by George W. Nash and Hopper Striker Mott

“ No less person than Benjamin Franklin selected the positions for many milestones along the highways, when as Postmaster General, in a specially contrived wagon, he measured off the miles at which the stones should be erected. Some of these so-called Franklin Milestones are still standing, one of them being on the Milford Road in Stratford, Conn.
The first two or three milestones in Manhattan are of white stone, then a brown stone is used the rest of the way up the river until Red Hook is reached, when again a white stone is used. ”

“ To let for one or more years, the farm at Bloomingdale, near the four mile stone, known by the name of Eden's Farm, consisting of about 22 acres of land, on which are two dwelling houses and 2 farms and to which may be added 2 pieces of pasture land of about 10 acres each. ”

“ If the defacement be committed by a slave and the fine remain unpaid, imprisonment with 39 lashes on the bare back is prescribed if said forfeiture be not paid within 6 days after conviction.
The date of placing the stones on the Albany Post Road was 1769, as confirmed by the carving of this date on the ninth milestone, which formerly stood at the corner of Harlem Lane (now St. Nicholas Avenue) at 149th Street. ”

“ MILESTONES IN BLOOMINGDALE
That there was a series running up the Bloomingdale Road is proved by the following evidence. The 3d stone, as Colles has shown, was near 24th Street, at the junction of the Post Road.
This advertisement from the Columbian of June 6, 1815, has been found; "A stray steer was found on the premises of the subscriber on the 5th of August last. The owner may have the said steer by proving property and paying all reasonable charges. ”

“ The City History Club obtains the means for this work by a voluntary tax paid by children enrolled in its study clubs and by general contributions.
See articles in the Outlook (June 24, 1909) , "Along the Hudson in Stage Coach Days"; Westchester County (N. Y.) Magasine, "Some Westchester County Milestones" and "Some Bronx Milestones."
See also "The Greatest Street in the World—Broadway," by Stephen Jenkins; "The New York and Albany Post Road," by C. G. Hine. ”