432 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



father, Peter Lorillard, Senr., who died some years ago, was the oldest 

 son of Pierre Lorillard, a native of France in 1763, by his wife, Hannah 

 Moore. Peter, Senr., with his brothers, was one of the many men whose 

 energy and hard labor resulted not only in gaining them wealth, but in 

 promoting the prosperity which the metropolis of the United States now 

 enjoys. Descended from an ancient Huguenot family, the three broth- 

 ers — Jacob, Peter and George — commenced life in humble circum- 

 stances ; but by dint of hard labor, amassed a competency which their 

 heirs have greatly added to. The wife of Peter, Senr., was the daughter 

 of Nathaniel Griswold, long since dead, but during his lifetime one of 

 the most prominent merchants of New York. Peter Lorillard, Jr., soon 

 after leaving college connected himself with his father and uncle — Peter 

 and George — in the tobacco business. Possessed of uncommon business 

 capacity, he soon materially aided his firm in its progress to prosperity; 

 and upon the death of his uncle George, who was a bachelor, he found 

 himself left the heir to a fortune valued at some $200,000. Upon the 

 death of his father, Mr. Lorillard succeeded to the business, which pros- 

 pered so well that it brought to its proprietor millions of dollars, and 

 made it what it now is, one of the largest tobacco houses in New York 

 city. Mr. Lorillard died at Saratoga, October 6th, 1867, a g e ^ seventy- 

 two. 



The low ground east of the " Bronx Dale " is called " Bear Swamp," 

 after the savage animal that about two centuries ago inhabited this wide 

 domain of forest and morass. 



The general surface of Westchester is rolling, and in some places 

 hilly soil, clay loam, mostly susceptible of high cultivation. The lands 

 produce all kinds of grain, but they are best adapted to grass and pas- 

 turage. Almost every variety of fruit trees flourish here. The principal 

 growth of wood is oak of all sorts, chestnut and hickory, &c. It is freely 

 watered, in every part, by springs and rivulets. 



