6oo HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



"22d May, 1674, John Winter of Westchester sold to to Joseph 

 Jeames of Fairfield, Connecticut, a parcel of land containing 120 acres, 

 which is one quarter part of ye tract of land Francis French and Ebene- 

 zer Jones bought of Elias Doughty. This land lay west northerly from 

 Eastchester, on the other side of Brunckses river." — Fairfield Records. 



In 1685, John Hiatt, of Bronx's river, deeds sixty acres of upland to 

 Hopestill Betts of the Yonckers, this sale being a part of the whole tract 

 of land called by the name of the Jfi/e Square. Tradition says that this 

 place was given by Frederick Philipse as a dower portion when his 

 daughter Annetje married Philip French. From the French and Jones 

 family it passed by sale to the Oakleys, Bertines, Curwells, Sherwoods 

 and Riches. The latter family have been long residents here, and are 

 still possessed of a large estate, which has been successively occupied 

 for several generations. By marriage they are connected with the ancient 

 family of the Valentines. The Rich family originally came from Ger- 

 many, and are descended of the Ulrich of Flaack, whose son, Balthassar 

 Ryche, emigrated to this country at an early period of its settlement. 

 The following ancient document is still preserved in the family; it is 

 written in the German language, and was brought from Germany by 

 Balthassar Ryche : — 



"I, Johann Conradt Heidegger, sen'r, of the corporation for Guild, and by the 

 council of the honorable city of Zurich, duly appointed sheriff of the county of 

 Kyburgh, certify and make known that on the date mentioned below, the bearer 

 of this, Balthassar Ryche, son of the late Uulrich of Flaack, situated in my jur- 

 isdiction, appeared before me, stating, that whereas having been many years and 

 days absent from this country, and in consequence of a purchase made by him, 

 intending to reside in future with his wife and children at Sandhussen in the 

 electoral palatinate as his permanent residence, he therefore humbly requested an 

 authentic certificate showing his honest birth, pedigree, and name, and likewise that 

 he leaves this country with a good name and character, in order that he may pro- 

 duce such testimony when and where it might be requisite. Wherefore I, hav- 

 ing heard the said Ryche's petition, conceive it to be no more than right and just 

 to grant him his request. After having made diligent enquiries respecting his 

 character, and also obtained from the regularly ordained minister here a written 

 acknowledgment that his parents where lawfully married and he thus legitimate- 

 ly conceived and born, and subsequently baptized in a Christian like manner on 

 the first day of June, in the year 1662, in the presence of sponsors. It also ap- 

 pears that from his infancy and during the time he resided here he conducted 

 himself uprightly and without reproach ; and that when he left this place he car- 

 ried with him an honest reputation. In testimony whereof and in compliance 

 with his humble and dutiful request, I have caused this written certificate to be 

 prepared for the said Ryche and have caused the seal of office to be affixed thereto. 



Done and passed on the sixteenth day of January, 1699, counting from the 

 birth of Christ our Saviour. Signed 



The County Clerk (Sohiegk) at Kyburgh. 



