History of Westchester County, New York, Vol. I
This tract, together with the other large purchases of Colonel Heathcote -- an exception being made of White Plains, to which Colonel Heathcote had a claim which he afterwards raised -- was, on March 21, 1701, by royal patent of AVilliam III., John Nanfan, Lieutenant-Governor of the province, subscribing to it, erected into the " Lordship and Manor of Scarsdale," to be holden by Colonel Heathcote of the King in free and common soccage, " Paying therefore yearly and every year forever at our city of New York, . . . five pounds current money of New York upon the Nativity of our Lord." By the terms of the royal patent, the lord of the manor was permitted at his pleasure to hold "one court-leet and one court-baron," all fines and assessments going to himself, and it was furthermore granted that " ye tenants of him, ye said Caleb Heathcoate, within ye said manor, shall and may at all times hereafter meet together and choose assessors within ye manor aforesaid," according to the laws prescribed by the General Assembly of the i)rovince for cities and towns, " for defraying the public charge of each respective city, town and county aforesaid, and all such sums of money so assessed and levied, to collect and dispose of for such use as any act or acts as the said General Assembly shall exhibit or appoint, to have, hold, possess and enjoy all and singular the said Lorship and Manor of Scarsdale and premises, with all and every of their appurtenances, unto the said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs and assigns forever." '