THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 49 1 



the "spy," is represented as having passed and repassed so frequently 

 in his daring forays. Near the banks of this stream, too, in the vicinity 

 of Tremont, and about two miles from Harlem Bridge, "the celebrated 

 Charlotte Temple lived. The sentimental tourist lingers long by the 

 stones that formed the chimney of the cottage, and the trunks of the 

 old apple trees which shaded her roof. The house in which her friend 

 lived, still stands, but is much decayed ; and the little garden which 

 Charlotte planted with a gift of cucumbers, is in grass. A clear spring 

 rivulet runs close by. Alas, poor Charlotte ; the tears that have been 

 shed over her tragic fate, would form another such rivulet." 



The property of William H. Morris, is situated on the high ridge 

 west of the mill brook vale. The house built by James Morris Esq., 

 occupies the site of one much older, erected in 1795. ^ * s handsome, 

 and well placed ; and the neighborhood is rendered extremely beautiful 

 by the inequality of the ground, and the fine mixture of wood and 

 pasture, which diversifies the appearance of the vales and eminences. 

 Within are some good paintings, viz , James Morris, by Benjamin Peale ; 

 Hon Daniel Webster, by Frothingham ; and General Staats Long Morris, 

 artist unknown. A broad and fine carriage road, lined on either side 

 w'ith elms, a is terminated by a picturesque view of Melrose and its sur 

 roundings. At no great distance stands the residence of the late Com- 

 modore Valentine Morris. 



Upon the east side of the Mill brook lay the old race course, which is 

 said to have been established by General Staats Long Morris, one of 

 the first importers of blooded horses at the north. The western portion 

 of Morrisania is watered by Cromwell creek, 6 which discharges into 

 the Harlem river. 



East of the Mill Brook, and nearly opposite the North and South 

 Brother Islands on the East River, " is situated Port Morris— unsurpassed 

 for the anchorage of large vessels, by any port in the world." The Great 

 Eastern, with her immense size and capacity, formerly landed safely at 

 one of her docks; and just above Port Morris, and about opposite 

 Riker's Island, fronting the property of the late B. M. Whitlock, is a 

 bay, affording the best place for a navy-yard in any of the States ; inas- 

 much as here, alongside of the East River salt water frontage, might be 

 constructed a large fresh water basin — to be supplied by water, about a 

 mile distant from the Bronx's River, in the village of West Farms — large 

 enough to float all the iron-clads of the world; and the corroding of the 



a One of these trees measure fourteen feet in circumference, while its branches afford a 

 a shade of luo feet. 



b on this stream a mill was erected by Lewis Morris ia 1760, of which nothing remains but 

 the mill dam. 



