of the Westchester County Historical Society Vol. 16 1940 No. 3

The Dyckman Family Crest From a print presented to the Society by Mr. Robert Brooke

PUBLISHED BY THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK

In Memoriam

With the death of Miss Anne Stevenson Van Cortlandt the society has lost one of its most esteemed members and loyal friends. Miss Van Cortlandt was born at Croton-on-Hudson, July 14th, 1847, and lived there continuously throughout her long and interesting life. A descendant of Stephanus Van Cortlandt and Philip Schuyler, she was the embodiment of the family tradition. Those of the society who were fortunate enough to know her remember the fine dignity with which she always greeted her friends, and the pride with which she showed the Manor House and its store of mementos connected with the Van Cortlandt tradition. Up until her death her mind was keen and active and in spite of her suffering she enjoyed seeing her friends. We shall all feel the death of our friend and fellow member very keenly. As a token of her regard for our Society, Miss Van Cortlandt has left us a legacy of One thousand dollars.

Ernest F. Griffin, President

Those of the society who were fortunate enough to know her remember the fine dignity with which she always greeted her friends, and the pride with which she showed the Manor House and its store of mementos connected with the Van Cortlandt tradition. Up until her death her mind was keen and active and in spite of her suffering she enjoyed seeing her friends. We shall all feel the death of our friend and fellow member very keenly. As a token of her regard for our Society, Miss Van Cortlandt has left us a legacy of One thousand dollars.

Ernest F. Griffin, President

THE STORY OF CROTON By Alvin McCaslin Higgins

Editor's Note: The following paper was prepared by the late Mr. Higgins for the Ossining Historical Society in 1938.

Nearly three hundred and thirty years ago, upon an October evening, a fantastic little ship floated with the tide into the deep bay that lay south of what is now Croton Point. A few- sailors who spoke Holland Dutch slipped the little anchor overboard and let it grapple with the gravel bottom. The ship was only fifty-eight feet long. It was built like a gravy-boat, higher at the ends than in the middle, with small cannon poking their muzzles out of the few port holes. The English ship-master, wearing the Dutch garb of the time, leaned over the rail watching the Indian wigwams that dotted the neck of Croton Point about where the Harmon station of the New York Central Railroad is today. On her way up the great river in 1609, the tiny Half Moon had cast anchor for the night off shore of the deep bay that, in these later years, is filled with reeds and rushes, meadow and railroad yards. As far as we know, Henry Hudson and his crew were the first white men to behold the spot where the Village of Croton-on-Hudson now lies. Henry Hudson sailed up the broad river the next morning, believing he had found the great strait of water which would bring him to China and the Asia of that day. Little did he realize that within a hundred years from the night he gazed up Croton's River, a kingdom would be created there producing more wealth and power than he would ever know. The point of land which sheltered the Half Moon was known to the Indians as Senasqua. The rushing river, emptying its fresh waters into the salty Hudson below Senasqua was named after the chief of the Kitchawan tribe of Indians.

Henry Hudson sailed up the broad river the next morning, believing he had found the great strait of water which would bring him to China and the Asia of that day. Little did he realize that within a hundred years from the night he gazed up Croton's River, a kingdom would be created there producing more wealth and power than he would ever know. The point of land which sheltered the Half Moon was known to the Indians as Senasqua. The rushing river, emptying its fresh waters into the salty Hudson below Senasqua was named after the chief of the Kitchawan tribe of Indians. His name was pronounced in three different ways: Kenoten, Knoten or Noten; and it meant "The Wind." As the years went by, and as all Indian names are phonetically transcribed, the final name for Kenoten's River became as we know it now, Croton River, and the white man liked it so well that we soon had Croton Lake, Croton Falls, Croton Landing, Croton Dam, Croton Aqueduct and even Croton Avenue in Ossining. The Indian name for the Point had not only been Senasqua but, at times, Sen-as-chal; then for a full hundred years, it was called Teller's Point, and at times Sara's Point. After Henry Hudson visited the site of Croton in 1609, the Kitchawan Indians continued to occupy it and -all the hinterlands rich with

wild game, fish, fruits and fertile soil. As the Dutch burghers of New York and Albany prospered and grew more powerful, the choice fowling and fishing attractions of the Croton River region lured the officials and sportsmen of the seventeenth century. Came the Van Cortlandts ! The year the Half Moon sailed up the Hudson and nestled below Senasqua at the mouth of the Kenoten's River, there lived in south Holland a sturdy Dutch couple, Stevan and Catherine Van Cortlandt.

wild game, fish, fruits and fertile soil. As the Dutch burghers of New York and Albany prospered and grew more powerful, the choice fowling and fishing attractions of the Croton River region lured the officials and sportsmen of the seventeenth century. Came the Van Cortlandts ! The year the Half Moon sailed up the Hudson and nestled below Senasqua at the mouth of the Kenoten's River, there lived in south Holland a sturdy Dutch couple, Stevan and Catherine Van Cortlandt. They possessed a family coat-of-arms duly recorded in the great Stadthaus in Amsterdam. However, in 1609 little did they know their grandson, yet unborn, would rule the largest city in the New World and own a kingdom equal to one per cent of all Holland. The old folks never left the land of dykes and ditches, but their son Olaf did. He joined the army, sailed for the Dutch West Indies and finally came to New Amsterdam in 1638, just three hundred years ago. History shows there was something indomitable in the Van Cortlandt blood. Olaf had not lived in New Amsterdam but a few years before he was chosen as one of The Nine Men to protest to Director- General Kieft and to Peter Stuyvesant and demand reforms. Olaf was then elected Schepen at a salary of two hundred fifty guilders ; sent to Esopus, up the Hudson, to make a treaty with the Indians; then to Connecticut to fix the boundary line; then out to Jamaica to treat with the English who demanded Long Island. Olaf was the burgomaster of New York when the English fleet arrived, and one of six who met with the English to agree upon Manhattan's surrender. "Old Burgomaster Van Cortlandt" ruled New York as much after the English took it as he had under the Dutch.

Olaf was then elected Schepen at a salary of two hundred fifty guilders ; sent to Esopus, up the Hudson, to make a treaty with the Indians; then to Connecticut to fix the boundary line; then out to Jamaica to treat with the English who demanded Long Island. Olaf was the burgomaster of New York when the English fleet arrived, and one of six who met with the English to agree upon Manhattan's surrender. "Old Burgomaster Van Cortlandt" ruled New York as much after the English took it as he had under the Dutch. He had grown wealthy and in 1642 had married Annetje Loockermans, the sister of Govert Loockermans who had come from Holland with the great Van Twiller. Two sons were born to them--Stephanus and Jacobus. Stephanus Van Cortlandt was born in what is now Stone Street, Manhattan, on May 7, 1643 and was baptized three days later in the Old Dutch Church in the Fort of New Amsterdam. He married Gertrude Schuyler, the daughter of Philip Pieterse Schuyler of Albany on September 10, 1671. Jacobus, his younger brother, married Eva Philipse and was the founder of the Yonkers branch of the Van Cortlandt family. His wife's father was Frederick Philipse, first lord of the Manor of Philipseburgh which was assembled tract by tract from 1672 to 1693 and established as a manor by June 12, 1693.

