The manor-house is distinguished not only for its antiquity, but for the character of its tenantry, guests, and its scenes. Its earlier owners were notable men in the annals of the Province and State of New York. Doubtless at the table, there sat most of the Provincial Governors, from Hunter and Ingolsby down to Colden, at the kindling of the Revolution, with whom the Van Cortlandt's sympathized. The career of Leisler had drawn party lines very distinctly, and some of the governors could not have been welcome at the manor-house. After the Revolution such staunch patriots were ever welcome, as Governor George Clinton (whose daughter was the wife of Gen. Pierre Van Cortlandt.) Gen. Schuyler, Robert Livingston, John Jay and others. "Citizen" Genet> who also married a daughter of Clinton, was frequently there, and also distinguished travelers' from abroad. Colonel Brant, the Mohawk chief, dined there once under peculiar circumstances. One Sunday, while attending divine service in a little church near Croton, Col. Van Cortlandt saw a well dressed Indian leaning upon a window sill listening to the sermon. On learning that it was Brant, who was stopping at a tavern near by, he sent an invitation to the chief to come and dine with

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

him. The late war became the topic of conversation. The Colonel had once chased Brant, and had been conscious that Indian sharpshooters had attempted to kill him while he was leaning against a tree. When the Colonel spoke of this, Brant replied, "I ordered one of my best marksmen to pick you off but you seemed bullet-proof."