or persons as aforesaid, to be and remain 
to the only proper use and behoof of the s4 trustees and the ffreeholders and in- 
habitants of the sd borrough and town of Westchester, and to their successors 
and assignes forever, and to no other use, intent, or purpose whatsoever, To be 
holden of us, our heirs, and successors, according to the manner of East Green- 
wich in the county of Kent, within our realm of England, in free and common 
socage, rendering and paying unto us, our heirs, and successors, or to the hands 
of our receiver gen! of our s@ province of New York for the time beiag or tosuch 
other officer or officers as shall be appointed to receive the same for and out of 
the s@ tracts and parcels of land and other the premises the sum of thirty shil- 
lings current money of N. York, upon every 25th day of March forever hereaf- 
ter. And we do farther give and grant unto the ffreeholders and inhabitants of 
the sd town of W. Chester, and to their heirs and assigns forever, full power and 
authority annually and once every year, and that upon the first Monday in the 
month of May, that they the said ffreeholders and inhabitants shall and may as 
formerly hath been accustomed in the s4 town, to elect and choose twelve free- 
holders for their trustees, who shall have full power and authority, or the major 
part of them, to order and dispose of all or any part of the undivided land with- 
in sd town limits and precincts thereof, as fully and ‘amply to all intents, con- 
structions, and purposess as formerly they have used and been accustomed to do. 
And farther of our especial grace certain knowledge, and meer motion, we do, 
for us, our heirs, and successors grant, constitute, ordain, and appoint, by this 
our present charter, that all and singular the lands, tenements, and hereditaments 
herein before in this our s4 royal charter and grant granted and confirmed, men- 
tioned or intended to be granted and confirmed, shall from henceforth forever be 
afree borough and corporation, excepting and always reserving out of the s¢ 
borouch or corporation all that tract of land scituate and being upon the east side 
of Harlem river afores4, and which did formerly belong to Coll. Lewis Morris, 
ceed, and which now is in the tenure and occupation of James Graham, Esqr., 
and to be and remain out of the jurisdiction of the s4 corporation. And farther 
of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and meer motion, do, for us, our heirs, 
and successors, grant, constitute, ordain, and appoint, by this our present char- 
ter, that the s4 town of W. Chester and all and singular the lands and tenements 
thereunto belonging and appertaining may forever hereafter be a free borough 
and town corporate, and shall be called the borough and town of W. Chester, 
and that in the s4 town corporate there shall be a body politick consisting or a 
mayor, six aldermen, and six assistants, of common council of the s¢ borough 
and town of W. Chester, to continue in succession forever, and for the more 
full and perfect erection of the s4 corporation and body politick to consist, - 
continue, and be of a mayor, six aldermen, and six assistants, or common 
council of the s4 borough or town to be called and known by the name of 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 395 


the mayor, aldermen, and commonay of the borough and town of W. Chester. 

We of our especial grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, do by these 
presents for us, our heirs and successors, create, make, ordain, constitute, nom- 
inate and appoint our trusty and well-beloved Coll. Caich Heathecote, Esq., one 
of our Councellors of our s¢ province of N. York, to be the first and now Mayor 
of the sd town and borough of W. Chester, and to continue in the said office un- 
til the first Monday in the month of May, which shall be in the ninth year of our 
reign. And we do likewise create, make, ordain, constitute, nominate and appoint 
Wn. Barns, Jno. Stuert, William Willett, Thos. Baxter, Josiah Stuert and Jno. 
Baily, gents., to be first Aldermen of the s@ borough and town of Westchester, 
and Israel Honeywell, Robert Hustis, Sam’l Hustis, Sam’l Ferris, Daniel Turner 
and Miles Oakley, gents., the First Assistants and Common Council of the s4@ 
borough and town, and that the sd Mayor, Ald’2 and Common Council and their 
successors, shall for ever hereafter be in name and in deed a body corporate and 
politick, and shall forever hereafter be called and known in all courts whatsoever, 
plead and be impleaded by the name of the Mayor, Ald’? and Commonalty of the 
Borough and Town of W. Chester. And of our further grace, certain knowledge 
and meer motion, and to the intent that the s4 corporation and body politick by 
these presents created and began afores’, may have perpetual succession and 
continue forever, we do by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, grant 
unto the sd Mayor, Ald’? and Common Council and their successors for ever, 
that the sd Mayor and Ald’2 of the sd borough and Town of W. Chester, for the 
time being, shall and may from time to time, whensoever and as often as they 
shall think meet, admit and receive under the common seal of the s@ corporation 
to be of the commonalty of the s4 borough and town, such and so many persons 
as the said Mayor and Alder’n, or the Mayor for the time being and the greatest 
part of the s¢ Alder’? shall think meet, and every such person and persons and by 
them the sd Mayor and Alder’? or the greater part of them as afores’4 to be 
admitted and received as afores’4, shall immediately after such admission be free 
men of the s¢ boreugh and town and members of the s4 body politick, and have 
and enjoy all such the same and so many priviledges, franchises and immunities, 
as if the said persons so to be admitted had been specially and particularly named 
in this our s4 royal charter to be of the s1 commonality. And further we of our 
especial grace, certain knowledge, and meer motion, do by these presents, for us, 
our heirs, and successors, give and grant unto the sd Mayor, Alder’? and Com- 
mon Council of the s4 borough and town of W. Chester, that they and their suc- 
cessors shall from henceforth for ever be a body politick and incorporate in 
deed and in name, and by these presents fully and absolutely make, create, con- 
stitute, establish and unite the st Mayor, Alder’2: and Common Council into one 
body politick and incorporate to endure and continue for ever, and them and 
their successors do declare, accept and allow for a perfect corporation and body 
politick for ever, and that the s@ body politick and corporate shall be called and 
known for ever by the name of the Mayor, Alder’? and Commonalty of the 
Borough and ‘Town of of W. Chester, and that by that name they and their suc- 
cessors shall be able persons in law to make all manner of contracts and grants, 
and to make, receive and take all manner of gifts, grants and purchases as any 
other natural person or body politick is able to make, receive and take by the 
laws of our realm of England and this our province, and that they and their suc- 


306 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


cessors shall and may by that name implead any other person or persons, or be 
impleaded in any court or courts, in all and ail manners of causes and actions, 
real and personal or mixt of what kind or nature soever, and claim and demand 
their liberties and franchesses before any judge or judges, ecclesiastical or secular, 
and otherwise do and execute all and every act and acts, thing and things what- 
soever, which any other liege men which are enabled and made capable of the 
benefit of our laws within our realm of England or this our province of N. York, 
can or may lawfully do or execute. And farther of our especial grace, certain 
knowledge, and meer motion, we do by these presents for us, our heirs and suc- 
cessors, give and grant unto the sd mayor, alder’? and common council, that the 
s4 Col. Caleb Heathcott and his successors, mayors of the s¢town and borough 
of W. Chester afores’4 for the time being, shall have the charge of free governm 
of the s¢ borough and town of W. Chester during the time of his and their bear- 
ing the s4 office, in as absolute and ample manner as is usual and customary with 
other mayors in the like corporations in our realm of England, And further because 
the sd mayor for the time being may many times haye just occasion to be absent 
from the s@ town, either of the public affairs thereof or for his own private re- 
spects, wee do therefore for us, our heirs and successors, by these presents give 
and grant unto the sd mayor, ald’? and common council and their successors, 
that the s@ Coll. Caleb Heathcott and his successors, mays of the s¢ borough and 
town of W. Chester, and every of them, shall have full power and authority from 
time to time during his year of government, with the consent of the said alder- 
men of the s¢ town for the time being or the greater part of them, to substitute 
in his absence some discreet and substantial person being one of the members of 
the sd aldermen inhabiting in the s¢town or borough, to be his deputy mayor 
during the absence of the said mayor, and each deputy mayor for the time being, 
we do by these presents fully and absolutely authorize to do and execute all 
things whatsoever belonging to the s@ office or place of mayor in as large and 
ample manner as if the st mayor himself was personally present. And we do 
farther by these presents give and grant unto the s4 mayor, aldermen and common 
councel of the s¢ borough and town of Westchester and their successors forever, 
that the s¢ mayor for the time being or lawful deputy and any two or more of the 
sd aldn of the s¢ town shall and may lawfully hold and keep upon the first 'Tues- 
day in every montlfthroughout the year a court within ye sd town of W. Chester, 
and therein shall have full power and authority to hold plea of all manner of 
debts, covenants, trespasses, accompts, detinues, demands, and all other actions 
personal of what kind or nature soever the same be, arising and growing only 
within the s¢ borough or town of W. Chester and the limits thereof, so as yesame 
doth not exceed in debt or damages the sum of twenty pounds current money of 
this our province, who shall have power to hear and determine the same pleas 
and accomp's according to the rules of the common law of our realm of England 
and the acts of General Assembly of this our province of N. York. And farther 
of our like especial grace, certain knowledge and meer motion, we do by these 
presents for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant unto the said mayor, 
aldern and common council of the s¢ borough and town of W. Chester and their 
successors for ever, that they and their successors for ever shall have a common 
seal under which they shall pass all grants, warrants, deeds and specialties, and 
other the affairs and business of or concerning the s4 corporation, which shall be 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 307 


engraven with such form and inscription as shall be devised by the mayor, alder- 
men and common council of the s4¢ borough and town; that the sd mayor, 
alder® and common council shall and may build, or cause to be built in some 
convenient place of the sd town a common hall or town house to be called by the 
name of the town hall of the borough and town of W. Chester, where the sd 
mayor, alder® aud common council shall and may from henceforth for ever law- 
fully assemble themselves to deliberate and consult touching the publick welfare 
of the s¢ borough and town of Westchester, and that they their successors shall 
and may from henceforth be a free guild mercaturie, and that they or the greater 
part of them and their successors of which the mayor to be one, shall and may 
from time to time in their publick councels freely and lawfully make and estab- 
lish all such ordinances, statutes, orders or by-laws as may tend to the good and 
wholesome government of the said borough and town and to ye public benefit of 
the inhabitants of the same, not being repugnant to the common laws and statues 
of our realm of England, and this our province of N. York, and such ordinances, 
by-laws, statutes, orders, and decrees as shall be made by them as aforesaid, we 
do by these presents, for us our heirs and successors, ratify, confirm and allow 
as good and effectual to bind all the inhabitants of the sd borough and town, and 
do expressly will and command by these presents that the same be duly put in 
execution, and that the sd mayor, alder? and common council shall at any time 
or times hereafter have full power to establish a ferry over the Sound, between 
the said corporation and the island of Nassau, in such convenient place or places 
as to the sd mayor and to the greater part of the said alder® shall seem meet and 
convenient, and to take such fees and perquisites for the same for the use of the 
sd corporation, as is now paid for the fferidge between N. York and the s@ island. 

And farther, for the more orderly government of the said borough and town, 
according to the form of the best governed towns and corporations of our realm 
of England, Wee do by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, give and 
grant unto the s@ mayor, alder’, and common council of the s4 borough and 
town of Westchester, full power to elect and nominate one discreet and sufficient 
person, learned in ye law, to be recorder and town clerk of the s4 borough and 
town of W. Chester, during the pleasure of the s4 mayor, alder’2, and common 
council, and such person or persons as they the s@ mayor, alder’2, and common 
council shall choose to be recorder and town clerk of the sd borough and town, 
Wee do, for us, our heirs and success’r8, make, ordain, and constitute recorder 
and town clerk of the s¢ borough and town, and that the sd person or persons 
may execute their s4 offices, by themselves or lawful deputy or deputies, so that 
the same be first approved of by the s4 mayor and the major part of the said 
alder’2, and wee do hereby authorize the said recorder and town clerk, his or 
their lawful deputy or deputies, to use and exercise such jurisdictions and au- 
thority as the recorder and town clerk doth or ought to do in the like corpora- 
tions in our realm of England. And further, we do by these presents, for us, 
our heirs and successors, make ordain and constitute the sd mayor and aldermen 
of the s? borough and town of W. Chester to be justices of the peace within the 
sd bounds and limits of the s@ town, and do hereby give them full power and 
authority to do and execute all and every act and acts, thing and things whatso- 
ever, within the s¢ bounds and limits of the s4 borough and town, in as absolute 
and ample manner as any justice of the peace within the s@¢ county of W. 


308 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Chester may or ought to do, by the laws and statutes of our realm of Eng- 
land and this our province of N. York. And we do further, for us, our heirs, 
and successors, give and grant unto the sd mayor, aldermen, and common coun- 
cil of ye s? borough for the time being, and to their success’rs forever, full power 
and authority to nominate and appoint, from time to time, one serjeant of the 
mace, and all other inferior officers and ministers which they shall think to be 
convenient and neccessary, and which are customary in any of our corpora- 
tions in our realm of England, for ye service of the s@ borough and town; all 
which oflicers being from time to time appoin’d by the s4 mayor and alderman 
as afores’4, we do, for us, our heirs and successors, by these presents, constitute 
and establish in their several offices, and do give them and every of them full 
power and authority to use and exercise ye same within s@ borough aud town, 
and within the limits and franchises thereof during ye will and pleasure of the 
sd mayor and alderman as fully and freely as any other the like officers in or of 
any of the like corporations in our realm of England lawfully may or ought to 
do, and the s4 office of mayor shall from thenceforth forever be annual, and 
that the s¢ mayor, alder®s and common council shall from henceforth forever 
have frank and free election of the s4 mayor, to be chosen yearly out of the 
number of the s? aldermen, and that by the votes of the greatest number of the 
said freeholders and inhabitants of the said corporation, and all other the said 
officers and ministers out of the rest of the number of the s@ ffreeholders and 
inhabitants by ye greater number of the sd mayor, alderman, and common council, 
and when and so often as any of the aforesa’4, alderman and common council 
who are hereby nominated and created for their limetime, or until they or any 
of them shall be lawfully removed, or volluntarily remove themselves from the 
sd corporation; ye said aldermen to be elected and chosen out of the number of 
the s1 common council, and the number of the common council t> be chosen 
and made up out of the freemen of the s@ corporation by the grater vote of the 
sd ffreeholders and inhabitants thereof, and that always within fourteen days 
after the death or removal of any of them as afors’4. And farther our will and 
pleasure is that the first Monday in the month of May, yearly, shall be forever 
the day of election of the sd mayor and ull other s4 officers and ministers which 
shall yearly succeed in the s@ borough, unless the s4 mayor for the time being 
happen to die or be lawfully remov d within the year, in which case our pleasure 
is that the afores’4 ffreeholders and inhahitants shall within fourteen days after 
the death or removal of any such mayor for the time being, as afores’4, proceed 
to election to some other of the s4 aldermen to supply the place of the sd mayor, 
being void as afores’4; and that Coll. Caleb Heathcott, the present mayor, shall 
immediately, before he take upon him the said office and place, take the oaths 
lately appointed by act of Parliament instead of the oaths of alliegiance and 
supremacy, and that the same be administered to him in the presence of our s4 
cap’2 and gener’! and govor’ in chief of our s@ province of New York; and the 
s4 Coll. Caleb Heathcott having taken ye said oaths, shall cause the same to be 
given in his presence as well to such persons as ye s4 Coll. Caleb Heathcott, shall 
at any time during his mayoralty leave to be his deputy in his absence as afores’4, 
as to the aldermen and common council created as afores’4; and to the recorder 
and all such other officers and ministers as shall be chosen in the said borough 
for the better government of the same, and that before they or any of them shall 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 309 


take upon them to execute any office or place by virtue of this our royal charter 
and pattent, and after the end of the mayoralty of the s4 Coll. Caleb Heathcote, 
our will and pleasure is that every mayor of the s@ town that shall be hereafter 
elected in manner afores’4 shall immediately take the aboves’4 oaths before three 
at the least of the aldermen of the s¢ borough; and that upon election of any 
other alder’ or commom council, in case of death or removal as afores’4, or such 
other officers as shall be annually chosen to take the aboves’d oaths before the 
mayor for the time being, and any two of the sd aldermen, whom we do by 
these presents fully authorize to administer and give the sd several oaths. And 
farther, of our especial grece certain knowledge and meer motion, do by these 
presents, for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant unto the sd mayor, 
alder’? , and common council of the borough and town of Westchester, and their 
successors forever, that they the s4 mayor and aldermen shall and may from 
henceforth forever, have, hold and keep, one free market within the s4 borough 
and town upon every Wednesday in every week, and two fairs within the s4 
borough and town at two several times in the year, (viz.) the one to begin and to 
be holden within the said borough and town upon the second Tuesday in May, 
yearly forever, and to continue for three days and no longer ; and the other of 
the s¢ fairs to begin upon the last Tuesday in October yearly, forever, and to 
continue also for three days and no longer, with power to erect several courts of 
pipowder, and the office of clerk of entries, and all other things thereunto be~ 
longing, with all and singular the perquisites and profits, issues, customs, tolls, 
fees, amerciaments, commodities, jurisdictions and emoluments, to the s4 courts, 
fairs, and markets, in any wise belonging and appertaining ; and that the mayor 
of the said borough and town of W. Chester for the time being, and no other, 
have power and authority to give and to grant license annually, under the pub- 
lic seal of the said corporation, to all tavern keepers, inn Keepers, ordinary keep- 
ers, vicktuallers, and all publick sellers of wine, strong waters, rum, cyder, beer, 
or any other sort of strong liquors by retail, within the s4 corporation or the lib- 
erties and precincts thereof; and it shall and may be lawful to and for the sd 
mayor of the s@ borough for the time being, or his lawful deputy, to ask, de- 
mand, and receive for such license by him to be given and granted as afores’4, 
such sum or sums of money as he and the person to whom such licence shall be 
given and granted shall agree for, not exceeding the sum of 20s. for such licence ; 
all which money as by ye said mayor shall be so received, shall be us4 and ap- 
ply’4 to the public use of the mayor, aldermen and common council of the sd 
borough and their successors. And also we do, of our like especial grace, cer- 
tain knowledg, and meer motion, by these presents, for us, our heirs and suc- 
cess’S grant unto the said mayor, aldermen and common council of the s4 bor- 
ough and town of W. Chester and their successors forever, that the mayor with 
two or more of the aldermen for the time being, shall have full power to enquire, 
hear, and determine, of all frays and bloodsheds whatsoever, happening within 
the sd borough and town of W. Chester, and the offenders therein to correct 
and punish according to the laws or our realm of England and this our province 
of N. York. And we do farther by these presents, for us, our heirs, and suc- 
cessors, give and grant unto the sd mayor alder2, and common council of the 
sd borough and town of W. Chester, and to their success’s forever that the 
mayor, or in his absence his deputy mayor of the s4 borough and town for the 


310 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


time being, shall be coroner and clerk of the market within ye s@ borough and 
town and the liberties thereof, giving and hereby granting unto s¢ mayor and 
deputy mayor for the time being full power and authority to exercise and exe- 
cute the said office and offices of coroner and clerk of the market in the s@ 
borough and town and the liberties thereof in as large and ample manner as any 
other coroner or clerk of the market doth or may lawfully execute the like office 
or offices in any other town or liberties within this our province of N. York. 
And farther, of our especial grace, certain knowledg, and meer motion, wee do 
by these presents, for us, our heirs, and successors, give and grant unto the s& 
mayor, aldermen and common council of the s4 borough and town of Westches- 
ter afores’d, and their success’s forever, that they and their successors shall and 
may from time to time return and send one discreet burgess of the s¢ town and 
borough into every general assembly hereafter to be summoned of holden within 
this our province of N. York, which burgess so returnd and sent shall be receivad 
into the house of deputies or members of the s@ house and have and enjoy such 
priviledges as any other of the st members have or ought to have. And lastly our 
express will and pleasure is, and we do by these presents for us, our heirs and 
successors, give and grant unto sd mayor, aldermen, and common council of the 
sd borough, and their successors forever, that these our letters patent or the inrol- 
ment thereof in our secretarie’s office of our s4 province, shall be good, available, 
and effectual in the law to all intents, constructions and purposes, against us, 
our heirs, and successors, without avy other,licence, grant, or confirmation from 
us, our heirs, or successors hereafter, by the sd mayor, aldermen, and common 
council, or their successors, or any of them, to be had and obtained notwith- 
standing the not recitall or miss-recitall, not nameing or miss-nameing of the 
sd offices, ffranchises, lands, tenements, or hereditaments, and other the prem- 
ises or any of them; and notwithstanding that no writ of ad quod damnum hath 
issued forth to enquire of the premises or any of them before the sealing of these 
presents, any statute, act, ordinance, or provision, or any matter or thing what- 
soever to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding. In witness whereof we 
have caused these our Letters to be made pattent. Witness our trusty and well 
beloved Benjamin Fletcher our cap® gen! and govenor in chief of our s@ prov- 
ince of New York and the territories and tracts of land depending thereon in 
America, and vice admiral of the same, our lieutenant and commander-in-chief 
of the militia and of all the fforsses by sea and land within our Colony of Con- 
necticut, and of all the fforts and places of strength withinthe same. At our ffort 
at New York, this sixteenth day of April, in the eighth year of our reign.¢ 


Vivant Rex er Reema.” 


Another entry relates to the swearing in of the first A/dermen and 
Common Council of the borough. 


‘*Be it remembered that upon the sixth day of June in the 8th year of his 
Majestie’s reign, 1696, appeared before me Caleb Heathcote, Mayor of the 
borough town of Westchester; William Barnes, John Hunt and John Bayley, 
gentlemen, Aldermen of the said corporation ; and Robert Huestis, Samuel Huestis, 


a From a certified copy of the orlginal, in the possession of the late Ogden Hammond, Esq. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 3It 


Samuel Ferris, Miles Oakley and Daniel Turner, gentlemen, Common Council of 
said corporation, and did take the oaths appointed by act of Parliament, entitled 
‘“‘of the oaths of allegiance andsupremacy.” Recorded, coram me, 


CALEB HEATHCOTE, Mayor. 


Upon the 11th of June, 1696, at a meeting of the Mayor, Aldermen 
and Common Conncil, “it was ordered, that a seaZ shall be devised and 
made for the use of the corporation, and that in the mean time the sea/4 
formerly used by the trustees shall be made use of. It was further 
ordered, that Mr. James Emott shall be Recorder, and Edward Collier 
his deputy ; also that Joseph Hunt, Jun., should be Serjeant of the mace, 
if he would accept of it, and if not John Williams should be sev7ean¢ of 
the mace. . 

“ At a court held in the borough town of Westchester by‘the Mayor 
and Aldermen of said town on the 6th of October, 1696, Col. Heathcote 
brought the seal for the corporation, and did give it gratis to the town, 
and left it in the hands of the Recorder.” 


At a meeting of the trustees of this town, held on the 8th of June, 
1700, it was resolved :— 


““That whereas at a former meeting held by the inhabitants of the borough 
town and precincts, on the 3d day of May, 1697, it was voted and agreed upon 
that there should be a town hall built to hold courts in and for the public worship 
of God, &c.; but it being then neglected, the mayor, aldermen and justices at 
this meeting, did order with a joynt consent to build a house for the uses of a 
court and prison. The dimensions of the house is to be twenty-six feet square, 
sixteen feet joynts, a square roof, six window cases five feet square, &c. The 
trustees agreed with Richard Ward to build said house for £33, and with Eras- 
mus Orton to build the prison for £5. It is to be twenty feet long, 16 feet wide, 
seven feet high, two feet thick with a good chimney. The town to find attend- 
ance. Which work is to be done by the 3lst.”’¢ 


The following certificate refers to the services of Lewis Morris as 
representative to the Provincial Assembly :— 


General Assembly for the Colony of New York: 
Dir Sasratt, 6 July, 1723. 
These are to certifie that Lewis Morris, Esq., one of the persons duly elected 
for ye borough of Westchester to serve in General Assembly for ye Colony of 
New York, hath attended the service of this house in General Assembly, the full 
term of sixty-one days. By order of ye General Assembly, 


R. LIVINGSTON, Speaker. 


a Town Rec. 

b Several impressions of this seal are attached to papersin the town clerk’s office. 

e Westchester Rec, On the 4th of September, 1700, Joseph Haviland andJohn Hunt were 
directed to agree for the timber work of the prison. 


to 


HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER, 


JuLy 6th, 1723. 
Received ye full payment of this certificate from ye borough of Westchester. 


I say received by me. LEWIS MORRIS.« 

Peter De Lancey, Esq., represented the borough in 1756, for which 
he received ten shillings per diem.? 

One of the most important privileges conferred upon this town by the 
royal charter, was that of holding a J/ayor’s court, the first Tuesday in 
every month. ‘This court had full power to hear and determine all 
causes “not exceeding in debt or damages the sum of twenty pounds.” 
From the town records it appears, that ‘“‘at a Mayor’s Court holden in 
Westchester, 6th of July, 1697, the court did order that Capt. William 
Barnes shall see out for a workman to make @ fair of stocks and the 
prison sufficient for the securing of prisoners, until such time as a way 
may be found for the building of a new one, &c.Ӣ 

As a proof that liberty was not yet clearly understood by our ancient 
judges, we subjoin an extract from the records of the Mayor's Court in 
1730: 

“ Present, Miles Oakley, /ayor ; Thomas Hunt, Joshua Hunt, James 
Cromwell, Nathaniel Underhill and Wiliam Leggett, 4/dermen. 

The jury being called over said they could not agree, and James 
Dangly and Gabriel Leggett who dissented from the others gave their 
reasons to the court; which being judged insufficient, they were fined 
4os. each, and to stand committed till paid. The jury were then dis- 
charged.”4 

“At a Mayor's Court held in Westchester, December, 1734, Present, 
William Leggett, Esq., JZayor , William Forster, Recorder ; Nathaniel 
Underhill, Thomas Hunt, Joshua Hunt and Gabriel Leggett, Adder- 
men, &c. The Recorder presented the freedom of the town to the Hon. 
James De Lancey, Esq., and John Chambers, attorney-at-law, which 
was read and approved: and thereupon it was ordered that the Mayor, 
Recorder and Aldermen do forthwith wait on the said James De 
Lancey, Esq., and John Chambers, at the house of William Burnett, 
and deliver the same unto them, and desire their acceptance of the 
same. Accordingly the court adjourned.Ӣ 


In 1746, the small pox prevailing in Greenwich, New York, the house 
of Assembly adjourned to Westchester. 

The following letter of the Westchester sub-committee, dated borough 
and town of Westchester, August 24, 1775, to the Honorable Provin- 
cial Congress, is copied from the military returns :— 


a Town Rec., Book 9, 155. 

b Smith’s Hist. of N. Y. The daily wages of the representatives, were regulated by sundry 
acts of Assembly. 

ec Town Rec. 


d Town Rec. "y : : ; 
e Town Rec. On the 2) of July, 1737, Lewis Morris, Jun., and Frederick Philipse were ad- 


mitted freemen of the borough under the common seal of the corporation, 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 313 


We the subscribers appointed a sub-committee to inspect the election of mili- 
tia officers for the said town, do most humbly certify, that the following persons 
were chosen this 24th aay of August, 1775, by a raajority of voices duly qualified 
for that purpose, agreeable to the resolutions of the honorable Congress above- 
said, (viz. :) 

JOHN OakLeEy, Captain, 
Nicuoxras Berrian, 1st Lieutenant, 
Isaao LeaGert, 2d Lieutenant, 


FREDERICK PHILIPSE STEVENSON, Ensign. 
Tnomas Hont, 
Committee, <~ JAMES FERRIS, 
LEWIS GRAHAM. 


By an act of the State Legislature, passed 18th of April, 1785, enti- 
tled, “‘ An act authorizing the freeholders and inhabitants of the town- 
ship of West Chester, to choose Trustees for the purposes therein men- 
tioned ;” the name and style of the old borough and town of West 
Chester, was changed for that of the Township of West Chester. Time 
of meeting, first Tuesday in May, and on the first Tuesday in April, in 
every year thereafter to choose six freeholders, who shall be resident in 
the said Township for Trustees, etc.# 

Second, “And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the 
district formerly called and known by the style of the Borough and Town 
of West Chester, shall henceforth be called and known by the name of 
the Township of West Chester.” 

At a meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants of the town of West- 
chester, held 1st day of April, 1788, being the first Tuesday in April, 
and the annual day of electing town officers, pursuant to an act of the 
Legislature, passed the 14th Feb., 1787. Present, Joseph Bowne, etc. 

The following persons were chosen for the ensuing year :— 


IskaAEL UNDERHILL, Supervisor. 


JoHN Bartow, JR., 
MicHAEL Rykr, Assessors. 
Aveustus DRraxg, J 


Joun Bartow, JR., } 

IsraEL UNDERHILL, 

JOSIAH QUIMBY. 

Epwarp Briaes, + Trustees. 
JOSEPH Bowne, 

SaMUEL Bayarp, 


Cornetivs Hunt, Constable. 


The following act was passed by the Legislature of this State, on the 


@« Laws of N. Y. Sth session. vol.i, p. 180. Greenleaf, N. Y., M.D.CC., xcii. 


314 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


rgth of March, 1813, entitled, “‘ An act relative to the duties and priv- 
ileges of towns.” The 28th section of which directs :— 


‘That the freeholders and inhabitants of the town of Westchester, in the 
county of Westchester, may, on the day of their annual town meeting, under the 
usual manner of electing town officers, choose six freeholders resident in this 
town for trustees; and the said trustees or a majority of them, shall and may 
order and dispose of all or any part of the undivided lands within the said town, 
as fully to every purpose, as trustees have been used to do, under any patent or 
charter to the said town, and may continue to lease out the right and privilege of 
setting and keeping a ferry across the East river from the said town of Westches 
ter to the town of Flushing, in Queens county, in like manner, at the same rates 
of ferriage, under the same rules and regulations, and for the like purposes, as 
they have lawfully been accustomed to do, since the eighteenth day of April, one 
thousand seven hundred and eighty-five.” 


The first settlers of this town, who were Puritan emigrants from New 
England, and chiefly from Connecticut, appear to have made early pro- 
vision for the establishment of religion, according to the Independent or 
Congregational order. Mr. John Throckmorton and his thirty-five 
associates, were mostly the friends and associates of Roger Williams, or 
Anne Hutchinson ; who, tired of the turmoils of Old England and New, 
obtained leave of the Dutch to settle here in 1642, on a tract of land 
they were pleased to call ‘ Vrede-land; or, Land of Peace.” In 1650, 
a body of Puritans settled near the same place, being favored by the 
Dutch, ‘with the free exercise of their religion,” calling it “‘ Oost dorp,” 
(East Town). These, too, were Puritans or Independents; but, they 
had no minister until 1674, and then only for a short period ; indeed, 
they seem to have been without a settled minister for most of the time 
to the end of the century, of their mode of worship. The Dutch Commis- 
sioners, who visited Oost-dorp in 1656, give in the journal of their 
expedition, the following account :— 


“31 Dec. after dinner, Cornelius van Ruyven went to the house where 
they held their Sunday meeting, to see their mode of worship; as they 
had, as yet, no preacher. There I found a gathering of about fifteen 
men, and ten or twelve women. Mr. Raly said the prayer, after which, 
one Robert Basset read from a printed book a sermon, composed by an 
English clergyman, in England ; after the reading, Mr. Baly gave out 
another prayer and sang a psalm, and they all separated.Ӣ 


a The town property prior toits division, in 1846, amounted to sixteen or twenty thousand 
Gollars, (arising from the sale of the common lands) the interest of which was appropriated 
to the common schools. 

b Laws of New York, 1813. The above confirms a former Act of Legislature, passed 18th 
April. 1785, in which the freeholders of the town were authorized to choose six trustees, who 
should have the right to order and dispose of the undivided lands. ete. 

ec O'Callaghan’s Hist. of N. Neth., vol. ii. 316. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 315 


The Rev. John Megapolensis, in a letter to the Classis of Amsterdam, 
dated New Netherland, 5th of August, 1657, says :— 


“Qn the west side of the East River, about one mile through Hell- 
gate, (as we call it), opposite Flushing, on the main, another English 
village has been begun over two years. It was named Oost-dorp. The 
inhabitants of this place are also Puritans, alias Independents. They, 
also, have no preacher. They hold Sunday meetings, reading from an 
English book a sermon, and making a prayer,” 


As ‘all ecclesiastical business, at this time, was conducted by the 
town, assembled in town meeting ; and as a meeting of the town was a 
meeting of the congregation, which, after having disposed of matters 
secular, could attend to the Church;” therefore, the early history of 
religion is to be found principally in the town records. 

Under date of July 29th, 1674, twenty-four years after the settle- 
ment of the village, appears the name of the Rev. Ezekiel Fogge ; prob- 
ably the first Indeperdent or Congregational minister that officiated 
here, 

The following entries are taken from the town books :— 


“On the 11th of February, 1680, there was sprinkled with water by Morgan 
Jones, (what they call baptizing, ) William Hunt, son of John Hunt, of Westches- 
ter; witnesses present, Joseph Hunt and Bridget Waters.” 


‘© WersToHEsTER, Oct. 7rH, 1680.—Morgan Jones married Isaac Dickerman, 
of this towne, to Bethia, the daughter of Henry Gardener, 


Recorded per me, Francis Frenou, Clerk.” 


At a town-meeting, held in Westchester, April 2nd, 1684, it was re- 
solved :-— 


‘‘That the Justices and Vestrymen of Westchester, Eastchester and Yonckers, 
do accept of Mr. Warham Mather, as our minister for one whole year; and that 
he shall have sixty pound, in country produce at money price, for his salary, and 
that he shall be paid every quarter. Done in behalf of the justices aforesaid. 

Signed by us, JoHN QuimBy, JoHN Bay ey, 
JosEPpH Hunt, Joun BurKspeEe.? 


At a lawful town-meeting held in Westchester, by the freeholders and 
inhabitants, and residents of said place, the 2nd day of January, 1692, 
im order to_consult, conclude, and agree, about procuring an orthodox 
minister in said town,—It is voted and agreed upon, “ that there shall be 


a Doc. Hist. of New York, vol. fii., 107. 
2 Westchester Town Rec., commencing A.D. 1665, p, 42. 


315 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER 


an orthodox minister in the town aforesaid, as soon as possible may be; 
and to allow him forty or fifty pound per annum, equivalent to money, 
for his maintainance. It is also voted and agreed upon, that a man shall 
go to the Honorable Colonel Heathcote, and see if he can prevail with 
him for to procure us a minister, in his travels in New England, other- 
wise, that Captain William Barnes shall go and procure us a minister.” 

Upon the 21st of September, 1693, the Act of Assembly for settling 
a Ministry, was passed. By this Act, Westchester County was divided 
into two parishes, viz., Westchester and Rye. The parish of Westches- 
ter included the town or precincts of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonckers, 
and the Manor of Pelham , and was required to raise #50 per annum 
for the support of the minister, and to elect on 2d Tuesday in January, 
ten vestrymen and two church-wardens. There was also to be called, 
inducted, and established, @ good sufficient Protestant minister, to 
officiate and have the care of souls within one year next, and after the 
publication hereof. In Westchester two; one to have the care of West- 
chester, Eastchester, Yonckers and the Manor of Pelham, &c.? 

But so few persons were properly qualified at this time, to accept the 
call of the vestry, that the act remained dormant in Westchester nearly 
two years. An attempt, however, was made by some of the vestry to 
have Warham Mather inducted, as appears by the following extract from 
the town records: 


‘“*At a meeting held in Westchester, the 7th of May, 1695, present, Justice 
Barnes and Justice Hunt. Capt. William Barnes, President of the trustees: 
‘‘ Whereas, the freeholders and inhabitants of this town of Westchester and 
precincts, att this meeting have exprest their desires for the settling of Mr. War- 
ham Mather amongst us as our minister for one whole year or longer; its there- 
fore voated and agreed upon, that Mr. Justice Barnes, and Mr. Justice Hunt, and 
Mr. Edward Waters, church-wardens, with as many of the vestrymen as con- 
veniently can be gott together, should agree with the said Mr. Warham Mather, 
and settle him with all expedition. Endorsed, 


EDWARD COLLIER, Clerk.” 


The Rev. John Miller, describing the Province of New York, in 1695, 
says: ‘There is a meeting house at Westchester, and a young man 
coming to settle there without orders. There are two or three hundred 
English and Dissenters, a few Dutch.” 

Mather’s call appears to have been confirmed, with all due expedition 
by the Dissenters, probably in 1695; but, after Col. Caleb Heathcote 

a Town Ree. 
4 Acts of Prov. Assembly, N. Y., from 1591 to 1725, 


ec Westchester Town Rec., Lib. vi. 56. 
d Description of the Province of New York, by Rev. John Miller. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 317 


had been chosen as one of the church-wardens of the parish, he positively 
refused to use his influence with Gov. Fletcher to have Mather inducted 
to that living,” as we shall have occasion to show presently, which finally 
led to his removal in 1701. 

Mr. Warham Mather, who was born at Northampton, Mass, in 1666, 
and graduated at Harvard College in 1685,° was the son of Eleazer, and 
grandson of Richard, who was the son of Thomas and Margaret Math- 
er, and was born at Lowton, in the parish of Winwick, in Lancashire, in 
1596; was sometime a student at Brazennose College, Oxford, ordained 
by Bishop Morton, of Chester, in 1618, afterwards was chosen minister 
and school-master at Toxtath park, near Liverpool, where he continued 
for fifteen years. He was suspended for non-conformity, and removed 
with his family to New England, in 1635 ; settled over the church of 
Dorchester, Mass., 23d of August, 1636, and died 22d of April, 1669. 
Wood denominates him “a pious man, and a zealous and laborious 
preacher ;” and adds, ‘‘that he was much followed by the precise party ; 
but that he was a severe Calvinist, and no friend to the Church of Eng- 
land.¢ He was twice married. His first wife was the pious daughter of 
Edward Holt, Esq., of Bury, in Lancashire; and his second wife, the 
widow of Mr. John Cotton. He had four sons employed in the minis- 
try, all eminent in their day. Nathaniel, Samuel and Increase, were 
preachers in England, and all ejected by the fatal Act of Uniformity, in 
1662.4 His son, Eleazer Mather, was pastor of the Church at North- 
ampton, in New England, and was born at Dorchester, 13th of May, 
1637 ; graduated at Harvard College, 1656 ; ordained 23d of June, 1661, 
and died 24th of July, 1669, aged thirty-two; leaving by his wife, (who 
was a daughter of the Rev. John Warham), the before mentionec War- 
ham Mather. ‘On the 29th of May, 1697, John Yeats, of the city of 
New York, sold several tracts of land in Westchester, to Warham Math- 
er, of Northampton, in the county of Hampshire, in his Majesty’s Pro- 
vince of Massachusetts Bay, in America, (student in Divinity), now re- 
siding in the town of Westchester.” : 

“In 1703, Warham Mather, of New Haven, student in Divinity, sold 
his lands in Westchester to Daniel Clark.”* He died in 1745.9 


@ Such was the law at this period that if any unqualified person was presented to a living 
he that presented him could not afterwards present another, on the ground that no person 
that has the presentation to a benefice can do it twice. 

b Rev. Chas. W. Baird. There is a letter of his among the Mather papers. It is addressed 
from Boston, July 6, 1688, to his unc:e Increase, who was thenin England. Warhamasked his 
advice about going to England himself. ; 

c Lives of the Puritans, by Brook, vol. iii., pp. 440-445. Palmer’s Noncon. Mem. vol. ii., pp. 
245-355.—Mather’s Magnalia Farmers Register 

d Lives of the Puritans, by Brook, 445. 

e Town Rec. of Westchester, Lib. v. 78. ft Town Rec. of Westchester, Lib. vi. 30. ‘ 

g The date of his death is given in the Catalogue of the Prince Library, in connection with 
the mention of a printed sermon attributed to Warham Mather—Rey. Chas. W. Baird. 


318 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


The old meeting house having fallen to decay, the following resolu- 
tion was passed at a town meeting, held the 5th day of May, 1696 :— 


“It is voated and agreed upon that the meeting house shall be re- 
paired forthwith, and that two men shall be chosen to see it done— 
Gabriel Legat and Josiah Hunt, is chosen to agree with a carpenter to 
repair the said meeting house, and to bring an account to the town of 
the cost and expence thereof whereby a rate may be made to defraye 
the charge in so doing.” 


On the 3rd day of May, 1697, at a meeting of the freeholders and 
inhabitants of the town and precincts of Westchester :—“ It was voted 
and agreed upon, that there should be a Town House built, to keep 
courts in, and for the publick worship of God.” 

Soon after this vote of the town, in the year 1699, an act of General 
Assembly was made to enable the respective towns within the whole 
province to build and repair their meeting houses, &c.* Whereupon 
the inhabitants of Westchester laid aside the prosecution of building the 
town house above, according to the said town vote, and took hold of 
the said act, by virtue whereof a new Parish church was erected in . 
1700, and a rate laid and levied on all the inhabitants, without any dis- 
tinction, towards defraying the expenses. 

The following resolutions were passed at a meeting of the trustees, 
held on the 8th of June, 1700 :— 


“Tt is voted and agreed upon by the trustees aforesaid, that the rate shall be 
made up forthwith, and delivered to the constable, who shall have for collecting 
the same, six pence per pound: 

‘‘ Whereas att a general meeting held in the Borough town of Westchester, by 
the freeholders and inhabitants of said town and precincts, on the 3rd day of 
May, 1697, it was voted and agreed upon that there should be a town hall built 
to keep courts in, and for the publick worship of God &c. ; but it being then ne- 
glected, the Mayor and Aldermen, and trustees at this meeting did order with a 
joynt consent, to build a house for the uses aforesaid and a prison. ‘The dimen- 
sions of the house is to be twenty-six feet square, 16 feet joynts, a square roof, 
6 window cases 5 feet square, &c. The trustees agreed with Richard Ward to 
build said house for £382, and with Erasmus Orton to build the prison for £5, 
which work is to be done by the 31st of October next.”’4 : 


The subjoined order relates to the cartage of timber and other mate- 
rial for the church &c. :— 


a Westchester Town Rec. Liber. v. 59, 

b Westchester Town Rec, Liber. v. 141. ‘It had been previously voted and agreed upon 
that there should be a prison built with a town house upon it, according to the dimensions 
made by Col. Heathcote, Lib. v. p. 77, 

ec Laws of N. Y. vol. I. chapter lxxxiii. 37, 

d Westchester Town Rec. Lib. v. 141. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 319 


« At a meeting held by the trustees the r4th of of September, 1700, 
present, Josiah Hunt, President, Edward Waters, Joseph Haviland, John 
Hunt, Joseph Bayley, John Ferris, senr., and Richard Panton. ’Tis 
voted and agreed upon that all that shall cart timber and stuff for the 
meeting house, shall have six shillings per diem; and that Joseph Havi- 
land and John Hunt shall agree with a carpenter for the timber work 
and the prison, as they shall see cause, &c. Done in behalf of the 
Freeholders and Commonality of the town.” 


At a subsequent meeting of the trustees, held on the 26th day of 
October, A. D, 1700, “It was resolved that Richard Ward shall build 
the meeting house twenty-eight feet square, with a terret on the top, for 
forty pounds.” = 


In an address of the Venerable Propagation Society, the following 
account is given of the building of this church :— 


“We whose names are subscribed do hereby certify that the church of 
Westchester was built by a rate laid and levied on the inhabitants of the 
said town in proportion to their estates, in the year of our Lord 1700; 
and that Mr. Morgan, a Presbyterian minister of Eastchester did some- 
times come to preach in it, until such time as Mr. Bartow came and took 


possession of it in the year 1702, since which time it has been supplied 
by him, &c.”? ‘ 


This building stood on the site of the present church, upon what was 
then styled the Town Green,@ adjoining the old County Court-house? 
and jail. It was built of wood, quadrangular in form,’ with a pyrami-: 


e Westchester Town Ree. Lib. v. 145. 

é Westchester Town Rec. Lib. v. 145. 

ce Hawks’ New York MSS. from archives at Fulham. vol. i. 463. 

d On the 5th of June, 1696, the trustees granted unto the Mayor and Alderman of the Bor- 
ough, for the use of the Corporation, part of the Green in said town, to erect a market house 
and settle the market —Lib. v. 63. 

e The following extract i3 copied from the New York Post Boy, for Feb. 13, 1758:—‘‘ We 
hear from Weschester that on Saturday night, the 4th instant, the court house at that place 
was unfortunately burnt to the ground, We have not heard yet how it happened.” 

eth The Venerable Bede informs us, that in his time, the English churches were square. 
Speaking of the building of St. Peter’s church, at York, in 627, by King Edwin, he says :— 
‘Per quadrum cce pit cedificare basilicam.”—Vide Bedce Hist Eccles, Lib. ii. chap. 14. 


320 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


dal roof and bell turret in the centre; and was used for the worship of 
Almighty God until the year 1788, when it was removed, and the 
present edifice erected. It now stands near the church yard, on the 
property of the late Capt. Elnathan Hawkins, having been sold to Mrs. 
Sarah Ferris, the grand-mother of the late Mrs. Eliza Hawkins, by order © 
of the vestry, in 1788. 

The following extracts relates to the election of church-wardens and 
vestrymen for this parish, in pursuance of the Act of 1693 :— 


At a meeting held by the Parishioners of Westchester Division, in the borough 
and town of Westchester, pursuant to an act of General Assembly, entitled an 
‘* Act for the settling a ministry and raising of a maintenance for them,” this 
second Tuesday of January, 1701-255 resent, Mr. Justice Barnes, 

Mr. Justice Baxter. 


bah en 


Pampsford Church. 


Ohurch-wardens chosen at said time: 
Cot. Cates Hxarnoors, 
Atp’N. JostaH Hunt. 


Vestrymen Chosen: 


Mr. Jonn Pert, Senr., for the Manor of Pelham, 
Mr. Josepn Drake, for Eastchester, 
Mr. CHartes VINoEN'’, for Yonckers. 
( Mr. Wieriam WIL ert, 
Mr. Tuomas Hunt, Junr., of the West Farms, 
Mr. JosernH Havinanp, 
Atp’M. JoHN Baytey, 
Mr. Ricnarp Warp, 
Mr. Jonn Buoxses, 
EpwarpD CoLuizr, d 
Entered by order, EDWARD COLLIER, Recorder. 


a Westchester Town Ree. Lib. y. 145. _ 


For Westchester, 


or 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 321 


In the year 1702, came from England, the Rev. John Bartow, A. M., 
who was the first regularly inducted rector of this parish, elected by the 
vestry under the act of 1693. He was the son of Thomas Bartow, M.D., 
of Crediton, in Devonshire ; by his wife, Grace ———, (who was buried 
in the church yard of the Holy Cross, Crediton, Jan. 25th, 1676.) Mr. 
Bartow at an early age was instructed by one Mr. Gregory, entered 
Christ College, Cambridge, January 31st, 1689, where he was admitted 


a sizer under the tuition of Mr. Lovett, and graduated in 1692.4 Soon 
after his ordination he was inducted to the vicarage of Pampsford, in 
Cambridgeshire, May the 28th, 1698, and removed to the Province o1 
New York, by the leave of the Right Rev. Simon Patrick, the then Lord 
Bishop of Ely. The first known ancestor of John was General Bertaut, 
of Bretagne or Brittany, in France ; a Huguenot, who fled after the Mas- 
sacre of St. Bartholomew, A.D., 1572, into Holland and came thence to 
England, when the name was anglicised to Bartow. Of this family was 
John Bertaut Siegneur de Freaville and de Courcelles and Counseiller 
of the Parliament of Paris, who married Marie de la Garde, and had 


@ Matriculation Books of Christ College, Cambridge, MSS. of Rev. Evelyn Bartow. 


65 Pampsford is in the hundred of Childrod and Deanery of Camps, les seven miles south of 
Cambridge. 


to 
te 


HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


vs 


issue Francis Bertaut Ecuyer Signeur de Freaville et de Courcelles, 
whose daughter, Marie Frances married in 1696 Frank Toussant de 
Keakoeut ; and Anne, who married Philippe de Delley Ecuyer, who was 
born in 1632.4 


THE BISHOP OF LONDON’S ADMISSION OF MR. BARTOW TO 
THE MINISTERIAL FUNCTION IN THE PROVINCE OF 
NEW YORK. 


‘‘Henry, by divine permission, Lord Bishop of London, to all whom these 
presents shall or may concern, health in our Lord God everlasting. Whereas by 
virtue of an act of Parliament, made in ye: first year of ye: Reign of our Soy- 
ereign Lord and Lady, King William and Queen Mary, entitled, an act for ye: 
abrogation of ye oaths of supremity and allegiance, and appointing other oaths, 
it is provided and enacted, that every person, at his, or their respective admis- 
sion to be incumbent in any ecclesiastical promotion or dignity in ye Church of 
England, shall subscribe and declare before his ordinary, in manner and form as 
in ye: said act as contained; now know ye, that on ye: day of ye: date hereof 
did personally appear before us, John Bartow, Clerk, to be admitted to ye: 
Ministerial Function in ye: Province of New York, in America, and subscribed 
as followeth, as by ye: said act is required, I, John Bartow, Clerk, do declare, 
that I will conforme to ye: Liturgy of the Church of England, as it is now by 
law established. In witness whereof, we have caused our seal manual to be 
affixed to these presents. Dated, the twenty-second day of the month of June, in 
ye year of our’ Lord, one thousand seven hundred and two, and in ye twenty- 
seaventh year of our translation.” ? 


MR. BARTOW’S LICENSE FROM THE BISHOP OF LONDON TO 
OFFICIATE IN THE PROVINCE OF NEW YORK. 


‘‘Henricus, permissione divina, Londonensis episcopus, dilecto nobis in 
Christo Johanni Bartow, clerico, salutem et gratiam, ad peragendum officium 
ministeriale intra provinciam de Novo Eboraco, in America, in precibus com- 
munibus aliisque ministeriis ecclesiasticis ad officium ministeriale pertinentibus 
juxta formam descriptam in libro publicarum precum, auctoritate parliamenti 
hujus inclyti regni angli, in ea parte edita, et provisa, et canones, et constitu- 
tionis, in ea parte legitime stabilitas, et publicatas, et non aliter neque alio modo; 
tibi de cujusfidelitate morum integritate literarum scientia summa doctrina et 
diligentia plurimum confidemus, (prestituta penitus parte juramus totam de 


a Another branch of this family was Frances Bertaut of Donnai, whose sons were John 
Bertaut, Bishop of Seez, 1606, born at Caen, 1559, died June 8th, 1611, and Francis Bertaut, 
gentleman of the King’s bedchamber, whose daughter, Frances, born at Caen, 1614, was train 
bearer to Queen Anne of Austria, and died in 1689. She married, in 1639, Nicholas Langlois, 
Lord of Molteville, who died 1641. The arms of the Bertautes or Bertaudes, Du Hertray, Du 
Hamel, Du Pointpierre, de la Poissoniere, Du Freaville and Du Courcelles, were: d’or a 
bande de sable, chargee de trois berants d’argent accompagne de six annelets de geules, suis 
en orle. 


b Surrogate’s Office, N. Y. Rec. of Wills, vol. v, p. 79. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 323 


agnoscendo regiam supremam majestatam, juxta vim formam et effectum statuti 
parliamenti dicti regni anglize, in ea parte editi et provisi, quam de canonica obe- 
dientia nobis et successoribus nostris in omnibus recitis et honestis per te praes- 
tanda et exhibenda subscriptisque pertinentibus illis articulis mentionatis in 
tricesimo sexto capitulo libri constitutorum, sive canonum ecclesiasticorum, 
anno Domini, 1604, regia auctoritate editorum et propulgatorum licentiam facul- 
tatum nostram concedimus et impertamur per precedentes, ad nostrum benepla- 
citum dum tanat duraturas, in cujus rei testimonium sigillam nostram, (quam in 
similibus plerumque utimur, ) presentibus apponi fecimus decimus dat vicesimo 
secundo die mensis Junii, anno Domini millesimo septengentesimo, secundo 
nastra translatione vicesimo septimo.”4 


The following documents relate to his induction :— 


MANDATE FROM GOVERNOTR CORNBURY TO INDUCT MR. JOHN 
BARTOW INTO THE RECTORY OF WESTCHESTER. 


‘*Edwardus illustrissim Vice comes Cornbury Provincie Novi Eboraciin 
America Strategus et Imperator et ejusdem ; Vice-Thalassiarcha, etc. 

Universis et Singulis Rectorib Vicar: Capellanis: Curat: Clericis et Ministris 
quibuscumg in et per totam preedict provinciam ubilibet constitutis ac etiam 
Honorab Caleb Heathcote armig et Josia Hunt Eccsia Paroch’lis de Westchester, 
Eastchester, Yonkers et Man de Pellham, in dicta Provincia in pro hoc tempore 
Adilibus, Salutem. 

Cum Dilectum in Christo Johném Bartow clericum ad Rectoriam sive Ecclam 
prdalem Proedict de Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers et Man de Pelham in 
America jam vacantem prcesentata Rectorem ejusdem Rectorie Sive Eccle 
proalis in et de eadem institus vobis conjunctim et divisim comitto et fermiter 
injungendo mando, quatenus eundem Johiiem Bartow clericum sive procurat 
suum legitim ejus nomine et pro se in realem actualem et corporalem posses- 
sionem ipsius Rectorice sive Ecclee proalis de Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers 
et Man de Pellham preedict. Glebarum, Jureumgq et pertinentiu suor universer 
conferatis inducatis inducive faciatis: et defendatis inductum, et quid in pre- 
missis feceritis me aut alium Judicem in hac parte competentum quemcunq 
debite (cum ad id congrue fueritis requisiti) certificetis seu sic certificet ille ves- 
trum qui proesens hoc mandatum fuerit executus. Dat sub sigillo progat dict 
Provincise decimo nono die Novembris an6 salutis millesimo septengentessimo 


secundo.” 
CORNBURY. 


CERTIFICATE OF MR. BARTOW’S INDUCTION INTO THE PARISH 
CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER, &o. 


‘‘Virtute infra scripti mandati Proesentia Hugh Farquhar & Thomas Hunt, 
Joseph Haviland, Daniel Clark and Edward Collier nos Guielmus Vesey Clericus 
& Josias Hunt adelis Parochial’s De Westchester & Eastchester &c induximus 
Reverandu Johanem Bartow Cleric in Ecclesiam Parochialem De Eastchester 
& Westchester, Yonkers et Man de Pellham et in realem actualem et corporatem 
possessionem ipsius Rectorill sive Ecclesice Parochialis et proedict Glebara juritt 


a@ Surrogate’s Office, N. Y., Lib. vi. - 


324 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


et pertinentifi suora universoné ejusdum movilus et consue tri divibus solity and 
Domini 1702 in cujus rei testimoniti presentibus subscripsimus Die 6to Decem- 


bris Anno supra dicto.” GULIELMUS VESEY, neo Eboraci Rector. 


JOSIAH HUNT, Churchwarden. 
Huen FarquHar, 


JosEPHm Havinanp, 
Tuomas Hunt, 
Dani. CLARK, 
Epwarp COLtier. 


‘* We whose names are underwritten doe certifie & declare That on Sunday 
the 6th day of December Anno Dom. 1702, John Bartow, Clerk, after his induc- 
tion, did in the Parish Church of Westchester Read morning and evening service 
according to the exact form by act of Parliament prescribed & immediately after 
the reading of ye aforesaid service did declare his unfeigned assent and consent 
to all and every thing contained and prescribed in the book of common prayer as 
the Law in that case directs, before ye congregation on the said day assembled: 
and also did read ye book of ye 39 articles of the Church of England with the 
Ratification, & immediately after ye reading of ye aforesaid articles & Ratifica- 
tion before the Congregation ; did declare at the abovesaid time and place, his 
unfeigned assent & consent to them and toall things therein contained. In testy- 
mony whereof we who where present have hereunto subscribed our names this 
6th day of December. Annoq Dom 1702: 


JOSEPIE HAVILAND, WILLIAM VESEY, 
H. Coruier, THomas Hunt, 
Hvueu Farqunar, Wir11aM WILLETT, 
JOSIAH Hunt, JOHN WILLIAMs.”2 


It appears that Mr. Bartow was at first appointed to the parish of 
Rye ; for in a letter to him from the Secretary of the society, the latter 
says: ‘‘ That the society were displeased for his settling at Westches- 
ter, being by my Lord of London sent for Rye.”® 

“‘T did, in October last,” observes Colonel Heathcote, ‘ give my Lord 
of London my reasons for the necessity of his being settled at Westches- 
ter, the people in that place having been the first in this county who 
desired a minister of the church, etc.’"*° To this Mr. Bartow alludes in 
his first letter to the society :— 


MR. BARTOW TO MR. WHITFIELD OR MR. SHUTE. 


WESTOHESTER, 
IN New York Provinog, 

4th Nov. 1702. 
Sir:—‘‘My Lord Cornbury is pleased to fix my abode at Westchester, at the request 
of the vestry, and I suppose I shall enjoy the fifty pound per annum, which is 


a Sarrogatc’s office, N. Y. Rec. of Wills, vol. v. p. 79. 80. 
4 Wawks* New York MSS. from archives at Fulham. 
ec See Col. Heathcote’s letter, April 10, 1704. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 325 


settled upon the ministry by act of assembly, though there has been great en- 
deavors made this session to annul that act ; but we are safe, as long as my Lord 
Cornbury is Governor. ‘There is also fifty pounds settled upon the ministry at 
Rye, sixty pounds at Jamaica, sixty pounds at Hempstead, and forty pounds 
per annum at Richmond; all which places I hope the Reverend and Honorable 
Society will take some speedy care to supply with ministers of the Church of 
England. The hundred acres of glebe my Lord of London obtained of her 
Majesty for Westchester, is all a wilderness ; there never was any house upon it, 
nor any part of it cultivated; the meanest laborer here has three shillings per 
deim wages, so that it will be a vast charge to make it habitable; what I can 
bestow upon it in my time I will, but I cannot expect the assistance of the 
Society, there being such pressing occasions for ministers. As I had not time to 
furnish myself with books in England, I hope the society will bestow some upon 
me ; or I beg you would be so kind as to send me these following, and let the 
booksellers be paid out of my allowance; and you will ever oblige, Worthy Sir, 


Your most humble and devoted servant,” 


lybare Ae 


“P.§. [have been at great expenses, but I do not grudge it in the service of 
that God who I trust will bless me in my endeavours. We have a small house 
built here for public worship, of boards; but there is neither desk, pulpit, nor 
bell in it. The inhabitants indeed live all upon their own, but are generally 
poor; my best friend is the gentleman, my Lord of London recommended me 
unto, Col. Graham, who is a very worthy and ingeniuous Gentleman, and a great 
lover of the Church. I have neither Church Bible nor Common Prayer Book, 
which I hope the Society will send me, unto whom I desire you would give my 
humble duty. 

‘‘Mr. Keith, Mr. Ennis, Mr. Vesey, Mr. Mott, Mr. Talbot, and myself, met 
last week at York, to contrive the most proper methods of settling the church, 
at the request of the worthy Col. Nicholson, who gave £25 towards bearing our 
charges, an account of which you will have.Ӣ 


The following letter from Mr. Bartow to the Secretary of the Vener- 
able Society, was probably written in 1702, or the year after ; although I 
have given the date as it is in the manuscript, from which it was copied :— 


MR. BARTOW TO THE SECRETARY. 


WESTOHESTER, 
New York, Ist Dec., 1707:. 
Sir :—“‘After a voyage of eleven weeks, we arrived at New York, Sept. 29th, >. 
1702, where we found a very mourful town—there dying near twenty persons; 


a Hawks’ New York MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. 10, 11. 


326 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


daily for some months. I lodged one night in the town, and next day went to 
Col. Grahams’s in Westchester, and lodged also one night; and the next day 
some of the town of Westchester came for me, and desired me to go along with 
them and give them a sermon the next Sabbath day? which I readily consented 
to do, it being in my way to Rye, to which I was designed. Col. Heathcote 
and some of the chief inhabitants being at church, the latter with his approba- 
tion, invited me to stay amongst them; in regard, it was the County Town, and 
reasonably ought to be supplyed first, which I referred to the determination of 
my Lord Cornbury; my goods being on board still, (as I remember.) On 
Monday I returned to York, and Mr. Vesey engaged me to preach for him on an 
appointed fast, that week; after which I returned to Westchestcr, and preached 
either there or at York every Sunday, until my Lord Cornbury returned from 
Albany, when, with some of Westchester, who were very desirous I should stay 
with them, I went to Jamaica to wait on his Lordship, (who went there by 
reason of the sickness at New York,) to deliver him my credentials and receive 
his commands, which were to continue in Westchester, to which place I was 
soon after called by the vestry, and received instruments of induction from his 
Lordship; but the troubles that soon followed to separate Eastchester and New 
Rochelle from belonging to Westchester (of which I have given you an account) 
were not inconsiderable.” 

‘* Westchester was not wholly free from the mortal distemper at New York, 
and such as were sick I visited, and baptized one man, (aged forty years) a few 
hours before he died, who seemed thankful that he had at last such a blessed 
opportunity after so long neglect. The first half year being winter, I lodged at 
a public house, preaching once every Sunday, and upon occasion, visiting the 
sick. After Winter was over, I lived at Col. Graham’s, six miles from the: 
church, and all the summer preach’t twice every Sunday—sometimes at West- 
chester and sometimes at Jamaica, on Long Island, about two miles distant from 
Mr. Graham's, at my own charge; nor have I had any board given me since I 
came, and once I met with great disturbance at Jamaica. Mr. Hobbart, their 
Presbyterian minister, having been for sone time at Boston, returned to Jamaica 
the Saturday night as I came to it, and sent to me at my lodgings (being then 
in company with our Chief Justice, Mr. Mumpesson, and Mr. Carter, her 
Majesty’s comptroller, ) to know if I intended to preach on the morrow; I sent 
him answer I did intend it. The next morning the bell rung as usual, but 
before the last time ringing, Mr. Hobbart was got into the church, and had began 
his service, of which notice was given me, whereupon I went into the church, 
and walked straightway to the pew, expecting Mr. {Ilobbart would desist, being, 
he knew, I had orders from the Governor to officiate there—but he persisted, and 
I forbore to make any interruption. In the afternoon I prevented him, beginn- 
ing the service of the Church of England before he came; who was so surprised, 
when after he came to the church door and saw me performing divine service, 
that he suddenly started back, and went aside to an orchard hard by, and sent in 
some to give the word that Mr. Hobbart would preach under a tree. ThenI 
perceived a whispering through the church, and an uneasiness of many people— 


a This is supposed to have been the yellow fever, although it was not so called in 1702. 
It was brought from St. Thomas’s, and proved very fatal in New York. 


2 This wason the 3rd of Oct, 1702, 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 327 


some going out, some seemed amazed, not yet determined to go or stay; in the 
meantime, some that were gone out returned again for their seats, and then we 
had a shameful disturbance, hawling and tugging of seats, shoving one the other 
off, carrying tem out and returning again for more; so that I was fain to leave 
off till the disturbance was over, and a separation made, by which time I had 
lost about half of the congregation, the rest remaining devout and attentive the 
whole time of service ; after which we lock’t the church door, and committed 
the key into the hands of the sheriff. We were no sooner got into an adjoining 
house, but some persons came to demand the key of their meeting house, which 
being denyed, they went and broke the glass window, and put a boy in to open 
the door, and so put in their seats and took away the pew cushion, saying they 
would keep that, however, for their own minister; the scolding and wrangling 
that ensued are by me ineffable. The next time I saw my Lord Cornbury, he 
thanked me, and said he would do the church and me justice: accordingly, he 
summoned Mr. Hobbart and the head of the faction before him, and forbade Mr. 
Hobbart evermore to preach in that church; for in regard, it was built by a 
publick tax, it did appertain to the established church, (which it has quietly re- 
mained ever since, and is now in possession of our Rev. Brother, Mr. Urquhart). 
My Lord Cornbury threatened them all with the penalty of the statute, for dis- 
turbing divine service; but upon their submission and promise of future quiet- 
ness and peace, he pardoned the offence. Not long after this, my Lord requested- 
me to go and preach at Eastchester: accordingly, I went, (though some there 
had given out threatening words should I dare to come), but though I was there 
very early, and the people had notice of my coming, their Presbyterian minister, 
Mr. Morgan, had begun service in the meeting-house, to which I went straight- 
way and continued the whole time of service without interruption, and in the 
afternoon I was permitted to perform the Church of England service; Mr. Mor- 
gan being present, and neither he nor the people seemed to be dissatisfied, and 
after some time of preaching there afterwards, they desired me to come oftener; 
and I concluded to minister there once a month, which now I have done for about 
three years, and Mr. Morgan is retired into New England. The winter drawing 
on, and finding it too hard for me to ride from Mr. Graham’s to attend on my 
ministry on all occasions, I returned to Westchester; and there being no very 
suitable place for me to board at, I hired a house for a half a year, where I lived 
alone, and had my victuals dressed at 2 neighboring house; and at the end of 
half a year, being not permitted to renew my lease, I bought a house of my own, 
and five acres of land, at £100, where (I bless God) I have inhabited ever since 
in the conscientious discharge of my duty, hardly ever missing to officiate on the 
Lord’s Day in my parish, and there have discharged that duty either in the Jerseys, 
at Rye, or at some other place, excepting thrice by reason of sickness, and twice 
for coldness and foulness of the weather, wanting a congregation; always 
preaching twice a day in the summer, and once in the winter. I have been 
always ready to visit the sick when sent for, and before frequently, if I knew of 
it, not refusing in the time of very mortal diseases, which we have frequently had 
since I came here, few houses escaping either sickness or death, being by night 
and by day, frequently riding more than ten miles a day, I may say twenty. I 
have administered the sacrament of Baptism to a great number of people, young 
and old, and the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper publickly, three times a year 


328 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


at the three usual feasts, Christmas, Easter, and Whitsunday ; to partake of 
which I must confess, I have a few generally about twelve communicants, but 
have administered it to many on their sick and dying beds, who never received 
it before. I take care to catachise the children in the church; and to make 
amends for an omission of that duty at any time, I allow a schoolmaster twenty 
shillings per annum to encourage him to instruct the children in the Church cate- 
chism. I can’t repeat to you the many janglings and contentions I have had 
with Quakers and Dissenters; nay, I may say with Atheists and Deists, but beg 
you will believe the whole course of our ministry has been very onerous and dif- 
ficult; and if I have failed in any part of my duty, (as it seems you are in- 
formed,) let me know it in your next, that I may amend. Perhaps there is more 
my duty than I know of, especially if a minister may not be allowed judgment 
of discretion in things that do not respect canonical obedience, but be obliged to 
please singular fancies and humors repugnant to general reason and usage. 

I must also tell you that our church is wainscotted, and in a short time will be 
ceiled over head, and more decently seated, and the communion table enclosed 
with rails and bannisters; and am very sorry for that great loss we have had at 
sea of church ornament, not knowing how it may be repaired but by the same 
gracious donors. 

Since my last I have received some old arrears, and hope to have my salary 
here better paid: when we are well settled, we may inform the remis that they 
must pay their dues. I have obtained of the town of Westchester (on a time 
when it lay in my way to do them service with the Governor) a grant of twenty 
acres of glebe, and three acres of meadow within half a mile of the church; 
which, in time, will be a convenient residence for a minister, and also a small 
share in some undivided land, which will be to the quantity of about thirty acres 
more, but about four miles distant. I shall only add humble thanks and duty 
to the society, and that I remain, &c., &c. JOHN BARTOW. 


Colonel James Graham, to whom Mr. Bartow alludes in the above 
letter, was a native of Scotland, and a near relation of James Graham, 
Marquis of Montrose.’ In 1691 he was returned as one of the four 
members of the Provincial Assembly for the City and County of New 
York, and in 1699 was chosen speaker of that body. He was the author 
of the law for the maintenance of the clergy, and settlement of the Church 
in 1693. He was also Recorder of the city of New York from 1693 to 
1700, and subsequently received the appointment of Attorney General 
of the Province. He was elected Senior Warden of the parish in 1703, 


a Hawk’s New York MSS. from archives at Fulham vol. i, 171 2. 175. 


b “The ancient and powerful family of Graham,” says Sir Walter Scott, in the Lady of the 
Lake, “held extensive possessions in the counties of Dumbarton and Stirling. Few families 
can boast of more historical renown, having claim to three of the most remarkable characters 
in the Scottish annals; Sir John Greme, the faithful and undaunted partaker of the labours 
and patriotic warfare of Wallace, fell in the unfortunate fleld of Falkirk, in 1298. The cele- 
brated Marquess of Montrose, in whomi De Retz saw realized his abstract ideas of the heroes 
of antiquity, was the second of these worthies; and notwithstanding the severity of his tem- 
per, and the vigour with which he executed the oppressive mandates of the Punics, whom he 
served, I do not hestitate to name, as the third, John Graham, of Claverhouse, Viscount of 
Dundee, whose heroic death, in the arms of victory, may be allowed to cancel the memory of 
his cruelty to the non-conformists, during the reigns of Charles IL, and James II.” 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 329 


and for a time was one of its principal supporters. His residence stood 
on the spot oceupied by the farm house of the late William H. Leggett, 
Esq., of West Farms. He died in 1767, and left several children. 
Augustine was Surveyor General of the Province, and Isabella married 
the Hon. Lewis Morris, of Morrisania. @ 

In the vestry book of this parish occurs the following election for 
church officers, about three months after Mr. Bartow’s arrival :— 


‘* Att a meeting held in the Borrough town of Westchester, by the parishioners 
of said parish, pursuant to an Act of Gcneral Assembly, entitled an act for the 
settling a Ministry and raising a maintainance for them, and Mr. John Bartow 
being settled minister of said parish, and his maintainance ought to be taken care 
for, do voluntaryly make choice of the Vestry and Church-wardens this 12th day 
of January, in the first year of the Queens Majesties Raigne 1702-3, as fol- 
loweth :— 


Present. 
Mr. Justice Pett, Mr. Justice Jonn Hunt, 
Mr. Justice WILLETT, Mr. Justice GRAHAM, 
Me. Justice Jostan Hont, Mr. Justice Bayley. 
Church-wardens. 
LIzvTENANT Cot. GRAHAM, JUSTICE JosIAH HUNT. 
Vestrymen 
Tuomas Baxter, SEN., JOSEPH HAVILAND, 
JosEPH DRAKE, Tuomas PELL, 
Joun ARCHER, Mines Oaktey, 
JouN BucxKseeg, DantreEt Crark, 


Tuomas Hont, Sen., of West Farms, Prrer Le Roy, 


Epwarp Coir, Clerk Erasmus ALien, Messenger. 


At a meeting of the vestry, “held this 3rd day of June, 1703, by 
reason of the County Courte, this day its agreed upon by ye Justices and 
Vestry that they will meet at 12 o’clock on the 5th day of this instant 
month, in order to regulate matters concerning the parish and the main 
tenance of the minister.Ӣ 

“Att a meeting held by the Justices & Vestrymen of Westchester, 


a Surrogates Office, New York, Lib. xxvi 13, 
b Westchester Vestry Book. 
ec Westchester Vestry Book. 


330 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Eastchester, Yonckers & the Manor of Pelham, being in one parish or 
division this 5th of June, 1703 :— 
Present 
Mr. JusticE PELL, Mr. Justice Drake, 
Mr. Justice PINKNEY, Mr. Justice BayLey. 
Mr. Justick Hunt. 


Vestry. 
Mr. Joserpn DRAKE, Mr. Joseph Havinann, 
Mr. Mires Oak ey, Mr. Joun Anrcuer, 
Mr. Danret Crarx, Mr. JoHN Bucxksesr, 


Mr. THomas Hunt, Jr. 


“Tt is agreed upon by the said Justices & Vestrymen, that there shall 
be raised fifty-five pounds for the Ministers maintenance & poor of the 
parish. The Quotas for each place is as followeth :— 


Westchester, £27 18 0 


Morris Anna, 3 70 
Eastchester, Telseo 
Pelham, 1130 
Rochelle, i BO) 
Yonckers, 7 60 

£5) 00 

To be paid unto the Church-wardens att or before the 15th of December next 
ensuing. EDWARD COLLIER, Clerk.” 


The next letter from Br. Bartow, to the Secretary, bears date :— 


WESTOHESTER, 
in the Province of New York in America, 
May 25th, 1703. 

Srr :—‘‘ My Lord Cornbury is very kind in countenancing the settlement of 
the Church of England, and to preserve that maintenance which has been pro- 
vided by act of Assembly for orthodox ministers, altho’ there have been great 
endeavours to annull that act since they saw the Church pouring in upon them, 
which endeavours have been chiefly showed, in my parish of Westchester, as 
follows: The act of Assembly doth unite Westchester, Eastchester, Yonckers, 
and the Manor of Pelham, into one parish, who are obliged to contribute the 
sum of £50 per annum for the maintenance of an orthodox minister. 

Now Eastchester, having an independent minister, endeavours at my coming, 
to make themselves a distinct parish, and used many means to prevent and dis- 
turb my settlement at Westchester; but all their attempts were frustrated by my 
Lord Cornbury ; and now they begin to come into better temper, many of them 
having left their minister are joyned with us; nay, the minister himself talks 
of coming to England for Episcopal orders. 


a Ibid. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 331 


Another obstruction has been in the manor of Pelham, the inhabitants of which 
are French Protestants, who have Mr. Bondett for their minister; a gent in 
Episcopal orders, (but not using the liturgy of the Church of England) and there- 
fore they have the greater plea to sue for an exemption; but the Quota, West- 
chester, intends to lay annually upon them (viz., £5) is so inconsiderable, and 
the people many and wealthy, that my Lord Cornbury would not hear of any 
alteration; and my Lord has prevailed with Mr. Bondett to cease from any 
further endeavours. 

That land which my Lord of London obtained of her Majestie for the church 
at Westchester, is now claimed by an heir; the case in short is thus :—- 

John Richardson, of the parish of Westchester, married his daughter Mary to 
Joseph Hadley; the said John Richardson some time time after in his sickness 
whereof he died, makes a will and bequeaths to his said daughter Mary, one 
hundred acres of land. The said daughter dyes also soon after her father, but 
left issue by the said Joseph Hadley, her husband. After her death, she dying 
without a will, Joseph Hadley, the husband of the deceased, sells this land to 
Thomas Williams; and the said Thomas Williams dyes in the possession of the 
said land, intestate, and without heirs, and by that means the land by the judge 
and the jury, was determined to be escheated to the crown. But now George 
Hadley, the son and heir of the said Jos. Hadley, which he begot of the said 
Mary, the daughter of John Richardson, puts in his claim for this land as his 
mother’s heir; alledging that his father could not dispose of his mother’s in- 
heritance, (altho’ it was not settled upon her by deed of jointure, nor yet be- 
queathed to her and her heirs,) and the heir who was also his father’s exectr. 
& admit., has (as I am informed) received part of the said purchase money 
of the said Williams. I humbly beg you would lay this matter before the 
Society, that they may assist us with timely advice yt ye Church may not loose 
any of her rights. I have been at great charges since I left England, but doubt 
not God will provide things necessary for my subsistence ; my earnest desire is 
to answer the glorious ends of my mission, and my greatest circumspection is 
to behave myself so as becometh one employed by so many great and good men, 
that I may never give a reason to reflect ; I have been upon duty ever since I 
came out of England, but asfor the proportion and commencement of my salary, 
I thankfully submit it to the pleasure of the Society, for whose health and pros- 
perity { shall ever pray, who am worthy sir.¢ 

Your most humble and obliged servant, JOHN BARTOW.” 


The subjoined letter, from Colonel Heathcote to the Secretary, will 
serve to throw additional light upon the early history of this parish :— 


COLONEL HEATHCOTE TO THE SECRETARY. 


Manor or Scarspate, New Yorx, 10TH Aprin, 1704. 


Sir :—‘‘Mr. Bartow showed me the copy of a letter (the original, as he told 
me, being sent to my Lord Cornbury) wherein you acquaint him that the Society 


a Bawks’ New York MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. i, 18,19. 20. In 1704 Mr. Bartow 
received from the Society £50 per annum, and a benevolence of £39 —See first report of Ven- 
erable Propagation Society, issued ijn 1704. 


332 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 

were displeased for his settling at Westchester, being by my Lord of London, 
sent for Rye, and that he should get a line or two either from my Lord Corn- 
bury, or, at least, from me, to satisfy him in that matter. I, did in October last, 
give my Lord of London my reasons for the necessity of his being settled at 
Westchester, the people in that place having been the first in this county who 
desired a minister of the Church; and, being disappointed, might have been of 
ill consequence ; for no sooner was Mr. Bartow arrived, but ye vestry immedi- 
ately came to me and gave me no rest until I consented to use my interest with 
my Lord Cornbury to have him inducted there; and the inhabitants of Rye, sup- 
posing Westchester was first to be supply’4, were easy in that matter; there 
being on one hand, no fear of disobliging the people of Rye, and on the other, 
great danger of hurting the interest of the Church at Westchester, I desired my 
Lord Cornbury to induct him there; and what I did therein, being intended for 
the best, I beg that the Society would not take amiss. Sir, being favor’d with 
this opportunity, I cannot omitt giving you the state of this county in relation 
to the Church, and shall begin the history thereof from the time I first came 
amongst them, which was about twelve years ago, when I found it the most 
rude and heathenish country I ever saw in my whole life, which called them- 
selves Christians—there being not so much as the least marks or footsteps of 
religion of any sort. Sundays being the only time sett apart by them for all 
manner, of vain sports and lewd diversions, and they were grown to such a 
degree of rudeness, that it was intolerable; and, having then the command of 
the militia, I sent an order to all the captains, requiring them to call their mer 
under arms, and to acquaint them that in case they would not, in every town, 
agree amongst themse!ves to appoint readers and pass the Sabbath in the best 
manner they could, till such times as they could be better provided: that they 
should every Sunday call their companies under arms, and spend the day in ex- 
ercise, Whereupon it was unanimously agreed on thro’ the county, to make 
choice of readers; which they accordingly did, and continued in those methods 
some time. After which the people of Westchester, Eastchester, and a place 
called Lower Yonkers, agreed with one Warren Mather, and the people of Rye, 
with one Mr, Woodbridge, both of New England, there being at that time scarce 
six in the whole county who so much as inclined to ye Church. After Mr. 
Mather had been with them for some time, Westchester Parish made choice of 
me for one of their church-wardens, in hopes of using my interest with Colonel 
Fletcher to have Mather inducted to ye living. I told them it was altogether 
impossible for me to comply with their desire, it being wholly repugnant to the 
laws of England to compell the subject to pay for the maintenance of any min- 
ister who was not of the national Church, and that it lay not in any governor’s 
power to help them; but since they were so zealous for having religion and 
good order settled amongst them, I would propose a medium in that matter; 
which was, that there being at Boston a French Protestant minister, one Mr. 
Bondett, a very good man, who was in orders by my Lord of London, and 
could preach both in English and French; and the people of New Rochelle 
being destitute of a minister, we would call Mr. Bondett to the living, and the 
parish being large enough to maintain two, we would likewise continue Mr. 
Mather, and support him by subscriptions. The vestry seemed to be extremely 
well pleased with this proposal, and desired me to send for Mr. Bondett, which 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 333 


I immediately did, hoping by that means to bring them over to the Church; 
but Mather, apprehending what I aimed at, persuaded the vestry to alter their 
resolutions, and when he came, they refused to call him; s9, that projection fail- 
ing, and finding that it was impossible to make any progress towards settling the 
Church, so long as Mather continued amongst us, I made it my business, in the 
next place, to devise ways to get him out of the county, which I was not long in 
contriving, which being effected, and having gained some few proselytes in every 
town, and those who were of the best esteem amongst them, and being assisted 
by Mr. Vesey and Mr. Bondett, who very often preached in several parts of the 
country, baptizing their children. By these easy methods, the people were 
soon wrought into a good opinion of the Church, and indeed, much beyond my 
expectation ; and the truth is, nothing is so agreeable to my natural temper, nor 
do I like any way in making converts so well, as by soft and easy means, in 
convincing men’s minds, and satisfying them in all their foolish notions against 
the best of churches; for as those are not only most agreeable to religion, so 
they likewise do the work most effectually ; for when anything of that nature is 
carried on with heat, loose and irreligious men immediately own the faith, and 
turn violent persecutors ; being overjoyed ef any opportunity to gratify their 
natural temper, and by the rigour of their proceedings, as well as their vicious 
lives, not only bring a scandal upon the Church, but prevent its growth; for all 
men who have any sense of virtue or honor, and might be a means of their con- 
version to bring over many more, abhor to be directed by such guides; and, 
indeed to do a work of this nature effectually, it ought to be managed with a 
more than ordinary care, and those on whom the conversion is to be wrought, 
in their infancy must be dealt with as much tenderness as children; for before 
they are well fixed and rooted, the denying them a rattle or some indifferent 
trifle, very often makes them start, but much more so when anything very mate- 
rial and reasonable in itself is withheld them. A mischief of this nature had 
like to have attended in this county for Westchester parish, which contains about 
sixteen miles in length, wherein there are three towns, in each of which there is 
a small church (viz.) Westchester, Eastchester and New Rochelle, besides a 
place called Lower Yonkers; and, it being impossible that my one minister 
could take due care of all those places, and then consequently very hard that 
any people should pay to a minister, it was morally impossible for them to have 
any benefit from; and Rye Parish being under the like misfortune, I brought 
the towns in both parishes, except Westchester, to this result: that they 
should petition the Governor's Council and Assembly,-that instead of two 
ministers of the Church, there should be three appointed for the county, and that 
they should live at the most convenient places for the service of the whole 
county, dividing the bread of life so equally, that every town might have tkeir 
fair and equal proportion; and when, with a great deal cf pains, I had brought 
this matter to pass, and even whilst I was hugging myself with a satisfaction of 
having finished my task in this county, to my wonderful surprise, I met with a 
violent opposition from six or eight warm men of Westchester ; this storm, by 
degrees, run to that height that we were obliged to decline the matter ; however, 
with the blessing of God, nothing shall discourage me, for I neither have nor 
shall be wanting in my best endeavors to preserve this people in a temper to re- 
ceive the Church among them; and, was I worthy to give my advice in these 


334 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


matters, it should be that every minister sent over by the Society should be re- 
quired to send a list of all the inhabitants of their parish, with the towns and 
places of their abodes, dividing the list of each town and place into three dis- 
tinct parts; in the first, who are the communicants; in the second, those who 
come to hear them, but do not communicate; and in the third, which are Quak- 
ers and others who are Dissenters, and that they should be strictly directed con- 
stantly to visit ye Quakers and those who dissent from the Church, and use 
their best endeavors to persuade those who are reconciled to the Church and reg- 
ular in their lives, and do not communicate to receive the sacrament, and to give 
the Society an exact account every six months, at least, what progress they make 
therein; and further, they should be ordered not to fail preaching in every town 
within their respective parishes, according to the proportion of the inhabitants; 
by this means the Society will have a true account of the growth of the Church, 
and what service is done by those they send over, and the bread of life will be 
equally dealt among the people; and in case the ministers find that their duty is 
too hard, that they jointly solicit the government that this country might be di- 
vided into three parishes, for one of which there cannot be a better man than 
Mr. Bondett, whom I mentioned inthe former part of my letter, whose character 
I have already very often and fully given to my Lord of London, and will be 
altogether needless to insert here. We have in this county six small towns, viz. 
Westchester, Eastchester, New Rochelle, Mamoroneck, Rye and Bedford—be- 
sides a place called Lower Yonkers, containing about twenty families; and aa- 
other, the Manor of Philipsburgh, about forty families. Now, were those three 
ministers appointed for the county, viz. one at Westchester, which is the west- 
ermost part of the county ; another at Rye, which is the eastermost ; and another 
at New Rochelle, which is pretty near the centre; those dividing their duty 
fairly and equally, the whole county might be taken care of, and the ministers 
not over-burthened. Upon my word, sir, it gives me a great deal of concern, 
when I consider what pains and charge the Society have been and are at to prop- 
agate the Gospel in these parts of the world, and that a gent (I mean Mr. Bar- 
tow, who is a very good man,) should be sent over on that errand to this 
county, which consists of about four hundred families, of which not above forty 
or fifty have any benefit of him; and should the minister of Rye serve us in like 
manner, not above one-third of the county would be better for all the cost and 
labor bestowed upon us; and notwithstanding the arguments which are used by 
the men of heat—that the congregation ought to follow the minister, and not he 
the people—it will be time enough to preach up that doctrine twelve or fifteen 
years hence, when perhaps the county won’t only be much more willing, but 
more able to maintain six ministers that they can three now; besides those who 
live some three or four, others seven to fourteen miles from Westchester and 
Rye, tho’ once in a great while they might come, I mean the masters and mis- 
tresses of families, yet it will be morally impossible for them to move their chil- 
dren so far, of whom the greatest hopes are, and with whom, by catechising and 
other ways, the most pains ought to be taken. I had once formed a projection 
for fixing schools in this county for the benefit of all the youths therein, in order 
to their being trained up, not only in lcarning, but in their tender years to 
ingraft them in the Church; bué the storm which was lately raised upon me con- 
cerning Church affairs, made me lay the thought of it aside fora while. How- 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 335 


ever, if God is pleased to spare my life a little longer, I will, with His assistance, 
set it on foot, and hope it will be blessed with its desired effect. I am told it is 
with a great deal of difficulty that any gentlemen are prevailed upon from any 
of the colleges to come over to these parts, and it is no wonder to me that it is 
so; for those who are ingenious men and regular in their lives, and qualified for 
doing any service here, cannot want preferment at home—that for a remedy 
therein, if it could be so ordered that such of the New England ministers as 
should be willing to conform, could be ordained here; it would not be by much 
so great a charge, and one of them would do as much or more service in bringing 
home the people to the Church, as the best divine which could be sent from 
home. If I am not misinformed, the Society allows those gentlemen which 
come over £60 sterling per annum, and her Majesty is pleased to give every one 
of ’em £20 to buy necessarys for their voyage. Now, was there only £20 laid 
out in proper goods for these parts, it would make £50 this country money, and 
pay for the extraordinary charge of insurance to prevent any risque in permit- 
ting it that way, which, with the allowance of the parishes here, would amount 
to £100 per annum, and would be a handsome benefice ; enough for any who has 
had their education in Boston College, by which means these ministers might 
be supported, with the charge of one as it is now; nor do I believe there can be 
a more effectual way to do the work than by that method. 

‘**Since writing the above, and whilst it was waiting for a passage, Mr. Prit- 
chard is arrived, whom my Lord of London has directed to officiate in Rye par- 
ish; he is a promising young gent, and I question not but will, with God’s assis- 
tance, do great service to the Church: he shall not want anything I can do for 
him to make his pilgrimage easy, nor any advice which I can give him to 
answer the end of his coming; and be pleased to present my most humble duty 
to the Society, and most hearty thanks for their favors, and may assure them 
that so long as it shall-please God to spare my life, I won’t cease my best en- 
deavours for the service of the Church, and should with the greatest satisfaction 


imaginable, receive any commands from them on that account. I fear I have 
been already too troublesome, so shall not enlarge further at present, but 
remain, Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, 


CALEB HEATHCOTE.”« 


The following extracts from the town records relate to the twenty 
acres of land given by Westchester division for a glebe :— 


‘“*At a meeting held by the trustees, and the freeholders and commonality of 
the town of Westchester, the 3rd of August, 1703, &c.” 


Present, 
Jostan Hunt, SENR., JOHN FERRIS, JUNR., 
JOHN FERRIS, Mites Oak.ey, 
Joun Hoent, DanieEL TURNER, 
Tuomas BaxTER, SENR., Tuos. Haven, 
JOSEPH HoNT, JUNR., JOHN OAKLEY, 
JOSEPH HAVILAND, Rogr. HeEvstis, JUNR. 


a Hawk’s New York MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. i, 33 to 39. 


336 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


‘* Whereas motion being made to the trustees, that it would be very necessary 
that some land near the town should be laid out for parsonage lands ; and be for 
the use and behoof of such minister as from time to time should be settled 
amongst us; it is therefore voted and agreed upon, by the major part of the 
trustees aforesaid, that there shall be laid out for the use aforesaid, sixteen acres 
of land, that is to say, four acres where Edward Collier’s old lott was, and that 
twelve acre division which was laid out to Samuel Palmer and exchanged with 
the town by Israel Honeywell, and that John Hunt, Miles Oakley and Joseph 
Hunt, Junr., shall lay it out.”@ 


At a subsequent meeting of the trustees, etc., held the third day of 
November, 1703, the minutes are as follows :— 


‘* Whereas at a meeting of the trustees, held the 3rd of August last past, it 
was voted, that four acres of Edward Collier's old lott should be laid out in part 
of the parsonage lands; and the trustees at this meeting, having considered the 
inconveniency at distance from the other part of the land intended for y* pur- 
pose; it is therefore voted and agreed upon by the major part of the trustees 
aforesaid, that the eight acre division of land in the lott fronting to the sheep 
pasture, formerly adjoining to that lott of twelve acres which was Sam P——, 
and did belong to Miles Oakley’s orphants, and the aforesaid twenty acres of 
land shall be counted, deemed, and taken for Parsonage lands for ever; any vote, 
agreement, or record of the trustees to the contrary in any wise notwithstand- 
ing, &c,”> : 

At a meeting held by the Trustees of the Freehold and Commonality of the 
Town of Westchester, the 3rd of May, Annog Dom. 1704. 


Present: 
JOHN FeErris, senr., JoHN BAyty, 
Tuomas BAXTER, senr., JoHN OAKLEY, 
Rost. Huestis, Junr., Tuomas HapEn, 


Mites OAKLEY. 


‘*Tt is voted and agreed upon by the trustees aforesaid, that for a further en- 
couragement given to Mr. John Bartow, Rector of Westchester, and his suc- 
cessors, besides the 20 acres of land within the town, already laid out for a 
Parsonage land forever, yet, nevertheless, for the better establishing of the 
Church of England, and benefit of the said Mr. John Bartow and his successors, 
the trustees aforesaid do give and grant three acres of salt meadow, be it more or 
less, lying situate in the town aforesaid, and is butted and bounded as followeth: 
—that is to say, on the west side of the great creek between Robert Huestis’ mead- 
ow and Edward Harden’s meadow. Together with a twenty-five pound privilege 
of commonage on the east side of Brunks’s River, of all the land which hereafter 
shall be laid out, which said land has been for many years past known by the 
name of the Long Reach. 

Done in behalf of the rest of the trustees, and signed by us.” 


THOMAS BAXTER, 
JOHN BAYLY, 
MILES OAKLEY.¢ 


a Town Rec, of Westchester, Liber vi. 17. 
b Ibid. Liber. vi. 18. 
ce Westchester Town Rec, Lib. vi. p. 44. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 337 


The following extract is taken from a ‘‘summary account of the state 
of the Church, in the Province, as it was laid before the clergy, Oct. 5th, 
1704, at New York, &c. 


WESTCHESTER, MR. BARTOW, RECTOR. 


‘¢ Here is a church built, but not finished, being neither glazed nor ceiled. The 
parish of Westchester is divided into four several districts, viz., Westchester, 
Eastchester, Yonkers, and the Manor of Pelham. 

There is £50 settled on the ministers by act of Asssembly. 

There is twenty acres of land given by Westchester division for a glebe. 

There is one Independant Congregation at Eastchester, whose minister de- 
signs to leave there, whose congregation upon departure, are resolved to join 
with the Church,”4 


Mr. Bartow, writing to the Secretary upon the 24th of May, 1704, 


says :— : 


‘*The affairs of the Church in this province (thank God) are very prosperous, 
which are greatly owing to the influence of my Lord Cornbury. I have received 
yours, together with the opinion upon the case of the land escheated to the 
Crown, but can give no answer till I have directions from the Governor. Mr. 
Lockier is dead and much lamented. The town of Hempstead, upon Long 
Island, having long expected a missionary from the society, I hope they will 
soon be answered. I beg you would give my most bounden duty and thanks to 
that Revd. and Honorable body, and excuse my abrupt subscription of myself, 


Sir, Your most humble and obliged servant, 
JOHN BARTOW.? 


On the 4th of August, 1705, another act of General Assembly was 
passed, entitled :— 


“An act for the better explaining and more effectual putting in exe- 
cution, an act of General Assembly ; entitled, an act for settling a minis- 
try and raising a maintenance for them, in the city of New York, 
Counties of Richmond, Westchester and Queens’ County.” 


This act, which was ratified by Queen Anne, on the 11th of April, 
1706,° fully confirmed Mr. Bartow in all the rights appertaining to his 
own benefice. 

The following extract, from a letter of Mr. Bartew to the Secretary, 
shows what kind of difficulties the former had to contend with, in the 
discharge of his duties :-— 


a Hawks’ New York, MSS., from archives at Fulham. 

b Hawks’ MSS.. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. 29. On the 19th of April, 1704, the trastees-- 
of Westchester voted Mr. John Bartow, as a free gift of the town, “‘a certain piece-of 
land at the rear of his house lot, from the corner of his lot next to John Williams, his lot on 
the south-west, and straight upon a line until it comes to the west corner.”—Lib, vi. Taysn. 
Rec. p. 22. 

c Laws of N. Y., Ed. by Hugh Gaines, vol. i. 64. 


38 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


On 


WESTCHESTER, 
tn New York, in America, 
Aug. 14, 1706. 

Srr :—‘‘ My great business is to plant the Church of England amongst preju- 
diced poor and irreligous people, who are more apt to receive than to give, who 
think it a hardship to pay their dues; and we dare not use the law for fear of 
bringing an odium on the Church, and on all occasions expect to be civilly 
treated by the minister. My task is greater than I can bear; I will hold out as 
long as I can with submission to the divine will, who feedeth the fowls of the 
air: trusting He will still feed me, by your means, when you come to be sen- 
sible of our wants. Worthy Sir, Your most devoted and obliged servant, 


JOHN BARTOW.”’¢ 
The following items are taken from the vestry minutes :— 


“At a meeting of the justices of the vestry, the 6th of March, 1704-5, 
John Williams, late constable for the year 1703, appeared with a receipt 
from Mr. John Bartow, bearing the date 5th of March, 1704, for the 
sum of £26.10, which is the full quota for the minister’s rate in West- 
chester.” 


At a meeting of the justices, church-wardens, and vestry of the parish 
of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers, and the Manor of Pelham, this 
12th of December, 1706, in obedience to his Excellency, the Governor’s 
order, &c :— 


“It is voted and agreed upon by the justices and vestry aforesaid, that the 
parish church in Westchester shall be finished—that is to say, to seal the sides 
up to the wall plates, and lay a board floor, and make two new door cases, with 
doors and window shuts for the windows in said church, the upper windows ex- 
cepted: and whereas, Jeremiah Fowler and Isaac Underhill, presenting them- 
selves to do said work; the justices and vestry have agreed with them to do said 
work for £17, in good current money of New York, provided that as soon as 
they have laid the under floor and made the doors, and door cases and window 
shuts, they shall be paid to the value of said work, and the remainder of said 
£17, at the finishing thereof: the justices and vestry to find boards, and nails 


and hinges. EDWARD COLLIER, Clerk.” 


“At a subsequent meeting held by ye justices, church-wardens and 
vestry, &c., this 23d day of December, 1707, they found it necessary to 
raise ye sumes, which followeth, viz. :— 


To ye minister’s rate and collecting, sh 7 Sytem - £5210 0 
To ye poor, etc. - ari} - ae - 29 8 0 
To boards for Eastchester church, - = - - 50 0 
To ye clerk of ye vestry, - - - ae bly | 


a Hawks’ New York MSS., from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. 126. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 339 


To ye bellringer, - - - - - - - 07 0 
To ye collecting of, —- - : = - - LI ONG 
To ye belfry roof of Westchester church, - - 0 9 0 
To ye sacrament and collection, - = - Sescli0 


At this period of Mr. Bartow’s labors, the Society appear to have 
withdrawn their annual salary of £50; whereupon, we find the clergy 
of the Province addressing the Secretary in his behalf :— 


DIVERS MINISTERS OF NEW YORK TO THE SECRETARY. 


Sir :—‘‘ We are informed that the Honorable Society have withdrawn their 
allowance from our Reverend brother, Mr. Bartow, at which we are heartily 
concerned, and think ourselves obliged to recommend him to your favor, as a 
person truly deserving the continuance of your bounty. He has, in short, be- 
haved himself soberly and prudently to the satisfaction of all his people, diligent 
for the good of nis Church, and pious and exemplary in his life and conversa- 
tion: we hope his piety and goodness will merit your allowance, especially when 
you have considered the necessity ; it being impossible to subsist in the discharge 
of his office, without an established salary from the Corporation. We shall not 
offer any further trouble at present, only pray you to look upon our worthy 
brother to be a sincere good man, and therein you shall oblige, Sir, yours, &c., 


Evan Evans, Witt1am VESEY, 
New York, 17 April, 1707. Wn. Uraquuart, Enxias Nea, 
JOHN THOMAS, GrorGE Morison.” 


The next annual report of Mr. Bartow to the Society, shows that he 
was still laboring with great diligence and success :— 


MR. BARTOW TO THE SECRETARY. 


[Extract.] 
From WESTCHESTER, 


in New York, in America, 
10th June, 1709. 

Sm:—“T have paid my vists in the Jerseys, and preached there three Sun- 
days: 1st, at Topenamus; 2nd, at Shrewsbury; 8rd, at Amboy; and Mr. Sharp 
preached for me once at Westchester. Mr. Evans was at York one Sunday, in 
my absence, and designed to go up and preach for me, at Westchester; but the 
arrival of the Kinsale from cruising, obliged him to preach on board, so that my 
parish was two Sundays without any ecclesiastical ministration, which they never 
were, sO near together, sinceI came. In my way home, I had the honour to be 
in the company of Col. Nicholson, and to receive of him a letter from his Grace 
the Archbishop of Canterbury; and the same had all the other missionaries, of 
which I shall always retain a grateful sense, as well for the subject matter there- 
in contained as for his Grace’s great condescension in casting so favorable an eye 
upon us. I have likewise to tell you that I have this day received yours, dated 


a Westchester Vestry Book. 


240 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


1st Feb., 1708-9, with some enclosed rules of the Society, for which I return you 
thanks. 

I find there might be a great many congregations made in the Jerseys, if there 
were Episcopal ministers—but find no inclination to contribute towards their 
maintenance ; however, I hope you will not leave them destitute of your assist- 
ance. I know when those who are of the Church can be most prevalent in their 
assemblies, (or if I may so say, Parliament, ) they will make some legal provision 
for ministers: but at present the number of the Quakers, Anabaptists, Liber- 
alists, &c., is so great that it cannot be obtained; but good missionaries will in- 
crease the number of the one, and lessen the other. 

Friday next we have an appointed fast, to supplicate God’s blessing on the 
expedition to Canada, which with preparation for Sunday following, when Iam 
to administer the sacrament, will not suffer me to add; but that I shall always 
pray for the success and prosperity of the Society, and remain, 

Sir, your most devoted and obliged servant, JOHN BARTOW.” a 


At the end of two years, Mr. Bartow speaks with thankfulness, of 
having, ‘‘ by the blessing of Almighty God, been instrumental in making 
many proselytes to our holy religion, who are very constant and devout 
in and at their attendance on divine service; and, those who were 
enemies at my first coming, are now zealous professors of the ordinances 
of our Church. The inhabitants of our parish live scattered and dis- 
persed up and down in the woods, so that many cannot repair constantly 
to the church, by reason of their great distance from it.” Mr. Bartow 
appears, by his letter, to have been in the habit of making collections 
in his church for any very urgent cases of distress. ‘Thus, we have the 
following notices :— 


“ Sept. 5th, 1708, came a distressed woman, widow of Maynard, 
through Westchester, who had nine children murdered by the Indians. 
Collected for her in the church, eleven shillings and six pence. The 
following Sunday he made a similar collection for a poor man.” 


Upon the 30th of October, 1709, he thus writes :— 


‘* We want very mucha fixed school at Westchester; if Mr. Daniel Clark, my 
neighbour, now in England, should wait upon you, desirous of that employment, 
I recommend him asa person worthy of it; being of good report, a constant com- 
municant, and being a clergyman’s son, has had a pious and learned education. 
I pray you would accept my most bounded thanks for your constant favors to me 
and your othtr missionaries ; we know you expect no returns but our constant 
labours in the Church, which that God would give us ability to perform, and you 
to support, shall be ever the prayer of, Sir, yours, &c., 

JOHN BARTOW’? 


a Hawks’ New York MSS., from archives at Fulham, vol. i. pp. 193 to 195. 


b Hawks’ New York MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. 207. Edward Fitzgerald was, 
school-master of Westchesterin 1709; he wasa soldier in one of the independent companies, 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 341 


At a meeting of the church-wardens, vestrymen, freeholders and 
parishioners of the borough of Westchester, held the roth day of 
January, A.D. 1709, present :— 


Justices. 
JosEpH Hunt, Masor WitLiaM WILLETT, 
Tuomas PINCKNEY, Jonn Honr. 


The church-wardens chosen and appointed were: 


JosEPH Hunt, junr., and JEREMIAH Fow Ler. 


Vestrymen, 

For the borough of Westchester. For Eastchester. 
Mires Oak ey, Isaao Taytor, 
Tuomas BAxtTER, SEN. JoHN LANOASTER. 
Tuomas Hont, NATHANIEL TOMPKINS. 

For Yonckers Precinct. For the Manor of Pelham. 
JOHN ARCHER, THomas PELL, 


Noau Barton. 


For New Rochelle. 
ANTHONY LISPENARD. 


Collected for the minister, £50; for the clerk of vestry, £5; for collecting, 
£2 13. The quotas for the different precincts were : 


Westchester, £25 0 0 New Rochelle, £8 15 0 
Eastchester, 90 0 Pelham, OAV 
Yonckers, 800 Morrisania. 3 00 


** Att a meeting held by ye justices, vestrymen and church-wardens on ye 18th 
of JanY., 1708-9, it was ordered, yt the two church-wardens for this ensueing 
year, shall goe to Mr. Morris to know if yt he will pay his arrearidges, or other 
ways to knowe if yt he will joyne issue with ye parrish to try ye title whether 
his mannor be in ye parrish or not, and make return att ye next meeting.”’¢ 


Mr. Bartow writing to the Secretary on the 5th of July, 1710, says: 


Sm :—*‘Our church at Westchester increases ; that at Eastchester continues 
constant; we have sometimes Negroes and Indians come to our assembly, and 
behave themselves orderly ; but the slight and contempt of baptism by Quakers 
and many others, I am persuaded keeps them from it ; for when they see so 
many that call themselves Christians, allowed in the disuse of it, and the im- 
morality of many that are baptized, they contentedly remaine unbaptized. I 
have baptized in the year 1709, 42; 14 of which were grown persons. I have re- 
ceived a parcel of books writ by the late Rev. Dr. Beveridge, on public prayer, 
and the communion, &c., and though there is no advice from whom, I suppose 


a Westchester Vestry Book. 


342 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


they come from that fountain of piety and charity, the renowned Society, for 
whose gracious assistance in the works of Christ’s ministry I remain their debtor, 
and can only desire that God would abundantly reward their pious labours in Hig 
Church, who am, Sir, yours, &c., JOHN BARTOW.a 


Westchester, New York, 5th July, 1710.” 


Mr. Elias Neau, a vestryman of Trinity church, N. Y., writing the 
same day to the Secretary, bears the following testimony to Mr. Bar- 
tow’s services :— 


‘Most honored sir—Mr. Bartow has done a great deal of good here 
these six years, for he preaches about in places where there are no 
ministers, &c.”? 


The following is Mr. Bartow’s second report for this year :— 


MR. BARTOW TO THE SECRETARY. 
WeEstcuEsTER, 30TH Nov., 1710. 


Sir :—‘‘ The Rev. Mr. Bondett’s conformity has been of good effect ; a new 
church is built in New Rochelle for the service of the Church of England, by 
voluntary contributions: there is some of that place do yet dissent, but the major 
and better part do conform and are zealous. 

I want very much some Common Prayer Books, and Church catechisms: if the 
society will be pleased to bestow any upon us, I pray they may be directed to 
me. 
I have lately baptized a free Negro man and three children, ¢m@' # ‘Negro 
woman servant; but ’tis very rare that these people can be broug#t ‘to have 
any true sense of the Christian religion. 

We have many elderly people that will not be brought to have any concern 
about the necessity of public worship, and yet not withholding their children 
from coming to church: we hope they will not follow the example of their 
parents, many of which have been baptized, and in sobriety, piety, do promise 
zeal and constancy in the Church established. 

I can say no more at present, but that I pray for the success and prosperity of 


the Society, And remain, Worthy Sir, Yours, &c. 
JNO. BARTOW.Ӣ 


In answer to this letter, the Honorable Society sent the next year, 
‘to the Rev. Mr. Bartow, fifty Common Prayer Books, and £5 worth 
more of small tracts, tending to promote piety and virtue amongst his 


people.”4 
Five months later, he thus communicates the state of his parish :— 


a Hawks’ New York MSS., from archives.at Fulham, vol, i. 218, 219. 


b Ibid. vol. i. 216, 217. 
c Hawks’ New York MSS., from archives at Fulham, vol, i. 229. 


a Printed abstracts of Ven. Soc. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER, 343 


MR. BARTOW TO THE SECRETARY. 
(Extract. } 
WESTOHESTER, 31st APRIL, 1711. 


Worry Sir :—I hope you have had by this time an account of the state of the 
Church at Jamaica, and the troubles Mr. Poyer has met with-all since his coming 
to that place, from more certain information than I can give you. The vestry are 
dissenters from the Church, and refuse still to call him, as the act of Assembly 
cirects; and on that pretence still withold his salary, upon which I only presume 
to observe, that as long as the inhabitants of the parishes here have the power 
of choosing the vestry, the major part of which are Dissenters (by which the 
vestrymen are constituted Patrons to elect, call and present a minister) the set- 
tlement of our churches here is very precarious, and on every vacancy may 
occasion a disturbance; for should a dissenting minister appear, whom the people 
approved—as it nas happened now in the case of Jamaica—I question whether 
any of our parishes, excepting York, would not call him and reject the clergy- 
man. We cannot hope here for a better regulation of the act by our Assemblys, 
who are also generally Disseaters ; but hope that you will think of some methods 
to establish the Church of England in this Province. 

I thank God my own parish are very well affected to our Church at present, 
but we know not how soon the old leaven may work again; prejudice and 
education are mighty tyrants upon men’s manners; we have very few but what 
have been educated Dissenters, and have imbibed prejudices therein, and we 
cannot be secure when they will be thoroughly worn out; therefore, should 
be extremely glad if my Lord Bishop of London, or the Society, were the patrons 
of our churches. 

I have baptized, in the year 1710, 36 persons. Our church is pretty well 
finished, with seats and rails, and bannisters about the altar. Our congregation 
rather increases both in hearers and communicants, but our vestry are the major 
part Dissenters; they will part with no money but barely what the Assembly 
has allowed for the maintenance of the ministers and poor, so that we are un- 
provided of a clerk—none being willing to atend constantly without rare allow- 
ances; formerly the vestry would allow something, but now they wholly refuse 
it, being encouraged by the success of Jamaica. It would add to the regularity 
and decency of our worship, if the society would allow £40 or £50 per annum, 
to a church clerk, and leave it at the discretion of a minister to choose him, and 
to have power to turn one out and choose another, as he saw cause; and the 
society order the salary to be paid him by the minister, that no opposition may 
be made when a better may be gotten. _—‘ Sir, yours, &e. 

JOHN BARTOW.” 


The Venerable Society's abstracts for 1713, say :— 


“Mr. Charles Glover is appointed schoolmaster at Westchester, with 
a salary of £18 per annum, as he is recommended under the character 
of a person sober and diligent, well affected to the Church of England, 
and competently skilled in reading, writing, arithmetic, psalmody and 


a Hawks’ New-York MSS., from archives at Fulham, vol. i. p, 249, 250, 251. 


344 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


the Latin tongue, provided he comply with the society’s rules, in send- 
ing certificates of the number of his scholars.Ӣ 


The next year, Mr. Bartow writes as follows :— 


MR. BARTOW TO THE SECRETARY. 
WesrouestEer, Aprin 14, 1714. 

Sir :—‘‘I have sent you enclosed, an account of the building of our churches, 
and how they have been supplied, signed by those who were yesterday at our 
vestry meeting, and have not leisure to get more hands: the ship (as we hear) 
being ready to sail. 

I have had some old arrears, £9 6 9, due to me, which I have been often try- 
ing to get, but could not; until our present governor, upon my complaint, was 
pleased to send a threatening letter to our vestry, which made those readily com- 
ply to annex it to the church rate for this year, which said sum I have given to 
the Church at Eastchester and Westchester, towards making and rectifying of 
pews and seats. 

The present of books the Society has sent, was very gratefully received by me 
and by those to whom they are given. 

The Common Prayer Books are the most acceptable to those who love the 
Church ; and I could not avoid giving offence, having not enough for all. 

The measles have been epidemical throughout the whole county this winter— 
and having not had them myself, nor one in the family, and the distemper prov- 
ing very mortal, I declined visiting and baptizing « dying child; if complaint be 
made, I hope the society will not be offended. The parent said he would not 
defer baptizing a child so long again. He is one in the scheme, in number, of the 
half Quakers. Sir, in the last clause of the certificate of the vestrymen, you will 
find that Eastchester was made a distinct parish from Westchester, in 1700; the 
reason whereof, I understand, was this, (viz.) the people of Eastchester being 
generally Presbyterians, and wishing to have a minister of their own, petitioned 
the Assembly that they might be made a distinct parish from Westchester, (to 
which they were before annexed by act of Assembly,) and obtained an act of 
separation; but when I came among them, they were so well satisfied with the 
liturgy and doctrines of the Church, that they forsook their minister, and have 
ever since professed themselves members of the Church of England, (excepting 
a very few who are rigid Independents, ) and they pay their proportion of the 
fifty pounds per annum, as was allotted them by the first act of Assembly. 

If the Society would be pleased to send over one of the few youths of the 
Hospital, with an allowance of five pounds per annum, to teach the children, 
sometimes at Yonckers, and sometimes at Eastchester, I know the inhabitants 
would allow him £20 per annum more of this country money; and it would be 
of excellent use, if he proved sober and diligent and well affectioned to our 
Church; 

I most gratefully acknowledge the piety, zeal, and generosity of the illustrious 
Society, for their repeated and continued instances of sincere love unto Christ 
Jesus, in spreading and supporting His religion with indefatigable care and im- 
mense charges. And remain, Sir, &c.,? JOHN BARTOW.” 


a Printed abstracts of Ven. Soc. 
b Hawks’ New York MSS., from Archives at Fulham vol. i, pp. 473, 474. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 345 


From the society’s abstracts we learn, that “in 1714, by the blessing 
of God on Mr. Bartow’s ministry at Westchester, Eastchester, Yonckers 
and the Manor of Pelham, where there were formerly very few of the 
Church communion, there was visibly a very great reformation of man- 
ners.” 

MR. BARTOW TO THE SECRETARY. 
[Eztract.] 
WestouHEsTsEr, Fes. 9th, 1716. 

Wortuy Sir :-—‘‘I have preached several funeral sermons since I came here, 
and have not received anything, save once, a table for the communion was given 
me by a joiner, having preached a sermon at his child’s funeral.”? 


In answer to certain enquiries, Mr. Bartow again addressed the Sec- 
retary : 
MR. BARTOW TO THE SECRETARY. 
[Eztract] 
WESTCHESTER, SEPT. 12th, 1717. 

Wortny Sir :—‘: The church at Eastchester was built about twenty-two years 
since, and supplied always by a Presbyterian minister till about one year after 
my coming here, when they embraced the Church of England, and accepted of 
me for their minister; and though they had obtained an Act of Assembly under 
the government of Lord Bellamont, to make them a distinct parish, yet they 
pay their quota of fifty pound per annum to me, according to the first establish- 
ment. This conformity I acknowledge, greatly owing the measures of my 
Lord Clarendon, then our Governour. 

2. There is no parsonage house nor glebe. The church at Westchester was 
built about twenty years since, and supplied about two years witha Presbyterian 
minister, who had left them before Icame. There is no parsonage house, but 
twenty-three acres of glebe given to me and my successors, of the Church of 
England, which is now well worth one hundred pounds, as improved by me; 
scarce worth thirty pound, when I had it first. I have likewise obtained for the 
church a twenty-five pound share of an undivided tract of land called Long 
Reach, the title of which has been long controverted between the towns of East 
and Westchester, which will be about thirty acres more if Westchester be pos- 
sessed ; but the dispute holds still, without signs of a determination. 

3. Yonkers has no church; but we assemble for divine worship sometimes ina 
house of Joseph Betts, deceased, and sometimes in a barn, when empty—but the 
people begin to be in a disposition to build a church. 

The other of your letters was dated 14th of May, 1716, wherein you say the 
Society have ordered you to acquaint me, and the rest of the brethren, the clergy, 
that at our next meeting we should inform them if any of our brethren are dis- 
affected to the government of King George; and having had a meeting since, 
not long before, can only say, that 1 am well assured there is not one clergyman 
in this Province, but what is well affected to the government of his Majesty, 
King George, whom God bless.Ӣ 
~ @ Printed abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc. 


b Ilawks’ New York MSS., from archives at Fulham, vol. i. 519. 
¢ Ilawks’ New York MSS, from archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. 245, 525. 


346 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Mr. Bartow baptized (in the year 1718) ‘‘ thirty-two persons ; two of 
whom were grown persons, and one negro man.”4 
The Society’s abstracts for 1719 say :— 


*'To Mr. William Forster, schoolmaster at Westchester, who has been 
recommended as a person very well qualified to instruct the youth in 
the principles of religion and virtue, ten pounds per annum is allowed ; 
and a gratuity of £10 has been given him, in consideration of his past 
services and his present circumstances.” 


From the Rev. Mr. Bartow, minister of Westchester, in the same 
Province, ‘that, in the year 1719, he had baptized twenty-two, one of 
which was an ancient woman.Ӣ 

From Mr. Forster, schoolmaster at the same place, “that he has at 
present thirty-five scholars, whom he catechises every Saturday, and 
also every Sunday that Mr. Bartow goes to another part of the parish, 
together with all others who will attend, and has good success ; which is 
also attested by the minister and chief inhabitants of Westchester.” 4 

In 1720 the different quotas for the Church and poor of the Parish 
stood thus :— 


Westchester, £37 10 02 Eastchester, £12 14 113 
Yonckers, 11 12 101 New Rochelle, 12 14 1} 
Pelham, a ae Morrisania, 4 10 0 


The Society’s abstracts, for 1720, say :— 


“That letters have been received from the Rev. Mr. Bartow, minis- 
ter at Westchester, in the Province of New York, that the number of 
his Communicants increases, though some are dead or removed to other 
towns ; and that he baptized in the year 1720, twenty-five—five whereof 
were grown bersons.” 


Also, “from Mr. Forster, schoolmaster at Westchester, in the Prov- 
ince of New York, that he takes all the care he can of the children which 
are sent to him, and has upwards of thirty scholars, which he instructs 
in the Church Catechism.’ 


In 1721, Mr. Bartow informs the Society :— 


“That, since the death of Mr. Bondett, he preaches at four towns: 
Eastchester, Westchester, Yonckers and New Rochelle, and does other 
occasional offices; and that the number of the baptized, in the year 
1721, was twenty-eight—two whereof were grown persons,”/ 


a Printed abstracts of Ven. P. Soc. for 1718. 
b Ibid. 1719. 

e Ibid. 

d Printed abstracts of Ven. P. Soc. 

e Printed abstracts of Ven Prop. Soc. 

F Ibid. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 347 


The next year the Society allowed ‘Mr. Bartow, for his service 
at New Rochelle, ten pounds.” In his report for 1722, Mr. Bartow 
says :— 


“That they are repairing the church there (Westchester) with the vol- 
untary contributions of the people, procured chiefly by the zeal and 
care of Mr. Forster, the schoolmaster there; that in the year 1722, he 
baptized twenty-one persons, four whereof were adults, one a Negro 
man.” 


“Tn the year 1723, he baptized forty-five, four whereof were grown 
persons. ? 
Mr. Forster reports :— 


“That the number of his scholars is as usual, and that he has very 
good success in his teaching, and that they are this summer building a 
new school-house ; and that he is raising an annual subscription for re- 
pairing and finishing the church.’”¢ 


REY. JOHN BARTOW’S ANSWERS TO THE QUERIES OF THE 
BISHOP OF LONDON. 


[QUERIES TO BE ANSWERED BY EVERY MINISTER. | 


WESTCHESTER, 
in the Province of New York, in America, 
July 13, 1724. 

Q. How long is it since you went over to the plantations as a missionary ? 

A, Twenty-two years, 

@. Have you had any other church before you came to that which you now 
possess; and if you had, what church was it, and how long have you been 
removed ? 

4. No other here ; but I was inducted to the vicarage of Pampsford, in Cam- 
bridge, May 28th, 1697, and removed here by leave of Dr. Patrick, then Bishop 
of Ely. 

Q. Have you been licensed by the Bishop of London to officiate as a mission- 
ary, in the government where you now are? 

A. I was licensed by the Right Rev. Father in God, Henry, Lord Bishop of 
London, June 22d, 1702, to officiate as a missionary. 

Q. How long have you been inducted into your living? 

A. I was inducted to my living here, Nov. 19, 1702, Lord Cornbury being then 
Governor. 

Q. Are you ordinarily resident in the parish to which you have been inducted ? 

A. I have been resident in Westchester ever since I came. 

Q. Of what extent is your parish, and how many families in it ? 

A. My parish is in length about twelve miles, in breadth about seventy ; about 
two hundred families. 


a Printed abstracts of Venerable P. Soc. 
b Ibid. 
¢ Printed abstracts of Ven. P. Soc. for 1723, 


348 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Q. Are there any Infidels, bond or free, within your parish, and what means 
are used for their conversion ? 

A. We have Infidels, bond and free, who have liberty to come to the churches, 
and are not denied baptism when fit and desirous of it; some of which I have 
baptized. 

Q. How oft is divine service performed in your church, and what proportion 
of the parishioners attend it ? 

A. Divine service is performed in one of our churches every Sunday, when 
I have about seventy auditors in the afternoon—there being not quite so many 
in the morning, by reason that those who live at a distance seldom come in the 
morning. 

Q. How oft is the sacrament of the Lord’s supper administered ; and what is 
the usual number of communicants? 

A. The Lord’s supper is administered by me, in the church at Westchester, on 
Christmas day, Easter and Whitsunday, and at other times, occasionally iv other 
places of the parish, and we have usually eighteen communicants, more or less. 

Q. At what time do you catechize the youth of your parish ? 

A. I have been wont to catechize the youth on Sundays in the afternoon, be- 
fore we had a settled school; but now I leave that office to Mr. Forster, the 
Society’s schoolmaster, who not only catechizes in the school, but in the church, 
when I am absent, all that will come. 

@. Are all things duly disposed and provided in the church, for the decent and 
orderly performance of divine service ? 

A. We have all things decent, excepting the surplice. 

Q. Of what value is your living in sterling money, and how does it arise ? 


A. The value of my living is £50 sterling of New York money; which is 
almost £32 10, sterling, paid not without some difficulty and loss. 


Q. Have you a house and glebe; is your glebe in lease or let by the year, or 
is it occupied by yourself? 

A, I have twenty-three acres of glebe in my occupation, but no parsonage 
house. I lived at my first coming in an hired house, in expectation of a par- 
sonage house; though talk’t of to be built, but finding it would not be effected 
two years ago I purchased one. 

@. Is due care taken to preserve your house in good repair, and at whose ex- 
pense is it done? 

A. I live in my own house adjoining the glebe, and have always repaired it 
at my Own expense. 

@. Have you more cures than one; if you have, what are they, and in what 
manner are they served ? 

A. I have four towns under my cure—Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers, and 
the Manor of Pelham, (of whieh New Rochelle is a part)—in whose churches I 
officiate on Sundays, according to their several quotas, on the payment of £50 
per annum. I preach at Westchester every Lord’s day, excepting every fourth 
Sunday at Eastchester, three times in the year at Yonkers, and so often as I can 
at New Rochelle. ; 

Q. Have you in your parish any public school for the instruction of youth; if 
you have, is it endowed, and who is the master? 

A, We have a pubiic school in Westchester, of which Mr. Forster is the soci- 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 349 


ety’s schoolmaster, and we have private schools in other places; no endowment ; 
some families of the Town of Pelham that are adjacent, come to Eastchester 
church. 

@. Have you a parochial library; if you have, are the books preserved and 
kept in good condition? Have you any particular rules and orders for the pre- 
serving of them? Are those rules and orders duly observed ? 


A. We have no parochial library. 
Le Da i taics 


Rector, &c., of Westchester. % 
In his report to the Secretary, Mr. Bartow observes :— 


“That the church is much in the same condition as when he wrote 
last; and that in the year 1724, he baptized thirty-nine, two whereof 
were grown persons.”? 


The subjoined extract is from a letter of his to the Secretary. The 
Rev. Mr. Talbot mentioned in the beginning of it, was dismissed from 
the society’s service for alledged Jacobitism :— 


MR. BARTOW TO THE SECRETARY. 


Province or NEw York. 
May 4th 1725. 

Str :—“‘T am creditably informed that the Society have discharged the Rev, 
Mr. Talbot from being any longer their missionary: whereby the fruits of the 
pious bequest of the late Archbishop of Canterbury do descend to me, as being 
the next oldest in their service, of that province, till by the providence of God 
we have bishops here lawfully established. Nothing is too great for God to give, 
even to the undeserving, and’therefore I humbly and thankfully should accept 
it of His gracious providence; but be it at the disposal of the most Rev. and 
Honorable Society, as seems by an abstract of their proceedings, Anno 1714—I 
should not presume to ask it of them, nay, scarce desire it in my private thoughts 
being conscious of my unworthiness, and enjoined to be content in my condition, 
in which I remain, still praying to God for His blessings on their Christian labors. 


Sir, Your most obedient. &c., 
JOHN BARTOW.’ 


Probably the last communication the Society ever received from Mr. 
Bartow, is the following :— 


a Hawks’ New York MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. 635. 
b Printed abstracts of Ven. Soc. 
e Eawks’ New York MSS., from archives at Fulham, voli. p. 64. 


50 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER, 


ou 


MR. BARTOW TO THE SECRETARY. 
WEsTcHEsTER, OoroBEr 6TH, 1725. 


Wortny Sir :—‘‘ There being nothing happened extraordinary here, relating 
to the Church since I writ last; (saving the death of the late Rev. Mr. Thomas, 
of Hempstead, which church with that at Rye, are supplyed by the zealous 
labours of the Rev. Mr. Jenny) I can only, as in duty bound, repeat my thank- 
ful acknowledgment for the Society’s allowance, which is always duly paid by 
their treasurer, and informing you that the pulpit and wainscoat of the church at 
Eastchester, was since decently painte and a new gallery built, and the Presby- 
terian minister when he comes, not permitted to officiate therein. That God 
would bless the labours of the most Rev. and Honorable Society, is &e. 


Sir, Your most obedient, &e. 
JOHN BARTOW.Ӣ 


This excellent minister died at Westchester, in 1726. Nothing now 
remains to mark the site of his tomb; but one thing is certain, ‘‘ that he 
who was with him in his last hour, and made his bed in his sickness, 
will watch over the precious dust till He shall bid it rise.” 

‘*So pious, just, and even, as if he meant’ 
His name should be his marble monument.” 

‘Mr. Bartow,” says Dr. Hawkins, “continued in the discharge of his 
important duties for the long period of a quarter of a century. He was 
the instrument of bringing many separatists back to the Church, and ad- 
mitting into it many hitherto careless adults. He likewise gave much of 
his time to the instruction of the poor negroes. By such long and faith- 
ful services, he secured the general esteem of his people.’”® 

In 1705 he married Helena, second daughter of John Reid, Esq., of 
Middrew Castle, parish of Kirkleston, Scotland; by this lady he left 
issue six sons. Theophilus his second son, was the father of the Rev. 
Theodosius Bartow, of New Rochelle, whose grandsons, were the late 
Rev. Theodore B. Bartow, chaplain in the U.S. Navy, and the late. 
Rev. Henry B. Bartow. John Bartow, the eldest son of Theophilus, 
and brother of Theodosius, was the grandfather of the late Robert 
Bartow of Pelham, and the late Edgar J. Bartow, the founder of Holy 
Trinity church, Brooklyn Heights, L. I., who died at Morristown, New 
Jersey, Sept. 6th, 1864, leaving by his wife, Henrietta C. Pierrepont, 
Henrietta Pierrepont, and the Rev. Evelyn Bartow, of Baltimore, Md., a 
grand-daughter of Theodosius. Fanny L., married the late Rev. George 
A. Shelton, of Newtown, L. I. 

The Rev. John Bartow purchased, April 6th, 1722, of John Mash 


a Ibid, vol. i, pp. 664, 665. 
6 Hawkins’ Hist. Notices of the Missions of the Church of England, p. 277. 


Gebrge, 
died 


Il 
Three sons, 


died in 


Rey. Ebenezer 


Thomas Bartow, bapt, in the 
church of the Holy Cross, 


1676 


chester, b. 


Mary —Basil, of West Clarina, da. of 


Quinby 


of England 


5 


William 


t 


Mary Bartow, bapt. in the _Doctor Haskins 


church of the Holy 


Cross, 16 


.-.-+, buried in the churchyard of the 
chester, farmer, 


| Holy Cross, Crediton, 1676 


chester, born 1715; 


| 


Anthony Bartow, bapt. in the church 
of the Holy Cross, Crediton, 1673: 


died young 


married secondly, 


PEDIGREE OF BARTOW, OF WESTCHESTER. 
Devonshire, England, 1672, of the Bertants of 


Bielegus 
l 
f Shrews-_Ann Stillwell, who John, lawyer,of West- Anthony, of West-_Charity, da, of 


Doctor Thomas Bartow, a piysician of Crediton,_Grace . 


Niddey Castle, Scotland and one of the 
Theodosius, 0 


early settlers, of Freehold, N. J. 


bury, a lawyer, b. 1712; 


o 


Arms :—D6r, a la bande de sable, chargee de trois bezants dirgent, accompaquee de six anuelets de gules, sais en orle. 


Pell, of 


Born at Crediton, 1673: 


Theophilus, of West-_Bathsheba 


founder and first rector of St. Peter’s 
chester, b. Aug. 17, 


died in Westchester, 1725 


church, Westchester. 


England, 


Rev. ahi Bartow, A.M, Vicar of Pampisford,_Helena, daughter of Hon, John Reid, of 


a lawyer, b. 1709: 


To face page 350. vol. ll. 
Thomas, of Amboy, 


Es = —ElbertG.,d unm. M. 
®2S2 |_welena L., mar. <3 Re 
= n ‘. —Robert Steven-_S: = 
2 ges Robt. C. Bolton e22 son,ofN.Y. | ounce Se nee ews 
S goes ea zs 2 ————Susan R _Rev, Wm. A. Curtis 
ae Rs a a oe eh —Anthony K., died young 
o_ —EngeniaL.,mar.| [=< |—Charity—Dr. I. G. Wright|—Sus ie x 
225 ‘Abser Undern | © y ‘ight|—Susan D., died young 
As Bae eae a —Robert A., died unmarried ; 
2 a ine a Ca 223 |-Clarina_Aug. Bartow |—Joha R. B., died young —Mary 
€ as —Elizabeth H..m. | = &5 —Isabella. ma) 
2 25 | tuomasciark™ |-E28 a 
5 —Emily A.. mar ag Tessie rac Badau |—Delia D. Holmes 
z Bs Edward Timpson) et —Wiilliam John 
= sak 
2 ESE —Punder-_ Eliza 2 Es Sat 
$ 2<= sen ] A. sa |—William, of W._Anre —|_william John Backhouse 
& et ap Feeks —378 chester | Willett o 
Ei Ee8 SE —Euphemla, died unmarried 
A = ee Phebe, Dr. I. G. Wright} 527! G-, died young Science 
BS | Waring —Isaac W., died unmarried died young 
=a —Cornelius, of N.¥.,_Hannah Henry V. D 
ne Jo’ iit "right |— vy V.D. 
32 |—urelta, : < Susannah _Jo’n Gillespie) born 1785 Wrigh divd young ’ 
= =e Bellamy Stores 3 £ ane 
Dn Be —!) na S., 
a et a | |Detia, mar. pr, | $3 |-Mary—sonn Reta died young 
gar 1H. Ball “a —Julia Ann 
s ES : —Jane, died unmarried ; 
A ee : 
z rs Helena _Thos. Haviland —Hannah _Joseph Kissam —Cornelius S. 
2 ree Pe es fs —Pheebe_James Kissam —Almira L. 
Erw ‘ Ba —Thomas, of N.Y.—Mary |_Anthony V. 
[a2] —Cornelia, mar. oS born 1749 | Vardull| 
Saml. Wiggins S —Thomas John Jane Smith 
8 —Sophia, mar. 
5 Er John B. Gillespie —Hannah Thos. Tucker |—Maria, died unmarried 
3 te —Basil, d. unmar. —Charity, died unmarried 
i —Ann —Kershaw 
—Edwin —Mar. 
i athe. {-Whilelmina —Jonn A., of N.Y. Mary w;, Ae MArY 
= Tine, d. Y-|_Teonard _Eliza Nephew a 7 
Sy Ramiabaal = s! —Margaret M. Wm. Blackwell —Johbn V., unm 
oC ay. —Barnabas, d. young —Leonard, died young —Cornel'a 
= —Saiome, |—Rev. John Van-_Matilda|—Annie S. Prof. Z. M. Phelps —Caroline mar. 
s d.unmar | der! Hoe eh Stewart|_Theodosius, N.Y. Matilda So lbtls 
yx Baltinon Whittemore 
—Anne, m. altimore —Susan, dead 
ony. —Sarah A, P._Frank T. Montell 
‘ams 
7s NR. ’|—Blizabeth, d. young —Matilda, died young 
3 2 —Jacob, lawyer, _ Eliza F. 
5 = 2 | of N. Rochelle | isok= 
a En c= =| well 
g B328 
= —3 5 5 &|—Anthony A., of Horton 
3 S26) Savannah 
iS = Dragamienata Ee \—Jacob F. _ Anna Key Steele 
3 2 sre 4 '—Charlotte L. Rev. F. Clements 
| —Theophilus, law: f 3 
a 3 yer, 0: —Samuel B. _S: 
3 2 E g New ‘ochelle, mar. Anne SS EELS 
A SIE as Abramse —Theodosia_Rev. E.E. Ford |—Charles_Mary Bacon 
BAH ' ; —Mary W._E. A. Whittemore 
rs 8s (<2) BE —Theodosius, M. —Frances|—Whilelmina Rev. H. K. Rees ry 
a 1 Sz D., of Savan- | L. Steb-|_Wrances S., General in the —Rev. Henry B._Mary W. Philips 
g 5 ae nal bins Confederate service, mar. a _|_Leonard, died young f 
5 3 win daughter of Hon. J. MePher- FS ee 
3s 5 z 3 $ |—anarew A., of Mary son Berrien —Fanny L. —Rev. Geo. A. Shelton 
= ay eeu Herkimer Co. | Uuut, of/ john, Surgeon, U. 8. N. —Anne F., died unmarried 
8 ee pues Elizabeth John Dwight 
ge 2aa Point le = g 
a = isu —Alfred F., _Mary W. Lathrop 
Be Es2 —Rey. Theodore B. _ Isabella H. 
—35 ea oe enen -John Buffalo Katharine Bemis! ** Cooper 
a + 42 |—Katharine, mar —Elizabeth A. 
2 Bo a 5 a Isaac Hawes —Mary F. 
Ss ee “Ke |—James 
au @d —Henry Theodcsius, d. unmar. 
os ie s a5 |—Amelia, mar. 5 
3 = 55 Dr. Turk —Charles I., died unmarried 
oe . F 
fa —Saaah, mar, un 
EI 3 Dr. Halock —dJulia M., died young 
i zg d —Phoebe, unmar. 
C S —John, mar. . 
g ° be Fore Mary Sands, of |—Fannie E. 
é BdaGe| Sands, Point |_yMaria_Thomas Cole 
ps a —Harriet 
—Mary, mar, |__ 
2 g CS Punderson mallyis 
S zs f= Bartow —Alfred, died unmarried —Caroline G. 
A 8 s S —Edwin, died unmarried —Isabel 
Sic pA 
z 5 § Fe A g oe ae —Sarah —John Spencer —Eadgar A, d. 
aE Sree >bES_ 
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A $ aa | —Edgar John, _1 Hannah ©. Pierrepont 
8 5a Z _2.Caroline Gamble 
o 4 sat | 
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ar 
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a8 age a5 —Georgs Anthony, died unmarried 
3 = = 
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zs 5 gia a William A. _Jane Hasbrouck Rey. Evelyn 
- ° 
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as fot en 
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—-E2 — Sg vt 4 
z es Be aS —Stephen, died young 


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THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 351 


and Rosamond his wife, the farm now owned by the late Alderman 
Abraham Hatfield, where he resided until his death in 1726; a small 
spot was reserved by Mr. Bartow for the interment of his family. Here 
rest the remains of his sons, Theophilus, George, John, Anthony, Basil, 
and four infants ; other members of the family were interred here down 
to 1816, when the last interment was made viz.: John Bartow of Pel- 
ham. At the time the late proprietor purchased the farm, the cemetery 
was enclosed by a fence with several mounds and tombstones in it, this 
was disturbed, the land ploughed and the tombstqnes thrown aside. 

The Society’s abstracts for 1725, says:—‘‘ That among other sums 
granted, was a gratuity of fifty pounds which the Society have made to 
Mrs. Bartow, the widow of the late Rev. Mr. Bartow, a missionary of the 
Society at Westchester, in the province of New York, in consideration 
of her husband’s good behaviour and dilligence in the Society’s mission, 
for twenty-three years and upwards, and having six sons and a wife un- 
provided for.”?® 

Mr. Bartow’s last will and testament was made on the 24th of Janu- 
ury, 1725, but not proved until the 1st of April, 1727 :— 


THE WILL OF JOHN BARTOW, CLERK. 


IN THE NAME OF Gop AMEN, the twenty-fourth of January, in ye twelvth year 
of the reign of our Sovereign Lord, King George, Annog Dom, one thousand seven 
hundred and twenty-five, I, John Bartow, of the Burrough Town of Westches- 
ter, in the County of Westchester, and Province of New York, Clerk, being sick 
and weak in body, but of sound and perfect memory, praise be given to God 
therefore, and considering the uncertainty of this transitory life, do make this 
my last Will & Testament in manner and form following, that istosay: First, 
and principally, 1 commend my soul to Almighty God my creator, assuredly 
believing that my sins will be remitted, and that I shall be saved by the precious 
death and merits of my blessed Saviour and Redeemer, Christ Jesus; and my 
body to the earth, to be buried at the discretion of my ex’tors, hereafter named : 
and touching such worldly estate as God hath been pleased to bestow upon me, I 
do hereby give and dispose of the same in manner and form following, that is to 
say: First, I hereby give and bequeath unto my beloved wife, Helena, one 


a In a warrantee deed bearing date May Sth, 1806, Basii J. Bartow and Eliza Ann, his 
wife, did convey to Levi Caib, all those certain pieces or parcels of land situated, &c., in the 
Town of Westchester containing 130 acres of land, more or less, excepting three English 
Square rods of ground, which has heretofore been used as funeral ground; and reserving 
nevertheless to the said Basil J. Bartow and his representatives, and the family in general, 
of the Bartows, the free right to pass and repass, in, by, and through the premises bereby 
granted from the above mentioned highway, for the use and enjoyment of the same three 
rods of ground.—County Rec. Liber, N. J., p. 443. 


b Printed abstracts of Venerabie Propagation Society, from 18th Feb., 1725, to 17th Feb., 
1726, ** At a meeting of the Trustees for theBorough of Westchester &c., the 6th day of March, 
1726-7, the committee appointed to make report of the persons who had made encroach- 
ments upon the sheep pastures, gave in the name of Mr. Bartow and others, whereupon, 
Mr. Forster appeared in behalf of ye orphants of Mr. John Bartow, yt what they have taken 
in upon ye sheep pasture, yt they will leave out when they rectify ye fences.”— Westchester 
Town Rec. Lib. ix. 187-188, 


352 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


equal third part of all my personal estate for the use of her, her heirs, and assigns 
for ever. Jtem, I hereby will and order that my funeral charges, and all my just 
debts be paid out of the remainder of my personal estate within convenient time 
after my decease, by my executors hereafter named. Only it is hereby provided, 
that whereas, John Mash, of Westchester abovesaid, boatman, for and in consid- 
eration of my becoming bound together with the said John Mash, at his special 
instance and request, and for the proper debt of the said John Mash, by a certain 
obligation in the penal sum of four score pounds, current money of New York, 
with condition for the payment of forty pounds of like current money, at a 
certain day in the said condition exprest, and for other considerations, did by a 
certain deed, indented under his hand and seal and the hand and seal of Rosa- 
mond, his wife, dated the sixth day of April, anno dom. one thousand seven 
hundred and twenty-two, convey unto me a certain Home Lot, scituate in said 
Westchester, with its appurtenances, and a twenty-five pounds priviledge of 
commonage in said town. If the said John Mash, his heirs, executors, or ad- 
ministrators, do not well and truly discharge and pay off the said obligation and 
all sums of money due thereon, within one year next after my decease, I hereby 
order my executors to sell the said lott and priviledge, and to apply the money 
arising by the said sale towards discharging of my debt. tem, I give unto my 
beloved wife, the use of all the remaining part of my personal estate, except what 
is herein afterwards expressly disposed of, during her widowhood. And if my 
said wife shall marry again, (if her husband shall immediately, upon their mar- 
riage, give good security to my children or their guardians, that all such part of 
my personal estate as shall remain in my wife’s hands over and above her third 
part given unto her as aforesaid, immediately at and before her marrying again, 
shall not be wasted or embezzled, but that the same, or value thereof, shall be 
made good at her decease,) then I give unto her the use thereof during the term 
of her natural life ; and at her decease, or if upon her marrying again, the afore- 
said security shall be refused to be given, then at her re-marriage, I give the 
same equally between my six sons—Thomas, Theophilus, Theodosius, John, 
Anthony, and Basil Bartow, for the use of them and their several heirs and as- 
signs. Jtem, in consideration that ny beloved wife bring up my children I give 
unto her the sole use and benefit of my dwelling house and homestead, and all my 
iand adjoining thereto, and of all my land at Scabby Indian, bounded south- 
easterly by the land of John Williams, westerly by the country road, northerly 
by the road that goes to Thomas Haddon’s saw mill, and by Daniel Turner's land, 
also of about two acres of land lying within said Daniel Turners’s land, and of 
my orchard land, salt and fresh meadow, at the place commonly called below, 
which was formerly Edward Collier’s, David Huestiss and Horseman Mullinder, 
«nd also a twenty-five pounds privilege of commonage in said Westchester, for 
and during the term of her natural life; and I also give unto my wife, until my 
son John shall attain to the age of twenty-one years, the use of all such part of 
my land in said Westchester, which I lately purchased of David Heustis, 
Nathaniel Underhill, Daniel Clark, and Thomas Haddon, and John Huestis, as I 
have not already let out upon lease, and the rents of all such part thereof as I 
have leased. Jtem, I give unto my son, John Bartow, his heirs and assigns for 
ever, all those tracts of land I lately bought of David Heustis, Nathaniel Under- 
hill, Daniel Clark, and Thomas Haddon, and John Heustis, a twenty-five pound 


THE TOWN OF W=ZSTCHESTER, 353 


priviledge of commonage in said Westchester, together with all my right, title 
and interest in a tract of land called the Long Reach; also four acres of salt 
meadow in Westchester abovesaid, which I purchased of James Morris, by a 
deed passed under his hand and seal, dated the fifteenth day of January, 
Anno dom. 1722; also all my tract of land and meadow at Baranagat, in East 
New Jersey, being about sixty acres; also two-eights of a moyety of a sixteenth 
part of a twenty-fourth part or propriety in East New Jersey, granted by Gowen 
Drummond to John Reid, Sen” , and by said John Reid to me, and my least gold 
ring, and a new English Bible in Quarto. Jtem, I give unto my son, Theophilus 
Bartow, his heirs and assigns for ever, my saw mill, situate and being in Mon- 
mouth County, in East New Jersey, and all my tracts of land and purchase ad- 
joining, containing about one thousand acres, be they more or less; also atwenty- 
fourth part of a tenth part of an undivided twenty-fourth, or a propricty in East 
New Jersey granted by Marion Cambell to John Reid, Senr ., and by said John 
Reid to me, and my heaviest gold ring, and an English Bible in Quarto. Item, 
I give unto my son, Thomzs Bartow, his heirs and assigns for ever, all my tract 
of land in Monmouth County, in East New Jersey, on Milstone Brook, joining 
to Coll. Anderson’s land, containing about eleven hundred acres, granted to me 
and my wife Helena, by my father-in-law, John Reid, by deed bearing date the 
tenth day of November, Anno Domiui one thousand seven hundred and five; al- 
so one half of a fortieth part of a propriety in East New Jersey, granted to me 
by said John Reid, by deed, dated the fourth day of April, Anno Dom, one 
thousand seven hundred and fourteen, and all my Greek and Latin books, my 
watch, and a new English Bible in Quarto. Jtem, I give unto my son, Theodo- 
sius Bartow, his heirs and assigns forever, all my tract of land situate in Mon- 
mouth County, in East New Jersey, on the east branch, containing five hundred 
acres, joyning to James Edwards, also all my meadow on the south side of said 
branch, from the lower end of the timber swamp down to the mouth of said 
branch ; also all my tract of Indian purchase !and to the northward of this tract ; 
also two-eights of a moyety of a sixteenth part of a twenty-fourth part of pro- 
priety of East New Jersey, granted to John Reid, Senr., by Gowen Drummond, 
and by John Reid to me, my other gold ring, and a new English Bible in Quarto. 
Item, I give unto my son Anthony Bartow, his heirs and assigns forever, all my 
tract of land on Monlapau River, beginning at the head of Mountbrook, and 
runs thence south-east fifty-two chains, thence north north-west half a point, 
westerly to the land late of Robert Barclay, thence south-west to the said River, 
where said Mount-brook falls into said River, thence up the stream of said brook 
to where it began; also that tract of my Indian purchase land joining on the 
south to my son Thomas's land hereinbefore given him; also two-eighths of a 
moyety of a sixteenth part of a twenty-fourth part or propriety of East New 
Jersey, granted by Gowen Drummond to John Reed, Sen’., and by him to me, 
anda new English Bible in Quarto. tem, I give unto my son, Basii Bartow, his 
heirs and assigns forever, all my tract of land in the County of Middlesex, in 
East New Jersey, on South River, being four hundred and fifty acres, and sixty 
acres of salt meadow in the round-about meadow, also two-eighths of a moyety 
of a sixteenth part of a twenty-fourth part of a propriety in East New J ersey, 
granted by Gowen Drummond to John Read, Sen’., and by him to me, also my 
tract of Indian purchase land, called Price Hill, and a new English Bible in_ 


354 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Quarto. /Jtem,I give all my lands, buildings, and meadows, and the twenty-five 
pounds priviledge hereby granted, to my wife during her natural life; from and 
after her decease, to my six sons—Thomas, Theophilus, Theodosius, John, 
Anthony, and Basil—to be divided equally between, for the use of them and their 
several heirs and assigns forever. Jtem, I give all my other English books 
equally between my wite and my six sons aforesaid, each of them to have an 
equal part. Ztem, I hereby will and order, that if one or more of my sons should 
depart this life and leave no lawful begotten issue, that the lands, the meadows, 
and all other the premises hereby given unto such son or sons, shall be equally 
divided between my other sons, and the issue of such of them as may be deceased ; 
that is to say, I will that the lawful issne of any of my sons which may be de’ed, 
shall inherit in the stead of their de’ed Father one equal part among them, (if 
more than one) with my surviving son or sons of such estate or estates as I have 
hereby given unto such son or sons as may and shall dye under age, and without 
lawful begotten issue as aforesaid, Jtem, I hereby order, that whereas one James 
Miller, lays claim to some part of my lands and meadows in East New Jersey, 
and that the said Miller has proposed to convey unto me all his right and title 
whatsoever, of, in and to all and any part of my said lands and meadows, on 
consideration of my paying unto him one hundred pounds, Proclamation money ; 
if the agreement be not compleated before my decease, my ex’tors shall, upon the 
said James Miller, or his heirs, or any others by him lawfully authorized, execut- 
ing sufficient deeds in the law for all the right, title and demand of him the said 
James Miller, his heirs or assigns, of, in, or to all or any of my lands, meadows, 
and rights in the Province of East New Jersey, by which deeds the same shall 
be confirmed pursuant and agreeable to this my last will and testament; and 
for, and to the use and uses of such of my children to whom I have given the 
same, pay unto the said James Miller, his heirs, ex’tors, adin’rs, or assigns, one 
hundred pounds proclamation money, to be raised -out of my personal estate. 
Lastly, I hereby nominate and appoint my beloved wife, and William Forster, 
of Westchester aforesaid, to be ex’tors of this my last will and testament. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, the day and year 


abovesaid. JOHN BARTOW. 


Signed, sealed, published, pronounced and declared 
by the said John Bartow to be his last will and testa- 


ment, in the presence of 
Tuo. Happen, 


Wii. Tuompson, & 
DanieEL TURNER. 


Mr. Bartow was succeeded in 1727 by the Rev. Thomas Standard, 
A.M., M.D., a native of Taunton, Somersetshire, England; and de- 
scended from an ancient family of that name, formerly seated at White- 
hill, in Oxfordshire.* He appears to have been brought up as a phy- 
sician, but changed his profession and entered the ministry. In 1725 
he was appointed by order of the Venerable Society, their missionary at 


a The arms of the family were: vert, an arrow, in pale, or, feathered and headed arg.—Crest, 
a cubit, arm, erect, vert, cuffed arg. holding in the hand ppr, a bow, strung. . . . 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER, 35 


U1 


Brookhaven, upon Long Island, From his first letter to the Secretary 
of that body, we take the following extract :— 


“October 5th, 1725.—It is with satisfaction on all sides, yt I can now 
tell you that [ am safely arrived at New York, a country both pleasant 
and plentiful, where I landed the roth of the last month, and where I 
believe I shall take up my abode for the poor remainder of my life ; and 
let me add, that it is a pity that some clergymen who are starving at 
home, and who, to my knowledge, have sometimes been so hard put to 
it, as not to be able to tell where to get a Sunday’s dinner for themselves 
and family, should show so much unwillingness to transplant themselves 
to our plantations, where their ministrations are so much wanted, and 
where there is a people speaking their own language, and who are ready 
to receive them with all marks of respect and affection, even here in 
York, which I take to have a serene and healthful air above any other 
of the plantations. 

““P.S. October r9th.—I am now at the City of New York, where 
I am collecting, among the church friends, for the building of a church 
at Brookhaven, &c. Designing to set up catechising in my parish, I 
have borrowed a few catechisms of Mr. Wetmore, &c. I hope the next 
time you will put me into a condition to repay the same.”@ 


October, 1726, he writes to the Secretary thus :— 


“Rey. Sir.—I humbly beg you would use your interest for me with 
the Honorable Society, for my remove to Westchester, and that the 
person assigned for Westchester (if any such there be), may be ordered 
hither. Such a remove would be a very great favor to me, in my pres- 
ent circumstances ; in that Westchester is between four or five hours ride 
from York, where I may be abundantly supplyed with any convenience 
of life.”® 


The following mandate was issued by his Excellency, William Burnet, 
on the 8th of July, 1727 :— 


MANDATE FROM GOVERNOR BURNET TO INDUCT THE REY. 
THOMAS STANDARD TO THE RECTORY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Wiinermes Burnet Armiger Provincie Novi Eboraci, necnon Nove Cesariz 
in America Strategus et Imperator ejusdemque Vice Admiralis, &c. 

Universis et Singulis Clericis et Ministris Ecclesize Anglicans quibuscumque 
in et per totam Provinciam Novi Eboraci Ubilibet Constitutis Sive Aidilibus 
Ecclesize Parochialis de Estria Occidentalis in Comitatu Estrice Occidentalis infra 
provinciam predictam prolix Tempore Salutem Cum dilectum in Christo Thoma 
Standard Clericum ad rectoriam sive Ecclesiam parochialem predict Essriz Oc- 
cidentalis in Comitatu in dicta Provincie Novi Eboraci in America, Jam vacan- 
tem Ipsium que prceesentatum Rectorem Ejusdem Rectorize Sive Ecclesiz 
parochialis in et de Eadem Admissam Vosts Conjunctim et Divisim Comitto et 


a Uawks* New York MSS., from archives at Fulham, vol, i. 668, 671. 
b Kawks’ New York MSS., from archives at Fulham, vol. i, 674. 


356 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


firmiter injungendo mando, Quatenus Eundem Thoma Standard Clericum Sive 
procuratorem suum Legitimum Ejus Nomine et pro se in Realem Actualem Cor- 
poralem possessionem Ipsius Rectorize et Ecclesiz parochialis de Estrize Occiden- 
tali predict. Glebarium, Juriumque: et pertinentium Suorum Univer sorem. 
Conferatis Inducatis Inducive faciatis et Inductum defendalis et quid in premissis 
feceritis me aut alium Judicem in hac parte Competentum quemcumque ; debite 
(cum ad id congrue fueritis requisiti certificetis seu sic certificet ille vestrum qui) 
preesens hoc mandatum fuerit executus. Datum sub sigillo prerogativee dicts 
Provincie Novi Eboraci viii, die Junii Anno Salutis MDCCXXYVII. 
W. BURNET. 
By His Excellency's Command, 
Js. Bosry, D. See’ry.« 


In his report for 1728, Mr. Standard says: 


‘“That he preaches one Sunday at Eastchester and another at Westchester, 
twice a day, for the summer half year, and that he catechises the children pub- 
lickly at Eastchester: and has baptized since he came to Westchester about fifty 
children, besides two grown persons; and that the number of his communicants 
are about thirty.” 


‘“‘ At a meeting of the trustees and freeholders of the borough town of 
Westchester, held the 14th of March, 1729, present, Miles Oakley, presi- 
dent, and Thomas Hadden, Nathaniel Underhill, Underhill Barnes, 
Thomas Baxter, John Palmer, Thomas Hunt, Joseph Hunt, and James 
Baxter, trustees:—ordered, that Nathaniel Underhill, treasurer, pay 
Ebenezer Haviland: 


For a spindle for the church, . : , : é » 63 ea 36 
To Justice Happen, for lath and service aul P : ; . 2 8 0 
To Caprain OAKLEY for service done, . 0 6-0 
Allowed the treasurer for four white oak ante pafaee fie, aan 
for the weathercock, . ; : a Kea a he (0) 
To Wm. Oaxtey for bringing the preatiereace time N ew York, : 03 0 
To IsrarL HonryweE tt for 4500 shingles and carting, and paid for 
mending the windows, n iP jes CY () 
To Mr. Gitta for work done eee his peacies 9 23 
To Mr. Gririarm for work as per articles, 42 0 0 
To expenses at making the agreement, 20 0 
To Mr. Barnet, expenses at this meeting, 0 95-0 
To JEREMIAH FowLer’s expenses, 010 0 
Total,”« . ; . ‘ ; : , . ‘ £58) xi o9 


“ At a meeting of the trustees, &c., had on the 6th day of May, A. D. 
1729, present, Miles Oakley, president, John Palmer, Thomas Baxter, 
Joseph Hunt, Thomas Hadden, Thomas Hunt, Nathaniel Underhill, 

a Albany deed book, Xii. p. 160. 


b Printed abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc. 
c Westchester Town Rec. vol, ix, p. 212. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 357 


Jchn Cromwell, Underhill Barnes, and Miles Oakley, jr., trustees ; pur- 
suant to an act of general assembly of this province, passed in the tenth 
year of the reign of our late sovereign lord, King William the Third, of 
glorious memory, entitled an act to enable the respective towns in 
this province to build and repair their meeting houses and other publick 
buildings : 


« Resolved, nemine contra dicente, That the sum of £70 shall be raised, and also 
the collection for the same sum, for the repairing St. Peter’s church in said 
Westchester, and for no other use; and that they will make a rate accordingly, 
agreeable to ye next assessments to be made and taken of the town sworn as- 
sessors, and that they will meet on ye 22d inst., toagree with workmen for that 
purpose. ”@ 


At a subsequent meeting of the trustees, ‘£16 was ordered to be 
raised to finish the seats of the church, secure the frame, and to pay off 
the arrears—the seats to be made with backs—including the collector’s 
fees; and Underhill Barnes and Thomas Hunt are appointed over- 
seers of the work, and to employ workmen. It was further ordered that 
a warrant be issued for raising said money according to law, to be paid 
at ye same time with the county tax. Also ordered, that the overseers 
now chosen require Henry Gillaim to complete his work, especially the 
front of the gallery, and to make it secure and substantial.’ 


MR. STANDARD TO THE SECRETARY. 
WesroneEster, Noy. 5, 1729. 

“Rey. Sir:—The difficulty of the undertaking has hitherto discouraged me 
from attempting an answer to the letter of inquiries which was sent me long 
ago; but I am resolved to send you the best account I can, with relation to those 
heads of inquiry you were pleased to send me. i 

‘As to the first, in my parish are three churches, the first of Westchester in 
the town so called, deemed the mother church, in that the presentation from the 
Governour runs thus: 

‘To the rectory of Westchester, the glebe thereof, and to all the rights and 
appurtenances of the same, in which is supposed to be included the church of 
Eastchester, which my predecessor died possessed of.’ 

‘“The church of Westchester is a square of twenty-eight foot of a side, about 
eighteen feet to the eaves, and near of the same dimensions and form as the 
church of Eastchester, save that the church of Westchester hath a sort of cupulo 
in which is hung a bell, so that the whole resembles much our pigeon houses in 
England. 

“The churches both of East and Westchester, and indeed most of the build- 
ings of this country, are made after the following manner, viz.: they make a 
frame of certain dimensions which they raise by piecemeal; first, placing the 
under post upon stones placed here and there to support it; when the whole 


a Westchester Town Rec. vol. ix, p. 206, 
b Ibid, vol. ix. p. 213. 


358 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


frame is put together they fill up the vacancies under the said frame, which they 
call underpining ; then they raise the top part or roof in like manner as we do 
with rafters, applying upon them laths, and upon them they nail some split 
wood, commonly cedar, that being the most in esteem, of about half an inch 
thick, and half a foot wide, and sometimes two, sometimes three foot long, 
according to the intention of the builder, of being either more saving in charge, 
or more secure against the weather. The wall part is likewise covered with 
Jaths, and upon them are nailed, as on the roof, split wood which they call shin- 
gles, and they are placed perpendicularly, but then not so thickly placed one by 
the other as on the roof, where they resemble our tiles. 

‘*The church of Westchester was built by the Quakers, (who were the first 
settlers in this place, and are still the most numerous party in and about it; and 
indeed the whole parish, as to their manners, are somewhat Quakerish) and. by 
them was given to Colonel Heathcote, for the use and service of the Church of 
England. ¢ 

‘*The Church is endowed with thirty acres of land at £3 per annum; besides 
which the minister hath a salary of £50 of this currency, raised yearly by virtue 
of an act of Assembly, of and for this Province. The second church is that of 
Eastchester, built by the Independanis, and by them delivered up to Mr. Bartow, 
who was formally inducted into the same, and kept quiet possession of it all his 
time, permitting the Independants sometimes to assemble in it. 

‘“The third, is New Rochelle, where Mr. Stoup officiates, and where acertain 
number of the French nation have divine service according to the form and 
manner of the Church of England; but the greatest number of that nation, flock 
toa meeting house of their own erecting, who are particularly fond of the Ma- 
hometan doctrine of absolute deerees, as the Dutch likewise of this country are. 
who where they have no minister of their own, will establish a reader in order to 
hinder their people from assembling with the English. 

‘*To the second enquiry, I answer, that the number of those well affected to the 
Church of England, were not above three or four families at the utmost ; those 
that now frequent the church at West and Eastchester in the Summer-time, and 
especially at the afternoon service, are about one hundred; but in the winter, not 
half that number, though the number of inhabitants in my parish are computed 
to be about six thousand. Their employments is husbandry, even innkeepers, 
shopkeepers, smiths, and shoemakers not excepted; so that we pray, pay, and 
wait too, for everything doue in this country. 

As to their religion, those who first settled in Westchester town, some were 
Quakers, those in Eastchester were New England Independants, who were in 
love with extemporary prayers, and who remain so in some degree after they are 
reconciled to our Church; so that the chief hope of making proselytes, lyes— 
amongst the younger sort—and in order to this, I believe the reading of some of 
our defences to the objections of the Dissenters particularly, and especially the 
London cases abridged by Bennet, would be of singular use. 

As the people of this country are all farmers, they are dispersed up and down 
the country: and even in towns every one has a plott of at least ten acres, which 


a These statements are certainly incorrect; for we have shown, Ist, that the early inhabi- 
tants were Puritan Independents: 2d, the church was built by a public tax, levied on all the 
inhabitants; and 8rd, wll public property became vested in the Church established by law. 
Editor, 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 359 


distances his neighbor from him; but then they make up for the rareness of their 
buildings by enlarging the compass of their towns, in that they generally make 
townships many miles in length, it may be twenty or thirty. 

“‘In my parish are two meeting houses, one of which is of Quakers, built within 
a stone throw of the church of Westchester, and is indeed a better building than 
that. The other is at New Rochelle. The church of Eastchester is about four 
miles east of that of Westchester, and the church of New Rochelle is about four 
miles east of Eastchester. In New Rochelle, besides the church there is a meet- 
ing house of French Protestant Dissenters; no such meeting house being in 
Eastchester, they supply that want by an intrusion into the Church: to which 
they plead a right, as being the chief builders thereof. But I being legally pre- 
sented and inducted, as was likewise my predecessor, I laid claim to it as my 
own proper right, exclusive of them; and so kept them out of it for a time, but 
they but rarely meeting in it, and threatening a law suit, I permitted them to 
do as they had done in my predecessor’s time: being somewhat at a loss how to 
behave in that affair, I should be glad to have the Society’s direction therein. 

‘‘In the winter time we have severely cold weather, with very hard frosts and 
deep snows, which hold us at least four months, beginning generally about the 
middle of November, and ending about the middle of March; but we have very 
cold winds sometime before and likewise sometime after the time aforesaid, so 
that we reckon, six months of cold and six months of hot weather, four of these 
being extremely cold, and four extremely hot. It is the business of the summer 
here, to provide for the winter, by which means few of our farmers rise, or are 
so much as beforehand with the world: but the far greatest number are involved 
in debts and difficulties by means of the iatemperature of the climate, and the 
indolence and restiveness of the inhabitants, but few here improve in their for- 
tunes; so that for ought I could hitherto learn by any observation I could make 
in my parish, the number of those that die in it exceeds not the number of those 
that run out of it. 

“To the third head of enquiry I answer, that there are three meeting houses in 
my parish—one of the Quakers of Westchester, one of the Dutch, from it three 
miles west, and one of the French at New Rochelle. The Duteh church has no 
settled teacher, but is supplyed once a quarter from New York ; at other times it 
is supplyed only by a reader. The Quakers preach against hireling priests, and 
pretend to give nothing to their teachers. ‘Yhe other Dissenters support their 
teachers by a free contribution raised amongst themselves. 

‘«To the fourth head of enquiry, I say, there are three schools and three school- 
masters. The first school is at Westchester, William Forrester, master, who has 
a salary from the Venerable Society, whom we have the honor to serve. The 
second is at Eastchester, one Delpech master, who is very well adapted and 
fitted for that business, and is well spoken of as being diligent in it: the third is 
at New Rochelle, where both French and English are taught. The two last have 
no other encouragement than what the parents of the children taught, do give. 

‘*To the fifth, there have been no donations that 1 know of, made either to the 
Church of West or Eastchester, nor avy benefaction to the minister or school- 
master of either place, nor is there any Library belonging to either church, save 
a few books Mrs. Bartow delivered to me. 

“To the sixth and last head of enquiry, I answer, that in the Township of 


360 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Westchester, there are seventy-five; in that of Eastchester, twenty-six ; but few 
of these negroes are in the service of those belonging to our Church; and then 
farther the state of the negroes being servitude and bondage, all the week they 
are held to hard work, but only Sundays excepted, when they fish or fowl or 
some other way provide for themselves. Their scattered positions up and down 
the country some distance from the church, but have all the prejudices of the 
masters conceiving the worse for being taught, and more apt to rebel, (an un- 
happy instance of which we had fourteen or fifteen years ago, in the City of 
New York, when and where there was an insurrection of the negroes in which 
several white people were destroyed, and it was observed, that the Catechumens 
of that kind or the most instructed of the negroes were the very leaders in that 
insurrection, q) are almost an invincible bar to their Christian instruction. 

‘**But I had almost forgot one thing, which, however, is of great moment in this 
case—and it is, that few of themare capable of being instructed. I have now two 
negroes, since marriage—one of which isa girl about nine years old, whom I have 
had above twelve months, and have during that time several times attempted to 
teach her to read, but cannot yet make her know her alphabet; nor have auy 
endeavours hitherto used with her, which have not been inconsiderable, been 
sufficient to make her number ten, tho’ she was born in this country ; nor cana 
fellow that is at least twenty, whom I have lately: bought, tho’ he has been 
seven years in this country, count up that number; but notwithstanding what 
hath been said, I hope so far to initiate them in the Christian religion as to fit 
them for baptism. 

“‘f have, in obedience to our principals, publickly exhorted those that have 
negroes to instruct them in the principles of the Christian religion, and have 
offered my assistance therein, but hitherto with little success. I hope I shall 
succeed beiter in some future attempt. 

‘*Tt is, I am sensible, expected that I should acquaint the Honorable Society 
with my labours and the successof them. I preach one Sunday at Westchester, 
another at Eastchester, and this I do twice a day for one half year ; but then dur- 
ing the season, (@. e.) when the days are short and weather cold, and the people 
are obliged in the morning to attend their cattle, we have divine service but 
once, and that is about the middle of theday. Icatechize the children in the 
public church at Eastchester, and have moved for it at Westchester ; but have 
not yet succeeded, the master there not encouraging of it. 

“Since I camehere, I have baptized about fifty children, besides two grown- 
persons. The number of our communicants are about thirty. You were pleased 
to tell me that the people of Setaucot, besides the allowance from the Society, 
would do something among and of themselves; but nothing being hitherto done, 
I desire if any subscription were by them sent to the Society—and such I am 
told was sent—that you would communicate them to me, andin so doing you 
will much oblige, Rev. Sir, your very humble servant, 

THOMAS STANDARD.”? 


a The “negro plot” of April, 1712. ‘The useful course of Mr. Neau’s labours, (says 
Dr. Hawkins) was temporarily interrupted in 1712, by an insurrection of the negroes in the 
city of New York ‘This, though soon put down, created a strong prejudice againsr the 
school, which the masters, who were for the most part averse to their being instructed, well 
knew how toturn to an account. There was no ground for it, however; as it appeared on 
the trial that but one of all Mr. Neau’s scholars, and that one unpabtized, had any connexion 
in the plot.” Note inserted by Editor. . 

b liawks’ MSS., from archives at Fulham, vol. ii. pp. 26 to 35, 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 361 


In the spring of 1735 occurred an unhappy difference between the 
Rev. Thos. Standard and Mr. Forster, the Society's school-master. It 
appears, from a letter of Governor Cosby’s to the Bishop of London, 
that when Mr. Vesey, the Commissary, ‘‘ was last at Westchester, (30th 
of June, 1735,) to enquire into this affair, a complaint was exhibited 
in form against Mr. Standard, by the principal men of his congrega- 
tion ;” to which Mr. Standard gave in his answer, on the 8th of October 
following, ‘“‘together with certain testimonials and affidavits which he 
judged necessary to his vindication.” In transmitting Copies of these 
proceedings, upon the zoth of October, 1735, to the Bishop of London, 
and through him to the Venerable Society; Mr. Vesey observes: 


“T have not as yet served Mr. Standard’s accusers with a copy of his 
answer to their charges against him, nor examined into the truth of the 
allegations ; being determined to proceed no farther in a matter of this 
consequence, without my Lord’s and the Honorable Society’s express 
order and directions, as also hoping that they will be pleased favorably 
to accept his answer, seeing he has promised to reform himself and pur- 
sue the great end and design of his mission with more care and diligence 
for the time to come.” 


Here the matter seems, fortunately for both parties, to have ended; 
as no further proceedings were taken, and the Society still continued Mr. 
Standard’s services at Westchester. 

In 1743, Mr. Standard acquaints the Society, “ that notwithstanding 
the country swarmed with vagrant preachers, called New Lights, he had 
a more numerous congregation than usual, the Lord’s day preceding.”¢ 

“Upon the earnest petition of the church-wardens and vestrymen of 
St. Peter’s church, Westchester, the Propagation Society appointed Mr. 
Basil Bartow, school-master of the parish in 1744.” The King’s Com- 
missary transmitted the following account of this individual :—‘ That 
he is son to the Rev. John Bartow, late the Society’s worthy missionary 
there. He is a person of good temper, sober, and pious, and well af- 
fected to the present government ; conformable to the doctrine and dis- 
cipline of the Church, and exceedingly well qualified for the instruction 
of children.”4 

The Society’s abstracts for 1745, say :— 


“ Letters from New York bring an account that the churches of East 
and Westchester, under the care of Mr. Standard, are in a peaceable and 
growing state.’ 


@ Ibid vol. ii. pp. 80, 81. 

b Ibid voi. ii. pp. 76, 77. 

c Printed abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc. from 1743 to 1744. 
d Ibid from 1744 to 1745. 

e ibid. 


362 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


The following notice of Mr. Standard’s death, and the appointment 
of his successor, appears in the abstracts for 1760: 


. 

“The Society being informed by a letter from the church-wardens of 
Westchester, dated August the first, 1760, that the Rev, Mr. Standard, 
their Missionary, was dead; and that for some time before his death he 
had been incapable, through his great age, of performing his office in 
the church of which he had been the incumbent, more than thirty-four 
years—and they earnestly praying for a worthy successor to him, that 
might collect the congregation, then scattered as sheep having no shep- 
herd—the Society have granted their petition, by the appointment of the 
Rev. Mr. Milner, a native of that Province, and son of a gentleman of 
the City of New York, to the mission of Westchester; he coming over 
from thence recommended to the Society by the Rev. Dr. Johnson, 
President of the College, and by the Rev. Dr. Barclay, Rector of the 
church of New York ; and being found worthy, was admitted into Dea- 
con’s and Priest’s ordersin our Church ; and he now is on his voyage to 
Westchester, where the society have good hopes he will answer the good 
character transmitted to them of him, and both by doctrine and example 
promote the knowledge and practice of the true Christian religion.” 


From the date of Probate of Mr. Standard’s will, which generally 
points out the period of the deceased’s death, it is probable that he died 
at Eastchester,? in the early part of January, 1760. His body lies un- 
der the communion table in St. Paul’s church, where a monument has 
been erected to mark the spot where the ashes of this venerable mis- 
sionary repose. 


THE WILL OF THOMAS STANDARD, RECTOR OF THE PARISH 
OF WESTCHESTER. 


“Ty tHE Namg or Gop, AMEN.—I, Thomas Standard, Rector of the Parish 
of Westchester, in the Province of New York, being far advanced in years, but 
of sound disposing mind and memory, (thanks be to God.) do make my last will 
and testament in manner and form following: first and principally, I commit my 
precious and immortal soul into the merciful hends of God that gave it, and my 
body to the earth, to be decently buried at the discretion of my executors, here- 
inafter named, nothing doubting but I shall be raised again by the mighty power 
of God to a Glorious Resurrection thro’ Jesus Christ my Blessed Saviour and Re- 
deemer; and as touching my worldly estate, I do dispose thereof, as follows: 
my Will is, that all my just debts and funeral charges be duly paid and satisfied 
in some convenient time after my decease. I give and grant unto my executors 
hereinafter named, full power and authority to sell and dispose of all my real 
estate whatsoever and wheresoever, at vendue or otherwise, as they shall think 


a Printed Abstracts of the Ven. Prop. Soc. from 15th Feb., 1760 to 20th Feb., 1761. 

> The property opposite the present church, upon which Mr. Standard resided at the time 
of his death, was sold by Andrew Clements, one of his executors, and now belongs to John 
Alstyne, Esq.—Editor. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 363 


fitt, and to make and execute good and sufficient deeds and conveyances in the 
law to the purchasor or purchasors thereof ; I likewise give them power, and 
order them, my executors, to sell and dispose of all my moveable and personal 
estate whatsoever, and the monys arrising from the sale of my said real and 
personal estate, together with all the monys I shall leave at my decease, either 
in my house, or that shall be due to me on bond or otherwise, I order to be dis- 
posed of as follows : and I do give and bequeath the same unto and amongst my 
nephews and neices, namely, Thomas Standard, of London, barber, son of my 
brother , and to George Standard and Mary Standard, children of my 
brother, James Standard, late of Taunton, in Somersetshire, in Old England, 
dec’d, and to William Burridge and Sarah Burridge, children of my sister, Sarah 
Burridge, the wife of William Burridge, of Taunton aforesaid, equally to be di- 
vided amongst them, share and share alike, each an equal part of all and singular 
my said estate, and in case either of my said nephews or neices should happen to 
die before the distribution of my said estate, leaving no lawful issue, then I order 
the share of him or her so dying, to be equally divided amongst the surviving 
legatees before named, but if those so dying shall leave lawfull issue, then I will 
that the issue of such legatee so dying, shall have the share of their dec’d father 
or mother. Lastiy, J Nomryate, constitute, and appoint my trusty friends, 
James Bernard and Andrew Clements, both of Eastchester, in the Province of 
New York, gent’s, executors of this my last will and testament, hereby making 
void all former wills by me made, declaring this only to be my last will and 
testament. 

In Testruony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in Eastchester, 
the first day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred 
and fifty-eight. 


THOMAS STANDARD, [1. s.] 


Signed, sealed, published and declared by 
the said Thomas Standard, as and for his last 
Will and Testament, in the presence of us, 
who subscribe our names as witnesses there- 
to, in the testator’s presence. 


Tuomas BUTLER, 
CHARLES VINCENT, 
Lewis GUIoN, 

Jno. Bartow.” 


**T, Thomas Standard, before named, do hereby further declare, that notwith- 
standing I have given all my estate unto my nephews and neices, to witt :— 
Thomas Standard, of London, barber, George Standard and Mary Standard, 
William Burridge and Sarah Burridge, by the foregoing will, yet it ismy will, and 
I do order and direct my executors before named, to pay to the heirs of William 
Jesse, of Westhatch, near Taunton, the sum of forty pouuds, sterling money of 
Great Britain, before they make a distribution of my said estate amongst my 
nephews and neices before named; and I doorder this codicil to be a part of my 
will, and to be of the same force and effect as if the same had heen inserted in 
the body of the foregoing. 


364 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Ix Testrwony whereof, I have hereto set my hand and seal, this fifth day of 
May, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty-eight. 


Signed, sealed, published and declared by THOMAS STANDARD, [1 s.] 
the said Thomas Standard, as and for a 
codicil, in the presence of us who subscribe 
our names as evidences thereof, in the tes- 
tator’s presence. JNo Barrow, 
CHARLES VINCENT, 
Lewis Gurion, 
THoMas Burier.’@ 


The state of the parish, about eleven months after Mr. Standard’s 
death, is thus described by the Rev. Dr. Barclay, in a letter to the Sec- 
retary, from which we take the following: 


MR. BARCLAY TO THE SECRETARY. 


(Extract. 
New York, Deo. 10ru, 1760. 


“* Westchester and Rye continue still vacant. . Religion is at the lowest ebb in 
yt country, and unless some zealous and discrete clergyman be appointed to those 
missions, the very term of it will soon disappear—as Westchester is a wide ex- 
tended county, three missionaries can find more than sufficient employment, and 
I know of no place where they can be more serviceable ; provided they have the 
interest of religion at heart.”® 


From the following passage, in the life of Samuel Johnson, D. D., by 
Dr. Chandler, it appears that as early as 1755, the Society had provided 
an assistant and suscessor to Mr, Standard, in the person of Mr. William 
Johnson, a younger son of the Doctors; but unfortunately, their plans 
were frustrated by his early death.” ‘ Mr. William Johnson embarked 
for England, November the 8th, 1755, with a view of returning in Holy 
orders, to assist and succeed Mr. Standard, the superanuated missionary 
at Westchester. He was received by the Society, by Bishops Sher- 
lock and Secker, and all the Doctor's friends, with great affection. They 
recommended him to the University of Oxford, for the degree of Master 
of Arts, which was readily conferred upon him, in the month of May, 
and soon after to the Univesity of Cambridge, where he was admitted aa 
eundem. He had received holy orders in March, and had preached 
several times in and about London, with great reputation. But soon 
after his return from Cambridge, he was seized with the small-pox, which 
proved fatal to him on the 2oth of June, 1756. He was buried in Mr, 


a Transcribed from a true copy, examined with the original, by P. Banyar, D. Sec. Date 
of Probate, 26th Jan., 1760, Surrogates office, N. Y., vol. Xxi., p, 496. 


6b New York MSS, from archives at Fulham, vol. ii. 282.—(Hawks.) 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 365 


Morley’s vault, in St. Mildred’s in the Poultry, where there is a hand- 
some marble monument erected to his memory. Thus, to the inexpres- 
sible grief and disappointment of his friends, and to the great loss of the 
Church in America, was this amiable and promising youth cut off, in the 
bloom of life—making the seventh of those, who in their voyage to Eng- 
land, for Holy orders, from the northern colonies, had perished by sundry 
kinds of death.” 4 

Upon the 25th of February, 1761, the Rev. John Milner, A.M., was 
licensed as a Missionary, to the Province of New York, by the Bishop of 
London. He was the son of Nathaniel Milner, of New York, a descendant 
of the Mylners, (or Milners) of Pugesey, in Yorkshire. One of the early 
pioneers of the family in this country,was Michael Milner, of Lynn, Mass., 
who removed to Long Island in 1640.¢ Mr. Milner was born in this county 
circ. 1738,¢and graduated at Princeton College, New Jersey, in 1753.¢ 
In 1760 he went to England for Holy orders, and the same year was 
ordained Deacon and Priest, by Bishop Sherlock. He embarked for his 
mission sometime in March, 1761, and arrived home, after a long and 
tedious passage, on the 13th of May, following. Upon the r2th of June, 
of that year, he was instituted and inducted Rector of the Parish, by 
Lieutenant-Goverrour Colden, in the following manner :— 


LETTERS OF INSTITUTION BY LIEUT. GOVERNOUR COLDEN 
TO JOHN MILNER, CLERK. 


I, Cadwallader Colden, Esq., President of his Majesty’s Council, and Com- 
mander-in-Chief of the Province of New York, and the Territories depending 
thereon in America; do, in pursuance cf the power devolved on me, collate, 
institute and establish you, John Milner, Clerk, Rector of the Parish Church at 
Westchester, commonly called St. Peter’s church, including the several districts 
of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers, and the Manor of Pelham, in the County 
of Westchester, within this government, to have the care of the souls of the 
parishioners of the said church and district aforesaid, and to take your cure and 
mine. 

Given under my hand and the prerogative seal of the Province of New York, 
at Fort George, in the City of New York, the thirteenth day of June, one thou- 


sand seven hundred and sixty-one. CADWALLADER COLDEN.S 


@ Life of Samuel Johnson, D.D., by Thomas Bradbury Chandler, D.D., formerly Rector of 
St. John’s church, Elizabetbtown, N. J., p. 96, 


6b The arms of John Mylner, Lord of the Manor of Pugesey were: Sable, three bridle bits 
or, Crest. a bridle bit or.—See Berry’s Genealogies of Kent. 


e Farmer's Register. 


d “Mr. Milner was a native of Westchester Colony, his father residing in N. Y.’"—Fowler’s 
MSS , B. iii, 573, B. v. p. 965. 


e List of Princeton Graduates, 
J Record of Commissions, Secretary of State’s Office, Albany, vol. v., pp. 188-9, 


366 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


MANDATE FROM LIEUT. GOVERNOR COLDEN TO INDUCT JOHN 
MILNER, CLERK, INTO THE RECTORSHIP OF THE 
PARISH CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. 


The Honorable Cadwallader Colden, Esquire, President of His Majesty’s Coun- 
cil, and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of New York, and the Territories 
depending thereon in America: To all and singular, Rectors and Parish Minis- 
ters whatsoever, in the Province of New York, or to Samuel Sneden and John 
Hunt, the present church-wardens of St. Peter’s church, at Westchester, in the 
County of Westchester, and to the vestrymen of the said church, and to each and 
every of you, GreeTING; wnereasI have collected, instituted and established 
our beloved in Christ, John Milner, Clerk, to be Rector of the Parish church at 
Westchester, commonly called St. Peter's church, including the several districts 
of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonckers, and the Manor of Pelham, in the County 
of Westchester, within this government, vacant as is said by the natural death 
of Thomas Standard, the Jast incumbent there, on the day of January, 1760, 
with all its rights and appurtenances, observing the laws and canons of right in 
that behalf required, and to be observed; To you therefore, jointly and severaly, 
I do commit, and firmly enjoining, do command each and every of you that in 
due manner, him, the said John Milner, or his lawful proctor, in his name and 
for him, into the real, actual and corporal possession of the said Rectory and 
Parish church at Westchester, including the districts aforesaid, and of all its 
rights and appurtenances whatsoever, you induct, or have to be inducted, and 
him so inducted, you do defend ; and of what you shall have done in the premises 
thereof, you do certify unto me, or other competent Judge, in that behalf, when 
thereunto you shall be duely required. 

Given under my hand and the prerogative seal of the Province of New York, 
at Fort George, in the City of New York, the thirtieth day of June, in the year 
of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty-one. 

CADWALLDER COLDEN.« 


The Rev. Mr. Milner, the Society’s Missionary at Westchester, in his 
letter of October 3d, 1761, acquaints the Society, “that after a long and 
dangerous passage, he arrived at his mission May 13th, and has ever 
since preached to crowded audiences. His mission, he says, is of large 
extent ; and he is obliged to attend three churches, and till Mr. Houdin 
came to New Rochelle, officiated there once a month. One of his 
churches is a new edifice, raised by the generosity of Col. Frederick 
Phillips, who has given to its services a fine farm as a glebe, consisting 
of two hundred acres; upon which he purposes to build a good house 
for a minister. Mr. Milner has baptized forty-three white infants, and 
four adults, twelve black children and three adults. His communicants 
are sixteen. His catechumens, he says, have made a laudabie profici- 
ency, by which means he hopes his communicants will increase.”® 

a Ibid. 


b Printed Abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc. for 1762-3-4-5-C-7-5, p. 51. The New York S ost Boy 
of May 7th, 1761, says:—‘‘ The Rev. Mr. Milner has arrived froma London in the ship Oliver.” 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 367 


Mr. Milner, in his letter dated June 29th, 1762, writes:—‘“ yt since 
his arrival at his mission, which is fourteen months, he had baptized one 
hundred and fourteen, of whom forty were adults, viz: thirty whites and 
ten blacks, and had administered the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper 
four times, to thirty communicants, of which he hopes the number will 
increase. He constantly attends three churches in three different town- 
ships, preaching to crowded audiences of devout, well-behaved people. 
They have no dissenters among them, except a few Quakers. He adds, 
that the school is still vacant, and deprived of a teacher, but petitions 
the Society to continue their bounty to some worthy person who shall 
be chosen schoolmaster ; as the school is a nursery for the Church, and 
of great service in these parts, which request is accordingly granted.Ӣ 

In a Jetter dated June 4th, 1763, Mr. Milner “expresses his own and 
his people’s sense of the favour done them, in giving them leave to 
choose a schoolmaster for this place, tho’ they have not yet been able 
to find a person properly qualified for that office. He likewise informs 
the Society that he has procured a charter for St. Peter’s church, which 
will greatly promote the interests of virtue and religion; and that his. 
people have purchased a house, with a glebe of thirty acres, not far from 
the church. From -June 29th, 1762, to the date of this letter, he has 
baptized eighty infants, among whom three were blacks, and seven adults ; 
one of them a man near sixty years old, who is since admitted to full 
communion. The number of his communicants is increased to iifty- 
three, above forty have been added since his arrival at his mission, 
which was about two years at the time of his writing.”? 

The following petition was presented for the charter alluded to in the 
above letter :— 


TO THE HONOURABLE CADWALLADER COLDEN, ESQ., HIS 
MAJESTY’S LIEUTENANT GOVERNOUR AND COMMANDER 
IN-CHIEF OF THE PROVINCE OF NEW YORK, AND THE 
TERRITORIES DEPENDING THEREON IN AMERICA. 


The petition of the subscribers, inhabitants of the Borough Town of West- 
chester, in the County of Westchester, in behalf of themselves and the rest of 
the inhabitants of the said Town, in Communion of the Church of England, as 
by law established ; 

Humpty SHEWETH: 

That for many years past there has been a church in the said town of West- 
chester for the administration of Divine Service, according to the use of the 


a Printed Abstracts of Ven. Propagation Society, for 1762. 
b Printed Abstracts of Ven. Propagation Society for 1763. 


368 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Church of England, as by law established ; but that for want of proper persons to 
superintend the atfairs and interests of the same with legal authority, the build- 
ing is now considerably out of repair—and pious and well disposed persons are 
discouraged in their designs of contributing to, and establishing proper funds for 
the support of the said church and minister thereof; for remedying which, 

Your petitioners humbly pray, that our honour will be favourably pleased to 
grant unto them his Majesty’s Letters Patent, constituting your Petitioners, or 
such of them as shali be thought proper, a Body Politic and Corporate, for the 
purposes of conducting and managing the affairs and interests of the said church 
in such manner and form, and with such rights, priveledges and immunities, as 
were heretofore granted to the inhabitants of the town of lushing, in Queen's 
County, in communion of the Church of England, or with such other rights, 
priveledges, and immunities, as shall be thought reasonable and proper ; and your 
petitioners shall ever pray. 


JoHN MILNER, Peter De Lanory, 
Joun Bartow, N. Unperur1, 

J. WILteETT, JAMES GRAHAM, 

Lewis Morris, JRr., Jamzs V. CorTLANDT.@ 


On the rath of May, 1762, the petition was read and granted in the 
following manner :— 


ROYAL CHARTER OF ST. PETER’S CHURCH, IN THE BOROUGH 
TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 


‘* George the third, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, 
king, defender of the faith, &c., to whom these presents shall come, greeting: 
whereas, our loving subject, the Rev. John Milner, Rector of St. Peter’s church, 
in the Borough Town of Westchester, and the County of Westchester, in our 
Province of New York, and John Bartow, Isaac Willett, Lewis Morris, Jr., 
Peter De Lancey, Nathaniel Underhill, James Graham and James van Cortlandt, 
inhabitants of the said Borough Town of Westchester, in Communion of the 
Church of England. as by law established ; in behalf of themselves and the rest 
of the inhabitants of the said town, in communion as aforesaid, by their humble 
petition, presented on the twelfth day of May last, to our trusty and weil beloved 
Cadwallader Coiden, Esq., then our Licutenant Governour and Commander-in- 
chief of our Province of New York, and the territories depending thereon in 
America; in council did set forth, that for many years past there had been a 
church in the said Town of Westchester, for the regular administration of Divine 
Service according to the use of the Church of England, as by law established, but 
that for the want of proper persons to superintend the affairs and interests of the 
same with legal authority, the building was considerably out of repair, and pious 
and well disposed persons were discouraged in the designs of contributing to and 
establishing proper funds for the support of the said church and the minister there- 
of; for remedying whereof, the said petitioners did humbiy pray a letter patent, 
constituting the said petitioners, or such of them as shall be thought proper, a body 


a New York Col. MSS. (Colden.) 1761-2, vol. xc. Sec. of State’s Office. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER, 369 


politic and corporate, for the purpose of conducting and managing the affairs and 
interests of the said church, in such manner and form, and with such rights, ‘priv- 
ileges and immunities as were heretofore granted to the inhabitants of the town 
of Flushing, in Queen’s County, in Communion of the Church of England, or with 
such other rights, privileges and immunities as should be thought reasonable and 
proper; 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 motion, we have ordained, given, granted and 
declared, and by these presents for us, our heirs, and successors, do ordain, give, 
grant and declare, that they the said petitioners, and the rest of the inhabitants 
of the said Borough Town of Westchester, in Communion of the Church of Eng- 
land, ag by law established, and their successors, the Rector and inhabitants of the 
said Borough Town of Westchester, in Communion of the Church of England as 
by law established, hereafter shall be a body corporate and politic, in deed, fact 
and name, by the name, style and title of the Rector and inhabitants of the 
Borough Town of Westchester, in Communion of the Church of England, as by 
law established, and them and their successors by the same name. We do by 
these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, really and fully make, erect and 
constitute one body politic and corporate, in deed, fact and name forever, and we 
give, grant and ordain, that they and their successors, the Rector and inhabitants 
of the Borough Town of Westchester, in Communion of the Church of England, 
as by law established, by the same name shall and may have perpetual success- 
ions, 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, writs, complaints, pleas, causes, matters 
and demands whatsoever, as fully and amply as any other our liege subjects of 
our said province of New York may or can sue or be sued, implead or be im- 
pleaded, defend, or be defended, by any lawful way or means whatsoever; and 
that they and their successors by the same name shall be for ever hereatter capa- 
ble and able in the law to purchase, take, hold, receive and enjoy any messuages, 
tenements, personal and real estate whatsoever in fee simple for the term of life 
or lives, or in any other manner howsoever for the use of the said church; and 
also any goods, chattels or personal estate whatsoever, provided always that the 
clear yearly value of the said real estate (exclusive of the said church and the 
ground whereon the same is built, and the cemetery belonging to the same,) doth 
not at any time exceed the sum of five hundred pounds current money of our 
said province, and that they and their successors by the same name shall have 
full power and authority to give, grant, sell, leave and dispose of the same real 
estate for life or lives, or year or for ever, under certain yearly rents, and all 
goods and chattels and personal estate whatsoever, at their will and pleasure, and 
that it shall and may be lawful for them and their successors to have and use a 
common seal; and our will and pleasure further is, and we do hereby for us, our 
heirs and successors, ordain and appoint, that there shall be for ever hereafter 
belonging to the said church, one Rector of the Church of England, as by law es- 
tablished, duly qualified for the care of souls, two church-wardens and eight ves- 
trymen who shall conduct and manage the affairs and business of the said church, 
and confer in manner as hereafter is established and appointed; and for the more 
immediate carrying into execution our royal will and pleasure herein, we do . 


