Shonnard, Frederic, and W.W. Spooner. History of Westchester County, New York, from its Earliest Settlement to the Year 1900. New York: The New York History Company, 1900.

In 1025 wheeled vehicles were introduced, and a large importation of domestic animals from Holland was made, including horses, cattle, swine, and sheep. Moreover, some new families and single people, mostly Walloons, were brought over. With the arrival of Peter Minuit, as director-general, on May 1, 1020, the concerns of the colony first came under a carefully ordered scheme …

The conduct of Director Kieft in entering upon his course of violent aggression against the Indians, which resulted in great devastation in our county, was given the color of popular favor iu this manner. In the early months of Minuit's administration the Island of Manhattan was purchased from the Indians " for the value of sixty guilders," or $24. The same ship which carried …

Europe-- mostly honest, sturdy people, but poor and unresource The inducements so far offered by the AVest India Company were not tic sufficiently attractive to draw other classes to their transatlan lands, and the natural colonists of the New Netherland, the yeomen adand burghers of the United Provinces, finding no appearance ofvery vantage to offset the plain risks involved …

After careful deliberation, an elaborate series of provisions to this end was drawn up, entitled " Freedoms and Exemptions granted by the Assembly of the XIX. of the Privileged West India Company to all such as shall plant any colonies in New Netherlands which in June, 1G29, received the ratification of the States-General. As this document was the the patroonbasis upon which …

Upon the patroons was conferred the right to " forever possess and enjoy all the lands lying within the aforesaid limits, together with the fruits, rights, minerals, rivers, and fountains thereof; as also the chief command and lower jurisdiction, fishing, fowling, and grinding, to the exclusion of all others, to be holden from the company as a perpetual inheritance." In case " …

It was even permitted to the patroons to traffic in New Netherland waters, although they were strictly forbidden to receive in exchange any article of peltry, "which trade the company reserve to themselves." Nevertheless they were free to engage in the coveted peltry trade at all places where the Company had no trading station, the peltry they can procure " on condition that …

from all " customs, taxes, excise, imports, or any other contributions for the space of ten years." In addition to the grants to the patroons, it was provided that private persons, not enjoying the same privileges as the patroons, who should be inclined to settle in New Netherland, should be at liberty to take up as much land as they might be able properly to improve, and to " …

The universal recognition in those times of the propriety and expediency of employing negro slaves in new countries found expression in Article XXX. of the instrument, as follows: "The company will use their endeavors to supply the colonists with as many blacks as they conveniently can, on the conditions hereafter to be made; in such manner, however, that they shall not be …

The first patroonship erected within the borders of the State of Xew York was that of Rensselaerswyck, comprising territory on both banks of the upper Hudson, of which Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, of Amsterdam, was the founder. This great tract was subsequently changed into an English manor, and continued under the proprietorship of a single hereditary owner until near the middle …

It was charged that the latter paid little or no heed to the plain spirit of the charter of Freedoms and Exemptions, which in creating the patroons had in view essentially the development of the country granted to them; and that, instead of settling the land in good faith, with they sought principally the profits of trade, coming into conflict the was sy controver the of the' …

This was an exceedingly trifling return on a capitalization of nearly three millions of dollars, and it is no wonder that the practical-minded merchants who controlled the company began to look in a decidedly pessimistic spirit at the whole New Netherland undertaking, and as time went by conceived a fixed indifference to the local welfare of such barren and unprofitable …

According to an explicit " Eeport on the Condition of New Netherland," presented to the States-General in 163S, the company declared that up to that time it had suffered a net loss in its New Netherland enterprise; that it was utterly unable to people the country; and that " nothing now comes from New Netherland but beaver skins, minks, and other furs." Closely following the …

The specific terms attached to this very radical proposition were the following: " All and every the inhabitants of this State, or its allies and friends," were invited to take up and cultivate lands in New Netherland, and to engage in traffic with the people of that region. Per-, sons taking advantage of the offer of traffic were required to have their goods conveyed on the …

was to vated four years; but subsequently to that period the owner toseed, grain, fruit, all of pay to the company -the lawful tenths bacco, cotton, and such like, as well as of the increase of all sorts of cattle" Those establishing themselves in New Netherland under this offer were bound to submit themselves to the regulations and orders no of the company, and to the local …

The legal limits of their estates were reduced to four English miles along the shore, although they might extend eight miles laud ward in; and the planting of their "colonies" was required to be completed within three instead of four years. Trade privileges along the coast outside of the Dutch dominions were continued as before; but within the territory of New Netherland no …

Free colonists were defined to be those who should " remove to New Netherland with five souls above fifteen years," and all such were to be granted by the director-general " one hundred morgens (two hundred acres) of land, contiguous one to the other, wherever they please to select." The colonists were put on precisely the same footing as thepatroons in matters of trade …

The first plan, after being tested for nine years, was found a complete failure, because based upon the theory that colonization should naturally and would most effectively proceed from the patronage of the rich, who, acquiring as a free gift the honors of title and the dignities of landed proprietorship, would, it was thought, readily support those honors and dignities by the …

The most t day to Westchester lands which has been preserved to the presen of dispose s Indian the terms its by and 1639, 3, bears date of August purthe a tract called Keskeskeck; the West India Company being Cornelius Van Tienhoven, pro, ntative represe their through chasers, vincial secretary to Director Kieft. on similar In the next year Van Tienhoven was dispatched by …

The instructions of the mouth the at islands, of group or to purchase the archipelago, mamthe on y territor ng adjoini the all with r togethe Norwalk River, and High the of arms and d standar the thereon erect to land, and " protecour under savages the take to ; General Mighty Lords Statesour tion, and to prevent effectually any other nation encroaching on stole policy …

From the parent settleme lish not only rapidly advanced into the whole surrounding country, but in the course of a few years sent colonizing parties to quite remote EARLIEST SETTLERS localities; and wherever an English advance colony gained a foothold, there permanent and energetic settlement was certain very speedily to follow. As early as 1633 a number of Englishmen from …

