USA > New York > Westchester County > A history of the county of Westchester, from its first settlement to the present time > Part 26
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Near the centre of the village is situated the Episcopal church, a beautiful Gothic structure, of wood. The bell tower is attached to the north-eastern corner. Over the prin- cipal entrance, is a neat porch. The cornerstone of this edi- fice was laid on Tuesday, November 10th, 1846, by the Rev. Hugh Smith, D. D., rector of St. Peter's church, New York ; on which occasion, an address was delivered by the Rev. J. T. Cush- ing minister in charge of the parish. In the corner stone were depo- sited a copy of the New Testament, and of the book of common prayer ; the journal of the last general convention in 1844; the journal of the last diocesan convention of New York for 1845, together with the debates in the same ; copies of the general and
a Mr. Crowther's manufactory occupies the site of the old paint mills and pottery works, which were in successful operation during the last war with Great Britain.
267
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
the diocesan canons, Swords' pocket almanack for 1846, Prot. Churchman of the date of Nov. 7th, 1846, the New York Courier and Enquirer of Nov. 9th, 1846, and sundry parish documents &c. &c. Besides the officiating clergy, there were present, the Rev. William Powell, rector of St. Peter's church, Westchester, and the Rev. Robert Bolton, rector of Christ's church, Pelham.
On the 28th of June, 1847, it was consecrated and set apart to the worship and service of Almighty God, under the title of Grace church, by the Right Reverend William Heathcote de Lancey, Bishop of the diocese of Western New York. The consecration sermon being preached by the Rev. Kingston Goddard of Staten Island.
Grace church, West Farms, was incorporated upon the 13th of Dec. 1844. William A. Spencer and Philip M. Lydig, church- wardens ; Peter Lorillard, Richard Crowther, Dr. William Bay- ard, Charles S. Valentine, Benjamin Lea, Jacob M. van Winkle and William B. Hoffman, vestrymen."a
On June 3rd, 1847, the Rev. Washington Rodman was unani- mously called to be rector of the parish. The credit of first attempt- ing the establishment of an Episcopal church in this village, is due, under God, to Miss Margaret Hunt,b a lady whose intelli- gent zeal, kindly sympathy and untiring benevolence, deserve especial mention. The work was undertaken by this lady about twelve years since ; and, although the number of Episcopalians in the immediate neighborhood was then comparatively small, still a considerable interest was awakened by her endeavors. The amount of $2061,00 was collected, to which the sum of $1000,00 was added by the munificent donation of Mrs. C. L. Spencer, to whose christian liberality, the congregation is further indebted for the gift of an organ, a Sunday school library, and numerous other contributions to the church. Additional aid was given by the following gentlemen, viz. : Messrs. Peter Loril- lard, jun., Philip M. Lydig, Governeur M. Wilkins, J. D. Wolfe, William A. Spencer and others, making in all the sum of $4,158
a Co. Rec. Religious Soc. Lib. B. p. 93.
b Daughter of Thomas Hunt, fourth in descent from Edward Jessup, one of the first patentees of the West Farms.
268
HISTORY OF THE
95, the cost of the church. The congregation are also deeply indebted to Francis Barretto, Esq., of the building committee, for his generous sympathy with the first projectors of the church, as well as for his attentive supervision of the building while in process of erection. A bell weighing 535 lbs. has been pur- chased by subscriptions received principally from the members of the church.
The Presbyterian church stands upon the highest ground in the village. It was incorporated, in 1814, by the name of the " First Presbyterian Church in the village of West Farms," Robert Givan, Caleb Pell, Ebenezer Waterbury, James Bathgate, James Renwick and John B. Gillespie, first trustees.a Prior to the year 1836, it belonged to the Bedford presbytery, but is now in connection with the second New York Presbytery. The pre- sent church edifice was erected in 1816.
LIST OF PASTORS AND SUPPLIES.b
Install or call.
Supply. do.
