Just on the banks of the Harlem Kills stands the house formerly of Gouverneur Morris, and not far distant, near the Port Chester Railroad depot, was the site of Bron.x's house, where, as we have already seen, the first treaty of peace with the Indians was signed. To return to Fordham and describe the valley of the Mill Brook, as it used to appear before the flourishing settlements, near the Harlem Railroad, ofTremont, Central Morrisania, Morrisania Station, Melrose and Mott Haven, would be a pleasing task ; but all their former beauties have departed, and suffice it to say that they are part and i)arcel of the great metropolis. One oasis of rural occupancy still exists at Central Morrisania. The Bathgate farm is still almost intact, and the old farm-house, with its barn-yard, orchard and other agrii ultural surroundings, still remaining entire within ear-shot of the tinkling of horse-car bells and the tooting of locomotive whistles. But the easterly portion of this property is soon to be taken by the city to form a new pleasure ground, which is called Crotona Park.

The Bathgate family came to the township in the early part of the century from Scotland. One brother, Alexander, settled at Morrisania as foreman for Gouverneur Morris, and afterward i)urchased from his son the farm now situated at Central Morrisania. He left three sons and several daughters, -- James, a doctor of medicine, and Alexander, a farmer, who occupy the old homestead on Fordliam Avenue, with their sister still unmarried. Charles, recently deceased, who was at one time supervisor of the town. James, the other brother, resided at Fordham, and was a farmer. He owned the farm on which the Jerome Park Jockey Club is now located. He left four children, -- Charles W., formerly supervisor;