The waters of the kill or channel, derive their name from a daring Dutch burgher of the ISIanhattans, who, bent upon performing some deed of knight errantly, determined upon crossing this stream in a \'iolent storm, in opposition to the rem-onstrances of his friends; swearing he would swim across "en spyt den duyvel," (in spite of the de\'il), but scarcely had he reached the channel when he was overM'helmed by the stormy billows and sank to rise no more.

This incident has been well described in the Sketch Book, by Washington Ir\-ing, although he has fixed a much later date for the origin 01 the name than we find it recorded in the Colonial annals. It is entitled,

"the DOLEFUL DISASTER OF ANTHONY THE TRUMPETER."

"Stuyvesant resolutely bent upon defeudhig bis beloved city (New Amsterdam) ia spite of itself, called unto him bis trusty Nun Corlear, wlio was bis riglit hand man ia all times of emergency. Him did be adjure to take bis war denounciug trun^pet, and mouutiDg bis horse, to beat up the couutry, niglit aud daj-, sounding tbe alarm along tlie pastoral borders of tbe Bronx, starting the wild solitudes of Croton, arousing tlie rugged yeomanry of Wccliawk and Hoboken, the mighty men of battle of Tappan bay, and tbe brave boys of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, togetlier with all tbe other warriors of tlie countr}- romid about; ciiar^ing tbem one and all. to sling tbeir powder iiorus, shoulder their fowling pieces, and march mc rril}- down to tbe ^laubattans. Now there