While this was being done, Stephanus Van Cortlandt was moving fast to establish an empire of his own. He was twenty-one when the English fleet took New Amsterdam. His father's career inspired him ; and at the age of thirty-four, six years after his marriage, he was elected mayor of New York. He must have succeeded beyond question for it is recorded in history that the public life of Stephanus Van Cortlandt was "undoubtedly the first brilliant career that any native of New York ever ran." It is interesting to learn that this man was not only mayor of New York, but that he and Nicholas Bayard drafted the

His father's career inspired him ; and at the age of thirty-four, six years after his marriage, he was elected mayor of New York. He must have succeeded beyond question for it is recorded in history that the public life of Stephanus Van Cortlandt was "undoubtedly the first brilliant career that any native of New York ever ran." It is interesting to learn that this man was not only mayor of New York, but that he and Nicholas Bayard drafted the

The Van Cortlandt Manor House, Croton-on-Hudson From a photograph taken in 1936.

famous Dongan charter under which New York was made a city; that he rose from ensign in the militia in 1668 to colonel in 1693; that he commanded the King's County militia; that in 1677 he was appointed first judge in Admiralty by Governor Edmund Andros, that he was named again and again a member of the Royal Council by King James II ; that he was deputy secretary and register of the Province of New York; that he was not only judge in the Admiralty but associate judge in the Colonial Court, deputy auditor, receiver-general, secretary of the Province and surrogate. In 1696, he was chosen chancellor, then Collector of the Revenue, and lastly Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

All this time he was a busy merchant, senior warden of Trinity Church, and a member of the council and board of trade. Four years after the Manor of Philipseburgh had been established, on June 17, 1697, Stephanus Van Cortlandt had secured the entire northern party of Westchester County, from the Croton River to Putnam County and Connecticut--amassing together eighty-six thousand two hundred and three acres with one thousand five hundred acres more across the Hudson on the Haverstraw shore. The only sizable tract that Stephanus missed was eighteen hundred acres now occupied by part of Peekskill and Buchanan, between Verplanck's Point and Annsville Creek.

Four years after the Manor of Philipseburgh had been established, on June 17, 1697, Stephanus Van Cortlandt had secured the entire northern party of Westchester County, from the Croton River to Putnam County and Connecticut--amassing together eighty-six thousand two hundred and three acres with one thousand five hundred acres more across the Hudson on the Haverstraw shore. The only sizable tract that Stephanus missed was eighteen hundred acres now occupied by part of Peekskill and Buchanan, between Verplanck's Point and Annsville Creek. That was known as Ryke's Patent, bought from the Indians by Richard and Jacob Abramsen, who afterwards changed their name to Lent and whose progeny in Cortlandt Town is now as the sands of the sea. This was patented to the Abramsens for a quit rent of 'TO bushels of good winter merchantable wheat." A smaller tract near Peekskill also escaped Stephanus, three hundred acres having been purchased by Jacobus De Kay and John Krankhyte. The quaint and precious Van Cortlandt Manor House on the Albany Post Road at the Croton River was built in 1683. By 1697, Stephanus had completed his accumulation of property and obtained from Governor Fletcher and the Crown, the Royal Letters patent of the Westchester acreage, a vast domain which covered the Towns of Cortlandt, Yorktown, Somers, North Salem and Lewisboro, and for which he was to pay quit rent of "40 shillings on the feast day of the Annunciation of our blessed Virgin Mary." Of all the colonial manors in the new world, the Manor of Cortlandt was the largest. Three years after the establishment of his great estate, when he was beginning to enjoy the charming home on the Croton River, surrounded by his wife and eleven children (whose ages ran from infancy to full maturity), Stephanus Van Cortlandt died. His remarkable life is a challenge to the so-called leaders of our modern day.

By 1697, Stephanus had completed his accumulation of property and obtained from Governor Fletcher and the Crown, the Royal Letters patent of the Westchester acreage, a vast domain which covered the Towns of Cortlandt, Yorktown, Somers, North Salem and Lewisboro, and for which he was to pay quit rent of "40 shillings on the feast day of the Annunciation of our blessed Virgin Mary." Of all the colonial manors in the new world, the Manor of Cortlandt was the largest. Three years after the establishment of his great estate, when he was beginning to enjoy the charming home on the Croton River, surrounded by his wife and eleven children (whose ages ran from infancy to full maturity), Stephanus Van Cortlandt died. His remarkable life is a challenge to the so-called leaders of our modern day. At the age of fifty-seven, in the year 1700, when he died, he had fixed his indelible mark upon the new world. Gertrude Schuyler Van Cortlandt, his widow, lived for twentythree years after her husband died. The great Manor of Cortlandt remained intact until 1730, seven years after her death. Then the eldest son, Johannes, died as had his brother Oliver before him. Johannes' daughter Gertrude had married Philip Verplanck and he had been chosen by the Van Cortlandt heirs to survey the entire manor into thirty lots, to be partitioned among the ten members of the family. It

seems strange that the law in vogue in Westchester allotted the share of a female heir who had married to her husband. Thus, Gertrude Van Cortlandt Verplanck's share was deeded by the commissioners to her husband, Philip Verplanck; Elizabeth's portion to her husband, William Shinner; Marie's to her second husband, John Milne; Ann's to her husband, Stephen De Lancey; Cornelia's to her husband, Colonel John Schuyler; and Catharine's to her husband, Andrew Johnson.

Johannes' daughter Gertrude had married Philip Verplanck and he had been chosen by the Van Cortlandt heirs to survey the entire manor into thirty lots, to be partitioned among the ten members of the family. It

seems strange that the law in vogue in Westchester allotted the share of a female heir who had married to her husband. Thus, Gertrude Van Cortlandt Verplanck's share was deeded by the commissioners to her husband, Philip Verplanck; Elizabeth's portion to her husband, William Shinner; Marie's to her second husband, John Milne; Ann's to her husband, Stephen De Lancey; Cornelia's to her husband, Colonel John Schuyler; and Catharine's to her husband, Andrew Johnson. The other two daughters of Stephanus, Margaret Van Cortlandt Bayard, a widow, and Gertrude, who had not yet married Colonel Henry Beekman, received their portions of Cortlandt Manor direct. Not dominated by husbands, they enjoyed the freedom in controlling their own property, which married women did not have until two centuries later. Philip and Stephen Van Cortlandt were the only two sons of Stephanus living. The ten parcels plotted by Philip Verplanck contained from six thousand six hundred to nine thousand acres each, a valuation being put on them of less than seventy cents an acre. The share that went to Gertrude Van Cortlandt Verplanck included what is now known as Verplanck's Point. Philip Verplanck sat in the legislature at Albany as Representative from Cortlandt Manor for thirty-four years--an all time record. He was paid six shillings a day. Philip Van Cortlandt, being the eldest surviving son of Stephanus, became the head of the family and occupied the Manor House on the Croton River upon his frequent visits to the estate from New York and Albany. An eminent merchant, member of his Majesty's Council, chosen to act on affairs of State, his career was such as would have pleased his father.

