USA > New York > Westchester County > Little visits to historical points in Westchester County > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7
The Young Men's Christian Association has
53
NEW ROCHELLE
located in the Royal Arcanum Building, "is dif- ferentiated form merely recreative, educational, or ethical movements, by its pervading spiritual intent, and its aggressive religious · activity. " Its work at Fort Slocum, David's Island, among the soldiers has received unsolicited testimonials from both officers and men.
The New Rochelle Exchange for Women's Work, was founded in 1891, for the purpose of aiding reduced gentle women who shrink from ordinary charity, but are thankful for opportuni- ty to help themselves. The Rooms are at 295 Main Street.
The New Rochelle Public Library, founded April, 1893. Chartered July 5, 1894, is nicely located in the Masonic Temple, Main Street. The Library is under superior management, and is exerting a powerful educational influence.
A beautiful monument erected in 1895 by the Patriotic Citizens of the City in memory of those who fought in the War of Secession for
54
NEW ROCHELLE
"One Flag and One Country" is most advanta- geously placed at the divergence of the two roads near the Presbyterian Church.
New Rochelle was incorporated as a City by act of the legislature of 1899, which received the Governor's signature on the 24th day of March. The first City election was held April 18, 1899. The city government was organized the 25th day of April 1899.
All the fraternal societies are represented. The schools are numerous and well conducted by competent teachers, and the old town promises to attain the distinction of it's prototype :-
"Proud City of the Waters."
55
THE CAPTURE OF MAJOR JOHN ANDRE.
Vol. I.
MARCH 1902
4
No. 3
LITTLE VISITS TO HISTORICAL
POINTS IN
WESTCHESTER
COUNTY PART THREE
BY AN AUTHORITY
TARRYTOWN
MAMARONECK, N. Y. . PUBLISHED BY THE RICHBELL PRESS . MC MI I
Copyrighted 1902 BY J. WALLACE CLAPP.
The Richbell Press . J. Wallace Clapp . Mamaroneck . N. Y.
LITTLE VISITS TO HISTORICAL POINTS IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY
TARRYTOWN
T HE chieftaincies of Westchester Coun- ty are capable of tolerably exact geog- raphical location. The entire county south of the Hudson River Highlands, was occupied by chieftaincies of the Wappinger division of the Mohicans. One of their villages was Alipeonek the "place of the elms" now Tarrytown.
Tarrytown is pleasantly situated in the lap of the Greenburgh hills, overlooking the Hudson at the widest point of the Tappan Zee, which is here nealy three miles across
57
TARRYTO N
Tarwe town, was the name given to this locality by the first white settlers from the old Dutch word tarve (wheat) i.e. "the wheat town ," probably so called from the abundant culture of that grain in this vicinity.
The first Frederick Philipse bought of the Indians several large tracts of land on the Hud- son in 1681, (confirmed in 1683.) the Pocantico tract, covering the territory around Tarrytown.
Dr. David Cole, in his historical discourse delivered at the second centennial of the old Dutch Church of Tarrytown, October II, 1897 after fixing upon 1683 as the year when Philipse removed to Tarrytown, says "that he found there, at that early date, a small community already gathered." The first dwellings appear to have been erected near the water's edge, for the con- venience of shipping, which found here a fine natural harbor. Philipse found the old grave- yard, now known as Sleepy Hollow Cemetery as old as the settlement; it is believed to have been
58
TARRYTO W N
started as early as 1645, and that it had in it three graves by 1650, and fifty by 1675, and one hundred and eighty by 1700.
Evidently Tarrytown and the country round about, belong to the oldest settled locations of the County.
Philipse erected a mansion on the Pocan- tico which was known as Castle Philipse, # this structure was substantially built, and carefully fortified to resist attack, its walls were pierced with port and loop holes for cannon and musket- ry. The building of Castle Philipse appears to have been immediately followed by the arrival of tenants and the settleing of farms.
The settlement grew to such an extent that
*Mr. William F. Minnerly, well known in Tarrytown as a builder, states that in 1864 he was employed to make some alterations in the old (Pocantico) Manor House. One was in taking down the chimney which was very large. In the second story he found that a room about four feet square had been built in the chimney to be used as a smoke-house for smoking meat.
