USA > New York > Putnam County > History of Putnam County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men > Part 4
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In 1698, he resigned his seat in the Council, giving as a reason his advanced age, but apparently to escape removal, which seemed probable upon the accession of the Earl of Bellomont to the position of governor.
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GENERAL HISTORY.
In 1692, Mr. Philipse married Catharine, daughter of Oloff Stevense Van Cortlandt, and widow of John Dervall. There were no children from this second marriage. The notice of his death is thus recorded, by his widow, in the family Bible.
" Anno 1702 the 6th of November, Saturday night at 10 o'clock my husband Frederick Philipse died and lies buried in the church yard in the Manor named Philipsburg."
On his Manor of Philipsburg, he ruled in true baronial style. Two manor houses stood upon the estate, one at the "Upper Mills" above Tarrytown, and the other, now a venerated relic of the past, is the present city hall of Yonkers. Thus passed away a man who was, during his long life, one of the most prominent personages of his time, and his earthly remains rest in the well known Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, at Tarrytown, hal- lowed as the last resting place of Washington Irving. Fred- erick Philipse had five children: Eva, his adopted daughter, who married Jacobus Van Cortlandt, and whose descendants are known as the Van Cortlandts of Yonkers; Philip, born in 1663 and baptized March 18th, 1664; Adolph, baptized Novem- ber 15th, 1665: Anatje (Anna), baptized November 27th, 1667, married Philip French'; and one child, Rumbout, baptized Jan- uary 9th 1670, died in early infancy.
Philip Philipse, the eldest son, was a youth of delicate con- stitution. His father sent him to Barbadoes, in the West Indies, to look after a plantation and while tliere he married, in 1697, Maria Sparks, daughter of the governor of the island. His wife died soon after the birth of their only child, Frederick, Oct. 17th, 1698. Her husband did not long survive but died in 1700.
WILL OF FREDERICK PHILIPSE.
" I Frederick Flipse of ye City of New York Merchant, be- ing in health of body and of sound mind and perfect memory, thanks be to Almighty God, doe make and declare this to be my last Will and Testament, Revoking and annulling all former Wills and Testaments by me made either by word or writing.
" First I surrender and bequeath my soul into ye merciful hands of ye Infinite God who gave it, and I order my body to
1 Philip French came from Kelsale, Suffolk, England. He died in 1707, leaving a son Philip (who married Susannah Brockholst), and four daughters: Anne, wife of David Van Horne; Susannah, wife of Hon. William Livingston; Eliza- beth, wife of David Clarkson; and Mary, wife of Hon. Wm. Browne, " of Bev- erly, New England."
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
be interred at my Burrial place at ye Upper Mills', with such charges and in such decent manner as to my Executors herein- after named shall seem convenient. And as touching ye dispo- sition of my lands, tenements, hereditaments goods chattels and credits I will, devise and dispose of them as follows: I give, grant, devise and bequeath to Frederick Flipse my grandson born in Barbadoes, ye only son of Philip my eldest son late de- ceased, ye following houses and Tenements in ye City of New York (to wit) That dwelling honse with ye appurtenances I now live in, with ye house called ye Bolting house, and ye ground adjoining soe farr as ye Lean to stands, and soe farr as ye Gavell end of ye old Kitchen, and ye fence of ye widow De Kay, and also a Warehouse called ye middle warehouse and ye grounds behind it ye bredth of ye same Warehouse towards ye New Street and to extend in length to ye Broad Street, ye same ground lying there in bredth between my Cooper's house and ground of Isaac Kipp: and all those two dwelling houses and lotts of ground with their appurtenances lying and being near ye old Stadt-house at present in ye tenure of Mr. Carree and Mr. Droylett, and also these Lands tenements and hereditaments in the County of Westchester (to wit) That Island Papiriniman with ye meadows and Bridge? and ye Toll and all ye right and Title I have to ye same. And all those lands and meadows called ye Jonckers plantation together with all and singular houses, Mills, mill dams, orchards gardens Negroes, Negroes children, cattle horses swine and whatever else belongs to me within that Patent as well what is tenanted as nott: as also a piece of land in the mile square by me late bought of Michael Hawden. And all that Tract or piece of Land extending from the Jonckers patent or plantation to a creek called by ye Indians Wys qua qua, and by the Christians William Portuguese's creek and thence according to ye course of that creek into ye woods to ye head of ye same, and from thence on an east line to the creek called the Jonckers creek, and thence to continue on the same course to Bronks river as farr as my right extends, as also all that ye equall half of my meadow lyeing at Tappan with ye rights hereditaments emoluments and appurtenances to ye same, and all ye other estate herein before given and devised belonging or in any way appertaining. To have and to hold all
1By the old Dutch Church at Tarrytown.
