Scharf, J. Thomas, ed. History of Westchester County, New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. I. Philadelphia: L.E. Preston & Co., 1886.
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Either by reason of the delay in recruiting or the week's preaching, or some other misfortune not mentioned in the documents of that date, th e troops took the field too late, and were unable to repel au attack made by the Weckquaesgeeks, who, at Pelham Neck, or, as it was then known, Aiinie's Hoeck, murdered the celebrated refugee Ann Hutchinson, and destroyed houses and …
In 1663 that portion of the original town west of the Bronx, including the present village of West Farms, Hunt's Point and as far west as Leggetts Creek, vested by purchase from the Indians in Edward Jessup and John Richardson. Bronx's land evidently lay between Bungay and Cromwell's Creeks. Devoe's Point, or Daniel Turneur's land, now forming the point between Cromwell's …
The company furnished a house, barn, fiirming implements and tools, horses cows, sheep and pigs, in proportion to the acreage. The farmer had the use of these animals for the term, and on its expiration he was to return to the company the number of domestic animals he had received, he to keep part of the increase. The company, for several years from its outset, distributed its …
He rarely received a money rent, but got his land back in his possession, cleared and prepared for agricultural purposes. Sometimes the landlord would furnish horses and cattle to the tenants. Many of the tenants were persons whom the landlords had assisted to emigrate by advancing their passage money, and they would pay that back whenever they had the ready means, either in …
Albert, the trumpeter, was with him, and both were placed under guard by the settlers and told not to advance a foot. The commander of the party advanced with a pistol in his hand and with eight or ten men following. The faithful messenger did his duty; he read the protest or warrant and handed it to the leader, who said, " I cannot understand Dutch ; why did not the Fiscal …
On the fitli of March, 105(5, he and his Council instructed Captain Frederick de Conninck with Captain Lieutenant Brian Nuton and the Fiscal, Van Tienhoven, to proceed to Westchester or Ostdorp by night with a detachment of soldiers and take possession of the houses of the Englishmen, and direct them to remove with all their movable property and cattle ; they were to proceed …
Captain-General Conninck deprived them of their arms and took twenty-three of them prisoners, and brought them to New Amsterdam on the ship " de Waagh." Only a few, with the women and children, were left behind to take care of the goods. The wives of the captives, however, plead for their husbands' release, and the soft-hearted Governor and Council finally resolved to release …
Their petition was granted and on March 16, 1656, they were allowed to depart for Vredelandt and also to nominate a double number of officers, subject to the approval of the Director-General and Council. They at once organized and elected Lieutenant Thomas \Yheeleras their magistrate, and his selection received the sanction of the director on the same day. Some of the party …
Van Couwenhoven made a report to the Governor and Council that, on the 15th of March, 1664, an Indian named Hiekemick came to his house and told him that the Esopus and Wappinger Indians were ready for an insurrection, and that the English at Westchester had promised that they would first conquer Long Island and then the Manhattans, but that the Indians must help them. The …
But the inhabitants of Westchester did not feel satisfied under the Dutch rule, and in the following August I of 1664 informed the commissioners of Her Majesty's affairs in New England of their arrest by the Dutch and the hardships they had to endure in the hold of a 1 N. Y. Col. Docs., 67. ^ 2>. Y. Col. Docs., xiii. 43; Laws of Xew Nethcrland, page 198. 3N. Y. rol. Docs., xi …
Charles II., of England, in March, 1664, liberally 2>resented to James, Duke of York, the whole colony of New Netherlands, with other possessions which he never owned. In August Colonel Richard NicoUs, with his English squadron and New England soldiers, captured the city of New Amsterdam, and in Se23tember, 1664, we can imagine that Wheeler and his fellow-citizens in …
NicoUs, the new English Governor, a man of enterprise and tact, who paid much attention to developing the settlements and obtaining the good will of the Dutch, in 1666 granted a charter to the inhabitants of Harlem, which, among other things, provided for " a ferry to and from the main which I may redound to their particular benefit," and authorized them "at their charge to …
a certain allowance given as shall be adjudged reasonable." About this time it was found by the Harlem people that as there was a convenient fordingplace at Spuyten Duyvil, a good road should be made to Harlem and a good ferry established over the river; so, on January 3, 1667, at a meeting of the mayor and magistrates, it was determined that tlie Harlem people should make …
People enjoyed the hospitality of the inn on their way to and from Broiixside, and their cattle were safely ferried across at the following rates: " For one person, four stivers, silver money; for two, three or four, each three stivers, silver money ; for one beast, one shilling; and for more than one, each ten stivers silver." Riker locates the inn and ferry at the north side …
At the end of five years the ferry was to be farmed out, but during that time he was to pay nothing for it, and in case the ferry should be let to another, the house was to be valued as it stood, and Verveelen was to be paid for it. Then the rates of ferriage were fixed thus : For every passenger, two pence silver or six pence wampum ; for every ox or cow that shall be brought …
Thomas Delaval, Daniel Turneur, John Verveelen and others were the first patentees. He also granted to them four lots of land on the mainland numbered one, two, three and four, near Spuyten Duyvil. He also granted to the people of Harlem, Stony Island, or that part of Morrisania now known as Port Morris.'* The people at Harlem, though they had passed resolutions to stop the …
The tenants also had a house and lot each in the village, so that in 1668-- 69 a goodly number of Harlem people went to reside on Archer's property. The village was located very near the present settlement of King's Bridge near to the "fording-place" in Spuyten Duyvil Creek, and hence is derived the name of Fordham -- ford, a fording place ; ham, a mansion.* But Nicolls had …
HISTORY OF WESTCHESTEE COUNTY. land and Archer's cattle trespassed on the Harlem lands. The cattle were seized and a complaint made against Archer to the new Governor Lovelace. This was in 1668-69. Archer said he did not claim the lots but that he had purchased the lands adjoining from the Yonker Vander Do nek, and he was ordered to bring in his patent to show by what right he …
