July, 1836, - - " Cornelius de Pew Westbrook, present

■ minister.

At a short distance below Terplanck's Point is situated Boscobel House, the late residence of Staats Morris Dyckman, Esq., at present occupied by his grand-daughter Elizabeth, wife of Col. John P. Crnger. The house is built in the French style, and occupies a very pleasant spot on the brow of a high hill, overlooking the river and adjacent country. The grounds surrounding the mansion are greatly enriched with luxuriant woods and plantations. The beautiful island of Oscawana forms a portion of the Cruofer estate.

Staats Morris Dyckman, the former proprietor, was the fifth son of Jacob Dyckman of Philipsburgh, and the protetje of Gen. Staats Morris; he was also, for many years, the private secretary of Sir William Erskine, in which capacity he attended the latter to Europe. Sir William died in 1795, leaving a large and valuable property to his secretary. Soon after the death of his friend, Mr. Dyckman returned to his native country, purchased the Boscobel estate, and erected the present mansion. The library formerly contained a valuable collection of books, (amounting to 6,000" volumes,) which were accidentally destroyed by fire.

» Religious Soc. Lib. A., 78. b Brother of General Manly

108 HISTORY OF THE

In the vicinity of Boscobel house is situated the small hamlet and landing of Cru^ers, a name derived frotn the Crnger fnmilj^, who have long possessed estates in the immediate neighborhood. A small mountain stream enters the Hudson at this place, called the Mill brook, upon which stood the manorial mills, long since superseded by Ramsay's mill. Above Crugers, crowning the bold brinks of the mountain torrent, is situated the Cortlandt furnace, which has given name to an extensive tract of forest, (consisting of loiJO acres) called the furnace woods.