566 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY WESTCHESTER. 



as they termed it. On the south side of Kirby's pond, at New Castle 

 corner, the Indians had their wigwams and a burying ground. Their 

 tools are* frequently found in the adjoining fields. The Indians are said 

 to have been very numerous in this town seventy years ago. 



In 1666 John Richbell, of Mamaroneck, purchased of the Indians (who 

 claimed to be lords of the soil) a large tract of land extending twenty 

 miles north of the sound. This grant comprised the entire township of 

 New Castle. 



The next proprietor was Colonel Caleb Heathcote, who obtained of 

 Mrs. Anne Richbell a patent right to purchase lands, "which are already 

 included in her husband's sale of 1660;" upon the 12th of October, 1696, 

 his excellency, Benjamin Fletcher, captain general and governor of his 

 Majesty's province of New York, &c, did grant unto Caleb Heathcote, 

 Esq. " Free liberty and license to purchase vacant land in the County of 

 Westchester, between Croton's river and the south bounds of Mr. Har- 

 rison's purchase, &c" 



Twelve days after the date of the above license, occurs the following 

 deed from the Indians : 



THE INDIAN DEED OF WAMPUS'S LAND. 



" This indenture made on the 19th of October, in the eighth year of the reign 

 of our Sovereign Lord William the Third, by the grace of God, &c, &c, and in 

 the year of our Lord Christ, 1696, between Wampus, Indian sachem, and others, 

 whose names are hereunto set and seals affixed, native proprietors of all that 

 tract of land, situate, lying, aud being in the eounty of Westchester in the Prov- 

 ince of New York in America, bounded north by Scroton (Croton) river, east- 

 erdly by Byram river and Bedford line, southerly by the land of John Harrison 

 and his associates, and the line stretching to Byram river aforesaid, and west- 

 erdly by the land of Frederick Philipse." 



' ' Now know all men that said Wampus, Cornelius and Coharnith, Indian sach- 

 ems, and others, whose names, are hereunto subscribed and seals affixed, the 

 native proprietors of all the aforesaid tract of land, have, for and in considera- 

 tion of the sum of £100, good and lawful money of New York to them in hands 

 paid by the said Caleb Heathcote, at and before the ensealing and delivery of 

 these presents, the receipt whereof they do hereby acknowledge, and themselves 

 and each and every of them to be therewith fully satisfied, contented and paid, 

 and thereof and every part and parcel thereof, they do by these presents forever 

 acquit and discharge the said Caleb Heathcote, his heirs, executors and adminis- 

 trators, &c. having given, granted, bargained and sold, aliened, enfeeoffed, re- 

 leased and confirmed, and do by these presents clearly and ahsolutely give, 

 grant, bargain and sell, alien, enfeof, release and confirm unto the said Caleb 

 Heathcote, his heirs and assigns, for ever, all that the before mentioned tract of 

 land within the county of Westchester, bounded as above expressed and set 

 forth, together with all and singular, the messuages, tenements, gardens, orch- 

 ards, arable lands, pastures, feedings, woods, underwoods, meadows, marshes, 



