This tract of land was originally included in the grant made by the Indians in the year 1640, to the Dutch West India Company; but no settlement was actually commenced upon it until long after Thomas Pell's purchase, which occurred in 1654.

The Aborigines, who were one of the seven tribes of the sea coast called " Siwandys," appear to have resided principally on Davenport's Neck, where they had a large settlement denominated " S/iippa." About 1746, as we are assured by the old inhabitants, the Neck was covered with Indian wigwams ; of this, the extensive " shell-beds " on its southern shore afford conclusive evidence. A few settlements were also scattered

582 . HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

along the fertile meadows bordering the various fresh water streams, especially in the northern part of the town. One of these was situated on the property of the late John Soulice, where there is also a quarry of quartz from which the Indians manufactured their javelins and arrowheads. Here also was discovered, a few years ago, the celebrated imagestone, -- an object of great veneration with the Aborigines. Beneath this curious object lay a smooth stone (weighing seven pounds) resembling in shape a kidney and encompassed with a circular groove.

As late as 1695 the Indians were in the habit of coming down into the northern part of New Rochelle from the neighborhood of White Plains, for a cider frolic, which they considered as a kind of usu-fruct title to the soil. The remains of an oak tree which they burnt upon one of these occasions, is still visible on the farm of the late John Soulice. This seems to have been the last chapter in their history connected with New Rochelle; although as late as 1767 a small remnant of the Aborigines (then inhabiting the Highlands) visited the town.