This portion of her estate she subsequently devised to her nephew Gilbert Van Cortlandt, who in 1784, bequeathed it to his loving brother Pierre Van Cortlandt.

Here are situated' an extensive snuff and wire factory, both propelled by water power, and the chemical works ; also some thirty dwellings. The Peekskill Blast Furnace is located on the Annsville creek and is connected with the Croft iron mines by a railway built for the purpose by which the furnace is supplied with a superior quality of iron ore' at a small cost of transportation.

The scenery "of the Peekskill creek is remarkably rich and diversified. This picturesque stream rises 14 miles north of Annsville, in the town of Kent, Putnam county, south-west of Annsville ; it receives the waters of the Canopus, (sprout creek,) a current of water which derives its source from Horton's lake, called by the Indians the "Fire- Fly Lake,"

THE TOWN OK CORTLANDT.

1 59

a name derived from that beautiful insect whose bright phosphoresence illumines the humid valleys and dark woods of a summer's evening. The Indian children of the west have the following exquisite chant to this flitting white-fire insect as they denominate it : --

"Fire-fly, fire-fly, bright little thing, Bright little fire bug, night's liltle king."

-- SchoolcrofV a Oneota.

Near the banks of the Canopus, or Peekskill hollow, is situated the site of the old Continental village, which once contained barracks for 2,000 men. The following account of its destruction is given in the dispatches of Gen. Sir William Howe to Sir Henry . Clinton, dated Fort Montgomery, October 9, 1777.