USA > New York > Westchester County > A history of the county of Westchester, from its first settlement to the present time > Part 25
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Peter de Lancey, youngest son of the Huguenot, to whom his father devised the mills, was a man of wealth and of considerable influence in the colony. His wife was Alice, daughter of Cad- wallader Colden, lieutenant governor of the Province of New York in 1761. His children were John, father of Mrs. Yates, relict of Governor Yates, and Lt. Col. James de Laneey, a distin- guished military officer. " James was for a considerable time she- riff of Westchester county. He took a battalion in the brigade of his uncle Oliver de Lancey, called the Loyalist Rangers, b or DE
a The command of the Loyalist Rangers afforded Colonel de Lancey facilities for communicating with his old associates in this section of country, and was the means .of inducing some of the landed gentry to take an active part in the contest. This was particularly the case with Samuel Kip, Esq., of a family which from the first settlement by the Dutch had possessed a grant of land at Kip's Bay, and in other parts of New York island. Members of this family were named as officers under the Crown in the royal charter granted when the British first took possession of the colony in 1664, and in that given thirty years later. Having been always associated with the government, and from their landed interest wielding an influence in its affairs, they were naturally predisposed to espouse the royal cause. In addition to this, Mr. Kip's estate was near that of Col. de Lancey, and a close intimacy had always existed between them. He was, therefore, easily induced to accept a cap-
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LANCEY's HORSE. In consequence of his familiarity with the county, Lt. Col. James de Lancey was stationed much of his time in Westchester, to keep open the means of procuring sup- plies. His corps made free with the cattle of that part of the country, and got the soubriquet of "Cow Boys," in revenge for their knowledge in the article of beef." The colonel finally fixed his residence in Nova Scotia, and in 1797, was sworn in as a member of the council of that colony. He died at Annapolis, N. S., about the year 1809. Martha Tippett, his widow, also died there in 1827, aged 73, and where his sons are still living. Oliver de Lancey, third son of Peter and Alice, threw up his commission in the British service at the commencement of the Revolutionary war. His children are resident in the town. Peter, the fourth son, and Lt. Col. Warren de Lancey, besides four daughters.a
By an indenture bearing date the 20th of July, 1774. the trus- tees of Westchester for divers considerations, sold to James and Oliver de Lancey, and their heirs and assignees, the ground un- der the water of Broncks's river, and all such lands as had been granted or appointed by the town, for the use of the mills, &c.a The present proprietor, Philip M. Lydig, Esq., holds by convey- ance from under Oliver de Lancey, Esq. The dwelling house which once served as the head-quarters of Washington, was de- stroyed by fire a few years since.
The grounds, which display all the elegance of modern gar- dening, rise in a succession of terraces from the water's edge. Near the old mansion stands a majestic pine tree, a noble relic of
tain's commission from the royal government and embark all his interests in this contest. He raised a company of cavalry, principally from his own tenants, joined the British army with the colonel, and from his intimate knowledge of the country was enabled to gain the reputation of an active and daring partisan officer. For this reason he was for a time assigned to a command in the Loyalist Rangers. In one of the severe skirmishes which took place in Westchester county in 1781, Capt. Kip, while charging a body of American troops, had his horse killed under him, and re- ceived a severe bayonet wound. He survived, however, several years after the war, though, like his friend De Lancey, a heavy pecuniary sufferer from the cause he had espoused.
a For many of the above particulars we are indebted to Mr. Cooper's correspon- dence in the Home Journal of 1848.
b Rec. of Trustees, pp. 88, 89.
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the past. "The following appropriate lines were written by a gentleman, after a visit paid to this beantiful spot, the former residence of the De Lancey family.
FAY,
De Lancey Mills, Westchester, the head-quarters of Lt. Col. James de Lancey. From the original picture in the possession of Dr. Bayard of West Farms.
DE LANCEY'S ANCIENT PINE. Where gentle Bronx clear winding flows,
The shadowy banks between, Where blossomed bell or wilding rose Adorns the brightest green : Memorial of the fallen great, 'The rich and honoured line, Stands high in solitary state, De Lancey's ancient pine.
There once at early dawn arrayed The rural sport to lead, The gallant master of the glade, Bedecked his eager steed. And once the lightfoot maiden came In loveliness divine, To sculpture with the dearest name, De Lancey's ancient pine.
But now the stranger's foot explores De Lancey's wide domain, And scarce one kindred heart restores, His memory to the plain :
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And just like one in age alone, The last of all his line, Bends sadly where the waters moan, De Lancey's ancient pine.