The small stream, which formerly emptied into Harlem River just south of High Bridge, w'as the north bounds, and then it ran west across to Cromwell's Creek to a point not very far north of the present road-house tavern on Central Avenue, known as Judge Smith's. Turneur was a man of parts, and not only a very important person at Harlem, but also frequently acting as arbitrator …
On the same day Lovelace ordered Verveelen to proceed to Spuyten Duyvil and build a fence so as to keep all manner of cattle from going or coming to and from the passage without leave or paying therefor, and to lay out a place at Paparinamin on the main land near the passage, for his habitation and the accommodation of travelers. A lease was made between Governor Lovelace and …
Verveelen, or bis deputy, was to be in attendance at all seasonable hours, and in cases of emergency where public affairs were concerned, he was to be ready at all hours when called upon. Penalties and the mode of inflicting them were provided for, and in consideration " of the well execution of his office," he was to receive an allotment of the entire neck or island of …
A clause was inserted as to repairs and good condi- I tion of the property and boats at the expiration of the term, and he was obliged to receive all passengers, whether afoot or on horseback, horses and cattle for lodging, diet, feeding, passage or ferrying, according to the ferry rates.' Persons on government business were to pass free, and also such persons as, upon any " …
" For a turn with his boat, for two horses, ten pence, and for any wore, four pence apiece ; and if they be driven over, half us much. " For single cattle, as much as a horse. *' For a boat-loading ol cattle, as much as he hath for horses. '* For droves of cattle to be driven over and opening ye gates, twopence per piece. " For feeding of cattle, three pence in silver. '■ For …
The people of the town other than the three offered to help build the bridge over the Bronx "after ye causey shall first be finisht " as the causeway would be a difficult job the governor, finding that the proposition of the three townsmen tended to greater expedition in both works, ordered that the three persons would first join the rest of the town of Fordham in making the …
The Farmers' Bridge is of later date, and the destruction of everything in the neighborhood by the retreating Americans and the British during the Revolution changed the whole aspect at Fordham or King's Bridge. On May 3, 1669, Governor Lovelace gave leave to John Archer to settle sixteen families on the mainland, " near the wading-place," and ordained that whatever agreements …
It is difficult to trace, from the description, the exact bounds, but, after a careful study of the territory and the description, the tract seems to have been bounded as follows : It lay on the eastward of Harlem River, near unto the passage commonly called " Spiting Devil," upon which " ye new Dorp or village is erected, known by the name of Fordham." (The accompanying map …
of the former town of Yoakers ran east to the Bronx; while, from the ancient map and the location of the houses upon it, the village street ran north and south, substantially as the present highway runs, and part of the village was in Yonkers and part in West Farms. The Doughty purchase, by Archer, only applies to lands in Yonkers. All that he owned in West Farms he purchased …
It was to be ruled by the Governor and his Council and the General Court of Assizes only, but the town was to send forward to the next town or plantation all public packets and letters and hues and crys coming or going from or to any of His Majesty's colonies. The Governor further granted that when there should be a sufficient number of inhabitants in the town of Fordhara and …
Though full-fledged lord of the Manor of Fordham, Archer still agitated the question of lots one, two, three and four at Spuyten Duyvil, and to quiet all trouble, Governor Lovelace, on November 9, 1672, made the following order : " Whereas the meadow ground or valley by the creek beneath, the town of Fordham, at Spuyten Duyvil, is claimed by someof the inhabitants of New …
Archer did not live long in harmony with the population of his manor, and in 1669-70 they forwarded to the Mayor's Court in New York a complaint that he had undertaken to govern them by " rigour and force;" that "he had been at several times the occasion of great troubles betwixt the inhabitants of said town ;" and they " humbly desired relief and the protection of said …
The Governor, it^ seems, had once reproved Tippets for having an unlawful mark for his cattle, which was, to cut their ears so short that " any other marks may be cut off by it." Elizabeth Heddy, Benjamin Palmer and Jan Hendricks proved that Tippets owned a litter of pigs, " the which were gray, red, spotted and white." The result of this important trial is not known, but …
In the mean time, under the English rule, the territory east of the Bronx was in the jurisdiction of the West Riding of Yorkshire, or Long Island, and the people attended the courts there, while the Fordham people had their court at Fordham and Harlem. On December 28, 16G-5, Governor Nicolls informed the inhabitants of Westchester that he would defer the laying out of the town …
Every one hundredth estate was to have six acres, and every two hundredth estate eight acres of good meadow land lying most convenient for each lot, but no further division was to be made, the remainder of the land being left in common for the encouragement of future settlers. The meadow ground of the Ten Farms was between Hutchinson's River and Rattlesnake Brook, and the …
He also gave them all the rights and privileges of a township, I and provided that the place should be called West- I Chester.^ I On November 3, 1667, Westchester was in arrears for her share of the taxes levied for building a sessions-house for the riding. William Hallett, the contractor for building the court-house, was appointed collector, and the town was ordered to pay …
On August 21st the deputies delivered their credentials ' and oflered to submit to ^ the Dutch, and to report to the Council the names of [ the persons whom they had nominated as magistrates. The next day they delivered up the flag and the constables' staves, and having joined in a respectful j petition of submission, they were granted the same j rights and privileges as the …
HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY. magistrates JoseiDh Palmer and Edward Waters, who were sworn in on the following 2d of Sejitember, and on the 1st of October provisional instructions were issued for the government of the magistrates. They were to take care that the Reformed Christian religion should be maintained in uniformity with the Synod of Dort. Jurisdiction in ca.'ses not …
They were particularly instructed to ordain against fighting and wrestling, and the sheriffs were cautioned that the places under their charge were to be " cleansed of all mobs, gamblers . . . and such like impurities." The sheriff" and schepens nominated a double number of persons for magistrates, to be presented to the Governor, who made his election therefrom. Thelatter …