1815,
Rev. Isaac Lewis,
1819, Rev. Truman Osborne, do.
1821, Rev. Samuel Nott, do.
1823,
Rev. Joseph B. Felt, do.
1823,
Rev. Thomas S. Wickes, do.
1824,
Rev. Ithamer Hillsbury, do.
1824,
Rev. E. D. Wells,
do.
1825,
Rev. J. D. Wickham, do.
1828,
Rev. George Stebbins, do.
1835,
Rev. William Gray, do.
Jan. 22, 1836,
Rev. M. I. Adam, pastor.
Feb.
1841,
Rev. James B. Ramsey, do.
1846,
Rev. Charles Moase, supply.
Oct. 28, 1847,
Rev. Isaac Watts Platt, present pastor.
a Co. Rec. Lib A. 154.
b For some years this church was associated, in the support of a minister, with the Presbyterian church of New Rochelle.
269
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
Church Notes.
1826, Communicants, 41, do. 38,
1846,
Baptisms, 1. do. 8.
The Dutch Reformed Church of this village was first organ- ized in 1839, under the pastoral charge of the late Rev. George Bourne, of New York, and incorporated on the 16th of March, 1840.a First elders, Thomas Butler, George Wilson, and Abijah Rogers ; first deacons, James P. Fitch, J. G. Rowland, and Ste- phen Kelly. Mr. Bourne was succeeded, in 1842, by the Rev. Barnabas Collins. The present pastor is the Rev. John Simon- son, who commenced his ministrations in 1845.
An Episcopal Methodist Society was incorporated upon the 21th October, 1831 ; Andrew C. Wheeler, Joseph Smith, John F. Fay, Thomas T. Phillips, and Thomas Bolton, trustees.b
West Farms is not behind any of the neighboring towns in her literary institutions ; for, besides three large district schools for the education of both sexes, there is a ladies' seminary and a boys' school. In 1803 there appears to have been an academy existing here, the trustees of which were the Hon. Governeur Morris, Dominick Lynch, John Sloss Hobart, Abijah Hammond, James Morris, Daniel Ludlow, Isaac Clason, Israel Underhill, Philip I. Livingston, Robert Gilchrist, Joseph Given, Jonathan Randel, Andrew Barton, Israel Honeywell, Samuel Kelly, Rob- ert Heaton, and William H. Morris.
During the revolutionary war, West Farms was constantly ex- posed to the daily forays of both armies, as they alternately held possession of the adjoining country. "On the 25th of January, 1777, (observes General Heath,) early on the morning, the enemy made a sally towards De Lancey's Mills,c where they surprised and routed the guard, wounding several, but not killing or taking
. Co. Rec. Religious Soc. Lib. B. The first church edifice was erected in 1839.
b Co. Rec. Religious Scc. Lib. B. p. 6. An incorporation of the Methodist Epis- copal Church occurs in 1836, and again in 1843. See Lib. B. 48, 76.
Now known as Lydig's Mills.
270
HISTORY OF THE
any of them ; and a regiment near that place quitted their quar- ters."a
The Military Blockhouse, which occupied the site of Mr. Mapes's Temperance House, was destroyed by Colonel Burr in the winter of 1779. The event is thus related by Samuel Young, in a letter to Commodore Valentine Morris :--
"Soon after Tryon's retreat, Colonel Delancey, who com- manded the British refugees, in order to secure themselves against surprise, erected a blockhouse on a rising ground below De Lancey's Bridge. This Colonel Burr resolved to destroy. I was in that expedition, and recollect the circumstances.
