USA > New York > Westchester County > A history of the county of Westchester, from its first settlement to the present time > Part 14
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& Luther Kinnicut served in the capacity of a spy to General Washington during the Revolution, see page 12.
b Mr. Wright occupies the estate formerly owned by James Bailey.
This gentleman is the son of John Titus, and great grandson of Samuel Titus, whose father, Edmund, was born in England, in 1630, and came from Mas- sachusetts to Long Island, in 1650. SeeThompson's Long Island, vol. ii. 54.
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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
and Mead. Stages during the summer months, leave this place daily for Lake Mahopack,a a distance of five miles. Nearly oppo- site the depot, the two main branches of the Croton river unite.
The Presbyterian Society was first organized here, in 1833, under the pastoral charge of the Rev. Joseph Nimmo. A neat and commodions church edifice has been recently erected, to which is attached a small parsonage and grave yard.b
Church Memoranda.
1847, Communicants, 25, Baptisms, 2.
Bordering the Croton river, are the estates and residences of Mr. Silas Finch, Mr. Edwin Crosby and Thomas R. Lee, Esq. The latter gentleman represented (in 1842) this county in assem- bly.
Within a short distance of the village, is situated the property of the late Lewis Brown, Esq., whose grandfather, Hachaliah Brown of Rye, purchased these lands under the heirs of Ste- phanus van Cortlandt, in 1760. His son Elbert, at present, re- sides on the estate.
West Somers, as its name imports, is situated to the west of Somerstown Plains. It is a scattered hamlet, containing a store, a post office, and a commodious hotel belonging to the Messrs. Charles and William Teed.
The neighborhood of West Somers is exceedingly beautiful, commanding a rich view of the Plains and Plum Brook val- ley.
To the west of this place lies the valley of the Muscoota, through which meanders the Muscoota river. The margins of this lovely stream are adorned in many places with thick wood- land and bold hills, which constrain it into an endless variety of windings, at every turn, presenting new features. South of
a " Lake Mahopack is a beautiful sheet of water, lying in the town of Carmel, Putnam Co .; it is about one mile in diameter, in which are embosomed two or three small islands. The waters abound with various kinds of fish of fine flavor, which are taken in great quantities." Disturnell's Gazetteer of N. Y. Lake Ma. hopack is situated 150 feet above Croton falls-Editor.
b This church is at present connected with the Bedford Presbytery.
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Bedell's mill pond its waters form a succession of rapids, which enter the Croton a little below Woodsbridge, near the junction of Cross and Croton rivers. The running supply of the Mus- coota is said to be at a fair calculation 3,628,800 gallons per diem.
Upon this stream are placed che grist and saw mill of W. S. Tompkins, the cloth dressing establishment of Reuben C. Var- nall, the grist, saw and fulling mill of Munson Perry, and the grist and saw mill of Isaac Bedle.
On the Mill Brook, a branch of the Muscoota, are situated the paper mills of William Wallace and Abraham H. Miller,
Angle Fly Brook, a celebrated trout stream, which rises on the lands of Mr. Tompkins, is a tributary of the Muscoota river.
On the east side of Primrose street are situated the residences of Samuel Teed, William Marshall and Ray Tompkins, Esqs. The latter individual is the second son of the Hon. Daniel D. Tompkins. In his possession is an excellent portrait of the Governor by Waldo and Jewett.
Mount Zion Methodist Episcopal Church in Primrose street was erected, cir. 1794, and appears to have been incorporated on the 20th May, 1828. Henry Clift, Aaron Brown, James Phil- lips, Samuel S. Ferguson and Samuel Pedwick trustees.
In the grave yard are interred the remains of
MARGARET, wife of ENOCH CROSBY, EsQ., formerly the wife of Colonel BENJAMIN GREEN, deceased, Died March 22, 1825, Aged 64 years, 3 months, and 20 days.
