Colonel Morris, to render his title to the whole estate absolutely invulnerable, took the precaution of obtaining a deed from the InOf course this formality was not dians, dated February 7, 1685.

MORRIS

PURCHASE

necessary as to the portion of the property which formerly belonged to Edsall, and he had in view simply to secure himself beyond all possibility of legal dispute in the possession of the additional lands granted to him by Andros. In the same year that the patent for Bronxland and its adjacent territory was issued, Colonel Morris bought a very extensive tract in East Jersey, to which he gave the name of Tintern and Monmouth, after his ancestral seat in the old country. His New Jersey property amounted to about 3,500 acres. Thus, besides founding one of the principal hereditary domains of Westchester County, he was among the earliest of large landed proprietors in New Jersey, where also ho selected what has since become a very conspicuous and valuable section. lie lived on his Bronxland property until his death, in 1001, occupying a handsome residence, which even in those early colonial times was a place of liberal hospitality. He was a prominent man in the province, sustaining intimate relations with Governor Andros and other celebrated official characters, and from 1683 to 1686 was a member of Governor Dongan's council. During his lifetime, although possessing abundant means and enjoying the distinction of aristocratic birth and antecedents, no steps were taken to erect the estate into a manor. He was twice married, but left no descendants, his sole heir being his nephew, Lewis, the only son of his brother, Richard. The value of Colonel Morris's personal property, etc., exclusive of his real estate, as appraised by Stephanus Van Cortlandt, Nicholas Bayard, John Tell, and William Richardson, was estimated at above £4,000.