But in matters of assessment and public rates, they are to be assessed by the officers of that town to wljich they do properly belong, being the nearest unto them, to have and to hold the said parcel and tract of land in the said three necks contained, and premises with all and singular the privileges and ai)purtenances to the said John

Richbell, hia heirs and assigns, to the jJroper use and behoof of the said John Richbell, his heirs and assignees forever, as free land of inheritance, rendering and paying as a quit rent for the same yearly, and every year, the value of eight bushels of winter wheat, upon the five and twentieth day of March, if demanded, unto his Royal Highness and his heirs, or to such governor or governors as shall from time to time be appointed and set over them. Given under my hand and seal, at Fort James, in New York, on Manhattans Island, the 16th day of October, in the twentieth year of the reign of our sovereign. Lord Charles the second, by the grace of God, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, king, defender of the faith, &c. &c.. Anno Domini, 1668.

Francis Lovelace.^ The three Necks described in this patent, were called the " East " the " Middle," and the '' West" Necks. The Middle Neck was sometimes styled the " Great Neck," from its longer extent of water front, which led to the supposition that its area below Westchester Path was greater than that of the East Neck. The "East Neck" extended from Mamaroneck River to a small stream called "Pij)ins Brook" which divided it from the Great Neck and is the same which now crosses the Boston Road just east of the house of the late Mr. George Vanderburgh ; the " Middle Neck " extended from the latter stream westward to a much larger brook called " Cedar or Gravelly Brook," which is the one that bounds the land now belonging to Mr.