59
TARRYTO
W N
The number of bricks in this chimney was a marvel. They had all been brought from Holland, and landed on the north shore of the Pocantico, very near the old mill, one of the pro- minent obiects on the manor. The portion of the chimney taken down was relaid with the bricks, five feet breadth, sixteen inhces deep, to the same height as before, and a new partition built, fifteen feet long and nine feet high. The remainder of the bricks that came out of the chimney- for strange to say there was a remainder, and a large one, too- Mr. Minnerly bought, and with them be filled in a new house, twenty-two feet front by twenty-eight feet deep, and two stories high, and found them amply sufficient for the purpose. The bricks were so hard that when the masons who did the work wished to cut them they were obliged to use a hatchet. In size, each brick was an inch and a quarter thick, three and one half inches wide, and seven inches long- Scharf, II., 309.
Philipse deemed himself under obligations to provide the people with suitable opportunities for religious worship. His first wife, Margaret, and his second wife, Catherina, were also greatly in- terested in the work. The result was, the build- ing of the Reformed Church of Sleepy Hollow,
60
TARRYTO W N
one of the most noted of old religious edifices in America. It is supposed that Philipse com- menced to build this church as early as 1684; the bell was cast to order in 1685. But according to records now in existance it was not until 1697 that the church organization was effected; and a minister, the Rev. Guiliam Bertholff summoned. The tablet over the door of the church states that it was built in 1699, but presumedly this tablet was not put up until the completion of the structure, making no mention of the time at which it was begun. Frederick Philipse was a worshipper within its walls, and was buried in a vault beneath it, which was prepared expressly for his family.
The church is constructed of gneiss and granite, found in the neighborhood, this stone will not disintegrate for many generations; while the solid oak beams are as free from decay, as though placed but yesterday; the bricks used in the building were brought from Holland, as the
61
TARRYT C W N
pioneer Dutchmen had no facilities for making bricks. The door of the church now faces the west; but previous to 1837, ît opened more to the southeast.
The bell which is suspended in the turret of the church, is small and peculiarly shaped, it was cast in old Amsterdam, in 1685 and presented to the society by Frederick Philipse.
Inscribed on the bell is this sentence: "Amsterdam 1685, SI DEUS PRONOBIS QUIS CONTRA NOS."
(If God be for us, who can be against us.)
In 1697 Jan Ecker, became the first deacon; and at the same time the Rev. William Bartholff, of Hackensack, New Jersey, the first settled minister. In the church annals he is described as "the learned and Godly Dominus Guillaume" This pastor came from Hackensack three or four times annually to preach in Sleepy Hollow, con- See "Adfinding there as dominie until 1715. The pre- an'd Corrections" alle at Testsent pastor is the Rev. John Knox Allen, of the
62
TARR YTO N
First Reformed Church of Tarrytown. The old church is open Sunday afternoons from August to November.
The two Reformed churches of Tarrytown had charge of the bicentennial of the Sleepy Hollow church, which was observed on Sunday and Monday, October tenth and eleventh, 1897. Friends and Strangers from all parts of the country, were drawn to this region to participate in the commemorations. The two hundredth anniversary, was in recognition of the year 1697 when the Dutch Association called its first minister and in honor of the two centuries and over, which have looked upon the building.
"On Sunday morning the Rev. Mr. Allen began the services in the First Reformed Church by preaching a sermon appropriate to the
occasion. In the afternoon the observance was continued in the Sleepy Hollow structure. In this building an old time ceremony was held, with the selected choir accompanied by a vio-
63
TARRYTO W N
loncello. The church will barely accommodate two hundred, but it was crowded to its fullest capacity, while some who could not gain an entrance, occupied the windows, and others wandered about the old cemetery, endeavoring to decipher the verses on the lichencovered head- stones. In the evening an address by Hamilton W. Mabie attracted a crowd to the First Re- formed Church. All day Monday the Sleepy Hollow church was open to the public. The church had been somewhat repaired for the celebration; while the architect in making the changes, had been careful to follow the original lines of the building. The celebration closed on Monday evening, when a large assembly gathered in Music Hall, Tarrytown. A chosen choir rendered the national anthem of Holland. JMr. Edgar Bacon read an original poem, and the principal address was delivered by Colonel (now President,) Theodore Roosevelt, himself a member of the Dutch Reformed Church."
