History of Westchester county : New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. II, Part 125

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898,
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.E. Preston & Co.
Number of Pages: 1286

USA > New York > Westchester County > History of Westchester county : New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. II > Part 125

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At the time the patent was issued to John Belden and his associates the boundary between the colony of Connecticut and the province of New York was the so-called twenty-mile line. For a number of years previous to 1683 there had been a dispute be- tween the two colonies concerning this boundary. But in October, 1683, an agreement was concluded between the Governor of Connecticut and a commit- tee appointed from New York to act with him, by which it was stipulated that the line between the colony of Connectient and the province of New York should commence at Lyon's Point, at the mouth of Byram River, and continue thence along said river to the country road; thence northwest eight miles from Lyon's Point; then twelve miles cast- northeast, and then in a line parallel to the Hudson

River, and twenty miles distant therefrom to the south line of Massachusetts. This so-called twenty- mile line or manor line passed through Cross Pond near its centre ; thence north, crossing the old Bedford road just west of the residence of the late Joseph S. Wood; thence north between the farms of James Lawrence and Solomon Mead, crossing the road lead- ing from Salem meeting-house to Cross River in front of and west of the present residence of Solomon Mead; thence over the hill to the twenty-mile monu- ment near the south side of Long Pond. Solomon Mead's house and James Lawrence's farm were in the Ridgefield patent. Joseph Benedict's farm was in Van Cortlandt Manor.

The Ridgefield patent being bounded "west by York line, or the line twenty miles from Hudson River," that patent covered the whole eastern portion of Lewisboro'. The western portion, or west of the " twenty-mile line," to Croton River, belonged to Cortlandt Manor, for which a royal patent or charter was issued to Stephanus Van Cortlandt, June 17, 1697. The commissioners who surveyed the "manor" in 1734 erected a monument near the southern shore of Lake Waccabue, or Long Pond, on land now owned by Robert Hoe, which they estimated to be twenty miles from Cortlandt's Point, on the Hudson River. This monument afterward became important as a mark in defining boundaries of land. In 1725 the proprietors of the Ridgefield patent were again considerably exercised over another proposed change of boundaries between the colony of Connec- ticut and the province of New York. Connecticut, wishing to retain all the coast line possible, proposed to exchange lands along her western border for Greenwich and a part of Stamford. Commissioners were appointed by the two colonies to settle the mat- ter. They met at Greenwich, April 29, 1725, and came to the following agreement : "That the line should commence at the westernmost line, called the eight-mile line; then running east-northeast thir- teen miles and sixty-four rods from the eight-mile line ; thence northward, parallel with the line twenty miles from Hudson River to Massachusetts line." The lands to be thus surrendered by Connecticut to New York, as an equivalent for Greenwich and Stamford, they estimated at sixty-one thousand four hundred and forty acres. By this arrangement of the bound- ary lines, a strip of land one mile and three-quarters and fifty-two rods wide, along the western side of the Ridgefield patent, would be transferred to the prov- ince of New York. When it was found the lines were to be so established, Hawley & Co., proprietors of the Ridgefield patent, petitioned the Governor and Conneil of the province of New York, praying that a patent might be issued to them for fifty thon- sand acres of these "Equivalent lands," now called the "Oblong." After their petition had been duly considered a patent was issued to them JJune 8, 1781, as follows :

539

LEWISBORO.

" To whom these preseut may come or may concern :

"It is hereby certified that whereas Thomas llawley, etc., juhabitants of the Town of Ridgefield, as of the eastern part of this province, by their humble petition presented unto his Excellency in council the 3d day of September, setting forth that they and their ancesters have for a long time been settled upon, cultivated and improved certain lands near the eastern part of this Province, held by Pattent from the Col- ony of Connecticut, are supposed to bo in that part of ye Province of New York Commonly called the 'Equivalent Lands,' and that the petitioners, together with their Associates, would be willing to defray the charges and expense of finding ont and ascertaining the true par- tition lines between both the Sd colonies, provided that 50,000 aeres of the Sd Lands be granted to the petitioners ; and whereas the partition lines between the Sd Colonies have been accordingly run out and as- certained by Commissioners for both the Sd Colonies being thereunto duly commissioned and appointed, and sixty-one thousand four hun- dred and forty acres of Sd land of the Sd Colony of Connecticut were lately at the Settleing of the Sd partition lines Surrendered to the Sd province of New York for the use of his Majesty ; whereof the peti- tioners prayed his Excellency would be favorably pleased to Grant them, their heirs and Assigns his Majesty's letters patent for 50,000 acres of the Sd land under such quit-reut provisions and restrictions as is and are directed in his Excellency's commission and instructions, &c., &c."