The above mentoned lady was the second wife of the well- known "Westchester Spy." By her side is a plain marble mo- nument inscribed,
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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
In Memory of COL. BENJAMIN GREEN, who died October 6, 1812, Aged 56 years and 2 months.
Upon Plum Brook are situated the saw mills of Messrs. Sylvanus Kniffen and Jacob Ruxer, also the saw and grist mill of Robert Halleck. This stream has its source in the northern part of the town, and running through the town, passes into the Croton at Woodsbridge. There are few historical notices of im- portance in connection with Somers, except that during the Re- volution, General Washington lay encamped for sometime on the high hills east of the village, in the vicinity of Mr. Reuben Wright's house.
" The surface of Somers is uneven in part, with some exten- sive plains ; soil, various, but mostly well adapted to grass and grain."a " The farms are large, and the inhabitants industrious and wealthy. The growth of wood is similar to that in the neighboring towns." The high lands in the north-eastern part of the town are said to abound with iron ore of good quality.
a See Disturnell's Gazetteer of N. Y.
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HISTORY OF THE
WESTCHESTER.
THE township of Westchesterª is situa- ted sixteen miles south of the village of White Plains, distant twelve miles from New York, and one hundred and fifty from Albany ; bounded on the north by St. Peter's Church, Westchester. Eastchester, east by the Eastchester bay or Long Island Sound, south by the East River, and west by the Bronx. "Its form is defined by waters on three sides, and of course irregular, but its medial extent north and south may be four miles, and east and west about two and a half; with an area of nearly ten square miles."b Prior to 1846
a This name is probably derived from the city of the same title in Cheshire, Eng- land. "Not far from the mouth of the Dee in Cheshire, (says Camden,) stands that noble city, which Ptolemy calls Deunana and Antoninus, Deva, from the river ; the Britons Caer-Legion, &c., and by way of pre-eminence Caer ; as our ancestors the Saxons called it Legeacerca, from the legion there, and we more contractly Westchester, from its westerly situation, and simply Chester according to that verse,
Cestria de Castris nomen quasi Castria sumpsit. Chester from Caster (or the camp) was named.
A more appropriate name could not have been selected, as it was situated west of the New England settlements.
৳ Spafford's Gazetteer.
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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
this town embraced West Farms, and the manors of Morrisania and Fordham.
Like the adjoining lands, Westchester was originally purchased by the Dutch West India Company, of the Mohegan sachems and other Indians, who claimed it in 1640.a
Upon the 14th of November, 1654, Thomas Pell of Fairfield, Connecticut, obtained a second grant from the aboriginal propri- etors, which also embraced the present town. Thirty years later we find the sachems Maminepoe and Wampage conveying to the inhabitants of Westchester " all that tract of land lying on the east side of Bronckses river."
The principal Indian settlements in this town, were located upon Castle Hill neck and about Bear swamp.b The former is said to have been the site of an Indian castle. On the south-east side of Spicer's neck is situated " Burying Point," their place - of sepulture. The extensive " shell banks" on the shores of the East river, afford evidence that the aboriginal population must at one time have been very considerable.
Westchester " was probably first settled in 1642, by a Mr. John Throckmorton and thirty-five associates, who came from New England, with the approbation of the Dutch authorities."c By the Dutch it was denominated " Vredeland," or the " Land of Peace," " a meet appellation (says the historian of the New Netherlands,) for the spot selected as a place of refuge by those who were bruised and broken down by religious persecution."d
In reply to John Throckmorton's petition, soliciting permission to settle down within the limits of the New Netherlands, is the following license, dated 2d October, 1642.
" Whereas Mr. Throckmorton, with his associates, solicits to settle with thirty five families within the limits of the jurisdiction of their High Mighti-
a Alb. Rec. vol. ii. 147.
b The aborigines maintained possession here as late as 1789. The site of their wigwams is now owned by Mr. Jesse Ryer. In this vicinity is a small excavation cut out of a granite rock, (in the form of a mortar,) used by the Indians in pound- ing their corn.
c Hist. Collections of N. Y. by John Barber and Henry Howe.
d O'Callaghan's Hist. N. N. 258.