Later, Dutch voyagers returned to those shores and trafficked with the natives; and finally, in 1623, when Director May arrived in New York harbor on his mission of colonization from the West India Company, he dispatched a number of his Walloon families to the mouth of the Connecticut River. At the same place the arms of the States( General of the Netherlands were formally …

But the Dutch occupation of the mouth and valley of the Connecticut River was never otherwise than merely nominal, a fact which, in view of the easily conceivable future importance of that quarter in connection with the maintenance of Dutch territorial claims, is certainly striking, and characteristically illustrates Dutch deliberation and inefficiency in colonizing …

The truth m opment bythe Dutch even of Manhattan Island during the period aggreregular any by ed occupi was question/ Only its southern end ation still existed mainly for the gation of settlers, and this aggreg sending to Holland " beavbusiness of bartering with the Indians and produc ts which, as declared er skins minks, and other furs," the only Netherland, were New of ion …

This was done to forestall English claims to priority of possession, at that time conspicumatter of land purously in course of preparation. But even inof this the alert English. To chases the Dutch were scarcely aforetime the latter, also, the Indians executed a deed of sale, embracing extensive portions of Westchester County, and nearly as ancient as the first On July 1 …

No early settlements in the Westchester sections of the tract were attempted by the English; but it is an interesting point to bear in mind that the interior sections of this county bordering on Connecticut were first bought from the Indians not under Dutch but under English auspices, and thus that the English fairly share with the Dutch the title to original sovereignty in …

While there is no evidence that he was a man of large wealth, it is abundantly manifest that he was quite comfortably circumstanced in worldly goods. Unquestionably his sole object in emigrating to New Netherland was to acquire and cultivate land, probably under the liberal States-Gengeneral offer to persons of all nations proclaimed by the eral in 1638. He was, therefore, one …

River branch of the New Harlem the of depot present not far from the This dwelling York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, at Morrisania. is described as of " stone," covered with tiles, and had connected with As the Dutch word for it a barn, tobacco-house, and two barracks. stone fsteenj is always ambiguous unless accompanied by a descriptive prefix, it is uncertain what kind of …

Jonas Bronck left a son, Peter, who went with his mother to her new home,and from whom the numerous Bronx family of Albany and vicinity is descended. The Bronck property on the Harlem was sold on July 10, 1651, to Jacob Jans Stall. One of its subsequent owners was Samuel Edsall, a beaver-maker and man of some note in New York City, who had trade transactions with the Indians …

The example of Bronck in boldly venturing over upon the mainland would doubtless have found many ready followers among the Dutch already on Manhattan Island, or those who were now arriving in constantly increasing numbers from Europe, if the threatening aspect of the times had not plainly suggested to everybody the inexpediency of going into an open country exposed to the …

First in point of prominence is to be mentioned the noted Anne Hutchinson, whose name, like that of Bronck, has become lastingly identified with Westchester County by being conferred upon a river. Whether she was the first of the immigrants from Xew England into Westchester County, can not be determined with absolute certainty; but there is no question that she was among the …

It is true of this remarkable woman an abiding interest attach sympathy or that interest in Anne Hutchinson, in the form of special g individual capabilspecial admiration, may vary according to varyin ; but upon one women of type c polemi the of ities for appreciation the foremost point there can be no disagreement-she was among cuous relation conspi a ing sustain a, Americ in …

Hutchinson personally was of spotless Westchester County. self-sacnhcing; holdreputation and high and noble aims; benevolent, iuo- the things of the world in positive contempt; an enthusiast in reliction, independent in her opinions, and fearless in advocacy of them.to With her husband and their children, she left England and came Settling in Boston, she immediately …

To the work of instruction she added a large practical philanthropy, assisting the poor and ministering to the sick. But it was not long before Mrs. Hutchinson, by the independence of her opinions, excited the serious displeasure of the rigid Puritan element. Her precise doctrinal offense against the established standards concerned, says a sympathetic writer, " a point so nice …

In the following November Anne was publicly tried at Cambridge. "Although in a condition of health that might well have awakened manly sympathy, and that even barbarians have been known to respect, her enemies showed her no compassion. She was forced to stand up before the judges until she almost fell to the floor from weakness. No food was allowed her during the trial, and …

It is said that an Indian came that mding hip. friends ing profess g, mornin one home nson's Hutchi g evenin the in ed return he less, defense the little colony was utterly the business of to ded procee once at which party, us numero a with InAccording to tradition, the leader of the murderous slam-liter. himself dians was a chief named Wampage, who subsequently called …

Hutchinson's company spared by the attacking held being after who, child, small a quite r, daughte st younge was her Dutch the of efforts the h throug d in captivitv four years, was release she -had governor and restored to her friends; but it is said that from forootten her native language, and was unwilling to be taken This girl married a Mr. Cole, of Kingston, in the …

associates, solicits to settle with thirty-five families within the limits of the jurisdiction of their High Mightinesses, to reside there in peace and enjoy the same privileges as our other subjects, and be favored with the free exercise of their religion,"' and there being no danger that injury to the interests of the West India Company would result from the proposed …

By the ensuing spring various improvements had been made, and on July 6, 1643, a land-brief, signed by Director Kieft, " by order of the noble lords, the director and council of New Netherland," was granted to " Jan Throckmorton," comprising " a piece of land (being a portion of Vredeland), containing as follows: Along the East River of New Netherland, extending from the point …

He emigrated to Massachusetts from Island Rhode to went time; a for Boston in inn an kept about 1636; d. in 1611; and from there came to the Vredeland of New Netherlan a On the 26th of July, 1616, he was granted by the Dutch a patent to " certain piece of land lying on the East Rh er, beginning from the kill of Bronck's land, east-southeast along the river, extending about …

