614 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



well known to be an anadromous, living in the salt water, but generally- 

 spawning in the fresh. These fish sometimes attain to a large size. 



The favorite station of the angler is the New Bridge. The present 

 tavern at King's Bridge occupies the site of the old Dyckman Hotel, in 

 which its landlords were wont to entertain the ancient aldermen of the 

 Manhattans. 



The residence of the late Robert Macomb, Esq., now occupied by his 

 widow, lies beautifully embossed in shrubbery, commanding fine views of 

 the bridge, creek, New York island, and neighboring hills. Among the 

 latter stands prominent Tetard's Height, with its powder house, and 

 Fort Independence. From this hill the continental army retreated, on the 

 approach of General Knyphausen, in 1776. The pleasure grounds 

 around the Macomb mansion, are tastily laid out in shrubberies and 

 walks, while the beautiful waters of the "Muscoota" add variety to the 

 scenery. 



In one of the rooms we noticed a beautiful painting, by Waldo, of 

 Major Gen. Alexander Macomb. This family is descended from the 

 MacCombie's, of Ireland, an ancient and honorable stock who removed 

 to that country from Scotland.* The grand-father of the General was 

 John Macomb, who emigrated from Ireland to this country in 1742, and 

 held an official place under the Colonial government. He established 

 himself in New York, where his son Alexander Macomb, father of 

 Major Gen. Alexander, was educated. The father was a representative 

 in the State Legislature, from the city of New York, in 1787-8, and 

 during the late war with Great Britain he furnished five sons for the 

 service of his country in the militia and regular army. He afterwards 

 removed to Detroit, where he amassed a large fortune in the fur trade. 

 Here he married Catharine Navarre, a lady of noble French extraction. 

 Major General Alexander Macomb was born 3d April, 1782. 



This distinguished individual was the hero of Plattsburgh, and sub- 

 sequently General-in-chief (May, 1828, until his decease, June, 1846) of 

 .the United States army. His sister married Capt. Arent Schuyler de 

 Peyster. 



Leaving the Bridge, the approach to the village of Yonkers from the 

 south possesses many points of interest. Along the edge of the valley 

 are scattered beautiful knolls and high ranges of hills, either cultivated or 

 covered with woods ; to the left, seated on a fine, wooded hill, is a large 

 stone mansion, erected by Augustus van Cortlandt, Esq., AD. 1822, up- 

 on the site of a much older building, which was destroyed by fire A D. 



a The arms of McComb or McCoombe, ar. a saltire per fesse and per saltire, or and az. 

 countercharged. 



