THE TOWN OF SOMERS. 253 



brook and Croton river. This beautiful portion of Westchester county, 

 so highly diversified with hills and dales was once covered with extensive 

 forests, abounding with every species of wild game. Deer were numer- 

 ous here, as late as 1780; and wolves, though rare, were not extinct at 

 that period. The Indians, for the better purpose of hunting the large 

 herds of deer that roamed through these forests, annually burnt the 

 higher grounds. " This practice (says Vanderdonck.) is named by us 

 and the Indians, ' bush-burning' which is done for several reasons ; first, 

 to render hunting easier — as the bush and vegetable growth renders the 

 walking difficult for the hunter, and the crackling of the dry substances 

 betrays him and frightens away the game. Secondly, to thin out and 

 clear the woods of all dead substances and grass, which grow better the 

 ensuing spring. Thirdly, to circumscribe and enclose the game within 

 the lines of the fire, when it is more easily taken, and also because the 

 game is more easily tracked over the burned parts of the woods. The 

 bush burning presents a grand and sublime appearance. On seeing it 

 from without, we would imagine that not only the dry leaves, vegetables 

 and limbs would be burnt, but that the whole woods would be consumed 

 where the fire passes ; for it frequently spreads and rages with such vio- 

 lence, that it is awful to behold," &c. a The last burning, remembered 

 by the oldest inhabitant, took place on the high ridge east of Primrose 

 street. 



By the royal patent to Stephanus van Cortlandt in 1697, it will be 

 seen that he enjoyed the sole right of hunting deer within the forests of 

 Cortlandt, a privilege usually conceded to the Ranger of the county. 6 



The deep seclusion of the woods, bordering Plum brook, afforded an 

 agreeable haunt to the beaver ■ and here these industrious animals had 

 constructed an extensive dam, which long survived their existence. 



Upon the partition of the manor of Cortlandt among the heirs of the 

 Hon. Stephanus van Cortlandt, in the year 1734, the following allot- 

 ments were made in this town : North lot, No. 5, Mrs. Margaret Bay- 

 ard ; ditto, No. 6, Philip van Cortlandt ; ditto, No. 7, Andrew Johnston ; 

 part of north lot No. S. Mr. Miller; south lot, No. 5, Stephen De Lancey ; 

 ditto, No. 6, Stephen van Cortlandt; ditto, half of lot No. 7, Stephen 

 van Cortlandt ; part of south lot No. 9, Mrs. Susannah Warren ; ditto, • 

 No. 10, Stephen De Lancey — this lot has since been annexed to the 

 town cf New Castle, by an Act of the Legislature, passed 1846. Subse- 

 quent to the above division, we find the heirs of Stephanus van Cort- 

 landt disposing of their respective rights in the same. On the 4th cf 



a y. Y. Hist Collect. 2.1 series, vol. i. 

 6 See. Cortlandt town, vol. 1. 46. 



