The village of Eastchester is situated in the south east angle of the town, at the head of the Eastchester bay, fifteen miles from the city of New York ; it contains about three hundred and fifty inhabitants, fifty dwelling houses, one Episcopal and one Methodist church, post office, three taverns, four stores, and one grist mill. There is also a convenient landing,^ from whence sail several sloops trading with the New York market. . The first settlement in this town appears to have been commenced near the Indian path, (subsequently known as the Westchester path or Kingsbridge road,) leading to the wading place, cir. 1664, at a spot called Hutchinson's. "That is where the house stood at the meadows and uplands to Hutchinson's river."'^ ' In 1666 it was by royal charter enacted, " That the plantation shall continue and retain ye name of Eastchester, by which name and style it shall be forever hereafter distinguished and known, &c."

The early planters in order to concentrate their dwellings as much as possible, (so as to protect themselves and families,) laid

a Town Records. -- The town books consist of three volumes ; the first commencing on the 13th of February, 1672 ; 2d vol. in 1693 ; 3d vol. at a much later period.

b Laws of N. Y. 69 session, chap. 185-208.

« At an early period called Sillick's landing, A. D. 1G76.

d Extracts from Pell's grant.

134 HISTORY OF THE

out the original farms in narrow strips called home lots, which radiated from the village fort in all directions.