Cornell,county Cornell, founder of Cornell I'ni in the first settlement of the His part ernor of New York. has been traced in an interesting and valuable pamphlet from the pen Both Throckmorton and Cornell escaped the of Governor Cornell.1 to which Anne Hutchinson fell a vicIndians murderous fury of the It is supposed that they were in New Amstertim in the fall of 1643. dam at …

Cornell, after receiving the grant to Cornell's Neck, erected buildings there, which he occupied until forced for the second time by hostile Indian manifestations to abanHis daughter Sarah don his attempt at residence in the Vredeland. testified in September, 1665, that he " was at considerable charges in building, manuring, and planting" on Cornell's Neck, and that after some …

By reference to the map, it will be observed that all these first Westchester settlements were closely contiguous to one another, and embraced a continuous extent of territory." Bronck's patent reached to the mouth of the Bronx River, and was there joined by Cornell's; beyond which, successively, were Throckmorton's grant and the domain occupied by Anne Hutchinson. It is also …

The latter, after the custom of his race in circumstances of personal grievance, made a vow of vengeance, which in 1641, having arrived at manhood's estate, he executed in the most deliberate and cruel manner. He one day entered the shop of Claes Cornel isz Hmits, a wheelwright living near Turtle Bay, in the vicinity of Forty-fifth street and the East River. The Dutchman, who …

All endeavors in this line proving unsuccessful, war was declared in the spring of 1642. Ilendrick Van Dyck, an ensign in the company's service, was placed in command of eighty men, with, instructions to proceed against the Weekquaesgecks and kk execute summary vengeance upon that tribe with Are ami sword." This party crossed into our county, and, under the direction of a …

Early in February 1643, a has covered Kieft's name with infamy. descent upon the Mohican a made band of Mohawks from the north Many of the Wecktribes, for the purpose of levying tribute. the hands of the inat death escape to ns, qnaesgecks and Tappae and thus large parties of vaders fled to the Dutch settlements; against whom Kieft Indian fugitives belonging in part to a tribe …

Even the Long Island Indians, who had formerly dwelt on terms of amity with the settlers, rose against the common white foe. The settlement planted in the previous year at Maspeth by the Rev. Francis Doughty, father of Elias Doughty, who in 1666 became the purchaser of Van der Donck's swept away; and another Engpatroonship of Yonkers, was, entirely lish settlement at Gravesend …

This treaty included the solemn declaration that " all injuries committed by the said natives against the Netherlanders, or by the Netherlander against said natives, shall be forgiven and forgotten forever, reciprocally promising one the other to cause no trouble the one to the other.-' There is no doubt that the Dutch, alarmed for the very existence of their New Netherland …

Kieft first senl a force to scour SI at on Island, which, like Van Dyck's Westchester expedition of 1042, returned without results, no foe being encountered. A detachment of one hundred and twenty men was then dispatched by water to the English, settlement of Greenwich, on the Sound, it having been reported that a large body of hostile Indians was encamped in the vicinity of …

Indian two d attacke and Island, Long ead), stede (Hempst loss Afore than a hundred Indians were killed, the Dutch and English l principa the Hut as being only one killed and three wounded. the of north regions the in be to known was enemy the of strength the settlers and deHarlem River, whence the warriors whowereslew constantly emerging, it vastated the fields of Manhattan …

It was a toilsome all-day march through ofdeep the snow ami over mountainous hills and frequent streams, some they evening the in latter being scarcely fordable. At eight o'clock halted within a few miles of the village, " which had been carefully CAPTAIN JOHN UNDERBILL arranged for winter quarters, lay snugly ensconced in a low mountain recess, completely sheltered from the …

But in this they failed, leaving one dead and twelve prisoners in the hands of the assailants, who now kept up such a hrisk fire that it was impossihle for any of the besieged to escape. After a desperate conflict of an hour, one hundred and eighty Indians lay dead on the snow outside their dwellings. Not one of the survivors durst now show his face. They remained under cover …

This battle, if battle it may be called, was by far the most sanguinary ever fought on Westchester soil. At White Plains, the most considerable Westchester engagement of the devolution, the combined losses of both sides in killed, wounded, and missing did not reach four hundred. The site of the exterminated Indian village has been exactly located by Bolton. It was called …

Indeed, during more than two-thirds of his residence in America he lived within the confines of the present State of New York, where most of his descendants have continued. Westchester County, by his prowess rescued from the anarchy into which it had been thrown by the aboriginal barbarians and established on a secure foundation for practical development, became the home of …

In this encounter seven hundred Pequods were arrayed against him, of whom seven were taken prisoners, seven escaped, and the remainder were killed -- a record almost identical, it will be noted, with that made at the battle in our Bedford township in 1644. Captain Underbill felt no compunctions of conscience for the dreadful and almost exterminating destructiveness of his …

We had sufficient light from the Word of God for our proceedings.'7 Espousing the religious doctrines and personal cause of Anne Hutchinson, Captain Underhill suffered persecution in common with the other Hutchinsonians, and in the fall of 1637, only a few months after his triumphant return from the wars, was disfranchised and forced to leave Massachusetts. He went to England …

In 1665 he was a delegate from the Town of Oyster Bay to the assembly held at Hempstead under the call of the first English governor, Nicolls, by whom he was later appointed under-sheriff of the North Biding of Yorkshire, or Queens County. In 1667 he was presented by the Matinecoc Indians with one hundred and fifty acres of land, to which he gave the name of Kenilworth or …

" Tarry with ns," the settlers cried, « Thou man of God, as our ruler and guide." And Captain Underhill bowed his head, « The will of the Lord be done! " he said. And the morrow beheld him sitting down In the ruler's seat in Cocheco town. HISTORY WESTCHESTER COUNTY And he judged therein as a just man should; His words were wise and his rule was good ; He coveted not his …

