THE 



REVISED HISTORY 



OF THE 



COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



THE TOWN OF BEDFORD. 



This town forms in shape nearly a square, each of its sides being six 

 miles in length. The name is derived from the town of the same title 

 in Bedfordshire, England, from whence the early settlers came. The 

 earlier etymology of its name in the Saxon language was JBefcatipottfr, 

 "more eminent," says Camden, "for the pleasantness of its situation, 

 and its antiquity, than for either beauty or largeness."* 



Among the Mohegan Indians Bedford formed a portion of the sachem- 

 dom of Rippowam, which extended eighteen miles north of Stamford, 

 on the " Manunketesuck," or Sound, also eight miles east and west of 

 the same. 



"Within this territory," we are informed, "were traces of at least four 

 distinct clans." " On the west side, with his seat not far from where 

 the line now separates Stamford from Greenwich, was the bold and war- 

 like Mayaro, with his vindictive band of warriors, already experienced 

 in the conflict, both with the savage and civilized foe. Whence they 

 had come, or how many they might count, we shall never know." 



Further- to the east, with his princely residence overlooking both the 

 bays which enclosed the finest headland of Rippowam, was Wascussue, 

 Lord of Shippan. Not so spirited as Mayaro, he seemed to linger with 

 a handful of his tribe, in a sort of princely repose upon the fair field 

 which his more youthful arm had won, unwilling to leave the charming 

 heritage, which in his sadness he saw now for the first time seriously 

 invaded. 



Still farther towards the rising sun and beyond the lovely Noroton 

 bay, was the empire of Piamikin, whose deed of alienation makes him 



"Camden's Brittannia. 



