The second and last place of sepulture used by the Indians in this town, is now nearly covered by the barn and out buildings of Benjamin Fowler, Esq. The site was well chosen on rising ground at the entrance of the Sprain valley.

Besides the Tawasenthas, (or places of many dead,) numerous skeletons have been discovered in different parts of the town, showing it to have been once numerously populated by the Indian tribes. One of these was recently disinterred in makinosome improvements on the Kingsbridge road nearly opposite the Van Cortlandt residence ; it proved to be on examination the full

Harper's Indian Traits, inlrod. i. 19.

COUNTY OP WESTCHESTER. 405

sized skeleton of an Indian in a sitting posture holding the remains of a small child between its knees. Others have been discovered lying near the surface of the ground on Berrian's Neck ; the back part of the skull of one of these was found perforated hy a musket ball, which still remains in the cavity of the brain. a Of course this Indian perished by fire arms. It may not be inappropriate to mention that Hendrick Hudson had an engagement with the Indians, 1609, at the mouth of the Spuyten Dyvil creek.

The descendants of the last named chief, Tackarcw, conhnned to reside in Yoiikers for more than half a century after the sale to Van der Donck. A. D. 1646, as we find Claas de Wilt, Nemerau, and a sqnaw, Karocapacomont, confirming the Hon. Jacobus ■van Cortlandt in possession of the old Younckers, A. D. 1701.^ 1692, we find an Indian chief at Bedford called Wappowham.^