USA > New York > Westchester County > A history of the county of Westchester, from its first settlement to the present time > Part 2
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It appears that one of the principal objects in this sudden foray of the enemy, was the surprisal of Major Ebenezer Lock- wood, before mentioned, for wliose head forty guineas had been offered. The day previous, however, Luther Kinnient, a spy in the employ of the committee of public safety, gave notice of the intended attack, and advised the major to be on his guard. The night being very dark and stormy, Colonel Sheldon did not expect the enemy ; he nevertheless ordered the horses to be tied up in readiness.
& The descendants of this individual still reside in the vicinity.
৳ The British " would not suffer the family to take any thing away." See New York Journal, for Holts account of the action.
« Heath's Mem. 208.
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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
To General Heath's account of the action, we append the re- port of Lt. Col. Tarleton to Sir Henry Clinton.
Dated, Camp on the Bronx, July 2, 1779, eleven P. M.
Sir : --
I have the honor to inform your excellency, that I moved with the detach- ment you were pleased to entrust me with, consisting of seventy of the 17th light dragoons, part of the legion infantry and cavalry, Queen's rangers, Hussars and some mounted yagers, in all about two hundred, at half past 11 o'clock last night. The weather being remarkably bad, prevented my making North Castle church before 4 o'clock next morning, where I received con- firmation of my intelligence relative to the numbers and situation of Sheldon's regiment and one hundred Continental foot, but no tidings of Moyland's regiment of dragoons. I pursued my route through Bedford to Poundridge, without any material occurrence, in the district of the ridge, and within three hundred yards of the enemy, who were not alarmed. My guide in front, mis- took the road ; another guide informed me of the error, and it was rectified as soon as possible." The enemy's vidette had noticed our passing their front. The whole regiment was mounted and formed behind the meeting house. An attack was instantly made by the advanced guard, consisting of the 17th light dragoons, the ground not allowing more than seven or eight in front. The enemy did not stand the charge ; a general route ensued. The difficulties of the country, und their being no possibility of obtaining their rear, enabled the great- est part of the regiment to escape. The pursuit continued for four miles on the Stamford and Salem roads. The loss of men in Sheldon's dragoons, upon en- quiry and comparison of accounts, I estimate at twenty-six or twenty-seven killed, wounded and prisoners. But their disgrace in the loss of the stand- ard of the regiment and of helmets, arms and accoutrements, was great. A part of the officers and regimental baggage fell into our hands. I have hitherto omitted mentioning the militia to the amount of one hundred and twenty, who, together with the Continental foot, broke and dispersed at the appearance of the king's troops. The militiaa assembled again on eminences and in swamps, and before we quitted the ground on which the first charge was made, they fired at great distances. We were successful in killing, wounding and taking fifteen of them, the rest hovered almost out of our sight. The inveteracy of the inhabitants of Poundridge and near Bedford, in firing from houses and out houses, obliged (us) to burn some of their meeting and some of their dwelling houses, with stores. I proposed to the militia, terms, that if they would not fire shots from buildings, I would not burn. They interpreted iny mild pro- posal wrong, imputing it to fear. They persisted in firing till the torch stopped their progress, after which not a shot was fired."
With pleasure I relate to your excellency, that the loss sustained by his
a Major Leavenworth commanded the militia.
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HISTORY OF THE
majesties troops is trifling, one hussar of the legion killed, one wounded, one horse of the 17th dragoons killed. The whole of the detachment, except the above, being returned to camp. The infantry of the legion mounted on horses, were extremely fatigued by a march of sixty-four miles, in twenty-three hours.
I have the honor to be, &c. Signed, BANASTRE TARLETON, Lt. Col. British Legion.
The following additional particulars respecting this engage- ment, are contained in a letter from an officer (of Sheldon's regi- ment as supposed) dated at Salem, July 3rd, 1779.
" Yesterday morning about sunrise, a detachment of the second regiment of light dragoons, consisting of ninety men, commanded by Col. Sheldon, posted near Poundridge meeting house, was notified of the advance of the enemy by our videttes. Our horses being previously saddled and bridled, the men were ordered immediately to mount. As soon as we were paraded, the enemy's horse were discovered rapidly advancing, about three or four hundred in number.
