57^ HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



The general surface of New Castle is uneven, hills and vales inter- 

 spersed; soil gravelly, clay and sandy loam. The natural growth of 

 wood is of various kinds — as oak, chestnut, hickory, ash, maple, walnut, 

 elm and white wood, &c. The Chappequa hills in this town are worthy 

 of particular notice. They begin near the great hill known by the name 

 of the Buttermilk Mountain, and extend north-easterly four miles, ter- 

 minating northward in the Kisco Mountain. These hills are very stony 

 and rocky in general, but afford vast quantities of excellent timber. At 

 the foot of the Kisco Mountain is situated the Westchester and Harlem 

 railroad depot. New Castle is exceedingly well watered by rivers, rivu- 

 lets and springs. The Saw Mill River (Nepera) takes its rise from 

 two springs near the centre of the town, one of them situated on the 

 land of Job Collins, the other on the property of Willett Kipps. The 

 Bronx River (Aquehung) has its source in the Dark Valley of this town. 

 The Mill River (Pocanteco) rises on the lands of Isaac Lownsberry. 



There are two or three large ponds, which supply valuable mill seats. 

 Kirby's Pond receives its waters from Simmons's Pond, while its outlet 

 passes into the Pepemighting, or Kisco. Wampus Pond is situated on 

 the boundary line between New and North Castle. This pond covers 

 about fifty acres, and empties into the Byram (Armonck) River. Fish 

 were never caught here until within a few years, when pike were put 

 therein, which have multiplied exceedingly.* Upon the west side of 

 Wampus Pond rises Prospect Hill, the property of Mr. Edward Quim- 

 by. 6 It is impossible to describe the variegated prospect that meets the 

 eye from its summit, a more extensive view is not to be had in the 

 town. Near this hill an iron mine was opened seventy-four years ago ; 

 but, the war commencing, put a stop to the project, which has never 

 since been resumed. 



The Chappequa sulphur springs, which have acquired some celebrity, 

 are situated "four miles north-east of Sing Sing. They issue from a 

 cleft in the rock, near the base of a hill about two hundred feet in 

 height. The water, as it rises from the rocks, is transparent, but in its 

 course deposites a reddish yellow powder. The salts held in solution 

 are said to be sulphate of lime, chloride of calcium, and the muriate 

 of iron, and manganese. The water is supposed to possess medicinal 

 properties, similar to those usually ascribed to sulphur springs."' 7 



a Ton years ago vast flocks of wild duck and geese used to frequent this pond. 



b The Quimby family were among the first settlers of this part of New Castle, and descend 

 from John Quimby. one of the patentees of the town of Westchester, in 16f>4. Jno. Quimby, of 

 Stratford, 1664. had one child born there, but after some years removed, and was one of the 

 first settlers of W. 0. 



c Nat. Hist, of N. Y. Part III, 141. Sulphuretted hydrogen Is the gas evolved. 



