USA > New York > Westchester County > A history of the county of Westchester, from its first settlement to the present time > Part 43
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"The potent clangour of his trumpet, like the ivory horn of the renowned Paladin Orlando, when expiring in the glorious field of Roncesvalles, rung far and wide through the country, alarming the neighbours round, who hurried in amazement to the spot. Here an old Dutch burgher, famed for his veracity, and who had been a witness of the fact, related to them the melancholy affair, with the fearful addition, (to which I am slow of giving belief,) that he saw the duyvel, in the shape of a huge moss-bonker, seize the sturdy Anthony by the leg, and drag him beneath the waves. Certain it is, the place with the adjoining promontory which projects into the Hudson, has been called spyt den duyvel, or spiking duyvel. ever since. The restless ghost of the unfortu- nate Anthony still haunts the surrounding solitudes, and his trumpet has often been heard by the neighbors, of a stormy night, mingling with the howling of the blast. Nobody ever attempts to swim over the creek after dark ; on the contrary, a bridge has been built to guard against such melancholy accidents in future."a
This creek and neighbouring waters are also celebrated for their shad fishery. The season for fishing commences in March and continues throughout April and May. It is entirely governed by the influx and reflux of the tide, or the last of the flood and ebb. The fishermen make four lifts every twenty-four hours. The aggregate value of this fish, (the Alosa Sapidissima, Rap.,) taken in the Hudson river and neighbouring waters south of the Highlands, amounts to $100,000 annually.
The small settlement of Kingsbridge bordering on the Haarlem river, took its name from a ferry and bridge established here at a very early period of the Colonial administration. The Westches- ter side of the bridge (where stands the Macomb's mansion,) was formerly an island called by the Indians Paperinemen, as
* Beauties of Washington Irving, p. 198.
4.43
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
we find the Director General, William Kieft, granting unto Matys (Matthew) Jansen the isle of Paperinemen, 18th August, 1646.ª 1674, John Archer, lord of the manor of Fordham, laid claim to a neck of land called Humock Island, commonly called by the Indians Paperinemen, which he asserted he had by patent. But it would appear that Governor Lovelace had already settled an individual by the name of Vervelen upon the island to keep a ferry for the accommodation of passengers between the island and the Westchester shore. To satisfy Archer's claim, however, the secretary of the colony, Matthias Nicolls, agreed to pay a yearly rent for the same.
1692, His Excellency the Governor " out of great favour and good to the city of New York proposed the building of a bridge over the spiken devil ferry."b
The same year at a meeting of the Mayor, Aldermen and As - sistants, we find them petitioning the Governor,
That as Frederick Phillipse will undertake to build the bridge at the said place, for the conveniency of all travellers and droves of cattle at a moderate and reasonable toll ; they do therefore humbly pray, that if the said Phillipse will undertake in one years time to build a good and convenient draw bridge for the passage of all travellers, droves of cattle and passage of carts and waggons, for the toll of one penny for every neat cattle, and two pence for each man and horse, and 12 pence for each score of hogs and sheep, and six pence for each cart and waggon that shall pass thereon, that he may have the preference of their majesties grant for the same by having a bridge built there.e
The following year, 1693, the 5th of King William the third and Queen Mary, the ferry, Island and, meadow were confirmed to Frederick Philipse, Lord of the manor of Philipsburgh, by royal charter and power given him to erect thereon a bridge and to receive a certain toll therein specified, and furthermore the said bridge to be henceforth called Kings bridge.d
Madam Knight on her journey from New York to New Haven in the year 1704, speaks thus of this place : " about 5 o'clock came
a Dutch Trans. Rec. G.G. p 360.
b Minutes of Common Council N. Y. Vol. ii. 70.
e Minutes of Common Council, Vol. ii. 70.
d Charter of Philipsburgh.
