Augustus van Cortlandt, the above devisee, subsequently took possession of the estate under the will of his grandfather, the above testator. The Revised Statues of 1S25, having abolished the entail, Augustus became possessed of the estate in fee simple. Upon the iSth of F'eb., 1827, Augustus van Cortlandt bequeathed the Yonkers to his brother

a Ani.-rioaiii Arcluvf-;, -Hli senvs. vol. lu. iVlj. b Surrut'^t'-'a oiHcc, ^i. Y.

THE TOWN OF YONKERS.

lljnr}-, for life, and to his brother's eldest son forever, provided they i.iU: and constantly use the name of "Van Cortlandt;" and upon the failure of male heirs, to Henry, the testator provided that the property sJioukl pass to his nephew, Augustus van Cortlandt Bibby, son of his sister Augusta.

Henry, the above devisee, took possession of the estate on his brother's death, in 1S39, and assumed the name of Van Cortlandt. Henry van Cortlandt died October, 1S39, and was succeeded by his nephew, the present proprietor, Augustus van Cortlandt, Esq. ■

The present mansion house, a large edifice of stone, was erected by Frederick van Cortlandt, A. D. 1748;" it fonns a noble object when x-iewed from the lawn. The situation commands nearly the whole length of Uie vale of Yonkers; streaching south, the view is terminated only by

m

Conlandt House, tne residence ot Augustus Van Cortlandr, Esq.

the high hills of iVew York island, and heights of Fordliam. The pleasure grounds in front, appear to have been laid out in the ancient Dutch style, ^%-ith high artificial banks, adorned v/ith rows of stately box, venerable for their height and antiquity; while beneath are still visible the remains of old fish ponds andyV/x d'eau. Above the old fashioned window, grim \-i.sages in the shape of corbels seem to frown upon the beholder. We suppose them to be a kind of ''genii loci."