A history of the county of Westchester, from its first settlement to the present time, Part 27

Author: Bolton, Robert, 1814-1877. cn
Publication date: 1848
Publisher: New York, Printed by A.S. Gould
Number of Pages: 640

USA > New York > Westchester County > A history of the county of Westchester, from its first settlement to the present time > Part 27

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« Surrogate's Office, N. Y. lib. ii. 24.

277

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

who, after a fortnight's detention, forged a pass for both. By this means the sentinels were deceived. Our heroes swam the North river, (it was the early part of October,) and ran all that night. The next day they concealed themselves in the woods, and the fol- lowing night kept on their way, avoiding all habitations of note. Not knowing the state of parties in the country, they skulked from one place to another until they reached Dutchess county, where Concklin was known. Here they rested themselves and obtained food. Soon after the treaty of peace, Mr. Leggett re- moved to New York. He died October 10th, 1843. His chil- dren were Samuel, Joseph, William H. and Thomas, besides sev- eral danghters.

Opposite the residence of Edward G. Faile, Esq., on this neck, a rural lane leads southwest to Morrisania. It is called La Fay- ette's Lane, to commemorate the journey of that general, who passed through it on his way to Boston.

On the west side of the Planting Neck lies the debateable ter- ritory already alluded to.

In 1740, Lewis Morris and Isabella, his wife, conveyed to James Graham, as a marriage portion with their daughter Ara- bella,

" All that certain tract of land being part of the manor of Morrisania, situ- ate, lying and being in the county of Westchester, in the province of New York aforesaid, beginning at the mouth of a small brook or run of water com- monly called or known by the name of Wigwam Brook, but by some falscly called Sackwrahung, it being the first brook to the westward of an isthmus or neck of land known by the name of Jeafferd's Neck, and from the mouth of the said brook, where it falls into the salt water, running as the said brook runs to the head thereof, which being measured in a straight line north eight degrees thirty minutes more easterly, is forty and three chains running east, thirty-four degrees northerly to Bound Brook ; thence down the said Bound Brook, as it runs to the mouth thereof, where it falls in a salt water creek that runs by the house of Gabriel Leggett ; then along the said creek as it runs into the Sound to the eastward of the said Jeafferd's Neck ; then along the Sound to the mouth of a salt creek that runs up to Wigwam Brook ; thence along up the said salt creek as it runs to the mouth of Wigwam Brook, whence it first began, including the said Jeafferd's Neck, with the hammock, meadows and marshes thereunto adjoining and belonging, being bounded to the west- ward by the said Wigwam Brook and the salt creek before mentioned that

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HISTORY OF THE

runs up to it to the northward, partly by the lands of Morrisania and the salt creek that runs by the house of the said Legget to the eastward, partly by the said Bound Creek, and partly the salt creek aforesaid that runs by the house of Leggett, and to the southward by the Sound that divides Long Island, or the Island of Nassau, from Connecticut, &c. : the grantee paying therefore yearly, on the 25th of March, six ears of Indian corn, &c."

From Austin Graham this property passed to the Leggetts, who have sold various portions to Mr. Dater, Mr. Dennison and others.

Rose Bank, the charming seat of Mr. William H. Leggett, is situated near the entrance of Jefferd's Neck, on the banks of the East River, the waters of which appear spread out into a vast lake.

The view in front of the house embraces Riker's Island, the Two Brothers, (called in the Dutch " Gesellen,") the entrance of the Gate, and the distant shores of New York city, &c. In the Gra- ham mansion, which formerly stood on the site of Mr. Leggett's farm house, Major Bearmore, a British officer, was surprised by Colonel Armand,ª of the French cavalry. "November 7th,