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HISTORY OF THE
to Spiting Devil, else Kings Bridge, where they pay three pence for passing over with a horse, which the man that keeps the gate set up at the end of the bridge receives."a
During the war of the revolution, Kings Bridge constituted the " barrier" of the British line, when they occupied New York Island, while as far north as the Croton extended, the " Neutral Ground." Like the pass of ancient Thermopyla, Kings bridge can boast of her faithful bands of Spartans, who fought for " liberty or death." As early as May 25, 1775, Congress ordered,
" That a post be immediately taken and fortified, at or near Kings bridge, and that the ground be chosen with a particular view to prevent the commu- nication between the city of New York and the country from being interrupted by land."
On the abandonment of Manhattan Island in 1776, by the American Army, Kingsbridge was occupied by the American General as head quarters.
This bridge was the scene of a bloody conflict between a por- tion of the Continental army under the command of Major Gen- eral Heath, and a large body of Hessians under Knyphausen.
January 17, 1777, a detachment " says Heath with two field pieces, was or- dered to move to the south of the fort, (in which was a garrison of Hessians who had refused to surrender,) to a hill above Harlem creek, not far from the New Bridge.b When the detachment arrived at this place, a battalion of Hessians ap- peared drawn up on the side of the hill just within Kings bridge, and back of Hy- att's tavern. Our general (Heath) ordered the artillery to cannonade them im- mediately. The first shot just cleared the right of the battalion, nearly a platoon settling down as the shot passed them, which entered the bank close behind them. The second shot passed about the centre of the battalion, when to the amount of a grand division settled down, which was an evidence that they would not stand much longer. One of the pieces was ordered to be drawn lower down the hill ; on which the battalion quitted their ground and marched off as fast as they could, without running to get behind the redoubt and hill at the bridge receiving one shot more as they were turning round the point. It was not suspected that the enemy had any cannon in the redoubt within the bridge, but they now began to cannonade the artillery men who had descended the hill,
a Journal of Madam Knight, 56.
b The new bridge was erected by Jacob Dykeman and Johannes Vermilyea, previous to the war, for the purpose of avoiding the toll of the old bridge.
445
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
who had to draw up their pieces as fast as possible, which they effected without any loss but received three or four shot quite among them, before they could reach the top of the hill."a The attack on the 19th and 21st has been already detailed in the account of Tippetts hill.
July, 1778, Lord Cathcart held the command of the British force at Kings bridge.
" The late skirmish, (says Heath,) writing in 1781, near King's Bridge, was occasioned by the American army's moving down, in order to give the French officers a view of the British out-posts near the bridge. A number of Americans were killed and wounded by long shot from the yaugers of the enemy, who kept up a popping fire whenever they could reach our troops."b
The vestiges of the military camp pits can still be traced on the hills around the bridge, while within a few feet of it the re- mains of a British officer was recently disinterred, and, incredible as it may seem, in his full uniform; the brass buttons as perfect as the day they were moulded, containing the number of his regiment.
King's Bridge was also the rendezvous of a corps of freeboot- ers called " Cow Boys," whose bands ravaged the surrounding hills and vallies. "On the part of the British," remarks the au- thor of The Spy, " the stimulus of loyalty was by no means suffered to sleep where so fruitful a field offered on which it might be expended. But their freebooters were enrolled, and their efforts more systematized. Long experience had taught their leaders the efficacy of concentrated force ; and unless tradi- tion does great injustice to their exploits, the result did do little credit to their foresight. The corps-we presume from their well known affection to that useful animal-had received the significant appellation of 'Cow Boys.' "c The morality of these heroes of the Neutral Ground was of a singular kind : the rapine by which they subsisted they accounted lawful and honorable.
King's Bridge lies prettily situated in a beautiful vale near the confluence of the Hudson and Haarlem Rivers. It is almost
ª Heath's Mem. 109.
b Heath's Mem. 294.
Spy, i. 24.
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HISTORY OF THE
surrounded by high rolling hills whose tops are crowned by hill forts and fine spreading woods. This spot was first chosen as the site of the city of New Amsterdam, on account of its secure and inland position.
