2IO HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



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 prin- 

 cipal encampment seems to have been on the high ground between the 

 villages of Rye and Portchester. 



The earliest record of town officers occurs on the 25th of April, 167 1. 

 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, 

 1 69 1. Mr. Joseph Theall, supervisor." "June 26th, 1696, Deliverance 

 Brown was chosen constable for the town of Rye, and Mr. John Hoit, 

 recorder? 



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 produc- 

 tions of the town may be noticed Chlorite/ " a soft greenish substance, 

 composed of minute scales, closely compacted together. It differs very 

 little from soapstone," also Tourmaline, in long slender crystals." 



a Disturnell's Gazetteer of N. Y. 



b Rocks containing it are 6aid to be Chlorltie. 



e See geological surveyof the State, 18*0. 



