Chronicle of a border town

Front matter

V^ o_ v^

0^ xO°<

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Preface

rriHIS book has grown out of a discourse prepared in the J- year 1865, when the two hundredth anniversary of the organization of the town of Rye occurred. The following letter, received soon after its delivery, may serve to account in a measure for the present publication : —

Rye, December 8, 1865.

Rev. Charles W. Baird :

Dear Sir, — The undersigned, appreciating highly the very interesting discourse delivered by you on Thanksgiving Day, and believing that the valuable liistorical information which by much careful labor and research you have collected, pertaining not only to the Presbyterian Church of Rye, but to the town itself, from its earliest settlement two hundred years ago, ought to be preserved, and will be prized by many in our community besides ourselves, respectfully solicit the manuscript for publication, with such notes or appendix as you may deem necessary. Affectionately and truly yours,

William Mathe^vs, Geo. S. Murfey, John Palmer, J. H. T. Cockey, a. p. Cumjiings, G. D. Cragin,

John Greacen, Jr., James H. Parsons, W. P. Van Ricnsselaee, Jasper E. Corning, C. V. Anderson, A. "W. Parsons,

E. P. Whittemore, a. p. Carpenter, Jno. E. Parsons, E. P. Berrian, E. M. Clark, Jos. L. Roberts.

The wish to comply with this flattering request, led me to pursue an investicration which had been commenced without a look beyond the occasion in question. This investigation has occupied many, of the leisure hours of the last six years ; and the result is a book much larger, certainly, than hearers or speaker contemplated when the request was made.

To the author, at least, the subject has appeared to justify this bestowal of time and pains. As a frontier settlement of New England, as a 'border town,' and as part of the ' neutral ground,' Rye possesses some distinctive claims to historical notice. The customs and adventures of the early settlers, their proprietary system, their

IV PREFACE.

political and religious differences ; the fortunes of the inhabitants under the colonial government, and during the Revolution ; the planting and growth of our ancient congregations, have seemed worthy of a full and exact recital. Apart, moreover, from details of purely local interest, several topics have fallen within the author's plan, which invited research, and which have not, to his knowledge, been elucidated fully elsewhere, at least in Avorks accessible to most readers. Some of these are treated in the chapters on ' Mails and Modes of Travel,' ' The Proprietors,' ' Harrison's Purchase,' ' The Boundary Dispute,' ' The Boston Road,' ' The Poor,' ' Schools,' ' Slavery,' ' The Indians,' ' The Parish and Vestry of Rye,' in the chapters relating to the Revolution, and in the part devoted to an account of the churches. It is not claimed that this treatment is exhaustive ; but it is hoped that some light has been thrown upon the subjects. These and otlier matters are treated in separate chapters, and under a threefold arrangement, — 'The Town,' 'The Churches,' and 'The Families,' — with less regard to the order of time than to the connection of topics. An Index of dates, at the end of the volume, will be found useful for this reason.^

The material for this ' chronicle ' has been derived chiefly from the records of the town itself, those of the ancient ' Parish of Rye,' and those of Westchester County ; from the manuscripts in the State Departments of New York and Connecticut, and the historical collections published by order of the legislatures of these States ; from the ' American Archives,' edited by Colonel Force, and the newspapers of the colonial period and the Revolution. A fuller mention of authorities would be unnecessary, inasmuch as abundant reference is made to them throughout the volume. It is with pleasure, however, that I acknowledge here the help received in the prosecution of this work from persons as well as from books. To Dr. O'Callaghan, State Librarian of New York, I am indebted not only for facilities in the examination of documents in his care, but also for information and for suggestions most kindly given, and exceedingly useful. My obligations to Mr. Charles J. Hoadly, Librarian of the State Library, Hartford, Connecticut ; to Mr. George H. Moore, Librarian of the New York Historical Society ; and to Mr. Henry B. Dawson, Editor of the ' Historical Magazine,' are similarly great. And my thanks are likewise due to Colonel Thomas F. DeVoe, of New York, for

1 In this Index, some inadvertencies that occur in the body of the work, with reference to dates, have been corrected.

PREFACE. V

the contribution of several interesting items ; and to Mr. F. Saunders, of the Astor Library, and Mr. Samuel U. Berrian, Brooklyn, for much friendly aid.

