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840
THE
NATURAL, STATISTICAL AND CIVIL
HISTORY
OF THE
STATE OF NEW . YORK.
IN THREE VOLUMES.
BY JAMES MACAULEY.
VOLUME II.
2
V.2.
NEW-YORK :
PUBLISHED BY GOULD & BANKS, AND BY WILLIAM GOULD & CO. ALBANY.
1829.
840
30000
1752904
Southern District of New- York, ss.
BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the 16th day of March, A. D. 1829, in the fifty-third year of the Independence of the United States of Ameri- ca, James Macauley, of the said District, has deposited in this office the title of a Book, the right whereof he claims as Author, in the words fol- lowing, to wit :
" The Natural, Statistical and Civil History of the State of New- York. In three Volumes." By James Macauley.
In conformity to the Act of Congress of the United States, entitled " An Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the time therein mentioned." And also to an Act, entitled " An Act, supplementary to an Act, entitled an Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein men- tioned, and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, en- - graving, and etching historical and other prints."
FRED. J. BETTS,
Clerk of the Southern District of New-York.
1
-
86
-
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
. CIVIL DIVISIONS.
Pages:
County of Suffolk
1,2
Queens
2,3
Kings .
-3
Richmond .
City and County of New-York
4, 5
Westchester
6,7
Putnam
7
Dutchess
7; Ś
Columbia
8, 9
Rensselaer .
9,10
Washington
10, 11
Rockland
11
Orange
11, 12
Ulster
. 12, 13
Greene
13,14
Albany
. 14, 15
Saratoga
15, 16
Warren
. 16, 17
Hamilton
18
Schenectady
. 19, 20
Montgomery
20,91
Herkimer
: 21, 22
Oncida
23,24
Schoharie
: 24, 25
Sullivan
25,26
Delaware
: 26, 27
Otsego
27,28
II
CONTENTS.
Pages.
Chenango ·
: 28,29
Broome
29,30 30
Courtland .
Tioga 30, 31
Steuben
. 31, 32
Cattaraugus
32
Chatauque
· 32, 33
Erie
33, 34
Niagara
. 34, 35
Orleans
35
Genesee
36
Alleghany
36, 37
Livingston .
. 37, 3.8
Monroe
38, 39
Ontario ·
. 39, 40
Wayne .
40
Seneca
41
Yates .
41, 42
Tompkins
42
Cayuga
43
Onondaga
. 43, 44
Madison
44, 45
Oswego
. 44,65
Jefferson
46, 47
Lewis 48
St. Lawrence
48,49
Franklin
. 49, 50
Clinton
50
Essex
51
Statistical Tables, No. I.
52, 53
Remarks .
. 54, 55
Table, No, IJ.
57
Remarks .
. 57, 58
Table, No. III. Progressive Population
58, 59
Table, No. IV. . 60, 61
Table, No. V.
62, 63
Table, No. VI. . 63, 64
Table, No. VII.
65,66
CONTENTS.
III
ʻ
Pages.
Insurance Companies, &c.
66
Commerce 66, 67
Tonnage, and Shipping
Comparative Views 69
67,68
Revenue raised by the United States Government in New- York 69
Table of the Registered and Enrolled Tonnage of the United
States
70
Table of Imports and Exports of the United States, 1826-
1827.
CHAPTER II.
Geographical and Statistical account of the State of New-
York, by Mr. Smith, in 1756 . 71. 83
-
CHAPTER III.
CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES.
Now- York . . 84.90
Brooklyn 90
Jamaica, Flatbush, and Sag Harbor 90
West Farms and Newburg 90
Poughkeepsie, Kingston, Catskill, and Athens 91
Hudson
91,92
Coxsackie .
92
Albany 92. 94
Greenbush, Troy, and Gibbonsville
94
Lansingburgh , 94
Waterford, Stillwater, Sandy Hill, Glen's Falls, White-Hall, and Plattsburgh 95
Saratoga Springs
95
Ballston Spa 96
Schenectady . 96,97
Johnstown, Little Falls and Herkimer 97
Fairfield . 98
Utica, Whitesborough, and Rome 98
1
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IV
CONTENTS.
