USA > New York > Westchester County > History of Westchester county : New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. I > Part 1
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COLUMBIA LIBRARIES OFFSITE AVERY FINE ARTS RESTRICTED
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AVERY ARCHITECTURAL AND FINE ARTS LIBRARY GIFT OF SEYMOUR B. DURST OLD YORK LIBRARY
1
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013
http://archive.org/details/historyofwestche00scha
.
J. Thomas Scharf
HISTORY - -
OF
WESTCHESTER COUNTY,
NEW YORK,
INCLUDING
MORRISANIA, KINGS BRIDGE, AND WEST FARMS.
WHICH HAVE BEEN ANNEXED TO NEW YORK CITY.
BY J. THOMAS SCHARF, A. M., LL. D.
Author " History of Maryland," " Chronicles of Baltimore," " History of Baltimore City and County," "History of St. Louis City and County." " History of the City of Philadelphia, Pa.," etc., etc. Corresponding Member of the Historical Societies of New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina, Historic and Genea- logical Society of New England, Philosphical Society of Ohio, etc., etc.
ASSISTED BY A STAFF OF CAREFULLY SELECTED EXPERTS IN EVERY DEPARTMENT.
IN TWO VOLUMES, ILLUSTRATED.
VOL. I.
PHILADELPHIA: L. E. PRESTON & CO. 1886.
F :27
53
Copyright, 1886, BY L. E. PRESTON & Co. All Rights Reserved.
PRESS OF JAS. B. RODGERS PRINTING COMPANY, PHILADELPHIA.
PREFACE.
IN presenting this "HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY" to the public, the Editor believes, no apology is necessary. It is a new and trustworthy history of the county, founded upon the best authorities, and the most authentic documents and authoritative records. In no sense of the word is it built up out of, or repeated from, any previous one on the same subject, or any of its branches.
The plan of the work is to a large extent novel-the grouping of so many representative writers, to tell so interesting a story as that of the origin, career and significance of Westchester County, has no parallel in the history of any other county in the United States. To present the principal historical phases of the several towns, and the county's life and development, together with the traces of previous occupation and the natural history of the county, the various chapters were assigned to writers, most of them well known in their respective spheres, and some of them of national reputation, who, from study and association, were in a measure identified with their subjects. Their treatment of these topics is such that what they have written may be taken as the best comprehensive expression of existing knowledge, put together with that authority which comes from special study. In the diversity of authors there will, of course, be variety of opinions, and it has not been thought ill-judged, considering the different points of view assumed by the various writers, that the same events should be interpreted sometimes in varying, and perhaps opposite, ways. The chapters may thus make good the poet's description, --
"Distinct as the billows, yet one as the sea,"-
and may not be the worse for each offering a reflection, according to its turn to the light, without marring the unity of the general expanse. The Editor has endeavored to prevent any unnecessary repetitions, and to provide against serious omissions of what might naturally be expected in a history of its kind. In more than one instance he has been constrained by his deference to local authority upon strictly local subjects, and by yielding to the testimony of experts in matters which they alone are supposed to know thoroughly, to hold back his own judgment in regard to certain subjects, and permit the local writer and the expert to tell the whole story their own way. The result has sometimes been clash, confusion and contradiction ; for there is nothing about which local authorities and experts differ so much among themselves as those particular events and things in regard to which they collectively consider it the height of presumption for "outsiders" to disagree with them. Where the subject happened to be one of moment and importance, the author has cut the Gordian knot and stated things to suit himself; but in indifferent or trivial concerns he has simply stood aside and let each writer give his own version.
Some space has been given to biographical sketches of leading and representative men, living and dead, who have borne an active part in the various enterprises of life, and who have become
vi
PREFACE.
closely identified with the history of the county. The achievements of the living must not be forgotten, nor must the memories of those who have passed away be allowed to perish. It is the imperative duty of the historian to chronicle the public and private efforts to advance the great interests of society. Their deeds are to be recorded for the benefit of those who follow them,- they, in fact, form part of the history of their communities, and their successful lives add to the glory of the county.
The Editor would be unjust to himself and the county whose history he has compiled, if he did not acknowledge, with feelings of profound gratitude, the cordial aid extended to him and his undertaking by the respective writers and by the people of Westchester County. They have given him the fullest encouragement throughout, and have helped him materially in elaborating and perfecting the work. Important and valuable assistance and information have been received from the following persons, to whom also particular recognition is due :- James Wood; Franklin Crouch, Rev. David Cole, D.D., Rev. John A. Todd, Thomas C. Cornell, Joseph Barrett, Frederick Whittaker and Josiah S. Mitchell.
