USA > New York > Westchester County > A history of the county of Westchester, from its first settlement to the present time > Part 32
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, Provided, and with the aforesaid condition and stipulant, that the manor with all its appurtenances, should, in no wise be alienated nor estranged, contrary to the tenor of the afore- mentioned will and bequest, but should remain to the use and be- hoof aforesaid, and not otherwise, releasing therefor, the said deed to property, title and right that this said grantors as well for themselves or in quality as above heretofore had to the said manor and its appurtenances, could or ought to have in any manner of way whatsoever as by the said indenture in the hands and custody of the said Nicholas Bayard and the present elders of the said Dutch church became seized and possessed of the premises aforesaid in trust to the use and purpose aforesaid.
In December, 1753, the lieutenant governor of his majesty's province of New York, with the council and assembly, passed an act entitled, " An act to enable the minister, elders, and dea- cons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of the city of New York to sell and dispose of their lands, tenements, and hereditaments in the county of Westchester, commonly called
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and known by the name of the Manor of Fordham," &c. " And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that the moneys arising by such sale or sales shall not be disposed of to any secu- lar use, but the same shall be expended and used in purchasing or improving lands and other real estate, in order to secure a better and more large revenue or income towards supporting and maintaining of the said Dutch minister, or ministers, of the said Dutch churches and congregations, as near as may be agree- able to the will and intentions of the said donor, Cornelius Steenwyck," &c. On the 25th of February, 1755, the above act was confirmed by the king in council.a
The principal grantees of the manor under the Dutch Re- formed Church were Charles Doughty, who held 230 acres, John Vanholst, 138 acres, Daniel Secord, 108 acres, Joseph and Bishop, 155 acres, the Dyckmans, &c. The residue, consisting of forty acres, was sold to the Hon. Lewis Morris and Willliam Kelly in 1760. Upon the 2d of May, 1774, Lewis Morris and William Kelly conveyed 110 acres to Peter Valentine, in whose descen- dants this portion of the manor is still vested.
Through the liberality of Mrs. Steenwyck, 300 acres are said to have been exempted from the sale to the Dutch Church, upon which was situated the old manorial residence. Be this as it may, however, we find Benjamin Archer, son of Samuel and grandson of John Archer, first grantor of the manor of Fordham, in 1780 seized in fee of a portion of the manor. Upon the death of Benjamin it passed to his children, Benjamin Archer, John Archer, Sarah, the wife of Jacob Alord, and Rachel, the wife of James Crawford. In 1786 Sarah and Rachel conveyed their rights and interest unto Benjamin Archer, their brother, whose sons, the present William and Samuel Archer, are the only pro- prietors of the name that own a foot of land in Fordham. The family of Archerb is of English origin, and held for many cen-
a The funds arising from the sale of this property are now vested in Chamber St. New York.
b The surname of this family originated at the time of the crusades, when some designation was necessarily affixed to the Christain name of those who embarked in them, for distinction's sake ; as L'Archer, signifying the archer or bow-man.
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turies large possessions in the county of Warwickshire. 'The representative of the senior branch in 1600 appears to have been John Archer of Warwickshire, who married Eleanor Frewin. Fulbert L'Archer, the first of whom anything is known, came into England with William the Conqueror. At what period they emigrated to this country is uncertain, but as early as 1630, occurs the name of Samuel Archer, a freeman of Salem, Massa- chusetts, and in 1641, Henry Archer, of Ipswich in that province. John Archer, first proprietor of the manor of Fordham, probably accompanied the early settlers from Fairfield to Westchester, cir. 1654, for in 1657 his name appears as plaintiff in an action of debt brought against one Roger Wiles.ª It is said that this in- dividual expired in his coach while journeying to New York city, November, 16S5.b
In 1686, appears the following license and certificate con. cerning his son's marriage :
" By his Excellency the governor, whereas, I have received in- formation of a mutual intent and agreement between John Archer of the one part, and Sarah Odell of the other part, to solemnize marriage together, for which they have requested my lycense, and there appearing no lawful impediment for the obstruction thereof, these are to authorize and empower you to join the said John and Sarah Odell in the bonds of matrimony, and them to pronounce man and wife, and to make record thereof, if conve- nient to the laws in that behalf provided, for which this shall be your warrant. Given under my hand and seal, at Fort James, in New York, the seventh day of October, 1686, under the 2nd year of his majesties reign.
THOMAS DONGAN."
Province of New York,
These may certify all persons to whom these presents shall come, that John Archer, of the manor of Fordham, in the county of Westchester, and Sarah Odell of the same place, by virtue of his Excellency the governor's license, bearing date the 7th day of October, 1686, were both joined together in matrimony the
a See vol. ii. 179.
b Ilis remains were interred on Tetard hill. VOL. II.