2Now King's Bridge on Harlem River.
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GENERAL HISTORY.
ye real Estate, Tenements and hereditaments with ye appurte- nances here in before given and devised to ye said Frederick Flipse my grandson, and ye heires male of his body lawfully to be begotten, and for lack of such Issue ye Remainder thereof to my son Adolphus Flipse and ye heires male of his body lawfully to be begotten, and for lack of such Issue to ye next right heirs of me ye said Frederick Flipse, ye Grandfather for ever Item I give and devise and bequeath to my said Grandson Frederick Flipse beside ye Negroes at ye Jonckers plantation herein before given and devised to him, a Negro man called Harry with his wife and child, a Negro man called Peter, a Negro man called Wan, ye boat Joncker with her furniture ap- parell and appurtenances and ye equal half of all ye cattle horses and sheep upon and belonging to ye plantation at ye upper Mills. To have all to hold all ye said Negroes and all ye- said personal estate to him his heirs executors and assigns for- ever.
"Item I give and bequeath to my said grandson his executors and Assigns forever an equall fourth part of all ye shipps ves- sels, plate, goods, merchandise, debts and personal estate what- soever which shall belong to me at the time of my decease, my debts and ye particular legacys in this my will given being first satisfied and discharged. Provided always and I doe declare it my will mind and true meaning that I give ye lands extending from ye Jonckers plantation to William Portugnese creek and so to Bronks river to my said grandson with this restriction and condition, that it is in lew of a Tract of Land called Cinque- singh purchased by me and intended to be given to his father my eldest son, soe that if at any time hereafter ye said Fred- erick Flipse my Grandson shall claime and recover this tract of land called Cinquesingh, then it is my will that the tract of land extending from ye Jonckers plantation to William Portuguese's creek, shall devolve unto and be vested in my said son Adol- phus his heires and assigns forever.
"And I give devise and bequeath unto my son Adolphus Flipse ye following houses and tenements in ye City of New York (to witt) That house and ground that Isaac Marquise at present lives in and a house in ye Stone street next Isaac De Forrests with an old house formerly belonging to John Rider soe farr as to ye Lean to, and ye Gavell end of ye old kitchen, in length to ye fence of ye widow De Kay and in breadth to ye
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
fence of Isaac De Forrest or so farr as my right extends: as also a house and lott of ground over against ye house I live in, stretching in breadth to ye house of Anneke Gosens and in length to ye house of Mr. Anthony Brockholes and also a house and ground lyeing in ye broad street by ye house of Jacobus Kipp with a ware house in ye New Street, and the ground be- tween both upon a straight line from ye South corner of ye warehouse to ye south corner of that house (to witt) from one street to the other. and also those lands tenants and heredita- ments in ye County of Westchester (to witt) all that tract of land lyeing at ye Upper Mills, beginning at a creek called by ye Indians Wys qua qua and by ye Christians William Portu- guese creek being ye bound of ye land given hereby to my Grandson, and soe running up Hudsons river to ye creek called Kightawan or Croton River, soe along that river or creek ac- cording to the Patent, then on an east line into the woods as far as Bronks river thence to ye head of that river and along Bronks river according to its course to ye lands herein before devised to my Grandson. as also ye moyety or equal half of a saw mill with its appurtenances at Mamaroneck late by me pur- chased of Dr. Selimus. And also all that ye one equal half of ye meadow at Tappan by me purchased of Dr. George Lock- hart, and all that piece of meadow on the north side of Tappan creek containing in quantity as is expressed in ye Patent for the same. To the said Adolphus my son and the heires male of his body lawfully to be begotten, and for lack of such issue to my Grandson Frederick Flipse and the heires male of his body lawfully begotten, and for lack of such issue to the next right heires of me ye said Frederick the father, forever.
"Item I give and devise and bequeath to my son Adolphus Flipse these negroes and slaves following (to witt) ye negro men called Symon, Charles, Towerhill. Samson, Claes, Billy Mingo, hendrick Bahyme and Hector, ye negro boy Peter, ye Indian woman called Hannah and her child, ye negro woman Susan ye younger, and ye negro woman Mary:
"Igive and bequeath to my son Adolphus one equal half of my cattle horses and sheep belonging to ye plantations at ye upper mills, a large boat called ye Unity with her furniture late by mee bought of Jan Desmaretz and an equal fourth part of the per- sonal estate which shall belong to me at the time of my decease.