Captain Underbill was really a man of high and impetuous spirits, fond of adventure, always seeking military employment, leading a changeful and roving life almost to his last days; yet possessing earnest motives and substantial traits of character, which made him a good and respected citizen, and enabled him to accumulate considerable property. But although not a Puritan, his …

" Mamaranack, chief of the Indians residing on the Kicktawanc or Croton River; Mongockonone, Pappenoharrow, from the Weckquaesgecks and Nochpeems, and the Wrappings from Stamford, presented themselves, in a few days, at Fort Amsterdam; and having pledged themselves that they would not henceforth commit any injury whatever on the inhabitants of New Netherland, their cattle and …

This peace hath borne little fruit for the common advantage and reputation of our lords, etc., for as soon as the savages had stowed away their maize into holes, they began again to murder our people in various directions. They rove in parties continually around day and night on the island of Manhattans, slaying our folks, not a thousand paces from the fort; and 'tis now …

Handsome presents were made by Kieft to the chiefs, for the purchase of which, it is said, he was obliged to borrow money from Adrian Van der Donck, at that time sheriff of Hensselaerswyck. The settlement of the lands beyond the Harlem was not, however, resumed at once. For some time the restoration of the burned farmhouses and ruined fields of Manhattan Island claimed all the …

The tract constituted a portion of the so-called Keskeskeck region, bought from the natives for the West India Company by Secretary Van Tienhoven, " in consideration of a certain lot of merchandise," under date of August 3, 1639. That Van der Donck made substantial recompense to the original owners of the soil is legally established by testimony taken in 1G66 before Richard …

Earlier in the same year he loaned money to Director Kieft, a transaction which probably helped to pave the way for the prompt bestowal upon him of landed rights upon the termination of his official connection with Rensselaerswyck. In the Dutch grant to Van der Donck, the territory of which he was made patroon was called Nepperhaem, from the Indian name of the stream, the …

In one of his papers he states that before 1649 he built a sawmill on the estate, besides laying out a farm and plantation; and that, having chosen Spuyten Duyvil as his place of residence, he had begun to build there and to place the soil under cultivation. His sawmill was located at the mouth of the Nepperhan Kiver, and from its presence that stream was called by the Dutch " …

In the spring of 1G49 he was selected a member of the advisory council of the " Nine Men," a body chosen by the popular voice to assist in the general government. In this capacity he at once took strong ground against the tyrannical conduct of the new director, Stuyvesant, and, in behalf of the Nine, drew up a memorial, or remonstrance, reciting the abuses under which the …

Yet Van der Donck's earnest and commendable efforts for the public weal wore not wholly without result. An act was passed separating the local functions of the principal settlement on Manhattan Island from the general affairs of the province. By this measure the settlement formerly known as Fort Amsterdam became an incorporated Dutch city, with the name of New Amsterdam; and …

Pursuant to his perfectly serious intentions respecting his estate in this county, he obtained from the States-General, on the 20th of April, 1652, the right to dispose by will, as patroon, " of the Colonie Nepperhaem, by him called Colen Donck, situate in New Netherland." From this time for more than a year he was constantly occupied in seeking to overcome the obstacles put …

On the 24th, renewing his application, he stated that " proposing to depart by your High Mightinesses' consent, with his wife, mother, sister, brother, servants, and maids," he had " in that design packed and shipped all his implements and goods "; but he understood " that the Honorable Directors [of the West India Company] at Amsterdam had forbidden all skippers to receive …

"Brfchnren doer able disposition of the authorities. i D R I A E N vander D O N C Resigning himself to the situaBeyder Rechten Do&oor, die teghenwooption, he now turned his attention digh noch in Nieuw Nederlant is. to literary labors, which resulted in the composition of a most valuable work on the Dutch provinces in America. Wo reproduce here a facsimile of the title page of …

Anno 1655." The book was probably first published in 1653, the copy from which the above translation is made a later edition. It was Van der Donck's intention to enlarge of being the director-general's upon his facts by consulting the papers on file in office at New Amsterdam, to which end he obtained the necessary permit from the company. But upon his return to America, which …

While he makes frequent allusion to his residence at Kensselaerswyck, there is no special mention of that part of the country where his own patroonship was located-- our County of Westchester,-- a circumstance which may reasonably be taken to indicate that he never had made it his habitation for any length of time. Some of the statements which appear in Van der Donck's pages …

This fish was tolerably fat, for, although the citizens of Bensselaerswyck broiled out a great quantity of train oil, still the whole river (the current being rapid) was oily for three Aveeks, and covered with grease." His accounts of the native animals of the country, excellent for the most part, become amusing in places where he relies not upon his individual knowledge but …

Although the Indians throughthouout the year, and every year (but mostly in the fall), kill many sands, and the wolves, after the fawns are cast and while they are everyyoung, also destroy many, still the land abounds with them ed." undiminish remain to appear where, and their numbers Being finally granted leave to go back to New Netherland, Van der Donck applied to the West …

During the nine years which intervened between his death and the end of too unthe Dutch regime, the general condition of the province wasdirection satisfactory tojustifv any similar ambitious endeavor in the of extensive land ownership above the Harlem. The Indians were still restless and inclined to harass individual settlers. Indeed, in 1655, the year of Van der Donck's …

Apparently, nothing whatever was done by O'Xeale and his wife in the way of continuing the improvements begun by Van der Donck; and, for all that we know to the contrary, the estate remained in a wholly wild and neglected condition for some ten years, lint in 1666 the O'Xeales, desiring to more perfectly establish their legal title, with a view to realizing from the lands …

They at once proceeded to sell the lands in fee to different private persons. Notice of the resulting sales must be deferred to the proper chronological period in our narrative. It may be noted here, however, that the principal purchasers of Van der Donck's lands were John Archer and Frederick Thilipse, who later became the lords, respectively, of the Manors of Fordham and …

