76 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



open. The whole country looks like a map unfolded to the sight ; the 

 innumerable enclosures mark a rich land thriving under the hand of the 

 cultivator. 



One of the most prominent objects in the immediate vicinity of Bed- 

 ford village, is the round hill called Aspetong, celebrated for its beauti- 

 ful views of the surrounding country; its summit affords a favorite resort 

 for parties during the summer season. a 



A short time since Joseph Reynolds of Bedford, while hunting on the 

 Aspen Ledge, saw and killed a beautiful wildcat ; two others escaped. 



The road proceeding north from the village descends into the valley of 

 the Beaver dam, (Cisqua,) watered by a beautiful stream of the same 

 name, which rises in the adjoining town of Poundridge. In its progress 

 to the Croton, the Beaver dam is fed by the waters of broad and muddy 

 brooks. By the process of gauging, in 1833, (at a fair minimum.) the 

 Beaver dam and Broad Brook yielded four million nine hundred and 

 sixty- three thousand four hundred and eighty gallons per diem. 6 



The former stream appears to have been in a peculiar manner the 

 haunt of the beaver ; hence the origin of the name Beaver dam. This 

 timid animal, (says Van der Donck,) " always constructed its dwellings 

 over running streams, having apertures in the lower stories which com- 

 municated with the water, from which they could more easily re- 

 treat under water to places of safety which they have always prepared 

 near their houses; these consist of a hollow or hole entwining under 

 water from the side of the stream whereon their house is erected, and 

 adjoining under the bank into which they retreat on the approach of 

 danger, wherein they seem to be so safe and secure that no person can 

 molest them. Eighty thousand beavers (the same authority asserts,) were 



killed annually, during his residence of nine years in the New Nether- 

 lands." 



The beaver's favorite food was the bark of the willow, birch and ma- 

 ple trees, which still nourish on the banks of the Cisqua, (Beaver dam). 

 Rising above the banks of this stream on the west is an extensive ridge 

 called the "Deer's Delight." 



It appears that the old road laid out to the vineyard purchase in 1739, 

 "extended north from Harris's mill at the west side of Cantatoe ridge 

 on the east side of the "Deer's Delight," and so through to the pur- 

 chase. d 



a 11th May, 1T72, John Farnam conveys to James Holmes a lot of land lying in Bedford 

 near a place called Aspetong. 

 b Report of Water Commissioners. 



c Van der Donk's Hist. N. N. New York Hist, Sec. collect. 

 d Book of Co. Roads, Co. Clerk's office, lib. L. A. D. 1728. 