Philip Verplanck sat in the legislature at Albany as Representative from Cortlandt Manor for thirty-four years--an all time record. He was paid six shillings a day. Philip Van Cortlandt, being the eldest surviving son of Stephanus, became the head of the family and occupied the Manor House on the Croton River upon his frequent visits to the estate from New York and Albany. An eminent merchant, member of his Majesty's Council, chosen to act on affairs of State, his career was such as would have pleased his father. Philip died in 1747 leaving four sons, Stephen, Abram, John and Pierre. Their father had devised the Manor House and all its adjacent acreage to Pierre who married Joanna Livingston, grandchild of Robert Livingston, the first lord of Livingston Manor. This Pierre Van Cortlandt was the outstanding one of the Van Cortlandts, a most worthy grandchild of Stephanus. It would require a volume of history to chronicle his active public life. He brought distinction to Croton and Westchester during all the Revolutionary period, serving with marked repute in the Provincial Congresses before and during the war, spurning all offers of the British to accept honors from the Crown, making the old Manor House at Croton the entertaining place for Washington and his generals, for Benjamin Franklin, for Lafayette, Steuben and De Rochambeau. ' -[53]- '

Meanwhile, his famous son, Philip, was growing to manhood and duplicating his father's renowned career. Member of the Provincial Congress in 1775, lieutenant-colonel and colonel throughout the Revolution, he participated physically in battle after battle; and was made a special target by the Indian Chief Brant, on the Delaware, as he charged with the bayonet at the head of his troops; and was cited again and again for personal bravery. He was a member of the courtmartial that tried Benedict Arnold for misappropriation of money at Philadelphia.

Meanwhile, his famous son, Philip, was growing to manhood and duplicating his father's renowned career. Member of the Provincial Congress in 1775, lieutenant-colonel and colonel throughout the Revolution, he participated physically in battle after battle; and was made a special target by the Indian Chief Brant, on the Delaware, as he charged with the bayonet at the head of his troops; and was cited again and again for personal bravery. He was a member of the courtmartial that tried Benedict Arnold for misappropriation of money at Philadelphia. Commanding a regiment under his bosom friend, Lafayette, he was raised to the rank of brigadier general by Congress for his valor at Yorktown, Virginia. After the war, he retired to the old Manor House at Croton, only to be sent by his neighbors to sit in Congress for sixteen years more, serving as Commissioner of Forfeitures, supervisor, school commissioner and roadmaster, all of which offices he filled willingly and with honor and ability. He delighted to perform the duties of office, no matter how unimportant they seemed. Somehow office ceased to be unimportant when a Van Cortlandt filled it. After sixteen years of Congressional life, General Philip Van Cortlandt declined further renomination in 1811. One of the founders of the Society of the Cincinnati, his last years were spent in the full enjoyment of the honors he had earned. An outstanding joy of his later years was in 1824 when an express rider galloped up at midnight to the Manor House and awakened the General with the message from the Marquis de la Lafayette, who had landed at the Battery in New York for his farewell tour of America, and wanted his old army comrade to join him. Although the message was received at midnight in far off Croton, the energy and will of the Van Cortlandt showed itself by the old general setting off at daylight for New York where "he had the inexpressable satisfaction of embracing his old compatriot, and felt it one of the happiest moments of his life." Seven years later, on November 2, 1831, General Philip Van Cortlandt passed away, loved and revered by an affectionate people.

An outstanding joy of his later years was in 1824 when an express rider galloped up at midnight to the Manor House and awakened the General with the message from the Marquis de la Lafayette, who had landed at the Battery in New York for his farewell tour of America, and wanted his old army comrade to join him. Although the message was received at midnight in far off Croton, the energy and will of the Van Cortlandt showed itself by the old general setting off at daylight for New York where "he had the inexpressable satisfaction of embracing his old compatriot, and felt it one of the happiest moments of his life." Seven years later, on November 2, 1831, General Philip Van Cortlandt passed away, loved and revered by an affectionate people. Philip's brother Pierre then succeeded to the inheritance of the Manor House at Croton. He gave it to his son Pierre in 1836 for his residence and it was occupied by Pierre Van Cortlandt until his death in 1884. Surviving him were his widow, Catharine Beck Van Cortlandt (daughter of Dr. T. Romeyn Beck of Albany, the author and founder of medical jurisprudence), and three children, Catharine Van Cortlandt Mathews, James Stevenson Van Cortlandt and Anne Stevenson Van Cortlandt. All have passed away except the latter-- "Miss

Annie," as she is affectionately known--who graces the old Manor House as the Van Cortlandt women always didd 1! The Van Cortlandts founded Croton-on-Hudson two hundred and fifty years ago. If there is a village shrine in Croton, it is the Manor House. One of the most prominent patrician families of Holland was that of Cornelius Barentse Van Wyck. His grandson Abraham Van Wyck wooed and won Catherine Van Cortlandt, one of the three daughters of Lieutenant-Governor Pierre Van Cortlandt.

Annie," as she is affectionately known--who graces the old Manor House as the Van Cortlandt women always didd 1! The Van Cortlandts founded Croton-on-Hudson two hundred and fifty years ago. If there is a village shrine in Croton, it is the Manor House. One of the most prominent patrician families of Holland was that of Cornelius Barentse Van Wyck. His grandson Abraham Van Wyck wooed and won Catherine Van Cortlandt, one of the three daughters of Lieutenant-Governor Pierre Van Cortlandt. Their daughter Ann Van Cortlandt Wyck married Judge Alexander Wells and Gertrude Van Cortlandt Wells, a daughter of that union, lives in Croton-on- Hudson today. She is well known as Baroness de Graffenried. She is known as "The Baroness" and, by inheritance or purchase, owned much of the acreage of Croton proper. She is alert and vigorous at an age close to ninety and has participated to the fullest extent in village affairs. The Van Cortlandts, through marriage, are closely linked to many of the old, outstanding families of both Dutch and English descent: the Van Wycks, the Van Rensselaers, the De Peysters, the De Lanceys, the Schuylers, the Philipses, the Verplancks, the Beekmans and the Bayards, as well as the Livingstons and Clintons and the Hamiltons. Cornelia Van Cortlandt, daughter of Lieutenant-Governor Pierre Van Cortlandt, occupied the Van Cortlandt Manor House with her husband, Gerard Beekman, during the Revolutionary days although, afterwards, they settled in the old Beekman homestead at North Tarrytown. She was a typical Van Cortlandt girl, as British officers and Tories ascertained to their discomfiture when they sought to annoy and terrify her. She was mistress when the Arnold treason was discovered. The confusion or uncertainty of facts with regard to the story of Andre and Arnold have caused many versions of it to be written.

Cornelia Van Cortlandt, daughter of Lieutenant-Governor Pierre Van Cortlandt, occupied the Van Cortlandt Manor House with her husband, Gerard Beekman, during the Revolutionary days although, afterwards, they settled in the old Beekman homestead at North Tarrytown. She was a typical Van Cortlandt girl, as British officers and Tories ascertained to their discomfiture when they sought to annoy and terrify her. She was mistress when the Arnold treason was discovered. The confusion or uncertainty of facts with regard to the story of Andre and Arnold have caused many versions of it to be written. One aspect which none of them contradict, however, reflects with credit upon the Croton-on-Hudson patriots. The British warship Vulture anchored above Teller's (now Croton) Point, in plain view of this little hamlet. While the warship awaited Andre's arrival from New York (he had come to Dobbs Ferry by horse and was being rowed up the Hudson to the ship), a barge load of sailors from the Vulture rowed over to the Croton shore to reconnoitre,

1Miss Anne Stevenson Van Cortlandt died on June 5, 1940 in her ninetythird year.

