Prior to the purchase of the Philipses, this estate (as before sho\\Ti) formed a portion of the fief of Colen-donck, and was styled the " Old Yonckers." Fro:n the Patroon Adriaen van der Donck, it passed through the hands of various proprietors to the Hon. Frederick Philipse, who sold it to his son-in-law Jacobus van Cortlandt, AD. 1699. Since then, it has been considerably enlarged by other purchases. ■ The whole eight hundred atul fifty acres is now vested in his descendant, Augustus van Cortlandt. Esq., with the exception of one lumdred and five acres which has been laid out by competent engineers, a.s Oloff Park. This beautiful and valua-

6l6 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ATOSTCKESTEP^

ble part of the Cortlandt estate, is but half a mile north of Nev,- York city, and lies almost entirely on elevated ground, from portions of which most beautiful views reward tlie visitor. Jerome Park lies just south of it, and the magnificent Central avenue is not more than a quarter of a mile distant.

A broad avenue named Van Cortlandt, has been opened through the Park, and the most elevated portion has been set aside for a park within a park. Fronting on this, enclosure which has been named Stevenson Park, are most beautiful villa sites, containing from ten to forty city lots. Oloft" Park has as its boundaries, three important and ancient roads; the old Albany Post Road, the old Boston Post Road, and the road from Yonkersto William's Bridge and Westchester. In addition to these and Van Cortlandt avenue, referred to above, Gouvenure avenue, Stevenson avenue and Lesler place, have been laid out within the limits of the park.