He adds: "A short distance above the present bridge between the Towns of Maniaroneck and Rye, where the river bends suddenly to the east and then takes

a northerly course, a rocky reef originally crossed it nearly at right angles, causing the formation of rapids. It was high enough to prevent the tide rising over it at high water, so that the fresh water of the river always fell into the salt water of the harbor, and at low water with a strong rush and sound."

HISTORY

WESTCHESTER

COUNTY

their lands from the beginning under an arrangement with Thomas Pell, the original white owner of the territory, whereby they were to pay him kk a certain summe of money." Circumstances prevented the fulfillment of this obligation, and on the 16th of June, 1664, three months before the surrender of the province to the English, they signed a document restoring to him all rights, titles, and claims to the tract. One of the signers was " John Acer," probably the John Archer who a few years subsequently became lord of the Manor of Fordham. The restoration thus made was only temporary, for in 1007 Westchester received a town patent. The proprietary pretensions of Thomas Pell were quite unlimited. Besides undertaking to hold the Westchester settlers to the letter of their agreement with him, he asserted and attempted to legally enforce a claim to Cornell's Neck, which in 1646 had been patented by the Dutch director, Kieft, to Thomas Cornell, and from him had descended to his eldest daughter, Sarah, the wife of Thomas Willett and later of Charles Bridges. Shortly after the English government of New York had become established, Pell sought to oust Mrs. Bridges from the possession of Cornell's Neck, and in consequence of his arbitrary proceedings she, with her husband, brought suit to restrain him from interfering with her in the enjoyment of her inheritance.