At a council held at Harlem on October 4, 1673, the Governor-General and Cornells Steenwyck (his secretary) being present, the inhabitants of Fordham appeared and complained of the ill government of their landlord, John Archer, and asked that they might be allowed to nominate their own magistrates. Archer was present and voluntarily declared that he would desist from the …
On December 24, 1673, Roger Tounsen (Townsend) complained to the Governor-General and Council that the people of Westchester were doing great damage to his lands and cattle. The matter was referred to Schout William Lawrence and Mr. Richard Cornwel (Cornell), who, at Townsend's expense, were ordered to inspect the premises, to hear the arguments of parties and, if possible, " …
WESTCHESTER. Indies, settled upon it, and to them was born a son I Lewis. Richard and his wife died in 1672, and thfe I infant was left alone on the plantation with no one to care for him but the negro slaves and a nephew of his father's, a Mr. Walter \\'ebley. The Dutch had repossessed the colony, and the estate of a wealthy retired English merchant otfered spoils that …
Hence his two-thirds il was liable to confiscation. ' Balthazar Bayard was > therefore appointed to take charge of the two-thirds I of the estate which belonged to the government and r, John Lawrence, Stephanus Van Cortlandt and !■ Walter Webley, the nephew, were appointed adir ministrators of Richard's one-third for the benefit of le the infant Lewis. ^ The uncle Lewis …
Lewis, the III: elder, thus became possessed of Bronxland. Dl, It seems that, this matter being settled, he returned ill.' to B;irbadoes for the purpose of closing up his busifj( ness on that island, but left his nephew, Webley, in " 1 N. Y. Col. Docs., vol. ii. 599. 2 Mem, filT. 3 Idem, 651. * Idem, fi84. ' Idem, Ki'i. « Idem, G.J7. charge of the estate in New York." The …
Colonel Lewis Morris, the elder, settled and resided on this estate until the time of his death." He seems to have been a friend of Governor Andros, having entertained him at his house and also accompanied him on the special expedition when Andros visited Carteret to arrange about the settlement of the government in New Jersey after the accession of James, Duke of York, to the …
Lewis, the nephew, had in the mean time grown to man's estate and succeeded his uncle as heir-at-law, and next of kin, as well as under his uncle's will. I On the 6th day of May, 1697, Governor Benjamin Fletcher confirmed to him the grant made by his predecessor, Andros, to his uncle and also erected the lands into a lordship or manor by the name and title of the Lordship or …
The lord of the manor had jurisdiction over all waifs, estrays, wrecks, deodands, goods of felons happening and being forfeited within said manor ; he also had the patronage and advowson of native-born chief justice who filled the Supreme Court bench in New York. In his early youth he was wild, and gave his stern and rather straight-laced uncle and guardian much trouble. A …
Lewis Morris was a remarkable man, and the first and preach the gospel to the Indians. The voice was that of young Lewis, who had climbed a tree in the vicinity. The good man really thought of obeying the divine command, but he was told the truth just before his departure on his holy mission. Lewis at one time left his uncle's roof and wandered off, depending entirely on his …
Morris was turned out of the Council and was also fined fifty pounds for contempt of the Governor's authority. On the return of Hamilton to the Governorship, in 1700, Morris was made president of the Council. While in the Council he came to the conclusion that the proprietary government of New Jersey was impracticable, and advocated a surrender of the governmental functions of …
He was duly appointed and not only became a prominent member of the Council, but also the special opponent of the Governor. Cornbury removed him from the Council in 1704, but though reinstated by order of the Queen, he was again suspended in the following year. In 1707 he Wius a member of the General Assembly, and he, with Gordon and Jennings and the other members of the …
He was appointed chief justice of New York in 1720 by Burnet, Hunter's successor, and continued as such through Burnet's and Montgomerie's administrations. Montgomerie died in 1731, and after his death and until the arrival of Cosby, in 1732, Morris acted as Governor of New Jersey, still retaining his position of chief justice in New York. On the accession of Cosby Morris' …
The county elected him at once to the Assembly, and the borough of Westchester elected his son Lewis. On his visiting New York salutes were fired in his honor, and deputations of citizens met and conducted him with loud acclamations to a public and splendid entertainment. Cosby's administration was so distasteful to his opponents that, in 1734, they determined to lay their …
By will he gave all that part of the Manor of Morrisania that lay to the eastward of Mill Brook, to his eldest son, Lewis 3Iorris, and that to the \ve.st of Mill Brook, which he called Old Morrisania, to his wife during her life, and on her death to his son, Lewis, during his life, with ■ power to dispose of the same by will. His son, Robert HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY …
He married the widow of Lord George Gordon. Richard, the third son, was born in 1730. He was a graduate of Yale College, and a lawyer by profession. He was admitted to the bar in 1752, and in 1762 was appointed judge of the Court of Vice-Admiralty. In 1775, having sided with the colony, he resigned his commission. Tryon, the royal governor, requested him to continue in office …
Morris, who afterward resided in Vermont and during the Revolution was an aide-decamp to General Sullivan and after the war a member of the House of Representatives; Robert Morris, who finally settled on the family estate at Fordham ; and Mary, who married Major William Popham, of Scarsdale, who served as brigade-major during the Revolution and was for many years clerk of the …
He was one of the committee who, on behalf of the colony, received General Washington when he passed on his way through New York to assume the command of the Continental troops at Boston, already standing in an hostile attitude before Gage and Howe at that city, but at the same time he counselled that all due respect should be paid to Tryon, the Colonial Governor, at New York …
His aged mother had two daughters married to Royalists, and a third had just died. Gouverneur, while serving in the State Congress at Fishkill, received news of his sister's death. His letter to his mother, given at length by Mr. Sparks, is one of the most touching expositions of a struggle between patriotism and filial and fraternal love. He could not leave his post of duty …
To him, as chairman of a committee of finance was referred the question as to how the sinews of war should be provided by the colony for the support of the troops in their Continental struggle. Later on we find him as one of the Committee of Safety in the north wood.*, advising with Schuyler as to the means of checking the advance of Burgoyue from Canada. In 1777, with Jay and …