Mr. Bolton's invaluable history of our county,^ contains with much other information gathered by diligent research, a number of extracts from the first volume of our town records. This volume is now lost ; and the extracts referred to are all that remain to us of its contents. Mr. Bolton's ecclesiastical work ^ has been of still greater service to rae. In the correspondence of the missionaries of the Gospel Propagation Society, I have found much of my material for an account of our churches before the Revolution. The labor of writing the history of a single town has enabled me to appreciate the patience, industry, and fidelity of our county historian. He has earned the thanks of every resident of Westchester County, and especially of any who may follow in the path where he has led as a pioneer.

A considerable amount of information, supplementary to that derived from the sources mentioned, has been gained from local traditions, personal recollections, and family records. The facts thus obtained have been available particularly for the third part of the book — the notices of Families. These notices, however, embody chiefly the facts gathered from our toivn records^ relative to the settlers of Rye and their descendants. The list is designed to include every inhabitant named in our annals, from 1660 to 1800.

Among the illustrations of this volume, I am happy to be able to give a map, copied from the original charts of the United States Coast Survey. As these charts extend to a distance of five or six miles from the shore, nearly the whole town of Rye is included. Tiie remaining part, with the adjoining town of Harrison, is represented in the small map accompanying it, copied by permission of the publishers, Messrs. Beers, Ellis, and Soule, from the ' Atlas of New York and Vicinity.'

With the hope that this humble chronicle may be found tolerably complete and accurate,^ I submit it to my fellow townsmen,

1 A Ilislonj of the County of Westchester, from its First Settlement to the Present Time. By Robert Bolton, Jr. [now Eev. Robert Bolton]. New York, 1848. In two volumes 8vo. I am <;lad to learn that Mr. Bolton is engaged in prejjaring a revised and enlarged edition of this work, which has long been out of print.

- History of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the County of Westchester. By Robert Bolton, A.M. New York, 1855. In one volume 8vo.

^ With all the care of author and printer, a few inaccuracies are noticed, besides those already referred to. Page 61, lines 15, 16, for ' a large portion,' read 'a portion.' Page 290, line 40, for ' John Lane,' read ' George Lane.' Page 305, line 18, vi PREFACE.

and especially to those whose desire for its preparation, so kindly expressed at the outset, has been my motive and encouragement in the work.

Tup Manse, Eye, April I, 1871.

for ' country,' read ' county.' Page 347, line 1, for ' William,' read ' Charles.' Tage 406, line 27, for ' Josej)!! Budd,' read ' Underhill Budd.' Page 419, line .39, for ' sons,' read 'grandsons.' Page 432, line 8, for 'Peter Disbrow,' read 'John Disbrow.' In Chapter XXX VII., the account of the action of the people, October 6, 1727, — given on page 327, — should follow the letter of the trustees of Yale College, page 325.

CO]^TENTS.

THE TOWN.

Introduction

A Border Town, 1. — Area, 2. — The Dutch in America, 3. — Westchester County, 4. — The Wilderness, 5. — The Old Westchester Path, 6.

CHAPTER n.

THE INDIAN PURCHASES.

Clearings near the Coast, 8. — First Purchase on Peningo Neck, 9. — Manussing Island, 10. — Second Purchase on Peningo Neck, 11. — Apawamis, or Budd's Neck, 12. — The West Neck, 14. — Land above Westchester Path, 15. — Valuation of Lands, 16. — Extent of the Town, 17. — Vague Conceptions of the Country, 18.

CHAPTER in.

THE ISLAND.

Gaining a Foothold, 19. — The Outlook, 20. — Planters of Hastings, 21. — Puritans, 22. — No Outlaws, 23. — Orders from Hartford, 24. — Letter to the General Court, 25. — Transfer of Lands to the Planters, 26.

CHAPTER IV.

BUILDING THE VILLAGE.

Improvements on the Main, 27. —Burying Hill, 28. — The Old Town, 29.— Mill on Blind Brook Creek, 29. — Rye, 30. — Hastings and Rye conjoined, 30. — Removing to the Main, 31. — The Town Plot, 32. — The Town Field, 32. — The Plains, 32. — Home-lots, 33. — The Parsonage, 34. — Absorption of Home-lots, 35. — Hastings in Sussex, England, 35. — Rye in Sussex, England, 36. — Derivation of the Name, 37.

CHAPTER V.

MR. JOHN budd's IMPROVEMENTS.

