THE TOWN 



OF 



The town of New Rochelle (so-called after La Rochelle, capital of 

 the department of Lower Charente in France, named Rupella by the 

 ancient Romans) formerly constituted a portion of the manor of Pelham, 

 and is situated on the south-east side of the county, distant eight miles 

 south of the village of White Plains, and one hundred and forty miles 

 from Albany — bounded by Scarsdale on the North, by Mamaroneck and 





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Indian Image Stone. 



Scarsdale on the East, by Hutchinson's river and Pelham on the West, 

 and on the South by the Sound. 



This tract of land was originally included in the grant made by the 

 Indians in the year 1640, to the Dutch West India Company; but no 

 settlement was actually commenced upon it until long after Thomas 

 Pell's purchase, which occurred in 1654. 



The Aborigines, who were one of the seven tribes of the sea coast 

 called " Siwanoys" appear to have resided principally on Davenport's 

 Neck, where they had a large settlement denominated " Shippa." About 

 1746, as we are assured by the old inhabitants, the Neck was covered 

 with Indian wigwams ; of this, the extensive " shell-beds " on its southern 

 shore afford conclusive evidence. A few settlements were also scattered 