42
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day of Dec., in the year of our Lord God, 1686, and in the 2nd year of his majesty's reign.
Ita Rogatus, Attestator. John Palmer, Justice of Quorum.
The children of John Archer, Jr. and Sarah his wife, were John, Samuel, Richard and others, who have left numerous de- scendants.
The small hamlet of Fordham " is situated on the line of the Haarlem railroad, where is a derot, twelve and a half miles north of the City Hall." This place is said to have been the site of the ancient Dutch dorpe or village. "Here are located a Dutch Reformed Church, an academy, thrce taverns, two stores, and thirty or forty dwelling houses.
" St. John's College, a Roman Catholic institution, is situated near this place, on an eminence called Rose Hill ; enjoying all the advantages peculiar to the country, its pure invigorating air, its retirement and peaceful quiet, so favorable to the formation and growth of studions habits; while at the same time its prox- imity to the city by means of the railroad, is a great convenience. This institution, the only one of its kind in the state, was first opened for the reception of students on the 24th of June, 1841." It was incorporated by an act of the legislature passed April 10th, 1846. The following is an extract from their rules and regula- tions: " The system of government will be mild and paternal, yet firm in enforcing the observance of established discipline. The utmost attention will be paid not only to the intellectual, but also to the moral education of the pupils. As to their do- mestic comfort, every thing which parental affection can desire will be found and supplied in the assiduous attention and skilful management of the Sisters of Charity, to whom the charge of this important and highly responsible department is mainly con- fided." The college, which contains the rooms of the various professors, library, &c., is a large, elegant, and commodious edi- fice. The hall is adorned with some valuable engravings from Raphael's frescoes in the Vatican, presented by the late Pope Gregory XVI., to the Right Rev. Bishop Hughes. The oil pic- tures consist of a Madonna de la pesce, a copy from the original
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by Raphael. This picture is from the collection of the late Joseph Bonaparte ; The Entombment of the Saviour, a copy by William Franquinet. The head of St. Joseph in this picture is finely painted. The wooden building attached to the gardens on the south was formerly the residence of Colonel John Watts and his wife, the celebrated Lady Mary Alexander, daughter of Major General Lord Stirling. The church is a very large and handsome structure of stone, in the Gothic style. It is intended to embattle the tower and carry up the spire. The windows, which are filled with some excellent stained glass, give the in- terior a very pleasing appearance. The apostles, St. Peter and St. Paul, and the four evangelists are depicted in six windows, three on each side. These figures are executed in the best style of modern stained glass; they stand on floriated Gothic pedestals of gold surmounted by a rich canopy of the same. At the foot of the pedestal a gold escutcheon containing the name of each apostle and evangelist. The whole were made to order expressly for this church at St. Omers in France.
Adjoining the church on the west is the new divinity school of St. Joseph ; the grounds are extensive, and in a state of high improvement. The collegiate year commences on the first Mon- day of September. Average number of students about 130.
Rose hill place has been successively the property of the families of Corsar, Watts, and Brevoort, from whom it passed to Horatio Shephard Moat, who sold it in 1836 to the present proprietor.
The farm and residence of the late Peter de Lancey, Esq., is delightfully situated near the college.
In the same neighborhood is Belmont, the property of Jacob Lorillard, Esq. The house, which occupies an elevated position, commands a very extensive view of the Mill brook vale and the country adjacent.
The Dutch Reformed Church stands upon rising ground on the north side of the road leading from Fordham to Kings- bridge. This edifice was erected in 1801. It is a neat wooden structure, but contains nothing worthy of particular notice. The old church,a which has long since been destroyed, stood
& This building was standing in 1724. Mrs. Steenwyck and William Dyckman are said to have been liberal benefactors towards its erection,
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on the farm of Mr. James Valentine. Little is known con- cerning the early history of this church, except that as early as 1671, "The inhabitants residing between the two kills of Haarlem and the Broncks were obliged to contribute towards the support of its minister." Upon the 11th of May, 1696, it appears to have been regularly organized by the Collegiate D. R. Church of New York; the Rev. John Montagne being at that time minister of the latter and Henricus Selyns, William Beeckman, Johannis Kerbyle, Johannis de Peyster, Jacobus Kipp, Isaac de Forrest, and Isaac de Reyner, elders and deacons. The last minister prior to the Revolution was the Rev. Dom. Tetard.
