New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-20
OLD WISE ESTATE HISTORY
Early and Recent Development
of a Bronx Section.

No portion Of New York City has grown
more rapidly than the Vyse section.
most prominent tribe Of Indians which in
hehited this territory prior to European
settlement, we are Informed by Broadneao
and Schoo'craft, was the WeekquaesSeeks
Their hunting grounds, as generally de-
s-~ibed, were south Of an irregular line
frawn east and west from the Hudson 70
the Sound passing through the heedwa-
tiers Of the Pocantico, Nepperhan and
mounds shell beds, stone hatchets. spear
and arrow heads found on the shores
hummockS and unlands extending from
the mouth Of the Pocantico at Tarrytown
to the rocks bearing Indian inscriptions
On Hunters Island. in Pelham Bay Park.
II was not until March II, 1888. mat
title to part Of West Farms. Barretto
Point and Leggett's Neck was acquired
from the Indians. At that time this land
was conveved by Shonearockite. indian
chief, Wapon1eo' Tockorre, WhaWna'
Fckreke. Nspaha e. Qranusco. shaaul SEe'
Kassachahenue and Harrawooke TO Ed
ward Jessup and John Richardson, both
Of Westckester. The deed conveying title
described the land as follows: Bounded on
T. tNe midst of the river on the north
ward by the Tress mark. etc, by piece
of Hassock Meadow, we tward. by little
brook called Sackwrahung. southwark, by
the sea with a neck Of land called Quin-
nahong. with all meadows, necklands:
tree. etc, and whatever else upon said
land.
These indians. through their chief.
Shon"arockite, gave an acknowledgment OF
satisfaction TO Edward JessJp and John
Richardson: and ii is stated that the en-
SIS. Directly after this purchase Richard
Nichols, Governor OF the Colony OF New
Vo"n "0ve p ~ov9l @rant cr ratent Of said
property on behalf Of the Duke Of York and
IN Richardson. and the property wal:
held by Richardson. one OF the original
patentees, and his descendants until about
the middle Of the last century.
year 1861, cam int the hands OF Thomas
A Vyse, and consisted OF eighry-seven
acres Of land. best described as follows:
Founded bv the old Beck estate on the
north, on the east by the Fox estate, at
about $50 feet east Of Southern Boz evard,
on tire south by Home stree and West
Farms. and on the west II is bounfed by
Bronx River II was sold TO Thomas A.
Vyse for the nominal sum OF 500, 900, while
the assessed valuation OF the property TO-
day am, unts to many millions.
Directly 9fter WISE purchase he prop
erty the Home of Incurab'es endaaVored to
secure il, but they offered ~ $4,000.
ans woul2 not give some 500 as tAty
believed the property would never acquire
such a vast value. How f2r wrong the
directors Of the H-nc OF Iucurablea were
is best evidenced by a casual ohse' vation
of the nature q the property and the i'm
provemerts on fl to-day.
Thomas A. WISE held the property until
1874, when he conveyed 10 one John c.
Whitehouse, and by subsequent convey
ances - came into the nos ess.on Of the
Ninth National Bank. In 1898 syndicate
purchased the entire estate and imme-
dietclv 'he~' after building operations com
Tenced. The property to-day IN this Vi
cinitv has increased IN value enormously,
due 10 the energy of the citizens OF this
section. who are extremely Wideawake, as
can be best ascertained nv the fac that
this sectol obtained a station OF the sub
way at ito very door, namely. lie freeman
street station and this was obtained not
withstancns the enormous amount Of COM
petition through Ut the borough FOR other
cations elsewhere. Also 10 It's credit are
which are completely laid out and IN most
instances paved. sgulated and graded, with
sewerage. gas and electricity.
The Vyse Estate Property owners Asso-
citation was formed several years ago for
the purpoee Of bringing aDOut unity among
the several pronerty owners IN this vicinity
so that requirements and desires OF this
section could be hest obtained. MEETINGS
cf the association are always well attended
end the comm tees are always represent
tive of the best men Of he viciuitv. Com
mitteee attend all OF most OF the hearings
given by he publ" Service Commission.
'lc BOARD Of Estimate and rTorionmr1t.
BOARD Of Aldermen and the Stale Begls-
lature There Is hardly a matter Of interest
10 this section that Is not thnroughly
thrashed cut nv the committees and given
20 speciel committees TO act upon.
No property owrer 81 this portion Of The
FronX can well afford to refrain from join
ing this progressive and enterprising asso-
citation. Manv things are still to be ac-
quired by this section. sJch as new public
schools on the estate and construction Of
additional rapid transit lines the running
Of Second avenue trains to Freeman street.
the requirement Of additional pavement on
policemen.-Harry Robitzek, in The Record
arQ Guide