98 Staten Island Association of Arts and Sciences 



small dune. Later Hudsoma, ba}, or scrub oak spring up upon 

 this, and yearly accumulations of sand raise the " mound " bit by 

 bit. Several of these were opened, but no traces of any other than 

 natural origin were found. 



In other spots here circular depressions, supposed to be " wig- 

 wam rings" are perhaps natural, but the occurrence of shell pits 

 and fireplaces in these have an almost aboriginal look. 



According to Mr. Isaac Wort, Sr., of Rossville, Staten Island, 

 whose family formerly lived near the South River district, the 

 Raritan Indians long lingered about this locality. Mr. Wort says 

 his father or grandfather used to relate that the Raritan Indians of 

 Staten Island, when they left their old homes, removed to this 

 spot, settling on the opposite side of the river from those who had 

 always been there. Up to comparatively recent years Indians 

 hung about the settlements, where they sold baskets, etc., and they 

 often came to Mr. Wort's father's house for fire, which they car- 

 ried away by igniting a long roll of "bark" (?), the interior of 

 which smouldered for a considerable time and could be fanned 

 into flame when needed. No Indians are now supposed to survive 

 in the region of South River, though some may be found in the 

 interior of the state and possibly at Tom's River. 



There are probably sites between Sayreville and the Raritan 

 along the north shore of South River. Along the Raritan itself 

 and on the south side of South River the ground is now largely 

 built upon and originally was probably tmsuitable for Indian 

 occupation. 