370 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


hereby assign, constitute and appoint Isaac Willett and Nathaniel Underhill, the 
elder, to be the present church-wardens, and Peter De Lancey, James Graham, 
James van Cortlandt, Lewis Morris, John Smith, Theophilus Bartow, Cornelius 
Willett and Thomas Hunt, to be the present vestrymen of the said church, who 
shall hold, possess and enjoy their respective offices until Tuesday in Easter week 
now next ensuing, and for the keeping of the succession in the said offices our 
royal will and pleasure is, and we do hereby establish, direct and require, that on 
the said Tuesday in Easter week now next ensuing, and yearly and every year 
thereafter, for ever on Tuesday in Easter week in every year, the Rector and in- 
habitants of the Borough Town of Weschester in Communion of the Church of 
England, as by law established, shall meet at the said church, and there by the 
majority of voices of such of them as shall so meet, elect and choose two of their 
members to be church-wardens, and cight others of their members to be vestry- 
men 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 respectively, from the time of such 
elections for and during the space of one year, and until other fit persons shall be 
elected and chosen in their respective places; and in case the church-wardens or 
vestrymen, or either of them, by these presents named and appointed, or which 
shall hereafter be elected and chosen, shall die or remove from the said Borough 
Town of Westchester, 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 nominated and appointed, or whereunto he or they shall or may be elected 
and chosen, then our royal will and pleasure is, and we do hereby direct and ordain 
and require the rector and inhabitants of the borough town of Westchester in com- 
munion as aforesaid, for the time being, to meet at the said church and choose 
other or others of their numbers in place and stead of him or them so dying, re- 
moving 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 pre- 
vent any undue proceedings therein, we do hereby give full power and authority 
to, and ordain and require that the rector and the church-wardens of the said ~ 
church for the time being, or any two of them, shall appoint the time for such 
election or elections, and that the rectcr of the said church, or in his absence one 
of the 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 preceding the day appointed for such elections, hereby giving and grant- 
ing that such person or persons as shall be chosen from time to time by the rector 
and inhabitants of the said borough town of Westchester in communion as afore- 
said, or the majority of such of them as shall in such case meet in manner here- 
by directed, shall have, hold, exercise and enjoy such the office or offices #0 
which ke or they shall be so elected and chosen from the time of such election 
until the Tuesday in Easter week thence next ensuing, and until other or others 
be legally chosen in his or their place instead, as fully and amply as the person 
or persons in whose place he or they shall be chosen might or could have done 
by virtue of these presents, and we do hereby will and direct that this method 
shall for ever hereafter be used for the filling up all vacancies that shall happen 
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 suc- 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 371 


— 


cessors, give and grant that as well the church-wardens and vestry, or those 
present 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 vestrymen in that part of 
our kingdom of Great Britain called England, or in this our province of New 
York, can or lawfully may execute their said respective offices ; and further our 
royal will and pleasure is, and we do by these presents for us, our heirs and suc- 
cessors, give, grant, ordain and appoint, that the rector and church-wardens of 
said church for the time being, or any two of them, shall and may from time to 
time as occasion shall require, summon and call together at such day and place 
as they shall think proper the said rector, church-wardens and vestrymen for the 
time being to meet in vestry, giving them at the least one day’s notice thereof, 
and we hereby require them to meet accordingly; and we do hereby give, grant 
and ordain, that the said rector, 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 for ever 
hereafter, have, and they are hereby invested with full power and authority by a 
majority of their voices to do and execute in the name of the rector and inhabit- 
ants of the borough town of Westchester, in communion of the Church of Eng- 
land as by Jaw established, all and singular powers and authorities herein before 
given and granted to the said rector and inhabitants of the borough town of 
Westchester in communion of the Church of England as by law established, 
any wise touching or relating to such lands; messages, tenements, real and per- 
sonal estate whatsoever, as they the said rector and inhabitants of the borough 
town of Westchester, in communion as aforesaid, shall or may acquire for the 
use of the said church, and also in like manner to order, direct, manage, and 
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 
Tules, orders, and ordinances as they shall judge convenient for the good govern- 
ment and discipline of the members of 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 this our province of New York, but as near as 
may be agreeable thereto, and that the same be fairly entered in a book or 
books to be kept for that purpose, and also in like manner to appoint the form 
of the common seal herein before granted, and the same to alter, break, and re- 
make at their direction ; 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 here- 
in contained to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding—which clerk and sexton 
shall hold and enjoy their respective offices during the will and pleasure of the 
rector of the said church for the time being; and in case of any avoidance of the 
said church either by the death of the rector thereof or otherwise, then our royal 
will and pleasure is that the powers and authority hereby vested in the rector, 
church-wardens, and vestrymen, in vestry to meet as above mentioned, shall, until 
the said church he legally supplied with another incumbent, vest in and be exe- 
cuted by the church-wardens of the said church for the time being, provided al- 


372 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 

ways they have the concurrence and consent of the major number of the whole 
vestrymen of the said church for the time being, in any thing they shall in such 
case do by virtue hereof; and further we do by these presents for us, our heirs, 
and successors, give and grant unto the rector and inhabitants of the borough 
town of Westchester in communion of the Church of England as by law estab- 
lished, and their successors forever, that this our present grant shall be deemed, 
adjudged and construed in all cases most favourably, and for the best benefit and 
advantage of the rector and inhabitants of the borough town of Westchester in 
communion of the Church of England as by law established, and that this our 
present grant being entered on record as is hereinafter 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 our true interests 
and meaning herein before declared, notwithstanding the not reciting or mis-re- 
citing, not naming or mis-naming of any of the aforesaid franchises, privileges, 
immunities, or officers, in either the premises or any of them, and although no 
writ of ad guod damnum or other writs, inquisitions in precept hath or have been 
upon this account, had, made, or prosecuted or issued, to have and to hold all 
and singular the privileges, liberties, advantages, and immunities hereby granted 
or meant, mentioned, or intended so to be, unto the said rector and inhabitants of 
the borough town of Westchester in communion of the Church of England as by 
law established, and to their successors forever. In testimony whereof we have 
caused these our letters to be made patent, and the great seal of our said province 
to be hereunto affixed, and the same to be entered on record in our Secretary’s 
office, in our city of New York, in one of the books of patents there remaining. 
Witness, our trusty and well beloved Robt. Monckton, our Captain General and 
Governour-in-Chief of our proviuce of New York and the territories depending 
thereon in America, Vice-Admiral of the same and Major General of our forces, 
at our fort in our city of New York, by and with the advice and consent of our 
Governour for our said province. Second day of December, in the year A. D. 


1762, and of our reign the third. 
PaeS4 Signed, CLARKE.”4 


The Society’s abstracts for 1764, say :— 


“The Rev. Mr. Milner, the Society's Missionary at Westchester, in 
his letters dated June 8th, and December 21st, 1764; acquaints the So- 
ciety that he has, at his own expense, laid out a sum, amounting to two 
hundred pounds currency, repaired the parsonage house, built a new 
barn and out houses, (the vestry promising to reimburse him as soon as 
their circumstances will permit), and the people of Eastchester have laid 
the foundation of a new stone church, seventy-one feet by thirty-eight, 
in the room of a small decayed wooden building, erected in the infancy 
of their settlement. Mr. Milner has, in pursuance of the powers given 
him by the Society, appointed Mr. Nathaniel Seabury, a son of the late 
worthy missionary at Hempstead, to be school master at Westchester.” 


The church-wardens of Westchester in their letter, dated July 7, 1764, 


a Alb. Rec. Book of Patents, No. xiii., p. 490-495. The original document or parchment is 
in possession of the clerk of the vestry. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 373 


acquaint the Society “that they have purchased a glebe of near thirty 
acres, with a house, which, when they have repaid Mr. Milner the ex- 
pense he has been at, will cost them, in the whole, near seven hundred 
pounds, which they spend with great cheerfulness, as their minister’s 
behaviour has very much endeared him to the people ; and his diligence 
has been attended with such success, that whole families of Quakers— 
the only dissenters in this parish—have conformed to the Church. Mr. 
Milner has baptized, within the year, seventy-two whites, and nineteen 
black infants ; and has fifty communicants. 

Mr. Milner continued his services in the parish, until the fall of 1765, 
as appears by the following extract from a letter of Mr. John Bartow, to 
the Bishop of London :— 


BorouGH oF WESTCHESTER, IN THE PROVINCE 
or New York, Oocr. 15ru, 1765. 


‘“*The Honourable Society’s Missionary for our parish of Westchester has left 
us. I expect the vestry of this parish will soon address the Honourable Society 
for the continuance of their favours ; and I beg your lordship’s care and protec- 
tion over us, and that you will assist in sending a faithful minister to reside here. 
I suppose our vestry may nominate, but still there may want inspection.” 


For what reason Mr. Milner resigned his benefice, does not now very 
clearly appear. It is not improbable, however, that the large sum of 
money expended by him on the glebe, may have had some connection 
with his leaving. In 1766, he was settled rector of the Isle of Wight 
and Southampton, in Virginia. In 1768, he addressed the following 
letter to the Secretary :-- 


MR. MILNER TO THE SECRETARY. 
(EXTRACT. ] 
Newport ParisH, Iste or Wicut, FEB. 3rp, 1768. 


Rey. Sm :—‘‘I am very sorry to inform you that the people of Westchester 
pay very litile regard, either to their promises, or the Society’s expectations; for 
Iam informed by my lawyer that they absolutely refuse to-refund me one penny 
of all the money I have expended on their glebe, which, without the repairs and 
buildings I made, would have been entirely useless. I am now settled in Vir- 
ginia, where the Church is established in reality, and some certain provision 
made for the clergy, etc.Ӣ 


“In 1766,” says Bishop Mead, “the Rev. Mr. Milner is the minister 
of the parishes in the Isle of Wight and Southampton, and resigns in 
a Printed abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc. from 17th Feb. 1764, to 15th Feb, 1765. 


6 New York MSS., from archives at Fulham, vil. ii., 330-332. (IMawk’s). 
¢e Ditto, vol. ii., 446. 


374 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


1770." He probably died in 1775, for his name appears among the 
deceased clergy, in ‘“‘a list of persons licensed to the plantations,” end- 
ing Dec. 28, 1777.° 

A vacancy of nearly a year occurred before the Rev. Samuel Seabury, 
A.M., was appointed to the mission. ‘In 1776,” says Dr. Hawkins, “‘ Mr. 
Seabury intimated to the Society his wish to accept the offer of the mis- 
sion of Westchester, which was made by him to the church-wardens and’ 
vestrymen ; and the Society consenting to his proposal, he removed 
thither at the end of the year 1766.”° 

Mr. Seabury was the oldest son of the Rev. Samuel Seabury, a de- 
scendant of John Seaberry, of Boston, Mass., whose family were ongi- 
nally seated at Porlake, in Devonshire, England. Samuel, the son of 
John Seaberry, and Grace, his wife, was born roth Dec. 1640. Samuel 
Seabury, M. D.,, was a noted surgeon at Duxbury, Mass., in the 17th 
century. His son, John Seabury, was born in 1673, and died at Hemp- 
stead, L. I., Dec., 17, 1759. His son, Samuel, was born in 1706, and 
was graduated at Harvard University, in 1724. He settled at Groton, 
Conn., as a Congregational minister, and is said to have married Abi- 
gail Mumford. From intercourse with Dr. McSparran, of Narragansett, 
Mr. Seabury became an Episcopal clergyman, and was appointed by the 
Society, in 1728, the first missionary of St. James’s church, then at New 
London. His wife died in 1731. In 1733, he married Elizabeth Pow- 
ell, (she died Feb. 6, 1799, aged 87), the daughter of Adam Powell, a 
merchant of Newport, R. I., and grand-daughter of Gabriel Bernon. In 
1742 he removed to Hempstead, on L. I., where he died June 15, 1764. 
The following is the inscription on his tombstone :— 


‘Here lyeth interred the body of the 
REV. SAMUEL SEABURY, A.M., 


Rector of the Parish of Hempstead, 
who with the greatest diligence and most indefatigable labour, for 13 years 
at New London, and 21 years in this Parish, having discharged — 
every duty of his sacred function, 
Died the 15th of June, A.D. 1764, xt 58. 


a “Old Churches and Families in Virginia,”’ by the Rt. Rev. William Mead, Bishop of Virginia. 
The Rey. H. Walcoxon in a letter to the author, dated Smithfield, Isle of Wight County, Va., 
Jan’y. 7, 1852, says: ‘‘The oldest resident,of my acquaintance, in the county thinks, he has 
heard of Mr. Milner, but can give no certain or reliable information about him. The records 
of the parish, for many years back, have been destroyed or lost. St. Luke’s church, Isle of 
Wight Co., Va., was built in 1632, aud is undoubtedly the oldest building now standing in 
America erected by English settlers. The walls and tower are nearly perfect.”—Circular by 
Rev. Jaa. B. Crayhill, Suffolk, Va. 

b Coll. of Prot. Epis. Hist. Society, 1851. 


ec Hist. Notices of the Miss. of the Church of Eng. in the North American Colonies, by 
Ernest Hawkins, B. D. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 375 


In gratitude to the memory of the best of husbands, his disconsolate 
widow, Elizabeth Seabury, hath placed this stone.” 


His brother, Capt. David Seabury, (remarkable for his great bodily 
strength,) died at the same place, Nov. 11th, 1750, aged fifty-two, un- 
married.¢ 

The ancient orthography of the surname was Sedborough, until changed, 
probably, by the early pioneers of the family in this country. Mr. Sea- 
bury was born in Groton, Connecticut, November 3oth, 1729,” and 
graduated A.M., at Yale College in 1748. He also received the degree 
of A.M., from King’s College, New York, in 1761. Soon after complet- 
ing his collegiate education, he was appointed catechist by the Vener- 
able Propagation Society, under the direction of his father, at Hunting- 
ton a town about eighteen miles distant from Hempstead. In 1753, the 
Society received from Mr. James Wetmore, Missionary at Rye, a testi- 
monial in favor of the Rev. Samuel Seabury, Jun., whom he represented 
as “a man of unblemished moral character, sound learning, and so pru- 
dent behaviour, that he would prove a worthy missionary. He accord- 
ingly recommended him for the vacant cure of New Brunswick, in the 
colony of New Jersey. The Society having now for some years had 
knowledge of him in the subordinate office of catechist, immediately gave 
its sanction to his coming to England for holy orders.” 

“The Society have appointed the Rev. Mr. Seabury, son of the Rev. 
Mr. Seabury, the Society's Missionary at Hempstead in Long Island, in 
the Province of New York, to be their Missionary to New Brunswick, 
out of regard to the request of the inhabitants, and to the united testi- 

mony of the Episcopal clergy of New York in his favor ; as a youth of 
good genius, unblemished morals, sound principles in religion, and one 
that had made as good proficiency in literature, while in America, as the 
present state of learning there would admit of; and he has gone for his 
improvement to the University of Edinburgh, &c., &c.Ӣ 

He entered on the duties of his mission at New Brunswick, in May, 
1754, and in 1757 was promoted by the government to the living of 
Jamaica, L. 1.4 

He was admitted, instituted, and inducted rector of this parish by Sir 
- Henry Moore, upon the 3d of Dec., 1766. 


a The arms of the Seabury’s, or Sedborough’s, are:—ar. a fesse engr. betw, three Ibexes, 
passant sa. 

6 “Samuel, son of Samuel and Abigail Seabury, was born in Groton, Nov. 30th, 1729. 
Samuel, son of Samuel and Abigail Seabury, baptized 14th Dec., 1729, by Rev. John Owen, of 
Groton.”—Extracts from Town Minutes, kindly furnished by Miss Calkins. 

c Hawkins’ Missions.—The Society’s abstracts for 1753. 


d Some of his letters, whilst stationed at Jamaica, may be found in the 3d vol. of the Doc. 
History of N. Y. 


376 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


GOVERNOUR MOORE’S ADMISSION OF MR. SEABURY TO BE 
RECTOR OF THE PARISH OF WESTCHESTER. 


I, Str Henry Moors, Baronet, Captain General, and Governour-in-chief, in 
and over the province of New York, and territories depending thereon, in Amer- 
ica, Chancellor and Vice Admiral of the same; do admit you, Samuel Seabury, 
Clerk, to be Rector of the Parish Church of Westchester, commonly called St. 
Peter’s church, including the several districts of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonk- 
ers, and the Manor of Pelham, in the County of Westchester, in the said province, 
with all their rights, members and appurtenances. Given under my hand and 
the prerogative seal of the province of New York, the third day of December, in 
the year of our Lord, One thousand seven hundred and sixty-six. 

H. MOORE. 


LETTERS OF INSTITUTION BY GOVERNOUR MOORE TO 
MR. SEABURY. 


I, Sir Henry Moors, Baronet, Captain General and Governour-in-chief, in 
and over the province of New York and the territories depending thereon, in 
America, Chancellor and Vice Admiral of the same; do institute you Samuel 
Seabury, Clerk, Rector of the Parish church at Westchester, commonly called 
St. Peter’s church, including the several districts of Westchester, Eastchester, 
Yonkers, and the Manor of Pelham, in the County of Westchester in the said 
province, to have the care of souls of the parishioners of the said parish, and take 
your cure and mine. Given under my hand and the prerogative seal of the prov- 
ince of New York, this third day of December, in the year of our Lord, One 
thousand seven hundred and sixty-six. H. MOORE. 


MANDATE FROM GOVERNOUR MOORE TO INDUCT MR. SEABURY 
INTO THE RECTORSHIP OF THE PARISH 
OF WESTCHESTER. 


His ExcEe.tency, Str Henry Moore, Baronet, Captain General, and Gover- 
nour-in-chief, in and over the province of New York, and the territories depend- 
ing theron in America, Chancellor and Vice Admiral of the same, to all and 
singular, Rectors and Parish Ministers whatsoever in the province of New York, 
or to the Church-wardens and Vestrymen of St. Peter’s church, at Westchester, 
in the county of Westchester, and to each of you greeting. Whereas, I have colla- 
ted, instituted and established our beloved in Christ, Samuel Seabury, Clerk, to 
be Rector of the parish church at Westchester, commonly called St. Peter’s 
church, including the several districts of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers, and 
the Manor of Pelham in the county of Westchester, within this Government, 
vacant, as is said, by the resignation of John Milner, Clerk, the last incumbent 
there, with all its rights and appurtenances, observing the laws and canons of 
right in that behalf, required and to be observed. To you, therefore, jointly and 
severally, I do commit, and firmly injoining do command each and every of you 
that in due manuer him, the said Samuel Seabury, or his tawful proctor in his 
name aud for him into the real, actual and corporal possession of the said Rectory 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 377 


and Parish Church at Westchester, including the district s aforesaid, and of all 
its rights and appurtenances. Whatsoever you induct, or cause to be inducted 
and him so inducted you do defend ; and of what you shall have done in the 
premises thereof, you duly certify unto me, or other competent judge in that 
behalf, when thereunto you shall be duly required, Giver under my hand aad 
the prerogative seal of the province of New York, at Fort George, in the city of 
New York, the third day of December, in the year of our Lord, One thousand 
seven hundred and sixty-six, H. MOORE.a 


The state of the parish, about seven months after his induction, pa- 
pears from the following report to the Society :— 


MR. SEABURY TO THE SECRETARY. 
[Eatract. | 
WESTCHESTER, JUNE 20TH, 1767. 


Rey. Sir :—‘‘ The congregation at Westchester is very unsteady in their attend- 
ance; sometimes there are more than the church, which is a small old wooden 
building, can contain; at other times very few, generally, near two hundred. 
The communicants are few, the most I have had has been twenty-two; two new 
ones have been added since I have been here. At Eastchester, which is four 
miles distant, the congregation is generally larger than at Westchester. The 
old church in which they meet, as yet, is very small and cold. They have erect- 
ed, and just completed the roof of a large well-built stone church, in which they 
have expended, they say, seven hundred pounds currency: but their ability seems 
to be exhausted, and I fear I shall never see it finished. I applied last winter to 
his Excellency Sir Henry Moore, for a brief in their favour ; but the petition was 
rejected. Since I came into this parish I have preached every other Sunday at 
Westchester, in the morning ; and have after prayers in the afternoon, catechised 
the children and explained the catechism to them. I was the more inclined to do 
this, as they have never been used to any evening service at all; and as there 
seemed to be but little sober sense of religion amongst the lower sort of people, I 
was in hopes by this means to lay some foundation of religious knowledge in the 
younger part of the congregation. I cannot yet boast of the number of my cate- 
chumens which is but ten, but most of them repeat the catechism extremely well. 
There are also a considerable number of young people who attend to hear, and 
are very attentive. I should be very much obliged to the Society for a number 
of Lewis’s catechisms, and some small Common Prayer books, and such other 
tracts as they think proper; these things presented to the children and younger 
people by their minister, I have found by my own experience, gives them im- 
pressions in his favour, and dispose them to come to church and to make their 
responses, 

At Westchester I have baptised six white children, and one mulatto adult; at 
Eastchester, eight white, and at New Rochelle seven white and two negro chil- 
dren. Before [ left Jamaica, I baptised there four adults and three infants. I 
have made two visits there since, and baptised one adult, two white children and 
three black ones; and 1 must do the people at Newtown the justice to inform the 


a Albany Book of Commissions, vol. vy. 243. 


378 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Society, that since my removal they sent me £20 currency. With regard to the 
income of this parish, the salary, by an act of Assembly is £50 currency. The 
exchange from N. Y. to London being generally from £70 to £80 for £100 sterl- 
ing. Burial fees here, there are none; Dut the more wealthy families sometimes 
give the minister a linen scarf, on these occasions. Marriage fees from one to 
four Spanish dollars; but far the greater number go to an Independent teacher 
in the Parish of Rye, because his ceremony is short, and they have nothing to 
say. Possibly these fees may amount to £5 or £6 a year. The parsonage house 
is so much out of repair that it will cost £100 currency to make it comfortable, 
and the glebe has cost me near £20 to repair the fences; when it is put in good 
order, it would, I believe, rent for £25 per annum. Some of the principal peo- 
ple have been endeavoring to prevail on the congregation to make up the deduc- 
tion from the Society's salary by subscription, but have not succeeded—owing to 
the great expense they have been and must be at here in buying and repairing 
their parsonage house, for which they are yet in debt £100, and to the necessity 
they will shortly be under of rebuilding their church; and the Eastchester people 
are exhausted by the church they have undertaken to build. I must defer writ- 
ing concerning that part of the parish which is under Mr. Munroe’s care, till my 
information is correct. The professed dissenters in this parish are not numerous; 
some Calvinistic or Presbyterian French at New Rochelle, a few Presbyterians 
at Eastchester, and some Quakers; at Westchester, a good many Quakers. But 
there are many families, especially among the lower classes, who do not pretend 
to be of any religion at all.”4 

‘He states that one of the means which he adopted of communicating reli- 
gious instruction to the people, was preaching at funerals in the more remote 
districts, whereby he had the opportunity of addressing those who could not be 
brought together at any other time.’ 

In 1768 Mr. George Youngs¢ was appointed schoolmaster at Westchester, in 
the room of Mr. Nathaniel Seabury, the rector’s brother. 

The Rey. Mr. Seabury, in his letter of October 10th, 1769, says:—‘‘The peo- 
ple becomes gradually more devout, and read regular in the public worship. That 
he had taken pains with the negro slaves and had baptized five adults with them. 
The school adyances, and the children make a due proficiency in learning.” 


The following year he thus writes to the Secretary :— 


MR. SEABURY TO THE SECRETARY. 
[ Eztract. | 


Westcuester, Maron 297Tn, 1770. 


Rey. Sm :~‘‘ The violent party heats which prevail in this Colony as well as 
in the others, engross at present, the attention of the people. But I think yt 
even the disturbances will be attended with some advantage to the interests of the 
Church. ‘The usefulness and truth of her doctrines with regard to civil govern- 


a New York MSS., from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii.. 429 to 482. (Hawks). 
b Hawkins’ Notices of the Missions of the Church of England, etc. 

e Mr. Youngs continued his services here until 1772. 

d Socicty’s Printed Abstracts, 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 379 


ment, appear more evident from those disorders which other princip!es have led 
the people into. his is particularly remarked and publicly mentioned by the 
more candid and reasonable people, who seem heartily tired with the great clam- 
ours for liberty, &c., as it appears evident yt unbounded licentiousness in manners 
and insecurity to private property, must be the unavoidable consequence of some 
late measures, should they become prevalent. I hope the time is not far off when 
these matters will be settled upon a firm and permanent foundation; but, how- 
ever, yt may be, I am confident the behaviour of the Church people, considered 
as a body, has been such as has done her honour, and will be remembered many 
years in this country with approbation.Ӣ 


Nine months after the date of this communication, we find him again 
addressing the Secretary as follows :— 


MR. SEABURY TO THE SECRETARY. 
[Hatract. | 


WESTOHESTER, JANUARY 3D, 1771. 


Rev. Sm:—‘ The state of this mission being much the same as when [I last 
wrote, makes it unnecessary for me to say much on yt head. In general, I must 
observe, yt though I think appearances are something mended since I have been 
in this mission, yet my success has not been equal to my first expectations. I 
find it very difficult to convince people yt religion is a matter of any importance. 
They seem to treat it as a thing unworthy of their attention, except on some par- 
ticular occasions, when they are otherwise disengaged. Many come frequently 
to church and yet continue unbaptized, others come constantly and appear to be- 
have devoutly, and yet cannot be prevailed upou to become communicants ; while 
many others pay not the least regard to religion of any kind nor on any occasion. 
I shall, however, endeavor to do my duty; and I hope, by God’s blessing, in due 
time, I shall see some good fruit from my labours.” 


During the year 1774, he had baptized forty-nine, and admitted three 
new communicants.° 

In April, 1775, he signed the protest at White Plains, in which he and 
others declared their ‘‘ honest abhorrence of all unlawful Congresses and 
Committees,” and determination, “‘at the hazard of our lives and pro- 
perties, to support the King and Constitution ; and that we acknowledge 
no Representatives but the General Assembly, to wnose wisdom and in- 
tegrity we submit the guardianship of our rights, liberties and privileges.” 

The following letter shows that some of the clergy had found it pru- 
dent to withdraw from the surrounding troubles and seek refuge in 
England :— 


a New York MSS., from archives at Fulham, vol. ii. p. 505,—(Hawks.) 
b New York MSS., from archives at Fulham, vol. ii. 542.—(Hawks.) 
c Printed abstracts of the Ven. Society, 


380 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


MR. SEABURY TO THE SECRETARY. 
[ H2tract. } 
WestouEsterR, May 30TH, 1775. 

Rey. Srr:—‘‘ We are here in a very alarming situation. Dr. Cooper and Dr. 
Chandler have been obliged to quit this community and sailed for England last 
week. I have been obliged to retire a few days from the threatened vengeance 
of the New England people who lately broke into this Province. But I hope I 
shall be able to keep my station. The charge against the clergy here is a very 
extraordinary one—that they have, in conjunction with the Society and the 
British Ministry, laid a plan for enslaving America. I do not think that those 
people who raised this calumny, believe one syllable of it; but they intend it as 
an engine to turn the popular fury upon the Church, which, should the violent 
schemes of some of our Eastern neighbours succeed, will probably fall a sacrifice 
to the persecuting spirit of Independency. Iam, &c., 


SAMUEL SEABURY.”) 


The calumny against the clergy, resembles the false charge brought 
against the Episcopacy itself at this period, viz., that it was “‘one of 
those causes which, as much as anything else, conduced to the horrors of 
the Revolution.” It is almost needless to say that both were unfounded. 
The real cause of the American Revolution was, whether the Parliament 
of Great Britain had any power or authority to tax Americans without 
their consent. This was the foundation of the whole dispute. But surely 
the New England people had no right to complain, much less invade a 
neighbouring province by force, when they practiced upon all other de- 
nominations this ¢exation without representation. 

The following letter from Mr. Seabury to his friend Isaac Wilkins, 
Esq., (afterward rector of this parish,) dated May 3oth, 1775, is preserved 
among the papers of the Wilkins family :— 


My ever Dear Witxrys:—‘‘I hope you are safe in London; may every 
blessing attend you. Mrs. Wilkins was well last evening. Isabella has had a 
rash, but is better. Everything here quiet. Reported that two thousand men 
are ready in Connecticut for any operation for which they may be wanted in this 
province. The Asia is arrived—reported that she has demanded a supply of 
provisions for Boston, and that it is agreed that they shall be furnished. The 
association went on very heavily at W. C., very few signed. The Provincial 


a In the old Wiikins mansion on Castle Hill Neck, Westchester, is still shown the place 
where Doctors Cooper, Chandler and Seabury managed to secrete themselves for some time, 
notwithstanding tbe most minute and presevering search was made for them; so ingeniously 
contrived was tne place of their concealment in and about the old-fashioned chimney. Food 
was conveyed to them through a trap-door in the floor. 

6 New York MSS., from archives at Fulham, vol. ii, p. 571.—(Hawks.) 

e This was precisely what the Puritans objected to in the English Parliament, at the very 
moment they were doing it themselves, and for which they revolted. (See Chapin’s Puri- 
tanism, p. 128.) The Society’s Abstracts, for 1175, say:—** Mr. Seabury, has been obliged to 
Tetire from his mission at Westchester, but has not been able to secure himself from the ill 
effects of the present distractions. Mr. Gott, the schoolmaster, a very attentive man in his 
Office, has been obliged to quit the school on account of iil healtn.” 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 381 


Congress have agreed to raise money upon the province—as the representatives 
ofthe people. Mr. L. Morris has published his remarks upon the protest, &c., 
poor me—you are safe—I think Iam too. If I knew anything worth writing, I 
would write it. I think the present scene will not last long. Drs. Cooper and 
Chandler sailed last week. Tell Dr, Cooper I received his letter, and I will write 
tohim. When I can collect anything worthy your notice, you shall have it. God 
bless you, says your ever affectionate 
SEABURY.” 


The Society's abstracts for 1776, say :— 


“In the course of this year two letters have been received from 
the worthy Mr. Seabury. In the former, dated November 14th, 1775, 
he writes, that his two congregations ; though less numerous, were then 
pretty steady in their attendance; and that between Christmas and mid- 
summer he had baptized twenty-seven white, and four black infants.Ӣ 


The latter gives the following account of his seizure and detention :— 


MR. SEABURY TO THE SECRETARY. 
[E£atract.] 


WESTCHESTER, JANUARY 18TH, 1776. 


Rey. Sm:—‘‘Since my last letter I have been seized by a company of dis- 
affected people in arms, from Connecticut, in number about one hundred, and 
carried to New Haven. This happened on the 22d of November, and I was kept 
under military guard till the 23d of December. The particulars of this affair I 
will send you when I find a safe opportunity. On the 2d day of this month I 
returned to my family. How long I shall be able to continue here is very un- 
certain; but I am determined to stay as long as I am permitted to discharge the 
duties of my mission, whatsoever personal inconvenience it may subject me to. 
My private affairs have suffered much on this occasion, I was compelled to 
bear my expenses, and that has not been less then ten pound sterling. My 
papers were all examined, and are thrown into such confusion that I can find 
none of my memoranda relating to my mission or correspondence with the 
Society. Iam, Rev. Sir, &c., j 

SAMUEL SEABURY.?® 


This invasion of the territory of New York, and violent removal of 
its citizens, called forth a strong remonstrance from the Provincial Con- 


a Printed Abstracts of Ven. Society, 16 Feb, 1776, to 2ist February, 1777. 


b New York MSS., from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii: 575, 577. (Hawks.’) ‘In 1776, says Dr. 
Hawkins, Mr. Seabury was seized by a party’of the disaffected in arms, and carried off to 
New Haven; all his papers being examined for proof against him. After describing this out- 
rage, he says: ‘God’s providence, will, I hope, protect His Cburch and clergy in this coun- 
try, the disorder and confusion of which are beyond description "—Hawkin’s Missions. 


382 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


gress* to Governor Trumbull, who demanded Mr. Seabury’s ‘imniediate 
discharge.’ The more especially as, considering his ecclesiastical charac- 
tnr, which, perhaps is venerated by many friends to liberty.» The 
severity that has been used towards him may be subject to misconstruc- 
tions, prejudicial to the common cause. Mr. Seabury was accordingly 
set at liberty and returned to his parish.¢ 

The Venerable Society’s abstracts for 1777, say :— 


‘«Three letters have been received from the Rev. Dr. Seabury ; the first of 
them, dated December 29th, 1776, gives an account of the great distresses he 
had encountered, greater than he can describe, greater, he believes, than he could 
well support again. In the preceding year, he had been carried away by force 
into Connecticut. After his return to his mission, he continued tolerably quiet 
for a few weeks; but after the King's troops had evacuated Boston, he was per- 
petually insulted by the rebels, on their way from thence to New York. This 
lasted about a month. After the Declaration of Independency, an edict was 
published at New York, making it death to support the King or any of his 
adherents. Upon this he shut up bis church ; fifty armed men being sent into his 
neighborhood. On the arrival of the British troops at Staten Island, and of two 
ships of war in the Sound, the coast was constantly guarded, and the friends of 
Government seized, so that his situation became critical, as he was particularly 
obnoxious to the rebels. After their defeat on Long Island, a body of them fixed 
themselves within two miles of his house, so that he thought it prudent to con- 
fine himself; for it appeared he would otherwise be seized, frequent enquiries 
being made for him, and his house being examined by the rebels. 

On the Ist of September, it happened that they withdrew their guard from a 
neighboring point of land on the coast, and the guard that was to replace it, mis- 
taking their route, gave him an opportunity of effecting his escape to Long 
Island. The rebels, finding they had missed him, vented their rage on his church 
and his property, converting the former into an hospital, tearing off the covering 
and burning the pews; and damaging the latter to the value of three hundred 
pounds currency. 

He accompanied the army into Westchester, and returned for one week to his 
family ; but, on the army quitting those parts, he thought it prudent to retire with 
his family to New York. He assures the Society that he did not leave his mis- 
sion so long as it was practicable to stay.”’4 


a The petition of the Rev. S. Seabury, presented to the Governor of Connecticut in 1775, for 
relief and protection, shows that he received anything but gentle treatment at the hands of 
his enemies. He defended himself against their charges, and pronounced his arrest “a high 
infringement of that liberty for which the sons of America were then so nobly struggling.” 
Whatever might have been his private views and feelings, he seems to have been a conscien- 
tious and indistrious man; more heedful of the welfare of his flock and family, than of his 
country’s political relations. Among other things he stated in his petition, *‘ that to discharge 
his debts, he had opened a grammar school, and had made £100, York money, the previous 
year, and was in a fair way of discharging his debts,—that he had five young men from the 
Island of Jamaica, one from Montreal, four children of a gentleman then in Engiand, with 
others in his care from New York and the country,—that it might be impossible to recover 
his school, in which case he should be entirely at the mercy of his creditors.’”-—Extract from 
an address delivered in St. Peter’s church, Cheshire, Conn., October, 1844, by Rev. C.E. 
Beardsley, A.M. The site of Mr. Seabury’s grammar school, is still called Seabury Hill. 

b Journal of N. Y. Prov. Con. vol. i, 214, 492. 

¢ Doc. History of N. Y., vol. iii. 1062. 

d Printed Abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 383 


In his second letter, dated 29th of March, 1777, after alluding to the 
death of Mr. Babcock, he says :— 


‘* With regard to my own mission, I can only say that it is utterly ruined ; be- 
fore the King’s troops went into that part of the country, the peopie were robbed 
of their cattle and otherwise plundered by the Rebels; and, I am sorry to say, 
that they suffered greatly in that way from the Royal army. Little or no dis- 
tinction was made; no redress could be obtained, and no stop was put toit. As 
soon as the King’s troops withdrew, the Rebels returned in parties, and every 
party plundered the inhabitants. Many fled to this city, with what little they 
could carry—many were deprived by the Rebels of every thing but the clothes on 
their backs, and sent off with only six days provision, because they refused to 
swear allegiance to the States of America. Children and infants have been de- 
prived of their clothes, and women in child-bed have had the coverings, even the 
sheets, torn from their beds, by these monsters, who seem to have nothing of hu- 
manity left but the shape of men only. Many families of my parishioners are 
now in this town, who used to live decently, suffering for common necessaries. I 
daily meet them; and it is melancholy to observe the dejection strongly narked 
on their faces, which seem to implore that assistance which I am unable to give. 
To pity and pray for them is all I can do. I shall say nothing more of my own 
Situation at present, than that I have hitkerto supported myself and family with 
decency, and will not distrust the goodness of God which has hitherto preserved 
me, nor render myself unworthy of it by repining and discontent.”@ 


In his letter of November rath, 1777, he observes :— 


‘* That about a month before, he had visited Westchester, and thought of stay- 
ing the winter there, but was obliged to drop such intentions on General Bur- 
goyne’s defeat; as the Rebels upon that event came to that town by night and 
carried off forty-two of the inhabitants.” 


Dr. Seabury concludes with requesting that he may remove to Staten 
Island if he finds it safer than Westchester ; and the Society, sensible of 
his great worth, have signified their ready compliance with his request, 
engaging to continue the salary of £50 per annum, during the present 
disturbances.? 

The abstracts for 1778, state that two letters have been received in the 
course of the year, from the Rev. Dr. Seabury, Missionary at Staten 
Island. In the former he acquaints the Society, ‘‘that in December, 
1777, he preached there to a very decent and attentive congregation, 
of near three hundred people, and baptized twelve infants, &c. That 
the wretched state of his late mission at Westchester, is beyond descrip- 
tion ; many of the inhabitants having removed to New York and Long 
Island, where they want many comforts of life ; and some who have re- 


a New York MSS., from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii. 617.—(Hawks.) 
6 Printed Abstracts of Ven. Prop. Soc. for 1777. 


384 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


mained at home, are continually plundered by knots and bands of dis- 
orderly people; that all good principles and impressions of morality 
seem to be wearing out in that devoted country.” 

In his second letter he thus writes: 


MR. SEABURY TO THE SECRETARY. 


[ Eztract.} 
New Yorx, Novemser 22d, 1778. 
Rey. Sm:—‘‘I am obliged still to continue at New York, it being impractica- 


ble for me to return to Westchester, or reside with safety on Staten Island; and 
though I am strong in hope that the commotions in this country will soon sub- 
side, yet I confess the present appearances seem to indicate a fixed resolution in 
the Congress to support their Independency, as long as they possibly can. I 
am, however, confident it could not be supported against the vigorous efforts of 
Great Britain for one campaign, as the resources of this country must be nearly 
exhausted. I remain, Rev. Sir, &c., 
SAMUEL SEABURY.”> 


From this time he continued to reside in New York, until the peace, 
and served as Chaplain of the King’s American regiment, commanded 
by Colonel Fanning. ¢ 

His last report to the Society is contained in the following communi- 
cation :— 


MR. SEABURY TO THE SECRETARY. 
[ £ztract.]} 


New York, June 24th, 1782. 
Rey. Sm:—‘‘ The situation of affairs in this country, has for the last year 
continued so much the same that I have nothing new of which to inform the 
Society. Both Westchester and Staten Island remain in the same ruined state, 
as much exposed to the incursions of the Rebels as ever. Though their incur- 
sions have not lately been so frequent as formerly,’’4 


In 1784 he went to England to obtain consecration as a Bishop, but 
objections arising there, he was consecrated in Scotland, on the 14th 
of November of that year,* by Bishops Kilgour, Petrie and Skinner. 
Early in the summer of the ensuing year, he returned to Connecticut, 


a Printed Abstracts of Ven. P. Soc. for 1778, 
b New York MSS., from Archives at Fulham, vol. ii, 625. (Hawks.) 
e Sabine’s Hist. of the American Loyalists. 


d New York, MSS., from Archives at Fulham, vol ii, 657. (Hawks.) In 1783, the Society 
paid Mr. Seabury a salary of £50. He was then residingin England. See Abstracts for 1783. 


e Updike’s Hist. of the Narragansett Church. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 385 


the first Bishop of our Church (for Talbot and Weldon left no traces 
behind them,) that had been seen in that part of the North American 
continent. 

The following extract appears in a communication from the Rev. T. 
B. Chandler, D D., to Isaac Wilkins, Esq., dated London, February 
25th,1785. The bearer of which was the Rt. Rev. Dr. Seabury :— 


My Dear Sir:—‘‘I hope that you may happen to be at Halifax when this 
arrives there—both for your own sake and that of the bearer, who is no Jess a 
person than the Bishop of Connecticut. He goes by the way of Nova Scotia for 
several reasons, of which the principal is, that he may see the situation of that 
part of his family, which is in that quarter, and be able to form a judgment of 
the prospects before them. He will try hard to see you, but, as he will not have 
much time to spare, he fears that he shall not be able to go to Shelburne in quest 
of you. pi 

You were acquainted with this Bishop and his adventures from the time of his 
leaving New York, in 1788. He came home with strong recommendations to 
the two Archbishops and the Bishop of London, from the clergy of Connecticut, 
and with their most earnest request that he might have Episcopal consecration 
for the Church in that State. Though no objections could arise from his charac- 
ter, the Bishops here thought suck a measure would be considered as rash and 
premature—since no fund had been established for his support, and no consent to 
his admission had been made by the States; besides, no Bishop could be conse- 
crated here for a foreign country, without an act of Parliament to dispense with 
the oaths required by the established office. These difficulties and objections con- 
tinued to operate through the winter, and several candidates for Priest’s orders, 
who had been waiting near a twelve month, were about going over to the Con- 
tinent, to seek for ordination in some foreign Protestant Episcopal Church. At 
length a short act was obtained, authorizing the Bishop of London and his sub- 
stitutes to dispense with the aforesaid oaths in the ordination of Priests and Dea- 
cons for the American States; but nothing was said in it about the consecration 
of Bishops. The Minister, it seems, was fearful that opening the door for the con- 
secration of Bishops would give umbrage to the Americans, and, therefore, every 
prospect of success dere was at an end. 

Dr. Seabury, with his wonted spirit and resolution, then thought it his duty to 
apply elsewhere, and by the intervention of a friend, consulted the Bishops in 
Scotland, who were equally without the protection and the restraint of Govern- . 
ment. They cordially met the proposal, and our friend was consecrated Bishop 
for Connecticut, at Aberdeen, on the 14th of November last. I have been thus- 
particalar, on the supposition that you may not have been acquainted with sa 
much of this history.Ӣ 


Bishop Seabury died February 25th, 1796, aged eighty-six years. 
Two volumes of his sermons were published before his decease, and. ane 
volume in 1798. A sermon founded on St. Peter’s exhortation to fear » 


@ From the original letter in the possession of Governeur M. Wilkins, Esq. 


386 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


God and honor the King, delivered before the provincial or loyalist 
troops, was printed during the war by direction of Governor Tryon. 
The following is inscribed on his tomb-stone, at New London: 


HERE LIETH THE BODY OF 
SAMUEL SEABURY, D.D., 


BISHOP OF CONNECTICUT AND RHODE ISLAND, 
Who departed this transitory scene, 
February 25th, 1796, 
In the 68th of his age, and the eleventh of his 
EPISCOPAL OONSEORATION. 

Ingenious without Pride, 
Learned without Pedantry, 
Good without severity, 
He was duly qualified to discharge 
The duties of the Christian and the Bishop. 
In the pulpit he enforced religion, 
In bis conduct he exemplified it. 
The poor he assisted with his charity, 
The ignorant he blessed with his instruction. 
The friend of men, he ever designed thei good, 
The enemy of vice, he ever opposed it. 
Christian! do’st thou aspire to happiness ? 
Seabury has shown the way that leads to it.? 


Charles Seabury the youngest son of the Bishop, was born in West- 
chester, in May, 1770, and succeeded his father in the church at New 
London. In 1796, he preached awhile at Jamaica, and died rector of 
Caroline church, Setauket. His first wife was Anne, the daughter of 
Roswell Saltonstall, of New London, by whom he had issue. His son, 
the late Samuel Seabury, D.D., was the founder and first Rector of the 
Church of the Annunciation, in the city of New York,° and was suc- 
ceeded by his son the Rev. William J. Seabury. 

By an act of the Legislature, passed 18th of April, 1785, it was or- 
dered :—‘ That the district formerly called and known by the style of 
the Borough and Town of Westchester, shall henceforth be called and 
known by the name of the Town of Westchester.” Up to this date, 
the church appears to have been governed by the charter of 1762. On 
the 6th day of April, in the year 1784, the Legislature of the State of 
New York, passed an aet entitled: “An act to enable all religious de- 


a Sabine’s History of the American Loyalists, 


b The above inscription was written by Rey. John Bowden. S.T.D., formerly Professor of 
Moral Philosophy in Columbia College, N. Y. 


c Updike’s History of Narragansett church. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 387 
nominations in this State, to appoint Trustees, who should be a body 
corporate, for the purpose of taking care of the temporalities of their 
respective congregations, and for other purposes therein mentioned.” 
Under the provisions of this act, St. Peter's church, Westchester, was 
incorporated on the roth of April, 1788, the following persons being 
chosen trustees: Lewis Graham, Josiah Browne, Thomas Hunt, Israel 
Underhill, John Bartow, Phillip I. Livingston, and Samuel Bayard.’ 

The earliest record of the proceedings of the trustees, is dated May 
12th, 1788, when “it was resolved that the old church be sold to Mrs. 
Sarah Ferris, for the sum of ten pounds.” Their next business was to 
obtain the necessary funds for the erection of another edifice. Accord- 
ingly, at a meeting held September, 1788, Israel Underhill and John 
Bartow, Jr., were authorized “to draw up a subscription paper, and 
carry it round to the people, in order to raise a sum of money to build 
a church, on or near the same ground where the Church of St. Peter, 
late removed, stood.” At a subsequent meeting, held October 13th, 
1788, Phillip I. Livingston laid before the corporation the following 
petition to the Venerable Society :—- 


“TO THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL 
IN FOREIGN PARTS. THE PETITION OF JOSIAH BROWN, 
LEWIS GRAHAM, SAMUEL BAYARD, ISRAEL UNDERHILL, 
AND JOHN BARTOW, JR., 


.  Humbly sheweth:— 


*‘That your petitioners are by law Trustees of the Episcopal Church of St. 
Peter’s, in the Township, late Borough of Westchester, and State of New York, 
in North America. The Township in which your petitioners reside, from its 
vicinity to the Capital of this State, was, during the late war, subject to the in- 
carsions and depredations of both British and American armies, unprotected by 
either. That thus circumstanced, their church and parsonage house very early 
suffered the ravages of war, and have been so materially wasted as not to claim 
the expense of areparation. That the greater part of their congregation have 
been, also by these means, greatly injured in their estates, and many reduced to 
abject poverty; and that under these calamitous events.they have been since the 
commencement of the late war, and even unto this day, without a Gospel Minis- 
ter established in their township—and therefore, as might be expected, vice and 
irreligion tco much prevail amongst the people. And your petitioners further beg 
leave to show, that from a sense of duty, owing to themselves—as well as from 
a most unfeigned regard for the welfare of the souls of those with whom they 
are connected in society—they are most anxiously solicitous, as soon as may be, 
to erect another church upon their glebe, and establish a minister. But as the 


a Laws of N. Y. from 1778 to 1787. Greenleaf, vol. i, chapter xviii, 71. 
b County Rec. Religious Soc. Lib. A. p. 19. 


388 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


greater part of the members of their church are unable to contribute any consider- 
able sums towards these desirable purposes, your petitioners have the best reason 
to believe their good intentions will be entirely defeated, unless they are aided 
by charitable donations from abroad. And your petitioners beg leave to show, 
that they are informed your Honorable Society have some property in this State, 
bequeathed to your corporation for charitable purposes, by the will of St. George 
Talbot, formerly of New York; and that it is your intention to bestow whatever 
may arise from funds yet left in America, to American Episcopal churches. 
Encouraged by this hope, and confiding in the well known pious and liberal dis- 
position of your honorable board, your petitioners humbly request, that to enable 
them to rebuild their church, they may be favored with the Society’s bounty, 
and authorized to receive for this purpose, from any monies being the property 
of the Society, which now are, or may hereafter come into the hands of the exe- 


St. Peter’s Church, erected in 1790. 


cutors of the late St. George Talbot, or any of them, or any person or persors 
acting for them, or action of them, the sum of £200 sterling, or such other sums, 
as to the piety and charity of your truly Christian corporation shall seem meet; 
and your petitioners as in duty bound, shall ever pray, &c,”"4 


Upon the 26th of January, 1789, the trustees made an agreement 
with John Odell, of New York, carpenter, to build a church for the sum 
of £336.” 

At a meeting, Nov. 16th, 1789, Messrs. Bayard, Livingston and Bar- 
tow, were appointed a committee to write a letter to the Rev. Dr. 
Chandler, returning the thanks of this Corporation, for his favorable 
recommendation of this congregation to the Reverend, the Society for 
the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts; and for his assistance 


a Westchester Vestry Book, p. 39. 
b Westchester Vestry Book, p. 40, 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 389 


in procuring the benefaction which the Trustees are informed, the said 
Society have been pleased to grant to this Congregation.@ 

The Trustees now proceeded to restore the services in the parish, 
which had been suspended for nearly thirteen years. Accordingly, at a 
meeting held July 5th, 1790, it was resolved :— 


“That an application be made to the Rev. Theodosius Bartow, for the 
purpose of engaging him as a minister to serve this church, for the term 
of two years, every other Sunday in the year, and that the members of 
this congregation be called upon, by the trustees, to subscribe such sums 
as they think proper on this occasion.” ? 


Upon the 2d of January 1792 the Trustees accepted the Rev. Theo- 
dosius Bartow, as minister of the church, for a term of two years, from 
the 1st of January, 1791. His ministrations were highly acceptable 
during this short period. He was the grandson of the Rev. John Bar- 
tow, the first minister of the church at Westchester. 

The Rev. John Ireland, A.M., was elected his successor, on the zoth 
of August, 1794. He was the son of John Ireland, an officer in the 
British army during the revolution, who died in this country. He was 
born in England, A. D. 1755; but at what institution he graduated, is 
unknown. He came to this country some time prior to the adoption of 
the federal constitution; studied for holy orders; was ordained deacon 
and priest by the Rt. Rev. Samuel Provost, D.D., in 1792, and was called 
to this parish, as we have seen, in 1794. 

The following release for the site of the church, and viernes ceme- 
etry, was given by the trustees of the town, to those of the Church in 1795. 
But as the Rector of this parish had been inducted over all the nghts 
and appurtenances of the Church for a period of nearly seventy-five 
years, and more especially as the charter of 1762 had confirmed the 
rector, wardens and vestrymen in possession, “‘ of the church and the 
ground whereon the same was built, and the cemetery belonging to the 
same,” we cannot see by what right the former party could release prop- 
erty that did not belong to them. Such a conveyance amounts to noth- 
ing at all. 


RELEASE FOR BURYING GROUND FROM THE TRUSTEES OF 
WESTCHESTER TO ST. PETER’S CHURCH. 


‘« This indenture made the 20th day of January, in the year of our Lord 1799, 
between the Trustees of the Town of Westchester, of the one part, and the Trus- 
tees of the Episcopal Church of St. Peter’s, in the Town of Westchester, of the 


a Ditto, p. 44. In 1791, the Society were pleased to grant the sum of £200. 


b Westchester Vestry Book. In 1791 it was ordered, ‘‘ that a collection be made for the use 
of the church and the minister, on every day on which Divine service shall be performed. 


390 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


other part: Witnesseth, that the parties of the first part, for and in consideration 
of the sum of twenty shillings to them in hand paid, at or before the ensealing 
and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged; 
have granted, bargained, so!d, aliened, released and confirmed, and by these 
presents do grant, bargain, sell, alien, release and confirm, unto the parties of the 
second part, the Trustees of the Church of St. Peter’s, in said Town of West- 
chester, and their successors for ever, ald that certain piece, parcel and lot of 
ground on which the Episcopal Church of St. Peter’s, in the Town of Westches- 
ier, is erected, and also the Burying Ground adjoining the said church, as it is 
now enclosed and fenced, and which heretofore has been used for a Burial Place, 
by the inhabitants of said Township, containing about one acre, be the same 
more or less, and the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders, rents, 
issues and profits of the said premises, and of every part and. parcel thereof, 
particularly all benefits and profits arising from a lease of the said Burial Ground, 
heretofore granted to George Embree, and which will shortly be determined, and 
all Estate, Right, Title, Interest, Claim and Demand Whatsoever, of the Trustees 
of the Town of Westchester, of, in and to all and singular the said Premises, and 
of and to every part and parcel thereof, with their appurtenances. ‘To have and 
to hold the said Lots and parcel of land on which the aforesaid Church is erected, 
and the aforesaid adjoining Burial Ground and Premises above mentioned, with 
the appurtenances unto the said Trustees of the Episcopal Church, in the Town 
of Westchester, and their successors, to the only proper use and behoof of the 
said Trustees of the Episcopal Church of St. Peter’s, in the Town of Westches- 
ter, and their successors forever ; Provided always, and upon condition that the 
said Trustees of the Episcopal Church of St. Peter’s, in the Town of Westchester, 
and their successors do and shall at all times hereafter permit and suffer the in- 
habitants of the Town of Westchester, to Bury their Dead in the said Burial 
Ground, without any fee or compensation being exacted therefor, in such vacant 
parts of the said Burial Ground as shall be directed and ordered from time to 
time by the said Trustees, of the Episcopal Church of St. Peters, in the Town of 
Westchester, or their successors, or by any person legally authorized under them, 
to direct the same; and provided always, that anything herein, notwithstand- 
ing, the inhabitants of the said Town shall always be permitted to bury their dead 
near to and adjoining their families who have heretofore been buried in the said 
Burial Ground. Sealed with the seal of the Trustees, and signed by their order. 


(Signed, ) ISAAC UNDERHILL, President.” 


St. Peter's church continued under the act of 1784, providing for 
the incorporation of religious societies generally, until the 2d of August, 
1795 ; when, in accordance with the act passed for the relief of the 
Protestant Episcopal Church, on the 7th of March preceding, it was 
again incorporated. Israel Underhill and Phillip I. Livingston, Church- 
wardens, John Bartow, Jr., Thos. Bartow, Oliver de Lancey, Warren 
de Lancey, Joseph Brown, Johnathan Fowler, Robert Heaton and Nich- 
olas Bayard, vestrymen.? 


a Westchester Vestry Book, p. 22. 
b County Rec. Religious Soc. Lib. A. 58. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. - on 

By this act the vestry, or a major part of them, were vested with full 
power to call and induct*a minister. Accordingly, at a meeting, in 
August, 1795, Mr. Ireland was confirmed in his call to the rectorship of 
the church. 

Mr. Ireland continued his ministrations till 1797 ;? during this period 
the present church edifice was consecrated, and the congregation con- 
siderably increased. In 1798 he was called to St. Ann’s church, Brook- 
lyn, where he remained until 1806, when he removed to Grace church, 
Jamaica, Long Island. In 1809, he ceased his parochial admuinistra- 
tions, and entered the navy as a chaplain, in which capacity he served 
up to the time of his death. He died in the Navy Yard, Brooklyn, on 
the 25th of March, 1822. ‘‘ He was (says one who knew him intimately) 
a very accomplished man, possessed of highly polished manners, and an 
excellent scholar, being gifted with a remarkably harmonious and pleas- 
ing voice: he excelled in the delivery of his sermons, whilst his style of 
composition would compare with the best models in our language.” The 
following is the the inscription from his tombstone : 


REV. JOHN IRELAND, 
died the 25th day of March, 1822, 
aged 66 years. 


‘At a meeting of the wardens and vestrymen, with the congregations 
of Westchester and Eastchester, on the 7th day of June, 1798, it was re- 
solved, that the said congregations do unite and associate, in order to pro- 
cure a clergyman to officiate for them.” * Accordingly on the gth of March, 
1789, the Rev. Isaac Wilkins, A.M., was elected minister of. the two 
churches. As we have already seen, he was the son of Martin Wilkins, 
a rich planter of Jamaica,W. I., where he was bornin 1741. His father 
dying when he was quite young, he was sent to New York to be edu- 
cated. In 1756 he entered King’s College, (now Columbia,) where he 
graduated A.B. in 1760; receiving his A. M. degree in 1763. He pre- 
pared himself for the ministry of the Church, but did not take holy orders 
until 1798. Having settled in this county, he was returned as a mem- 
ber of the House of Assembly, in which body he became a leader on the 


a ‘*Induciion is the vesting of the minister with the temporalities of the Congregation, and 
in the Church of England, is performed by the patron of the living, who also appoints the 
minister; aud in the Church 1n this country the vestry or congregation choose the minister, 
and fix his salary and other temporalities. The bishop or some other minister appointed by 
him, institutes the minister thus chosen to the spiritual charge of the congregation. The 
General Convention recognized the principal, and prescribed the office of Institution agreeably 
to the above; Induction 15 tnat act by which a minister is vested with the temporalities of a 
living ; Institution is that by which he is vested with the cure of souls.”’ 


b Agreeably to the 4th Canon of 1796, Mr. Ireland gave in to the Bishop his parochial report 
the 4th of Oct., 1797.—See Journal of Diocesan Con. The parochial reports were not printed 
with the journals until 1804. 


c Westchester Vestry Book. 


392 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


ministerial side. His influence with his associates and with his party 
was very great. 

Mr. Wilkins’s zeal and extreme loyalty, rendered him very obnoxious 
to the Whigs. Besides his prominent position in the Assembly, he gave 
utterance to his thoughts, in essays. It is a singular circumstance, that 
the youthful Hamilton, who was also born in the West Indies, undertook 
the task of replying to two of his poetical effusions, One of them, the 
‘Congress Canvassed,” &c., which was signed, A, W. Farmer, was ex- 
tensively circulated ; and as well as that called, ‘“‘ A View of the Contro- 
versy between Great Britain and her Colonies,” was summarily disposed of 
whenever they fell into the hands of those whose measures they criticised 


.and condemned. 
In 1775 he left the country, and went to England. At the moment 


of his departure, he issued the following address :— 


New Yors, May 8p, 1775. 


My CountryMEN :—‘‘ Before I leave America, the land I love, and in which is 
contained everything that is valuable and dear to me—my wife, my children, my 
friends and property—permit me to make a short and faithful declaration ; which 
I am induced to do, neither through fear nor a consciousness of having acted 
wrong. An honest man and a Christian hath nothing to apprehend from this 
world. God is my judge, and God is my witness, and all I have done, 
written or said, in relation to the present unnatural dispute between Great 
Britain and ber Colonies, proceeded from an honest intention of serving my 
country. Her welfare and prosperity were the objects towards which all my en- 
deavors have been directed. They are still the sacred objects which I shall ever 
steadily and invariably keep in view. And, when in England, all the influence 
that so inconsiderable a man as J am can have, shall be exerted in her behalf. It 
has been my constant maxim through life, to do my duty conscientiously, and to 
trust the issue of my actions to the Almighty. May that God, in whose hands are 
all events, speedily restore peace and liberty to my unhappy country. May 
Great Britain and America be soon united in the bonds of everlasting unity ; and 
when united, may they continue a free, a virtuous and happy nation to the end 
of time. IJeave America, and every endearing connection, because I will not 
raise my hand against my Sovereign, nor draw my sword against my country ; 
when I can conscientiously draw it in her favor, my life shall be cheerfully de- 
voted to her service. ISAAC WILKINS.” 


In 1776, he returned to Long Island, where he remained until the 
peace, when he returned to Shelburne, Nova Scotia. He remained in 
Nova Scotia several years, and lived a part of the time at Lunenburgh. 
He was ordained deacon in 1798, and afterwards priest by the Rt. Rev. 
Samuel Provoost, D.D., of this diocese. In 1799 he was settled, as we 
have shown, over this parish. 


At a vestry meeting on the 22nd of July, 1801, it was resolved :— 


“That the Rev. Isaac Wilkins, being now in priest’s orders, and hav- 
ing officiated for us for two years past, to our satisfaction, be now called 
to the Rectory of this Parish, agreeably to the resolution and intention 
of the Church-wardens and Vestrymen on the gth of March, 1799.” 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 


In 1806 Mr. Wilkins makes a réport to the Diocesan Convention of 
forty communicants, and eighteen baptisms, &c. ; the following year his 


communicants numbered nearly fifty. 


The Rev. William Powell was elected his assistant on the 12th day of 
July, 1829. The Rev. Isaac Wilkins died February the sth, 1830. His 
remains were interred on the south side of the chancel of St. Peter's 


church, under the following inscription :— 


a 


Tuls 
Monument 
commeniorates in filial piety of the 


REVEREND ISAAC WILKINS, D.D., 
The honest and able representative of this Borough in 1775. 


‘**T leave America and every endearing connec- 


tion because I will not raise my hand against 
my Sovereign, nor will I draw my sword 
against my country; when I can conscien- 
tiously draw it in her favor, my life shall 
be devoted to her service.” A scholar, a 
gentleman, and a Christian, he lived for 
thirty-one years the diligent and faithful 
minister of this Parish. Placed here, as he 
believed, by his Redeemer, he was satisfied 
with his lot, nor ever wished nor ever went 
to seek a better living. 


Died 5th February, 1830, tat 89. 
His remains were deposited under the chancel 
of the old church beside those of his wife, 


ISABELLA WILKINS, 


daughter of Hon. Lewis Morris. 
Sacred to her memory 
a monument had been erected, and inscribed : 


By A GRATEFRL, FAITHFUL AND AFFECTIONATE HtsBAND. 


Died 3ist October, 1810. 


«Watchman, what of the night! Watchman what of the night! 
Th: Watchman said, the morning cometh and also the night.”—Isa. xxi. 


Westchester Vestry Book. 


394 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


The following obituary notice appeared in the Christian Journal for 
March, 1830 :— 


‘“* Died at Westchester, New York, on Friday, February 5th, in the eighty- 
ninth year of his age, the Rev. Isaac Wilkins, D.D., Rector of St. Peter’s church, 
in that place. ; 

‘Tf the most stern and sterling integrity ; a conscience which knew no com- 
promise; and an habitual purpose, passing by all selfish considerations, and aim- 
ing, through good report and evil report, at duty, with all its sacrifices, responsi- 
bilities, and consequences, form the upright, virtuous and honorable man, Dr. 
Wilkins was among the most upright, the most virtuous and the most honorable. 
If deep and thorough conviction of the great truths of the Gospel; the entire 
submission of a more than ordinarily strong and enlightened understanding to the 
teachings of God’s word; an abiding and humbling sense of a personal need of 
a Saviour and Sanctifier; a child-like reliance on the Saviour and Sanctifier; re- 
vealed in holy writ; devotion of the most intense character; and piety infusing 
its holy influences into all the heart, all the soul, and all the mind, are contsti- 
tuents of a true Christian, he has cause to thank God, who has grace to take pat- 
tern herein, by the character of the venerable man now noticed. If love for that 
Church which Christ loved even unto death; reverence for the appointments 
which He made for its perpetuity and good order, and for its subserving the 
great end of its establishment in the sanctification and salvation of His people; 
a due appreciation of that primitive evangelical piety, which led Christians to be 
of one heart and one mind, to continue steadfast in the apostle’s doctrine and 
fellowship, and holding, as faithful members of the Church, the Head, which is 
Christ, ¢ius to derive from Him grace to increase with the increase of God; if 
these enter essentially into the character of a good Churchman, never had the 
Church a truer son than in the subject of this notice. If talents and learning of 
a superior order; an intimate acquaintance with the whole range of Christian 
theology ; an ardent love for the duties of the ministry ; an abiding and practical 
application to himself, of the truths and precepts which he delivers to others; a 
rule and measure in delivering those truths and precepts, casting off all reference 
to popular liking, and governed solely by the word of God, and by a sense of re- 
sponsibility to Him; a conscientious fulfilment of the vows of ordination ; 
faithful allegiance to the authorities of that portion of the Catholic Church to 
which he belongs, and an enlightened and zealous devotion to its interests, mark 
the able minister of the New Testament ; one of the best prayers we can offer for 
the Church, is, that God raise up for her many ministers as well qualified for 
their Master’s work, as was this venerable man. 

‘A conscience so true as his; a sense of duty so far removed as was his, from 
any sacrifice to personal interest, personal ease, and the satisfaction of wearing 
the feather of popularity; and a mind of the more than ordinary clearness and 
elevation, which characterized his, may sometimes fail, in what may be thought 
due allowance for supposed errors of judgment, for the weakness of human na- 
ture, and for the strength with which the world allures, to some abatement of the 
rigid demands of duty in favor of what is eesier and more gratifying to the natural 
man. However, this faithful servant of God (and his religious views, were of 
too evangelical a character, to be blind to the fact, that the very best have their 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 395 


imperfections), may have sometimes exemplified the truth of this remark, it was 
only where he thought principle was concerned, and in honest compliance 
with what he deemed duty, and what he deemed real charity, or a sincere de- 
sire to be instrumental in leading others into the truth, and to avoid even the 
appearance of sanctioning or conniving at error. 

“In private and social life, the piety, kindness, benevolence, and cheerfuness of 
the true Christian, an affectionate interest in the welfare and happiness of all 
about him, the urbanity of an accomplished gentleman, the good sense and ex- 
tensive information, of an intelligent and well read man, the fancy of a ready 
poet, and the sprightliness of true and chastened wit, rendcred him one of the 
most profitable and pleasing of companions. And for all the sweet charities, the 
endearing sympathies, and the elevated affections of domestic life, he has left a 
monument that will perish only with the hearts in which it is erected. 

** Although from early life, of a religious turn of mind, much devoted to theo- 
logical reading, attached to clerical society, and cherishing an affection and de- 
sire, equal to his fitness for the ministry, it was not until he had attained to 
nearly three-score years of age, that Dr. Wilkins found himself sufficiently re- 
leased from civil and secular cares, to gratify his early and abiding preference of the 
ministry as his profession. He was then ordained deacon, and afterwards priest, _ 
by the Right Rev. Bishop Provoost, of this diocese. He soon settled in the par- 
ish, in the charge of which he continued until his death; having added to it, 
for a time, that of St. Paul’s church, Eastchester. He continued in the exercise 
of his public duties until within a few months of his death. He was a graduate 
of Columbia College, in this city, and was for many years its oldest surviving 
alumnus, having received the degree of B. A. in 1760, and of A. M, in 1763. In 
1811, he was honored by his Alma Mater with the degree of D. D. His per- 
formance of public services of the Church, was characterized by peculiar solem- 
nity and dignity, and by a manner clearly indicative of the deep and engaged 
interest which his heart felt in the holy offices. In his preaching, he aimed at 
the faithful exhibition of the whole counsel of God; and explained and enforced 
the doctrines of the Gospel, the distinctive principles of our Church, and the whole 
range of Christian obligation and duty, with a clearness that manifested his own 
understanding of them, and an earnestness which proved how deeply his heart was 
engaged in the work. He was conscious of the existence of no error in faith or prac- 
tice, against which he would hesitate boldly and fearlessly, to breast himself. He 
saw nothing to be his own duty, or that of his people, to which he would not, 
in the most uncompromising manner, devote himself, or which he would not 
most faithfully and earnestly urge and enforce upon them. It has been said of 
him, and it is here believed to have been most justly said, that had he lived in 
times of martyrdom, there is not that thing which he thought it his duty to say 
or do, which he would have left unsaid or undone, or the act or word which he 
deemed inconsistent with the niost rigid demands of duty and of conscience, 
which he would have done or said to save his life. His was a piety and virtue 
which would have remained unmoved, when those more boasted might have 
found more plausible excuses for giving way. The unrivalicd venerableness of 
his appearance, for many years past, added to the worth, dignity and sanctity, 
of his character, invested his public ministrations with a deep and peculiar in- 
terest. 


396 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


‘‘Rrom the year 1801 until, in 1821, he was obliged, by the infirmities of age, 
to decline; Dr. Wilkins was uniformally returned as a clerical deputy from the 
diocese of New York, to the General Convention, and attended the greater num- 
ber of the meetings of that body. There, as in the Diocesan Convention, he was 
the able and enlightened advocate of sound principles of ecclesiastical polity, 
and of such measures as in his conscience he believed to be the most agreeable to 
them. Indeed never had the Church a more disinterested friend. He everlooked 
all selfish considerations, tending either to personal ease, or to the gratification 
of receiving human commendation or applause, and went directly to the point, 
whither he thought himself drawn by duty and conscience. The strength of his 
faith, and the clearness of his religious views, were emineutly conspicious dur- 
ing the progress of a most painful and distressing disorder towards its fatal ter- 
mination. His mind unclouded, and his heart strengthened and sanctified by 
the grace of God, he saw no fear in death; but anxiously, and yet meekly and 
resignedly, desired its more speedy approach. The thought of being soon trans- 
lated to Paradise, not only soothed and supported him, but ministered to the con- 
stitutional and Christian cheerfulness which had characterized him through life. 
At length the kind and gracious summons came, and rarely has a soul departed 
stronger in the faith, richer in the hope, and more sincere and affectionate in the 
genuine charity of the Gospel, than that which then entered on the great salva- 
tion purchased by the blood of the everlasting covenant.”2 


Dr. Wilkins had issue by his wife Isabella, daughter of the Hon. 
Lewis Morris, and sister of Lewis Morris, a signer of the Declaration of 
Independence, four sons and five daughters. The eldest son, Martin, 
was a distinguished member of the New York bar, and proprietor of 
Castle Hill neck. He was the father of the late Governeur M., Martin, 
Gilbert, Lewis and Catharine, who married the late Henry Phelps, 
whose son is the Henry D. Phelps of New Rochelle. The second son 
was Isaac, of Westchester, who married Charlotte Seabury, daughter of 
the Rt. Rev. Samuel Seabury. The third was the Hon. Lewis Wilkins, of 
Windsor, Nova Scotia, member of Assembly and Speaker of the House 
for that Province in 1806 to 1817, and Judge of the Supreme Court of 
the same. Fourth, Thomas, born 1771, and died May, 1816. The 
daughters were Sarah, married Archibald Burns, M. D.; Joannah, Isa- 
bella, Mary and Euphemia, who married Ichabod Brush on the 27th of 
April, 1830. The Rev. William Powell, B. A., having been assistant 
minister to Dr. Wilkins for nearly a year, was called to the rectorship. 
He was the son of John Powell, of Dublin, Ireland, whose family were 
originally seated in Wales. He was born in Dublin, A.D. 1788, where 
he received his education in Trinity College. In 1808 he came to this 
country, under the patronage and guardianship of a Mr. Adamson, 
his maternal uncle, then a respectable merchant of New York. He 


a Christian Journal No III, March, 1530, p. 94, 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 397 


studied divinity under the late Rev. Edmund Barry, D.D., and was or- 
dained deacon by the Rt. Rev. Benjamin Moore, D.D., in 1810. He 
soon after removed to the charge of St. Andrew's church, Coldenham, 
Orange County, and St. George’s church, Newburgh ; and in the former, 
on Tuesday, June 29th, 1813, was admitted by the Rt. Rev. John H. 
Hobart, assistant Bishop of the diocese, to the holy order of priests. In 
May, 1816, he took pastoral charge of St. John’s church, Yonkers, and 
on the r2th of July, 1829, settled as assistant minister in this parish, in 
the charge of which he afterwards remained as rector, until the day of 
his death. In connection with his pastoral duties, he maintained for 
many years, a flourishing school for the education of boys, from which 
many have gone forth, who can bear testimony to his excellence and 
worth. ‘Mr. Powell (says one who knew him for forty-one years) was 
a most sincere and devoted friend. He had all the traits of cordiality, 
kindness and benevolence, so usually belonging to the best of his coun- 
trymen.’’ He departed this life on Sunday, the 29th day of April, 1849, 
at the residence of his brother-in-law, Stephen Cambreling, Esq., in New 
York city. He was the fourth minister that died rector of this parish, 
and the third buried in this town. His remains were brought to West- 
chester, and interred in the grave-yard, on the south side of St. Peter's 
church. The following is the inscription on his tombstone :— 


Died 
On the 29th of April, 1849, 
the 
REV. WILLIAM POWELL, 
Rector of the St. Peter’s Church, 
Westchester, 
In the 61st year of his age 


“Blessed are the dead, who die in the Lord; (even so saith the spirit), for they rest from 
their labours.”’ 


The vacancy created by the death of Mr. Powell the vestry pro- 
ceeded immediately to fill, by electing the Rev. Charles D. Jackson, A. 
‘M., at that time assistant minister, to the rectorship, June 28th, 1849. 
Soon after his entrance on his parish duties, measures were adopted for 
the building of a new parsonage on the glebe in the place of the old one 
which was effected, at a cost of six thousand dollars. 

A new parish church was also erected in 1855 at acost of sixty thous- 
and dollars; this edifice, which was destroyed by fire on the gth of 


; 


398 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


January, 1877, occupied a portion of the site of the old church structure 
erected in 1790,%and consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Samuel Provoost, D. 
D., first Bishop of the diocese, gth of December, 1795. The latter con- 
tained the original bell, presented to the church by Col. Lewis Morris, 
proprietor of the manor of Morrisania, in 1706. Round the lip it bore 


in capital letters : 
LEWIS MORRIS, 1677. 


Active measures have been taken for the rebuilding of the church, 
upon the old site. Indeed, the work is now fairly under contract 


Rectory of St. Peter’s Church. 


RECTORES DE WESCHTESTER. 
Freop. [ysr. Reorors. VAoant. PATRONS. 


19 Nov., 1702, Rev. Joun Barrow, Cl. A.M., pr. mort., Wardens and Vestry. 

8 July, 1727. Rev. Tuomas Sranparp, Cl. A.M,, per mort., ‘‘ ds 
12 June, 1761, Rev. Jonn Mirner, Cl. A.M., per resig. ie 

$8 Dec., 1766, Rev. Samvcrt Seasury, Cl. A.M, 

2Jan., 1792, Rev. Turoposrus Barrow, A.M.. Presb., 

20 Aug., 1794, Rev. Joun Irnztanp, A.M., Presb., 

9 Mar., 1799, Rev. Isaao Wirxixs, D.D.. Presb., pr. mort, 
17 April, 1830, Rev. Wirt1am Powe, B.A., Presb., ‘“ ‘ 
98 June, 1849, Rev. Caartes D. Jacxs-n, A.M., Presb., 

26 Oct., 1871, Rev. Curisropner B. Wrarr, D.D, ‘ * 


“ ae 


a Ata vestry meeting, 1ith of January, 1793, ‘‘it was resolved to build a desk and pulpit 
for the use of the church, correspondent, with the sounding board given to this church by 
the corporation of Trinty church, N. Y.” 


b This bell was destroyed by fire with the wooden church in i864, 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 399 


The baptismal register of this parish commences in 1702. March 4, 
1702, then baptized by Mr. John Bartow, Rector of Westchester, John 
Haden, aged forty-one years; John Haden, son of said John Haden, 
aged seventeen years; Abagail Haden, aged sixteen years; Samuel 
Haden, aged thirteen years; Thomas Haden, aged eight years; Eliza- 
abeth Haden, aged eleven years; Joseph Haden, aged one year and 
seven months, &c. 


a 


\ ES 
SS 


ee oe 


Seal of St. Peter’s Church. 


THE VENERABLE PROPAGATION SOCIETY’S SCHOOL-MASTERS - 
AT WESTCHESTER. 


Tre or Appt. ScHOOL-MASTERS. SALARY. 
1709, . EpWArpD FITZGERALD, £18 per annum. 
1710, DANIEL CLARKE, ss or 
1713, CHARLES GLOVER, ce HE 
1719, WItiiAM Forster, £10 a 
1743, Basti Barrow, rte es 
1764, NATHANIEL SEABURY, ee oe 
1768, GrorGe Younes, < es 
1774, Me. Gort, ae os 


_The communion plate consists of a chalice and paten, the gift of 
Queen Anne, A. D. 1706, inscribed, ““ANN& Recin#.” This royal 
lady, who for the Church’s sake, once merited the name of the “Good 
Queen Anne,” also presented a Church Bible,* Book of Homilies, cloth, 

@ The present Bible is an Oxford edition printed at the Clarendon Press by Wm. Jackson 


and A. Hamilton, M.D., CCOLXXXI. The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the 
Sacraments, etc., printed by Hugh Gaines, M.D., CCXCV. 


400 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


for the pulpit, and communion table. The church just burnt contained, 
besides the monuments to Doctors Wilkins and Jackson, a beautiful 
sculptured slab in early English style of variegated marble containing a 
head of Christ, which is said, alone, to have cost $1,500, adorned with 
the monogram of I.H.S.,an ancient Labarum, and bearing the following 
inscription :— 
IN MEMORY OF 
GOVERNEUR MORRIS WILKINS, 


born November 4th, 1797, 
Died February 7, 1871. 
Erected by his widow. 


‘“T am the resurrection and the life.” 


The late chancel window, which was an exquisite production of fine 
art in stained glass, designed and executed in London expressly for this 
church in 1876, represented the reward of the righteous as given by our 
Blessed Saviour in His parable recorded by St. Matthew, xxv: 35, 36: 


‘For I was an hungered, and ye ye gave me meat ; 
I was thirsty and ye gave me drink, &c.” 


It consisted of six medallions containing figures, representing the six 
works of mercy with a scroll, in the centre, beneath which were the 
sentences in Latin placed upon olive branches interlacing or covering 
the entire window.“ This beautiful memorial was erected by the relatives 
of the late Mrs. Catharine Wilkins, (widow of Governor M. Wilkins,) to 
commemorate with gratitude the constant deeds of love and charity 
which she maintained to the closing days of her life on earth. 
The chime of three bells, but little damaged by the fire, contain the 

following inscription : 

3 Keyed Bells, 

D. B. G. 
754, 908, 1222, 
JoHNES & HiTcHoooK, 
Foundry, Troy, New York. 
3 Keyed Bells, D. B. G. Presented to the Ep. Church, 
Westchester, A.D. 1857. George T. Adee, Governeur 
Morris Wilkins, Denton Pearsall, William Watson, 
Edward Haight, William K. Strong, John 
M. Furman, Alfred Seaton, William 
Whitehead, D. Lynch Lawrence, 
William L. Youle, Daniel M. 
Edgar. 
(Parishioners.) 


a By a happy coincident, altogether fortuitous, the above mentioned window was seen in its 
place by the congregation for the first time at morning service on the fourteenth Sunday after 
Trinity when the twenty-fifth chapter of St. Matthew was the appointed second lesson. Goy- 
ernour Wilkins, Esq., gave the white marble font. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 401 


On or near the site of the old Court House and Jail, adjoining the 
church-yard on the south, was erected in 18 , a beautiful parochial 
school-house, costing $18,000. The building is well fitted up, and an- 
swers the double purpose of a chapel and school-room. 

To St. Peter’s church is attached a portion of the ancient glebe which 
was given by the town in 1703, sometimes called the “‘ Parsonage Land,” 
consisting of 8 3, acres, bounded north by river road, or Westchester turn- 
pike ; east, by Avenue B; south, by Thirteenth street; west, by Four- 


teenth street ; and 2 ,%, acres, bounded east, by Glebe avenue, and west 


by Lafayette street. The church holds also the grave-yard and the 
land on which the parochial school-house stands, containing 2 ,%j, acres, 
also 4 fj, acres of salt meadow, bounded north, by Pugsley Farm ; south, 
by Pugsley creek; east, by Pugsley meadow; and west, by a ditch. 
The former parish house, or parsonage, which was purchased by the 
vestry in 1763, stood at no great distance from the present edifice. 


PRINCIPAL BENEFACTORS OF ST. PETER’S CHURCH. 


Queen Anne, Col. Benjamin Fletcher, Edward Viscount Cornbury, Col. James 
Graham, Col. Caleb Heathcote, Col. Lewis Morris, The Venerable Propagation 
Society of England, the Rev. John Bartow, the Borough Town of Westchester, 
Basil Bartow, Abijah Hammond, George Love, Robert Watts, the corpora- 
tion of Trinity church, New York, &c. The latter have made the following 
liberal grants to this church, viz: In 1795, the sum of $750; in 1796, $500; 
and in 1809, five lots of ground in Reade, Chamber and Warren streets, New 
York. The church still owns four of these lots, the present value of which is 
$55,000.¢ It deserves to be mentioned, however, that this parish contributed 
one-half of the original value of the lots.¢ 


The first dalegate from this parish to the Diocesan Convention in 
1790, was Joseph Brown, M.D. 


a Copied from maps belonging to Vestry of St. Peter’s church. 

a Mr. Basil Bartow, by his will, dated 16th of Dec., 1780, bequeathed ‘unto the minister, 
church-wardens and vestrymen, for the time being, of the Incorporated Church of England 
koown by the name of Sc. Peter’s church, in the Borough town of Westchester, the sum o 
£50 towards building a new church in said Borough town, or repairing or enlarging the pres- 
ent church, for the worship of Almighty God, to be paid to them when they shall actually en- 
gage io said work.” This will was proved 11th day of March, 1784, in Surrogate’s office, N. 

+ Folioxxxv. - 

3 Robert W atts and Mary his wife, released 35 acres to the vestry of St. Peters church, 29th 
of May, 1797.—West. Co. Rec. Lib. M. of Deeds, pp. 116, 118. 

e The rector and inhabitants of the city of New York, in communion of the Prot. Episcopal 
Church to St. Peter’s church, Westchester, 17th Jan., 1511.—Rec. in the office of the Clerk of 
the city of New York, Lib. No. 95, of conveyances, p. 547, 8th June, 1811. 

d In 1807 the sum of $1,950 was raised by St. Peter’s church, Westchester, tendered to, and 
accepted by Trinity church, New York, for the lots conveyed by their corporation to the vestry 
of St. Peter’s. -One of the above-mentioned lots was taken by the Corporation of New York, 
for widening Chapel street, and the award applied to the erection of gallery pews and the 
carriage shed. In the possession of the clerk of the vestry isa lease from James McDonald, 
of Bedford, a W. C. Co. farmer, to the Trustees of the Episcopal Church of St. Peter’s, in the 
township of Westchester, for afarminthe township of Bedford, being the farm where Jno. 
Banks formerly lived, containing 204 acres, for one year at the sum of 5s, 26p, Sept. 1791; also 
a lot of four acres, commonly known by name of “Court House Lot,” in that town, signed 
by James McDonald; witnesses, Alfred Livingston and James G. Fowler. The lease, however, 
is not signed, interchangeably, by the Trustees of the church. 


402 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


TOMB-STONES. 

The church-yard, which is coeval with the settlement of the village, 

contains numerous interments ; among the earliest are the following :— 
‘Here lyeth the body of 

WILLIAM (BAILY) QUERY, ESQ, 


aged 50 years, 
Deceased, March 27th, 1702.” 


H. 1718. BP. 0. 1a 


In memory of 
PHILIP HONEYWELL, ESQ., 
He died of a lingering illness, at Greenburgh, 


on the 8th day of Sepember, 1818, 
in the 53d year of his age. 


He was an active character during the Revolutionary War. 
He lived respected, and died regretted. 


Anne Eustace, his wife, died May 11, 1811, tat 50. 


‘¢ Look on this stone and you will find, 
My journey’s o’er, and yours behind ; 
Think then, before you turn away, 
That yours may end before this day.” 


In memory of 
OLIVER DE LANCEY, SEN., 


who departed this life April 4th, 1840, 
Aged 70 years. 


Sacred to the memory of 
CAPTAIN STEPHEN BAYARD, 


who was born Oct. 26th, 1785, 
and died July 11th, 1814: 


‘* My blessed Saviour receive my spirit,” were his last words, and 
“Whosoever believeth in Him, tho’ he die, yet shail he live again,” 


Ever will the sweet remembrance of your useful, generous, 
forgiving and affectionate virtues, best of husbands and 
fathers, be cherished in the hearts 
of your wife and family. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER, 493 


Sacra memoria of 
PHILIP LIVINGSTON, 


whose family were suddenly bereaved of a loving parent, 
on the 27th Nov., 1808, 
aged 74 years. 
His afilictions were numerous and deep felt, yet was he comforted. 


His heart, its confidence 

Reposed in God, its strength and shield, 
The paths of death in glory shine, 
When saints the call obey, 

A light from Heaven, an arm divine, 
Are with them on the way. 


Here lies 
the mortal remains of 


WRIGHT POST, 


during many years eminent as 
physician and surgeon 
in the city of New York, 
he was distinguished for sound judgment, 
practical skill and unwearied diligence in 
his profession, and for modest, dignified and 
mild deportment in all the walks of life ; 
an enlightened and attached member of the 
Protestant Episcopal Church, 
he was for many years a vestryman 
of Grace Church 
in the city of New York, 
and for several years its senior warden. 
Overplied by professional labours, 
his feeble frame gradually gave way 
to the attacks of pulmonary consumption. 
He retired from the city to his country seat 
in this neighborhood, and after a residence 
of a few weeks, he departed this life 
in full possession of his mental faculties, 
at peace with the world, 
and a devout hope of acceptance 
with God, through faith in the merits of 
Jesus Christ. 
He died June 14, 1828, 
aged 62 years, 3 months 
and 26 days. 


There are also memorials in the yard, to members of the Hunt, Doty, 
axter, Bartow, Lewis, Arden, Findlay, Tucker, Reed, Burnett, Holsman 


404 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


and Wright families, &c., besides vaults belonging to the families of 
Timpson, Adee and Ludlow, &c. Near the Episcopal grave-yard, is 
situated the Ferris burying-ground,* which contains the family vaults of 
Benjamin Ferris, and numerous head-stones to the Pell family. 


‘ 


PEW HOLDERS IN 1790. 


The following names appear on the Minutes, of individuals who purchased 
pews in August, 1790, viz:—James Ferris, John Bartow, Jr., Philip Livingston, 
Stephen Bartow, Elizabeth Harrison, John Valentine, Jonathan Fowler, Wil- 
liam Hunt, Marcus Baxter, Solomon Baxter, Isaac Valentine, Jr., Peter Bussing, 
Elizabeth Williams, Augustus Bartow, David Huestace, Ebenizer Leggett, Phin- 
ehas Hunt, Anthony Bartow, Israel) Underhill, Anthony L. Underhill, 2 seats, 
Israel Underhill, Israel Honeywell, John Doty, Robert Tucker, William Smith, 
Thomas Bartow, Benjamin Roe, Joseph Brown, Lewis Graham, Robert Watts, 
John Bartow, Benjamin Ferris, Samuel Bayard, Warren de Lancey, 2 seats, 
Thomas Hunt, John Cox. 


The old Orthodox Friend’s meeting-house now held by the Hicksite 
party, which stands south of the church, was erected in 1723. The first 
meeting of this numerous and respectable society in America, is said to 
have been held at Westchester. ‘‘ Monthly meeting” was appointed by 
the yearly meeting of Friends at Flushing, Long Island, to be held at 
Westchester, N. Y.,on the ninth day of fourth month, (April,) 1725.° 
There is also a tradition, that George Fox, the dauntless founder of 
their sect, preached here in 1672. Nearly opposite stands the meeting- 
house of the Orthodox Friends, erected in 1828. 

The Methodist Episcopal Society of Westchester was first organized 
in 1808, and incorporated 8th of March, 1809 ; William Johnston, Gil- 
bert Lewis, Abraham Seacord, Benjamin Morgan, Moses Hunt, and 
Gilbert Hunt, trustees. The present church edifice was erected about 
1818. 

The Roman Catholic church, dedicated to St. Raymond, is situated on 
the road leading from Westchester to West Farms in close vicinity to the 
present depot of the Harlem River Railroad; and attached to the 
church is an extensive grave yard, rectory and parochial school house. 
Its clergy has been the Rev. A. Higgins. 

In the immediate vicinity of the Harlem River Railroad station is 
situated “‘The New York Catholic Protectory.” This institution was 
incorporated on the 5th of May, 1863. 


a John Ferris of the borough town of Westchester, in 1715, by his last will. ‘‘ reserves the 
burying ground for the people to bury their dead, in the place where they formerly buried 
without any let or hindrance. Since known as the pasture hil] burying ground ”’ 

b “In that year, mention is made of the Quakers meeting-house in Westchester villave, 
‘entering of highways,’ in Book of Kecords iu the County Clerk’s Uilice. White Plains, p. 3. 
ne Hist. of Rye, p. 362. 

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To face page 405, vol 1. 


From an old deed, 
1667. 


| Een ea | 
Sambet of Yorktown, Martha, da, of Edward, of .Jerusha, da of 
ob, 1818 


nat. 1764; m. Dec, Moses Quimby, Dutchess | Samuel Barnes 
21, 1769; ob, 1819 nat, Oct, 18, 1768 Co., mar, 
Jan, 15, 1172 x 


PEDIGREE OF THE UNDERHILLS, OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY. 
Captain John Underhill alae Feke 
Nattanie sary Ferris 
asian Farman Cromwell 


| 
J acob Amy Hallock 


Was of New Castle, ..1. Charity, da. of Samuel Barnes, 
mar. Sept. 80, 1776 


Teme! of New Castle, Sophia, da, of 


= 
Jacob, of New Castle, Anne, da, of 
nat, Nov. 7th, 1767; | Haight, nat. Nov. 


nat, Mar. 5, 1764; David Conklin 


| 
Patience. Jacob 
Young 


at 


| 
Charity .Richard 


2. Phoobe, da. of Reese Cox ob. May 27th, 1829 ob, Oct. 30th, 1841 16, 1766; ob, May June 11, 1795 
—— 17th, 1849 

| | 1 | (C | gcoll 
Jacob —Sarah, da. Jesse I, —Eliza, da, 2 E 3 & Phebe_James SA'S > 

Halstead ob. | Wm. Un- Abraham Ne Oe 3 | Hallock oyu 
18-0 | derhill Sutton Bie sor S085 i 2NO'O 

Taal | L $ %  Paulina_James 3 ot i 

Das aE Q rt . 

Charles | Mary, m. Abrehamg. Anne 5 @ 2 Noy Barton ne 

ob. 8. Robt. GS BE Oz 2 5 

Wm. White G3 FB So RE 

Henry Rms ss 


“8 ‘qo ‘soTung— 


elem nat. Oct. Pauline, da. Jeddediah 
4, 1769; mar. 


| 

Hannah —Quimby Cornel, & Satan _Dantel Haviland o b E 
Allen, mar. Mar: 17th, E s-| 5 | E 
_2, Jane Ann McQuin- 1763 -L, oe a L ae 
|__ckers, ob, 1870 Sis B—|& ane 

=) ale $ 
Jacob,-Blisabeth, da, of ! L L lsd a g J Ly | | b ee hy Boss Fe 
M. Thresher ESEEEE Bg gees a-| & Bese Bo 
dai] eee a bc ea 
ols sia Eye Be 
$ Bets oe Me oe 


No. 6. 


Ne | 
David Hannah, da. Peter Hatfleld Noah_AnnaC., da. Wm. Sarles aiadon, ob. 8 


ae le al | Pe ayes 
chntios R., of New Castle, Elizabeth, da, of 3 Lydia.James Brown 2 I 
nat, 1790; ob. Deo, 6th, James Quimby, | 8 8B | | 
| —_ = —_ = ———— ~ _ 
1861 ob, Jan. 10, 1869 [, staphen | eal ier 2 L = I i i 
g Phebe Elizabeth , fm ary Hoo Ts ee 
geB Bs gy Es pee Feb by & a 8 
§ e 5 
eee ES i 6 hh eG Bu 
| | | | ao Woe cae 2 Z 2 & 
James, Moses Lydian Aaron,..Lucinda  Walter,.Adeline DeForest, Asa  Joshua,.Elizabeth fannah a & 5 5 g 3 - 
ob. 8. Quick Harris | da, Geraudus ob. 8. | Green =4 fe) E a a g rs i= 
ae Sites - —_————. gz Ei ed B 2 ‘s & 5 
| | | | | HW | | | BS Eq 4 R 2 ¢ 
David Townsend Geraudus Walter Geo. Fox Lillie Charles R. EB a 7 fag 
Charles Adelaid Caroline i 
t | \, 1 i= j = _ 
Josiah, of New Castle, ..Phaobe L,, da. of Tsaiah, ofPatience Jacob, of Rachel Daniel, of Elizabeth Isaac, ob. 8. Hannnah, nat. January 6th, 1872;_D, Chadoyne, nat. November 10th, 1766; 
nat. Aug. 8d, 177; Stephen Birdsail, Yorktown | Satterlee Ohio Somerstown | Welpley ob. January Ist, 1S41 ob. Jannary 5th, 1846 
Taarriede 1800; ob, 1862 ob. 1849 
ob. Dee, 8d, 1818 awels:| ma = 
a A 1 — | Ss 
8 B ! b L 4 L ih b E hy L Samuel Phebe, da. of Val- L 4 4 L ul b L b 
ae ee g 8 E i] a entine Willets BEES BES 8 
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SSB eB s aes z i 1 a 3 BS 
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+ 


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| 
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Boooqoy— | 


Phatbe —Sandford Hoag 


myor— 


prueq— 


| 
Sarah, ob. s, gery estan Cornell 


Nole:—Any error of omission or commission, report to A, 8. Underhill, New York. 


| 
Dorcas Ezra Haight 


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PEDIGREE OF THE UNDERHILLS, OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY. No. 5. 


hs To face page 405, vol. iL 
Captain John Underhill Tia Feke 


| 
Nathaniel ey Ferris 


I 
Abraham —Hannah Cromwell 


From an old deed, 
1667. 


Tsaac Sarah Field 


Pu ; I 
Robert, of Croton..Mary da, Jesse pea 1, Yorktown,,..Rebecca, da, J oshua, N. Y , nat.__Mary, da. of calev, Yorktown, Elizabeth, da. Moses, Cayuga Co,,—Anne, da. of 2 5 P z Rebecca, nat. June —Moses Sutton Mary, nat May31,_Tsainh Quinby,New Haunah, nat. July1.James Quinby 
Point, nat. June | Matlock, nat. nat. June 27th, 1768; of Jesse July 7th, 1765;m. | Richardson nat, June 16,1770 | Josiah Quinby nat, Aug. 20,1772; | IsaacMekeclh 2S = & 28d, 1757; ob. 1885 | Croton Valley, 1759; mar. 1793; Castle, nat. Dec. 15, 1769; ob. Oct | 2 Isaac Mekeel 
16, 1761; ob, Apr. | 1767; ob. Nov. ob. May 6th, 1841 Field, ob, Novy. 18, 1789; ob. Sutton, nat. mar. 1791; ob. nat. Jan. 9th, ob, Apr. 23, 1813 nat. Sept.16, % i B a nat. 1755; ob. 1844 ob, 1824 3, 1769; ob. 1810 4th 1846 = 
26th, 1929 25th, 1858 Fab, bth, Feb. 1st, 1589 Mar, 9 1767 Novy. 5th, 1834 1774; ob. Sept. 1780 & ¢& [TSU a = , : : , | 
1 ob. July 12, 13th, 1847 Bo I B . 
: is eel ap oe oh ok Pep eee CO RE BEE E Ben 2 
Edward B., Yorktown Leg p Oh es GR Se LES TWP se 58 6 ao 8B Sg 2s 88 a a 28 3 
$$ Boe BWP oS 8s Fa Bee BoA PEL RP ee e Bee Es # 822 5 
eop Pi) st Sy AB eS piety By os | 2 a a i] = Chee te) 
5 Bo ei ee ae a Gal oy 4 g JS ats Bi a a F wr 
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eps Bigs 8 ¢ ogee “YES ME EE eaR FE a 
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a 7 3 = 
] [ | | i | | 5 | 
wittam, of N.Y ,..Phaebe, da, John Joalan Os Pough-_ Hannah, da, Abm. ne Q., N. J.,—Mary, da. g Willet C., N. J.,Nancy, da. S = Aaron, nat. Mar. Elizabeth Richard M.,York-__Hannah, Alexander, Brook-_1.Phoebe W. Albertson Phebe _Stephen Wood 
nat. May 5, 1793; | GriMn, nat. 1798; keepsie, nat.Aug | Underhill, nat, nat. July 5, 179s William Ze nat. Mar. 27, 1802 | Moses ee = 12, 180°; m. 137; | Vande- town, nat. Mar. da. of lyn, N.Y.,nat. June =2.Caroline Albertson | 
ob, Sept. 7, 1859 | ob, 1872 28, 1794; m. 18°0; | May 9, 1791; ob. ob. Nov. 18, 186 Sutton - ob. Aug. 18, 1829} Smith aes ob, Feb. 13, 1874 | voort 5, 1808; m. 1°38; Moses Tih, 1809 | —3.Emma Conklin (alee 
ob. July 29, 1870 Oct. 2, 1870 2 | ob. Apr. 21, 1ST7T Griffin fe x 4 > HY Ht 
| | eit | | w | ey | | | | A, | ou 1 ei | I | Ih dl all | Seas HE 8 5 
R44 ae og @ Boe 5 Bee 8 BS se Tee Beem Fo a gl BEE Alexander BF e588 8 
a Se & = = =—| © 5 Se > p qt & §-| o & a = = = Sst i ® ae 
4 Ep, 2 =e z Seria Et BS es. BO Be a 8 ce tS 5 Bes fe JE Sy 
iS 4 3 a - ee 5 = a | | l > 
2 E pl > Pp Bb mF we I l ~ 17 $ = 8 o 8 wp ns = | 26 68 6H US CBS CAlbert—MaryE. Silas  Susan_J. Lane 5 
Bite! oe | ks BL oa oS 4a oS I ° S = ss for Ses 3 nei vrata ® 
co aL a gS) fF ss 46 Bes: an eae | ee ee ee pee ba Travis 
$f 4 § . sie Sl Fi B ga ws * P| eee = ih, n 5 9 Ba ; 28 w Q 
daa $ Ho oS 5 = Ze PF Ppl n of re) ¢ BP Laue = 
p Fis sf 2 3 a eee Sy le ee 65 ° Ese a *&o—| wR seh id Bee eels as | | I 
*f B BIE ee BPS Siig ze bis EAs] EY |2S BSE ow Ape aes |arer3 as John A. Edward A. George 
/ de ; So ee 3° og Blo Peles Bo Sn es Be 
a fe & & E : ere) Gereeeeee Sh FB : 
i | | ; ] I | 
olartaon Cornelia Vandervoort Aas Sarah Berry Woward, of California Buphemia3 ue P. pane ' Susan —Joshua Butts Phoebe T._Jno. Tellot Elizabeth Geo, Jackson Mary —Daniel Smith Ann _—Jno. Towner Jane_J. Moore 
ob. 18:9 __2.Sherman Beardsley 
persc | | 
George. Miss Francis V. Julia Gertrude 
Mundel ob. 8 Mar. 8, 
ISTT, wt. 26 yrs, - 
ee ee EE ee 
| | | [ | =p | I | | 
Walter, of N. Y.,Mary,da.of  JoshuaS, of N. Y ,Alice, da, of Tra B., Burlington, Abigail, da. Abraham 8., N. Y.,Mary,da.of Elizabeth, nat Sept._Jno, R. Anna, ob. s., Dat. Sarah F., Jane, nat. Noy, 23d,__Jno, H. Caroline, Wm. Crom- Mary 8...Wm. Wood Hannah, 
nat, Sept, 12, 1795; David nat, Noy. 14,1796; | Richard N.J., nat, Mer. 1!,| Ray nat. 1807; mar Joseph S 15th, 1790; ob. Willis, April 25th, 1793; Nat. Sept, 1801; ob. Mar. 8th, | Ferris, nat. 1803; well, ob. aes Fie ob. 8. 
married 1895; Mitchell married 1854; Lawrence 1800; mar, 1839; King 1845 Shotwell July 9th, 1869 Ob, 1844 ob, January 13th, 9th, 1798 1877 ob. 1862 Ob. 1848 1872 2 
ob Aug 17,1866 | ob. Mareh, 1857 ob. October, 1857 1873 = 
lee | \ | wad Len! lees Fen age eae aaa | | 
Walter M Zoe, da Mary S..Merritt Lydia..Menryl, B® oS Aero & ~~ & @9 & William W., N.Y.—Emily, da. of ob 5 > s ta na is 
nat. 1828; | C A.Dane ‘Trimble Lawrence 8 2-|"" of =| FS ABO Jno, Grifin =o (9 Sr Ba te = mer 5 
® - 2 ~ Ket = i] eS 2 = es . 
obs | pelea «| ie ee ra _ 28 § F sé 
L | Th 2ehe Finite kf hegeky se 2 fer) Be ee eae 
a # BF EEE p(SPee mle<z az fb ZS aR E om g ze EF Sy 
Rae 8 Se ae Q'gss2 Beas 88 5 oe 8 ££ ‘ ss ae Se R25 8S 
5 4 = a * 45464 Ese 8 & PRR ie one $ 3 SB Ba 
=] or P ‘ = ® 2 ° 5 5 ao 
I t ¥ | S 3,31 N —_ Lydia, da. Reubi n 4 b R bi Daniel By Li bob Will ae J 
Edmund, of N. Y.,..Pheebe Jare, da. George, of N. Y.,=Sally Ann, Robert R., Sarah, da. ong William A., Croton Abby, da. Alfred M., =Lydia, da. en 22 ef ebecca _Danie sther_Jabob ets ary Jane Henry 
nat. Aug. 29, 1790; | Tlijah Ferris, nat. 1795; ob. Noy. | da. Wm. Tndianaas, | Jethro ay g Point, nat. 1803, Stephen Dutchess Howe, nat. Jan 8 z 2 Talleot Wood 
ob, 1872 ob. Apr. 28, 1879, 17th, 186s Waring, ob, Aug. Wood Bk ob. Noy. Ist, 1873 | Wood County 15, 1S0S; ob, May é S 
fot. 82 yrs. ob. 1872 24th, 1864 ae | 20, 1844 -_ ve, 
! if | ira ilar ial ea Los | relay el gl (eae 
Jonn F..Satrah Elijah Fm. = Mary Isaac =| i] et ae ae oo 2 a) Be y Q 4 & a = 2 g & 
: Teann a Bolton, Ann | Farquir ES == = Be 2 = e & ae Ze & 2) <5 | Si) fag & & 3 
ob, | vob. ae 5 BESS ace Ee bi pote | ath eed =e 4 z 8 
| Saye i Pe 6B Be OE ot fs ees 5 E 8 
na ct i eS) = = roa z 
Edward A son Mary Anne S50 cay 3 Bk 2 = |egs | 2 ‘ 
“3 88 “iss Ba > =S H5 = EEn | 2 
7 50 S&s £2 § P ES = o a | g 
| E | : | | (feel [ear I Re! a | j Tee Pal | L 
a f illiam W..Mary Ann Robert, N.Y. Charlotte A.. —Pheebe T. Tit uklin, ob. S > Boe ck euben H.,_Harriet, da, Edward B. —Gertrude, da. of I Alfred A. Mary G., da of Joseph | 
aN Tae Sutton ey Sever : da, Silas, nee aaee s peernin Senne nits 5 Bo ‘a E = Brooklyn, | Israel Suk: | L. M. Ferris S Turner g 5 
wet, 83 yrs. eS a ae a Nets seeing iS & as 
a ‘ick fe, da, Herbert Caroline Mat Adelaide Frances A. L L ad Eugene Roo Ci ! Lila 2 e a =P Rentlen L. | Lydiag Litdiey F. | | | Harrold * whtiam | | Jonepii T. 4 ee 
ee an beanan %! : = = mar. Nov. 23d, 1879 oN se meet = B ob. Edmundc, ~~ Bessie C Edward B., Jr. Edward = Alfred M. a Eo 
3 5 s = 5 Gertrude F, P 
8 2 


Caroline W. 


oe rok OUTS GF wrahchrcyn® GouNTy : 
eta Oetie Tan ayy taicar oe rae ¥ 


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Mg Te tace page 408, vl PEDIGREE OF THE UNDERHILL’S, OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY, No. 4 
Captain John Underhill a Feke 
| 
Nathaniel ro Ferris 
From an old deed, Abrahams Hanah Cromwell 
1667. ] 
| | | ] 
Abraham, of New Castle, ..1, Phoebe, da. of John Halleck Isaac, of Yorktown, nat.—Sarah, da, of Robert Field, Jacob, of New Castle, nat. Amy, da. John Halleck, Mary_Caleb Horton, of White Plains | 
or Philipsburg, mi, 1746;| _.2.Kazlah, of Farrington June 21,1726; m. Aug. | nat. February 6th, 1734; May 25th, 1730; m. Jan. | nrt. June 3d, 1728; | 2 eee Meas ee Lockwood 
ob. 1789 18th, 1756; ob. Decem- | ob. March 20th, 1812 29th, 1747; ob. September | ob. June 30th, 1808 ili JB Ce | Goh ae | 
ber Sth, 1814 26th, 1807 E z ¢2P @ FE £ Abraham —_—Tsaac 

2 ¢ | eo © Ss 2 
] 1 1 Ee eT w 5 : = 
See No. 5. See No. 6. s\ is Bee B 2 $ 2 L 
BES El 2 Owl BE 2 8B 
o 28 & fay 3 uy Ip § =] 
a FG pe e Rp RG 36 
I 2 2 & =i So i 


es nn 
| 
Dahtel, of New Castle,..Sarah, da, of Reese Cox, Israel, of New Castle_Sophia, da, Abijah Haight 


nat. Mar. 5th, 1765; nat, Nov, 28th, 1764; 5) Se Gre anny Haight aa ree 
ob, Jan. 17th, 1847 ob. Nov. 25th, 1888 on ob. 8, Pierce 
————- ee ee Ce Eee ee 
an cs al nae ee | 1 i a 4 b fy L & Taane of Illinois Jane, da. of Horuend N., of Emil, D. al | ! ! 
5S =] =] = . +, of _Emi a 
Abijan, Satan —Adonijan PhebeThomas  Elizabeth_Liv- Charlotte Charles fe & & if & g : ‘Adoijan Underhill N.Y., ob. 1847 aaih sogend mies Ten 3 eed of John—Saral Caroline_ Aaron Jane —Alfred 
ob. 8. Underhill, Carpenter ingston Carpenter Bg o bP teh IS 7 y os, Carpenter Young Quimby Underhill 
son of Benjamin 3 Ky r N L fd EB e st ie 
M4 De 24 
= g 2 zg Eins g 5 Lillie W., mar. Nov. 17, 1875 Arthur D, Weeks Mary C. ° 
* a a ee eee an ee 
| | 


| | | | eta ie 
Amos, of N. Y,_.Pamelia Avery Solomon, of Sing Sing __Pheebe, da. Jacob Conklin Reuben, Joseph, Phobe_Alex Mattha_Walter Baan enae Sarah Sam). aune Amy_Isaac 
— . y eS 


| B L Mi f New York, Elizabeth d a 
Adonijan, of N. Y..Deborah, da. Daniel Stephen, of N. Y...Phaebe C, da. en}. evi, of New York, — zabet Andrew, of Poughkeepsie _1.Hannah, da. Jas, Clapp @ David, of N. Y._Sarah,da.of Abraham C., of N.Y.—1.Elizabeth, da, Peter Buckle Israel, N. ! ! | 
nat. Feb. 17, 1788 | Sutton; ob. 1874 nat. Sept. 9th, Cornell, nat. 17925 nat. Dec. 18,1792 | Martigney nat. 1791; ob, 1875 =-2.Sarah Upton, da. Jora- |, B ob. July, 1870 | Thos. Pierce nat. Mar. 18, 1799 | —2.Almyra cteeee : nat. ae Wate ae 3 , SEB BY BY 
ob. 1648 1789 ob. June 22d, 1872 ob. Feb. 28, 1862 than Haight 2 asd ob. | Ata 5B DnB me oS 
ee John U. | | Mar. 2 1869 ar BS ise ay, 28 
rahe l i it Thend Lemna tt = ge 
5 7 _Y. to : ah 
is) @ E 2; 8 g9 watlam, of Y._.Fanny Jenkins a: pe 9 9 3 a 5 5 B 2 2] 3 3 a Amanda Adelaiae Louisa John Sarah Cc. Mere 4 Lib 7 vaio & tp 
3 EEE ae oN | 7s Be SEEBR SEBREEEE W. T Fleet [omy g Gee ¢ Bee ae 
& j id ets Bas 2 1 e | | PES = 
BE pl zee i" alba aA Bb BS Sho fe ise = S Ste me Danie _ | Emily | Elizabeth bh by bob b b il (5 BLS Ba B83 
in a EB LB & : SB gl ae Bis i a ne aE 3 BREE FE ¢ ap 6 & 
Bu Be do 38 Es go eer t 3° megane 8 § B84 pee B EF EF ¢ 
een Gt See ce fF ea ‘ SpA Mes oS 
| | | | [ 
Henry 8. ..1.Mar Doty Adouijan, ob. 8. Jane Isaac Underhill Anna EK. _Edgar Laing Louisa_ Henry Cox. Harriet Deborah__Frank Macy 
2. Ann Doty 
bai 
\ | 
Richard Mary Ann 
eee 
| | | 
John, of Amaywalk, Davenport Abraham, of Amywalk, ob. 1781_Phcebe Pugsley, ob. 1834 Isaac, of Dutchess Co., N.Y._—1.Anhe Pugsley Clemente, mar. Ave 14, Uae Hany Wilson, Oyster Bay, L. I. 
i , —2.Rebecea Hunt Abraham Phoebe Henry | Mary Hannab 
aaNontOnan: Sarah, ob. Thomas Amy Kaziah Sarah 
oS ieeeees soe Ure — — 
T 1 | Talat | ; Pint iT | | | | | | | | I | 
Richardson Jenkins _ Isaac, mar, 1804_Elinor Cove La = To James. of Yorktown, _1.Lydia, da of Dani. Carpenter = Y Stephen, of _Arnold Abraham, of Deborah, da. of Henry U., of —Julia, da. of Jacob T._Hannah, da. of @ jy isc) 
a $3 | 5 5 B a SUG ge emery da. of Daniel Car- = 5 5 Dutchess | Dutchess ‘Amos Barton Dutchess Jos. Carpenter 7 Amos Barton cy FA 2 B 2g =i 
on re Jainos B. -Louls A Me. 8 a t , E s B ounty | County County 8 g 2 ® z E 
nat. Mar. 8, Ihenny, ob. i) =) | | ay | 24 i] 2 A ot S 
= = : ° | I [aalinesl Ls ce 
1805 Jan, 27, 1877 Fs é 8 Cyrus 8. Sarah —Kipp = 5 Ey Alanson 5 a & 9 g L L L 5 Ek b Bawhra Taua 5 4 Bp OS B 
= & ao 2 § ¢& a2 o = o ¢ 2 
= 4 ae Be tt Ag 1a! cy ae AEE Ee OG) Ss ¢& & 
& L : b k Lontsa -Ramund Pillet g 2 5 2a ass = z 3 = A 4 5 a F: g b 
Lap Ss oO 
8 oe ee = 5 
fies 4 nalvard P.,ob.a | aw 7a BE ‘ : E 
: * ward P., ob.8 my 5 s i 
2s a 2° Frederick Clarence B @ 3 
& & ® = 
ssi 0 CC 
| = ; | | | 
Abraham, of N. Y. Eliza O’Strander, ob. Mar. 25, 1879 Baily, of N.Y , nat, 1809; ob, Feb. 15, Mary K. Griffin William P, Daniel C., ob. 1872_Mary B. Carpenter, nat. 1823; Elias H.—Elizabeth, da. of David Underhill pneebe Job Carpenter Maria_.Job Carpenter JaneThos. Carpenter Amos, Ob. 8, 
1S78 | ob. 8. 1878 |___ ob. Nov. 16th, 1870 | =, 
| Z : 7 i | 
j | | : | 
James Johnson Abita, Sienhan M., George Edwin shia Ae mar. Gopal Catharine Lyla, Catrie ace sulnitta David George | | Saran Robert chat ee tau obi 
ob. Aug, 1878, ob. s. ob, Feb. 1st, H. MeWil- ob. 8. ob. 8, Kirkham Ackerman John Charlotte 
tet. 40 yrs. 1880, wt, 8ST y. liams Augustus..Phcebe Knapp 


oo oe © 


a : | 
} THE Ueberina® oF Wester COUNTY 


THe UMBENESIICIS, OF WEesTCHesrne co 


7 Baar ivie ores erat, Aedtandh «os ¢ 


a 


( kone seesares 
: pean = Ane 682 Tae eee “Maen sd dulp 1 
2 AA os MENT yy ntAamT = ao pe ee 


yen oh, Oct yeert godaill pal ; ; wz! J 


ih ee rw, 


ee are: ay SC RS - Zz are 4 re | 
at WK my - qeetear PF yn e4iT. Rasontye ; 
wvi._War > 208 nap Lie - 8 : : 
aa a tokinanti to i “awm.f g 
o:t Stree Aa 4 
ater | SamepR = Ce “a 
oy nat 5, 1 do 5 


Sl LRT qr te ; - 
ans stoned weer A ae ipl pre fia itLxatae 
Fee Td “@ 


| "Be ie 


23° Coie : 
i Wegme L 73 eE 
stietoodt wot wots s9gT 


A oa 


: 
ogee) A Dadnt 


{ a 4 7 
a Dei MerdOhL, sherri , er eae wea 
inte ae, 1 +epete srafert, 
1” pears ’ Sibert] ‘anaes 


asda’ 


ara) 
> oo 


Froin an old deed, 
1667. 


To face page 405, vol. il. 


PEDIGREE 


OF THE UNDERHILLS, OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY, 


No. 3° 
Captain John Underhill ealisebedt Feke 


| 
Nathaniel ae Ferris 


| 
Nathaniel _Mary Honeywell 


John —Ann Bowne 


| | | | 
Sarah, mar, Susan, mar. Eihe, mar. Hannah, Elizabeth, edema 


| | | | 
Jon, of 1.Anne Barker, b. Dee. 2, 1722; Benjamin, of Blizabeth Lancaster, of _Eudosia, da. Benj. Nathaniel, of, Rebecca, Frederick, Yonkers —Jane aN iano of Hannah Peter, of —1.Iester Bonnett 
Newtown, ob. Aug. 16, 1786 Scarsdale, Bonnett Eastchester, Hunt, nat. Dec. New Brunswick, | da. Thos. nat. Mar. 27, 1749; | Bonnet Youkers, Hunt Yonkers a/AnnSehures Noah Tompkins Tompkins ob. 8. mar. Jno. Horton 
Cont. 9.Dulhorisa Outhouse mar, 1768; nat. 1746; m. th, 1759; ob. N.S. Ward ob. Oct. 31, 1821 ob, 1857 ob. 1855 The man Bishop Odell 
ie ob. 1818 1772; ob. 1845 | Sept. 21st, 1828 ‘ 
(ly a a | ae | [ 
uy Z ise] a Nicholas—Rebecca A. Lancaster __EMe M. Esther_J. W.Livins Magdalena_l. V. 
=] | < & | | | | | ‘ 
s z BE 5 & cs £ 5 =3 Thomas B., of Susannah Frederick —Maria Poe dB pad o3 Bee Heustice, da, [peeree® Fowler 
a 6 68 gs EF Bs 5s Yonkers, nat.7 Fowler  K., of N, Y.| Sattle oS p Bie oe eeu, 2 of Daniel 
BP SG & Be Ss pf ’ £25 ye SWB Le SHS 
ia & eb SF Ey Aug. 12, 1794 - Boast See oe ion Pa tee Eo | | t, 
¢¢ = ®2 oy Be Maria Bs) Boma say Parmelia, Susan _1.Dusenbury John —Euphemia M. Thorne 
oS Sy Sp RM Sh OG . B ob. s, —2. Van Wort 
a $ \, °o RS 
a] ares 
: (ee l Metecsleac ee 
Jaleb F, of—Emily Ea of Eliza J. David Ann Eliza Shute Benjamin _Caroline we it =} be ee DM Eh | | | 
Yonkers, | Sher- N. Hampshire, | Phillips F. C. Secor RAB mE BRE Sea os John B., of New Rochelle,_Archa Bonnett Jane_Abijah Morgan Ann, ob. 8. 
wood nat. Aug, 6th, RES "Beis See Sp ob. July, 1868 
1823 Ags i TE) . fa Hl Peter 
\ | i | | ic It eal | | | | { [ce 
Wilbur_Jemima Susan J., Frederic T. Eva Bell ss? 03292 92 5 & ElidaT. MaryL. Peter J, George W. L ,—Julia Barker Wm. Henry Mary Burpo Sarah Ann 
8. Dusenbury — ob.s, 1852 me do Fae 2 B Tuckehoe, New Rochelle 
Be Bo Se: ce ley ob. s. 
Sy 2 | | | | | | 
JohnQ.A. George Eugeina Sarah A, Wm, Henry Ida 
ob. 8. 
eal | | | | | | 
Binathan,. Sara Smith Blenop, {Ann, da of Gilbert, of East-_Betsey Honey- Nathaniel, of Scars-_ Patience, da. of Isaac H.,_Mary Hatfield, ob, Jelae L., Tuckehoe_ Betsey John F.,of Yon- Ale mar. Savan —John 8. = ee —JoinMec- Hannah, m. Da., married Susan, 
of N.Y. F'chester | Jno, Odell chester will dale, ob, 1853 Fred Underhill of N.Y. | Jan. 16, 1874, et. ‘Taylor kers, mar. John Martine Chaine Josh Under- Lyman mar. 
ia 75 years Maria Smith Bonnett | | hill ; Seeley Disbrow 
| I eth al | 1 onl | | | | b Li i | | | | | [ | | | 
4s e g WF He = wf {z+} Q o no Qs ¢ Nancy _1.James Underhill Johu I’.._Hannah, Daniel Fanny, Be wm Adeline _ Reynolls Ferdinand Edward George James 
ee pee 2 8 apne: 8) JB Z Bo EE 2) —Horton N.Y. [da Robt.  H. da.P, BS ES - 
BS aoe ee > 5 Sis AE ae os 2 eo ¢ 3 & Findley, ob 1864) Haney 33 5= 
} 2% ee | Bilao Bee sf ob i S| = I ob. 1868 Faas 
ESms! ly oe t § 4 l i 4 eo 4 gee ] apa 
in He Bes zshLego gy S 39we |e | Mw I | Sse 
SPE 8 ose & ey ot ee BT BES Zox Andrew F. ary Wiliiam MaryF. E47 78 
= » & 758 & aod © of Ea A ora a 2 Daniel SEZs 
? ese 4g $6 8s & 32 29 © Bom “a 5 APE. 
: BSS B BB & ey OB RB ESS “Ss 
he a s alee my ele . 
7 | | E | | 
Benjamin, of East-..Mary, da. of Thos. Noah, of Eastchester, —Wl\izabeth Odell, Lawrence, —Abigail Odell, nat. Mar. eaten nat. —Mary Hunt, nat... Elizabeth cura, nat. Andrew Shonnard, Emma, nat. William Underhill 
chester, nat. Feb., Fowler, nat. 1776 nat. December, 1775; nat Oct. 1782; nat. Oct.,1777 eA AAU aes ae 1828 Dec. 8th, Shute Aug., 1786;| Shute 1789; ob. nat. 1774 1798; ob. New York, son 
1774; mar. 1806 ob. Mareh, 1840 ob. Sept., 1831 ob. Dee 1853] 7 Bal ANAM NOs 1792 ob , 1837 1964 ob. 1832 1853 of Noah 
== | | | | | inal 1 <7 ‘ | 
George M.K ,-Aune. da. of Alfred, —Susan Thomas, Charles Lancaster O —Fow- 9 SEE 8 © Edward T. Sarah E. Dore- Trae L., of Aenen Peoria. _Bartow A. of Toon ob. 8, ena ob.s. Sarah _J. H. Morton, 
Nie SEM Ov, 1878 | Albertis ob 28h Bronxville | ler z an 5 z 2 mas, ob. 1869 Chicago ok. 1866 Chicago Chicago 
: — & Swe ao 
| | BRS ae 
ae. Ss. | | Mary L. Altea B. Anna & 
Francis Flizabeth | 1 | 
Wm. Henry Charles Oscar 8. Augusta _Duft Mary A. —Onderdonck Carrie Eugine Emly 
* | 
mana —Margaret, da, J. L. Cornell Joseph Tsanc_ Hlizabeth Brittingham econ 8 1852 ciard =—J. Bonnett | ae Burtis Aue Maria Elizabeth, ob. Ss. 
| ~ 
| | 
Aitrea —Weed Henry _Emma Horton Clarissa Horton cea 
a Se EE 
| | | } 
John of Esther Pell Joshua, of _1. Peggy, da of Eli Angevine David. of Elizabeth Sarah_Lyon Hannah _ Stephen Horton Mary —Barnes Underhill uel ernine db. (858 Susan _Richard Griffin 
N. ¥. nat, 1776; Scarsdale Scarsdale White 
ob. Aug. ob. 1852 =2.Hannah Underhill 
98, 1887 | 
—8.Susan Angevine 
i Le ee ease er ea | | | | | 
Abraham L., of —Polly Geo ew Bs ES = = Fiizabeth, Wannah—Thomas Joshua, of New York, Rosanna .... - r, David B.,_Catharine  Alpheus,of N, Y.,.Jane Roberts Ann Eliza —Jacob Luft 
Hart’s Corner, l Burp $75 5S S85 8 & ob. 8. Hunter nat. 1810; ob. 1849 | of N.Y. Glass nat, 1807 I 
New Rochelle Serie oF oes 9 | | ] 1 | 
Abraham oe F z a Ts 3 _ Joshua, ob. s. James, ob. 8. aneae Dayid John George Caroline 


| 
atin of Green County, N. Y. Barnas, 


Julia —Eben. Thorne, of N. Y. 


of N. Y.,—1 Mary, da. of Benj. Underhill 
nat. 1778; ob. 


| 
Mary —Hurlburt 


2 2 
William, ob, s. Ettlor Odell 


1si0 
—2.Polly, da of Hunt Underhili 
| —— 


salah —G. A. Robbins 


| | 
Sarah_Duno Fanny —Taylor . 


Bee ray 8 
he oan 


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APA “COLT Sees; - 


To face page 405, vol. iL. PEDIGREE OF THE UNDERHILLS, OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY. No. 2. 


Captain John Underhill aaa Feke 


Nathdniel ime Ferris 


From an old deed, uinaneie Mary Honeywell 
1667. | E 
| - l | 
sata of Yonkers..Ann Bown, Nathaniel, of Westchester _Ann, da. of Israel Bartow nat, Willlam, Olena isle Israel, of Westcnester, nat, Sept. 21, 1731; Abigail Lespenard, 4 av Bz b Mary, nat._1.Dr. N.Bayley |= zg 5 B Hilzdbeth, nat. Feb, —Gilbert Drake, 
nat. Aug. 8,1718 | nat. Dec, 19, 1722 nat. Aug. 81, 1723; will Honeywell Oct. 23d, Yonkers, mar. March 4, 1761; burried at West- nat. Dec, 4, 1739; 28 x 5 Ee Jany. 2, 72.Purdy gs & 17th, 1735 mar. 1757 
ob. Aug. 16, 1786 proved Feb, 18, 1784; 1725 nat. Feb. chester; ob. Sept. 28d, 1806 ob. Feb. 3d, 1806 2 5 & oF 1720 8 Sea 
See No. 8 Lord Mayor Westchester 16, 1727 Py SB 25 Gilbert U 
7 i | z | | | | | wk Bs 8 Fomean onlacn es z ert Nathan’l Elizabeth Frances 
7 7 wuilam —Dorshia Gilbert Gedney SOUAIIED Hanah is 7 B 3 5 . 2 2 Ey er Sor 
of Greenburg, nat. 1752; | Taylor | nat. 17 ya = 
Arar g, ; | y | : 8 3 S g Anthony L. of New York, Clarina da. of Basil Bartow, 2 SY BEZER Mary, A. nat. March 10, 1766 ;_Wynant mee ue s il os b 
I y E nat. Dec. 80th, 1763; nat. March 4th, 1769; B Ba ge pee Aa mar. June 21, 1788; Van gts F 3 F FB iS 
L ay L J 5 L y tf | 4 g Poy mar. July 24th, 1783; ob. June 9th, 1836, 3 3 RES PS ob. August Ist, 1851 ae 8 - s ay E 
a BpRE Sg Pe se PE ge 8 3 g — ob. July 18th, 1847 Buried in Maryland 4 > Sp a SS Sa SS Sai =z afBs 
BS ae 2 3 EB g <? Ba ne z a st ue E 1, Charles William Charles Thomas Charles A, Robert B. Edwin 5 ©: 2 = 2 
w age aR GEER G E a ey a ae oe 
Ba 3 vce ® A Ss I 8 & @ §& 3H 
l l Ee ; 
Punderson B, Charlotte A. Smith Charles, of Elmira, 1.Caroline Hart, nat. Noy. 20, 1814 Henry, of N.Y.—Rebecca, EEO b | 2 oye ge Clarina, nat. June 1, 1792;—John I. Mumford, mone omy L 
nat. Nov. N. Y., nat. Aug. —2.Portia M. da, Judge Brooks nat, Mar. 25th, | da. of z ¥ S S B e|"a5 oly BR ob Jan. 9th, 1862 | nat. 1791; ob, 1863 o_ Bg E ah S 5 2 
21, 1787; 25th, 1794 —8.Sarah M, Miller, m. July 26, 1797; mar. 1820 | Samuel aoe 2 BR | oF 5 & ne i i a ot eis a 
is . ares : . Barz ° 
mar. 1810; | ie | 1851 Hallett, Q > B = qn saree g ne Ferdinand John P. | Julia Angelina ge | #8 aan a 
iy Pee fe Be Seee Sal ae ao @ & E—TESR 2 Mary L. e—_ly ge 8 
a 4 3 | yD § : o nee ba 
ay 3 ee 3 | a = | 3 4 Ey Baron eek 2 George E. James A._Catharine 4b Ew £ =) at © be ay 4 eal 5 See 1 5 
Ree RE g ® BE Oy 32 FE 5 | 4 mar. 1848 | Hageman TSE & a ef 2 E_| Be) NS os an 
ape * Bp pF! Be @ E Prank starr 2 eee Rep’ EF & Bl Bo 8 3B 2 (B58 iz 
aoe Hi Julia Clarina Bo 3 a ge 3 “Se g 
: = 5 Cs 
| - e 
anthony L., nat. 1880; mar. 1851 —Charlotte L. McBeth Caroline i, Charlas A., nat. June 14. 1834;_Ada Parks Octavias, nat. April 14, 1837;__G. W. Field Portia M., 
mar. 1832 married 1860 married 1871 ob. 8. 
William, KdwinS. John AreliaL. Charlotte 
ee ES — — — eee 
| | | | | 
Robert L, Bath, N.Y. ..Frances M. Howell Henry, nat. April, 1817 Henrietta Scott Mary E, nat. June 25,_Jno, Newall Clara L., nat. Sept, 15. 1815 J. B. Bliven Eugenia, nat. Eliza S._ Robert Piper charlotte A., nat. Jan. 21, 1823 _John Hall ntdinett —Sylvester King 
nat. Dec. 1, 1811; 1818, 0 April 23, 1819 
married 1836 
| | | s 
Baward H. Northrop Robert, nat. Hug. 19, 1841; ob. Noy, 12, 1870 Deniet H., nat. 1850; ob. 1857 Ambrose S., nat. July 1, 1855, ob. 1857 Charlotte E. Hanah L. 
| | | | 
Noah, Greenburg, N. Y. Nancy Travis Nathaniel, of N. Y. Elizabeth Oakley Gilbert, of Greenburg, N, Y. —1.Elizabeth Hart Benjamin, of..1. Margaret Lawrence Witllam._Abby, da. of Mary —Myer Sher- Aw =Moses Aaabeannal Charlotte_.Wm. Wright 
—2.Hannah Cudney Greenburg —2. Hannah Crocker Moses Sherwood | woou | Clark | Killum | 
let eer as ieee Cudney | aan 7 tr | | | | | 
Alexander Nathan} suhia James =| i | a | Mens | ' | | Thomas 2 wb p au nd L L 
ob. 8. aw awrence argaret Har meline Thomas B. Patience SEgs Ee s= § B we 
Hannah C._ Aaron Seely coe! Odell are 3 BEES ee 2 *— g 5 5 
lai ik i) ga a eed RES | ee: ii 
Monmouth H., of N.Y. 1. Hanuah Whitfield, da. George an & & 5 James L.. of _1. Elizabeth Dusenbury =) & S| a) IL | b e 
2. Sarah Whitfield, da. George = 5 5 5 E- = White Plains —2. Jane Carson =) 5 8 s =} 2 FA 
eS i= o 
SS Se EB 3 iy b> a L I 5 2 g a 
| | L el & #8 P £ L A a eo @ 
Oscar —Hannah Combs Monmouth H, Emily Barn- & I 1 a h hana | ° es me i] 2 i) 
ob. 1869 | ob, 1868 Well, da of @B RE 2 ¥ Sool st ee eis ee] eS 
| __| Patrick 5 gP a a Ee 5 EB Bo Bl g Hi Ge) oe eee EA 
Hattle _Renie | oe) be 7 E q | S 
Joseph A. a B g° 3 3 s Cae st = & qi 34 a) 3 z 
A Y 
] | | i te | | | 
William__Emma, da. Lancaster Underhill, Enoch, of Greenburg, —Elizabeth Gilbert Stephen Hezakiah Abraham Benjamin Nancy 
nat. Mar. 80, 1791; ob. Sept. 80, N.Y., ob. 1861 
1853 


i | I i | ioe “ale 
ta ohn: waltam H, Charles_Jones Maria H. wintam Gilbert Noah Theodore Matlnda Barth 


p Al 
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PEDIGREE OF THE UNDERHILLS OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY. No, 1 


Mn To face page 405, vol. il. 
S : 
Captain John Underhill, nat, about 1600; Elizabeth Feke, 2d wife, da. Robert 


married, 1658; ob. July 2ist, 1672 Feke, of Flushing, L. I. Nat. 1633; , 
ob. 1674 , 
aes Lae ry | | “| | 
From an old deed, Nathintel, of Westchester, nat. February 22d, —Mary, da. of John Ferris, David, of Oyster Bay, eee seeeee Bi nat. faire 1659 ier Townsend Hannah, nat, Feb. 10th, 1666; Thomas Alsop, BU eae uy nat, May 2d,_Joshua Smith 
. . i. e 67: no iss' ob. January 30t 698 f a 4 
1667 1668; married, December, 1685; ob. about of Westchester nat, Feb, 1st, 1672 ue iy, SUED; of Oyster Bay ob. 1767 of Newtown Jacob, nat. Oct 8, 1690 
s 1710 
| | | | 
Nattlantel, of Westchester, nat...Mary Honeywell Whomas; of New Castle, Phoebe Davenport Abraham, of White Plains, Hannah Cromwell Benjamin of_...... John—...... Son residing South-east Mary —Horton 
Aug. 11th, 1690; ob, Nov. 27th, Westchester Co, N.Y. will proved 1750, ob. zt. New Castile 
1775 about 50 yrs. 
See No, 2 See No 4. jo a a ree ee ee eS 
eer nner nnn ———— a 
| | Sarah Weeks, nat. Sept. i & L b L ae b be Tae f Ulster Co. Sarah Th s Ki f Daniel 
Benjamin _1.Amy Weeks Samuel William..Mary Sutton ‘Thomas of Phillipsburg, Sarah Weeks, nat. Sep al oe S = nn > EE ts iS ) 0: er Co. Sarah Thorn amuel, of —.... aniel, of Ulster Co._.... Dau. _James Sniffin 
no issue 2.Elizabeth Dean ,,|! Salem, nat. Mar. 26,1788; | 26,1789; ob. Oct. 23, 1825: =) 3 3 g = 5— & B As | 5, Ob. wt. 65 Ob, wt. 84 Newburg | and New Castle 
Phoebe Dodge) ot as mar. 1761; ob. Mar 25,1822 | da. Abel Weeks B-| 6 nb —_ g z : simts EP eae i aS ae oe 
Le i= so = | © 
—s ep es “ 5 wl & is & g = a John Tsaac Beane of Cayuga Co., N. Y. 
as Cot Wh es 8 
3 Folge Ogee OE : 
8 i BS Be Bali) ee 2s] y | | i | | | | 
oI i we é 5! fe) 3 5 B if Oe S S Isaac, of Ulster Co,_Millinex Daniel Nathaniel, Phoebe Samuel,N. Y Amy ret Jerusha 
| nF E S ob. wt. h i 
i 4 o6 wes E 2 = 33 $ 3 | 8 65 Orange Co | ob, Oct. 2, 1870 marianteste aon 
g 5 SB Se z oe tb & em Elisha —Sophia, da. of Hannah _F, Ferdon 
Re 0 Bh ® g_| 2 ole S Pierson | Abner Heaton 
3 i] oO 
§ & & 
= = = | | | | | | | | 
] | | | | | | | Abner H, —Mar. . of ris, os . 5.D. 
julien Barthelics. raioal niiaveth =1.Weeks Hannah Phabe Basheba 5 L t Ae (| a Ze L L iu L ly al s IL acess p= L Q a a Titnnee es nat at a Josh, ob, 8.p Sean ee Emme Phoebe Mary TN 
ob. B. 2. Whitney fo 3 @s 5 a Si se B= & ef ces se 3 3 8 ® iS 4 aes J.Purham J. Louns- Elijah A. Bald- =“ Martine 
ae & Bea Ba 62g & O,F Fe gee 28 eG pos bury Fowler win 
“s 3 Fl Er Bie ng “ee °F & cs j | | 
= e 4 William J., of N.J. Louisa Prince Adna G, ary E. Sophia ee 
1 | | | 
Atel, nat. Feb. 26th, 1770..Phaebe, da, of Jesse Kipp Benjamin, Salem, nat. May 10th, 1778; ob, 1846 __Abby, da. Richardson Sutton, nat. Dec. 12, 1770 Sarah Robert Sutton Mary —M. Frost Martha, ob.s, 7 J. Miller A. E. Conover 
; j I Se | i (albelenh ol deed Elinor Minnie Nelly William 
Pi urd: Anna, nat. July 2, 1791. William Smith Sarah, nat. Noy. 25, 1795 Silas Weeks Elizabeth, nat. Joseph Weeks SE OPUE vf lS] 
Honda pamela Purdy, 2 fed Dee, 11, 1797, had 2 daughters 5 a = s ¢ iI a 8 g bream ob. —Merey Paddock, ob. william, nat. —Abigail, da. aS Jonh C., ob. 8. 
bE | | || 5 renee ae | | jl i & 5 a 3 BS July 26, 1795; | Jany. 1st, 1820; July 24, 1741; | Wallace, nat. Dec. | 
Thomas.Cella Amazian_Marrict Allen—.. Alfred... Mary.Alfred Elma Phoebe Esther Sarah Benjamin Silas 5 ta ae ‘et. 66 yrs. wet. 75 yrs, ob. April 10, | 2ist, 1741 ; | ] | 1 
West Barker Cayuga Co. dane | Avery 1913, Dorset, Mass., 1770 | ob. July 24,1831 William Austin John Alpheus 
=e 
| | | | 
es Fawin Phebe Jane James, Oneida Co._Deborah, da. Abraham, nah.—1 Kaziah, Stepnhenof—Honor Thomas W.—Hannah te 
j Sai) - a | = - | | T ] — hat. Sept. 26, 1768; | Sam’] Souther- Nov. 10,1770; | Sandford, Waterford. __nat. Feb. 9, | da Aaron Es 
Isaac —.. James — David... wanlam Tlarmon Abraliam ... Nathaniel, of Dorset, —Levina Phoebe _Geo. Clark Mercy ob. Apr. 3, 1849 tobi ob, 1842 oa eee aie Nera Me ob. June, Raymond 
| | nat. 1778; m. Jan. 15, 1800 | Strong ] y fa! 30d. E 
— Sy issiincl ae. ileal fore) = eal > = | | eal ] eel laa da, of (Paglia ° 
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ee Eliza Embiy Charles Morris George B. George R._Ann Eliza, da. udward D. William A, James W.—Engenia, da. Henry B. —1.Harriet Fish Mary E. 
nat. 1809 | Robt.Underhill nat. 1814. nat. 1816 nat. Sept 19, | John Bodine nat. Sept.14| ob. July 19, 1854 ob. 1839 
ob. 8. 183' ob. 8. 1870 1818; ob. Dec. 1821 —2.Augusta V. Grove 
20, 1876 ob. 4 uly 9, 1861 : 
| | | —3.Julia A. Card, 
Robert T._Rosina S George H._Maria a & b uf L RES L a5 L | noissue 
. [| Allen = nat. 1843; fl Knight 3 -=2$ 2& Sao £25 | i 
| 1 | | | = ob. 1873 =] Ig B 6 Sas eS William A. George L. 
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Alva, ob. 1866, Sarah Swan Sidney, ob. a ea ania Charles_.. prnrelin Aaa Waterman Andrew._Waterman, Ballston Harriet 


. 
Ransom, ob. Marcia L. Sanford, ob, Aug. 80th, 1878, N. ¥ 

| : Had two daughters 
Julia JS, 8. Clark, New York 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 405 


About two miles north-west of the village of Westchester is the resi- 
dence and estate of the late William A. Spencer, Esq., now owned by 
his son Lorillard Spencer. 

This property originally belonged to the Underhill family, having been 
purchased by Nathaniel Underhill of John Turner in 1685. Nathaniel 
Underhill was the youngest son of the celebrated Captain John Under- 
hill, commonly called Lord Underhill—descended, as we shall have 
occasion to show presently, of an ancient and honorable family in War- 
wickshire, England. 

*“The name of Underhill,” says Lower, “‘is local, from residence at the 
foot of, or under a hill. This hill was situated in Nether-Eatendon,* a 
little below Halford on the eastern bank of the Stoure. The letters ea, 
in our English, signifying water and dune or don, an ascending ground ; 
for at the foot of an hill just near the river doth it stand.”® 

There can be no doubt that Capt. John Underhill was descended of 
the Underhills of Huningham in Warwickshire, a town four miles east 
of Kenilworth on the river Learne; for their Christian names and arms 
are the same. 

The arms of the Huningham Underhills were, “argent a chevron 
gules between three trefoils slipped vert,” and the crest as usually given, 
*“‘a hind lodged or on a mount vert ;’ but an old seal of the Underhills 
in the possession of Mr. Evelyn Ph. Shirley exhibits it as “‘a buck trip- 
pant.Ӣ The seal of Captain John Underhill attached to his name as a 
witness in a conveyance from the Indian proprietors of Matinecock, 
Long Island, to Matthew Prior, dated Killingworth, 22d of June, 1664, 
are ‘‘arg, three trefoils, slipped vert,” while the crest resembles that on 
the old seal before mentioned, viz: ‘“‘a buck trippant” which clearly 
proves that the bearer belonged to the old or parent stock carrying the 
original coat plain without a difference. 

“‘ During the reign of Elizabeth, when the prosperity of the family was 
at its height, the Underhills acquired property in almost every parish 
within six miles of Eatington.. They became connected by mamage, 
also, with many of the best families of the county of Warwick, and at- 
tained the honors of Knighthood. From the visitation of Warwick- 


@ Patronymica Brittanica-Lower. 

b Dugdale’s Warwickshire, p 479. 

e See Miscellanea Gen, et Heraldeca by Jos, Jackson. 

d In a catalogue of residents in the county of Warwick, taken by Henry Ferrers of Baddes- 
ley, _ in the twentieth year of Queen Elizabeth, A.D. 1577-8, are the following bearing the 
name 0: Underhull: Thomas Underhill, of Nether-Etington; Humfry Underhill, of Kineton, 
his brother; John Underhill, of Whitchurch, his brother; William Underhill, of Stratford- 
upon-Avon, son of William, brother of Thomas; Edward Underhiil, of Barton on the Heath, 
brother of Thomas; Thomas Underhill, of Halford, second sonof Thomas.—Collectanea Topo- . 
graphica et Genealogica, vol. Viii., 308. 

e Collectanea Topog, et Genealogiea, vol. vi, 351-384, 


406 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


shire in 1619, we learn that William Underhill of Wolverhampton, 
County of Stafford, ‘“‘lyved in the yere of our Lord 1423,” and by his 
wife * * * * daughter of Stanley of Bromwick, left Nathaniel 
Underhill, who married * *. -*) *. davuebternr #9 
Butt, County of Warwick, their son John Underhill,* of Huningham, 
County of Warwick, had a lease for eighty years of the Manor of Eat- 
ington, &c., County of Warwick, from Sir Ralph Shirley, in 1509; he 
died November 29th, 1518. By his wife Agnes, daughter and heir of 
Thomas Porter, of Eatington, County of Warwick, he had two sons— 
Edward Underhill, his second son, who had a fresh lease for one hun- 
dred years of the Manor of Eatington, in 1541; Francis, son of Sir 
R. Shirley died Nov. 5th, 1546, and was the ancestor of the Underhills 
of Eatington,? Tallicote and New Place, Stratford, &c. 


‘*In the body of the church be severall marble grave stones,” says Dugdale, 
whereon are portriatures in brasse, viz: The first of a man in a gown with his 
wife, over whose heads are two coats of arms, I a cheveron betwixt 3 trefoils II 
party per cheveron arg and sable, 2 morecocks, of the second, in chief, and at 
their feet a plate with this epitaph: 


Here lyeth buried under this stone 


EDWARD UNDERHILL, 


sometime gentleman of this town, with 
MARGARET, 
his wife, which Edward deceased this world 


the fifth day of November, A.D. MDCLYI., on 
whose follys Jhesu have mercy, amen.” 


On another is the following inscription: 


“‘ Here lyeth buried the bodyes of 
THOMAS UNDERHILL, 


of this town, Esquire, and 
ELIZABETH, 


his wife, who lived married together in perfect amitie 
almost sixty-five years, and had issue between 
them XX children, viz: XIII sons and 
VII daughters. 


a John Underhill was born in St. Martin’s parish, Oxford, entered New College in that city, 
became an eminent preacher, chaplain to Queen Elizabeth, and made Bishop of Oxford in 
1589, and died in 1592,and was probably of the Warwickshire family.—Collectanea Topo- 
graphica et Geneologica, vol. ili, p. 361, p. 182. 

b The chureh of Lower Eatendon, or Eatington, situated in the manor of that name which 
the crown gave tothe canons of Kenilworth, still contains some remains of the brass effigies 
iascriptions of the apcient family of the Underhills. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 4°7 


She dyed 24 June, An. D. +. 1603; 
and he the 6th day of Oct. next after 


Their frugality in provision for their children, 
their charitable deposition tu relieve the needy 
and great bounty in hospitality was a pleasing 
spectacle to their neigbours, and may be an al- 
luring precedent to their posterity, as they lived 
to the liking, and with the love of mortal men, so 
they dyed in the true service and love of the 
immortal God +. The poore, their tenants, 
neighbours, will for a time bewaile the want of 
them; but the angells of Heaven and Saints of 
God will perpetually rejoice in the company of 
them ; for God they feared, God they served, 
God they loved, and to God they dyed. Their 
warfare in God’s Church militant on earth hath 
been short, but their glory in His Church Tri- 
umphant in heaven will be eternal.”—Antiqui- 
ties of Warwickshire, illustration by William 
Dugdale, London, MDCLYI. 


Thomas Underhill, the eldest son of John, of Huningham, marned 
Anne, daughter of Robt. Winter,* of Hardington County, Worcester and 
of Willey County, Warwick ; their eldest son was Edward Underhill of 
Huningham, which he sold in 1545. He was distinguished by the title 
of the ‘‘ Hot Gospeller,” and exchanged the life of a country gentleman 
for that of a soldier and courtier. In 1543 he served as a man-at-arms 
under Sir Richard Crumwell, captain of the horsemen in the Contingent, 
sent to assist the Emperor at the siege of Landrevi in Hanault, and in 
the following year when King Henry went to Boulogne, Sir Richard pro- 
cured for Underhill a nomination among the men-at-arms who were em- 
bodied to attend upon his Majesty's person being a band of two hundred 
attired in a uniform of red and yellow damask with the bards of their 
horses and their plumes and feathers of the same colors. 

At the revival of the band of gentlemen pensioners in 1539 Edward 
Underhill was appointed one of its first members. “In the year 1549 
he, a second time, went to France on military service accompanying the 
army of six thousand men sent under the command of the Earl of Hunt- 
ingdon to check the French who were then aiming at the recapture of 
Boulogne. On this expedition, Underhill served as comptroller of the 
ordnance. His subsequent history, except as connected with the religious 
persecution of the times in which he lived, is merely that of domestic 
hife.”,» 

“Tn 1645 he married Joan, daughter of Thomas Perryns, the daugh- 


a Robt. Winter upon partition of that inheritance had, it seems, the manor of Huningham, 
but conveyed the same to John Underhill.—Dugdale’s War. . 


b Narratives of the Reformation printed by Camden Society, 1860, p. 132. 


408 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


ter of a citizen of London, of an obscure and unknown family ;Ӣ by 
her he had issue four sons and seven Caughters. Guilford the eldest son, 
godson to Queen Jane and named after her husband, the Lord Guil- 
ford Dudley, brother of Robert Dudley, Earl of Penestor,) was born 
3d July, 1553, and died young. Edward, the second son and heir, was 
born the 1oth of February, 1555; John, the third son is said to have 
died young in 1556,° while Henry, the fourth son, was born the 6th of 
September, 1561. ‘The daughters were, first, Anne, born on St. John’s 
day, on Christmas, 1548 ; second, Christian, born 16th September, 1548; 
third, Elinor, born roth of November, 1549; fourth, Rachel, born the 
4th February, 1551; fifth, Unyca, born on Palm Sunday, April roth, 
1552; sixth, Anne, born the 4th of January, 1554; and seventh, Pru- 
dence, born 6th of September, 1561. 

“On the 13th of April, 1562, was buried at St. Botulphi without Ald- 
gate, London, Mistress Underhill, a dozen of scucheons of arms, and 
there did preach for her one whose name is not recarded.Ӣ 

“Edward Underhill is styled of Bathkington. This not improbably 
Bagginton near Coventry, to which neighborhood he removed, according 
to his own account in the “autobiographical ancedotes.”* He must 
have died sometime between the years 1562 and 1577, as he was still 
living at the time of his wife's decease, and likewise when the ancedotes 
were written in 1561, and moreover his name does not occur among the 
list of residents in Warwickshire taken during the latter year. ‘It is a 
little remarkable that the once wide spreading branches of the Underhill 
family are no longer to be found among the gentry of Warwickshire.” 

Tradition seems to point to a son of Edward Underhill, the ‘‘ Hot 
Gospeller,” who was doubtless Edward, the second son, before men- 
tioned as having, like his father, embraced the life of a soldier and a 
courtier. This individual, a youth of about twenty, who must have re- 
sided with his father, at Bagginton, (a town belonging to the Earl of 
Leicester and about three miles from Kenilworth), probably like many 
of the neighboring squires and their sons, helped to swell the pomp of 
Leicester, in the capacity of servant or page, during Queen Elizabeth’s 
visit to the castle of Kenilworth, on the roth of July, 1575; an event 
which his son, the famous Capt. John Underhill, was afterwards proud 
to commemorate in the naming of his first purchase from the Matine- 
cock Indians of Long Island in 1667, Kenilworth, or ‘“‘commonly Kill- 


a Narratives of the Reformation printed by Camden Society, 1860, p. 132. 


6 How conid Jotn the third son have died the following year that his elder brother, Ed- 
ward, is said to-have been born? 


e Narratives of the Reformation, &c 
d Narratives of the Reformation, &c., by the Camden Society, pp. 132-133. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 499 


ingworth.”* Family tradition also associates him with the Earl of Lei. 
cester, as the bearer of dispatches from Queen Elizabeth to the Ear] 
of Leicester, then commanding the English forces in the Low Countries. 
This is somewhat confirmed by the following extract taken from a letter 
of ‘‘ Mr. Suntsey Walsyngham to the Earl of Leicester, December, 1585,” 
‘My verie, good lord, your letters, sent by Mr. Henrie Astell and your 
servante Underhill, I have received,&c.? Upon Leicesters recall and return 
to England, Underhill joined him ; and upon the Earl's decease, in Sept., 
1588, he attached himself to the fortunes of the Earl of Essex, the un- 
fortunate successor to Leicester, in Queen Elizabeth’s favor. He ac- 
companied that gallant nobleman in his successful attack upon Cadiz, 
and shared his ill fortune in his fruitless expedition against Tyrme, the 
rebel chief of the revolted clans of Ireland; and, returning with the 
Earl into England, by his attachment to that imprudent nobleman, sal- 
lying into the streets of London in the petty insurrection, which cost 
Essex his head, he was obliged to seek safety in Holland until the acces- 
sion of King James, in 1603, when he applied for pardon and leave to 
return to his native country; but no interest of friends, we are assured, 
could procure it, When the Rev. Mr. Robinson, with a number cf 
other separatists, fled from England to Holland, in 1603, he dwelt and 
communed with them a number of years. The date of his death is un- 
known. His son, the redoubtable Capt. John Underhill was born circ., 
1600, and had early imbibed an ardent love of liberty, civic and religious, 
by his service as a soldier under the illustrious Maurice of Nassau, 
Prince of Orange, in the Low Countries. ‘‘He was strongly solicited 
to go with Governor Carver, Elder William Brewster and other worthies, 
part of the Rev. John Robinson’s church, to the settlement of Plymouth, 
and had partly engaged with them as their chief military officer; but, 
Capt. Miles Standish, his brave fellow-soldier in the Low Countries, un- 
dertaking the business, in 1620, he declined. How he joined Governor 
Winthrop, does not appear ; but he came over to New England with him 
“‘as captain of any militia force that might be employed or instituted, 
as he had served under the great Dutch Prince in the war of the Nether- 
lands,” in 1630; and soon after we find him disciplining the Boston 
militia, where he was held in such high distinction that he was ap- 
pointed one of the first deputies from Boston to the General Court,’ 


a Camden’s Brittania. 


b Leycester Correspondence, Camden Soc. Edited by John Bruce, F.S8.A., MDCCCXLIV, 
letter xvi pp. 34,35. The letter conveyed by Underhill was probably that of the Earl to 
Walsingham, dated 26th of Dec., 1585, p. 29, of above, setting forth the gratitude of the 
people of the Low Countries to Queen Elizabeth for her assistance &c. 

e “ Algerine Captive,” by D. Undike Underhil, vol. i, 25, printed at Walpole, New Hamp- 
shire, in 1797. 


410 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


and one of the earliest officers of the Ancient and Honorable Artil- 
lery Company.” ‘He was sworn freeman, 18th of May,1630. In 
1637, his great friend Sir Harry Vane, sent him as commander of the 
colony troops, to Saybrook,* Connecticut.” The same year he was 
“ disfranchised, and eventually banished from the jurisdiction of Mas- 
sachusetts—his ideas of religious toleration being more liberal than those 
around him.” ‘In 1638, he returned to England, but was banished 
thence for certain religious and moral delinquences. While there he 
published a work entitled ‘‘ Nevves from America, or a New and Exper- 
imental Discoverie of New England; containing a true relation of their 
warlike proceedings there, two years last past, with a figure of the In- 
dian Fort, or Palizado. By Capt. John Underhill, a commander in the 
warres there.” The book gives a very good account of the Pequot war, 
in which he was a conspicious actor. ‘“ Myself,” he writes, “received 
an arrow through my coat-sleeve, a second against my helmet, on the 
forehead ; so, as if God, in His providence, had not moved the heart of 
my wife to persuade me to carry it along with me, (which I was unwill- 
ing to do), I had been slain. Give me leave to observe two things 
from hence—first, when the hour of death is not yet come, you see God 
useth weak means to keep His purpose inviolated ; secondly, Ze¢ zo man 
despise advice and counsel of his wife, though she be a woman.” The 
book abounds in similar quaint passages. It is filled with religious cant, 
for he was an arrant hypocrite. He appears to be equally fond of sin- 
ning and repenting. It is amusing to read in these pages of Winthrop, 
how ingeniously he managed through several years, to delude the Puri- 
tans by his professions of sanctity, while he led in their midst the most 
dissolute of lives.”® 

“In 1638 he was chosen Governor of Dover, New Hampshire, in 
place of Burdett. The saine infirmity rendered his removal unavoida- 
ble, and he went to the Dutch; with them he succeeded,” for governor 
Kieft gave him a command of one hundred and twenty men in their 
wars with the natives. In February, 1644, the Dutch soldiers, under 
their valiant leader, encountered the Indians on what is now called In- 
dian Hill, in the town of Bedford, leaving five hundred of their enemy 
dead on the field. He totally extinguished the Pequots. Besides this, 
Underhill is said to have killed one hundred and fifty Indians on Long 
Island. He was a representative from Stamford to the General Court 
of Connecticut, in 1633. In 1644, he came with the Rev. Mr. Denton, 
~q Killingworth, near Saybrook, is said to have been named by Underhill. 

b Manhattan Papers, No. 10. By Vanwargen.—Sunday Times. 


c In 1653, Privateer’s commission was given to Capt. John Underhill and others “to goe 
against the Dutch or any enemies of ye Commonwealth of New England.’”’—New vol. vii. No. 


1,P° 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 4II 


and others of his church, to Long Island and soon after became a resi- 
dent of Flushing, where he evinced the same restless temper as formerly, 
and was anxious for a military employment.” ‘ After wandering about 
in different places he settied at Oyster Bay, in or about the year 1655.” 
In 1665 he was a delegate from that town to the meeting at Hamp- 
stead, by order of Governor Nicoll, and was by him made high sheriff of 
the North Riding on Long Island. In 1667, the Matinecock Indians 
conveyed to him a large tract of their land, a part of which, called Ken- 
ilworth or Killingworth, a portion of which still remains in the family. 

Captain John Underhill died at an advanced age on tie 21st of July, 
1672, and was buried on his estate at Kenilworth, or Killingworth, 
Queens County, L. I. By his first wife, Helena, who came with him 
originally from Holland, he had issue, John Underhill, of Matinecock, 
who was born during his father’s stay at Boston, r1th of April, 1642, and 
baptized 24th of the same month. He became a member of the Relig- 
ious Society of Friends and died on the 29th of October, 1692. This 
individual was the ancestor of the Long Island branch of the Under- 
hill family, and left issue by his wife, Mary, daughter of Matthew Pnor, 
- (married Aug. 1st, 1668,) John Underhill, of Kenilworth, who had five 
sons and four daughters; the sons were, John, born rst May, 1670; 
Daniel, Samuel, Abraham and Jacob; the latter left Peter Underhill of 
Westchester. Elizabeth, the daughter of Captain John Underhill by his 
first wife, was baptized at Boston, 14th February, 1636. By his second 
wite, Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Feke, (whose wife was the widow of 
Henry Winthrop, son of Goy. Winthrop,) he had issue, Nathaniel Un- 
derhill, before mentioned, who was born 22d of February, 1663, re- 
moved to Westchester in 1685, and bought lands of John Turner; a 
second son of the Captain was David, born 4th of February, 1672, who 
died young, leaving a natural son Peter. By his last will, bearing date 
the 


“18TH oF SepTeMBER, 1671.—Captain John Underhill bequeathes his whole 
estate in possession of his wife, Elizabeth Underhill, during ye time of her widow- 
hood ; but if she marry, then my brother John Bownes, Henry Townsend, Mat- 
thew Pryor, and my son, John Underhill, I empower hereby that they see to ye 
estate, that ye children be not wronged, nor turned off, without some proportion- 
able allowance, as ye estate will afford; and that my son, Nathaniel remain with 
his mother until twenty-one years, &c.” 


Letters of administration were granted unto John Underhill of ye 


de Savage’s Biog. Dict. The family Bible of Jno. Underhill says, born 4th mo. April 12th, 


6 Thompson’s Hist. of Long Island, vol, ii, 361. 


AI2 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER, 


estate of his father, of Killingworth, 4th of November, 1975. Upon® the 
22d of March, 1686.7, Nathaniel Underhill and Mary, his wife, of the 
town and county of Westchester, conveyed all their land of every kind 
at Matinecock, Oyster Bay, “which is the land that my father, John 
Underhill, Senr., lived upon, with forty acres in the woods, which I 
bought of the Indians,” to John Underhill of Matinecock.? 

The sons of Nathaniel were Thomas, John, Nathaniel Underhill, Jr., 
from whom descended the late Anthony L. Underhill of New York, and 
Lancaster Underhill, of Eastchester, and Abraham, from whom came 
the Underhills of Yorktown and New York. 

Nathaniel Underhill, Jr., grandson of Capt. John Underhill, died at 
Westchester, in 1775. The following epitaph is inscribed on his head- 
stone in the family cemetery :— 


‘* Here lies the body of 
NATHANIEL UNDERHILL, 


who was born August the 11th, 1690, 
and departed this life November 27th, 1775, 
aged 85 years, 3 months, and 16 days. 


Nathaniel, the eldest son of this individual, filled various public offices. 
He was one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, for the County 
of Westchester, in 1759; and in 1775, was elected Mayor of the Bo- 
rough of Westchester. 

Nathaniel Underhill, son of John Underhill, of Yonkers, (great grand- 
son of Nathaniel and Mary Ferris), appears to have been a firm and de- 
voted loyalist during the Revolutionary War. On one occasion he was 
captured by a party of Tories or Cowboys, led by Isaac Martlingh, who 
conveyed their prisoner to a neighboring barn, suspended him by his 
feet, compelled him to eat oats off the floor, and otherwise badly treated 
him, The sufferer on being released, vowed vengence on his tormen- 
tors, declaring he would shoot every one of them if an opportunity 
should ever occur; and happening to encounter Martlingh soon after- 
wards, shot him dead on the spot.¢ 

The house of James Quimby (who married Hannah, daughter of 
Isaac Underhill, of Yorktown, grandson of Nathaniel Underhill and 
Mary Ferris), near the Spencer place, now owned by Doctor Pearsall, 
‘was often robbed during the Revolutionary War, and the family hada 
place of concealment to which they always fled whenever attacked on 


a New York Surrogates Office, No. 1, 212. 

b Queen's County Rec. Lib. B. 91. 

ec This story was related by the late Lancaster Underhill, of Eastchester who had often 
heard his father, a brother of Nathaniel, recount the adventure. 


THE TOWN OY WESTCHESTER. 413 


these occasions. One night Robert Underhill, (the brother of Mrs. 
Quimby), James Underhill and Isaac Mekell, were stopping here when 
Robert Underhill proposed defending the premises should the robbers 
make their appearance during their stay—provided James, his cousin, 
would only assist him. Singularly enough, the marauders came that 
very night, demanding entrance ; but the heart of James failed him, and * 
he fled with the rest. Robert, however, provided himself with a large 
club and arranged chairs along the entry, upon which he suddenly com- 
menced a violent attack, striking furiously with his club, at the same 
time stamping furiously on the floor and making all the noise possible, 
as though there were others aiding him on the inside, then he would 
strike the door and dare the robbers to come on saying, ‘we are ready 
for you this time!” adding occasionally the hoarse blast of a conck- 
shell. The marauders somewhat bewildered, contented themselves with 
firing a volley into the house, which fortunately missed its brave de- 
fender, and retired. The defeated ‘‘ Cowboys” afterwards reported that 
they thought ‘‘the Devil was in the house.” 

Upon ‘“ Deorman’s Island,” (so called prior to 1704), in the north-east 
corner of the town, the Eastchester creek bridge communicates with the 
Westchester shore and Pelham neck. 

The adjoining estate, Annie's Wood, is the property of John Hunter, 
Esq., son of the late Elias Desbrosses Hunter, by his wife Anne Maria, 
sixth daughter of Peter J. Munro, and grandson of the late John Hunter, 
Esq , former owner of Hunter’s Island, who for many years represented 
this district in the State Senate ; and, in 1846, was chosen a member of 
the convention for revising the State Constitution. 

The Hunter family is originally from the County of Ayrshire, Scot- 
land ; 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, ap- 
pears in the Scoitish rolls.” The great-grandfather of the present pro- 
prietor was Robert Hunter, of Armagh County, Ireland, whose ancestor 
emigrated thither from Scotland, circ., the beginning of the seventeenth 
century. 

The estate of Rockfield, on the south, is the property of John M. 
Furman. The views of the water from this place are of a beautiful des- 
cription. In the immediate vicinity are located the residences of 
Lawrence Waterbury and Lorillard Spencer. In close vicinity is Bay- 
side, the Harlem River Railroad depot for this section of Westchester. 

@ Memorandum of conversations; with Abraham I. Underhill, of Yorktown, 


414 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


This portion of Throckmorton’s Neck, together with Dorman’s Island 
formerly constituted the old Bayard estate, as noticed in the early part 
of this town. 

One of the most ancient and noble families of the County of Dauph- 
ing in France, is that of Bayard ; and well have those who have sprung 
from it maintained the honor of their house. For at the battle of Poic- 
tiers, the great-great grand-father of Pierre Bayard, the good knight with- 
out fear and without reproach, fell by the side of the French King John. 
At the battle of Agincourt, was slain his great-grand-father ; his grand- 
father was left on the field of Montlerey with six mortal wounds, not to 
speak of lesser ones ; and at the battle of Guignegaste, his father was so 
severely wounded, that he was never afterwards able to leave his house, 
where he died at the age of eighty.” 

Pierre du Terrail Signeur de Bayard was born in 1476, at the Chateau 
de Bourg in the valley of Graisivudun, a few leagues from Grenable, the 
principal city of Dauphiny. For more than thirty years he served in the 
armies of France, For valor and skill as a leader he was unsurpassed, 
in an age when chivalry was still honored. He was killed by a gun-shot 
at Biagrassa on the 13th of April, 1524, at the age of forty-eight years 
and died unmarried, and without issue. 

During the religious troubles which distracted the kingdom of France 
in the sixteenth and seventeeth centuries, some of the family descend- 
ants from a branch of the Chevalier Bayard’s house, emigrated to Hol- 
land; among these was Balthazar Bayard, a Huguenot clergyman and 
professor of languages in Paris, who early in the seventeenth century left 
France to escape persecution on account of his religion. There is a 
tradition in the family that he was shipped from Rochelle in a hogshead. 
He soon rallied around him a congregation of Huguenot refugees, whose 
pastor he continued until his death. He murried, in Holland, Anna 
Stuyvesant, sister of Peter Stuyvesant, the last Dutch Governor of New 
York. Madame Anna Bayard, her husband being then dead, accom- 
panied her brother, Peter Stuyvestant, to New York with her three 
children, all sons—Balshazar, Peter and Nicholas—where they landed on 
the fourteenth of May, 1647. From these three brothers are descended 
all who bear the name of Bayard in the United States. Peter purchased 
lands on the Bohemia Manor, in 1684—a portion of which were in Del- 
aware, and a portion in Cecil County, Maryland; he married Blandinas 
Corde, a lady of fine talents and great culture. From them the Del- 
aware, the Philadelphia, and the Pittsburgh Bayards, came. Nicholas, the 
youngest of the three sons of the first Balshazar Bayard, was many years 
a member of the Council of State for the Colonial Government of New 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER, 415 


York. He «was eminent for his piety, as well as his political influence. 
In the turbulent period in which he lived, his integrity was esteemed by 
ail parties. In the changes from Dutch to English, and from English to 
Dutch, and again to English supremacy, he maintained a high position. 
The demagogue Leisler, during his usurped authority, found in Bayard 
a formidable impediment, and caused him to be indicted for high treason. 
The judge—Atwood—like another Jeffries, compelled the jury to find 
him guilty and sentenced him to be hung. He appealed to Queen Arne, 
and was pardoned.? Leisler was subsequently tried and convicted of 
high treason, and hung. 

Nicholas was several times mayor of New York, and when not mayor 
was generally analderman. He died in 1711, leaving a son Samuel, Col. 
Samuel Vitch Bayard, (a descendant of Nicholas, (was owner of the 
Rivington property on Throgmorton’s neck, lately owned by Daniel M. 
Edgar, Esq., and now held by Lawrence W. Waterbury. Col. Samuel 
Vetch Bayard, served under the Crown of England, and was a distin- 
guished military officer. He died in Wilmot, Nova Scotia, A. D. 1832, 
aged seventy-five, and was the father of Capt. Stephen Bayard, born 
Oct. 26th, 1785, was basely murdered, July 11th, 1814; married Eliza, 
daughter of Oliver de Lancey, (son of Peter), an officer cf the British 
Navy, and owner of the Mills on the Bronx, by his wife Rachel Hunt. 
Their son was the late William Bayard, M.D., of West Farms ; the late 
Mr. Edward Cooper of Throg’s neck, was another grandson of Col. Vetch 
Bayard. 

Bordering the Westchester and Pelham road, in this vicinity, is situa- 
ted “‘Stony Lonesome,” a portion of the old Drake farm, lately held by 
John Benson who sold forty acres to the present proprietor, Edward 
Haight, Esq. On this property stands the celebrated “Spy Oak,” so 
named from the fact that a spy found prowling around the American 
camp, swung for his crime, from cne of its largest branches—tradition 
says it was the limb that once overhung the road, but has been cut 
short, upon which he died—much legendary lore is associated with this 
ancient denizen of the forest, which has reached the huge dimensions of 

feet in circumference. Many superstitious persons would rather 
go a mile out of their way than pass this dreaded tree, beneath which 
the dead soldier was buried; especially as the ghost has never been laid 
to their ceitain knowledge. 

Further south lies the Ferris property, which has been held by the 
family of that name for five generations. The Ferris’s were originally 
from Leicestershire, England, and decended from the house of Feriers, 


a S2e Howell's State Trials, vol. xiv. 


416 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Ferrerr, Ferries or Ferris, the first member of which (in England) was 
Henry de Feriers, the son of Gualchelme de Feriers, master of the House 
of the Duke of Normandy, who obtained of the Conquerer, large grants of 
land in the counties of Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire. 
From Gualchelme de Feriers,* descend, the Ferrers of Groby, who bore 
for their paternal coat of arms “gu. seven mascles or. a canton erm; 
while their Westchester decendants carried, gu. a fleur de lis or., a can- 
ton erm, with a crescent for difference. Jeffrey Ferriger or Ferris, of 
Watertown, Massachusetts, was admitted a freeman, A.D. 1635.2 From 
thence he removed to Weathersfield, in 1658, and must have been resid- 
ing at Fairfield, in Connecticut, according to the following extract taken 
from the Probate Records.—“‘ Order of the Courts of Probate, Fairfield, 
on estate of Jeffrey Fferris, relative to marriage contract with his de- 
ceased wife Susanna, by which he agreed to pay certain legacies to child- 
ren of Robert Lockwood, deceased,” “according to the administration 
entered in Courte, 20th October, 1658, &c.¢ At an early period, John 
Ferris, removed hither from Fairfield, and became one of the ten pro- 
prietors of Throckmorton’s neck. ‘These lands he probably obtained 
by purchase from Thomas Pell, formerly of Fairfield. John Ferris was 
one of the first patentees of the town of Westchester, in 1667. He 
lived to an advanced age, and died in 1715. His will was proved 25th 
of Feb., 1715-16. He left five sons, viz: Samuel, one of the first as- 
sistants and common council of the borough of Westchester ; James, 
proprietor of the homestead in 1746; Jonathan, John and Peter, of 
Westchester. His grandson, James Ferris, possessed this estate in 1776, 
when it was occupied by the British troops, under Gen. Lord Howe. 
The family happened to be at breakfast, in the present house, on the 
morning of the 12th of October, 1776, when a gun from the British 
flag-ship announced the disembarkation of the troops; this signal was 
instantly answered by the enemies’ shipping, which lay at anchor be- 
tween City Island and Throckmorton’s neck. On the next day Gen. 
Lord Howe, supposing that he had been deceived by his guides and 
landed upon an island, summoned them before a board of officers; as 
they entered, he struck the table violently with his sword, and demanded 
in a threatening manner, how they could dare to deceive him?? After 
a The arms of Gualchelme de Feriers, were ar. six horse shoes pierced sa. The ancient 
armes of Ferrers, sa. six horse shoes, arg. three, two and one, The arms of Ferrie Des Ferris, 
arms; Degueules, a trois annelets d. or. Couronne de Comte, supports Deux Lions. In 
1265, Robert Ferré, Ecuyer, filde Raunl ou, Rodolphe Ferre. Sec de Magny Nobilliare de 
Normandie, Tome 2. 

b There was a Benjamin Ferris, of Salem,in 1640,who might have been a brother of Jeffrey, 

a et Be bee ia, Nickolas Bayley, of Westchester, carpententer, sells his house lot, 
which lies over against Mr. Pell’s house, and adjoining to that lot which was formerly mine, 


and now is, John Ferrisses, to John Winter, of Westchester, and the commonage thereunto 
belonging, &c. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 417 


a proper explanation had been made, he solemly declared he would 
hang every one of them, unless, conducted safe from his present posi- 
tion. The retreat was ultimately effected by a bridge of boats. 

James Ferris, the proprietor, was subsequently captured by the 
* Queen's Rangers,” and removed to the New York Provoost. His de- 
scendants are very numerous in the town. Mr. John Van Antwerp is 
the present occupant of the homestead. 

Throckmorton’s Point, situated at the south east extremity of the 
neck proper, derives its name, as already stated, from John Throckmor- 
ton, who took a grant for it under the Dutch, A.D. 1643. The name 
has been abbreviated from Throgmorton’s to Throg’s, and finally cor- 
rupted to Frog’s Neck. 

From the Throckmorton’s and others the point passed by purchase to 
the late Abijah Hammond, Esq., whose heirs sold to Mr. H. Le Roy 
Newbold, Mr. W. Whitehead, Mr. James Duck, and the late Mr. Chas. 
King. The mansion erected by Abijah Hammond is now owned by 
Frederick C. Havemeyer. 

The house occupies a splendid situation near the entrance of the 
point, commanding on the right and left extensive prospects of the East 
River. Mr. Hammond was the son of Abijah Hammond and grandson 
of John Hammond, who emigrated to Massachusetts in 1680. His first 
wife was Catharine, a daughter of Abraham Ogden, by whom he had, 
with other issue, a son—the late Ogden Hammond—who resided for 
many years on the point. 

Upon the extremity of Throckmorton’s Point is situated Fort Schuyler 
which was begun in 1833; and in 1851 was estimated to have cost in 
construction and repairs $873,013. It was built to accommodate one 
thousand two hundred and fifty men, and to mount three hundred and 
eighteen cannon. With the projected work upon Wilkin’s Point, in 
Flushing, Queen’s County, these fortresses would effectually protect New 
York against the approach of a hostile fleet from the Sound. The fort 
is built of granite from Greenwich, Connecticut; adjoining the fort is a 
light-house, for this portion of the Long Island Sound. 

Throckmorton’s Point is distinguished as being the scene of important 
military operations, and was for a short time in the possession of the 
enemy during the Revolutionary War. The following account is from . 
General Heath’s memoirs :— 


‘‘ OoroBER 3p, 1776.—The brigadier generals of our general’s division,# were - 
in council, and several new works were laid out ; among others, a redoubt on the 
hill above William’s Bridge. Our general, in reconnoitering his position, accom- 


a@ General Heath. 


418 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


pained by Col. Hand, below the camp of the rifle corps, being apprehensive that 
the British might land on Frog’s Neck, took a view of the cause-way between 
Westchester and the Point. Upon the neck, which runs between these two, is a 
tide mill, and a plank bridge at the mill, at the west end of the causeway, (the 
side of the American army,) was at this time a range of cord wood, as advantage- 
ously situated to cover a party to defend the pass as if constructed for the very 
purpose. After taking a full view, our general directed Col. Hand, immediately 
on his return to his camp, to fix upon one of the best subaltern officers, and 
twenty-five picked men of his corps, and assign them to this pass, as their alarm- 
post at all times ; and in case the enemy made a landing on Frog’s Neck, to direct 
this officer immediately to take up the planks of the bridge ; to have everything 
in readiness to set the mill on fire; but not to doit, unless the fire of the riflemen 
should appear insufficient to check the advance of the enemy on the causeway ; 
to assign another party to the head of the creek ; to reinforce both, in case the 
enemy landed; and that he should be supported. Col. Hand made his arrange- 
ments accordingly.” 


“‘ OcroBEr 7TH.—General Lincoln came to camp. He had come from Massa- 
chusetts with a body of militia. This was the first of his joining the main army. 
The same day the British were putting over horses from Horn’s Hook to Long 
Island, and fixing their pontoons.” 


** OoropeR 9TH.—Our general’s division was formed in line, with its advance, 
reserve flank-guards, and artillery, all in order of battle, when they were 
moved down over the different grounds, which it was supposed might be the 
scene of action. Some of this ground was very broken, and there were many 
fences. These afforded frequent opportunities for the troops to break off and 
form, for the pioneers to open avenues, &c., and for the whole to become ac- 
quainted with every part of the ground, and the best choice of it, if suddenly 
called to action.” 


‘‘Oocroper 12rn.— Early in the morning eighty or ninety British boats, full of 
men, stood up the Sound, from Moatresor’s Island, Long Island, &c. The troops 
landed at Frog's Neck, and their advancc pushed towards the causeway and 
bridge at Westchester mill. Col. Hand’s riflemen took up the planks of the 
bridge, as had been directed, and commenced a firing with their rifles. The 
British moved towards the head of the creek, but found here also the Americans 
in possession of the pass. Our general immediately, (as he had assured Col. Hand 
be would,) ordered Col. Prescott, the hero of Bunker Hill, with his reigment, 
and Capt. Lieut. Bryant, of the artillery, with a three pounder, to reinforce the 
riflemen at Westchester causeway, and Col. Graham of the New York line, with 
his regiment, and Lieut. Jackson of the artillery, with a six pouader, to reinforce 
at the head of the creek ; all of which was promptly done, to the check and dis- 
appointment of the enemy. The British encamped on the neck. The riflemen 
and yagers kept up a scattering popping at each other across the marsh ; and the 
Americans on their side, and the British on the other, threw up a work at the 
end of the causeway. Capt. Bryant, now and then, when there was an object, 
saluted the British with a field piece. 

‘*In the afternoon forty or fifty sail of vessels passed up, and came to anchor 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 419 


off Frog’s Point. The same evening Gen. McDougal’s brigade joined our gen- 
eral’s divlsion,” 


‘*Ooroprer 13trH—The brigade formerly under the command of our general, 
when he was brigadier, joined his division. The division now became very 
strong. The general officers of the army were this day in council at our general’s 
quarters.” 


“¢ OoroBer 141rH.—Our general, with the generals under his command, recon- 
noitred the enemy at Frog’s Neck ; afterwards the general officers of the army 
reconoitred the various grounds. The same day Major Gen. Lee was ordered to 
the command of the troops above Kingsbridge, now become the largest part of 
the American army. But Gen. Washington had desired him not to exercise the 
command for a day or two, until he could make himself acquainted with the 
post, its circumstances, and arrangements of duty. A great number of sloops, 
boats, &c., were passing the Sound eastward, just at dusk, probably conveying 
ammunition, provisions, &c., to the troops at Frog’s Point.” 


‘‘Ooroper 15tH.—Five sailors came off from the La Brune; they informed 
that there was a large body of the British on Frog’s Point, and that an attack 
might be soon expected. The scattering fire across the marsh continued, and 
now and then a man was killed.” 


‘‘OcrosEr 16rTH.—Two works were discovered on Frog’s Neck, nearly finished. 
The general officers of the army rode to reconnoitre 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.” 


“*OoroBeR 17tH.—Wadsworth’s and Fellow’s brigades came to Kingsbridge. 
The British shipping, &c., continued moving eastward.” 


‘‘OoroBEr 18tH.—The regiment at Westchester causeway had been relieved 
by another. The officer on command there, this morning, sent up an express to 
our general, informing him that the British were opening an embrasure in their 
work at the end of the causeway, and that he apprehended they intended under 
a cannonade from this, to attempt to pass. Our general ordered one of his aids 
' to gallop his horse to the officer commanding the brigade near Valentine’s, the 
nearest to Westchester, and order him to form his brigade instantly. Arriving 
himself by the time the brigade was formed, he ordered the officer to march 
with the utmost expedition, to the head of the causeway, to reinforce the troops 
there; himself moving on with them. When the troops had advanced to about 
half the way between the head of the creek and the post at the head of the cause- 
way, another express met him, informing him that the whole British army were 
in motion, and seemed to be moving towards the pass, at the head of the creck. 
Upon this, the brigade was ordered to halt, the whole to prime and load, and the 
rear regiment to file off by the left, and march briskly to reinforce the Ameri- 
cans at the pass, at the head of the creek. At this instant, Gen. Washington 
came up, and having inquired of our general the state of things, ordered him to 
return immedi:tely and have his division formed ready for action, and to take 
such a position as might appear best calculated to oppose the enemy, should 


420 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


they attempt to land another body of troops on Morrisania, which he thought 
not improbable. Our general immediately obeyed the order. 

‘““The wind was now fresh at south-west. The British crossed to the other 
side of Frog’s neck, embarked on board their boats, crossed over the cove, and 
landed on Pell’s neck.”4 


Throckmorton's point is likewise remarkable as the place where the 
tides meet in the Sound. Directly opposite City Island, on the north- 
east side of the point, are the famous stepping stones, a number of rocks 
which project in a line from the Long Island shore, and show their bare 
tops at low water; upon the highest of which stands the light-house 
commonly called ‘‘Stepping Stone Light.” ‘An Indian origin (says 
Hon. Egbert Benson) is asserted for this name, and tradition vouched 
as the authority.” ‘It is said, that at a certain time, doubtless some 
years ago, the evil spirit set up a claim against the Indians, to Connecti- 
cut; as his peculiar domain; but they being in possession, determined, 
of course, zo ¢ry to hold it. By Connecticut, the premises in question, 
is to be understood, the original Connecticut proper—the territory be- 
tween the od/ong, our eastern boundary in that quarter, and the Sound.” 
The surfaces of Connecticut and Long Island, were then the reverse of 
what they are now. Long Island was covered with rocks, Connecticut 
was free from them. The Indians were fully sensible of what they had 
to dread from such an adversary, and accordingly betook themselves to 
a course not unusual on occasions of great difficulty and danger; they 
referred the case to the squaws, the mothers of the tribes, who, it is said, 
recommended an offer to quit, on being allowed their detterments—a 
Novanglican law term, devised to signify the dwelling and other erec- 
tions, and comprehending girding the trees to disencumber the land of 
the wood, by a person entering without title, on land never before culti- 
vated, known as wew or wild land, &c.’ No answer, as was to be ex- 
pected, was given to this offer; and the parties claiming to be entitled 
to the right of sovereign States, and there being no federal court to in- 
terpose between them, had recourse to the “‘ alternate means, of discus- 
sion between princes—to arms.” The parties foreseeing there would be 
war, were, as behooved them, prepared for it. 

The renowned arch-leader, an host in himself, took the field alone ; 
and being an over-match for the Indians in skill and spirit, he at first 
advanced on them; but, they having provided there should be con- 
stantly reinforcements on their march, thereby preserving their corps 
entire, and harrassing him incessantly, giving him no rest night or day, 


a Heath’s Mem. 67. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 421 


ne was obliged finally to yield to vigilance and perseverance, and fall 
back. He retired collected, and, as usual, giving up the ground only 
inch by inch; and, though retiring, still presenting a front whenever an 
attack threatened; he kept close to the Sound to secure his flank on 
that side; and, having reached Frog’s point, and the water becoming 
narrow, to be crossed by the Indians in bark canoes, easily to be made 
in the night, and the tide being out, and the rocks showing their heads, 
he availed himself of them, and stepping from one to another, effected 
his retreat to Long Island. He at first betook himself sullen and silent 
to Coram, in the middle of the island ; but it being in his nature not to 
remain idle long, and “‘ rage superadded, soon roused him and ministered 
to him the means of revenge. He collected all the rocks in the island 
in heaps at Cold Spring, and throwing them in different directions, to 
different distances across the Sound in Connecticut, covered the surface 
of it with them as we now see it; and it has been repeated from the 
whites, the first settlers of land at Cold Spring, that the Indians, to 
the last who remained, not only undertook to show the spot where he 
stood, but insisted they could still discern the print of his feet.” “The 
fact of tradition (adds Benson) among the Indians of Long Island, of a 
war between those of Connecticut and the evil spirit, about the territory, 
and of his being worsted and retreating to the island, &c., I had from 
the late Mr. L’Hommedieu, a native of the island.” A projecting 
point of land on the neck, still bears the name of “ Satan’s Toe.” 

Upon the north-east side of Throckmorton’s point, lies Locust Island, 
the property of the late Capt. Wright. On the south, the shores of the 
East River are ornamented with numerous handsome residences, as the 
country seats of Frederick C. Havemeyer, Francis Morris and Peter C. 
Vansckeck, formerly belonged to Philip I. Livingston, Esq., who ex- 
pended large sums in procuring every novelty in the vegetable world to 
adorn this beautiful spot. The gardens at one time were very exten- 
sive. 

The finest Cedar of Lebanon, in the United States, is growing here, 
being over forty feet high and spreading fifty feet. There is also a 
superb specimen of the copper colored beech, twelve feet in circumfer- 
ence. These trees were planted by Mr. Livingston one hundred years 
ago. The road from the point to Westchester village, passes many 
beautiful villas, among which may be noticed the late Mr. Jno. D. Wolf, 
the Overing estate, and that of Mr. S. M. Stillwell. On the Fort Schuy- 
ler and Hutchinson’s Bay, is situated Pennyfield, the residence of Geo. 


a Memoirs of the State of New York, by Egbert Benson, 1817. 


422 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


I. Adee. Schuylerville is a small scattered village in this neighbor- 
borhood, containing three or four hundred houses. 

Spicer's and Brockett’s Necks are situated at the south-west extremity 
of Throckmorton’s neck proper, and constitute what was formerly known 
as the “ Grove Farm.” This property, we have seen, was patented by 
Governor Nicolls to Thomas Hunt in 1667, who bequeathed it in 1694 
to his grandson Josiah Hunt. At Josiah’s death, A.D. 1729, it went to 
his son Thomas Hunt upon the demise of the latter, in 1756 ; William 
L. Ferris and grand-children, are the present owners. The old grange, 
erected in 1687, is prettily located at the entrance of Spicer’s Neck, 
on the margin of the Westchester Creek and the Oakland nurseries 
formerly the property of William Livingston Ferris. Mr. Ferris has sold 
land, but holds the nurseries, which are situated a little north of the 
house. They are very extensive, and contain every variety of fruit and 
ornamental trees. We believe this is one of the largest establishments 
of the kind in Westchester County. There was formerly a ferry between 
old ‘ erry Point,” the termination of Brockett’s Neck, and the opposite 
shore of “‘ Powell's Point,’ or White Stone, Long Island. The passage 
was performed in a peri-auger, during the provincial period of our 
history, 

The Westchester Creek which is here nearly three quarters of a mile 
across, abounds with every kind and description of shell and salt water 
fish. Among the latter, may be enumerated, bass, weak fish, black 
fish, drum, eels, flounders, spice, tomicods, perch, porgies, horse mackerel, 
herrings, bequeals, garnet, &c. One of the most popular fishermen in 
this neighborhood is Natey Bergen, of Union Port, who has every sup- 
ply on hand ; besides being well acquainted with the best fishing ground 
both on the Creek and Sound. 

On the eastern side of the Creek lies “ Cas¢le-hill Neck,” (so-called 
from the Indian castle which formerly stood near the termination of the 
neck,) the property of the late Governeur M. Wilkins, Esq., but now 
owned by his son-in-law, John Screven, Esq. This estate was formerly 
held by the Cromwell family from whom it obtained, for a while, the 
name of ‘‘ Cromwells Neck.” In 1685, John Cromwell, supposed nephew 
of the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell, “and Elizabeth Cromwell, his 
wife, exchanged six acres of meadow with Thomas Hunt, for eight acres 
of upland, situated upon Castle Meck.”* From the Cromwells it went 
to a younger branch of the Underhills’ who conveyed it to the Rev. 
Isaac Wilkins. After being sold by Mr. Wilkins in 1784, it was succes- 


a Co. Rec, Lib. K. 95. See Town of Harrison for full account of Cromwell family. 
b Co. Rec, Lib, A, 214. 


