USA > New York > Bronx County > History of Bronx borough, city of New York : compiled for the North side news > Part 5
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In the second story of the stone portion, which is the cider part, is something novel in the way of sleeping apartments. the "old stone room," which is nothing more than a cellar-tro !! upstairs, with the walls neatly whitewashed. Here it was that the slaves slept in days of yore. They showed ns where once was a little staircase for the slaves to use, so that they po up and down without disturbing their betters Now : ::: stairs and slaves are gone, but the "Old Hadley House" si " re- mains as it was a century and a half ago
On the Albany Post Road, near the southwestern corre: cf Van Cortlandt Park, stands the Thirteenth Mile-Post. shats
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HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and seemingly about to fall. Another old house standing just below the "Old Hadley House." was built by the Va .. Cortlandts as a residence for their miller. "My father only moved twice," said an old man to me, one day. "Once when he set up housekeeping in this new house the Van Cortlandts built for him, and once when he was carried out after his death. Now how old do you think I am?" he asked,
Old Hadley House, Mosholu
with a twinkle in his eye. "Well, sir, if I live to see the thir- teth of next February, I'll be eighty-five years old! Fooled you all, didn't I?" he added. Then it suddenly dawned upon us that there was no thirtieth of February, and we left without finding out how old he really was.
Also on the Old Albany Post Road, just north of Riverdale Lane, is another old homestead that shows evidence of its Dutch architecture. Looking down from the height and viewing the little abode outlined on all sides by grassy lawns and tall trees, we can feel that we are transported bodily back to the times of the sturdy Hollanders, when Indians were hiding behind every rock.
A short distance above, the Old Albany Post Road is merged
into Yonkers Broadway, and near the top of the hill the Yonkers line is reached and Bronx Borough ceases.
Returning towards Kingsbridge we come upon the residence of the late Dr. Varian, one of the best known residents. Here he had lived for nearly half a century, and would tell me many interesting tales about the past. In the early days of his prac- tice he would ride to patients from Dobb,' Ferry on the north to Hoth Street on the south, often crossing the Hudson River in a small boat to visit people in New Jersey. During the Civil War he was a strong Abolitionist, and in the days of the riots it was his custom to make his professional calls armed not only with a large revolver, but with a double-barrelled shotgun as well.
One of the finest collections cxtant of Revolutionary relics is to be found at the house of Dr. John Parsons, at Kingsbridge. Besides the interesting muskets, many of which have seen actual service, is a case of pistols, claimed to be those used by Hamilton and Burr. The one used by the latter is designated by a mark. Originally they were of the flint-lock style, but with the intro- duction of percussion caps they were accordingly changed. The descent through the line of successive owners has been distinctly traced. It reads as follows:
"These pistols were the property of General Oliver De Lancey, the grandfather-in-law of James Fenimore Cooper, and were used in the duel in which Aaron Burr killed General Hamilton. The one with the tag attached is the one used by Burr on that occasion. The pistols came down through the De Lancey family to T. J. De Lancey, Esq., and after his death were given by his widow to Dr. Wm. A. Varian of Kingsbridge. In 1894 Dr. Varian presented them to Dr. John Parsons of Kingsbridge, New York City."
My mother has often told me that Hamilton's eldest son, then an old man, used to visit at my grandfather's country place in Morrisania in 1862. As the afternoon advanced the old gentle- man would grow sleepy, and, coming to my mother, would say, plaintively :
"Read to me a little, my dear. I feel just like going to sleep."
Christ Episcopal Church, Riverdale and Alumno Avenues
CHAPTER VIII
VAN CORTLANDT PARK
The Van Cortlandt Mansion-The Death of Captain Rowe-The Rhinelander Sugar House Window-The Van Cortlandt Mills-The Old Burying Ground-Van Cortlandt Lake-The Van Cortlandt Vault-Vault Hill -- The Indian Field Redoubts Overlooking Kingsbridge
Who has not heard of the famous stone mansion in the lower part of the great Van Cortlandt Park, once an old Dutch farmhouse, and now guarded in the safe custody of the Colonial Dames? One visit to it, one examination of its many treasures is sufficient to carry one back to the old times "when history was warm in the making."
The numerals engraved on the stone front distinctly show the time of erection, 1748. A still earlier structure stood a little to the southeast, nearer the lake, but this was taken down in 1825. The records show that it was built in 1700.