e The last whose name I recollect, (says the Marquis De Chastellux,) is Colonel Armand-that is, M. de la Rouerie, nephew of M. de la Belinage. He was as cele- brated in France for his passion for Mademoiselle B-, as he is in America for his courage and capacity. His family, having compelled him to abandon an attach- ment, the consequences of which they dreaded, he buried himself in a celebrated and profound retirement ; (the monastery of La Trappe ;) but he soon quitted it for America, where he devoted himself to a more glorious abstinence, and to more me- ritorious mortifications. Ilis character is gay, his wit agreeable ; and nobody would wish to see him make the vow of silence. M. Le Marquis de la Rouerie was then very young : his subsequent conduct has proved that nature, in giving him a sus- ceptible and impassioned mind, has not made him a present likely to be always fatal to him ; glory and honor have employed all its activity ; and it is an observation which merits to be consigned in history, as well as in this journal, that carrying with him, as he did to America, all the heroic courage and romantic notions of chi- valry of the ancient French noblesse, he could so well conform to republican man- ners, that, far from availing himself of his birth, he would only make himself known by his Christian name. Hence he was always called Colonel Armand. He commanded a legion which was destroyed in Carolina, at the battle of Camden, and in the remainder of that unfortunate campaign. In 1781 he went to France, purchased everything necessary for arming and equipping a new legion, and on his

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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

1779, (says General Heath,) at night, Colonel Armand proceeded with his corps from near Tarrytown to the vicinity of Morris- ania, to the house of Alderman Leggett, where he surprised and took Major Bearmore and five others prisoners. The secresy, precaution, gallantry and discipline exhibited by the colonel and his corps on this occasion did them much honor. In the capture of Major Bearmore, the inhabitants of the adjacent country were relieved from the frequent excursions of a troublesome officer."a. The destruction of the old house took place under the following circumstances. Col. Fowler, of the British army, who had dis- possessed the Graham family, and made it his own quarters, invi- ted all the officers and gentry in the neighborhood to dine with him, preparatory to his change of quarters. The company were assembled, and all seemed gay and happy. The more youthful of both sexes were wandering about the lawn, enjoying the beauty of the prospect, when a servant (one of Mr. Graham's slaves) announced the important fact, "Dinner is on the table." All turned their faces to the banqueting room, but before any one entered the door, there was a cry of fire heard. Col. Fowler seemed to think the dinner was more important than the build- ing : he ordered everything removed from the table, the gentle- men assisting, and in a few minutes the table and contents were removed to the shade of a large willow, where all seated them- selves, and appeared to enjoy the meal and the burning. The house was utterly consumed, with the contents, before the com- pany separated. No effort was made to save an article not re- quired for the better enjoyment of their meal. The same even- ing Colonel Fowler conducted a marauding party into the vicin- ity of Eastchester, where he was attacked and fell mortally wounded. Being brought back to the house of Cornelius van Ranc, overseer of Mr. Graham's farm, he expired that night.

return to America he advanced the cost of them to Congress. Before the peace, he was advanced to the rank of Brigadier-General .- Travels in North America, by Marquis de Chastellux, page 90-1.

b Heath's Mem. 223.

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HISTORY OF THE

In 1791 the Manor of Morrisania was annexed to the ancient borough town of Westchester by an act of the legislature, a and so continued until 1846, when it was added to the present township. Its name is derived from the Morris family, the first mesne Lords and patentees under the crown, the termination " ania" being in general use in the latter part of the seventeenth century. At the period of the Dutch discovery, it was styled by the aborigines Ranachque, or Raraque, an appellation which doubtless refers to some object peculiar to its geographical locality. The Indians appear to have resided principally on the shores of the East and Haarlem River. Of this, the extensive "shell beds," which are still to be seen, afford conclusive evidence. Within a few years several Indian tumuli have been accidentally opened in the vi- cinity of Governeur Morris's residence, and found to contain large sized skeletons of the aborigines. The first grantee under the sachems of Ranachque was Jonas Bronck, in 1639,b who subse- quently obtained a " grond brief" from the Dutch authorities. In 1639 we find the patroon of Bronck's land leasing a portion of his territory in the following manner : " Appeared before me, Corne- lins van Tienhoven, secretary in New Netherland, in presence of the undersigned witnesses-Mr. Jonas Bronck from one side, and Peter Andriessen and Lourent Dayts from the other, who agreed together amicably in the following manner : said Mr. Bronck shall show to the persons aforesaid a certain lot of land, of which he is proprietor, and which is situated opposite the river and the plain of Manhattan ; in which lot aforesaid they may cultivate tobacco and maize, upon the express condition that they shall clear and cultivate, every two years, a fresh spot for raising their tobacco and maize, and then the spot which they cultivated be- fore shall return again to Mr. Bronck aforesaid, to dispose of ac- cording to pleasure ; they shall be further obliged to return the field that they again surrender, that it is in proper order to be ploughed, and sowed with grain : this lot of ground they shall