Oh, victim of misguided zeal To tell thy former fame ! Who bids the fretted stone reveal The numbers of thy name ? Ere brightening up the eastern sky
Another morn shall shine, In equalizing dust may lie De Lancey's ancient pine.
Wo ho ! the satiate traveller stays Where eve's calm glories shine, To weep as tells of other days, De Lancey's ancient pine.
At a short distance from Lydig's mills, on the property of Mr. Leonard Mapes, may be seen the ruins of an old chatean, since the residence of Lewis H. Guerlain. The following inscription upon a marble monument hard by, so touchingly records the history of its former inmates, that any further account would be needless. A. D. 179S, sacred to the memory of virtue, merit and beauty ; to Sarah Guerlain, the beloved consort of Lewis H. Guerlain.
Alas ! 'tis in vain ! the spirit has fled ! Sarah has sunk in the tomb, The beauty of nature lies mix'd with the dead Gods ! how severe is the doom : As a delicate lily that blows in the vale, That springs to perfection and dies, So she bloomed, and then sickened ; but, shall we bewail ? The grave of the pure is the path to the skies.
ETERNITY HOW LONG !
In 1798, 7th March, Sarah died in the West Indies, in the 20th year of her age, in the passage from St. Croix to St. Christopher's and was brought back by her disconsolate husband to this peace- ful mansion, the place of their union, the 4th of October, 1795.
LIFE HOW SHORT!
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Immediately north of the village of West Farms, lies Bronx dale, the sides of which present a most romantic appearance. In this neighborhood, is a small settlement, containing two public houses, two stores and about twenty dwellings, also the exten- sive bleach factory of Mr. James Bolton, and the snuff mills of Mr. Peter Lorillard, The beautiful seat of the latter gentleman is rendered particularly attractive, from the contiguity of over hanging woods, and its due vicinity to the river. The low ground east of Bronx dale, is called Bear swamp. The general " surface of Westchester is rolling, and in some places hilly ; soil, clay loam, mostly susceptible of high cultivation." " The lands produce all kinds of grain, but they are best adapted to grass and pasturage. Almost every variety of fruit trees flourish here. The principal growth of wood is oak of all sorts, chesnut and hickory, &c. It is freely watered in every part by springs and riyulets,"
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WEST FARMS.
'T'ins township which is situated at the south west ex- tremity of the county, was se- parated from the ancient town of Westchester ;a and, incor- porated on the 13th of May, 1846,b by an act of the legis- lature. It is bounded on the north by Yonkers, east by the Bronx, south by the East river, and west by the Har- Grace Church, West Farms. lem river, or county of New York. It is distant sixteen miles south of the village of White Plains, and about one hundred and forty-one miles from Albany. " Kings bridge, across Harlem river, is just within the line, at the north-west corner of this town."
Our intention is to take up separately the three former divi- sions of the present town, viz., West Farms, Morrisania and Fordhamn.
From the following patent, it appears that the proprietors of the lands subsequently called the West Farms, in 1666, were Edward Jessup and John Richardson, of Westchester.
PATENT OF WEST FARMS.
" Richard Nicolls, Esq., governor general under his royal highness, James Duke of York and Albany, &c. &c., of all his territoryes in America, to all to whom these presents shall come, sendeth greeting : whereas, there is a cer-
& Westchester prior to the division embraced an area of twenty sqaure miles.
৳ Laws of N. Y. 69, sess. 1846.