For a brief time during the war of the Revolution, Wash- ington occupied this house, and in 1783 lodged there in one of the second story rooms the night before his triumphal entry into the City of New York at the elose of the war. A whole chapter might be devoted to the quaint and interesting curiosities con- tained in this old house. It has been furnished as one might expect it to have been during the old historic days, with high canopied bedsteads and innumerable other relics of olden times ; and in the kitchen may still be seen the old fashioned utensils ot Colonial days, while the cavernous fireplace, with its great glow- ing log form a most picturesque background.
In the pages of history we turn to the following exciting incident in which the Van Cortlandt mansion plays an important part :
"On Wild Boar Hill the American water guard were wont to watch, to intercept traders on their way down the Hudson to the British lines. A company of light dragoons is approaching. Among them rides Captain Rowe, of the Yaegers. This is huis last tour. Ile is engaged to an accomplished Harlem lady. Miss Elizabeth Fowler, but alas for him and the lady he loves! Sud- denly there is a sharp report and the captain, reeling in his saddle, falls. With disciplined severity the Yaegers make cap- tives of the water guard, but the captain has received a mortal wound. They dispatch a messenger to bear to the affianced lady the sad news of her lover's severe wound. Tenderly the pale captain is conveyed down the private road in Tippett's Valley. They halt to obtain a drink of water at the farmhouse of Frederick Post, a few rods northwest of the present stone bridge which arches the railroad near the Lincoln Park station. Then they resume their sad, southward way. When they arrive at the Van Cortlandt mansion, the dying officer faintly speaks a few words to his broken-hearted bride-elset, is exhausted by the effort, and lies in her arms, a bleeding corpse."
"O that some sweet bird of the South Might build her nest in the cannon's mouth; Till the only sound from its rusty throat
Would be a wren's or a blue bird's note."
Just to the northeast of the old mansion is a portion of the ancient "Rhinelander Sugar House," once the dreaded down- town prison of so many multitudes of patriots. As it stands to-day it is one of the tiniest and most picturesque of our ancient relies, yet, strange to say, one of the most recently erected.
It is nothing more than a small, grated window, its solid iron bars securely auchored in a stone casement, and the whole surrounded by an irregular mass of stones and bricks. Yet, stone for stone, brick for brick, and iron for iron, it stands just as it stood in Revolutionary times, when hordes of American prisoners strove to press their faces against those self-same bars in their wild struggles to obtain a few breaths of pure outside air !
The last remaining trace of the historic Sugar House at Rose . and Duane Streets, Manhattan, it is all that is left of the ancient British military prison, the rest of which was torn down in 1892. This old window, which stood on the Rose Street side, was, about three years ago, removed to the Bronx and re-erected near the Van Cortlandt mansion.
Van Cortlandt Mills and Lake. Van Cortlandt Park
Following down the picturesque lane, lined on either side by tall trees, we come to the site of the two old Van Cortlandt Mills. One of these, built in 1700, had "ground corn for both the friends and foes of American independence." The other. erected about the same time, also did efficient service for both hostile partie-, being used as a saw mill, to cut up the logs . used for building tents, roads and bridges.
Closely adjoining the first Van Cortlandt house built in 1,-( and destroyed in 1825, as we have seen, was an old burying ground. It is due north of the very lower portion of Van Cortlandi Lake. Small though it be, it is the last resting place of many of our best known families, including the prominent
NEW YORK STATE NATIONAL GUARD IN CAMP ON THE PARADE GROUND IN VAN CORTLANDT PARK
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HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
Berrians. To the east is a second collection of tombstones, where the negro slaves were interred. It is said that negroes were always interred in "the back yard of a cemetery." The cutting through of the Putnam Branch of the New York Central Railroad has sadly interfered with this little graveyard, as have also other subsequent improvements.
While speaking of Van Cortlandt Lake, it seems a pity to inform the young people, who "glide upon its smooth surface in summer, gathering white water lilies in their hands, and in winter gathering red roses on their cheeks," that it is not a real lake at all, but was made in 1700 by throwing a little embank- . ment across Tippett's Brook.
To the northeast of the Van Cortlandt mansion, on the heights known as Vault Hill, is situated the old Van Cortlandt vault, for generations the burial place of the Van Cortlandt family. In its dark recesses the records of New York City --- Augustus Van Cortlandt was then City Clerk-lay in safety for a while, even escaping the ever-watchful eyes of the British
colonel of the Legion Dragoons, had a very narrow escape dur- ing the pursuit. While striking at an Indian he lost his bal- ance, thus falling from his charger. Fortunately for him, his dusky foe had just discharged his musket and had no bayonet. About forty were either killed or desperately wounded, including the famous chieftain Nimham and his son.