Differences at Rye, 38. — Unwelcome Neighbors, 39. — The General Court interferes, 40. — Intentions of the Court, 40. — Differences composed, 41. — Jurisdiction of the Town, 41.

viii CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VI.

PERILS OF THE WILDERNESS.

Troublous Times, 42. — King Philip's War, 43. — Tidings of Disaster, 44. — Fortifyino- the Town, 44. — Arrival of a Sufferei', 45. — The Dutch again, 45. — Mr. Banks and Monsieur Colve, 4G. — Rye supplicates for Help, 47. — Burning of Schenectady, 47. — Jacob Pierce, 48. — The Old Fort, 49.

CHAPTER Vn.

MOVIXG OUT INTO THE WOODS.

Ten Acres not enough, 50. — Lands in the Field, 51. — The Long Swamp, 52. — Wolf-pit Ridge, 52. — Barton's Neck, 53. — The Settlement still compact, 54. — Byram Ridge, 55. — Lame Will, 55. — Eauketaupacuson, 56. — Second Purchase from Maramaking, 57. — Free use of Lands, 59. — Division of Will's Purchases, 59. — Projjrietors, 60. — The 'Layers out,' 60. — Brush Ridge, 60. — Branch Ridge, 61.

CHAPTER VHL

TOWN MATTERS IN OLDEN TIMES.

Town Offices, 62. — The Records, 63. — Admission of Freeholders, 63. — ' Lists of Persons and Estates,' 64, — Tow;i Meetings, 65. — Licenses and Grants of Land, 66. — Sheep Pasture, 67. — Trustees, 6 7. — The Commissioner, 68. — Litigation, 68. — The Stocks and the Whipping-post, 69. — Petition for a Patent from the Crown, 69. — Patent granted, 70. — Controversy about Manussing Island, 70.

CHAPTER IX.

MAILS ; NEWSPAPERS ; MODES OF TRAVEL.

Travel on Horseback, 71. — Despatch of Letters, 72. — Monthly Post to Boston, 72. — Journey of Madam Knight, 73. — Weekly Post to Boston, 74. — Adveriisements of Olden Time, 75. — First Stage-coach between New York and Boston, 7 7. — Stage to Rye, 77. — Communication by Water, 78. — Ferry to Oyster Bay, 78. — The House at the Feny, 79. — Market Sloops, 80.

CHAPTER X.

THE EIGHTEEN PROPRIETORS.

Proprietary System, 81. — First Proprietors, 82. — Increase of Members, 83. — 'The Eighteen,' 84. — Transactions, 85. —Dissolution, 87.

CHAPTER XL

RYE IN CONNECTICUT. — THE TOWN AND THE GENERAL COURT.

Connecticut Towns, 88. — Going up to Hartford, 89. — Orders of the General Court, 90. — Rye ceded to New York, 92. — Applies to be received back, 92. — Request granted, 93. — ' Rie Pattent,' 93. — Deputies to the General Court, 95.

CONTENTS. ix

CHAPTER XIT.

iiarhison's purchase.

Our Inhabitants bond fide Settlers, 9G. — Lavish Grants of Land, 97. — Harrison's Pretensions, 97. — Vain Remonstrances, 99. — Rye secedes, 100. — A Visit from Colonel Heathcote, 100. — Patentees of the Purchase, 102. — Division of the Purchase, 103. — Brown's Point, 103. — Settlement of the Purchase, 104.

CHAPTER XIH.

THE BOUXDARY DISPUTE.

I've concerned in the Dispute, 105. — Irregular Course of the Boundary Line, 106. — Differences with the Dutch, 107. — Agreement of Connecticut with the Duke of York's Commissioners, 108. — A Blind Treaty, 109. — New Settlement of the Bounds, 110. — Rye excluded. 111. — Dissatisfaction at Rye, 111. — Governor Dongan summons the Inhabitants to submit, 112. — Rye revolts, 113. — Feuds and Dissensions, 114. — An Armed Livasion, 115. — Governor Fletcher's Proclamation, 116. — Recriminations, 1 1 7. — The Town yields, 118. — A Border Fray in 1718, 119. — Collecting the Minister's Rates, 120. — Boundary between Rye and Greenwich, 121. — Attempts to settle the Boundary, 122. — Meeting of Commissioners at Rye, 123. — The Old Surveys imperfect, 124. — A'New Survey, 125. — Differences among the Commissioners, 126. — The Boundary Line not settled, 127.