To face page 422. vol fl. 


b 
y 
uD 
{} 
Uy 
». 
Z 
Z 
y) 
Z 
Z 
j PEDIGREE OF FERRIS, OF WESTCHESTER. 
A 
Z 
Z . 
y J. Ferris, one of the first Patentees of the town of Westchester, granted under Governor Nichols, the 15th day of February, 1667, from James, Duke of York ; 
2 confirmed under Governor Fletcher, from William III. King of England, this 16th day of April, in the Highth year of his reign. (1689). 
Vi“ John Ferris, b. 1639_1.Mary ...... 
i, ob, 1715, =2.Grace ......, Ob. 1715, at 
GS Flushing, L. I. 
j | (ier at | | ; | 
Mary, mar. 12th _Nath’l Underhill Samuel_Sarah Pinckney James, willrec._AnneSandsof Jonathan, will John, ob. Nov.,_Elizabeth Peter Phoebe, _Hdmund Burlin: Hannah_Mott Martha_Clarke Sj |! h Palm 
March, 1685-6 da. John Pinckney 17 Aug.,1746 | SandsPt.,L.I. proved May 31, 1729, Mar., 1700 $ cy "; wee = 
1753, 8. 0. : 
| s | | | | 
James, b. July 30, 1734,0.s —Charity Thomas Martha_Hunnewell Mary_Caleb Pell, Elizabeth _Jos. Cousten Anne Bentariny ob._Sarah ..... . apts of Grove Farm, b. June 1733; _Myanna Hunt, ob, at pele =Lawrence 
will rec. June 11, 1783 of Pelham 1179, wt. 50 ob. at Grove Farm, Jan. 3, 1814 Grove Farm, July 9, 1809 


| | | | | | 
John, ob. young at sea William, ob. young Mary —Benjamin Pell Elvin—Muckleworth Jonathan.Ursula Catlin Elijah, b. Jan. 24, 1768;__1. Phoebe Haviland, b 1770 ane =Valentine Blidabeth, ‘Thomas Cock, M.D. 


ob. May 7th, 1842 | 1 Amelia Livingston, b. 1772; ob, 1853 Seaman, M. D. 
| 
Phosbe_ Parana ie _Jane William Charlton _Anna Lindley_1.Caroline Murray Aue Amelia —Valentine Tranaes _William FP, 
5 hill Os 1 aa pe Livingston Seaman Murray| =2.Mary Murray ‘Seaman Livingston | Waring 
Ob. 1877 | 
| | Li 
Edmund John F._Sarah Smith E Herta tanage Bolen Marianna _Isaac J, Farquhar | eee (tan at cake alh 
i _2.Caroline Ferguson Mary M. —_— Elizabeth C. 
| | | | | 
Edward John F. Mary Augusta Anna H. | | | | | 
1. Lindley_ Marra 2 Robert_Marianna Corans areata ue eae 
= — F 1 Inde: Ta, vingston 
John H. iia Adwustua Taber l Murray | Sunds Murray | Taber ‘olden | Underhill urray 4 
Anna A. John Chariton David Sands [eee te he in ne ees pew 
| | Lindley Ferris Elizabeth Gertrude Edmund Harold 
Mary here _Edw.W. Parsons Cornelia U. Wittlam Taber Caroline Murray Mabel Robert M. i 
| 
a f | ‘ | ; i | | | | 
Baith’ Augusta J. Vernon_Christina Barry John Ferris_Anne Yates Valentine Lindley Ferris Louis Livingston, M.D. Fanny Livingston William Kelly a 
| | | , 
Adelaide Livingston Fanny Livingston Robert Ludlow Case Amelia Ferris 
| | 

| Florence L, Alice 
l l l 

neten —H. H. Bray- Alexander Lynde Mary Valentine _1.Caroline Brayton Edwin Catharine Almira —Thatcher M, J. aeette —Elizabeth Maria=R, F. Fletcher onries 

ton, M.D. Catlin, Ann Seaman | —2.Emma Everest Everest Washburn, Raymond | 
| M.D. Drake Gov. of Vt. | i 
| | | | | 
Mary—Morton H. Helen—Charles Valentine Ferris Louise Harrell J. Alexander Ferris Immatcher mae Washburn Mortimer Lynde atti ay Elizabeth Frederick Addison a J ahs Anna—John Cole 

Elizabeth Bullard Amelia P. Marsh 


| 
Lynde Catlin 


| 
John M. Elizabeth U. Powell 
| 


| P | 
Anna oy eae oa aes Bleekman George P. Mary Perkins John Thomas —Adeline Morse Valentine Seaman _—Amelia Miller Esther Amelia Eugene Hyatt 
' ! 


| ‘| ee tear 
Winslow Fish clinton Isabella J ana Ann Varta Louis Eugene Washington Irving John gherwooa 


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THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 423 


sively the property of the families of Pell, Russell, Gilchrist, Taylor and 
Aspen, from whom it passed to Martin Wilkins, Esq., father of the late 
Governeur M. Wilkins, Esq. The family of Wilkins was originally 
seated in the County of Glamoyar, South Wales, and derives from 
“Robert de Wintona, or Wincestria, who came into that county with 
Robert Fitzhamon, who was lord of the manor of Languian, near Cow- 
bridge, and built a castle there, the ruins of which are still extant. ‘The 
valley underneath, is called Point Wilkyn (Welkyn’s vale) to this day.’ 
Members of the family yet reside at Brecon, Glamorganshire, and Maes- 
lough, Radnorshire. About the year 1800, the Rev. Isaac Wilkins 
took up his residence in Westchester county, New York, and was 
settled over the Episcopal parish there. He continued in the min- 
istry until his decease in 1830, at the age of eighty-nine. Doctor 
Wilkins married Isabella, sister of Lewis Morris, a signer of the De- 
claration of Independence, and of Governeur Morris, another distin- 
guished whig. The mother espoused the royal side, and remained within 
the British lines, Their correspondence with her during hostilities, oc- 
casioned suspicion; and caused them difficulty, notwithstanding their 
sacrifices and services. At the moment when Lewis voted in Congress 
for independence, British ships of war were lying within cannon shot of 
his house ; and soon after, his manor of Morrisania was desolated, his 
woodland of one thousand acres was destroyed, and his family driven 
into exile. Three of the sons of Lewis served in the whig army. Staats, 
brother of Lewis and Governeur, was an officer in the royal service, be- 
came a member of Parliament, and a lieutenant-general. ‘Thus was the 
Morris family divided. Doctor Wilkins has a son in Nova Scotia who bears 
the name of his uncle Lewis Morris, and who has obtained distinction. 
He was elected a member of the House of Assembly, about the time of 
his father’s return to the United States; and when, in 1806, William 
Cottam Longe, Esq., who was elected speaker, was disallowed by the 
governor, Lewis Morris Wilkins was chosen in his place ; and approved 
of, and occupied the chair, by subsequent election, until 1817, when he 
was removed to be placed on the bench of the Supreme Court of the 
colony. Judge Wilkins resided at Windsor.¢ 

The residence of the late Governeur M. Wilkins is seated on the brow 
of a hill, near the extremity of the neck and commands an almost unin- 
terrupted view of the river with the adjacent shores. The interior con- 


a The name is supposed to be derived from the Whelk, an imaginary animal, which tradi- 
tion asserts inhabited the vale. ‘The WhelK 1s still borne on the coat armor of the family, 
with the significant Welsh motto: Sun ar dy Hyn: anglice, beware of thyself. 


b Burke’s Hist. of the landed gentry of England, vol. iii, 393. 
e Lorenzo Sabin’s Biog. Sketches of American Loyalists. 


424 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


tains some good paintings, particularly a view of the Arno, by Cole, and 
a portrait of Martin Wilkins, Esq., by Rogers, &c.; also a beautiful 
white marble bust of Washington, by Garacehi, and an Apollo, by Tan- 
tenoin. 

The old Wilkins mansion, which stands on the south side of the neck 
is now converted into a farm house. Here in 1776, three of the clergy, 
viz: Doctors Cooper, Chandler and Seabury, managed to secrete them- 
selves for some time, notwithstanding the most minute and presevering 
search was made for them, so ingeniously contrived was the place of 
their concealment in and about the old-fashioned chimney. Food was 
conveyed to them through a trap-door in the floor. The front of the 
old house is shaded by some magnificent elms. 

Cornell’s Neck, which is pleasantly situated in the south-west corner of 
the town, contains about five hundred and fifty acres, having the Bronx 
River on the west and Pugsley’s Creek on the east. We have seen that 
Thomas Cornell, from whom it was originally named, became possessed 
of the neck through the Dutch, who purchased of the Indians. From the 
Cornells, it passed to the Willetts and Grahams. The executors of Lewis 
Graham conveyed the western half to Dominick Lynch from whose 
executors the Ludlows purchased it. ‘‘ Black Rock,” (so named after 
the “great rock” mentioned in the patent of 1667, lying near the mouth 
of the Bronx) the estate of Robert H. Ludlow, Esq., is situated on the 
west side of the neck, not far from the Westchester Turnpike. The 
house is of stone, and commands beautiful views of the East River with 
adjacent shores andislands. The interior contains some valuable family 
paintings, viz: Gabriel Verplank Ludlow, (son of Col. Gabriel Ludlow, 
of Hempstead, Long Island,) aged fourteen, painted when at Oxford, by 
the celebrated Opie; Mrs. Samuel G. Verplanck, daughter of Charles 
Crommelin and Anne St. Clair,* with her grandson, Gulian McEvers, by 
Copley ; Goldsborow Banyar, Deputy Secretary of the Province of New 
York, under Governor Monckton, and Alderman of the city of Albany, 
by Colonel Trumbull, one of his best portraits ; also a family portrait of 
Robert H. Ludlow, Esq., Mrs. Ludlow and daughter, by Stewart Watson. 
The Hon. Robert H. Ludlow, of Black Rock, (member of the Legis- 
lature from New York city, 1845 and 1846, who married in 1831, Cor- 
nelia, daughter of Jacob Le Roy, of New York,) is the second son of the 
late Gabriel Ludlow, Esq., by Elizabeth Hunter. His grandfather was 


a Anne St Clair was the daughter of Robert St Clair, or Sinclair, who emigrated to New York 
in 1677, by his wife, Mary Duykinck, 1653. Robert was the son of James Sinclair, a lineal de- 
scendant of the Sinclairs, Earls of Orkuey and Caithness. A silver tankard of the St Clairs, 
in the possession of R. H. Ludlow, Esq., bears the following coat of arms: Qarterly, 1st azure 
a ship at anchor sails furled, oars erect in saltier, or, within a double tressure counter- 
flowered of the lastfor Orkney: 2d. a cross engrailed ; 8d, azure, sbip under sail, or for Caith- 
ness, 4th, or, a lion rampant gu. for spar. 


RO Seba DRED iere Ol PEDIGREE OF LUDLOW, OF WESTCHESTER. 


Gabriel Ludlow _Sarah Hanmer. 
Came to New York city, where he married f 
and settled in the year 1697, from London, 
Eng, 


| 
Gabriel _1.Francis Duncan 


eldest son —2.Elizabeth Crommelin 


| | I | 
Gatriel —Ann Ver Planck George _Francis Duncan Daniel Arabella Duncan Robert—Elizabeth Conklin Ann_Frances Dashwood Elizabeth Francis Lewis (the signer) 


Gallen —Maria Ludlow Mury _Frances Dashwood (no issue) Frances (infant) Gabriel Ver Planck_Elizabeth Hunter (daughter of Robert Hunter, Esq ) 


| 


| 
H. J. Auchmuty 


] i aes [ri 
gailan (infant) Gmina —Ludlow Dashwood Mabia_Jonn L. Morton (no issue) Arabella Louisa | Henry _ Wright Alfred (infant) Francis—Anthony Carroll 
(no issue 


| | | | 
Gabriel A._Fanny Glover Robert H.—Cornelia LeRoy A. Eliza G._Horatio G. Lewis Edward H. —Eliza Livingston 
(Families living in town of Westchester, N. Y.) = 


(His family ronting at Fordham, now in New York city.) 


| 
Alfred —Lucy Bradish Johnson 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 425 


the Hon. Gabriel Ludlow,Colonel in Brigadier-General De Lancey’s 
brigade during the Revolution, and afterwards first Mayor of the city of 
St. John’s in the province of New Brunswick, President of his Majesty’s 
Council, and also for a time Governor of the same and Commander-in- 
Chief of the forces. He died at Saint Johns, N. 3., and was buried in 
the cemetery of the Episcopal church at Carleton,* N. B. His brother, 
George Duncan Ludlow, was Chief Justice of the Province. His father 
was Gabriel Ludlow, third sofi of Gabriel Ludlow, Esq., who was born 
in 1663 and came to this country in 1694. He married on Easter Mon- 
day, April 5th, 1697, Sarah, daughter of the Rev. Joseph Hanmer, D. 
D., Chaplain to His Majesty’s forces in the Province of New York. He 
was one of the first vestrymen of Trinity church, New York, in 1697, and 
was the son of Gabriel and the grandson of Edmund Ludlow, second 
son of Sir Edmund. Ludlow, Knt.; by his second wife, Margaret, widow 
of Viscount Bendon, second son of Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk. 
Sir Edmund Ludlow’s eldest son, by his first wife, Bridget Coker, was 
Sir Henry Ludlow, Knight, M.P. for that shire, born 1587, who married 
Letitia, daughter of Thomas West, Lord Delaware, by whom he had 
issue, with three daughters ; Edmund Ludlow, the celebrated republican 
general during the civil wars in England, who died at Vivay in Switzer- 
land, in 1693, aged 73, where a monument is erected to his memory ; 
and Henry Ludlow, Esq., who married Webster, grand-daughter of 
Margaret, second daughter of Sir Richard Bingham, the ancestor of the 
late George James Ludlow, third Earl Ludlow, Viscount Preston, and 
Baron Ludlow of Ardsalla in the peerage of Ireland, Baron Ludlow in 
that of the United Kingdom, born 12th Dec., 1758. 

The family of Ludlow, (which derives its surname from the ancient 
town so denominated in the County of Salop,) settled at Hill Deverell 
in Wiltshire, in the reign of Edward III. 1350, at which time lived 
William Ludlow, Esq., of Wiltshire, who married Margaret, daughter of 
William Rymer, whose son John Ludlow, married Leonora, daughter of 
Thomas Ringwood ; their son was John Ludlow, who married Phillipa, 
daughter of Nicholas Bulstrade, whose son William Ludlow married 
Jane, daughter of Nicholas Moore ; leaving a son George Ludlow, Esq., 
who married Edith, daughter of Sir Andrew, Lord Windsor, whose son 
was the before mentioned Sir Edmund Ludlow, Knight, 

The old Willett homestead stood on Clason’s Point, the extremity of 
Cornell’s neck, directly on the site of the late Mrs. Clason’s mansion,? 


‘a Two silver cups bearing the crest of Ludlow, still preserved at Black Rock, are said to 
have been used in the administration of the Holy Communion at Carleton church. 


© On the north side of this house is a beautiful specimen of the Hycena Wisteria which is 
Said to be indigeneous to the Neck. 


426 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Directly north of the Westchester turnpike is situated the old Pugsley 
estate from which the adjoining creek derives its name. 

In close vicinity to the river Bronx is the estate and residence of 
Wilham Watson, Esq. 

About three miles from the mouth of the Bronx, and directly oppo- 
site the village of West Farms, is the mill seat and property of the late 
Philip M. Lydig, Esq., formerly called “ De Lancey’ss Mill.” Here it 
is probable that Jonas Bronck (from whom the river derives its name) 
erected a mill and laid out a plantation as early as 1639. ‘‘ The tract 
between the Harlem river and the large stream next eastward, was 
Bronck’s land,” says Benson, and it was at the house of Bronck that 
the Indians concluded a treaty of peace with the Dutch secretary, Cor- 
nelis Van Tienhoven, in the spring of 1642. Upon the 16th of August, 
1680, the town of Westchester did give and grant unto William Rich- 
ardson and his associates, the privilege of the stream of Bronck’s river, 
to set up ¢wo mil/s, viz:—One saw and a corn mill, upon certain condi- 
tions specified in the conveyance.? 

On the 2d of April, 1711, Tryntje Byvanck, widow of Evert Byvanck, ° 
granted to William Provost, four midls, to wit, three grist mills, and one 
saw mill, situate in the the township of Westchester, and all rights and 
privileges appertaining thereto, &c.; also @ certain privilege granted by 
the frecholders of Westchester, of the stream of Bronck's river, &c., &¢. 
From the Provost’s, this property was purchased by Stephen de Lancey, 
Esq., in whose will, made the 4th of March, 1735, occurs the following 
item :— 


‘“*T do hereby give, devise and bequeath unto my son Peter, and to his heirs, 
all my mills, mill-house, mill-boat, farm and land, and all and every the appur- 
tenances thereunto belonging, situate and being in the county of Westchester, . 
upon Broncks’s river, lately known as the mills of William Richardson, to have 
and to hold unto my son Peter, and to his heirs and assignees forever,”’¢ 


James de Lancey, the eldest son of the above testator, was Chief Jus- 
tice and Lieutenant-Governor of the province of New York. He mar- 


a Benson’s Mem, 27. Hist. of N. Netherlands, O’Callahan, vol. 1250. Town Rec. Lib. 57. 
Rec. of Trustees, pp. 88, 89. 

b See vol. i, 298. 

ec Surrogate’s Office, N. Y. lib. xiv, 91. It appears from the following, that there was an 
ancient burying-ground in the vicinity of De Lancey’s milis, near the Bronx, approached b 
a narrow lane leading from the highway to Westchester road :—*‘ John Feiris, of the borough 
town of Westchester, in his last will, dated 9th of May, 1715, directs: ‘as also the land lying 
betwixt the highway that leads to Thomas Hedden’s mills and the way that leads from 
Bronck s to Henry Bank’s, with a fifty pound privilege of commonage, and also all that my 
land at Bronck’s, containing twenty-four acres, be it more or less. But, be it provided al- 
ways, that there shall be a rod square, free for all friends and friendly people to bury their 
dead in the place where they formerly buried, without any let, hindrance or molestation 
whatsoeyer.”—Surrogate’s Office, N. Y., folio viii, p. 391. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 427 


ried Anne, eldest daughter of Col. Caleb Heathcote, and left James, 
Stephen, John Peter,“ Maria, Anne and Susan. James, the first of these, 
was educated at Corpus Christi college, Cambridge, England, in which 
college his father had been educated before him. On quitting college, 
he entered the army, rising to the rank of captain. In the unfortunate 
campaign against Ticonderoga, he was an aid of Abercrombie’s. When 
his father died, or shortly after, Captain de Lancey sold out, inheriting 
the principal estates of his family. He married Margaret, a daughter 
of Chief Justice Allen of Pennsylvania, whose other daughter, Anne, 
married John Penn, grandson of William Penn, the founder of Pennsyl- 
vania, 

Early in the Revolution, Capt. James de Lancey went to England. 
Eventually he established himself at Bath. This gentleman, (and not 
his cousin, Lt. Col. James, as Mr. Sabine supposes), “at the close of 
the war, and at the formation of the loyalist agency for prosecuting 
claims for compensation, was appointed agent for New York, and be- 
came vice-president of the board. His own losses were large and diffi- 
cult of adjustment, and occupied the attention of the commissioners for 
some days. Excepting Sir William Pepperell,’’ Captain James de Lan- 
cey appears to have been the most active member of the agency.” & 
Five of the children of Capt. James de Lancey and Margaret, grew up, 
viz: two sons and three daughters. Charles, the eldest son, was in the 
British navy, and died a bachelor. James, late Lt. Col. rst Dragoon 
Guards, is living, also a bachelor. Two of the daughters, Anne and 
Susan, are single, and still living; While Margaret married the present 
Sir Juckes Granville Clifton, Bart., and died early, childless.” 

The second son of Stephen de Lancey, the Huguenot, was Brigadier 
General Oliver de Lancey. Sabine, in his sketches of American Loyalists, 
states that, “‘at the period of the French war, Oliver de Lancey occupied 
a commanding position,” and perhaps he did not overrate his personal 
influence when he said, that if in the expedition against Crown Point, 
he ‘‘should accept the command of the New York regiment, he could, 
in ten cays, raise the whole quota of troops allotted to that colony.” 

his standing he maintained after his brother’s death, and until the 
Revolution. ‘He opposed the dismemberment of the empire, and put 
his life and property at stake to prevent it. In 1776, he was appointed 
a brigadier-general in the royal service. Skinner, of New Jersey, Brown, 
a former Governor of Bahamas, Arnold, the apostate, and Cunningham, 
of South Carolina, were of the same grade; but their commissions were 


a@ Ibid. 299. 
b Sabine’s Sketches of American Loyalists, 


428 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


of a later date. Gen. de Lancey was, therefore, the senior loyalist offi- 
cer in commission during the contest. His command consisted of three 
battallions, known as “ De Lancey’s Battalions,” 

“Previous to the Revolution, Gen. de Lancey was a member of the 
Council, and was-considered to be in office in 1782, though a constitu- 
tion was formed in New York in 1777, and a government organized under 
it. By this government he was attainted of treason, and his large prop- 
erty confiscated.” ‘At the evacuation in 1783, he went to England, 
and died at Beverly, Yorkshire, in 1785, aged sixty-eight. His body is 
interred in the choir of the Minster, while a monument standing near 
the transept records his services.” “His son, Oliver de Lancey, Jr., 
was educated in Europe; put early in the 17th Light Dragoons; was a 
captain at the commencement of the Revolution ; became Major in 
1778, a Lieutenant Colonel Oct. 1st, 1781, and succeeded André as 
Adjutant-General of the British army in America. On his return to 
Europe, he was made Deputy Adjutant-General of England; as a 
Major-General, he got the Colonelcy of the 17th Light Dragoons; was 
subsequently made Barrack Master General of the Sritish empire ; rose 
through the grade of Lieutenant-General to that of General, and died 
some six or eight and twenty years since, nearly at the head of the Eng- 
lish Army list. This branch of the family is now extinct in the male 
line; its last man having been killed at Waterloo, in the person cf Sir 
William Heathcote de Lancey, the Quarter-master-General of Welling- 
ton’s army.” 

Peter de Lancey, youngest son of the Huguenot, to whom his father 
devised the mills, was a man of wealth and of considerable influence in 
the colony. His wife was Alice, daughter of Cadwallader Colden, lieu- 
tenant governor of the Province of New York, in 1761. His children 
were John, father of Mrs. Yates, Relict of Governor Yates, and Lt. Col. 
James de Lancey, a distinguished military officer. ‘‘ James*was for a 


a The command of the Loyalist Rangers afforded Colonel de Lancey facilities for commnu- 
nicating with his old associates in this section of the country, and was the means of inducing 
some of the landed gentry to take an active part in the contest. This was particularly the 
case with Samuel Kip, Esq., of a family, which, from the first settlement by the Dutch, had 
possessed a grant of land at Kip’s Bay, andin other parts of New York island. Members of 
this family were named as officers under the Crown in the royal charter, granted when the 
British first took possession of the colony in 1664, and in that given thirty years later. Hav- 
ing been always associated with the government, and from their landed interest, wielding an 
influence in its affairs, they were naturally predisposed to espouse the royal cause. In addi- 
tion to thix, Mr. Kip’s estate was near that of Col. de Lancey, and a close intimacy had always 
existed between them. He was, therefore, easily induced to accept a captains commission 
from the royal government, and embark all his interests in this contest. He raised a com- 
pany of cavalry, principaliy from his own tenants, joined the British army with the colonel, 
and from his intimate knowledge of the country, was enabled to gain the reputation of an 
active and daring partisan officer. For this reason he was for a time assigned to the com- 
mand of the Loyalist Rangers. In one of the severe skirmishes which took place in West- 
chester county in 1781, Capt. Kip, while charging a body of American troops, had his horse 
killed under him, and received a severe bayonet wound. He survived, however, several 
years after the war—though, like his friend de Lancey, a heavy pecuniary sufferer from the 
cause he had espoused. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 429 


considerable time sheriff of Westchester county. He took a battalion 
in the brigade of his uncle Oliver de Lancey, called the Loyalist Ran- 
gers, or “ De Lancey's Horse.” In consequence of -his familiarity with 
the county, Lt. Col. James de Lancey was stationed most of his time in 
Weschester, to keep open the means of procuring supplies. His corps 
made free with the cattle of that part of the country, and got the soud- 
riguet of “Cow Boys,” in revenge for their knowledge in the article of 
beef. The colonel finally fixed his residence in Nova Scotia, and in 
1797, Was sworn in as a member of the council of that colony. He 
died at Annapolis, N. S., about the year 1809. Martha Tippett, his 
widow, also died there in 1827, aged 73, and where his sons are still 
living. Oliver de Lancey, third son of Peter and Alice, threw up his 


: Se = one jax] 
De Lancey Mills, Westchester, the head-quarters of Lt. Col. James de Lancey. 
From the original picture in the possession of Dr. Bayard of West Farms. 


commission in the British service at the commencement of the Revolu- 
tionary war. His children are resident in the town. Peter, the fourth 
son, and Lt. Col. Warren de Lancey, besides four daughters. 

By an indenture bearing date the zgth of July, 1774, the trustees of 
Westchester, for divers considerations, sold to James and Oliver de 
Lancey, and their heirs and assignees, the ground under the water of 
Broncks’s river, and all such lands as has been granted or appointed by 
the town, for the use of the mills, etc.? The present proprietor, Philip 
M. Lydig, Esq., holds by conveyance from under Oliver de Lancey, 
Esq. The dwelling-house which once served as the head-quarters of 
Washington, was destroyed by fire a few years since. 


a For many of the above particulars we are indebted to Mr. Cooper’s correspondence in 
the Home Journal in 1848, 
6 Rec. of Trustees, pp. 88, 89. 


430 HISTORY .OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


The grounds, which display all the elegance of modern gardening, 
rise In a succession of terraces from the water’s edge. Near the old 
mansion stands a majestic pine tree—a noble relic of the past. 

The following appropriate lines were written by a gentlemen, after a 
visit paid to this beautiful spot, the former residence of the de Lancey 
family :— 


DE LANCEY’S ANCIENT PINE. 


Where gentle Bronx clear winding flows, 
The shadowy banks between, 

Where blossomed bell or wilding rose 
Adorns the brightest green ; 

Memorial of the fallen great, 

The rich and honoured line, 

Stands high in solitary state, 

De Lancey’s ancient pine. 


There once at early dawn arrayed 
The rural sport to lead, 

The gallant master of the glade, 
Bedecked his eager steed. 

And once the lightfoot maiden came 
In loveliness divine, 

To sculpture with the dearest name, 
De Lancey’s ancient pine, 


But now the stranger’s foot explore 
De Lancey’s wide domain, 

And scarce one kindred heart restores, 
His memory to the plain ; 

And just like one in age alone, 

The last of all his line, 

Bends sadly where the waters moan, 
De Lancey’s ancient pine. 


Oh, victim of misguided zeal 

To tell thy former fame! 

Who bids the fretted stone reveal 
The numbers of thy name? 

Ere brightening up the eastern sky, 
Another morn shall shine, 

In equalizing dust may lie 

De Lancey’s ancient pine. 


Wo ho! the satiate traveler stays 
Where eve’s calm glories shine, 
To weep as tells of other days, 
De Lancy’s ancient pine. 


THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 43! 


At a short distance from Lydig’s mills, on the property of Mr. Leonard 
Mapes, may be seen the ruins of an old chateau, since the residence of 
Lewis H. Guerlain. The following inscription upon a marble monu- 
ment hard by, so touchingly records the history of its former inmates, 
that any further account wouid be needless. 


A.D. 1798, 
Sacred to the memory of virtue, merit and beauty; to 


SARAH GUERLAIN, 


the beloved consort of 
Lewis H. G@urRrLain. 


Alas! ’tis in vain! the spirit has fled! 

Sarah has sunk in the tomb, 

The beauty of nature lies mix’d with the dead 

Gods! how severe is the doom: 

As a delicate lily that blows in the vale, 

That springs to perfection and dies, 

So she bloomed, and then sickened; but, shall we bewail ! 
The grave of the pure is the path to the skies. 


- ETERNITY HOW LONG! 


In 1798, 7th March, Sarah died in the West Indies, in the twentieth 
year of her age—in the passage from St. Croix to St. Christopher’s— 
and was brought back by her disconsolate husband to his peaceful man- 
sion, the place of their union, the 4th of October, 1795. 

Immediately north of the village of West Farms lies ‘‘ Bronx Dale,”’ 
the wooded sides of which present a most romantic appearance. In this 
neighborhood is a small scattered hamlet containing two public houses, 
two stores and about twenty dwellings ; also the extensive bleach factory 
of the late Mr. James Bolton. Mr. Bolton, was a native of Great Bolton 
in Lancashire, where he was born on the 8th May, 1780; he was the 
youngest son of John Bolton? and grandson of James Bolton by his wife 
Mary ————,, and came to this country in 1818, where by dint of hard 
labor and industry he accumulated a considerable fortune. 

On the Bronx are also situated the snuff mills of the late Peter Loril- 
lard, Esq. The beautiful seat of the Lorillard’s is rendered particularly 
attractive from the contiguity of overhanging woods and its close vicin- 
age to the water. The late Peter Lorillard was a native of New York, 
where he was born in 1799, and was one of its oldest merchants. His 

@ The other children of John Bolton were Edmund, born Aug. 21, 1761; Robert, born Dec. 


21, 1766; Elizabeth, born Dec. 4, 1772, and Johu Bolton, born duly 4, 1776. The family were 
all baptized in the old parish church at Bolton. 


432 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


father, Peter Lorillard, Senr., who died some years ago, was the oldest 
son of Pierre Lorillard, a native of France in 1763, by his wife, Hannah 
Moore. Peter, Senr., with his brothers, was one of the many men whose 
energy and hard labor resulted not only in gaining them wealth, but in 
promoting the prosperity which the metropolis of the United States now 
enjoys. Descended from an ancient Huguenot family, the three broth- 
ers—Jacob, Peter and George—commenced life in humble circum- 
stances ; but by dint of hard labor, amassed a competency which their 
heirs have greatly added to. The wife of Peter, Senr., was the daughter 
of Nathaniel Griswold, long since dead, but during his lifetime one of 
the most prominent merchants of New York. Peter Lorillard, Jr., soon 
after leaving college connected himself with his father and uncle—Peter 
and George—in the tobacco business. Possessed of uncommon business 
capacity, he soon materially aided his firm in its progress to prosperity ; 
and upon the death of his uncle George, who was a bachelor, he found 
himself left the heir to a fortune valued at some $200,000. Upon the 
death of his father, Mr. Lorillard succeeded to the business, which pros- 
pered so well that it brought to its proprietor millions of dollars, and 
made it what it now is, one of the largest tobacco houses in New York 
city. Mr. Lonillard died at Saratoga, October 6th, 1867, aged seventy- 
two. 

The low ground east of the “ Bronx Dale” is called “ Bear Swamp,” 
after the savage animal that about two centuries ago inhabited this wide 
domain of forest and morass. 

The general surface of Westchester is rolling, and in some places 
hilly soil, clay loam, mostly susceptible of high cultivation. The lands 
produce all kinds of grain, but they are best adapted to grass and pas- 
turage. Almost every variety of fruit trees flourish here. The principal 
growth of wood is oak of all sorts, chestnut and hickory, &c. It is freely 
watered, in every part, by springs and rivulets. 


2 ee Tow N 


CF 


Wit 22 eA ERIM SS: 


MANOR OF WEST FARMS. 


This township, which is now annexed to New York County, was 
formerly a portion of the ancient borough town of Westchester. It is 
bounded on the north by Yonkers, east by the Bronx, south by the 
East River, and west by the Harlem River. Kings Bridge, across Harlem 
River, is just within the line at the north-west corner of this town. It 
derives its name from its situation being west of the New England set- 
tlements. In 1663 it was claimed by Shonearockite and other Indians, 
as appears from the following conveyance to Edward Jessup and John 
Richardson of Westchester : 


INDIAN DEED OF WEST FARMS. 
West Cuester, Marcu THE 121TH, 1663. 


This may certify whom it may concerne that we Shonearockite, Wapomoe Tuc- 
korre Whawhapehucke, Capahase, Quanusco, Shaquiske, Fassachahenue,. Harra- 
wooke, have aliened and sold unto Edward Jessup and John Richardson, both 
of the place above said, a certain Tract of land bounded on the east by the River 
Aquehung or Bronxkx to the midst of the River, on the northward by the Trees 
marked, &c., by a piece of a hassock meadow, westward by a little brooke called 
Sackwrahung, southward by the sea with a neck of land called Quinnahung, 
with all the meadows, &c., uplands, Trees, &c., whatever else besides bee upon 
ye said parcell of lands with all other commodities belonging to the same quietly 
to possesse and enjoy tke same from us our heires or successors, to them their 
heircs and successors for ever, and for their cattle to range in the woods so farre 


as they please without any Molestation or Infringement, &c., and that this is our 
433 


434 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER, 


true Intent and Meaning wee have sett to our hands the day and Yeare above 


written. 1. SHonEAROCKITE, his marke, 2. Wapome, his marke, 
5. TuckorrgE, his marke, 3. WHAWHAPEHUOKE, his marke, 
4. CAPAHASE, his marke, 8. Quanusco, his marke, 
7. SHAQUISKE, his marke, 6. PassACHAHENNE, his marke, 


9, Harrawoorr, his marke. 
Signed in presence of 
Epwarp WALTERS, 
Ricnarp Ponton, 
NatHan Batiey. 


March 12th, 1664, I Shawnarockett in the name and behalf of the rest doe ac- 
knowledge to have received of Edward Jessup and Mr. Richardson full satisfac- 
tion for the tract of land in this bill specified. 

Witness, SHAWNAROCKETT, his mark. 
Epwarp WALTERS, 
RicHarpD PonTOoN, 
NatHanl Barrey,@ 

Entered at Hampstead at ye v. 1e of the general 
meeting there the 9th day of March, 1664. 


Another deed from the above mentioned Indians to Edward Jessup 
and John Richardson bears date March 12th, 1664, which was recorded 
for Mr. Richardson, April 5th, 1667.? 

The Indian purchases were patented in 1666, to Edward Jessup and 
John Richardson of Westchester : 


THE ROYAL PATENT OF WEST FARMS. 


“Richard Nicolls, Esq., governor general under his royal highness, James 
Duke of York and Albany, &c,, &c., of all his territoryes in America, to all to ° 
whom these presents shall come, sendeth greeting : whereas, there is a certain 
tract or parcel of land within this government, situate, lying and being neare un- 
+o and within the limits of the towne of Westchester. Upon ye maine being 
bounded to the east by the river commonly called by the Indians Aguehung, 
otherwise Broncke river, extending to the midst of said river to the north, by the 
qmark’t trees ard by a piece of hassock meadow, westwardly a little brook called 
by the natives Sackwrahung, and southward by the Sound or East River, includ- 
ing within a certain neck of land called Quinnahung, which said parcel or tract 
and neck of land with the appurtenances, together with commonage and liberty 
for range of horses and cattle, as free as they please into the woods, hath hereto- 
fore been jointly purchased of the Indyan proprietors by Edward Jessup and 
Jon Richardson of Westchester aforesaid, and due satisfaction hath ye then 
been given for the same, as by the deed remaining upon record, more at large 


a Albany Deed Book, vol. ii., 79-80. 
b Albany Deed Book. vol. iii, 5S-59, 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 435 


doth and may appear, now it being mutually agreed upon ye both the afore- 
said purchasers, that an equal division shall be made of the said parcel or tract 
of land and appurtenences between them the said Edward Jessup and John 
Richardson, their heirs and assigns, and to the end that the said lands may be 
better manured and planted for a further confirmation unto each and either of 
them, in their possession and enjoyment of the premises. Know ye, that by 
virtue of the commission and authority unto me given by his royal highness, I 
have ratified, confirmed and and granted, and by these presents do ratify, confirm 
and grant, unto John Richardson aforesaid, his heirs and assigns, the moiety or 
one-half of the aforesaid parcel or tract of land and premises, together with the 
moiety or one-half of all the woods, meadows, pastures, waters, commonage, 
marshes, rivers or lakes thereunto belonging, within their and every of them, 
appurtenances and every part and parcel thereof, to have and to hold their said 
moiety, or one-haif of the paid parcel or tract of land, commonage and premises, 
with all and singular the appurtenances to the said John Richardson, his heirs 
and assigns, unto the proper use and behoof of the said John Richardson, his 
heirs and assigns forever, he or they rendering and paying such duties and ac- 
knowledgements as now are or hereafter shall be constituted and established by 
the laws of the government, under the obedience of his royal highness, his heirs 
and successors. Given under my hand and seal at Fort James in New York, on 
the island of Manhattoes, 25th day of April, in the eighteenth year of his majes- 


ties reign, A.D. 1666. 
RICHARD NICOLLS. 


Edward Jessup one of the above patentees, like most of the original 
settlers of Westchester, emigrated from Fairfield, Connecticut. In 1653, 
occurs the name of Edward Jessope, owner of lands on Sascoe neck in 
that town. By his wife Elizabeth Bridges, he seft issue a son, Edward, 
and two daughters. Elizabeth married Thomas Hunt, of the Grove 
farm, Westchester, from whom the Hunts of Hunt’s Point descend, Ed- 
ward Jessup died in 1666; his will bears date the same year. 


THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF EDWARD JESSUP. 


‘* Being sicke and weake in body, yet in perfect memory, I bequeath my soule 
to ye Almighty God that gave it, and my body after my death to be decently 
buried, my funeral to be discharged and my debts to be paid. I will and be- 
queath to my daughter, Elizabeth Hunt, twenty shillings, besides which, I have 
already given her to be paid in a year and a day after my decease. I wi!l and 
bequeath unto my daughter Hannah Jessup, the sum of five and thirty pounds 
with that she hath already, to be payed unto her at 18 years of age. 

I will and bequeath unto my sonne, Edward Jessup, two mares with two colts 
by their sides; one is a gray mare, and the other is a mare marked on both ears 
with two half pence on each ear, to bee set out for him for his use a year and a 
day after my decease. 

I will and bequeath unto my grand-child, Mary Hunt, twenty shillings, to bee 
paydin a year and a day after my decease. I will and bequeath unto my cousin 


436 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


ra 


Johannah Burroughs, twenty shillings, to bee payd in a year and a day after my 
decease. 

Furthermore, I institute and appoint my well-beloved wife, Elizabeth Jessup, 
to bee whole and sole executrix , and I do will and bequeath unto her, all my 
lands and houses, and goods and cattle, moveable and immoveable, of this my last 
will and testament, and to receive all debts, dues and demands whatsoever, to be 
at her disposing, and she to pay all debts, dues and legacies whatsoever, and she 
to bring up my two children in the feare of God. This I do owne to be my last 
will and testament. 

Further, [ do appoint my well beloved friends, Mr. Richard Cornhill, Justice 
of the Peace, Mrs. Sarah Bridges, my well beloved brother-in-law, John Bur- 
roughs, and Ralph Hunt, overseers of this my last will and teastament, likewise to 
be assistants to my executrix in all cases and difficulties ; and this I do owne as 
my owne act and deed, to all true intents and meanings, and due furthermore 
ratify and confirm it as my owne act and deed by ye setting to my hand and 
seal, the day and year underwitten. EDWARD JESSUP. 

August the 16th, 1666. 

Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence 
of us, witnesses, 

WILLIAM GoULDSTONE, 
Joun RicHARDsoN, 
Mark of % Ricnarp Horron.”@ 


Upon the 2oth of June, 1668, Robert Beacham and Elizabeth, the 
wife formerly of Edward Jessup, of Westchester, in the North Riding 
of Yorkshire, on Long Island, did fully and absolutely sell and “make 
over unto Thomas Hunt, of Westchester, aforesaid, all those hoeing 
Zands and accomodations that were formerly Edward Jessup’s, within 
the bounds and limits of the aforesaid Westchester, that the said Ed- 
ward Jessup and John Richardson purchased together, and procured 
patents for from the Hon. Col. Richard Nicolls,” &c. 

John Richardson, the surviving patentee, appears to have united 
with Thomas Hunt, the foliowing year, in making an equal division of 
these lands; for, on the 12th of August, 1669, occurs the following re- 
port of the commissioners :— 


‘‘We whose names are underwritten being made choice of by John Richard- 
son and Thomas Hunt, bothe inhabiting in Westchester, in the North Riding of 
Yorkshire, to make an equal division of a grant of land formerly purchased of 
the Indian proprietors by Edward Jessup and John Richardson, being butted 
and bounded by patent I say all those uplands and meadows within that 
purchase, save some upland and meadows, which was formerly divided by the 
forementioned persons, Edward Jessup and John Richardson, have been com- 
mitted unto us, William Hayden, Samuel Drake, Thomas Lawrence and Jona- 
than Hazard, to make an equal division, &c., &c. As first we find it neeessary 


a Surrogates office, N. Y., wills administrations, No. 1, 1665 to 1683, p. 31. 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 437 


that John Richardson, having twenty acres of upland and meadow, more or less, 
lying on the southermost poynt of the corne field neck, which tract of land is a 
district of itself by a divisional line running west and by north-east and by 
south, and all the rest of the upland, both in that neck and a little neck adjoin- 
ing to it, is Thomas Hunt’s, with highways laid out, and into the above said 
neck north to upland and meadows, with marks renewed between the mead- 
ows and the upland, beginning at a white oak, which is the divisional line 
between Thomas Hunt and John Richardson, which line runneth from the 
white oak to the water east and by north, and all the meadow lying along be- 
tween the water and the marked trees is John Richardson’s, until you meet an- 
other divisional line that bears west aud by north and east and by south, which 
line runs at the old highway, and all the rest of the meadows within the 
neck to be Thomas Hunt’s, for and in consideration John Richardson hath all 
the Long Neck lying upon the south end of the dwelling houses of John Richard- 
son and Thomas Hunt, all the above said neck within fence, and further we 
have laid out unto Thomas Hunt a tract of upland lying near his house contain-. 
ing sixteen acres and forty-five rods, stretching from the creek north north-west 
and south south-west to a great burnt stump, from thence west south-west to a 
creek, and from the creek south south-east,” &c., &c. 


The three daughters and co-heiresses of John Richardson were: Bertha, 
wife of Joseph Ketcham, of Newtown, Long Island; Mary, wife of 
Joseph Hadley, of Yonkers; and Elizabeth, wife of Gabriel Leggett, 
from whom descend the Leggetts of West Farms. His last will bears 
date 16th November, 1679; in it he bequeaths— 


‘*To his beloved wife, Martha, all his housing and orchard, and all move- 
bles without and within, and all live stock, also all his land and meadow on the 
planting neck, and all the Long Neck that runs southward from Thomas Hunt’s 
new dwelling house to the Sound, and this during her life to act and dispose as 
she shall see cause.” 

“To his son-in-law, Joseph Hadley, a pasture of three acres already laid out, 
&c.,at or about the first spring, and all the meadow that is already divided, 
that is on this side the river above ye planting neck.” ‘‘To his three daughters, 
two hundred acres of land each; ” ‘‘ and to his brother’s son, in England, Joseph 
Richardson, one hundred acres, if he come within the space-of one whole year 
to receive it; and if he come not within the time prefixed, it shall remain in 
Martha my wife’s hands.” ‘‘In conclusion, he constitutes and appoints his well- 
beloved friends, William Richardson and Richard Ponton, both of Westchester, 
and Jonathan Hayward, of Newtown, Long Island, overseers of his last will and 
testament, and that it is his whole will and testament after his decease, he wit- 
nesses it under his own hand the 16th day of November, 1679-1680.” 


Signed, JoHN RioHarpson.’’4 


Upon the 12th of January, 1686, Governor Thomas Dongan granted 
a patent to Thomas Hunt, Sen., for all his land bounded on the east by 


a Surrogate’s office, N. Y., Wills and Admr., 1665 to 1683. Vol. i., p. 431. 


438 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


the river Aquehung, or Bronx, extending to the midst of the said river, 
on the north by certain marked trees and a piece of hammock, and on 
the west by a certain brook called Sackrahung, for the value of one 
bushel of good winter wheat.” 

The following receipt appears to have been given for quit-rent due 
on the above patent :— 


“* Received of Thomas Hunt, Sen., twenty-five bushels and one-half wheat, in 
full for his quit-rent for his land in the county of Westchester, upon Bronck’s 
river, to the 25th of March last past. Witness my hand, in New York, this 9th 
day of April, A.D. 1717. Riowarp NIcort1s, 

Deputy Receiver.” 


On the 17th of October, 1687, Joseph Hadley, of the Yonkers’ 
Patent, conveys to Thomas Williams, of the West Farms, eight acres 
formerly given him by John Richardson. In 1711, the heirs of the pat- 
entees united in a second division of the WestFarms :— 


‘* Whereas Thomas Hunt, sen., of ye West Farms in ye borough town and 
county of Westchester in ye colony of New York, yeoman, and Elizabeth Leg- 
gett of ye same place, widow, did on the 9th day of May last past, by an instru- 
ment under their hands and seals, formally agree and conclude that the West 
Farms \ots containing twelve in number, should be surveyed and laid out by 
myself or some other person, and that according to a former survey made by me 
William Taylor, on or before the last day of June instant, with a further cove- 
nant, promise, and agreement, each to the other, for themselves, or each of 
their heirs, executors and administrators, as far as they or any of them are 
concerned in the said lots, that the survey made by M. W. E., or some other 
person, in manner as above, and the lines or bounds so run and settled should 
remain, continue, and not be removed for ever hereafter upon the penalty of five 
hundred pounds current money of said colony, to be paid by the party or persons 
breaking the said conclusion or agreement and covenant to the party or persons 
fulfilling and performing the same, &c., &c., as by the said instrument, relation 
being thereunto had, will fully and at large appear. Therefore upon this request 
and desire of the said Thomas Hunt, Elizabeth Leggett and others, the owners 
and proprietors of said land, I have surveyed the said twelve lots of land as 
followeth. That is to say, begin at a chestnut tree standing on the river side 
above Byvanck’s mill, running thence north forty-three degrees, west two hun- 
dred and eighty-three, to a marked white wood, thence south thirty degrees, 
west about forty-five, eight rods to the north side and westernmost corner of the 
sixth lot, and then upon several courses until it meets with the north-west 
corner of the twelfth lot, then east twenty-one degrees and a half rod to ye 
meadow, and from thence along the meadow and river to the place first begun as 
appears in the scheme hereunto annexed, the whole tract containing 1096 acres, 
&c., &c. It is firmly agreed and concluded upon by the said Thomas Hunt, 


a Col. Rec. Vol. il. From the original in the possession of the late Mr. Daniel Winship, 
Hunt's Point, 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 439 


Elizabeth Leggett and others concerned in the matter, that what every or any 
lot wants or falls short of one hundred acres as above shall be allowed and made 
up to them or theirs out of the land not contained within this survey. Compre- 
hended with a certain patent granted by Governor Richard Nicolls to Edward 
Jessup and John Richardson in the year of our Lord Christ 1666, except thirty 
acres which he, said Thomas Hunt, formerly sold to John Feryedon and Robert 
Manning; and also thirty acres belonging to the said Elizabeth Leggett, being in 
lieu of the aforesaid thirty acres on which Thomas Davenport now dwells, in 
witness whereof,” etc., etc. 


In presence of JosepH Hunt, Tuomas Hunt, 
Justice. ELizaABEeTH LEGGET, 
JoHN LAWRENCE, 
Matruyew PuGsiey. 


‘«This survey was made and completed on the 
26th day of June, 1711, by me, 
Peter BERRIEN.” 


On the 30th of September, 1723, William Davenport of Perth Amboy, 
in East New Jersey, and Bridget, his wife, did convey all their right, 
title and interest in the patent of West Farms unto William Leggett, 
viz: “ All and singular ye flats, coves, bays, fishing places, etc.; also, all 
their right, title, and property of fishing, hunting and fowling in this ye 
same patent,” etc. 

In the south-west corner of the patent of West Farms, was situated 
a small tract of land, called the “debatable ground.” This territory ap- 
pears to have been in dispute between the heirs of the patentees of 
West Farms, and Lewis Morris, proprietor of the manor of Morrisiana, 
from 1666 to 1740. At an early period, Lewis Morris laid claim to 
most of the undivided lands of the West Farms’ patent, as belonging to 
him.” 

Upon the 4th of February, 1712, “Elizabeth Leggett, widow of 
Gabriel Leggett and daughter of John Richardson, released her title 
and interest of all the common and undivided lands, that Mr. Lewis 
Morris makes any claim to within our patent of West Farms.” In 
1737, ‘‘ William Leggett, assignee to the heirs of John Richardson, of 
one-half moiety of the West Farms, and Abraham Lent, of the heirs of 
Edward Jessup, jointly agreed to prosecute Lewis Morris, who is now 
in possession of almost all the wadivided lands.” 

A compleie settlement of the undivided lands was not made till 1740. 
In 1830, the debatable lands were purchased by the late William H. 
Leggett, Esq. 


a The same rights had previously been conveyed by Thos. Davenport, father of theabove 
grantor, to Abraham Leggett, 


440 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


The fwelve dots into which the West Farms was originally divided, 
have been long since distributed among numerous proprietors. 

The village of West Farms is pleasantly situated at the head of the 
‘navigable waters of the Bronx, three miles from the East river, and 
twelve from New York. This place, from its close vicinity to the city, 
and its valuable water privileges, is rapidly increasing in importance. 
It contains an Episcopal, a Dutch Reformed, a Presbyterian, and a 
Methodist church ; several taverns, stores of different kinds, and a post 
office ; also, several extensive manufactories. 

Near the centre of the village is situated the Lpiscopal church; a 
beautiful Gothic structure, of wood. The bell-tower is attached to the 
north-eastern corner. Over the principal entrance, is a neat porch, 
The corner-stone of this edifice was laid on Tuesday, November roth, 
1846, by the Rev. Hugh Smith, D.D., rector of St. Peter’s church, 
New York; on which occasion, an address was delivered by the Rev. 
J. T. Cushing, minister in charge of the parish. Besides the officiating 
clergy, there were present, the Rev. William Powell, rector of St. 
Peter’s church, Westchester, and the Rev. Robert Bolton, rector of 
Christ’s church, Pelham. 

On the 28th of June, 1847, it was consecrated and set apart to the 
worship and service of Almighty God, under the title of Grace church, 
by the Right Reverend William Heathcote de Lancey, Bishop of the 
Diocese of Western New York. The consecration sermon being 
preached by the Rev. Kingston Goddard, of Staten Island. 

Grace church, West Farms, was incorporated upon the 13th of 
December, 1844. William A. Spencer and Philip M. Lydig, church- 
wardens; Peter Lorillard, Richard Crowther, Dr. William Bayard, 
Charles S. Valentine, Benjamin Lea, Jacob M. Van Winkle and Wil- 
liam B. Hoffman, vestrymen.@ 

On June 3d, 1847, the Rev. Washington Rodman was unanimously 
called to be rector of the parish. The credit of first attempting the 
establishment of an Episcopal church in this village, is due, under God, 
to Miss Margaret Hunt,? a lady whose intelligent zeal, kindly sympathy 
and untiring benevolence, deserve especial mention. The work was 
undertaken by this lady; and, although the number of Episcopalians 
in the immediate neighborhood was then comparatively small, still a 
considerable interest was awakened by her endeavors. The amount of 
$2,061.00 was collected, to which the sum of $1,000.00 was added by 
the munificent donation of Mrs. C. L. Spencer. 


a Co. Rec. Religious Soc., Lib. B., p. 9 
6 Daughter of ‘Thomas Hunt, fourth i descent from Edward Jessup, one of the first pat- 
entees of the West Farms, 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 44I 


A beil weighing 535 pounds has been purchased by subscriptions 
received principally from the members of the church. 

The Presbyterian church stands upon the highest ground in the village. 
It was incorporated, in 1814, by the name of the “ First Presbyterian 
Church in the village of West Farms ;” Robert Givan, Caleb Pell, Ebe- 
nezer Waterbury, James Bathgate, James Renwick and John B. Gilles- 
pie, first trustees.* Prior to the year 1836, it belonged to the Bedford 
Presbytery, but is now in connection with the second New Yerk Presby- 
tery. The present church edifice was erected in 1815. 


LIST OF PASTORS AND SUPPLIES.° 


INsTALL or CALL. SUPPLY. 
1815, Rev. Isaao Lewis, “fe 
1819, Rey. TRUMAN OsBORNE, ‘s 
1821, Rev. SamuEt Nort, “ 
1823, Rey. Joszpa B. Fett, CS 
1823, _ Rev. Tuomas S. Wickes, s 
1824, Rev. Irnamer Hixissvry, i 
1824, Rey. E. D. WE LLs, ss 
1825, Rey. Rey, J. D. WickHam, - us 
1828, Rey. GreorGe STEBBINS, ts 
1835, Rey. WItiiam Gray, uF 
Jan. 22, 1836, Rey. M. I. Anam, pastor. 
Feb. 1841, Rey. James B. Ramsey, if 
1846, Rey. Cuarites Moass, ne 
Oct. 28, 1847, Rey. Isaao Warts Pratt, died. 
1858, Rey. Grorce Nrxon, resigned. 
May 2, 1876, Rev. Carson W. Apams, D D. ae 
Jan. 26, 1880, Rey. Witzarp Soorr, present pastor. 


The Dutch Reformed church of this village was first organized in 1839, 
under the pastoral charge of the late Rev. George Bourne, of New York, 
and incorporated on the 16th of March, 1840.° First elders, Thomas 
Butler, George Wilson, and Abijah Rogers; first deacons, James P. 
Fitch, J. G. Rowland, and Stephen Kelly. 


CALLED. List oF Mryisters. 
1839, Rey. GrorGe Bourne, resigned 1842. 
1842, Rey. Barnaras V. Cotirys, e 1845. 
1845, Rey. Jonun Sronson, uy 1852. 
1852, Rev. Pair Buresarprt, Be 1855. 
1856, Rey. Poriemcs Van WYKE, - 1867. 
1867, Rey. Evert Van Siyke, as 1871. 
1871, Rey. Jonn Srwonsoyn, present minister. 


a (o. Rec. Lib. A. 154. 

b For some years this church was associated, in the support of a minister, with the Presby- 
terian church of New Rochelle. 

c Co. Rec. Religious Soc. Lib. B. The first church edifice was erected in 1839. 


442 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


An Episcopal Methodist Society was incorporated upon the 24th of 
October, 1831 ; Andrew C. Wheeler, Joseph Smith, John F. Fay, Thomas 
T. Phillips, and Thomas Bolton, trustees 

In 1803 there appears to have been an academy existing here, the 
trustees of which were the Hon. Governeur Morris, Dominick Lynch, 
John Sloss Hobart, Abijah Hammond, James Morris, Daniel Ludlow, 
Isaac Clason, Israel Underhill, Philip I. Livingston, Robert Gilchrist, 
Joseph Given, Jonathan Randel, Andrew Barton, Israel Honeywell, 
Samuel Kelly, Robert Heaton, and William H. Mornis. 

During the Revolutionary war, West Farms was constantly exposed to 
the daily forays of both armies, as they alternately held possession of the 
adjoining country. ‘On the 25th of January, 1777, (observes General 
Heath,) early on the morning, the enemy made a sally towards De 
Lancey's Mills,» where they surprised and routed the guard, wounding 
several, but not killing or taking any of them; and a regiment near that 
place quitted their quarters.Ӣ 

The Jhititary Blockhouse, which occupied the site of Mr. Mapes’s 
Temperance House, was destroyed by Colonel Burr, in the winter of 
1779. The event is thus related by Samuel Young, in a letter to Com- 
modore Valentine Morris :— 


‘*Soon after Tryon’s retreat, Colonel Delancey, who commanded the British 
refugees, in order to secure themselves against surprise, erected a block house on 
a rising ground below De Lancey’s Bridge. This, Colonel Burr resolved to de- 
stroy. I was in that expedition, and recollect the circumstances. 

‘*He procured a number of hand-grenades ; also, rolls of port fire, and canteens 
filled with inflammable materials, with contrivances to attach them to the side of 
the blockhouse. He set out with his troops early in the evening, and arrived 
within a mile of the blockhouse by two o’clock in the morning. The Colonel 
gave Captain Black the command of about forty volunteers, who were first to 
approach; twenty of them were to carry the port fires, &c. Those who had 
hand-grenades, had short ladders to enable them to reach the port holes, the ex- 
act height of which Colonel Burr had ascertained. Colonel Burr gave Captain 
Black his instructions in the hearing of his company, assuring him of his pro- 
tection if they were attacked by superior numbers; for it was expected that the 
enemy, who had several thousand men at and near Kings Bridge, would endeavor 
to cut us off, as we were several miles below them. Burr directed those who 
carried the combustables to march in front as silently as possible; that on being 
hailed, they should light the hand-grenades, &c., with a slow match provided for 
the purpose, and throw them into the port holes. I was one of the party that 
advanced, The sentinel hailed and fired. Werushed on. The first hand-gren- 


a Co. Rec. Religious Soc. Lib. B. p. 6. An incorporation of the Methodist Episcopal church 
occurs in 1836, and again in 1843.—See Lib. B. 48, 76. 


6 Now known as Lydig’s Mills. 
e Heaths’ Mem. p. 111, 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 443 
ade that was thrown in drove the enemy from the upper story; and before they 
could take any measure to defend it, the blockhouse was on fire in several places. 
Some few escaped, and the rest surrendered without our having lost a single 
man. Though many shots were fired at us, we did not fire a gun.”’4 


Although the inhabitants appear to have suffered much during the 
Revolution, they generally continued firmly attached to the interests of 
their country. In 1775-occurs the following petition to the Hon. Pro- 
vincial Congress, from the subscribers, inhabitants of the Manor of Ford- 
ham and |West Farms, in the county of Westchester, which 


‘““ Humbly Showeth that we were summoned to appear at Westchester in order 
to choose officers, according to the resolution of the Congress, it having been 
represented, as we understand, that there was not a competent number of men 
in our district to form a company, we therefore beg leave to inform you that the 
Manor of Fordham and the West Farms, have, in the militia, always been con- 
sidered asa district by themselves ; and that within their limits there are upwards 
of seventy men fit to bear arms, and that an attendance at Westchester upon the 
meeting of the company will be attended with great inconvenience to many of the 
inhabitants, and therefore injurious to the service intended to be advanced ; from 
which considerations your petitioners humbly pray the Honorable Congress will 
be pleased to order that the Manor of Fordham and the West Farms have a com- 
pany with themselves, and that they elect their own officers under such inspec- 
tion as the Honorable Congress, in their wisdom shall think best ; and your peti- 
tioners shall ever pray. 


Nicholas Berrien, 
Isaac Valentine, 


Levi Hunt, 
Jeremiah Requa, 


Hezekiah Ward, 
Tunis Garrison, 


Peter Valentine, Isaac Cant, James McKay, 
John Stevens, Gilbert Taylor, Robert Campbell, 
Benjamin Curser, Robert Gilmer, Eden Hunt, 
Abraham Dyckman, Benjamin Archer, Jr., Isaac Hunt, 


John Farmer, 
Benjamin Valentine, 
George Pilpet, 

Isaac Valentine, Jr., 
Peter Bussing, Jr., 
Abraham Wilson, 
Benjamin Curser, Jr., 
Hendrick Ryer, 
John Lent, 

John Ryer, 

Isaac Curser, Jr., 
Tunis Le Joye, 
Philip Hunt, 

. Stephen Emboll, 
Nathan’! Lawrence, 
Peter Devoe, 

James Swain, 
Nazareth Brewer, 
Edward Harris, 
John Collard, 
Cornelius Jacobs, 


Daniel Devoe, Jr., 
John Embrie, Sen. 
Jacob Lent, 
Abraham Lent, 
Dennis Hyer, 
Jacob Valentine, 
Abraham Garrison, 
James G. Groot, 
Thomas Hunt, 
Abraham Leggett, 
William Leggett, 
John Leggett, Jr., 
Robert Hunt, Jr., 
Cornelius Leggett, 
Mr. Woods, 

John Hedger, 
Thomas Hedger, 
Stephen Edwards, 
James Rock, 
George Higby, 
Jacob Hunt, 


James Archer, 
Samuel Embrie, Jr., 
John Embrie, Jr., 
Thomas Cromwell, 
G. Cromwell, 
Obediah Hide, 
John Curser, 
Simon Williams, 
John Ryer, Jr., 
Jacob Chappel, 
John Garrison, 
John Jacobs, 
Thomas Dogherty, 
John Clark, 

John de Noo, 
John Blizard, 
John Walbin, 
John Warwick, 
Thomas Gemble, 
Peter Bussing, 
Isaac Curser. 


Congress was pleased to grant the prayer of this petition. 
@ Davis's Mem. of Aaron Burr, vol. i, 164. 


444 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


The road passing the village landing south leads to the Great Plant- 
ing neck, called by the Indians Quéxnahung, upon which are now many 
beautiful country seats. At the south-east extremity of the neck is sit- 
uated Hunt’s Point. ‘This property was formerly occupied by the Hunt 
family, for nearly one hundred and sixty years, having passed into their 
hands by the marriage of Thomas Hunt with Elizabeth Jessup, daugh- 
ter of Edward Jessup, one of the first patentees. In 1688, Thomas 
Hunt, of the Grove farm, granted to his son, Thomas Hunt, one hun- 
dred acres, lying on the south side of Gabriel Leggett’s land, bounded 
eastwardly and southerly by Bronck’s river. The old Grange erected in 
1688, occupies a beautiful situation near the termination of the point, 
overlooking the East river and Flushing bay. 

This place was for many years the residence of Rodman Drake the 
poet, and it was here that he wrote his well known lines on the Bronx, 
on the neighboring banks of which he often wandered :— 


I sat me down upon a green bank side, 
Skirting the smooth edge of a gentle river, 
Whose waters seemed unwillingly to glide, 
Like parting friends, who linger while they sever ; 
Enforced to go, yet seeming still unready, 
Backward they wind their way in many a wistful eddy. 


Gray o’er my head the yellow-vested willow 
Ruffled its hoary top in the fresh breezes, 
Glancing in light, like spray on a green billow, 
Or the fine frost work which young winter freezes, 
When first his power in infant pastime trying, 
Congeals sad autumn’s tears on the dead branches lying. 


From rocks around hung the loose ivy dangling, 
And in the clefts sumach of liveliest green, 
Bright rising-stars the little beach was spangling, 
The goid-cap sorrel from his gauzy screen, 
Shone like a fairy, enchased and beaded, 
Left on some morn, when light flash’d in their eyes unheeded. 


The hum-bird shook his sun-touched wings around, 
The blue-finch carolled in the still retreat ; 

The antic squirrel capered on the ground, 
Where lichens made a carpet for his feet. 

Through the transparent waves, the ruddy minkle 

Shot up in glimmering sparks, his red fins tiny twinkle. 


There were the dark cedars, with loose mossy tresses, 
White-powder’d dog trees, and stiff hollies flaunting, 
Gaudy as rustics in their May-day dresses, 


MAP OF HUNT’S POINT. 


il, 444. 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 445 


Blue pellorets from purple leaves upslanting 
A modest gaze, like eyes of a young maiden 
Shining beneath dropp’d lids the evening of her wedding. 


The breeze fresh springing from the lips of morn, 

Kissing the leaves, and sighing so to loose ’em, 
The winding of the merry locust’s horn, 

The glad spring gushing from the rock’s bare bosom ; 
Sweet sighs, sweet sounds, all sights, all sounds exceluing 
Oh! ’twas a ravishing spot, form’d for a poet’s dwelling. 


And I did leave thy loveliness, to stand 
Again in the dull world of earthly blindness , 
Pain’d with the pressure of unfriendly hands, 
Sick of smooth looks, agued with icy kindness ; 
Left I for this thy shades, where none intrude, ; 
To prison wandering thought and mar sweet solitude. 


Yet I will look upon thy face again 
My own romantic Brona, and it will be : 
A face more pleasant than the face of men. 
Thy waves are old companions, I shall see 
A well remembered form in each old tree, 
And hear a voice long loved in thy wild ministrelsy. 


The burial place of the Hunt family, is located near the entrance of 
the point. The following inscriptions are copied from two of the monu- 
ments in this yard :— 

IN MEMORY OE 
THOMAS HUNT, 
who departed this life, 
July 4th, 1808, 
in the 80th year of his age. 


He possessed the cardinal virtues in an eminent degree; 
he was temperate, brave, patient and just : 


The solid rock shall sink beneath 
The iron hand of time, 
But virtue dwells with 


Immortality. 
The other is 
SacrED 
to the memory 
of 
JOSEPH RODMAN DRAKE, M.D. 
who died September 21st, 1825, 
aged 25 years.@ 


a The wife of R. W. Gilder, assistant editor of Scribner’s, is the grand-daughter of Joseph 
R. Drake, author of the * Culprit ’ and the *‘ American Flag,” who died over fifty years ago, 
at the age of twenty-five, with the reputation of one of the most gifted of American poets. He 
had buc one child, the mother of Mrs, Gilder. 


446 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Fitz Greene Halleck’s pathetic lines on the death of his companion, 
will not be considered inappropriate here, especially as the last two of 
the first stanza are engraved upon this tombstone :— 


Greene be the turf above thee, 
Friend of my better day ! 

None knew thee but to love thee, 
Nor named thee but to praise. 


Tears fell when thou wert dying, 
From eyes unused to weep ; 

And long, where thou art lying, 
Will tears the cold turf sleep. 


When hearts whose truth was proven, 
Like thine, are laid in earth, 

Then should a wreath be woven 

To tell the world their worth. 


And I, who wake each morrow 
To clasp thy hand in mine, 

Who shared thy joy and sorrow, 
Whose weal and wo were thine.— 


It should be mine to braid it 
Around thy faded brow ; 
But I’ve in vain essayed it, 
And feel I cannot now. 


While memory bids me weep thee, 
Nor thoughts nor words are free, 
The grief is fixed too deeply 

That mourns a man like thee. 


Upon Waddington Point, the south-west projection of the Planting 
Leck, is situated Blythe place—formerly belonging to Francis Barretto, 
Esq. The house is a handsome edifice of stone. The grounds are richly 
wooded, and the views of the river extensive, and singularly beautiful. 
Mr. Barretto for many years represented this county in Assembly. In 
the immediate vicinity of Blythe place stood the residence? of the late 
Thomas Leggett, whose ancestors had been resident proprietors of the 
great Planting Neck, since the year 1690, if not before. 

The Leggett family were formerly seated in Essex County, England, 
and probably descend from Helmingius Legat, high sheriff of that 
county, in 1404. As early as 1661, Gabriel Leggett emigrated to this 
country; and in night of his wife Elizabeth Richardson, daughter and 


a This house occupied the site of the old Leggett homestead, 


To face page 446, Vol. il. PEDIGREE OF LEGETT, OF WEST FARMS. 


Arms :—Az. on a bend ar. three human hearts gu. on a chief of the second, as many martlets sa. Crest.—A mermaid. ppr. 
Gabriel Leggett, mar. 1676; will_ Elizabeth Richardson, da. of John Richardson, 


dated 16th ‘April, 1697 | one of the first patentees of West Farms. 
| | EE | | 
2.Thomas—.. 1.John Leggett, proprietor_Chicely wirlim, nat. Sept. 1,_1,Sarah, Martha Mary Sarah Alice Elizabeth 
nat. 1698 of the Planting Neck, 1691; will dated 2.Abigail, 
nat. 1677. 1762; Mayor of the | July 3, 


Borough of West- 1728, ob. 
chester, A.D. 1734. | Ji une 2, 1813. 


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THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 447 


co-heiress of John Richardson, (one of the joint patentees,) became pos- 
seessed of a large portion of the Neck. By his last will dated 


“16th of April, 1676, Gabriel Leggett of the West Farms, bequeathed to his 
wife Elizabeth, all his household goods, &c., &c. To his son John, all his house 
and out-houses, orchard, land and the meadows in the Planting Neck, and the 
meadow, &c., also that messuage and tenement which Thomas Williams dwells 
upon, and was formerly my father-in-law’s, John Richardson, his now dwelling 
house, and orchard and out houses with the land and meadow which I bought 
of John Ferguson, Sen., and Robert Manning, together with fifty acres of wood 
land, lying within the bounds of the patent of West Farms, &c. ‘I say to my 
son Thomas,’ to his son William one hundred acres of woodland, and five acres 
of meadow, lying behind the field, within the bounds of the patents of West 
Farms together with all the undivided meadow, as also my house and house lot, 
with an orchard thereon, lying in the town of Westchester. To his daughter 
Martha, he bequeathed his little colored boy ; to his daughters Mary, Sarah, Alice 
and Elizabeth, twenty pounds each.”4 


John Leggett, the eldest son of the above testator, was the great 
grand-father of the late Thomas Leggett. The following incidents are 
related of Mr. Leggett, whose activity, energy and fearlessness of 
character are well known. 

While a youth, at the commencement of the revolutionary war, he was 
living with his father on the farm adjoining Morrisania. All he pos- 
sessed at this time was a very fine young mare, the gift of his parent. 
Prior to Colonel De Lancey’s taking possession of his father’s house, a 
party of British refugees took, with other property, his favorite animal, 
whilst he, being unarmed, could only bluster and threaten. He refused, 
however, to leave them, and actually accompanied the robbers two miles 
on their route to head-quarters. As the party were passing the spot 
which now makes the southern entrance to West Farms, two Continen- 
tal soldiers rose up from behind a stone wall and fired. The man lead- 
ing the mare was shot, and fell; the mare turned round and ran home- 
wards, to the great delight of the owner, who immediately followed. 
Soon after this event the family, driven from home, were compelled to 
seek shelter elsewhere. Mr. Leggett and his two brothers went to Sara- 
toga; here they cleared a small piece of land, erected a log house, and 
prepared to spend the winter. But on the approach of Burgoyne, they 
were taken prisoners by the Indian allies. His two brothers were car- 
ried to Fort Edward by the Indians, whilst he himself was conveyed to 
Burgoyne’s camp. Herehe fell in with a neighbor named Concklin, 
who, after a fortnight’s detention, forged a pass for both. By this means 


a Surrogate’s office, N. Y. Lib. ii. 24. 


448 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


the sentinels were deceived. Our heroes swam the north river, (it was 
the early part of October,) and ran all that night. The next day they 
concealed themselves in the woods, and the following night kept on 
their way, avoiding all habitations of note. Not knowing the state of 
parties in the country, they skulked from one place to another until they 
reached Dutchess county,where Concklin was known. Here, they rested 
themselves and obtained food. Soon after the treaty of peace, Mr. Leg- 
gett removed to New York. He died October roth, 1843. His chil- 
dren were Samuel, Joseph, Willam H. and Thomas, besides several 
daughters. 

Opposite the residence of the late Edward G. Faile, Esq., on this 
neck, a rural lane led south-west to Morrisania. It was called La- 
Fayette’s Lane, to commemorate the journey of that General, who 
passed through it on his way to Boston. 

On the west side of the Planting Neck lies the debatable territory 
already alluded to. 

In 1740 Lewis Morris and Isabella, his wife, conveyed to James 
Graham, father of the latter, the following leasehold property :— 


‘« All that certain tract of land being part of the manor of Morrisania, situate 
lying and being in the county of Westchester, in the Province of New York 
aforesaid, beginning at the mouth of a small brook or run of water commonly 
called or known by the name of Wigwam Brook, but by some falsely called 
Sackwrahung: it being the first brook to the westward of an isthmus or neck of 
land known by the name Jeafferd’s Neck, and from the mouth of the said brook, 
where it falls into the salt water, running as the said brook runs to the head 
thereof, which being measured in a straight line north eight degrees thirty min- 
utes more easterly, is forty and three chains running east, thirty-four degrees 
northerly to Bound Brook; thence down the said Bound Brook, as it runs to 
the mouth thereof, where it falls in a salt-water creek that runs by the house 
of Gabriel Leggett; then along the said creek as it runs into the Sound to the 
eastward of the said Jeajferd’s Neck; then along the Sound to the mouth of a 
salt creek that runs up to Wigwam Brook; thence along up the said salt creek as 
it runs to the mouth of Wigwam Brook, whence it first began, including the 
said Jeafferd’s Neck, with the hammock, meadows and marshes thereunto adjoin- 
ing and belonging, being bounded to the westward by the said Wigwam Brook 
and the salt creek before mentioned that runs up to it to the northward, partly by 
the lands of Morrisania and the salt creek that runs by the house of the said 
Leggett to the eastward, partly by the said Bound Creek, and partly the salt 
creek aforesaid that runs by the house of Leggett, and to the southward by the 
Sound that divides Long Island, or the Island of Nassau, from Connecticut, etc. : 
the grantee paying therefore yearly, on the 25th of March, siz ears of Indian 
corn, &c.” 


James Graham was an alderman of New York in 1680 and 1681. In 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 449 


1683 he was appointed Recorder, and was the first who held that office. 
He afterwards was appointed Attorney General of this province, His 
subsequent career in public life was of the most prominent character, 
having filled several high Legislative stations in this city and Province. 
He removed in the later years of his life to the estate of Mr. Morris at 
Morrisania which he took on lease and where he dispensed his hospitali- 
ties on a magnificant scale. He died in the year 1701, leaving six chil- 
dren, by his wife Elizabeth Windebane, of New York.4 

From Austin Graham this property passed to the Leggetts, who have 
sold various portions to Mr. Dater, Mr. Dennison and others. 

Rose Bank, the charming seat of Mr. William H. Leggett, is situated 
near the entrance of /effera’s Meck, on the banks of the East River, the 
waters of which appear spread out into a vast lake. 

The view in front of the house embraces Riker’s Island, the Two 
Brothers, (called in the Dutch “* Gesellen,”) the entrance of the Gate, 
and the distant shores of New York city, &c’ In the Graham mansion, 
which formerly stood on the site of Mr. Leggett’s farm house, Major 
Bearmore, a British officer, was surprised by Colonel Armand of the 
French cavalry. ‘‘ November 7th, 1779, (says General Heath,) at night, 
Colonel Armand proceeded with his corps from near Tarrytown to the 
vicinity of Morrisania, to the house of Alderman Leggett, where he sur- 
prised and took Major Bearmore and five other prisoners. The secresy, 
precaution, gallantry and discipline exhibited by the colonel and his 
corps on this occasion did them much honor. In the capture of Major 
Bearmore, the inhabitants of the adjacent country were relieved from the 
frequent excursions of a troublesome officer.” The destruction of the 
old house took place under the following circumstances: Col. Fowler, 
of the British army, who nad dispossessed the Graham family, and made 
it his own quarters, invited all the officers and gentry in the neighborhood 
to dine with him, preparatory to his change of quarters. The company 
were assembled, and all seemed gay and happy. The more youthful of 
both sexes were wandering about the lawn, enjoying the beauty of the 
prospect, when a servant, (one of Mr. Grahams slaves,) announced the 
important fact, ‘‘ Dinner is on the table.” All turned their faces to the 
banqueting room, but before any one entered the door, there was a cry 
of fire heard. Col. Fowler seemed to think the dinner was more import- 
ant than the building; he ordered everything removed from the table, 
the gentlemen assisting, and in a few minutes the table and contents 
were removed to the shade of a large willow, where all seated them- 


a On the 18th of July, 1884, a license of marriage was issued of the Prov. Sec. Office, N. Y. 
for James Graham and Elizabeth Win:Jebank, N. Y. Col. MS4+., xxxiii, part ii., p. 2, arms of © 
Windebanke ;{Haine’s Co. Wilts) az a chey betw. 3 falcous volant or. 


450° HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


selves, and appeared to enjoy the meal and the burning. The house 
was utterly consumed, with the contents, before the company separated. 
No effort was made to save an article not required for the better enjoy- 
ment of their meal. The same evening Col. Fowler conducted a ma- 
rauding party into the vicinity of Eastchester, where he was attacked and 
fell mortally wounded. Being brought back to the house of Cornelius 
Van Ranc, overseer of Mr. Graham’s farm, he expired that night. 
James Graham was a native of Scotland, and is found a resident mer- 
chant of the city of New York, as early as July, 1678; and a few years 
later, proprietor of lands in Ulster County, Staten Island, and in New 
Jersey. He succeeded Mr. Budyard as Attorney General of the Pro- 
vince of New York on the roth of December, 1685, and was sworn of 
the Council on the 8th of October, 1687. ‘ When the government of 
New England and New York were consolidated by James II., Mr. Gra- 
ham removed to Boston as Attorney-General to Andros, the odium of 
whose government he shared, and in whose down-fall he was committed 
to the Castle. He returned to New York in 1691, where his enemies 
assert that he insinuated himself into the confidence of Leisler and his 
friends, so as to procure their interest to be chosen member of the As- 
sembiy, of which he was afterwards elected speaker. He became, soon 
after, the mortal enemy of Leisler and Milborne, of whose murder he is 
charged, by his adversaries, with being the principal author. Thomas 
Newton, Houghten’s Attorney-General, having left the Province in April, 
1691, disapproving, probably, of the harsh measures of the government 
toward the State prisoners, George Farewell was appointed to act in his 
place ; but this appointment not being satisfactory to the Assembly, Mr. 
Graham became again Attorney-General in the following May. He was 
about nine years speaker of the Assembly, z.c. from 1691-1694, 1695—- 
1698, and a part of 1699, when the friends of Leisler being in a 
majority, the House voted a bill of Indictment, in the shape of a Re- 
monstrance against their opponents, and had the cruelty to request their 
speaker to sign it. To enable him to avoid this.unpleasant duty, Mr. 
Graham was called to the Council in, 1699. His public career may be 
said to have now closed. He appears to have attended the Council for 
the last time, on the 29th of July, 1700. He was superseded in Octo- | 
ber, of that year, as Recorder of the city of New York, after having 
filled that office from 1683, with an interruption of only two years, and 
was deprived of his office of Attorney-General on the 21st of January, 
1701, but a few days before his death, which occurred at his residence 
at Morrisania. His will bears date 12th of January 1700, and is on record 
in the Surrogate’s Office, New York, Lib. i., 95. He left all his property, 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 451 


share and share alike, to his children—Augustine, Surveyor-General of 
the Province, Isabella, wife of Lewis Morris, Esq.; Mary, Sarah, Mar- 
garet and John. The other members of the family consisted, in 1698, 
of one overseer, two white servants, and thirty-three slaves,” 


MANOR OF MORRISANIA. 


This Manor, formerly annexed in 1791 to the ancient Borough town 
of Westchester was, by an act of the Legislature, in 1783, added to New 
York county. Its name is derived from the Morris family, the first 
mesne Lords and patentees under the crown; the termination “ ania” 
being in general use in the latter part of the seventeenth century. At 
the period of the Dutch discovery, it was styled by the aborigines Ran- 
achque, or Raraque, an appellation which doubtless refers to some ob- 
ject peculiar to its geographical locality. The Indians appear to have 
resided principally on the shores of the East and Harlem River. Of this, 
the extensive “shell beds,” which are still to be seen, afforded conclusive 
evidence. Within a few years several Indian tumuli have been accident- 
ally opened in the vicinity of Governeur Morris's residence, and found 
to contain large sized skeletons of the Aborigines. The first grantee 
under the Mohegan sachems of Ranachque, Shahash, Panazarah, Wana- 
capun, Kneed, Taquamarke and Awarazawis, was Jonas Bronck; who 
in 1639, purchased of them two hundred and fifty morgen of land— 
about five hundred acres, for which he subsequently obtained a “ Grond 
Brief” from the Dutch authorities,? 

In 1639 we find the patroon of Bronck’s dand leasing a portion of his 
territory in the following manner :— 


‘** Appeared before me, Cornelius Van Tienhoven, Secretary in New Nether- 
land, in presence of the undersigned witnesses—Mr. Jonas Bronck from one side, 
and Peter Andriessen and Lourent Dayts from the other, who agreed together 
amicably in the following manner: Said Mr, Bronck shall show to the persons 
aforesaid a certain lot of land, of which he is proprietor, and which is situated 
opposite the river and the plain of Manhattan; in which lot aforesaid they may 
cultivate tobacco and maize, upon the express condition that they shall clear and 
cultivate, every two years, a fresh spot for the raising their tobacco and maize, 


a Documents relating to the Coi, Hist. of the State of N. Y., vol. iv., p, 847, edi 
O’Callaghan, M.D. He eee Sare by 1B. 
b See Col. Morris’s confirmation of Bronck’s purchase. ‘“ The land of Bronck 
under a kind of co-operative system which benefitted the hardy woodsman as well fel ie ea. 
terprising proprietor. As his axes felled the trees and his clearings yielded maize, he made 
both of them utile for men by advancing still further into the wilderness and building mills 
on the x =P Se ee i aa gi i biG In the Indian raids of 1643, his settle- 
ments were desolated.”—New York in the en es, by J. Barnitz Ba z 
the Harlem.—Sunday Times. fx hcg SA a ae 


452 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


and then the spot which they cultivated before shall return again to Mr. Bronck 
aforesaid, to dispose of according to pleasure ; they shall be further obliged to re- 
turn the field that they again surrender, that it is in proper order to be ploughed, 
and sowed with grain; this lot of ground they shall have the use during three 
years, for which Mr. Bronck shall have no other claim than that the land shall 
have been cleared and brought into a proper manner of cultivation by the dili- 
gence of Peter Andriessen and Lourent Dayts, who from their side shall be holden 
to accomplish their task. . 

2ist July, 1639. MAUNT JANSSEN, witness.” 


We find Jonas Bronck again leasing land on the 15th of August, 1639, 
to Cornelius Jacobsen Stoll and John Jacobsen.? 

Jonas Bronck must have died sometime prior to the year 1643, for we 
find his widow, Antonia Slaghboom, at that date married to Arendt van 
Curler. His descendants are said to be still numerous in the vicinity of 
Coxsackie, Green County, and Coeymans, Albany County, New York. 

“ His widow, Antonia Slaghboom, married Arent Van Corlaer, whose 
name became with the Indians the representative of justice and good- 
will; and their amity for ‘Corlear’ embraced all the Dutch, to whom 
they gave his name, ‘ Bronck’s, his land.’”’¢ 

By the marriage of Antonia Slaghboom, Bronck's land passed into 
the Van Curler family. In a letter to the patroon Van Renssalaer, 
dated, ‘“‘ The Manhattans, this 16th of June, 1643,” Van Curler says :— 


“T am at present betrothed to the widow of the late Mr. Jonas Bronck. 
May the good God vouchsafe to bless me in my undertaking, and 
pleased to grant that it might conduce to His honor and to our mutual 
salvation. Amen.” 4 


On the 30th of October, 1644, Van Curler obtained a “grond brief” 
for Bronck’s land from William Kieft, Director General. I cannot for- 
bear quoting an interesting sketch of this distinguished individual by E. 
B. O'Callaghan, historian of the New Netherlands :— 


** Arendt Van Curler was one of those characters who deserve to live 
in history. His influence among the Indians was unlimited, and in 
honor of his memory these tribes addressed all succeeding governors of 
New York by the name of ‘Corlear.’ He possessed feelings of the 
purest humanity, and actively exerted his influence in rescuing from the 
savages such Christians as had the misfortune to fall into their hands, 
of whose danger he might receive timely notice. On his marriage with 
Antonia Slaghboom, the widow of Jonas Bronck, he visited Holland, and 
on his return moved to the Flatts above Albany, where he had a farm. 
He was proprietor of a brewery in Beverwyck, in 1661. Being a cousin 


a Alb. Rec. 
b Alb. Rec. 


c New York in the Olden Time, by J, Barnitz Bacon.—Sunday Times. 
d O’Callaghan’s Hist. N. Y., 464. 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 453 


of the Van Rensselaers, he had considerable influence in the colony, 
where he was a magistrate to the time of his decease. He was one of 
the leaders in the settlement of Schenectady, in 1661-62, and in the 
surrender of New Netherlands was especially sent for by Governor Nicoll 
to be consulted on Indian affairs and the interests of the country gener- 
ally. 

“ He was highly respected by the governors of Canada, and the regard 
entertained for him by Monsieur de Tracy, viceroy of that country, will 
be best judged of by the following extract of a letter which that high 
personage addressed him, dated Quebec, 30th April, 1667 :— 


‘*« «Tf you find it agreeable to come hither this summer, as you have caused me 
to hope, you will be most welcome, and entertained to the utmost of my ability ; 
as I have great esteem for you, though I have not a personal acquaintance with 
you. Believe this truth, and that Iam, sir, your affectionate and assured servant, 


‘TRaoy.’ 


“Having accepted this invitation, Mr. Van Curler prepared for his 
journey. Goy. Nicoll furnished him with a letter to the viceroy. It 
bears date May 2oth, 1667, and states that ‘Mons’r Curler hath been 
importuned by divers of his friends at Quebec to give them a visit ; and 
being ambitious to kiss your hands, he hath entreated my pass and 
liberty to conduct a young gentleman, Mr. Fontaine, who unfortunately 
fell into the barbarous hands of his enemies, and by means of Mons’r 
Curler obtained his liberty.’ On the 4th July following, Jeremias Van 
Rensselaer writing to Holland, announces that ‘our cousin Arendt Van 
Curler proceeds overland to Canada, having obtained leave from our 
General, and been invited thither by the viceroy, M. de Tracy. In an 
evil hour he embarked on board a frail canoe to cross Lake Champlain, 
and having been overtaken by a storm was drowned, I believe, near 
Split Rock. In his death this country experienced a public loss, and 
the French of Canada a warm and efficient friend.’ ”4 


Upon the 15th of January, A.D. 1676, the following letters of admin- 
istration were granted unto Mr. Wiliam Beeckman of the estate of 
Jufirou” Slaghboom. 


‘Edmund Andross, Esq., &c. :— 


‘‘Whereas Juffrou Antonia Slaghboom, the widow and relict of Monsieur 
Arendt vau Curler, late of Schanecktade near Albany, is lately dead, and in her 
last will and testament did nominate and appoint William Beeckman, Sen., of 
this city, to be her executor, and the said William Beeckman having made appli- 
cation unto me for letters of administration upon the estate of the deceased,” 
&c., &c.¢ 


On the roth of July, 1651, sixteen years prior to his death, Arendt 


a O’Callaghan’s Hist. N. N. 322-3, 
b A title of distinction for a lady among the Dutch. 
c Surrogate’s Office, N. Y,, 261. 


454 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


van Corlear, transported Broncks’ dand to Jacob van Stoll, from whom 
it passed through several proprietors to Herman Smeeman. 


**992d of Oct., 1664.—Herman Smeeman of Comoonepan on the maine, sold to 
Samuel Edsall all that certain tract of land situated on the East river through 
Hell-gate, commonly called Broncks’ land, containing 500 acres.” 


This sale was confirmed to Edsall by royal patent the same year. 


NICOLLS’ PATENT FOR BRONCK’S LAND. 


Richard Nicolls, Esq., governor-general under his royal highness, James, 
Duke of York and Albany, of all his territories in America, To all to whom 
these presents shall come, sendeth greeting. Whereas there was a patent or 
ground brief heretofore granted by the Dutch Gov. Will’m Kieft, unto Avent van 
Curler for a certaine tract or parcel of land formerly in the tenure or occupa- 
tion of Jonas Broncks, commonly called by the Indians by the name of Ran- 
achgue, and by the Englisk Broncks’ land, lying and being on the maine to the 
east and over against Harlem town, having a certain small creek or kill which 
runs between the north-west part of it and Little Barnes Island, near Hell-gate, 
and so goes into the East River and a greater creek or river which divides it 
from Manhattoes Islands, containing about 500 acres or 250 margon of land, 
and including all the push thereunto annexed or adjoining, which said patent 
or ground brief so granted as aforesaid, bearing date the 20th day of Oct. 1644, 
was by the said Arent van Curler, upon the 10th day of July, 1651, transported 
and made over unto Jacob Jans Stoll, and upon the 19th day of December, 
1662, conveyed by Matthews de Vos, as attorney of Geertruyt Andries, the 
widow of the said Jacob Jansen Stoll, unto Geertrieu Hendrick, formerly the 
widow of Andries Hoppen, and by her upon the same day, (with the approba- 
tion and consent of Dirck Girrits van Tright, then her husband, ) made over to 
Harman Smeeman, who, upon the 22d day of October, 1664, sold and conveyed 
the same for a valuable consideration unto Samuel Edsall, late of this city, 
beaver maker, now for a confirmation unto him, the said Samuel Esdall, in his 
possession and enjoyment of the premises, Know ye that by virtue of the com- 
mission and authority unto me given by his royal highness, I have ratified, con- 
firmed, and granted unto the said Samuel Esdall, his heirs and assignees, all the 
aforesaid parcel of land and premises, with all the soil, woods, pastures, meadow 
ground, marshes, commonage, creeks, waters, lakes, fishing, hawking, hunting 
and fowling, within the limits before set forth, described, and all other profits, 
commodities and emoluments to the said parcel or part of land belonging or in 
anywise appertaining, to have and to hold the said parcel or part of land and 
premises unto the said Samuel Esdall, his heirs and assignees, unto the proper 
use and behoof of the said Samuel Edsall, his heirs and assigns, forever, render- 
ing and paying such duties and acknowledgments as now are or hereafter shall 
be constituted and established by the laws of this government, under the obe- 
dience of his royal highness, his heirs and successors. Given under my hand 
and seal at Fort James in New York, on the island of Manhattoes, the day of 

in the 20th year of his majestie’s reign, Anno Domini 166 . 
RICHARD NICOLLS. 


_ . ieee t> Mons, ov ame 
: eB Bat SS. So. RTECS 8 tere | cyan yet 


s o) *Pwect, Gy nto) ex 


—— ee 


ape user 
wie ‘onpatt rads be.) Lgheo te 
est — a2 Pace 


Mas cl 0 eb fear wi Lene 
‘ Ta a0 ‘ yf 3 ‘tae 


To face page 455, vol il 


PEDIGREE OF MORRIS, OF MORRISANIA. 


Arms, gu. a lion, rampant, reguardant or, quarterly, with three torteauxes, arg. Crest, a casvie in flames. 


William "ietaid of Tintern, Monmouthshire. 


= 
Colonel Lewis Morris, proprietor of the Tintern estate, Mary 
Monmouthshire, England; Emigrated to Barbadoes 


in 1662 ; removed to Morrisania, A.D. 1674. 


| 
Daughter_John Walters, of Piercefield, 
Monmouthshire, England, 


i 
Richard, Captain in the regiment_Sarah Pole. 
commanded by his brother Lew- 
is, first proprietor of Morrisania 


witllam proprietor of Denham, Wales, an officer_... 
in the Parliamentary service; died at sea, 


| 
Capt. John Morris, a distinguished officer in the Parliamentary_... 
service, A.D, 1651; this gentleman purchased lands in Bar- 
badoes ; lost at sea off Deal Castle, A.D. 1688. 


| 
Hon. Lewis Morris, proprietor of Morrisania, Isabella, da. of James Graham, 
first Governor of the Province of New Jer- attorney-general of New York, 
sey, nat. 1672, ob. May, 1646, ; interred at mar. 3d Nov. 1691; interred in 


Morrisania. the vault Morrisania. 


| | = 
John Morris of..Grizzle Wallace, witlam, of Lewis, of Richard of | | ey | 
Antigua, ob, descended of Antigua, Barba- Barbadoes, Hon. Lewis, Judge of the High Court_1.Catharine Hon. Robert Hunter,_.., BerPppeee 
gua, ’ BS 
1687. the ancient ob. 8. p. does ob. 1718. of Admiralty; also, one of the Jud- Staats one of the proprie- Fe buscar 
| Sas cS) 
family of the “jae of Oyer and Terminer ; nat. 283d | —2%.Sarah tors of New Jersey, So Fa 5! 
Wallaces of ept., 1698, ob. 8d July, 1762. will da- Gouver- and Chief Justice of gt, Es L 
Scotland. ted 19th Noy., 1760, No. 23, p. 426 neur, the same. Peace ae Get 
Surrogate’s office. Interred at Mor- | ' Pe 2 z. 
risania. | 2 3 
we | | | | | 
Rionard Thomas.Dorothy Valentine1.Eliz’th Keynell, Gen.Lewis Morris_ = Gen.Staats_Catha- Hon. itien’d_Sarah Be Rotlert Morris, a Judge of the "eS Robert Boggs 
William, ob. 8.p. Saddier Lt. Col. in | da. and heiress of one of the signers | & Long nat. rineGor- nat. 15th | Lud- 528 Court of Oyer and Terminer. of Halifax. 
John ee me Sener oe ie Declaration | ome Aug. donda.of Aug, low, ae | ee i | 1 
regiment eynell,ma,.1704, of Independence, 1728. Wm.,2d 1730, da. of B = = 2 op ay Soe 
ob.15 Feb. 115,’ Brigadier-Gew’l fh) 8 Harl of Hen- = 38 a RS aa TPT ek OAR ne Am na a ae aee 
Pee, ae Continentals Aberdeen. Ty. phy 30th Jan, doiph,alineal Feb.1748, Wilkins, 25 nat.10 Og- @LO72 
Lge cam en ie mac 1752, ob. 15th | descendant of ob. 2ist_ D.D. <1 Sept. den, B95 3 
pri, . Ro. Nov., 1816. the illustrious Oct., 1810. RB 1704, WEES 
| MBS Pockohantes, oe rohan 
oO 
et a Welour CL ie fl 
$4 B 9 o 7 oe I 2 728° Lewis R. Robert of=Frances Mary—Brigade Major Gouverneur Morris, 
ie 5B | 5 8 aS =e Fy Bog a Fordham Ludlum William Popham of Morrisania 
29 8 Seeeri8 aes Nl | l 
- E f a B fb se mee 5 3 5 Col.Lewis, aid_Anne Gen. _1.MissCox William_Miss Jaines_Helen Staats_Mrs.Rob- Com. Tyaie eae Catha_Thomas Mary_ Thomas Sau Hiten_aatn 
ee ih Tee So 5S p25 toGen.Greene | Elliot Jacob | _2.Miss Car- van erts entine Wal- rine Law- Law- Ruth- 
i=] B Ann) oP eb & eS rb we ob, | Pringle pen- Cort- ton rence rence erfurd 
3 = e oS ii = 2 Zo ae a i ter landt 
3-4 E Bla, i = hy William, of | 
Bp & 4 ne Saee 2fae 1848 Butternuts 
we @ 2 eaepsz7as ress 
Ba ris aX 5B pst nee & 
% Sag¢ Ema Sao. 
§ a peprgge S's 
ig QPS ‘eas 
foam negeetsl | | ee ELT a1 la a US ae tesa ] 
Col. Lewis liam Geo. Richard, Jacob Sabina=Robt. Mary=W.c. E Banad> 2O Dn pe it GpPoeHp> Habao bo Ge Tenr 
oe Ie srard W. of Richard V, of New Henry of 
ob. ob. of Pelham Bais Wayne ® Bessa BS. FI g £3 5 A FI ess Bg z piers FI New York York, ob. New York 
1g i SceR TS = BSlseles o Bas 2825 
SI Ca Ga 22! ge se ef Sas oF] il 
= BH @hQeeNer Ste ey? ie geome le 
se iow ES ea loW) Sata Aan 
co ow—y—geese Og BO! ee 284 
5 on seres ee mG eae wes 
a os Somh ae Sc SZ5 S55 
2 ae os Ya a aa i wes =& =< 5 
3 © ct eonRe ta ° omc D~ Syne 
> Re 45 se Page gts) (= ao £2aa 
° os PoRRe >; Lam BEARS) S BE 
a Of ae 7 ne eS as ioe fee 
- SE = Vee ee 2 
| | | awl ] ] 
James van Augustus Freder- Richard Robert R. Witham iH. Catharine= A. H. Stevens Ma Helen= Ri p isa= 
Cortlandt ick van Cortlandt Lewis,M.D. M.D. HY ie oat A ES es cig eee ag ee 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 455 


The next possessor of Bronck’s land was Captain Richard Morris, 
who must have purchased of Edsall, cir. 1670. Mr. Sparks says that 
there was a contract dated the 1oth of August, 1670, in which Richard 
is styled “a merchant in New York,” and Lewis, his brother, ‘a mer- 
chant in Barbadoes.”* “Tt follows,” remarks Dunlap, “that Richard 
was in Barbadoes in 1670, and contracted to come on to New York to 
purchase this grant of J/orrisania for himself and brother, Lewis, who 
was to follow and settle on it; but that he did not come until the peace 
of 1674, when he found the son of his brother an orphan, took him 
under his protection, and built at Morrisania.”? 

The Morris family are originally of Welch origin and of great anti- 
quity, being lineally descended from “ Rys, sometimes called Rice Fitz- 
gerald, brother to Rhys Prince of Geventland, which Rys or Rice Fitz- 
gerald was settled in Monmouthshire.” “In 1171 Rice united with 
Strongbow, Earl of Striquil and Pembroke, his neighbor, and landed at 
Waterford in Ireland, with two hundred Knights and one thousand 
archers, having been thereto authorized and encouraged by Henry IL., 
King of England and subdued the greatest part of that kingdom—which 
extensive conquests occasioned the king to interfere and call them back, 

nd giving them some indemnification, appropriated their conquests to 
the English crown.” 

“For his warlike achievments Rys, the companion of Strongbow, was 
for pre-eminence called Maur Rys, or Maur Rice, ie, the great Rys or 
Rice. The word mawr or maur in Welch signifying great, and his de- 
scendants dropping the name of Fitzgerald for this, ever after thought it 
an honor toretain that addition; and thus the name became Mawr Rys, 
or Maurise, and finally Morris.” 

About the middle of the fifteenth century a younger brother of the 
family of this first Maurice, (still settled in Monmouthshire,) who was 
named William, bore a commission in the army, and married a lady 
of good fortune in Devonshire where he settled and had several 
sons.° 

“One of the descendants in 1623—Sir William Morrice—as it was 
then corruptly spelt, settled in Cornwall. In the year 1635 the elder 
branch of the family, the lineal descendants of the first Morris, still re- 


a Articles of agreement were entered into between the two brothers, that if either of them 
died without issue, the survivor, or issue of tue survivor, if any, should take the estate. 


b Dunlap’s Hist. of N. Y , Vol. I , 272. 


ce Account of the family of Morris compiled by Valentine Morris in 1790, the original MSS. 

is in the possession of Harry M. Morris of New York. Among the unprovided brethren of St. 

David’s College, Pembrokeshire, in 1553, was Lewis Morris, one of the ministers who received 

a pension of £6 13.—Hist. of St. David’s Cathedral, by Broun Willy. Thearms of Rhys—ap— 

Tewdrur - Mawr, (Priuce of Wales in 1077,) were gu. or lion, rampant within a bordure, in- 
dented, or. 


456 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


maining in Monmouthshire, consisted or three brothers—Lewis, William 
and Richard,¢ sons of Col. Lewis Morris. 

Lewis, the eldest son, who inherited the paternal estate of Tintern,” _ 
embarked for the West Indies as early as 1633, (according to the Eng- 
lish State papers,) in the service of the New Providence Company. He 
also commanded a troop of horse in the Parliament army against Charles 
First for which the king afterwards confiscated his estates in Monmouth- 
shire. In return for his losses Oliver Cromwell subsequently idemnified 
him. At the attack upon Chepstow Castle, which was defended by Sir 
Nicholas Kemys, “the king’s general,” Lewis Morris was the second in 
command. After an obstinate resistance the garrison was reduced by 
cutting off the supply of water which ran through the estate of Peirce- 
field* then owned by Col. Morris’s son-in-law, John Walters, and setting 
fire to the castle. From this circumstance the family assumed as their 
crest a castle in flames with the following motto: ‘“¢andem vincitur,” 
at length he is conquered. 

It is a little curious that in the memoirs of Edmund Ludlow, Esq., 
an incident of the same character, and relating to a Mormis, is said to 
have taken place at Pomfret Castle :— 


‘*This place was seized by some of the king’s party, and was besieged by the 
country, assisted by some of the army; Sir Hugh Cholmely commanding at the 
siege: but the army, finding little progress made therein, ordered Col. Rains- 
boro with more forces thither, appointing him to command in the room of Sir 
Tiugh Cholmely. Whilst he was preparing for that service, being at Doncaster, 
ten or twelve miles from Pomfret, with a considerable force in the town, a party 
of horse dismounting at his quarters and going up as friends to his chamber, 
under pretence of having business with him, seized him first, and upon his 
refusal to go silently with them, murdered him. After his death, another com- 
mander being appointed to carry on the siege, those in the castle were reduced 
to such extremities that some of the most desperate of them resolved, together 
with the governor, one Morris, who had been a page to the Earl of Stafford, to 
endeavor the breaking through our forces on horseback, which they attempted ; 
and, though most of them were beaten back to the castle by the besiegers, yet 
this Morris made his way through, but was afterwards taken as he passed 
through the country, in the disguise of a beggar, and carried to York, where he 
was arraigned before Justice Thorpe, and, being found guilty of treason, was 
executed for the same,”4 


a Acc. of the family of Morris by Valentine Morris, 1790. ‘ ' 

b 'fhis property now beloags to Johu Curre, Esg., who obtained it by a marriage with a 
Fielding, which family got it from the Dukes of Beaufort, descendants of the Marquis of Wor- 
ye mel to whom Charles First gave it, having taken it from old Lewis Morris under for- 

eiture. 

¢ Piercefield, two miles west of Chepstow, was long the property of the Walters family till 
the year 1739 when it was sold to Coloucl Morris, father of Vaientine Morris, Esq., who after- 
wards possessed it aud to whose taste and liberality it is indebted for its chief artificial beau- 
ties and its long established celebrity.—“ Beauties of England and Wales,’’ by Rev. J. Evans 
and J. Briton, vol. ii., p. 134. 

d Rdmund Ludlow. sq. Londoa. printed for A. Millar (page 79) and D. Brown, both in 
Strand, and J. Ward ia Cornhill, MDCCCI. 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 451 


Timbs in his account of Pontepraet (Pomfret) castle, says: ‘In this 
castle, Colonel Morris struck the first silver coin of Charles II., who was 
proclaimed here directly after the death of his father.”4 

While resident in the West Indies he purchased a lovely estate on the 
Island of Barbadoes and was member of the Council of that island. In 
1654, an expedition having been fitted out against the Spanish posses- 
sions in those parts, a commission of colonel was sent to him by the 
Protector Cromwell ; but when the fleet arrived at Barbadoes in 1656, 
“he prized himself at so high a rate” that he demanded a present of 
100,000 weight of sugar to pay his debts, before he would consent to ac- 
company the fleet. He finally, however, consented and was present at 
the reduction of Jamaica; after which he returned to Barbadoes, and is 
said to have been interested in the purchase of St. Lucia in 1663. -He 
now openly professed the principles of the Quakers, and as one of their 
prominent members entertained the celebrated George Fox, at his seat 
near Bridgetown, when he visited Barbadoes in 1671, and signed the ad- 
dresses to the Governor and Legislature complaining of the persecution 
to which the Friends were subjected. Mr. Morris, himself, having been 
mulcted in fines to the amount of 16,193 pounds of sugar for refusing to 
pay church dues and minister’s money, and to furnish men and horses 
for the militia. On receiving intelligence of the death of his brother, 
Richard, he came to this country whilst it was in possession of the Dutch 
in the year 1673—and not after the peace of 1674 as erroneously stated 
by Dunlap and others. After visiting Barbadoes, for the purpose of 
winding up his affairs, he returned to New York in 1675 and settled 
here.” 

William Morris, the second brother, who had for his portion an estate 
called Denham held jointly with one Blethioyn, considered at that time 
to be worth between four and five thousand pound sterling a year, also 
joined the Parliamentary service, and took an active part against the 
king, when, (through his favorite, the Marquis of Worcester,) he at- 
tempted to enclose Wendswood Chase, Monmouthshire. Upon the de- 
feat of the popular party, William determined upon a sea-voyage till the 
storm should have blown over. Ee was subsequently lost at sea. His 
son, John, received a captain’s commission from the Parliament in 1651. 
Like his father, he also perished at sea off Deal Castle in 1688; his body 
was found under the walls of the Castle, and buried with military honors. 
His descendants are still numerous in the Island of Barbadoes. 


a Timb’s Abbeys, Castles and Ancient Halls of England and Wales. 

b Doe. Col. Hist of N. Y., Holland Doce. vol. ii. p. 619.—Euitors notes. 

e Lippincott’s Magazine, January, 1868, pp. 33-34. _‘*In the parish register of Barbadoes 
Parish, St. Michaells, 1678, Nov. 1st, John, ye son of William and Dorcas Morris.—History of 
Emigrants to America, 1700 to 1800, by Bouton, N. Y., p. 430. 


458 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


The following was communicated by William Penn to Samuel Car- 
penter and three other friends assembled at the old slate-roofed house in 
Philadelphia, February, 1700 :— 


“*Let me interrupt thee a moment, Samuel,” said Penn. ‘‘ Thou wilt remem- 
ber that Lewis Morris, the elder, served under my father the Admiral in the 
West Indies; he wassomewhat blamed in the Hispaniola affair, but his conduct 
at the taking of Jamaica in 1655, was much applauded, His association with 
my father led to an intimacy with myself, although he was many years older, 
and had its influence in inducing him to become a Friend. We corresponded at 
intervals till the day of his death, when it appeared he had bequeathed to me, by 
will, a negro man named Yaff, provided I should come to dwell in America. As 
Iam now fairly established here, I may readily obtain the servant by mentioning 
the affair to my young friend, Lewis Morris ; although a concern hath laid upon 
my mind for some time regarding the negroes, and I almost determined to give 
my own blacks their freedom. For I feel that the poor captured Africans, like 
other human beings, have natural rights, which cannot be withheld from them 
without great injustice, &c.’’4 ; 


Richard Morris, the youngest of the three brothers, held a captain’s 
commission in his brother Lewis’s regiment. Upon the Restoration he 
retired to the Island of Barbadoes, where he married a lady of fortune, 
named Sarah Pole. 

In the Parish Registers of Barbadoes, among a list of owners of land, 
hired servants, and apprentices, together with bought servants and 
negroes, occurs the name of “ Richard Morris, the owner of thirty-five 
acres of land, one hired servant, one bought servant and twelve negroes,” 

In a list of the Masters’ and Mistresses’ names, with what land, and 
servants and negroes they have, and also what christenings and burials, 
we find Mr. Richard Morris, owning a hundred and fifty acres of land, 
one man-servant, thirty-five negroes, and one man buried.°¢ 

Richard Morris was the first proprietor of Morrisania, in 1670; and 
both he and his wife Sarah, died in the Fall of 1672.4 Their remains 
were at first interred under the old Fort James on the Battery, but were 
subsequently removed to Trinity church-yard, by Richard Morris, father 
of the late Robert Morris, of Fordham. The following letter, addressed 


a Lippincott’s Magazine, January, 1868, p. 34, 

b List of emigrants to America 1700 to 2800, by Boynton of New York, page 467. In the 
same work occurs the following entries: **‘ Twenty Maij, 1635, transported to Virginia, im- 
barqued in the Speedwell, of London, Jo; Chappeli, Mr., being examined by the minister of 
Gravesend, of intirmatie, to the orders and discipline of the Church of England, and have 


taken the oath of Allegiance, RICHARD MORRIS, 19, &c.”’ 
Page 82. ‘A list of the names of the dead in Virginia near Aprill, last February, 1623, at 
ye plantacon aucr against James Cittie. RICHARD MORRIS, dead,” page 192. 


e Ditto, page 469. 
d Lewis Morris tells us in the preamble to his will, that his mother died when he was about 
six months old, and his father not long after. 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 459 


by the Secretary of the Colony of New York, to “Col. Morris, announ- 
ces the death of Richard Morris and Sarah his wife :— 


COLONEL LEWIS MORRIS AT THE ISLAND OF BARBADOES. 


New York, 291m Ootroser, 1672. 


Wortny Sir :—Since my reception of yours by William Shackerly, no oppor- 
tunity of conveyance to you hath presented from hence till this present. Al- 
though by the way of Boston, [ suppose you would sooner receive the sad tidings 
of your brother's decease—in whom as you have lost an only brother, so have La 
dear friend; I shall not insist upon many particulars relating thereto; our gen- 
eral letters arriving to you herewith I hope sufficiently inform you; yet I cannot 
but reflect upon the transitory condition of poor mortals, when I frequently call 
to mind in how little time God hath been pleased to break a family, in taking 
away the heads thereof ; first, a virtuous young woman in the prime of life, and 
then a man full of strength and vigor, inured to hardships, of whom there is re- 
maining but one poor blossom, of whom yet there may be great hope with your 
kind friendship ; for it is a lovely, healthy child, and was well at Harlem, where 
it is at nurse, and I went to see it yesterday. Iwas also at the plantation on the 
other side, when there was some public correction of two or three negroes, and 
breaking the necks of a mutiny among the white men by Mr. Gibbs, and through 
his vigilance it is now in good order. The crime of the negroes is reported to be 
so natural to them, which was both stealing and receiving stolen goods. 

Wortay sir, Your most dutiful Humble servant, 

The Governor presents you his MATTHIAS NICOLL. 

kind respects and service. 


“Letters of administration of the estate of Captain Richard Morris, 
brother of Colonel Lewis Morris, were granted to Mr. Matthew Nicolls, 
Mayor ; Captain Thomas De Lavall, Mr. Cornelius Steenwyck, Captain 
John Berry, and Mr. Thomas Gibbs, trustees, in 1672.” 


ist oF SEPTEMBER, 1673.—‘‘ The Worship" Orphan Masters of this city of New 
Orange are requested and authorized to summon before them the Curators of the 
estate left by dect Richard Morris and Walter Webley, and to require of them ad- 
ministration of that estate, and as soon as possible to make a report thereof.’ 


29TH SEPTEMBER, 1673.—‘‘ On the request made on behalf of Colonel Lewis 
Morris, pass and repass is granted him to come into this government, on condition 
that he attempt nothing to its prejudice during his sojourn.Ӣ 


The following order was issued to Lewis Morris in 1673 :— 


‘“The Governor having read and considered the petition of Lewis Morris re- 
questing in substance the guardianship of the minor child of his deceased brother 


a Surrogates Office, N. Y. Wills and administration, 1665 to 1683, No. 1, p. 173, 
b Doc. Col. Hist. N. Y. Holland Doc. 1657-1678, vol. ii, p. 95. 
¢ Doc. Col. Hist. N. Y., Holland Doc. 1657-1678, vol. ii. p, 619. 


460 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Richard Morris, and of his estate, without any exception, to be managed and 
administered for the behoof of said orphan child, further to enjoy the same 
privileges as are granted and allowed to the neighboring colonies of New Eng- 
land and Virginia, &c. 

It is ordered: 

‘*The petitioner is allowed to have the guardianship of the surviving orphan 
child of his deceased brother, the late Richard Morris; and granted such power to 
take into his keeping all goods, effects, negroes and servants, as belonged, in law- 
ful property to the said Richard Morris at his decease, on condition that he pay 
therefrom the deceased’s funeral expenses. But he shall, first of all, deliver in 
here a correct inventory of the property left by the deceased, to be recorded in 
the Orphan Chamber; which being done, the necessary letters of administration 
shall then be issued to him. With regard to the petitioner’s request to impart 
into this government, some necessaries for advantages and maintenance of said 
orphan and estate, the petition is allowed; provided it be done with such ships as 
are already here or will be permitted, and on paying such customs and public 
duties as are paid by other inhabitants. Regarding the request that he may have 
such privileges as are granted in New England and Virginia, by the proclamation 
dated last, the petition is refused and denied; being an inhabitant of 
Barbadoes, which consequently cannot be considered with the neighboring colo- 
nies of New England and Virginia. Moreover, the petitioner shall be at liberty 
to show where any property belonging to the plantation is lying, and then order 
will be given for its restitution to the right owner. And finally the petitioner is 
allowed to employ such substitutes and servants as in case of his living or dying, 
shall from time to time, with advice of the Orphan Chamber here, be deemed 
necessary for the greatest advantage of the orphan; on condition that the peti- 
tioner and his agents shail remain bound at all times to afford said Orphan Cham- 
bers due account, proof and balance of their administration. 

Dated Fort William Hendrick, this 11th October, 1673.4 


On the petition of Lewis Morris, that he may have a grant of the 
plantation of his late brother Richard Morris, for the benefit of his 
orphan child, with the cattle and other dependencies thereof, together 
with the guardianship of said child, &c., this is ordered :— 


That the petitioner be allowed the requested Bouwery, buildings and materials 
thereon, for the benefit of the Minor Orphan Child on a valuation made by im- 
partial arbitrators; in like manner the petitioner shall be at liberty to appropri- 
ate without any order, all the chattels which he can attach that have been re- 
moved from the Bouwery, on condition that they may be brought to the Bouw- 
ery and inventory delivered in; and whereas, since the surrender of the place, ° 
divers articles have been remioved hence by Walter Webly, it is herewith ordered 
that said goods be returned to the plantation for the benefit of the child, when 
the petitioner shall be granted letters of guardianship; the government will ap- 
propriate on account, the fat cattle—such as oxen, cows and hogs—on condition 
of being responsible for the payment of the orphan’s share. 

Dated Fort Willem Hendrick, this 17th October, 1673.4 


a Doc. Col. Hist. of N. Y., Holland Doc. 1657, 1678, vol. ii, p. 631-2, 
b Doc, Col, Hist. N. Y., Holland Doc. 1657, 1678, vol. ii, p. 627. 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 461 


Fourteen days afterwards we find the following order issued :— 


‘* Whereas it has been found that the two-third parts of the estate left by the 
late Richard Morris belong in real propriety to his brother, Colonel Lewis Morris, 
a resident of the Island of Barbadoes in the Caribbees, whose estate, Ly the Pro- 
clamation dated the 20th of September last, is confiscated for the behoof of the 
government; and it being therefore necessary that in addition to the guardians and 
tutors of the aforenamed Richard Morris’s surviving orphan child, someone be 
commissioned on the part of the government to regulate said estate. Therefore 
have I resolved to commission and qualify Balthazar Bayard to that end, as he 
is hereby commissioned and qualified to assume the said estate fcr the two-third 
parts thereof which belong to the government, with said guardians by name, 
Mess™ John Lawrence, Stephanus van Cortlandt and Waiter Webty, for the one- 
third part thereof inherited by them ; to adjust and settle the debts and credits; 
to sell the remaining personal property, and thereof to deliver into the Secretary’s 
office pertinent account and balance when order shail be issued what further dis- 
position shall be made therein. 


Dated, Fort WitLEM Henpriok, Ist of Nov., 1673.” 


Lewis Morris addressed the following to the Governor-General some 
time during the same month :— 


TO THE HONORABLE ANTHONY COLOE, GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF 
NEW NETHERLAND. 

Rienr Hon®4* Sir :—‘‘ Whereas departing on your pass from New Orange to 
Oyster Bay, and so to New Haven, I have recovered there some of the missing 
estate belonging to my nephew’s plantation within your jurisdiction; I therefore 
humbly request you to be pleased to grant me a pass to enable me to bring said 
property which belongs tomy nephew whois one of your subjects with the sloop 
belonging to my cousin’s plantation known by the name of Bro-.ck’s Land, or to 
New Orange, or to Oyster Bay, or to Sylvester’s Island; my affairs being such, 
your compliance herewith will oblige me to be and remain, 

Your Honour’s faithful friend, in the name and at the request of 
LEWIS MORRIS. 

Ordered :—The Petitioner is allowed to come hither in person; and to bring all 

such goods as lawfully belong to the Jate Richard Morris’s orphan child, also 


said orphan’s boat. 
This 30th Oct., 1673, by order of the Governor-General of New Nether!and. 


(Signed, ) N. BAYARD, Secretary.” 


Upon the 28th of February, 1674, Anthony Coloe, the Governor, ap- 
pointed two new guardians, or commissioners, for the surviving orphan 
child of Richard Morris, viz., Messrs. Dirck Van Clyff and Walter Webly 
with Balthazar Bayard, the already appointed commissioner, (in place of 


a Doc. Col Hist. N. Y. Holland Doc, 1657-1678, vol. ii. p. 650. 
b Doc. Col. Hist. N. Y. Holland Doc. 1657-1678, vol. ii. p. 664 


462 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


John Lawrence and Stephanus Van Cortlandt, excused,) to aid in regu- 
lating in the speediest manner the estate of the above mentioned 
Richard Morris, and to report the result to the Governor. 

In 1676, Lewis Morris, second proprietor of Morrisania, and brother 
of Richard, obtained the following letters patent : 


GOVERNOR ANDROS’S PATENT FOR BRONCK’S LAND. 


Edmund Andros, Esq., seigneur of Sausmarez, Lieut. Gow’nr Gen’l, under his 
royal highness, James, Duke of York, and of all his territories in America, to all 
to whom these presents shall come, with greeting: Whereas, Col. Lewis Morris 
of the Island of Barbadoes, hath long enjoyed, and by patent stands possest of a 
certain plantation and tract of land, lying and being upon the maine, over against 
the town of Haerlem, commonly called Bronck’s land, the same containing 
about five hundred acres, or two hundred and fifty morgen of land, besides the 
meadow thereunto annexed or adjoining, cotted and bounded as in the original 
Dutch ground brief and patent of confirmation is set forth ; and the said Col. 
Morris having made good improvement upon the said land, and there lying lands 
adjacent to him not included in any patent or grants, which land the said Col. 
Morris doth desire for further improvement, this said land and addition being 
bounded from his own house over against Haerlem, running up Haerlem river to 
Daniel Turner’s land, and so along his said land northward to John Archer’s line, 
and from thence stretching east to the land of John Richardson and Thomas Hunt, 
and thence along the Sound about southwest, through Bronck’s kill, to the said 
Col. Morris his house, the additional land containing (according to the survey 
thereof) the quantity of fourteen hundred, and the whole, one thousand nine hun- 
dred and twenty acres. Now know ye that by virtue of the commission and 
authority unto me given by his royal highness, I have confirmed, granted and 
given, and do hereby confirm, give and grant, unto the said Col. Morris, his 
heirs and assigns, the afore recited land possessed by him, and the additional 
land herein exprest, and bounded as aforesaid, together with the woods and mea- 
dows, both salt and fresh waters and creeks belonging to the said land and prem- 
ises, in his royal highness’s gift, with all and singular the appurtenances to have 
and to hold these said lands and premises unto the said Col. Lewis Morris, his 
heirs and assignees, unto the proper use and behoof of him the said Col. Lewis 
Morris, his heirs and assignees, forever. He continuing in obedience and con- 
forming himself according to the laws of this government, and yielding and pay- 
ing therefor yearly and every year, as a quit-rent to his royal highness, five 
bushels of good winter wheat. 

Given under my hand and sealed with the seal of the Province of New York, 
this five and twentieth day of March, in the eighth and twentieth year of his 
majesty’s reign, Anno Domini, 1676. ANDROSS. 
Recorded by order of the governor, the 

day and year above written. 
Martruias Niccorrs, Szc. 


a@ Doc. Col, Hist. N. Y. Holland Doc. vol. ii. p. 691, 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS... 463 
A confirmation from the Indians occurs on the 7th of February, 1684:— 


INDIAN DEED TO LEWIS MORRIS. 


‘**To all to whom this present writing shall come, doth witness, that we Sha- 
hash, Panazarah, Wanacapeen, Kneed, Taquamarke and Awarazawis, having 
formerly sold unto Jonas Broncks, a large tract of land lying and being between 
ye river commonly called Bronck’s river and Harlem kill, and more especially 
that tract of land that Colonel Morris stands now possest of, as his draught and 
ground brief bearing date in ye year 1675, excepting forty morgen@ of land that 
we sold Daniel Turner ye elder, being bounded on the west side with Harlem 
river, the aforesaid Colonel Morris his land, being bounded on the north side 
with the land of John Archer, beginning at Crabb Island, and running east or 
thereabouts, until it comes to ye corner tree of Richardson and Hunt, and so 
down to ye southward according to ye marked line until it come to ye bound 
brook between ye said Colonel Morris and ye said Richardson and Hunt, and 
from thence a.ong ye creek to ye Sound or East river, until you come to Daniel 
Turner’s land, that’s above mentioned, including the purchase of ye said Colonel 
Morris, that point of land called Nauasin, where formerly lived a Frenchman 
named Marcus Dossisway, all which parcel or tract of land we do for ourselves, 
our heirs, executors, administrators and assignees, fully and wholly acquit and 
discharge for ever, ye said Colonel Morris, his heyres, executors, and admin- 
istrators, of all and every part and parcel of ye residue of ye money that should — 
have been paid by ye aforesaid Bronck’s for the purchase of said land, declaring 
to the world that we acknowledge for ourselves, our heyres, executors, and as- 
signees, to be fully paid, satisfied and contented. In witness whereof we have 
hereunto sett our hands and affixed our seals this seventh day of February, 1684-5, 


in presence of us: 


SAMUEL EDSALL, Ye mark ~ TAQUAMARKE. 
Joun Basser, Ye mark O WANACAPEEN. 
Joun Manvron. 

Signed and sealed by AWANAWIS, Vitnessed by Lonee Ciassz, 

SHAHASH, and KNEED. a lady WasTOWANCETT, 

In presence of us, Ye marke of  AWANAwIs, 
Joun Ipenny, Ye marke of + SHanasu, 
Epwarp Harratt, Ye marke of © Kneep. 


JOHN EDSALL.. 


On the 25th of October, 1676, Colonel Morris purchased a large tract 
of land in East Jersey, consisting of 3,540 acres, which he named Tin- 
tern and Monmouth, after the paternal estate in Monmouthshire, Wales. 

The last will and testament of Colonel Morris bears date 7th of 
February, 1690. Although twice married, he left no issue ; his nephew, 
therefore, according to the agreement of 1670, succeeded to the estates, 
Upon the 15th of May, 1691, Henry Sloughter, Captain-General and . 


a A Dutch morgen measured a little less than two acres English. 


464 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER, 


Governor-in-Chief, “ granted letters testamentary to Lewis Morris, 
nephew to Colonel Morris, the executrix being dead.” 


THE LAST WILL OF LEWIS MORRIS. 

Whereas I formerly intended to have made my nephew, Lewis Morris, son 
of my deceased brother, Richard Morris, my sole executor; his many and great 
miscarryages and disobedience towards me and my wife, and his causeless ab- 
senting himself from my house, and adhering to and advizeing with those of bad 
life and conversation, contrary to my directions and example unto him, and for 
other reasons best known to myselfe, I doe make and ordaine my dearly be- 
loved wife, Mary Morris, sole executrix of this my last will and testament; and 

To the meeting of Friends at Shrewsberry, in Monmouth Co., 
five pounds current money of New York per annum forever, to be paid out of 
his plantation at Tinton iron works, to be paid on 25th March yearly. 

To Thomas Webley,# of Shrewsbury, 250 acres on the westermost part of his 
2,000 acres, lying between Swimming River and Hop River, Monmouth Co.,— 
he paying quit rent one half penny sterling per acre. 

To Lewis Morris, of Shrewsbury, one of his best mares in the woods, and £20 
N. York curr’y. 

To his nephew, Lewis Morris, son of his brother, Richard Morris, as soon as 
he attains the age of 21, the rest, residue, and remainder of his e’te; 7. e. his 
plantation and iron works at Tinton, with all lands, meadows, houses, barns, 
mills, runs and ponds, of water, water courses, rivers, woods, trees, orchards, 
gardens, all his negroes on that plantation, cattel, horse, kinde, swine, and all 
other creatures ; all household goods, utensils, moveables, immo’bles, bills, bonds, 
patents, books, of ac., debts belong’g to ye place, all profits, priviledges and ap- 
purt’ces; also one flat handled spoon, one small tankard, one salt cellar, one 
small sugar box all of silver, one small cabinet sealed up ;—wherein is four pearl 
necklaces, three or four jewels set in gold, and several other things of value; one 
negro woman named DGess,—which forementioned plate, cabinett, and negro 
woman, were his brother’s—unto which he adds all the children of said woman 
Bess, except one that is otherwise disposed of; 1 doz. silver spoons, one large 
tankard, one large tumbler, one small tumbler, and one (porringer, all of silver; 
all which last mentioned things he gives his nephew in lieu of some things that 
are lost and supposed to be embezzled by Walter Webley ; also £20 in silver cur- 
rent at New York, and ten guinneys, the whole given with this restriction and 
limitation, that he shall quietly and peaceably acquiess and submit himself wholly 
and absolutely unto every thing mentioned or to be 11’d in his will and t’t, and 
shall make no opposition or objection against the same, nor any part thereof, 
but to his power shall perform and fulfill all things whatsoever that on his part 
I have hereby enjoyned unto him ; otherwise, it is my final determination and re- 
sult, that if my said nephew, Lewis Morris, his h’rs or as’s, on any pretence or 
right from his father af’d, whether by partnerships with me or purchase, or any 
way else, shall at any time hereafter, either by himself or any other person or 
persons claiming from, for, by or under him or them, by any manner of way or 
means whats’r, make any demand or pretend any right, title or int’t to any part 


a This Thomas Webley was a nephew of Lewis Morris, 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 465 


or p’l of estate that now doth or may hereafter belong unto me, more than I have 
by these presents entitled him unto, then, and in such case, I do hereby revoake, 
nullifie and make void, all and every part of what I have herein before given and 
beq. unto my said neph’w, L. M. Andmy willis, that in case of any disturbance 
by s’d n’w cone’g the premi’s or any part or par of e’te, real or p’l, hereby, oth’se 
beq. and that my s’d dearly bel’d wife Mary M., her h’rs or as, shall thenceforth and 
then immediately enter into possession, have, occupie and enjoy all and co’n part 
and parcel of ye beforerecited premises, beq’ts and legacys given or to b’g,to my s’d 
n’w L. M., if he or any, under pretence of him, shall at any time molest my s’d 
wife, her heirs or assigns, in her or their peac’bl enjoy’t of whatsoever est’te, r’ 
or p’l, that is or shall be herein or hereby given and beq’d unto her or them, any 
thing herein con’d to the contr'ry notw’hst’g, only giveing unto him; and I doe 
hereby give and bequeath unto m s’d n L. M. the sum of ten pounds cur’t money 
of N. Y., to be paid unto him by my s’d ex’x, hh’s and as’s in full of my bequests 
and legacys unto him in case of any such disturbance or molestation as aforesaid. 

Item. I give and beq unto my hon’d friend, Wiliam Penn, my negro man 
Yaff, provided the said Penn shall come to dwell in America; otherwise the s’d 
Yaff is to serve my said wife equally with other negroes. Jtem. I give and beq 
unto William Bickley one negro girl named Maria. Jtem.. . . . to Wm. 
Richardson one negro boy named Jack. Jtem.. . . . to Sam’! Palmer one 
n. girl named Buckey. Jtem. I . . . unto my negro man Toney, the cooper, 
the sum of 40 shillings a yeare during his life, besides his usual accommodation. 
Item. . . . . unto my negro w’n Nell her ffreedom and liberty to goe att 
large wheres’r she shall please after the dec’se of my s’d wife. These two last 
beq’ts are with this restriction and limitation, that they yield all duty, full sub- 
mis’n and faithf’] obed’ce in all respect as becom’h dilig’t serv’ts tow’ds my wife; 
otherwise, they are to enjoy no benefit hereby, but their beq’ts to be void, as if 
never written or ment. Jtem. I g and b unto John Adams, of Flushing, h h and 
as’s, the sum of five pounds, which is due to me on his obligacon. Item. More- 
over, I g and beq unto my said nep’w, L. M., all my land and m’ws att Mattini- 
cott, on Long Isl’d, together with all the profits and privil’es adv’g thereof, to 
him, his heirs and as’s for ever, tog’r with one half of all my pewter and the one 
half of all my house linen for bedding and tabling that is on my plantation over 
against Harlem, and all my printed books, except such as my said wife shall 
please to reserve unto herselfe. Note, that these last bequests unto my s’d n’w 
L. M. are given and beq’d under ye same limitations and rest’ns with those 
legacys first above mentioned, and not otherwise. Item. I give and beq’th unto 
ye meeting of Friends, in the prov’ce of N. Y., the sum of six pounds per an- 
num, to be paid out of my plant’n ag’t Harlem afd, in the s’d prov’ce, by whom- 
s’er shall enjoy the same, according to my devise thereof, as hereafter appears, 
and on every 25th of the month called March, yearly and ev’y year forever, unto 
such p’n or per as shall be thereunto ap’d. 

Item. All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate and my plantation, r’l 
and p’s, where I now inhabitt, over against Harlem af’d, I give and beq’h unto my 
d’ly belov’d wife, Mary Morris, her heirs and as’s forever, the lands thereof, 
cont’g about 2000 acres best m or 1, tog’r with all houses, barns, mills, runns and 
ponds of water, water courses, rivers, orchards, gardens, trees, woods, negroes - 
of all kinds, cattell, swine, sheep, horse, kinde, and all other creatures and im- 


466 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


prov’ts whatsoever, as also all goods, household stuff and utensills, moneys, plate, 
and every thing else moveable and im’ble within doors and w’t that can be named 
or expressed, that now is, or hereafter shall be, in my pos’n or any ways belon’g 
unto the s’d pl’n, except what is here otherwise disposed of and beq’d. Item. I 
give and beq’h unto my said d’y bel’d wife all that my houses, land in N. Y. city, 
situate over against the bridge, unto all appurt’ces, profiitts and advant’ges what- 
soever thereunto belong’s, with all deeds, pattents, writings, bills, bonds, oblg’ions, 
and all things else whats’r, named and unnamed, belonging: Item. 
to John Bowne, of Flushing, one negro girl n’d Abba; is att old Thomas inte? 
Item. . . .  . to Miles Foster, one serv’ble negro boy, such as my s’d d’y 
bel’d wife shall appoint. Jtem. . . . . to Ric’d Jones, Wht, of N. Y., one 
negro boy or one negro girl, such as m b d wif shall appoint. Jtem. 

to William Bickley and to my n’w, L. M., all my right, t and int., in and 
to the ship Friends’ Adventure, as also all of my part of her profits and ad’ges 
by freight or ortherwise, to each of th eq’l alike part. Item. . . . . mys’d 
n’w, my gold seale and my negro man Yeabba; and whereas, I have beq’d unto 
ms’dn’w, L. M., all m E at the ironworks at T., with this expression, viz: (as 
soon as H s’] attaine to the age of 21 yeare), 49 as above written, I doe now re- 
voke ye s’d expression as to time, giving unto him, my s’d n’w, full power and 
auth’y to enter into and possess the s’d e’te, and ev’y part and p’l thereof, imm’ly 
after my decease, anything before above w’n to the contrary not’g, but under the 
same restrictions and limitations as before men’d, viz: by his conformity to the 
fulfilling of this my last will and testament; all the rest of my plate and money, 
silver and gold, I give and beq’h unto my dearly beloved wife. Lastly, I desire, 
author’ and app’t my trusty friends, Ric’d Jones and Miles Foster, of N. Y., 
John Bowne, of Flushing, Wm. Richardson, of W C’r, Richard Hartshorne, and 
John Hanes, of co of Monmouth, and Wm. Bickley of W’r co aforesaid, to be 
my executors in trust, and overseers to see this my will punctually perf’d and 
fulfil’d; and in reg’d to the remoteness of their abodes from one another, I do 
order and appoint that any three of them may act as they shall find needfull, 
provided Wm. Rich’n. Wm. Bickley, or Rich’d Hartshorne be of that number ; 
and for want of a 8d person in the co Monmouth, R’d Hartshorne and John 
Hanes may act there as they shall find cause, or may choose a 3d person to act, 
&e., &. 

And now, having thus disposed of that outward estate and substance that it 
hath pleased God to possess me of, I commit my soul to God, &c. 

In testimony whereof, I the s’d Lewis Morris, have hereunto to this my last 
will and t’t subscrib’d, signed and fixed my seal, at my plant’n over against Har- 
lem, in the p’e N. Y., this seventh day of this twelfth month called February, in 
the year 1690, in presence of Johannis Vermilje, Jan Tibout, Lamueert Zoches, 
David Lillies, marks of Susannah Roberts—Wm. Bickley. 


The above will shows plainly that “ Colonel Lewis Morris was by con- 
viction a Quaker, and apparently remained a Friend to the day of his 
death; for he bequeathes five pounds to the meeting of Friends at Shrews- 
bury, and likewise gives his negro man, Yaff, to his honored friend 
William Penn, provided the said Penn shall come to reside in America. 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 467 


It is probable that Penn eventually received Yaff, and that it is he of 
whom Penn says, (in his letter to Logan from London, April rst, 1703,) 
“T have resolved after four years faithful service he shall be free..”  A\- 
though Janney, in his excellent life of Penn, says there is evidence that 
Yaff was an African, he (Janney) being unaware of the preceding facts. 


By THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. 


Whereas, Lewis Morris, gent., administrator of the goods, rights and 
credits of Lewis Morris, deceased, is obliged to make and exhibite a 
true and perfect inventory of all and singular the goods, rights and credits 
of the said dece’sd, into the Surveyor’s office of this province. These 
are to authorize and impower you, Stephanus V. Cortlandt, Nicholas 
Bayard, John Pell and William Richardson, to make a true and faithful 
appraisement of the goods, rights and credits aforesaid, according to the 
best of your knowledge and discretion; and for so doing, this shall be to 
you a sufficient warrant. Dated at Fort William Henry, the 23rd of 


October, 1691. 


Richard Ingoldsby to Stephanus Van Cortlandt, Nich Bayard, John Pell and 
William Richardson, Lewis Morris, inventory. A true inventory of all and 
singular the goods, chattels and credits of Coll. Lewis Morris, deceased, appraised 
at the plantation, the day of 1691, by Coll. Stephanus Van Cort- 
landt, Coll. Nicholas Bayard, John Pell and William Richardson, Esq., by virtue 
of a warrant to them directed, under the hand of the Commander-in-Chief and 
seal of the prerogative office, bearing date the day of October, Anno 1691, 
and exhibited in the surveyor’s office, being the prerogative registry of this pro- 
vince by Lewis Morris, administrator of all the goods, chattels and credits of the 
said Coll. Lewis Morris, deceased : 


Imprimus, 164. 


Shop Goods. i 

£ 3. a 

386 Armes v. Alry, (vitriol) at 2s 6d, z - ‘ : 10 14 00 

8 pieces and 3 strouds, - ys : : bie 44 00 00 
8 tunn of iron at 14lb. p. tunn, . : : g 2 42 00 0 

30 yds. and # of black silk prunella, : P = p 10 15 00 

39 yds. lutestring, . : : : : : : 12 00 00 

8 pieces of 10 yds. bagg, Holland, 33 yds. in each piece, at 8d.. 12 00 

7 pieces white calicoes, at 20s. . : : : : 00 00 


200ib. white sugar, , 
16 pr. of women’s worsted hose, i 


coonwuaS 
io) 
cS 
i) 


16 pd. yarne, a ~ = “ 3 16 00 
1 case black hefted eee : : : E : 6 00 
10tb ginger, . : - = - ° : 2 00 


a Arms, (2ams) an old Dutch measure. 


468 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF 


GOLD. 
(169) 180 guineys, ; 
1 double guiney, : 
32 jacobuss, x 
6} ditto, : : P 
4} ditto, : : : : 
1 pistolle, 
2 double doubloons, 
5 pr small clasps, ° . ° 
1 bullett, 
1 plain piece, 
1 single tooth-pick, - 
1 double ditto, . : 
1 case ditto with small bodkin, 
2 bodkins, 
1 mourning ring, 
1 heart with lock of fan 
1 mash bead, - ° 


WESTCHESTER, 


. , > 


cont. in all 4 oz. 5 pwts. aan 5 grs. at 47. 138, 9d. per Oz. . 


Debts good and bad, 


112 bottles, four of them with syrup, and other odd things, 


WHEAT. 
540 bushells at 3s. A . . 
50 acres of wheat at 12s. . ‘ - = - 
Srook, Viz. 
24 oxen, 7 : . 
17 cows, ayes : . 
4 bulls, ° . . . ’ e ° 
8 year and vantage, : ’ : : ¢ 
5 yearlings, ; - . . - 
2calves, . . . . 3 
30 horses, mares aad colts, C s 
30 head of swine, - z 2 7 ? 
147 sheep, . 3 . ° : ° r 
(170) PLANTATION IMPL’TS. 


3 carts and 1 pr timber wheels, 

1 sloop and yall, . : : F 

1 yall and pinnace, - ; 
12 lb deer suett at 6d. . - : 


[=i l= i i —) 


1919 0 
2194 0 O 


£3661 13 10 
na: ls 


81 


for) a 
aoocowodeo 


i) 


20 


10 


— 
aoconnrvcoonao 


— 


acco 


oo o.co ooc © 


oo oo 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 469 


Hangings of the lodging rooms, three old cabbinetts for al. toois 


utensils for the farme and family, apparell not particularized, . 20.0: 0 
24 galls. refined molasses at 18d. . - . . : 116 0 
7 £41384 5 10 
N. B. Miss addition in folio 4, , 4 . . - ip 4)0 
£4149 9 10 
NEGROES. 
22 man negroes at 20/7. ° e . 440 0 0 
11 women at 152. - “ = = 165 0 0 
6 boys at 157. : . 2 : 909 0 0 
2 garles at 127. ° - - , 24 0 0 
25 children at 51. . ] ; 125 0 0 
‘£844 0 0 


3 box irons heaters, 
1 little letter box, 
Memorandum ; we finde in fol. the particulars by the appraise- 


ment to amount ir the sum of, . : : : : 195 14 § 
in fol. 2, : A - : : : : 38 0 4 
in fol. 3, : : é : : : : 107 18 3 
in fol. 4, F - - . ° . . 135 7 8 
in fol. 5, ; : : , , 5 : 98 12 5 
in fol. 6, : P ; 2 - - 3023 11 0 
in fol. 7, 472 11 0 
£4071 16 3 
Besides the negroes in fol. 7, more, ’ F : ; 814 0 0 
Appraised by us underwritten,’ 
More 17 doz. scissors at 33. Ppa A, Step. V. CorTLanpr, 
7 cwt. 1 qr. 9b. old lead N. Bayarp, 
at 30s. per cwt. EE GEG JOHN PELL, 


oe es Wma. RioHarpson. 
£12 11 0 : 
8. V. CorTLANpT. 
Exhibited the seventeenth day of February, 1691, by Lewis Morris, adminis- 
trator, &c., for a true and perfect inventory, &c., but under protestation of add- 


ing, &e., &e. L. MORRIS. 


Lewis Morris, heir of his uncle, Lewis, was born at Morrisania in 
1671, and appears to have been a man of extraordinary talents. Chief 
Justice William Smith informs us, that of all the members of the New 
York Assembly in 1710, “ Colonel Morris had the gaeatest influence on 
our public affairs. He was a man of letters, and, though a little whim- 


47° HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


sical in his temper, was grave in his manners, and of penetrating parts. 
Being excessively fond of the society of men of sense and reading, he 
was never wearied at a sitting till the spirits of the whole company were 
dissipated. From his infancy he has lived in a manner best adapted to 
teach him the nature of man, and to fortify his mind for the vicissitudes 
of life. He very early lost both his father and mother, as we have seen, 
and fell under the patronage of his uncle. Being a boy of strong pas- 
sions, the general indications of a fruithful genius, he gave frequent of- 
fence to his uncle; and, on one of these occasions, through fear of his 
resentment, strolled away into Virginia, and thence to Jamaica in the 
West Indies, where, to support himself, he set up for ascrivener.”* “As 
a proof of his boyish propensities, (says Mr. Dunlap,) we are told that 
when a pupil to Luke Copperthwait, a Quaker, Lewis, hid himself in a 
tree by which his teacher was to pass; and in a feigned voice, with great 
solemnity called upon Luke, (from above, of course,) and ordered him 
to go and preach the gospel among the Mohawks. Luke considered the 
bidding miraculous, and prepared to obey ; when, either by compunction 
of the boy, or other means, he was undeceived. After several years 
passed in the West Indies, the wanderer returned to Morrisania, and was 
received by his uncle with forgiveness and joy. To settle him for life, 
the uncle brought about a marriage between Lewis and Miss Graham,? 
a fine lady, (continues Mr. Smith,) with whom he lived above fifty years, 
in the possession of every enjoyment which good sense and polite man- 
ners in a woman could afford.Ӣ 

Upon,the 8th of May, 1697, Lewis Morris obtained royal letters patent 
from King William the Third, erecting A/orrisania into a township and 
manor, to be holden of the king in free and common soccage; its lord 
yielding and rendering therefore annually, on the Feast Day of the An- 
nunciation of our blessed Virgin Mary, the rent of six shillings. 


THE ROYAL CHARTER. 

William the Third, by the grace of God, of England, Scotland, France, and 
Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c., to all to whom these presents shall 
come, sendeth greeting: Whereas, the Hon’ble Edmund Andross, Esq., Seig- 
neur of Sausmarez, late Governor of. province of New York, &c., by a certain 
deed or patent, sealed with the seal of our said province of New York, bearing 
date the 25th day of March, in the year of our Lord 1676, pursuant to the com- 
mission and authority then in him residing, did confirm unto Col. Lewis Morris, 
of the Island of Barbadoes, a certain plantation or tract of land laying or being 


a Smith’s History of N. Y. 
b Duniap’s Hist, N. Y., vol. i. 278. 
¢ Smith's Hist. of N. Y. 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 471 


upon the maine over against the town of Haerlem, commonly called Bronckse’s 
land, containing 250 morgen or 800 acres of land, besides the meadow thereunto 
anuexed or adjoining, butted and bounded as in the original Dutch ground brief 
and patent of confirmation is set forth; which said tract of land and meadow, 
having been by the said Col. Lewis Morris long possessed and enjoyed, and hav- 
ing likewise thereon made good improvement, he, the said Edmond Andross, late 
governor of our said province, did further, by the said deed or patent, sealed with 
the seal of our said province, and bearing date as aforesaid, we grant and confirm 
unto the said Col. Lewis Morris, for his further improvement, a certain quantity 
of land adjacent unto the said tract of land—which land, with the addition, 
being bounded from his own house over against Haerlem, running up Haerlem 
River to Daniel Turner’s land, and so along this said land northward to Joho 
Archer’s line, and from thence stretching east to the land of John Richardson 
and Thomas Hunt, and thence along their lands southward to the Sound, even so 
along the Sound about southwest through Bronck’s hill to the said Col. Lewis 
Morris’s house—the additional land containing (according to the survey thereof) 
the quantity of fourteen hundred and twenty acres, to have and to hold the afore- 
recited tract of land before possessed by him, and the additional land within the 
limits and bounds aforesaid, together with the woods and meadows, both salt, 
and fresh, waters and creeks, belonging to the said lands, unto the said Col. 
Lewis Morris, his heirs and assignees forever, under the yearly rent of four 
bushels of good winter wheat, as by the said deed or patent, registered in our sec- 
retary’s office of our said province of New York, &c.,—relation being thereunto 
had—may more fully and at large appear. And whereas, our loving subject, 
Lewis Morris, (nephew unto the said Col. Morris, lately deceased, his sole and 
only heir,) who is now, by right of descent and inheritance, peaceably and quiet- 
ly seized and possessed of ali the aforesaid tracts of land and premises within 
the limits and bounds aforesaid, hath, by his petition, presented unto our trusty 
and well beloved Benj. Fletcher, our Captain General and Governor-in-Chief of 
our said province of New York and territories dependant thereon in America, &c., 
prayed our grant and confirmation of all the afore-recited tracts and parcels 
of Jand and premises within the limits and bounds aforesaid ; and likewise that 
we would be graciously pleased to erect the said tracts and parcels of land, within 
the limits and bounds aforesaid, into a lordship or manor, by the name or title of 
the manor or lordship of Morrisania, in the county of Westchester ; and whereas, 
it is publicly manifest that the said Col. Lewis Morris, deceased, in his lifetime, 
and our said loving subject, his nephew and sole and only heir since his decease, 
have been at great charge and expense in the purchasing, settling and improving 
of the said tracts and parcels of land, whereon considerable buildings have like- 
wise been made; and our said loving subject, being willing still to make further 
improvements thereon—which reasonable request, for his further encouragement, 
we being willing to grant; and know ye, that we, of our special grace, certain 
knowledge, and mere motion, we have given, granted, ratified and confirmed, and 
by these presents do for us, our heirs and successors, give, grant, ratify and con- 
firm unto the said Lewis Morris, his heirs and assignees, all the aforesaid tracts 
and parcels of land within the limits and bounds aforesaid, containing the 
quantity of one thousand, nine hundred and twenty acres of land, more or less, 
together with all and every the messuages, tenements, buildings, houses, out- 


472 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


houses, barne, barracks, stables, mills, mill dams, mill howles, orchards, gardens, 
fences, pastures, fields, feedings, woods, underwoods, trees, timber, meadows, 
(fiesh and salt,) marshes, swamps and pools, ponds, waters, water courses, 
brooks, rivulets, baths, inlets, outlets, islands, necks of land and meadow, penin- 
sulas of land and meadow, ferries, passages, fishing, fowling, hunting, and hawk- 
ing, quarries, mines, minerals, (silver and gold mines excepted,) and all the 
rignts, liberties, privileges, jurisdictions, royalties, hereditaments, benefits, profits, 
advantages and appurtenances whatsoever to the afore-recited tracts, parcels and 
necks of land, and mill, within the limits and bounds aforesaid belonging, ad- 
joining, or in any way appertaining, or accepted, reputed, taken, known or 
occupied, as part, parcel or member thereof, to have or to hold all the aforesaid 
recited tracts and parcels of land within the limits and bounds aforesaid, con- 
taining the quantity of one thousand nine hundred and twenty acres of land, more 
or less, together with all and every the messuages, tenements, buildings, houses, 
out-houses, barns, barracks, stables, mills, mill dams, mill houses, orchards, gar- 
dens, fenees, pastures, fields, feedings, woods, underwoods, trees, timber, 
meadows, fresh and salt, marshes, swamps, pools, ponds, waters, water courses, 
brooks, rivers, rivulets, streams, creeks, coves, harbors, bridges, baths, strands, 
inlets, outlets, islands, necks of land and meadow, peninsulas, land and meadow, 
ferries, passages, fishing, fowling, hunting and hawking, quarries, mines and 
minerals, (silver and gold mines excepted, ) and all the rights, liberties, privileges, 
jurisdictions, royalties, hereditaments, tolls, and benefits, profits, advantages, and 
appurtenances whatsoever, to the afore-recited tracts, parcels and necks of land 
and mill within the limits and bounds aforesaid, belonging, adjoining, or in any 
appertaining or accepted, reputed, taken, known unto him, the said Lewis Morris, 
his heirs and assignees, to the sole and only proper use benefit and behoof of him 
the said Lewis Morris, his heirs and assignees forever, and moreover; that if our 
further special grace, certain knowledge, and mear motion, we have brought it 
according to the reasonable request of our said loving subject to erect all the 
afore-recited tracts and parcels of land and premises within the limits and bounds 
aforesaid into a lordship and manor; and therefore, by these presents, we do, for 
us, our heirs and successors, erect, make and constitute all the afore-recited 
tracts apd parcels of land within the limits and bounds afore-mentioned, together 
with all and every the above granted premises, with all and every their appur- 
tenances, unto one lordship or manor, to all intents and purposes, and ’tis our 
royal will and pleasure, that the said Jordship and manor shall from henceforth 
be called the lordship or manor of Morrisania ; and know yee, that we reposing 
especial trust and confidence in the loyalty, wisdom, justice, prudence, and cir- 
cumspection of our said loving subjects, do, for us, our heirs and successors, give 
and grant unto the said Lewis Morris, and to the heirs and assinees of him the 
said Lewis Morris, full power and authority at all times forever hereafter, in the 
said Jordship or manor, one court-leet, and one court-barron, to hold and keep at 
such time and times, and so often yearly as he or they shall see meet, and all 
fines, issues and amerciaments, at the said court-leet and court-barron, to be 
holden within the said lordship or manor, to be set, forfeited or employed, or pay- 
able, or happening at any time to be payable by any of the inhabitants of or in 
the said lordship or manor of Morrisania, or the limits and bounds whereof, and 
also all and every of the power and authority therein-before mentioned, for the 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 473 


holding and keeping the said court-leet and court-barron from time to time, and 
to award and issue out the said accustomary writs, to be issued and awarded out 
of the said court-leet and court-barron, to be kept by the heirs and assinees of the 
said Lewis Morris, forever, or their or any of their stewards deputed and appoint- 
ed with full and ample power and authority to distraine for the rents, services, 
and other sums of money, payable by virtue of the premises and all other lawful 
remedies and means, for the having, possessing, recovering, levying and enjoying 
the premises, and every part and parcel of the same, and all waifes, estrages, 
meeks, deododans, goods or felons, happening and being forefeited within the 
said lordship or manor of Morrisania, and all and every sum and sums of money 
to be paid as a post fine, upon any fine or fines to be levyed, of any bounds, tene- 
ments or hereditaments within the said lordship or manor of Morrisania, together 
with the advowson and right of patronage, and all and every the church and 
churches erected or established, or thereafter to be erected or established within 
the said manor of Morrisania, and we do also give and grant unto the said Lewis 
Morris, his heirs and assinees, that all and each of the tenants of him the said Lewis 
Morris, within the said manor, may at all times hereafter, meet together and 
choose assessrs, within the manor aforesaid, according to such rules, ways and 
methods, as are prescribed for cities, towns and counties within our province 
aforesaid, by the acts of General Assembly, for the defraying the public charge 
of each respective city, town and county aforesaid ; and all such sums of money 
assessed or levied, to dispose of and collect for such uses as the acts of the Gen- 
eral Assembly shall establish and appoint, to have and to hold, possess and enjoy, 
all and singular the said lordship or manor of Morrisania and premises, with all 
their and every of their appurtenances, unto the said Lewis Morris, his heirs and 
assinees forever, to be holden of us, our heirs and successors, in free and com- 
mon soccage, according to the tenure of our manor of East Greenwich, in our 
County of Kent, within our realm of England, yielding, rendering and paying 
therefor, yearly and every year, on the feast day of the Annunciation of our 
Blessed Virgin, unto us, our heirs and successors, at our city of New York, the 
annual rent of six shillings, in lieu and stead of all former rents, dues, services 
aod demands whatsoever, for the said lordship and manor of Morrisania, and 
premises ; im testimony whereof, we have caused the great seal of the said pro- 
vince to be affixed. Witnesse our trusty and well beloved Benjamin Fletcher, our 
capt. gen. and gov. in-chief of our province of New York, and the territories and 
tracts of land depending thereon, in America, and vice-admiral of the same, our 
lieutenant 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 8th day of May, in the 
ninth year of our reign, Anno Domini, 1697.4 


By command of his excellency, BEN. FLETCHER. 


Davin Jameson, Sect’y. 


The greatest part of the life of Lewis Morris, before the arrival of 


a Alb. Book of Pat. No. vii. 64 and 70. 


474 HISTORY OF THE CCUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Governor Hunter, was spent in New Jersey,“ where he signalized him- 
self in the service, both of the Proprietors and the Assembly. The 
latter employed him to draw up their complaint against my Lord Corn- 
bury, and he was made the bearer of it to the Queen. “In 1732,” says 
Dunlap), “a question was raised, whether Van Dam (who administered 
the government until the arrival of Cosby) should receive the whole sal- 
ary allowed to a governor, and the opinion of the Assembly was asked; 
but they declined giving an opinion, leaving it to the council, who con- 
sented that the warrants should be drawn for the whole. Cosby on his 
arrival and friendly reception by the Assembly, waited until their adjourn- 
ment, and then produced the King’s instructions to take to himself one- 
half the salary and emoluments, during Van Dam’s administration, 
leaving him one-half. Van Dam agrees, provided Cosby accounts for 


Autograph and arms of Lewis Morris. 


certain monies received by him, and shares with Van Dam such monies. 
Cosby refuses, and erects a court of exchequer to compel Van Dam to com- 
ply with his terms. Suits commence on their part, but Cosby appoints the 
judges. Van Dam denies the legality of the proceedings. Chief Justice 


a “ He was one of the Council in that Province. and a Judge of the Supreme Court there in 
1692. Upon the surrender of the government to Queen Aune, in 1702, he was named to be 
governor of the colony; but the appointment was changed in favor of Lord Cornbury, the 

ueen’s cousin.” ‘* Within the limits of Shrewsbury, (says Mr. Whitehead), Col. Lewis Mor- 
ris had extensive iron works, employing sixty or seventy negroes, in addition to white ser- 
vants and dependants.” ‘* The land (3540 acres) was granted to him Oct. 25, 1676. Full lib- 
erty was given to him and his associates, ‘to dig, delve, and carry away all such mines for 
iron, as they shall find or see fit to dig and carry away to the iron works, or that shall be 
found in that tract of land that lies inclosed between the southeast branch of the Raritan 
river and the whale pond on the sea-side, and is bounded from thence by the sea and branch 
of the river. to the eastward, to the Raritan river, he or they paying all such just damages to 
the owners of the land where they shall dig mines as shall be judged is done by trespass of 
cattle or otherwise sustained by the carting and carrying of the said mine to the work.”—Z. 
J, Records, B page 155. 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 475 


Morris declines to obey the Governor’s orders in the case, as illegal ; and 
is by him suspended, after serving twenty years unimpeachably. James 
de Lancey was appointed in his place.”* The following particulars in 
relation to this affair, are taken from the Carribeana, a literary periodi- 
cal purporting to be “written by several hands in the West Indies.” 
The reader will see, that the Chief Justice performed his part with great 
boldness and independence :— 


‘* Sir :—You will preceive, by the enclosed copy of a letter, that the Original 
was addressed to the present Governor of New York, on occasion of a new dis- 
pute that arose between his Excellency and the Chief Judge of the province con- 
cerning the establishment of a new Court of Equity. The Judge’s argument 
upon the question is very long, and, for aught I know, very learned. I shall not 
take it upon me to say whether his opinion is right or not; but certainly he was 
right in giving his opinion upon a matter of law that came in judgment before 
him, The governor, however, was offended at what was spoken, and demanded 
a copy, which the judge sent him, 77 print, with the letter now mentioned. 

I confess I had some curiosity to know the particular character of this extra- 
ordinary personage, who would seem to act and speak like an inhabitant of some 
other world. They tell me he is nothing but a man, and a plain man too; exactly 
like one of us—eats beef and mutton, drinks Madeira wine, and sometimes rum 
punch, as we do. His education was narrow, nor does he pretend to inspiration 
or any supernatural aid. His knowledge is derived merely from reading and 
observation, and his fortitude grounded on the Christian religion and the laws of 
his country, which he fancies are commonly on the side of honesty, and a good 
conscience. 

I would not be thought to propose this northern magistrate to the imitation of 
his brethren between the tropics. I hope and believe they will never meet with 
such trials ; and, if they should, I am persuaded they will be more polite than to 
copy after so coarse a pattern. I only meant to help out your next paper with a 
strange and wonderful occurrance, which may perhaps amuse your gentle read- 
ers as effectually as the accounts they have sometimes of hard frosts and huge 
whales, though they never see such things in these parts. 

Iam yours, &c., INDUS. 


To his Excellency, William Cosby, Esq., Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief 
of the Province of New York, New Jersies and territories thereon depending 
in America, Vice Admiral of the same, and Colonel in his Majesty’s army, 
&e. 

May it please your Excellency :— 

In obedience to your commands by F. M., Esq., deputy secretary, to send you 

a copy of what I read in the Supreme Court concerning its having a jurisdiction 

to determine causes in a Court of Equity, and a second message from him to 

give it under my hand; I send you not only what I read, but what I said on that 

head, as far as I can charge my memory. What was said, was spoken before a 

numerous auditory, among which were the grand jury for the City and County 


a Dunilap’s Hist. N. Y., vol. i, 295. 


476 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


of New York, and several other persons of distinction. I chose* this public 
method to prevent, as much as I could, any misapprehension; and what I said 
is as follows, viz :— 


[Here follows the judge’s argument against erecting a Court of Equity, and 
then he concludes with the remainder of his letter in these words, viz: ] 


This, sir, is a copy of the paper I read in the Court, and the substance of what 
I said besides on that head, as far as I can shape my memory. I have no reason 
to expect that either this, or anything else I can say, will be at all grateful, or 
have any weight with your Excellency, after the answer I received to a message 
I did myself the honor to send you concerning an ordinance you were about to 
make for establishing a Court of Equity in the Supreme Court; as being, in my 
opinion, contrary to law, and which I desired might be delayed till I could be 
heard on that head, I thought myself within the duty of my office, in sending 
this message ; and hope I do not flatter myself in thinking I shall be justified in 
it by your superiors, as well as mine. ‘The answer your Excellency was pleased 
to send by Mr. J. W. was, that I need not give myself any trouble about that 
affair ; that you would neither receive a visit or any message from me; that you 
could neither rely upon my integrity nor depend upon my judgment ; that you 
thought me a person not at all fit to be trusted with any concerns relating to the 
King; that ever since your coming to the government, I had treated you—both as to 
your own person and as the King’s representative —with slight, rudeness and imper- 
tinence; that you did not desire to see or hear any further of, or from me. Tam 
heartily sorry, sir, for your own sake, as well as that of the public, that the King’s 
representative should be moved to so great a degree of warmth, as appears by 
this answer, which I think would proceed from no other reason but by giving my 
opinion, in a Court of which I was a Judge, upon a point of law that came before 
me, and in which I might be innocently enough mistaken ; (though I think Iam 
not); for judges are no more infallible, than their superiors are impeccable. 
But if judges are to be intimidated so as not to dare to give any opinion but what 
is pleasing to @ governor, and agreeable to his private views, the people of this 

-province—who are very much concerned both with respect to their lives and for- 
tunes in the freedom and independency of those who are to judge them—may 
possibly not think themselves so secure in either of them, as the laws and his Ma- 
jesty intend they should be. 

I never had the honor to be above six times in your company in my life ; one of 
those times was when I delivered the public seals of the province of New Jersey 
to you on your coming tothat government ; another, on one of the public days, to 
drink the King’s health; a third, at your desire, to wait on my Lord Augustus 
Fitz Roy, with the body of the laws, to tell him we were glad to see him at 
New York; and except the first time, I never was above a quarter of an hour 
together in your company at any one time; and all the words I ever spoke to you, 
except at the first time, may be contained on a quarto side of paper. I might 
possibly have been impertinent, for old men are too often so ; but as to treating 
you with rudeness and disrespect, either in your public or private capacity, it is 
what I cannot accuse myself of doing or intending to do, at any one of the times 


a Printing his argument and letter, 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 477 


Iwas with you. Ifa bow, awkardly made, or anything of that kind, or some 
defect in the ceremonial of addressing you, has occasioned that remark, I beg it 
may be attributed to the want of a courtly and polite education, or to anything 
else, rather than the want of respect to his majesty’s representative. As to my 
integrity, I have given you no occasion to call it in question. I have been 
in this office, almost twenty years. My hands were never soiled with a bribe; 
nor am I conscious to myself, that power or poverty hath been able to induce me 
to be partial in the favor of either of them; and as I have no reason to expect 
any favor from you, so I am neither afraid nor ashamed to stand the test of the 
strictest inquiry you can make concerning my conduct. I have served the public 
faithfully and honestly, according to the best of my knowledge; and, I dare, and 
do, appeal to it for my justification. Iam, sir, 

Your Excellency’s Most humble servant, LEWIS MORRIS. 


And the Honorable Lewis Morris not only “resisted the tyranny of the 
English Governor Cosby ; but he dared manfully to stand by Zenger in 
defending the liberty of the press ; and became also the champion of 
the people against De Lancey, Philipse, and other supportors of royal 
prerogative ; a mutual antagonism, which in their descendants ran even 
into the American Revolution.”®» In 1773, Lewis Morris was elected a 
representative for the County of Westchester, in opposition to the aristo 
cratic candidate ; and in 1738, appointed first Governor of New Jersey 
as a separate province from New York. He was chosen a member of 
the venerable propagation Society in 1700, and took a very active part 
in promoting its interest. As early as September 14th, 1700, at a meet- 
ing of that body, held in London, a memorial was received from him, 
in which he speaks of the several townships of East Jersey, “‘as dis- 
tracted by almost every variety of dissent, but with little appearance of 
real religion among them.” He also suggests some measures which 
may conduce to the bringing over to the Church the people in those 
countries :— 


“ First. That no man be sent a Governor in to any of these Planta- 
tions, but a firm Churchman, &c. If possible, none but Churchmen to 
be in his council and in the magistracy.” 

“* Secondly. That Churchmen may have some peculiar privileges 
above others. This (if practicable) must be done by Act of Parlia- 
ment.” 

““ 7hirdly. That there may be some measures fallen upon, to get 
ministers to preach gratis in America, for some time, ’til there be suffi- 
cient numbers of converts to bear the charge; and I presume that may 
be accomplished this way: let the King, the Archbishop, the Bishops 


a See Lewis Morris's Letters to the Lords of Trade in 1733, N. Y., Col. MSS. London Doc. 
XXiv. pp. 951-955. 
b N. Y. in the Olden Time, by Y. Barnitz Bacon, Sunday Times. 


478 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


and great men, admit no man for so many years to any great benefice, but 
such as shall oblige themselves to preach three years gratis in America ; 
with part of the living let him maintain a curate, and the other part let 
him apply to his own use. By this means we shal! hav2 the greatest 
and best men; and in all human probability, such men must in a short 
time, have made a wonderful progress in the conversion of these coun- 
tries, especially when it is perceived the good of souls is the only motive 
to this undertaking. ’ ¢ 


About the same time he informs the Society that :— 


“The want of a Bishop, and exorbitant power of the several Gover- 
nors of the Plantations are great hindrances to the propagation of the 
Gospel.” 


The following extract is taken from his next communication to the 
Secretary :-— 


‘‘T have used some endeavors to persuade the Dutch in my neighborhood; into 
a good opinion of the Church of England; and have had that success, that they 
would, I believe, join, a great part of them, in the sacraments and worship, had 
they Dutch common prayer-books, and a minister that understood their language. 
Ihave taken some pains with one of their ministers, one Mr. Henricus Beyse, 
and have prevailed on him to accept of Episcopal ordination. I think him a man 
of the best learning we have in this part of the world, and I believe he may be 
ranked among the men of letters in the other, but I must acquaint you that he 
has had some falling out with his parishoners For my part I do believe he 
is most falsely accused, I have observed his life, and have found nothing in it 
irregular or unbecoming his character. The Dutch of best figure have a value for 
him, and allow him to be the greatest master of the Dutch tongue they have 
among them; and those in my neighborhood esteem him very much. If the 
Society think fit to employ him, I shall add to what they give, £15 per annum, 
for three years; and I believe he will do great service, and I doubt not you will 
find him worth your acquaintance and favor. If the Society would send about 
fifty Dutch common prayer books, I believe they would sell; and the money 
might be returned or paid to their missionaries, as they thought proper. This 
would be doing a great good, at a cheap rate. This, sir, is what offers at present 
from Sir, Your affectionate, humble servant, 
LEWIS MORRIS.? 


Colonel Morris was at this time one of the most influential freeholders 
in the parish of Westchester, and a liberal benefactor to its church. 
The small bell that formerly hung in the turret of the old parish church 
of St. Peters at Westchester was the gift of his bounty in 1706, and bore 
this inscription :— 

“LEWIS MORRIS, 1677.” 


a New York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. 106. (Hawks.) 
i b New York MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. i, pp. 159, 160. (Hawks.) 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 479 


His manor embraced a large portion of the parish, and contributed an- 
nually a small rate for the support of the rector and poor. The follow- 
ing extracts are taken from the vestry book of St. Peter's :— 


‘At a meeting held by ye Justices, Vestrymen and Church-wardens 
on ye 17th of January, 1708-9, it was ordered, yt the two church-war- 
dens for this ensuing year shall go to Mr. Morris to know if yt he will 
pay his arrearedges, or otherways to know if yt he will joyne issue with 
ye parish to try ye title whether his manor be in ye parish or not, and 
make return at ye next meeting.” 


At a meeting of the same body held the 24th day of January, A.D. 
1709-10, &c. :— 


“Tt being discovered amongst ye vestrymen, &c., yt some time since 
Mr. Lewis Morris, a principal free holder of this parish made some 
motion and overtures of erecting or building at his own proper charge a 
convenient seat, place or pew, in some suitable part of ye church in this 
town, for ye accommodation of himself and family; which generous 
offer was by some (tho’ a diminutive number) of the vestry rejected ; yet 
notwithstanding did conclude them all by a tame acquiescency to ye bare 
negative voices of but two of them, who not well weighing ye consequen- 
ces, nor seriously considering ye rationality of the offer, did refuse giv- 
ing ye liberty to that worthy gentleman; which ye vestry now met, 
having took into consideration, and seriously reflecting upon ye miscar- 
riage of ye vestry in yt particular, (which, indeed, did look a little better 
than black ingratitude,) have unanimously (xemine contradiconte) agreed 
and concluded: That ye said Mr. Lewis Morris may, if he sees cause at 
his own proper cost and charge, build, erect, make or set up any con- 
venient pew, seat, &c., capacious enough for ye accommodation of his 
worthy self and family, within any convenient place (as unto him shall 
seem best) of ye body of said church.” 


Among the early benefactors to Trinity church, New York, occurs the 
name of Lewis Morris, who contributed the timber for its erection. In 
- return for this act of munificence, the vestry of that church granted the 
family a square pew. He was also a vestryman from 1697 to 1700. He 
died at his seat at Kingsbury, near Trenton, on Wednesday the 21st of 
May, 1746, aged seventy-three. . 

In his will, (proved January 12th, 1746,) he directs his body to be 
buried at Morrisania, in a plain coffin, without covering or lining with 
cloth ; he probibited rings and scarfs from being giving at his funeral ; 
he wished no man to be payed for preaching a funeral sermon upon him; 
though if any man, churchman, or dissenter, minister or not, was in- 
clined to say anything on the occasion, he should not object. He pro- 
hibited any mourning dress to be worn on that account, as he should 
die when Divine Providence should call him away, and was unwilling 


480 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


that his friends should be at the unnecessary expense, which was owing 
only to the common folly of mankind.” 

The following notice of his death appeared in the New York Weekly 
Post Boy for May 26th, 1746 :— 


“New York, May 23d, Wednesday last departed this life, at Zrenton, 
after a lingering illness, in an advanced age, his Excellency Lewis Morris, 
Esq., Captain General and Governor-in-Chief of the Province of New 
fersey:”? 


The following items are taken from the journal of his son, Lewis 
Morris :— 


“May 26th, 1746, set out from Trenton with my father’s corpse for 
Amboy ferry; got there that night about nine of the clock. His corpse 
was attended by numbers of people, and his pall was supported by 
Messrs Andrew Johnston, James Hide, Peter Kemble, Thomas Leon- 
ard, Philip French, Daniel Cox, Philip Kearney and Charles Read. 
The corpse was put on board of a large peri-augur,’ which came from 
Morrisania, for that purpose, and arrived the next morning at Morrisa- 
nia, the wind blowing at night at north-west extraordinary hard, and 
being cold lay that night at the ferry.” 


“May 29th. My father was buried at Morrisania in a vault built by 
directions in his will) The materials and workmanship came to £10 
6s. 74@. His bearers were the Chief Justice, Joseph Murray, Robert Wal- 
ters, James Alexander, William Smith, David Clarkson, Abraham De- 
peyster and Lewis Johnston. Dr. Standard, the minister of the parish of 
Westchester, attended the burial and performed the service of the 
Church,’’¢ 


By her last will and testament.4 Isabella Morris, wife of Governor 
Morris, directs that “‘ her body be decently interred in the vault at Mor- 
risania, near the remains of her deceased husband.’ This lady was the 
daughter of James Graham, Attorney-General for the province of New 
York, and a near relation of the Marquis of Montrose. 

The subjoined notice of her decease appeared in the Pennsylvania 
Gazette for April gth, 1752 :— 


New York, April 6th.—‘‘ Last Monday, died in the eightieth year of her age, 
and on Thursday was decently interred in the family vault at Morrisania, Isabella 
Morris, widow and relict of his Excellency Lewis Morris, Esq., late Governor of 


a See will in papers of Lewis Morris, New Jersey, Hist. Soc., p. 323. 


b Peri-auger Petil, (little,) and the Spanish augua, (water,) a flat-bottomed boat like a 
schooner without bowspit or gib with centre board. 

c He adds, ** May 30th, sent back thechaises to Harlem that we borrowed for the burial. 
There was one quarter cask of wine expended at the funeral to about two dozen bottles, and 
about two gallons of rum, a barrel of cider and two barrels of beer, &c., &c. Nov. 6, 1746, 
waited on my mother with my wife, begged her blessing and returned back at dusk.’’—Copied 
from the journal of Hou. Lewis Morris in possession of the late Governeur M. Wilkins, Esq. 


d Lib. xviii. of wills, Surrogates Office, N. Y., p. 94. 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 481 


the Province of New Jersey. A lady endowed with every qualification requisite 
to render the sex agreeable and entertaining. ‘Through all the various scenes 
of life, she was a pattern of conjugal affection, a tender parent, a sincere friend, 
and an excellent economist. She was 


Liberal without Prodigality, In Person, Venerable. 
Frugal without Parsimony, In Conversation, Affable. 
Cheerful without Levity, In Friendship, Faithful. 
Exalted without Pride, Of Envy, Void, 


She passed through life, endowed with every grace ; 
Her Virtues, Olient Destruction can’t deface, 

Or Cruel Envy e’er eclipse her fame, 

Nor mouldering time obliterate her name.” 


The sons of the Hon. Lewis Morris and Isabella his wife, were :—x1st, 
Lewis, to whom his father bequeathed all that part of Morrisania lying 
to the eastward of the Mile Brook ; and the remainder, westward of the 
same stream, called O/d Morrisania, to his wife Isabella for life, and 
after her death to his said son Lewis Morris, for life, with power to dis- 
pose of the same by will to which ever of his sons he should see fit.* 2d, 
Robert Hunter Morris, Chief Jusrice of New Jersey, who had for his 
share the Jersey estates. 

Lewis Morris, who by his father’s will, now took the lordship and 
manor of Morrisania, was Judge of the High Court of Admirality and 
one of the Judges of Oyer and Terminer, was born 23d of Sept., 1698, 
and died 3d July, 1762. By his last will, dated Nov. 19th, 1760, he 
devised “all that part of Morrisania situated west of the Mill Brook, to 
his eldest son Lewis Morris.” ‘To his wife, ‘‘the land whereon his house 
stands, west of the Mill Brook.” “To his brother Robert Hunter Mor- 
ris, he bequeathed the pictures of his father and mother,” and “that of 
myself and wife to my daughter Isabella.® 

His, son, Governeur, was to have the best education that was to be 
had in England or America.¢ 

His three sons by his first wife, Catharine Staats, were Lewis Morris, 
fifth proprietor and third Lord of the Manor, General Staats Long 
Mornis, who married Catharine, the celebrated Duchess of Gordon, and 
Richard Morris, Judge of the High Court of Admirality in 1776. 

Lewis Morris, the fifth proprietor and the last Lord of the Manor, . 
was born at old Morrisania in 1726. Educated at Yale College, he 
received his B,A. degree in 1746,and his M.A. in 1790, Returning . 

a Prerogative Court, Trenton, New Jersey, Lib. E. of Wills, p. 11, &c. 


b The above pictures are in possession of Lewis G. Morris, Esq., of Fordham. 
¢ Surrogate’s office, N. Y., Liber. 23, 426, 


482 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


from his Academic pursuits in 1746 he became a farmer in his native 
town, he was opulent and desired no addition to his fortune ; but in the 
struggle against the mother country his sympathies were for his native 
land. He was a Brigader-General of the Continental army, and at 
one time received’ orders from Congress to take possession, (with 
his whole Brigade,) of such parts of the Sound and Hudson River as he 
might think most exposed to the enemy. In 1775 he was sent from New 
York to the Continental Congress where he distinguished himself— 
being appointed to confer with the Aborigines and to bring them over 
to the American side. He was in Congress in 1776, and his name is 
in the great cluster of patriots attached to the Declaration of Independ- 
ence. In 1777 he issued an address, or appeal, to the citizens of New 
York on the constitution proposed by Convention of the United States 
for their future government in that year. In 1798 he died at his farm 
in old Morrisania, in the seventy-second year of his age. 

Gen. Staats Long Morris was born on the 27th of August, 1728, and 
educated at Yale College. Having entered the army, he became Cap- 
tain in the Thirty-sixth Regiment of Foot on the 31st of May, 1756, and 
attained the rank of Major in 1758. Government having resolved the 
following year to raise an additional regiment of Highlanders, by the in- 
fluence of the Gordon family—at the solicitation of the Dowager Duchess 
of Gordon, Major Morris, to whom she had been lately married, was 
appointed to raise that regiment, in which the Duke entered as Captain ; 
Lord William, as Lieutentant ; and Lord George, as Ensign. In a few 
weeks seven hundred and sixty men were mustered and marched to 
Aberdeen, and Major Morris received a commission as Lieutenant- 
Colonel of the new corps, which was called the Eighty-ninth Highland 
Regiment, with it he embarked in December, 1760, for the East Indies ; 
arrived at Bombay in November following, and served at the siege of 
Pondicherry in 1761. On the 7th of July, 1763, he was appointed to 
the local rank of Brigadier-General, and on the return of the regiment 
to England it was reduced in 1765, and its Lieutenant-Colonel went on 
half pay, where he continued until 1778.” It is said that upon receiv- 
ing an order from the British Government to repair to America he re- 
turned his commission, whereupon they appointed him Commander on 
Cock’s Heath during the remainder of the war. ‘He became Major- 
General in 1777, and was appointed Colonel of the Sixty-first, or South 
Gloucestershire, Regiment in 1778. He rose to the rank of General in 
the British army in 1796, received the sinecure appointment of Governor 
of Quebec in 1797, and died in the early part of the year 1800 in the 
seventy-second year of his age. General Morris was twice married ; 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 483 


first to the Duchess of Gordon, as already mentioned, who died in 1770, 
secondly to Miss Urquhart who survived her husband about a year.”4 

Lewis married Mary Walton, who died the 11th of March, 1794. 
The following notice of her death occurred in the Diary, or Evening 
Register of that year :— 


‘Died at Morrisania, Westchester County, on Tuesday the r1th inst. 
in the sixty-seventh year of her age, Mrs. Mary Morris, wife of General 
Lewis Morris. To say that she was an affectionate wife, a tender parent, 
a firm friend and a good Christian might be thought to comprise an as- 
semblage of virtues which it is not the lot of humanity to possess. But 
all who knew her will bear testimony to this truth, and declare that this 
eulogy far from being extravagant, is but a feeble tribute to her merit. 
As her life was dear to all who prized the qualities for which she was 
eminently distinguished, so her death produced the keenest sorrow in 
the breasts of all her acquaintances, which nothing can mitigate ; but the 
reflection that the good she did will on earth raise a monument to her 
merit, and hereafter entitle her to that reward which will undoubtedly be 
bestowed upon the truly virtuous.” 


General Lewis Morris and Mary his wife, left six sons and four daugh- 
ters, whose decendants are quite numerous. His eldest son was Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Lewis Morris, aid to Major-General Nathaniel Green, 
who died at Morrisania, 22d of November, 1824. In the Protestant 
Episcopal Church of St. Michaels, at Charleston, S. C., is the following 
inscription to the memory of himself and wife, and son William :— 


COLONEL LEWIS MORRIS, 
who served in the War of ’76. 


‘* The time that tried men’s souls.” 
He was aid to GENERAL GREENE, at the Battles of Entaw 
and Guilford. His good name is the best inheritance left 
to his family. He died at Morrisania, New York, 
November 22d, 1824. 


His wife 
ANN MORRIS, 
Was a communicant of this church. 
Her slaves and the poor can tell they have lost their best friend. 
She died at Morrisania, New York. 
April 29th, 1848, 42. 86 years. 

a Ed. London Doc. N. Y. Col. MSS. vol. viii., p. 187. General Morris was a representative 
of New York Province in 1750. There is a fine portrait of him in possession of William Morris 


of Morrisanla. 
b Diary or Evening Register, Saturday, March 15th, 1794, No. 652. 


484 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


CAPT. W. MORRIS, 
(Aid to Gen. T. Pinckney,) 
Died at Sullivan’s Island, 8. C., 
September 7th, 1828, 48. 40 years. 


‘Go my friend, with thy hundred virtues, 
to the home of thy Fathers’, go with thy 
noble to the bosom of thy God. 
Brave and generous spirit. Fare thee 
well.”—A. H. 


Erected by the daughters of Col. Morris. 


Lieut. Col. Morris was the father of the late Col, Lewis Morris of 
Morrisania, who died at Adams Run, St. Paul’s Parish, S. C., 30th Sept., 
1863. The son of the latter, Henry M. Morris of New York, possesses 
the following portraits, formerly preserved at Old Morrisania :— 

Hon. Lewis Morris, first proprietor of Morrisania, of that name, Goy- 
ernor of New Jersey; only son of Richard Moris, in yellow coat and 
flowing wig. Gen. Staats Long Morris, attired in the uniform of a Brig- 
adier-General of the British Army, red coat, white satin vest trimmed 
with gold lace, black cocked hat trimmed in the same manner. Isaac 
Gouverneur, dressed in a blue coat and a red waistcoat; An unknown 
portrait in brown coat and scarlet waistcoat ; General Lewis Morris, 
signer of the Declaration of Independence and Brigadier-General in the 
Continental army, dressed in olive-green coat ; Mary Walton, wife of the 
signer, dressed in a light blue silk dress; Sophia Elliott, by Waldo; Wil- 
liam Elliott, by the same ; Colonel Lewis Morris, aid to General Greene, 
a miniature, by Fraser, of South Carolina; a marble bust by Launitz, of 
Ann B. Elliott, wife of the latter.¢ 

The Honorable Richard Morris, third son of Lewis Morris, third pro- 
prietor and second Lord of the Manor, was born at Old Morrisania in 
1730, and was Judge of the High Court of Admiralty in 1776; by 
Sarah, daughter of Henry Ludlow, he left three children—Lewis R. ; 
Robert, of Mount Fordham; and Mary, who married Brigadier-Major 
William Popham. Robert, the second son, left the Honorable Robert 
H. Morris, Justice of the Supreme Court of New York. This individual 
died at the residence of his father-in-law Munson, at Astoria, Oct. 24th, 
1857. The following notice of his death appeared in the papers of the 
day :— 

e@ Among the books formerly preserved in the library at Old Morrisania may be mentioned 
Syrel’s History of England, Dugdale’s Summons of Parliament, Guillim’s Heraldry, Anderson’s 


Roy. Gem. Del Pins, Commons Hist. Ang]. Scriptures Dea , Sall Mosi, Plaian Exercitatione, 
Matthew Paris Historia-Chaucer, &c., &c. ; 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 485 


“The death of Hon. Robert H. Morris, one of the Justices of the Su- 
preme Court of this district, took place suddenly on Wednesday last, at 
the residence of his father-in-law, Marcena Munson, Esq., of Astoria. 
There was no member of the bar more generally known or more uni- 
versally admired, and the intelligence of his death was received yesterday 
with feelings of intense grief. It was but a few days since, on Tuesday 
last, that we saw Judge Morris sitting as a spectator in the Court of 
Oyer and Terminer, apparently in the enjoyment of good health; and on 
Wednesday he was seized with a sudden attack, and died from the burst- 
ing of one of the blood vessels of the heart. Judge Morris was fifty-two 
years of age. His public career is familiar to almost every New Yorker. 
He was born in this city in 1803, and when he was a mere lad his father 
moved to Hudson, where the subject of this notice received his educa- 
tion. He studied law in the office of Mr. A Miller, of Hudson, and 
commenced practice at Johnston, Columbia County, and was made a 
Justice of the Peace about the same time. In 1827 Mr. Morris came 
to New York to act as Assistant District Attorney to his brother-in-law, 
James A. Hamilton. 


Mr. Morris became a member of the Legislature in 1834 or 1835, and 
was re-elected twice—being three years in succession a member of that 
body. He was elected Recorder in 1838, but it will be recollected that 
in consequence of his seizing ‘“‘ the Glenworth papers,” while holding that 
office, he was removed by a vote of the Senate, brought about by the 
influence of Governor W. H. Seward. A plan was set on foot by John 
B. Glentworth, before the Presidential election in 1840, to send on a 
number of voters from Pennsylvania—nominally to lay the croton water 
pipes through the city, but virtually to vote for General Harrison in op- 
position to Martin Van Buren. Mr. Morris ascertained that documen- 
tary evidence of this was in the house of a Mr. Pierce, of this city; 
and a few days before the election he proceeded to Mr. Pierce’s, in 
company with Jonathan D. Stevenson, and seized the ‘ Glentworth 
papers” and revealed their contents. For this, as we have said, he 
was removed; and Mr. F. A. Tallmadge was appointed Recorder in his 
place. But the people of New York viewed the act ofthe Recorder in 
a different light; and in 1841 he was elected Mayor of the city by 
a majority of 7,000, and was re-elected to the high position of Chief 
Magistrate of New York in 1842 and 1843—the only instance we 
remember of a man being elected Mayor three times in succession. At 
that period of our city’s history the Mayor was elected every year. In 
1844 Mr. Morris was appointed Postmaster of New York by President 
Polk, and he held that office for four years. While Postmaster, he was ap- 
pointed, in 1846, a member of the Constitutional Convention of the 
State, which formed the State Constitution under which we now act. 
And last of all, he was elected, in 1853, a Justice of the Supreme Court 
of the First Judicial District, for eight years, more than five years of 
which are unexpired. Judge Morris’s popularity is apparent from the 
number of important offices he has held, both by the gift of a President 
and by the choice of the people. As an advocate at the bar he was at 
times forcible, eloquent, sarcastic and jocose ; he was a sound lawyer, 


486 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


and in criminal jurisprudence he was considered a high authority. As a 
judge he was impartial, just and patient; the tyro and the black let- 
ter adept, alike received his attention and his courtesy; the young re- 
ceived from him encouragement, whilst the experienced lawyer received 
a becoming deference to his position and his standing in the profession. 
As a private friend he was affable and sincere, and well stored with a 
fund of ancedote and professional experience. Judge Morris was an ex- 
cellent and entertaining companion. In his domestic relations he was 
exemplary, and leaves a fond wife to lament his loss; but to the mem- 
bers of the bar, who will meet in the Supreme Court on Saturday morn- 
ing at ten o'clock, we leave the melancholy task of speaking in more ex- 
tended terms of the character of the deceased Judge, as he was known 
to the profession and to the community.” 


The youngest son of Robert, of Fordham, is the present Lewis G. 
Morris, Esq., of the same place. 

Hon. Lewis Morris, fourth proprietor and second lord of the Manor of 
Morrisania, by his second wife, Sarah Gouverneur, left one son—Gouver- 
neur Morris—who was born at Morrisania, Jan. 31st, 1752, and graduated 
at King’s College, now Columbia, in 1768. He was bred to the law, in 
which he gained a great reputation. In 1775, he was a delegate to the 
Provincial Congress in New York. The same year he was appointed a 
member of the committee for Public Safety for Westchester County. In 
December, 1776, he acted as one of the committee for draughting a 
Constitution for the State of New York, which was reported in March, 
1777, and adopted in April of that year, after repeated and able debates. 
He resided at Paris, as American Minister, during the years in which 
the French Revolution broke out and consummated. He went to France 
in 1787, and remained until 1795 ; during that period it is stated that he 
kept, at the suggestion of General Washington, a minute record of the 
incidents of every day, and forwarded the whole to Washington. He 
is said to have been the author of the memorable address of Louis XVI. 
to the French people, and resembled the King so closely that he was 
stopped at the barricades by the Revolutionary mob, in Paris, and only 
allowed to proceed after exhibiting his cork leg at the carriage window. 
In all his public capacities, he displayed great zeal and ability. After 
the Revolution, he retired from public life and passed a number of years 
in private pursuits—excepting that he was a very active member of the 
Convention which framed the Constitution of the United States. “He 
was chosen Senator of New York in 1800, and in 1808 appointed one 
of their Commissioners to lay out the city of New York into streets and 
avenues north of Bleecker street. In the summer of 1810, he examined 


aN, Y. Evening Post, 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 487 


the route for the Erie Canal, and took an active part in originating and 
promoting that noble work.” ‘The activity of his mind, the richness of 
his fancy, and the copiousness of his eloquent conversation were the ad- 
miration of all his acquaintance, and he was universally admitted as one 
of the most accomplished and prominent men of our country.”* He 
died at Morrisania, Nov. 5th, 1816, aged 64. His publications were 
numerous. A selection from his papers, with a sketch of his life, has 
been published by Jared Sparks, in three volumes. 

He married Ann Cary Randolph, daughter of Thomas Randolph of 
Roanoke, Virginia, who was descended in the fifth generation from the 
celebrated Pockohantes, (literally a run between two hills),? the daugh- 
ter of Wahunsonacock or Powhattan, Emperor of Attanoughkanonck, or 
Virginia. His son is the present Gouverneur Morris, Esq., of Morris- 
ania, 

The principal proprietors, at present, of the ancient manor bearing the 
name, are William H. Morris, Esq., who at one time held one-third part 
of old Morrisania; Henry Lewis Morris, grandson of Commodore Rich- 
ard Morris, and the Rev. Arthur Morris, Protestant Episcopal mission- 
ary to Japan; also the present Gouverneur Morris, Esq., and his children, 
who hold a portion formerly belonging to General Staats Long Morris, 
and the other heirs of Gerard W. Morris. The manor is now divided 
among a vast number of proprietors too, numerous to mention. Accord- 
ing to the survey of Adam Findlay, made in 1849, ‘the Long Neck 
Mansion House Farm of Old Morrisania, then belonging to the late 
Colonel Lewis Morris, embraced 313,33, acres, which then included 
everything, z. ¢. all the property unsold, excepting the lots on the Post 
road between Orange and Mott streets, and the lot where the small 
house stood in the rear of Parkers, and excepting the lands permanently 
leased.Ӣ 

‘“* Morrisania remained but sparcely settled for years. During the 
Revolution its forests formed secure hiding-places for the royalist ref- 
ugees,’@ and its thick coverts abounded in wolves.” It remained in the 
{amily of its ancient owners until the first large advent of population to 
its fields in 1848. An association then purcnased two hundred acres of 
the northern part, and began a village. At that time there were but 
three houses on the purchase. At first it was called ‘‘ New Village,” but 
as it grew it assumed the name of Morrisania, while Bronck’s original 


Barber’s Hist. Coll. of N. Y. 
b 'Phis name was given to her under the supposition that the English could not bewitch her 
with an assumed name. 
e Copied from MSS. of H. M. Morris, Dec. 10th, 1857. 
d New York inthe Olden Times, by J. Barnitz Bacon, 


488 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


property was known as Old Morrisania. Afterwards Melrose, Mott 
Haven, Woodstock, Eltona, and other places arose on the old domain, 
until now it is the thickly populated Twenty-third Ward of New York.’ 

Mott Haven was named after the late Jordan L. Mott, Esq., who did 
more than any other man to build up Morrisania. It is now very 
thickly settled; here is established the extensive iron foundry which 
has done so much to create a large business centre around it, still 
owned by a son of the former Jordan L. Mottt, Esq. Adjoining the 
foundry is the celebrated Harlem bridge, which communicates with 
North New York and the Island. ‘This bridge, which was nearly six 
years in building was opened about 1867 for the general transit of 
foot-passengers and vehicles. The act authorizing its construction was 
passed on the 17th of April, 1857, the words of which stipulated that it 
should be commenced “as soon as the Commissioners thought it neces- 
sary;” and about the latter end of November, 1860, the board in 
question thought it was nearly time to begin, and the work was taken 
in hand at that date. 

From the water on the upper side, it looks remarkably well. The 
engineer in charge was Mr. Erastus Smith, who had the charge of the 
ram Dunderberg, and he was assisted in the work by Mr. Ethan 
Rogers. 

Pnor to the erection of the old wooden bridge, there appears to have 
been a fording place between the two shores ; for, upon the 11th of Oc- 
tober, 1666, Governor Nicolls granted “certain saw mills to Thomas 
Delaval, John Vervelen and Daniel Turner, &c., lying over against 
Verchers or Hogg Island, in the Sound, where a passage hath been 
made to ford over from this island to the maine.”® 

Governor Dongan’s patent for Haarlem, 1686, recites the following: 


** And whereas the town lies very commodious for a ferry to and from 
the maine, which may redown tu the particular benefit of the inhabi- 
tants as well to general good. The freeholders and inhabitants of said 
town should, in consideration of the benefits and priveleges therein 
granted, as also for what advantage might accrue thereby, be enjoyned 
and obliged, at their proper costs and charge, to build and provide one 
or more boats fit for the transportation of men, horse or cattle, for which, 
a certain allowance was to be given by each particular person,” &c.¢ 


Sometime in 1759, Benjamin Palmer of Great Minnieford or City 


a New York in the Olden Times, by J. Barnitz Bacon. 

b Harlem Conveyances. p. 6. 

ce Harlem Conveyances, p. 7. Opposite to Mott Haven, on the Harlem side of the River, was 
What was termed the ** Middle Koad,” at the extremity of which was ‘‘ Cole’s Bridge” after- 
wards Known as‘: Harlem Bridge ;” while a little from the line of First Avenue, was the 
**O.d Harlem Road,” at the foot of which was the before mentioned Ferry.—ditor, 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 489 


Island, built a free bridge over Haarlem River partly by subscription, 
for which he also advanced out of his own funds £608; but it does 
not appear that he was ever reimbursed. 