HE destruction by the Indians of the early English settlements in the Vredeland on the Sound was followed by a long period of almost complete abstention from further colonizing enterprises in that portion of Westchester ™ It is true that after the definite conclusion of peace beCounty. tween the Dutch and the Indians in 1645, both the Dutch government of New Netherland and the …

Ou July 11, 1019, Director Stuyvesant, representing the West India Company, confirmed the former Indian deeds of sale by purchasing from the sachems Megtegichkama, Oteyochgue, and Wegta- SETTLEMENT WESTCHESTER TOWN kockken the whole country " betwixt the North and East Rivers." The boundaries of this tract, which in the record of the transaction is called Weckquaesgeek, are …

The authorities of that colony were evidently satisfied to leave the westward extension of English possessions to the individual enterprise of the settlers, meantime holding themselves in readiness to support such enterprise by their sanction, and regarding all the land occupied by their advancing people as English soil, without reference to the counterclaims of the Dutch. The …

But in the preceding year a private English purchase from the Indians was made of a district lying nearer the Dutch settlements and within the limits of the already well-established jurisdiction of the New Amsterdam authorities, which became a matter of acute irritation. On the 14th of November, 1(>54, Thomas Pell, of Fairfield, Conn., bought from the sachems Maminepoe and …

Bronck's River to a certain bend in the said river, thence by marked trees south until it reaches the tide waters of the Sound, This together with all the islands lying before that tract." is the earliest legal record we have of the application of the name reason Westchester to any section of our county; although there is the for believing that for several years previously …

River and terminated or driven away, like those on Hutchinson's by the Throw's and Cornell's Necks; and, though interfered with therefore was ter Westches ly. Dutch" held their ground permanent This the earliest enduring English settlement west of Connecticut. upon •• OostT 1M F ng 11. e^^ents was called by the Westchester dorp ''-aT Dutch. It is hardly likely that the English …

Tell, in the law suit which he brought in L665 against the heir of Thomas Cornell to recover Cornell's Neck, stated that in buying the Westchester tract he had license from the governor and council of Connecticut, "who took notice of this land to be under their government," and "ordered magistratical power to be exercised at Westchester." The colonial records of Connecticut …

Van Elslandt, upon arriving at the English settlement, was met by eight or nine armed men, to whose commander he delivered the writ. The latter said: "I can not understand Dutch. Why did not the fiscaal, or sheriff, send English ? When he sends English, then I will answer. We expect the determination on the boundaries the next vessel. Time will tell whether we shall be under …

On the 14th of March this party made its descent upon the village, and, finding the English drawn up under arms, prepared for their resistance, overpowered them, and apprehended twenty-three of and m Amsterda New from s fugitive were number, some of whom conwere captives the All colonists. English fide bona others the veyed to Manhattan Island, where the Dutch runaways were …

They agreed that, if permitted to continue on their lands, they would subject themselves to the government and laws of New Netherland, only requesting the privilege of choosing their own officers for the This petition was granted by Stuyenforcement of their local laws. of magistrates should be subchoice vesant, on condition that their to be made council, selections Under and …

At the end of 165(3 Stuyvesant sent three of his subordinates to Westchester, to administer the oath of office to the newly appointed magistrates and the oath of allegiance to the other inhabitants. But the latter objected to the form of oath, and would promise obedience to the law only, provided it was conformable to the law of God; and allegiance only " so long as they …

Baly gave out another prayer and sang a psalm, and they all separated. The writing-book for the magistrates provided, with other necessary articles, by Governor Stuyvesant, was at once put to use; and from that time forward the records of the towu were systematically kept. All the originals are still preserved in excellent condition. The identical magistrates' book of 1G57 …

an court of the general assembly, held at Hartford, October 9, 1662, dehereby doth y assembl -this that effect the to issued order was clare and inform the inhabitants of Westchester that the plantation is included in ye bounds of our charter, granted to this colony oi The Westchester people were accordingly notified to Connecticut." d send deputies to the next assembly …

Lord Peter Stevletters to the wrathful director. enson," said he in one of these missives, - thy dejected prisoner, raRichard Mills, do humbly supplicate for your favor and commise , presence honor's your unto me of ng tion towards me, in admitti there to indicate my free and ready mind to satisfy your honor wherein I am able, for any indignity done unto your lordship m more …

The Dutch-English controversy regarding the Westchester tract was one of the incidental phases of the general boundary dispute, which Stuyvesant, from the very beginning of his arrival in New a deciNetherland as director-general, had iu vain sought to bring to sion In 1650, as the result of overtures made by him for an amicable with adjustment of differences, he held a …

The English government, when approached on the subject, assumed a haughty attitude, pretending total ignorance of their High Mightinesses having any colonies in America, and, moreover, declaring that, as no proposal on the boundary question had been received from the English colonies in America, it would be manifestly improper to consider the matter in any wise. Subsequent …

Thus whatever course might be suggested by fairness respecting the ultimate English attitude toward Westchester, that was only one local issue among others of very similar nature; and with so much at stake, the policy of self-interest required a studied resistance to the Dutch claims in general, even if that involved violation of the spirit of an agreement made in inchoate …

They came to avenge the recent killing of a squaw by the Dutch for steal" Stuyvesant, with most of the armed force of the seting peaches. tlement, was absent at the time upon an expedition to subdue the Swedes on the Delaware. A reign of terror followed, lasting for three days, during which, says O'Callaghan, " the Dutch lost one hundred people, one hundred and fifty were …

He was of aristocratic and distinguished descent, tracing his ancestry to the ancient Pell family of Walter Willingsley and Dyinblesbye, in Lincolnshire. A branch of this Lincolnshire family removed into the County of Norfolk, of which was John Pell, gentleman, lord of the Manor of Shouldham Priory and Brookhall (died April 4, 155G). One of his descendants was the Rev. John …