" He procured a number of hand-grenades ; also, rolls of port fire, and canteens filled with inflammable materials, with contri- vances to attach them to the side of the blockhouse. He set out with his troops early in the evening, and arrived within a mile of the blockhouse by two o'clock in the morning. The colonel gave Captain Black the command of about forty volunteers, who were first to approach ; twenty of them were to carry the port fires, &c. Those who had hand-grenades, had short ladders to enable them to reach the port holes, the exact height of which Colonel Burr had ascertained. Colonel Burr gave Captain Black his instructions in the bearing of his company, assuring him of his protection if they were attacked by superior numbers; for it was expected that the enemy, who had several thousand men at and near King's Bridge, would endeavor to cut us off, as we were several miles below them. Burr directed those who carried the combustibles to march in front as silently as possible; that on being hailed, they should light the hand-grenades, &c. with a slow match provided for the purpose, and throw them into the port holes. I was one of the party that advanced. The senti- nel hailed and fired. We rushed on. The first hand-grenade that was thrown in drove the enemy from the upper story, and before they could take any measure to defend it, the blockhouse was on fire in several places. Some few escaped, and the rest
· Ileath's Mem. p. 111.
271
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
surrendered without our having lost a single man. Though many shots were fired at us, we did not fire a gun."a
Although the inhabitants appear to have suffered much during the Revolution, they generally continued firmly attached to the interests of their country. In 1775 occurs the following petition to the Hon. Provincial Congress, from the subscribers, inhabi- tants of the manor of Fordham and West Farms, in the county of Westchester, which
" Humbly sheweth that we were summoned to appear at Westchester in order to choose officers, according to the resolution of the congress, it having been represented, as we understand, that there was not a competent number of men in our district to form a company, we therefore beg leave to inform you that the manor of Fordham and the West Farms have in the militia al- ways been considered as a district by themselves, and that within their limits there are upwards of seventy men fit to bear arms, and that an attendance at Westchester upon the meeting of the company will be attended with great in- convenience to many of the inhabitants and therefore injurious to the service intended to be advanced ; from which considerations your petitioners humbly pray the Hon'ble Congress will be pleased to order that the manor of Ford- ham and the West Farms have a company with themselves, and that they elect their own officers under such inspection as the Honorable Congress in their wisdom shall think best ; and your petitioners shall ever pray.
Nicolas Berrien, Hezekiah Ward,
Levi Hunt,
Isaac Valentine,
Tunis Garrison,
Jeremiah Requa,
Peter Valentine,
· Isaac Cant,
James McKay,
John Stevens,
Gilbert Taylor,
Robert Campbell,
Benjamin Curser,
Robert Gilmer,
Eden Hunt,
Abraham Dyckman,
Benjamin Archer, jr.
Isaac Hunt,
John Farmer,
Daniel Devoe, jr.
James Archer,
Benjamin Valentine,
John Embrie, sen.
Sam'l Embrie, jr.
George Pilpet,
Jacob Lent,
John Embrie, jr.
Isaac Valentine, jr.
Abraham Lent,
Thomas Cromwell,
Peter Bussing, jr.
Dennis Hyer,
G. Cromwell,
Abraham Wilson,
Jacob Valentine,
Benjamin Curser, jr.
Abraham Garrison,
Obadiah Hide, John Curser,
Hendrick Ryer,
James G. Groot,
Simon Williams,
John Lent,
Thomas Hunt,
John Ryer, jr.
John Ryer,
Abraham Leggett,
Jacob Chappel,
Isaac Curser, jr.
William Leggett,
Jolın Garrison,
a Davis's Mem. of Aaron Burr, vol. i. 164.
272
HISTORY OF THE
Tunis Le Joye,
John Leggett, jr.
John Jacobs,
Philip Hunt,
Robert Hunt, jr.
Thomas Dogherty, John Clark,
Stephen Einboll,
Cornelius Leggett,
Nathan'l Lawrence,
Mr. Woods,
John de Noo,
Peter Devoe,
John Hedger,
John Blizard,
James Swain,
Thomas Hedger,
John Walbin,
Nazareth Brewer,
Stephen Edwards,
John Warwick,
Edward Harris,
James Rock,
Thomas Gemble,
John Collard,
George Higby,
Peter Bussing,
Cornelius Jacobs,
Jacob Hunt,
Isaac Curser.
