He had spent very agreeably the day before on Staten Island ; after ten at night he left my house perfectly well : in the morning he was as usual ; but, about nine, a servant was despatched to tell me his master was very ill. 1 mounted instantly, and hurried to his house in Bowery lane ; but, on the way was alarmed by a call, " that all was over," and too true 1 found it, he sat reclined in his chair one leg drawn in, the other extended, his arms over the elbows, so naturally, that had I not been apprized of it, I certainly should have spoken as 1 entered the room. No body but his youngest daughter, a child, was present at the time.
So little did the family apprehend the least danger. Never did these eyes behold such a spectacle, or did my spirits feel such an impression ; the idea aifects me whenever I think of it, to lose such a companion, such a counsellor, such a friend. This accomplished person and ornament to his country, left three sons and three daughters, viz. Captain James, Stephen, John Peter, Maria, Anne and Susan.'^^ Soon after the demise of his brother, John Peter de Lancey became possessed of the Mamaroneck estates ^' which formerly belonged to his grandfather, Col. Caleb Heathcote." Upon the 28th of January, 1823, John Peter de Lancey devised his property in this town to Thomas James de Lancey, ^ the only child of his deceased son Thomas James, and his son William Heathcote de Lancey,c (Bishop of the diocese of Western New York,) the present proprietors.