The old chief, in calling to his people to fly, said "that he was old and would die there." He had wounded Simcoe, one of the British commanders, but was killed by Wright, his orderly Hussar. The bodies of perhaps forty of the Indians were buried in this "Indian Field of Van Cortlandt Park," a level plateau on the old Mile Square Road.
" The time is now at hand which must probably determine whether Americans are to be freemen or slaves," is a memorable sentence in an order delivered to the Americans at Kingsbridge in 1776. In June of that year Washington had inspected with great thoroughne's the region around Kingsbridge. Finding seven places well fitted for defence, he promptly gave orders,
Van Cortlandt Vault
spies. Five years later, George Washington himself stood on the sloping terraces of Vault Hill, superintending the lighting of the many lines of camp fires that so successfully deceived the British, while the rest of his army was speeding towards York- town in order to join General Lafayette.
Go up to the northeast corner of Van Cortlandt Park's eleven hundred acres. There you will find a plot of land styled the "Indian Field of Van Cortlandt Park." Here lie the re- mains of a band of Stockbridge Indians, who died fighting ou the side of the Colonists. We read that the Indians fought most bravely, pulling several of the redcoats from their horses. But, overwhelmed by superior numbers, they were obliged to flee over Tippett's Brook and down through the Van Cortlandt woods to the heights beyond, where quite a number found re- fuge behind the trees and rocks. Tarleton, the lieutenant-
as he "esteemed it a pass of the utmost importance in order to keep open communication with the country." Two Pennsylvania regiments were at work at fortifying, while bodies of militia were far from idle as fast as they arrived. In July, the British ships of war, "Rose" and "Phenix," came sailing up the Hudson, entirely unaware of the batteries that had just been placed on Cock's Hill and Tippett's Hill. When they anchored off Spuyten Duyvil, a number of guns opened fire, and as we are told "did great execution." In every circle great anxiety was felt lest Kingsbridge should fall into the hands of the British.
A bird's-eye view may be taken of the fortresses that were erected overlooking the valley of Kingsbridge, in addition to the ones on Tippett's and Cock's Hills. Before their completion the English had succeeded in uniting their forces from the north with those that already held Manhattan Island.
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HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
Following is a list and location of the forts:
No. I-On the grounds of the late Peter Strang, overlook- ing the Hudson and Spuyten Duyvil Creek. No traces of this are now visible.
No. 2-A cireular redoubt on Spuyten Duyvil Hill, the walls of which are yet to be seen. It was the American Fort Swart- wout and was erroneously called Fort Independence.
No. 3-On the easterly crest of Spuyten Duyvil Hill, styled Fort Prince Charles by the British.
No. 4-The American Fort Independence, which was per- haps the most important of all. Its location was where the house of William O. Giles now stands, on the former farm of General Richard Montgomery. We find that several six-pounders were dug up on its site. This fort had a very commanding position
between the Albany Post Road and the Boston Post Road. Neur by is Fort Independence Avenue.
No. 5-A square redoubt north of the Claflin stables, ou the old Tetard farm, the walls of which are yet standing.
No. 6-A short distance west of the present road to High- bridge, its site being occupied by a house once owned by John B. Haskin.
No. 7-Of this no trace remains. All that is known is that it stood on the Cammann estate.
No. 8-On land now occupied by Gustav Schwab's house, and extending over to the property of H. W. T. Mali.
The King's Battery is yet preserved, on the grounds of N. P. Bailey, from whom Bailey Avenue derives its name.
National Guard in Camp in Van Cortlandt Park
William Dame Permets
CHAPTER IX
GENERAL MONTGOMERY
His Farm at Kingsbridge-His Will-Lady Ranelagh, His Sister-Rev. John Peter Tetard-The Old Archway
While in the last few pages we have strayed a little from the strict limits of Van Cortlandt Park, we may now turn to one of the most interesting characters of early Kingsbridge -- General Richard Montgomery. Those were certainly strange days, when we learn that the Grand Jury brought a presentment against a young couple "for sitting together on the Lord's Day under an apple tree."
