New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-21

some of these Revolutionary runs 90 man! III
Westchester County recall with feelings OF pflue
the importance OF the heritages OF which they are
the guardians An incident happened last "eeh III
Mamaroneck which recalls the earlier ASSOCIATIONS
and the home of the great American writer. J.
Fenimore Cooper.
The people of the village were startcu 10 e"''
that vandals had pillaged the old De Lancey grave
yard on Heathcote Hill. and that a number OF inc
old headstones which have been standing nearly
u century. were either Clipped or broken Among
them is the monument of John Peter De Lancey.
settlers in America. Before coming to America ne
was a captain in the British Army In the c9urss
but returned in 1879 and spent the remainder OF
his life in Mamaroneck. His descendants still hye
on the old estate Heathcote Hill. near me vi
iage and Edward De Lancey who is broker in
New-York City is offering reward iof ,he oI
prehensiOn of the persons who moestco inc Ola
family burying ground ..s ~,
II was in The latter days Of Mr., De Lancey's lie
that j. Fenmore Cooper visited Mamaron Inc
young novelist's naval career suddenly e h Wy
attachment which sprang up between MN ma ana
took long walks along the beautiful shores near
Rye and Mamaroreck Cooper at TINS time Mas
which afterward became the basis for his works
This romantic courtshp ended in happy marriage;
The old house in which their first years Of married
life were spent is still standing ON the B4stoA
Post Road. and is nestled between two churche;s-
the Methodist Episcopal and the HOLY lrlnity
Roman Catholic. both OF which have been built in
recen: years The property on which ne house
stands was years ago known as the oid ''uloIi
Place The house which is old-fashonet
old II has the ideal construction and arrange
ment of its period Cooper. after taking posses
sion, named it Closet Hall. account OF the size
the rooms which were extremely small. II was
here that Cooper. while friendly Visit one
afternoon TO the home of John jay, near Rye. was
told the story upon which he founded the cool ana
fearless character OF the Spy" A portion OF the
plot was laid In Dunwoodie. The Pioneer AMI
Misunderstanding Tales soon followed. ana were
written In the meagre light which stole through
the small narrow windows OF Closet Han. oif.n
the author would throw aside his work and walk
through the woods Scarsdale and Emsford. Al
Elmsford he frequently met Washington Irving.
and IL IL said the twain would seek the old tavern
and drink friendly tankard together. The Oil
tavern is still standing. and is about 10 be reopeneh
When Cooper left Mamaron"ck he removed 10 the
Angevine farm. in Scarsdale but limited mall IA
cllities and OF travel soon caused him to re-
move TO New-York City.
The old home was afterward taken by Alice
Havens author OF books for children. VINO
called it The Willows. account OF the large
willow trees which almost hid IL from view. She
William Johnston II remodelled by its rev
owner in 1873 Mr. Johnston died about year ago,
and since that time II has remained unoccGpi'd.
The present owner. William Samuel Johnston. who
Is the CORPORATION Counsel for the new village Of
Mamaroneck inherited the property from his
father The old building Is now filled with cobwehs
and dust. 1t Is plainly to be seen by travellers
along the Boston Post Road, not few OF whom
stop their journey and wonder at the inspiration
the quiet neighborhood once furnished for Cooper
thrilling creations.