USA > New York > Westchester County > A history of the county of Westchester, from its first settlement to the present time > Part 9
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Joshua Purdy, ob. March 4, 1800, Ætat, 79.
On the west bank of the Byram river, which here forms the boundary between New York and Connecticut, is situated the village of Port Chester.c This place has grown rapidly within a few years, and bids fair to rival any on the Sound ; among other causes, its manufactories have contributed greatly to pro- mote this prosperity. These consist at present, of the iron foun- dry of William Abendroth and company, carriage factory of
a See vol. i. page 424.
b Sometimes styled Stony brook.
e Formerly called Sawpits,
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Henry Webb, leather manufactory of Edward Field, plane fac- tory of Edward Baldwin, piano factory of Mr Holder, lock fac- tory of John Drumgoold, tin factory of Agur Pixley, hat factory of H. D. Hinman and the dyewood mill of Henry Sandford, be- sides the manufactories, there are twenty stores doing an exten- sive business, and a large hotel termed the Pavilion, kept by Mr. George W. Smith. The Byram or Armonck river, which wa- ters this beautiful section of Westchester county, takes its rise from the Byram lake, an extensive sheet of water fed by the springs of the Comonck or Armonck hills in Bedford. During its downward course, it winds between lofty hills, fringed with copse wood, and abounding with bold projections which here and there break the course of its rapid current. In other pla- ces it forms romantic glens, shaded with the wild hemlock and fir. The wooded shores of Byram point, rise directly oppo- site the village, forming a fine contrast to the western side of the river. The Byram is navigable nearly two miles from its mouth, affording an easy transit from this place for the marketable pro- ductions of the interior. The sloops at present engaged in this trade, are the William Marston and the Sarah Odee, Messrs. Peck owners, and the New York and Washingtonian.
The site of the ancient ferry across the sound to Matinecock, upon Long Island, was the Horse rock in the vicinity of Rye Port.
Upon the 18th of July, 1739, King George the second, by his royal letters patent, regulated and established a ferry at this place, to be kept and attended for the conveniency of passing and repassing to and from the land in the two patents called Budd's neck and Poningoe neck, lying and being in Rye, to the island of Nassau, over against the township of Oyster Bay, in the said island.
Which ferry our loving subjects John Budd, Hachaliah Brown and Jona- than Brown, Esqs , propose to undertake and to provide and keep at their own charge and expense, a sufficient number of good and able boats and servants for the due attendance on such ferry, &c., &c., and have free liberty to ask, demand and take for ferriage at and for such ferry, &c., the several and re- spective fees hereinafter mentioned, &c., viz. for every person one shilling and sixpence, for every man and horse three shillings, for all horned cattle from two years old and upwards each two shillings, for all colts and horned
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cattle under two years old each one shilling, for every score of sheep, lambs, hogs and sows five shillings, and so in proportion for any greater or lesser number, for every full barrel one shilling, for every empty barrel four pence, for every full pipe or hogshead six shillings, for every empty pipe or hogs- head two shillings, for every firkin or tub of butter four pence, for every bushel of wheat, salt, grain, seeds or any other thing fully measured and sold by the bushel one penny, for every waggon, cart or carriage seven shillings and six- pence, for every pair of wheels two shillings, for every cupboard, press for clothes or writing desk four shillings and sixpence, for every full trunk or chest two shillings and sixpence, for every empty trunk or chest one shilling, for every full half barrel sixpence, for every gammon, flitch of hacon, or piece of smoked beef one penny, for every hundred weight of gunpowder, iron, steel, sheet pewter or lead and iron or iron, copper or brass kettles or pots one shilling and sixpence, and so in proportion for any greater or less quan- tity, for every such one penny, for every corn fan five pence, for every hun- dred of shingles one shilling, for every bed, bedstead and bedding together three shillings, for every chair two pence, for every table eight pence, for every saddle without horse three pence, for every gun two pence, for every case with bottles nine pence, for every frying pan or warming pan two pence, for every looking glass of one foot sixpence, and so in proportion for all other goods for which no provision is hereby made, and also all manner of privi- leges, &c., &c. For which the patentees and their heirs are to pay to the collector general of the town being, on the 25th day of March, commonly call- ed Lady-day, the yearly rent of two shillings and sixpence, &c., &c.
FREDERICK MORRIS, Secretary.
