cattle under two years old each one shilling, for every score of sheep, lambs, hogs and sows five shillings, and so in proportion for any greater or lesser number, for every full barrel one shilling, for every empty barrel four pence, for every full pipe or hogshead six shillings, for every empty pipe or hogshead two shillings, for every firkin or tub of butter four pence, for every bushel of wheat, salt, grain, seeds or any other thing fully measured and sold by the bushel one penny, for every waggon, cart or carriage seven shillings and sixpence, for every pair of wheels two shillings, for every cupboard, press for clothes or writing desk four shillings and sixpence, for every full trunk or chest two shillings and sixpence, for every empty trunk or chest one shilling, for every full half barrel sixpence, for every gammon, flitch of bacon, or piece of smoked beef one penny, for every hundred weight of gunpowder, iron, steel, sheet pewter or lead and iron or iron, copper or brass kettles or pots one shilling and sixpence, and so in proportion for any greater or less quantity, for every such one penny, for every corn fan five pence, for every hundred of shingles one shilling, for every bed, bedstead and bedding together three shillings, for every chair two pence, for every table eight pence, for every saddle without horse three pence, for every gun two pence, for every case with bottles nine pence, for every frying pan or warming pan two pence, for every looking glass of one foot sixpence, and so in proportion for all other goods for which no provision is hereby made, and also all manner of privileges, &c., &c. For which the pateniees and their heirs are to pay to the collector general of the town being, on the 25th day of March, commonly called Lady-day, the yearly rent of two shillings and sixpence, &c., &c. FREDERICK MORRIS, Secretary. The ancient ferry now exists only in name, the present rapid communications with the island having superseded this dangerous mode of navigation. The property is vested in the Provoost family. Directly opposite the port lies Minnewies or Manursing Island, separated from the main by a narrow creek on the south-west side. It consists of one hundred acres, divided between the three proprietors, Joseph Bartam, Mr. Beale and Thomas Theall. Upon the main is situated the tide mill of Mr. Kirby. A dock appears to have been commenced at or near Rye port as early as 1679, for in this year we find a grant made by the town to "John Ogden of forty-eight or fifty acres of land by the water side at the Fishing rock, for the purpose of building a house and wharf. The inhabitants of Poningoe neck to have wharfage free." From Rye port a steam-boat runs daily to and from the city of New York. There is also a neat boarding house established here for the accommodation of summer visitors to this delightful spot. The islands called the Great, Middle and Little Captains east of Manursing belong to this town. In the village of Portchester is located the Portchester seminary, a large and flourishing institution for the education of both sexes. Mr. Edward D. Dow, principal and proprietor. There are also four district and two neighborhood schools. Near the eastern end of the village stands the Episcopal chapel of St. Peters, a neat and plain structure of wood ornamented with a tower of the same material. The corner stone of this edifice was laid on the 25th of July, 1843, by the Right Rev. Benjamin T. Onderdouk, bishop of the diocese, on which occasion the rector of the parish delivered an appropriate address. There were also present of the clergy the Rev. Messrs. Coit, Harris, Partridge and Todd. It was consecrated to the service of Almighty God, Monday, July the 15th, 1844, by the bishop of the diocese. Present and assisting the Rev. Messrs. Coit, Carmichael, Schroeder and Meade, Doctors of Divinity, also the Rev. Messrs. Chauncey, Powell, Haskell, Harris, Ward, Haight, Coit, Bull, Yarrington, Partridge, Meade, Todd, Cushing, Cox, Meade, Halsey and Guion. St. Peter's is at present a chapel of ease to the parish church of Rye. On the same side of the main street is situated the Presbyterian chapel. The erection of this building was commenced May 26, 1830, and completed September, 1833, at a cost of $2100; to which a tower and bell were added in the spring of 1840, at an ■ Chapels of ease, according to the original meaning of the term, are not known in this country since the Revolution. In England, there is a distinction between a chapel of ease and a parochial chapel of ease. Chapels of ease are founded for the convenience of the people in large parishes in attending public worship, where they live at a distance from the parish church; to which however the sacraments and burials are restricted. Parochial chapels of ease possess the rights of baptizing and burying, but have neither rectory nor endowment. The curate or vicar of both is dependent on the parochial minister. To preserve this dependence, a reservation is made of repairing to the parish church on the great festival days. Such chapels were built in South Carolina before the Revolution.