[J. Thomas Scharf (1886)] grounds. Section XXIV. The Bi-Centennial Celebration. (October 18, 1882.) Duringthe mayoralty of the Honorable William A. Gibson, the Yonkers Common Council, on the 19th of December, 1877, adopted the following preamble and resolutions, offered by Alderman Frederic Shon-nard : " Vhireas in the present City Hall, formerly the hall of the ancient mannr of Philipse, the city of Yonkers possesses one of the most inter-esting of such relics of our antiquity in the state, if not in the nation — a building and a site which have been rendered interesting iu history by the generous hospitality of the Phil ipse family to the distinguished people of their day, among whom was General Washington — a building, part of which dates back to 1C82, is now nearly two hundred years old, and has been a silent witness of the growth of this place from a rude settlement trafficking with the Indians, to its present prosperity and beauty as a city,— "And IMicreas the possession of such a relic of the past as the seat of our city government is a matter of local interest and pride, and can be made very advantageous in adding to the romantic attractiveness of our