THE TOWN OF EAST CHESTER. 213 



Mount Vernon the principal village in this town, has a station on the 

 .New York and New Haven Rail Road, and was incoporated, Dec. 13, 

 1853. It contains four churches, several private schools, and 1,161 in- 

 habitants. West Mount Vernon has a station on the New York and 

 Harlem Rail Road, two churches, and contains 630 inhabitants. East 

 Mount Vernon contains 275 inhabitants ; Waverly and Washingtonville, 

 are suburban villages inhabited principally by mechanics and men doing 

 business in New York. 



The village of Eastchester is situated in the south-east angle of the 

 town, at the head of the Eastchester Bay, fifteen miles from the city of 

 ..New York ; it contains about three hundred and fifty inhabitants, fifty 

 dwelling houses, one Episcopal and one Methodist church, post office, 

 three taverns, four stores, and one grist mill. There is also a convenient 

 landing, a from whence sail several sloops trading with the New York 

 market. 



The first settlement in this town appears to have been commenced 

 jiear the Indian path, (subsequently known as the Westchester path or 

 Kingsbridge road,) leading to the wading place, cir. 1664, at a spot call- 

 ed Hutchinson's. " That is where the house stood at the meadows and 

 uplands to Hutchinson's river " & 



In 1666 it was by royal charter enacted, "That the plantation shall 

 continue and retain ye name of Eastchester, by which name and style 

 :it shall be forever hereafter distinguished and known, &c " 



The early planters in order to concentrate their dwellings as much as 

 possible, (so as to protect themselves and families,) laid out the original 

 farms in narrow strips called home lots, which radiated from the village 

 fort in all directions. 



At a meeting of the inhabitants, held Oct. 16, 1675, is was resolved, 

 " That we will forthwith fit William Haiden's house by his land, soe as 

 that it may, by God's helpe and blessing, answer our honorable govern- 

 •or's order and our own preservation. At the same time John Jackson, 

 Richard Hoadley and Samuel Drake, jun., were chosen to stake out the 

 place as aforementioned for the said fortification ; also John Jackson 

 and Richard Shute were chosen to the constable to be overseers for the 

 carrying on the said works; and it was further agreed, that for aman's 

 day's work, (provided he do an honest day's work,) he shall be allowed 

 two shillings and sixpence a day, for a man ; and for their cattle, cart, or 

 tackling to do the work, or four oxen, shall be allowed six shillings a day ; 

 for two oxen, five shillings per day; and so begin the said work on Thurs- 



a At an early period called Sillick's landing, A. D. 1676. 

 b Extracts from Pell's grant. 



