The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-04-09
HISTORIC VAN CORTLdNDT MANOR

The Scene of Many Events OF Interest Dur
lag the wsr for Independence.
Van C~ortlandt Park. recently added to our
system OF public parks. contains more spots OF
historical interest. with the possible exception
OF the Battery. than any other public property
in the city. 1t lies In the extreme north centre
Of the annexed district. and consists OF about
300 acres. including Van Cortlandt Lake. we'll
known to lovers Of skating.
The property originally belonged to tho
Manor OF Philipseborough. but was sold In
900 to Jacobus Van Cortlandt. who married
the adopted daughter Of Frederick Phiiipse.
lord OF tho manor. From him the property
went In 1880 to his son Frederick. and ten
years later to tho ~latter's son. Jacobus Van
Cortlandt. better known as Col. James Van
Cortlandt
Ayear before his death. Frederick Van Cort-
landt deserted the original house. which had
been built By AdriAea q der Donek., PATRON
OF Yonksrs. and which was subsequently torn
down In 1929 The place whero the old house
stands is marked BY three great old locust
trees. Frederick built . new house. which was
considered to he one OF the most complete in
the country. The house is now known as the
Van Cort!andt Manor house. and in and
about this house many stirring events OF tho
he eye too vi. pla Tort,snat. tho head o, tho
s aasrters t ior . The B sfasH ' e,Iiesrs, 'n IN AUGUST %Ss%.
f,iasl u eo%msndsd ~ u LiisSt,:csi. sineo:;
to tex ,Ss place a%ost IN shs roaS Sd 1uG% H't q; s shs pe. .saa
park. Both parties were advancing cautious
y; when ,,th sy t GSbt TN tne TnS,,s fscs to face;
Many Of HE warriors stood ~ him and fought
su Har n All were killed. and their bodies
that p Ralss h ,nsH b q ns' e nfHa '@ @in 5Gnai f hssf ss'n''
Two years later there occurred in tho Van
Gortlandt manor house the death Of the bril-,
wan wan engaged SSasd p to 5. % H%:frd to sA Hiss ! Fowler of
Harlem. a beauty and a belle. and had inst re:
aSf | ne n %as ' indi ann E { i%H' The ,sfe Soldiers { rse fsli
wounded. His soldiers, carried, hin 10 the
manor house. Miss Fowler was hastily sum-
c.p,sia,s sG Gsat ssr' I'D. } Scsy Ss'si ISte tas y iS ,Hs
n Th Io' was While fdI,'iM Major Prnsehank. with his
tits i same Prusehank. while holding his force
French oaicer hshtins for Il. American cnnse.
a4ire hlf ha sGd' and nd . srSs'sy' all fi H: msn v wss
In this Year Col James Van Cortlandt died.
Auaastus had charge Of tho British records Of
New York city. and whom tho war broke out he
ii is due to this precaution that we have to-
day so exact n history OF New York city before
PERTAINING Gen. Washington when the General
was going to New York to arrange for the
evacuation by the British, forces. -.
to his son-in-isw. Henry White. the property
going to Whites son. Augustus. who received
It ON condition of changing his name to Van
CortIandt, In 1880 he died. and the property
went to his brother. who also died . few
nephew. Augustus Bibby. who was Obliged
to assume the name Of Van Cortlandt in order
to get the property. From him itpassed under
the control OF the city.
j.. Efforts will be made by those interested In
local history to have appropriate monuments
events have. occurred. to commend
rate such actions as the brilliant charge of tho |
Chief Nimhum,