64
TARRYTO W N
The old cemetery begins at the church, the tomb stones having been imported from Holland, while on the hill sloping to the north is continued the newer part; on the eastern side of this beautiful necropolis the land falls precipitately to the channel of the Pocantico, and then abruptly rises to Tarrytown Heights, at a considerable altitude above. The western section of the cemetery forms a gradual slope to the shore of the Hudson, visions of whose broad stream may be caught through the trees. This burial place was first styled the Tarrytown Cemetery, but was finally changed to the Sleepy Hollow Rural Cemetery.
Here are interred many persons of note :---- Christopher Collins, the first man who planned the Erie Canal; General Adam Badeau, a member of General Grant's staff, as well as his private secretary and historian, also the author of several exceedingly interesting books; Henry B. Dawson, the historian, and many others. Near the western gate of the cemetery stands the monument
65
TARRYTO
W N
erected in remembrance of those volunteers of the civil war who were sent out from this vicinity; about thirty of whom are now sleeping in the plot, in whose centre now stands their memorial.
In another part of the cemetery is a substantial cenotaph of Quincy granite, placed here to honor the soldiers who fought in the Revolu- tion; it is located in that part of the cemetery known as Battle Hill, because in 1779 the Continental troops formed a redoubt at this point and posted a battery to command the Albany post road below. A section of these earthworks has been allowed to remain undisturbed, In this vicinity are interred the remains of General Daniel Delavan, who was a staunch friend of both Washington and Lafayette. Near by is the grave of Washington Irving, a new headstone has been erected, the first stone being ruined by people who chipped it to pieces for mementos; it bears this inscription.
66
T ARRYTOWN
WASHINGTON IRVING BORN APRIL 3, 1783. DIED NOVEMBER 28, 1859,
On almost any pleasant day throughout the year lovers of the great genius come on pilgrim- ages to his grave. Just below Tarrytown is Irving- ton, and passing over tuppenny bridge, we arrive at Sunnyside Lane, which turns west from the more travelled thoroughfare, and leads in the direction of the Hudson; at the end of the lane is a low stone structure of the Dutch style of architecture; over the main porch is this inscription.
ERECTED ANNO 1650 REBUILT BY WASHINGTON IRVING ANNO 1835. GEO. HARVEY, ARCHITECT
67
TARRY T O W N
This was Washington Irving's home from 1835-1859, twenty-four years. "The outlook from the place affords a fine panorama of the Hudson, upon which one's eyes may dwell with contentment from morning till evening."
Two nieces of Irving, who were with him at the time of his death occupied the property until 1897, when the estate passed into the hands of Mr. Alexander Duer Irving, a grand-nephew of the author.
Washington Irving's genial nature was a magnetic force, quickly drawing all hearts to him, consequently he was a great favorite in the neigh- borhood gatherings. He had a decided pre- ference for childrens parties.
James Kirke Paulding the author, and secretary of the navy under Martin Van Buren, lived in Water Street Tarrytown, the house al- through in a very dilapidated condition was standing in 1888.
With Washington Irving, and his brother
68
TARRYTO W N
William, Paulding was a collaborator on "Salmagundi," the new world "Spectator," begun by them in 1807.
Next to the Second Reformed Church on the east side of Broadway was the Jacob Mott place, the old Mott house was destroyed in 1897, that the Washington Irving High School might be erected on its site. This old house is said to have been the home of Katrina Van Tassel, when courted by Ichabod Crane, although at one time Katrina lived in the house in which Washington Irving afterwards bestowed the title of Sunny- side. Irving relates in "Wolfert's Roost," that one Van Tassel occupied the Dutch mansion, and that the interior of the building was burned in the war by a company of British soldiers, who left only the stone shell remaining. The build- ing has been further honored by the fact that Washington once went there in the Revolutionary days, to visit a wounded soldier.
Previous to Irving's death he had been a
69
TARRY TO W N
member for eleven years of Christ's Episcopal Church in Tarrytown. His long remembered obsequies were held in this church of which he had been for sometime an honored warden. "From Christ's Church, the funeral procession moved up Broadway toward the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, followed by a great concourse of his friends. It was the first day of December; yet the air was filled with genial sunshine so warm, that the villagers could not but liken it to the character of their sleeping friend and neighbor. Just before reaching the grave, the procession crossed the Sleepy Hollow bridge, which was heavily draped with black, thus recognizing the pen which had given it distinction.