Three tedious months were spent by Morris in the camp at Valley Forge, drafting, with Washington and other members of the committee, plans for the proper regulation of the army, its quartermaster, commissary and medical departments. To him is largely due the formulation of the organization of those important branches. No sooner was that work completed than the British …
rebel," and that " they are not fashionable among the folks you see." He expresses love for some of his relatives, who are sympathizers with the British. In this connection it nuiy be well to note that before the close of the war, his mother was dangerously ill. He obtained permission to visit her through the British commander at New York ; but the newspaj)ers took the matter …
During the time of his service as a Congressman, though serving as chairman of three committees and performing the duties above referred to, he was forced to practice his profession, as his pay as a Congressman was not sufficient for his living ex]>enses. Not being returned to Congress, he [iracticed law in Pennsylvania, but still manifested a great interest in public …
As an illustration of his good nature and the phil- I osophy with which he bore the infliction, it is related I that a pious friend who called upon him to otter his I condolenc' , also informed him that the accident I was a blessing in disguise, as it would diminish the [ inducements for seeking the pleasures and dissipations of life, and give him ample time for pious …
In 1783-84 he returned to New York, the treaty of peace having been signed, and visited his mother at Morrisania after an absence of nearly seven years. The estate had sufiered much by the dej^redations of tlie troops on both sides. Timber had been cut off of four hundred and seventy-four acres of woodland and used for ship building, artillery and fire-wood. De Lancey's corps …
Gouverneur, as the younger son, was to receive two thousand pounds from Staats, who had to pay seven thousand pounds in all to the younger children. Lewis had already received his share of the property by possessing that portion of Morrisania which lies west of the Mill Brook. As Staats had no intention of residing in America Gouverneur purchased his share and became seized …
On August 10, 1792, the King and Queen were taken prisoners by the mob, and on the 31st of August, Morris was advised by Talleyrand to ask for his passport and leave France, as the minister of foreign affairs had written him an insulting letter; but an apolog)^ having been sent, he stayed in France awaiting instructions from America as to what course he should pursue with …
His friend, Robert Morris, wrote him from America, advising him to resign and go home, but he replied, that " it is not permitted to abandon a post in the hour of difiiculty." He took up his residence however, at Sainport, about thirty miles from Paris, on about twenty acres of land which he purchased, only coming to Paris on matters of business. Many applications were made to …
The latter then traveled extensively through the principal countries of Europe. In his journal aj^pears the celebrated saying so often quoted, which he wrote concerning the character ot the Swiss: "The first lesson of trade is. My son get money. The second is My son get money honestly if you can, but get money ; the third is, My son get money, but honestly, if you would get …
As senator he advocated an internal revenue tax as preferable to a revenue raised by duties on imported articles. His party was opposed to the acquisition of Louisiana, but Mr. Morris voted for it and his argument on the value of the navigation of the Mississippi river is considered one of the finest of his efforts. His term expired on March 4, 1803. A change in parties …
Sparks, an ultra j Federalist. His nom de plume was "An American." Soon alter his return to America he pronounced an oration on the death of Washington, at the request of the corporation of New York. His eulogy on Hamilton is famous. He also delivered an oration in j honor of the memory of George Clinton, and another j on the Restoration of the Bourbons. This last was …
He predicted that among the " rising glories of the western world at no distant day the waters of the great inland seas would, by the aid of man, break through their barriers and mingle with those of the Hudson." While travelling in Scotland in 1795 he notes in his diary his impressions of the Caledonian Canal and says : When I see this, my mind oi>ens to a view of wealth for …
And the members of "Congress could have come from all parts by water." The company were astonished and asked how. Morris answered: "Why, by tapping Lake Erie and "bringing its waters to the Hudson, by an inclined plane or a water table which can be found." Simeon De Witt, Surveyor General of New York, gives Mr. Morris the credit of starting the idea of direct communication …
Anne's Church stands, the cast aisle covering their original resting-))lace. They were afterwards transferred to the family vault, which is the fiist one east of the church. His wife caused a marble slab to be placed over the temporary tomb, and that still remains.' His will was dated October 26, 1816. In it he con- 1 Tlie ttutlior is indebUil to Jaml Sparks' " Life and …
If he should die before he attained the age of twenty-one years, or afterwards, " not having uiade a will," he then gave the estate to such one or more of the male descendants of his brothers and sisters, and in such proportions as his wife should designate ; but if she made no such designation, he then gave the estate to Lewis Morris Wilkins, the son of his sister Isabella …
We thus find Bronx Land and the "additional" lands mentioned in the patents of Morrisania east of Mill Brook, vested in the present Gouverneur Morris. His mother enjoyed her life estate in the property until 1837, when she died and was buried under the site of the present St. Anne's Church, which, in 1841, was erected by her son Gouverneur, in remembrance of her, and with …
Afterwards Steenwyk, by deed from Archer, obtained possession of the entire manor, and he and his pious wife willed it to the mini.sters, elders and deacons of the Reformed Congregation of the Nether Dutch Church, on the express condition that it should not be sold, but presumably that the congregation should receive the benefits of its rents, issues and profits in perpetuity …
The simple annals of the people between the final establishment of English dominion and the Revolution are not of general interest. THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. When, in 1775, the contention with the mother country had come to a critical stage, the citizens of Westchester township prepared to organize their military power. The following papers, which are contained among the …
" Anthony Allaire. Abraham Odle. ■Vol. i. Rev. Papers, page 122. The original document is somewhat mutilated, and consequently the list of electors is not complete. Izarell I nderhill. Robert Farrington. Hendrick Brown, Ju'. Francis Smith. Thomas Merrill. William Green. Abraham Post. Abraham Einnians. Dennis Post. Isaac Green. Usial Fountain. Edward Ryer. Henry Tayler. Gilbert …