In the vicinity of Harlem Bridge is the terminus of the New Haven 
and Harlem River Rail Road Route. Here is a large Depot and Dock 
for the convenience of passengers, by the steam boats of the Harlem 
and New York Navigation and Morrisania Companies—whose steamers 
leave Fulton Market Slip, connecting with New York and New Haven 
Rail for Hunts’ Point, West Farms, Westchester, Bartow, (City Island,) 
Pellam Manor, New Rochelle, Portchester, Greenwich, Stamford, Nor- 
walk, Bridgeport, New Haven and all points East and North. 

Upon rising ground a little North-east of the Depot, stands the 
ancient manor house, of what was formerly known as “Old Morrisania.” 
On or near this spot, Jona Bronck built his house in 1643. Here, also, 
Richard Morris resided in 1670-1, and erected a house which occupied 
the site of the present Mansion; at one period of the Revolutionary 
War, the officers of the American picket guard had their head-quarters 
in the Manor house, and subsequently it was occupied by Lieutenant- 
Colonel James de Lancey, of the British Refugee Corps ; a little west of 
the house, covered with willow trees, was formerly situated the family 
vault of the Morris’s. The following extract, from a letter dated Peek- 
skill, January 19th, 1777, shows the savage nature which marked the 
Bnitish soldiery during their occupancy of Morrisania, in breaking open 
vaults and plundering the dead :— 


“*General Howe has discharged all the privates who were prisoners in New 
York. One-half he sent to the world of spirits for want of food—the other he hath 
sent to warn their countrymen of the danger of falling into his hands; and to 
convince them by ocular demonstration, that it is infinitely better to be slain in 
battle, than to be taken prisoners by British brutes whose tender mercies are 
cruelty. But it is not the prisoners alone who felt the effects of British human- 
ity; every part of the country through which they have marched, has been plun- 
dered and ravaged. No discrimination has been made with respect to Whig or 
Tory, but all alike have been involved in one common fate. Their march thro’ 
New Jersey has been marked with savage barbarity ; but Westchester witness- 
eth more terrible things. The repositories of the dead have always been held 
sacred, by the most barbarous and savage nations. But here, not being able to 
accomplish their accursed purposes upon the living, they wreaked their vengence 
upon the dead. In many places, the graves in the church-yards were opened; 
and the bodies of the dead exposed upon the ground for several days. At Mor- 
risania, the family vault was opened, the coffins broken, and the bones scattered 
abroad. At Delancey’s farm, the body of a beautiful young lady, which had 
been buried for two years, was taken out of the ground and exposed for five 
days in a most indecent manner; many more instances could be mentioned, but 


490 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


my heart sickens at the recollection of such inhumanity. Some people try to be- 
lieve that it is only the Hessians who perpetrate these things ; Sut I have good 
authority to say that the British vie with, and even exceed, the auxiliary troops 
in licentiousness. After such treatment, can it be possible for any person seri- 
ously to wish for a reconciliation with Great Britain,Ӣ 

What remained of the venerated dead, was some years ago removed 
to the new vault under St. Ann’s church, Morrisania. While the old 
manor house and its surroundings have been turned into a tavern and 
lager beer garden. 

On the east side of the Mill Brook is situated the well-known country 
residence of the late Hon Gouverneur Morris, which is highly spoken of 
by travellers, and other persons of taste. Its location is very fine, just 
on the south-west angle of what was formerly the township of Morris- 
ania, nearly opposite to the beautiful scenery of Hellgate, and eight 
miles from New York. It commands extensive views of the surround- 
ing country, and the adjacent waters. “ Here he passed the latter years 
of his life, exercising an elegant and munificent hospitality, reviewing the 
studies of his early days, and carrying on a very interesting correspon- 
dence with statesmen and literati in Europe:and America. Among his 
principal guests were Louis Phillipe Le Duc d’Orleans, (afterwards king 
of France), and John Victor Moreau, one of the most celebrated of mod- 
ern French generals. Of the old mansion, which was constructed in 
the French chateau style, nothing remains but the central portion, and 
this has been greatly modernized by the present proprietor. The inte- 
rior, however, retains much of its former consistence. The library pos- 
sesses a very choice selection of books. It is chiefly remarkable for the 
valuable manuscripts belonging to it, which are so extensively connected 
with the history of its former owner. There are here, likewise, several 
choice pieces of French furniture, some gobelin tapestry, and a good 
portrait of the late Hon. Gouverneur Mornis, also a fine marble bust of 
Mrs. Morris. 

The grounds are enriched with many rare ornamental trees and 
shrubs ; among the former deserve to be mentioned, two or three speci- 
mens of the deciduous American cypress, (cupressus disticha), sad by 
Gordon to be the finest of the kind in the United States. Of the lat- 
ter, there are hedges of the g/iditsia tricanthus, and the gliditsia horrida. 

The Mill Brook® valley passes near the house, and joins the Harlem 
kills. It was through this historic valley that Harvey Birch, of Cowpens, 

a Westchester Co. in 1777. From the Freeman’s Journal, or New Hampshire Gazette,vol.i. 
No. 39, Portsmonth, Tuesday, Feb. 18th, 1777. Copied from Historical Magazine, New 
Series, vol. viii, No. 6, Dec. 1870, page 370. 


b This brook has now been converted into a sewer, and a main avenue is about being con- 
structed over its surface, called Brook avenue, 


‘oor 


‘VINVSIUUOW ‘SINYOW UAANUTANOD ‘NOH ALVT AHL JO ToNsareait 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 491 


the “spy,” is represented as having passed and repassed so frequently 
in his daring forays. Near the banks of this stream, too, in the vicinity 
of Tremont, and about two miles from Harlem Bridge, ‘the celebrated 
Charlotte Temple lived. The sentimental tourist lingers long by the 
stones that formed the chimney of the cottage, and the trunks of the 
old apple trees which shaded her roof. The house in which her friend 
lived, still stands, but is much decayed; and the little garden which 
Charlotte planted with a gift of cucumbers, is in grass. A clear spring 
rivulet runs close by. Alas, poor Charlotte; the tears that have been 
shed over her tragic fate, would form another such rivulet.” 

The property of Wiliam H. Morris, is situated on the hign ridge 
west of the mill brook vale. The house built by James Morris Esq., 
occupies the site of one much older, erected in 1795. It is handsome, 
and well placed; and the neighborhood is rendered extremely beautiful 
by the inequality of the ground, and the fine mixture of wood and 
pasture, which diversifies the appearance of the vales and eminences. 
Within are some good paintings, viz , James Morris, by Benjamin Peale ; 
Hon Daniel Webster, by Frothingham; and General Staats Long Morris, 
artist unknown. A broad and fine carriage road, lined on either side 
with elms,“ is terminated by a picturesque view of Melrose and its sur 
roundings. At no great distance stands the residence of the late Com- 
modore Valentine Morris. 

Upon the east side of the Mill brook lay the old race course, which is 
said to have been established by General Staats Long Morris, one of 
the first importers of blooded horses at the north. The western portion 
of Morrisania is watered by Cromwell creek,’ which discharges into 
the Harlem river. 

East of the Mill Brook, and nearly opposite the North and South 
Brother Islands on the East River, “‘is situated Port Morris—unsurpassed 
for the anchorage of large vessels, by any port in the world.” The Great 
Eastern, with her immense size and capacity, formerly landed safely at 
one of her docks; and just above Port Morris, and. about opposite 
Riker’s Island, fronting the property of the late B. M. Whitlock, is a 
bay, affording the best place for a navy-yard in any of the States ; inas- 
much as here, alongside of the East River salt water frontage, might be 
constructed a large fresh water basin—to be supplied by water, about a 
mile distant from the Bronx’s River, in the village of West Farms—large 
enough to float all the iron-clads of the world; and the corroding of the 


a One of these trees measure fourteen feet in circumference, while its branches afford a 


a shade of 120 feet. at i : : 
b On this stream a mill was erected by Lewis Morris in 1760, of which nothing remains but 


the mill dam. 


492 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


iron of these vessels when not in active service, lying in salt water, re- 
quires their anchorage in such a fresh water basin. The concentration 
of the Hudson River, the Harlem, New Haven and Harlem River Rail- 
roads in their freighting and passenger business, at their proposed new 
grand depot, near Melrose and at Mott Haven, indicates that their im- 
mense freight and passenger traffic from the Pacific coasts, and from 
the West and the East, all must within a few years centre near the Har- 
lem River, within the present town of Morrisania. These facilities will 
be greatly increased by the proposed canal connecting the Harlem River 
with the Hudson River, the removal of the obstructions at Hell Gate, 
and the erection of the Suspension Bridge at Anthony’s Nose in the 
Highlands, connecting with the New York City and Northern Railroad. 
A branch of the old Harlem Rail Road terminates at Port Morris. 
During the Revolutionary war, the British Frigate Hussar was wrecked 
off Port Morris, laden with American prisoners and treasure ; for many 
years divers have been at work upon the wreck, with but little success. 
It is claimed, however, that the divers are now meeting with better en- 
couragement, “‘as they are making rapid progress in removing the debris 
that is supposed to cover many thousand pounds in English coin. Sid- 
ney Cook, the diver in charge, believes he has reached the ship’s maga- 
zine. He daily brings to the surface large cakes of gunpowder, and the 
iron bands and wooden plates which once held together and fixed amu- 
nition. A cartridge of wedge-shaped slugs, eight of which when joined 
form a circle, kept in position by wooden disks, was brought up a short 
time ago. These projectiles were used for cutting the rigging of an 
enemy’s ship. But little remains of the frigate’s iron work. Some of 
the wood work, after lying on the bottom of the river for ninety-six 
years, is in a fair state of preservation. A knee and two lignum vite 
sheaves of pulley blocks were well preserved. ‘The copper rivets of 
manacles worn by the ill-fated American prisoners, chained to the gun 
deck when the frigate went down, are occasionally found. Mr. Cook 
brought to the surface not long since a massive block of oak, a part of 
the frigate’s keel. Its shape shows that it was taken from near the 
ship’s bow. In all former attempts to recover the treasure, no diver has 
succeeded in reaching the keel.” 

Adjoining Port Morris are many fine country seats; among which de- 
serves to be noticed Rockwood, the residence of Samuel E. Lyon, Esq., 
a well-known member of the New York and Westchester bar. 

Prior to the Revolution, Morrisania, as before stated, formed one of 
the precincts of Westchester parish; and in 1703 paid as her quota 
towards the rector’s support and poor £3. 75. ; in 1720 her-rate was £4 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 493 


tos. Under the Manorial charter, the Morris’s were possessed of the im- 
propriation and the patronage of all and every—the church and churches 
erected or established within the manor of Morrisania. Still Morrisania 
continued to be associated with Westchester in the support of a minister 
till the year 1840, when the present parochial church of St. Ann’s was 
founded by Gouverneur Morris, Esq., being the first building devoted to 
worship and religious instruction ever commenced in Morrisania. The 
church with its surrounding grounds was munificently conveyed to the 
vestry, by its founder in 1841, under the following form :— 


DEED OF GIFT. 


‘“This indenture made this seventeenth day of July, in the year of our Lord 
one thousand eight hundred and forty-one, between Gouverneur Morris, of Mor- 
risania, in the County of Westchester, in the State of New York, Esquire, of the 
first part, and the Rector, Wardens and Vestrymen of St. Ann’s church at Mor- 
risania, of the second part; Whereas the said Gouverneur Morris with a view to 
the promotion of Religion and Piety, has at his own expense erected on his 
estate on Morrisania aforesaid, a church or edifice intended for the public worship 
of God according to the rites and ceremonies of the Protestant Episcopal Church 
in the United States of America; and whereas a religious society has lately been 
formed and incorporated according to law, by the name and style of The Rector, 
Wardens and Vestrymen of St. Ann’s church at Morrisania; which corporation 
are the parties hereto of the second part, and the said Gouverneur Morris has 
promised to give to them the said edifice with the land hereafter described to be 
attached thereto, with the exceptions, and on the conditions hereinafter expressed. 
Now this indenture witnesseth that the said Gouverneur Morris, in the considera- 
tion of the premises and of one dollar lawful money of the United States of 
America, to him in hand paid by the said parties of the second part, the receipt 
whereof is hereby acknowledged, hath granted, bargained, sold and conveyed, and 
hereby doth grant, bargain, sell and convey unto the said parties of the second 
part, their successors and assigns, all that certain piece or parcel of land situate in 
Morrisania aforesaid, whereon the said church edifice hath been erected, and 
bounded as follows, to wit: Beginning at a stake situate south sixty-six degrees 
and forty-five minutes, east, sixty-eight and a half feet from an iron bolt in the 
south corner of a large rock, which stake is the south-west corner of the lot 
herein described, and running thence north twenty-three degrees and fifteen 
minutes; east, two hundred and eighty feet six inches, thence south sixty-four 
degrees and forty-five minutes; east, three hundred and ninty-five feet and two 
inches, thence south thirty degrees and thirty minutes; west, one hundred and 
twenty-six feet and eight inches, thence south forty-one degrees and thirty min- 
utes; west, one hundred and forty-nine feet six inches, thence south forty de- 
grees, west nine feet and two inches, thence north sixty-six degrees and forty-five 
minutes, west three hundred and twenty-six feet and six inches to the place of 
beginning, the last mentioned course being paralell with the front of the said 
church or edifice, and distant therefrom one hundred and sixty-two feet and eight 


494 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


inches, together with the said church or edifice and the hereditaments and appur- 
tenances thereunto belonging, but excepting and reserving thereout the two vaults 
hereafter mentioned. TZ have and to hold the said premises hereby intended to 
be conveyed to the said parties of the second part, their successors and assigns 
forever, but nevertheless on the conditions and subject to the stipulations and 
covenants herein contained; that is to say, first, that the said church or edifice 
shall be devoted to the worship of God according to the rites and ceremonies of 
the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, and shall not 
be used for ary other purpose. Second, that such of the pews in the said church 
as are marked in the plan hereto annexed with the word Free, shall never be sold 
or rented, but shall remain free; so that all persons coming to the said church 
to worship therein may freely occupy and use the same. Third, that none of the 
pews within the said church or edifice shal! ever be sold, but that all except those 
intended to be used free as aforesaid, may be rented for terms not exceeding 
three years; and that the rents arising therefrom shall be forever applied for the 
support of the rector or minister for the time being who shall officiate in the said 
church, and for no other purpose except for necessary repairs of the said church, 
and for fuel and other necessary expenses for the services of the same. And 
whereas a vault hath been constructed which is under the said church, and in 
which are interred the remains of the mother of the said Gouverneur Morris and 
whereas there is another vault within the boundaries above described, but not 
beneath the said church, in which are interred the remains of the father of the 
said Governeur Morris and of others of his family—now it is hereby declared that 
each of the said vaults. and the ground whereon they are built, is hereby reserved 
and excepted from the above grant and conveyance, (and it is one of the 
express conditions of this conveyance,) that the said Gouverneur Morris, his 
heirs and assigns, shall at all times have access to the said two vaults with the 
privillege of opening and using the same for the burial of their dead. And 
whereas the said Gouverneur Morris has also caused to be constructed under the 
said church other vaults, it is also a condition of this conveyance, that if the 
parties hereto of the second part shall sell or grant the right of using the same, 
they shall invest all money to arise from such sales or as compensation for such 
grants so that it may produce an annual interest or income, and shall apply such 
interest or income to the support of the rector or minister for the time being 
officiating in the said church, and for no other purpose whatever. And this con- 
veyance is on this further condition, that the land hereby conveyed, and not 
covered by the said church, shall be used for the purposes following and none 
other; that is to say, a part not exceeding one half thereof may be used as a site 
for a parsonage or dwelling house for the use of the rector or minister for the 
time being officiating in the said church, and for a garden to be attached there- 
to, and for a site for sheds for the protection of horses and carriages of persons 
attending worship in the said church, and the residue of the said land shall be 
used as acemetery or burial ground, and for no other purpose; and it is a further 
express condition of this conveyance, that no rector or minister shall be called or 
employed to officiate in the said church during the life of the said Gouverneur 
Morris without his previous consent in writing, and further, that neither the 
premises hereby conveyed or any part thereof, nor any of the said pews or vaults, 
or any of the rents or income to arise therefrom from any part of the said premi- 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 495 


ses, shall ever on any pretence, be mortgaged, or in any way or manner be made 
liable for any debts or engagements of the parties of the second part, or of their 
successors. And the said parties of the second part, for themselves and their 
successors, hereby convenant with the said Gouverneur Morris, his heirs and as- 
signs, that they the said parties of the second part and their successors, shall and 
will faithfully observe and perform all and every of the said conditions ; and it is 
hereby expressly declared and agreed, that if default shall at any time be made 
in the performance or observance of any of the conditions above mentioned, or 
of the said covenants, it shal] be lawful for the said Gouverneur Morris, his heirs 
and assigns to re-enter into, and upon the said premises, or any part thereof, in 
the name of the whole, and the same to have again re-possess and enjoy as in his 
first and former estate, anything herein contained to the contrary thereof notwith- 
standing. In witness whereof, the said Gouverneur Morris hath hereunto set his 
hand and seal, and the parties of the second part have caused their corporate seal 
to be hereunto affixed the day and year first above written. 


Sealed and delivered). H GOUVERNEUR MORRIS, 
pH. 


in the presence of M. Morris. of Morrisania.¢” 


The church of St. Ann’s is situated in a picturesque position, near Old 
Morrisania, on rising ground, overlooking a clear and rapid little stream, 
hastening to join the more expanded waters of the East River. It is a 
pleasing gothic structure of marble, and comprises a nave with two 
aisles, small recess chancel, and a spire over the southern end. ‘It 
was erected by the present Gouverneur Morris, Esq., in a field on his 
own estate, which had for some time been hallowed, as containing the 
sepulchre of his parents. A vault was constructed to receive his remains, 
and a tablet in the chancel contains the following inscription :— 


THE RELICS OF THE 


HONORABLE GOUVERNEUR MORRIS, 


A name illustrious in his country’s annals, 
were laid by his faithful widow. 


In the year of our Lord 1837, she joined him with the dead ; 
and over her remains has arisen this beautiful Sanctuary, which, 
in remembrance of her, and with respectful regard to two 
other valued relations of the name, was called St. Awnn’s 
Cuurcu, from the blessed St. Anne of the Gospel, and con- 
secrated by that name, on the 28th day of June, 1841, by 
Bishop Onderdonk. 


The act of incorporation of this church bears date July 2oth, 1841; 
Robert Morris and Lewis Morris, wardens; Jacob Buckhout, Daniel 


a Copied from the original in the possession of Gouverneur Morris, Esq., for a long time, 
S-cretary aud Treasurer of the vestry of 8t, Ann’s church, Morrisania. 


496 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Deveau, Benjamin Rogers, Benjamin M. Brown, Edward Leggett, Lewis 
G. Morris and Henry W. Morris, vestrymen. The interior of the church 
contains a well-arranged chancel and the tablet afore-mentioned, in- 
scribed as follows :— 


Conjugal Affection 
Consecrated this spot, where 
THE BEST OF MEN 


Was laid until a vault could be erected 
To receive 
His precious remains. 


Prior to the Revolutionary War, the interments of the Morris family 
were made, as we have already seen, at Old Morrisania, near the manor 


St. Ann’s Church, Morrisania. 


house still standing. On the 15th of February, 1866, what remained of 
the bodies were then transferred to the vault beneath this church. 
Among these was the Hon. Lewis Morris, Governor of New Jersey; 
Lewis Morris, signer of the Declaration of Independence, with their 
wives; to which may be added Mary Mornis, sister of Lieutenant- 
Colonel Morris (Aide of General Greene), his wife, Anne B. Morris, 
and their grand-daughter, Emma Morris; Elizabeth Morris, youngest 
daughter of Colonel Lewis Morris, Anna Rutherford, grand-daughter of 
Lieutenant-Colonel Morris, and Sarah Morris, daughter of the signer. 

A beautiful silver communion service—consisting of a flagon, two 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 497 


chalices and paten—were presented by the ladies of the parish. There 
is also an additional paten bearing the following inscription :— 


“ Sie Anne Altart Voverunt Tres. J. H. C. Fest. 
Pentecost, 1842.” 


The donors were John Jay, Henry Hobart and Cleveland Cox. The 


bell is inscribed :— 
*“ Presented to 


ST. ANN’S CHURCH 


BY 
GOUVERNEUR Morris. 


J. P. Allaire, New York, 1841.” 


On the west side of the church is a neat rectory. 


RECTORS OF ST. ANNS CHURCH, MORRISANIA. 


Inst. or Catt. INCUMBENTS. Vaoar. By. 
1841, Rey. Artuur C. Cox, Deacon, resig. 
1842, Rey. Cuarres Jongs, Presb., Ue 


1843, Rev. Cuartes Axpis, Presb., a 

1Sept. 1847, Rey. ApranaM B. Carter, Presb. oe 

20 March, 1852, Rev. 8. Prrkngy Hammonp, Presb., es 
Rev. Witt1am Hucket, Presb., present rector. 


St. Paul’s church, which was formerly included in the parochial limits 
of St. Anns, was on the 3oth of May, 1853, erected into a separate 
parish. 

Church work was begun at this point by the Rev. A. B. Carter, Rec- 
tor of St. Ann’s, Morrisania. The congregation was duly organized by 
Mr. Carter, as a Chapel of St. Ann’s, July 8th, 1849. On Sept. 15th, 
of the same year, the corner-stone of the chapel was laid by the Rt. Rev. 
W. R. Whittingham, Bishop of Maryland. The chapel was opened for 
Divine Service on Easter Day, March 31st, 1850; and was consecrated 
by Bishop Whittingham, June 22d, 1850. The chapel stands on a plot 
of ground containing one acre, and bounded by two of the principal 
avenues, having a front on each of nearly 150 feet. The building itself 
was, and is still, a simple frame gothic structure, with open roof 80 x 30, 
including chancel and tower. 

On the 31st day of May, 1853, the connection of St. Paul’s chapel 
with the mother church, St. Ann’s, was severed and a new parish organ- 
ized under the title of St. Paul’s, Morrisania Village. On the first day 
of September in the same year, the Rev. Benjamin Akerly was called as 
the first Rector. Up to this time the services had been maintained by 


498 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER, 


Rev. A. B. Carter and Rev. J. Pinckney Hammond, Rectors of St. 
Ann's. The Rev. Mr. Akerly continued Rector of the new parish, till 
some time in 1857 or 1858. During his Rectorship, a commodious 
Rectory was built on the church grounds. 

In April, 1858, the Rev. Samuel G. Appleton was elected Rector. 
During his Rectorship, the church was enlarged by the addition of a 
transept. The parish was gaining fast in numbers and strength, when 
an unfortunate division of opinion took place and a new parish was or- 
ganized. The Rev. Mr. Appleton resigned soon afterwards—early in 
1868, and was succeeded on the first of Nov. of the same year, by Rev. 
Fredk. B. Van Kleeck. On May 1st, 1870, the Rev. Dr. Van Kleeck’s 
resignation took effect, as he had accepted a call to Grace church, 
White Plains; and on the same day his successor, Rev. Thomas R. Har- 
ris, began his duties as Rector. In 1871 the church was raised and a large 


Basement Sunday-school room added. In 1879, large repairs were made 
to the church buildings and the interior of the church was decorated. 
At the commencement of the Revolutionary struggle, Gen. Heath’s 
division of the American army was stationed at Morrisania. From his 
memoirs we gather the following particulars: “A picket from our gen- 
eral’s division, of four hundred and fifty men, constantly mounted, by 
relief, at Worrisania, from which a chain of sentinels, within half gun- 
shot of each other, were planted, from the one side of the shore to the 
other, and near the water passage, between Morrisania and Montresor’s 
island, which in some places is very narrow. The sentinels on the 
American side were ordered not to presume to fire at those of the Brit- 
ish, unless the latter began ; but the British were so fond of beginning, 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 499 


that there was frequently a firing between them. This having been the 
case one day, and a British officer walking along the bank, on the 
Montresor’s side, an American sentinel—who had been exchanging some 
shots with a British sentinel—seeing the officer, and concluding him to 
be the better game, gave him a shot, and wounded him. He was car- 
ried up to the house on the island. An officer with a flag soon came 
down to the creek and called for the American officer of the picket, and 
informed him that if the American sentinels fired any more, the com- 
manding officer of the island would cannonade Col. Morris's house, in 
which the officers of the picket quartered, The American officer im- 
mediately sent up to our general, to know what answer should be re- 
turned, He was directed to inform the British officer that the American 
sentinels had always been instructed not to fire on sentinels unless they 
were first fired upon, and then to return the fire; that such would be 
their conduct ; as to the cannonading of Col. Morris’s house, they might 
act their pleasure. The firing ceased for some time; but a raw Scotch 
sentinel having been planted one day, he very soon after discharged his 
piece at an American sentinel nearest to him, which was immediately 
returned; upon which a British officer came down, and called to the 
American officers, observing that he thought there was to be no more 
firing between the sentinels. He was answered, that their own began; 
upon which he replied, ‘he shall then pay for it.’ The sentinel was 
directly after relieved, and there was no firing between the sentinels, in 
that place any more ; and they were so civil to each other, on the posts, 
that one day, at a part of the creek where it was practicable, the British 
sentinel asked the American, who was nearly opposite, if he could give 
him a chew of tobacco ; the latter, having in his pocket a piece of thick 
twisted roll, sent it across the creek to the British sentinel, who, after 
taking off his bite, sent the remainder back again.’’# 

“On the 6th of October, 1776, (continues General Heath), orders 
were given for throwing up a new work on Harlem creek below the 
wood at Morrisania.”? 

After the retreat of the American army northwards and the settlement 
of their lines on the Croton, the British refugee corps were stationed at 
Morrisania, under the command of Col. James de Lancey, who held his 
headquarters at Col. Morris’s house. Here the British appear to have 
been kept in a constant state of alarm by their vigilant enemies. Upon 
the 5th of August, 1779, (says Heath) about 100 horse of Sheldon’s, Moy- 
land’s, and’ of the militia, and about forty infantry of Glover’s brigade, 


a Heath’s Mem. p. 62, 
b Ibid. 68 


500 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


passed by de Lancey’s mills to the neighborhood of Morrisania, where 
they took twelve or fourteen prisoners, some stock, &c. The enemy 
collected, a skirmish ensued, in which the enemy had a number of men 
killed and wounded; our loss, two killed and two wounded.”* The 
frequency of these attacks compelled De Lancey to shift his quarters 
under the British guns of Fort No. 8,in Fordham. The dwellings at 
Morrisania were burnt on the same day with the Westchester court 
house. 

In St. Anne’s churchyard repose the remains of Brevet Brigadier- 
General W. W. Morris, U.S. A., a member of the Morris family, whom, 
it will be remembered, was the first military officer who, during the late 
Civil War, refused to obey a writ of Aabeas corpus, while in command 
of Fort McHenry, at Baltimore, Md. At first public indignation was 
aroused against him, and it was at one time proposed by the Govern- 
ment to deprive him of his commission. Upon sober second thought, 
the Government concluded that his act, though high-handed, was justi- 
fied by the emergency. Following is the correspondence upon the 
subject :— 

HeapquartErs, Fort MoHenry, Mp., 
May 8ru, 1861. 


CoLoneEt :—‘‘I wish most respectfully to inform the Lieutenant-General Com- 
manding, that during the past week a writ of Habeas Corpus was issued by the 
Hon, Judge Giles, of the United States District Court, for the District of Mary- 
land, commanding me to produce the body of John G. Mullen, a recruit of the 
United States Army, on the alleged ground that said Mullen was a minor at the 
time of his enlistment. 

I have the honor to enclose an article from the Baltmore Sun (No. 1); a copy 
of my letter to Judge Giles, (No. 2,) and a copy of the Judge’s reply, (No. 3,) 
which will afford the Lieutenant-General all the knowledge of the subject which 
I possess. 

I respectfully request that the Lieuteant-General will furnish me with the laws 
and orders now in force with reference to the discharge of soldiers enlisted as 


minors. Very respectfully your obedient servant, 
(Signed, ) W. W. MORRIS, 
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Major 4th Artillery, 
Hd. Qrs. of the Army, Commanding. 
Washington City. 


From the Baltimore Sun of Monday, May 6, 1861. 
(LOCAL MATTERS. ) 
The Habeas Corpus Refusal.—On Saturday it was stated that a Habeas Corpus, 
issued by Judge Giles of the United States Court for the surrender of the body 
of John G. Mullen, has been refused by the commandant of Fort McHenry. On 


@ Heath’s memoirs, p. 214. 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 501 


Saturday Judge Giles issued the following order to be entered on the record of 
the Court. After quoting the title of the case he says: ‘‘In this case a peti- 
tion was presented to me, in the usual form, stating that John G. Mullen was il- 
legally detained at Fort McHenry in this city, by the officer commanding at that 
fort; that the said John G. Mullen was only twenty years of age, and had 
been enlisted without the consent of his father, George Mullen, who united in 
the petition, and made affidavit to the truth of the facts stated therein; and the 
petition closed with the prayer for the writ of habeas corpus. In the discharge 
of the duty required of me by the laws of the United States, upon the presenta- 
tion of such a petition, I ordered the writ of habeas corpus to be issued, to be 
directed to the commanding officer at Fort McHenry, commanding him to pro- 
duce before me, at ten o’clock this morning, in the District Court-room in this 
city, the body of said John G. Mullen, with the cause of his confinement, at the 
hour mentioned for the return of the said writ. The deputy marshal, who was 
sent down to serve the writ, filed in this court this morning an affidavit, stating 
that it had been served on an officer in command of said fort, and who refused 
to obey said writ. 

This is the first time within my experience of thirty-three years at the bar and 
on the bench that the writ of habeas corpus has failed in this State to procure 
obedience to its mandate. It is a writ so dear to every freeman that the Constitu- 
tion of the country has, with great care, provided ‘that it shall not be suspended 
unless, when in case of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it.” 
With no suspension of this writ by competent authority, with no proclamation 
for its suspension by any one claiming to possess such power, with no state 
of affairs existing as would authorize its suspension, the court learns, with deep 
regret, that an officer of the United States Army has thought it his duty to re- 
fuse obedience to the writ. Unwilling to aggravate existing excitement by more 
immediate action, the court will at present only pass an order that the commanding 
officer at Fort McHenry show cause, on or before Wednesday next, the 8th inst. 
at ten o’clock, why an attachment should not issue against him for his refusal to 
obey the said writ; and the court sincerely hopes that, in a crisis like the present, 
wiser counsels may prevail at the post, and that no unnecessary conflict of 
authority may be brought in between those owing allegiance to the same govern- 
ment and bound by the same laws.” 


Fort MoHeEnry, Mp., , 
Monday, 6th May, 1861. 
Hon. Wu.r1am Fey Gus, Judge of the U. §. District Court for the District of 
Maryland: 


Sir.—My attention has been directed to an article in the local column of the 
Baltimore Sun of this date, headed, “The Habeas Corpus Refusal.” Presum- 
ing that that article is authentic, I wish very respectfully to submit for your 
consideration the following remarks on this unhappy ‘‘ conflict of authority be- 
tween those owing allegiance to the same Government, and bound by the same 
laws.” 

To avoid implicating parties in no wise connected with this case, permit me 


502 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


to observe at the threshold, that my action in the premises was taken entirely 
on my own responsibility, without instructions from, or consultation with any 
person whatever. 

And now I wish most respectfully to inform your Honor, that I regard the 
writ of Habeas Corpus as the very basis of free government, and that under all 
ordinary circumstances I am very ready to acknowledge the supremacy of the 
civil authorities. But, as you admit, the Constitution of the United States has 
provided that this writ of Habews Corpus may be suspended in case of rebellion, 
if the public safety require it. You, however, allege that there is ‘‘no such 
state of affairs existing as would authorize its suspension.” On this point it is 
with regret that Iam compelled to differ from so eminent an authority ; and I 
am further constrained to add, that the question is one of fact, rather than opinion, 

At the date of issuing your writ, and for two weeks previous, the city in which 
you live, aud where your court has been held, was entirely under the control of 
revolutionary authorities; within that period U. 8. Soldiers, while committing 
no offence, had been perfidiously attacked and inhumanly murdered in your 
streets; no punishment had been awarded, and I believe no arrests had been 
made for these atrocious crimes ; supplies of provisions intended for this garrison 
had been stopped; the intention to capture this fort had been boldly proclaimed ; 
your most public thoroughfares were daily patrolled by large numbers of troops, 
armed and clothed, at least in part, with articles stolen from the United States; 
and the Federal flag, while waving over the Federal offices, was cut down by 
some person wearing the unifor.n of a Maryland soldier. To add to the forego- 
ing, an assemblage elected in defiance of law, but claiming to be the legislative 
body of your State, and so recognized by the Executive of Maryland, was de- 
hating the forms of abrogating the Federal compact. If all this be not rebellion, 
I know not what to call it. I certainly regard it, as sufficient legal cause for sus- 
pending the writ of Habeas Corpus. 

Besides, there were certain grounds of expediency on which I declined obey- 
ing your mandate. 

ist. The writ of Habeas Corpus, in the hands of an unfriendly power, might 
depopulate this fortification and place it at the mercy of a ‘‘ Baltimore mob,” in 
much less time than it could be done by all the appliances of modern warfare. 

2d. The ferocious spirit exhibited by your community towards the United 
States army, would render me very averse from appearing publicly and unpro- 
tected in the City of Baltimore, to defend the interests of the body to which I 
belong. A few days since, a soldier of this command, while outside the walls, 
was attacked by a fiend or fiends in human shape, almost deprived of life, and 
left unprotected about half a mile from garrison. He was found in this situa- 
tion, and brought in covered with blood. One of your evening prints was quite 
jocose over the laughable occurrence. 

And now, sir, permit me to say in conclusion, that no one can regret more than 
I this conflict between the civil and military authorities. If, in an experience of 
thirty-three years you have never before known the writ of Habeas Corpus to be 
disobeyed, it is only because such a contingency in political affairs as the present 
has not before arisen. I claim to be a loyal citizen ; and I hope my former con- 
duct, both official and private, will justify this pretension. In any condition of 
affairs except that of civil war, I would cheerfully obey your order; and as soon 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 503 


as the present excitement shall pass away I will hold myself ready not only to 
produce the soldier, but also to appear in person to answer for my own conduct ; 
but 1n the existing state of sentiment in the city of Baltimore, I think it your 
duty to sustain the federal military, and to strengthen their hands instead of 

endeavoring to strike them down. I have the honor to be very respectfully, 

Your Obedient Servant, 
(Signed, ) W. W. MORRIS, 
Major 4th U.S. Artillery, 

Comd’g the Post. 


MANOR OF FORDHAM. 


The name of this town is of Saxon origin, compounded of fgord 
@ (ford) and ham (mansion,) and was derived from the parish of the 
same name in Norfolk, England. ‘Fordham was originally included in 
the township of West Chester, but subsequently formed a portion of 
West Farms, and now belongs to Northern New York. 

Its early Indian proprietors appear to have been the Sachems Fec- 
quemeck, Rechgawac and Packanariens, who sold the lands of Kekes- 
heik, bordering the Harlem River to the Dutch West India Company, 
Anno Domini, 1639. In 1646, we find the whole of Fordham as well 
as the Yoncker’s land (then called Colen Donck,) in the possession of 
Adrian van der Donck, whose widow Mary conveyed them to her brother 
Elias Doughty. The following sales appear under the hands of the latter 
in 1666-67 :-— 


‘*Know all men, by these presents, that I, Elias Doughty, of Flushing, do 
sell unto Mr. John Archer, of Westchester, his heirs and assignees, fourscore 
acres of land and thirty acres of meadow, lying and being betwixt Brothers 
River and the watering place at the end of the Island of Manhatans; and if the 
land be not fit to cleare for the plow or hoe, this land is to lye together; and if there 
be not a!l such land together as there should, or if there should happen eight or 
ten acres of land that is not for such use, then the said Archer is to have it with 
the rest; and he shall have equal right privilege in the commons as any other man 
shall have within that Patent that hath no more arable land; and the meadow is 


a Verstegan, in his * Restitution of Decayed Intelligence”’ says in foord, not only sundry 
of our ancient English surnames herein end, but some also soseem to do which are of French 
or Norman race—but this groweth by the not rightly distinguishing between foord and fort; 
the first being a mere English termination, denoteth as yet we retain in memory a foord or 
water passage. The other coming from the French, denoteth a place of strength by nature, 
as “ Rochfort,” the “strong Rock,” &c. 

b See Laws of N. Y. 1873, for annexation act since ariended. 


504 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


to be mowed all. As witnesse my hand this first of March, 1666. As witnesse, 
if there should lye any more land, that is to say, between thirty and forty acres, 
it is all in common, and I am to give the said Archer a firme bill of sale under 


my hand and seal.” ELIAS DOUGHTY. 


‘“‘T Elias Doughty, do own to have received full satisfaction of the said 
Archer for the said lands and meadow ; the house is yet to be: and he the said 
Alrcher, is to have his within the above said tract of land. September the 18th, 
1667. 

‘It is to be understood that Mr. John Archer is to have the freshest meadow 
(boggy) that lyeth to the north side of Westchester path, between the Patent of 
Mr. O’Neale, within his second purchase, upon consideration that the said 
John Archer shall pay to the said Doughty, &c., &c.; as witness my hand.” 


ELIAS DOUGHTY. 
Examined by Jonn West. 


Upon the 4th of March, 1669, appears the following Indian confirma- 
tion to John Archer :— 


INDIAN DEED OF FORDHAM. 


‘*Be it known unto all men by these p’sents that upon ye 28th day of Sept. in 
the 21st year of ye Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord Charles the Second by ye 
Grace of God of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King, Defend® of the 
faith, &c., Annoc Domini 1669, we Tacharetht, Mometaihatim Wackha, Pime- 
kekeh, for and on ye behalfe of Ahwaroch, Achipor Miniquaes, Sachemacke, for 
& in ye behalfe of Annetic Pownocke, for & on ye behalfe of Lyssie, & we on 
ye behalfe of yerest of ye owners, for the consideration hereafter expressed have 
graunted, bargained & sould, & by these p’sents due hereby grant, bargaine and 
sell unto John Archer of Fordham, his heirs and assignss, a certaine Tract of up- 
land and meadow ground upon ye maine, beginning Westward from a certaine 
place by ye Indianscomonly called Muscota, so it goes to another place called by 
them Gowahasuasing & from thence round about ye kill called Papiriniman & so 
to rune into Harlem Ryver at ye Hook called Saperewack, from thence it reacheth 
South East to ye place called Achqueehgenom, and from thence it reacheth 
alongst Broncks Ryver to Cowangough, so on Sachkerah and so to the first place 
Muscota, so that from Muscota to Sackerath it runs upon a straight east lyne to 
Broncks Ryver & from Saperewack to Acqueehgenom, South East by ye said 
ryver all w* tract of land, as it is before described here, the aforesaid Indians on 
the behalfe of ourselves, those that have instrusted us and our associates have 
sould unto ye said John Archer, his heirs & assignes for & in consid. of 13 coats 
of Duffells, one halfe anchor of Rume, 2 cans of Brandy, wine w" several other 
small matters to ye value of 60 guilders wampum. All which we acknowledge 
to have received of him the said John Archer before the ensealing & delivery of 
these pr’sents in full satisfaction for ye Jand afore men. Comed the w we doe 
hereby resigne & make over unto ye s* John Archer, his heirs & assignes w' all 
our right, title, and interest thereunto, as also those that have entrusted any of 
us o” & associates ro HAVE & TO HOULD the s* tract of land & premises unto ye 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 505 


s* John Archer, his heirs & assignes unto ye proper use & behoofe of him ye s? 
John Archer, his heirs & assignes forever, free, quit and cleare from all & any 
form of bargaine & sale, or any other incumbrances by us or by any from or un- 
der us & to ye utmost of o’* powers shall keep and save him the s* John Archer, 
his heirs & assignes, harmlesse in his or their quiett possession & enjoyment of 
ye premises against any other Indian pr’tenders whatsoever. In witness whereof 
we have hereunto put o’" hand & seales, ye day & yeare first within wrytten 


This bargain & sale was made by ye 
approbation & lycense of his Hon™ ye 
governors between ye partyes mentoned, 
with this Proviso that his Royall High- 
ness, his Rights & Priviledges as Lord 
Proprietor of theese his territoryes he 
hereby not any infrigned, MATTHIAS NICOLLS, Sec™ 


Entered by Jonn Arouer, March 4th, 1669.4 


By these and other purchases John Archer, Esq., eventually became 
seized in fee of 1,253 acres. Upon the 13th of November, 1671, Francis 
Lovelace, Esq., the Governor, issued the following letters patent erect- 
ing the whole into an infranchised township or manor of itself to be 
held by the feudal tenor of paying therefore yearly to the Duke of York 
and his successors upon the first day of March, (St. David's Day,) when 
demanded twenty bushels of good peas.? 


THE ROYAL PATENT OF FORDHAM. 


Francis Lovelace, Esq., one of the gentlemen of his Majestie’s Hon’ble Privy 
Chamber, and Governor-General under his Royal Highness, James Duke of York 
and Albany, and all his territories in America, to all to whom these presents shall 
come, sendeth greeting: Whereas, there is a certain parcel or tract of land within 
this government, upon the main continent, situate, lying and being to the East- 
ward of Harlem River, near unto ye passage commonly called Spiting Devil, 
upon which ye Vew Dorp or village is erected, known by the name of Fordham —ye 
utmost limits of the whole tract or parcel of land, beginning at the high wood 
land, that lyes do North-west over against the first point of the main land to 
the East of the Island Pepiriniman—there where the hill Moskuta is—and soe 
goes alongst the said kill, the said Jand striking from the high wood land before 
mentioned East South-east, till it comes to Bronk’s, his kill; soe Westward up 
alongst ye main land to the place where Harlem Kill and Hudson River meet, 
and then forth alongst Harlem Kill to the first spring or fountain, keeping to the 


a Albany Deed Book, vol. iil. pp. 127, 128. 


b In Lewin’s report on the Government of New York, agent and servant to his Royal High- 
ness in New York and Albany, &c, occurs the following: John Archer hath a patent granted 
to Col. Lovelace of a manor called ffordham ffor which he payeth £3 158 1d p.ann”—N. Y, 
Col. Doc, vol. iii., 3 3. Goy. Andros’s answer to Lewins’s report, 24th Dec., 1681. ‘*Mr, 
Archer's and all other quitt rents have been from time to time accompted to his Royall 
Highness as p. sd. accots.”—N. Y. Col. Doc. vol. iii., 309. 


506 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


South of Crabb Island; soe Eastward alongst Daniel Turner’s land, the high 
wood land, and ye land belonging to Thomas Hunt; and then to Bronk’s 
Kill afore mentioned, according to a survey lately made thereof by the 
surveyor-general—the which remains upon record; all which said parcel or 
tract of land before described being part of the land granted in the grand 
patent to Hugh O'Neal, and Mary his wife, purchase was made thereof by 
John Archer, from Elyas Doughty, who was invested in their interest as 
of the Indian proprietor, by my approbation, who all acknowledge to have 
received satisfaction for the same; and the said John Archer having, at his 
own charge, and with good success, begun a township in a convenient place 
for the relief of strangers, it being the road for passengers to go to and fro from 
the main, as well as for mutual intercourse with the neighboring colony, for all 
encouragement unto him, the said John Archer, in prosecution of the said 
design, and also for divers other good causes and considerations: know yee, 
that by virtue of ye commission and authority unto me given by his royal high- 
ness, upon whom, by lawful grant and patent from his majestie, the propricty 
and government of that part of the main land, as well as Long Island, and all 
the islands adjacent, amongst other things, is settled. I have given, granted, rati- 
fied and confirmed, and by these presents do give, grant, ratify and confirm to 
ye afore-mentioned John Archer, his heirs and assignees, all the said parcel or 
tract of land butted and bounded as aforesaid, together with all the lands, soyles, 
woods, meadows, pastures, marshes, lakes, waters, creeks, fishing, hawking, 
hunting and fowling, and all ye proffits, commodityes, emmouluments and here- 
ditaments to the said parcel or tract of land or premises belonging or in anywise 
appertaining, and of every part and parcel thereof; and I doe likewise grant 
unto ye said John Archer, his heirs and assignees, that the house he shall erect, 
together with the said parcel or tract of land and premises, shall be forever here- 
after held, claimed reputed, and be an entire and enfranchised township, manor 
and place of itself ; and shall always, from time to time, and at all times hereafter, 
have, hold and enjoy like and equal privileges and immunities, with any town 
enfranchised or manor, within this government, and shall, in no manner of way, 
be subordinate or belonging unto, have any dependence upon, or in anywise be 
under the rule, order or direction of any riding, township, place or jurisdiction 
either upon the main or Long Island; but shall, in all cases, things and matters, 
be deemed, reputed, taken and held as an absolute, entire, enfranchised township, 
manor and place of itself in this government, as aforesaid, and shall be ruled or- 
dered and directed in all matters as to government, by ye governor and his council, 
and ye General Court of Assizes, only, always provided that the inhabitants of the 
said town, or any part of the land granted as aforesaid, shall be obliged to send 
forward to ye next town or plantation, all public pacquetts and letters, or hue 
and cryes, comming to this place or going from it towards, or to any of his maj- 
estie’s colonies; and I do further grant unto the said John Archer, his heirs and 
assignees, that when there shall be a sufficient number of inhabitants in the town 
of Fordham, aforementioned, and the other parts of ye manor, capable of main- 
taining a minister, and to carry on other public affairs; that the neighboring in- 
habitants between the two kills of Harlem and Bronk’s, be obliged to contribute 
towards the maintenance of their said minister and other necessary public char- 
ges that may happen to arise ; and likewise that they belong to the said town, ac- 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 507 


cording to the direction of the law, although their said farms and habitations be 
not included within this patent, to have and to hold ye said parcel and tracts of 
land, with all and singular the appurtenances and premises, together with the 
privileges, immunities, franchises and advantages herein given and granted unto 
the said John Archer, his heirs and assignees, unto the proper use and behoof of 
him, the said John Archer, and his heirs and assignees forever, fully, truly and 
clearly, in as large and ample manner, and from and with such full and absolute 
immunities and privileges as is before expressed, as if he held the same immedi- 
ately from his majesty, the King of England, and his successors, as of the Manor 
of East Greenwich, in the county of Kent, in free and common soccage, and by 
fealty, only yielding, rendering and paying yearly and every year unto his royal 
highness, the Duke of York and his successors, or to such governor and gover- 
ors as from time to time shall by him be constituted and appointed, as all ac- 
knowledgement and quit-rent, twenty bushels of good peas, upon the first day of 
March, when it shall be demanded. Given under my hand, and sealed with the 
seal of the province of Fort James, in New York, on the island of Manhattan, 
this thirteenth day of November, in the twenty-third year of the reign of our sov- 
ereign lord, Charles the Second, by the grace of God, of England, Scotland, 
France and Ireland, King Defender of the Faith, and Anno Domini, 1671. 
FRANCIS LOVELACE. 
‘“MicoHaEL BAsTYENSEN, 
‘““VALENTYN CLAESSEN.4 


-“Tone at Fort William Hendricke, on the 18th Oct., 1673.” 


The following year, John Archer, Esq., laid claim to a neck of land 
called Humock Island, commonly named Pafiriniman,® which he asser- 
ted he had by patent. 


At a council held in the village of New Haerlem, this 4th of October, 


1673. 
PRESENT:—The Governor-General and Councillor, Cornelius Steen- 


wyck. 

The inhabitants of Fordham appear complaining in substance of the 
ill-government of their landlord, John Archer, requesting that they may 
be granted the nomination of their own Magistrates, as is allowed to all 
the other inhabitants of this government. Whereupon, the aforesaid 
John Archer being summoned to appear, the complaint is communi- 
cated to him, who voluntarily declares that he desists from the govern- 
ment, authority and patroonship of said town, reserving alone the 
property and ownership of the lands and houses there ; according, there- 
fore, to the said inhabitants the nomination of their own Magistrates, 
which is confirmed to them by the Governor and Council, whereupon 
the following minute is granted them :— 


a Albany Rec. vol. xxiii. 26-52, 
b See Yonkers. 


508 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


The inhabitants of the town of Fordham are hereby authorized to nominate, 
by plurality of the votes of their town, six of the best qualified persons, ex- 
clusively of the Reformed Christian religion, as magistrates of said town, and to 
present said nomination by the first opportunity to the Governor-General, from 
which his Honor will then make the selection ; it is also recommended them to 
pay attention when nominating, that the half, at least of those nominated, be of 
the Dutch nation. 

Dated New Harlem, 4th of October, 1673.¢ 

** At a Council held in Fort William Hend- 
rick, 15th June, 1674, 


Present: GovERNOR-GENERAL ANTHONY QOOLVE, 
CouUNCILLOR CORNELIUS STEENWYOK, 
Fiscan WiLi1aM Knyrr, and 
Sroretary Nicotars Bayarp, as assumed Councillors.” 


John Archer requesting by petition, that Johannis Vervelen be ordered 
to hand over to him (the petitioner) the books concerning the town of 
Fordham. Ordered :— 


“ Sehout Vervelen is hereby directed to hand over to the Petitioner 
the books and protocols properly belonging to him.’”? 


Upon the 18th of September, 1669, John Archer mortgaged the 
Manor of Fordham to Cornelius Steenwyck, merchant of New York, for 
the sum of 2,200 guilders; a second mortgage from John Archer to 
Steenwyck occurrs on the 14th of November, 1671, for 7,000 guilders 
seawant or the the value payable in twelve years on November 14th, 
1683, with yearly interest. The mortgege was in fee, with proviso that 
on payment of money mortgage was to be void, and Archer, his heirs 
and assigns to re-enter. It was expressed in the mortgage that Archer was 
to deliver the deeds unto Steenwyck, which the latter promised to return 
on payment of the money.° The above mentioned sums were increased 
by the additional mortgage of 24,000 guilders in 1676, payable seven 
years thereafter as appears from the following document :— 


This indenture, made the twenty-fourth day of November, in the 2d 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, and Anno Domini 
1676, between John Archer, owner and proprietor of the manor of Fordham, up- 
on the main, near Spiting Devil, on the one part, and Cornelius Steenwick, of 


a N. Y. Col. MSS. vol. ii. p. 625. 
b N. Y. Col. MSS. vol. ii., p. 721. 


ec It does not appear that the deeds were ever returned to Archer or his heirs. Indeed from 
that day to the present, the archer family have always disclaimed the possession of any 
ancient deeds whatever. The Dutch Reformed Church of New York to whom Margaretta 
Steenwyck (the widow of Cornelius and wife of Henricus Selyns) conveyed the Manor in 1694, 
refuse auy examination of their papers, 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 5°09 


the city of New York, merchant, on the other part, witnesseth, that the said 
John Archer, for, and in consideration of the sum of twenty-four thousand 
guilders seawant, or the value to him paid, secured to be paid at or before the 
ensealing and delivering of these presents by the said Cornelius Steenwick, where- 
of and wherewith he, the said John Archer, doth acknowledge and confess him- 
self to be fully satisfied, and thereof doth clearly acquit and discharge the said 
Cornelius Steenwick, his heirs, executors, and administrators, hath allowed, 
granted, bargained and sold, and by these presents doth fully, clearly and abso- 
lutely alien, grant, bargain and sell unto the said Cornelius Steenwick, his heirs 
and assigns forever, all his right, title and interest in the town and manor afore- 
said, together with all the messuages, tenements, buildings and fences thereup- 
on, and all the land improved or other ways now in the tenure or occupation of 
him, the said John Archer, and others, his tenants or assigns, and also all and all 
manner of rents, duties, and profits received or may be received, and payable for 
and in respect of every or any of the said bargained premises, and also all and 
singular deeds, patents, evidences and writings, touching and concerning the 
same, and the privileges therein contained, to have and to hold the said manor of 
Fordham, with the messuages and all and singular other the premises by these 
presents granted or intended to be granted, bargained and sold, with their and 
every of their appurtenances, unto the said Cornelius Steenwick, his heirs and 
assigns to the only proper use and behoof of him, the said Cornelius Steenwick, 
his heirs and assigns for ever, provided always, nevertheless, and upon the condi- 
tion that if the said John Archer, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, 
or any of them at or in the new dwelling house of. the said Cornelius Steenwick, 
situate and being in the city of New York, shall pay unto the said Cornelius 
Steenwick, his heirs, executors, or administrators or assigns, that value of twenty- 
four thousand guilders, or the value, within the time and term of seven years 
after the date hereof, that is to say, before the 24th day of November, which 
shall be in the year of our Lord, 1683, and also paying a yearly interest for the 
same until the principal be paid, at the rate of six per cent., as allowed by law, and 
that without fraud, or henceforth this present indenture or bargain and sale shall 
cease, determine, and be utterly void and of none effect to all intents, construc- 
tion or purpose; and that then also it shall and may be lawful for the said John 
Archer, his heirs and assigns to enter into and upon the same bargained premises, 
wholly to re-enter, and the same to have again, and to possess as his and their 
former estates, anything contained in these presents to the contrary notwithstand- 
ing ; and whereas the same John Archer, at or before the ensealing and delivery 
of these presents, hath delivered to the said Cornelius Steenwick certain deeds, 
patent evidences in writing, which he hath concerning the said bargained prem- 
ises, he, the said Cornelius Steenwick, for himself, his heirs, executors and ad- 
ministrators, doth by these presents covenant and grant to and with the said 
John Archer, his heirs and assigns, and every of them, that if the said John 
Acher, &c. De—— recorded 25th of November, 1678. 


On the 20th of November, 1684, Cornelius Steenwyck, of New York, 
merchant, and Margaretta his wife, made their last will and testament 
in the Dutch language. After the usual preamble they express them- 
selves to the following effect, viz:— 


510 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


‘*We, the said testators, do declare that our earnest will and last desire is, that 
the general inheritance of us, the said testators, and between our heirs, shall be 
regulated after the form, manner, custom and practice of the Nether Dutch Na- 
tion, and according to the articles made upon the surrendering of this place. 
And I, the said testator, with the free consent of my wife, by form of a legacy, 
have given, grant and legacied as I, the said testator, by form and legacy, do 
give and grant by these presents, for and to the proper use and behoof of the 
Nether Dutch Reformed congregation within the city of New York, for the sup- 
port and maintainance of their ministers, ordained according to the church orders 
of the Netherlands, now at present here in being or hereafter to be called, ordained, 
or to come, all the testators right, property, title, and hereditaments in and to 
the manor of Fordham, lying in the county of Westchester, together with all the 
lands, meadows, fields, woods, creeks, rivulets, and other waters, as also all the 
said testators jurisdiction, right, title, action and property, in and to the said 
Manor of Fordham, with all the patents, deeds, schedules, hypothets, mortgages, 
and other instruments of writing, to the said manor of Fordham, belonging or in 
any wise appertaining, in as full and ample as the said manor of Fordham now 
already in property is belonging, or hereafter more amply shall be confirmed 
unto the said testator by deed conveyance, transport, hypothet, mortgage, judg- 
ment or otherwise, from or by any manner of way or means, of John Archer, 
deceased, last owner and proprietor of the said Manor of Fordham. 

And I. the said testator, doe further order and declare, as my last will and 
testament, the said manor of Fordham, together with all the benefits, profits, in- 
comes, advantages, rents, and revenues, and all appurtenances thereof, shall be 
conveyed, transported and made over, in a fee, quiet, and full property and en- 
joyment by the testator’s appointed executrix, within the space of six months 
after the testator’s decease, or upon lawful demand, to the elders and overseers 
of the Nether Dutch congregation, for the proper use and behoof of the minister 
of the said congregation, as herebefore at large is expressed and set forth, to be 
held in full property, possession and enjoyment, inheritably and forever, by the 
said elders or overseers at the time of the testator’s decease in being, and all 
others that from time to time shall succeed in their places, to the end and use as 
aforesaid, without any let or hindrance or contradiction of any person or persons 
whatsoever.@ 

Provided always that none of the lands of the said manor shall be made away, 
alienated, or contrary to the tenor of these presents, or otherwise disposed of, 
but from thenceforth forever be and remain as lands of inheritance towards the 
support and maintaining of the church ministry of the said congregation as before 
expressed and recited and not otherwise. And finally, I, the said testator, do 
hereby declare that I have nominated, appointed, and authorized my aforesaid 
dear and loving wife Margarite Riemers® to be my only and lawful executrix 


a On the 14th of Nov., 1671, occurs an agreement by which John Archer was to pay ten 
per cent. upon the 7th of May, 1674. Thomas Gibs and John Curtis complained to the Gov- 
ernor that John Archer, at Fordham, is owing them some money, and that said Archer is dis- 
eae of his effects with intention to defraud his creditors of their just right; therefore the 

shout and Magistrates of the aforesaid town of Fordham, are hereby ordered and com- 
manded to arrest, on the complaint of said persons, the estate and effects of the above men- 
tioned Archer, and to allow said persons, after due examination, and according to the state 
of the case, to receive good law and justice.””—N. Y. Col. MSS. vol. ii, 708, 


6 Margaret De Reimer was the daughter of —— De Reimer and Elizabeth Grevenrack. 
Margaret, after the death of Steenwyck, married Dominie Henricus Selyns. 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 512 


of this my last will and testament, giving and granting by these presents unto 
her my said wife as full and ample power and authority as all other executors by 
law have and do enjoy, as in and by an English translated copy thereof and the 
said original Dutch will in the hands and custody of the said minister, elders and 
deacons doth fully and at large appear,” &c., &c.@ 


Soon after the making of this will the said Cornelius Steenwyck, died 
so seized and possessed of the Manor as aforesaid. 

Subsequently John Archer, the younger son and heir of John Archer, 
first grantor of the manor of Fordham, by an indenture bearing date the 
16th of October, 1685, “for and in consideration therein mentioned, did 
grant, release and convey the said manor of Fordham, and his estate, 
right, and title of it and to the same, and the equity of redemption there- 
of, and all the deeds unto the aforesaid Margaretta Steenwyck, and make 
livery in seize thereof,” &c. Upon the roth of January, 1694, Dominie 
Henricus Selyns and Margaretta, his wife, formerly Margaretta Steen- 
wyck, by their certain deed poll, under their hands and seals, did grant 
and convey to Colonel Nicholas Bayard, Captain Isaac Vermilyea, Jacob 
Bolen Rockloyzun, and John Harpendinck, then elders.and overseers of 
the Nether Dutch Church within the city of New York, &c., and their 
lawful successors and heirs and posterity the said manor of Fordham, 
lying in the County of Westchester above mentioned :— 


‘‘ With all the lands and meadows, fields, woods, rivulets, creeks and other 
rivers, together with all the rights, title, property, jurisdiction, and interest which 
either the aforesaid Cornelius Steenwyck or in quality as before in any other 
manner of way before that time had in the said manor of Fordham, and its ap- 
purtenances, whether it be by right from the said John Archer, or from his son, 
John Archer, Jr., to be held and forever enjoyed, used, and possessed, and held 
in full and absolute property, as an hereditary estate, by the said elders and over- 
seers of the aforesaid congregation who were then in being, with all the profits, 
incomes, benefits, and revenues, for the better support and maintainance of the 
said minister, called pursuant to order of the Church of Netherlands then present 
or that should thereafter be called and come. 

‘Provided, and with the aforesaid condition and stipulant, that the Manor 
with all its appurtenances, should, i7 no wise be alienated nor estranged, contrary 
to the tenor of the aforementioned will and bequest, but should remain to the 
use and behoof aforesaid, and not otherwise, releasing therefor, the said deed to 
property, title and right that this said grantors as well for themselves or in 
quality as avove heretofore had to the said Manor and its appurtenances, could 


a The will bears date N. Y. 20. Nov. 1684 and was entered 8th of May 1685, surrogates office 
N. Y., Vol. xix p. 189—140, inventory and appraisment of estateof Mr. Cornelius Steenwyck 
decd. July °h 1686. In a list of debtors in the Book K among many others occurs the 
following nuimes: 234 Lewis Morris, Jr,, guilder, 603,5.0; 264 Thomas Hunt, guild., 282,8.0, 
Jan Archer at Fordham concerning land there included in the will guild. 38800,19; Philip 
Pinkne East Chester guild. 100,0,0; Jacobus Terneur guild. 709; Jacobus Van Cortlandt guild, 
59.142: Mr. Wm. Penn £120 &.; John Risbell guild. 10947, 1,—total am’t £15852.14.5. Surr, 


offic, Vol. Xix 289. 


ci2 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


~ 


or ought to have in any manner of way whatsoever as by the said indenture in 
the hands and custody of the said Nicholas Bayard and the present elders of the 
said Dutch church became seized and a of the premises aforesaid in trust 
to the use and purpose aforesaid.” 


The manor of Fordham was subsequenty confirmed to the Nether 
Dutch Church within the city of New York by the royal charter, ninth 
of William and Mary, May 11th, 1696. 


On the 7th of Dec, 1724, a bill was filed in Chancery by the minis- 
ter, elders and deacons, &c., of the Dutch church, against Lewis Morris 
which shows that the orators were seized for many years of a certain 
Manor of Fordham, situate, lying and being within the bounds of the 
county of Westchester, to the eastward of Harlem river, near unto the 
passage formerly called Spiten Divil, and now known by the name of 
Kings Bridge, beginning at the high woodland that lys due north-west 
over against the first point of the main-land to the east of Paperimiman 
there where the kill Muskoota is, and so goes along the said kill; the 
said land stretching from the high woodland aforementioned, east, south- 
east, until it comes to Bronck’s kill, so westward up along the main-land 
to the place where Harlem kill and Hudson’s river meet, and then fur- 
ther alongst Harlem kill to the fresh spring or fountain lying to the 
south of Crabb Island, so eastward along Daniel Turmmeur’s land the 
high woodland belonging to Thomas Hunt and then to Bronck’s kill 
aforementioned ; and also of and in a parcell of meadows number and 
situate, lying and being on the said Harlem river near the Manor of 
Fordham, beginning in the middle of a point to the north of Cregier’s 
house, beyond of above the small cove that lyes above the said house 
and south-west on Harlem river, and extends further northward to the 
highway where the wooden bridge lyes.” Orator’s title derived by a 
patent given to John Archer by Governor Lovelace, Nov. 13th, 1671, 
strengthened and supported by a former purchase made of Elias Doughty 
of part thereof which he held by a former patent, of land in Westchester 
to one Hugh O’Neal, an old Indian purchase bearing date 2oth of Sept., 
1669, a warrant of survey and actual survey and return thereof made 
to Governor Lovelace prior to said purchase with sundry powers and 
privileges in said pattent mentioned and expressed. Receipts mortgage, 
to Steenwyck, dated Nov. 24th, 1676, which came into the hands of 
Margareta, widow and executrix of Steenwyck, and that after death of 
Archer, Sr., Esq,, of release became vested in John Archer, Jr., son and 
heir of John Archer the patentee. That by deed of said Archer, dated 
16th of October, 1685, Archer conveyed to Margareta Steenwyck in fee 
all the said manor of Fordham. Margaretta being so seized, did soon 
thence after intermarrying with Henrycus Selyns, the minister of the 
Dutch church in the city of New York; who afterwards on the 1st 
day of January, 1694, with said Margaretta, by a certain deed pole 
gave and granted the manor of Fordham unto ye Elders of the Dutch 
church to and for the use of the Dutch church, and said manor was con- 
firmed to said church by a charter dated May 11th 1696. ‘That within 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 513 


some few years or months, they and their tenants, who hold part of the 
said Manor, by, from and under them, have met with great disturbances 
from Lewis Morris, Esq., Chief Justice of the Province of New York, 
and the town or borough of Westchester, Daniel Turneur and Thomas 
Hunt, of Westchester, who pretend title to some part or parts of the 
same Manor, and more particularly the said Lewis Morris, Esq., hath 
not only caused their fences to be pulled down and removed, but some 
time within these two years, hath entered upon, &c., and taken posses- 
sion of upwards of three hundred acres (of said manor of Fordham) of 
the best of their land adjoining to his Manor of Morrisania, and hath 
given out in speeches that unless they will release to him the said quan- 
tity of land and of their said Manor, he will lay claim to their whole 
Manor, either in his own nght or in the rights of the borough of West- 
chester, and that if your orators will freely and peaceably release to him 
and let him keep and hold the quiet possession and enjoyment of said 
three hundred acres, he will release to ye orators all the rest of the 
said Manor, and also procure to them the lke release to them from the 
town of Westchester. As orators witnesses cannot live long who can 
prove the running of the line—prays for examination “72 perpetuan rei 
memoriam,” and asks for subpoena against Morris, Mayor, Aldermen and 
Commonality of Westchester, Daniel Turneur and Thomas Hunt.” 


On the 5th of May, 1725, appears notice of taxation of costs for 
setting aside the subpcenas irregularly issued against the defendants in 
the above suit, also a draft of the foregoing bill in Chancery, likewise a 
copy of Mire vs. Trespass case without date. On the 27th of March, 
1725, occurs the filing of a demurrer to above bill. 

Besides the above documents, all of which are in the possession of 
Gouverneur Morris, Esq., are the following: 1. Copy of O’Neal’s 
Patent. 2. Dutch Church Charter. 3. John Archer’s Patent, 1671. 4. 
Letter of Lewis Morris, April 25th, 1717, protests against surveying the 
boundary line. 5. Elias Doughty to Betts and Tippets. 6. Petition of 
Dutch Church, filed Dec. 7th, 1724, praying for an examination of wit- 
nesses “in perpetuam rei memoriam,’ for the proof of the title of the said 
Dutch Church to the manor of Fordham, a copy of original supposed to 
be filed in Court of Chauncery. 7. Copy of panel of jurors dated Rye, 
March 13th, 1759, Dutch Church vs. Lewis Gerardus Willets, e¢ a7. 8. A 
green paper endorsed, “Papers relating to dispute between Morrisania 
and the Manor of Fordham.” N. B.—lewis Morris, under the Ford- 
ham title, possessed himself of the upper part of Morrisania—now 
owned under his will by his son William. 9. Draft of advertisement. 
to. List of jurors balloted, 15th March, 1759. 11. July, 1756, Supreme 
Court, issue joined and Coroner directed to draw a jury. 12. Partial 
draft of foregoing advertisement. 13. A brief submitted by Lewis Mor- 
ris ; the same Lewis Morris, original defendant, died in May. 1746. 14. . 


514 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Dec. rath, 1684, Lewis Morris is furnished with a complaint in trespass 
brought by one Robert Huestis against William Walton, and is requested 
by Walton to appear and answer at the next Court of Sessions then to de- 
fend his title. 15. Memorandum of Testimony (no date). 16. The plea of 
Daniel and Woodhull Turneurin the Supreme Court against the complaint 
of the Minister, Elders and Deacons of the Dutch Church. They deny the 
trespass, except cutting trees ; and as to that, say they are not guilty— 
and of this throw themselves on the country; they say the trees were not 
worth the value stated in the declaration, and that the Freeholders and 
inhabitants of Westchester long before the trespass, Aug. 16th, 1680, 
was seized of the lands; and on said day, at town meeting, gave to one 
William Richardson and associates, the privilege of a certain stream 
called Brunck’s river, to set up two mills, viz: one saw-mill and one 
corn-mill, to continue so long as said mills should be kept up and main- 
tained, with privilege of cutting timber growing on the common lands. 
In pursuance of above, Richardson entered, &c., and built mills and 
kept and maintained the same and fulfilled his costs by means of which, 
grantee was seized in his desmessness long before Dec. 23d, 1692, when 
he, Richardson, made his will and empowered his executors to sell his 
estate, both houses, lands and mills ; and on July 23d, 1695, sold lands, 
&c., to Evart Bybank, and Johannes Hoghland, heirs and assigns, Hogh- 
land (date not given) did release to Bybank. Bybank so seized Dec. 24th, 
1709, willed property to Wyntie, his wife, heirs and assigns, forever. 
Soon after Evart Bybank died ; and Wyntie entered by virtue of 
Evarts will, and on 2d of April, 1711, granted lands and privileges to 
William: Provost, heirs and assigns. June 26th, 1712, Provost sold 
land to Nicholas Brown; 31st of March, 1719, Brown sold to Turneur, 
which Daniel Turneur is now seized of same; and the said Daniel and 
Woodhull, servant of Daniel, did cut down said trees, “with as little 
spoile” as may be. 17. Other copies of advertisement forewarning 
persons not to purchase any part of the Manor of Fordham, if it lies 
south of the southerly line of Hugh O’Neal’s patent. Then follow 
memorandum as to mortgages from Archer to Cornelius Steenwyck, as 
given in the preceding pages of the main text. 

In December, 1753, the Lieuteuant-Governor of his majesty’s prov- 
ince of New York, with the Council and Assembly, passed an act en- 
titled :— 

“‘ An act to enable the minister, elders, and deacons of the Reformed 
Protestant Dutch Church of the city of New York to sell and dispose of 


their lands, tenements, and hereditaments in the County of Westchester, 
commonly called and known by the name of the Manor of Fordham, &c. 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 515 


And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that the moneys 
arising by such sale or sales shall not be disposed of to any secular use, 
but the same shall be expended and used in purchasing or improving 
lands and other real estate, in order to secure a better and more large 
revenue or income towards supporting and maintaining of the said Dutch 
minister, or ministers, of the said Dutch churches and congregations, as 
near as may be agreeable to the will and intentions of the said donor, 
Cornelius Steenwyck, &c.” 


On the 25th of February, 1755, the above act was confirmed by the 
king in Council.4 

The principal grantees of the manor under the Dutch Reformed 
Church were Charles Doughty, who held 230 acres; John Vanholst, 
138 acres; Daniel Sicard, 108 acres, (of whom Benjamin Archer pur- 
chased ;) Joseph and Bishop, 155 acres, the Dyckmans, &c. The resi- 
due, consisting of forty acres, was sold to the Hon. Lewis Morris and 
William Kelly in 1760. Upon the 2d of May, 1774, Lewis Morris and 
William Kelly conveyed 110 acres to Peter Valentine, in whose de- 
scendants this portion of the Manor is still vested. 

Through the liberality of Mrs. Steenwyck, three hundred acres are 
said to have been exempted from the sale to the Dutch Church, upon 
which was situated the old manorial residence. Be this as it may, how- 
ever, we find Benjamin Archer, son of Samuel, and grand son of John 
Archer, first grantor of the manor of Fordham, in 1780, seized in fee of 
a portion of the manor. Upon the death of Benjamin it passed to his 
children—Benjamin Archer, John Archer, Sarah, the wife of Jacob Alord, 
and Rachel, the wife of James Crawford. In 1786 Sarah and Rachel 
conveyed their rights and interest unto Benjamin Archer, their brother ; 
whose sons, the late William and Samuel Archer, conveyed to Gustav 
Schwab, James Punnett, H. W. T. Mali, Loring Andrews, and F. L. 
Johnson. 

The family of Archer is of English origin—Fulbert L’Archer, (a sur- 
name sigrifying for distinction’s sake the archer, or bowman,)the first of 
whom any thing is known, came into England with William the Con- 
queror.” The Archers for many centuries held large possessions in the 
County of Warwickshire. The representative of the senior branch in 
1560 appears to have been Humphrey Archer of Warwickshire,’ who was 
born in 1527 and died October 24th, 1562, eldest son and heir of Rich- 
ard Archer, twelfth in descent from the above mentioned Fulbert. Hum- 

@ Inthe ancient catalogue, or Roll of Battle Abbey, Sussex, England, occurs the name of 
** Archere,” Arms of Archer, of Umbusdale County, of Warwick: Azure, three broad ar- 
rows in pale or, Crest out of a mural coronet gu—a dragons head arg. 


b Andrew Archer, armiger, of Tanwork, was High Sheriff of Warwickshire, 6th of Jan. 
1608 ; arms as above.—Fuller’s Worthies of England, vol. iii., p. 295. 


516 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


phrey, married Elizabeth Townsend, and left among other sons—John 
whose son John was the father of John Archer, first Lord of this manor. 
The latter probably accompanied the early settlers from Fairfield, Conn,, 
to Westchester, circ 1654-5; for in 1657 his name appears as plaintiff 
in an action of debt brought against one Roger Wiles of the latter town. 
His branch of the family might have removed out of Warwickshire into 
Norfolk, from whence they came to New England. Several of this name 
were early settlers of Massachusetts, viz., Henry, of Ipswich in 1641 ; and 
Samuel Archer, a carpenter, who requested freedom, lived in Salem, and 
died in 1667. Hubbard, in his ‘Indian Wars,” mentions a Layton 
Archer, and his son of Rhode Island who were killed by the Indians, 
25th of June, 1675% John Archer, first Lord of this Manor, was 
Sheriff of New York city from 1679 to 1682. It is said that he suddenly 
expired in his coach while journeying from his manorial residence to 
New York city sometime in October, 1685, and was interred on Tetard 
Hill. His eldest son, John Archer, second Lord of the manor, married 
Sarah, daughter of William Odell, of Fordham, as appears by the follow- 
ing license issued by Governor Dongan in 1686 :— 


‘*By his Excellency the governor, whereas, I have received information of a 
mutual intent and agreement between John Archer of the one part, and Sarah 
Odell of the other part, to solemnize marriage together, for which they have re- 
quested my lycense, and there appearing no lawful impediment for the obstruc- 
tion thereof, these are to authorize and empower you to join the said John and 
Sarah Odell in the bonds of matrimony, and them to pronounce man and wife, and 
to make record thereof, if convenient to the laws in that behalf provided, for 
which this shall be your warrant. Given under my hand and seal, at Fort James, 
in New York, the seventh day of October, 1686, under the second year of his 


majesties reign. THOMAS DONGAN.” 


PROVINCE oF NEw York, 


These may certify all persons to whom those presents shall come, that John 
Archer, of the manor of Fordham, in the County of Westchester, and Sarah 
Odell of the same place, by virtue of his Excellency the Governor’s license, bear- 
ing date 7th day of October, 1686, were both joined together in matrimony the 
day of December, in the year of our Lord God, 1686, and in the 2nd year of 
his majesty’s reign. Ira Roeatvs, Attestator. 


Joun PatmeEr, Justice of Quorum. 


John Archer, although charged under the manorial patent as mesne 
lord, with the proper oversight for the maintainance of a minister in the 
town of Fordham, (the parishioners living between the two kills of Har- 


a Farmer’s Register. 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 517 


lem and Bronck’s,) yet appears to have attached himself to Westchester ; 
for in 1703 he was elected a vestryman of the precinct of Yonkers, 
(which included Fordham, both towns being embraced in the extensive 
parish of Westchester,) an office which he held for nearly seven years, 
and died in 1783.¢ 

The children of John Archer and Sarah Odell, were: John, Samuel, 
Richard, and others, who have left numerous descendants ; Samuel, the 
second son, left one son, Benjamin Archer of Fordham, whose son Ben- 
jamin was for many years owner in fee of part the manor. 


In 1671, Daniel Turneur, of New Harlem, purchased forty morgen of land 
from the Indian sachems Shatash, Panazarah and others, which said ‘‘tract of 
land is lying upon ye maine next to ye land of John Archer, beginning at ye 
bay on ye south side of Crabb Island and so running along ye creek parting ye 
maine and Manhattan’s Island to Brunx land extending east and west so far as 
the land of the said John Archer,” &c.5 This sale is presumed to have embraced 
Devoe’s point, called by the Aborigines ‘‘ Nuasin.” 


On the 15th of June, 1668, Richard Nicoll, Governor of the Province, 
confirmed to the above grantee all that “certain piece or parcel of land 
upon the maine, lying and being to the north of Bronck’s land, begin- 
ning at the mouth of Maenneppis kill (Cromwell’s creek) and goes into 
the woods the depth of fifty rods, containing eighty acres, &c.” 

The following conveyance was made by the Indians in 1676, to the 
widow of Turneur and his son Daniel :— 


INDIAN DEED OF MENTIPATHE. 
New York, May 10ru, 1676. 


This day appeared here, in the office of Recorder, Jackeline Turnier, widow, 
and Daniel Turnier, the sonne of Daniel Turnier, late of New Harlem, deceased, 
who brought with him some Indyan proprietors to attend the governor, and, to 
acknowledge before his Honor, the sale of a certain piece of land at Mentipathe 
Kill, beginning from the mark’t white oake tree, so runs northerly to a creek 
called Saproughah, by Crabb Island, then running east and west to Bronkx river. 
But his Honor being absent and the said Indyans, having occasions abroad, so 


a The will of John Archer, of Eastchester, bears date 4th of May, 1758, to his eldest son, 
Abraham, his house and all my farm of land, &c., lying in Eastchester at a place called Pond 
Field which I bought of Elisha Barton, &c.; to his son John, £5. he having received the rest 
of his portion already ; to his grand-son, Jagob, son of Jacob Archer, the sum of £5; to his well 
beloved wife, Elizabeth, all my household goods, &c. Proved 1zth of July, 1758, Surrogate’s 
office N. Y., Rec. wills, No. 21, pp, 61-62. Will of Jonathan Archer, of Eastchester, 26th of 
Sept., 1764, sons, Ezekiel and John, daughter Sarah, wife of Stephen Fowler, daughter Abigail, 
wife of J oshua Peil, dJr., grandson, Caleb. Proved 19th of August, 1766, Surrogates office, Rec. 
Wills, No. 25, 1765, 1767,p. 279. Will of Ezekiei Archer, 1773, wife Philenar, son Ezekiel. daugh- 
ters Martha and Abigail, wife and sister Jane Tippet, brother-in-law Joshua Pell. Surrogates 
office N. ¥., No. xxix p. 344. 


b Vol. vii, Land Papers, Albany, 1643 to 1803, p. 42, 


518 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER, 


that they cannot attend his Honor’s returne, do hereby acknowledge that they 
have sold the above named tract of land together with all manner of appurtenan- 
ces, benefitts and priviledges thereunto appertaining, unto the afore-named Dan- 
iel Turnier, his heirs and assigns forever, and that they likewise have received 
full payment and due satisfaction for the same, and do also desire that this their 
acknowledgement of the aforesaid sale may bee authoritick, legall and effectuall, 
to all intent and purposes, whatsoever. In witness whereof, we the Indyan Pro- 
prietors, namely: Jackeline, Aughwaron, Schapemosse, Toocooran, Narrowes 
and Assinney, have hereunto sett our names, the day and year above written. 


Acknowledged by the said Indyans RaxEnHowwaoon, © His mark, 
in the presence of AvouwarosE, © His mark, 
Wm. Darnatt, Sonapemoon, © His mark, 
Rp. Meyer, TovoovRAN, © His mark, 
G. MrniwEtt, NARROWNEXE, 9 His mark, 
Rion. CHARLSON.4 AssInNEY, © His mark. 


Upon the restoration of the Dutch in 1673, we find the inhabitants 
of Fordham, petitioning at a meeting of the Governor-General, through 
counsellor Cornelius Steenwyck, in the village of New Harlem, 4th of 
October, 1673, ‘“‘upon which occasion the inhabitants of Fordham ap- 
peared and complained, in substance, of the bad management of their 
lord, (land-heer), John Archer, soliciting that they might be permitted 
to make the nomination of their own magistrates, &c., as is granted to 
all the other inhabitants under this government; on which, the afore- 
said John Archer, being summoned, this complaint was communicated 
to him, who voluntarily declared that he abdicated all authority and pa- 
tronage over the villages, reserving only to himself the property of the 
lands and houses there, and permitting the said inhabitants the nomina- 
tion of their own magistrates, which was confirmed by the Governor and 
Council. The following act was granted them:— 


“The inhabitants of the village of Fordham are, by a majority of 
votes, to choose a number of ‘six persons of the best qualified inhabi- 
tants, and only those of the Reformed Christian religion, as magistrates 
of the aforesaid village, and to present the aforesaid nomination, by the 
first opportunity to the Governor-General, from which he shall make the 
election. They are recommended to take care that at least the half of 
the nominated are of the Dutch nation. Done in this village of New 
Harlem, 4th of October, 1673. 

‘‘From the nomination of the inhabitants of Fordham, there are elec- 
ted, by the Governor, as magistrates of said village for the ensuing year. 


“JOHANNES VERVEELEN, as Schefen and Secretary. 


a Albany Deed books. In 1668, letters of Adm. were granted to Martha Turner, widow of 
Lawrens Turner, of Westchester, in North Riding of Yorkshire. Sur. office, N. Y., Wills 
and Adm. 1665 to 1683, No. 1, p. 71 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 519 


The ancient Dorp, or village of Fordham, according to the annexed 
survey, still preserved among the land papers at Albany, stood on or 
near that part of the Westchester shore of Harlem River now called 
Kings Bridge, or as the Royal Patent recites—“‘near unto ye passage 
commonly called Spiting Divil, upon which land ye New Dorp or village 
is erected, known by the name of Fordham.” Here John Archer, the 
first mesne lord, “at his own charge, and with good success began a 
township in a convenient place for the relief of strangers, circ 1668, it 
being the road for passengers to go to and fro from the main, as well as 
for mutual intercourse with the neighboring colony.” The old village 
has long since disappeared—not a vestige remains behind, save a few 
bricks and stones which serve to mark its site. The present village of 
Fordham is situated on the line of the Harlem and New Haven Rail- 
road, where is a depot of the former road, twelve and a half miles north 
of the City Hall. Near the depot stands the civil and police courts for 
the Twenty-third and Twenty fourth Wards of the city of New York, al- 
so one of the largest and best arranged public schools of the city. Here 
are four churches, numerous stores and manufactories, &c. A short dis- 
tance north of Fordham is a depot for Jerome Park which borders on the 
Croton Aqueduct. Here is located a large race course and club house . 
belonging to the American Jockey Club. 

Little is known concerning the early history of religion in the manor 
except, that as early as 1671 “the inhabitants residing between the two 
Kills of Harlem and the Broncks” were obliged to contribute towards 
the support of a minister when one should be settled or called in the 
Manor of Fordham. 

In May 1696 a society was organized here by the Collegiate Dutch 
Reformed congregation of New York. The Rev. John Montaigne being 
minister; and Henricus Selyns, William Beekman, Johannes Kerbyle, 
Johannes Depyster, Jacobus Kipp, Isaac de Forrest, and Isaac de 
Reyner elders and deacons. The next minister seems to have been the 
Rev. Henricus Beyse, who about 1709 resigned his pastorate and joined 
the Church of England. For Colonel Lewis Morris writing to the 
venerable Propogation Society in 1709, says:— . 


*T have used some endeavours to persuade the Dutch in my neigh- 
borhood into a good opinion of the Church of England; and have had 
that success, that they would, I believe, join a great part of them in the 
sacraments 2nd worship—had they Dutch Common Prayer Books and a 
minister who understood their language. I have taken some pains with 
one of their ministers, one Henricus Beyse, and have prevailed on him 
to accept of Episcopal ordination,” 


520 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


The Provincial clergy addressing Governor Hunter of New York 
May 14th, 1712, state among other things that :— 


“The Reverend Mr. Beys has represented that he suffers hardships, 
having no salary from the people of New Harlem where he officiates ; 
and his establishment from the Society being uncertain through some 
aspersions thrown upon him by his adversaries, we heartily recommend 
him to your Ex’cy to protect and encourage him according to his serv- 
ices.” 


The last minister, prior to the revolution, was the Rev. Dom. John 
Tétard.* This individual was of French descent and succeeded the Rev. 
Jean Carle as pastor of the French church in New York. The name of 
Tétard frequently occurs among the records of the French church Du 
St. Esprit between the years 1680 and 1770." 

The following minutes are extracted from the record of the New York 
Classis: 


“At a classis held in Flatbush on Tuesdav, September 2d, 1800, 
&c. The church in the Manor of Fordham, beng reduced during the 
war, and a prospect now opening of their being restored, Resolved, that 
this Classis encourage and countenance them, by assisting and supplying 
them. Resolved further, that Dr. Livingston visit and preach to them 
as soon as convenient.” 


“In 1802 Mr. Livingston reported that he had fulfilled his appoint- 
ment, whereupon it was resolved that Mr. Jackson take charge of the 
congregation and give them all the service in his power.” 


“October 19th, 1809, the church of Fordham having called the Rev. 
John Jackson he was approved by the Classis, who also resolved that the 
Rev. Dr. Gerardus A. Kuypers, as primarius, and the Rev. Cornelius ©, 
Vermilyea, as secundus, be a committee to install the Rev. John Jacksor * 


LIST OF MINISTERS OF THE DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH, 
FORDHAM MANOR. 


Inst. on CALL. Pastors. VaoaTep By- 
1696, Rey. Joun MontTaave, resignation. 
1707, Rey Hewnricus BEyss, sé 
1776, Rev. Dom. Joun Peter TETarp, Re 
1802, Rey. Joun JAOKSON, oe 
1840, Rev. Perer [. Van Pett, D.D., ae 
1846, Rev. WILi1AM CaHoone, oe 
1850, Rey. Rost. Van AMBURGH, £y 
1853, Rey. Joun H. BeEvier, #4 


a Doc. Hist. of N. Y., vol. III, p. 130. 
b Sze Vorrien’s Hist. Discourse of the Church Du St. Esprit. 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 521 


1855, Rev. James Beatrix, te 

1864, Rey. James Borton, sf 

1866, Rey. James B. Harensuraa, stated supply. 

1869, Rey. Joun Truman, resignation. 

1874, Rev. Wm. Brusu, es 

1876, Rey. D. Jewett, stated supply. 
Oct. 1876, Rey. Wm. ANDERSON, present pastor. 


The Dutch Reformed or Reformed church stands upon rising ground 
on the north side of the road leading from the village of Fordham to 
Kings Bridge near Jerome Park, close to the line of the Croton Aque- . 
duct. 

A still older stucture, however, was constructed in 1801, which 
was superceded by the present edifice. The first church, which was 
built in 1706, through the liberality of Margaretta Steenwyck or Selyns, 
William Dyckman and others was standing in 1724 (but has long since 
departed) on the farm of James Valentine,* now occupied by Moses 
Devoe. The residence of the latter is said to have been the old Dutch 
Parsonage. 

The following inscription on the foundation stone of this edifice is 
still preserved in the new church :— 


EY¥eS: 
1706. 


Before the Revolutionary war the Manor of Fordham was considered 
as joined for all ecclesiastical purposes to Yonkers, which formed one 
of the three precincts of the parish of Westchester ; and we have already 
seen that at least one of the Lords of the Manor, was a vestryman of 
that ancient parish. Still Fordham like Morrisania continued to be as- 
sociated with Westchester, even after the Revolution, in the support of 
a minister, until the year 1853 when the present parish of St. James was © 
organized under the following circumstances :—‘‘ Numerous residents of 
the Manor experiencing much inconvenience in attending Episcopal ser- 
vices. on account of having no place of worship; and considering more- 
over in the great increase of population, that the cause of the Church 
might suffer by having no spiritual provision made for her members 
where the wants of other Denominations are so amply considered, called 
a meeting—which assembled at the house of William Alexander Smith, 
Esq., on the 5th of July, 1853—for the purpose of organizing a parish, 
and adopting such measures as would most effectually conduce to the 


a The following inscription is taken from a stone in the Valentine house adjoining the site 
of the old church: ‘*H. M. K.,1704."" The initials stand for Henry and Mary Kier, 


§22 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


same. Oswald Cammann, Esq., in the Chair ; William Watson Waldron, 
acting as Secretary. It was then and there, 


Resolved: ‘‘ That the persons present do proceed to incorporate themselves as 
a religious Society in Communion with the Protestant Episcopal Church in the 
United States of America ; and that the said Church and Congregation be known 
in law, by the name and title of the Rector, Wardens and Vestrymen of St. 
James’ Church in the Manor of Fordham, town of West Farms, County of West- 
chester. The meeting proceeded to choose two church-wardens and eight vestry- 
men for the said church, when the following persons were elected: Lewis G. 
Morris and William Alexander Smith, church-wardens; Oswald Cammann, 
Francis McFearlan, William Watson Waldron, George Bement Butler, Samuel R. 
Trowbridge, Gulian Ludlow Dashwood, William Ogden Giles and Nathaniel 

latt Bailey, vestrymen.” 


In 1864 the vestry purchased two acres of land, near the village of 
Fordham, adjoining to and fronting on the grand Central Avenue lead- 
ing from New York to White Plains. Here the corner stone of the new 
Church of St. James was laid May 28th, 1864. The building so auspici- 
ously begun was completed the following year, and consecrated on All 
Saints day (Nov. 1st) by the Rt. Rev. the Bishop of the Diocese; the 
Rev. Morgan Dix, D.D., rector of the Trinity church, New York, 
preaching the sermon. ‘The edifice which is constructed of native stone, 
with red sand-stone trimmings, is in the early English style, consisting of 
nave, southern transept and apsidal chancel; to which it is proposed to 
add in the future a tower over the south-west entrance. 

. The four chancel windows, which are exceedingly rich both in tone 
and color, represent the Evangelists, between which is depicted the 
calling of the Apostle St. James the Great or the Elder (who was nearly 
related to our Saviour) an angel in the back ground bearing a sword 
emblematic of his martyrdom. ‘The fourth in this beautiful group of 
windows is a memorial one erected by the parishioners to the memory of 
George P. Cammann, M.D., one of the founders of the church and the 
inventor of the world renowned ‘“‘ Cammann’s Stethescope’”—a discovery 
which this noble and humane individual presented gratis to the medical 
profession—representing the healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate 
by St. Peter and St. John. On the east side of the transept and almost 
immediately over the font, is a memorial window, erected to Oswald 
Cammann, representing St. John baptizing our blessed Saviour in the river 
Jordan. All the before mentioned windows were manufactured at the 
royal stained glass manufactory at Munich, Bavaria. In the transept 
are also memorial windows to Miles Standish Davidson and Kate Miles 
Davidson (lineal descendants of the celebrated soldier Miles Standish 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 523 


the first captain of the settlers at Plymouth, New England, who was 
born in England in 1584, and came to America with the pilgrim fathers 
in 1620, and died 1656), children of the late Colonel M. O. Davidson, a 
civil engineer of distinction, representing the infant Jesus bearing the orb 
of empire ; and also St. Catharine leaning upon the wheel, an emblem of 
the tortures to which she was exposed. The wheel window in the gable 
end of the transept is a memorial to the late Mrs. Mary Bailey Woolsey, 
wife of Theodore B. Woolsey, and daughter of Nathaniel P. Bailey, Esq., 
representing cross, anchor and flowers, among the latter the simple 
Marguerites? or Daisies predomionate, her chosen favorite. Another 
window on the west side of the transept is a memorial to Catharine and 
Eliza Howell, and represents one of Fra Angelico’s winged seraphs or 
angels, and Jesus bearing the lamb. In the south aisle of the nave is a 
memorial window to Oswald Cammann, Sen., one of the benefactors of 
the church and founder of the well known Banking house of Cammann 
& Co., of New York city, depicting in one compartment the Chalice, or 
sacramental cup, signifying faith ; in the other a crown of thorns, emble- 
matic of suffering and victory. The north-west window in the nave isa 
memorial to Charles Drake, M.D., erected by his sister, Mrs. Seaman, 
of Kings Bridge, representing the Saviour’s healing of the blind man. A 
richly ornamented Catharine wheel window occupies the west gable of the 
nave, containing emblems of the Holy Trinity in unity and the four evan- 
gelists. The altar and font are of caen stone, richly carved; the former is 
placed in the centre of the apsis or chancel on the plan of the ancient 
churches as described by Eusebius and other writers, the Bishops seat 
being placed directly behind it against the wall of the apsis. The font 
was presented to the church, by the young men of the parish. The 
furniture of the chancel, pulpit, lectern and seats are of white oak ; a cross 
stands on the altar, a memorial of William and Maria Mali deceased 
parishioners. The bell was presented by the Rev. Charles C. Tiffany, a 
former rector of the parish, The communion service consists of two 
chalices, a flagon and paten inscribed as follows: 
‘«Presented by the ladies of the parish, 
A. D. 1854.” 

William W. Waldron, by the donation of two hundred volumes, has 
founded a parochial library for the benefit of all young persons resident 
in the parish. 

a ‘Sainte Marguerite whose legend and name signify a pearl, and has been given to that 
little lowly flower we call the daisy, were botb introduced from the East by the first crusaders, 
and now popular all over Europe. St. Margaret was the chosen type of female innocence and 


meekness.”” “There are no less than 238 churches in England dedicated in her honor.’”’— 
Mrs. Jameson’s Sacred and Legendary Art, &c. 


524 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


The parochial chapel of St. James, a portion of which was formerly 
the Manor school house, has been greatly improved of late by the addi- 
tion of a chancel and transepts, and now occupies a place in the north- 
east corner of the church property. The font and lectern were presented 
by the Rev. 


RECTORS OF ST. JAMES’S CHURCH, FORDHAM. 


Temp. Inst. ReEcrors. VAOAT. PATRONS. 


Noy, 1854, Rev. Josuua Weaver, A.M., per resig, Wardens eae Vestry 
Noy. 1, 1863, Rev. Taomas Rioney, D.D. pees 4 


Dec. 25, 1867, Rev. Cuartes C. Tirrany, Presb,, ‘ ns 
July 10, 1871, Rev. Myrron Maury, Presb., ks < 
Sebt. 9, 1875, Rev. Josepa Biancnarp, Presb., present rector. 


Immediately contiguous tothe Dutch Reformed Church is the Croton 
Aqueduct, which at no great distance crosses the Harlem River on a 
magnificent bridge of stone 1450 feet long, with fifteen arches, eight of 
which are eighty feet span, and seven are fifty feet span; 114 feet above 
tide water, at the top. The estimate cost of the whole, exceeding $900,- 
ooo. Onthe New York side of the bridge is a stone tower, used for sup- 
plying the higher portions of Manhattan Island with water—about a 
half a mile north of the High Bridge, an iron suspension bridge is to be 
erected uniting Manhattan island with the West Chester shore. 

In this vicinity is situated Mount Fordham, the seat of Lewis G. 
Morris, Esq., fifth in descent from the Hon. Lewis Morris third proprie- 
tor of te manoz of Morrisania. This property was originally purchased 
about 1760 by Chief Justice Lewis Morris, Governor of New Jersey, and 
his grand-son Richard Morris, Judge of the Court of Admiralty under the 
crown and subsequently Chief Justice of the State of New York. The 
latter resided on this property at the breaking out of the Revolutionary 
war, and willingly resigned his office as Judge of the English Court of 
Admiralty rather than compromise his principles, which were decidedly 
in favor of the popular cause. Governor Tyron thereupon directed an 
officer of the British army to take possession of Judge Morris’ house, and 
use it as long as required ; but ordered him, at the same time, to burn it 
to the ground as soon as abandoned. This outrage was soon afterwards 
perpetrated ; and Judge Morris, then advanced in years, was compelled 
to fly for better security to Claverack in Columbia County. 

The present house which is constructed of stone, is finely situated on 
an eminence and commands a very extensive view of Harlem river and 
surrounding country in which New York Island forms a beautiful feature. 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 525 


Here are portraits of the Hon. Lewis Morris, fourth proprietor of Morri- 
sania, great grand-father of the present occupant; and his first wife, 
Catharine Staats; and his son the Hon. Richard Morris, Judge of the 
High Court of Admiralty in 1776 ; at the foot of this portrait is suspended 
the hilt of the official sword that used to be borne by the Provincial 
Judges of Admiralty. In one of the parlors of the mansion is to be seen 
an original portrait of the celebrated St. Ignatius Loyola, the founder of 
the Jesuits, who was born in his father's castle of Loyola in the year 
1491, of a race so noble, that its head was always summoned to do 
homage to the throne of Spain by a special writ. He died first General 
of his order in 1556, and was canonized by Pope Gregory XV. in 1622. 
This picture was formerly in the possession of the late Jacob Lorillard, 
Esq., father-in-law of the present proprietor, and has been long pro- 
nounced an original by Peter Paul Rubens. The head, like the figure 
painted by Rubens for the Jesuits at Antwerp, now at Warwick castle in 
England, is wonderfully fine, and quite true to the Spanish type. Lewis 
G. Morris, Esq., has been one of the most successful importers and 
breeders of short-horn cattle in this country, and also very active in pro- 
moting the improvements in the neighborhood in which he resides. His 
brother, the late Hon. Robert Hunter Morris was Recorder, thrice in 
succession Mayor and Post Master of New York city, and at the time of 
his death a Judge of the Supreme Court of the State. 

The ancient residence of the Archer family, now occupied as a farm 
house by F. L. Johnson, Esq., is distinguished in the history of the 
Revolution as the head quarters of Colonel James de Lancey of the 
Royal Refugee corps. The following incidents show that although 
situated directly under the guns of Fort No. 8, De Lancey’s position was 
a very hazardous one, and required the utmost vigilance to guard against 
a surprise. 

In May, 1780, Captain Cushing of the Massachusetts line, with a 
small detachment under his command, consisting of one hundred infantry, 
made an excursion to this place. The expedition seems to have been 
planned by his guide, Michael Dyckman, who had ascertained by close 
observation that the British sentinels were not in the habit of changing 
their countersign; the next step was to capture one of the refugees 
themselves, from whom he obtained the countersign. By this means, so 
sudden and complete was the surprisal of the enemy on the occasion, 
that over forty of them were either killed or made prisoners. It was the 
intention to capture De Lancey, but he was absent from his quarters. 
The cantonment had scarcely been turned, when a large party of Yaou- 
ger horse collected and pursued Captain Cushing; but he effected 


526 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


his retreat with so much skill and gallantry, though charged repeatedly 
by the enemy, that no injury was sustained. The enemy were far 
advanced up the Saw Mill valley, ere they relinquished the pursuit. On 
this occasion Abraham Dyckman arrested Captain Ogden in Colonel 
Emmerick’s quarter’s (the house now standing at the foot of the steep 
hill, on the road leading from Fordham to Kings Bridge, close by what is 
known as Farmer’s Bridge, was the scene of the exploit) at the moment 
when a British sentinel was pacing the bridge within musket shot. 

“On the roth of January, 1781, (says General Heath,) 150 men from 
the Connecticut line and 200 from the New Hampshire line were to move 
towards the lines; these, with those who marched from Hazen's the 
day before, were to form a covering party to the detachment under 
Lieutenant Colonel Hull, who was to make an attempt on De Lancey’s 
corps.” 

The result of the enterprise, (which took place upon the 28th of Janua- 
ry, 1781,) is thus related by Thacher :— 


“A detachment, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Hull, 
has returned from a successful expedition, having attacked by sur- 
prise the Royal Refugee corps under the command of the noted 
Colonel De Lancey, posted at Morrisania. Colonel Hull has for 
several months past sustained the command of a detachment of our 
troops posted in advance of our army, a situation requiring the most 
active vigilance and precaution, to guard against surprise and strata- 
gem. In this station, as in many others, this officer has evinced his 
military skill and judgment. He has executed an enterprize with 
such address and gallantry as to merit for himself and his detach- 
ment the highest honor. He bravely forced a narrow passage to the 
enemy, and besides a number being killed, he took upwards of fifty 
prisoners, cut away the bridge, burnt their huts and a considerable 
quantity of forage, and brought off a number of horses and cattle. Col- 
onel Hull possesses in a high degree the confidence of the commander- 
in-chief; and for his judicious arrangements in the plan, and intrepidity 
and valor in the execution of the enterprize, he received the thanks of 
his Excellency, and afterwards of Congress. The enemy pursued our 
troops, and fell in with a covering party, under command of Colonel 
Hazen; and in a skirmish which ensued, they suffered an additional loss 
of about thirty-five. Of Colonel Hull’s detachment, one ensign, and 
twenty-five rank and file were killed and wounded. This successful ex- 
ploit is calculated to raise the spirits of our troops, and to divest their 
minds from the unhappy occurrences, which has recently taken place in 
camp, and at the same time it may convince the enemy that the affairs 
of our army are not altogether desperate.Ӣ 


a Heath’s Mem. 271. 
b The pontoon bridge across the Haarlem river. 
ec Thacher’s Journal, 245, 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 527 


“4th of March, 1782, Captain Hunnewell with a body of volunteer 
horse, backed by the infantry under the command of Major Woodbridge 
made an excursion to Morrisania. ‘The horse proceeded down between 
the British fort, No. 8, and the cantonment of De Lancey’s corps,* and 
having turned the cantonments between day-break. and sun-rise, they 
entered pell mell. The enemy was completely surprised, and fled in every 
direction ; some were cut down on the spot, others so badly wounded as 
not to be able to be removed. Some of the enemy availed themselves 
of positions where the horse could not assail them, from whence they 
began to fire on the house. This occasioned the firing of the alarm 
guns at No. 8. The horse having nearly accomplished their design 
moved off, taking the Eastchester road, in which Major Woodbridge had 
posted the infantry in ambuscade. Captain Hunnewell had brought off 
one subaltern, and twenty men prisoners, and twenty horses. The enemy 
in the vicinity collected a number of horse, backed by light infantry, 
and pursued Captain Hunnewell until he came to Major Woodbridge. 
The enemy were drawn into the ambuscade, who made one or two dis- 
charges on them, on which they broke and retired, but soon returned to 
to the charge; skirmishing ensued, and continued to a considerable dis- 
tance. Of the Americans, two privates were killed; Mr. Abraham Dyck- 
man,’ one of the guides, a brave and active man, mortally wounded, and 
three privates slightly wounded.Ӣ 


“On the 26th of March, (says General Heath,) Mr. Dyckman,? one 
of our guides on the lines, with thirteen volunteer horsemen made an 
excursion to Morrisania, took five prisoners of De Lancey’s corps and 
five horses ; on their return they were pursued by a party of the enemy’s 
horse. who coming rather too near, the brave volunteers faced about, 
charged vigorously, took one man prisoner with his horse, and put the 
rest to flight. The enemy again appeared, on the Eastchester road near 
Jonathan Ward’s house, in some force, at a distance, but dared not re- 


new the attack.Ӣ 
The following is General Heath’s account of the burning of Colonel 
Hatfield’s quarters, which stood directly opposite Archer’s entrance :— 


“ About this time (January, 1780,) a detachment from Colonel Mead’s 
regiment of levies at Horseneck, and a number of volunteers from 
Greenwich—the former under the command of Captain Keeler, the latter 
under the command of Captain Lockwood—the whole about eighty, 
marched to Morrisania ; and about one o'clock in the morning made an 
attack on Colonel Hatfield. They first attacked the picket, killed three, 
and drove the rest into the colonel’s quarters. The colonel and his men 
took to the chambers, and fired out at the windows, and down stairs, at 


a Froma m. ) ‘1 the possession of Lewis G. Morris it appears that at that time the highway 
led past th: A ca-r house mentioned above, and between it and Fort No. 8 which occupies 
the site of th..)" sent residence of Gustav Schwab.—Editor. 

b Mr. Dyckman fell at Purdy’s corner near the intersection of the Eastchester and New 
York roads. 


e Heath’s Mem. p. 330. 
d Michael, brother of Abraham Dyckman. 
e Hieath’s Mem, 329. 


528 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


those who had entered the house ; it appeared difficult, if possible, to 
dislodge them ; the house was instantly set on fire, by puttirg a straw 
bed into a closet, which compelled the enemy to jump out at the cham- 
ber windows, to avoid the flames. Colonel Hatfield, one captain, one 
lieutenant, one quarter-master, and eleven privates were taken prisoners 
and brought off. This was a pretty affair, but was a little tarnished on 
the return by some of the militia, who were fatigued, loitering on the 
road, where they supposed there was no danger; but a party of horse 
pursuing, overtook, killed and captured several of them.’ 4 


Many other occurrences of the same kind might be related to show 
that this vicinity was constantly harassed by small parties of American 
volunteers, who made every effort to dislodge their wary antagonists. 

Upon a lofty eminence to the north-west of the Archer house, stand 
the remains of Fort Vo. 8. “The enemy (observes Heath) had a re- 
doubt called No. 8,on the east side of Haarlem creek, nearly opposite to 
the fort on Laurel Hill, and under the fire of its cannon, for the security, 
of their advanced troops on the Morrisania side.”’ When the British 
made the bold and successful attack upon Fort Washington in 1776, the 
guns of No. 8, which lay directly opposite, covered the advance of the 
Hessians and Lord Percy. ‘On the 20th of October, 1782, the enemy 
were demolishing their works at No. 8, Morrisania.Ӣ 

Fort Independence, the ruins of which are still visible on Zetara’s hil/, 
was not dismantled until 1833. Prince Charles redoubt, and the Negro 
Fort—both well known fortifications, in the annals of the Revolution— 
lie on the south side of Valentine's hill, From the former, which com- 
mands a splendid view of the surrounding country, the morning and 
evening gun of the British was fired. 

On this high ridge formerly the scene of so many bloody conflicts, are 
located the country seats of H. B. Claflin, the late Charles L. Anthony, 
Nathaniel P. Bailey, and the estates of S. L. M. Barlow, Oswald Cam- 
mann, Loring Andrews, Albert N. Christie, Franklin Edson, F. L.° 
Johnson, Emma Dashwood, “Fair Lawn” the residence of Hugh M. 
Camp, ‘High Cottage”’ the residence of Mrs. Montgomery, “Hasle- 
wood” the residence of Mrs. Lees, and “‘ Villa Boscobel” the residence of 
William B.Ogden, and “ Number Eight” the residence of Gustav Schwab 

Williams Bridge in the north-east corner of West Farms, bordering 
on Fordham is situated on the Haarlem and New Haven railroad where 
is a depot, thirteen and a half miles north of the City Hall, 

Tremont, the next station south of Fordham and in close contiguity 


a Ibid, 228. 
6 Heath’s Memoirs, p. 223, 
Heath's Mem. p. 357. 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 529 
to it, is a populous and flourishing settlement. A short distance from 
the Tremont Station is situate Mount Hope, the well known “ House of 
Rest for Consumptives.” 


RT, REV. HORATIO POTTER, D.D., LL.D., D.C.L., 
PRESIDENT, ex-officio. 

President.—Rev. T. M. Peters, D.D., Broadway cor 99th St. 

Vice-Presidents.—W oodbury G. Langdon, Robert Watts, M.D., Lewis G. Morris. 

Secretary.—Wm. Harold Brown. 

Treasurer.—Peter C. Tiéman, Manhattanville. 

Trustees— Wm. W. Mali, James Pott, Rev. A. B. Carter, D.D., Wm. Alex. 
Smith, F. A. Schermerhorn, Samuel W. Bridgham, A. C. Zabriskie, Rev. 
Joseph N. Blanchard, John H. Riker, J. Neilson Potter. 

Medical Board.—L. A. Rodenstien, H. R. Pratt, J. E. Comfort. 

Consulting Physician.—J. R. Leaming, M.D. 

Financial Agent.—S. L. Douglas, 126 East 93d Street. 


LADIES ASSOCIATION. 
President.—Rev. T. M. Peters, D.D. 
Vice-Presidents.—Mrs. Woodbury Langdon, Mrs. 8. J. Zabriskie, Mrs. Henry 

Salisbury. 

Secretary.—Miss M. E. Leavitt. 
Treasurer.—Miss Alice R. Jones, 1 East 57th Street. 
. Mrs. J. E. Zimmerman, Mrs. G. K. Sheridan, Miss J. T. Montgomery, Mrs. 
David M. Turnure, Miss M. G. Barnes, Mrs. L. A. Rodenstein, Miss H. 
M. Schwab, Mrs. W. C. Wetmore, Miss E. O. Wheeler, Miss L. Morris, 
Mrs. 8. P. Nash, Mrs. Lewis C. Jones. 


From the last report of the Executive Committee it appears that dur- 
ing 1876, an average of twenty-one patients had been constantly cared 
for in the institution ; and during the month of November, this average 
had been maintained at twenty-five. Permits are given daily by the 
Committee on admissions, and a full capacity of forty inmates will soon 
be taxed to its utmost by the many applications for admission. Weekly 
services are held here every Wednesday at 3:30 P. M. 

The Haarlem river (Muscoota,) which forms the western boundary of 
the town, is one of the sweetest streams that ever gave a charm to land- 

“scape. On the Westchester shore high woods cover the sides of undul- 
ating hills, while here and there rich meadows form a gradual and beau- 
tiful descent to the waters edge. The opposite banks are abruptly 
terminated with rocky declivities, and present by their greater boldness 
a fine contrast. These waters afford an agreeable haunt to the sing 
Jisher, “the most celebrated and besung of all other birds,” says Aldro- 
vand, likewise to the Aeron and fish hawk. 


530 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


On the East site of the Harlem Railroad contiguous to the village of 
Fordham, on an eminence called Rose Hill, is situated St. John’s College, 
a Roman Catholic institution. This place enjoys all the advantages 
peculiar to the country, a pure and vigorous air an‘ retirement which is 
so favorable to the formation and growth of studious habits; while at 
the same time its proximity to the city, by means of the railroad, is a 
great convenience. This institution, the only one of its kind in the 
State, was first opened for the reception of students on the 24th of June, 
1841.” It was incorporated by an act of the Legislature passed April 
roth, 1846. The following is an extract from their rules and regula- 
ticns: ‘ The system of government will be mild and paternal, yet firm 
in enforce ng the observance of established discipline. The utmost at- 
tention will be paid not only to the intellectual, but also to the moral 
education of the pupils. As to their domestic comfort, every thing 
which parental affection can desire will be found and supplied in the as- 
siduous attention and skilful management of the Sisters of Charity, to 
whom the charge of this important and highly responsible department is 
mainly confided.” The college, which contains the rooms of the various 
professors, library, &c., is a large, elegant, and commodious edifice. The 
hall is adorned with some valuable engravings from Raphael’s frescoes 
in the Vatican, presented by the late Pope Gregory XVL., to the Right 
Rev. Bishop Hughes. The oil pictures consist of a ‘‘ Madonna de la 
pesce,” a copy from the original by Raphael. This picture is from the col- 
lection of the late Joseph Bonaparte ; the ‘“‘ Entombment of the Saviour,” 
a copy by William Franquinet. The head of St. Joseph in this picture 
is finely painted. The wooden building attached to the gardens on the 
south was formerly the residence of Colonel John Watts and his wife, 
the celebrated Lady Mary Alexander, daughter of Major General Lord 
Stirling. The church is a very large and handsome structure of stone, in 
the Gothic style. It is intended to embattle the tower, and carry up the 
spire. The windows, which are filled with some excellent stained glass, 
give the interior a very pleasing appearance. The apostles, St. Peter 
and St. Paul, and the four evangelists are depicted in six windows—three 
on each side. These figures are executed in the best style of modern 
stained glass; they stand on floriated Gothic pedestals of gold, sur- 
mounted by a rich canopy of the same. At the foot of the pedestal a 
gold escutcheon, containing the name of each apostle and evangelist. 
The whole were made to order, expressly for this church, at St. Omers 
in France. 

Adjoining the church on the west is the new divinity school of St. 
joseph ; the grounds are extensive, and in a state of high improvement. 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 531 


The collegiate year commences on the first Monday of September. 
Average number of students about 130. 

Rose Hill place has been successively the property of the families of 
Corsa Watts, and Brevoort, from whom it passed to Horatio Shephard 
Moat, who sold it in 1836 to the present proprietor. 

The “ Home of the Incurables ” was first started by the Rev. Washing- 
ton Rodman, then Rector of Grace church, West Farms, in that village, 
in the year 1866. Its officers were :— 


President : 
Bens. H. Frevp. 


Vice-Presidents : 
Martin E. Greene, Wm. H. Gurion. 


Treasurer : 
Henry J. CAMMANN. , 


Secretary : 
R. A. MoCurpy. 


Pastor and Superintendent: 
Rey. WasHIneTon RopMAN, 


CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF THE “HOME FOR IN- 
CURABLES.” 


In conformity with the provisions of the act entitled, “ An Act for the Incorpo- 
ration of Benevolent, Charitable, Scientific and Missionary Societies,” passed the 
12th day of April, 1848, and the several acts amendatory thereof, and supple- 
mentary thereto, the subscribers of full age, citizens of the United States and 
of the State of New York, and residents within the city of New York, in said 
State, being desirous to associate themselves together for the purpose of estab- 
lishing and managing a Hospital and Home for Incurables, and to be a body 
politic and corporate for that purpose, do hereby make and sign this certificate. 

1st. The name or title by which said Society shall be known in law, shall be 
the ‘‘ Home for Incura»les.” 

2d. The particular business and objects of the said Society, shall be the estab- 
lishing, founding, carrying on, and managing said Hospital and Home. 

3d. The number of managers to manage the said Society shall be twenty-four. 

4th. The names of the managers of the said Society for the first year of its 
existence, are John T, Hoffman, Edward Haight, Wm. H. Guion, Benjamin H. 
Field, Henry J. Cammann, Franklin F. Randolph, Geo. R. Jackson, Lloyd 
Aspinwall, John H. Pool, Frederic Goodridge, William E. Curtis, Stephen E. 
Cambreling, Benjamin B. Sherman, Richard A. McCurdy, Archibald Russell, 
Livingston Satterlee, Martin E. Green, George T. M. Davis, Henry M. McLaren, 


532 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER, 


E. A. Quintard, D. D. Ives, W. A. Muhlenburg, Washington Rodman, and J. 
Gallaudet. 
In testimony whereof, we have hereunto sifbscribed our names, this 4th day 
of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six. 
Bens. H. Frerp, 
Epwarp Harenr, 
Franxiry F. RAanpoupn, 
S. CAMBRELING. 
Acknowledged before WasuIneton RopMAN. 
THOS. P. OKIE, Jr., 
Notary Public. 


I hereby approve of the within certifi- 
cate and consent that the same shall be 


filed. J. W. GILBERT 
Dated New York April 6, 1866. 


In 1872, the Jacob Lorillard estate at Fordham, was bought, and the 
Home for Incurables removed, after the whole building had been re- 
paired and enlarged. The last Report, of 1878, is full of encourage- 
ment, and most of the first officers still retain their positions. The 
Physician, Arch. M. Campbell, reports that ‘during the past year 89 
patients have been under treatment.” 

Few institutions have been better managed. It is beautifully situated, 
in a very healthy locality, and easy of access. 

Andrew Corsa, who was born at Rose Hill in 1762, afterwards re- 
moved to a farm situated nearly opposite, where he died in 1852. The 
following obituary notice occurs in the Westchester Hera/d for that 
rear :-— 
oa THE LAST OF THE WESTCHESTER GUIDES. 

On the evening of Sunday the 21st of November at his residence in Fordham, 
ANDREW Corsa departed this life at the age of nearly ninety-one. He was born 
on the 24th day of January, 1762, where the Roman Catholic College of St. John 
now stands, on the farm occupied by his paternal ancestor, a native of Germany, 
who settled on the Manor of Fordham about the year 1690. Both his father and 
grand-father were natives of the same spot with himself. The latter was born in 
1692, about the time of Governor Fletcher’s arrival in the colony, after whom he 
was named Benjamin Fletcher. When the revolutionary troubles commenced, 
Captain Isaac Corsa,@ the father of the subject of this notice, held a commission 
under the crown, and like most persons similarly situated, espoused the royal 
side throughout the great controversy. But parental authority was not sufficient 
to keep the young Andrew, long within the limits of the ancient allegiance ; and 
about the middle of the war, his strong inclinations in favor of American inde- 


a Among the MSS. in the Secry’s Dept. are the original Muster Rolls of the companies 
which served in the campaign of 1755 against the French; among others is Capt. Isaac Corsa's 
Comp., Westchester 95 rank.—Doc, Hist. of N. Y. vol. ii, 696. 


THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 533 


pendence overcame every other consideration, and he commenced an independent 
career by rendering important services to the Guides and scouting parties that 
approached the British lines, whether for attack or observation. Minutely 
acquainted with all the passes about Kingsbridge, Fordham and Morrisania—and 
withal of a disposition sprightly, intelligent and communicative—his services 
were anxiously sought for; when in the summer of 1781, after the allied forces 
had been encamped upon the heights of Greenburgh about two weeks, Washing- 
ton and Rochumbeau made ready for a formidable movement, with a select por- 
tion of their army, towards the lines of the enemy. Preparatory to this operation, 
Count Mathieu Dumas, the two brotheas Berthier, and several other young officers 
belonging to the French staff, who had, for some days, been zealously engaged 
in exploring the ground and roads and in sketching maps of the country between 
the allied camp and Kings Bridge, were ordered by the French commander to set 
out before daylight, and to push their examinations till they came within sight of 
the enemy’s most advanced redoubts, at the northern extremity of New York 
island. To protect these youthful adventurers, a strong detachment of the lan- 
cers of Lauzun was sent along under Lieutenant Kilmaine, a young Irishman in 
the French service, who some years afterwards became a General of Division and 
enjoyed the reputation of being one of the best cavalry officers in Europe. The 
command of the whole party was bestowed upon Dumas, while the celebrated 
Cornelius Oakley of White Plaius was selected to act as principle Guide, accom- 
panied by his cousin James Oakley and young Corsa. Below Mile-square the 
reconnoitering party formed a junction with a select body of American light 
infantry, who on the same morning had gone down to explore the ground on the 
right ;and the two allied detachments then attacked and dispersed a strong patrol 
of Delancey’s Refugees, and soon afterwards assaulted and drove across Kings 
Bridge the Chasseurs that occupied the Hessian outposts :—pursuing the fugitives 
till they came within musket shot of Prince Charles’ redoubt. This reconnoisance 
established in favor of Kilmaine and of the elder Berthier, —the latter of whom 
was afterwards a Marshal of France under Napoleon, and Prince of Wagram and 
Neufchatel,—reputations for partisan skill and intrepidity that led to their sub- 
sequent preferment. 

A few days Jater occurred the grand reconnoisance, which was made on the 
22d and 23d of July by the American and French commanders and engineers 
supported by 5000 troops of the two nations, for the purpose of examining with 
precision the British posts on New York Island between Hudson River and the 
Sound,—and of cutting off, if possible, such of the enemy’s corps as might be 
found upon the main. Young Andrew Corsa’s intelligence and exact knowledge 
of the country about the British lines were such that his services were again 
earnestly sought for upon this occasion ; and during both these days he was con- 
stantly on horseback, riding and conversing with Washington, Rochambeau, 
Lauzun, and the other Generals of the combined army, while they passed through 
the fields of Morrisania, Fordham and Yonkers, halting from time to time as 
they moved along for the purpose of enabling the engineers to examine the 
grounds along Haerlem river and Spuytenduyvil creek. He used to relate that 
when the allies, marching from the east near the Bronx and passing over the 
high grounds around Morrisania house came in sight of the enemy, the fire which 
the British artillery opened upon them from the fortifications at Randall’s Island 


534 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


and Snake-hill,—from the batteries at Harlem and from the ships of war at an- 
chor in the river, was terrible and incessant ; and obeying the instinct of self-pre- 
servation, which became suddenly predominant—he urged his horse foward at 
full speed and rode for safety behind the old Morrisania mill. Here he pulled 
up, and looking back, saw Washington, Rochambeau, and the other officers riding 
along calmly under the fire as though nothing unusual had occurred. His self-. 
posession now returned ; and, ashamed at having given way to an impulse of fear, 
he at once pricked back with all the rapidity to which he could urge his horse, 
and resumed his place in the order of march; while the commanding officers, 
with good natured peals of laughter, welcomed him back and commended his 
courage. 

Mr. Corsa knew personally every individual of that celebrated band of volun- 
teers called the ‘‘ Westchester Guides,” of whom he himself was the last and 
youngest ; and he was among the most confidential friends of the heroic Abraham 
Dyckman, who fell prematurely at the close of the revolutionary contest. Pos- 
sessed of a memory unusually retentive, and residing constantly upon the borders 
of the ‘‘neutral ground,” he was acquainted with all the distinguished partisans 
both from above and below, and with nearly ell the military operations whether 
great or small that occurred along this portion of the British lines; and which, 
until within the last few days of his life, he continued to describe in minute de- 
tail. 

Upon the conclusion of the revolutionary war, his father’s lands, by a compul- 
sory sale, passed out of the family; and although without any means at the 
time, he did not hesitate to purchase, with money borrowed upon mortgage, a 
contiguous farm—which industry and good management enabled him, not many 
years after, to disencumber. Much engaged in the cultivation of fruit for the 
market, he was particularly successful with the apple and pear; discovering 
and bringing into use a new variety of the latter which bears his name, being 
known distinctively as the Corsian Vergaloo. 

For many years he was a member of the Reformed Dutch Church at Fordham. 
His death was preceded by none of the diseases to which humanity is heir, and 
he ceased to exist only because he was worn out by toil and time. The machine 
which had been set in motion by its divine constructor and which had gone on 
for more than four score years and ten, ‘‘at last stood still,” and the weary 
occupant sought a better habitation. His memory continued unimpaired until 
nearly the close of his existence. Among his survivors are eight children, and 
numerous other descendants. Simple and patriarchal in his manners, a zealous, 
generous, and useful friend, neighbor and citizen ;—estimable and upright in all 
the relations of life—Andrew Corsa deserves to be held in honorable remem- 
brance. 


Z 
5 
3 
g 
Z 


rt a 
ationer. 26 John St.N.Y: 


GOURT HOUSE,WHITE PLAINS. 


ae a 


= 


THE TOWN 


OF 


NW ee EAD Bs EE AL LIN Se 


White Plains is the shire town of the county, and is situated twenty-eight 
miles from the city of New York ; one hundred and thirty-one south of Al- 
bany, six miles east of the Hudson, and fourteen south of Bedford, (which 
used to be the other half shire town,) bounded northerly by North Castle, 
easterly by Harrison, southerly by Scarsdale, and westerly by Green- 
burgh. The river Bronx runs south along the west line, and the Mama- 
roneck river along the east—forming the boundary towards Harrison 
township. The whole area of this town may be eight and a half square 
miles. 

White Plains originally formed a portion of the town of Rye, and de- 
rived its name from the White Balsam, (Guaphaliunn Polycephalum of 
Linnaeus) gnaphalium, signifying soft down or wool. 

It was called by the Indians Quaroppas, under whom these lands 
must have formed a portion of the ancient Domains of Weckquaskeck; 
as we find Shapham, or Thapham, one of the sachems of that place con- 
jointly selling lands there to the inhabitants of the town of Rye in 1683. 

“Tt is so long since the Indians quitted these grounds, that their mon- 
uments are almost effaced. Once in a while a point of an arrow, or a 
stone axe is found which bears the mark of Indian labor and dexterity ; 
and there is still to be distinguished the spot on which they had their 
wigwams, and the cemetery where they buried their dead.” The former 
is situated.on the land formerly of Mr. Gilbert Oakley, the latter on the 
property formerly of Mr. Elisha Crawford, now owned by Mr. Carhart. 
In the vicinity of the town is a small excavation, cut out of a granite 
rock ; this was a mortar, where they pounded their corn. 535 


536 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Upon the 22nd day of November, 1683, the inhabitants of Rye ob- 
tained the following grant from the aboriginal proprietors :— 


‘*To all Christian peopell to hom these presence shall com greting: Know 
yee that we Shapham, Cockinseko, Orewapum, Kewetoahan, Koawanoh, Paatck, 
Shiphatlash, Korehwewous, Panawok, Memishott, Pesekanoh, Oromahgah Path- 
unck, hohoreis, sotonge, wonawaking, owhorawas, nosband, have for a valuabell 
sum of mony to us in hand paid by the towne of Rye that are inhabitants bar- 
gained, covinanted alinated and soulld unto the Inhabitance of the above said 
towne of Rye a sartain tract of land lying within the towne bounds of Rye 
Bounded as followeth, on the north-east with Mamarinek River, and on the south- 
weast witha branch of the said River and marked trees till it coms to brunckes 
River, and then to Runn by brunckes River till it cums to the head of the whit 
plaines soe called and by marked trees from thence till it cums to the upper 
most branch of Marrineck River which trackt of Land is commonly called by the 
English the whit plaines, and called by the Indians Quaroppas which said tract 
of land wee the above said Shapham, Cockinceeko, orewopum, Kewetoakon; 
Koawanoh, Moahalice and the rest of the above said endians, have soulld as 
above said unto the Inhabitance of the said towne of Rye, them, theire heires, 
executors, administrators, or asignes for ever and Doe hereby bind ourselves, our 
heires, execetars, administratars and asignes unto the Inhabitants of the above 
said towne of Rye, them, theire heires, executors, administrators, or asignes, that 
they may att all times, from and after the date hereof, peasably and quieatly 
poses, occupy and injoy the above said tract of land free from all former 
bargaines, salles, morgages, or other incombrances whatsoever and all soe to war- 
rant and make good the above said salle against any parson, or parsons whatso- 
ever, that shall or will make, or lay any claime or claimes theare unto, and in 
testimony. There of wee have caused this bill of salle to be made and here unto 
have sett our hands and sealles this two and twentieth of November, one thous- 
and six hundred and eighty-three. 


Sealed, signed and delivered in the The marke of 
presence of us, SHAPHAM, 
CoRNEILASs, COKENSEKO, 
his mark OROWAPAM, 
KeEwEronaM, 
Josuua Knap, Koawanon, 
The mark of pee, cate, 
Morepearcu ATTHUNK, 
oa Honornis, 
Joun OppELL, SOTONGE, 
his mark. OwWHORAWAS, 
ORAMAPUAH. 


This bill of salle is acknowledged 
by the granters to be their ackt and 
deed before me in Rye, the day and 


yere above written, 
JOSEPH HORTON, Vommissioner. 


The inhabitants of Rye were now met by an opposing claimant in the 
person of Mr. John Richbell of Mamaroneck. He was a native of 


THE TOWN OF WHITE PLAINS. 537 


England, and claimed to have bought of the Indians in 1660 his right to 
these lands ; was confirmed in 1662 by the authorities of New Nether- 
land, and in 1668 by the government of New York. Mr. Richbell’s 
patent gave him possession of the ‘three necks’ bounded on the east by 
Mamaroneck river, and on the west by Stony brook, together with the 
“ land lying north of these bounds ‘twenty miles in the woods.’ This con- 
flicted with the foregoing deed. As Rye was the border town of Con- 
necticut they conceived that their bounds extended westward as far as 
the western line of that colony. This was ‘a line drawn from the east 
side of Mamaroneck river, north northwest to the line of Massachusetts.’ 
Negotiations were now pending between Connecticut and New York for 
a more satisfactory settlement of that boundary. And on the twenty- 
eighth of November, 1683, the two governments agreed upon a line to 
begin at the mouth of Byram river. Meanwhile, doubtless anticipating 
this decision, the inhabitants of Rye on the twenty-second day of 
November, only six days before the date of that agreement, concluded a 
treaty with the Indian proprietors of the White Plains for the purchase 
of that tract. They described it as ‘lying within the town bounds 
of Rye.’ 

Mr. Richbell was not inclined to yield his claim, which he had now 
held for twenty-three years. On the twelfth of March, 1684, he peti- 
tioned the Governor, Colonel Dongan, on the subject: ‘ Having a desire 
to dispose of some quantity of said land which is called the White 
Plains’ and which was comprehended in his patent ‘to severall persons 
to settle thereon with themselves and familyes’ he is ‘ wholly obstructed 
and hindered by Rye men,’ who have ‘made a great disturbance amongst 
them and pretends a right to the same.’ He cannot therefore dispose of 
any part of these lands until the Governor ‘will be pleased to grant an 
order to clear the same.’* This complaint came before the council at 
Fort James on the seventeenth of March, 1684, and the inhabitants of 
Rye or some to be deputed by them for that purpose, were summoned 
to show cause at the next Court of Assizes in Westchester County, why 
the said lands do not of right belong and appertain to John Richbell. 

The dispute appears to have remained unsettled; for Richbell died 
soon after this, July 26th, 1684,° and the greater part of his lands—includ- 
ing allthe northern portion—came into the possession of the Hon. Caleb 
Heathcote. [In 1701 Col. Heathcote obtained a comfirmation of his 
rights to the Richbell estate by purchasing again from the Indians the 
‘necks’ formally known as East and Great Neck, now called Orienta 


a Land papers, Aibany. Vol. ii., 30. Quoted by Mr. Baird’s Fitstory of Rye. 
b See Westchester Co. Records Lib. A, page 34, 


538 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


and Larchmont, with the lands lying north of them along Mamaroneck 
river to its source and across to the Bronx. 

This tract included the whole of the present town of Scarsdale, for 
which Col. Heathcote immediately obtained letters patent from the 
British Crown, securing him that territory and constituting the lordship 
or Manor of Scarsdale. But his Indian grants iucluded, also, the whole 
of White Plains which the inhabitants of Rye had purchased from the 
Indians in 1683, and where some of them were already settled,though, 
no division of the lands had yet been made. This new encroachment 
on their limits occured just at the close of their unsuccessful attempt to 
return to the colony of Connecticut. Having failed to recover the lands 
appropriated by Harrison, the people of Rye probably had little hope of 
resisting these claims. Col. Heathcote, however, seems to have been 
disposed to treat them with great fairness. In the Charter which he 
obtained for his lands exception was made of ‘ye land called White 
Plains which is in dispute between ye said Caleb Heathcote and some of 
ye inhabitance of ye town of Rye,’ to that land the patent gives him no 
further title than he already possesses. The following action of the in- 
habitants refers to this matter :— 


‘‘ At a meeting held by the Properities of the White Plains purchase, Febe- 
weary the 24, 1701-2, Hacaliah Browne and Deliverance Browne and Humphery 
Underhill, Thomas Meritseuer, Isaac Deham, John Stokam, and Benjamin 
Horton, are chosen a committee in the behalf of the above said Proprietors to 
agree with Coll. Hathcoote consarning the running of a line between said Coll. 
Hethcote’s patent and said White Plains purchase as They shall see good; and 
what line shall be mutually agreed upon betweene the said commity and Coll. 
Hethcote the said properities do ingage for Themselves and Their heirs and 
successors to stand and abide forever; and what else the said commitie mutually 
agrees upon shall be held good by them and their associates for ever.” 4 


The controversy was still pending in 1702, when the Rev. Mr. Chris- 
ttopher Bridge, Mr. Hacaliah Browne, Ensign John Horton, Capt. Joseph 
Bude, and Mr. John Hoytt “are chosen to treat with the Honorable 
Conl. Caleb Hathcut, about the White Plains purchase and to make 
returne to the Proprietors of their treat upon what termes the Hon. 
Coll. Hathcut will agree with them to acquit all his claime to the above 
said White Plains purchase.” ® 

At the time of Col. Heathcote’s death, which occurred four years 
later, this question was still unsettled; but it does not appear that any 
claim upon these lands was made by the heirs to his estate. 


a Town and Proprietors Book, No. C, p. 20.—Baird’s History of Rye, p. 153. 
b Rye Rec. Lib. A. 


THE TOWN OF WHITE PLAINS. 539 


Owing to these uncertainties and differences, the White Plains Pur- 
chase remained undivided for many years. Occasionally from 1683 to 
1715 we find in the town records entries like the following, which show 
that the inhabitants had their eyes upon this precious inheritance and 
meant to keep it for future distribution? :— 


April 12, 1694.—“ Hacaliah Brown and Thomas Merril are appoint- 
ed to go with the Indians and renew the marks of the White Plains pur- 
chase, agreeing with the Indians as reasonably as they can.” ‘The 
same year Thomas Merrit and Joseph Galpin were chosen to lay out 
the land at the White Plains granted to Jonathan Horton by the 
Town.” ¢ 


April 1, 1699.—‘“‘ John Lyon and Isaac Denham are chosen to laye 
out a road to the White Playnes, beginning at the head of Capt. Theall’s 
land, and so to run to the caseaway (causeway brook.” 


April 17, 1699.—‘*‘ The Town hath past an act that the Rode shall 
continue . . . up to the White Playnes, where John Lyon and 
Isaac Denham have marked it out, and the said road to be 3 Rods in 
breadth.” 


February 14, 1699-1700.—Lieutenant Horton and others “are to 
survey and lay out the 3 purchases of land. That is to saye, the White 
Plains purchase, and Lame Will’s two purchases.”’ 


April 27, 1708.—“ The town chose Ensign Budd in the room of 
Captain Horton (deceased) to lay out lands in the White Plains pur- 
chase and Will’s two purchases according to the Towns acts.”¢ 


Finally “at a meeting held in Rye by the Proprietors of the White 
Plaines purchase, Feb. 11, 1714-15,” Capt. Joseph Budd, Ensign John Hor- 
ton, Mr. John Hoyt, Samuel Purdy, Caleb Hiat and George Lane Junior, 
“are chosen to reetify all mistakes that has been formerly made by the 
former layers out of the White Plaines purchase and also has power to 
add or diminish the just and true proportion of all the lotments of lands 
which is in dispute to be above or under the true proportion and to 
lay out proportionable all the remaining part of the aforesaid purchase 
and when so done to make return to the said proprietors.” ¢ 


The next notice of this town occurs on the 9th of February, 1720:— 


“‘At a meeting held by the proprietors it is agreed that “Capt. Joseph 
Budd, John Hoyt, Sen, John Horton, Caleb Hiatt, Samuel Purdy, and 
George Lane, Jr., layers out of the said purchase chosen by the said 
proprietors for laying out all the above said lands, as may appear by 
record bearing date February 11, 1714-15. That the said iayers out 
shall have for their trouble and industry for laying out the whole pur- 
chase and returning the bounds at or between the thirteenth day of 
April, which will be in the year one thousand seven hundred and twenty, 

a Baird’s History of Rye, p. 156. 

b Rye Rec. Lib. A. 

¢ Ibid. 

d Town Meeting Books, C and G. 

e Records of Town Meeting, p. 9, and Baird's History of Rye, p. 156. 


540 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


one hundred and ten acres of land lying between the lower end, the 
ridges and Mamaroneck river, at the above said meeting ’tis voted and 
agreed that David Ogden and Hacaliah Brown are to survey and lay 
out the above said one hundred acres and ten of land as above men- 
tioned.” @ 


The following is a list of the proprietors and the number of acres held 
by them under the survey? :— 


JOSEPH HORTON, « « « 18, JosEPH Bupp, aia AT ea Os 
IsAA C0; DENHAM A) shod, ose Privie GALPIN, Aretha Pay oe): 
PRANOIS}PGRDY; | jnmos) + fe; Ricuarp LowNsBEERY, A St 
DELIVERANCE Brown, . . 30, Joun GALPIV, <6 js) 6 a +) By 
GrorcE Lang, sini s , 2S,.. SOHN HORTON; 4.) 4.1.5. oe 
Tuomas Brown, . . . 38, JosEPH Horron, « . |. 1%; 
JouN Frost, emg a1} Henry Disprow, . . . 8, 
Prrer Brown epics \-.ALaoe. GARRETT VURAVIS; (s) 0. i) elo 
Prergr Disprow, . . . 22, JoHN StookHAaM, , . . JW; 
Joun Meritt, 4 i fecseh JONATHAN FowLeR, . . 19, 
CARRE EIATT 9 cies RiocHArRD WALTER, es Bh 
Saxromn HOvTs.) =: sy, cake, ANDREW Cog, S aA) ce woo ade 
Trwotuy Knap, . °* . 16, THOMAS JEFFREY . . . 2i, 
JACOB IERASK (20 ec ay Sous Isaac SHERWOOD, . . . 38, 
GxorcE KnIFFEN. . . . 12, JOSEPH SHERWOOD,. . . 384, 
JosEPH Purpy, oye eb: Franois Brown, . . . 40, 
Bensamin Horton, os EE Wir Opmrnn..” Fh)s) sears 
TsAA0 ODETTE. Yc. si Weeeols JONAS SHERWOOD, . . . 28, 
JOSEPH GALPIN, . - . 10, Tuomas Lyon, Wer tie pais fie 
JOM HOYT A.) Wee) Ss sob: JOHN Bronpie, ele | col tie SO 
Haoatran Brown,. . . 27. 


“Tn 1721, Wiliam Burnett, Governor of New York, set out, in order 
for patent, to Samuel Hunt, a certain tract or parcel of land lying and 
being in the County of Westchester, being part of a large tract com- 
monly known by the name of ‘The White Plains,’ beginning at three large 
White Oak trees standing near together on the west side of Mamaro- 
neck river, and runs thence, south thirty-nine degrees ; west, thirty-one 
chains, &c., &c., containing two hundred and sixty acres, after five acres 
deducted for every hundred acres for highways.” ¢ 


“Upon the 13th of March, 1721, his Excellency, Wiliam Burnett, grant- 
ed letters patent to Daniel Brundage, all that tract of land in White 
Plains, beginning at a small white ash stake standing on the east side 
of the long meadow brook and runs thence, south fifty-three degrees, 
west forty-three chains, and a heap of stones near the street, containing 
one hundred and ninety-five acres. The patentee yielding therefor, on 


b Sometimes called the second draught, 
ec Albany Book of Patents, No. viti, 442. 


THE TOWN OF WHITE PLAINS. 541 


the Festival of the Annunciation, the annual rent of twenty shillings 
and six pence for every hundred acres.” 


King George the Second, the same year, issued the following royal 
letters patent to Joseph Budd, John Hoit, and others :— 


ROYAL PATENT FOR THE WHITE PLAINS. 


George by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King 
Defender of the faith etc. To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting 
whereas our Loving Subjects Joseph Budd John Hoit Caleb Hoit Humphrey 
Underhill Joseph Purdy George Lane Daniel Lane Moses Knap John Horton 
David Horton Jonathan Lynch Peter Hetfield James Traviss Isaac Covert 
Benjamin Brown John Turner David Ogden and William Yeomans by their 
Humble Petition presented to our Trusty and well beloved William Burnet Esq. 
Captain General and Governour in Chief of our Province of New York in 
Council the Twenty-first Day of December last did humbly pray that his said 
Excellency would be favourably pleased to grant to them their heirs and assigns 
his Majesty’s Letters patent for their Claims and purchase lying within this 
province or the County of Westchester known by the Name of the White Plains 
in such manner and under such Quit Rent provisions and Restrictions as is and 
Directed in our Royall Commission and Instructions to our said Gevernour, which 
Petition was then and there Read and Considered of by our Council of our said 
Province untill the first day of this Instant they did Humbly advise our said 
Governour and Consent that the prayer of the said Petition be granted. In order 
to the granting whereof in Pursuance of and in Obedience to our Royall Instruc- 
tions to his said Excellency given at St. James’s the third Day of June one 
Thousand seven Hundred and Twenty in the sixth year of our Reign our said 
Governour together with George Clarke Esq. secretary and Cadwallader Colden 
Esq. surveyor Generall of the said Province three of the Commissioners appointed 
by our said Instructions for setting out all Lands to be granted within our said 
Province of New York did sett out for the said Joseph Budd John Hoit Caleb 
Hoit Humphrey Underhill Joseph Purdy George Lane Daniell Lane Moses Knap 
John Horton David Horton Jonathan Lynch Peter Hatfield James Travise Isaac 
Covert Benjamin Brown John Turner David Ogden and William Yeomans, a 
Certain Tract or Parcell of Land Scituate lying and being in the County of West- 
chester and is Commonly known by the Name of the White Plains Beginning at 
a large White Oak Tree Marked with Severall Letters where Two Brooks fall. 
into the West Branch of the Momaroneck River and Runs thence by marked Trees 
to Brunxes River near the Place where a small Brook falls into the said River by 
a Bush of alders some of which are Marked thence up the Stream of Brunxe 
River to an Ash Tree about Seventeen Chains above Anthony Millers fulling Mill, 
thence by Marked Trees to White Oak Tree Marked near long Meadow Brook, 
then Down the Stream of the said Brook to the Land laid out for Daniel Brondige 
Then along his Lands to the said Long Meadow Brook then down the Stream of 
the said Brook to the Place where it Falls into Momaroneek River and down the 
Stream of the said River to the land granted to Christopher Bridge then along 
his Line and the Lines of the Land laid out for Samuel Hunt to Momaroneek 


542 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


River then down the Stream of the said River to the Place where the West 
Branch Falls into the said River and then up the Stream of the said West Branch 
to the Place where it begun Containing Four Thousand Four hundred and 
Thirty five Acres with Allowance for Highways, and in the Setting out of the 
said Tract of Land had Regard to the Profitable and unprofitable Acres and had 
taken care that the Length of the said Tract do not Extend along the Banks of 
any River Conformable to our said Royall Instructions as by a Certificate under 
their hands bearing Date the Tenth Day of March last Entered of Record in our 
Secretarys Office more fully and at large Appears Which Tract of Land set out 
as aforesaid according to our said Royall Instructions Wee beirg willing to grant 
tothe said JosephBudd John Hoit Caleb Hoit Humphrey Underhill Joseph Purdy 
George Lane Daniel Lane Moses Knap John Horton David Horton Jonathan Lynch 
Peter Hatfield James Traviss Isaac Covert Benjamin Brown John Turner David 
Ogden and William Yeomans their Heirs and Assigns according to the Prayer of 
their Petition Know Yee that of our Especial grace certain Knowledge and meer 
Motion We have given granted Ratifyed and Confirmed and do by these presents 
for us our heirs and Successors give grant Ratifie and Confirm unto the said 
Joseph Budd John Hoit Caleb Hoit Humphry Underhill Joseph Purdy George 
Lane Daniel Lane Moses Knap John Horton David Horton Jonathan Lynch 
Peter Hatfield James Traviss Isaac Covert Benjamin Brown John Turner David 
Ogden and William Yeomans their Heirs and Assigns all that the said Tract or 
Parcel of Land Scituate lying and being in the County of Westchester which is Com- 
monly known by the Name of the White Plains Beginning at a large White Oak 
Tree Marked with Severall Letters where Two Brooks fall into the West Branch 
of Momaroneek River, and Runs thence by Markt Trees to Brunxes River near to 
the place where a small Brook falls into the said River by a Bush of Alders some 
of which are Markt thence up the Stream of Brunxes River to an Ash Tree about 
Seventeen Chains above Authony Millers fulling Mill thence by Markt Trees to a 
White Oak Marked near long Meadow Brook then down the Stream of the said 
Brook to the Land laid out for Daniel Brondige then along his Line to the said 
Long Meadow Brook then down the Stream of the said Brook to the place where 
it falls into Momaroneek River and down the Stream of the said River to the 
Land granted to Christopher Bridge then along his Line and the Lines of the 
Land laid out for Samuel Hunt to Momaroneek River then down the Stream of 
the said River to the Place where the West Branch falls into the said River and 
then up the Stream of the said West Branch to the place where it begun Con- 
taining Four Thousand Four Hundred and Thirty five Acres with Allowance for 
Highways Together with all and Singular Woods underwoods Trees Timber 
Feedings pastures Meadows Marshes Swamps Ponds Pools Waters Water Courses 
Rivers Rivolets Runs and Streams of Water Fishing Fowling Hunting and 
Hawking Mines Minerals Standing being Growing lying or to be had used 
and Enjoyed within the Limits and Bounds aforesaid, And all other Profits 
Benefits Liberties Priviledges Hereditaments and Appurtenances to the same 
belonging or in any wise Appertaining and all that onr Estate Right Title Interest 
Benefit Claim and Demand whatsoever of in or to the same and the Reversion and 
Reversions Remainder and Remainders and the Yearly Rents and Profits of the 
same (Excepting and always Reserving out of this our present Grant unto us our 
Heirs and Successors forever all Trees of the Diameter of Twenty four Inches 


THE TOWN OF WHITE PLAINS. 543 


and upwards at Twelve Inches from the Ground for Masts of our Royall Navy. 
and also all such other Trees as may be fit to make Planks Knees and other 
things Necessary for the use of our said Navy which now are Standing Growing 
or being in and upon any of the said Lands with free Liberty and Lycence for 
any person or persons whatsoever by us our Heirs and Successors or any of them 
to be thereunto Appointed under our or their Sign Manual with Workman Horses 
Waggons Carts and Carriages and without to Enter and come into and upon the 
said Lands and every part thereof, and there to Fell Cut Down Root up Hew Saw 
and Rive have take Cart and Carry away the same for the uses aforesaid (Except- 
ing also and Reserving all Silver and Gold Mines) To Have and to hold all and 
Singular the same certain Tract of Land and Premisses with its Hereditaments 
and Appurtenances (Excepting as before is Excepted and Reserved) unto the 
said Joseph Budd John Hoit Caleb Hoit Humphry Underhill Joseph Purdy 
George Lane Daniel Lane Moses Knap John Horton David Horton Jonathan 
Lynch Peter Hatfield James Travis Isaac Covert Benjamin Brown John Turner 
David Ogden and William Yeomans their Heirsand Assigns forever To be Holden 
of us our Heirs and Successors in free and common Soccage as of our Mannor of 
East Greenwich in the County of Kent within our Kingdon of Great Britain 
Yeilding Rendring and paying therefore Yearly and every Year forever unto 
us our Heirs and Successors at our Custom House in the City of New York unto 
our or their Collector or Receiver General for the time being on the Feast Day 
of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary commonly called Lady Day the 
annual Rent of two Shillings and Sixpence for every hundred acres thereof in 
Lieu and stead of all other Rents Services dues Dutys and Demands whatsoever 
for the same four Thousand four Hundred and Thirty-five Acres of Land so 
granted as aforesaid Provided always and these presents are upon this Condi- 
tion that the same Joseph Budd John Hoit Caleb Hoit Humphrey Underhill 
Joseph Purdy George Lane Daniel Lane Moses Knap John Horton David Horton 
Jonathan Lynch Peter Hatfield James Traviss Isaac Covert Benjamin Brown 
John Turner David Ogden and William Yeomans their Heirs and Assigns some 
or one of the » shall and do within the Term and Space of three Years now next 
ensuing the Date hereof plant Settle and Effectually Cultivate at least three 
Acres of Lan:l granted as aforesaid and in Default thereof or if the said Joseph 
Budd John Hoit Calep Hoit Humphrey Underhill Joseph Purdy George Lane 
Daniel Lane Moses Knap John Horton David Horton Jonathan Lynch Peter Hat- 
field James ':aviss Isaac Covert Benjamin Brown John Turner David Ogden and 
William Yeomans their Heirs and Assigns or any other person or Persons by 
their privity c msent or procurement Shall Set on Fire or Burn the Woods on 
the Said Lands or any part thereof to Clear the Same so as Destroy Impair 
or hinder thie Growth of any of the Trees that are or may be fit for Masts Planks 
Knees or other Timber for our Royall Navy hereby Reserved unto us our Heirs 
and Suceessors that then and in either of these cases this our present Grant and 
every Article and Clause therein or thereof Shall Cease Determine and be Void 
anything hercin Contained to the Contrary thereof in any wise Notwithstanding 
And We @o further of our Especial grace Certain knowledge and meer motion 
Consent and Agree that these presents being Entered upon Record as is hereafter 
Appointed shall be good and effectual in Law to all intents and purposes against 
us our Heirs and Successors Notwithstanding the not well Reciting or Misrecit- 


544 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


ing of the premisses or any part thereof In Testimony whcreof Wee have 
Caused these our Letters to be made Patent and the Great Seal of our said Pro- 
vince to be hereunto affixed and the same to be Entred of Record in our Secre- 
tarys Office in one of the Books of Patents there Remaining Witness our Trusty 
and well beloved William Burnet Esq Captain General and Governour in Chief of 
our Province of New Jersey and of all the Territories and Tracts of Land 
thereon Depending in America and Vice Admirall of the same &c at Fort 
George in New York the Thirteenth day of March in the Eight year of our 
Reign Anno Domini 17214 W. ROBIN, D. Secr’y. 


At this date, 1721, the occupants of the land on what is now called 
Broadway, were George Lane, living on the Squires place, and included 
Mr. Brown’s ; Daniel Brundage in the old house next to Mr. Brown’s, the 
only house of that date now standing. The next north of Brundage, was 
James Travis. On the west side of Broadway was Moses Knapp’s 
house, about where Mr. Fiero now resides. John Hyatt lived a little 
north of Knapp, and Daniel Lane’s house stood near the present resi- 
dence of Elisha Horton. Anthony Miller owned the farm where the 
Miss Tompkins reside above the old Methodist church ; he had a fulling 
mill on the brook, near the Bronx river. The north-west corner of the 
patent was seventeen chains north of this fulling mill. Christopher Tro- 
main’s house was near the Bronx not far from where Mr. Champanies 
lives on the road leading west from the old Methodist meeting-house. 
Samuel Horton built and lived in the house now standing known as the 
Jacob Purdy place at the foot of Frank Carpenters hill. The other 
dwellings were on the road to Rye. The first was Joseph Purdy’s which 
stood near the present house of Mr. Onderdonk. Next to Joseph Purdy’s 
was Caleb Hyatt’s, and ashort distance south-east of it John Hoit lived 
in the old house on the other corner of North street and the road lead- 
ing past Bartholomew Gidneys. Samuel Hoyt lived a quarter of a mile 
further on, on the same side of the road. Samuel Hunt’s house was 
where Mr. Nelson Seymour lives. The next house which is still stand- 
ing was Samuel Merrit’s, and further east and at some distance from, and 
north of the road, was the house of Humphrey Underhill. These were 
all the houses then standing in White Plains. 


THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 


The Presbyterian church—a stone edifice erected in 1854—is the 
third church built on that spot, and presents a pretty appearance upon 
entering White Plains. 

The first church was erected, but not finished, and services held in it 


a Albany Book of Patents, Lib. viii. pp. 450-454, (new paging) pp. 462-466, (old paging ) 


aa—Stage-road from Ben- 
nington to New York. 
bb—Read to Rye town. 


cc—Road to Mamaroneck 
town. 


dd—Road to a landing 
called Rye Neck. 
ee—Road to Dobb’s Ferry. 


& ff—Called White Plains’ 
Street. 

gg—Road to town of Har- 
rison. 

hh—Road to town of Green- 
burgh. 

ti, kKk—Roads for private 
uses. 


Magnetic variation, N. 3 W. 
Annual variation, 3’ inclining Eastward. 
No. 1.—Meeting-house of Methodist Society. 

2.—Court House. 
3.—Property of Presbyterian Society. 
4.—Cassaway Brook. 
5.—Golden Pine Brook. 
6.—American Encampment in 177 
7.—British Encampment in 1776. 


MAP OF TIIE TOWN OF WHITE PLAINS. 


“a 4 "~ t whoa 
| ne ee 
‘ ° ie ti cee ey 
wn 

Bier eAtT 

Ait 2 lesa oS meat 


uy 7 Aj eee 


= ne nt - 
~ 


ve otha a!) hy eg 
7 " Fre UD MOP TAL Zz 
‘, i245 


oa : r 

= 7 7 
| eae 

7 in) 

= Pac a oe 


te 


THE TOWN OF WHITE PLAINS. 545 


prior to May 12th, 1727.% It was built mainly through the exertions of 
the minister, the Rev. John Walton, who gave for that purpose three 
quarters of an acre of land in the north-east corner of his farm, and ap- 
pears from his deed conveying the farm in 1729 to his successor, the 
Rey. Edward Ward. Moses Owne subsequently became the owner of 
the farm ; and in June t5, 1751, conveyed “one certain tract of land 
with the meeting-house standing thereon, containing one acre more or 
less,” to Caleb Hyatt, John Turner and Peter Hatfield. The road 
which originally ran near the church was changed? in 1764 to its present 
location, leaving between it and the said church a piece of undivided 
land. This piece of undivided land was soon after date conveyed by 
the proprietors of the White Plains purchase to the Presbyterian church, 
as follows :— 


‘*The undersigned, being such as have proprietors rights in the White Plains 
in the township of Rye, &c., 

‘* Whereas there is a small piece of undivided Jand lying on the north side of 
burying ground, near the Presbyterian meeting-house, being willing that the said 
piece of undivided land, &c., we are willing that the same should be fenced in 
to with the burying yard, to be appropriated for the use of a burying yard, to 
be under the entire government and management of the said congregation. 

JONATHAN Pourpy, 


Before JonaTHAN G. TOMPKINS. Dayip Horton, 
GaBRIEL LyNcH; 
CaLesB Hyatt, 
SamMvuEL Hounv.” 


From these documents it would appear that there was a Presbyterian 

church standing here in 1727. The first ordained minister was the Rev. 
John Smith, D.D., who served the Presbyterian churches of Rye and 
White Plains, and died in the year 1771, leaving flourishing congrega- 
tions and commodious houses of worship in both places. His remains 
repose in the burying ground, near those of his wife and daughter, in the 
rear of the church. A plain head-stone marks the spot, and bears the 
following inscription under a rudely carved similitude of a cherub :— 


Here lie the remains cf the 
REV. JOHN SMITH; 


the first ordained minister¢e of the Presbyterian 
persuasion in Rye and the White Plains, 
who was born in England, 
May 5, 1702, 
a Memorial of Presbyterian church, White Plains, in the archives at Hartford. 


6 Rye Records D. p. 188. 
¢ Mr. Smith's name appears in the record of the Synod in 1753 as minister of Rye. 


546 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


wore out with various labors, 
and fell asleep in Jesus. 
Deceased February 26th, 1771, 
aged sixty-eight years, 9 months, and 22 days. 


By faith he lived, in faith he died, 
and faith foresees a rising day when Jesus comes, 
while hope assumes and boasts his joy among the tombs. 


Oh death! Oh grave! where is thy victory. 


‘*Thanks be to God that giveth us the 
victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 


His brother was the Hon. William Smith. Lorenzo Sabine, Esq., in 
his very valuable work on American loyalists, says of this individual :— 
“ That he was Chief Justice and a member of the council of the colony, 
and considered to be in office in 1782. His father, the Honorable 
William Smith, an eminent lawyer and Judge of the Supreme Court, 
died in 1769. William Smith, the subject of this notice, graduated in 
Yale College in 1745. It appears, that he was at a loss as to the side 
which he should espouse in the controversy which preceded the Revolu- 
tion, and that he made no choice until late in the war. It seems, also, 
that a number of other gentlemen of wealth and influence, who had 
wavered like himself, joined the royal cause about the same time, in 
1778. It is believed that, at first, he opposed the claims of the ministry. 
However this may be, his final decision excited the remark of both the 
Whigs and Loyalists. The former indulging their wit in verse, and call- 
ing him the ‘weathercock,’ that ‘could hardly tell which way to turn ;’ 
and the latter noticing his adhesion in their correspondence. He settled 
in Canada after the war, and was Chief Justice of that colony. He 
published a history of New York, which was continued by his son 
Wilham.”@ 


a * This eloquent man,” alluding to Judge Smith, “having been an adherent to the royal 
cause in the Revolution, left the city of New York in 1783, with the British troops, and was 
afterwards rewarded by bis sovereign with a high judiciary office at Quebec. Judge Smith, 
although thus removed from the place of his origin, always contemplated the politics of his 
native country with peculiar solicitude. One evening, in the year 1789, when Dr. Mitchell was 
in Quebec, and passing the evening at the chief justice’s house, the leading subject of con- 
versation was the new Federal constitution, then under the consideration of the States, on the 
recommendation of the Convention which sat at Philadelphia in 1787. Mr. Smith, who had 
been somewhut indisposed for several days, retired to his chamber with Mr. Grant, one of the 
Inembers of the Legislative council, at an early hour. In a short time Mr. Grant invited Dn 
Mitchell, in Mr Smiths name, to walk from the parlor into Mr. Smith’s study, and sit with 
them. Mr. Mitchell was conducted to a sofa, and seated beside the Chief Justice, before whom 
on w table was a large bundle of papers. Mr. Smith resumed the subject of American politics, 
and noticed his papers. After searching among them a while, he unfolded a certain one, 
which he said was written about thetime the colonial commotions grew violent, in 1775; and 
contained a plan or system of government, sketched out by himself then, and which nearly 
resembled the constitution afterwards proposed by the Federal Convention of the United 
States. He then read the contents. The piece was long and elaborate, and written with much 
beauty and spirit. ‘This, sir,’ said he, after finishing it, ‘is a copy of a letter, which I sent to 
a member of Congress in 1775, who was an intimate friend of General Washington. You may 
trace to this source the sentiments in favor of a more energic government for your country, 
contained in the commander-in-chiet’s circular letters ; and from this, there can be no doubt, 
that the citizens of all the States derive their leading traits for your new form of govern- 
ment.’’—Lorenzo Sabine’s Biographical Sketches of American Loyalists. 


THE TOWN OF WHITE PLAINS. 547 


In 1776 the Rev. Ichabod Lewis, twin brother of the venerable Isaac 
Lewis of Horseneck,was ordained pastor of the united churches of White 
Plains and New Rochelle by the Presbytery of Dutchess county. About 
12 o'clock at night on the 5th of November, 1776, the Presbyterian 
church, together with a quantity of timber designed for its enlargement, 
besides a number of other buildings, were set on fire by Major Osborne 
of the Massachusetts line (under General Glover), for the purpose of 
preventing them from being used by the British troops, then in the 
neighborhood during the ensuing winter. These facts are fully proved, 
by affidavits of witnesses now in possession of the trustees. After the 
burning of the church, the congregation gradually declined; for the 
members, being mostly staunch Whigs, were obliged to retire north to 
avoid the depredations and assaults of British troops from New York. 
The Rey. Ichabod Lewis removed to Bedford, but similar circumstances 
constrained him to leave that place also for Salem ; where he spent the 
remainder of his days, and lies interred. He left a legacy to the church 
at South Salem of one thousand dollars, the interest of which at present 
assists in supporting the pastor of that church.4 From 1784 to 1821 the 
congregation enjoyed the privilege of occasional preaching. Upon the 
13th of February, 1788, the church was incorporated under the title of 
the “ Presbyterian Church in the White Plains,” Jonathan G. Tompkins, 
Richard Hatfield, Daniel Horton, Jacob Purdy, Nicholas Fisher and 
Robert Hart, trustees.? 

During the years 1821 and 1822, the church was regularly supplied by 
the Rev. Thomas G. Smith, of the Reformed Dutch congregations of 
Tarrytown and Unionville, every second or third Sunday, for which he 
received a small pecuniary compensation. In the spring of 1823, the 
Rev. Marcus Harrison performed services for a short period as a 
Domestic Missionary, and was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Ely, who 
officiated here and at Lower Greenburgh (Dobb’s Ferry) about four 
months under the direction of the Domestic Missionary Society of the 
city of New York. For the successors of Mr. Ely, see the subjoined list 
of pastors. 

The second church was destroyed by fire in 1854. It took fire on a 
Sabbath, when it was burnt to the ground; it originated this time in a 
defect in the chimney from which sparks communicated to the belfry 
during the morning service, and when discovered had made such progress 
as to render all efforts to save the building unavailing ; only the books, 


a Communicated to the author by the Rev. 8. Schenck, since the completion of Lewisborough 
or South Salem.—See vol. i. 268. 


& Co. Rec. Religious Soc. Lib, A. 15. 


548 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER, 


cushions and other moveable articles were saved. The loss was esti- 
mated at $3,000. 


A LIST OF PASTORS AND SUPPLIES OF THE PRESBYTERIAN 
CHURCH OF WHITE PLAINS. 


INSTALLED OR CALLED. ; Pastors. VAoATED By. 
A.D., 1753, Rev. Joun Smira, D.D., death. 
1770, Rey. IcHasop Lewis, resigned. 
1821, Rey. Taomas G. Smirz, supply, ve 
1823, Rey. Marcus Harrison, a es 
1823, Rev. Mr. Ety. e es 
Oct. 1823, Rey. Samvet RosBertson, pastor, os 
A.D., 1825, Rey. Cuester Lone, # Je 
1834, Rey. Jonn Wuite, cs a 
1835, Rey. Epwarp WRIGHT, ce oN 
1844, Rey. Exras §. ScHENOK, a fe 
1849, Rey. Bronson B. BEARDSLEY, ‘‘ i. 
1850, Rey. JoserH Forsyrue, ae ck 
1853, Rev. Davin TEEsE, 2 oe 
1871, Rey. Txomas C. STiELeE, ee A 
Jan. 19, 1574, Rey. Epear L. HermMancer, present pastor. 


This church is in connection with the Bedford Presbytery. The fol- 
lowing inscriptions are taken from monuments in the grave yard :— 


Here lie the remains of 
CALEB HORTON, ; 


who died August 24th, 1770, 
aged 72 years. 


i MARY, 
wife of 
MicHAEL CHADDERTON, 


born June 25, 1706, married 1727, 
and lived in that State forty-five years, ob. 1772." 


There are also numerous memorials to the families of Miller, Fisher, 
Varian, Purdy, and Tompkins, and the vault of William and Isabella 
Pirnie. The remains of a British officer who fell at the battle of White 
Plains, were interred in the south-west corner of this yard. 


THE TOWN OF WHITE PLAINS. 549 


METHODIST CHURCH, WHITE PLAINS. 


Methodism was introduced in White Plains in the year 1775, by the 
Rev. Cornelius Cook. The first Methodist. Episcopal church was built 
in 1795, when Revs. Thomas Woolsey, Albert Van Nostrand and Jason 
Perkins were the preachers on the circuit which embraced White Plains. 
This church was forty four feet square ; and when completed, ready for 
dedication, it was burned. At a meeting, called on the evening of the 
same day, it was resolved to rebuild at once, and six hundred dollars was 
subscribed on the spot for that purpose ; and it is said that some of the 
members were in the roads felling trees and preparing timber before the 
smoking embers were extinguished. 

The first Methodist Episcopal church now standing on Broadway, 
larger than its predecessor—sprang Phoenix-like from the ashes of the 
old—and when dedicated was the second Methodist Episcopal church 
north of the city of New York. 

In the year 1836 the third Methodist church was built next door to 
the parsonage of the Memorial church—a little less than one mile south 
of the old church. 

In 1863 the village was constituted a separate charge, and the Rev. 
Gideon Draper appointed pastor, who remained two years. In the 
years 1865 and 1866, Rev. W. M. Chipp was pastor ; Rev. J. P. Her- 
mane, 1867; in 1868 and 1869, Rev. J. W. Beach; in 1870, the Rev. 
E. B. Otherman ; in 1871 the Rev. Richard Wheatley became pastor. 
During his pastorate, which continued until the Conference, 1873, the 
Memorial M. E. church was built. Great credit is due to the Rev. Dr. 
Wheatley for his untiring efforts, good taste and sound judgment in this 
really greatest enterprise of the M. E. Church of White Plains. It con- 
tains the memorial tablets of many of the great and good men who were, 
indeed, giants in their day, The Memorial Church was dedicated on Sab- 
bath, May 18, 1873; on the previous Saturday able and appropriate ser- 
mons were preached by Rev. C. D. Foss, D.D., and Rev. Bishop Janes. 
On Sabbath morning Bishop Simpson preached a very able sermon from 
2d Peteri:19. Rev. Dr. Eddy preached in the afternoon. In the evening 
the Rev. Bishop Hasen preached an able and appropriate sermon from 
Psalm 1:2. On Sabbath morning, July 13, 1874, memorial services, 
appropriate to the unveiling of the tablets (placed at the base of the 
church windows) were held. Rev. Daniel Curry, D.D., Rev. J. B. 
Wakeley, D.D., and Elijah Miller, Esq., were the speakers. 

The Rev. W. F. Hatfield was the pastor of this church at the time it 
was dedicated, and of the unveiling of the tablets. He remained three 


55° HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


years ; and in the spring of 1876 Rev. P. R. Hauxhurst was appointed. 
At the Conference of 1877, the Rev. J. Y. Bates was appointed. 

The present membership of the church, is 315. It has a large and in- 
teresting Sabbath-school—of which Samuel Scott, Esq., is the superin- 
tendent. The President of the board of Trustees, Samuel R. Pullen; 
Secretary, J. Malcom Smith; Treasurer, J. R. Tompkins. 

The old Episcopal church stood a little east of the old court house. 
It was built of wood, with a tower and vestry room in the rear; the 
tower contained a bell, weighing 1135 pounds. This parish was first 
organized by the exertions of the Rev. Lewis P. Bayard in 1824, who 
occasionally performed services there. Upon the 22nd of March, 1824, 
the church was incorporated by the title of Grace (Protestant Episcopal) 
church, White Plains, in remembrance of Grace church, Rye, whose 


Grace Church, White Plains. 


minister had officiated here at intervals from 1762 to 1816. As early as 
1760, White Plains constituted one of the precincts of Rye parish, and 
paid a small sum annually towards the support of the rector and the poor; 
her connection with Rye was dissolved in 1816. Richard Jarvis and 
Alan McDonald were the first wardens. William Purdy, John Horton, 
Gilbert Hatfield, James Dick, Alexander Fowler, Joshua Horton, Wil- 
liam Buckley and James Merritt, vestrymen. 

The church edifice was consecrated on the 2nd of June, 1826, by the 
Right Rev. J. H. Hobart. In 1833 Trinity church, New York, appro- 
priated to this parish the sum of $750. In 1861 Mr. Pruden gave the 
present site of ground to the rector, wardens and vestry on Rail Road 
Avenue; and in 1864, the corner stone was laid. In 1865 the present 


THE TOWN OF WHITE PLAINS. 551 


church was consecrated. It cost about $39,000; tower not completed. 
In 1863 a handsome rectory was built on the same ground, south of the 
new church, costing $3,000. In 1873 a Sunday-school room was com- 
menced, 75x35 feet, to cost about $9,000 ; but it has not yet been com- 
pleted. 

The church still owns the old site on the old post road, which is kept 
merely as a burying ground. 


LIST OF RECTORS AND MINISTERS. 


INST. OR CALL. INCUMBENTS. VACATED BY. 
1824, Rey. W. C. Mean, Presb., resigned. 
1826, Rev. ALEXANDER H. Orossy, A.M., Presb., & 
1829, Rey. Jomun W. Curtis, Presb., W: . 
1831, Rev. Rozerr W. Harris, A.M., “ ‘6 
1855, Rey. THEopore 8. RuMNEY, se 
1870, Rey. F. B. Van K1LeEeEcx, £6 present rector. 


On the 19th of March, 1874, a large number of literary gentlemen of 
the county met in the village of White Plains at the following call:— 


Dear Sim:—We, the undersigned, have long felt the want in common with 
others of a County Historical Society. Upon consultation with prominent men 
we have been asked to call a meeting to organize such a Society for Westchester 
county. And beg to name Thursday, March 19th, at 2 p.m., at the Orawaupunn 
Hotel, White Plains; and hope you will take an interest, and if possible attend 


the meeting. Signed, 
Rey. Rogr. Botton, Jas. E. MAttory, 
Rev. C. W. Botton, Jas. B. CUNNINGHAM, 
Wo. Coventry H. WapDeE x1, Ep. J. CARPENTER, 


EFFINGHAM Cook. 


The Society was organized under the following Act :— 


AN ACT TO INCORPORATE THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF WEST- 
CHESTER COUNTY, IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK. 
The People of the State of New York, represented in the Senate and Assembly 
do enact as follows: 


§ 1. Rev. Robert Bolton, Wm. Coventry H. Waddell, James B. Cunningham, 
Effigham Cock, Rev. C. W. Bolton, James E. Mallory, Edward J. Carpenter, 
Wm. H. Robertson, Clarkson N. Potter, James W. Husted, Robert Rutherford 
Morris, John Jay, Walter White Evans, Edward F. Delancy, O. R. Willis, Wm. 
B. Tibbits; Henry Wood, John Jay Wood, Joseph Barrett, James Wood, Rev. 
Charles Baird, David Rowe, Edward Wells, John Dewitt, Robert P. Getty, I. T. 
Williams, Wm. Cauldwell, Amherst Wight, Robert S. Haviland, and their asso- 
ciates who are now or may be hereafter associated for the purposes of this Act, 


552 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


are hereby constituted a body corporate by the name of the ‘‘ Historical Society 
of Westchester County,” for the purpose of collecting and preserving historical 
information specially within the original limits of said county, and relative to 
historical matters generally. 

§ 2. For the purposes aforesaid the said society shall possess the general powers 
and privileges and be subject to the general liabilities contained in the third title 
of the eighteenth chapter of the first part of the Revised Statutes, as far as the 
same may be applicable, and may not have been modified or repealed; but the 
real and personal estate which the said society shall be authorized to take, and 
hold, and convey, over and above its library, charts, maps, instruments and col- 
lections, shall not at any time exceed in value that which does produce the clear 
yearly income of ten thousand dollars. 

§ 3. The officers of said society shall be a President and as many Vice-Presi- 
dents, Secretaries and other officers as may from time to time be provided by the 
by-laws of the society. 

§ 4. The said society for fixing the terms of admission of its members, for the 
government of the same, for changing the officers thereof and for the regulation 
and management of its transactions and affairs shall have power to form a code 
of by-laws, not inconsistent with the laws of the State of New York or of the 
United States: which code when formed and adopted at a regular meeting shall, 
until modified or rescinded, be equally binding as the Act upon its officers and 
members. 

§ 5. The Legislature may at any time alter or repeal this Act. 

§ 6. This Act shall take effect immediately. , 


The first officers were: Presideut, Ed. F. Delancy; Vice-Presidents, 
Rev. Robt. Bolton, Isaiah Wiliams, Rev. Chas. E. Lindsley, Robt. P. 
Getty, Ed. Wills; ec. Secretary, Isaac Wright ; Corresponding Sec., 
Rev. Robt. Bolton; Foreign Corresp. Sec., W. Coventry H. Waddie ; 
Treas., Ed. J. Carpenter; Librarian and Curator, Wm. B. Tibbits. 

The village of White Plains is very pleasantly situated, and contains a 
fine stone court-house and jail, Clerk’s office, Surrogate’s office, Treasurer’s 
office, Record office, Grand Jury’s room, Supervisor’s room, and Sherifi’s 
office; a Bank and Savings Bank, an Episcopal church, two Methodist 
churches, a Presbyterian church, Roman Catholic church and Baptist 
church, a young ladies’ seminary and a boys military school, several 
factories, a large number of lawyer’s offices, two newspaper offices, two 
large and fine hotels—the Orawampum and the Standard House. Also 
several large livery stables, a large public school house, three carriage 
manufactories, steam, saw and turning mill, gas house, engine house, and 
a large number of beautiful stores. It has recently erected a very 
beautiful soldier's monument. The whole town is richly wooded, and 
well watered by the Bronx, Sheldrake and Mamaroneck rivers. These 
streams form romantic valleys, and supply numerous mill seats, Since 


THE TOWN OF WHITE PLAINS. 553 


the first settlement of this place, which commenced soon after its pur- 
chase from the Indians in 1683, it has continued steadily to progress. 

White Plains being a shire town the courts are all held here. The 
court-house, a handsome stone building, stands near the centre of the 
town on Railroad Avenue. The first court-house was erected in 1759, 
upon the removal of the courts from Westchester. The first court of 
Common Pleas assembled here on the 27th of May, 1760. The first 
- court-house was burnt soon after the battle of White Plains, and the 
second built on the same site, about 1784 or 1785. The third, or new 
court-house and jail, were erected in 1854. 

There are events connected with this spot, which will long live in the 
pages of American history. It was here that the Whigs of Westchester 


i 
| Sar lh 
Ni Ha une = 


ol alin 


Second Court House, White Plains. 


County appointed to meet the committees of the several towns to elect 
deputies to the Continental Congress, who were to assemble at Phila- 
delphia, on the first day of September, 1774: The proceedings of the 
various meetings held here would afford matter for a good size volume, 
we shall therefore present our readers with a small part only of the im- 
portant productions of those eventful times. The following resolutions 
were adopted by the freeholders and inhabitants of Rye and West-_ 
chester :— 


“On the roth day of August, 1774, the freeholders and inhabitants of 
the township of Aye, made-choice of John Thomas, Jr. Esquire, Robert 
Bloomer, Zeno Carpenter and Ebenezer Haviland, for a committee to 
consult and determine with the committees of the other towns and dis- 


554 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


tricts in the County of Westchester, upon the expediency of sending one 
or more delegates to Congress to be held in Philadelphia, on the first 
day of September, next. The. committee, after making choice of Eb- 
enezer Haviland, as chairman, expressed their sentiments and resolu- 
tions in the following manner, which was unanimously approved :— 


‘“‘This meeting being greatly alarmed at the late proceedings of the British 
Parliament, in order to raise a revenue in America, and considering their late 
most cruel, unjust and unwarrantable act for blocking up the port of Boston, 
having a direct tendency to deprive a free people of their most valuable rights 
and privileges, an introduction to subjugate the inhabitants of the English 
colonies, and render them vassals to the British House of Commons, Resolved, 


1st, that they think it their greatest happiness to live under the illustrious house 
of Hanover, and that they will steadfastly and uniformly bear true and faithful 
allegiance to his majesty King George the Third, under the enjoyment of those 
constitutional rights and privileges, as fellow subjects, with those in England. 


*‘9nd, But we conceive it a fundamental part of the British constitution, 
that no man shall be taxed, but by his own consent, or that of his Representatives 
in Parliament.” And as we are by no means represented, we consider all acts of 
Parliament imposing taxes on the Colonies an undue exertion of power, and subver- 
sive of one of the most valuable privileges of the English constitution. 


‘3d, That it is the opinion of this meeting, that the act of Parliament for shut- 
ting up the port of Boston, and divesting some of the inhabitants of private 
property, is a most unparalled, rigorous and unjust piece of cruelty and des- 
potism. 


‘‘4th, That unanimity and firmness of measures in the Colonies, are the most 
effectual means to secure the invaded rights and privileges of America, and to 
avoid the impending ruin which now threatens this once happy country. 


‘5th, That the most effectual mode of redressing our grievances, will be by a 
General Congress, of delegates from the different colonies, and that we are will- 
ing to abide by such measures as they in their wisdom shall consider necessary 
to be adopted on that important occasion. 


By order of the committee, 
EBENEZER HAVILAND, Chairman.” 


The committee for the town of Rye will meet the committees of the other 
towns and districts in the County of Westchester, on Monday the 22d day of this 
instant, at the Court-house in the White Plains, to return an answer to a letter 
from Mr. Isaac Low, chairman of the committee of correspondence in New 
York.Ӣ 


The Westchester 1esolutions were as follows :— 


‘* At a meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants of the Borough town of 
Westchester, in New York, the 20th of August, 1774, James Ferris, Esq., Col. 
Lewis Morris, and Capt. Thomas Hunt, were chosen a committee to meet a com- 
mittee of the different towns and precincts within this county, at the White Plains 
on Monday the 22d inst., to consult on the expediency of appointing one or 
more delegates to represent this county at the General Congress, &c., and James 


a American Archives, fourth series, vol. i. 


THE TOWN OF WHITE PLAINS. 555 


Ferris, Esq., being unanimously chosen chairman ; the committee, after consid- 
ering the very alarming situation of their suffering brethren in Boston, occasioned 
by the late unconstitutional, arbitrary and oppressive act of the British Parlia- 
ment, for blocking up their port, as well as the several acts imposing taxes on the 
Colonies in order to raise a revenue in America, thought proper to adopt the follow- 
ing resolutions, which were unanimously agreed to :— 

** Resolved, Ast., That we do and will bear true allegiance to his majesty 
George the Third, King of Great Britain, and according to the British constitu- 
tion. 


**2ndly, That we conincide in opinion with our friends in New York and every 
other Colony, that all acts of the British Parliament imposing taxes on the Colo. 
nies without their consent or by their representatives, are arbitrary and oppres- 
sive, and should meet the abhorence and detestation of all good men; that they 
are replete with the purpose of creating animosities and dissensions between the 
mother country and the colonies, or thereby tend to destroy that harmony and 
mutual agreement which is so much the interest of both to cherish and maintain. 


‘83rd. That we esteem it our duty, and think it incumbent on all the colonies in 
America, to contribute towards the relief of the poor and distressed people of 
Boston ; and that a person of this Borough be appointed to collect such charita- 
ble donations, within the same, as may be offered for their support. 


**4th. That asa division in the colonies would be a sure means to counteract the 
the present intention of the Americans, in their endeavors to preserve their rights 
and liberties from the invasion that is threatened, we do most heartily recom- 
mend a steadiness and a unanimity in their measures, as they will have the hap- 
py effects of averting the calamity that the late tyranical act of the British Par- 
liament would otherwise most assuredly involve us in. 


“5th. That to obtain a redress of our grievances, it has been thought most ad- 
viseable in the Colonies to appoint a General Congress; we will take shelter 
under the wisdom of those gentlemen who may be chosen to represent us, and 
cheerfully acquiesce in any measures they may judge shall be proper in this very 


alarming and critical occasion. 
JAMES FERRIS, Chairman.” 


Upon the 6th of Apmil, 1775, appeared the following public notice, 
addressed to the freeholders and inhabitants of the county of Westches- 
ter :— 


‘*You are earnestly desired to attend a general meeting of the county to be 
held at White Plains, on Tuesday next, the 11th inst., to give your votes upon 
the question :—Whether you are inclined to choose deputies to meet at the city 
of New York, in the Provincial Convention? or, whether you are determined to 
abide by the loyal and judicious measures already taken by your own wortly 
Representatives in the General Assembly of this Province, for a redress of Amer- 
ican grievances? The consequences that may arise from neglecting to attend at 
White Plains on Tuesday next, to declare your sentiments relative to the appoint - 
ment of deputies to meet in Provincial Congress, may be very fatal to this coun- 
try. The friends of government and our happy constitution are therefore 
earnestly invited in person, to oppose a measure so replete with ruin and misery. 
Remember ihe extravagant price we are now obliged to pay for goods purchased 
from merchants in consequence of the new importation agreement; and when 


a American Archives, fourth series, vol. i., 726. 


556 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


the new exportation agreement takes place, we shall be in the situation of those 
who are obliged to make bricks without straw.Ӣ 


WauitrE Prarns, In THE Co. or W. C., Aprit 111TH, 1775. 


On the 28th of March last, the following gentlemen, having received letters 
from the chairman of the committee of the city and county of New York, re- 
lative to the appointment of Deputies for this county, met at this place for the 
purpose of devising means for taking the sense of the county upon the subject, 
viz: Theodosius Bartow, Esq., William Sutton, Esq., Captain Joseph Drake, 
James Willis, Benjamin Drake, Moses Drake, Colonel Lewis Morris, Thomas 
Hunt, Abraham Leggett, James Horton, Jr., Esq., Stephen Ward and Abraham 
Guion, Esq., who, having taken the same into consideration, agreed to send the 
following notification to the principal freeholders in the different towns and dis- 
tricts in the county, viz.:— 


Maron 28ru, 1775. 

Srr:—A number of persons from different districts in the county of West- 
chester, having this day met at the White Plains, to consider of the most proper 
method of taking the sense of the freeholders of the said county, upon the ex- 
pediency of choosing deputies to meet the deputies of other counties, for the 
purpose of electing delegates to represent this colony in the General Congress to 
be held in Philadelphia, on the 10th day of May next, are of opinion that the 
best way of proceeding for that purpose, will be to have a general meeting of the 
freeholders of said county. As this county is very extensive, we take the liberty 
of recommending the meeting to be held at the White Plains, on Tuesday, the 
11th day of April next, at 10 o’clock in the forenoon, at the Court House, and 
therefore do desire you to give notice of the same to all the freeholders in your 
district, without exception, as those who do not appear to vote on that day will 
be presumed to acquiesce in the sentiments of the majority of those who vote. 
Weare, &c., &e. 

The above notice having been generally given and distributed, a very numer- 
ous body of freeholders of the county, assembled at the Court House, White 
Plains, on the day apppointed, and chose Colonel Lewis Morris for their chair- 
man. An inconsiderable number of persons, (among whom were many tenants 
not entitled to vote), with Isaac Wilkins and Colonel Philips at their head, then 
appeared ; and Mr. Wilkins, in their behalf, (as he said), declared that they would 
not join in the business of the day, or have anything to do with the Deputies or 
Congresses ; but that they came there for the sole purpose of protesting against 
such illegal and unconstitutional proceedings, after which they departed. The 
following question was then put to the people by the chairman, viz.:—whether 
they would appoint Deputies for this County to meet the Deputies of the other 
Counties at the city of New York, on the 20th of April inst., for the purpose of 
electing delegates to represent this Colony in the General Congress, to be held at 
Philadelphia, on the 10th day of May next? To which question they unani- 
mously answered that they would. They then appointed the following eight 
persons, or a majority of them, to be the Deputies of this County, for the pur- 
pose aforesaid, viz., Colonel Lewis Morris, Stephen Ward, Daniel Drake, Esq., 


a American Archives, fourth series, vol. ji, 282. 


THE TOWN OF WHITE PLAINS. 557 


Colonel James Holmes, John Thomas, Jr., Esq., Jonathan Platt, Esq., Robert 
Graham and Major Philip van Cortlandt. The two following resolves were 
then unanimously entered into, viz.:— 

Resolved, That the thanks of this body is given to the virtuous minority of the 
General Assembly of this Province, and particularly to John Thomas and Pierre 
Van Cortlandt, Esq., two of our Representatives, for their attachment to, and 
zeal on.a late occasion, for the preservation of the union of the Colonies, and 
rights and liberties of America; and that this resolve be communicated by the 
chairman to every gentleman of whom that minority consisted. 

Resolved, That the thanks of this county are due to the Delegates who composed 
the late Congress, for the essential services they have rendered to America in 
general; and that this resolve be forthwith published. 

After the business of the day was thus concluded, the people gave three huzzas 
for our gracious sovereign, and dispersed quietly without the least disorder. 


LEWIS MORRIS, Chairman.” 


PROTEST OF THE INHABITANTS AND FREEHOLDERS OF 
WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NEW YORK. 
County oF WESTCHESTER, Aprit 13TH, 1775. 


Mer. Rivineton:—Be pleased to insert the following, and you will oblige a 
number of your friends and subscribers :— 


‘““On Thursday the 11th inst., a very respectable number of freeholders and 
inhabitants of the County of Westchester assembled at the WActe Plains in the 
said county, agreeable to the notice given, that their sentiments might be known 
concerning the choice of a committee to meet other committees in the city of 
New York, for the purpose of choosing delegates to represent this Colony in the 
next Continental Congress. The friends of order and government met at the 
house of Captain Hatfield; more who were for a committee put up at another 
public house in the town. About 12 o’clock, word was brought to the gentlemen 
at Captain Hatfield’s that the opposite party had already entered upon the busi- 
ness of the day ; upon which they immediately walked down to the court-house, 
although not half of their friends, who were expected had yet appeared, where 
they found the other company collected in a body. The numbers on each side 
seemed to be nearly equal, and both together might amount to two hundred; or, 
at most, two hundred and fifty. The friends to the government then declared, 
that as they had been unlawfully called together, and for an unlawful purpose, 
they did not intend to contest the matter with them by a poll, which would be 
tacitly acknowledging the authority that had summoned them thither; but that 
they came only with a design to protest against all such disorderly proceedings, 
and to show their detestation of all unlawful Committees and Congresses; they 
then declared their determination and resolution to continue steadfast in their 
allegiance to their gracious and merciful sovereign, King George the Third, to 
submit to lawful authority, and to abide by and support the only true representa- 
tives of the people of this Colony, the General Assembly; then giving three 


a American Archives, fourth series, vol, ii, 314. 


558 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


huzzas, they returned to Captain Hatfields, singing, as they went, with loyal 
enthusiasm, the good and animating song of ‘God save great George our King,” 
“Long live our noble King,” &c., &c. At their return, finding that many of 
their friends had arrived during their absence, and that many still kept coming 
in, they proceeded to draw up and sign the following declaration, which they 
seemed to do with as much patriotic zeal as ever warmed the hearts of true and 
faithful subjects, and afterwards dispersed to their different habitations. 

‘*Wethe subscribers, freeholders and inhabitants of the county of Westchester, 
having assembled at the White Plains in consequence of certain advertisements, 
do now declare, that we met here to declare our honest abhorrence of all unlawful 
Congresses and Committees, and that we are determined at the hazard of our 
lives and properties, to support the king and constitution, and that we acknowl- 
edge no Representatives but the General Assembly, to whose wisdom and 
integrity we submit the guardianship of our rights and privileges. 


Frederick Philips, 
Isaac Wilkins, 
Samuel Seabury, 
Luke Babcock, 

Isaac Fowler Judge, 
Caleb Fowler Judge, 
J. P. Horton, Esq., 
William Sutton, Esq., 
Daniel Oakley, Esq., 


Benjamin Fowler, Esq., 


William Davis, Esq., 
Wm. Anderson, Esq., 
Capt. Abra’m Hatfield, 


Nath’! Underhill, May’r, 
George Cromwell, Esq., 


Philip Pell, Esq., 
Joshua Pell, 
James Pell, 
Edward Pell, 
Joha Hunt, 
Gilbert Horton, 
Adrian Leforge, 
Joshua Gidney, 
Joseph Bude, 
James Wetmore, 
Moses Williams, 
John Haight, 
Isaac Brown, 
Philip Kelly, 
James Haines, 
Joseph Haines, Jr., 
James Haines, Jr., 
Matthew Haines, 


Roger Purdy, 
Gilbert Pugsley, 
Abraham Leader, 
Benjamin Brown, 
Isaac Reed, 
Aaron Buis, 
Moses Weyman, 
Israel Underhill, 
John Baisly, 
David Oakley, Jr., 
Isaac Smith, 
John Hyatt, 
Hezekiah Cudney 
Abraham Odell, 
Thos. Lawrence, 
John Seysion, 
Jeremiah Travis, 
Griffen Carey, 
Isaac Foshee, 
Gabriel Requeau, 
Samuel Webb, 
Benjamin Downing, 
Gabriel Archer, 
Elias Secord, 
Thomas Veal, 
James Pierce 
Edward Higbee, 
David Haight, 
Sylvanius Lyon, 
Daniel Haight, 
John Williams, 
Joseph Purdy, 
Ezekiel Halsted, 


Jonathan Budd, 
John Wetmore, 
William Underhill, 
Thomas Brown, 
Lieut. Isaac Gedney, 
Nehemiah Tompkins, 
Henry Leforge, 
Robert Brown, 

Benj. Beyea, 
Bartholomew Gidney, 
John Loce, 

Einathan Appleby, 
John Baker, 
Jonathan Underhill, 
James McChain, 
Benjamin Seacord, 
Joshua Hunt, 

Betts Chatterdon, 
William Landrine 
Enoch Hunt, 

Peter Corme, 
Dennis Kennedy, 
James Hains, 
Andrew Bainton, 
Hezekiah Simmons, 
Nathaniel Tompkins, 
Caleb Archer, 

Benj. Bugbee, 
Francis Purdy, 
William Odell, 
Israel Hunt, 
Thomas Tompkins, 
Frederick Underhill, 


THE TOWN OF WHITE PLAINS. 


