364 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



jut out from amid the tufted canopy in the month of June, and glow in 

 richness and beauty. This tree was introduced into England about 1668, 

 and is now, we are informed, to be found in almost every gentleman's 

 park on the continent of Europe, so highly is it estimated as an orna- 

 mental tree of the first class."" 



We hope that the numerous specimens of this noble tree yet standing 

 in Westehester county, may be sacredly preserved from the barbarous 

 infliction of the axe, which has heretofore despoiled without mercy so 

 many of our majestic forest trees. 



The next notice of the purchase occurs in the following warrant for 

 its survey, A. D. 1695-6. 



By his Excellency the Governor in Council, dc. — You are hereby required to 

 survey and lay out for John Harrison, a certain tract of land in Westchester 

 county which he hath purchased by virtue of a license, bearing date the second 

 day of August last past, bounded to the south by the trees of Mr. Budd's pur- 

 chase, west by Mamaroneck river, eastwardly by Blind brook, and north by Rye- 

 pond, and this shall be to you a sufficient warrant. 



Benjamin Fletcher to Anthony Graham, 



Surveyor General, by order of Council. 



Upon the 25th of June, 1696, the Indian purchase was confirmed by 

 royal letters patent under the great seal, to William Nicolls, John Harri- 

 son and others. 



The patentees yielding and paying therefore the annual quit rent of 

 twenty shillings, on the festival of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin 

 Mary, commonly called Lady Day, after the following manner • 



ROYAL PATENT FOR HARRISON'S PURCHASE. 



William the third by the Grace of God King of England, Scotland, France and 

 Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. To all to whom these Presents shall come 

 sendeth greeting, Whereas our Loving Subjects William Nicolls, Esq., Captaine 

 Ebenezer Wilson, David Jamison, John Harrison and Samuel Height, have by 

 their Petition Presented unto our Trusty and well beloved Benjamin Fletcher, 

 our Captaine Generall and Governor in Cheife of our Province of New Yorke 

 and Territoryes Depending thereon in America, &c. Prayed our grant and Con- 

 firmacon of a certaine Tract of Land in our County of Westchester beginning at a 

 certaine White ash Tree marked with three notches standing in the East side of 

 Mamerraneck River and thence by marked Trees it runns South sixty-five De- 

 grees and thirty minutes Easterly fifty -six chains to a black oake one of the mark- 

 ed Trees of Joseph Budd's Purchase standing neere Westchester Path marked 



a Downing's Landscape Gardening, p. 197, 8, 9. There is a fine specimen of this noble tree 

 on the property of Elbert Roosevelt, Esq., Pelharn. 



