184 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



ing commanding from its elevated position, most extensive views of the 

 river • and is now occupied by his widow. 



Croton village in the lower part of this town is situated on the north 

 side of the river of that name near its confluence with the Hudson. At 

 the intersection of the New York and Albany Post Road with the road 

 leading to the railroad station is the Protestant Episcopal church of St. 

 Augustine. Episcopal services were also performed at the village of 

 Croton, in this parish, by Mr. Wetmore in 1756, by the Rev. Mr. Dibble 

 in 1761, and by the Rey. Mr. Punderson in 1763, who says, "that he 

 preached a lecture there, the people giving a cheerful attendance, &c." 



The lot on which it stands was the gift of Philip G. Van Wyck, Esq., a 

 grandson of the late Lieutenant-Governor Pierre Van Cortlandt. 



The Methodist Episcopal church, which was erected soon after the 

 Revolutionary war (some say 1796-7), occupies a commanding position 

 on a knoll overlooking the Albany and New York Post road. The land 

 on which it stands, including the cemetery, consisting of four acres was 

 the gift of the Hon. Pierre Van Cortlandt first Lieutenant-Governor of 

 the State just previous to the erection of the church edifice. The 

 Lieutenant-Governor is said to have joined the Methodist body through 

 the influence of Mr. Freeborn Garretson who married his wife's cousin. 

 This society are now erecting a new structure of brick which has already 

 cost in the neighborhood of $4,000 ; but the situation chosen is a very 

 low one and far inferior to the site of the old structure. The present 

 pastor is the Rev. Mr. Ronalds. The Friends Meeting-house is in the 

 immediate neighborhood of the latter. Here is a convenient landing 

 known as the Collabergh landing from whence sloops ply to the city of 

 New York, and other places on the Hudson River. There is also the 

 Croton landing, Depot of the Hudson River Railroad, telegraph station, 

 Post Office, numerous fine dwellings and stores — together with five brick 

 yards owned by Mr. Philip G. Van Wyck, Col. Pierre Van Cortlandt 

 and Mr. John Cocks, and occupied by Geo. W. Morton, Nicholas 

 Mehrhoff & Bro., and George J. Barlow, employing about 150 men and 

 paying out some $35,000 per season. To the east of Croton village, 

 the Collabergh mountains — a high ridge encompassed by woods — towers 

 far above the surrounding hills, at the foot of which is situated the 

 Collabergh pond (a beautiful sylvan lake in miniature) supplied by never- 

 failing springs of pure water. 



Near the mouth of the Croton River stands the Cortlandt Manor 

 House, late the residence of Gen. Philip Van Cortlandt, but now 

 in possession of his nephew, Col. Pierre Van Cortlandt. This venerable 

 mansion, one of the oldest edifices now remaining on the borders of the 