Courtesy of Mr. Arthur E. Roberts

The Pierre Van Cortlandt Public School, Croton-on-Hudson Its erection was completed this year in-time for the opening of the school season in September.

to ascertain whether it was in the hands of the Whigs or the Tories. On that eventful September day in 1780, two Croton men, Moses Sherwood and John Peterson (the latter a colored man who had served in General Van Cortlandt's Westchester militia) , were making cider on the land now known as Orchard Hill and about where the Edward Howard Griggs residence stands. Although the Croton countryside was not occupied by troops, it was, like the rest of Westchester, troubled by the pests that kept farmers awake nights and demanded caution all day long--those two marauding bands of men, the "Cowboys" and the "Skinners." Prepared for them, Moses Sherwood and John Peterson had their muskets leaning against the nearest apple tree.

On that eventful September day in 1780, two Croton men, Moses Sherwood and John Peterson (the latter a colored man who had served in General Van Cortlandt's Westchester militia) , were making cider on the land now known as Orchard Hill and about where the Edward Howard Griggs residence stands. Although the Croton countryside was not occupied by troops, it was, like the rest of Westchester, troubled by the pests that kept farmers awake nights and demanded caution all day long--those two marauding bands of men, the "Cowboys" and the "Skinners." Prepared for them, Moses Sherwood and John Peterson had their muskets leaning against the nearest apple tree. As they worked, they espied the British warship's boat being rowed toward the Croton shore. All day long the Croton neighbors had discussed excitedly the strange

ship at anchor above Teller's Point, knowing that it was a ship of His Majesty's Navy. Moses and John dropped their cider making, grabbed their muskets and powder horns, and ran down into the tangled growth among the trees which lined Croton's shore. Without waiting for the barge to get nearer, both men blazed away. The seamen, apparently deciding immediately that Croton was not Tory Ground, put hard about, bent to their oars and retreated to the Vulture. Yet this was not victory enough for the black and white army of Croton. They assembled all the neighbors available to throw harness and trappings on several horses and rode as fast as they could up the Post Road, out the King's Ferry road, to Verplanck's Point where the little fort under Colonel Livingston's command stood sentinel over the Hudson. Colonel Livingston listened to their story, agreed to loan them a four-pounder; and before dark, the farm horses were dragging down the Post Road to Croton and out on to Teller's Point the light artillery which had an effect upon the destiny of America.

They assembled all the neighbors available to throw harness and trappings on several horses and rode as fast as they could up the Post Road, out the King's Ferry road, to Verplanck's Point where the little fort under Colonel Livingston's command stood sentinel over the Hudson. Colonel Livingston listened to their story, agreed to loan them a four-pounder; and before dark, the farm horses were dragging down the Post Road to Croton and out on to Teller's Point the light artillery which had an effect upon the destiny of America. It was almost daylight before the horses deposited the cannon where it could be dragged into position under cover of the underbrush and thickly wooded peninsula. As soon as the Vulture could be sighted off shore in the semi-darkness before dawn, a flash and a roar startled the British marines from their slumber. The first shot of the cannon splintered a spar of the warship. Major Andre had been rowed ashore before midnight and had arrived already at Joshua Smith's "treason house" above Haverstraw. History says that he was much agitated when he heard the echo of heavy firing down around Teller's Point, but he was too far away to see the Vulture had weighed anchor and disappeared down the River around the Point. The Croton army hitched the heavy farm horses to the light artillery and went home to brag about how they had licked the English navy. But they were wholly unaware that they had thwarted Arnold and Andre. It was days, even, before they learned of the treason plot. In front of the Van Cortlandt Manor House was Croton Bay, into which flowed the rushing waters of the Croton River. It is difficult for the last three generations of Americans to realize that the marshes with their tall reeds, the farm land and meadow dotted with aged apple trees, the Albany Post Road that runs between Harmon and the Ossining side of the Croton River bridge are all on "made" land caused by the great flood that swept the Croton valley in 1841.

In front of the Van Cortlandt Manor House was Croton Bay, into which flowed the rushing waters of the Croton River. It is difficult for the last three generations of Americans to realize that the marshes with their tall reeds, the farm land and meadow dotted with aged apple trees, the Albany Post Road that runs between Harmon and the Ossining side of the Croton River bridge are all on "made" land caused by the great flood that swept the Croton valley in 1841. The - €57] -

eyes of Stephanus Van Cortlandt, the eyes of his sons, his grandsons and his great-grandsons saw nothing of what we see there now. The waters of Croton Bay were deep and navigable, the tide-water rising and falling against the high ground today which was the shore line until the first Croton dam broke away at Pines Bridge. The wall of water sweeping down the Croton valley carried gravel and sand and debris that almost filled the estuary, formerly one of the best harbors on the Hudson. The Croton River was deep enough to allow sloops and barges to unload their cargoes far upstream. Croton, in those days, was a milling and manufacturing point. The mountains and the hills back through Cortlandt and Yorktown yielded ores and mining products. Wire mills, furnaces and factories were on the river banks. Cheap and easy water transportation, the cheap labor of the day and the proximity of thriving New York made the production of metal work most lucrative. The Van Cortlandts had mills and furnaces not only on the Croton River but on Furnace Brook in the Oscawanna section. The flour mill on the old Phelps estate was built during the Revolution and operated until 1875. Before the Revolution, an English company operated a blast furnace on Jamawissa Creek (the beautiful Indian name afterwards became Furnace Brook), and employed Germans to run and smelt the iron.

Cheap and easy water transportation, the cheap labor of the day and the proximity of thriving New York made the production of metal work most lucrative. The Van Cortlandts had mills and furnaces not only on the Croton River but on Furnace Brook in the Oscawanna section. The flour mill on the old Phelps estate was built during the Revolution and operated until 1875. Before the Revolution, an English company operated a blast furnace on Jamawissa Creek (the beautiful Indian name afterwards became Furnace Brook), and employed Germans to run and smelt the iron. But the ore had too much sulphur in it and the furnace fell into disuse. A large section north of Croton village is known to this day as Furnace Woods, the road to it being known as Furnace Woods Road. Then the brick industry became popular, and the broad, deep veins of clay that covered the plateaus back of the shore lines were exploited during the nineteenth century. Croton face brick and Croton front brick commanded fancy prices and for many years the very door yards of Croton were in danger as the clay pits were enlarged and the kilns extended. Small fortunes were made and the clay beds were excavated until all pay clay was moulded into brick. Then the industry centered in Haverstraw and upper river points. Croton Point, the beautiful peninsula reaching far into the Hudson, embracing with its curved shoreline on the side toward Croton village the charming sheet of water known to the Indians as "Mother's Lap," has a history all its own. The same year in which Stephanus Van Cortlandt was married to Gertrude Schuyler, 1671, his sister Sophia married Andreas Teller.

Small fortunes were made and the clay beds were excavated until all pay clay was moulded into brick. Then the industry centered in Haverstraw and upper river points. Croton Point, the beautiful peninsula reaching far into the Hudson, embracing with its curved shoreline on the side toward Croton village the charming sheet of water known to the Indians as "Mother's Lap," has a history all its own. The same year in which Stephanus Van Cortlandt was married to Gertrude Schuyler, 1671, his sister Sophia married Andreas Teller.