VOL. II. 19
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HISTORY OF THE
nesses, to reside there in peace and enjoy the same privileges as our other subjects, and be favored with the free exercise of their religion ; having seen the petition of the aforesaid Throckmorton, and consulted with the interests of the Company, as this request can by no means be injurious to the country, more so as the English are to settle at a distance of three miles from us, so it is granted. Mr. Throckmorton, with thirty-five English families, are permitted to settle within three miles of Amsterdam."a
Upon the 6th of July, 1643, the following " land brief" was granted to Jan Throckmorton, &c.
" We, William Kieft, director general, and the council, in behalf of their high mighty lords, the States General of the United Netherlands, his highness the Prince of Orange, and the noble lords, the managers of the General In- corporated West India Company in New Netherlands residing, by these pre- sents, do publish and declare that we, on this day the date underwritten, have given and granted unto Jan Throckmorton a piece of land, (being a portion of Vredeland,) containing as follows, along the East river of New Netherlands, extending from the point half a mile, which piece of land aforesaid is sur- rounded on one side by a little river, and on the other side by a great hill, which river and hill on high water running, meet each other, surround the said land, as will more clearly appear by a map of the same which has been made and marked off by the surveyor, with the express conditions and terms that the said Jan Throckmorton, or they who by virtue of these presents shall succeed to his action, the noble lords, the managers aforesaid, shall acknow- ledge as their lords and patroons, under the sovereignty of the high and mighty lords, the States General, and unto their director and council here, shall in all things be confirmed as all good citizens are in duty bound ; provided also that the said Jan Throckmorton and his company (associates) shall fur- thermore be subject to all such burdens and imposts, as already have been enacted by the noble lords, and hereafter may yet be enacted. It is further- more made an express condition that the aforesaid Jan Throckmorton, ac- cording to promise, shall settle on the aforesaid lands as many families as may offer in the same manner, constituting over the said Throckmorton and his company, in our stead, in the real and actual possession of the aforesaid piece of land, lying on the East river aforesaid, giving them by these presents the full and irrevocable might, authority, and special permission the aforesaid par- cel of land to enter, cultivate, inhabit, and occupy, in like manner as he may lawfully do with other his patrimonial lands and effects, without our, the gran- tors in quality aforesaid, thereunto any longer having, reserving or saving any part, action, or control whatever, but to the behoof as aforesaid, from all as-
· Alb. Rec. from 1638 to 1642.
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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
sisting from this time forth and forever, promising moreover this transport firmly, invariably, and irrevocably to maintain, fulfil, and execute, and to do all that in equity we are bound to do. Done in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherlands, this 6th day of July, 1643.
" WILLIAM KIEFT.
" By order of the noble lords, the directors and council of the New Netherlands.
" CORNELIS TIENHOVEN, Secretary."a
This grant, subsequently called Throckmorton's neck, em- braced the eastern part of the present town. It was bounded on the north by Eastchester neck, on the east by the Eastchester bay and Long Island sound, on the south by the East river, and on the west by the Westchester creek.
John Throckmorton, the patentee, originally emigrated from England to Nantaskett, Massachusetts, 5th February, 1631, in the ship Lyon; from this place he removed to Salem in 1639; he afterwards became a Baptist, and a resident of Rhode Island.b From Rhode Island he fled to Vredeland that he might enjoy here (among the Dutch) the free exercise of his religious prin- ciples.
The Throckmorton family derive their name from Throcke- mertona, (Throckmorton) or the Rockmoor town, which is situ- ated in the vale of Evesliam, Worcester county, England. John Throckinorton was lord of the manor of Throckmorton, about sixty years after the Norman conquest. The etymology of the name is either British or Saxon, which shows that they held this property before that period. Eighth in descent from John Throck- morton, lord of 'Throckmorton in 1130, was John Throckmorton, lord of Throckmorton's neck, Vredeland, who left issue John Throckmorton. 'The patentee is now represented by the Throck- mortons of Middletown, New Jersey. Several members of the 'Throckmorton family appear to have fallen in the Indian massa- cre which took place on the 6th of October, 1643.c Upon the 29th of April, 1652, John Throckmorton petitioned the director
a Alb. Rec. G. G. 98. Ibid. 173, 4.
