698 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



the Mehanas River, and south of Catonah's land, (^Bedford,) was in a pecu- 

 liar manner the domains of Serrinqua, or Sorringoe. 



The principal Indian village in this town was situated upon the north- 

 ern bank of Rye Pond. On ploughing the ground (in this vicinity) a 

 few years ago, extensive "beds of clam shells" were discovered beneath 

 the soil. These, together with Indian utensils found there, prove this 

 was a favorite place of resort. From this spot are some charming views, 

 both of the pond and surrounding hills. There are also some vestiges 

 of Indian villages on the banks of the Armonck (Byram Lake.) A variety 

 of Indian weapons — such as Indian anchors, manufactured of stone, and 

 large pestles, axes, and arrow heads of the same material, have been 

 likewise found in this neighborhood. 



The Indian burying ground is situated near Wampus Pond. a In the 

 south-east angle of the town is a beautiful hill, generally known by the 

 name of Mount Misery, 6 which acquired its present appellation from the 

 fact that a large body of Indians were surprised and cut to pieces here 

 by the Huguenots, in retaliation for a descent upon New Rochelle. 



From the summit of this mount, (which is between two and three 

 hundred feet above the valley,) on a clear day, may be seen the distant 

 mountains beyond the Hudson, the hills of North Castle and Green- 

 burgh, the village of White Plains, the country bordering the Sound as 

 far as the eye can stretch, and the Bronx meandering through a rich and 

 fertile valley — the tout ensemble forming a scene truly beautiful and 

 romantic. On the brow of the hill are the remains of a small fortification. 



We have already shown that the Indian grant of 1640 embraced a 

 large proportion (perhaps the whole) of the present town. Some of these 

 lands must have subsequently reverted to the aborigines; for in 1660 we 

 find the Indians again releasing them to John Richbell, of Mamaroneck. 

 Upon the 19th of October, 1696, Caleb Heathcote obtained a further 

 release from the Indian sachems, Wampus, Patthunck, and others, " of 

 all that tract of land situate, lying and being in the County of Westches- 

 ter, &c. ; bounded north by Croton River, easterly with Byram River 

 and Bedford line, northerly by the land of John Harrison and his as- 

 sociates, and the line stretching to Byram River aforesaid, and westerly 

 by the land of Frederick Philipse."" The above sale included the west 

 patent of North Castle. Caleb Heathcote had previously obtained a 

 patent right from Mrs. Anne Richbell to purchase lands " which were 

 already included in her husband's deed of 1660." 



a Testimony of Mr. Sands. 



b Testimony of Mr. Merritt in 1826. 



c See New Castle for Indian deed. 