Bartholomew Haines, 
Gilbert Haines, 

John Haines, 

Elijah Haines, 

Lieut. Solomon Fowler, 
Isaac Williams, 

John McCollum, 
Joseph Clark, 

Joseph Oakley, 

Caleb Ferris, 

Capt. Benj. Griffin, 
Capt. Joshua Purdy, 
James Mott, 

Lieut. Will Lounsberry, 
Lieut. Samuel Purdy, 
John Ruster, 

Nathan Osborn, 
Philemon Halstead, 
Daniel Purdy, 

John Crab, 

Izrahiah Wetmore, 
Capt. Absalom Gidney, 
David Haight, 

John Brown, 

Jasper Stivers, 

Peter McFarthing, 
Joshua Purdy, Jr., 
Hachaliah Purdy, Jr., 
James Tompkins, 
Michael Chatterton, 
Elnathan Taylor, 
Gilbert Theal, 
William Sexton, 
Thomas Champoneers, 
John Champoneers, 
William Griffin, 

Isaac Gidney, 

John Bates, 

Joseph Haviland, 
Eleazer Hart, 
Timothy Wetmore, 
James Hunt, 

Joseph Parker, 


John Hunt, Jr., 
Isaac Purdy, 
Elijah Purdy, 
Abraham Loosee, 
Isaac Tompkins, 
William Gray, 
Nathaniel Merrit, 
Joseph Paulding, 
Hendricus Storm, 
Francis Secord, 
John Parker, 
Gilbert Hatfield, 
Gabriel Purdy, 
Alexander Hains, 
Benj. Ogden, 
Thos. Merritt, 
Gilbert Bates, 
John Gidney, 
Stephen Arnode, 
Israel Secord, 
John Arnode, 
David Purdy, 
David Belcher, 
Jordon Downing, 
Levi Devoe, 
Abraham Acker, 


Cornelius van Tassel, 


Elisha Merritt, 
Jacob Schurman, 
Joseph Appleby, 


John Tompkins, Jr., 


Job Hadden Jr., 
Patrick Carey, 
James Hart, 
Gilbert Ward, 
Joseph Hart, 
Monmouth Hart, 
William Dunlap, 
Joshua Ferris, 
Timothy Purdy, 
James Macguire, 
James Requea, 
Daniel Shadin, 


559 


Peter Post, 

Benj. McCord, 

John Williams, 
John Ackerman, 
Peter Husting, 

Thos Barker, 
Jeremiah Hunter,@ 
Abraham Storm, 
Peter Jansing, 

Isaac Merritt, _ 
Edward Merritt, 
John Gale, 

John Smith, 

Roger Purdy, 

James Hart, Jr., 
Jonah Purdy, Jr., 
Monmouth Hart, Jr., 
Christopher Purdy, 
Gilbert Purdy, 
Edward Mefritt, Jr., 
Elijah Miller, 
Henry Disborough, 
Benj. Hunt, 
Elnathan Hunt, 
William van Wart, 
Abraham Storm, 
Thomas Berry, 
Lancaster Underhill, 
Charles Merritt, 
Benjamin Underhill, 
Benjamin Griffin, Jr., 
Jeremiah Coone, 
John Hall, 

James Angevine, 
Jacob Coone, 
Jeremiah Anderson, Jr., 
Gilbert Williams, 
William Barker, Jr., 
Gideon Arden, 
William Field, 


. Joseph Purdy, 


George Storm, 
Jacob Vermilea, 


a “NORTH CASTLE, MAY 8TH, 1775. Mr. RIVINGTON :—In your paper lately I saw my name 
to a protest. I never signed it, but went to Capt. Hatfield’s house and was asked whether I 
was a Whigora Tory? I made answer, that [ did not understand the meaning of those 
words ; but was for liberty and peace. Upon which I immediately put down my name. Now, 
sir, I desire you will print this to show the world that I have not deserved to be held up in 
the light of a protestor.—JERZMIAH HUNTER. 


560 


Joshua Rarn, 
Joseph Purdy, 
John Park, 
Samuel Purdy, 
Gilbert Purdy, 
James Chatterton, 
John Dewsenburgh, 
Thomas Cromwell, 
Solomon Horton, 
Peter Bussing,? 
Thomas Valentine, 
Peter Bussing, Jr., 
James Kniffen, 
Nathan’! Underhill, Jr., 
Phillip Fowler, 
John McFarthing, 
John Tompkins, 
Joseph Hart, 
Jacob Post, 
Joseph Gidney, 
James Baxter, 
John Hunt, 
Cornelius Loosee, 
Jesse Park, 


Samuel Purdy, 
Sylvanus Purdy, 
Willliam Dalton, 
David Davids, 
Elijah Purdy, Jr., 
Elijah Tompkins, 
Daniel Jerow, 
Charles Lawrence, 
Joseph Purdy, Jr., 
James Sniffin, Jr., 
Gilbert Valentine, 
Andrew Guion, 
Gilbert Hunter, 

Lt. Peter Bonnett, 
Samuel Sneeden, 
Peter Fashee, 

Jesse Lawrence, 
William Sneeden, 
Dr. Daniel Knap, 
Solomon Dean, 
Charles Vincent, Sen., 
Lieut. Thomas Hyatt, 
James Gidney, 
William Woodward, 


HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Samuel Heusted, 
Bartholomew Underhill, 
Lieut. John Warner, 
Nath’! Purdy, 

Isaac Bennett, 

Samuel Baker,@ 

John Cromwell, 

John Storm, 

Andrew Fowler, 
Joshua Seacord, 
Abraham Rich, 
George French, 

John Underhill, 

Caleb Gidney, 

William Underhill, Jr., 
James Hill, 

William Watkins, 
John Rustin, 

Richard Baker, 

Will Ascough, 

Bishop Huestice, 
James Miller, 

Phineas Huut, 


The following persons, not being able to attend at the Plains, requested by 
their friends that their names might be added to the list of protestors, viz.:— 


Jobn Hitchcock, 
Joseph Bond. 


John Hunt, Esq., 
Jeremiah Hitchcock, 


Philip Palmer, Esq., 
William Bond, 


The foregoing account is strictly true, as can be proven by the testimony (or, 
if necessary, by the affidavits), of a number of persons of the most unquestiona- 
ble character in this county. What, then, must we think of such persons as have 
propagated a report that the friends of government were, upon this occasion, out- 
numbered five to one; and that many of the persons whose names were subscribed 
to the foregoing declaration, were not on that day present at the White Plains? 
They must be conscious to themselves that they have spread abroad a falsehood. 
and they are hereby called upon, if they dare, to set their names to those asser- 
tions, In what manner those gentlemen who chose the committee at the Plains 
proceeded, we cannot positively say; but this we can declare with truth, that 
we do not believe they can produce to the public the names of a hundred 
and fifty persons who voted for a committee that day, and we are surely persua- 
ded that they did their utmost to make their party as numerous as possible, 


a MR, RIVINGTON:—I did sign a protest which was printed in your paper, but I did so be- 
cause I was told that the intent of signing it was to show that I was for the liberty of the 
country. SAMUEL BAKER. 

6 That our names were not subscribed to the protest of West¢hester, either by ourselves, 
or our orders or permission, directly or indirectly, is certified by us, each for himself. 

May 4th, 1775. PETER BUSSING. JOHN BUSSING, 


THE TOWN OF WHITE PLAINS. 561 


How then can they justify their choice of a committee ? or how can they presume 
to impose upon the world, and to insult the Loyal County of Westchester in so 
barefaced a manner? It is well known here that two-thirds, at least, of the in- 
habitants of this county are friends to order and government, and opposed to 
committees and all unlawful combinations; and it will be made apparent to the 
world that they are so, as soon as certain resolves, now signing freely by the 
people, shall be ready for publication. And one principal reason why the friends 
to government did not assemble in greater numbers than they did, on Tuesday 
last, was that many of them had already, by signing those resolves, testified their 
loyalty to the king, their attachment to the constitution, their enmity to the com- 
mittees, and their acquiescence in the prudent measures taken by the Assembly 
in the late session, for accommodating the unhappy differences between the 
mother country and the colonies; and consequently thought they had done their 
duty. The committee that was chosen, may, with some kind of propriety, be 
said to represent those particular persons who chose them; but how they can be 
denominated the Representatives of the County of Westchester, who, in general 
abhor committees and committee men, and are determined to take no steps that 
may lead them into rebellion, we cannot conceive; certainly the friends to gov 
ernment who were collected at Captain Hatfield’s, had a better right from their 
number to determine that there diiould be no committee than the opposite party 
had to appoint one, and might with much greater propriety be said to show the 
sense of the County than the few who acted without authority and in direct op- 
position to government, and to the determinations of our worthy Assembly; and 
we doubt not but the impartial public will consider the matter in this light, 
and not esteem the act of a few individuals, unlawfully assembled, as the act 
(which most assuredly is not), of the very respectable, populous, and Loyal 
County of Westchester.2 


In answer to the above protest, occurs the following letter from Lewis 
Morris, addressed ‘to the public :”— 


MoreisantA, May 71s, 1775. 


“A very extraordinary paper called a protest against the proceedings of the 
freeholders of the County of Westchester, relative to the election of Deputies for 
the late Convention, and said to have been subscribed by the several persons 
whose names are printed with it, was published in Mr. Rivington’s and Gain’s 
Gazette, a few weeks ago. 

By whom this performance was given to the public is uncertain; and, being 
as little distinguished by decency as by truth, there is reason to suspect the au- 
thor’s name will remain a secret. The falsities contained in this representation, 
are too flagrant to impose upon any person in this colony; and, nothing but the 
apprehension of its gaining credit in other parts of the world, would have in- 
duced me to have made it the subject of animadversion. 

I shall pass over the many little embellishments with which the author’s fancy 
has endeavored to decorate his narrative; nor, is it necessary to call in question, 
the reality of that loyal enthusiasm, by which it was said these good people were 


@ American Archives, fourth series, vol. ii, 321. 


562 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


influenced; and I really wish that had been the fact, because when inconsisten- 
cies and fooleries result from inebriety or enthusiasm, they merit no pity, and 
escape indignation and resentment. 

Much pains, I confess, were on that day taken to make temporary enthusiasts, 
and with other more exhilarating spirit of loyalty. 

To give the appearance of dignity to these curious and very orderly protestors, 
the author has been very mindful to annex every man’s addition to his name; 
upon the presumption, perhaps, that it would derive weight from the title of 
mayor, esquire, captain, lieutenant, judge, &c. 

But it is not easy to conceive why the public should be less civil to the clergy 
than to the gentry and commonalty. Samuel Seabury and Luke Babcock, cer- 
tainly ought not to have been sent into the world floating on a newspaper in that 
plain way ; the one is the ‘‘ Reverend Mr. Samuel Seabury, Rector of the united 
Parishes of East and Westchester, and one of the missionaries for the propaga- 
tion of the Gospel, (and not politics), in foreign parts,” &c., &c., the other is 
‘the Rev. Mr. Luke Babcock, who preaches and prays for Mr. Philipse and his 
tenants at Philipsburgh.” 

In this formidable catalogue of 312 sober and loyal protestors, there are 
not less than one hundred and seventy, who, after a most diligent inquiry, I can- 
not find have the least pretensions to vote, and indeed many of them are also 


under age. 


Samuel Seabury, 
Luke Babcock, 
Benjamin Fowler, Esq,, 
Joshua Pell, 

Edward Pell, 

John Hunt, 

Gilbert Horton, 
Adrian Leforge, 
Moses Williams, 
Philip Kelley, 

James Haines, 
Bartholomew Haines, 
John Haines, 

Elijah Haines, 
Joseph Clark, 

Joseph Oakley, 
James Mott, 

Daniel Purdy, 

John Crab, 

Izrahiah Whetmore, 
Absalom Gidney, 
John Brown, 

Jasper Stevens, 

Peter McFarthing, 
Joshua Purdy, Jr., 
Hachaliah Purdy, jr., 


Their names are as follows .— 


Elias Seacord, 
James Pierce, 
Edward Bugbe, 
Daniel Haight, 
John Hunt, jr., 
Abraham Losee, 
Isaac Tompkins, 
Joseph Paulding, 
Henricus Storm, 
Francis Secord, 
John Parker, 
Gilbert Bates, 
David Purdy, 
David Bleeker, 
Jordan Downing, 
Corn. Van Tassell, 
Joseph Appleby, 
Patrick Cary, 
Gilbert Ward, 
William Dunlap 
Joshua Ferris, 
Timothy Purdy, 
James McGuire, 
James Requeau, 
Samuel Purdy, 
Sylvanus Purdy, 


John Williams, 
John Ackemar, 
Peter Bussing, 
Jeremiah Hunter, 
Abraham Storm, 
Peter Jenning, 

John Gale, 

John Smith, 

James Hart, jr., 
Jonathan Purdy, jr., 
Monmouth Hart., jr., 
Christopher Purdy, 
Gabriel Purdy, 
Edward Merrit, jr., 
Henry Desborough, 
William Van Wart 
Abraham Storm, 
Thomas Berry, 
Charles Merritt, 
Benjamin Griffin, 
Samuel Purdy, 
Gilbert Purdy, 
James Chatterton, 
Thomas Cromwell, 
Solomon Horton, 
Nathaniel Underhill, jr., 


THE TOWN OF WHITE PLAINS. 


James Tompkins, 
Gilbert Theal, 
William Sexon, 
Thomas Champoneers, 
John Champoneers, 
Eleazer Hart, 
James Hunt, 
Joseph Parker, 
Joshua Barns, 
John Park, 

Tsaac Smith, 

John Hyatt, 
Abraham Odell, 
Thomas Lawrence, 
John Seyson, 

Isaac Forshea, 
Gabriel Requeau. 
Gabriel Archer, 
Peter Fashee, 

Isaac Lawrence, 
Will. Snider, 
Solomon Dean, 
Thomas Hyatt, 
William Woodward, 
John Whitmore, 
Will. Underhill, 
Nehemiah Tompkins, 
Henry le Forge, 
Evert Brown, 
Benj. Beyea, 
Charles Merritt. 


William Dalton, 
Elijah Tompkins, 
Joshua Hunt, 
Bates Chatterton, 
William Landrin, 
Dennis Kenndy, 
James Haines, 
Andrew Banton, 
Nathaniel Tompkins, 
Caleb Archer, 
Benjamin Bugbe, 
Francis Purdy. 
William Odell, 
Israel Hunt, 
Thomas Tompkins, 
Fred. Underhill, 
Peter Post, 

Benj. McCord, 
John Loce, 
Elnathan Appleby, 
John Baker, 
Jonathan Underhill, 
James McChain, 
James Angevine, 
Jeremiah Anderson, jr., 
Will. Barker, jr., 
Gideon Arden, jr., 
Joseph Purdy, 
George Storm, 
Jacob Vermiller, 
Samuel Snider, 


563 


Philip Fowler, 
John McFarthing, 
Jacob Post, 
James Baxter, 
John Hart, 
Cornelius Loosee, 
Jesse Park, 

Roger Purdy, jr., 
Gilbert Pugsly, 
Abraham Leaden, 
Benjamin Brown, 
Aaron Buis, 

John Burzley, 
David Oakley, jr., 
Charles Lawrence, 
Joseph Purdy, jr., 
James Sniffen, jr., 
Peter Bonnett, 
Samuel Huested, 
John Warner, 
John Storm, 
Joshua Secord, 
John Underhill, 
William Underhill, jr., 
James Hill, 
William Watkins, 
Richard Baker, 
Bishop Huestice, 
Jeremiah Hitchcock, 
William Bond, 


Of the others who are freeholders, many also hold land at will of Col. Philipse, 


so that the truth really is, that very few independent freeholders objected to the 
appointment of deputies.” LEWIS MORRIS. 


Upon the 29th of April, 1775, appeared the following document ad- 
dressed to the public :— 


‘‘We the subscribers do hereby make this public declaration, that whereas, 
we and several others in Westchester county, having signed a certain number of 
Resolves, which at the time of our said signing were deemed constitutional, and 
as having a tendency to promote the interest of our country; but, since upon 
mature deliberation and more full knowledge of the matter find not only injuri- 
ous to our present cause, but likewise offensive to our fellow colonists, we do 
therefore thus publicly testify our abhorrence of the same, and declare ourselves 


a American archives, fourth series, vol. ii. 


564 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


true friends to the colonies, and ever ready cheerfully to exert ourselves in the 
defence and preservation of the same,” JONATHAN Fow ter, Esq., 


GEORGE CROMWELL, Esq. 


“ At a meeting of freeholders of Westchester county, New York, at 
the White Plains, on Monday, the 8th day of May, 1775, Governeur 
Morris, Lewis Graham, James Van Cortlandt, Stephen Ward, Joseph 
Drake, Philip Van Cortlandt, James Holmes, David Dayton, John 
Holmes, Jr., Robert Graham, and William Paulding, were chosen to be 
the deputies from this County to the Provincial Convention of the 
Province of New York.” 


“On the 30th of June, 1776, the Provincial Congress of this State 
adjourned from the city of New York, to the Court Honse, in White 
Plains, where they met on the goth of July following, and there continued 
in session until the 29th of that month.Ӣ 

In Provincial Congress, New York, 30th June, 1776, Sunday after- 
noon, it was 


Resolved. ‘‘That the treasurer and secretary of this Congress be and they 
hereby are directed forthwith to repair, with all and singular, the public papers 
and money, now in their custody or possession, unto the White Plains, in the 
county of Westchester, and that this Congress be, and it hereby is, adjourned 
unto the Court House in the White Plains aforesaid, there to meet on Tuesday, 
the 2d of July next, and proceed upon business; and that the next Congress of 
this county do meet at the same place on Monday, the 8th day of July aforesaid, 
unless otherwise ordered by the Congress.” 


It was carried in the affirmative ; for the question, 20, against ditto, 5. 

And it was further ordered “that all the lead, powder and other military 
stores belonging to this State, be forthwith removed to the White 
Plains.”4 

The journey between New York and the Plains was performed by the 
members on horseback, Pierre van Cortlandt, the president, riding at 
their head. As expresses overtook them from General Washington, the 
house was called to order on horseback, and several resolutions passed. 

“Tt was at White Plains, on the 9th day of July, the Provincial Con- 
gress received the Declaration of Independence; there it was read, in 
front of the Court House,¢ and there they solemnly in convention prom- 


a Ibid. 446. 

b American Archives, fourth series. vol. ii, 529. 

ec Extract from address of J. W. Tompkins, Esq., 1845. 
d Journal of N. Y. Provincial Congress, vol. i, 512. 


e The declaration was read by John Thomas, Esq , and seconded by Michael Varian and 
Samuel Crawford, two prominent Whigs of Scarsdale. The latter met a sad and early fate 
by the hands of British refugees. 


THE TOWN OF WHITE PLAINS. 565 


ised at the risk of their lives and fortunes to join with the other colo- 
nies in supporting it. The letter of John Hancock, enclosing to them 
that declaration, after acknowledging their dependence for success upon 
the Ruler of the Universe, with almost a prophet’s vision announced the 
important consequences which would flow from that declaration.”* The 
old Court House, honored by this fearless step in the cause of independ- 
ence, and so intimately associated with the wisdom and virtue of such 
men as Jay, Morris, Clinton, Woodhull, Hobart, Van Cortlandt, Liv- 
ingston and Rutgers, was burnt on the night of the 5th of November, by 
a New England major, without orders, together with every dwelling at 
White Plains.’’® 


* About 12 o'clock, this night, (Nov. 5th, 1776, says General Heath) 
a party of Americans wantonly set fire to the Court House, and several 
other private houses, which stood between the two armies. This gave 
great disgust to the whole American army, and drew from the comman- 
der-in-chief, the following paragraph, in his orders of the 6th: ‘It is 
with the utmost astonishment and abhorrence, the general is informed, 
that some base and cowardly wretches have, last night, set fire to the 
Court House and other buildings which the enemy left. The army may 
rely upon it, that they shall be brought to justice, and meet with the 
punishment they deserve.Ӣ 


Pierre van Cortlandt, vice-president of the committee of public safety, 
under date of 28th November, thus feelingly alludes to the event :— 


‘*Unhappy am I to add that amidst all our sufferings, the army employed for 
the protection of America, have not refrained from embittering the calamities of 
war, at a time when the utmost resources of this State were laid open to their 
wants, and the members of Convention personally submitted to the labour and 
fatigue which were necessary on a sudden emergency, and after frequent losses 
of provisions and barracks, to supply two numerous armies, augmented by the 
militia, with every article which they required, the Court-house and the remains 
of the village at the White Plains, which had been spared on the retreat of our 
forces, were, even after the enemy had in their turn retired, wantonly destroyed, 
without the orders and to the infinite regret of our worthy general, besides, in 
spite of all his Excellency’s efforts, wherever our troops have marched, or been 
stationed, they have done infinite damage to the property of the people. 

‘“*T am directed, sir, to submit it to the Hon’ble Congress, whether some effect- 
ual remedy ought not to be provided against such disorderly and disgraceful 
proceedings. The soldier, who plunders the country he is employed to protect, is no 
better than a robber, and ought to be treated accordingly ; and a severe example, 
in the opinion of the committee, ought to be made of the officer who, without 
any necessity, or his general’s permission, set fire to the Court House and other - 


a Extract from address of J. W. Tompkins, Esq. 
6 Ibid. 
e Heath’s Mem, 83, 


566 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


buildings at the White Plains, He is guilty of the crime of arson, and if he 
cannot be punished by the articles of war, ought to be given up to the laws of 
the land. If so glaring a violation of every sentiment of humanity should be 
passed over in silence, if the army is not reasonably restrained from such acts of 
barbarity, the consequence must be fatal to the cause of a people whose exalted 
glory it is to be advocates for the rights of mankind, against the tyranny and 
oppression of lawless power. The resolutions which the committee of safety 
have passed upon the subject are herewith transmitted. 

‘*T have the honor to be, with great respect, sir, your most obedient and very 
humble servant, ‘* By order 

“PIERRE VAN CORTLANDT, 
Vice President.” 
‘*To the HonoRABLE JoHN HaANcooxK, 
President of the Congress of the-United States.” 


At a meeting of the committee of safety held Monday morning, 2d 
December, 1776. It was resolved, ‘That the laws of the country are 
not superseded by the military code in the pesence of the army ;” and 
“That a letter be written to General Washington, requesting that the offi- 
cer directing the burning of the Court-house and dwelling-houses at the 
White Plains, be delivered to this committee or the Convention of this 
State, in order to his being tried by the laws of the States, and, if guilty, 
punished thereby.” 

The following account of the military quarters in this town and its 
vicinity, in October, 1776, is from the address of J. W. Tompkins, Esq., 
delivered at White Plains on the 28th of October, 1845 :— 


‘‘The County of Westchester, at the commencement of the Revolution, con- 
tainec a multitude of hardy yeomen inured to toil, whose ancestry had fled from 
oppression abroad, and in the enjoyment of greater freedom in the colony, had 
imbibed an ardent love of liberty. When the star of Independence arose in the 
east, they were ready to follow its lead; and when New York, in 1776, was 
threatened with invasion, they flocked with alacrity to its defence. When the 
battle of Long Island turned the tide of war against us, they still adhered to the 
American army, contending every inch of ground to Harlem, thence to King’s 
Bridge, and through the southern part of Westchester to White Plains, where 
Gen. Washington again determined to entrench himself and make another stand 
against an overwhelming force of the choicest British troops, flushed with victory 
and confident of success. A brief account of the movements of the two armies 
to this place, and of their operations here, it is my purpose to give. 

“The city of New York was selected by the English as the centre of their 
military operations, with the view of commanding the North river and acting in 
conjunction with a force from Canada, descending through Lake Champlain, 
thus securing the Colonies. Their march into Westchester County was designed 


a Journal of N. Y. Proy. Congress, vol. i. 723. 
b Journal of N. Y. Proy. Congress, vol. i. 729. 


THE TOWN OF WHITE PLAINS. 567 


to obtain command of the two principal routes leading to New England, one 
through Rye and the other by the way of Bedford, and thereby cut off the Ameri- 
can army from its supplies, principally derived from the East, and obtain the 
rear of General Washington’s army, and force him to a general battle, or to a 
precipitate retreat. But Washington pentrated their intentions, and conducted 
his forces northward from King’s Bridge with great skill, moving in a line 
parallel with the British, a little in advance of them, facing them constantly, 
with the Bronx in his front, which was fortified at every assailable point. 

‘*On the 12th of October, ’76, a portion of the British army, consisting of the 
Guard, Light Infantry reserve, and Colonel Dunop’s Corps landed at Throg’s 
Neck ; and the night of that day, Colonel William Smith, (then a Lieutenant, ) 
with a Corporal’s guard, broke down the bridge connecting the Neck with West_ 
chester town. and left Sir William Howe upon an island. On the 16th and 17th 
of October, the English forces at Throg’s Neck were augmented by the 1st, 2nd 
and 6th Brigades crossing from Long Island, and by the 3d Hessian battalion 
from New York. On the 18th, the whole British army crossed to Pelham Point, 
and marching northerly, encamped the same night on the high ground between 
Hutchinson’s River and New Rochelle village, where it remained till the 21st. 
On the 21st, the British removed and encamped on New Rochelle heights, north 
of the village, and on both sides of the road leading to Scarsdale. This camp 
was broken up on the 25th, and the army moved forward to a position upon the 
high grounds in Scarsdale, in the vicinity of the late John Bennett's farm, and 
there remained till the morning of the 28th of October. 

General Washington during that time had not remained inactive—as early as 
the 11th of October, a part of his army crossed from Harlem heights, reached 
White Plains on the 12th, and commenced erecting fortifications ; and on the 22d 
General Washington, leaving his head-quarters at Fort Washington, established 
them at Valentine’s hill, whence they were removed to White Plains on the 23d. 

‘*The entrenchments at White Plains were erected under the directions of a 
French engineer, and consisted of a square fort of sods in the main street with 
breast works on each side running westerly over the south side of Purdy’s hill to 
the Bronx, and easterly across the hills to Horton’s pond. When the English at- 
tacked Chatterton’s hill on the 28th, they were unfinished; but during the night 
of the 28th and 29th of October they were raised and strengthened, being only 
intended for temporary use until the position above Abraham Miller’s in North 
Castle could be fortified, which was done, and to which the American army after- 
wards retired. : 

‘General Howe committed a great mistake in not attacking General Wash- 
ington’s fortifications in White Plains on the 28th instead of Chatterton’s hill. 
He gained nothing in taking that hill. After the works at White Plains were 
completed, great loss to Howe’s army must have attended their capture, and 
Washington’s new position, (above Mr. Miller’s, ) appears to have been regarded 
as impregnable. Washington’s policy at this time was, as he expressed it ‘to 
entrench and fight with the spade and mattock.’ The experience at Bunker’s Hill 
had made the English cautious in attacking Americans behind entrenchments.¢ 


a “General George Clinton, in a postscript to a friend, writing from Washington’s entrench- 
ment on the night of the 20th October, says: ‘ Love to Mrs. Clinton—tell her { write from an 
entrenchment. The British forces are in sight, and we shall probably have battle to-morrow 
—tell her to entertain no fearsfor my safety,’”"— Mr. Tompkin’s Address. 


568 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER, 


“During the march of the two armies to White Plains frequent skirmishes 
occurred. On the 18th, the vanguard of the British army were attacked by a 
detachment under General Sullivan, and the fight which ensued, (near the road 
reaching from New Rochelle,) has been always represented as very creditable to 
the Americans.” 

**On the 2ist, Colonel Rogers, a celebrated partisan officer in the French war, 
had accepted a command in the English service, and lay at Mamaroneck. An 
attack upon him was planned by Lord Sterling, and executed by a force under 
the command of Col. Haslet, of the Delaware regiment. Rogers was completely 
surprised; seventy or eighty of his men were killed or made prisoners, and a 
considerable quantity of arms, ammunition and clothing taken by the Ameri- 
cans. On the 23d of October, a spirited skirmish took place between Hand’s 
Pennsylvania riflemen and a detachment of Hessian chasseurs, about 240 strong, 
in which the Hessians were routed. These harassing encounters of the Ameri- 
cans, (attended invariably with success,) tended to delay the advance of the 
British and to make them cautious, while it cheered the desponding courage of 
the Americans soldiers, and above all, gave General Washington time to remove 
his stores and entrench himself where no army dare assail him. 

‘‘On the morning of the 28th of October, the British army marched from 
their camp in two columns—the right commanded by General Clinton, the left 
by De Heister, and came in sight of the American forces about 10 o’clock. 
On the 27th of October, two militia regiments had been sent over to throw up 
entrenchments on Chatterton hill; and on the morning of the 28th, General 
Washington ordered Col. Haslet to take command of the hill—having under his 
command his own (the Delaware) Regiment, the Militia, and part of the Mary- 
land troops. General McDougal soon followed him and took command. Col. 
Haslet says, the enemy in the first place moved towards the fortifications in the 
village—they then halted—the general officers had a council of war on horseback 
in the wheat-fields, and the result was that their forces inclined towards the 
Bronx. Fifteen or twenty pieces of artillery were placed upon the high ground 
opposite the hill, and commenced a furious cannonade upon McDougal’s forces, 
under cover of which fire the British built a bridge over the Bronx, and prepared 
to cross. 

“Gen. McDougal placed two field pieces upon a ledge of table rock, which did 
great execution among the British artificers and soldiers. So soon as the bridge 
would admit their crossing, they rushed forward and attempted to take the two 
pieces by a charge up the hill—these two cannon were in charge of the late 
Alexander Hamilton, (then a captain of artillery), and never did officers or men 
do better execution. When upon the spot in after years, describing it to a 
youthful friend, he was heard to say, ‘ For three successive discharges the advane- 
ing column of British troops was swept from hill-top to river.’ The British find- 
ing this table rock inaccessible, inclined to the left down the river, and joined 
the troops under General Rahl, which had crossed about a quarter of a mile be- 
low. 

‘They now attacked McDougal, and attempted to turn his right flank. He 
retreated, but contested the ground all the way up to the summit of the nll, 
making a stand at every favorable point. At length the British cavalry gained 
the crest of the hill, and charging, cut to pieces the militia on McDougal’s right. 


THE TOWN OF WHITE PLAINS. 569 


The last stand was made by the Americans behind a fence at the top of the hill, 
where the Delaware regiment and part of McDougal’s brigade, twice repulsed 
the British Light Infantry and Cavalry. At length compelled to retreat, it was 
done in good order over the bridge at the foot of the hill, under cover of some 
regiments detached by Washington from his main army. The militia and a few 
of the regulars were dispersed among the hills of Greenburgh, but soon returned 
to Head Quarters. The British forces engaged in that attack, were the flower of 
the army, consisting of the second brigade of British, the 5th, 28th and 49th 
regiments, Rahl’s battalion, the Hessian Grenadiers, under Dunop, and a party 
of Light Dragoons, all commanded by General Leslie. 

“That General Washington did make a successful stand at this place, has 
ever excited the wonder of military-men. His troops were greatly inferior in 
numbers and discipline, and composed in part of militiaand raw recruits. After 
the battle, the enemy for several days attempted to gain Washington’s rear, 
tried to alarm him and induce him to retreat or fight by threatening his flanks. 
At several times they formed a semi-circle about him. On the night of the 31st 
of October, Washington evacuated his camp at White Plains@ and established his 
new position in the hills of Northcastle, about one mile in the rear of his former 
encampment, when the British appear to have relinquished all further offensive 
operations. At the advance of the British army to White Plains, the Whig fam- 
ilies were seen hurrying, unprotected before them, with thin clothing and a 
seanty supply of provisions, to seek shelter for the coming winter, they knew 
not where. Desolation and famine marked the fair region over which the two 
armies passed. The English army finding all attempts to circumvent General 
Washington hopeless, broke up their camp at White Plains, on the 5th of Nov- 
ember, and retired to Dobb’s Ferry, and from thence to King’s Bridge, where 
thny encamped on the 13th of that month. 

‘Thus ended in Westchester, for the year ’76, the movements of the British 
army; but soon the inhabitants of the North were overrun by loyalists from 
Morrisania, and for a long time without protection, were exposed to every dan- 
ger and suffering. In short, till the peace of 1782, Westchester was the battle- 
ground of the disaffected, and the prey of both friend and foe. Scenes of 
cruelty and bloodshed unknown in civilized warfare, marked their partizan en- 
gagements, and in the defence of their homes, her valiant sons exhibited frequent 
instances of personal bravery unexcelled in ancient or modern times. Among 
the most daring were the guides—such men as Abraham Dyckman, Cornelius 
Oakley and John Odell. In the darkness of night they have often surprised and 
carried off captains, officers and men, under the guns of the British forts at Mor- 
risania, or in small parties amused themselves by beating up De Lancey’s quar- 
ters. Frequent alarms had made them watchful of surprise, and success rendered 
them reckless of danger, til] they became the chosen leaders of each dangerous 
enterprise against the enemy. 


Why Gen. Howe so suddenly left the battle-field at White Plains has 
been a mystery to many, but the following may explain it: “When he 


« At the east end of the village is still to be seen the remains of Washington’s encamp- 
ment. Of this nothing is left but a small portion of the embankment that runs partly across 
the street, on the surface of which rests a mutilated howitzer. This relic of the past was 
disinterred near the spot it occupies, 


57° HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


landed with his forces on Throg’s Neck, Gen. Washington withdrew all 
his army—except a garrison at Fort Washington, a very strongly fortified 
position, and considered impregnable. But treason can do what valor 
and skill cannot. 

Gen. Howe, as we shall see, had good reason to change his whole 
plan; and that cause was, the treason of a commissioned officer of the 
American army. Four years before, the traitor Arnold attempted to 
betray West Point. A similar, but more successful traitor, betrayed 
Mount Washington. On the 2d of November, 1776, Adjutant Magaw, 
passed undiscovered, out of Fort Washington into the British camp, con- 
veying the plans of the fort and full information as to all its works and 
garrison, and placed them in the hands of Lord Percy. 

On the 15th of November, the grand army of Howe, that was seen in 
such splendor in White Plains but a short time before, now gathered 
around the doomed fortress of Mt. Washington, and it soon fell by the 
treachery of a traitor whose infamy ought to be known, and his name 
branded with that contempt that traitors only deserve. 

The following additional particulars respecting the engagement on 
Chatterton’s hill are contained in Gen. Heath’s Memoirs:— 


27th of October, ‘‘In the forenoon, a heavy cannonade was heard towards 
Fort Washington. Thirteen Hessians and two or three British soldiers were 
sent in on this day. From the American camp to the west, south-west, there 
appeared to be a very commanding height, worthy of attention. The Com- 
mander-in-Chief ordered the general officers who were off duty, to attend 
him to reconnoiter this ground, on this morning. When arrived at the ground, 
although very commanding, it did not appear so much so, as other grounds to 
the north, and almost parallel with the left of the army, as it was then formed. 
‘* Yonder,” says Major Gen. Lee, pointing to the grounds just mentioned, ‘‘is 
the ground we ought to occupy.” ‘‘Let us then go and view it,” replied the 
Commander-in-Chief. When on the way, a light horseman came up on full 
gallop, his horse almost out of breath, and addressed General Washington— 
‘‘The British are in the camp, sir.” The General observed, ‘‘ Gentlemen, we 
have now other business than reconnoitring,” putting his horse in full gallop for 
the camp, and followed by the other officers. When arrived at head-quarters, 
the Adjutant-General, (Read,) who had remained at camp, informed the Com- 
mander-in-Chief, that the guards had been all beat in, and the whole Ameri- 
can army were now at their respective posts, in order of battle. The Com- 
mander-in-Chief turned round to the officers, and only said, ‘‘Gentlemen, you 
will repair to your respective post, and do the best you can.” “Our General, 
(Heath, ) on arriving at his own division, found them all in the lines; and, from 
the height of his posts, found that the first attack was directed against the 
Americans on Chatterton's hill. The little river Bronx, which ran between the 
American right and this hill, after running round its north side, turned and ran 
down on the east and south-east. The British advanced in two columns. At 


THE TOWN OF WHITE PLAINS, 571 


this instant, the cannonade was brisk on both sides; directed by the British 
across the hollow and Bronx, against the Americans on the hill, and by them 
returned. Almost at the same instant, the right column, composed of British 
troops, preceded by about twenty light horse in full gallop, and brandishing their 
swords, appeared on the road leading to the court-house, and now directly in the 
front of our General’s division. The light-horse leaped the fence of a wheat 
field, at the foot of the hill, on which Col. Malcolm’s regiment was posted, of 
which the light-horse were not aware until.a shot from Lieutenant Fenno’s field- 
piece gave them notice by striking in the midst of them, and a horseman pitch- 
ing from his horse, They then wheeled short about, galloped out of the field as 
fast as they came in, rode behind a little hill on the road, and faced about; the 
tops of their caps only being visible to our General, where he stood. The column 
came no further up the road, but wheeled to the left by platoons, as they came 
up; and, passing through a bar, or gateway, directed their head towards the 
troops on Chatterton’s hill, now engaged. When the head of the column had 
got nearly across the lot, their front got out of sight; nor could the extent 
of their rear be now discovered. The sun shone bright, their arms glittered, and 
perhaps troops never were shown to more advantage, than those now appeared: 
The whole now halted; ard for a few minutes, the men all sat down in the 
same order in which they stood, no one appearing to move out of his place. The 
cannonade continued brisk aeross the Bronx. A part of the left column, com- 
posed of British and Hessians, forded the river, and marched along under the 
cover of the hill, until they had gained sufficient ground to the left of the 
Americans; when, by facing to the left, their column became a line, parallel 
with the Americans. When they briskly ascended the hill,4 the first column re- 
sumed a quick march. As the troops, which were advancing to the attack, as- 
cended the hil!, the cannonade on the side of the British ceased; as their own 
men became exposed to their fire, if continued. The fire of the small arms was 
now very heavy, and without any distinction of sounds. This led some Ameri- 
can officers, who were looking on, to observe that the British were worsted, as 
their cannon had ceased firing ; but a few minutes evinced that the Americans 
were giving way. They moved off the hill ina great body, neither running, nor 
observing the best order. The British ascended the hill very slowly, and when 
arrived at its summit, formed and dressed their line, without the least attempt to 
pursue the Americans. The loss on the side of the Americans was inconsider- 
able. That of the British was not then known. The British army having got 
possession of this hill, it gave them a vast advantage of the See lines, al- 
most down to the centre.”? 


Botta, in his history of the American Revolution, says: ‘‘ The loss of 
men in this action was great on the one part as well as on the other.Ӣ 
Among the principal actors in this scene, upon the American side, 


a While the British were thus advancing up the hill, a shot struck one of the standard 
bearers dead.. Warren de Lancey, (then a boy fifteen years of age,) instantly seized the 
colors, and rusning forward, was one of the first to gain the summit, , where he planted them 
inthe ground For this act of bravery he afterwards received a cornet’s commission from 
General Howe.—dA uthor. 


b Heath’s Mem. 76. 
ce The remains of those slain in the conflict, were interred ina hollow onthe south-west side 
of Chatterton hili, near a hickory tree. 


572 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


may be enumerated, Generals Washington, Clinton, McDougal, Lee, 
Heath, Sterling, and Read, Colonels Haslet, Smallwood, Malcolm and 
Glover; Majors Hand, Lee and Lieut. Fenno. On the British side, 
Brigadier Generals Leslie, Knyphausen, Rahl, De Heister, and Mat- 
thews ; Lord Percy, Count Dunop, Colonel Ralle, Colonel Ritzema, and 
Major Rogers, &c., &c. 

The following letter of General George Clinton, dated Camp, at the 
old Place near White Plains, Nov. 2d, 1776, to a friend, is copied from 
the journal of the Provincial Congress :— 


My Dear Srr:—‘‘ Your favors of the 30th and 31st ultimo, were left at my 
tent a few minutes since. Since my last to you, dated the day before yesterday, 
the centre and right wing of our army having possessed themselves of the 
heights in their rear, north-east of the road leading to Young's, yesterday morn- 
ing evacuated that part of our lines which passed through the town, and south- 
east of N , and fell back on those heights —firing all the barns, hay and corn 
stacks in front. This induced the enemy to believe we had again retreated ; and 
determined to take the advantage of our apparent flight, their army instantly 
moved forward into the part of our lines which.were evacuated. This brought 
on a pretty brisk cannonade, though at too great a distance to do much execu- 
tion. I lost one man, and had two wounded. I have heard of no other injury 
done us. We are by the late movements now far advanced—in front, of course, 
most exposed. The enemy retired to their former encampment in the evening, 
leaving strong advanced pickets, and working parties who are busily employed 
in erecting banks on the heights in and near the town. Deserters, (especially 
from the Queen’s light dragoons, ) come daily over to us; and now and then our 
Rangers send in a straggling prisoner. Captain Van Wick of my brigade, who, 
at his earnest desire, was appointed to a company of rangers, was day before the 
yesterday unfortunately killed, He went out in the morning with about thirty 
men, and fellin with about one hundred of the enemy in a house not far distant 
from their lines—charged them with spirit, gave them a brisk fire, but unfortun- 
ately, when loading his piece the second time, was shot in the head, and fell 
dead. His lieutenant shot down the man who killed his captain. The enemy 
fled ; our party brought off their captain, and yesterday evening I had him in- 
terred with the honors of war. He was a good men, and a valiant officer. Pray 
communicate this sad news to his widow, (to whom I would write, had I leisure, ) 
in a manner that will ieast affect her. 

I know of no other news worth communicating you. Though in the camp, I 
am not acquainted with the disposition of our army. Some brigades to the north- 
east of us, in my humble opinion, are where they can do no good; perhaps I am 
mistaken. I am not well acquainted with the country. I must beg an answer 
to my letter, wherein I desired you to ask a favor of the Convention. 


Iam, with the utmost esteem, 
Yours affectionately, GEORGE CLINTON. 


P.S.—I need not ask you to forward the enclosed. I know you will do it. 
Though I determined never to meddle with the disposition of officers, 1 cannot 


THE TOWN OF WHITE PLAINS. 573 


help recommending Colouel Duboys and his officers, who served in our army to 
the northward last year, to the Convention. Should they quit the army by any 
neglect, it will be a public loss. They are brave men and good officers; at least, 
such of them as have juined our brigade.”’¢ 


The head-quarters of Washington, while stationed here, were at a 
small farm-house to the north of the village, situated amid a deep soli- 
tude of woods, surrounded by hills and wild romantic scenery. The fol- 
lowing account of a visit paid to this spot, is taken from a newspaper 
printed in New York, in 1845. 


‘‘When we entered the little room of Mr. Miller’s? farm-house, where that great 
and good man had resided, and where he resolved to try the hazard of a battle, 
with a flushed and successful foe, we could not repress the enthusiasm, which 
the place and the moment and the memory inspired. We looked around with | 
eagerness at each portion of the room on which his eye must have rested, we 
gazed through the small window panes, through which he must have so often and 
so anxiously looked towards the enemy, and at the old-fashioned buffets, where 
his table service was deposited for his acommodation. But little change has 
taken place in the building ; and its amiable and patriotic inmates have shown 
their respect for the hero, by placing on the walls, his portrait and several repre- 
sentations of his last moments at Mount Vernon.” 


In the north-east angle of the town, lies St. Mary’s Lake—a large 
and beautiful sheet of water, which falls into the Mamaroneck river. 
Its banks on the north-west side are very steep, and the views from 
the summits of the surrounding hills are extremely fine. 

The general surface of White Plains, “‘is somewhat hilly, but mostly 
arable ; soil, orincipally loam, well adapted to grass, and much of it 
highly cultivated.”* The higher lands abound with good timber, which 
consists chiefly of oak, chestnut and hickory. There is perhaps no town 
in the county better watered by rivers, brooks, and springs. 


a Journal of N. Y. Prov. Congress, vol. ii, 317. 
b Mr. Elijah Miller (who is since deceased) was a soldier of the Revolution. 
e Disturnell’s Gazetteer, N. Y. 


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PEE Tr OWN 


OF 


aS Si EN 3 Bee 2s ae Se oe 


Yonkers is situated on the east bank of the Hudson, immediately 
above New York Island, seventeen miles north of New York, one 
hundred and thirty south of Albany, and ten south-west of White Plains; 
bounded north by Greenburgh, east by Eastchester and a small angle of 
Westchester, or by Bronx’s River, south by West Farms and New York 
county, and west by the Hudson River. It extends near eight miles 
along the Hudson, and has a medial width of near three miles. 

The name of this town—at different periods written, Younkers, Younc- 
kers, Jonkers and Yonkers—is derived from the Dutch “Jonker,” or 
“Jonkheer,” meaning in that language the “ young gentleman,” a com- 
mon appellation for the heir of a Dutch family.¢ 

Yonkers and the Mile Square constituted a township within the great 
manor of Philipsburgh, until the year 1779, when the manor was confis- 
cated and conveyed to the people of this State, A.D. 1788, the present 
township was independently organized.2 Thirty years after the Dutch 
discovery of the New Netherlands, A.D. 1639, we find the Dutch West 
India Company purchasing lands in this town of the native Indian 
sachems :— 


‘* Appeared before me, Cornelis Van Tienhoven, Secretary of the New Nether- 
lands, Frequemeck, Rechgawac, Packanniens, owners of Kekeshick, which they 
did freely convey, cede, &c., &c., to the behoof of the General Incorporated 
West India Company, which lies over against the flats of the Island of Manhates, 
mostly east and west, beginning at the source of said kill till over against the 


a Benson's Mem. of N. Y. 
b Act passed 7th March, 1788. Rev. Stat, vol. iii. 286. 675 


576 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


high hill of the flat lands—to wit, by the great kill, together with all the rights, 
estate and title to them, the grantees, &c., &c. In testimony of the truth of 
which, this is subscribed by witnesses. Done 3d of August, 1639, at Fort Am- 
sterdam, in New Netherland,@ : 

CoRNELIUS VAN DER HOYKEN, 


Davipr PIETTERSEN DE vou t as witnesses, 
In presence of me, 


CoRNELIS VAN TparHovEN, Secretary.” 


How long the Dutch West India Company held the lands of Kekes- 
hick, does not appear; but about the year A.D. 1646, we find the Indian 
sachem, Zacharew, granting lands in this town to Adrian Van der 
Donck.’ In this sale the town is called epperhaem,° an Indian name 
frequently applied to the village. Eighty years later we find it varied to 
Nepterah,* the proper Indian orthography of which is evidently Vap-fe- 
cha-mack, rendered literally the rapid water settlement, thus graphically 
expressing the situation of the Mohegan village, at the mouth of the 
Neperah, or rapid waters. ¢ In the deep seclusion of the ancient forests 
that once bordered this beautiful stream, were located other Indian vil- 
lages, some of the sites of which tradition has preserved to us; one of 
these occupied the eastern edge of Boar Hill. A Mohegan castle 
ornamented the steep side of Berrian’s Neck, styled in the Indian tongue 
Nipnichsen. It was carefully protected by a strong stockade, from the 
attacks of the war-like Sank-hi-can-ni, (fire workers,) inhabiting the 
Jersey shores, and commanded the romantic scenery of the Spuyten 
Duyvel Creek and Hudson River. The junction of the two streams was 
called, in the Indian, Shorackappock. The last settlement of the Nap- 
peckamak Indians remembered in this town stood near the present 
residence of Abraham Fowler, on a rising bank of the Neperah, (saw 
mill.) The crystal waters of this sweet stream, (which runs principally 
north and south,) arise from two perennial springs in the bosom of the 
Chappequa hills. To this nymph of the valley the Indians (as their cus- 
tom was) offered sacrifice, the perpetuity of her motion tipifying to 
them the eternity of God. 

In the north-west corner of this town, west of the saw mill, (Neperah) 
is situated the rock Meghkeckassin, Amackassin, or the great stone, some- 
times called Meghkeckassin, and Macakassin, a name probably derived 
from two Delaware words, ‘‘ Machaak,” signifying “great,” “ achsin,” 

a Ab. Rec. ¢. c. 62. 


b Sometimes called the Younger Van Dunke. Assize, Rec. Alb. 47. 
de Alb. Rec. viii. 79, 80. Hol. Doc. vi. 118. Book of Pat. I., 56,—O’Callaghan’s Hist. N. N., 


d Valentine’s Receipts for rent. 


5 e Nipi, in the old algonkin, signifies water; Niess, in the Mowtauk.—Trans. Amer. Antiq 
oc. ii. 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 577 


stone; or as rendered by some “ Aéekhhakhsin,” meaning copper, “ akk- 
sin,” stone. The latter word appears to denote not a common stone, 
but the “‘ colored copper stone” bound under some spell of Indian necro 
mancy. On the east side of this enchanted rock are several Indian 
marks almost effaced by age. ‘‘To these stones they paid all outward 
signs of worship and devotion, not as to God, but as they are hierogly- 
phics of the permanency and immutability of the Diety ; because these, 
both for figure and substance, are, of all sublunary bodies, the least sub- 
ject to decay or change.”® This stone lies in an obscure nook on the 
eastern shore of the Hudson, at the foot of a steep bank whose sides are 
shaded with masses of wild cedar and laurel, the beautiful lake like ap- 


Indian Rock, Meghkeckassin, or AmackKassin. 


pearance of the river giving additional interest and magical illusion to 
the scene. At ebb tide the huge boulder must have reminded them of 
a monstrous Neebanawbaig, (or water spinit,) afloat on the waves. To 
the superstitious Indian its peculiar position must have been a subject of 
deep interest. The name of this stone is sometimes applied to a brook 
that flows in the vicinity. The term Sigghes, which also occurs in some 
of the deeds, doubtless belongs to the Indian rock, situated still higher 
up, west of the post road on the land of J.O. Dyckman. The two rocks 
or stones and rivulet here referred to, still form a portion of the northern . 
boundary of Yonkers, running east to Bronx’s river. In this town are al- - 
so two Jndian burying grounds. The principal one lies two miles north 


a Trans, Amere. Antiq, Soe. vol. ii. 336. 
b Beyerly’s Hist. Virginia. 


578 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


of the village, on Blackwell’s hill. Within the recollection of many per- 
sons stil] 1g, the graves were distinctly indicated by rude mounds of 
earth; bu, « as! the plough has long since removed these memorials of 
the ancient dead, and perhaps the mouldering relics themselves. 


That remnant of a martial brow, 
Those ribs that held the mighty heart, 
That strong arm—ah! ’tis strengthless now.—Bryant. 


And we. ‘night the poet add :— 


Spare them! each mouldering fragment spare, 
Of God’s own image—let them rest, 

Till not a trace shall speak of where 
The awfui likeness was impressed !4 


The second and last place of sepulture used by the Indians in this 
town, is now nearly covered by the barn and out buildings of Benjamin 
Fowler, Esq. The site was well chosen, on rising ground, at the entrance 
of the Sprain valley. 

Besides the Tawasenthas, (or places of many dead,) numerous skeletons 
have been discovered in different parts of the town, showing it to have 
been once numerously populated by the Indian tribes. One of these was 
recently disinterred in making some improvements on the Kings-Bridge 
road, nearly opposite the Van Cortlandt residence ; it proved to be on 
examination the full sized skeleton of an Indian, in a sitting posture, 
holding the remains of a small child between its knees. Others have 
been discovered lymg near the surface of the ground on Berrian’s Neck ; 
the back part of the skull of one of these was found perforated by a 
musket ball, which still remains in the cavity of the brain.?’ Of course 
this Indian perished by fire arms. It may not be inappropriate to men- 
tion that Hendrick Hudson had an engagement with the Indians in 
1609, at the mouth of the Spuyten Dyvil creek. 

The descendants of the last named chief, Zackarew, continued to re- 
side in Yonkers for more than half a century after the sale to Van der 
Donck, A.D. 1646, as we find Claas de Wilt, Neamerau, and a squaw, 
Karocapacomont, confirming the Hon. Jacobus van Cortlandt, in pos- 
session of the old Younckers, A. D. 1701.¢ 1692, we find an Indian 
chief at Bedford, called Wappowham.?@ 


a Harper's Indian Traits, introd. i. 19. 

b In possession of H. S. Gates, M.D., of Yonkers village. 
¢ See Van Cortlandt’s confirmation. 

d See Bedford. 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 579 


The last remnant of his tribe in this place was a noble Indian by the 
name of Shucktaman, who occasionally visited the village, but was 
oftener to be seen in his canoe cruising along the various fishing 
grounds of the Hudson. 

We have shown that the next grantee in Yonkers, under the Indians, 
was the renowned Dutch De Heer Adriaen van der Donck.* “This 
illustrious personage was the son of a free citizen of Breda in Dutch 
Brabant, and a lineal descendant of Adriaen van Bergen, part owner of 
the famous turf boat, in which a party of Dutch troops were clandestinely 
introduced, in the year 1599, into the castle commanding that city, then 
in the hands of the Spanish, by which stratagem that stronghold fell into 
the hands of their high mightinesses the States General.” ‘Van der 
Donck enjoys the distinction of having been the first lawyer in the col- 
ony of New Netherlands. He received his education at the University 
of Leyden, in Holland, where he attained the degree of Juris utriusque 
Doctor ; he subsequently obtained permission to practice as an advocate 
in the Supreme Court of Holland. In the autumn of 1641, he embark- 
ed on board a vessel belonging to the Patroon Killian van Rensselaer, 
for the New Netherlands. On his arrival he was created sheriff of Rens- 
selaerwyck.Ӣ 

After remaining here for two or three years, and finding himself dis- 
appointed in his efforts to plant a colony in that neighborhood, “he 
obtained, in consideration of the assistance he afforded in negotiating 
the treaty between the Director General and the Mohawks, and in re- 
turn for the advances he then made to enable the government to pur- 
chase presents for the Indians, the tract of land called ‘‘ Vepperhaem.” 
This valuable property, for which he received a patent from the Dutch 
authorities in 1646, was situated on the east side of Hudson’s river, 
about sixteen miles above New Amsterdam. It was bounded on the 
north by a stream which the Indians called “ Maccakassin,” and ran 
south to Wepperhaem ; thence to the Shorakapkock kill, and to Papir- 
inimen creek, called by the Dutch ‘‘Spuyten Duyvel,” whence it stretched 
eastward to the river Bronx. The title of this colony was “ Coden Donck,” 
Donck’s colony, and the proprietor thereof, was invested with all the 
rights and privileges contained in the charter of 1629.” @ 

He also obtained a deed of confirmation for the same from the an- 
cient lords of the soil. This fact is proved by the testimony taken be- 


_ @ Donck is a village in South Holland, three and a half leagues from Gorcum. 
b O’Callaghan’s Hist. N. N., 327. 
e N. Y. Hist. Soc. Coll. ii., Sec i. 27. 
d O’Caliaghan’s Hist, of the Netherlands, vol. i. 382. 


& 


580 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


fore his Excellency, Richard Nicoll, the first English governor of Nz; 
York, A.D. 1666, when it was distinctly declared,—‘ That the Indian 
proprietor’s name, who was chief of them, was Zackarew, living at the 
Navisans, (the highlands of the Nevisink, N. J.), who acknowledged ye 
purchase as before described, and that he had received satisfaction for 
it. Claes, ye Indian, having interest in a part, acknowledged to have 
sold and received satisfaction of Van der Donck. All the rest of ye 
Indians, being seven or eight, acknowledged to have received full satis- 
faction® likewise.” 

The Jonge Heer being now a member of the privileged order of Pat- 
roons,” enjoyed all the feudal appendages attached thereto, such as 
power to erect a church or churches; to administer jurisdiction, to 
decide civil suits, to impose fines, to pronounce the first sentence, finally 
to exercise all rights belonging to the jurisdiction, of Colen Donck to- 
gether with the right of hunting, fowling, fishing and trading according 
to immunities granted in the same. Soon after the settlement of 
our Patroon at Colen Donck, there arose a controversy between the 
government of the Colony of New Netherlands and several of the 
colonists ; among the most forward of the latter was Adriaen Van der 
Donck, who with others united in a strong remonstrance to the States 
General of Holland, complaining of the power exercised by the Dutch 
West India Company especially during the administrations of Kieft and 
Stuyvesant. This remonstrance was afterwards printed at the Hague, 
A.D. 1650, and formed a small vol. (quarto) of fifty pages entitled 
‘“‘Vertoogh* Van Nieuw Nederlandt, weghens de Ghelegenhetyd, Vrucht- 
baerheydt, en soberen Staet desselfs. Ins’ Graven Hage, 1650, (An 
Exposition of the New Netherlands, in respect to the situation, fertility, 
and wretched condition of the country. At the Hague, 1650.) This 
attempt to shake the authority of the Dutch West India Company, 
proved abortive, and only served to re-act unfavorably upon the dis- 
affected ; 19 March. 1650, occurs a contract between the Dutch West 
India Company, Van der Donck and others, for the transportation of 
two hundred persons to New Netherlands. November 29, 1650, Cor- 
nelis Van Tienhoven, Secretary of the New Netherlands, delivered to 
the States General a short statement or answer upon certain points con- 
tained in the memorial of Van der Donck and others to their High 
Mightnesses.° 


a Albany Rec., Court of Assize Deeds, vol. iii. p. 42. 

b A title derived from the Latin Patronus like the French Seignior. 
ec Vertoogh sometimes means remonstrance. 

d Hol, Doc. xvi, 191. 

e Holl. Doc, No. lviii. 360. 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 581 


Van der Donck, also appears to have been one of the commissioners 
who repaired to Holland for a redress of grievances. For in May 13, 1652, 
occurs the memorial of Adriaen Van der Donck tothe committee of the 
States General, stating his intended return to the New Netherlands. 

Again May 30, 1652, a second memorial from Adriaen Van der Donck 
to the same body, “respecting various matters connected with his visit 
to Holland on behalf of Gemeente at New Netherlands.’”® 

During the Patroon’s stay in Holland, he had shipped for Colen 
Donck seven persons, four of whom had cruelly deserted and betrayed 
him. Upon this we find him again petitioning the Directors of the 
Dutch West India Company’s department, Amsterdam :— 


‘*Remonstrates reverently, Adriaen Van der Donck, residing in New Netherlands 
that to the supplicant was granted by the Director General and Council in New 
Netherlands, the accommodations the Saw Kill with the adjacent lands to erect 
there saw and grist mills, and plantations and boweries according to his means 
and ability, which grant was chiefly obtained because the supplicant had contri- 
buted a vast deal by his services as mediator, to negotiate and conclude a peace 
between the director Kieft from the one side and the Indians from the other side, 
not without great sacritice from his side, as it was the first part of the year when 
his presence was wanted at home, and all this at his own expense so that he might 
assert without boasting that he contributed at least as much to its consolidation 
than any other person whatever, so that at length peace was concluded when the 
supplicant advanced the principal part of the money, as the Director General was 
at that period not well provided with it to procure seawant,¢ which was wanted 
for presents in confirmation of the peace which God be praised, remains yet 
uninterrupted. After I attained this grant in the year 1646, I resolved to reside 
here, erected a saw mill and laid out a farm and plantation, and was actualiy 
resolved to continue on this spot, when I further with consent of the Director 
General, purchased a part of said land from the Indians the original proprietors, 
who reclaimed it as belonging to them, but the suppliant observing that near the 
saw kill were valleys used as commons which by enclosure might be properly 
adapted for hay lands, so was he permitted by the Director General to purchase 
these valleys from the Indians, on the best possible terms. This induced the 
the supplicant to follow his plan, having obtained as I already mentioned the con_ 
sent and approbation of the Director General and Council, and included said val- 
leys in his purchase, as he did not possess other low lands. This valley contained 
about 30 or 40 morgen,¢ with another handsome vale berdering on said, on the 
back part of the Island of Manhattans, and stretching as far as Paprinemin called 
by our people, ‘‘ In Spite of the Dyvel,” where the supplicant was determined to fix 
his residence as soon as he should have finished all his concerns at the saw kill; 
and which yet remains his firm determination as soon as he shall have returned 


@ Holl. Doc, xxxii. 130. iv. 
6 Holl. Doc. xxxviL, 141. 
e Indian name for shell money. 


a A Dutch morgen contained a little over 2 acres English ; 7 morgen containing 15 acres, 
ao 


582 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


in safety to that country, as he made every preparation to execute his purpose, 
by commencing to build on that spot and cultivate the soil; so because he is 
delighted with that situation, as because it shall enable him to reap all the advan 
tages of the aforesaid valleys, without which all his great expenses which he 
made at the saw kill, would be in vain and his prospects in future profits would 
be obscured, while all his toils and labors would have been rendered useless with 
respect at least to himself, and whereas the supplicant is informed that some 
greedy land speculators arrived in 1652, to obtain a grant of these lands in a clan- 
destine manner; so it is that the supplicant now addresses himself to your honors, 
with great respect that it may please them to resolve that the supplicant shall not 
be dispossessed of these lands and valleys, by any individual under any pretext 
whatsoever, by which doing, &c., &c.” @ 


On the 26 May, 1652, occurs an octroy, granting to Adriaen Van der 
Donck, Patroon of the Colony of Colendonck, power to bequeath his said 
fief of Colendonck :— 


‘*The States General of the United Netherlands, to all who shall see or hear 
these presents, send health. Be it known, that we, at the humble request of Ad- 
riaen Van der Donck, of Breda, Patroon of the Colony of Nepperhaem, called by 
him Colendonck, situated in New Netherlands, within the limits of the priviledged 
West India Company, and having taken into consideration the 5th article of the 
freedom granted by the assembly of the nineteen of the said company, to all those 
who shall plant in New Netherlands, aforesaid, have granted, consented and 
priviledged, grant, consent and privilege, out of our sovereign will »y these our 
letters, that he may dispose, bequeath and order the aforesaid, his fief named 
Colendonck, either by codicil by form of testament, or last will, before a notary 
and witnesses, superintendence within the property situated in the same, as or 
otherwise as it shall please him, to the profit of his children, if he have any, or 
other strangers,” &c., &c.? 


About this period, the Patroon commenced the compilation of his 
celebrated book, entitled “‘Beschyvinge van Nieuw Nederland,” or a des- 
cription of New Netherland, the copyright of which, bears date, this 
17th May, 1653.¢ 


This work is dedicated ‘‘ To the Illustrious, Most Wise and Prudent Lords, the 
Honorable Ruling Burgomasters of the far-famed commercial city of Amsterdam, 


Why mourn about Brazil, full of base Portuguese? 

When Van der Donck shows so far much better fare ; 
Where wheat fills golden ears, and grapes abound in trees ; 
Where fruit and kine are good with little care ; 

Men may mourn a loss, when vain would be their voice. 
But when their loss brings gain, they also may rejoice. 


6 Holland Doc. No. xxy, 118. 


e Holl. Doe. No. xii, 4; No. xiii, 42; No. xiv, 43; No. xv, p.44; No. xvi. 45; No. xvii,47. This 
book has been recently translated from the original Dutch, by the Hon. Jeremiah Johnson. 
See I vol. new series N. Y. Hist. Soc. 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. ~ 583 


Then, reader, if you will, go freely there to live, 
We name it Wetierland, though this excels it far ; 
If you dislike the voyage, pray due attention give, 
To Van der Donck, his book, which, as a leading star, 
Directs toward the land where many people are, 
Where lowland, Love and Laws, all may freely share. 
[Hvert Nieuwenhof.” 


On the 24th July of the same year, we find him petitioning the Direc- 
tors of the West India Company, for permission to search the records of 
the colony, and also for leave to pursue the practice of his profession. 
The following appears in answer to it :— 


“As Mr. Adriaen van der Donck has petitioned our college, (stating) first, that 
he has received his degree at law in the university of Leyden, and been admitted 
to practice it before the Supreme Court of Holland, he may be permitted to fol- 
low his profession as advocate in New Netherlands. Secondly, That he may 
examine all the records and documents in the secretary’s office to accomplish his, 
history of New Netherlands, which he did undertake to write, so is our reso- . 
lution upon these points, we consent and permit him, that, in conformity with 
the rules and customs of this country, he may follow his profession as advocate 
in New Netherlands, to give his advice to all who may desire to obtain it; but, 
as regards his pleading before the courts, we cannot see that it can be admitted 
yet, with any advantage to the Director and Council in New Netherlands; be 
sides that, we are ignorant of there being any of that stamp in your city, (who 
nevertheless, before they can be admitted, must apply to your honor, or directly 
to our department), who can act an plead against Van der Donck, in behalf of 
the other side. We trust, that in this, you will consult the interests of your gov- 
ernment and the welfare of the inhabitants. 

24th July, 1653.4 


“ Adriaen Van der Donck died in this country in the year 1655, 
leaving to his wife Mary, (whom he married in 1645, daughter of the 
Rev. Francis Doughty, Patentee of Maspeth, L. I.)’ the colonies of 
Colen Donck, or Yonkers. “ Agatha his mother, and Daniel his 
brother, came to New Netherland in 1652. Guisbert, Daniel’s son, was 
born in Holland in 1634. These are the ancestors of such of the name 
as are now to be found in this country, though the family is called Van- 
duck or Verdunck. They live principally on Long Island.Ӣ 

The following letter was despatched by the Director General, Peter 
Stuyvesant and council, to Holland, in a vessel called the Fox, comman- 
ded by the skipper, Jacob Jansen Hayes :— 

a Alb. Rec. vol. iv. 3. 

b O’Callaghan’s Hist. N. N. vol. ii, p. 551. 

c Ditto see note. On the 26th of August, 1655, Governor Stuyvesant grants a piece ofland 
lying on the north side of Manhuattans called Muscoota, to one Cornelis Van der Donck Alb. 


Rec. xxv. In 1653 MadameAnna Van der Donck occurs as defendant in a suit, (her son 
Guisbert.) Dutch Rec. N. Y. City Clerk’s office, 160. 


584 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Honorable, Prudent, Wise and Right Respectful Gents :— 

Although since our last letter, no act of hostility has been committed, yet those 
of Hartford continue their threatenings, anticipates and encroachments, and pur- 
chased from the savages, all the land between Westchester and the North river, 
including different lots of land, which were as well under the administration of 
the Hon. Gov. Kieft, as ours, inthe usual manner, granted by letters patent, and 
in virtue of these, possessed by those of our nation, as so among others, the land 
of Jonas Bronck, the lands of the old Verdonck, divided and settled by his children 
and associates in Various plantations and farms, but who, in the massacre? were 
absconded with many others, all which are situated here and bordering on our 
island, only divided by a small creek, which in some places by low water is pas- 
sable, so as they to us the savages declared and solicited them to purchase other 
lands to the east and the west of the North river, dated 20th June, 1664.5 


On the 12th of March, 1664, the Dutch possessions in America were 
patented to his Royal Highness James Duke of York and Albany, by 
his brother King Charles II. This grant was immediately followed 
by a military and naval armament under the command of Colonel 
Richard Nicolls, which reduced the New Netherlands to the subjection 
of the English Crown, 27th August, 1664. 

One of the articles of capitulation drawn up by the commissioners at 
the surrender, declared that ‘‘all people shall continue free denizens, and 
shall enjoy their lands, houses and goods, wheresoever they are within 
this country, and dispose of them as they please.¢ 

On Sept. 21, 1666, Mary Doughty, widow of the late Adriaen Van der 
Donck, and wife of Hugh O’Neale,¢ in right of her former husband, 
aiaimed “all that land upon the maine not far from Westchester, called 
the Younckers land, and brought forward several Indians to prove the 
purchase.” ¢ 

On October 8, 1666, 18th King Charles II. Governor Nicolls granted 
che following patent to Mr. Hugh O’Neale and Mary his wife :— 


PATENT FOR NEPPERHAEM. 


Richard Nicolls, Esq., governor under his Royal Highness, ye Duke of York, 
af all his territoryes in America, to all to whom this present writing shall come, 
sendeth greeting: Whereas there is a certain tract of land within this govern- 
ment, upon the main, bounded to the northwards by a rivulet called by the 


a The massacre here alluded to, took place Sept., 1655, during the absence of Stuyvesant, 
when the warriors of the Algonquin tribes, made a furious onset upon the colony.—See Ban- 
:roft’s Hist. U. S., vol. ii. 299. 

o Alb. Rec. vol. xviii. 257. 

- Smith’s Hist. of N. Y. p. 19. 

d Hugh O’Neale, formerly of Newton, Long Island. Assize Rec. p.47. ‘The widow of 
Adriaen Van der Donck afterwards married Hugh O’Neale, of Patuxent, Maryland, whither, 
she and her father removed,’’—N. Y. ol, MSS., Holland Doc, vii, vol. I, p. 533’—[Editor. 

e See confirm. of Van der Donck’s purchase, 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 585 


Indians, Macakassin, so running southward to Nepperhaem, from thence to the 
kill Shorakkapoch, and then to Paprinimen, which is the southermost bounds, 
then to go across the country to the eastward by that which is commonly known 
by the name of Bronck’s his river and land, which said tract hath heretofore 
been purchased of the Indian proprictors by Adriaen Vun der Donck, deceased, 
whose relict, Mary, the wife of Hugh O’Neale, one of the patentees is, and due 
satisfaction was also given for the same, as hath by some of the said Indians been 
acknowledged before me ; now for a further confirmation unto them, the said 
Hugh O’Neale and Mary his wife, relict of the aforesaid Adriaen Van der Donck, 
in their possession aud enjoyment of the premises. 

Know ye, that by virtue of this our commission and authority given unto me 
by his Reyal Highness the Duke of York, I have thought fit to give, ratify, con- 
firm and grant, and by these presents, do give, ratify, confirm and grant, unto the 
said Hugh O’ Neale and Mary his wife, their heirs and assigns, all the aforemen- 
tioned tract or parcel of land called Neperhaem, together with all woods, marshes, 
meadows, pastures, waters, lakes, creeks, rivuletts, fishing, hunting, and fowling, 
and all other profits, commodities and emoluments to the said tract of land be- 
longing, with their and every of their appurtenances, and every part and parcel 
thereof, to have and to hold the said tract of land and premises, with all and 
singular their appurtenances, unto the said Hugh O’ Neale and Mary his wife, 
their heirs and assignes, to the proper use and behoofe of the said Hugh O’ Neale 
and Mary his wife, their heirs and assigns forever, he, she, or they, or any of 
them, rendering and paying such acknowledgement, duties, as are or shall be 
constituted and ordayned by his Royal Highness the Duke of York and his heirs, 
or such governor or governors, as shall from time to time be appointed and set 
over them within this province. That, if at any time hereafter his Royal Highness, 
his heirs, successors, or assignes, shall think fit to make use of any timber for 
shipping, or for erecting or repairing of forts within this government, liberty is 
reserved for such uses and purposes to cut any sort of timber upon any unplanted 
grounds on the said tract of land, to make docks, harbours, wharfes, houses, or 
any other conveniences relating thereunto, and also to make use of any rivers or 
rivuletts and inlets of water for the purposes aforesaid, as fully and free as if no 
such patent had been granted. 

Given under my hand and seal at Fort James, New York, on the Island of 
Manhattan, the eighth day of October, in the eighteenth 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., in the year of our 


Lord God, 1666. RICHARD NICOLLS. 


Upon the 3oth of October, 1666, Elias Doughty purchased lands in 
this town, of Hugh O’Neal and Mary his wife. The father of Elias was 
the Rev. Franciscus Doughty. ‘This minister, Franciscus Doughty, 
(says his son-in-law, Van der Donck,) in the time of the first troubles in 
England, came over in order to escape from them to New England, and 
found himself (to use a homely phrase,) out of the frying-pan into the 


a Book of Pat. Alb. 


586 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


fire. In order to be able to enjoy freedom of conscience according to 
the Dutch reformation, which he certainly missed in New England, he 
betook himself under the protection of the Dutch; and an absolute 
patent, with privileges for a colony, was granted and conferred on him by 
the Director General.” This patent consisted of thirteen thousand three 
hundred and thirty-two acres of the lands called Mispath, the present, 
Newtown on L. I.) It was conferred upon him and his associates, on the 
28th of March, 1642.”% He had reinforced himself now in one year with 
some families; but in consequence of the breaking out of the war, they 
were all driven from their lands with loss of some people, and the destruc- 
tion of much cattle, losing for the most part all their houses and whatever 
they possessed. After they had remained a while, and consumed more 
than they could collect, they came to the Manhattans, where all the 
refugees resorted at that time, and Master Doughty was minister there.? 
The Rey. Franciscus Doughty was a member of the ancient and honor- 
able family of the Doughtys or Douteys of Easher Surrey, and Boston, 
Lincolnshire, England, descended from an English Saxon house of 
Dohteg, before the Conquest, A. D. 1066. 

On the 15th May, 1677, Elias Doughty, (son of the above) propietor 
of the land heretofore belonging to the Younckers van der Donck, near 
Eastchester, was invested in the sole ownership by Hugh O’Neale and 
Mary his wife. 

The descendants of Elias Doughty are still numerous in the county 
of Westchester. Of this family was Francis Doughty of Rye, in 1756, 
father of John Doughty, Esq., and grand-father of the Hon. John 
Doughty. The son of the latter is the present General George S. 
Doughty, of West Farms, From Elias Doughty, the o/d or lower Yon- 
kers passed to William Boltz or Betts, George Tippetts,° and Joseph 
Hadley. ‘The name of the Jonckers, (says the Hon. Egbert Benson), 
the proprietor of the creek, now Saw Mill creek, van der Kee; and it is 
still to be collected from the documents, as not being improbable that 
the lands granted to Van der Donck, and perhaps including the island 
of the Indian name of Papuriminon, the southern shore at Kings 


a O’Callaghan’s Hist. N. N. Appendix, 426. 


b Van der Donck’s Vertooghe van N. N. ‘In 1642 a band of religionists, led on by the Rev 
Mr. Doughty, Richd Smith, and others, who had followed the Pilgrims from Old England to 
New England, were compelled to wsthdraw from the latter country by the persecution they. 
received there, and after raaking formal application to the authorities of New Neatherlaud, they 
had a grant of land assigned them, endowed with the usual privileges of free Manors, such as 
a free exercise of their religion, powers to plant towns, build churches, nominate magistrates, 
and administer civil and criminal jurisdiction.”—(C, F. Hoffman.) 


c A. D. 1664, one George Tippett, being accused and found guilty of hogg stealing, the 
Court doth adjudge the delinquent shall pay as a fine, to his majestie’s use, the sum of £14, or 
receive ye corporal punishment of thirty-one stripes, at the common whipping-post, before 
ye State house of this city, upon ye breaking up of this Court, &c.—Assize Rec. Alb. 311. 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 587 


Bridge, were the neighborhood called the Lower YoncKERS, as to be 
distinguished from the other Yonckers, the lands of Van der Kee, on 
the Saw Mill creek.* This distinction between the Zower Yonckers and 
the upper, or as it was sometimes called, the /i##/e and the o/d¢ Yonckers, 
clearly points to two different proprietors. The first may have been Van 
der Kee, as Mr. Benson suggests, (although there is nothing in the shape 
of evidence to support it), and the second Adraen van der Donck, the 
Jonkheer or “young gentleman.” 

On the 22d of February, 1670, Joseph Hadley sold fifty acres called 
Georce’s Point, to Matthias Buckhout, who subsequently conveyed the 
same, on the 22d January, 1694, to Frederick Philipse. 

“Upon the roth of October, in the eleventh year of the reign of our 
Sovereign Lord, William the Third, by the grace of God, of England, 
Scotland, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c., and in 
the year of our Lord Christ, 1699, occurs the following indenture :— 


‘*Between Frederick Felipse of the city of New York, merchant, of the one 
part, &c., and Jacobus van Cortlandt, of the same city, merchant, of the other 
part, witnesseth that the said Frederick Felipse, as well for and in consideration of 
a certain sum of good and lawful money to him in hand paid, before the enseal- 
ing aud delivery of these presents, by the said Jacobus van Cortlandt, &c., &c., 
hath given, granted, bargained and sold, conveyed, &c., unto the said Jacobus 
van Cortlandt, his heirs and assigns for ever, all that fifty acres of land—with the 
appurtenances lying within the limits and bounds of the Yonckers plantation in 
the county of Westchester, known by the name of ‘Georges Point,’ butted and 
bounded, &c., &c. Also one acre and a half of meadow, with the appurtenances, 
&c., together with twenty-five acres more of upiand, with their appurtenances, 
and the reversion and reversions and all the estate, right, title, claim and demand 
whatsoever, of him the said Frederick Felipse, of, in, or into the said premises, 
to have and to hold the several parcels of land and meadow, to the said Jacobus 
van Cortlandt, &c., his heirs and assignees, forever. In testimony whereof the 
parties to these presents have set their hands and seals, the day and year first 
above written.” 


This property is still vested in a descendant of Jacobus van Cort- 
landt. 

On the 13th August, 1701, we find the Indians confirming the Van 
Cortlandts’ in their purchase :— 


**To all Christian people, and others to whom the presents shall come, Clause 
Dewilt, Karacapacomont and her son Nemerau, sendeth greeting :— 

“Know yee, that wee, the said Clause Dewilt, Karacapacomont, and Nemerau, 
native Indians and former proprietors of a certain tract of land, lying in the 
county of Westchester, in the province of New York, in America, commonly 
called and known by the name of the old Younckers, now in possession of Jacobus 


@ Benson’s Mem. of N. Y., 56, 


588 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


van Cortlandt, of the eity of New York, merchant, and the heirs of the Betts and 
Tippetts, for and in consideration of two fathom¢ of duflfils and one pound two 
shillings and sixpence, current money of New York, in hand paid unto us by the 
said Jacobus van Cortlandt, have remised, released, and forever quit-claimed un- 
to the said Jacobus van Cortlandt, and to the heirs of the Betts and Tippets, and 
to their heirs and assigns forever, all our right, title and interest, which we ever 
had, now have, or hereafter may have, or claim to the said tract of land called 
the old Younckers, and to every part and parcel thereof; and do hereby acknowl- 
edge the above consideration to be in full of all dues and demands whatsoever, 
for the said tract of land and premises, to have and to hold the said tract of land 
called the old Younkers, to the said Jacobus van Cortlandt, and the heirs of the 
Betts and Tippetts, their heirs and assignees forever, witness our hands and seals 


the 13th of August, 1701.” Craass Drwi1, 
Sealed and delivered in the presence KaRAOAPACOMONT, 
of GUALTER DU Bots, NEMERAU. 


' WiLitiAm SHARPES, 


The Little Yonkers in contradistinction from the O/d, above mentioned, 
appears to have been included in the sale to Elias Doughty of Flushing, 
30th October, 1666, who granted it 29th November, 1672, to Thomas 
Delaval, Frederick Philipse and Thomas Lewis, mariner. Thomas De- 
laval,* by a codicil of his last will, bearing date June roth, 1682, did de- 
vise unto John, his only son, all his interest in a full third part. 

On February 19, 1684-5, Thomas Dongan, Governor of New York, 
by a patent did ratify and confirm unto John Delaval, Frederick Philipse 
and Geertje Lewis, relict of Thomas Lewis, the aforesaid tract. 

On August 27, 1685, John Delaval sold his third part in the same to 
Frederick Philipse, as also Geertje, wife of Thomas Lewis, Lodowick 
Lewis, Barent Lewis, Leonard Lewis, Katherine Lewis and Thomas 
Lewis, by deed conveyed each their interest in third part to Frederick 
Philipse, 12th June, 1686.4 


On the 17th day of April, 1685, occurs the following agreement be- 
tween Frederick Philipse, merchant of New York, and John Pell, Esq., 
of Annhoock’s Neck, in the County of Westchester :— 


‘‘Tt was mutually agreed and consented unto by us underwritten, Frederick 
Philipse, merchant of the city of New York, and John Pell, Esq., of Annhoock’s 
Neck, that the Bronx’s river shall be the division between both their lands; and 
that, if either the said Frederick Philipse or the said John Pell, shall at any time 


a A Dutch fathom contained six feet English. 

b Van Cortlandt papers. 

e This individual was for many years Alderman, and Mayor of New York city in 1678, 
d See RoyalCharter of Philipsborough. 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 589 


see cause to make any smal] dam across the said river, it shall b2 lawful for 

either party to fix the end of their dam of each other side, without lett or moles- 

tation,” FRrepDERIcK PHILIPsE, 
Joun PE Lt. 


Frederick Philipse being now vested in the fee simple, the whole 
territory was by royal charter, erected into the lordship and manor of 
Philipsborough, to be holden of the king,.in free and common soccage, 
its lord yielding, rendering, and paying therefor, yearly and every year, 
on the feast day of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the 
fort in New York, the annual rent of £4 12s. 


THE ROYAL CHARTER. 


‘‘William and Mary, by the grace of God, &c., king and queen of England, 
Scotland, France and Ireland, defenders of the faith, &c., to all to whom these 
presents shall come, greeting: Whereas, the Honorable Richard Nicolls, Esq., 
late Governor of our Province of New York, &c., by a certain deed or patent, 
sealed with the seal of our said Province, bearing date the 8th day of October, in 
the year of our Lord, 1666, pursuant to the authority in him residing, did give 
and grant unto Hugh O’Neale and Mary his wife, their heirs and assigns, all that 
tract of land upon the main, bounded to the north by a rivulet called by the 
Indians, Meccackassin, so running southward to Nepperhan, from thence to the 
kill Shorackkapock and to Paparinnemo, which is the southermost bounds, then to 
go across the country, eastward by that whichis commonly known by the name 
of Bronx’s river, together with all the woods, marshes, meadows, pastures, waters, 
lakes, creeks, rivulets, fishing, hunting and fowling, and all other profits, 
commodities and emoluments to said tract of land belonging, with their and 
every of their appurtenance, to have and to hold unto the said Hugh O’Neale and 
Mary his wife, their heirs and assigns forever, as by the said deed or patent, re- 
lation being thereunto had, may more fully and at large appear ; and whereas, the 
said Hugh O’Neale and Mary his wife, by their certain deed or writ, dated 30th 
day of Oct., in said year of our Lord, 1666, did sell, alien, assign and set over all 
and singular their right and title and interest of in and to the aforenamed tract 
of land and premises, unto Elias Doughty of Flushing, in the Co. of York, on 
Long Island, unto the said Elias Doughty, his heirs and assigns forever, as by 
the said deed or writing, reiation being thereunto had, as may more fully and 
at large appear; and whereas, the said Elias Doughty by his certain deed or 
writing, bearing date 29th day of Nov., in the year of our Lord 1672, for the 
consideration therein expressed and mentioned, did assign and set over, all and 
singular his right and title and interest, of, in and to the aforementioned tract of 
land and premises unto Thomas Deleval, Esq., Frederick Philips and Thomas 
Lewis, mariner, to hold to them, their heirs and assigns forever, as by the said 
deed or writing relation being thereunto had, may more fully and at large appear; 
and whereas, the said Thomas Deleval, in and by a certain codicil annexed unto 
his last will and testament in writing, bearing date the 10th day of June, in the 


a Co. Rec. Lib. A. 62. 


59° HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


year of our Lord, 1682, amongst other things did devise unto John Deleval his 
only son, all that his interest in the aforementioned Jand and premises, his one 
full, equal and certain third thereof, as by the said codicil in writing, relation 
being thereunto had, may more fully and at large appear; and, whereas, the 
Hon. Col. Thomas Dongan, late Gov. of our said province &c., and as by a cer- 
tain deed or patent, sealed with the seal of our said province &c., and bearing 
date the 19th of Feb., in the year of our Lord, 1684-5, pursuant to the authority 
in him then residing, for the consideration therein expressed, did further grant, 
ratify and confirm, unto the said Thomas Deleval, Frederick Philips, Geertje. 
. Lewis, relict of the said Thomas Lewis, due their heirs and assigns, all the afore- 
said tract and parcel of land beginning at asmall rivulet known and called by the 
Indians, Makakassin, from thence into the woods due east by a great rock stone 
and a lyne of marked trees, to Bronx’s river, and thence by said river, four miles 
and something more, to a marked white oak tree upon the middle of a great ledge 
of rocks, which is the north-east corner of the land of Francis French & Co., in 
the mile square formerly sold out of the aforesaid patent, then by the said land, 
west, 35 deg. northerly, 1 mile or 80 chains from thence east 35 deg. southerly 
to Bronx’s river to a marked tree, which is the south-east corner of the mile 
square, excepted out of the said patent, from thence by Bronx's, his river, 89 
chains to a marked tree, which is the north-east corner of Wm. Betts and George 
Tippets, and then by a certain lyne of marked trees due west 30 chains to the 
marked tree or south-east corner of the purchase of John Heddy, then due N. 34 
chains, from thence due west by their purchase, 90 chains to the north-west cor- 
ner of the 300 acres, then due south 16 chains to the north-west corner of the 20 
acres purchased of John Heddy, thence and by the said land west 12 chains to the 
north-west corner, then by the side of the kill, south 18 chains to the land of 
Wm. Betts and George Tippetts, from thence by a lyne of marked trees due west 
79 chains, to a white oak tree standing on the bank of Hudson’s river, to the 
south of Dog-wood brook 16 chains and } and then northerly by the Hudson's 
river to Nepperha, which is near the Yonkers mills, and so continue by Hudson’s 
river to the first mentioned small rivulet, Maccakassin, the whole being bounded 
to the north with a lyne of marked trees and a great rock gtone, to the east by 
Bronx’s river and the Jand of Francis French and Co., to the south by the land 
of Wm. Betts, George Tippets and Thomas Heddy, to the west by Hudson’s 
river, containing in all 7,708 acres, together with all and singular the messuages, 
tenements, buildings, barns, stables, orchards, gardens, pastures, meadows, mills, 
mill-dams, runs, streams, ponds, rivers, brooks, woods, under-woods, trees, tim- 
ber, fencing, fishing, fowling, hunting, hawking, liberties, privileges, herdita- 
ments and improvements whatsoever, belonging or in any way appertaining, to 
have and to hold all the aforementioned tract and parcel of land, with all and 
singular the aforementioned premises, unto said John Deleval, Frederick Philips, 
Geertje Lewis, their heirs and assigns forever, as by the said deed or patent 
registered in our secretary’s office of our province of New York aforesaid, relation 
being thereunto had, may more fully and at large appear; and, whereas the said 
Thomas Deleval, by a certain deed of indenture, sealed with the seal, and bearing 
date the 27th day of August, in the year of our Lord, 1685, did, for the consider- 
ation therein mentioned, grant, bargain and sell, all that one full third part of all 
and singular the said tract of land, afore recited, described and bounded within 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 591 


the limits aforesaid unto him the said Frederick Philips one of the parties afore- 
said, together with all that one full and equal third part of all and singular the 
houses, out-houses, barns, stables, mills, mill-dams, buildings, fences and edi- 
fices thereon erected and built ; and likewise one full third part of all and singular 
the waters, water-courses, streams, woods, underwoods, fishing, fowling, hawk- 
ing, hunting, hereditaments and appurtenances to the same belonging, or in any 
way appertaining, to have and to hold unto the said Frederick Philipse, his heirs 
and assigns forever, as by the said deed or indenture, relation being thereunto 
had, may more fully and at large appear; and whereas, the said Geertje Lewis, 
executrix of the last will and testament of Thomas Lewis, late of New York, 
mariner, her late husband, deceased, and Lodivick Lewis, Barrent Lewis, Leon- 
ard Lewis, Katharine Lewis and Thomas Lewis the children and co-heirs of said 
Thomas Lewis and Geertje his wife, by a certain deed of indenture, sealed with 
the seal bearing date the 12th day of June, inthe vear of our Lord 1686, did, for 
the consideration therein mentioned, grant, bargain and sell, all that the full 
one-third part of all and singular the said tract of land afore recited, decribed and 
bounded with the limits aforesaid, unto him, the said Frederick Philips, one of 
the parties aforesaid, together with all that one full and equal third part of all 
and singular the houses, out-houses, barns, stables, mills, mill-dams, buildings 
fences and edifices thereon erected and built, and likewise one full third part of all 
and singular the water, water-courses, streams, woods, underwoods, fishing, fowl- 
ing, hunting, hawking, hereditaments and appurtenances to the same belonging or 
in any wise appertaining, to have and to hold unto the said Frederick Philips, his 
heirs and assigns forever, as by the said deed or indenture, relation being thereunto 
had, may more fully and at large appear; and whereas, the Hon. Sir Edmund 
Andross, late governor of our said province of New York, &c., by a certain writing 
or patent, sealed with the seal of our said province, bearing date the first day 
of April, in the year of our Lord, 1680, pursuant to the authority in him then 
residing, did give and grant unto the said Frederick Philipse, a certain tract or 
parcel of land, beginning at a creek or river called by the Indians, Pocanteco or 
or Wackandeco, with power thereon to set a mil] or mills, with a due portion of 
land on each side, adjoining unto the said river, lying within the bounds of the 
Indians land at Wickers creek, on the east side of the Hudson river, which said 
Indian land, was by the said Frederick Philips purchased from the said native 
Indian proprietors thereof, by the licence and approbation of the said Sir Ed- 
mund Andross ; and the said Indian proprietors did, in the presence of Sir Ed- 
mund Andross aforesaid, acknowledge to have received full satisfaction of him 
the said Fredvrick Philips for the said land adjoining, to each syde of the creek 
or river aforesaid, which said land is situate, lying and being on each side of the 
said creek or river, north and south 1600 treads or steps which at 12 feet to the 
rod, makes 40) rod, and runs up into the country so far as the said creek or river 
goeth, with tlis proviso or restriction that if the creek or river called by the 
Indians, Nippiorha, and by the charters Yonkers creek or kill shall come within 
the space of land of 400 rods on the south side of the aforenamed creek or river, 
that shall extend no farther than the said creek or river of Nippiroha, but the rest 
to be so far up into the country on each side of the said creek or river called Po- 
canteco as it runs, being about north-east, to have and to hold all the aforesaid 
recited tract or parcel of land unto him the said Frederick Philips, his heirs and 


592 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


assigns forever, as by the said grant or patent registered in our Secretary’s office 
of our province of New York, &c., aforesaid, relation being thereunto had may 
more fully and at large appear; and whereas the Honorable Thomas Dongan late 
Goy. of our province of New York, &c., aforesaid, by virtue of the power inhim 
then residing hath, by another grant or patent sealed with the seal of our said 
province of New York, and registered in our secretary’s office of our province 
aforesaid, bearing date the 23d of September, in the year of our Lord 1684, given 
granted, ratified, and confirmed, unto said, Frederick Philips, his heirs and as- 
signs, several tracts and parcels of land within the limits and bounds hereafter 
mentioned, that were according to the usage, custom, and laws of our said prov- 
ince purchased by the said Frederick Philips from the native Indians and pro- 
prietors, in manner and form following, (that is to say,) all those certain parcels 
and pieces of land lying about the Wigquaskeek that was on the 24th day of 
October, in the year of our Lord, 1680, purchased by the said Frederick Philips 
of the Indian Goharius, brother of Weskora, sachem of Wigquaskeek, for him- 
self and by the full order of Goharius, which certain parcel or parcels of land are 
lying about Wigquaskeek to the north syde and tending from the land of the 
aforesaid Frederick Philips running along the North river to the north of the 
small creek called by the Indians Sepackena creek, as far as it goeth into the 
woods, and coming to the end of the aforesaid creek, then shall the aforesaid 
pieces or parcels of land have their lyne north-east, or if the creek Pocanteco 
Wackandeco upon which at present stands the mills of the said Frenerick Philips 
shall run upon a north-east lyne, then the said land shall run along the said creek 
Pocanteco, or Weghkandeco, into the woods as the said creek or kill shall go, and 
there shall be the end or utmost bounds of the said certain pieces of land, as by 
the said writing or Indian deed, relation being thereunto had may more fully and at 
large appear ; as likewise another tract or parcel of land on the east side of Hud- 
son’s river that was by said Frederick Philips purchased of the Indians Goharius 
Cobus, and Togquanduck, on the 23d day of April, in the year of our Lord, 1681, 
which tract or parcel of land being situate on the east side of the North or Hud- 
son’s river, beginning at the south side of a creek called Bissigktick, and so rang- 
ing along the said river northerly to the aforesaid land of the aforesaid Frederick 
Philips, and then alongst the said land north-east and by east until it comes to 
and meets with the creek called Nippiorha, if the said creek shall fall within that 
lyne, otherwise to extend no further than the head of the creek or kill called 
Pokanteco, or Puegkanteko, and southerly alongst the said river Neppiorha if the 
same shall fall within the said line as aforesaid; or else in a direct lyne from the 
head of the said creek or kill called Pocanteeo Puegkandico, until it comes op- 
posite to the said first mentioned creek called Bissightick, and from thence west- 
wardly to the head of the said creek and alongst the same to the North or Hud- 
son’s river, being the first station, as by the said writing or decd, relation being 
thereunto had, may more fully and at large appear, as also another certain tract 
or parcel of land on the east syde of the said Hudson’s river that was by the said 
Frederick Philips purchased of the native Indians Armaghqueer, Seapham, alias 
Thapham, on the 8th day of April, in the year of our Lord 1682, which certain 
tract or parcel of land is situate, lying, and being on the east side of the North or 
Hudson’s river to the south of the land formerly bought by the said Frederick 
Philips of the said Indians, beginning at the south side of a creek called Bissigh- 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS, 593 


tick, and so ranging along the said river southerly to a creek or fall called by the 
Indians Weghquegsik, and by the Christians, 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 Nippiorha, and by the Christians the Yonkers kill, and from thence 
alongst the west side of the said creek or kill as the same runs to the before men- 
tioned land, formerly bought by the said Frederick Philips of the sayd Indians, 
and so along that land to the first station, as by the said writing or Indian deed, 
relation being thereunto had, may more fully and at large appear; as also another. 
tract or parcel of land on the east side of Hudson's river that was by the said 
Frederick Philips purchased of the native Indians Warramanhack, Esparamogh, 
Annhook, &c., on the 6th day of September, in the year of our Lord, 1682, which 
certain tract or parcel of land is situated, lying, and being on the west side 
of the North or Hudson’s river, beginning at the north side of the land 
belonging to Yonkers kill, Nippiorha, at a great rock called by the Indians 
Meghkeckassin, or the great stone, (as called by the Christians,) from thence 
ranging into the woods eastwardly to a creek called by the Indians Nip- 
piorha aforesaid, and from thence along said creek northerly till you come 
to the eastward of the head of a creek called by the Indians Wegquiskeek, 
being the utmost bounds of the said Frederick Philips’s land, formerly bought of 
the Indians, and from thence westwardly along the said creek Wegqueskeek to 
Hudson’s river aforesaid, as by the said Indian deed, relation being thereunto had, 
may more fully and at large appear, and also another tract or parcel of land that 
was by the said Frederick Philips, purchased of the native Indians, Sapham, 
Ghoharius, Kakingsigo, on the 7th day of May, in the year of our Lord, 1684, 
which tract or parcel of land is situate, lying and being to the eastward of the said 
Frederick Philips between the creek called Nippiorha, or the Yonkers kill, and 
Bronk’s river, beginning on the south side at the northerly bounds of the Yonk- 
ers land, and from thence along the aforesaid creek, Nippiorha, however it runs, 
till you come to the most northerly bounds of the said Frederick Philips’s lands, 
and from thence north-east into the woods unto Bronk’s river, as it runs south- 
erly to the eastward of the Yonkers land aforesaid, and from thence with a west- 
erly lyne, to the afore-named Younkers kill, or Nippiorha, as by the said Indian 
deed, relation being thereunto had, may more fully and at large appear, all 
which several tracts and parcels of land within the several respective limits and 
bounds afore-mentioned, and purchased by the said Frederick Philips, of all and 
every the respective native Indians aforesaid, in manner aforesaid, were by the 
said Thomas Dongan, late governor of our province, under the seal of our said 
province, bearing date as aforesaid, given, granted, ratified, and confirmed unto 
him, said Frederick Philips, his heirs and assigns, together with all and singular, 
the houses, buildings, messuages, tenements, and hereditaments, mills, mill-dams, 
rivers, runns, streams, pons, with liberty to erect other miils or dams, or places 
convenient, woods, under-woods, quarries, fishing, hawking, hunting and fowl- 
ing, with all liberties, priviledges, and improvements whatsoever, to the said 
land and premises, belonging in’ or in anywise appertaining, to have and to hold 
all the aforesaid tract and tracts, parcel and parcels of land and premises, with 
their and every of their appurtenances, unto said Frederick Philips, his heirs and 
assignees forever, as by the said grant or patent, sealed with the seal of our said 
province, and registered in our secretary's office of our said province, bearing _- 


594 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


date 23d day of December, in the year of our Lord 1684, relation being thereunto 
had, may more fully and at large appear; and whereas, the aforesaid Thomas 
Dongan, late Governor of our said province, by virtue of the said power and 
authority in him residing, hath moreover by another grant or patent, sealed with ~ 
the seal of our said province, and registered in our Secretary’s office aforesaid, 
bearing date the 11th day of November, in the year of our Lord 1686, given, 
eranted, ratified, and confirmed unto Philip Philips, eldest son of him, the said 
Frederick Philips, all that tract or parcel of land commonly called by the Indians 
Sinck Sinck, and situate, lying, and being on the east side of Hudson’s river, by 
the northermost part of the land, purchased by the said Frederick Philips, and so 
running alongst Hudson’s river to a certain creek or river called Kichtawan, and 
from thence running alongst the said creek, two English miles, and from thence 
running up the country upon a due east lyne, until it comes unto a creek called 
Nipiorha, by the Christians, Yonkers creek, and so running alongst the said 
creek until it comes unto the northerly bounds of the said land of Frederick 
Philips aforesaid, and from thence alongst the said land until it comes to Hud- 
son’s river, together with all manner of rivers, rivulets, runns, streams, feedings, 
pastures, woods, under-woods, trees, timbers, waters, water-courses, ponds, 
pools, pits, swamps, moors, marshes, meadows, easements, profits and commodi- 
ties, fishing, fowling, hunting, hawking, mines, minerals, quarries, (royal mines 
only excepted), and all royalties, profits, commodities, hereditaments and appurt- 
enances whatsoever, to the said tract or parcel of land within the bounds and 
limits aforesaid, belonging or in anywise appertaining, to have and to hold the 
said tract or parcel of land and all and singular other the premises with their 
and every of their appurtenances, unto the said Philip Philips, his heirs and 
assigns forever, as by the said grant or patent, relation being thereunto had, may 
more fully and at large appear, whereas the said Philip Philips did by mean as- 
surance in the law, sell, alienate, enfeoff, and confirm unto his said father, Fred- 
erick Philips, all the afore recited tract or parcel of land within the limits and 
bounds above mentioned and expressed, together with all and singular, the prem- 
ises, with their and every of their appurtenances, to have and to hold unto him 
the said Frederick Philips, his heirs and assigns, forever, as by his deed of con- 
veyance, under his hand and seal bearing date the day of 

in the year of our Lord 168, relation being thereunto had more fully and at 
large appear; and whereas, the aforesaid Thomas Dongan, late governor of our 
gaid province, by virtue of the said power and authority in him residing, hath, 
by another grant or patent sealed with the seal of our said province, and regis- 
tered in our Secretary’s office aforesaid, bearing date the 27th day of June, in the 
year of our Lord, 1687, given, granted, ratified, released and confirmed unto the 
said Frederick Philips, all that the moiety, or one equal half part of a certain 
entire parcel of meadow ground, situate lying and being at a certain place called 
Tappan, near Hudson’s river, bounded to the north by a certain creek called or 
known by the name of Tappan creek, to the east by Hudson’s river aforesaid, to 
the west by a certain parcel of upland now in possession of George Lockhart, and 
to the south by Hudson’s river aforesaid, and the moiety or equal half of the said 
meadows to be laid out along the side of Hudson’s river aforesaid, throughout 
the whole length of its bounds upon said river, from Tappan creek aforesaid, and 
to be bounded on the north by Tappan creek, to the east by Hudson’s river, to the 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 595 


west by the other moiety or half part of the said meadows, still running to the 
said George Lockhart’s, and so to run southerly to the end of the said meadows, 
nothing excepted or reserved thereof, to the said George Lockhart, his beirs and 
assigns, but oue cart or waine way through the said moiety or half part of the mea- 
dow aforesaid, which moiety or equal half part of the meadow aforesaid was by 
mean assurance in the law, conveyed to the said George Lackhart and Janet, his 
wife, unto the said Frederick Philips, his keirs and assigns, to have and to hold the 
said moiety or equal half part of the said meadows and premises with the apperti- 
nences unto the said Frederick Philips, his heirs and assigns forever, as by the 
said grant or patent, sealed with the seal of our said province, and registered in 
our secretary’s office aforesaid, bearing date the said 27th day of June, in the 
year of our Lord, 1687, and as by the said deed of conveyance, under the hands 
and seals of the said George Lockhart and Janet his wife, bearing date 20th day 
of February, in the year of our Lord, 1685, relation being thereunto had respect- 
ively, may more fully and at large appear; and whereas, Augustine Graham, 
our surveyor-general for our said province of New York, &c., hath by warrant 
bearing date the 11th of February, in the fourth year of our reign, surveyed and 
laid out for the said Frederick Philips, a certain small parcel of salt meadows, 
situate and being on the north side of Tappan creek, in the county of Orange, be- 
ginning at a certain stake set on the east side of the said creek, and from thence 
run east 37° 40 min. northerly to Hudson’s river, six chains and ninety links, 
thence along the said river twelve chains and ninety links, south one degree, 
westerly to the mouth of the aforesaid creek, and from thence along the said 
creek, west five degrees thirty-five minutes, northerly eleven chains, thence north 
twelve degrees, eastwardly two chains and forty links, thence east forty degrees, 
southerly three chains forty-five links along the said creek, thence east eleven 
degrees thirty minutes, southerly two chains twenty links, thence north six de- 
grees twenly-five minutes, seven chains and seventy links, to the stake where 
the line first began, being bounded on the north-west by a certain parcel of 
meadow said to belong to Cornelius Claater, on the east by Hudson’s river, on 
the south and west by the said creek, containing in all six acres three roods and 
eight perches, as by the return of the survey, bearing date the 19th day of April, 
in the said fourth year of our reign, and in the year of our Lord, 1692, relation 
being thereunto had, may more fully and at large appear, all which several tracts 
or parcels of land lying together, and bounded and limited in manner hereafter 
expressed and mentioned, (that is to say), all the saic tract and parcels of land 
that are on the east side of Hudson’s river, are bounded on the northward by a 
creek or river commonly called by the Indians Kightowank, and by the English 
Knotrus river, and now Belonging to Stevanus van Cortlandt, Esy., and so east- 
ward into the woods along the said creek or river, two English miles; and from 
thence upon a direct east line to Bronxes river, and so running southward along 
the said Bronxes river as it runs, until a direct west line cutteth the south side of 
a neck or island of land, at a creek or kill called Papparinemo, which divides 
York island from the main, and so along the said creek or kill as it runs to Hud- 
son’s river, which part of the said creek is called by the Indians Shorackhappok, 
and continues dividing the said York island from the main, and so from thence 
to the northward alongst Hudson’s river, until it comes into the aforesaid creek 
or river called by the Indians Kightawank, and by the English Knotrus river, and 


596 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


the salt meadow ground on the west side of Hudson’s river, are bounded and 
limited as here before is plainly mentioned and expressed. And whereas, our 
loving subject the said Frederick Philips, one of the members of our council of 
our said province of New York, and the territories depending thereon in America, 
hath by his petition presented to Benjamin Fletcher, our captain-general and gov- 
ernor-in-chief of our said province of New York, &c., prayed our grant and con- 
firmation of all and every the tracts and parcels of land within the limits and 
bounds aforesaid ; and that we would likewise erect all the said tracts and parcels 
of land within the limits aforesaid, into a lordship or manor of Philipsborough, 
and that we would further grant unto our said loving subject, a certain neck or 
island of land called Paparinemo, adjoining to the land aforesaid, with the salt 
meadows thereunto belonging, together with power and authority to erect a 
bridge over the water or river commonly called Spiten Devil ferry, or Paparinemo 
and to receive toll from all passengers and droves of cattle that shal] pass there- 
on, according to rates hereinafter mentioned ; and whereas, it is manifested that 
our loving subject hath been a great charge and expense in the purchasing and set- 
tling of the aforere cited tracts of land, whereupon considerable improvements 
have been made, and that he islikewise willing at his own proper cost and charge to 
build a bridge at the ferry aforesaid, for the benefit and accommodation of tray- 
elers, which reasonable request for his future encouragement, we being willing to 
grant, Know ye, that of our special grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, 
we have given, granted, ratified, and confirmed, and by these presents do, for us, 
our heirs and successors, give, grant, ratify, and confirm unto the said Frederick 
Philips, his heirs and assigns, all and every the afore recited tracts and parcels of 
land and meadow ground within the limits and bounds before mentioned and ex- 
pressed, and likewise the aforesaid neck or island of land called Paparinemo, 
and the meadow thereunto belonging, with power, authority and privilege to 
erect and build a dam bridge upon the aforesaid ferry of Spitendevil or Papar- 
inemo, and to receive rates and tolls of all passengers and for droves of cattle ac- 
cording to the rates hereafter mentioned, (that is to say), three pence current 
money of New York, for each man and horse that shall pass the said bridge in 
the day time, and three pence current money aforesaid, for each head of neat 
cattle that shall pass the same, and twelve pence current money aforesaid, for 
each score of hogs, calves, and sheep that shall pass the same, and nine pence 
current money aforesaid, for every boat, vessel, or canoe that shall pass the said 
bridge and cause the same to be drawn up, and for each coach, cart, or sledge, or 
waggon that shall pass the same, the sum of ninepence current money aforesaid; 
and after sunset each passenger that shall pass said bridge, shall pay two pence 
current money aforesaid, each man and horse, six pence, each head of neat cattle 
six pence, each score of hogs, calves, and sheep, two shillings, for each boat or 
vessel. or canoe, one shilling and sixpence, for each coach, cart, waggon, or 
sledge, one shilling and sixpence; current money aforesaid, together with all 
the messuages, tenements, buildings, barns, houses, out-houses, mills, mill- 
dams, fences, orchards, gardens, pastures, meadows, marshes, swamps, moors, 
pools, woods, underwoods, trees, timber, quarries, rivers, runs, rivulets, brooks, 
ponds, lakes, streams, creeks, harbours, beaches, ferrys, fishing, fowling, hunt- 
ing, hawking, mines, minerals, (silver and gold only excepted,) and all other 
rights, members, liberties, priviledges, jurisdictions, royalties, hereditaments, 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 597 


proffits, tolls, benefits, advantages, and appertinances whatsoever to the afore- 
said tracts and neck or island of land and meadows, ferry, bridge, and mills be- 
longing or in any ways appertaining, or accepted, reputed, taken, known, or 
occupied as part, parcel, or member thereof; and moreover, know ye, that of our 
further special grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, we have thought fit, 
according to the request of our said loving subject, to erect all the aforesaid re- 
cited tracts and parcels of lands and meadows with the limits and bounds afore- 
said, into a lordship or manor; and, therefore, by these presents we do erect, 
make, and constitute all the aforesaid recited tracts and parcels of land and 
meadows, within the limits and bounds aforesaid mentioned, together with all 
and every of the afore granted premises with all and every of the appertenances 
into a lordship or manor, to all intentsand purposes; and it is our royal will and 
pleasure that the said lordship and manor shall from henceforth be called the 
lordship or manor of Philipsborough, and the aforesaid bridge to be from henceforth 
called Kingsbridge in the manor of Philipsborough aforsaid. And know ye, that 
we, reposing special trust and eonfidence in the loyalty, wisdom, justice, pru- 
dence, and circumspection of our loving subject, do, for us, our heirs and suc- 
cessors, give and grant unto the said Frederick Philips, and to the heirs and as- 
signees of him the said Frederick Philips, full power and authority at all times 
forever hereafter in the said lordship or manor, one court leet and one court 
baron to hold and to keep at such times, and so often, yearly and every year, as 
he or they shall see meet; and all fines, issues, and amercements as the said 
Court Leet or Court Baron to be holden within said lordship or manor to be sett, 
forfeited, or employed, or payable, or happening at any time to be payable by 
any of the inhabitants, of or within the said lordship or manor of Philipsborough, 
in the limits and bounds, asalso all and every of the power and authority herein be- 
fore mentioned, for the holding and keeping the said Leet and Court Baron from 
time to time, and to award and issue out the customary writs to be issued and 
awarded out of the said Court Leet and Court Baron to be kept by the heirs and 
assignees of the said Frederick Philips forever, in their or every of their stewards 
deputed and appointed, with full and ample power and authority to distrain for 
the rents, levies, or other sums of money payable by virtue of the premises, and 
all other lawful remedies and means for the having possession, receiving, levying 
and enjoying the premises and every part and parcel of the same, and all waifes, 
estrays, wrecks, deodans, and of the fellons happening and being furnished with- 
in the said lordship and manor of Philipsborough, and all and every sum and 
sums of money to be paid as a parte fine upon any fine or fines to be levied of 
any lands, tenements or hereditaments within the lordship or manor of Philips- 
borough, together with the advowson and right of patronage of all and every the 
church or churches erected or to be erected or established or hereafter to be 
erected or established within the said manor of Philipsborough; and we do also 
further give and grant unto the said Frederick Philips, his heirs and assignees, 
that all and singular the tenants of the said Frederick Philips, within the said 
manor 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 the cities, towns, and counties within our province afore- 
said by the acts of General Assembly, for the defraying the public charge of 
each respective city, town and county aforesaid, and such sums of money so 


598 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


assessed or levied to collect and dispose of for such uses as the acts of General 
Assembly shall establish and appoint, to have and to hold, possess, collect, and 
enjoy, all and singular the said lordship or manor of Philipsborough, together 
with the aforesaid halls and premises, with their and every of their appertinances 
unto the said Frederick Philips, his heirs and assignees, to the only proper use, 
benefit, and behoof of him, the said Frederick Philips, his heirs and assignees 
forever, reserving unto us, our heirs and successors, free egress and ingress of all ‘ 
our and their forces, horse or foot, of our and their coaches, waggons, stores of 
war, ammunition, and expresses, that shall from time to time pass the said bridge 
for our their service, or anything contained to the contrary herein in any ways 
notwithstanding, to be holden of us, our heirs and successors, in free and com- 
mon soceage according to the tenure of our manor of East Greenwich within our 
county of Kent in our realm of England, yielding rendering, and paying there- 
fore, yearly and every year, on the feast day of the Annunciation of the Blessed 
Virgin Mary, at our fort at New York unto us, our heirs and successors, the an- 
nual rent of £4 12s. current money of our said province in lieu and stead of all 
former rents, services, dues, duties, and demands for the said lordship or manor 
of Philipsborough and premises. In testimony whereof we have caused the seal 
of our province of New York to be hereunto affixed. Witness, Benjamin Fletch- 
er our captain-general and governor-in-chief of our province of New York afore- 
said, province of Pennsylvania and county of New Castle, and the territory and 
tracts of land depending thereon in America, at Fort William Henry, the 12th 
day of June, in the fifth year of our reign, and in the year of our Lord, 1693.” 


Frederick Philipse, Esq., by his last will bearing date 9th of Decem- 
ber, 1702, devised his lands*in this town and part of Greenburgh to 
Frederick Philipse his grandson, born in Barbadoes ye only son of 
Philip, his eldest son, viz :— 


‘“The Island of Papirinemin with the meadows ye toll and all ye lands and 
meadows called the Yonkers plantation, with all houses, mills, mill-dams, &c., as 
also a piece of land in the mile square by me late bought of Michael Hawdon and 
all that tract or parcel of land extending from the Yonkers patent or plantation 
to a creek called by the Indians Wysquagua and by the Christians William Por- 
tugues creek, aud thence according to ye course of that creek into ye woods to ye 
head of ye same from thence on a last line to the creek called the Yonker’s creek, 
and thence to continue on the same course to Bronck’s river; also the boat 
Yoncker, with her furniture apparel and appurtenances, &c. Upon the death of 
the Hon, Frederick Philipse, the above devisee of his grandfather Frederick in 
1751, Colonel Frederick Philipse his son became devisee in tail male of the whole 
manor of Philipsborough.” 


These lands continued in the possession of Colonel Frederick Philipse, 
till the year 1779. When having broken his military parole by not 
returning to Yonkers, they became confiscated to the people of this State, 
and sold and conveyed by Isaac Stoutenburgh and Philip van Cortlandt 
Commissioners of Forfeitures, appointed in pursuance of an act of the 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS, 599 


Legislature of the State, passed rath May, 1784, to the following 
persons :— 


Mary Hunt 120 Jacob van Tassel 0 
Abraham Archer 120 Peter Acker 186 
Pierre van Cortlandt 150 Abraham Acker 239 
ditto. 120 William Dalcher 215 
His own 164 John Jewell 285 
John Bishop 83 Jonathan Odell 463 
Moses Ward 167 Daniel Wiltsie 829 
Elijah Hunter 196 Jacob Storms 279 
Peter Davids 200 Richard Delawley 220 
Samuel Drake 115 | George Daterach 282 
Arnold Hunt * 283 Philip Livingston 233 
Richard Garrisden 123 James D. Clark 286 
Abraham Orser 123 Peter Post 226 
Thomas Bishop 159 Jacobus Dyckman 300 
Job Sherwood 365 George Forster : 300 
Gerard G. Beeckman 750 Garrett Brown 312 
Cornelius Jones 200 Peter Forshee 171 
Gerard G. Beeckman 0 Cornelius Darqua 29 
Michael McKeel 827 Andrew Bostwick 279 
John van Tassel 160 John Lawrence 175 
David Storms 25 John Lamb . 202 
James Hammond 0 Robert Johnson 190 
and Cornelius P_ Lowe) 320 
George Coombs 162 mills at Yonckerss 
James van Wart 0 Sarah Archer 18 
William van Wart 0 John Williams 0 
William Hunt 270 Dennis Post 155 
John van Wart 230 Thomas Valentine 238 
Reformed Dutch Church 0 Joseph Oakley 164 
Globe Requa 296 Elnathan Taylor 100 
Frederick van Cortlandt 105 John Dead@ 136 


On the east side of this town, bordering the Bronx’s river, is situated 
a tract of land called the AZize Sguare, lying principally in a beautiful 
vale, watered by the river and sheltered by picturesque hills. This tract 
was exempted out of the great manorial patent of 1693, and appears 
originally to have formed a part of the possessions of the Doughtys of 
Flushing ; as we find John Doughty of that place in 1685 selling sixty- 
four acres of land here, in one sguare mile, to Francis French, Ebenezer 
Jones and John Wascot.? 


a Liber B. Co. Rec. p. 53. 


b On the 29th of January, 1779, occurs a petition of Jonathan Horton and 172 others, inhabi- 
tants of Philipse’s Manor, ‘**whigs,” ‘“‘for ye refusal to purchase ye Manor farms in case of 
contiscation and sale’? &¢.—Journals of Senate of New York, vol. 1779-85, p. 159. 


600 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


“22d May, 1674, John Winter of Westchester sold to to Joseph 
Jeames of Fairfield, Connecticut, a parcel of land containing 120 acres, 
which is one quarter part of ye tract of land Francis French and Ebene- 
zer Jones bought of Elias Doughty. This land lay west northerly from 
Eastchester, on the other side of Brunckses river.” —Fairfield Records. 


In 1685, John Hiatt, of Bronx’s river, deeds sixty acres of upland to’ 
Hopestill Betts of the Yonckers, this sale being a part of the whole tract 
of land called by the name of the AZZe Sguare. Tradition says that this 
place was given by Frederick Philipse as a dower portion when his 
daughter Annetjé married Philip French. From the French and Jones 
family it passed by sale to the Oakleys, Bertines, Curwells, Sherwoods 
and Riches. The latter family have been long residents here, and are 
still possessed of a large estate, which has been successively occupied 
for several generations. By marriage they are connected with the ancient 
family of the Valentines. The Rich family originally came from Ger- 
many, and are descended of the Ulrich of Flaack, whose son, Balthassar 
Ryché, emigrated to this country at an early period of its settlement. 
The following ancient document is still preserved in the family; it is 
written in the German language, and was brought from Germany by 
Balthassar Ryché :— 


“J, Johann Conradt Heidegger, sen’r, of the corporation for Guild, and by the 
council of the honorable city of Zurich, duly appointed sheriff of the county of 
Kyburgh, certify and make known that on the date mentioned below, the bearer 
of this, Balthassar Ryché, son of the late Uulrich of Flaack, situated in my jur- 
isdiction, appeared before me, stating, that whereas having been many years and 
days absent from this country, and in consequence of a purchase made by him, 
intending to reside in future with his wife and children at Sandhussen in the 
electoral palatinate as his permanent residence, he therefore humbly requested an 
authentic certificate showing his honest birth, pedigree, and name, and likewise that 
he leaves this country with a good name and character, in order that he may pro- 
duce such testimony when and where it might be requisite. Wherefore I, hav- 
ing heard the said Ryche’s petition, conceive it to be no more than right and just 
to grant him his request. After having made diligent enquiries respecting his 
character, and also obtained from the regularly ordained minister here a written 
acknowledgment that his parents where lawfully married and he thus legitimate- 
ly conceived and born, and subsequently baptized in a Christian like manner on 
the first day of June, in the year 1662, in the presence of sponsors. It also ap- 
pears that from his infancy and during the time he resided here he conducted 
himself uprightly and without reproach ; and that when he left this place he car- 
ried with him an honest reputation. In testimony whereof and in compliance 
with his humble and dutiful request, I have caused this written certificate to be 
prepared for the said Ryché and have caused the seal of office to be affixed thereto. 

Done and passed on the sixteenth day of January, 1699, counting from the 


birth of Christ our Saviour. Signed 
The County Clerk (Scu1zex) at Kyburgh. 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 601 


Mile Square during the war of the Revolution appears to have been 
a favorite camp ground with both armies, on account of its sheltered 
situation and vicinity to the water. Here were quartered Colonel Em- 
merick’s British light horse. The British Hussars were billeted here for 
several summers. The Ryché’s mansion being occupied as head quar- 
ters, it was the custom of the troopers to tie up their horses to long 
cords stretched from the apple trees in the orchard, many of which are 
still stending. For security the roads were patrolled and videttes 
stretched along the neighboring heights. The remains of bastions are 
still visible on their summits. 

In 1776, the American Rifle Corps were stationed here; and from this 
place crossed the Bronx to attack and harrass the British flank, as they 
moved towards White Plains, after landing on Throgmorton’s neck. 
Subsequent to the memorable battle of White Plains the British returned 
to Mile Square, reconstructed Hunt’s bridge, and occupied the hill forts. 

In 1778, the British light infantry and Highland companies under Gen- 
eral Simcoe, formed an ambuscade in an orchard, at the place where 
the roads fork to Hunt’s bridge and Valentine’s hill, in the hope of sur- 
prising a large and strong body of the American army meving on the 
opposite side of the Bronx. It appears from the British account as re- 
lated by Simcoe, that, 


“Hunt’s bridge was commanded by the heights on the side of Kings- 
Bridge, which the enemy had fortified in 1776. In the British rear was 
a wood; it had been designed to conceal the Queen’s Rangers under Gen- 
eral Simcoe, and while the Yagers and cavalry should have engaged with 
any corps who might patrole to Valentine’s hill, it was thought probable 
that the enemy on the opposite side of the Bronx would pass over to 
their assistance, when the infantry and Highlanders would rush from the 
wood, and occupying the fences do severe and cool] execution upon them 
as they were on the bridge and occupied in the deep hollow. An advanced 
party of the enemy, notwithstanding the circumstances which made the troops 
quit Valentine’s hill, had already passed the Bronx; the Yager cavalary were or- 
dered to proceed towards Kings Bridge, slowly and in full sight of the enemy 
who were on Hunt’s hill. There wasstill hopes by forming the ambuscade todo 
some service, when, to Lieutenant Col. Simcoe’s great surprise, the enemy’s can- 
non were fired at the infantry, whom he expected to have been hidden from their 
sight, by the interventionof the woods; but it appeared that while Captain Ross 
was with the advanced companies some officers imprudently had got upon a 
fence, out of curiosity, and discovered themselves to the enemy. Lieutenant 
Colonel Simcoe immediately withdrew his men out of the reach of any chance 
shot, and made use of the low ground (the crossing of which would have led 
him into the ambuscade,) to march his infantry under its cover, out of their 
sight, or the reach of their cannon; he sent orders to Captain Ross to withdraw ; 


602) HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


and again ambuscaded the cavalry in a position to take advantage of the enemy 
if any party of them should pursue him, or from Valentine’s hill should endeavor 
to incommode his retreat. Observing the movement of the Yager cavalry, the 
enemy marched a party to watch their movements, on the opposite bank, while 
their main body formed the line. Captain Ross thought proper to wait for the 
party that had crossed the Bronx. He permitted them to come close to him, 
when his fire threw them into confusion; he then retreated, making a small cir- 
cuit to avoid some riflemen who had occupied the wood, and the corps returned 
to the camp.”’@ - 


A day or two preceding the battle of White Plains a large body of 
British horse advanced upon the road leading through this place for the 
purpose of reconnoitering. 

September, 1778, Sir Archibald Campbell, advanced with the 71st 
regiment of the Scotch Highlanders, to Mile square. They were soon 
after joined by General Grant, with another force of Highlanders who 
occupied the ground from the Bronx at Hunt’s Bridge to the North 
River. During the whole course of the war, Colonel James de Lancey 
kept a recruiting officer constantly stationed at Jones’s house, in the 
Mile square, as he always considered Mile square itself within the Brit- 
ish lines. 

On the road leading from the Mile square to the city of Yonkers, are 
still visible, the remains of an old hostel—the keeper of which was one 
Gainos, a Frenchman. This individual, during the occupancy of Mile 
square by the American forces, supplied the army with liquor and pro- 
visions. On the approach of the enemy from New York, he chose to 
retire with General Washington to White Plains ; shortly after the evacua- 
tion of the premises by Gainos, his tenants left in charge were alarmed 
by the midnight attack of a gang of British Cow-éoys, a scuffle ensued, 
during which one of the assailants was killed. 

In the retreat of the robbers, they pitched the headless body of their 
slain comrade, into the adjoining well. This tragical event has given 
rise to strange stories; and has thrown over this spot a veil of horror, 
which is heightened by the loneliness of the situation. Some benighted 
countryman has construed the gnarled and fantastic cedars, (which sur- 
round this spot), into the headless form of the cow-oy seated on the 
well; and the sweeping blast, or gurgling brook, into his doleful groans. 
The common people still regard this place with superstitious dread, no 
one daring to approach it after dusk. 

Valentine's hill, is a high ridge bordering the Mile square on the west; 
its summit affords one of the finest views in Westchester county. To the 


a Simcoe’s Milit. Journal, p. 77. 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 603 


east the eye ranges over an extensive country of hills, woods and vales, 
stretching towards Long Island Sound; the distant horizon skirted by 
light blue hills. To the north lie the Tuckahoe hills, while westward the 
view is bounded by the Yonkers ridge, surmounted with lofty woods, 
with here and there a glimpse to be obtained of the dark palisades peep- 
ing through some opening in the trees; below lies a beautiful vale, 
through which meanders Tippet’s Brook. At the base of the hill winds 
the Croton Acqueduct. 

Valentine’s hill and the adjoining property has been occupied by 
the ancient and numerous family of the Valentines, for nearly one 
hundred and twenty years. In this immediate neighborhood is situ- 
ated the old burying-ground. Here are interred the remains of Frederick 
Devoe, the grand-father of Col. Thomas Farringdon of New York 
city, and several members of the Valentine and Brown families. It 
is now included in Woodlawn cemetery. The ancestor of the family, 
Matthias Valentine, having been one of the first tenants under the Phil- 
ipses; on his settlement here, the whole surrounding country was one 
vast forest, the lonely domain of the deer. The verges of these forests 
also abounded with another noble species of game long since extinct, 
and that was the wild turkey. It is said that flocks of them used to fly 
from the Yonkers ridge on the west side of Tippet’s brook to this hill, 
at certain seasons of the year, for the purpose of feeding on the acorn 
and beech nut. The flight was always commenced by a large black 
cock of the woods, sunset being the signal for departure; the leader 
gave the well known note, and they were instantly on the wing for the 
opposite hills. There yet remains a fine specimen of the ancient deni- 
zens of the forests on the western edge of this hill, by the roadside lead- 
ing to the village. This venerable chestnut tree, in the Fall of the year, 
appears to be the favorite gathering place of thousands of swallows just 
before they commence their migrations. 

In possession of the Valentine family are numerous receipts given for 
rent ; formerly due the Lords of Philipsborough. As a specimen occurs 
the following :— 


Op Nippera Des 20 Mars No. 1727, 
den 20 Mars heft Theis Valentin en syn Moeder hier ‘men 134 boschel tar- 
we vor de huer von land vor ye Tahr Ao 1726. 
Yonckers, January ye 28 day, 1734-5. 


Then received of Mr. Matthiase Vallentine 74 bushels of Rent wheat on behalf 
of Mr. Philipse. I said received by me, 


WILLIAM PECK. 


604 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


At the commencement of the Revolutionary War this hill was rented 
by two grand-sons of the first proprietor, Thomas and Gilbert Valentine, 
who occupied it through the whole course of the war. In the summer 
of 1775, the American army threw up entrenchments on its summit, the 
remains of which are still visible. When his Excellency General Wash- 
ington lay encamped on Valentine’s hill in the Fall of 1776, it was sup- 
posed to be the design of the enemy to attack his position. On this 
occasion Thomas Valentine was engaged with the General in conversa- 
tion, leaning upon the pommel of his saddle, when the heads of the 
British columns were seen approaching at a distance of three or four 
miles on the opposite side of the Bronx, as if taking the direction of the 
hill. Under this supposition, Washington ordered out several companies 
to attack the flanking parties of the enemy, who, it was discovered were 
taking the high road to the White Plains. It was afterwards asserted by 
a British officer, that through the aid of their glasses they had seen 
Thomas Valentine and the General in conversation. 

Washington having ascertained the intention of the enemy, pushed on 
his left wing to the White Plains, while his right occupied the hill. 

From the 12th to the 27th of October, 1776, the American army lay 
entrenched in detached camps, from this hill to the White Plains. On 
the 27th, as the enemy continued to advance upon the White Plains, 
General Washington suddenly called in all his detachments, and aban- 
doning the position he had occupied along the Bronx, assembled all his 
forces in a strong camp upon Chatterton Heights. Upon the 28th of 
October, the day of the battle, it was asserted by the residents on the 
hill, that not only was the cannonade distinctly heard, but also the sing- 
ing of the Hessians as they advanced to the attack the American posi- 
tion. After the battle of the 28th, the British infantry were stationed 
here. 

The old Valentine house, which stood north-west of the present resi- 
dence, was used for some time by General Washington as head-quarters. 


It would appear from the following letter, in possession of the family, 
that Thomas Valentine had aided the advance of Washington’s left wing 


towards the White Plains :— 
VALENTINE’S Hitt, Jan’y 277TH, 1777. 
These may certify, that on or about the 25th day of October last, I ordered 
Thomas Valentine’s one yoke of oxen and cart, to be taken for the public service. 
They carried a load to ye White Plains. There I discharged them. I am in- 
formed they were further taken on their return, and that Mr. Valentine hath not 


received them. . B. LINCOLN. 


a Stedman’s Hist. of the American war, 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 605 


On the 6th of June, 1778, Sir William Erskine fell back towards Val- 
entine’s Hill. The Queen’s Rangers encamping on Odell’s Hill, soon 
after, these corps formed a part of an escort which accompanied the 
English commander-in-chief to the White Plains, 1778. Lieutenant- 
Colonel Tarleton was ordered, with the whole of the English cavalry, to 
this hill, for the purpose of covering the right, when they endeavored to 
surprise General Gist in the parsonage. The same year, upon the re- 
tiring of Lieutenant-Colonel Simcoe, the Continental forces again took 
possession of the hill. 

On the 16th of September, 1782, (says General Heath), the enemy 
made a grand forage near Valentine’s Hill; Sir Guy Carleton was out 
in person, as was the young Prince, (William Henry, Duke of Clarence, 
afterwards King William the Fourth). The covering party, it was said 
consisted of five or six thousand men.? 

During the absence of the armies, Valentine’s Hill was much exposed 
to the depredations of gangs of outlaws called Cow Boys and Skinners, 
who roamed the country in search of plunder. On one occasion, a 
party of the former forced their entrance into the Valentine House; 
seizing the proprietor, Thomas Valentine, they demanded his life or 
money; whereupon, disbelieving, or affecting to disbelieve him, they 
threatened, on his again refusing, to hang him instantly. Obtaining no 
satisfactory answer, they carried him to the foot of a cherry tree, still 
standing, near the corner of the old garden, and had placed the cord 
around his neck, when he suddenly threw it off, exclaiming, “‘ Don’t be 
such d d fools as to hang a man when he hasn’t any money.” The 
coolness and apparent sincerity of his language, served effectually to dis- 
arm the robbers; for they not only desisted from their purpose, but re- 
leased him. Instances had occurred in the neighborhood, in which they 
had actually carried their threats into execution. 

One or two instances of heroic courage in a female of this family 
(Susan Valentine, afterwards Mrs. Vredenburgh) is deserving of record, 
These marauders, like all other villians, frequently proved themselves 
great cowards. Miss Susan Valentine, when a young woman, prevented 
a large party from entering the house by threatening them, single handed, 
with a large oven shovel—solemnly protesting she would split the head of 
the first man that dared to cross the threshhold. Her courage and deter- 
mination alone served to protect the house from plunder. On another 
occasion, an intimate friend, Mr. Sneden, had entrusted her with the 


a Simcoe’s Mil. Journal. 
6b Heath’s Mem. 353. 


606 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


care of £30 in gold and silver—not daring to carry this amount about 
his person, as he was going a long journey into the interior. 

On receiving her charge, Miss Valentine, for greater security concealed 
it in her dress, designing to keep it there until the owner’s safe return. 

The same evening of Mr. Sneden’s departure, a party of Skinners 
forced their way into her bed-room, dragged her from the bed, and 
demanded her money. ‘This she either denied possessing, or refused to 
deliver; whereupon, becoming violent, she called to her brother. During 
the scuffle that followed her brother’s entrance, she contrived to crawl 
out at the foot of the bed, hoping, in this way, to escape unobserved. In 
this, she was disappointed ; the villains observed and again seized her. In 
the violent attempt made to extricate herself the second time, the money 
fell on the floor, or, as she herself described it “‘was fairly shook out of 
her.” The freebooters greedily seized it, and marched off, delighted with 
the success of their enterprize. 

In this town is situated Berrian’s Neck, the ancient WVipnichsen of the 
Mohegans. The Dutch conferred upon it the name of Konstabelsche 
hoek, or Point, from its owner, William Constable. This neck forms the 
northern bank, at the mouth, of the noted Spyt den Dyvel Kil, or 
channel. At an early period it belonged to Samuel Edsall. From the 
Edsalls it passed to the Tippetts, who, during the revolutionary struggle, 
adhered to the side of the Crown. In consequence, their property was 
confiscated to the State, (the Tippetts having removed to Nova Scotia,) 
and sold to Samuel Berrian, who married Dorcas a daughter of George 
Tippett,“ former proprietor. A second daughter became the wife of the 
celebrated Col. James de Lancey, one of the boldest leaders of the 
Neutral Ground. In 1796, Samuel Berrian, the father of Richard and 
grand-father of the late Rev. William Berrian, rector of Trinity church, 
New York, sold the whole estate of Tippett’s Neck, consisting of 200 
acres, to his nephew, Abraham Berrian. 

The latter was the son of Richard Berrian, by his wife Grace, daughter 
of Abraham Riker of Newtown, L. I, and grand-son of Cornelius the 
son of John, the eldest son of Cornelis Jansen Berrian who settled in 
Flatbush, L. I.,.as early as 1669. He married Jannet, daughter of 
Jan Stryker; and, being a person of character and education, enjoyed 
offices in the town government, and was likewise a deacon of the Dutch 
church. In 1685 he removed his residence to Newtown, where he died 
in 1689. 


a “‘A true inventory of all and singnlar the goods &c. of George Tippetts of Yonkers was 
taken 29th day of Sept., 1675, by Thos. Hunt of Westchester, Wm. Heydon of Eastchester and 
Edw. Griffin of Flushing.”—Surr. Office N. Y., No. 1, p. 234, wills and adm. 1665-1680. 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 607 


All testimony unites in ascribing to this family a French origin; and 
is made probable that the seat of their ancestors was at Berrien, now a 
considerable town in the department of Finisterre. Concurrent traditions, 
existing in diverse branches of the family, declare their ancestor was a 
Huguenot, who, during the civil wars of France was forced to flee and 
take refuge in Holland. 

The children of Abraham—were Abraham who died in 1851, aged 71; 
Nathaniel, died in 1847, aged 65; Richard, blind, died 1827, aged 40; 
Rebecca married George Brinkerhoff; Grace-Moore, married Major 
Leonard Bleecker; Charity, married John Hoogland, and Mary. 

The neck remains yet undivided. The heirs are Abraham Berrian, 
John Hoogland, and Mr. Bleecker. 

There are remains of three distinct forts on Tippett or Berrian’s Neck, 
which once formed a part of the chain of hill batteries reaching from 
the North to the East Rivers. On January the 19th, 1777, (says Gen. 
Heath,) it was determined to make an attempt to cut off the British bat- 
talion within King’s Bridge, early the next morning, by passing a strong 
detachment over Spitten Devil Creek on the ice, which, however, was 
not very strong, but the weather wascold. One thousand were detached 
for this purpose ; but the weather having grown warm in the night, the 
ice was judged, by the unanimous opinion of all the general officers on 

*the ground, to be too hazardous, on the morning of the zoth, to venture 
the attempt. On this day there was a cannonade on both sides, and the 
enemy on the island side were thrown into much confusion. Our Gen- 
eral observed that when the enemy within the island were cannonaded 
across Haarlem Creek, they sheltered themselves behind the little hill 
near the bridge, next to Spitten Devil Creek. On this afternoon he rode 
round on to Tippett’s Hill, which was in its rear, and found that a field- 
piece, drawn up on that side, would leave the enemy no hiding place. 
On the 21st, a cannonade commenced again on both sides. In the 
afternoon a field-piece was hauled up to Tippett’s Hill, and the enemy 
being cannonaded both in front and rear, they were thrown into the ut- 
most confusion : some secured themselves in their redoubt, others under 
the banks ; some lay flat on the ground, and some betook themselves to 
the cellars: so that in a short time there was no object for the gun- 
ners.” 

The principal fort now standing on the neck is situated a little south 
of the residence of Mr. Whiting, on the property of Mr. John Ewings. 
It is in the form of a hollow square, with banks fifteen or twenty feet 


a Ricker’s annals of Newtown, L. I., p. 338-340, 
b Heath’s Mem. 110, 


608 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER, 


high. Nothing can exceed the boldness ofthe scenery, as viewed from 
this elevated spot ; below, the steep sides of the neck are bordered with 
beautiful woodland that skirts the shores of the majestic Hudson; while 
beyond, the palisades are seen abruptly rising in all their grandeur from 
the opposite margin of the river. South-east are the distant heights 
of Fordham and Westchester, and north, the Hudson reaching into the 
Tappaan Zee. 

The remains of “ Jndian shell beds,” are still visible immediately in 
the rear of the fort. Foot paths leads through the woods that skirt the 
river to the extreme point of the neck. ‘The Berrian residence, a fine 
structure of stone, now occupied by Mr. Tucker, is situated on rising 
ground near the extreme point; its beautiful situation claims notice. 
The Hudson here expands its waters; and, united with those of the 
Haarlem river at the mouth of the Spuyten Duyvel, gives a beautiful lake- 
like appearance to the whole ; the winding creek, the heights of Ford- 
ham and wooded hills of New York island, serve to unite and blend a 
landscape which might have inspired the pen of a Thompson or the 
pencil of a Claude. The old Tippett mansion is located on the eas- 
tern side of this neck, embosomed in the bank and shaded with tall pop- 
lars. It possesses a desolate and antiquated appearance, in perfect 
keeping with the strange stories that are told of its still being haunted 
by the ghosts of the old tories. Deer are.said to have frequented the 
woods bordering on this neck as late as 1782. 

The mouth of the Spuyt den duyvel kil and Berrian’s neck will ever 
be memorable as the scene of the fight between Hendrick Hudson and 
the Indians, A. D. 1609. 

At day-break on the 22d of October, the Halve Maen (Crescent) 
sailed from Tellers Point on her passage down the river, with a fair 
wind, twenty-one miles, till the tides set too strong against her, when she 
came to anchor near the upper end of Manhattan Island. ‘“ The two 
captive Indians who had escaped at West Point had, it appears, made 
their way on the east side of the river, rousing on their return the spirits 
of Sleepy Hollow,¢ or the more ferocious Manhatta,» and here ‘in the 
inlet of Haarlem river, they had concentrated a force that impatiently 
awaited the arrival of the rich booty, which they flattered themselves 
they should obtain.” __ 

“They had not waited long ere the Halve Maen appeared, and im- 
mediately hove to, near their place of ambush. One of the Indians who 

a Of the Mahicanni nation, who lived, says Moulton, 4 little north-west of White-Plains,— 
Irving's Sketch Book. 

b Who probably extended to Tappan Bay.—Moulton. 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 609 


had escaped from Hudson’s vessel now came out with many others, 
armed with bows and arrows, expecting to betray them.”* But, says 
Juet the mate of Hudson’s vessel, ‘‘we perceived their intent, and suf- 
fered none of them to enter our ship, whereupon two canoes full of men 
with bows and arrows shot at us after our stern, in recompense whereof 
we discharged six muskets and killed two or three of them; then above 
one hundred of them came to a point of land to shoot at us, then, I shot 
a falcon at them and killed two of them: whereupon the rest fled into 
the woods. Yet they manned off another canoe with nine or ten men, 
which came to meet us; so I shot at it also a falcon, and shot it through 
and killed one of them, then our men with muskets killed three or four 
more of them, so they went their way.”8 

It was here, too, that during the absence of the illustrious Peter Stuy- 
vesant, who was then occupied in reducing the Swedish fortress on the 
Delaware, a body of nine hundred Indians having crossed the river, 
came and landed at ‘“‘Spiteing Devil” creek. Here they posted them- 
selves, and remained until they were apprised of his return.¢ 

The waters of the kill or channel, derive their name from a daring 
Dutch burgher of the Manhattans, who, bent upon performing some 
deed of knight errantry, determined upon crossing this stream in a vio- 
lent storm, in opposition to the remonstrances of his friends ; swearing 
he would swim across “en spyt den duyvel,” (in spite of the devil), but 
scarcely had he reached the channel when he was overwhelmed by the 
stormy billows and sank to rise no more. 

This incident has been well described in the Sketch Book, by Wash- 
ington Irving, although he has fixed a much later date for the origin ot 
the name than we find it recorded in the Colonial annals. It is entitled, 


“THE DOLEFUL DISASTER OF ANTHONY THE TRUMPETER.”’ 


‘‘Stuyvesant resolutely bent upon defending his beloved city (New Amster- 
dam) in spite of itself, called unto him his trusty Nan Corlear, who was his right 
hand man in all times of emergency. Him did he adjure to take his war de- 
nouncing trumpet, and mounting his horse, to beat up the country, night and 
day, sounding the alarm along the pastoral borders of the Bronx, starting the 
wild solitudes of Croton, arousing the rugged yeomanry of Weehawk and Ho- 
boken, the mighty men of battle of Tappan bay, and the brave boys of Tarry- 
town and Sleepy Hollow, together with all the other warriors of the country 
round about; charging them one and all, to sling their powder horns, shoulder - 
their fowling pieces, and march merrily down to the Manhattans. Now there . 


a@ Moulton’s Hist. N. Y. part i, 272, 2, 
6 Hudson's Journal. 
ce Egbert Benson’s Mem. N, Y. 94. 


610 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


was nothing in all the world, the divine sex excepted, that Anthony van Corlear 
loved better than errands of this kind. So just stopping to take a lusty dinner, 
and bracing to his side his junk bottle, well charged with heart inspiring Hol- 
lands, he issued jollily from the city gate that looked out upon what is at present 
called Broadway ; sounding as usual a farewell strain, that rung in sprightly 
echoes through the winding streets of New Amsterdam. Alas! never more 
were they to be gladdened by the melody of their favorite trumpeter! it was a 
dark and stormy night when the good Anthony at the famous creek (sagely 
denominated Harlem river) which separates the island of Manna-hata from the 
main land. The wind was high, the elements were in an uproar, and no Charon 
could be found to ferry the adventurous sounder of brass across the water. 

‘For a short time he vapoured like an impatient ghost upon the brink; and 
then, bethinking himself of the urgency of his errand, took a hearty embrace of 
his stone bottle, swore most valorously that he would swim across, ‘en spyt den 
duyvel,’ (in spite of the devil!) and daringly plunged into the stream. Luckless 
Anthony! scarce had he buffeted half way over, when he was observed to 
struggle violently, as if battling with the spirit of the waters; instinctively he 
put his trumpet to his mouth, and giving a vehement blast, sunk forever to the 
bottom ! 

‘*The potent clangour of his truampet—like the ivory horn of the renowned 
Paladin Orlando, when expiring in the glorious field of Roncesvalles—rung far 
and wide through the country, alarming the neighbours around, who hurried in 
amazement to the spot. Here an old Dutch burgher, famed for his veracity, 
and who had been a witness of the fact, related to them the melancholy affair ; 
with the fearful addition, (to which I am slow in giving belief,) that he saw the 
duyvel, in the shape of a huge moss-bonker, seize the sturdy Anthony by the leg, 
and drag him beneath the waves. Certain it is, the place with the adjoining 
promontory which projects into the Hudson, has been called ‘spyt den duyvel,’ or 
Spuyten Duyvel, ever since. The restless ghost of the unfortunate Anthony still 
haunts the surrounding solitudes, and his trumpet has often been heard by the 
neighbors, of a stormy night, mingling with the howling of the blast. Nobody 
ever attempts to swim over the creek after dark; on the contrary, a bridge has 
been built to guard against such melancholy accidents in future.”4 


This creek, and neighboring waters, are also celebrated for their shad 
fishery. The season for fishing commences in March, and continues 
throughout April and May. It is entirely governed by the influx and 
reflux of the tide, or the last of the flood and ebb. The fishermen make 
four lifts every twenty-four hours. The aggregate value of this fish, 
(the Alosa Sapidissima, Rap.,) taken in the Hudson river. and neigh- 
boring waters south of the Highlands, amounts to $100,000 annually. 

The small settlement of Kings Bridge bordering on the Haarlem river, 
took its name from a ferry and bridge established here at a very early 
period of the Colonial administraticn. The Westchester side of the 
bridge (where stands the Macomb’s mansion,) was formerly an island 


a Beauties of Washington Irving, p. 198, 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 611 


called by the Indians Paperinemen, as we find the Director General, 
William Kieft, granting unto Matys (Matthew) Jansen the isle of Paper- 
inemen, 18th August, 1646.* 1674, John Archer, lord of the manor of 
Fordham, laid claim to a neck of land called Humock Island, commonly 
called by the Indians Paperinemen, which he asserted he had by patent. 
But it would appear that governor Lovelace had already settled an indi- 
vidual by the name of Vervelen upon the island to keep a ferry for the 
accomodation of passengers between the island and the Westchester 
shore. To satisfy Archer's claim, however, the secretary of the colony, 
Matthias Nicolls, agreed to pay a yearly rent for the same, 

In 1692, His Excellency the Governor “out of great favour and good - 
to the city of New York proposed the building of a bridge over the 
spiken devil ferry.” 

The same year at a meeting of the Mayor, Aldermen and Assistants, 
we find them petitioning the Governor : — 


‘«That as Frederick Phillipse will undertake to build the bridge at the said plaze, 
for the conveniency of all travellers and droves of cattle at a moderate and 
reasonable toll; they do therefore humbly pray, that if the said Phillipse will 
undertake, in one year’s time, to build a good and convenient draw bridge for the 
passage of all travellers, droves of cattle and passage of carts and waggons, for 
the toll of one penny for every neat cattle, and two pence for each man and horse, 
and 12 pence for each score of hogs and sheep, and six pence for each cart and 
waggon that shall pass thereon, that he may have the preference of their majes- 
ties grant for the same by having a bridge built there.” 


The following year, 1693, the 5th of King William the third and 
Queen Mary, the Ferry, Island and meadow were confirmed to Frederick 
Philipse, Lord of the manor of Philipsburgh, by royal charter and 
power given him to erect thereon a bridge and to receive a certain toll 
therein specified, and furthermore the said bridge to be henceforth 
called King's Bridge.4 

Madam Knight on her journey from New York to New Haven in the 
year 1704, speaks thus of this place: ‘ About 5 o’clock came to Spiting 
Devil, else Kings Bridge, where they pay three pence for passing over 
with a horse, which the man, that keeps the gate set up at the end of 
the bridge, receives.” 

During the war of the revolution, Kings Bridge constituted the “ dar 


a Dutch Trans. Rec. G. G. p. 360. 

& Minutes of Common Council N. Y. Vol. ii. 70. 
¢ Minutes of Common Council, Vol. ii. 70. 

d Charter of Philipsburgh. 

e Journal Madam Knight, 56, 


612 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


rier” of the British line, when they occupied New York Island, while as 
far north as the Croton extended, the “ eutral Ground.” Like the 
pass of ancient Thermopylae, Kings Bridge can boast of her faithful 
bands of Spartans, who fought for “liberty or death.” As early as May 
25, 1775, Congress ordered :— 


‘** That a post be immediately taken and fortified, at or near Kings Bridge, and 
that the ground be chosen with a particular view to prevent the communication 
between the city of New York and the country from being interrupted by land,” 


On the abandonment of Manhattan Island in, 1776, by the American 
Army, Kings Bridge was occupied by the American General as head- 
quarters. 

This bridge was the scene of a bloody conflict between a portion of 
the Continental army under the command of Major General Heath, and 
a large body of Hessians under Knyphausen. 

January 17, 1777, a detachment ‘says Heath with two field pieces, 
was ordered to move to the north of the fort, (in which was a garrison 
of Hessians who had refused to surrender,) to a hill above Harlem 
creek, not far from the New Bridge. When the detachment arrived at 
this place, a battalion of Hessians appeared drawn up on the side of 
the hill just within Kings Bridge, and back of Hyatt’s tavern. Our 
general (Heath) ordered the artilery to cannonade them immediately. 
The first shot cleared the nght of the battalion, nearly a platoon settling 
down as the shot passed them, which entered the bank close behind 
them. The second shot passed about the centre of the battalion, when 
to the amount of a grand division settled down, which was an evidence 
that they would not stand much longer. One of the pieces was ordered 
to be drawn lower down the hill; on which the battalion quitted their 
ground and marched off as fast as they could, without running to get 
behind the redoubt and hill at the bridge, receiving one shot more as they 
were turning round the point. It was not suspected that the enemy had 
any cannon in the redoubt within the bridge, but they now began to 
cannonade the artillery men who had descended the hill, who had to 
draw up their pieces as fast as possible, which they effected without any 
loss but received three or four shots quite among them, before they 
could reach the top of the hill.”X The attack on the 19th and aist 
has been already detailed in the account of Tippetts hill. 

In July, 1778, Lord Cathcart held the command of the British forces 
at Kings Bridge. 


a The new bridge was erected by Jacob Dykeman and Johannes Vermilyea, previous to the 
war, for the purpose of avoiding the toll of the old bridge. 


b Heath's Mem. 109. 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS, 613 

“The late skirmish, (says Heath,) writing in 1781, near King’s 
Bridge, was occasioned by the American army’s moving down, in order 
to give the French officers a view of the British out-posts near the 
bridge. A number of Americans were killed and wounded by long 
shot from the yaugers of the enemy, who kept up a popping fire 
whenever they could reach our troops.”4 

The vestiges of the military camp pits can still be traced on the hills 
around the bridge, while within a few feet of it the remains of a British 
officer were recently disinterred—and, incredible as it may seem, in his 
full uniform ; the brass buttons as perfect as the day they were moulded, 
containing the number of his regiment. 

King’s Bridge was also the rendezvous of a corps of freebooters 
called “ Cow Boys,” whose bands ravaged the surrounding hills and 
valleys. ‘On the part of the British,” remarks the author of the Spy, 
“the stimulus of loyalty was by no means suffered to sleep where so 
fruitful a field offered on which it might be expended. But their free- 
booters were enrolled, and their efforts more systematized. Long ex- 
perience had taught their leaders the efficacy of concentrated force ; and 
unless tradition does great injustice to their exploits, the result did no 
little credit to their foresight. ‘The corps—we presume from their well 
known affection to that useful animal—had received the significant 
appellation of ‘Cow Boys.’”’ The morality of these heroes of the 
Neutral Ground, was of a singular kind: the rapine by which they 
subsisted, they accounted lawful and honorable. 

King’s Bridge lies prettily situated in a beautiful vale near the con- 
fluence of the Hudson and Harlem Rivers. It is almost surrounded 
by high rolling hills, whose tops are crowned by hill forts and fine spread- 
ing woods. This spot was first chosen as the site of the city of New 
Amsterdam, on account of its secure and inland position. 

Immediately west of the bridge flows Z7ppet?s Brook, the Mosholu of 
the Indians, and here it unites with the Haarlem River. This latter 
stream, formerly called the Muscoota,’ has been long known as a favorite 
resort to the angler. The beautiful striped bass (Labrax Lineatus, 
Cuvier,) abounds in these waters. The fishing season usually com- 
mences in May, and reaches perfection in the months of September and 
October. The baits preferred (although they vary according to location) 
are the soft crab, shrimp and squid, or common cuttle fish. The bass is 


a Heath’s Mem. 294, 
b Spy, i, 24. 
c This name frequently applies to the Harlem River in the Albany and County Records. |, 


614 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


well known to be an anadromous, living in the salt water, but generally 
spawning in the fresh. These fish sometimes attain to a large size. 

The favorite station of the angler is the New Bridge. The present 
tavern at King’s Bridge occupies the site of the old Dyckman Hotel, in 
which its landlords were wont to entertain the ancient aldermen of the 
Manhattans. 

The residence of the late Robert Macomb, Esq., now occupied by his 
widow, lies beautifully embossed in shrubbery, commanding fine views of 
the bridge, creek, New York island, and neighboring hills. Among the 
latter stands prominent Zefard’s Height, with its powder house, and 
Fort Independence. From this hill the continental army retreated, on the 
approach of General Knyphausen, in 1776. The pleasure grounds 
around the Macomb mansion, are tastily laid out in shrubberies and 
walks, while the beautiful waters of the “dAfuscoota” add variety to the 
scenery. 

In one of the rooms we noticed a beautiful painting, by Waldo, of 
Major Gen. Alexander Macomb. This family is descended from the 
MacCombie’s, of Ireland, an ancient and honorable stock who removed 
to that country from Scotland. The grand-father of the General was 
John Macomb, who emigrated from Ireland to this country in 1742, and 
held an official place under the Colonial government. He established 
himself in New York, where his son Alexander Macomb, father of 
Major Gen. Alexander, was educated. The father was a representative 
in the State Legislature, from the city of New York, in 1787-8, and 
during the late war with Great Britain he furnished five sons for the 
service of his country in the militia and regular army. He afterwards 
removed to Detroit, where he amassed a large fortune in the fur trade. 
Here he married Catharine Navarre, a lady of noble French extraction. 
Major General Alexander Macomb was born 3d April, 1782. 

This distinguished individual was the hero of Plattsburgh, and sub- 
sequently General-in-chief (May, 1828, until his decease, June, 1846) of 
.the United States army. His sister married Capt. Arent Schuyler de 
Peyster. 

Leaving the Bridge, the approach to the village of Yonkers from the 
south possesses many points of interest. Along the edge of the valley 
are scattered beautiful knolls and high ranges of hills, either cultivated or 
covered with woods ; to the left, seated on a fine, wooded hill, is a large 
stone mansion, erected by Augustus van Cortlandt, Esq., A.D. 1822, up- 
on the site of a much older building, which was destroyed by fire A. D. 


a The arms of McComb or McCoombe, ar. a saltire per fesse and per saltire, or and az. 
countercharged. 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 615 


1822. The ascent to the house is through the romantic woods of Cort- 
landt’s ndge. The road passes over a deep ravine, watered by a pictur- 
esque brook, and through high masses of frowning rock. The lawn in 
front commands a view of the vale of Yonkers, while at the foot of the 
hill runs Tippett’s Brook. 

The farm house situated on this property was built by Frederick van 
Cortlandt, A. D. 1766. In 1848, flourishing upon the lawn in the rear 
of the mansion, was an aged apple tree marked with the name of Jacobus 
van Cortlandt—date illegible. 

This property, which lies directly north of Berrian’s Neck, passed, up- 
on the death of Frederick van Cortlandt, to his brother Augustus van 
Cortlandt. The latter, by will, bequeathed the same to his grandson 
Augustus Morris, “ provided he assumed the name of Van Cortlandt.” 
Augustus van Cortlandt subsequently sold the property to Samuel B. 
Thompson, John Ewing, William C. Wetmore, and James R. Whiting. 
The latter gentleman has recently erected a beautiful stone residence on 
the western side of the neck, which commands extensive prospects of the 
Hudson and palisades; the entrance is by a beautiful road that winds 
through a thick wood to the house. The Van Cortlandt mansion and 
surrounding property belongs to Samuel B. Thompson, Esq., and is now 
occupied by the McFarlane family. The western side of Cortlandt’s 
ridge embraces fine views of the Hudson River, palisades and hills 
stretching northwards. Upon the property of W. C. Wetmore, Esq., 
there is a celebrated white oak, which stands in the midst of a pretty 
glade called the “ Cow Bov Oak,” from the fact that these lawless des- 
peradoes were often suspended from its branches. 


‘* Short was their shrift, and sure the cord.” 
[ Rokeby. 


Cortlandt house, the ancient residence of the Van Cortlandt family, 
stands in the vale below, about one mile north from Kings Bridge, on 
the road leading to the village of Yonkers. Prior to the purchase of, 
the Philipses, this estate (as before shown) formed a portion of the fief 
of Colen-donck, and was styled the ‘‘ Old Yonckers.” From the Pat- 
roon Adriaen van der Donck, it passed. through the hands of various 
proprietors to the Hon. Frederick Philipse, who sold it to his son-in-law 
Jacobus van Cortlandt, A.D. 1699. Since then, it has been considera- 
bly enlarged by other purchases. The whole eight hundred and fifty 
acres is now vested in his descendant, Augustus van Cortlandt, Esq., 
with the exception of one hundred and five acres which has been laid 
out by competent engineers, as Oloff Park. This beautiful and valua- 


616 HISTORY OF “THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 

\ 
ble part of the Cortlandt estate, is but half a mile north of New York 
city, and lies almost entirely on elevated ground, from portions of 
which most beautiful views reward the visitor. Jerome Park lies just 
south of it, and the magnificent Central avenue is not more than a 
quarter of a mile distant. 

A broad avenue named Van Cortlandt, has been opened through the 
Park, and the most elevated portion has been set aside for a park within 
a park. Fronting on this enclosure which has been named Stevenson 
Park, are most beautiful villa sites, containing from ten to forty city lots. 
Oloff Park has as its boundaries, three important and ancient roads; the 
old Albany Post Road, the old Boston Post Road, and the road from 
Yonkers to William’s Bridge and Westchester. In addition to these and 
Van Cortlandt avenue, referred to above, Gouvenure avenue, Stevenson 
avenue and Lesler place, have been laid out within the limits of the 
park. 

The Central Park Commissioners, who have done so much to beau- 
tify and improve the upper portion of New York Island, now have, 
by act of the Legislature, supreme control over this part of Westchester 
County—and by opening Central avenue and Grand Boulevards, draining 
low grounds and providing water supply for the future inhabitants, will 
soon make this part of the county approximate in value to the most 
valuable lots up town; and, secondly, it is very confidently predicted 
that before many years, the business part of the city will be in the neigh- 
borhood of the Harlem river. With Hell Gate cleared of its obstructions, 
the last obstacle to the change in the course of shipping will be re- 
moved. 

It is believed that then, ships, instead of entering by way of the Bay will 
come by way of Long Island Sound, and have their wharves near and 
along the Harlem River ; that the latter will be made a grand ship canal 
through which communication with the Hudson and inland towns will 
be made. Already the late far-sighted Commodore Vanderbilt, has a 
railroad chartered—and we believe, under contract—which is to connect 
Spuyten Duyvil on the Hudson with the future port at the other end of 
Harlem River. 

Jacobus van Cortlandt, the first of the name who enjoyed this estate 
was the second son of the Right Hon. Oloff Stevensen van Cortlandt, 
a native of Cortlandt in Holland, who came out to this country in the 
military service of the Dutch West India Company, and grandson of 
the Right Hon. Steven van Cortlandt a lineal descendant of the ancient 
Dukes of Cortlandt or Courland. Jacobus married in 1691 Eva 
Philipse daughter of the Hon. Frederick Philipse of the manor of 


To face page 616, vol ii. PEDIGREE OF VAN CORTLANDT, OF YONKERS. 


Arms:—Arg. the wings or arms of a wind-mill slatierways sa, voided of the field, five estoiles gu. Crest :—An estoile gu. between two wings elevated arg. Motto :— Virtus sibi munus. 


Right Hon. Steven Van Cortlandt_.... 


Right Hon. bio Stevensen, or__Annetje Loockermans, da, of Govert Loockermans 


Orloff Stevens Van Cortlandt | and Ariantje his wife, mar. 1642, ob. 1669. 
Right Hon. Stephanus Van Cortlandt,_Gertrude Schuyler Taedbus Van Cortlandt, of Yonkers, son of the _Eva Philipse, da, Peter Randolph DeVries and sohtanies Van Cortlandt, 
nat. 7th May, 1643; ancestor of the Right Hon. Oloff Steveusen, nat. 7th July,| Margaret Hardenbrock, and adopted da. of nat. Oct, 18th, 1648, ob. 
Cortlandt branch—vide Pedigree, 1658, marriage license dated 7th May, 1691. Frederick Philipse, Lord of the Manor of Phil- 1667, S. Dp. 
| ipsborough, nat. 30th October, 1660 
Frederick Van Cortlandt, nat. 1698, Frances Jay, married 19th January, mi areh A wratiam De Peyster fale —Hon, John Chambers Mary —Peter Jay, father of the 
ob. 12th February, 1749. | 1724, ob. 2d August, 1780, Ton. John Jay. 
Bs I f [= | F : j | fs 
Jacobus Van Cortlandt, nat. Augustus Van Cortlandt, —1.Miss Cuyler, Frederick, nat. 28th March, Eva nat, 5th Nov. _Menry White, nat. Anna Maria —1,Nathaniel Marston Eva, nat, 28th Merch, 1752, 
3d Mar., 1726, ob. 1st April, nat. 3d August, 1728, —2.Catharine Barclay, of 1730, ob. 8. p. 1800. 1737, ob. Ooct,, 28th Mar., 1782. nat. 1786, Whose da Mary mar. ob. 8. p. 1733. 
1781. ob. 1823, Santa Cruz, West 1836. Captain Philipse. 
: Indies. 2. Augustus Van Horn. 
| 
James van Cortlandt, Helen Van Cortlandt James Morris, of Anne van Cort- een White Admiral J an White Gen. trea White william White avn _Sir John Macnamara Hayes Haveaxet —Peter Jay Monro Frances—Archibald Bruce, 
nat. 3d March, 1726, nat. 4th Jan. ,1768. Morrisania. landt, nat. 18th M.D. 
ob. 1st April, 1781. Jan.,1766, ob, Aug. 3, 1814 7 
7 i at 5 | | 

L u y L b L ty L L 4 AGL en, ob. Ist April, 1839, aoe assumed the name of ale aercian Catharine. Fraiaed iechia Oe Gro- Harriet Angusta_E. N. Bibby, M. D. 
I A s 4 = S & Se S. p. et. 44, assumed the Van Cortlandt, and inherit- Schermerhorn Bayley shong 
a ¢ Roo 8 2 Pio 8 S name of Van Cortlandt, and ed the Yonkers estate, un- Ta r ail 

hr Fy 6 sg inherited under his grand- der his brother’s will, ob. Augustus Van Cortlandt Henry W. Anne W._R.Glover — Frances_Thos. James 

= ‘ father’s will, 13th October, 1839, zt. 38. heir of his uncle Augus- Bibby Augusta de Lancey. 

tus, proprietor of Cort- 

= Jandt, Yonkers. 


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7 ay Mie 4 : 


» 


iy 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 617 


Philipsburgh. Besides the Yonkers estate, Jacobus van Cortlandt was 
a large landed proprietor in the town of Bedford, in this county. This 
individual was an eminent merchant of New York city, where he was 
born on the 7th of July 1668. He was also one of the five members 
returned by the High Sheriff to represent the city and county of New 
York in the Colonial Assembly, A. D. 1691. 

He was, too, elected to represent the Dock ward in the Common 
Council for several years, and subsequently (1710-1719) held the office 
of Mayor. He died in the spring of 1739. 

By his will, dated 12th of May, 1739, he devised and bequeathed 
unto his son Frederick van Cortlandt, 


‘All that my farm situate lying and being in a place commonly called and 
known by the name of the Little or Lower Yonckers &c., and all other the land, 
meadows and real estate, Iam seized of or have a right to in the Manor of 
Philipsburgh, &c., for his natural life, and from and after his decease to the heirs 
male lawfully begotten, &c. To hiseldest daughter, Margaret, wife of Abraham 
de Peyster, property in the city of New York; and the same to his remaining 
daughters, Anne, wife of John Chambers, and Mary, wife of Peter Jay. 


Frederick van Cortlandt only son of the above testator, married 
Frances Jay, daughter of the Huguenot, Augustus Jay, by his wife Anna 
Maria Bayard. 

Upon the death of Frederick van Cortlandt, rath Feb., 1749,° the 
estate devolved by the will of Jacobus, senr. to Jacobus van Cortlandt 
jun., eldest son and heir at law of Frederick. This individual, better 
known as Col. James van Cortlandt, nobly used his influence (while 
residing here during the war,) in ameliorating the condition of his 
suffering countrymen. It not unfrequently happened that a poor 
neighbour was robbed of everything he possessed ; upon application to 
Col. van Cortlandt he would assume his red watch coat, and mounting 
his horse ride down to the city, to intercede in their behalf. He seldom 
applied in vain, such was the universal respect for his character. Pre- 
vious to the close of the war he was compelled to leave his country 
residence at Yonckers, on account of ill health. He died shortly after- 
wards in the city of New York, rst of April, 1781. His remains were 
interred in the family tomb, Vault Hill. On the death of Col. James 
van Cortlandt, the property passed to his brother, Augustus van Cort- 
landt, the next heir of the entail. This gentleman held the office of Clerk 
of the Common Council in New York, on the breaking out of the Rev- 


a Surrogate’s office, N. Y. fol. xiii, 425. 


6 The will of Frederick van C. bears date 2d Oct. 1749. To his wife Frances he bequeaths 
two negro girls and a four wheeled chaise. His children were James, Augustus, Frederick, 
Anna Maria and Eva —Surrogate’s office, N. Y. fol. xviii 62. 


618 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


olution ; this appears from the following letter addressed by him to the 
New York Committee of Safety—Dated Sept. 5, 1775 :— 


“‘Gents.—Being requested by the Provincial Congress to enquire for some 
place of safety to deposite the public records in, and to inform the Committee of 
safety thereof, agreeable to which, Mr. Cortlandt informs the committee of safety, 
that previous to the above request, he caused the public records to be put into 
chests, and secured them in a cellar in his garden, made for that purpose, of 
stone and brick, well arched and exceedingly dry. This precaution was taken 
against accidents happening by fire; should the city be invaded by an army from 
Great Britain, or British troops, he in such case intended to remove them to his 
brother’s at Yonkers, in the county of Westchester. If the committee of safety 
shall judge any other place more secure, Mr. Van Cortlandt will be glad to be in- 
formed thereof, that he may communicate the same to the corporation of this 
city for their approbation.” 

He remains their most obedient humble servant, 
AvGusTus VAN CorRTLANDT. 


By the will of the above Augustus van Cortlandt, dated 2zoth of De- 
cember, 1823, he bequeathes his property after the following manner :— 


‘‘ WHEREAS, the greatest part of the lands and real estate which I occupy and 
hold in the town of Yonkers, was derived to me by inheritance from my ances- 
tors; and, whereas I have lately purchased several tracts and pieces of land also 
lying in ye said town of Yonkers, which I at present occupy and possess, &c. 
Item, it is my desire that the same remain entire, and pass from time to time to 
one of my surname and family; whereupon I do hereby give and devise all my 
lands and real estate, and all dwelling houses, mills and other buildings thereon 
in the town of Yonkers, &c., unto my affectionate relations, John Jay and Peter 
Augustus Jay, and to their heirs for ever, except a certain dwelling house and 
farm in the said town of Yonkers, and a lot of ground near my mill-pond, &c., 
which belonged to my late brother, Frederick van Cortlandt, to hold. the same in 
trust for the following uses: viz., 1st, To hold the same for my son-in-law, Hen- 
ry White, late the husband of my deceased daughter, Anna White, for and dur- 
ing the time of his natural life. 2nd, For and after the decease of my son in-law 
Henry White, and in case Augustus, the son of the said Henry White and my 
said deceased daughter shall survive the said Henry White, then to hold the same 
for the use of the said Augustus, and his heirs and assignees, on condition that 
from and after my decease, he do take and constantly and exclusively use the 
name of Van Cortlandt, &c., &c.’ 


Augustus van Cortlandt, the above devisee, subsequently took posses- 
sion of the estate under the will of his grandfather, the above testator. 
The Revised Statues of 1825, having abolished the entail, Augustus 
became possessed of the estate in fee simple. Upon the 18th of Feb., 
1827, Augustus van Cortlandt bequeathed the Yonkers to his brother 


a American Archives, 4th series, vol. iii, 645. 
b Surrogate’s office, N. Y 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 619 


Henry, for life, and to his brother’s eldest son forever, provided they 
take and constantly use the name of “Van Cortlandt ;” and upon the 
failure of male heirs, to Henry, the testator provided that the property 
should pass to his nephew, Augustus van Cortlandt Bibby, son of his 
sister Augusta. 

Henry, the above devisee, took possession of the estate on his brother’s 
death, in 1839, and assumed the name of Van Cortlandt. Henry van 
Cortlandt died October, 1839, and was succeeded by his nephew, the 
present proprietor, Augustus van Cortlandt, Esq. 

The present mansion house, a large edifice of stone, was erected by 
Frederick van Cortlandt, A. D. 1748 ;% it forms a noble object when 
viewed from the lawn. The situation commands nearly the whole length 
of the vale of Yonkers; streaching south, the view is terminated only by 


Cortlandt House, the residence of Augustus Van Cortlandt, Esq. 


the high hills of New York island, and heights of Fordham. The pleasure 
grounds in front, appear to have been laid out in the ancient Dutch style, 
with high artificial banks, adorned with rows of stately box, venerable 
for their height and antiquity ; while beneath are still visible the remains 
of old fish ponds and jets d’eau. Above the old fashioned window, grim 
visages in the shape of corbels seem to frown upon the beholder. We 
suppose them to be a kind of “‘gemzi loci.” 

Two eagles surmount the posts of the old gateway facing the stables. 
These were part of the spoils taken from a Spanish privateer during the 


a The following item occurs in the will of Frederick van Cortlandt, dated 2nd of Oct., 1749: 
‘* whereas, I am now about finishing a large stone dwelling house on the piantation in which I 
now live, which, with the same plantation, will, by virtue of my deceased father’s will, devolve 
after my decease, upon my eldest son James, &c.—Surrogate’s office N. Y., fol. Xviil. 62. 


620 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


war; and presented to Augustus van Cortlandt, by Rear Admiral Robert 
Digby of the British navy. To the east of the house, the Mosholu (Tip- 
petts brook) pent up by the mill dam, forms an extensive sheet of water, 
which is greatly enriched by the vicinity of green meadows, orchards and 
neighboring hills. South of the pond is situated the old mill. Amid the 
grove of locusts on George’s point, a little north of the mill, stood the 
original residence of the Van Cortlandts. 

The interior of the present house is neatly fitted up and furnished, its 
drawing room and library-windows look out on beautiful prospects ; in the 
latter apartment are some fine family portraits: Henry White, jr., by 
Jarvis; Vice Admiral Sir John White, in full uniform, a copy by Chap- 
man from the original of Jarvis; Augustus Van Cortlandt, by Jarvis; 
Thomas Bibby, by Chapman; Mr. Babcock, by Stewart; and John 
White, sen., by Copley. 

The old family Bible of the Van Cortlandt’s, printed at Amsterdam, 
A.D. 1714, contains some curious memoranda of the Jay family. The 
first entry occurs, New York, den roth Jan., 1723-4. 

During the early period of the Revolutionary war, this house was gar- 
risoned by a piquet guard of the Green Yagers, whose officers held their 
head-quarters here. 

His Excellency, General Washington, and aids, dined in one of the 
apartments on the memorable July of 1781, when the British piquets 
were driven within the lines upon New York Island. In another room, 
the unfortunate Captain Rowe expired in the arms of his bride-elect. 

To the north of the mansion, is seen rising Vault Hill, so called from 
the family sepulchre, which is seated upon its summit. From this spot 
hallowed by the remains of the illustrious dead, the view is exceedingly 
beautiful; Tippett’s vale, the mill-pond, orchards, and neighboring hills. 
The vault itself is a small square edifice of stone, surmounted with a 
pointed roof, the whole enclosed by a solid stone wall. Within an ad- 
joining vault, in the same yard, repose the remains of 


CHARLOTTE AMELIA BAYLEY,«@ 
relic of Doctor RicHarp Bay ey, 
who died the Ist day of Sept., 

1805. 


It was upon this hill that General Washington stationed his troops and 
lighted camp-fires for the purpose of deceiving the enemy, whilst he secret- 
ly withdrew to join La Fayette before Yorktown, in Virginia, A.D. 1781. 


a This lady was a sister-in-law of Augustus Van Cortlandt, Sen. 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 621 


There are still the remains of a considerable fort on the north end of 
the ridge. During the Revolutionary struggle, the valley south from 
Vault Hill to Kings Bridge, appears to have been the constant scene of 
skirmishing between the two armies. 

On the 3d of July, 1781, General Washington planned an expedition 
to cut off Colonel James de Lancey, stationed in the vale, and Major 
Pruschanck, another British officer occupying Cortlandt ridge, in com- 
mand of the Yager horse. 

It had been so arranged that the Duke of Lauzun should march to 
Williams’ Bridge, and there make his rendezvous till daylight the follow- 
ing morning. General Lincoln was to be piloted down from Tappan 
and landed below Yonkers, while Washington himself should take post 
on Valentine’s hill. Lauzun accordingly conducted his cavalry to Wil- 
liam’s Bridge, where he halted. In the mean time General Lincoln had 
been landed half a mile below the village, on the property now owned by 
Thomas W. Ludlow, Esq., then occupied by Isaac Post. After landing, 
Lincoln, guided by Major Lawrence, passed along shore south, missing 
Col. Emmerick with his corps marching north to Boar hill; then cross- 
ing over the hills east, Lincoln followed the course of Tippett’s brook, 
for the purpose of avoiding Pruschank’s corps, stationed upon Cort- 
landt’s ridge. Passing the Van Cortlandt residence, he kept close to the 
edge of Gun and Locust hills, and had arrived in the vicinity of General 
‘Montgomery's house, (then occupied by his widow,) unobserved by the 
sentinels on the opposite side, when the enemy’s patrol fired. De 
Lancey, instantly on the alert, commenced his retreat in face of General 
Lincoln’s advancing columns. Totten, De Lancey’s leutentant, seemed 
determined to make a stand, but soon received positive orders from De 
Lancey to retire, which he did, just in time to avoid the surprisal. 

Colonel Armand, the celebrated French cavalary officer made a dar- 
ing and successful attempt to surprise a large piquet of Green Yagers, 
stationed at Warner’s store, under the command of De Wurmb. For 
this purpose Armand left his quarters above the Croton and proceeded 
down the main post road to the village of Yonkers; after passing the 
village, and when in the neighborhood of the enemy’s encampment, he 
started his whole corps on a full gallop. The Yagershad taken the pre- 
caution to post a sentinel at Hadley’s spring, but the poor fellow became 
so perfectly alarmed and powerless on seeing the furious onset of Ar- 
mand’s horse, that he could give no alarm, and was instantly dispatched. 
The consequence was, the whole corps were killed or made prison- 
ers. Cononel Armand then made good his retreat, passing in front of the 
Van Cortlandt residence, and returning by way of Tippett’s valley. In 


622 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


the mean time the British bugle sounded to horse, and his enemies were 
in full pursuit. On arriving at the Van Cortlandt house a vigorous 
search was made for Armand, who was by this time far advanced on his 
retreat to the Croton. 

On the Van Cortlandt estate is situated Indian bridge and field; the 
the former crosses Tippet’s brook, the latter forms a portion of the Cort- 
landt woods—an extensive range of woodland to the north-east of the 
mansion. Both these places are memorable as the scene of a severe 
engagement between the British troops and Stockbridge Indians, on 
the 31st of August, 1778. 

The action is thus related in Simcoe’s Military Journal: — 


“Tt. Col. Simcoe, returning from head quarters, the 20th of August, heard a 
firing in front, and being informed that Lt. Col. Emmerick had patrolled, he 
immediately marched to his assistance. He soon met him retreating; and Lt. 
Col. Emmerick being of opinion the rebels were in such force, that it would be 
advisable to return, he did so. Lt. Col. Simcoe understood that Nimham, an 
Indian chief, and some of his tribe, were with the enemy; and by his spies, who 
were excellent, he was informed that they were highly elated at the retreat of 
Emmerick’s corps, and applied it to the whole of the light troops at Kingsbridge. 
Lt. Col. Simcoe took measures to increase their belief; and, ordering a day’s pro- 
vision to be cooked, marched the next morning, the 31st of August, a small dis- 
tance in front of the post, and determined to wait there the whole day, in hopes 
of betraying the enemy into an ambuscade; the country was most favorable to it. 
His idea was, as the enemy moved upon the road which is delineated in the plan as 
intersecting the country, to advance from his flanks; this movement would be 
perfectly concealed by the fall of the ground upon his right, and by the woods 
upon the left; and he meant to gain the heights in the rear of the enemy, attack- 
ing whomsoever should be within by his cavalry and such infantry as might be 
necessary. In pursuance of these intentions, Lt. Col. Emmerick with his corps, 
was detached from the Queen’s Rangers and Legion, as Lt. Col. Simcoe thought, 
fully instructed in the plan; however, he most unfortunately mistook the nearer 
house for one at a greater distance, the names being the same, and there he posted 
himself—and soon after sent from thence a patrol forward upon the road, before 
Lt. Col. Simcoe could have time to stop it. This patrol had no effect,not meet- 
ing with any enemy; had a single man of it deserted, or been taken, the whole 
attempt had, probably, been abortive. Lt. Col. Simcoe, who was half way up a 
tree, on the top of which was a drummer boy, saw a flanking party of the enemy 
approach. The troops had scarcely fallen into their ranks, when a smart firing 
was heard from the Indians, who had lined the fences of the road, and were 
exchanging shot with Lt. Col. Emmerick, whom they had discovered. The 
Queen’s Rangers moved rapidly to gain the heights, and Lieut. Col. Tarleton 
immediately advanced with the Hussars and the Legion cavalry ; not being able to 
pass the fences in his front, he made a circuit to return further upon their right; 
which being reported to Lieut. Col. Simcoe, he broke from the column of the 
Rangers, with the grenadier company, and, directing Major Ross to conduct the 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 623 


corps to the heights, advanced to the road, and arrived, without being perceived, 
within ten yards of the Indians. They had been intent upon the attack of 
Emmerick’s corps and the Legion; they now gave a yell, and fired upon the 
grenadier company, wounding four of them, and Lieut. Col. Simcoe. They were 
driven from the fences; and Lieut. Col. Tarleton, with the cavalry, got among 
them, and pursued them rapid:y down Cortlandt’s ridge. That active officer had 
a narrow escape; in striking at one of the fugitives, he lost his balance and fell 
trom his horse; luckily, the Indian had no bayonet, and his musket had been 
discharged. Lieut. Col. Simcoe joined the batallion and seized the heights. A 
captain of the rebel light infantry, and a few of his men were taken; but a body 
of them, under Major Stewart, who afterwards was distinguished at Stony Point, 
left the Indians and fled. ‘ 

‘“Though this ambuscade, its greater part, failed, it was of consequence. 
Near forty of the Indians were killed, or desperately wounded; among others, 
Nimham, a chieftain, who had been in England, and his son ; and it was reported 
to have stopped a larger number of them, who were excellent marksmen, from 
joining General Washington’s army. The Indian Doctor was taken ; and he said 
that when Nimham saw the grenadiers close in his rear, he called out to his peo- 
ple to fly, ‘that he himself was old, and would die there.’ He wounded Lieut. 
Col. Simcoe, and was killed by Wright, his orderly Hussar. The Indians fought 
most gallantly ; they pulled more than one of the cavalry from their horses. 
French, an active youth, bugle-horn to the Hussars, struck at an Indian, but 
missed his blow, the man dragged him from his horse, and was searching for his 
knife to stab him, when, loosening French’s hand, he luckily drew out a pocket- 
pistol and shot the Indian through the head, in which situation he was found. 
One man of the Legion cavalry was killed, and one of them, and two of the Hus- 
sars, wounded.”4 


The scene of this conflict lies on the land of the late Frederick Brown, 
now occupied by his widow. The struggle commenced in the second 
field west of Brown’s house, and close by the present road leading to 
Devaux’s. The opening in the Cortlandt woods still goes by the name 
of Indian Field. Here the-dead were buried. The Indians, according 
to the British account, led down the ridge across the present aqueduct, 
to what is called Zrdian Bridge ; which then, as now, crossed Tippett’s 
brook. On gaining the western bank, they secreted themselves amid 
the rocks and bushes; here the cavalry pursued them ; but being unable 
to scale the rocks, called upon the fugitives to surrender ; promising them 
as a condition for so doing, life and protection. Upon this, three ver- 
tured to throw themselves upon tlie mercy of the British soldier, and were 
immediately drawn out by the bridge and cut to pieces. Notwithstanding 
the strictest search that could be made for the remainder, four managed 
to escape to the American lines beyond the Croton. One of the survi- 


«a See Simcoe’s Military Journal, published by Bartlett & Welford, N. Y., to which work we 
refer our readers for an engraved plan of the above mentioned action. 


624 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


vors by the name of Job, lived to a good old age ; gaining his livelihood 
by fishing on the banks of the Hudson ; but whenever he could be tempt- 
ed to relate the horrors of that day, the big tears would start in his eyes 
and he would sob like a child. Nimham, the Indian chief, fell as related 
by the hand of Wnght, Simcoe’s orderly huzzar, in the swamp between 
Jesse Halstead’s house and John and Frederick Devaux’s, now the Man- 
kin property. There he was left a prey to the dogs and crows, to be de- 
voured at their leisure. All traces of the bones are now gone. Eighteen 
Indians were buried in one pit in an Indian field ; it is still a current tra- 
dition, that the old Sachem haunts the scene of conflict. 
** Does fancy’s mimic dread pourtray 

Amid the boughs a spectre gray, 

Or is it, the boding vision seen 

Where murders bloody work has been?” [ Yamoyden. 


It is not a little singular, that a few months preceding this battle, the 
two British Generals Simcoe and Tarleton, had a narrow escape of their 
lives, from these very Indians, These officers it appears were making 
observations on the country, and patroling with a few huzzars. ‘‘The 
Stockbridge Indians, about sixty in number, excellent marksmen, had 
just joined General Washington’s army. Lieut. Col. Simcoe was de- 
scribing a private road to Lieut. Col. Tarleton ; Wright, his orderly dra- 
goon, alighted and took down a fence of Devaux’s farm-yard for them to 
pass through; around this farm the Indians were lying in ambuscade. 
Wright had scarce mounted his horse, when these officers—for some 
trivial reason—altered their intentions; and, spurring their horses, soon 
rode out of sight, and out of reach of the Indians. 

In a few days after, they had certain information of the ambuscade, 
which they so fortunately had escaped: in all probability they owed 
their lives to the Indians’ expectation of surrounding and taking them 
prisoners ””4 

Bordering the road north-west of the Van Cortlandt’s, is the old Had- 
ley property, owned by the late Major Joseph Delafield. The following 
account of the family, has kindly been furnished by a member of it :— 


In 1829 Major Delafield purchased a farm of 250 acres on the North River be- 
tween Spuyten-Duyvel and the present village of Riverdale, to which he gave the 
name of Fieldstonfrom a family seat in Great Britain. This name, until villages 
sprang up with local designations, was generally used; and when, in 1873, the lo- 
cality separating from Yonkers sought in town meeting its separate name, Fields- 
ton fell short of being selected instead of Kings Bridge, but by a few votes. 

Throuzh Fieldston easterly from the river ran the southern boundary, in many 


a Simcoe’s Mil. Journal, p. 80. 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 625 


places still standing, of the old Phillipse manor. Against its walls, near the river, 
now in a forest but said to have been cultivated lands a hundred years ago, re- 
main the foundations of Nanny Piper’s cottage, perhaps the widow of an old re- 
tainer or wood guard, by whose name a never dying spring, famous for the pur- 
ity of its waters, is still known. Other springs with which the wooded hills are 
wonderfully well supplied, yet point to old dwellings, especially one on the high 
ground above the Albany turnpike, near which are the foundations of a house, of 
which even Tradition can give no account; and another, hid in the woods, is 
known as Cork Tom. 

On the south of the farm, an upland pasture, until lately covered with ancient 
apple trees, too old in this generation to bear fruit, was twenty years ago known 
as Johnson's meadow. Here Johnson, a spy, was hung during the revolution. 
Until increasing population and Riverdale avenue opened the woods and let in 
the light, Johnson’‘s ghost haunted the spot, to the terror of young and old among» 
the farmers of the soil. His was the only undoubted ghost of antiquity, certified 
to by many eye witnesses that favored with his presence the rocky ridge from 
Spuyten-Duyvel to Yonkers. In 1830 there were many traces of the revolution 
remaining; an old chariot covered with gilt, taken from some British officer, 
caltrops found on the broad river slope, thrown there to impede the charge of 
cavalry ; old English muskets and a grind-stone, marked with the regal R, which 
restored to a frame has until recently been in use. 

On the turnpike stands the old stone farm house, then one of the best build- 
ings in the neighborhood, occupied in turn by officers of either party and claimed 
to have more than once given shelter to Washington. 

In 1830 Major Delafield built himself a bachelor establishment (destroyed by 
fire in 1833) directly over the river and near by a lime kiln, erected on a new 
plan as described in volumes imported by him for the purpose from France. 
This kiln, the first of its kind in America, became the model of all those subse- 
quently built throughout the country. The enterprise proved very profitable, so 
long as the coal dealers of New York gladly gave the coal dust in exchange for 
carting it away from their yards; as lime kilns on the same plan increased and 
other uses were found for coal dust the profits diminished and the work was 
abandoned in 1837. 

In 1849 Major Delafield built a residence in a beautiful position overlooking 
the river, which he occupied in summer until his death. It is now enlarged and 
occupied by his eldest son. His second son built at Fieldston in 1870. 

Major Joseph Delafield born 22d. August 1790, graduated from Yale college 
1808, studied law with Hon. J. Ogden Hoffman, admitted to practice 1811, ap- 
pointed lieutenant 1810 and captain 1812 in Hawkins famous battery of artillery, 
and in the following year major of the 46th U. 8. infantry. At the close of the 
war he resigned his commission in the army and wishing active service accepted 
the appointment first of acting and later as full agent for settling the northern 
boundary of the United States under the 6th and 7th articles of the treaty of 
Ghent. Until 1828 his summers were occupied in command of the detachment on 
the boundary, there he commenced the formation of his afterwards famous col- 
lection of minerals. The long cold winters of the north preventing active op- 
erations he passed in New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, always 
studious but not neglectful of the pleasures of society. He married 12th De- 


626 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


cember, 1833, Julia, eldest daughter of Maturin Livingston of Staatsburg, N. Y., 
and from henceforth devoted himself to his books and scientific pursuits. For 
forty years was President of the Society of Natural History ; was a member of a 
great number of scientific societies in this country and throughout Europe, was 
trustee in many institutions, vestryman in Trinity church, &c., &c. After a 
long and useful life he died 12 February 1875, in his 85th year at the same time 
with his brothers, Henry and Edward, all of whom were buried on the same day 
from Trinity church. The beautiful building could not contain one-fourth of 
those who assembled on the 16th of February to pay the last honors to the 
brothers Delafield. Major Delafield had issue four children, of whom two sons 
and one daughter survived him, 

1. Lewis L., married Emily, daughter of Frederick Prime, of New Rochelle, 
N. Y., and has issue. 2 Maturin L., married Mary Coleman, eldest daughter of 
Eugene A. Livingston of Dutchess County, N. Y., and has isssue. 38 Julia L. 
4 Joseph died in childhood, The father John Delafield, born 16th March 1748, 
died 3 July 1824, was the head of the English family of that name. His descent 
may be found in Burke’s Commoners, in his Dictionary of the Landed Gentry, 
and under the head of foreign titles in the Peerage and also in the German 
Gothaischer genealogisches TashenSuch der Graflicen Hauser.. John Delafield 
having expended most of his fortune returned to America, landing in New York 
5 April, 1783. Settling in New York he entered into commerce, meeting with 
the greatest success. He married Ann, daughter and co-heiress of Joseph Hallett, 
and had nine (9) sons and four daughters. Of the daughters but one married; 
Susan M., married to Henry Parish but had no issue. Two sons died young. 
the eldest son. 1 John, born 22 January 1786, died 22 October 1853, banker; 
President Phenix Bank, President New York State Agricultural Society &e, 
married twice, Ist in England to a cousin Mary, only child of John Roberts of 
Whitchurch, Burks and left issue. 2nd to Harriet Wadsworth, daughter of Col. 
Benjamin Tallmadge of Litchfield, Conn., and left issue. 2d Joseph, born 22 
August 1790, died 12 February, 1875, married Julia daughter of Maturin Liy- 
ingston of Staatsburgh and left issue as above. 2d and 4th Henry and William, 
twins, born, 19 July 1792, merchants. William died unmarried, 20 November 
1853. Henry married Mary daughter of Judge L. Monson of Delaware Co., N. 
Y., and dying February 15th 1875, left one daughter. 5 Edward, born 17 May, 
1794, died 13 February 1875, M.D., President of College of Physicians and Sur- 
geons and President of Roosevelt Hospital, &c., married twice ; 1st to Elinor E, 
Langdon, daughter of Thomas Elwyn, of Portsmouth, N. H., by whom no issue 
survived him; 2d to Julia, daughter of Hon. Nicoll Floyd of Mastic, Long 
Island, by whom he left issue. 6 Richard, born September, 1798, died 5 Novem- 
ber 1873, Brigadier General, Brevet Major General and Chief of Engineers U. 
8. army; married twice, Ist to Helen, daughter of Andrew Summers, of Phila. 
delphia, Penn., by whom he had no issue; 2d to Harriet B., daughter of Gen. 
Elijah M. Covington, of Covington, Ky., by whom he left issue. 7 Rufus 
King, born 18 November 1802, died 6 February 1874, merchant and President 
of the Delafield & Bascher Cement Co., married Eliza, daughter of Wm. Bard, 
of High Park, N. Y., and left issue, 


The shore of the Hudson in this region is studded with beautiful villas, 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 627 


In the immediate vicinity of the latter is situated Font Hill, the seat 
of Mr. Edwin Forrest, now owned by the Sisters of Charity of St. 
Vincent de Paul. They have erected a very large young ladies academy. 
The old edifice which is of stone, after the designs of Mr. Thos C. 
Smith, presents a fine specimen of the English castellated style. The 
building has six towers, affording extended views of the Hudson River ; 
the highest of these called the flag or stair tower, is seventy-one feet 
from the surface of the ground. 