Letters patent were issued to Thomas Hawley and others as follows :

" ROYAL LETTERS PATENT FOR Ye 'OBLONG.' George ye Second, by yo grace of God, of Great Britiau, France and Ireland-King, Defender of ye faith, &c.

" To All to whom these presents ehall eome, Greeting :

" Whereas, before and atter ye year 1683, the extent, bounds and limits of our province of New York on yo part adjoining to our Colony of Connectieut is altogether unsettled and nucertain, and in order for the settleing, ascertaining and determining where the bounds of ye Sd Province and Colouy with respect to one another should be : upon the three and twentieth day of November, 1683, certain articles of agree- ment were concluded between Col. Thomas Dongan, their Governor of this Sd Provinee, and the council of ye Sd Provinee on ye one side, and Robert Foster, Esqr., Governor of ye Colony of Connecticut, Major Nathaniel Gold, Capt. John Allen Secratary and Mr. William Pitkin in Commission with him, from Connecticut, on ye other side, by which it was agreed that ye bounds between ye sd Province and Colony from thenceforth should begin at Lyon's Poiut at ye north of ye Byram River, where it falls into ye Sound ; front thenee to go as ye Sd River runneth to ye place where ye Common Road or wading place over yo Sd River is ; and trom thence to run North North West into ye eonu- try so far as would be Eight English Miles from ye aforesaid Lyon's Point, and that a line twelve miles being measured from Lyou's Point according to ye general course of ye Sound Westward where ye Sd twelve miles endeth, as ye line should be run from ye Sound North West eight miles into ye country, and also a fourth line should be run from ye Northermost end of ye eight miles line, being ye third mentioned line, which fourth liue, with ye first mentioned line, should be ye bounds where they should fall or happen to run, and that from ye east ward end of ye fourth mentioned line (which was to be twelve miles in length) a line parallel to Hudson's River, in every place twenty miles distant from Hudson's River, should be ye bounds between ye Sd Colony of Connecticut, so far as Connecticut Colony doth extend Northward, and is ye Southerly line of Massachusetts Bay Colony, &e., &c.

" It is hereby certified that Thomas Hawley, Nathan St. John, Samnel Smitte, Benjamin Benedict, Richard Olmsted, Thomas Smith, Ebenezer Smith, Daniel Sherwood, Benjamin Burtt, Thomas Hyatt, Benjamin Wilson, Josepli Lee, Joseph Keeler, James Benedict, Richard Osborne Samuel Smith, Junr., Daniel Olinstead, Timothy Keeler, Jonah Keeler, Matthew Semer, Joseph Northrop, James Brown, Andrew Ireland, John Thomas and Benjamin Birdsell, inhabitants of yo Town of Ridgefield as of ye Eastern parts of our Province, by their humble petition presented unto his Excellency in Conncil ye third day of September, setting forth that they and their ancestors have for a long time been settled upon, enltivated and improved certain lands near ye Eastern part of this Prov- ince held by Patent from ye Colony of Connecticut, but that Contrary to theirExpectations, some of ye lands to be sold by Patent from ye Colony of Connecticut are supposed to be within that part of ye Province of New York Commonly Called ye ' Equivalent Lands' and that ye petitioners to- gether with their associates would be willing to defray ye charge and expense of finding out and ascertaining the partition lines between both

