In 1841 she returned to New York, and was employed in visiting prisons and lecturing to women. In the spring of 1844 she accepted appointment as matron of the Female Department of the State Prison, at Sing Sing. In 1848 she was connected with the Institution for the Blind, in Boston, and from 1849 to 1856 resided in California. She returned to New York and published "Calilbrnia, in Doors and Out." She was also the author of several books, and was active iw promoting social reforms and the rights of women.

Rev. William James Cumming, author of the histories of the towns of Cortlandt and Yorktown in this work, and compiler of the Civil List, was born in New York City, July 22, 1847, and is the son of John Pollock Cumming and Isabella Pollock, both of Bangor, Ireland. He was educated at the public schools of New York City and in the College of the City of New York, where he graduated in 1867. He studied for the ministry at the Union Theological Seminary, graduating in 1S71 and was ordained August 8, 1876, since which time he has been pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Yorktown. Previous to that time, 1872-75, he taught school at Norwalk, Conn., and in

New York City. His literary work has comprised a number of historical papers and newspaper articles, and lie is a member of the Westchester Historical Society and secretary of the Westchester Bible Society.

Mr. Charles E. Culver, author of the town histories of Somers and North Salem in this work, was born on the 6th of April, 1842, in the town of Somers, in the house now owned and occupied by James P. Teed. His father was Edward W. Culver, the son of Joshua Culver, and he was born in the house directly opposite Mt.