The village of Rye is pleasantly situated upon the New York and Boston turnpike road one mile and a half north of Long Island Sound, The Mockquams, (Blind brook,) a beautiful perennial stream flows through the place, and adds much to the beauty of the surrounding scenery. It derives its source from the romantic hills north of the village. The principal spring is located on the lands of Edwin Keeler. In its progress south this stream, fed by numerous tributaries, affords excellent mill seats. i*

The first settlements in the town, (as shown by the Indian deed of 1660,) were made on the island Minnewies or Minussing,

» Extracts from deduction of title.

b In the town records occurs the following entr}'. " March 3d, 169fi. Samuel Lane and Joseph Lyon are, or either of them, permitted to build a fulling or grist mill upon Blind brook, above the town, provided they choose their location in three weeks, and build the fulling mill in three years. This mill is supposed to have occupied the site of the present grist and saw mill of Mr, James E. Beers, so that a mill has stood upon this stream for one hundred and forty years at least. The ancient Budd mills were located near the present stone bridge at the entrance of the village. ,

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 45

near the Rye Port harbour. To the Island village its proprietors gave the name oi Hastings. From this place the early settlers issued their famous declaration, dated