The scope and method of this history of Westchester County, is best understood by the table of contents, and the names of the writers annexed. It is sufficient to demonstrate the broad taste and judiciousness of selection on the part of the Editor. Without their indispensable aid and invaluable stores of material on the history of this interesting county, which they have been diligently collecting for years past, it would have been impossible to present this history in the satisfactory shape it now assumes.
To the publishers of this history, the Editor on behalf of himself and his collaborators, must gratefully pay the meed, thrice deserved, of most hearty and effective co-operation with him and them throughout the undertaking. They have most liberally met every desire of the writers in respect of letter-press and engravings of portraits, views, maps and other illustrations; they have spared no expense or effort to make the mechanical execution of the volumes equal to the sub- ject, and to the Editor's ambition, and they have helped him in every difficulty and sought to remove every obstruction from his path while the work was in progress.
To the subscribers of the work, who, by consenting to take it unseen on the Editor's own recommendation and the strength of his and the publisher's reputation, have secured its successful completion and publication, the Editor renders his most grateful thanks, with the earnest hope that nothing in the volumes and nothing omitted from them may cause them to regret their confidence and their liberality.
BALTIMORE, July 6, 1886.
J. THOMAS SCHARF.
CONTENTS OF VOLUME I.
CHAPTER I.
PAGE.
TOPOGRAPHY, BOUNDARIES AND GE-
OLOGY, . . 1-9
BY J. THOMAS SCHARF, A. M., LL.D.
CHAPTER II.
THE INDIANS OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY, 9-20
BY JAMES WOOD.
CHAPTER III.
THE DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY, 20-31
BY JAMES WOOD.
CHAPTER IV.
THE ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF MANORS IN NEW YORK, AND IN THE COUNTY
OF WESTCHESTER, . 31-160 a
PARTS :
1. Tho Indian Owners of New Netherland and of Westchester.
2. How the Indian Title vested successively in the Dutch West India Company, the British Crown, and the Independent State of New York.
3. The Dutch in New Netherland.
4. The Colonization by the West India Company.
5. The Nature of the Dutch System of Government and Law, established in Now Netherland, and of the Patroonships.
6. Tho Patroonship of Colen-Donck.
7. The Capture of New Netherland from the Dutch, and the Creation of the English 'Province of New York.'
8. The English System in the Province of New York under the Duke of York as Lord Proprictor.
9. The Manors in New York, what they were not, and what they were.
10. The Franchises, Privileges, and Incidents, of Manors in tho Province of New York, and in the County of West- chester, and the Parishes in the latter.
11. The Church of England Parochial Organization in West- chester County, and its Relations to the Manors.
12. The Manors and the County in their Mutual Relations, and the Origin and Formation of the latter.
13. The Manor of Cortlandt, its Origin, Special Franchises, Division, First Lord and his Family, Particular History, and Topography
14. The Manor of Scarsdale, its Origin, Local History, Adjoin- ing Patents, its First Lord and His Family, Division, and Topography.
BY EDWARD FLOYD DE LANCEY.
CHAPTER V. l'AGE. THE COLONIAL PERIOD, 1683-1774, . 161-177
BY REV. WILLIAM S. COFFEY, A. M.
CHAPTER VI.
WESTCHESTER - COUNTY, NEW-YORK, DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLU- TION. . 177-457
BY HENRY B. DAWSON.
CHAPTER VII.
EARLY MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE PEOPLE OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY, 457-472j BY J. THOMAS SCHARF, A. M., LL.D.
CHAPTER VIII.
GENERAL HISTORY FROM 1783 TO 1860, 473-490 BY REV. WILLIAM S. COFFEY, A. M.
CHAPTER IX.
THE CIVIL WAR FROM 1860 TO 1866, 490-516 BY CAPT. FREDERICK WHITTAKER.
CHAPTER X.
WESTCHESTER COUNTY AT THE PRES- ENT DAY, . . 516-525 BY J. THOMAS SCHARF, A. M., LL.D.
CHAPTER XI.
THE BENCH AND BAR, .
526-568
BY HON. ISAAC N. MILLS.
vi
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XII.
PAGE.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION, . . 568-598
BY GEORGE JACKSON FISHER, M. D.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE LITERARY MEN AND LITERA- TURE OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY, . 598-639 BY J. THOMAS SCHARF, A. M., LL.D.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE CIVIL HISTORY, 639-657
BY REV. WILLIAM J. CUMMING.
