This Will was proved 17th of Nov., 174S. Surrogate's Office, N. Y., l ib. xvl, p. 8TRi The flshingrtghts of the Van Cortlandt's are said to have extended two miles, i.e., from Deer Island iu the river Croton to the marked rock on Crawbucky Point near Siug-Sing.

I IO

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

trying period of the revolution, he appears to have been the principal administrator of the State government, (George Clinton being necessarily engaged in the military duties.) His patriotic zeal rendered him so obnoxious to the enemy, that the British Governor set a bounty on his head.

The following obituary notice of this illustrious individual occurs in the Gazette of May 17, 1814:

"Pierre Van Cortlandt, early took an active part against every oppression of the English government upon the colonies. He was chosen into the first Provincial Congress, was a member of the committee which formed the constitution of this State, and was honored by the suffrages of his country at the first election under the new government the station of lieutenant governor, and continued to be elected to that office for eighteen years successively. He was the friend and confident of that great patriot, George Clinton. In the revolution he shared the fate of the friends of their country; his family we're obliged to abandon their homes in the Manor of Cortlandt, and take refuge in the interior. Firm and undismayed in adversity; the ill success of our arms was a stimulous to greater exertions. He was one of those who, relying on the justice of their cause, put their trust in God and stood firm at the post of danger. In prosperity he was not too much elated, but held a temperate and uniform course, having in new only the independence of the United States and the safety of his country.