The enemy having driven in our advanced parties, they began the charge on the detachment, which from the great superiority of the enemy, was obliged to move off. The enemy pushed hard on our rear for more than two miles, in the course of which, a scattering fire was kept up between their advance and our rear, and a constant charge with the sword, the country through which we passed being very mountainous and rocky, caused many of our horses to blunder and fall, which occasioned some to fall into the hands of the enemy. We immediately collected some of the militia, and began to pursue the enemy, following them below North Castle church. They moved off with such great precipitation, that we could not come up with them. Before the enemy moved off, they burnt the meeting house at Poundridge, and the dwelling house of Benjamin Hays, at Bedford. They (as usual) plundered most of the houses they came to and set fire to several houses which were fortunately extin- guished. Our loss on this occasion, was ten wounded, eight missing and twelve horses missing. The enemy's loss, one killed, wounded uncertain, four prisoners, four horses taken and one ditto killed."
The general surface of Poundridge, is uneven, and much of it stony, but having a due admixture of arable, with pasture and mea- dow lands ; it forms a tolerable productive agricultural township. The soil consists principally of a gravelly loam, and is well adapted to grass and pasturage. It is also excellent for orchards and fruit trees of all kinds. The growth of wood consists of white, red and black oak, hickory and chesnut, &c. The northern portion of the
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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
town is occupied by a steep and lofty ridge of mountains, called the Stony Hills, which run principally in a northeast direction, for the space of three or four miles. The sides of these craggy mountains, intermixed with small treesand bushes, exhibit a variety of fantastic forms, presenting one of the wildest scenes in Westchester county. At their base, are luxuriant valleys watered with numerous streams. Upon the northeast side of the town is a singular chain of ponds, the largest of which is called Cross pond ; it is supplied by several springs, and has its outlet in Cross river. The other ponds in succession, are the Round pond, the Middle pond and the Lower pond, all communicating with one another. From the Lower pond, is an outlet into Tatomuck river, which empties into the sound at Stamford in Connecticut. The south western part of the town is richly interspersed with hills and valleys, and much running water.
16
HISTORY OF THE
RYE.
THIS township is situated directly in the south east angle of Westchester county, bordering the sound, bounded on the east by the state of Connecticut and the Byram river, on the south by the sound, and on the west and north by the townships of Harrison and Northcastle.
In the year 1660, the lands of Rye were in the possession of Shanasock well or Shanorocke (as he subsequently signed his name) an independent chieftain of the Siwanoys, whose clan formed a portion, if not one of the Mohegan tribes itself, of the " sea coast." This chief with his followers, was residing on the banks of the Hudson River, in 1661.
Poningoe, the Indian name of Rye, is apparently derived from Ponus, the title of the aboriginal proprietor of this territory, A. D. 1640. The final termination oe or oug, denoting locality.
Thus the whole word may emphatically express the place or locality of that Sachem's residence. Nothing however remains at this late period, to establish the connection with any degree of certainty. Ponus himself, was one of the ruling Sagamores of Rippowams, (Stamford) in 1640. This individual left issue, three sons, Owenoke, Taphance and Onox ; the latter had one son, Powhag.
The ruling Sagamore of Poningoe in 1681, appears to have been Maramaking, commonly known as Lame Will. His suc- cessor was Patthunck, who with his son Wappetoe Patthunck, granted to Joseph Horton in 1694, lands bordering the Mamar- neck river.
For the various localities within Poningoe, the Indians had other names. The meadows bordering the Armonck, (Byram) were called Haseco and Miosehassaky. The high ridge east of the Mockquams (Blind brook) Euketaupucuson and the territory west of the Mockquais, (embracing Rye neck) Apawquammis or Epawainos.a
Apwonnah is the Indian term for an oyster .- Colton's Indian vocabulary.
17
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
The Beaver Dam or Stony brook was styled in the Indian tongue Pockeotessen. The former existence of Indian habita- tions on the great neck of Poningoe is amply proved by the number of hunting and warlike weapons found in that neighbor- hood. The site of the principal Mohegan village was on or near Parsonage Point. In the same vicinity is situated " Burying Hill," their place of sepulture. The remains of six Indians were discovered on excavating the present foundations for Newberry Halstead's residence, which stands near the entrance of the great neck. The first grantees under the Indians of Poningoe, were the Dutch West India Company, who obtained a grant of the lands extending from Westchester to Greenwich, A. D. 1640.
By the provisional treaty of Hartford, in 1650, the boundary line between New England and New Netherlands was to com- mence upon Long Island, from the westernmost part of the Oyster Bay, so, and in a straight and direct line to the sea; and upon the main land, a line to begin upon the west side of Greenwich bay, being about four miles from Stamford, and so to run a northerly line twenty miles up into the country, and after as it shall be agreed by the two governments, of the Dutch and of New Haven, provided the said line come not within ten miles of Hudson's river.a
The successors of the Dutch West India Company in 1660, were John Coe, Peter Disbrow, and Thomas Studwell, who pur- chased of the Indians the island called Manussing, or Menne- wies.b The deed of sale bears date June 29, 1660.
