This tract of land must originally have formed a portion of the ancient domains of VVeckquaskeck, as we find Weskora, sachem of tliat place, and Ghoharius, his brother, (a chief residing here,) conjointly selling lands, bordering the Pocanteco, to Frederick Philipse in the year 1680.

Upon the district situated near the mouth of the Pocanteco river, (called by the English Mill river,) the Indians conferred the name of Pockerhoe. Pocanteco, the Indian name for the beautiful Mill river, is clearly a derivative from the Algonquin, Pockohantes,^ a term expressive of a '' run between two hills." The local term Pockerhoe also points to the saniie root for its origin. Be this as it may, however, no signification could be more descriptive of this wizard stream, which pours its swift current through the foldings of a hundred hills. The Dutch styled it the Sleepy haven kili,c hence the origin of the present term Sleepy Hollow, as applied to the valley.

• Mount Pleasant was originally organized on the 7th oi' March, 1788. Rev. Slat. The present town on the 20th of May, 1845.

k Tlie Indian name of the illustrious princess of Virginia. -^ Van der Donck's Hist. N.N.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 317

In the rear of the Dutch church, (situated near the entrance of the Hollow,) there formerly stood an Indian fort, the remains of which, together with several mounds, have long since been levelled with the surrounding ground. For the erection of these forts or strong-holds, Van der Donck informs us. '-that the Indians usually selected a situation on the side of a steep hill, near a stream or river, which is difficult of access except from the water, and inaccessible on every other side ; with a level plain on the crown of the hill, which they enclose with a strong stockade work in a singular manner." Near their plantations they also frequently erect small works to secure their wives and children, against the sudden irruption of the small marauding parties of their enemies.