One of the principal objects the builder (whether Governor Dongan or Johannes Van Cortlandt) had in view was security against the Indians, who at one time were very numerous in this neighborhood.4 In fact its noble owners never knew when they were secure from the inroads of the savages, but in proportion to the strength and security of their habitation. The principal sachem of Kitchtawan, when Stephanus Van Cortlandt made the purchase, was Sackima Wicker, a son probably of the illustrious Indian warrior Croton or Noten, who had for a long period lived and exercised his authority at the mouth of the river still bearing his name. This war-like individual had erected in his life time a fort on the Point, a little south-west of where the manor house now stands well guarded and protected, as a defence for his rich domain against hostile intruders.

A large Indian bow now lies across a pair of magnificent mooseantlers over the main entrance door to the mansion, which was given, it is said, by that sachem to the first lord of the manor, and has been handed down to the present proprietor. But to return to our description of the house -- it has a high basement, a second story, which includes the principal apartments; and a third, lighted by dormer-windows. Around the front and ends of the mansion is a broad veranda, shaded by traila Still pn servpd at the manor house are various articles of Indian pottery, hatchets, pipes, pcsUcs, chopping knives and arrow heads all dug up in this vicinity at various dates.