"I do give and devise to my eldest daughter Eva the wife of
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GENERAL HISTORY.
Jacobus Van Cortlandt the house and grounds in ye City of New York where they at present live. as also a lott of ground in the same city in the New Street to the southward of the old ware house, as it lyes at present inclosed and fenced, and an equal fourth part of personal property. To have and to hold the said houses and premises during her natural life, and after her decease to ye second son of her body to be begotten, and his heires and assigns for ever, but for lack of such Issue to her son Frederick Cortlandt his heires and assigns.
"Item I give to my daughter Eva a certaine Mortgage of Dr. Henricus Selymus upon the lands of John Richbell deceased, twenty miles into ye woods. With this proviso, not to extend Bronx river into any of ye lands devised to my son or grand- son.
"I give to my daughter Anatje wife of Philip French, that house and ground in the City of New York where they at pres- ent live, as also ye old Warehouse and ground thereunto be- longing lying in ye New Street. and all my estate of lands in ye County of Berghen in East Jersey (to witt) a house and lot in ye towne of Berghen a large garden, a plantation of fifteen acres, with eight morgen or about sixteen acres of meadow ground, and ye right and privilege in the undivided woodlands of two farms and ye plantation and all those my lands in the County of Ulster (to witt) a piece of land at Mambachus about two hundred and ninety acres, and a piece of land at ye Rom- bout Creek mortgaged to me by John Ward containing about seven hundred acres, and after my wifes decease that lot of ground in the City of New York extending from ye Broadway to ye New Street lying between ye ground late of Robert White deceased and William the Clockluyer And I do bequeath that my wife Catharine shall have during her natural life fifty pounds current money per annum, and that five and twenty pounds thereof be levyed in nature of a rent charge upon my estate at ye Jonckers, and the other twenty five upon my estate at the upper mills, and that she shall remaine and continue to dwell in ye house I now live in, and have and receive the money I have engaged and promised her according to our agreement be- fore and upon our marriage, preferable to all legacies whatso- ever. I devise to my said wife that lot in the City of New York extending from ye Broadway to ye New Street, lying be- between ye ground late of Robert White deceased and William
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
the Clockluyer, during her natural life, and that she shall have the custody tutition and Guardianship of my grandson Fred- erick until he comes of age, who I devise may have ye best edu- cation and Learning these parts of ye world will afford him, not doubting of her care in bringing him up after ye best manner possible shee can.
"Lastly I appoint my son Adolphus, and my son in law Ja- cobus Van Cortlandt executors of this my last will and testa- ment, In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 26tli, day of October 1700.
"FREDERICK FLIPSE."
Adolph Philipse, the second son of Frederick Philipse, died unmarried and intestate, in 1749. Like his father he was not only a weathly merchant, but held high official position. On the rumor that the French were about to attack Albany, he was sent, in 1691, to Connecticut to ask assistance from that colony. He was appointed member of Council February 7th, 1704-5, and in 1718 was one of the commissioners to arrange and settle the boundary between New York and Connecticut. In 1721, he was removed from the Council on the representation of Governor Burnett, for opposing the continuance of the Assembly after his Excellency's arrival. In 1719, he was member of Assembly for Westchester, and was speaker in 1725. In 1736, he was one of the four members from New York and was speaker till 1737. At the election in that year he was not elected, but upon the death of Gerrit Van Horne, one of the members, he was elected to fill the vacancy, and although the election was disputed, he was sustained. He was reelected speaker in 1739, and held that honorable position till 1745. He died in January, 1749, at the age of 85. John Jay said of him, "He was a man of superior talent, well educated, sedate, highly respected and popular. Except that he was penurious I have heard nothing to his dis- advantage." His portrait is among the family relics in posses- sion of the Philipse family, and represents him in the prime of life. Among the accounts of Joseph Reed, the administrator of the estate, there is charged against Frederick Philipse, the ancestor of the present family of Putnam county, the follow- ing item: "Jan. 25th, 1749, To the picture of Mr. Adolph Philipse, £6."
