THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK. 499 



A.D. 1688, Henry Disbrow, son of John, conveys half his lands 

 situated in Mamaroneck to his son Henry Disbrow.* Henry Disbrow 

 of Mamaroneck, in 1690, releases a lot of ground lying in the town of 

 Rye, which he formerly bought of John Wascot. & The Disbrow estate 

 in this town was originally large and included a valuable tract of wood- 

 land, called the Hickory grove. 



The family relate the following tradition ; that in the early part of the 

 last century, the Indians came in a large body to the present house and 

 demanded immediate possession of the property. Fortunately the 

 original title deeds had been carefully secured. They were now opened 

 and shown to the Indians, who upon seeing their own signatures ap- 

 peared perfectly satisfied, and instantly marched off, leaving the Dis- 

 brows in undisturbed possession. 



There are numerous historical events in connection with Mamaroneck, 

 which deserve to be recorded here. 



The day previous to the battle of White Plains, Colonel Smallwood 

 of the American army surprised and cut off a large body of the enemy, 

 under the command of Major Rogers, stationed upon Nelson hill and its 

 vicinity. The event is thus related by General Heath : " Lord Sterling, 

 who was before in this vicinity with his brigade, had formed an enterprise 

 against Major Roger's corps. The old Indian hunter of the last war, 

 who had engaged in the British service, with his corps, now lay on the 

 out-posts of the British army, near Mamaroneck. The enterprise was 

 conducted with good address • and if the Americans had known exactly 

 how the Roger's corps lay, they would probably have killed or taken the 

 whole. As it was, thirty-six prisoners, sixty muskets, and some other 

 articles, were taken. The Major, conformably to his former general 

 conduct, escaped with the rest of his corps. This was a pretty affair ; 

 and if the writer could recollect the name of the commanding officer, 

 with pride and pleasure he would insert it. He belonged to one of the 

 southern lines of the army, and the whole of the party were southern 

 troops. " d 



On the 31st of January, 1777, a cordon of troops was ordered to be 

 formed, to extend from Dobb's Ferry to Mamaroneck. " February 1, 

 1777. Foraging being now the object, a large number of teams were 



a Co. Kec. Lib. B. 21. 



b Co. Rec. Lib. B. 65. 



c The old family Bible, edited by Basket of London, A. D. 1756, contains the Book of Com- 

 mon Prayer, and numerous family entries. There is also preserved a silver-headed walking- 

 stick inscribed "Henry Disbrow, 1697." The above heir-looms are in the possession of 

 William Disbrow of New York. 



d Heath's Mem. 74. Holt's Gazette. The dead who fell upon this occasion were buried on 

 the south-east side of Nelson's hill. 



