This Point or Farm, which originally consisted of one hundred and seventy-two acres, was held simply by permission or lease, under James Van Cortlandt, (the son of John, grandson of Stephen, the son of De Herr Stephanus Van Cortlandt,) by the consistory of the Dutch Reformed church, until at last the law of limitation had given the latter peaceable possession of the property, a claim which was strengthened by an order of the Court of Chancery issued in 1835-6 giving the consistory permission to sell. The "Parsonage Farm," was subsequently sold to Stephen Lent for the sum of $2,750.* who disposed of it to different proprietors.

The old Dutch church, of Cortlandt Manor, stood on the Brotherson farm at Montrose's Point, now owned by Frederick W. Seward, Assistant

a Moulton & Yates Hist. N. Y., page 271.

6 The- Wickapy Indians, whose principal settlements were in the vicinity of Anthony's Nose, c Another account states that the title of the church became involved, after the Revolutionary war, and the property was sold to Fatisfy quit-rent.

THE TOWN OF CORTLANDT.

I~3

Secretary of the United States, and others, quite near the residence of the former. This edifice which was probably erected in 1729-30, was still standing in 1793; but destroyed by fire soon afterwards. Prior to the building of the old church, the members of this society appear to have contributed one-fourth part towards the salary for the support of the Rev. minister at Philipsburgh, or Sleepy Hollow ; for in the second Book of the church memoranda, at the latter place, occurs the following entry : -- "A beginning will be made on the next page, but also by common accord it is resolved by the inhabitants of Philips, of one part and the respective inhabitants of the manor of Mr.