The narrow pass which it occupied was well protected on the north by Indian Swamp, and on the south by the salt meadows. It is said to have been erected at a very early date by the sachem Croton, as a convenient rendezvous for the assembling of his war and hunting parties, and also for the object of commanding the rich treasuries of the Hudson and the wide estuary of the Croton. We have previously shown that Matsewakes was chief sachem of Kitchawan as early as 1641.

At a short distance east of the fort, on the south edge of Haunted Hollow, is situated the Indian burying-ground of Kitchawan. Nothing can be more romantic and beautiful than its locality, *'a clear proof of the good taste of those who selected and consecraed it for that object." There was formerly a current belief in the

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neighborhood that the forms of the ancient warriors still haunted the surrounding glens and woods. The apparitions have been named, in consequence, "The Walking Sachems of Teller's Point." The road from the Manor House to Croton Landing passes along the edge of Haunted Hollow.

In connection wUh the above, another tradition deserves to be recorded, which asserts that several of the river tribes had a severe and sanguinary conflict with the Indians inhabiting the Point, which resulted in the defeat of the former ; and, further, that the large mound or barrow near the entrance of the Point was erected over the dead who fell upon that memorable occasion. Be this as it may, indubitable evidence exists that a struggle must have taken place here at some time, from the fact, that vast quantities of warlike weapons have been found in the immediate vicinity of the fort.