CHAPTER XIV.

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.

Housekeeping in the Olden Time, 128. — Primitive Houses, 129. — Price of Labor and Provisions, 129. — The Train-band of Rye, 130. — Investiture 'by Turf and Twig,' 132.

CHAPTER XV.

OLD NAMES AND PLACES.

Indian Names, 133. — Names conferred by the Settlers, 134. — Localities alonothe Coast, 134. — Brooks, 135. — Ridges, 136. — Meadows, 136. — Swamps, 137. — Family Names, 137.

CHAPTER XVI.

THE BOSTON ROAD.

The Old "Westchester Path, 138. — County Road laid out, 138. — Road from Plantation to Plantation, 139. — Highway from New York to Connecticut established, 140. — Gates across the Road, 141, — Doleful Accounts of our Roads, 142. — Turnpike Company, 143. — Changes in the Road, 143.

CHAPTER XVH.

THE VILLAGE INN.

The Square House, 145. — 'A Noted Tavern,' 146. — An Illustrious Gui.st, 147. — Lafoyette at Penfield's, 148. —Madam Knight at Rye, 149.— Wm Sicklin's, 150. — Drinking Habits, 151.

X CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE WHITE PLAINS.

Quaroppas, 152. — Indian Treaty, 153. — Mr. Richbell's Claim, 153. — Colonel Heathcote's Claim, 154. — Early Surveys, 156. — Road to the White Plains laid out, 15G. — Apportionment of Lands, 157. — Settlement, 157. — Presbyterian Church, 158. — Removal of the County Courts, 158.

CHAPTER XIX.

OCCUPATIONS ; THE POOR.

Hereditary Pursuits, 159. — Millers, 159. — ' Mariners,' 160. — The Oyster Fishery, 160. — Farming in Olden Time, IGl. — Washington's Description, 162. — The Town Poor, 163. — Vagrancy, 164.

CHAPTER XX.

PHYSICIANS AND LAWYERS.

Sending to Stamford, 165. — Dr. Devaney, 165. — Dr. Worden, 166. — Dr. Bowness, 166. — Dr. Alleson, 166. — Dr. John Smith, 166. — Dr. William Hooker Smith, 166. — Dr. Hugeford, 167. — Dr. Bailey, 167. — Dr. Daton, 167. — Dr. R. Graham, 168. — Dr. Willet, 168, — Dr. John A. Graham, 168. — Dr. Downing, 168.— Inoculation at Rye, 168. — Dr. Haviland, 169. — Dr. Sanford, 169. — Dr. Rockwell, 1 70. — Dr. Rogers, 1 70. — Dr. McDonald, 170. — Dr. E. Belcher, 171. — Dr. E. R. Belcher, 171.— Dr. Willson. 171. — Dr. Close, 171. — Present Practitioners, 171, 172. — Lawyers, 172.

CHAPTER XXL

SCHOOLS.

School Laws of Connecticut, 173. — Efforts to procure a Schoolmaster, 173. — A School-house to be built, 173. — The Gospel Pi'Ojiagation Society's Schoolmaster at Rye, 174. — Sunday-school at Rye, 175. — Mr. Avery's Advertisement, 176. — George Harris, 177. — School-house on Rye Neck, 177. — At Saw Pit, 177. — On Regent Street, 178. — Education in Olden Times, 178. — Common School System, 178. — School Districts, 179.

CHAPTER XXIL

SLAVERY IN RYE.

Introduced by the Dutch, 181. — Increased Number of Slaves, 182. — Treatment of Refractory Slaves, 183. — Fears of Insurrection, 183. — Mr. Denham's Slave Primus, 184. — Slaves landed at Rye, 184. — Religious Instruction, 185. — Manumission of Slaves, 186. — Negro Population, 187. — Action of the Friends in Harrison, 187.

CHAPTER XXIII.

THE INDIANS.

Their Condition when the Country was first settled, 189. — Regulations of the Colony of Connecticut concerning them, 190. — A Decaying People, 191. — Visits to the Beach, 192. — Their Powwows, 193. — Relics along our Shores, 193. — Mohegan Villages, 193. — Indian Mortars, 194.

CONTENTS. xi

CHAPTER XXIV.

CEMETEKIES.