On April third, 1883 the centennial of Irving's birth was celebrated in the Second Reformed Church, by the Washington Irving n of Tarrytown. Judge Noah Davis presided, and among those who gave addresses were Donald G. Mitchell and Charles Dudley
70
TARRYTO W N
Warner. Letters were read from John G. Whittier, George William Curtis, John Jay, Governor Cleveland and others of prominence: During the centennial, Sunnyside was opened for inspection, and was thronged for a number of days by eager visitors."
Excepting the seizure of Major Andr'e, Tarrytown did not perform an active part in the Revolution, as did some adjacent villages. Still the inhabitants here devoted all their strength to sustain the American cause. General Howe, in speaking of the Hollanders along the Hudson, said in 1777. "I can do nothing with this Dutch population; I can neither buy them with money, nor conquer them with force." Governor William Tyron of New York was so incensed at what he considered the perverse patriotism of the people of Tarrytown. that he proposed burn ing their village. Providentually his commands were never executed.
Both American and British troops march-
71
TARRYTO
W N
ed and countermarched through Tarrytown and at different times were encamped upon its heights. The allied troops of Washington and Roahambeau marched through Tarrytown in July 1781, to threaten the British in New York. In his diary for July 2d of that year, Washing- ton writes of this march: "I made a halt at the church Sleepy Hollow) by Tarrytown, till dusk."
The Action at Tarrytown, as it is called, occurred on the 15th of this month. While two British sloops, two tenders and one galley were sailing up the Hudson towards West Point, they saw coming towards them from the north two American Sloops; these were loaded with valua- ble stores of powder and cannon. To prevent the enemy from seizing these supplies, the Americans ran in to Tarrytown hoping to unload a part of the stores with expedition. Unfortu- nately, the sloops were grounded in the harbor. Only a sergeant's guard, were then at Tarrytown;
72
N
"TAR RY T O
but Colonel Sheldon's mounted dragoons were rapidly hurried up from Dobb's Ferry, and began unloading the vessels; the enemy soon came abreast of the scene, opened fire, and despatched gunboats and barges to destroy the American sloops. Then began a fierce hand to hand struggle, in which the British fired our vessels, but the Americans extinguished the fire, gallantly driving off the enemy and saving the boats and the stores. Washington publicly thanked the Americans for their splendid behavior in this encounter. On the western wall of the main railway station at Tarrytown is a bronze tablet, unveiled July 15, 1899. by the Sons of the Revolution, to commemorate this event of July 15, 178I.
During the Revolution the old Jacob Mott house was occupied by Elizabeth Van Tassel, as a tavern.
There was also another tavern a little east of Tarrytown. The proprietress was Mistress Betty
73
TARRY TO W N
Flanagan, who is so humorously characterized in Fenimore Cooper's "Spy." To the novelist we are indebted for the information that Betty origi- nated the drink known as "the cocktail."
Prospect Hill, the highest point of land in or near Tarrytown, was a watch-tower for the Americans throughout all the conflict with England; and from its elevation Washington observed the British war vessels on the Hudson.
But the most important event occurring in this vicinity during the Revolution was the in- terception and arrest of Major John Andre'. Andre' had been long negotiating with the American general, Arnold, to put the British general, Clinton, in possession of West Point. This post was and is a beautiful place lying on the west bank of the Hudson, a little below where it breaks through the chain of mountains called the Highlands. Great importance had always been attached to this post by the Ameri-
74
TARRYT O W N
cans, who had fortified it at great labor and expense. The British also appear to have appreciated the importance of this post, and it is probable that the purchase of it had been arranged with Arnold some months prior to the detection of the plot.
It was when Washington marched to Kingsbridge with a view to the attempt on New York and when he had mustered under him every man who could carry a musket, that he placed Benedict Arnold in command of a corps of invalids at West Point. The commander-in- chief had offered Arnold a position suitable to his rank and reputation in the army, but under various pretexts he declined acceptance as the negotiations for the surrender of West Point had already commenced.
Soon after this Washington, leaving Gener- al Green in command of the main army, in concert with the French naval and military com- manders met at Hartford on the Connecticut
75
TARRYT O V N
river to consult on their future joint operations. This was on the 17th of September 1780. The British commander had now become sensible that: no time was to be lost, as most probably Wash -. ington on his return from Hartford would assume the command in person at West Point. Andre" was accordingly dispatched in the sloop of war Vulture, to hold a personal conference with General Arnold. The Vulture ascended the Hudson river on the 20th as far as Teller's point, and came to anchor at the mouth of Harvestraw bay. Arnold had .
designated the spot where the meeting was to take place and the commander of West Point lay concealed among the bushes and trees. Here the spy and the traitor, matured their plans.