Immediately west of the bridge flows Tippett's Brook, the Mosholu of the Indians, and here it unites with the Haarlem River. This latter stream, formerly called the Muscoota, a has been long known as a favorite resort to the angler. The beau- tiful striped bass (Labrax Lineatus, Cuvier,) abounds in these waters. The fishing season usually commences in May, and reaches perfection in the months of September and October. The baits preferred (although they vary according to location) are the soft crab, shrimp and squid, or common cuttle fish. The bass is well known to be an anadromous, living in the salt water, but generally spawning in the fresh. These fish sometimes attain to a large size.
The favorite station of the angler is the New Bridge. The present tavern at King's Bridge occupies the site of the old Dyck- man Hotel, in which its landlords were wont to entertain the an- cient aldermen of the Manhattans.
The residence of the late Robert Macomb, Esq., now occupied by his widow, lies beautifully embosomed in shrubbery, com- manding fine views of the bridge, creek, New York island, and neighbouring hills. Among the latter stands prominent Tetard's Height, with its powder house, and Fort Independence. From this hill the continental army retreated, on the approach of Gen- eral Knyphausen, in 1776. The pleasure grounds around the Macomb mansion, are tastily laid out in shrubberies and walks, while the beautiful waters of the " Muscoota" add variety to the scenery.
In one of the rooms we noticed a beautiful painting, by Waldo, of Major Gen. Alexander Macomb. This family is descended from the MacCombie's of Ireland, an ancient and honorable stock who removed to that country from Scotland. The grandfather
" This name frequently applies to the Haarlem River in the Albany and County Records.
447
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
of the General was John Macomb, who emigrated from Ireland to this country 1742, and held an official place under the Colo- nial government. He established himself in New York, where his son Alexander Macomb, father of Major Gen. Alexander, was educated. The father was a representative in the State Legisla- ture, from the city of New York, in 1787-8, and during the late war with Great Britain he furnished five sons for the service of his country in the militia and regular army. He afterwards re- moved to Detroit, where he amassed a large fortune in the fur trade. Here he married Catharine Navarre, a lady of noble French extraction. Major General Alexander Macomb was born 3d April, 1782.
Leaving the Bridge, the approach to the village of Yonkers from the south possesses many points of interest. Along the edge of the valley are scattered beautiful knolls and high ranges of hills, either cultivated or covered with woods; to the left, seated on a fine wooded hill, is a large stone mansion, erected by Augustus van Cortlandt, Esq., A. D. 1822, upon the site of a much older building, which was destroyed by fire A. D. 1822. The ascent to the house is through the romantic woods of Cort- landt's ridge. The road passes over a deep ravine, watered by a picturesque brook, and through high masses of frowning rock. The lawn in front commands a view of the vale of Yonkers, while at the foot of the hill runs Tippett's Brook.
The farm house situated on this property was built by Frede- rick van Cortlandt A. D. 1766. Still flourishing upon the lawn, in the rear of the mansion, is an aged apple tree marked with the name of Jacobus van Cortlandt-date illegible.
This property, which lies directly north of Berrian's Neck, passed, upon the death of Frederick van Cortlandt, to his brother Augustus van Cortlandt. The latter, by will, bequeathed the saine to his grandson Augustus Morris, "provided he assumed the name of Van Cortlandt." Augustus van Cortlandt subse- quently sold the property to Samuel B. Thompson, John Ewing, William C. Wetmore, and James R. Whiting. The latter gen- tleman has recently erected a beautiful stone residence on the western side of the neck, which commands extensive prospects
448
HISTORY OF THE
of the Hudson and palisades ; the entrance is by a beautiful road that winds through a thick wood to the house. The Van Cort- landt mansion and surrounding property belongs to Samuel B. Thompson, Esq., and is now occupied by the McFarlane family. The western side of Cortlandt's ridge embraces fine views of the Hudson River, palisades and hills stretching northwards. Upon the property of W. C. Wetmore, Esq., there is a celebrated white oak, which stands in the midst of a pretty glade called the " Cow Boy Oak," from the fact that these lawless desperadoes were often suspended from its branches.
" Short was their shrift, and sure the cord." [ Rokeby.
