Item, I will and direct, that Matty and Sarah, my Indians or muster slaves, shall be manumitted and set at full freedom. <* Item, all the residue and remainder of my whole estate, both real and personal whatsoever and wheresoever, I do give, devise and bequeath, to my brother Jacobus van Coitlandt, one fifth; and to all the children of his deceased brother Stephanus, and the daughters of his eldest son Johannes, a filth part, share and share alike; another fifth part to the children of my deceased sister, Marietje van Renssalear, &c. ; another fifth part of my said estate to the three grand children of my deceased sister Sophia Teller, to be divided between her grand-son Andrew, and the children of her son Oliver, deceased ; the remaining fifth part and residue, unto the children of Philip Schuyler deceased, eldest son of my sister, Cornelia Schuyler deceased, and Oliver Schuyler, &c*

Tradition asserts that Catharine Philipse was in the habit of riding up from the city of New York on horseback, mounted on a pillion behind her favorite brother, Jacobus Van Cortlandt, for the purpose of superintending the erection of this church ; her husband was at this time a merchant in the city. These journeys were generally performed during moonlight nights. Who could relate the interesting conversations that must have passed between the affectionate brother and sister, as they thus sat on horseback pursuing their lonely route from the metropolis, and the joy of the latter when the glorious work was completed ? This illustrious lady must certainly have taken a very active part, not only in the building, but in the procuring and subsequent settlement of the ministry therein -- which plainly appears from the ancient records of the Dutch church, where her name occurs, as first on the list of its members, in 1697.