On the evening of September 22, 1780. Major John Andre', under the assumed name of John Anderson, crossed the river, mounted a horse which was in waiting, and took the road leading to Pine's bridge.
76
T ARRYTO W N
Tradition says that Andre'; having started from Pine's bridge was advised to follow the road to White Plains and thence south to the British lines. Had he acted under these directions, perhaps he would have reached the British army in New York with the valuable draw- ings of West Point in his possession. But upon learning that more British sympathizers were likely to be met with on the Tarrytown road he changed his course, and was soon confronted by his captors. Judging from the appearance of Andre', they concluded that no ordinary person had fallen into their power.
On this fated morning some of the inhabi- tants of Tarrytown had by agreement proceeded to the neighborhood of a small brook, now called the Andre' brook, to prevent cattle being driven down towards New York, and to seize as a loyal prize any such cows or oxen as might be destined for his majesty's troops by their friends. This
77
TARRY TO W N
patriotic band of seven" had volunteered of their own account to go upon this expedition the day previous September 22, 1780. Up by times the next morning, the party followed the windings . of the Saw Mill valley, and from thence to the hill immediately above Tarrytown. Here it was agreed that three of their number, Paulding, Van Wart and David Williams, should go below, while the remaining four should watch the road above. The upper party were stationed east on the hill above the lower party, the latter being concealed in the bushes near the post road. Presently one of the young men exclaimed, "there comes a gentleman-like looking man who is well dressed and has boots on, let us step out and stop him; on that, Paulding got up and presented, his firelock and told him to stand, at the same time asking him which way he was going and his name; he replied' "Gentlemen I
*John Yerks, Isaac See, James Romer, Abraham Williams, John Paulding, Isaac Van Wart and David Williams.
78
N
T ARR Y T
am John Anderson, going below on important business I hope you belong to our party." Paulding asked him, what party." He answer- ed "the lower party." Andre' then show- ed his pass from Benedict Arnold, and said "Gentlemen you had best let me go, for your stopping me will detain the General's business. "Upon this the three young men took Andre' into the bushes, and ordered him to pull off his clothes, which he did, but on searching him narrowly they could not find any sort of writings. They then told him to pull off his T boots, to which he seemed indifferent, but they got one boot off, and searched in that boot and found nothing. But there appeared to be some papers in the bottom of his stocking next to his foot, on which they made him pull his stocking off, and found three papers wrapped up. Mr. Paulding looked at the contents, and said he was a spy. They then made him pull off his other boot, and there they found
79
TARRY TO VV N
three more papers at the bottom of his foot within his stocking." Immediately Paulding, Williams and Van Wart, hurried him about a mile north- east from the scene of capture, to the old Lan- drine house which is yet to be seen on Tarrytown Heights. This structure was one of the points of rendezvous while the Revolution continued: After a brief halt Andre' was hastened inland to North Castle, the nearest military post.
Althrough Andre' offered his captors, his horse, bridle and watch, besides a large sum of money and any quantity of dry goods to let him go, they spurned his offer, and avoiding the roads hurried their prisoner with all speed across the fields to North Castle.
Upon the delivery of their prisoner, the seven patriots returned to their different quarters little imagining the importance of their prize. More than a month afterwards (General Wash- ington having recommended the captors to Con- gress,) they received the following vote of thanks
80
TARRYTO W N
from that body.
In Congress, November 3, 1780. Whereas Congress have received information that John Paulding, David Williams and Isaac Van Wart, three young volunteer militia men of the State of New York, did, on the 23 day of September last, intercept Major John Andre', adjutant general of the British army on his return from the American lines in the character of a spy, and notwithstanding the large bribes offered them for his release, nobly disdaining to sacrifice their country for the sake of gold, secured and con- veyed him to the commanding officer of the district, whereby the dangerous and traitorous conspiracy of Benedict Arnold was brought to light, the insidious designs of the enemy baffled, and the United States rescued from impending danger:
Resolved, that Congress have a high sense of the virtuous and patriotic conduct of the said John Paulding, David Williams and Isaac Van
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.