Congress were pleased to grant the prayer of this petition.
The road passing the village landing south leads to the Great Planting neck, called by the Indians Quinnahung, upon which are now many beautiful country seats. At the south-east extre- mity of the neck is situated Hunt's Point. This property has been occupied by the Hunt family for nearly one hundred and sixty years, having passed into their hands by the marriage of Thomas Hunt with Elizabeth Jessup, daughter of Edward Jes- sup, one of the first patentecs. In 16SS, Thomas Hunt, of the Grove farm, granted to his son Thomas Hunt one hundred acres lying on the south side of Gabriel Leggett's land, bounded east- wardly and southerly by Broncks's river. It is now the property of Mr. Daniel Winship, who married Eliza, the widow of the late Richard Hunt, Esq. The old Grange erected in 1688, occu- pies a beautiful situation near the termination of the point, over- looking the East river and Flushing bay.
This place was for many years the residence of Rodman Drake the poet, and it was here that he wrote his well known lines on the Bronx, on the neighboring banks of which he often wandered.
I sat me down upon a green bank side, Skirting the smooth edge of a gentle river, Whose waters seemed unwillingly to glide, Like parting friends, who linger while they sever ; Enforced to go, yet seeming still unready, Backward they wind their way in many a wistful eddy.
Gray o'er my head the yellow-vested willow
Ruffled its hoary top in the fresh breezes,
273
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
Glancing in light. like spray on a green billow, Or the fine frost work which young winter freezes, When first his power in infant pastime trying, Congeals sad autumn's tears on the dead branches lying.
From rocks around hung the loose ivy dangling, And in the clefts sumach of liveliest green, Bright ising-stars the little beach was spangling, The gold-cap sorrel from his gauzy screen, Shone like a fairy, enchased and beaded, Left on some morn, when light flash'd in their eyes unheeded.
The hum-bird shook his sun-touched wings around, The bluefinch carolled in the still retreat ; The antic squirrel capered on the ground, Where lichens made a carpet for his feet, Through the transparent waves, the ruddy minkle Shot up in glimmering sparks, his red fins tiny twinkle.
There were the dark cedars, with loose mossy tresses, White-powder'd dog trees, and stiff hollies flaunting, Gaudy as rustics in their May-day dresses, Blue pellorets from purple leaves upslanting A modest gaze, like eyes of a young maiden Shining beneath dropp'd lids the evening of her wedding.
The breeze fresh springing from the lips of morn, Kissing the leaves, and sighing so to loose 'em, The winding of the merry locust's horn,
The glad spring gushing from the rock's bare bosom ; Sweet sighs, sweet sounds, all sights, all sounds excelling, Oh! 'twas a ravishing spot, form'd for a poet's dwelling.
And I did leave thy loveliness, to stand Again in the dull world of earthly blindness ; Pain'd with the pressure of unfriendly hands, Sick of smooth looks, agued with icy kindness ; Left I for this thy shades, where none intrude, To prison wandering thought and mar sweet solitude.
Yet I will look upon thy face again My own romantic Bronx, aud it will be A face more pleasant than the face of men, Thy waves are old companions, I shall see A well remembered form in each old tree, And hear a voice long loved in thy wild minstrelsy. VOL. II. 35
274
HISTORY OF THE
The burial place of the Hunt family, is located near the en- trance of the point. The following inscriptions are copied from two of the monuments in this yard : in memory of Thomas Hunt, who departed this life, July 4th, 1808, in the 80th year of his age. He possessed the cardinal virtues in an eminent degree ; he was temperate, brave, patient and just :
The solid rock shall sink beneath The iron hand of time, But virtue dwells with Immortality.
The other is
Sacred to the memory of JOSEPH RODMAN DRAKE, M. D. who died September 21st, 1825. aged 25 years.