Evidently through her brother's aid and influence, the Tellers obtained the greater part of Senasqua, as the peninsula was called. The original purchase price was a barrel of rum and twelve blankets. For a century after that, the land was called Teller's Point. Pierre, the son of the Tellers, married Margaret Haines and their twin daughters married men by the names of McCord and Tice. We know that Pierre McCord resided at Croton Landing and that Clarence Tice of Croton and Pierre H. Teller of Harmon remain as descendants of the Tellers of Teller's Point. The Underhill family succeeded the Tellers in the ownership of Teller's Point; and then the modern world demanded that its identity be linked with the river and the village, so called it Croton Point. In its day, Croton Point has been a principality all its own, with seventy-five acres devoted to luscious grapes, large apple orchards and hothouses for the cultivation of roses. William H. Underhill began the manufacture of brick there over a hundred years ago, and for more than fifty years, enameled bricks for tiling and wainscoting made on Croton Point were in great demand. Then the clay stratum was exhausted. For fifteen to twenty years before the World War, Croton Point was anybody's stepchild. During the war, it became perilously near becoming the site of enormous factory plants.

In its day, Croton Point has been a principality all its own, with seventy-five acres devoted to luscious grapes, large apple orchards and hothouses for the cultivation of roses. William H. Underhill began the manufacture of brick there over a hundred years ago, and for more than fifty years, enameled bricks for tiling and wainscoting made on Croton Point were in great demand. Then the clay stratum was exhausted. For fifteen to twenty years before the World War, Croton Point was anybody's stepchild. During the war, it became perilously near becoming the site of enormous factory plants. Finally Westchester County rescued it. Its five hundred acres are now park land and cannot to be exploited by private enterprise. Religion in Croton during the past three hundred years profited by the Van Cortlandts and the Van Wycks. The methodists obtained their meeting house and cemetery from one; and the Episcopalians and Catholics obtained much from the other. In 1768, when the Methodist missionary, Thomas Ware, crossed over from Long Island to Westchester to promote the Wesleyan faith, he said, "there was not a Methodist on the east side of the Hudson above New York,'' although the great George Whitefield had preached in Peekskill in 1770 and talked from the veranda of the Van Cortlandt Manor House, too. Bishop Francis Asbury made great progress, though, in 1795. Croton must have pleased him, for in his journal of that year these items occur: I had a comfortable time in Croton chapel on Romans 1-16. I returned to Gov. V. C.'s and dined with my dear aged friends. We had all we needed and abundantly more than we desired. The Presbyterians were established by that date. The Reverend

In 1768, when the Methodist missionary, Thomas Ware, crossed over from Long Island to Westchester to promote the Wesleyan faith, he said, "there was not a Methodist on the east side of the Hudson above New York,'' although the great George Whitefield had preached in Peekskill in 1770 and talked from the veranda of the Van Cortlandt Manor House, too. Bishop Francis Asbury made great progress, though, in 1795. Croton must have pleased him, for in his journal of that year these items occur: I had a comfortable time in Croton chapel on Romans 1-16. I returned to Gov. V. C.'s and dined with my dear aged friends. We had all we needed and abundantly more than we desired. The Presbyterians were established by that date. The Reverend

Silas Content of the Presbyterian faith also kept a diary and its notes are illuminating. The entry for August 10, 1786 reads: Rode to Croton from Carmel. Heard Mr. Davenport preach at Montrosses; rode home; blessed be God for His Goodness to me and my family. The Society of Friends had a large and flourishing congregation for over a hundred years in Croton. The Underhills, Fields, Wheelers and Matthews were prominent Quakers connected with it; many other families worshipped there and are buried in its cemetery. Saint Augustine's Episcopal Church at Croton was started in 1756 by the Reverend James Wetmore. Its most remarkable pastorate was that of the Reverend A. Vallette Clarkson who served as priest in charge for more than fifty years. The Methodist Episcopal Church of Croton erected its first church edifice in 1780 and has maintained a strong and steady growth all through the ensuing years. Ninety years ago, there were not ten Roman Catholics in all Croton. Today, the Holy Name of Mary Church and the Chapel of the Good Shepherd have hundreds of parishioners.

Its most remarkable pastorate was that of the Reverend A. Vallette Clarkson who served as priest in charge for more than fifty years. The Methodist Episcopal Church of Croton erected its first church edifice in 1780 and has maintained a strong and steady growth all through the ensuing years. Ninety years ago, there were not ten Roman Catholics in all Croton. Today, the Holy Name of Mary Church and the Chapel of the Good Shepherd have hundreds of parishioners. The church properties are costly and beautiful. Eighty years ago, before the Civil War, Croton led Ossining and Tarrytown in religious fervor and statistics. In the I860 census, Croton had four churches for its four hundred inhabitants, while Tarrytown had only four for its two thousand people and Sing Sing had a five thousand three hundred population with only four churches, too. The history of Croton-on-Hudson for the past two hundred and fifty years may be divided into two great epochs: the first, lasting a hundred and fifty years, we may call its "feudal epoch," a period when its inhabitants were loyal retainers and almost subjects of the lord of the Manor. During that century and a half, it is difficult to disentangle Croton as a community from the Manor of Cortlandt. But after the Van Cortlandt empire had been dismembered, the hum-drum days of trade and the ordinary ways and paths of peace found Croton-on-Hudson aspiring to be a village in the fullest sense of the word. That spirit cultivated an independent citizenry who have left their mark for good upon our village life. John W. Frost was a moving force in the Croton of one hundred years ago. Of Yankee family, he was the leading merchant in Croton for many years, the supervisor of Cortlandt Town for twelve years,

But after the Van Cortlandt empire had been dismembered, the hum-drum days of trade and the ordinary ways and paths of peace found Croton-on-Hudson aspiring to be a village in the fullest sense of the word. That spirit cultivated an independent citizenry who have left their mark for good upon our village life. John W. Frost was a moving force in the Croton of one hundred years ago. Of Yankee family, he was the leading merchant in Croton for many years, the supervisor of Cortlandt Town for twelve years,

assemblyman, and director of the Westchester County National Bank, Peekskill. His sons also shed lustre on Croton. Cyrus Frost continued his father's merchantile business with signal success, was for years president of the same Westchester County National Bank. Orrin Frost operated his father's brick plants prosperously. Eugene Frost was harbor master of the Port of New York. Milton Frost graduated from Yale and became superintendent of the Westchester County schools. The Mortons, Barlows, Cockcrofts, Tuttles, Farringtons, Emenys, Ferrises, Lounsburys, Johnsons, Deckers, Crists, Bakers, Andersons, Bartons, Blinkers, Osterlings, Outhouses, Coglays, Grattans, Degnans, Gilberts, Boddingtons, Foxes, Hunts, Millers, Munsons, Purdys, Schnells, Haverlys, Williams and Zanglers were but few of the families prominent in Croton from fifty to a hundred years ago. Those were busy days before the iron horse came. More than a hundred years ago, the sprawling little village was designated as Collabergh Landing, but when Teller's Point was christened Croton Point, the natives made it unanimous by changing Collabergh to Croton Landing. Sloops and barges lay at anchor in Mother's Lap, waiting their turn to take on brick and ore for points up and down the Hudson. Steamboats from Peekskill and Poughkeepsie to down river villages churned into Croton Landing to take on freights. One of Croton's best known men sixty to seventy-five years ago was Harvey P.