CHAPTER XV.
SCARSDALE, . . 657-685
BY ALLEN M. BUTLER, M. D.
CHAPTER XVI.
NEW ROCHELLE, 685-701 BY REV. CHARLES E. LINDSLEY, D. D.
CHAPTER XVII.
PELIIAM, .
701-714
BY REV. CHARLES E. LINDSLEY, D. D.
CHAPTER XVIII.
PAGE.
WHITE PLAINS, .
714-744
BY JOSIAH S. MITCHELL.
CHAPTER XIX.
KINGS' BRIDGE, .
744-768
BY THOMAS H. EDSALL.
CHAPTER XX.
WESTCHESTER TOWN,
768-822
BY FORDHAM MORRIS.
CHAPTER XXI."
MORRISANIA,
822-836
BY FORDHAM MORRIS.
CHAPTER XXII.
WEST FARMS, .
836-846
BY FORDHAM MORRIS.
CHAPTER XXIII.
MAMARONECK, .
846-888
BY EDWARD FLOYD DE LANCEY.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
VOLUME I.
On or opposite page
On or opposite page
Antographs of Supervisors . 474
Ewen, John, Portrait of . .
767
Bailey, N. P., Residence of . 754
Fanenil, Peter, Portrait of 711
Baird, Charles W., Portrait of . 620
Fellows, E. B., Portrait of . 842
Banta, Mathias, Portrait of . . 563
Ferguson, Geo., Portrait of . 700
Bartlett, W. 1I. C., Portrait of . 622
Fireships, The American 391
Bathgate, James, Portrait of 592
Fisher, G. J., Portrait of . 581
Beach, W. A., Portrait of .
559
Fisher, G. J., Autograph of
581
Beal, W. R., Portrait of .
834
Fitch's First Steamboat . 470
Bixby, S. M., Portrait of
832
Flagg, Levi W., Portrait of
587
Bine Bell Tavern 472j
Flying-Machine, The 479
Brewster, Joseph B., Portrait of. 701
Fort Washington, 1886 .
517
Brown, Nehemiah, Portrait of . 528
Fountain, Ilosea, Portrait of . 585
Butler, Allen M., Autograph of
684
Fountain, James, Portrait of
577
Camp, Hugh N., Portrait of .
835
Fox, William W., Portrait of . . 845
Carpenter, Jonathan, Residence of . 698
Fuller, Mrs. J. M., Residence of 682
Carpenter, Jonathan, Portrait of .
699
Franklin, Benjamin, Portrait of . 171
Carpenter, W. J., Portrait of . . 598
624
Garth, D. J., Residence of . 681
472a
Gedney, Bartholomew, Portrait of . 743
Church, Old Dutch, at Fordhanı
620
Gedney, Bartholomew, Residence of 743
"'Clermont," The Steamer
471
Gifford, Silas D., Portrait of . 532
759
Coffey, William Samnel, Portrait of .
634
Griswold, R. B., Portrait of . 597
Coffin, Owen T., Portrait of 550
Cole, David, Portrait of . 630
Colgate, Robert, Portrait of 766
766
Hall, 11. B., Portrait of . 836
Continental Currency
47.2f
Hall, Ernest, Portrait of . 562
740
Cornell, Benjamin, Portrait of .
675
Hand, N. H., Portrait of. .
741
Cornell Homestead, Residence of R. C. Cornell .
696
Hasbronck, Joseph, Portrait of
587
Conrt-Ilonse, Westchester Connty, 1886 .
729
Hasbrouck, Stephen, Portrait of .
586
Comming, W. J., Antograph of 657
Haskin, John B., Portrait of 561
818
Cromwell, C. T., Portrait of .
552
Head Costumes 462, 463
464
Dawson, Henry B., Portrait of
612
Heathcote, Caleb, Portrait of
152
De Lancey, Edward F., Autograph of
888
Hoe, R. M., Portrait of
833
De Lancey, Right Rev. William 11., Portrait of .
867
Hoffinan, A. K., Portrait of .
588
Depew, Channcey M., Portrait of
557
House in which Poe wrote "The Raven " 618
De Vries, David Pietersen
35
Ilndson, llenry, Portrait of
21
Dickel, C. W., Residence of
664
Disbrow House
856
Huguenot Street, New Rochelle, 1798
686
Doctor of Olden Time
468
Huntington, C. P., Portrait of . .
