It is the only one of the first settlements having an inland location, and the only one whose original history stands quite apart from that of the remainder of the county, with no associations or relations binding it to other Westchester settlements of early origin and respectable importance. In common with Westchester, Eastchester, Pelham, and Rye, it was settled by Connecticut people; but, unlike these communities, it was by its isolation in the northern central portion of the county removed completely from New York environment and influence. Bedford, at least until within recent times,

OF BEDFORD.

is to be regarded as a purely New England village accidentally absorbed by New York. What is now the Township of Bedford was a portion of the purchase made by Nathaniel Turner, for the New Haven colony, July 1, 1040, of a tract of land eight miles long on the Sound and extending sixteen miles into the wilderness to the northwest. Upon that tract the village of Stamford was begun in 1641; and in 1655 its interior extension was repurchased from the Indians by the people of Stamford. No attempt at settlement on the portion of the tract now known as Bedford town was made until 1680. In that year the Town

COMPLETION

EARLY

LOCAL

SETTLEMENT

of Stamford granted to twenty-two Stamford men1 the lands known the north end of Stamford bounds.'' as the " Hop Grounds " lying " at es, on the 23d of December, 1680, Under this grant the beneficiari bought from Katonah, Rockaway, and several other Indians, the territory in question, 7,(573 acres, for the value of £16 16s. 6d. The Three Miles Square." purchase thus made became known as " Bedford The whole of the southeastern portion of the present townshipsomething more than one-third of the whole township in area-- was included in it.