THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 417 



a proper explanation had been made, he solemly declared he would 

 hang every one of them, unless, conducted safe from his present posi- 

 tion. The retreat was ultimately effected by a bridge of boats. 



James Ferris, the proprietor, was subsequently captured by the 

 " Queen's Rangers," and removed to the New York Provoost. His de- 

 scendants are very numerous in the town. Mr. John Van Antwerp is 

 the present occupant of the homestead. 



Throckmorton's Point, situated at the south east extremity of the 

 neck proper, derives its name, as already stated, from John Throckmor- 

 ton, who took a grant for it under the Dutch, A.D. 1643. The name 

 has been abbreviated from Throgmorton's to Throg's, and finally cor- 

 rupted to Frog's Neck. 



From the Throckmorton's and others the point passed by purchase to 

 the late Abijah Hammond, Esq., whose heirs sold to Mr. H. Lc Roy 

 Newbold, Mr. W. Whitehead, Mr. James Duck, and the late Mr. Chas. 

 King. The mansion erected by Abijah Hammond is now owned by 

 Frederick C. Havemeyer. 



The house occupies a splendid situation near the entrance of the 

 point, commanding on the right and left extensive prospects of the East 

 River. Mr. Hammond was the son of Abijah Hammond and grandson 

 of John Hammond, who emigrated to Massachusetts in 1680. His first 

 wife was Catharine, a daughter of Abraham Ogden, by whom he had, 

 with other issue, a son — the late Ogden Hammond — who resided for 

 many years on the point. 



Upon the extremity of Throckmorton's Point is situated Fort Schuyler 

 which was begun in 1833 ; and in 185 1 was estimated to have cost in 

 construction and repairs $873,013. It was built to accommodate one 

 thousand two hundred and fifty men, and to mount three hundred and 

 eighteen cannon. With the projected work upon Wilkin's Point, in 

 Flushing, Queen's County, these fortresses would effectually protect New 

 York against the approach of a hostile fleet from the Sound. The fort 

 is built of granite from Greenwich, Connecticut; adjoining the fort is a 

 light-house, for this portion of the Long Island Sound. 



Throckmorton's Point is distinguished as being the scene of important 

 military operations, and was for a short time in the possession of the 

 enemy during the Revolutionary War. The following account is from 

 General Heath's memoirs : — 



" October 3d, 1776. — The brigadier generals of our general's division, « were 

 in council, and several new works were laid out ; among others, a redoubt on the 

 hill above William's Bridge. Our general, in reconnoitering his position, accom- 



a General Heath. 