Pages. ,
Canestota, Canasaraga, and Chitteningo
99
Syracuse, Salina, Liverpool, and Geddesburgh 99
Weed's Basin, Buck'sville, Montezuma, Ithaca, Seneca Falls, Waterloo, and Geneva . 100
Lyons, Palmyra, Canandaigua, and Pittsford
101
· Sodus, Penfield, and Rochester . 102
Brockville, Lockport, Blackrock, and Buffalo
103
Cazenovia, Auburn, Dunkirk, Fredonia, Portland, Oswego, Ogdensburg, and Owego 104
Oxford, Norwich, Homer, Cooperstown, and Cherry-Valley 105
CHAPTER IV. .
AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES.
Antiquities of New-York . 106. 115
Antiquities of Virginia 115, 116
Antiquities of Ohio . 116. 125
Antiquities in Indiana 125, 126
:
Antiquities in Kentucky . . 126, 127
Antiquities in Tennessee
127. 129
Antiquities in Illinois . 129. 131
Mummies 131. 134
Toltecan and Mexican Antiquities 135
Tumuli
136. 140
Observations on the Tumuli . 140, 141
Contrasts 141, 142
Tombs of Mitli . . 142, 143 Comparative Views of the Mounds of Europe, Asia, and
Africa, and those of America . . 143. 148
Toltecan and other Emigrations, from the North to Mexico . 148. 154
Review and Conclusion 155. 160
-
CHAPTER V.
TABULAR VIEWS OF THE INDIANS.
Catalogue of the Mohcakanneew Tribes, who formerly
lived in New England, New-York, &c. : 161. 169
· NA CONTENTS.
Pages.
Remarks on the Moheakanneew Tribes
169. 172
Catalogue of the Huron Tribes . 172. 179
- Remarks on the Huron Tribes 179. 182
CHAPTER VI.
THE AGONEASEALI.
Origin of the Agoneascah, or Five Nations 182
Contest between the Agoneaseah and Adirondacks-their
expulsion from Canada, and arrival in New-York . 183, 184 Designations of the Tribes-Various names by which the Agoneascah were known . 184, 135 Country of the Agoneascah . 185, 186
Wars between the Agoncaseah, and Lenni Lenape, Adi- rundacks, and other Indians, and with the French . 186. 197 War between the Agoncaseah and the United States . 197. 201 Dissolution of the Agoneasean Confederacy .- Their pre- sent condition 201, 202
CHAPTER VII.
STATE OF SOCIETY, &C. AMONG THE AGONEASEAH.
Compact, &c. . 203, 204
205,206
Property
206
Agriculture . 207. 200
Habitations, Household-Furniture, &c. . 210, 211
Dress
212, 213
Warlike and Fishing Instruments . 214, 215
C'anoes
215, 216
Roads . 217. 219
Hunting
219
War
. 220, 221
Treatment of Prisoners
221. 224
VI
CONTENTS.
Pages.
Sham Fights, &c.
. 224, 225
Fortifications'
225, 226
Warlike Deeds, &c.
. 226, 227
War Colonies
227
Education 227
Medicine 228
Music
229
Dancing
230, 231
Hospitality
. 231, 232
Marriage 232
Idleness, &c. . 233, 234
Religion, &c. 235. 237
Stature, Persons, &c. . 237. 239
Mode of Burial 239, 240
CHAPTER VIII. 1
POPULATION, ORIGIN OF THE HUNTING NATIONS, &C.
Population . 240, 241
Remarks as to the numbers of the Agoncaseah and Mo- heakanneews . . 241, 242
Agoneaseah and other hunting nations are of Tartar
descent . 242, 251
CHAPTER IX.
Of the Indians on Long Island . 252, 253 Their Political State 254. 257
State of Society . 257, 258
· Measures adopted to preserve peace . 258,262
Remarks of Mr. Wood on the Indian Languages 263
His collection of Indian words 263, 264
My vocabulary of the Powhatan language : 265. 270
Remarks
271
A list of Agoneasean words . 271,275
CONTENTS:
จีบ
CHAPTER X.
