» It is a well known fact, that slavery existed in this county at an early period of its settlement, of which abundant evidence can be produced, but no record appears that native Indians were enslaved until 1705, when we find the following deed of gift executed by Elizabeth Legget, of Westchester, in favor of her daughter Mary : " I hereby give, grant and confirm, unto the said Mary, her heirs and assigns forever, my two negro children, born of the body of Hannah, my necrro woman, of the issue of the body of Robin, my Indian slave. There are also several bills of sale recorded of Indian squaws being furnished by a dealer in New York, named Jacob Decay. Westchester Rec

334 HISTORY OF THE

and residue, unto the children of Philip Schuyler deceased, eldest son of my sister, Cornelia Schuyler deceased, and Oliver Schuyler, &c.=^

Tradition asserts that Catharine Philipse was in the habit of riding up from the city of New Yorlv on horseback, mounted on a pillion behind her favorite brother, Jacobus van Cortlandt, for the purpose of superintending the erection of this church; her husband was at this time a merchant in the cit^r. These journeys were generally performed during moonlight nights. Who could relate the interesting conversations that must have passed between the affectionate brother and sister, as they thus sat on horseback pursuing their lonely route from the metropolis, and the joy of the latter when the glorious work was completed ? This illustrious lady must certainly havejaken a very active part, not only in the building, but in the procuring and subsequent settlement of the ministry therein, which plainly appears from the ancient records of the Dutch church, where her name occurs, as first on the list of its members, in 1697.