Burying-ground by Blind Brook, 195. — Family Burial-places, 197. — Brun-

dige, Bloomer, Kniffin, Merritt, 197. — Lyon, Tlieall, Purdy, Budd, Haight,

Anderson, Gedney, 198. — Burial-place of the Rectors of Christ Church,

• 198. — Interments near the Church, 198. — Jay Cemetery, 199. — Union

Cemetery, 199. — Colored Cemetery, 199.

CHAPTER XXV.

TAXES AND IMPOSTS.

Taxation in Connecticut, 200. — In New York, 200. — Under Governor Cornbury, 201. — Expedition against Canada, 203. — Bills of Credit, 204. — The Excise, 205. — Contest of the Assembly with the Governors, 206.

CHAPTER XXVI.

A HUNDRED YEARS AGO. — RYE IN 1770-1771.

Fire at Rye, 207. — Notabilities of the Town, 208. — Major Brown, Roger Park, Philemon Halsted, Josiah Purdy, 208. — Jonathan KniiTen, 209. — Mr. Peter Jay, 209. — Captain Purdy, Charles Theall, David Haight, Judge Thomas, the Wetmores, 210. — Fair at Rye, 211. — Rye Ferry, 212. — Rye Beach, 213. — Emigration to Canada, 213.

CHAPTER XXVII.

THE REVOLUTION.

The Neutral Ground, 215. — Policy of Great Britain, 216. — Claims of the Colonists, 216. — The Stamp Act, 217. — Popular Uncertainty, 218. — Patriotic Meeting at Rye, 219. — Protestation of Loyalty, 220. — Counter Declarations, 221. — The Crisis arrives, 222. — Companies formed, 223. — Passage of Troops, 224. — The Tories grow defiant, 225.— Plot for the Capture of Judge Thomas, 226. — Spiking of Cannon near King's Bridge, 226. — Committee of Safety, 228. — Arrest of Disaffected Persons, 229. — Arrival of the British Fleet, 230. —The Militia called out, 231.

CHAPTER XXVHI.

THE REVOLUTION.

"Washington abandons New York, 232. — Retreats to the White Plains, 232.

— Engagement at Mamaroneck, 233. — Battle of the White Plains, 234. — Affair near Horton's Pond, 236. — Burning of the Court House and Church, 239. — Foraging Parties, 239. — The King's Troops at Rye, 240.

— Mr. Avery's Death, 240. — Cow Boys and Skinners, 241. — British Force encamped on Sniffcn's Hill, 242. — American Force at Saw Pit, 243. — British Fleet in the Sound, 244. — The Queen's Rangers, 245. — The Inhabitants plundered, 246. — Thomas Kniflfen's Adventure, 246. — Sniffen's Hill, 247. — Washington encamjDcd at the White Plains, 247. — French Troops near Saw Pit, 249.

xii CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXIX.

THE REVOLUTION.

General Heath at King Street, 248. — Loyalists of Eye, 249. — Severities inflicted upon them, 250. — Sufferings in Westchester County, 251. — Capture of Judge Thomas, 252. — ^ Murder of Jonathan Kniffen's Daughter, 252. — The Whale-boat Service, 253. — Operations on the Sound, 254. — Reprisals, 255. — Seizure of Colonel Thomas Thomas at Rye Woods, 256. — Incident near Merritt's Tavern, 257. — Engagements at Sherwood's Bridge and Byram Bridge, 258. — Frequent Incursions, 259. — Lawless Characters, 260." — Shubael Merritt, 260. — Local Incidents and Traditions, 261. — Dr. Dwight's Description of the Neutral Ground, 262.

CHAPTER XXX.

AFTER THE WAR.

Families coming Home, 264. — Departure of Loyalists, 264. — Return of the Soldiers, 265. — Town Meeting, 265-. — Quitrent, 266. — Division of the Town, 266.

CHAPTER XXXI.

THE VILLAGE OF SAW PIT.

Origin of the Name, 267. — Location of Old Buildings, 268. — The Haunted House, 270.

THE CHURCHES.

CHAPTER XXXH.

WITHOUT A MINISTER.

Disadvantages of a 'Border Town,' 271. — Religious Views of the Early Settlers, 272. — Lay Preachers, 273. — Orders of the General Coui-t, 274. — Land appropriated for the Ministry, 275.

CHAPTER XXXin.

EARLY MINISTRY.