Being summoned in 1648 to take the oath of allegiance to New Haven, he refused, for the reason that he had already subscribed to it in England, "and should not take it hero." For his contumacious conduct he was fined, and, refusing to pay the fine, " was again summoned before the authorities, and again amerced." Thus his early career in Connecticut was attended by …

He married Lucy, widow of Francis Brewster, of New Haven, and died at Fairfield without issue in or about the month of September, 1669. He left property, real and personal, valued at £1,294 14s. 4d., all of which was bequeathed to his nephew, John Pell, of England, who became the second lord of the manor. For some six years following Pell's acquisition of Westchester in 1654 …

But with the decade commencing in 1660 a general movement of land purchasers and settlers began, which, steadily continuing and increasing, brought nearly all the principal eastern and southern sections under occupation within a comparatively brief period. The earliest of these new purchasers were Peter Disbrow, John Coe, and Thomas Stedwell (or Stud well), all of Greenwich …

Six months later (June 29, 1660) the Indian owners, thirteen in number, conveyed to Disbrow, Coe, and Stedwell, for the consideration of eight coats, seven shirts, and fifteen fathom of wampum, all of Manussing Island, described as " near unto the main, which is called in the Indian name Peningo." A third purchase was effected by Disbrow May 22, 1661, comprising a tract lying …

aggregate landed property represented by the several deeds: "The southern part of it alone comprised the tract of land between Byram River and Maniaroneck River, while to the north it extended twenty miles, and to the northwest an indefinite distance. These boundaries included, besides the area now covered by the Towns of Rye and Harrison, much of the Towns of North Castle and …

In Disbrow's deed of May 22, 1661, to the lands between the Byram River and Blind Brook, mention is made of "the bounds of Hastings on the south and southwest," which indicates that at that early date the island village had already been inaugurated and named. The following list of all the inhabitants of Hastings (the second town organized in Westchester County) whose names …

Early in 1663 the townsmen, at a public meeting, appointed Richard Yowles as constable, who went to Hartford and was duly qualified. John Budd was selected as the first deputy to the Connecticut general court, which body, on the 8th of October, 1663, designated him as commissioner for the Town of Hastings with " magistraticall power." The Island of Manussing, only one mile in …

The village of Rye became Avithin a few years a very respectable little settlement. It lay k" at the upper end of the Neck, along the eastern bank of Blind Brook, and the present Milton road was the village street, on either side of which the home-lots of the settlers were laid out. . . . The houses erected were not mere temporary structures, as on Manussing Island, but solid …

All the meadows, rivers, and islands thereunto belonging were included in the sale; and it was also specified that Eichbell or his assigns might " freely feed cattle or cutt timber twenty miles Northward from the marked Trees of the Necks.'' As payment, he was to deliver to Wappaquewam, half within about a month and the other half in the following spring, twenty-two coats, one …

From the testimony of Wappaquewam it appears that that chief was overpersuaded by another Indian, Cockoo, to resell the territory to Eevell, upon the alluring promise that " he should have a cote," " on which he did it." The burden of the evidence was plainly in favor of Eichbell, who, in all the legal proceedings that resulted, triumphed over his opponent. The Indian Cockoo …

he taught to write, " which he quickly learnt." " He was the first," says Eliot, " that 1 made use of to teach me words and to be my interpreter." And at the end of his " Indian Grammar," printed at Cambridge in 1 <'><;*>, Eliot testifies more particularly to the services rendered him by this youth. " By his help," he says, " I translated the Commandments, the Lord's Prayer …

J& i nd need t hem t o grant J[§ mu<an(b n'$ rttthtwtJuuMl'b «J* him power of attorney to sell the lands to Revell. ^£p ncbji*kitbt'Mt}2dds $& fj^ i?, K-ib watch h.ummikfii:fi!)n- |k&. The understanding was 4&U. jjwt .'ivwn&lioxvitfncetvp.'itd. xjgC, shrewdly planned, but Mitmmt(J\\rrborp{b:&?. (§f Richbell's claim was too well established to be overcome. ~¥ -^ ■ W »-f» *f- ^ …

communication, dated " In New Netherlands, 24th December, 1661," and addressed "To the most noble, great, and respectful lords, the Director-General and Council in New Netherlands," he solicited " most reverently " that letters patent be granted him for his tract, promising not only that all persons settling upon it should similarly crave letters patent from the Dutch …

The East Neck extended from Mamaroneck River to a small stream called Pipin's Brook, which divided it from the Great Neck, and is the same which now (1886) crosses the Boston Road just east of the house of the late Mr. George Vanderburgh. The North Neck extended from the latter stream westward to the month of a much larger brook called Cedar or Gravelly Brook, which is the one …

In the interior his landed rights, ;is understood in his deed from the Indians, extended "twenty miles northward." By letters patent from Governor Lovelace, issued to hint October Hi, Kills, the whole tract was confirmed to him, " running northward twenty miles into the woods." This tract embraced the present Towns of Mamaroneck, White Plains, and Scarsdale, and most of New …

John Richbell, the original purchaser of all the lands whose history has thus been briefly traced, was " an Englishman of a Hampshire family of Southampton or its neighborhood, who were merchants in London, and who had business transactions with the West lie was engaged for a time in commerIndies or New England." cial enterprises in the British West India Islands of Barbadoes …

The next year he enchant in Charlestown, Mass. (near Boston). tered into a peculiar private understanding with Thomas Mediford, of Barbadoes, and William Sharpe, of Southampton, England, which is supposed to have afforded the basis for his purchase, four years The details of the understanding later, of the Mamaroneck tract. are not stated in terms in any document that is …

In the falling and clearing your ground save all your principal timber for pipe stands and clapboard and knee timber.'' Lastly, he is instructed to " advise us, or either of us, how affairs stand with you, what your wants are, and how they may be most advantageously employed by us, for the life of our business will consist in the nimble, quiet, and full correspondence with …