More than a hundred years ago, the sprawling little village was designated as Collabergh Landing, but when Teller's Point was christened Croton Point, the natives made it unanimous by changing Collabergh to Croton Landing. Sloops and barges lay at anchor in Mother's Lap, waiting their turn to take on brick and ore for points up and down the Hudson. Steamboats from Peekskill and Poughkeepsie to down river villages churned into Croton Landing to take on freights. One of Croton's best known men sixty to seventy-five years ago was Harvey P. Farrington who operated sloops and then steamboats from Croton Landing and Ossining to New York. He became director of the Irving Savings Bank and the Irving National Bank of New York. His home was a palatial one in those days, with a view down the Hudson for more than twenty miles. The coming of the New York Central Railroad in 1849 effected the first change in the placid, rural life of the pretty village spread over the green hills above the Croton River. The second change came fifty years later, in the period between 1892 and 1905, as a result of the building of the great new Croton Dam to conserve all of the waters of the chain of Croton River lakes. Although the lowest bidder agreed to excavate the enormous pit down to bedrock, divert the river and build the great dam of masonry for a little over four million dollars, delays in acquiring the lands and farms New York City required, and the failures of the original bidders were such as to make the completed dam cost nearly seven million dollars. The contractors who were chosen finally to take up the

The second change came fifty years later, in the period between 1892 and 1905, as a result of the building of the great new Croton Dam to conserve all of the waters of the chain of Croton River lakes. Although the lowest bidder agreed to excavate the enormous pit down to bedrock, divert the river and build the great dam of masonry for a little over four million dollars, delays in acquiring the lands and farms New York City required, and the failures of the original bidders were such as to make the completed dam cost nearly seven million dollars. The contractors who were chosen finally to take up the

defaulted contract and complete the dam, depended upon the engineering ability of a mid-western expert, John Byron Goldsborough, who from then until the dam was finished in 1905, worked with great energy. It would take a volume to relate the progress at this enormous work. At the time it was completed, it was the largest dam in the world. Its building called for the most expert masons and mechanics. It called for a man power which was difficult to get. A village had to be established near where the Naumberg place is today. Boarding houses and homes, restaurants and shops sprung up. "Little Italy" was its name, and the local newspapers of that day likened its main street on pay nights to the Bowery. Croton village itself looked askance at the mushroom community. Then in 1905, the dam was finished. Croton Lake rose to its high normal level and the water poured over the spillway to the delight of hundreds of thousands who have viewed it since. "Little Italy" faded away and the colorful pay night became a memory. The cavalcade of wagons and trucks that had rolled and rattled down to Croton Landing every morning to receive the blocks of granite and tons of cement which kept pouring into Croton in endless profusion, ceased to operate.

Croton Lake rose to its high normal level and the water poured over the spillway to the delight of hundreds of thousands who have viewed it since. "Little Italy" faded away and the colorful pay night became a memory. The cavalcade of wagons and trucks that had rolled and rattled down to Croton Landing every morning to receive the blocks of granite and tons of cement which kept pouring into Croton in endless profusion, ceased to operate. The greatest gain that came to Croton through this achievement was the permanent acquisition of the best Italian and American artisans who found the village congenial and a pleasing place to live. Our finest Italian residents date back to the building of the Croton Dam, and are among our best citizens. The engineer, John Byron Goldsborough, remained in Croton as a permanent resident. Croton, as a community, is two hundred and fifty years old. It was incorporated as a Village in 1898. Seven years ago, the Village area was increased from one square mile to five square miles by the annexation of Harmon, Mount Airy and part of Oscawanna. The flour mills, the wire mills, the blast furnaces, the brick yards, the sloops, the barges and the steamboats are just history now. Less picturesque today, perhaps, Croton is, nevertheless, a pleasant little modern community with its happy homes, its fine schools, its train service, its churches and its contented people.

MISCELLANEOUS EVENTS OF HISTORICAL INTEREST HUDSON RIVER CONSERVATION SOCIETY MEETING The annual meeting of the Hudson River Conservation Society was held at the Dykeman-Cruger House ("Boscobel"), in Cruger Park, on June 21. During the meeting, Mr. Harvey Stevenson of Crotonon-Hudson, a newly elected director of the group, spoke on the history of "Boscobel" and praised the Westchester County Park Commission for its care of the building.

Less picturesque today, perhaps, Croton is, nevertheless, a pleasant little modern community with its happy homes, its fine schools, its train service, its churches and its contented people.

MISCELLANEOUS EVENTS OF HISTORICAL INTEREST HUDSON RIVER CONSERVATION SOCIETY MEETING The annual meeting of the Hudson River Conservation Society was held at the Dykeman-Cruger House ("Boscobel"), in Cruger Park, on June 21. During the meeting, Mr. Harvey Stevenson of Crotonon-Hudson, a newly elected director of the group, spoke on the history of "Boscobel" and praised the Westchester County Park Commission for its care of the building. He emphasized the value of this building as unique both because of the gracious beauty of the mansion and because, since its erection about 1795, it has not been altered. The society pledged support to the Westchester County Historical Society in efforts to preserve this house and offered to act as temporary custodian of any funds raised for such purpose. Dr. Henry Noble MacCracken, president of Vassar College and chief speaker at the meeting said: "The deeper we go into the subject of conservation, the guiltier we must feel for our neglect of our heritage. American educators, particularly, are to blame for not having appreciated, until recently, the social significance of the scene around and before us. We are all alike responsible for the desecration we have allowed to occur .... we must preserve our ancient shrines .... we must conserve both natural and human resources."

COUNTY SOLDIERS' GRAVES LOCATED A project under the direction of Mr. Thomas F. Hammond, designed to locate the graves of Westchester County men who have served in the thirty-two wars of this country and undertaken as a joint project of the County and the W.P.A., is said to be nearing completion. Work on this project was started January 1, 1939 as the result of a plan conceived at the American Legion Convention at New York City in 1937.

COUNTY SOLDIERS' GRAVES LOCATED A project under the direction of Mr. Thomas F. Hammond, designed to locate the graves of Westchester County men who have served in the thirty-two wars of this country and undertaken as a joint project of the County and the W.P.A., is said to be nearing completion. Work on this project was started January 1, 1939 as the result of a plan conceived at the American Legion Convention at New York City in 1937. Through the assistance of veteran organizations, the checking of County and historical records and extensive field work, one hundred and seventy-five cemeteries have been checked and four hundred maps prepared showing the exact location of the burying places. A file index, with all records of the veterans as to their birth, death, war service, date of discharge, cause of death, has been made in duplicate, one file to stay in the County and the other to be placed in the Adjutant General's office in Albany. Further appropriations for the

continuance of these records have been requested of the Board of Supervisors of the County by the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

CELEBRATION OF THE FOUNDING OF THE ELMSFORD CHURCH Although no records can be found to attest to the accuracy of the date, it is believed that the Elmsford Reformed Church was founded in 1788. In accordance with this belief, services were held in the church on June 21 to commemorate its one hundred and fifty-second anniversary. Isaac Van Wart, one of the three captors of Major John Andre, was a founder of the church which has changed its denomination three times, being first Congregational, then Presbyterian and finally from 1850 on, Dutch Reformed. Until the incorporation of Elmsford as a village twenty-five years ago, it was known as the Greenburgh Reformed Church.

In accordance with this belief, services were held in the church on June 21 to commemorate its one hundred and fifty-second anniversary. Isaac Van Wart, one of the three captors of Major John Andre, was a founder of the church which has changed its denomination three times, being first Congregational, then Presbyterian and finally from 1850 on, Dutch Reformed. Until the incorporation of Elmsford as a village twenty-five years ago, it was known as the Greenburgh Reformed Church. The simple, white shingled, church building, said to have been erected in 1792, stands on South Central Avenue.

