THE TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT. 53 1 



In 1779 the lands in this town, together with the rest of the manor 

 of Philipsburgh, became by the attainder of Colonel Frederick Philipse, 

 vested in the State of New York, after having been in possession of 

 the Philipse family nearly a century. In the year 1784, the State, by 

 commission, parcelled out these lands to various individuals. One of 

 the principal grantees was Gerard C. Beeckman, Esq., who purchased 

 one thousand six hundred acres in the vicinity of Tarrytown, upon 

 which is situated the old manor house. Mr. Beeckman married Cornelia 

 van Cortlandt; thus after the forfeiture of the Philipses a portion of the 

 manor again reverted to a connection of that ancient family ; Jacobus 

 van Cortlandt having married Eva Philipse, daughter of the Hon. Fred- 

 erick Philipse. 



In the south-west corner of Mount Pleasant, between the Andre 

 brook and the Mill river, (Pocanteco,) is situated Beekmantown, com- 

 monly called the Pocanteco suburb of Tarrytown. This place derives 

 its name from the family of the Beeckmans. The residence of the late 

 Stephen D. Beeckman, M. D., son of the former proprietor, stands upon 

 the highest ground of the village immediately west of the Irving Insti- 

 tute. 



To the north of Beeckmantown lies the romantic region of Sleepy 

 Hollow. 



" A pleasing land of drowsy head it was, 

 Of dreams that wave before the half -shut eye ; 1 

 And of gay castles in the clouds- that pass, 

 For ever flushing round a summer sky." 



— Castle of Indolence. 



Castle Philipse, the ancient residence of the lords of Philipsburgh, 

 occupies a pleasant position on the west side of the mill-pond, nearly 

 facing the old Dutch church ; having acquired the appellation from the 

 fact that, in the early days of the colony, it was strongly fortified with 

 cannon — a necessary precaution against any sudden attack of the 

 Indians. The embrasures or port holes can yet be traced on the cellar 

 walls. 



The western end of the building is evidently the remains of a much 

 older edifice, probably coeval with the erection of a mill in 1683. 



The mansion is seen to the best advantage from the Sleepy Hollow 

 bridge. The principal entrance is through a porch on the north-east 

 front. 



Here within the compass of a broad territory, the Philipses enjoyed 

 every distinction, feudal and ecclesiastic, which the Colonial Govern- 

 ment could bestow. The manor, baronial courts, hunting, fishing, 