And that an attendance at Westchester xipon the meeting of the Company will be attended with great Inconveuiency to many of the Inhabitants and therefore Injurious to the service intended to be advanced, from which Considerations your petitionei-s Humbly pray the Honorable Congress will be pleased to order that the Manor of Fordham and the West Farms have a Company'withiu …
mark tunus Leforge. I'ennis Ryer. Phillip Hunt. Jacob alentine. Stephen Embree. Abraham garison. Nathaniel Lawrence. James Grobe. Peter Devoe. John Embree, Jun'. James Swaim. Thomas Cromwell. Nazareth Brewer. Gerrardus Cromwell. Thomas Hunt. Obadiah Hide. Abraham Leggett. John Curser. William Leggett. Sirion Williams. John Leggett, Jun'. John Ryer, Jun'. Robert Hunt, Jun' …
that the above said places should be one distinct Beat or district ; We the Subscriber being appointed a Committee of Inspection to preside at the Election for Officers of the Jlilitia for said beat do most humbly represent to the Honor the Provincial Congress for the Province of New York, that they have proceeded to the choice of Officers ia Conformity to the Orders of the …
A violent cannonade ensued, as the Americans had ojiened a battery against them. The British raised anchor and went farther up the North River.' This battery damaged the British fleet both in hull and rigging. This action must have occurred near Fort Washington, and a few of the shells only fell on the Westchester shore, but the raid of the British fleet impressed General …
Robert Livingston, on August 10, 177(), wrote Washington about it in behalf of Congress. He cautioned him as to the importance of the Westchester shore and urged sending regular troops there with artillery. Congress felt the danger of the destruction of King's Bridge before any force could be sent to prevent it. The New York Congress had a lack of good faith in its militia …
The NevA' York Congress, at the same time, ordered out the whole of the Westchester militia, under its brigadiergeneral, Lewis Morris, to take possession of such points on Long Island Sound and Hudson River as he thought most exposed to the enemy.^ . Meantime reconnoisances developed the necessity of securing from the enemy the upper end of Manhattan Island and Fordham …
2.\s a speciiiien of the eriuipnient of General Morris' brigade, the following extract I'roiri the orders of the Provincial or New York C(»ngres3 is given : If any of the men were without arms, they were ordered to bring " a shovel, a spade, pick-axe or scythe, straightened and fixed on a jiole." The brigadier of this motley army was ordered to "apprehend and arrest …
Edsall, the author of the "History of King's Bridge Township," the author of this sketch, old maps, local traditions and other authorities, including General Washington's field map, on file in the Historical Society Library, in New York City, show that eminent historian to be mistaken in location. Mr. Bancroft has used British, not .\merican data. There was an earthwork near …
Heath at once asked Mifflin for additional artillery and made an arrangement for a floating bridge over Harlem River. ' In the mean time the militia at Throgg's Neck and City Island wanted to go home. The crops had to be gathered and Colonel Drake stated to the New Y''ork Congress that it "would be a very great ease to the county at this season.'" On the 31st, Hand's, Shee's …
Some supposed Fort Washington would be the point of attack ; others that they would land either at Morrisania, Hunt's or Throgg's Point. It was therefore determined in Council to guard against both contingencies. Ten thousand men were to be kept on Manhattan Island, and Heath's division was increased to ten thousand men; a floating bridge was to be thrown across Harlem Creek …
The American sentries were ordered not to fire at the British unless the latter began; but the British did begin, and there was freciuent firing between the pickets. One day a British otHcer walking on the shore of Randall's Island was wounded by a shot from an American sentinel. An officer with a flag soon after came down to the creek, and calling for the American officer of …
A British otficer came down and said that he thought there was to be no firing between the sentinels. The Americans retorted that the British fired first. The British officer replied, "He shall then pay for it." The sentinel was relieved and there was no further firing between the pickets at that place, and they were afterwards so civil to each other that they used to exchange …
Notice had been given to the pickets on the York Island side not to fire on the boats or hail them as they went down the river, but the sentinel nearest the island had not been instructed. General Heath was standing nearly opposite, on the Westchester side, to witness the attack. The sentinel challenged the boats and ordered them to come to the shore ; the people on board the …
The other two were to go to the right and left, and lead the men from the other boats, which were to land on either side of the first boat. The men from the first boat landed; the enemy's guard charged, but were instantly driven back, but the men in the other two boats, instead of landing, lay on their oars. The British seeing this, returned to the charge, and the single boat …
October 1st she was at anchor in the channel between Harlem and Banian's orEldridge's Island. ' On October 3d General Heath, with Colonel Hand, made a reconnoisance as far as Throgg's Neck. The causeway between the village of Westchester and the Neck seemed to them to be a strong strategic point. The old mill then, and for many years afterwards, stood at the west end of the …
They landed' at Throgg's Neck and at once pushed on for the village of Westchester. Hand's men opened fire and took up the planking from the bridge. The British then tried to turn the American flank by marching around the head of the creek, but Colonel Prescott's regiment and Bryant with a three-pounder, reinforced the riflemen at the village -- Colonel Graham, with a regiment …
In his correspondence with Congress on the subject of this skirmish, he describes Throgg's Neck as a " kind of island," but the water which surrounded it as "fordable at low tide." He reported throwing up the earthworks, but from the number of vessels he had seen go up the East River, and also from reports brought in by deserters, he felt convinced that the greatest part of …
No less than forty-two sail had passed the mouth of Harlem River going eastward, and it was apparent that this movement was no feint, but that Howe meant to " make his covp " in the direction of Westchester.'^ The troops at Harlem and at King's Bridge were ordered to their alarm posts, reinforcements were sent to King's Bridge and rations for three days' march were ordered to …
A council of war was held at King's Bridge ; the Albany post road was ordered to be put in good order by Colonel Drake's regiment of Westchester militia,* and everything put in train for the retreat of the main army from the island of New York to the main. On the 18th the Westchester Militia Regiment at the causeway was being relieved, when the enemy opened fire from the …
