Smith, the historian, observes, " that it is certain the pirates were frequently in the Sound, and supplied with provisions by the inhabitants of Long Island, who, for many years afterwards, were so infatuated with a notion, that the pirates buried great quantities of money along the coast, that there is scarce a point of land, or an island, without the marks of their au7H sacra fames, So.ne credulous people have ruined themselves by their researches, and propagated a thousand idle fables current to this day, among our country farmers.''^ There is a tradition that Kidd buried money beside a rock on Huckleberry island. ^

Almost every boulder and erratic block in this vicinity has been examined by the gold hunters in search of pirates' money.

On the opposite shore of Long Island is a small promontory which runs into tlie entrance of Hempstead bay, called to this day Kidd's point, " upon which several companies of diggers for Kidd's money have expended much time and labor.''^ At a

» Gallop among American Scenery, by A. B. Silliman.

b Smith's Hist. N. Y. English edition, 92.

e Amusing stories are related of the gold hunters and their mode of conducting operations, which generally resulted in the marvellous revelation of Kidd himself, sealed on his treasure, holding a drawn sword.

i Geology of N. Y. Vol. vii. x\o. 200, p. 12^(.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 439

short distance from the village, and east of the steamboat landing, is Davenport's neck, a designated in the early division of the town as Lagler's (Leisler's) and Le Count's neck, containing two hundred acres. This neck was formerly the property and residence of the Lispenards, an ancient French family, who were also owners of the mill now belonging to Willett Secor.^