820
Drake, Joseph R., Portrait of
616
linntington Ilomestead, Views at 822
Dyckman, Isaac M., Portrait of
765
Huntington Homestead . S21
595
Dyckman, J. O., Portrait of .
534
Indian chief 32
Dyckman, John 11., Portrait of
765
Indian family 33
Dyckman, William N., Portrait of .
764
Edsall, Thomas H., Autograph of.
761
Indian relics and specimens 14, 15, 16
Evans, Oliver. .
469
Irving, Washington, Portrait of . 610
Evans' Steam Carriage
470
Jay, John C., Portrait of . 582
Evans, W. W., Portrait of 699
Jolinson, Isaac G., Portrait of 768
Evans, W. W., Residence of . 699
Jolinson, S. W., Portrait of. . 564
vii
8
Goodridge, Frederic, Residence of
Coffey, William Samnel, Antograph of 177, 490
Graystone, Residence of S. J. Tilden 554, 555
Guion, Place, View of . 685
Haerlem, View of, from Morrisania, 1765 394
Hague, William, Autograph of . 713
Cooper, J. Fenimore, Portrait of 609
Hand, N. H., Residence of
Curry, Rev. Daniel, Portrait of
621
Havemeyer, F. C., Portrait of .
Cromwell, C. T., Residence of .
552
Icad Dress, 1776 .
Cromwell, David, Portrait of 740
Heathcote Hill, View of . 854
Ilnguenot House, old 691
Dyckman, Isaac MI., Residence of
765
Huntington, HI. K., Portrait of.
Indian fort 34
Franklin's Cream Pot 641
Couldwell, William, Portrait of .
Cheese-Press, Primitive
Cobbling-stone .
Colgate, Robert, Residence of
viii
ILLUSTRATIONS.
On or opposite page
On or opposite page
Johnson & Co.'s Works
769
Popham, L. C., Residence of
680
Larkin, Francis, Portrait of . 558
Popham, W. II., Portrait of . 673
Lester, Simeon, Portrait of 698
Popham, W. H., Residence of 672
Lester, Simeon, Residence of .. 698
Popham, W. S., Portrait of 672
Lewis, Joseph H., Residence of
734
Purdy, Samuel M., Portrait of 558
Lindsley, Charles E., Portrait of
694
Putnam, A. E., Residence of 758
Lovatt, E. T., Portrait of
568
Reiufelder, M. I., Portrait of 596
Macomb's Dam, 1850 758
790
Robertson, W. H., Portrait of 530
590
Map, Cortlandt Manor
140
Scharf, Autograph of . 9
Frontispiece.
Map, Frog's Neck to Croton River 415
Schmid, H. Ernest, Portrait of .
588
Map, Geological, of county. 6
Scribner, G. Hilton, Portrait of
565
Map, Historical, of King's Bridge. 747
Scrihner, James W., Portrait of . 593
545
Map, Manor of Phillipsburg 161
141
Smith, Chauncey, Portrait of
567
Map of Mamaroneck 849
1
Sone, L. V., Residence of .
722
Map of Broncksland 769
Stage wagon .
173
Map of Bronx Neck . 780
Stamp, British 176
Map of Fordham and the Meadows 775
Stocks, The 472h
873
Map, Sauthier's, published by Faden
St. Thomas' Church (new) . 874
Map, White Plains, 1721.
720
Stuyvesant, Peter, Portrait of 24
Map, White Plains, 1776
727
Sully, Thomas 465
594
Mills, Isaac N., Autograph of .
550
Swinburne, Jolın, Portrait of
606
Mitchell, Josiah S., Autograph of
740
Tea Service, Old Style . 459
Morris, A. Newbold, Portrait of
829
Tilden, S. J., Portrait of 554
Tilford, J. M., Portrait of 742
742
Morris, James, Portrait of .
827
Tompkins, Daniel D., Portrait of .
671
Morris, Lewis, Portrait of .
826
Truman, Norman K., Portrait of
591
Morris, L. G., Portrait of .
829
Van Cortlandt, A., Portrait of . .
162
Morris, L. G., Residence and Views at
830
Van Cortlandt Manor House, King's Bridge 764
Morris, W. H., Residence of .
826
Van Reusselaer, W. P., Residence of .
553
Morris, W. H., Portrait of
828
Van Rensselaer, W. P., Portrait of
553
Mortar and Pestle 13
Van Wyck, P. C., Portrait of . .
