[J. Thomas Scharf (1886)] Colonel Beekmati, and serving as executor to many relatives, his high ideas of integrity and promptness also causing him to be chosen its arbiter in many vexed questions touch-ing landed estates. He represented the Manor of Cortlandt in the Colonial Assembly from October, 17(58, to April, 1775, watching carefully and with painful apprehension the encroachments of the Crown upon the liberties of the Colonies. He was drawn by so many ties of blood and alliance to the officials of the Province and to many noble families in the mother country that it seemed highly probable that his lot would be cast in with those who espoused 4 These brother-in-laws were on the most affectionate terms, their let ters to each other evince this, and in the society of each other their mode of address is always " Brother Cortlandt " and " Brother Livingston." 5 Record for the Manor of Cortlandt and forktown, — "At a town-meeting, held for ye Manor of Cortlandt, on the first Tuesday in April in the year of our Lord 1760, to choose town officers for ye said Manor for the ensuing year ami the respective names and offices of those chosen. "Pn.RitE Van Cortlandt, Supervisory Bolton's " History of, Westchester," vol. ii., page 706. 430 HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY. the royal cause. His brothers had both chosen their course; his nephew, Philip, before alluded to, had openly come out on the aide 'of the king.