The gothic residence of the late Thomas W. Ludlow occupies a very 
pleasant spot on the bank of the river, a short distance south of the 
village, on a plateau with hills to the east, and the river in front to the 
west. From this place the noble Hudson appears in all its glory. The 
edifice is built of brick in the Elizabethian style. The exterior presents 
quite the beau ideal of an old English country residence. A pretty 
lodge in the rural gothic order adorned the entrance of the grounds, but 
has given way'to a progress of the age; which by cutting streets through 
the old domain, long since separated the place into many streets. Mr. 
Thomas W. Ludlow is the youngest son of Thomas Ludlow, Esq., who 
was Marshal of the Court of Admiralty in 1780.4 The family of 
Ludlow derives its surname from the ancient town so denominated, in 
the county of Salop, England. They afterwards removed to High 
Deverell in Wiltshire, about the middle of the 14th century; at which 
time lived William Ludlow, Esq., of High Deverell, from whom lineally 
descended Sir Henry Ludlow, Knt. of Maiden Bradley, in the county 
of Wilts, M. P. for that shire, father of Edmund Ludlow, the celebrated 
Republican General during the civil wars, who died in exile, at Vevay, 
in Switzerland, in 1693, where a monument is erected to his memory. 
The half brother of Sir Henry Ludlow, was Edmund Ludlow, Esq. 
ancestor of the American branch. Of this family, is Henry Ludlow, 
Esq. 

Near the city of Yonkers, is situated the farm and residence of the 
late Elijah Rich. Directly opposite the house, a commanding eminence 
of rocks rises very abruptly. Up the side of this steep precipice, General 
Washington, pursued by the enemy’s patrol, was compelled to fly to 
escape capture. From the high grounds in the rear, are fine views of 
the river. Here, in 1777, a memorable engagement took place between 
the two British frigates, the Rose and the Phoenix, which lay off at an- 
chor, and the gun-boats of the patriots which sallied out of the harbor of 
Yonkers, having in tow a large tender filled with combustibles, intend- 


a His staff of office is still preserved at Yonkers in the shape of a silver oar, inscribed 
“Court of Vice Admiralty, New York.” 


628 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER, 


ing to run it alongside of the frigates. The crews, however, kept it off” 
by means of spars ; anda heavy fire of grape and cannister compelled 
the gun-boats and their brave crews to seek shelter in the mouth of the 
Saw Mill river. 

The year »revious, General Heath had been requested by the person 
in command of the fire ships, to be a spectator of the burning of these 
vessels, 

On the 16th of August, 1776, General Heath, accompanied by General 
Clinton and several other officers, took a proper position on the banks 
of the Hudson. 

“The night,” says Heath, himself, ‘was pretty dark ; we soon found 
that the gallies and fire vessels were silently moving up with the tide. 
After some time, and almost immediately after the sentinels on board 
the British ships, had passed the word ‘all is well,’ two of the fire vessels 
flashed into a blazes the one close to the side of the Phoenix, the other’ 
grappling one of the tenders. To appearance, the flames were against 
the side of the Phoenix, and there was much confusion on board, A 
number of cannon were discharged into the fire vessel, in order to sink 
her. A number of seamen ascended and got out on the yard-arm, sup- 
posed to clear away some grapplings. The fire vessel was alongside, as. 
was judged ten minutes—when the Phcenix either cut or slipt her cable, 
let fall her fore-topsail, wore round and stood up the river, being immedi- 
ately veiled from the spectators, by the darkness of the night. The Rose 
and the other two tenders remained at their moorings.” 4 

Cannon balls are still dug out of the banks in great numbers. 

A little south, upon the east shore, lies the Vischer’s rock, or Fisher's 
Point’ The Groshon place was frequently visited during the war, by 
prowling bands of ‘‘ Cow-boys ;” who not only levied exactions of stock 
and money, but compelled its inmates to find other shelter out of doors, 
while they filled the rooms with straw and quartered themselves thereon 
for the night. A cow and horse belonging to the family, were concealed 
for some time in one of the hed-rooms; while the family silver was 
stowed away between-the wainscoat. 

Contiguous to the old village of Yonkers, and immediately south of 
it, is situated on a commanding eminence, the hotel of the late De 
Witt C. Kellinger, called the Mansion House.— 

This place was called by its aboriginal possessors, Vap-pe-cha-mak, a 
name derived as before stated from its situation at the mouth of the 
Neperah; or in other words, it was the Rapid water settlement.” 

The Dutch afterwards conferred upon it the name of the Zz¢t/e Jonk- 
ers Plantation. This word was sometimes pronounced Yonkers, which 


~ @ Heath’s Mem. 54. 
b The word at this date has become Nepperhan (1979). 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 629 


gives us the present name of the village. During the occupancy of the 
Phill’ps’s, it was called PAidlipsborough, after the Manor. 

The Dutch termed the Saw Mill, the Saeg kil (stream.) After the 
Patroon’s settlement, it was named in compliment to him, the Jonkers or 
Yonkers kill and Colendoncks kill. ‘Several fine creeks enter into the 
North river, says Van der Donck, such as the Colendonck’s kill or Saw 
kill.”@ 

Yonkers is now a large and flourishing city. On April rath, 1855, 
14 miles on the river front and 4a mile in width was incorporated, and 
this act was amended in’57, 60, 68 and ’71. The officers consisted of a 
President, Wm. Radford ; Clerk, W. H. Post ; andsix Trustees: Lemuel 
W. Wells, Wm. C. Waring, Thos. A. Farrington, Reuben W. Van Pelt, 
Fulding S. Grant, Jacob Reed. By act of Legislature, June 1st, 1872 
the whole township was erected into a city, by the name of the city of 
Yonkers and divided into four wards—a Mayor, City Clerk, and one Leg- 
islative Board, consisting of eight Aldermen, and called the Common 
Council. The first officers were, Mayor, Jas. C. Courter; clerk, Wm. H. 
Doty; President of Common Council, Ethan Flagg. For a time it 
was under the Metropolitan police; but by an act of the Legislature, 
passed in 1871, it was set off and formed a department of its own, con- 
sisting of four commissioners, appointed by the Mayor—one each year 
for four years term ; one captain, two sergeants, two seniors, two rounds- 
men, and eighteen men. There are nine signal telegraph stations with 
head quarters, besides telephones. The first commissioners were Chas. 
R. Dusenberry, R. W. Cobb, Joseph Reene, Dennis McGrath. 

An act to provide water for the city of Yonkers was passed Feb. 28th, 
73, and amended in ’ 74 by the Legislature, and for the building of a 
reservoir. The first commissioners were David Hawley, Peter P. Getty, 
R. Eickemeyer, P. White, and S. Barker. Hawley and Barker resigned, 
and J. H. Knox and Chas. H. Hamilton were appointed to fill the 
vacancy. Wm. W. Wilson was appointed engineer. 

The fire department consists of a chief engineer, two assistants, 259 
members, of Engine, Hose, and Hook and Ladder companies. There 
are three principal hotels—the Getty House, Yonkers Hotel, and Pea- 
body House, 

The city is lighted by gas. There are several very large factories. It 
has some handsome buildings, and seventeen churches—three Protestant 
Episcopal, three Presbyterian, one Reformed, two Baptist, two Metho- 
dist, two Roman Catholic, one Unitarian, one German, one African, 


a@ Vander Donck’s N.N., N. Y. Hist. Soc. p. Ser. i. 142. 


630 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER 


Zion church, and one Messiah, Colored Baptist, and five Union Free 
schools. 

On the organization of the city, a City Court was estal ished ; juris- 
diction limited to $1000. Appeals taken to County or Suoreme Court, 
according to amounts involved. 

The old Philips Manor house was purchased by the city on the rst of 
May, 1868, for public purposes. As few alterations were made in it as. 
possible. It became necessary to remove the beams and garret floor of’ 
the north end of the building, in order to construct a Common Council 
chamber, which has been done with great skill and taste. On the first 
floor, which was the kitchen and drawing room, is now held the City 
Court. The principal chamber is used as the office of the Board of 
Water Commissioners. The large chamber, in the western end of the 
building, is used for the Engineers of the Water Department. The old 
parlor is now used as the Mayor’s and Clerk’s Office. The room used 
as a sitting room or drawing room on the first floor of the old house is 
used as an office for the City Treasurer, Receiver of Taxes, and Board 
of Assessors. Yonkers has two Savings Banks, two Banks of Deposits, 
and St. John’s Riverside Hospital. 


THE SETTING OFF OF KINGS BRIDGE. 


On Sept. 16th 1872, the Board of Supervisors of Westchester County 
passed an act by which they set off and erected into a separate town- 
ship, to be called Kings Bridge, about 4 of the territory situated south of 
the old Post farm, and a line extending easterly therefrom to the Bronx. 
River. This act was confirmed by the Legislature, on Jan. rst 1874, 
Soon after, the towns of Kings Bridge, West Farms, and Morrisannia were 
annexed to the city of New York. Formerly a beautiful road led to the 
landing, which was tastefully ornamented with the fine horse chestnut. 
(4Esculus.) This avenue afforded a beautiful sight in the month of May, 
when those trees put forth their gay clusters of white flowers. In 1879 
but one of these trees remained of all that in old times lined the western 
side of the Post Road from its crossing of the Saw Mill to the road, to 
the old landing, and thence toward the landing itself. This survivor is. 
now in the centre of Washington avenue, and is protected from injury 
by oaken strips and bands of iron. But the beauty of the coup ad’ vil is 
the scene from the landing. In front flows the Hudson, like a broad sil- 
very mirror ; while opposite, tower in majesty the basaltic rocks of the 
Palisades.* Northward, the view is terminated by the highlands of Tappaan 


a@ The Indian name for the palisades is supposed to have been that of the present town of 
Wehawken ; the term awk, toindicate a structure of rocks resembling trees. —Schoolcraft. 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS, 631 


and the distant hills of Westchester, which bound the eastern shore of the 
Tappaan Zee. The prominent cliff at the south-west corner of Rock- 
land Co., presents a noble object viewed from this spot. It boldly pro- 
jects at the entrance of the Zee, and in a bright summer's day may be 
seen casting its shade upon the waters.¢ A very deep interest at- 
taches itself to this spot, when we recollect, that on the afternoon of the 
13th Sep., 1609, Hendrick Hudson “ taking advantage of a light wind and 
and flood tide, anchored the ‘‘ Halve Maen”? near where the village pier 
projects into the Hudson. The old Dutch Patroon of this town, Adri- 
aen van der Donck, in his N. Werth. Vertoogh, (a rare old book printed 
just 41 years after the discovery of Hudson) tells us what our native tribes 
thought when they for the first time saw this wondrous vessel.” 


“They did not know there weie any more people in the world than of the same 
with themselves: much less, people who differ so widely from each other as our 
nation and theirs; so that, when they first discovered our ship, they did not 
know what to make of it. They were in great fear, and knew not whether it 
might not be an apparition; but whether from Heaven or Hell, they could not 
divine. Others supposed it to be a great sea monster, and that those in it had 
more the appearance of devils than human beings; at least a strange report circu- 
lated through the country, and caused a great consternation among them,.Ӣ 


What must have been the wonder then, of the Nap-pe-cka-mak settle- 
ment, when they beheld the apparition anchor off the mouth of the Saw 
mill—especially when we conjure up old Master Hendrick Hudson stand- 
ing upon the poop of his round built yacht, and Master Robert Juet and 
brother officers in their tall shovelled brim hats and doublets. This 
arrival must have created quite a talk among the Mohegan squaws of 
Nappeckamack. In connection with the Palisades and the river, the 
romantic legend of the “storm ship” must not be forgotten. To the 
great terror of the early colonists, she would appear gliding by the Pali- 
sades bearing her Dutch colors, the evening sun gilding her canvass as 
she came riding over the billows on her voyage down the river like 
Moore's spectre ship, bound to “Dead Man’s Isle.” 

Occasionally, the old village and landing appear to have been enlivened 
by the march and embarkation of troops. The following extract occurs 
in the journal of Lewis Morris, Judge of the Admiralty:— 


“June 4th, 1746, returned home, dined at Westchester, when the de- 
tachments from Queens county and Westchester marched to Colonel 


a Mr. H. Schoolcraft suggests, that the term ‘‘ Tabanzee,” which means in the Algonquin, 
a short crouching person, may originally have been appli-d to this noble cliff. It is 549 feet 
above the level of the Hudson. Proceed. of N. Y. Hist. Soc., 1844. 

b Moulton’s Hist. of N. Y-, p. 238. 

e Moulton Hist., p. 256, 


632 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Philipse’s, in order to embark for Albany, on board of Captain Conradts 
Derrike’s sloop, who lay there for that purpose.” 


This was on occasion of the war with France, when the Colony of 
New York was making formidable preparations for the reduction of 
Canada. 

Directly opposite the dock on the Jersey shore, is situated Closter 
landing, from which a road gradually ascends to the summit of the Pali- 
sades —a height of 517 feet above the river. Here Lord Grey, after 
coming up the Hudson in barges, disembarked his troops for the purpose 
of cutting off Baylor's light dragoons then stationed at Tappaan.? 

During the winter of 1780, the river was frozen so hard, that sleighs 
were driven from this place to the city on the ice. Ata short distance 
above the landing, facing the post road, is the old AZanor hall. The 
present front was erected cir. 1745 ; the rear, at a much earlier period— 
which is reported to have been built soon after the Philipse family 
purchased here, A. D. 1682—although the favorite residence, at first, 
appears to have been Castle Philipse, in Sleepy Hollow. 

The front of the Manor hall presented quite a handsome elevation 
for a country residence of the olden time. 

It is built in the Dutch style, so fashionable at that period ; its roof 
is surmounted by a heavy line of balustrade forming a terrace, that com- 
mands extensive views of the river. 

The principal entrance is through the eastern porch, ornamented with 
light columns and corresponding pilasters. There are likewise two 
porches on the eastern front, looking upon the lawn. The interior is 
fitted up with wainscoted walls, ceilings highly ornamented in arabesque 
work, and carved marble mantels. The view from the south, commands 
the old stone mill, village spires, and the wooded banks of Philip’s 
point. On the west, beautiful prospects of the dock and river; on the 
east, a verdant lawn skirted by garden terraces, horse-chestnuts and 
the main road, above which rises Locust hill. 

' The hall is capacious, and its wide staircase with antique balustrades 
and banister, has a fine effect. The bedrooms are large panelled 


a Journal of Lewis Morris. 


b October, 1778, (says Thacher) the regiment of cavalry commanded by Col. Baylor bein 
posted on our lines near Tappan, their situation was betrayed by some tories, and a party o: 
the enemy surprised them while in a barn, in the night, and massacred a part of them under 
circumstances of savage cruelty. The commander of the party who disgraced themselves by 
this foul deed, was the Euglish General Grey. Col. Baylor’s detachment consisted of oue 
hundred and four horsemen. The attack was so sudden, that they were entirely defenceless 
and the enemy immediately commenced the h>rrid work of slaughter; their entreaties and 
cries for mercy were totally disregarded by theirsavage foes. It has been well ascertianed 
that the British soldiers were ordered by their inhuman officers to bayonet every man they 
could find, and give no quarter.—Thacher’s Military Journal, 147. 


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THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 633 


apartments, with old fashioned fire-places faced in Dutch tile, represent- 
ing thereon, Scripture stories with appropriate references. 

The walks around are laid out in the shape of noble terraces, some 
of which lead between tall avenues of box. The garden is extensive, 
and enriched by valuable fruit trees and shrubs. The splendid orange 
and myrtle trees that once adorned the green house, were formerly in 
the possession of Mrs. Macomb of Kings Bridge. The green sward, 
sloping gradually to the Hudson, is here and there dotted with fine 
specimens of ornamental trees; this, during the occupancy of the 
Philipse’s, was emparked and stocked with deer. Among other exotics 
(which seem to thrive here,) we noticed on the edge of the river the 
English yew ; judging from its appearance and the exposed situation 
which it occupies, we should say it was quite hardy enough to endure 
our coldest winters. We should be glad to see this beautiful tree, 
whose dark verdure never fails, naturalized in the gardens of Westches- 
ter. 

In this mansion the lords of the manor, on the great rent days, feasted 
their tenantry. Some idea may be formed of this establishment which 
maintained thirty white and twenty colored servants. There appears to 
have been two rent days yearly for the manor of Phillipsborough. One 
in January, held at Yonkers, for the convenience of the lower tenantry ; 
another a few days subsequent, at Sleepy Hollow, for the upper. 

In lieu of rent, was frequently received a couple of fat hens, a day’s 
work, or a trifling sum amounting to three or fourpounds. The farmers 
bordering the river having greater privileges, paid higher rents. The 
Courts Leet and Baron were held yearly at the house of John Cockles, 
the site of the present Nap-pec-ka mak tavern. This court took cog- 
nizance of all criminal matters, and sometimes inflicted punishments 
that were even capital. In the administration of justice the baronial 
lord presided, either in his own person or that cf his steward. 

In the Manor Hall, July 3d, 1730, was born Mary Philipse, daughter 
of the Hon. Frederick Philipse, speaker of the House of Assembly and 
lord of the manor of Philipsborough. From this lady’s character 
Fenimore Cooper formed the heroine of the .y, under the name of 
“France.” It was in the drawing room of this old hall, the ceiling of 
which is highly ornamented with arabesque work, that the charming 
Mary Philpse was married to Colonel Roger Morris on Sunday afternoon 
of January 15th, 1758. 

That wedding, we are assured, was a pleasant romance of the 
Hudson. The leading families of the province, and the British forces 


a This is the description of the Manor house in 1848. 


634 HISTORY OF THE CUUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


in America, had representatives there. The sleighing was good and the 
weather was mild, and early as two o’clock in the afternoon the guests 
began to arrive. The Rev. Henry Barclay, rector of. Trinity church in 
New York, with his assistant, Mr. Auctmuty, was there at three o’clock. 
Half an hour later the marriage was solemnized under acrimson canopy, 
emblazoned with the golden crest of the family (a crowned demi-lion, 
rampant, rising from a coronet) in the presence of a brilliant assembly. 
The bridemaids were Miss Barclay, Miss Van Cortlandt, and Miss 
DeLancey. The groomsmen were Mr. Heathcote, Captain Kennedy, 
and Mr. Watts, acting Governor DeLancey (son-in law to Colonel 
Heathcote, lord of the manor of Scarsdale) assisted at the ceremony. 
The brother of the bride, the last lord of the manor—decorated with the 
gold chain and jeweled badge of office of his family as keeper of the 
deer forests of Bohemia—gave away the bride, for her father had been 
dead seven years. Her dowry in her own right was a large domain, 
plate, jewelry and money. 

A grand feast followed the nuptial ceremony, and late on that brilliant 
moon-lit night most of the guests departed. While they were feasting, 
a tall Indian, closely wrapped in a scarlet blanket, appeared at the door 
of the banquet hall, and with measured words said, ‘‘ your possessions 
shall pass from you when the eagle shall despoil the lion of his mane.” 
He as suddenly disappeared. This message was as mysterious as the 
writing on the wall at Belshazzar’s feast. The bride pondered the 
ominous words for years; and when, because they were royalists in 
action, the magnificent domain of the Philipses was confiscated by the 
Americans at the close of the Revolution, the significance of the 
prophecy and its fulfillment were manifested. Such is the story of the 
wedding as told by Angevine (son of the favorite colored valet of 
Philipse), who was sexton of St. John’s church at Yonkers for forty-five 
years.” 

Captain, afterwards Colonel, Roger Morris greatly distinguished him- 
self during the first American war, and was wounded in the battle of 
Monongahela river; on which occasion General Braddock was killed 
with most of his officers. In that engagement George Washington, 
Robert Orme, and Roger Morris, Esqrs., were aids to Braddock.? At 
the commencement of the Revolution he was a member of the Council 
of the Colony, and continued in office until the peace, although the 
Whigs organized a government as early as 1777, under a written and 
well framed constitution. Col. Roger Morris died in England in 1794, 
: oe ie New Monthly Mag. ‘Romance of the Hudson,” No. ecexi, April, 1876, vol. liii. 

6 Burke’s Hist. of the Landed Gentry of England, vol. iv. 490, 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 635 


aged sixty-seven ; and Mary his widow died in 1825, at the age of ninety- 
six. Their remains were deposited near Saviour-gate church, at York. 
Their son was Captain Henry Gage Morris, R. N. 

Their children were as follows: Henry Gage, above mentioned, a cap- 
tain in the royal navy; Amherst, who was named for his god-father 
Lord Arnherst, who was also a captain in the royal navy and who died 
unmarried in 1802; Johanna, who married Captain Thomas Cowper 
Hincks of the British dragoons, and who died in 1819; and another 
daughter, whose name and fate have not been ascertained. 

To the memory of Captain Arnherst Morris there is a monument at 
Baildon, England. Of Captain Henry Gage Morris, honorable mention is 
made in the British Naval History. Of Mrs. Morris’ early life there is a 
most interesting incident. That Washington had some desire to become 
her suitor, is a fact which rests on the highest authority. 

In Mr. Sparks’ life of the illustrious commander-in-chief, there is the 
following passage :—- 


“While in New York in 1756, Washington was lodged and kindly 
entertained at the house of Mr. Beverley Robinson, between whom and 
himself an intimacy of friendship subsisted, which indeed continued 
without change, till severed by their opposite fortunes twenty years after- 
wards in the Revolution. It happened that Miss Mary Philips, a sister 
of Mrs. Robinson, and a young lady of rare accomplishments, was an 
inmate in the family. The charms of this lady made a deep impression 
upon the heart of the Virginia Colonel. He went to Boston, returned, 
and was again welcomed to the hospitality of Mr. Robinson. He lin- 
gered there till duty called him away; but he was careful to entrust his. 
secret to a confidential friend, whose letters kept him informed of every 
important event. In afew months intelligence came that a rival was in 
the field; and that the consequences could not be answered for, if he 
delayed to renew his visits to New York. Whether time, the bustle of 
the camp, or the scenes of war had moderated his admiration, or whether 
he despaired of success, is not known. He never saw that lady again till 
she was marnied to that same rival, Captain Morris, his former associate 
in arms, and one of Braddock’s aids-de-camp. 

“In an English work, shown to me by Mrs. Morris’ relatives in New 
Brunswick, it is stated that she refused Washington. But this is very 
doubtful; and the passage just cited, which is founded upon Washing- 
ton’s papers, seems to utterly disprove the assertion. [magination dwells 
upon the outlawry of a lady whose beauty and virtues won the admiration 
of the great Whig Chief. Humanity is shocked that a woman was attaint- 
ed of treason, for no crime but that of clinging to the fortunes of her 
husband whom she had vowed on the altar of religion never to desert.” 


a “The American Loyalists,” by Lorenzo Sabine. See also Historical view of the commis- 
sion for inquiry into the losses and claims of the American Loyalists, by John Eardley Wilmot, 
Esq., London, 1815, 


636 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


*“‘ A part of the Phillips estate, (observes Mr. Sabine,) was in posses- 
sion of Colonel Morris in right of his wife, and was confiscated ; and 
that the whole interest should pass under the act, Mrs. Morris was 
included in the attainder. It is believed that this lady, her sisters, Mrs. 
Robinson, and Mrs. Inglis, were the only females who were attainted of 
treason during the struggle. But it appeared in due time, that the con- 
fiscation act did not affect the rights of Mrs. Morris’s children. The 
fee simple of the estate was valued by the British government at £20,- 
ooo; and by the rules of determining the worth of life interests, the 
life interest of Col. Morris and his wife were fixed at £12,605, for 
which sum they received a certificate of compensation. 

“In 1787, the Attorney General of England examined the case, and 
gave the opinion, that the reversionary interest (or property of the chil- 
dren at the decease of the parents,) was not included in their attainder, 
and was recoverable under the principles of law and of right. In the 
year 1809, their son, Captain Henry Gage Morris of the royal navy, in 
behalf of himself and his two sisters, accordingly sold this reversionary 
interest to John Jacob Astor, Esquire, of New York, for the sum of 
£20,000 sterling. In 1828 Mr. Astor made a compromise with the 
State of New York, by which he received for the rights thus purchased 
by him (with or without associates,) the large amount of five hundred 
thousand dollars. ‘The terms of the arrangement required, that within 
a specified time he should execute a deed of conveyance in fee simple, 
with a warrantee against the claims of the Morrises—husband and wife 
—their heirs, and all persons claiming under them; and that he should 
also obtain the judgment of the Supreme Court of the United States 
affirming the validity and perfectibility of his title. These conditions 
were complied with, and the respectable body of farmers who held the 
confiscated lands under titles derived from the sales of the commission- 
ers of forfeitures, were thus quieted in their possessions. It is under- 
stood that the British government made them a second compensation 
for their losses, and that the whole sum received was £17,000 sterling. 

There is a beautiful portrait of Mary Philipse still preserved at Phil- 
ipstown in the Highlands, which represents the youthful heroine in all 
her native loveliness. Itis in the possession of her namesake and grand 
niece, Mary Philipse, widow of the late Samuel Gouverneur, Esq. In 
Rivington’s Royal Gazette of May 18, 1773, occurs the following notice 
of the commencement at King’s College, (now Columbia College) New 
York. 


“Tuesday being the day appointed for the annual commencement of 
the graduates of King’s College in this city, a very numerous and splen- 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 637 


did audience assembled at Trinity church. After prayers and a Latin 
speech by the President, an elegant salutatory oration was delivered with 
great propriety of pronunciation and gracefulness of action by Mr. Fred- 
erick Philipse. The audience was then entertained with a discourse on 
the happiness of connubial life, by Mr. Beverly Robinson, whose just ob- 
servations on the subject did him much honor. Degrces were after this, 
conferred on the following gentlemen: Beverly Robinson, Frederick 
Philipse, Nathaniel Philipse, B. A. Philip Pell, and the Rev. Harry Munro, 
1 EF Oh 


Upon the arrival of the British forces in New York, Colonel Frederick 
was arrested on some suspicions in the Manor Hall, at Yonkers, and 
removed to Hartford, Connecticut, by the American anthorities. On this 
occasion, his faithful colored valet, George Angevine, attended him 
until his return to Philipsborough, which took place shortly afterwards. 
Here Colonel Philipse was residing when the battle of White Plains was 
fought. 

After the departure of the family from Yonkers, in 1777, John Wil- 
liams, steward of the manor, took charge of the property till the confis- 
cation, A. D. 1779. As before mentioned, at the close of the war, the 
whole manor became forfeited. 

February 1, 1781, the following individuals were appointed Commis- 
sioners for the southern district of New York: Stephen Ward, Mr. Law- 
rence and Isaac Stoutenbergh. September 1785, those gentlemen con- 
veyed the homestead and mills situated in Yonkers, amounting to 320 
acres, to Cornelius P. Lowe ; bounded west by Hudson river, on the north 
by R. Johnson, &c., &c. May 12, 1786, Cornelius P. Lowe conveyed part 
to William Constable. April 29, 1796, Wm. Constable and wife sold to 
Jacob Stout. April 1, 1803, Jacob Stout conveyed it to Joseph How- 
land. It was finally bought under a decree of Chancery by Lemuel 
Wells, Esq., at whose death in 1842, the Mansion House with 300 
acres, passed to his heirs at law, he dying intestate. The present pro- 
prietor of the Manor House is his nephew, Lemuel W. Wells, Esq. The 
Wells family are originally from Cambridgeshire, England, and descend 
from Richard Wells, who held the manor of Wells at a very early period. 
In the possession of the present Lemuel W. Wells, Esq, is a coat of 
arms beautifully embroidered in silk needlework. These arms were 
granted to the Cambridge Wells’s, A. D. 1614. The present family 
are more immediately descended from Samuel Wells, of Wethersfield, 
Conn., who removed A. D. 1639, with his three sons—John, Thomas and 
Samuel—to Milford, Conn.’ This family gave a Governor to that State. 


a Berry’s Encyclopedia of Arms. 
b Trumbull’s Conn., 105 


638 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


The last lord of the manor, Colonel Frederick Philipse, returned to 
Chester, England, where he died, A. D. 1785, after a short illness, and 
has a monument erected there to his memory. His faithful colored 
valet, Angevine, who had accompanied his master in all his changes of 
fortune, survived him but one year. They aré both interred in the same 
church yard. 

Charley Philips, son of Angevine, still lives on the banks of the Hud- 
son, and was—under a succession of dynasties—45 years sexton of St. 
John’s church, Yonkers. 

There is still living in this village and near the landing, Capt. Joel 
Cook, a hero of 1776, who belonged to Colonel Meigs’ regiment.4 The 
day André was captured, Gen. Washington ordered the brigade then 
stationed at Peekskill to march to West Point. 

This gentleman during the war escorted 1500 men from Teller’s Point 
to the neighborhood of Kings Bridge. 

In compliment to the services of the old veteran, the citizens of 
Yonkers presented him with a gold medal bearing the following in- 


scription :— 
Presented to 


CAPT. JOEL COOK, 
by the citizens of Yonkers, 
in honor of his patriotic services in defence of 
LIBERTY, 
July 4th, 1845, 
at the battles of 
Lexington, Danbury, White Plains, Trenton und Stony Point, 
Springfield and Tippacanoe. 

The inhabitants of this town appear to have taken an active part 
during the struggle for Independence. 

On the 11th April, 1775, Colonel Frederick Philipse appeared at the 
head of a large body of his tenantry, when the deputies from the several 
towns of Westchester met at White Plains, for the purpose of electing 
delegates to represent this colony in the general Congress to be held in 
Philadelphia.?® 

At a meeting of the Committee for this County held at White Plains, 
on Thursday and Friday, the 17th and 18th days of August, inst., the 
committee divided the County into districts or beats, agreeable to the 
directions of the Provincial Congress, for forming militia and minute 
companies. 

Yonkers formed one of the districts of the southern battalion. The 


a This was 1848, 
b See page 350, 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 639 


officers chosen were John Cock, Captain; William Betts, first heutenant; 
John Warner, second lieutenant; and Jacob Post, ensign.@ 

The following petition from the inhabitants of Lower Yonkers, occurs 
in 1775:— 

Lower Yonkers, Sept. 15, 1775. 

To the Hon. the Provincial Congress for the Province of New York, convened 
in their recess, to the Hon. Committee of safety. The humble petition of the 
inhabitants of the precincts of Lower Yonkers, in the county of Westchester, 
humbly showeth, that your Hon. House had made a resolve, and published the 
same, recommending to the inhabitarts of every town, manor, precinct and 
district within the province aforesaid, to meet, nominate and appoirt a captain 
and other officers, to form themselves as companies of militia; and, whereas the 
inhabitants of this precinct did meet agreeable to your said resolve, on the 24th 
day of August last, under the inspection of the committee of that district, and by 
a very great majority, as by the list will appear, did nominate and appoint Mr. 
John Cock of the said precinct, for his known skill and ability in military discip- 
line, and for other good causes, captain of the company for the district aforesaid ; 
and, whereas, we are informed that a complaint hath been made to the committee 
by a few of the inhabitants against the said Mr John Cock, out of spite and 
malice, and as we conceive what has been alleged against him was before sign- 
ing the association, we are well assured that since his signing the association, no 
person can accuse him of breaking the same by any ways or means whatsoever ‘ 
therefore, we the petitioners and subscribers, do humbly beg the indulgence of 
this Hon. House to grant Mr. John Cock the commission of captain for the com- 
pary aforesaid; as we are convinced he was chosen agreeable to your said resolve, 
and your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray. 


Anthony Archer, John Devoe, Charles Tyler, 
Basil Jacob Post, Martin Post, 
Thos. Oakley, Israel Post, James Munro, 


Jonathan Fowler, 
Abraham Hick, 
Matthias Archer, 
Ezekiel Brown, 
Araham Astor, 
Robert Farrington, 
‘John Odell, 
Abraham Odell, 
Abraham Post, 
Dennis Post, 
William Post, 
Robert Brown, 
Daniel Dean, 
Stephen Bastine, 
Henry Norris, 
John Gresinall, 


@ American Archives, p. 691. 


Lewis Post, 

John Warner, 
Elnathan Taylor, 
Jacob Taylor, 
James Crawford, 
Elnathan Taylor, 
David Oakley, jr., 
Joseph Oakley, jr., 
George Crawford, 
Moses Oakley, 
Francis Smith, 
Jordan Norris, 
Frederick Vermilyea, 
John Cartright, 
Edward Cartright, 
Henry Taylor, 
Fred. Brown. 


Anthony Allaire, 
Edward Ryer, 
Benj. Farrington, 
Will. Rose. 

Henry Presher, 
Thomas Farrington, 
Isaac Post, 

James Rich, 
Gilbert Brown, 
Thomas Tippet, 
Samuel Lawrence, 
Thomas Merrit, 
Samuel Williams, 
Israel Underhill, 
Henry Brown, 
Benjamin Archer, 


640 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


The commanding eminence rising above the village directly east of 
the Philipse Mansion, is called Locust Hill. Here the American army 
were encamped during a part of the war, while the enemy lay in the 
lower grounds. 

October rath, 1776, the American army marched from Kings Bridge, 
along the heights above Yonkers towards Dobb’s Ferry. 

St. John’s church, Yonkers, together with its gothic parsonage, stands. 
pleasantly situated on the south bank of the Saw mill. This church is. 
one of the handsomest in the county, having been recently repaired and. 


St. John’s Rectory. 


beautified at a heavy cost. It owes its early foundation to the Philipses, . 
who, as lords of the Manor at that time enjoyed the advowson or right 
of patronage to all and every church erected therein. Its first founder 
and patron was the Hon. Frederick Philipse, for some years speaker of 
the house of the Assembly in the province of New York, 1721-8. 

There is every reason to believe that this distinguished individual took 
some steps towards the erection of the church previous to his death, 
which happened in 1751: (he died of consumption at the age of 53.) » 
In his will, which is dated the 6th of June, of the same year, he directs, 


“That out of the rents that were, or should thereafter be due him, . 
from the manor of Phillipsborough, the sum of £400 be by his execu- 
trix laid out in erecting a building or finishing a church of England as. 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 641 


by law established, on the farm near and to the northward of the house 
then in the tenure of William Jones, sen., unless he should build the said 
church in his lifetime; and he devised all the said farm with all the 
buildings thereon, unto all his children, and their heirs, in trust, for the use 
of such ministers of the Church of England as by law established, as 
should be from time to time admitted or instituted in the said church ; 
and so for ever to remain for a glebe to the said church,”@ 


That the building was commenced in 1752, there is no doubt; for 
among the family papers, occurs an account of the expenses on the 
church at Philipsborough to the estate of Frederick Phillipse, debtor, 
commencing Nov. 1752, closing December, 1753; whole amount, £623 
6s.9@. This sum shows that his executrix had exceeded the original 
bequest in the will, £223. The curious reader will not be displeased with 
one or two more of these accounts, showing the expenses attendant on 
building a church at that early period :— 


BENJAMIN FOWLER’S ACCOUNT IN FULL FOR YE OHUROH. 


May 11th, 1758, dito 6} days works at geting timber 
for the dors and the winder frams for the church, 
at 5 shillings per day, - - - - - £1126. 


September the 20th, to working and going to ask the 
peple to come to work at the church, 8 days, 
&c., &e. - - < - = B 2 = 


John Underhill’s receipt for supplying the workmen 
at the church with beef, commencing Aug. 31st. 
Madame Phitipse, dito, 69 pound of beef, at 2s 3d per 
pound, - - - - - = = - £15103. 
Received of BEvERLY Ropinson, the above amount in full, 


JOHN UNDERHILL. 


Nothing remains of the original structure, except the walls and tower, 
the roof and wood-work having been destroyed by an accidental fire, 
May, 1791. When the ruins of the church came to be examined after 
this melancholy accident, the skeleton of a full sized man was discovered 
behind the remains of the pulpit. In 1792, it was again repaired; and 
on the 21st of August of that year, consecrated to the service of Al- 
mighty God, under the name and title of St. John’s church, Phillips- 
borough, by the Right Rev. Samuel Provoost, first Bishop of the State of 
New York. The edifice consisted of a square tower surmounted with a 
wooden cupola and spire, body and vestry-room in the rear. 

The principal entrance was by a circular-headed door on the south 


a Surrogate’s office, N. Y, No. xviii. 3. 


642 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


side. There were two monumental tablets in the church; the first 
placed against the south wall, is inscribed: 


To perpetuate the memory of the 


REV. ELIAS COOPER, 


27 years Rector of this Church 
who departed this life, January 16, 1816, 
aged 58 years and 11 days. 
He laboured industriously to promote the 
happiness of mankind 
by advancing the influence of the Christian religion. 
Pious without superstition, and zealous 
without bigotry ; 


fiat 


aT Ti 


St. John’s Church, Yonkers, in 1752. 


a friend to the poor and an ornament to the Church, 
exemplary in the discharge of every relation 
and professional duty, 
respected and honored through life by those 
who knew his virtues, 
and in his death universally lamented. 

This humble monument (not of his praise) 
is erected by his faithful flock, 
who knew him, loved him, and lament their loss, 
and are desirous of recording in 
this inscription, 
their esteem, affection and regret. 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 643 
‘The second, on the chancel wall, is erected 


TO THR MEMORY OF THE 
REV. ALEXANDER H. CROSBY, A.M., 


10 years Rector of this Church, 
who died at the Island of St. Croix, 
January 4, 1839, aged 35 years. 

In the Gencral Theological Seminary, 

the piety, virtues and talents, 

were nurtured, which fitted him for the 

CHRISTIAN MINISTRY, 
sincerity of character, kindness of heart, 
and purity of life, united with steady zeal, 
current principles, patient labor and true 
devotedness to God, edified the Church, 
won for him the hearts of his flock, 
and were honored by his Divine master, 
with abundant fruits. 

In all things he was an example and a 
pattern for the people to follow; and with 
this testimony he has entered into his rest. 

A BELOVED BROTHER, 
and faithful minister in the Lord. 
The flock 

for whose sakes he gladly spent himself, 

have erected this tablet to attest their sense 
of his excellence, 
and their grief for his loss. 


The bell* was presented to the church by the late Joseph Howland, 
Esq., and contains the following inscription: 


“B. HANKS, 
MANSFIELD, Conn., 1818.” 


It is much to be regretted, that the old communion service of this 
church was carried off during the war of the Revolution, for safe keeping, 
to the city of New York. Some years after the close of the war, the al- 
tar cloth was discovered in an old dusty box, where it had lain through 
the whole period of the Revolution: this is now in use at St. John’s 
chapel, Tuckahoe. The silver now used at the administration of the 
holy sacrament, consists of one large silver flagon, two silver chalices, a 


a Bells were used by the ancient Romans to signify the time of bathing, and naturally ap. 
plied by the early Christians to denote the hours of devotion. 


644 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


silver bason or font; the latter presented by a member of the Van Cort- 
landt family ; and a silver plate bearing the following inscription : 


‘* Presented 
To the Episcopal Church 
Of the town of Yonkers, 
1795.” 


During the troubles of the Revolution, an American soldier, killed in 
this neighborhood, is known to have been interred beneath the floor of 
this church, but there is no tradition of the cause of so unusual a place 
of sepulture being chosen. 


‘Here the warrior rests in peace, 
And holy church his tomb doth grace.” 


The church-yard has been long since abandoned on account of its 
rocky situation. The one now used is located on the old parsonage 
property, and formed once a portion of the glebe. It is beautifully situ- 
ated on a rising knoll in the valley of the Saw Mill. The first interment 
on record occurs 1783, Richard Archer Among other memorials in 
this yard are those of 


LEMUEL WELLS, ESQ,, MISS SUSANNAH HOWLAND, 
born in the city of Hartford, born in Boston, 1753, 
Mar. Eliza H. died in Greenburgh, 1823, 
died Feb. 11, 1842, aged 73 years. 
aged 82. 


The first mention of the parish of Yonkers occurs in an act passed 
during the first session of the third Assembly, 5th of King William and 
Queen Mary, September, 1693, entitled an‘act for settling a ministry 
and raising a maintenance for them in the city of New York, counties 
of Richmond, Westchester and Queens; “ Wherein it was enacted by 
General Assembly, and by the authority of the same, that in each 
county there shall be called and inducted two clergymen for the county 
of Westchester—one to have the cure of Westchester, Eastchester, 
Yonkers and the manor of Pelham ; the other to have the cure of Rye, 
Mamaroneck and Bedford; and allowed £100 each, to each, £50 to be 
paid in country produce. In raising the respective maintenances for 
the ministers, the respective justices of every city and county aforesaid, 
or any two of them are required to issue out warrants to the constables. 
to summon the freeholders of every city, town and precinct, for the 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 645 


choosing two vestrymen and two wardens. Confirmed the 11th of May, 
1697. This act was further explained 3rd Queen Anne.”? 

A. D. 1698, Lord Cornbury, Governor of the Province, issued an 
order to the magistrates of the several towns in Westchester County 
to build churches; by virtue of this, several towns were enabled to 
build public houses for the worship of Almighty God. St. Peter’s 
church, Westchester, was thus built and became the parish church 
inclusive of the precincts of Eastchester, Manor of Pelham and Yonkers. 

The quota contributed by the precinct of Yonkers towards the sup- 
port of the Rector and poor of the parish in 1702, was £7.6, in 1709, 
Baa 

The first vestryman elected by the freeholders of this precinct was 
Mr. John Archer ; seven years later John Archer and Noah Barton, were 
‘vestrymen. 

A. D. 1702, King William III. by Royal Charter, incorporated the 
Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. The 
principal object of this society was to send clergymen to the colonies; 
‘and the society to earnestly request and beseech all persons concerned 
that they recommend no man out of favor or affection or any other 
worldly consideration; but with a sincere regard to the honor of 
Almighty God and our blessed Saviour, as they tender the interest of 
the Christian religion and the good of men’s souls.”¢ 

The first Rector of the parish of Westchester and precinct of Yonk- 
ers was the Rey. John Bartow, who received his license from the Bishop 
of London in 1702. The same year upon his arrival here, he was 
inducted by the commission of his Excellency Governor Cornbury. 

In 1703 Rev. John Bartow commenced his services within this 
precinct. September 5, 1708, he writes to the society that he occasion- 
ally preached at Yonkers, where the population was then 250 souls.4 

In 1713, the Propagation Society founded a charity school for the 
education of children in this town. The same year £5 per annum is 
granted to a schoolmaster at Yonkers, where there is a large congrega- 
tion of Dutch and English, for instructing the younger sort of both 
nations in the catechism and liturgy, provided he can produce a certifi- 
cate of his teaching thirty children. In that summer A. D. 1719, Mr. 
Jones was allowed fifty shillings for teaching children to read at Mile 
Square. 


: Cary of Assembly passed in the province of N. Y. from 1691 to 1725, p. 23. 
bid. 
ec From a collection of papers printed by order of the Society, 9. 
d From the Westchester Records we take the following extract, ** John Archer, constable 
of the Yonkers appears, with a receipt from Mr. Bartow, bearing date ye 21 May, 1714-15 since 
the year 1702, as the minister’s rate with the collection allowed, &c. 


646 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


In 1761, the Rev. Mr. Milner, Rector of the parish, informs the 
Propagation Society, that one of the edifices he preaches in at Yonkers 
was a new one, raised by the generosity of Colonel Frederick Philipse 
of Philipsborough, who has given to its service a fine farm as a glebe, 
consisting of two hundred acres, upon which he purposes to build a good 
house for a minister. In 1764 the society report that they have received 
aletter from Colonel Frederick Philipse of Philipsborough within the 
Province of New York, dated October 23, 1764, representing :— 


‘“‘ That at the expense of himself and family there is now erected on 
the Manor of Philipsborough a handsome stone church completely 
finished, and everything necessary for the decent performance of divine 
service prepared; that about three quarters of a mile from the church he 
has laid out and appropriated two hundred and fifty acres of excellent 
arable and wood land for a glebe for the minister for ever, and that he 
fully intends as soon as they are happy to have a worthy clergyman 
of the Church of England settled among them, to build him a genteel 
and handsome house upon said glebe, the materials for which are now 
providing, and which will cost at least £400. He therefore earnestly 
requests the society to send them a missionary, that he and his tenants, 
nearly one hundred and fifty families, may be no longer destitute of the 
worship of the Church of England.” 


The board taking this letter into consideration appointed the Rev. 


Harry Munro,? a gentleman recommended to them by all the clergy of 
@ Vol. i. 315, 


New Jersey and the Rev. Messrs. Charlton and Auchmuty at Perth 
Amboy, September 2oth, 1764, and by other very ample testimonials, to 
be the society’s missionary at Philipsborough, with a salary of £30 per 
annum. 

June 8th, 1765, Mr. Munro himself, writes, “that on his arrival at his 
mission, he found everything promising and agreeable, a neat church 
(always kept in good repair by Col. Frederick Philipse and family) anda 
decent congregation, materials already for a parsonage, the glebe well 
fenced, plenty of wood, and a sufficient quantity of arable land.” 

In 177.1, the Rev. Luke Babcock was recommended by the clergy of 
New York, “being lately ordained by the bishop of London, as a proper 
person for a missionary. And Colonel Philipse having requested that 
the mission of Philipsborough formerly filled by the Rev. Harry Munro, 
should be renewed; and the Colonel having made a proper provision 
for the maintenance of a minister, with the assistance of the society, 
they have accordingly appointed the Rev. Luke Babcock to the mission 
with a salary of £30.” 

The youngest son of Doctor Joshua Babcock, of Westerly Narragan- 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 647 


sett (observes Mr. Updike) was Rev. Luke Babcock, “an Episcopal clergy- 
man at Philips’s Manor, on the Hudson, where he died, leaving a wife 
and several children.” Hawkins, in his Historical Notices of the 
Missions of the Church of England, says: “ Another victim of ill treat- 
ment already mentioned, was the Rev. Luke Babcock, missionary at 
Philipsborough. He was seized by the insurgents, his papers were ex- 
amined, and because he answered affirmatively to the question, ‘ Whether 
he considered himself bound by his oath of allegiance to the king,’ he 
was deemed an enemy to the liberties of America, and ordered to be 
kept in custody.”* After four month’s confinement his health gave way, 
and he was then dismissed with a written order to remove within the 
lines of the king’s army. “ He got home,” (says Mr. Seabury,) “with diffi- 
culty, in a raging fever and delirious, and there died, extremely regret- 
ted.”® Indeed, I know not a more excellent man; and I fear his loss, 
especially in that mission, will scarcely be made up.° 

His wife was Grace Isaacs, a cousin of Judge Isaacs of New Haven. 
His children were Cortlandt, Frederick, the father of Mrs. W. L. Morris, 
of Wave Hill, Yonkers, and Henrietta, who married a Mr. Richard Sal- 
tonstal of New York. 

This parish suffered greatly during the war of the Revolution. The 
church was used at intervals by both armies as an hospital ; and its pul- 
pit was occupied by ministers of different denominations, who made some 

strong efforts to retain possession. 

At the close of the war, May 1st, the State of New York paced an act 
vesting the church with two acres of land, and the glebe, in the corpor- 
ation of the Episcopal church, Yonkers. 

This was confirmed by another act of the Legislature, passed April 3, 
1792, wherein it is specified: “ That all the estate, right, title, interest, 
claim and demand of the people of the State of New York, in and to the 
said church, and two acres of land, and in and to the said parsonage or 
glebe, shall be, and hereby are granted to, and vested in the corporation of 
the Episcopal church in the town of Yonkers, in the County of West- 
chester and State of New York, and their successors forever, for the use 
of the said corporation.” 

This church had been previously incorporated under the act of 1784. 
Sept. 15, 1787, Augustus van Cortlandt and John Warner, trustees. 

In accordance with the act passed for the relief of the Episcopal 
church, passed March 17, 1795, it was again incorporated, Sept. 7, 1795. 


a He was seized and carried off a prisoner to Hartford,Conn. Here he was detained in 
custody, from October, 1776, to February of 1777.—Editor. 


6 His remains were deposited in the family vault of the Van Cortlandt’s.—Editor. 
ec Updike's Hist. of the Narragansett church. 310, 


648 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Augustus van Cortlandt and William Constable, wardens; John Warner, 
Thomas Valentine, Isaac Vermilyea, Frederick Underhill, Shadrach 
Taylor, Isaac Lawrence, Stephen Oakley and Jacob Post, vestrymen. 
In the first Convention of the Protestant Episcopal church in the 
diocese of New York, held in the city of New York, June 22d, 1785, 
this church does not appear to have been represented. 

To the Convention of 1787, she sent her first delegates, Augustus 
van Cortlandt and Israel Honeywell, Esqrs. 

The principal benefactors to this parish, have been, the Hon. Frede- 
rick Philipse, Mark Noble, Esq., Augustus van Cortlandt, Esq.,4 andthe 
wardens and vestry of Trinity Church, New York.? 

In 1845, owing to the large increase of families within this parish, and 
the numerous calls made upon its officiating clergy, it was deemed ad- 
visable, after mature deliberation, to erect a patronage within the village 
of Yonkers. For this purpose, an order was obtained the same year 
from the Court of Chancery, to dispose of the old parsonage and glebe. 
These were finally sold for $6,500. With part of these funds, the pre- 
sent Rectory was built, the corporation reserving to themselves the 
burying ground in the Saw Mill Valley. 

A part of Philipse’s point in the rear of the present rectory, appears 
to have been used as a grave-yard for strangers. 

The following table extracted from the reports of the venerable Pro- 
pagation Society and the church records,deduces the catalogue of in- 
cumbents to the present time :-— 


LIST OF MINISTERS AND RECTORS. 


Instituted or called. Incumbents. Vacated by. 
Sept. 20, 1764, Rey. Harry Munro, A.M. Clericus, Per resig. 
1770, Rey. Luxe Basoock, Clericus, “* death. 
Pili, Rey. GeorGe Parton, Clericus, “* resig. 
1786, Rev. ANDREW Fow Ler, Presb. as WO 
Sept. 10, 1788, Rey. Eras Cooper, Presb. “* death, 
Mar. 14, 1816, Rey. Wr1r1am Powe t, Presb. “* resig. 
Mar. 20, 1820, Rey. Jonn Grice, Presb. CS set 
Oct. 17, 1823, Rey. Joun West, Presb. rae 
Dec. 15, 1828, Rev. Arex. H. Crospy, A. M. Presb. ** death. 
May 4, 1839, Rey. Smiru Pyng, A. M. Presb. ‘* resig. 
Mar. 20, 1841, Rev. Henry L. Storrs, Presb. ‘* death. 
1852, Rey. ApraHaM BEeAou Carrer, “* resig. 


a This individual, by his will dated Dec. 20, 1823 bequeathed “*the sum of $500 to the 
Rector, wardens and vestry of St. John’s church, at Yonkers, being the Protesant Episcopal 
church of that town, to be put and kept out at interest by them, upon good real security, with- 
in the County of Westchester.” 


b In 18—, Trinity Church contributed $——— for a parsonage at Yonkers, to which was 
added in is———,, the sum of #——. 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 649 


1869, Rev. THomas A. JaaGar, D.D., now Bishop, ‘‘ ‘‘ 
Novy. 1870, Rey. Wituiam S. Lanerorp, ey 
Dec., 1875, Rey. A. B. Arxiys, D. D., sien kn 
Oct., 1879, Rey. James HouGHrTon, Present incumbent. 


There is also a Reformed Dutch Church standing directly south of 
St. John’s, situated upon rising ground. This church was erected on a 
portion of the estate of the late Lemuel Wells, Esq., which was given by 
his heirs in 1844. The building is a neat edifice of brick. The interior 
arrangements, and fittings up, are peculiarly appropriate, being neat 
and simple. A chaste pulpit and communion table, occupy the west 
end, while a gallery extends across the eastern. 

This church was incorporated under the act of 1813, dated July 13, 
1844. Lemuel W. Wells and Ducan McFarland, elders; Frederick 
Nodine and Ralph Shipman, deacons. The first installed pastor was 
the Rev. V. M. Hurlbert, present minister. 

There appears to have been a Dutch Reformed congregation in this 
town as early as 1784, “called the Reformed Dutch Church at the Lower 
Mills, in the Manor of Phillipsborough,” incorporated under the Act of 
1784, dated September 8th, 1786; William Warner, Abraham Odell, 
Isaac Vermilyea, James McChain, Jacobus Dyckman, trustees. 

The Methodist Episcopal church was organized March 1st, 1828, un- 
der the name and title of Christ church: first trustees, Joseph Oakley, 
Frederick Shonnard, Thomas Griffen and David Oakley. 

North-west of the city is Wild Boar Hill,“ so called from the animal 
that once frequented the solitudes of its ancient forests. So troublesome 
and numerous had this animal become at one period, that the Provincial 
Government was compelled to pass laws for its destruction. 

Up to a late era, Indians occupied this hill in great numbers. From 
here they are all said to have taken their departure in one night. The 
scarcity of the wild game, together with the encroachments of the white 
man, may in some measure, account for this sudden removal. 

During one period of the Revolution it was the site of the American 
encampment. Its summit commands fine views of the surrounding 
country and the noble Hudson, stretching in one jong reach to Jersey 
City. 

Somewhere near this spot there formerly stood a peculiar shaped tree, - 
as if adapted by nature to receive the body of a man. In this rustic 
couch, the illustrious Washington, wearied with his toils, slept for two 
hours ; his trusty guide, Martin Post, watching.® 


a This hill is laid down in General Washington’s surveyed map of the county, as Boar hill. 
6 Post was at this time attached to Co]. Schammel’s regiment. 


650 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


In the summer of 1780, the famous spy Huddlestone was discovered 
concealed in the woods upon this hill, and was afterwards hung at 
Poughkeepsie. For a long time it was frequented by the American 
water guards, whose business it was to intercept all traders passing to 
the British lines. 

On the south side of this hill fell the brave Captain Rowe of Pru- 
schank’s yagers. This individual appears to have been in the habit of 
making a daily tour from Kings Bridge, round by Mile Square, for the 
purpcse of reconnoitering. On the morning of the melancholy accident 
which terminated his career, he was on his last tour of military duty, 
having already resigned his commission for the purpose of marrying the 
accomplished Elizabeth Fowler of Haarlem ; when passing with a com- 
pany of light dragoons he was suddenly fired upon by three Americans 
of the water guard of Captain Pray’s company, who had ambuscaded 
themselves in the cedars near the site of the present residence of Mr. 
Bangalore. Their shot took deadly effect, for the Captain fell from his 
horse mortally wounded. ‘The yagers instantly made prisoners of the 
undisciplined water guards, and a messenger was immediately dispatched 
to Mrs. Babcock, then living below in the parsonage, for a vehicle to re- 
move the wounded officer. The use of her gig and horse was soon ob- 
tained, and a neighbor, Anthony Archer, pressed to drive. In this they 
conveyed the dying man to Col. Van Cortlandt’s. They appear to have 
taken the route of Tippett’s valley, as the party stopped at Mr. Frede- 
rick Post’s to obtain a drink of water. In the mean time an express 
had been forwarded to Miss Fowler, his affianced bride, to hasten with- 
out delay to the side of her dying lover. On her arrival, accompanied 
by her mother, the expiring soldier had just strength enough left to ar- 
ticulate a few words, when he sunk exhausted with the effort. 

As late as 1780 a thick forest extended from the village north to Mr. 
William Bolmer’s, bounded by the Hudson and Saw Mill rivers. The . 
site of these woods on the Hudson shore is now occupied by a number 
of country residences, among which are those of Sampson Simpson, Esq. 
This gentleman’s father, in company with Col. James had charge of the 
silver mines at Sing Sing previous to the Revolution. Also Pomona 
Hall, the residence of Philip Rhinelander Roberts, Esq. In this house 
the aspiring politician Colonel Burr found a safe asylum to shelter him— 
self from the storm of indignation which followed the death of the illus- 
trious Hamilton. 

The eastern edge of Boar hill is still covered with beautiful woods, 
sloping gradually to the bank of the Saw Mill river This lovely stream 
rises among the picturesque hills of Chappequa; its source is formed 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 651 


from two springs, one on the land of Job Collins, the other on the pro- 
perty of Willett Kipps. Its descent from the springs lies nearly in a 
south course of sixteen miles through the rich bottoms of a valley bor- 
dered with high woodlands ; and not unfrequently its waters become lost 
in some rocky dell or amongst dark foliage. At times it is seen stealing 
through some green meadow with a babbling sound. or occasionally be- 
coming impetuous, it rushes over rocks and stones in its headlong course; 
but more frequently 


“*Clear are the depths where its eddies play, 
And dimples deepen and whirl away.”— Bryant. 


At the foot of Boar hill a bridge crosses the stream nearly opposite the 
Parsonage.* It was here that Eden Hunt, brother of Major David 
Hunt, was waylaid and attacked by two soldiers belonging to the British 
Refugee Corps. It would appear that the unfortunate man being better 
mounted than the rest of his companions, who were all retreating before 
Col. De Lancey, rode considerably in advance ; and on coming to the 
cross roads near the Methodist church, he mistook his way, and was fol- 
lowing the course of the Saw Mill road when he was mortally wounded. 
The rest of the party made good their retreat by the Albany turnpike. 

The old Parsonage, formerly called Babcock’s house, appears to have 
been frequently garrisoned by the troops of both armies. It was here 
that Lord Howe fixed his head-quarters, and here the American Col. 
Gist was visiting in 1778, when the enemy determined upon his sur- 
prisal. At this period the house was occupied by the handsome and ac- 
complished widow of the Rev. Luke Babcock and Miss Sarah Williams, 
a sister of Mrs. Frederick Philipse. To the former lady Col. Gist was 
devotedly attached; consequently when an opportunity afforded, he 
gladly moved his command into that vicinity. On the night preceding 
the attack, he had stationed his camp at the foot of Boar hill, directly 
opposite the parsonage, for the better purpose of paying a special visit to 
this lady. It is said that whilst engaged in urging his suit the enemy 
were quietly surrounding his quarters ; he had barely received his final 
dismissal from Mrs. Babcock when he was startled with the firing of 
musketry. The following account of the attack is thus given by the 
British commander, Lieut, Col. Simcoe :— 


** Colonel Gist, who commanded a light corps of the rebels, was posted 
near Babcock’s house, from whence he made frequent patrols. Lieut. 
Col. Simcoe had determined to attack him; when, a deserter coming 
in, at night, who gave an accurate account of his position, the following 


a This is a description of 1848. 


6 52 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


morning was fixed upon for the attempt. General Kniphausen, who 
commanded at Kings Bridge, approved of the enterprise, and ordered a 
detachment of the Yagers to co-operate in it; Lieut. Col. Emmerick 
undertook to lead the march, having in his corps people who were well 
acquainted with the country. 

The following disposition was made. Emmerick’s infantry, followed 
by the Queen’s Rangers, were to march through the meadows on the 
side of Valentine’s hill, opposite Cortland’s ridge, and pass between the 
rebel sentries to Babcock’s house, when they would be in the rear of 
Gist’s encampment, which they were immediately to attack. Lieut. Col. 
Tarleton, with the whole of the cavalry, was to proceed to cover the 
right, and arrive at Valentine’s hill by daylight ; a detachment of Yagers, 
under Capt. Wreden, were to march on Cortland’s ridge, and to halt 
opposite to Gist’s encampment; and a larger detachment of Yagers, 
under Major Pruschank, were, at the same time, to be ready to force 
Philipse’s bridge, then to proceed to the bridge opposite Babcock’s house, 
and to cut off the enemy’s retreat by that road. The signal for these 
divisions moving on, was to be the noise of storming Gist’s encampment. 
Lieut. Col. Emmerick conducted the march in so able a manner, and the 
whole corps followed with so much silence, that the enemy’s sentinels 
were passed without alarm, and this division gained the heights in the 
rear, and could see the whole chain of sentinels walking below them. 
Major Ross was detached to possess himself of Post’s house, to preserve 
a communication with Lieut. Col. Tarleton on Valentine’s hill; the 
remainder of the Rangers inclined to the right, towards Gist’s camp, 
and Lieut. Col. Emmerick was directed to secure the Saw Mill road. 
Firing soon began; and it was apparent from Lieut. Col. Emmerick’s 
quarter, whom the enemy had discovered. Lieut. Col. Simcoe imme- 
diately moved rapidly into the road, and directly up the steeps to the 
enemy’s Camp, as a nearer way than through the thickets; he attained it, 
and, to his great surprise, found that Major Pruschank had not forced 
Philips’ Bridge, as had been intended, but had crossed and joined Capt. 
Weeden on Cortlandt’s ndge; and that Col. Gist had escaped through 
the passage which had been so unaccountably left open. Lieut. Col. 
Tarleton fell in with a patrol of cavalry, and dispersed it; and the 
Queen’s Rangers, as soon as they got possession of Gist’s camp, having 
ambuscaded themselves,took a patrol which came forward on hearing 
the firing. The troops set fire to Gist’s huts and returned to their 
camp.” 


From the American accounts, it appears that all the roads and bridges 
had been well guarded by the enemy, except the one now called Warner’s 
Bridge, and that Capt. John Odell,upon the first alarm led off his troops 
through the woods on the west side of the Saw Mill; here Colonel 
Gist joined them. In the meantime Mrs. Babcock, having stationed 
herself in one of the dormer windows of the Parsonage, aided their 
escape whenever they appeared, by the waving of a white handkerchief. 


a@ Simcoe’s Mill. Journal, p. 86. 


i) Dita ty, -— 
ie 6 © + Jus dq, 
{F :ece Tus ww?) 
| Vian, Khe 
yi) ote © ewelieatent 


7 fy ‘ 
ae 
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| 
| 


———- FIRM, Te iil - | 

ns SS ke Sk ee 
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hare air] eh! Sears ‘ st fi) erent et serra ne - 

jee hs th permit te ia : er vet here cee 
fab Cosel, AML, WT Riedy AH ohamaaaieed 


- “ ¥ ee ae a sma 


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4 i ‘ —ppi-estt - » . 
wy pee « ’ Pas ‘ p , ow ba Gach my oA Us 34 et tikie 4 — 
Pais, “Ta TH, whee rh Aloe eri feos prrnnenstt Pomabees A egeMes ; . 
D ? * ‘epg byt \ Keariqpe et ; ; 
Mates hp * beret . goa eamaonrtl Gt bavorrey 9. cenit te — 
sadni A ret, det — igh 
it 


20 Tote sal} to keenT Pe :Heieoe -aielaegty 1b 
mal tee i 
ee ee ae eee 


Mido 


View air 


’ ne By 


oh et 
Lo 5 spate p bre 


oe 
foie, 


of Fordham, N.Y. 
mentions: Hon, father John Odell, wife Hannah, brother Michael, 
children, John, Isaac, Abraham, Jonathan, Hannah and Altien, | widow,” dated 28d May, 1780, 
(N.Y. Wills, Liber, 18, 


John 


Te i or 


guide to General 
Washington, member of Assem- 
bly. 
Jane 0, M. Odell 
b, 16th Feb,, 1800, of Yonkers, 
|. Nov., 1850, 
Jacob De Lance: aan ey Rich, 
ee 
. Ve, 0 on pinean 
See N.Y. Gen. and Bio, 
Record, Vol. 1X., p. 48. 


| 
Tsanc_. 


: Jonathan sara! 
Tsaac..———-Odeli_ of Onondaigua, fa- Clyntje. James Teller 
ther of Isaac, late John, the father of Isaac 


D. 188), 


Tis will, N.Y., 26 Sept, 1785, proved July, 1788, | da, of Altien, of "Yonkers, 
wife of Johannes Odell,” in the will of *Alltle Vermillie 
(N.Y, Wills, Liber, 12, 


Face p 653, vol il 


winlam, DT yao" 
b, about 1634, was one of the first settlers of Rye, N. Y., where he owned a large estate ; and d. about 
1700, In 1681, he appears on the Fairfield Records, in a list of inhabitants, as owning there 362 acres. In 
1084, he gave deed of land at Rye, to his **son Samuel, living in the same county."" 


Jn 1697, 


PEDIGREE OF ODELL, OF RYE, GREENBURGH AND YONKERS, 


Revised and corrected by Rurvs Kina, of Yonkers, New York, 1881. 


Arms :—Argent, 


the emigrant to America, was at Concord, Mass., 1639, 


three Crescents, gules, 


Crest:—An Eagle displayed, gules. 


Mr. William Odell _. 
He removed to Fairfleld, Conn., about 1644, where his will, dated 6th June, 1676, 


Motto:—Fac et Spera. 


was proved 12th of same month, by his son, John Odell, who, with his son-in-law, Samuel Moorehouse, were made Executors. This will 
mentions :—Sons, William and John; daughter, Rebecca Moorehouse ; grand-children, Samuel Moorehouse and Thomas Moorehouse, and 


John Odell, sou of John Odell; also, daughter-in-law Mary Odell. 


land in ye Common at ye Concord,” (Fairfield Wills, 1675 and 1689, p. 30). 


The inventory of the estate amounted to £447 1-5, including * undivided 


da. of 

Mr. Richard Vowles, of Fairfield, who was free- 
man in 1662, and representative of the Colonial 
Government in 1665-8-9, 


as resident 


of Rye, gave deed to Stephen Sherwood. Savage calls him, ** William of Greenwich, Conn,, in 1631, aged 
47." On 2d Oct,, 1668, as an inhabitant of Rye, he signed a petition as ** William Woodhull,’ 


of Fordham, N.Y., in 1685, sold Jand which was his * deceased 
In 1785, is called “Hon, father John 
Odell,” In son John's will, mentioned below. 


father Wm. Odell’s."” 


f 


James 


b. at Concord, 2d Dec. 1639, 


buried there 4th Feb., 1641, 


(N_E. Reg., Vol. 4, p. 272). 


| 
Rebecca= Samuel Moorehouse, 
b, at Con- of Fairfield, Conn. 


cord, V7th 
May, 1642, 


of Stratfield, Conn.; freeman, 18th Oct,, 1664; in 1666, executed deed in behalf of his father, William Odell; 
Will, 22d April, 1707, mentions, wife Mary, di 
Mary, and other daughters, (Fairfeld Wills), His grand-son, John Ouell, removed to Conn, Farms, N.J., 


in 1673, received grant of land from town of Fairfleld. 


gonh, Senr.,... Mary ——- 


where he m. Temperance, da. Rev. Jonathan Dickinson, and became the father of the Hon, and Rey, 
Jonathan Odell, A.M., M.D , Rector of St. Mary’s church, Burlington, N.J, ; b, at Newark, N.J., 26th Sept., 


1737, died at Frederickton, N.B., 25th Noy,, 1818. 


Whio died about 1711, Is called “ widow, of Stratfield,” 
in Inventory of her estate taken by her son Samnel, 
1th Mareh, 1711, 


| 
John Joanna Turner, 


| 
Join Tannah Vermilye, 


|p. 166), 


. Is called “Hannah 


Devaux 


ohn. 


of Ford. 
ham 


and Jemima, 


Hobbs 


Benson 


of Greenburgh, N, 
at White Plains, N.Y,, dated 2ist June, 1819, 
mentions: wife Rebecca; sons, Jacob and 
Jonathan; da’s., Hannah Odell, Alida Oakley 
and Rebecca Valentine, dec. Exors,,wife Re- 
becca, son Jucob and nephew Abraham, son 
of brother Jonathan, of Greenburgh, N.Y, 


| 
Abrahum Rebecca Dyck- 
b, 22d April, 1726; will | man, b. 10 Dec., 


1727; d. 6 April, 
1821, 


General ein Devoor 
of Yonkera, N.Y., b. 26th July, | widow of 
1766; a distinguished oficer | Abraham 
inthe American army ; buried | Brevoort, 
In St. John’s cemetery, Yonk- | Of N. Y. 
ers, N, Y. city. 


Apa i, be Dec,, 1752. 

Jane Abraham Valentine 
b, 8th Oct, 1754. 
Jonathan — 
b, 28d June, 1760, 
Rebecca _ Elijah Valentine 


b. 19th June, 1766, 


of Yonkers, N. Y, 
b, 24th Nov., 1797, 
d, 26th Mar, 1879. 


Alida James Oakley 


Elizabeth Underhill 


of Greenburgh, N, Y., 
Sept., 1718, bur. at Tarrytown, N. Y. Will at 
White Plains, dated 29th May, 1812, men- | 
tlons: sons, William, John and Abraham, 
and other relatives, including daughters, 
Johanna Dyckman, Rebecca Dyckman and 
Jane Vermilyea, i 


— 
Jonathan — 


ml 
Michael — 


of Greenburgh, N.Y... | 
4 Jan., 1760; d, 27 
1820, Member of 
State Assembly; buried | 
at Tarrytown, N. Y. 


Hannah _Tsaac Odell | 


Johanna 


Cornelius Manaeviite =1, Hannah Underhill 
da, Bishop, of Scars- 
dale; d. 2ist June, 
1828, 

2, Jane Odell, 
da. Gen, Jacob, of 
Yonkers, N. Y. 


AVI buoy, 1782 
Rachel, b. 16 July, 1785 
William, b. 18 Jul: 
Jacob, b. 28 Feb,, 1790 
Catharine, b, 23 Noy., 1792 
Johanna, b, 31 July, 1795 
Anne, b. 22 June, 1500 
Phavbe, b. 27 Feb., 1804, 


rabilatian 


I | 
Samuel —Patience—— Tsauc Anne Tompkins — Bussing 
who, 16 July, 1688, {8 called‘*Hannah Odell, of Fordham, N.Y. In 1697, is described as of Tryo, Fairfield Co., of Eastchester, N.Y. In 1699, at White Plains, Signed Oath In 1699, signed Oath of Hee RAP EN alae da Wit 
wife of John Odell,” as witness of an as- Conn., and with wife Patience, gives deed of land there, In 1700, at of Alleg. to King William. In 1705, with wife Anne, assigned Allegiance at White na 
sault on Richard Hubbard and others. Rye, N.Y., gives deed of val formerly belonging to his father, Wm. Odell. Jand at Rye, N.¥., to Humphrey Underhill. Plains, N.Y. i of Rye, N.Y., removed to Dutctre Co, 
| | Sarah John Archer, Ea 
‘Thompkins Joshua.Sarah Jones Ancestor of Jolin, U8 be 
William ones Wilton Branch TMendrick Sarah Devaux iia tae of ie Minor of Fordham, 
of Eastchester, N.Y., eldest son NY., 7 Oct.,1086: (See Archer’ 
, Pedigree), 
i tI (aS E i E | | tt rl 
Jonathan —Margaret Dyck- Hannah Daniel _ Valentine Joshua_Mary Vincent Joseph_Martha Manning John Mary James — Odell Margaret Charles Dusenberry 
b, 26 Dec., 1730, d. 23 | man, d.20Mar,, —_Altien_John Devaux. of Mile Square, Canada Lower | of Yonkers, N.Y. | Wiltsea Stephen Elizabeth Sherwood Hannah Lewis Rich 
1783, aged 51, A daughter_ Evert Brown ‘Abraham T 7 1 == ae Jonathan — Eleanor Underhill Sarah Matthias Archer 
Buried at Tar- of Dutchess Co., N.Y, Joshua ramet Charles 
rytown, N. Y. Joni prone Joseph Jacob Sarah 
of Yonkers, N.Y Martha Eve | 
| 
| 
| | ae an So, 
| . “wae ; ; a a=. Elizabeth 
| —— James Abby. 
dla, of Col, 
i = = | | 1 | a TTTT ha a ise | T I T TIT 
Abraham_ Anne Mandeville, Colonel John_ 1.Hannah McChain, Jacob_.Hannah Tsaac —Phoebe Dean Willlam_ Hannah Wiltsea, Jemima=—Gerrit Dyckman | Jobn ~Esther Joseph. Rebecca Abraham —Mary Daniel_Ann James,.Elizabeth Jotnhd 
da, of Cornelius, of Greenburgh, N.Y., b.| no issue, b, 26 Feb., 1752, | Stymus,  b, 25 Sept.,1753, | of Croton, b. 13 Mar., 1762, (= Daniel. Jane. {y rene Honeywell of Duteh- | Crawford of Green- | Thomp- of Dutoh- Nelson Boyce Odell Sarah. Pothill 
of Peekskill; b. 25 Oct., 1766, d. 26 Oct., 2.AbigallBrowne,da d, 20 Oct., 1798 da. Jas- «. 24 June. 1811, | N. Y. d.14Feb., 1856, ian coon myaerian ess Co, burgh kins eas Co, Abigail Lawrence 
27 Nov., 1760; d. 1835; served with distinc- | Hachaliah, of Som- Will at White per, | Margaret dled young ne | Underhill 
| 15 Aug., 1835. tion in the war of the | erstown, N.Y. (See Plains, dated 19 | ~ married | Tseno- Charity Law 
Revolution, and received | Browne Pedigree), Sept, 1798, men- | Aletta, died young | | 
Colonel's commission tlons: wife Han- | Jonathan, died in infancy | 
from Continental | nah; sons, Jona- | Johanna | | 
Congress, than and Jasper, i | ~ 
| and child unborn, | 
| | | of yonkers Lycltt | 
| | | 
i [| [| Tritt Lid aa Tecate JI titi Mile Tid | Lit ttiid Pill | 
Paneemianen Underhill Tonalh an teyane Thompkins Jonathea | Phave Thompkins JAG —Susan McChain Margaret _—— Barker 1 TE ‘Snsan Veter Joshua Jane Lynt Hephen Thomas B. Daniel Mary Isaac Odell Heh fashsh hd 
of Scarsdale,N.Y. of Tarrytown, N.Y. niece of Gov. Daniel Charlotte Dean Altien — ry. Hannah Charity Daniel William L, Daniel Benjamin dD. ea Aug., Die Soph; Jonn 
Jackson Anna Ward Jasper Wyllie Thompkins, of Isaac_Mary A. Barker ie 2 Joshua Betsy James Anne Gilbert ‘Tomp- Joshua Lawrence aaran E Moses 
. 4 = Sin 7 R 6 A Blizabe' a Mary Mary Joseph 
of Greenburgh, N.Y. da. Bartholomew Jacob ———-Smith New York. Abraham, died anmarried Eliza_. Densmore, of Isaac_Mary Odell John Elizabeth ee Sophia 7 
b.8 May, 1792, (See Ward Pedigree) Daniel..Maria Chatterton Tacob — Brooklyn, Nv¥. Loe? At dnarity Benjamin Abigail Hannali Ven}, Brown Elizabeth Susan Cantcise Tancaster Sarah 
d. 18 July, 1849, Margaret. Isaac Stymus William _Rebecca Dyck- mw. TAWraricn Charlotte Sarah Jane ‘8 ee 
Grad. Columbia man William Caroline e 
Coll. 0 Nov., 1814. Johanna _Gerrit Dyckman Harriett Charles 
‘tasted Wm.Dyckman_—Fowler Anne Rachel. Estes 
Marianne John V: 


matried Rafus S. King, 
of New York city; b. 11 
Sept , 1798, d. 22 July, isto, 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 653 


During the winter of 1780 a gang of six or eight “cow boys” broke 
open the Parsonage and robbed the defenceless ladies of everything 
valuable. To escape detection, they had blackened their faces and 
disguised their persons. Upon the departure of this gang their leader, 
after making a profound bow, thus addressed Mrs. Babcock :— 


‘Fare you well and fare you better, 
And when I die, [’ll send you a letter.” 


Fortunately, Mrs. Babcock, through the intervention of Col. James van 
Cortlandt, obtained restitution of everything. Within a few years, trees 
have been cut down near the site of Gist’s camp and found to contain 
balls buried six inches in the wood. 

North of the Parsonage, on the Saw Mill river road, is situated the 
residence and property of the late Mr. Robert Reed. This patriotic in- 
dividual having obtained certain information from King’s Bridge, that the 
enemy were fitting out an expedition against Col. Thompson—then sta- 
tioned at the Four Corners—and were on the eve of marching, he 
instantly mounted his horse and rode up to the American quarters, a 
distance of thirteen or fourteen miles, thus giving Thompson timely 
warning of the enemy’s approach. The horse upon which he rode died 
a few minutes after his arrival. 

In the Saw Mill valley is also situated the residence of the late Gen- 
eral Jacob Odell, a descendant of the ancient and honorable family of 
the Odils. ‘‘The river Ouse,” says Camden, “runs under Odil or Wood- 
hill, formerly Wayhull, which also had its Barons of Wayhull, eminent 
for their ancient nobility, where was a castle.” The first ancestor of the 
family in this country, was William Odell, of Concord, who removed to 
Fairfield, Connecticut, in 1644. His son William was one of the prin- 
cipal proprietors of Rye, in 1661-2.% 

General Jacob Odell, at the early age of 21 years, embraced the mili- 
tary profession, and in the year 1776, took up arms in defence of his 
country. He used to recount with pleasure the time and the very spot 
where himself and three other cousins of the name, volunteered their ser- 
vices to the Continental Congress. It was beneath the white-wood tree 
where the Westchester farmers stopped Major André, and found the 
papers that revealed the treason of Arnold. After enlisting, he served in 
Captain Samuel Drake’s regiment, belonging to the brigade of General 
Scott. On the memorable retreat after the battle of Long Island, he was 
on picket guard. At the close of the war, and as soon as the militia was 
formed, he received his commission from Major General Morris. 


a See Pedigree of Odell Family. 


654 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Like the rest of the ‘“Veutral Ground,” this part of Yonkers was 
infested with marauding parties of “‘Cow Boys” and “Skinners,” the 
former of whom claimed the title of Loyalists; the latter, under the 
mask of patriotism, called themselves Whigs. 

During the war when General Odell’s father and family were living 
in the homestead, a party of these lawless ruffians, with blackened 
faces, armed with muskets, entered the house. ‘Their first act appears 
to have been to secure the females in the cellar; having effected this, 
they proceeded to interrogate the General’s father, and demanded his 
money. 

On his refusing to satisfy their demands, they immediately hung 
him by his neck to an adjoining tree; and when life was well nigh ex- 
tinct, they cut him down, and again repeated their threats, but to no 
better purpose. Whereupon they once more suspended and lowered him, 
leaving him for dead. sas 

During these proceedings, the females had escaped from the cellar, 
and Mrs. Odell, the General's mother, a woman of great intrepidity, 
boldly assaulted them, upon which these cowardly villians attacked 
her with the butt ends of their muskets. She managed, however, to 
escape with a few broken ribs. On this occasion the General was too 
young to take an active part in the affray, and narrowly escaped by 
lowering himself with a cord from the garret window. His son Jacob 
Odell, Esq., now owns the property. The adjoining estate, north, 
belongs to his son-in law, Cornelius Odell, Esq. 

The roads leading east of the Saw Mill valley intersect with the 
Sprain valley road, which runs nearly north and south. 

The Sprain river, called by the Indians A*monperahin, rises in two 
springs north of Thirty Deer Ridge; the west branch in Wolf Swamp.¢ 
The other called the Grassy Sprain, on the lands of widow Underhill. 
These two springs flowing south intersect a little east of Benj. Fowler’s. 
They again divide at the northern extremity of Thirty Deer Ridge, and 
running through two different vales again meet nearly opposite the Cat 
rocks—so called for the abundance of wild cats that once frequented the 
hill. These animals, Van der Donck assures us, had skins resembling 
that of a lioness; and not unlike them in form, with the exception of 
short tails like a rabbit or hare. 

After uniting here, the Sprain pursues a south-east course until it 
discharges into the Bronx, on the lands of Nathaniel Valentine. The 
waters of the Sprain were pronounced by the commissioners in 1842, to 
be the purest in Westchester county. 

a A wolf was killed here as late as 1806. 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 655 


This beautiful stream was long celebrated for its trout. Well may the 
lover of the sport exclaim with Cotton, 


“* None so brigbt, 
So pleasant to the taste, none to the sight: 
None yield the angler such delight.” 


This fish begins to bite in March or April. Very large sized trout have 
been caught here about the middle of March, and they continue till the 
months of July and August. They lie, generally, under the shelter of 
stumps, bridges and stones. 

The bait generally used in catching this fish, is the common earth 
worm. By connoisseurs, the artificial fly is preferred. 

The north-eastern part of this township is occupied by a high ridge of 
hills, called the Tuckahoe Hills. This portion of the town, originally 
formed a part of that large tract of land between the Saw Mill and the 
Bronx rivers, which was ceded by the Indian chiefs—Sepham and others— 
to Frederick Phillipse, June 5, 1684. Tradition says, that anciently, an 
Indian Sachem of that name had his residence on one of these hills, and 
exercised all authority among the tribes of the neighboring valleys. 

The name Tuckahoe, means in the Algonquin, “ The Bread ;” literal- 
ly, Tuckah (bread) the 0, oe, or ong, being merely an objective sign re- 
lating to the plant itself. 

The celebrated Captain Smith, in his travels and adventures, tells us, 
“That the chief root the Indians of Virginia have for food, is called 
Tockawhoughe. It groweth like flagge in marshes. In one day a say- 
age will gather sufficient for a weeke. These roots are much of the 
greatness and taste of potatoes. They are toasted, a great many of 
them, with oke leaves and ferns, and then cover all with earth in the 
manner of a cole pit; over it on each side, they continue a great fire 
twenty-four hours before they dare eat it. Raw itis no better than poyson ; 
and being roasted—except it be tender, and the heat -abated, or sliced 
and dryed in the sunne mixed with sorrel and greens, or such like—it 
will prickle and torment the throat, extraordinary; and yet in summer, 
they use this commonly for bread.” 

R. Beverly, in his History of Virginia, published A. D. 1722, calls 
it Tuckahoe. : 

“Respecting the frequent diet of the Indians in general,” [says John 
F. Watson. “‘we may say that besides their usual plantations of corn, 
they often used wild roots; of these they had tawho, [arum virginicum, ] 


a Travels and Adventures of Capt. John Smith, p, 121.7. 
b Beverly’s Hist. of Virginia, p. 153. 


656 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


and tawkee, [orantium aquaticum.] ‘These roots grew in low damp 
grounds, were a kind of potatoes to them, and were divested of their 
poisonous or injurious quality by roasting." The Mohegan term for 
bread is Tauquah.? 

These names evidently point to one and the same plant, which still 
flourishes along the moist margins of the-Tuckahoe creek. This stream 
rises on the lands of John Tompkins, and waters the western side of the 
ridge. Pursuing a south course,it discharges into the Armonperahin,,. 
near where the latter forms a junction with the Bronx. 

Upon the highest ground of the ridge stands the Episcopal chapel, 
from which the eye can command a fine prospect embracing almost 
every variety of scenery. This chapel was erected A. D. 1798, during 
the Rectorship of the Rev. Elias Cooper, upon land the gift of the late 
John Bowne, Esq. Mr. Bowne was the son of Thomas Bowne, and 
grandson of John Bowne, formerly of Flushing, L. I., a descendant of the 
celebrated John Bowne of that place, who was born at Matlock, Derby- 
shire, England, March gth, 1627. The adjoining estate was occupied 
by the sons of the late John Bowne, Esq. 

We have seen a receipted bill rendered in 1798, for building the 
Protestant Episcopal Church at Turkeyhoe, (it is now in the possession 
of Elias Cooper Bowne, Esq., who is in his 84th year) to John Bowne, Esq., 
one of the founders of the church, and father to Elias Cooper Brown, 
Esq. And on one of the guide-posts near the church, a few years ago, 
as late as 1854, could easily be traced, the name ‘‘ Turkeyhoe,” painted 
over with the pesent name “‘ Tuckahoe.” The valley to the west was 
always famous, so Elias Cooper Bowne, Esq., informs us, for wild turkies. 
An old resident informed us that when the market wagon came down the: 
valley, which was called Turkey hollow, the driver would call out, 
“ Turkey ! hoe.’’"— Editor. 

For many years it was an appendage or chapel of ease to the parish 
church of St. Johns, Yonkers. About 1846, the building underwent 
considerable repairs, and a commodious vestry-room was added to the 
chapel. On June 2gth, 1847, it was consecrated to the service of 
Almighty God by the name of St. John’s chapel, Tuckahoe. 

In 1853, it severed its connection with the parent church, after having 
been a chapel for more than half a century. 

Early in the summer of 1870, the church was put in thorough repair, 
a recess chancel added, and several additional pews. An organ was 
Suxchines in the same year:— 


a John T. Watson, Hist. Tales, also Address of De Witt Clinton, &c., &c. 
b Trans of Amer, Antiq. Soc, 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 657 


LIST OF REOTORS AND MINISTERS. 


CALL. REMOVAL. 
Aug. 1, 1853, Rey. Cas. Jonss, 1858. 
Oct. 1859, Rey. Aveustus Sr. Crarr, 1860. 
July 1860, ~ Rev. Davin Doremvs, 1861. 

eS 1865, Rev. A. M. Ivss, Died in 1880. 


From 1861 to 1865, the church was closed. 


In 1880, Elias Cooper Bowne, Esq., had the church completely reno- 
vated-—frescoing it handsomely, and putting in beautiful stained-glass win- 
dows, carpeting and cushioning it throughout. It is now one of the 
gems of the county. 

There are many interesting historical recollections connected with 
this hill and vicinity. During the eventful week that preceded the bat- 
tle of White Plains, General Washington’s advance corps lay upon the 
Tuckahoe heights, under the command of General Scott, whose whole 
corps numbered 2000 men. Directly south of the church, bordering 
the Eastchester road, was the property of Mr. Valentine Odell. Here 
a party of nine patriots were overtaken by a large company of DeLan- 
cey’s horse, commanded by Colonel Oliver Hatfield. The whole party 
were barbarously killed or mortally wounded. 

A touching incident deserves to be recorded, in connection with this 
melancholy affair. A dog belonging to one of the Americans that fell 
upon this occasion, took up his quarters at Mr. Caleb Smith’s who lived 
a mile below. The ladies of Mr. Smith’s family were frequently in the 
habit of visiting their neighbor Mr. Odell, when the dog would go with 
them half way and return. It appears nothing could ever tempt him to 
pass the fatal spot. 

On the farm of the late Isaac Lent west of the hill, the American offi- 
cer (Major Leavenworth of the Massachusetts line) ambuscaded a large 
detachment in 1778, for the purpose of cutting off Capt. Joshua Barnes 
of DeLancey’s corps ; who, he ascertained, had gone up in the neigh- 
borhood of Hart's Corners for the object of plundering. The better to 
draw Barnes into his ambuscade, Shotwell posted a party of his com- 
mand upon the hill a little below the church. Upon the return of 
Barnes he immediately descried the detachment on the hill, to avoid 
which he lead his men off by the opposite side, thus walking directly 
into the trap laid by his wary foe. They received one heavy fire and 
surrendered, consisting of one full company—sixty-four men. 

In the house of Isaac Lent, then occupied by Jacob Vermilyea, a small 
party of American volunteers under the command of Captain Honey- 
well had stopped to take some refreshments, having just returned from 


658 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


an incursion into Morrisania—when they were suddenly surrounded by 
the enemy under Captain Totten, who fired upon the house killing one 
of the patriots and making prisoners of nine. These, however, finally 
rose upon the guard and escaped. 

Near the vicinity of the school-house, Benjamin Hunt of the conti- 
nental army, captured thirty of the enemy by stratagem, with a force of 
half that number. Availing himself of the darkness of the night, he 
called out as if in command of a large detachment, “‘ Lieutenant Such- 
a-one to the right ;” ‘Captain to the left ;” in this manner he de- 
ceived his enemy, who laid down their arms and surrendered at discre- 
tion. 

On the east side of the Tuckahoe hill is the property of Charles R.- 
Dusenberry, Esq., one of the most active members of the Croton water 
commissioners. The house occupies an elevated position, overlooking a 
picturesque vale to the south-east. 

The Methodist church is prettily situated at the foot of the hill, sur- 
rounded by a fine locust grove, and near the margin of a small stream 
that washes the eastern side of the hills. The edifice is a handsome 
stone structure. This society was first organized in 1797, and called 
“the first Methodist Episcopal Church of the town of Yonkers.” 

The small set#ement of Tuckahoe is situated upon the western margin 
of the Bronx. Here is a convenient depot of the Harlem railroad, 
post office, stores, and India rubber manufactory. 

The Tuckahoe bridge which crosses the Bronx at this place, appears 
to have been erected at a very early period, as we find it recorded by 
that name, A. D. 1728.4 

During the encampment of the American army upon the hills to the 
west, the British horse stationed above at Wood’s house, (afterwards 
called Marble Hall), now the residence of S. D. Gifford, County Judge, 
were in the constant habit of coming down to water their horses at the 
foot of this bridge. On one occasion a small party of Continentals con- 
cealed themselves in ambush on the margin of the river, and lay waiting 
for the usual approach of the horse. A long interval elapsed, but at last 
the well-known tramp declared the enemy near at hand. Every gun 
was cocked, and a death-like stillness prevailed; but whether the enemy 
suspected their designs, or obtained information, was never ascertained; 
for, at that time, they came with nearly their whole force. To have fired 
upon them, would have been but the prelude to a massacre; the patriots, 
therefore, lay snugly concealed until their departure. 

The following extracts from the town records, relate to the first elec- 
~ a Records of Roads, Co. Records. 


THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 659 


tion of town officers, in 1756, and immediately subsequent to the Re- 
volution :— 


At a public town meeting of the frecholders and inhabitants of the Yonkers 
and Mile Square, at the house of Edward Stevenson, in said Yonkers, on the 
first Tuesday of April, in 1756, being the day appointed by act of the General 
Assembly of this Province of New York, for choosing town officers, and likewise 
to make regulation of creatures and fences. The under-written officers and 
orders of creatures and orders of fences, were made by majority of votes, 


James Corton, Supervisor and Pounder. 
BENJAMIN Fow.erR, Town Clerk. 
Tuomas SHERWOOD, Constable and Collector. 


Davip OAKLEY ) 
Wuuam W ARNER, f Assessors. 
Epwarp WEEKES, 
WILLIAM CRAWFORD, 
DanieL DEvoE, : 
Joun Rwer, | Highway Hasters. 
Tsaac ODELL, 
HENDBICK Post. 


ANDREW Noni, 


CuarLes WARNER, | i 
Moses Talzer, Fence and Damage Viewers. 


Isaac ODELL, 

At a town meeting held for the Yonkers, in the Manor of Philipsborough, at 
the house of David Hunt, on the 28th day of December, 1788, under the Super- 
intendence of Israel Honeywell, Esq., William Hadley and Thomas Sherwood, 
in pursuance of an ordinance for holding elections in the southern district, by the 
Council appointed. The act entitled an act to provide for the temporary govern- 
ment of the southern part of this State, until the enemy shall abandon or be dis- 
possessed of the same, and until the Legislature can be convened, &c. Passed 
the 23d day of October, 1779. The following town officers were chosen : 


IspaEL HonEYWELL, Esq., Supervisor. 
Davin Hunt, Clerk. 
Tuomas SHEEWOOD, Constable and Collector. 
IspaEL HonEYWELL, Jr., Esq., Security. 


WituiaM Berts, ) : 
JACOB VERMILYEA, ) Assessors. 


FREDERICK VERMILYEA, Overseer of Roads on the east side of Tippetts Brook, 
WituiamM CrawFoerp, sf ‘6 6 for the upper part, 

WILt. WARNER, ae 6 for the middle part, 

BENJAMIN ODELL, 

JouN ARCHER, = 6 for Tuckahoe, 


660 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


cc se from Lent’s house to the mill, 
“ sf the cross-road from Mile Square to 


the Bridge. 


Jacos LENT, 
STEPHEN BERTINE, 


Witui1amM Hantey, 
JOSEPH CROOK, 


IsAAO VERMILYEA : 
= aed eee Dama Zewers. 
STEPHEN SHERWOOD, ge Viewers 


JoHN GARUS, 
WILiiaAM CRAWFORD 


ABRAHAM ODELL, 
Witt. Havtey, ~ Commissioners of Roads. 


THoMAs SHERWOOD, ) 


The general surface of the town is uneven and broken; soil, clay, and 
sandy loam, mostly well cultivated. The natural growth of wood is very 
extensive. We have already shown that it-is well drained by numerous 


streams, upon which are several mill seats. 


THE SPOWN 


OF 


ix. 2S Perey INT. 


Yorktown is situated sixteen miles north of White Plains, the county- 
seat, distant forty-two miles from New York, and one hundred and 
seventeen from Albany; bounded north, by Putnam county; east, by 
Somers and New Castle; south, by New Castle, and west by Cortlandt. 

Prior to 1788, Yorktown and Somers constituted the ‘middle ward” 
of Cortlandt’s manor, called “Hanover.” A portion of the former early 
acquired the name of ‘‘Gertrude’s Borough,” in honor of Gertrude Beeck- 
man, wife of Colonel Henry Beeckman, and one of the daughters and 
devisees of De Heer Stephanus Van Cortlandt, first Lord of the manor 
of Cortlandt. The present township was erected on the 7th of March, 
1798.4 

The Mohegan name “ Appamaghpogh,” appears to have been applied 
to the whole Indian territory within the manor, west of Meahagh (Ver- 
planck’s Point), which was subject to Weskhewen, chief sachem of 
Sachus, as late as 1685. The eastern section of Yorktown still bears 
the name of ‘‘Aemawalk,” probably an abbreviation and corruption of 
the former town—thus, 4ppamaghpogh, Amaghpogh, Amawogh or Ama- 
walk. The lands of “Appamaghpogh,” were originally granted to 
Stephanus Van Cortlandt in 1683, by thetwo Indian sachems, Pewemind 
and Oskewans, as mentioned in our description of Somers, &c. 

The principal aboriginal settlement in this part of “‘ Appamaghpogh,” 
occupied the summit of “Indian Hill,” a vast height which arises to an 
elevation of nearly six hundred feet above the northern margin of “Lake 
Magrigaries,” ‘“‘Magnegamus,” or ‘‘ Magregard,” (Hollow Lake), situated 


a Revised Statutes of N. Y., p. 486. 661 


662 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


in Jefferson valley. On the southern side of the hill lies the Indian 
burying ground. The remains of several Indians were disinterred some 
years ago, near the residence of the late Dr. Hosea Fountain, 
whose property bordered on the lake. ‘Indian Hill” is also memorable 
as the last spot inhabited by a band of Aborigines in Westchester County. 
On the eastern border of the town is situated the Indian cemetery of 
“ Appamoghpogh,” or as it is now called “ Amawalk.” 

Upon the partition of the manor of Cortlandt, among the heirs and 
devisees of De Heer Stephanus van Cortlandt, in the year 1734, the 
following allotments were made in this town :— 

North lot No. 2, Andrew Miller ; ditto, No. 3, Gertrude Beeckman; 
ditto No. 4, Cornelia Schuyler and her husband, Col. John Schuyler. 
This gentleman was the father of the illustrious Gen. Philip Schuyler, of 
the Revolution. Middle lot No. 2 and 3, Gertrude Verplank; ditto 
No. 4, Elizabeth Skinner; South lot No. 1, bordering the Croton river, 
John Watts ; ditto, Nos. 4, 5, 6, 7, Philip Verplank ; ditto, No. 8, Gert- 
rude Beeckman ; ditto, No. 9, Susannah Warren. ‘The latter was the 
wife of Admiral Sir Peter Warren, K. B., who died in 1752; he com- 
manded the expedition which captured Louisburg, capitol of the Island 
of Cape Breton, in 1745. They were married in 1731, lost two lovely 
children, Peter and Elizabeth, in 1746 or 7, but left issue three daugh- 
ters; first, Ann, who married Lt. Gen. Charles Fitzroy, (second son of 
Lord Augustus Fitzroy, and grand-son of Charles, second Duke of Graf- 
ton), first Lord Southampton in 1758; secondly, Charlotte Warren, who 
married Willoughby Bertie, fourth Earl of Abingdon, in 1768; thirdly, 
Susan Warren, who married Gen. William Skinner.@ 

Subsequently the devisees and their heirs, made other divisions. 

A. D. 1784, Andrew Miller sold to John Strang a farm in west range 
of north lot No. 2, consisting of two hundred acres, which he purchased 
of John Watts. 

Gertrude Beeckman bequeathed lot No. 8, south of the Croton to her 
two nephews Philip and Wilham Ricketts van Cortlandt, as tenants in 
common in fee tail. 

Stephen van Cortlandt with his wife Catalina Staats, in 1791 gave a 
release to Elvan Purdy, with the fee of a certain lot No. 3, heretofore 
called Gertrude’s borough, being by division amongst the heirs of 
Stephen van Cortlandt, deceased, allotted to Gertrude, one of his 
daughters, late wife of Henry Beeckman, containing 156 acres. 
~ @ Heraldrick Journal, Whittemore, vol. iii, 156. ‘‘Upon the 25th Jan., 1785, No. 19 was 
sold to Mr. Gilbert Van Cortlandt, of New York, for £84, 6s; bounded north-easterly by lands. 
now, or late of the heirs of Sir Peter Warren, deceased; and south-easterly, by Furnace lot 


containing about 106 acres, forfeited to the people of this State by the attainder of Wm. 
Bayard.’’—Abst. of sales of confiseated lands, White Plains, p. 8. 


THE TOWN OF YORKTOWN. 663 


The following receipts for rent prove the Purdys to have been tenants 
in common, long prior to the above release. They also established the 
early names of the town :— 


“Rec'd, Hanover, May ye toth, 1760, by ye hand of Abraham 
Purdy, three pound in part for his farm rent and for the use of Col. 
Henry Beeckman, Esq., per me. 

300 Joun Bryan.” 


“ Received at Crompond, 16th Nov’r, 1786, per Mr. Elvan Purdy, 
one pound 13s. in part of rent. 
STEPHEN VAN CORTLANDT.” 


“Received at Yorktown, Nov. 7th, 1789, of Mr. Elvan Purdy, £2, 
19s. 9d. in full of rent due. 
STEPHEN VAN CORTLANDT.” 


The Purdy’s, who were among the first tenants of the Van Cortlandt’s 
in this town, are descended from Francis Purdy, who died at Fairfield, 
Conn., in 1658. His three sons—John, Joseph and Francis—were among 
the early settlers of Rye in this county. Joseph is first mentioned as 
residing in that town in 1677. “ He was a leading member of the com- 
munity, being Supervisor of the town in 1707-1708; Justice of the 
Peace in 1702, and after, representative of the county for-several years 
in the Assembly ; and one of the chief promoters of the Church, writes 
the Rey. James Wetmore, many years later. With Colonel Caleb Heath- 
cote and others, in 1701, he purchased lands in New Castle, where 
some of his decendants settled. His will is dated Oct. 5th, 1709. He 
had seven sons, Joseph, Daniel, Samuel, David, Jonathan, John, (called 
still John), and Francis.”* Daniel, the second son, was one of the 
patentees of Budd’s neck, in 1720, and held a thousand acres in Cort- 
landt’s manor. He had three sons—Hackaliah, Joshua and Daniel. 
The latter was the father of Abraham, who was born on roth of Oct, 
1716 ; married Pheebe, daughter of Daniel Strong, and died at Yorktown, 
17th of April, 1778. His eldest son was Abraham Purdy, Esq., for 
many years a lieutenant of Militia for the manor of Cortlandt, whose 
son, the late Alvan Purdy, Esq., erected the family homestead at Crom- 
pond, in 1775, and held a Lieutenancy in Captain Haddy’s company of 
militia, belonging to the regiment of Col. Samuel Drake. The sons of 
Alvan Purdy, were the late Abraham, ef Goshen Co., N. Y.; James of 
Yorktown ; and Alvan, late proprietor of the homestead. 

The Lees, too, were among the early tenantry of the manor, and are 
supposed to have been a younger branch of the Lees of Lee—Magna, 


a@ Baird’s Hist. of Rye, pp. 344, 435. 


664 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Kent, England, who settled in Nottingham at an early period. Wil- 
liam Lee, (whose sister Elizabeth, bequeathed her estate in England to 
the heirs general), emigrated from Nottingham to America in 1675, died 
in 1724, married Mary Marvin, and left three sons and seven daughters, 
His sons were Thomas, of Long Island, who died without issue ; Joseph, 
of Long Island, and Richard, who entered the French Military service 
in Canada, and died without issue. Joseph Lee, second son of William, 
on the 4th of December, 1753, purchased of Andrew Johnston, of Perth 
_ Amboy, N. J., ‘All that lott of land in the manor of Cortlandt, known 
by the name of Lot No. 18, and part of lot No. 17, in north lot No. 2. 
He also purchased the farm on which his great-grand-son, Enos Lee, 
now lives, in 1786; he also owned Crumpond Corner. His sons were 
Joseph of Yorktown, who died aged 77, leaving William, who died aged 
50; Joseph, who died aged 50; Hon. Elijah, who died aged 78, and 
Enos, who died aged 70, (the father of Stephen, whose sons are David 
and Enos of Yorktown). Thomas Lee, second son of Joseph, second 
son of William, of Cortlandt manor, died aged 80, leaving six sons. 
David, died aged go, married a Young; Peter, of Ohio, died aged 80; 
Paul, died aged 70; Israel, of Orange Co., N. Y., died aged 80 ;Philipi, 
also of Orange, died aged 80; and William of New Jersey, died aged 80; 
John, third son of Joseph, removed from Long Island, to Yorktown, in 
1750; he was born in 1726, married Sarah Perine, and died March rath, 
‘1816; she died July 31st, 1796, aged 74. Their children were, Thomas, 
died aged 40, without issue ; John, of New Jersey, died aged 84; Sarah, 
died aged 65, married John Horton; Henry, died aged go, without 
issue ; Hannah, died aged 87 ; Margaret, died aged 77, married Jonas 
Williams; Abigail, died aged 60, married David Knapp; Phcebe, died 
aged 78, married Francis Colgrove; Dinah, married Thaddeus Rock- 
well; Robert Lee, of Yorktown, (father of the late Hon. Thomas R. 
Lee, of Croton Falls); Phoebe, died aged 84, married Dennis Coombs ; 
Anna, died aged 85, married — Martin; Ruth, died aged 84, married 
John Wright ; Elizabeth, died aged 80, married — Martineau; Sarah, 
died aged 60; Mary, died aged 64, and Abigail, died aged 18.4 
In Crompond street, near the residence of Enos Lee, is situated an 
ancient cemetery? surrounded by a dense locust grove, containing 
memorials to the Travis’s, Hyatt’s, Ferris’s and Hughson’s:— 


a The arms of this family are: az ona fesse, between two fillets, or, three leopard’s heads. 
gu. Crest. A demi Moor ppir. vested gu. rimmed rourd the collar with two bars or, tied roun 
the waist with a ribbon ar. wreathed about the head ar. and gu, holding in his dexter hand a 
gem-ring of the third. 


b This cemetery (which is doubtless a public one) containing about half an acre of land, is 
Claimed by John J. Roak and Asa Adams, 


THE TOWN OF YORKTOWN. 665 


Here lies interred 
the body of 
JOSEPH HUGHSON, 
the son of 
NATHANIEL HuGuHson, 

Born Feb. the 16th day, 1744, 
Departed this life June the 30th day, 1759, 
Aged 15 years, 4 months 
and 2 weeks. 


In memory of 
JEMIMA FERRIS, 
wife of 
GEORGE FERRIS, 
who was born April 8th, 1766, 
and departed this life 
March 14th, 1806, 
Aged 39 years, 11 months 
and 6 days. 
Hail sinful mortal read this lay 
The type of thy short ending day, 
For lo, thy flesh devoted must 
Ere long return to native dust. 

This parish was first organized under the ministrations of the Rev. 
James Wetmore, of Rye, and the Rev. Ebenezer Dibblee, of Stamford, 
Conn. Episcopal services, we are assured, were held at the village of 
Crompond, in Yorktown, at a very early period by the former gentleman 
who was not wanting in his endeavors to promote the interest of true 
religion among the inhabitants; but his advanced age and their distance 
prevented his being so very sociable, as otherwise he might have been. 
In 1762 Mr. Dibblee, who had occasionally performed services at 
Crompond, and St. George Talbot, Esq., in company visited this place. 
The former described the people at that time, “‘as sheep without a 
shepherd, a prey to various sectaries and enthusiastic-lay teachers.” He 
also says “that he found here many well wishers and professors of the 
Church of England, who told him they had not heard the Liturgy in 
several years.” About 1774, a site was given by John Schuyler, Esq.,# 
for the erection of an Episcopal Church at Crompond in the vicinity of 
where the Congregational Meeting House stood; but the troubles 
consequeni upon the breaking out of the Revolutionary war put an end 
to the enterprise, and the deed of gift has been withheld ever since. 
The original conveyance from Schuyler to Sackett is said to be in the 


a John Schuyler, Esq., married Cornelia, daughter of Stephanus van Cortlandt. His son 
was Gen. Philip Schuyler, of the Revolutionary war. 


666 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


possession of Mr. Baldwin, of Lake Mahopac. ‘“ The house of Mrs. 
Johnson stood on the church property, a little south of the Congrega- 
tional Meeting House.” 

A Presbyterian society in this town appears to have been first organ- 
ized under the ministry of the Rev. Samuel Sackett, about 1740. Upon 
the 2nd of January, 1739, we find a deed for three acres of land given 
by Joseph Lane, Henry Beekman and Gertrude, his wife, unto John 
Hyatt, John Haight and David Travis, trustees for the first Presbyterian 
church, on which land the meeting house was erected; (said three 
acres being part of two hundred and twenty acres leased to Joseph Lane 
for three lives, 25th March, 1737,) dated 2nd of January, 1739, accord- 
ing to the act of 1784, and the act of 1801.? 

The following title occurs in an old hog skin record formerly in the 
possession of the Rev. Silas Constant :— 


‘*A Record of the Proceedings of the Presbyterian Society of Hanover, from 
the seventh Day of \Aug., in the Thirty Fourth year of the Reign of our Sovereign 
Lord George the Second by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France, Ireland 
&c., and in the year of our Lord Christ one Thousand and seven Hundred and 
sixty. An. Dom. 1760.Ӣ 


On the 26th of May, 1784, this Society was incorporated under the 
name and title of the “First Presbyterian Society, upon the plan of the 
Church of Scotland.” Aaron Furman, Gilbert Travis, Ebenezer White, 
Elijah Lee, Henry Strong and Gabriel Carman, trustees; elected 3d of 
May, 1784. A re-incorporation of the same occurs on the 4th of March, 
1806.4 

The Presbyterian Church is handsomely located on the highest ground 
of the village, commanding a fine view of the surrounding country ; it 
was built in 1799, on the site of an older edifice erected cir. 1738, and 
destroyed by fire in June or July, 1799. The late Thomas Strong 
testified “that when the British, under Abercrombie, came to Crompond 
and burnt Strong’s house, it was in the afternoon. But when their light 
horse arrived under Tarleton, it was early in the morning of the 24th 
of June. Tarleton came up by a circuitous route, following the Croton 


a Testimony of Mrs. — Hyatt, of Somers. In reply to an enquiry on this subject, the Rey. 
N. Hyatt thus addressed the author. ‘St. James’s Rectory, South Santee, Jan. 13th 1853.— 
Dear Sir. I have yours of the 6th inst., making enquiry respecting ‘ta certain piece‘of property 
in Yorktown saidto have been given for the use of the Church” All that I can say in reply 
is, that the late Thomas Strong of Crompond, assured me of the fact that there was land 
given for an Episcopal Church, and that it was near the Congregational Meeting House. I 
do not remember by whom it was given, or how much was given. My impression is that it 
was merely for a site for the church, though it may have been more. The time it was given 
I think was about the period of the Revolutionary war ” 


b County Rec. Religious Soc. Lib. A, 83. 
e Kindly furnished by the Rev. W. J. Cummings. 
d Co. Rec. Regious Soc. Lib. A, pp. 77, 79, 81, 83, 147, 


. 


THE TOWN OF YORKTOWN. 667 


above Pine’s Bridge one mile and a half or more, crossing the Croton 
at Vails ford, advanced upon Crompond from the east by a road which 
rounds like a semi-circle, coming into the Crompond road a little south 
of where Delavan lived. It was at Delavan’s house, where they found 
John Shaw, whom they killed—mistaking him for Capt. Delavan. This 
happened in the morning of June 24th, on the road from Crompond to 
Pine’s Bridge, about three-quarters of a mile from Crompond. Te 
British burnt the Meeting House and parsonage and retired upon Pine’s 
Bridge. On the 3d of June, 1779, Major Abercombie, burnt Mayor 
Strong’s house then occupied as a Court House, and also burnt a store 
house than used as a depot for arms and stores, &c., for the military. Shaw 
was killed at Delavan’s stables; he defended himself stoutly, but was 
set upon by five or six burly horsemen and cut to pieces. The ‘‘Cow 
boys, Tories and horse thieves penetrated Westchester and Dutchess 
counties all the way to Albany. On the 24th of June, 1779, some of 
Tarleton’s men advanced a mile north of the meeting house as far as the 
brook beyond my house.” 

“Ezekiel Hyatt raised a company of minute men in rifle dress, say 
about forty, with black gaiters, which were placed by the Provincial 
Congress under the three committee men for Crompond, viz., Joseph 
Strong, Abraham Purdy and Joseph Lee, who ordered Hyatt to appre- 
hend one Chase a tory—very influential with the rabble. Chase was taken 
and lodged in a guard house at Peekskill, whereupon two or three hun- 
dred Tories assembled in arms and demanded his release ; Hyatt, how- 
ever studily refused to give him up. Nathaniel Merritt, who lived in 
Peekskill, was also another influential man among the Tories ; he assem- 
bled a large company at his house and threatened to release the prisoner, 
upon this my father, uncle Henry, and Joseph Strong, obtained six hun- 
dred Continental troops of the committee, and disarmed the Tories and 
placed their arms and instruments in the Parsonage house for safe keep- 
ing. A more queer collection of arms it was impossible to collect to- 
gether, old fire locks, rusty and worn out pistols, and ancient swords of 
all descriptions, &c,”4 

At the time of its destruction, the old church appears to have been 
used as a store house by the Continental troops; for, during the year 
1739, a select committee appointed by Congress to investigate Revolu- 
tionary claims, reported “‘ That Congress pay the Yorktown congregation 
the sum of three thousand five hundred dollars out of the first unappro- 
priated funds—the Government having occupied the church and parson- 


a Testimony of the late Thomas Strang, of Yorktown, in 1844, Mr. McDonald’s MSS. in the 
possession of George Moore, Esq., of N. Y. 


668 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


age as barracks and store houses, during the Revolutionary war.” This 
appropriation, however, was never made by Congress. 

The present edifice* is constructed of wood, presenting in front a lofty 
colonnade, above which rises a neat tower, finished with a rich cornice 
and pinnacles, in which is a large bell weighing over 600 lbs., inscribed 


as follows : 
“Cast by J. H. Thompson, New York, 1823.” 


The Rev. Samuel Sackett, first pastor of this society, was the son of the 
Rev. Richard Sackett, minister of the second society of Greenwich, in 
1717, who graduated A.M. at Yale College, in 1709, and died in 1727, 


Presbyterian Church, Crompond. 


He was installed pastor of the Bedford society in 1743, and charged 
with the occasional supply of Saiem and Cortlandt manor. 

In 1747, Crompond obtained his services for half his time, and in 
December, 1749, he was released from his labors here and gave the 
whole of his time to Bedford. In 1753, he resigned the care of the 
church in Bedford and settled at once over the church of Hanover, and 
again he appears to have gone back to Bedford, was dismissed April rst, 
1760, and the next year was installed againin Crompond. Mr. Sackett 
had a great deal of trouble with his brethren in the Presbytery. He dif- 
fered widely with them, in both the doctrine and government of the Presby- 
terian church. On the whole he preached for twenty years here, and 


a The celebrated Sampson Occom, of the Michign tribe, preached in this church on one 
occasion. 


THE TOWN OF YORKTOWN. 669 


finally rested from his labors on the 5th of June, 1784. His tomb in the 
adjoining grave-yard, bears the following inscription :— 


REY. SAMUEL SACKETT, 


who died June 5th, 1784. 
He was a judicious, faithful, laborious 
and successful minister of Christ. 


Thrice blest departed spirit thou art free 
From the toils of mortality. 
The remains of his son Joseph, repose close by, with the following in- 
scription on the tomb-stone :— 


Here lyes the body of 
JOSEPH SACKETT, 


Born April 18th, 1735, 
and departed this life Dec. 1757. 


** Behold all ye that now pass by, 
As you are now, so once was I, 
As I am now, so you may be, 
Prepare for death and follow mie,” 


Hannah, his daughter, married Stephen James de Lancey, second son 
of the Hon. James de Lancey, and a grand-son of Anna, daughter of 
Hon. Stephanus van Cortlandt, Lord of the manor of Cortlandt. This 
lady, mounted on a fine bay horse, was endeavoring to escape from the 
burning of the meeting-house in July, 1779, when she was overtaken, 
about one mile north of Crompond, by some of the enemies cavalry, 
who robbed her of her shoe-buckles and ear-rings, and requested her to 
dismount ; she refused and exclaimed, “Is this the way you treat unpro- 
tected females ? I will inform your superiors! where is your commander?” 
he appeared. “Iam the wife of Stephen de Lancey; is this proper 
treatment for her? I demand an escort to a place of safety!” The 
British officer, on hearing de Lancey’s name, granted her request. She 
- carefully, however, abstained from telling him that she was the daughter 
of Mr. Sackett, the whig Presbyterian minister of Crompond. 


LIST OF PASTORS AND SUPPLIES. 


INST. OR OALL. Pastors, VACATED BY 
Supply in 1742. 
Pastor 1761 Rev. SaMvEL SaoKETT death 
Supply in 1785-6 
' Pastor 1786 Rev. Sras Constant resigned 
1808 Rey. ANDREW THOMPSON cs 


a Testimony of Thomas Strang.—McDonald MSS. in possession of Geo. H. Moore, Esq. 


670 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


{NST. OR CALL. Pastors, VAOATED BY 
1822 Rey. Asanret Bronson as 

June 14th, 1827 Rey. Riocnarp Wynkoope xe 

April 18th, 1836 Rey. Roserr G. '\'nompson ne 

Noy. 11th, 1847 Rey. Marrnzw T. ApAm « 
1853 Rey. Samugn D. WEsrERVELT es 

Oct. 15th, 1866 Rey. James W. Jonunsron a 

Aug. 8th, 1877 Rey. WILLiAmM J. CumMMING present pastor. 


In the grave-yard surrounding the church are monuments to Captain 
Samuel Sackett, Deacon Knapp, Dr. Brewer, and others. 


DR. JAMES BREWER, 
a native of Massachusetts, 
but for many years a practising Physician 
in Yorktown. 

Whilst visiting a patient in Jefferson Valley, he was 
captured by Cow-boys, and trying to escape in Hog 
Lane, was killed by them, November 20th, 1780, 

aged 39 years, 4 months and 7 days. 


In the south-east corner of the yard (just thirty-six feet from the present 
east fence and six feet from the south fence), lie the mortal remains of Col. 
Christopher Green, the hero of Redbank, and Major Flagg, his brave com- 
panion in arms, both of whom fell by the hands of cruel treachery, on the 
morning of the 14th of May, 1781. But where shall we look for a monu- 
ment, or even a stone, to mark the spot where these brave patriots lie 
pillowed in the dust? When will justice be rendered to the memory of 
the brave and illustrious dead, who fell in the noble cause -of freedom ? 

Near this spot are interred the remains of the noted Brom. Dyckman, 
of Revolutionary fame. 

The new parsonage is pleasantly situated, facing Crompond Street. 
The old one, which has been sold, stood on the site of a still older edifice, 
which was occupied for some time, during the Revolution, by the York- 
town Committee of Public Safety. Here that tribunal transacted busi- 
ness, disarmed the disaffected, and punished the incorrigible. Zepha- 
_ niah Platt and others, aided by six hundred Connecticut troops, disarmed 
the Loyalists of Cortlandt’s manor, during the winter of 1776. Here, 
also, a convention of Congress assembled for the purpose of distributing 
commissions to the officers who were empowered to raise the militia. 

For the destruction of this obnoxious post, Col. Robertson obtained of 
the English governor, a special order and the command of an entire regi- 
ment. From New York, he appears to have proceeded by water to Peek- 
skill, where he landed, swearing he would burn the d——d Committee 


a@ His son is the present Mr. Richard Wynkoop of New York city. 


THE TOWN OF YORKTOWN. 671 


House ; and guided by a spy, named Caleb Morgan, marched to Crom- 
pond, where he burnt the parsonage, then used as a store house and 
arsenal. Upon the departure of the British troops, the Continental 
guard took possession of the meeting-house. 

The Congregational Society of Crompond, which was organized under 
the ministry of the Rev. Silas Constant, has ceased to exist—the mem- 
bers having been absorbed into the Presbyterian Church. 

In 1787, Dr. Elias Cornelius and Mr. Benjamin Haight, were chosen 
deacons. In 1790, a part of the members withdrew by mutual consent, 
and formed a new church at Red Mills. About the year 1806, a 
division occurred in the church, when more than two-thirds of her mem- 
bers adhered to Mr. Constant, and maintained the Congregational mode 
of worship, the remainder resumed the Presbyterian form. 

In 1816, a number of members harmoniously left the society and 
formed a church at Peekskill. 

From the time of Mr. Constant’s death until the closing of the organ- 
ization quite a number of ministers had officiated here, among whom 
may be mentioned the Rev. Daniel Jones, Rev. Griffeth H. Griffeth, 
Rev. Albert Hyde, and the Rev. J. B. Loring. 

The church edifice has been sold and removed from its former site. 

Among other monuments in the grave yard is the following: 


In memory of the 
Rev. SILAS CONSTANT, 


who departed this life 
March 22, 1825, 
Aged 75 years, 2 mo. and 7 days. 


The Friends meeting house is situated at a short distance from the 
village of Crompond, and stands on land jointly given by John Clapp 
and Joseph Waters, in 1774. 

The following is a brief abstract of the conveyance :— 


** John Clapp of Greenwich, and Joseph Waters of Cortlandt manor, of the 
first part, convey to John Griffin, John Cromwell, John Cornell, Uriah Field and 
Thomas Clapp, of the second part, all that tract of land being in Amaalk, in 
Cortlandt manor, consisting of two acres lying and being in the north-east corner 
of great lot No. 4. Dated 12 day of October, 1774. 


The Methodist Episcopal society of Yorktown, was first incorporated 
upon the 13th of August, 1792 ; Timothy Oakley, John Oakley, Solomon 
Fowler, James Haden, Thomas Kirkham and Jacob Badeau, trustees. 


a Co. Rec. Religious Soc. Lib. A. 34. For re-incorporation, see pages 163, 175, &c. 


672 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


A Baptist society was incorporated on the 27th of April, 1793 ; Reuben 
Garrison, John Tompkins and Amos Lane, trustees.@ 

Crompond, the principal village in this township, is situated on the 
high road leading from Somers to Peekskill; it contains a Presbyterian 
church, a post office, a store, and several dwellings. The name is un- 
doubtedly derived from the large pond that lies north-west of the vil- 
lage, which, from its peculiar shape, is sometimes called the crooked 
pond—“ Cron,” denoting in the Dutch language, crooked. This beautiful 
sheet of water covers an area of 200 acres. 

In the vicinity of Crompond, and bordering on King street, is the resi- 
dence of the late Hon. Henry White, (now occupied by his nephew, 
Constant White) one of the judges of the late Court of Common Pleas 
in this county. Judge White was the son of Ebenezer White, M. D., 
who died 8th of March, 1825, by his wife Helena Bartow, and grandson 
of the Rev. Ebenezer White of South Hampton, Long Island. Dr. 
White left issue also, Bartow White, Dr. Ebenezer White of Somers- 
town (for many years Surrogate of the County anda Member of Assem- 
bly) Lewis of Peoria, James, Theodosius of Somers, and a daughter 
Catharine. Judge White, died Nov, 5th 1857. Dr. White of Yorktown, 
through the whole course of the Revolution sustained the character of 
a patroit, with that devotion and firmness which characterized the many 
at that eventful period of our history. It appears’that the enemy made 
several unsuccessful attempts to capture this distinguished individual. 
On one occasion they were desirous of exchanging the doctor for a 
British surgeon then in the hands of the Americans. To effect his sur- 
prisal a large party of Light Horse were despatched to Crompond, with 
strict orders to surround his dwelling and make him prisoner. Some 
kind friend, however, gave the doctor timely warning which enabled him 
to escape. 

As a substitute, they seized upon Dr. James Brewer, who resided in the 
immediate neighborhood, and were proceeding home with their prisoner, 
when passing through Stony street they were fired upon by a party of 
Americans, who lay concealed behind the fences. Dr. Brewer received 
a mortal wound and expired the next morning, Nov. 20, 1780, in the 
arms of Dr. White—who had thus narrowly escaped the melancholy fate 
of his friend. It deserves to be mentioned, that he was the only one 
wounded of the party. Dr. Brewer, who thus perished at the early age 
of thirty-nine, was a native of Massachussetts and left by his wife, Han- 
nah Brewer,four sons and three daughters. His grandson is the present 
Dr. James Brewer, of Peekskill. 


a Ibid. Lib. A. 40. For re-incorporation, see page 93, 


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same county, where they continued until the time of their respective deaths; Mr. L’Estrange dying a few years before his wife. 


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‘ THE TOWN OF YORKTOWN. 673 


In King street is also situated the residence of Major Thomas Strang 
a soldier of the Revolution. Major Strang is the son of Capt. Henry 
Strang who was the grandson of the worthy Huguenot, Daniel L’Es- 
trange and Charlotte his wife. From the genealogical table in posses- 
sion of the Strangs of Putnam, it appears that Daniel L’Estrange and 
Charlotte his wife, (daughter of Francis Hubert) being Protestants, fled 
from the city of Paris in the year of our Lord 1685, during the persecu- 
tions under Louis the XIV, and came to the city of London. He ob- 
tained a lieutenancy in the guards of James II., King of Great 
Britain, and continued there until the year 1688, when with his wife he 
embarked for America in company with a number of French Protestants 
and arrived at the city of New York. From thence he went to New 
Rochelle, and subsequently removed to Rye. Daniel L’Estrange who 
was born in the city of Paris A. D. 1656, died at Rye in this county, 
A.D. 1706. His will bears date the same year. The late Major Joseph 
Strang, uncle of the present proprietor, greatly distinguished himself in 
the bateaux service during the old French war. 

In the same street resided Susan De Lancey and her mother Anne, 
daughter of Col. Caleb Heathcote, and widow of the Hon. James De 
Lancey, Lt. Governor of the Province of New York, who died in July 
1760. These ladies retired here, for the sake of escaping the turmoils of 
the Revolution. Mrs. De Lancey died here in 1779, and was buried at 
Crompond; buther remains have since been removed to Heathcote Hill, 
Mamaroneck. During the war their house afforded an asylum for the 
persecuted, who found here a safe protection from their enemies. Susan 
De Lancey afterward resided with her brother, John Peter De Lancey, 
at Heathcote Hill, where she died in 1815 and was interred in the De 
Lancey family burying ground. 

Near the main road leading from Crompond to Somers is situated the 
estate and residence of the late Robert P. Lee, Esq., for many years one 
of the leading members of the bar in this country. Mr. Lee was the 
youngest son of John Lee of Yorktown, whose grandfather William Lee, 
emigrated to this country in 1675 from Nottingham, England. 

The village of Crompond and its immediate neighborhood appears to 
have been greatly harrassed during the revolutionary troubles by frequent 
forays of the enemy. Before the morning of the 24th of June, 1779, 
(says General Heath,) about 200 of the enemy's light horse came up as 
far as Crompond, surprising two militia pickets, killed and took prisoners 

a The followiug tradition has been handed down in the family, that the above Charlotte 
L’Estrange wishing to accompany her husband in his escape from France left her infant as a 
uostage in Paris, her enemies hoping by this artifice to insure her return, but taking ship the 


first opportunity she crossed the channel into England. During the bitter prosecutiou that 
preceded their flight the family Bible was concealed beneath the hearth stone. 


674 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


nearly thirty men. About 130 light infantry of the enemy at the same 
time came out from Verplank’s Point, made an excursion round and 
then returned.“ | Upon another occasion the Continental troops having 
stacked their arms in the church, then used as an Arsenal, were engaged 
at breakfast when the enemy made a sudden and furious onset, captur- 
ing and killing some and ‘compelling others to seek safety in flight. 
Among the latter was Bot Lent who fled down King street, closely 
pursued by two of the British hight horse. After following the road some 
distance I.ent took to the woods, when his enemies gave up the pursuit. 
They had scarcely, however, turned their backs, than he raised his rifle 
and fired at the nearest. The shot must have taken effect, for his com. 
rade was afterwards seen dragging him down the road covered with 
blood. Major Strang, who happened to be miserably mounted, was 
pursued down the same street,and narrowly escaped by jumping from 
his horse. 

It seems from the following letter, that timely notice was occasionally 
given of the enemy’s approach :— 


Hanover, Saturday Morning, one o'clock. 


Sir.—Captain Buckhout and Mr, Hunt are sent by Colonel Putnam to inform 
you that the light-horse are to be in this place about day-light. He is at Solomon 
Hunt’s with his detachment ; any of the inhabitants who shall join him, will be 
gratefully received. Iam yours, 

JosEPH STRANG. 

N. B —I am desired to let you know that it is expected that you will acquaint 
your neighbors up the street, and Mr, Carmans. 


The subjoined account of this place is given by Thacher, in his mili- 


tary journal :— 
‘‘CromponD, Maron, 1781. 

‘*The advanced guard of our army, consisting of about two hundred men, is 
posted at Crompond, about twenty miles below West Point, and is relieved every 
two or three weeks. A surgeon constantly attends, and I am now ordered to re- 
pair to that post, to relieve Dr. Thomas. 

‘‘T have taken my quarters at Crompond, in a house with Major Trescott, who 
commands at this post. This vicinity is constantly harrassed by small parties of 
volunteers on our side, and parties of royalists and tories on the other, who are 
making every effort to effect mutual destruction; seeking every opportunity to 
beat up each other’s quarters, and to kill or capture all who are found in arms. 
This is to be considered a very hazardous situation; it requires the utmost vigi. 
lance to guard against a surprise. Major Trescott is an excellent disciplinarian, an 
active vigilant officer, and well acquainted with his duty. A party of volunteers 
collected here on horseback, for a secret expedition, and by their earnest request, 
Major Trescott marched in the night with a party to cover their retreat, and to 


a Heath’s Mem. 206, 


THE TOWN OF YORKTOWN. 675 


take any advantage which might offer. The party returned the next day with 
six tory prisoners, three of whom were wounded by the broad-sword. One of 
our volunteers, named Hunt, received a dangerous wound through the shoulder 
and lungs; the air escaped from the wound at every breath. Dr. Eustis 
came to the lines, and dilated the wound in the breast; and as the patient is 
athletic, and had not sustained a very copious loss of blood, he recommended 
repeated and liberal blood letting—observing that in order to cure a wound through 
the lungs, you must bleed your patient to death. He eventually recovered, which 
is to be ascribed principally to the free use of the lancet, and such abstemious 
living, as to reduce him to the greatest extremity, A considerable number of 
wounded prisoners receive my daily attention. 

‘*A gentleman volunteer, by name Requaw, received a dangerous wound and 
was carried into the British lines; I was requested by his brother t9 visit him, 
under the sanction of a flag of truce, in company with Dr. White, who resides in 
this vicinity. This invitation I cheerfully accepted; and Mr. Requaw having 
obtained a flag from the proper authority and procured horses, we set of in the 
morning, arrived at Westchester before evening, and dressed the wounded man. 
We passed the night at Mrs. Bartow’s, mother-in-law of Dr. W. She has re- 
mained at her farm between the lines during the war, and being friendly to our 
interest, has received much abusive treatment from the royalists. We were 
treated in the most friendly manner, and her daughter, an amiable well educated 
girl, entertained us in conversation till one o’clock in the morning, relating 
numerous occurences and incidents of an interestirg nature, respecting the royal . 
party. The next day we visited our patient again, paid the necessary attention 
ard repaired to a tavern, where I was gratified with an interview with the much 
famed Colonel De Lancey, who commands the Refugee Corps. He conducted with 
- much civility, and having a public dinner prepared at the tavern, he invited us 
to dine with him and his officers. After dinner, Colonel De Lancey furnished 
us with a permit to return with our flag; we rode ten miles, and took lodgings in 
a private house. Here we were informed that six of our men, having taken from 
the refugees thirty head of cattle, were overtaken by forty of De Lancey’s corps 
and were all killed but one, and the cattle re-taken. In the morning breakfasted 
with a friendly Quaker family, in whose house was one of our men who had 
been wounded when four others were killed ; we dressed his wounds, which were 
numerous and dangerous. In another house we saw four dead bodies, mangled 
in a most inhuman manner by the refugees, and among them, one groaning under 
five wounds on his head, two of them quite through the skull bone with a broad- 
sword. This man was capable of giving us an account of the murder of his four 
companions. They surrendered and begged for life, but their entreaties were 
disregarded, and the swords of their cruel foes were plunged into their bodies so 
long as signs of life remained. We found many friends to our cause, who reside 
on their farms between the lines of the two armies, whose situation is truly de- 
plorable, being continually exposed to the ravages.of the tories, horse thieves, 
and cow boys, who rob and plunder them without mercy, and the personal abuse 
and punishments which they inflict is almost incredible.” 


About a mile below the residence of Mr. William Smith, on the Pines 
Bridge road, a narrow lane diverges south-west to Davenport, or Dan- 


676 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


forth’s house. Here, Col. Christopher Greene was posted with the 
Rhode Island regiment, in advance of the Continental army, in 1781, 
and near the French force under Count Rochambeau. The following 
communication appears to have been addressed to Col. Greene, by John 
Dexter, of the orderly office, upon the reorganization of his force :— 


OrvERLY Orrior, lorowa, Noy. 19th, 1780. 
My pear Sir :— 

I have been a considerable time expecting your arrival at camp, or at least a 
deputy or delegate from our regiment, in order toa settlement of the officers who 
continue in service from our State on the new arrangement. There are many 
circumstances which must inevitably attend it, that may possibly and probably 
not be considered without the most particular attention and deliberation. But 
the most material, which I recollect at this time, is this—-‘‘ The filling up all the 
vacancies in the regiment which happened previous to the passing the late reso- 
lution, for the re-arrangement of the army as far as the officers in it will extend.” 
This I have made particular enquiry respecting at head-quarters. They say it is 
not only right, but tolerated, and is to be pursued in all the different lines of the 
army. 

In this promotion I conceive my brother will be intererested, and I would wish 
to see the arrangement before it is delivered at head-quarters. 

It has also been determined at head-quarters that the Captain Lieutenants must 
continue on the new arrangements as Lieutenants pals but are to be the eldest 
Lieutenants in the regiment. 

Why I mention this circumstance is this: that on filling the vacancies in our 
regiment my brother will be entitled to the Captain Lieutenancy as will Jeraul- 
din Angells. 

There are particular reasons, besides the justice of it, why I wish the vacancies 
should be filled. These, however, I should wish not to communicate—only by 
word of mouth. 

You must all along observe that I have addressed you as the Colonel of the one 
regiment to be raised by the State of Rhode Island, as I cannot entertain a thought 
of your wishing to retire. 

I should have seen you at Rhode Island before this time if the state of my 
finances, would have admitted, but all the cry in camp is want of money, no 
money, no money since the first of the year. 

You may, if you please, show my brother this letter with my love to him—I 
wish to see him. I would write him if I had time. 

I am in the greatest hurry, but nevertheless do not forget that I am, with the 


greatest respect, Your most obedient servant, 
(Signed) Jno. DEXTER. 


Eight days after the date of the above letter, the following order was 
addressed to Col. Greene by General Washington :— 
Sm:— 

It is probable you wili receive the Count de Rochambeau’s order to march 
with your regiment to West Point. Should this be the case you will only come 


THE TOWN OF YORKTOWN, 67 YJ 


on with such officers as are to remain on service on the new arrangement, and 
such men as are engaged for the war, or at least for a term that will last through 
the nextcampaign. The other men you may dismiss, unless the Count de Roch- 
ambeau, should find any employment for them where they now are. In this 
you will perceive, it is presumed you have already agreed upon the arrangement. 
I am, sir, your obedient humble servant, 
(Signed) GEO. WASHINGTON. 
Head-quarters, Nov. 22d, 1780. 
Since writing the above, I have received your letter of the 18th. 
5 
Public Lervice, 
CoLONEL GREENE, 
Newport, Long Island. Gro. WASHINGTON. 


The arrangement alluded to in the foregoing letter, must have soon 
after taken place ; for on the 15th of April, 1781, the Colonel accom- 
panied Major Flagg in viewing the lines at Pines Bridge, as it appears 
from the following letter addressed by Col. Greene to Col. Samuel Ward 
of Warwick, Rhode Island. It showed that the Colonel had some fore- 
bodings of the fate which awaited him :— 


Dear Cor:— Ruove Istanp ViLLaGE, 16TH Aprit, 1781. 


I had the happiness to receive your two favours of the 12th and 8lst ult. by 
Major Flagg, and, sorry you meet with so much difficulty in getting the matters 
you have in charge for yourself and old mother officers settled to your mind; 
however, I don’t doubt your perseverance will in ashort time effect it. I know, 
nothing in your power will be omitted to serve your friends of which I have ever 
had the strongest assurances of being one. I often very agreeably reflect upon 
the toils and dangers we have gone through together, during the course of this 
horrid war ; and nothing would have been more agreeable than to have had your 
company in command to the end of it. But so it could not be, without injustice 
to a great military character and a very worthy gentleman. We therefore 
must, for the present, be apart. I was overjoyed at the Major’s arrival. I yester- 
day went with him to the lines at Pines Bridge. I shall join him, myself, ina very 
few days. We have at present but about two hundred, including officers, to guard 
about twenty miles; but expect, as soon as the men get out of the small-pox, to 
have the force augmented to three or four hundred. I am exceedingly sorry the 
Governor and family had not the pleasure of Gen. Washington’s company when he 
was in Rhode Island, as I am sure nothing could have been more pleasing to them. 
I hardly know what to think of the plan of boats, as they call them, in the French 
plan you sent me; and therefore can at present give no judgment on the matter. 
Should you see any of the gentlemen of my acquaintance, please to present them 
with my most respectful compliments. I hope to have the pleasure of their 
company in the field this summer. I have been much indulged, and consequently 
very lazy. Since I arrived here I have not been called upon for any regular tour 


a Lieut. Col. Olney is here referred to. 


678 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


of duty—unless dining out sometimes at headquarters, and often with Gen. Heath 
and other gentlemen, can be called so. J expect when I go upon the lines to be 
more industrious and alert, otherwise I may be surprised ; that, you know, I always 
held up as unpardonable in an officer. 

We have no late news, none later than has been in all the prints from Gen. 
Greene. Iam exceedingly anxious to hear from him, his army I fear is too raw 
to contend with the troops he has to oppose it. If he succeeds with such men 
he must immortalize his name. I am certain he is as equal to the task as any 
one, but Iam sure he must have his head as well as his hands full, and perhaps 
the ablest generals and best troops in the British army to cope with. 

The vilains who go by the name of Cow-doys, are often out stealing horses and 
cattle from the inhabitants. The laws of the State, I believe, are not severe 
enough upon them. I have heard of many being taken and none hanged. 

And believe me to be your sincere Friend and Servant, 
Cot. Warp. C. GREENE. 
Address Cot. SamueL Warp,@ 


Warwick. 
C. GREENE.” 


Scarcely had a month elapsed ere Col. Greene’s worst fears were fully 
realized by his surprisal at Davenport’s or Danforth’s house, by the 
British refugees, upon the 13th of May, 1781. The following account 
of this incursion, is given by General Heath :— 


“The next day intelligence was received, that on the 13th, Col. Green of the 
Rhode Island regiment, who was doing duty on the lines of the American army, 
was surprised by a body of the enemy’s horse, supposed to be about 150 dra- 
goons, and that the Colonel, Major Fagg, two subalterns and twenty-seven men 
were killed, and several wounded. Col. Green was a brave and intrepid officer, 
and his loss was much regretted. The colonel had taken post above and near to 
Croton river, at a place where the river was fordable, to prevent the enemy pass- 
ing up by this ford to ravage the country. He had practiced the greatest vigi- 
lance in guarding this ford in the night time, taking off the guards after sunrise, 
apprehending that the enemy would never presume to cross the river in the day 
time; but the enemy, having learnt his mode of doing duty, on the morning of 
the 13th effected his overthrow, by crossing the ford soon after the guards had 
come off, and surrounding their quarters before they had an idea of any enemy 
being near them. In this situation, the utmost exertion could not then avail 
them.” 


A person named Gilbert Totten, is said to have betrayed his country- 
men to Col. Peter de Lancey, on this occasion, in retaliation for an act of 
discipline administered under the following circumstances :—It appears 
Totten had been for some time mustered into the English service, hold- 


a This signature doubtless served as a passport to bearer. Copied from original docu- 
ment in possession of the late John Ward, of Bond street, N. Y. 


b Heath’s Mem. 288—9. 


THE TOWN OF YORKTOWN. 679 


ing a captain’s commission, and had just been arrested by Col. Dunmore 
(who commanded a regiment of colored soldiers stationed near Pines 
Bridge, about half a mile north-east of the pickets on Crow Hill) for 
coming up with a flag, under peculiar circumstances, and a black sol- 
dier placed over him as guard. Upon his discharge, shortly after, he 
swore vengeance, ‘‘ declaring that the next flag sent up would be a red 
one.”* “When Totten was up at Pines Bridge, in the spring of 1781, 
and insulted, the officer of the guard said to him on parting: ‘‘ When 
will you be up again with a flag, (or another one be sent ?’) To which 
he replied: “The next flag that comes up “‘z// de a bloody one.” 
With these ominous words he departed. ‘‘ When Totten was insulted 
at Pines Bridge, just before the capture of Davenport’s house, he said 
on parting, to the officer who commanded the guard, ‘When I come 
up again it will be with a ved flag, and after that niggers will be 
scarce.”® 

True to his word, he went directly to Col. de Lancey’s head-quarters 
at Morrisania and gave him the clue by which he might cross the Croton 
and surprise, not only Green, but the negro guard at Pines Bridge. 
Capt. Samuel Kipp (with Totten as guide)* probably led the party; 
(which he was pleased to denominate Invincibles) over the ford, with the 
full determination neither to give or take quarter. 

July 1867, the late Joshua Carpenter informed the author, “that his 
aunt Fanny Totten, told him that Gilbert Totten (her cousin) led de 
Lancey’s party to Davenport’s house, and that the enemy came up 
(after crossing the Croton at Oblenus’s ford) by way of the valley on 
the east side of Turkey Mountain, then a perfect wilderness, until they 
struck just west of the house ; when suddenly they wheeled and galloped 
up the hill, surprising the sentinel who fired, and fled towards the house. 
The American soldiers were lying on the stoop when alarmed by the 
firing on the west side. Some managed to escape by jumping off the 
east end of the piazza, and making for the orchard in the rear. When 
the firing first began, the sun was about an hour high. The sliding of 
the window by Mayor Flagg first attracted the enemies attention, and 
induced them to fire into that part of the house. Between twelve and 
twenty fell, in and around the house, and were afterward interred in one 
common grave or pit in the north-west corner of the lot, near an ash tree. 
The British returned by the way of the Crompond road and so to Pines 


a Testimony of Gen. Nat. Montross, of Yorktown.—McDonald’s MSS. in possession of 
George Moore, Esq., 
cers of Abraham Weeks of Somers, aged 82.—McDonald MSS, in possession of George 

oore, Esq. 

ec Totten was humane to prisoners and popular, bnt Capt. Samuel Kipp was severe.—Test. 
of Joseph Putney, McDonald's MSS. 


680 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Bridge, where they surprised and shot the colored picket guard stationed 
there. One mile from the entrance of the lane, by a rock on the night 
hand side of the road, and about a quarter of a mile from Pines Bridge, 
descending, Green fell off the horse and was laid down to die. 

De Lancey anxious for an opportunity to return the recent attack 
made upon his quarters by Captain Cushing, instantly fitted out a force 
of about 150 dragoons, as described by Heath. The route selected by 
their experienced commander, was the road leading to White Plains, by 
which means the party escaped through the only opening in the long 
line of sentinels stretched across the country. Near Chappequa, they 
halted for a short time at the house of Daniel Underhill, and then pro- 
ceeded by the west road—which is an intersection of the present Sing 
Sing turnpike—till they arrived at the residence of Mr. Lyon; here, 
they anxiously awaited the withdrawal of the American guard at 
Oblenus’s ford, which is nearly one mile west of Pine’s Bridge. Up to 
this moment no one of the party, save their commande and his guide, 
knew the object for which they had been detailed. According to Gen- 
eral Heath’s account, the American officers appear to have had no idea 
that the enemy would dare to cross the ford after sunrise ; and therefore 
had taken no precautions to prevent it. By this means, Davenport’s 
house was surounded by the enemy, and all possibility of escape cut off 
before the danger was discovered. De Lancey remained on the south 
side of the river, probably with a view to cover the retreat of the party, 
if it should prove necessary. 

To General Heath’s account of the surprisal, we must be permitted 
to add the following extract from Col. H. Lee’s history of the Southern 
war :— 

‘*Tn the spring of 1781, when General Washington began to expect the promised 
naval aid from our best friend, the ill-fated Louis XVI., he occasionally ap- 
proached the enemy’s lines on the side of York island. In one of these move- 
ments, Col. Green, with a suitable force, was posted on the Croton River, in 
advance of the army. On the other side of this river lay a corps of refugees, 
(American citizens who had joined the British army,) under the command of 
Col. Delancy. These half citizens, half soldiers, were notorious for rapine and 
murder; and to their vindictive conduct may be justly ascribed most of the cruel- 
ties which stained the progress of our war, and which at length compelled Wash- 
ington to order Captain Asgill, of the British army, to be brought to head-quarters, 
for the purpose of retaliating, by his execution, for the murder of Capt. Huddy, 
of New Jersey, perpetrated by a Capt. Lippencourt, of the refugees. The com- 
mandant of these refugees, (Delancy was not present, ) having ascertained the posi- 
tion of Greene’s corps, which the colonel had cantoned in adjacent farm houses— 


probably with a view to the procurement of subsistence—took the resolution to 
strike it. This was accordingly done, by a nocturnal movement, on the 13th of 


THE TOWN OF YORKTOWN. 681 


May. The enemy crossed the Croton before daylight, and hastening his advance, 
reached our station with the dawn of day unperceived. As he approached the 
farm house in which the Lieutenant-Colonel was quartered, the noise of troops 
marching was heard, which was the first intimation of the fatal design. Greene 
and Major Flagg immediately prepared themselves for defence ; but they were too 
late, so expeditious was the progress of the enemy. Flagg discharged his pistols, 
and instantly afterwards fell mortally wounded, when the ruffians (unworthy the 
appellation of soldiers) burst open the door of Greene’s apartment. Here the gal- 
lant veteran singly received them with his drawn sword. Several fell beneath 
the arm accustomed to conquer; till at length, overpowered by numbers, and 
faint from the loss of blood streaming from his wounds, barbarity triumphed over 
valor. ‘ His right arm was almost cut off in two places, the left in one, a severe 
cut on the left shoulder, a sword thrust through the abdomen, a bayonet in the 
right side, and another through the abdomen, several sword cuts on the head, 
and many in different parts of the body.’ 

“‘Thus cruelly mangled, fell the generous conqueror of Count Donop, whose 
wounds, as well as those of his unfortunate associates, had been tenderly dressed 
as soon as the battle terminated, and whose pains and sorrows had been as ten- 
derly assuaged. How different was the relentless fury here displayed! 

“«The commander-in-chief heard with anguish and indignation the tragica! fate 
of his loved, his faithful friend and soldier, in whose feelings the army sincerely 
participated. On the subsequent day, the corpse was brought to head-quarters, 
and his funeral was solemnized with military honors and universal grief. 


The following additional particulars concerning this melancholy affair 
are contained in a letter from the paymaster, Thomas Hughes to Mr. 
Job Greene of Warwick, R. I, a son of Colonel Greene. 


RuoveE IsLtanD VILLAGE, 147TH, May, 1781. 


Dear Sim :—It is with pain I write on a subject that is so nearly and closely 
connected to you as a parent ; I must, my dear friend, inform you of the unhappy 
fate which befel your father. 

This morning the enemy made an attack on the lines, which was a compleat 
surprise, and he fell a sacrifice to the cruel hand of tyranny in defending himself 
against the strokes struck by the light horsemen. He had his rite rist almost cut 
off in two places, his left in one, a severe cut in the left shoulder, a sword run 
through his body, a bayonett into his right side, another through his body, his 
head cut to pieces in several plaices, his back and body cut and hacked in such a 
manner as gives me pain to inform you; he was carried about three-quarters of a 
mnile from his quarters, where they left him to dye, or rather through the loss of 
blood and not strength to go forward, finished his days in the woods; and as they 

a * When Davenport’s house was taken one Ackerly broke in and entered first ; Col. Greene 
Seized and threw him down, and was on the point of dispatching him with his sword, when 
he received a cut in the arm, which disabled him. Ackerly was from near Pines Bridge.”—Test. 
of Joshua Putney, aged 84.—McDonald MSS. in possession of Geo. Moore, Esq., Lib. of N. Y. 
Hist. Soc. The officer commanding at the Bridge, who insulted Totten escaped on the 14th of 
May, 1781, by being absent accidentally at the time of attack, some two or three miles off.— 
Test. of Joshua Putney.—McDonald MSS. 

b At the close of the Revolutionary war Col. DeLancey politely forwarded to General 


Thomas, of Harrison, the blood-stained pocket-books of Col. Green and Major Flagg. These 
interesting relics, we regret to say, (since the General’s decease) have been destroyed. 


682 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


went by the houses informed the inhabitants, should there be any enquiring after 
the Colonel, that they left him dead in the edge of a wood. This cruel and 
barbarous treatment was perpretrated by Dullenceas core, himself at the head. 
Major Flagg, as he arose from his bed received a ballin hishead ; and when they 
entered the house they stabbed and cut him in a cruel manner, that he expired 
immediately. A doctor of the New Hampshire line, and a lieutenant of the 
Massachusetts line, was wounded in the house and carried off. Lieutenant 
Macomber being sick in bed, was made a prisoner. Ensign Guanman, who 
commanded a guard at the bridge, with himself and all but me was taiking or 
killed. 

I went on the lines the evening before, to pay off the troops, and tarried with 
Greeman, my horse being hitched at the door ; and when the alarm was given, I 
saddled him and just made my escape. My flight was so rapid, I left my recpts, 
behind. The womanof the house wasso kind as to hide them, so that [ received 
them again. The loss, my dear friend, must fall heavily on the family; but as 
life is uncertain, we must surrender it when the great Johovah calls. To-morrow 
we shall bestow on each of them the honors that is due to men who so nobly 
suffered the pains of death in the service of their country. It is uncertain what 
number we had killed and taiking; but I believe about forty taiking, and near 
twenty killed and wounded. Johnis killed, Prince wounded and [ am affraid will 
dye. 

Please to make my respects to your mamma and sisters, and believe me to be 
with esteem [ Signed ] 

your sincere friend and humble servant, 
Mr. Jon GREENE. THOMAS HUGHES.4 
Mr. Jos GRENNE, 


Warwick. 
Honored by ) ® 
Lr. DEXTER. 5 


We have seen that Davenport’s house was occupied at the time of the 
surprisal by Richardson Davenport, who was one of the early settlers of 
this portion of Cortlandt manor when it was a perfect wilderness. For 
some time the family occupied a stone cellar, until the present structure 
was erected in 1776, as appears from the following inscription placed in 


\ 


\ \ 


\ Dec. the 11, 1776, R.D. / 


the passage-way near the front door. For some years it was used as a 
tavern, until occupied by Col. Greene as head-quarters. Jacob Carpen- 
ter, who married Rachel, daughter of Richardson Davenport, moved 


- Hughes was Capt. and Paymaster of the Rhode Island Regiment anda son of Col. Green, 
» Copied from the original document in the possession of the late John Ward, Esq., of 
Bond Street, New York. 


THE TOWN OF YORKTOWN. 683 


here in 1793. . He was a son of John Carpenter, whose family formerly 
resided on Long Island, and subsequently emigrated to East or Westches- 
ter, and from thence removed to New Castle. In the latter place, John 
Carpenter died, and was buried at the Chappaqua meeting-house, 
Jacob Carpenter’s sons were the late Joshua, of Davenport house; and 
Jacob, now living at 34 Grove street, New York. Jacob’s daughter, 
Amy W., married Daniel H. Gmiffen, who now owns the Davenport 
estate and homestead. 

Mr. Griffen still points out the spot where the bed of Col. Greene 
stood, and the window from which the Lieutenant fired his pistols, and 
through which Major Flagg received the fatal shot, while the old-fash- 
ioned wainscoting and doors, are pierced with numerous bullet-holes. 
A large addition has since been made to the house on the east. The 
wonderfully extensive views which this elevated spot commands, will 
amply repay the visitor, besides the interest attached to the above asso- 
ciations. 

The following communication is supposed to have been addressed to 
Henry Ward, Esq , Secretary of State for Rhode Island, who was then 
residing at Providence, uncle of Major Flagg, by Lieut. Col. Olney, who 
succeeded Col. Greene in command :— 


‘The advance guard of the American army, were on Crotonriver, which falls 
into the Hudson about 30 miles above New York, over this were two bridges at 
several miles distant from each other; near that on the main road, was stationed 
the principal part of the guard, consisting on the whole, of a Major’s command; 
a Captain’s command being detached some miles on the right and left. Small 
parties patrolled below the bridges. The quarters Major Flagg had taken, were 
two or three miles from the bridge, but at no great distance from the river, which 
at that time was not supposed to be fordable: this, however, was a mistake, and 
proved fatal to the party. 

Col. de Lancey, who stooped so far from the dignity of a gentleman, as to com- 
mand a regiment of freebooters, who subsisted on plunder, and served without 
pay, marched a strong party of Horse and Foot, into the vicinity of the post un- 
discovered, getting information of the quarters occupied by Col. Greene, Major 
Flagg and several other officers, secured only by a sergeant’s guard; and finding 
a fordable place in the river, not far off, he passed his troops, and dividing his 
force into two parties, sent one to the bridge, where they surprised and took a 
subaltern’s guard, and with the other, marched to Col. Greene's quarters. As 
our Officer had no idea of their passing the river except at the bridge, they had 
taken no precautions to prevent a surprise. In addition to this, the quarter 
guard-sentinel, and all, were asleep; by this means the house was surrounded by 
* the enemy, and all possibility of escape cut off before the danger was discovered. 
The officers were all asleep in one room; on being awakened by the firing with- 
out, they sprang from their beds and seized on arms. Near that on which Major 
Flagg lay, there was a window; he received a musket-shot through this—if I am 


684 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


not much mistaken—before he had time to reach his pistols, which were placed 
near the foot of the bed. The ball passing through his head, he fell forward upon 
the bed and there continued; the enemy breaking into the room, found him in 
that situation—and thinking him to be sullen, gave him several cuts in the back 
with their broad-swords—but he was probably out of the reach of their unmanly 
rage, having expired the instant he received the ball. His remains were attend- 
ed to the church-yard in Crompond, by the officers of the regiment and a respect- 
able number of the inhabitants, and decently interred with the inhumanly man- 
gled corpse of his Colonel.”’4 


The news of DeLancey’s movement reached Washington, at West 
Point, about six hours after Colonel Greene’s surprisal—too late to be of 
any service, as appears by the following :— 


‘*May 14th, about noon intelligence was received from Gen. Paterson, of West 
Point, that the enemy were on the north side of Croton River in force ; that Col. 
Greene, Major Flagg, and some other officers, with forty or fifty men, were sur- 
prised and cut off at the Bridge, and that Col. Scammell, with the New Hamp- 
shire troops had marched to their assistance. I ordered the Connecticut troops 
to move and support those of New Hampshire. In the evening information was 
brought that the enemy, consisting of about sixty horse and one hundred and 
forty infantry had retreated precipitately. May 16th, went to the posts at West 
Point ; received a particular account of the surprise of Col. Greene, and the loss 
we sustained, which consisted of himself and Major Flagg killed, three officers 
and a surgeon taken prisoners, the latter and two of the former wounded ; aser- 
geant and five rank and file killed, five wounded and thirty-three made prisoners 
or missing; in all forty four, besides officers. 


In Rivington’s Gazette of May 16th, it is said that the party who 
made the attack, marched from Morrisania under the command of Col. 
De Lancey, and consisted of about one hundred cavalry and two hun- 
dred infantry.’”? 


Upon the same day that Washington visited the outposts at West 
Point, he thus addresses the President of Congress :— 


GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. 


New Wrypsor, 177TH May, 1781. 


Sir:—I{ am sorry to inform your Excellency, that a part of our advanced 
troops were surprised on Monday morning near Croton River, by about sixty 
horse and two hundred foot, under the command of Colonel DeLancey. Colonel 
Greene, who commanded our party, was mortally wounded in his quarters. The 
enemy attempted to carry him off, but he died upon the road. Major Flagg was 


a Copied from the original, in the possession of the late John Ward, Esq., of Bond street, 
New York, which was presented to Mr. R. R, Ward of New York, by Mrs. Bowen, daughter 
of the above-mentioned Henry Ward. 


b Spark's writings of Washington, Vol. VIII., p—4s. - 


THE TOWN OF YORKTOWN. 685 


killed. The loss of these two oflicers is to be regretted, especially the former, 
who has, upon several occasions distinguished himself, particularly in the defence 
of the post at Red Bank, in 1777, when he defeated Count Donop. I enclose a 
return of our loss upon that occasion.” 


It may not prove uninteresting to add the testimony of Lydia Vail, 
a grand-daughter of Richardson Davenport, owner of the house, who 
was a young girl about eleven years old when the surprisal took place 
in 1781 :— 


“Oct. 19th, 1844.—When the house of my grandfather, Richard- 
son Davenport, was attacked in May 1781, I was a girl ten or eleven 
years old, or thereabouts. I was at Davenport’s house a few minutes 
after the Refugees left. Part approached in front of the building, and 
part by the.road from the Croton, which road then passed by the rear of the 
house z. e. on the north and north-west of it. Greene, Flagg, anda young 
Lieutenant, whose name I do not remember, occupied a large bed-room 
in the north-west corner of the second story which communicated direct- 
ly with the ground by an outer door at the rear or north end of the 
house. In consequence of being built upon ground which rises in the 
rear, Davenport’s house was then two stories high in front and but one 
in the rear. This is partly the case at present. My grandfather was in 
the adjoining apartment, and overheard all the conversation of the three 
officers. The rashness and folly of the young Lieutenant was the cause 
of the disaster, as my grandfather and his family always said; at least as 
far as relates to the bloodshed. This was their account, which I heard 
at the time and often afterwards. When the Refugees came up they 
fired a volley, to signalize their friends in the orchard near Pines Bridge, 
and approached the house without making further use of their arms, 
calling upon the inmates to surrender. The young Lieutenant always 
slept with a pair of loaded pistols upon a stand at the head of his bed, 
and when he heard the niose he sprang up, raised the window sash, on 
the west side of the room and discharged both pistols at the enemy—who 
instantly cried out: ‘Kill! Kill! no quarter!’ Flagg then exclaimed 
aloud to the Lieutenant, calling him by name, “ you’ve undone 
us.’ These were the last words he was ever heard to utter. Green, half 
dressed, but sword in hand, said, ‘ we must sell our lives as dearly as we 
can!’’ and approaching, the head of the stairs, called aloud to the 
soldiers below: ‘Stand to your arms men! Courage! They are only a 
parcel of cow boys, fire away !’ Flagg approached the window from 
which the Lieutenant had fired,and a volley was discharged at him. 
He fell, pierced with five or six balls. 

When I entered the house just after the refugees had left, the young 
lieutenant was lying dead at the door. He was the first one they killed 
on breaking in. Flagg, though desperately wounded, was yet alive and 
they dispatched him. Four or five were dead, where the tents stood east 
of the house, besides many wounded. A greater part, at least half of 
the Rhode Island regiment were cut off at this time. Besides the officer I 


a Washington’s Diary. 


686 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


have mentioned, three others quartered at the time, at my grand-father’s; 
whose house was Col. Green’s head-quarters, Dr. Cushman, (a Conti- 
nental surgeon), and also a captain and heutenant, whose names I do 
not recollect. The refugees retired by the south road or path to the 
Crompond road, taking Greene with them on horseback; near where 
this path or farm road comes out into the highway, Greene, faint with 
loss of blood, fell off. Finding that he was dying they placed him in a 
spot surrounded by whortleberry bushes, and putting something under 
his head for support, left him in that state to finish his days alone. 
Here he bled to death, and was soon after found with no clothing on but 
his shirt and drawers. The whortleberry bushes were by or near to the 
public highway, (¢. e. the Crompond and Pines Bridge road). They soon 
after took the bodies of the dead officers and buried them with the hon- 
ors of war, in Crompond church-yard, depositing the remains of Greene 
and Flagg—and I believe, those of the young lieutenant—in one common 
grave. ‘The widow of Col. Greene was present at this ceremony, which 
was conducted with great pomp ; a large number of the military, as well 
as of citizens, moving in the procession, while the bands played the 
most solemn airs from the dead-march, &c. 

Ensign Green, commanding the guards at Pines Bridge, was a nephew 
of the Colonel. 

After all the circumstances of the surprise at Davenport’s house came 
to be known and understood, Col. De Lancey and the Refugees were not 
blamed, ‘The impetuosity and indiscretion of a single individual, caused 
probably, all the bloodshed at my grand-father's. The young lieutenant 
atoned for his error, by fighting bravely to the last.”4 


On the roth of November, 1844, Lydia Vail, adds to her former tes- 
timony by saying :-— 


“Two negro servants and my father were wounded, one in the arm 
and the others in the shoulder. The very night before the surprise, 
Greene said to my grand-father, ‘Mr. Davenport, you are a hap 
man, surrounded by a fine wife and a dutiful family of children. I 
envy you much, but I hope this unnatural.war is drawing to a close 
and that this time next spring, I also shall enjoy domestic happiness, as 
you do, with my wife and children.’ Twelve hours had not elapsed after 
this, before he was a dead man. Davenport’s house was Greene’s head- 
quarters. Greene was much beloved by my grand-father’s family, as well 
as Flagg and the other officers ; and the death of those who fell, partic- 
ularly that of Greene, was much and long lamented. This disaster 
happened @ little before sunrise. I lived at my father’s, half a mile off 
northerly, on the Crompond road; word came to us that they were all 
cut off and killed at head-quarters, and we all ran through the fields to 
Davenport’s house. The Refugees were at this moment retreating 
through the woods towards Pines Bridge, and when we saw their glitter- 
ing caps and arms, we stopped and hid till they had passed. We arrived 
at “Davenport” s about sunrise or little af ter, and found the floors and walls 


a Testimony of Lydia Vail of Somers, aged 74, given Oct. 19th, 1844.—-McDonald MSS. in 
possession of Geo. H. Moore, Esq., Lib. of N. Y. Hist. Soc. 


THE TOWN OF YORKTOWN. 687 


covered with the blood of the dead, wounded and dying. Flagg and the 
captain were killed outright. The Refugees forced Greene to mount a 
horse, and retreated upon Pines Bridge by a lane which then led to the 
main or Crompond road, through a piece of woods which at that time 
extended to the main road. This lane was considerably south of the 
present lane, which lead from Davenport’s house to the Crompond road, 
and was a much nearer road to Pines Bridge. Green held on the 
horse till they were just coming out of the wood into the main road. He 
then fell off, and they found he had fainted and was dying from loss of 
blood. They then laid him on the bank by the side of the road, and 
passed on. Major Morrell escaped the disaster of Davenport’s house by 
accident. He happened to pass that eventful night at a Mrs. Remsen’s, 
who lived some where near Pines Bridge, (courting it was said) ; return- 
ing to head-quarters (where he stayed) next morning, he heard a noise 
which seemed to approach ; he rained up his horse, listened, and looking 
in the direction from whence the sounds came, saw the glittering of the 
soldiers caps and swords ; spurring his horse he leaped over the fence and 
concealed himself in a thicket, until the detachment had passed by. The 
widow Griffin’s house stood above the Croton on the west side of the 
Crompond road ; her maiden name was Brundage. The widow Budd’s 
house stood below the Croton, and at Pines Bridge, on the left side of 
the road leading to White Plains, and on the right of the road leading 
to North Castle Corner ; her maiden name was Griffin.”# 


Lieut. Col. Greene was murdered in the meridian of life, being only 
forty-four years old. He married in 1758, Miss Anne Lippitt, a daugh- 
ter of J. Lippitt, Esq., of Warwick, whom he left a widow, with three 
sons and four daughters. He was stout and strong in person, about 
five feet ten inches high, with a broad round chest; his aspect manly, 
and demeanor pleasing, enjoying always a high state of health, its bloom 
irradiated a countenance which significantly expressed the fortitude and 
mildness invariably displayed throughout his life. 

The following communication was addressed by Washington to Col. 
Greene, only seven days before Count Donop attacked Fort Mercer at 
Red Bank, on the Delaware :— 


Heap-Qvarters, OoToBER 15tTu, 1777, 

11 @ clock at night. 
Sm:—I am persuaded by intelligence from different quarters that the enemy 
are determined to endeavour, by a speedy and vigorous effort to carry Fort 
Mifflin, and for this purpose are preparing a considerable force. Their attempt 
will probably be sudden and violent, as they are hardly in a situation to delay a 
matter so essential to them as that of removing the river obstructions. It is-of 
infinite importance to disappoint their intentions in this instance, as their keeping 
or evacuating Philadelphia materially depends upon their having the communi- 


a Testimony of Lydia Vail, aged 74, Nov. 19, 1844, grandaughter of Richardson Davenport, 
and niece of Francis Totten,—McDonaid MSS. In possession of Geo. Moore, Esq. 


688 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


cation with their shipping immediately opened, and it is not unlikely they may 
despair of effecting, it if they should fail in the push, which I imagine they are 
now about to make. Col. Smith’s present force is not as great as could be wished, 
and requires to be augmented to put him in a condition to make an effectua] 
opposition. I would therefore have you to detach immediately as large a part of 
your force as you possibly can in aid of the garrison. JI cannot well determine 
what proportion. This must be regulated by circumstances and appearances, but 
my present idea is that the principal part should go to his assistance. To enable 
you the better to spare a respectable reinforcement, I have directed General 
Newcomb to send his brigade of militia to Red Bank or as many of them as he 
can prevail upon to go. Colonel Angell will also march early to-morrow morning 
to join you with his regiment. The garrisons and Steel’s may be informed. of 
these succours ; by way of keeping up their spirits. I would not have you trust to 
the houses in the neighbourhood of your post, as these in case of an investiture 
will fail you; which makes it prudent to have a sufficient number of huts before 
hand prepared within the fort. 

I hope, and doubt not, you will keep fully in mind the prodigious importance 
of not suffering the enemy to get entire possession of the Delaware ; and will spare 
no pains nor activity to frustrate their efforts for that purpose. Be watchful on 
every quarter and industrious in stopping every avenue by which you are assail- 
able. Be cautious not to pay too much attention to any one part of your works, 
and neglect the others, but take every precaution to strengthen the whole; for 
otherwise the greatest danger may be where you least expect it. I am, sir, 

Your obed’t serv’t. 


N.B.—The above letter was written by his Excellency’s orders; but as he went 
to bed before it was finished, it will be handed you without his signature. 


(Signed) Avex. Hamitroy, A. D. C., 
3 (on public service). 
COLONEL GREENE, 
ALEx. Hamitton, A. D. C. Commanding Officer, 
to ye Com. in Chief. a Red Bank. 


The Rev. M. L. Weems, the former rector of Mt. Vernon Parish, Va., 
thus describes the attack made by Count Donop, on the Red Bank in 
his Life of General Washington :— 


“On the eastern or Jersey side of the river, at a place called the 
Red Bank, Washington ordered a strong redoubt, the command of 
which, with 205 men, was given to Col. Greene. These with some 
chevaux-de-frise sunk in the river, and a few gallies, formed all the 
barrier that Washington could present against the British Navy. The 
strength of this barrier was soon put to a fiery trial. Great prepara- 
tions were made to attack the Americans, at the same instant, both 
by land and water. Count Donop, with a host of Hessians, was sent 
over to be in readiness to attack Red Bank, while the tide of flood 
groaning under their enormous weight, brought up the men of war. 


eee from original document in possession of the late John Ward, Esq., of Bond St. 


\ THE TOWN OF YORKTOWN. 689 


The morning was still, and the heavens overcast with sad clouds—as if 
nature sympathizing with her children, was ready to drop showers of ce- 
lestial pity on their strifes. No sooner had the ships floated up with- 
in three cables length of the fort, than they began a most tremendous 
cannonade ; while cannon balls and fire-tailed bombs, like comets, fell 
upon it thick as hail. The gallant Smith and his myrmidons, stood the 
shock to a miracle, and like men fighting under the eye of their Wash- 
ington, drove the two-and-thirty pounders through them, with such spirit 
and success, that in a little time, the Augusta, a heavy 64 gun ship took 
fire and blew up, the horrible balloon and many of the crew. Another ship 
called the Merlin, or Black Bird, soon got on the wing, blew up likewise 
and went off in thunder to join the Angusta. At the same moment Col. 
Donop, with his Hessians, made a gallant attack on the fort at Red 
Bank. After a few well directed fires, Greene and his men artfully re- 
tired from the out-works, The enemy, now supposing the day their own, 
rushed on in vast numbers along a large opening in the fort, and within 
twenty steps of a masked battery of eighteen pounders, loaded with 
grape shot and spike nails. All at once, hell itself seemed to open be- 
fore their affrighted view. But their pains and their terrors were but for 
a moment. Together down they sunk by hundreds, into the sweet 
slumbers of death, scarcely sensible of the fatal blow that reft their 
lives. 

Heaps on heaps, the slaughtered Hessians lie ; 

Brave Greene beholds them with a tearful eye. 

Far now from home, and from their native shore, 

They sleep in death and hear of wars no more. 


“Poor Donop was mortally wounded, and taken prisoner. The atten- 
tions of the American officers, and particularly the kind condolence 
of the God-like Washington, quite overcame him: and his last moments 
were steeped in tears of regret, for having left his native land, to fight a 
distant people, who had never injured him. ‘See here, Colonel,’ said 
the dying count, (to Col. Danl. Clymer, who had been sent by Wash- 
ington to condole with him) ‘see in me, the vanity of all human pride! 
I have shone in all the Courts of Europe, and now, I am dying here, on 
the banks of the Delaware, in the house of an obscure Quaker.” 


As Captain Mauduit Duplessis was traversing the scene of slaughter 
after the repulse, he was accosted by a voice from among the slain: 
“Whoever you are, draw me hence.” It was the unfortunate Count 
Donop. Duplessis had him conveyed to a house near the fort, where 
every attention was paid to his comfort; he languished fer three days, 
during which Duplessis was continually at his bed-side. ‘‘ This is 
finishing a noble career early,” said the Count sadly, as he found his 
death approaching. ‘Then, as if conscious of the degrading service in 
which he had fallen, hired out by his prince to aid a foreign power in 


a Life of George Washington by M. L. Weems, formerly Rector of Mt. Vernon Parish. 
ila. 1809, ; 


690 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


quelling the brave struggles of a people for their liberty, and contrasting 
it with that in which the chivalrous youth by his bedside was engaged— 
“T die,” added he bitterly, ‘the victim of my ambition, and of the 
avarice of my sovereign.” He was but thirty-seven years of age at the 
time of his death. 

According to the plan of the enemy, Fort Mifflin, opposite to Fort 
Mercer, was to have been attacked at the same time by water. The 
force employed was the Augusta of sixty-four guns, the Roebuck of 
forty four, two frigates, the Merlin sloop of eighteen guns, and a galley. 
They forced their way through the lower line of chevaux-de-frise; but 
the Augusta and Merlin ran aground below the second line, and every 
effort to get them off proved fruitless. To divert attention from their 
situation, the other vessels drew as near to Fort Mifflin as they could, 
and opened a cannonade; but the obstructions in the river had so 
altered the channel that they could not get within very effective distance 
They kept up a fire upon the fort throughout the evening, and recom- 
menced it early in the morning, as did likewise the British batteries on 
the Pennsylvania shore; hoping that under cover of it, the ships might 
be got off. A strong adverse wind, however, kept the tide from rising 
sufficiently to float them. 

The Americans discovered their situation, and sent down four fire- 
ships to destroy them, but without effect. A heavy fire was now 
opened upon them from the galleys and floating batteries. It was 
warmly returned. In the course of the action, a red hot shot set the 
Augusta on fire. It was impossible to check the flames. All haste was 
made with boats to save the crew, while the other ships drew off as fast 
as possible to be out of reach of the explosion. She blew up, however, 
while the second lieutenant, the chaplain, the gunner, and several of the 
crew were yet on board, most of whom perished. The Merlin was now 
set on fire and abandoned; the Roebuck and the other vessels dropped 
down the river, and had kept up a brave defence against batteries di- 
rected by the enemy on the Pennsylvania shore. A reinforcement of 
Virginia troops made the garrison between three and four hundred 
strong. 

Floating batteries, galleys and fire-ships, commanded by Commodore 
Hazlewood, were stationed under the forts and about the river. 

Fort Mercer had hitherto been garrisoned by militia, but Washington 
now replaced them by four hundred of Gen. Varnum’s Rhode Island 

a DeChastellux, vol. i. p. 266. ‘*Donop was terribly wounded and taken to the house of a 
Quaker near by, where he expired three days afterwards. He was buried within the fort. A 


few years ago his bones were disinterred, and his skull was taken possession of by a New 
Jersey physician.’’—Lossing’s Hist. of U. 8. 


THE TOWN OF YORKTOWN. 691 


Continentals. Col. Christopher Greene, was put in command; a brave 
officer who had accompanied Arnold in his rough expedition to Canada, 
and fought valiantly under the walls of Quebec. ‘The post with which 
you are intrusted,” writes Washington in his letter of instructions, “is of 
the utmost importance to America. The whole defence of the Delaware 
depends upon it; and consequently all the enemy’s hopes of keeping 
Philadelphia, and finally succeeding in the present Campaign.” 

Col. Greene was accompanied by Captain Mauduit Duplessis, who 
was to have the direction of the artillery. He was a young French en- 
gineer of great merit, who had volunteered in the American cause, and 
recelved a commission from Congress. The chevaux-de frise, in the 
river, had been constructed under his superintendence. 

Greene, aided by Duplessis, made all haste to put Fort Mercer in a 
state of defense ; but before the outworks were completed, he was sur- 
prised (Oct. 22d,) by the appearance of a large force from a wood 
within cannon-shot of the fort. Their uniforms showed them to be 
Hessians. They were, in fact, four battallions, twelve hundred strong 
of grenadiers, picked men, besides light infantry and chasseurs, all com- 
manded by Count Donop, who had figured in the last year’s campaign. 
Col. Greene, in nowise dismayed by the superiority of the enemy, form- 
ing in glistening array before the wood, prepared for a stout resistance. 
In a little while an officer was descried, riding slowly up with a flag, ac- 
companied by a drummer. Greene ordered his men to keep out of 
sight, that the fort might appear but slightly garrisoned. 

When within proper distance, the drummer sounded a parley, and, the 
officer summoned the garrison to surrender ; with a threat of no quarter, 
in case of resistance. 

Greene’s reply was, that the post would be defended to the last ex- 
tremity. 

The flag rode back and made report. Forthwith the Hessians were 
seen at work throwing up a battery within half a mile of the outworks. 
It was finished by four o’clock, and opened a heavy cannonade, under 
cover of which the enemy were preparing to approach. 

As the American outworks were but half finished, and were too exten- 
sive to be manned by the garrison, it was determined by Greene and 
Duplessis, that the troops should make but a short stand there ; to gall 
the enemy by their approach, and then retire within the est which 
was defended by a deep intrenchment, boarded and fraised. 

Donop led on his troops in gallant style, under cover of a heavy fire 
from his battery. They advanced in two columns, to attack the out- 
works in two places. As they advanced, they were excessively galled 


692 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


by a flanking fire from the American galleys and batteries, and by sharp 
volleys from the outworks. The latter, however, as had been concert- 
ed, were quickly abandoned by the garrison. The enemy entered at two 
places, and, imagining the day their own, the two columns pushed on 
with shouts to storm different parts of the redoubt. As yet, no troops 
were to be seen; but as one of the columns approached the redoubt on 
the north side, a tremendous discharge of grape-shot and musketry burst 
forth from the embrasures in front, and a half-masked battery on the 
left. The slaughter was prodigious; the column was driven back in 
confusion. Count Donop with the other column, in attempting the 
south side of the redoubt, had passed the abatis; some of his men had 
traversed the fosse ; others had clambered over the pickets, when a sim- 
ilar tempest of artillery and musketry burst upon them. Some were 
killed on the spot, many were wounded, and the rest were driven out. 
Donop himself was wounded, and remained on the spot; Lieutenant- 
Colonel Mingerode, the second in command, was also dangerously 
wounded. Several other of the best officers were slain or disabled. 
Lieutenant-Colonel Linsing, the oldest remaining officer, endeavored to 
draw off the troops in good order, but in vain; they retreated in confu- 
sion, hotly pursued, and were again cut up in their retreat by the flank- 
ing fire from the galleys and floating batteries. 

The loss of the enemy in killed and wounded, in this brief but severe 
action, was about four hundred men. That of the Americans, eight 
killed and twenty-nine wounded. 

Washington Irving thus describes the attack made by the enemy on 
Fort Mifflin and Mercer on the 22d of October, 1777 :— 


‘‘On the forts and obstructions in the river, Washington mainly counted to 
complete the harassment of Philadelphia. The defences had been materially im- 
paired. The works at Billingsport had been attacked and destroyed, and some of 
the enemy’s ships had forced their way through the chevaua-de-frise, placed there. 
The American frigate Delaware, stationed in the river between the upper forts 
and Philadelphia, had run aground before a British battery and been captured.. 

It was now the great object of the Howes to reduce and destroy, and of Wash 
ington to defend and maintain, the remaining forts and obstructions. Fort Miff- 
lin, which we have already mentioned, was erected on a low, green, reedy island 
in the Delaware, a few miles below Philadelphia, and helow the mouth of the 
Shuylkill. It consisted of a strong redoubt, with extensive outworks and batteries. 
There was but a narrow channel between the island and the Pennsy]vania shore. 
The main channel, practicable for ships, was on the other side. In this were 
sunk strong chevaua-de-frise, difficult either to be weighed or cut through, and 
dangerous to any ships that might run against them; subjected as they would be 
to the batteries of Fort Mifflin on one side, and on the other to those of Fort 
Mercer, a strong work at Red Bank on the Jersey shore. 


THE TOWN OF YORKTOWN. 693 


Fort Mifflin was garrisoned by troops of the Maryland line, under Lieutenant- 
Colonel Samuel Smith of Baltimore ; and the attack on Fort Mercer was given up. 

These signal repulses of the enemy had an animating effect on the public mind, 
and were promptly noticed by Congress. Col. Greene, who commanded at Fort 
Mercer; Lieutenant-Colonel Smith of Maryland, who commanded at Fort Miff- 
lin; and Commodore Hazelwood, who commanded the galleys, received the 
thanks of that body ; and consequently a sword was voted to each, as a testimo- 
nial of distinguished merit.” 


Shrub Oak is a small village, in the northern part of the town, form- 
ing a portion of Jefferson valley, and situated not far distant from Lake 
Magrigaries, or what is now denominated Lake Osceola. This place is 
beautifully situated in a well watered and picturesque region, and, chief- 
ly on account of its healthiness, is much sought after by New York citi- 
zens who are erecting some fine country seats in the neighborhood. 
One of the oldest residences in the village is located on Park street and 
belonged formerly to the Paulding family, but is now owned by the Rev. 
George S. Gordon, one of the former rectors of St. Peter’s church, 
Peekskill. It seems that the celebrated John Paulding of revolutionary 
fame, purchased the estate, on which the mansion stands, of Ezekiel 
Knapp, probably before the Revolution or soon after. Upon the 11th 
of January, 1817, we find the said John Paulding conveying to Natha- 
niel Garrison of Cortlandtown, for the sum of $4,500, one piece (of this 
very property), ‘containing eighty-two acres, be the same more or less, 
excepting the lands deeded to the Methodist meeting house and Isaac 
Knapp, and except the lot sold for a district school-house and a piece 
containing four acres, two rods and six perches.” Garrison after- 
wards sold to Dr. Collett (who married a daughter of Dr. Felton, then 
rector of St. Stephen’s church, N. Y.) and the latter conveyed to the 
Rev. George S. Gordon.¢ The old house, which was used as a tav- 
ern during the Revolutionary war, is well constructed of heavy oak tim- 
ber, while the parlor and dining room are finished with old fashioned 
mantles and fire places six feet wide. Tradition says that a bold Tory 
captain, who was suspected of being a spy, was shot at the gate while 
attempting to escape. It is well known that Major Andre passed this 
spot on his way to Crompond. The Five Mile Turnpike leading from 
Peekskill to Red Mills, passes within one quarter of a mile of this place, 
likewise the intended route of the railroad from Turners Station in 
Rockland Co., to Fort Montgomery and thence by the great Suspen- 


a From Irving’s Life of Washington, vol. iii, pp. 269 to 275. 
b Copied from original Doc. in possession of the Rev. G. S. Gordon. 


c The Rey. George S. Gordon is a son of the late Capt. Henry Gordon of U. 8. N. by Maria 
da. of Will. and Mary Tapp. Wm. Tapp was born in London, Middlesex, England, 22d Dec. 
1750.—N. Styles. : 


694 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


sion Bridge across the Hudson River at St. Antony’s nose, next follow- 
ing the Peekskill creek, passing through Shrub Oak to Hollocksville or 
Mahopac, and thence south into New York city. 

The Methodist Episcopal church is very pleasantly situated, almost 
in the centre of the village, directly opposite the old cemetery. Itisa 
large gothic edifice of stone, fifty by ninety, with a low embattled tower 
of the same material, costing about $39,000. It was designed by the 
well known architect, William F. Martin, a resident of this village; and 
dedicated in December, 1870. To it,is attached a small parsonage of 
wood and six acres of land, valued at $6,000. The interior of the 
church is neatly finished in black-walnut trimming, while the windows 
are filled with stained glass quarryings of lead work. ‘The desk Bible 
contains the following :— 


‘““CENTENARY METHopIsT EpiscopaL CruROH, 
Shrub Oak, October, 1870.” 


The bell weighs 1,950 pounds, and cost $1,000. The burying-ground 
opposite the church, contains memorials to the Hyatt’s, Fowler’s, Louns- 
burgh’s, Hall’s, Conklin’s, Horton’s, Crawford’s, Halleck’s, Smith’s, Wild- 
ey’s, and Townsend’s, &c. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church, it is said, was first organized here 
about one hundred years ago; but be this as it may, we have already 
seen that John Paulding, sometime before 1817, had deeded to the 
“Methodist Meeting House” a small portion of his property. The old 
church stands a short distance only from the present structure, and is 
now used by the Roman Catholics for their services. 

The present pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church is the Rev. 
G. D. Gillespie, who reports 260 communicants. 

Near Shrub Oak, a short distance only from the Peekskill turn- 
pike, is situated ‘“‘ Lake Mohegan,” a charming sheet of water covering 
an area of three hundred acres and one eighth in length. An analysis of 
its waters gives the two following ingredients as held in solution—viz : 
Sixty per cent. of lime, and thirty per cent. of magnesia. Many 
fine bass and pickerel are taken here, (some of the former weigh- 
ing five lbs) as well as white and yellow perch. Five years ago 
an attempt was made to stock the lake with 10,000 salmon trout; 
but since then the black bass have been introduced with better success. 
At the head of the lake stands the residence of Charles D’Urban Mor- 
ris, A. M., who for a number of years past has so successfully conducted 
the “ Lake School.” This branch of the Morris family is not only de- 
scended directly from the Philipses, (Manorial lords of Philipsburgh) but 


THE TOWN OF YORKTOWN. 695 


is also connected with the Van Cortlandts, the lords of Cortlandt 
Manor. Roger Morris (eleventh in descent from Cadugan of Philip 
Dorddu, a powerful Welsh chieftain) who stood high in favor, and on 
terms of great friendship, with the Duke of Argyle and the Earl of Pem- 
broke in 1734, married Mary, daughter of Sir Peter Jackson, Knt., a 
(Turkey) merchant of London, by Mary his wife, daughter of Sir Peter 
Vandeput, Knt., sheriff of London in 1684, by Margaret his wife, 
daughter of Sir John Buckworth, Knt. of West Shun Surrey. Roger 
Morris died 13th Jan., 1748. The third son of Roger Morris and Mary 
Jackson was Roger Morris, Esq., lieutenant-colonel in the British army, 
born 28th of January, 1727, married 19th January, 1758, Mary, daughter 
of Frederick Philipse, last Lord of the Manor of Philipsburgh. It was 
from this lady’s character that Cooper formed the heroine of “‘ The Spy,” 
under the name of Frances. Washington is said to have greatly admired 
her. Col. Roger Morris served with distinction in the first American 
war, and was wounded in the celebrated battle of the Monongahela 
River, in which General Braddock was killed with most of his officers. 
In that engagement George Washington, Robert Orme and Roger 
Morris, Esqrs., were aides-de-camp to General Braddock ; and of the con- 
flict, an original manuscript account, a very curious document, was in 
possession of the late Capt. Henry Gage Morris, of the R. N. 

Col. Roger Morris died 13th Sept., 1794, aged sixty-eight; Mary, his ~ 
wife, 18th July, 1825, aged ninety-six, having been born sth July, 1730. 
The remains of this distinguished and worthy couple are deposited in a 
vault in St. Saviours church, York, England, where the following inscrip- 
tion occurs on a marble tablet :— 


Near this spot are deposited the remains of 
COLONEL ROGER MORRIS, 
formerly of his Majesty’s 47h Regiment of Foot, 
who departed this life on the 13th day of September, 1794, 
in the 68th year of his age. 


AND OF 


MARY MORRIS, 


relic of the same 
who departed this life on the 18th day of July, 1825, 
in the 96th year of her age. 


AND ALSO OF 
MARIA MORRIS, 


the affectionate daughter of the above, 
who departed this life on the 25th day of Sept., 1836, 
in the 7ist year of herage. 


696 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


Col. Roger Morris had five children; (1), Joanna Morris, married in 
1787, to Thomas Cowper Hincks, Esq., Captain in the Dragoon Guards, 
and left issue. (2), Amherst, (named after his god-father, Lord Am- 
herst ', born in 1763, Commander in the Royal Navy; died at Bailden, 
in Yorkshire, in 1802. The following inscription is on his grave-stone 
there :— 

To the memory of 
CAPTAIN AMHERST MORRIS, 


of the Royal Navy, 
who died the 27th day of April, Anno Domini 1802, 
aged 38 years. 
Virtute nihil obstat et armis. 


(3), Maria, died at York, as above; (4), Margaret, died young in this 
country ; Henry Gage Morris, Rear Admiral of the Royal Navy, who 
was born in 1770, married in 1805, died in 1851, and lies buried in the 
church-yard of Beverly Minster, Yorkshire, leaving, by his wife Rebecka, 
Newenham, Millard, Orpen, daughter of Rev. Francis Orpen, of Cork, 
Ireland, and six sons, viz:—Rev. Francis Orpen Morris, Rector of Nun- 
Burnholme, Yorkshire; Rear Admiral Henry Gage Morris, of the Royal 
Navy, London; Frederick Philipse Morris, Barrister, London; Bev- 
erly. Robinson Morris, M.D., Nottingham; Rev. Adolphus Philipse 
Morris, A.M., first rector of St. Mary’s Parish, Yorktown, and now 
curate of Leeds, Kent, England; and Charles D’Urban Morris, A.M., 
of Lake Mohegan. 

The parochial church of St. Mary stands near the Lake, and the resi- 
dence of Mr. Morris, fronting on the Peekskill road, leading from Lake 
Mahopac to the latter place; it is built of stone concrete, in the early 
English style. The church lot, embracing half an acre, was the gift of 
Charles D’Urban Morris, A.M. ; 

Shrub Oak contains a Methodist ‘church, a post-office, and about 
fifteen dwellings. The Methodist society of this place was first incor- 
porated upon the 22d of September, 1840; Newman Lounsberry, 
Benjamin Curry, Solomon Requa, Thomas Curry, jr., and Jonathan 
Danow, trustees. The church, which was erected in 1839, is a very 
neat wooden structure. In the immediate neighborhood, lies Lake 
Magrigaries, (Hollow Lake, already alluded to,) which is a beautiful 
sheet of water, well stocked with fish. 

A rich and picturesque vale extends south from Crompond, backed 
by rolling hills. Upon one of the principal heights in this vicinity, 


a Co. Rec. Religious Soc. lib. B. 65. 


THE TOWN OF YORKTOWN. 697 


called French hill, the French forces were encamped in 1781-2, under 
Comte de Rochambeau. ‘ The French army, at the time the Marquis 
speaks of, (Nov. 1782, says the translator of Chastellux,) had been for 
some time encamped at Crompond, near Cortlandt’s manor, a few miles 
from that of General Washington’s, and between which there was a daily 
intercourse. The translator dined, in October, 1782, in General 
Washington's tent, with the Marquis de Laval, the Baron de Viomenil, 
and several French officers, within hearing of the British guns, which 
were at that period happily become a Brutum fulmen.”* On the north- 
west side of French hill, are the two ponds styled bythe Indians Keaka- 
tis. The largest of these, sometimes known by the name of the Great 
Pond, covers an area of 200 acres, and discharges its redundant waters 
into the smaller one of 100 acres. Both are supplied by numerous 
springs, and have their outlet in A/uscoola river. The site of an Indian 
village is still pointed out, on the borders of the Great Pond, north of 
cedar swamp, likewise the remains of a cemetery on Cedar Point.® 

Several roads intersect the town, running principally north and south, 
from the Mahopack turnpike to the great post-road, formerly called the 
King’s road. These consist of Stoney, King’s Gormé, Amawalk, Toma- 
hawk and Lovett streets. 