Fitz Greene Halleck's pathetic lines on the death of his com- panion, will not be considered inappropriate here, especially as the last two of the first stanza are engraved upon this tomb- stone.
Green be the turf above thee, Friend of my better days ! None knew thee but to love thee, Nor named thee but to praise.
Tears fell when thou wert dying, From eyes unused to weep, And long, where thou art lying, Will tears the cold turf steep.
When hearts whose truth was proven, Like thine, are laid in earth, There should a wreath be woven To tell the world their worth.
To face page 273, vol. ii.
Arms .- Az on a bend ar. th
1
1 2. Thomas == nat. 1698
1. John Leggett, proprietd of the Planting Neck, nat. 1077.
ichard Law- rence
David
Gabriel, ==
1
1
1 William
1 Gabriel
1 James
Isaac
Em- bree , 1755
1 John H=
1 Ebene -= zer
-Mary
-- Abigail
-Martha
-H nah
-Abigail
1755, ob. Oct. 10. 1843.
Oct. 10, 1805 =2. Mary Under-
-
-Robert
-Anne
-Cornelia
1815
-Jacob, nat.
ob. 1835
nat 1809
-Elizabeth,
-Edward
-Theodore
-John
-CatharIne
-Gertrude
-Mary
-Georgianna
-Caroline
1
1 Joseph= Elizabeth
Samuel_Elizabeth
Powell
-James
-Edward
-Sarah
-Anne
William= F.
Sarah Hull
-Samuel
-Mary=Barney
-Charlotte_ W. H.
-Martha == Benj. Cox
-Rebecca P.
1-Margaret
devant
Corse
schemerhorn
il'iam M AI- len
1 William
111 Margaret Caroline Elizabeth
||| Sarah Louisa Charlotte
1
1
Margaret
William
1
1 Percival
Mortimer
William H. of == Ma Rosebank, West Farms
Jenkins
-Caroline
-Mary == Lewis Stur-
th
E
1721
Thomas, nat. == 1. Mary Haight, ob.
'an
JoN 761-
1 Thomas, nat_Mary
1 hill
275
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
And 1, who wake each morrow To clasp thy hand in mine, Who shared thy joy and sorrow, Whose weal and wo were thine,-
It should be mine to braid it Around thy faded brow ; But I've in vain essayed it, And feel I cannot now,
While memory bids me weep thee, Nor thoughts nor words are free, The grief is fixed too deeply That mourns a man like thee.
Upon Waddington point, the south-west projection of the Planting neck, is situated Blythe place, the estate of Francis Barretto, Esq. The house is a handsome edifice of stone. The grounds are richly wooded, and the views of the river extensive, and singularly beautiful. Mr. Barretto for many years repre- sented this county in assembly. In the immediate vicinity of Blythe place, and near the public landing, stands the residencea of the late Thomas Leggett, (now occupied by his widow ) whose ancestors have been resident proprietors of the great planting neck, since the year 1690, if not before.
The Leggett family were formerly seated in Essex county England, and probably descend from Helmingius Legat, high sheriff of that county, in 1404. As early as 1661, Gabriel Leg- gett emigrated to this country, and in right of his wife, Elizabeth Richardson, daughter and co-heiress of John Richardson, (one of the joint patentees) became possessed of a large portion of the neck. By his last will, dated 16th of April, 1697, Gabriel Leg- gett of the West Farms, bequeathed " to his wife Elizabeth, all his household goods &c. &c ; to his son John, all his house and out- houses, orchard, land and the meadows in the Planting neck, and the meadow, &c., also that messuage and tenement which Thomas Williams dwells upon, and was formerly my father-in- law's, John Richardson, his now dwelling house, and orchard
· This house occupied the site of the old Leggett homestead.
To face page 275, vol il.
PEDIGREE OF LEGGETT OF WEST .FARMS.
