The first store was erected by Daniel Birdsall in the vicinity of middle dock, near the mill of Andrew Johnson, Esq. Captain Swim is said to have sailed the first sloop from Pemart's dock, A. D. 1773.

From its earliest settlement, the growth of Peekskill has been gradual, and its population has increased according to the development of its resources. The population in 1870 was 6,560. The present number will probably exceed 7,000. The village was incorporated in 1839; but prior to this, in 1827, the fire department was organized and an engine purchased. Nathaniel Bedell was the first foreman of the company. The fire department consists now of five independent companies, constituting two hundred men under Chief Engineer George E. Craft, Esq. The village government was organized in 1839 under the style and title of the " Corporation of the Village of Peekskill " by the election of Capt. F. W. Riqua, Frost Horton, Daniel D. Smith, James Taylor and Morris Depew, as Trustees. Capt. W. Riqua was elected by the Board the first President of the village,"

a Co. Rec. Lib. G., p. 403. 6 Co. Rec. Lib. II., p 344.

e 'I lie present officers are: Stephen D. norton, President, Andrew Fken, William D. S rathard. William 11. Hunter, E. F. Bedell, J. H. Kingsbury and Jaa. H. Robertson, Trustees; Stephen Lent, Clerk.

H4

HISTORY OF THN COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

The streets, which are macadamized and kept in good repair, were first lighted with gas on the ist of December, 1856. The pride of the town is her water works -- the Campfield -- so-called on account of the reservoir, which is located on an eminence that was undoubtedly the camping ground of the soldiers of a revolutionary fort stationed near by. The water furnished by these works is of a pure quality and in unlimited quantities, pumped from the Peekskill Creek, which takes it rise in Putnam County and flows over a clear gravel bottom down through the mountains, supplied by tributaries from innumerable springs.