The ancient ferry now exists only in name, the present rapid communications with the island having superseded this danger- ous mode of navigation. The property is vested in the Pro- voost family. Directly opposite the port lies Minnewies or Manursing Island, separated from the main by a narrow creek on the south-west side. It consists of one hundred acres, divided between the three proprietors, Joseph Bartam, Mr. Beale and Thomas Theall. Upon the main is situated the tide mill of Mr. Kirby.
A dock appears to have been commenced at or near Rye port as early as 1679, for in this year we find a grant made by the town to "John Ogden of forty eight or fifty acres of land by the water side at the Fishing rock, for the purpose of building a house and wharf. The inhabitants of Poningoe neck to have wharfage free." From Rye port a steam-boat runs daily to and
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from the city of New York. There is also a neat boarding house established here for the accommodation of summer visitors to this delightful spot.
The islands called the Great, Middle and Little Captains east of Manursing belong to this town.
In the village of Portchester is located the Portchester semi- nary, a large and flourishing institution for the education of both sexes. Mr. Edward D. Dow, principal and proprietor. There are also four district and two neighborhood schools.
Near the eastern end of the village stands the Episcopal cha- pel of St. Peters, a neat and plain structure of wood ornamented with a tower of the same material. The corner stone of this edi- fice was laid on the 25th of July, 1843, by the Right Rev. Ben- jamin T. Onderdonk, bishop of the diocese, on which occasion the rector of the parish delivered an appropriate address. There were also present of the clergy the Rev. Messrs. Coit, Harris, Partridge and Todd. It was consecrated to the service of Al. mighty God, Monday, July the 15th, 1844, by the bishop of the diocese. Present and assisting the Rev. Messrs. Coit, Carmichael, Schroeder and Meade, Doctors of Divinity, also the Rev. Messrs. Chauncey, Powell, Haskell, Harris, Ward, Haight. Coit, Bull, Yarrington, Partridge, Meade, Todd, Cushing, Cox, Meade, Hal- sey and Guion. St. Peter's is at present a chapel of easea to the parish church of Rye.
On the same side of the main street is situated the Presbyterian chapel. The erection of this building was commenced May 26, 1830, and completed September, 1333, at a cost of $2100 .; to which a tower and bell were added in the spring of 1840, at an
a Chapels of ease, according to the original meaning of the term, are not known in this country since the Revolution. In England, there is a distinction between a chapel of ease and a parochial chapel of ease. Chapels of ease are founded for the convenience of the people in large parishes in attending public worship, where they live at a distance from the parish church ; to which however the sacraments and burials are restricted. Parochial chapels of ease possess the rights of baptizing and burying, but have neither rectory nor endowment. The curate or vicar of both is dependent on the parochial minister. To preserve this dependence, a reservation is made of repairing to the parish church on the great festival days. Such chapels were built in South Carolina before the Revolution .- Dalcho's History, p. 267.
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additional expense of $900. It was dedicated to the worship of God, September, 1833, and has ever since been attached to the Presbyterian church of Rye.
At the foot of King street is located the Methodist Episcopal church. This society was incorporated on the 16th of December, 1829. Horace B. Smith, R. Meade, Elisha Halstead, John Sey- mour and William Fowler, trustees.a
Near the western entrance of the village stands the residence of the Merritt family. Mr. Merritt the present occupant, is a lineal descendant of John Merritt, one of the original proprie- tors of Rye. Of this family was " Thomas Merritt, a cornet of cavalry in the Queen's Rangers, A. D. 1780. This gentleman subsequently settled in Upper Canada, and held the offices of sheriff of the District of Niagara, and surveyor of the King's forests. He died at St. Catharine's, May, 1842, aged eighty-two."
King street extends nearly seven miles north of Portches- ter, and finally terminates in the north-west corner of Green- wich township, Connecticut. The surrounding country is a fine agricultural district, embracing some of the finest farms in the county. Among the principal farmers in the vicinity of Port- chester are William Bush and James Blackstock, Esqrs.
The border hamlet of Glenville is situated on the west bank of the Byram, east of King street. Here are the grist mill and lead manufactory of Samuel G. Cornell, Esq.