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tain tract or parcel of land within this government, situate, lying and being neare unto and within the limits of the towne of Westchester. Upon ye maine being bounded to the east by the river commonly called by the Indians Aquehung, otherwise Broncke river, extending to the midst of said river to the north, by the mark't trees and by a piece of hassock meadow, westwardly a little brook called by the natives Sackwrahung, and southward by the Sound or East river, including within a certain neck of land called Quinnahung, which said parcel or tract and neck of land with the appurtenances, together with commonage and liberty for range of horses and cattle, as free as they please into the woods, hath heretofore been jointly purchased of the Indyan proprietors by Edward Jessup and John Richardson of Westchester aforesaid, and due satisfaction hath ye then been given for the same, as by the deed re- maining upon record, more at large doth and may appear, now it being mu- tually agreed upon ye both the aforesaid purchasers, that an equal division shall be made of the said parcel or tract of land and appurtenances between them the said Edward Jessup and John Richardson, their heirs and assigns, and to the end that the said lands may be better manured and planted for a further confirmation unto each and either of them, in their possession and enjoyment of the premises. Know ye, that by virtue of the commission and authority unto me given by his royal highness, I have ratified, confirmed and granted, and by these presents do ratify, confirm and grant, unto John Richardson aforesaid, his heirs and assigns, the moiety or one-half of the aforesaid par- cel or tract of land and premises, together with the moiety or one-half of all the woods, meadows, pastures, waters, commonage, marshes, rivers or lakes thereunto belonging, within their and every of them, appurtenances and every part and parcel thereof, to have and to hold their said moiety, or one-half of the said parcel or tract of land, commonage and premises, with all and singu- lar the appurtenances to the said John Richardson, his heirs and assigns, unto the proper use and behoof of the said John Richardson, his heirs and assigns forever, he or they rendering and paying such duties and acknowledgments as now are or hereafter shall be constituted and established by the laws of this government, under the obedience of his royal highness, his heirs and suc- cessors, given under my hand and seal at Fort James in New York, on the island of Manhattoes, 25th day of April, in the eighteenth year of his majesties reign, A. D. 1666."
RICHARD NICOLLS.
Edward Jessup one of the above patentees, like most of the original settlers of Westchester, emigrated from Fairfield, Con- necticut. In 1653, occurs the name of Edward Jessope, owner of lands on Sascoe neck in that town. By his wife Elizabeth Bridges, he left issue a son, Edward, and two daughters. Eliza- beth married Thomas Hunt, of the Grove farm, Westchester,
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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
from whom the Hunts of Hunt's point descend. Edward Jes- sup died in 1666 ; his will bears date the same year.
THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF EDWARD JESSUP.
" Being sicke and weake in body, yet in perfect memory, I bequeath my soule to ye Almighty God that gave it, and my body after my death to be de- cently buried, my funeral to be discharged and my debis to be paid. I will and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth IIunt, twenty shillings, besides which, I have already given her to be paid in a year and a day after my decease. I will and bequeath unto my daughter Hannah Jessup, the sum of five and thirty pounds with that she hath already, to be payed unto her at 18 years of age.
I will and bequeath unto my sonne Edward Jessup, two mares with two colts by their sides, one is a gray mare, and the other is a mare marked on both ears with two half pence on each ear, to bee set out for him for his use a year and a day after my decease.
I will and bequeath unto my grandchild Mary Hunt, twenty shillings, to bee payd in a year and a day after my decease. I will and bequeath unto my cousin Johannah Burroughs, twenty shillings, to bee payed in a year and a day after my decease.
Furthermore, I institute and appoint my well beloved wife, Elizabeth Jes- sup, to bee whole and sole executrix, and I do will and bequeath unto her, all my lands and houses, and goods and cattle, moveable and immovable, of this my last will and testament, and to receive all debts, dues and demands what- soever, to be at her disposing, and she to pay all debts, dues and legacies whatsoever, and she to bring up iny two children in the feare of God. This I do owne to be my last will and testament.
Further, I do appoint my well beloved friends Mr. Richard Cornhill, jus- tice of the peace, Mrs. Sarah Bridges, my well beloved brother-in-law, John Burroughs, and Ralph Hunt, overseers of this my last will and testament, like- wise to be assistants to my executrix in all cases and difficulties, and this I do owne as my owne act and deed, to all true intents and meanings, and doe furthermore ratify and confirm it as my owne act and deed by ye setting to my hand and seal, the day and year underwritten.
August the 16th, 1666.
EDWARD JESSUP.
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of us, witnesses, Will'm Gouldstone, John Richardson,
mark of Richard Horton.
Upon the 20th of June, 1668, Robert Beacham and Elizabeth
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the wife formerly of Edward Jessup of Westchester, in the North Riding of Yorkshire, on Long Island, did fully and abso- lutely sell and " make over unto Thomas Hunt of Westchester aforesaid all those hoeing lands and accommodations that were formerly Edward Jessup's, within the bounds and limits of the aforesaid Westchester, that the said Edward Jessup and John Richardson purchased together and procured patents for from the Hon. Col. Richard Nicolls," &c.
John Richardson, the surviving patentee, appears to have united with Thomas Hunt the following year in making an equal division of these lands, for on the 12th of August, 1669, occurs the following report of the commissioners.