The following minutes are extracted from the record of the New York Classis :
" At a classis held in Flatbush on Tuesday, September 2d, 1800, &c. The church in the Manor of Fordham, being re- duced during the war, and a prospect now opening of their being restored, Resolved, that this classis encourage and countenance them, by assisting and supplying them. Resolved further, that Dr. Livingston visit and preachi to them as soon as convenient."a
"In 1802 Mr. Livingston reported that he had fulfilled his appointment, whereupon it was resolved that Mr. Jackson take charge of the congregation and give them all the service in his power."b
" October 19th, 1809, the church of Fordham having called the Rev. John Jackson he was approved by the classis, who also resolved that the Rev. Dr. Gerardus A. Kuypers, as primarius, and the Rev. Cornelius C. Vermilyea, as secundus, be a commit- tee to install the Rev. John Jackson."c
LIST OF PASTORS.
Instal. or call. Pastors. Vacated by
1779. Rev. Dom. Tetard,
1819. Rev. John Jackson,
184 . Rev. P. I. van Pelt, D. D.
resignation. ditto. ditto.
1846. Rev. William Cahoone, present pastor,
& Rec. of N. Y. Classis, vol. i. 225.
« Ibid. vol. v. 23.
b Ibid. vol. ii. 9.
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CHURCH MEMORANDA.
1827. Communicants, 32.
Baptisms, 15.
1815. ditto. 48. ditto -.
Immediately contiguous to the church is the Croton Aqueduct, which, at no great distance, crosses the Haarlem river on a mag- nificent bridge of stone, 1150 feet long, with fifteen arches, eight of which are eighty feet span, and seven of fifty feet span ; one hundred and fourteen feet above tide water at the top. The estimated cost of the whole, when finished, will exceed $900,000.
In the vicinity of the high bridge is situated Mount Fordham, the seat of Lewis G. Morris, Esq. This place commands a very extensive view of the Haarlem river and surrounding country, in which New York island forms a beautiful feature.
The residence of Mr. Samuel Archer, in this neighborhood, is distinguished in the history of the Revolution as the head quar- ters of Colonel James de Lancey of the Royal Refugee corps. The following incidents show that although situated directly under the guns of Fort No. 8, De Lancey's position was a very hazardous one, and required the utmost vigilance to guard against a surprise.
In May, 1780, Captain Cushing of the Massachusetts line, with a small detachment under his command, consisting of one hundred infantry, made an excursion to this place. The expe- dition appears to have been planned by his guide, Michael Dyck- man, who had ascertained by close observation that the British sentinels were not in the habit of changing their countersign ; the next step was the capture of one of the refugees themselves, from whom he obtained the countersign. By this means, so sudden and complete was the surprisal of the enemy on the oc- casion, that over forty of them were either killed or made pris- oners. It was the intention to have captured De Lancey, but he was absent from his quarters. The cantonment had scarcely been turned, when a large party of Yauger horse collected and pursued Captain Cushing, but he effected his retreat with so much skill and gallantry, though charged repeatedly by the ene- my, that no injury was sustained. The enemy were far ad- vanced up the Saw Mill valley ere they relinquished the pursuit.
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On this occasion Abraham Dyckman arrested Captain Ogden in Colonel Emmerick's quarters, (the house now occupied by Na- thaniel P. Bailey, Esq.,) at the moment when a British sentinel was pacing the bridge within musket shot.
"On the 19th of January, 1781, (says General Heath,) 150 men from the Connecticut line and 200 from the New Hampshire line were to move towards the lines ; these, with those who marched from Hazen's the day before, were to form a covering party to the detachment under Lieutenant Colonel Hull, who was to make an attempt on De Lancey's corps."a The result of the enterprise, (which took place upon the 2Sth of January, 1781,) is thus related by Thacher. " A detachment, under the com- mand of Lieutenant Colonel Hull, has returned from a successful expedition, having attacked by surprise the Royal Refugee corps under the command of the noted Colonel De Lancey, posted at Morrisania. Colonel Hull has for several months past sustained the command of a detachment of our troops posted in advance of our army, a situation requiring the most active vigilance and precaution, to guard against surprise and stratagem. In this station, as in many others, this officer has evinced his military skill and judgment. He has executed an enterprize with such address and gallantry as to merit for himself and his detachment the highest honor. He bravely forced a narrow passage to the enemy, and besides a number being killed, he took upwards of fifty prisoners, cut away the bridge, b burnt their huts and a con- siderable quantity of forage, and brought off a number of horses and cattle. Colonel Hull possesses in a high degree the confi- dence of the commander-in chief ; and for his judicious arrange- ments in the plan, and intrepidity and valor in the execution of the enterprize, he received the thanks of his Excellency, and after- wards of congress. The enemy pursued our troops, and fell in with a covering party, under command of Colonel Hazen, and in a skirmish which ensued, they suffered an additional loss of about thirty-five. Of Colonel Hull's detachment, one ensign, and twenty-five rank and file were killed and wounded. This suc-
& Heath's Mem. 271.
b The pontoon bridge across Haarlem river.
