Blake in his " History of Putnam County," were confiscated by the legislature, but the reversionary interest was not affected by this action, and that interest was purchased of the heirs for $100,000 by the first John Jacob Astor, who ten years afterward received for it from the State of New York $500,000 in State stock at six per cent. After the death of his father, Adolph became the head of the family, a position which he divided with his nephew. Frederick, when the latter came of age. On the 7th of February, 1705, he was appointed amember of the governor's council, and in 1718 he was made one of the commissioners for running the boundary line between New York and Connecticut. He was removed from the council in 1721, on the representation of Governor Burnet, for opposing the continuance of the assembly after His Fxcellency's arrival. In 1722 he was elected a member of the assembly from Westchester Comity, of which body he was chosen speaker in 172r>. He sat for West-

ARISTOCRATIC

FAMILIES

Chester County until the election of 1726, being then returned as one of the four members from New York City. He occupied the speaker's chair until 1737, when he lost his seat; but at an election held soon afterward to till a vacancy from the city he was once more returned, although, it was charged, only by means of the "most barefaced villany " practiced in his behalf by the sheriff. He was again chosen speaker in 1739, and remained as such until 1745, when, at the age of eighty, his legislative career was terminated. He died in 1740. He was never married. It is thus seen that Adolph Philipse was one of the most important public characters of his times, being speaker of the assembly for eighteen years.