An outstanding joy of his later years was in 1824 when an express rider galloped up at midnight to the Manor House and awakened the General with the message from the Marquis de la Lafayette, who had landed at the Battery in New York for his farewell tour of America, and wanted his old army comrade to join him. Although the message was received at midnight in far off Croton, the energy and will of the Van Cortlandt showed itself by the old general setting off at daylight for New York where "he had the inexpressable satisfaction of embracing his old compatriot, and felt it one of the happiest moments of his life." Seven years later, on November 2, 1831, General Philip Van Cortlandt passed away, loved and revered by an affectionate people. Philip's brother Pierre then succeeded to the inheritance of the Manor House at Croton. He gave it to his son Pierre in 1836 for his residence and it was occupied by Pierre Van Cortlandt until his death in 1884. Surviving him were his widow, Catharine Beck Van Cortlandt (daughter of Dr. T. Romeyn Beck of Albany, the author and founder of medical jurisprudence), and three children, Catharine Van Cortlandt Mathews, James Stevenson Van Cortlandt and Anne Stevenson Van Cortlandt. All have passed away except the latter-- "Miss

Annie," as she is affectionately known--who graces the old Manor House as the Van Cortlandt women always didd 1! The Van Cortlandts founded Croton-on-Hudson two hundred and fifty years ago. If there is a village shrine in Croton, it is the Manor House. One of the most prominent patrician families of Holland was that of Cornelius Barentse Van Wyck. His grandson Abraham Van Wyck wooed and won Catherine Van Cortlandt, one of the three daughters of Lieutenant-Governor Pierre Van Cortlandt.