The peopling the earth
. 276
Voyages of the Phoenicians and Carthagenians
276, 277
277
Cabot's voyage
279
Verrazzano's voyage
280
Frobisher's and Raleigh's voyage
280, . 1
Great North and South Virginia Patent
281
Iludson's Voyage
281, 2
States General of the Netherlands, in 1614, grant a patent to sundry merchants 282
New-York and Albany founded in 1614 282, 3
Kingston, Schenectady, and Bergen founded 284
CHAPTER' XI.
Arrival of Wouter Van Twiller 286
Extent of country claimed by the Dutch 287
View of the Indian tribes that possessed the country
288-300
Compact of the Agoneaseah
301, 2
Remarks
302, 3
The Dutch build forts on Connecticut river 303
The Swedes build forts on Delaware bay. 303
Encroachments of the New England colonies on the Dutch 301
CHAPTER XII.
William Kieft succeeds Wouter Van Twiller 308
War between the colonies of New England and the Pequods 308-16
Eneroachments of the colonists of New England upon the Dutch on Connecticut river 216
-
---
First settlement of Long Island, and state of the country 317, 18
Interfering claims of the English and Dutch on Long Island 319
VOL. II. 2
-- -
1
Voyages of the Portuguese Voyages of Columbus
Pages.
277, 8,9
¥
vili
CONTENTS.
Pages.
The order in which the several towns on the Island were settled 321-3
Trade of Long Island 323-6
Character of the first settlers of Long Island 326-8 -
Civil and Political state of the towns in the English part -- of Long Island before 1664 328-31
Union of the English towns of Long Island with Con- necticut
৳ 332-5
The Ecclesiastical state of the several towns on the island Disputes still continue between the Dutch and English planters on Connecticut river 338-40
336-38
War between the Dutch and Indians north of the Sound, &c. ·
340
Governor Kieft sends a protest to the government of New Haven 34}
Reply of the governments of Hartford and New Haven 312, 43
CHAPTER XIII.
Governor Stuyvesant succeeds Mr. Kieft 345
Correspondence between the Commissioners of the colo- nies of New England and Governor Stuyvesant 346, 7
Meeting between Governor Stuyvesant and the Commis- sioners of the United Colonies of New England at Hartford 347, 43.
Reference in relation to disputes 349, 50
Disputes between - the Dutch and Swedes in relation to the country around Delaware bay, &c. . 350, 51
Petition of the inhabitants of New Haven to the Commis- sioners in respect to the Dutch, &c. 351
Correspondence between the Commissioners of the Unit- - ed Colonies and Governor Stuyvesant 352-56 Expedition of Governor Stuyvesant against the Swedes On Delaware bay-Their submission 357, 8 The Indians attempt to take New Amsterdam, but are . defeated by Governor Stuyvesant 358 -
CONTENTS.
Pages.
Correspondence between Governor Stuyvesant and the Commissioners of the colonies of New England and the Governor of Virginia 359-63
Remarks on the first settlement of New England 363-65
War between the Dutch and Mohickanders 365
English and Dutch claims to portions of the North Ame- rican continent 365, 66
English Expedition against the New Netherlands-Capi- tulation-Division 366-69
View of the Dutch settlements
370, 71
CHAPTER XIV.
Administration of Colonel Nicolls 372-74
Government of Colonel Lovelace-Depredations of the Wabingas on the inhabitants of Orange and Ulster -- Defeat of the Wabingas
374, 75
The Dutch retake the New Netherlands
375
Government of Colve 376, 77
The country restored to the English 377
Administration of Major Andross
377
Administration of Colonel Dongan 378.
Governor Dongan's interview with the Agoneasean chiefs at Albany . 379
De Nonville, the Governor of Canada, invades the coun- try of the Senecas 379
Montreal sacked by the Agoneaseah 380, 81
Revolution in England
382
Leisler obtains the government of the province, &c. . 382-6
Schenectady sacked by the French
387
Commissioners from the colonies of New England meet at New-York and concert measures for the invasion of Canada 388; 69
General Winthrop, with the troops of New-York and Connecticut, forms a camp at Wood Creek - 389
Şir Wm. Phip's expedition against Quebec-Its disas- trous issue 390, 91
.
-
X
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XV.
