As late as 1775 one of them was killed near the brook, measuring some six feet. Feb. 1st, 1696-7, John Pell, Sen., had the privilege of erecting a mill on this brook. In 1721 Nathaniel Tompkins was permitted by the town to erect a fish-weir on Rattlesnake Creek, " to ye advantage of himself to catch ye fish that swimmeth therein, for ye space of ten years from this date, providing he put it up at once.""

Near the mouth of the brook, on "Mill Lane," is situated the tide

a Heath's Mi •moires, 21S. b HiikIi Caines' Gazette.

• Town liecord. It appears from the Town Record, that as early as 1703 there existed a mill covenant between the town and Col. Caleb Heathcote. Town Record, vol. is, p. 54.

246 ' HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

mill of the late Robert Reid, Esq. This gentleman was the son of John Reid, who was born at Ualmellington, Ayreshire, Scotland, in 1752, and bought land of John Bartow. His grandfather, Robert Reid, was of Ayreshire, Scotland, and descended from the Reids of Loch Hannoch, of the Clan Chatu, settled at Craig-on-Hill, Ayrshire, 1644. Robert Reid's mother was Mary Bartow. He had five maiden sisters ; one of whom, Phoebe, still survives and occupies the property which they have held for nearly a century. The Reid cottage occupies an extensive view of the winding creek and the high grounds of Pelham. The adjoining property formed a portion of the ancient planting grounds of Eastchester.