There is also a quaint keeping in the cottage, and grounds around it, that assists in making up the chain of the whole ; the gently swelling slope reaching down to the water's edge, bordered by pret-

286 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

tily wooded ravines, through which a brook meanders pleasantly, and threaded by foot paths, ingeniously contrived -- so as sometimes to afford secluded walks, and at others to allow fine vistas of the broad expanse of river scenery."*1

Over the porch, is the following inscription :

£rrrtc&

JUtt0 1 650,

H)a$l)t!t(jt0it Jruing,

JUttUl835.

Geo. Hakvey, Architect.

Above the peaked turret of the portal, glitters a horse at full gallop, once the weathercock of the great Van der Hyden palace at Albany; the other, upon the eastern gable, formerly surmounted the Stadt House of New Amsterdam.

The interrior is in perfect harmony with the exterior design of this quaint and venerable edifice. In the library are preserved the elbow chair and writing desk of Diedrich Knickerbocker.

The " Van Tassel House" occupies the site of "Wolfert's Roost," which was built by Wolfert Ecker, an ancient Dutch burgher of this town.

In 1697, we find recorded the name of Jan Ecker, first accepted deacon of the Dutch Church, Sleepy Hollow, which office he appears to have held for several years. By his wife Magdelentje, Jan Ecker left issue, Wolfert, Cornelis and others.

The will of Wolfert Ecker, bears date 1753, "wherein he bequeaths to his son Stephen, a cow, or the worth thereof, more than the o,thers, for his birth right ; and to the child of his grand-son, Wolfert Ecker, son of Sybout, twenty shillings, beside other bequests to the remainder of his children, viz.: Sybout, Abram and Maretje."& A branch of this family still resides in the neighborhood.