In 1750, on account of increasing population, the election of two constables was authorized -- one for the portion of the manor near the Hudson River and the other for the interior sections. In L708 the number of constables was increased to three. Ryck's Patent (Peekskill) acquired in 1770 the privilege of choosing its own local officers independently of the manor, although the inhabitants of this settlemenl still joined with the people of the manor in electing the member of assembly. Yerplanck represented Cortlandt Manor for the remarkable period of thirty-four years, his successor being Pierre Yan Cortlandt, who served during the remainder of the colonial era. After the death of Johannes and Oliver, the first and second sons of Stephanus Yan Cortlandt, Philip Yan Cortlandt, the third son, became the head of the family. He was born in 1683. He was a merchant in New York, and has been described as " a man

HISTORY

WESTCHESTER

COUNTY

of clear head, of good abilities, and possessed of great decision of character." From 1730 until his death (1746) he was a member of the gubernatorial council. His eldest son, Stephen, died young, leaving a son, Philip, who succeeded as the next head of the family. But this second Philip, preferring a military life, entered the British army, in which he had a long career, fighting against American freedom in the Revolution.1 His uncle Pierre (youngest son of the first Philip and grandson of Stephanas) ultimately became the leading member of the Van Cortlandt family resident on the manor. Pierre Van Cortlandt's is one of the great names of Westchester County, second, indeed, to none in all the illustrious and noble array. This is not the place for a particular account of his career, which, in its more distinctive features, is connected with the events of the Revolutionary and subsequent periods.