THE TOWN OF VONKERS. 617 



Philipsburgh. Besides the Yonkers estate, Jacobus van Cortlandt was 

 a large landed proprietor in the town of Bedford, in this county. This 

 individual was an eminent merchant of New York city, where he was 

 born on the 7th of July 1668. He was also one of the five members 

 returned by the High Sheriff to represent the city and county of New 

 York in the Colonial Assembly, A. D. 1691. 



He was, too, elected to represent the Dock ward in the Common 

 Council for several years, and subsequently (17 10-17 19) held the office 

 of Mayor. He died in the spring of 1739. 



By his will, dated 12th of May, 1739, he devised and bequeathed 

 unto his son Frederick van Cortlandt, 



"All that my farm situate lying and being in a place commonly called and 

 known by the name of the Little or Lower Yonckers &c, and all other the land, 

 meadows and real estate, I am seized of or have a right to in the Manor of 

 Philipsburgh, &c. , for his natural life, and from and after his decease to the heirs 

 male lawf idly begotten, &c. To his eldest daughter, Margaret, wife of Abraham 

 de Peyster, property in the city of New York ; and the same to his remaining 

 daughters, Anne, wife of John Chambers, and Mary, wife of Peter Jay.« 



Frederick van Cortlandt only son of the above testator, married 

 Frances Jay, daughter of the Huguenot, Augustus Jay, by his wife Anna 

 Maria Bayard. 



Upon the death of Frederick van Cortlandt, 12th Feb., i749, & the 

 estate devolved by the will of Jacobus, senr. to Jacobus van Cortlandt 

 jun., eldest son and heir at law of Frederick. This individual, better 

 known as Col. James van Cortlandt, nobly used his influence (while 

 residing here during the war,) in ameliorating the condition of his 

 suffering countrymen. It not unfrequently happened that a poor 

 neighbour was robbed of everything he possessed ; upon application to 

 Col. van Cortlandt he would assume his red watch coat, and mounting 

 his horse ride down to the city, to intercede in their behalf. He seldom 

 applied in vain, such was the universal respect for his character. Pre- 

 vious to the close of the war he was compelled to leave his country 

 residence at Yonckers, on account of ill health. He died shortly after- 

 wards in the city of New York, 1st of April, 1781. His remains were 

 interred in the family tomb, Vault Hill. On the death of CoL James 

 van Cortlandt, the property passed to his brother, Augustus van Cort- 

 landt, the next heir of the entail. This gentleman held the office of Clerk 

 of the Common Council in New York, on the breaking out of the Rev- 



a Surrogate's office, N. Y. fol. xiii, 425. 



b The will of Frederick van C. bears date 2d Oct. 1749. To his wife Frances he bequeaths 

 two negro girls and a four wheeled chaise. His children were James, Augustus, Frederick, 

 Anna Maria and Eva —Surrogate's office, N. Y. fol. xviii 62. 



