THE TOWN 



OOnTLAlsTDT. 



This town formerly belonged to the great manor of Cortlandt, which 

 also comprehended the present townships of North Salem, Somers, York- 

 town and a large portion of Lewisboro'. The name itself is derived 

 from the the ancient family of the Van Cortlandts', the mesne Lords, 

 and first grantees from the Indians. Under the Mohegans or "enchanted 

 wolf tribe," Cortlandt-town appears to have been divided between the 

 two chiefs of Sachus and Ketchawany — the former of whom exercised 

 jurisdiction over the lands of Weshqua, Canopus, Wenneebus, Appamagh- 

 pogh and Meahagh, a territory extending from the south side of Ver- 

 planck's Point to St. Anthony's nose in the Highlands, whilst the latter 

 held authority over the lands of Kitchawan, lying south of Verplanck's 

 Point, including Senasqua neck, (Teller's Point,) and the small island of 

 Oscawana. 



The Indian villages in their order were, first, Kitchawonk, situated 

 near the mouth of the Croton, so-called from the original name of the 

 river, viz: "Kitchawan," a term which is descriptive of "a large and 

 swift-flowing current." Croton, the present name of the same stream, is 

 said to have been adopted from an illustrious Sachem of that name who 

 resided here at an early period. 



" The first name of importance above the island (remarks Mr. School- 

 craft) is Croton — a name of classic sound, but unquestionably derived 

 from the Indian, though a corruption of the original, and not originally 

 applied by them to the River. 



In a deed dated 1685, which is quoted by Judge Benson, the river is 

 called Kitchawan. " Croton as stated by the same authority is a cor- 

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