" Be it known unto all men whom it may concerne, both Indians and En- glish, that we, Shanasockwell, sagamore Maowhoue and Cokensikoe, have sold unto Peter Disbrow, John Coe, Thomas Studwell, all living at this present at Grenege (Greenwich) to say a sartain parcell of land which these Indians above mentioned have sold, is called in the Indian name Menussing Island, and is near unto the main land, which is called in the Indian name Peningoe, this said island we above mentioned do here, by virtue of this bill, do sell all our right and title unto John Coe, Peter Disbrow, Thomas Studwell, quietly to enjoy from any molestation of us or any other Indians, to them and their heires, assignees, and executors for ever, and further we have given
a Hazard's State Papers, vol. ii. 218.
b Minnis denotes an island, in the Algonquin. VOL. II. 3
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HISTORY OF THE
unto Peter Disbrow, John Coe, and Thomas Studwell food for their cattle upon the main, called by the Indians Poningoe, and what timbers or trees that is for their use, and not to be molested by us or other Indians ; and we do hereby acknowledge to have received full satisfaction for this purchase of land above mentioned to-day. We have received eight coats and seven shirts, fifteen fathom of wampone, which is the full satisfaction for the parcel of land above mentioned ; and for the witness we have hereto put our hands.
Witness Joshua Knapp,
Henry Disbrow,
Feb. 23, 1678.
The marke of V Shanasockwek.
A Aranaque.
[ Cokow.
Z Wawatauman.
x Cokinseco.
66
3 Maswbort.
Z Quauaike.
66
L Aramapow.
66
S Wonanas.
Y Topogone.
66
W Matishes.
T Richard.
By another deed bearing date the 22d May, 1661, the Indians sold lands on the main to Peter Disbrow.
" Be it known to all men whom it may concerne, bothe English and Indians, that I, Cokoe, and Marrmeokhung, and Assawarwone, and Naktinneman, and Shocote, and Wauwhowarnt, doe acknowledge to have sold to Peter Disbrow, his heirs and assignees, a certain tract of land lying between Byram River and the Blind brook, which tract of land is bounded as followeth : viz., with the river called in English Byram River, beginning at the mouth of the above said river on the east, and the bounds of Hastings on the south and south- west, to the marked trees, and northward up to the marked trees, which may contain six or seven miles, from the sea along the said Biram River side northward, and so from the said river cross the neck northwest and west to the river called Blind brook, bounded northward with marked trees which leads down to Little brook, which runs into the Blind brook ; which tract of land I, Cokoe, and the above said Indians, ourselves, heirs, and assignees, do here promise and make good to the said Peter Disbrow, his heirs or assignees, peaceable and quiet possession for ever, without any molestation either from Dutch, Indians, or English. We the above said Indians have sold also this tract of land above mentioned, with all the trees, grass, springs, and minerals, with feed range and timber northward twenty English miles above the said purchase of lands, and do acknowledge to have received full satisfaction for the said land. In witness hereof we
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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
the above said Indians have set our hands this present day and date above written.
Witness John Coe, John H. Jayson.
Marmeukhung Z his marke. Assawauwane - his marke. Nantinneman S his marke. Cokoe A
The following year the Indians Shawannorocot and Rumkque made a further grant of territory.
" Know all men whom this may concerne that we, Peter Disbrow, John Coe, Thomas Studwell, and John Budd, have bargained, bought, and payd for, to the satisfaction of Showannowocot, Roksoktohkow and Pewahaham and other Indians, whose hands are underwritten, a certain tract of land above Westchester path, to the marked trees, bounded with the above said river, Blind brook, which tracts of land, with all the privileges, as woods, trees, grass, springs, mines and minerals, to the said Peter Disbrow, John Coe, Thomas Studwell, to them and their heirs forever, with a warrantie against all persons, English or Indians. To this bargain and sale we the above said Indians do bind ourselves, our heirs and assignees, to the above said Peter Disbrow, John Coe, and the rest abovesaid, to them, their heirs and assignees, for ever, as witness our hands this present day and date, June 2, 1662. Shuwannorocot 3 his marke. Rumkque o his marke.
