During the war the Friends meeting house was occupied as an hospital by the American army.
Within a short distance of the Purchase lies Rye-pond, a beautiful sheet of water covering over two hundred and ten acres of ground. In this pond vast quantities of pickerel are annually taken with hook and line, and pleasant sport is afforded to those who are fond of trolling. « Its waters abound also with almost every other variety of fresh water fish. The best place for fishing is said to be a flat rock near the centre of the pond. : ' ■'''
Rye-pond has an outlet on the west which passes into the little pond of the same name, and from thence into Bronx's river.^
The principal proprietors of the land bordering the pond, are
' a Anthouy Field was the sou of Benjamin Field of Flushing. For further particulars of this family, see pedigree.
b This individual is the ancestor of the Fields of Yorktown and New York.
c There is also an African Church and school house in the vicinity, under the patronage of the Friends.
d Anthony Field is buried in the Friends grave yard at Purchase.
• No fishing is allowed in the ponds with any kind of net or seine.
t Rye-pond is the principal source of the Bronx.
260 HISTORY OF THE
Ezra Carpe iter on the south, Thomas Clapp on the eastj and Oliver ]\[atthe\vs on the north.
The late Thomas Clapp of this town left one hundred and fifty acres on the west side of the pond for the education of poor children at the Purchase.