47° HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



the said neck of land, soe to put a final end and determination to that dispute of 

 •which at your return you are to render me an account, and for soe doing, this 

 shall he your warrant. Given under my hand, at Fort James, in New York, 

 this 25th day of January, 1671. " a Fkancis Lovelace. 



This dispute was finally arranged by Mr. John Richbell, exchanging 

 a portion of the west neck for a much greater quantity and value of 

 other lands belonging to Mr. Pell, adjoining the west neck in lieu there- 

 of, which land never was within the bounds of Mr. Richbell' s patent. b 



Upon the 1 6th of October, 1668, Governor Lovelace issued the fol- 

 lowing letters patent, under the great seal of the province : 



"Francis Lovelace, Esq. , Governor General, under his Royal Highness, James, 

 Duke of York and Alhany, &c., &c, of all his territories in America, to all to 

 whom these presents shall come, sendeth greeting. Whereas, there is a certain 

 parcel or tract of land within this government, upon the main, contained in three 

 necks, of which the eastermostis hounded with a small river, called Mamaroneck 

 river, being also the east bounds or limits of this government upon the main, and 

 the westermost with the gravelly or stony brook or river, which makes the east 

 limits of the land known by the name of Mr. Pell's purchase. Having to the 

 south, the sound, and running northward from the marked trees upon the said 

 neck, twenty miles into the woods, which said parcel or tract of land hath been 

 lawfully purchased of the Indian proprietors, by John Richbell, of Mamaroneck, 

 gentleman, in whose possession now it is, and his title thereunto sufficiently proved 

 both at several courts of sessions, as also at the general court of assizes, now for 

 a confirmation unto him the said John Richbell, in his possession and enjoyment 

 of the premises : Know ye, that by virtue of the commission and authority unto 

 me given by his Royal Highness, I have given, ratified, and confirmed and 

 granted, and by these presents do give and ratify, confirm and grant, unto the 

 said John Richbell, his heirs and assigns, all the aforecited parcel or tract of 

 land as aforesaid, together with all woods, beaches, marshes, pastures, creeks, 

 waters, lakes, fishing hawking, hunting and fowling, and all other profits, im- 

 munities and emoluments to the said parcel or tract of land belonging, annexed, or 

 appertaining with their and every of their appurtenances, and every part and parcel 

 thereof, and in regard to the distance of the plantations already settled or to be set- 

 tled upon the said necks of land, from any town, the persons inhabiting, or that 

 shall inhabit thereupon, shall have a petty constable chosen amongst themselves 

 yearly, for preserving of the peace, and decision of small differences under the 

 value of forty shillings, and they shall be excused from all common attendance 

 at training or other ordinary duties at Westchester. But in matters of assess- 

 ment and public rates, they are to be assessed by the officers of that town to 

 which they do properly belong being the nearest unto them, to have and to hold 

 the said parcel and tract of land in the said three necks contained, and premises 

 with all and singular the privileges and appurtenances to the said John Richbell 

 his heirs and assigns, to the proper use and behoof of the said John Richbell, his 

 heirs and assignees forever, as free land of inheritance, rendering and paying as 



a Albany Records, General Entries, No. iv. 95. 



b S:'e Complaint of Orcadian Palmer and others, to his Excellency William Burnet. The 

 original document is in the possession of the Muuro family. 