a Entitled an act to annex the town of Morrisania to the town of Westchester, passed 22d of February, 1791.

See Col. Morris's confirmation of Bronck's purchase.

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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

have the use during three years, for which Mr. Bronck shall have no other claim than that the land shall have been cleared and brought in a proper manner of cultivation by the diligence of Peter Andriessen and Lourent Dayts, who from their side shall be holden to accomplish their task. 21st July, 1639.

MAUNT JANSSEN, Witness. "a

We find Jonas Bronck again leasing land on the 15th of Au- gust, 1639, to Cornelius Jacobsen Stoll and John Jacobsen.b

Jonas Bronck must have died sometime prior to the year 1643, for we find his widow Antonia Slaghboom, at that date, married to Arendt van Curler. His descendants are said to be still nu- merous in the vicinity of Coxsackie, Green county, and Coey- mans, Albany county, N. Y.

By the marriage of Antonia Slaghboom, Bronck's land passed into the Van Curler family. In a letter to the patroon Van Rens- selaer, dated " The Manhattans, this 16th of June, 1643," Van Curler says, " I am at present betrothed to the widow of the late Mr. Jonas Bronck. May the good God vouchsafe to bless me in my undertaking, and please to grant that it might conduce to his honor and to our mutual salvation. Amen."e

On the 30th of October, 1644, Van Curler obtained a " grond brief" for Broncks' land from William Kieft, director general. I cannot forbear quoting an interesting sketch of this distinguished indi- vidual by E. B. O'Callaghan, historian of the New Netherlands. " Arendt van Curler was one of those characters who deserve to live in history. His influence among the Indians was unlim- ited, and in honor of his memory these tribes addressed all suc- ceeding governors of New York by the name of "Corlear." He possessed feelings of the purest humanity and actively exerted his influence in rescuing from the savages such Christians as had the misfortune to fall into their hands, of whose danger he might receive timely notice. On his marriage with Antonia Slaghboom, the widow of Jonas Bronck, he visited Holland, and on his return moved to the Flatts above Albany where he had a

b Alb. Rec.

a Alb. Rec.

e O'Callaghan's Hist. N. Y. 464. VOL. II.

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HISTORY OF THE

farm. He was proprietor of a brewery in Beverwyck, in 1661. Being a cousin of the Van Rensselaers he had considerable influence in the colony, where he was a magistrate to the time of his decease. He was one of the leaders in the settlement of Schenectady in 1661-2, and in the surrender of New Nether- lands was especially sent for by Governor Nicoll to be consulted on Indian affairs and the interests of the country generally.

He was highly respected by the governors of Canada, and the regard entertained for him by Monsieur de Tracy, viceroy of that country, will be best judged of by the following extract of a letter which that high personage addressed him, dated Quebec, 30th April, 1667.

"' If you find it agreeable to come hither this summer, as you have caused me to hope, you will be most welcome, and enter- tained to the utmost of my ability, as I have great esteem for you, though I have not a personal acquaintance with you. Believe this truth, and that I am, sir, your affectionate and assured servant.

" ' TRACY.'