-Dalcho's History, p. 267. additional expense of $900. It was dedicated to the worship of God, September, 1833, and has ever since been attached to the Presbyterian church of Rye. At the foot of King street is located the Methodist Episcopal church. This society was incorporated on the 16th of December, 1829. Horace B. Smith, R. Meade, Elisha Halstead, John Seymour and William Fowler, trustees.a Near the western entrance of the village stands the residence of the Merritt family. Mr. Merritt the present occupant, is a lineal descendant of John Merritt, one of the original proprietors of Rye. Of this family was "Thomas Merritt, a cornet of cavalry in the Queen's Rangers, A. D. 1780. This gentleman subsequently settled in Upper Canada, and held the offices of sheriff of the District of Niagara, and surveyor of the King's forests. He died at St. Catharine's, May, 1842, aged eighty-two." King street extends nearly seven miles north of Portchester, and finally terminates in the north-west corner of Greenwich township, Connecticut. The surrounding country is a fine agricultural district, embracing some of the finest farms in the county. Among the principal farmers in the vicinity of Portchester are William Bush and James Blackstock, Esqrs. The border hamlet of Glenville is situated on the west bank of the Byram, east of King street. Here are the grist mill and lead manufactory of Samuel G. Cornell, Esq. During the Revolutionary war the continental forces appear to have been frequently quartered in this town. On the 8th of January, General Parson's brigade were posted in King street. The same year, General Wooster's division retreated as far as Rye neck. Lieutenant Colonel Van Rensselaer also received orders from congress to maintain his station until obliged to retreat upon Rye neck. Subsequently the enemy occupied this portion of Westchester county, where the soldiers did much wanton mischief and plundered most of the houses. Their principal encampment seems to have been on the high ground between the villages of Rye and Portchester. Co. Rec. Religious Soc. Lib. B. 1. The earliest record of town officers occurs on the 25th of April, 1671. Upon this occasion, "George Kniffen and Francis Purdy were appointed pounders." "Upon the 3d of October, Joseph Horton, Thomas Brown and John Brondig were chosen town and selectmen for the year ensuing." "28th of September, George Lane was elected constable." "13th of June, 1691. Mr. Joseph Theall, supervisor." "June 26th, 1696, Deliverance Brown was chosen constable for the town of Rye, and Mr. John Hoit, recorder." Sig. John Lyon. Hachaliah Brown. The general surface of the town is uneven and stoney. The land, however, is under good cultivation. The soil consists of a clay loam. The natural growth of wood is oak, chestnut, walnut, hickory, &c., on the higher lands, and in the low lands, ash, birch, and maple. We have already shown that it is drained on the east by Byram river, and on the west by Blind brook, both flowing into Long Island Sound. Upon these streams are numerous mill seats. Among the principal mineral productions of the town may be noticed Chlorite,b "a soft greenish substance, composed of minute scales, closely compacted together. It differs very little from soapstone," also Tourmaline, in long slender crystals.c a Disturnell's Gazetteer of N. Y. Rocks containing it are said to be Chloritic. See geological survey of the state, 1840. SCARSDALE. THIS town is bounded on the north by White Plains and Greenburgh, east by Mamaroneck, west by Greenburgh, and south by Eastchester and Rochelle. Under the colonial government it constituted a portion of Scarsdale manor, which also, embraced the greater part of White Plains and the townships of North and New Castle.a The place acquired its name from the Heathcote family, who originally came from Searsdale, Derbyshire, England. "More onward, says the learned Camden, (describing that part of Derbyshire,) we see Chesterfield in Scarsdale, that is, in a dale enclos'd with rocks: For crags were call'd scarrs by the Saxons." Under the Mohegan Indians Scarsdale is believed to have formed a portion of the Indian territory of Quaroppas, which was ceded to John Richbell by the Indian proprietors in 1660. A. D. 1696. Col. Caleb Heathcote obtained of Anne Richbell, relic of John Richbell, deceased, a full patent right to purchase lands, "which are already included in her husband's sale of 1660."b Upon the 30th of March, 1701, occurs the following indenture "between Col. Caleb Heathcote on the one part, of Mamaroneck, gentleman, and the Indian proprietors, Patthunck, Beaupo, Kohawney, and Wapetuck, on the other part, "Witnesseth that the said Patthunck, Beaupo, Kohawney, and Wapetuck, &c., for and in consideration of a certain sum of good and lawful money to them in hand paid, and secured to be paid, at or before the ensealing and delivery of these presents, by the said Caleb Heathcote, the receipt whereof the said Patthunck, Beaupo, Kohawney, Wapetuck, &c., doth hereby acknowledge themselves therewith to be fully satisfied and contented and paid and thereof and therefrom do acquit, exonerate and discharge the said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs, executors, and administrators have given, granted, sold, The present township was organized on the 7th of March, 1788. ▷ See Mamaroneck, New Castle, &c. |