Since that time the town has maintained (besides the Academies and Seminaries already alluded to) fifteen public schools and has been fully up to the average rural towns in matters of education."6

"Bedford yields nothing that is interesting in a business point of view. Before the construction of the Harlem Rail Road there was quite a lively traffic carried on by means of stages along the Boston post road which passes through the villages between New York and Danbury."

Accommodations for travellers have always been had from a very early period -- "as early as 1698 a hotel became a necessity; and Cornelius Seely, sen, was chosen as keeper of the "Ordinary" "to give entertainment according to law."6

The next mention of taverns is nearly a hundred years later when six " Inns " were alluded to for which the license fees were 2 pounds and 10 shillings each.""2

A large hotel still occupies the site of Seeh/s tavern in the village, (kept by Robert J. Jimmerson) which affords excellent accommodations

a Address of Joseph Barrett

6 Address of Joseph Barrett, July 4, 1ST6.

c Ditto Bedford, M.S.S. p. 32.

d Address of Joseph Barrett, July 4, 18T<E

4°

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

to parties visiting the town for the salubrity of its air or the beauty of its scenery.

The old burying ground of the Town is situated on the declivity near the Methodist meeting house in the village directly under Bates's hill -- This spot was formerly a part of the "common" (of which only "the green" now remains), laid out in 1681.