Pages
Arrival of Colonel Sloughter as Governor of New-York- - Leisler refuses to yield up the government, &c. 393, 94
The Assembly convened, &c. 395, ,00
Major Schuyler, with a small party of men, makes an in- road into Canada 397
Colonel Fletcher arrives as Governor 398, 99
The French invade the country of the Mohawks 400, 1
1
Provision made for the Episcopal clergy
401
The Assembly provide means for the defence of the pro- vince 403
Appropriations made for employing an agent at the court of St. James 404
Count Frontenac invades the country of the Onondagas 405
៛
CHAPTER XVI.
The Earl of Bellamont succeeds Colonel Fletcher 406
Leslerian and Anti-Leslerian factions 408
Vacation of several extravagant grants
411-13
Arbitrary law against Jesuits and Popish priests 413, 14
Controversies between the Leslerians and Anti-Leslerians 415
Trial and conviction of Bayard for treason 416, 17
- Lord Cornbury sent over as Governor-His tyranny 417-21
The French attack Deerfield on Connecticut river 422, 23
CHAPTER XVII.
Arrival of Lord Lovelace as Governor 428
Second projected expedition against Canada 429, 30
Assemblage of troops 430-32
General Hunter is sent over as Governor
434
General meeting of colonial Governors at New London 1
435
Preparations for invading Canada 436
Miscarriage against Quebec 436, 37
1
CONTENTE,
xi
Troops disbanded
Pages, 438
Schoharie settled by the Germans
439-41
CHAPTER XVIII.
William Burnet, Esq. arrives as Governor 443 Congress of Governors and Commissioners at Albany 444
Erection of a fort at Oswego 444, 45
Stone Arabia and Germanfiats settled 445, 46
John Montgomery, Esq. succeeds Mr. Burnet as Gover- nor 446
Tyrannical act passed in respect to negro slaves
447
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THE
HISTORY
OF THE
STATE OF NEW- YORK.
CHAPTER I.
CIVIL DIVISIONS, &c.
. THE State of New-York, at this time, is divided into fifty- five counties :-- These we shall describe, commencing with the maritime. The maritime counties are-first, Suffolk, Queens, and Kings ; these comprehend Long Island. Secondly, Rich- mond, which comprehends Staten Island :- and, third, New-York, which comprehends Manhattan Island.
F
SUFFOLK, which comprehends the eastern and middle parts of Long Island, is bounded northerly by the Sound, which separates it from the state of Connecticut, easterly and southerly by the At- lantic ocean, and westerly by the county of Queens. It is eighty- three miles in length, from east to west, and from two to twenty in breadth, from north to south, containing about eight hundred square miles, or five hundred and twelve thousand acres of land. In the year 1825, the population, agreeable to the state census, was twenty-three thousand six hundred and ninety-five, being almost thirty to every square mile. The improved land, at the same time, amounted to one hundred and sixty-seven thousand eight hundred and eighty-six acres, rather over one third of the whole.
Suffolk was erected into a county November 1st, 1683. It is subdivided into nine towns. The first settlement, properly speak- ing, was made at Southold, in 1640. This county is very much VOL. 11. 1
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HISTORY OF THE
indented with bays, inlets and coves. Gardner's bay, at the eas. terly end of the county, penetrates about twenty-eight miles ; and Peconic bay, which is a continuation of the same bay, about twelve miles farther. The former contains Shelter Island, Gard- ner's Island, &c. and the latter, Hog and Plumb islands.
The soil of Suffolk, in general, is light, being mostly sandy loams, sand, and 'gravel. Nearly all the county may be termed alluvial.
Shelter island, containing about eight thousand acres, lies at the eastern extremity of the county. Great Hog island, half a mile southerly of it, is three miles and a half long. Gardner's island , contains twenty-five hundred acres. ... It was called by the Mon- tauks Manchano ck. Plumb is three miles long and one broad. The Montauks called Shelter island La-han-sac-a-quat-wo-mac, that is, the island sheltered by other islands. Fisher's island is nine miles north-easterly of Plumb island, and is nine miles long and one broad,
¿ Sagg Harbour, a post village and port of entry in the north- easterly, corner of Southampton, the largest village in the county, contains. one hundred houses. It has a good harbour, and is dis- tant from the city of New-York one hundred miles.
There are no streams in the county that deserve notice in a work of this kind.