the sd Colonles provided that 50,000 acres of ye sd lands be granted to ye petitioners, and, whereas ye partition lines between yo 84 Colonies have been accordingly run out and ascertained by Commissioners, for both Colonies being thereto duly Commissioned and appointed, and sixty-one thousand four hundred and forty acres of land of ye sd Colony of Con- nectient were lately of ye settlement of yo sd partition lines surrendered to ye gd Province of New York for ye use of his majesty, whereof yo pe- titioners prayed Ins Excellency would be favorably pleased to grant them and their heirs and assigns his Majesty's letters l'atent for 50,000 acres of ye sd land under such quit-rents, provisions and restrictions as is and are directed in his Excellency's Commission and instructions which pe- titiou then and there read and considered of his Majesty's Council of this Province and afterwards, on ye same day, humbly advise and eonsent that his Excellency do grant ye prayer of yo sanie &c., given &c., &c.

" Four several tracts, y" first of which begins at ye Monument, where yo two lines interseet, which are ye Eastwardly bounds of yo sd surrendered lands, and is one mile three-quarters of a mile and fifty-two rods distant, on a line running north eighty-four degrees east from ye Monument, and ye end of ye twenty-mile line from Courtlandt's Point, west to ye end of Long l'ond, &e. ; thence along ye south side of sd l'ond to ye eust- erly bounds of sd surrendered lands. The second tract begins at yo Monument, standing at two miles from ye Monument, at ye end of ye twenty miles from Courtland's Point. The third begins at ye eighth-mile Monument, on ye westerly bounds of ye gd surrendered lands, on ye line running north twelve degrees and thirty minutes east from ye Monument at ye end of ye twenty miles from Court- landt's Point. The fourth tract begins at ye thirty-fourth mile from ye Monument, at ye end of ye twenty miles from Courtlandt's Point, &c. The Pattentee Yeilding, rendering and paying therefor yearly and every year for ever unto us at our Custom House, in our City of New York, unto our Receiver-General, for the time being, on ye Annunciation of y e Blessed Virgin Mary, commonly called Lady Day, the yearly rent of seven shil- lings and six pence for each hundred acres of ye above-granted lands and so in proportion for ye lesser quantity thereof.

"Given nuder our hand at New York, ye eighth day of June, in the fourth year of his Majesty's reign, A. D. 1731.

"JOHN MONTGOMIRIE."

Previous to receiving their patent from the Goy- ernor of New York, Hawley & Co. had, for the sum of one thousand pounds, on March 31, 1729, re- leased to James Brown all their interest in the southern end of the Oblong or Equivalent Lands. On March 10, 1732-32, Hawley & Co. released to Ebenezer Smith, one of their number, three hundred and twelve aeres of the Equivalent Lands ; to Jonalı Keeler, a eertain traet of land situated and lying in the Equivalent Lands ; to Samuel Smith, formerly of Milford, two hundred and twenty-eight acres of the undivided lands of the colony, bounded west by the twenty-mile line. In 1743 Benjamin Wilson released to Joseph Keeler " all his right, title, and interest what- soever in ye Oblong or Equivalent Lands," the con- sideration being six pounds twelve shillings. June 8, 1749, James Brown conveyed to Solomon Close, of Greenwich, "in ye colony of Connecticut," three hun- dred and twenty-six aeres of a tract of land granted to Hawley & Co. in 1731. December 23, 1751, Haw- ley & Co., " out of good will they had to the inhabit- ants of Salem," conveyed two pareels of land " situated and lying in the lower part of ye Oblong or Equivalent Lands to the First Presbyterian or Inde- pendent minister who would be called and ordained in Salem, for ye use and benefit of himself and his successors forever," etc. By deed bearing date De- cember 10, 1764, Jonathan Brown, of Rye, N. Y., conveyed to John Bouton, Jr., twenty-two acres of land in the "Oblong; " consideration, one hundred