' Farmers' Register.
e See page 514. The war between the Dutch and the Indians of Westchester continued throughout 1644. Alb. Rec. vol, xx. 56.
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HISTORY OF THE
general for leave to transport Throckmorton's neck. In October following permission was granted, whereupon he conveyed the same to Augustine Hermans.a
On the 5th of December, 1656, Governor Stuyvesant ordered that Throckmorton's and Cornhill's neck (Clason's Point,) might come into their jurisdiction if they please.b
Augustine Hermans, soon after his purchase, conveyed fifty morgen of land situated on Throckmorton's neck, to Thomas Hunt. In 1665 the town of Westchester asserted " that she had always enjoyed Throckmorton's neck."c
The following abstract is taken from a cause in the court of assize, September, 1666, wherein Augustine Hermans was plain- tiff, for usurpation of rights ; and the inhabitants of ye town of Westchester, defendants.
Mr. Rider, - Sharpe, Attorneys for ye Plaintiff, &c.
" They produce the patent to Throckmorton transported to Augustinus Hermans.
" A mappe of ye neck of land is viewed.
" Thomas Hunt, sen., his deposition read, and his deed from Augustinns Hermans.
" A copy of an order is produced by the defendant, made by the Dutch gov- ernor, bearing date July 9th, 1657, wherein its exprest that Westchester shall have four English, or one Dutch mile square of land for the towne, which must be taken of this neck. There is also mention inade on ye said order of a reservation of one hundred or fifty morgen for Throckmorton's and Cornell's neck, for a farme upon each.
Another order brought in by them, dated 1660, viz., that all persons shall remove from their out farmes, which were at a distance, and settle in townes.
Another writing, acknowledged before Mr. van Ruyven, of ye plaintiff's making over his interest in ye land in question to Thomas Hunt, sen.
The court adjudge in lieu of all ye plaintiff's pretences to Throckmorton's neck, hee shall only have fifty morgen of land thereupon, with meadow pro- porconable : thirty-four morgen whereof, with a due proporcon of meadow, being that which was heretofore sold by the plaintiff to Thomas Hunt, sen., who is in possession thereof. The other fifteen morgen at the sale reserved
a Rec. of Assize, vol. ii. 59.
b Alb. Rec. Courts of Assize, vol. i. 60.
€ Alb. Rec. Courts of Assize, vol. ii. 60.
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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
by the plaintiff, and making up the complement of the fifty, is to be sett out upon the said neck, with its proporcon of meadow, by the governor's order, and not otherwise, saving the right which Mr. Spicer shall hereafter make appeare to have therein, and the remainder of Throckmorton's neck is to bee at ye governor's disposall. It appearing not to this court that ye towne of Westchester hath any lawful pretence thereunto, the defendants are likewise to pay the charge of suite."&
Upon the 12th of September, 1666, a warrant was granted unto Mr. Augustine Hermans against the inhabitants of West- chester, by Governor Richard Nicolls.b
On the 7th January, 1667, Richard Nicolls granted to Roger Townsend " a certain parcel of land within the limits of West- chester, upon the maine, situate, lying, and being on ye back side of Throckmorton's neck, at ye south-east end thereof, com- monly called New Found Passage, containing fifteen acres, as also a small neck near thereto adjoining, commonly called Horse- neck, being about the same quantity of land, which is not in oc- cupation."
In 1669, thirty acres of land on Throckmorton's neck were granted to Mrs. Micah Spicer.c
Upon the 12th of January, 1686, Spicer's and Brockett's necks (commonly called the grove farm,) were confirmed by letters patent, under the great seal of the province, to Thomas Hunt, in the following manner.
