The late Abraham Hyatt, Esq., well remembered, when a youth, to have seen seventeen Indians from the Chappequa hills passing the old homestead, near Roaring Brook, in file on their way to Rye or Sawpitts by the sound for salt or " to salt "

a Testimony of the late Abraham Hyatt, Esq., of Chappoona, who ha* alwavs hoard this meaning given to the word for eighty years past. There Is an extensive laurel swamp on the Hyatt farm near Roaring Brook.

b Beverly's Hist, of Virginia, p. 121.

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY WESTCHESTER.

as they termed it. On the south side of Kirby's pond, at New Castle corner, the Indians had their wigwams and a burying ground. Their tools are frequently found in the adjoining fields. The Indians are said to have been very numerous in this town seventy years ago.

In 1666 John Richbell. of Mamaroneck, purchased of the Indians (who claimed to be lords of the soil) a large tract of land extending twenty miles north of the sound. This grant comprised the entire township of New Castle.

The next proprietor was Colonel Caleb Heathcote, who obtained of Mrs. Anne Richbell a patent right to purchase lands, '-which are already included in her husband's sale of 1660;" upon the 12th of October, 1696, his excellency, Benjamin Fletcher, captain general and governor of his Majesty's province of New York, &c, did grant unto Caleb Heathcote, Esq. " Free liberty and license to purchase vacant land in the County of Westchester, between Croton's river and the south bounds of Mr. Harrison's purchase, &c."