[J. Thomas Scharf (1886)] two centuries of civilized ownership, and there are swamps, but of limited area. Nearly every farm has its tract of woodland, a relic of the " forest primeval." A striking natural feature of the soil of the town is a strip of land called sometimes the " Sand Belt," be-ginning at the north side of the town at Katonah and running across the town southeasterly, about parallel with the eastern boundry and averaging half a mile in width. On this tract the uplands are generally loam or sandy knolls, but swamps and natural meadow are found in the low lands. The principal streams of the town are the Croton (Indian, Kitchawan), which forms the boundary on the northwest for nearly three miles; the Cross River (Indian, Peppeneghek), named from John Cross, one of the first pioneers; the Mianus. which flows into the town and out again near the southeast corner; the Beaver Dam, Broad Brook, David's Brook, Miry Brook, Spruce Brook, one of the boundaries of the Indian deeds, Kisco Brook and Kisco River, near Mount Kisco. The last-named was for its whole length, down to Croton River, the western boundary of the town as bought from the Indians. The people of Bedford are a community of farmers, the substantial descendants, in great part, of the early settlers, whose names are perpetuated throughout the town. The late James Washington Anderson was the youngest of five children of James W. Anderson, an Englishman by birth, who came to New York to re-side.