marked effect. Type-writing and shorthand exercises were interspersed through the programme, to the delight of the large and appreciative audience present, as were several addresses from distinguished gentlemen and scholars who had been invited to speak to the class, after which came the awarding of diplomas.

The Mechanics' Society throughout its long and industrious career has been conspicuous for patriotism and public spirit. It has participated in all the notable celebrations of the century, such as the Peace celebration in 1814, the introduction of the Croton water in 1842, the Centennial of Evacuation Day in 1883, and the Washington Centennial of 1889. For many a long year its custom was to celebrate the Fourth of July by public exercises, which included the reading of the Declaration of Independence, and an oration by some distinguished character, followed by a banquet. During the civil war the society was never idle and always loyal to the country. One regiment-the First New York Volunteer Engineer Regiment-was composed exclusively of mechanics, Colonel Serrell commanding. The society with conspicuous ceremony and brilliant addresses presented this regiment a suitable stand of colors in January, 1862, in presence of a large assemblage at the Seventh Regiment armory. These flags were borne honorably through many memorable engagements, and returned in 1865 to the custody of the society, where they are now preserved in a case in Mechanics' Hall. The regiment on reaching New York when the war ended was furnished with comfortable quarters and substantial meals by the society, until it could be paid off and discharged. Among the precious relics which are cherished by this institution, in its present home, is the original flag first displayed in 1795, also several valuable portraits. Nothing is better worth examination, however, than the handsomely written records, particularly those of its first meeting, one hundred and four years ago, which are as perfectly legible as if written to-day, the paper being of that superior quality that practically defies the yellowing processes of time.

The introduction of twelve free scholarships into the New York trade schools is one of the newest features of the educational work of this society, which by the way has never lost sight of its original purposes, nor failed to care for the widow and orphan in a substantial manner. It has taken rank very properly among the best and most efficient philanthropic institutions in the world.

Martha & Lamb

VOL. XXII.-No. 2.-9

THE PHILIPSE PATENT IN THE HIGHLANDS

When the early settlers of New York found the "whole world before them where to choose," it was very natural that the most fertile portions should be first selected, while the wild and mountainous localities waited for future occupants. On the east side of the Hudson, lands along the Croton river were granted to Stephanus Van Cortlandt in 1683. Ryck Abrahamse Lent purchased the lands now the southern part of Peekskill, in 1685. The northern part of Peekskill was sold to Hugh McGregory in 1691, while to the north of this, and extending to the Highlands, was a tract patented to John Knight in 1686, and sold by him to Governor Thomas Dongan in 1687; this, with the other purchases (except the Lent patent) were combined in the great patent granted to Stephanus Van Cortlandt in 1697, and known as the "manor of Cortlandt." The north bounds of this tract were described as "running northerly along Hudson river, as the river runs, unto the north side of a high hill called Anthony's Nose to a red cedar tree, which marks the southernmost bounds of the land now in the tenure of Mr. Adolphe Philipse; and from the said red cedar tree another due easterly line running into the woods twenty English miles." This last distance was to the boundary between the colonies of New York and Connecticut as established.

On the 17th of October, 1685, a patent was granted to Francis Rombout, Jacobus Kipp, and Stephanus van Cortlandt for a tract known as the "Rombout patent," described as " situated on the east side of Hudson river at the south side of a creek called the Fish kill and by the Indians Mateawam, thence north along the river five hundred rods beyond the great Woppink kill, thence into the woods four hours going, sixteen English miles, keeping five hundred rods north of Woppink kill. And from the said Fish kill or creek called Mateawam, along the Fish kil into the woods at the foot of the High hills, including all the reed or low lands at the south side of said creek, with an easterly line four hours going, sixteen English miles, thence to north side of Woppink creek (or kill) as aforesaid." On the 22d of April, 1697, a patent was granted to Henry Beekman for "all that tract in Duchess county, beginning at the north side of the Highlands, at the east of the lands of Colonel Van Cortlandt and company [the Rombout patent] so far as the line between the province of New York and the colony of Connecticut extends." These two

tracts, with the manor of Cortlandt, became the boundaries on the north and south of what was afterward known as the "Philipse patent," and includes what is now Putnam county, New York. The first owners of this patent were Lambert Dorland and Jean Seabrant. These men were among the early emigrants from Holland, and resided on Staten Island. In 1680 the former had a tract of one hundred and thirty acres on the north side of Staten Island, while as early as 1669 the latter is mentioned as having a plantation in the same locality. A license to purchase of "the Indian natives a certain tract or parcell of Land lying on the east side of Hudson