During the Revolutionary war the continental forces appear to have been frequently quartered in this town. On the 8th of Jan- uary, General Parson's brigade were posted in King street. The same year, General Wooster's division retreated as far as Rye neck. Lieutenant Colonel Van Rensselaer also received or- ders from congress to maintain his station until obliged to retreat upon Rye neck. Subsequently the enemy occupied this portion of Westchester county, where the soldiers did much wanton mis- chief and plundered most of the houses. Their principal en- campment seems to have been on the high ground between the villages of Rye and Portchester.
& Co. Rec. Religious Soc. Lib. B. 1.
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The earliest record of town officers occurs on the 25th of April, 1671. Upon this occasion, " George Kuiffen and Francis Purdy were appointed pounders."
"Upon the 3d of October, Joseph Horton, Thomas Brown and John Brondig were chosen town and selectmen for the year en- suing." " 28th of September, George Lane was elected constable." " 13th of June, 1691. Mr. Joseph Theall, supervisor." "June 26th, 1696, Deliverance Brown was chosen constable for the town of Rye, and Mr. John Hoit, recorder."
Sig. Jolın Lyon. Hachaliah Brown. Samuel Kniffen.
The general surface of the town is uneven and stoney.a The land, however, is under good cultivation. 'The soil consists of a clay loam. The natural growth of wood is oak, chestnut, walnut, hickory, &c., on the higher lands, and in the low lands, ash, birch, and maple. We have already shown that it is drained on the east by Byram river, and on the west by Blind brook, both flowing into Long Island Sound. Upon these streams are numerous mill seats. Among the principal mineral productions of the town may be noticed Chlorite,b " a soft greenish substance, composed of minute scales, closely compacted together. It differs very little from soapstone," also Tourmaline, in long slender crystals.c
a Disturnell's Gazetteer of N. Y .
b Roeks containing it are said to be Chloritic.
See geological survey of the state, 1840.
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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
SCARSDALE.
"THIS town is bounded on the north by White Plains and Greenburgh, east by Mamaroneck, west by Greenburgh, and south by Eastchester and Rochelle. Under the colonial govern- ment it constituted a portion of Scarsdale manor, which also, embraced the greater part of White Plains and the townships of North and New Castle.a
The place acquired its name from the Heathcote family, who originally came from Scarsdale, Derbyshire, England. "More onward, says the learned Camden, (describing that part of Der- byshire,) we see Chesterfield in Scarsdale, that is, in a dale en- clos'd with rocks : For crags were call'd scarrs by the Saxons." Under the Mohegan ludians Scarsdale is believed to have formed a portion of the Indian territory of Quaroppas, which was ceded to John Richbell by the Indian proprietors in 1660.
A. D. 1696. Col. Caleb Heathcote obtained of Anne Richbell, relic of John Richbell, deceased, a full patent right to purchase lands, "which are already included in her husband's sale of 1660."b
Upon the 30th of March, 1701, occurs the following indenture " between Col. Caleb Heathcote on the one part, of Mamaroneck, gentleman, and the Indian proprietors, Patthunck, Beaupo, Ko- hawney, and Wapetuck, on the other part,
" Witnesseth that the said Patthunck, Beaupo, Kohawney, and Wapetuck, &c., for and in consideration of a certain sum of good and lawful money to them in hand paid, and secured to be paid, at or before the ensealing and de- livery of these presents, by the said Caleb Heathcote, the receipt whereof the said Patthunck, Beaupo, Kohawney, Wapetuck, &c., doth hereby ac- knowledge themselves therewith to be fully satisfied and contented and paid and thereof and therefrom do acquit, exonerate and discharge the said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs, executors, and administrators have given, granted, sold,
a The present township was organized on the 7th of March, 1788.
৳ See Mamaroneck, New Castle, &c.
VOL. II.
13
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bargained, alienated, enfeoffed, and confirmed, and do by these presents give, grant, bargain, sell, alienate, enfeoffe and confirm unto the said Caleb Heath- cote, his heirs and assignees forever, all our rights, title, and interest in a certain tract of land lying and being in the county of Westchester, bounded as follows : To begin on the west side at southermost end of a ridge known by the name of Richbell's or Horse ridge, at a great rock, and so to run a north-north-west line to Broncks's river, and on the eastermost side with Mamaroneck river, and from the head thereof to Broncks's river, to have and to hold the said bargained premises, with every of the appurtenances thereunto belonging, to the said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs and assignees, forever ; and that the said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs, executors, administrators, and as- signees, shall and may at all times hereafter, and from time to time, peaceably and quietly have, hold, use, occupy, and enjoy, all and singular the herein before mentioned bargained premises, with their and every of their appurte- nances, without the let, hindrance or molestation of them the said proprietors, their heirs or assignees. In witness whereof they have hereunto set their hands and seals, the day above written. a
Signed sealed and delivered in presence of ns,
Ann Mullington, Benj. Collier,
Patthunck,
John Cooke, The mark of
Beaupo, Cohawney,
Wapetuck,
Kaokquerin Womatera.
