F 127

.W5
B6

V.2

Entered according to the Act of Congress in the year eighteen hundred and forty-eight

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District of New York.

POUNDRIDGE.

POUNDRIDGE is situ

ated fifteen miles north-
east of the village of
White Plains, and dis-
tant one hundred and
thirty-nine miles from
Albany; bounded north
and east by Lewis-
borough, south
by the state of Con-

east

necticut, and west by Bedford and North Castle. The name of this town is undoubtedly derived from the ancient Indian pound, which formerly stood at the foot of a high ridge, a little

VOL. II.

Poundridge was organized on the 7th of March, 1788.
1

south of the present village of that name. On account of its natural boundaries this section of country was peculiarly adapted for the favorite Indian practice of entrapping wild game. Upon the north the Stony mountains formed an impassable rampart, whilst the long chain of ponds and streams on the east line of the town closed up all avenues of escape in that direction. The Indians therefore availing themselves of these natural barriers, constructed a palisaded pound at the southern extremity of the ponds, into which they drove the wild game from the west. Van der Donck the historian informs us, "that the Indians frequently united in companies of from one to two hundred, when they have rare sport. On these occasions they drive over a large district of land and kill much game. They also make extensive fikes with palisadoes, which are narrow at the terminating angles, wherein they drive multitudes of animals and take great numbers. At a word they are expert hunters for every kind of game, and know how to practice the best methods to insure success." "a The shouts and yells of these savage huntsmen must have reverberated in frightful echoes from the neighboring woods and hills, serving no doubt much to bewilder their prey.

Poundridge was originally included in the Indian grant made to John Turner of New Haven, on the 1st of July, 1640. The sale is thus recorded in the town books of Stamford.

"Bought of Ponus, sagamore of Toquams," (Stamford,) " and Wascussue, sagamore of Shippan, by me Nathaniel Turner of Quinnipiacke," (New Haven,) "all the ground that belongs to both the above named sagamores, except a piece of ground which the aforesaid sagamore of Toquams reserved for his and the rest of the said Indians to plant on; all which ground being expressed by meadows, uplands, grass, with the rivers and trees; and in consideration hereof, I the said Nathaniel Turner am to give and bring or send to the above said sagamores within the space of one month, twelve coats, twelve hoes, twelve hatchets, twelve glasses, twelve knives, four kettles, and four fathom of white wampum; all which land both we the said sagamores do promise faithfully to perform both for ourselves, our heirs, executors or assigns

a Van der Donck's Hist. of N. N. New York Hist. Soc. Coll. New Series, vol. i. Capt. Nathaniel Turner purchased in behalf of the people of New Haven.

to the above said Nathaniel Turner of Quinnipiacke, his heirs, executors or assigns, and hereunto we have set our marks in the presence of many of the said Indians, they fully consenting thereto."

Ye marke of M Ponus, sagamore.

Witnessed by us,

William Wilkes,
James, &c.

Ye marke of

Wascussue, sagamore.

Besides Poundridge the above sale also embraced the present townships of Darien, Stamford, New Canaan, and the greater part of Bedford and Greenwich.

The planting grounds reserved by the sachem Ponus, were situated four miles south of Poundridge, in the vicinity of the street still bearing his name. In 1644, "the western Indians being at war with the Dutch, had communicated their hostile feelings to those around Stamford, who at this period numbered one thousand warriors; but the firmness and courage of Capt. John Underhill compelled the whole of them to sue for peace. Upon occasion of its ratification the Wappings of Stamford presented themselves with others at Fort Amsterdam, April 6th, 1644.b In 1655 occurs the following agreement between the inhabitants of Stamford and the Indian Sachem, Ponus, &c.

"Our agreement made with Ponus, Sagamore of Toquams, and with Onox his eldest son. Although there was an agreement made before with the said Indians and Captain Turner, and the purchases paid for, yet the things not being clear, and being very unsatisfied, we come to another agreement with Onox and Ponus for their land from the town plot of Stamford north about sixteen miles, and then to a marked white oak tree with ST, and from that tree we went towards the Mill river side, we marked another white oak tree with ST, and from that tree west we were to run four miles eastward, and from this east and west line we were to have further to the north, for our cattle to feed,

a See Bedford.

The Wappings were probably engaged "in the great battle fought between the Dutch and Indians in that part of Horseneck called Strickland's plain, now inclu. ded in the town of Greenwich, Connecticut." O'Callaghan's Hist. N. N. 302,

full two miles further, the full breadth only, the said Indians reserve for themselves liberty for their planting ground, and the above said Indians, Ponus and Onox, with all other Indians that be concerned in it, have surrendered all the said land &c., for and in consideration hereof, the said town of Stamford is to give the said Indians four coats which the Indians accept of as full satisfaction for the aforesaid lands although it waspaid before. Hereby all Ponus's posterity is cut off from making any claim or having any right to any part of the aforesaid land &c., the said Ponus and Onox his son, having this day received of Richard Lane, four coats, acknowledging themselves fully satisfied for the aforesiad land.

Witness the said Indians hands this fifteenth day of August, A. D. 1655.
Witness William Newman,
Ponus his mark,
Onox O his mark.

Richard Lewis.

Upon the 7th of January, 1667, Taphance son of Ponus and Powhag or Pinaghag son of Onox, confirmed to the people of Stamford the agreement of 1655. By these sales Poundridge became a part of Stamford township, within Fairfield County.

On the 26th of May, 1685, the general court of Connecticut issued the following patent to the inhabitants of Stamford, embracing all those lands.

"Bounded on the south west by ye five mile brook, between Stamford aforesaid and Norwalk, from the mouth of the said brook, till it meet with the cross path, that is, where the county road crosses the said river, and from thence to run up into ye country till twelve miles be run out upon the same line, that is between Stamford and Fairfield, and upon the west, to Totomak brook, where the lowermost path or road that now is to Greenwich, east by ye said brook, and from thence to run in a straight line to the west end of a line drawn from the falls of Stamford mill river, which line is to run a due west point towards Greenwich bounds, a short mile, and from the west end at the said line, to run due north, to the north of ye present country road to Rye, and from thence to run up into the country, the same line that is between Norwalk and Stamford, to the end of the bounds, the said land having been by purchase or otherwise, lawfully obtained of the Indians, native proprietors. And whereas, the proprietors the aforesaid inhabitants of Stamford, in the colony of Connecticut, have made application to the Gov. and company of the said colony of Connecticut, assembled in court, 25th May, 1685, that they may have a patent for confirmation of the aforesaid land, so purchased and granted to them as aforesaid, and which they have stood seized and quietly possessed of for many years late past, without interruption. Now, for a more full confirmation of the aforesaid lands, as it is butted and bounded aforesaid,