A singular law in regard to the Manor, as it appears to us now, was one passed the 13th of December, 1703, which enacted that in case any person whatsoever " shall carry on the Practice of Inoculation for the Small-Pox in the Manor of Cortlandt within the Distance of Half a Mile of any Dwelling House he shall forfeit the sum of Twenty Founds ($50.) for every such oftience, upon proof before a Justice of the Peace, one-third to go to the prosecutor, and the other two thirds " for the use of the Poor in the Said Manor." The patient had consequently to go through the operation and subsequent treatment, either in a barn or a ! shanty in the woods.

The Manor of Cortlandt was erected on the 17th of June, KJy?. Stephanus van Cortlandt its first and only Lord died on the 25th of November 1700. Three years and about five months only did he possess it. This time was too short for any practical development of its Manor privileges, all that he seems to have done, was to make the stone trading house situated at or rather near, the northern terminus of the ferry across the mouth of the Croton River, better adapted to its purposes, to bring in some farmers and mechanics, and build mills. Precisely when this house was built is uncertain, but probably about 1683. Van Cortlandt's home was in New York, and this first building was intended as a station for Indian traffic. Naturally it became his place of temporary residence when visiting his lands after his first purchase, either for business, pleasure, or the enjoyment of hunting and fishing. It is a tradition that Governor Dongan often visited this region for the latter purposes, as he was a sportsman in his tastes, a thorough gentleman and a great personal friend of van Cortlandt.