Frederick Philipse, who inherited from his grandfather the
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GENERAL HISTORY.
immense estate of the Manor of Philipsburg, and from his uncle, Adolph Philipse, the Highland Patent, was born in Bar- badoes in 1698, and when four years old came to New York. Entering upon life with all the advantages that wealth and high position could bestow, he soon became one of the most distinguished citizens of the province. From 1721 to 1728, he was speaker of the Assembly. In 1733, he was baron of the Exchequer and he also held the office of third judge of the Supreme Court, till the time of his death, while his social posi- tion as "Lord of the Manor of Philipsburg," placed him in the highest rank of the landed gentry of the period. He mar- ried Johanna, youngest daughter of Gov. Anthony Brockholst.' They were the parents of five children : Frederick, born in New York; Philip, baptized 1727; Susannah, born Sept. 27th, 1727, married Col. Beverly Robinson; Mary, born July 5th, 1730, married Col. Roger Morris; and Margaret, who died un- married.
Mrs. Johanna Philipse was killed by a fall from her carriage on the Highland estate, and her husband, Frederick Philipse, died July 26th, 1751, at the age of 53. He was buried at the old Dutch Church, at Tarrytown, on his Manor of Philipsburg. The following notice of his death appeared in the "New York Gazette:""
"Last Friday evening departed this life in the 53rd year of his age the Honorable Frederick Philipse Esq. one of his Majes- ties justices of the Supreme Court of the Province and a Representative in the General Assembly for the County of Westchester. He was a gentleman conspicuous for an abundant fortune, but it was not his wealth that established his merit. His indulgence and tenderness to his tenants, his more than parental affection for his children, and his incessant liberality to the indigent surpassed the splendor of his estate, and pro- cured him a more unfeigned regard than can be purchased with opulence, or gained by interest. There were perhaps few men that ever equaled him in those obliging and benevolent manners, which, at the same time that they attract the love of his Inferiors, gained him all the respect and veneration due to his
1Gov. Anthony Brockholst married Susannah, daughter of Palus Schrick, an early settler who came from Holland. He left five children: Henry; Judith, wife of Dirck Van Vechten; Susannah, wife of Philip French; Mary, who died unmarried; and Johanna, wife of Frederick Philipse. A will of Susannah, widow of Gov. Brockholst, dated 1724, is among the Philipse papers.
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
rank and station. That he was a lover of his country is glo- riously attested by his being repeatedly elected into the Assem- bly, for the last thirty years of his life. He had a disposition extremely social and was, what few ever attain to, a good com- panion. But what I have said of his character, is far from being a finished portrait, it is only a sketch of some few of his excellent qualities; many features I am sure have escaped me, but I dare say that those I have attempted are not set off with false colors, but drawn faithfully from the life."
He died possessed of a large fortune which was distributed among his children.
ABSTRACT OF WILL OF FREDERICK PHILIPSE.
"In the name of God, Amen. I Frederick Philipse of the city of New York being in tolerable health of body and of sound and perfect mind and understanding, thanks be to Almighty God, do make this my last will and testament. And first I surrender and Recommend my immortal soul into the hands of the infinite God who gave it, hopeing for salvation through the merits of my blessed Reedeemer Jesus Christ. and my body I order to be buried with great Decency but with no ostentation in the family vault at the Upper Mills. and as touching the distribution of my estate I devise as follows:
"Item first orders all debts and funeral charges paid.
"Item Second Whereas my uncle Adolph Philipse and Jacobus Van Cortlandt purchased of John Richbell a certain tract of land at Mamaraneck in the County of Westchester, and Jacobus Van Cortlandt conveyed all his estate in the said tract to the said Adolph Philipse which is come to me as heir at law, I bequeath the same unto my eldest son Frederick. * * * All the manor of Philipsburg and all tracts of land in West- chester County, that are on the east of Hudson's river and bounded northward by a creek called by the Indians Kichta wank and by the English Kroten's river, and so eastward into the woods along the creek two English miles, and thence upon a direct East line to Bronks river, and so running Southward along Bronks river, until a direct west line cutteth the South side of a neck or Island of land at a creek or Kill called Pap- parinimo, which divides York island from the main, and so from thence north ward along Hudson's river to the creek called Kichtawank, (excepting the farm in the possession of William
FREDERICK PHILIPSE- The "Yonker" or "Judge"- (ob. 1761)
From painting in possession of New York Historical Society
ARTOTYPE, E BIERSTADT, N Y
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GENERAL HISTORY.
Jones hereinafter devised) also the bridge called Kingsbridge with all the Tolls, and also my salt meadow in Orange County adjoining Hudson's river, and also that certain Lott of Ground facing Duke Street, also the house and land where John Pintard lately lived, also that dwelling house store house and Lott situate in Stone street in the City of New York now in posses- sion of my son in law Beverly Robinson * * to my eldest son Frederick Philipse during his life, and after his death to his eldest son. [The will then proceeds to entail this estate upon the male heirs to all futurity ].
