Tombstone epitaph., 1915-01-03

the pride and arrogance Of George the Thirds government to be obliged to receive this prescribed rebel as the first minister plenipotentiary of the United States of America.
 House Built in 1873.
 The old house, solidly built of stone and brick in the early colonial style, faces Staten Island sound. and is about half a mile south of the pres- ent village of Tottenville. IL was built about 1873 by Christopher Billop, sturdy English sea captain, who owned small ship called the Bentley, which settled an interesting dispute.
 In l66S there was controversy re- garding the ownership of Staten fs- land, and to settle it the duke of York decided that if the island could be circumnayigated within twenty-four hours it should remain in his jurisdic- tion, otherwise it should belong to New Jersey. Billop undertook the task of sailing round the island. and accomplished 1t within the 2i hours. thus securing it for the duke. In re- turn for the service he was granted 1,163 acres at the extreme end of the island, which was called. after his ship, the Manor Bentley. The village of Tottenville, which occupies part of the original estate. was originally known as Bentley manor.
 While living on his estate Billop was appointed subcollector of the port of New York. but, like some office holders of modern times, he lost his position through making offensive po- | litical speeches in public" In dis gust he retired to his estate. where he lived until 1882, when he sailed for England in his ship, which was lost on the voyage.
 l His daughter, Eugenia. married her | cousin. Thomas Farmar, who assumed the name of Billop. During the Revo- Iution his son commanded a regiment of loyalists, the family being pro nounced Tories. For this reason they were declared traitors, and at the ! close of the Revolution the estate was confiscated, and the Billops moved to | Canada.
 After its forfeiture the property was purchased by Philip Van Cortlandt in 1194. Since that time it has passed | through several hands. until only small part of the original estate re- i mains. The present owner is Charles Leland. retired New York banker.
 Old Mansion Little Changed.
 The old mansion, which has wealth cred the storms of nearly two and half centuries. looks strong enough ' to last another century Little change has been made in il since it was built. ! It's quaint rooms still contain the deep embrasured windows. with small-paned [ sashes, and curious cupboards, built ! into the walls. At the right of the en- | trance is the room where the Revo- ! lutionary peace conference took place. The kitchen. in the basement. | has fireplace the entire width Of the | house. in which several logs of tree size can easily be placed In the mid dle is a long crane of hand-wrought iron holding two enormous kettles.
 Under the main entrance there is dark cellar. where, tradition says. Revolutionary patriots were confined and i'll treated by the Tory Billops. Near the house are some oaks with gnarled trunks. looking centuries old. beneath which British soldiers once made their camp.
 | Like all old houses, the Billop man. sion has its fancied ghosts. One of these is said to be the restless spirit of British grenadier. killed near by in a skirmish between loyalists and revolutionists.
 The other 'ha'nt" is the spirit of Billop. beautiful bride. murdered by her husband in fit of jealousy about one hundred and sixty years ago. Her body was said 10 have been buried on the threshold, and, strangely enough, skeleton was dug up there some years ago and reinterred in the fam ! fly burial plot adjoining the house. Here may be seen several moscow cred stones, with half-oblitered inscrip- | tions. dating from colonial times.