546 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



church-yard, the ghost rides forth to the scene of battle, in nightly quest 

 of his head, and that the rushing speed with which he sometimes passes 

 along the Hollow, like a midnight blast, is owing to his being belated 

 and in a hurry to get back to the church-yard before daybreak." 



Such is the general purport of this legendary superstition. The 

 spectre is known by the name of the "Headless Horseman 0/ Sleepy 

 Hollow."" 



The bridge so famous in goblin story, crossed the Hollow a few yards 

 east of the present structure ; the road having been altered within a few 

 years. 



A little north of Sleepy Hollow church, lies the Beeckman forest, an 

 entensive tract of woodland, ranging principally east and west of the 

 Albany post-road. These woods formerly covered a much larger district 

 of country, and abounded in fine timber ; while the thickets and glades 

 served as a favorite haunt for large herds of wild deer. The perpetual 

 harrassing of this noble game, in spite of fines and imprisonment, has 

 long ago exterminated the whole race in this country. In the year 

 1705, (to prevent, if possible, their entire destruction,) it was enacted by 

 the governor, council, and general assembly, "that whosoever within the 

 County of Westchester, Christian or Indian, freeman or slave, after the 

 first day of January, which will be in the year of our Lord, 1705, shall 

 kill or destroy any buck, doe or fawn, or any sort of deer whatsoever, at 

 any time of the year, except only between the first day of August and 

 the first day of January, shall forfeit and pay the sum of twenty shillings 

 lawful money of New York, or in default thereof, suffer imprisonment 

 for the time and space of twenty days without bail or mainprize ; and all 

 dogs also found chasing deer, to be shot during those times." 6 



These special enactments were, doubtless, procured through the in- 

 fluence of the Philipses and Van Cortlandts, whose families were both 

 represented in the governor's council at that period, especially, as the 

 lord of the manor of Cortlandt was ranger within the forests of Cort- 

 landt. The manorial proprietors of Phihpsburg and Cortlandt, had a 

 charter of free warren, i. <?., an exclusive right of pursuing and killing 

 game throughout their respective patents # , a privilege which they pre- 

 viously conceded to their tenantry. This beautifully wooded region 

 contains many wild and picturesque scenes, united with charming pros- 

 pects of the river. 



In the immediate vicinity, and bordering the shores of the Hudson, 

 are located several fine residences, among which may be enumerated 



a Legend of Sleepy Hollow. 

 b Acts of Colonial Assembly, 64. 