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cessful exploit is calculated to raise the spirits of our troops, and to divest their minds from the unhappy occurrence, which has recently taken place in camp, and at the same time it may con- vince the enemy that the affairs of our army are not altogether desperate."a
" 4th of March, 1752, Captain Hunnewell with a body of vol- unteer horse, backed by the infantry under the command of Major Woodbridge made an excursion to Morrisania. 'The horse proceeded down between the British fort, No. 8, and the canton- ment of De Lancey's corps, and having turned the cantonments between day-break and sun-rise, they entered pell mell. The enemy were completely surprised, and fled in every direction ; some were cut down on the spot, others so badly wounded as not to be able to be removed. Some of the enemy availed them- selves of positions where the horse could not assail them, from whence they began to fire on the house. This occcasioned the firing of the alarm guns at No. 8. The horse having nearly accomplished their design moved off, taking the Eastchester road, in which Major Woodbridge had posted the infantry in ambus- cade. Captain Hunnewell had brought off one subaltern and twenty meu prisoners and 20 horses. The enemy in the vicinity collected a number of horse, backed by light infantry, and pur- sued Captain Hunnewell until he came to Major Woodbridge. The enemy were drawn into the ambuscade, who made one or two discharges on them, on which they broke and retired, but soon returned to the charge ; skirmishing ensued, and continued to a considerable distance. Of the Americans, two privates were killed, Mr. Abraham Dyckman,b one of the guides, a brave and active man, mortally wounded, and three privates slightly wounded."c
" On the 26th of March, (says General Heath,) Mr. Dyckman, d one of our guides on the lines, with thirteen volunteer horsemen
a Thacher's Journal, 245.
+ Mr. Dyckman fell at Purdy's corner near the intersection of the Eastchester and New York roads.
e Heath's Mem. 330.
d Michael, brother of Abraham Dyckman.
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made an excursion to Morrisania, took five prisoners of De Lan- cey's corps and five horses ; on their return they were pursned by a party of the enemy's horse, who coming rather too near, the brave volunteers faced about, charged vigorously, took one man prisoner with his horse, and put the rest to flight. The enemy again appeared," on the Eastchester road near Jonathan Ward's house, " in some force, at a distance, but dared not renew the attack."a
The following is General Heath's account of the burning of Colonel Hatfield's quarters, which stood directly opposite Archer's entrance. " About this time (January, 1780,) a detachment from Colonel Mead's regiment of levies at Horseneck, and a number of volunteers from Greenwich, the former under the command of Captain Keeler, the latter under the command of Captain Lock- wood, the whole about eighty, marched to Morrisania ; and about one o'clock in the morning made an attack on Colonel Hatfield. They first attacked the picket, killed three, and drove the rest into the colonel's quarters. The colonel and his men took to the chambers, and fired out at the windows, and down stairs, at those who had entered the house ; it appeared difficult, if possible, to dislodge them ; the house was instantly set on fire, by putting a straw bed into a closet, which compelled the enemy to jump out at the chamber windows, to avoid the flames. Colonel Hat- field, one captain, one lieutenant, one quarter-master, and eleven privates were taken prisoners and brought off. This was a pretty affair, but was a litte tarnished on the return by some of the militia, who were fatigued, loitering on the road, where they supposed there was no danger ; but a party of horse pursuing, overtook, killed and captured several of them."b
Many other occurrences of the same kind might be related to show that this vicinity was constantly harassed by small parties of American volunteers, who made every effort to dislodge their wary antagonists.
Upon a lofty eminence to the north-west of the Archer house, stand the remains of Fort No. 8. "The enemy (observes Heath)
· Heath's Mem. 3:29.
t Ibid. 228.
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had a redoubt called No. 8 on the east side of Haarlem creek, nearly opposite to the fort on Laurel hill, and under the fire of its cannon, for the security of their advanced troops on the Mor- risania side."a When the British made the bold and successful attack upon Fort Washington in 1776, the guns of No. 8, which lay directly opposite, covered the advance of the Hessians and Lord Percy. "On the 20th of October, 1782, the enemy were demolishing their works at No. S, Morrisania."b
Fort Independence, the ruins of which are still visible on Tetard's hill, was not dismantled until 1833. Prince Charles's redoubt, and the Negro fort, both well known fortifications, in the annals of the Revolution, lie on the south side of Valentine's hill. From the former, which commands a splendid view of the surrounding country, the morning and evening gun of the British was fired.
