They appear to have been settled in the county of Kent at an early date. The immediate ancestor of the branch of the family that settled in America was Robert Colgate, a native of the village of Seven Oaks, in Kent, a man of note and influence and a prominent agriculturist of his native county. In ])olitical atiairs he was a most determined Radical, and so plainly outspoken of his opinions as to render him obnoxious to the government. His known sympathy with the Radicals and the assistance he rendered to some who were confined in the Tower of London caused an order for his arrest and imprisonment to be issued. In his younger days he had been a schoolmate of William Pitt, and that statesman, moved by remembrance of early friendship, sent him a timely warning, with the intimation that if he should leave for America within a limited lime, an opportunity would be given. Acting upon this suggestion, he hired a vessel and, with his family, sailed for the New World, and landed at Baltimore in 1795. Under the protection of a free government, the fiery Radical soon became the peaceful citizen, and, purchasing a farm near Baltimore, he made sigriculture the business of his life. Upon this farm he remained for several years, then removed to the State of New York and took charge of the farm of Peter J. Monroe, Esq., of Westchester County. Some years later his son William, having been successful in business,

HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.