MAMARONECK HISTORICAL PILGRIMAGE The spring meeting of the Old Town of Mamaroneck Historical Society, held on June 8, was devoted largely to the memory of Peter Jay Munro, a nephew of John Jay, the first Supreme Court Justice of the United States. Peter Jay Munro, who spent part of his life in Larchmont, was a lawyer, practicing for a time in Bedford and later in New York City where he was connected with the law firm of Aaron Burr. He was a charter member of the Merchant's Bank of New York and represented Westchester County in the State Assembly during 1814 and 1815. Preliminary to a pilgrimage touching on points associated with Peter Jay Munro in the general vicinity of Mamaroneck, members of the society and guests met at the Mamaroneck Free Library to hear several talks. Mr. Charles M. Baxter, Junior, president of the Society, and Supervisor Bert McCollock welcomed the group. Mr. Charles M. Baxter, Senior, gave a reminiscent address. Two prize-winning Swope contest essays were read, one by Miss Gloria Rothenburg on Peter Jay Munro, and the other by Mr. Milton Prighoff on Mamaroneck and Larchmont cemeteries. Mr. William G. Fulcher, general chairman for the day, discussed the pilgrimage route and the places

Preliminary to a pilgrimage touching on points associated with Peter Jay Munro in the general vicinity of Mamaroneck, members of the society and guests met at the Mamaroneck Free Library to hear several talks. Mr. Charles M. Baxter, Junior, president of the Society, and Supervisor Bert McCollock welcomed the group. Mr. Charles M. Baxter, Senior, gave a reminiscent address. Two prize-winning Swope contest essays were read, one by Miss Gloria Rothenburg on Peter Jay Munro, and the other by Mr. Milton Prighoff on Mamaroneck and Larchmont cemeteries. Mr. William G. Fulcher, general chairman for the day, discussed the pilgrimage route and the places

to be visited. These places included the birthplace of Peter Jay Munro in Rye and also his grave in the Jay cemetery; Saint Thomas's Church in Mamaroneck of which he was a founder. The pilgrimage ended with a tea and reception at the home of Mrs. Wesley Oler, Senior, in Larchmont, which was built by Peter Jay Munro in 1798 and where he lived for many years.

SOME RECENT LIBRARY ACCESSIONS BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS Bailey, Rosalie Fellows. The Nicoll family and Islip Grange. New York, 1940. 94 p. (Order of Colonial Lords of Manors in America, Pub'ns., no. 29.) Higgins, Alvin McCaslin. The story of Croton, New York. A paper read before the Ossining Historical Society, March 23, 1938. Croton-on-Hudson, N. Y., 1938. 25 f. typewritten. (Gift of Mrs. A. M. Higgins.) Howe, Herbert Barber. Jedediah Barber, 1787-1876 A footnote to the history of the military tract of central New York. New York: Columbia Univ. Press, 1939. 237 p. (N. Y. S. Hist. Ass'n Series, no. 8.) Ossining Historical Society. The Museum Intelligencer. Vol. I, no. 1, May 6, 1940. Ossining, N. Y., 1940. Ossining Historical Society. Sparta Cemetery Committee. Report. 1939- 1940. Ossining, N. Y., 1940. 5 p. Pennypacker, Morton. General Washington's spies on Long Island and in New York. Brooklyn, N. Y., the Long Island Hist. Soc., 1939. 302 p. (Gift of Mr. D. Irving Mead.) Poundridge, New York, Presbyterian Church. Marriages performed by Reverend William Patterson, 1837-1886. Transcribed from his origmal records by Mrs. S. B. Jordan and Mrs. F. W. Seth. White Plains, N. Y., 1939. 46 - 9 f. Mimeograph copy. (Gift of the compilers.) Westchester County Realty Board, White Plains, N. Y. Year books, 1937, 1939. 1940. White Plains, N. Y., 1936-39. 3 v. (Gift of Mr. C. J. Nuttall.) -[65J-

MISCELLANEOUS Addresses and papers by Judge Isaac Newton Mills (1851-1929) delivered at memorial celebrations and formal dinners, also a box of badges worn on those occasions. Also fifteen scrap books of political, biographical and historical clippings pertaining to Westchester County for the period 1884-1913. (Gift of Dr. Nathaniel Mills.) Decorative silver medal inscribed "Presented to Mr. Aaron Arnold by the Tarrytown Monument Association, as a token of their high respect and esteem for the quick and workmanlike manner in which he erected the monument for the purpose of designating the spot where Major Andre was captured by Paulding, Williams, and Van Wart, Sept. 23, 1780.

Also fifteen scrap books of political, biographical and historical clippings pertaining to Westchester County for the period 1884-1913. (Gift of Dr. Nathaniel Mills.) Decorative silver medal inscribed "Presented to Mr. Aaron Arnold by the Tarrytown Monument Association, as a token of their high respect and esteem for the quick and workmanlike manner in which he erected the monument for the purpose of designating the spot where Major Andre was captured by Paulding, Williams, and Van Wart, Sept. 23, 1780. Tarrytown, Oct. 7th, 1853. Amos R. Clark, Pres., Nathaniel H. Odell, V. Pres." (Gift of Miss Annie Avery.) Two photographs, interior and exterior of the Presbyterian Church, Poundridge, N. Y., taken about 1885. (Gift of Mr. William Harvey Smith.)

MEMBERSHIP REPORT The following people have been elected to membership in the Society since July 1939: SUSTAINING MEMBERS Mrs. John Hooker Mooers Scarsdale, New York New Rochelle Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Mrs. O. Mueller, Treasurer New Rochelle, New York White Plains Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Mrs. Jules A. Vuilleumier, Regent White Plains, New York

ANNUAL MEMBERS Librarian, Briarcliff Free Library Briarcliff, New York Mr. George W. Cornell Scarsdale, New York Mr. Nathaniel Ecker Cronk Pleasantville, New York Mr. Henry F. du Pont Winterthur, Delaware Mr. B. W. Flinn Rockford, Illinois Mrs. John Byron Goldsborough Croton-on-Hudson, New York Mr. Herbert Gorfinkle New Rochelle, New York

Reverend John D. Gregory Rye, New York Mrs. Lawrence F. Howard Scarsdale, New York Mr. Henry M. Lester New Rochelle, New York Mr. John J. S. Mead Lake Waccabuc, New York Mrs. P. A. Peterson Rockford, Illinois Mr. John R. Selvaggio Harrison, New York

The following changes in membership have occured also: CHANGED FROM ANNUAL TO SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIPS Mr. Robert S. Brewster Mount Kisco, New York Mr. Samuel B. Hawley Yonkers, New York The Honorable Seabury C. Mastick Pleasantville, New York The Honorable J. Mayhew Wainwright Rye, New York Mr. John G. Wintjen Mount Vernon, New York

CHANGED FROM SUSTAINING TO ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP Mr. George W. Kittredge Yonkers, New York

D. Irving Mead, Chairman

THE LOWELL THOMAS LECTURE The lecture by Mr. Lowell Thomas, held on the evening of May 16 at the Ridgeway Theater in White Plains, was most successful in every way. Mr. Thomas, who' spoke on the subject of Around the World and on the Air, was introduced by Dr. John A. Krout of Scarsdale. The Misses Claire and Ann Patterson, Peggy Foot and Betty Carter of Scarsdale, and the Misses Sybil Prichard and Louise Whitehouse of Mount Kisco acted as ushers for the evening. The lecture was arranged by a committee headed by Mrs. D. Irving Mead of Scarsdale and Waccabuc, and was sponsored by the Women's Auxiliary Committee of which Mrs. Frank W. Seth of

White Plains is chairman. Mrs. Seth has announced that, with funds obtained by the event, it will be possible to keep the Society headquarters open during the summer; also a telephone has been installed there. The committee is planning further work to benefit the appearance and facilities of the library.