John Richbell to town [New York City] a prisoner," wherein it was recited that " John Richbell, of Mamaroneck," was " a prisoner under arrest for debt in this city, from which place he hath absented himself contrary to his engagement." It may hence justly be remarked that, on the other hand, he could hardly have been engaged in any very extensive or remunerative "nimble" …

Elizabeth, according to Bolton, became " the second wife of Adam Mott, of Ham stead," and their son, William, was the ancestor of Dr. Valentine Mott, of New York City. Mary Richbell married Captain James Mott, of Mamaroneck, who, in an entry in the town records, alludes to " a certain piece of land laying near the salt meadow," ,f in my home lot or field adjoining to my …

At the same time, sovereignty on Long Island was formally divided with the English, it being provided in the articles that "upon Long Island a line run from the westernmost part of Oyster Day, so, and in a straight and direct line, to the sea, shall be the bounds betwixt the English and Dutch there, the easterly part to belong to the English and the westernmost part to the …

forced to au issue on Long Island by the stubborn attitude of the English towns there, they entered into an arrangement by which all controverted matters in that part of their diminishing realms were determined agreeably to the British interests. By this latter transaction the villages of Newtown, Flushing, Jamaica, Hempstead, and Gravesend became English. The arrogant general …

Tis evident and clear that were Westchester and the five English towns on Long Island surrendered by us to the Colony of Hartford, and what we have justly possessed and settled on Long Island left to us, it would not satisfy them, because it would not be possible to bring them sufficiently to any further arrangement witli us by commissioners to be chosen on both sides by the …

At the time of the gift to the Duke of York, no state of war existed between England and the Netherlands. Neither was there the plausible excuse of emergency on the ground of any threatening behavior of the Dutch in America, or even of dangerous differences between the provinces of New Netherland and Connecticut; for, as wTe have seen, the Dutch had pursued an undeviating …

One of the first documents which the new authorities had to consider was a communication from the "inhabitants of Westchester," reciting, under seven different heads, their local grievances against the Dutch. In this paper no specific remedy was prayed for, and it appears to have been drawn merely to put on record the real and supposed injuries that the settlers had suffered …

socage, and not in capite, nor by knight service, yielding and rendering of and for the same, yearly and every year, forty beaver skins when they shall be demanded, or within ninety days thereafter." This meant simply that there was to be no feudal tenure of lands under its provisions (all feudal tenures having, in fact, been abolished throughout English dominions by act of …

The erection of " manors," presided over by so-called " lords," did not affect in the least this elementary free status; the manors being only larger estates, and their lords wealthy proprietors with certain incidental aristocratic functions and dignities which violated in no manner the principle of perfectly free land tenure, New York, under this patent from Charles II …

ing Long Island, Staten Island, and the present Westchester County; and, following the local style of old Yorkshire, in England, he subdivided this district into three so-called " Hidings " -- the ''East," "West," and "North." The East Hiding consisted of the present Suffolk County; the West Hiding, of Staten Island, the present Kings County, and the Town of Newtown, in the …

This formality was provided for in the celebrated code known as "The Duke's Laws," adopted by an assembly of delegates from the towns of the province held at Hempstead in the summer of 1665. It was prescribed that "all persons whatsoever who may have any grants or patents of townships, lands, or houses, within this government, shall bring in the said grants or patents to the …

He appointed commissioners to meet these delegates, and on the 28th of October, lf>C>4, it was agreed that the line should start on the Sound at a point twenty miles east of the Hudson River and pursue a north-northwest coarse until it intersected the line of Massachusetts, which at that time was supposed to ran across the continent to the Pacific Ocean. In locating the …

It was unquestionable that everything east of Greenwich belonged to Connecticut, by virtue of long settlement and also of the articles of 1 (;:»(}. West of Greenwich there were only three settlements on the Sound-- those at Rye and Westchester, and an infant colony at Eastdies) er -- and all of these had been established exclusively by Connecticut people. Westchester village …

He adds: "A short distance above the present bridge between the Towns of Maniaroneck and Rye, where the river bends suddenly to the east and then takes a northerly course, a rocky reef originally crossed it nearly at right angles, causing the formation of rapids. It was high enough to prevent the tide rising over it at high water, so that the fresh water of the river always …

Besides undertaking to hold the Westchester settlers to the letter of their agreement with him, he asserted and attempted to legally enforce a claim to Cornell's Neck, which in 1646 had been patented by the Dutch director, Kieft, to Thomas Cornell, and from him had descended to his eldest daughter, Sarah, the wife of Thomas Willett and later of Charles Bridges. Shortly after …

Pell set up the plea that the so-called Cornell's Neck was comprehended within the tract that he had bought from the Indians in 1054; that the governor and council of Connecticut had taken " notice of this land to be under their government," and had licensed him to purchase it; and that any prior Dutch grant ought to be voided, since " where there is no right there can be no …

son, William Willett, who on the 15th of April, 1GG7, procured from Governor Mcolls a new and more carefully worded patent to it. The Keck continued in the Willett family for more than a century afterward, and, although never invested with manorial dignity, was recognized throughout the colonial period as one of the most important landed estates in Westchester County, the …

and Philip Pinckney, for themselves and their associates, to the number of ten families,"' the privilege " to settle down at Hutchinson's, that is, where the house stood at the meadows and uplands, to Hutchinson's River." This new English colony, located just above Westchester, on the strip between Throgg's and Pelham Necks, was called Eastchester, or the >k Ton Farms." All …

That all and every one of us, or that shall f us. do pave unto the minester, according to his meade. 7. That none exceed the quantity of fifteen acres, until all have that quantity. S. That every man hath that meadow that is most convenient for him. H. That every man build and inhabit on his home lot before the next winter. 10. That no man make sale of his lot before he hath …