Cortlandt house, the ancient residence of the Van Cortlandt family, stands in the vale below, about one mile north from Kings bridge, on the road leading to the village of Yonkers. Prior to the purchase of the Philipses this estate (as before shown,) formed a portion of the fief of Colen-donck, and was styled the " Old Yonckers." From the Patroon Adriaen van der Donck it passed through the hands of various proprietors to the Hon Frederick Philipse who sold it to his son-in-law Jacobus van Cortlandt A. D. 1699. Since then, it has been considerably enlarged by other purchases. The whole eight hundred and fifty acres is now vest- ed in his descendant Augustus van Cortlandt Esq.
Jacobus van Cortlandt, the first of the name who enjoyed this estate was the second son of the Right Hon. Oloff Stevensen van Cortlandt, a native of Cortlandt in Holland, who came out to this country in the military service of the Dutch West India Com- pany, and grandson of the Right Hon. Steven van Cortlandt a lineal descendant of the ancient Dukes of Cortlandt or Courland.a Jacobus married Eva Philipse daughter of the Hon. Frederick Philipse of the manor of Philipsburgh. Besides the Yonkers es- tate, Jacobus van Cortlandt was a large landed proprietor in the town of Bedford, in this county. This individual was one of the
a See Cortlandt-town, vol. i. 50.
To face page 418, vol ir
Arms .- Arg. the wings or arms of a wind-mill
Right Hon. landt, nat cestor of branch-
Frederick van Cortlandt, father of the nat. 1698, ob. 12th Fe-n Jay bruary, 1749
Jacobus van Cortlandt, nat. 3d March, 1725, ob. Ist April, 1781
Augustus van C .= 1. Miss Cuyler. 28th nat. 3d Aug. = 2. Catharine B.32, ob. 1728, ob. 1:23
clay, of Santa Cruz, West In dies.
1 James van Cortlandt, Helen van C ._ James Morris,
1
nat. 3d March, 1726, ob. Ist April, 1781.
nat. 4th Jan. 1768.
of Morrisa- uia.
Anne van C .= Henry nat. 18 - Jan. 1766, ob. Aug. 3, 1814.
1-James
Throg's Neck.
Cortlandt. living on
ick Morris, assum- ed the name of van
-Augustus Freder-
-Richard L. M. D.
-Robert R.
-William II.
-Catherine
-Mary
-Helen
-Anne
-Jane
-Louisa
1-Charlotte
=E. N. Bibby, M. D.
rer
Gjo- Frances_Thos. Augusta James de Lan- cey
448
HISTORY OF THE
of the Hudson and palisades ; the entrance is by a beautiful road that winds through a thick wood to the house. The Van Cort- landt mansion and surrounding property belongs to Samuel B. Thompson, Esq., and is now occupied by the McFarlane family. The western side of Cortlandt's ridge embraces fine views of the Hudson River, palisades and hills stretching northwards. Upon the property of W. C. Wetmore, Esq., there is a celebrated white oak, which stands in the midst of a pretty glade called the " Cow Boy Oak," from the fact that these lawless desperadoes were often suspended from its branches.
" Short was their shrift, and sure the cord." [ Rokeby.
Cortlandt house, the ancient residence of the Van Cortlandt family, stands in the vale below, about one mile north from Kings bridge, on the road leading to the village of Yonkers. Prior to the purchase of the Philipses this estate (as before shown,) formed a portion of the fief of Colen-donck, and was styled the " Old Yonckers." From the Patroon Adriaen van der Donck it passed through the hands of various proprietors to the Hon Frederick Philipse who sold it to his son-in-law Jacobus van Cortlandt A. D. 1699. Since then, it has been considerably enlarged by other purchases. The whole eight hundred and fifty acres is now vest- ed in his descendant Augustus van Cortlandt Esq.
Jacobus van Cortlandt, the first of the name who enjoyed this estate was the second son of the Right Hon. Oloff Stevensen van Cortlandt, a native of Cortlandt in Holland, who came out to this country in the military service of the Dutch West India Com- pany, and grandson of the Right Hon. Steven van Cortlandt a lineal descendant of the ancient Dukes of Cortlandt or Courland.a Jacobus married Eva Philipse daughter of the Hon. Frederick Philipse of the manor of Philipsburgh. Besides the Yonkers es- tate, Jacobus van Cortlandt was a large landed proprietor in the town of Bedford, in this county. This individual was one of the
& See Cortlandt-town, vol. i. 50.
