The present township was organized on the 7th of March. 1788.^

From the general tenor of the Indian grant, made to Nathaniel Turner, of New Haven, in 1640, we infer, that the greater part of these lands originally belonged to the Indian sachems Ponus and Wascussue. At this early period, however, the Indians were in the habit of making repeated and almost unlimited grants of land into the wilderness, as they termed the interior of the county. Thus, we have Shanasock well's grant to the people of Rye in 1660, which extended twelve miles north of the Sound \^ also,

» Spafford's Gazetteer of N. Y.

b A name derived from the White Balsam (Gnaphalium Marjraretaceum, Linn.) This appellation more particularly applied to that part of the present town situated east of the Byrarn River.

« Laws of New York. New Castle was set off* from North Castle in 1791.

<i This grant was afterwards confirmed by the General Assembly of Connecticut.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 447

the same year, the Indian sale to John Richbell, of Mamaroneck, running twenty miles north of the Sound. In 1G95 the lands west of the Byrani appear to have belonged to the sachems W ampus, Cornelius, Coharnitt, and others, while the territory west of the Mehanas River, and south of Catonah's land, (Bedford,) was in a peculiar manner the domains of Serrinqua, or Sorringoe.

The principal Indian village in this town was situated upon the northern bank of Rye Pond. On ploughing the ground (in this vicinity) a few years ago, extensive '•'heds of clam shella^^ were discovered beneath the soil. These, together with Indian utensils found tliere, prove this was a favorite place of resort. From this spot are some charming views, loth of the pond and surrounding hills. There are also some vestiges of Indian villages on the banks of the Armonck (Byram Lake.) A variety of Indian v^'eapons have been likewise found in ihis neighborhood. ^