540

HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

and fifty-five pounds. December 15, 1768, John Osborn conveyed to Amos Benediet fifty-two acres of land near Long Pond; consideration, one hundred and thirty pounds. On June 30, 1773, Uriah Crawford, of Newtown, Conn., conveyed to Sands Raymond, of Norwalk, Conn., one hundred aeres of land lying in the southern part of the Oblong. Feb- ruary 28, 1743, Thomas Roekwell, of Ridgefield, con- veyed to Peter Burr, of Brookfield, Conn., a traet of land situated and lying in the Oblong or Equivalent Lands. May 28, 1782, Eli Rundle, Jr., of Salem, conveyed to Sylvanus Ferris, of Greenwich, Conn., a certain tract of land lying in Salem, on each side of the road leading from Canaan Parish to Ridge- field, etc. December 2, 1759, John Rockwell, of Ridgefield, " in ye Colony of Connecticut, for ye sum of £50 current money of Connecticut," sold all his right in the lands in the Oblong.

INDIAN REMAINS .- On the high ridge of land east of Cross Pond, now owned by George Keeler, exist indisputable indications that an Indian village was once located there. The ground is covered with chips and pieces of white flint (quarries of which are plentiful in that vicinity), from which arrow-heads, spear-heads and other implements of war, the chase and for domestic nscs were made by the Indians. The plow, as it passes through the soil of the adjoin- ing fields, turns up innumerable quantities of these articles. In a grove just north of the road leading from South Salem post-office to Cross River, be- tween the bridge over the outlet of Lake Waceabue and the residence of Mr. Joseph Benedict, can yet be seen the remains of an Indian burial-place. Near the southeast corner of the town, just cast of the resi- dence of Mr. Aaron O. Wakeman, was until recently a curiosity ealled the " Indian Well." It was shaped like an inverted eonoid, the top two feet in diameter and the depth three fect, worked into a solid rock by the hand of the red man, or by the aetion of a tiny stream of water which had fallen into it from the neighboring rock perhaps for centuries. In 1882 and 1883 the city of Norwalk constructed a storage reservoir on the west braneh of Norwalk River, near this well. The contractor who built the dam, to procure stone, destroyed the well.

Near the highway leading from Lewisboro' post- office to Poundridge, and about fifty rods in the rear of Abram Caufield's house, is a small cave called " Belden's Cave." The entrance is an arch about twenty inches high and twenty-five feet long, leading to a chamber five feet high and six by ten fect. In this eave an eccentrie individual named Belden lived for a number of years.

VILLAGES OF THE TOWNSHIP .- South Salem is delightfully situated among the hills near the centre of the town. It consists of a post-office, two churches, a store, a shoe manufacturing establishment and abont thirty dwellings. This post-office was the first established in the town. The first postmaster was

Mr. Gould Hawley, commissioned by Hon. Franeis Granger, Postmaster General, in 1813. Mr. Hawley continued to hold the office until his death, January 24, 1864, at which time he was the oldest postmaster in the United States. When the name of the town was changed to Lewisboro', in 1840, the post-office retained its old name, "South Salem." Cyrus Law- rence is the present postmaster. A daily mail is received here by way of Katonah. Sinec the first "town metinge" in 1747 all the town business has been done at this place.

Four miles west of South Salem post-office is located the hamlet of Cross River, so ealled on account of its being situated on the banks of that stream. It consists of a post-office, two ehurehes, two stores, a flour and feed-mill, saw-mill and about twenty-five dwellings.

Four miles south of South Salem post-office is located the little hamlet of Lewisboro'. Here is a post-office, a store and about ten dwelling-houses. The post-office was established in 1842. Cyrus M. Ferris, the first postmaster, was commissioned by Hon. Charles A. Wickliffe, Postmaster-General. Mr. Stephen Seymour is the present postmaster. Daily mail is received via Stamford.

In the southeastern corner of Lewisboro' is the " Vista" neighborhood. Here we find a post-office, two ehureles, a store and a number of dwellings. It has a daily mail via Stamford.

Golden's Bridge is a station on the Harlem Rail- road, in the northwestern corner of the town. In this hamlet are a post-office, three stores, a church and about twenty-five dwellings.

In the neighborhood known as Mead Strect a post- office has recently been established and named " Waceabue."

