Within this part of North Castle rises the Mehanas river, which after running some distance north into Bedford, turns and takes a southerly course, forming the boundary between North Castle and Poundrige on the east. In the Mahanas valley is a small settlement consisting of a Methodist church and several scattered dwellings. The Methodist society appears to have been first organized here in 1825. A new church edifice has been recently erected on a beautiful site, commanding a good view of the valley. Upon an eminence near the meeting house is the burying ground of the ancient proprietors. The oldest grave stones are inscribed as follows.

a This individual was likewise captured by the enemy and confined with his brother in the New York Sugar-house. Capt. Gilbert Lyon is the father of Mr. Jesse Lyon of Eastchester,

^

468 HISTORY OF THE

S X B Here lies the A. H. N.

J. 29, 1743. body of Samuel Banks, 1776.

who departed this life, the 19 th of September, 1773, in the S6th year of his age.

Prom the Rye ponds, situated on the southern border of this town, issues the principal branch of the Bronx river. Upon this stream stands the small hamlet of Kenseco, formsrly called Robbin's Mills. Here is a Methodist church, two woollfin manufactories, a saw and grist mill, a spring and carriage manufactory, two stores and several dwellings. In the north-west angle of Connecticut which projects into this town, lies the boundary rock, marked with the royal initials, G. R.^ The heights of North Castle are well known in the annals of the Revolution. It was to these hills that General Washington retired soon after the battle of White Plains. Upon the summit of Fort Hill, in the vicinity of Rye-pond, vestiges of a military encampment are still to be seen.