HISTORICAL SOCIETIES' NOTES TARRYTOWN HISTORICAL SOCIETY Through the gift of Mrs. Worcester Warren of Wilson Park, the Tarrytown Historical Society has acquired a Benjamin Franklin printed version of an Indian treaty executed in Philadelphia in 1742.

OSSINING HISTORICAL SOCIETY A meeting of the Ossining Historical Society was held at the Washington School on May 6. Two papers were read: one by Mrs. Seth G. Ellegood, entitled Christ Child Day Nursery and Bethany Home; the other by the Reverend Robert T. Taylor, entitled The Millionaire Dutchman. The Story of Frederick Philipse. The restoration of the Sparta Burying Ground, which is being done under the direction of the society, is progressing nicely. The clean-up work is practically completed and the entrances have been repaired and improved. There is still much to be done, however. The work is wholly dependent upon individual contributions to the restoration fund. The first issue of The Museum Intelligencer, edited by Mrs. Lawrence D. Redway who is also curator of the museum, was published on May 6, 1940. This paper will probably be printed once a year to cover the activities of the society and the museum.

OFFICE NOTICE Members will be glad to learn that a telephone has been installed at the Society's headquarters in the County Office Building, White Plains. The number is White Plains 9740. The installation of the telephone was made possible through the work of the Women's Auxiliary Committee.

WESTCHESTER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY STANDING COMMITTEES Annual Publication .... John A. Krout, PhD. Sites and Markers . . Col. Thatcher T. P. Luquer Membership . D. Irving Mead Publicity . Elisabeth M. Cushman Bibliography . Otto Hufeland Records and Manuscripts . Grenville C. Mackenzie Quarterly Bulletin .... Frances G. Mead Women's Auxiliary Committee . Mrs. Frank W. Seth Field Exploration .... Herbert B. Nichols

HAMMOND HOUSE

Curator Mrs. William Harvey Smith Colonial Gardens Jean Baxter

MEMBERSHIP Applications for membership can be obtained from, and should be returned to Westchester County Historical Society, Room 106, County Office Building, White Plains, N. Y. Annual-- $2.50--Open to individuals only. Entitles member to receive the Quarterly Bulletin. Sustaining-- $10.00--Open to individuals and societies. Entitles member to receive the Quarterly Bulletin and one copy of all current publications. Contributing-- $25.00-- Open to individuals and societies. Entitles member to receive the Quarterly Bulletin and two copies of all current publications. Life-- $100.00--Open to individuals. Entitles member to receive the Quarterly Bulletin and one copy of all current publications. Life in Perpetuity with right to appoint a successor-- $1,000.00-- Open to individuals. Entitles member to receive the Quarterly Bulletin and two copies of all current publications. Patron in Perpetuity with right to appoint a successor-- $5,000.00--Open to individuals. Entitles member to receive the Quarterly Bulletin and five copies of all current publications.

Entitles member to receive the Quarterly Bulletin and two copies of all current publications. Life-- $100.00--Open to individuals. Entitles member to receive the Quarterly Bulletin and one copy of all current publications. Life in Perpetuity with right to appoint a successor-- $1,000.00-- Open to individuals. Entitles member to receive the Quarterly Bulletin and two copies of all current publications. Patron in Perpetuity with right to appoint a successor-- $5,000.00--Open to individuals. Entitles member to receive the Quarterly Bulletin and five copies of all current publications.

GENEALOGY A class for the study and discussion of genealogical research is conducted at the Society headquarters, Room 103, County Office Building, White Plains every other Tuesday afternoon. The class is open to members of the Society only. Upon request, advance notices of these meetings will be sent to you.

OFFICERS OF THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY 1939 -1940 Ernest F. Griffin, President . Tarrytown Hon. J. Mayhew Wainwright, First Vice-President . Rye Col. Thatcher T. P. Luquer, Second Vice-President . Bedford Herbert B. Nichols, Third Vice-President . New Rochelle Elliot Baldwin Hunt, Treasurer . Ossining Charles Everett Moore, Recording Secretary . White Plains D. Irving Mead, Corresponding Secretary . Waccabuc Henry C. Stripped, Librarian . .. Hartsdale Otto Hufeland, Curator . Mount Vernon

TRUSTEES (In Addition to Officers) Cornelius R. Agnew . . . North Castle Charles M. Baxter . Mamaroneck Carlton Brush . . ; Mount Vernon Charles J. F. Decker . North Salem Mrs. Charles J. Dunlap . New Rochelle Miss Mary Schuyler Hamilton . Elmsford Samuel B. Hawley . Yonkers Lorenzo H. Knapp . Port Chester John A. Krout, Ph.D . Scarsdale Hon. Seabury C. Mastick . Mount Pleasant Roger Sherman . Rye Gerard Swope . Ossining Thomas J. Wagner . White Plains William Wait . Peekskill John G. Wintjen .

Baxter . Mamaroneck Carlton Brush . . ; Mount Vernon Charles J. F. Decker . North Salem Mrs. Charles J. Dunlap . New Rochelle Miss Mary Schuyler Hamilton . Elmsford Samuel B. Hawley . Yonkers Lorenzo H. Knapp . Port Chester John A. Krout, Ph.D . Scarsdale Hon. Seabury C. Mastick . Mount Pleasant Roger Sherman . Rye Gerard Swope . Ossining Thomas J. Wagner . White Plains William Wait . Peekskill John G. Wintjen . Mount Vernon L. Hollingsworth Wood . . . Bedford

The Westchester County Historical Society was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York, October 10, 1874. The objects of the Society as recited in the original articles of incorporation were: To obtain and preserve information pertaining to the history of the United States of America, of the State of New York, and especially of the County of Westchester. Its headquarters and library are located in the County Office Building, room 106, White Plains. The office and library are open from 1 to 5 P.M. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and from 9 to 12 A.M. on Friday and Saturday. The annual meeting and dinner of the Society are held on October 28th of each year. The annual pilgrimage of members to historical sites in Westchester. County is held the latter part of May. The Society maintains the house of Colonel James Hammond as a museum. It is situated on the Grasslands Road just west of the county penitentiary. Colonel Hammond was of a Westchester militia regiment and occupied the house during the Revolution. The Society restored it in 1927 and with the assistance of the Tarrytown Historical Society have furnished it in the manner typical of a colonial farm house of the period, 1750-80. The museum is open on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays and every afternoon except Monday.

The Society maintains the house of Colonel James Hammond as a museum. It is situated on the Grasslands Road just west of the county penitentiary. Colonel Hammond was of a Westchester militia regiment and occupied the house during the Revolution. The Society restored it in 1927 and with the assistance of the Tarrytown Historical Society have furnished it in the manner typical of a colonial farm house of the period, 1750-80. The museum is open on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays and every afternoon except Monday. A descriptive pamphlet is for sale at the house.