AGRICULTURE .- Lewisboro' is decidedly an agricul - tural town. Notwithstanding its soil is rugged and hard to eultivate, its inhabitants thrive by the plow. According to the eeusus statistics of 1880 the pro- duetions are as follows :

The number of acres of improved lands is 13,000; woodland, 2120 aeres ; other lands, 2602 acres. The improved lands are divided as follows : Plow lands, 1574 acres; pastnrc, 6064 aeres; mown land, 4806 acres. The productions were,-hay, 4924 tons ; buek- wheat, 1388 bushels ; corn, 18,219 bushels ; oats, 11,116 bushels; potatoes, 15,038 bushels; tobaeco, 2500 pounds. In addition, there were 1212 barrels of eider made, 28,000 pounds of grapes raised, 1500 gallons of wine made. The value of eggs sold was $4470. Of milch cows there were 1398 head. The butter made was 52,208 pounds; milk sold, 505,780 gallons; pork raised, 101,636 pounds. A few berries are also raised for market, but not much attention is paid to horticulture except for family use.

COLONIAL HISTORY .- The first town-meeting was hekl April 8, 1747. The early records of the town are interesting, as they show the progress made from year to year.

541

LEWISBORO.

"At a townd metinge in Salein, in west Chester County, April ye 8th, A. D. 1747.

"1st. Timothy Canfield, moderator.

"2d. Nathaniel Wiat, clerk.

"3d. Jacob wales, supervisor for ye year insuinge.

"4th, Vot, David webster, Constbel for ye year insuinge.

"5th. Vot, James wales, Colecter for ye year insninge.

"6th. Vot, sur. Gilbord and Peter bennadek and Daniel Caufield, survers for ye year insuinge.

"'sth. Vot, timothy Canfield and Jacob walis, Nathan wiatt, sesors for ye year insuinge.

" 9th. Vot, Nathan Watross, Joseph Crofot, fence vowers for ye year insninge.

" 10th. Vot to bould a pound before timothy Canfield's Dore, and he to keep the {'e.

"11th. Vot, sqr. Gilbord, townd treshur.

"12th. Vot no man shall take aney Cattle to keep out of ye govern- ment. If he or thee dow sd persons shall pay five shillings per hed.

"At a townde metinge, in Salem, in Westchester County, April ye 5th, A. D. 1748.

" 1st. Vot, Capt. Tutle, modrater.

" 24. Vot, timothy Canfield, supervisor for ye yere insuinge.

" 3d. Vot, David webster, Constabel for ye yere insninge and Clector for ye yere insuinge, and Nathan Omsted to Clect in rigfield ; Joseph osbon, sesor for ye yere insuinge ; Capt. tntle, sqr. Gilbord, sesor for ye year insuinge ; Peter benadek, sesor for ye year insuinge ; Joseph Crofut, James walis, Nathan wiat, survers for ye yere insuinge ; Nathan nor- throp and Joseph Crofut, fence viuers, the 20th day of August you must bringe in your list ; Jacob walis, Quit-master.

"At a townde mnetinge, in Salem, in ye Connty of westchester, April ye 4th, 1749.

"1st. Vot, Capt. tutel, moderator.

" 24. william wiat, Clerk.

"34. Jacob walis, superviser.

"4th. Epnets how, Constael and Clectr; Nathan omsted, Nathanel wiatt, James walis, timothy Canfield, sesors for ye insuinge year ; Na- thaniel wiatt, John walis, Capt. tutle, Nathan northrop, Joseph Crofut, fence vieuers.

"April 24, 1751. It was voted ' that ye tound brande is ye letter H and it shall be set on ye left Shoulder.'

"April 6th, 1756. Voted to build a pound in Jolin Wallis' goat pas- ture.

