Van Cortlandt Mansion

HE Van Cortlandt Manor House is one of the oldest edifices that now remain on the borders of the Hudson River. It was built both as a country residence and as a fort, the walls being of reddish freestone, nearly three feet in thickness, pierced with loop-holes for musketry. In it were entertained some of the most notable persons in the history of the state, beginnning with the early colonial governors. George Whitefield preached to the tenants of the manor from its veranda, while Benjamin Franklin rested there on his return from his Canadian mission in 1776. Washington, Rochambeau, Lafayette, and Lauzun were among its guests, and Colonel Henry B. Livingston had his quarters there while watching the "Vulture" at the time of Arnold's treason. Here, too, were entertained eminent Methodist preachers in the early days of that church, including Bishop Asbury and Freeborn Garretson. was built originally as a fortified trading-house by Stephanus Van Cortlandt, and added to by the successive owners. His estate was erected into the lordship and manor of Cortlandt by patent of William III; bearing date of June 17th, 1697.

It

Stephanus Van Cortlandt was born in New York, May 4th, 1643; son of Oloff Stevense Van Cortlandt, who came to New Netherland in the ship "Haring," with Director Kieft in 1638, and Annetje, sister of Govert Loockermans, who came over with Director Van Twiller in 1633.

In 1649, Oloff Stevense Van Cortlandt was chosen

colonel of the burgher guard, or city train bands, and also appointed one of the "Nine Men" a temporary representative board elected by the citizens. He was previously one of the "Eight Men" a similar body in 1645. In 1654 he was elected schepen, or alderman, and the next year appointed burgomaster, or mayor of New Amsterdam. He was also engaged in various public matters as a councillor and commissioner.

Stephanus Van Cortlandt was one of the most eminent men of the province of New York after it became an English colony. He filled at one time or another every permanent office in that province, except the governorship. His first appointment was as a member of the court assigns, the body instituted under "The Dukes Laws" over which Governor Richard Nicolls presided, and which exercised both judicial and legislative powers. In 1668 he was appointed an ensign in the Kings county regiment, subsequently a captain, and later its colonel. In 1677, he was appointed the first native American mayor of the city of New York, he held that office almost consecutively until his death. He was a member of the governor's council, 1683-1700; commissioner of the revenue, 1686; and also served as deputy auditor and deputy secretary of New York City. In 1688, during LieutenantGovernor Nicholson's absence in England, at the time of Governor Jacob Teisler's revolt, Stephanus Van Cortlandt with Frederick Philipse, was left in charge of the government. He was judge of the court of common pleas in Kings county; a justice of the supreme court of the province, in 1693 and appointed chief justice in 1700 serving until his death, on November 25th of the same

year.

Rutgers Mansion

HE bricks in this house were brought from Holland and the mortar was kept in the ground three years after being made, in order to season

it. During the occupation of New York City by the British troops this house located on the corner of Cherry and Jefferson streets, was used as a barrack and military hospital. General La Fayette was entertained at the mansion by Colonel Rutgers in 1824.

Henry Rutgers was born in New York City, October 7th, 1745; son of Hendrick and Catherine De Peyster Rutgers; grandson of Captain Harman and Catharine Meyer Rutgers and of Johannes de Peyster, who settled in New York about 1642, and a descendant of Rutger Jacobsen van Schoenderwoedt, who embarked from Holland on the yacht "Rensselaerswyck," in 1636, for Fort Orange, New York; was married to Tryntje Jansse van Breesteede of New Amsterdam, 1646, and was a magistrate in 1655.

Henry Rutgers was graduated from Kings College in 1766; and devoted his attention to the management of his estate. He was appointed a lieutenant in Malcom's regiment in 1776, and in the battle of White Plains commanded his company and succeeded Malcom as Colonel. He was Major of the New York militia, 1788; Colonel, 1790; a member of the New York State Assembly in 1784, 1800-02 and 1807; a presidential elector from the sixth district in 1809, elector-at-large in 1819, and elector from the first district in 1821. In 1811 he assisted in raising funds for building the first