Kingsbridge 335 



was started, presumably, by the rockets set off during a po- 

 litical torch-light procession previous to the election of that 

 year. Church Street passes north over the rocky core of the 

 former island of Paparinemo and joins Broadway nearly a 

 mile above. We take a look at the ancient bridge which 

 gives its name to this locality, now much neglected, and due, 

 in a short time, to disappear altogether; after passing it, 

 wc are on the Boston Road of 1673, though this has been 

 recently graded from its former level. 



We pass a large stone mansion which attracts our attention. 

 This was the home for many years of the late Mr. Joseph 

 Godwin. Previous to his occupancy of it, it had been the 

 home of Mrs. Mary C. P. Macomb, the wife of Robert Macomb, 

 whose ventures were no more successful than those of his 

 father. Mrs. Macomb acquired the Paparinemo tract about 

 1830. It is believed that there is incorporated within the 

 present mansion the ancient stone tavern which was main- 

 tained by both Verveelen and the Philipses in accordance with 

 their grants. If so, it is one of the oldest relics we have, as 

 it would date from 1669. Mrs. Macomb enlarged and modern- 

 ized the old tavern, which became noted for its hospitality as 

 her private home. Edgar Allan Poe, that unfortunate genius, 

 was a frequent visitor, as his home in Fordham was little more 

 than a mile away. 



In 1847, Mrs. Macomb had her property surveyed and cut 

 up into building lots; and the village of Kingsbridge had its 

 beginning. Under the present Broadway Bridge, is the 

 " wading-place " of the olden time. The bar in the middle of 

 the stream was visible at low tide, and it was built up by Mr. 

 Godwin, who erected a summer house upon it; it was known 

 for many years, in consequence, as "Godwin's Island." 



Passing up Broadway, we soon come to the flat meadow land 