595
Mott, Jordan L., Portrait of 831
584
Mt. St. Viucent, Academy of. 760
589
White Plains, 1855
730
Oliffe, W. M., Portrait of
744
Whittaker, Frederick, Autograph of
515
Old Clock. . 460
Wilkius, Isaac, Portrait of .
601
Paine, Thomas, House of
690
Williams, Isaiah T., Portrait of
548
Paine, Thomas, Monument of 689
Wells, James L., Portrait of
843
Paine, Thomas, Portrait of . 602
Wood, James, Autograph of . 20, 31
Peale, C. W.
466
Wright, Green, Portrait of 679
Pillory, The
472i
Yonkers, View of .. 518
Poe's Home at Fordham 619
Young, John W., Portrait of . 742
Popham, Lewis C., Portrait of .. 674
3
Sauds, D. Jerome, Portrait of
Map, boundary lines between New York and Connecticut
Map, Carpenter's, of White Plains. 718
Scharf, J. Thomas, Portrait of .
Map, Manors of Westchester County 30
Scrugham, William W., Portrait of
Secor, Francis, Portrait of . 678
Map, Manor of Scarsdale
Smith, J. Malcom, Portrait of .
560
Map, Outline, of county
Map, Roads about White Plains.
732 403
St. Thomas' Church (old) .
Mapes, Daniel, Portrait of . 841
Swift, Saiunel, Portrait of .
Morris, Fordham, Autographı of
817
Morris, Gouverneur, Portrait of
603
Tilford, J. M., Residence of .
Varian, William A., Portrait of
Washington's Headquarters, White Plains
728
Nordquist, C. J., Portrait of.
Reynal, J., Residence of .. 724
Map, Attack on Fort Washington .
1
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1
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Lewishora
KEP O.
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Trinity
Cross
Lake Luke
North
South / Salem
Salefo P.o.
18
-Poundridge P.O. POUNDRIDGE Boutonville PO.
Peach Lake
"Salem" CentreP.0
Cross River N
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Bedford 张 P.O.
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Blind
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It KiscoP.O.
New Castle B0. River
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St Marys
Kisco
Lake
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West Somers P. O.
ALAKE
PAND
CITY
Tompkins
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Neppercan P.o.
jeffers 011 # Walley
Yorktown
Rockdale Mills
Tarrytown
AHeights
Mohansic Lake
Meuville 1
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Tarrytown
Huntersville
>Shrub Oak
RIVER
4
Hohegun Luke
River
2
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-
Cortlandtville"
1
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Montrose P.O.
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Verplank
N
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Bronx
Diouville
Chappaque
RAILROAD
Pleasay
Hallocks Mills
0
Merritt's # Cor.
NORTHERN
1 NT PLEASANT
-
GREEN Elmsford
Crompond
Tęatown
XOSSINING Sing Sing
Irvin
AQUEDUCT
HUDSON
CROTON
HUDSON
CORTINA N
Croton
EW CASTLE
stillwater
E
# Pines Bridge P.O
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NEW
YORK
Coton
North Castle
Byram
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Banksville
Luke
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Beaver
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SO MER CROTON
Grei
TOW
D
OUTLINE MAP OF
WESTCHESTER CO. NEW YORK Showing relative position of Towns Prepared for Scharf's History of Westchester County
MANURSING
Ister
ISLAND.
R
Cottage
HEMPSTEAD HARBOR
r
ve PO. Fp
Milton
EW
I
S
O
MAMARONECK
ve Neckt WARBER
Z
Grand
echasc
Rwer
Mamaroneck
G
MAMARONECK
Petersville
HART
Chatsworth"
1.0
SOU
LITTLE NECASS
1
S CITY ISLAND
Hartsdale P. 0.
-
Its Cor
ville
PEL HAM
PELHAM BAY
#Pelham Manar
H.R.
V.A Schuylerville
Mt Vernon
CHESTER
WEST CHESTER
Wakefielf ! Olinville
Unionport
Bropx dale
0
West Fare
BIBERS.
E
AQUEDUCT
RIVER
Port
N
Washington
0
BROOKLYN
J
EAST BIFFTE
R
S
E
1
GOVERNORS
JJERSEY CITY
r
URGH
River
Truckahoe P.O.
A& C/R.R.
Ashford
East Chester West Chester
ONKERS
2
Dobbs' Ferry Hastmós
FLUSHING BAY
R.A.
CROTON Tanker's
N
Fordhair
WARD
E-
W
LONG-
NEW YORK
O
Harris
P.O.
naroneck
LAINS
SCARSDALE
NEW ROCHELLE
New Rochelle' HUNTERS
11
S
R.