Rev. Eliphalet Jones, 276. — Rev. Peter Prudden, 277. — Rev. Thomas Denham, 278. — The Parsonage, 279. — Place of Meeting, 279. — Rev. John Woodbridge, 280. — Rev. Nathanael Bowers, 281. — A ' Meeting-house ' to be built, 282. — Tax for building the Church, 283. — The Minister's Rate, 284. — Mr. Denham's Antecedents, 285.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

PARISH AND VESTRY OF RYE.

Early Provision for the Ministry, 287. — Liberty of Conscience secured, 288. — Scheme to introduce an ' Established Church,' 288. — The Act for settling a Ministry, 289. — Governor Fletcher's Manoeuvres, 290. — Election of Churchwardens and Vestrymen, 291. — Mischievous Effects of the Act, 292.

CONTENTS. xiii

CHAPTER XXXV.

ECCLESIASTICAL LANDS.

The Parson's Point, 294. — Land in the Town Field, 295. — Survey of the Glebe, 296. — Trial concerning the Parsonage Lot, 297. — The Home-lot by Blind Brook, 298. — The Spot ascertained, 300. — Mr. Jenney's Garden, 301.— New Glebe on the West Side of Blind Brook, 302. — The Rectory Grounds, 303.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

GRACE CHURCH BEFORE THE REVOLUTION.

Colonel Heathcote, 305. — Rev. Thomas Pritchard, 306. — Rev. George Muirson, 306. — Building the Church, 307. — Unforeseen Delays, 308. — Mr. Muirson's Ministry, 309. — Rev. Christopher Bridge, 310. — Number of Communicants, 311. — Harmony in the Parish, 312. — Rev. Robert Jenney, 313. — Rev. James Wetmore, 314. — Mr. Wetmore's Ministry, 315. — Rev. Ebenezer Punderson, 315. — The Parish Church incorporated, 316. — Rev. Ephraim Avery, 316. — His Sufferings, 317. — Character of the Early Rectors, 318.

CHAPTER XXXVH.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BEFORE THE REVOLUTION.

Relative Numbers, 320. — Attempt to take Possession of the Church, 321. — Rev. Stephen Buckingham, 321. — Rev. John Walton, 322. — Memorial to the Connecticut Government, 323. — Petition refused, 324. — The Trustees of Yale College interpose, 325. — Request renewed, 326. — The General Assembly grants it, 32 7. — Collections throughout the Colony for Churches at Rye and the White Plains, 327. — Building Spot, 328. — The Churches built, 328. — Rev. Edmund Ward, 329. — Vacancy, 330. — Rev. John Smith, 330. — A Contrast, 331. — Mr. Smith's Ministry, 333. — Presbytery of Dutchess County, 335.

CHAPTER XXXVHL

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH SINCE THE REVOLUTION.

Rev. Richard C. Moore, 337. — The Church rebuilt, 338. — Rev. David Foote, 338. — Rev. John J. Sands, 339. — Name of the Church changed, 339. — Rev. George Ogilvie, 340. — Rev. Samuel Haskell, 340. — Rev. Evan Rogers, 340. — Ml'. Haskell returns, 341. — Congregations of Rye and the White Plains separate, 341. — Rev. William Thompson, 341. — Rev. John M. Forbes, 342. — Rev. W. M. Carmichael, 342. — Rev. Peter S. Chauncey, 342. — Rev. Edward C. Bull, 342. — New Church, 342. — Rev. John C. White, 343. —Rev. Reese F. Alsop, 343. — The Church destroyed by Fire, 343. — Rebuilt, 343. — Description, 343.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SINCE THE REVOLUTION.

Influence of Dr. Lewis, 345. — The Church rebuilt, 345. — Incorporated, 346. — Members, 346. — Feebleness of the Congregation, 347. — The Church alienated, 347. — Repossessed, 348. — Reorganization, 348. — Rev. W. H.

XIV CONTENTS.

Whittemore, 348. — Rev. David Remington, 349. — Rev. Thomas Payne, 350. — Rev. John H. Hunter, 350. — Rev. James R. Davenport, 350. — Rev. Edward D. Bryan, 350. — Mr. Ebenezer Clarke, 351. — New Church, 352. — Description, 353.

CHAPTER XL.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF RYE.

Methodism introduced, 354. — Mr. Ezekiel Halsted, 355. — Early Ministry, 356. — Church built, 357. — Revivals, 357. — Later Ministry, 358.

CHAPTER XLL

THE FRIENDS.