In 1772 a captain in the British army was sent over to America. Later he resigned his post, and, purchasing a large tract of land on Kingsbridge Heights, devoted himself to farm- ing, his favorite pursuit. He was Richard Montgomery, de- stined to rise in the American army to the rank of General.
Shortly afterwards something happened to him, as clippings from the following letters will show. Perhaps it was not en- tirely unconnected with warfare, but let the reader judge for himself :
Kingsbridge, May 20, 1772.
Sir -- I have ventured at last to request that you will consent to a union which has to me the most promising appearance of happiness, from the lady's uncommon merit and amiable worth. Nor will it be an inconsiderable addition to be favored with the title of son, should I be so fortunate as to deserve it.
I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant, RICHARD MONTGOMERY.
The coveted answer ran as follows:
Claremont, 21st June, 1773.
Sir -- Since Mrs. Livingston and I heard of your intentions, we have made such inquiries as have given a great deal of satis- fiction. We both approve of your proposal and heartily wish your union may yield you all the happiness you seem to expect. I remain, with due respect your most humble servant,
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
Two months later, we are glad to add, the wedding took place, and the happy couple found a most ideal home in their King's Bridge farm." In 1775, Montgomery wrote to his wife: "If you can be spared, and wish to make a trip to New York, and will not stay too long, I shall be very glad to see you." As I write, a copy of General Montgomery's will lies on the able before me. After his sudden death at Quebec, it was found among his papers by Benedict Arnold, and carefully preserved. Among the items it is interesting to note the following :
"I give to my sister, Lady Ranelagh, of the Kingdom of Ireland, my estate at King's Bridge, near New York."
It also adds:
"My dear sister's large family want all I can spare." At the end we find these words :
"My brothers will accept of what alone I have in my power "give-my warmest wishes for their happiness."
That Lady Ranelagh came over and lived on her brother's
King's Bridge farm is attested by the ruins of an old house, still to be seen close to the Albany Post Road. Dr. John Par- sons, of King's Bridge, who now owns this historic site, has told me that he would gladly have preserved the old mansion, had there been anything to work upon, but, unfortunately, there was nothing.
Among the witnesses to General Montgomery's will was the Rev. John Peter Tetard, one of his nearest neighbors and most intimate friends. Mr. Tetard's house stood almost oppo- site to General Montgomery's, on the old Boston Post Road and
Montgomery Cottage
was built about 1776. In the neighborhood of that year he opened a French boarding school, probably the first of its kind near New York City. When the Revolution broke out in all its fury, both Montgomery and Tetard entered the Continental ranks, the former as an officer and the latter as his chaplain.
On the Tetard grounds, formerly known as Tetard's Hill. there once stood a most unique stone archway, variously styled "The Old Bakery," and "General Washington's Powder Maga- zine." Some have gone so far as to call it "The Dominie's Secret Wine Cellar." It was probably part of an old powder magazine used by the British in Revolutionary days, but its real purpose remains unknown.
While passing this locality a short time ago, I was rather astonished to see an immense sign that read :
"THIS PROPERTY FOR SALE APPLY TO RICHARD MONTGOMERY."
My first thought, on reading these lines, was that I had been transported backward over a century and a quarter. Surely the strange coincidence in the names fully justifies this natural im- pression.
THE GORGE, BRONX RIVER, BRONX PARK
CHAPTER X
THE OLD BOSTON POST ROAD, OR BOSTON AVENUE
The "Negro Fort "-The Isaac Varian Farm House-The Williams' Bridge-The Old Williams' House-The Havens House -- The) Hustace-Cash House
This ancient highway, dating from 1672, as we have seen. branched from the Boston Post Road at Kingsbridge, and ex- tended northeast over the hill, past the houses of Dominie Tetard and Richard Montgomery. Just beyond Montgomery's residence, as we have noted, stood the redoubtable Fort Inde- pendence, overlooking the now peaceful Spuyten Duyvil valley.
Isaac Varian Homestead, Van Cortlandt Avenue
Branching almost to the east, elose to an old house marked "Betts, 1776," this ancient highway is now lost in the vast extent of the new Jerome Park Reservoir. After erossing the present Jerome Avenue, we find on the early maps that it passed to the northward of the "Negro Fort." There is to-day a stone struc- ture, about on this site, squarely and solidly built, that may have been the "Negro Fort" of early days.
