Our intention is to take up separately the three former divisions of the present town, viz., West Farms, Morrisania and Fordham.

From the following patent, it appears that the proprietors of the lands subsequently called the West Far?7is, in 1666, were Edwiird Jessup and John Richardson, of Westchester.

PATENT OP WEST FARMS.

" Richard Nicolls, Esq., governor general under las royal highness, James Duke of York and Albany, &.c. &c., ofall his terriloryes in America, to all to whom these presents shall come, sendeth greeting : whereas, there is a cer-

Westchester prior to the division embraced an area of twenty sqaure miles. Laws of N. Y. 69, sess. 1846.

20(5* HISTORY OF THE

tain tract or parcel of land within this government, situate, lying and being neare unto and within the limits of the towne of Westehesiei. Upon ye maine being bounded to the east by the river commonly called by the Indians Aquehung, otherwise Broncke river, extending to the midst of said river to the norih, by the mark't trees and by a piece of hassock meadow, westwardly a little brook called by the natives Sackwrahimg, and southward by the Sound or East river, including within a certain neck of land called Quiimahung, which said parcel or tract and neck of land with the appurtenances, together with commonage and liberty for range of horses and cattle, as free as they please into the woods, hath heretofore been jointly purchased of the Indyan proprietors by Edward Jessup and J(din Richardson of Westchester al^oresaid, and due satisfaction hath ye then been given for the same, as by the deed remaining upon record, more at large doth and may appear, now it being mutually agreed upon ye both the aforesaid purchasers, that an equal division shall be made of the said parcel or tract of land and appurtenances between them the said Edward Jessup and John Richardson, their heirs and assigns, and to the end that the said lands may be better manured and planted for a further confirmation unto each and either of them, in their possession and enjoyment of the premises.