That all public affairs, all bridges, highways, or mill, be carried on jointly, according to meadow and estates. 11. That provision be endeavoured for education of children, and then encouragement be given unto any that shall take pains accordinn' to our former way of rating. 15. That no man shall give entertainment to a foreigner who shall carry himself obnoxious to the …

That every man that hath taken up lottes shall pay to all publick charges equal with those that got none. That all that hath or shall take up lots within this track of land >f his alotno man if the s land whei y sow or plant in their fields. give new encouragement to Mr. other week, to give us word and that when we are settled Thomas Shute The mark of Nathaniel Tompkins …

Although the Eastchester settlement was made by men fresh from Connecticut, its citizens do not appear to have sought at any time to remain under that colony. Having parted with all that section of his lands below Hutchinson's River, Thomas Pell next turned his attention to the erection of the remainder into one imposing estate. This was accomplished by letters patent procured …

Applying to Governor Nicolls for a town patent, they were informed by him (December 28, 1665) that he would defer issuing it until the whole could be equally divided into lots according to each man's assessed valuation. Early in Kit!" (February 13) the desired instrument was granted to them, being the first of its kind in our county. The persons mentioned in the document are …

" Bronks' land," whose " western part " was indicated as the limit of Westchester town in the direction of the Hudson Eiver, was a territory of quite uncertain dimensions. Together with the lands beyond along the Harlem and the Spuyten Duyvil Greek, it was dotted with the farms of Dutch settlers who had been gradually coming over from the Manhattan Island side. On Manhattan …

But in 1666 Governor Nicolls granted to the people of Harlem a charter providing for "a ferry to and from the main," and authorizing them "at their charge to build one or more boats for that purpose fit for the transportation of men, horses, and cattle, for which there will be such a certain allowance given as shall be adjudged reasonable." A ferry was soon afterward put in …

Each passenger whom he entertained was to pay " for his meal, eight pence; every man for his lodging, two pence a man; every man for his horse shall pay four pence for his night's or grass, or twelve stivers wampum, provided the grass be in thehayfence." The site of the ferry landing on the Manhattan side is located by Biker, in his "History of Harlem," at the north of One …

The governor therefore (October 8, 1666) granted a royal patent to " Hugh O'Xeale and Mary his wife," confirming them in its possession, its limits being thus described: " Bounded to the northwards by a rivulet called by the Indians Macakassin, so running southward to Xeperhaem [Yonkers], from thence to the Kill Shorakkapoch [Spuyten Duyvil] and then to Paprinimen …

In March and September, 1667, he sold to John Archer, of Westchester, - fourscore acres of land and thirty Kingsbridge, " lying acres of meadow," in the vicinity of the present and beino' betwixt Brothers River and the watering place at the end of the Island of Manhatans." This was the beginning of a new . manorial estate-- the second of our country in point of antiquity …

And River to Francis French, Ebenezer Jones, and John Westcot of the d remaine that all finally on the 20th of November, 1671', Yonkers Land was disposed of in equal thirds to Thomas Delaval, Thonms Lewis, and Frederick Philipse. Of these various sales, the first, to Archer, and the last, to Philipse and others, arc of special historic interest, each of the two being followed …

Hiker, the historian of Harlem, states that in the original records of that villag e ids name occasionally appears in connection with Fordhani and s imilar matters, and that it is invariably written "Jan Arcer." It is supposed by Riker and others that he came from Amsterdam, Ilo Hand, and that marrying in this country an Englishwoman, and livi ng in an English-speaking …

chase, which made him the sole owner probably as far south as High Bridge, was effected on the 2Sth of September, 1669, the consideration given by him to the Indians being " 13 coats of Duffels, one-halfe anchor of Runie, 2 cans of Brandy, wine with several other small matters to ye value of 60 guilders wampum." The lands which he bought from Doughty in L66T, and other …

Connectic toward hill the over up leading Road), Posl (Boston reader the course Of " remain. ons habitati No traces of these old on will not confound the Fordham of Poe's Cottage mow a station ty communi ancienl this with ) Railroad tlarlem and York the New on Spuj'ten I >u\ \ il < 'reek. The people settled ai Fordham and thereabouts on both shores of eastern travel from its …

The elder tsland, Verveelen, upon assuming his new functions, received "the d "require was he where use, liis for " men Papirine or neck of land, good beds to provide a dwelling house furnished with three or lour for for lll(, entertainment of strangers; also provisions a1 all seasons sufa also them, their horses an. I cattle, will, stabling and stalling; on all occaficieni …

In the contracl made with Verveelen for taking charge ot the ferry, its location was fixed -at tin- place commonly called Spuyten now village called FordDuyvil, between Manhattan lslan.1 andnowtherestricte d to the point ot ham." This name Spuyten Duyvil, confluence of the Hudson River and Spuyten Duyvil Creek, was. says side Bdsall, originally "applied to a strip on the …

On September IS, 1GG9, he executed to Steenwyck a mortgage for 2,200 guilders; on November 14. 1671, another tor 7,000 guilders; and on November 24, 1676, a third for 24,000 guilders, the lasl mentioned being payable in seven years. Meanwhile, however, despite his financial complications, Archer obtained from Governor Lovelace a royal patent consolidating his landed …

If it " spuyt." Inn •• spijt." I .1" iioi know how were the latter, it meant "Spouting Devil." Irving was, Im il could mean nothing else. Ii might have il for "in spl ,-il " his spell sted by an energetic or boiling iiiK i" spijt "I spring in tin vicinity. This would turn en"Spijt" and '•spuyt." in the I) irely on a question of fact. Was t here such a wholl.i : loe 1 spring? …

"spuyt." Of course, Irving's fun decides In the phrase of which you speak as sus nothing. It may, however, have rested on Kested bj soi no. viz.: "point "f the dov- some tradition which lias not come down to us. lis," the word is confounded with another and Yours as ever, very cordially. -till wholly different Teutonic root, which is neither "spijt " nor "spuyt," bul "spit " …