Arma-Az on a bend at. three human hearts gu. on a chief of the second, as many mattlets sa. Crest -A mermaid, ppr.
Gabriel Leggett, mar. 1676, will dated- Elizabeth Richardson, de of John Richardcon, 10th April, 1637 Doe of the Gryt patentees of West Farine.
" Themia=
1. John Ja geett proprietor_Chicely of the Planung Mck, not. 1077.
William, nat. Sept. 1 ._ 1. Sarah. 1691 ; will dated 116: , Mayor of the July J. Borough of West- chester, A. D. 1734
Martha
Mary
Sarah
Auce
Elizabeth
2 Abigail,
1:24 nh.
June 2. 1813
Gabriel,-
David
John, not .== Feb 4, 1.32
William, of = Menpat Plensant, nat March 2 1.15
ob June 2, 1813, 01. 84.
Child4, ob Dic 15, 1813
Fraser Sarah, not _Charles Jan 14, 1720
Elizabeth, nni Ang. 17,1725
Charity,
Mary, not _Richord 10.b July, 1730
Thomas, nal _ Inty
Gabriel
James
William
Cornelius=
Isaac=
Will- Abra_1. Rebecca
Morgan
-
1755
Czeklel=
John
Fareh
Thomas, nat. = 1 Mlary lnlght, ob.
Jolin H_
Ebene
-Mary
- Abigail
-Martha
-H oub -Aone
-Cornelia
of N. York
- William Ti.
-Jolın, ob.
-Mary N
-Margaret W.
-Adeline M.
-Áthà B.
the Ev. Pout
Inte Editor of
Samuel __ Elizabeth
Joseph= Ellzabeth
Witham EL. of= Margaret lovebank, West Formuss
Wright
Farring- ton
1800
2 Pollence 1797,gb. | Haydock. 18 2
-James
-Edward
-Sarılı
-Anne
-Caroline
-Walter
l'atbarine
-Mary
-Sarah
Anna
-Caroline
-Susan
Thomas
-Mary_Francis Tif.
-
11
1
William
Margatet ( aruline Elizabeth
Sarah Louisa L'harlotte
William Goarge
William Franela Edgar
T
Morumer
Percival
William
Margaret
Emma
Orcar Coles
Loniva
Edward
Frederick
Catharine
Howard
Clinton
Margaret
Barmb
-
-
-Brtvy
- Mary
-Surau
-louisa
Jane
Abrabom
A de.
Elijah
Isaac
John
-Hannah
Jan
1815
ob 1635
Dat 1800
-Elizabeth,
-Edward
-Theodore
-Juha
-Catherine
Gertrude
-Georgianun
-Caroline
-Robert
Jonatlı'n
-David
-C'ornella
-Anna
Stephen
| 2. E. Morgan
-2. Mury Under-
Oct 10. 1843
Oct 10, 1M3
1:35, olt.
Abraham, of=1 R Morgan New York
- Frances
-Qurannob
2 Catho- ring Wyly
William
-
-Witunm, of New York,
-William, of Westebester
-- Ebenezer, of Saratoga
-Abraham, of Saratoga
-Margaret
-Rebecca
Cornella
Gertrude
-Elizabeth
F.
Sarah Full
-Samuel
-Mary_Barney
Charlotte _. W. H.
-Martha-Kraj Cox
-Rebecca P.
-Margaret
Cunu
& cbetperborn
devant
-Mary == Lewis Stur
Clark
fany
-Mary, nat. Feb 23, 1791, ob. 180º
-Anne __ Sanivel F. Mott
Rebecca George S. Fox
-Mary _Thos. W. Pesrenti
Augustos= Eliza Scoman
Samuel M _Julia Colea
Edward-Susan Post
Thomas B .__ Sarah Huggins
1
-
-
MA Catharine_Wil im M
Charlotte == William
Thomas_1. Anne
Robert, James, nat 21 ou
Fox.
