In lieu of rent, was frequently received a couple of fat hens, a day's work, or a trifling sum amounting to three or four pounds. The farmers bordering the river ha\-ing greater privileges, paid higher rents. The Courts Leet and Baron were held yearly at the house of John Cockles, the site of the present Nap-pec-ka mak tavern. This court took cog- ■nizance of all criminal matters, and sometimes inflicted punishments that were even capital. In the administration of justice the baronial lord presided, either in his own jierson or that cf his steward.

In the Manor Hall, July 3d, 1730, was born ^Nlary Philipse, daughter of the Hon. Frederick Philipse, speaker of the House of Assembly and lord of the manor of Philipsborough. From this lady's character Penimore Cooper formed the heroine of the Spy, under the name of "France." It was in the. drawing rooni of this old hall, the ceiling of ■which is highly ornamented with arabesque work, that the charming Mary Philpse was married to Colonel Roger Morris on Sunday afternoon of January 15th. 1758.

That wedding, we are assured, was a pleasant romance of the Hudson. Tlie leading families of the jtrovince, and U^ie Britisii forces

a Tlii.i Is tli'j Jesc;i;itiua of lUo >[anor honsu in ISiS.

634 HISTORY OF THE CuJNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

in America, had representatives there. The sleighing was good and the weather was tnild, and early as two o'clock in the afternoon the guests • began to arrive. The Rev. Henry Barclay, rector of Trinity church in New York, with his assistant, Mr. Auctmuty, was there at three o'clock. Half an hour later the marriage was solemnized under a crimson canopv, emblazoned with the golden crest of the family (a crowned demi-lion, rampant, rising from a coronet) in the presence of a brilliant assembh,-.