From Flushing, 360. — Settlers of Harrison, 361. — Purchase Meeting-house, 362. — Rapid spread, 363. — Separation, 364. — Present State, 365.

CHAPTER XLIL

CHURCHES OP PORT CHESTER.

Religious Destitution, 366. — Occasional Services, 366. — Presbyterian Church, 367. — Methodist Episcopal Church, 369. — Protestant Episcopal Church, 370, — Baptist Church, 371. — Roman Catholic Church, 371.

LATER TOWN HISTORY.

CHAPTER XLIH.

RYE.

Act constituting the Present Town, 372. — Survivoi's of the Revolution, 372. — General Thomas and Robert Kennedy, 373. — Population of Rye at Different Pei'iods, 373. — Joseph Bonaparte, 374. — Growth and Luprovement, 374. — Thirty Years Ago, 374. — Academy, 375. — New Haven Railroad, 375. — Captain's Island, 375-377.

CHAPTER XLIV.

PORT CHESTER.

Progress in Trade and Manufactures, 378. — Mr. Jared Peck, 378. — Mills, 379. — Episode of the Last War, 379. — Lafayette's Visit, 380. — Steam Navigation of the Sound, 380. — Steamboats at Rye Port, 381. — Port Chester vice Saw Pit, 381. — Incorporation of the Village, 381. — Limits defined, 381. — Census of 1870, 382. — Institutions, 382.

CHAPTER XLV.

THE AVAR FOR THE UNION.

Public Meeting, 384. — Union Defence Committee, 385. — Companies formed, 386. — Provision for Families of Soldiers, 387. — Roll of Honor, 387-391.

CONTENTS. XV

CHAPTER XLVI.

Conclusion

A Great Settlement,' 392. — The Prophecy fulfilling, 392. — Our Advantages, 392. — Blessings of Peace, 393.

FAMILIES OF RYE.

I. THE EARLY SETTLERS 1660 TO 1700 AND THEIR DESCENDANTS.

Ailing, Applebe, Banks, 395. — Barton, Basset, Bloomer, 396. — Boyd, 397. — Bowers, Brondige, 398. — Brown, 399. — Biidd, 403. — Bullock, 406.— Church, Cleve, Collyer, Coe, 407. — Cofl'el, Disbrow, 408. — Denham, Frost, 409. — Galpin, 410. — Garnsey, Hart, Hyat, 411. — Hoyt, 412. — Hopping, Horton, 413. — Hudson, Jackson, Jeiferies, 415. — Jee, Jenkins, Knap, KniiTen, 416. — Lancaster, Lane, 420. — Linch, Lockwood, Lounsbery, 421.

— Parle, 431. — Pearce, 433. — Purdy, 434. — Roberts, Robisson, Rockwell, 440. — Sherwood, 441. — Smith, Selleck, Statham, Stephens, Stoakham, 443. — Strang, 444. — Studwell, 446. — Theall, 447. — Thomas, Thorne, Traves, Underhill, 448. — Vowles, Walters, 449. — Wascot, Wood, Woodbridge, Wright, Young, 450.

IL LATER INHABITANTS 1700 TO 1800 — AND THEIR DESCENDANTS.

Abrahams, Adee, 451. — Anderson, Andrews, Armor, Armstrong, Ascough, Adams, Akerly, Baker, Bumpos, Bayly, Barkei-, 452. — Barnes, Barrel, Bates, Bell, Besly, Bloodgood, Blakeman, Bii-d, 453. — Birdsall, Bishop, Bowne, Bridge, Brush, Burns, Burrell, Burchum, Bush, 454. — Carle, Cai-ey, Carhartt, Carpenter, 455. — Cavalear, Chatterton, Cheeseman, Clapp, 457. Cleator, Cole, Coon, Cornell, Cornwall, 458. — Covertt, Crampton, Crawford, Cromwell, 459. — Crooker, Cue, Dusenbery, 461. — Daniels, Deall, Delhingham, Demilt, Dickinson, Dixon, Dow, Dodge, Doutty, Doughty, Eisenhart, 462.