For some unaccountable reason Howe did not press on towards King's Bridge, but followed a route which corresponds to the present road leading from Throgg's Neck to Pelham Bridge, and being well provided with boats, he crossed Pelham Bay and that evening the head of his column was at New Rochelle, where he was joined by the Hessian reinforcements.* Had he pushed directly for …
='For a good map of these oiieratious, see Lamb's "Hi.>tor}' of New York," vol. ii. page 140. * Force, ii. page 1078. 5 Heath's "Memoirs ;" Dwight's " Travels ;" Edward de Lancey's paper in "Magazine of American History," on battle of Fort Washington; Force's "Annals." WESTCHESTER. inent ever known to history. It is hoped that the wealth and patriotism of the town of …
Two days before, the British General Grant was at de Lancey's Mills (West Farms), on the Bronx : another brigade was at Mile Square, and the Waldeck Regiment was at Williams' Bridge. On the 12th Rahl with his Hessians had advanced on Manhattan Island as far as Tubby Hook (Inwood), and Fort Washington being already threatened on the south by the British who were left on the …
The post of Fort Washington, or rather the grounds which he had to defend, extended from the Hudson to the Harlem River, and were bounded on the north by a line which will about corresjjond to Inwood Street on the New York City nuip, and on the south by One Hundred and Forty-fifth Street. Its extreme length north and south was about two and a half miles, its circuit say six …
Rahl led his troops through I the hills and to the west of King's Bridge road; Von Knyphausen marched nearer the road, towards the Inwood gorge, with officers and men dismounted. The Americans had cannon planted along the north end of the high hill facing the approach from King's I Bridge, and had also constructed an abattis of felled trees. But the British outnumbered the …
Thenceforth the Westchester shore, and, in fact, the whole of the ancient township was the scene for many years of raids and foraging parties. The American lines extended across Westchester from Dobbs Ferry to the Sound. On one occasion an American scouting party near Williams' Bridge ^«ould have been ambuscaded by a British scouting squad had it not been for the timely …
On one occasion Colonel James de Lancey, while visiting his aged mother at her home at the Mills, had tied his horse, a valuable imported thoroughbred, to the fence. Some American scouts seeing the horse, and knowing his value, immediately took him and carried him within the American lines at White Plains. There some enterprising Yankee bought him. The horse was known as "True …
Through the influence of a friend, he obtained quarters in the house of a widow. One evening, when a search party arrived, she took him down into the cellar, turned a hogshead over him and then threw half a bushel of salt on the head of the hogshead. The cellar was searched, but this simi)le stratagem saved him from capture. He eventually escaped by a canoe, landed at Fort Lee …
ing but subservient ; their houses were scenes of desolation, furniture plundered or broken, the walls, floors and windows injured by violence and decay, cattle were gone and fences burnt ; the fields were covered with a rank growth of weeds and wild grass ; the world was motionless and silent, unless one of these unhappy creatures went on a rare visit to the house of a …
" A Number of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of Westchester County having appeared at the Court House on the 16th April, 1776, in consequence of Notice given for that Purpose by the Committee of tlie said County, chose the Persons hereafter named to serve as a Committee for the said County from the •2'"> Monday in May, 1776, to the 2'"i Monday in May, 1777 -- any twenty …
G. Simcoe, of the Fortieth British Regulars, about October, 1777, he being given the provincial rank of major. Sir Henry Clinton, in commenting on the gallantry of the corps, said, " The Queen's Rangers have killed or taken twice their own number." After the American War, Colonel Simcoe was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, and in October, 179^ , he was promoted …
Clinton and Morgan, from the American side, were continually foraging the adjoining country, between the two lines, which was so irregular and broken with stone walls as to render it most i)racticable for such excursions ; besides, the British could not tru>t the people of the country. In the day-time the British guards were advanced as far as the high ridge overlooking the …
The calculation was that the three columns would reach King's Bridge about the same time. Lincoln was to halt at Van Cortlandt's, Scott at Valentine's Hill, near the present South Yonkers Station, and Wooster at the top of the Williams' Bridge Hill. Wooster struck the enemy's pickets first at the top of the Williams' Bridge Hill, and pushing on, drove the enemy from the …
There was a heavy cannonading kept up all day, and the enemy on the island were thrown into great confusion. Heath observing that the British, during the cannonade, took refuge behind the hill at the bridge on the Hudson River side, rode around in the afternoon to Tippit's Hill, which was in the rear of the British position, though on the Westchester shore, and concluded that …
Ou the 22d a smart skirmish occurred near the fort, and Heath sent for a twenty-four-pounder and some howitzers. On the 23d a lively fight took place just hefore dusk in the broken groiuid near the south side of the fort, probably on the Dykman farm. An ensign and one man of the New York Militia were killed and five wounded ; the loss of the enemy was un known , as they were …
Two regiments of the militia were formed in the road near Williams' house, which, according to the De Witt map, (vol. 4, Hist. Soc, No. 122.) was situated east of the Bronx, and the horses being hitched to the limbers of the field-pieces, Captain Bryant was ordered to cross the river by fording with his piece, and the militia was ordered to follow. Captain Bryant unlimbered …
Heath attempted in every way to draw the enemy out of the fort by feint or otherwise. A detachment was sent down to Morrisania to light up a great number of fires in the night, so as to make the British believe that the Americans were in large force at that place with the design of crossing to New York Island at or near Harlem. To heighten this impression, several large boats …
As they possessed no artillery sufficient to batter the fort, and they were opposed to storming it with militia, and the principal object being to destroy or bring ofi" forage, which could be accomplished without opposing the men in the open field or scattering them about in houses, where they would be in danger of capture in detail -- for these reasons the troops were ordered …