" Having accepted this invitation, Mr. van Curler prepared for his journey. Gov. Nicoll furnished him with a letter to the viceroy. It bears date May 20th, 1667, and states that ' Mons'r Curler hath been importuned by divers of his friends at Quebec to give them a visit, and being ambitious to kiss your hands he hath entreated my pass and liberty to conduct a young gentle- man, Mr. Fontaine, who unfortunately fell into the barbarous hands of his enemies, and by means of Mons'r Curler obtained his liberty' On the 4th July following, Jeremias van Rensselaer writing to Holland, announces that ' our cousin Arendt van Cur- ler proceeds overland to Canada, having obtained leave from our general, and been invited thither by the viceroy, M. de Tracy. In an evil hour he embarked on board a frail canoe to cross Lake Champlain, and having been overtaken by a storm was drowned, I believe, near Split Rock. In his death this country experi- enced a public loss, and the French of Canada a warm and efficient friend.' " a

a O'Callaghan's Hist. N. N. 322, 3.

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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

Upon the 15th of January, A. D. 1676, the following letters of administration were granted unto Mr. William Beeckman of the estate of Juffrouwa Slaghboom.

" Edmund Andross, Esq., S.c.

" Whereas Juffrou Antonia Slaghboom, the widow and relict of Monsieur Arendt van Curler, late of Schanecktade near Albany, is lately dead, and in her last will and testament did nominate and appoint William Beeckman, sen., of this city to be her exe- cutor, and the said William Beeckman having made application unto me for letters of administration upon the estate of the deceased ;"b &c., &c.

- On the 10th of July, 1651, sixteen years prior to his death, Arendt van Corlear, transported Broncks' land to Jacob van Stoll, from whom it passed through several proprietors to Her- man Smeeman.

22d of Oct. 1664. " Herman Smeeman of Comoonepan on the maine, sold to Samuel Edsall all that certain tract of land situated on the East river through Hell-gate, commonly called Broncks' land, containing 500 acres." This sale was confirmed to Edsall by royal pitent the sa ne year.

NICOLLS' PATENT FOR BRONCK'S LAND.

Richard Nicolls, Esq., governor general under his royal highness, James, Duke of York and Albany, of all his territories in America, To all to whom these presents shall come, sendeth greeting. Whereas there was a patent or ground brief heretofore granted by the Dutch Gov. Will'm Kieft, unto Arent van Curler for a certaine tract or parcel of land formerly in the tenure or occupation of Jonas Broncks, commonly called by the Indians by the name of Ranachque, and by the English Broncks land, lying and being on the maine to the east and over against Harlem town, having a certain small creek or kill which runs between the north-west part of it and Little Barnes Island, near Hell-gate, and so goes into the East river and a greater creek or river which divides it from Manhattoes Islands, containing about 500 acres or 250 margon of land, and including all the push thereunto annexed or adjoining, which said patent or ground brief so granted as aforesaid, bearing date the

& A title of distinction for a lady among the Dutch.

b Surrogate's Office, N. Y. 261.

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HISTORY OF THE

20th day of October, 1644, was by the said Arent van Curler, upon the 10th day of July, 1651, transported and inade over unto Jacob Jans Stoll, and upon the 19th day of December, 1662, conveyed by Matthews de Vos, as attorney of Geertruyt Andries, the widow of the said Jacob Jansen Stoll, unto Geer- trieu Hendrick, formerly the widow of Andries Hoppen, and by her upon the same day, (with the approbation and consent of Dirck Girrits van Tright, then her husband,) made over to Harman Smeeman, who, upon the 22d day of October, 1661, sold and conveyed the same for a valuable consideration unto Samuel Edsall, late of this city, beaver maker, now for a confirmation unto him, the said Samuel Edsall, in his 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 unto the said Samuel Edsall, his heirs and assignees, all the aforesaid parcel of land and premises, with all the soil, woods, pastures, meadow ground, marshes, commonage, creeks, waters, lakes, fishing, hawking, hunting and fowling, within the limits before set forth, described, and all other profits, commodities and emoluments to the said parcel or part of land belonging or in anywise appertaining, to have and to hold the said parcel or part of land and premises unto the said Samuel Edsall, his heirs and assignees, unto the proper use and behoof of the said Samuel Edsall, his heirs and assignees, forever, 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 obe- dience of his royal highness, his heirs and successors. Given under my hand and seal at Fort James in New York, on the island of Manhattoes, the