To înce pagu 448, voi it
PEDIGREE OF VAN CORTLANDT OF YONKERS.
Arms .- Arg. the wings or army of a wind-mill saltierways sa. voided of the field, five ostoiles gu. Crest .- An estoile gu. between two wings elevated arg. Motto .- Virtus aibi munua.
Right Bon. Steven van Cortlandt =
RightHon. Ofoff Stevensen, or Ololl Stevens von Cortlandt,=Aunetje Loockermone, in of Goverl
Liwekermaus und Ariantje his wifei mar. 1042, nb 1669
Right Hlou Stephanus, van fort- _ Gertrude Schuyler. Jandt. nul 7th May, 1G4J, an. eestor of the Cortlandt branch-fide Pedigree.
Jacobus van Cortlandt, of_ Eva Phillpte, da of Frederick Yonkers, son of Right Philipse, Lord of the Manor of Philipsborough, born 6th July, 1653. Hon Olafl Stevenson, nat. 7 July, 1658, mar- rlage llconse dated 7 May. 1691.
Johannes vin Cortlandt, nat Oct 18, 1048, ob. 1607 #. p+
Frederick van Cortlande_Frances Jay, nat. 1698, ob 12th Fe bruary, 1749
Margaret_ Abraham De Peynter
Anne=Hon Jobo Chambers
Mary_Peter Jny, Father of the Hlou. John Jay
Jacobus von Cortlandı, nat 3d March, 1:25, ob Lat April, 17dl
Angustus van C .= 1 Misa Coyler DaLI. 3d Aug 1428, ob. 1e23
Frederick, nat. 2nth March, 1730. ob = p. 1:00
Eva, nat. Henry White, oat 28th 5th Nov. March, 1732. 1737, ob. Oct 1816
Anna Maria __ 1. Nathaniel Maraton, ont 22d 1736
Eva, nat 28th March, 1744, ob.
a. p :73]
I
1
Anne van C .= Henry White
Admiral Jolın White Geo. Fred. White. Willlam White
Anne_Sir John Macnam. Margaret_Peter Joy Muoto Frances __ Ateli|bald ara liayea
Jan 1766, ob. Aug. 3,1814.
-James
Theog's Ncek.
Cortlandt. hslog on
cil the name of VAR
lek Murriv, nesuitt-
-Angus'un Freder-
-Elchard L M D
-Robert R.
William H.
Catherine
Mary
-Hfelen
Jane
-Louisn
-Charlotte
Augustus, ob Ist ' April, 1639, s p æt. 44, assumed the name of von Cort Inudt, and inhersted Hinder hle grandia- ther's will
Ilenry assumed the name of von Cortlandt, and inbe- rited the Yonkers cilate under his brother's will, ob. 13th Oct. 1839, Et.
Heleo_Abrabam Catbariac- Richard Scher. therboro Bayley.
1
Francina_Dr Groslong
1 Harriet
Augusta E N Bibby, M D
1
Augustus von Cortlandt, Henry W Anne __ R Glo- heir of his uncle Au. gustun, propletor of Bibby W. Cortlandt, Yookem.
L Francet_ Thos Augusta James de Lan-
mar 1'hh Jon 1724, ob 2d Aug 1780
1
=2 Catharine Bar- clay, of Santa Cruz, West In diea.
whose da Mary mpirted L'aptain Philipst. 2. AngHELUS VOR JJurne
James van Conlanift, Helen van C _James Morris, nnt. 34 Mirch, 1:26, nat 41la Jan 1708 ob Ist April, 1781. of Norpara- nia.
449
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
five members returned by the High Sheriff to represent the city and county of New York in the Colonial Assembly A. D. 1691.
