THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 603 



east the eye ranges over an extensive country of hills, woods and vales, 

 stretching towards Long Island Sound; the distant horizon skirted by 

 light blue hills. To the north lie the Tuckahoe hills, while westward the 

 view is bounded by the Yonkers ridge, surmounted with lofty woods, 

 with here and there a glimpse to be obtained of the dark palisades peep- 

 ing through some opening in the trees ; below lies a beautiful vale, 

 through which meanders Tippet's Brook. At the base of the hill winds 

 the Croton Acqueduct. 



Valentine's hill and the adjoining property has been occupied by 

 the ancient and numerous family of the Valentines, for nearly one 

 hundred and twenty years. In this immediate neighborhood is situ- 

 ated the old burying-ground. Here are interred the remains of Frederick 

 Devoe, the grand-father of Col. Thomas Farringdon of New York 

 city, and several members of the Valentine and Brown families. It 

 is now included in Woodlawn cemetery. The ancestor of the family, 

 Matthias Valentine, having been one of the first tenants under the Phil- 

 ipses ; on his settlement here, the whole surrounding country was one 

 vast forest, the lonely domain of the deer. The verges of these forests 

 also abounded with another noble species of game long since extinct, 

 and that was the wild turkey. It is said that flocks of them used to fly 

 from the Yonkers ridge on the west side of Tippet's brook to this hill, 

 at certain seasons of the year, for the purpose of feeding on the acorn 

 and beech nut. The flight was always commenced by a large black 

 cock of the woods, sunset being the signal for departure; the leader 

 gave the well known note, and they were instantly on the wing for the 

 opposite hills. There yet remains a fine specimen of the ancient deni- 

 zens of the forests on the western edge of this hill, by the roadside lead- 

 ing to the village. This venerable chestnut tree, in the Fall of the year, 

 appears to be the favorite gathering place of thousands of swallows just 

 before they commence their migrations. 



In possession of the Valentine family are numerous receipts given for 

 rent ; formerly due the Lords of Philipsborough. As a specimen occurs 

 the following : — 



Op Nipper a Des 20 Mars No. 1727, 



den 20 Mars heft Theis Valentin en syn Moeder hier gebracht 13£ boschel tar- 

 we vor de huer von land vor ye Tahr Ao 1726. 



Yonckers, January ye 28 day, 1734-5. 

 Then received of Mr. Matthiase Vallentine 1h bushels of Rent wheat on behalf 

 of Mr. Philipse. I said received by me, 



WILLIAM PECK. 



