The Central Bridge or Macomu's Dam. -- In 1800 the mayor, aldermen and commonalty ceded to Alexander McComb and his heirs and assigns, " All that certain piece or parcell of land covered with water situated in the 7th Ward (now 12th Ward) of the city beginning at the West side of Kingsbridge at low water mark on the north side of the river, creek or run of water called Spuyten Duy vil ; thence running along the creek westerly at low water mark one hundred feet; thence crossing the creek to a place at low water mark one hundred feet from Kingsbridge; thence along the creek easterly at low water mark to Kingsbridge and thence along the West side of the bridge to the place of beginning.'' A passage-way fifteen feet along the course of the creek was reserved to be kept clear, open and unincumbered, so that all small boats and craft might freely and without obstruction pass and repass the same, with a right on

the part of the corporation to re-enter and dispossess iMacomb or his successors in ciise he failed to comply with the condition. It seems, however, that Macomb did not keep the passage-way ojjcn. He erected a tidal grist-mill west of the bridge, and in 1855 it was still standing. Macomb was to pay twelve dollars and fifty cents per annum rent. In 1834 Macomb ceased to pay rent, but in 1854 his heirs came forward and paid up all arrears. In 1855 a committee of the Board of Supervisors recommended that the old mill be declared a nuisance and the grant forfeited, as it was evidently an improvident and void grant from its inception. During 1855 the i)roprietors were about fitting it up as a hotel, as it had then ceased to be used as a mill, but about that time a heavy gale of wind blew it over.'