"To my dearly beloved wife Johanna an annuity of £400.
"I order the sum of £400 to be expended towards erecting a Church of England as by law established on the farm near and to the northward of the house now in the possession of Wm. Jones Senior, by the Saw mill river, and I devise the farm now in tenure of Wm. Jones for the use of such ministers as shall be inducted in said church to remain as a Glebe for said Church.1 [The portion of the will which disposes of the Highland Patent is given entire in another place].
" Whereas upon the marriage of my son Philip I promised to give him Two thousand Pounds which I have paid him, and whereas I also promised to my daughter Susannah the like sum as her marriage portion which I have since paid to her husband Beverly Robinson: it is my will that the like sum be paid to each of my other daughters, to wit Mary and Margaret Philipse,
at their marriage * * * and as good an outsett in clothing, plate, kitchen and household furniture as my eldest daughter Susannah has received from me.
"I bequeath to my daughter Susannah, wife of Beverly Rob- inson, all that dwelling house gang way and Lott of ground whereon I now live, and to my daughter Mary the dwelling house and Lott where Mr. David Clarkson lately lived being the corner of Stone street, and to my daughter Margaret all that house and Lott bounded South by Mr. Chambers, west by high water mark, north partly by an Alley and partly by the house and grounds of Bartholemew Le Rouse, and east partly by the ground of the said Rouse and partly by the Broadway, and to my son Philip 'my dwelling house where my uncle Adolph Philipse lived and dyed in' and store house and lot of ground thereto belonging: and to my son Frederick all that my corner
1This is the farm and church lot of the Episcopal Church in Yonkers.
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
house fronting Broadway and Stone street, and the house and ground where John Roome now lives and my storehouse and lot fronting Broad Street.
" I devise to my wife Johanna my Coach house in New Street during her life. * * *
"To my son Frederick all my stock and utensils and all my negroes, except my negro boy Charles whom I bequeath to my wife. * * * I appoint my dearly beloved wife Johanna Philipse, my son Philip, my son in law Beverley Robinson executors of this Will, and my daughters Mary and Margaret executrixes. In virtue whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this sixth of June in the year one thousand and seven hundred and fifty one.
"FRED PHILIPSE. (L. S.)"
" Witnesses Jos. MURRAY, WM. LIVINGSTON, JAMES EMOTT."
A codicil to this will July 22d, 1751, gives to his wife Johanna the use of the houses and lots in New York given in the will to his daughters, during her life, and enumerates forty-six negroes, which were divided among his children.
Frederick Philipse, the oldest son, was the last lord of the Manor of Philipsburg. He is said to have been a man of quiet manners and indisposed to exertion. He was colonel of militia, and member of the Provincial Assembly. At the time of the Revolution he adhered to the Royal cause but took no active part in hostility to the new government and was permitted to live in quiet neutrality in Connecticut, upon giving his parole. In an evil hour he was induced to go to New York, when occu- pied by the British and very imprudently neglected all warn- ings to return. In consequence he was with many others attainted of treason, his immense estate of Philipsburg confis- cated and sold in small parcels to his former tenants, who thus became landlords, and he himself banished from his native land where his ancestors had been so highly distinguished, went to England and ended his days there. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Charles Williams, Esq., and his descendants are still living in Great Britain.
In the Cathedral, in Chester, England, is a marble tablet to his memory bearing the following inscription:
FREDERICK PHILIPSE- "Colonel"- (ob. 1785,)
From painting. in possession of New York Historical Society.
ARTOTYPE, E. BIERSTADT, N. Y
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GENERAL HISTORY.
"Sacred to the memory of Frederick Philipse, Esq., late of the province of New York, a gentleman in whom the various Social, Domestic and Religious virtues were eminently united. The uniform rectitude of his conduct commanded the esteem of others, whilst the benevolence of his heart and the gentleness of his manners secured their love: and firmly attached to his Sovereign and British Constitution he opposed, at the hazzard of his life, the late Rebellion in North America, and for this faithful discharge of his duty to his King and Country he was proscribed, and his Estate, one of the largest in New York, was confiscated by the usurped Legislature of that Province: when the British troops were withdrawn from New York in 1783 he quitted a province to which he had always been an ornament and benefactor, and came to England leaving all his property behind him, which reverse of fortune he bore with that calm- ness, fortitude and dignity, which had distinguished him through every former stage of his life. He was born at New York the 12th day of Sept., 1720, and died in this place the 30 April 1785 aged 65 years.'
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