506 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY WESTCHESTER. 



In the rear of the Dutch church, (situated near the entrance of the 

 hollow,) there formally stood an Indian fort, the remains of which, 

 together with several mounds, have long since been leveled with the sur- 

 rounding ground. For the erection of these forts and strongholds, Van 

 der Donck informs us, that the Indians usually selected a situation on the 

 side of a steep hill, near a stream or river, which is difficult of access ex- 

 cept from the water, and inaccessible on every other side, with a level 

 plain on the crown of the hill, which they enclose with a strong stockade 

 work in a singular manner. " Near their plantations they also frequently 

 erect small works to secure their wives and children against the sudden 

 irruption of the small marauding parties of their enemies. When their 

 castles and forts are constructed according to their rude custom, they 

 consider the same very safe and secure places. " a 



The vestiges of a military redoubt at present occupy the summit of 

 the adjoining hill, commonly called Jones' hill. This elevated spot com- 

 mands the valley of Sleepy Hollow, Tarrytown, and splendid prospects 

 of the Hudson River. 



In 1680, the Indian sachem Ghoharius, with the consent of his brother 

 Weskora, for a certain sum of wampum and other goods, released unto 

 Frederick Philipse a large strip of land, lying on each side of the Pocan- 

 teco River, for which they acknowledged to have received full satisfac- 

 tion. This sale was ratified before the Governor of the province, at 

 Fort James, in New York, and subsequently confirmed to Frederick 

 Philipse by royal patent, the same year. The patentee yielding and pay- 

 ing, therefor, yearly unto his Royal Highness, the Duke of York and 

 Albany, a quit rent of one bushel of winter wheat, etc. 



Sir Edmund Andros, Knight, &c, Whereas Frederick Philipse of 

 this city, merchant, hath made application unto me for a grant of a 

 certain creek or river, called by the Indians, Pocantico, (whereon to set 

 a mill,) with a proportion of land on each side adjoining thereur.to ; the 

 same lying within the bounds of the Indians' land at Wickers creek. 6 on 

 the east side of Hudson's river ; and by my leave and approbation hath 

 made purchase thereof from the native Indian proprietors, the which 

 they have acknowledged before me, as likewise to have received full 

 satisfaction for the same, from the said Frederick Philipse. The said 

 land adjoining to the creek or river aforesaid lying on each side thereof, 

 north and south 1600 treads or steps, which at twelve feet to the rod 

 makes 400 rods ; and runs up into the country as far as the said creek 

 or river goeth, provided always, that if the said creek or river, called by 

 the Indians Neppera, and by the Christians the Yonkers creek or kill, 

 shall come within that space of land of 400 rods on the south side of 



a Van der Donck's Hist. N. N. N. Y. Hist. Soc. N. Ser. vol. t. p. 197. 

 b A corruption of the Indian name, Weckquaskeck. 



