His grandfather, who was still living, thereupon sold the Barbadoes property, and the boy was sent to England to be reared by his mother's people. There he remained until his early manhood, enjoying every educational and social advantage which wealth and distinguished connections could give. Although from these associations he derived marked aristocratic predilections, which, in turn, were inbred in his children, and became the cause of their undoing in the evil days of the Revolution, his character, as thus formed, was that of an accomplished and amiable gentleman, quite free from corrupt and arrogant traits. By his tenants and the public he was always known as "Lord" Philipse, and his personality well corresponded to his title. " He was/' says Mrs.
Lamb, " polished in his manners, hospitable, generous, cordial, manly. His cultivated European tastes were soon distinguishable in his improvements. The manor house swelled into thrice its former size, and was beautiful in innumerable ways. The two entrances on the new eastern front were ornamented with eight columns and corresponding pilasters. A broad, velvety lawn appeared skirted by garden terraces, horse chestnuts, and the old Albany and New York Post Load, above which rose Locust Hill. To the right and left were laid out gardens and grounds, in which flourished valuable trees and choice shrubs and flowers, and through which, in all directions, stretched graveled walks, bordered with box. To the west the greensward sloped gradually toward the river, dotted with fine specimens of ornamental trees, and was emparked and stocked with deer.
The roof of the manor house was surmounted by a heavy line of balustrade, forming a terrace, which commanded an extensive view. The interior of the new part was elaborately finished. The walls were wainscoted, and the ceilings highly ornamented in arabesque work. The marble mantels were imported from England, and were curious specimens of ancient art in the way of carving.