By his will dated 12th of May, 1739, he devised, and bequeath- ed unto his son Frederick van Cortlandt,
All that my farm situate lying and being in a place commonly called and known by the name of the Little or Lower Yonckers &c., and all other the land, meadows and real estate, I am seized of or have a right to in the Manor of Philipsburgh &c. for his natural life, and from and after his decease to the heirs male lawfully begotten, &c. To his eldest daughter, Margaret, wife of Abraham de Peyster, property in the city of New York, and the same to his remaining daughters, Anne, wife of John Chambers, and Mary, wife of Peter Jay.a
Frederick van Cortlandt only son of the above testator, married Frances Jay, daughter of the Huguenot, Augustus Jay, by his wife Anna Maria Bayard.
Upon the death of Frederick van Cortlandt, 12th Feb., 1749,1 the estate devolved by the will of Jacobus, senr. to Jacobus van Cortlandt jun., eldest son and heir at law of Frederick. This individual, better known as Col. James van Cortlandt, nobly used his influence (while residing here during the war,) in ame- liorating the condition of his suffering countrymen. It not un- frequently happened that a poor neighbour was robbed of every thing he possessed ; upon application to Col. van Cortlandt he would assume his red watch coat, and mounting his horse ride down to the city, to intercede in their behalf. He seldom applied in vain, such was the universal respect for his charactor. Pre- vious to the close of the war he was compelled to leave his country residence at Yonkers on account of ill health. He died shortly afterwards in the city of New York, 1st of April, 1781. His remains were interred in the family tomb, Vanlt Hill. On the death of Col. James van Cortlandt, the property passed to his brother Augustus van Cortlandt the next heir of the entail.
a Surrogate's office, N. Y. fol. xiii. 425.
b The will of Frederick van C. bears date 2d Oct. 1749. To his wife Frances he bequeathes two negro girls and a four wheeled chaise. His children were James, Augustus, Frederick, Anna Maria and Eva. Surrogate's office, N. Y. fol. xviii. 62. VOL. II. 57
450
HISTORY OF THE
This gentleman held the office of Clerk of the Common Coun- cil in N. Y. on the breaking out of the Revolution ; this appears from the following letter addressed by him to the New York committee of safety-Dated Sept. 5, 1775.
GENTS .- Being requested by the Provincial Congress to enquire for some place of safety to deposite the public records in, and to inform the committee of safety thereof, agreeable to which, Mr. Cortlandt informs the committee of safety, that previous to the above request, he caused the public records to be put into chests, and secured them in a cellar in his garden, made for that purpose, of stone and brick, well arched and exceedingly dry. This precaution was taken against accidents happening by fire ; should the city be invaded by an army from Great Britain, or British troops, he in such case intended to remove them to his brother's at Yonkers, in the county of West- chester. If the committee of safety shall judge any other place more secure, Mr. Van Cortlandt will be glad to be informed thereof, that he may communi- cate the same to the corporation of this city for their approbation.a
He remains their most obedient
humble servant, AUGUSTUS VAN CORTLANDT.
By the will of the above Augustus van Cortlandt, dated 20th of December, 1823, he bequeathes his property after the follow- ing manner :
" Whereas the greatest part of the lands and real estate which I occupy and hold in the town of Yonkers, was derived to me by inheritance from my ancestors ; and, whereas I have lately purchased several tracts and pieces of land also lying in ye said town of Yonkers, which I at present occupy and possess, &c. Item, it is my desire that the same remain entire, and pass from time to tinie to one of my surname and family ; whereupon I do here- by give and devise all my lands and real estate, and all dwelling houses, mills and other buildings thereon in the town of Yonkers, &c., unto my affectionate relations, John Jay and Peter Augustus Jay, and to their heirs for ever, except a certain dwelling house and farm in the said town of Yonkers, &c., and a lot of ground near my mill-pond, &c., which belonged to my late brother, Frederick van Cortlandt, to hold the same in trust for the following uses : viz., 1st, to hold the same for my son-in-law, Henry White, late the husband of my deceased daughter, Anna White, for and during the time of his natural life. 2nd, for and after the decease of my son-in-law Henry
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