His heirs were numerous, including his widow, three brothers, and their children. The estate was partitioned in 1843. the principal representative of the heirs being Lemuel W. AYells, familiarly known in Yonkers (where he lived until his death in 1861) as " Farmer" Wells. From this event dates the t of Yonkers. "Released from beginning of the serious developmen the hand that had so long kept it out of the market, and catching the spirit of enterprise," says Dr. Cole, "the land so long unused, or, where used, devoted to farm purposes only, was quickly laid out and was soon in'streets and lots, became the scene of busy activity, This change did not transpire at dotted with beautiful residences."

5(52

HISTORY

WESTCHESTER

COUNTY

once, but a now local spirit began to obtain. One of Farmer Wells's earliest transactions was the sale to John Copcutt, for $17,500, of the 'k first water power " -- that is, the first mill-site above the month of the Nepperhan. Mr. Copcutt had previously operated a veneer mill at West Farms, but lie was quick to see the promise of superior opportunities at Yonkers. In 1845 he turned his purchase to practical use by converting the Nepperhan mill into an establishment for sawing mahogany wood. Mr. Wells sold the second water power, with its mill buildings, for $11,250, to Messrs. Mitchell ami Hutchinson. Among the new citizens acquired by Yonkers through the partition of the Wells estate was Ethan Flagg, one of the heirs, who bore an exceedingly important part in the building up of the Thus at the period at which we place. have arrived in our general narrative, Yonkers, destined to a position of unquestioned supremacy among the municipalities ofWestchester County, was just preparing to emerge from a primitive condition of absolute insignificance. .Mount Vernon was still nntlionght of.