SLIND
Park
NEW HAVEN
EAST
D
Park
E
THE
HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
GENERAL HISTORY.
CHAPTER I.
THE BOUNDARY, TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
BY J. THOMAS SCHARF, LL.D.
THE American people, their lives, their institutions, and their civilization are so entirely different from what is presented elsewhere that as they make their history, so they must preserve its records. Never fettered by axioms, they avoid all prejudices that come from the past; not more attached to one line of operation than another, they are not prone to employ an old method rather than a new; without rooted habits, they easily shake off the influence which other nations might exercise. Their firm conviction is that their country is unlike any other, and that their situation is without a precedent in all the history of the world. No natural boundary restrains, in this country, the efforts of man, and what is not yet done is only what he has not yet attempted to do.
"The perpetnal change," remarks De Tocqueville, "which goes on in the United States, the frequent vicissitudes of fortune, accompanied by such unfore- seen fluctuations in private and in public wealth, serve to keep the minds of the citizens in a perpetual state of feverish agitation, which admirably invigorates their exertions, and keeps them in a state of excite- ment above the ordinary level of mankind. The whole life of an American is passed like a game of chance, a revolutionary erisis or a battle. As the same canses are continually in operation throughout the country, they ultimately impart an irresistible im- pulse to the national character. The American, taken as a chance specimen of his country, must then be a man of singular warmth in his desires, enterpris- ing, fond of adventure, and above all of innovation. The same bent is manifested in all that he does; he introduces it into his politieal laws, his religious doe- trine, his theories of social economy, and his domestic
occupations; he bears it with him into the depth of the baekwoods, as well as into the business of the city. It is this same passion, applied to maritime commerce, which makes him the cheapest and quickest trader in the world."
The inner life, the domestic history of any portion of a people which thus impressed the shrewdest and most philosophical of all European writers on America, requires and deserves a more detailed examination and presentation than is possible to the historian writing the social and political history of a nation, or even of one presenting the annals of a State. It is in the private life, in the principles that impress individual action, in the moral character of the men of business, in the purity of social life and in the virtues which embellish the home, that depend the value of our civilization and the permaneney of our political insti- tutions. Mr. Alison, in his "History of Europe," pro- phesied that " democratic institutions will not and can- not exist permanently in North America. The frightful anarchy which has prevailed in the Southern States since the great interests dependent on slave emanci- pation were brought into jeopardy, the irresistible sway of the majority, and the rapid tendeney of the majority to deeds of atrocity and blood, the inereasing jealousy, on mercantile grounds, of the Northern and Southern States, all demonstrate that the Union eannot permanently hold together, and that the innumerable millions of the Anglo- American race must be divided into separate States, like the descendants of the Gothic conquerors of Europe. Out of this second great settlement of mankind will arise separate kingdoms, and interests and passions, as ont of the first. But democratie habits and desires will still prevail, and long after the necessity and the passions of an advanced stage of civilization have established firm and aristocratic governments, founded on the sway of property in the old States, republican ambition and jealousy will not cease to impel millions to the great wave that ap-
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HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
proaches the Rocky Mountains. Democratic ideas will not be moderated in the New World till they have performed their destined end, and brought the Christian race to the shores of the Pacific." All the convulsions thus predicted have taken place with even greater force and consequences than the historian contemplated, and yet our Union is preserved in greater strength and more apparent durability than was thought possible by its most enthusiastic admirer. The practical common sense, the wise and exalted patriotism of the people, have brought order out of confusion, removed obstacles to progress, destroyed institutions inimical to liberty, and placed their country, its institutious and its government upon a higher plane of progress and duration than was thought to be possible by the wisest of its founders. All the causes and consequences of our general history fall properly within the scope of the political histo- rian,-it is our more limited and restricted duty to collect and preserve the data of a small, yet mighty, part of the whole country, and to show what exists to-day in a single county of a great State, what forces in the past produced that wonderful wealth and civilization, that wise and exalted patriotism, that tact and shrewdness in business, that astounding material development, which illustrates the wealth and wisdom of Westchester County.
BOUNDARY .- The northern boundary line of West- chester County, as it is at present marked, was fixed at the time the county was erccted November 1, 1683, and at the same time Long Island Sound was desiguated as the southern boundary, and the Hudson River as the western boundary. The linc between New York and Connecticut has for more than two centuries been a matter of dispute between the two States, and consequently the Eastern boundary line only has a history to be traced.
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