" We whose names are underwritten being made choice of by Johin Rich- ardson and Thomas Hunt, bothe inhabiting in Westchester, in the North Riding of Yorkshire, to make an equal division of a grant of land formerly purchased of the Indian proprietors by Edward Jessup and John Richardson, being butted and bounded by patent I say all those uplands and meadows within that purchase, save some upland and meadows, which was formerly divided by the forementioned persons, Edward Jessup and John Richardson, have been committed unto us, William Hayden, Samuel Drake, Thomas Lawrence and Jonathan Hazard, to make an equal division, &c., &c. As first we find it necessary that John Richardson, having twenty acres of upland and meadow more or less, lying on the southermost poynt of the corne field neck, which tract of land is a district of itself by a divisional line running west and by north east and hy south, and all the rest of the upland both in that neck and a little neck adjoining to it, is Thomas Hunt's, with highways laid out, and into the above said neck north to upland and meadows, with marks renewed between the meadows and the upland, beginning at a white oak, which is the divisional line between Thomas Hunt and John Richardson, which line runneth from the white oak to the water east and by north, and all the meadow lying along between the water and the marked trees is John Richardson's, until you meet another divisional line that bears west and by north and east and by south, which line runs at the old highway, and all the rest of the meadows within the neck to be Thomas Hunt's, for and in consideration John Richardson hath all the Long neck lying upon the south end of the dwelling houses of John Richard- son and Thomas Hunt, all the above said neck within fence, and further we have laid out unto Thomas Hunt a tract of upland lying near his house contain- ing sixteen acres and forty-five rods, stretching from the creek north north- west and south south-west to a great burnt stump, from thence west south- west to a creek, and from the creek south south-east, &c., &c."
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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
The three daughters and co-heiresses of John Richardson were Bethia, wife of Joseph Ketcham of Newton, Long Island, Mary, wife of Joseph Hadley of Yonkers, and Elizabeth, wife of Gabriel Leggett, from whom descend the Leggetts of West Farms. His last will bears date 16th November, 1679. In it he bequeaths " to his beloved wife, Martha, all his housing and orchard, and all moveables without and within, and all live stock, also all his land and meadow on the planting neck, and all the Long neck that runs south ward from Thomas Hunt's new dwelling house to the Sound, and this during her life to act and dispose as she shall see cause."
"To his son-in-law, Joseph Hadley, a pasture of three acres already laid out, &c., at or about the first spring, and all the meadow that is already divided, that is on this side the river above ye planting neck." " To his three daughters two hundred acres of land each ;" "and to his brother's son, in England, Jo- sepli Richardson, one hundred acres, if he come within the space of one whole year to receive it, and if he come not within the time prefixed it shall remain in Martha my wife's hands." "In conclusion, he constitutes and appoints his well beloved friends, William Richardson and Richard Ponton, both of Westchester, and Jonathan Hayward of Newtown, Long Island, overseers of his last will and testament, and that it is his whole will and tes- tament after his decease, he witnesses it under his own hand the 16th day of November, 1679."
Signed JOHN RICHARDSON.
Upon the 12th of January, 1686, Governor Thomas Dongan granted a patent to Thomas Hunt, sen., for all his land bounded on the east by the river Aquehung or Bronx, extending to the midst of the said river, on the north by certain marked trees and a piece of hammock, and on the west by a certain brook called Sackrahung, for the value of one bushel of good winter wheat."a
The following receipt appears to have been given for quit rent due on the above patent.
& Co. Rec. vol. ii. From the original in the possession of Mr. Daniel Winship, Hunt's Point.
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" Received of Thomas Hunt, sen., twenty-five bushels and one half wheat, in full for his quit rent for his land in the county of Westchester, upon Broneks's river, to the 25th of March last past. Witness my hand, in New York, this 9th day of April, A. D. 1717.
" RICHARD NICOLL, Deputy Receiver."
Seventeenth of October, 1687, Joseph Hadley of the Yonkers patent conveys to 'Thomas Williams of the West Farms eight acres formerly given him by John Richardson. In 1711 the heirs of the patentees united in a second division of the West Farms.