Upon the 21st of March, 1701, the extensive purchases of Colonel Caleb Heathcote in Westchester county were erected into the lordship and manor of Scarsdale, to be holden of the king in free and common soccage, its lord yielding and rendering therefor annually, upon the festival of the Nativity, five pounds current money of New York, &c.
THE ROYAL CHARTER.
William the Third, by the grace of God, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. to all to whom these presents shall come, sendeth greeting : Whereas our loving subject Caleb Heathcote, Es- quire, hath petitioned the Honorable John Nanfan, our Lieutenant-Governor and Commander-in-chief of the Province of New York in America, and our Council of the said Province, for a confirmation of a tract of land in the county of Westchester, beginning at a marked tree by Mamaroneck river, which is the eastermost side of the northern bounds of Mamaroneck township, being about two miles from the county road, and to run along the said river to the
* From the original, in possession of the Rt. Rev. W. Heathcote de Lancey.
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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
head thereof, and thence in a north line until eighteen miles from said marked tree is completed, westerly at the marked tree or a great rock, being the wes- termost part of the said northern bounds of the aforesaid township being about two miles from the county road, and thence to run northerly eighteen miles as ye line on ye eastermost side of the said land runneth, including in ye said manor his eighth part of the two miles laid out for ye town of Mamaroneck, with ye lott he now liveth on, and ye lott bought of Alice Hatfield, with the lands and meadows below, westerly to a path to him belonging by virtue of his deeds and conveyances, part of which land within the bounds aforesaid was purchased by John Richbell from ye native Indian proprietors, which said John Richbell had a grant and confirmation for ye same from Francis Love- lace, late Governor of our said Province, and ye right of ye said John Rick- bell therein is legally vested in ye said Caleb Heathcote, and other parts have been purchased by ye said Caleb Heathcote of ye native Indian proprietors, and whereas the said Caleb Heathcote hath further petitioned our said Lieu- tenant Governor and Council that the said tract of land may be erected into a manor by ye name of ye manor of Scarsdale, whereupon our said Lieutenant Governor, by and with the advice of our Council, directed a writ to the high sheriff of the said county of Westchester to inquire to what damage such pa- tent would be, which writ issued accordingly with a proviso that it should not give the said Caleb Heathcote any further title than which he already hath to ye land called White Plains, which is in dispute between ye said Caleb Heath- cote and some of ye inhabitants of ye town of Rye, whereupon ye said sheriff returned that ye jurors found that there is no damage to ye King or his sub- jects in erecting the manor aforesaid, except ye said White Plains which are in dispute and contest between ye said Caleb Heathcote and ye town of Rye, and excepting James Mott and ye rest of ye purchasers of Mamaroneck which have deed within ye patent of Richbell, Know ye that of our special grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, we have given, granted, ratified and con- firmed, and by these presents do for us, our heirs and successors, give, grant, ratify and confirm unto ye said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs and assignees, all and every ye aforesaid tracts and parcels of land and meadow within ye re- spective limits and bounds before mentioned and expressed, together with all and every the messuages, tenements, buildings, barns, houses, out-houses, fences, orchards, gardens, pastures, meadows, marshes, swamps, pools, ponds, waters, water-courses, woods, under-woods, trees, timbers, quarries, runs, rivers, rivulets, brooks, lakes, streams, creeks, harbours, beaches, bays, isl- ands, ferries, fishing, fowling, hunting and hawking, mines, minerals, (royal mines only excepted,) and all the rights, members, liberties, privileges, juris- dictions, royalties, hereditaments, profits, benefits, advantages and appurten- ances whatsoever to aforesaid several and respective tracts and parcels of lands and meadow belonging or in any ways appertaining or accepted, reputed, taken, known or occupied as part, parcel, or member thereof to have and to hold all the aforesaid several and respective tracts, parcels of land and mea-