— Elsworth, Embree, Esmond, Eustace, Farrington, Faucouier, Feenas, Ferris, Field, 463. — Flamman, Flood, Foreman, Fitzgerald, Fowler, 465. — Franklin, French, Gale, Gandal, Gibson, Gilchrist, Glover, Gorum, Graham, 466. — Graham, Green, Griffin, Guion, 467. — Gedney, 468. — Haddon, Hains, 471. — Haight, 472. — Hawkshurst, Hare, Harris, Harrison, Hatfield, 473. — Halsted, 474. — Haviland, 475. — Hawkins, Hays, Haywood, Hill, Hitt, Hubbs, Hosier, Howel, Hugford, Hicks, Hutchings, Huson, Hunt, 477. — Hunter, Ireland, Jacobs, Jagger, 478. — Jay, 479. — Janes, Kennedy, King, La Count, Lamson, Lawrence, Lewis, Man, McCollum, Marsh, Marselis, Marvin, 486. — Mollinex, Morrill, Morris, Morgan, Maynard, Muirson, Murray, McDonald, Moore, Mott, Neally, Newman, Nichols, Oakley, Owen, Pauton, Palmer, Peck, Pederick, Peet, Pine, 487. — Parker, Pinkney, Proboy, Provoost, 488. — Quimby, Quintard, Rickey, Ritchie, Reynolds, Robinson, Rogers, Roll, Roosevelt, Rusforth, Rusten, Ray, Sackett, Sawyer, Schofield, Scott, Seaman, 489. — Saler, Secor, Sears, Setton, Sexton, Seymour, Shaw,

XVI CONTENTS.

Slater, Smith, 490. — Stevenson, 491. — Stringliam, Sutton, Talledy, Taylor, Tebowes, Thacker, Thomas, 492. — Thompson, Tilford, 493. — Titus, Tompkins, Totten, Tredwell, Turner, Varnell, Vail, Vickers, Virdine, Walton, 494. — Warner, Weeden, Weeks, Wetmore, 495. — Weissenfels, Wilcox, Willis, Willett, 496. — Willson, 497. — Wilson, 498. — Willy, Woolsey, Worden, Yeomans, 499.

Clark, 499.

Appendix

PAGE

I. Records of Streets and Highways 501

II. Royal Patents 515

1. Patent for Peningo Neck 515

2. Patent for Budd's Neck 520

3. Patent for Harrison's Purchase ....... 524

4. Patent for the White Plains 526

HI. Town Ofhcers 530

INDEXES.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE

1. Map — Northern Coast of Long Island Sound, from Delancey

Point to Calves Island : including the Towns of Mamaeoneck AND Rye (U. S. Coast Survey).

2. Map — Towns of Harrison and Eye (Facing title-page).

3. Diagram — Peningo, Apawamis, Manussing 1

4. Fac-Simile — Declaration of the Inhabitants of Manussing

Island, July 26, 1662 Fncitig page 23

5. Rye in Sussex, England 27

6. Land-Gate, Rye, England 37

7. The Old Fort 42

8. Old Fort, Gable End 49

9. Strang's Tavern 71

10. Diagram — The Boundary Line 105

11. Great Stone by the Wading-Place 133

12. Haviland's, or Penfield House 145

13. Diagram — The White Plains in 1721 152

14. Rye Beach 189

15. Rye Ferry 207

16. Sniffen's Hill 215

17. Byram Bridge 248

18. Map — The Town of Rye in 1779. By Robert Erskinc, F. R. S., Geog-

rapher to Army of U. S. From tlic Original in New York Historical

Society Facing page 256

19. Halsted House 271

20. Diagram — Parsonage Lot 300

21. The Jay Cejietery, Rye 479

HISTORY OF RYE.

CHAPTER r.

INTRODUCTION.

1609-1660.

' These settling themselves down would in a short time completely dislodge the unfortunate Nederlanders ; elbowing them out of those rich bottoms and fertile valleys in which our Dutch yeomanry are so famous for nestling themselves. For it is notorious that wherever these shrewd men of the east get a footing, the honest Dutchmen do gradually disappear.' — Irving's History of New York, ch. ii.

WILLS 2?PURC1IA3Z

AMONG the numerous points of land jutting into Long Island Sound, and forming the lesser indentations of its northern shore, is one that may be said to mark the limit of the State of New York. From the jagged rocks that terminate this point, a tract of land nowhere more than two miles wide stretches northward about nine miles to a sharp angle upon the Connecticut border. This little territory, called by the Indians Peningo, with the island of Manussing on the east, and a part of the neighboring shore on the west, constitutes the' town of Rye. Lying thus on the confines of two States, whose boundaries from the outset were but ill-defined, and remained for nearly a century in dispute, its history might in a measure be forecast. Throughout the