History of Westchester County, New York, Vol. I

James Rees, from whose " Foot-prints of a Letter-Carrier" we have quoted the above paragraph, says : " Nor was it until 1732 that the first stage-route to Philadelphia was established ; stages also departed for Boston monthly, taking a fortnight on the route." Advertisements of that year mentioned the departure of the post "in order to perlbrm his stage," but we find no reference to " stage-wagons" or " stage-coaches" before 1756, when the" first stage-coach'' is announced to run between Philadelphia and New York, " three days through." In 1753, William Vandrills informed "gentlemen and others who have a mind to transport themselves, wares or merchandise from New York to Philadelphia," that he has "fitted a stnye boat," which will "sail from New York to Amboy and thence by wagons to Burlington, and thence take passage to Philadelphia." In 1765 a rival of the " First Stage- Coach " put on the line a " covered Jersey wagon," -- an improvement, it seems, on the other "coach." Competition was roused, and in the following year (1766) a third stage, yclept "The Flying-Machine," proposed to make the trip in two days, and allured travelers with the promise of " good wagons and seats on springs." Through fare, twenty shillings.

When the capital of the province had accomplished no more during a century as regards traveling facilities, it could hardly be expected that Westchester County was able to boast of superior accommodations. Public travel was in its infancy : the hardy colonist bestrode his own good horse and started on a distant journey with no more concern than we board a railroad train nowadays. After the Revolution, however, there was a marked and general improvement. A stage line was begun, in 1785, between New York and Albany. In 1787 stage communication with Boston was had three times a week in summer and twice a week in winter, and the towns in Westchester County had a stage from New York City every other day.