In this document, there are descriptions of a few regions in New Netherland which he mentions as well adapted for settlement and among them, that of the eastern and northern part of West Chester county comprising the subsequent Manors of Cortlandt, the upper part of Philipsburgh, and lands immediately adjacent to them and the Manors of Scarsdale and Pelham. The region is thus mentioned, " The country on the East River between Greenwich and the Island Manhattans is for the most part covered with trees, but yet flat and suitable land, with numerous streams and vallies, right good soil for grain, together with fresh hay and meadow lands.

Wiequaeskeck, on the North River, five leagues above New Amsterdam, is very good and suitable land for agriculture, very extensive maize land, on which the Indians have planted. Proceeding from the shore and inland 'tis flat and mostly level, well watered by small streams and running springs. It lies between the East and North Rivers, and is situate between a rivulet of Sintinck and Armonk." *

This is the first topographical description of the upper part of the county that exists. Written twenty -seven years before Stephanus von Cortlandt obtained his license of 1677, and thirty-three before he made his

* I. Col. Hist. 3G5-370. These streams were the Sltig Sing creek utd the Byaom river.

HISTOKY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

first purchase of its northern part from the Indians, it gives us a good idea of the clear-headedness and shrewdness of the man, and the obligations he took upon himself in undertaking to settle the tract. He undoubtedly did a good deal in bringing in inhabitants and stock, between 1683, the date of his first purchase, and 1G97, the date of his Manor-grant. Here it was that he erected the mills, mentioned (in the plural) in his will, dated three years later in 1700, the year of his death, which by both Dutch and English law the Patroons and the Lords of Manors were bound to provide for the benefit of their tenants.