THE TOWN OF YOXKERS. 



6ig 



Henry, for life, and to his brother's eldest son forever, provided they 

 take and constantly use the name of "Van Cortlandt;" and upon the 

 failure of male heirs, to Henry, the testator provided that the property 

 should pass to his nephew, Augustus van Cortlandt Bibby, son of his 

 sister Augusta. 



Henry, the above devisee, took possession of the estate on his brother's 

 death, in 1S39, an d assumed the name of Van Cortlandt. Henry van 

 Cortlandt died October, 1839, and was succeeded by his nephew, the 

 present proprietor, Augustus van Cortlandt, Esq. 



The present mansion house, a large edifice of stone, was erected by 

 Frederick van Cortlandt, A. D. 1748^ it forms a noble object when 

 viewed from the lawn. The situation commands nearly the whole length 

 of the vale of Yonkers ; streaching south, the view is terminated only by 



Cortlandt House, the residence of Augustus Van Cortlandt, Esq. 



the high hills of New York island, and heights of Fordham. The pleasure 

 grounds in front, appear to have been laid out in the ancient Dutch style, 

 with high artificial banks, adorned with rows of stately box, venerable 

 for their height and antiquity; while beneath are still visible the remains 

 of old fish ponds and jets d'eau. Above the old fashioned window, grim 

 visages in the shape of corbels seem to frown upon the beholder. We 

 suppose them to be a kind of "genii loci." 



Two eagles surmount the posts of the old gateway facing the stables. 

 These were part of the spoils taken from a Spanish privateer during the 



a The following item occurs in the will of Frederick van Cortlandt, dated 2nd of Oct., 1749 : 

 " whereas, I am now about finishing a large stone dwelling house on the plantation in which I 

 now live, which, with the same plantation, will, by virtue of my deceased father's will, devolve 

 after my decease, upon my eldest son James, &c— Surrogate's office X. Y., fol. xviil. 62. 