day of in the 20th year of his majestie's reign, Anno Domini 166 . RICHARD NICOLLS.

The next possessor of Bronck's land was Captain Richard Morris, who must have purchased of Edsall, cir. 1670. Mr. Sparks says : " That there was a contract, dated the 10th of Au- gust, 1670, in which Richard is styled a merchant in New York, and Lewis, his brother, a merchant in Barbadoes."a " It follows," (remarks Dunlap,) " that Richard was in Barbadoes in 1670, and contracted to come on to New York to purchase this grant of Morrisania for himself and brother, Lewis, who was to follow and settle on it ; but that he did not come until the peace of 1674, when he found the son of his brother an orphan, took him under his protection, and built at Morrisania."b

a Articles of agreement were entered into between the two brothers, that if either of them died without issue, the survivor, or issue of the survivor, if any, should take the estate.

. Dunlap's Hist. of N. Y. vol. i. 272.

To face page 284, vol. ii.

Arms. gu. a li

Colonel Lewis Morris, proprietor of the TIntern estal Monmouthshire, England ; emigrated to Barbados in 1662; removed to Morrisania, A. D. 1674. -ah Pole.

1 Daughter_John Walters, of Piercefield, Monmouthshire, England,

Fraham, Tw York, terred in

John Morris of-Grizzle Wal. William, of

1 Lewis, of Barba- does.

1 Richard, of Barbadoes ob. 1713.

Antigua, ob. 1687.

lace, descen- Antigua, ob. s. p.

ded of the ancient fam- ily of the Wallaces, of Scotland.

Richard. William, ob. s. p. John.

1 Thomas=Dorothy

Saddler

Valentine,-1. Eliz'th Keynell, Lt. Col. in Dalzell's regiment.

da. and heiress of Sir Christopher Keynell, ma 1704, ob. 15 Feb. 1715. =2. Elizabeth Wilmott, mar. 1790.

1 Gen. Lewi one of the of the Decbert Boggs of Indeper Halifax. Brigadier - in the Con army, nat April, 172

P. Ashfield

Sept. 1779_V.

7 Jan. 1757, ob. -Cathar'e, nat.

sania.

Col. L

Ges

-John Ruth- erfurd

Masters.

-Thomas, ob. s. p .= Dorothy

-Charles=Miss Masters.

-Margaret.

-Dorothy_Col. Saddler, of Ja.

John, nat. 13 Jun. 1705, ob. s. p.

-Francis, nat. 10 July, 1706.

19 May, 1709. Antigua.

-Elizabeth, nat .__ John Fry, of

May 2, 1712.

-Henrietta nat .= Edw d Horne,

-Grace, nat. 2d March, 1713.

-Francis, nat. 16 Oct. 1727.

-Sarah, nat. 15 March, 1723, -Valentine, nat. 16 Oct. 1727 }

-Caroline, nat. 8 March, 1829.

Pelham.

Ruth- ry V erfurd

, of 'onk.

James van Cortlandt

Augustus Freder- Richard Lew. ick van Cortlandt is, M. D. 1.

Robert R. William H. Catharine= A vel

1 ob.

Col Lew. Will'in George. Richard, of Jacob. Sabina_Robt. Ma -- is. ob.

maica.

of Antigua.