JA QUEENS Jies west of Suffolk, and is bounded on the north by Long Island Sound, on the east by Suffolk, on the south by the .Atlantic ocean, and on the west by Kings. It contains about three bondred and fifty-five square miles, or two hundred and twenty- seven thousand two hundred acres of land. Queens. is about ; twenty-five miles in length, from east to west, and, where broadest, snineteen in an opposite direction. It embraces nearly one third of the island. Its surface is either flat or moderately diversified.
:The northern part is primitive and the southern alluvial. , Hemp- sted plains, which are fifteen miles in length, and from three to six ... in breadth, are in the latter. .. The ridge, denominated the spine of : Long Island, runs through this county. Harbour-hill, the most elevated point is three hundred and nineteen feet above the level
1
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3.
STATE OF NEW-YORK.
of the ocean. The soil of this county is generally better than that of Suffolk. The improved lands comprise one hundred and forty- four thousand eight hundred and ninety-three acres, which fall rather under seven-elevenths. The population,- in. 1825, was twenty thousand three hundred and thirty-one; which would give about fifty-seven inhabitants to every square mile. .... .... ... V
Queens was erected into a county November 1st, 1683. Its principal villages are Flushing, Newton, and Jamaica ... The towns amount to sixteen.
KINGS is bounded on the east by Queens, on the south by Ja- maica bay and the Atlantic ocean, on the west by, the Narrows, which separate it from Staten Island, and on the north-west-by New-York Bay and East River. The latter: river, separates .it from New-York, or Manhattan island. Its area: contains - about eighty-one square miles, or fifty-two thousand ; one hundred and sixty acres of land. After Richmond . and New-York, it is the smallest county in the state. Kings, in 1825, contained fourteen thousand six hundred and seventy-nine inhabitants .... The. impro- ved land, in the same year, comprised twenty-four thousand four hundred and twenty-seven acres. The population to every, square mile is one hundred and eighty-one.
Kings was erected into a county November 1st, 1683. Its sur- face is level, or very moderately undulated. The soil is mostly a sandy loam, and not productive, unless rendered so; by the aid of manures and good husbandry. Kings is subdivided into six towns. The largest village is Brooklyn, opposite to the city of New-York. Ius situation, in some respects, is nearly equal to that of New-York. Its population is probably nine thousand ....
Barren Island, lying at the. mouth of Jamaica bay, is three or four miles long. Fort Fayette, constructed lately at the Narrows, is in this county. The works of defence erected on Brooklyn heights, by the British during the revolution, are now in ruins. The battle of Long Island, fought in August, 1776, between the Americans and British, was in the town of Brooklyn. ; \\\" !:
In 1665, the English called Long Island Yorkshire, and distri- buted it into three ridings, the east, north, and west. They very
.
HISTORY OF THE
nearly corresponded with its present divisions. The natives called this island Matowacs.
RICHMOND, comprehending Staten Island, lies southwesterly of the city of New-York. . It is bounded, on the east by New- York bay and the Narrows, which divide it from Long Isl- and, on the south by Sandy Hook bay, on the west by a strait, which separates it from New Jersey, and on the north by Newark bay and Arthur kull Sound or the Kills. Its length is fourteen miles, and its greatest breadth eight. It contains seventy-seven square miles, or forty-nine thousand two hundred and eighty acres of land. The improved lands comprise twenty-two thousand one hundred and seventy-eight acres. The population was five thou- sand nine hundred and thirty-two, in 1825, which gives an average of seventy-seven persons to every square mile. Richmond is sub- divided into four towns. The only village of moment is at the Quarantine, and that is small. Prince's bay, at the south end of the island, affords a convenient harbour for vessels.
Staten Island was occupied and fortified by the British during the revolutionary war. ' The possession of this island is of vital im- portance to the state, since he that is possessed of it can command the city of New-York.