A few days afterwards the British, seeing the necessity of having strong defenses at the north end of Manhattan Island, built a fort on Laurel Hill, at the high point now the terminus of Tenth Avenue, and about this time also constructed Redoubt Number Eight, on theWestchester side, on the site of the present residence of Mr. Gustav Schwab, near Morris' Dock. Shortly after the …
In February of that year a body of British cavalry crossed the East River on the ice from Long Island to Westchester. Arnold also began to fit out a boat expedition in Spuyten Duyvil Creek, which, however, was never carried out. De Lancey was making continual raids from Fordham and Morrisania on the adjoining country, and the Americans were constantly retaliating, at one time …
De Lauzun, the French general, who was co-operating, was at that time at East Chester and heard the firing of the guns. His part of the programme was to surprise de Lancey at Morrisania, but finding that the enemy were on the alert he hastened to Lincoln's support, at Fort Independence. Washington, who, in the mean time, had the main body of the army under his command at …
The British on New York Island did not seem to know what was going on. While the troops kept the enemy in check, Washington and Kochambeau, accompanied by the engineers of their staffs and with an escort of dragoons, reconnoitred the British position. A map prepared by ^^'ashingtou's engineer, now at the Historical Society Library in Second Avenue, with its pencil-marks and …
It is an estuary of East River, which is itself an arm of the sea, and its southerly or main outlet and its communication eastwardly with Bronx Kills afforded the Dutch and English pioneers easy routes of water communication with New York and between the plantations and inchoate towns on the water front. As very many of the subjects both of the King and the Prince of Orange …
Prior to 1814 the river was navigated by small craft, but in that year Robert McComb obtained from the Legislature permission to throw dams across the stream at Eighth Avenue and King's Bridge, and in 1888 the New Y'ork water commissioners attempted to impose another obstacle to free navigation by carrying the Croton water over to the city reservoirs on a solid embankment. ^ …
Schaeffier a report recommending improvements, substantially the same system as that proposed in recent years by the United States engineers. Although Mr. Schaeffer estimated the cost of the work at only eighty-six thousand dollars, the Council was timid about entering into it, and for eighteen years notliing was done, and the river remained closed to thorough navigation by …
On March 30, 1857, the State Legislature passed resolutions urging Congress to take measures to clear out tlie obstructions at the expense of the United States, to which no attention was paid. In 18(50 Engineer J. iSIcLeod Murphy surveyed the river, at the instance of the commissioners of New Y'ork County, and recommended a canal from Fordham Landing to Spuyten Duyvil Creek …
Green, then controller of the Park Department and afterwards of New York City, commenting upon it, said, '' It needs but a short look into the future to see this river busy with the craft that are to supply the thriving population on both its banks. As a water-way for commerce this estuary has the advantages of the Thames and the Seine." He pointed out that the improvements …
It is said to have been in existence before the Revolution. It is shown on many of the old military maps of the vicinity, published during 1776, and is supposed to have been built by the proprietors or people of the Manor of Fordham, to enable the inhabitants of that place to obtain more ready access to the city and save them a detour to get upon the State road, leading to …
It is in contemplation by the city authorities to discontinue this bridge and King's Bridge, and erect either a tunnel or one large bridge at the upper end of Manhattan Island, but as yet the plans for this change are not perfected. Between the Farmers' Bridge and the High Bridge commissioners are about erecting a new bridge, spanning the stream and extending from Aqueduct …
The aqueduct has tifteen arches, eight of which are on the river bottom. They are each eighty feet in width and one hundred feet high above flood tide. The seven shore arches have each fifty feet span. To reach the foundation of each pier a coffer-dam was built and pumped out until the sand bottom was excavated and the solid rock laid bare or a firm pile foundation prepared on …
The cost of the aqueduct was $8,575,000, including purchases of land and extinguishment of riparian rights. This figure was within five per cent, of the estimates of Chief Engineer Jervis. To it, however, must be added $1,800,000, the cost of distributing pipes, the interest, the expense of placing the loans, etc., which bring the total up to $12,500,000.' - Proceedings of …
The side walls of the bridge were raised at the same time and the pipes were covered with a brick arch, on the top of which is a promenade, from which a view up and down the Harlem is obtained, which is one of the most attractive in the vicinity of New York. This improvement is commemorated by a bronze tablet let into the walls of the gate-houses on both the New York and …
The Central Bridge or Macomu's Dam. -- In 1800 the mayor, aldermen and commonalty ceded to Alexander McComb and his heirs and assigns, " All that certain piece or parcell of land covered with water situated in the 7th Ward (now 12th Ward) of the city beginning at the West side of Kingsbridge at low water mark on the north side of the river, creek or run of water called Spuyten …
In 1834 Macomb ceased to pay rent, but in 1854 his heirs came forward and paid up all arrears. In 1855 a committee of the Board of Supervisors recommended that the old mill be declared a nuisance and the grant forfeited, as it was evidently an improvident and void grant from its inception. During 1855 the i)roprietors were about fitting it up as a hotel, as it had then ceased …
The act required that it should be so constructed as to allow the passage of boats and vessels accustomed to navigate the river, either by means of a gate-lock, apron or other contrivance, and that Macomb should always have a person in attendance, bo that no unnecessary delay should happen to persons wishing to pass with their boats. The Common ('ouncil ratified the grant and …
But it appears that this unauthorized toll-bridge and obstruction to the navigation of the river was resisted by the people on both sides of the river. In 183!) Charles Henry Hall, Thomas W. Ludlow, Robert Morris, of Fordham, his son, Lewis G. Morris, of the same place, Lewis, Gouverneur and William H. Morris, of Morrisania, the Valentines, Berrians, Devoes and others and even …
Morris therefore built a dock on his place about a mile north of the present site of High Bridge and chartered a periauger, called the " Nonpareil," with a cargo of coal on board consigned for delivery at Morris Dock. He arrived with his boat at the dam one evening at full tide and demanded of Feeks, the toll gatherer, that the draw or passage-waj' be opened ; of course Feeks …