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dow and premises within the respective limits and bounds aforesaid, with all and every of the appurtenances unto bim the said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs and assigns, to the only proper use and behoof of him the said Caleb Heath- cote, his heirs and assigns for ever, provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed, deemed or taken to give the said Caleb Heathcote any fur- ther title than what he now by virtue of these our letters patent lawfully hath to ye said White Plains in dispute as aforesaid, nor any jurisdiction within the said White Plains until the same shall happen to belong to the said Caleb Heathcote; and moreover Know ye that of our further special grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, we have thought fit to erect all the afore recited tracts and parcels of land and meadow within the limits and bounds aforesaid into a lordship and manor except as before excepted, and therefore by these presents we do for us, our heirs and successors, erect, make and constitute all the afore-recited tracts and parcels of land and meadow within the limits and bounds before mentioned (except as before excepted) together with all and every the ahove granted premises, with all and every of their appurten- ances into one lordship or manor, to all intents and purposes, and it is our royal will and pleasure, that the said lordship and manor shall from henceforth be called the lordship and manor of Scarsdale ; and Know ye that we repos- ing especial trust and confidence in the loyalty, wisdom, justice, prudence and circumspection of our said loving subject, do for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant unto the said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs and assigns. full power and authority at all times forever hereafter within the said lordship or manor one conrt leet and one court baron, to hold and keep at such time and times, and so often yearly as he or they shall think meet, and we do further give and grant to the said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs and assigns, all fines and issues and amercements at the said court leet and court baron to be hol- den within our said lordship or manor, to be sett, forfeited, or imposed, or payable or happening at any time to be payable by any of the inhabitants of or within the said lordship or manor of Scarsdale, or the limits and bounds there- of, and also all and every power and powers, authority and authorities for holding and keeping the said court leet and court baron from time to time, and to award to and issue out the accustomed writs to be issued and awarded out of courts leet and courts baron, and also that the said court leet and court baron be kept by the said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs and assigns for ever, his or their or any of their stewards and deputies, and appointed with full and ample power and authority to distrain for the rents, services and other sums of money payable by virtue of the premises, and all other lawful remedies and means for the having, possessing, levying and enjoying the premises and every part and parcel of the same, and all waif's and estrays, deodands and goods of felons happening or to be happening, being or to be forfeited within the said lordship or manor of Scarsdale, and we do further give and grant unto the said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs and assigns, that all and singular ye tenants of him ye said Caleb Heathcote within ye said manor shall and may at all
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times hereafter meet together and choose assessors within ye manor aforesaid, according to such rules, ways and methods as are prescribed for cities, towns, and counties, within our said Province by ye acts of General Assembly for de- fraying the public charge of each respective city, town and county aforesaid, and all such sums of money so assessed and levied to collect and dispose of for such use as any act or acts as the said General Assembly shall establish and appoint, to have, hold, possess and enjoy all and singular the said lordship or manor of Scarsdale and premises, with all and every of their appartenances unto the said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs and assigns for ever, and that the said lordship or manor aforesaid shall be and for ever continue free and ex- empt from the jurisdiction of every town, township or manor whatsoever, to be holden of us, our heirs and successors in free and common soccage accor- ding to the tenure of our manor of East Greenwich, in the county of Kent within our kingdom of England, yielding, rendering and paying therefor yearly and every year for ever at our city of New York unto us, our heirs and suc-
cessors, or to such officer or officers as shall from time to time be impowered to receive ye same, five pounds current money of New York, upon the Nati- vity of our Lord, in lieu and stead of all services, dues, duties or demands whatsoever. In testimony whereof we have caused the great seal of our province of New York to be hereunto affixed. Witness John Nanfan, Esquire, our Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-chief of our Province of New York and territories depending thereon in America. Given at Fort William Henry in our city of New York, this twenty-first day of March, in the four- teenth year of our reign. Anno Domini, 1701.ª
JOHN NANFAN.
Col. Caleb Heathcote, first lord of the manor of Scarsdale, was the son of Gilbert Heathcote, Esq., of Chesterfield, (Scarsdale) Derbyshire, England, a representative of the ancient family of the Hethecotes of that place.
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