The extensive ^^ shell banks'' on the shores of the East river, afford evidence that the aboriginal population must at one time have been very considerable.

Westchester "was probably first settled in 1642, by a Mr. John Throckmorton and thirty-five associates, who came from New England, with the approbation of the Dutch authorities."*^ By the Dutch it was denominated " Vredelaiid,^^ or the " La?id of Peace,^^ " a meet appellation (says the historian of the New Netherlands,) for the spot selected as a place of refuge by those who were bruised and broken down by religious persecution."^

In reply to John Throckmorton's petition, soliciting permission to settle down within the limits of the New Netherlands, is the following license, dated 2d October, 1642.

"Whereas Mr. Throckmorton, with his associates, solicits to settle with thirty five families within the limits of the jurisdiction of their High Mightia Alb. Rec. vol. ii. 147.

b The aborigines maintained possession here as late as 1789. The site of their wigwams i.s now owned by Mr. Jesse Ryer. In this vicinity is a small excavation cut out of a granite rock, (in the form of a mortar,) used by the Indians in pQunding their corn. . - . " -

<^ Hist. Collections of N. Y. by John Barber and Henry Howe. ' '

d O'Callaghan's Hist. N. N. 258.

Vol. II. 19

146 • ' HISTORY OF THE -^ • -

jiesses, to reside there in peace and enjoy the same privilef^es as our other subjects, and be favored with the free exercise of their religion ; having seeri the petition of the aforesaid Throckmorton, and consulted with the interests of the Company, as this request can by no means be injurious to the country, more so as the Englisli are to settle at a distance of three miles from us, so it is granted.