Powell
Fan
William, nat. Aug 4. 1750, nh_ April 20, 1224_ Rehecen Wood, not. Jan. 18, 1701-
I John=
Abraham,=Geertjo
April, 1924
Ezekiel
-- Lowr'cr -Abraham ob.
-Atgal1
Calharine
-Jacob. n
-Rebreca
-Mary
-Joseph
-George- Maria
275
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
And 1, who wake each morrow To clasp thy hand in mine, Who shared thy joy and sorrow, Whose weal and wo were thine,-
It should be mine to braid it Around thy faded brow ; But I've in vain essayed it, And feel I cannot now,
While memory bids me weep thee, Nor thoughts nor words are free, The grief is fixed too deeply That mourns a man like thee.
Upon Waddington point, the south-west projection of the Planting neck, is situated Blythe place, the estate of Francis Barretto, Esq. The house is a handsome edifice of stone. The grounds are richly wooded, and the views of the river extensive, and singularly beautiful. Mr. Barretto for many years repre- sented this county in assembly. In the immediate vicinity of Blythe place, and near the public landing, stands the residencea of the late Thomas Leggett, (now occupied by his widow) whose ancestors have been resident proprietors of the great planting neck, since the year 1690, if not before.
The Leggett family were formerly seated in Essex county England, and probably descend from Helmingins Legat, high sheriff of that county, in 1404. As early as 1661, Gabriel Leg- gett emigrated to this country, and in right of his wife, Elizabeth Richardson, daughter and co-heiress of John Richardson, (one of the joint patentees) became possessed of a large portion of the neck. By his last will, dated 16th of April, 1697, Gabriel Leg- gett of the West Farms, bequeathed " to his wife Elizabeth, all his household goods &c. &c ; to his son John, all his house and out- houses, orchard, land and the meadows in the Planting neck, and the meadow, &c., also that messuage and tenement which Thomas Williams dwells upon, and was formerly my father-in- law's, John Richardson, his now dwelling house, and orchard
. This house occupied the site of the old Leggett homestead.
276
HISTORY OF THE
and out houses with the land and meadow which I bought of John Ferguson, sen. and Robert Manning, together with 50 acres of wood land, lying within the bounds of the patent of West Farms, &c. "I say to my sou 'Thomas," to his son William 100 acres of woodland, and five acres of meadow, lying behind the field, within the bounds of the patents of West Farms, together with all the undivided meadow, as also my house and house lot, with an orchard thereon, lying in the town of Westchester. To his daughter Martha, he bequeathed his little colored boy, to his daughters Mary, Sarah, Alice and Elizabeth, twenty pounds each."a John Leggett, the eldest son of the above testator, was the great grandfather of the late Thomas Leggett. The follow- ing incidents are related of Mr. Leggett, whose activity, energy and fearlessness of character are well known.
While a youth, at the commencement of the revolutionary war, he was living with his father on the farm adjoining Morris- ania. All he possessed at this time was a very fine young mare, the gift of his parent. Prior to Colonel De Lancey's taking posses- sion of his father's house, a party of British refugees took, with other property, his favorite animal, whilst he, being unarmed, could only bluster and threaten. He refused, however, to leave them, and actually accompanied the robbers two miles on their route to head-quarters. As the party were passing the spot which now makes the southern entrance to West Farms, two continen- tal soldiers rose np from behind a stone wall and fired. The man leading the mare was shot, and fell ; the mare turned round and ran homewards, to the great delight of the owner, who immedi- ately followed. Soon after this event the family, driven from home, were compelled to seek shelter elsewhere. Mr. Leggett and his two brothers went to Saratoga; here they cleared a small piece of land, erected a log house, and prepared to spend the winter. But on the approach of Burgoyne, they were taken prisoners by the Indian allies. His two brothers were carried to Fort Ed- ward by the Indians, whilst he himself was conveyed to Bur- goyne's camp. Here he fell in with a neighbor named Concklin,
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