The city and county of NEW-YORK comprise Manhattan island and some smaller islands lying in East River and New-York bay. Manhattan island is fourteen miles and a half in length, from north north east to south southwest, and from half a mile to two miles in breadth, in a contrary direction, containing twenty-two square miles, or fourteen thousand and eight acres of land. It is be- tween forty degrees and forty-two minutes, and forty degrees and fifty-two minutes north latitude. It is bounded eastwardly by Harlem river and East river, which respectively separate it from Westchester and Long Island, southwardly by New-York bay, westwardly by the Hudson, and northwardly by Harlem river, ly- ing between it and Westchester. Harlem river is a mere strait, extending from a point on the Hudson to one on the East river. In regard to territory, this is the least county in the state. The
:
5
STATE OF NEW-YORK.
1
improved land (we presume exclusive of that on which the city of New-York stands) is five thousand seven hundred and eighty-five acres. The population, according to the census of 1825, was one hundred and sixty-six thousand and eighty-six. The city alone, at present, is computed to contain two hundred thousand. The surface of the island, particularly the northern part, is considerably diversified with hills. The soil is mostly a sandy loam, thinly spread over the primitive rocks, which often rise above it in bare masses. It is, unless well manured, but very moderately produc- Live.
New-York was erected into a county the 1st of November, 1083. Colonel Dongan was then governor of the colony. The first settlement made in the state was in this county in the year- 1614-but of this hereafter.
The British, after the battle on Long Island, in August, 1776, cod the capture of Fort Washington, by capitulation, in the same month, occupied the whole island till the 25th of November, 1783. Fort Washington, which is crumbling to dust, stood near the north end of the island. Its brave garrison repulsed the British, who attempted to carry it by storm, with great slaughter.
Besides the city of New York, the island .contains the villages of Harlem, Manhattenville, Bloomingdale and Yorkville.
The following islands are attached to the county of New-York, lo wit : Governor's island, in New-York bay, distant from the bat- tery half a mile, containing seventy acres-the property of the island is in the United States. It is well fortified. Ellis, and Bed- how's islands are also in the same bay, but they are very small. Blackwell's and Purcell's islands are in East river, near Hell Gate. Great Barn island is in the same river : it is three quarters of a mile in length, and nearly the same in breadth.
Having described the maritime counties, we shall proceed to those situated in the basin of the Hudson. We use the term ba- sin. By this is meant the entire surface of a country, from whence a main river, falling into the ocean, derives its waters. Thus when we say the basin of the Hudson, we are to be under- stood as including the whole country drained by that river and its
---------------
HISTORY OF THE.
'confluents." The basins which we shall notice, besides that of the Hudson, are those of the Delaware, Susquebanna, and St. Law- rence. However, as only parts of those basins are within the state, our remarks will be mostly confined to those parts. In describing the counties on the Alleghany we shall speak of them as being in the valley of that river. The Alleghany, if the reader remember our description of it, is the main branch of the Ohio, a tributary of the Mississippi.
The counties in the basin of the Hudson, are, Westchester, Put- nam, Dutchess. Columbia, Rensselaer, and Washington, on the east side of that river; and Rockland, Orange, Ulster, Green, Alba- ny, and Saratoga, on the west side. Warren, lying north of Sara- toga, and northwesterly of Washington is on both sides. Hamil- ton is on the Hudson and Sacondaga. Schenectady is on the Mo- hawk. Montgomery is mostly on the same river. Schoharie is on the creek of that name. Herkimer and Oneida are mostly on the Mohawk. All the settlements of Herkimer are, in a measure, on that river. Westchester is partly maritime, but we have inclu- ded it in the basin of the Hudson.
WESTCHESTER, the lowest of the counties in the basin of the Hudson, is bounded northerly by Putnam, eastwardly by the state of Connecticut and Long Island Sound, southerly by East river, and westerly by Harlem and Hudson rivers. The former river er strait divides it from Manhattan Island. It is forty-three miles in length, from north to south, and from five to twenty-three miles. in breadth, from east to west, and contains about five hundred square miles, equal to three hundred and twenty thousand acres. lis population rather exceeds sixty-six inhabitants for every square mile. The land improved comprises two hundred and thirty-nine thousand one hundred and fifty-eight acres, being very nearly three-fourths of the whole. Westchester is subdivided into twenty- one towns. It was erected into a county the 1st of November, 1683.
The surface of Westchester is diversified with mountains, hills, plains and valleys. One branch of the Taconic mountain runs through the easterly part of the county. The country west of this
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