Signed in New orange 20 9ber.' 1673."* This mortgage only covered the West Neck as settled in the agreement with Pell above mentioned.

On the 12"' May, 1675, two years later, a mortgage was made by John Richbell on the Middle Neck alone, in consideration of "£250 Boston Silver" to Robert Richbell of Southampton, England for the term of 99 years, redeemable at any time in the term upon the payment of the principal and interest.^

The very next year, on the 17 July 1676 Richbell made still another mortgage to one Thomas Kelland of Boston, in consideration of £100 New England money, upon the reversion of the Middle Neck for the term of 99 years, and also the reversion of the West Neck for 99 years, after payment of the £2500 to Robert Richbell and the 2400 Guilders to Steenwyck.

These Richbell Mortgages on the Great Neck passed by assignments into the hands of Samuel Palmer, of Mamaroneck ; the first of a family of that name who have been closely and honourably connected with Mamaroneck from that day to this, and as they are still robust and numerous, will probably so continue indefinitely for the future. A Palmer Avas elected to a town ofiice at the first recorded election in Mamaroneck in 1797, and a Palmei* is a .lustice of the Peace in Mamaroneck to-day.''

By these assignments Samuel Palmer became legally entitled to the remainder of the term of 99 years in the Middle Neck, and by his will, dated March 18th, 1712-13, he devised all his right, title and interest in and to the Middle Neck to his four sons, Nehemiah, Obadiah, Sylvanus, and Solomon Palmer. They continued in possession, and on the 8th of February 1722, Edward Richbell, who describes himself as " of the Parish of St.