" Whereas Thomas Hunt, sen., of ye West Farms in ye borough town and county of Westchester in ye colony of New York, yeoman, and Elizabeth Leggett of ye same place, widow, did on ye 9th day of May last past, by an instrument under their hands and seals, formerly agree and conclude that the West Farms lots, containing twelve in number, should be surveyed and laid out by myself or some other person, and that according to a former survey made by me William Taylor, on or before the last day of June instant, with a further covenant, promise, and agreement, each to the other, for themselves and each of their heirs, executors, and administrators, as far as they or any of them are concerned in the said lots, that the survey made by M. W. E or some other person, in manner as above, and the lines or bounds so run and settled should remain, continue, and not be removed for ever hereafter upon the penalty of five hundred pounds current money of said colony, to be paid by the party or persons breaking the said conclusion or agreement and cove- nant to the party or persons fulfilling and performing the same, &c., &c., as by the said instrument, relation being thereunto had, will fully and at large appear. Therefore upon this request and desire of the said Thomas IIunt, Elizabeth Leggett and others, the owners and proprietors of said land, I have surveyed the said twelve lots of land as followeth. That is to say, begin at a chesnut tree standing on the river side above Byvanck's mill, running thence north forty-three degrees, west two hundred and eighty-three, to a marked white wood, thence south thirty degrees, west about forty-five, eight rods to the north side and westernmost corner of the sixth lot, and then upon several courses until it meets with the north-west corner of the twelfth lot, then east twenty-one degrees and a half rod to ye meadow and from thence along the meadow and river to the place first begun as appears in the scheme hereunto annexed, the whole tract containing 1096 acres, &c., &c. It is firmly agreed and concluded upon by the said Thomas Hunt, Elizabeth Leggett and others concerned in the matter, that what every or any lot wants or falls short of one hundred acres as above shall be allowed and made up to them or theirs
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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
out of the land not contained within this survey. Comprehended with a cer- tain patent granted by Governor Richard Nicolls to Edward Jessup and John Richardson in the year of our Lord Christ 1666, except thirty acres which he, said Thomas Hunt, formerly sold to John Feryedon and Robert Manning, and also thirty acres belonging to the said Elizabeth Leggett, being in lieu of the aforesaid thirty acres on which Thomas Davenport now dwells, in witness whereof, &c., &c.
In presence of JOSEPH HUNT,
Justice.
THOMAS HUNT, ELIZABETH LEGGET, JOHN LAWRENCE, MATTHEW PUGSLEY.
This survey was made and completed on the 26th day of June, 1711, by me, Peter Berrien.
On the 30th of Sept. 1723, William Davenport of Perth Am- boy, in East New Jersey, and Bridget his wife, did convey all their right, title and interest in ye patent of West Farms unto William Leggett, viz., all and singular ye flats, coves, bays, fish- ing places, &c .; also, all their right, title and property of fishing, hunting, hawking and fowling in this ye same patent, &c."a
In the southwest corner of the patent of West Farms, was situated a small tract of land, called the " debatable ground." This territory appears to have been in dispute between the heirs of the patentees of West Farms, and Lewis Morris, proprietor of the manor of Morrisania, from 1666 to 1740. At an early period, Lewis Morris laid claim to most of the undivided lands of the West Farms patent, as belonging to him."
Upon the 4th of Feb., 1712, " Elizabeth Leggett, widow of Gabriel Leggett and daughter of John Richardson, released her title and interest of all the common and undivided lands, that Mr. Lewis Morris makes any claim to within our patent of West Farms." In 1737, " William Leggett, assignee to the heirs of John Richardson, of one-half moiety of the West Farms, and Abraham Lent, of the heirs of Edward Jessup, jointly agreed to prosecute Lewis Morris, who is now in possession of almost all the undivided lands."
a The same rights had previously been conveyed by Thomas Davenport, father of the above grantor, to Abraham Leggett.
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A complete settlement of the undivided lands was not made till 1740. In 1830, the debatable lands were purchased by William H. Leggett, Esq.
The twelve lots into which the West farms was originally di- vided, have been long since distributed among numerous pro- prietors.
The village of West Farms is pleasantly situated at the head of the navigable waters of the Bronx, three miles from the East river, and twelve from New York. This place from its close vicinity to the city, and its valuable water privileges, is rapidly increasing in importance. It now contains about 1,500 inhabi- tants, 200 dwelling houses, an Episcopal, a Dutch Reformed, a Presbyterian and a Methodist church, 4 taverns, a temperance house, 12 stores of different kinds, and a post office ; also, seve- ral extensive manufactories, among which may be named the Brussels carpet and spinning factory of Mr. Richard Crow- ther,a the Ingrain carpet factory of Mr. A. Smith, and the grist and mahogany saw mill of Mr. Philip M. Lydig ; beside nume- rous coopering establishments doing a large business. Here are owned seven sloops, trading with the New York and other markets. The Haarlem and Westchester rail road depôt, situa- ted one mile north-west of the village, affords almost hourly communication with the city of New York.
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