After crossing the old Williamsbridge Road. now being widened into the Mosholu Parkway, the highway passes in front of the Isaac Varian Homestead, almost in the shadow of the Williamsbridge Reservoir. With stone walls that look as if they would last for centuries, and bearing the appearance of a miniature fortress, the mam part of this house was built in 1776, while the older wing dates from 1770. On the old maps it 1> styled "Valentine, 1776."
1 have said that it looked like a fortress; it was one. Go back to January, 1777, when the whole region was swarming with hostile bands. Encamped in this old, old stone mansion was a strong force of the redcoats. A second detachment lay under cover of the "Negro Fort." Carefully and stealthily a band of Americans was advancing from different directions on Fort Independence. Just at this moment two British cavalrymen we're reconnoitering along the line of the old Colonial Road & Bus. Ion Post Road), above Williamsbridge. Suddenly they caught sight of the approaching Americans.
"The Rebels! The Rebels!" they cried, as they dashed back up the hill. The horse yof one falling, the rider was prompt- ly made a prisoner, while the other fairly flew over the road to give the alarm. From every door and window of the old Varian Homestead poured the British, only to be joined by the fugitive .. from the "Negro Fort." Close behind them followed the Ameri- cans, chasing them along the old Boston Post Road, and never pausing until they were safe within the protection of the walls of Fort Independence. The report of this affair that reached General Washington and was forwarded to Congress, was that Fort Independence had been destroyed and its garrison cap- tured. Unfortunately this was too good to be true, as subse- quent accounts showed. Fort Independence, it appeared. was by far too hard a nut for our boys to crack.
There is yet another tale that may be told about the old Isaac Varian Homestead. In 1776, lying in the fields and woods adjoining were about four hundred cannon, good and bad. of all sizes and conditions. When the order came to get them ready for service, it was found that they had been "spiked." Some miscreants had secretly been driving rat-tail files into their touch-holes and plugging their openings with big stones. Twenty shillings was the cost to the army for cach gun to have the spikes removed, and at the end of two months only eighty- two were fit for service again. In excavating for the residence of William Ogden Giles, on the site of old Fort Independence, several Revolutionary cannon are reported to have been un-
Old Williams' House, Williamsbridge
erthed, and while passing in front of the old Van Corta ? aussion recently. I had pointed out to me two well rusted field pieces, both of which, I was told, were seenrely spiked. In descending the lall towards Williamsbridge, the wall circular remains of an American redoubt, styled on the map
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HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
"American Fort, 1776," may yet be seen just inside the fence of Woodlawn Cemetery. It is said to be one of the breastworks thrown up by that intrepid American leader, General Heath. The present bridge is the fourth at the same spot, the third being an old fashioned covered wooden structure.
The Boston Post Road, after going practically through the Williamsbridge reservoir and passing several ancient houses with old-fashioned fireplaces, crossed William's Bridge itself, and after a short distance took a northeasterly direction, becoming lost in the modern "gridiron" streets of what is known as Williams- bridge. The old Williams house stood close by, a quaint old structure which has disappeared in the widening of White Plains Road. Near by, and once fronting on this Boston Post Road, is the Hustace-Cash house, standing almost in the middle of 221st Strect. This is one of the quaintest abodes in the bor- ough, with its slanting roof, the house being built partly of stone and partly of wood.
Another old house is situated near the intersection of Gun Hill Road and White Plains Road, on the southeast corner. Standing at a peculiar angle with every surrounding street, it is sometimes erroneously styled the Williams House, and it is extremely hard to photograph, unless one gets around behind it and looks upward.
At the corner of White Plains Road and 222d Street. Wil- liamsbridge, I believe is yet standing one of the landmarks of the region-the old Havens House. We may well pause to glance at the many relics that this old house contains. There is an old chair said to have been presented to an old settler by General Washington, and bequeathed by him to Mr. Havens. Mrs. Martha C. Hlavens, who with her daughter lives on the premises, is the widow of Captain William C. Havens and the adopted daughter of James Clinton, whose father was the first Governor of New York. There is a most interesting collection of shells. formerly belonging to De Witt Clinton, that have never been tonched since he first arranged them. We also note a silver medal, presented by the City of New York to De Witt Clinton, inscribed :
"Erie Canal Commenced 4th July, 1817; Completed 28th October, 1825."
It is recorded that the box in which this medal is kept was made out of a portion of the "Seneca Chief," the first canal boat, while another prize is a handsome mahogany bedstead, in which Conunodore Perry died.
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