Valentine's hill and adjoining property has been occupied by the ancient and numerous family of the Valentines for nearly one hundred and twenty years. The ancestor of the family Matthias Valentine, having been one of the first tenants under the Philipses ; on his settlement here the whole surrounding country was one vast forest, the lonely domain of the deer. The verges of these forests also abounded with another noble species of game long since extinct, and that was the wild turkey. It is said that flocks of them used to fly from the Yonkers ridge on the west side of Tippets brook to this hill at certain seasons of the year for the purpose of feeding on the acorn and beech nut. The flight was always commenced by a large black cock of the woods. Sunset being the signal for departure, the leader gave the well known note and they were instantly on the wing for the opposite hills. There yet remains a fine specimen of the ancient denizens of the forests on the western edge of this hill, by the road side leading to the village. Tiiis venerable chesnut tree in the fall of the year appears to be the favorite gathering place of thousands of swallows just before they commence their migrations.

In possession of the Valentine family are numerous receipts given for rent ; formerly due the Lords of Philipsborough. As a specimen occurs the following:

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. -4^

Op Nipper a Des 20 Mars No. 1727.