The north-eastern part of" this township is occupied by a high ridge of hills, called the Tuckahoe Hills. This portion of the town, originally formed a part of that large tract of land between the Saw Mill and the Bronxrivers, which was ceded by the Indian chiefs-- Scpham and others -- to Frederick PhiUipse, June 5, 16S4. Tradition says, that anciently, an Indian Sachem of that name had his residence on one of these hills, and exercised all auihority among the tribes of the neighboring valleys.
The name Tuckahoe, means in the Algonquin, "The Bread;" literally, Tuckah (bread) the o, oe, or ong, being merely an objective sign relating to the plant itself.
The celebrated Captain Smith, in his travels and adventures, tells us, " That the chief root the Indians of Virginia have for food, is called Tockawhoiighe. It groweth like flagge in marshes. In one day a savage will gather sufficient for a weeke. These roots are much of the greatness and taste of potatoes. They are toasted, a great many of them, wth oke leaves and ferns, and then cover all wiih earth in the manner of a cole pit ; over it on each side, they continue a great fire twenty-four hours before they dare eat it. Raw it is no better than poyson ; and being roasted-- except it be tender, and the heat abated, or sliced and dry-ed in the sunne mixed with sorrel and greens, or such Uke -- it will prickle and torment the throat, extraordinary; and yet in summer, they use this commonly for bread."<^