Morrisania 365 



In ancient days, there was a ford, or wading place, between 

 Verchers, or Hogg, island, as it was also called, and the 

 "Maine"; and it is mentioned in the grant of Colonel Nicolls 

 to John Verveelen, the Harlem ferryman, in 1666. In Rev- 

 olutionary days, the pickets of the two armies used to fire upon 

 each other across the strait; while the manor-house of Lewis 

 Morris was at first occupied by an American outpost, and 

 later, by a British one. 



Randall's Island is without the Borough, lying at the mouth 

 of Harlem River. Elias Pipon bought the island in 1732, 

 erected a house, and named his purchase Belle Isle; after 

 fifteen years, it became Talbot's Island after a new purchaser; 

 and, in 1772, Montressor's Island, after Captain John Mont- 

 ressor, who bought it in that year. He was the owner at the 

 beginning of the Revolution. It was bought by Samuel 

 Ogden in the spring of 1784; he sold it in the fall of the same 

 year to Jonathan Randel for the sum of £24. In 1835, the 

 city bought the island from Randel's executors for $50,000; 

 but, wishing to do honor to the late owner, changed the orthog- 

 raphy of his name to Randall. There are about one hundred 

 acres on the island, which is occupied by numerous buildings 

 devoted to the physical, mental, and moral needs of children. 

 These are under the Charities Department, except the House 

 of Refuge for juvenile delinquents committed by the courts. 

 This is the oldest reformatory in the United States and is 

 under control of the Society for the Reformation of Juvenile 

 Delinquents. There are about eight hundred boys and girls 

 in separate buildings, and thirty acres are set aside for their 

 use. A regular school is maintained, as well as occupations 

 in the open air, military drills, and work at different trades. 

 The island has some fine trees and is beautifully laid out, 

 while the buildings are, in general, of attractive architecture. 



