These were part of the spoils taken from a Spanish privateerduring the war; and presented to Augustus van Cortlandt, by Rear Admiral Robert Digby of the British navy. To the east of the house, the Mosholu (Tippetts brook) pent up by the mill dam, forms an extensive sheet of water, which is greatly enriched by the vicinity of green meadows, orchards and neighboring hills. South of the pond is situated the old mill. Amid the ^rove of locusts on George's point, a little north of the mill, stood the original residence of the Van Cortlandts.

The interior of the present house is neatly fitted up and furnished, its drawing room and library windows look out on beautiful prospects, in the latter apartment are some fine family portraits: Henry White, jr., by Jarvis ; Vice Admiral Sir John White, in full uniform, a copy by Chapman from the original of Jarvis; Augustus van Cortlandt, by Jarvis; Thomas Bibby,

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 453

by Chapman ; Mr. Babcock, by Stewart ; and Henry White sen., by Copley.

The old family Bible of the Van Cortlandts, printed at Amsterdam, A. D. 1714, contains some curious memoranda of the Jay family. The first entry occurs New York den 19th Jan'ry, 1723 4.

During the early period of the Revolutionary war this house was garrisoned by a piquet guard of the Green Yagers, whose officers held their head quarters here.

His Excellency, General Washington, and aids, dined in one of the apartments on the memorable July of 1781, when the British piquets were driven within the lines upon New York island. In another room the unfortunate Captain Rowe expired in the arms of his bride elect.