In testimony whereof, we have caused these our letters to be made patent, and the great seal of our said province to be hereunto affixed to the same, to be entered of record in our secretary's office, in one of the books of patents there remaining. Witness our trusty and well beloved William Burnet, Esq., captain general and governor-in-chief of our province of New York, of our province of New Jersey, and of all the territories and tracts of land thereon depending, in America, and vice-admiral of the same at Fort George, in New York, the thirteenth day of March, in the eighth year of our reign, Anno Domini, seventeen hundred and twenty-one.

W. Robin, D. Secr'y.

The descendants of the ancient proprietors and patentees, (resident in White Plains) are still very nnmeroiis, viz. : the Hortons, Purdys, Browns, Merritts, Odells, Shervvoods, &c. &-c.

The village of White Plains is pleasantly sitnated on a fine

Vol. II. 44

IJISTORY OF THE

plain, lliree quarters of a mile east of tlie river Bronx, and contains about 700 inhabitants, 150 dwelling houses, a court house, jail, county clerk's and surrogate's offices, an Episcopal, a Presbyterian, and two Methodist churches, a bank, two boys' seminaries which are in a flourishing condition, and a female boarding school, four taverns, four stores, and a woollen factory, &c. Tfie surface of the surrounding country is broken by a range of hills from the south, which diversify with a pleasing variety, both the soil and position of land thus distributed into portions for meadow, pasture and tillage.^ The whole town is also richly wooded and watered by the Bronx, Sheldrake and Mamaroneck rivers. These streams form romantic valleys, and supply numerous mill seats. Since the first settlement of this place, which commenced soon after its purchase from the Indians, in 1683, it has continued steadily to progress, and is now hardly to be excelled by any other inland village in the county.