April the 28th, 1663. Peter Disbrow, John Coe, Thomas Studwell and John Budd, by a deed of sale conveyed the island and main land to the following planters, Samuel Allen, Richard Lowe, Philip Galpin, Thomas Applebe, William Odell, John Brondig and John Coe, for which the latter were to pay forty shillings a lot in cattle or corn, between the above date and Jan- uary next ensuing.ª
Peter Disbrow by a declaration of trust, dated June 16, 1676, assigned all his right, title and interest in the Indian purchase to the rest of the proprietors of Rye then living between the two rivers, viz. the Byram river to the east and a river called the Blind brook to the west in equal proportions. The original di- vision of Rye consisted of ten acres to each individual planter, besides a privilege in the undivided lands.
a Rye Rec. Lib. A.
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HISTORY OF THE
From a note appended to this deed of trust it appears that John Horton had selected a spot of land not within the bounds of Rye purchase.
" But lyeth considerably to the northward of the head of the Blind Brook, and consequently to the north of the north-west bounds, except they do claim it as comprehended within the twenty English miles range, whereof was granted to them, viz. the proprietors.
In 1662, the thirteen proprietors of the salt meadows within Hastings were,
Thomas Studwell,
William Odell,
John Brondig,
Peter Disbrow,
William Odell,
John Coe,
Thomas Applebe,
Samuel Allen,
Philip Galpin,
John Coe,
Richard Fowler,
Thomas Studwell,
John Budd.
At this period Connecticut, regardless of the Hartford treaty made in 1650, obtained from the native Indians a further grant of territory extending from the east line of that colony to the present village of Westchester. Under this purchase she claim- ed the lands of Rye and required the submission of the inhabi- tants to her authority.
Against this aggression Governor Stuyvesant calmly remon- strated, and dispatched two officers to stop further proceedings.
This appears from the following letter addressed by the inha- bitants to the General Court, dated
Hastings, 5 May, 1664.
"To the honored Governor and Councill and magistrates of Connecticut, we the inhabitants of Hastine, formerly Midlebo- rough upon Long Island, having had by the Duche Governor tow of his oficers sent unto us with tow or three papers, the con- tents we supose doe in parte belonge unto yourselves as well as us, and therefore make bould to trouble your honnours there- with, intreatinge your aide. Wee know not wither evil intents may be, for wee understand that they will not keep ther promise, for they have not delivered James Christed's bond and Mr. Willyam Leveriches, but they grant this instead of delivering the bond have this day demanded the moneys of James Christed,
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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER
this is therefore to intreate your honnours to tak our condission into your consideration and tak some spedy cours for our futter peace and comforte. We are unwillinge to loose our planting by them. This hoping you will now stand by us, we rest your loving neighbours and friends the inhabitance of Hastine.77
By me, JAMES BRADISH, Clarke for Hasting.
To the honored Court
Mr. John Winthrop and his
Honorable Counsill of the Court of Connecticut, assembled at Hartford, this present with speed.a
During the year 1663, King Charles the Second, by letters patent under the great seal, conveyed the Province of New Netherlands, and that part of Connecticut lying westward of Connecticut river, to his brother James, Duke of York and Al- bany. Thus by a wholesale usurpation excluding for ever the rightful proprietors, utterly regardless of their just rights as dis- coverers, and in the face too of all existing treaties.
Whilst the King was disposing of the New Netherlands in this unlawful manner, we find Governor Stuyvesant thus com- plaining to Governor Winthrop and the General Assembly of Connecticut, " That John Coe, Jun., and Anthony Waters with eighty horse and foot have put down the old magistrates in some towns, and setting up others." He trusts the English will sup- press such things, and prevent bloodshed. Dat. Amsterdam, N. N. Nov. 15, 1663.b
As early as 1641 it appears to have been the British policy as one means of counteracting the Dutch in America, " that the English put forward their plantations, and crowd on, crowd- ing the Dutch out of those places where they have settled ;"c this continued to be the principle upon which the former acted until the subjugation of the latter, which happened 5th Septem-
a Town and Lands, Hartford State Rec. Vol. i. No 36.
b Col. Boundaries, Hart. Rec. fol. ii. letter vii.
c Col Boundaries, Hart. Rec. fol. ii. letter i,
22
HISTORY OF THE
ber, 1664, when the Province of the New Netherlands surren- dered to Colonel Richard Nicolls, the Duke's governor.
The same year the commissioners appointed for settling the bounds of his Royal Highness the Duke of York's patent and the colony of Connecticut, did order and declare " that the creek or river, called Mamaroneck, which is reputed to be about twelve miles to the east of Westchester, and a line drawn from ye east point or side, where the fresh waters fall into the salt at high water mark, north north-west to the line of Massachusetts, shall be the western bounds of ye said colony of Connecticut." a
Richard Nicolls, George Cartwright, Sam'l Mawricke.