Williams' Bridge, in the north-east corner of West Farms, is situated on the line of the Haarlem and Westchester railroad, where is a depot, thirteen and a half miles north of the City Hall ; here are two taverns and a store.
The Haarlem river (Muscoota,) which forms the western boundary of the town, is one of the sweetest streams that ever gave a charm to landscape. On the Westchester shore high woods cover the sides of undulating hills, while here and there rich meadows form a gradual and beautiful descent to the water's edge. The opposite banks are abruptly terminated with rocky declivities, and present by their greater boldness a fine contrast. These waters afford an agreeable haunt to the king fisher, " the most celebrated and besung of all other birds says Aldrovand," likewise to the heron and fish hawk.
Heath's Mem, 223.
b Heath's Mem. 357.
VOL. II. 43
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WHITE PLAINS.
THE half-shire town of the county is sitn- ated twenty-eight miles from New York, one hundred and thirty-one south of Albany, six miles east of the Hud- son, and fourteen south of Bedford, the other half-shire town ; bound- Grace Church, White Plains. ed northerly by North Castle, eastwardly by Harrison, southerly by Scarsdale, and west by Greenburgh. The river Bronx runs south along the west line, and the Mamaroneck river along the east, forming the boundary towards Harrison township. The whole area of this town may be eight and a half square miles.a
White Plains originally formed a portion of the town of Rye, and derived its name from the White Balsam, (Gnaphaliumb Polycephalum of Linnæus,) which still grows in great abun- dance in and around the plains.
It was called Quaroppas by the Indians, under whom these lands must have formed a portion of the ancient domains of Weck- quaskeck, as we find Shaphanı, or Thapham, one of the sachems of that place, conjointly selling lands here to the inhabitants of the town of Rye in 1683.
" It is so long since the Indians quitted these grounds, that their monuments are almost effaced. Once in a while a point of an arrow, or a stone axe is found, which bears the mark of In-
a Spafford's Gazetter of N. Y.
b From the Greek Gnaphalon, a word signifying soft down or wool.
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dian labor and dexterity ; and there is still to be distinguished the spot on which they had their wigwams, and the cemetrya where they buried their dead." The former is situated on the lands of Mr. Gilbert Oakley, the latter on the property of Mr. Elisha Crawford. In the vicinity of the village is a small exca- vation cut out of a granite rock, denominated the Indians' seat.
Upon the 22d day of November, 1683, the inhabitants of Rye obtained the following grant from the aboriginal proprietors.
"To all Christian people to whom these presents shall come, greeting : Know ye, that we, Thapham, Cockinseko, Orawapum, Kewetoham, Koawa- nohpaatch, Shipharrash, Korehwewous, Panawok, Memishote, Pewekanoh, Oromahqah, Pathunck, Hohoreis, Debenga Wonauahing, Owhorawas, and Onoshand, have for a valuable sum of money to us in hand, bargained, cove- nanted, alienated and sold unto the inhabitants of the above said town of Rye, a certain tract of land lying within the town bounds of Rye, bounded as fol- loweth, on the north-east with Marrineck river, and on the south-east with a branch of the said river and marked trees till it comes to Broncks's river, and then to run by Broncks's river till it comes to the head of the White Plaines, so called, and by marked trees from thence till it comes to the uppermost branch of Marrineck river, which tract of land is commonly called by the English the White Plaines, and called by the Indians Quaroppas, which said tract of land wee, the abovesaid Thapham, Cockinseko, Orawapum, Kewe- toham, Koawanoh, Moahatice, and the rest of the abovesaid Indians have sold as abovesaid unto the inhabitants of the said town of Rye, them, their heirs, executors, administrators, or assignees, for ever, and do hereby bind ourselves, our heirs, executors, administrators, and assignees, unto the inhabitants of the abovesaid town of Rye, them, their heirs, executors, administrators, or assignees, that they may at all times from and after the date hereof appear, peaceably and quietly possess, occupy, and enjoy the abovesaid tract of land free from all former bargains, sales, inortgages, or other incumbrances what- soever, and also to warrant and make good the abovesaid sale against any person or persons whatsoever that shall or will make or lay any claim or claimes thereunto, and in testimony thereof we have caused this bill of sale to be made, and hereunto have sett our hands and seals this two and twentieth of November, one thousand six hundred and eighty-three. Sealed, signed, and delivered in the presence of us,
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