366 The Story of The Bronx 



So important has the navigation of the river become that 

 strong representations have been constantly made to the 

 National Government to deepen the Bronx Kills to a depth of 

 nine feet at low tide, in order to prevent the long trip around 

 Randall's Island for vessels going from the East River to the 

 Harlem, or in the opposite direction. 



Lewis Morris, the Signer and last manor-lord of Morrisania, 

 died in 1798. His estate was divided up among his descend- 

 ants, some of whom also acquired property in the old manor of 

 Fordham. The land once forming the manor of Morrisania 

 has been divided and subdivided until the names of the 

 present owners constitute a legion. 



The development of Morrisania, at the close of the Revo- 

 lution, the most sparsely settled portion of the county of 

 Westchester, but to-day the most populous section of the 

 Borough, was due primarily to the building of the Harlem 

 Railroad, in 1842. As early as 1816, the year he died, Gou- 

 verneur Morris caused his property to be surveyed and laid 

 out in farm lots by John Randall, surveyor and engineer, and 

 the map recorded. This property also included a portion of 

 "Old Morrisania," west of the Mill Brook, which had been 

 obtained from General Staats Long Morris, the inheritor 

 from his father, after the cessation of his stepmother's life 

 interest. 



In 1828, Jordan L. Mott, the inventor of the coal-burning 

 stove, opened a modest little factory on the plot of ground 

 bounded by Third Avenue, 134th Street, and the Harlem 

 River. The foundry grew to be one of large size ; but by June, 

 1906, the plant was too cramped in its Bronx quarters and so 

 was removed to Trenton, New Jersey, 



Being impressed with the future possibilities of this section, 

 Mott, with several others, bought from Gouverneur Morris, 