By this division Rye became annexed to the colony of Con- necticut, and constituted a portion of Fairfield county.
The following bill of sale occurs December S, 1666, from John Coe one of the original proprietors of Rye to Hachaliah Brown.
Know all men to whom it may concern that I John Coe purchaser of the town of Rye, being one of the four men that bought this place in the colony of Connecticut, in New England, do sell and bind over unto Hachaliah Brown in the same town, one half of a 12th lot with all the privileges thereunto belong- ing ; namely, one half of the upland and one half of the meadow, both fresh and salt, both divided and undivided, with four acres of upland lying in the neck called the Opasfar neck, or otherwise called Scotch cap neck, of which two of the aforesaid four acres belong to the half lot. This four acres is bounded thus, with George Kniffen on the N. E. and front ; with the Blind Brook towards the N. W. and Thomas Brower toward the S. W., and the waste land is the bounds to the S. E. This seven acres of land more or less is thus bounded as is above mentioned. The aforesaid land I have purchased of the Indians, as doth appear by deed under the Indians hands, I say I have sold with all privileges thereunto belonging, namely, trees, grass, rocks, min- erals, and springs, with the fence or fencing which are or shall be belonging thereunto, and I do here hind myself, by promise, to make good the sale here- of from me, my heirs, assignees, or administrators to the said Hachaliah Brown, him, his heirs, assignees or administrators, quietly and peaceably to possess as his own for ever, without any molestation either by or under me,
& Col. Boundaries, fol ii. letter xxii.
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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
&c., &c. And I do acknowledge to have received full satisfaction of the above- said Hachaliah Brown for this aforesaid land, as witness my hand this day and date, Dec. 8, 1666.&
JOHN COE.
Witness,
Thomas Brown, George Lane.
May 11, 1671, the general court of Connecticut granted that the town of Rye bounds should extend up into ye country north- ward twelve miles.b
At first the pretences of Connecticut to the westward were un- limited, till the year 1683, and consequently so to the northward of Rye, hence the grant to extend twelve miles to the north, as being less exposed to be opposed by New York, leaving their bounds unlimited to the westward of Byram river, thus giving them an opportunity of extending their bounds twelve miles in that direction, so as to form a tract of twelve miles square ; as they had already granted one of six miles square to Bedford. This grant, had it been allowed by New York, would have cov- ered Harrison's purchase, the White Plains, Mamaroneck, the Mile Square, Tuckahoe, New Rochelle, and Eastchester, besides other places.
The twelve proprietors of the salt meadows in this town, A.D. 1672, were as follows :
William Odell, 1 Thomas Applebe, 6 Richard Fowler, 10
John Brondij, 2 Thomas Allen, 7 Thomas Stedwell, 11
Peter Disbrow, 3 Philip Galpen, 8 John Budd, 12
William Odelle, 4 John Coe, 5 John Coe, 9
" At a town meeting held March, 1672, it was agreed that the first of April following should be taxed of all persons and young cattle and horses, unless it be such as are wrought, and that they henceforward should goe out on the first of April, and whatsoever person hath not his fence up by that time shall forfeit five shil- lings a rod."
"28th January, 1673, the general court ordered that the bounds between Greenwich and Rye is to be from the mouth of Byram
* Rye Rec.
b Hart. Rec. vol. viii. p. 13.
24
HISTORY OF THE
river, to run up the river one quarter of a mile above the great stone lying on the cross path by the said river, and from thence the sayd commons upwards, between Stamford bounds and the colony line, is to be equally divided between them by a parallel line with Stanford, and to Norwalk to the end of their bounds up in the country, &c."a
ROBERT TREAT, JONATHAN SELLICKE, PETER DISBROW.
This settlement was confirmed June, 21st, 1696, by the gene- ral court sitting in Hartford, May Sth, 1693.
" Upon the 28th November, 1680, the town made choice of Peter Disbrow, Hachaliah Brown, Robert Blomer, and Thomas Merritt, for to go with the Indians to view some land lying be- tween the Blind brook and Biram river, and to make a thorow bargain with them if they shall see it best."
The result of this interview was a sale of land under the In- dian sachem Marunaking, " of all that certain tract of land lying by a brook, commonly called Blind brook, which tract of land is called by the Indians Eauketaupercuson," bounded as fol- loweth :
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