The Pine’s Bridge road leading south from Crompond, affords magni- 
ficent views of the rich and fertile country bordering the Croton River, 
together with the village of Yorktown, and the Turkey and Collabergh | 
mountains. Upon this road are situated the farms and residences of 
General Bernardus Montross, Mr. Seth Whitney, Mr. James Underhill, 
Mr. Richard M. Underhill and George McKeel, &c. Ina back room of 
the General’s house, fell the notorious freebooter, Joseph Hueson, by the 
hand of Seth Whitney, (father of the above mentioned gentleman) former 
proprietor of the estate. Hueson was a perfect scourge and terror to 
this part of the country during the Revolution, for he. devoted himself 
to the most cruel pillage and robbery among the defenceless inhabitants. 
Whilst in the act of entering the house for plunder, Whitney plunged 
a bayonet into his body. Upon hearing their leader exclaim, “the rascal 
has killed me!” a band of ruffians forced an entrance, seized Whitney, 
and inflicted on him the most savage cruelties. Directly opposite the 
mansion of the latter, stands the orthodox Friends meeting-house, erec- 
ted in 1833. 

A road diverging to the south-west, near the meeting-house, leads to 


a@ Travels in North America in the years 1780, 81, 82, by the Marquis Chastellux. One of 
the principal visitors at the French camp in 1782, was the Baron de Talleyrand. 


b Upon Cedar Point an eccentric character known as Nancy Lane the hermitess, resided 
for many years, ; 


698 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


the Turkey mountain, a vast tract of woodland covering 800 acres; 
from the summit of which, the spectator has a noble prospect of the 
surrounding country. At the foot of the mountain is situated the resi- 
dence of Mr. Edward Burrough Underhill, son of the late Abraham I. 
Underhill, “a worthy and prominent member of the society of Friends, 
who sustained throughout a useful and protracted life, an unsullied repu- 
tation.” Abraham I. Underhill, who died on the 5th of May, 1841, 
aged 78 years, was the second son of Isaac Underhill, fourth in descent 
from John Underhill of Oyster Bay, L. I. In the old family mansion 
which stands one mile south of this spot, (on the Pine’s Bridge road) is 
shown the room where Major Andre and Joshua H. Smith breakfasted 
on the 23d of September, 1780. At this period, the house was occu- 
pied by Isaac Underhill and Sarah his wife, who appears to have been 
a woman of good resolution and courage ; whilst engaged in entertaining 
Andre and his companion, she took particular notice of the former—and 
imagined she read in his confusion, a person embarrassed in some great 
undertaking. A few days previous to this event, Mrs. Underhill had 
visited head-quarters to recover some cattle carried off by a band of 
marauders. 

This lady was the daughter of Robert Field, whose nephew John was 
a resident of Yorktown. The following notice of the death of Moses 
Field, (son of John) occurs in the New York American of Oct. 25, 1833: 


* Died at Peekskill, on the 18th inst., Moses Field of this city, aged 
fifty-three years. The poor could not have sustained a greater loss in 
an individnal. No man had more enlarged and persevering benevo- 
lence in feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and providing for the 
sick. His greatest happiness appeared to be, to mitigate the suffering 
and relieve the wants of the virtuous poor.” 


Abraham J. Underhill, the son of Isaac and Sarah, has left us the 
following account of his own and his father’s Reminisences of the Revo- 
lution :— 


“My father Isaac Underhill, born at White Plains, was a tall, healthy 
man of great bodily strength, and very industrious even to old age—say 
over eighty. During his life, he partly cleared three farms near Saw 
Mill River, Nanahegan or Philips Manor, now the town of Mt. Pleasant. 
He was possessed of good natural abilities and judgment, but like most 
men of his time felt sadly the want of an early education. For many 
years he was an elder in the society of Friends. Before leaving White 
Plains my father had partly cleared the farms of his two brothers Jacob 
and Abraham at Nanahegan, travelling to and fro by a foot path which 

a Upon the 9th of Nov., 1832, George McKeel conveyed to Isaac McKeel, Daniel Smith, 


Aaron Underhili and Edward Burrough Underhill, one acre of land, three miles north of 
Pine’s Bridge. 


THE TOWN OF YORKTOWN. 699 


was then the only road between the two places—the surrounding country 
being infested by Indians, and wild animals. He moved to Nanahegan 
about the year 1738, at which time the Indians had not left the neigh- 
borhood. In 1774 he settled down at Amawalk, (Yorktown) the farm 
then having been one of the first cleared in that section of the country, 

“During the Revolutionary war the main body of Washington’s army. 
on its way from White Plains to New’ Jersey, marched past the house 
going from Pines Bridge to Peekskill. I frequently saw Washington 
pass during the time, so y that I knew him as well as I did anybody. He 
always had a life guard of twelve young gentlemen nding before him 
with drawn swords for protection and honor—they were said to be Vir- 
ginians. I recollect perfectly well meeting him by the school house 
near Parkers, and at another time a little south of the old Amawalk 
meeting-house, and also when he passed our house. On the two former 
occasions he was not with the army. On the latter he proclaimed his 
intention to capture New York, and was making every exertion to col- 
lect men and stores for that purpose; but his real object was to amuse the 
British in New York, to prevent their sending forces to Yorktown in 
Virginia to relieve Lord Cornwallis. Washington went down as far as 
White Plains and then commenced forced marches to West Point and 
so through New Jersey south to Yorktown, and succeeded in capturing 
Cornwallis and all his army before he could be relieved from New 
York. A sergeant’s guard was kept at our house almost throughout the 
war. 

“ Major Andre, with Lawyer Smith of Orange Co., called at my father’s 
the day he was taken at about eight o’clock in the morning ; they wanted 
breakfast. Andre was on his way from West Point to New York, and 
made many inquiries respecting the road ; his mind appeared to be very 
much impressed,so that he could not be still a moment. Smith eat 
breakfast (which mother prepared for them) but Andre appeared very 
agitated, walked back and forward before the front door and eat noth- 
ing; he had on a blue tight bodied coat, made plain, after the fashion of 
the New England farmers of the day. Smith went back north from our 
house, and Andre went on toward New York alone—going south by the 
way of Pines Bridge, and Tarrytown ; near the latter Eee he was taken 
prisoner. 

‘Tn the time of the Revolution the British Light Horse came through 
this part of the country, taking the route from Crompond to our house. 
On this occasion they burned many houses, killed several men and 
wounded every one they met, carrying them off prisoners to New York. 
Every house was robbed by them, and all the cattle they could possibly 
find, driven off. A few weeks previous to this a violent hurricane had 
taken off the back portion of the roof of our house. The British rode 
up very furiously, with their swords, drawn and demanded which party 
had removed the roof; I replied “‘ The upper party,” which they under- 
stood to mean the Whigs—the British being the lower party. They then 
placed a sentinel at the door who prevented any of the party from going . 
into the house or taking anything from us, which we considered a re- 
markable Providential preservation. 


7OO HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


“Tn the Revolution robberies and murders were very frequent in this 
part of the country. One night there were two strangers putting up at 
our house, from New England; in the dead of night a man knocked at 
the door—father asked who was there? the reply was “a friend.” Father 
mistook the voice for that of a particular friend of his, but mother 
thought they were robbers beyond any doubt; father got up and opened 
the upper half of the door, and«soon found they were come to pillage 
the house. Mother, while father was parleying with the gang outside, 
armed all her children—seven sons and four daughters—(all as large as 
men), put men’s coats and pants on the girls, in the space of a few min- 
utes, and marched them into the room where father was; so large a 
company struck such a damper upon the robbers, that they immediately 
retreated. We then looked for the strangers who were stopping with us, 
and after a considerable search, found them hidden away under the back 
part of the bed. They appeared to be very much frightened, having 
about their persons $1,500 in Continental money, (which was then 
good). This was about 1776; they felt very thankful for their deliver- 
ance. 

. Qn another occasion, being detained at work in the field after dark, 

on my return to the house, and when very near it, I suddenly found my- 
self stepping on some men, and was much frightened. These men 
(about 100), were lying flat on the ground, their quarters being at the 
house then occupied by Joshua Carpenter ; an officer stepped up to me, 
and enquired who I was and where I was going? I replied that my 
home was close by, and I had been detained later than usual by work. 
He made me promise to say nothing about what I had seen, and then 
let me go. Their object was apparently to prevent surprise, or to inter- 
cept some passing enemy. 

* Joshua Huson was a notorious character in the Revolution, being con- 
nected with the British army, although a native of Yorktown. He fre- 
quently passed through the American army acting as a spy, and carrying 
his information to Canada. Rochambeau’s army lay encamped in York- 
town about six weeks, but it had scarcely been there one week before 
Huson passed through it. He frequently lay in ambush and shot down 
American officers, or others that he disliked. All efforts to secure him 
were unsuccessful, though large rewards were offered for his apprehen- 
sion. At length, aided by some confederates, he broke into the house 
of Seth Whitney, (now Barney Montross’s), abusing and beating him 
badly and carrying off any thing they wanted. Huson told Whitney 
that he would come again and kill him. The old man (Whitney) fixed 
a bayonet on a rake handle, determined to dispatch the robber, should 
he ever try it again. Whitney's wife warned Huson to keep away, but 
paying no attention to the warning, he soon after tried to break in ; when 
about half way through the window, Whitney, true to his threat, stabbed 
him just below the breast-bone, making a wound about one and 
a half inches deep. . Huson, notwithstanding, made good his entrance 
and beat Whitney until he thought him dead. Huson and his assistants 
then mounted and rode away. At first the family believed Whitney 
dead, but after a while they were successful in restoring him and he soon 


THE TOWN OF YORKTOWN. 7OL 


got well. When I saw him the day after the beating, he was dreadfully 
bruised. Huson’s wound proved much more serious than he had at first 
supposed, for it bled internally; and when within twenty rods of our 
house, exclaimed “I am a dead man,” and fell from his horse a corpse. 
His comrades applied to some tories living in the neighborhood, who 
took the body and buried it about eighteen inches deep, under an apple 
tree in Veil’s orchard on the east side of the road. The next day they 
dug another grave behind the hill in the woods, south-east of William 
Smith’s house, a very out of the way place. The better to conceal the 
grave, they cut down a tree—making it fall directly over the spot. Five 
months afterwards, it became generally known that Huson was buried 
there ; whereupon the neighbors disinterred the remains, and crowds of 
people came, some from a great distance, tosee the remains of one who 
had been such a terror and scourge to the whole country round. They 
wanted to satisfy themselves that he was reatly dead ; some proposed to 
hang the corpse on a jibbet, but finally better feelings prevailed and they 
consigned it to the grave where it probably remained undisturbed. 
Several of the men who first buried him we afterwards discovered to be 
the same party who also robbed our tenant house and intended to pil- 
lage us. Whitney, as a reward for killing Huson, was exempted from 
paying taxes during the remainder of his life. This Huson was of the 
same family as the man who was hung for instigating the negroes to in- 
surrection in New York city. 

Rochambeau, while in our neighborhood, had his head-quarters at 
Parkers (then Samuel Dilway’s) while another French General was 
quartered at my father’s. The Generals always dined together alternately 
at each others quarters, this brought them, once a week, to our house. 
Great preparations were always made on these occasions—a French cook 
who had been in the employ of the king of France, and his assistants, 
serving in the kitchen. 

“T once entered a complaint, to the General staying at our Renee! that 
some of his soldiers were in the habit of stealing turnips. He accom- 
panied me to the field about three-quarters of a mile back of the house, 
that he might judge for himself; when we came to the field he gave me 
four crowns as pay for what turnips his soldiers had taken, that satisfied 
me and we returned to the house. I recollect that while returning I 
offered him a each, which he declined taking. 

“One morning a man came running to our house saying, Col. Green 
and about fifty of his men who were quartered at Danford’s, (now Joshua 
Carpenter’s ) had been killed. It appeared that the British light horse, 
each rider with another behind him, had surprised the Americans im- 
mediately after they had drawn in their sentinels, early in the morning, 
killing and wounding them as they lay in their tents, which were pitched 
around the house. Col. Green was in bed at the time; he sprang up and 
seized his sword, but was soon cut down. It was supposed nearly 200 
bullets were fired into the house ; at the same time there was a party of 
Americans stationed at our house commanded by a lieutenant—but it 
was probably unknown to the British, or they might have cut them off 
too. Had they attacked the house, the family would haye been in great 


702 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


danger ; for some of the boys were in bed with the officers, and in the 
confusion it is scarcely possible that all would have escaped injury. I 
had often thought of making the house musket-proof by casing the out- 
side with logs. 

“he Btitish army had possession of New York; their northern lines 
being at King’s Bridge, while the American lines were at Croton River, 
about 25 miles north of the British The distance between being occa- 
sionally occupied first by one party and then the other Thiefts and 
murders were of constant occurance, so that few of the former inhabi- 
tants of this portion of Westchester county chose to remain at home. 
There being no cattle left to eat the pasture, the grass grew to a great 
height, so that it fell down and rotted on the ground from year to year. 
In 1777, we being just above the American lines, the Cow Boys, stole 
from us 14 head of cattle and drove them off to Morrisania. Mother, 
on horseback, traced them to the British lines and determined to recover 
them by an appeal to the British General, then quartered on Harlem 
heights. Upon her arrival at King’s Bridge, she discovered that the 
sentinel stationed there, was the same light horseman that had once stood 
guard before her own house at Yorktown, on occasion of the roof being 
blown off. It was a mutual recognition, and the soldier kindly led her 
across the bridge, for which she bestowed upon hima pistareen. Arrived 
at headquarters she quickly proved to the guard’s satisfaction that her son 
was one of the harmless people called Quakers, who took no part in the 
war; whereupon he gave her an order directed to the Cow-Boys, 
either to return the stolen property or pay its full value. Thus officially 
armed she went to Morrisania and presented the order to the robbers 
who, in a great rage, threatened not only to kill her but her family; a 
few words, however, sufficed to quiet them down, and they paid her the 
full value for the cattle, in gold. Upon reflection, she deemed it hardly 
safe to return home through the Neutral Ground with so much money 
on her person; so she deposited it with Israel Underhill, who then resid- 
ed on the estate now owned by Lorillard Spencer, Esq., who concealed 
it under a stone wall on his farm. The whole was returned safely after 
the war. The Skinner’s somehow became aware of her errand, and 
tried in every way, except by force, to get possession of the money; but 
she quietly informed them it had been left at Westchester. On another 
occasion, some Cow-Boys having stolen three horses, she followed 
them on horseback and recovered them from the commanding officer 
at Morrisania.” 


Mr. Joshua Carpenter.@ the present occupant of the house, still points 
out the spot where the bed of Colonel Green stood, and the window 
from which Major Flagg fired his pistols, while the old fashioned wains- 
coting and doors are pierced with numerous bullet holes. A large ad- 
dition has-been since made to the house, on the east. The wonderfully 
extensive views which this elevated spot commands, will amply repay the 
visitor, besides the interest attached to the above associations. 


a Mr. Carpenter isa grand-son of Richard Davenport, who held the property in 1780. 


THE TOWN OF YORKTOWN. 703 


In the south-east corner of Yorktown, is situated the great dam of 
the Croton Acqueduct, one of the most important and extensive works 
ever undertaken in this country. ‘The dam across the Croton is placed 
where the river enters between the hills, after having passed for several 
miles through a more level country. The hill on the south side is com- 
posed of solid rock." The dam itself is not of great length, but is 
one of the most ingenious works of substantial masonry any where to 
be found. The highest point of the structure is rather more than fifty feet 
above the natural bed of the Croton. By this elevation, the water is 
thrown back more than six miles, forming a beautiful lake of several 
hundred acres, containing about 100,000,000 gallons for each foot in 
depth for the surface, The water is drawn into the acqueduct by means 
of a tunnel cut into the rock, which constitutes the hill on the south 
side. At distances of one mile, a circular hollow tower is erected over 
the acqueduct, for the purpose of ventilation, these being composed of 
white marble, produce a very pretty effect. Every three miles is an 
apparatus for drawing off the water in case any internal repairs should 
be necessary, &c.? 

The whole quantity of land which the Water Commissioners have been 
compelled to buy on the forty miles of the works, amount to nine hun- 
dred acres, and the average price has been nearly five hundred dollars 
per acre. 

The great bend of the Croton, west of Pine’s Bridge, was denomina- 
ted by the aborigines Keweghtegnack. Croton lake, bordered by mead- 
ows and high hills, presents a lovely and interesting scene to the eye of 
the beholder. The following lines, suggested by a visit to the lake, are 
from the Hudson River Chronicle :— 


TO CROTON LAKE. 


How mildly beams the moon’s pale light, 
As o’er thy breast we gaily glide ; 
Her silvery lustre charms the night, 
As swift we float along the tide. 
Unruffled calm thy bosom lies, 
Save where the oars the stillness break ; 
Nor do the breezes dare to rise, 
To mar thy beauty, Croton Lake. 


a Disturnell’s Gazetteer of N. Y. 
b Disturnell’s Gazetteer of N. Y. 
e Ibid. 


704 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


The purest joys that friendship yields, 
We here in rich profusion taste, 
While busy thought roams o’er the fields 
Of memory, brightening from the past ; 
Sweet recollections crowd the mind, 
With former scenes of purest bliss ; 
While now, a sweet delight we find 
In musing o’er past happiness. 


Now is the hour of tranquil peace, 
While gliding o’er thy fair expanse ; 
All fierce, trumultuous passions cease, 
And heavenly joys the sou! entrance ; 
The hallowed fellowship of friends 
We here with rich delight partake, 
Nor o’er, till this existence ends, 
Shall we its memory dear forsake. 


But list! the hour sounds to depart, 
And thy bright shores we leave with pain; 
Thou ever shalt be near my heart, 
While life or thought or hope remain ; 
The friends I here have found, shall be 
Dear to my heart till life forsake ; 
And often shall I think of thee, 
Thou mildly beauteous Croton Lake. 


The supplies of the Croton are derived exclusively from the elevated 
region of the Highlands, in Westchester county and Putnam, being 
furnished by the pure springs which so remarkably characterize the 
granitic formation of this region. Many of the ponds and lakes from 
which it is maintained, are, three or four hundred acres in extent, and 
as large as 1,000 acres ; all these ponds are surrounded by clear upland 
shores, which furnish soft and clear water. Half a gallon of water 
taken from the Croton at Wood’s bridge, yielded by evaporation, 2,333 
grains residuum, in the following proportions :—-Vegetable matter, 133; 
Carbonates of lime and magnesia, 1,200; Muriate of magnesia, 1,000; 
Total, of grains, 2,333. 

Prior to the erection of the dam, shad fish annually ascended the 
river some miles above the present lake. The fishing is now entirely 
confined to trout, perch, and other fresh water fish. 

In 1800 it was proposed to render the Croton river navigable, from 
its mouth to Pine’s Bridge. The following report of the engineers is 
entitled :— 


a@ See Corporat, Doc. of N. Y., No. xxxvi. 409. 


THE TOWN OF YORKTOWN. 7O5 


‘S ESTIMATE OF EXPENSE TO MAKE THE CROTON RIVER NAVIGABLE FOR BOATS OF 
TWO TONS.” 


The falls at Croton river with a lock, : : : - . £3850 
The falls below the Old bridge, : 2 : : ; - 250 
Small rapid, : : Sey: : t ; 4 : 10 
Rapid and stony, - « ais : - - 3 : 15 
Two small falls, : 21 te A : : : 15 
Rocky falls and stony water, ‘ - : - : 60 
Fall both above and below Fowler’s mill, | : 2 - = 100 
Rapids and rocks, : . F Ee 80 
Long rapid water, two stony falls, P - y ‘i - 250 
do do : ; ; - - ; 150 
Fall at Carpenter's mills and locks . . : : J : : 110 
A short rapid, : ; 2 - ; - 30 


This brings us to Pines Bridge. Here we find eighteen obstruc- 
tions, » such as small rapids, fish wares, stony, &e., &e. 
The cost of which is estimated at . : ; y 230 


£1,650 

Pines Bridge crosses the lake about one mile above the dam. On 
the south side of the Croton is a small settlement bearing the name of 
Crotonville—which contains a Methodist church, a Friend’s meeting 
house, two stores, a tavern, a post office, and several scattered dwel- 
lings. The old bridge was situated west of the present structure, and 
served, during the Revolution, as the principal communication between 
the lines. Here the Americans generally kept a strong guard for the 
purpose of affording timely notice of an enemy’s approach. It was also 
a place of rendezvous, as appears from the following orders:— 


Manor oF CorTLAND, 12th Nov., 1781. 
Lieutenant Purdy, you are commanded to march twenty-four of your men, 
well armed and equipt with six days provision, to Pines Bridge, by to-morrow 
morning at 8 o’clock, with all the teams in your company. 
SaMvEL Drake, Colonel. 


DanFortn’s, 8 o’clock in the evening. 
Sir—I have this moment received intelligence that the enemy are out as far as 
Young’s. I shall be at the Bridge, ready to march, at 2 o’clock, and wish to 
have all the militia in Crompond mustered and at the Bridge by that time. 


I am, sir, your most obedient servant, 
Wiri1aMm Hott, Lieut. Colonel. 


P. S.—I beg you to send to Major Strang’s and Capt. Drake’s. 


On the momming of the 25th of June, 1779, the British light horse, 
and about 1,000 infantry, were at Pines Bridge. Gen. Heath “ ordered 
200 light infantry, under the command of Lieut. Col. Grosvenor, to 
march to Robinson’s stores, near Marpoach Pond, to cover that quar- 
fer.% 


a Heath’s Mem. 206. 


706 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 


On the 21st of October, 1780, “intelligence was received that the ene- 
my were meditating an excursion as far up as Crompond and its vicinity, 
to sweep off the cattle.” Gen. Heath immediately ordered Col. Hazen, 
with a detachment of 500 men, to move to Pines Bridge, and Lieut. 
Col. Jameson, with the 2d light dragoons, to move from Bedford towards 
Col. Hazen. The detachment arrived at Pines Bridge about two 
o’clock the next morning. The evening of the 23d, Col. Hazen re- 
turned with the detachment; the enemy did not come out.“ It was 
in the vicinity of Pines Bridge that Enoch Crosby, the Westchester spy, 
first commenced his career of secret service. 

By way of a general geographical description of Yorktown, it may be 
observed, ‘‘that the north is broken by the hills of the southern border 
of the Highlands, and the general surface is hilly, though its hills are 
of a moderate height in the south”® The numerous streams supply 
abundance of mill seats. ‘The soil is generally productive, and well 
distributed into arable, pasture, and meadow lands. Much of it is 
stony ; and previous to the late introduction of gypsum as a manure, 
many farms were nearly exhausted by constant tillage.”* The timber 
is very thrifty and tall, consisting for the most part of oak, chestnut, 
hickory and walnut, &c. The low grounds yield maple, black birch, 
ash and hemlock, &c. 

The first entry relating to town officers occurs in the manor book, en- 
titled, 


“ Record for the manor of Cortlandt and Yorktown.” 


“At a town meeting held for ye manor of Cortlandt, on the first 
Tuesday, in April, in the year of our Lord, 1760, to choose town officers 
for ye said manor for the ensuing year, and the respective names and 
offices of those chosen.” 


PIERRE VAN CorTLANDT, Supervisor. 
Moses Travis, Clerk. 

JosEPH SHERWOOD, Treasurer. 
DANIEL STRANG, 
JosEpH Tipp, 
Josepnu Travis, for the Water Collector at Peekskill. 
Joun Travis, Pounder. 

JEREMIAH DRAKE, Constable for the west part ; 
Joun YEomans, for ye middle part ; 

Joun Purpy, for ye east part, &c.¢ 


Assessors. 


a Ibid, 260. 
b Spafford’s Gazatteer of New York, 
e Ibid. 


- s See Rec. of Yorktown. The names of some twenty freeholders are also attached to the 
St, 


APPEN DEX | ak. 


PEDIGREES OF THE FAMILIES 
OF THE 


SeunN TY. OF “WES Pieter sik. 


Nore.—In the following pages b, stands for born; m. or mar. for married; d. for died; 
da. for daughter; and et. for aged. 


AMBLER OF BEDFORD. Two brothers of this name were among the early set- 
tlers of Bedford. Benjamin Ambler, mar. Dibble, and left three 
sons, Joseph, Joshua and Benjamin, and a da., Rachel, who mar. 
Miller. Benjamin, the youngest, mar. Mary Wilson, and left Henry and Wil- 
liam H. of Bedford. 


ANGEVINE. The name of Zacharie Angevine, occurs as a freeholder of New 
Rochelle, in 1710, mar. May, 1676. Pierre, probably son of Zacharie, left 1, 
Louis; 2, Pierre; 3, Marie. Louis, mar, Esther Sicard, and had Louis, b. 19th 
August, 1732. Pierre, b. 30 August, 1734. Marie, Esther and Annie, the latter 
b. 1731. Pierre, second son of first Pierre, mar. Margaret , and 
left a da. Esther, b. 4 Dec. 1729. John, a member of this family, left John 
and Daniel. Mary, da. of John, d January, 1841, xt. 105. Daniel, mar. Cath- 
arine Geraud, and left Daniel, who was lost at sea. Eli Angevine, of Scarsdale, 
had nine children; 1st, Jonathan of Poughkeepsie; 2nd, Caleb of Poughkeepsie, 
mar. Ostrander; 3d, Phaebe mar. Stephen Lockwood; 4th, Charity 
mar. Israel Sheerly ; 5th, Susan mar. Isaac Purdy; 6th, Mary mar. Budd Purdy; 
4th, Patience mar. Jacob Burnett; 8th, Peggy mar. Joshua Underhill; 9th, Eliz- 
abeth mar. Richard Cornell. Jonathan of Poughkeepsie, mar. Susan Ferris, and 
has Eli and Caleb. 


AROHER OF ForDHAM. ‘The ancestor of this family is supposed to have been 
Humphrey Archer who was born 1527, and died Oct. 24th, 1562, eldest son and 
heir of Richard Archer, twelfth in descent from Fulbert L. Archer, one of the 
companions of William the Conqueror. Humphrey mar. Elizabeth Townsend, 


and left 1, Humphrey; 2, Arthur; 3, Andrew, who mar. Margaret Raleigh; 4, 
707 


708 APPENDIX A, 


John, who mar. Eleanor Frewin; 5, Bridget, who mar. John Bancroft; 6, Mar- 
jory, who mar. John Collis; 7, Elizabeth, who mar. John Hereford. Andrew, 
third son of Humphrey, died 2 April, 1629, leaving issue by his wife Margaret two 
sons, Simon, born September 21, 1624, who mar. Anne Ferris; and Lieut. Col. 
Thomas, an officer in the Parliament service, who fled beyond the seas; Humph- 
rey, Elizabeth and Penelope. Richard second son of Andrew by his wife Mary Bull, 
left one son Rowland. John Archer, fourth son of first Humphrey by Eleanor 
Frewin, left one son John the father of John Archer jirst Lord of the Manor of 
Fordham, Westchester county. John, first Lord of the Manor, mar. Sarah Odell, 
da. of William, and had one son John and three daughters, viz. Mary, Catharine 
and Sarah. John, second Lord of the manor married Mary Fowler, had three 
sons; J, Samuel; 2, Richard who mar. Sarah Valentine, and died 1783; 3, John 
who mar. Elizabeth , will dat. 1708, no. xxi. 60, a da. Eleanor who mar- 
ried Oliver Drew, Samuel Archer, first sou of John, left one son Benjamin of 
Fordham who had first, Benjamin, owner in fee of part of the Manor, mar. Ra- 
chel de Vaux; second, John; fourth, Mary whomar. John Pugsley ; fifth, Sarah 
who mar. Jacob Alord, and sixth, Rachel who mar. James Crawford. Benjamin 
first son of Benjamin, had 1, William of Fordham ; 2, Samuel of ditto, whose 
sons are George, Charles, Benjamin, Lewis, William and Henry; 3, Catharine 
who mar. Charles Valentine; and 4, Rachel who mar. Richard Archer. Richard 
Archer, second son of John, second proprietor of the Manor by his wife Sarah 
Valentine left two sons; 1, Anthony, born 1746, died 1838, mar. Margaret Mapes, 
and had Elijah, Benjamin of N. Y., Richard, Charles, Anthony of Yonkers, Sa- 
rah, Mary, Margaret, Eliza and Sally; 2, Matthias who had Matthias, who mar. 
Sarah Odell, da. of Hendrick, and left Charles and Odell of Yonkers. John 
Archer, third son of John second proprietor, had 1, Abraham of Eastchester, in 
1764, mar. Mary ; 2, Jacob; 3, John of Winterhill, Eastchester, mar. Mary 
Leggett ; 4, Jonathan of Eastchester, will dat. 1764, no. xxiv. 279, whose children 
were Sarah who mar. Joseph Fowler, John, Ezekiel, and Abigail who mar. Josh- 
ua Pell. John of Winterhill and Mary Leggett had 1, James who mar. Pheebe 
, their children are Mary, Pheebe, Anne and Esther; 2, Gabriel who mar. 
Susan Hunt and left John of N. Y., James, Daniel, Benjamin of New Castle, 
Elizabeth who mar. Clark Guion, Sally wife of Stephen Hunt, Pheebe wife of 
Robert Sarles, Mary wife of Isaac Carpenter, Hetty wife of Nehemiah Purdy, 
and Susan the wife of Elisha Tompkins; 3, John mar. Susan Wheeler; 4, Cath- 
arine mar. John Bashford: 5, Mary mar. John Brown; 6, Bridget mar. Samuel 
Hitchcock; 7, Martha mar. William Green; 8, Sarah mar. Jacob ; 9, Han- 
nah mar. Archer Reed. 


Battzy oF Somers. Levi Bailey living in 1795, mar. Gilchrist. He 
had De Vaux of Putnam co., James of Somers, Gilbert, Thomas, William of 
Nova Scotia, Levi of Canada, Stephen, Daniel, Sarah who mar. Daniel Carpenter, 
Esther who mar. John Steven and Sarah who mar. Nathan Brown. De Vaux 
mar. Elizabeth Smith and left 1,Samuel; 2, Stephen; 3, Benjamin; 4, William; 
5, Levi; 6, Horace; 7, Daniel; 8, Ira; 9, Isaac ; 10, Thomas; 11, Esther. Jamesof | 
Somers mar. Ann Brown and had 1, Stephen; 2, Hachaliah of Somers d. 1845;. 
8, Mary; 4, Ann; 5, Jane; 6, Susan; 7, Elizabeth; 8, Theodore. Gilbert mar. 
Sarah Field and left—1, William; 2, Joseph; 3, Levi; 4, Solomon; 5, Simon, 


APPENDIX A. 709 


6, Claude; 7, Jane; 8, Elizabeth. Thomas mar. Sarah , and had Jacob and 
Deborah. William of Nova Scotia left Levi and Esther. Levi of Canada had 
John and Chloe. David left Daniel and Deborah. 


BARKER OF SCARSDALE, —— Barker,left three sons, (I.) William of Scarsdale 
mar. Fowler of Eastchester, and had 1, Thomas of Greeaburgh, mar. 
Anne Horton whose sons are Peter, Caleb and Samuel. 2, John mar. Mary 
granda. of the Rev. John Smith, their son is William Barker of White Plains. 
3, William of Mamaroneck mar. —— Fowler of Eastchester, and left one son 
Samuel; 4, Samuel of Scarsdale. 5, A da. mar. —— Bonnett of Philipse’s 
Manor. (II.) Daniel the father of Daniel. (III.) Thomas of Dutchess county. 


BayYARDs OF WESTOHESTER.— Stephen Bayard had two sons Col. Samuel Vetch 
Bayard of Throckmorton’s Neck, Westchester; and William of New York. 
Col. Samuel mar. 24th of April, 1778, Catharine van Horne and left—1, Wiliam 
b. at Halifax, N. 8S. Feb. 14, 1779; 2, Elizabeth b. at N. Y. Dec. 1, 1780; 3, 
Catharine nat. 13 Oct. 1782; 4, Stephen b. at Cornwalis, N.S , Oct. 26, 1785, 
mar, Elizabeth Anne de Lancey and left Eliza Anne mar. Jacob Lorillard, 
Stephen, and William, M. D. of West Farms; 5, Robert b. at Wilmot, N.5., 
March 1, 1788; 6, Samuel b. at Wilmot, N. S., March 1, 1790; ‘7, Frances b, 
25 July, 1793; 8, Ethelinda; 9, Eliza mar. George L. Cooper; 10, Louisa; 
11, Sarah. William of New York, second son of Stephen, mar. Harriet Cornell 
and had 1, Harriet mar. Stephen van Renselaer; 2, Justina mar. Joseph 
Blackwell; 3, Susan mar. Duncan P. Campbell; 4, Maria; 5, Robert of 
Fishkill; 6, William of New York. 


Bevepicr oF LewisporouanH.— Amos Benedict removed at an early period 
from Norwalk to South Salem; killed by the fall of a tree. His children were, 
1st, Solomon, who mar. Hannah Benedict and left one son, Solomon; 2, Jsaae, 
mar. Elizabeth Burchitt, and had Isaac, Ady, Elizabeth, mar. Samuel Townsend, 
Huldy, Anne, and Esther; 3, Amos, mar. Elizabeth Brown; 4, Jacob; 45, 
Jonah, mar. Mary Rusky, and left Peter, the present occupant of the Home- 
stead, near Long Pond. 


BeErRRIAN OF YoNKERS.— The family of Berrian was among the French 
Huguenots who fled from France to Holland on the Revocation of the edict of 
Nantes. Nicholas Berrian, the first of the family who emigrated to this coun- 
try, had five sons; 1, Nicholas; 2, Cornelius; 3, Richard; 4, Samuel; 5, Peter; 
Cornelius, the second son, mar. Sarah Warner. Richard, who was b. in Hol- 
land, resided for some time upon Long Island. He mar. Grace, or Geshé, 
Ryker of Ryker’s Island, and left, 1, Abraham, second proprietor of Berrian’s 
Neck, who mar. 1st, Mary Moore; 2nd, Mary Williams; their children were Col. 
Abraham, Nathaniel of Berrian’s Neck, b. June 24, 1781, d. 1845. Richard, 
Pheebe, Mary, Geshé, and Charity; Geshé, mar. Jesse Leverich. Samuel, 4th 
son of first Nicholas, mar. ————— Tippet, and left twos ons; 1st,Samuel; 2nd, 
Richard ; whose son was the Rev. William Berrian, D. D., late Rector of 
“Trinity church, New York. 


Berting or New Rocuetrte. The ancestors of the Gertines, or Berteins (as 
the name was originally spelt,) were Protestants, inhabitants of Rochelle, in 


710 APPENDIX A. 


France. On the Revocation of the edict of Nantes, Pierre Bertine fled from 
France to England, and soon after came thence to America. Two brothers by 
the name of Peter and James were living at New Roclielle in 1742. Peter left 
three sons, James, Peter, and Isaac, and a daughter Elizabeth, James mar. De- 
borah Cozine, and had James, Thomas, Hannah, who mar. William H. Pinck- 
ney of Eastchester; Sarah, mar. Henry Remsen; Eliza, mar. Gilbert Hatfield,. 
and Julia, who married Gershom Smith. 


BIRDSALL OF PEEKSKILL.—Daniel Birdsall of Peekskill, b. 17th January, 
1734-5, d. Oct. 29th, 1800, mar. Hannah ———-—; she was b. 7th Nov. 1737. 
Their children were, 1, Daniel, jr, of Peekskill, who mar. 1st, Phebe Brown; 
and secondly, Letitia Lewis; and left William B. of Peekskill, James of New 
York ; Samuel of Cincinnati, Ohio; Daniel, Mary, who mar. Medad Raymond; 
Anne Eliza and Hannah; 2, Samuel, left William, who mar. 1st, Nancy Haws; 
2nd, ——-—— Spock, and had Samuel of Peekskill; 3, Sarah, b. Nov. 6, 1758; 
4, Mary Hannah, b. Sept. 1760; 5, Elizabeth, b. 8th July, 1765; 6, Martha. 


BiercKker.—Jan Jansen Bleecker, a native of Meppel in the Province of 
Overyssel, Holland, came to New Amsterdam from Holland in 1658, and subse- 
quertly removed to Albany. He was one of the first aldermen named in the 
charter of Albany, A. D. 1686; and mayor of that city in 1695, mar. Margaret. 
da. of Rutger Jacobsen, A. D. 1667. Hed. et. 91. They had eight children; 
1. John, Mayor of Albany in 1701, d. Sept. 1738, set 70, mar. Anna Coster, Oct. 
1693; 2, Rutger, Recorder and Mayor of Albany, 1725, 6, 7, 8, d. Aug. 1756, 
cet. 82, mar. Catalina Schuyler, da. of David 8.; 3, Nicolas; 4, Henry; 6, 
Catharine, mar. Abraham Cuyler; 6, Jane, mar. John Glen; 7, Margaret, mar. 
Henry Ten Eyck; 8, Rachel. John, the eldest, left five sons, John, Henry, 
Nicolas, Jacob, and Anthony. John, eldest son of John, mar. 1st, ——Ten 
Eyck; 2d, —— Brees, their children were, 1, Jacob; 2, John, d. Sept. 1747, 
mar. Gerritje van Schaick, and left John, mar. —— Van Allen, Sybrant and 
Jacob; 3, Gertrude, mar. Abraham Wendell; 4, Anne; 5, Catharine. Henry, 
2d son of John and Anna Coster, d. in the country of the Senecas. Nicolas, 3d 
son, mar. Margaret Rooseboom, and left three sons, Henry, John, and Nicolas. 
Henry, the eldest, mar. Catharina Cuyler, their children are Nicolas of Albany, 
mar. Nettje Staats, Henry of Albany, mar. Elizabeth Metcalfe, Margaret, mar. 
Hermanus Ten Eyck, and Catharine, mar. James van Ingen. John, second son 
of Nicolas, d. 1825, «t 87, mar. Margaret van Dusen, and left, 1, Henry S., of 
Albany; 2, Nicolas, of Albany; 3, Jacob; 4, Eliza, mar. Jacob Brodhead; 5, 
Harriet, mar. John Romeyn; 6, Margaret, mar. John van Schaick. Jacob, 
fourth son of John and Anna Coster, mar, Margaret Ten. Eyck, and left one son, 
Hermanus, who mar. Wendell, their sons are Jacob J. and Hermanus or 
Albany. Anthony, fifth son of John and Anna Coster, d. without issue at Otse- 
go. Rutger, second son of Jan Jansen, d. 1756, leaving two sons, John Rutger 
and James, of New Rochelle, also a da. Margaret. John Rutger d A. D. 1800, 
et. 88, mar. Elizabeth Staats da. of Barent S., and left, 1, Barent, of Albany 
mar. Sarah Lansing; 2, John, mar. ist, Jane Gilliland; 2nd, Elizabeth van 
Rensselaer, widow of John Schuyler. Their children were, 1, Eliza, mar. Grant 
Powell; 2, Charlotte, mar. Vinal Luce; 38, Sarah; 4, Stephen, d. 1826; 5, 


APPENDIX A. 7iI 


John, d. 1832. 6, Catharine, mar. C. G. Van Rensselaer; 3, Rutger, mar. Cath- 
arine Elmendorf, and left John R., Elizabeth, mar. Peter Brinckerhoof, Maria, 
mar. Morris Mills, and Blandina, mar. Charles D. Dudley. James of New 
Rochelle, second son of first Rutger, mar. Abigail R. Lispenard of New Rochelle, 
and left, Ist, Anthony L., mar. Mary Noel; 2, Rutger; 3, David; 4, Andrew; 
5, James; 6, John, mar. Anne Eliza Schuyler; 7, Leonard, mar. Ist, da. of 
James Abeel; 2d, Grace Moore Berrian; 8, Elizabeth Grace, mar. William Le 
Hart. Arms, az. two embattled chevrons or, empaling, arg. a rose branch ppr. 
Crest, a pheon or. 


Brewer OF PEEKSKILL.—The ancestor of this family was Daniel Brewer of 
Massachusetts, who d. A. D. 1770. He mar. Phoebe Locke and left issue; 
1, Samuel d. A. D. 1810; 2, James, M. D. b. 1741, d. Nov. 20th, 1780, mar. 
Hannah Lee, da. of Joseph Lee, of Yorktown, she died Sept. 4th 1810; 8, Daniel, 


d. 1777; 4, Phoebe mar. —-—— Jones of Ashbury, Mass.; 5, Lucy mar. -———— 
Darbe of Hanwick, N. H.; 6, Mary mar. Williams of Randolph, Vermont; 
7, Sarah mar. ——-—— Willard of Maine; 8, Mette mar. Solomon Safford, of 


Bennington, Vermont. James, M. D., and Hannah Lee, left, 1, Sarah mar. 
Elias Cornelius, M. D., of Philipstown; 2, Mary d. Oct. 19, 1779, st. 33, mar. 
Stephen Brown of Peekskill; 3, Joseph d. May 31, 1803, xt. 34; 4, Daniel d. 
Sept. 6, 1804, zt. 33, mar. Phoebe Howell, left one son, James, who died young; 
5th, James, died Oct. 24, 1810, «xt. 27 years, mar. Anne Brotherson, and left 
James, M. D., of Peekskill, and Sarah Ann, who mar. Coffin S. Brown, of 
Peekskill; 6, Phoebe d. July 7, 1816, et. 38, mar. Daniel W. Birdsall; 7, Samuel 
d. March 1, 1815, set. 35. mar. Elizabeth, da. of John Titus of Flushing, L. L, 
and left two da., Mary and Elizabeth, who mar. Thurston, Huntington. 


Botton.—The surname of Bolton is one of considerable antiquity, and is 
derived from the place of that name in Yorkshire, England. 

‘* Bodelton or Bothelton, the ancient orthography of all the towns which bear 
this name, (says Whitaker) is evidently from Boel, mansio, implying probably, 
that it was the principal residence of some Saxon thane. The spelling, with a 
slight variation, was continued a century or more after the conquest; for, in the 
the time of Stephen, Abbot of Salley, (probably in Henry the second’s reign, ) 
Elias de Bothilton held lands in this place,* de Feodo de la Leya.”® 

In the reign of Henry the third, Richard de Bonhilton is named of the village 
of Bonhilton, in Yorkshire. The Testa Villarum of the time of Henry the third, 
and Edward the first, contain the name of Robert de Bolrun, as holding six acres 
of land at Bolrun, in Yorkshire. John de Bolton, bow bearer of Bolton forest, 
in 1312, was the lineal representative according to Dugdale, of the Saxon earls 
of Mercia. From Whitaker’s History of Craven it appears that Edwin, Earl of 
Mercia, was seized of the manor of Bodeltonee before the conquest, and held it 
five years after. This nobleman was son of Leofwine, and brother of Leopie, 


a@ Parish of Bolton, juxta Bowland, 
b Whitaker’s Hist. of the Deanery of Craven. 


e The Manor of Midhope, one of the most extensive and vaiuable grazing farms in Craven, 
was parcel of the great possessions of the Boltons, and passed into the Lister family, by 
Marriage with a co-heiress of that most ancient name, in the time of Edward the Second.” 
Whitaker’s Hist. of Craven. Bolton was, though the style hath been altered, (says Segar) an 
ancient Barony by tenure’in Henry the S-con1’s time, and the Scroopes of Upsall and Masham 

re in a direct line descended from the Barons Bolton of Bolton.” _ 


712 APPENDIX A. 


earls of Mercia. In the year 1330, John de Bolton was rector of the church at 
Bolton, in Yorkshire; and John de Bolton, patron of the same. Henry Bolton is 
the next ancestor of whom we have any account, He appears to have been living 
at Bolton in Lancashire, about 1332. He left Robert the father of William, who 
had a son Robert. 

Robert Bolton, the more immediate ancestor of the family, was residing at 
Blackburn, Lancashire, in 1569. His sons were John and Robert. Of the 
youngest, Fuller in his Worthies of England, thus speaks: ‘‘ Robert Bolton was 
born at Blackburne, in Lancashire, on Whitsunday, 1572, a year as infamous for 
the massacre of many Protestants in France, as for the birth of some eminent in 
England. His parents having a narrow estate, struggled with their necessities to 
give him a liberal education; he was bred first, in Lincoln, then in Brazen-nose 
college, in Oxford. He had Isocrates’ six marks or properties of a good scholar. 
His want of means proved an advancement unto him; for, not having whence 
to buy books, he borrowed the best authors of his tutor, read over, abridged into 
note books, and returned them. He was as able to express himself in Latin or 
Greek, as English; and that, stylo émperatorio. He was chosen one of the 
disputants before King James, at his first coming to the university, and performed 
it with great applause. 

Thus far I have followed my author mentioned in the margin; but we must 
depart from him a little in one particular. Though Mr, Bolton’s parents were not 
overflowing with wealth, they had a competent estate, (as I am informed by cred- 
ible intelligence) wherein their family had comfortably continued long time in 
good repute. 

Sir Augustine Nicolls presented him to the rectory of Broughton, in North- 
amptonshire: sending him his presentation unexpectedly, from his chamber in 
Sergeant’s Inn, where Dr. King, Bishop of London, being accidentally present, 
thanked the judge for his good choice; but told him withal, that he had deprived 
the university of a singular ornament. Besides his constant preaching, he hath 
left behind him, many useful books, the witnesses of his piety and learning; 
and died, in the 59th year of his age, December 17, 1631. 

The following epitaph is engraven on his monument in Broughton church 
Northamptonshire: 

ROBERTUS JACET HIC BOLTONUS, 
CETERA NOVIT, 
OCCUBITUS DEFLENS ANGLIA TOTA 
DIEM, 

PRIMUS ET OPTIMUS HUJUS, EO 
OLESLE PRAOO 
DOCTISSIME PIUS QUI 17, DIE 
DEOEMB., 

ANNO DNI, 1631, PLACIDE OBDOR 


MIVIT IN DOMINO.” 


Rev. Robert Bolton mar. Anne Boyce of Kent, and left one son, Samuel and 
four daughters. John Bolton, eldest brother of the above Robert, inherited his 


APPENDIX A. 7L3 


father’s property at Blackburn, and was living in 1632. Among the names of his 
children, all of which are not preserved, we find Robert who was baptized at 
Blackburn in 1609, father to John baptized in the same place, in 1632. John 
died about 1700, at Sheffield, Yorkshire, he mar. Anne, and left Robert, b. at 
Blackburn, 26 July, 1688; and a da. Anne, who mar. Thomas Richmond. 
Robert emigrated from Sheffield to Philadelphia, Penn., in 1720, and mar. Anne 
Curtis, widow of Robert Clay, on the 19th Feb., 1721. He was for many years 
warden of Christ church, Philadelphia. He d. June 25th, 1742; shed. May 7th, 
1747. Their children were; 1, Robert, b. January 1st, 1722; 2, Anne; 3, Mary, 
mar. 1741, Hon. James Habersham of Savannah, Georgia; 4, Rebecca d. Dec. 22, 
1729; 5, Joseph, d. May 1, 1725; 6, John, b. 1725, d. May 20, 1726; 7, John, 
b. 1726; Joseph and Hannah, b. 20 June, 1727. Joseph, d. June 13; 1729, 
Hannah, d. 25 April, 1728. Robert the eldest, removed to Savannah, Ga., where 
he married Susannah Mauvé, a native of Vivay, Switzerland. He left Rover: of 
Savannah, b. in 1757. Hannah, m. Mr. Moore; Sarah, m. Will. Evans; Anne, 
m. Nathl. Adams; and Rebecca, m. Thomas Newell. 

Robert of Savannah mar. Sarah McClean, and had, 1st,-Robert, b. at Savannah, 
Sept. 10, 1788, baptized by bis grandfather, Robert. 2nd, Sarah, mar. her 
second cousin, John Bolton. 3d, Anne, mar. her second cousin, Curtis Bolton; 
4th, James mar. 1, Miss Clay of Philadelphia; 2, Honorah Richardson d. Feb. 
16th, 1824, left three sons, James, Edward and William; 5, Frances mar. 
Richard Richardson of New Orleans. 6th, Rebecca. Robert, the eldest, mar. 
Anne Jay, da. of the Rev. William Jay of Bath, England; and had, Ist, Robert 
Bolton, b. at Bath, April 17, 1814, mar. 1, Josephine, da. of Brewster Woodhull ; © 
2, Elizabeth R. Brenton, da. of James B.; 2nd, Anne ; 3d, William Jay; 4th, John; 
5th, Cornelius Winter ; 6th, Mary Staitae 7th, spelen Sth, James; 9th, eee 
10th, Abby; 11th, Meta; 12th, Adele and Adelaide; 13th, Frances Georgianna. 


Bonnetr oF New Roonette.—The ancestors of the Bonnetts were Protest- 
ants, inhabitants of Rochelle, in France. On the Revocation of the Edict of 
Nantes, Daniel Bonnett fled from France to England. He subsequently emi- 
grated to America. Daniel left, 1, Pierre, b. in England; 2, Jacques; 3, Daniel. 
Jacques had Peter, who mar. Mary Parcot, and James, who left one son, Peter, 
of New York. Peter, the eldest son of Jacques, d. in 1823, and had Salmon, of 
Upper New Rochelle, and a da. Elizabeth, who mar. Bartholomew Ward. 


Bronvig oF Ryzt.—John Brondish or Brondig, was one of the first and prin- 
cipal proprietors of Manusing Island and Poningoe Neck, in 1662. He left four 
sons—John, Joseph, Daniel and Joshua—ancestors of the numerous and respect- 
able families which bear the name in Westchester County. 


Brown or Ryze.—This family was a younger branch of the Browns of Beech- 
worth, in the County of Kent, England, founded by Sir Anthony Brown,¢ who 
was created a Knight of the Bath, at the coronation of Richard II. He left issue 
two sons, Sir Richard his heir, and Sir. Stephen, Lord Mayor of Landon in 1439, 
Sir Robert Brown, living temp. Henry VY. was father of Sir Thomas Browne, 
treasurer of the household to Henry VI., and Sheriff of Kent, in 1444 and 1460 


a The name of Brown is frequently written in ancient records with the addition of the e, 
and several families have even retained this orthography. 


714 APPENDIX A. 


Thomas Brown, Esq., of Rye, County of Sussex, England, emigrated to Concord, 
Massachusetts, cir. 1632, from whence he removed to Cambridge, where he lived 
some time.¢ His sons were (I.), Thomas of Rye, whod. A. D. 1694, and Hachaliah 
of Rye. The latter left issue; 1, Benjamin, d. in 1755, and had 1, Benjamin; 2, 
Joseph ; 8, Daniel; 4, William. (II.), Peter, d. 1731-2, mar. Martha ————, he 
left, Ist, Ebenezer; 2nd, Caleb; 3rd, Peter, d. 1739; he had Rebecca, mar. John 
Purdy, and Sarah, mar. Thomas Sutton; 4th, Hon. Nathaniel; 5th, Hon. Nehe- 
miah; 6th, Hannah: 7th, Sarah; 8th, Bebecca; 9th, Elizabeth. (III.), Thomas d. 
1762; (IV.), Hachaliah, d. 1784, mar. Ann Kniffen; he left, 1st, Hachaliah of 
Somers, b. August 20, 1727, d. May 22, 1813, mar. Abby Halsted. She was b. 
1734, d. August, 1807. The children of Hachaliah and Abby Halsted, were 
Nathan, b Aug. 24, 1756, d. March, 1814; Stephen, b. July 10,1 766; Lewis, 
b. May 12, 1776, d. March 3, 1830, mar. Clarissa Clift of Somers; Ann, b. 28 
Oct., 1754, d. July, 1804, mar. James Bailey; Mary, b. 22 June, 1758, d. 25 
Aug., xt. 52, mar. Hon. Elijah Lee; Aner, b. 16 Feb., 1760, d. 7 April, 1807, 
mar. Crane, M. D.; Adigail, b. 15th Jan., 1762, d. 20 April, 
1828, mar. Colonel John Odell, of Greenburgh: Susannah, b. 15 Dec., 1763, 
mar. John Titus; Hsther, b. 8 April, 1768, d. 16 April, 1798; and Sarah, b. 1 
June, 1772, mar. Jonathan Ward. 2nd, Christopher of Somers, second son of 
Hachaliah, had Isaac, Aaron, Frederick and Phebe. 3d, David d. 1773, mar. 
Esther Wetmore, da. of Rev. James Wetmore. 4th, Nathan d, 1764, mar. Eliza- 
beth Kniffen, he left Gilbert, d. Dec. 27, 1820, et. 61. Hulizabeth d. June, 1831, 
wet. 71. Margaret d. Feb. 1, 1820, ext. 50; and Lavinia. 5th, Thomas d. April 
6, 1815, <et. 86, mar. Jane Seaman, she d. April 8, 1813, et. ‘71. Their children 
were, David, d. Feb. 5, 1847, xt. 85. Thomas d. Sept. 20, 1830, xt. 58 Nathan, 
Hachaliah, Letitia, d. Sept. 20, 1830, et. 30, mar. Hon. Elijah Lee; Anne, mar. 
David Stebbins. Jane, d. Sept. 24, 1830, et. 53. -Adigail d. 1813, mar. Thomas 
Strang, and Catharine mar. Rey. Elias Cooper, Rector of St. John’s church, 
Yonkers. 6th, Josiah d. Aug. 30 1789, et 47, mar. Deborah Brown, da. of 
Jonathan; she d. January 18, 1830, «et. 76. Their children were, Hachaliah, 
Nancy, mar. John Watson, Hiizabeth and Clarissa; 7th, Isaac; 8th, Gilbert d. 
young; and 9th, Gilbert who also d. young. (YV.), Deliverance had three sons; 
Ist, Deliverance; 2nd, Zebediah and Jonathan. (VI.), Anne mar. Daniel Purdy. 
(VII.),.Mary mar. Absalom Brondige. Of this family, was Jonathan Brown, 
whose son Jonathan left issue; 1st, Jonathan mar. Esther Parcels, he had, 
Elizabeth mar. James Butterworth, and Clarissa who mar. — Perkins; 
2nd, Obadiah, he left Isaac and Anne; 3d, Charles mar. — Wyrgans; 
4th, Clarrissa mar. Nicholas Hasbraeck; 5th, Deborah mar. Josiah Brown. 
Arms. sa, three lions, pasant, in bend, betw. two double cotteses, arg. Crest, 
an eagle displayed vert. Another crest, a stag, ppr., altered and ducally gorged 
and lined or. 


Brown or PeEekskiL.L.—Several individuals of the name of Brown, were 
among the early settlers of Massachuesetts, William Brown was born in Con- 
necticut. His son Samuel was a freeholder of North Castle, in this County, and 
left, (I.), Nathaniel of Nine Partners, Dutchess Co., who had a son James C. of 
Saratoga, N. Y.,and ada. Mary, mar. Jonathan Griffin. (II.), Mordecai of Cox- 


a See Farmer's Register. 


APPENDIX A. yp A 


sackie, who had Samuel, living near Lake Champlain, and James of Fishkill. 
(II.), Thomas, formerly of Nine Partners, subsequently a resident at Peekskill, 
where he d., cir. 1800, xt. 90, mar. Susannah Bugbee. (IV), William of Queens- 
bury, Saratoga Co., left William of Queensbury. (V.), Benedict of Queensbury, 
who had sons, Justus, Silas, Hougilland Timothy, Thomas, third son of Samuel, 
left, 1st, Nathaniel, b. May 16, 1744, d. May 30, 1811, mar. Mary Hall, da. of 
Caleb Hall and Jane Dagget his wife, she was b. Nov. 23, 1745, date of mar. 
May 16, 1766, d. Jan. 24, 1835; 2nd, Gilbert b. 1746, mar. Levina Wolley, and 
had David of New York, Isaac of New York, Cinthia, Fanny mar. Moses 
Ward, of Newark, N. J., and two other da.; 3d, Nathan of Peekskill mar. 
Peace, and left Gideon, Susan and Elizabeth ; 4th, Alvan, whose descendants are 
livingin N. Y.; 5th, Phebe mar. 1st, ———-— Walters; 2nd, James Tucker. 
Nathaniel, eldest son of Thomas, by Mary Hall, left: (I.), Stephen of Peekskill, 
b. Feb. 23, 1767, d. at Purchase, May 2, 1831, while attending quarterly meeting 
ing at that place. Mar. Sept. 3, 1791, Mary Brewer, da. of James. She was 
b. Sept. 3d, 1766, and d. Oct. 19, 1799. Their children were, 1. Pheebe, b. 
Sept. 30, 1792, d. April 28, 1805. 2. James, of Peekskill, b. Oct. 22, 1794, 3. 
Hannah, b. Aug. 9, 1797, mar. Abner Brundage, of Peekskill. Stephen, mar. 
secondly, Jemima Strang, da. of Major Joseph Strang, and had, 1, Ann, b. May, 
1801; 2, Egbert, b, Jan. 7, 1803, d. Feb. 14, 1815; 3, Mary, b. January 22, 
1805, mar. Sandford Knapp, M.D.; 4, Sarah; 5, Jane, d. 1819. (II.), Nathan- 
iel, b. Feb. 17, 1769, mar. Charity Cox, and had Jacob, Samuel, of New York. 
Stephen C., and Esther. (III.), Mary, b. Sept. 8, 1770, d. 1785. (IV.), Sarah, b. 
Aug. 13,1771, mar. Jacob Bedle. (V.), Cornelius, b. May 24, 1773, d. Dec. 1831; 
mar. 1st, Elizabeth Osborne, 2nd, Lea Jones, and left by his wife, Martha, mar, 
Able Smith, by second, Nathaniel, Smith, Thomas, Edgar, and Anne Eliza, who 
mar. —— Veeley. (VI.), Thomas, b. Sept. 13, 1775, d. 1829, mar. 1st, 
Nancy Concklin ; 2d, Martha Birdsall. (VII.), Mary, b. Oct. 4, 1778, mar. Sopher 
Jones. (VIII.), Susannah, b. June 8, 1780, d. 1781. (1X.), Caleb, b. May 22) 
1782, mar. Phoebe Weeks, and left Hannah, who mar. John Merrit of N. Y., 
Thomas, Joshua, Dorothy, Mary, and Nathaniel. (X.), Gilbert, b. Sept. 24, 1784, 
d. May 6th, 1837, mar. Hannah Osborne, and had two da., Elizabeth and Nancy. 


Buppv.—John Budd, of Southold, L. I., mar. Catharine , and had John 
Budd of Southold, first proprietor of Apawquammis or Budd’s Neck, 1661; will 
dated 13th Oct. 1669; mar. and left issue two sons. 1, John Budd, to whom 
his father bequeathed all his portion of the mills on Blind Brook, 1671. 2, 
Joseph, first patentee of Budd’s Neck under the crown, 26th February, 1695, will 
dated 1722; Surrogate’s office N. Y., viii. p. 311. Joseph, mar. Sarah : 
and had, 1, John, who mar. Mary Strang; by whom he had Gilbert, M. 
D., John, who left a son John, and Mary who mar. Gilbert Theal. 2, Joseph, 
who married Ann , leaving Joseph, Nicholas, Underhill, Anne, and Sarah, 
the wife of John Que of Dutchess. The will of Joseph, sen., is dat. 1768. 3, 
Elisha, b. 1705, d. 1765, will dat. 1765, No. xxv. 252; mar. Ann Lyon, who d, 
Dec. 6, 1760, «et. 60. Their children were, Jonathan, James, Merriam, who mar. 
Jonah Maynard, Sarah, who mar. ——-——~ Purdy, Anne, who mar. 
Brown, and Phebe. 4, Underhill, proprietor of Budd’s neck, b. April 29, 
baptized 30th May, 1708, will dat. 1755, lib. xix. p. 280; mar. Sarah Fowler, b. 


716 APPENDIX A. 


June 17th, 1710, mar. Sept. 17, 1730, d. August 19, 1798. Their children were 
Col. Gilbert, who d. 7th Sept. 1813, and left twin daughters, Ophelia and Sarah, 
b. July 22, 1782; Sarah, b. July 21, 1781, Mary, b. Dec. 30, 1746, d. 1786. 
Tamar, mar. Ebenezer Haviland, M.D., and Hetty, mar. William Colman. 
5, Gilbert, who d. Oct. 14, 1805; 6, Hannah, who mar. —— Palmer; 7, Sarah; 
8, Anne; 9, Tamar; 10; Mary. 


Busu or Ryre.—Justus Bush was one of the eighteen proprietors of Poningoe 
Neck, 1737. He mar. Anne who d. Aug. 5, 1745. His three sons were 
Bernardus, Henry, and Abraham. Abraham mar. Ruth, da. Gilbert Lyon, and 
had 1. Abraham, who left William of King Street, Rye, the father of William S., 
Andrew L. Hobart, and Newberry; 2, Gilbert; 3, Anne, mar. Jonathan 
Fichers; 4, Sarah, mar. Thomas Theal; 5, Elizabeth, mar. Ezrahiah Wetmore; 
6, Rebecca mar. Daniel Merritt. 


CarPENTERS OF NortH CastLe.—Rich. Carpenter lived and died in Amesbury, 
Wiltshire, England. William, his son, came to America previous to 1636, and 
settled in Rhode Island with Roger Williams; he mar. Elizabeth, d. 1668. 
Joseph, son of William, removed to Oyster Bay, Long Island and bought a tract 
of land of the Indians near Glen Cove; had two sons, Nathaniel, who mar. 
Tamer Coles, and William, who mar. Mary Coles, Joseph d. 1692. Nathaniel, 
his son, who mar. Tamer, removed to North Castle near where B. A. Birdsall 
resides at Armonk; his son was the first white child born in the county, which 
so pleased the Indians that they gave it 100 acres in Byram Valley, about one 
mile south of the Lake. The farmis bounded west by a precipitous line of hills 
which extended north to Brimstone Alley. William, 2nd son of Joseph, 
mar. Mary. Cole, removed to Long Island. Timothy, son of Nathaniel, b. 1698, 
mar. Phebe Coles; he bought a tract of land in North Castle, east of Mile 
Square (now Armonk) and west to what was known as Smith’s Tavern; he built 
a log house on the ridge west of E. Stivers. They had issue. (I.) Samuel. (II.) 
Ephraim. (III.) George. (IV.) Phebe. (V.) William. (VI.) Archalaus. 
(VIL.) Silas. (VIII.) Benjamin, (these two last were twins). (IX.) Timothy. 
(X.) Elizabeth. Samuel, 2nd, mar. Ester, and had children. William, Benjamin, 
Rachel, Pheebe, Ester, and Coles. Jothan, son of Benjamin (VIII.) lived on the 
Danbury Road north of Smith’s Tavern, and had Aaron F., John and Benjamin. 
Silas, (VII.) removed to King st. and had ason Benjamin; George, (III.) William, 
(V.) Ephraim, (II.) removed to Dutchess Co., Archalaus, (VI.) setttled near 
Garrison Mills in Yorktown, Timothy, (IX.) mar. Hannah Ferris, da. of John, of 
Bedford, in 1762. Their children were, John, William and Elizabeth. John, 
mar. Susannah Kipp, and lived on King st. They had Hannah, Sarah and Eliza_ 
beth, twins, and Matilda. Elizabeth, mar. Caleb Merritt ; William, remained on 
the Homestead and mar. Deboriah Cock in 1788, and had issue. (I.) Reese, 
(1I,) Phebe, (III) Timothy, (IV.) David R., (V.) Ferris, (VI.) Hannah, (VIL.) 
Sarah, (VIII.) William, (IX.) John H., (X.) Daniel, (X1.) Job. William, (VIIL,) 
mar. Sally Ann Ward and lived at, Greensburgh ; and had issue, Ward, Rachel, 
Samuel, Mary, Pheebe, John H. and William. Ward. mar. Francis Ward, and 
had C. Theodore, Emma L., George E., Harriet L. and Josephine C. Theodore, 
mar. Alice Thompson; and had Helen C., Francis Ward, Ward N., Birtha, 
Edith, Chas. T. and Edward Russel. 


APPENDIX A. TL 


Criapp or Nortu Castir.—Two brothers of this name were among the earliest 
settlers of West Farms. John removed to North Castle about 120 years ago. 
His sons were (I.) John, proprietor of the Homestead, who left Thomas, Dorcas, 
mar. 1, William Sutton; 2, Francis Nash. Mary mar. Joseph Carpenter, (II.) 
Silas of Rhode Island. ({II.) Elias who had John and Benjamin. (IV.) Gibsom 


Crark or Beprorp.—The names of William and Nathan Clark, occur in a list 
of freeholders of Bedford, in 1713--14. William, mar. Hanhah —— and had 
John, William, Ebenezer, David and Jabesh. Nathan left I. Stephen, father of 
Cornelius. II, Nathan who had Daniel of Vermont, the father of Stephen of 
Bedford. ILI, Reuben. IV, Martha. V, Sarah. VI, Joseph, proprietor of the 
Homestead, mar. Sarah Smith, he left 1, James; 2, Joseph, mar. Hannah Clock; 
their children were Israel, Sydney, Delaware, Lewis, John of Bedford, Joseph of 
Salem, Isaac of Orange Co., Bethia, Takiah Canfield, Clara, mar. Caleb K. Hob- 
by, Pheebe, mar. John Bussing, Hannah, mar. Abel B. Raymond, and Anne, 
who mar. James Howe of Bedford. 3. Nathan of Bedford, mar. Lydia Holmes, 
and had Albert, d. et. 23, Jeremiah of Bedford, Deborah, mar. James Ferris, 
Sarah, mar. Jesse Hoyt, Catharine and Abigail. 


Ciosr, or Norra Satem.—This family was formerly seated at Langley, near 
Macclesfield, England, A. D. 1486. Cloughes, Clowes, or Close, is a Saxon word 
signifying a cliff or cleft in a valley between high hills. Thomas Close, removed 
from England to Greenwich, Connecticut, in 1665, d. July 26, 1683. His sons 
were (I.) Thomas, (II.) Joseph. (III.) Benjamin, who left a son Benjamin, (IV.) 
John. Joseph, the second son of Thomas, b. 1674, removed from Greenwich to 
North Salem, in 1749, and d. in 1760, «et. 86. He mar. Rebecca Tompkins, she 
d. A. D. 1761, xt. 82. Their children were Ist, Joseph; 2, Elizabeth ; 3. Solo- 
mon; 4, Sarah; 5, Rachel; 6, Thomas; 7, Benjamin; and 8, Rebecca. Solomon, 
second son of Joseph, was b. June 23, 1706, d. A. D. 1778, eet. 72, mar. Deborah 
Brush. He had ten children, (1.) Solomon of North Salem, who left ——, mar. a 
Paddock; Phoebe, mar. Epenetus Wallace, M. D. of North Salem. (II.) Nathan- 
iel of North Salem, b. 1732, d. 1773. He had 1, Nathaniel of North Salem, d. 
A. D. 1837, xt. 77, mar. Mary Wood, and left 1st. Ebenezer; 2d, Amzi of North 
Salem, who had Isaac, Daniel H., Ebenezer L., Jeremiah, Margaret A., Ammi 
K., Charles H., and Mary R.; 3, Nathaniel; 4th, Rachel; 5th, John of North 
Salem. 2, Jesse of North Salem, d. et. 86, 3, Isaac; 4, Deborah, mar. Thomas 
Chapman; 5, Rachel mar. Joseph Crosby; 6, Sarah; 7, Matilda. (III.) Deborah, 
(IV.) Hannah, (V.) Rev. John of North Salem, a graduate of Princeton, N. J., 
minister at New Windsor, in 1792, b. 1737, d. 1813 at Waterford, New York, mar. 
Miss Weeks of L. I., and left two da. who reside at Waterford. (VI.) Sarah. 
(VII.) Jesse, in the military service of the Colony, d. at Half Moon Point, July 
29th, 1758, «et. 17. (VIII.) Rev. David, a Presbyterian minister at Paterson, N. 
J. This individual was a great friend to his country, and during the Revolu- 
tion, suffered much at the hands of the enemy. He graduated at Yale College, 
and d. at Patterson, in Putam Co., in 1783, cet. 41. (IX.) Rev. Tompkins, a 
Presbyterian minister, d. at Fishkill, Sept. 26, 1770, et. 27, (X.) Mindwell, d. 
Oct. 22, 1762, mar. Elizabeth ——. 


Cor, OF Rye. Two brothers of this name, from Norfolk Co., England, were 
settled in Massachussetts, as early as 1655. Robert removed to Durham, where 


718 APPENDIX A. 


his posterity still reside. He was b. 1629, mar, 1657, and d. 1659. He left 
John, b. May 10, 1658, mar. Mary Hawley. John Coe, supposed brother of 
Robert, removed to Newtown, L. I., thence to Westchester, and settled at Rye. 
He was one of the principal proprietors of Poningoe Neck, 1662. His sons were 
John and Jonathan. John left a son Andrew, who was living at Rye, in 1744. 
Jonathan left John, the father of Jonathan, M. D., of Portchester. The latter 
d, Nov. 28, 1809, mar. Esther Green, she d, Dec. 1, 1805. Their children were 
1. Jolin of Saratoga, mar. Furman ; 2, Reuben, d. 21st March, 1822, xt. 
67, mar. Phoebe Jordan, she d, Aug, 27th, 1842, et. 80, and 6 mo. He left 
Charles, who d. Oct. 10, 1800, John, who d. Feb. 15, 1824, and Lavinia, who mar. 
Willett Moseman; 3, Edward, d. at Marlborough; 4, Mary, mar. John Mead, of 
Greenwich, Connecticut. 


Coox.—Thos. Cock, M. D., N. Y., m. Elizabeth, 8th child of John Ferris of 
Groye Farm, and had Eliza Ferris m. Jas. B. Parsons, Ann Augusta died in 
France, m. Edward Willis, Emily L. m. Rich. H. Bowne. Thos. F., M. D., 
N. Y., m. Ist, Ann Augusta Wood; 2nd, Louisa De Forrest Woodruff. Eliza F. 
and Jas. B. Parsons had Elizabeth Ferris m. Geo. M. Woodruff, John Bowne, d., 
Emily B., Catharine, d., Mary B. m. Henry Boller, Jas. B., d., Robt. Wm. m. 
Julia Francis Russell, had Julia, Edward, Willis m. Mary F. Taber, had Edith, 
Ann Augusta, and Edward Willis had Anna F. m. Robt. Bowne, Thos. Cock, d., 
Emily Augusta m. John F. Scott, Anna F., and Robt Bowne had Robert, 
Edward, Willis, and Howland. Emily Augusta and John F. Scott had William 
Sherman, Margaret Willis, d., Anna Augusta, John F., and Emily Willis. 
Emily L. and Richard H. Bowne had Robert, d., Sarah m. Isaac Frances Wood, 
Annie m. Charles Aliothe, and Eliza m. Thomas C. Bowne. Annie m. Charles 
Aliothe, had Richard Bowne m. Elizabeth Ferris, and George M. Woodruff had 
Geo. M., Elizabeth, and Janes. Ann Augusta and Thos, F. Cock, M. D.,N. Y., 
had Ann Augusta m. Joseph Chapin, and Mary, d. (See Ferris chart.) 


Cooper or THrookmMorton’s Neox.—The ancestors of the Coopers emigrated 
from England to Massachusetts, at a very early period. The name of Joan 
occurs as freeman of Cambridge, in 1636. This individual is one of the grantees 
named in the Indian deed of Southhampton, L. I., A. D. 1640. Mr. Cooper of 
Suffolk Co., L. I., a descendant of the above, had two sons and a da., the latter 
mar. and emigrated with her husband, to the western part of Pennsylvania. 
His sons he brought up as physicians. The youngest, Jeremiah, settled at 
Fishkill, in Duchess Co. The eldest, Ananias, settled at Rhinebeck, in the same 
county, and was an active whig during the Revolutionary war. He had ten sons 
and three da. Onesonand one da. d. young. (I.) Thomas, the eldest, graduated 
at Princeton College, and became an eminent lawyer in the city of New York, 
he mar. Catharine Colden, grand-da. of the Hon. David Colden, Lt. Goy. of the 
Province of New York. He left 1. Colden, a lieutenant in the Provincial army, 
and aid-de-camp to General Izard, 2. Edward, d. young 3. Alice Ann, (II.) John, 
d. young, (III.) Henry, (IV.) Charles Dekay Cooper, M. D., fourth son of Ananias, 
resided at Albany, here he mar. Margaret Vernor. He left three sons and two da., 
1, Major General John T. Cooper, of Albany, mar. Miss Henry, da. of John V. 
Henry; 2, William mar. a da. of the late Judge Vanderpool; 3, Rev. Charles 


APPENDIX A. 719 


Dekay Cooper, of Rochester, mar. a da. of Judge Sutherland, formerly Chief 
Justice of the State of New York; 4, Margaret; 5, Elizabeth. (V.) William, d. 
young, (VI.) George D. Cooper, mar. Eliza Bayard, da. of Col. Samuel Vetch 
Bayard, and left alarge family. 1, Catharine, d.; 2, Thomas, d.; 3, William B., d.; 
4, Edward of Throckmorton’s Neck, mar. Miss Gamage, and had four da.; 
5, Eliza, d.; 6, Mary; 7, Elizabeth Justina, mar. Isaac Heansey, M. D-; 8, Harriette 
Bayard, mar. Rev. Samuel T. Evans; 9, Francis Bayard; 10, Georgiana Dekay, 
mar. Edward P. Clark; 11, George Duncan, jr.; 12, Matilda Watts, mar. Henry 
Whitehouse, Principal of St. Thomas’s Hall, Holly Springs, Mississippi; 13, Alice 
Ann Swartwout. (VII.) Mary, d., unmar., (VII.) Francis, ditto, (IX.) Eliza 
Ann Swartiwout, ditto, (X.) Joseph C., mar. Dorathea Staples, and left Thomas 
Colden, and Charles Staples, (XI.) Gabriel of Albany, d., unmar., (XII.) Fayette, 
M. D., of New York, (XIII.) Margaret, mar. Charles McEvers, and had three 
da., (XIV.) Christina mar. William Bachke, and left 1, Eliza; 2, Ann; 3, Helen; 
4, Theophylact; 5, William. 


CoRNELLS OF WESTCHESTER.—Richard Cornell, the ancestor of this family, 
emigrated from England to Long Island about 1655 to 1660. Under the Dutch 
colonial government he purchased the estate of Little Neck. He afterwards 
removed to Low Neck, whence he became possessed by patent from the British 
colonial government dated 1686, of a tract of land, part of which he sold in 1691 
to John Sands. He died cir. 1693, leaving five sons and two das., viz., William, 
Thomas, Jacob, John, Richard who d. s. p., Mary and Sarah. William, the 
eldest, left issue, (I.), Thomas. (II.), Richard of Success, mar. Phoebe Doughty, 
and had, 1, Charles of New York, b. 1743, d. 1800, mar. Deborah Bowne; 
2, Phoebe, mar. Thomas Pearsall; 3, Mary, mar. Elijah Pell; 4, Anne, mar. 
Ferris Cornell of Scarsdale. Charles of New York and Deborah left, jivst, Charles 
of Long Island, b. 1769, d. 1807, mar. Catharine Rodman, and had, a, Richard 
of Long Island, b. 1792, d. 1831, s. p.; 4, Alexander, b. 1800, mar. Catharine 
Magnus, and has Charles M., b. 1827, John F. D., b. 1829, Alexander, b. 1836, 
Charlotte L., b. 1831, and Catharine R., b. 1834; c, Thomas F., b. 1804, mar. 
Sarah F. Munn, and has Thomas F., b. 1830, Charles R., b. 1832, William T., 
b. 1833, and Stephen M., b. 1836; d, Pheebe, b. 1794, mar. Thomas Roe; 
é, Charlotte, b. 1795, mar. Henry I. Hagner; jf, Adelaide, b, 1798, mar. 1st, 
Edward Cossart, 2nd, H. I. Hagner. Second, Robert, second son of Charles and 
Deborah, b. 1772, d. 1778. Third, Sarah, first da. of do., b. 1766, d. 1809, mar. 
John J. Glover. Fourth, Pheebe, second da., b. 1775, d. 1776. (III.), Samuel 
of Flushing, third son of first William, b. 1700, mar. 1st, Hannah Doughty, 
2nd, —— Doughty, 3rd, Susannah Willett, and left; 1, Samuel mar. 
Mampson of Newbern, and had, Elizabeth mar. William Bayard of New York, 
Hannah mar. Herman Le Roy, Sarah mar. Matthew Clarkson of New York, 
Mary mar. —— Edwards, and Susannah, who mar. —— Chads; 2, Charles, 
b. 1788, d. 1790 at Bay Side, mar. Elizabeth Cornell, and left Samuel, who d. s. p., 
Archibald of Flushing, L. IL, b. 1733, mar. Elizabeth Allen, William, d. s. p., 
Phebe, b. 1773, mar. Lewis 8. Hewlett of Cow Neck, L. I., Sarah, Hannah 
mar. William Coit, Avadella mar. Gordon Corning of Troy, Jannette mar. Ist, 
William D. Cheever, 2ad, Samuel Huntingdon, Anne mar. Gershom Cook; 
3, Robert mar. Anne Lines; 4, Hannah mar. Francis Brown; 5, Mary mar. 
Arthur Mampson. h, Elizabeth, b. 1806, d. 1830, mar. W. H. Girard; 7, Abigail 


720 APPENDIX A. 


Jane, b. 1809, mar. W. H. Girard; j, Phebe. Ftfth, Mary, d. 1827, mar. 
Nathan Palmer. 6, Annemar. Benj. Floyd. (IV.), John of White Stone, L. L., 
fourth son of first William, mar. Mary Clement, and left, 1, Thomas, b. 1742, 
d. 1807, mar. Anne Gale, and had John, mar. Sarah Talman, and Thomas, mar. 
Elizabeth Ackerman ; 2, John mar. Sarah Roe, and had Mary, mar. John Hunter, 
and Sarah, who mar. William Barmstead; 3, Oliver mar. Anne Roe, and left 
William, Oliver mar. Susan Bugby; Mary; Martha mar. Henry Lowerne, Charlotte 
mar. Joel Hunter, Caroline mar. Jonathan Peck, Elizabeth mar. Samuel Ellis, 
Margaret mar. Elijah Peck, Anne mar. Elijah Peck, and Sarah mar. Stephen 
Leonard ; 4, Margaret, b. 1750, d* 1815, mar. Oliver Roe; 5, Mary mar. Austin 
Field: 6, Anne mar. William Roe. (V.), Charles, youngest son of first William. 
Thomas, second son of first Richard, left Thomas, member of Assembly from 
1739 to 1764; Jacob, third son of first Richard ; John of Cow Neck, L. L., living in 
1677, mar. Mary Russell, and had, (I.), Richard, who removed in 1725 to West- 
chester, b. 1675, d. 1757-8, mar. Hannah Thorne of Flushing, she was b. 1678, 
and d. 1756; their children were 1, Richard, b. 1708, mar. Mary Ferris, and had 
Peter of Mamaroneck, who mar. Sarah Haviland, and left, First, Thomas, mar. 
Hannah Lynch, and had, a, Peter, who mar. Margaret Gedney, and had John, 
Thomas, Nathariel, Anthony, Cornelia, Hannah, Elizabeth, Mary and Margaret , 
b, Samuel G; c, Thomas L., mar. Emeline Lawrence: d, Sarah, mar. John 
Bates; e, Hester, mar. Timothy Haviland. Second, Richard, mar., 1, Elizabeth 
Angevine ; 2, Ann Purdy, and had Caleb, Richard, Ebenezer, Jobn, Elizabeth, 
mar. Jesse Seymour, Sarah Anne, mar. John Seymour, Deborah and Anne. 
Third, Ebenezer, mar. Elizabeth Purdy, left a da. Susan. Fowrth, Haviland, b. 
1764, mar., 1, Mary Gales; 2, Lavinia Storms, and had, a, Peter, b. 1789, mar. 
Sarah Matthews, and had, Elijah, Thomas, Edward and Richard ; 2, Thomas, b. 
1792, mar. Amy Merritt, and had Haviland, William, James, John, Mary, Ruth 
and Ann; ¢, Haviland Cornell, b. 1801, mar. Ann Diilingham, da. of Henry 
Dillingham of Mass., and Jerusha Strang of Yorktown, had, 1, Stephen D.; 2, 
William H.; 3, Wallace; 4, Haviland; 5 and 6, George W. and Lafayette— 
twins; 7, Mary Ann; §, Charles; d, Ebenezer, b. 1804, d. 1821; e, Dorothy, 
b. 1786, d. 1817, mar. Joseph Griffin; jf, Sarah G., b. 1795, mar. Carpenter Mer- 
ritt; g, Maria, b. 1798, mar. Benjamin Archer; 2, Joseph, second son of sec- 
ond Richard, b. 1708, d. 1770, mar. Phoebe Ferris, and had, First, Joseph 
of Mamaroneck, mar. 1735 Sarrah Hadden, and left, a, Richard, b. 1762, d 
1795; b, Jonathan, b. 1764, d. 1834, mar., 1, Lydia Carpenter; 2, Jea.ima 
Acker, and had Caleb, b. 1790, mar. Phabe Lamoree, who left Isaac, Ucorge 
L., Merritt G., Jane and Deborah. Joseph, b. 1793, mar. Deborah D. Mer- 
ritt, and left Theodore, b. 1819, d. 1822, Jonathan H., Caleb, Richard, Ly- 
dia, mar. Lewis Ryn, Caroline, Emeline and Deborah 8. Zeno, b. 1795, d, 
1795. Zeno, b. 1796, mar. Mary Brown, and had Anna Maria and Phebe, 
Philip Ward. Deborah, and Sarah D. mar. Isaac L. Carpenter; ¢c, Willett, b. 1770, 
mar. Mary Cock, and had Daniel, who mar. Francis P. Halstead, and left Cor- 
delia, Mary Elizabeth and Ann Augusta; Ambroise, mar. Sarah Halstead, and 
had Jonathan H., Willett and Albert, Charity, d. 1834, mar. James Tompkins, 
Sarah, d. 1832, mar. Stephen Bradey, Rebecca and Lydia, mar. D. W. Chase; 
d. Sussannah, b. 1757, mar. Newberry Fowler; ¢, Deborah, b. 1760, mar. Jona- 
than Fowler. Second, Richard, b, 1738, d. 1748. Third, John of Mamaroneck, 


APPENDIX A, 721 


b. 1743, d. 1872, mar. Alice Williams; she was b. 1744, d. 1830. Their chil- 
dren were, Jsaac, b. 1767, d. 1832, mar. Sarah Bennet., and had David M., b. 
1798, mar. Elizabeth Clive, and left Isaac, John C., David, Mary Elizabeth, 
Sarah Anne, Hester, Jane B. and Margaret. Charles, second son of Isaac and 
Sarah, mar. Maria Champenois, and had Esther and Albert W. Mary, eldest da. 
of Isaac, mar. Caleb Ward; Margaret, second do., Joseph Carpenter; Susan A., 
third da., William Varian; Sarah, fourth do., Timothy Calver. John L, sec- 
ond son of John and Alice, b. 1781, mar., 1, Margery Williams; 2, Hannah An- 
derson, and had George; William, mar. Susan Secor; Margaret, mar. Edwin 
Underhill ; Sarah, mar. Lancaster Odell; Mary, b. 1809, d. 1832; Alice, b. 
1§10, d. 1838, mar. William Champenois; Elizabeth, b. 1814, d. 1832; Susan, 
Ann and Elizabeth. Margaret, eldest da. of John and Alice, b. 1765, d. 1821, 
mar., 1, Isaac Horton; 2, William Anderson. Phebe, second do., b. 1769. 
Mary, Third do., mar.,1, David Mann; 2, Rev. Samuel Haskell. Phebe, 
fourth do., d. 1774. Sarah, fifth do., mar. J. Varian. Zlizabeth, sixth do., 
mar. James Varian. Fourth, Ferris, b. 1748, d. 1816, mar., 1, Anne Cornell ; 
2, Hannah Quinby; 3, Sarah Cox, and had Richard, b. 1774, d. 177—, Joseph, 
b. 1776, Thomas I., b. 1779, mar. Amy Fisher; 2, Gulielma Wood, and left a, 
Richard, who mar. Mary Annette Phelps, and had Eliza P.; John b. 1832, d. 
1832, and Anna, b. 1834, d. 1836; 5, Charles; c, Henry; d, Robert; e, Anne, 
mar. Daniel Griffin; jf, Esther F., b. 1808, d. 1812; g, Amy W., b. 1812, d. 
1812; h, Mary W.; 7, Phebe. Samuel, youngest son of Ferris, b. 1782, 
mar. Martha Bonnet, and had Arthur, Elizabeth, Hannah and Rachel. Fifth, 
Hannah, b. 1736, mar. James Fowler. Sixth, Sarah, b. 1739. Seventh, Mary, 
b. 1741, mar. John Merritt. Eighth, Phoebe, b. 1750, mar Abijah Haight. 3, 
John, third son of second Richard, b. 1717, d. 1781, s. p. 4, Benjamin, fourth 
son, b. 1723, d. 1771, mar. Abigail Stevenson, and had First, Stephen of Ma-. 
msroneck, b, 1749, d, 1802, mar. Margaret Haviland, and left, a, William H., 
b. 1776, mar. Dorcas Carpenter, and had Stephen, William, Deborah and Mary, 
who mar. Jacob Miller; &. Richard, b. 1781, d. 1798; ¢, Stephen, b. 1785, d, 
1815, mar. Anna Titus, and had Richard, b. 1811, d. 1887, Titus, mar. Phebe 
Ann Mott, and had William and Stephen, b. 1814, d. 1814; d, Benjamin, b. 
1788, mar. Sarah Titus, and had Mary ; e, Samuel, b. 1796, mar. Hannah Car- 
penter, and had Richard, Stephen G., Henry G., Rebecca Jane and Elizabeth; /, 
Deborah, mar. John Schuerman.; g, Mary, b. 1783, d. 1784; h, Mary, mar. 
Henry Griffin ; 7, Abigail. Second, Benjamin, b. 1760, d. 1760. Third, Benjamin, 
b. 1761, mar., 1, Alice Sutton; 2, Pamelia Farmington, and left ¢, John b, 1783, 
mar., 1, Sarah Matthews; 2, Mary Ann Porter, and had William M. of New- 
town, L. I., Andrew Jackson, Jesse, Arvin, Alice, Elizabeth, mar. Henry Hack- 
ett, Ann Maria, Sarah and Emeline; 4, Jesse, b. 1785, d 1805; ¢, Silas, b. 1789, 
mar. Sarah Mott, and had Thomas, James M., Richard M., b. 1822, d. 1823, 
Anne M. and Sarah Alice; d, Thomas, b. 1794, d. 1797; e¢, Thomas T., mar. 
Sarah Mott ; f, Benjamin F., b. 1873, d. 1874; g, Jane, b. 1787, d. 1830, mar. 
David Arnold; 4, Phebe, mar. Stephen Underhill ; ¢, Dorcas, mar. Joseph Ar- 
nold; j, Mary F. Fourth, Hannah, b. 1744, mar. John Burling. Fifth, Jane, 
b. 1746, mar. Joseph Griffin. Sizth, Deborah, b. 1757, mar. Willett Bowne. 
Sesenth, Anne, 1753, mar. Berjamin Haviland. Zighth, Phoebe, b. 1759, mar. 
John Gibbs. Winth, Sarah, b. 1758, d. 1764. Tenth, Abigail, b. 1758, d. 1884. 


722 APPENDIX A. 


Fifth, Mary, first da. of second Richard, b. 1703, d. 1762, mar. Rev. Henry 
Sands. Sizth, Deborah, second da., b. 1705, d. 1779, mar. Matthew Franklin. 
Seventh, Hannah, third da., b. 1711, mar. Josiah Quinby. Highth, Phoebe, 
fourth da., b. 1745, mar. Ebenezer Haviland. Vinth, Rebecca, fifth da., b. 1718, 
d. 1735, mar. Edward Burling. Tenth, Elibabeth, sixth da., b. 1720, d. 1795, 
mar., 1, Aaron Palmer; 2, Aaron Quinby, (II.), Joshua, second son of first 
John and Mary Russell, mar. Sarah Thorne of Flushing, L. I, and had, 1, 
Joshua of Harrison, b. 1696, mar. Charity Haight, and left, a, Joshua. b. 1726, 
p. 1775, mar. Hannah Harrison, da. of John, and had, F’i7sé, Samuel of Smith’s 
Cove, Orange County, b. 1741, d. 1812, mar. Eleanor Hunt, and left Aaron, 
Eden, Isaac, Harrison, who mar. Charity Earle, and had Samuel, John and 
Hannah ; John, Haydock, Rebecca, Phebe, Charlotte and Sarah, who mar. Erancis 
Hazard. Second, Joshua of Yorktown, b. 1765, d. 1825, mar. Rebecca Haight, 
and had Jesse, who mar. Ann Wortman, William, mar. Phoebe Carpenter, and 
had John J., James B., Sarah Anne and Lydia P., James d. s. p., John H. mar. 
Rachel Webster, Samuel P. mar. Julia Schooley, Lydia, mar. Hugh D. Webster, 
Phebe, a. s. p., and Mary G. Third, John, b. 1769. Fourth, Charity b. 1759, 
d. 1776. Fifth, Sarah, b. 1762: d. 1810. Siazth, Phoebe, b. 1768, mar. James 
Hallett. Seventh, Hannah, b. 1775, d. 1777. Highth, Mary, b. 1716, mar. Wil- 
liam Cromwell; 8, William, second son of Joshua and Charity Haight, b. 1728, 
mar. Mary Quinby, and had, First, Richard. Second, Quinby, mar. Hannah, 
Underhill. Third, James, mar., 1, Elizabeth Chadcaynes; 2, Phebe Smith, 
and had Abraham, Oliver and Sarah. Fourth, John. d,s. p. Fifth, William 
mar. Esther Underhill, and had Solomon, Joel, Aaron, William, Charity, De- 
borah, Mercy and Mary. Siath, Daniel, mar., 1, Elizabeth Birdsall; 2, Merey 
Bowman. Seventh, Josiah, twin brother of the former, mar., 1, Susannah Bird- 
sall; 2. Anne Reynolds; c¢, John, third son of Joshua and Charity, b. 1738, d. 
1873, mar., 1, Mary Quinby; 2, Mary Ann Allen; d, Charity, only da. of 
Joshua, b. 1732, mar. Burnet Cornell, her cousin. 38, John, second son of Joshua 
and Sarah Thorne, d.s. p. 4, Samuel of Cow Neck, Flushing, b. 1702, mar., 
1824. Hannah Carman, and had three sons and one da , viz. Boruch, who mar., 
1, Charity Cornell; 2, Mary Clark; John, d. s. p., Joshua, and Martha, b. 
1726, d. 1758, mar. Henry Sands. Baruch and Charity left, ist, Joshua, d. 
s.p. Second, Comfort, mar. Elizabeth Embree, and left Robert, who mar. Almy 
Lovett, Abigail, mar., 1, Jacob Doughty. 2, Isaac Carse, Alice mar. Petre 
Townsend. Zhird Samuel, mar. Sarah Miller, and had, a, Elijah, mar. Charity 
Wills, and had Samuel M., mar. Emeline J. Howland; William W., Sydney, 
mar, Sarah Ann Nostrand, Walter W., Ann, Eliza Ann, mar. William Binns, 
and Mary Jane; 4, Samuel M. H., b. 1784, d. 1808; c, Charity, mar. John 
Franklin; d@, Ann, mar., 1, Obadiah Bostwick; 2, John Fraher; e, Zipporah, 
d. 1788, s. p. Fourth, Henry, mar. Sarah Coe. Fifth, John, mar, Letitia 
Field. Sixth, Joshua, mar. Ann Van Nostrand. Seventh, Baruch, mar. Susan 
Petit. Highth, Stephen, mar. Mary Wiggins. Winth, Hannah, mar. Jeffrey 
Cornell. Tenth, Mary, mar. John Hicks. 4th, Sarah, eldest da. of Joshua and 
Sarah, mar. Henry Franklin of Harrison. 5th, Elizabeth, second da., mar. Joshua 
Franklin. (IIL), John, third son of first John, b. 1681, mar. Mary. Starr of 
Danbury, Conn. (IV.), Caleb, fourth son, b. 1683, mar. Elizabeth Hagner of 
Flushing, and had, 1, Richardson, b. 1706, d. 1732, 8. p.; 2, Caleb, b. 1709, d. 


APPENDIX A. 723 


1775, mar. Catharine Thorne, and left, First, Joseph, b. 1739, d.s. p. Second, 
Richardson of Steubenville, Mass., d. 1741, mar. Tabitha Longfellow. Third, 
Stephen, b. 1744, mar. Mary Platt, and had Epenetus, mar. Ann Knapp, Steph- 
en, mar. Elizabeth Brown, Catharine, Maria, mar. John Morehouse, Sarah, mar. 
Charles Gardiner. Fourth, Caleb, b. 1748, d. 1802, mar. Freelove Demilt, and 
had Richardson, who mar. Martha Cornell, Phoebe, Catharine, and Mary, who 
mar. Laton. Fifth, Aspinwall, mar. 1, Jane Mitchel; 2, Priscilla Mitchell, and 
had’ Robert, Joseph, Pricilla, mar. —— Silly, Mary, mar. Mooney, and 
Jane, mar. —— Silly. Sizth, Catharine, mar. Wessell Sills. 3, Jon, third son 
of Caleb and Elizabeth, b. 1715, d. 1799, mar., 1, Martha Hewlett, ; 2, Pheebe 
Hewlett, and had, First, Charles, d. s. p. Second, Hewlettt, mar. Elizabeth 
Willis, and left John, mar. Mary Ann Tredwell, Charles, d. 1814, Walter, mar. 
Sarah Allen, Margaret mar. Whitehead Mitchell, Martha mar. Richardson 
Cornell, and Phebe mar. John Willis; 4, Richard, fourth son of Caleb and 
Elizabeth, b. 1710, d. 1772, mar. Catherine Deans. Their children were, 
First, Caleb, of the R. N., mar. Magdalene Butler. Second, Elizabeth mar. 
Stephen Marsh of Philadelphia. Third, Mary mar. William Miller. Fourth, 
Margaret mar., 1. George Graham; 2, William Cook; 3, William, fifth son of 
Caleb, b. 1721, d. 1797, mar. Ruth Hewlett, and had, First, Samuel mar. Martha 
Patterson of Franklin, Dutchess County, and had James, Samuel, Sa rah, Emma 
Grace, Elizabeth and Mary. Second, Elizabeth b. 1754, d. 1825, mar. Charles 
Cornell of Bayside; 6, Joshua, sixth son of Caleb, b. 1826, d. 1800, mar. 
Hannah Hewlett, and had, First, Joshua, d. 1822. Second, Lewis b. 1757, d. 1804, 
mar. Elizabeth Sands, and had Augustus b. 1791, and Grace b. 1793, who mar. 
— Magruder. Third, Charles mar. Nancy Fleet of Flushing, and had Charles 
Fleet and William Warren. Fourth, James d. 1825. 7, Elizabeth, eldest da. of 
Caleb and Elizabeth, b. 1711, d. 1791, mar. John Sands; 8, Mary. second da. of 
do., b. 1714, d. 1780, mar. Thomas Appleby; 9, Susannah, third da., b. 1715, 
d.s. p.; 10, Margaret, fourth da., b. 1728, d. 1808, mar. John Willis. (V.), 
Mary, eldest da. of Caleb and Mary Russell, b. 1679, mar. James Sands of 
Matinecock, L. I (VI.), Rebecca, second da., b. 1685, mar. —— Starr of 
Danbury, Connecticut. Of this family was John Cornell of Rockaway, son of 
Thomas, second son of first Richard of Little Neck, who mar. (as supposed) 
—— Whitehead, and left, (I.), Whitehead, who mar. Margaret Sebring, and had, 
1, John mar. Sarah Cortelyou, and left, a, Hannah; b, George, d. young: c. 
Catharine; d, Margaret; ¢, Ann mar. Arthur Hurst; jf, Whitehead mar. Juliet 
Hicks; g, Simon d.; hk, George L. mar. Isabella Sheldon; 7, John S. mar. Mary 
Randolph; j, Agnes; %, Peter C. mar. Elizabeth Bunce; 7, Isaac R. mar. 
Elizabeth Duyckinck ; m, Samuel G., mar. Sarah Douglass; n, Mary; 2, Isaac 
mar. Hannah Cortelyou ; 3, William mar. Catharine Cowenhoven. (II.), Thomas 
mar. Elizabeth Thurston, and had, 1, John mar. Sarah Hicks; 2, Joseph mar. 
Maria Striker; 3, Thomas mar. C. Skidmore; 4, Elizabeth ; 5, Abigail mar..—— 
Keeling. (III, William mar. Mary Mott, and had, 1, Abigail, who mar. C- 
Mott; 2, Martha mar. —— Townsend; 3, Margaret mar. Lefferts Lefferts; 
4, Elizabeth mar. Daniel Lefferts; 5, Samuel mar. Jane Hewlett; 6, Charles. 
IV.), John had sons, 1, Whitehead d. in NeW Orleans; 2, Benjamin mar. Mary 

illis; 3, William; 4, John. (V.), Silvester. (VI.), Daniel left, 1, Elizabeth 
mar. —— Hendrickson; 2, Jane mar. —— Golden; 3, Silvester. (VIL), 
Elizabeth mar. —— Horsefield. Arms.—Ar. five castles, in cross, sa. 


724 APPENDIX A. 


Covrants.—John Coutant, b. in France, 1648, mar. Sussanna, b. in France, 
1660, had John, b. 1685, Peter, b. 1698, Judy, b. 1699, Hester, b. 1731. John 
mar. Bonnefoy, had Isaac, b. 1723, d. 1802, mar. Fannie Badeau, b. 1781, 
d. 1825, had Isaac (I.) b. 1751, mar. Susanna Bartine, b. 1757, John (II), 
Isaiah (III.), mar. Wilson, James (IV.), mar. Jane Gereau, Frances, mar. 
Eliajh Horton, Margaret, mar. John Hudson, Catharine, mar. Oliver Besley, 
and Susanna, mar. John Le Fevere. Isaac had Deborah, mar. Jno. C. Miller, 
Mary C., mar. ist, Aaron C. Burr, 2nd, Jno. Sneden. Isaiah had Isaac, mar. 
Jane Bonnett, and Mary, mar. James P. Huntingdon. Isaac had James, mar. 
Mary A. Jones, Richard B., and William. James had Richard B., mar. Hannah 
D. Rundell, and Charlotte. Richard B. had Isaac. James (IV.) had Rev. 
Lewis J. (I.), mar. Sarah A., da. of J. LeCount; Clarissa mar. Lewis F. Breschard, 
of Paris, France; Margaret mar. Claudius Redon. Isaiah (IV.) mar. Deborah 
Palmer; Elizabeth; Andrew (V.), mar. Esther Walker; James (IV.); John 
(III.); Elijah (II.) mar. Phoebe Archer; and George (VII.), mar. 2nd, Rebecca 
Morrell, Frances Bailey; and Jane. Rev. Lewis J. had James L., Sarah J. 
Meliscent, mar. Samuel C. Welling, Louisa, mar. Albert T. Jones. Elijah (II.) 
had James, Margaret L., Elizabeth, and Mary A. Andrew (V.) had Augustus A., 
mar. Jane Patterson, Augustus E , Margaret (V.), and Vesta J. George (VIL) 
had by Frances Bailey, George W., mar. Susan A. Lane, Julia A., mar. 
William H. Leonards, J. Edson, Caroline C., mar. Robert Cooper, and Leonard W.; 
by Rebecca Morrell had Susan J., mar. John C. Dickinson, and Peter J., mar. 
Margaret Vaile. Richard B. had Isaac. Augustus A. and Jane Patterson had 
Augustus, Georgiene A., and Mary R. 


CroMWELL oF Harrison.—‘‘The family of the Protroror, which arose in 
Wales, and was deemed illustrious by the genealogists of the principality, bore 
the surname of CroMWELL, by assumption only, its patronimic, Wi1tL1AMs, having 
been abandoned at the special desire of King Henry VIII. ‘*That monarch,” 
saith Noble, ‘‘strongly recommended to the Welsh, (whom he incorporated with 
the English,) to adopt the mode of most civilized nations, in taking family 
names, instead of their manner of adding their father’s, and perhaps grandfather’s 
name, to their own Christian one, nep, or ap, between the Christian and surname, 
as Morgan ap Williams, or Richard ap Morgan ap Williams, that is, Richard the 
the son of Morgan, the son of Williams; and the King was the more anxious as 
it was found so inconvenient in identifying persons in judicial matters. Richard’s 
father seems to have taken the name of Williams for his family name; but as the 
surname of Williams was of so late a standing, his Majesty recommended it to 
Sir Richard to use that of Cromwell in honor of his relation, the Eart or Esszz, 
whose present greatness entirely obliterated his former meanness.”@ The several 
branches of the Cromwell family in America claim descent from the same parent 
stock as that of the Protector Oxtver Cromwett. It is presumed that the 
ancestors of the American line was Col. John Cromwell, third son of Sir Oliver, 
and a brother of the Protrecror. John, a colonel in the royal army, mar. 
Abigail —. He had a da. Joan and a son John, who emigrated from 
Holland to the New Netherlands. John, son of Col. John, resided at Long Neck, 
Westchester. He mar. Mary , and left two sons, John, from whom 


a Burke's Hist. of the Landed Gentry of England, vol. i. 429, 


APPENDIX A. 725 


the present Oliver and Jeremiah of West Farms are descended, and James. 
The latter was b. 1696, and d. 1780; he mar. Esther Godfrey, and left, 
(1.) John, of Harrison, b. 5th December, 1727, d. 1805, mar. Anna Hopkins of 
L. I. she was born January 12, 1730. (I.) —— Cromwell. (II.) James, who 
left Oliver. (IV.) William of Poughkeepsie, who had William of New York, and 
Robert of Canada. John, eldest*son of James and Esther Godfrey, had, (I.) 
James, b. Nov. 6, 1742, d. 23d Dec. 1828, mar. 16th of May, 1782, Charlotte 
Hunt, da. of Aaron; she was b. 18th Nov. 1762, and d. Jan’y, 18389. Their 
children were, 1. Daniel, who mar. Elizabeth Townsend, and had Henry, 
Edward, Daniel, and Charlotte, all of New York. 2, James, who mar. Anne 
Abbott. 3, Oliver, mar. Sarah Titus, and left Joshua of Monroe Co., Thomas of 
New York, James, John of St. Louis, and William of New York. 4, David, 
mar. Rebecca Bowman, and had William D.; Henry, James, Frederick, 
Anna, Sarah, Charlotte, Maria, Rebecca, and Emily. 5, Aaron. 6, William, 
mar. Caroline Underhill, da. of Joshua, and had James W. and Caroline. 
7, William and Mary, twins, d. et. nine months. 8, John of Orange Co., 
mar. Letitia Haviland, and has Walter of Orange Co., James, David, and 
Oliver. 9, Hannah, mar. David Griffin. 10, Rebecca, mar. George Fritts. 
11, Anne, mar. John Haviland. (II.) Daniel, b. 17th July 1755, left John and 
Sarah, who mar. William Waring. John mar. Rachel ——, and had, 1, James T., 
M. D., of Indiana; 2, Daniel 8.; 3. Charles 8., of New York, who mar. 
Henrietta Brooks, da. of Benjamin Brooks, Esq., of Bridgeport, Conn. This 
lady is a lineal descendant of Colonel John Jones, one of the judges whose 
signature appears to the warrant for the execution of King Cuarzzs L., by his 
wife, Henrietta Cromuell, eldest sister of the Prorrctor. The children of 
Charles T. and Henrietta are Charles B., Henrietta, and Oliver Eaton Cromwell. 
4. Leonard T. of New York. (II1.) Naomi, b. 4th May, 1757, mar. Rev. 
Halstead. (IV.) Esther, b. 1st Jan’y, 1760, mar. —— Griffin. (V.) Hannah, 
b. 20th May, 1762, mar. —— Field. (VI.) John, b. 18th August, 1767. (VII.) 
Joseph, b. 3d March, 1770, d. A. D. 1843, mar. Mary Clapp of Greenwich; he 
left William of Harrison, who mar. Sarah Griffin. (VIII.) William of Canada, 
b. 29th of April, 1773, d. left William. Arms. Sa. a lion rampant arg. Crest. 
A demi lion rampant arg., in his dexter gamb a gem ring or. 


Currey or Cortitanpt.—Richard Currey of Northcastle left three sons and six 
das. I. Joshua. II. Stephen, mar. Francis Moore. III. Kichard, mar. Sarah 
Ferris. IV. Jemima, mar. Elijah Horton. V. Pheebe, mar. John Sherwood of 
Cortlandt. VI. Sarah, mar. John Jones. VII. Rachel, mar. William Lane. 
VIII. Mary, mar. John Smith. IX. Elizabeth, mar. Joseph Lee. 


DaAvENPOR? oF DavEeNPorRt’s NEok, New Rocuerte.—This family derive their 
name from the town of Davenport or Danport in the county of Cheshire, Eng- 
land. Camden calls them ‘‘the famous family of Davenport.’’ The first of the 
name on record was Ormus de Davenport who lived at the time of the conquest. 
William Davenport emigrated from England about 1670, and settled at West- 
chester, he mar, Mary —————, and left 1, William of Perth Amboy, in 1723 
proprietor of lands in West Farms, mar. Bridget —. 2, Francis, b. Ist 
March, 1685, d. 8th May, 1720, mar. Martha Newberry; she was b. Nov. 7th, 
4688. Their children were, 1, Francis, b. 3lst May, 1715, d. 2d Aug. 1797, 


726 APPENDIX A. 


mar. Mary Hewlett, da. of Lewis; she was b. 5th Nov, 1748, d. 23d June, 1781. 
2, Walter, b. 20th March, 1716. 3, Samuel b. 22d Aug., 1718. 4, Anne, b. 
20th July, 1712. Francis, eldest son of Francis, left, (I.), Zewts, b. 4th April, 
1745. (II1.), Wewderry, b. 5th June, 1746, d. 4th Jan’y, 1829, first proprietor of 
Davenport’s Neck in 1786, mar. Elizabeth Hewlett, da. of Joseph; she was b, 
19th Jan’y, 1759, mar. 20th Feb. 1774. They had, 1, Joseph; 2, James; 3, 
Hewlett; 4, Lawrence of Davenport’s Neck; 5, Newberry of Davenport’s 
Neck; 6, Deborah; 7, Mary, mar. Samuel Davis; 8, Elizabeth, mar. Mr. 
William Bush of Rye. (III.), Samuel, b. Oct. 5, 1752. (IV.), Martha, b. 2d 
June, 1748. 


DELAVAN OF Nortn SateM.—Timothy Delavan left nine sons, viz. : (1.), Timo- 
thy, whohad Timothy. (II.), Nathaniel, who has several children. (III.), Samuel. 
(IV). John, mar. 1st, —— Hustead, and had Chauncey, Jane, Catharine, and 
Elizabeth; he mar. 2d Patty Keeler, and had John, Frederick, Deborah, and 
Nancy. (V). Cornelius, d. s.p. (VI). Daniel. (VII). Abraham, the father of 
Gilbert and Jesse. (VIII). Stephen, who has Daniel and Federick. (IX). Na- 
than, the father of Charles and Elizabeth. 


Drake or Easrousesrer.—‘‘Joln Drake, of the council of Plymouth, son of 
the original company established by King James in 1606, for settling New Eng- 
Jand, was a branch of the family of Drake of Ashe, several of whose sons came 
to this country. John, who came to Boston in 1630, with two or more sons, 
and who finally settled in Windsor.” Samuel Drake, son of John, last mentioned, 
removed to Fairfield about 1650, and from thence to Eastchester in 1663. He 
mar. Anne —— , and left Joseph of Eastchester, Samuel, heir of his father’s 
lands at Fairfield, John of Eastchester, Sarah and Mary, who mar. Joseph 
Joannes. Joseph, the eldest, mar. Mary Shute, and had issue, (I). John, who 
settled at Peekskill Hollow. (ID, Samuel, of Fox Meadow, Scarsdale, d. A. D. 
1774, wet. 75. He had, 1, Gilbert, d. 1803, et. 90; 2, Samuel, M. D., late of 
Troy, N, Y., d. 1798, et. 63; 3, Uriah; 4, Sarah, mar, Job Sherwood; Sam- 
uel, 2d, left Joshwa, d. 1790, Jasper, d. 1829, Elijah, set, 74, Francis, d. 1814, 
Sarah, mar. John Mandeville, Ann, d. unmar., Mary, mar. Joseph Lockwood, 
d. 1820, Rebecca, mar. G. Millegrew, and Samuel, M. D. (IID), Benjamin of 
Eastchester left, 1, Benjamin, who mar. Ist, Susan Pell; 2d, Martha Seaman; 
3d, Phoebe -——; 4th, Charity Archer. The children of Benjamin, jr., were 
Thomas, who mar. Susannah Morgan, and left Charles, M. D., of New York, b. 
1789, d. April, 1832, a distinguished physician, Sarah, mar. Jonathan Codding- 
ton, Susan, still living, and Anne, who mar. John Seaman. Benjamin, b. 21st 
Feb. 1763, d. 17th June, 1822, mar. Mary Parcot, she d. 1820. Their children 
were Daniel of New Rochelle, b. 14th April, 1786, mar. Abigail Soulice, Susan- 
nah, b. Jan’y 8, 1788, mar. Isaac Bonnet, and Nancy. James, mar. Sarah Dodge, 
and left James, Susan, mar. Joseph Drake, Sarah, mar. Richard Lawrence, and 
Mary, mar. Rev. Lismekeese. John, fourth son of Benjamin, jr., b. 1772, 
mar. Magdalene Guion, b. 1774, and bad Joseph, b. 1796, Susan, Elias Guion, b. 
7th Dec., 1799, Benjamin, b. 1801, John Erskine, b. 18th Sept. 1802; Jacob, b. 
1813, Caroline, b. 24th July, 1807, mar. John R. Townsend; Angeline E., mar. 
Samuel J. Skidmore; and Martha Magdalene, b. 18th Oct. 1778, d. Jacob, fifth 
son of Benjamin, jr., mar. 1st, Mary Williams, and had Jonas W., b. 1799, mar. 


APPENDIX A. 729 


Mary Betts, Jacob, mar. 2d, Susan Ackerly, and left William Henry, Mary Anne, 
and others. J/oses, sixth son of Benjamin, jr., b. 1776, mar. Susan Morgan. Sam- 
uel, seventh son of Benjamin, jr., b. 1778, d, et. 22, mar. —— Morgan. Mary, 
first da. of Benjamin, jr., mar. Henry Vervalen. Phebe, second da., mar. 
Thomas Lovell. Amy d. unmar., and Martha d. xt. 10; 2. Col. Joseph, of 
New Rochelle, second son of Benjamin, sen., b. 12th July, 1737, O, 8., d. 11th 
Sept., 1836, «et. 99; mar. 1st, Phoebe Hunt, 2d. Lydia Miller; and left Joseph, b. 
2d Dec. 1766, d. 16th of July, 1794. 3. Moses of Dutchess Co., d. during early 
part of Revolutionary war; left issue three sons, viz., Jonathan, Richard and 
Stephen. Jonathan had one son, JosEpH RopMAN Draxs, THE Post, b. 1795, d. 
Sept. 1820, mar. Sarah Eckford, Janet, only child of the Port, mar. Col. 
George Dekay of L. I. Jonathan had also three das. 4. Abigail. 5, Mary, 


mar. Caleb Ward. 6. Sarah, mar. —— Hunt. 7. Rebecca, mar. Caleb Morgan. 
(IV). Jasper, who lived in New York, had a son Francis who d. at sea, and sev- 
eral das. (V). Rebecca. (VI.) Sarah. VII. Anna, mar. —— Fowler. Arms, 


arg. a wivern with wings displayed gu. Crests, 1st, an eagle displayed; 2nd, a 
naked dexter arm and hand erect, holding a battle axe sa. headed arg. 


DyckMAN oF PuitipssorouGH.—All of this name in America are supposed to 
have originated from William Dyckman, (a native of Holland,) who was among 
the early settlers of New Amsterdam. This individual was a liberal benefactor 
of the Dutch Reformed Church of Fordham Manor. His grandson Jacobus, 
mar, Kesur. The children of Jacobus were, 1. Jacob, mar. Tryntje Ben- 
son of Haarlem, and had 1, /acod, the father of Jacob and John; 2, Sampson, 
mar. Rebecca Odell, da. of Isaac, and had 1st. Hannah; 2d, Catharine, mar. 
Matthias Valentine. 3, Benjamin, mar. Martha Lent, da. of Jacob, and left 
Willliam, John, Sampson, and Jane. 4, Jacob, mar. Margaret Post, da. of 
Martin, and had Martin, Sampson, Benson, Staats Morris, Catharine, mar. Pell 
C. Vought, Martha Maria, mar. Isaac Mandeville, and Elmira, mar. Louis Le- 
vines. 5, John, mar. Letta Goetchius, and left issue Sampson and Rachel 
Goetchius. 6, Garett, mar. Joanna, da. of Jonathan Odell, and had William 
N. and Jacob G. 7, William N. mar. Rebecca Odell, da. of Jonathan. Their 
children were Sampson, Jonathan, William, Cathaline, Maria and Rebecca. 8, 
Maria. mar. John Clark. 9, Jane, mar. John van Vredenburgh. 10, Catharine 
mar. Daniel Hale. Staats Morris, son of Jacob, mar, Eliza Corné, grand da. of 
Peter Corné, and left Peter C., who mar. Susan Matilda Whetton, Eliza, da, 
of Peter C., mar. Col. John P. Cruger. (II). William Dyckman, second son 
of Jacobus, b. Aug. 23d, 1725, d. Aug. 10, 1787, mar. Mary Turner; she was 
b. Feb. 4, 1728, d. Feb. 14, 1802. Their children were, 1. Jacobus, b. Sept. 
18th, 1748, who left William, Frederick, mar. Eva Myers, John, Abraham, mar. 
Margaret Honeywell, Jacob, James, Isaac, Michael, Hannah, mar. Caleb Smith, 
and Maria. 2, Abraham, b. Aug. 25, 1754, one of the Westchester guides dur- 
ing the Revolution. 3, Michael, b. August 9, 1756, d. Jan’y, 1808, a Westches- 
ter guide, mar. Sarah Oakley, and had two das. Sarah and Maria. 4, Wélliam, 
b. 9th Dec. 1792, also a Westchester guide; he left William and Evert, both re- 
siding at the West. 5, John, b. 28th July, 1764, d. 15th April, 1774. 6. Mary, 
b. June 2, 1752, d. 23d Feb. 1826, mar. Jacob Vermilyea. 7, Jane, b. 26th 
June, 1759, d. 24th March, 1772. 8. Jemima, b. 25th Feb. 1765, mar. Evert 
Brown 9, Charity, b. 18th May, 1770, mar. Benjamin Lent. 


728 APPENDIX A. 


Frevp.—The name of Field is of frequent occurrence in Doomsday’s book, and 
there is often inter-changed with Lea—a word having the same signification, 
John Field of Ardsley, County or York, England, was a distinguished mathema- 
tician and astronomer. He is said to have been the first person who intro- 
duced into England, by his writings, the discoveries of Copernicus. His Ephe- 
merides was published in that country in 1556. His will bears date Doc. 28th, 
1586, in which he directs his body to be interred in the church porch at Ardsley. 
He mar. Jane Amyas of Kent, who d. A.D. 1609. His children were (I). 
Richard, b. 1562, who left a da. Mary; (II), Christopher; (III), John; (IV), 
Matthew of Ardsley, b. 1615; (V), Thomas; (VI), James; (VII), Martin; 
VII), William, who mar. the widow of George Burdett, da. of John Totwell, 
and had Judith, the wife of John Mundy. Matthew, fourth son of John, had 
two sons, James and Robert. James had Robert, James, Anne, and Judith. 
Robert removed to America, and settled at Flushing, L. I., in 1645. He left 
Anthony, Benjamin and Robert. Anthony, the eldest, mar. Susannah ——, and 
had first, John, who removed to New Jersey. He was the father of Jeremiah 
and others ; secondly, Benjamin, who mar. Hannah Bowne, she was b. in 1665, 
and d. A. D. 1707. The children of Benjamin and Hannah, were (I), Robert, 
b. 1707, the father of Uriah. Uriah left 1. Aaron, who had first Charles, the 
father of seven children, viz.: Edward, Richard, Charles M., Aaron, Phebe, 
Jane, and Louisa M.; 2nd, Richard; 4th, Sarah C.; 5th, Anne; 6th, Eliza, 
7th. Hannah: 2, Robert, second son of Uriah ; 8, Josiah, ibid. ; 4, James, ibid; 
5, Abigail ; 6, Elizabeth; 7, Hannah; 8, Sarah; 9, Mary; 10, Anna. The two 
das. of Robert, son of Benjamin, were Jerusha and Sarah ; (II), Benjamin, b. 
1692; (III), John, b. 1694; (IV), Samuel, b. 1696, left three sons, William, 
Stephen and John. William had William and Samuel; (V), Anthony of 
Harrison, Westchester Co., b. 1698, mar. Hannah Burling, and had 1, John 
of Yorktown, who mar. Lydia Hazard of Rhode Island; 2, Thomas; 3, Moses; 
4, Samuel, mar. Abigail Haight; 5, Benjamin, b. 1732, d. 1818, mar. Jerushua 
Sutton; 6, William, mar. Mary Hatfield; 7, Sarah, mar. Joseph Waters; 8, 
Mary. John, eldest son of Anthony and Hannah, left nine sons and four da. ; 
1, Hazard, mar., 1, Frances Wright; 2, Mary Bailey, and had two sons, Benja- 
min and Joseph. Benjamin mar. Catharine Depeyster, and has one son, Cort- 
landt. The four da. of Hazzard are Phebe, Hannah, Jerusha, and Abigail; 2, 
John, mar. Frances Perry; 3, Daniel, mar. Elizabeth Field, and left one son 
James, and two da. James had Edward, James, and Adele; 4, James; 5, 
Joseph; 6, Moses of Peekskill, d. Oct. 18, 1833, mar. Susan K. Osgood, and 
left, Maunsell, Osgood, Franklin C., Moses A., William Hazard, Susan K., and 
Caroline M.; 7, William, mar. Sarah Fairchild, had a son William, who mar. 
Margaretta Day. The latter left two children, viz., William and Helen; 8, 
Hickson, mar. Eleanor K. De Forest, and had a son Hickson, who mar. Mary 
Bradhurst, and a da. Eleanor, who mar. John Jay; 9, Seaman, youngest son of 
John, mar. Eliza Debourg, and had De Forest, Eliza, mar. J. T. Blanchard, 
Odell, and Clemence; 10, Abigail, mar. Leonard Van Hoosen; 11, Phebe, 
mar, Henry Fowler; 12, Jerusha; 13, Josiah; 14, Sarah, mar. Caleb Horton; 
15, Abigail, d. young. (VI), Joseph, b. 1702, left Gilbert, Nehemiah, Solomon, 
and Comfort; (VID, Hannah, b. 1700; (VIII), Sarah, youngest da. of Benja- 
min and Hannah Bowne, was b. A. D. 1704. Uriah Field of Greenwich, Conn., 


APPENDIX A. 729 


son of Robert, by Robert’s second wife Abigail, daughter of Joseph Sutton, mar. 
Mary Quimby, at Harrison’s Purchase, 18th Jan., 1764, and had the following 
issue: (I), Aaron, b. 1764; (II), Abigail, b. 1766; (IIL), Robert, b. 1769; (IV), 
Elizabeth, b. 1771; (V), Josiah, b. 1774; (VI), Hannah, b. 1778; (VII,), James, b. 
1780; (VII]),Sarah,». 1782; (1X), Mary, b,1785 ; (X), Anne,i789. (1), Aaron, mar. 
Jane Havaland, and had the following issue: 1, Charles; 2, Phoebe; 3, Richard; 
4, Samuel; 5, Sarah C.; 6, Ann; 7, Eliza; 8, Hannah. 1, Charles, mar. Esther 
Griffin, and had 1, Phoebe; 2, Jane; 3, Edward; 4, Richard M. 2, Jane, 
da, of Charles, mar. Stephen Griffin, and had 1, Mary; 2, Henry; 3, Louisa; 
4, Charles. 4, Richard M., son of Charles, mar. Deborah Merritt, and had 1, 
Charles M.; 2, Louisa M.; 3, Aaron. 1, Charles M., son of Richard M., mar. 
Annie Cromwell, and had 1, Henrietta; 2, Richard; 3, Caroline; 4, Frederick; 
5, William; 6, Charles; 7, Charlotte. 2, Louisa M., da. of Richard M., mar. 
Edward Stabler, and had 1, Mary; 2, Edward; 3, Louisa. 3, Aaron, son of 
Richard M., mar. Charlotte Cromwell, and had 1, Fanny; 2, Henry; 3, Ed- 
ward; 4, Herbert; 5, Hamilton. (II). Abigail, mar. Richard Mott, and had 1, 
William; 2, Robert F.; 3, Maria. 2, Robert F., mar. Hannah Smith, and had 
1, Richard F. 1, Richard F., son of Robert F., mar. Susan Thomas, and had 1, 
Robert; 2, Amelia; 3, Richard; 4, Anna; 5, William. (III), Robert, mar. Hannah 
Wood, and had 1, Mary; 2. Abigail; 3, Uriah; 4, Fanny; 5, Jacob Wood; 6, Wil- 
let; 7, Henry C.; 8, Gulielina; 9, Elizabeth. 1, Mary. mar. Oliver Mathews, 
and had 1, Robert F. ; 2, Jacob; 3, Albert; 4. Emily; 5, Mary Etizabeth; 6, 
Edward F.; 7, Henry Clay; 8, Oliver; 9, Joseph B ; 10, Henrietta. 1, 
Robert F., son of Mary, mar. Mary B. Loines, and had 1. Emily Alberta; 2, 
Frederick L.; 3, Clara A. 2, Frederick L., son of Robert F., mar. Marianna Va- 
lentine. 2, Jacob, son of Mary, mar. Ann Eliza Trowbridge, and had 1, John 
A; 2, Helen A. 8, John A., son of Jacob, mar. Julia Marienes. 4, Albert, 
son of Mary, mar. Louisa Strong. 5, Mary Elizabeth, da. of Mary, mar. Sam- 
uel H. Tripp, and had 6, Louisa M.; 2, Caroline H.; 3, Henry L.; 4, Mary Alberta 
5, Louisa M., da. of Mary Elizabeth, mar. Samuel Kipp. 6, Edward F.,son of 
Mary, mar. Anna Cook. 17, Henry Clay, son of Mary, mar. Mary Richards. 
8, Oliver, son of Mary, mar. Ellen Kenney, and had 1, Franklin; 2, Elianor. 
2, Abigail, da. of Robert, mar. Edmund Griffin, and had 1, Hannah; 2, John; 
3, Henry; 4, Charles; 5, Esther. 2, John, son of Abigal, mar. Mary Meckeel, 
and had 1, Arthur; 2, Charles; 3, Edward; 4, George; 5, Mary Jane. 38, 
Henry, son of Abigal, mar. Martha Valentine, and had i, Hannah; 2, Elizabeth. 
1, Hannah, da. of Henry, mar. Daniel Willets. 2, Elizabeth, da. of Henry, 
mar. James Havaland. 4, Charles, son of Abigail, mar. Sarah Valentine, and 
had 1, Anna; 2, Henry; 3, Edith. 5, Esther, da. of Abigail, mar. Joseph Wil- 
lets, and had 1, Ida; 2, Fanny. 3, Uriah, son of Robert, mar. Mary Jane 
Quimby. 5, Jacob W., son of Robert, mar. Amanda McDonald, and had 1, 
Sarah Jane; 2, Charles. (J.), Sarah Jane, da. of Jacob W., mar. —— Brennel. 
(II.), Charles, son of Jacob W., mar. Sarah Sillick, and had, 1, Amanda. (V.), 
Jacob W., son of Robert, mar. Margaret Wessels, and had, 1, Emma; 2, John. 
(VI1.), Willet, son of Robert, mar. Rosanna Lee, and had, 1, Robert; 2, Edgar; 
3, Uriah; 4, Hannah; 5, George. (VII.), Henry C., son of Robert, mar, Mary 
Senreman, and had, 1, Henrietta; 2, Margelena. (I.), Henriette, da. of Henry C., 
mar. Charles Briggs. (1V.), Elizabeth mar. John Carpenter, and had, 1, Uriah F.; 


730 APPENDIX A. 


2, Aaron B.; 3, Mary; 4, Phoebe; 5, Joseph. (I.), Uriah F., son of Elizabeth, 
mar. Sarah Ann Deall, and had, 1, Sarah Elizabeth. (I.), Sarah Elizabeth, da. 
of Uriah, mar. Augustus Embury, and had, 1, Peter Augustus; 2, Clarance Uriah; 
3, Alfonse Subat; 4, Emma; 5, Pauline; 6, Arthur Deall. (1.) Peter Augustus, 
son of Sarah Elizabeth, mar. Isabella M. Hunt, and had, 1, Philip; 2, Caldwalder 
Colden. (IIT.), Alfonse Subal, son of Sarah Elizabeth, mar. Ella Loines, and had, 
1, Augustus. (II.), Aaron B., son of Elizabeth, mar. Adelia A. Cornell, and 
had, 1, Mary Elizabeth ; 2, John J.; 3, Uriah F.; 4, Silas §.; 5, Deborah A. ; 
6, George W.; 7, Aaron M. (1.), Mary Elizabeth, da, of Aaron B., mar. Richard 
Loines, and had, 1, Ella. (1.), Ella, da. of Mary Elizabeth, mar. Alfonse Liebat 
Embury. (III.), Uriah F., son of Aaron B., mar. Sarah Elizabeth Deall, and 
had, 1, Richard Loines; 2, Willet Weeks. (IV.), Silas §., son of Aaron B., 
mar. Ada Thompson, and had, 1, Charles, (¥.), Deborah A., da. of Aaron B., 
mar. William Mathews, and had, 1, Edward. (VI.), Aaron M., son of 
‘Aaron B., mar. Carrie Watson, and had, 1, George. (VI.), Phoebe, da. of 
Elizabeth, mar. Silas Sutton, and had, 1, Elizabeth Ann; 2, John J. (1.), 
Elizabeth Ann, da. of Phceebe, mar. John C. Davis, and had, 1, Florence; 
2, Mary; 3, Edith L. (1I.), John J., son of Phaebe, mar. Alice H. Brister, and 
had, 1, Amy; 2, Bessie. (V.), Joseph, son of Elizabeth, mar. Charlotte M. 
Carpenter, and had, 1, Prissilla H.; 2, Phebe S.; 3, Emily; 4, Sarah Ann; 
5, Elizabeth Jane; 6, Henry M.; 7, Aaron B.; 8, Josephine. (1.), Prissilla H., da. 
of Joseph, mar. George W. Carpenter, and had, 1, Hannah; 2, Albert; 3, Sarah 
Ann. (IV.), Sarah Ann, da. of Joseph, mar. David S. Haviland. (V.), Elizabeth 
Jane, da. of Joseph, mar, Theodore Carpenter. (VIII.), Josephine, da. of Joseph, 
mar. George Luke. (V.), Josiah mar. Hannah Griffin, and had, 1, Esther; 
2, Phebe; 3, Sarah; 4, Richard; 5, Maria. (I.) Esther, da. of Josiah, mar. 
Moses Quinby, and had, 1, Richard; 2,Walter W.; 3, George W.; 4, Aaron J.; 
5, Mary Jane. (II.), Walter W., son of Esther, mar. Catharine Wilcox, and had, 
1, Josiah; 2, Cornelia B.; 3, George M.; 4, Frank. (II.), Cornelia B., da. of 
Walter W., mar. John C. Bailey, and kad, 1, Annie J.; 2, Lillian; 3, Mead; 
4, John F.; 5, Alonzo 8S. (III), George M., son of Walter W., mar. Mary D. 
Galve, and had, 1, Mabel; 2, Ethel. (III.), George W., son of Esther, mar. 
Hannah Bowen, and had, 1, Emily; 2, Esther. (1V.), Aaron J., son of Esther, 
mar. Margaret L, Munson, and had, 1, Elizabeth Jane; 2,George W.; 3, Esther F.; 
4, Mary Jane; 5, Minnie Isabel; 6, Lucinda M. (I.), Elizabeth J., da. of 
Aaron J., mar. Isaac H. Barton, and had, 1, George H. (V.), Mary Jane, da. of 
Esther, mar, Isaac Rushmore, and had, 1, Lauria; 2, Townsend; 3, Robert; 
4, Mary Jane. (II.), Phebe, da. of Josiah, mar. Josiah Barnes, and had, 
1, Hannah G.; 2, Mary; 8, Sarah; 4, Josiah. (1.), Hannah G., da. of Phoebe, 
mar. Frederick Waldon. (II.), Mary, da. of Phoebe, mar. Samuel Barnes. 
(IIL), Sarah, da. of Phoebe, mar. John 8. Bowron, and had, 1, John; 2, Josiah F.; 
3, Mariah A.; 4, Mary A. (II.), Josiah F., son of Sarah, mar. Eliza C. Conner, 
and had, 1, Sarah F.; 2, Eliza; 3, Charles. (III.), Mariah A., da. of Sarah. 
mar. William Tollfre, and had, 1, William, (IV.), Mary A., da. of Sarah, mar. 
Sidney Firth. (V.), Maria, da. of Josiah, mar. Watson Bowron, and had, 
1, William Henry; 2, Mariah, 3, Josephine; 4, Francis. (VII.), James, mar. 
Pheebe Carpenter, and had, 1, Thomas C.; 2, Jane; 3, Joseph; 4, Edmond; 
5, William C.; 6, Mary; 7, Sarah; 8, James; 9, Elias H. (I.), Thomas C., 


APPENDIX A. 731 


son of James, mar. Esther G. Haviland, and had, 1, John; 2, Phebe C.; 
8, Hannah; 4, Sarah. (1.), John, son of Thomas C., mar. Mary Gabriella Sutton, 
and had, 1, Thomas A.; 2, William H.; 38, Uriah. (II.), Phoebe C., da. of 
Thomas C , mar. David R. Underhill, and had, 1, Emma; 2, Carrie. (II.), Jane, 
da. of James, mar. Allen Sutton, and had, 1, James F.; 2, William A. ; 
3, Edmond F. ; 4, Pheebe Jane. (I.), James F., son of Jane, mar. Pheebe T. 
Carpenter, and had, 1, Jane; 2, Hannah F. (II.), William A., son of Jane, 
mar. Catharine Richardson. (III.), Joseph, son of James, mar. Mary Hatfield. 
(1V.), Edmond, son of James, mar. Hannah L. Haight, and had, 1, Hannah Lydia. 
(1.), Hannah Lydia, da. of Edmond, mar. Francis Carpenter, and had, 1, Frederick; 
2, Mary; 3, Howard. (Y.), William C., son of James, mar. Mary Barnes, and 
had, 1, Stephen B.; 2, William H.; 8, Hannah B.; 4, Phebe A. (IL), 
_ William H., son of William ©., mar. Mary Carpenter, and had, 1, George; 
2, Harriet. (VIII), James, son of James, mar. Elizabeth Harbough, and had, 
1, Frederick Augustus. (IX.), Elias H., son of James, mar. Sarah Hunt, and 
had, 1, Phoebe C.; 2, Lewis Eugene; 3, Jane Edmond. (VIII.), Sarah mar. 
John Griffin, and had, 1, Phebe; 2, Mary; 3, George; 4, Eliza. (II.), Mary, 
da. of Sarah, mar. Isah Quinby, and had, 1, John J.; 2, Eliza F. (1.), John J., 
son of Mary, mar. Hannah G. Haviland, and had, 1, Howard; 2, Frank; 
3, Robert. (IL), Eliza F., da. of Mary, mar. Edward 8. Quinby, and had, 
1, Elizabeth; 2, Edward; 3, Frederick. (III.), George, son of Sarah, mar. 
Sarah Husted, and had, 1, Ada. (IY.), Eliza, da. of Sarah, mar. Hiram Bent. 
(IX.), Mary mar. Daniel Griffin, and had, 1, Hannah; 2, Josiah; 2, Anna; 
4, Daniel; 5, David. (I.), Hannah, da. of Mary, mar. Daniel Griffin, and had, 
1, Marianna; 2, James; 3, Mariah. (II.), James, son of Hannah, mar. Sarah 
Burling, and had, 1, Howard. (III.), Anna, da. of Mary, mar. Edwir Keeler, 
and had, 1, Richard C.; 2, Edwin; 3, Phebe Jane. (I.), Richard C., son of 
Anna, mar. Hannah Carpenter, and had, 1, James. (II.), Edwin, son of Anna, 
mar. Susan Brown, and had, 1, Harold; 2, Edwin; 3, Louis M. (X.), Ann 
mar. John Haviland, and had, 1, Mary; 2, Jane; 3, Richard F.; 4, James F.; 
5, Phoebe; 6, Mariah; 7, Elizabeth; 8, John. (I), Mary, da. of Ann, mar. 
George Provost, and had, 1, Emma; 2, Marianna; 3, John; 4, George; 5, 
Louisa (II.), Marianna, da. of Mary, mar. Jacob Welles. (VI.', Mariah, da, 
of Ann, mar. David R. Field. (VII.), Elizabeth, da. of Ann, mar. William 
Horton. (VIII.), John, son of Ann, mar. Olive P. Eldridge, and had, 1, Olive 
Janette. Arms, sa, a chev. betw. 3 garbs, arg. Crest, a dexter arm, issuing 
out of the clouds, fesse ways, ppr., habited gu., holding in the hand ppr., a 
sphere, or. 


Fatconer.—Peter Falconer, one of the first patentees of North Castle, left 
twosons. (I.), William, who had, 1, Josiah; 2, Ruth; 3, Catharine; 4, Hannah. 
(1I.}, John of Eastchester, b, Dec. 18, 1747, d. June 24, 1831, et. 88, mar. 
Elizabeth Purdy, she was b. May 31, 1749, d. Dec. 22, 1799. Their children 
were, 1, David of N. Y., b. Dec. 10, 1772; 2, Jonathan of Miltown, N. Y., b, 
Feb. 14, 1774; 8, Roger of N. J., b. Aug. 20, 1775; 4, Josiah of N. Y., b. 
May 1, 1780; 5, William of N. Y., b. May 1, 1780; 6, Anne, b. Dec. 9, 1779, 
mar. Matthew Fogel; 7, Elizabeth, b. July, 1781, mar. William Raldwiz ; 
8, Catharine, b. January 8, 1782, mar. John Fisher of White Plains, 


7132 APPENDIX: A, 


Farrineton oF Eastonrester.—The family of Farrington are of Shaw Hall, 
Lancashire, England. The Farringtons, of Farrington, Wearden and Shaw Hall, 
all in the Parish of Leyland and County Palatine of Lancaster, arose at the time 
of the Conquest, and have since preserved an uninterrupted male succession. 
They resided at Farrington as recently as the time of Elizabeth, and continued 
at Wearden until the close of the sixteenth century, when they removed to 
Shaw Hall. 

The manor and hundred of Leyland was held by them of King Edward the 
Confessor; and the men of the manor (which was of a superior order), as well as 
those of Salford, enjoyed the privilege of attending to their own harvest instead 
of the King’s. 

According to Thompson’s History of Long Island, one Edmund Farrington 
with a number of others, embarked from Lynn, Massachusetts, in a vessel with 
a Capt. Howe, on or about the 17th of May, 1640, and arrived at Cow Bay, L. L, 
where they purchased of the Indians from the eastern part of Oyster Bay to Cow 
Bay; and where they were dispossessed, by the Dutch Governor Kieft, on the 
19th of May, 1640. 

This Farrington originally came from Southampton, England. He, with the 
others, afterwards bought Agawan of the Indians—a tract about twenty miles 
long and six miles wide—and made a settlement, which he cailed Southampton. 
They made their settlement on the 13th December, 1640. The consideration 
paid was sixteen coats and eighty bushels of Indian corn for the land. Edmund 
Farrington returned to Lynn, Mass., and in 1665 built a mill there, and dug a 
pond and opened a brook for a half mile called Farrington’s Brook. Farrington 
died in 1680, aged §8 years. Two of his sons, viz. Thomas and Edmund, 
afterwards removed to Flushing. Thomas Farrington in 1645 was one of the 
patentees of Flushing, and his brother Edward was a magistrate there in 1657. 
The latter had a son named John Mastin Farrington. 

Thomas Farrington, the first of that name mentioned in the Eastchester town 
records, was one of their descendants. He emigrated from Flushing to East- 
chester about the year 1750, and became one of the purchasers of a portion of 
Long Reach, a district of the town; and the farm that he owned in that patent ig 
yet in the possession of one of his descendants, Mr. Jonas Farrington of the city 
of New York. 

Thomas settled in Yonkers—afterwards removed near Hunt’s Bridge, and 
then to Long Reach. 

Thomas Farrington died about the year 1793, about 90 years of age; his 
grave and that of his second wife lies at the junction of a lane called Far- 
rington’s Lane, running through his farm with the White Plains Road. Thomas 
Farrington mar., first wife, a Miss Norris; and his sister Jane Farrington mar, 
John Norris, the brother of his first wife. Their children—1, Robert mar. 
Charity, sister of Nehemiah Hunt; 2, Sarah mar. Anthony Valentine; 3, Thomas 
mar. Miss Taylor; 4, Benjamin mar. Susannah Tompkins; second wife, Mar- 
garet Mastin. Their children—1, Jonas mar. to Euphemiah Lawrence; 2, Mastin 
died unmarried; 3, Hannah mar. Joseph Oakley; 4, Penelope died Oct. 10, 1838, 
unmarried; 5, George mar. Frances Guion, d. April 16, 1830. 

The following extract, from the Eastchester town records, apply to Thomas 
Farrington, viz.: he was appointed overseer of the roads April 15th, 1774:— 


APPENDIX A. 733 


“There at is ye house of Thomas Farrington’s a road rooned horse aboute 

fourteen hands high, shored before with a middle long tale, without either marke 
or brand as can be perceived. Entered ye 28th day of December, 1766, by me. 
£0: 0. 9. Sam’. SNEDEN, Town Clerk.” 


The fol, ‘wing extracts from the town records apply to other members of his 
family :— 


‘‘George Farrington (his son) was appointed Overseer of the Roads on 1st 
April, 1784. Appoinved Fence Viewer and Overseer of the Road on 5th April, 
1796; re-electea 4th April, 1797. Appointed Overseer of the Poor 3d April, 1798; 
also 2d April, 1799; also Overseer of Roads 1st April, 1800. 

“Jonas Farrington, another son, was selected Overseer of Roads 3d April, 
1798; Overseer of Highways, 11th Dist., on 7th April, 1812; re-appointed 6th 
April, 1818; also 7th April, 1818; also 6th April, 1819.” 


Jonas Farrington, the son of Thomas Farrington, was born May 26, 1754; 
mar. Euphemia Lawrence, b. Jan. 20, 1764. Their children—i, Mastin b. Feb. 
2, 1782; 2, Jane b. April 16, 1785; 3, George b. Aug. 10, 1787; 4, Jonas b. 
May 8, 1790; 5, Hannah b. May 3, 1793, died in infancy; 6, Charles b. April 2, 
1796; 7, John Rich b. Dec. 23, 1798; 8, Rebecca b. Nov. 10, 1801. Jonas da. 
A.D. 1922, Sept. 22; Euphemia d. A. D. 1830, March 21. Their tombstones are 
in Eastchester churchyard. Of these children— Tie First, Mastin Farrington, d. 
March 29, 1823: mar. Keziah Oakley, b. July 25,1782. Their children -- 1, Oakley 
b. Nov. 2, 1801, mar., 1825, May 8, to Mary Ann Boscawen, and had issue; 
2, Mary b. Oct. 27, 1803, mar. a Mr. Munn, and had issue. Zhe Second, Jane 
Farrington, mar. Anthony Valentine, and hal issue; shed. in 1838. Zhe Third, 
George Farrington, mar. a Miss Morgan, and had issue. The Fourth, Jonas 
Farrington, jr., mar. Sarah Wolff, and had—1, John, who mar. Margaret 
Jourdan, and had issue; 2, Rebecca mar. Abel Wheaton, jr., and had issue; 
3, John Smith; 4, Sarah mar. Wm. L. Barker; 5, Hannah. The Fifth, Charles 
Farrington, mar. Catharine Boyce, b. A.D. 1799, and had—i, Emeline 
Euphemia b. April 19, 1819, mar. Wm. 8. Wood; 2, Chas. W. b. April 4, 1835, 
mar.*; 3, John Rich b. Feb. 4, 1820, mar.; 4, Eliza Rebecca d. The Sizth, 
John Rich Farrington mar. Hannah Barker, and had issue. The Seventh, 
Rebecca Farrington, mar. John P. Angevine A. D. 1837, and had Charles 
Berrian b. March 15, 1840. 

There are great numbers of the descendants of the other children of Thomas 
Farrington settled in Westchester County, city of New York and Virginia. 


FocntTarin or BEDFORD.—......... Fountain, Esq., descended from the Fountains 
of Stockingham, Devonshire, England, was a merchant of opulence, and emigrated 
to A:ncrica about 1650. Hed. et. 100, leaving Moses, and a younger son who 
d.s. p. xt. 104, Moses, the eldest, had also two sons, viz.: Moses and Matthew. 
The latter was a military officer of some distinction. Previous to the Revolutionary 
war lic removed from Bedford to Eastchester, where he d. from the bite of a fox, 
et. 56. He Jeft four sons, (1.), Stephen. (II.), Aaron. (III.), Rev. Ezra of 
Bedford, b. 20th May, 1743, d. Oct. 15, 1840. (IV.), James of Bedford. Rev. 
Ezra had, 1, James, M. D., of the New York University, who has Hosea, M. D., 
of Somers, Elias, Jabez, Husted, C. Horton, and Ezra James. 2, Hosea. 
8, Tyler of Peckskill. -A7ms, arg. three bars, gamelles, gu, on a canton az. a lion 
passant guardant, or. Crest, an eagle’s head erased, holding in his beak a snake. 


734 APPENDIX A, 


Fow.er or East AND Wesconestrer.—All of this name in Connecticut and 
New York are supposed to have originated from William Fowler of New Haven, 
who was elected a magistrate in 1637, and was one of the first settlers of Milford, 
1639. John Fowler was living at Guilford, Conn. in 1650. Benjamin Fowler, 
of Westchester removed to Phillipse’s Manor, b. 1715, mar. Sarah Vincent. 
Their children were, (I.), Anthony, mar. Elizabeth Taylor, and had, 1, Benja- 
min; 2, Abraham; 3, Anthony; 4, Nathaniel; 5, Sarah. (iII.), Vincent, mar. 
1st, Dorothy Valentine; 2nd, Mrs. Merritt, and left, 1, Ann; 2, Abraham; 3, 
Rebecca; 4, Benjamin; 5, Mary; 6, Sarah. (III.), Frederick, whose da. Jane, 
mar. Jeremiah Dobbs; (IV.), Josiah, d.s. p.; (V.), Benjamin, d,s. p.; (VI.), 
Hannah, mar. H. Fowler, M. D.; (VII.), Ann, mar. Dennis Brewer; (VIIL.), 
Isabel, mar. Dennis Post. Henry Fowler of Eastchester was one of the associat 
proprietors of the Long Reach Patent in 1708. He left Henry, the father of 
William, who was b. A. D. 1701. William had Richard the father of Philemon 
of Eastchester. Hdmund Fowler of Eastchester, d. A. D. 1747, mar. Rachel, 
and left, 1, Gilbert; 2, Edmund, to whom his father devised all those lands in 
Eastchester called Hutchin’s; 3, Solomon. John Fowler of Eastchester had 
John, Abigail, who mar. Secor, and Jemima, who mar. —— Williams. 
John Fowler, jr., d. cir. 1765, mar. Elizabeth, and left, 1, John; 2, Andrew; 3, 
David; 4, Joshua; 5, Thomas. 


GaAULLADET OF New RoonEetLe.—The ancestors of the Gaulladets were Prot- 
estants, inhabitants of La Rochelle, in France. On the Revocation of the Edict 
of Nantes Pierre Eliseé Gaulladet, a physician at Rochelle, fled from France to 
England, from whence he removed to America and settled at New Rochelle. 
His son Pierre, d. A. D. 1774, mar. —— Willmouth, and left, 1, Elisha; 2, Col. 
Peter, commander of a troop of light horse in the Continental service ; 3, Joseph 
of New Rochelle, mar. Ann Badeau; 4, Mary, mar. Samuel Pease; 5, Frances, 
mar. —— Casting. 


Guion or NEw RocHette.—Louis Guion, Heuyer, ‘‘the founder of this emi- 
nently respectable family” was b. at La Rochelle, in France, about 1654. Four 
years before the Revocation of the celebrated Edict of Nantes, he fied with his 
family into England, from whence he emigrated to America and settled at New 
Rochelle about 1687. Feb. 6th, 1695, he received letters of denization from 
King William of England. His son Louis, who d. at New Rochelle cir. 1725, 
mar. Tomaza ——, and left (I.), Louis or Lewis, b. at sea, who had 1, Isaac, 
mar. Mary Bolt and left Thomas, Frederick §., Isaac, M. D., Letitia, mar. Jos. 
Purdy, and Maria, b. 9th March, 1750; 2, Abraham, b. Ist Jan., 1719, d. Jan. 
1, 1799, had issue 1, Frederick, b. W51, d. 1831, mar. Jemima Hackett, and left 
Frederick Augustus, Maria, Alethea, Julia, and Cornelia; 2, John; 3, Major 
Isaac of Natchez, mar. Sarah Lewis, and had Capt. Frederick, U. 8. A., Hon. 
John of Vicksburgh, Hon. Lewis of Mississippi, Capt. Walter, U. 8. A.; 3, 
David, mar. Esther Parcot; 4, Peter, d.s. p.; 5, John of Rye Neck, b. Feb. 
1, 1723, d. June 21, 1792, mar. 1747, Anna Hart, she was b. April 11, 1728, 
and d. Feb. 26,1814. The children of John and Anna were 1, Jonathan, b. 
January 28, 1749, mar. Phebe Lyon. Children of Jonathan and Phebe Guion 
were: 1, Anne, b. Dec. 2nd, 1774; 2, James, b. Sept. 20th, 1777; 3, Sarah, 
b. Sept. 28th, 1779; 4, Mary, b, Aug. 28d, 1782; 5, Thomas, b. Aug. 11th, 


‘APPENDIX A. 735 


1786; 6, Phebe, b. April 24th, 1789; 7, Hetty, b. June 10th, 1791; 8, 
Alvah, b. Oct. 21,1795. Phcebe, the wife of Jonathan, d. Dec. 11, 1819, Jonathan 
Guion, d. Aug. 28, 1835. The children of Abraham and Mary were Anne Eliza, 
d. Oct. 26, 1840, mar. Thomas Haviland of Rye, Sarah, d. May 15, 1798, Maria, 
mar. John W. Conover, of New York, John, d. 19th, Feb. 1798, William Henry, 
proprietor of the homestead on Rye Neck, Peter Knapp, d. July 10, 1838, mar 
Jane Stockbridge of New York, James Hart of Rye Neck, mar. Jane Harriot, 
Sarah Ophelia, mar. Royal C. Ormsby of New York, Charity Amelia, mar. Gar- 
ret Vermilyea of Rye, Hetty Adeline, mar. Gilbert Haight of Mamaroneck, 
Charlotte Purdy, d. April 2, 1824, and Chalan Gabriel of Rye Neck, mar. Sarah 
Wright, of L. L.; 9, Isaac, b. Sep. 19, 1767, mar. Elizabeth Wilsey; 10, Elijah, 
b. April 19, 1770, mar. Elizabeth Marshall, and left Rev. John M., and the Rev. 
Elijah, who mar. Clara Beek ; 11, Monmouth Hart, b, Oct, 8, 1771, mar. Anne 
Lyon. (II.), Isaac, second son of second Louis, mar. Maria —— and had Louis 
of Eastchester, The latter left Lewis of Eastchester, Daniel of Eastchester, 
Mary, mar. John Albeson, Isabel, Margaret, and Susannah. (III), Aman, third 
son of second Louis, d. cir. 1757, mar. Elizabeth Samson, and had, 1, Elias, b. 
Sept. 14, 1728, d. Nov. 26, 1811, mar. 16th December, 1770, Magdalene Soulice, 
and had Elias of New Rochelle, b, Feb. 19, 1772, Mary Elizabeth, b. May 24, 
1776, Magdalene, b. 19th August, 1774, mar. John Drake, son of Benjamin; 2, 
Benjamin, b. Feb., 1730, mar. Sarah Pell, da. of Joshua, she was b. J uly 30, 
1744. They left Phebe, bapt. 1784, and others; 3, Esaie, b. Aug. 26, 1736; 4, 
Aman of New Rochelle ; 5, Elizabeth; 6, Susannah, mar. John Landrine. (IV.), 
Susannah, only da. of second Louis, mar. John Soulice. Arms. D’arg, au cap 
de vigne de sable chargé de trois grappes, de raisins de geules, : 


2 


HADLEY oF YONKERS.—Joseph Hadley was living at Yonkers in 1687. His 
grandson, Joseph, mar. Hittabel ——-——, and left George, who mar. Phebe 
Tippett. The children of George were (I.), Isaac. (II.), Frederick. (III.), 
George. (IV.), Abraham. (Y.), Stephen. (VI.), William. (VII), Elizabeth. 
William, sixth son ‘of George, mar. Elizbath Warner, and left 1, Joseph, ob. at 
the West; 2, Moses, whose son Moses is still living; 3, William, d. at N. Y.; 
4, Charles of Conneticut, where sons are still living; 5, John, d.; 6, James of 
N. Y.; 7, Isaac, whose two sons d. in the U. §. A.: 8, Jacob of Western New 
York; 9, Thomas d. at Charlestown; 10, George Washington. 


Hanrorp oF Norra Sarear.—The Rev. Thomas Hanford, was the first Pres- 
byterian minister of the town of Norwalk. Hed. A. D. 1693, and left several 
sons. Thomas, the eldest, had Thomas. The latter left two sons, (1.), Thomas 
of Norwalk, whose da. Mary mar. ————— Wentworth. (II.), Gershom of 
North Salam, whose sous are, 1, Gershom; 2, Lewis, of North Salam; 3, John, 
of North Salem; 4, Josiah; 5, Thomas; 6, Nehemiah ; 7, Stephen. 


Hart or Rye.—Among several of the families worthy of note, is that of Ed- 
ward Hart, the first of the family in this country. He settled in Flushing, Long 
Island, and was a man of wl:om his descendants may well feel proud. He was 
one of the leading men of that town; was town clerk when that was the highest 
office. In Dec., 1657, the Dutch Governor and counsel issued an order requiring 


736 APPENDIX A. 


the people of Flushing, then called Vissengen, to cease from entertaining Qua- 
kers ; and requiring them to apprehend and send to the city any who should profess 
or preach the doctrines of that heretical sect. To this order astrong remonstrance 
was returned by Edward Hart, signed by him as town clerk, with thirty of the 
principle inhabitants of the town; and which was presented to Gov. Stuyvesant 
by Tobias Feeke, the sheriff, who was immediately arrested. Hart was impris- 
oned for writing this remonstrance; after three weeks confinement, he was com- 
pelled to make a humble submission, and was then released—only at the earnest 
intercession of his neighbors, as he was one of the oldest settlers, and had a large 
family to provide for.¢ His son, Jonathan Hart, settled in Rye about 1685, and 
was chosen a townsman in 1686. He married Hannah Budd. The Harts of 
this county are descended from him. 


Hormes oF Beprorp.—This family derive their origin from John Holmes, 
who emigrated from Beverly, Yorkshire, England, to America, about 1660. In 
1690, he was one of the resident proprietors of Bedford, b. cir. 1639, d. 1729. 
His son John was for many years town clerk, and justice of the peace for Bed- 
ford. John Holmes, jun, d. A. D. 1763, he mar. Jamima ——-——, and left 
(1.), John, proprietor of the Cohamong farm, b. 1735, d. 1762, who had Lewis and 
Catharine. (II.), Col. James, b. 1737, d. July 18, 1824, mar. Sept. 25, 1787, Tamar 
Lounsberry, she d. Oct. 11, 1788. Their two da. were Tamar, b. June 4, 1786, 
who mar. James Ronalds, and Sally, b. Oct. 27, 1787, who mar. Jeremiah Louns- 
berry of Bedford. (III.), Stephen, proprietor of the homestead, d. Sept. 1779. 
(IV.), Sarah. (V.), Rebecca. (VI.), Lois. (VIL), Emma. (VIII.), Dorcas. Of 
this family was David Holmes of Bedford, in 1710, whose sons were (I.), Joseph, 
who left Joseph of Bedford, the father of Nathan, The latter had two children, 
viz., Joseph and Sarah, who mar. Charles Miller. (II.), Reuben. (III.), Jona- 
than, who mar. Dorothy, and left 1. Jonathan, who had two da., Martha, mar. 
Richard Wilder, and Mary, mar. Isaac Chase; 2, Solomon, mar. Rachel Miller, 
and left a son and three da.; 8, Hezekiah, mar. Elizabeth Finch, he d. in 2813, 
set. 100. The children of Hezekiah are James of Thompsontown, Jonathan, 
Patty, et. 92, in 1847, and Rachel, et. 82; 4, Dorothy; 5, Mary; 6 Rachel. 
(IV.), David, left two sons, 1st, David, the father of David, 2nd, Samuel, the 
father of Stephen. 


Horron or Ryz anp Waite Prarmss.—The Horton family are descended 
from Barnabas Horton, one of the first settlers of Southhold, L. I. He, with 
others, came from England and landed in New Haven, Conn., with the Rev. 
John Young as their spiritual leader. With the assistance of Gen. Eaton they, | 
about the year 1640, purchased the soil, and afterwards conducted the concerns 
of the sett!ement in the manner of the New England towns.» Joseph Horton, 
son of Barnabas Horton, mar. Jane Budd, a daughter of John Budd, settled in 
Rye, 1669, and was chosen a selectman in 1671; he was thought equal to any 
duty. He had several sons. Captain Joon, the eldest, left Join, who was living 
at Rye, 1707. The latter had a son, Joseph, who mar: Elizabeth —————. David 
of White Plains, supposed son of Joseph, had four sons, (I.), Joseph. (II), 


a. In Callanan’s New Netherland, vol. 2, p, 351. Thompson’s Long Island, vol, 2, p. 72, 289 
290. 


a Thompson’s Long Island, vol. 1, p. 374. 


APPENDIX A. 737 


Thomas. (III.), John. (IV.), Daniel, who had 1, Stephen of White Plains, who 
left David of Yonkers and Benjamin; 2, Daniel ; 3, Samuel; 4, George W. of 
City Island; 5, Elijah C.; 6, Anne mar. Samuel Crawford of White Plains; 7, 
Margaret Of this family was William Horton of King street, Rye, who had 
(1.), Jeremiah of Mamaroneck, who mar. Elizabeth Hart, and left 1, Abrahain ; 
2, James; 3, Benjamin; 4, Elijah; 5, Hannah; 6, Anne. (I1.), Isaac, d.s. p. 
1821, mar. Sarah Cornell. (III.), Timothy of L. I. (V.), Rachel. (¥V.), Pruer. 
Daniel Horton of Rye, a lineal descendant of first Joseph, b. Feb. 22. 1776, mar. 
Anne Strang, she was b. Sept. 30, 1764. Their children were 1, James, b. Oct. 
29, 1787; 2, Henry, b. Feb. 19, 1789; 3, Ebenezer, b. Nov. 30, 1796, ob. May 
13, 1814; 4, Nathaniel, b. Jan. 17, 1794; 5, Phoebe, b. May 23, 1791; 6, Marga- 
ret, b. Oct. 20, 1795, d. Oct. 28, 1793; 7, Mary Ann, b. Sept. 2, 1798, d. May 18, 
1823 ; 8, Martha, b. Sept. 7, 1801; 9, Margaret, b. April 2, 1804; 10, Caroline, 
Feb. 28, 1807; 11, Elizabeth Ann, b. Oct. 2,1824. Of this family was John 
Horton of White Plains, who d. 1763, and left 1, Azariah ; 2, Phebe; 3, Patience; 
4, Hannah. 


Huestis or Evstis.—Robert Huestis removed from Fairfield to Westchester, 
about 1664. By his wife Elizabeth, he had Robert, John, Samuel, and David. 
James, whether connected with Robert or not is uncertain, came from Fairfield 
to Eastchester, 1665. The children of James were ist, Jonathan, b. Nov. 12, 
1667. 2nd, James, b. Feb. 15, 1669. 3d, Jndah, b. March 16, 1671. James, 
second son of James, mar. Tamer Pell, da. of John, and left ist, James, d. cir. 
1779-80, xt. 80, mar. Tamar Ferris, and had 1, James, mar. Griffen; 2, Caleb; 
8, Samuel, a man of great literary attainments, lost his manuscripts by fire, which 
brought on mental derangement, mar. —— Appleby; 4, Joshua, d. Dec. 
1781, mar. Abbe Baker, she d. cir. 1821, et. 90; 5, Martha, mar. James Boyd; 
6, Sarah, mar. Samuel Nelson. Joshua, fourth son of James, had 1, Thomas of 
New Brunswick, -b. Dec. 25, 1760, mar. 1, Pheebe Mabee; 2, Eliza Smith. He 
left by Phoebe Mabee, 1, Joshua, mar. Sarah Black; 2, Peter, mar. Miss Lefurge ; 
3, James; 4, Nathaniel; 5, Catharine. By Eliza Smith, 1, Phebe; 2, Mabee, 
mar. Simon Newcombe; 3, Abby; 4, Joshua; 5, Thomas. (II.), Mary, d. 1836, 
mar. Benjamin Palmer. (IiI.), Benjamin, b. Dec. 1765, mar, Hannah Higby, 
she was b. June 16, 1771. Their children were 1, Joshua; 2, Fleming; 3, Ben- 
jamin; 4, Thomas Palmer; 5, Samuel; 6, William; 7, Daniel; 8, Harvey; 9, 
Catharine, mar. Abraham Lent; 10, Mary; 11, Abigail Jane. (IV.), Joshua, 
proprietor of Pelham Neck, b. July 15, 1768, mar. Leah Rodman, and left Ann 
Maria, d. 1834, mar. Moses Odell. (V.), Elizabeth, b. Oct. 23, 1769, mar. Au- 
gustus Lawrence, Esqr. (VI.), Daniel, mar. Susannah Rich, and left 1, Rebecca 
Anne, mar. Nicholas Underhill ; 2, Mary, mar. Charles Augustus Briggs. (VIL), 
Elijah of Ithaca, Thompkins Co., mar. Elizabeth Green, and had 1, Deborah 
Ann, mar. Ist. William Riccards. 2nd, John Perry; 2, Jane, mar. 1st, John Far- 
rell, 2nd, Will. Bennett: 3, Emmeline, mar. John Cutts; 4, Lorenzo Scott; 5, 
Thomas Green; 6, Joshua; 7, Charlotte. James, second son of first James, left 
secondly, John, b. cir. 1760, mar. Elizabeth Guion, and had (I.), John, ob. s. p. 
(II.), David, mar. Abigal Morgan, da. of Charles of East Clinton, and left 1, 
Augustus, Esqr., of Westchester, mar. Sarah Valentine, and left William, mar. 
Miss Allerton; 2, Stephen; 3, Elijah; 4, Benjamin, mar, ist, Esther, 2nd, 


738 APPENDIX A. 


Martha Lawrence, by the latter left John Lawrence, William Augustus. James, 
second son of first James, left thirdly, Samuel, of Long Reach, Erstchester. Arms, 
sa. a saltier, betw. four martletts, ar. within a bordure erm. 


Hont or Hunt’s Point.—This family are presumed to spring from one of the 
younger sons of Thomas Hunt of Shrewsbury, county of Shropshire, England, 
son of Richard Hunt, bailiff of Shrewsbury in 1613. Thomas was high sheriff 
of Shropshire in 1656, and a colonel in the Parliament service; he died A. D. 
1669. 

Thomas Hunt of Rye removed to Westchester, where he purchased the Grove 
Farm, which was patented to him by Governor Nicolls, 4th Dec. 1667. Will 
dated 6th Oct., 1694,—Rec. Wills, No. v. 99; mar. Elizabeth Jessup, da. of 
Edward. They had, 1, Thomas, a trustee of the freehold and commonalty of 
the town of Westchester in 1692; 2, Josiah, a trustee of ditto in 1692; 3, 
Joseph, who left a daughter Martha; 4, John, who mar. Grace ; his will 
is dat. 7th Jan’y, 1711; 5, Abigail, mar. John Piockney. Thomas, the eldest, 
was father to Thomas of Hunt’s Point, (who mar. Sarah Ward,) Augustus, 
Lewis, Robert, (who d. 1749,) and Abigail. Thomas and Sarah Ward left, 1, 
Thomas, b. 1727, d. July 4, 1838, mar. Ist, Milicent Wright, d. 15th Sept., 
1832; 2nd, Hannah Wright; 2, Jesse, high sheriff of the County and proprietor 
of Hunter’s Island, mar. Miss Staples; 3, Ward, mar. —— Briggs of Eastches- 
ter. Thomas, the eldest, left issue, 1, Thomas, who mar. Frances Ambroise de 
Poline, and had Eliza and Frances; 2, Joseph, M. D., mar. —— Burnet of 
Demerara, and left Joseph, Thomas, James of Michigan, and Henry; 3, Jona- 
than; 4, James, mar. Ward, da. of Hon. Stephen; 5, Alsop, mar. Eliza- 
beth Lockwood, da. of Major. Ebenezer; 6, Henry, mar. Rogers of Dem- 
erara, and left two da.; 7, Joshua; 8, Richard, mar. 1st, Elizabeth Tice; 2nd, 
Eliza Hardy; 9, Margaret of West Farms; 10, Sarah. Jesse, high sheriff of 
the county, had Capt. Thomas, Lieut. Jesse, Samuel, and a da. who mar.—— 
Gracie. Ward, third son of Thomas and youngest brother of Jesse, left Mont- 
gomery of Utica, and Walter of Mount Pleasant. 

Josiah Hunt, second son of Thomas of the Grove Farm, by his wife Bethia 
Horguson, left one son, commonly called Grove Josiah, who had 1, Thomas; 2, 
Moses of Long Reach, Eastchester; 3, Josiah; 4, David; 5, Abner; 6, Phebe, 
mar. —— Fowler; 7, Martha, and 8, Abigail, mar. Buckbed. Thomas, eldest 
son of Josiah, d. cir. 1756, mar. Mary , and had Mianna, mar. John Fer- 
ris, Stephen, father of Sylvester, Charles, of Long Reach, Eastchester, Hivin, 
Martha, mar. James Tippett, Christina, Alathea Anne, mar. John Leggett, and 
Helena, who mar. Jonathan Odell. Moses, second son of Josiah, d. cir. 1760 and 
left Benjamin, Timothy, Gilead, Reuben, Mary, mar. —— Yomans, Rebecca, 
Sarah, mar. William Oakley, and Martha, mar. —— Tippett. Josiah, third son of 
Josiah, d. cir. 1748, and had, Jacob, Caleb, Solomon the father of Nathan, Abi- 
gail and Anne; Tabitha, Rachel, mar. —— Fowler, Rebecca, mar. —— Pell, 
Lydia, mar. Walter Briggs, and Tabitha. Joseph, third son of Thomas Hunt of 
the Grove Farm, left Martha and others. John Hunt, fourth son of Thomas of 
the Grove Farm, was a trustee of the freehold and commonalty of Westchester 
in 1692, d. cir. 1711, mar. Grace , and had, 1, William, ancestor of the 
Hunts of Tarrytown; 2, Joshua, d. cir. 1760, mar. Mary , and had, John, 


APPENDIX A. 739 


father of Joshua, Caleb, Enoch, Joshua, Israel, Miriam, mar. —— Oakley, and 
Mary; 3, Jonathan; 4, Mary, mar. —— Underhill; 5, Jeremiah; 6, Israel, 
whose son Israel left Joshua, the father of Gilbert and Israel. The latter resided 
at Eastchester and mar. Bonnett; 7, James, to whom his father bequeathed 
thirty acres upon Throckmorton’s Neck. Of this family was Ovadiah Hunt of 
Phillipsborough, who d. 1736, and had Obadiah and Anne. Obadiah, jr., d. cir. 
1760, and left, 1, Obadiah; 2, John; 8, Zebediah. Joseph Hunt, a resident of 
Cortlandt’s Manor, d. cir. 1768, mar. Levina , and had, 1, Gilbert; 2, 
Levina; 3, Eunice; 4, Jemima; 5, Anne; 6, Esther. Aaron Hunt of West- 
chester, a descendant of Thomas Hunt of Hunt’s Point. mar. Rebecca Haydock, 
and had, 1, Eden, b. Dec. 3, 1755, a guide to General Washington; 2, Major 
David, b. Sept. 4, 1757; 3, Mary, b. January 10,1760; 4) Charlotte and Eleanor, 
b. Nov. 18, 1762; 5, Eleanor, b. Nov. 21st, 1764; 6, Aaron, b. Sept. 24. 1767; 
7, Roger and Haydock, b. Sept. 22, 1770; 8, Moses, b. Feb. 25, 1778, Wehe- 
miah Hunt of Eastchester, mar. Lawrence, and had, 1, Euphemia; 2, 
Anne; 3, Mary; 4, Frederick; 5, Phoebe; Theodosius; 7, Aaron, d. 1828, 
mar. Elizabeth Fowler, da. of Thomas Fowler, and had Theodosius, Richard and 
others; 8, Basil, who had Richard, Reuben, Nathan and Jacob; 9, Thomas; 
10, Martha. David, fourth son of Josiah Hunt, called Grove Josiah, mar. Mary 
Cromwell, and left (I.), Theophilus. (II.), Aaron. (III.), David, jr., who mar. 
——Honneywell, and left Jemima, who mar. Sidney Bowne. (IV.), Philip. 
(V.), Stephanus, mar. Liddia Lawrence, da. of Joseph, and left (I.), Joseph. 
(II.), Josiah. (III.), Richard. (IV.), Lydia. (V.), Lott. (VI.), Effingham. 
Josiah, second son of Stephanus, mar. Elizabeth Palmer, da. of Lewis, and had, 
(1.), Rachel, mar. Thomas Tate. (II.), Gulielmo, mar. Samuel Tate. (IIL), 
Lydia, mar. Jacob Weeks. (IV.), Charlotte, mar. William Sutton. (V.), Steph- 
anus, mar. Phoebe Dickinson, and left 1, Josiah Dickinson ; 2, John Woolman; 
3, Daniel ; 4, Elias Hicks; 5, Susannah; 6, Catharine. (VI.), Euphemia, mar. 
Isaiah Travis. (VII.), Hannah. (VIII.), Lewis P., mar. Charlotte Weeks, da. 
of Benjamin (I.). (IX.), Edmund L. (X.), Philena, mar. Louis de St. Croix. 
Lewis P., (VIII.), by his wife Charlotte left, 1, Benjamin W., mar. Mary Quinbey, 
da. of William. (II.), Edmund L_ (III.), Hannah. (IV.), Elizabeth, mar. 
Charles Wright. (V.), James mar. Sarah Frances Carpenter. (VI.), Sarah, 
mar. Elias Hicks Field. (VII.), Phoebe, mar. Peter Carpenter. Benjamin W. 
(1.) left by his wife Mary (Quinbey,) (I.), William. (II.), Deborah. (III.), 
Charles Lindley, who mar. Kate M. Carpenter. (IV.), Benjamin W. Arms, 
per. pale, ar. and sa. a saltier; counterchanged. Crest, a lion’s head, erased, 
per. pale, ar. and sa. collared gu. lined and ringed or. 


Irvinc—The family of Irvine is from Scotland, in the northern part of which 
kingdom it was, (as an ancient record quoted by Chambers the historian, and by 
Sir Walter Scott observes, ) ‘‘an ancient and principal family.” Very frequent 
mention is niade of them in the early annals of that country ; and in several in- 
stances they are spoken of by the above named writers as possessing a distin- 
guished position and great influence among the baronial families of the north- 
east counties. 

An old and curious manuscript history of this family is preserved by one of 
them in this country, entitled, ‘‘The original of the Family of Irvines or 


740 APPENDIX A, 


Erivines, Written by Christopher Irvine, M. A., State Physician and History- 
grapher to his majesty, King Charles the Second, in Scotland, and gent to his 
brother Sir Gerard Irvine, Bart., of Castle Irvine in the kingdom of Ireland, in 
the year 1660.” From this manuscript it appears that the oldest branch of the 
family styled the ‘‘Irvines of Bonshaw,” were settled on the banks of the river 
Eshe, where they continued for many successive generations with varying 
fortunes. From this stock are descended the English and Irish Irvines, among 
the latter having been the Rt. Hon. General Sir John Irvine, Commander-in-chief 
of his majesty’s forces in Ireland in the year 1779. 

A very early offshoot of this parent stock were the ‘‘Jrvines of Drum.” The 
eldest son of the house of Bonshaw, William, having been knighted by King 
Robert Bruce in the year 1296, and for long and faithful services in the field, 
having been endowed with the lands of Drum on the river Dee in Aberdeenshire, 
which are ¢o tis day in possession of his descendants. The castle of Drum is 
about ten miles from the city of Aberdeen, and is now inhabited by Alexander 
Irvine, Esq., the lineal descendant of the above Sir William. Sir William Irvine 
of Drum married the daughter of Sir Robert Keith, Knight, Lord Marshall of 
Scotland, and of Margaret Hay, daughter of Gilbert Hay, Lord Hay, first 
Constable of that family. The manuscript referred to observes, that, ‘‘ The king 
gave him the lands of the forest of Drum, and he himself having carried a private 
coat of arms whilst he was concealed under the name of the Earl of Carrick, 
he likewise gave him that, with permission for him and his descendants forever, 
to bear it as their armorial bearing, with this motto, ‘‘szd sole, sub umbra virens, 
alluding to the family’s great fidelity to him in his troubles. The badge or 
bearing consists of three holly leaves banded gules, on a shield argent.” The 
history relates the vicissitudes which befell this family with mnch minuteness 
and records their alliances with many of the most distinguished families of the 
kingdom: Abernethy, Forbes, Ogilvie, Douglas, Leslie, Dundas, &c., &c. 
There were several families of consideration which sprung from these alliances, 
among which are named the Irvines of King Caussie, Cutts, Glassil, Easterclane, 
Cornyhaugh, Murthil, and Astainford, all of which estates were in the north- 
eastern counties of Scotland. During the civil wars they suffered severely in 
property, and have since lost much of their former influence, although still 
retaining a position of the highest respectability among the gentry of that part of 
Scotland. 

The first of the family who settled in America was William Irviaog, the son of 
Magnus Irving, who was born in 1731, and who on coming to this country in 
1763, altered the orthography of the family name, changing the final letter from 
e to g, to accord with the English usage. He was married at Falmouth, Eng- 
land, in 1761, to Sarah, daughter of John Sanders, Esq., of Falmouth, England. 
This gentleman was a very successful and highly respected merchant of the 
city of New York, commanding universal esteem from his probity. He died in 
the year 1807, leaving the following issue, I. William, ‘‘a merchant of the city 
of New York. He was distinguished as a gentleman of literary taste, and in 
1812 became a member of Congress. He was concerned with his brother, 
Washington Irving, and Mr. J. K. Paulding in writing for Salmagundi;” b. 
1766, d. 1821. He mar. Julia Paulding of Tarrytown, W. C. C., and left issue, 
1. Lewis Graham. mar. —— Hale, and had Lewis and Charles. 2. Rev. Wil- 


APPENDIX A. 741 


liam Sanders of the Prot. Epis. Ch. d. s. p. 1823. 3. Oscar, late of Tarrytown, 
mar. 1st, Miss Dayton, 2d, Eliza, widow of Mr. Romeyn. 4. Pierre Monro, 
counsellor-at-law, N, Y., mar. 1st, Miss Berdau, and 2d, his cousin Helen, da. 
of General Richard Dodge. 5. Henry Ogden of Tarrytown. 6. Julia, mar. M. 
H. Grinnel, Esq., of New York. II. Anne, b. 1770, mar. General Richard 
Dodge of Johnstown, Montgomery Co. ; she died A.D.-1808. III. Peter Irving, 
M.D., of Tarrytown, b. in N. Y., 1772, d. 1837, interred at Greenburgh. IV. 
Catharine Rodgers, b. 1774, mar Daniel Paris. Esq., son of the late Colonel 
Isaac Paris. V. Ebenezer of Tarrytown, b. 1776, mar. Elizabeth Kip, (who 
died in 1827,) a descendant of the old Dutch family of that name in the city of 
N.Y. Their children are, 1. Pierre Paris, a clergyman of the Protestant Epis- 
copal Church, mar. Anna, da. of John Deur, Esq., a grandson of the late Major 
General William Alexander, (Lord Sterling,) and has issue, Leslie, Alexander 
Duer, Anna, &c. 2. Edgar, mar. Amanda, da. of Thomas Tenant, Esq., of 
Baltimore, and has issue, Washington. 38. Theodore, a professor in Geneva 
College, mar. Jane, da. of the late Hon. Jacob Sutherland. 4. Sanders, mar. 
Julia, da. of John A. Granger, Esq., of Canandaigua. 5, William. 6. Wash- 
ington, and several das., yet unmar. VI. John Treat, b. 1778, educated at 
Columbia College, a member of the bar, and for many years before his death, 
which took place in 1838, first judge of the city and county of New York. He 
mar. a da. of the late Hon. Gabriel Furman, and left issue, 1, Gabriel, mar. Miss 
Eckford; 2, William, an officer in the U. 8. N., now deceased; 3, John Treat, 
mar. a da. of Abraham Schermerhorn, Esq.; 4, Abby, mar. Henry Van Wart, 
junior, Esq., of Birmingham, England; 5, George. (VII.), Sarah, b. 1780, mar. 
Henry Van Wart, sen., Esq., of Tarrytown, Westchester County, for the last 
forty years a resident of England. (VIII.), Washington Irving of Tarrytown. 
Arms, arg. three bunches of holly leaves, three leaves in each hunch, vert, tied gu, 
the strings flotant. Crest, an arm, couped above the wrist, in armour, ppr. lying 
fessewise, holding in the gauntlet a bunch of holly, asin the arms. ~ 


Kir, oF New Castie.—Jacobus Kip, a native of Holland, emigrated from that 
country to New Amsterdam, with his parents, about 1/45. He was b. A. D. 
1631, and mar. (March 8, 1654,) Maria de la Montaigue. She was b. at sea, off 
the island of Madeira, Jan. 26, 1737. Jacvbus left issue, Johannes, b. Feb. 3, 
1655; Jacobus, b. Oct. 14, 1656, mar. Catharine de Hart; Adraham, b. Dec. 
21, 1658; Jesse, b. Dec. 16th, 1660; Rachel, b. Jan. 7, 1664, mar. William 
Teller; Maria, b. Dec. 2, 1666; Hendricus. b. Jan. 12, 1668; Catharine, b. 
Jan. 25, 1671, mar. Hans Kiersted; Petrus, b. April 25, 1674; Benjamin, b. 
Aug. 6, 1678, d. A. D. 1702; and Samuel, b. Nov. 4, 1682. Johannes, eldest son 
of Jacobus, mar. Sept. 4, 1682, Catharine, da. of William Hans Kiersted, grand 
da. of Annetje Jans Bogardus. Their children were 1, Maria, b. Sept. 13, 1686; 
2, Sarah, b. Nov. 19, 1688; 3, Hans, b. Oct. 5, 1690; 4, Johannes, b. Jan. 31, 
1694; 5, Catharine, b. Oct. 16, 1698 ; 6, Henricus, b. Oct. 20, 1700; 7, Benja- 
min and Bladina, twins, b. March 21, 1703; Benjamin, 4th son of Johannes, 
removed into Westchester County, where he purchased a farm of 400 acres. 
He was a Justice of the Peace under the Colonial Government, d. May 24, 1782, 
at Westchester, mar. Dorothy Davenport; she d. Sept, 3, 1807. Benjamin 
left issue, (I.), Mary, b. Sept. 18, 1734, mar. Robert Runnells. (II.), William, 


742 APPENDIX A. 


b. June 28, 1736, d. young. (III.), Elizabeth, b. April 9, 1738, mar. John 
Powell. (IV.). Jesse, b. Feb. 23. 1740, ob. Jan. 1, 1780, mar. Ann, da. of 
Samuel Haight, she was b. April 18, 1745. They left six sons and two da. 
First, Benjamin. Second, Gilbert, mar. Hannah, da. of John Searles, b. 
Sept. 4, 1767. Third, John, b. April 27, 1768, mar. Ana, da, of Samuel Quinby, 
and had four sons, and four da., viz., Jesse, Sophia, Quinby, mar. Corneiia 
Halsted ; Jane, Moses, mar. Martha Worden; Mary Ann, mar. William Hal- 
stead, of New York; Leonard B., and Catharine, Fourth, Phebe, b. Feb. 26, 
1770, mar. Abel Underhill. Fifth, Caleb, b. October. 23, 1771, mar. Griffeny, 
da. of Jacob W. Acker, and had four sons and one da. viz., Hiram, d. May 27, 
1835, mar. Miss Harkwell, Solomon of the firm of Kip & Brown, New York, 
mar. Esther Conway, and had Griffeny, Oscar, Amanda, Warren, and Celia; 
Charles T, mar. Agnes Paxton, Rebecca Ann, mar. 1st, Conrad Gaynor; 2nd, 
Francis Sniffen, of New York, d. July 13, 1843; Elias 8., mar. Elizabeth Lacy, 
and left Caleb. Elizabeth, wife of Francis, d. Oct. 24, 1844. Miriam, b. Oct. 
4,1773. Seventh, James, b. March. 9, 1777, mar. Abigail, da. of Sutton Rey- 
nolds; and had Reuben, mar. Maria Fowler, Eden, Miriam, and Ezra. The 
latter mar. Margaret Ann, da. of Seth Whitney; and had Seth, Elbert, and 
James. Eighth, Jesse, of Somerstown, b. May 25, 1780, mar. 1, Elizabeth, da. 
of Abel Smith, and left one da. Phoebe, who mar. Wilson Brown of N. J. Jesse, 
mar. 2nd, Sarah Hunt, da. of Capt. Stephen, and had two sons and three da., 
viz., Elizabeth H., mar. Jesse Cole of Indiana. William, mar. Adelaide Gowdy, 
Benjamin K., Margaret Ann, mar. Thomas Russel, and Sally Ann. (V.), Abra- 
ham, third son of Benjamin, b. March 22, 1743, mar. Phoebe, da. of Samuel 
Haight. They had 1st. Samuel, mar. Elizabeth Cipher, and had Abraham and 
Walter; 2nd. Abraham, who mar, Catharine, da. of Samuel Quinby, and left 
Reuben, Ann, Phebe, Mary, Josiah, Jane, and Abraham. (VI.), Jacobus, b. 
Feb. 28, 1745, ad. young. (VII.), Sarah, b. Sept. 20, 1746, mar. James Weeks. 
(VIIL.), William, b. Dec. 1748, mar. Mary Merritt, and left Isaac, who mar. Mary, 
da. of Joseph Washburn; Sarah, mar. John Requa; Prudence, mar. John Sarles; 
Dorothy, mar. Gilbert Baker; Thomas. mar. Amy, da. of Isaac Conklin; Martha, 
mar. Moses Marshall; Abigail, mar. James Washburn; Benjamin, jun., mar. 
Pheebe, da. of Isaac Conklin; and left, Conklin, jun., Charles, Mary Ann, 
Rebecca, Sarah, Charlotte, and Aaron. Ann Kip, sixth da. of William 
and Mary, mar. Joseph Tompkins. Tamar, the youngest, mar. Absalom 
Underhill. (IX.), James, b. April 6, 1751, mar. Zipporah Carpenter, and 
had John of Canada, who mar. Ruth Carpenter, da. of Caleb, Daniel, Elizabeth, 
mar. William Green, and Charlotte, who mar. Samuel Hewlett of Dutchess Co. 
(X.), Samuel, b. dec. 16, 1753, mar. Freeclove Totten, and left one son and 
three da., viz., Freelove, mar, Silas Arnold; Samuel who mar. Tamar Thorn, 
and had two sons, Stephen and Benjamin; Sarah and Lydia. (XL), 
Thomas, b. July 14, 1756, d. Sept. 1, 1833, mar. Abigail Hatfield and had 
three sons and three da., viz., Mary, mar. Stephen Kingsland, of N. Y., Isaac, 
Benjamin William, Dorothy, and Jane. (XII.), Mary, b. Feb. 14, 1761, ob. 
8. p. 


Keeers or Nortn Sarem.—Samuel Keeler, emigrated from Devonshire, 
England, and settled on Long Island and called the place Cow Bay; and left. 


APPENDIX A, 743 


Timothy who had Jeremiah, who left two sons, Zebediah and Job. The eldest 
had Job of North Salem. Nathan, ditto, Jeremiah, ditto. A da, mar. —— Lobdell. 
A da. mar. Brush, and ada. mar, —— Smith. 


Lex oF Yorktown.—This family, supposed to have been a younger branch of 
the Lee’s of Lee-Magna, Kent, England, settled in Nottingham at an early 
period. William Lee emigrated from Nottingham to America in 1675, d. 1724, 
mar. Mary Marvin, and left three sons and seven da. His sons were, Thomas of 
Long Island, d. s, p.; Joseph of Long Island, and Richard, who entered the 
French military service in Canada, d.s. p. Joseph, second son of William, had 
(I.), Joseph of Yorktown, d. xt. 77; and left, 1, William, d. xt. 50; 2, Joseph, 
d. xt. 50; 3, Abigail, d. et. 40; 4, Hon. Elijah, d. et. 78, mar. Ist, —— Conk- 
lin; 2d, —— Brown; 3d, —— Brown; 4th, —— Williamson; 5; Enos, d. et. 
70; 6, Anne, mar. Capt. Saml. Haight; she d. xt. '70; 7, Hannah, mar. James 
Brewer, M. D., she d. xt. 70; 8, Phoebe, d, xt. 70, mar. Daniel Horton; 9, 
Elizabeth, d. et. 60, mar. Joseph Ingersoll; 10, Sarah, d. eet. 20. (II.), Thomas 
of Woodbridge, Cortlandt’s Manor, d. et. 80; left, 1, David, d. et. 90, mar. 
Young; 2, Peter of Ohio, d. et. 80; 3. Paul, d. et.'70; 4, Israel of 
Orange Co., d. wt. 80; 5, Philip, also of Orange, Co., d. et. 74; 6, William of 
New Jersey, d, xt. 80; 7, Thomas, also of New Jersey; 8, Hannah, d. s. p. ; 9, 
Phebe, d.s. p. (III.), John removed from Long Island to Yorktown, W. C. 
Co., in 1750, b. 1726, d. March 12, 1816, mar. Sarah Perine, she d. July 31, 
1796, «et. 74. Their children were, 1, Thomas, d. set 40, s. p; 2, John of New 
Jersey, d. xt. 84; 3,Sarah, d. et. 65, mar. John Horton; 4, Henry, d. et. 90, s. 
p.; 5, Hannah, d. et. 87, s. p.; 6, Margaret, d. et. 77, mar. Jonas Williams; 
7, Abigail, d. «et. 60, mar. David Knapp; 8, Phoebe, d. et. 78, mar. Francis 
Colgrove; 9, Dinah, still living et. 85, mar. Thaddeus Rockwell; 10, Robert 
of Yorktown, still living wt. 81. (IV.), Pheebe, d. aet. 84, mar. 1744, Dennis 
Coombs. (V.), Anna, d, zt. 80, mar. —— Martin. (VI.), Ruth, d. et. 80, 
mar, Job Wright. (VII.), Elizabeth, d. xt. 80, mar. —— Martineau. (VIII), 
Sarah, d. et. 60. (IX.), Mary, d. et. 64. (X:), Abigail, d. et 18. Azms.—Az. 
on a fesse, between two fillets, or, three leopard’s heads, gu. Crest.—A demi 
Moor ppr. vested gu. rimmed round the collar with two bars or, tied round the 
waist with a ribbon ar, wreathed about the head ar. and gu. holding in his dex— 
ter hand a gem-ring of the third. 


Lz Comte, or Lz Count, or New Roonzette.—The ancestors of the Le Count’s 
were Protestants, inhabitants of La Rochelle, in France. They were of honor- 
able and noble descent, (as the name implies), and there possessed considerable 
estates. On the revocation. of the Edict of Nantes, Guillaume Le Comte fled 
from France to England, and soon after came to America. Guillaume mar. 
Marguerita ——, and had Guillaume, Peter, and Esther. Guillaume, junior, 
mar. Annette Martha ——, and left two sons, Francis and Josiah. Francis, the 
eldest, had, (1), Paul, d. in 1815, s. p. (IL), Josias, mar. Anne Riché and John 
of New York, and Thomas of ditto. (III.), John, mar. Hannah Ferris, and left, 
1, Samuel; 2, Hannah; 3, Eleanor. (IV.), Joseph, mar. Hannah Raymond, and 
had, 1, Platt; 2, Francis; 38, Joseph; 4, Elizabeth. Josiah, second son of 2d 


a Elizabeth Lee, sister of the above mentioned William, bequeathed her estate in England 
to the heirs general. 


744 APPENDIX A, 


Guillaume, mar. 1st, Susannah Solice, by whom he had 3 children, viz., Peter, 
who it seems was lost at sea; 2nd, John, who mar. Sarah Badeau; and 3rd» 
Mary, who mar. Nathaniel Lawrence. John and Sarah had offspring, 1st, Capt. 
Josiah of N. Rochelle, who mar. Phebe Morgan of Eastchester ; 2nd, Susan, died 
young; 8rd, Elizabeth, who mar. Wm. Le Count of N. Rochelle; 4th, Zipparah, 
who mar. Rodman Bertine; 5th, Mirriam, who mar. Benjamin Yates of N. York 
city; 6th, Elias, d. a young man; 7th, William, who mar, Hartwell of N. Y.; 
8th, Walter, who d.a young man; 9th, Sarah A., who mar, L. J. Coutant of East- 
chester; 10th, John, yet unmarried. Josiah, 2nd son of 2nd Guillaume, as above 
stated, mar. for his 2nd wife Mary Angevine, who lived to be 105 years old. 
They had no children. 


Lx Frvre or New Roonerie.—Peter Le Fevre, a French Protestant refugee, 
b. at Havre de Grace, fled from France to St. Domingo, W. I., and left a son 
John, b. 1753, d. 1837, who removed from St. Domingo to New Rochelle. John 
mar. Susannah Coutant, da. of Isaac; she d. 1802. Their children are, 1, Peter 
E., mar. Mary Mount; 2, Prosper, mar. Palmer: 3, Rev. John W.; 4, Benja- 
min, mar. 1st Tool, 2nd Wall; 5, Drake; 6, Harriet, mar. Deveau; 7, Julian, 
mar. Foster. 


