Witnesse our trusty and well beloved Benjamin Fletcher, our capt. gen. and gov. in-chief of our province of New York, and the territories and tracts of land depending thereon, in America, and vice-admiral of the same, our lieutenant commander-in-chief of the militia and of all the forces by sea and land within our colony of Connecticut, and of all the forts and places of strength w'ithin the same, in council at our fort in New York, the 8th day of May, in the ninth year of our reign, Anno Domini, 1697.'

By command of his excellencey.

Bex. Fletcher.

David Jamieson, Sec'y.

MANOR-GRANT OF FORDHAM.

Francis Lovelace, Esq., one of the gentlemen of his Majestie's Hon'ble Privy Chamber, and Governor- General under his Royal Highness, James, Duke of York and Albany, and of all his territories in America, to all to whom these presents shall come, sendeth greeting: Whereas, there is a certain parcel or tract of land within this government, upon the main continent, situate, lying and being to the eastward of Harlem River, near unto ye passage commonly called Spiting Devil, upon which land ye new dorj/or villnge is erected known by the name of Fordham -- ye utmost

1 Lib. tU. of Patents, Albany.

HISTOEY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

limits of the whole tract or parcel of land beginning at the high wood land that lyes due northwest over against the first point of the main land to the east of the island Pepirinhnan -- there where the hill Moskuta is -- and soe goes alongst the said kill, the said land striking from the high wood land before mentioned east soutlieast, till it comes to Bronk's, his kill ; soe westward up alongst ye main land to the place where Harlem Kill and Hudson River meet, and then forth alongst Harlem Kill to the first spring or fountain, keeping to the south of Crabb Island ; soe eastward alongst Daniel Turner's land, the high wood land, and ye land belonging to Thomas Hunt ; and then to Bronk's Kill afore mentioned, according to a survey lately made thereof by the surveyor-general -- the which remains upon record ; all which said parcel or tract of land before described being part of the land granted in the grand patent to Hugh O'Neal, and Mary his wife, purchase was made thereof, by John Archer, from Elyas Doughty, who was invested in their interest as of the Indian proprietor, by my approbation, who all acknowledge to have received satisfaction for the same : and the said John Archer having, at his own charge, and with good success, begun a township in a convenient place for the relief of strangers, it being the road for passengers to go to and fro from the main, as well as for mutual intercourse with the neighboring colony, for all encouragement unto him, the said John Archer, in prosecution of the said design, as also for divers other good causes and considerations : know yee, that by virtue of ye commission and authority unto me given by his royal highness, upon whom, by lawful grant and patent from his majestic, the propriety and government of that part of the main land, as well as Long Island, and all the islands adjacent, amongst other things, is settled, I have given, granted, ratified and confirmed, and by these presents do give, grant, ratify and confirm to ye afore mentioned John Archer, his heirs and assignees, all the said parcel or tract of land butted and bounded as aforesaid, together with all the lands, soyles, woods, meadows, pastures, marshes, lakes, waters, creeks, fishing, hawking, hunting and fowling, and all ye profits, commodityes, emmoluments and hereditaments to the said parcel or tract of land or premises belonging or in any wise appertaining, and of every part and parcel thereof ; and I doe likewise grant unto ye said John Archer, his heirs and assignees, that the house which he shall erect, together with ye said parcel or tract of land and premises, shall be forever hereafter held, claimed, reputed, and be an entire and enfranchised township, manor and place of itself, and shall always, from time to time, and at all times hereafter, have, hold and enjoy like and equal privileges and immunities with any town eniranchised or manor within this government, aud shall, in no manner of way, be subordinate or belonging unto, have any dependence upon, or in any wise be under the rule, order or direction of any riding, township, place or