Home / Bolton, Robert Jr. A History of the County of Westchester, from its First Settlement to the Present Time, Vol. I. New York: Alexander S. Gould, 1848. / Passage

A History of the County of Westchester, Vol. I

Bolton, Robert Jr. A History of the County of Westchester, from its First Settlement to the Present Time, Vol. I. New York: Alexander S. Gould, 1848. 309 words

The edifice is constructed of Sing Sing marble, after the designs of Alex. J. Davis, Esq, In its details, both externally and internally, the most minute attention has been paid to a careful correspondence with the best examples of the Tudor era. Among the most remarkable features of the building, deserves to be noticed, the admirable porte cochere, or covered entrance for carriages, and a superb library ornamented wiih a lofty ceiling of carved timber.

The Paulding family have long been residents of this town. As early as 1712, we find Joost Pauldinck accepted deacon of the Dutch Church. The name of Joost Pauldinck occurs in a conveyance from William Odell of Rye, A. D. 1667.

In 17U9 Joost Pauldinck appe;;rs to have been residing at Westchester. The father of the present proprietor is William Paulding, Esq. mayor of the city of New York in 1827. The patriot John Paulding who captured the British spy Major Andre was of this family.

The next object worthy of notice is the elegant and secluded villa of Henry Sheldon, Esq. This building is in the rural Gothic style and presents a very beautiful and picturesque exterior, combined with every accommodation and convenience of internal arrangement. No pains have been spared in laying out the adjoining grounds and plantations. A small stream running through a deep and woody glen has been obstructed in various places by rock work, and thus forms several artificial cascades. Some close walks, winding by the stream, conduct to a large fall situated at the glen's mouth. The scenery about the fall is extremely fine, embracing a lovely view of the Hudson river. The old Van Weert mill has been transformed into a Swiss cottage and boat house. The Van Weert family were the first occupants of this estate under the Philipses, and subsequently became its possessors in fee.