GROVE FARM PATENT.
Thomas Dongan, Captain General, Governor in chief and Vice Admiral in and over the Province of New York and territories depending thereon in America, under his Majesty James the Second, by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, &c., &c., &c., Defender of the Faith, &c., to all to whom these presents shall come, sendeth greeting : Whereas Thomas Hunt of the Westchester in the Co. of W. C. stands seized of an estate in fee simple, or one messuage or tenement, and a certain
a Alb. Assize Rec. vol. i. 129.
b Alb. Assize Rec. vol. i. 46.
· The Spicers and Brockets were doubtless some of the associates of John Throck- morton. At a court of assizes held November 5th, 1669, Mrs. Micah Spicer sued for thirty acres of land on Throckmorton's neck. Assize Rec. 225.
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HISTORY OF THE
tract or parcel of land and meadow ground, lying, sitnate and being within the limits or bounds of the town of Westchester afuresaid, on two certain necks of land called by the name and names of Spicer's neck and Brockett's neck, wh said messuage or tenement and parcel of land and premises is now called and distinguished and known hy the name of the Grove Farm of Westches- ter, being bounded on the east by a certain cove or bay which runs up to the north part of Spicer's neck, on the south by the Sound, on the west by the harbour and river that runs up to the sd town of Westchester, and on the north by a swamp and a certain creek wh runs into the sd river and divides the lands called Throgmorton's neck from Spicer's neck aforesaid ; Know yee 'That by virtue of the commission and authority from his most sacred Majesty and power in me being and residing, in consideration of the quit rent herein after reserved, and other good and lawful considerations me thereunto move- ing, I have given, granted, ratified and confirmed, and by these presents do give, grant, ratify and &c., &c., &c., confirmed unto the said Thomas Hunt, his heirs and assigns, for ever, all the before recited messages or tenements and tract or parcel of land and premises with their and every of their appur- tenances together with all and singular houses, out-houses, barns, stables, orchards, gardens, yards, lands, meadows, meadow grounds, marshes, pas- tures, fields, woods, wood lands, under-woods, waters, lakes, creeks, coves, hunting, hawking, fishing and fowling, and all other proffits and comodity, easments, emoluments, hereditaments and appurtenances, to the above gran- ted messuage, lands and premises belonging or in any wise. &c., &c., apper- taining, as also liberty and the freedom of commonage for all sorts of cattle, cutting of timber and fire wood in the commons and common wood lands of Westchester aforesaid, as other the inhabitants of the said town of Westches- ter do or may enjoy, to have and to hold the said messuage or tenement, tract or parcel of land and premises, with all and singular the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging or appertaining, and herein before granted and confirmed unto the said Thomas Hunt, his heirs and assigns for ever, un- to the sole and only proper use, benefit and behoof of him the said Thomas Hunt, his heirs, and assigns for ever ; and I the said Thomas Dongan do fur- ther will, declare and grant to the said Thomas Hunt, his heirs and assigns, that the message lands and premises herein above granted and confirmed, shall and may at all time and times, &c., &c., hereafter for ever hold, use, retain and keep the name of the Grove Farm of Westchester, and by that name, style, to be known, called and distinguished in all bargains, sales, es- cripts, deeds, records and writings ; the said messuage or tenements, lands and premises to bee holden of his most sacred Majesty, his heirs and succes- sors, in free and common soccage, according to the tenure of East Green- wich, in the county of Kent, in his Majesty's kingdom of England, yielding, rendering and paying therefor yearly and every year unto his said most sacred Majesty, his heirs and successors, or to such officer or officers as shall from time to time be empowered to receive the same, viz. one bushell of good win-
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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
ter wheat as a quit rent, on or before the five and twentieth day of March, at the city of New York, in lieu and stead of all services, dues and demands whatsoever. In testimony of the premises I have caused these presents to be recorded in the secretary's office, and the seal of the Province to be hereunto affixed, the &c., &c., &c., twelfth day of January, in the second year of his Majesty's reign, and in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred eighty and six.a
THOMAS DONGAN.