Lent or Courtitanp.—Ryck Abrahamsen Lent, proprietor of Ryck’s Patent 
left Hercules, who d. about 1765. Hercules had, (I.), Jacob. (II.), Hendrick, 
the father of David. (III.), Abraham. (IV.), John Lent, who left John, Hur- 
cules, present proprietor of the homestead, and Lewis of ‘Cortlandtown. (V.), 
Rachel mar. James Lamb. (VI.), Catharine mar. Hendricke de Rondle. (VII.), 
Elizabeth. 


Le Rovx or New Roonerte.—The family of Le Roux was among the French 
Huguenots that fled from France to America, Charles Le Roux, anative of France, 
left Charles and others. Catharine, a da. of Charles, junior, mar. Thomas Lud- 
low, from whom the Ludlows descend. 


LisPENARD oF New Rocnette.—The Lispenard family were of French extrac- 
tion, but have been in this country from an early period. Antoine or Anthony Lis_ 
penard was born in France, and emigrated to America about the year 1681 with the 
Huguenots. He settled at New Rochelle when the town was first purchased by 
his countrymen, about the year 1691. 

The will of Antoine Lispenard of New Rochelle is dated July 5th, 1696, and 
is executed at New York. It was proved before Benjamin Fletcher, General and 
Governor-in-Chief of the Province of New York, etc., and is recorded in liber 5, 
of wills, page 161 in the Surrogates office, New York, July 29th, 1696. Hegives 
his estate to his wife, Abigail, and to his children, Anthony, Margaret, and 
Abigail. This estate was the present Davenport’s neck—New Rochelle. 

1705, Nov. 3rd, Anthony Lispenard (the son) mar. Elizabeth, daughter of Leo- 
nard de Klyn of New York, (see Valentine’s Manuel for 1862.) Anthony Lispen- 
ard, last mentioned, d. in the latter part of the year 1758 at an advanced age. 
His wife d. before him. He left 5 children, viz.: Leonard, David, Magdalena, 
Abigail, Mary, and three grand-children, daughters of his deceased son Anthony 
(see Book of New York Marriages, in Society Library). His will is dated Aug. 


APPENDIX A, 745 


16, 1755, was proved Jan. 3, 1759, and recorded in liber 21 of wills, page 171, in the 
office of the Surrogate in the City of New York. 

Leonard Lispenard, the eldest son of Anthony, removed from New Rochelle 
to the City of New York before the death of his father, as he was the Assistant 
Alderman of the North Ward from 1750 to 1755, and Alderman of the same from 
1756 to 1762. He mar. Elsie Rutgers, the daughter of Anthony Rutgers, of the 
Kalck Hoak. The residence of Mr. Rutgers was the site of the present Hospital 
grounds, where he lived for many years. Leonard Lispenard became a very 
prominent citizen of New York, and fora period of fifty years was constantly hold- 
ing offices of honor and trust. 

In 1765 he was a delegate to the first Congress of the American colonies, held 
in New York on the 7th Oct., 1765, and represented the colony of New York 
with Robert B. Livingston, Philip Livingston, John Cruger, and William Bayard. 
From 1759 to 1768 he was a representative in the colonial General Assembly of 
N. Y. He was also a member of the Provincial Convention which met in New 
York on the 20th April, 1775; and on the 23d of May, 1775, was a deputy in the 
1st Provincial Congress of New York. During this period he was one of the 
active sons of liberty. After the death of his father-in-law, Mr. Anthony Rut- 
gers, in 1746, he became the proprietor of that portion of the Rutger estate, 
afterwards known as the Lispenard Meadows, then in the outskirts of the city, 
where he built a handsome mansion and resided until his death, on the 14th of 
February, 1790. 

The following notice of his death appears in the N. Y. Journal and Weekly 
Register for Feb. 18th, 1790: ‘‘ Died on Sunday last, at his seat near this city, 
greatly lamented, Leonard Lispenard, Esq.” He was buried in his vault in the 
rear of Trinity church, New York, near the south-west corner of the presen; 
church, where there is a white marble slab bearing hisname. Leonard Lispenard 
had three children by his wife Elsie Rutgers, viz.: Anthony, Leonard, and Corne- 
lia. Cornelia Lispenard mar. Thomas Marsten, Feb. 7th, 1759. Their daughter, 
Alice Marsten, mar. Francis B. Winthrop, April 22, 1779. They had sons, H, 
R. Winthrop and F. B. Winthrop. The three streets which were cut through 
the old Lispenard Meadows in New York—Lispenard, Leonard, and Anthony 
(now Worth)—derive their names from the Lispenard family. The name is now 
believed to be extinct. 


Lockwoop, or PounpripGE.—Robert, came from England, 1630, and by wife 
Susanna had, Jonathan, b. Sep. 10, 1634; Deborah, b. Oct. 12, 1636; Joseph, 
b. Aug. 6, 1638; Daniel, b. March 25, 1640; Ephraim. b. Dec. 1, 1641; 
Gershom, b. Sep. 6, 1643; all b. in Watertown, Mass.; and John, Abigail, 
Sarah, and Mary, b. in Fairfield, Ct. Jonathan, son of Robert and Susanna, 
b. in Watertown, Mass., Sep. 10, 1634, by wife Mary had children (third 
generation), Jonathan, Robert, Gershom, Joseph, and John. Joseph, (1st), 
son of Jonathan and Mary, b. in Stamford, Ct., 1666, removed to Poundridge in 
1748, d. 1750, st. 84 years. Mar., May 19, 1698, Elizabeth Ayres, who d. 
Dec. 16, 1715. Mar., Aug. 10. 1716, Margery Webb, b. Oct. 4, 1683, d. Jan. 2, 
1736 or 1737, da. of James and Hannah (Scofield) Webb. First wife’s children 
(fourth generation), 1, Joseph (2nd), b. March 15, 1699, mar. Sarah Hoyt. 
2, Hannah, b. March 24, 1701, mar. David Dan. 3, John, b. Sep. 18, 1703, mar. 
Sarah Scofield. 4, Nathaniel, b. April 1, 1706, d. young. 5, Elizabeth, b. May 


746 APPENDIX A. 


15, 1708, mar. Job Hoyt. 6, Israel, b. June 4, 1710, mar. Susanna Smith. 
7, Mary, mar. JamesJump. 8, Reuben, b. Dec. 15,1715, mar. 1st, Sarah Cramp; 
2nd, Elizabeth Stevens. Second wife’s children; 9, Nathaniel, b. May 20, 1717, 
mar. —— Patchin. 10, Nathan, b. March 25, 1719, d. March 25, 1731. 11, James, 
b. July 15, 1722, mar. Mary Norton. Joseph (2nd), son of Joseph (1st) and 
Elizabeth Ayres, his wife, b. in Stamford, March 15, 1699, removed with his 
father to Poundridge, 1743, where he d. June 15, 1757, wt. 58 years. Mar. 
Sarah, da. of Joshua Hoyt, one of the proprietors of the Stamford Patent granted 
in 1685; his name is spelled ‘‘Hayte” in the Patent. She was b. in 1700, and 
d. 1790. Had children (fifth generation), 1, Eliakim, b, 1730, d. 1737. 2, 
Joseph (3rd), Known as Captain Lockwood, d. March 15, 1792, mar. Hannah Close. 
3, Elizabeth, mar. Nathaniel Waring. 4, Gilbert, d. in 1740, «et. about 2 or 3 
years. 5, Ebenezer, known as Major Lockwood, b. in Stamford March 31, 1737, 
d. in Poundridge July 29, 1821, mar. Hannah Smith. 6, Rachel, mar. Ebenezer 
Wood of Salem. 7, Mercy, mar. David Dan. 8, Hezekiah, d. xt. about 7 years. 
9, Prudence, mar. Elijah Weed. Joseph (8rd), known as Captain Lockwood, 
son of Joseph (2nd) and Sarah Hoyt, his wife, b. in Stamford, d. in Poundridge 
March 15, 1792, «xt. 61 years. Mar. Hannah, da. of Solomon Close of North 
Salem, N. Y. She mar. a second husband, Captain James Richards of New 
Canaan. The children of Joseph and Hannah were (sixth generation), 1, Hannah, 
mar. Captain Philo Lewis of Patterson. 2, Sarah, d. in Poundridge Sep. 7, 1838, 
in her 77th year; mar. Thaddeus Hoyt of Stamford. 3, Joseph (4th), b. Dec. 3, 
1764, d. in Poundridge Oct. 25, 1799; mar. Mary Drake. 4, Solomon, b. Aug. 
28, 1766, d. March 9, 1841; mar. Mary Ciose. 5, Prudence, d. in Poundcridge 
Dec. 28, 1850, in her 83rd year; mar. John Smith of Poundridge; he d. Dec. 14, 
B809, xt. 43. 6, Mindwell, deceased. 7, Mercy, mar. Jotham Waring. 8, Matilda, 
d. in childhood. 9, Matilda, mar. Seth S. Kellogg of New Canaan. 10, Nancy, 
mar. Henry S. Jones, and resided at Wappingers Falls, N. Y. Joseph (4th), 
son of Captain Joseph (3rd) and Hannah Close, b. in Poundridge Dec. 3, 1764, 
d. Oct. 25,1799. Their children were (seventh generation), 1, Samuel Drake, 
b. in Poundridge Aug. 2, 1789, d. in Batavia, Ill., April 23, 1874; was Judge of 
Supreme Court, Ill.; mar. Mary V. 8. Nash. 2, Jesse Close, b. in Poundridge 
Jan. 7, 1791, removed to McLeansboro, Illinois, about 1820, where he d. June 
15, 1847; mar. Elsa R. Bartholomew. 3, Rebecca Ann, b. March 25, 1792, 
d. June 5, 1827: mar. Jacob Potts of Victoria, Canada. 4, Cornelius, b. Nov., 
1793, d. Oct. 23, 1799. Solomon, son of Captain Joseph (3rd) and Hannah Close, 
b. in Poundridge Aug. 28, 1766, d. in Poundridge March 9, 1841. Mar. Mary, 
da. of Odle Close of Greenwich, Ct. She was b. April 16, 1770, d. May 6, 1848. 
Their children were (seventh generation), 1, Bethia, b. June 21, 1791, d. May 14,. 
1863; mar. Horatio Lockwood. 2, Odle, b. May 4, 1793, d. Aug. 15, 1873; mar. 
Maria, da. of Justus Barnum. 3, Leander, b. Nov. 21, 1794, d. March 22, 1795. 
4, Joseph, b. Sept. 23, 1796, d. Feb. 28, 1820; mar. Amelia D’Autremont.. 
5, Hannah, b. March 9, 1798, d. Feb. 21, 1868. 6, William, b. Sep. 14, 1800. 
7, Catharine Mary, b. Oct. 13, 1802; mar. John Silliman. 8, Sarah Elizabeth, 
b. Sept. 10, 1805; mar. Francis N. Murray. 9, Nancy, b. Nov. 4, 1807, 
d. Nov., 1807. 10, Solomon, b. Sep. 5, 1810, d. Sep. 22, 1811. Odle, son 
of Solomon and Mary (Close), b. in Poundridge May 4, 1793, d. in New York 
Aug. 15, 1873. Mar., July 11, 1820, Maria, da. of Justus Barnum of 


APPENDIX A. 747 


Danbury, Ct. She was b. July 1, 1796, and d. in New York Jan. 20, 1851. 
Their children were (eighth generation), 1, Joseph Barnum, b. in Jamaica, N. Y., 
Oct. 27, 1822; mar. Caroline Monroe Putnam. 2, Mary Jane, b. in New York 
Dec. 5, 1825, d. in Catskill, N. Y., July 24, 1873. 3, William Christmas, b. in 
New York May 14, 1830, d. in Poundridge Aug. 6, 1834. 4, Caroline, and her 
twin sister, Angeline, b. in New York Feb. 13, 1832, Joseph Barnum, son of Odle 
and Maria (Barnum), was b. in Jamaica, Long Island, Oct. 27, 1822. Mar., Dec. 3, 
1856, Caroline Monroe, da. of Tarrant and Cornelia J. (Van Nortwick) Putnam of 
New York city. She was b. Oct. 27, 1832. They reside in New York. Their 
children are (rinth generation), 1, Joseph Barnum, jr., b. June 7,1858. 2, Tarrant 
Putnam, b. Nov. 26, 1862, d. June 28, 1864. 38, Cornelia Putnam, b. July 8, 1866. 
4, Maria Louise, b. May 4, 1870. Wiiliam, son of Solomon and Mary (Close), 
b. in Poundridge Sep. 14, 1800. Removed to Bedford, 1860, where he now 
resides. Dec. 6, 1826, mar. Maria, da. of Rev. Daniel and Auna Crocker. She 
d. Dec. 14, 1843. April 29, 1847, mar. Jane, da. of Joshua and Reuhama 
Raymond. She d. Jan. 25, 1858. Jan. 2, 1860, mar. Rebecca, da. of Uriah and 
Sarah Raymond. Shed. Sep. 9, 1875. First wife’s children (eighth generation), 
1, Emily Crocker, b. in Poundridge Oct. 14, 1827, d. in Waverly, Il]., Aug. 6, 1852. 
2, William Tompkins, b. in Poundridge Feb. 2, 1830. Second wife’s children, 
3, Theodore Raymond, b. Jan. 16, 1848. 4, Electa Raymond, b. Feb. 15, 1850. 
William Tompkins, son of William and Maria (Crocker), was b. in Poundridge 
Feb. 2, 1830. Mar., Feb. 11, 1857, Mary Eliza, da. of John and Sarah Vanderbilt 
of Williamsburg, N. Y. She was b. Nov. 2, 1836. William T. is Secretary of 
Great Western Insurance Co. of New York. Resides at Tarrytown. Their 
children are (ninth generation), 1, Maria Louisa, b. in New York Nov. 9, 1857, 
d. in Tarrytown Feb. 10, 1876. , Mary Vanderbilt, b. in Brooklyn, N. Y., 
Sep. 23, 1859. 3, Emily Crocker, b. in New York Dec. 21, 1861. 4, Carrie 
Tompkins, b. in New York April 29, 1865. 5, William Tompkins, b. in Tarrytown 
April 17, 1867. 6, Nellie McCutcheon, b. in Tarrytown Dec. 29, 1868. 7, Edith 
Blanch, b. in Tarrytown Nov. 3, 1871. 8, Richard Lathers, b. in Tarrytown 
Nov. 4, 1877. Ebenezer, known through the Revolutionary War as Major 
Lockwood, son of Joseph (2nd) and Sarah (Hoyt), was b. in Stamford, Ct., 
March 31, 1737, d. in Poundridge July 29, 1821. Mar., Feb. 16, 1761, Hannah 
Smith of Stamford, who d. May 3, 1787, st. 45 years. Major Ebenezer mar. a 
second wife, Sarah Waring, widow of Doctor Wilson. She d. March 3, 1821, 
et. 67 years. All his children were by his first wife (sixth generation), 1, Betsey, 
b. April 4, 1762, d. in Poundridge Feb. 14, 1848; mar., Feb. 16, 1777, Alsop Hunt, 
whod. June 16, 1816. 2, Ruhamah, b. Jan. 22, 1765, d. Oct. 3, 1825; mar. about 
the year 1786 to Samuel Read; hed. at Woodbridge, N.J., Oct. 1834. 3, Hannah, 
b. April 8, 1768, d. Jan. 8, 1841; mar. David Osborn, who d. Feb. 17, 1834 
4, Mary, b. Nov. 21, 1769, d. about May 1, 1828; mar. Partridge Thatcher, who 
d. Sep. 8, 1845. 5, Ebenezer, b. Oct. 27. 1771, d. July 5, 1811; mar. Sarah 
Olmstead, who d. in 1845. 6, Clarissa, b. Dec. 29, 1773; mar. 1st, Solomon Cox, 
d. about the year 1808; 2nd, Jesse Richards of New Canaan, who d. Dec., 1840. 
4, Ezra, b. June 27, 1777, d. May 29, 1853; mar. Sally Weed. 8, Horatio, b. in 
Ridgefield, Ct., Sep. 6, 1779, d. in Poundridge Nov. 5, 1853; mar. Berthia, da. 
of Solomon Lockwood. 9, Lewis, b. Dec. 18, 1783, licensed us attorney-at-law 
1806, d. March 9, 1816. Ebenezer, jr., son of Major Ebenezer and Hannah 


748 APPENDIX A. 


(Smith), b. Oct. 27, 1771, d. July 5, 1811; mar. Sarah Olmsted, who d. in 1846. 
Their children were (seventh generation), 1, Ebenezer, b. May, 13,1791. 2. Eliza, 
b. May 25, 1793. 38, Ruhama, b. April 13, 1795. 4, Caroline, b. Jan. 23, 1797. 
5, Nathan Olmsted, b. Jan. 2, 1799. 6, Thomas, b. Jan. 8, 1801. 7, George, ». 
Dec. 13, 1802. 8, Amy, b. Jan. 6, 1805. 9, Sarah Ambler, b. Feb. 9, 1807. 
10, Hannah, b. July 6, 1809. 11, Clarissa, b. Dec. 4, 1811. Ezra, son of Major 
Ebenezer and Hannah (Smith), was b. June 27, 1777, d. May 29, 1853. Mar. 
Sally Weed, b. Aug. 14, 1779, d. Jan. 30, 1857. He was Member of Assembly 
in 1806, and Surrogate of Westchester County in 1811; he took the official oath 
as Judge of the Court of Common Pleas April 3, 1833, and again Feb. 17, 1840, 
having received the last appointment from Martin Van Buren, the then Governor 
of the State of New York. Their children were (seventh generation), 1, Albert, 
b. Jan. 23, 1799, d. Jan. 5, 1868. 2, Lewis, b. Sep. 5, 1804, d. Feb. 11, 18'70. 
Horatio, son of Major Ebenezer and Hannah (Smith), was b. in Ridgefield, Ct., 
Sep. 6, 1779, the year his father sought a temporary home in Ridgefield, after the 
destruction by British troops of his residence in Poundridge; d. in Poundridge 
Nov. 5, 1853. Mar. Bethia, eldest da. of his cousin Solomon Lockwood; she 
was b. June 21, 1791, and d. May 14, 1863. Horatio represented his district in 
the Assembly of the State of New York in the years 1823, ’34, ’35, ’36,’41 and’42. 
Children were (seventh generation), 1, Mary, mar. Horace Reynolds. 2, Jane, d., 
mar. Nelson Raymond. 3, Sophia, d., mar. Philo Lockwood of Cayuga Co., N. Y. 
4, Alsop Hunt, b. Sep. 17, 1814, d. Dec. 8, 1874; mar. Mary E. Reynolds. 
5, Amelia D’Autremont, mar. James Betts of Stamford, Ct. 6, Betsey, d. young. 
7, Solomon Read, d. Jan. 16, 1852. 8, Catharine, mar. LeGrand Keeler of 
Wilton, Ct. Alsop Hunt, son of Horatio and Bethia, b. in Poundridge Sep. 17, 
1814, d. in New York Dec. 8, 1874. Mar., Nov. 22, 1836, Mary E., da. of Gideon 
Reynolds of Cross River, N. Y. Alsop H. was Sheriff of Westchester County 
for the term of three years, commencing January 1, 1853; he was also Member 
of Assembly in 1864and’65. Their children are (eighth generation), 1, Joseph A., 
b. Nov. f, 1847. 2, James Betts, b. July 18, 1849. 3, Dewitt Clinton, b. July 4, 
1851. 4, Horatio, b. July 8, 1853, d. Sep. 4, 1877. James Betts, son of Alsop 
Hunt and Mary E. (Reynolds), b. in Poundridge July 18, 1849, mar., Oct. 31, 
1877, Cora H. Martin. Resides in White Plains. Counsellor-at-law, office in 
New York. One child (ninth generation), Horatio, b. Jan. 29, 1879. 


Lyon or NortH CastLe.—The first cmigrants of this family, (which claims 
to be of Scottish origin, ) settled in Massachusetts. The name of John Lyon occurs 
as early as 1648. Peter Lyon was admitted freeman in 1649. William of Roz- 
bury, member of the artillery company, was a freeman of that place, and d. A. 
D 1692. His son Joseph was b. 1654. John descended from the above, removed 
to Rye about 1719. His son John had four sons, (I.), Capt. Roger d. May 18, 
1797; mar. Mary Wilson, of Kings’ street, Rye; she died 19th May, 1813, et. 
83. Their children were, 1, Major Samucl of the Continental army, mar. Mary 
Lounsberry, and left Samuel, Esq., of North Castle, who married Rosalinda 
Fowler; the latter d. Dec. 19, 1844; 2, Roger; 3, Justus or Jesse, who left John 
of Bedford; 4, Gilbert of the Continental army had Jesse of Eastchester; 5, Dan- 
iel; 6, Joseph; 7, Glorianna mar. Andrew Sniffen; 8, Sarah mar. William Wright, 
(II). John. (III.), Samuel. (IV.), James, proprietor of Byram Point, left 1, 


ae 


APPENDIX A. 749 


Daniel; 2, David; 8, Benjamin; 4, Woolsey; 5, James. Daniel, eldest son of 
James, had Lauretta, who mar. Mr. Brock, and Lavina, who mar. John Horton. 
Of this family was Peter Lyon, Esq., of North Castle, who had, (1.), Jonathan 
of New York. (II.), James of Tarrytown, the father of William P. Lyon, 
Esq., Principal of the Irving Institute, (III.), Samuel of Michigan. (IV.), 
Edward of Seneca Falls. (V.), Peter of New York. (VI.), Ann mar. William 
Britt. (VII.), Sarah mar. Abner Higgins. (VIII.), Phoebe mar. Harrison Pal- 
mer. (IX.), Mary mar. 1, John Tucker; 2, Benjamin Watson. 


MoKeet or Yoretown.—WMichael Mc Keel, who was one of the earliest set- 
tlers of Yorktown, had sons Uriah, John and Isaac. ‘The latter left issue Jesse, 
Jacob of Peekskill, Caleb of Scipio, New York, Joshua of Hector, Tompkins 
Co., N. Y., Isaac of Yorktown, and George of ditto. 


MeEAaD oF GREENWICH AND LewisBoroucu.—John Mead emigrated from 
Greenwich, Kent Co., England, in the year 1642, and settled in the town of 
Geenwich, Fairfield, Connecticut. Of his two sons Joseph and John, the first 
d. young; the second (John) had eight sons and three da., viz: John, Joseph, 
Jonathan, Ebenezer, Benjamin, Nathaniel, David, Samuel, Susanna, Abigail 
and Mary. Jonathan, the third son of second John, left Elnathan, who had 
Elnathan; Ennice mar. J. Close and Deborah. LElnathan, son of Elnathan, had, 
(I.), Elnathan, who Jeft Elnathan and Sarah. Elnathan, great grandson of first 
Elnathan, had 1, Hibbard; 2, Solomon, the father of William, Seth, Sarah, 
Tyler, Charles, Thomas and Solomon; 8, Tyler, who left Mans, Hetty, Abel and 
Floy. (II.), Henry. (III.), Abram had 1, Abram; 2; Esbon; 3, Jotham; 4, 
Enos; 5, Daniel; 6, Lemuel; 7, Isaac; 8, Job; 9, Zebulon; 10, Mansah mar. 
Electa Mead; 11, Eunice mar., 1st, Solomon Mead; 2nd, Benjamin Weed; 12, 
Ruth mar. Major Brown. (IV.), Stephen had 1, Stephen, who left Jane and 
Betsy; 2, Israel, who had James, Alfred, Alexander, Israel, Stephen, Lemuel, 
Hiram and Mary; 3, Edward, the father of Edward; 4, James, who had John 
Wolcott; 5, Amos; 6, Matthias; 7, Albert; 8, William; 9, Mary mar. Job 
Brown; 10, Eunice mar. Mr. Platt. 

Ebenezer, fourth son of second John, left Ebenezer, Caleb; Sarah mar. Jona- 
than Hobby; Hannah mar. John Hobby; Jabez; David; Abigail-mar. Isaac 
Holmes; Susannah mar. Moses Huested; Jemima mar. Moses Knapp. 
Ebenezer, the eldest son of second Ebenezer, mar. Mary Mead, and left, (I.), 
Ebenezer, whose children were, 1, Nancy; 2, Hannah; 3, Marrilda mar. T. 
Broughton; 4, Ebenezer, who had Ebenezer the father of William, Ebenezer, 
Maria, Theodore, &c.; 5, Hannah mar. T. Walker; 6, Jabez; 7, Amy mar. 
Epenetus Lockwood. (II.), Hannah mar. Elkanah Mead, and Jeft Hannah, 
Sarah and Amos. (III.), Enoch d. Sept. 18, 1807, et., 52, mar. Jemima Mead; 
she d. April 4, 1837, xt. 82; her children were, 1, Solomon, who mar.——Gil- 
bert, and left Mary, Enoch, Gilbert, Laura and Thurza; 2, Alfred mar. Mary 
Brundage; 8, Thurza mar. Joseph Brundage; 4, Laura mar. Joel Todd; 5, 
Henry d. Dec. 10, 1811, et. 11; 6, Rufus d. Sept. 15, 1799; 7, Nancy; 8 
Sarah d. May 19, 1784. Silas of Quaker Ridge, Conn., second son of second 
Ebenezer, b. 1719, d. 1817, mar. Mary Mead; she was b. 1724, d. 1787. Their 
children were, (I.), Silas, b. 1748, d. 1813, mar. Sarah Mead, and left Sarah, 
Francis and Silas H.; the latter mar. Harriet Mead, and had Sarah, who mar. 


750 APPENEIX A. 


Silas Savage, and Silas D., who mar. Iimily L. Close. Silas D. has one da. 
Myrtilla M. (II.), Abner, b. 1750, d. 1810, s. p. (III), Aaron mar. Saraly 
Mead, da. of Eliphalct, and left Aaron of Cross River, Lewisboro’, mar. Miss 
Finch, Allen of Greenburgh mar. Mabel Todd, Amos of Cross River, Anna mar. 
Isaac Seely ; Lucinda mar. Joseph Banks; Sarah, (Mrs. Hoyt,) Mary mar. Har- 
vey Keeler. (IV.), Mary. (V.), Mary. (VI.), Calvin mar. Deborah Mead, da. 
of Jehia Mead, and had 1, Leander of Quaker Ridge mar. Anna Mead; 2, 
Luther of Ohio mar. Alice Mead, and had Marcus, Will. M., Joseph, Thos. L. 
and Anna; 8, Theresa (Mrs. Palmer;) 4, Myrtilla; 5, Lisctta mar. Obadiah 
Peck; 6, Marcus mar. Harriett Sturges, and has Will, Elizabeth and Alice; 7, 
Rufus mar. Anna Waterbury, and has Lucinda, Harriet, Stephen, Catharine and 
Sarah: 8, Mary Jane; 9, Herman mar. Margaret West; has Marcus W; 10, 
Lucinda. Rev. Abraham, third son of second Ebenezer, d. xt. 22, Jonas, 
fourth son of second Ebenezer, b. 1723, d. 1783, mar. 1, Sarah Ferris. 2, Sarah 
Howe, and left 1, Solomon. (II.), Edmund, father of Solomon. (III.), Noah. 
_ (IV.), Mark, who had 1, Jonas mar. Abigail Mcad, and left Isaac and Emeline; 
2, Sylvester. (V.), Jonas had 1, Charles mar. Rachel Sackett, and left Sarah A. 
and Whitman S; 2, Hannah mar. Benj. Mcad; 3, Mark; 4, Milo; 5, Sarah; 6, 
Sarah. Rey. Solomon, fifth son of second Ebenezer, removed from Greenwich 
to North Salem; first pastor of the Presbyterian Church in the latter place, A. 
D. 1752, d. Sept. 1812, mar. 1, Hannah Strong; 2, Hannah Clark, and left 1, 
Andrew, who mar. Miss Barton, and had Thomas, Benjamin, Strong, Alice, 
Lucy, Hannah and Maria; 2, Theodosia, (Mrs. Smith ;) 3, Clark of Lewisboro’ 
mar. —— Gilbert and left Martin, Richard, Rufus, Sophia, Laura, Rhoda and 
Linus; 4, Martin of Lewisboro’. 


Deliverance, sixth son of second Ebenezer, d. «xt. 57, mar. Abigail Howe 
and had 1, Elizabeth, b. 1760, d. 1823, mar. Job Lyon; 2, Sarah, b. 1761, 
d. 1812, mar. Silas Mead; 3, Rachel, b. 1673, d. 1831, mar. Whitman Mead; 
4, Hannah, b. 1765, mar. Joshua Mead, and left Solomon; 5, Jabez; 6, 
Robert, b. 1768, d. 1836, mar. Prudence Mead, left Edward; 7, Mary; 8, 
Huldah, mar. Zophar Mead; 9, Ephraim, b. 1775, mar. Zuba Mead, and had 
Mary, mar. W. Merritt; Huldah, mar. D. 8. Mead; Thurza, Mithea, Jane, Isaac 
D., Elizabeth, and Ophelia; 10, Jabez, b. 1777, d. 1839, mar. Sarah Krapp, 
and left Julia, Belden, Mary E., and Will. K.; 11, Zenas, b. 1779, mar. Maria 
Leshlers, and had Abigail, mar, Jonas Mead. Lucretia, Deborah, Henry, Julia, 
Eliza and Lyman, Amos, seventh son of second Ebenezer, mar. Ruth Bush, she 
d. «xt. 77; they had, 1, Richard, mar. 1st, Sarah Mead; 2nd, Rachel Mead; he 
left Thomas, who mar. H. Seaman, and had Louisa, Thomas R , Seaman, Abi- 
gail R., and Elizabeth. The sisters of Thomas are Sophia, Elizabeth, mar. —— 
Webb, and Sarah, mar. —— Brush; 2, Thomas. Hannah, first da. of second 
Ebenezer, d. wt. 22. Hdmund, eighth son of second Ebenezer, d. xt. 23. Jabez, 
niath son of ditto, d. et. 30. Jared, tenth son of ditto, mar. Lydia Smith, and 
had 1, Letta, mar. Ebenezer Mead; 2, Daniel, mar. Rachel Mead, and left 
Smith, Jared, Letta, L. Delia, Elizabeth, Adeline, Edwin, and 8S. Mervin; 3, 
Lydia, mar. —— Lockwood; 4, Alma; 5, Hannah, mar. Jonas Mead; 6, Jared, 
mar. Anna Armstrong, and had Amzi Armstrong’; 7, Alvin, mar. Eliza Peck, and 
left Ralph P., Warren B., Cornelia G., Melanchton W., and Elvan C. Abraham, 


APPENDIX A. 751 


eleventh son of the second Ebnezer, d. xt. 85, mar. Keziah Howe, and had, 1, 
Deborah; 2, Zophor, who mar. Huldah Mead, and left Abram, Amelia, Louisa, 
Oliver, Esther, Sarah, and Mary E.; 3, Isaac, mar. Clarinda Mead, and had Au- 
gustus; 4, Oliver; 5, Esther; 6, Lucy; 7, Lucy; 8, Lucy. Caleb, second son 
of first Ebenezer, the fourth son of second John, mar. and left, (I.), Elkanah, 
who had, 1, Sarah, mar. D. Huested; 2, Hannah, mar. B. Smith; 8, Amos, 
who left Elkanah, Stephen Waring, Catharine, Sarah, mar. B. Smith, Belcher, 
and Mary. (II.), Jonah, mar. Ist, Mary Mead; 2d, Rachel Huested; 3d, Han- 
nah Mead. (III.), Abel, left Zadok, Benjamin, Phebe, Lucy and Fanny. (IY.), 
Jemima. (V.), Deborah, mar. Jehiel Mead, and had 1. Deborah; 2, Jehiel, 
who left Lewis, Harriet, William, William, Mary, Mary Ann and Hanford. 
(VI.), Stephen. (VII ), Zadok. (VIII.), Rebecca. (IX.), Hannah. (X.) Mary, 
mar. Jabez Peck. (XI.), Caleb, had Rachel, Anne, Huldah, Hannah, Elizabeth, 
Caleb, Jemima, and Rebecca. 

Benjamin, fifth son of second John, left a son Benjamin, who had, (I.), Ben- 
jamin, whose children were, 1. Mary; 2, Anna, mar. Ist, David Mead; 2nd, 
James Bailey; 3, Theodosia, mar. Edmund Mead; 4, Obadiah, engaged to 
Charity Mead, killed during the Revolution; 5, Phoebe, mar. Jehiel Mead. (IL.). 
Thaddeus, who left 1, Edward Mead of Somers, mar. Miss Finch, and had Squire 
Mead, John, Elizabeth, mar. Henry Lade, Anne, mar. James Banks, Clarissa, 
mar. Mead Sutherland, Sarah, mar. David Horton, and Hannah; 2, Ebenezer, 
mar. Abigail Chapman, and had Harvey, mar. Amy Brown, Whitman, Solomon, 
mar. Nancy Ferris, and Edward; 8, Amaziah, mar. Miss Jessup, and had Wil- 
liam and others; 4, Benjamin, left Solomon; 5, Sarah, mar. Stephen Suther- 
land; 6, Mary, mar. Noah Lyon; 7, Martha, mar. Andrew Quick; 8, Tamar, 
mar. Benjamin Jessup. (III.,) Sylvanus, who had 1, Whitman, mar. Rachel 
Mead, and left Mary, who mar, John Sackett, Zophor, mar. Martha Seaman, and 
left Araminta, Mary E, and Amelia. Whitman, mar. Grace Cornell, and had 
Grace and Henrietta; 2, Platt, mar. Deborah Peck, and had Sackett, Sylvanus, 
Sarah, mar. John Robbins, Hannah, mar. Daniel Peck, Gideon, Nathan, and 
Harriet, mar. Bradley Redfield; 3, Gideon, mar. Mary Miller, and left Under- 
hill, Mary, and Maria; 4, Asel, mar. Anne Mead, and had Martin, the father of 
Alva, Amaziah, John, and Asel; Henry, the father of William H., and David ; 
Levi, who has Joseph; Mary, mar. —— Bailey, and Hannah. (IV.), Gideon; 
left Gideon. (V.), Edward (VI.), William, who had, 1, William; 2, Abigail, 
3, Anna, (VII,), Benjamin, left, 1, Margaret, mar. Hon. Nathan Rockwell; 
2, Elizabeth, mar. J. Brown of Somers}; 3, Sarah, mar. Joshua Peck ; 4, Mary, 
mar. Sylvanus Ferris; 5, Rachel, mar. Caleb Lyon, jr. (VIII.), Sarah. (IX.), 
Elizabeth, mar, Theophilus Peck. (X.), Keziah, mar. Isaac Howe, b. Feb. 1707, 
d. 1808; (XI.) Eliphalet, b. 1708, d. 1796, mar. and left, 1, Eliphalet, 1738, d. 
1808, mar. Anne , and had Darius, mar. Hannah Peck, and Anne 
Darius left Anne, mar. Leander Mead; Adla, mar. Obadiah Mead; Huildah, 
Alwah, mar. Jane Arundel, and had Samuel E., Hannah E., Samuel E., Leander, 
Hannah E., and Mary E.; Adeléa, is the youngest da. of Darius; 2, Jehiel, mar. 
Deborah Mead; 3, Jesse, mar. Rachel Knapp, and left a Jesse who mar N. 
Compton, and had William, Elizabeth and George; 6, Elizabeth, mar. Daniel 
Van Vard; c, Rachel, mar. Richard Dyckman; d, Rebecca; e, Dimions, mar. 
Richard Loyd; 4, Abigaii, b. 1717, d. 1796; 5, Libeus, mar. 1st, Hannah Bene- 


752 APPENDIX A. 


dict, and 2nd, Widow Pocock, and has Eri, Martin, Jared, Hannah, Abby, Cla- 
rissa, Eliphalet, Sarah, and Sibah; 6, Eli, mar. Deborah Brush, and had Polly, 
Obadiah, Orson, Hannah, and Cynthia; 7, Sarah, mar. Aaron Mead; 8, Nancy, 
mar. Ebenezer Mead; 9, Rachel, mar. Benjamin Knapp. (XII.) by second wife, 
Benjamin had Rachel. (XIII.), Obadiah bad Pheebe and Mary. (XIV.), Zebe- 
diah left Henry, b. 1754, Hannah, b. 1755, Lydia, b. 1757. and Levi, b. 1761. 
(XV.), Nehemiah left, 1, Lucy, mar. Isaac Howe; 2. Sarah, mar. Richard 
Mead; 3, Rachel, mar. Charles Weed; 4, Nehemiah, mar. Miss Richards, and 
left Samuel, William H., James, Sarah, Laura, and Caroline; 5, Clarinda, mar. 
Isaac Mead, and left Augustus; 6, Bethiel, mar. Stephen Davis. 

Nathaniel, sixth son of 2d John, had (1.), Gen’] John, who left John, the father 
of Seth, Walter, Hipsibeth, mar. J. Simmons, and Alice, mar. Peter Mead. 
(II.), Capt. Matthew had, 1, Matthew, who left Matthew, Clemence, mar. R. 
Rich, Hannah, mar. H. Merritt, Justus, mar. Nancy Hanford, and had Joseph, 
Justus, Matthew, Andrew J., Eliphalet, and three others ; Mary, Thomas, Amos, 
William, mar. E. Lawrence, and had Jane E., &c.; Hobdy, is the youngest son cf 


Matthew; 2, Justus had Susan, mar. —— Eldridge, Bush, Walter, James, Joseph, 
Rebecca, mar. ——- Marshall, Anne, mar. —— Craft, and William ; 3, Bush had 
Sophia, mar. —— Russell, Pothena, mar. —— Holmes, &c. (III.), Nathaniel 


left 1, Jaspar, the father of Bush; 2, Nathaniel ; 3, William, mar, and left John, 
Gilbert, Nathaniel, William, Charity, Hannah, and Mary; 4, Charity; 5, Rachel, 
6, Betsy;.7, Anna. Nathaniel Mead, mar. Prudence Wood, and had, (I.), Epe- 
netus. (II.), Nathaniel, mar. Miss Brown, and left Nehemiah, Nathanel, Wil- 
liam, Tyler, Epenetus, Walter and Harvey, &c. (III.), Joshua. (IV.), David, 
mar. Anna Mead. (V.), Israel. (VI.), Halsey. (VII.), Jonathan, mar. —— ~ 
Lyon. (VIII.), Hannah, mar. —— Wheeler. (IX.), Dimny, mar. Thaddeus 
Huestead. (X.), Theodosia, mar. Benjamin Close. (XI.), Robert. (XII), 
Daniel 8. (XIII.), Isaac. 

Samuel, seventh son of second John, left (I.), Peter, who had, 1, Peter, who 
had Mary, Peter, Deborah, Cyrus, Luckur, Anna, and Sandford. Luckur mar. 
Sarah Fletcher, and has Benjamin and Robert; 2, Zacheus has Histe, who mar. 
Job Mead, and had Zaehcus, Amanda, Abraham, Emeline, and Eliza. Hannah, 
youngest da. of Zachcus, mar. Mark Mead. (II.), Zacheus. (III.), Samuel, left 
1, Charlotte; 2, Henry; 3, Artemas; 4, Bythemy ; 5, Priscilla; 6, Lavinia; ‘7, 
Martha. Arms, sa. a chev. betw. three pelicans or, vulned gu. 


Morts, or MamMaronecK.—Adam Mott, b. about 1596, came from Cambridge, 
England, to Boston in 1635 with his wife, Sarah, and children, John, Adam, 
Joseph, Elizabeth, Nathaniel, and Mary. His son, Adam, settled at Hempstead, 
L. L., about 1656, and by his first wife, Phebe, had Adam, James, Grace, John, 
Joseph, Gershom, and Henry; and by his second wife, Elizabeth, da. of John 
Richbell of Mamaroneck, had Richbell, Charles, William (b. in 1674, ancestor of 
Dr. Valentine Mott of N. Y.), Adam, the younger (and, as his oldest son Adam 
was still living, this made two sons of the same name in the same family at the 
same time), Mary Anne, and Elizabeth. 

James, the second son of Adam Mott of Hempstead, came to Mamaroneck, and 
about 1670 mar. Mary, da. of John Richbell, patentee of Mamaroneck, by whom 
she had James, Mary, and Richbell. This Richbell Mott, son of James, had by 


APPENDIX A. 753 


his wife, Elizabeth, two sons and six das., viz.: 1, Edmond of Cow Neck, who 
had Richbell, Edmond, John, and Margaret ; 2, Richard, who mar. Sarah Pear- 
sall, and d. in 1743, leaving only James, b. 1741. The six das. were, 1, Elizabeth; 
2, Mary ; 3, Ann, who severally mar. Adam Mott of Staten Island, Joseph Mott 
of Cow Neck, and Jonathan Townsend of Oyster Bay; 4, Jamima, who mar. 
Stephen Wood; 5, Kedzie, who mar. —— Jackson; 6, Deborah. 

James, b. 1741, son of the above Richard Mott and Sarah Pearsall, mar. in 
1764 Mary, da. of Samuel and Ann Underhill of Mamaroneck, and had Richard, 
b. 1766, Ann, b. 1768, Robert, 1771, and Samuel, 1773. About 1775 James Mott 
settled on the Farm and Mill property in Mamaroneck, opposite New Rochelle, 
and long known as Mott’s Neck, but afterwards as Premium Point. His house 
(now owned and occupied by Mr. Prior), near the upper end of the present Mill 
Pond, was adjacent to the mill then standing on the creek, which he owned and 
operated during the Revolution and long afterwards. In 1802 he and his sons 
built the present dam about half a mile lower down the bay and the large mill, 
with ten and afterwards twelve runs of stones, and supposed at that time to be 
superior to any mill in the country, and named it Premium Mill, and operated it 
till about 1815. This mill is still (1879) standing, in a somewhat dilapidated con- 
dition. 

Richard, eldest son of James Mott of Mamaroneck, b. 1766, retired from 
Premium Mill about 1808; and afterwards built a cotton mill on property he 
called Hickory Grove, between Mamaroneck and New Rochelle, and spun spool 
cotton, etc., till about 1835. He was an eminent Minister of the Society of 
Friends, and travelled much. He had mar. Abigil Field, and of several children 
but one son, Robert, left issue, Richard F. of Burlington, N. J. 

Anne, da. of James Mott, mar. Adam Mott, descended from Adam the younger, 
above named, son of Adam Mott of Hempstead, and had, 1, Jatues of Phila., b. 
1788, mar. Lucretia Coffin, celebrated as a Minister of the Society of Friends; 
2, Sarah, b. 1791, mar. Silas Cornell of Scarsdale; 3, Mary, b. 1793, mar. Robert 
Hicks of New York; 4, Abigal, mar. Lindley M. Moore; and 5, Richard, b. 
1804, mar. Elizabeth Smith; and was Mayor of Toledo, O, 1845-6, and a mem- 
ber of Congress from there in 1855-9. 

Robert, second son of James, mar. Lydia P. Stausbury and died in 1804, leav- 
ing several children. 

Samuel, yonngest son of James, mar. Elizabeth Barnard, and had, Barnard, 
1795; Abis, 1797; Andrew U., 1799; Charles, 1801; Elizabeth, 1870; Matilda, 
1809. 


Parmer oF Mamaroneck.—William Palmer of Westchester, d. about 1670, 
left Joseph, Benjamin, Samuel, proprietor of Mangopson Neck, Mamaroneck, 
Obadiah, and Thomas. Samuel of Mangopson Neck had issue, (I.), Obadiah, d. 
1748, mar, Anne and left, 1, William; 2, Samuel; 3, Benjamin; 4, David; 5, 
Obadiah; 6, Caleb; 7, Ester, mar. Angevine; 8, Mary Anne. (II.), Nehe- 
miah, d. 1760, had one son and ada.. Mary. The son of Nehemiah left Harrison, 
Drake, Aaron, Nathan, Benjamin, Nehemiah, and Elihu. (III.), Sylvanus of 
Mamaroneck, d. 1741, mar. Mary, and had, 1, Robert, mar. Mary ; 2, Sylva- 
nus; 3, John, mar. Rebecca, and left Joseph, Philip, Marcus, Lewis, Benjamin, 
Thomas, Esther, and Martha; 4, Marmaduke; 5, Edward; 6, Anne; 7, Susannah; 
8, Charity ; 9, Mary. (IV.), Solomon. 


754 APPENDIX A. 


Harrison Palmer of Westchester county, son of ——, b. Dec. 12, 1751, d. May 
11, 1814, mar. 1st, ——, and had children, 1, Charlotte, who mar. John Coffin 
of New York; 2, Elizabeth, who mar. Robert Tallerton of New York. Mar. 
2nd, March 15, 1788, Phoebe Lyon, da. of Peter of North Castle, b. Dee. 25, 1762, 
d. Jan. 12, 1849, and had children, 1, Richard, b. May 5, 1790, a. , mar. 
Eliza White, d. 1859, sine prole. He wasadry goods merchant in N. Y. city 
with his brother Harrison; 2, Harrison, b. March 12, 1793, d. Sept. 10, 1852, 
mar. Ann ——,, and had children, Richard, Harrison, and Phebe Ann; 3, Fred- 
erick, b. June 12, 1794, d. Sept. 27, 1796; 4, Hannah Field, b. Dec. 31, 1800, 
d. August 11, 1863, mar. May 12, 1825, Charles Bluff, son of Christopher of 
Maryland, and had children, Phoebe Ann, Richard Palmer, Charles, Harrison, 
Pheebe Palmer, and James Berry. (The Palmers were Quakers). 


Post oF YONKERS.— Post, anative of Holland, emigrated to the New Neth- 
erlands. He had two sons, Jacob and Tine. Jacob held lands in Philipsburgh 
under the Philipses. He mar, Anne Heddy, and left six sons and three das. (I.), 
Jacob, proprietor of the homestead, Yonkers, mar. Rachel Pickney. She was b. 
March 22, 1732. They had 1 Lewis, b. 15 October, 1756, mar. Abigail Oakley ; 
2, Israel, b. May 15, 1758, mar. Nancy Rich; 8, David, b. March 28, 1760, d. 
October 16, 1803, mar. Margaret Fowler; 4, Frederick, b. November 16, 1762, 
mar. Elizabeth Lawrence; 5, James, b. September, 10, 1766, mar. Rebecca 
Ferris; 6, Phoebe, b. October 20, 1764, mar. William Warner; 7, Elizabeth, b. 
August 12, 1768, mar. Moses Warner; 8, Euphemia, b. May 7, 1772, mar Aaron 
Warner; 9, Mary, b. June 11, 1774, mar. Abraham Berrian; 10, Getty, d. June 
11, 1780. (II.), Abraham, mar. Rebecca Merrill, and had, 1, David of Balti- 
more; 2, Jacob of Rockland, mar. Peggy Graham; 3, Abraham of Haverstraw, 
mar. Widow Gesner ; 4, Clinton of Rockland, mar, Mary Briggs; 5, Grace, mar. 
Daniel Gesner; 6, Elizabeth, mar. Abraham Scudder; 7, Rachel, mar. Isaac 
Fredeker; 8, Peggy, mar. —— Hibbert. (III.), Isaac, proprietor of the Ludlow 
estate, Yonkers, ma. Polly Lawrence, and had, 1, Samuel, mar. Polly Post; 2, 
Lawrence, mar. Elizabeth Post; 3, William; 4, Betsy, mar. Timothy Briggs; 
5, Mary; 6, Peggy, mar. Hibbert. (IV.), Martin, a guide to General 
Washington, mar. Polly Brown, and left 1, Evert, d. s. p.; 2, Martin, mar. Polly 
Brown; 3, Jacob, mar. Mary Lent; 4, Peter, mar. Betsy Anderson; 5, Peggy, 
mar. Jacob Dyckman; 6, Polly, mar. William Dyckman; (V.), Peter, mar. 
Dolly Warner, and left, 1, Jacob, mar. Ann Storms; 2, William, mar. Polly 
Williams; 3, Harriet, mar. John Bowman; 4, Maria, mar. John Whipple; 5, 
Nelly, mar. Stephen Smith; 6, Peggy, mar. Jacob Storms; 7, Elizabeth, mar. 
Lawrence Post; 8, Susan, mar, Theodosius Rockwell. (VI.), Anthony of New 
York, mar. Nelly Brower, and had, 1, Anthony, mar. Elizabeth Polhamus; 2, 
Nelly, mar. Odell Valentine; 3, Betsy, mar. Robert Manly, M. D; 4, Ann, mar. 
William Bailey; besides four other daughters who d.s. p. (VII.), Elizabeth, 
mar. Thomas Gregier. (VIII), Margaret, mar. John Gregier, M. D. (IX.) 
Annetje, mar. Elnathan Taylor. 


Purpy or Rre.—The Purdy family were among the early settlers of Fair- 
field Connecticut. Francis Purdy, the first member of the family of whom we 
have any account, died in 1658, at Fairfield. His sons were Francis, John and 
Samuel. John the second left Francis, who had two sons, Joseph and John. 


APPENDIX A. wi 


Joseph the eldest, one of the first proprietors of the White Plains and Lame 
Will’s Purchases, d. about 1709, mar. Elizabeth —— to whom her husband con- 
veyed his rights in the White Plains Purchase. They had, (1.), Joseph, who 
left Obadiah, living in 1734, the father of Caleb, 1746. (II.), Daniel the father 
of Solomon and Benjamin. (III.), Samuel left the Hon. Samuel, a judge of the 
Court of Common Pleas, who had Samuel and Caleb. (IV.), David who had 
David and Nathan of Ulster County, N. Y. (V.), Jonathan of White Plains, 
mar. Mary Hart. He had 1, Hiijah, mar. Lavina Hoyt, and left Samuel, David, 
John, Israel, Elijah, Mary, mar. John Purdy; Abby, mar. Jonathan Purdy; 
Fridy mar. John Haviland; Levinia, mar. Isenhart Purdy, Hester and Melissa 
who mar. Thomas Halstead ; 2, Jonathan of White Plains, mar. Charity Had- 
den and had a, Jonathan, killed by the fall of a tree, et. 18; 0, Benjamin of 
Purchase, mar. Elizabeth Purdy, da. of Samuel, and left Jonathan, d., Sylvanus 
of Eastchester, Jonathan, Samuel, d., and Benjamin, &c; ¢, Timothy, mar. 1st, 
Amy Hobbs; 2d, Mary Hunt; and had Augustus, Jonathan, Amy mar. John 
. Stapley, Deliah mar. David Burgess, Charity mar. Fisher and Eliza, mar. 
Thomas Dick; d, Job mar. —— Gedney; e, Nebe, mar. Amos Purdy, and left 
Moses, Emery, Susan, Charlotte and Margaret; 7, Glorianna, mar. Henry Budd; 
g, Sarah, d.s. p; h, Elizabeth, d.s.p; ¢, Charity; Joseph, mar. Charity Isen- 
hart, and left Jonathan, Joseph, Henry, Wermoth, Michael. a da. De Lan- 
cey, and Charity mar. Purdy; 4, Hlizabeth, mar. —— Williams. (VI.), 
John mar. Rebecca. (VII.), Francis heir to his father’s lands on Budd’s Neck, 
who left Daniel. John, the youngest son of second Francis, left a son Daniel 
and others. 

Samuel, youngest son of first Francis, mar. Penelope Strang la. of Daniel 
Strang, and Charlotte his wife, and left issue three sons. First, Henry. Second 
Josiah, mar. Wetmore, da. of Rev. James, and had 1, Seth, proprietor of 
the homestead at Rye, mar. Phebe Ketchum of L. I., and left Joshua, Seth, 
Josiah, Keziah, Alathea, Elizabeth, Charity, Melinda, and Phebe; 2, Alathea, 
mar, Ist, Joseph Purdy; 2ud, William Purdy; 3, Esther, mar. Henry Purdy of 
King street; 4, Hannah mar. Josiah Merritt. Zhird, Caleb, mar. Hannah 
Brown, da. of Samuel and had, (I.), Caleb, mar. Ruth Peck, and left 1, Caleb; 
2, Elias; 8, Ruth; 4, Sarah. (II.), Samuel mar. Glorianna Fowler, and had 1, 
Gabriel; 2, Samuel; 8, Phoebe; 4, Elizabeth; 5, Glorianna; 6, Hannah. (iII.), 
Josiah, mar. U. Knapp, and left 1, Josiah ; 2, Joshua, who is presumed to have 
had two sons, Hachaliah, who left four sons, viz., Daniel, Hachaliah, John and 
Elijah. Daniel, the eldest, had William of Salem and Daniel; Hachaliah had 
Elijah of Somers; Elijah mar. Park and had issue. Joshua of Rye mar, 
Mary Park, by whom he had, first, Joseph, who mar. Letitia Guion and had 
three sons, viz., Isaac of North Salem, mar. Miss Hart, they left Isaac Hart of 
North Salem, Sally Ann, mar. Lewis Brown, Rosanna, mar. Gerard Crane, 
Clarissa, mar. Perry, M. D.; Lydia, mar. Mr. Howe; Mary, mar. Rev. D. 
H. Short; Jane, mar. Floyd Keeler, Christina and Letitia. Thomas of Rye, 
second son of Joseph and Leetitia, mar. Purdy ; and left Edward, Henry, 
James, Elizabeth, Cornelia and Emeline. Hon. Joshua of North Salem, third 
son of Joseph, is still living at North Salem. Second, Joshua, mar. Sarah Grif- 
fin, and had Benjamin of Rye, mar. ——, da. of Jonathan Purdy, and left 
Edward of Rye, William, Hetty, Mary, Julia, Ann, Harriet, and Adeline. The 


756 APPENDIX A. 


das. of Joshua and Sarah were Elizabeth, Deborah, Mary, Sarah, Esther, and 
Harriet. Third, Roger of Rye. Fourth, Isaac of Rye. (IV.), Andrew, the 
fourth son of Caleb and Hannah Brown, mar. Phceebe Merritt. and had Robert of 
Eastchester, Andrew of Eastchester, John Merritt, Phoebe, and Havelindah. 
(V.), Nehemiah, mar. Elizabeth Burchum, and left Thomas, Nehemiah, 
Caleb, Hannah, Anna, Elizabeth, and Deborah. (VI), Sylvanus. (VII.), 
Elias, mar. Rachel Merritt, a1d had Elias, John Merritt, William Henry, Caleb, 
Sarah, and Ophelia. (VIII.), Caroline. (IX.), Hannah. (X.), Levinia. (XL), 
Anna. 

Abraham Purdy, of Yorktown, a descendant of first Joseph of White Plains, 
b. 10 Oct. 1716, d. April 17, 1778, mar. Phoebe Strang, she was b. Feb. 7, 1732, 
d. Oct. 27, 1759; their children were, (I.), Abraham, b. April 9, 1759, d. Aug. 
1769, s. p. (II.), Alvan, b. Jan’y 11, 1757, d. July 16, 1830, mar. Lydia Hunt, 
she d. Jan’y 27, 1842, wt. 83, and left issue; 1, Abraham, of Gosher, Orange 
Co., mar. Charity Strang and had William, Alvan and Howell; 2, Alsop, d. s. p; 
3, James, Post-master of Yorktown ; 4, David, d. s. p; 5, Alvan of Yorktown; 
6, Elizabeth Ann, mar. J. H. Strang. (II.), Frances, b. July 23, 1753, mar: 
Col. John Drake. (IV.), Ebenezer, b. Dec. 6, 1754, mar. Hon. Ebenezer Foot 
of Délaware. Arms. Or, on a chevron az. between three mullets sa. pierced 
of the field. 


Raymonp, oF NorwaLk.—He drew a lot in that town Dec. 4, 1668, No. 21. 
John Raymond, Jr., of Norwalk, b. 1671, mar. Mar. 7, 1690, Elizabeth, da. of 
Samuel St. John, and had i, John Raymond, b. May 19, 1693; 2, Mary b. Mar, 
5, 1694; 3, Elizabeth, b. Aug. 22, 1697; 4, Hannah, b. July 22, 1700; 5, Sam- 
uel, b. Jan. 7, 1702; 6, Jabez, Apr. 1, 1705; 7, Asael Raymond, b. Sept, 22, 
1707; 8, Sarah, b. Nov. 12, 1711; 9, Elijah, b. Nov. 7, 1709; 10, Zuriel, b. 
Dec. 3, 1715: 7, Asael, son of John, removed to Mamaroneck, Westchester Co., 
N. Y., mar. —— and had 1, Sands, b. 1769, at Mamaroneck, removed to South 
Salem. Twice taken prisoner during Revolution; 2, Asa, twin-brother of Sands, 
b. 1769; removed to South Salem, assisted in raising old Court House at White 
Plains, d. near Albany, Oct. 15, 1859; buried in cemetery north of Albany, and 
mar. Sally Northrup, b. 1780, d. Nov. 16, 1853; buried with her husband; 38, 
Absalom, removed to North Salem. 


Rerps of Loch Hannoch, of the Clan Chattan, settled in Craigonhill, Ayrshire, 
1844. Robert Reid, of Ayrshire, nat. Dec. 7, 1705, ob. Nov. 27, 1757, and 
mar., 1735, (1st), Barbara Skiming, ob. 1742, and (2nd), Janet King, in 1743» 
and had by the first wife, 1, Thomas; 2, Jane; 3, William. (I.), Thomas, a 
rich banker of Glasgow, mar. , and had, 1, Robert, nat. Oct. 10, 1789; 
2, Barbara, nat. March 10,1778. (II.), Jean, mar. Robert Spear. (III.), William, 
mar. Ist, Isabella Shaw; 2nd, Isabella Smith. 1743, Janet King, aunt of Daniel 
King of New York, and had, 1, Sarah; 2, John; 3, James; 4, David. (L.), 
Sarah, da. of Robert’s second wife, mar. Alex. Wilson. (II.', John, son of Rob- 
ert’s second wife, nat. Jan. 23, 1752, at Dalmellington, Ayrshire; settled at East- 
chester and bought land of John Bartow; mar. Mary Bartow, and had, 1, Char- 
ity, b. 1783, d. April 13, 1860; 2, Thomas, b. 1784, d. Oct., 1808; 3, Janet, b. 1786, 
d. July 18, 1854; 4, Helena, b. 1786, d. Dec. 18, 1861; 5, Phoebe, b. 1789; 6, 
John, b. 1790, d. Sept. 25, 1808; 7, Mary, b. 1791, d. Nov. 8, 1865; 8, Robert, b. 


APPENDIX A. 757 


1793, d. June 2, 1856. (III.), James, son of Robert’s second wife, mar. Janet 
Jenison, and had, 1, Isabella: 2, James; 3, Robert. (IV.), David, son of Rob- 
ert’s second wife, of Ancaster, mar. Mary: Stevenson, and had, 1, Robert; 2, 
Jane; 3, Janet; 4, James; 5, Margaret; 6, William; 7, David. All these 
never married ; resided down ‘‘ Mill Lane” all their life ; property in the family 
nearly a century. 


RENawD, oF NEw RocHette.—The ancestors of the Renauds were Protestants, 
inhabitants of Rochelle, France. On the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, 
Daniel Renaud, or Rayneau, fled from France to England, and soon after came 
to America. He left a son, John, who left Stephen, who left John, b. 1743, d. 
1837 ; mar. Mary Secor, left 1, Mary ; 2, James; 3, Andrew; 4, Stephen; 5, John; 
Susannah, mar. Jas. Secor; and Jane, mar. Benjamin Secor. (I.), James mar. 
Jane Renaud, left 1, Clara; 2, Clark; 3, Annanias; 4, Eliza; 5, Sarah; 6, Mar- 
garet ; 7, Deborah; 8, Maria; and 9, Frederick §. (II.), Andrew left 1, Simeon, 

2, Golsbury ; 3, Wilham H.; 4, Eliza; 5, Louisa; 6, Matson 8. ; and 7, ae 
(IIL), Stephen mar. ist, Sacall Travis, and left Sarah; mar. ond, Martha Purdy- 
left 1, Allen; 2,Mary; and 3, Eliza Jane. (IV.), John mar. Betsey Coles, left 
Mary, and Fanny, mar. Andrew A. Dean. 


Requa, oF GREENBURGH.—The Requas of Westchester County all descended 
from Daniel Requa, who was an emigrant from La Rochelle, France. Daniel 
came to New Rochelle, and afterwards moved over and purchased a farm on the 
Hudson, about a mile and a half south of Tarrytown, where some of his 
descendants yet live. He left four sons, 1, Gloade or Glode; 2, John; 3, David, 
and 4, James. (I.), Gloade, the eldest, left six sons, 1, Isaac, b June 3, 1758, mar. 
Henrietta ——: 2, Gabriel; 3, Samuel; 4, Daniel; 5, James; 6, James. (IL), 
John, d.s. p. (III.), James, the youngest son of first Daniel, had, 1, Gabriel; 
2, Joseph; 3, Daniel: 4. John; 5, James; 6, Gloade; 7, William; 8, Elijah; 
9, Isaac, b. Jan. 31, 1779; 10, Gilbert. 

~ 

RINELANDER, OF New Roonerre.—Philip Jacob Rhinelander, the founder 
of the family, came from the Rhine, France, to America, soon after the Revo- 
cation of the Edict of Nantes. He had three sons andada. (I.), Philip Jacob. 
(II.), Bernard, who left, 1, William, b. 1745, mar. Hester Devaux, and had a da. 
Mary Magdalen; 2, Jacob, b. Oct. 27, 1740, d. s. p. Philip, mar. Deborah 
Allen, and left Deborah, who mar. Isaac Underhill. (III.), William, had, 
1, William C. of New York; 2, John of Long Island; 2, a da. mar. William 
Paulding. (IV.), a da. mar. Mr. Schureman. 


Ricasgett—John Richbell was of South Hampton, England. His son John 
came to America and had land in Delaware, then in Oyster Bay, L. L., and in 
1660 became the first proprietor of Mamaroneck. He d. 1684; his wife Ann d. 
1700. They had three da., (I.), Elizabeth, who became the second wife of Adam 
Mott of Hamstead by whom he had 1, Richard; 2, Charles; 3, William, ancester 
of Dr. Valentine Mott of New York; 4, Adam; 5, Mary Ann; and 6,Elizabeth; 
(II.), Mary, mar. Capt. James Mott; (III), Ann, mar. John Emerson of Talbot 
“Co. Maryland. 


758 APPENDIX A. 


RopMAN, oF RopMan’s Necx.—Samuel Rodman, mar. Mary Pell, and left, (I. ), 
Joseph, proprietor of Morse’s Island, New Rochelle. (II.), William, heir to his: 
father’s lands on Rodman’s Neck, mar. Leah Myers, and had Mary, who mar. 
Nicholas Haight. (III.), Samuel, mar. Anne Hicks of Hart Island, Pelham, 
and left 1, Samuel; 2 Capt. Charles Rodman of Eastchester; 8, Deborah, mar. 
John Bertine. (IV.), Elizabeth, mar. Philip Riché. 


Romer, OF GREENBURGH.—Jacob Romer, a native of Switzerland, emigrated 
to America before the Revolution, and settled in Greenburgh. His sons were 
Capt. John of Greenburgh, William and James. 


Sroor, oF New Roonerre.—The ancestor of this family was Ambroise Secor’ 
or Sicard, or Seacord, a Protestant refugee of Rochelle, who fled from France 
in 1681. He left 1, Ambroise; 2, Jacques ; 3, Daniel; 4, Mary, mar. Wm. Landrine, 
and 5, Silvia, mar. Francis Coguillett ; 6, Jacques, mar. Catharine, and left, (I.), 
Jacques or James, b. 1701, mar. Jane Bonnett, who left 1, Jacques, b. 1729; 
2, Jeanne, b. 1731; 3, Catharine, b. 1733; 4, Benjumin, b. 1735; 5, Jacob, b. 1737; 
6, Abraham, b. 1739; 7, Solomon b. 1741; 8, Marie, b. 1742, mar. John Renaud ; 
9, Israel, b. 1748, mar. Jane, da. of Jacob Coutant, Israel left Madaline, mar. 1st, 
— Bull; 2nd, — Huget; Elizabeth,mar. Jacob Lobe. (I.) David,mar. Esther Secor. 
(II.), James, mar. Susannah Renaud. (IIJ.), Samuel mar. Sarah Drake. William. 
(IV.), Benjamin, mar. Jeanne Renaud. (V.), Abraham, mar, 1st, Eliza Dixon; 
2nd, Margaret Dixon, both sisters. (VI.), Richard, mar. Maria Gallaudet, and 
Peter. (1.), David left Jane, Gilbert, Horace, Esther Ann, and Absolom T. (II.), 
James left Cornelius, mar. Maria Holmes, Leonard, mar. Maria Secor, Lewis, 
mar. Mary Price, Salmon B., mar. Mary Horton, Hiram D., mar. ist, Mary E. 
Mullin; 2nd, Phebe A. Horton; Jerome B., mar. Deborah Ann Morse; Am- 
broise, mar, Henrietta Bailey. (III.),Samuel left 1, Catharine; 2, Samuel; 3, Sarah 
Maria; 4, Eliza; 5, Augusta; and 6, Harriet. (IV.), Benjamin, left 1, Albert; 
2, Darias; 3, William Emery; 4, Charles Wesley; and 5, Edgar Raymond. (V.), 
Abraham left 1, Howard Dixon ; 2, Susan Jane; 3, Margaret Ann; 4, Matilda V.; 
5, Pauline B.; 6, John H.; 7, Mary E., d.; and 8, Mary. (VI.), Richard left 
1, William; 2 Mary Ann; 3, Franklin, mar. Susannah Ann Underhill; and 4, 
Caroline. (II.), Peter, owner of the property now occupied by Mr. Philemon, 
Carpenter, mar. Esther Guion, da. of Isaac; and had, 1, Catharine, b. July 20, 
1742; 2, Marie, b. March 24, 1731; 8, Esther, b. Jan. 22, 1788. (III), Am- 
broise. (IV.), Paul. (V.), Daniel, owner of the property now occupied by 
Mr. Benjamin Secor, mar. Mary Archer; and left, 1, Jonathan, b. Feb. 8, 1742; 
2, Jeremiah, b. Jan. 22, 1740, and others. 


SEAMAN VALENTINE -—Anna Ferris, mar. Valentine Seaman. M. D., of N. Y., 
da. of John Ferris of Grove Farm, and had issue, 1, William Ferris, M. D., mar. 
Elizabeth Hicks; 2, James V., mar. Maria B. Wright; 3, John Ferris, mar. 
Ann Drake ; 4, Valentine, mar. Anna Amelia Ferris, [see Ferris]; 5, Percival; 
6, Willet, mar. Susan W. Hendricks; 7, Marianna, mar. Geo. Middlebrook; 8, 
Anna, mar. Charlton Ferris, [see Ferris]; 9, Eliza, mar. Aug. W. Leggett. 
James V. had, 1, Sarah W., mar. Edgar Lasak, and had Margaret; 2, Margaret 
L. mar. Stephen Paddock, and had James S., Richard, Margaret ; 3, Marianna, 
mar. Jordon L. Mott, and had Maria Louisa, Jordon L., Augustus W.; 4- 


tae 


APPENDIX A. 759 


Wright; 5, Catharine, mar. Francis Randall, and had Caroline, Emiiy, Maria ; 
6, James V. mar. Ellen Robertson, and had Alice, James, Marianna, Kate, Wil- 
liam. Willet had, 1, William F.; 2, Eliza Ann, mar. Trancis McFarian. and 
had Frank McFarlan; 3, Louise. Ziiza had, 1, Mortimer, mar. Jenny White- 
head, and had William, Catharine, May; 2, Percival; 3, Wiliam, mar. Anni@ 
Birdsall, and had John, Augustus, Frederick C.; 4, Margaret, mar. Lewis T. 
Ives, and had Augustus, Percy, Valentine; 5, Emma; 6, Elizabeth, mar. David 
Snow; 7, Anna, mar. 1st, Wm. Christian, and had Eliza; 2nd, mar. Corydon 
Randall, and had Huntley, Ferris, Chandler; 8, Augusta, mar. E. Brook Pease, 
and had Percy; 9, Blanch I. See Ferris Chart— 


RicHarD StH, oF Smitn Town, SuFFOLK Co., N. Y.—1,Jonathan; 2,Obediah; 
3, Richard ; 4, Job; 5, Adam; 6, Samuel; 7, Daniel; 8, Elizabeth; 9, Deborah. 
Job, mar. Elizabeth Thompson, and had, 1, Job; 2, Richard; 3, Timotlry; 4, 
Adam; 5, James; 6, Joseph: 7, Elizabeth. Joseph, sixth son of Job 1st, mar. 
Mary Aldich, and had, 1, Joseph; 2, David; 3, Stephen; 4, Graham; 5, Gil- 
bert; 6, Rhuhamah; 7, Jane; 8, Mary; 9, Mehetabel. Joseph, first son of 
Joseph, mar. Sarah Laxton, and had, 1, Eliphalet; 2, Joseph; 3, William; 4, 
Daniel; 5, Selah ; 6, Catharine; 7, Rhuhamah; 8, Sarah. William, second son 
of Joseph, mar. Sophia, da. of Benjamin Hawkins, and had, 1, Benjamin ; 
Benjamin, mar. Deborah Harker, and had, 1, Morris; 2, Abel; 3, Benjamin; 4, 
Nathaniel; 5, Isaac; 6, Richard; 7, James; 8, Elizabeth; 9, Sarah; 10, De- 
borah; 11, Esther. Abel, second son of Benjamin, mar. Bersheta Hutchings, 
and had, 1, John; 2, Benjamin; 3, Abel; 4, James; 5, Isaac; 6, Charity; 7, 
Deborah; 8, Jerusha; 9, Bersheta; 10, Sarah; 11, Abigail. 12, Elizabeth. 
Abel, third son of Abel, mar. 1st, Esther Purdy, and had, 1, Wilham, 2, Joseph; 
3, John; mar. 2nd Mary Waterbury, and had, 1, Isaac; 2, Julia Ann; 38, 
Thomas; 4, Elizabeth ; 5, Abel; 6, David W.; 7, Mary; 8,Sarah. David W., 
sixth son of Abel, mar. Hannah Barnes, and had, 1, Annie B.; 2, Abel; 3, Mary 
Elizabeth ; 4, Samuel B.; 5, Naomi. 


Sovuice, or New RocuEtite.—John Soulice, a native of the French Pyrenees, 
in 1672, mar. Jane Curterrie, a native of the Rhine, and had two‘sons, viz,, 
Joshua, whose da. mar. —— Blauvelt, and John, b. in the Pyrenees A. D. 1692. 
The latter fied from the persecutions of the Protestants in France, and emigrated 
to America A. D. 1700. He settled at New Rochelle, and mar. Mary Bonnett, 
da. of Daniel ; she was b. in France 1695. John and Mary left issue, (I,) John 
of New Rochelle, mar. Maria, and had, 1, Elizabeth, b. Aug. 24, 1729; 2, Esther, 
b. Sept. 5, 1731; 8, Madaline, b. Sept. 9, 1733; 4, Catharine, b. Sept. 5, 1734; 
5, Susan, b. 1750; 6, Maria, b. May 30,1745. (II), Daniel, ancestor of the 
Soulices of Nova Scotia. (III.), Joshua, mar. Susannah Guion, and left, 1, 
Joshua of New Rochelle. mar. Mary Bonnett, great grand-daughter of Daniel 
Bonnett, the Huguenot, and had John Soulice of Upper New Rochelle ; 2, Su- 
sannah, b. Oct. 4, 1765. (IV.), Susannah. (V-), Maria, mar, Abel Devaux, 
(V1.), ada. mar. —— Dubois. (VII.), ada. mar. ——Unerray. (VIII.), Mag- 
daline, mar. Elias Guion. (IX.), a da. mar. 2 


Scrron, or New Castie.—This family derive their origin from Joseph Sut- 
ton, whose father emigrated from the County of Lincolnshire, England, to Mas- 


760 APPENDIX A. 


sachussetts. Joseph, who removed to Long Island, d. betw. 1765 and 1770, et. 
$0, mar. Mary Sands, and had, (I.), Joseph of North Castle, d. et. 80, mar. De- 
borah Haight of Chappequa, and left several children. (II.), Caleb, d. set. 70, 
mar, Abby Pell, and had, 1, Edward; 2, Andrew ; 3, Pell; 4, Mary; 5, Sophia, 
6, Solomon; 7, Henry; 8, Caleb. (III.), James of Croton Valley, mar. Eliza- 
beth Brown, and had, 1, Mary; 2, Jerusha; 3, Hannah; 4, Joseph; 5, Amy; 6, 
Janes. (IV.), William of Croton, d. eet. 80, mar. Dorcas Clapp, and had, 1, 
Jesse; 2, William; 3, Alice. (V.), Richardson of Croton, b. July, 11, 1782, d. 
1776, mar. Elizabeth Quinby, da. of Moses; she was b. Feb. 28, 1736. (VI.), 
Abby, nar. Robert Field. (VII.), Mary, mar. Samuel Palmer. (VIII.), Sophia; 
(1X.), Jerusha, mar. Benjamin Field. Richardson, fifth son of Joseph, left 
issue, 1, Esther, b. March 15, 1752, mar. Joseph Totten. (II.), Moses, b. March 
15, 1756, mar. Rebecca Underhill, da. of Issac, and left, 1, Sarah, mar. Nehe- 
miah Merrit; 2, Abraham, mar. Esther Carpenter; 3, Hannah, mar. Juseph 
Pierce; 4, Isaac, mar. Sarah Underhill; 5, Mary, mar. David Merritt ; 6, Aaron, 
mar. 1, M. Pierce, 2, Ann Haight; 7, Phoebe, mar. Aaron Quinby ; 8, Moses, 
mar. Rebecca Underhill; 9, Abby Jane. (III.), Daniel, b. May 22, 1758, mar. 
Phebe Huested, da. of Jonathan, and had, 1, Rachel, mar. Silas Birch; 2, 
Esther, mar. John Griffen ; 3, Elizabeth, mar. Jesse Weeks; 4, Jacob, mar. —— 
Wheeler; 5, Deborah, mar. Adonijah Underhill; 6, Ann, mar. Joseph Birdsall, 
7, Henry; 8, Louisa. (IV.), Deborah, b. June 17, 1760, mar. Zopher Griffen, 
(V.), Robert, b. April 5, 1762, mar. Sarah Underhill, and had, 1, Pheebe; 2, 
Mary; 3, Thomas; 4, Deborah; 5, Gula, mar. John Mott; 6, Abby, mar.— 
Carpenter; 7, Lydia, mar. Walter Haight; 8, Leonard; 9, Jane. (VI.), Samuel, 
b. Jan. 22, 1764, mar. Sarah Underhill, da. of Abraham, and left, 1, Richard- 
son, mar. Maria Wing; 2, Joshua, mar. Phebe Burling; 3, Caleb, mar. Rebec- 
ca Kingsland; 4, Amy, mar. Isaiah Quinby; 5, Abraham; 6, Daniel; 7, Ed- 
mund; 8, Stephen, mar. Ann Burling; 9, Sally. (VII.), Phebe, b. Aug. 27, 
1765. (VIII.), Mary, b. March 7, 1767. (IX.), Jerusha, b. Sept. 2, 1768. (X.), 
Abigail, b. Dec. 12th, 1770. (XI.), Frances, b. Dec, 13, 1772. Arms—Ar. ona 
chey. betw, three annulets gu. as many cresents or. Crest—A greyhound; head 
couped, erm., collared gu., garnished and ringed or, on the collar three amulets 
of the last. The motto was ‘‘ Midelis usque ad mortem,” 


TELLER, OF TELLER’s Pornt.— William Teller, the ancestor of this family, 
emigrated from Holland to New Amsterdam. He d. about 1698, mar. Mary 
; she d. in 1701. Their children were, (I.), Jacob, mar., 1, Anna Mar- 
garitje —— ; 2, Christina Ashfield, and had two da., Anna and Margaret. (II,), 
William of Teller’s Point, d. 1710, mar. Rachel Kiersted, and had, 1, Johannes 


of Teller’s Point, mar. —— Vermilyea; 2, William; 3, Jacobus of Teller’s 
Point, mar. Marietje Vermilyea, and left John, Pierre, Tobias, James of Teller’s 
Point, Rachel, Syrché, mar. —— Valentine, Margaret, and Mary. Pierre, second 


son of Jacobus, had, 1, James; 2, Pierre; 3, Solomon; 4, Daniel; 5, Isaac; 6, 
Miriam ; 7, Unas, mar. Robert McCord. (III.), Andrew, father of Andrew. 
(IV.), Johannes. (V), Casper. (VI.), Elizabeth. (VII.), Mary. (VIII), Jane, 
mar. —— Schuyler. 


Tuomas, oF Harrison.—Rev. John Thomas, a missionary of the Honorable 
Propagation Society at Philadelphia, 1703, and first Rector of St. George’s church, 


APPENDIX A. 761 


Hempstead, L. I., 1704, mar. , d. 1723-4, buried at Hempstead, and had 
Hon. John Thomas, first Judge of the county of Weschester, and a Representa- 
tive in General Assembly, d. May 2, 1777; interred in Trinity churchyard. He 
mar. 19th Feb. 1729, Abigail, da. of John Sands of Sands Point, L. I, b. Jan. 
1708, d. 14th Aug. 1782; buried at Bedford, and had, 1, John; 2, Thomas 
Thomas; 3, William; 4, Sibell; 5, Charity; 6, Margaret ; 7, Glorianna. (L.), 
John, Sheriff of Westchester county, b. 3d Feb., 1732, mar. Phoebe Palmer, and 
had, 1, Edward; 2, John T. 1, Edward, son of John, Surrogate of Westchester 
Co. d. 2nd May, 1806, wt. 44. He mar. Anne Oakley, d. May 12, 1807, et. 45, 
and had, 1, William of N. Y., d. Aug 22, 1836, et 37,; 2, Capt. John T., son 
of John, mar. , d. Jan. 6, 1835, and had, 1, Capt. Benjamin, d. 16 Sept., 
1813, in N. Y.; 2, John of N. Y.; 3, Sophia, mar. —— Deighton, Mi D.; 4, 
Catharine, mar. O. Dewitt. (II.), Major General Thomas Thomas, a distin- 
guished officer of the continental army, and a member of the Legislature of the 
State of New York, b. 17 June, 1745, d. May 29, 1824, interred on the estate, 
and mar, Catharine Floyd of Mastic, L. I., b. 9th May, 1746,d. Jan. 15, 1825, et.79; 
and had, 1, Floyd, b. 1778, d. 2nd June, 1802; 2, Glorianna, b. 9th Dec., 1772, andd. 
9th Dec., 1779 ; 3, Nancey, d. Feb. 1, 1795, set. 19; 4, Catharine, 1795. (III.), Wil- 
liam, b. Ist Aug., 1736, d. Sept. 21, 1740. (IV.), Sibell, b. 15th Jan., 1780, mar. 
Abram Field. (Y.), Charity, b. 3d July, 1734, mar. James Ferris, and had, 1, 
George; 2, Abigail. 1, George, son of Charity, mar. Post, and had, 1, 
Thomas, heir of the Thomas property, at Harrison; 2, Abigail, da. of Charity, 
mar. David Harrison, and had, 1, David Harrison, of N. Rochelle. (VI.), 
Margaret, b. Aug. 1, 1738, mar. Charles Floyd. (VII.), Glorianna, b. Sept. 
27, 1740, mar. James Franklin. 


TownsEnD, or Eastourester.—This family is descended from the Townsends 
of Long Island. John Townsend, son of John of Oyster Bay, d. 1788-9, and 
had, 1, Daniel of Eastchester, who left John of Eastchester, Senator for the Second 
District in 1821, and Elijah; 2, Freelove, who mar. William Pickney. From 
the Long Island family also descended Sylvanus Townsend, who removed to 
North Salem, and left issue William, Sylvanus, set. 91, James, Samuel, and Jus- 
tus, all residing at North Salem. 


VALENTINE, OF YONKERS.—Benjamin Valentine, the ancestor of this family, 
was a dragoon in the French military service, Canada. Heremoved to New York 
circa 1680, and settled upon the farm (in Yonkers) now owned by Frederick Rich. 
He mar. Odell, and had three sons, Matthias, first proprietor of Valentine’s 
Hill, Yonkers, b. 1698, d. 1781, buried at Eastchester; Vccholas, who removed 
South, and Joseph. he latter individual was so passionately fond of the violin, 
that he obtained the surname of ‘‘ The Fiddler.” Matthias, the eldest son, mar. 
1, Anna Rych; 2, Mary , and left, (I.), Abraham of Yonkers, b. 1719, d. 
19th Oct., 1768, buried at Eastchester, mar. Deborah Barton, and had, 1, Gilbert, 
b. 1748, d. 1819, mar., 1, Mary Morgan, da. of Charles. 2, Martha Briggs; by 
first wife he had Abraham, b. June 16, 1773, mar. May 27, 1798, Hannah Briggs; 
she was b. May 2, 1776. Abraham and Hannah left, a, Abraham of New York, 
b. May 10, 1804, mar., 1826, Jane Bates, and had Abraham, Edward, John, 
William, George, Mary Jane, Emily, d. 1843, and Catharine; 3, Edward Briggs, 
b. Jan. 25, 1809, d. Sept. 23, 1834, mar., 1833, Eliza E. Pickney ; c, Sam. Morgan 


762 APPENDIX A. 


of Poughkeepsie, b. Nov. 14, 1814, mar., 1848, Elizabeth Hempstead, and has 
Sam. Hempstead; d, James, b. June 10, 1813, d. June 20, 1813; e, William 
Henry, b. May 10, 1822, d. Aug. 18, 1836; f, Anne Delia, b. June 23, 1802, mar., 
Dec. 8, 1821, Edward G: Faile of West Farms; g, Harriet, b. May 27, 1806, mar. 
Gilbert Bates; 4, Hannah, b. March 9, 1811, d. s. p. Dec. 10, 1812; ¢, Mary 
Jane, b. Sept. 19, 1818, d. Feb. 10, 1825. Gilbert Valentine, by his second wife, 
Martha Briggs, left three sons and two das., viz., a, Matthias, mar. Hannah 
Briggs, and had Matthias, Thomas, Martha, Mary, Sarah, and Stacia; 0, John, 
mar. Mary Bussing, and left Gilbert, John, Peter, Mary, and Georgia; c, Gilbert, 
d.s.p.; d, Mary; e, Sarah; 2, Abraham, second son of first Abraham, mar., 1; 
Jane Odell; 2, Fanny Newman; 3, Elizabeth Lent, and had Samuel, Odell, 
James, Gilbert, Jacob, and Ann, who mar. Elijah Williams; 8, Dorothy, eldest 
da. of first Abraham, mar. Fowler; 4, Nancy; 5, Sally; 6, Mary; 7, 
Susan, b. 1756, still living, mar. Mr. Vredenburgh of Yonkers. (II.), John, 
second son of first Matthias. (III.) Matthias. (IV.), Samuel. (V.), Thomas 
of Valentine’s Hill, b. April 29, 1723, mar. 1, Isabel Lawrence; 2, Mary Barton, 
and had 1, James, who mar. Miss Warner, and had Staats, Charles, and Nathaniel; 
2, Elijah, mar. Odell, sister of General Jacob; 3. Nathaniel of Valentine’s 
Hill} who had Bishop, Burling, Elijah, ete; 4, Thomas of Pelham had Charles of 
Eastchester; 5, Matthias, mar. —— Deighton, and had Samson of Eastchester ; 
6, Margaret, mar. Isaac Odell ; 7, Anna. (VI.), Dorothy, b. April 16, 1716, mar. 
William Warner. (VII), Sarah b. Oct. 19,1719, mar. Richard Archer. (VIIL.), 
Jane, b. Jan. 27, 1724, mar. Reuben Fowler. (IX.), Mary. Joseph Valentine, 
the youngest son of first Benjamin, had Caleb, who left two sons, Caleb and 
Anthony. Anthony mar. Farringdon, and had 1, James; 2, Anthony; 3, 
Jurdan; 4, Daniel, who mar. Miriam Fisher, da. of Thomas, and left Fisher of 
Eastchester, David, Clerk of the Common Council, New York city, Daniel, 
Evaline, Elizabeth, Amelia, and Emma. Avms, Arg. a mullet between three 
human hearts gules. 


Van TassELL, OF GREENBURGH.—Derick van Tassel of Tarrytown, had Cor- 
nelius, who mar. Elizabeth Storms, and left Leah, the wife of Capt. William 
Romer ; Joanna mar. Aaron van Wedmer; and Mary mar. Sybout Acker. The 
descendants of Jacob van Texel, the ancestor of this family, are very numerous 
in Westchester county. 


Van Wart, or Greenpurcn.—This family derive their origin from Joachim 
van Weert of Philipsburgh in 1697, who had several children. Isaac van Wart, 
one of the captors of André, probably a grandson of the above, was b. Oct. 25, 
1762, d. May 23, 1828, mar. April 14, 1778, Rachel] ——, she was b. June 4, 1760, 
d. 1834; their children were, Alexander, b. Sept. 28, 1779, mar. March 27, 1822, 
Eshton, and has James, Frances, Esther, Rachel Anne, and Hannah. 2, 
Abraham, b. Aug. 12, 1785, and has Isaac; 3, Anne, b. 1782; Fanny, b. May 
12, 1793. 


VERMILYA, OF GrEENBURGH.—Isaac Vermilya of Yonkers d. about 1766, and 
left three sons and five das., (I.), Johannes of Kingsbridge, mar. Charity Dyck- 
man, and had, 1, Jacob, mar. ist, Mary Dyckman, 2nd, Maretje Dyckman, and 
le*t Isaac of New York; 2, William, mar. Mary Forbes, and had William and 


APPENDIX A. 763 


Thomas of New York; 3, Isaac, mar. Susan Myersof Haarlem, had Isaac of Yon- 
kers; 4, Jane, mar. Edward Prior; 5, Rebecca, d. s. p.; 6, Ellida, mar. James 
Teller. (II.), Isaac of Croton Valley. (III.), Peter, also of Croton Valley. (IV.), 
Aeltje. (V.), Maretje. (VI.), Santje. (VII.), Rebecca. (VIII.), Hannah. 


Watiace.—James Wallace, a native of Lanarkshire, Scotland, A. D., 1676, was 
a scion of the parent stock from which the renowned Sir William Wallack de- 
scended. Eeinverus Galleius, its founder, was a subscribing witness to King 
David’s foundation charter of Kelso Abbey, A. D. 1150. 

James Wallace emigrated from Scotland to Ridgefield, Conn., cir., 1676, and 
subsequently removed to North Salem, ob. March, 1762, et. 87. His wife Mary 
Hyatt, ob. Dec. 20, 1768, «et. 84; buried at Ridgefield. His children were, 1, 
John of North Salem, mar. Martha Scofield; 2, James, nat. Feb. 28, 1713, ob. 
March 20, 1780, «et. 69, left one son Jacob; 3, Jacob of North Salem, (see Rec. 
of Wills, Surrogate’s office, N. Y., lib. xix. 176.); 4, Thomas, ob. xt. 24; 5, 
Rachel, ob. Nov. 20, 1748, mar. Vivus Douchy. John, the eldest son of James, 
was nat. 16th Oct. O. 8. 1709, ob. 23d March, 1812, xt. 102 years and 5 mos. 
His wife Martha ob. March 1770, et. 44. Their children were, 1, John of Nova 
Scotia, nat. 2d June, 1747, ob. Dec. 1828; 2, William, nat. Oct. 16, 1750; 3, 
Jonathan, nat. Noy. 18, 1752; 4, Samuel, nat. Nov. 1754, ob. 19th April, 1826 ; 
5, Jacob, nat. June 1, 1759, left a son Jacob heir to his uncle Jacob; 6, James, 
nat. July 8, 1762; 7, Epenetus, M. D., of North Salem, nat. Nov. 18, 1766, mar. 
Pheebe Close, da. of Solomon; 8, Martha, nat. June 2, 1747, ob. Oct. 27, 1826; 
9, Rachel, nat. Jan’y, 1749, ob. xt. 62, at Onondaga; 10, Ruth, nat. Dec. 1756 ; 
11, Mary, nat. Aug. 28, 1769. The children of Epenetus, seventh son of John, 
are i, Solomon, nat. Oct. 23, 1798; 2, Charles, nat. Sept. 17, 1796, mar. Clara 
Townsend; their children are Epenetus, nat. Jan. 22, 1830; Isaac, nat. March, 
23, 1832; Elbert, nat. Oct. 19, 1834; Justus P., nat. Sept. 5, 1836, d. Aug. 16th, 
1838; Ann Augusta, nat. July 3, 1838; Majra G., nat. Sept. 10, 1841, and 
Eleanor, nat. Oct. 27, 1844; 8, John, third son of Epenetus, nat. Dec. 1, 1801; 
4, Tompkins Donald, nat. Jan’y 18, 1814; 5, Matilda, nat. 11th May, 1789; 6 
Jane, nat. 22d Feb. 1791; 7, Abigail, nat. March 8, 1799; 8, Martha M., nat. 
14th June, 1804; 9, Phebe Ann, nat. July 29, 1807; 10, Rachel E., nat. 14th 
Dec. 1810. Family Arms—Gules, a lion rampart or. Crest—Two eagles’ necks 
and heads conjoined. 


Wescorte, oF Beprorp.—Richard Wescotte was one of the early proprietors of 
Bedford. He mar. Rachel ——, and Jeft issue, Richard, Daniel, Rachel, Ruth, 
Rose, and Millison. Ananias Wescotte, a descendant of the above Richard, mar. 
Hannah ——, she d. Nov. 24, 1833, zt. 83. The children of Ananias were, 1, 
Huly W. of Bedford, b. May 27, 1798, mar. Deborah Wreden, and left Ezra, 
William, Eliza, and Susan; 2, Stephen of Stocktown, Cayuga Co, N. Y.; 3, 
Smith of North Salem, b. April 23, 1790; 4, Mary, b. April 20, 1789 ; 5. Abigail, 
b. Feb. 8, 1796; 6, Ezra W.,; 7, Susan, b. Jan’y 24, 1821; 8, Sally; 9, Maria; 
10, Ruth. 


Wuirte.—John White came to Southampton, Long Island, about 1640. He left. 
two sons, viz., (I.), Rev. Ebenezer, minister of the Presbyterian church, Bridge- 
hampton, b. 17th Feb., 1672, graduated at Harvard, 1692, and installed minister 


764 APPENDIX A. 


of Southampton church, 9th Oct., 1695, d. March, 1756, mar. Miss Pierson; and 
(II.), Captain Thomas White. Rev. Ebenezer and Miss Pierson left, sons, 
Elnathan, Rev. Sylvanus, Silas, and a da. Hannah, who mar. Rey. —— Rossiter 
of Stonington, Conn. Rev. Sylvanus, second son of Rev, Ebenezer, was. b. A. 
D. 1704, graduated at Harvard 1723, minister of Southampton church 1727, d. 
22d Oct. 1782. mar. Phoebe Howell, da. of Hezekiah, who d. July 24, 1783. 
They had nine children, (I.), Sylvanus of Blooming Grove, Orange Co., N. Y., 
d. wt. 80, mar. Eunice Herrick of Southampton, and had Sylvanus, Nathan Her- 
rick, Phoebe, and Eunice. (II.), Edward of New Windsor, d. June 4, 1767, et. 
36, mar. Hannah Pelletreau, da. of Francis, she d. March 1, 1810, xt. ‘74. Their 
children were, 1, Edward of Geneva, n. 1745, d. Aug. 1827, et. 65, mar. Rachel 
Smith, da. of Henry, and had Harry, who d. Oct. 1833, Sophia, Phoebe, and 
Mary, d. «et.12; 2, Hannah, mar. Charles Merrill ; 3, Mary, d. Dec. 27, 1798, set. 33; 
4, Phebe, mar. Reuben Colton. (III.), Hezekiah, mar. Abigail Sayre of Bridge- 
hampton, settled at Blooming Grove, Orange Co. ; they had six children. (IV.), 
Daniel, d. autumn of 1781, mar. Euphemia Bartow, da. of Rev. John, and left 
Daniel, Theophilus, Pheebe, Bathsheba, who mar. Don Joseph Barnubeau, Spanish 
Consul General, Matilda, and Euphemia. (V.), Silas of New Windsor, mar. 
Sarah Newson, and had, 1, James Tiley; 2, Silas; 8, Levi of New Windsor, 
who mar. Ellen Cox, and had Charles, George, Robert, Adelia, b. 1814, Elvira, 
b. 1816, Harriet, b. 1829, and Eleanora, b. 1830; 4, Robert ; 5, Harriet. (VI.), 
Ebenezer, d. et. 15mo. (VII.), Hon. Ebenezer, M. D., of Yorktown, d. 8th March 
1825, wt. 81, mar. Helena Bartow, and had, 1, Bartow, M. D., member of Con- 
gress for Dutchess Co.; 2, Ebenezer, M. D., of Somers, who mar. Miss Green, 
and has John of N. Y., Samuel of Somers, Bartow F. of Round Hill, Conn., 
Henry, M. D., of Peekskill, Euphemia, Phebe, and Eleanor; 3, Henry, M. D., 
of Yorktown; 4, Lewis, late of Peoria, Illinois; 5, James; 6, Theodosius, b. 
1836; 7, Catharine, mar. Sam’l Strang, M. D., of Peekskill. (VIII.), Henry, 
M. D., mar. Ann Eels, da. of Nathaniel, and had Sylvanus, Hannah Eels, mar, 
James Parker, and Ann. (IX.), Phoebe, mar. James Tilly. 


WILEns, oF WESTOHESTER.—The ancestor of this family emigrated from Lon- 
don, Middlesex, England, to the parish of St. Dorothy, Island of Jamaica, ante 
1719. He mar. Anne and left issue Martin, a large landed proprietor in the 
island of Jamaica, whose last will bears date September 19, 1748, and ada. Anne. 
Martin, mar. Jonathan Hay, and had issue a son-and a da., viz. Rev. Isaac, D. 
D., for thirty-one years Rector of St. Peter’s Church, Westchester, d. Feb. 5, 
1838, et. 89, mar. Isabella Morris, da. of Hon. Lewis, she was b. Feb. 8, 1748, 
d. Oct. 21, 1810. -Anme. mar. Hawks. Rev, Isaac had (1.), Martin, a dis- 
tinguished member of the New York bar and proprietor of Castle Hill Neck, 
Westchester, who mar. Sarah Nutter, da, of Valentine, and left 1, Gouverneur 
of Castle Hill Neck; 2, Martin of South Carolina; 3, Gilbert of New York; 4, 
Lewis of Madison County New York; 5,Catharine, mar. Henry Phelps; 6, Anne, 
mar. Robert Turnbull, M. D.; 7, Matina, d. s. p. (II). Isaac of Westchester. 
mar. Charlotte Seabury, da. of Right Rev. Samuel Seabury. (III.), Hon. Lewis 
of Nova Scotia, had James of New York, Hon. Lewis of Nova Scotia, Martin 
and others. (IV.), Thomas, b. 1771, d. May, 1816, s. p. (V.), Sarah, mar. 
Archibald Burns, M. D, (VI.), Joannah. (VII), Isabella. (VUI.), Mary. 


APPENDIX A. 765, 


(IX.), Euphemia, mar. Ichabod Brush of New York. Armas, per pale or. and 
ar. a whelk vert. Ovest, a whelk’s head, erased, vert. Motto, Sun ar. dy hyn. 


Witctert or Wittert’s Necx.—Captain Thomas Willett of Plymouth, Mass., 
in 1629, mar. Mary Brown. July 6, 1636, and left (I.), Colonel Thomas of New 
York in 1667, afterwards of Flushing, L. I., who had two sons, William, heir of 
his father’s lands on Cornell’s or Willett’s Neck; and Thomas who succeeded 
his brother. Thomas the youngest had William who d. 1783, and left 1, Wil- 
liam: 2, Isaac, High Sheriff of Westchester County. d. s. p. mar. Isabella Mor- 
ris, da. of Lewis; 3, Thomas to whom his father bequeathed his property at 
Flushing ; 4, Cornelius, heir to his brother, mar. Elizabeth ——, and left liza- 
beth, d. June. 1772, Hannah, mar. Frederick Stephens; Mille. mar. Rev. George 
Ogilby, Mary, mar. 1st, Van Romer; 2d, —— Graham; fachel, mar. 1st. 
—— Lecraft; 2d, Haviland ; Martha, mar. —— Hatfield; and Sarah, mar. 
Mr. Berrian; 5, Mary, mar. Mr. Rodman; 6, Anne, mar. Mr. Jones (II.), 
James of Narragansett, second son of Captain Thomas, had Frances of Rhode 
Island. (III.), Andrew, (IV.), Samuel. (V.), Hezekiah, killed by the Indians 
during King Phillip’s war, June 26, 1676. (VI.), Hester, mar. John Suffin. 
(VII.), Rebecca, mar. Samuel Hooker. 


Woop or Cuerry Street, Beprorp.—Three brothers of this name emigrated 
from England to Connecticut, viz. Isaac, Daniel, and Obadiah. The latter re- 
moved to Salem where he died. He mar. Sarah Abbott and left (I.), Obadiah, 
mar. Anna Roe. and had William Wood, M. D. of Bedford. (II.), Lemuel, mar. 
Sarah Whitlock, and had 1, Lemuel; 2, Obadiah; 3, Thomas of Fairfield. (III.), 
Ebenezer of Salem, b. July 18, 1731, mar. Rachel Lockwood, da. of Ebenezer, 
d. 20th Oct. 1824, xt. 93. She was b. Feb. 13, 1734, mar. 1759. d. 21st July. 
1825, xt. 91, and had 1. Prudence, b. May 3, 1761, d. January 9, 1815; 2, Sarah, 
b. August 18, 1768, d. March 12, 1844 ; 3, Rachel, b. October 18, 1765, d. June 8, 
1785; 4, Mary, b. Aug. 29, 1770; 5, Ebenezer, b. Nov. 26, 1773; 6, Joseph, 
b. Nov. 15, 1778, d. Sept. 18, 1779, ([V.), James, mar. Eunice Barnum, and had, 
1, Levi of Danbury; 2, James, d. xt. 20; 3, Joseph. d. (V.), Michael of Balls- 
ton, mar. Margaret Scribner, and left 1, Abraham; 2, Uriah; 3, David: 4, 
Michael. 


Wootsey or Beprorp.—This family is descended from George Woolsey, ‘‘ the 
son of Benjamin, and grandson of Thomas, a near relative of Thomas, better 
known in history as Cardinal Wolsey ; who, to the liberalty of his royal master, 
Henry VIII. was indebted for his extraordinary elevation. George Woolsey 
was b. October 27, 1610, and had probably resided some time with his father in 
Holland, having come over with the Dutch emigrants in 1623, while yet a mere 
boy.” From New Amsterdam George removed to Flushing, where he purchased 
a plantation and established himself. Hed. August 17, 1698. By his wife Re- 
becca, he had three sons, George, Thomas and John, and three da. Sarah Hallett, 
Mary Woolsey and Rebecca Wiggins. For the descendants of George, see 
Thompson’s History of Long Island. Thomas, the second son, b. 1655 removed 
to Bedford, Westchester County, and left three sons, viz. Richard, William and 
Thomas. Richard, the eldest, b. 1697, d. 1777, mar. Sarah Fowler, and had (1.), 
Josiah, d. 1778, mar. Mary Owen and left 1, Stephen of Ulster Co., b. 1758; 2, 


766 APPENDIX A. 


Thomas of Bedford, b. 1766, d. 1839; 3, Josiah of Bedford; 4, William of Bed- 
ford, b. 1770, d. 1836. (IL), Thomas of Virginia, left Simeon and Daniel of 
Bedford. (III.), Daniel had Aaron and others. (IV.), Benjamin had Jeremiah 
of New York. (V.), John had 1, John of Ulster County; 2, Henry of Ulster; 
3, David; 4, Rev. Elijah; 5, Thomas. (VI.), Richard of Vermont, has Richard 
of Delaware Co.,N. York. (VII.), Henry, killed by lightning. (VIII.), Joseph, 
mar. Mary Haight, and left 1, Richard of Seneca County, New York; 2, Joseph 
of Cayuga County ; 3, Jonathan of Newcastle, Delaware ; 4, Daniel of Bedford. 
(IX.), Mary, mar. Loton of Albany. (X.), Saran, d. in Ulster County, 
(XI.), Ruth, mar. Jacob Griffen of Fishkill. (XII.), Hannah, mar. Joseph 
Sarles. William of Bedford, second son of Thomas, left two sons, viz. John and 
Jonathan. John, mar. Ruth Owen, by whom he had issue, John of Bedford. 
The latter mar. Knowlton and had 1, Nathaniel; 2, John of Bedford, who 
mar. Elizabeth Fountain, da. of Ezra. Their descendants are very numerous in 
the western part of this State. Thomas, youngest son of Thomas, resides at 
Bedford. Ams, sa. on a cross, angr. ar. a lion passant, guardant gu. crowned 
or. betw. four leopards’ faces az, on a chief, of the second, a rose of the third, 
betw. two Cornise choughs, ppr. Crest, a naked arm, embowered, grasping a 
ghin-bone, all ppr. 


DrrEcTIONS FoR THE READER.—In the preceding pages b. stands for born; m. 
or mar. for married; d. or. ob. for died; da. for daughter; set. for aged; cir. for 
about, s. p. for without issue; and nat. fur born. 


—— 


ee Be 


ACKER, Jacob, i. 552 
Ackhongh, i. 260 
AckKquacknouncke River. i. 242; ii. 68 
Act of General Assembly, i. 225; ii. 337, 514 
disannulled by Queen Anne, 226 
of the Legislature, i. 236; ii. 447 
confirming title of Presbyterian Church in 
Sing Sing to land, ii. 15 
of Governor and Council, ii. 518 
to incorporate County Hist. Society, ii. 551 
Acts of General Assembly of New York, ii. 177 
Address of Rey. Isaac Wilkins, D.D., to his 
countrymen, ii. 392 
of people of New Rochelle to V. P. S., i. 615 
Admission from Gov. Moore, ii. 376 
Advertisement for deed of Harrison’s Pur- 
chase, i. 370 
Aepjen, chief Sachem of Mohegans, i. 84 
Agreement between Caleb Hall and others, i.150 
among first proprietors of Eastchester, 1.204 
among people of Eastchester, i. 238 
between people of Stamford and Ponus 
made and confirmed, ii. 105 
confirmed by Catonah, ii. 107 
among first settlers of Manussing Is!’d,ii.161 
betw’n Fred’k Phiiipse and John Pell,ii.588 
Allaire, Alexander, i. 678 
James P., i. 678 
Ander:on, Hon. Joseph H., i. 386 
André, Major John, i. 168, 197, 275, 279 
biographical sketch of, i. 322 
letters and documents relating to capture 
of, i. 311, 451 
statement of, i. 328 
appeal to Washington by, i. 331 
last words of, i. 334 
execution of, i. 279 
will of, i. 336 
monument to, i. 340 
thanks voted to captors of, i. 319 
incidents in life of, i. 716 
Angle Fly Brook, ii. 260 
Anjevin family, ii. 231 
*‘ Ann-hoock,” alias Wampage, ii. 33 
Annsville, i., 158 
Answers, Rev. Peter Stouppe’s to the Bishop 
of London, i. 634 


Anthony’s Nose (mountain), i. 163 
Apawamis, or Budd’s Neck, ii. 150 
Archer family, ii. 515 

Armonck, i. 713 

Arnold, Benedict, i. 169, 197, 275 
Avery, Rev. Ephraim, i. 65 


BALLAD of Capt. Kidd, i. 683 
Ball, Rev. Eliphalet, i. 50 
Bartow, ii. 88 
Rey. John, induction of, i. 229 
letters of, ii. 324-359 
answers of, to the Bishop of London, 
il., 347-349 
death of, ii., 350 
last will of, ii 351 
Rey. Theodosius, i. 66, 663, 664 
Bayard, Pierre du Terrail Seigneurde, ii. 414 
Rey. Lewis Pintard, i. 242 665, 666 
Bayside, ii. 413 
Bear Ridge, i. 563 
Swamp, ii. 264 
Bedford, town of, 1. 1 
deviation and etymology of the name, i. 1 
called originally Catonah land, i. 3 
expedition of Dutch and English against 
Indians at, i. 8. 
conclusion of peace at i. 12 
settlement of, i. 13 
name of, given, i. 19 
land of Kohamong conveyed to proprietors 
of, i. 19 : 
discussion between New York and Con- 
necticut as to ownership of, i. 20, 21 
applies to Connecticut for patent, i. 22 
protection of Connecticut granted to, i. 23 
Governor Fletcher’s proclamation to, i. 23 
dispute about, referred to the King, i. 23 
asks for and receives patent, i. 24 
disputes between New York and Connecti- 
cut about, i. 28 
common Jaws Of, i. 28 
sale of land to John Johnston, by, i. 28 
purchase of land from Katonah by, i. 29 
released from allegiance to Connectic’t, i. 29 
meeting of Commissioners to fix the 
boundary line of, i. 29 
; 767 


768 


Bedford finally secured to New York, i. 29 

sale of land to John Diblee, by, i. 30 

purchase of land from Katonah, ete., by, 
i. 31 { 

Royal Patent obtained for, i. 34 

purchase of land from Lackawawa and 
others by, i. 35 

division of land among proprietors of, i. 36 

the old court-house in, i. 38 

academy of, i. 39. 

female institute of, i. 39. 

old burying-ground of, i. 40. 

first religions society organized in, i. 40. 

religious services conducted by laymen of, 
i. 42, 43. 

first regular call to a minister by, i. 46. 

change in form of church government by, 
1. 48 

incorporation of Pres. Society of, i. 53 

laying of corner stone of new Presbyterian 
church of, i. 57 

organization of Presbytery in i. 57 

dedication of new Pres. church of, i. 57 

list of ministers of Congregational church 
in, i. 57 

list of ministers of Presb church in, i. 58 

a precinct of Kye parish, i, 58 

vestry-men chosen for, i. 59 

missionary appointed for, i. 60 . 

rector of Rye objects to the appointment 
for, i. 60 

application of Rye to V. P. 8. for an assist- 
ant minister for, i. 64 

his appointment for, i. 64 

money left in trust for churches of North 
Castle and, i. 65 

the church ia, destroyed by fire, i. 65 

first and second incorporation of present 

- parish of, i. 65, 66 

erection of parsonage, in, i. 66 

endowment of churches of New Castle and, 
i. 66 

eall of rector to the unitcd churches in, i.67 

St. Matthew’s church in, i. 67 

list of ministers and rectors of, i. 68 

incorportion and consecration of St. Mary’s 
church in, i. 68 

organization of Baptist Society of, i. 69 

election of pastor of Bapt. church of, i. 69 

situation of Union Academy in, i. 70 

burning of village of, i. 71 

Turtle Rock in, i. 75 

Deer’s Delight in, i. 76 

the Jay homestead in, i. 77 

collection of portraits in the Jay homestead 
in, i. 78 

anecdote of John Jay of, i. 79 

Katonah, village in, i 80 

Beechwood, i. 549 


INDEX, 


Beeckman family, i. 547 
anecdote of, i. 532 
Gerard C., i. 532 
Mrs, Cornelia, i. 632 
Penedict, Mr., i. 54 
Bequest of Manor of Cortland, i. 734 
of lands by Hercules Lent, i. 92 
of lands by Frederick Philpse, ii. 598 
of lands to Frederick Van Cortlandt, ii. 617 
from Augustus Van Cortlandt, i. 618 
Berrian family, ii. 606 
Birch, Harvey, i. 75 
“* Bishop Rocks,” ii. 25 
Black Dog River, i. 246 - 
Blatchford, Rev. Samuel, i. 53 
Blind Brook, ii. 129 
Bolton, Mr. James, ii. 431 
Rey. Robert, ii. 89 
Bondet, Rey. Daniel, i. 607 
Bonnett, Daniei, i. 595 
Bonrepos, Rey. David, i. 603 


| Bondinet, Elias, i. 602 


s0utonville, ii. 124 
Brant, Col., anecdote of, i. 187 
Brennen, Alexander M., ii. 780 
Brewer, Dr. James, ii. 672 
Briar Cliff, ii. 24 
All Saints’ church erected in, ii, 24 
Bridges, Rey. Christopher, ii. 182 
Brimstone Alley, i. 719 
Boscobel, i. 179 
Brockett’s Neck, ii. 268 
Bronck, Jonas, i. 262, ii. 426 
Bronx Dale, ii. 431 
River, i. 250 
Bronxville, i. 252 
erection of Dutch Ref. Church in, i. 22 
Brook, Andre, i. 368 
Angle Fly, ii. 260 
Blind, ii. 129 
Cedar Tree, or Gravelly, i. 34 
Hutchinson’s, i. 246 
Mill, ii. 260 
Plum, ii. 255 
Pockeotessen, ii. 20 
Stillwater, ii. 124 
Stony Hill, ii. 123 
Stony, or Beaver Meadow, ii. 150 
Tippet’s, or Mosholu, ii. 613 
Brown, Deliverance, i. 59 
James, i 412 
Brown’s Point, i. 381 
Brundage, Rey. Albner, i. 146 
Bud, John, ii. 155 
Buel, Rev. Clarence, ii. 14 
Byram River, ii. 205 


CAMPBELL, Cap’t. Archibald, i. 253 
Camp Field, i. 723 


INDEX, 


Carter, Rev. Lawson, i. 242 
Castle Hill Neck, ii. 264 
Catonah, Sachem, i. 733 
death of, i. 36 
Cedar Tree Brook, ii. 84 
Certificate of trustees of Eastchester, i. 238 
of recognition by Governor of Connecti- 
cut, ii. 56 
of General Assembly of New York, ii. 311 
of induction, ii. 323 
of lease of land in North Castle, 1. 726 
by Caleb Heathcote to character of Rev. 
Daniel Bondet, i. 610 
of dismission to Mr, Jean Carle, i. 674 
of incorporation of Home for Incurables, 
ii. 531 
Charter, Royal, for Cortlandt Manor, i. 94 
of Grace church, Rye, ii. 187 
for Manor of Philipsborough, ii. 589 
for Morrisania, ii. 470 
of St. Peter’s church, Peekskill, i. 120 
of St. Peter’s church, Westchester, i. 301 
Trinity church New Rochelle, i. ¢52 
Chastellux, Marquis of, i. 171 
Chatterton Height, i. 356 
Chatterton Hill, ii. 570 
Chauncey, Rev. Peter S., ii. 12 
CGAsqua River, i. 38 — 
City Island, or Great Minniefords, ii. 74 
ferries of, established, il. 77 
Grace church organized and erected in, 
ii. 82 
rectory of Grace church in, ii. 82 
list of rectors of Grace church in, ii. 83 
Methodist Episcopai church in, ii. 82 
Clapp, Thomas, ii. 385 
Clinton, Gen., ii. 166 
Sir Henry, ii. 275 
Coe, John, ii. 152 
Cohamong Pond, i. 722 
Colgan, Rev. Mr., ii. 183 
Commission of Rey. Daniel Bondet, i. 618 
Conover, Rev. Edward, ii. 150 
Constant Silas, i, 133 
Conveyance of land, abstract of, for Friends’ 
meeting-house at Crompond, ii. 671 
by Andrew Johnson to Caleb Hall and 
others, i. 113 
by Indians to West India Company, ii. 575 
for church in New Rochelle, i. 672 
by John Wale, ii. 266 
by Lewis Morris to James Graham, ii. 448 
to Presb. church in White Plains, ii. 545 
Cook, Capt. Joel, il. 638 
Cooper, James Fenimore, ii. 249 
residence of, ii. 249 
Cogper’s Corners, or Wilmou, i. 694 
St. John’s church in, i. 694 
St. John’s church, list of rectors of, i. 694 


769 


Copp, John, i. 27 
Cornell’s Neck, or “‘ Snakapins,” ii. 264 
Cortlandt House, ii. 613 
Cort'andt, town of, i. 83 
Manor of, i. 83 
first independent election for, i. 200 
partial division and partition of, i. 105 
Indian burying-ground in, i. 84 
erection of Manor of, i. 94 
Royal charter for Manor of, i. 94—98 
Peekskill formerly in, i. 112 
three precincts in Manor of, i. 118 
Cortlandatville in, i. 126 
Annsville in, i. 158 
Verplanck in, i. 165 
Parsonage, or Montrose’s Point in, i. 172 
Manor, the old Dutch church of, i. 172, 173 
erection of first church in, i. 174 
erection of present church in, i. 174 
Cortiandtown, incorporation of Dutch Reform- 
ed church of, i. 177 
list of ministers of the Ref. Dutch Church 
in, i. 177 
Crugez’s in, i. 180 
Croton, vilage in, i. 184 
Van Cortlandt cemetery in, i. 194 
Coutant family, i. 689 
County Historical Society, formation of, &, 551 
Covel, Samuel, i. 70 
Cow Boys, i. 306 
Crawbucky Point. ii. 20 
Creek, Hutchinson’s, i. 246 
Rattlesnake, i. 245 
Tuckahoe, ii. 656 
Westchester, i. 422 
Creighton, Rev. William, i. 296 
Crompond, ii. 665, 672 
Episcopal services held at, ii. 665 
Presbyterian Society organized and incor- 
porated in, ii. 666 
erection of Pres. church in, ii. 666 
Presbyterian church in, burned by the 
British, ii. 666 
present Presbyterian church in, ii. 668 
list of pastors and supplies of Presbyterian 
church in, ii. 669 
Congregational Society of, ii. 671 
Friends’ meeting house near, ii. 671 
Revolutionary trouble at, ii. 674 
Davenport’s house in, ii. 682 
Cromwell family, i. 372 
Col. John, i. 371 
story of, i, 373 
' Crosby, Enoch, i. 199 
| Rev, Alexander H., i. 252 
| Cross or Peppeneghek Pond, i. 488 
river, i. 460 
Baptist church incorporated in, i. 400 
| Meth, Epis. church incorporated in,d. 460 


770 INDEX, 


Croton, i. 184 
Protestant Episcopal church in, i. 184 
Methodist Episcopal church in, i. 184 
Friends’ meeting-house of, i. 184 
Manor-house of, i. 184 
Dam, breaking away of, i. 186 
Falls, ii. 259 
Crotonville, ii. 705 
Methodist church in, ii. 705 
Friends’ meeting-house in, fi. 705 
Cruger, Hon. Nicholas, i. 183 
John, i. 181 
Cruger’s, i. 180 


DANIELS, Isaac, i. 174 
Dark Valley, i. 719 
Davenport, Rey. John, i. 51, 63 
Davenport’s Neck, i. 686 
Deed, abstract of, to John Paulding, i. 155 
abstract of quit-claim, to Dutch Reformed 
church of Cortlandt, i. 175 
for church lot in Cortlandt, i. 119 
for church lot in New Rochelle. i. 644 
for glebe to Presb. ministers of Salem, i. 443 
for site of Second Presbyterian church of 
Bedford, i. 52 
of St. Ann’s church, Morrisania, ii. 493 
to Pres. church of Bedford, i. 49 
of glebe lands in Lewisboro, i. 432 
partition, of Manor of Cortlandt, i. 106 
to East Chester, i. 210 
to Johu Knights, i. 92 
to Petrus Stuyvesent, i. 265 
warrantee from James Cockscroft to Ref 
Dutch church of Cortlandt, i, 174 
Deeds for church lot in Lewisboro, i. 423-429 
**Deer’s Delight,” i. 76 
De Graff, Henry B., i. 183 
De Kalb, Baron, i. 193 
De La Fayette, Marquis i, 112, 188 
Delafield family, account of, ii. 624-626 
Major Joseph, ii. 624 
De Lancy family, genealogy and arms of, i. 
478, 480 
Bishop William Heathcote, i. 487 
James, i. 725, ii. 427 
John Peter, ii. 736 
Mills, ii. 429 
Oliver, Brig. Gen., i. 109, fi. 427 
Stephen, i. 735, 736 
De Lancy’s Neck, or Long Beach Point, £ 463 
De Lauzun, Duke, i, 188 
Denham, Isaac, i. 59 
Rey. Thomas, ii. 42 
Devil’s Den, ii. 124 
Dibble, Rey. Geo. i. 65 
John, i. 32 
Dibblee, Rev. Ebenezer, i. 742 
Disbrow, Peter, i. 498, ii. 129 


Dobb’s Ferry, i. 274 
retreat of British to, i. 275 
meetiug of Arnold and Andre at, 1. 275 
engagement of British and Americans at 
i. 279 
American army encamped at, i. 280 
Washington’s head-quarters at, i 280 
French army encamped at, i. 281 
meeting of British and American com- 
manders at, i. 281 
** Dobs Jan,” i. 274 
Document at Albany, i. 473 
endorsed Van Freederick 
Philipse, i. 511 
to the public, ii.563 
ancient in the Rich family, ii. 600 
Documents relating to Andre’s capture, i 311, 
451 
Fordham, ii. 507, 611 x 
Donald, Capt. Lewis M., i. 52, 66. 
Dongan, Goy., ii. 137 
“ Dorman’s Island,” i. 413 
Doty, Rev. John, i. 128, 132 
Doughty, Elias, ii. 586 
Gen. Geo. H., ii. 586 
Hon. John, ii. 686 
Rev. Franciscus, ii. 686 
Drake, Rodman, ii. 444 
Samuel, i. 250 
Dyckman, Staats Morris, 1. 178 


EASTCHESTER, town of first so called, i. 202 

agreement of proprietors of, i. 204 

Royal Patent of, i. 205 

Inagistrates appointed for, i. 208 

Long Reach in, i. 210 

confirmed by deed, i. 210 

Royal Patent of Long Reach in, i. 211 

public lands of, i. 212 

Mount Vernon in, 1. 213 

first settlement in, i. 213 

name, confirmed by charter, 1. 213 

first school-house erected in, i. 214 

election of first representative from West- 
chester county, i. 215 

first Congregational church in, i. 218 

first minister called to, i. 219 

made a precinct of Westchester parish,1.221 

old church of, i. 222 

made a distinct parish, i. 225 

list of ministers of Cong’l church of, i. 228 

foundation of present church in, laid, i. 234 

St. Paul’s church erected and incorporated 
in. i. 235 

land appropriated to the church of, i. 240 

second incorporation of St. Paul’s chureh 
in, i. 240 

Meth. Epis. church organized, incorpor- 
ated and erected in, i. 244 


Ss 


INDEX. 


Eastchester, West Mount Vernon in, i. 250 
erection of Dutch Reformed church of 
Bronxville in, i. 252 
Stephen Ward’s house in, attacked by the 
British, i. 252 
Waverly, village in, i. 213 
Washingtonville in, i. 213 
East Patent, or Undivided Land, i. 402 
East Tarrytown, i. 549. 
“E. H.,” anecdote about, i. 75 
Euketanpnanson, or Hog-Pen Ridge, i. 134 
Eustis, James, i. 250 
Extract about de Lancy’s movement, ii. 684 
concerning the state of the church in West- 
chester, ii. 337 
from address of J. W. Tompkins, ii. 566 
ancient town records of Westchester, ii. 
296 
assize records, ii. 271 
British acconnt of ambuscade at Mile 
Square, ii 601. 
Col. Morris’s letter to V. P. S., ii. 519. 
diary of Pres. Styles, ii. 73 
family ledger of the Philipse family, 1. 511. 
Irving’s life of Gen. Washington, ii. 692 
sketch book, ii. 609 
Wolfert’s Roost, i. 587 
journal of Judge Lewis Morris, ii. 631 
Lee’s history of the southern war, ii. 680 
ietter from Peekskill, i. 489 
of Frederick Philipse, ii. 646. 
of Leonard Lispenard, i. 642 
of M. de Tracy, ii. 453 
of Mr. John Bartow, ii. 373 
of Mrs. Cormelia Beeckman, ii. 525 
of Pierre Van Cortlandt, i. 565 
of Samuel Young, ii. 442 
of St. George Talbot, i. 743 
of Viceroy of Canada, ii. 453 
from Mr. Bondet’s report to V. P. §S.,i. 618 
from N. Netherland Vertoogh, ii. 631 
from New York paper of 1845, ii. 573 
from original records of old Dutch church 
in Sleepy Hollow, i. 539 
from Philipse family papers, ii. 641 
from record of New York Classis, ii. 520 
from records of Salem, i. 461 
from Sparks’s life of Washington, ii. 636 
from town records of Harrison, i. 387 
of North Castle, i. 713 
of Pelham, ii. 101 
of Yonkers, ii. 659 
of Yorktown, ii 706 
of Underhill’s Reminiscences of the Revo- 
lution, ii. 698 
of Weems life of Gen. Washington, ii. 688 
will of Catharine Philipse, i. 529 
will of Hon. Frederick Philipse, ii. 640 
will of Mrs. Anne Richbell, i. 473 


771 


Extracts foom Gen. Heath’s memoirs, ii. 417, 
570, 678 
from letters to V. P. S., iit 614, 623, 661 
from Simcoe’s Military Journal, il. 622, 651 
from Thatcher’s Military Journal, i, 555, ii. 
674 


FANCHER, John, il. 115 
William, ii. 116 

Fauconier, Peter, i. 569 

Felch, Rey. Nathan, i. 67 

Ferguson, Rey, Geo. W., ii. 14 

Ferris, Hon. Charles G., i. 377 

Flandreau family, i. 690 

Field family, i. 378 

Flanagan, Betty, i. 553 

Fletcher, Gov., i. 23 
Flora, i. 767 

Fordham, manor of, ii. 503 
Indian proprietors of, ii. 503 
Manor of, confirmed by royal charter, ii.512 
situation of ancient village of, ii. 519 
situation of present Village of, ii. 519 
Dutch Ref. church organized in, ii. 519 
list of Dutch Ref. ministers in, ii. 520 
St. James’ Prot. Epis. church incorporated 

and consecrated in, ii. 522 

list of rectors of St. James church in, ii.524 
revolutionary incidents, ii. 525 
fortications in, ii. 528 
St. John’s college in, ii. 530 
St. Joseph’s divinity school in, ii. 530 
Home for Incurables in, ii. 531 

Forrest Edwin, ii. 627 

Fort Hill, i. 723 
Independence, i. 160, ii 528, 614 
Mercer, ii. 693 
Mifflin, attack upon, ii. 692 
Montgomery, i. 163 
No. 8, ii. 528 
Schuyler, ii. 417 

Foster, Rev, Isaac, i. 53 

Fountain, Elder Ezra, i. 69 
James, i. 73 

Four Corners, account of engagement between 

British and Americans at, i. 553 

Kosciusko’s hcad-quarters at, i. 561 

Fowler, Rev. Andrew, i. 132 

Erauklin, Dr. Benjamin, i. 188 

Freeman, John, i. 149 

Friends, or Quakers, the, i. 381. 


Goat Island, i. 696 
Golden’s Bridge, i. 460 
Meth. Epis. church in, i. 460 
Graham, Isaac G., i. 563 
James, ii. 329, 449 
Grant for settlement, i. 203 
for Throckmorton’s Neck; ii. 264 


ty 


Grant for Cornell’s Neck, ii. 270 
John Pell’s of New Rochelle, i. 583 
to people of Rye, ii. 536 
of ‘Hop Grounds by Katoonah and others, 
i. 13 
Rey. Ebenezer, i. 55 
Green, Rey. Jacob, i. 55 
Greenburgh, town of, i. 258 
aboriginzl name of, i. 258 
Presbyterian church organized and erected 
in, i. 281 
Episcopal church organized and incorpor- 
ated in, i, 282 
list of rectors of Zion church in, i. 282 
erection and consecraiton of Zion church 
in, i. 283 
erection of Zion chapel in, i. 283 
St. Barnabas’ church incorporated and con- 
secrated in, 284 
Viliage of Hastings in, i. 272 
Villiage of Dobb’s Ferry in, 274 
village of Tarrytown in, i. 294 
location of, 1. 349 
Presbyterian church organized in, i. 349 
list of ministers of the Pres. church in,i. 
349 
present Pres. church erected in, i. 350 
attack upon cow-boys in, i. 355 
village of Hart’s Corners in, i. 357 
village of Greenville in, i. 358 
Greene, i. 277 
Greenville, 1. 358 
Dutch church organized and incorporated 
in, i. 358 
list of ministers of Dutch church in, i. 858 
Guion family, i. 670 
Tsaac, i. 636 
Guion’s Neck Ii. 207 


“H,” Elisha, a spy, (Hames or Holmes), i. 71 
Haight, Samuel,i. 271 
Halliday, Rev. D. M., i. 148, 149 
Hamilton, James A. i, 285 
Hammond, David, i. 308 
Harlem Bridge, il. 488 
River, i. 529 
Harrison family, i. 371 
John, i. 370 
Harrison, town of, i. 361 
first proprietor of, i. 361 
settiers of, i. 371 
Brown’s Point in, i. 381 
purchase in, i, 381 
Friends’ settlement in, i. 381 
revolutionary engagement in, i. 386 
Hart Island, ii. 84 
Hart’s Corners, i. 356 
Meth. church erected in, i. 357 
Haskell, Rev. Samuel, i. 135 


INDEX. 


Hastings, or Burying Hill, i. 272, ii. 160 
officers appointed for government of, ii. 163 
merged into Rye, ii. 163 
fight in, between Hessians and Americans, 

i, 272 

Hawley, Rey. Charles, i. 677 
Rey. Thomas, i, 738 

Hayes, Col. Isaac, i 436 

Heath, Gen., i. 166 

Heathcote, Col. Caleb, ii. 212, 217, 229 
appointed judge advocate of a court mar- 

tial, il. 225 ; 
death of, ii, 227 
last will and testament of, ii. 227 
family, sketch of, ii. 215—217 
Hill, i. 493 

Heights of North Castle, i. 723 

Henderson, Rev. Josiah, i, 54 

Henlet’s Island, i, 696 

Heyward, Col. John R., i. 247 

Holmes, Col. James, i. 70 
Mrs. Patty, i. 73 

Hotel, Flanagan, i. 553 

Houdin, Rey. Michael, 1. 647 

Howe, Gen., i. 166 

Hoyt, Rev. Warner, i. 436 

Huggeford, Dr. John, i. 118 
Peter, i. 117 : 

| Hugn¢nots, the, or French Protestants, ii. 587 
history of, ii. 587 
Hunt, Stephanus, i. 177 
Walter, i. 563 
| Hunter’s Island, ii. 88 
| Huntingdon, James P., 1, 677 
| Huntington, Gen., i. 166 

Hunt's Point, ii. 444 

Hurtlebury Island, i. 696 

Hutchinson, Ann, ii, 29 
murder of, by Indians, ii, 32 

Hutchinson’s Brook, i. 246 
Creek, i. 246 
River, i. 242, ii. 68 


INDENTURE, i. 763 
conveying land to Thomas Putchard, i. 62 
between Thomas Pell and Edward Blagge, 
li. 60 
between Thomas Pell, sr., and Thomas 
Pell, jr. ii. 61 
between Nanette Anne Bolton and Chrisi 
church, Pelham, ii. 99 
between Robert Walters and others and 
Indians, i. 106 
said, confirmed by Royal Patent, i. 107 
between Frederick Felipse and Jacobus 
Van Cortlandt, ii. 587 
said confirmed, ii. 588 
Indian Bridge, ii. 623 
deed, i. 19 


INDEX. 


of Ridgefield, i. 393 

deed of Apawamis, ii. 150 

of Euketaupucuson, ii. 135 

of Fordham, ii. 504 

of Harrison, i. 362 

of Honge, ii. 136 

of Kewigheleck, i. 93 

of Manussing, ii, 130 

of Meahagh, i. 86 

of Mentipathe, ii. 517 

of Mockquams, ii. 131 

of Neppiran, to Hon. Frederick Philipse, i. 
270 

of Nippizan to Hon. Frederick Philipse, i. 
269 

of Patthunck, ii. 140 

of Pekcantico, to Hon. Frederick Philipse, 
i, 268 

of Rahonaness, ii. 130 

of Sachus, i. 88 

of Senasqua, i, 85 

of Shenorock, ii. 150 

of Shenorock, and others, ii, 152 

of Toquams, i. 104 

of Wampus’s Land, i. 566 

of Wapeto and others, ii. 142 

same confirmed, ii. 143 

of Weckquaskeck, i. 507 

of Weghqueghe, to Hon Frederick Philipse, 
i. 270 

of Westchester, ii. 289, 290 

' of West Farms, ii. 433, 434 

of Wishqua, i. 89 

of quit claim to Sam. B. Isaacs, i. 417 

to Captain Patrick, i. 390 

of same confirmed to Mr. Stephen Goodier, 
i, 391 

to Col. Caleb Heathcote, ii, 211 

to Daniel Simpklns, i. 22 

to Jacobus Van Cortlandt, and Zachariah 
Roberts, i. 32 

to John Belden and others, i. 392 

to John Dibble, i. 31 

to John Richbell, i. 465 

to Lewis Morris, ii. 463 

to Master Roger Ludlow, i. 389 

to the planters of Norwake, i, 391 

deeds for portions of North Castle, i, 699, 
700, 701, 702, 703 

to Bedford, i. 29, 31, 35 

Field, ii. 623 

money, ii. 5 


Inglis, Rev. David, ii. 56 
Inscription in cemetery of North Salem, i. 759 


in Christ church, Pelham, ii. 96 

in Christ church, Tarrytown, i. 296 

in desk Bible of Shrub Oak M. E, church, 
ii. 694 : 


773 


Indian deed confirming lands to the proprietors | Inscription in old parish burial-ground in Rye, 


ii. 186 

on bell of old Dutch church in Sleepy Hol- 
low, i. 527 

on bell of St. Peter’s church, Westchester, 
ii. 478 

on foundation stone of old church in Ford- 
ham, ii. 521 

on head-stone to Major Samuel Pell in 
Eastchester church-yard, ii. 68 

on head-stone to Rey. John Smith, ii. 545 

to Washington Irving, i. 537 

on medal to Capt. Joel Cook, ii. 638 

on monument in Chester cathedral, Eng- 
land, to Frederick Philipse, i, 524 

monument to Andre’s captor’s, i. 345 

monument to George McChain, i, 145 

monument to Isaac Van Wart, i. 350 

monument to John Paulding, i. 142 

monument to Rey. Ebenezer Punderson, 
ii. 187 ; 

monument to Rey. Silas Constant, il. 6T 

monument to Sarah Guerlain, ii. 431 

monument to Thomas Hunt, il. 445 

monument to Thomas Paine, i. 694 

in old Dutch church in Sleep Hollow, i. 526 

in Ref. Dutch church of Tarrytown, i. 296 

on slab to Governeur Wilkins, ii. 400 

slab to Rev. Epenetus Townsend, i. 430 

slab to Washington Irving, i. 292 

on stone in grave-yard, i141 

stone to Capt. Stephen Bayard, ii. 402 

stone to Edward Underhill, ii. 401 

stone to Isabella Wilkins, ii. 393 

stone to James Bailey in Union burying- 
ground, Somers, ii. 250 

stone to John Jay, in family cemetery, 
Rye, ii. 204 

stone to Joshua Purdy, ii. 205 

stone to Judith Watkins, ii. 204 

stone to Margaret, wife of Enoch Crosby, 
in Somers grave-yard, ii. 261 

stone to Peter J. Munro, ii, 204 

stone to Philip Honeywell, ii. 402 

stone to Philip Livingston, ii. 403 

stone to Rev. David Foote, ii. 193 

stone to Rev. Evan Rogers, ii. 196 

stone to Rey. Isaac Wilkins, ii, 393 

stone to Rev. John Ireland, il. 391 

stone to Rev. William Powell, ii. 397 

stone to Sir James Jay, Kn’t, ii. 204 

stone to Thomas Underhill, ii. 406 

stone to William (Baily) Query, ii. 402 

stone to Wright Post, ii. 403 

tablet in Christ Church, Rye, i. 176 

tablet in St. Peter’s chapel, Peekskill, i. 138 

tablet to Col. Roger Morris, ii. 695 

tablet to Hon. Gouverneur Morris, ii. 495 

tablet to Rey. Alex. H. Crosby, ii. 643 


774 


>. x wet 


Inscription tablet to Ebenezer Dibblee, i. 744 
tablet to Elias Cooper, ii. 642 
tablet to James Wetmore, in Parish burial 
ground, Rye, ii. 186 
William Thompson, in Christ church, Rye, 
li. 176 
tomb of Anne Van Cortlandt, i. 195 
tomb of Catharine Van Cortlandt, i. 495 
tomb of Gerard G. Beeckman, i. 195 
tomb of Pierre Van Cortlandt, i. 194 
tomb-stone to Polycarpus Nelson, 1. 495 
tomb-stone of Rev. Samuel Seabury, ii. 374 
tomb-stone of Rt. Rey. Sam’‘l Seabury, ii.386 
vault of Charlotte Amelia Bayley, i. 620 
over the porch at Sunny Side, i. 286 
Tomb-stone to Amherst Morris, i. 696 
to Amos N. Raymond, i. 431 
to Ann Raymond, ii. 483 
to Barnardus Swartwont, i. 536 
to Capt. John Buckhont, i. 536 
to Capt. W. Morris, ii. 484 
to Catharine Thomas, i. 378 
to Charity Haggeford, i. 384 
to Charles Floyd Thomas, i. 378 
to Col. Gilbert Budd, i. 495 
to Col. Lewis Morris, ii. 483 
to Col. Thaddeus Crane, i. 759 
to Dr. Benjamin Delavan, i. 759 
to Hannah Mead, i. 450 
to Hon. Col. William Smith, ii. 226 
to Isaac Lounsberry, i. 574 
to James Bailey, i. 574 
to James Wright, ii. 258 
to John Bruen, i. 249 
to John Lewis, i. 435 
to Joseph Rodman Drake, i. 445 
to Lemuel Wells, ii. 644 
to Maj. Gen. Thomas Thomas, i. 435 
to Martha Tunstall, ii. 227 
to Miss Susannah Howland, ii. 644 
to Mrs. Althea Lamson, i. 65 
to Nancy Thomas, i. 378 
to Peter Paulding, i. 536 
to R. W. in Friends grave-yard, in Pur- 
chase, ii. 884 
to Rev. Abraham Purdy, i. 759 
to Rev. Augustine P. Prevost, i. 244 
to Rev. David Scott, i. 431 
to Rev. Ebenezer Grant, i. 55 
to Rev. Russell Trevett, i. 760 
to Solomon Meade, i. 450 
to Samuel B. Isaacs, i. 418 
to Sally Hoyt, i. 431 
to Stephen Hoyt, i, 431 
to Stephen Ward, i. 255 
to William Leggett, i. 669 
Inscriptions in burial-ground in Poundridge, 
li. 112 
in burial-ground in Rye, ii. 186-196 


INDEX. 


Inseriptions in cemetery at Clinton, i. 424 
in cemetery at Lewisboro, i. 431 
in cemetery of Pres. church, Lewisboro, i. 
450 
in cemetery of Pres. church, Sing Sing, ii. 
16, 86 
in Christ church, Petham, ii. 96-98 
in Dale cemetery Sing, Sing, ii. 4-8 
in De Lancy cemetery, Mamaroneck, i. 494 
in Jay family cemetery, Rye, ii. 204 
in Middle Patent burying-ground, i. 722 
in Pelham Manor cemetery, ii. 86 
in Purdy family burial-place in Rye, ii. 205 
in Yorktown cemetery, ii. 665 
on grave-stones in Bedford Cemetery, i. 40 
on grave-stones in North Salem cemetery, 
i. 759 
Monuments in Dale cemetery, Sing Sing, ii. 4-9 
in Pres. grave-yard, White Plains, ii. 548 
in Somer’s grave-yard, ii. 261 
to members of the Pell family, ii. 86 
Stones in grave-yard of old Dutch church, 
Sleepy Hollow, i. 536 
in old burying-ground in NewRochelle,i.668 
in burying-ground in Rye, ii. 196 
tombs in Crompond grave-yard, ii. 669 
Instructions to John Richbell, i. 465 
Inventory of estate of Pres. society, in Lewis- 


boro, i. 445 
of estate of Sir Thomas Pell, ii. 46 
of money, plate, &c., belonging to Philipse, 
manor-house, i. 519 
Treland, Rev. John, ii. 389 
Irving, family of, i. 290 
Irving, Washington, i. 265 
Isaacs, Samuel B., i. 418 
Island, City, or “ Great Minniefords,” ii. 74 
Goat, i, 696 
Hart, 1i. 84 
Heulet’s, i. 696 
Hunter’s, ii. 696 
Hurtlebury, i. 696 
Locust, i. 696 
Manussing, or Minnerris, ii. 129 
Maskett’s, i. 696 
Pea, 1, 696 
Vanchese, i. 696 


JACKSON, Rev. Charles, ii. 397 
Jay, Augustus, ii. 200 
Homestead, i. 77 
Hon. John, i. 37,7: 
s RN TT OH BE 
principal events in life of, i. 79 
tribute to, i. 79 
resolutions of Supreme Court 
upon death of, i. 79 
Hon. John anecdote of, i. 79 
“biographical sketch of, ii. 201 


“ “ 
“ “ 


“ “ 


INDEX. 


Jay, Isaac. ii. 199 
Judge William, i. 37, 80 
Judge William, death of, i. 80 
Peter, ii. 201 
Pierre, ii. 197 
Jeffard’s Neck, ii. 449 
Jenney, Rey. Robert, ii. 183 
Jessup, Edward, ii. 435 
Johnson, Mr. William, ii. 364 
Jones, Morgan, i. 220 
Rev. Eliphalet, ii. 170 
Rey. John, i. 47 


“ KAAKEOUT” Hill, i. 550 
Kastoniuck, ii. 2 

Katonah, i. S0 

Katonah, situation of, i. 0 
Katonah, churches of, i. 80 
Katonah, incorporation of M.E. church in, i, $1 
Kearny, Rev. Ravand, i. 241 
Keeler, Jeremiah, i. 428 

Keeler, Jonah, i. 741 
Keelerville, i. 741 

Keusico, M. E. Church in, i. 714 
Kieft, Director, i. 261 

King Street, ii. 209 

King’s Bridge, ii. 433, 610 
Kinnicut, Luther, ii. 118 
Kirby’s Pond, i. 578 

Kosciusko, Thaddeus, i. 561 


LAKE, Assognatah, or Trinity, i. 435 
Byram, i. 721 
Mohegan, ii. 693 
Osceola, or Magrigaries, ii. 661 
St. Mary’s. ii. 573 
Waccabuck, or Wepuck, i. 457. 
Lamson, Rey, Joseph, i. 64, ii. 187 
Larchmont, i. 502 
Laurens, Henry, i, 602 
Lawrence. Isaac, i. 247 
Lawton, William, i. 671 
Lease and release of land in North Castle, i. 723 
for church lot in Scarsdale, ii. 244 
of portion of Bronck’s Land, ii. 451 
Lee farnily, ii. 664 
Le Count family, i. 679 
Leggett, Gabriel, ii. 446 
Rev. John H., i. 147 
Thomas, i. 447 
Leisier, Hon. Jacob, i. 585 
table of descendants of, i. 555 
Lent, Hercules, i. 91 
Letter, from André to Gen. Washington, i. 453 
from Augustus Van Cortlandt, ii. 618 
from R. Lincoln, ii. 604 
from Col. Greene, ii. 677 
from Continental officer, ii. 122 
from Gen. Israe] Putnam, i. 153 


775 


| Letter from Gen. Samuel Parsons, i. 500 
from Gov. Hunter, i. 629 
from Goy. Nicoll, ii. 459 
from Goy. Tompkins, ii, 235 
from Goy. Tryon, i. 500 
from Jno. Dexter, ii. 676 
from John Jay, i. 37 
from Joseph Strang, ii. 674 
from Judge Young, i. 556 
from Lewis Morris, second, ii. 475 
from Lieut. Col. Tarleto , ii. 121 
from M. Etienne de Lancy, i. 482 
from Mr. Barclay, ii. 36“ 
from Milner, ii. 373 
from Oliver Cromvwell, ii. 53 
from Rey. David Bonrepos, i. 604 
from Rey. John Jones, i. 47 
from Rev. John Nye, ii. 55 
from Rev. Peter Stouppe, i. 636 
from Secretary of New York ii. 459 
from settlers of Hastings, i. 162 
from vestry of Peekskill, i. 125 
from vestry of Rye, ii. is2 
from Washington Irving, i. 534 
of instructions to vestries, fi. 181 
to Gen. Maunsell, ii. 76 
to Gen. Washington. i. 34S 
to Hon. Provincial Congress, ii. 117 
to vestry or Rye, ii. 185 
to vestry of Trinity church, N. Y., i. 241 
Letters from the church of New Rochelle, i. 
613, 614, 646 
from Col. Caleb Heathcote, i. 368, 612, 614, 
ii, 331, 
from Gen. Washington, i. 695, ii. 684, 687 
from Gen. W. W. Morris, ii. 500 
from Gov. Peter Stuyvesant, ii. 279, 281, 583 
from Lewis Morris, ii. 451, 561 
from Mr, John Bartow, i. 633, ii. 324 
from Rey. Daniel Bondet, i. 611, 626 
from Rev. Ebenezer Dib'lee, i. 419, 743 
from Rev. Mr. Houdi», i. (48, 657 
from Rey. Thomas Standard, ii. 354-364 
from Thomas Hughes, ji “Si, €83 
of administration on estat: of Capt. Rich- 
ard Morris, ii. 459 
of administration on estate of Jwfrow 
Slaghboom, ii. 453 
of administration to Mr. William Beeck- 
man, ii. 453 
of institution, ii, 365, 376 
relating to André’s capture, i. 311, 451 
to Gen. W. W. Morris, ii. 500 
to Gov. Stuyvesant, ii. 280, 281 
to Lewis, John, i, 433 
Lewisboro, town of, i. 389 
original name of, i. 389 
incorporation of, i. 389 
hame changed to, i. 389 


776 INDEX. 


Lewisboro, church erected in, i. 415 
church in, sold, i. 422 
church in, reorganized and incorporated, 
i. 425 
church in, named, erected and consecrated, 
i. 427 
list of rectors of church in, i. 452 
church in, endowed, i. 432 
corner-stone of St. Paul’s in, laid, i. 435 
rectory of St. Paul’s erected in, i. 436 
Vista, village in, i. 428 
first Presbyterian ordination in, i. 440 
first Presbyterian church gathered in, i. 440 
erection of first Presbyterian church in,{.449 
present Presbyterian church erected in, i. 
449 
parsonage erected in, i. 449 
list of ministers of Presbyterian church in, 
i, 449 
Presbyterian church in, incorporated, i. 450 
temporary prison of André in, i. 451 
Cross River, village in, i. 4£0 
Golden’s Bridge, village in, i. 450 
License for settlement in New Netherlands, ii. 
264 
from Bishop of London to Mr. Bartow, ii. 
322 
from Caleb Heathcote for sale of land, i. 699 
Goy. Dongan for marriage, i. 516 
to Adriaen Van d.r Donck to bequeath 
property, i. 5S2 
to Elias Bonrepos 9s school-master, i. 606 
to erect a ciurch in New Rochelle, i. 619 
Lines by Rodman Drake, ou the Bronx, ii. 444 
of Fitz Greene Halleck, to Croton Lake, ii. 
703 
upon André’s capture, i. 344 
Lispenard, Antoine, i. 686 
Leonard, i. 687 
Livingston, Col. Henry B., i. 170, 188 
John, i. 65 
Lockwood, Capt. Joseph, ii. 109 
Hon. Samuel Drake, ii. 119 


As st “sketch of, ii. 119-12" 
Maj. Ebenezer, ii. 113 
“ “ 


sketch of, ii, 113,115 
Locust Island, i. 696 
Long Pond, i. 457 
**Long Reach,” i. 210 
Lorillard, Peter, ii. 431 
Ludlow family, ii. 627 
Lyon Os i. 721 
James, i. 73 
Rey. David C., i. 57 


MAMARONACK, Indian chief, i. 84 

Mamaroneck, town of, i. 4638 
meaning of name, i. 463 
original inhabitants of, i. 468 


Mamaroneck site of Indian village in, i. 464 
records of, i. 492 
Heathcote Hill in, i. 493 
de Lancy cemetery in, i. 49-4 
Episcopal church erected and consecrated 
in, i. 496 
present parish organized and incorporated 
in, i. 496 
list of rectors of, i. 497 
Methodist Episcopal society organized in, 
i. 497- 
Larchmont, village in, i. 502 
River, i. 492 F 
Mandate from Goy. Burnet, li. 355 
from Gov. Cornbury, ii. 323 
from Gov. Moore, ii. 376 
from Gov, Tryon, i. 128 
from Lieutenant Governor Colden, ii. 366 
Manussing Island, or Minnerris, ii. 129 
list of first settlers of, ii. 161 
settlers of, declare allegiance, ii. 161 
Maramaking, or “t Lame Will,” ii. 128 
Marshall, Rey. Wiiliam, i. 148 
Maskett’s Island, i. 696 
Mather, Warham, ii. 317 
Mayaro, Indian, 1. 1 
Mead, Rev. Edward N., ii. 12 
Rey. Solomon, i. 441 
Mehanas River, i. 722 
Merwin, Jesse, or *‘ Ichabod Crane,’ i. 533 
a letter of Irving’s to, i. 534 
Metsewakes, i. 84 
Middle Patent, i. 722 
(5 ae M. E. church, in, i. 722 
Mile Square, in Greenburgh, 1. 599 
Miles, Rev. John, i. 151 
Mill Brook, ii. 260 
Mills, Jonathan, i. 72 
Rev. Samuel, i. 51 
Milner, John, i. 234, ii. 356, 374, 650 
Milton, ii. 196 
Grace chapel in, ii. 195 
Mohegan Lake, ii. 693 
Mongockonone, Sachem of Weckquaskeck, i. 
259 
Monument to Coi. Benjamin Greene, ii. 261 
to Hon. Col. William Smith, ii. 226 
to John Bruen, in old church of Tarvin, ii. 
249 
to Martha Tunstall, ii, 227 
Morris, Col. Roger, ii. 634, 695 , 
family, sketch of, ii. 455-478 
“© Yorktown branch of, ii. 695 
Hon. Lewis, il. 239 
Lewis, 1st, i. 215, ii. 455 
“9nd, ii. 469, 478 
Richard, ii. 458 
Morrisania, manor of, ii. 451 
derivation of name, ii. 451 


a 


| 


INDEX. 77 : 


SS, 
Morrisania, first proprietor of, ii. 458 New Castle, list of rectors of St. Mark’s church 
erected into township and manor, fi. 470 in, i. 577 
present proprietors of, ii. 487 Sarlesville, hamlet in, i. 577 
Melrose, in, ii. 488 Friends’ meeting-house in, i. 517 
Mott Haven, in, ii. 488 New Rochelle, town of, i. 581 
Woodstock in, ii. 488 the Huguenots of, i. 587 
Eltona in, ii. 488 village of, incorporated, i. 601 
formerly a precinct of Westchester parish, settlement of, i. 601 
ii. 492 name of, i. 601 
St. Ann’s church, founded in, ii. 493 first church built by Huguenots in, i. 608 
list of rectors of St. Ann’s church in, ii. 497 erection of church in, i. 622 
St. Paul’s parish, organized in, ii. 497 disturbances in the church at, i. 630 
division of Continentals stationed at, ii, 498 meeting-house erected by seceders in, 1. 630 
Mosier, Lieut. William, i. 183 church closed in, i. 662 
Moit’s Neck, i. 503 parish reorganized in, i. 663 
Mount Misery, i. 395 present church edifice in, i. 666 
Mount Pleasant, town of, i. 505 old burying-ground in, i. 668 
Sleepy Hollow in, i. 505 list of ministers and rectors of, i. 670 
sé ses church in, i. 526 Presbyterian church incorporated, built 
grave-yard of old Dutch church in, i. 536 and dedicated in, i. 675 
Beechwood in, i. 549 Presbyterian church in, i. 671 
St. Mary’s church in, i, 548 list of ministers of Presbyterian church in, 
Pleasantville in, i. 549 i. 676 
St. John’s church in Pleasantville, in, i. 549 present Presbyterian church erected in,1.676 
East Tarrytown in, i. 549 - Beachwood cemetery incorporated in, i. 678 
county poor-house in, i. 549 M. E. society organized and incorporated 
Four Corners in, i. 553 in, i. 678 
Unionville in, i. 562 Baptist church in, i. 678 
Mount Vernon, i. 213 : Roman Catholic church erected in, i. 678 
incorporated, i, 213 Upper Rochelle, hamlet in, 1. 694 
West, i. 250 Coopers’ Corners, or Wilmot, in, i. 694 
Mountain, Anthony’s Nose, i. 163 sufferings of, in the Revolution, i. 695 
Buttermilk, i. 563 Nicholls, Gov. Richard, ii. 38 
Turkey, ii. 698 Nippiran Island, i. 269 
Wepuck, i. 457 North Castle, town of, i. 697 
Mountains, Asproom, i. 396 origin of name of, i. 697 
Muirson, Rev. Geo., ii. 178 Indian name of, i. 697 
Munro, Peter Jay, i. 502 Mount Misery in, i. 698 
Munro’s Neck, or Larchmont, i. 502 Armonck, village in, i, 713 
Muscoota River, ii. 260 Kensico, Pee leas 
Mutighticoos River, i. 734 North Castle, ‘* ‘* i. 714 
Myanos River, i. 13 St. Stephen’s church organized and’erected 
in, i. 715 
NEGRO Fort, il. 528 list of rectors of St.Stephen’s church in,i.715 
** Neutral Ground,” the ii. 612 old M. E. church incorporated in, i. 715 
New Castle, town of, i. 565 new M. E. church erected in, i. 715 
Indian name of, i. 565 Col. Jameson’s headquarters at, i. 716 
aboriginal proprietor of, i. 565 Brimstone Alley, in, i. 719 
principal proprietors of, i. 672 Heights of, i. 723 
New Castle corners, village in, i. 573 Fort Hill in, i. 723 
@ precinct of Rye parish, i. 573 Camp Field in, i. 723 
St. George’s church in, i. 574 Rye Pond in, i. 723 
incorporation of St. George’s church in, i. | North Salem, town of, i. 733 
575 erection of township of, i. 733 
Methodist Episcopal church incorporated organization of parish in, i. 742 
in, i. 575 union of parish in, with churches in Ridge- 
present M, E. church erected in, i. 575 field and Ridgebury, 1. 744 
erection and incorporation of St. Mark’s union of Bedford and Stephentown with, 


church in, i. 576 i, 755 


778 INDEX. 


North Salem, erection of St. James’ church in, | Order of Governor Richard Nicolls, ii. 271 


i, T57 

listof rectors of, i. 756 

church incorporated in, i, T57 

erection of second church in, i, 758 

first Presbyterian congregation in, i. 760 

its incorporation as a Congregational 
church in, i. 761 

its incorporation as a Presbyterian church 
in, i. 762 

list of pastors and suppiies of, i. 762 

erection of old Presbyterian church in, i. 
762 

erection of present church in, i. 762 

organization of M. E. society in, 1. 763 

incorporation of Baptist society in, i. 763 

incorporation of Universalist society in, i. 
763 

erection of Friends’ meeting-house in,i. 763 

erection of academy in, i. 763 

act of incorporation of academy in, i. 766 

Natural Bridge in, i. 766 

chalybeate spring in, i, 767 

boulder-stone in, i. T67 

first election of town officers in, i. 769 


Notice, obituary of Andrew Corsa, ii. 532 


of Father Orsenigo, i. 768 

of Hon. Pierre Van Cortlandt, i. 110 

of Hon. Robt. A. Morris, ii. 435 

of Moses Field, ii. 698 

of Mrs. Mary Morris, ii. 483 

of Rev. Andrew Fowler, i. 132 

of Rev. Isaac Wilkins, ii. 394 

public, for sale of lands, i. 570 
BS of survey and balloting for lots, i.706 
Be to freeholders and inhabitants of 
Westchester Co., ii. 556 


of sc Tryon, i. 128 
of Thomas Pell, ii. 287 
of town officers of Rye, ii. 164 
to Capt. Jacques Cortelyon, ii. 469 
to Thomas Peli, ii. 469 
Orders of Gen. Assembly at Hartford, ii. 280 
to Lewis Morris, ii. 459 
Ossining, town of, ii. 1 
orthography of, i. 1 
Sing Sing in, ii. 4 
Sparta in, ii. 15 
Crawbucky Point in, ii. 20 
Zion Hill in, ii. 21 
Briar Cliff in, ii. 23 
Oblong, description of, i. 396, 737 
map of, i. 737 
release of, to Jonah Keeler, i. 739 
controversy concerning, i. 396 
settlement of boundary line of, i. 397 
ceded to New York, i. 397 
Royal patent for lower portion of, i. 408 


PaGE, Rev. Bernard, i. 132 
Paine, Thomas, i. 691, 694 
Palmer, Benjamu, ii. 79 
Francis A., i. 57 
Sir Edmund, i. 153 
Parcot family, i. 689 
Parsonage, or Montrose’s, Point, i. 172 
Point, Prot. Epis. church at, i. 178 
Passport to Daniel Bonnett, i. 595 
Patent, Bedford, i. 24 
de Lancy, i. 735 
for Cornell’s Neck, ii. 273 
for Grove Farm, ii. 268 
for Nepperhaen, ii. 584 
Gov. Andros’s, for Bronck’s Land, ii. 462 


OBITUARY NOTICE, see notice. 

Odell, Gen. Jacob, ii. 653 
Jonathan, i. 285 

Ogilby, Rey. John, il. 24 

Onderdonk Rev. B. T., ii. 12 

**Oostdorp,” ii. 279 


Order for invent. of Lewis Mot ris’ estate, ii. 467 


from Baron DeKalb, i. 193 
from Col. L. Morris to Gov. Coloe, ii 461 


general of N. Y. State Society of the Cincin- 


nati, i. 242 
in Council, ii. 277 
of Col. Drake, ii. 705 
of Col. Hull, ii. 705 
of Congress, ii. 612 
of Council of War, i. 208 
of Council to people of Rye, ii, 472 
of Court of Sessions, ii. 272 
of Dutch authorities, ii. 277 
of Gen. Washington, ii. 676 
of Governor and Council, ii, 155 


letters, for Mamaroneck, i. 470 
middle of North Castle, i. 701 
Nicoll's, for Bronck’s Land, ii. 454 
* Rie,” ii. 141 
royal for Bedford, i. 34 
«  -Bronck’s Land, ii. 454 
“  & Budd’s Neck, ii. 156 
“church and ground at New Ro- 
chelle, i. 625 
“  s6 ferry, ii. 206 
“ “ WFlarrison’s Purchase, i. 364 
«* “lower portion of the Oblong, i. 403 
“ “ Scarsdale, ii. 212 
** letters, of Middle Patent, i. 74 
‘© of East Chester, i. 205 
** of Fordham, ii. 505 
“© of Long Reach, i. 211 
‘¢ of part of North Castle, i 728. 
* of Rye, ii. 146 
‘* of Sachus, or Ryck’s Patent, i. $9 
© of West Farms, ii. 434 


—— <= 


INDEX. 779 


Patent royal of White Plains, il. 541 
to people of Stamford and the same con- 


Peekskill, address of William Pauiding in,i 143 
Dutch Reformed church founded in, i. 144 


firmed by Indians, ii. 105, 106 
West of North Castle, i. 567 
Patents Royal for the Oblong, i. 399, 400 
for Pelham Manor, ii. 38, 57 
for Westchester, ii. 287, 289 
Paulding, John, i. 117, 141, 142, 156, 308, 309 
birth and death of, i. 155, 156 
William, i. 143 
Pea Island, i. 696 
Peach Pond, i. 767 
Peekskill, town of, i. 112 


earliest settlement of, i. 113 

settlement of present village of, i. 113 

Village of, incorporated, i. 113 

village government of, organized, i. 113 

educational advantages of, i. 114 

mInilitary academy in, i. 115 

academy in, i. 115 

high school of, i. 115 

St. Gabriel's school (Episcopal) in, i. 115 

the Seminary of Our Lady of Angels, (Ro- 
man Catholic) in, i. 155 

young ladics’ school in, i. 115 

earliest records of parish of, i. 118 

supplies for divine service in, i. 11S 

erection and dedication of St. Peters 
church in, i. 119 

confirmed in possession of church grouhd 
and cemetery, 120 

St. Peter’s church in chartered, i. 120 

first vestry-meeting of church in, 124 

the ch. in, petitions the V.P.S. for aid, i. 124 

first rector called to, i. 127 

Tector admitted to the rectory in, and in- 
stituted by Gov. Tryon, i. 12S 

g.ebe secured to parish of, i. 129 

troubles in the church in, i. 131 

religious services suspended in, i. 132 

sacked and burnt, i. 132 

Presbyterians attempt to seize church and 
gilebe in, i. 132 

first incorporation of St. Peter’s church af- 
ter the revolution, i. 133 

second rector called to, i. 133 

resignation of second rector of, i. 134 

rectors of St. Peter’s church in, i. 135 

sale of the glebe of, i. 136 

St. Paul’s church organized in, i. 136 

St. Peter’s chapel incorporated, erected and 
re-incorporated, as St. Peter’s church of 
Cortlandt in, i. 139 

list of rectors of Cortlandt in, i. 140 

monument to the memory of John Pauld- 
ing in, i. 141 

public honors to the memory of John Pauld- 
ing in, i. 143 


Indian name of, i. 112 


incorporation of Van Ness Reformed Dutch 
church in, i. 145 

erection of first Presbyterian church in, i. 
146 

incorporation of Independent Presbyterian 
church in, i. 146 

organization of the present Presbyterian 
church in, i. 147 

organization of second Presbyt=rian church 
in, i. 148 

erection and dedication of church edifice 
in, i. 148 

erection of parsonage in, i. 149 

organization of first Baptist church in, i. 
150 

erection and dedication of meeting-house 
in, i. 150 

list of pastors of Baptist church in, i 150 

Baptist burying-ground in, i, 150 

M. E. church incorporated and erected in, 
i. 150 

Protestant Methodist society esiablished 
and incorporated in, i. 151 

list of Wesleyan or Primitive Methodist 
ministers of, i. 151 

erection of Wesleyan church in, i. 151 

society of Friends organized, and mesting- 
house erected in, i. 151 

Rom. Cath. church and institutions in, i. 151 

execution of Edmond Palmer a3 a spy in, 
i, 153 

British in possession of, i. 157 

account of engagement with the British in, 
i, 157 

destruction of old Continental village of, i 
159 

remains of Fort Independence in, i. 160 

Sir Henry Hudson’s impressions of this re- 
gion, i. 160 


Pelham Bridge, ii. $4 


Dale, ii. 68 
Neck, ii. 70 - 

‘© landing of British forces upon, ii. 73 
Priory, ii. 37 


Pelham, town of, ii. 27 


origin of name of, ii. 27 

plantation of Ann Hutchinson in, ii. 29 

Indian Massacre in, ii. 32 

Manor of, erected, ii. 56 

Royal Patent granted to, ii. 57 

Bartow, village in, ii. 88 

parish of Christ church organized and 
church erected in, ii. 94 

rectory erected in, ii. 99 

list of rectors of Christ church in, ii. 100 

erection of Huguenot Forest Memorial 
chapel in, ii, 101 


780 


Pelhamville, ii. 69 
Episcopal church in, ii. 69 
Pell family, pedigree of, ii. 39, 64 
Rey. John, ii. 50 
cs “ diary of, ii. 51 
letters of, ii. 29, 52 
Thomas, Will of, ii. 63 
Pellew, Henry Edward, i. 780 , 
** Pequot Mills,” i. 396 
Perry, Rev. David, i. 755 
Petition for patent for the church at New Ro- 
chelle, ii. 622 
this reported upon, ii. 623 
for royal patent for oblong, i. 400 
“6 “ “ “c &“ granted, i. 399 
from Adriaen van der Donck, ii. 581 
from church of New Rochelle, i. 642 
from East Chester, i. 230 
from French church at New Rochelle, i. 651 
from John Richbell, i. 467 
from Lower Yonkers, ii. 639 
from Mayor and Alderman of New York, 
ii. 611 
from New Rochelle, i. 588 
from people of Fordham and West Farms, 


“ “ 


il. 448 
from people of Rye, ii. 145 
ac “ “ce 


Westchester, ii. 285 
from proprietors of Ridgefield, i. 397 
from Rey. Mr. Bondet, i. 608 
from trustees of St, Peter’s church, West- 
chester, ii. 387 

Westchester, ii. 367, 

from the vestry of Peekskill, i 126 
ih 2 * Salem, i. 745 

Indian, i. 473 

to collect funds for the erection of a minis- 
ter’s house at New Rochelle, i. 650 

to Goy. Geo. Clinton, i. 405 

Petitions from people of Bedford, i, 23, 24 
from Richard Mis, ii. 284 

Philipse family, sketch of, i. 508 
Frederick, i. 508 
Hon. Frederick, i, 268, 522 
Mary, ii. 633 
Philip, i. 517 

Piamikin, i. 1 

Pinckney, Henry, i. 248 
Philip, i. 249 

- Pine’s Bridge, ii. 705 

Pintard, Capt. Sam., i. 679 
Dr. John, i. 596 

Pleasantville, i. 563 
M. E. church in, i. 563 

Plum Brook, ii. 255 

Pocantico River, i. 268, 506 
description of, i. 545 

Pockeotessen Brook, ii. 205 

Poem upon Andre, i. 320 


INDEX. 


Pomeroy, Maj. Gen. Seth, i. 141 
Pond, Beaver, i. 251 
Cohamong, i. 722 
Crom, or Crooked, il. 672 
Cross, or Peppeneghek, i. 488 
Long, i. 457 
Peach, i. 767 
Rye, ii. 723 
Simmons’, i. 578 
Wampus, i. 578 
Poningoe Neck, ii. 129 
Ponus Neck proprietors of, ii. 144 
Ponus i. 2. 
Popham, Brigadier Maj. William, ii. 240 
family, ii. 240 
Portchester, ii. 206 
Pres. church erected in, ii. 207 
list of pastors of Pres. church in, ii. 207 
Somerfield M. E. church built and dedicated 
in, ii. 208 
Baptist church dedicated in, ii. 20S 
list of pastors of Baptist church in, ii. 208 
Rom. Cath. church in, ii. 208 
Be ee “ pastors of, ii. 208 
corner-stone of Prot. Epis. church in, 208 
consecrated and named, ii. 209 
rectory built in, 1i, 209 
list of rectors of, ii. 209 
Port Morris, ii. 491 


| Poumpahowhelbsheln, i. 260 


Poundridge, town of, ii. 103 
origin of name of, ii. 103 
transferred from Connecticut to New York, 
li. 108 
first settlers of, i. 109 
Presbyterian church 
erected in, ii. 109 
government of Presbyterian church in, ii. 
109 
list of ministers of Presbyterian church in, 
ii. 110 
a precinct of Rye parish, ii. 111 
Episcopal services In, ii. 111 
M. E. church incorporated and erected in, 
ii. 111 
skirmish between British and Americans 
in, ii, 118 
account of action in, ii. 121 
Boutonville, village in, ii. 124 
Powel, Rey. William, ii. 397 
Powhag, or Pinaghag, ii. 105 
Prevost, Maj. Gen. Augustine, ii. 69 
Prince Charles’s redoubt, ii. 528 
Pritchard, Rev. Thomas, i. 60, ii. 178 
Protest of inhabitants and freeholders of West- 
chester County, ii. 557, 561 
Prudden, Rey. John, i. 41 
+: s Peter, ii. 171 
Public notice, See notice. 


incorporated and 


INDEX. 781 


Punderson, Rey. Ebenezer, i. 65, ii. 187 


Purchase by Frederick Philipse from the In- 


dians, and the same confirmed, ii, 3 
by Zachariah Roberts from Indians, i. 32 
of ** Hop Grounds ” from Indians, i. 13 


of Meahagh, (Verplanck’s Point.) by Hon. 


Stephanus Van Cortlandt, i. 86 


of Rippowams, or Bedford, from Indians, 


1. 2 

of Salem from Indians, i. 733 
Purchase, or Rye Woods, ii. 381 

Friend’s meeting-house in, ii. 351 
Purdy family, ii. 663 

Francis, ii. 166 

Hon. Joshua, i. 597 
Purdy’s Station, i. T68 
Putnam, Gen. Israel, i. 153 


QUANTINE, ISAAC, i. 636 
Quinnahung, or Great Planting Neck, ii. 444 


*RAVEN’S ROCK,” i. 551, ii. 123 
Raymond Hill, ii. 117 
Rece:pt for manorial quit-rent, i. 98 
for money by Rachel Pell, i. 587 
for quit-rent of East Patent, i. 402 
e ef on Ryck’s Patent, i. 91 
ss ES to Bedford, i. 35 
a ee from Thomas Pell, i. 687 
Receipts for quit-rent, i. 438, 477 


for rent to Lords of Philipsborough, ii. 603 


“ % « Purdy’s of Yorktown, ii, 663 
Reed, Elder Nathan, i. 70 
Reid, Robert, ii. 246, 653 


Release between Caleb Fowler and Joseph Sut- 


ton, i. 710 


from Levinus and Anne Clarkson, to B. 


Smith and others, i. 708 
from Indians to Geo. Booth, i. 703 


of burial-ground of St. Peter’s church, ii. 


339 


of church glebe from executors of*Joseph 


Pell to David Guion, i, 658 
of land to Frederick Philipse, ii. 2 
“« « 6 “Huguenots, i. 586 


of Oblong proprietors to Jonah Keeler, i. 


7359 


Report of engineers upon navigation of Croton 


River, ii. 705 
Requa, Capt. James, i. 117 


Resolutions adopted by people of Rye and 


Westchester, ii. 553 
adopted by Provincial Congress, ii. 564 
cf “© Westchester, ii. 554 

Rhinelander, Philip Jacob, i. 674 
Rich family, ii. 600 
Richardson, John, ii. 437 
Richbeil, John, i. 465 
hiker, i. 90 


River, Acquacknouncke, or Hutchinson’s, i. 242, 
Bronx, i. 250 [ii. 68 
Byram, or Armoncek, ii, 205 
Cisqua, i. 38 
Cros3, i. 38 
Croton, i. 83 
Harlem, i. 529 
Kisco, i. 579 
Mehanas, i. 722 
Mill, i. 437 
Muscoota, ii. 260 
Pocantico, i. 258, 506 
Pockeotessen, ii. 205 
Sheldrake, i. 492 
Sin Sinck, ii. 4 
Sprains, ii. 654 
Titicus, i. 734 
Wysquaqua, i. 259 
Rivington, James, ii. 269 
Roberts, Zachariah i. 18 
Robinson, Col. Beverly, i. 129, 130, 275 
Rochambeau, Count de, i. 188, 250 
Rodman, Rev, Washington, ii. 240 
Rodman’s Point, ii. 31 
Ryder, Mrs. Susannah, ii. 22 
Rye Pond, i. 723 
Rye, town of, i. 23 
protection of Connecticut granted to, i. 23 
meeting of Commissioners to fix the bound- 
ary line of, i. 29 

finally secured to New York, i. 29 

ovigin of name of, ii. 127 

Indian name Of, ii. 127 

claim of Connecticut to, ii. 132 

annexed to Connecticut, ii. 133 

settlement of boundary of, ii. 134 

agreement for change of boundary of, ii. 138 

claims of New York and Connecticut to, re- 
ferred to the King, ii. 138 

the King’s proclamation regarding, ii. 139 

boundary line of, finally settled, ii. 129 

list of early inhabitants of, ii. 139 

application for Patent for, ii. 140 

list of deputies from, to General Court, ii. 
142 

Royal Patent issued to, ii. 144 

people of, ask for Patent, ii. 145 

Royal Patent granted to, ii. 146 

the State claims quit-rent of, ii. 150 

Budd’s Patent in, divided, ii. 159 

first settlement in, ii. 160 

Burying Hill, or Hastings in, ii. 160 

Manussing Island in, ii. 160 

Hastings merged into, ii. 163 

erected into a market-town, ii. 165 

ferry established between Long Islamd and, 
ii. 165 

first religious society of, ii. 167 

ljst of ministers of Cong”! church in, ii, 172 


782 


Rye, Presbyterian church erected in, ii. 173 
Presbyterian church in, burned and rebuilt, 
ii. 174 
formal organization of Presbyterian church 
in, ii. 175 
Presbyterian church and chapel erected in, 
ii. 175 
list of pastors of Presbyterian church in, 
li. 175 
Grace church erected and chartered in, ii. 
167, 187 
precincts of, ii. 177 
name of Grace church changed to Christ’s 
church, ii. 193 
new church built and consecrated in, ii. 193 
Christ’s church in, burned, ii. 193 
new church built and consecrated in, li. 193 
Christ church incorporated in, ii. 193 
list of rectors of Christ’s church in, ii. 194 
Methodism introduced into, ii. 195 
Methodist Episcopal church erected and re- 
modeled in, ii. 195 
Milton, village in, ii. 196 
Jay fami'y residence in, ii. 203 
Port Chester, village in, ii. 206 
ferry established in, ii. 206 
King street M. E church in, ii. 209 
Ae “Baptist church in, ii. 209 
list of pastors of, ii. 209 
Continental forces quartered in, ii. 210 


SACKET, REy. RICHARD, i. 50 
Sackett, Rev. Samuel, i. 146, 668 
Sale of land by New York, for quit-rent, i. 108 
in Fordham, ii. 503 
in North Castle, by Indians, i. 702 
in Rye, by John Coe, i. 133 
in Westchester, by John Wile, ii. 26é¢ 
to Caleb Hall, by Andrew Johnson, i. 113 
to Geo. Booth and others, i, 211 
to John Johnston, by Bedford, i. 28 
to John Sent, by Philip Verplanck, i. 107 
lands of Pres. church in Lewisboro, i, 447 
Sands family of North Castle, i. 715 
Sarah Bishop cave, i. 458 
Sarles, Nancy H. i. 71 
Sarlesville, i. 577 
Scarsdale, town of, ii. 211 
origin of name of, ii. 211 
erected into manor, ii. 212 
parish organized in, ii. 243 
corner-stone of church laid in, ii. 243 
church of St. James-the-Less incorporated 
in, ii. 243 
grounds conveyed to church in, ii, 243 
list of rectors in, ii. 247 
tragical occurrence in, ii. 248 
British forces in, ii. 248 
Friends’ meeting-house in, ii. 250 


INDEX, 


Schieffelin, Col. C. M., i. 246 
Schuyler, Gen., i. 185 
Schuylerville, ii. 422 
Seabury, Rey. Samuel, 1i. 374 
. ve isp es LSE YY 
“* institution as Rector 
of St. Peter’s church, Westchester, ii. 376 
Seabury, Rev. Samuel, Jr., letters of, ii. 877-384 
consecrated Bishop, ii. 384 
death of, ii. 385 
Secor family, ii. 232, 689 
Shanarockwell, or Shanarocke, ii. 117 
Shebeck, Rey. Geo., i. 755 
*¢ Shippa,” i 581. 
Shrub Oak, ii. 693 
M. E. Church organized, incorporated and 
erected in, ii. 694, 696 
St. Mary’s parochial church in, ii. 696 
Lake Mohegan, near, ii. 694 
Shute, Elisha, i. 250 
Simmon’s Pond, i. 578 
Sing Sing, ii. 4 
Village of, incorporated, ii. 9 
St. Paul’s Prot. Epis. church in, ii. 11 
rectory of St. Paul’s in, ii. 13 
list of rectors of St. Paul’s chureh in, ii. 13 
Trinity church organized in, ii. 13 
M. E. church in, ii. 14 
Baptist church organized and erected in, 
ii. 14 
present Baptist church erected in, ii. 14 
list of pastors of Baptist church in, ii. 14 
Pres. church erected in Sparta, afterwards 
removed to, ii. 15 
present Pres. church erected and consecra-_ 
ted in, ii. 16 
list of ministers of Pres. church in, ii. 16 
Americans surprised by British troops in 
ii. 19 
State-prison in, ii. 21 
Crawbucky point in, ii. 20 
Sisranoys, ii. 28 
Skinners, the, i. 306 
Slawson, Nathan, ii. 117 
Sleepy Hollow, i. 505 
Dutch Reformed church in, i. 526 
old Dutch church first organized and erect- 
ed in, i. 538 
first minister of church in, i. 533 
list of ministers of, i. 542 
onderlingen en diakenen of old Dutch 
church in, i. 543 
Headless Horseman of, i. 546 
Smith family of North Castle, i. 712 
Joshua H., i. 275 
Matson, i. 677 
Rey. J. Ritchie, i. 149 
Rey. John, ii. 173 
Somers, Capt., ii. 251 


“e “ “ 


INDEX. 


Somers, 
town of, ii. 251 
first name of, ii. 251 
origin of name of, ii. 251 
village of, ii. 255 
St. Luke’s church incorporated in, ii, 257 
list of rectors of St. Luke’s church in, ii. 257 
Presbyterian church incorporated in, ii. 257 
present Presbyterian church erected in, ii. 
258 
list of pastors of Presbyterian church in, ii. 
258 
first M. E. society incorporated in, ii. 258 
Methodist brick church incorporated in, li. 
258 
Croton Falls, village in, ii. 259 
Presbyterian church organized and erected 
in, ii. 260 
West Somers, village in, ii. 260 
Mount Zion M. E. church incorporated and 
erected in, ii. 260 
Soulice family, ii. 690 
Sparta, ii. 25 
Spencer, Rev. J. Selden, i. 296 
Spicer’s Neck, ii. 264 
“ Spy Oak,” ii. 415 
St. Mary’s Lake, ii. 573 
Standard, Rey. Thomas, ii. 234, 354 
letters of, ii. 354-364 
death of, ii. 362 
will of, ii. 362 
“ Stepping stone light,” ii. 420 
*“Stoney Hills,” ii. 123 
Stouppe, Rev. Pierre, i. 634 
Strang family, ii. 673 
Maj. Thomas, ii. 673 
Strebeck, Rev. Geo., i. 67 
Stuart, Rev. Alexander, i. 60 
Studwell, Thomas, ii. 152 
Sturgeon, Rev. Robert, i. 50 
Summerville, James, i. 255 
Sunny Side, i. 285 
Surrender of rights by people of Westchester, 
Sutton family, i. 571 
Survey of West Farms, ii. 438 


TALBOT, St. George, i. 65, 743 
Taphance, ii. 105 
Tarleton, Col., i. 74 
Tarrytown, i. 294 
settlement of, i. 294 
churches of, i. 294 
erection and consecration of Christ’s ch. 
in, i. 295 
erection of second Ref. Dutch ch. in, i. 296 
of first Ref. Dutch church, the old Dutch 
church in, i. 296 
succession of pastors ofRef. Dutch churches 
in, i. 297 


783 


4 
Tarrytown, Asbury M. E. church, incorporated 
and re-organized, in, i. 297 
erection of second M. E. church, in, i. 298 
se “ §$t, Paul’s, i. 298 
Baptist church, in, i. 298 
capture of Andre, in, i. 299 
monument to Andre’s captors, in, i. 346 
Revolutionary incidents in conuection with, 
i. 346 
Teller, William, i. 85, 196 
Teller’s Point, i. 85 
Ten Broeck, Rev. Petrus, i. 136 
Tennent, Rey. William, i. 48 


Testimony about Col. Green’s surprisal, ii. 685 
Tetard’s Height, or Hill, ii. 528, 614 
The old Westchester Path, ii. 128 
Thomas family, i. 373 
Hon. John, i. 373 
Rey. John, i. 374 
Thomson, Rey. John, i. 146 
Throckmorton, John, ii. 266 
Throckmorton’s Neck, li. 265 
as Point, ii. 41T 
Tippett’s Vale, ii. 620 
Tompkins, Hon. Daniel D,, ii. 233 
ancestors of, ii. 233 
family of, 233 
biographical sketch of, ii. 233, 239 
death of, ii. 239 
Townsend, Rey. Epenetus, i. 736 
death of, i. T54 
Tremont, ii. 528 
Mount Hope, or House of Rest for Con- 
sumptives, in, ii. 529 
list of officers of Consumptives’ Home, in, 
ii. 529 
Trevett, Rev. Russell, i. 760 
Tryon, Goyv., i. 128 
Tuckahoe, ii. 655 
Episcopal chapel erected in, ii. 656 
list of Rectors of St John’s chapel in, ii. 657 
Meth. church in, ii. 653 
settlement of, ii. 658 
Tuckahoe Hills, ii. 657 — 
historical incidents connected with, ii. 657 
Turner, Nathaniel, i. 2 
“Turtle Rock,” i. 75 
Twitching’s Corners, i. 561 
Isaac, i. 561 


UNDERHILL, Capt, John, i. 7, 197; ii. 30 
battle of » With the Indians, i. T 
biographical account of the family of, ii. 
405 
Elder Charles H., i. 70 
family, ii. 698 
Unionville, i. 562 
Dutch Ref. church organized and incor- 
porated in, i. 563 


784 INDEX. 


Upper Rochelle, i. 694 Venerable, petition to, from church of New 
Meth. church in, i. 694 Rochelle, i, 642 

Verplanck, i. 164 

Verplanck’s Point, i. 163 

Vincent, Gilbert, Jr., i. 245 

Vista, i. 488 
churches and other public buildings of, i. 


VALENTINE family, ii. 603 
Mathias, ii. 603 
Susan, anecdote of, ii. 605 
Valentine’s Hill, ii. 528 
Van Cortlandt family, ii, 616 


. in 438 
Col. Philip, i. 109, 111 i 
residence of, i. 184 Vote : anary by Congress to Andre’s captors, 


brief sketch of life of, i. 111 
Gertrude, wife of Stephanus, 1. 105 
Hon. De Heer Stephanus, i, 101 


Vredeland, ii. 275 


Pierre, i. 109 WaccaBuck Lake, i. 457 
principal events in life of, i. 109 Waddington Point, ii. 446 
death of, i. 110 Wampum, i. 5 
Jacobus, i. 36; ii. 616 Wampus Pond, i, 578 
, partition of the estate of, i. 37 Wapingi, i, 163 
Manor, partial division of, i, 105 Ward, Hon. Stephen, 1. 254 
final partition of, i. 106 Warrant for seizure of John Richbell, L. 471 
Oliver, i. 105 Survey of Harrison’s Purchase, i, 364 
ducal arms of, i. 99 Warren, Joseph, i. 135 
Oloff Stephenson, i. 100 Wascussue, i 1 
autograph and seals of, i. 100 Washington, Gen. Geo.,, i. 167, 280 
Stephanus, i. 86, 94, 98, 734 head-quarters of, i. 280; ii. 573, 604 
first lord of the manor, i. 98 Washingtonville, i. 213 
descended from, i. 98 Waverly, i. 213 
Van @urler, Arendt, ii. 452 Webb, Gen. James Watson, i. 547 
sketch of, ii. 452 Weed, Elnathan, ii. 115 
Van der Donck, Adrien, ii. 579 Wells, Rev. Geo., i. 67 
Van Elslandt, Claes, ii. 276 West Farms, town of, ii. 433 
Van Tassel House, i. 286 Kings Bridge, in, ii. 433 
Jacob i. 287, 290 survey of, ii. 438 
Van Tassels, Abraham, ii. 23 village of, ii. 440 
Van Wart, Isaac, i. 309, 552 churches in, ii. 440 
Varian family, ii. 247 Episcopal church erected, consecrated and 
Vancluse Island, i. 696 incorporated in, ii. 440 
Vanet Hill, ii. 620 Presbytei1ian church incorporated and 
Venerable Propagation Society, i. 232 erected in, ii. 441 
address of people of New Rochelle to, i. list of pastors of Presbyterian church in, 
615 li. 441 
extracts from letters to, i. 614, 623 Dutch Ref. church organized and incor- 
extracts from Mr. Bondet’s report to. i. porated in, il. 441 
618 M. E. society incorporated in, ii, 442 
Col. Heathcote’s letters to, i 612, 614 during the Revolutionary war, ii. 442 
Gov. Hunter’s letter to, i, 629 Manor of Morrisania in, ii. 451 
letter from, ii. 185 Manor of Fordham in, ii. 503 
vestry of New Rochelle to, i. 646 William’s Bridge in, ii. 528 
letters to, i. 232, 419; ii. 182, 218 Tremont, in, ii. 528 
spy the clergy of the Province, Home for incurables first, in, ii. 531 
i, 339 « ae ty 2 = removed to Fordham, 
Lewis Morris’ second letter to, i. 478 fi. 532 * 
Mr. Bartow’s letters to, i. 633 ; ii. 324 West Somers, ii. 260 
Mr. Bondct’s letters to, i. 611, 626 Westchester, town of, ii. 263 
Mr. Hondin’s letters to, i. 648, 657 original purchase of, ii. 263 
Mr. Milner’s letter to, ii. 373 ~ first settlers of, ii. 264 
Mr. Standard’s letters to, ii. 354, 364 ancient name of, ii. 264 
Rey. Peter Stoupe’s letters to, i. 636, 645 Dutch and English claims to, ii. 275 
Rt. Rev. Dr. Seabury’s letters to, ii. 377- first patent granted to, ii. 287 


384 I second ‘* Bs ss ii, 289 


INDEX. 


Dutch, ii. 289 

landing at, ii. 295 

school-districts in, ii. 295 

Village, ii. 295 

first settlement of, ii. 295 

witchcraft in, ii. 297 

shiretown in county, ii. 299 

court-house in, burned, ii. 299 

market and fair in, ii. 300 

incorporated as borough-town, ii. 300 

Royal Charter granted to, ii. 300 

first settlers of, Congregationalists, ii. 314 

parish of, ii, 316 

first church edifice in, ii. 319 

second church edifice erected in, ii. 320 

first rector of, ii. 321 

charter granted to St. Peter’s church in, ii. 
368 

St. Peter’s church incorporated in, ii. 387 

second incorporation of St. Peter’s church 
in, ii. 390 

new parish church erected in, ii. 397 

this church burned in, ii. 398 

list of rectors in, ii. 398 

list of V. P. S. school-masters in, ii. 399 

Hicksite Friends meeting-house erected in, 
li. 404 

Orthodox Friends meeting-house erected 
in, ii. 404 

M. E. society organized and incorporated 
in, ii. 404 

present M. E, church erected in, ii. 404 

Roman Catholic Church in, ii. 404 

Schuylerville, village in, ii. 422 

De Lancey’s mills, in, ii. 429 


Wetmore, Mr., i. 63 


Rev. James, ii. 185 


Whippoorwill Hill, i. 719 


the, i. 719 
song of, i. 720 


White, Dr. Ebenezer, ii. 672 


family, ii. 672 


White Plains, town of, ii. 535 


derivation of name, ii. 535 

difficulties of, with Rye, ii. 536 

list of original proprietors of, {i. 540 

Presbyterian church in, incorporated, ii. 
547 

erected, ii. 173 

burned, ii. 547 

list of pastors of Presbyterian church in, 
ii. 548 

first M. E. church erected in, ii. 548 
ec «burned in, ii. 549 

second** ‘* erected in, ii, 549 

third “ “ ow “oe * ii. 549 

Memorial M. E. erected and dedicated in, 
ii. 549 : 


Westchester, submission of, tendered to the | White Piains, Grace Protestant Episcopal ch. 


organized and incorporated in, ii. 550 
originaily a precinct of Rye parish, ii. 550 
Grace church consecrated in, ii. 550 


present church erected and consecrated in, 


ii. 551 
list of rectors of Grace church in, ii. 551 
Roman Catholic church in, ii, 552 
Baptist church in, ii. 552 
public buildings in, ii. 552 


Declaration of Independence received by 


Provincial Congress at, ii. 564 
burned, ii. 565 
battle of, ii. 566 
mnilitary quarters in, ii. 566 
head-quarters of Washington in, ii. 573 
St. Mary’s Lake in, ii. 573 
White Point, ii. 25 
Whitfield, Rev. Geo., i. 152, 188 
Whitlock, Rev Henry, i. 436 
Wild Boar Hill, ii. 649 
Wilkins, Rev. Isaac, i, 241; ii. 391 
Will of Andre, i. 336 
Capt, Johh Underhill, ii. 411 
Col. Caleb Heathcote, ii. 227 
David de Bonrepos, i. 605 
Edward Jessup, ii. 435 
Gabriel Leggett. ii. 447 
Frederick Philipse, i. 513 
Gertrude Van Cortlandt, i. 105 
James Brown, i. 413 
John Richardson, ii. 437 
Lewis Morris, ii. 464 
Oliver Van Cortlandt, i. 105 
Peter de Lancey, i. 736 
Philip Van Cortlandt, i. 109 
Rey. Daniel Bondet, 1. 632 
Rey. John Bartow, ii. 351 
Rey. Thomas Standard, ii. 362 
Stephanus Van Cortlandt, i. 102 
Stephen de Lancey, i. 736 
Stephen Van Cortlandt, i. 108 
Thomas Pell, ii. 44 
“ “  Senr., ii. 63 
Willard, Rey. Livingston, i. 149 
Willett, Hon. Thomas. ii. 274 
William’s Bridge, ii. 528 
Capt. Daniel, ii. 19 
David, i. 74, 255, 309 
Rev. C. C., i. 150 
Wilmot, or Cooper’s Corners, i. 694 


YERKS, John, i. 309, 562 

Yonkers Ridge, ii. 603 
town of, ii. 575 
derivation of, name of, ii. 675 
Indian name of, li. 576 
Mile Square in, ji. 599 
Valentine’s Hill in, ii. 603 


785 


786 INDEX. 


Yonkers Ridge, Washington’s head-quarters in, ; Yonkers Ridge, St. John’s rectory erected in, 


ii. 604 ii. 648 
Berrian’s Neck in, ii. 606 list of rectors of St. John’s church in, ii. 
Kings Bridge in. ii. 610 648 
Cortlandt House in, ii. 619 Dutch Ref. church incorporated and erect- 
Vault Hill in, ii. 620 ed in, ii. 649 
Indian Bridge and Field in, ii. 622 M. E. church organized in, ii. 649 
engagement between British and Indians Wild Boar Hill in, ii. 649 
in, ii. 622 Howe’s head-quarters in, ii. 651 
a city, incorporated, ii. 629 Revolutionary incidents connected with, 
public buildings and churches of, ii. 629 ii, 651 
Kings Bridge set off from, ii. 630 Yorktown, town of, ii. 661 
Manor Hall in, li. 632 township of, erected, ii. 661 
Locust Hill in, ii. 640 village of Crompond in, ii. 665 
St. John’s church in, burned, repaired and parish of, organized, ii. 665 
consecrated, ii. 640 M. E. society incorporated in, ii. 671 
first mention of parish of, ii. 644 Baptist “ ef “ ii, 672 
first rector of, ii. 645 Shrub Oak village in, ii. 703 
church erected in, ii. 646 Croton Dam in, ii. 702 
suffering of, during the Revolution, ii. 647 Crotonville in, ii .705 


St. John’s church incorporated in, ii. 647 ZION HILL, ii, 21 
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