New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-25


filed in save one in what IS now the stting-room.
which is preserved as memento or ola tunes anu
the ancient character of the dwelling
The original manor lands of the Van Cortahuts
embraced what are now the towns Of Cortlandt'
North Salem Somers, Yorktown and part OF Lewis
boro BY marriage the family is connected with
the Van Rensselaers, De Ianceys, Philipses. BECK
mans. Bayards Verplancks, De Peysters' Living
stons Schuyers. Van Wycks Stevensons' and' IN
fact all the families whose wealth, ability ana
gentle blood formed the colonial arstocracy OF this
state But the brightest feature in the history OF
the family has been its patriotic devotion 10 Aneri-
can interests
When other OF the leading New-York families at
the beginning OF the Revolution were !uKewarm OF
pronounced adherens TO the English cause II was
pierre Van Cortlandt OF the Croton Manor, that re-
fnsed tho Establishments OF Governor Tryon and his
offers OF wealth and title and staked his life ana
$1,000 acres of Westchester lands IN the cause Oh
American Independence. And they nave Deeh
patrots ever since The present head or the ram
v James Stevenson Van Cortandt. served with
distinction in the Union Army during the Civil war
while his mother Mrs Catherine f. Van Cortlandt.
was a most efficient worker In the cause OF wv
Sanitary Commission and other patriotic movements
Memories of stirring incidents and prominent peo-
pie cluster around TINS oG nous: oha' rhnro The
waters OF the Croton and Hudson meet locate 20
now only the beginning of civilization that reaches
10 the shores Of the Pacific. while it marks the
davs when the slow-going soops of the Duchman
nassed TO and from Fort Orange. now Albany then
the farthes; outpost of the white mans cohtrol III
the New-Neherlands.
PEOPLE WHO MADE HISTORY.
Through the ponderous doorway OF the old house
over which, suspended from the anters OF West
chester deer. still hangs the strong bow of Kitch-
ooron chief of the Croon Indians and friend OF the
first Van Cortlandt has passed an interesting train
NJ the fashion, wit and beauty OF colonial maids
and natrons and their attendant gallants Gov
ernor Tryon, already referred to, has visited here
accompanied by his wife. In Revolutionary times
the hospitable walls have held Washington Franklin
and La Fayette De Rochambeau, Stcuben. the Duke
do Lauzan and many others while on the lawn In
later DAYS Whiteneld and Asbury have preached
TO large gatherings OF people assembled from all the
country round.
Within the house cherished many mementos
NJ the guests who have visited there. together with
nortraits Of the former lords OF the and
one of Brant the celebrated Indian chieftain and
friend of General Philip Van Cortandt. The chiefs
wampum belt still decorates the frame OF the
picture.
The manor burying ground, where lie the mem
bers OF the family who have died since Revolution
ary times is on the west side OF the road some
distance north OF the house. Earlier members OF
the family were buried either at Yonkers or Peeks-
kill where there were other family seats. In the
Croton burial place. Lieutenant Governor Pierre
Van Cortiandt who died In 1914, at the age OF
ninety-four years, and Joanna. his wife, daughter
Of Gilbert and Cornelia Livingston who died in
1Sos at the age OF eghty-seven years. are buried
also, Pierre Van Cortandt, born in l'G2 died
George Clinton President OF the United States.
She was born at New-Windsor Conn. November
Her grave recalled to the writer that of her
youngest sister. which he found several years ago
in little churchyard at East Greenbush IN Rens
s By large at stone which is inscribed the
following: Under this humble stone are Inferred
the remains of Cornelia Tappan clinton. wife OF
Edmond Charles Genet late ana
to the United States OF America, and daughter OF
General George Clinton. vice-President OF IN, the
near New-Windsor. the 29th of June. ia. and she
died Of at prO, JSTth IN the
year OF her age. Honest. faithful and sincere, she
ber hand S' e as s scenes
the world to the shadows OF a peaceful solitude
charms OF lively enlightened and cultivated mind
and OF n heart devoted 10 virtue. Her last mo-
been ike her life an example OF fortude and true
Christian phlanthrophy" Her husband is buried
Besides other members of the Van Cortland
family in the Croton, plot are buried Gerard G..
Ss Wft sso Pierre Van Wyck ang r eodne
counsellor OF Lincoln. born In 1924. died in 1853
WHERE GOVERNOR DONGAN FIsHED.
Some distance east OF the manor house. along
the north bank OF the Croton River Is the build
Ing known the old ferryhouse apparently quite
old as the manor house. Its roof slopes steeply
from the front. and originally a long room with
a fireplace set cornerwise at either end afforded
accommodations for travellers awaiting the SLOW
motions Of the ferryboat, large scow propelled
by ropes that afforded means OF crossing the
Croton River before the bridge was built The
ferryhouse is built OF brick and timber While the
manor house was constructed OF solid red free
stone, brought from Nyack. Family tradition has
II that Governor Dongan often came to the manor
house to pursue his favorite sport OF hunting and
fishing. the broad bay OF the croton nj this point
in those days being the haunt OF ducks Including
the famous canvas-backs. and Astounding In fish OF
many kinds