river at a place called Butterberge," was granted to "John Rooloofe Sylvan," October 26, 1687, and on July 15, 1691, a deed was obtained from the Indians, Anguikenagg, Raentagg, and others, by which they conveyed "to Lambert Dorland and Jean Seabrant All that certain tract in the Highlands beginning at the north side of a certain hill called Anthony's Nose, by a redd cedar tree, and along said river northerly to the land belonging to Stephanus Van Cortlandt and the heirs of Francis Rombout and Guillian VerPlanck, and eastward into the woods, as farr along the said lands to a marked tree, together with Pollepels island." The pur

chasers of this tract, Dorland and Seabrant, did not obtain a patent for the land, but sold all their right to the premises to Adolphe Philipse, a wealthy merchant of New York, June 16, 1697. In this way began the ownership by the famous family whose name and deeds form so important a portion of the annals of the county, as well as the state of New York. Adolphe Philipse had already made application for a patent, and on June 17, 1697, one was granted by Governor Fletcher, which embraced all the lands described in the foregoing deed, with the very important addition that it was to extend eastwardly to the division line between New York and Connecticut, and for this additional part the new owner procured from the Indians a deed dated August 13, 1702, which included all the land as described in the patent.

Adolphe Philipse, the patentee, continued in possession till the time of his death, which occurred in the latter part of the year 1749. He died intestate, and, as he never married, his estate descended to his nephew Frederick Philipse as heir-at-law. The new owner did not long enjoy his vast estate, but died in 1751, leaving the Highland patent, in equal proportions, to his four younger children-Philip, Susannah (wife of Colonel Beverley Robinson), Mary (afterward wife of Colonel Roger Morris), and Margaret. It was strictly entailed "to their heirs forever," and if either died without lawful issue his or her share was to go to the survivors. Margaret, the youngest child, died at the age of thirteen, and the three first named became the entire owners.

These three owners resolved to divide the patent between them, and first proceeded to take steps to bar the entail. The records and documents in the case are still in existence and are a very curious illustration of the method of procedure in the courts of the olden time. The entail being barred, the owners employed one Jonathan Hampton, a noted surveyor of colonial days, to survey the patent and divide it into nine lots, as shown by the accompanying map. The title of each party was confirmed by duly executed deeds, dated February 7, 1754, but in each of these deeds the "mines and minerals" were reserved, and consequently they remained undivided property. On the 20th of February the same year, Susannah Robinson and her husband, Colonel Beverley Robinson, conveyed her share of the patent (lots 1, 4, and 9) to William Livingston, who two days later conveyed the same to Colonel Beverley Robinson, and he remained the owner till after the Revolution, when his share was confiscated and sold by order of the state, in farms, to persons most of whom were already in possession as tenants.

If any reliance can be placed upon the testimony of tradition and the

description of her contemporaries, Mary Philipse must have been one of the most beautiful and fascinating women of her times, and numbered among her worshiping adorers no less a personage than the illustrious Washington. Her heart and hand were at length won by Colonel Roger Morris, who, as aid to the ill-fated Braddock, had distinguished himself, and was among the wounded in the battle of Monongahela. Previous to their marriage an ante-nuptial contract was executed, by which all the share of Mary Philipse in the Highland patent (lots 3, 5, and 9, with the undivided share of the mines and minerals) was conveyed to Johanna Philipse (mother of Mary Philipse) and Colonel Beverley Robinson, "to

[From a portrait by West in possession of Rev. F. O. Morris, England.]

the use and behoof of the said Johanna Philipse and Beverley Robinson until the solemnization of the said intended marriage, after which to Mary Philipse and Roger Morris and the survivor of them during their natural lives, and then to the use and behoof of their child or children and his, her, or their heirs and assigns forever." Five days after the execution of this contract (January 19, 1758) the parties were united in marriage at the old manor house at Yonkers, with pomp and splendor worthy of their station and suited to their circumstances. The share of Colonel Roger Morris and his wife, like that of Colonel Beverley Robinson, was confiscated after the Revolution, and they went as exiles to England, from whence