524 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



The parochial chapel of St. James, a portion of which was formerly 

 the Manor school house, has been greatly improved of late by the addi- 

 tion of a chancel and transepts, and now occupies a place in the north- 

 east corner of the church property. The font and lectern were presented 

 by the Rev. . 



RFCTORS OF ST. JAMES'S CHURCH, FORDHAM. 



Temp. Inst. Rectors. Vacat. Patrons. 



Nov. 1854, Rev. Joshua Weaver, A.M., per resig, Wardens and Vestry 



Nov. 1,1863, Rev. Thomas Richey, D.D.,Presb. " " 



Dec 25. 1867, Rev. Ciiari.es C. Tiffany, Presb,, " 



July 10, 1871, Rev. Mytton Maury, Presb., " " 



Sebt. 9, 1875, Rev. Joseph Blanchard, Presb., present rector. 



Immediately contiguous to the Dutch Reformed Church is theCroton 

 Aqueduct, which at no great distance crosses the Harlem River on a 

 magnificent bridge of stone 1450 feet long, with fifteen arches, eight of 

 which are eighty feet span, and seven are fifty feet span ; 114 feet above 

 tide water, at the top. The estimate cost of the whole, exceeding $900,- 

 000. On the New York side of the bridge is a stone tower, used for sup- 

 plying the higher portions of Manhattan Island with water — about a 

 half a mile north of the High Bridge, an iron suspension bridge is to be 

 erected uniting Manhattan island with the West Chester shore. 



In this vicinity is situated Mount Ford/iam, the seat of Lewis G. 

 Morris, Esq., fifth in descent from the Hon. Lewis Morris third proprie- 

 tor of tfee manor of Morrisania. This property was originally purchased 

 about 1760 by Chief Justice Lewis Morris, Governor of New Jersey, and 

 his grand-son Richard Morris, Judge of the Court of Admiralty under the 

 crown and subsequently Chief Justice of the State of New York. The 

 latter resided on this property at the breaking out of the Revolutionary 

 war. and willingly resigned his office as Judge of the English Court of 

 Admiralty rather than compromise his principles, which were decidedly 

 in favor of the popular cause. Governor Tyron thereupon directed an 

 officer of the British army to take possession of Judge Morris' house, and 

 use it as long as required ; but ordered him, at the same time, to burn it 

 to the ground as soon as abandoned. This outrage was soon afterwards 

 perpetrated; and Judge Morris, then advanced in years, was compelled 

 to fly for better security to Claverack in Columbia County. 



The present house which is constructed of stone, is finely situated on 

 an eminence and commands a very extensive view of Harlem river and 

 surrounding country in which New York Island forms a beautiful feature. 



