Moreover, Westchester, with its attached locality of West Farms, was peculiarly justified in appealing for special privileges, in view of the exceptional functions that had been conferred upon the adjacent manorial lands of Morrisania, Fordham, Philipseburgh, and Pelham. These lands had been erected into "entire and enfranchised townships, manors, and places by themselves," for the gratification of wealthy individual proprietors. On the other hand, here was a thriving democratic town, whose settlement antedated that of any of the manorial estates, and which was more important than any of them in the matter of population and development. It was reasonable in such circumstances to demand for it some unusual political advantages. Westchester received its first town patent from Governor Nicolls on the 15th of February, 1667. In that instrument " all ye rights and

HISTORY

WESTCHESTER

COUNTY

government" were beprivileges belonging to a town within this In 1686 it was deemed advisable by stowed upon the patentees. the inhabitants to procure a second patent, which was accordingly Under this second patent issued (January 6) by Governor Dongan. twelve men1 were designated as the "Trustees of the Freeholders and Commonalty of the Town of Westchester," these trustees beingIn order to disconstituted as "one body corporate and politick." pose forever of any possible hostile claims to lands within their town limits on the ground of irregularities or defects in the original purchases from the Indians, the trustees, on the 27th of May, 1692, obtained a final deed of sale from four Indians-- Maminepoe, Warnand Mamertekoh-- by page (alias Ann Hook), Chrohamanthense, goods valued at £8 Is 6d, which the latter, for the consideration of ter " whatWestches of town county tk the to released unconditionally Also steps ever proprietary pretensions they had to its territory. were taken by the trustees to mark off the northern bounds of the The records of the town, where it adjoined " Mr.