By his Majesty's command.
G. S. Swinton.
In 16SS, William Barnes and Martha his wife conveyed lands on Throckmorton's neck, (situate near those of Robert Huestis) to Thomas Bedient.b
Thomas Hunt, senr., by his will bearing date 1694, " be- queathed to his grandson Josiah Hunt, eldest son of my son Jo- siah Hunt, " the Grove Farm, to him and his heirs male, which was patented to me by Governor Nicolls 4th December, 1667, and further entails the same to the said Josiah and his heirs male lawfully begotten from generation to generation."
The Grove Farm is now owned by the Ferrises, into which family it passed by the marriage of John Ferris with Hannah Hunt.
At an early period James Rivington (the celebrated printer and bookseller of New Yorkc) held considerable property on Throck- morton's neck. The successors of the Rivingtons were the Bay- ards, a family of considerable opulence and distinction. Samuel Vetch Bayard " served under the Crown of England, and was a distinguished military officer. He died in Wilmot, Nova Scotia, A. D. 1832, aged seventy-five." Bayard purchased of Rivington the property now owned by Daniel Edgar, Esq.
* From the original in the possession of Mr. Charlton Ferris.
b Co. Rec. Lib. A. 250.
e Rivington " was possessed of fine talents, polite manners, and was well inform- ed. This is apparent from the correspondence of several of the leaders on the po- pular side, as well as from what has been here said, that his tact and ability in con- dneting a newspaper was much feared, and that his press had more influence over the public mind than any other in the royal interest in the country. Rivington died in 1802, æt. 78." See Sabine's American Loyalists.
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HISTORY OF THE
The grandsons of Colonel Samuel Vetch Bayard (who still re- side in the vicinity) are William Bayard, M. D., of West Farms, and Mr. Edward Cooper of Throckmorton's neck.
A portion of Col. Bayard's estate was subsequently purchased by his brother William Bayard. The whole property is now divided among numerous individuals.
The second grantee under the Dutch, (in this town) was Thomas Cornhill or Cornell, who obtained the following "grond brief," or grant in 1646.
" We William Kieft, Director General, and the Council on the behalf of the High and Mighty Lords, the States General of the United Netherlands, the Prince of Orange and the noble Lords, the Managers of the incorporated West India Company in New Netherlands residing, by these presents do publish and declare that we, on this day the date underwritten, have given and granted unto Thomas Cornell a certain piece of land lying on the East River, begin- ning from the kill of Bronck's land east south east along the river, extending about half a Dutch mile from the river till to a little creek over the valley (marsh) which runs back around this land ; with the express condition and terms that the said Thomas Cornell, or they who to his action hereafter may succeed, the noble Lords the Managers aforesaid, shall acknowledge as their Lords and Patroons under the sovereignty of the High and Mighty Lords the States General, and unto their Director and Council here shall in all things be confirmed as all good citizens are in duty bound, provided also that he shall be furthermore subject to all such burdens and imposts as by their noble Lords already have been enacted, or such as hereafter may yet be enacted, consti- tuting over the same the aforesaid Thomas Cornell in our stead in the real and actual possession of the aforesaid piece of land, giving him by these pre- sents the full might, authority, and special license, the aforesaid piece to en- ter, cultivate, inhabit and occupy in like manner as he may lawfully do with other his patrimonial lands and effects, without our the grantors in the quality as aforesaid thereunto any longer having, reserving or saving any part, action or control whatever, but to the behoof as aforesaid for all destiny, for this time and for ever more, promising furthermore this their transport firmly, in- violably and irrevocably to maintain, fulfil and execute, and furthermore to do all that in equity we are bound to do without fraud or deceit, these presents only as undersigned and confirmed with our seal of red wax here underneath suspended.
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