The memorial stated that the signers had been informed that the water commissioners intended to carry the Oroton water across Harlem River by inverted sy phons built over an embankment of stone, filling up the whole of the natural channel, and with only one archway on the New York side only eighty feet in height, instead of by an aqued\ict bridge, which had already been …
They also showed that at that early day surveys for the improvement of the navigation of the river had been made at the instance of the corporation of New York ; that Macomb had been guilty of violating his grant by not putting a draw in his dam, and asked the Legislature to compel the water commissioners to direct such an erection across the river aswotild not impede …
Chancellor Walworth wrote the opinion ; among other things he said : " The Harlem River is an arm of the sea and a public navigable river; it was a public nuisance to obstruct the navigation thereof without authority of law. The act of the Legislature did not authorize the obstruction of the navigation of the river in the manner in which it was done by the dam in question." He …
The arches in the channel were to be eighty feet span, and one hundred feet in height above high water-mark to the under side of the arches at the crown, or they might carry the water across by a tunnel under the channel of the river, the top of the tunnel not to be higher than the present bed of the channel.' Later on, by act of April 16, 1858, the Legislature directed the …
The commissioners were directed to remove the old Macomb's dam and the obstructions in the river caused by it and to see that the river was made navigable according to its natural capacity. The expense was limited to ten thousand dollars for each county, and of the share of Westchester County, one-third was taxed upon West Farms and Morrisania and the residue upon the rest of …
The Madison Avenuk Bridgk. -- Next in order is the bridge crossing the Harlem from the terminus of Madison Avenue to One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Street on the Westchester side. As early as October, 1874, the citizens on the Westchester shore petitioned to have a wooden pile-bridge built at that site. After several changes of plans an appropriation of one hundred thousand …
A change in the masonwork was again recommended in 1880 and the work was again delayed. Wm. J. McAlpine was then appointed engineer of construction and A. P. Boiler was invited to consult with the board as to the iron superstructure. June 6, 1881, the contract for construction of approaches was awarded to John Mc- Quade for ninety-four thousand six hundred and twenty dollars …
Coles, who, on the 25th of March, 1795, obtained an act of the Legislature authorizing him, his heirs or assigns to build a dam across the Harlem River at that place, to be of stone and to be so built as to answer for the foundations of the bridge as well as to collect the waters of the river for the use of grist and other mills. The act provided for locks and that a man …
Nevertheless, the Legislature in 1797 established the road aa a public highway and directed it to be opened as such, although the damages to the adjoining land-owners were not paid. Coles was authorized at his expense to cause the road to be cleared and rendered convenient for travelers, and for thirty years afterwards to collect an additional toll for passing the bridge, not …
The original Coles or Boston road extended up Third Avenue as far north as a point near the present line of One Hundred and Sixtieth Street, and thence ran east down the hill across ilill Brook over a bridge. (The stream is now filled in and forms a part of Brook Avenue at this point.) The road then deflected north and followed the present Fordham Avenue until what is now …
! cxptnse of Lewis Morris, to lay out a road four rods in width from the bridge through the towns of Morrisania, Westchester and East Chester until it sliould strike the main road in I'^ist Chesli-r. The land for the new road was to be conilenined and [Mid for by the respoctivc towns, but Mr. Morris was to pay the commissioners. -- Kd. Ijiws of N. Y., Uiilds & Swayne, 17'.)0 …
In 1798 Coles was relieved from a part of his duty to keep the road in repair, and his additional toll cut down twenty-five per cent. ' This was undoubtedly occasioned by reason of the State having lent its aid to build a part of the road, for we find that in 1797, by an act passed for improving certain great roads in the State, the road from Coles' Bridge to East Chester was …
Every four-wheeled pleasure <;an'iage and liorses 3"^/^ ct8. Every two wlieeled pleasure carriage and horses 19 " Every pleasure sleigh and horses 19 " Every common wagon and horses ^'^3^ *' Every common sled and horses 12J/^ " Ox cart and oxen 12}-^ " Every one-horse cart and horse 9 " Ej'ery man and horse 9 " Every ox, cow^r steer 1 *' ETery dozen hogs, sheep or calves, and …
Lockwood were the Westchester members of this commission, which, in June, 1860, appointed William H. McAlpine engineer of the work. He made plans for an iron draw-bridge on stone piers, at a cost of three hundred thousand dollars, and it was eventually built, although not until some changes had been made in the plan to better accommodate navigation. On July 14, 1886, the New …
In addition to the above traveled bridges are the Hudson River Railroad Bridge, at the junction of Hudson River and Spuyten Duyvil Creek; the New York City and Northern Railroad Company's bridge, at the terminus of One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Street and Ninth Avenue, connecting with west-side system of elevated railways in New York (it was constructed in 1879-80 under …
From the Westchester town records, however, we find a record dated October 5, 1725, which relates to a highway "in the manor of Ffordham, beginning at the foot of the hill to the westward of the Bronx River near Peter Bussing's land and running thence along tlie side of the hill to the corner of Benjamin Archer's orchard, where it comes into the old road." This in all …
''This bridge was constructed under the same authority as the New York City and Northern Railroad bridge above mentioned. J. J. R. Croes was the engineer. By the efforts of the company, and especially its president, Jlr. S. B. niley, of Woodstock, the people of the annexed district are insured of a speedy connection with the east-side system of elevateil railways in New York …
The present Farmers' Bridge road dates back to June 6, 1730, when Commissioners Honeywell and Leggett, acting upon the complaint of the people of Fordham Manor, condemned the King's road " down the hill through the farm which Benjamin Archer now j possesseth," and laid it " through the enclosed field of j Archer to the eastward where the road now is cleared and beginneth at …
" Upon a review of the loail from King's Bridge to Ilalstead's Bridge, we have made the following alteration, to wit : Beginning where sjiid road and the road from West Farms meet, we have laid out said road through the Widow Archer's laud as stakes are now set up to the old road, and then across said road to the Yonkers line, from which i)lace .lohn Archer, assisted by us …