284

HISTORY OF THE

20th day of October, 1644, was by the said Arent van Curler, upon the 10th day of July, 1651, transported and made over unto Jacob Jans Stoll, and upon the 19th day of December, 1662, conveyed by Matthews de Vos, as attorney of Geertruyt Andries, the widow of the said Jacob Jansen Stoll, unto Geer- trieu Hendrick, formerly the widow of Andries Hoppen, and by her upon the same day, (with the approbation and consent of Dirck Girrits van Tright, then her husband,) made over to Harman Smeeman, who, upon the 22d day of October, 1661, sold and conveyed the same for a valuable consideration unto Samnel Edsall, late of this city, beaver maker, now for a confirmation unto him, the said Samuel Edsall, in his 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 unto the said Samuel Edsall, his heirs and assignees, all the aforesaid parcel of land and premises, with all the soil, woods, pastures, meadow ground, marshes, commonage, creeks, waters, lakes, fishing, hawking, hunting and fowling, within the limits before set forth, described, and all other profits, commodities and emoluments to the said parcel or part of land belonging or in anywise appertaining, to have and to hold the said parcel or part of land and premises unto the said Samnel Edsall, his heirs and assignees, unto the proper use and behoof of the said Samuel Edsall, his heirs and assignees, forever, 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 obe- dience of his royal highness, his heirs and successors. Given under my hand and seal at Fort James in New York, on the island of Manhattoes, the day of in the 20th year of his majestie's reign, Anno Domini 166 . RICHARD NICOLLS.

a Articles of agreement were entered into between the two brothers, that if either of them dicd without issue, the survivor, or issue of the survivor, if any, should take the estate.

. Dunlap's Hist. of N. Y. vol. i. 272.

To face page 284, vol. 11.

PEDIGREE OF MORRIS OF MORRISANIA.

Arms. gu. a libu, rampant, reguardant or, quarterly, with three tortoauxes, arg. Crest, a catlo in flames.

William Morris, of Tintern, Monmouthshire.

Colon. 1 Lewis Morris, proprietor of the TIntern estate,-Mary Monmouthshire, England ; emigrated to Berbeduts In HdC, fe moved in Morrisanin, A D 1614.

William, proprietor of Denham, Wales, an officer Jo the. F'arliamcotary eersico : died nt scn.

Richard, enpinin in the regiment __ Saralı Pole, corvinaniled by ha brother Lew- in, Arst proprietor of Morrisanta

Daughter_John Walter, nf Piercefiehl, Monmouthahire, England,

Capt Jolin Morris, a distinguished officet in the Parliamentary ... Don Lewis Morris, propricior of Morrisonla,Tabella, da. of James Graham, agivice. A. D. 1651 thle gentlenion purchased lands in Barbadoce lost at aca off Deal Castle, A. D 108d.

first Governor of the Province of New Jer- sry, nat. 1642, ob. May, 1746 interred ot Morrisonia

| outorney general of New York, mar. 3d Nov 10Pl Interred la the vault el Morrisonio.

Flon Lewis, Judge of the High Court_1 Catharine Ivo. Robert Hunter, one of the

Juhn Muerte of=Grizzly Wal- Antiguo, ub. Ince, dr scen- 1087.

William, of

Lewis, of Barba-

1 Kicherd, of Barbadoer ob. 171J.

of Admiralty , also, one of the Judges of Uyer and Terminer ; 1.0L 2dd Sept 1608, ob 3d Ju- ly, J$62 ; will dated 19th Nov. 1700, No. 23, p 426,Surrognie's office. Interred al Morelonit

-2. Sarah Gouver-

joprielots of New Jersey, and Chief Justice of the *QUIC.

Euphemia

-Anne.

-Atabella G.

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A history of the county of Westchester, from its first settlement to the present time, Part 27

Author: Bolton, Robert, 1814-1877. cn Publication date: 1848 Publisher: New York, Printed by A.S. Gould Number of Pages: 640

Author: Bolton, Robert, 1814-1877. cn
Publication date: 1848
Publisher: New York, Printed by A.S. Gould
Number of Pages: 640