"At a metinge of ye proprietors of that part of ye oblong or equiva- lent lands that lyeth iu ye County of westchester within ye Province of New York, legally warned and convened in Salem, at ye house of Josiah Gilbord, Esqr., February 22, 1757, the aforesaid metinge made choice of Abijah Gilbert to be the Clerk to enter ye vots of sd metinge, and by further vote of sd metinge, Mr. James Brown, of Norwalk, was choseu moderator of sd metinge, and thereupon after debating and duly con- sidering ye difficulties they were under in regard of collecting ye Quit Rent due his majesty's on that grant made to Hawley & Co. of sd equivaleut lauds, ye extent thereof being nearly 70 miles from north to south, and anexed to Sundry of ye Counties to which those lands lye adjacent, and thereupon it was agreed and unanimously voted that James Brown, Esqr., of sd Salem, shall be and was by sd meeting made choice of and fully empowered to be their Agent, aud in their names and behalf and at their cust and charge to repair to New York, and pre- pare and prefer a memorial signed by him in their names to ye General Assembly, now sitting, or that should hereafter be held or sitting in and for ye Province of New York in order for ye obtaining liberty for collecting Quit Rent now due, or hereafter to become Due, and pay ye same to ye Reciever General seperate for ye rest of ye proprietors of yo gd Patent.

"The above is a true record of ye vote and proceedings of sd meet- ing by me.

"ABIJAH GILBERT, "Town Clerk. "

Below is a copy of the oath Abijah Gilbert was required to take on his assuming the duties of town clerk :

" I, Abijalı Gilbert, Do Solemuly Swear that I will well, truly and faith- fully execute the office of Town Clerk in and for the Town of Lower Salem for the ensuing year, or until another shall be chosen or ap- pointed in my room or stead, and that I will true entries make of all ii .- 48

Deeds and other instruments of writing, and all other matters as I shall enter on record.

"ABIJA11 GILBERT.

" Sworn before me this 2d day of May, 1757. " NATHAN ROCKWELL, "Justice of the Peace ":

April 5, 1757, voted, Josiah Gilbert, James Brown, Esq., Benjamin Close, assessors, to assess owners and proprietors of lands lying in Salem, and to deliver the assessment to collector.

Voted, Nathaniel Stebbins, collector, to collect and pay His Majesty's quit-rent.

Voted, that Nathaniel Stebbins shall collect His Majesty's quit-rent for six pence per pound, and pay _ the same to the receiver-general.

April 4, 1758, voted, that a lawful fence should be four feet high, and poundage for sheep breaking through, two pence per head.

At a special town-meeting, held October 10, 1759, at the house of Josiah Gilbert, Lieutenant Close, moderator, James Brown was "duly appointed an Agent to repair to new york to Report the plan of the General Assembly, and get that portion of the Oblong as lyeth iu Westchester County sett off as a seperate Township, and sd meeting voted to raise the sum of 12 pounds to defray the Charge of Justice Brown for expenses he has been out and Charges that shall yet arise, to be paid by every person ac- cording to what they possess."

April 1, 1760, voted, that there should be " a di- vision of highways, to take place on ye long bridge, at ye middle space between ye two Outlets of ye Long Pond, ye inhabitants living northward of yer to Re- pair ye bridge & road north of sd space, & those liv- ing southward to repair ye road & bridge southward of sd space."

April 7, 1761, voted "that ye assessors have eight shillings per year for their services."

April 6, 1762, voted, that all roads laid out or hereafter laid out, should be placed " on ye town records, the town to be at the expense of recording."

January 18, 1763, a special town-meeting was called, "to consider such matters and pass such vote as may be for yc welfare of ye town."

"The meeting being informed that one Docter Michael Abbott, of Ridgefield in ye Colony of Connecticut hath lately come into this place and with other persons from ye Colony of Connecticut, to this meeting un - known, which people the aforesaid Abbott hath enokulated with ye small pox at ye house of one Greshon Selick, which house stands on ye high - way in this place, by means whereby ye people are greatly exposed and put in such danger of taking ye small-pox, &c., &c., and of having ye small pox spread by means of such unjust proceedings and that under ye present circumstances of this place, such a distemper being spread among them will be attended with most fatal consequences of ye reason of ye great number of poor people among us that are not by any means able to pay ye charges of ye enokulation of themselves and family, they must inevitably snfter in case it should spread among them, &c., &c.

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History of Westchester county : New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. II, Part 125

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898, Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : L.E. Preston & Co. Number of Pages: 1286

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898,
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.E. Preston & Co.
Number of Pages: 1286